BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 3 By Ilkin Seyfaddini Trend: President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti will visit Uzbekistan on March 4-5, Trend reports citing Uzbek media. Within the visit, Chakrabarti will meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. "In addition to the meeting with the head of state, a meeting with Uzbek Finance Minister Timur Ishmetov is also planned," the report said. The EBRD president will also get acquainted with the bank's projects in the Fergana Valley. In October 2019, it was announced that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development intends to expand its presence in Uzbekistan. In particular, the EBRD is considering opening its representative office in Uzbekistan's Karakalpakstan Autonomous Republic next year. This will be the third office in addition to the one in Tashkent and another recently opened in Andijan city. EBRD reached a new record in Uzbekistan in 2019, having invested $576 million in 13 private and public sector projects - the largest amount of financing in the history of the bank's presence in Uzbekistan. The Government of Uzbekistan and the EBRD signed loan agreements totaling 246.1 million dollars for projects in energy and housing and communal services on 20 November 2019. The EBRD resumed its work in Uzbekistan in 2017 after a ten-year break. As of today, EBRD has invested 1.85 billion euro in economy of Uzbekistan for implementation of 79 projects. --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini Kolkata, March 3 : A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the Delhi violence a 'planned genocide' and blamed the BJP for the disturbances, the saffron party hit back on Tuesday with union minister Babul Suriyo asking the Trinamool Congress supremo to stop making 'provocative comments'. Supriyo alleged that Banerjee did not even know the meaning of 'genocide' and should think twice before shooting off her mouth. "The chief minister doesn't even know the meaning of genocide. So she should think twice before shooting off her mouth. At a time when normalcy was returning to Delhi, she should stop making these kind of provocative comments," said the minister of state for environment and forests. Supriyo said if Banerjee at all had such suggestions, she could call on union home minister Amit Shah. Participating in a political programme on Monday, Banerjee had said: "The way people have been killed in Delhi over the past few days, I think it's a planned genocide and later it has been portrayed as communal riots." Blaming the BJP for the violence, she said instead of seeking forgiveness, it was trying to "capture new territories'. Banerjee's comments came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally at the Shahid Minar maidan here, accused Mamata of 'instigating' riots and torching of trains and railway stations during the violent anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protest last December. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 02:09:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ATHENS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of European Union (EU) institutions expressed on Tuesday their support for Greece and determination for a common European response to the refugee, migrant challenge after a visit to the Greek-Turkish land border. European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President David Sassoli, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic attended the press conference held in the town of Kastanies in the Evros region with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, after being briefed on the crisis unfolding on the Greek-Turkish land border since last Friday. Tens of thousands of refugees and migrants have gathered on the Turkish side of the border, after Ankara said it could no longer prevent them from reaching Europe's borders. Greek police and armed forces have been strengthened on the border and until Monday evening they had prevented over 24,000 illegal crossings and detained 183 persons who crossed the border, according to Greek government sources. In the past few days, the Greek government has repeatedly stated that it faces a national security threat and therefore has stepped up patrols on land and sea borders and requested the immediate substantial aid from other EU member states. "The Greek borders are the European borders and what you are doing is important for Greece and crucial as well for the future of the EU. We are together, because we consider borders protection is essential," Charles Michel said on Tuesday. "We have come here today to send a very clear statement of European solidarity and support to Greece," von der Leyen stated. Greece will receive an additional 700 million euros (784 million U.S dollars) of financial aid for the management of the crisis, she announced, noting that European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is already getting ready to deploy a rapid border intervention unit to assist Greece in dealing with the situation. "It is the responsibility of Europe as a whole and we will manage it in an orderly way, with unity, solidarity and determination. Those who seek to test European unity will be disappointed," she added. "Turkey is not an enemy and people are not just means to reach a goal," she stressed, expressing her compassion for people who reached Europe's borders on false promises, as she noted. Sassoli, on his part, highlighted the need for a strong common European approach on the issue which is on the table for the past five years, since the first mass flows started to cross the Aegean Sea. Over one million reached Greece since 2015, fleeing wars and extreme poverty and continued their journey to other European countries until the closure of borders along the Balkan route in the winter of 2016 and the signing of EU-Turkey agreement aimed to stem the influx. Under the deal, Turkey would be provided with financial assistance to accommodate the millions of refugees and migrants hosted in the country in return for increased efforts to deal with the human smuggling networks operating in the region. "We need -- we see it every day -- to strengthen our common policy framework to deal with migration on a European level. We are here today for one more reason, to tell Turkey that we do not want more talks, but that Turkey respects what has been agreed," Sassoli said on Tuesday. Stressing that nobody wishes to see a replay of the 2015-2016 refugee crisis, Plenkovic also voiced support for Greece, calling for determination to give a European response to the new challenge. "Greece is now the shield of the external borders of the EU... We will send a message to Turkey that good relations between Turkey and the EU depend on both of us. We will seek to find political and diplomatic solution to deescalate the situation we have today here," the Croatian prime minister told the press briefing. Greece has demonstrated solidarity to people in need for years and is currently hosting about 100,000 already, but cannot shoulder alone all the burden of safeguarding Europe's borders from more massive flows, said Greek prime minister. "Greece expects tangible solidarity from the EU and I can tell you that the presence of the entire leadership of the EU here at the outer border of Europe sends a clear signal to everyone. But let's be honest. Europe has not been up to the task of dealing with the migrant crisis. I hope this crisis will serve as a wakeup call for everyone to assume their responsibilities," Mitsotakis stated. "We stand ready to support Turkey in dealing with its refugee problem and find a solution to the Syria conundrum, but not under these circumstances... Migrants and refugees cannot be used as instruments, as pawns in a geopolitical game," the Greek leader concluded. (1 euro= 1.12 U.S dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:51:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LHASA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has received anti-epidemic funds and materials worth over 223 million yuan (32 million U.S. dollars) as of Sunday, the regional government said Tuesday. Government employees, residents, retirees, public security officers, religious figures and social organizations across Tibet have been mobilized to donate money and materials for coronavirus control since the outbreak. The regional anti-epidemic office has collected through purchasing and donation 1.07 million masks, 11,000 protective suits, 210,000 disposable gloves, 17,000 liters of medical alcohol, 33,000 liters of disinfectant, 3,700 hand-held infrared thermometers and 2,300 protective goggles. In the meantime, the autonomous region raised 3,826 tonnes of drinking water, 50 tonnes of yak meat and 60 tonnes of pork with a total worth of 17.9 million yuan to help fight the epidemic in Hubei, the center of the coronavirus outbreak. Tibet has reported zero suspected or confirmed cases for more than 30 days, according to the regional health commission. President Donald Trump sought to show his personal engagement in the fight against coronavirus, meeting with drug company executives on Monday to elicit promises of new medicines and announcing he'll visit federal health agencies later in the week. At the White House meeting, executives from Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Pfizer and other manufacturers told Trump they were making rapid progress on vaccines and antivirals to combat the coronavirus, which has infected about 100 people in the US and killed six. Executives from leading pharmaceutical companies told the President they were making rapid progress on coronavirus vaccines and antivirals. Credit:AP The manufacturers said they hope to have antiviral treatments ready within months and vaccines by next year. Gilead chairman and chief executive officer Daniel O'Day told Trump that his company may test a promising antiviral in Washington state, where all six deaths have occurred. "It's a very optimistic meeting. I didn't realise you were that far advanced," Trump said. "Get it done. We need it." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday defended his decision to ease restrictions on refugees and migrants wishing to cross to Europe. Speaking alongside Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Ankara, Erdogan said,"Refugees and migrants are free to leave wherever they are, and free to chose where they will go." Turkey's announcement marked a dramatic departure from its previous policy of containing refugees and other migrants under an agreement with the European Union. Erdogan, whose country hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has demanded more support from Europe in dealing with the fallout from the Syrian war to its south. He said there were still 1.5 million people waiting in Idlib's borders, "having abandoned their homes". Thousands of migrants on Monday tried to find a way across Turkey's land border into Greece, which has made clear its borders will remain closed. Erdogan accused the European Union of ignoring Turkey's security concerns while supporting Greece, who he said had taken "measures that result in deaths, violating the 1951 Geneva Convention and European Convention on Human Rights." Greek authorities said they had stopped more than 24,000 attempted illegal crossings at the land border with Turkey since early Saturday, and arrested 183 people - very few of whom were Syrians. The U.N. refugee agency appealed for calm at the Greek-Turkish border. But it said that while the situation there is of concern, the "humanitarian disaster unfolding in northwest Syria and massive humanitarian needs in Idlib for some 950,000 internally displaced continues to require urgent action. More than 120 evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship will be released from quarantine Tuesday through a modified protocol. The evacuees were scheduled to be released Monday before San Antonio officials declared a local public health emergency, then went to court and unsuccessfully sought a temporary restraining order to stop the federal government from lifting the quarantine. The CDC modified its protocol after the mistaken release of an evacuee who still had the coronavirus in her system. Now, only individuals who have been symptom-free for the full 14-day quarantine period will be released. Individuals who previously had symptoms will only be released if they have two sequential negative tests within 24 hours, according to a city spokesperson. Evacuees will not be released if there are pending test results. The officials did not specify what time the releases will begin. Some of the evacuees are being bused directly to the San Antonio International Airport in small groups based on their flight times. READ MORE: San Antonio, Bexar County in battle with the CDC over evacuees "Im pleased that the CDC has made changes, and Im comfortable that the plan as presented will minimize the risk of exposure," said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "The release will be coordinated, not prolonged over several days, and passengers will not stay in local hotels and will go directly to the airport." Evacuees will be transported from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to San Antonio International Airport in shifts. Airport representatives will meet the groups upon arrival and take them to ticket counters and through security. Texas residents who requested rental cars to drive home will be transported on the same buses from Lackland to the airport, where rental cars will be arranged. Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger noted the evacuees set to be released showed no symptoms over the 14-day quarantine. "We owe it to our fellow Americans not to stigmatize them and allow them to go back to their homes and families," said Bridger. Passengers who tested positive for coronavirus remain in isolation and are not being released Tuesday. 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 The European Union (EU) and the UK have started the negotiations for a new partnership following Britain's exit from the bloc on January 31. The talks began on Monday with a bilateral meeting between the chief negotiators, the EU's Michel Barnier and the UK's David Frost, Xinhua news agency reported. With around 100 British officials participating, the first round of negotiations will cover 11 areas including trade in goods and services, energy and transport, as the agenda showed on the UK government's website. "We approach these negotiations in a constructive spirit. We want to agree an ambitious and fair partnership. We will respect our prior joint commitments," said Barnier on Twitter. The first round of negotiations is set to last until Thursday. The UK officially left the EU on January 31, but is continuing to abide by many of the bloc's rules while talks on a permanent trading relationship take place. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to get a deal with the EU by the end of the transition period - December 31, 2020 - and has said he was not prepared to extend that deadline. Both Frost and Johnson have said in recent weeks they want to seek a Canada-style agreement with zero tariffs from the EU, the BBC reported. But Barnier has rejected such a deal, saying the UK is not like Canada, and its geographical proximity would threaten competition between EU states. SANTA FE, N.M. - Santa Fe has remained a tourist destination despite fears over the new virus outbreak, tourism officials said. Tourism Santa Fe, the citys convention and visitors bureau, acknowledged the local tourism industry still could be affected if coronavirus, which causes respiratory illness, continues to spread in the United States, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported Monday. I dont think we really know yet whats going to happen, said Randy Randall, the bureaus executive director. Its fortunate, obviously, that we have not had outbreak in New Mexico. New Mexico has no confirmed cases of the virus that originated in China and causes the disease known as COVID-19. We havent seen cancellations at this point, and clearly right now international travel, cruise lines, are the most impacted areas, Randall said. Its hard to say what effect the disease will have on domestic travel, said Cody Johnson, a spokesman for the New Mexico Tourism Department. We are in daily contact with the New Mexico Department of Health, which has been co-ordinating response in our state related to the COVID-19 since January, and we are monitoring daily developments as they happen, Johnson said. City Finance Committee members also are monitoring gross receipts taxes in multiple tourism-related industries and discussing the volatility of markets because of the virus. Its an early indicator. ... We continue to monitor, and well have to make adjustments accordingly, finance director Mary McCoy said. Randall said the state and cities are co-ordinating efforts. If Santa Fe can remain healthy and the state of New Mexico can remain healthy through good hygiene and through people being very careful, Santa Fe becomes a great alternative for pent-up travel when they cant travel internationally or take their cruise, he said. The virus had infected at least 92,000 people around the world as of Tuesday. I have a drawer in my bedroom that's filled with defunct tech. It consists of old PDAs, bricked smartwatches and wearables that no longer work. Like many of you, I've realized that gadgets don't last forever. As Engadget Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar recently pointed out, every smart device you love will probably die, whether it's because the device can't be updated anymore, or the company goes out of business -- this is the reality of modern electronics. Or is it? Turns out, it doesn't have to be. Sometimes, if they garner enough of a fanbase, it's possible for so-called obsolete gadgets to get a second lease on life. Sometimes, thanks to the combination of open-source software and a passionate community, beloved gadgets can live on for years after they've supposedly run their course. Rebble: Pebble's return Pebble Time One of the best examples of that is the Pebble. Having raised over $10 million on Kickstarter, the smartwatch effectively put the crowdfunding site on the map (it remained the most funded project on Kickstarter for years). And that was just the original; subsequent iterations like the Pebble Time and the Pebble 2 would also break Kickstarter records. The latter raised over $12 million while the former raised a whopping $20 million, and is still the number one most funded project on Kickstarter to this day. Despite the arrival of the Apple Watch and Android Wear, it's clear that Pebble had a devout following. David Groom, known online as "ishotjr," was one of them. He was an early backer, and eventually acquired every single Pebble device that he could get his hands on. When the company announced that third-party developers could create smart straps for the Pebble Time, he was especially excited. "I was like, no way," Groom, a self-described hardware hacker, told Engadget. "I could interface my Pebble with an Arduino and stuff! I was freaking out." He was so excited about it that he traveled all the way from his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan to a hackathon in Boulder, Colorado. The long trip was worth it, however, because he wound up winning the contest. "That was the turning point. I met all the Pebble people, and everyone was so awesome. I was deep in it." Story continues Groom ended up throwing himself into the Pebble community. He helped organize local events, curated the app store, and even co-authored a book on Pebble development. "I was doing the maximum amount of Pebble stuff I could," he said. He would also spend a lot of time in Pebble-related Slack and Discord channels. "We have this community, mostly thanks to Pebble's amazing developer relations team." Pebble Time Round In late 2016, however, the tide turned. Groom and his friends heard of layoffs at Pebble, as well as rumors that it would be shutting down. Then the news broke of the Fitbit acquisition. "That really accelerated the level of freakouts," he said. "We all panicked." After all, a smartwatch isn't much use if the apps won't work. But instead of suffering quietly, the Pebble developer community took action. "We were downloading everything we could," said Groom. "People wrote scripts to grab all the SDK, the documentation, all of it." Two days later, Rebble, a resource site for all things Pebble, was born. In Rebble's inaugural blog post, Groom wrote: "The aim of Rebble is to bring the many disparate efforts under a single banner, concentrating energy and enthusiasm to maximize the likelihood of continuance and resurgence of Pebble as a platform." From then on, the crew got to work reverse engineering APIs, writing documentation and attempting to build a new home for users. Fitbit did support existing Pebble devices for a while, but the company ultimately pulled the plug on June 30th 2018. Mere months before that, however, Groom and co. introduced Rebble Web Services, a replacement for Pebble's soon-to-be shut down servers. Surprisingly, Rebble even worked with Fitbit to make the transition as smooth as possible. Pebble 2 Katharine Berry, a Rebble co-founder, said in a blog post that the team was grateful for Fitbit's support: "[Fitbit has] been keeping the Pebble servers running even longer than they'd originally announced, and they've given us some needed extra time to come up with a solution for you. If Fitbit had not purchased Pebble, it's likely that the Pebble servers would have shut down with no notice at all." Several years later, and the Rebble website is still going strong, with over a hundred thousand or so users still making use of their Pebbles. Rebble is able to keep it all going thanks to Patreon donations and the work of a handful of volunteers. When asked what sort of technical skill I'd need to load Rebble onto my Pebble, Groom said all I needed was the ability to click on a link. "There's a how-to section and an FAQ as well," he added. There's even customer support. "We have a whole customer service system," Groom said. "There's a support ticket system, and a Discord channel where people can ask for help." Chumby's resurrection Chumby Pebble is not the only gadget that has survived long past its expiration date. Remember the Chumby? The cute smart alarm clock debuted in 2006, long before Amazon revealed its Echo Show smart display. It offered quick, glanceable information like the weather, Facebook and Twitter posts, RSS feeds, digital photos and video streams. "The Chumby was introduced shortly after WiFi was introduced," Andrew "bunnie" Huang, Chumby's founder, told Engadget. "To rewind to those times, there were no smartphones, and if you wanted to use your computer away from your desk, it meant dragging an ethernet cord to your bedside." Despite its adorable nature, the Chumby was really more of a proof-of-concept for the underlying software which was meant to be run on TVs as well as PCs. In fact, Sony used a modified Chumby OS for the now-defunct Sony Dash, which was similarly dubbed as a "personal internet viewer" designed to sit on your nightstand. With the recession in 2008 and the arrival of the iPhone, Chumby's days were numbered. Plus, instead of using Javascript/HTML5 for its widget framework, it used Adobe Flashlite, which grew out of favor with developers; Adobe eventually retired support for it. Still, Huang said that nearly 100,000 Chumby units were sold (Sony Dash sales, however, are unknown). Without the service, they would be effectively useless. sony But this was another case where a beloved gadget found new life. Duane Maxwell, who was the CTO and one of the founders of Chumby, continued to support it long after Chumby ceased operations in 2012. As the primary author of the control panel, he said he knew more about the overall system than pretty much anyone associated with the company. "A couple of volunteers, including myself, continued to manage the system for about a year until the money ran out to support the back end," Maxwell told Engadget in an email. "There was a company hired by the creditors that was supposed to sell the assets of the company, and although they did manage to find buyers for the furniture etc, they did not have the expertise to sell the intellectual property or electronics." So, Maxwell formed a company called Blue Octy LLC, and made a cash offer to the shareholders. It was accepted, which gave him ownership of the physical servers as well as the software, domains, databases, documentation, trademarks and copyright. After some time completely rewriting the backend to "more contemporary software standards" he's managed to update about 100 widgets and added almost 30 more. Chumby, an open-source touchscreen Internet device. "By the time I was done, from a user-facing standpoint, the new system was functionally identical to the original Chumby backend service," said Maxwell. That said, it cost a lot of money to host the server and keep it running, and he was only one person. So, he created a tiered subscription. If all you wanted to do with your Chumby was to use it as a cute alarm clock that played music, there was no cost. But as soon as you wanted to add widgets back into the mix, that would cost $3 a month. Thankfully, that subscription is per user, so if you had more than one device, that price would cover all of them. "We also provide email support and occasionally repair devices," said Maxwell. "The new system came online in 2014 and has been running continuously since." When Sony discontinued the Dash, Maxwell was able to allow Dash owners to use its service too. Further, Maxwell's wife manages "The Chumby Store," which sells replacement parts such as power supplies. "Some users donate devices they no longer want, which we refurbish and sell as well. Those folks that don't want subscriptions, but still want to provide financial support can also buy charms, stickers and other swag." The night of the living dead... gadget Nabaztag The Pebble and Chumby are just two examples of so-called obsolete gadgets that have been brought back to life. There was the Nabaztag, a WiFi-enabled robotic bunny released in 2005 that conveyed information through wiggling its ears, changing colors and making sounds. It officially died in 2011 when the Mindscape company ended support for it, though it was resurrected later through open source means. Last year, the original design team even ran a successful crowdfunding campaign to bring the Raspberry Pi-based version of it back to production. Still, this appears to be a one-time project, and it's also clearly meant for those with quite a bit of technical know-how. Little Printer Then there's Berg's Little Printer, which was a strange yet adorable internet-connected receipt printer that debuted in 2012 but shuttered in 2014. The idea behind this quirky gadget was that you could print out the weather report, to-do lists and your daily schedule, all on physical paper with little fuss and low cost. Berg did turn the printer's commercial code into an open online platform called Sirius, but unless you had some technical knowledge, your Little Printer was still a brick. In 2019, however, a company called Nord Projects resurrected it with a brand new iOS app plus a new feature: you could use it to send and receive messages from other Little Printers. Think of it as a text, but in physical form. At the point of this writing, the service still seems to be up and running, so existing Little Printer users can try it out if they wish. There are likely other devices that have survived obsolescence -- maybe even some of your favorites -- but they're obviously a pretty rare phenomenon. For the most part, we still caution most consumers that their favorite connected gadgets won't last. But who knows, if their fanbase is passionate enough, and if there's someone out there willing to spend time and energy keeping them alive, then it might be worth it to hold on to your old gadgets just a little while longer. Not only is that good for the environment, it's good for the pocketbook too. It could even mean a less cluttered junk drawer. Images: Engadget (Pebble watch); Getty Images (Chumby with coffee): All others are press images. Update: Gardai have stood down the appeal for missing man, Michael Hurley, in Cork after finding a body. Officers said the body was found at the River Bandon. Bernie Sanders is not a socialist. He is a welfare state liberal or New Deal Democrat supporting policies more reflective of FDR rather than Karl Marx, but Republicans will call this socialism and Un-American. Anytime an American drives his or her car across a bridge that is connected to and from a highway, goes to public school or a hospital, or sits at the Hoover Dam and wonders about the electricity that comes from it, they are partaking in American Socialism. When FDR was elected in 1932, he wanted to give Americans a New Deal to help pull the country out of the Great Depression. When looking at the world and seeing capitalism in decline, his goal was to help preserve capitalism and democracy. To do this, his administration helped create over 30,000 public works programs. The idea behind this was to have government-funded works programs that would put Americans back to work by building up the American infrastructure. When people make more money, they spend that money, creating a positive feedback loop in our economy. Critics of the New Deal labeled it as socialism. FDR defended the New Deal by saying The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have little. Some New Deal programs Americans still benefit from also provided unemployment insurance and Social Security, making sure you can get back on your feet if you lose your job, and youre taken care of when you get old. Lets not forget the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. To better put this in historical context, these were considered socialist ideas of their time by opponents of them, but also enjoyed by contemporary opponents of Senator Sanders. Senator Sanders has been calling for tax increases on top income earners, which will be used to pay for the programs the vast majority of Americans benefit from, as well as closing budget deficits and making sure America can pay its bills without adding to the national debt. He is talking policies used from the 1940s through the early 1980s for fiscal responsibility, but Republicans will dismiss his claims as bad for our economy. They are wrong and history provides much evidence to support Senator Sanders. Americans once paid for the military it built up to fight wars. There was much funding for research and development, which paved the way for the public-private partnership that led to the innovation in technology we see today. It also helped pay for the roads and highways that connect east and west coast, north and south. For the first six years of his presidency, even President Reagan oversaw a top tax rate of 50%. Discussing a tax increase to fund what really made America great is not as outrageous as many Republicans are making it out to be. (Dr. Joseph Frusci is an adjunct assistant professor of history at the College of Staten Island.) 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. 3-3-2020: Citizenship Ceremony Killarney: Harry Watkin (88) and his wife Veronica originally from Shropshire who was the oldest person to receive citizenship at the Citizenship Ceremony in the INEC Arena in Killarney on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle IRELAND'S newest citizen also proved to be one of its oldest. Harry Watkin will celebrate his 89th birthday in August but, unlike the previous 88 birthdays, he will proudly mark this one as an Irish citizen. Harry was one of almost 5,000 people drawn from 135 different countries who received their certificates of naturalisation at multiple ceremonies at the INEC in KIllarney, Co Kerry. Not even coronavirus concerns could derail one of the biggest citizenship ceremonies ever staged in Ireland. Originally from Shropshire in England, Harry fell in love with his wife, Veronica, who was from Dublin, when they met in Rome in 1954. The couple have now been 64 years married and have lived in Ireland for six decades, firstly in Dublin but most recently in Skibbereen in west Cork. "Brexit was one of the reasons but it wasn't the only one," Harry said as he explained his decision to finally opt for Irish citizenship after so many years resident in Ireland. "I had always intended to get citizenship but I just didn't get around to it." In contrast, Ireland's youngest new citizen is Natalia Kostrzewc (19) Natalia has lived in Ireland for 15 years after her Polish family relocated to Swords in Dublin. But while her younger sister automatically got Irish citizenship as she was born here, Natalia had to go the naturalisation route as she was born in Wroclaw. "I'm thrilled because I wanted to get my citizenship sorted for so long," the pharmaceutical management student explained. Others were equally as excited by their citizenship ceremony. School teacher Melanie Andersen is originally from the US but has been based in Clondalkin in Dublin. To mark her new citizenship, she arrived in Killarney dressed in an all-green outfit complete with special shamrock wings which her school children had helped design. It was also a special day for Belfast native Michael McVeigh whose wife, Shilpa Giraddi, received her citizenship. The couple have two children Kiara (2) and little Joy who was only born 10 weeks ago. Shilpa, who is originally from India, has been living in Ireland for six years and said her citizenship was "a dream come true." German national Franziska Schier fell in love with Ireland when she moved here to work for Google a decade ago. Originally from Stuttgart, she was accompanied to the ceremony by her friend Erin McIver from Donegal. "I decided to become a citizen because I loved it here so much," she said Thai national, Witaiwan Harrington, has lived and worked in Ireland for 14 years so her citizenship was a dream come true. "I have waited a long time for this day," she said. The Cork-based childcare worker was accompanied to the ceremony by her friend, Umnaury Nampukee, a fellow Thai national, who secured her citizenship four years ago. A total of 5,000 people received their Irish citizenship at ceremonies in Killarney on Monday and Tuesday which delivered an early season tourism boom to the Kerry town. New Irish citizens are also drawn from 17 EU countries - the largest number being from the UK (982) followed by Poland (715) and Romania (496). Outside the EU, the countries supplying the largest number of new Irish citizens are India (370), Nigeria (201), Brazil (171), the Philippines (137) and China (113). A total of 113 US nationals have become Irish citizens. 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 Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons Replaces Missing Teeth in Johnson City, TN with Dental Implants It took just two days and I got my smile back! The experienced oral surgeons at Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons provide dental implants to replace missing teeth for patients in and around Johnson City, TN. Dental implants are a lifelike tooth replacement solution that can improve a patients oral and overall health. With practice locations in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, TN, this team of oral surgeons helps patients throughout the tri-city area replace single missing teeth or receive full mouth dental implants, depending on the patients needs. A dental implant is often considered the gold standard solution to replacing missing teeth. Implants mimic the appearance of natural teeth and allow patients to return to normal oral function. The oral surgeons at Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons are skilled and experienced in the placement of dental implants for any number of missing teeth. In many cases, the doctors can provide patients with a temporary restoration the very next day after surgery, so they have little time without a tooth. With proper oral care, dental implants can last the rest of a patients life. Additional benefits of dental implants include: Restored self-confidence Ability to eat the foods they love again Maintain proper jawbone volume Natural look, feel and function Long-term tooth replacement solution Dr. Nathaniel Wells was very good at explaining what he was doing. I think it took an hour or two and I had the implant, says Edie, a dental implant patient from the Johnson City, TN practice. I was very pleased. The next day, he put in the temporary tooth, which looked really nice. It took just two days and I got my smile back! Choosing an oral surgeon to perform this treatment offers patients many advantages. Oral surgeons are extensively trained and specialize in the surgical aspect of the head, face and mouth. The team of surgeons at Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons has been providing top-quality care for patients in the tri-city area for over 20 years. The dental team offers cutting-edge dental implant care through the use of advanced technology and modern sedation techniques. With over 10,000 dental implants successfully placed, the team can handle even the most complex cases. In many cases, patients can receive the majority of their implant care in-house, including tooth extraction, bone grafting and implant placement. Those interested in learning more about dental implants in Johnson City, TN are encouraged to contact the practice and schedule a consultation. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 423-915-1072 for the Johnson City office, 423-732-7575 for Kingsport, or 423-844-6200 for the Bristol location. More information can also be found at http://www.aomstri.com. About the Oral Surgeons Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons is a renown oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty practice serving patients in the tri-city area for over 20 years. Drs. Carl Eilers, Michael Hamlin, Jason Pickup, Michael Foster, Nathaniel Wells, and Ryan Dowling provide emergency care to patients with maxillofacial trauma at local hospitals in addition to serving their loyal patients at AOIS. The doctors are also all active members of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons offers state-of-the-art surgical facilities with the most current sterilization, anesthesia monitoring, and imaging equipment at their three locations in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, TN. The staff is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care in a timely and considerate manner. To learn more about Associated Oral and Implant Surgeons and the services they provide visit http://www.aomstri.com or call 423-915-1072 for the Johnson City office, 423-732-7575 for Kingsport, or 423-844-6200 for the Bristol location. Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg, who oversaw a dramatic expansion in the number of charter schools as New York Citys mayor and was one of their more vocal supporters, expressed subdued backing for them during the most recent Democratic presidential primary debate in South Carolina. Moderator Bill Whitaker of CBS pointed out that states poor performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. He then asked Bloomberg whether he would support the growth of charters during his presidency the same way he did during his time leading the Big Apple as a solution to struggling schools. Im not sure theyre appropriate every place, Bloomberg responded at the Feb. 25 debate. He went on to say that charters provided an alternative for parents, and that both charters and traditional public schools helped each other and were mixed in with each other. That was a relatively oblique reference to the battles between charters and traditional public schools over space in New York City, during which Bloomberg often sided with charters. And he stressed that in New York City, charter schools are also public schools. See Also: Education in the 2020 Presidential Race Those comments dont precisely match Bloombergs public stance on the issue as recently as last year, when he told the NAACP in a speech that with respect to charter schools in New York City, 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. And that model can work nationally. In the same speech, he did share concerns about charters as well. Bloombergs record of enthusiastically backing charter schools sets him apart from the other Democrats on the stage. But neither his debate comments nor his record concerning charters elicited any attacks from Democrats on the stage, even though several candidates have talked about their desire to rein in federal support for charters, most prominently Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Candidates Promises Instead, presidential contenders rattled off miniature versions of their previously released K-12 education platforms. Warren, for example, pledged to end high-stakes testing among her remarks. And Sanders reiterated his plan to give every teacher a minimum salary of $60,000. Bloomberg himself didnt dwell too long on charters, spending more time talking up his broader record on schools. For example, he said that when he left the mayors office in 2013 after a dozen years in charge of the city, 23 out of the top 25 public schools in the state were in New York Citythe actual number was 22, the New York Times reported in 2013compared to zero when he started, based on reading and math test scores. And he also discussed increases in teacher pay and school funding during his time in office. The only way to solve the poverty problem is to get people a good education, Bloomberg said as he wrapped up his comments about education. Rather than just talk about it in New York, we actually did it. Notably, however, Bloomberg also fought publicly with the citys United Federation of Teachers during his time as mayor over issues such as merit pay and teacher evaluations. Talking Points Other candidates at the South Carolina debate mostly reiterated what theyve previously said theyd do about education. Among the highlights: My secretary of education will be someone who has taught in public school. ... My secretary of education will believe that public dollars should stay in public schools, Warren said, underscoring just how much she disdains U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has not worked as a teacher and supports private school vouchers. My secretary of education will believe that it is time to get rid of high-stakes testing. In addition to repeating his plan for universal child care, Sanders pledged to triple federal Title I aid for students from low-income backgrounds. Kids education should not depend on the ZIP code in which they live, he said. Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg decried the fact that although leaders pledged that there would never again be a school shooting like what occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999, that promise has not been kept. He said that teachers should not be made to train like armed guards, and that students deserve more mental health supports. During one segment of the debate, Warren cited her experience of being let go from her job as a teacher because of her pregnancy (an accounted that has been disputed). Bloomberg then said that pregnant teachers were protected from being fired during his time as mayor; he added that the citys teachers union would back him up on this point if they were asked about it. If I will die, let it ... A Qatari billionaire has won a row with conservationists over plans to remove a historic staircase as part of renovations to create the UK's most expensive house. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani bought the six-storey Forbes House in Belgravia, central London for about 150million in 2018. The former Prime Minister of Qatar lodged plans last year to create a giant home with 25 bedrooms, a cinema, library, sauna, Turkish bath and parking for 32 vehicles. His proposal could see the property's value double to more than 300million. But the Sheikh Hamad, who is worth 1billion, had faced opposition over moving a grand staircase in the plush pad as part of the renovations. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani bought the six-storey Forbes House in Belgravia, central London for about 150million in 2018 Sheikh Hamad, who is worth 1billion, had faced opposition over moving a grand staircase in the plush pad as part of the renovations but has now been given the green light The former Prime Minister of Qatar lodged plans last year to create a giant home with 25 bedrooms, a cinema, library, sauna, Turkish bath and parking for 32 vehicles Conservationists had written to Westminster Council claiming that such plans would damage 'the historic fabric and the historical significance of the building'. They added: 'It is clear the building could be occupied with the staircase remaining in its current position. 'In any case, these works are not the least harmful way of securing what the applicant seeks, which is a greater sense of privacy and an improved layout. 'Overall, the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the harm to the significance of the building is outweighed by the public benefits of this scheme and has failed to demonstrate that the benefits that do arise would be achieved through the least intrusive means possible or that they could not be achieved through other means. 'Therefore, the proposal is recommended for refusal on grounds of the harm caused to the significance of the listed building.' Planning agents acting for the Sheikh claim that moving the grand staircase would help the home 'realise its full potential as a single-family dwelling'. They said the house is currently 'severely restricted by the internal layouts' as well as 'privacy from surrounding buildings.' In a report approving the plans, the council said changes to the staircase as part of the large scale renovations were 'wholly justified. The former Prime Minister of Qatar lodged plans last year to create a giant home with 25 bedrooms, a cinema, library, sauna, Turkish bath and parking for 32 vehicles Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani, who is worth 1billion, already owns the apartment block developed by the Candy Brothers in Knightsbridge at One Hyde Park Conservationists had written to Westminster Council claiming that relocating the stairs would damage 'the historic fabric and the historical significance of the building' It added that it was 'a truly unique and exceptional case' and the proposals would 'restore a great asset to Belgravia. The property was previously owned by the billionaire Barclay brothers and was designed by the creator of the British Museum Sir Robert Smirke. The Georgian mansion has been an office block since the live-in owners left in 1941. It was built in the early-mid 19th century and was originally called Mortimer House after Edward Harley, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, for whom the house was built. It was then passed to Liberal politician Bernard Forbes, 8th Earl of Granard and his wife Beatrice Forbes, Countess of Granard. It was once the headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for more than 50 years until 2010 when it was purchased by the Barclay Brothers shortly after. The 59-year-old already owns the apartment block developed by the Candy Brothers in Knightsbridge at One Hyde Park. He is part of the Qatari royal family, which already owns Harrods, the Shard, Canary Wharf and the Chelsea Barracks Seoul, South Korea In the space of a couple of weeks, South Korea has gone from dealing with a few cases of coronavirus to thousands and now finds itself in the throes of an outbreak that has become the largest outside China. It is a story that is slowly clarifying: A single super-spreader known as patient 31 a member of a fringe church called Shincheonji is thought to have caused the rapid rise in cases. Now, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has filed a formal complaint against the congregation, accusing it of murder. At least 29 people have died in the outbreak and more than 4,800 people formally diagnosed with the virus as of March 3. The situation here was not really serious until mid-February. It began to get very serious starting with patient 31, said Hwang Seung-sik, a spatio-temporal epidemiologist at Seoul National University. Before patient 31, our strategies to contain the virus were working. But after countless people were infected by patient 31, it became very difficult to control. COVID-19 is affecting more than peoples health: Cafes and small businesses have closed their doors, college graduations have been permanently cancelled, after-school tutors have been laid off and major, life-changing job exams have been postponed. The worst of it is in Daegu, a southeastern city where roughly 70 percent of confirmed cases are concentrated. Apart from the queues to buy the few remaining disposable face masks, the crowds of shoppers have disappeared. Im really worried about an economic downturn, said Yoon Gi-yong, a 22-year-old university student who lives in Daegu. A lot of shops here are closing their doors, and my boss lamented to me that business is really bad these days. Graduates from the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy being briefed on the coronavirus before heading to Daegu to help deal with the outbreak [Yonhap via EPA] Yoon himself was told to stay home for at least a week to avoid getting infected no hours at his part-time job means no pay, either. Meanwhile, another part-time worker at a smoothie shop near Seoul has been out of work for a week now and is worried her dreams of a job with an airline will never take off because of COVID-19. My graduation [from flight attendant school] was permanently cancelled, and I heard that almost all the airlines will not be hiring new staff this year because of profit losses over coronavirus, said YJ, a 26-year-old who asked to conceal her name. I am so disappointed. What am I supposed to do? Anger at the church The coronavirus outbreak has become an increasingly delicate issue: The Korean Society of Virology, as well as several individual South Korean virologists, declined to be interviewed citing the issues sensitive nature and several other people said they did not want their name associated with the outbreak. Despite that, many seem satisfied with how the Korean government has been handling the virus. Compared with other countries such as Japan, coronavirus tests have been readily available, some people even getting tested at drive-through centres staffed with medical workers in white hazmat suits. At the weekend, President Moon Jae-ins administration unveiled a support package that included more than 7 million masks for Daegu residents and tax breaks for businesses suffering as a result of COVID-19. The first two weeks were really the golden time the important time when we prepared test kits for each medical institution, Hwang said, adding that South Korea has been doing very well in following rules set by the World Health Organizations legally-binding International Health Regulations agreement. But when it comes to the Shincheonji Church, people seem less pleased. Shincheonji has become the punchline in jokes and memes online, with online conspiracy theories accusing the churchs conservative leaders of purposely spreading the virus to undermine President Moons liberal administration ahead of the April 2020 general elections. Those conspiracies were further fuelled when the churchs leader, Lee Man-hee, held a press conference on March 2. While bowing on the ground to apologise for the outbreak, Lee revealed his watch, which was decorated with the Blue House seal and signed by the previous, impeached, president, Park Geun-hye. Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church, kneels as he apologises over the coronavirus. Patient 31 was a member of the church and the organisation has been accused of failing to cooperate with the authorities on the outbreak [Yonhap via Reuters] I am very angry with Shincheonji. They have done the opposite of what South Koreans have wanted them to do. I think they have been lying about various pieces of information, like their location or their activities, said Park Joon-young, a 21-year-old university student living in Daegu. I am suspicious, Park added. I have no idea how that many people could possibly become infected from a church. I almost wonder whether theyve all been kissing each other. In a formal statement sent to the media, Shincheonji denied allegations that it had failed to cooperate with the South Korean government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We make it clear once again that we did not intend to delay providing the list of congregants or hide it. But it is true that providing such a list was not an easy decision for Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the statement read. We are deeply sorry for infections caused by some congregants who were hesitant to reveal their affiliation with Shincheonji at first We ask for your understanding once again. Evolving strategy Around the world, more than 3,000 people have died from COVID-19. But in its epicentre in China, new cases have begun to slow Tuesdays number was the lowest since January and experts say the situation in South Korea could also start to get better. Many health experts are saying that South Korea is passing the worst point of the crisis this week, and it really is, Hwang said. We are almost done testing all Shincheonji members for the virus. So, even though the number of cases is rising this week, I think we can get the current situation under control so long as the rate of new cases slows down. Hwang said South Koreas strategy is already changing. People queue in Seoul to buy face masks at a department store. Doctors say frequent hand-washing is an easy way for people to protect themselves from the virus [Yonhap via EPA] Patients with overall good health and mild coronavirus symptoms are being told to treat the virus at home. Meanwhile, hospital workers are pooling their resources to focus on the most vulnerable segments of the population the elderly, the critically ill and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart disease. In Daegu, residents are doing what they can to stay safe until the virus dies out. Most people are reluctant to go outside and meet others. There are noticeably fewer people downtown, Park said. I heard the supermarket in front of my house more than tripled in sales. Im buying food and supplies in advance because I dont want to leave my house. If I do need to go outside, Im wearing a mask and Im using hand sanitiser regularly, said K Roberts, a 31-year-old English teacher living in Daegu. If I go outside for a longer period of time, I wear disposable gloves But Ive still been going out to supermarkets, there are still a lot of cars on the street and people are out and about. We are not a city on total lockdown. For now, medical experts urge the South Korean public to keep up the safety measures to ultimately weather the storm. I think it is impossible to develop the vaccine by winter but I think its possible to see a vaccine being used on people in the second half of next year, Hwang said. That means we should endure this winter without a vaccine, and we should keep doing everything possible to prevent ourselves from being infected. The Taraba state police command has arrested a suspected child trafficker identified as Mary Yakubu. Mary was nabbed with 23 children by the State Police Command. The suspect was paraded before newsmen on Monday with the children who are aged between four and seven, comprising of 14 boys and nine girls. Read Also: Kanye West Speaks About Strip Club, Sex Trafficking At Joel Osteens Church (Video) David Misal, the Taraba State Police Spokesperson, said the children have been handed over to the Ministry of Social Welfare in the state. He also revealed that 7 parents have been arrested so far while investigation to arrest others have been intensified. Speaking to newsmen, Mary Yakubu insisted that the children were handed over to her by their parents, who asked her to look for people to take care of them. The suspect, who herself is a mother of 7 said; The parents of the children told me to come get them for people who would help cater to their educational needs because, in their villages, there are no schools. This is actually the first time I am doing this, and I did not collect any money from their parents, Mary claimed. I am a mother of seven, a teacher at Adamu Primary School in Bali LGA. I am 45 years and was arrested at the car park in Bali when I was about leaving with the children. The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has temporarily banned imports of domestic and wild carnivores from China, the service's press office has reported. "In order to minimize the risks of the Covid-19 pathogen penetrating the territory of Ukraine, in accordance with Articles 33 and 96 of the Law of Ukraine 'On Veterinary Medicine,' given the recommendations set out in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection temporarily banned imports into Ukraine from the People's Republic of China of domestic (dogs, cats, etc.) and wild carnivorous animals," the report said. The service said that according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), a dog tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 disease in Hong Kong (China). "The case is currently being investigated. The animal was kept in the same house where the owner had a coronary virus case," the service added. As of early March 2, the number of patients infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus in the world reached 89,074. The disease has already killed 3,048 people, whereas 45,110 beat the coronavirus. op Clemson is committed to the health and well-being of its students, faculty and staff as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together. As Tigers, we know its important not to let challenges slow us down in our efforts to pursue excellence. The singular focus on Clemson University is unwavering and requires all of us to work together. MLA Atishi has said her party is not averse to accepting "good people" from other political backgrounds, provided they are not corrupt or communal and do not have any criminal background. The legislator from Delhi, who is in Goa to strengthen Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) base, said the party wants to emerge as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP and win the 2022 Assembly elections in the coastal state. The party has not shut its doors for "good people" from other political parties, she said. "We have always said our doors are open for good people from other political parties. It would be arrogant to say good people are there only in AAP," the MLA from south Delhi's Kalkaji seat told PTI on Monday. "There are lot of good people in other political parties also, there are good people who have often found they are not happy with the culture that exists in their political party," she said. Atishi said her party has been very clear about its criteria of inducting leaders and workers. "We will never have someone who has the background of being corrupt, criminal or communal. We are open to leaders and volunteers from other political parties, those who have fought for people's issues," she said. The AAP leader also said there are lessons to be learnt from the party's defeat in the 2017 Goa Assembly polls. "From the Goa experience, what we learnt is that we didnot have a grassroot organisation during the 2017 polls. The party's campaign was talked about and there was public support. But, as we did not have a grassroot organisation, we could not build on the support," she said. In 2017, the AAP contested 39 out of the total 40 Assembly constituencies in Goa, but it did not win a single seat and its candidates lost deposits in majority of the seats. "We don't think it was a mistake to contest 39 seats. We wanted to pass on the party's message to everyone. A political party is the voice of people. Unless you reach out to people, how would you know their grievances," Atishi said. Mr Desmond Chris Appiah, a strong contender in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Offinso-South Constituency of the Ashanti Region, has filed his nomination in a bid to lead the party in the 2020 general elections. Mr Appiah who is the C40 City Advisor/Chief Sustainability and Resilience Advisor to the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, will be battling it out for the second time with the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Ben Abdallah Banda. Mr Appiah was one of the aspirants that contested the 2015 primaries ahead of the 2016 general election. Accompanied by members of the party, sympathizers and friends clad in party paraphernalia, Mr Appiah, soon after submitting his forms, promised to spearhead development in the area, should he be elected to lead the party and subsequently win the seat come December 2020. When elected I would work to build a common vision that would drive what we strive for as sons and daughters of Offinso. Offinsos potential for growth must be harnessed to serve its people and beyond, he said. He said his experience in the organization would help in strengthening the party structures in the constituency and would bring onboard all disgruntled party faithful to re-establish Offinso as a stronghold of NPP. Described by supporters as a unifier, he said bringing all citizens that had the development of Offinso at heart together would make it possible to strive for Offinso Beyond Aid, harnessing the energies and resources for the good of all. I have supported the constituency party communication team, womens wing, youth wing, TESCON and main executives over the years to ensure we build a strong party base in the constituency, he said. He expressed his appreciation to the youth and supporters for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to continue to be accessible, engaging and provide real leadership when he gets the nod. Some party supporters who accompanied Mr Appiah disclosed that he had supported the party and the constituency in the area of education, health, sports, sanitation, employment, adding his track record depicts one who could bring NPP together and make the party more attractive for the youth. The ruling NPP is expected to hold parliamentary primaries in areas where it has sitting MPs on April 25, 2020. ---Daily Guide U.S. cases of the new coronavirus now number 108, as state health officials in Washington say that three more people have died, bringing the death toll up to nine. All nine of the U.S. deaths have been in Washington state, with most coming from patients at a long-term nursing facility in Kirkland, just outside of Seattle. On Tuesday, health officials said that a person who died last week in a Seattle hospital has tested positive for coronavirus, meaning they were the first U.S. death from the disease. They were also a patient from the long-term nursing facility, The New York Times reported. There are now 15 states with confirmed cases of COVID-19, the official name for this new coronavirus. Of the 108 cases, 22 are in people who recently traveled to cities with outbreaks, 11 are from those peoples close contacts and 27 are under investigation, meaning they have no direct contact with people with coronavirus and are likely cases of community spread. RELATED: Heres a Map of All the Coronavirus Cases in the U.S. The remaining 44 cases are in people who were repatriated to the U.S. by the State Department, either because they were living in China or because they were on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise, the site of a major outbreak. David Ryder/Getty Workers at Life Care Center load patients into an ambulance In a press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control, said that they expect to find more cases. What is happening now in the United States may be the beginning of what is happening abroad, she said, referring to the instances of community spread in countries other than China, such as Italy, South Korea and Iran. Messonnier said that people may have to be quarantined if they show signs of illness. Follow health care providers and what they say. If a health care provider, or a public health worker, tells you to stay home for 14 days, unless you need medical care, please do that, she said. You may need to take a break from your normal, daily routine for two weeks. Staying home when you are sick is really important. Dont let the virus spread beyond you. Stay away from other people. Story continues RELATED: CDC Says to Prepare for Coronavirus Spread in U.S. with the Expectation That This Could Be Bad Eduardo Munoz / VIEWpress via Getty People wear face masks in New York Citys Times Square She also said that while reports say that most COVID-19 illness is mild, the severe cases are worrisome. A report out of China suggests serious illness occurs in 16 percent of cases, she said. Older people and people with underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example, were about twice as likely to develop serious outcomes, versus otherwise younger, healthier people. We are particularly concerned about these people, given the growing number of cases in the United States, as well as those with suspected community spread. Messonnier said that they are working on medications and vaccines to fight the virus. The CDC also says that the best prevention methods are basic forms of hygiene careful handwashing, avoiding touching the face, moving away from people who are coughing or sneezing and staying home at signs of illness. The nation's banks have been put on notice by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to "do the right thing" and pass on in full any cut in official interest rates to help protect the economy from the coronavirus outbreak. Ahead of an expected announcement by the Reserve Bank, which is tipped to take the cash rate to a fresh record low of 0.25 per cent on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said the banks should follow the lead of Qantas. Scott Morrison has told the nation's banks to follow the lead of Qantas and do their part to help the economy deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen He praised the national carrier for the way it had helped to move people out of China because of the coronavirus outbreak. Banks, he said, should mirror their efforts. "If the Reserve Bank moves today then I would expect they would do the right thing," he said. CORALVILLE Iowa City engineer Newman Abuissa has ended his bid for the Democratic nomination in Iowas 2nd District. I had a very meaningful journey and the time has come to put my support with our capable candidate Rita Hart, Abuissa said in an email Monday. It is time to consolidate our Democratic efforts to keep our district blue. Hart, a former state senator who ran as Fred Hubbells lieutenant governor candidate in 2018, plans to file her nomination papers in the Secretary of States Office Tuesday. Newman, 58, a transportation engineer with Iowa Department of Transportation, focused much of his campaign on the economy, health care and reclaiming the United States traditional moral authority in the world. I want to make that clear to my audience that I am an engineer, he said in describing his candidacy. This is really what my campaign is about its about building, not about politics as usual. I think I am sick and tired of politics as usual. And I am also sick of the status quo. I see lots of faults in the status quo politics. In announcing the suspension of his campaign, Abuissa said he was especially grateful to the peace activists that I have worked with. Hart is seeking to succeed Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack, who is not running for reelection. Two Republicans, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Bobby Schilling are campaigning for their partys nomination. The primary will be June 2. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are leaving their royal lives behind, but will it be forever? While the Sussexes are under a one year trial to see how their new arrangement will work, some royal experts believe the couple will return to the royal family at some point. One expert claims that Prince Harry will miss the sense of duty that hes become accustomed to. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Dominic Lipinski Pool /Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan felt an exit was necessary After an extended break away from their duties during the holidays, the Sussexes returned with a bombshell announcement theyd be stepping back from their senior roles. At a January speech Prince Harry gave at a dinner for supporters of Sentebale in London, he explained, The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I havent always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. Will the exit be tough for Prince Harry? Prince Harry is leaving behind everything hes ever known, but hes also leaving behind the immense public and media scrutiny that has taken a severe toll on him and Meghan. Royal photographer Arthur Edwards believes that this transition may prove difficult for Harry. Hes going to find life as most of us do pretty tough, Edwards told The Sun, adding, Hes 35 and hes never had to do anything like this. The photographer continued, He may wish he had never gone down that road, who knows. But of course, its what his wife wants and I think what Meghan wants, as they say, Meghan gets. And hes so in love with her he will do anything to keep her happy. He added: Unfortunately, we are going to lose him for a little while. I just hope its not going to be for too long. I dont think they will stay there forever. I think theyll be coming back more and more and I think Harry will miss it, I think he will miss the life of the family. Prince Harry may miss the sense of duty, too In addition to being away from his family, Prince Harry may also miss the element of duty that hes experienced throughout his life. As he and Meghan are leaving behind royal duties, he will explore other projects, but one royal expert believes that he could return at some point. Analyst Daniel Wild, from the Institute of Public Affairs, told Sky News Australia that he thinks it may be a few years, but Prince Harry will want to return. To answer the question, how long can it go for, Id say a few years before their star burns out, he shared. Wild continued, Really, at the end of this, theres a lot of push back against celebrities being hypocrites on climate change and theres no greater hypocrite than Harry and Meghan being the mouthpiece for it. So I suspect this will last a couple of years and then I wouldnt be surprised if Harry was beginning to rejoin the royal family and reassume his duties, he added. Sky News Andrew Bolt weighed in on the exit as well. Despite this tantrum, someone like Harry has been bred into duty, Bolt explained, adding, I know he doesnt like it, and as a second son, second to the heir, its always awkward, but one day hell miss the sense of duty. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will hand over his social media accounts for one day to women who inspire, Congress leader Sushmita Dev suggested to him on Tuesday that he give away the control of the accounts to the Unnao rape victim "who deserves to tell her story". The Congress women wing chief said Prime Minister Modi's promise to hand over his social media accounts to women is "a hollow and superficial attempt to fix his bad image when it comes to women security". On Monday, the prime minister created a buzz by saying he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts. A day later, he explained in another tweet that will be handing over his accounts on such platforms to women "whose life and work inspire us" on March 8, the Women's Day. On social media, Modi also invited people to share the stories of the women who inspire. "One suggestion please give your social media account to the Unnao rape victim who survived many attacks from leaders who are apparently in your party. She is brave and she deserves to tell her story," Dev said. The Unnao victim has accused expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar of raping her three years ago. (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 Larsen & Toubro (L&T) share price rose 2 percent intraday on March 3 as the construction and engineering company's power transmission and distribution business bagged orders in India and overseas. In Bangladesh, the business won an order for design, supply, installation and commissioning of power transmission infrastructure for the 800 MW Rupsha power plant. The company will also build 220kV substations in Nepal and set up 380kV and 230kV transmission-line corridors in Saudi Arabia. On the domestic front, the business will design and construct a 50MW solar photovoltaic plant in Tamil Nadu. The company also received additional orders for ongoing transmission line jobs in India. At 1100 hours, Larsen & Toubro was quoting at Rs 1,168, up Rs 1, or 0.09 percent, on the BSE. [March 03, 2020] INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation of Aaron's, Inc. (AAN) on Behalf of Investors Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf Aaron's, Inc. ("Aaron's" or the "Company") (NYSE: AAN) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. On February 20, 2020, Aaron's disclosed that its Progressive segment had reached an agreement in principle with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ("FTC (News - Alert)") regarding the July 2018 civil investigative demand, which had sought to determine whether disclosures related to the Company's financial products were in violation of the FTC Act. The proposed agreement reqired Aaron's to "make a payment of $175 million and enhance certain compliance-related activities, including monitoring, disclosure and reporting requirements." On this news, the Company's share price fell $10.70 per share, or over 19%, to close at $45.45 per share on February 20, 2020, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Aaron's 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/20200303006022/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Turkish government shared video which it said showed Greek coast guard vessels confronting a dinghy carrying migrants to Greece Monday. In the footage released by Turkey, they said the dinghy was sailing off the coast of Bodrum on Turkey's western Aegean Sea coast, across the body of water from Greek islands. The footage shows a large inflatable motor boat approaching the dinghy while a man hits it with a stick. Another man on board the inflatable motor boat can be seen firing a gun into the air, while a larger Greek coast guard vessel sails nearby. Meanwhile, Greek authorites released separate video showing a boat heading to the island of Lesbos, accompanied by a Turkish patrol vessel while in Turkish waters. In the video released by Greece, they said 48 migrants on a dinghy heading to Lesbos, accompanied by a Turkish patrol vessel while in Turkish waters, deliberately overturned their boat once in Greek waters, triggering a rescue operation on Monday morning. The coast guard said they rescued the migrants, including two children who were hospitalized, one of them unconscious. Resuscitation efforts on the unconscious child, a boy aged around six or seven, failed, the coast guard said. The other child was considered out of danger. Their nationality was not immediately available. One of the two fresh cases of coronavirus that have been detected in the national capital has found its roots in Mayur Vihar, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The patient in the subject here is a 45-yr old man who allegedly travelled on an Air India flight. He has travel history from Italy on February 21, and he reportedly boarded the AI plane from Vienna to Delhi on February 25. 6 patients have been kept in isolation in Agra According to the latest information made available to the media, there are six cases of high fever load that have been detected during sample testing in Agra. These are the ones who came in contact with the COVID-19 patient in Delhi on Monday. They have been kept in isolation and their samples have been sent to NIV Pune for confirmation. After the development, CMO of Uttar Pradesh issued notices to 1,000 companies and an alert has also been issued in the region post the detection of the outbreak of this fatal respiratory virus in the national capital. Dr Anurag Bhargav while speaking to Republic Media Network said, "All the people who are coming from abroad have been asked to inform the health facilities nearby to prevent further outbreak of the fatal virus. We have also issued notices to 1000 companies located in the nearby areas. The schools in the area are also being sanitized" Screening underway at 21 airports As per the numbers from the Health Ministry till Monday, more than 52,000 people have been screened at the airports and number of airports where the screening is underway is 21. 12 countries which are under the scanner are China, Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, Italy, and Iran. READ | Italian tourist in Jaipur tests positive for coronavirus READ | Noida school postpones exams after parent of student catches COVID-19 3,000 scanners and dedicated aerobridges at 21 airports and 12 major and 65 minor seaports are screening all travellers from these 12 countries for symptoms. More than 12,000 people have been screened at seaports and 10,24,000 people are screened at borders. As of now, 25,000,738 people are under home surveillance. Home surveillance is the Quarantine which involves separating asymptomatic people who travelled to an unaffected country or have come in contact with a sick person for 14 days. They should stay confined to a room and use the triple LED mask to minimise human contact and clearly stay separated linen and utensils. READ | Air India confirms coronavirus case on Feb 25 Vienna-Delhi flight, advises passengers READ | Coronavirus Outbreak: Hong Kong to evacuate 533 citizens from China (Representative image, credits: PTI) 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. Q: I am a resident of Houston. My 90-year old brother lives in a nursing home in Missouri. He wants to have a durable power of attorney prepared naming me as his agent to handle his financial affairs. He has bank accounts in Texas and Missouri. Does he need two different powers of attorney, one from Texas and one from Missouri? A: As a resident of Missouri, your brother should sign a power of attorney prepared specifically for someone who lives in that state. Missouri happens to be one of only a few states which has no statutory power of attorney form. Therefore, you cant simply print a form off the internet with any certainty that it will be a valid form. Your brother is probably going to need to hire an attorney to prepare a form for him. It wouldnt hurt for your brother to sign a Texas power of attorney at the same time, but it would be a bit unusual for a resident of one state to sign a power of attorney form used by residents of another state. Q: I see signs at malls and other public business parking areas that state reserved for X business, all others will be towed. Can they legally tow me if I am going into the next doors business? A: Yes, they can. Because you are parking on private property, you are bound by the rules they have set regarding who can park when and where. The property owner must also have appropriate signs at the entrances to their lots. Q: My mother died and gave a fair amount of stock to her five children in equal shares. We will benefit from the new cost basis of the stock which will be the price of the stock on the date of her death. As executor of her estate, can I sell the stock and then distribute the cash proceeds individually to my siblings? Or do I have to distribute equal shares to my siblings and then let them handle the sales as they see fit? A: As executor, you can sell the stock and then distribute cash to yourself and your siblings. Alternatively, you can direct the brokerage house to divide her portfolio of stocks into five equal shares, and then each of you can do as you wish. Before you sell the stocks, you should ask your siblings what they prefer for you to do. If several siblings want the stock rather than cash, then the second option might be best. Because the stocks will undoubtedly have changed in value after your mothers date of death, if you decide to sell the stocks, you should contact your accountant to discuss the issue of capital gains taxes before taking any action. The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not legal advice. Readers with legal problems, including those whose questions are addressed here, should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Ronald Lipman of the Houston law firm Lipman & Associates is board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Kastanies, Greece: Greek police fired tear gas to push back hundreds of stone-throwing migrants trying to cross the border from Turkey on Saturday, as a crisis over Syria shifted onto the European Union's doorstep. Greece, which has tense relations with Turkey, accused Ankara of sending the migrants to the border post in an organised "onslaught" and said it would keep them out. Refugees and migrants shelter from tear gas fired from Greek border guards at the Pazarkule border as they attempt to enter Greece from Turkey. Credit:Getty Images Turkey said on Thursday it would stop keeping hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in its territory after an air strike on Idlib in neighbouring Syria killed 33 Turkish soldiers. Convoys of people appeared heading towards the land and sea borders of Greece, which was a gateway for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers into Europe in 2015 and 2016. NEW YORK, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP (www.kaplanfox.com) is investigating claims on behalf of investors of VMware, Inc. ("VMware" or the "Company") (NYSE: VMW). Investors who purchased VMware securities may be affected. On February 27, 2020, VMware disclosed an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") into the Company's backlog of unfilled orders. VMware said that in December 2019 the SEC requested a series of documents and information related to its backlog and associated accounting and disclosures. Following this news, VMware's common stock fell $15.11 per share, over 11%, to close at $120.52 per share on February 28, 2020. If you purchased VMware shares and would like to discuss our investigation, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-290-1952. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Jersey, has many years of experience in prosecuting investor class actions. For more information about Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, you may visit our website at www.kaplanfox.com. If you have any questions about this investigation, your rights, or your interests, please contact: Donald R. Hall KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP 850 Third Avenue, 14th Floor New York, New York 10022 (800) 290-1952 (212) 687-1980 Fax: (212) 687-7714 E-mail: [email protected] Laurence D. King KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP 1999 Harrison Street, Suite 1560 Oakland, California 94612 (415) 772-4700 Fax: (415) 772-4707 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP Related Links www.kaplanfox.com [March 03, 2020] iMoving Expected to Hit Three Million in Sales for 2020 - Heralds Digital Revolution for Van Line Industry with New E-Commerce Approach MIAMI, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- iMoving (https://www.imoving.com/) recently announced a projected three million in sales for 2020, after reporting a sharp increase in growth related to its unique, ground-breaking e-commerce van line platform, currently well into its official launch. The iMoving web-site connects customers and independent movers with intuitive technology, while protecting both with professional vetting and screening, escrow service, and customizable, itemized moving lists. In just 15 months, iMoving already represents 500 different movers in nearly 650 cities. "We've been absolutely blown away by the response and the growth we've seen," said iMoving CEO, Meyr Aviv. "I've been in this business for for over 20 years, and I've been working on this idea for a few years now, perfecting the platform as we learned what was needed. So I knew that iMoving was a great idea, set to change nearly everything about how the moving industry worked. But I never could have anticipated how quickly we've grown. And with the sort of coverage we've already achieved across hundreds of cities I have proof to back up my vision. I know that iMoving will rapidly become one of the largest van line suppliers in the country." iMoving officially launched its signature app just a few months ago and has reported an unprecedented 100-percent customer satisfaction rating, in addition to skyrocketing sales. iMoving: An Evolutionary Leap for Van Lines "iMoving provides movers and customers a place to connect and conduct their business in a safe, neutral way," Aviv explained. "We protect our customers by personally vettingand certifying each mover in our network. And we protect the movers by providing itemized lists of exactly what they're moving, and then ensuring they get paid through an on-board escrow service all from an easy-to-navigate digital platform. It's just a win-win scenario for everyone." Some of the major features of the iMoving platform include: Listed Items: Customers select their inventory, per item/ per room/ per box, using the digital planner. Movers know exactly what they are moving, from where, and can price accordingly. Customers select their inventory, per item/ per room/ per box, using the digital planner. Movers know exactly what they are moving, from where, and can price accordingly. Transparent Rates and Escrow Service: Customers receive competitive bids from multiple carriers vying for their business. The customer can compare pricing by item and read reviews about each carrier. Rates are locked in and unchanging. Customers then pick a mover and pay the cost up front into iMoving's escrow service, assuring movers that money has already been collected. The funds are immediately released within 48 hours after the customer reports a successfully completed move. Customers receive competitive bids from multiple carriers vying for their business. The customer can compare pricing by item and read reviews about each carrier. Rates are locked in and unchanging. Customers then pick a mover and pay the cost up front into iMoving's escrow service, assuring movers that money has already been collected. The funds are immediately released within 48 hours after the customer reports a successfully completed move. Change Details Anytime/Anywhere: Customers can change and update their inventories anytime, even on the day of the move. Both customers and movers are given notice of the changes. Customers can change and update their inventories anytime, even on the day of the move. Both customers and movers are given notice of the changes. Personalized Suggestions: The platform provides reminders and suggestions based on individual inventories, offering expert advice to help customers pack and move easier. "I started working in the moving industry back in 1999, as a foreman for a moving company in NYC, before buying my first truck and moving to Florida in 2003," Aviv said. "I know both sides of this business, and I've seen moving companies come and go. But what I haven't seen is a major new digital innovation in how moves are planned and performed. That's exactly what was needed. And I'm happy to say: that's exactly what iMoving now provides." About iMoving iMoving is an advanced, secure digital platform that allows customers to plan local or long distance moves with qualified movers, while also managing and overseeing the entire process throughout. iMoving is the only service available that allows a consumer to create their move entirely on a single, instinctive online platform. iMoving provides access to a network of licensed and bonded movers who provide competitive bids on each job. And with complete platform oversight, moving-day problems like bad service, rude staff and sudden price hikes are eliminated. Learn more at: www.iMoving.com. Media Contact: Mark N. Dorf, President & CEO, Performance Media Strategies Phone: (301) 881-8333 Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imoving-expected-to-hit-three-million-in-sales-for-2020--heralds-digital-revolution-for-van-line-industry-with-new-e-commerce-approach-301015625.html SOURCE iMoving [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The U.S. has confirmed its second death from the coronavirus, in the same Washington state area and the same facility as the first one. Now, all the fire fighters, and police officers who were possibly exposed to the person infected. All in all, there's a total of 10 positive infections in King County, Washington state. An elderly man in his 70's died from the viral infection at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland, where the first fatality got infected as well. The first was 50 years old who has a negative health condition, which is the same case as the second victim. Three more cases of the coronavirus are two women, and an eldery man, but all of them have health issues and are in critical condition. Earlier, the first patient to die from the coronavirus passed away from aggravated health problems The victim did not get the virus from travel according to health officers. Officials fear that it might be the "community spread" of the virus, that started in the West Coast. Health officials reported that one recent death, is just one of the three suspected deaths from COVID-19 in Washington. All patients are positive but the CDC needs to confirm it. All over the state, there are six confirmed or suspected cases for coronavirus. About the new cases that have been added, the victims are residents of Life Care, a place where elderly folks are kept (nursing home), and taken care of. According to health officials who said that two more individuals are sick and under quarantine, both are men and in their 60s. The 2nd death because of coronavirus infection in the US, came from this group of older people. The Guardian reveals that 25 Kirkland firefighters, two police officers, and seven firefighters are currently in quaratine after they visited the nursing home. This way, it can help contain the spread of the virus. Also read: Coronavirus Effects: How it Harms Human Body Organs According to sources, Trevor Bedford who does computational biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer, located in Seattle," Genetic sequencing suggests the virus may have been circulating for six weeks. Two samples of the virus - one from a person who traveled to Snohomish County in January from China, and another was a recently-diagnosed high school student with no history of travel to an affected area or contacts with known cases were compared, and the sequence was nearly identical. Bedford said the work is just the beginning and there might be another reason than community spread. Though in his opinion, he said that another alternative solution is not possible especially that a variant of the genes could be unusual. He also commented that the Washington state outbreak is significant, pointing out that the late detection worsened it since they were confident it won't spread in the country and that the virus is only possible in China. People with COVID-19 symptoms were not tested last week. Testing is done only in coronavirus hotspots or those contact with known positive infection. Now, virus testing in all instances has revealed more hidden cases revealed. Improved testing procedures and protocol is making up for earlier errors, especiall with the death toll going up to more than 89,000 cases, with 3,000 deaths. This includes the two deaths from the coronavirus in the US. Most of the positive cases have fever, cough, and have hard breathing as the virus attacks the body. Related article: Coronavirus Airborne? Increased Chances of Infection Possible @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A prototype of AI-based smart cyber-physical system for precise farming has a digital knowledge base on crop cultivation which contains the formal specifications of sorts of crops, phases of plants growth, technologies, machines, etc. Multi-agent technology is applied for designing digital twin of plant and providing the decision making support, including adaptive resource allocation, scheduling, optimization and controlling. The system helps farmers to select sorts and technology, develop crop rotation plan, monitor fields and adapt resource plans for precise machines in case of unpredictable events. The recent results have been published in Cybernetics and Physics (https://doi.org/10.35470/2226-4116-2019-8-4-257-261). AI helps to monitor the plants growth via satellites and drones detecting possible problems and adaptively allocates and schedules resources available including equipment and workers, fertilizers and pesticides, visualizing plans and key indicators in real time explains project leader, doctor of Technical Science, Head of Electronic Systems Department, Petr Skobelev. Our plan for this year is to provide accuracy of 2.5 sm for precise machines to keep plants secure in wheat production. This projects is supported by Smart Solutions, one of most innovative Russian high-tech AI company, spin-off of University. Originally the system was designed for wheat growing, but presently the scientists are planning to modify the system and expand the range of agricultural species it can deal with. National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), one of the largest Universities in South-East Asia, have expressed their interest in the product. Meanwhile the possibility of using Smart Farming in Thailand, Philippines and India is being discussed. For reference: Samara State Technical University (SSTU, Samara Polytech) as a flagship university offers a wide range of education and research programs and aims at development and transfer of high-quality and practically-oriented knowledge. The university has an established reputation in technical developments and focuses on quality education, scientific and pragmatic research, combining theory and practice in the leading regional businesses and enterprises. Education is conducted in 30 integrated groups of specialties and areas of training (about 200 degree programs including bachelor, master programs and 55 PhD programs) such as oil and gas, chemistry and petrochemistry, mechanics and energy, transportation, food production, defense, IT, mechanical and automotive engineering, engineering systems administration and automation, material science and metallurgy, biotechnology, industrial ecology, architecture, civil engineering and design, etc. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI -- A public hearing on a proposal to turn a former sand mine into 377 acres of public parkland with Lake Michigan access will be held today by Muskegon County commissioners. Last month, Muskegon County announced that it was considering purchasing the Nugent Sand property off of West Sherman Boulevard in Norton Shores in order to transform it into a recreational area. Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, to hear from the public and discuss applying for a state grant that would facilitate the purchase. The grant would come through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. At a packed community meeting last month - at which Norton Shores residents overwhelmingly expressed support for the plan - county officials said the grant would be competitive. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan, which has experience applying for such grants, would assist with the process, April Scholtz, who works for the conservancy, told MLive at the time. At Tuesdays meeting, the commissioners meeting as the ways and means committee will discuss whether to authorize the county parks department to apply for the grant, which will require a local match of at least 25 percent of the total cost. That funding can come from private donations and foundation funding. County officials have said that county general fund dollars would not be used for the purchase. A full vote on the authorization of the grant application will take place at the next scheduled meeting of the county commission, on Tuesday, March 10. The application would need to be submitted to the state by April 1, according to county Administrator Mark Eisenbarth. State agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, would assess the project over the course of summer and fall. If the county is approved for the grant, the county board would have to decide whether to move forward with the project by December. The property abuts Lake Michigan and includes 1,917 feet of lake frontage with two inland lakes. As proposed, the county would work with the Land Conservancy and Shoreline Development Assistance in order to transform the property into parkland, with possible access for kayaking, hiking and fishing, among other recreational activities. The Nugent Sand company mined the area for Lake Michigan dune sand, used in the regions famed foundries, for more than 100 years, beginning in 1912. Read more on MLive: Former Nugent Sand property eyed for park development by Muskegon County Proposed 377-acre Lake Michigan park near Muskegon gets support from packed crowd Chart of the Day: KLA-Tencor - A Tech Stock Still Worth Looking At Barchart - 3 minutes ago I wanted to find out if there were still any tech stocks that were worth buying so I screened the NASDAQ 100 Index stock for the highest Weighted Alpha and technical buy signals and found one. My Barchart... KLAC : 418.73 (+0.44%) Shootin' the Bull Swift Trading Company - 1 hour ago Cattle were soft starting the week off. I am unsure why, but some of the excuses today have been employment issues related to Covid, and the varying stance on what to do about it. Sugar Prices Under Pressure on Signs of Stronger Global Output Barchart - Mon Jan 10, 1:46PM CST March NY world sugar #11 (SBH22 ) on Monday closed down -0.22 (-1.22%), and March London white sugar #5 (SWH22 ) closed down -4.50 (-0.93%). Sugar prices on Monday extended their 3-week long decline, with... SBH22 : 17.83s (-1.22%) SWH22 : 481.30s (-0.93%) Cocoa Prices Mixed on Strength in the British Pound Barchart - Mon Jan 10, 1:45PM CST March ICE NY cocoa (CCH22 ) on Monday closed up +10 (+0.40%), and March ICE London cocoa #7 (CAH22) closed down -7 (-0.41%). Cocoa prices on Monday settled mixed. Cocoa prices are underpinned by optimism... CCH22 : 2,521s (unch) CAH22 : 1,698s (-0.41%) Sentiment Speaks: Are We Ready To Drop To 4400SPX? ElliottWaveTrader.net - Mon Jan 10, 1:31PM CST The market will likely be revisiting the 4400SPX region over the coming months, with the only question being if we can stretch to one more higher all-time high before we begin the pullback to 4400SPX. AUDUSD Forecasting The Decline After Elliott Wave Double Three Pattern ElliottWave-Forecast - Mon Jan 10, 11:50AM CST Hello fellow traders. In this technical blog were going to take a quick look at the Elliott Wave charts of AUDUSD Forex Pair published in members area of the Elliottwave-Forecast . As our members know,... ^AUDUSD : 0.71709 (+0.08%) Neighbors for Neighborhood Preservation is a small community group in Fairfield that would like to set the record straight following an op-ed published in the Connecticut Post on Feb. 25 (Wont you be my neighbor?) by Michael Allen, a retained attorney by Newport Academy. We are the neighbors who you have coined the NIMBY reactionists. For us, the term NIMBY means: Now I Must Become Involved. We want to start by saying there are no doubts and no denials among our community group that there has never been a more important time to get substance abuse and mental health treatment right. Addiction and mental health disorders do not discriminate, so neither should access to treatment. We simply hope that the same protection from discrimination would extend to protect all individuals who require access to long-term residential living opportunities. Let us outline two important facts. Newport Academy, funded by the Carlye Group, seeks to open two mental health drug treatment facilities in Fairfield that would not accept any in-network insurance within the state of Connecticut, nor Medicaid, charging upwards of $1,300 a day for treatment. Newport Academy was notified by the Office of Health Strategy that it would have to complete the Certificate of Need process for a Mental Health Residential Living Center yet they presented to Fairfield they were changing use to a group home. Put simply, Newport Academy is abusing the federal and state statutory rights of protected classes who rely on Group homes to provide transit treatment programs that last less than 90 days for out-of-state patients. Newport Academy is already in violation of section 8-3e(3) in so far as they are not willing to receiving funding from DHMAS (Medicaid). This will increase the treatment cost-share burden of those with the most minimum means. Wednesday, March 4 at 1 p.m. at Fairfield University, is an opportunity for our community to have a voice at the OHS Certificate of Need Hearing. Yet, already, the state has deemed our voices not worthy of the equal platform that Newport Academy has been allowed to utilize. The state OHS has rejected our neighborhood organizations request to intervene in the proceedings and present months worth of research in hopes of demonstrating our position that the proposed facilities will impact the protections of group homes in our neighborhoods, jeopardize the delivery of quality mental health treatment, and adversely create greater risks than benefits to protected class members in our communities. The state of Connecticut is seemingly placing the well-being of one protected class (recovering substance abuse users) against another (the intellectually and physically disabled). How is this justice? How does this provide due process in administrative hearings when preventing the advocacy for rights of those that do not have a voice? Newport Academys attorney argues our work is evidence of Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) perspectives as unneighborly residents. If advocating for the rights of those who do not have a voice, if speaking up to protect their long-term residential protections, and requiring any entity to incorporate the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community into their insurance reimbursement structure, is our neighborly identity ... then theyre right in identifying us as neighbors. Let us Neighbors officially say, Welcome to Fairfield, a community of neighbors from all over town, from all walks of life, and all socioeconomic fabrics who care enough to advocate, to protect our vulnerable neighbors who live here, and demand integrity from all who call this town home regardless of which zone they try to use. In fact, you can be sure that themed housewarming invitation will be promptly forthcoming. Yes, Mr. Allen ... we are the neighbors, and we hold those high expectations of community goodwill to any new neighbor who begins unpacking their moving trucks in Fairfield. Because we are neighbors who care, living in a town that cares. This is Fairfield, and we are proud to be among great neighbors. Mr. Allen, we hope you will join us at the hearing, along with the rest of the funded lobbyists, as a community public hearing requires advocacy on both sides and we in Fairfield value fairness and diversity in opinion, despite what your statements have suggested. James White and Meghan McCloat are members of Neighbors for Neighborhood Preservation in Fairfield. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. First corporate to invest HK$10 Million in Research, Development and Production of Patented Antibacterial and Antiviral NanoDiamonds Technology Masks Sets Up Two Production Lines to Produce 200,000 Surgical Masks a Day for the Public SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 2 March 2020 - To help fight the COVID-19 epidemic and solve the shortage of preventative gear such as surgical masks, Adrian Cheng, CEO of New World Development ("NWD" or "the Group") on Friday announced that the Group will set up local mask production lines through its charity foundation to produce 200,000 masks a day in Hong Kong SAR. Production is expected to start in April 2020, and the masks will be given for free to the public as part of NWD's efforts to combat the coronavirus. In addition, NWD will invest HK$10 million and work in partnership with Master Dynamic Limited (MD), a leading Hong Kong material analysis and nanotechnology company, to research and develop the application of NanoDiamonds technology to enhance the protective function of mask materials, with the aim to further develop a specialised coating that will kill bacteria and viruses. The new technology has the potential to create a new generation of affordable and highly effective surgical masks. Caption I: New World Development CEO Adrian Cheng (right) listened to Dr. Tom Kong, CEO of Master Dynamic about the characteristics of NanoDiamonds technology. The company's goal is to transfer the antibacterial coating technology applied to jewellery to the non-woven material of surgical masks, thereby blocking and inhibiting bacteria and viruses. Caption II: New World Development CEO Adrian Cheng (right) met with leading nanotechnology company Master Dynamic to learn how to apply the patented NanoDiamonds technology to the production of low-cost, antibacterial masks. Picture shows Dr. Tom Kong, CEO of Master Dynamic showing Adrian Cheng a sample of NanoDiamonds. Story continues With global shortages of surgical masks during the COVID-19 outbreak, there is an urgent need to produce high-quality yet affordable masks locally to meet rising demands from society, especially from low-income families. This initiative is underpinned by the Group's Creating Shared Value (CSV) principles and aims to contribute concrete and innovative solutions to social issues at a critical time. The initiative is moreover aligned with the Group's goal to provide an ecosystem of services and infrastructure to ensure the well-being of the local community, which includes healthcare businesses such as Gleneagles Hospital, FTLife Insurance and its health tech wellness centre - Humansa. Mr. Adrian Cheng says, "The recent COVID-19 made me realise how challenging it has been for the local community to source masks locally. Right after I announced to donate HK$10 million in protective gear to local communities, our team reached out to suppliers worldwide in search of high-quality masks. The fluctuation in prices and unreliability of supply prompted me to make the decision to start a local production line right here in Hong Kong. We have no shortage of scientific research capabilities, talent and resources in this city, and we are absolutely equipped to produce high-quality masks locally to tackle immediate and long-term needs. Driven by our vision for "creating shared value" and doing so through the power of technology, innovation and cooperation, I believe we can work together to win the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic and bring long-term positive change to society." Breakthrough NanoDiamonds Technology for Antibacterial and Antiviral Masks Headquartered at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) with a 6,000 square feet Nanotechnology Applications Centre (NTAC), MD has a team of more than 100 engineers, software developers and researchers. Collaborating with Chow Tai Fook (CTF) Jewellery Group, MD has previously successfully developed T MARK, which features a protruded nano-marking technology on diamond tables and antibacterial nano-coating technology on CTF's gold jewellery and has obtained a number of R&D patents. During the R&D process for this technology, MD discovered that NanoDiamonds-coating technology is bacteriostatic with the ability to block off and suppress the growth of bacteria and viruses. The company is exploring ways to apply this specific technology to the non-woven material of surgical masks, which may be used to produce high-performance, breathable and waterproof antibacterial and antiviral masks that can block off, suppress and even kill bacteria and viruses. Preliminary results from this R&D project are expected in four months. MD has previously worked with a local university to apply NanoDiamonds technology to healthcare solutions such as cancer diagnosis and successfully helped doctors to identify the location of early-stage tumors. Daily Production of 200,000 Masks for Low-income Families NWD has also ordered two automated mask production machines and sourced raw materials to make adults and children-sized masks. A factory with cleanrooms to make surgical masks at ASTM-Level 1 and above will be set up. Each production line can make up to 100,000 masks daily, starting April 2020. The masks produced are for community-based distribution through non-profit organisations to low-income families. NWD has established a professional team to cover engineering, planning and construction, factory operation and R&D, including a team from Hip Hing Construction under NWS Holdings, which was responsible for the construction of cleanrooms at Gleneagles Hospital. In the long run and when the epidemic eases, the production lines will be used to meet internal operational needs of the Group. Additionally, some masks will be sold to individuals in need and non-profit organisations at a low price. Over 1 Million Surgical Masks and Protective Kits Already Donated to Low-income Families Last month, the Group's charitable foundation donated HK$10 million to establish a "community anti-epidemic fund". To date, over 1 million masks and over 10,000 preventative kits containing surgical masks, hand sanitiser gels and sanitising wipes were distributed to low-income families through non-profit organisations in Hong Kong. Please visit this weblink to access high resolution photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FuxEUJqGZPocZQ1T22jrKhU0eoD0KbH2?usp=sharing New World Development Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited ("The Group", Hong Kong stock code: 00017) was publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972 and is a constituent stock of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. A premium brand infused with a unique personality best defined by The Artisanal Movement, New World Group's core business areas include property development, property investment, roads, aviation and construction. Its operations in Greater China, especially the Greater Bay Area, had a total asset value of approximately HK$503.3 billion as at 30 June 2019. The Group's two listed companies are NWS Holdings Limited (61%), and New World Department Store China Limited (75%). New World China Land Limited is wholly owned by the Group. The firings of Montgomery Countys chief and deputy chief public defenders last week sparked swift outcry from supporters who saw the action as reprisal for the defenders staunch advocacy for indigent clients. That claim appears to be supported by emails that ricocheted among the defenders, judges, and county officials in recent months. The messages, copies of which were obtained by The Inquirer, paint a picture of judges and county staff pressuring the defenders to tone down their advocacy and in particular to withdraw a brief that described a dysfunctional bail system plagued by systematic denials of due process. The county commissioners issued a statement Friday emphasizing their commitment to supporting the vitally important work of the Public Defenders Office and their dedication to defending the constitutional rights of indigent individuals accused of violating the law. Their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients must continue to extend beyond the courtroom, and their efforts to provide a holistic approach to the extra-legal concerns of those they represent is a model. That did not stem a continued onslaught of criticism over the decision to terminate Chief Defender Dean Beer and Deputy Chief Keisha Hudson. State and national legal organizations have issued sharp statements of condemnation. Reform advocates and law students have planned a Defend the Defenders protest for Thursday morning outside the county commissioners meeting in Norristown, urging them to reinstate Beer and Hudson. The ACLU of Pennsylvania has launched a call-in campaign for supporters to contact the commissioners directly. Meanwhile, 27 members of the office, including most of the lawyers on staff, have drafted an open letter warning that the firings will have a chilling effect and call into question the independence of the office. But in a Feb. 10 email to Beer, Montgomery County Chief Operating Officer Lee Soltysiak insisted that the brief about bail practices be withdrawn. Soltysiak called the lack of internal coordination before filing the brief a fatal flaw. Beer withdrew the brief the next day. But on Feb. 13, he wrote to Soltysiak asking for clarification regarding my independent role as the Chief Public Defender. In the memo, he claimed that Montgomery County President Judge Thomas DelRicci had threatened to pull his support for planned pretrial reforms if Beer did not rescind the brief. He was visibly upset and asked me what I thought I was doing, Beer wrote, arguing that there is no role for judicial oversight of our office, especially when the judges concerns seemed to be political. In a subsequent meeting, Beer wrote, DelRicci threatened my role as the Chief Public Defender ... threatened my law license ... [and] threatened my job. DelRicci did not respond to a message left with his chambers Monday. A county spokesperson, who previously said the county does not comment on personnel matters, did not respond to follow-up questions on Monday afternoon about the communications with Beer and any connection to his termination. According to a memo obtained by The Inquirer, Soltysiak denied that DelRicci had exerted influence. Instead, he documented what he considered to be Beers misguided or inappropriate initiatives. He cited three examples: the brief on bail practices; the defenders filing of a right-to-know request regarding the cost of phone calls at juvenile placements; and the use of summer interns to document potentially racist social-media posts by police, an inquiry launched after The Inquirer reported on disparities in marijuana-related arrests in the county. Soltysiak said in the memo that the social-media research was a misuse of resources because it was for the purpose of providing information to the Philly Voice, a website that covered the controversy. Reached by phone Monday, Beer said he had done nothing improper: I always acted in the scope of my employment to represent our clients both in the courtroom and outside the courtroom, and to address systemic issues that affect our clients on a day-to-day basis. In the memo, Soltysiak recounted meetings with Beer dating to August 2019 to discuss the improper use of resources. Beers tense exchanges with Montgomery County judges also date back at least that far. In an email chain from September, Steven ONeill, the administrative judge in charge of probation, responded to Beers concerns over what the defender saw as a coercive new probation practice, under which incarcerated people were asked to waive their right to a hearing or a lawyer, by questioning the defenders standing to challenge the practice and then requiring that the defender must officially enter an appearance on each violation-of-probation case, considered an onerous requirement by the short-staffed office. Past practice or lack of court enforcement are not exceptions to the requirement that an attorney from your office enter an appearance, ONeill wrote in the email. He did not return a phone call to his chambers Monday. The letter submitted by the 27 staff members said the firings created a sense of confusion, fear, and had a chilling effect on those of us who remained. We were left to question the independence of the office, the impact of our advocacy, and whether such advocacy would be limited." Their burgeoning romance has been heavily documented on social media, with the star calling his girlfriend 'the love of my life.' And Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz went for a grocery run to Erewhon in West Hollywood on Monday where they were joined by his mother Victoria. The group arrived in style, taking Brooklyn's BMW M2 coupe, with Victoria, 45, sitting in the passenger seat and Nicola, 25, in the back. Out and about: Brooklyn Beckham, who turns 21 this week, and his girlfriend Nicola Peltz, 25, went for a grocery run in West Hollywood where they were joined by his mother Victoria Brooklyn, who turns 21 this week, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt with dark jeans and white trainers while he wore a black jumper over his shoulders. Nicola opted for a black top which she wore over a matching leather jacket along with a pair of blue jeans. Also sporting black boots, the actress completed her look by letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders. Victoria displayed her typically chic fashion sense as she donned a black low-cut top which she wore with a black jacket. Fashion: Victoria, 45, displayed her typically chic fashion sense as she donned a black low-cut top which she wore with a black jacket Styling her brunette tresses into an updo, the fashion mogul wore a pair of sunglasses and carried a cup of coffee with her on the outing. Victoria also wore a pair of black skinny jeans and added to her ensemble with a pair of white heels. The budding photographer recently shared a cosy snap of the pair locked in an embrace, with the caption: 'What's Mine Is Yours Baby.' It comes after Brooklyn and Nicola looked every inch the perfect couple as they enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris together for fashion week. Laid back: Brooklyn cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt with dark jeans and white trainers while he wore a black jumper over his shoulders Trip: The group arrived in style, taking Brooklyn's BMW M2 coupe, with Victoria sitting in the passenger seat and Nicola in the back Nicola's breakthrough role as an actress came in the 2010 film The Last Airbender and she is also known for starring as Bradley Martin in the series Bates Motel. The pair have been heavily documenting their blossoming romance on social media, with Brooklyn previously calling Nicola the 'love of my life.' Brooklyn had been linked to a string of women over the past few months, before meeting Nicola, following his split from model Hana Cross, including Canadian actress Natalie Ganzhorn, 21, and brunette actress Phoebe Torrance, 25. Smitten: Brooklyn and Nicola couldn't keep their hands off each other after watching Inter Miami play their inaugural home game in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday Most recently it was claimed he and Lottie Moss had a 'secret fling' before he started dating his now ex-girlfriend Hana. Earlier this month, American actress Nicola declared that she and Brooklyn will be together 'forever' as she stressed the strength of their relationship alongside a steamy photograph shared to Instagram. Brooklyn recently posted a black and white snap of himself and his new actress girlfriend cosied up together, which he captioned: 'Me and u xx,' with Nicola adding 'Forever' in a comment beneath. ALBANY Carolyn J. Stefanco, the 11th president of the College of Saint Rose, will step down from her post by the summer, the college announced on Tuesday. Stefanco, who led the private liberal arts college for six years as it faced significant enrollment and financial challenges, has been criticized for her top-down style and lack of transparency as she worked to narrow a $9 million budget gap through a combination of cuts and revenue-raising initiatives. While the college, which serves roughly 4,000 students, has seen some enrollment and fundraising gains during her two terms, Stefanco's tenure was marked by infighting and turmoil, including a vote of no confidence by the faculty, calls for her ouster, and resignations by members of the college's Board of Trustees. Current members of that board praised Stefanco's leadership on Tuesday, noting that the college recently developed 20 new undergraduate, graduate and dual-degree and certificate programs. Saint Rose also launched its first national student recruitment effort, admitting two of the largest first-year classes in institutional history. Stefanco is also credited for her global view and emphasizing diversity and inclusion; Saint Rose now welcomes students from 70 countries, and students of color comprise 50 percent of the school's last three incoming classes. Stefanco "led the way in bringing the benefits of a Saint Rose education to the world, welcomed new international students, broadened academic support for our students, led the development of new academic programs and leadership opportunities for women and accomplished all of this at a time of significant enrollment and financial challenges for small private colleges across the country," Board of Trustees Chair Jeffrey D. Stone said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful for her vision and her leadership. Faculty members, however, have criticized Stefanco for what they describe as a breakdown in communication with the college community. Much of the bad blood stems from Stefanco's 2015 restructuring plan, which included cuts to more than two dozen programs at the college and the elimination of 23 faculty positions. Angela Ledford, a professor of political science and chair of the representative committee of the faculty, said morale has been "very low" since the administration restructured academic programs and gutted the departments without faculty input. "This news will generally be met with a great sense of relief on campus," Ledford said, "and we certainly as faculty look forward to re-engaging with our mission to educate students for lifelong learning, creativity, and engaged citizenship." Divisions among the college's 30-member board emerged in 2017 as six members resigned, including then-chairwoman Judith Calogero, who cited a deficit that had ballooned to $12.1 million. Saint Rose is currently trying to address a $10 million operating gap through "a combination of increased enrollment, increased revenues, and operational deficiencies," according to board leaders. "These challenges are by no means isolated to Saint Rose," Stone said in a statement. "They are the result of the declining population of college-age students and a strong economy that leads some students to postpone college and seek employment." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Stefanco joined Saint Rose in 2014 after serving as vice president for academic affairs at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta. She had been a founding dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at California State University, worked as a tenured professor, history department chair, and womens studies program director at California Polytechnic State University, and as an assistant professor at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Duke University, a master's degree in womens history from Binghamton University, and a B.A. in history from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In the Capital Region, Stefanco serves as a director of Albany Medical Center, an executive board member of Hearsts Women@Work initiative, and a member of the board of directors for the Center for Economic Growth, where she chairs the workgroup on interactive technology. She has given scores of keynote addresses, panel presentations, and media interviews statewide. In a statement, Stefanco said she was proud of her time at the college, citing her own background as a first-generation college graduate. I chose The College of Saint Rose because it offered me the chance to give back to students who were like me as an undergraduate, Stefanco said. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with employees in all divisions of the College who are as committed as I am to helping students to exceed their expectations. We branded Saint Rose as HOME during my tenure, but it has been the home of opportunity to generations of students over its 100-year history. I am proud to be a part of that legacy. Stefanco said she plans to continue to speak, write, and consult about womens leadership in higher education, and to advance global engagement and cultural understanding as hallmarks of a 21st Century education. Two weeks after a crane crashed at actor Kamal Haasans film set claiming three lives, the actor on Tuesday appeared before the central crime branch (CCB) to record his statement. Last week director of Indian 2, Shankar, was also summoned by the CCB. A senior officer of the CCB said the actors statements will be recorded in detail and he will be called again if needed. Soon after the incident, the police had registered a case against Lyca Production and crane operator Rajan, who was later arrested. Subsequently, the investigation was transferred to the CCB. An assistant director and two other technicians died on the sets of film Indian 2 when the crane used to erect sets snapped on the outskirts of Chennai late on February 20 night. Many others were also injured in the freak accident. Haasan, who said he escaped death by a whisker, later announced a relief of Rs one crore to the families of the bereaved and those injured in the accident. His heroine Kajal Agarwal and director Shankar also escaped unhurt. Though I have met and crossed many accidents, this one was horrific. I have lost three of my colleagues, he had tweeted after the accident saying he had a close shave. We escaped by a whisker. Four seconds before (the incident), the director (Shankar) and cameraman moved away and I was standing nearer along with the heroine (Kajal Aggarwal), he said. Indian, directed by Shankar, was a big hit upon release in 1996. Last year Shankar had announced a sequel to his hit movie. The film is expected to be released by 2021, but the accident is likely to delay it further, said Kollywood watchers. Richa Sharma By Express News Service NEW DELHI: As of now, Indias pristine forests are protected and cannot be considered for any developmental projects. This may soon change as Union Environment Ministry is looking to do away with the go and no-go classification of forests and is coming up with new classifications. The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has already circulated a note to ministries informing about the proposed revision in forest classification. The new forest regime will have three categories high, medium and low conservation areas. There should be nothing called no-go areas. Big coal blocks and uranium mines are in pristine forests and you will have to mine them but we will allow limited access to high conversation areas (pristine forest). There will be stringent compliance measures on project proponents in high conservation areas compared to low conservation, a top environment ministry official said. At present, Indias forests are divided into go and no-go categories. The no-go areas are pristine and biodiversity-rich forest areas where developmental projects are not given clearance. It is only in rare cases in which the MoEFCC allows such projects. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education has been asked to map the three categories of forests based on satellite imagery. ICFRE will do actual classification. We will restrict projects in pristine forest but we have to look holistically and we cant be headstrong. Any activity which can happen outside the forest easily, we must disallow that but we have made rules that are un-implementable and we need to make them user-friendly, the official added. The go and no-go areas with respect to coal mines in the dense forest were marked by the environment ministry way back in 2010. It went through revision with forest areas restricted for projects cut down further after opposition from the coal ministry as it sought for opening entire forest for mining. A high-level committee formed by the ministry to review Indias green laws in its report in 2014 had called for keeping certain biodiversity-rich dense forests out of bounds for any infrastructure and mining activity. Two residents of Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, discuss their frustration and the death of whistleblower Dr. Li Wenliang. For companies to take advantage of the mobile and digitally dynamic customer base that expects a customized and streamlined experience, digital advancement is incredibly vital. One of the undeniable necessities of business enterprises to support all the procedures is ensuring that excellent customer data management exists. It could be quite lucrative for marketers to have accurate customer data. But if the venture doesn't have the important assets to manage such a high volume of data, it can prove to be impossible for the enterprise to acquire and evaluate the data. Today, business endeavours have ample of customer data which, if utilized correctly, can assist the enterprise in serving individual clients successfully. Business ventures concentrating on data first technique can altogether increase auxiliary income, cut expenses and accomplish faithfulness from their top customers. But unfortunately, businesses face myriads of challenges in this process. Five most prominent ones are listed below- Huge Volume of Data Business endeavours need to be able to process enormous volumes of customer data so that essential data is settled and is accessible to the decision-makers whenever they need it. Ventures consistently face the challenge of gathering, managing and creation of something valuable from the data. Moreover, the expanding number of gadgets and platforms and the ceaselessly decreasing cost of storage have compounded the hurdle of the administration and expulsion of old data. The amount of organized and unstructured data that is being gathered along with numerous data accumulation channels has changed customer data management into a significant, yet tricky goal. Businesses are getting progressively competitive with each passing day, and consumer satisfaction is always the top priority. The quickly changing customer behaviour is causing problems for leaders to settle on what's best for the customers Executing the Right Technology As of late, Cloud computing has quickly turned into a popular asset for CIOs from all foundations and for valid reasons. In large business organizations, choosing where to house information is a tricky question that is predominantly controlled by how that data will be used. Cloud is helping answer these inquiries. CIOs used to keep organizations' information close by and stored locally. This was quite hard for large organizations with workplace in different locations. But, financially savvy cloud alternatives are helping CIOs mitigate the dangers related to long haul investments in heritage systems and nearby servers. With organizations having an endless amount of data each day, storing information is precarious. CIOs today are utilizing a different avenue (using local servers as well as the cloud) as it gives a flexible alternative for storing data. Facilitating systems and storing information on the cloud additionally provides a fortification in case of crisis. CIOs understand that human-made and cataclysmic events can harm hardware, shut off power and debilitate foundational IT works in an organization. Saving information on the cloud, hence, carries with it a significant boon for organizations. Securing customer data: With data being seen as a critical business asset by different enterprises, the security of that data is of paramount importance. Data breaches across various organizations around the globe have expanded unquestionably lately. Business ventures are starting to acknowledge security intrusions as unavoidable and are concentrating predominantly on the preparation for the security breach and secure sensitive data of the enterprise. Preventing cyberattacks is practically almost impossible, but one thing businesses can do is to limit the harm. Besides overcoming customer data management hurdles and building enhanced client experiences, business endeavours should likewise advance their data management techniques. Mapping the customer journey Business endeavours must be furnished entirely with real-time customer data, contact points for connection, behavioural stages, opinion, cross group resourcing and a lot more than empowers the mapping of the customer journey that can be useful in providing the best client experience. Yet, even in the current digital age, it is hard to follow the process of how clients move from brand awareness to conversion. Clients may initially be acquainted with a brand on a billboard, explore it on their desktop and eventually make a purchase on their cell phone. For the client journey to genuinely be a piece of business strategy, business ventures should use different tools that can reveal some insight into the client's path and bridge any gap between online and offline customer experiences. Data gathering and storage Businesses are getting progressively competitive with each passing day, and consumer satisfaction is always the top priority. The quickly changing customer behaviour is causing problems for leaders to settle on what's best for the customers. Organizations are experiencing severe difficulties overseeing such vast amounts of data. Also, they are likewise attempting to choose whether to consider a single customer view or cohort view while making an evaluation. 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 What began as a mysterious cluster of pneumonia cases in the Chinese city of Wuhan has exploded into the world's next pandemic in little more than three months. Since December, a virus never before seen in humans has infected more than two million people across 180 countries and killed 165,000. Cases in China have slowed dramatically under extraordinary lockdowns and testing regimes but new frontiers of the virus have erupted in Europe, the Middle East and the US, seeing more cities, from New York to Paris, grind to a halt. Now Australia is shutting large parts of daily life to slow the virus's spread here including pubs, cinemas, gyms and many businesses as states shutter their borders and call in police to enforce home quarantines for those at risk. More than 6500 people have been diagnosed with the new illness, COVID-19, in Australia and about 70 people have died here (see graphic below). Health Minister Greg Hunt says the nation needs to adopt a "war-time spirit" and everyone is urged to do their bit by practising good hygiene and staying away from others (about 1.5 metres away) or at home where possible, especially if sick. Experts stress this "social distancing" is about slowing down the virus, and so avoiding a sudden surge of cases overwhelming hospital resources. It is not an apocalyptic call for the community to start hoarding supplies or face masks. So what is a coronavirus, how does this one spread and how bad could it get? This article was originally published on January 21, 2020 and has been updated to reflect new developments. What is the coronavirus illness COVID-19? Advertisement Coronaviruses are a family of viruses causing respiratory illness that are mostly found in animals (so named for their crown shape, not the beer). Only six have previously been identified in humans including four mild strains which cause the common cold and the more unusual SARS-CoV, the virus behind the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak almost 20 years ago. This illness, known as COVID-19, brings that tally to seven. When a new strain of virus jumps into the population from animals, often through the handling and slaughter of wildlife, it can be dangerous as there is little natural immunity to fight it off. COVID-19 first appeared in December, when people working and shopping at a live animal market in the capital of China's central Hubei province, Wuhan, started falling ill. Medical experts have unlocked the virus's genetic code which is about 75 per cent similar to the SARS virus in "record time". But a lot is still unknown. What are the symptoms and how serious is COVID-19? It appears to start with a fever, a cough, fatigue or shortness of breath and can lead to pneumonia and more serious complications including organ failure. So far, with a death rate estimated at about 1 per cent, COVID-19 is considered 10 times deadlier than the seasonal flu but less dangerous than both SARS and the other rare coronavirus to emerge in humans, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). As with those illnesses, it infects not just the nose and throat but the lungs as well. More than 600,000 people have already officially recovered from the illness worldwide, but like the mortality rate, this number is hard to track while the pandemic is still at full steam. Loading Anyone can catch COVID-19 but those most at risk of dying are the elderly and people with underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. As of March 3, about 3.4 per cent of reported cases had been fatal, according to the WHO. Data of the first 55,000 or so cases in China reveals that about 20 per cent (one in five patients) suffered serious complications (meaning they needed medical intervention such as a ventilator to help them breathe). Further analysis of cases in Europe and the US show people under 50 are also being hospitalised in concerning numbers but very few children have been diagnosed or suffered serious cases a phenomenon also observed during SARS. Still, they are not immune and some have died from the illness. Advertisement Smokers are more likely to develop a nasty infection, as the virus breeds via cell receptors in the lungs known to increase with cigarette smoke. Experts say the higher the dose of virus you are hit with, the faster you will show symptoms and the more dangerous it can be for your immune system to fight off. While the global race to develop a vaccine is picking up speed, right now there is no cure. Treatment involves getting oxygen into the lungs, keeping fluids up and dealing with any resulting complications. Antibiotics do not work on the virus as it is not caused by a bacteria but can be deployed if patients are hit by secondary bouts of bacterial pneumonia. More experimental drugs such as those developed to combat malaria, HIV and Ebola are also being trialled in some parts of the world. Outside China, major clusters of the virus have broken out in Italy, where hospitals have been pushed to the brink as well as the US, Spain, Germany, Iran, France, the UK and South Korea. Many, including much of Europe, are now turning to the "China model" of forced quarantines and transport shutdowns to stop it. But experts note that China, as well as countries such as Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea, have also started to "flatten their curve" of infection growth through exhaustive testing, contact tracing of known cases and community take-up of "social distancing" measures such as working from home or taking schools online. Advertisement How do you catch COVID-19? The virus needs us to spread it can jump from one person to another through water droplets expelled from the nose and mouth, usually during coughing or sneezing (which can travel for close to a metre). Health authorities say you could be at risk if you touch a contaminated surface or are in close contact with an infected person at least 15 minutes of face-to-face conversation, or two hours in an enclosed space together. The virus does not appear to be airborne for long periods (one study showed it can survive up to 3 hours in the air but this was under lab conditions). Research is still ongoing into how long it survives on surfaces; the WHO says "for a few hours or up to several days". So far, that same early study has found the virus could last up to three days on hard surfaces like plastic and stainless steel but was less stable on others such as cardboard, fabric and copper. That doesn't mean the virus could infect people for that entire length of time (as the tiny viral particles will begin to decay outside the body). The good news is it can be killed with simple disinfectant (look for the words virucidal or antiviral on the label). Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. Is it a cold or COVID-19? The main symptoms of the new coronavirus are: Fever Cough Fatigue Shortness of breath A patient might also complain of chills, headaches or a sore throat, and nausea or diarrhea have also been reported, though not in the numbers seen during SARS. Based off data out of China, less than five per cent of cases involve a blocked nose (which is a common sign of a regular cold). People can spread the virus before symptoms appear during the incubation period of between one and 14 days or even if they never get symptoms, making this outbreak harder to contain than others such as SARS, although people are still thought to shed the most virus when they are unwell. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic says initial infection rates are constantly evolving, but it is believed each patient with COVID-19 will infect about two or three people. That makes it more infectious than the flu, SARS or MERS but much less infectious than measles, where one person is likely to infect up to 20 people. In the depths of winter (and flu season) in the northern hemisphere, more people have likely been infected than official counts, although many people with suspect symptoms may have a more common coronavirus or flu. Advertisement But the WHO says you can't catch COVID-19 from your pet and it's still considered highly unlikely to spread from food, passing someone on the street, or receiving a package from an infected area. If you are travelling near a confirmed patient on a plane, either in the same row or up to two in front or behind, health authorities say this is considered close contact and you should get advice and self-isolate. Loading Everyone is urged to wash their hands regularly, keep 1.5 metres away from others and observe good "cough etiquette" by covering their mouth. Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says people must not gather together and should stay home as much as possible but they shouldn't "waste" face masks needed for healthcare workers unless sick or caring for an infected person. Handshakes and kiss hellos should also be swapped for the more chaste pat on the shoulder or elbow bump. Who has to self-isolate? To stem the spread of COVID-19, millions of people infected or exposed to the virus around the world are also being urged to quarantine themselves at home, as health authorities turn to detective work to trace contacts of confirmed cases. While some people have chosen to start home isolation themselves, thousands of others have been issued formal notices to comply and many states have flagged hefty fines or penalties for those who break the rules. If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or have returned from overseas, then you must self-isolate for a full fortnight from when you landed in Australia. (Overseas travellers will now be put up in mandatory hotel quarantine by governments). Loading Those with symptoms should seek medical advice (call ahead before fronting up to a clinic) and wear face masks around others to stop the spread but not everyone in the community with a flu-like illness needs to go to hospital or rush out to get tested. Health authorities say testing kits are limited so are only testing those with symptoms likely to have the virus such as those exposed to a known case. Advertisement Shahrukh, the suspect who opened fire at police personnel during violence in North-East Delhi on Monday, has been arrested, the Uttar Pardesh Police has confirmed. He was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh. On February 24, the police had identified the man in a red T-shirt, who had opened fire at the police, as Shahrukh. At least 47 people, including a police Head Constable Ratan Lal and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, have died while around 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged in the North-East areas of Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yves here. For the record, the word plutonomy became part of the lexicon (and may even have been coined) by Citigroup in a series of reports to its asset management clients in 2005. They argued that a world ordered to suit the whims of the top 1% was well underway. The only thing that might get in the way was that the other 99% had the force of numbers on its side. Michael Moore devoted a section of his Capitalism: A Love Story to these documents. By John Siman As I reread in his book Hate Inc. Matt Taibbis analysis of how the corporate media have worse-than-cynically divided our nation into mutually-despicable but highly profitable demographic silos, and as I await the publication of Thomas Franks forthcoming book The People, No!, which will, I believe, be about the grim suppression of Populism in American history, I have been utterly surprised by the sudden appearance as if out of nowhere of Krystal Ball and SaagarEnjetis delightful YouTube show Rising, which every day now dispenses brilliantly produced, multiple doses of actual Populist conversation. Glenn Greenwald, who Krystal says is one of her heroes, calls it the super-perky radical trans-ideological 21st-century subversive sequel to the Katie Couric/Matt Lauer Morning Today Show in its heyday minus all that unpleasantness. The People, Yes! And, mirabile dictu, Krystal and Saagars Rising originates from within the most bubblicious confines of the D.C. bubble their studio is literally on K Street how is this even possible? How, that is, can their show even be permitted to air in the 21st-century USA, where next-level corporate control requires, as Taibbi has explained, the manufacture of media products as strictly standardized and aggressively dumbed-down as McDonalds food products are, and in an eco-system even more deleterious to the nations health? Perhaps Krystal and Saagars new right + new left friendship presages the actual rising up of a new Populist movement in the USA, out of the long-awaited ruins of neoliberal oligarchy. Well, that might be too much to hope for, but in any event their appearance on the political scene is good news coming at a time when I, for one, thought that good news had gone extinct. And to top it all off Krystal and Saagar have just written a book, The Populists Guide to 2020: A New Right and New Left are Rising. Its a collection of thirty-nine of their YouTube essays (twenty written by the nominal Democrat Krystal and nineteen by the nominal Republican Saagar; all thirty-nine were broadcast between last July and this January), with some useful updates and analysis added. Their essays are arranged not chronologically, but according to four rather audacious themes: Core Rot (the ugly result of the elites utter betrayal of the American working class) Media (why most all Americans hate it) Identity (understood as a woke intersectionalist weapon effecting societal division) Theories of Change (Krystal and Saagar really are envisioning a working-class revolution) Each of these four themes is introduced by a short, insightful, jointly-written essay. The whole thing weighs in at a very lively and readable 243 pages, and its a remarkable feat of modern publishing that so many of the essays in the printed-on-paper book had so recently been broadcast on the Internet about a quarter of them since Thanksgiving. Soon after its launch on February 8, Krystal and Saagars book made it into the top ten on Amazons list of new releases. And while their book was selling so briskly on Amazon, their YouTube viewership continued its months-long increase: Rising reached 300,000 subscribers in February. (The now-venerable Jimmy Dore Show has about 700,000 subscribers.) The runaway success of our show and of so many others on YouTube, they write, is a direct indictment of the mainstream media (p. 82). So then, if we really are witnessing the risingof a new Populist movement, it seems that it will be characterized by media content of sparklingly high production value and remarkably quick turnaround. Leonidas Lafayette Polk and William Jennings Bryan would be duly impressed. Indeed Krystal is so TV-polished and camera-ready that when I first saw her electronic image on Rising a few months ago (I had never seen her in the three years during which she was a co-host on MSNBC), I instinctively assumed that she would be just another plastic mouthpiece of official Neoliberal opinion, another super-perky (pace Glenn Greenwald) robot for the National Security State. Saagar, similarly, who is a decade younger than Krystal, presents himself as a very cheerful, very well-adjusted, very well-dressed (awesome ties!) D.C. politics nerd and describes himself as a conservative Trump-supporter who vehemently opposes socialism. And yet, when they come together, they write and say things like this: The old order will die. It is dying before our eyes. The only question is how long before a new order is born (p. 23). They are intellectuals, and they are writing from the gut. Here is a sentence from Saagars essay, My Dire Warning for the American Right: [W]e need to turn an eye toward our decrepit city in Washington to highlight just how exactly we got to a point where polling indicates that almost half the American public wants to burn our institutions to the ground (p. 194). Both Krystal and Saagar, I should point out here, are fascinated with the mechanics of the New Deal, with all the details of how Franklin Roosevelt was able to engineer a revolutionary transformation of the federal bureaucracy. Krystal, in fact, has written a book in which she envisions a new New Deal, Reversing the Apocalypse: Hijacking the Democratic Party to Save the World, and Saagar gave us a mini-lecture about the insider political genius whom he calls the chief architect of the New Deal, Thomas Tommy the Cork Corcoran. Saagars point was to illustrate just how gargantuan a task it is to reinvent government. Its something he obviously thinks about a lot. Also salient: Krystal was born and raised and continues to live in and to commute to K Street from rural King George County, Virginia. She retains the good manners of someone who grew up in the South. Saagar, the son of immigrants, grew up in College Station, Texas. Flyover country. My point here is that they both have, in real life, rubbed shoulders with actual deplorables. And so it is altogether fitting that it is from Krystal and Saagar that I have learned the revolutionary word plutonomy. It looks like plutocracy, like a word from Ancient Greek, but it isnt. It is, as we shall see, more badass than that. Back in Ancient Athens, when Plato and Xenophon were recalling how Socrates had described the type of regime in which private wealth determines public power, Plato used the word oligarchy and Xenophon the word plutocracy. Two words, but a single outcome: the rich rule and the poor are disenfranchised. And so Plato in The Republicobserves the fundamental political failure of oligarchy/plutocracy: it causes a city to be divided against itself, into a city of the rich and a city of the poor, which, though they continue to dwell together in the same spot, continuously plot against one another. And what then becomes of these disenfranchised poor? In The Constitution of the AtheniansAristotle presents us with a worst-case scenario, but a historical one nevertheless: [In the time before Solon, Aristotle writes] the Athenian regime was in all respects oligarchical , and the poor and their wives and their children were enslaved to the rich, and they were called Dependents and Sixth-part-sharecroppers, for it was under a sixth-part rent that they farmed the fields of the rich all the land was owned by the rich. And if they ever failed to pay their rents, both they and their children were liable to arrest. So much for economic plight of the disenfranchised poor what of the ruling rich, the oligarchs /plutocrats? Well, they get richer and richer of course. And this is why plutonomybecomes for us an essential term of analysis: it denotes the economic arrangements that arise naturally from oligarchic/plutocratic political arrangements. Plutonomymeans that wealth grows only for the wealthy. Its the economy of a plutocracy. And so plutonomy is not, as we have seen, an ancient word, but a modern portmanteau word, a fusion of plutocracy + economy. And Krystal and Saagar describe the dynamic of plutonomy with vividness, as in this passage from their book: Our entire economy has become increasingly oriented around the special flowers of Richard Floridas so-called Creative Class [Thomas Frank uses the term Liberal Class; during our conversation Saagar used the term Cosmopolitan Class, and Krystal the term Professional/ Managerial Class; I am old enough to remember Yuppie Scum]. These are the lucky, mostly college-educated, types to whom the entire low-wage service community caters: the ones who came mostly from big cities or were identified as special in their small towns and put on the college track. They are the Pete Buttigiegs of the world, whose privilege and particular type of intellect gained them access to the elite world and all the stamps of elite privilege that come with it: the people who expect their sustainable [!] sushi to be available at 2 a.m. and for whom an entire army of exhausted and underpaid workers has been marshaled (p. 22). Michael Hudson describes plutonomy with statistics: [A]ll the growth in GDP has accrued to the wealthiest 5 Percent since the Obama Recession began in 2008. Obama bailed out the banks instead of the 10 million victimized junk-mortgage holders. The 95 Percents share of GDP has shrunk (The Democrats Quandary In a Struggle Between Oligarchy and Democracy, Something Must Give). The rich get richer, and the poor get uninsured gig jobs serving the rich. Krystal told me that she learned the word plutonomy in the context of Wall Street, from an analyst who communicated the message: Look. All the money to be made comes from catering to the plutocrats with luxury goods, with luxury experiences, with luxury services. Thats where all the money is to be made because no one else has anything. She continued: So our whole economy has become a plutonomy, where you have a small slice of people who are very fortunate, who have their credentials and their ticket to the elite class, and they can get their sushi on demand delivered to them by Uber Eats at 2 a.m., and the whole society is set up to cater to their every whim and desire. And they are the only people who in their workplace and in their life are actually treated like human beings. The Meritocracy, Saagar interjected. The Parasite Class, I thought to myself. Krystal resumed: Which is why I responded so much to Andrew Yangs message the core of his message which was very simple: that everyone deserves to be treated with humanity, like a human being. But that is the opposite of how our economy is structured. Plutonomy is so bad that Socrates and Plato and Xenophon and Aristotle didnt have a word for it. How in heavens name then is it being shoved down Americas throat? One way is by its being sugar-coated with a gooey layer of identity politics, of intersectional wokeness. Krystal and Saagar write: There is genuine racism, sexism and hatred in this country bigotry of all kinds. But what animates American politics right now is not a true desire to make America a place free of the systemic legacy of racist and sexist policies: what animates American politics is the desire for elites to cling to power, engage in rent-seeking behavior and hog all the spoils of plutonomyfor themselves. Identity politics is the sop thrown to working class people to keep them in line [italics mine]. It keeps us all running around yelling: Racist! and Sexist! and Un-American at each other rather than noticing the way that we are all united in a shared struggle (pp. 134-135). With the phrase united in a shared struggle Krystal and Saagarget to the heart of the matter. For the most horrible of the many horrors of identity politics is its rejection of the very possibility of human solidarity. Oligarchy, as Plato described it, was bad enough, for it causes a city to divide against itself, to divide into two hostile factions, but woke identity politics divides and divides again, into as many hostile factions as there are countable identitarian intersections. And so, just as plutonomy arises naturally from oligarchy, so likewise does a truly anti-human viciousness arise from identity politics. The horrors of identity politics and woke anti-capitalism can perhaps best be fought by means of satire, as Andrew Doyle has been doing with his Twitter character, Titania McGrath, an imaginary radical intersectionalist poet committed to feminism, social justice and armed peaceful protest. He and his colleague Douglas Murray are the two greatest heroes of the war against woke in the UK, and I have often wondered who has risen up to their level of moral and intellectual valor here in the USA. In an important way, Krystal and Saagars critique of identity politics is even more powerful than Doyle and Murrays, for while the two Englishmen write from a sensibility that is at its core literary Doyle has a doctorate in Elizabethan literature from Oxford and Murray wrote a major biography of Oscar Wilde while still an undergraduate there Krystal and Sagaar have politics in their bone marrow. They are therefore able to analyze the monstrosity that is the woke corporation, to unveil the intersectionof identity politics with plutonomy. So the big insight I got from your book, I told them, is that Woke is the next level of union busting. I agree, Saagar said, I think its a pernicious attempt I dont think it started out this way, [but now] corporations realize that they can buy off key elements of the left by sponsoring critical race theory and identity stuff, and by using that they can basically not answer for any of the structural and economic damage that they have caused to American workers. I dont think it started out this way I dont think these critical race theorists [for example] I dont think the founder of the 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, was ever like, Yeah, Im gonna get funded by the Shell Corporation, but, because she thinks that race is the fundamental divide amongst Americans, taking that money is fine. 1619 to me encapsulates all of this: The New York Timestelling a bunch of upper-middle-class white liberals that theyre actually fundamentally racist from the very beginning, and that race in and of itself and not class is the primary dividing line in this country. Saagar continued: And what I would say is: This is the worst possible thing you can actually do to a lot people of color in this country who are disproportionately affected by class-based policies, which destroy unions, which go after wages. I mean, who do you think is affected when we have union-busted jobs or low-wage work, which is fundamentally catering to an upper class, to a Cosmopolitan Class which is diverse in name only? (The contrived diversity of what Saagar here calls the Cosmopolitan Class is one of Adolph Reeds most insightful observations I asked about this, and of course Krystal and Saagar admire Reeds work, and of course theyve had him on the show.) Yes, Krystal agreed, its a way to keep the working class divided so they do not accumulate power because theres many more of them than there are of the elites. But the Republican Party uses white identity, and the Democratic Party uses: Look, at least were not racists like those guys! to be able to keep people in the tent so they can center the party around the interests of the Professional / Managerial Class. Krystal paused and continued: Identity politics to me means taking something that is real bigotry and weaponizing it to maintain the status quo. Yeah, I said. Back to Krystal: To say: Look, if we have a gay millennial mayor, weve made progress, even when hes pushing the same status quo politics. Or having the first black president. We have made progress. And I dont want to say that thats nothing. It is something. It does matter for children to be able to look up and see a black man as our president. But does it really make you feel better if its like Kamala Harris prosecuting you as a single parent for your kids being truant or possessing marijuana? Does it matter to you if its black woman who did that? No! Personally, my aspirations are much greater than changing the gender ratio or racial makeup of, of of the Fortune 500! Saagar interjected. Great! Krystal said, and we all laughed, We have our first female CIA torturer. Fantastic! Ha! What fun it is to visit K Street! The People, Yes! When, a year or so ago, I met Thomas Frank at a similarly bubblicious location and told him that I had travelled there from West Virginia, he entertained me with an anecdote about a trip he had once made westward across West Virginia: each time he crossed a mountain ridge, he told me, the only station he could pick up on his car radio would be broadcasting the Rush Limbaugh Show. Then hed be crossing over the next ridge, and the station would fade out only to be replaced by a successor station broadcasting the same episode of Rush on the same schedule. So up and down, up and down, again and again, over a couple hundred miles, Thomas Frank was able to listen to an entire episode of Rush Limbaugh virtually uninterrupted from a half a dozen or more West Virginia radio stations, operating a sort of aural relay race. Chinese health authorities reported 125 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 31 deaths on the Chinese mainland, Xinhua reported. All the deaths were in Hubei Province, according to the National Health Commission. Meanwhile, 129 new suspected cases were reported, said the commission. Also on Monday, 2,742 people were discharged from hospital after recovery, while the number of severe cases decreased by 304 to 6,806. Until midnight, the overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 80,151, including 30,004 patients who were still being treated, 47,204 patients who had been discharged after recovery, the commission reported, adding that 2,943 people had died of the disease. The commission said that 587 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus. The commission added 40,651 close contacts were still under medical observation. On Monday, 7,650 people were discharged from medical observation. Until midnight, 100 confirmed cases including two deaths had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), 10 confirmed cases in the Macao SAR, and 41 in Taiwan, including one death. Thirty-six patients in Hong Kong, eight in Macao and 12 in Taiwan had been discharged from hospital after recovery. The Lagos State Government on Monday said two foreign nationals suspected to be infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) have tested negative. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the two foreign nationals were from a high-risk country in Asia. The first coronavirus index case in Nigeria was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health last week. An Italian national who arrived the country on February 25 tested positive to COVID-19 and has been isolated and subjected to treatment. While giving an update on COVID-19 at Alausa on Monday, the governor said that series of medical examination were carried out on the two suspected patients at the States bio-security facility. The foreign nationals, who were brought from Ogun State, did not show any sign of COVID-19 infection, Mr Sanwo-Olu said. He also said that the condition of the Italian national who tested positive to the virus is improving, adding that the incident command centre was satisfied with the recovery of the infected patient. Mr Sanwo-Olu added that the state government would maintain an open line of communication with the public on the progress being made in containing the virus. READ ALSO: He advised members of the public to disregard any piece of information that did not come from an official source. Meanwhile, Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health in the state, said 100 persons have been identified to have been in contact with the Italian patient and have been quarantined. He said the government had intensified its search for all persons that had interaction with the isolated patient. He said the centre is still investigating possible transmission of the virus having identified all the local contacts that interacted with the patient. There were 159 passengers in the aircraft and six people that came in contact with him at the airport, he explained. There are 25 people who came in contact with him at the factory; there were two drivers and an ambulance driver. We have quarantined those identified so far at our medical facilities and some of them at home. We are calling them twice a day to check if they are okay. If they develop symptoms, we will bring them to our bio-security facility for test. Mr Abayomi said the government is making efforts to find the remaining passengers on the aircraft. More than half of the states in the US face a shortage in housing supply, and domestic migration is worsening the deficit in some states, according to Freddie Mac's new insight report. We are in the midst of a demographic tailwind, and we expect home purchase demand will remain strong well into the next decade as the peak cohorts of millennials turn 30 years of age in 2020 and beyond, said Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater. With 29 states experiencing a housing dilemma, Khater said that the shortage is accelerating at a pace that's hard for the new housing supply to keep up with. ST. LOUIS, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today its updated 2020 financial guidance, incorporating the effect of the closing of the WellCare acquisition on January 23, 2020. Total revenues are expected to be $104.8 billion to $105.6 billion, and diluted earnings per share are expected to be $3.00 to $3.14. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2020 are expected to be $4.56 to $4.76. "The Company is well positioned to maintain its momentum in 2020," said Michael Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of Centene. For its 2020 fiscal year, the Company's guidance is as follows: Total revenues in the range of approximately $104.8 billion to $105.6 billion . Diluted earnings per share of approximately $3.00 to $3.14 . Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $4.56 to $4.76 . Health benefits ratio of approximately 85.9% to 86.3%. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense ratio of approximately 9.3% to 9.7%. Adjusted SG&A expense ratio of approximately 8.9% to 9.3%, which excludes approximately $385 million of acquisition related expenses. Effective tax rate of approximately 38.0% to 40.0%, including the effect of the Health Insurer fee. Diluted shares outstanding of approximately 584.5 million to 587.5 million. The Company's guidance includes the following: A benefit of $0.09 per diluted share as a result of the timing of the WellCare transaction, which closed on January 23, 2020 . This includes the effect of the pro-ration of January's results, substantially offset by the lack of a full year of synergy capture, and the lower share count due to the timing of the acquisition closure. We received a potential rate decrease from the State of New York on February 6, 2020 , which would result in an overall pre-tax net rate reduction of approximately $200 million . While not final, we have begun to develop initiatives to mitigate a portion of the potential rates for 2020. We currently expect $150 million of the adjustment to potentially lower our pre-tax earnings for the year, resulting in a $0.17 reduction to our GAAP and adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance. Conference Call & Presentation As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at approximately 8:30 AM (Eastern Time) to review the 2020 financial guidance. Michael Neidorff and Jeffrey Schwaneke will host the conference call. The Company has also posted slides to its website under the investor relations section as a supplement for the conference call. Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 1-877-883-0383 in the U.S. and Canada; +1-412-902-6506 from abroad, including the following Elite Entry Number: 0997408, to expedite caller registration; or via a live, audio webcast on the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section. A webcast replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call for the next 12 months or until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at the aforementioned URL. In addition, a digital audio playback will be available until 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, March 12, 2020, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. and Canada, or +1-412-317-0088 from abroad, and entering access code 10139468. Non-GAAP Financial Presentation The Company is providing certain non-GAAP financial measures in this release as the Company believes that these figures are helpful in allowing investors to more accurately assess the ongoing nature of the Company's operations and measure the Company's performance more consistently across periods. The Company uses the presented non-GAAP financial measures internally to allow management to focus on period-to-period changes in the Company's core business operations. Therefore, the Company believes that this information is meaningful in addition to the information contained in the GAAP presentation of financial information. The presentation of this additional non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company references Adjusted SG&A Expense Ratio guidance, however the Company cannot provide a reconciliation of Adjusted SG&A Expense Ratio guidance without unreasonable efforts. As such, it has been excluded from the reconciliation below. Specifically, the Company believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial information that excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition related expenses, as well as other items, allows investors to develop a more meaningful understanding of the Company's performance over time. The table below provides reconciliations of non-GAAP items per share: Annual Guidance December 31, 2020 GAAP diluted EPS $3.00 - $3.14 Amortization of acquired intangible assets (1) $0.97 - $0.99 Acquisition related expenses (2) $0.58 - $0.62 Other adjustments (3) $0.01 Adjusted diluted EPS $4.56 - $4.76 (1) The amortization of acquired intangible assets per diluted share presented above are net of the income tax benefit of an estimated $0.30 to $0.32 for the year ended December 31, 2020. (2) The acquisition related expenses per diluted share presented above are net of the income tax benefit of an estimated $0.09 to $0.10 for the year ended December 31, 2020. (3) Other adjustments for 2020 include the gain on the sale of the Illinois health plan of approximately $0.08 per diluted share (presented net of income tax expense of $0.07) and debt extinguishment costs of approximately $0.09 per diluted share (presented net of an income tax benefit of approximately $0.03). About Centene Corporation Centene Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach - with local brands and local teams - to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across all 50 U.S. states, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) as well as individuals served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. The Company also serves several international markets. Centene emphasizes long-term growth by prioritizing its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities and government partners. Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors. Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements often use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "seek," "target," "goal," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "can," "continue" and other similar words or expressions (and the negative thereof). Centene (the Company, our, or we) intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe-harbor provisions. In particular, these statements include, without limitation, statements about our future operating or financial performance, market opportunity, growth strategy, competition, expected activities in completed and future acquisitions, including statements about the impact of our recently completed acquisition (the WellCare Acquisition) of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (WellCare), other recent and future acquisitions, investments and the adequacy of our available cash resources. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environments, future developments and other factors we believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are subject to change because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. Except as may be otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date hereof. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from projections, estimates, or other forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, variables and events including but not limited to: uncertainty as to our expected financial performance following completion of the WellCare Acquisition; the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from the WellCare Acquisition will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred in connection with the integration of the WellCare Acquisition or that the integration of WellCare will be more difficult or time consuming than expected; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the WellCare Acquisition; the inability to retain key personnel; disruption from the completion of the WellCare Acquisition, including potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships with customers, employees, suppliers or regulators, making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the risk that, following the WellCare Acquisition, we may not be able to effectively manage our expanded operations; our ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits and other operating expenses and reserves; competition; membership and revenue declines or unexpected trends; changes in healthcare practices, new technologies, and advances in medicine; increased healthcare costs; changes in economic, political or market conditions; changes in federal or state laws or regulations, including changes with respect to income tax reform or government healthcare programs as well as changes with respect to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and any regulations enacted thereunder that may result from changing political conditions or judicial actions, including the ultimate outcome in "Texas v. United States of America" regarding the constitutionality of the ACA; rate cuts or other payment reductions or delays by governmental payors and other risks and uncertainties affecting our government businesses; our ability to adequately price products on the Health Insurance Marketplaces and other commercial and Medicare products; tax matters; disasters or major epidemics; the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings; changes in expected contract start dates; provider, state, federal and other contract changes and timing of regulatory approval of contracts; the expiration, suspension, or termination of our contracts with federal or state governments (including but not limited to Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE or other customers); the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of pending or future litigation or government investigations; challenges to our contract awards; cyber-attacks or other privacy or data security incidents; the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from acquired businesses, including, without limitation, the WellCare Acquisition, will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the exertion of management's time and our resources, and other expenses incurred and business changes required in connection with complying with the undertakings in connection with any regulatory, governmental or third party consents or approvals for acquisitions; disruption caused by significant completed and pending acquisitions, including, among others, the WellCare Acquisition, making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred in connection with the completion and/or integration of acquisition transactions; changes in expected closing dates, estimated purchase price and accretion for acquisitions; the risk that acquired businesses, including WellCare, will not be integrated successfully; the risk that we may not be able to effectively manage our operations as they have expanded as a result of the WellCare Acquisition; restrictions and limitations in connection with our indebtedness; our ability to maintain or achieve improvement in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star ratings and maintain or achieve improvement in other quality scores in each case that can impact revenue and future growth; availability of debt and equity financing, on terms that are favorable to us; inflation; foreign currency fluctuations; and risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that Centene has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. We discuss certain of these matters more fully, as well as certain other factors that may affect our business operations, financial condition and results of operations, in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Due to these important factors and risks, we cannot give assurances with respect to our future performance, including without limitation our ability to maintain adequate premium levels or our ability to control our future medical and selling, general and administrative costs. SOURCE Centene Corporation Related Links http://www.centene.com A young man who was beaten up in a racist attack on one of Londons busiest streets has said he was targeted because of coronavirus. Jonathan Mok, a 23-year-old student from Singapore, said he was attacked at around 9.15pm on 24 February on Oxford Street. In a Facebook post, Mr Mok said a man, who was with three or four other men and one woman, said something about coronavirus before punching him in the face. He said another member of the group then said: I dont want your coronavirus in my country, before hitting him on the nose and causing blood to splatter on the pavement. The group then ran off before the police arrived. Jonathan Mok pictured with a swollen eye following the attack (Jonathan Mok/Facebook) Following the attack, the victim was taken to hospital, where he was told that he had suffered several fractures to his face. Doctors also told him that he might need to undergo reconstructive surgery. One photograph posted by the victim on Facebook shows him with a black eye and a bloodied face immediately after the assault. Another photograph taken the next day reveals the extent of the swelling around his eye. A spokesperson for the Met Police told The Independent: Police are investigating a racially aggravated assault in Oxford Street near Tottenham Court Road station at around 2115hrs on Monday, 24 February." The victim a 23-year-old man was punched and sustained facial injuries." Police said there had been no arrests so far but that they were working to identify the suspects. Mr Mok, who has lived in London for two years and studying at UCL, wrote in his Facebook post: Racism is not stupidity racism is hate. Racists constantly find excuses to expound their hatred and in this current backdrop of the coronavirus, theyve found yet another excuse. Recommended Coronavirus taught me about my own internalized racism This attack comes amid a spate of reports of racism against Asian people following the outbreak of coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December last year. Any witnesses are asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 7522/feb24. Advertisement Parts of Britain were warned 'not to be complacent' about the risk of flooding today as river levels remained 'extremely high' following the wettest February on record. More than 170 Environment Agency flood alerts or warnings are still in place for the country with further rain and hill snow on the way for some areas after temperatures fell to -3C (27F). However there are no longer any Met Office weather warnings in place for Britain and long-term forecasts for the middle of March suggest high pressure building, which could bring drier and calmer conditions. Rural insurer NFU Mutual estimates it will pay out 37.5million for insurance claims across storms Ciara and Dennis over the past month, and it has had more than 5,000 claims for both so far. Floodwater surrounds homes in Snaith, East Yorshire, as dozens of flood warnings are still in place for England today Workmen clear debris from the road where floodwater has begun to recede this morning in Snaith, East Yorkshire Floodwater surrounds the bungalow in which Kevin Lorryman lives in Snaith, East Yorkshire, this morning Workers inspect floodwater on a railway line in the village of Snaith in East Yorkshire today A shed floods on its side following severe flooding in the village of Snaith in East Yorkshire today Dave Throup, EA manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said water levels in Worcester are 'still creeping up very slowly' and it was 'going to be touch and go' if main roads in the city could be kept open. People living or working near the River Severn - which has been badly swollen over the past few weeks - were told 'not to be complacent', although temporary defences at flood-hit Ironbridge in Shropshire were 'coping well'. The River Severn's level has been at about 3ft (1m) lower than last week, but Mr Throup added: 'Although these aren't the extreme levels we saw last week they are still extremely high and do present dangers.' Meanwhile in East Yorkshire, locals in flood-hit Snaith have been angered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's refusal to visit flood areas. Around 4,300 properties across England and Wales have been hit as a result of storms. During previous weather events, Storm Doris in 2017 saw 11.5million of insurance payouts, 36million for Storm Desmond in 2015, and 3million for the Yorkshire floods last November. Flood damage averages 20,000 a claim. Showers will affect parts of Britain today (left) before heavier rain sweeps across from the West tomorrow (right) More than 170 Environment Agency flood alerts or warnings are still in place for the country with further rain on the way Kevin Lorryman outside his bungalow in Snaith, which is surrounded by floodwater this morning A car submerged in floodwater in Snaith, East Yorkshire, as more than 160 flood warnings or alerts are still in place today Floodwater has deliged properties in the village of Snaith in East Yorkshire today Sheds are floating in the floodwater which has hit the East Yorkshire village of Snaith following heavy rainfall Flooding damage around a house in the village of Snaith in East Yorkshire today 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. How Britain could take advice from the Dutch on flood management Britain could do worse than follows the example of the Dutch in their flood defences to avoid a repeat of the chaos over the past few weeks. The Netherlands spends 362million (315million) annually on the Dutch Flood Protection Programme, with around a quarter of the country below sea level. The Oosterscheldekering, or Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier, between Schouwen-Duiveland and Noord-Beveland in the Netherlands Keeping out the sea is a high priority for the Dutch, which has some of the world's best sea defences such as a network of overlapping sluices, locks and barriers. Flood management is a source of national pride in Holland which dates back to the country seeing it has a 'collective' responsibility following the 1953 floods in the country, which claimed nearly 2,000 lives. Afsluitdijk, a major dam and causeway in the Netherlands, runs from Den Oever in North Holland to Zurich village in Friesland Their defences would only be breached by a one-in-10,000-year storm, compared to London, the best protected place in the UK, which is only equipped for a one-in-1,000-year flood or tidal surge. The Netherlands has 1,860 miles of outer-sea dykes and 6,200 miles of river dykes and canal walls, and these are constantly made bigger with newer technology, widening rivers and building floating homes. The Maeslant barrier (Maeslantkering) on the Nieuwe Waterweg in South Holland Peter Glas, the president of the Dutch Association of Regional Water Authorities, said last week that Britain should prepare for seas and tidal rivers to rise by over 6ft in 80 years. This is nearly double the worst-case scenario predicted by the Met Office. Advertisement Rain and hill snow will fall across northern Britain this morning before easing, but it will otherwise be bright for most with sunny spells and showers - before a dry and clear night allowing frost, mist and fog patches to form. Tomorrow, outbreaks of rain look to push across the southern half of the UK, with snow falling on the Welsh hills, while northern areas will see bright spells and some scattered showers. On Thursday, early rain in the South East should clear to leave bright spells for most and showers in the North West, while rain and hill snow will move across the UK overnight and into Friday morning, followed by sunny spells. The owner of a bunglalow in Snaith left almost completely submerged by flooding has said his focus is on preventing the same thing happening to other families in the future. Kevin Lorryman's home is just one of dozens in the East Yorkshire communities of Snaith and East Cowick which were inundated a week ago when the River Aire spilled out of its normal washlands, creating a vast inland sea. Mr Lorryman's Snaith bungalow has become a symbol of the recent flooding which has affected many areas of England and Wales, with just its roof and its solar panels visible above the muddy, 9ft (3m) deep floodwater. Despite facing the prospect of his home having to be completely demolished, the 56-year-old said he is keen to make sure no-one forgets the scores of other families in East Yorkshire and beyond in a similar situation. He said: 'I just want people to think about all the other people around here who have been affected. 'There are hundreds. I think it's 69 houses in total affected in East Cowick, not far away, as well as those in Snaith. 'They are all in the same situation I am in. Even those who've just had a few inches, it's caused a huge amount of damage and it will take a lot of recovery.' Mr Lorryman is now living in his caravan as prepares to move into a rented house while the home he lived in with his daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren slowly re-emerges from the receding water. He said the local community has pulled together in response to the crisis but he wants to see the country more prepared for these situations in the future. 'Going forward, there needs to be action taken at a much higher level to prevent this happening again,' he said. 'East Riding Council teams have come in and everyone here has been brilliant but it needs to be sorted at a much higher level - emergency response teams put in place to respond to these things. 'And we need to build flood resilience in. 'I don't want my family to go through this again. I don't want anyone to go through this again.' Mr Lorryman said he is hoping to use his insurance money to build another home on slightly higher ground on his land. He said his neighbours had been inundated with donations of clothes and other items but still needed help and urged people to donate to a Just Giving page set up by the community. More than 150 residents attended a meeting at Snaith Primary School on Monday night where they questioned officials from a range of organisations, including East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Environment Agency. The council said 23 homes have been flooded in Snaith, with 65 affected in nearby East Cowick. A car is almost completely submerged in the floodwater in the village of Snaith, East Yorkshire A van sits in floodwater in the deluged East Yorkshire village of Snaith which has been badly affected Workmen clear debris from the road where floodwater has begun to recede today in Snaith, East Yorkshire Floodwater surrounds a home in Snaith, East Yorkshire, with roads completely underwater in the area this morning A Network Rail employee wades through floodwater in Snaith, East Yorkshire, today as dozens of flood warnings are in place Dave Smith, head of human resources and emergency control centre manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: 'While the threat of more flooding is reducing people still need to be vigilant. UK has one of its wettest and warmest winters The UK has just experienced one of its wettest, and warmest, winters on record, new figures show. Across December, January and February, the country was deluged with an average total of 469.7mm of rain. This was enough to rank it the fifth wettest winter on record, according to the Met Office. Last month has already been confirmed as the wettest February on record, with an average of 209.1mm measured across the UK. The Met Office has now said that it was also the fifth wettest of any calendar month, based on statistics dating back to 1862. As well as being particularly wet, the three months from December 2019 to February 2020 were exceptionally mild, with a provisional mean temperature across the country of 5.28C. It means five of the UK's 10 warmest winters on record have all been in the past seven years: 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2018/19 and now 2019/20. The warmest winter, based on data that goes back to 1884, occurred in 1988/89, which saw a mean temperature of 5.80C. The mixture of mild temperatures and wet conditions over the past few months has been caused by a very strong jet stream high in the atmosphere, which has been further south than normal. This has allowed a succession of Atlantic storm systems to cross the UK, including Storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge. The Met Office says a direct link between the wet weather and climate change is difficult to make, because rainfall patterns in the UK have always shown a large range of natural variation in the long-term. But they point out that there is a trend towards wetter winters, which is consistent with what is expected to happen in the future with continued climate change. Advertisement 'The council and its partners will continue to have an operational presence on the ground for as long as is needed in order to support our residents. 'The council has plans in place to begin recovery activities as soon as possible. However we won't be able to start until the water levels have reduced significantly and we are confident they will not rise again.' The clear-up operation in the lower Aire catchment is just one of scores going on around northern England, the Midlands and Wales as the UK continues to experience one of its wettest, and warmest, winters on record. Across December, January and February, the country was deluged with an average total of 469.7mm of rain, according to Met Office figures released this week. Last month has already been confirmed as the wettest February on record, with an average of 209.1mm measured across the UK. The country was lashed by three named storms over the course of the month, with Ciara, Dennis and finally Jorge. Fortunately, the Met Office says long-term forecasts for the middle of March suggest high pressure building, which could bring drier and calmer conditions. The severe weather warnings began at the start of February, with 80mph Storm Ciara sweeping across the country to ruin the first weekend of the month. Storm Dennis roared in the following weekend. Another soggy weekend followed on February 22 and 23 before Storm Jorge arrived and added to the record rainfall totals right at the end of the month. Roofing firms say crews have been unable to work for most of the month and building sites have been at a standstill on days of heavy rain and high winds. Economists say it will be a few weeks before they can assess the wet weather's impact on the country's production and spending. The blame has been placed on the jet stream, a high-altitude core of strong winds which controls our weather. It was running at between 200mph and 250mph in February, firing a succession of low pressure systems directly across the Atlantic. WASHINGTON President Trump returned on Monday to his post-impeachment score-settling, withdrawing the nomination of Elaine McCusker to a top Defense Department post. Ms. McCusker had questioned the suspension of assistance to Ukraine, a central line of inquiry in the presidents impeachment. White House aides had forecast the punishment for Ms. McCusker last month, around the time the president was banishing Alexander S. Vindman and Yevgeny Vindman, twin brothers and both Army lieutenant colonels, from the National Security Council. Alexander Vindman testified during Mr. Trumps impeachment proceedings. Mr. Trump also fired Gordon D. Sondland, his ambassador to the European Union, who famously asked and answered his own question during the impeachment hearings: Was there a quid pro quo? The answer is yes. News outlets reported that Ms. McCusker was next on the chopping block. Administration officials said they expected the paperwork for her nomination to be comptroller at the Pentagon to be pulled after budget hearings. Nebraska lawmakers have sent a nearly unanimous message to federal officials who control the flow of the Missouri River: focus on preventing floods above all else. Lawmakers voted 43-1 on a resolution calling on Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make flood control their top priority. The resolution is largely symbolic but is intended show that lawmakers view the issue as important. It was introduced by Sen. Julie Slama, of Peru, whose southeast Nebraska district was hit hard by last years Missouri River flood. Slama has criticized the Corps, arguing that officials there havent responded aggressively enough to the disaster. Americas Farmers Brace for Another Season of Costly River Flooding Until the Corps of Engineers prioritizes flood control, makes investments to update levee standards and starts taking our concerns seriously these towns along the Missouri River will continue to be flooded, she said. At issue is a dispute between downriver states that want the Corps to release dam water earlier to minimize the impact of floods and upriver states that want to retain their water longer because it provides a boost to their wildlife and tourism industries. Sen. Ernie Chambers, the lone no vote on the resolution, said the measure was largely pointless because Nebraska has little influence nationally. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Flood Missouri Nebraska A 22-year-old man is under arrest after allegedly admitting to a family member to the gruesome killing of his eight-year-old cousin over the weekend, an incident that shook all of Argentina. Sergio Ramon Oliveira was detained by the police Monday in Lobos, a city in the province of Buenos Aires, a day after he allegedly raped, beat and burned Guadalupe Ezaiza. Authorities said they found Ezaiza's burnt body leaning against a wall. Local news outlets reported that Oliveira, a Paraguayan national, visited Ezaiza's home on Sunday and was granted permission by her mother to take the child to a birthday party with his daughter. The suspect planned to stop by another family member's home to pick up his daughter but never made it there. Guadalupe Ezaiza (pictured) was reportedly murdered by her 22-year-old cousin on Sunday hours after he picked her up at her home in Lobos, Argentina, to take her to a birthday party with his daughter. The confessed killer allegedly sexually abused her and burned her body over a stove Sergio Ramon Oliveira visited a family member's home in Lobos, a city in the Argentine province of Buenos Aires, and admitted to killing his eight-year-old cousin, Guadalupe Ezaiza, on Sunday Patricia Hortel, the lead prosecutor in the investigation, revealed that Ezaiza scratched Oliveira while he punched her during the attack. Hortel said investigators discovered that Oliveira incinerated his cousin's body over a stove and attempted to cover up the evidence by placing a gas tank near the stove in an attempt to set the apartment on fire. 'There was at least one attempt [of sexual abuse] and this girl opposed it and tried to defend herself,' an investigator told Argentine news outlet Cronica. 'The victim has multiple blows of fist and the accused has scratches. He killed her by setting her on fire and sat her on the stove to erase every trace of the crime he had committed.' Oliveira has refused to talk to the police and is being held on homicide and attempted rape charges Police reports indicate Oliveira visited the home of another family member and allegedly said, 'I really messed up, I couldn't do anything for the girl.' Oliveira has declined to answer any questions from the police and is being held on homicide and attempted rape charges. Ezaiza's murder took place after Naim Vera, 19, confessed to killing his 24-year-old girlfriend Brenda Micaela Gordillo on Saturday. Vera allegedly pushed Gordillo down a flight of stairs and then wrapped her body with a blanket before placing it over a grill. He dumped parts of the decomposed body inside a dumpster outside his family's uninhabited home and left the rest of the remains scattered on the side of a road eight miles away, authorities said. At least 63 women and girls have been killed in the first 62 days of 2020 in Argentina. The South American nation reported 2,749 femicides in the last decade, including 327 in 2019. SEMEI, Kazakhstan -- A Kazakh court has granted an early release to former state nuclear company chief executive Mukhtar Dzhakishev, whose conviction on corruption charges in 2010 was criticized by many as politically motivated. A court in the northeastern city of Semei ruled on March 3 that Dzhakishev will not be allowed to leave the country and will live under parole-like restrictions until his 14-year term is over. It was the third official request for early release since November 2018 by the former tycoon, who has served about 11 years of his sentence and has complained of health issues. Dzhakishev took part in the hearing from a correctional institution via Skype. Dzhakishev will be released 15 days after the court's ruling takes effect if prosecutors do not appeal the decision. Dozens of rights activists and supporters from different parts of Kazakhstan gathered in the courtroom and chanted "Freedom to Mukhtar!" before the ruling was pronounced and broke out into emotional shouts and cheers as Judge Zhanat Abenova read the decision. Dzhakishev's supporters and international human rights organizations have urged the Kazakh authorities to release him since his arrest in 2009. In March 2018, the Helsinki Committee Norway and the France-based Association for Human Rights in Central Asia called on then-President Nursultan Nazarbaev to release Dzhakishev on humanitarian grounds because of his health. In 2015, the UN Human Rights Committee asked the Kazakh authorities to annul Dzhakishev's conviction and release him immediately. It said that his rights to a fair and public trial, to have contact with his lawyers, and to be treated humanely had been violated. Human rights groups in Kazakhstan also called Dzhakishev a political prisoner. Some government critics believe that he was imprisoned because he was a close friend of Mukhtar Ablyazov, a self-exiled former banker and opposition politician, who has been living in the European Union since 2009, the year when Dzhakishev was arrested. Many in Kazakhstan hoped that after Nazarbaev's sudden resignation in March 2019 Dzhakishev would be paroled. Nazarbaev, 79, had been president since before Kazakhstan became independent in 1991. He continues to play a crucial role in the country's political life as the leader of the ruling Nur-Otan party and the lifetime chairman of the country's powerful Security Council. Nazarbaev also holds the title of "elbasy," or leader of the nation. On February 29, current President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev said in an interview with online magazine Informburo.kz that he was "confident that the decision on the next early release request by Dzhakishev will be fair." With reporting by Reuters Advertisement The EU's top official has today vowed to 'hold the line' in support of Greece as the country revealed it had stopped 24,000 people from entering the bloc after Turkey threw open its borders. Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would provide 'all the support needed' to defend the 'Greek external border, which is also the European border'. 'Those who seek to test Europe's unity will be disappointed. We will hold the line and our unity will prevail,' the European Commission president said. Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz has meanwhile accused Turkey of 'blackmail' and launching an 'attack' on the EU using migrants as leverage. Recep Tayyip Erdogan tore up a deal to guard Europe's borders last Friday in an effort to pressure Western leaders over the conflict in Syria. Greek border guards said some 24,000 people were stopped trying to cross the border from Turkey between Saturday night and Monday, with tear gas fired to keep the crowds back. On Tuesday the crowds had largely moved away from official crossing points and were trying to get through by wading or sailing across the Evros/Maritsa river, which runs the entire length of the border. A riot police officer equipped with a helmet and shield clashes with a migrant pushing a child in a pram outside the port of Mytilene in Greece today, with thousands trying to cross from Turkey Migrants and refugees scuffle with riot police on the Greek Aegean island of Lesbos - with the EU vowing today that it will 'hold the line' in defence of Greece A man gestures as migrants and refugees block a road outside the port of Lesbos, one of the islands which migrants are attempting to reach from Turkey A police officer holds up his riot shield towards a person with a backpack amid clashes on the Greek island of Lesbos today Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz has accused Turkey of trying to 'blackmail' the EU using thousands of migrants as leverage after the country opened its border with Greece (pictured: migrants queue up in a long line as they continue to wait between Turkey's Pazarkule and Greece's Kastanies border gates in Edirne) Thousands of migrants from the Middle East have headed to Turkey's border with Greece since last week when guards threw it open and said they would no longer try to stop crossings Since 2016 Turkey has agreed to hold back some 4million migrants who have fled fighting in the Middle East to its territory, but said last week that it will no longer abide by the deal Turkey wants European powers to intervene in Syria to try and stop a government assault on the province of Idlib because it fears the attack will spark a fresh wave of refugees across its eastern border Migrants and refugees scuffle with riot police equipped with helmets and shields on the Greek island of Lesbos today Migrants and refugees block a road on the Greek island of Lesbos today after a surge in attempted crossings from Turkey Turkey says more than 100,000 migrants have crossed its border in an attempt to get to Europe, but Greece put the number of attempted crossings much lower at 24,000 Many of the migrants are now camped out along the banks of the Maritsa river which runs the length of the Greek-Turkish land border and are attempting increasingly risky crossings After being blocked from crossing at official border checkpoints by Greek guards armed with teargas, many migrants are now attempting to get across the border at other points by fording a river that runs along it Kurz (pictured last week in London) urged EU leaders to secure the border and not risk a repeat of the 2015 crisis when more than a million migrants arrived on the continent Footage taken by Turkish media also revealed what appeared to be Greek coast guards firing warning shots at and attempting to capsize a migrant boat as it headed for the island of Lesbos. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Greece on Tuesday along with other officials where she toured the border zone with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. She pledged that the EU will provide 'all the support needed' to help tackle the migration surge 'Those who seek to test Europe's unity will be disappointed. We will hold the line and our unity will prevail,' von der Leyen said. CYPRUS BRACES AFTER TURKEY OPENED ITS BORDERS Cyprus' president said Tuesday his country fears a migratory influx after Ankara allowed refugees to leave for the European Union and people massed on the Turkish-Greek border. The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is split between the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, and a breakaway Turkish entity in the north, recognised only by Ankara. 'With what is happening at the Greek border with the migrant flows from Turkey, and Cyprus being first in the number of asylum seekers... (relative to) population... we are certainly concerned,' Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters. 'We want to evaluate what steps we can take so that, without bypassing human suffering... we will be able to prevent efforts to alter the demographic character of the country,' he added. The Republic of Cyprus says it is on the frontline of the Mediterranean migration route with the highest number of first time asylum seekers per capita. 'There has been a 320 per cent increase over the last two years in the flow of refugees' into Cyprus, taking the proportion of refugees to 3.5 percent of the population, government spokesperson Kyriacos Koushos told reporters on Tuesday. Noting that the borders of Cyprus and fellow EU member states Greece, Italy and Malta are especially exposed, he urged Brussels to 'finally take serious decisions on the issue of migration, regarding refugees from countries with unstable conditions, but also economic migrants.' Koushos said that European Council President Charles Michel is to visit Cyprus to discuss the issue. Anastasiades held a telephone conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday about the migrant situation. Turkey has had troops stationed in the north of Cyprus since 1974 when it invaded and occupied a third of the Mediterranean island in response to a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece. While the Republic of Cyprus has an increasingly high number of refugees per capita, it has not seen the massive aggregate inflow of migrants experienced by Turkey and Greece. Advertisement Turkey has given a green light to refugees and migrants on its territory, many of them displaced Syrians, to leave for the European Union, in defiance of a 2016 deal to keep them in. Kurz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of luring people with 'false promises' and transporting them to the Greek border - from where they are seeking to enter Europe - using them as a 'weapon' to pressure the EU. Kurz said it was a 'test' for the EU to see whether it can protect its outer borders, saying Austria stood ready to support Greece and any other countries which may face an 'onslaught'. 'I can guarantee you one thing: if the outer borders of the EU don't work, then Europe without (inner) borders is history,' he said. 'We must together make sure that year 2015 doesn't repeat itself,' he added, referring to a surge in people entering the EU to seek asylum five years ago. Thousands of migrants searched for ways to cross Greece's land border on Tuesday, days after Turkey made good on a longtime threat to open its borders for those seeking to cross illegally into Europe. Many of those hoping to enter Greece were trying their luck by wading or rowing across the Evros River that runs along most of the length of the Turkish frontier. Greek authorities said the main pressure on the border Tuesday had moved from the official crossing to points farther south along the river. Authorities said they thwarted an attempt by about 1,000 people overnight to make their way across the Evros wetland area, at the southern end of the border. Top EU officials were accompanying Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Tuesday on a tour of the area around the land border to assess the situation that Greece has described as an asymmetric threat against its national security. Mr Mitsotakis had earlier called for 'strong' support from the EU in tackling the problem, ahead of a meeting with European leaders. The EU has largely been on the sidelines of the issue but on Monday von der Leyen said: 'The challenge that Greece is facing right now is a European challenge.' Some 24,203 people were stopped from crossing the border from Turkey between Saturday and Monday night, according to figures from the Greek government, which has sent troops and police to reinforce its border areas. Security forces have fired tear gas to attempt to repel the migrants in recent days. Turkey announced Thursday it was easing restrictions on those wishing to cross into Europe, leading a wave of thousands of people to mass along its western frontier. The movement appeared well organized, with buses, minibuses and cars provided in Istanbul to ferry people to the border, a roughly three to four hour drive away. Having been turned away from official border crossing points, migrants have now spread out along the Evros river which runs the length of the border and are trying to cross. Greek border guards say they turned back 1,000 people who tried to cross the Evros wetlands overnight Greek policemen check migrants at a border police station in the village of Neo Cheimonio after they crossed from Turkey The Greek Army detains migrants in the village of Mandra, along the banks of the Evros river, after they crossed from Turkey Migrants sit by the side of the road after being arrested by Greek police following a crossing from Turkey Greek soldiers patrol the border near the Evros river, near Edirne, in northwestern Turkey, to take a boat to attempt to enter Greece by crossing the river A migrant looks towards to Greek guard tower, near the Evros river, near Edirne, in northwestern Turkey, as he waits take a boat to attempt to enter Greece Migrants carrying their belongings pass next to Turkish policemen at a border crossing point with Greece as they are waved through after Turkey said it would no longer block them Turkish gendarme officers wearing protective masks stand near the Turkey's Pazarkule boder with Greece as thousands of migrants cross in an attempt to get to Europe The vast majority appeared to be Afghans, along with people from a wide variety of countries, including Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh and Syria. Turkey's announcement upended its previous policy of containing refugees and other migrants under an agreement with the European Union, in which the EU would provide billions in funding for the care of refugees within Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has long maintained the EU has not lived up to its side of the deal, and has demanded more support from Europe. He says his country is facing an imminent and dramatic new influx of refugees from the war in Syria, where growing clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops has raised alarm. However, Turkey's border with Syria remains shut and there has been no indication he might open it. Greek authorities said that in the 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday morning, they had prevented a total of 5,183 people from entering Greece, and arrested 45 people, mostly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco and Bangladesh. Greece has made clear its borders are shut. It has sent military and police reinforcements to the area, which have used tear gas and water cannon to repel mass attempts by migrants to cross into the country. Authorities have also set up cordons of police and army checks on and near the border, arresting those who managed to make it through. On Tuesday morning, two men - one from Mali and one from Afghanistan - were seen being arrested by Greek authorities shortly after crossing the border, and being loaded into a van with about 20 more people, from Somalia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Iraq. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (front right, beside the soldier), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (centre), European Council President Charles Michel (centre, in glasses), and European Parliament President David-Maria Sassoli (not pictured) visit the Greek border to assess the migrant situation Migrants attempt to cross the border into Greece away from official guard posts as they leave Turkey A man from Afghanistan rests as children play around him at a small refugee camp on the Turkish shoreline of the Evros River Thousands of migrants flocked to Edirne's Pazarkule border crossing to Greece after Turkish officials announced Friday they would no longer try to stop them leaving A migrant girl warms herself by the fire near the banks of Evros river, natural border between Turkey and Greece A migrant woman carries a baby as she walks next to the Tunca river in Edirne, Turkey Migrants have also been trying to reach Greece by making the short but often perilous sea crossing to islands from the nearby Turkish coast. A young boy died on Monday after the dinghy he was in capsized off the coast of the island of Lesbos. The other 47 people in the boat were rescued. On Monday night, Greek authorities said they had stopped more than 24,000 attempted illegal crossings at the land border with Turkey since early Saturday, and arrested 183 people - very few of whom were Syrians. European countries have largely backed Greece. On Monday, Erdogan said Western leaders were calling him and urging him to reverse the border opening. 'It's done, the gates are open now. You will have your share of this burden now,' he said he told them. Soon 'the number of people going to the border will be expressed in millions,' he said. Top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, were to join Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister who was visiting the border area Tuesday. During his visit, Mitsotakis was briefed that Turkish authorities were busing migrants to specific areas of the border 'in order to increase the pressure on the Greek border,' a government official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. Greek authorities have also said Turkish authorities have fired tear gas at the Greek border and Greek forces guarding it, and have provided video footage of tear gas being fired into Greece. Hospice & Palliative Care offers groups and workshops to help people dealing with grief. All of their programs are open to the community and meet at their office, 4277 Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford unless it is a special event. See a list of upcoming Hospice meetings and events below: Grief After the First Year This meeting will help adults who have dealt with the first year of grief know what to expect as time goes on and learn techniques for dealing with grief. The session will take place Monday, April 6, from 2:30 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required by March 31. Call Linda Clark at 315-735-6487 ext. 1015 to register. Young Widows Evening Group Widows in their 20s to 60s meet to discuss their losses and help support each other. Meetings start Wednesday, March 18 and will continue for six weeks. The meetings will be held from 5:30 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required by March 11 and can be made by calling Linda Clark at 315-735-6487 ext. 1015. Adult Parental Loss This group is for adults who have experienced the death of a parent. Meetings are 5:30 7 p.m. and begin Tuesday, March 24. The meetings continue for six weeks. To register call Adrian Bartholomeo at 315-735-6487 ext. 1070 by March 17. Spousal Loss Grief Group This group meets to provide support and comfort to others who have lost spouses or partners. Meetings are held Mondays from 5 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: April 6, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11 and May 18. Pre-registration is required by March 30. To pre-register call Tracey Clark, at 315-735-6487 ext. 1007. There will also be a meeting for those in Herkimer County every Wednesday for six weeks starting April 15, from 2:30 4 p.m. To register, call Tracey Clark 315-735-6487 ext. 1007. These meetings will be held at the YMCA at 83 E. Main St., in Mohawk. Brave Hearts Childrens Program Children ages 6 -12 who have lost a parent, grandparent or other loved one can join this group to learn how to better understand their feelings and cope with grief. Parents are asked to come to the first meeting 15 minutes early for orientation. Meetings will be held every Thursday for eight weeks from 6 7:30 p.m. To register, call Adrian Bartholomeo at 315-735-6487 ext. 1070. There will also be meetings held in Herkimer County if enough children register. Anyone interested can register by calling Adrian Bartholomeo at 315-735-6487 ext. 1070. Hospice Sangertown Walkers - Hospice also invites adults who have lost a spouse or partner to Sangertown Square on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. To register, call Bertha Lawson at 315-724-5026. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said Tuesday that Turkey acted unlawfully when it held a judge it accused of links to organisers of the 2016 coup for 14 months without trial. The court said Turkey committed three violations of the European Convention on Human Rights: unlawfully depriving the judge of his right to liberty, holding him without a reasonable suspicion that he had committed an offence, and denying him the right to challenge his detention in court. It ordered Turkey to pay the judge, Hakan Bas, 6,000 euros (USD 6,700) in damages plus 4,000 euros in costs and expenses. "The evidence... did not warrant the conclusion that there had been a reasonable suspicion against the applicant at the time of his initial detention," the court said. Bas was arrested in July 2016 in the wake of a failed coup blamed by Ankara on a group with links to US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen. Under a state of emergency, Turkey suspended 2,735 judges and prosecutors that month, including Bas, citing a strong suspicion that they were linked to the coup plotters. Bas was placed in pre-trial detention four days later, and made his first court appearance on September 19 the following year, after his trial had started. He was found guilty in March 2018 of membership of a terrorist organisation. Bas was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, but he was released considering the time he had already spent in detention awaiting trial. Since the failed 2016 coup, tens of thousands of people have been arrested over suspected ties to Gulen and more than 100,000 people have been sacked or suspended from public-sector jobs. Gulen rejects the coup accusations. Erdogan's critics say the crackdown is a pretext for removing opponents and civil society activists. (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 Update: North Star Mall re-opened at 10 a.m. Tuesday after closing temporarily Monday for a deep cleaning. A customer who tested positive for coronavirus visited the mall Saturday evening. The shopping center shut down at 2:50 p.m. Monday and had said it would be closed "for approximately 24 hours." Original story: North Star Mall is closing temporarily after its owner learned a customer who tested positive for coronavirus visited the shopping hub Saturday. The mall closed at 2:50 p.m. Monday, and is expected to re-open Tuesday afternoon. On the Express-News: Read more about cleanup efforts at the North Star Mall We were notified this morning by the San Antonio Metro Health of an individual who visited our shopping center and was later found to have tested positive for the coronavirus, said Lindsay Kahn, a spokesperson for Brookfield Properties. Health officials have stated this individual was not exhibiting any symptoms and is considered to be relatively low risk to the public, Kahn added. While the shopping center had been cleaned several times using CDC-recommended products, as an abundance of caution, we made the decision to close North Star Mall temporarily to allow for a further deep cleaning of the center. An evacuee from Wuhan, China, who had been under quarantine was released Saturday from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease after twice testing negative for the virus. The results of a third test showed she was weakly positive for the virus, forcing officials to retrace her steps during the roughly 12 hours she was in the community. The woman told health officials she went to a Holiday Inn near San Antonio International Airport and spend about two hours at North Star Mall. She stopped by Dillards, Talbots and Swarovski, and ordered food from a Chinese restaurant before eating alone in the food court. Metro Health officials said she was not in close contact with anyone at the mall. About two hours before Brookfield announced the temporary closure, employees at the mall wiped down chairs and tables at the food court, and and restaurant managers said they were told janitorial staff would come by to deep-clean the countertops at their stations. The news will likely affect business, but theres nothing you can really do, said Michael Saidi, who runs Opah Greek Flavor, a 30-year tenant at the food court. Another restaurant operator, who asked not to be identified, said he was upset about the malls slow response to potential exposure. We didnt hear anything, and we still havent heard anything from management, he said. I was here on Saturday, all day. There were a lot of people here that day. Madison Iszler covers retail, technology and tourism in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Madison.Iszler@express-news.net | Twitter: @madisoniszler A petition calling on MPs to end the harassment and bullying by the British press after Caroline Flacks death has been handed in to the government after receiving a wave of support. More than 850,000 people have signed the petition on the 38 Degrees website, which calls for Carolines Law. The proposal would make it a criminal offence for the British media to knowingly and relentlessly bully a person to the point of where they kill themselves. Campaigners want a new law in Caroline Flack's name that would criminalise "the British media" for pushing someone to suicide. (Photo by Keith Mayhew / SOPA Images/Sipa USA) TV presenter Flack, who hosted several series of ITVs Love Island, was found dead at her flat in Stoke Newington, north London, in February. She was 40. Her familys lawyer said her death was a suicide and an inquest into her death is due to be held in August. Caroline Flack and boyfriend Lewis Burton (Matrix/MediaPunch/IPX) Her death followed continued media attention on her life and she faced a trial after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend, although he did not want the prosecution to go ahead. A wave of anger from parts of the public at media outlets and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) came after news of her death was reported. Others blamed social media and the nastiness shown to users online. The 38 Degrees petition, which will be handed in to culture secretary Oliver Dowden, gained 500,000 signatures within the first two days it was set up after Flacks death. The petitions blurb on the website says that while it can never be known what went through her mind before she died, parts of the media were quite happy to drag her life through the wringer purely in order to sell a few more papers and its just not right. Holly Maltby, campaigns manager at 38 Degrees, said: We need the media to be held accountable for the way they harass and vilify people in the public eye and ordinary members of the public alike. The sheer support behind the campaign shows politicians need to urgently step in and make sure there are consequences when the media bully and harass. The petition was handed in to culture secretary Oliver Dowden (AP) We have been contacted by hundreds of members of the public sharing their own experiences of being persecuted by the press. Story continues It truly is heartbreaking and shows the devastating effect this type of reporting has on peoples lives, in particular their mental health. Thats why 850,000 people are demanding the minister acts now to end bullying by the media. Campaigners gathered in Parliament Square to raise awareness of the campaign, declaring that politicians should hold the media to account and stop. The campaign has also quoted grieving family members, a headteacher and members of the Justice4Grenfell campaign as claiming they have suffered from press intrusion. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is calling on employers to continue paying staff as normal if they have been medically advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus. The ICTU says this should apply in cases where an employee self-isolates in accordance with the up-to-date guidance of the HSE. The man who pointed a gun at a policeman during Delhis worst riots in three decades, has been arrested. He has been identified as Shahrukh, a resident of Karawal Nagar in Northeast Delhi, and was arrested by the Crime Branch from Uttar Pradesh, said Delhi Police spokesperson. During the protest on February 24, the image of Shahrukh in a red t-shirt pointing a gun at a cop in Jafrabad, the epicentre of protest, had gone viral on social media and TV news channels. He had also fired multiple shots in front of the police officer before running away. Eyewitnesses had said that the man emerged from the crowd of the groups protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. Also Watch | Delhi violence: Intelligence Bureau staffer, a cops son, killed; family mourns A video of the shooting was widely shared on social media showing Shahrukh brandishing a pistol that he was holding in his right hand. He was seen walking towards the crowd. A crowd of the rioters were also seen walking behind the man, throwing stones. Another angle of video, shot from a terrace, showed stones landing all around him. A policeman initially walked backwards, seeing the man charging towards him with a pistol that was first aimed at a crowd of protesters, and then at him. Seconds later, the video showed the cop, armed only with a baton, again walking towards the man. The video then showed the man aiming his pistol at the cop. Seconds later, he pushed the policeman and fired to his right across the road divider. The toll in last weeks violence has risen to 46, and more than 200 are injured. The violence started in Northest Delhi last week after clashes between pro- and anti-CAA groups. It then spread to nearby localities of Maujpur, Chand Bagh and Yamuna Vihar. The protesters roamed in streets brandishing swords and pistols and even torched vehicles and some houses. The Delhi government and the Centre immediately srpung into action and after a series of meetings, the police force was augmented and prohibitory orders clamped in the area. Around 7,000 paramilitary personnel were also deployed, who are conducting regular flag marchres to maintain the fragile peace in the area. SEATTLE and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TransformativeMed, which transforms electronic health records (EHRs) with directly embedded apps, announced today a partnership with King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC), a leading tertiary health system in Saudi Arabia, to improve EHR workflow efficiency and care quality among its many world-class medical specialties and collaborate on custom solutions for other disease areas. This is the first international partnership for TransformativeMed. KFSH&RC was the first specialist hospital in the Gulf Region when it opened in 1975. The 1,600-bed integrated healthcare organization is now comprised of three facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah, offering the most-advanced tertiary, quaternary and referral medical services throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recognized internationally for its world-class facilities, latest medical technology and equipment, skilled and experienced physicians and providers, and high-quality patient care, KFSH&RC Centers of Excellence include its Heart Centre, The Oncology Centre (Adult), Organ Transplant, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Neurosciences and Medical Genetics. KFSH&RC will implement TransformativeMed's full suite of embedded EHR apps: Core Work Manager App, Core Work Manager Mobile App, Core Messaging App, Core Notify App and Core Diabetes App. As the partnership expands, TransformativeMed will collaborate with KFSH&RC on developing new specialty apps for thrombolytics, oncology, congestive heart failure and others. KFSH&RC's business subsidiary will also assist other health systems in the Kingdom in implementing TransformativeMed's Core solutions at their organization. "We believe that the broad and effective use of health IT by our physicians and other providers is imperative to our patient care, research and financial success, a dedication we have demonstrated throughout our history," said KSFH&RC Chief Information Officer Osama Alswailem, MD, MA. "Our partnership with TransformativeMed will help us continue that legacy while also supporting other healthcare organizations throughout the Kingdom in achieving KSA Vision 2030 and their respective clinical objectives through these EHR optimization solutions." KFSH&RC recently received the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Davies Award of Excellence for a smart room design (one of three case studies presented) in its King Abdulla Center Oncology and Liver Disease (KACOLD) building that includes full EHR integration, bedside medical devices, and other high-tech tools to support patient engagement and personal care education. The HIMSS Davies Award recognizes outstanding achievements of organizations that have utilized health IT to substantially improve patient outcomes through sharing evidence-driven best practices on implementation strategies, workflow design, change management and patient engagement. The organization has also achieved Stage 7 of HIMSS Analytics Outpatient Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (O-EMRAM) through Family Medicine Riyadh and Jeddah. Stage 7 is the highest accreditation for the best utilization of health IT in healthcare. "We are always searching the globe for effective health IT solutions that help our physicians and other providers practice more efficiently and support world-class patient care delivery," said Abdullah Alturki, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer for KSFH&RC. "TransformativeMed is far and away the best EHR optimization solution we have experienced. They clearly understand how physicians of all specialties are empowered to be most productive and have designed a solution that allows us to quickly extract, evaluate, document and take action on data from multiple sources." The partnership will also help KSFH&RC contribute to Saudi Vision 2030, a 10-year economic development initiative to diversify the Kingdom's economy and stimulate more private sector growth, including healthcare. KSFH&RC will be one of the first organizations to partner with the government to become a self-sustainable, not-for-profit independent foundation. "Health systems worldwide are eager to streamline their EHR workflows while improving their physicians' experience and patient outcomes, so we see this synergistic partnership with this highly respected healthcare delivery and research organization as just the beginning for us," said Doug Cusick, CEO at TransformativeMed. "The fact that King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre is also such an established worldwide leader in adopting and operationalizing leading health IT solutions within its enterprise truly makes it doubly an honor." About TransformativeMed TransformativeMed dramatically improves the usability of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), with specialty-specific and disease-specific workflows, which are embedded within the EHR. The Core Work Manager and Core Diabetes App securely synchronize clinical workflow, tasks, alerts, notifications and messages to harmonize the care team and create seamless communication across clinicians, using any device, including mobile. With TransformativeMed, clinicians are happier and clinical work is streamlined, more efficient, less costly and safer. Learn more at TransformativeMed.com. About King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre KFSH&RC was the first specialist hospital in the Gulf Region when it opened in 1975. The 1,600-bed integrated healthcare organization is now comprised of three facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah, offering the most-advanced tertiary, quaternary and referral medical services throughout the Kingdom. Recognized internationally for its world-class facilities, latest medical technology and equipment, skilled and experienced physicians and providers, and high-quality patient care, KFSH&RC Centers of Excellence include its Heart Centre, The Oncology Centre (Adult), Organ Transplant, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Neurosciences and Medical Genetics. Media Contact: Christopher Currington for TransformativeMed Amendola Communications [email protected] 314.799.1987 SOURCE TransformativeMed Related Links https://transformativemed.com France has just reported its fourth coronavirus death, while Germany announced a sharp rise in the number of cases last weekend. According to the latest UN figures, Covid-19 has now caused more than 3,000 deaths worldwide. The epidemic is of great concern to travelers who need accurate information on what to expect before packing their bags. Here is an overview of affected countries and the restrictions they have put in place. United States America has imposed travel restrictions on anyone who has visited Iran in the past 14 days. Residents who have left the country to return home to the US must complete health checks and obtain a pass on arrival at the airport, while Canada has put a similar policy into place for travelers from Iran. Additional questions have been added to the immigration form that travelers to the US must complete on landing. Anyone with respiratory infection symptoms who has visited or traveled through China is now subject to a 14-day quarantine period. This rule does not apply to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. At the same time, American authorities led by Donald Trump have recommended that US nationals avoid travel to Italy and South Korea. France After Italy, France now has the second largest outbreak of Covid-19 in Europe. The French Foreign Ministry is now recommending that wherever possible people should postpone trips and holidays abroad. All school trips have also been cancelled. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally advised against travelling to the Wuhan region in China, Iran, and to the Italian regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. Italy Air links to and from China have been suspended, and all tourists arriving in Italy are systematically subjected to temperature checks. At the same time, restrictions have been introduced in the towns of Codogno, Casalpusterlengo, Castiglione d'Adda, Maleo, Fombio, Bertonico, Castelgerundo, Somaglia, San Fiorano, Terranova dei Passerini and Vo Euganeo. Public transport to these municipalities has also been suspended. Story continues China Chinese authorities are formally advising against traveling to the province of Hubei and its capital Wuhan, where the coronavirus epidemic began. Other governments are strongly advising their citizens to avoid traveling anywhere in China except for urgent reasons. Moreover, travelers landing in Beijing are subject to a quarantine period of 14 days, unless they arrive from Chinese provinces other than Hubei. Visitors arriving in Beijing's international airports who have not been in China in the previous 14 days are being allowed to pass through by authorities. South Korea Travel to South Korea, where cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Daegu City and North Gyeongsang Province, is strongly discouraged. The alert level in the country is at its highest. Following the example of the Louvre in Paris, several museums in the East Asian republic have been closed. At the same time, Korean authorities are no longer allowing non-Korean travelers to enter the country if they have been in China's Hubei province in the past 14 days. Australia Australian authorities are planning to refuse entry to anyone who has visited or transited through China in the past 14 days. Australians themselves who have traveled to the Middle Kingdom are obliged to observe a period of isolation. United Kingdom Measures have been put in place at London's Heathrow Airport to inform passengers travelling to and from China. As nationals from a country affected by the virus, the British, like other European travelers, are banned from landing on certain Pacific islands. Japan Japanese authorities have reinforced health checks at airports. They have also placed a ban on non-Japanese travelers who have visited China's Hubei and Zhejiang provinces in the 14 days preceding their arrival in the country, who are not being allowed in. The ban also applies to travelers who have visited the city of Daegu and nearby Cheongdo County in South Korea. Germany Travelers arriving from coronavirus-infected areas must complete a declaration form before entering Germany. The forms, which are being distributed on flights to the country, notably pose questions about passengers' health status. Last weekend, the number of cases in Germany almost doubled. More than half were detected in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Finally the Guardian reports that people who have been on holiday in Italy in the last 14 days are strictly forbidden from landing in Aruba, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mongolia, St Lucia and the Seychelles. LINCOLN Only scorched concrete and a discolored guardrail give motorists an idea of where a small plane crashed onto Interstate 55 earlier Tuesday, leaving three people dead. Authorities are trying to determine what caused the crash. The accident snarled traffic for hours on the west side of Lincoln. Illinois State Police expect to release details about the crash, including the victims' names, Wednesday morning. All lanes had reopened by mid afternoon. The crash site is where I-55 crosses state routes 10-121, known locally as Woodlawn Road, and just south of where Interstate 155 merges onto I-55. A Bloomington flight center confirmed it is working with the Federal Aviation Administration on the investigation, but would not say how the center is connected to the crash. The four-seat, single-engine Cessna 172 was destroyed on impact when it crashed into the southbound lanes of the interchange of I-55 and state routes 10-121. Authorities have not said where the flight originated or was headed; the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are in charge of the investigation. Chris Buse, chief of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District, said there was heavy fire and smoke from throughout the wreckage when firefighters arrived after receiving a call at 8:48 a.m. of a small personal aircraft down on I-55 at mile marker 126. The aircraft was "fully involved" and it took firefighters 10 to 15 minutes to put out the fire, Buse said. Firefighters then turned to a support role for police and to recover the victims. With us covering such a large section of Interstate 55 throughout the county, we deal with a lot of motor vehicle accidents, Buse said. Airplanes are a rarer incident. He said firefighters put out the fire first, but remained cognizant they were dealing with jet fuel, which is more flammable. Firefighters remained at the scene in case of fire flareups and didn't return to fire headquarters until about 2:45 p.m., he said. He said there were no vehicles involved in the crash. "We're thankful for that," Buse said. What I can tell you is that were working with the authorities and were in communication with the FAA and assisting them as were needed, said Danielle Hubrich, human resources specialist at Synergy Flight Center, 2823 E. Empire St., Bloomington. Hubrich could not confirm whether the airplane originated from the companys flight center or the recently acquired hangar space formerly owned by Image Air at the Central Illinois Regional Airport. CIRA spokeswoman Fran Strebing directed all inquiries involving Synergy to Hubrich. As I said, were still working on this trying to determine what is going on and as that information comes out well be able to release that. Weve been working on it as anyone in the aviation industry would look into it and investigating it, said Hubrich. But we dont any definite answers about what is going on at this point. The interchange, on the city's western outskirts, is flanked on the west by cornfields and timber, and on the east by several restaurants and hotels. Witnesses at those businesses reported hearing a "boom" and then seeing black smoke. A Dunkin Donuts is near the crash site at 3089 Woodlawn Road. "The only thing we saw was a bunch of black smoke," said store manager Wendy Coit-Remington. "We saw something on fire. My daughter called 911. ... We saw the flames. You could see the flames. We thought it was a car, but then we heard later it was a plane." Police rerouted traffic from I-55 onto Woodlawn, then through Lincoln onto old Route 66 and back onto I-55 south of Lincoln. "I don't think I've ever seen so many semis go down this road (Woodlawn) before," she said. Allyson Altsheu, branch manager of World Finance Loan & Tax Service, 3095 Woodlawn Road, was driving west on Woodlawn when she saw 15 police cars, four fire trucks and two ambulances at about 8:49 a.m. "I saw all the smoke. The smoking was just pouring out," she said. Managers of other businesses also reported seeing smoke from the interstate and traffic being diverted onto Woodlawn Road. Photos: Firefighters respond to airplane crash on I-55 near Lincoln Reported by Sierra Henry, Maria Nagle, David Proeber, Lenore Sobota and Paul Swiech. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Watertown, NY (13601) Today Snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low -8F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low -8F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%. By Trend Iran and China relations will enter to a new stage after confrontation with the coronavirus, said the Chinese Ambassador in Tehran. "We are with Iran as coronavirus intensifies, and we believe the humanitarian aid from friends of Iran would help the country overcome the crisis," said Chang Hua during a meeting with Iranian Red Crescent Society Secretary General Mahmoudreza Peyravi, Trend reports citing IRNA. China achieved good results in combating coronavirus, and currently the situation is under control, so China can share its experience in the fight against virus to Iranians, the ambassador added. "Recently, high-ranking Chinese experts arrived in Iran to provide help in testing virus and offer their experience to the Health Ministry and the national Red Crescent," he noted. "So far, Chinese companies operating in Iran and China's Red Cross provided humanitarian help to Iran in fight with COVID-19." Total value of aids provided by China's Red Cross reached 8.9 million yuan ($1.2 million). More than 86,000 people have been infected as outbreak spreads around the world with hot spots in Europe and the Middle East including Iran. Mainland China reported 573 new confirmed coronavirus cases on February 29, up from 427 on the previous day, the total death toll in mainland China is 2,870. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Senator Amy Klobuchar, who dropped out of the presidential race on Monday, is pushing back on the criticism elicited by her and fellow former 2020 candidates endorsement of Joe Biden, saying they are fresh faces in the Democratic Party, not members of the establishment. What was cool about last night is you have Mayor Pete and you have Beto ORourke, who electrified Texas in his Senate race, and myself, Klobuchar said Tuesday on CBS. And I just dont think we are the face of the establishment, she said. I think were fresh faces in our party. Also awarding their endorsements to Biden on Tuesday were former South Bend, Ind. mayor Pete Buttigieg, who dropped out of the presidential race the same day as Klobuchar, and former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke, who suspended his 2020 bid last year. Klobuchar insisted that she is friends with Bernie, but explained that, I dont think we should have a socialist heading up our ticket come Election Day. Supporters of progressive Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders have raised the alarm that members of the Democratic establishment are working together to nominate Joe Biden and bring down Sanderss campaign. At a campaign rally in St. Paul, Minn., Klobuchars home state, Sanders invited those who supported her and Buttigieg to join his movement. Tonight, I want to open the door to Amys supporters, to Petes supporters, the self-described democratic socialist said. We all have our differences. But I also know that virtually all of Amys supporters and Petes supporters understand that we have got to move toward a government which believes in justice, not greed. Klobuchar responded No, not at all, when asked whether Biden had offered her a position in his administration, but hedged on whether she would accept a vice presidential nomination. I never look at hypotheticals, she said. Theres been a lot going on here. More from National Review Theres a lot of hand-wringing in state legislatures this year about whether districts are spending all the new state money theyve been getting appropriately. Kansas, Florida, Maryland, and Ohio are all having active debates about whether state legislatures should tighten or loosen the reins on districts when it comes to local control over school funds. A similar debate is going on at the local level where district administrators and school board members are trying to decide how to cut funds or add new funds to their 2020-21 school year budget. In that climate, two district membership associations and two advocacy organizations came out this week with toolkits to help district officials think more critically about whether their money is being spent efficiently and effectively. The Education Trust and Education Resource Strategies, advocacy groups that push for student-weighted funding formulas and more fiscal transparency, this week launched a new website that theyre encouraging school board members, district administrators, advocates and parents to use when discussing how to equitably distribute their money between schools and programs. In a similar vein, the Association of School Business Officials and the Consortium for School Networking together published a white paper for their members that gives district administrators tips on making sure their money and technology are being targeted toward student learning. Here are a few highlights: 1. If youre venturing into a new initiative, will the district be able to sustain the program over time? ASBO and CoSN encourage administrators to think twice about using one-time funds on programs that will have recurring costs. They also encourage administrators to talk with teachers and principals about a programs potential return on investment before purchasing new technology. 2. Do all school facilities provide a safe learning environment? Theres growing research, EdTrust and ERS point out, that school facilities can indeed impact teacher performance, community well-being and, inevitably, student test scores. The organizations encourage district administrators to assure that every school is both well-designed and well-maintained. 3. Does each student have equitable access to the Internet at home? As teachers assign more and more homework that requires access to the internet, ASBO and CoSN encourage district administrators to work with public libraries and community groups to find creative ways to provide Wi-Fi hotspots to students without internet access at home. This could require minimal to no cost for districts but have a huge return for student achievement, the groups say. 4. Does each school provide challenging coursework for students and engaging and effective professional development for teachers? EdTrust and ERS cite surveys and studies that show many poor and historically disadvantaged children are presented with material thats not necessarily challenging because their teachers have low expectations. They also point out that professional development for teachers can sometimes be uneven across a district. The groups encourage district administrators to assess curricula, instruction, and teacher PD to make sure theyre all presented evenly across the district. All four organizations emphasized in their toolkits the value that community input and conversations administrators within districts have when it comes to equitable and effective spending. Our sense is that its the right combination of resources that makes a difference for students in schools more than a specific funding level, said Jonathan Travers, a partner at Education Resource Strategies. Eleven words. The parents of the advocacy group Decoding Dyslexia Wisconsin pressed for years to see this 11-word definition enshrined in state law: Dyslexia means a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. Last month, they succeeded as Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill into law that includes the definition and makes Wisconsin one of nearly 40 states to require dyslexia guidebooks for school districts. The push is part of a long and ongoing fight to get the learning disability defined in state law and persuade educators to say the word dyslexia. It comes amid a nationwide debate over dyslexiawhat it is, what it means for children, and how schools should address it. The public struggle is between renowned reading researchers who think dyslexia is an overused word and that the heavy-focus on phonics instruction called for to help struggling readers is an unproven overreach and the parents and disability advocates who argue on the other side that schools and teacher preparation programs are not doing nearly enough to help children learn to read. Understanding dyslexia is very important to those who actually exhibit the characteristics. We do more harm by not talking about it and sort of trying to sweep it under the rug, said Sherry Mee Bell, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, special education professor. Instead, people just continue to bicker over it, and children are the ones who are hurt. Battling Myths The widespread belief that schools are not supposed to use certain words, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, to describe children with disabilities is fueled in part by concerns that the districts would have to cover the cost of tuition at a private school if they couldnt meet the needs of the child. The practice was so prevalent in school districts across the country that, in 2015, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance assuring states and districts to not feel reluctant to use the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia when describing a particular childs learning needs. One of the myths and taboos is that were not even supposed to say the word [dyslexia] in schools, said John Humphries, the superintendent of the Thorp, Wis., schools. Having a guidebook on dyslexia is really going to help parents be able to have important conversations with their schools about what reading difficulties look like and about improving instruction for kids who struggle. The mandate to develop a guidebook on dyslexia did not come fast enough for some families. For months, Kari Baumann traveled hundreds of miles to Illinois from her home in northern Wisconsin for private tutoring for her dyslexic son. Before the tutoring, the 10-year-old was headed to 5th grade and reading at a kindergarten level. His struggles led him to question his self-worth and shed friendships, Baumann said. His friends [would] come over and want to play video games and my son couldnt read the video games, said Baumann, the state co-lead for Decoding Dyslexia Wisconsin. He was starting to say things like, Im stupid, Im never going to be able to do anything in life. Whats the point of me ever going to school? I cant read. There is general consensus in the scientific community that dyslexia exists. Yet, while dyslexia is a reading disability, not all reading disabilities are dyslexiawhich is marked by a readers struggles with recognizing and decoding words, which can lead to difficulty with reading comprehension. Research has shown that some students with reading disabilities can decode or recognize words, but still struggle to comprehend written text. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act names dyslexia as an example of a disability included under the broader term specific learning disabilities. Yet, there are those, such as renowned literacy expert Richard Allington, who still deny that dyslexia exists. But for most, the debate centers on who gets diagnosed with dyslexia and who does notand what resources are dedicated to the issue. A 2019 brief from the International Literacy Association cites the work of Donna Scanlon, a professor of literacy in teaching and learning at the State University of New York, Albany, in arguing that labeling struggling readers does not help identify their specific learning needs or indicate exactly what types of support and instruction will help them. The terms dyslexia and reading disability or even learning disability tend to be used interchangeably, Scanlon said in an interview with Education Week. Where do you draw the line or lines between who is dyslexic or reading disabled and whos not? Documenting Dyslexia Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, the founders of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, want to broaden understanding of the scientific underpinnings of dyslexia, and push for public policies aligned with that knowledge. Using brain scans, the couple discovered that, in children with dyslexia, neural circuits are disrupted in the occipito-temporal cortex, an area of the brain linked to skilled reading. These folks who deny dyslexia are saying that this is just a fancy way to say the students are struggling to read, Bennett Shaywitz said. The scientists know about dyslexia. That has yet to get translated down to the level of teaching children to read. Based on their decades-long longitudinal study, the Shaywitzes posit that 1 in 5 children in U.S. schools are dyslexica claim that critics, and even some dyslexia advocates, take issue with. Karen Wixson, a former dean of the colleges of education at the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, is concerned that the couple conflates all reading difficulties with dyslexia, overstating the prevalence of the learning disability. Do I believe [dyslexia] exists? Yeah, there are kids that have some hardwiring problems ... [but] its not 1 in 5, said Wixson, who currently works as a senior strategy advisor on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading assessment for the Educational Testing Service and is a member of the International Literacy Association. State-level dyslexia legislation could mandate screening assessments and instructional programs that rope in children who dont need the heavy phonics-focused support such bills often call for. Maybe half the kids that end up having to go through that program dont need it, dont want it, Wixson said. Its just not, to us, an approach thats sensible or sensitive to individual kids needs. The International Literacy Associations concerns have filtered down to its state affiliates. Allington, a past president of ILA, said he was reasonably sure that dyslexia doesnt exist in a presentation at the organizations affiliate conference in Tennessee this past December. Allington, who also attacked proponents of state legislation that provides students with targeted interventions, resists the idea that there are one-size-fits-all approaches to help students who struggle with reading, whether they have dyslexia or not. If only [Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam] had called me, I would have said, Just veto it and shoot whoever made this bill, Allington said, of the states Say Dyslexia law, passed in 2016. He also criticized Decoding Dyslexia Tennessee, a parent advocate organization that pushed for the bill, saying that they managed to find some idiot ... to put it into law. In the days after Allingtons remarks, state Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn took to Twitter to refute his statements, writing that Dyslexia is real ... The Say Dyslexia law is important and right. In an email to Education Week, Allington offered something of a mea culpa for his statement, saying he should have been more cautious with his words. Yes, I am sorry I made those comments about hanging or shooting some of the dyslexia advocates, wrote Allington, who retired as a literacy professor from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2017, sorry, because the hubbub my comments have created will likely diminish the validity of my arguments ... Arguments based in facts not fantasies. Remarks Backfire Allingtons statements have had another unintended effect: stoking activism in the state and elsewhere, said Anna Thorsen, an advocate with Decoding Dyslexia Tennessee. His intent was to shut us down, she said, but instead I feel this reorganization and this energy from policymakers, from educators, of really wanting to solidify that dyslexia is real. For some families, experiences with dyslexia have been far from fantasies. Katie Kasubaski home schools her two children, a 12-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy, both of whom are dyslexic. Kasubaski pulled her children out of her local school system because she was dissatisfied by a lack of support and acknowledgement of their disability. It was devastating because you just think at some point theyll just learn to read, Kasubaski said. I read to them all the time. I read so much that I would lose my voice and we would listen to audiobooks. You have to wonder when people make statements like dyslexia doesnt exist, if they ever see children, if they ever sit and work with a child with dyslexia, said Nancy Mather, a University of Arizona professor emerita in the department of disability and psychoeducational studies whos written several books about learning disabilities. While Decoding Dyslexia Wisconsin celebrated the passage of the states first law last month, its legislative push is far from over. Advocates there are now advocating for a slate of bills that would require education agencies to hire dyslexia specialists and schools to identify and address students with dyslexia. Leaders of the 2,200-member Wisconsin State Reading Association oppose the bills. During a February public hearing, the groups leaders argued that focusing specifically on the needs of students with dyslexia could drain resources from other students. Im not discounting anything that dyslexic students and their families go through, said association president Debra Cromer, a reading specialist in the Bangor, Wis., schools. Im just saying we need to be looking at all students and their needs. Under the new state law, representatives from the state reading association and the International Dyslexia Association-Wisconsin will co-chair the advisory committee that develops the dyslexia guidebook. It was really unfortunate saying things like, by virtue of addressing the needs of children with dyslexia, the schools wont have enough time or will have less time to support the children who dont have dyslexia, Humphries, the Thorp superintendent, said of the associations argument for not supporting the legislation. Its contrary to our duty to support all children. NEW SOUTH WALES: 61 January 25 Three men aged 43, 53, and 35 who had recently travelled to China contracted the disease. Two flew in from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen, south China. They were treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital. January 27 A 21-year-old woman is identified as the fourth person to test positive for the illness in NSW. The woman, a student at UNSW, flew into Sydney International Airport on flight MU749 on January 23 and presented to the emergency department 24 hours later after developing flu-like symptoms. March 1 A man in his 40s is confirmed as the fifth coronavirus case in the state and a woman in her 50s as the sixth. Both returned to Sydney from Iran. March 2 The 41-year-old sister of a man who had returned from Iran with the disease was one of three confirmed cases. The second locally-acquired case was a 53-year-old male health worker who hadn't travelled for many months. The other new case is a 31-year-old man who flew into Sydney on Saturday from Iran and developed symptoms 24 hours later. March 3 Six more cases are confirmed in NSW. They included a 39-year-old man who had flown in from Iran and a 53-year-old man who arrived from Singapore last Friday. It also included two women aged in their 60s who arrived in Sydney from South Korea and Japan respectively. A man in his 30s who returned from Malaysia to Sydney on Malindo Air flight OD171 on March 1 was also one of the six. A 50-year-old carer was the final of the day's six people diagnosed with coronavirus. The woman is a carer at a nursing home in Macquarie Park in Sydney's north. She had not been overseas and contracted the virus in Australia. March 4 A 95-year-old woman died at a Sydney hospital on Wednesday night after developing a respiratory illness from the coronavirus, bringing the death toll to two. A Macquarie University lecturer tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday after returning from Iran. A further six cases confirmed on Wednesday evening. They included an 82-year-old aged care resident from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge, where the 95-year-old woman was staying. The new cases include a female doctor who works at Liverpool hospital, a female patient from the Northern Beaches, a male from Cronulla, a woman who returned from the Phillippines and a woman in her 70s. March 5 A health care worker, who attended the same conference as the doctor from Ryde Hospital, also tests positive. A boy from Epping Boys High School is diagnosed with COVID-19 forcing the school to temporarily close. A Goulburn resident who had recently returned from Singapore and travelled on to Darwin was also diagnosed with the virus. A fourth resident, aged 94, from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility in Macquarie Park was also diagnosed. March 6 Two more workers at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care centre are diagnosed with coronavirus. A 24-year-old female and 21-year-old male have now been confirmed as cases at the facility. An 18-year-old female has also been diagnosed. March 7 Six new cases are diagnosed. This includes a man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s, who are a close contact of a previously confirmed case. Also included was a man in his 40s and a woman in her 40s, both family members of a previously confirmed case. A man in his 20s, also a close contact of a previously confirmed case, was also included. A man in his 70s, who returned from Italy and who exhibited symptoms a day after returning. NSW Health is contacting flight passengers on flight number QR908 which left Doha on 1 March. A second male in his 40s, who is a known close contact of a previously confirmed case, is being tested. He travelled on two domestic flights on 28 February while symptomatic but before he had been identified as a close contact. Another man in his 60s who recently returned from Italy and a second man in his 40s who is a known close contact of a previously confirmed case, were confirmed late Saturday. NSW Health says the man in his 40s travelled on two domestic flights on 28 February while symptomatic. March 8 A female care worker in her 30s at Ryde Hospital is among new cases in New South Wales. She had been in contact with a case in Macquarie Park aged care facility which had already been confirmed. Another woman, in her 50s, was the other person confirmed to have caught the disease. She had also been in contact with a previous case. An 82-year-old man, who contracted the coronavirus from an infected aged care worker at BaptistCare's Dorothy Henderson Lodge in his Sydney, died on Sunday. A man in his 70s was diagnosed after presenting to Sydney's St Vincent Hospital on Friday. He hadn't recently travelled overseas and the source of his infection is not known. A man in his 40s who recently travelled overseas was confirmed on Sunday night as NSW's 40th case. No other details about the case are available. March 9 St Patricks Marist College in Sydney's north west is forced to close after two students in grade 10, one boy and one girl, are diagnosed with coronavirus. Both fathers of the year 10 students, aged in their 50s have also tested positive, including a third member of the ADF. The father of the male St Patricks Marist College student is diagnosed with coronavirus. He is also the third Australian Defence Force member to test positive. A grade 7 student at Willoughby Girls High School was another confirmed case on March 9. The girl's mother, who is Iranian, was also diagnosed. Woman aged in her 30s was diagnosed on Monday having recently returned from the Philippines. NSW Health is establishing her travel movements and identifying any contacts who may require self-isolation. March 10 Cases confirmed on Tuesday March 10 include a woman in her 20s who had contact with a previously confirmed case at Ryde Hospital and a woman in her 40s who recently returned from South Korea. NSW Health is separately working to establish how three others were infected: two women in their 30s and 40s and a man in his 70s. Two other cases are related to the outbreak at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge nursing home in Macquarie Park. Another case was confirmed. A man in his 70s, a woman in her 30s and a woman in her 40s test positive, as well as three other people. VICTORIA: 21 January 25 A Chinese national aged in his 50s becomes the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Australia. The man flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19. He was quarantined at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. January 29 A Victorian man in his 60s is diagnosed with the coronavirus. He became unwell on January 23 - two days after returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak. The man was confirmed as positive on January 29 and was subsequently seen by doctors at the Monash Medical Centre. January 30 A woman in her 40s is found to have coronavirus. She was visiting from China and mostly spent time with her family. She is being treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital. February 1 A woman in her 20s in Melbourne is found to have the virus. February 22 Two passengers taken off the Diamond Princess cruise ship test positive. February 25 Another passenger taken off the cruise ship tests positive. March 1 Victorian man confirmed to have coronavirus after the 78-year-old was evacuated to Melbourne from a Darwin quarantine centre. It is confirmed a Victorian woman in her 30s has tested positive for coronavirus after flying from Malaysia to Melbourne via Indonesia. March 4 Victorian man in his 30s confirmed to have coronavirus after returning from Iran. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the man was 'almost symptom-free' after self-isolating March 7 A doctor working at a clinic in Toorak, Melbourne has been confirmed to have coronavirus and is now in isolation at home after returning from a trip to the US. The doctor came into contact with around 70 patients who have been told to self isolate. March 8 A woman who arrived in the state from Indonesia has tested positive March 9 Authorities confirmed on Monday two new cases in returned travellers from the United States. A third case was diagnosed on Monday in a passenger who recently returned from Iran. One of the cases is a woman in her 50s who returned from Tehran via Kuala Lumpar on MH0149, arriving on March 6, and is in hospital in isolation being treated for pneumonia. March 10 A man in his 70s who returned to Melbourne from Singapore on March 6 at 12.15am on flight EK404 was confirmed to be carrying the disease. A Victorian man in his 20s who recently returned from Hong Kong was diagnosed. A teacher from Carey Baptist Grammer was diagnosed. The school will closed until next week while students are tested March 11 A male teacher at Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah college was diagnosed with coronavirus after arriving in Australia on a flight from Los Angeles on March 6. QUEENSLAND: 19 January 29 Queensland confirms its first case after a 44-year-old Chinese national was diagnosed with the virus. He is being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital. January 30 A 42-year-old Chinese woman who was travelling in the same Wuhan tour group as the 44-year-old man tests positive. She is in Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition. February 4 An eight-year-old boy was diagnosed with coronavirus. He is also from the tour group where the other Queensland cases came from. February 5 A 37-year-old man, who was a member of a group of nine Chinese tourists in quarantine on the Gold Coast, also tested positive. February 6 A 37-year-old woman was diagnosed with coronavirus from the same travel group that flew to Queensland from Melbourne on January 27. February 21 Two Queensland women, aged 54 and 55, tested positive for COVID-19 and will be flown to Brisbane for further treatment. A 57-year-old woman from Queensland also tested positive for the virus. February 28 A 63-year-old woman was confirmed to have the virus after returning to the Gold Coast from Iran. March 3 A 20-year-old man from China was confirmed as the tenth person to be infected by the coronavirus in Queensland. The man had travelled to Dubai for at least 14 days before entering Australia, via Brisbane on February 23. March 4 A 26-year-old man from Logan in Brisbane is diagnosed with coronavirus. He arrived back in Australia from Iran. March 5 An 81-year-old man who had returned to Brisbane from Thailand and a 29-year-old woman who had come via Singapore from London are diagnosed with coronavirus. March 6 A 28-year-old man in Brisbane was diagnosed after returning from Iran. March 8 A 38-year-old woman is confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus after returning to Australia from London via Dubai. March 10 A 42-year-old female is n the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition. She is the partner of the 38-year-old woman, who travelled from London through Dubai. A 46-year-old female from Brisbane, who recently travelled to Austria and France, is confirmed to have contracted the illness. A 22-year-old male from Brisbane is in a stable condition in The Prince Charles Hospital. He recently travelled to Spain, Italy and France. March 11 A student at the University of Queensland was diagnosed with coronavirus. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 7 February 1 A Chinese couple in their 60s who arrived in Adelaide from Wuhan to visit relatives are confirmed to have coronavirus. A 24-year-old woman from South Australia was transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital. March 4 Mother, 40, is diagnosed after flying to Australia from Iran via Kuala Lumpur. Another 24-year-old woman, not related to the previous woman, was in a stable condition in Adelaide hospital after falling ill following overseas travel. March 5 The eight-month-old child of the 40-year-woman, diagnosed on March 4, is also diagnosed with coronavirus. Renowned Australian music composer Brett Dean, 58, who travelled to SA on March 3 from Taiwan also tests positive. He's receiving treatment in an Adelaide hospital. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 6 February 21 A 78-year-old man from Western Australia was transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth. On February 28, he was taken into intensive care in a 'serious' condition and later died. His wife was also diagnosed with coronavirus. March 1 The elderly man died in the early hours of the morning from the virus at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. March 5 A woman in Perth is diagnosed with the virus after flying into the city from the UK, via Dubai March 8 A Perth woman, aged in her 70s, was confirmed as WAs fourth coronavirus diagnosis. She had been in Cuba in recent weeks had flown from London to Perth on a direct flight on March 5. The woman was tested for COVID-19 on Friday but didnt wait for the results before attending a the West Australian Symphony Orchestras Absolute Beethoven concert on Saturday night. March 9 A West Australian woman in her 60s contracted coronavirus from her husband after he returned from Iran, making her the state's first person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. TASMANIA: 2 March 2 The man who travelled from Iran to Australia on Saturday tested positive for COVID-19. March 7 A man in his 20s was diagnosed with coronavirus after returning to Tasmania from Nepal on February 26 and experiencing cold-like symptoms the next day. He is in the Royal Hobart Hospital in a satisfactory condition. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 1 March 4 A tourist in Darwin has tested positive for coronavirus in what is the first confirmed case in the Northern Territory. NT Health confirmed the 52-year-old man as the first case of COVID-19 in the community on Wednesday evening. The man recently arrived in Darwin via Sydney and has had limited contact with the local community, NT Health said in a statement. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-02 23:54:26|Editor: zyl Video Player Close The Buda Castle Hill Funicular is seen with the view of the city in Budapest, Hungary, on March 2, 2020. The Buda Castle Hill Funicular, a tourist attraction of Budapest, turned 150 years old on Monday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) BUDAPEST, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Buda Castle Hill Funicular, a tourist attraction of Budapest, turned 150 years old on Monday. A commemorative plaque was unveiled on the occasion at the lower station of the funicular, marking the debut of its services on March 2, 1870. "The Buda Castle Hill Funicular was born at a time of great development and progress for the city," said Deputy Mayor of Budapest David Dorosz at the unveiling ceremony. "The people of Budapest can look back 150 years in time with pride at an era, in which the capital of Hungary was among the first to bring the highest quality technology to the continent," Dorosz said. In the beginning, the funicular served public transport goals and was powered by steam. In 1944, it was hit by a bomb and was sentenced to demolition, according to the deputy mayor. In 1986, the Budapest city transport company BKV rebuilt the funicular, which received an electric drive and became a tourist attraction in addition to playing a role in public transport. The specialty of the Budapest funicular is that its three wagons are located one above the other, so that it can carry 24 passengers, eight in each wagon, at a time. The Congress on Tuesday attacked the government over the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights filing an application in the Supreme Court on the CAA, with senior leader Ahmed Patel saying though it is "unwarranted interference" the Modi dispensation is to be blamed for the "mess". The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the hearing on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying there was a need to take into account the "international human rights law, norms and standards" in the proceedings. "No doubt that UN's intervening application is a case of unwarranted interference in our matters," Patel said in a tweet. "But who is to blame for this mess? The Government of India for creating a window for such interference by enacting a law which breaches global standards on human rights," the Congress treasurer said. The plea, filed on behalf of Michelle Bachelet Jeria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has sought to intervene as an amicus curiae (non-party offering assistance to court) in the matter by virtue of mandate to protect and promote human rights and to conduct necessary advocacy in that regard. India has sharply criticised the move, saying the CAA is an internal matter of the country. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi, in response to the development, said "the larger question is being missed" in such a reaction by the government. "We are all proud, patriotic Indians and we all speak proudly in support of our nation everywhere in the world and on every inch of global soil. But the Home Minster and the MEA must answer why we are today being looked at with suspicion and finger pointing by not one, but, 20, 30, 40 nations across the world?" he said. "Has he (External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar) answered that question, when you travel to Europe, when you travel to America, when you travel to South America, Africa? We stand up stoutly and fight for India. But does it mean that we should be like ostrich in the sand, ignoring those questions?" Singhvi asked. It is very rare for an organization to file a petition on its own, he said, adding that the UN body would have intervened possibly because refugee issues are its direct domain. "So, I humbly with folded hands request the government to start looking more at messages and less at picking up an AK-47 in shooting the messenger," Singhvi said. Earlier, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the UN move was a matter of embarrassment for the government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An airman serving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska has been demoted and officially reprimanded after he was found to have urinated in the squadron office's coffee maker. The unidentified Airman First Class violated Article 92 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, dereliction of duty, 'for failure to refrain from urinating in the office coffee maker.' The serviceman's misbehavior involving the coffee maker took place sometime between January 1 and October 31, 2019, as a spokesperson for the Base confirmed to DailyMail.com on Tuesday. An unnamed Airman First Class at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska has been demoted to the lowest rank of Airman Basic and given a letter of reprimand for violated Article 92 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, dereliction of duty The airman also allegedly violated Article 86, absence without leave, for five days away from duty between November 27-December 2, 2019, as Stars & Stripes first reported. Reports of the stomach-turning incident began trickling out in mid-February when the legal office of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage released a redacted newsletter containing some of the details. As punishment for his wrongdoing, the Airman First Class was demoted to Airman Basic, the US Air Forces lowest enlisted rank, and received a letter of reprimand. The demotion was accompanied by a pay reduction. Sometime between January-October 2019, the airman allegedly urinated in the squadron office's coffee maker (stock image) This was not the first stain on the serviceman's record: according to a post on the Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page popular among enlisted personnel, he previously received five letters of reprimand for unrelated charges. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is home to US Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, US Army Alaska and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, boasting some 5,500 military and civilian personnel. In March 2019, President Donald Trump briefly met with troops at the Base when Air Force One stopped there to refuel en route to Japan. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Meghalaya Home Minister Matsiewdor War Nongbri will be holding a peace meet in order to restore normalcy in Shillong after three people died during violent protests. The meeting will be held with community leaders and other local personalities. READ: Curfew Relaxed For 3 Hours In Some Areas Of Meghalaya Capital Meeting to ensure peace Speaking to ANI, East Khasi Hills District's Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri said, "State Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui will chair a peace meeting at 3 pm today. Leaders of various communities and eminent personalities have been invited for the meeting." "The district administration has been concerned about what has happened in the last few days in the district. Last week, we held several meetings with senior officials and other stakeholders," she added. Three people lost their lives after clashes between the Khasi Students Union (KSU) members and non-tribals broke out during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and pro-ILP meeting held in the Ichamati area of East Khasi Hills district close to the Indo-Bangladesh border on Friday. The local authorities had to impose curfew in order to control the crowd. READ: Meghalaya Violence: Man Attacked By Miscreants At His Residence, Death Toll Reaches 3 Curfew was imposed on Friday night following the clashes and lifted at 8 AM on Saturday. A ban on mobile internet services continued in six districts. Curfew was reimposed at noon in the areas under Lumdiengjri and Sadar police stations of Shillong town, they said, adding that five additional companies of armed police forces have been deployed in sensitive areas. The situation in the state is under control and a close watch is being maintained, an official said. Mobile internet and messaging services remain withdrawn in six districts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region till 10 pm on Tuesday or receipt of further orders. Police said, there was no untoward incident in the East Khasi Hills district during curfew hours on Monday night and the situation was limping back to normalcy. READ: Meghalaya CM Sangma Chairs High-level Meeting Amid Clashes, Imposes Curfew Eight people have been arrested and a magisterial inquiry has been instituted to probe into the incident, police said. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has appealed to stakeholders to refrain from retaliating in the wake of the clashes. READ: Two Baby Girls Lose Their Fathers In Meghalaya Violence Chris Matthews, the veteran political anchor and voluble host of the long-running MSNBC talk show Hardball, resigned on Monday night, an abrupt departure from a television perch that made him a fixture of politics and the news media over the past quarter-century. Mr. Matthews, 74, had faced mounting criticism in recent days over a spate of embarrassing on-air moments, including a comparison of Senator Bernie Sanderss campaign to the Nazi invasion of France and an interview with Senator Elizabeth Warren in which the anchor was criticized for a condescending and disbelieving tone. On Saturday, the journalist Laura Bassett published an essay accusing Mr. Matthews of making multiple inappropriate comments about her appearance, reviving longstanding allegations about the anchors sexist behavior. By Monday, his position at the news network he helped build had become untenable. Accompanied by his family, Mr. Matthews walked onto the Hardball set inside NBCs Washington bureau shortly before 7 p.m. to deliver a brief farewell. His longtime crew members, who had been told of his plans roughly an hour earlier, looked on stunned. Thao Nguyen, San Antonio Express-News / Contributor WASHINGTON With one day left to make up their minds, most voters still have no clue who they're going to pick to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the crowded Democratic Senate primary, according to the latest polling on the race. Its been the story of the primary, where the dozen Democrats in the race have struggled to differentiate themselves and undecided has held the lead all along. The latest example is an Emerson College poll released on Monday one day before the election in which 39 percent of very likely Democratic primary voters said they still didnt know who theyd vote for. Iran put its armed forces on alert on Tuesday to assist health officials in battling the new coronavirus outbreak that has killed at least 77 people, sickened top officials and pushed the country's supreme leader into wearing disposable gloves while trying to reassure the nation. Even as government officials sit meters (feet) away from each other at meetings now in an effort to stop its spread, the virus is ravaging both its civilian leadership and its Shiite theocracy. A top emergency official and at least 23 members of parliament reportedly contracted the virus and now suffer from the COVID-19 illness it causes. There are now over 2,540 cases of the new virus across the Mideast, with 2,336 in Iran alone. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the Islamic Republic. Experts worry Iran's percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3 per cent, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show. Meanwhile, a gloved Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sought to minimize the virus while praising the doctors and nurses combating the outbreak. He urged the nation to pray. "This disaster, in our opinion, is not such a big disaster, there have been and there are bigger disasters than this. Of course I don't want to downplay the issue, but let's not exaggerate it much either. Something has happened, it will exist in the country for a time, which hopefully will be short, and then it will go away," Khamenei said. Worldwide, the virus has infected 90,000 people and caused 3,100 deaths. The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Iran's leadership to be killed by the virus. State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei. The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Iran's former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Ahmad Tuyserkani, an adviser to Iran's judiciary chief, died Monday night from the virus, semiofficial media reported. Those sick include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known as "Sister Mary", the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. On Tuesday, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state television's Young Journalists Club program that 23 members of parliament had the coronavirus. He urged all lawmakers to avoid the public. "These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country, which may create a new virus, so we recommend the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now," Mesri said. Members of Iran's Supreme Council of Economic Coordination, including President Hassan Rouhani, met on Tuesday and sat metres (feet) apart from each other. State media did not comment on the move, nor the fact the meeting appeared attended by fewer officials than normal. Iran's state-run IRNA agency also reported that Pirhossein Koulivand, head of the country's emergency services, had come down with the new virus. It said he was undergoing treatment. Khamenei ordered Iran's armed forces to be ready to help health workers, but it wasn't immediately clear what the order entailed. Officials previously said they had plans for 300,000 soldiers and members of the Basij, the all-volunteer force of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, to sanitize public areas, direct traffic and trace contacts that sick people had with others. The Guard also has been spraying down streets in major Iranian cities. "Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin," Khamenei said at an annual tree-planting ceremony. He had never worn gloves at the ceremony in recent years. Meanwhile on Tuesday, the advocacy group NetBlocks said Wikipedia's Farsi-language website appeared to be disrupted in Iran for around 24 hours. NetBlocks described the disruption as being nationwide, saying its technical testing suggests the online encyclopedia is being blocked by the same mechanism used to block Twitter and Facebook. Those social media websites have been banned since Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election and Green Movement protests. The disruption ended Tuesday afternoon, without authorities acknowledging it. The Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees the volunteer-edited encyclopedia, did not respond to a request for comment. NetBlocks previously reported internet disruptions affecting Iran in recent days and users across the Islamic Republic have reported problems. The disruption raises fears of Iran potentially shutting off the internet entirely again, as it did for a week during economic protests in November. Iran separately has created its own so-called "halal" net of government-approved websites. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 1:46PM by Jason Adams Bacurau, the fierce new Brazilian film from the folks behind Aquarius in 2016 (and the accompanying Sonia-Braga-ssaince), is finally hitting U.S. theaters this week. It tells the story of a small rural community in the middle-of-nowhere Brazil that politicians are attempting to wipe off the map, literally, by hiring a bunch of heavily armed militia-types (including pointedly several Americans) to come down and burn the place to the dirt. The movie has been out in its home country, where it was a huge hit, for several months already, and on its way here to the States it's already played several fests to mucho raves -- I reviewed it right here at NYFF in the fall, calling it "an ass-blistering revenge fable." And you should indeed cover your ass. It's an intense ride, throwing populism and politics and capitalism and little silver spaceships into its grindhouse meat-grinder, spitting a pulpy, invigorating scream out its other side. Here, five months after last watching it, are three thoughts that still stand out about Bacurau to me... 1 -- It makes for a stellar companion piece with Best Picture winner Parasite. It's Parasite's deranged desert cousin. I saw them very nearly back to back at NYFF last year and this might get stoned to death if I admit I prefer it to Bong Joon-ho's movie... but I kinda do? Bacurau's hard lean into genre conventions feels more honest. Parasite (a movie I love, mind you) is a little like that line from Showgirls about still giving them tits and ass while pretending not to; Bacurau is just a little more honest about its tits and ass. Which in this case means a bloodbath, standing happily on the shallow graves of the poisonously privileged. Its allegory is just as blunt as Parasite's, but ultimately more cathartic. Its off-the-charts fury at the state of the world feels more right. 2 -- UDO F'ING KIER. Bacurau gives this living cult legend a delicious role (he plays the leader of the invading killers) that's right in his nutso wheelhouse, and he runs as he runs with it. Directors Juliano Dornelles and Kleber Mendonca Filho reuniting with Aquarius star Sonia Braga is the headline and she's great in her smaller role, but the best scene in the film is the one between her and Kier, and all the second and third best scenes involve him too. His presence, already so far off the map it's extraterrestrial, gives the film so much of its, dare I say, big dick energy. 3 -- I honestly already think that Bacurau will be one of the defining films of our era, as long as there are people in the future to look back and define our era, anyway -- it surges and crests with not just the bullied and beat-down anger of our political moment but possible ways through, and beyond. Bacurau the town is by no means a utopian kinda place, neither before or after the events of the film; there are cycles of violence carved into its stone face, living museums set to spring to rambunctious bloody life at any moment. But the people, when pressed, press real freaking hard back, and it is truly an inspiration. Be like Bacurau, everybody. [all photos Kino Lorber] NORFOLK COUNTY, ONT.Police are looking for a suspect after someone entered a property in Middleton, Ont., and stole a bee hive. Norfolk provincial police say the theft occurred sometime last week. They say the bee hive was viable. It was painted light blue and wrapped in black plastic insulation. Police say the hive was worth about $300. Polisario Chief Brahim Ghali has not been invited to the inauguration of center-right president of Uruguay Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou, marking a new era for this Latin American country after 15 years of left-wing rule. The exclusion of the leaders of the Algeria-backed separatist group from attending the presidential swear-in ceremony in Montevideo comes after Pacific Island countries voiced strong support to Moroccos territorial integrity, while the list of African countries opening diplomatic missions in Moroccan Sahara is getting longer. Morocco was represented in the inauguration of the new Uruguayan President by Speaker of the House of Advisors, Hakim Benchamach. He was received by Mr. Lacalle Pou who voiced his willingness and readiness to develop relations of cooperation with Morocco. The remarks confirm the rapprochement between Rabat and Montevideo to the great displeasure of the polisario secessionists, who are armed, funded and sheltered by Algeria. As Uruguay shifts to right with the new president after a 15-year string of left-leaning governments, experts expect radical changes in the countrys foreign policy, including its stand regarding the self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic (SADR) which has already been abandoned by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, El Salvador, Bolivia, Barbados Uruguay will surely follow suit as the majority of Latin American countries support Moroccos territorial integrity and the UN-led exclusive political process for a lasting resolution of the Sahara regional conflict. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- The comprehensive research report on the Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market is the combination of all the key aspects including qualitative and quantitative information. This information is expected to help the business owners, marketing executives, investors to plan crucial decisions for growth over the forecast period 2017 - 2023. The literature delivers insights on the changing consumer demands, their preferences, disposable income of consumers, and details on demographic information. Combination of all these information is useful for the buyers and stakeholders to help them achieve their targets and goals smoothly. Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market was valued at USD xx billion in 2019, and is expected to grow significantly at a CAGR of xx%, during the forecast period 2017 - 2023 : According to researchers, the Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market is expected to reach USD billion by the end of 2023. Increasing adoption of technologically improved solutions in new products and growing awareness for novel technologies is considerably impacting the industry growth. Experts have also studied various segments of the market to help business and manufacturers track opportunities and gain significant advantage. The study also describes details on restraining factors to alert the producers for implementing the right strategies and gain prominent position in the near future. Get Sample of the Report : https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/46764 The report is an accurate presentation of the current trends and key development activates that offers better picture of the market happenings to the buyers. Manufacturing companies can also plan effective strategies for strengthening their market presence and lead the industry. Moreover, analysis on various segments of the Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market like material, application, technology, and end use industry are elaborated with statistics and infographics. Players include 3M, Arkema S.A., Sika AG, H.B. Fuller, Henkel AG & Company, KGaA, BASF SE, DOW Chemical Company, Mapei S.P.A., Asian Paints Limited, Itw Polymer Sealants North America., Soudal N.V., Konishi., Sel Dis Ticaret Ve Kimya Sanayi A. ., Pidilite Industries Limited, EMS-Chemie Holding AG, KCC Corporation, The Yokohama Rubber., RPM International Inc., Selena SA, Kommerling Chemische Fabrik Kg, PCI Augsburg GmbH, Sunstar Engineering., Hodgson Sealants (Holdings) Ltd., Akfix, Splendor Industry Company Limited, etc. Geographic Analysis for Global Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market: Besides, the report offers geographical insights, comprising information on the consumer buying behavior, spending power of consumers, product choice, and existing trends. The study also offers deep insights on the key opportunities in these regions with details on the unexplored areas. This allows the Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market players to effectively plan promotional strategies for their offerings and increase their clients significantly. In addition, increasing use of social media is also expected to boost the offerings by market vendors. On the basis of this information, market players can ideally plan strategies for increasing end customers and also expanding their global reach. Global Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Global Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2019 2023. North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Russia and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Korea, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia) South America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, and UAE) Get Discount on Report : https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/discount/46764 Few TOC Points: Chap. 8, Competition and Trade Situation Analysis of Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market 8.1, Competition Situation by Players 8.1.1, Market Concentration by Players 8.1.2, Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansions 8.1.3, New Entrants 8.2, Competition Situation by Regions 8.3, Trade Situation by Regions 8.3.1, Trade Data (Import and Export) of North America 8.3.2, Trade Data of Europe 8.3.3, Trade Data of Asia Pacific 8.3.4, Trade Data of Latin America 8.3.5, Trade Data of MEA Chap. 9, Forecast of Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market 9.1, Market Size Forecast 9.1.1, Opportunity 9.1.2, Restraints 9.1.3, Market Trend (Sales, Revenue) 9.2, Types Forecast (Sales, Revenue) 9.3, Application Forecast (Sales) 9.4, Regional Forecast (Sales, Revenue) Chap. 10, Investment Analysis of Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market 10.1, Investment Opportunity 10.2, Investment Calculation 10.2.1, Cost Calculation 10.2.2, Revenue Calculation 10.2.3, Economic Performance Evaluation Chap. 11, Appendix (Free Info) 11.1, Profiles and Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Product Information of Key Companies Comp. 1: (Profiles and Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Product Information of) 3M Comp. 2: Arkema S.A. Comp. 3: Sika AG Comp. 4: H.B. Fuller Comp. 5: Henkel AG & Company, KGaA Comp. 6: BASF SE Comp. 7: DOW Chemical Company Comp. 8: Mapei S.P.A. Comp. 9: Asian Paints Limited Comp. 10: Itw Polymer Sealants North America. Continue View Full Report : https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/46764/polyurethane-elastic-sealant-market The Polyurethane Elastic Sealant Market Research Report answers the following queries: What is the current size of the cement market in the world and in different countries? How is the cement market divided into different product segments? How are the overall market and different product segments growing? How is the market predicted to develop in the future? What is the market potential compared to other countries? 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 2nd Floor, Manikchand Ikon, B-Wing, Dhole Patil Road, Sangamwadi, Pune 411 001, Maharashtra,India. +1 347 767 5477 (US) +44 131 463 4161 (UK) + 91 8956 049 020 (IN) Email: Sales@marketgrowthinsight.com Website- https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com Follow Us:- LinkedIn | Twitter | Google+ | Facebook A White House news conference on the coronavirus outbreak on Saturday. Joshua Roberts/Reuters The US has reported six coronavirus deaths and nearly 100 cases. According to experts, that number could skyrocket once more Americans get tested. Health experts say the US lags behind other countries in terms of testing for the virus because of a lack of funding and issues with some testing kits' accuracy. As of Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had tested only 472 suspected coronavirus patients. South Korea, by contrast, has tested tens of thousands. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Health officials in South Korea tested 10,000 people for the novel coronavirus on Friday alone. This week, they built drive-thru coronavirus screening locations, giving hundreds of patients an assessment of their health in just 10 minutes. The US announced its first coronavirus case on the same day South Korea did. But six weeks later, fewer than 500 Americans have gotten tests, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency's official test count which had previously been updated daily was stripped from the CDC site on Sunday, though US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told ABC on the same day that the US had tested 3,600 people. South Korea's case total is far higher than the US's more than 4,000 compared with the US's nearly 100 but South Korea has tested at least 100,000 people. In the US, experts say, a lack of funding and faulty test kits have hampered health authorities' ability to control the outbreak. Tien Ngyuen shopping at the 168 Market in Alhambra, California, on January 31. AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes "Coronavirus has been circulating in the United States for weeks. We didn't detect it because we weren't testing properly," Matthew McCarthy, a hospitalist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, tweeted on Sunday. "There may have been cryptic transmission in Washington State since January. If I sound alarmed, it's because I am." Story continues 'A national scandal' Six people in Washington state died of COVID-19 in the past few days, and cases are cropping up in which patients had no exposure to an infected person or history of travel to China. Identifying those cases of so-called community spread is challenging without effective, rapid testing. But because some CDC tests distributed to state labs turned out to be flawed, more than half of the labs received inconclusive results. A problem with one ingredient in the test kits resulted in further distribution delays. "It's easy to do for some countries, but what happened in the US is the CDC created and sent out a test to all 50 states and then said, 'Wait, hold up, don't use it,'" McCarthy told CNBC on Monday. While facilities wait for replacement tests, they have to send samples to the CDC in Atlanta to confirm a case. That causes a delay of up to 48 hours between testing and confirmation. A woman leaving the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington, where dozens of staff and residents are reportedly exhibiting coronavirus-like symptoms. David Ryder/Getty Images "For a country of our size, when you only have a single site doing that, it limits the resources available for testing," Richard Martinello, an associate professor of infectious disease at the Yale School of Medicine, told Business Insider. The CDC says it is ramping up testing Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said on Friday that the CDC hoped "to have every state and local health department online doing their own testing by the end of next week." She added that the CDC had manufactured a new type of testing kit and acknowledged that testing "has not gone as smoothly as we would have liked." Azar told ABC that US testing was ramping up: "We now have 75,000 tests available," he said. But not all hospitals with suspected cases have received those tests. "The idea that we would have to really fight to get that test done, when CDC is saying they have capacity, is alarming," Lauren Sauer, an expert in emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University, told The New York Times. Subway riders in the Queens borough of New York City on February 2. Nick Zieminski/Reuters McCarthy told CNBC that he hadn't seen more tests available yet, either. "I'm here to tell you right now at one of the busiest hospitals in the country, I don't have it at my fingertips," he said. "I still have to call the Department of Health. I still have to make my case, plead, to test people." New York state confirmed its first case on Sunday: a Manhattan woman in her 30s. "The person who tested positive in New York was only the 32nd test in our state," McCarthy said. "That is a national scandal." Is the CDC's testing criteria too limited? Until Thursday, the CDC's criteria called for testing only symptomatic patients with a travel history to China and those who may have had contact with a lab-confirmed coronavirus patient. That meant the country's first case involving community spread, a patient in California, went untested for multiple days at two hospitals. south korea coronavirus 1 Ahn Young-joon/AP The agency changed the testing guidelines Thursday to include patients with conditions so severe that they required hospitalization. But some patients with mild symptoms, even those who recently traveled to countries with high case totals like Italy or Iran, still may not get tested. "I know the infectious-disease community and the public-health community desire to do much more testing than is currently feasible," William Schaffner, an infectious-disease specialist at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Business Insider. "Other countries are testing much more broadly than we are," he added. "We are trotting along while they're racing along." Switzerland, whose population is one-thirty-eighth the size of the US's, has said it's capable of conducting about 1,000 tests a day. Tourists in Union Square in New York City on Friday. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images As the US caseload starts to spike, health experts say it's important for the CDC to begin monitoring cases without a connection to outbreaks abroad. "This seems like a logical next step," Robert Amler, a dean at New York Medical College who previously served as CDC director, told Business Insider. "The best defense is a good offense, meaning we should be looking a little more closely at which subgroups within the population seem to be most susceptible." But coronavirus tests are expensive about $250 apiece, Politico reported. The Trump administration cut the CDC's global disease-fighting budget in 2018. As a result, the agency scaled back on efforts to prevent disease outbreaks. The administration's proposed budget for 2021 includes another 16% cut to the CDC budget. Read the original article on Business Insider Turkey has released new footage showing refugees and migrants being repelled by Greek coastguards off Lesbos, a Greek island, with vessels driving perilously close to dinghies and firing shots in the water close to them. Greece released images purporting to show Turkish vessels escorting migrant boats inside its territorial waters. Ankara, which opened a new war front in Syrias northwestern Idlib province after forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad killed at least 33 Turkish troops, said it would allow refugees passage to Europe. The Turkish government ordered its coastguard and border police to not prevent people from crossing into Europe after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey could no longer handle the new waves of people fleeing Idlib. I had been in Turkey for two months. A smuggler called me in the night and said the boat is ready, get ready to cross over. He said the border was open, 15-year-old Ali Gulali from Afghanistan told Al Jazeera on Lesbos. The migrants that have made it to Greece have found that life does not get any better. Asylum processing is slow and many have been forced to set up camp under olive trees for months. We need [to see] a doctor. The situation is very difficult. We dont have good food or water so we need to see a doctor, its very important, Amir al-Salah, an Afghan refugee, told Al Jazeera. Then earlier this week, Athens said it will stop receiving asylum applications for a month and will turn around undocumented migrants and send them home without the usual reception or identity verification procedure. The new arrivals have found themselves caught in a dispute between Turkey and Greece that has implications for all of Europe. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - I-Minerals Inc. (TSXV: IMA) (OTCQB: IMAHF) ("the Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the results of the Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") for its Bovill halloysite and metakaolin project. The Bovill Project is strategically located within five miles of state highways with commercial distributions of electricity and natural gas already near the property boundary. The PFS was led by Millcreek Engineering , who were responsible for overall project management and the process plant and infrastructure design (including OPEX and CAPEX) and economic analyses. Other engineering and geological services were provided by Mine Development Associates (mine modelling; ore scheduling; mineral reserve estimation); SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc. (mineral resource estimation); and, HDR Engineering Inc. (environmental review). Highlights of the PFS include: 20% Pre-Tax IRR; 18% After-Tax IRR US$ 48 million Pre-Tax NPV 10 % ; US$34 million After-Tax NPV 10% Initial Capital Cost of US$ 48 million Total Life of Operation Capital Costs of US$54 million 25 year mine life with 1:1 strip ratio The PFS is based on the production of two minerals, halloysite and kaolinite. Two halloysite products are manufactured; 'HalloPure' which is about 70% halloysite and 30% kaolinite and premium quality 'Ultra-HalloPure' which contains greater than 90% halloysite with the balance kaolinite. The quality of Bovill halloysite is regarded as being exceptional and the research on halloysite applications has dramatically increased over the past 5 years involving polymers, filtration, extruded polystyrene insulation, green technology and life sciences. The kaolinite is flash-calcined to produce metakaolin, a Supplementary Cementitious Material ("SCM") and highly reactive pozzolan, that when added to concrete increases strength and durability, reduces permeability, reduces the effect of alkali-silica reactivity and increases resistance to chloride ingress and sulfate attack. By using metakaolin the sustainability of the concrete is increased through longer service life and the carbon footprint is reduced by lowering the quantity of Portland cement. Sand is produced during the production process which meets the specifications of a number of appplications including arena sand and USGA-specified bunker and top-dressing sand. There is a potential upside from sale of sand which is not included in the project economics and accordingly the sand is not included in the reserves. A conservative approach to the build-up of sales has been assumed with full production being achieved in the first quarter of the 5th year of operation, as some product applications will require development. There is potential for full production to be achieved earlier which would have a corresponding positive effect on the NPV, IRR and the project payback period. "After a thorough review of mineral market opportunities, management elected to focus on the production of halloysite and metakaolin as the markets for these minerals are growing or have growth potential as opposed to entering competive markets where price is the primary differentiator," stated John Theobald, President and CEO of I-Minerals Inc. "The initial CAPEX at $48.34 million, including a 15% contingency, is much lower than prior studies reducing financing challenges while the marketing and logicstics for two minerals creates a much more manageable enterprise. While we believe the PFS represents a conservative, but realistic view of the project's potential we also see opportunities for improvement including a shortened ramp-up period and a contribution from sand sales. Additionally, we will have the plant capacity to increase sales beyond the modelled levels should metakaolin and halloysite markets grow beyond forecast levels. We have ambitions to be the premier metakaolin operation in the western USA and the largest producer of halloysite in the western hemisphere; the PFS is an important step in achieving these ambitions". Statement of Mineral Resources The resource defined at the Bovill Project is a fine white clay-sand mixture, referred to as "primary clay," that formed through the weathering of a border phase of the Idaho Batholith. During the weathering, the sodium feldspar in the intrusive breaks down to kaolinite +/- halloysite. The primary clay, which forms in place during weathering, provides a feedstock containing kaolinite, and halloysite as well as a quartz- k-spar sand product. The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources are reported in Table 1. No mining cut-off grade is applied since all material within the pit design shows potential economic viability Three mineral products are included in the resource: quartz and K-spar sand, kaolinite clay, and halloysite clay. Table 1: Statement of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources from the Kelly's Hump and Middle Ridge areas, (as of February 25, 2020) Classification Resource Area Tons (000s) Kaolinite (%) Halloysite (%) Kaolinite Tons (000s) Halloysite Tons (000s) Measured Kelly's Hump 3,540 13.08 3.86 463 137 Middle Ridge 2,180 10.95 4.15 239 91 Sub-Total 5,720 12.27 3.97 702 226 Indicated Kelly's Hump 7,500 14.81 2.77 1,110 208 Middle Ridge 5,130 17.91 3.61 920 185 WBL 2,900 13.31 1.62 386 47 Sub-Total 15,530 15.56 2.83 2,416 440 Measured & Indicated Kelly's Hump 11,040 14.26 3.12 1,574 344 Middle Ridge 7,320 15.83 3.77 1,159 276 WBL 2,900 13.31 1.62 386 47 Total 21,260 14.67 3.14 3,119 667 The mineral resource model considers 337 core holes totalling 37,512 feet. Drilling depth ranges from 20 to 260 ft., averaging 111 ft. All drill holes have a vertical orientation with hole spacing on approximate 100 or 200 ft. centers. Grade estimations were made using inverse distance squared for all the mineralized domains. Assays were composited to 10 ft. lengths. All estimations are based on a homogeneous block model with dimensions of 20 ft. X 20 ft. X 10 ft. block size based on current drill hole spacing and a potential open pit bench height. The block model is subdivided into four model areas based primarily on the geographic location. Results of the Pre-Feasibility Study The PFS individually tracks the production and sale of two halloysite products and a metakaolin product which yield a weighted-average price of $810 /ton of products sold. The pricing of the mineral products and associated markets is based on preliminary studies being undertaken by a European company specializing in halloysite research, and a US-based SCM expert on metakaolin. The mineral reserves delineated from the primary clay represent the largest confirmed deposits of high-quality kaolin and halloysite in the western United States. Initial indicative economics were performed assuming a 25-year market for primary clay products and focusing on those areas of the Resources that contain greater concentrations of halloysite and kaolinite. Mineral Reserves are presented below in Table 2 and production highlights are tabulated in Table 3. Table 2: Statement of Mineral Reserves, (as of February 25, 2020) All figures thousands of tons* To view an enhanced version of Table 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3237/53040_339e7ff294faa987_002full.jpg * Notes on Mineral Reserves: Reserves are based on a $40.00 NSR cutoff grade and pit designs. Rounding of numbers in mineral reserves listed above may cause apparent inconsistencies. The reference point for Mineral Reserves is at the plant stockpile. Table 3: Production Highlights Parameter Unit Value Average Annual Plant Full Production Rate tons 132,000 Process Throughput Rate (nominal) tons of ore per op-day 410 Stripping Ratio waste: ore 1:1 Proposed Mine Life years 25 years The reserves are under a shallow layer of overburden generally less than 20 feet thick. Pits are limited to depths of approximately 70 to 75 feet. Given the physical properties of the primary clay, no drilling or blasting is required. The process flow sheet includes wet screw classification and screen separation of the halloysite and kaolinite clay fraction from the quartz and K-spar sand fraction. The clay fraction is separated into kaolinite and halloysite using hydrocyclone, centrifuge, and proprietary flotation techniques to yield +90% purity halloysite products (the latest analytical results indicate a 96% purity halloysite product from the recent pilot plant). Technical-economics indicate an NPV 10 % of US$48 million on a pre-tax basis and NPV 10 % of US$ 34 million on an after-tax basis, with a pre-tax IRR of 20% and an after tax IRR of 18%. Payback will occur during the 6th year from pre-development. Economic results are summarized in Table 4 below. Table 4: Economic Results* Description LoM Value Pre-Tax (US$Millions) LoM Value After-Tax (US$Millions) Unit Cost 1 (US$/ton) total Unit Cost 2 (US$/ton) Mill feed Unit Cost 3 (US$/ton) product Gross Revenue 597,638 597,638 94.49 192.04 809.81 Royalties (5% sales) 29,882 29,882 4.72 9.60 40.49 Net Revenue 567,756 567,756 89.76 182.44 769.32 Mining Costs 36,125 36,125 5.71 11.61 48.95 Processing Costs 164,963 164,963 26.08 53.01 223.53 G&A Costs 36,234 36,234 5.73 11.64 49.10 Closure / Reclamation Costs 7,219 7,219 Operating Costs 244,541 244,541 38.66 78.58 331.36 Contractor Capital 1,323 1,323 0.21 0.43 1.79 Owners Operations Capital 2,943 2,943 0.47 0.95 3.99 Plant & Equipment 37,772 37,772 5.97 12.14 51.18 Contingency 6,306 6306 1.00 2.03 8.54 Sustaining Capital 5,881 5,881 0.93 1.89 7.97 LoM Capital 54,225 54,225 8.57 17.42 73.48 Taxes 62,779 9.93 20.17 85.07 Subtotal Capital & Tax 54,225 117,004 18.50 37.60 158.54 CASH FLOW 268,989 206,210 NPV 6 % $97,242 $72,379 NPV 10 % $48,281 $33,743 NPV 1 4 % $20,831 $11,848 IRR 20% 18% * Differences in totals and subtotals are due to rounding, and are not material to the results presented. 1 Total tons are combined tons waste stripped, and primary clay mined 2 Total tons of primary clay mined sent to plant. Does not include tons of waste stripped 3. Average cost per ton of mineral product produced The NI 43-101 Technical Report is being completed by Millcreek Engineering, SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc., Mine Development Associates in conformity with CIM's "Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices," and will be reported in conformance with NI 43-101 regulations. The report will be filed on SEDAR (at www.sedar.com). All values presented in this press release are in US imperial units and Q4 2019 U.S. dollars. Steven Kerr, P.G, (Principal (Geology)) of Millcreek Engineering validated the geologic model and resource estimation results reported herein. He is the Qualified Person ("QP") responsible for the resource estimation methodology and the resource statement. Mine Development Associates, a division of RESPEC, completed the mineral reserve estimation including pit optimizations, and pit and dump designs, and production schedule for ore and waste. MDA also developed operating and capital mining costs. The QP responsible for mineral reserves and mining costs is Thomas L. Dyer, PE., MDA Principal Engineer The economic results for the PFS were completed by Millcreek Engineering, with Alister Horn, MMSA (QP) (Principal (Mining)) being the QP responsible for the economic analysis. Rainer Stephenson, MMSA (QP) (Senior Process Engineer)of MillCreek Engineering is the QP responsible for all process and metallurgical content. All QPs have reviewed and approved the content of this release and are independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in Section 1.5 of NI 43-101. I-Minerals Inc. per: "John Theobald" John Theobald, President & CEO Contact: I-Minerals Inc. Barry Girling 877-303-6573 or 604-303-6573 Email: info@imineralsinc.com Or visit our website at www.imineralsinc.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 NEWS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. 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 many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities its mineral project and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. 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. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53040 An angry tradie who lobbed a bottle at a truck on the Hume Highway has been fined $1,000. Footage from the incident shows the man, wearing a high-vis vest, leaning out of the passenger seat window. He then grabs a bottle and throws it at the truck, before the white Subaru Impreza he was in speeds off. The trucker captured the dangerous moment on his dashcam on February 25 near Ingleburn. The tradie throws the object (pictured) out of the window of a white Subaru Impreza while driving along the Hume Highway The tradie (pictured) was spotted leaning out the white Subaru Impreza to lob a bottle at the merging truck on the Hume Highway A 22-year-old man was tracked down after the footage of him throwing a bottle at the B-double truck was posted on social media. Police said the incident happened around 11am on February 25, when the truck was merged onto the Hume Highway, south of Williamson Road at Ingleburn, NSW. The drink hit the truck's windscreen. When police found the offender, he was fined $344 for not wearing a seatbelt and $780 for throwing an object at the vehicle. The tradie (pictured) was also fined $344 for not wearing a seatbelt during the dangerous stunt The car (pictured) was then seen speeding away from the scene near Ingleburn on February 25 Traffic and Highway Command Chief Inspector Philip Brooks told the Daily Telegraph: 'This kind of reckless behaviour could have easily led to serious injury or worse. 'Police will continue to do everything in their power to keep the states roads safe and take action against those who threaten that safety.' So far this year, 56 people have died on NSW roads, with 10,447 injuries reported in 2019. Crash statistics from 2019 show the Hume Highway is a consistently dangerous stretch of road. Whats a democracy worth? A year ago, before mike arrived on the scene, Bloomberg pledged a half billion to vanquishing Trump. In Virginia, over the past three years, he spent $3.5 million to help flip the statehouse to Democrats, whose gun-control advocates now speak of him with reverence. So far this year, Bloomberg has spent $50 million to pepper online platforms with advertising. Now, mike is in your Facebook feed. Hes in your Google search results. Every time you glance at the television, hes there. The 2020 presidential candidates have spent $26 million on TV ads in Texas alone; 80 percent of that was for mike, according to Advertising Analytics. One ad cost $4.3 million all by itself, and said that mike has la fuerza para enfrentar a Trump (the strength to face Trump). Chrome Federal Credit Union Customer Engagement drives Financial Performance. This award is a result of CHROME Federal Credit Union's dedication to measuring and improving their Customer Engagement. The National Business Research Institute (NBRI) is pleased to welcome CHROME Federal Credit Union to the NBRI Circle of Excellence. The NBRI Circle of Excellence Award recognizes organizations that place a high value on Employee and Customer engagement. These organizations demonstrate their dedication by conducting best in class survey research with NBRI and taking action based upon the results. NBRI commends the leadership of these organizations for their commitment to the Continuous Improvement Process and recognizes their achievements with the Circle of Excellence Award. To qualify for this honor, the organization must score at or above Stretch Performance at the 75th benchmarking percentile when measured against their industry, or the organization must improve 5 or more benchmarking percentiles in total company score over the previous research study, a statistically significant amount. It is no small feat to move an entire company's score of customer loyalty or employee engagement 5 or more percentiles, or to reach Stretch or Best in Class Performance levels. "Customer Engagement drives Financial Performance," said Dr. Jan G. West, Ph.D., CEO & Organizational Psychologist at NBRI. "This award is a result of CHROME Federal Credit Union's dedication to measuring and improving their Customer Engagement." About CHROME Federal Credit Union CHROME Federal Credit Union, with branches in Washington, PA and Wexford, PA, is a two-time winner of the Best of the Best Credit Union and the 2019 winner of the Best of the Best Mortgage Lender awards presented by the Observer-Reporter newspaper. "We are thrilled to receive the NBRI Circle of Excellence Award and to join the NBRI Circle of Excellence along with other outstanding organizations. This award validates our entire team's commitment to providing excellent service to our members every day." stated CHROME President and CEO Robert Flanyak. CHROME recognizes "WOW moments" each morning in company-wide video meetings highlighting how the CHROME team went beyond normal expectations to help or satisfy a member's needs. "Our people are our strength. Their dedication is what sets CHROME apart from other financial institutions" said Flanyak. CHROME's Circle of Excellence Award follows their award last year in the Employee Survey Category. "Internal and external member needs are both important to us. Happy and satisfied employees lead to happy and satisfied members. We are committed to making every member feel welcome and special at CHROME" Flanyak concluded. CHROME operates two branches in Washington, PA at 440 Racetrack Road and 45 Griffith Avenue, and another branch at 2601 Wexford-Bayne Road in Wexford, PA. About NBRI NBRI conducts Employee, Customer, and Market Research for businesses, and uses this data to help organizations leverage these human factors to make improvements to operations and strategy. With its extensive experience across all industries, NBRI's research teams bring their clients a combination of deep industry knowledge and expert advice. NBRI's mission is to help their Clients set new standards of excellence in their industries. NBRI product offerings, such as the Root Cause Analysis, ensures their clients will focus on the most impactful issues. National Business Research Institute, Inc. 2701 Dallas Parkway; Suite 650 Plano, TX 75093 972-612-5070 800-756-6168 https://www.nbrii.com/ CHROME Federal Credit Union 440 Racetrack Road Washington, PA 15301 724-228-2030 https://www.chromefcu.org/ In Retrospect: News from the Jan. 13, 1922 and Jan. 12, 1972 Souderton Independent Two popular schools in Noida have been shut over fear of coronavirus, while a high-end hotel has asked its staff to undergo self-quarantine. The decision to shut the schools was taken after a student's father was detected with coronavirus. The individual is said to have attended a birthday party along with his child and mingled with other children, parents and teachers as well. Health department officials are in touch with the individuals who had contacted the patient. They have also undergone tests and have been advised to stay at home for 14 days. Officials have visited the schools - identified to be Shriram Millennium School and Shiv Nadar school - and started sensitisation process in the schools. The coronavirus patient's family has been quarantined as well. Principal of Shiv Nadar school Shashi Banerjee said that the school will be shut till March 9 so that they can carry out the necessary sanitisation procedures as per the WHO advisory. In a mail to the parents, Banerjee listed out the necessary measures they are taking to prevent spread of coronavirus and to "remove all scope for the further spread of this virus". Also read: Coronavirus update: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads Principal of Shriram school Uttara Singh, stated "In the wake of the recent outbreak of virus and flu we request you to not send your child to school if he/she has a cold/cough or fever. We don't want infections to spread and the best way is precaution. Please do not send them for any test/exam either as it will not be allowed. Children found suffering from any symptoms of flu will be sent back home immediately. School is taking all preventive steps. We will be fumigating the entire school and all buses tomorrow and continuing it on a regular basis." Meanwhile, Hyatt Regency in Delhi has asked its staff to self-quarantine for 14 days after it discovered that a diner at the La Piazza restaurant had been detected with coronavirus. "All colleagues who were present at the restaurant on February 28, 2020, have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Hyatt Regency Delhi has also started to conduct daily temperature checks for all colleagues and contractors when they enter and exit the building," said Julian Ayers, Area VP and General Manager, Hyatt Regency Delhi. Also read: Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present Also read: Hyatt Regency in Delhi warns coronavirus patient dined at restaurant A second California man admitted he helped hide 30 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in the gas tank of a salvaged vehicle being shipped from California to Atlantic City and conspired to send 11 pounds of fentanyl by the same method. Isabel Otanez-Sanchez, 26, of San Jacinto, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Camden to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Otanez-Sanchez faces 10 years to life in prison when he is sentenced, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said in a statement. His accomplice, Jesus Zavala-Torres, 34, of San Jacinto, pleaded guilty last week and will be sentenced June 17. Otanez-Sanchez and Zavala-Torres were arrested shortly after meeting with a confidential informant Feb. 12 in Riverside, California, authorities said. Thats when they agreed to ship the fentanyl in the gas tank of a car. On Jan. 28, they shipped the crystal meth to New Jersey the same way. Authorities seized both the crystal meth and the fentanyl. 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. A D-Day veteran who was one of the first British soldiers to land on Gold Beach has dedicated his MBE to his fallen comrades who 'inspired' him. Former Royal Engineer Horace 'Harry' Billinge was just 18 when he stormed the beaches in German-occupied Normandy during the landings of June 6 1944. The horrifying scenes he witnessed stayed with him long after the war ended and inspired him to raise thousands for a national memorial to those who died in the conflict. The National Normandy Memorial was commissioned after Mr Billinge and the Daily Mail campaigned for one to be built overlooking Gold Beach. Harry Billinge, 94, is pictured proudly posing with his MBE medal at Buckingham Palace today Now aged 94, the sapper from St Austell in Cornwall, today received his MBE medal from the Queen for his services to charitable fundraising. He was transported to Buckingham Palace in a Bentley to collect the honour on Tuesday. Mr Billinge, who walks with a stick, said he wanted his MBE dedicated to the 22,442 service personnel killed on D-Day and during the Battle for Normandy. He said the men who died 'inspired him' to raise money in their memory, to build The National Normandy Memorial. Mr Billinge, who walks with a stick (pictured with the Queen), said he wanted his MBE dedicated to the 22,442 service personnel killed on D-Day and during the Battle for Normandy Mr Billinge, who was 18 on D-Day, is pictured talking to the Queen at his investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday The Daily Mail backed the campaign, with hundreds of generous readers sending in money to help towards the 20million construction cost of a large statue of advancing soldiers and a long wall inscribed with the names of the dead. Now aged 94, the sapper from St Austell in Cornwall, today received his MBE medal (pictured) from the Queen for his services to charitable fundraising Then Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron laid the foundation stone for the monument to British troops in the town of Ver-Sur-Mer, northern France, the site of the Gold Beach landing on the 75th anniversary of the June 6 landings last year. Describing the scenes he faced at the Gold Beach landing area, Mr Billinge said: 'It was hell on earth. Murder. The sea was red with blood, human blood. 'Some men were baptised in their own blood. It was a terrible, terrible time. And what for? Not much. He added fighting back tears: 'I have been unable to forget D-Day. I could never forget.' Mr Billinge, who holds France's highest award, the Legion d'Honneur, said he has raised more than 50,000 for veterans. As well as collecting for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for 64 years, he also raised thousands for the British Normandy Memorial and was chairman of the Cornwall branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association. Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Billinge, who has been married to his wife Sheila for 65 years, said it was 'wonderful' to meet the Queen. Mr Billinge is seen on BBC Breakfast while being shown footage of the foundation stones of the Normandy Memorial on Gold Beach 'She said 'I hear you was on D-Day', and I said 'I was',' he said. 'She was very, very kind. There are no words to describe it.' Unlike in previous ceremonies, the Queen wore long white gloves as she handed out the honours but Buckingham Palace declined to confirm whether the 93-year-old monarch was taking the precaution because of the coronavirus outbreak. A royal source said the Queen would be following any advice from the government. LOS ANGELES In a Koreatown restaurant known for its beef bone broth soup, the lunchtime crowd Friday was half its normal size. The reason was a virulent rumor about a customer with coronavirus. Han Bat Shul Lung Tang was one of five restaurants that lost business after being named in posts on a Korean messaging app that warned a Korean Air flight attendant with the virus had dined there during a layover in Los Angeles more than a week ago. Its fake news, owner John Kim said, and he had proof. His restaurant was closed at the time because of a water leak, a fact confirmed by the Department of Public Health. The rumor about the flight attendant was dispelled Friday morning by the Republic of Korea consulate in Los Angeles. In a statement posted in Korean on Facebook, the consulate general said the attendant who visited Los Angeles on Feb. 19-20 had gone to two businesses but neither was in Koreatown. Later in the day, public health officials said the flight attendant was not contagious while in the city. The rumor and the impact on the restaurants was a prime example of how fears of the virus combined with the speed and reach of social media can quickly cripple the healthiest of businesses and focus suspicion on ethnic communities. The virus, which began in China, has been spreading worldwide and has taken a big toll lately in South Korea. Lawmakers and advocates for immigrant communities have warned about xenophobia and discrimination aimed at Asian Americans. State Assemblyman Kansen Chu, D-San Jose, said Chinese businesses, in particular, were experiencing large economic losses as a result of racism and fear. A group representing Koreatown restaurants said business in general was down about 50% since the rumor spread on the Kakao Talk app on Monday. One message circulating on the app provided details of the flights the attendant worked on and listed the restaurants that said she purportedly visited with the message: Please share with everyone to avoid these ktown spots, using an abbreviation for Koreatown. In the Korean-American community here, it went like wildfire, Alex Won said Friday as he ate a bowl of beef brisket soup at Han Bat Shul Lung Tang. Its sad. Won said he got the message from friends and family members, but never really believed it because it wasnt reported in the news. He stopped at the restaurant at the start of the week and found it closed because of a water leak. He was happy to return for a late lunch Friday and was surprised to find he was the only diner. Ive never seen it this empty, he said. Theres always people here. Owners of other restaurants named in the post said business died almost instantly. At Honey Pig, a Korean barbecue restaurant with 25 tables, only six parties were seated during one bad day of business this week, owner Chin Kim said. Customers had been calling to inquire if the rumors were true, and some asked more outlandish questions, Kim said. One woman who had dined at the restaurant recently called to ask if it was safe to attend her daughters upcoming wedding, Kim said. Owners were frustrated they couldnt get more information from public health officials. Korean news media reported Thursday that South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a female flight attendant who tested positive for the virus had traveled to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it was aware of reports about the flight attendant but had no confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until late Friday. Thats when it said she did not develop symptoms of the illness known as COVID-19 until after leaving LA, so she posed no risk while in the city. With a rumor they couldnt confirm or deny, some restaurants took no chances. Video circulated on social media of a worker in a hazmat-type suit spraying down the floors at Hangari Kalguksu, a noodle soup house. The sign outside Hanshin Pocha, a bar offering traditional Korean snack fare, boasts never been closed since 1998. Nevertheless, the establishment shuttered Tuesday to sanitize the restaurant. Bottles of hand sanitizer were lined up on a counter next to bottled water. Its a bad rumor, but people like bad rumors, said Jay Choi, manager of Hanshin Pocha. Choi and others talked about the need to find and punish the person who started the rumor. He said he was looking into hiring a lawyer to take legal action. On the streets of Koreatown, some pedestrians wore surgical masks. But they were not the norm. Zhang Bin, a college student from China, and his roommate have worn the masks for protection since the virus broke out. I think even if the stewardess didnt come to the restaurants, we still need to protect from the virus, he said. The speed and the spread of the disease is so fast. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. He debuted Yeezy's new designs at the brand's A/W 20/21 Paris Fashion Week show on Monday. And Kanye West put on an uncharacteristically chipper display as he grinned from ear-to-ear following the successful event, as he left a restaurant with his loved ones while wearing a T-Shirt with his late mum Donda's face printed on it. The rapper, 42, couldn't help but smile as he left the Le Piaf restaurant with wife, Kim Kardashian, 39, daughter North, six, sister-in-law Kourtney, 40, and niece Penelope, seven. Beaming: Kanye West looked uncharacteristically cheerful as he beamed after the Yeezy Paris Fashion Week show while wearing a chic shirt honouring his late mother Donda on Monday Donda passed away suddenly in 2007 following complications after having plastic surgery; she was 58 years old. The day before she died, she had liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a breast reduction. Kanye has often paid tribute to his beloved mother, holding a tribute concert during one of his Sunday Services, as well as in interviews. Alongside the stunning portrait the word 'loving' could be seen on his shirt, which Kanye wore underneath a tan jacket. In her honour: Donda passed away suddenly in 2007 following complications after having plastic surgery; she was 58 years old Family man: Kanye could be seen with daughter North in Paris, after the show In good spirits: Kanye smiled brightly as he walked closely beside his daughter She garnered much attention on Sunday, which she stepped out in no less than three exclusive latex ensembles from Balmain during Paris Fashion Week. And Kim Kardashian continued to turn heads on Monday, when she arrived at her husband Kanye West's Yeezy A/W 20/21 PFW show sporting a new braided hairstyle. Arriving at the hot ticket presentation with her daughter North, six, sister Kourtney, 40, and seven-year-old niece Penelope, Kim, 39, had all eyes on her as she made her way to her front row seat with her new 'do. Family fun: The rapper, 42, left the Le Piaf restaurant with wife, Kim Kardashian, 39, daughter North, six, sister-in-law Kourtney, 40, and niece Penelope, seven Wrapping up in a padded taupe jacket over a plunging beige crop top, the mother-of-four sported baggy high-waisted grey trousers teamed with strappy nude heels. Appearing to go largely free of accessories for the outing, the star rounded out her look with a palette of impeccably applied makeup. Kourtney also caught the eye in her outfit of choice, donning a grey ensemble, which consisted of a grey padded rollneck crop top with high-waisted patterned trousers. Passion for fashion: Kim sported a new braided hairstyle as she joined her daughter at the show on Monday evening Family ties: The star was joined by her sister Kourtney, 40, and seven-year-old niece Penelope It's a family affair: The man of the hour, Kanye, looked in good spirits as he joined his family at his glittering fashion show Standing tall in a pair of cream heels, the reality star highlighted her youthful beauty with smokey eyeshadow and nude lipstick while she wore her raven locks in a bun. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star had much to smile about after settling into the FROW, as she watched her eldest daughter North make her rap debut. Celebrity offspring North was the picture of confidence as she took to the stage in front of the massive crowd, which featured her proud parents Kim and Kanye, 42. Ensemble: Wrapping up in a padded taupe jacket over a plunging beige crop top, the mother-of-four sported baggy high-waisted grey trousers teamed with strappy nude heels Plait's the way to do it: The raven-haired beauty turned heads as she arrived at the hot ticket event sporting a new braided hairstyle Doting mother: She kept a watchful eye on her daughter as they made their way into the venue Impeccable: Appearing to go largely free of accessories for the outing, the star rounded out her look with a palette of impeccably applied makeup Also in attendance was auntie Kourtney, and her cousin Penelope Disick, seven. North was in her element as she rapped the catchy lyrics: 'Look at my shoes, they're new and cool. See my school, I'm new, walk to the streets, yeah yeah yeah. Cool, cute, cool, yeah! What are those?' Standing out from the attendees, the star of the show sported a padded purple coat, teamed with baggy joggers and chunky Velcro boots. Confident: The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star confidently strode in ahead of the show Shades of grey: Kourtney also caught the eye in her outfit of choice, donning a grey ensemble, which consisted of a grey padded rollneck crop top with high-waisted patterned trousers PFW: They have been seen lapping up the festivities surrounding PFW over the past few days Sleek: Kourtney highlighted her youthful beauty with smokey eyeshadow and nude lipstick while she wore her raven locks in a sleek bun Following her solo opening set, award-winning artist Kanye joined North on the stage, with the Kardashian clan cheering on in the audience. A day earlier, Kim turned the streets of Paris into her own personal runway as she made several outfit changes during Fashion Week. Kim kicked off the day by attending her husband Kanye West's Sunday Service in a toffee coloured latex co-ord. Hours later, she made a quick change into a similar figure-hugging co-ord in a deep burgundy shade for Balmain's A/W runway presentation. Jovial: Kim appeared to be in jovial spirits as she arrived at the venue ahead of the presentation Return: It was big step for Kim to return to Paris after she was robbed at gun point in 2016 while in the French capital for Fashion Week Battling the trauma: California native Kim bravely returned to Paris Fashion week in 2018 to overcome the trauma caused by the event Not content with just two looks, Kim then slipped into a pink version of the look in order to take her daughter North to a local fairground. It was big step for Kim to return to Paris after she was robbed at gun point in 2016 while in the French capital for Fashion Week. Masked men put a gun to her temple, left her tied up in the bathroom of her luxury residence and stole millions of dollars' worth of jewellery in the early hours of September 26. Sweet treat: North tucked into a lollipop as she headed back to her hotel with her mother Kim reportedly 'begged for her life' and told the gunmen she had children at home when two of them entered her room and held the gun to her head. The men stole a jewellery box worth $6.7 million and a ring worth $4.5 million, prompting fears that the valuables were personal ones, and not just jewellery Kim was borrowing for fashion week. She bravely returned to Paris Fashion week in 2018 to overcome the trauma caused by the event. Star in the making: During the show, North made her rap debut as she opened for her father's surprise Yeezy Paris Fashion Week showcase. Pictured with dad Kanye West Catchy lyrics: North was in her element as she rapped the catchy lyrics, 'Look at my shoes, they're new and cool. See my school, I'm new, walk to the streets, yeah yeah yeah' Daddy's girl: The youngster followed in her dad's musical footsteps as she belted the lyrics while the models presented the brand's neutral-toned Autumn/Winter 2020 collection "Maleficent" star Angelina Jolie is reportedly "starving for romantic attention" after knowing that her ex-husband Brad Pitt has women fawning over him. A source dished out to OK! Magazine's March 9 issue that Jolie has been on a few dates, but nobody has worked out for her. "She's been set up on a few discreet dates, but nothing's worked out." The source also claimed to know what the actress' real feelings about dating by saying that she has been frustrated since she hasn't had a male companion by her side ever since she and Pitt divorced. "She basically had no male companionship aside from her bodyguards." The source also added that though the A-list celebrity may seem as if she likes living life independently, deep down inside, she wants to find love again. This rumor comes as a shock to fans who may view Jolie as one of the most beautiful women in the world. Even though the "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" actress hasn't stepped into a serious relationship since her separation in 2016, Angelina Jolie has never nagged about it. Two years after she announced the news of their divorce, Jolie told People Magazine in 2018 that she wasn't interested in dating because her main priority remains to be her career and her six children. According to Jolie, she lost herself after she and the "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" actor went their separate ways after their marriage. "It was a complicated moment where I didn't recognize myself anymore, where I had become smaller, almost insignificant, even if it wasn't necessarily visible." She revealed that she felt genuine sadness when her marriage to Pitt fell apart, saying, "I was hurt. Maybe this is what being human is in the end." Aside from her emotional turmoil, Angelina Jolie also had health issues, but when it all dawn on her, "you remind yourself of how lucky you are of being alive." Brad Pitt and his other ex-wife Jennifer Aniston broke the internet last month after their little reunion at the SAG awards. Rumors started circulating that the two were secretly dating again after that. But it looks like the rumored lovers are moving pretty fast because, according to Life & Style Magazine, Pitt and Aniston are starting a family together. An insider close to the pair told the publication that they are preparing to welcome a baby girl and that they only need a few papers to sign before they welcome their new baby home. "They've been talking about adopting a little girl. Starting a family of their own was always a dream of theirs that was never realized until now. They can't wait to bring their baby home finally." In the publication's March 9 issue, the article states that Hollywood actor George Clooney was a big help to Pitt and Aniston in rekindling their romantic relationship, even letting them stay at his mansion in Italy. The insider also revealed that Pitt's children with ex-wife Angelina Jolie are excited about their dad's relationship with the "Friends" alum, saying they can't wait to meet "Georgia," which they reportedly have picked out already. However, neither Jennifer Aniston nor Brad Pitt has confirmed the news. READ MORE: 'Judge Judy' Officially Ends After 25 Seasons -- Why? live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Government introduced a bill in Lok Sabha today which seeks to protect the interest of small depositors by bringing cooperative banks under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. Introducing the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the bill is the "need of the hour" to avoid a PMC Bank-like crisis in the future. Noting that the happenings at the PMC Bank had "unfortunately" put a lot of small depositors in difficulty, Sitharaman said there were demands that the government should do something about it. The proposed law seeks to enforce banking regulation guidelines of the RBI in cooperative banks while administrative issues will still be guided by the Registrar of Cooperative. The Bill proposes to bring cooperative banks on par with developments in the banking sector through better management and proper regulation of cooperative banks with a view to ensure that affairs of cooperative banks are conducted in a manner that protects the interest of depositors, it said. It further proposes to strengthen cooperative banks by increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital, improving governance and ensuring sound banking through the RBI. "Keeping in view developments in the banking sector and regulation thereof over time, it has become necessary to strengthen provisions of the said Act as applicable to cooperative banks," said the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid din with Sitharaman saying that if the opposition wants to deny the small depositors their rights then "it is a shame". In her Budget speech, Sitharaman had said that to strengthen cooperative banks, amendments would be brought in the Banking Regulation Act for increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital and improving governance and oversight for sound banking through the RBI. The decision assumes significance in the wake of a scam in the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank affecting lakhs of customers who are facing difficulty in withdrawing their money due to restrictions imposed by the RBI. The PMC Bank was found to have given over Rs 6,700 crore loan to a single realty company HDIL through allegedly fraudulent means and also hid the stress from the RBI by creating separate books of accounts. There are 1,540 cooperative banks with depositor base of 8.60 crore having total savings of about Rs 5 lakh crore. A South Korean woman forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during World War II died this week, a civic group said Tuesday, bringing down the number of surviving victims to 18. The woman, identified only as Lee, died Monday at the age of 92 at her home in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. Lee was born in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, in 1928 before being taken to China and forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops at the age of 17. Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45. She had lived in China after Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule in 1945 and returned home in the 2000s after recovering her nationality, the council said. Her funeral will be held privately according to the will of her bereaved family, it added. Lee's death brought the number of registered surviving victims, euphemistically called comfort women, to 18. It is the second such death this year after a former comfort woman died in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, in January. "I feel sorry that another victim of sex slavery for Japanese troops left us," Lee Jung-ok, minister of gender equality and family, said in a statement. "Now there are only 18 of them. The government will do its best to help them spend their last days comfortably." The minister also promised to take initiatives to restore their reputation and dignity around the world. Historians say that around 200,000 Asian women, mostly Koreans, were forcibly sent to front-line brothels to provide sex services for Japanese soldiers. (Yonhap) James Lipton at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Lipton died Monday, March 2, 2020, of bladder cancer at his New York home, his wife, Kedakai Lipton, told the New York Times and the Hollywood Reporter. He was 93. Read more In his 22 seasons hosting Inside the Actors Studio, the late James Lipton had one favorite who stood out among hundreds of interviews and it wasnt a legendary actor like Robert De Niro or Lauren Bacall. It was Jenkintowns own Bradley Cooper. Lipton recalled as much in a 2017 interview with Larry King. A former dean of the Actors Studio Drama School, Lipton personally auditioned and accepted Cooper into the program. In 2011, the Philly-area native later became Liptons first student to appear as a guest on Inside the Actors Studio. The night that one of my students has achieved so much that he or she comes back and sits down in the chair next to me will be the night Ive waited for since we started this thing 23 years ago, Lipton said in 2017. And it turned out to be Bradley Cooper. I auditioned him. If I had turned him down, he would have gone on to a different career. Coopers appearance on the program was an emotional one, particularly regarding his mentor and acting teacher Elizabeth Kemp. In tears, Cooper said that he was never able to relax in my life before working with her. Kemp died in 2017, prompting Cooper to dedicate his 2018 remake of A Star Is Born to her. He cried again when he came on the show, as everybody knows, Lipton told King. Wept bitterly when he walked on the stage. While Coopers 2011 interview on the show is fairly well-known, it was a much earlier appearance that many fans remember. He actually made a brief appearance on Inside the Actors Studio as a student in 1999, during which he asked a question to actor Sean Penn. Hey, Mr. Penn. My names Bradley Cooper, Im a second-year actor, Cooper said in that early appearance. What was it like to revisit a character, Eddie, after a 10-year hiatus? Years later, Cooper recalled that moment in an appearance on the Howard Stern Show, saying that he was terrified of speaking to a major actor in front of a large audience. I wanted to ask him, Cooper told Stern. But everything inside me said, Just shut up and dont ask him anything. Lipton died Monday at age 93 at his home in Manhattan. His wife, Kedakai Turner, is his only immediate survivor, the Washington Post reports. 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. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agencys probe into last years Pulwama terror strike that killed 40 CRPF personnel, which had virtually reached a dead end, saw a major breakthrough on Tuesday after the agency arrested a man and his daughter who allegedly were witness to the conspiracy behind the attack. The NIA arrested Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan after the investigation led to their house at Hakripora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, where a video was filmed by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, who rammed an explosive-ridden car into the CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019. The video was released from Pakistan after the attack. READ| Pulwama attack accused granted bail as NIA failed to file charge-sheet within prescribed time The NIA on Tuesday arrested Tariq Ahmed Shah, 50, and his daughter Insha January 23, during a raid at their house in village Hakripora. Tariq provided safe haven to all militants in his house for planning the Pulwama attack, an NIA spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that during interrogation Tariq, a truck driver, told the interrogators that his house was used by Adil (suicide bomber), Mohammad Umar Farooq (Pakistani militant and IED maker), Kamran (another Pakistani terrorist), Sameer Ahmed Dar (a Jaish militant) and Mohammad Ismail alias Ibrahim alias Adnan (a Pakistani militant). He facilitated the terrorists by sheltering them at his house, an NIA spokesman said. While Adil was killed in the bombing, others, including Farooq, Kamran and Ismail were killed in encounters with security forces. Insha Jan (23) also facilitated the terrorists, provided them food and other logistics during their stay at the house on more than 15 occasions, for two-four days each time, during 2018-2019, the spokesperson said. Her interrogation revealed that she was in constant touch with Pakistani militant and IED maker Mohammad Umar Farooq over phone and through social media applications, he said. The development comes five days after the NIA arrested a furniture shop owner Shakir Bashir Magrey from Hajibal. Shakir was a close aide of Adil. The General Statistics Office said that growth in the manufacturing sector slowed to 7.4% compared with last years 11.4% while power generation and distribution increased by 8.4%, down 0.9 percentage point from a year earlier. Mining and quarrying shrank by 3.7%, compared with a decline of 3.5% in the first two months of 2019. At a recent conference, Director of the Vietnam Industrial Agency Truong Thanh Hoai said that Vietnams manufacturing industry is heavily reliant on input materials and parts imported from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, which are being affected by the coronavirus outbreak. One of the hardest hit sectors is the electronics industry, which imported US$40 billion worth of parts in 2019. Hoai said electronics manufacturers only have sufficient materials for production until the middle or the end of March. Garment and footwear producers are also expected to face shortages of materials in March or April. The first two months of 2020 also saw a slowdown in the growth of retail sales and service revenue, which increased at the slowest pace in the past six years at 5.4%, with price increases excluded. Last years growth figure was 9.3%, the General Statistics Office said. Retail sales grew by 9.8%, down from the 13.3% recorded in the first two months of 2019, as consumers curtailed their shopping at public spaces to avoid the coronavirus. Virus fears also hurt accommodation and tourism services, which rose by a respective 1.7% and 1.1% nationwide, with some provinces and cities recording sharp falls, such as Hanoi, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong. Several students were detained at in the capital after they arrived there to participate in a march against the new citizenship law. Police said they did not have permission for the march to Parliament. The Young India Coordination Committee, which comprises members from various student bodies, had given a call for the march on Tuesday. "We had submitted the application for permission on February 27. We were informed on Monday about the permission being rejected. It is a last-minute intimation," former JNU Students' Union president N Sai Balaji, who is leading the march, said. A student said the police were detaining the protesters even if they were assembling in smaller groups. "We will now proceed to Jantar Mantar," he said. Goodyear has unveiled a bizarre concept car tyre that is capable of regenerating its own tread. The reCharge tyre has a biodegradable tread that can regenerate thanks to a special liquid compound made from a biological material and reinforced with fibres inspired by spider silk - one of the toughest natural materials in the world. Drivers will be able to 'recharge' their tyres by inserting a capsule containing this liquid compound it into the centre of the wheel. The reCharge tyre is designed to have a biodegradable tread and Goodyear claims it will be reinforced with fibres inspired by the ultra-strong spider silk. The capsule will be inserted directly into the wheel (pictured, the pod (far right) and how it fits into the tyre The unusual tyre is currently just an idea that has not been created by the US-based firm. It is unknown if it will ever be put into production but was set to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The major event was cancelled amid growing fears of the coronavirus outbreak that has infected around 91,000 people worldwide. Goodyear has instead announced the project via livestream. Goodyear revealed to MailOnline that as the surface of the tread wears down, the hard-outer layer gets thinner. This allows oxygen in the air to penetrate the outer layer and to come into contact with the liquid compound that is released from the capsule. The oxygen hardens the liquid compound and the worn-down outer layer is gradually replaced with a new layer. Drivers would be able to recharge their tyres using a liquid capsule and inserting it into the centre of the wheel. The unusual tyre is as of yet just an idea that has not been created by the US-based firm It is unknown if the tyre will ever be put into production but it was set to be revealed at the Geneva Motor show this week. But the major event was cancelled amid growing fears of the coronavirus outbreak that has infected around 91,00 people worldwide Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Europe, said: 'Goodyear wants the tyre to be an even more powerful contributor to answering consumers' specific mobility needs. 'It was with that ambition that we set out to create a concept tyre primed for the future of personalised and convenient electric mobility.' 'The Goodyear reCharge is a concept tyre without compromise, supporting personalised, sustainable and hassle-free electric mobility,' adds Sebastien Fontaine, Lead Designer at the Goodyear Innovation Centre in Luxembourg. The tyre experts say the 'tread would be supported by a light-weight, non-pneumatic frame and tall-and-narrow shape'. It claims this will also make checking tyre pressure and getting punctures obsolete. Goodyear has a track record of making unusual concept tyres to showcase its technology. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, which was not cancelled due to an imminent pandemic, it announced a tyre idea made from moss. Goodyear claimed the wheel covering would convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen, using the power of photosynthesis. Oxygene tyres will channel moisture from the road to the plants, which absorbs water up to 26 times their own weight. July 11, 1996 Feb. 25, 2020 QUEENSBURY Richard N. Lancette, 23, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, following an eight year battle with addiction. Born on July 11, 1996 in Albany he was the son of Barbara L. (Perry) DeNardo. He was a 2014 graduate of Lake George High School. Richard was employed as manager of the hardware store in Lake Luzerne. He enjoyed his job immensely and loved helping people with their hardware needs and small projects. He had a compassionate heart and was able to connect with people. He was nonjudgmental, patient, kind and truly made a difference in the lives of those whom he touched. His passing leaves a hole in the heart of his loving family, coworkers and friends. He enjoyed traveling, especially his trips to Germany, Italy, Switzerland and South Africa. He enjoyed spending time with family in Florida, loving and complaining about the heat, walking along the beach and going on adventures. He was also an avid gamer with a large collection of special edition games and collectibles. He had aspired to be an addiction counselor to assist others with the demons he struggled to control. He is survived by his mother, Barbara (Frank) DeNardo of Queensbury; his maternal grandfather, Raymond Perry of Lake Luzerne; sisters, Elizabeth Lizzy Lancette of Queensbury and Leslianne Lancette and her son, Harper of Hudson Falls; brother, Matthew Lancette of Hudson Falls; step brother, Frank M. (Amanda) DeNardo and his kids, Sam and Adrianna DeNardo of Queensbury; step sister, Gina DeNardo of Glens Falls; uncle, Ray (Denise) Perry of Lake George; and cousins, Max and Milo Perry. Richs services will be held privately at the convenience of the family and close friends. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brewer Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Church St., Lake Luzerne. To express online condolences, please visit www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com. RICHFIELD TWP, MI -- A landfill with a history of problems including poor management, contaminated wastewater and PFAS is getting $1.1 million to make repairs aimed at preventing future leaks. State Rep. Sheryl Kennedy, D-Davison, said the funding for repairs to Richfield Landfill has been identified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and will involve the use of clay, leftover from the digging of Lake Callis in Davison Township several years ago. Originally, that clay was supposed to go to some other landfill ... (Disposing of it) has been an issue for township (and) Richfield Landfill needs a clay cap, Kennedy said. Its clean clay -- perfect for this purpose. MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach a spokesman for EGLE, which has been involved in monitoring the shuttered landfill for years because of what regulators have called poor management, disorganized and missing records, and poor management of contaminated wastewater on site. In 2018, PFAS contamination was found in groundwater at the site and in leachate -- water thats been mixed with landfill garbage. In a news release, Kennedy said that although cells within the landfill are structurally sound, the potential for contaminant leaks, whether large or small, are a threat to community health and the environment. She said Davison Township Supervisor Tim Elkins and Richfield Township Supervisor Joe Madore worked with her to identify the plan to use the clay from Lake Callis to help cover areas of the landfill property, potentially preventing potential future leaks. Elkins said in a statement that most of an estimated 350,000 cubic yards of dirt and clay can be moved to the landfill site this year, saving as much as a half-million dollars in disposal costs. Richfield Landfill has been added to a state listing of confirmed PFAS sites after 2018 testing of two groundwater and one leachate samples showed contamination up to 25 times the state action level for drinking water. Located off East Mt. Morris Road, north of Holloway Reservoir, the landfill was first licensed to operate in 1966. It became an unsold asset of Richfield Equities and related companies that filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2012. EGLE says on its web site that in January, it received sampling results from monitor wells, which confirmed that an aquifer in the area of the landfill was uncontaminated. Also in January, the agency participated in a meeting at Richfield Township Hall with Kennedy, other state and local officials, and residents to discuss issues including the potential of adding additional clay cap material to reduce leachate production. Potential buyer of Richfield Landfill says he would invest $6 million, hire 100 people Richfield Landfill sample shows PFAS contamination 25 times state action level New Delhi, March 3 : Most of the coronavirus footprints that seem to have been unleashed on the national capital seems to the result of the criss-crossing by one single individual. The Hyatt Regency being quarantined in Delhi, two schools in Noida shutting down and Agra seeing number of coronavirus suspects rise -- they all seem to be the results of one individual's movements without knowing that he has been infected with coronavirus. Did the man, who travelled from Rome to Budapest and then to Delhi via Vienna, cause the virus to spread? Did his visit to the Hyatt lead to coronavirus panic in the establishment? Did his son's birthday party in Agra in the presence of other families having children studying in two private schools in Noida trigger an alarm to close the institutes temporarily for sanitisation? Or was the birthday bash in Agra responsible six more people from the city showing symptoms of the deadly disease? On its part, Air India has issued an advisory about the flight from Vienna to Delhi carrying the man who has tested positive for coronavirus. The man from Delhi tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. Following this, as a precautionary measure, two private schools decided to cancel classes for the next few days because the patient happens to be the father of a student in one of the schools. He also reportedly went to Hyatt Regency for dinner. Hyatt was quarantined on Tuesday and the staff have been asked to observe quarantine. One of the schools, where the Delhi man's son is a primary class student, said that it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6. The parent had thrown a birthday party last week for his son in Agra, triggering fears that the students who attended it might be at risk. Medical samples from five students of the school have been taken to check if anyone has been infected, an official said. The second school said that it is suspending classes till March 9 and sanitising its campus. Meanwhile, some family members of the coronavirus-infected Delhi man were shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital for tests after they showed symptoms of the virus. A Lagos High Court has outlawed compulsory blood donation in the state. The court, presided by Raliat Adebiyi, gave the judgment on Monday in a suit filed by civic group, SERAP. The details of the judgment were provided by SERAP which called on the state governor to ensure compliance with the ruling. Read the full statement by SERAP below. Obey judgment stopping compulsory blood donations in Lagos hospitals, SERAP tells Sanwo-Olu Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open to the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urging him to use his leadership position to instruct the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi to immediately, fully and effectively enforce the judgment stopping all Lagos hospitals and health facilities from demanding compulsory blood donations from any patients or their relatives as precondition for medical attention either in antenatal and maternal or any other health services. Following a suit brought by SERAP, Justice Raliat Adebiyi of the Lagos High Court yesterday held that demanding compulsory blood donation from those seeking medical attention including maternity services, is arbitrary, unfair and a violation of their human rights including the rights to life and to equal opportunity for everyone within the health system. In the letter dated 3 March, 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: The enforcement of the judgment will be a special moment for the implementation of the governments strategies towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it will improve the chances of everyone including women during and after childbirth, and ensure quality health services, which will contribute to the promotion of these goals. SERAP said: As Justice Adebiyi stated in her judgment, your enforcement of the judgment will be consistent with Section 33 of Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to life; and articles 2(a),3 and 12(1) of the International Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, which requires the health system including in Lagos State to provide equal opportunity for everyone. Nigeria has ratified the covenant. The letter read, in part: The enforcement of the judgment will also show Lagos State as a champion of the SDGs and be entirely consistent with international standards and best practices, including those developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recognize that the safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. The WHO has in fact recommended that no coercion should be brought to bear upon the donor to donate. READ ALSO: The effective enforcement of the judgment will also improve maternal health, comply with WHOs policy to improve the availability and use of safe blood to save the lives of women during and after childbirth, as well as ensure universal access to safe blood transfusion particularly for patients that are vulnerable to blood shortages and to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, in support of the SDGs. The judgment in suit number ID/2759GCM/2018 also ordered the Lagos State Government to immediately stop and discontinue the policy of insisting on compulsory blood donations from patients or relatives of those seeking medical care and attention before accessing ante-natal, maternal or any health services in all public hospitals and health facilities in Lagos State. We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your actions in instructing Professor Abayomi to enforce and implement the judgment by Justice Adebiyis judgment. We look forward to working with you, Professor Abayomi and the Lagos State Ministry of Health in the efforts to enforce and implement the judgment. We would be happy to provide further information or to discuss any of these issues in more detail with you. Bahrain's Ministry of Health yesterday (Feb 29) registered three new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases - one male and two female Bahraini nationals - arriving at Bahrain International Airport via indirect flights from Iran, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 41. The ministry highlighted that the patients have been transferred to an isolation centre for further treatment, noting that all COVID-19-infected patients are in a stable condition and receiving ongoing care from a specialised medical team, said a Bahrain News Agency report. The Ministry of Health began implementing a mobile testing process for citizens returning from Iran during February, in order to ensure full medical examinations are carried out as per official measures applied to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The mobile testing units will provide citizens with the comfort of being tested in their areas of residence and allow for efficient medical examinations to be carried out across the Kingdom, to ensure all citizens remain safe. The Ministry further emphasised that all the individuals that will test negative are instructed to follow the health guidelines outlined by the Ministry, which include self-isolation for a total of 14 days, while being granted a paid medical leave for 14 days and a specialised medical team will follow up with them accordingly. The ministry has urged all citizens and residents returning from Iran to isolate themselves immediately and call 444 to schedule medical examinations. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 20:22:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 589 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The SEO Assistance Program by Wahb Alami is Aimed at Helping Businesses Rank in Voice Search Results to Reach Their Target AudienceNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / As the Internet of Things (IoT) is introducing new ways to use technology, voice search is a tool that is slowly but steadily being used more with each passing year. Wahb Alami has developed a program that aims to help businesses capitalize on and streamline voice search results.The Growth of Voice Search in the MarketIn 2017, a report highlighted that over 20% of adults in the US (47.3 million) used smart appliances in their homes that are voice-activated. Today, the number of users has grown by more than 50%. Moreover, the global market for voice search based devices increased by 187% in 2018.It is estimated that by 2022, 50% of searches on the internet will be voice-based. Devices for voice search are not limited to the use of smartphones (Cortana and Siri), Amazon Echo and Google Home have introduced Google Assistant and Alexa. Their usage is higher than smartphone voice searches, particularly for helping with grocery shopping, researching and multi-tasking.Applying Industry Knowledge to Voice SearchBased on consumer use of voice search, Wahb Alami has designed an SEO assistance program that can help business owners, bloggers, and more. The program is dedicated to the use of voice search SEO and AI, understanding user intent, and optimizing content to reach out to the growing number of voice search users.Possessing over 10 years of experience in the SEO industry, Alami designed the program by closely monitoring the algorithmic patterns and differences in search engines like Google, Bing, and more. His research showed that businesses that did not optimize their websites for voice search had poorer rankings on the SEO search results and were not visible to their consumers.He stated: "When it comes to content on the internet, the learning is endless. There are new trends constantly being introduced that revolutionize how we use this vast tool for our benefit." Voice search is not a trend that will go away any time soon. It was introduced in 1961 through IBM (Shoebox) and improved upon with the introduction of Watson in 2010. It has grown progressively stronger over the years.He further explained his motivation for the program by saying, "My program is tailored around teaching people the step-by-step procedure for creating a profitable search engine optimized website." The role of SEO in voice searches is hard to ignore. Trends show that 20% of all voice searches are based on the use of 25 keywords with 8.4% starting with How' and 5% starting with What.'Additionally, voice search AI is now beginning to understand and learn user intent behind voice searches as well. Apple's Siri, while not giving the most accurate results, can understand 99.4% of all queries asked. It is also one of the few AIs that are known to give conversational answers to obscure questions.Alami's SEO Assistance program allows businesses to capitalize on user intent and voice search to develop SEO websites that will meet user needs. Given the growth of voice search and more improvements being made in this department, businesses should start preparing for this growing trend.About Wahb AlamiAlami has over 10 years of experience in the SEO industry with a master degree on E-commerce from the university of Sherbrooke in Canada. Through his SEO Assistance program, he aims at helping businesses and entrepreneurs improve visibility and connect with their target audience.CONTACT:Wahb Alamisupport@ wahbalami.com SOURCE: Wahb Alami Lance Hale, President, Transparent BPO The most important thing to me at this stage of my career is to work for a CEO and company with a high level of integrity that truly cares for its clients and employees. I have found that at Transparent BPO. Transparent BPO, a nearshore contact center and business process outsourcer, today announced the hiring of Lance Hale as President to support the company's aggressive growth plans. "Our vision and growth plans have matured, and our new goal is to continue to be the industry leader in Belize but also become a global brand that ranks among the contact center industry's best year after year," said Scott Newman, Transparent BPO founder and CEO regarding the hiring. "With the change, we needed the requisite expertise to drive the strategy forward, which is why I'm very excited to welcome Lance Hale, a highly-regarded industry leader, to serve as President, a new office for the company." Hale comes to the position with an extensive resume spanning three decades in the contact center industry. During that time, he rose through the ranks, from customer service manager early in his career to, most recently, president of operations for one of the largest BPO firms in the world. While there, Hale oversaw 88 contact centers, 50,000 employees, and hundreds of clients. In his first year, he grew the company's worldwide footprint by more than 15 percent through organic growth from existing clients and bringing on new logos. "Lance achieved a lot of his success by instituting repeatable standard operating procedures for every level and function in the contact centers, developing teams, and establishing an excellent culture at each operational site," Newman said. "And though he brings decades of high-level leadership experience and a proven track record to our company, what really set Lance apart for me was his pure passion for this space and tremendous work ethic." As President, Hale will have overall responsibility for Transparent BPO's operations. He will also focus on solidifying and innovating existing business operations to produce consistent results and look for growth opportunities, organically and through acquisition, to make Transparent BPO a recognized global player. "I am truly excited about taking on this new role at Transparent BPO," Hale said. "The most important thing to me at this stage of my career is to work for a CEO and company with a high level of integrity that truly cares for its clients and employees. I have found that at Transparent BPO. "Larger BPOs are straddled with sites in locations they dont want and cannot get rid of due to acquisitions and strategies that were created many years ago, he added. So, in addition to streamlining processes to increase efficiency, I am looking forward to growing Transparent BPO in new geographies and locations best-suited to the needs of our existing and future clients." About Transparent BPO Transparent BPO was founded in 2009 to provide its clients with superior call center services and business process outsourcing at competitive pricing. As one of the fastest-growing countries in Central America, Belize is Transparent's ideal location for its contact center operations. Belize offers an educated English-speaking population, reliable telecommunications, and an overall friendly environment. With Spanish being the second language of Belize, Transparent BPO can provide highly qualified bi-lingual agents. Also, Transparent's state-of-the-art call center system development and IT support allow for seamless integration, resulting in a transparent business relationship. Visit the website to learn more: https://www.transparentbpo.com. For media inquiries, contact: Paul Chaney Digital Marketing Manager 443-519-2820 paul.chaney@transparentbpo.com Brexit Negotiations To Begin This Month by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 03 March 2020 The European Council has authorized the opening of negotiations for a new partnership with the UK, and mandated the Commission to act as the EU's negotiator. The Council reached its decision on February 25. The UK formally left the EU on January 31. The negotiating directives adopted by the Council are based on the draft recommendation put forward by the Commission. The directives define the scope and terms of the future partnership that the EU envisages having with the UK. The directives cover all areas of interest for the negotiations, including trade and economic cooperation, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, foreign policy, security and defence, and participation in Union programs. According to the Council, the EU wants to establish an ambitious, wide-ranging, and balanced economic partnership with the UK. The mandate stresses that the future partnership should be underpinned by robust commitments to ensure a level playing field for open and fair competition, given the geographic proximity of the EU and UK, and their economic interdependence. The EU intends to establish a free trade agreement with the UK, which would ensure that zero tariffs and quotas apply for trade in goods. The EU wants the agreement to provide for cooperation on customs and regulatory aspects, and provide for effective management and supervision, dispute settlement, and enforcement arrangements. The Commission will agree with the UK the dates for the first negotiating sessions. The first formal meeting between the EU and the UK negotiators is expected to take place in early March. Andreja Metelko-Zgombic, the State Secretary for European Affairs of Croatia, which currently holds the rotating Council presidency, said: "The Council has adopted a clear and strong mandate for our negotiator, Michel Barnier. This confirms our readiness to offer an ambitious, wide-ranging, and balanced partnership to the UK for the benefit of both sides. The EU is now ready to start negotiations." MARCH 3, 2020 Editors note: The following message was sent via email today from President Taylor Eighmy to faculty and staff. Roadrunners: On March 1619 we will host a team of eight peer reviewers on our campus as the next step in our race to reaccreditation. This on-site review team will verify the information we have already submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, clarify any remaining questions, and share feedback regarding UTSAs next Quality Enhancement Plan. My thanks to the many hardworking staff and faculty who contributed to our Compliance Certification Report submitted last fall, resulting in very positive preliminary findings. During the on-site visit the peer review team will be headquartered in the Graduate School and Research Building. Their schedule includes meetings at the Main Campus and Downtown Campus as well as three off-site instructional locations: the Navarro Academy, the NEISD Central Administration Building and the NEISD Community Learning Center. We have set up their initial visit agenda based on their requests, but please be aware that additional meetings with relevant staff and faculty may be requested on-site. Thank you in advance for responding expeditiously should you be called upon to meet with the review team while they are on campus. Once the results of UTSAs review are finalized and any institutional responses are complete, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees will issue a final decision regarding UTSAs continued accreditation in December 2020. Thank you to all who have been involved in this crucial and important process of self-evaluation and peer review. This has truly been an institutionwide effort that will reinforce UTSAs bold vision for the next 10 years and beyond. For questions regarding our on-site visit, please contact Kasey Neece-Fielder, SACSCOC liaison, at (210) 458-4819 or kasey.neece-fielder@utsa.edu. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas and Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 An hour after President Joko Jokowi Widodo announced the first two COVID-19 positive cases on the countrys soil on Monday, Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Indonesia Stock Exchange were quick to call for separate emergency press conferences as investors dumped Indonesian assets. BI announced five measures to stabilize the rupiah while the bourse halted short selling transactions and prepared other measures if the stock market fell deeper in the future. The central bank decided to lower the requirement for banks to store their dollar funds at BI, called the US dollar reserve requirement ratio (RRR), to 4 percent from 8 percent at present starting March 16. The rupiah RRR is also being lowered by 50 basis points (bps), but only for banks with clients engaged in export and import activities, starting April 1. 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 Pontiff cancels several appointments due to a cold. Pope Francis, who has cancelled numerous events in recent days due to a heavy cold, has reportedly tested negative for the Coronavirus, according to a report in Rome daily newspaper Il Messaggero. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told Reuters that he had no immediate comment on the report which claimed that the pope was tested for the Coronavirus as a "precautionary" measure. The 83-year-old-pontiff, who missed a week-long Lenten retreat in Ariccia near Rome and cancelled several other recent appointments, has been suffering from a cold since late last week. The pope did however impart his papal blessing following the Angelus, in St Peter's Square on 1 March, during which he struggled more than once with a bad cough. The absence of the pontiff, who had part of one lung removed when in his 20s, represents the longest sick leave of his papacy. The Vatican has dismissed the pope's illness however as a mild indisposition. Pope Francis has been taken ill at a time when the Vatican Museums have seen an estimated 60 per cent drop in visitors due to concerns over the Coronavirus. A most wanted criminal, who was carrying a reward of Rs 6.5 lakh on his head, was arrested along with his three accomplices from Gurgaon on Tuesday morning, police said. Jitender Maan alias Gogi was arrested along with Kuldeep Naan alias Fajja, Kapil alias Gaurav and Rohit alias Koi. The Special Cell was on the trail of Gogi, Fajja and Gaurav for a long time and on Tuesday morning traced them to Gurgaon, and surrounded their hideout, a senior officer said. Finding no escape route, they surrendered before police, he added. Gogi was carrying a reward ofRs 4 lakh on his head announced by Delhi Police and Rs. 2.5 Lakh from Haryana Police while Fajja had a reward of Rs two lakh on his head announced by Delhi Police. Rohit was carrying a reward ofRs two lakh on his head from Delhi Police and Rs one lakh from Haryana Police. The fourth accused was nabbed from Gurgaon. A total of six imported pistols were recovered from the accused along with a huge cache of ammunition, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led on Tuesday in a cliffhanger election in Israel, but was still short of a governing majority in a third national ballot in less than a year, exit polls showed. On the basis of initial projections by Israel's three main television channels, Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party, claimed victory in Monday's vote over his main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White. Updated exit polls, however, showed Netanyahu two seats short of a majority in Israel's parliament, a gap signalling possible deadlock, with actual results trickling in throughout Tuesday. A win for Netanyahu, 70, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, would be testimony to the political durability of Israel's longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. It would also pave the way for Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex, after the election, Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the region's Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Palestinians have rejected the proposal, saying it was killing their dream of establishing a viable state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel's three main TV channels initially projected that Likud and like-minded parties would capture 60 of parliament's 120 seats. In their updated exit polls, Channels 11, 12 and 13 dropped the figure to 59, potentially making Netanyahu's coalition-building task harder. During an acrimonious campaign which focused more on character than on policy, right-wing and religious parties had pledged to join a Likud-led government. Netanyahu campaigned vigorously on his strongman "security-first" platform, familiar to Israeli voters over decades, and his loyal base of blue-collar voters has stood firmly behind him throughout, seemingly unfazed by his imminent trial. "What a joyous night," a beaming Netanyahu told a cheering crowd in a speech at Likud's election headquarters in Tel Aviv. "This victory is especially sweet, because it is a victory against all odds... We turned lemons into lemonade." Gantz, in an address at his party's election headquarters, stopped short of conceding defeat, saying the election could result in another deadlock."I will tell you honestly, I understand and share the feeling of disappointment and pain because it is not the result we wanted," he said. CRIMINAL CHARGES Netanyahu's re-election bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud over allegations he granted state favours worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favourable press coverage, and that he wrongfully received gifts. The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin on March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.During the campaign, Gantz termed Netanyahu "the defendant", accusing him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial. Netanyahu has portrayed Gantz, 60, as a "coward", saying he would need Arab politicians' support in parliament to form a government and that they would tie his hands. The exit polls showed Likud taking between 36 and 37 parliamentary seats versus 32 to 34 for Blue and White - a gap that would make it far harder for Gantz to find a path to putting together a governing coalition. In the previous election, in September, Blue and White edged past Likud, taking 33 seats to its rival's 32, but Gantz, like Netanyahu, was unable to put together a ruling coalition. "While we need to wait for the final results, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people," said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. "Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive to have brought them security and prosperity," he said. In the final days of the campaign, opinion polls had forecast further deadlock, but turnout was high, at 71 percent, despite concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. Voters under home-quarantine, such as those who have recently travelled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots, voted at special polling stations wearing face masks and gloves. Also read: Lessons for drying India in water-surplus Israel MIT Professional Education is leading the way by continuing to anticipate the market and provide timely, relevant learning opportunities in highly specialized fields, such as biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering and beyond. MIT Professional Education is adding ten new, trailblazing summer courses to its 2020 Short Programs portfolio. The cutting-edge summer classes, led by MIT faculty, fill industrys skills gap by providing training and development opportunities in key areas such as AI, ML, innovation, healthcare, nanotechnology, business strategy, innovation and more. From todays in-demand knowledge and skills to tomorrows trends MIT Professional Education is leading the way by continuing to anticipate the market and provide timely, relevant learning opportunities in highly specialized fields, such as biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering and beyond, said Bhaskar Pant, Executive Director of MIT Professional Education. MIT Professional Educations new 2020 course offerings include: 1. Digital Transformation and Applied DevOps - June 1-2, 2020: Increase your organization's ability to deliver applications and services at high velocity to compete against other digital ready companies. 2. Digital Transformation, Value Creation, and Breakthrough Innovation - June 1-3, 2020: Learn the Four-Phase Digital Transformation Framework and how to leverage it to realize the potential of digital technologies ranging from the IoT, AI, ML and robotics. 3. Nanoscience and Nanotech: Industrial Application and Transformation - June 8-10, 2020: Learn an intellectual framework for thinking about, applying and commercializing the power of the nanoscale. 4. Solving Complex Problems: Structured Thinking, Design Principles, and AI - June 22-26, 2020: Develop high-level systems thinking principles for tackling your most complex challenges. 5. Reinforcement Learning- July 6-8, 2020: Acquire the skills you need to identify and manage the problems in your organization that can be solved with reinforcement learning tools. 6. Bioprocess Data Analytics and Machine Learning - July 13-15, 2020: Translate biopharmaceutical data into reliable models and enable better, data-informed decisions for your organization. 7. Engineering Leadership in the Age of AI - July 20-24, 2020: In a shifting technological paradigm, develop a strategic vision for your organization that embraces and exploits artificial intelligence applications. 8. Applied Inclusive Business: Scaling Technology in Low-Income Markets - July 20-24, 2020: Discover how to build long-term, sustainable solutions that benefit both your bottom line and local communities. 9. Device Manufacturing: From Energy to AI - July 27-29, 2020: Successfully tackle the challenges of solid-state materials processing, from manufacturing techniques to property design to energy transfer. 10. Enabling Innovation: Designing Research Facilities - July 27-30, 2020: Explore workspaces that stimulate creativity, productivity, and innovation. Registration for all 2020 courses is now open. For more information or to enroll, visit our course page. About MIT Professional Education For 70 years, MIT Professional Education has been providing technical professionals worldwide a gateway to renowned MIT research, knowledge and expertise, through advanced education programs designed specifically for them. In addition to industry-focused, two-to-five-day on-campus Short Programs, MIT Professional Education offers professionals the opportunity to take online-blended learning courses and programs through Digital Plus Programs, attend courses abroad through International Programs, enroll in regular MIT academic courses through the Advanced Study Program, or attend Custom Programs designed specifically for their companies. For more information, please visit: professional.mit.edu. The video camera visibly shook in the nervous hands of Rashawn Bass as he entered an Ocean County burger restaurant on Sunday looking for a bearded man sitting at a table with a chocolate milkshake. Bass said he knew the man as Steve Chase, a Skout app user who had spent the last day arranging a meeting with someone he believed to be a teen girl. The confrontation at the Toms River restaurant was a first for Bass, the YouTuber behind the Minority vs. Predator channel he started four months ago. Bass continued filming as he followed Steve Chase outside and peppered him with questions about why he was trying to meet a teen for sex. I was thinking I hope everything goes smoothly and thankfully it did, Bass told NJ Advance Media. I was scared to no end, but had to hold my composure as best as I could." The YouTube video posted Sunday by Bass, an Ocean County resident who works at a carpet cleaning service in Toms River, quickly circulated on social media. After people recognized the man and shared his real name, Bass went to law enforcement. By Monday evening, Phillip Stone, a 34-year-old real estate agent from Lacey Township, was facing charges of luring and attempted sexual assault. Attempts to reach Stone by phone and email were unsuccessful. It was not immediately clear if he had retained an attorney. Bass said authorities appeared appreciative of his effort. But they warned him against doing it again. This is a dangerous thing for private citizens to do, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. "Anything couldve gone wrong there. It couldve turned violent. Innocent people couldve been hurt. Were fortunate in this case that it didnt go wrong. Bass posted the phony profile of a teen girl on the messaging app Skout about a week ago, using photos of a childhood friend. The first messages from Steve started on Saturday. "Do you like older men, or are you just here to chat? the man said. The conversation, detailed in numerous screen captures on Basss video, quickly turned sexual and led to the in-person meeting less than 24 hours later, Bass said. The video has now been viewed more than 150,000 times. Bass said he started the YouTube channel to raise awareness about the dangers of online predators and teach parents to keep open lines of communication with their kids. He hopes his videos - there are 15 in total so far - help victims feel more comfortable reporting incidents to authorities. It is very difficult to keep a child safe with guys who are expert child groomers, Bass said. "They are the ultimate sociopaths. They know what to say, theyre very charming. You have to teach children early on to not trust everyone they come across. Parents, build a rapport with your child. While the Ocean County Prosecutors Office filed charges in this case, this type of sting by private citizens could be problematic, Billhimer said. Text exchanges leading up to the meet-up may not be admissible in court if a defense lawyer successfully argues entrapment." Entrapment means a law enforcement agent induced a person to commit the crime, but professionals are trained to avoid that, Billhimer said. These are very delicate and intricate investigations, Billhimer said. "People that work in our Special Victims Unit and our High Tech Crime unit... theyre trained to say the right things so that when ultimately the case goes to court, we have a case we can win. In this case, though, Billhimer said he is confident Stone will be convicted. But the safety concerns remain. During undercover operations, there is back-up law enforcement nearby in case the suspect is armed or turns violent. It would be better for civilians to turn over text message evidence to the prosecutors office rather than meet with a suspect in person, said Elie Honig, executive director of the Rutgers Institute for Secure Communities. If (civilians) were to take information, take the names of individuals they had identified, to take transcripts of chats they had had, to take evidence they generated into law enforcement and let law enforcement handle it from there, I think that would be a way better model here, Honig said. Bass said he turned over his footage to the prosecutors office on Monday. While he is laying low for the time being, Bass says he plans to continue his vigilante work at some point. With caution, I plan to continue. Itll be a day-by-day decision, he said. Parents need to know about stuff like this. Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. powerofflowers/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is conducting an internal investigation following a whistleblower complaint that reportedly alleged more than a dozen employees were sent to receive the first Americans repatriated from Wuhan, China, amidst the novel coronavirus outbreak, without proper training or protective gear. "HHS is conducting an ongoing, comprehensive internal investigation in response to the whistleblowers claims," an HHS spokesperson said in an email to ABC News. "HHS is also conducting an ongoing, comprehensive investigation into what protocols and procedures were followed at both facilities." The HHS spokesperson also noted that "no (Administration for Children and Families) ACF employees involved with repatriating persons from China were exposed to any individuals who tested positive for the virus." "Furthermore, the 14-day window for the virus to manifest itself has long since passed and no ACF employee has become ill with COVID-19," the spokesperson said. "Therefore, testing for the virus is not medically necessary. Nonetheless, to allay any employee anxiety, HHS will administer tests to deployed ACF employees who request it." ABC News has not reviewed the complaint, and lawyers representing the whistleblower have refused to provide it. However, Ari Wilkenfeld, one of the whistleblower's attorneys, told ABC News that an article by The Washington Post accurately describes the allegations laid out in the complaint. The Oversight Subcommittee of Ways and Means reviewed the complaint and told ABC News that theres too much identifying information in it to release it publicly, and the committee is working to protect the identity of the whistleblower. Last week, House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal and Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., wrote a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking the administration for a briefing on the situation this week. "The whistleblower alleges that staff were 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 came into contact with," the letter to Azar said. The HHS spokesperson said HHS will brief Congress and the public once it completes the investigation. "At this time, it would be premature to provide further details about the substance of the complaint, nor can HHS discuss personnel matters publicly," the HHS spokesperson said. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - CFN Media (OTCQB: CNFN), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry announces publication of an article discussing how CalEthos is giving brands a voice and at the same time educating consumers about their choice. For a revolutionary movement, the cannabis industry still seems to have a lot of "same old, same old." Cannabis brands increasingly must face many of the challenges that other CPG businesses have long confronted - including distribution, retail visibility, and consumer education - while complying with regulations that leave one hand tied behind their backs. One common CPG hassle now emerging in the cannabis space is the rise of slotting fees. Slotting fees, paid by brands to guarantee shelf space and placement for their products in stores, have long been employed by supermarkets and other large retailers. According to a recent article in Marijuana Business Daily, cannabis dispensary slotting fees can range from $500 to $15,000 a month per store, depending on the volume of sales in the store and the size of the space reserved. It's a significant expense. But as product makers struggle to differentiate their brands and create loyal customers in crowded, confusing dispensary environments, they're handing over big sums to gain small advantages. A new dispensary concept in Southern California isn't satisfied with this status quo. In a market flooded by sameness, CalEthos (OTC Pink: BUUZ) is offering brands and consumers a new and better experience. The company's SHOWCASE stores will offer brands their own store-within-the-store boutique, shared kiosk, or area in a product section featuring all of a brand's product line and staffed by a dedicated and knowledgeable salesperson. Rather than just guaranteeing some amount of shelf space, this model gives participating brands a true platform to showcase their products, engage directly with consumers, and develop loyal followings. Rendering of a SHOWCASE store-within-the-store boutique To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5503/53066_9e7ccf8bf4a4f95e_001full.jpg Stores-Within-A-Store vs. Shelf Space In developing the model for the SHOWCASE stores, CalEthos did a bit of talking and a lot of listening. They investigated in depth the issues facing product manufacturers. Because of regulatory and financial constraints, most brands are unable to create their own retail outlets. They are at the mercy of licensed dispensaries, many of which lack adequate space to properly display the wide variety of products they carry. What's more, they are often understaffed, or not staffed to a level that allows for in-depth consultation and education about specific brands or products. Click Here to Receive a CalEthos Investor Presentation & Company Updates With cannabis so new to the general consumer population, more interaction would be ideal to help a customer decide how to choose from the myriad of product choices, and even product categories. Vape vs. smoking? Edibles, oils, tinctures? What product might help with relaxation, or sleep, or provide pain relief? CalEthos learned that neither brands nor consumers were being well-served by the current setup in many dispensaries. This is especially true for those CalEthos calls the "canna-curious" -- potential customers who lack extensive experience with cannabis and may be intimidated by traditional marijuana culture. In response, CalEthos designed a concept to elevate cannabis retail to a new level, starting in the largest and most trend-setting legal cannabis market in the world, Southern California. CalEthos's SHOWCASE stores will feature a large-format, department store-style footprint. The space will be anchored by in-store boutiques dedicated to major brands and staffed by brand-specific representatives. Each boutique measures 10' x 16' and includes 90' of shelf space. Imagine the Clinique counter at a Neiman Marcus, where consumers experience the full range of products and get advice from a dedicated, on-brand salesperson. Gone is the cramped competition for a little shelf space, replaced by the best possible display and direct customer engagement a cannabis brand can get in the Southern California market today. If a brand isn't ready for its own boutique, it can subscribe to a smaller display area of 18' to 21' of shelf space in one of SHOWCASE's specialty sections defined by product type - like flower, vape, concentrates, CBD, and more. Each store will also feature a Chill Zone section dedicated to edible and beverage products, with refrigerated floor and wall coolers that are used for both brand display and inventory storage. Beyond this innovative retail experience, SHOWCASE stores are also designed to engage and educate consumers in a way no corner dispensary or illicit seller can. With a world-class event center integrated into each location, brand partners can participate in daily educational and promotional events, with access to full production and streaming capabilities. The stores will also offer an in-store pharmacy with certified cannabis pharmacists available for consultation and advice on medicinal remedies and medical cannabis treatments. It's a ground-breaking model in a market dominated by copycats - a model created to deliver an expanded customer base and substantial foot traffic for brand partners, an elevated experience for consumers, and significant recurring non-retail revenue for CalEthos. In short, the SHOWCASE concept is designed to facilitate successful brand building and give consumers the space to explore, learn, and make their own unique, educated cannabis choices. No "same old, same old" here. Rendering of a SHOWCASE Event Center To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5503/53066_9e7ccf8bf4a4f95e_002full.jpg Interested in Investing? CalEthos is currently financing its initial SHOWCASE location planned for Santa Ana, California. The building and licenses are secured, and the retrofit of the facility is poised to begin. If you are interested in finding out more about this investment opportunity, please click on any of the links below to get in touch with the CalEthos Team. Click Here to Receive a CalEthos Investor Presentation & Company Updates Take the 2-minute Virtual Tour and Step Inside a CalEthos SHOWCASE Superstore & Event Center Click here to read the full article: http://bit.ly/2Twst27 Click Here to Receive CFN Media's Newsletter Every Week in Your Inbox CalEthos CEO Michael Campbell mc@calethos.com 714-325-5315 CFN Enterprises President Frank Lane 206-369-7050 Flane@cannabisfn.com About CFN Media CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN) is the owner and operator of CFN Media, the leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the legal cannabis industry. For Visitors and Viewers CFN Media's Cannabis Financial Network (CannabisFN.com) is the destination for savvy investors and business people profiting from the worldwide cannabis industry. Viewers will see breaking news, exclusive content and original programming involving the people, companies and investments shaping the industry. For Cannabis Businesses & Companies CFN Media is a leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the cannabis industry. We help private, pre-public and public cannabis companies in the US and Canada attract capital, investors and media attention. Our powerful digital media and distribution platform conveys a company's message and value proposition directly to accredited and retail investors and national media active in the North American cannabis markets. Since 2013, CFN Media has enabled the world's preeminent cannabis companies to thrive in the capital and public markets. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: https://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/ Disclaimer The above article is sponsored content. CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, have been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53066 An Air Asia flight to Bagdogra from here with 171 passengers including West Bengal minister Arup Biswas was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a thunderstorm on Tuesday evening, airport sources said. Flight I5536 took off at 4 pm from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport but returned around 20 minutes later, sources said. The pilot contacted the ATC and was granted permission to land with standard emergency measures in place, they added. "We were scared as the plane was suddenly caught in the storm... But everything went off well afterwards," Biswas said. The flight arrived in Bagdogra later in the evening. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 30-year-old Westminster man cited for speeding five minutes before a fatal crash in Auburn last week has been charged with motor vehicle homicide, according to Auburn Police Chief Andrew Sluckis Jr. Dennis Maccarone was issued a citation on the motor vehicle homicide charge Monday afternoon, according to the police chief. He will be arraigned in Worcester District Court at a later date, Sluckis said. Authorities said Maccarone was driving a pickup truck that crashed head-on into a Subaru driven by 34-year-old Keith Arsenault on Route 20 in Auburn Thursday. Arsenault, who lived in Douglas and Woonsocket, Rhode Island, died Sunday from his injuries at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. He died just weeks away from his birthday. Maccarone was cited for speeding on Route 20 just five minutes before the crash. He was driving 70 mph in a 40 mph zone about two miles from the crash, the chief said. According to records from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, Maccarone has been cited a handful of times for speeding in the past. Maccarone was cited for a marked lanes violation and driving negligently as to endanger immediately after the crash. A preliminary investigation shows Maccarone was driving eastbound on Route 20 in Auburn when he crossed into the westbound lane. He struck the Subaru driven by Arsenault head-on, police said. Arsenault tried to swerve but was unable to avoid the truck. Auburn police asked the state RMV to suspend Maccarones license. His license was suspended on Friday. RMV records show Maccarone was cited for speeding in Lancaster in 2006. He was cited for speeding in a special regulation zone in Westminster in 2007. A few years later, in June 2010, Maccarone was cited again for speeding in a special regulation zone in Westminster. Another speeding citation was issued to Maccarone in Princeton in October 2010. RMV records show another citation for speeding in a special regulation zone in Westminster in November 2016. He was also cited for speeding in Auburn before the fatal crash. Maccarones driving history shows several citations for equipment violations, driving without an inspection sticker, accidents and seat belt violations. Records also show Maccarone has his license suspended multiple times for payment defaults and other issues. He had to take driver safety courses twice, records show. What gives drones an edge over manned aircraft in certain missions and why is Turkey suddenly excelling at them? Recent Turkish air raids have destroyed dozens of Syrian government tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and air defence systems sharply halting Syrias advance towards Idlib. Allegedly launched in retaliation for an attack that killed 34 Turkish soldiers, the Turkish air offensive over Syria did not use manned aircraft but fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles, more commonly known as UAVs or drones. Military drones have been used for decades as ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and assassination tools, but this is the first major large-scale offensive by one military against another military in an operational-level conflict. What is their origin? What gives drones the edge over manned aircraft in certain types of missions, and why is Turkey suddenly excelling at them? Why are they useful? UAV designs have rapidly multiplied and matured as developments in technology allow militaries and intelligence agencies around the world think up new ways to use them. However, the designs share some basic similarities. They are essentially CCTV cameras in the sky, crammed with high-resolution optics, data links, radars and laser-guidance systems. Slow flying, their lack of speed is an advantage as they are able to loiter, often at high altitude over a target, watching it ceaselessly for hours, if not days. This is especially effective in remote areas where noisy jet aircraft or the sudden appearance of strangers would be quickly noticed. Turkish-backed fighters fly a drone in the northern Afrin countryside in Syria [File: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters] The remote operators, piloting the drones from a distance, can be swapped out when fatigued. Military and intelligence personnel, senior politicians, and legal advisors can gather in the same room as the pilot, debating and deciding whether to destroy the observed target. This is a far different decision-making process from the snap judgement of a conventional pilot flying at several hundred kilometres an hour in hostile territory on a combat mission. There is also a logical progression to arming drones. Often, targets would be spotted by surveillance UAVs but by the time the information was fed back, a decision made and another asset, say a jet or cruise missile launched, the opportunity was lost. In 2000, the US military spotted Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan but was unable to kill him as the drone, an early version of the Predator, was unarmed. Very quickly, it was realised that an armed UAV could not only survey and help find a potential enemy but also destroy them. Turkeys case Turkeys long-standing campaign against the Kurdish PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) has mainly operated in the sort of remote mountainous terrain that insurgents tend to favour, with middling results. Having watched the US run its air campaign over Pakistan, effectively targeting fighters in just that kind of terrain with some degree of success, Turkeys military could easily see how this technology could be applied to their use. The US, hesitant to share or sell cutting edge technology even to its allies, demurred, offering only basic unarmed drones and Turkey began to look elsewhere. Israel, with its drone industry maturing rapidly, was an initial option and a small number of its Heron UAVs were bought but Turkey realised that if it wanted to maintain control both of technology and the intelligence it produced it was going to have to manufacture them. Unmanned aerial vehicle stationed at Dalaman Naval Air Base Command is seen before take off to fly to Gecitkale Airport of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, on December 16, 2019, in Mugla, Turkey [File: Evren Atalay/Anadolu] Enter Selcuk Bayraktar, considered by many in Turkey to be the grandfather of Turkish drone technology. Already a successful postgraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, in 2004 Barayktar co-wrote a paper on how to control and group multiple drones and how they would act operating together. He abandoned his PhD thesis in the US, preferring to return to Turkey to set up his own company, Baykar Technologies, manufacturing drones for the Turkish military. Although initially unsuccessful, several factors helped him. Turkey was looking to develop its own UAV programme, the US was reticent about selling their own technology to Turkey and Turkeys campaign against the Kurds had reached an impasse. This gave Bayraktar the opportunity to pitch for domestically made armed drones that could eventually be decisive in the conflict with Kurdish armed groups. The Bayraktar TB2 UAV, armed with a range of some 150 kilometres, was ideally suited for the Turkish military and rapidly gained prominence in successful counterinsurgency operations against the PKK. More importantly, the Turkish military was able to test combined, UAV/artillery tactics later in Syria against the Kurdish YPG, or Peoples Protection Units, in Afrin near the Turkish border. These tactics would later be used in the skies over Idlib. Battle for Idlib Responding sharply to an air raid on a Turkish mechanised unit near Idlib city that killed 34 Turkish soldiers, the Turkish military deployed dozens of drones in a coordinated series of attacks on Syrian vehicles and positions. Not only the Barayktar TB-2s were used but also the newer UCAV (or unmanned combat aerial vehicle). The heavier, armed, satellite-linked ANKA-S saw its operational debut in the battle over Idlib. Both drones were used in several ways: As spotters for long-range rapid-firing artillery, identifying Syrian government armoured columns and relaying their position Turkis self-propelled guns and multiple rocket launchers, which destroy them before they could seek shelter. The drones themselves targeted enemy positions and vehicles with a variety of munitions, all locally made and therefore easier to integrate with the drones. They were able to engage enemy aircraft when equipped with the right armament and for the first time over a conventional battlefield, they flew in squadrons, able to swarm or overwhelm Syrian air defence systems, quickly knocking them out. These tactics devastated Syrian government forces as they tried in vain to concentrate their firepower and advance, giving the relatively lightly armed Turkish-backed rebels on the ground a significant advantage. Drone war in Libya While these weapons have been used in innovative ways over Idlib, theyre not invulnerable. They are relatively slow moving and can be shot down by a well-armed opponent as they have been in Syria, when three ANKA-S drones were downed by Syrian air defence and shoulder-launched weapons. Turkey is also not the only country fielding armed drones. China has been producing its relatively cheap (one million dollars) armed UCAV, the Wing Loong 2, which has seen service in Libya, operated by allies of the Libyan National Army, commanded by renegade general Khalifa Haftar. 191224191323613 So far, the Chinese drone has outperformed its Turkish rival the TB-2, the latter being destroyed on the ground as Chinese drones, operated by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, attack airfields controlled by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Despite some inevitable reverses, Turkeys drone industry is rapidly expanding with new orders of the ANKA-S being readied as the Turkish Air force seeks to replace its losses. Success in war is usually good for business and proven systems are always popular. Twelve TB-2s have been sold to Ukraine and a further six were purchased by Qatar. Both the Baraytar and ANKA-S have proven themselves in combat, ranging from counterinsurgency to industrial warfare on the conventional battlefield, with other models ranging from supersonic UCAVs to smaller kamikaze drones being developed. What has enhanced these cheap, efficient UCAVs are the innovative tactics being used and perfected by the Turkish armed forces in the age-old race to use new weapons in new ways maximising their potential to apply decisive force on the modern battlefield. 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 The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the central government to file its reply on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the rules regarding the re-registration of motor vehicles. A division bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel also asked the Union Ministry of Road Transport to file its response on the petition and listed the matter for May 4. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by AAP leader Deepak Bajpai and retired bureaucrat Narendar B Singh, seeking directions for framing of policy regarding a uniform road tax for private vehicles across the country. Advocates Bhakti Pasrija Sethi and Moksh Pasrija, appearing for the petitioners, drew the attention of the High Court on the "completely bizarre rules" regarding re-registration of motor vehicles in the country upon transfer to another state and the "sheer inconvenience" faced by the vehicle owners in getting refund of the hefty one-time road tax upon transfer of vehicle. The petition also sought directions to Centre to keep a unified online database for vehicles registered all over India so that if a vehicle registered at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of one state get registered in another state, the lifetime road tax paid in the previous state may automatically be paid by the previous state to the new state. As per the Motor Vehicles Rules, a vehicle owner has to seek a new registration number in case the vehicle is transferred to another state and kept for more than 12 months. "The procedure of seeking a refund of one-time road tax already paid in the previous state is very cumbersome and crude in India which makes it practically impossible for a vehicle owner to get the refund and he ends up paying double taxes. For seeking a refund of one-time road tax from the previous state, a vehicle owner has to first pay one-time road tax in the new state, and then has to come back to the authorities in the previous state and apply for the refund," the petitioner said. The petitioner said that the central government has not devised an online mechanism for the payment and refund of one-time road tax adding that it complicates the things further. "Most of the times it involves multiple visits and it is practically impossible and financially draining for a vehicle owner to visit the previous state," the plea added. According to the petitioners, they have already sent representations to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways and other concerned authorities, requesting them to look into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) T he Womens Prize for Fiction the UKs most prestigious annual literary awards celebrating fiction by female authors is back and the longlist has been announced. Now in its 25th year, the 2020 longlist comprises of 16 titles and includes last years Booker Prize co-winner, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. Two of 2019s most talked about books - Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner and Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams also make the list, as does Hilary Mantels newly released The Mirror and the Light. The shortlist will be announced on April 22 and the winner will be awarded on June 3 at an awards ceremony in London. The winning author receives a cheque for 30,000 and a limited-edition bronze figurine known as a Bessie, created and donated by artist Grizel Niven. The Womens Prize for Fiction longlist 2020 Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams Dominicana by Angie Cruz Actress by Anne Enright Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo Nightingale Point by Luan Goldie A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel Girl by Edna O' Brien Hamnet by Maggie O' Farrell Weather by Jenny Offill The Dutch House by Ann Patchett Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson This years judges include chair and businesswoman, Martha Lane Fox; writer, Scarlett Curtis; co-founder of the Black British Business Awards, Melanie Eusebe; author and comedian, Viv Groskop; and bestselling author, Paula Hawkins. The Women's Prize for Fiction judges 2020, (left to right) Scarlet Curtis, Paula Hawkins, Martha Lane Fox, Melanie Eusebe and Viv Groskop / Women's Prize for Fiction Of the longlist announcement, Fox says: Ahead of the longlist meeting I was anxious that the negotiations between judges might be as arduous as Brexit, but it was an absolute delight to pick our final 16 books. Entries for the Prizes 25th year have been spectacular and we revelled in the variety, depth, humanity and joy of the writing we hope everyone else will too. The Women's Prize for Fiction longlist 2020 / Women's Prize for Fiction Ghanaian Importers and Clearing Agents are up in arms with government over its decision to abrogate the contracts of the two existing Single Window operators; Ghana Community Network Service Limited (GCNet) and West Blue Consulting, replacing it with a new deal with Universal Pass (UNI-PASS). The Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, in a letter dated 26th February 2020, directed freight forwarders, clearing agents and other stakeholders in the country, to use the UNIPASS system to clear their goods from Sunday, March 1, 2020. President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Mr. Edward Akrong said the current operators are doing well and that since the new one has not been tested, its efficiency cannot be guaranteed. "We don't have any qualms but we have an existing one and if we don't know how the new one works, it will be troublesome. I don't really see anything different; so far what we've seen is worrying. There has not been any piloting to see how the UNIPASS system works. There was a planned piloting but it never happened. We really need to take a second look at this; otherwise, there will be chaos...i believe that the Senior Minister was misinformed," he said in an interview on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' But Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon Kwaku Agyemang Kwarteng, speaking on the same platform in reaction, condemned criticisms of the UNIPASS system. "if you start criticizing it; moving from one radio station to the other, you are behaving like an opposition party" he said. He asked Mr Edward Akrong to be mindful of his utterances and stop campaigning against the new system, since it has come to stay. "Nobody should think that the various criticisms will make government change its mind; it won't happen," he added. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Philippines began the process of terminating its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States in mid-February. In place since 1998, the VFA grants legal status to U.S. forces who are in the Philippines temporarily for exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and other contingencies. This legal status, similar to the Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) with Japan and South Korea, enables a predictable, dependable, and cooperative relationship between the Philippines and the United States, and also allows for the rapid execution of our responsibilities under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Delhi Police said they have arrested 40 people in connection with riot-related rumours that had spread in parts of the national capital on Sunday evening, when the department received 1,880 distress calls from people panicked by the false alarm of communal violence New Delhi: Delhi Police said they have arrested 40 people in connection with riot-related rumours that had spread in parts of the national capital on Sunday evening, when the department received 1,880 distress calls from people panicked by the false alarm of communal violence. The maximum 481 calls to police control room (PCR) came from West Delhi, 413 from South East Delhi, 310 from Dwarka and 127 from South Delhi, while only two distress calls were made from North East Delhi, the area where the riots broke out last week, the police said in a statement. There were 222 calls from outer Delhi, 168 from Rohini, 22 from outer North, 54 from North West Delhi, while there were 35 such calls from central Delhi, six each from North Delhi and East Delhi, and four from Shahdara, it added. Another 30 calls were made from South West Delhi. All these calls were made between 7 pm and 9 pm on Sunday, said Delhi police PRO M S Randhawa. Earlier Monday, senior police officials had put the distress call figure at over 3,000, saying police stations and officials also got several calls directly from citizens panicked by the rumours. "Twenty-one people were arrested in North West Delhi, 18 in South Delhi and one in Rohini," the police said about the action they took following the rumours. The arrests were made under various sections, including for breach of peace and tranquillity (107-151 CrPC), police officials said. "Action against rumor mongers in South East District: Cases registered under IPC sections: 10 u/s 65 DP Act: 163 u/s 107/151 CrPC: 3," the DCP South East Delhi tweeted. At least 47 people have died in the riots last week. On Sunday evening, as the rumours of another round of violence spread, police assured the people that senior officials were camping on the ground and urged people to not panic and took to social media to quell the hoax. "Some unsubstantiated reports of tense situation in SouthEast & West District are being circulated on social media. It is to reiterate that these are all rumours. Don't pay attention to such rumours," the Delhi police tweeted. The police said it was closely monitoring social media accounts spreading fake news or rumours and action will be taken against them. To the Editor: Of course Covid-19 is underreported. On Friday night I showed symptoms of flu cough, aches, fever, chills the worst Ive ever felt. Because I had a flu shot this winter, I emailed my doctor to see if I should be tested for the coronavirus. Since test kits were not widely available, he encouraged me to get an oximeter (measures the estimated oxygen saturation of red blood cells). I am to monitor at home, and if my oxygen saturation drops beneath 92, consider proceeding to the emergency room. So far, I have stayed in home isolation and have been hovering around 93. So, here is the problem with reporting. If I am lucky enough to stay above 92 and heal on my own, I will never know if I had the coronavirus and spread it to others while asymptomatic. Nor will others know. I have elected to stay in isolation for two weeks for the greater good, and I am sure Im not alone. We are not prepared. Cindy Mangiola Monterey, Calif. To the Editor: I am a doctor on the front lines seeing cough and fever all day long. On Saturday I saw approximately 40 pediatric patients in 12 hours. We had a very limited supply of personal protective equipment for our entire urgent care. We also had to go to YouTube to remind ourselves how to don the gear. Where is the C.D.C. leadership? Meanwhile, patients with fever and cough keep coming in without wearing masks and sitting next to 6-week-olds. I worry that I am sending children with high fever and cough home, children who are negative for the flu, knowing full well that this could be the coronavirus. I am glad to hear that more test kits are being made available nationwide and that some relaxing of the criteria to test a patient has happened. This is still not enough, though, since most coronavirus patients will not meet even the new guidelines for testing. Doing some random testing would be helpful to at least learn about how many in the community are already positive. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 17:58 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206800fe4 1 City Amigos-bar-and-cantina,coronavirus,COVID-19,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,Kemang Free Amigos Bar and Cantina in Kemang, South Jakarta, has decided to suspend its operation for 14 days as a precautionary measure to stop spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Fears about the outbreak surged after a woman was declared positive for COVID-19 after spending an evening at Amigos on Feb. 14. At the bar, the woman interacted with a Japanese national who was later found to have the illness as well. We have to keep up the healthy environment of the location. We have been in business for 40 years. Amigos always maintains the safety of the employees and the customers, Mulles Ron, founder of Amigos, said as quoted by antaranews.com. He said local health agency officers had come to examine the employee and screen the food and drink to make sure that Amigos was free of the virus so that the public could regain confidence in the business. We have invited a team from the health agency as well as private professionals to confirm the health environment in Amigos restaurant, he said. Read also: WHO calls for calm after Indonesia confirms cases of COVID-19 He said the restaurant had also provided hand sanitizers for the employees and the customers. We hope that the public will not panic. The employees here are all healthy, he said. Agus, the manager of Amigos, said that so far there were no employees who complained of being sick. He said there were 30 people working in the restaurant, including himself. Amigos Bar and Cantina is located in the Kemang Villa Club on Jl. Kemang Selatan, Bangka subdistrict, South Jakarta. The Mexican-themed restaurant has been in operation since 1979. (gis) The Executive Secretary of National Peace Council (NPC) Mr. George Amoh has attributed the cause of vigilantism to unemployment, mistrust of the Police and mistrust of political parties According to him, if the youth who are invariably recruited by political parties are gainfully employed coupled with trust for the Police and trust amongst political parties, vigilantism will be a thing of the past. Mr. Amoh was speaking in Accra on Friday during the Launching of the 2020 Elections Project by the Forum For Actions on Inclusion, Transparency and Harmony(FAITH) in Ghana Alliance under the theme: Educating, Training and Healing Individuals, Community and Society (ETHICS ) Against Vigilantism in Ghana Elections Vigilantism has caused a lot of pain in the country. Some Ghanaians have been maimed and others have died as a result of vigilantism Mr. Amoh emphasized. He said an end to vigilantism is very crucial to the 2020 elections adding that it would help enhance the electoral process devoid of any confusion The NPC boss later commended the NPP and NDC for their contributions during the Peace Dialogue session but was quick to add that they should ensure that their political will to disband vigilantism becomes a reality. According to him, the fight against vigilantism is a shared responsibility hence it should not be left to the NPC and the religious groups alone. Mr. Amoh has therefore called on all groups including musicians, Journalists, Drivers, People living with disability among others to launch such peace projects ahead of the 2020 elections. Togo has just held its elections, Cote d'Ivoire will follow soon then Burkina Faso. If Ghana should slip, it will be doom for all of us. So let us all rise up to deal with this menace now he said. On his part, the Executive Director of Caritas Ghana and Co-ordinator of Faith Alliance, Mr. Zan Akologo said this project is yet another demonstration of the commitment of Faith based organizations in Ghana to promote their fraternal solidarity and cooperation for the well-being of the citizenry. According to him, ETHICS Against Vigilantism is an initiative of Faith groups working together to sanitize Ghanas political environment to ensure that no one is left behind in the 2020 elections. Faith group working together for a common cause is already a formidable platform but we will enhance our potential by collaborating with both state and non-state agencies who share our dreams he said He added that for instance we will work with the National Peace Council to pursue the agenda of denouncing political party militia groups and working towards the complete eradication from our political system Mr. Akologo further stressed that, that is the only way to make the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 work for the good of the country. According to him they will work with the Electoral Commission to enhance the credibility and inclusiveness of the electoral process adding that they will also partner with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to broaden outreach and voter education. We will collaborate with the National Youth Authority to mobilize vulnerable unemployed youth to offer them decent job opportunities in a cash for work initiative in the Northern region. Above all, we will maintain our neutrality and independence so that we can monitor and assess the electoral processes to proffer opinions and recommendations that are mutually respected by all Mr. Akologo said. The Faith Alliance Co-ordinator later stressed that participation of young people and women in Ghanas electoral processes is very critical in broadening our democracy but was quick to add that the way the young people are used by some political parties and individual politicians is quite disgraceful and demeaning. Mr. Akologo therefore gave an assurance that the FAITH Alliance will intervene on the side of the youth by educating, training and healing them against these undignified practices and abuses. The Ceremony was spiced up by a peaceful song composed by the Peaceful Heart Foundation(PHF) where its Founder Mr. Anthony Kwame Mawugbe told senaradioonline.com in an interview that the song forms part of the core objective of the Foundation to campaign for peace to prevail in the country. Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu of the Office of the National Chief Imam, and Mrs Lucile Annan of the Greater Accra NCCE, all graced the occasion with a pledge to campaign against violence in our body politics. (Reuters) - England players will not be shaking hands on their tour of Sri Lanka and will use fist bumps instead to greet each other following the coronavirus outbreak, skipper Joe Root said. Root's team were laid low by flu and gastroenteritis in South Africa and are cautious following the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 3,000 people and infected more than 89,000 globally. "After the illnesses that swept through the squad in South Africa, we are well aware of the importance of keeping contact to a minimum," Root told reporters before flying to Sri Lanka on Monday night for a two-test series. "We've been given some really sound and sensible advice from our medical team to help prevent spreading germs and bacteria." "We are not shaking hands with each other using instead the well-established fist bump and we are washing hands regularly and wiping down surfaces using the antibacterial wipes and gels we've been given in our immunity packs." England will play the first of their two practice matches from Saturday before the first test in Galle from March 19 while Colombo hosts the second test from March 27. Sri Lanka confirmed the first case of coronavirus in the country in January but Root expected the tour to go on as planned. "There is no suggestion that the tour will be affected. But, of course, it is an evolving situation so we are in regular contact with the authorities and will proceed as advised," added the Yorkshire player. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Christian Schmollinger) (Adds comment from U.S. Vice President Pence, U.S. FDA head) * China reports big fall in new cases at centre of epidemic * Global death toll rises above 3,000; over 86,500 infected * Stock markets and oil rebound on hopes of government action * Graphic: Tracking the coronavirus https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-MAP/0100B59S39E/index.html By Stephanie Nebehay and Se Young Lee GENEVA/BEIJING, March 2 (Reuters) - The new coronavirus appears to now be spreading much more rapidly outside China than within, and airports in hard-hit countries were ramping up screening of travellers. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said almost eight times as many cases had been reported outside China as inside in the previous 24 hours, adding that the risk of coronavirus spreading was now very high at a global level. At a briefing in Geneva, he said outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan were the greatest concern, but that there was evidence that close surveillance was working in South Korea, the worst affected country outside China, and the epidemic could be contained there. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said that within 12 hours, airports across South Korea and Italy will screen all travellers for coronavirus. Pence, who has been put in charge of the U.S. response to the outbreak, also said U.S. travel restrictions may expand. The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said U.S. industry expects to have the capacity to perform 1 million coronavirus tests by the end of the week. The global death toll exceeded 3,000, with the number of dead in Italy jumping by 18 to 52. Latvia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Morocco reported cases for the first time, bringing the total to more than 60 countries with the illness known as COVID-19. But equity markets surged after their worst plunge since the 2008 financial crisis last week, encouraged by the prospect of government action to stem the economic impact. In the United States, the Dow jumped nearly 1,300 points, or 5%, while the S&P 500 closed 4.6% higher. Finance ministers of the G7 group of leading industrialised democracies were expected to discuss measures in a conference call on Tuesday, sources told Reuters. Story continues Oil prices jumped 4% amid hopes of a deeper output cut by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). (Graphic: Tracking the coronavirus https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-MAP/0100B59S39E/index.html) MORE THAN PREDICTED A senior U.S. official said he was concerned about a likely jump in the number of cases in the United States, which has had more than 90, with six deaths. More testing will almost surely lead to more confirmed cases. "When you have a number of cases that you've identified and they've been in the community for a while, you're going to wind up seeing a lot more cases than you would have predicted," Dr Anthony Fauci, head of the infectious diseases unit at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, told CNN. South Korea has had 26 deaths and reported another 599 infections on Monday, taking its tally to 4,335. Of the new cases in South Korea, 377 were from the city of Daegu. That is home to a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, to which most of South Korea's cases have been traced after some members visited the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the disease emerged. The Seoul government asked prosecutors to launch a murder investigation into leaders of the church. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said that if founder Lee Man-hee and other heads of the church had cooperated, fatalities could have been prevented. Lee knelt and apologised to the country, saying that one church member had infected many others and calling the epidemic a "great calamity". It was not immediately known how many of South Korea's dead were members of the church. 'OUTBREAKS ARE CURBED' But Wuhan itself, at the centre of the epidemic, shut the first of 16 specially built hospitals that were hurriedly put up to treat coronavirus cases, the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said. There was also a steep fall in new cases in Hubei, the province around Wuhan, but China remained on alert for people returning home with the virus from other countries. The virus broke out in Wuhan late last year and has since infected more than 86,500 people, mostly in China. Only eight cases were reported in China beyond Hubei on Sunday, the WHO said. China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun at a news conference said: We definitely believe that with the coming of spring were not far from the coming of the victory of the final defeat of COVID-19. Outside China, there are now more than 8,700 infected and over 125 deaths. Iran, one of the worst-hit nations, reported infections rising to 1,501, with 66 deaths, including a senior official. With stocks of gloves and other medical supplies running low in pharmacies, authorities uncovered a hoard of supplies including millions of gloves. In Britain, which has 40 confirmed cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to be prepared for a further spread. (For more coverage of the coronavirus, see https://www.reuters.com/live-events/coronavirus-6-id2921484) (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Hyonhee Shin and Jack Kim in Seoul, Ju-min Park in Gapyeong, Ryan Woo, David Stanway, Se Young Lee, Emily Chow and Andrew Galbraith in Beijing, Leigh Thomas in Paris, Michelle Price in Washington, Leika Kihara in Tokyo, Jonathan Cable in London, Donny Kwok and Twinnie Siu in Hong Kong and Grant McCool in Washington; writing by Nick Macfie, Philippa Fletcher and Lisa Shumaker; editing by Mark Heinrich, Kevin Liffey and Bill Berkrot) Photo provided for People's Daily app 2020 marks my fourth year at the United Nations in China. 2020 is also a watershed for the UN the 75th anniversary of its founding and the beginning of a decade of action, with only ten years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). And here in China, 2020 is the year the government has vowed to eradicate poverty across the country. However, the recent outbreak of a Novel Coronavirus is threatening to destabilize these efforts unless everyone, from governments to the private sector, step up and support those most in need. The COVID-19 is a devastating outbreak with an unprecedented response. Like many of you, I follow the situation on a regular basis. Today, we stand at 88,948 confirmed cases globally, the vast majority of these still here in China. Many unknowns still exist and around the world many are feeling anxious. Since the outbreak was confirmed and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31st 2019, the situation has developed quickly and continues to evolve. Given the dynamic nature of the situation, China has mobilized itself and adopted comprehensive and rigorous preventive and control measures. For this, I must congratulate the Chinese government, as despite the severe social and economic impact many of these preventive measures are having on the Chinese people, the government has put public health concerns first. At the UN we hope these measures are short in duration, since, even though Chinas health system has been significantly strengthened over the past years, any countrys health system would be challenged by an outbreak of a new virus with many unknowns, as we are seeing now. However, as with any crisis situation, we have the opportunity to reflect. At the local government level, there are very important lessons to be learned for the future in terms of more transparency and information sharing. And importantly, we must make sure this emergency doesn't detract from the development goal of this year - eliminating extreme poverty. Poorer communities without the capacity or resources may be disproportionately affected, and there's also the impact on the health system for people not necessarily suffering from COVID-19, but from other illnesses which may not be prioritized because of the attention on the coronavirus. Beyond the health system, there's also the impact on the education system with children not being able to go to school and the broader economic impact as well. Since the beginning of the outbreak the international community has mobilized to help the people of China. At the UN, weve urgently procured much-needed emergency supplies, from masks to monitoring stations. And aside from supporting the immediate health impacts, the UN is ready to support China with the broader socio-economic impacts, both now and in the long term. Each UN agency stands firmly together with WHO, bringing their own development expertise. Already UNDP is translating the key health messages across regional dialects, to make sure those vulnerable ethnic minority groups have access to this critical information they need. UNICEF has created an online information portal for parents to help them keep their children safe. UNAIDS has launched a nationwide survey to make sure all those living with HIV are still receiving the help they need during this difficult time. All these actions together are supporting our mandate - to leave no one behind, especially during this very challenging time. My sincere hope is that we come together as an international community with China, without discrimination and without stigma. As the UN Secretary-General has said: At this time of heightened anxiety we must stand together in solidarity and compassion- I cannot echo his message enough. Zhong Guo Jia You- stay strong, the United Nations system stand firmly with the people of China during this critical time. (The author is the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in China. The views don't necessarily represent those of People's Daily.) Protests and vigilantism have soured the mood in Lesbos, and the latest Greek-Turkish spat could bring further tension. Lesbos, Greece A girl, no older than five, dressed in a pink coat sits on the ground behind a white barbed wire fence in the port city of Mytilene, the capital of the Greek island of Lesbos. Exhausted children, women and men are sleeping on the ground under foil blankets around her. These are the new arrivals to Lesbos, who have come at a moment of crisis on the island. Over the weekend, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would no longer police its border with Europe. In the wake of his announcement on Saturday, there were 518 arrivals on Sunday to Lesbos and 94 on Monday, according to local news reports. Local residents, who were already angered by the mounting numbers of refugees and migrants, erected road-blocks over the weekend to prevent more being transferred to the infamous Moria camp. Families are now being housed in makeshift accommodation in Mytilene port. Erdogans move has come at a critical time as tensions mount on Lesbos. Just last week, locals clashed with riot police dispatched from Athens during protests over plans for a new migrant detention centre in Lesboss north. The mood is increasingly sour on the island, which has over the years shown itself capable of extraordinary solidarity. In 2016, islanders from the Aegean were nominated for a Nobel peace prize for their efforts to help refugees arriving on their shores in 2015. Locals have protested against the governments plan to construct detention centres on Lesbos [Julian Busch/Al Jazeera] But lately, vigilantism has been rising. In early February, Lesbos police arrested seven people on suspicion of planning attacks on refugees and migrants. There have also been protests by both refugees and migrants decrying living conditions and Greek residents who fear the island cannot cope with more people arriving. In recent days, following the Turkish announcement, NGO vehicles, journalists and aid workers have been assaulted, some violently, by a small group of local agitators. Apostolos Veizis, a doctor with Doctors Without Borders (Medicins sans Frontiers, MSF), said while those responsible for the violence do not represent the island or Greece itself, he was deeply concerned. MSF workers have also been attacked. We have never faced such a situation with such violent attacks, and where the government and competent authorities are informed about it and nothing is changing, he told Al Jazeera. That I have to discuss this in March 2020 about how solidarity is being targeted in such a mob way, I never thought I would be doing this. I feel like Im speaking to you from a war zone. More than four miles away from Mytilene, the overflowing Moria camp continues to stretch outside its borders. Originally designed to hold no more than 2,840 people, there are now nearly 20,000 people in and around the camp. Set on a hillside overlooking the Aegean, the panorama presents a sea of tents, noise, music, laughter and the sounds of children playing. Ahmad, a 33-year-old Afghan refugee, said: These are the worst days in the history of Lesbos when I was in Lesbos almost two weeks ago, for me it was very difficult because of the danger of attacks. He added that alongside the deteriorating conditions for those in the camp, news of the detention centre in the north was troubling. Lesbos is already a prison, Moria is already a prison. People cannot leave the island, and they are going to make a prison inside the prison. This is a sick mind, he said. At Moria camp, a man builds his tent among a population of nearly 20,000 [Julian Busch/Al Jazeera] Hanne Beirens, director of the Brussels-based Migration Policy Institute Europe, said EU leaders should be trying to guide public opinion in this volatile situation. If leaders can show that were able to deal with 10,000 people in an orderly way, rather than panicking, you can actually say, look, were in charge here,. While it appears that empathy from some communities had worn thin, the situation could change, she told Al Jazeera. With different kinds of leadership [and a more] pragmatic approach as to whats happening at the border you could actually slowly restore peoples confidence in this and I think thats also whats needed. But Lesbos residents have little faith in European officials, some of whom threw their support behind Greece on Tuesday and issued a warning to Turkey over the two countries current spat. At a cafe in Mytilene, George (not his real name), a local raised on Lesbos, told Al Jazeera that vigilante groups did not represent the local community. But, he added, some residents had valid concerns. At first, the population was massively helping and assisting the first migration flows and more. However, a few years later, as time went by, it became obvious that this is a permanent situation. While some businesses in Mytilene may have seen an uptick in custom, tourism profits have dropped for other companies in the north. I have never seen Lesbos like this in my experience, I am very saddened, said George. Many of the buildings you see here were built by merchants who operated from the Black Sea, down to the Middle East and North Africa. These people were international in perspective, they were never regional or secluded. Now we see misery and we feel theres nothing much we can do about it. As Wuhan Remains Under Lockdown, One Steel Factory Has Continually Operated Since Coronavirus Outbreak Began Chinese citizens recently spoke with The Epoch Times about how the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, the epicenter of Chinas virus outbreak, has been made worse in part by decisions made at a state-run steel factory. Located inside Qingshan district, an industrial area far from the citys downtown, is the state-owned Wuhan Iron and Steel Corporation (WISCO), a subsidiary of one of Chinas biggest steelmakers, Baowu Steel Group. Baowu is headquartered in Shanghai, but has many subsidiary firms throughout the country, including in Shanghai, Xinjiang, Guangdong, and Ningbo. Outbreak in Qingshan District WISCO has kept its factory running despite local authorities having enacted strict quarantine measures to contain the virus since late January. As a result, employees have become infected. Chinese media Caixin obtained a copy of an internal document from Baowu, wherein the company stated that there were 119 known cases among all staff, with two deaths at its headquarters in Wuhan, according to a Feb. 22 report. WISCO itself had 69 confirmed cases of the virus, according to the document. A WISCO employee, who goes by the pseudonym Han Jiang, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on Feb. 28 that the outbreak was evidence that the Chinese Communist Party placed the countrys GDP (Gross Domestic Product) before protecting peoples lives from the virus. Zhuo Hui (a pseudonym) is originally from Qingshan district within Wuhan. He currently doesnt live in Qingshan, as his job in the education sector has taken him out of town. While he hasnt been back to his hometown for more than two years, he has kept in touch with his parents and friends who still live there, especially since the coronavirus outbreak. My parents still live in Qingshan district. They told me recently on the phone that Qingshan district has become a hard-hit disaster area. The outbreak has spread in the region, Zhuo told the Chinese-language Epoch Times in a phone interview on Feb. 28. His sources in Wuhan told him that before local authorities revealed the severity of the outbreak, a hospital affiliated with WISCO was already seeing many patients. He suspects that the death toll is being underreported by local authorities. The Chinese-language Epoch Times also spoke with Zhang Jie (a pseudonym), a Qingshan resident, who said that the outbreak in his district had become severe because WISCO had been manufacturing nonstop, and infected employees could spread the virus to others while traveling to and from work. Zhuo explained that residential areas in the district have been sealed off and residents are required to get groceries delivered to their homes. There are many complaints [about the deliveries]. Some complained about delays, others about delivered products being very overpriced, Zhuo said. Zhuo also questioned whether Chinese authorities current 14-day quarantine requirement for anyone who has recently traveled to Wuhan is effective. A study led by renowned Chinese respiratory doctor Zhong Nanshan found that the viruss incubation period could be longer than 14 daysup to 24 days in some patients. Zhuo added: Local authorities are not completely open about the outbreak. This is a serious problem since people will not know how to protect themselves. No Precautions Chinese media have previously reported about WISCO and its employees expressing concerns about the lack of safety measures in the wake of the outbreak. About 6,000 workers of WISCO had been working normal schedules since the outbreak began late last year, according to Caixin. But since the outbreak began, employees were asked to shower and change clothes at the companys locker rooms before starting their workday. I have colleagues who suddenly just dont come to work anymore, but I dont know why, one unnamed WISCO told Caixin. The worker said that company staff have not been informed about the number of infections at the company. On Feb. 22, Chinese state-run newspaper Beijing Youth Daily reported that WISCOs production lines were operating at a 100 percent rate. The escalating coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, capital of central Chinas Hubei Province, in December 2019. The virus has since spread to over 60 countries and regions around the world. Jacinda Ardern has admitted that her 'Love Actually' moment with Scott Morrison was completely toothless. New Zealand's prime minister made headlines around the world when she laid into Morrison outside the Opera House on Friday. She slammed him for deporting Kiwi criminals back to New Zealand no matter how long they have lived in Australia. Ms Ardern has always argued that people who have lived in a country for 10 years or more shouldn't be deported after committing a crime. 'Send back genuine Kiwis, do not deport your people and your problems,' she told Mr Morrison during an emotive and tense press conference. But speaking to TVNZ's Breakfast show on Monday, the prime minister admitted that there was nothing she could do to convince Morrison to adopt her standpoint. The encounter between the two prime ministers was dubbed the 'Love Actually' moment in reference to a scene in the popular film. Hugh Grant who plays the role of the British prime minister blasts Billy Bob Thornton who plays the American president while standing side by side at a press conference. A clip from the press conference between Mr Morrison and Ms Ardern went viral on Twitter with the hashtag #LoveActually. On Monday, Ms Ardern said that while Mr Morrison 'stuck to his guns' on the deportation policy, she also stuck to hers. 'Anyone who watched the full standup, you'll see that the prime minister stuck to his guns and I stuck to mine. He has a pretty entrenched view of this but so do I, on behalf of New Zealanders,' Ms Ardern said on the breakfast show. 'We don't object to countries having deportation policies - New Zealand does. We do deport individuals who have lived here for a small amount of time and who it's clearly an issue which should be best dealt with through deportation. 'But when someone is essentially a Kiwi, then we own that problem. That's all we're asking that Australia does.' When asked if there was anything New Zealand could do to make Australia own their problems, the prime minister said they may in turn 'erode' the rights of Australians living in New Zealand. 'There's the option to erode the rights of Australians who live here. But I'm not keen to do that because I don't think a race from the bottom actually gets us any further to dealing with the principle of this issue,' she said. The prime minister said that there were New Zealanders who had lived in Australia all their life and had raised children there - but were now being deported. In a tense row between Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern on Friday, the New Zealand prime minister slammed Australia's deportation laws 'A woman who I had met that had been deported to New Zealand had moved to Australia when she was just over one year old. She has no connection to this country, a thick Australian accent and three teenage children in Australia,' Ms Ardern said. 'All we're asking is deport Kiwis, keep Australians.' Ms Ardern said that although Australia and New Zealand shared a 'friendship', she urged for the 'friendship to extend beyond politics'. 'There's obviously a bit of politics in this over the other side of the ditch but I don't think New Zealand should get caught up in that because we are paying the price, we are feeling the consequences of this policy,' she said. During the row on Friday, Ms Ardern noted that 2,000 people had already been deported. 'You have deported more than 2,000 individuals, and among them will be genuine Kiwis who do need to learn the consequences of their actions,' Ms Ardern said. 'But among those 2,000 are individuals who are too young to become criminals on our watch, they were too young to become patched gang members, too young to be organised criminals. 'We will own our people. We ask that Australia stops exporting theirs. Ms Ardern said that Kiwis who had been living in Australia their whole lives should not be deported 'I want to conclude by just reaffirming something I have said often. We will continue to maintain rights for Australians in New Zealand.' Mr Morrison shot the Kiwi PM an awkward glance, before responding: 'We deport non-citizens who have committed crimes in Australia.' 'If you've committed a crime and you're not a citizen of Australia then you have no right to stay. 'We deport non-citizens who have committed crimes in Australia against our community.' New Zealanders who moved to Australia as toddlers, only to grow up and commit crimes, have been regularly dumped back over the ditch sparking anger from across the Tasman. Australia has deported more than 4000 people, including 1500 New Zealanders, since the laws were introduced in 2014. Ms Ardern said that although Australia and New Zealand shared a 'friendship' she said her country was being affected by the deportation laws Ms Ardern argued that Kiwis who have spent years living in Australia don't have a life or any foundations to return to when deported back to New Zealand. 'The prime minister used a key word in his reference just now he said that after they have served their time he sends them 'home',' she said. 'The example I used demonstrates that we have countless who have no home in New Zealand, they have no network, they have grown up in Australia. That is their home. And that is where they should stay.' Despite the New Zealand prime minister's best efforts, Mr Morrison held firm in his stance on the policy. Virus-hit Italy was outraged on Tuesday over a mock advert shown on a French television channel for "corona pizza" in which a coughing chef hacks green phlegm onto the country's national dish. Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio slammed the 10-second gag on the satirical Groland programme on Canal+, in which the red tomato base, white mozzarella and green mucus make up the colours of the national flag, as "bad taste and unacceptable". Globally, more than 3,100 people have died of the coronavirus and over 90,000 have been infected. Italy is the worst-hit in Europe, with 52 deaths and over 2,000 people infected. "Here's the new Italian pizza, which is going to spread around the world," the fake advert says. Countries from Britain to China and France have reported cases of people bringing the virus back with them from Italy. "Making fun of Italians like that, with the Coronavirus emergency we are facing, is profoundly disrespectful," Di Maio said, adding he had ordered the Italian embassy in Paris to voice Rome's displeasure. He insisted the media were "morally obliged" not to spread disinformation, saying the Italian economy was paying the price. The tourism sector in Italy has been hit particularly hard, with lots of airlines cutting or reducing flights to the north, where the outbreak is concentrated, and hotels reporting widespread cancellations while monuments and museums lie eerily empty. Stab in the back Italy's agricultural minister Teresa Bellanova slammed the video as "shameful and horrifying". "This is not satire, it's an insult to an entire nation," she said, demanding Canal+ apologise immediately. "As the European and international authorities have repeatedly stated, it is not transmitted through food." Despite that, Di Maio said unspecified countries had "called for a 'virus free' label on Italian products" -- which was absurd. The French joke also bombed with Italian farmers' association Coldiretti. It slammed it as a "stab in the back" for the Made in Italy industry, worth some five billion euros ($5.5 billion) in exports to France, the second largest market after Germany. The pestilent pizza ploy was a "petty and instrumental attack" on a market rival, it said. The two countries historically compete on wine, cheese and bubbles, with Prosecco giving Champagne a run for its money. The Alpine neighbours have long had turbulent relations, with Italy often bridling at perceived French smugness. The last time the neighbours swapped outright insults was under Italy's populist government, when political and diplomatic dialogue effectively ground to a halt. But Di Maio opted on Tuesday for the moral high ground, inviting the video's makers "to come and eat pizza in Italy, a pizza like they have never eaten in their lives". UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has released his government's plans to tackle the coronavirus. Here are the key points: - If police lose "significant staff" numbers to illness, they would "concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order". - In a "stretching scenario", it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks. - Everyone will face increased pressures at work, as well as potentially their own illness and caring responsibilities. Supporting staff welfare "will be critical" for businesses. - The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff. - The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. They should also ensure family vaccines are up to date and check on family, friends and neighbours. They should also check Foreign Office advice before travelling abroad and be understanding of the pressures the health service is under. - The public will be asked to accept that "the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self-isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines". - If coronavirus becomes established, there will be a focus on essential services and helping those "most at risk to access the right treatment". - During the mitigation phase, when the virus is much more widespread, "pressures on services and wider society may become significant and clearly noticeable". - The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services. - There will be increased Government communication with Parliament, the public and the media if the virus becomes more widespread. - All Government departments to have a lead person for coronavirus. - If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings. - It is possible that an outbreak or pandemic of Covid-19 could come in multiple waves. - Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people's homes. - Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called "back to duty". - Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems. - There is a distribution strategy for sending out key medicines and equipment to NHS and social care. - This strain of coronavirus is new and people have a lack of immunity to it, meaning "Covid-19 has the potential to spread extensively". - Everyone is susceptible to catching the disease and thus it is "more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected". - There could be an "increase in deaths arising from the outbreak, particularly among vulnerable and elderly groups". - While most people will suffer mild to moderate symptoms, similar to seasonal flu, some will need hospital care due to pneumonia developing. - Young children can become infected and "suffer severe illness", but overall the illness is less common in the under-20s. As soon as the tension sparked in Meghalaya on February 28, following clashes between alleged Bangladeshi immigrants and Khasi Students' Union, the opposition jumped on the bandwagon to link it with anti-CAA violence in Delhi. However, this couldn't have been further from the truth as the situation in Meghalaya is entirely different from that in Delhi. READ | PM Modi's surprise after hinting at social media exit: Celebs impressed, nominate names What happened on February 28 The Khasi Students' Union was holding a public meeting in the Ichamati area of Shylla in East Khasi hills. It was a pro-Inner Line Permit meeting, something the KSU has been demanding for the last more than two decades. The KSU activists finished the meeting and were almost moving back to their respective places after lunch when suddenly they were attacked by a mob. The violence claimed the life of an activist of the KSU identified as Lurshai Hynniewta. As soon as the news of the attack on KSU spread, the situation turned tense across the State. The State government acted swiftly and suspended the internet across the State, apart from imposing curfew in Shylla, the epicentre and parts of East Khasi Hills. The rumour mongering led to further tension in Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya on February 29. Curfew was imposed in Shillong as well. READ | Here's why Rangoli Chandel wants to volunteer for PM Modi's #SheInspiresUs campaign Ground Zero Situation as on March 3 The situation is still tense in East Khasi Hills. Curfew is on and off in certain parts of the State including Shillong. Eight companies of CAPF have been deployed. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is taking a minute-to-minute briefing on the situation. Normalcy expected to return soon. However, night curfew will continue for some time, informed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to Republic Media Network. Internet suspension might continue, a review meeting for the same will take place at 10 pm on Tuesday. Demands of Khasi Students' Union The porous Indo-Bangladesh border has posed a major threat to the Northeast as the region is being used for illegal influx into India and Meghalaya is no exception. The demand for Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya has been a demand for the last more than two decades and KSU has been leading it from the front. Speaking to Republic Media Network on Tuesday, Lambok Marngar, president of KSU said that ILP is the only solution to this unrest. READ | PM Modi takes on Manmohan Singh over 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'; gives message of 'Nation first' The stand of the State Government Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said that the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) is with the MHA and they are reviewing it. The State Assembly has already passed a resolution earlier for the same. Meanwhile, Governor Tathagata Roy said to Republic Media Network that KSU can demand ILP but in a peaceful manner and not through violence. How Meghalaya unrest is different from Delhi's anti-CAA protest First thing first, the Citizenship Amendment Act is not at all applicable to the State of Meghalaya. Secondly, the Inner Line Permit has nothing to do with the CAA. So, linking Delhi anti-CAA violence with Meghalaya unrest is redundant and could be a case of political vendetta. KSU has extended its support to the anti-CAA agitation. The concern of the KSU is in regard to Assam and the support they have to the All Assam Students' Union, being part of the Northeast Students' Organization. Speaking to Republic Media Network, KSU President Lambok Marngar distanced himself from the anti-CAA violence in Delhi clearly stating that the concern for them is Meghalaya and the ILP. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to have made it clear that the State has its own issues and the opposition instead of linking incidents should work towards bringing normalcy. READ | Akanksha Puri modifies Paras Chhabra tattoo, calls it 'Being Me' She works hard to maintain her incredible figure. And Kendall Jenner showed off her sensational figure in a slew of sizzling selfies on Tuesday taken while on her Bahamas beach break with sister Kylie. The 24-year-old catwalk queen left nothing to the imagination as she posed in a tiny paisley Sommer Swim bikini which showcased her toned abs and perky assets. Itsy bitsy: Kendall Jenner showed off her sensational figure in a slew of sizzling selfies on Tuesday taken while on her Bahamas beach break with sister Kylie Head to toe: The 24-year-old catwalk queen left nothing to the imagination as she posed in a tiny paisley Sommer Swim bikini which showcased her toned abs and perky assets 'Me and this bikini: a love story,' Jenner captioned her collection of Instagrams. The tiny two-piece was hiked high up her hips to showcase her endless legs, whilst a skimpy strapless top exhibited her cleavage with a sexy keyhole cut out. After sharing a slew of hotel shots, Kendall took to the beach, where she nibbled on watermelon while sunning herself. Adding to her outfit was a beach-perfect straw hat. After a number of hotel shots, Kendall took to the beach, where she nibbled on watermelon while sunning herself. Tanned and toned: The tiny two-piece was hiked high up her hips to showcase her endless legs, whilst a skimpy strapless top exhibited her cleavage with a sexy keyhole cut out Kendall's sexy shots came after her younger sister Kylie also posted several bikini-clad snaps of the pair. Kylie, 22, looked unreal as she flaunted her peachy posterior in a thong one-piece while enjoying a day at the beach with her model sister. The youngest Kardashian/Jenner sister sizzled as she leaned over her shoulder, her newly caramel locks tousled by the ocean. Sister act: Kendall's sexy shots came after her younger sister Kylie also posted several bikini-clad snaps of the pair Bottom's up! Later Kendall flashed her derriere, turning around to display her bottom in a haltered one-piece look While Kylie offered a smoldering look at the camera, Kendall laid down to showcase her cleavage and enviably flat midriff in a tiny lime green bikini. The ladies continued to stun in a follow-up post, where they slipped into matching green and yellow looks. This time it was Kendall flashing her derriere, turning around to display her toned posterior in a haltered one-piece look cut high on the hips. Double trouble: The ladies continued to stun in a follow-up post, where they slipped into matching green and yellow looks Meanwhile, Kylie wowed in an asymmetrical dress which was kept together by several strategically placed hoops. 'DAY 1' she captioned the second post, adding two heart emojis. The sisters have been soaking up the sunshine alongside Kylie's two-year-old daughter Stormi and her best friend Stassie Karanikolaou. As fears mount over coronavirus, perspective is in order. If youre reading this editorial, chances are youve already survived a pandemic, the term for when an epidemic goes global. In 2009, U.S. health officials detected a new strain of influenza circulating here, one containing a unique combination of influenza genes not previously identified in animals or people. After its rapid worldwide spread, medical experts declared the influenza epidemic a pandemic. From April 2009 until the pandemics end in April 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there were 60.8 million cases, 274,304 hospitalizations and 12,469 deaths in the United States. While health officials have yet to declare coronavirus a pandemic, its increasingly clear that its on the verge of being one and that the U.S. must be ready for the pathogens likely escalation here. Doctors, hospitals, state and local health departments and, most important, the public, need to understand how quickly the coronavirus is spreading and the role that everyone has in combating it. The clarity about coronavirus risks communicated this week by the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health and infectious-disease specialists such as Minnesotas Mike Osterholm is alarming but appropriate. This is a virus that can kill and is more easily transmitted than initially thought. This better understanding of how contagious it is has been a game-changer. Its behind the CDCs assessment this week that the virus spread within the U.S. is inevitable and that this might be bad. That bluntness may have spooked the stock market, but it was necessary. Public health should be paramount, and it is best served by honesty about the challenges that might lie ahead. An informed nation is one that can come together to control this virus, just as it did with the influenza pandemic 11 years ago. President Donald Trumps tweets this week focusing on economic fallout and suggesting that partisanship is driving concerns have not been helpful. Thankfully, Congress is rising to the occasion. Coronavirus, or COVID-19 as its officially known, spurred several hearings this week in the House and Senate. Republicans and Democrats have asked thoughtful questions and made it abundantly clear that funding to fight this outbreak will not be a problem. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., for example, urged administration officials not to lowball requests for additional dollars. We share Shelbys concerns and also wishes the request would have come much sooner. The administration is seeking $2.5 billion in emergency spending, some of which involves nonsensically diverting money from other important programs. In comparison, the Obama administration asked Congress for $6.2 billion to rein in a 2014 Ebola outbreak. And this week, Politico reported that one analyst, a former federal emergency preparedness official, said as much as $15 billion may be needed. Smart questions by lawmakers from both parties have also put a spotlight on readiness. Answers from Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Chad Wolf, the Department of Homeland Securitys acting secretary, have not been reassuring. Under questioning from a GOP senator, Wolf struggled to produce basic facts and projections about the disease, according to The Washington Post. Azar has had to revise the number of protective masks the nation has ready in case of an outbreak, suggesting that officials dont have a firm grasp on supplies stockpiled. The duos performance indicates a lack of coordination at the federal level. Dr. Peter Hotez, a Baylor University infectious-disease specialist, has suggested appointing a coronavirus czar to harmonize agencies and establish a clear chain of command. Thats a sensible recommendation. Once the epidemic is under control, the czar should also do a broader analysis to ensure that it has the management infrastructure in place to handle pandemic and other health threats. Reports that the Trump administration dismantled the system built to handle the Ebola outbreak are unsettling. The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has now topped 81,000. Fifty-seven have been confirmed in the United States. There is currently no vaccine or treatment other than supportive care. Measures needed to stop the virus spread may include school and day care closings, employees working at home, and canceling conferences and other meetings. This will not be easy, which is why straight talk from the CDC and other public health experts is vital right now. Star Tribune, Minnesota VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (CSE:CMC)(OTCQB:CWSFF) ("Cielo" or the "Company") announces that it has secured eligibility by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for its common shares, which trade on the OTCQB in the United States under the trading symbol CWSFF. DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. DTC eligibility permits shares of Cielo to be distributed, settled and serviced through DTC's automated processes, leveraging the efficiencies created through the electronic clearing and settlement of securities. DTC services provide cost benefits for investors and brokers trading Canadian securities in the United States. Cielo's President and CEO, Don Allan, commented, "With DTC eligibility, Cielo's shareholders in the US will be better served. DTC eligibility increases visibility with US investors overall, making it easier for investors to participate in acquiring shares in Cielo. In addition, we anticipate that our shareholders will benefit from increased liquidity and the Company will gain access to a larger potential shareholder base." APPOINTMENT OF CFO Cielo also announces the appointment of Shawn Frenette as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Shannon Wyzykoski. Mr. Frenette has over 20 years' experience serving as a CFO/Controller at several fast-paced, dynamic companies and has been a partner with Ms. Wyzykoski, Cielo's previous CFO, in SSCR Corporate Solutions ("SSCR") for the past 12 years. While at SSCR, Mr. Frenette held several contracting CFO roles and oversaw and implemented multiple different systems. Mr. Frenette prides himself in being able to guide business leaders to formulate and implement corporate strategies to cost effectively grow their businesses. Mr. Frenette has accounting expertise in both Canada and USA. Mr. Allan stated, "Cielo would like to wish Shannon Wyzykoski all the best in her new endeavors and would like to thank her for the outstanding work she delivered for Cielo and would like to welcome Shawn to Cielo's management team." PRIVATE PLACEMENT TRANCHE CLOSING AND CORRECTION On February 28, 2020, Cielo closed another tranche of a private placement offering (the "Offering") of unsecured convertible debenture units (the "Unit(s)"), raising gross proceeds of $100,000 in this tranche. Each Unit consists of one (1) $1,000 unsecured convertible debenture (the "Debenture(s)") and 500 share purchase warrants (the "Warrant(s)"). The Debentures bear interest at a simple rate of 15% per annum, the initial two (2) years of interest to be prepaid (the "Prepaid Interest") on the date of issuance of the Debentures (the "Issue Date") by the issuance of common shares (the "Prepaid Interest Shares") at a price of $0.12 per Prepaid Interest Share. The principal of the Debentures (the "Principal") together with all accrued interest exceeding the Prepaid Interest (the "Interest Balance") will be repaid 48 months from the Issue Date unless repaid earlier by Cielo without penalty or converted by the holder(s) thereof, any time after four months and a day following the Issue Date at a price of $0.08 for the Principal and $0.12 for the Interest Balance. Each Warrant will be exercisable for a term of 48 months from the Issue Date (the "Warrant Term") at an exercise price of $0.25 per share, subject to acceleration in the event that the common shares of Cielo listed on a recognized stock exchange trade at $0.50, or higher, for at least five (5) consecutive trading days, in which event Cielo may provide a notice to holders that the Warrant Term will terminate 30 days from the date of notice. On February 7, 2020, the Company announced it closed a tranche of its private placement offering (the "Offering") of unsecured convertible debenture units (the "Unit(s)") for $690,000. Due to a mathematical error, the actual amount received was $490,000 bringing the total gross proceeds raised pursuant to the Offering as of February 7, 2020 to $2,332,000 rather than the $2,532,000 that was disclosed. Please note all numbers in this press release are in Canadian dollars. To date, Cielo has raised aggregate gross proceeds of $2,432,000 and issued in aggregate 2,432 Debentures, 1,216,000 Warrants, and 6,080,000 Prepaid Interest Shares. The net proceeds of the Offering have been and will continue to be used to complete the commissioning of the Company's refinery in Aldersyde, Alberta ("Aldersyde Refinery"), as well as for general working capital. Although the Offering is non-brokered, the Company may pay reasonable customary brokers' and/or finders' commissions in connection with the completion of the Offering of up to 8% of the gross proceeds raised by such broker(s)/finder(s) and up to 8% of the total number of common shares that would be issued to subscribers introduced by such broker(s)/finder(s) if 100% of the Principal under the Debentures is converted. With respect to the $2,432,000 closed to date, Cielo has paid $139,600 to finders and issued 1,380,800 finder warrants, exercisable at $0.12 per share for 48 months from the date of issuance. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory 4 month hold period. OPERATIONS UPDATE For approximately the last 9 weeks, the Aldersyde facility has been operating full-time, on a continuous-flow basis, with minor short-term customary interruptions. During this period, renewable naphtha and diesel from wood biomass has been produced, which is a major achievement for Cielo. Cielo's third-party engineering consultants have advised Cielo's management that the drawings for the upgraded reactor and waste line improvements should be completed this week, some of these have already been received. Upon receipt of the drawings, Cielo will send them out for tender, with fabrication to begin shortly thereafter. Cielo is very confident that once the applicable pieces of equipment are installed, the hourly production numbers will be able to be substantially increased to achieve the targeted production rate of 1,000 liters per hour of renewable fuels. This is in contrast to the anticipated production rate of the joint venture facilities (the "JV Facilities") to be built by Cielo together with the Renewable U group of companies in Alberta and Halifax and Seymour Capital in Ontario (as previously announced). The JV Facilities are being designed to produce 4,000 liters per hour, which equates to each JV Facility converting approximately 8 tonnes of dried garbage per hour into high grade renewable fuels. Cielo continues to work with potential buyers who have expressed interest in purchasing all of the renewable fuels that can be produced at the Aldersyde facility with higher sulfur levels, which would allow for the sale of renewable fuels without completing the desulfurization aspect of Cielo's technology. Both Cielo and the potential buyers are conducting lab tests to confirm that the Company's current renewable fuels meet, or exceed, the required specifications. Cielo anticipates having in-hand in the near future lab results that confirm that the Company's renewable fuel meets the required specifications. Cielo continues to be engaged in meaningful dialogue with Alberta Environment and Parks ("AEP") with respect to securing amendments to the Company's operating permit that, once in place, will allow Cielo to process additional waste feedstocks into high grade renewable diesel at the Aldersyde Facility. Pending such amendments, Cielo expects to immediately request delivery of trail amounts of single use plastics from the City of Calgary for processing at the Aldersyde Facility. These plastics are similar to those problematic waste materials currently being disposed of by municipalities across North America into landfills due to a lack of viable and cost-effective alternatives. Mr Allan. stated, "We are optimistic that we will receive AEP approval of the requested amendments to our operating permit in the near future. Once in place we will be able to test alternate feedstocks. which will advance site locations for our joint venture renewable diesel facilities, which we expect will create hundreds of jobs and inject an estimated $250M into the Alberta economy!" On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company. Cielo Waste Management Corp. Don Allan, President / CEO / Director Investor Contacts Alliance Capital Partners Gordon Aldcorn, President Calgary, Alberta galdcorn@alliancecapitalpartners.ca RB Milestone Group, LLC Trevor Brucato, Managing Director New York, NY & Stamford, CT tbrucato@rbmilestone.com About Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. is a publicly traded company with its shares listed to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "CMC", as well as OTC Markets Group, on the OTCQB, under the symbol "CWSFF". Cielo is a waste to renewable energy company with a game changing technology engineered to help solve the world's garbage crisis. Cielo's technology transforms landfill garbage into renewable high-grade diesel, kerosene (aviation jet fuel) and naphtha fuels. Cielo's proven and patent-pending technology is currently being deployed in the Company's Aldersyde, Alberta Renewable Diesel Plant where wood waste is currently being converted into renewable fuels. Cielo is headquartered in Alberta, Canada with plans to build and operate green plants across North America and globally. Cielo has already begun expanding its footprint by signing multiple Memorandums of Understanding pursuant to which third parties are in negotiation with Cielo to build, at no cost to Cielo, Joint Venture Renewable Diesel Plants in Grande Prairie, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. Each JV Plant is projected to cost approximately $50M to build, commission and place on production. Cielo will be the general contractor and operator of all the proposed JV Plants. The feedstock that will be used in the Company's green plants is the world's most available and inexpensive feedstock - garbage; including household, commercial / construction / demolition garbage, used tires, railway ties and telephone poles as well as all types of plastic that currently cannot be recycled. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes. Forward looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Cielo is making forward looking statements related to the completion of operation of the Aldersyde Refinery and the potential sale of its desulfurized product as well as the acquisition of approval from the AEP of amendments to its permits and the ability to accept and process alternate feedstocks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, neither the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. The CSE and the OTCQB have not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release. SOURCE: Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578800/Cielo-Receives-DTC-Eligibility-Appoints-New-CFO-Closes-Tranche-of-Private-Placement-and-Provides-Operations-Update Sorry! This content is not available in your region There is no reason that the information should be classified, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a letter last week to Grenell. He noted that there is a robust body of credible unclassified reporting regarding Khashoggis killing, including a report issued in June by the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. Thus, the committee does not anticipate that any harm to national security would result from declassifying the findings, with redactions as necessary, he said. When the United Steelworkers of America called for a strike of its 3,070 production and maintenance workers at the Carrier Corporations Syracuse plant on the evening of March 2, 1960, the effect was felt all over the region. Carrier was the second largest employer in the area, with an annual payroll of over $32 million and a workforce of more than 5,400 employees. The company had an excellent reputation since it arrived in Syracuse in 1937 and had not seen a strike since its move here. Its working conditions were good and its wages, averaging $2.52 an hour, was competitive for the type of work. Hourly employees received seven paid holidays a year, averaged one to three weeks of paid vacation, depending on length of service and the company offered health benefits, life insurance and pensions. But the March 1 suspension of Francis Brewster, president of Local 5895 of the United Steelworkers of America, after the company said he refused to do assigned work" had angered its workers. So did the reprimands for four other workers who discouraged other employees from working overtime. (Employees thought that the company was pushing overtime because they believed that a long strike was coming, and wanted to produce a large stockpile of goods when it happened.) At 10 p.m. on March 2, about 400 workers left work at the Thompson Road and Geddes Street plants. Picket lines were immediately set up outside, so quickly in fact that the picketers did not have signs. By the end of the month, most of the strikers, 2,374 out of 3,251, had returned to work, and the company began hiring replacements for the strikers. During the strike, photographers from Syracuse newspapers were there, documenting what happened at one of the areas most important employers. The images that follow shows the face of the workers and executives of Carrier during this time and the tumultuous battle between the two groups that occasionally became violent. Details on the back of the images are sketchy about when exactly the photo was taken or who the people were in them. If you recognize a familiar face or have anything to share about them, please email us a features@syracuse.com. Sheriff's deputies form wall between pickets and returning workers at Carrier Thompson Road. Carrier Corp. - Carrier Corporation Executive in Car Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Jovial workers who left their jobs at Carrier Corp.'s Thompson Road plant last night share coffee to keep warm in the bitter cold outside plant's main gate. About 250 employees walked out at this plant in protest of disciplinary action taken by company against five officers of Local 5895, United Steelworkers of America. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard A production worker at the struck Carrier plant is congratulated by fellow workers as he walks off the job. Brewster, right, talks over picketing with other officers. Carrier Corporation Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Workers leave plant at 9 p.m. And are checked out by security guards. Carrier Corporation. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Pickets at Geddes Street plant. Carrier Corp. Cosimo S. Caleagino of 237 Belmore Drive, North Syracuse, tries to keep warm while on strike duty at Carrier Thompson road plant. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier white collar workers pass through gate at Thompson road. About half a million Americans are employed by the state and local governments on highway construction and maintenance, according to the Automobile Manufacturers Association. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier Corporation striking members stop car at plant entrance Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard 1st light going in with cars, King arrested. Carrier Corp. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier Corp. Leaving plant, 2nd fight pulling 14 cars. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Deputy Easlich and other deputies with striker they got away from front of engine, Cicero. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier Corp. - Deputy sheriff Easlick (veteran of strikes, hurt in GE strike in 1953) and strikers - have major check names - believe they are Brewster and Kowalski. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier Corporation - 1st fight - going in with 14 cars. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Pickets form human wall in attempt to prevent train from leaving strike-bound Carrier Plant. Joseph P. Malony, Francis Brewster, John Kowalski, Carrier Strike Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier Corp - Let's Hold that line, L-U 3775, U.SA. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Some of 1,500 hourly workers the company said reported for work this morning enter Thompson Road Plant. Carrier Corporation officials said more than 1,500 hourly workers had returned to work today following resumption of a steelworkers' strike against the company's Thompson Road and North Geddes Street plants. The union called a mass meeting to review walkout with members. Company employee gives parking instructions. USW CIO AFL, On Strike, United Steel Workers of America. Carrier - Francis Brewster, President of Local 5895, with camera ... deputy sheriff records strike action. United Steelworkers pickets jeer at employee entering the Thompson Road plant. An estimated 2,100 hourly employees returned to work in the re-struck Carrier Corp. plants today despite picketing by United Steelworkers who were summoned back last night when the strike, settled by union approval yesterday, was suddenly renewed. A company official estimated about 1,600 persons entered the Thompson Road plant and 500 production and maintenance employees went back inside the Geddes Street plant. Sheriff's deputies form wall between pickets and returning workers at Carrier Thompson Road. Part of Carrier Work Force Returns; James Street Blaze Leaves 29 Homeless. Workers leave bus at Gate on Thompson Road, Carrier Corporation Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Massed pickets are restrained by deputies at the main gate of Carrier's Thompson Road plant. Carrier Corp - Frank Sopper arrested. Carrier Corp. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Carrier Corp. - Carrier ... around Robinson and Wallace (on ground) during the outbreak broken up by blackjack swinging sheriffs. Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard Mrs. Gladys Atwood, 23, of 505 North McBride Street, who suffered an arm injury in fracas, is aided by attendants. Number of Steelworkers and United Auto Workers Union members minutes before hourly workers came off shift. One woman was injured and five pickets arrested during the melee. Carrier Corporation The rear window of a Carrier Corp. employee's car parked in the lot across Thompson Road from the plant developed two huge holes and was completely cracked yesterday. The cause was not determined but theories ranged from a well thrown rock to a simple "pressure" explosion. The shattered window was discovered late in the afternoon. Members of International Union of Electrical Workers, Local 320, joined striking steelworkers pickets at Carrier Corp's Thompson road plant yesterday in , "sympathy" picket duty. This marked the first time the General Electric employees large banner was spotted on the picket lines. READ MORE 60-Second Syracuse: The city ships cold air all over the world 1955: Fire destroys the Alhambra, the skating rink that was once the cultural center of Syracuse 1920: After 41 years of service, 79-year-old Syracuse letter carrier finally calls in sick 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. Thousands of migrants and refugees are searching for ways to cross Greeces border with Turkey, as Athens ramped up its diplomatic efforts for help from the European Union to seal off its eastern land and sea frontiers. Turkey has made good on a threat to open its borders for those seeking to cross into Europe. Many seeking to enter Greece, which has made clear its border is shut, tried their luck by wading or rowing across the Evros River that runs along most of the land frontier. Greek police detain a migrant in the Evros region (AP/Giannis Papanikos) The action by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan triggered days of violent clashes and scenes of chaos at the land border, while hundreds of others have headed to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast in dinghies. Greece has struggled to push back the wave of migrants, with its armed forces now leading the effort. Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the troubled border along with top EU officials, including European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel. Mr Mitsotakis said Turkey was breaching a 2016 agreement with the EU on migration and has systematically encouraged and assisted tens of thousands of refugees and migrants to illegally enter Greece. It has failed, and will continue to fail, should it continue to pursue this strategy. He added: This is no longer a refugee problem. This is a blatant attempt by Turkey to use desperate people to promote its geopolitical agenda. The Greek government has said the situation is a direct threat to Greeces national security, and has imposed emergency measures to carry out summary deportations and deny new arrivals the right to apply for asylum for one month. Thousands of migrants have massed at the Turkish-Greek border (AP/Giannis Papanikos) Ms von der Leyen said: The Greek worries are our worries. This is not only a Greek border but it is also a European border, and I stand here today as a European at your side. She said those at the borders had been lured by false promises into this desperate situation. Story continues Turkeys announcement that it would not stop those wishing to cross into Europe came amid a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive into Syrias north-western Idlib province, where Turkish troops are fighting. The offensive has killed dozens of Turkish troops and sent nearly a million Syrian civilians toward Turkeys sealed border. However, Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian militarys coordination centre in Syria, said the claims about a humanitarian crisis in Idlib were false. The announcement of Turkeys opening of its borders upended Ankaras previous policy of containing refugees under an agreement with the European Union, in which the EU would provide billions of euro in funding for the care of refugees within Turkey. Migrants walk on the road near of Ipsala border gate in Edirne, at the Turkish-Greek border (AP) Turkey, which hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has long maintained the EU has not lived up to its side of the deal. The resulting movement of migrants appeared well organised, with buses, minibuses and cars provided in Istanbul to ferry people to the border. The vast majority appeared to be Afghans, along with people from a wide variety of countries, including Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh and Syria. The Greek army and navy held live fire exercises across the eastern border areas for a second day on Tuesday to reinforce a message of deterrence. Ms von der Leyen said EU border protection agency Frontex would send an offshore vessel and three coastal patrol vessels, two helicopters and other aircraft, three thermovision vehicles and add 100 border guards to the 530 it already has in Greece. The EU would also provide 700 million euro (607 million) in assistance. Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz levelled blunt criticism at Turkey over the crisis. He said in Vienna: The people are being used by President Erdogan as a political football, as weapons and as instruments of pressure on the European Union. Human rights groups said the Greek response, while justified, has been heavy-handed. Showing humanity and defending rights is the best way to defend the EU borders, said Lotte Leicht, EU director at Human Rights Watch. UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said he understood Greek authorities may need to take decisive and exceptional measures, but warned access has to remain for those in need of protection. Lucknow, March 3 : Uttar Pradesh now has its share of coronavirus suspects with six cases with high viral load detected in Agra and one in Lucknow, officials said on Tuesday. The suspects in Agra are the ones who have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi which was reported on Monday. The suspect in Lucknow has shown symptoms of the deadly virus and has recently returned from Dubai. All the suspects have been kept in isolation. Their blood samples are being sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for tests. The six suspects in Agra were identified through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network. Meanwhile, panic spread in Agra on Monday evening after one of the members of an Italian group of 20 tourists, who arrived here from Jaipur on Sunday night, tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur and was detained there. Though the remaining 19 members of the group left for Delhi early on Monday, the news about one of their members having tested positive for the virus caused considerable concern among tour operators and hoteliers. Agra chief medical officer Mukesh Kumar Vats said that their department received the information on Monday afternoon from Lucknow office and they immediately alerted all the officials concerned in the tourism industry. According to him, by the time they identified the Italian group, they had left for Delhi by road. "We are trying to locate the tourist operator of that group," he said. Confirming the arrival of the 19 Italians, a senior executive of a well-known hotel chain said the group arrived at their hotel at 2 a.m on Monday and left for Delhi around 8 a.m. He said that before their departure, they had visited the Taj Mahal. Meanwhile, two employees of a local shoe exporter, who returned from Italy recently, were also quarantined in the district hospital after they showed symptoms of fever. In Lucknow, one person suspected of being infected with coronavirus has been admitted to the Lok Bandhu hospital. The patient, identified as Rukhsar Khan, 32, is a resident of Rudauli in Ayodhya district and had recently returned from Dubai where he had gone in search of a job. Medical in charge of Civil hospital, Dr D.S. Negi, said that the patient has been admitted to the isolation ward and all tests are being carried out to find out the status of his health. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A nurse administering a flu vaccine in New York City. Robert Giroux/Getty Images At a White House meeting on Monday, the president asked if the flu vaccine could be used to prevent COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. "No," a biotech CEO told the president. While a new flu vaccine is developed each year, it's designed to target specific strands of the flu virus and would be ineffective in fighting the coronavirus. Experts have said a coronavirus vaccine is likely years away. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump on Monday asked whether the flu vaccine would be useful in fighting COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. His question came during a meeting with pharmaceutical executives and members of his administration's coronavirus task force. Leonard Schleifer, CEO of the biotechnology company Regeneron, said that while millions of people were vaccinated for the flu, no one had yet gotten a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, The Independent reported. "But the same vaccine could not work?" Trump said. "You take a solid flu vaccine you don't think that would have an impact, or much of an impact, on corona?" "No," Schleifer replied. "Probably not," added Dr. Tony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of Trump's task force. The flu vaccine would not work to prevent COVID-19 because it's designed to target specific strains of the flu virus According to Johns Hopkins, while influenza and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses that involve similar symptoms, the two viruses have major differences. For one, the flu is caused by several different viruses and strains, whereas the coronavirus outbreak is linked to one specific virus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. Here's how the flu vaccine is made: Twice each year in February and September the directors of health organizations from the US, the UK, Australia, China, and Japan come together with the World Health Organization's collaborating centers to select which viruses are targeted by the year's vaccines. Each vaccine typically protects against three to four specific strains of the flu virus. The vaccine contains strains of both influenza A and influenza B viruses, the most common types. Story continues It could take years to develop a vaccine to fight COVID-19. "When people get up there and say we are going to have a vaccine in months, it is misleading," Dr. Gregory Poland, the director of the Mayo Clinic's vaccine-research group, told Business Insider in an interview. "That is not going to happen in the US." The cost and time frame for creating such a vaccine is unknown. Cost estimates have ranged from $200 million to $1.5 billion. And while researchers may be able to develop a vaccine for this particular coronavirus strain, it might not be until after this outbreak has ended. The White House, meanwhile, has been scrambling to address the outbreak as more cases and deaths are reported across the US. Trump made Vice President Mike Pence the head of the coronavirus task force at a press conference last week. But the administration has also been accused of barring Fauci, a top US expert on infectious diseases, from speaking publicly about the coronavirus outbreak without approval and of inadequately responding to the virus. In an interview with Politico published Tuesday, Fauci said that the coronavirus outbreak in the US "could be really, really bad" and that he doesn't think "we are going to get out of this completely unscathed." "I think that this is going to be one of those things we look back on and say boy, that was bad," Fauci said. As of Tuesday, at least 106 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the US, according to numbers from Johns Hopkins. Six people in the US have died of the disease, all in Washington state. Read the original article on Business Insider LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Insurance Brokers, one of the largest full-service, independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States, announced that Chanel Dunn has joined the company as Assistant Vice President in the Irvine office. Dunn brings experience ranging from revenue growth, cash flow risk management, and service-based solutions. After starting her career in the human capital management and small business industry, Dunn began her insurance career in 2017. She takes a client-focused approach to deliver results, while maintaining structure and compliance. Dunn prides herself on building relationships based on trust and always putting client interests first. "Chanel has a unique business skill set that, we believe, will make her successful in our platform," said Benjamin Stern, Managing Senior Vice President of the Heffernan Los Angeles office. "We are excited to have Chanel on our Southern California team." Dunn graduated from Biola University with a bachelor of business administration with a focus in marketing. She looks forward to helping grow Heffernan's presence in commercial real estate, manufacturing, and wholesale B2B sector in Southern California. About Heffernan Insurance Brokers Heffernan Insurance Brokers, formed in 1988, is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Heffernan provides insurance and financial services products to a range of businesses and individuals. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Heffernan has offices in San Francisco, Petaluma, Menlo Park, Los Angeles and Irvine, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA, St. Louis, MO; and London UK. Employee-owned, Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named the Top Mid-Sized Broker in the United States to work for in 2009 by Business Insurance Magazine. The firm has been among the Top Greater Bay Area Philanthropists since 2003, donating over 25 percent of profits to charity in 2018. For more information, visit www.heffins.com. License #0564249 SOURCE Heffernan Insurance Brokers Related Links http://www.heffins.com Greg Gutfeld outside Fox News headquarters in New York in November. (Bryan Anselm for The Post) The caustic comic has gone from irreverent cable news oddity to a ratings champ who seems right at home on the network. Coronavirus Presents Opportunity for Middle-Sized Powers, Says New Government Advisor The head of ANUs National Security College and new adviser to the Morrison government, Professor Rory Medcalf, says the current coronavirus crisis is an opportunity for Australia and other middle-sized powers in the region to deal with the Chinese regime in a stronger and more confident manner and reduce tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. A former diplomat, Medcalf, who was just last week appointed to the advisory board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, said Tuesday that the way the coronavirus epidemic has been dealt with by the Chinese authorities has prompted the Chinese people to lose confidence in the countrys leadership. He made the comments at the launch of his new book, Contest for the Indo-Pacific, attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong in Canberra. The book challenges the idea that China or the United States will dominate the region in the future, instead highlighting that middle players coexisting and cooperating are the key to ensuring stability. In a written piece published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Medcalf added that the outbreak has caused lasting damage to the Peoples Republic of China, which was already weaker than it liked to look, and is a reminder that the country will struggle to maintain the internal obedience and international sway it needs for its Indo-Pacific strategic ambitions. Medcalf said that these vulnerabilities presented the perfect opportunity for middle-sized powers in the region such as Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and India to define a future based on mutual respect for sovereignty. The challenge now for Australia and other middle players between the United States and China is to redouble their efforts to build security cooperation and define a future based on mutual respect for sovereignty of nations large and small, Medcalf said. The COVID-19 emergency is a black swan eventan improbable catastrophe obvious in retrospectthat will disrupt the connected, contested Indo-Pacific region we have seen evolve in recent decades. The opportunity now for Australia, as we protect our own population and offer international cooperation in combating coronavirus, is to demonstrate a creative mix of resilience, national interest, and partnership. This prolonged crisis could hasten the day when China will need to find a strategic settling point for its regional ambitions, the former diplomat added. The Epoch Times has contacted Professor Rory Medcalf for further comment. Credit: Laboratoire des maladies neurodegeneratives (CNRS/CEA/Universite Paris Saclay) Scientists at the Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodegeneratives (CNRS/CEA/Universite Paris-Saclay) and the Neurocentre Magendie (INSERM/Universite de Bordeaux) have just shown that a metabolic pathway plays a determining role in Alzheimer's disease's memory problems. This work, published on 3 March 2020 in Cell Metabolism, also shows that supplying a specific amino acid as a nutritional supplement in a mouse model of Alzheimer's restores spatial memory affected early. This is a promising path for reducing memory loss related to that disease. The brain uses a large part of the energy available to our body. To work properly, neurons and the surrounding cells, particularly astrocytes, must cooperate. The early phase of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a reduction in this energy metabolism, but until now we did not know whether this deficit contributed directly to the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. A collaborative study has shown in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease that a decrease in the use of glucose by astrocytes reduces L-serine production. This amino acid is mainly produced by these brain cells and its biosynthesis path is altered in patients. L-serine is the precursor of D-serine, known to stimulate NMDA receptors, essential for brain function and to the establishment of memory. So by producing less L-serine, astrocytes cause reduced activity in these receptors, which alters neuronal plasticity and the associated memorization capacities. Scientists have also demonstrated that memorization functions in mice were restored by supplying nutritional L-serine. With the identification of the role of L-serine in memory disorders and the experimental efficacy of nutritional supplementation, new strategies appear that may complement medical treatment, to combat early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases that display metabolic deficits, like Parkinson's and Huntington's. Since L-serine is available as a nutritional supplement, this compound should be rigorously tested in humans, through controlled clinical trials. Explore further New study indicates amino acid may be useful in treating ALS More information: Juliette Le Douce et al. Impairment Of Glycolysis-Derived L-Serine Production In Astrocytes Contributes To Cognitive Deficits In Alzheimer'S Disease. Cell Metabolism, 3 march 2020. Journal information: Cell Metabolism Juliette Le Douce et al. Impairment Of Glycolysis-Derived L-Serine Production In Astrocytes Contributes To Cognitive Deficits In Alzheimer'S Disease., 3 march 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.02.004 Jonathan G. Stine, MD, MSc, FACP, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and funded physician scientist in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Stine earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State. Dr. Stine's clinical and research areas of expertise include NAFLD, coagulation disorders in chronic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and liver transplantation. The majority of his early work focused on DILI in both the population at large, as well as in special populations, including the elderly and patients with underlying chronic liver disease including cirrhosis. His more recent work has focused on liver transplantation coagulation disorders and outcomes-based research in which the link between pre- and post-transplantation vascular events was demonstrated. Additionally, Dr. Stine and his research group found that despite broader organ-sharing policies, geographic disparities persist and regional access to liver transplantation remains highly variable and inequitable. Dr. Stine is the principal investigator on the NASHFit Trial and is continuing forward his work on the hypercoagulable environment in NASH patients, where he previously demonstrated that NASH increases one's risk of venous thromboembolic disease. Dr. Stine serves as the Director of Research, Penn State Liver Center. (HedgeCo.Net) The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has entered a final judgment against Palm Financial Management, LLC and Shore Management Systems, LLC. The SEC previously charged these defendants for their role in an alleged Ponzi scheme that defrauded at least 55 investors. The SECs complaint, filed on November 14, 2019, alleged that co-defendants Neil Burkholz and Frank Bianco used Palm Management and Shore Management to solicit investors by falsely representing that their proprietary options trading strategies were highly profitable. In reality, as alleged in the complaint, the defendants invested less than half of investor funds and those investments resulted in near-total losses. The complaint alleged that the defendants misappropriated the remaining funds by using them to repay other investors and by transferring approximately $880,000 of investor funds to Burkholz, Bianco, and their spouses for personal use. According to the SECs complaint, the defendants sent false reports to investors to conceal their fraudulent conduct and give the investors the false impression they were generating positive returns. The judgment, entered on the basis of default, finds that Palm Management and Shore Management violated the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The judgment permanently enjoins Palm Management and Shore Management from violating these provisions and orders them to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling $624,121 and $599,645, respectively. The SEC intends to seek approval from the Court to establish a fair fund to distribute money received from the defendants to harmed investors. Israel's military and other security services undergo largest rearmament in years Spain PM calls for a debate to consider COVID-19 endemic disease Barcelona's striker resumed training half a year later Flyone Armenia and Pegasus receive permission for Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights Pope condemns "baseless" ideological misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines Arab foreign ministers to visit Beijing UEFA: Arsen Zakharyan one of the most promising football players Why are obese people more likely to face severe COVID-19? Azerbaijanis stoned an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road Armenian FM has a phone call with his Polish counterpart Macron travels to French Riviera to discuss internal security issues Artsakh Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan's aggressive behavior aims to disrupt Russian peacekeepers' activities US COVID-19 cases reach 60 million European Parliament President hospitalized due to immune system dysfunction Washington and Ankara discuss normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey WHO excludes emergence of deltacron strain In Karabakh Azerbaijanis shelled tractor Indian Defense Minister tests positive for COVID-19 Vahan Bichakhchyan to continue his career in Poland US-Russia talks on security guarantees lasting for seven hours already NEWS.am daily digest: 10.01.22 Pashinyan appoints Hayk Mkrtchyan as Deputy Governor of Kotayk province Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills nine children Pashinyan: One of key priorities of Armenia presidency at CSTO is strengthening of crisis response mechanisms Turkey demands banning Netflix because of Armenia map in its historical borders Internet cut off in Kazakhstan Armenia, Kazakhstan ombudspersons confer on Armenian communitys rights Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan What daily activities increase risk of contracting COVID-19? Turkey defense minister meets with their envoy in process of normalization of Armenia relations Pixar's Turning Red taken out of rent Iranian Foreign Ministry reports progress in Vienna negotiations Specialist: 2 persons who contracted Omicron variant came to Armenia from US, Egypt Dollar continues going up in Armenia Mbappe: Benzema is a great player and left his mark on Real Madrid's history New attempt by migrants in Belarus to storm Poland border Skat Airlines resumes Yerevan-Aktau and Aktau-Yerevan flights New Covid-related restrictions to be introduced in Armenia Karabakh police: Firefighters also targeted by Azerbaijan shooting (PHOTOS) Artsakh Defense Army has not fired on Azerbaijan positions Azerbaijani military are protesting amid military awards deprivation Azerbaijanis open fire in Nagorno-Karabakh COVID-19 pandemic causes increase in deaths from cardiovascular diseases, specialist claims Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona's squad list against Real Madrid Karabakh MFA: Events in Kazakhstan are result of actions planned by Turkey Eco-activists accuse Leonardo DiCaprio of hypocrisy Armenia army General Staff has new deputy chief Australia to buy US $ 2.5 billion of armored vehicles Artsakh emergency service: Search for soldiers remains continued during holidays Kazakh Colonel Nazanov dies after heart attack Australia begins to vaccinate children aged 5-11 with COVID-19 vaccine Kanye West and Demna Gvasalia are working on collection for Gap Putin: Peacekeeping contingent to stay in Kazakhstan for a limited period Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan v. premier Pashinyan lawsuit court session is closed Sinead O'Connor threatens to sue hospital after her son commits suicide Azerbaijan commandos conduct military exercises Part of the Great Wall of China collapsed due to earthquake There is no footballer with a strong personality at Roma, Mourinho says Armenia MP: Turkey, Azerbaijans regional calculations have mixed up Copper prices decline Armenia ex-President Kocharyan v. PM Pashinyan lawsuit trial resumes Karen Khachanov: Good start of season 2022 Gold is getting cheaper EU is ready to support in addressing Karabakh crisis 126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Fire in residential building in New York leaves 19 people killed 1,694,518 people so far vaccinated in Armenia against Covid National Center for Infectious Diseases Yerevan branch employees protesting outside center Court grants Djokovic appeal Karabakh President: Radical Pan-Turkic circles are actively involved in process in Kazakhstan Oil is getting more expensive Golden Globes winners announced Mars helicopter Ingenuity preparing for difficult 19th flight Why is omicron strain of COVID-19 dangerous for children? Interior ministry: About 8,000 people detained in Kazakhstan Earthquake hits Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone La Liga: Atletico do not defeat Villarreal Serie A: Inter beat Lazio Ligue 1: PSG play draw with Lyon Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon, Cape Verde win Researchers create substitute for egg whites from fungus Kazakhstan official information channel removes message about 164 casualties EC says construction of new nuclear power plants in Europe will require 500 billion in investment Ghost ship that sank 343 years ago discovered in US Post-COVID-19 antibodies may attack healthy cells, scientists say Pope says he was praying for Kazakhstan Media: 164 people die in Kazakhstan during riots Peskov: CSTO session does not plan to sign documents yet Criminal cases launched after bomb threat in Armenian, Belarus embassies in Moscow Baldwin denies claims he does not comply with requirements of investigation Norwegian military surrender panties before demobilization Iranian MFA says Tehran is ready for talks on downed plane of UIA Ukraine Kate Middleton doesn't want to celebrate her 40th birthday? Russian defense minister says information war is on all fronts Armenian football federation president pays working visit to Spain (PHOTOS) Several strategic objects in Kazakhstan transferred to CSTO contingent under protection New tree species named after Leonardo DiCaprio David Minasyan elected head of Armenia's Parakar community Bloomberg: US is considering issue of limiting supply of high-tech products to Russia Benzema's 300th goal and exceptional record at Real Madrid To the Editor: Re To Protect Global Health, Work With China, by Xie Feng, Chinas foreign affairs commissioner in Hong Kong (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Feb. 28): Communist China cannot be trusted, and has not been honest about the coronavirus. Mr. Xie claims that China responded to the coronavirus outbreak in record time. Yet he conveniently doesnt mention that when the virus first began to spread, the Chinese government did what it does best: silence critics and detain people accused of spreading rumors. It was his Communist Party that reprimanded and threatened a doctor in Wuhan for warning others about the initial outbreak; the same doctor later died from the disease. Mr. Xie also claims that the Chinese government has kept the public informed and has been responsive to questions and concerns from citizens. Why, then, did the government wait more than a month into the outbreak to give critical information about infections among medical workers to the World Health Organization? And why has the government censored articles and posts from families of infected people seeking help? Why did it expel three American journalists documenting and writing about the coronavirus? But perhaps Mr. Xies most egregious decision was to lecture other countries about listening to international groups and abiding by human rights agreements, all while his government denies basic liberties in Hong Kong and holds Uighurs in concentration camps. Supreme Leader Urges Iranians To Support Battle Against Coronavirus As Death Toll Rises 03/03/20 Source: RFE/RL Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged Iranians to support the government in its battle against an outbreak of the coronavirus as the death toll rose to 77, the highest outside of China. "Don't violate the recommendations and instructions of the responsible authorities in terms of prevention, in terms of keeping hands, face, and living environment clean and not infecting these and preventing the infection of these," he said in a March 3 broadcast on state television. Official Iran's statistics on coronavirus as of March 3rd Infections: 2336 Deaths: 77 Recovered: 535 After the broadcast, the Islamic republic announced that Khamenei had put the country's armed forces on alert to help the Health Ministry combat the outbreak. Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said 2,336 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Iran. "Based on the latest statistics that have been compiled, there have been an additional 835 definite new infections. Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths," he told state TV. The outbreak has reached the upper echelons of Iran's leadership, adding to fears that officials were slow to react to the virus amid accusations of a cover-up. Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi died in a Tehran hospital of the virus, making the close confidant of Khamenei the highest-ranking official in the country to perish from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. The virus earlier killed lawmaker Hadi Khosroshahi, Iran's former ambassador to the Vatican. Among other officials who are infected are Vice President Masumeh Ebtekar and Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. In all, 23 members of Iran's parliament have tested positive for the virus, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri said on state television on March 3. The head of Iran's emergency medical services, Pirhossein Kolivand, has also been infected, a spokesman for the services told AFP. Iran's armed forces on coronavirus suppression mission! Globally there have been more than 90,000 confirmations of infections of the coronavirus, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. Almost 3,000 people have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began. Across the Middle East, more than 1,150 cases of the virus have been documented, most of which link back to Iran, prompting a wave of aid and pledges of more. Six World Health Organization (WHO) employees arrived in Tehran on March 2 along with 7.5 tons of medical gear, including protective gloves, face masks, and respirators. Germany, France, and Britain have said they will shuttle medical supplies to Tehran. Ukraine, meanwhile, has confirmed its first case of coronavirus after a male who recently traveled to Italy tested positive. Deputy Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said on March 3 that the unidentified man arrived home in the southwestern city of Chernivtsi from a trip abroad and was subsequently diagnosed as having the coronavirus. Two Ukrainian nationals tested positive for the virus, but they were passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and not in the country. ANSAmed - Tomorrow's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 3 - These are the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean for tomorrow: ANKARA - Visit by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and the commissioner for the management of the crisis, Janez Lenarcic, for 'high level' meetings with Turkish authorities. BRUSSELS - EU, European Commission presents its proposal of a 'Climate Law' for climate neutrality by 2050; Swedish activist Greta Thunberg will participate. ZAGREB - EU, defence ministers meeting. (ANSAmed). Swiss-Irish food group Aryzta has appointed Chris Pluss as chief operations officer for its Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) region. Mr Pluss will commence the role in June. He takes over from Rob O'Boyle, who is leaving Aryzta after 14 years to take up another position. Mr Pluss, who joined the Cuisine de France maker in 2014, is currently Aryzta's regional managing director for southern Europe. He has deep food industry experience, having worked at Unilever, Haco Group and Fressnapf/Maxizoo prior to joining Aryzta. Aryzta CEO Kevin Toland said: "I am delighted to welcome Chris to his new role. "He has a proven track record in Aryzta and strong commercial, business development and leadership skills. "I would like to thank Rob for his support to Aryzta and I wish him well for the future." In the three months to October 31, 2019, group revenue at the maker of burger buns for McDonald's was down 2.1pc to 843.9m. That reflected the impact from disposals of 1.6pc and a positive impact from foreign exchange fluctuations of 2pc. The company is in the middle of Project Renew, a three-year cost-saving plan. Ex-defendant in Moscow summer riots case denied compensation for moral harm RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov 17:16 03/03/2020 MOSCOW, March 3 (RAPSI) Moscows Tverskoy District Court on Tuesday dismissed a 500,000-ruble moral damage claim ($7,500) filed by a former defendant in a Moscow summer riots case Sergey Abanichev against the Finance Ministry of Russia, RAPSI reported from the courtroom. The plaintiff claimed that illegal prosecution of him, searches at his premises and detention resulted in moral damage. Abanichev was arrested on August 5, 2019, on allegations of taking part in mass riots. In early September, five defendants in the 27 July mass riots case including Abanichev were withdrawn from criminal prosecution due to the lack of criminal elements they had been charged with. The decision was made based on the results of an objective legal evaluation of all examined materials including video records, according to the Investigative Committee. Unauthorized rallies in support of candidates seeking to become lawmakers of the Moscow State Duma but refused registration by the Election Commission were held on July 27 and August 3 in central Moscow. Over 1,000 people were arrested for various violations as a result. Following the 27 July rally, the Investigative Committee criminal cases were opened. Investigators believe that the protest action was held with the use of force against representatives of authority. Several activists have been already convicted and sentenced. Prosecution of five defendants has been dropped. Maisey Liquez thought she was going to die. The Long Beach woman had been driving on State Route 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains while traveling from Santa Cruz to San Jose on Feb. 21. Liquez said that as she was descending a hill near Saratoga, the brakes on her 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer locked up. The car careened across the opposing lane of traffic and off the roadway. The Lancer, with its dash camera recording, then began tumbling down the steep mountain slope. In the video, Liquez says, "I'm dead." "I was scared," she recalled. "First of all, dying alone isnt something I want to do." But Liquez kept her wits even though she was trapped in a rolling 2,900-pound metal cage. "When I was rolling down, I remember yelling 'roll over' and my hands above my head in cover because the airbag didnt go off," she said. Finally the sedan came to rest about halfway down the slope. Conscious despite the impact, Liquez called 911. She said her phone soon died, but rescuers were able to track the call. Liquez says she walked away with a spinal injury and concussion. ALSO: Video of San Francisco street assault prompts police probe The Lancer appeared to be a total loss. Its roof was caved in, windshield smashed and hood buckled. Liquez says coming so close to death has given her a new appreciation of life and the people around her. --- Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Digital Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate The district authorities have seized an earth-mover and two tractor trollies loaded with sand during a drive against illegal mining in neighbouring Shamli district, officials said on Tuesday. A raid was conducted on the banks of the Yamuna in Jhinjhana on Monday evening based on a tip-off, Kairana Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mani Arora told mediapersons. While the seizure was made, the accused managed to flee the spot, she said. Efforts are on to nab them, the SDM added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The investigation is under special control of the ministry's leadership. Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Dubinsky and lawyer Tetiana Kostina have handed over to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov materials regarding the alleged illegal surveillance targeting U.S. citizens in Ukraine. The National Police of Ukraine will respond to any illegal actions in Ukraine against U.S. officials, which applies to both ordinary U.S. citizens and U.S. government officials and diplomats, as reported by the ministry's press service. Officials recall that the Main Investigative Department is conducting a pretrial investigation under Part 2 of Article 163 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. All materials provided have been attached to the case file. Read alsoUkrainian prosecutor comments on Yovanovitch surveillance allegations Avakov assured the Interior Ministry would act exclusively within the legal field, together with the relevant U.S. law enforcement agencies, ensuring non-interference in internal political processes in the United States, realizing the importance of the issue for Ukrainian-American relations. It is noted that the investigation is under special control of the Interior Ministry's leadership. As UNIAN reported earlier, on January 16, the National Police of Ukraine launched criminal proceedings after the U.S. House Intelligence Committee had published a report stating that former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch had allegedly been under illegal surveillance while on Ukraine deployment, while her electronic gadgets could be penetrated by non-state actors on orders coming from other U.S. citizens. Read alsoU.S. investigators interview Kyiv Embassy staff as part of Yovanovitch surveillance probe media The Interior Ministry took note of the said materials, adding Ukraine could not ignore such illegal actions allegedly committed on its territory. Eminent religious leaders from the South East and South South have called for urgent end to insurgency and banditry along with the wanton destruction of innocent lives and valuable property in Nigeria. The call was contained in a 12-point communique issued in Umuahia, Abia State by the clergymen at the end of their one-day colloquium on insecurity in Nigeria, with the theme: The sacredness of life. The meeting deliberated on Boko Haram insurgency, herdsmen menace, banditry and kidnapping, cattle rustling, land grabbing and threat to lives. It also discussed the state of the nation, its prospects and challenges on the people. It further examined the brutality and killing of Nigerians by security personnel, who are engaged and paid to protect lives and property of Nigerians and low morale of our security agencies. The meeting urged the Federal Government to seek the help of the international community in tackling terrorism and radicalism if it hoped to achieve reconciliation and sustainable peace. It advocated practical respect for the sanctity of human life, stating that the violence that is conducted in the name of God is a desecration of His name. It maintained: The proper means of solving conflict and disagreement is by deliberate negotiation and dialogue only. The clerics also canvassed a solution to the nations security challenges that recognises the rights of Christians to exist in dignity. We vehemently call for the cessation of incitement, misrepresentation and distortion of the image of the other, they added. They called on the Federal Government to improve on intelligence gathering and deployment of modern technology to track and monitor the operations of the insurgents. There is urgent need to sincerely rejig and decentralise Nigerian security arrangement for efficiency, they stated. The meeting expressed support for the recent regional security arrangement in the South West, named Amotekun, to further secure their borders and communities. It expressed concern over the porosity of the nations borders that guaranteed free inter-country movement with little or no checks, worsened by the visa-on-arrival policy. It therefore called for more stringent measures to strengthen surveillance and security at the nations borders. The religious leaders also expressed worry about the speed with which arrested terrorists were being released, rehabilitated and sent back to society as repentant terrorists. We are deeply worried why government should be pampering such killer terrorists, who have not in any way justified their action against Nigerians. This development is not only worrisome but demoralises the morale of gallant soldiers, they further stated. They urged states in the two geopolitical zones to enact anti-open grazing law in order to preserve the farmlands and secure their people. They further condemned the continued rape of helpless women and girls by armed herdsmen, describing the act as an aberration and a total disregard for our rights as a people. We stand together to condemn this intrusion and call on all faith leaders to form a synergy to stamp out this slap on our faces as a people, the clergymen added. Earlier in an address of welcome, the Convener of the colloquium, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, said the event was an opportunity for them to come together around shared values and shared commitment to building peace. Onuoha said: It is time religious leaders stood together to demand accountability for the sacredness of human life and the ethical call to resist the violence that seeks to destroy it. If we cannot retaliate, we can at least put up some non-violent resistance to ensure security for the people we shepherd. Let us build bridges and strengthen the case against these killings, identify and speak out against injustices, monitor human rights and assist victims of violence. The cleric warned that an impending doom loomed above the nation. According to Onuoha: A nation at war with itself will surely implode and disintegrate, if nothing is done to stop the carnage that has become the narrative. He said government was under moral obligation to respect, protect and enhance the human life at every stage and context. The passivity of our leaders is unacceptable because it continues to enable the radicality of evil and perpetuates this death-dealing violence we are faced with. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the communique was signed by representatives of the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (South-South), Archbishop Israel Eniyekemini, and his South East counterpart, Bishop Goddy Okafor. Press Release March 3, 2020 Bong Go sponsors bills improving local hospitals; continues push to improve Filipinos' access to better health care services Senator and Senate Committee on Health chair Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go sponsored the passage of several local hospital bills before the Senate floor on Monday, March 2, as his push to improve the access of Filipinos to quality health care services in the country continues. In his speech, Go cited the World Health Organization's (WHO) previous statements regarding the important role of hospitals in the implementation of a universal health care measure. "According to the World Health Organization, hospitals are an essential element of Universal Health Coverage. They must be able to respond efficiently to population health needs," Go said. "They must also have the capacity and capability to cater the influx of patients who have entrusted their well-being to our health care system," he added. President Rodrigo Duterte signed last year Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the "Universal Health Care (UHC) Act" which presses for the continuous improvement in the government's health services. Under the law, Filipinos will be automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). As a result, Filipinos can avail of primary health care services even without PhilHealth identification cards. Go also mentioned in his speech the threat posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a crucial factor for the need to improve the country's hospitals. "As the world faces a global threat with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the readiness of our government hospitals to provide quality, available and efficient health services is of paramount importance," said Go. "We have always reminded the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the preparedness of our government hospitals, especially during public health emergencies like this. They have promised to do their part but they continue to appeal for Congress to help them, especially in terms of the lack of facilities and hospital beds in our hospitals," he added. Go was referring to the data reported by the DOH in 2018 which states that "almost 65% of our public hospitals were overcrowded." Presently, the Philippines has a one-to-1,083 bed-to-population ratio, which is beyond the recommended ideal target ratio of one-to-1,000. To reach the country's target, Go said that it needs "a total of 131,250 beds but presently, we only have 88,394 beds or 67 percent out of the total target." "To sum it up, we are short of more than 40,000 hospital beds all over the country and this figure is only expected to increase even more as the health care requirements of our people expand and as the population of our country grows," Go explained, detailing his personal anecdotes of visiting several hospitals all over the country and witnessing the need to improve their facilities. "I have personally seen the need to improve our health facilities and to increase the number of hospital beds during my visits to our government hospitals all over the country. And I can confirm the truth in these figures," Go said, emphasizing the unfortunate situation many of the country's hospitals continue to face. Go said, "Sa aking pagbisita sa mga ospital sa iba't ibang sulok ng ating bansa, nakita ko po ang nakakaawang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan na may sakit. Kahit puno na nga ang ospital, at wala nang kwarto o kamang mahigaan, wala ho silang ibang magawa kundi ang sumiksik." "Minsan pinagsasama-sama pa ang ilang mga pasyente sa isang kwarto o kaya naman minsan pati sa corridor ng ospital may nakaratay na pasyente," he added. Go lamented this less than ideal situation in public hospitals, saying, "Having patients in close proximity to each other and having them lie on halls or corridors is not only unhygienic and unhealthy, it is also very cruel and inhumane to our patients and their families." "They do not deserve this. Pumunta sila sa ospital para magpa-galing, hindi para maperwisyo at lalong magkasakit," he said. Go, then, urged his fellow senators to support the measures which press for the improvement and provision of better facilities to government hospitals. "It is our duty as legislators to enact measures that would help address the lack of appropriate facilities, hospital beds and equipment in our government hospitals," Go said. "The improvement of our health facilities is necessary for us to effectively combat the diseases and successfully achieve our goal of Universal Health Care in our country," he added. Enumerating the list of the hospitals the measures aim to upgrade, Go said, "As the Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, I am sponsoring today measures that have the intention to increase the bed capacity and upgrade the capabilities of our hospitals." The list includes: - the Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Province of Cebu; - the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City; - the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City; and - the Maria L. Eleazar District Hospital in the Municipality of Tagkawayan, Province of Quezon. Ending his speech, Go expressed the urgent need for the passage of the hospital bills. "Let us not wait for our country to be in a health crisis before we act to improve the facilities and enhance the capabilities of our hospitals," he said. "Our people and our communities need them now and they need them immediately," he ended. Go has been steadfast in pushing for better health care services in the country. In his previous statements, the Senator said, "Ibigay natin sa Pilipino ang mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo, lalo na pagdating sa pangangailang pangkalusugan." "As I have said many times, pera nila ito, ibalik sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos, at maaasahang serbisyo mula sa gobyernong may malasakit," he added. The province has retreated on its two most controversial education changes larger secondary class sizes and mandatory online learning in a surprise move that could potentially break the impasse with teachers. Just one day after Premier Doug Ford accused unions of holding the province hostage and said teachers arent delivering results, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the government now wants to boost high school class sizes from last years average of 22, to 23. Thats down from the original plan for an average of 28, which Lecce later dropped to 25. The ball is in their court now, Lecce told reporters Tuesday at Queens Park, saying enough is enough with the job action and ongoing, one-day strikes by teacher unions. Weve made a significant move that is in the interest of students. The change means classes would be slightly higher than the status quo, given this years average secondary class is about 22.9 students. The new average would take effect this fall, and boards already starting their staffing and timetabling in high schools for the next school year were sent a memo Tuesday afternoon saying to plan for 23. But it remains to be seen how Lecces move will be received. The unions, along with school boards and student associations, have said that moving from 22 to 22.9 led to chaos, with scores of jobs losses and fewer course options for teens. And because the changes are averages, many classes have ballooned into the mid- to high-30s to offset smaller, specialized classes. It is also unclear if the 23 average will continue beyond next year, and if class-size caps to prevent runaway class sizes are a part of the offer. Talks have also been about mandatory online learning, and wages. The government recently passed legislation capping public sector raises to one per cent a year. The teachers unions had been seeking cost of living increases, or about two per cent. Lecces announcement came as the government continued a third day of exploratory talks with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) their first return to the table since Dec. 16. OSSTF President Harvey Bischof said Lecce pulled another amateur hour move, and that going to 23 from last years 22 still means about 1,000 fewer teaching positions. The loss of each secondary teacher equals six fewer course options for teens. We were still in active discussions and this minister chose to roll a hand grenade out on the table, said Bischof, who rushed to Queens Park from talks at the Sheraton Centre hotel. I would like to see him bring proposals to the bargaining table. Lecce also pledged to restore some special education grants, as well as allow an easy opt-out for teens who dont want to take the two online courses the government has mandated another issue that has also continued to be hugely unpopular among parents and students. A recent poll commissioned by the Star showed strong public support for the teachers on the issue of class size and e-learning, but agreement with the governments wage offer. Last week, the Star revealed the full results of the Ford governments massive public consultations results it has refused to release, but were last week entered as evidence during a labour board hearing which showed virtually no support for larger classes. Minister (Lecce) was effectively shamed into making todays announcement, tweeted Chris Cowley of the provincial executive of the Catholic teachers union, which launched the labour board complaint against the province for announcing class size changes during negotiations. The parent consultations he tried so hard to keep hidden broke the back of the arguments he attempted to make over the past eight months. Lecces news conference was held about half an hour after the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association issued a statement saying that despite what he and Ford have been saying about compensation and benefits being the key sticking points, OECTA agreed well before Christmas to a one per cent salary increase, and more recently a one per cent increase in benefits. It did so in order to bring stability and certainty into our schools for our students and parents, said President Liz Stuart, whose negotiators return to the table on Wednesday. All Catholic and French board teachers plan to walk off this Thursday, along with a number of public high school teachers, including those in Toronto. All three unions are planning a mass rally of 15,000 at Queens Park. Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards Association, spoke to the Star on Monday about class size, saying we support last years 22 the closer we can get to 22 to 1, the better it is for kids. Thats the bottom line. In the last few weeks, a number of boards have written to the ministry with concerns about class sizes and the devastation caused by moving from 22 to 22.9. Abraham called Lecces move a positive development, and a path to a resolution of the current situation. The Ontario Student Trustees Association, which represents the provinces two million public school students, has also advocated for a return to last years 22. New Democrat MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport) said the governments stubborn approach to backing down has caused weeks of unnecessary turmoil and chaos and noted a 23 average is still bigger than what we started with. Its the kids who have been put at risk, she said. Some of our students lost courses that they need for graduation. The government also continues to push for changes to Regulation 274, a hiring rule that essentially forces principals to hire supply teachers with the most seniority for long-term and permanent positions. Lecce has said boards need to hire the best fit, and believes the regulation hampers diversity in hiring. He is now asking the unions to put all strikes on hold and return to the table, in light of this reasonable offer, to reach the agreement parents want, and students deserve. Read more about: A firefighter sleeps in his truck during the Saddleridge fire in Porter Ranch, Calif. on Oct. 11, 2019. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) Quarantined California Firefighters to Return Home After Patient Tests Negative For Coronavirus A group of California firefighters with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) are going home from quarantine after the symptomatic person they were in contact with tested negative for the novel coronavirus. The four Irvine firefighters from Fire Station No. 20, at 7050 Corsair, were isolated out of an abundance of caution on March 2. The OCFA firefighters had transported a suspected patient on Saturday night to a local hospital without wearing all protective equipment, reported CBS Los Angeles. The individual had recently traveled internationally and displayed some symptoms similar to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The group then decided to self-quarantine inside the fire station where they underwent tests for coronavirus. They had no contact with other people, the OCFA said. Some of them have young children at home and felt more comfortable just isolating here at the station, OCFA Spokesperson Colleen Windsor said. I can tell you that they did not come into contact with anybody else. When they got back to the station, they immediately self-isolated. The remaining 20 Engine Company firefighters were relocated to a separate station, including the battalion chief, according to the OCFA. The four firefighters were in good health and were not showing any symptoms of coronavirus when they self-quarantined. It comes just days after Orange County, California, declared a local health emergency. Orange County Health Officer Nichole Quick said at a press conference last week 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. The new virus, which causes COVID-19, emerged in China in December 2019, according to official Chinese-state reports. It has symptoms similar to the flu, including coughing, a fever, and a headache. There is no vaccine or proven treatment. A sixth coronavirus death was confirmed in the United States on Monday, health officials said. All deaths in the country so far have been in the Seattle area, as authorities across the United States scrambled to prepare for more infections with the emphasis on increasing testing capacity. Related Coverage FDA to Expedite Coronavirus Testing as Commissioner Joins Pences Task Force At least four of the six people who died were either elderly, or had underlying health conditions or both, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for the Seattle and King County Public Health agency. As of Sunday, the number of confirmed and presumptive cases in the United States had risen to 91, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. Public health officials have said increased testing will likely result in a surge of confirmed coronavirus cases across the United States, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a policy change which would allow specific laboratories to develop and use their own validated COVID-19 screening tests before receiving authorization from the agency. Zachary Stieber and Reuters contributed to this report. [March 03, 2020] Trustgrid Enables Apiture to Migrate Hundreds of Customers from Datacenters to AWS in Under Six Months Trustgrid, a pioneer and leader in connecting centralized applications to distributed data sets, announced that Apiture, a leading digital banking provider, chose Trustgrid's connectivity platform to deploy hundreds of hybrid cloud network connections. With this partnership, Apiture successfully completed the migration of its bank and credit union customers to Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) (AWS). Wilmington, N.C.-based Apiture serves hundreds of banks and credit unions across the U.S., empowering financial institutions of all sizes to meet customer demands by providing extensive features across more platforms. Apiture's API-focused digital banking platform is redefining digital experiences across the financial industry. Apiture sought to move its hundreds of bank and credit union customers to a new AWS-hosted platform within just one year's time, requiring a solution to quickly and efficiently improve upon existing networking processes. After thorough security and compliance vetting, Apiture selected Trustgrid to combat the connectivity challenges of cloud migration, including replacing the rapidly aging and nearly end-of-life network devices used for the hundreds of VPN connections to their customers' data centers around the world. As a cloud-first networking solution, rustgrid provided Apiture with the high availability and security necessary to maintain connections to each customer's core banking data. Trustgrid's connectivity platform is simple to deploy across a variety of cloud and on-premise environments without on-site network expertise, making it the ideal solution for Apiture's customer and time considerations. "A cloud migration of this magnitude was a significant project for us, and we needed a solutions provider that was understanding of this challenge and would allow for our network to be managed like another cloud service," said Brad Wisdom, SVP of Engineering at Apiture. "Between its ease of deployment, centralization of configuration and turnkey services, the Trustgrid team made a difficult and daunting job much easier. From planning through implementation, they were an excellent partner that delivered within our aggressive timelines." With Trustgrid, Apiture successfully deployed hundreds of hybrid cloud networking connections to its customers in less than six months and cut new customer deployment times from months to weeks. Apiture now saves several hundred thousand dollars annually compared to legacy networking solutions and benefits from automated compliance and security tasks, such as patching, that often require large teams and around-the-clock work. "Apiture is rethinking digital banking as we know it, giving its customers tools to no longer rely on legacy technology and take control over their digital experience," said Mark Stavrou, CEO of Trustgrid. "We are excited to play a role in Apiture's mission to offer a best-in-class client experience while helping to support their continued growth." To learn more about this successful partnership, visit Trustgrid's website. About Apiture Apiture offers digital banking solutions to hundreds of banks and credit unions across the United States. With offices in Wilmington, NC and Austin, TX, Apiture was created in 2017 with the vision to build a better digital experience solution for financial institutions of all sizes. Apiture was recently recognized as the Best Solution for Customer Experience at Bank Director's FinXTech and has been named on the Best Fintech to work For list in 2019 and 2020. About Trustgrid Trustgrid enables cloud applications to access, analyze and integrate data from siloed, on-premise data sources. The company's Data Mesh Platform uniquely addresses the needs of application providers by combining cloud-to-edge networking with simplified deployment, management and automation features. For more information, please visit www.trustgrid.io. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005288/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Timothy Hutton has been accused in a news report of raping a former model in a hotel room when she was 14 in 1983, something that he says never happened. Former model Sera Johnston came forward with the allegation in a report by BuzzFeed News published on Monday. Johnston told the outlet she was 14 when she met Hutton in Canada where he was filming Iceman. It hurt like hell, Johnston reportedly told BuzzFeed News. I mean, it was very painful. God. Yeah, it was extremely painful. Horrible, horrible, absolutely horrible. Hutton denied the allegations in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, in which he said, For the past two-and-a-half years, I have been the target of multiple extortion attempts by a woman named Sera Dale Johnston to extract millions of dollars from me. She threatened that if I did not meet her demands, she would go to the press with a false allegation that I sexually assaulted her 37 years ago in Canada, Hutton continued. I never assaulted Ms. Johnston. Today, BuzzFeed chose to publish Ms. Johnstons false story. BuzzFeed knew the truth because they were provided with documented evidence. Whats really going on here is that Ms. Johnstons extortion attempts failed, Hutton said. She then decided to follow through on her threat to go to the press with her false story. When I became aware of this, I went to the FBI, signed a sworn statement and filed a criminal complaint against Ms. Johnston for extortion. He added, I will not stop fighting to expose this story for what it is a failed extortion attempt based on something that never happened. A lawyer for Johnston did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Johnston, now 50, reportedly told BuzzFeed News said she and two friends were invited to Huttons hotel room in Vancouver. She said Hutton was getting very close to me, like, you know, really kind of sidling up to me, and petting my legs and stuff. Story continues RELATED: Meet The Unsung Heroes of the #MeToo Movement: Its Powerful to Be Honored I was just, like, I think this is going to be bad. I was really wrong about this.' Johnston said she didnt remember how she found herself inside of Huttons bedroom but does remember Hutton and another man in the room with her. The former model said she told them, I dont think this is a good idea, but that she felt paralyzed with fear, according to the outlet. Johnston told BuzzFeed News Hutton undressed, got on top of her and penetrated her. She said she begged Hutton to stop, saying, Please dont do this. I cant do it. I cant, while Huttons friend, who remains unnamed, watched. She claims Huttons friend also sexually assaulted her. RELATED VIDEO: Charlize Theron Recounts Escaping Uncomfortable Audition with Producer: It Made Me So Angry Huttons lawyer, Tom Clare, said the actor was being extorted by Johnston in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, saying, There was no encounter of any kind here, and certainly no sexual assault. The woman featured in the BuzzFeed article, Sera Dale Johnston, has tried to extort millions of dollars from Tim over the last two years. The article was published only after those extortion attempts failed. BuzzFeed, facing serious financial struggles and pressure to attract readers, has shamefully disregarded the facts and allowed itself to be used by Ms. Johnston. Buzzfeed knew the truth before publication. For example, BuzzFeed knew that, in July 2019, Tim filed a criminal complaint with the FBI long before Ms. Johnston made her own report to the police, Clare continued. Further, BuzzFeed recklessly disregarded multiple sworn declarations from neutral third parties that absolutely show Ms. Johnstons allegations to be false. In addition, BuzzFeed ignored hard evidence that Ms. Johnston lied about participating in extortion attempts and turned a blind eye to critical inconsistencies in Ms. Johnstons story. Huttons lawyer concluded, We will be sending BuzzFeed a legal retraction demand. If BuzzFeed wrongfully refuses to retract the article, Tim is prepared to take any and all necessary steps, including the filing of a defamation lawsuit, to clear his name and to hold BuzzFeed and Ms. Johnston accountable for their reckless and self-serving efforts to destroy Tims reputation and career. Matt Mittenthal, a spokesperson for BuzzFeed News, told PEOPLE in a statement, BuzzFeed News reporting on the alleged rape of a 14 year-old girl by Timothy Hutton is based on interviews with the alleged victim, the account of a woman who was with her that evening, and five separate people who were told of the assault at the time. BuzzFeed News stands unequivocally by our reporting. Mittenthal added, BuzzFeed has the highest traffic in its entire existence and is expecting to be profitable for all of 2020. The suggestion that there is any ulterior motive for rigorous journalism is nonsense. BuzzFeed News wrote in its news story that it contacted one of the two friends Johnston said she was with that night. One of the women, who only identified herself by the initials C.B., reportedly corroborated the former models story. (C.B. told BuzzFeed News she had signed an affidavit backing up what she remembered from that night.) The outlet also reported speaking to five other people Johnston said shed told about her alleged rape. The group includes her mother, Della Mae Johnston, a set decorator, who briefly worked on Iceman. Della Mae told BuzzFeed News she and her daughter considered filing a police report, but that she feared her daughter wouldnt be believed against a big-time movie star. Della Mae said she now regrets not encouraging her daughter to go forward. Things are different, she said. Im ashamed of it. I wish I had pursued it. In 2019, Johnston filed a criminal complaint against Hutton with the Vancouver Police Department, according to BuzzFeed News. RELATED: #MeToo: Sexual Harassment and Assault Movement Tweeted Over 500,000 Times as Celebs Share Stories Johnston said after finding a lawyer, she entered into arbitration with the actors attorneys, initially agreeing to a $135,000 settlement. She said she backed out when she realized Hutton would be able to deny raping her. It was the indignance and the attitude that I was so angry about, Johnston told the outlet. That tells me that you dont even realize what youve done. You dont care. It doesnt matter. Complicating matters, she said, was Johnstons ex who attempted to broker a deal between Huttons friend, whom she accused of raping her as well, and the actor. While the alleged incident occurred more than 35 years ago, Johnston said she was encouraged to come forward with the rise of the #MeToo movement. Ive just lived a very small, little life, especially since Ive been divorced, she said. Ive been very quiet, you know. But something in the back of my mind has just constantly been going, You need to tell people this. She added the alleged incident has colored every area of my life. Hutton has most recently starred in the Fox show Almost Family. The show was canceled on Monday after consistently low ratings, according to Variety. [March 03, 2020] MilliporeSigma's New LANEXO System to Improve Scientists' Productivity in the Lab - First-to-market digital laboratory informatics solution with RFID labels for rapid access to reagent data - Improves inventory management; facilitates regulatory compliance; minimizes reagent waste - Reduces time on repetitive, error-prone tasks BURLINGTON, Mass., March 3, 2020 /CNW/ -- MilliporeSigma today launched its LANEXO Lab Inventory, Safety and Compliance Management System, a new digital laboratory informatics solution designed to drastically reduce1 time in labs and improve data quality and traceability. "Today, 85 percent of labs are using paper or Excel to manage consumables data, and 25 percent of time is spent managing these data taking scientists away from bench research," said Jean-Charles Wirth, head of Applied Solutions at MilliporeSigma. "Lab efficiency is critical as it gives scientists more time to focus on their research and analytics work and less on administrative tasks, which ultimately leads to faster drug development. Our LANEXO System with first-to-market features underscores MilliporeSigma's commitment to advancing and commercializing laboratory informatics." Laboratory informatics is the application of data using a platform of software, data management tools and equipment that allow scientific data to be captured and interpreted for immediate use, and then stored for future research and development purposes. The laboratory informatics market, which accounted for $2.4 billion in 2018, is expected to reach $5.45 billion by 2027, according to a recent Research and Markets global market outlook report. MilliporeSigma is the first to offer radio-frequency identification (RFID) labels which auto-register open dates and calculate expiry dates. Through this digital data capture, the LANEXO System rapidly docuents lab reagent data in real time. Digitalized inventory, expiration and storage monitoring reduces human error and safety risks and improves the reliability and traceability of compliance documentation. Ultimately, each reagent, including in-house preparations, can be instantly matched to a full audit report. Within an experimental workflow, the system allows for easy reagent identity checks and provides automatic alerts, helping scientists to avoid using expired reagents and minimizing experimental error. The cloud-based LANEXO System can be easily set up and rapidly integrated into existing lab workflows. It includes mobile (Android) and web applications and is designed for use in highly regulated analytical and research labs in pharmaceutical, quality assurance / quality control and industrial testing markets. MilliporeSigma last year launched Milli-Q Connect, a cloud-based service portal for its water purification systems, and also acquired BSSN Software, a lab informatics company that makes data more readily accessible for ease of integration, collaboration, analysis and long-term archiving. The company unveiled the LANEXO System during a press conference at the Pittcon Conference & Expo 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The system is an expansion of MilliporeSigma's portfolio of digital lab productivity solutions. For more information, visit www.SigmaAldrich.com/Lanexo. Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service. About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has some 21,000 employees and 59 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Udit Batra is the global chief executive officer of MilliporeSigma. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany completed its $17 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich in November 2015, creating a leader in the $125 billion global life science industry. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 56,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene-editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2018, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany generated sales of 14.8 billion in 66 countries. The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Performance Materials. Since its founding 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com. 1 MilliporeSigma estimates that its LANEXO System provides a 97 percent time savings on inventory management and a 92 percent time savings on setting up an experiment and documentation. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/milliporesigmas-new-lanexo-system-to-improve-scientists-productivity-in-the-lab-301013409.html SOURCE MilliporeSigma [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] In 1867, San Francisco went on crusade not against murder, rape or assault but against the scourge of public ugliness. Even those who have heard of ugly laws may not realize Americas first was passed in San Francisco. Decades before ugly laws were common in American cities, San Francisco pioneered the legal justification for forcing marginalized people off its streets. San Francisco in the late 1860s had a unique set of conditions that made it ripe for such a law. In the aftermath of the Gold Rush, the city was filled with men for whom no fortune had materialized. Some were Chinese immigrants, who nativist Californians already stereotyped as lazy and disease-infested. Street conditions worsened after the end of the Civil War when disabled veterans, many of them amputees, returned home unable to work. San Francisco seems destined to become a city of refuge for all the lazzaroni of the Pacific Coast, complained one 1860s editorial in the Weekly Mercury. As one treads our streets, the eye is shocked at the frequent appearance of maimed creatures, whose audacity is only paralleled by the hideousness of their deformities. Until the Almshouse is completed, some refuge should be found for these deformed objects of horror, it recommended. It was a common sentiment, echoed often by callous local newspapers. That same year, the Daily Alta California wrote about an Italian immigrant with neither feet nor hands ... disgustingly fond of exhibiting her stumps who they were excited to report had been arrested in Nevada. It is to be hoped that she will never be allowed to return to San Francisco, the story ended. In July 1867, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved Order No. 873. The order banned street begging and heres where the ugly law part comes in restricted certain persons from appearing in streets or public places. Violators were hit with a $25 fine (about $460 today), 25 days in jail or both. Enforcement was difficult, as what constituted diseased, maimed, mutilated or in any way deformed varied in the eye of the beholder. But theres no question San Francisco did use Order No. 873 to incarcerate disabled individuals. Some went to jail, others were sent to a massive almshouse, which is today the site of Laguna Honda Hospital. The only crime many had committed was being a disabled person in public. Historians believe Californias self-made attitude perhaps made its citizens particularly unsympathetic to the less fortunate. Those unable to emulate that bootstrap attitude, despite crippling physical limitations, were cast as pathetic and wasteful. Although some San Franciscans expressed skepticism that disabled panhandlers were actually Civil War veterans and there are cases of men pretending to be war heroes in order to make money they didnt appear particularly sympathetic toward actual soldiers either. A July 1867 San Francisco Call story tells the story of Martin Oakes, a half demented fellow who was paralyzed while fighting for the Union. Under the new ugly law, he was arrested and jailed while awaiting the completion of a new almshouse. By 1892, the Laguna Honda almshouse housed almost 800 inmates, the majority of which were over 60 years old and physically unable to work. As the century went on, ugly laws modeled after San Franciscos spread throughout the country. Many big cities implemented them, as did communities along railroad lines like Denver, Omaha and Reno. They got even more popular in the 1890s when a severe depression hit the nation. Stories of its implementation are heartbreaking. In 1916, a Portland, Ore., woman called Mother Hastings was paid by the city to leave because she was too terrible a sight for the children to see. She took the money and moved to Los Angeles. Ugly laws slowly stopped being enforced, particularly after World War I when, at last, laws discriminating against war veterans became politically unpalatable. But many stayed on the books well into the 20th century, including San Franciscos. The last known case of an ugly law arrest occurred in Omaha in 1974. A policeman, looking to arrest a homeless man but without a clear means of doing so, found the ugly law in the city code. The man was arrested for having marks and scars on his body. Unsurprisingly, the case didnt get far. Whats the standard of ugliness? a judge memorably asked. Does the law mean that every time my neighbors funny-looking kids ask for something I should have them arrested? The city prosecutor declined to press charges and no one, in the United States at least, has ever attempted an ugly law arrest again. Katie Dowd is an SFGATE Senior Digital Editor. Contact: katie.dowd@sfgate.com | Twitter: @katiedowd It was exactly the type of situation Khan imagined when he had the idea for his company BlueDot: "Spread knowledge faster than the diseases spread themselves," he says. What if this outbreak gets bigger? And what if it's bigger than we think it is right now? Khan says he wondered. But in December, "we didn't know at that moment that this was going to become something of this magnitude," Kamran Khan, founder and CEO of BlueDot and professor of medicine and public health at the University of Toronto, tells CNBC Make It . The novel respiratory illness COVID-19 has since spread to 58 countries and infected more than 87,000 people globally with 104 deaths outside of China. On Feb. 25, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that COVID-19 "absolutely" has the potential to become a pandemic , defined as the worldwide spread of a new disease. BlueDot had spotted what would come to be known as COVID-19, nine days before the World Health Organization released its statement alerting people to the emergence of a novel coronavirus. A little after midnight on Dec. 30, artificial intelligence platform BlueDot picked up on a cluster of "unusual pneumonia" cases happening around a market in Wuhan, China, and flagged it. Khan describes himself as an "accidental entrepreneur" he never went to business school or had any experience coding. It was his experience as an epidemiologist and physician treating patients in Toronto during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 that inspired him to start BlueDot. "Certainly none of us knew what SARS was until it literally showed up in our cities and hospitals," he says. He recalls the "mental and emotional fatigue" of the SARs outbreak, which went on for six months and killed a total of 774 people in 29 countries, including many of his fellow healthcare workers. It also cost an estimated $40 billion globally, according to the Centers for Disease Control. "What I learned during SARS is, let's not get caught flatfooted, let's anticipate rather than react," Khan says. He also learned that "if we rely on government agencies to report information about infectious disease activity, we may not always get that in the most timely way or as quickly as we would like." The internet, for example, has become an interesting medium for epidemiologists to gather information about infectious disease activity that may not come through official channels. Compelled to develop better technology to handle infectious disease outbreaks, for more than a decade Khan studied how diseases spread globally. Then six years ago took "a leap of faith" and founded BlueDot. (The name is inspired by scientist Carl Sagan's description of Earth captured in a photo from NASA's Voyager 1 in 1990. "We felt that there was a certain degree of humility in the fact that we are all in this together when we're dealing with infectious diseases," Khan says.) BlueDot is proprietary software-as-a-service designed to track, locate and conceptualize infectious disease spread. The company, which received a total of $9.4 million in funding in 2019 (including seed funding from Horizons Ventures and a $7 million Series A financing round led by The Co-operators and BDC Capital's Women in Technology Venture Fund), now employs diverse team of 40 people including veterinarians, doctors, epidemiologists, engineers, data scientists and software developers. It sends out alerts brief synopses of anomalous disease outbreaks that its AI has discovered and the risks they may pose to health care, government, business, and public health clients. The key to BlueDot is big data. It uses natural language processing and machine learning to cull data from hundreds of thousands of sources, including statements from official public health organizations, digital media, global airline ticketing data, livestock health reports and population demographics. It's able to rapidly process tons of information every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. From there a group of physicians and computer programmers review the AI findings, do a gut check and create the reports that are sent out. "We don't use artificial intelligence to replace human intelligence, we basically use it to find the needles in the haystack and present them to our team," Khan says. Beyond just detecting infectious disease threats as early as possible, BlueDot's goal is to understand how diseases might disperse to different parts of the world, and then determine the potential consequences of it spreading. In the case of COVID-19, in addition to sending out an alert, BlueDot was also able to correctly identify the cities that were highly connected to Wuhan using things like global airline ticketing data to help anticipate where the infected might be traveling. The international destinations that BlueDot anticipated would have the highest volume of travelers from Wuhan were: Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Phuket, Seoul, and Singapore. In the end, 11 of the cities at the top of their list were the first places to receive COVID-19 cases. THE leader of the trade union movement has called for a statutory code of practice to ensure workers forced to stay at home due to coronavirus get paid. In a letter to IBEC chief executive Danny McCoy, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Patricia King said she had asked the director general of the Workplace Relations Commission to consider her proposal. This would provide clarity for all concerned and avoid different employer approaches to this serious matter, she said in the letter sent today. She said in recent days there has been considerable public debate on the precise implications for workers who are affected in any way by the current public health requirements. It is our view that in circumstances where an employee contracts this virus the normal condition for sick leave applies, she said. She said in cases of enforced absences where a worker gets medical advice to self-isolate, they should get their normal pay. This should also apply where an employee self-isolates in accordance with the up-to-date guidance of the HSE, she said. She said where someone must carry out caring duties as a direct result of the COVID-19 virus, these absences should be regarded as enforced and remunerated accordingly. Read More Ms King said other possible flexible working arrangements including working from home should be the subject of discussion at local level. She said the arrangements for public servants, particularly those engaged in delivering emergency and health services, should be agreed between unions and employers. In light of the above, I have contacted the director general of the WRC and requested that strong consideration be given to the development of a statutory code of practice relating to these matters and agreed between the stakeholders, she said. This would provide clarity for all concerned and avoid different employer approaches to this serious matter. This comes as a union for CIE workers has demanded that they get full pay if forced to self-isolate due to the coronavirus. In letters to Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and Irish Rail, general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union, Dermot OLeary, demanded that his members get the same deal as had been struck by a nursing union and the HSE. It has been brought to my attention that the INMO has reached an agreement with the HSE that proposes to address this issue by way of designating such forced absences as being of a Special Leave nature, with pay, he said in one of the letters to Chief People officer at Bus Eireann, Sinead Kilkelly. I trust that you will reflect on the advice contained in the foregoing and revert with a commitment to treat Bus Eireanns staff in a manner no less than that agreed between the INMO and the HSE. He said members had expressed concern about how they might be treated if in the unfortunate event hat they may have to self-isolate as a result of HSE or government agencies advice. Mr OLeary noted that a circular issued by the minister for public service in 1976 referred to enforced absences on account of contact with people suffering from infectious disease may be treated as special leave with pay. The circular on contact with infectious diseases said any civil servant who had been in contact with infectious diseases other than scarlet fever, measles, rubella, whooping cough, chicken pox or mumps should absent himself from duty. A vapour product that contains new-to-world technology has significantly fewer and lower levels of certain toxicants compared to cigarette smoke*, a study has shown. Scientists at British American Tobacco (BAT) performed a series of chemistry tests designed to look for specific compounds in the vapour from iSwitch, BAT's new vapour product which uses a stainless-steel blade to heat e-liquid. The emissions from iSwitch were compared to those from a reference cigarette (1R6F). The results -- published today in Chemical Research in Toxicology -- show the iSwitch vapour to have fewer and lower levels of certain toxicants than cigarette smoke. Some toxicants found in smoke are not in iSwitch vapour at all and others are much reduced by around 99%.* "We are constantly innovating to seek to expand our potentially reduced-risk product portfolio," says Dr Chris Proctor, Group Head of Potentially Reduced-Risk Product Science at BAT. Most conventional vaping devices are based on a coil-and-wick system whereby e-liquid is drawn up from a reservoir by a cotton wick. A metal coil is wrapped around the wick and, when heated, turns the liquid into vapour. The resulting vapour contains substantially fewer and lower levels of certain toxic substances than cigarette smoke. However, some low-quality coil-and-wick systems, or those not used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, can dry out or overheat, known as dry-wicking. This can cause the thermal breakdown of humectants in the e-liquid, leading to the formation of toxic compounds, such as carbonyls. iSwitch's puretech stainless-steel blade replaces the coil-and-wick, and it is constantly fed e-liquid by a capillary system. This means it does not overheat or dry out, overcoming the issue of dry-wicking. "As well as improving the performance of vaping devices, puretech lessens the risk of humectant thermal breakdown, further reducing emissions of potentially harmful substances," says Chuan Liu, Senior Principal Scientist at BAT. "This was reflected in our study, which showed that, even when used at high power settings, iSwitch emissions contain no or extremely low levels of analytes." Human studies are needed to further substantiate the results of these tests. ### Notes *Comparison of smoke from a 1R6F reference cigarette (approx. 9 mg tar) and vapour from Vype iSwitch, in terms of the 9 harmful components the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke. This quality does not mean this product is less harmful than tobacco products. The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday approved a proposal to double the discretionary funds of the Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Leader of Opposition. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Kamal Nath, a state public relations department official said. As per the decision, the discretionary fund of the Speaker has been increased to Rs two crore from Rs one crore, while those of the Deputy Speaker and Leader of Opposition have been increased to Rs one crore from Rs 50 lakh, the official informed. The Congress-led government approved a proposal to set up a State Mental Health Authority, with nine government and 11 non-government members, as well as formation of review boards in every district for monitoring mental health. A proposal to issue lease to people living in illegal colonies developed on surplus government land was approved. Revenue Minister Govind Singh Rajput said construction in the illegal colonies built on surplus government land in Indore would be regularised. It will be issued after people pay lease amount and other charges within 12 months, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amy Klobuchar on Tuesday denied she was pressured to exit the Democratic primary to endorse Joe Biden and said there is no conspiracy among moderate Democrats to stop Bernie Sanders' from becoming the nominee. The Minnesota senator told NBC's 'Today Show' she left the contest because it was 'the right thing to do.' Klobuchar rocketed to a surprise third place win in the New Hampshire primary, beating Biden in that contest, but her campaign failed to gain momentum from there. She came in sixth in the Nevada caucuses and the South Carolina primary. She exited the race on Monday and endorsed Biden that night at a rally in Dallas, Texas. 'There literally was no push from anyone. It was a decision I made,' she told NBC of her decision, adding 'the hardest part was actually telling our staff.' Amy Klobuchar denied she was pressured to exit the Democratic primary to endorse Joe Biden Amy Klobuchar appealed for Democrats to unit behind Joe Biden when she endorsed him Monday night 'But I think everyone knew this was the right thing to do,' Klobuchar added. The Minnesota senator praised Biden's character as one of the reasons she gave the former vice president her blessing. 'He has a decency and a heart that is not in the White House.' Biden scored a trio of endorsements Monday night from former rivals Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke. The show of force and unity will boost Biden's electability argument going into Super Tuesday's contest. Polls show Democratic voters rate a candidate's ability to beat President Donald Trump in November has high on their list of concerns. The back-to-back-to-back endorsements also are an indication that Democrats are joining forces to stop Sanders, a self-described Democratic socialist, as many are concerned his liberal policies would turn off voters in the general election, handing Trump a second term. Klobuchar denied any conspiracy at work and said the candidates had a shared interest in beating President Trump. 'Here's the funny thing about that. None of us had talked to each other. We came to our own decisions,' she said. 'We made the decision instead of a personal victory for ourselves or a personal quest, this was for our country. We had to beat down Donald Trump. And someone with experience that can get things done.' She said Biden could bring independent voters and moderate Republicans to the party in November, predicting he would replicate a path to victory Democrats used in 2018 to win back control of the House of Representatives. 'You want a candidate that not just builds a coalition of fired-up Democrats, which we've got, but also brings in Independents, moderate Republicans. That's how we won back the House of Representatives, and that's what Joe Biden can do,' Kloubuchar told NBC. Amy Klobuchar was in New York for media interviews on Tuesday after she exited the Democratic presidential primary Amy Klobuchar arrives with her husband John Bessler, to endorse Joe Biden - seen with his wife Jill - at a rally in Dallas, Texas Klobuchar denied any conspiracy at work among moderate Democrats to keep Bernie Sanders from being the party's presidential nominee She also denied she had discussed with Biden joining his administration or serving as his running mate. 'No actually not one bit,' she said, adding: 'I'm just doing my work right now, I'm one day out of having left my own campaign.' In her endorsement of Biden Monday night, she joked it was nice to be on stage with him without a primary debate taking place. 'How wonderful it is to be standing next to him on a stage when it isn't the debate stage,' Klobuchar said of Biden Monday night when she and her husband John joined Joe and Jill Biden at a Dallas rally. Klobuchar appealed for party unity in her remarks. 'If we spend the next four months dividing our party and going at each other, we will spend the next four years watching Donald Trump tear apart this country,' she said. 'It is up to us, all of us to put our country back together, to heal this country and then to build something even greater. I believe we can do this together, and that is why today I am ending my campaign and endorsing Joe Biden for president!,' she noted. Klobuchar left the Democratic primary contest one day before voters in her home state of Minnesota were to go to the polls as part of the 14 states that vote on 'Super Tuesday.' She appeared poised to do well in Minnesota and Minnesota only. Pete Buttigieg endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign at Chicken Scratch in Dallas, praising Biden's leadership and ability to beat Donald Trump Beto O'Rourke and Biden visited a Whataburger in Dallas, Texas, after he endorsed the former Vice President Klobuchar announced that she was running for president in February 2019. She gave her speech outside, during a snowstorm - a visual she often referred back to when speaking on the campaign trail. 'There were certain pundits who predicted when I started, with that speech in the middle of the Mississippi in a blizzard, that I would never make it to the end of the speech,' she often told her crowd. Several weeks into her bid, the New York Times reported what was long-rumored in D.C. - that she was abusive to staff. The Times report included several bizarre anecdotes, the most memorable being that Klobuchar ate a salad with a hair comb after a staffer forgot to give her utensils as she was boarding a flight. 'What happened next was typical: Ms. Klobuchar berated her aide instantly for the slip-up. What happened after that was not: She pulled a comb from her bag and began eating the salad with it, according to four people familiar with the episode,' the Times report said. The reports of staff abuse ran contrary to the kind of politics Klobuchar was trying to export: one of 'Minnesota Nice,' and talk of finding common ground over a 'hotdish,' the Minnesota version of a casserole. Weather Alert ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kentucky...Illinois...Missouri... Ohio River at Paducah...Olmsted Lock and Dam...and Cairo For the Ohio River...including Paducah, Olmsted Lock and Dam, and Cairo...Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Ohio River at Paducah. * WHEN...Until early tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 39.0 feet, Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 11:00 AM CST Monday the stage was 38.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 39.0 feet tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 39.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Our world has no dearth of complex networks--from cellular networks in biology to intricate web networks in technology. These networks also form the basis of various applications in virtually all fields of science, and to analyze and manipulate these networks, specific "search" algorithms are required. But, conventional search algorithms are slow and, when dealing with large networks, require a long computational time. Recently, search algorithms based on the principles of quantum mechanics have been found to vastly outperform classical approaches. One such example is the "quantum walk" algorithm, which can be used to find a specific point or a "vertex" on a given N-site graph. Instead of simply going through neighboring vertices, the quantum walk approach employs probabilistic estimations based on the quantum mechanical theory, which drastically reduces the number of steps required to find the objective. To achieve this, before moving from one point to another, an operation called "oracle call" needs to be performed repeatedly to adjust the probability values in the quantum system representation. One main issue is to understand the relationship between the optimal computational time of the oracle call and the structure of the network, as this relationship is well understood for standard shapes and bodies, but it remains unclear for complex networks. In a new study published in Physical Review A, a team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science, led by Prof Tetsuro Nikuni, dug deeper into the intricacies of these networks in an effort to develop more efficient quantum algorithms. Prof Nikuni explains, "Many real-world systems, such as the World Wide Web and social/biological networks, exhibit complex structures. To fully explore the potential of these network systems, developing an efficient search algorithm is crucial." To begin with, the scientists looked into the "fractal properties" (geometrical properties of figures that seem to infinitely replicate their overall shape) of networks. The researchers focused on some basic fractal lattices (structures with a fractal network), such as "Sierpinski gasket," "Sierpinski tetrahedron," and "Sierpinski carpet," to try to find out the relationship between the number of vertices (nodes of the network) and the optimal computational time in a quantum walk search. To this end, they performed numerical simulations with over a million vertices and checked whether the results were in line with previous studies, which proposed a mathematical law or a "scaling law" to explain this relationship. The researchers found that the scaling law for some fractal lattices varied according to their spectral dimension, confirming the previous conjecture for other lattices. Surprisingly, they even found that the scaling law for another type of fractal lattice depends on a combination of its intrinsic characteristics, again showing that the previous conjecture on the optimal number of oracle calls might be accurate. Prof Nikuni says, "It may indeed be a fact that the quantum spatial search on fractal lattices is surprisingly subject to combinations of the characteristic quantities of the fractal geometry. It remains an open question as to why the scaling law for the number of oracle calls is given by such combinations." With this understanding, the team even proposed a new scaling hypothesis, which slightly differs from the ones proposed earlier, so as to gain more insight into different fractal geometries of networks. The research team hopes that, with their findings, quantum searches will become easier to analyze experimentally--especially with recent experiments performing quantum walks on physical systems like optical lattices. The wide applicability of quantum algorithms on fractal lattices highlights the importance of this study. Owing to its exciting findings, this study was even selected as "Editor's suggestion" in the February 2020 issue of Physical Review A. Optimistic about the results and with future research directions laid out, Prof Nikuni concludes, "We hope that our study further promotes the interdisciplinary study of complex networks, mathematics, and quantum mechanics on fractal geometries." ### About The Tokyo University of Science Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators. With a mission of "Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society", TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field. Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/ About Professor Tetsuro Nikuni from Tokyo University of Science Prof Tetsuro Nikuni is a Professor at the Department of Physics, Tokyo University of Science. He received his PhD in Physics from Tokyo Institute of Technology and has worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Tokyo Institute of Technology and the University of Toronto. A senior and respected researcher, he has more than 100 research publications to his credit. His current research interests include the theory of many-body quantum systems and quantum algorithms. Funding information This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI grant no. JP18K03499 and grant no. JP16K05504. Media contact Tsutomu Shimizu Email: mediaoffice@admin.tus.ac.jp The UKs attempt to break the world land speed record could be canned due to a lack of funding. The Bloodhound car, which has been built to reach speeds of 800mph, has been built to break the current record of 763mph set in the 1990s. The Gloucestershire-based developers claim the Bloodhound car could reach 1,000mph once all development work is finished. At such a speed, the vehicle would theoretically reach Aberdeen from London in less than half an hour if travelling in a straight line. Its powered by a Rolls-Royce EJ200 Eurofighter Typhoon jet engine and a rocket engine from a provider that's worked with the European Space Agency. It also features solid aluminium wheels designed to withstand the stresses of travelling at supersonic speeds the speed of sound. However, the project needs an additional 8 million to attempt a new supersonic world land speed record in the relatively cool southern hemisphere winter of 2021. Andy Green in front of the Bloodhound car. Green will be driving the Bloodhound in 2021 and attempting to beat his own land speed record - if the project secures the necessary funding If the car completes all development work, it would run on a specially-made 1.5-mile-long race track on Hakskeen Pan, a dried lakebed in South Africa. The clock is ticking to raise the necessary investment to re-group the team and crack on with the rocket programme and other car upgrades in time to hit our 2021 deadlines, said Bloodhound CEO and entrepreneur Ian Warhurst. If we miss our cool weather window in July and August, temperatures in the Kalahari will make running a rocket untenable next year. The project remains dormant whilst we try to secure the funding but at a cost of tens of thousands per month of overheads, and the threat that we miss the weather window next year, we cannot remain dormant for long.' Bloodhound says it must secure the multi-million-pound sum by the end of this month to complete development of the car. This will includes work on a monopropellant rocket, electric oxidiser pump, fuel system upgrades, braking mechanisms and winglets on the tail fin. The world-record attempt will take place on a 1.5-mile runway on Hakskeen Pan, a mud pan in the Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa It's powered by a EJ200 Eurofighter Typhoon jet engine and features precision machined solid aluminium wheels designed to withstand the stresses of travelling at the speed of sound The Auxiliary fuel tank is installed on the Bloodhound LSR car as work continues on the car build ahead of it's high speed testing in South Africa last October The car has already reached speeds of 628mph in the Kalahari Desert and is believed to be capable of up to 1,000mph. In order to reach speeds above 800mph, Bloodhound will need another rocket to run in addition to the EJ200 jet engine from Rolls Royce, which will be provided by Norwegian rocket specialist Nammo. BLOODHOUND CAR SPECS Length: 44 feet Weight: 7.5 tons Height: 9ft 2in Speed: The car will attempt to beat the 763mph land speed record next year. It is hoped it could one day reach 1,000mph Engine: Rolls-Royce EJ200 engine used in Eurofighter Typhoon jets Wheels: 95kg aluminium wheels rotating at 10,200rpm at full speed Temperature in the rocket: 5,432F (3000C) Advertisement Nammo has worked with the European Space Agency to develop this zero-emissions rocket as a launch motor to put small satellites known as cubesats' into space. The current land speed record the highest speed achieved by a person using a vehicle on land was by the ThrustSSC jet car, which travelled at 763mph in Nevada desert in October 1997. The record was set by British Royal Air Force Wing Commander Andy Green, who will be attempting to break his own record in the Bloodhound car from July to August 2021. The car is being assembled at Bloodhounds UK Land Speed Record Centre at SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College (UTC), in the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park. The car, powered by a jet engine and set to be fitted with an additional rocket engine, travelled at 628mph last November The 'world's fastest straight-line car ' was unveiled in South Africa's Hakskeenpan desert last October As of this month, it's been split apart for cleaning, inspection and maintenance, with the EJ200 jet engine removed and returned to Rolls-Royce for storage. There's now about one years worth of work that the car needs to get it ready in time for the scheduled record breaking run. Independent analysis found that anyone that contributed to the 8 million target would receive a 14-to-one return on their investment, according to Warhurst. After all that this project has achieved in the past year to prove its viability, it would be devastating to end here when we are so close. We remain optimistic but really are running out of time, Warhurst said. In this photo provided by Bloodhound, the vehicle speeds along the Hakskeenpan track in South Africa during trials last November The company backing the long-term project went into administration in late 2018 before Warhurst bought the project for an undisclosed amount. The car completed successful tests last year, reaching a top speed of 334mph in October after its unveiling and then 628mph in November. The project was launched in 2008 and has an educational value for local schools that is unequalled, it says on its website. The Bloodhound Education Charity is a registered charity that runs alongside the project, providing hands-on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities related to the vehicle for students aged 7 and above. Assured of his impressive victory in the "Super Tuesday" primaries, US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the Democratic candidates lack the enthusiasm of his election campaign. The "Super Tuesday", or March 3 presidential primaries, would be held in as many as 15 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. For the Democratic party, the results of the "Super Tuesday" would allocate 1,357 of the 3,979 pledged delegates for the Democratic National Convention in Wisconsin later this summer, which would select its nominee for the presidential elections in November. Addressing an election rally in North Carolina, Trump said the Democratic candidates lacked the enthusiasm of his campaign. "There's not a lot of enthusiasm for (former vice president Joe) Biden," the president told his supporters. He alleged that two Democratic presidential aspirants Senator Amy Klobuchar and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg by endorsing Biden had traded administration position. "They made a deal. You know what? Quid pro quo, that's what. Impeach them. They should be impeached," he said. Trump alleged that the Democratic presidential nomination is being rigged against Senator Bernie Sanders "I think it's rigged against Bernie but maybe he'll pull it through. It was rigged against me four years ago and I pulled it through. I think it's rigged against Bernie. You see what's happening with Klobuchar. I heard just something happened there," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On February 12, campaign manager Roger Lau predicted that scenario in a memo, writing that Warren was "poised to finish in the top two in over half of Super Tuesday states (eight of 14), in the top three in all of them, and is on pace to pick up at-large statewide delegates in all but one." The question facing her campaign, assuming she meets those self-imposed expectations, is what she plans to do with that power. If the goal is to arrive in Milwaukee this summer at a contested convention with enough support to win over delegates on a second ballot, and claim the nomination that way, the Massachusetts senator will likely need to win at least a few states. Her own, which votes on Tuesday, would be a good place to start. Recent polls show her and Sanders running neck-and-neck in Massachusetts. A loss there would put a serious dent in her case. Warren finished behind Buttigieg in Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina. And in New Hampshire, she trailed him and Klobuchar -- both of whom have since ended their campaigns. Warren remains in despite failing to turn in a top-two finish. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said 79 houses and 327 shops were completely gutted in arson during the communal violence in northeast Delhi last week. According to police, 41 bodies have been recovered so far, Sisodia said at a press conference. The government said till now a total of Rs 38.75 lakh has been given out as compensation to the riot victims. While the families of those killed in the violence have been given Rs 22 lakh as ex gratia, the injured have been provided financial assistance of Rs 9 lakh while total Rs 7.75 lakh has been provided so far to those whose houses and belongings were damaged. Meanwhile, over 1,000 riot-affected people have moved into the Delhi government's relief camp at Mustafabad in the last 24 hours from areas like Shivpuri, Mustafabad and Karawal Nagar, the government said in a statement. It said the camp has been provided with doctors, medicines, food, toilets, clothing and other essential facilities. Help desks have been set up at the camp for filing compensation forms. The government is also working to set up special help desks to prepare fresh documents and ID cards for the families who have lost their possessions. Citing figures available till Monday evening, Sisodia said besides the 79 completely burnt houses and 327 fully gutted shops, 168 houses suffered substantial and 40 houses minor damage due to arson. "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and ministers of Delhi government are on the ground," Sisodia said. "Those whose documents have been burnt should approach SDM offices as soon as possible. Students who have lost their study material in arson will be helped," the Deputy CM said. Besides Sisodia, other Delhi Cabinet ministers including Rajendra Pal Gautam, Kailash Gehlot and Imran Hussain took stock of the relief operations on the ground. The ministers also met the SDMs, DMs, DCs and other administration officials and directed them to ensure that the relief claims are settled in due time. "The situation is grim, but I also noticed that the residents displayed a lot of unity amongst themselves, and came out in support of each other during these difficult times," Sisodia said after his visit. He said 18 SDMs and four night magistrates were on duty to assess the loss incurred in the violence as well as to coordinate the relief and rehabilitation works in the affected areas. "Till yesterday evening, 79 totally burnt houses, 168 substantially burnt houses, 40 minor burnt houses, 327 burnt shops, and 41 dead bodies as per police reports found. And 422 people were injured, Sisodia said. If the houses in the affected areas are locked, officials are trying to contact the occupants through their neighbours so that their names and details are included in the SDM reports, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Josh Reynolds' ex-lover Arabella del Busso claimed she donated eggs to an infertile couple - around the same time she told the NRL star she was pregnant with his child. The 30-year-old, whose real name is Donna Preusker, said she helped a couple from Melbourne start a family in March last year. Del Busso wrote that she produced 17 healthy eggs and made seven embryos for the couple after undertaking hormone fertility treatment. 'When I heard about this special Melbourne couple, it touched my heart,' she posted on Instagram at the time. Arabella del Busso claimed she donated eggs to an infertile couple from Melbourne in an Instagram post in March last year She claimed she donated the eggs at the same time she had told her ex-partner Reynolds that she was ten weeks pregnant with their baby 'The couple have been trying to conceive for seven years but she was told last year she only had 1 per cent chance of conceiving and had no egg reserve (which I can only imagine would be hard being told this). 'It was time to find an egg donor. Donating my eggs was never something I considered but after hearing the couples story I felt I needed to act. 'I am blessed that Im in this position and Im able to make this couples dreams of having a family come true. 'There are hundreds of ladies out there on a four plus year waiting list for donors, if you can donate your eggs please do, I highly recommend it. Its a beautiful thing to do.' Reynolds accuses the former footy WAG of telling him she fell pregnant and miscarried on three occasions during their one-year relationship. She allegedly told him in March last year - at the time of her Instagram post - she was 10 weeks pregnant. Reynolds claims del Busso digitally altered photos of herself to appear pregnant The former footy WAG has been accused of faking three miscarriages, cancer and the death of various family members including her mother Del Busso later accused Reynolds of assaulting her in an incident in September, but the charges were dropped by police last week. The pair endured a tumultuous one-year relationship which began after del Busso contacted Reynolds on Instagram in September 2018. Reynolds told A Current Affair del Busso knew he always wanted to be a father. 'I've always wanted to be a dad, it's not to be at the moment, but she was smart. She knew what to do,' he said. 'I can stand here and say: Arabella, whatever your name is, you said to me that you're gonna bring me and my mum down, but we're still standing. We're still here. 'You tried to bring me, my family, my mum down and it didn't work.' Del Busso later accused Reynolds of assaulting her in an incident in September TAIPEI, Taiwan and MONTREAL, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lanner Electronics, a global leading manufacturer of advanced network appliances today announced the release of the all-new Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) platform. Developed in collaboration with Barefoot Networks, an Intel company, NoviFlow, and Fortinet, the platform integrates Intel Xeon Scalable processor-based compute nodes, Barefoot Tofino P4-programmable Ethernet switch silicon, Fortinet's Fortigate VNF, and NoviFlow's CyberMapper programmable networking software. By deploying network-based capabilities in edge infrastructure to secure applications and data, the next-gen MEC solution simplifies network architecture, accelerates application deployment, eliminates cabling complexity, and enables zero-touch provisioning of network edge infrastructure. The all-in-one MEC Solution integrates Intel architecture multi-core compute, P4-programmable switching, security VNFs, and end-to-end orchestration to enable application performance at the virtualized edge Optimized for simple, scalable, and secure services at the network edge, the Lanner HybridTCA Series is the white-box MEC hardware platform that aggregates up to (12) 2nd generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, (2) high-speed P4-programmable Barefoot Tofino switching ASICs, and massive storage with support for precision time protocol (PTP), as an all-in-one modular appliance. "Disaggregation and Software Defined Networking require strong collaboration in a multi-vendor environment in order to make it a valuable deployment with flexibility and scalability," said Jeans Tseng, VP and GM of Lanner Telecom Application BU. "This MEC hardware platform addresses the next level of disaggregation at the Service Provider Edge and aggregation as well as the coming private 5G Enterprise infrastructure." "5G networks require performance and programmability at the network edge to better serve the varying needs of consumers and service providers. By utilizing Intel architecture and P4-programmable Barefoot Tofino switching technologies, Lanner is able to build a platform that meets the needs of the emerging deployments," said Prem Jonnalagadda, Sr. Director, Product Management and Marketing of Barefoot Networks, an Intel company. Leveraging an SDN infrastructure with scalability, programmability and network telemetry, the MEC solution provides NEBS-ready high availability, terabit capacity networking with programmable telemetry in silicon, VNF load balancing, security mitigation and a visual operation management interface. Leveraging the white box hardware platform with SDN control and forwarding, this next-gen MEC solution eliminates purpose-built appliances by integrating multiple network functions into an easy to manage and deployable solution, enhances application performance and reduce processing costs at the edge. "The MEC solution provides unprecedented flexibility that allows Service Providers to deploy an SDN enabled programmable switching infrastructure with precision time protocol support for applications such as 5G, cybersecurity, Cloud RAN and Content Delivery, as well Terabit-scale networking capacity in-the-box for even the most dynamic and latency sensitive workloads," said Dominique Jodoin, President and CEO of NoviFlow. "NoviFlow's NoviWare and CyberMapper software provide a mature SDN NOS, packet broker, load balancing and threat intelligence gateway, unleashing the power of P4 networking for full programmability, easy software upgradability, long term in-service lifetime and significant reduction in CAPEX and OPEX." Typical virtual Network functions on MEC solutions includes: Virtual Load Balancer Virtual Packet Broker Virtual Firewall Virtual BNG Virtual Provider Edge Virtual Carrier Grade NAT Virtual Threat Intelligent Gateway Segment Routing SRv6 Service Chaining Segment Routing SRv6 GTP Gateway SDN control About Lanner Lanner Electronics Inc (TAIEX 6245) is a world leading provider of design, engineering and manufacturing services for advanced and customizable SDN and NFV network computing appliances for system integrators, service providers and application developers. Lanner possesses a wide range of network appliances including vCPE gateways designed for SD-WAN and SD-Security, as well as NEBS-compliant, NFVi-ready platforms with multiple processors, network I/O blades, and high availability features.For more information, visit http://www.lannerinc.com/ or http://www.whiteboxsolution.com/ About NoviFlow NoviFlow Inc . provides open standard-based Terabit/s performance SDN networking solutions to network operators, data center operators, enterprises and government agencies seeking greater performance, flexibility and cost-efficiency. NoviFlow has offices in Montreal, Boston, Melbourne, Singapore, Seattle and Sunnyvale, and representatives in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit http://noviflow.com/ . Follow NoviFlow on Twitter @NoviFlowInc . Media contact Lanner: [email protected] +886-2-8692-6060 ext.1195 Media contact NovIFlow: [email protected] +1-438-807-4363 Intel, the Intel logo, Xeon, and Tofino are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. SOURCE Lanner Electronics Related Links http://www.lannerinc.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO) announced Tuesday an accelerated timeline for developing its DNA vaccine INO-4800 to address COVID-19, the respiratory infection the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated a Public Health Emergency of International Concern of the highest level. According to WHO, approximately 89,000 cases have been reported globally with more than 3,000 deaths. The company said it is planning to begin human clinical trials in the U.S. in April and soon thereafter in China and South Korea, where the outbreak is impacting the most people. It plans to deliver one million doses by year end with existing resources and capacity. However, the company added that it will need additional resources to scale up to make enough doses to help protect Americans from COVID-19 as well as to lead global efforts to curtail this virus. Imovio President & CEO Dr. Joseph Kim shared this accelerated timeline at the U.S. Coronavirus Task Force meeting at the White House on March 2. Imovio is the only company with a Phase 2 vaccine for a related coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). 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. A Russian man has been jailed for nine years for stabbing to death a popular Instagram influencer who modelled herself on Audrey Hepburn. A Moscow court on Monday convicted Maxim Gareyev for the murder of 25-year-old Yekaterina Karaglanova, a medical student whose naked body was found with more than 19 knife wounds in a suitcase in a rented flat in July last year. Karaglanova had an Instagram account called Katti_loves_life, posting images of herself posing to look like "Breakfast at Tiffany's" actress Hepburn in scenic holiday destinations such as Venice and Dubai and wearing designer labels. "I've adored Audrey since school and people often tell me I look like her," she wrote in 2017. Her account now has more than 100,000 followers, with the last post from a holiday in Corfu in June. Gareyev reportedly underwent numerous cosmetic operations and was nicknamed "Ken Doll" by Russian tabloids for his resemblance to the male version of the Barbie Doll. In a video released by investigators, he said he murdered Karaglanova, who he knew, because she humiliated him over his financial situation and sexuality. The 33-year-old was ordered to serve his sentence in a strict-regime penal colony, the Moscow prosecutor's office said. He was also ordered to pay 2.5 million rubles (USD 38,000) in compensation to Karaglanova's family. She studied medicine at a top Moscow university and wrote she was doing a clinical residency. Her rented flat was in a quiet city district with a number of embassies. She reportedly competed in several beauty contests. Russian activists have decried the country's record on violence against women. There is currently no law defining domestic violence and according to official statistics there were 33,300 crimes involving violence in the family in 2018, 24,400 of them against women. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No one at North Star Mall management, shop owners, employees or customers knew that a woman who tested positive for coronavirus had visited the shopping center until about a day and a half later. Indeed, the mall was open for business as usual Monday. A caregiver helped an elderly woman inside, a worker took a smoke break and a brown UPS truck dropped off packages. The Metropolitan Health District alerted management to the possible exposure at some point that morning, and employees were sent to the food court to wipe down tables and chairs where the customer had dined Saturday night. A few hours later at 2:50 p.m. mall owner Brookfield Properties decided to close the facility for 24 hours for a deep cleaning. While the shopping center had been cleaned several times using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended products, as an abundance of caution, we made the decision to close North Star Mall temporarily to allow for a further deep cleaning of the center, Brookfield spokeswoman Lindsay Kahn said. The woman from Wuhan, China, had been under quarantine but was released Saturday from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease after twice testing negative for the virus. However, the results of a third test showed that she was weakly positive, forcing officials to retrace her steps during the roughly 12 hours she was out in the community. More Information Metro Health's tips for avoiding infection with COVID-19: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. See More Collapse On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio declares health emergency, orders coronavirus evacuees to stay in quarantine According to a timeline provided by Metro Health, the woman was dropped off at a Holiday Inn at 91 N.E. Loop 410 around 3 p.m. Saturday. Then she took a shuttle to North Star Mall, where, she told officials, she visited Dillards, Talbots and Swarovski stores for two hours. She also ordered food at a Chinese restaurant, eating alone in the malls food court. She returned to the hotel in a shuttle around 7:30 p.m., but was returned to the specialty hospital around 2 a.m. Sunday because of the positive test result. Metro Health officials said two of the 18 people she interacted with at TCID are considered at medium risk. Symptoms appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure. On ExpressNews.com: Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news We are making every effort to identify any exposures at the mall, and based on what we have at this time, the exposures are pretty low-risk, said Anita Kurian, who leads the communicable disease division at Metro Health. Yet its unclear why authorities didnt contact the malls owners about the incident until early Monday. Metro Health recommended using disinfectants to wipe down doorknobs, tables and chairs. The mall has more than 175 stores and restaurants. Brookfield didnt respond to an inquiry about the extent of the malls cleaning. Before its temporary closure, food court managers were told that janitorial staff would come by to deep clean the counter tops at their stations. At least one of the malls tenants aimed his ire at management. We didnt hear anything, and we still havent heard anything from management, said a restaurant operator who asked not to be identified. I was here on Saturday, all day. There were a lot of people here that day. It was halfway through the lunch rush Monday when he heard about the incident from an employee. The news will likely affect business, but theres nothing you can really do, said Michael Saidi, who runs Opah Greek Flavor. His father has operated the food court eatery for 30 years. Yasmine Garcia, who was browsing the mall with her mother, said she wasnt aware that someone whod tested positive for coronavirus had visited North Star. Thats scary to know that, the 16-year-old said. There could be an outbreak here, and thats terrifying because theres no cure for it. There have been more than 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases and six deaths in the U.S. as of Monday, along with more than 3,000 deaths worldwide, according to the CDC. The respiratory disease was first detected in Wuhan in December. For now, the CDC says the immediate health risk to most Americans remains low. City and county officials declared a state of disaster and a public health emergency Monday in an effort to keep more than 120 coronavirus evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and prevent new evacuees from coming into the city. They were also quick to criticize the federal governments actions. The fact that the CDC allowed the public to be exposed to a patient with a positive COVID-19 reading is unacceptable, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. We will hold the CDC accountable to providing complete transparency for the public. Gloria Lopez, Garcias mother, works at a strip club near the Air Force base and said its been worrisome hearing Lackland in the news for the past three weeks. Many of the clubs customers work at the base, and employees have expressed concerns to management, Lopez said. After the North Star owners announcement Monday, worried residents began calling publicly funded University Health Systems main phone line, asking how to get tested for COVID-19. Testing is currently available through Metro Health and the CDC. 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 | Madison Iszler covers retail, technology and tourism in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Madison.Iszler@express-news.net | Twitter: @madisoniszler By the fall of 1917 the tide of World War I had turned against Germany. Kaiser Wilhelm IIs empire faced a crippling British naval blockade and combat on multiple fronts against a powerful coalition of enemies. Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg and General Erich Ludendorff, the kaisers dynamic duo, knew time was running out. The United States, which had declared war that April, would have enough troops in France by the middle of 1918 to decisively tip the scales in the Allies favor. Germany had to win the war or peace before American numbers made the outcome inevitable. To achieve military victory, the Germans would have to defeat the British and French on the Western Front. But such a war-winning offensive would require a massive boost to German strength in the Westand the necessary troops could only come from the Eastern Front. After three years of war tsarist Russia was tottering and wracked by revolution. If Germany could force Russia to sue for peace, the German General Staff could transfer enough troops to the Western Front for an offensive that could potentially win the war by early 1918, before the Americans arrived in force. In that atmosphere of desperation Operation Albion was conceived. (Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (at left) and General Erich Ludendorff pore over wartime plans. (Classic Image/Alamy Stock Photo) When German troops marched off to war in the summer of 1914, the kaiser assured them they would be home before the leaves fall. All such hopes were dashed when the French and British checked the German advance at the Marne River that September. Participants on either side of that savage six-day battle were equally shocked by the bloodletting and quickly entrenched, giving the Western Front the general contours it held until the final year of the conflict. Over the next three years the French and British launched massive offensives against the outnumbered Germans. While the assaults did not achieve decisive results, they inflicted horrendous casualties on the kaisers troops. Germanys difficulties were further augmented by the requirement to fight on two fronts, for its troops also faced a large Russian army in the East. When Italy entered the war on the Allied side in 1915, Germany and its Austro-Hungarian allies were forced to stretch their limited resources ever further. The war also placed a great strain on the German home front. At the outbreak of war the British had instituted a naval blockade and classified foodstuffs among the contraband Royal Navy ships would not allow through to Germany. Making matters worse, adverse weather conditions in 1915 and 16 played havoc with German harvests, leading to widespread hunger. The winter of 191617 was dubbed the turnip winter due to the dearth of food, which the government sought to offset with the namesake root vegetable more commonly used to feed livestock. German civilians could not be expected to endure such hardship indefinitely. The United States entry into the war the following spring had ominous potential long-term consequences for Germany. Long reluctant to commit troops to the European conflict, President Woodrow Wilson had finally called on Congress to declare war due to Germanys decision to recommence unrestricted submarine warfare. Hindenburg and Ludendorff had unleashed the U-boats to target Allied merchant shipping, hoping to choke off Britain in retaliation for its blockade. While the German High Command realized unrestricted submarine warfare would deeply anger the Americans and likely prompt a declaration of war, it dismissed the United States military potential. German disregard for American martial capabilities was not entirely unfounded. At the outbreak of war in 1914 the U.S. Army and Marine Corps were relatively small forces. To make any meaningful contribution to the Allied cause, the United States would have to mount a significant and time-consuming mobilization effort. Troops had to be recruited, trained and deployed across the Atlantic Ocean in transport vessels subject to German submarine attacks. It would take a full year for the United States to transport enough men and materiel overseas to assist the beleagured French and Britishand that aid was sorely needed. Heavily laden German troops board an Osel-bound transport in October 1917. (Bridgeman Images) By 1917, after three years of grinding, brutal combat, French and British troops were suffering extreme war-weariness. Conditions were especially dire in France, and that spring thousands of its soldiersdisgusted with their commanders and sick of being butchered in one failed offensive after anothermutinied. Short of fresh troops, Allied leaders decided to hold in place and await the surge of U.S. reinforcements in 1918. The Germans were thus in a race against time to win the war before either the Americans arrived in force and put victory out of reach or morale on the German home front cracked. The Russians, meanwhile, had serious problems of their own. In March 1917 war-weariness and heavy casualties helped fuel the revolution that toppled Tsar Nicholas II. The provisional government that took over vowed to keep fighting the Germans. Beset by squabbling between rival political factions, however, it came under increasing pressure from the antiwar communist Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin. The resulting uncertainty and continued dissatisfaction with the war in turn led to a breakdown in discipline among Russian army and navy units. It was not uncommon for enlisted men to meet and debate whether or not to follow their officers orders. In early September the German Eighth Army captured the important Baltic city of Riga, on the namesake gulf, re-energizing Berlins hopes of forcing Russia out of the war. If German troops could seize the Baltic islands of Osel, Moon and Dago, the German navy could bring pressure to bear on the Russian fleet sheltered within the Gulf of Riga. Control of the gulf in turn would expose the enemys right flank nearly to Petrograd (present-day Saint Petersburg), the Russian capital. Such a blow might convince the provisional government to seek peace. The German army and navy would have to surmount several logistical obstacles if they hoped to conduct an amphibious assault in the Baltic. Any operation would have to occur before late October, when winter weather made a landing impracticable. That left the Germans just six to eight weeks to both plan and execute the assaultan especially daunting prospect, given that the imperial army and navy had almost no experience in joint operations. Moreover, the German military had no amphibious doctrine, nor did Germany possess any specialized equipment for such operations. Thus a successful outcome would be entirely dependent on the ability of the army and navy to make up amphibious assault techniques as they went and make do with the equipment at hand. Ferried ashore by barge, the crew of a horse-drawn field gun unlimbers the weapon before engaging Russian troops on Osel. (Sueddeutsche Zeitung Photo/Alamy Stock Photo) In mid-September the German High Command created a joint army-navy planning group to organize the amphibious assault on the Baltic islands, code-named Operation Albion. The planners earmarked the reinforced 42nd Infantry Division as the main landing force. They also identified elements of the German High Seas Fleet for participation. Its warships would provide covering fire while transports landed troops on the central island of Osel. The operational plan demonstrated great resourcefulness. The main landing force would come ashore at Tagga Bay, on Osels northwest coast, with a secondary landing at Pamerort, midway across the islands north coast. One vital objective was Orissar, a town on Osels east end, from which a 2-mile stone causeway crossed to adjoining Moon. The German plan called for bicycle-mounted infantry to go ashore at Pamerort, race to Orissar, defeat any enemy troops they encountered and establish defensive positions to prevent Russian forces from either leaving or arriving on the island via the causeway. The German cyclists would have to cover some 25 miles to reach Orissar. Furthermore, they could not carry heavy weapons, so the main landing force would have to meet its objectives and relieve the Orissar defenders as quickly as possible. German preparations continued into early October 1917. Assembling at Libau, farther down the Baltic coast, the landing troops boarded 19 steamers pressed into service from every port along the German-occupied Baltic coast. Finally, with preparations complete, the German amphibious force gathered at sea and sailed north on October 11. German minesweepers led the way, clearing a path to the islands through Russian naval minefields. The assault began early the following morning, as German ships steamed into Tagga Bay. Though three vesselsthe battleships Bayern and Grosser Kurfurst and the transport Corsicastruck mines, none sank, and German assault troops soon streamed ashore on both sides of the bay. After securing the landing area, the attackers seized the airfield at Papensholm and struck out for their inland objectives. One regiment marched south to seal off the Sworbe Peninsula, where Russian heavy guns thwarted naval access to the Gulf of Riga, while the rest of the division moved southeast toward Arensburg to engage the main Russian forces and prevent their escape. Meanwhile, the secondary German landing force at Pamerort met with little resistance and reached Orissar by midday. Surprising the Russian defenders, the German cyclists soon established a bridgehead on the Osel end of the causeway to Moon. The bodies of Russian troops killed by German machine-gun fire lay along a roadway. Total Russian casualties are unknown. (Interfoto/Alamy Stock Photo) Russian commanders on the islands had assumed poor weather would render a German amphibious operation impossible. Shocked by the sudden appearance of assault forces, they failed to react aggressively. Some panicked altogether. When informed of the German landings, Rear Adm. Dimitry Sveshnikov, commander of the islands defenses, abandoned the Russian forces on Osel and hopped a ship bound for the Estonian mainland. The Germans spent much of October 13 moving troops into position. At the south end of the Sworbe the fortress of Zerel dominated the Irbe Strait, the western approach to the Gulf of Riga. With a German regiment blocking the north end of the peninsula, however, the Russians on the peninsula were trapped. Elsewhere on the island Russian units still able to maneuver coalesced under General Fyodor Ivanov, commander of the 107th Infantry Division. He ordered the bulk of his forces east to the causeway at Orissar, intending to hold open the door for any reinforcements from Moon and secure the Russians line of retreat. In their path were the Germans of the secondary landing force. After a bitter fight, the outnumbered and outgunned bicycle troops relinquished their hold on the causeway late that night, but they remained close enough to lay down effective fire on the crossing point, enough to prevent the Russians from leaving Osel en masse. On the morning of October 14 the German regimental commander blocking the Sworbe resolved to negotiate a Russian surrender rather than launch a potentially costly frontal assault. Meanwhile, German warships pounded the Russian naval batteries at Zerel. Resistance was light, as the demoralized Russian gunners ultimately refused orders to fire at the German ships. Throughout the day the hopelessness of their position became apparent to the isolated troops. Negotiations continued through October 15. Finally, on the morning of October 16 the commander of the 5,200-strong Russian garrison surrendered. With resistance on the peninsula ended and the fortress at Zerel neutralized, the door was open for the German navy to enter the Gulf of Riga and confront the outclassed Russian warships sheltered within. Even as the Russian forces on the Sworbe were debating whether to surrender, events at Orissar were reaching a decision point. After a grueling forced march, elements of the German 42nd Division had arrived in the vicinity of the causeway on the evening of October 14, relieving the beleaguered bicycle troops. At the same time the main body of the Russian 107th Division had reached the outskirts of Orissar and seemed on the verge of breaking through to Moon. At that critical moment German torpedo boats arrived in the channel between Osel and Moon. The gunners aboard opened fire on the Russians seeking to force the causeway, further thwarting their attempts to retreat. Fighting continued into October 15, and it was with some surprise that afternoon the Germans learned that General Ivanovunable to withdraw from Osel and with a large German force at his rearwished to surrender the remnants of the 107th. In the end Ivanov ordered his troops to either surrender or make for the mainland in whatever small boats they could commandeer, while he himself was captured by the Germans. There was one more act left in the drama. With the Gulf of Riga no longer a safe refuge, the Russian navy was forced to fight or flee. It did both, in the process suffering the loss of several ships, the most important of which was the battleship Slava. With Osel secured, German forces soon seized adjoining Moon and Dago, north of Osel, completing the reduction of Russian defenses protecting the Gulf of Riga and the approaches to Petrograd. A bearded Prince Leopold of Bavaria, supreme commander of German forces on the Eastern Front, accompanies Kaiser Wilhelm II (center) on a review of troops following the capture of Riga. (PVE/Alamy Stock Photo) Wrapped up by Oct. 20, 1917, Operation Albion was in many respects an unqualified success. With slight losses, a combined amphibious force of the German army and navy had inflicted a sharp defeat on Russian forces defending the eastern Baltic, captured the greater part of a Russian division and seized the key to the Gulf of Riga. With the Baltic islands and gulf firmly under German control, the enemys northern flank on the European mainland lay exposed virtually to the Russian capital. Despite such impressive results, it is difficult to determine whether Albion had the strategic impact the German High Command had sought. Hindenburg claimed the subsequent October Revolution by the antiwar Bolsheviks was a direct result of the Baltic victory, while Ludendorff was uncertain. The revolution did break out days after the conclusion of Albion. With Lenin at the helm, the Bolsheviks soon negotiated the Russian exit from the war, thus enabling Germany to transfer more than 1 million troops to the Western Front for the Spring Offensive, or Kaiserschlacht (Kaisers Battle), which began in mid-March 1918. That offensive initially met with smashing success, in that German armies were able to measure their advances in miles, whereas previous Allied attacks had measured gains in yards. Despite such German successes, the Allies, increasingly reinforced by American troops, held on. The German army and home front eventually reached the limits of their endurance and began to crack. Allied numbers and industrial might ultimately prevailed, and it was Germany that requested an armistice in November 1918. Although largely forgotten, Operation Albion is worth remembering from a tactical standpoint. German army and navy officers demonstrated superb adaptability in their efforts to develop amphibious landing techniques on short notice and ability to match their plans to the available equipment, while their soldiers and sailors performed well throughout the campaign. Hindenburg was doubtless correct in writing that Albion was the one completely successful enterprise on either side in which an army and a fleet cooperated. MH Gregory A. Thiele is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. For further reading he recommends Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands, by Michael B. Barrett, and Battle for the Baltic Islands, 1917: Triumph of the Imperial German Navy, by Gary Staff. The Delhi High Court Tuesday sought the Centre's response on a plea by parents of Indian students stranded in Iran due to coronavirus outbreak for evacuating them. Justice I S Mehta issued notice to ministries of home, external affairs, health and aviation and asked them to file a status report on the steps being taken by them to evacuate the students. Central government standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, who appeared for the ministries, accepted the notice and said a status report would be filed on the steps being taken. The court, thereafter, listed the matter for further hearing on March 11. The petition has also sought directions to Ministry of External Affairs to provide basic medical aid and safety materials like masks and sanitisers to the stranded students till they are evacuated. The plea, filed through advocate Miriam Fozia Rahman, has said that after the coronavirus infection was detected in various Iranian cities, several universities there decided to close down the colleges and hostel facilities and also cancelled the exams. It said that students, some of whom are residents of Jammu and Kashmir, have been advised to return to their countries. However, the Indian student were "shocked and surprised" when they found out that there were no flights to India from Iran, the petition has said. It also said that all efforts to seek help and support from the Indian Embassy in Iran "has failed". The plea has said that the government had recently arranged special flights to safely evacuate Indian students from China, Japan and Italy and has urged that similar steps be taken for those stranded in Iran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following the opening of its first embassy in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi, the Commonwealth of Dominica has become the most popular destination among migrants from the region as the passport allows visa-free travel to more than 130 countries. With the high number of expatriates based in the UAE, AAA Associates saw a 70 per cent increase in Dominican passport demand. Alan James, General Manager of Samana Group, of which AAA International forms a part, welcomed Emmanuel Nanthan, the head of Citizenship for Dominica, to the AAA International offices where he met a number of new citizens of the island post a ceremony where James had presented investors with their new Dominican passports. Since opening its doors for business, AAA International has maintained a special relationship with the island and again in 2019 saw the highest number of its customers in UAE receiving their passports. With its close proximity to the USA and ease of visa-free entry to over 130 countries whilst maintaining Tax Free status, the beautiful island of Dominica remains in the top three passports of choice for our customers that are looking for alternative citizenship. Nanthan said: There are many (23) - options for second citizenship and permanent residency in the world. Dominican citizenship program remains popular due to its transparency, lower price and turn-around time. The Middle East has become an important region for us. Opening a new embassy in Abu Dhabi and a Consulate in Dubai later this year is a testament to growing bilateral relations between UAE and Dominica, which will also help boost the ranking of Dominican passport. New diplomatic mission will allow us to provide with the best service to prospect citizens from UAE and across the Middle East, he said. Dominica allows investor-friendly taxes with property, inheritance and capital gains taxes. The biggest attraction for investors is that the personal income tax is not charged if the income is not earned in the Commonwealth of Dominica. In addition to having no physical residency requirement, the Dominica citizenship programs are done in government-managed escrow accounts, has no language, age, business experience, or educational requirements. The Dominica citizenship through investment program is legally entrenched in law, and since local law does not contain any restrictions on holding dual nationality, obtaining second citizenship by investment in the country is a confidential process that does not require a person to renounce their existing citizenship and be present to earn the Dominican passport. AAA International has continued to show its commitment to Dominica with the opening of its own offices on the island. Since the opening of the offices in early 2019, the turn-round time for passport delivery has halved with the majority of customers receiving their new passport in just four months, said Imran Farooq, CEO of AAA Associates Immigration Services, a part of Samana Group of Companies. Established in 1993, the Dominica Economic Citizenship Program legally offers individuals and families an irrevocable second citizenship with no visit to the country required. The Caribbean island nation has an excellent international reputation, and consequently, its passport provides visa-free travel to 130 countries around the world including Schengen zone, Europe, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK and many more. - TradeArabia News Service . : , . . , 28 . . ... 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. Digvijay Singh claims BJP planning to topple Nath govt, Shivraj calls it outrageous. Bhopal: Congress veteran Digvijay Singh Monday dropped a bombshell by claiming that the BJP was plotting to topple the Kamal Nath government. The former CM alleged that the BJP was offering `25 crore to `35 crore each to Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh to switch sides to pull down the state Congress government, which had a wafer-thin majority in the house. Shivraj Singh Chouhan (former chief minister and BJP national vice-president) and Narottam Mishra (former minister) are wooing Congress MLAs to split the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in MP, Digvijay Singh told reporters. He said that the warring leaders, Mr Chouhan and Mr Mishra, had ironed out their differences and were now nursing hopes of becoming chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively by replacing the Kamal Nath government with a BJP regime in the state. government with a BJP regime in the state. Each Congress MLA is being offered `25 crore to `35 crore by the BJP. But, they (BJP) should remember that MP is not Karnataka and Congress MLAs in MP are not for sale, he said while referring to the split in the CLP in Karnataka, leading to the fall of the Kumaraswamy government recently. Mr Singh indicated that he had evidence to support his claim. Mr Chouhan, however, rubbished Mr Singhs claim, describing it as outrageous. He (Mr Singh) is adept at spreading canards. He often gives such outrageous statements to remain in the news. He may be making such baseless allegations to prove his relevance before the chief minister, Mr Chouhan said. Former minister Mr Mishra said that Mr Singh was making such wild allegations to coerce the chief minister to re-nominate him to the Rajya Sabha in the March 26 biennial polls in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress has a strength of 114 in the 230-member Assembly and is enjoying support from two BSP MLAs, one SP legislator, and four independents. The BJP has 107 MLAs. Three members from MP, Prabhat Jha and Satyanarayan Jatia (both BJP) and Digvijay Singh of the Congress, are going to retire from the Rajya Sabha on April 9. Alex met with NRD Forestry Manager Ken Feather to discuss a new windbreak project that will eventually protect his cattle on days like today. While he recognizes he wont see the full benefit of the additional trees for a few years, its a long-term investment he is keen to make. You see a lot of windbreaks that are getting torn out, Alex says, shaking his head. Planting trees is good. If you tear out a windbreak, you should put one back in. The trees will be helpful for his cattle and will provide additional habitat for wildlife. The NRD Conservation Tree Program offers low cost trees in bulk, plus planting services, to make it easy and affordable to add, restore, or extend windbreaks in the district. Corners for Wildlife isnt the only conservation project on the Daake familys property. Just down the road we meet up with Dave Daake, seemingly impervious to the cold as he fills a semi with corn. Hes farmed here since 1979 and finding ways to make the property profitable and environmentally sustainable has long been his goal. In addition to his active cropland, Dave owns 46 acres of wetland under a conservation easement with Ducks Unlimited. Its a hard place to farm, so this is the best use for the land, he says. A lot of duck hunters use it every year. SANTA FE New Mexico schools will no longer charge a copayment to students who qualify for reduced-price breakfast and lunch under legislation signed into law Monday. The change is expected to cover more than 12,000 students who would otherwise have to pay up to 40 cents per meal. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the measure, House Bill 10, after it passed the House and Senate without a single dissenting vote in this years legislative session. Many of our families miss the criteria to qualify for free school lunch, but still have difficulty coming up with the copayment for a reduced fee meal, particularly where they have multiple children in school, Lujan Grisham said in a written statement. A 40-cent copay should never come between a child and the food they need to grow and learn. Legislative analysts estimate the policy will cost the state about $650,000 a year, though they warned it could climb much higher, depending on student participation in programs that extend the school year. The new legislation eliminates all copays and requires the Public Education Department to cover the cost, starting next school year. The states main budget proposal, House Bill 2, includes about $650,000 in extra funding for the department to offset the cost. State officials also said the law could generate new federal funding because of federal matching rates for school meals. House Bill 10 is jointly sponsored by Democratic Reps. Willie Madrid of Chaparral and Melanie Stansbury of Albuquerque. Some students already qualify for free meals at school, of course, but others have been charged a copayment, depending on their family size and income. The Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA track and kill Osama bin Laden has launched a hunger strike from his prison cell, his lawyer and family said Monday. Shakeel Afridi has been languishing behind bars for years since his fake vaccination programme helped US agents track and kill the Al Qaeda leader in 2011. "It is to protest the injustices and inhumane attitudes being committed against him and his family," his brother Jamil Afridi told AFP after meeting with Afridi in a prison in central Punjab province. His attorney Qamar Nadeem also confirmed the hunger strike. Afridi was jailed for 33 years in May 2012 after he was convicted of having ties to militants, a charge he has always denied. His sentence was later reduced by 10 years. Some US lawmakers have branded the case as revenge for his help in the search for the Al Qaeda chief. The 2011 killing of Bin Laden caused massive embarrassment for Pakistan and particularly its powerful military. For years Afridi has had no access to his lawyer, while his appeal against his prison sentence has stalled with scheduled court appearances repeatedly delayed. His family has also complained of being targeted and harassed by authorities over the years. US President Donald Trump vowed during his election campaign that he would order Pakistan to free Afridi, but since taking office has been largely silent on the issue. The comments sparked a blistering rebuttal from Pakistan, whose interior minister at the time branded Trump "ignorant" and stated that the "government of Pakistan and not Donald Trump" would decide Afridi's fate. In recent years Pakistani authorities have cracked down on nonprofits and forced them to leave the country, which analysts say was largely tied to the Afridi case due to the security establishment's fears that NGOs have provided cover for spying. West University Place has scheduled a final public meeting on the upcoming Buffalo Speedway Reconstruction Project. The meeting is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at the West University Place Community Center Auditorium, 6104 Auden St. in West University Place. The purpose of the meeting is to inform adjacent property owners about the plan and impending impacts. This meeting is open to the general public. According to the city, the design phase for the Buffalo Speedway project has passed the 90 percent plateau. The rest of the projects schedule includes: June 2020 Final design submittal to TXDOT and city. December 2020 TXDOT Advertises bid for contractors. November 2020 TXDOT awards contract. January 2021 Construction activities begin. The project has several components, including the removal and replacement of pavement from Bissonnet Street to West Holcombe Boulevard. Also planned is installation of box culverts to mitigate drainage from Bissonnet to West Holcombe, connecting to Poor Farm Ditch, which according to the Harris County Flood Control District is a man-made drainage channel constructed more than 55 years ago that carries stormwater from surrounding neighborhoods in southwest Harris County to Brays Bayou. The channel provides drainage to portions of the cities of West University Place, Southside Place, Houston and Bellaire. Other portions of the Buffalo Speedway project include the replacement of traffic signals at Rice, Sunset and University boulevards. The reconstruction of the road itself is being funded 80 percent by a federal grant and 20 percent by the city of West University Place. The drainage project is currently 100 percent funded by the city of West University Place but applications have been submitted to get federal fund assistance. Anyone unable to attend the meeting but would like to provide comments cane email buffalospeedway@westutx.gov (reference Buffalo Speedway 90% design comments in subject line.) All comments must be submitted by Thursday, March, 19, 2020. For more information or to sign up for Project Alerts, visit www.westutx.gov/buffalo. rkent@hcnonline.com The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is rapidly spreading around the globe, infecting more than 90,000 and killing more than 3,000 people. Now, an epidemiologist says it may eventually threaten about 70 percent of the world's total population. The epidemiologist from Harvard University Marc Lipsitch has warned that about 40 to 70 percent of the human population will contract the virus. However, he reiterated that most of those people would not experience severe disease or show any symptoms at all. A startling coronavirus prediction from a Harvard epidemiologist: could 40-70% of the worlds adult population be infected? What remains unknown: what proportion of [positive cases] are going to get symptoms at all, Dr. Mark Lipsitch tells @JimAxelrod https://t.co/Y0q01W58oS pic.twitter.com/RClE9Iiz4I CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) March 3, 2020 "That is a projection, so we will find out if it is accurate as things go on. It is the best estimate that I have been able to make based on a combination of the mathematical models that we use to track and predict epidemics," Lipsitch said. The rapid increase in cases outside China has sparked fears that the coronavirus outbreak is just starting. China, where Wuhan City, the epicenter of the outbreak, is located, is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the coming months, the outbreak may worsen, infecting many people around the globe. Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Millions of people dying If the projections are accurate, Lipsitch added that millions of people would die from coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, he added that though the situation is most likely going to be like that, it is important to turn concerns into actions to make the situation better. Also, he emphasized that as the age goes up, the susceptibility to symptomatic infection heightens, too. For symptomatic patients, the risk of death increases. Older adults are at the highest risk of contracting the disease, particularly those who are 65 years old and above. The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a toll on many countries, especially China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. More countries have also reported their first cases of the coronavirus. Prepare for the worst The new coronavirus, known as sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two or SARS-CoV-2, can cause a respiratory illness that can be severe. The disease officially called COVID-19 has a fatality rate of less than 2 percent, which makes it lower than other outbreaks in the past. However, due to the rapid spread of the virus, health officers and experts are concerned about the possible impact of the outbreak on the community. Marc Lipsitch said that containment is essential in preventing the spread of the virus. It is the first step in responding to an outbreak. Health officials will detect confirmed cases and trace all direct contacts of the patient to impose a quarantine period. This way, infected individuals will not roam around and infecting others. Also, he suggested that businesses and companies should make it easier for people to work at home, especially during this pandemic. Though some people brush off the severity of the situation, Lipstich said that SARS and MERS should be aware COVID-19 has ten times bigger than SARS and ten bigger than SARS. "This is not an existential threat. This is, qualitatively, it is very much like a bad pandemic of influenza, which we experienced arguably twice or three times in the 20th Century. It's worse than the one that we experienced in 2009. However, none of those brought civilization close to its knees. They made things awful for a while," Lipstich added. South Korea, Italy, Iran face a health crisis The countries, South Korea, Iran, and Italy, are now in a state of emergency as the number of confirmed cases increases. South Korea, next to China, has the highest number of infections of 5,186 infections and 28 deaths. Italy has more than 2,500 cases and 79 deaths, while Iran has a staggering 77 deaths and more than 2,336 confirmed cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that six countries have reported their first coronavirus cases, including Dominican Republic, Iceland, Armenia, Czechia, Luxembourg, and Indonesia. Iranian envoy summoned on ministers tweet on Delhi riot India oi-PTI New Delhi, Mar 03: India on Tuesday summoned Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest with him over the comments made by Iran''s foreign minister Javad Zarif over violence in Delhi. Official sources said that the Iranian envoy was conveyed that Zarif commented on a matter which is purely internal to India. Dont let senseless thuggery prevail, Iran tells India on Delhi riots In a tweet on Monday, Zarif said," Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian muslims." "The Iranian Ambassador in Delhi was summoned on Tuesday and a strong protest was lodged over the comments made by Zarif on the matter internal to India," a source said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 12:28 [IST] Brian Feulner / Special to The Chronicle United announced a flexible booking policy that waives change fees for any flights booked through the end of March as the airline industry sees demand for travel plummet. The coronavirus outbreak continues to create a high level of uncertainty around the globe regarding travel, the airline said Tuesday. The decision by Teck Resources, one of Canadas largest mining companies, to suspend the Frontier oilsands project surprised many. Had it gone ahead, the open-pit mine would have been built across 24,000 acres of boreal forest just north of Fort McMurray, Alta. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The decision by Teck Resources, one of Canadas largest mining companies, to suspend the Frontier oilsands project surprised many. Had it gone ahead, the open-pit mine would have been built across 24,000 acres of boreal forest just north of Fort McMurray, Alta. Commentators have blamed everything from the low price of oil to regulatory and political uncertainty and insinuations of socialism. What is clear, however, is that the decision is another blow to a federal government struggling to achieve a balance between climate action and resource development. The companys letter announcing the decision specifically pointed out the need to bring climate policy and resource development into harmony. The letter provides few suggestions as to how this might happen; indeed, as others have pointed out, it can be interpreted as a call for either more or less regulation in energy projects. Referring to the growing debate around these issues, the letter also indirectly acknowledged the protests and blockades that have appeared across Canada in recent weeks, driven by another, very different project the Coastal GasLink pipeline that runs through Wetsuweten territory. New energy projects have never faced such an uncertain pathway to success. Make rules, not decisions Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government has struggled with the tremendous challenge of reconciling climate policy and resource development. In an ideal world, this challenge could be met through better regulation with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, perhaps, other negative environmental impacts. Canadas Clean Fuel Standard is a good example of this kind of policy it sets out clear rules that dictate that fuels be continually improved to reduce emissions. By comparison, Bill C-69, legislation that requires future infrastructure projects to be evaluated in terms of impacts on health, environment and communities, has been criticized for adding uncertainty to an already complicated process. Bill C-69 is just one example of the Trudeau governments focus on increasing Indigenous participation in making decisions about resource projects, and there has been some success on this front. Look at the support that 14 Metis and First Nation communities in Alberta gave to the Teck Frontier project, after long and productive engagement with the company, the province and Ottawa. Look at the positive words that some of the Wet'suwet'en have for the Coastal GasLink project. Engagement with Indigenous communities is proving fruitful, and in some cases common ground is emerging that can serve as the basis for future cooperation. Building consensus When dialogue between Indigenous peoples and resource companies sour, however, the ramifications are grim. The power of the recent protests is found in the overlap between Indigenous sovereignty and environmental concern. If consensus is a fundamental condition for a successful energy project, the emergence of these types of coalitions presents a challenge that may be difficult to overcome and sows the seeds of uncertainty over every future project. There has been a lot of work done to try to build consensus in recent years. In the case of Tecks Frontier project, there was certainly Indigenous consultation, engagement and support from First Nations who have expressed disappointment in the companys decision to shelve the project. In the case of Coastal GasLink, signed agreements were in place with elected band councils, but the guidance of the hereditary chiefs was ignored, igniting the current wave of protest across the country. The presence of both Indigenous and settler peoples at these protests paints a picture of a country that remains hugely divided on the best way to develop our resources and power our future. Lost in all of this is that protests targeting specific projects, and not emissions in general, avoid the most basic problem of all. The root cause of climate change is not entirely industry, its also us. The protests that we are seeing in Canada do not even attempt to address this critical issue. Addressing a climate crisis There is growing demand for energy products for heat, mobility and power. Nobody wants to live without the services that energy provides, preferably at relatively low cost. 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. Presumably a good portion of our future energy will come from renewable energy but these types of projects are also being contested across the country by both Indigenous and environmental groups. For example, consider Site C, Muskrat Falls or the Nation Rise Wind Farm. Protesting against renewable energy options will slow down the transition away from fossil energy. Canadians are asking, is it even possible for this country to build a major energy project anymore? The answer to that question must be yes. The climate crisis adds urgency to the need to chart a new path. We are always going to need energy for heat, mobility and power. Regulations designed to clean up our energy supply will require new projects to be built. Indigenous people have a voice at the table and must be respected, and legitimate environmental concerns must also be addressed. Lets work together to figure out how to get new projects built its the only way to address our climate emergency. Warren Mabee is director of the Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen's University. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. The G7 ambassadors will meet with Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Riaboshapka on Tuesday. The Embassy of the United States in Kyiv wrote this on its Facebook page. We look forward to the G7 ambassadors meeting with Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka today to discuss the substantial progress he has made in reforming the Office of the Prosecutor General, reads the statement. As reported, the second phase of competence assessment of prosecutors in Ukraine was launched on March 2. iy That is the kind of response our current crisis requires. Were not yet getting it. It is particularly painful to compare Giulianis performance with Trumps at his news conference about the coronavirus on Saturday. Is the virus yet the American emergency that Sept. 11 was? No. But it has already claimed lives and will claim more on what order of magnitude we do not know and it means tolerating a dreadful uncertainty, because (as with terrorism) we cannot know whats going on in hidden cells. Unfortunately, Trump doesnt do facts, doesnt know humanity and has only a passing acquaintance with community. Forget that he was, until he got savaged for it, doing crisis management by ad-hocracy. The real problem with the news conference on Saturday was that it was political, not informational, with Trump congratulating himself and running down Democrats. He seemed disconnected from the stakes, the anxiety, the very meaning of leadership. He couldnt so much as correctly identify the gender of the first victim in the United States (a man, not a woman). Perhaps the creepiest aspect of the news conference was subtle. Trump said, in a variety of ways, that healthy individuals should be able to fully recover. Setting aside whether its true and alas, it probably isnt, not entirely I kept waiting for the second half of that sentiment, namely: But for those of you who are older, frailer or already contending with a serious illness, know that we are concerned about you, and were doing everything we can. It never came. Trump seldom turns his thoughts to the weak. By Monday afternoon, Vice President Mike Pence had taken over, this time flanked by his task force of experts. It was a dramatic improvement. But when Ashley Parker of The Washington Post asked Pence whether hed take his children to Disney World over spring break, he didnt answer. (Monday night, The Daily Beast reported that the Defense Intelligence Agency has banned all international and domestic temporary duty assignment travel. Today, could someone explain that?) The public remains fretful and uncertain. We still havent gotten a calm tutorial on prevention, preparedness and the habits of this virus. Weve read that we should stock up on food. But should we? Supermarkets are out of hand sanitizer. But does it matter, if we still have soap? How should we think about being in airplanes, bars, restaurants? The public shouldnt rely on Google at this moment. But thats precisely what were doing. The most weve gotten is an all-caps tweet from the surgeon general telling us to STOP BUYING MASKS! But this is the all-caps presidency. Trumps fans may pride him on his directness, but its always of the all-caps sort, predicated on showmanship rather than sincerity, fearmongering rather than comfort, fracture rather than unity. Rage is the new authenticity. It is the very worst thing in the world for an epidemic, when trust and calm are paramount. On Monday, Pence promised an Rx: daily briefings. Yet its Tuesday and theres nothing on the schedule so far. Lets hope that when he and his team finally get around to it, their answers are humane and forthright. The realities of this virus shouldnt be sanitized. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Hector Enrique Valencia (pictured), 20, was arrested in Aruba last week over the death of Sydney sex worker Kimberley McRae A Colombian student arrested over the death of a Sydney sex worker disappeared from an inner city business school without warning in the days after her death. Hector Enrique Valencia, 20, was nabbed by local authorities in the Caribbean island of Aruba last week over the death of Coogee identity Kimberley McRae. The 69-year-old transgender woman's body was found inside her apartment on Mount Street, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on January 14. Ms McRae's death shocked residents of the beachside suburb where she was a well-known to the close-knit community. Valencia had lived in Sydney since mid-2019 on a student visa and was enrolled at a business college in Surry Hills. But students at the college told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday the 'baby-faced' man only showed up for two days then suddenly disappeared. They were left shocked by his arrest. Ms McRae (left), 69, was found dead in her apartment in Coogee, in Sydney's east. Police allege that the next day Valencia fled Sydney, flying to Colombia and then on to Aruba, where he is pictured (right) on February 14. He was arrested in Aruba last Wednesday, February 26 Valencia had lived in Sydney since mid-2019 on a student visa, and was enrolled at a business college in Surry Hills (he is pictured in class earlier this year, just days before leaving Australia) 'He had such a young, baby face and was very quiet,' a former classmate said. 'He wasn't here very long. I think he came to two classes and then disappeared, that was back in early January and we never saw him again.' He attended an English school in Sydney during the second half of last year then enrolled at the business college in the first few weeks of this year. A photo showing Valencia sitting in class was posted to Facebook on January 7 - the exact day police say Ms McRae was last seen alive. His friends said they saw him in class briefly the next morning, but then never again. Valencia was understood to be living near Matraville, in Sydney's south-east. Police believe he met Ms McRae for the purpose of sex, but it is not known if he was a first time customer the day she died, or if they had met before. Valencia was a regular visitor to bars and nightclubs throughout the city, and regularly left reviews on Google for the places he ventured to. The 20-year-old Columbian student was arrested in Aruba, a Dutch island in the Caribbean, last week in relation to her death. He is expected to be extradited back to Australia in the coming weeks (Pictured is the unit block on Mount Street, Coogee, where Ms McRae lived) The inside of Ms McRae's unit was thoroughly dusted for fingerprints in the days after her body was found. By this time her alleged killer had fled overseas, with NSW Police finally tracking him down over the weekend Police believe Ms McRae's body had been lying inside her apartment for several days before she was found NSW Police allege Valencia flew back to South America the day after Ms McRae died. He first returned to his homeland of Colombia, before going to visit a relative on the Caribbean island of Aruba. Completely unaware police were on his tail, he continued to post photos to social media of himself in the Caribbean in February less than a fortnight before his arrest. Homicide detectives then liaised with the Commonwealth Attorney General's office who coordinated the operation with Aruban authorities. Local police pounced last Wednesday and arrested Valencia. The Commonwealth Attorney General's office is currently in the process of trying to have Valencia extradited to Australia to face charges over Ms McRae's death. Aruban officials have previously extradited a number of alleged criminals, but never an Australian. Ms McRae had lived at the current apartment block for the past six months, and prior to that in another building on the same street for almost 12 years (Pictured is the door to Ms McRae's unit after being dusted for fingerprints by police) Her close friend Presley Hunter (right) paid tribute to Ms McRae (right) and described her as one of the kindest people 'Detectives from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad are working with Commonwealth agencies to seek the man's extradition to Australia,' a NSW Police spokesperson said. 'The priority for all Australian authorities is seeking the return of the man to face justice.' The body of Ms McRae was discovered inside her unit on Mount Street at Coogee, in Sydney's east, on January 14. She is believed to have been lying dead for up to four days, only being discovered by a real estate agent when her Melbourne-based sister raised the alarm. A post-mortem indicated she had been strangled. Ms McRae had lived at the current apartment block for the past six months, and prior to that in another building on the same street for almost 12 years. She lived alone and did not own a vehicle, but was known to walk and exercise in the area and had 'distinct personal style with recognisable features'. Ms McRae death shocked the beachside suburb of Coogee (pictured), where she was a well known local identity who was regularly seen exercising in the area Police said they were aware Ms McRae was working in the sex industry at the time of her death. Under the name Isabella Lawson, Ms McRae wrote a book last year titled 'Hey Boys, She's Got a Gash and other Tales of Gods - A Memoir' - which detailed the struggles of being transgender. A friend Presley Hunter paid tribute to Ms McRae and described her as one of the kindest people. 'She was certainly an icon of Coogee for over a decade. She was 'out there' but she's the kindest person I've known,' she said. Denver, CO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- True Nature Holding, Inc. DBA Mitesco, Inc. (OTCQB: TNTY) (the Company or True Nature) announced today that it is opening a new business aimed at empowering nurse practitioners to have their own independent primary care clinics in States where full practice authority for nurse practitioners is supported. The business assets that become the new venture were developed by a group of senior healthcare executives who previously brought to scale the business known as Minute Clinic, now a part of CVS. The Company completed the acquisition effective March 3, 2020, and the new venture is formalized through the formation of a subsidiary named MyCare, LLC, and will be based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the new operating entity, the Company has formed Mitesco N.A., LLC, which will house all North American operations. For European acquisitions, the Company has formed Acelerar Healthcare Holdings, LTD., which is based in Dublin, Ireland and will house all European acquisitions. The Company has also filed for a name and stock symbol change with FINRA, changing the name from True Nature Holding, Inc. to Mitesco, Inc. with the requested stock symbol of MITI. Other than the change of the Company name for marketing purposes, there are no other corporate actions planned. Regarding the MyCare, LLC acquisition, Larry Diamond, CEO of the Company who is based in Minneapolis, explained, Globally, there is a looming shortage of primary care providers. Already, several countries and roughly 23 States in the U.S. have modified the laws and regulations which permit Nurse Practitioners to operate independent primary care practices. Nurse Practitioners focus on direct patient care, patient education and helping people to manage their health more effectively. This shift in medical practice seeks to more quickly improve access to basic primary care and empower nurse practitioners to be leading-edge healthcare providers; and will change both the economics and outcomes for consumers. The team that will bring this business online has extensive experience in direct-to-consumer offerings, which we believe can allow for fast deployment and expansion both domestically and internationally. Michael C. Howe will lead the team of four who has successfully developed and deployed consumer care solutions, including the business now known as Minute Clinic, acquired by CVS in 2006. As CEO of the new business unit, Mr. Howe brings 30 years of consumer and healthcare experience including Minute Clinic, Arbys Restaurants and Verify Brand. According to Howe, "Expanding access to a primary care medical home has become a critical need in today's healthcare system. Advance Practice Nurse Practitioners are a valuable resource to resolve this need. MyCare with the support of Julie Smith, Larry Diamond and the rest of the Mitesco team will provide the infrastructure and business services required to assure the success of independent NP practices. We are truly excited about this new partnership." Rebecca Hafner-Fogarty, MD, MBA, FAAFP will serve as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Hafner brings valuable consumer health experience including senior roles at Minute Clinic as well as Zipnosis. Dr. Hafner-Fogarty is an experienced primary care physician, served on the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice for many years, and has deep expertise in regulatory and policy issues in telemedicine and other healthcare innovation. Kevin Lee Smith DNP, FNP, FAANP will serve as Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer, with previous experiences including founding Minute Clinic and providing early-stage informatics leadership at Zipnosis. Kevin has also been an active primary care Nurse Practitioner and served in faculty positions at the University of Minnesota throughout his career. Jim Woody Woodburn, MD, MS is the President & Chief Operating Officer and has been key to the success of organizations including Minute Clinic, Applied Pathways (Acquired by Anthem AIM in 2017) and several other venture capital-funded companies. In addition to his experience as an Emergency and Occupational Medicine physician leader, he was Medical Director at BCBS of MN and led employee health and wellness programs for over 12 years. He led the successful clinical expansion for MinuteClinic including the scalable provider ownership model and clinical quality management. I am delighted to join my previous MinuteClinic partners in pushing the envelope of high-performance, high-touch and high-quality Nurse Practitioner led care models nationwide. About MyCare, LLC The aging patient and physician population has created a severe shortage of primary care providers. As part of the nationwide solution to this problem, academic institutions have scaled upwards to train and graduate more Nurse Practitioners who are experienced, capable and credentialed to perform high-quality primary care to millions of consumers today. Innovations in technology and education have allowed for an expansion of the healthcare team to better meet the growing demand for geriatric and general primary care. States and countries are evolving regulations that will enable Nurse Practitioners to provide the full scope of care that they have been trained to deliver. MyCare is developing standardized business management services that supply the infrastructure and resources necessary to rapidly open and to scale independent Nurse Practitioner clinics. The same digital technologies that catalyzed the development of the health care team will also support the development of independent Nurse Practitioner clinics as part of a patient-centric integrated, interrelated and interconnected team of providers with specialty relationships and patient communication channels. Additionally, MyCare is enabling the future today by integrating care anywhere, anytime, using telehealth technology. In addition to a high touch personal relationship with a Nurse Practitioner, consumers will also be able to connect via text, email or video on demand. By combining these digital technologies, efficient business management support and infrastructure, the MyCare team will enable Nurse Practitioners to provide the highest quality of care to more people when and where they need it most. The Mission of True Nature Holding, Inc. DBA Mitesco, Inc. We have in development a suite of offerings aimed at enhancing healthcare throughout the supply chain and to end-users. We intend to acquire and implement technologies and services to improve the quality of care, reduce cost, and enhance consumer convenience. We are focused on developing a portfolio of companies that provide healthcare technology solutions and the team is adept at deal structures supportive of long-term organizational value. The holding company structure facilitates profitable growth and enables the acquired business to focus on scale. The TNTY portfolio of companies will apply leading-edge solutions that emphasize stakeholder value and leverages distinct sector trends. Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act As contemplated by the provisions of the Safe Harbor section of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to future, anticipated, or projected plans, performances, and developments, as well as other statements relating to future operations. All such forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimating or predictions of future results or events and there can be no assurance that actual results or events will not materially differ from expectations. Further information on potential factors that could affect True Nature Holding, Inc. is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Contact: www.truenatureholding.com 1-844-383-8689 It was 12 in the afternoon on February 24. Mohd Shahzaad, a barber, had just finished giving the latest mohawk-style haircut to a 17-year-old boy when a doctor called him on his mobile from the nearby Al Hind Hospital. Located adjacent to the hospital in Old Mustafabad, Shahzaads barber shop was also bang opposite another small salon, owned by Wasim, his protege. The duo had been called to help with dressings and run small errands for the hospital before. But what met them on Monday afternoon when they arrived at Al Hind was beyond their imagination. When sectarian violence broke out in several northeast Delhi neighbourhoods on Sunday night, including Mustafabad, Al Hind was the only hospital that remained open in the area and provided critical first aid and conducted surgeries on victims affected by the riots. There were a handful of patients with head and other injuries. We knew there were disturbances since Sunday night but we didn't realise how bad it was until we reached Al Hind," Shahzaad, 25, told News18 inside his barber shop a week after the incident. The barber-duo initially started by shaving hair off injured persons and getting them ready for surgeries or further treatment. The first man we shaved was a Mustafabad local who had been hit multiple times on the head with a rod, Wasim recalled. It was the bloodiest haircut Wasim or Shahzaad had ever given. We cleaned him up and sheared his head. The poor man had been on his way to Chand Bagh to meet his wife when he was attacked, Wasim said, adding he will never forget that first haircut. However, after that, the people became a blur. Mohd Shahzaad [right] with Dr Meraj Ekram at the Al Hind Hospital. (Image credit: Rakhi Bose) As the day wore on and the volume of patients increased exponentially, the two men started giving first aid to all who came and dressed their wounds. After all, with just three doctors and two nurses and a handful of additional staff to clean and run the pharmacy, the hospital was severely understaffed. Shahzaad had dressed wounds at home before, as had Wasim, who often needed to take care of his own varicose vein-related wounds and injuries. Even if we didnt, we would have learnt it in an hour. It was about humanity, Shahzaad said. Things started to get too real on Monday night when the first gunshot victim was brought in and Wasim said it was then that the two men, who had grown up together in the erstwhile peaceful neighbourhood, started to feel scared. We trained the boys to do basic dressing of wounds, first-aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). They were eager to help. They assisted us in saving many lives, said Dr Meraj Ekram, a dentist and one of the three brothers who run the hospital. Dr Ekram, who has not left the hospital since February 24, said over 500 victims of violence have been treated at the facility till now. We treated every riot victim at no cost and gave away medicines for free, he said, adding medicines worth at least Rs 2 lakh have been given away without any money in the last one week. Such times are not for profit or loss. People were dying, the doctor said. A numbers of pharmacies also opened up their doors, albeit discreetly. Though all shops in Mustafabad have kept their shutters down Sunday night onwards, doctors relied on locals like Shahzaad and Wasim to procure provisions locally from these shut medical stores. According to the doctor as well as locals, ambulances only started reaching the area on Wednesday when the riots started to thaw. We did what we could with our limited staff and resources. Had ambulances come on time, we could have saved more lives, said Dr MA Anwar, the head physician and Director of Al Hind. Wasim, whose varicose veins had acted up after standing for nearly three days at a stretch, told News18 on the phone now that the ordeal was over, he was thinking of taking up a course in medicine. It felt good to save lives, he said. Shahzaad, his ustad (teacher) in the art of haircutting, was content with being a barber for life. It was the prowess in my fingers and my dedication to the art that helped me maintain focus and precision and shave all those injured heads. I could never have done it otherwise, Shahzaad said. A week after the clashes, life in the Muslim-dominated Mustafabad has started to limp back to normalcy. Patients coming to Al Hind are now mostly affected by ordinary illnesses, though signs of the freshly bygone violence hang in the air like the smell of disinfectant and blood. Forty students, who had attended a birthday party at the house of a COVID-19 patient, have been tested and sent to 28-day self isolation, Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Buddha Nagar Anurag Bhargava told news agency IANS. "A total of 40 students of the school have been tested for the virus and sent to a 28-day isolation. School will be closed for a day or two now. During this time it will be sanitised. The process of sanitising the school will take one to two days. It takes more than an hour to sanitise a room, our medical team has told the school about the treatment," Bhargava told IANS. Bhargava said samples from 40 people have been sent for testing, and reports are expected to come within hours. He further added that authorities are in touch with Health Ministry to monitor the situation. Two schools in Noida have already shut down temporarily - children of the coronavirus patient identified in Delhi studied at one - while others are taking steps to sterilise their campuses. They have asked students with cough and cold to stay at home. All students belonged to the same school as the patient's son, Shriram Millennium School. Meanwhile, school administration sprung into action after the news started doing the rounds on the social media. "Dear Parents, due to certain unavoidable circumstances we will be postponing the exams scheduled today. The new dates will be communicated shortly," a message by school administration read. "The Board exams will continue as normal. The children of Classes 7-11 may come for extra classes if they wish. Class 6 and IGCSE classes continue with the study leave." On Monday, two positive cases of the virus were found in Hyderabad and Delhi. Both are under treatment. The Delhi patient had travelled to Italy. ALSO READ:Coronavirus impact: Delhi patient visited family in Agra; 6 members quarantined The gunman who has hostaged at least a dozen people shows a grenade on a video call with a policeman, witnessed by members of the media outside a mall in San Juan City, Metro Manila MANILA (Reuters) - A Philippine security guard, sacked from his job at a shopping mall in the capital, Manila, shot a man and took dozens of people hostage on Monday, as police and negotiators tried to end the standoff. The man entered the administration office of V-Mall in Manila's San Juan City armed with a pistol and was shouting that he was carrying a grenade, according to mayor Francis Zamora. The man that he shot was stable in hospital, he added. The gunman, Archie Paray, later gave assurances that the hostages would be released without harm, provided that the authorities did not try to trick him. He was sacked by the company that provides security for the mall and had tried to get other guards involved in what mayor Zamora said was "some sort of coup d'etat against the mall management". Though major hostage incidents are rare in the Philippines, memories are fresh of when a sacked policeman hijacked a Manila bus full of Hong Kong tourists in 2010, and was killed in a gunfight together with eight passengers when police bungled a rescue. A SWAT team was seen entering the four-storey V-Mall as shoppers were evacuated and crowds of media gathered behind a security cordon. Among Paray's demands was the opportunity to speak to former colleagues and to media by video call. The negotiators agreed. Late in the afternoon, a guard held up a smartphone to media during which the gunman panned his camera around the room to show that the hostages were alive. He declined to say how many he was holding. "Just wait, they will come out alive," he said. Mall staff later handed out a few radios to reporters to allow them to ask Paray questions. (Reporting by Eloisa Lopez, Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Writing Martin Petty; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel) The Goa government on Tuesday asked a school to suspend an employee for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Lord Parshuram during an anti- Citizenship Amendment Act rally, an official said. Ramakrishna Jalmi, who works as a laboratory assistant in Swami Vivekanand Vidya Prasarak Mandal's Higher Secondary School at Borim in South Goa, allegedly made the remarks during the anti-CAA rally on Saturday and was arrested by the Crime Branch the next day. In a video of his speech which went viral, Jalmi can be heard speaking about Lord Parshuram who is considered as the creator of Goa. Director of Vandana Rao on Tuesday asked the school management to suspend him under section 11(3) of Goa School Act, 1984. Rao said the school was an aided one and therefore the Goa School Act and Rules 1986 were applicable to all employees. Jalmi was arrested under sections 295 (A) and 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for hurting religious sentiments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) File photo shows a Syrian Aero L-39 Albatros war plane dropping a payload above buildings across the border. AFP Photo Beirut: A Turkish fighter jet downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said, in the third such downing in three days. Turkey on Sunday confirmed it had launched a military operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the border region, where Ankara supports some rebel groups. Syrian state news agency SANA said one of its planes was "targeted" after two others were shot down on Sunday. Turkey confirmed the downing of an L-39 jet. "As part of the Spring Shield operation that is successfully continuing, an L-39 plane belonging to the regime has been downed," the Turkish defence ministry said. The Observatory said the regime plane was brought down by a Turkish F-16 and crashed to the ground in a regime-held area south of the embattled rebel bastion. The fate of the crew was not immediately clear, the Britain-based Observatory said. Regime forces have since December been battling to retake the last major opposition bastion of Idlib from rebels and jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. The Turkish operation came after an air strike on Thursday blamed on Damascus killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the region. The Observatory says 93 regime soldiers have been killed in Turkish bombardment since Friday along with 10 fighters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and four pro-Iranian fighters. On Sunday, Damascus claimed to have brought down three Turkish drones over the region. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 380,000 people since it began in 2011 and displaced millions. OTTAWA Manitobans appear to be receiving more than theyre paying into the federal carbon tax this year, despite Premier Brian Pallisters claims to the contrary. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Manitobans appear to be receiving more than theyre paying into the federal carbon tax this year, despite Premier Brian Pallisters claims to the contrary. Although preliminary, new federal data suggest the province is on track to send Ottawa less than what Manitobans will receive in their tax returns this spring. By law, Ottawa must remit all carbon tax revenues to the province from where theyre collected. The Canada Revenue Agency provided the Free Press with data showing it received $86,317,000 from Manitobans through the carbon taxs fuel charge from April to December 2019. Premier Brian Pallister disparaged the carbon tax as a "hoax" last year, and more recently claimed the money is leaving Manitoba. (Mike Deal / Free Press files) The CRA has earmarked $155,347,000 to remit to Manitobans through their income taxes this spring this is for the 12-month period that finishes at the end of March, not just the first nine months. The preliminary figures raise questions about how well the money is being remitted, according to a University of Manitoba sustainability and economics instructor. "We're in the good, but it all depends what happens by the end of the (fiscal) year," said Robert Parsons. "It could go either way. We might be better off, we might be quite a bit worse off; it depends on how the numbers actually work out." On average, each Manitoban would have spent $63 on the carbon tax in nine months, and would receive $113 returned for the first 12month period. On average, each Manitoban would have spent $63 on the carbon tax in nine months, and would receive $113 returned for the first 12-month period. Remittances vary based on household demographics and if they reside in a rural area. The new figures exclude the increase in GST charged as a result of the carbon tax, as well as cumulative rises in the cost of products. Even so, the new figures challenge Pallisters assertion in January "the federal carbon tax plan takes hundreds of millions of dollars away from Manitoba, and only gives a fraction back." Its unclear how much Ottawa will collect between the start of the January and the end of March. Prorating the first nine months of the year into the subsequent three months would suggest a $43-million overpayment to Manitobans. However, Parsons believes higher spending on fuels in the winter months could explain the anticipated rise in carbon tax payments between January and March. Manitobans likely wont know until the late spring precisely how much revenue Ottawa collected from the carbon tax. Parsons said Ottawa appears to be accurately estimating the provinces carbon emissions, pegging them around 9.5 tonnes annually in various tabulations. Yet, Ottawa's estimates of how much carbon tax it expects to actually collect across Canada has fluctuated. Last June, it estimated taking in $2.1 billion, though by that point it had only dispersed $1.75 billion a number that has likely since risen. Ottawa changed its revenue estimate in November to $2.6 billion, after Alberta fell under the federal tax, while New Brunswick negotiated a separate deal with Ottawa. That makes it hard for analysts to scrutinize the taxs revenue and remittances. "Based on what Ive seen from government numbers, I think were going to be paying a lot more than what we paid in but it still remains to be seen," Parsons said. The CRA stressed it will give provinces exactly what they paid into the levy. That includes using any estimate for this springs income taxes, and making up for an under- or overestimation a year later. "As actual proceeds and the total amount of proceeds returned in a specific jurisdiction may differ from estimates, adjustments will be made through changes in future Climate Action Incentive payment amounts, as required," wrote CRA spokesman Dany Morin. Premier Brian Pallister contended last week the carbon tax will cost Manitobans $1 billion over five years. If the provinces emissions did not change, that would be an accurate cumulative cost as of spring 2023 under the escalating federal tax, though the federal law holds this cash still has to be remitted. (Mike Deal / Free Press files) Pallister disparaged the carbon tax as a "hoax" last year, and more recently claimed the money is leaving Manitoba. The premier also contended last week the carbon tax will cost Manitobans $1 billion over five years. If the provinces emissions did not change, that would be an accurate cumulative cost as of spring 2023 under the escalating federal tax, though the federal law holds this cash still has to be remitted. Parsons, who studies how economic measures interact with sustainability, is pessimistic the carbon tax will do much to drive down Manitobans emissions. The levy is predicated on the idea raising the cost of fuel will make people drive less, and buy more efficient vehicles. However, gas prices fluctuate much more now than a decade ago, to the point a carbon levy becomes hardly noticeable, he argued, especially because it starts at only 4.42 cents per litre. "When you look on the gasoline side, (the decline) really isn't all that consequential," said Parsons, who conversely argued the tax on diesel is also raising the price of goods, due to added freight costs. However, gas prices fluctuate much more now than a decade ago, to the point a carbon levy becomes hardly noticeable, he argued, especially because it starts at only 4.42 cents per litre. 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. "My sense is were being set up for to fail; that theres been so much of a dogmatic pursuit of carbon taxation that it's not going to work." Ottawa has designed its carbon tax to remit 90 per cent of the tax through income-tax top-ups, while the rest will fund carbon retrofit programs. For example, Ottawa allocated $5.4 million last August for Manitoba school divisions to retrofit classrooms, though that money appears to not have yet flowed. The new figures do not include the cap-and-trade regime that governs a handful of industrial plants in the province, who pay into a separate levy based on their carbon outputs. The Supreme Court will hear arguments later this month on whether the carbon tax has Ottawa unconstitutionally weighing into provincial jurisdiction. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca LOBAMBA Where is CoLA? This was the question that most Members of Parliament (MPs) asked Minister of Public Service Christian Ntshangase during the ministrys annual performance report debate for the current financial year. It was held at Senate yesterday. The portfolio committee is chaired by Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane. The MPs expressed their dissatisfaction on the minister after he presented his preamble without touching anything on the subject of the cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) for civil servants. First to inquire about it was Nkwene MP Vulimpompi Nhleko, who said emaSwati from each and every corner of the country were complaining about it. He stated that it was a pity that not even the portfolio committee was engaged on the issue. What surprises me is that even the report does not touch on anything about CoLA yet it is legal and it is the right of employees. Expressions Each and every year employees should be getting CoLA, no matter how much it is but you are silent, no one is uttering a word about it, Nhleko said. He elaborated that the minister who was responsible for reporting to the portfolio committee should do so accordingly. The MP highlighted that as members of the august House, they were elected by the people and so it would be remiss of them if they did not speak for the latter (electorate). Nhleko requested the minister to go back and prepare a page which would issue an update on CoLA. In the same vein, Phondo MP Xolani Vilakati alluded to that he was disappointed by the minister for not saying anything about CoLA when civil servants had their ears on the ground on the matter. He stated that the matter affected the entire citizenry of the kingdom. Vilakati said it would be fit if the ministry could review the E277 million, which was allocated for CoLA and request for E500 million instead, so that emaSwati could be assisted. He emphasised that he was expecting that the ministry would touch on CoLA because the nation would not be what it was if it was not for civil Visitors to the Catskills are likely to be familiar with the Phoenicia Diner on Route 28 near Esopus Creek, known for fly-fishing and tubing. The diner is a classic in the genre; it opened in 1962, was moved to its present location in the 1980s and fell on hard times until Mike Cioffi, who was in scenery construction for shows, bought it, fixed it up and reopened it in 2012. The cookbook reflects the diversity of the diner menu, and of the region. There are a number of Mexican dishes, alongside soft scrambled eggs with smoked trout from the chapter on breakfast all day; kimchi in sandwiches; and several recipes for grits, thanks to the chef, Chris Bradley from North Carolina, who is also an author. Some dishes call for local nettles, mushrooms and ramps. Essays on moonshine, the borscht belt and folk music are included. The Phoenicia Diner Cookbook: Dishes and Dispatches From the Catskill Mountains by Mike Cioffi, Chris Bradley and Sara B. Franklin (Clarkson Potter, $32.50). Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:34:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DHAKA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- At least five people have been killed in a clash between members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and villagers in the the country's hilly district of Khagrachari, some 259 km southeast of capital Dhaka, on Tuesday. Md Khorshed Alam, a senior official of the Khagrachhari district police, confirmed the deaths at a press briefing later in the day. The clash erupted between a BGB team and some villagers over cutting trees at around 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Some people in a Khagrachhari village were reportedly loading tree trunks on a truck when BGB men appeared there and instructed them to refrain from doing the same without permission from the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, both sides following an altercation engaged in a fierce fight that left four people including the BGB soldier dead. After the incident a woman suffered a massive heart attack and died as she came to know that her husband and two sons were killed in the deadly clash. A three-member probe committee was been formed to investigate the incident. New Delhi, March 3 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo alleged here on Tuesday two women Congress MPs assaulted her during the Lok Sabha proceedings following which the House was adjourned for the day. She has also lodged a formal complaint with Speaker Om Birla and submitted the dispensary's prescription with her letter. "I have been in Parliament for a long time. I had never seen such unruly behaviour," she said. Earlier on Monday, a group of women MPs met Birla and raised the alleged attack on Meena and its Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje with him. In her complaint to Birla, Karandlaje wrote, "I am appalled to report to you the misbehaviour thrust upon senior MP Jaskaur Meena by Congress MPs. That a senior member can be jostled in the House is against all norms of decency." Calling it a "perverse desire to vitiate the proceedings," Karandlaje sought expulsion of the Congress MP. However, Ramya Haridas of the Congress alleged misbehaviour by BJP women MPs. Two Chinese Nationals Charged with Laundering Over $100 Million in Cryptocurrency From Exchange Hack FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 2, 2020 Forfeiture Complaint Details Over $250 Million Stolen by North Korean Actors Two Chinese nationals were charged with laundering over $100 million worth of cryptocurrency from a hack of a cryptocurrency exchange. The funds were stolen by North Korean actors in 2018, as detailed in the civil forfeiture complaint also unsealed today. In the two-count indictment unsealed today in the District of Columbia, aka Tian Yinyin, and aka Li Jiadong, were charged with money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. "These defendants allegedly laundered over a hundred million dollars worth of stolen cryptocurrency to obscure transactions for the benefit of actors based in North Korea," said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "Today's actions underscore that the Department will pierce the veil of anonymity provided by cryptocurrencies to hold criminals accountable, no matter where they are located." "Today, we are publicly exposing a criminal network's valuable support to North Korea's cyber heist program and seizing the fruits of its crimes," said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "This case exemplifies the commitment of the United States government to work with foreign partners and the worldwide financial services industry to disrupt this blended threat." "The hacking of virtual currency exchanges and related money laundering for the benefit of North Korean actors poses a grave threat to the security and integrity of the global financial system," said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Shea of the District of Columbia. "These charges should serve as a reminder that law enforcement, through its partnerships and collaboration, will uncover illegal activity here and abroad, and charge those responsible for unlawful acts and seize illicit funds even when in the form of virtual currency." "North Korea continues to attack the growing worldwide ecosystem of virtual currency as a means to bypass the sanctions imposed on it by the United States and the United Nations Security Council. IRS-CI is committed to combatting the means and methods used by foreign and domestic adversaries to finance operations and activities that pose a threat to U.S. national security," said Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Don Fort. "We will continue to push our agency to the forefront of complex cyber investigations and work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to ensure these nefarious criminals are stopped and that the integrity of the United States financial system is preserved." "The FBI will continue to actively work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to identify and mitigate illicit movement of currency," said Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. "Today's indictment and sanctions send a strong message that the United States will not relent in holding accountable bad actors attempting to evade sanctions and undermine our financial system." "This case shows how important robust partnerships across the U.S. Government are in disrupting criminal actors," said Acting Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "This indictment shows what can be accomplished when international law enforcement agencies work together to uncover complex cross-border crimes," said Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa Erichs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). "HSI is committed to upholding the rule of law and investigating those that would steal cryptocurrency for their illicit purposes." According to the pleadings, in 2018, North Korean co-conspirators hacked into a virtual currency exchange and stole nearly $250 million worth of virtual currency. The funds were then laundered through hundreds of automated cryptocurrency transactions aimed at preventing law enforcement from tracing the funds. The North Korean co-conspirators circumvented multiple virtual currency exchanges' know-your-customer controls by submitting doctored photographs and falsified identification documentation. A portion of the laundered funds was used to pay for infrastructure used in North Korean hacking campaigns against the financial industry. The pleadings further allege that between December 2017 and April 2019, Yinyin and Jiadong laundered over $100 million worth of virtual currency, which primarily came from virtual currency exchange hacks. The defendants operated through independent as well as linked accounts and provided virtual currency transmission services for a fee for customers. The defendants conducted business in the United States but at no time registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The pleadings further allege that the North Korean co-conspirators are tied to the theft of approximately $48.5 million worth of virtual currency from a South Korea-based virtual currency exchange in November 2019. As with the prior campaign, the North Korean co-conspirators are alleged to have laundered the stolen funds through hundreds of automated transactions and submitted doctored photographs and falsified identification documentation. The pleadings identify how the North Korean co-conspirators used infrastructure in North Korea as part of this campaign. The civil forfeiture complaint specifically names 113 virtual currency accounts and addresses that were used by the defendants and unnamed co-conspirators to launder funds. The forfeiture complaint seeks to recover the funds, a portion of which has already been seized. The charges in the pleadings are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also imposed sanctions on Yinyin, Liadong, and numerous cryptocurrency addresses related to their involvement in activities facilitating North Korean sanctions evasion based on their services and support for malicious cyber enabled activities linked to North Korean actors. The investigation was led by the IRS-CI, the FBI, and HSI. The Korean National Police of the Republic of Korea provided assistance and coordinated with their parallel investigation. The cases are being handled by Trial Attorney C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney David Recker of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zia Faruqui and Christopher B. Brown, Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers, and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Additional assistance has been provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Youli Lee. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. Attachment(s): Download Yinyin Jiadong Indictment Download Yinyin Complaint Topic(s): Cyber Crime Financial Fraud Counterintelligence and Export Control Component(s): Criminal Division Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section National Security Division (NSD) USAO - District of Columbia Press Release Number: 20-255 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 11:44:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The first CubeSat mission to fly past Mars has been completed, according to a recent release of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Contact with the twin Mars Cube One spacecraft, known collectively as MarCO, was lost in early January 2019 as the trajectories of the solar-powered CubeSats carried them farther from the Sun, according to JPL. The team reattempted contacting the briefcase-sized pair this past September, when their orbits brought them closer to the Sun again. On Feb. 2, having been unable to detect any signals from them, the team declared the end of the mission. The two CubeSats made history, not just for flying past Mars but also for relaying data from NASA's InSight lander, said JPL. Designs derived from MarCO's radio, attitude control system and antenna will be in CubeSats that NASA will launch to the Moon with Artemis I, part of an effort to send humans back to the Moon in preparation for astronaut missions to Mars. Data collected by each MarCO CubeSat will be published in the coming year, ensuring that future generations of small-satellite engineers can learn from these important pathfinders, according to JPL. President Donald Trump "Has a Problem as the Coronavirus Threatens the US," assert the authors of a New York Times analysis: "His Credibility." In the tagline and elsewhere in the article, the authors imply that the spread of COVID-19, aka "the coronavirus," constitutes a "public health crisis" and a "national emergency" which Trump's "history of issuing false claims" handicaps him in selling plans to address. If they're right about Trump's credibility, they're pointing to a feature, not a bug. The last thing we need is an impetuous political response to COVID-19. The coronavirus is neither a national emergency nor a public health crisis in the U.S.. Absent heavy-handed government involvement it's unlikely to become either. What is COVID-19? It's a regional epidemic in China, with a fairly low -- and continuously falling as more and more asymptomatic cases are discovered -- mortality rate even there. It's likely to be far less deadly in the U.S., which has better air quality and about a fifth of the percentage of smokers as China. Like other "common cold" type viruses, it's more likely to kill those with compromised lungs and/or immune systems. Yes, COVID-19 is coming to America. In fact, it's already here, and it's going to spread. It will spread whether Trump appoints Vice President Mike Pence to stop it or not. It will spread whether federal government and state governments impose draconian but ineffectual measures like travel restrictions and large-scale quarantines or not. Political grandstanding over the coronavirus and "emergency measures" vs. the coronavirus will almost certainly kill more people -- in the U.S. and abroad -- than the coronavirus itself. Every "emergency measure" imposes costs in the form of drag on economic activity. We've already seen what happens to the stock market when business gets nervous about the Chinese nodes in its supply chains. Travel and trade restrictions mean higher prices and lost jobs, both of which discourage Americans from seeing doctors when they get sick. Treating COVID-19 as a genuine American public health emergency instead of as an understandable but unjustified panic means medical resources get mal-invested in fighting COVID-19 instead of the other real, existing health problems they're needed to fight. Higher prices, lost jobs and medical mal-investment are a recipe for dead Americans. You probably won't get the coronavirus. If you do get it, it probably won't kill you. But politicians and bureaucrats trafficking in panic just might succeed where it fails. Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida. [March 03, 2020] Shmoop Offers Free Access To Education Resources For Schools Affected By Coronavirus Shmoop draws over 16 million monthly international users to their engaging online education resources SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shmoop , an award-winning online education provider focused on high school and middle school students and teachers, is offering free access to schools which have shut down as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. With the number of Coronavirus cases steadily increasing, schools across the world are feeling the impact as they close their doors in an effort to contain the outbreak. The disruption to the education system is felt around the world. "The challenges we are facing globally are difficult, and the downstream impact will not go unnoticed," says Andy Rahden, CEO of Shmoop. "Anything we can do to ease the stress of the learning environment, regardless of whether students can attend school or not, is something we already do today. Just becaue schools are temporarily closed doesn't mean access to learning resources should come to a halt. While this is a critical and worrisome time in history, access to education and learning solutions should still be available to everyone around the world." With a laser focus on easing the stress of the learning environment, Shmoop aims to improve the approach to teaching and learning through engaging content and a personalized approach. Students and teachers can tap into over 10,000 educational videos, 400 digital learning courses, personalized test prep, and thousands of study guides. While the complications continue, Shmoop wants to offer full access to affected teachers and students globally. Rahden continues, "Shmoop has the simple ability to reach a student or teacher right in their home using a virtual learning platform. We look forward to providing free access to these institutions during this difficult time." For schools or districts impacted by the Coronavirus that are interested in acquiring free access for students and teachers, contact Shmoop at [email protected] . Free access to Shmoop's online resources is available now through May 31, 2020. Restrictions do apply. About Shmoop Shmoop was founded in 2008, on the concept that the idea of learning was just too hard. Shmoop's teaching and learning methods are centered around the belief that students can love learning, and humor can be the catalyst of engagement. As one of the largest digital educational publishers, Shmoop's user-base has grown to over 16 million monthly users, with over 1200 schools and districts using their solutions. Shmoop proudly owns 100% of their content, with an author base that boasts years of teaching experience, PhDs, and Masters program graduates ( www.shmoop.com ). [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (March 3) said there is no need to panic and we need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection against the Coronavirus outbreak in India. PM Modi also tweeted, "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention." Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 PM Modi also shared a picture that shows the basic protective measures for all. The six measures state: 1. Wash your hands frequently. 2. Maintain social distancing. 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. 4. Practice respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. 5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care at the earliest. 6. Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 These protective measures by the PM come after 3 people in India have been tested positive for Coronavirus, the recent one being in the capital on Monday (March 3). Meanwhile, the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has also called up an emergency meeting to discuss coronavirus at 3 pm at Delhi Secretariat. Delhi's Health Minister along with other Delhi's health department officials will be present in the meeting. Earlier in the day, the PM and Arvind Kejriwal had a meeting where they discussed on how to work together against the coronavirus. Globally, more than 3,100 people have died as a result of the virus, the vast majority of them in China. More than 90,000 people have been infected, with cases registered in more than 60 countries. Public health officials say 33 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been diagnosed in Canada so far, with 20 cases reported in Ontario, 12 in British Columbia and one in Quebec. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Public health officials say 33 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been diagnosed in Canada so far, with 20 cases reported in Ontario, 12 in British Columbia and one in Quebec. Here is a timeline of cases in this country. 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: A third 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. Feb. 27, 2020: Quebec public health officials report the province's first presumptive case, a woman from the Montreal region who recently returned from Iran. Ontario officials also confirm a sixth case of COVID-19 in the province. They say the man in his 60s is the husband of Ontario's fifth patient with the virus. Feb. 28, 2020: Ontario reports a seventh confirmed case a man in his 50s who had travelled to Iran. The man arrived in Toronto on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and went to the emergency department of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre the next day. It also reports its eighth case: a man in his 80s with a travel history to Egypt. Officials said he arrived in the city on Feb. 20 and went to the Scarborough Health Network's General Hospital's emergency department on Thursday. Feb. 29, 2020: Health officials in British Columbia say a woman in her 60s who travelled from Iran is the eighth case of COVID-19 in the province. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the woman has a relatively mild case and she is in self-isolation at home. Health officials in Ontario report another three cases two women who had recently made separate trips to Iran, and the 69-year-old husband of one of those women, who had no recent travel history. March 1, 2020: Ontario officials diagnose four new cases three in York Region and one in Toronto. All four patients had recently travelled abroad. One had travelled to Egypt with a man who was later diagnosed with the virus, while the rest had recently been in Iran. March 2, 2020: Ontario announces three new cases two women who had travelled to Egypt and a man who had travelled to Iran. March 3, 2020: Ontario announces two new cases one person who had travelled to Egypt and another who had travelled to Iran. British Columbia announces four new cases involving people with links to travel from Iran. Officials in B.C. are also asking travellers from China and Iran to isolate themselves for 14 days when they return home to Canada. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. Local officials launched a series of maneuvers Monday in an attempt to wrest control of the coronavirus quarantine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to stop the release of the evacuees housed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. By the end of the day, the two sides were at an impasse and the evacuees were still on base. Driven by their frustration over the mistaken release of an evacuee who still had the virus in her system, city officials went to court and unsuccessfully sought a temporary restraining order to stop the federal government from lifting the quarantine for 122 evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Hours before, the city and Bexar County each declared a local public health emergency to assert their authority over the evacuees. The city argued that the scheduled release of the evacuees Monday should be postponed for another two weeks while they are tested again for the virus. The ensuing struggle thrust the evacuees into a limbo of sorts, caught between different levels of government. Many woke up early Monday with the expectation that they would finally be going home after nearly a month of quarantine almost two weeks on the cruise ship, plus another two at Lackland. Some were packing their bags as officials fought over their release, but at the end of the day, they had no firm answer about what was to come. More Information Evacuee's movements Saturday, Feb. 29 2:53 p.m.: After being released from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, the Wuhan evacuee is dropped off at the Holiday Inn Express near San Antonio International Airport by a third-party driver. She enters her room at 3:11 p.m. 5:13 p.m.: She returns to the hotel lobby and requests a shuttle to the mall, which arrives at 5:23 p.m. 5:30 p.m.: The evacuee visits North Star Mall, including the food court, where she orders Chinese food and eats alone. She visits a number of stores, including Dillard's, Swarovski and Talbots. 7:30 p.m.: She returns to the hotel on the shuttle, re-entering her room about five minutes later. Sunday, March 1 2 a.m.: The evacuee is transported back to TCID in a specialized ambulance, accompanied by medical personnel outfitted in personal protective equipment. Source: city of San Antonio See More Collapse As of Monday night, the evacuees who have not tested positive for the virus or developed symptoms were still under guard by U.S. marshals who are expected to remain on the base as long as evacuees are there. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: CDC: Coronavirus patient released in San Antonio later turned up positive for infection In its court filing, the city said releasing those quarantined, or moving them, would create a public health threat. But U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez denied the request, noting that the federal governments current determination that a 14-day quarantine and two negative tests for the virus are sufficient to prevent transmission or spread of COVID-19. The court, Rodriguez wrote further, has no authority to second-guess those determinations even though the court also shares the concerns expressed by the plaintiffs. Despite the blow, the ruling indicated that local officials may still have recourse in the matter by issuing their own quarantine orders under the pair of emergency declarations filed earlier in the day. The United States government is, in effect, washing its own hands further of this quarantine, the ruling said. This is disappointing. Nonetheless, plaintiffs motion for a temporary restraining order is denied. After a long day of negotiations between San Antonio and federal officials, it was unknown whether a workable agreement had been reached between the two parties. Locally, CDCs hands are tied, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in an interview. They have to go by the guidance of their higher-ups, and thats what theyre doing. And what weve communicated with them and what were working to do is to ensure that theres no additional exposure to the public based on that quarantine mission. Nirenberg added that it was unclear how that might be done. 'CALM THE PANIC': With impending release of cruise ship evacuees, San Antonio health officials begin pivot to community coronavirus plan Earlier Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott and the states health commissioner, Dr. John Hellerstedt, also urged the CDC to not allow any evacuees to depart until further testing could be conducted. They also requested that federal officials provide a written rationale before releasing anyone. By Monday night, the governors spokesman and state officials said their concerns had been addressed in a letter from the CDCs director, Dr. Robert Redfield, who said all but 11 of the 144 Diamond Princess evacuees brought to Lackland had been tested for the virus. Because the evacuees have not developed symptoms for the duration of the quarantine, Redfield said, they have been medically cleared. Redfield wrote that the CDC did modify its policies in response to the mix-up with the mistakenly released evacuee, who is from Wuhan, China. Now, previously symptomatic coronavirus patients will be released only after two sequential negative tests within 24 hours. None will be released if any tests are still pending. The emergency declarations filed by Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff empower local officials to take any actions necessary to promote health and suppress disease, including isolation and quarantine efforts that could last at least another week. The declarations also forbid an influx of new evacuees and outline local officials authority to use private property to house the evacuees. Local officials said the declarations were part of a two-pronged legal approach to compel the federal government to extend the quarantine of the cruise ship evacuees. The controversy has highlighted a dysfunctional relationship between local and federal officials, who have repeatedly clashed over the handling of the Diamond Princess passengers. Throughout the quarantine, they have disagreed over the risk of transporting presumptive coronavirus patients into the community. Tensions were further fueled over the weekend when the evacuee from Wuhan appeared to recover from the coronavirus and was discharged from a hospital, only to later test positive again. This is not meant to alarm people. I think weve got good health officials here, but weve had our problems with the CDC and how theyve handled things, and were not very appreciative of it, Wolff said at a news conference Monday. After the mistake was acknowledged by the CDC, Nirenberg and Wolff called on federal officials to extend the quarantine of the remaining evacuees at Lackland until they could be tested once more for the virus. But there was a problem: The federal governments quarantine order extended only for 14 days, and legally it did not appear that the government could hold them for longer. It is unclear whether the Wuhan evacuee who upended the groups release is still actively contagious to others. Much remains unknown about the virus, including firm details about its transmission, incubation period and the length of time it can survive on surfaces. However, local officials said they dont want to repeat the scenario with any other evacuees. Nirenberg said it was totally unacceptable that the CDC, which has been in charge of the quarantined evacuees, had released a coronavirus patient prior to receiving all test results, potentially exposing the public to harm. The CDC did not respond to requests for comment Monday. The agency abruptly canceled a national briefing with reporters that was scheduled for late morning. The Wuhan evacuee, who was in isolation for several weeks at two area hospitals, was released Saturday afternoon after twice testing negative. The results of a third test that same evening came back as weakly positive for the virus, forcing federal authorities to track the woman down early Sunday at the Holiday Inn Express, near San Antonio International Airport. By then, she had already visited North Star Mall. CDC officials said Sunday that the woman was asymptomatic at the time of her initial release and met all agency criteria for recovery resolution of any symptoms and two consecutive sets of negative test results, collected more than 24 hours apart. Following the patients release, results of a subsequent sample were received and determined to be weakly positive, the agency said in a statement. Out of an abundance of caution, CDC decided to bring the individual back into isolation at a local medical facility. The woman was taken around 2 a.m. Sunday back to the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, a state hospital where 10 other coronavirus patients are being treated in isolation. Her hotel room was closed off and disinfected, and at 2:50 p.m. Monday, North Star closed for 24 hours for further deep cleaning. Local health professionals, in whom I have the utmost confidence, are working very hard to prevent the spread of this virus here in San Antonio, and we simply cannot have a screw-up like this from our federal partners, Nirenberg said at a Monday news conference. After the mistake was realized, the Metropolitan Health District began to retrace the womans steps and learned that she had taken a hotel shuttle to one of the citys busiest retail centers, where she stayed for about two hours Saturday evening. She spent much of that time alone at the food court, eating Chinese food. The exact number of people the woman had contact with, and possibly infected, is not known. Health officials conducted an investigation, reconstructing her contact with others, and assessed each persons risk for contracting the highly contagious virus that has killed more than 3,000 people across the world and has begun spreading in some communities in the U.S., killing six so far. The investigation identified that 18 people at the hospital, where tuberculosis patients are treated, were potentially exposed to the virus. Most were deemed to be at a low risk, while two were found to be at medium risk, said Anita Kurian, who leads the communicable disease division at Metro Health. Three people at the hotel, including the shuttle bus driver, also could have been exposed. Officials are confident that exposures there were pretty confined and contained, Kurian said. An unknown number of people at North Star came into contact with the woman, but officials said the potential exposure at the mall is believed to be low. When she did enter stores including Dillards, Swarovski and Talbots she browsed and did not spend a significant amount of time interacting with store cashiers or other customers, Kurian said. She did not stay in one place for longer than maybe two minutes, three minutes, she said. We certainly want folks to come forward and let us know if they think theyve been exposed. Kurian said the relevant areas at the mall where the woman was have been disinfected, but the mall still voluntarily closed later Monday. Abbott called the mistaken release a case of negligence on the part of the CDC and said everyone the woman came into contact with should be tested for the virus. What happened in San Antonio and what the CDC did is completely unacceptable, he said. I think they understand the magnitude of that error they made. The patient had been isolated in San Antonio since Feb. 11, after being flown to the U.S. aboard a State Department-chartered plane. She arrived at Lackland with 90 other evacuees Feb. 7. The woman, who was the only person infected from that group, was initially treated at Methodist Hospital | Texsan and was later transferred to TCID when her health improved. The remaining Wuhan evacuees were released from quarantine Feb. 20. Evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship arrived at Lackland on Feb. 17. Of the 144 who were initially quarantined, seven have tested positive. Three more tested positive before leaving Japan, where the ship was docked. They are awaiting confirmatory testing from the CDC. All the coronavirus cases in San Antonio have been in repatriated individuals. No cases of community infection have been identified in San Antonio. Staff writer Andrea Zelinski contributed reporting from Austin. sigc@express-news.net | lcaruba@express-news.net News of the first coronavirus patient in Delhi has sparked a wave of panic in the city. Multiple schools have been shut down in Noida and the Hyatt Regency in Delhi has asked its employees to self-quarantine for 14 days. As many as six cases of coronavirus have been suspected in Agra. Some family members of the Delhi coronavirus victim have been quarantined at the Safdarjung Hospital. With a virus that spreads at such an unprecedented pace, it is a task to identify potential victims. However, the government has a programme in place for such urgent cases, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). What is IDSP? The programme constitutes units across all states, UTs and districts in the country, which are always operational. The IDSP constitutes State Surveillance Units (SSU) at all state/UT headquarters, District Surveillance Units (DSU) at the districts and Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) in Delhi. The aim of the programme is to strengthen and maintain decentralised surveillance systems to monitor disease trends and to detect and respond to outbreaks through Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). Also read: Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates: Air India cautions co-passengers of Delhi COVID-19 patient How does IDSP work? Under IDSP, data is collected on epidemic prone diseases on weekly basis. The data is collected on three formats - S or suspected cases, P or presumptive cases and L or laboratory confirmed cases. Such data is filed by health workers, clinicians and laboratory staff respectively. The data gives information as well as seasonality of the diseases. The RRT jumps in to diagnose and control an outbreak if there is a rising trend of illnesses in any area. The aforementioned surveillance units analyse data and actions regularly. Also read: Hyatt Regency in Delhi warns coronavirus patient dined at restaurant What does IDSP do? The programme has the following components: 1. Integrates and decentralises surveillance activities through establishment of surveillance units at Centre, State and District level 2. Trains state surveillance officers, district surveillance officers, RRTs and other medical and paramedical staff on principles of disease surveillance as part of human resource development 3. Uses Information Communication Technology for collection, collation, compilation, analysis and dissemination of data 4. Strengthens public health laboratories 5. Undertakes inter-sectoral co-ordination for zoonotic diseases Also read: Coronavirus impact: Delhi patient visited family in Agra; 6 members quarantined Also read: Coronavirus update: Who can enter India, who cannot? Representative image After a month in which simply too many lives were lost unnecessarily to disease, and to hatred March began with an anticipated hanging. The convicts on death row in the December 16, 2012 rape case were expected to be hanged on March 3, but now the Delhi High Court deferred the matter as the mercy petition of one of the convicts is pending before the President of India. Of all the punishments that are available in law, none invites as much controversy as the death penalty. For many, nobody, including the State, has the right to take human life. For others, it goes against the grain of reformative punishment that we have embraced as a society, while for yet others, the objection is due to the irreversibility of death. Then there is the question of wrongful prosecution. The Death Penalty Information Centre has a database of 167 persons in just the United States who were given the death penalty, but exonerated later either on appeal, or on the discovery of fresh evidence to support their innocence. Several countries have such statistics, while India has many recent anecdotes. Last March, the Supreme Court, hearing the review petitions of six persons who were convicted of rape and murder of six people, and sentenced to death, went into the evidence afresh, and acquitted all six (Ankush Maruti Shinde & Ors Vs State of Maharashtra). While examining the evidence, the court found that none of the evidence that was relied on by the convicting courts actually pointed to the guilt of the accused, and that it was more likely that they were merely framed. For example, one of the survivor victims had identified the killers from a photo database, and these six werent among that. Fingerprints, DNA samples, blood samples from the nail clippings of the deceased minor are all collected and sent for analysis. The results do not incriminate the accused six, but the prosecution didnt bother to bring these facts to the notice of the trial court. Remember this was a case where the trial court convicted them, the high court confirmed their death sentence, and the Supreme Court dismissed their appeal. What came to their rescue was a 2016 judgment of the Supreme Court that review petitions in death penalty cases should be heard in detail, in open court. Another memorable case was that of Michael Morton, a man in Texas, USA, who had already served 25 years (out of the 60 he was sentenced to) for allegedly killing his wife, when DNA analysis became accepted in American courts. Analysis of the DNA at the crime scene pointed to a different killer, and the man finally walked free. Then there are instances such as the recent arrest of Davinder Singh, after which new questions are emerging about whether Afzal Guru was actually guilty albeit too late, after his hanging. All these instances show that with the present state of our law enforcement, as well as judiciary at all levels, there can rarely be conclusive proof of guilt that is sufficient to condemn any person irreversibly to death. One must also remember that it is usually the poor who are disproportionately affected by these cases where they are victims of a shoddy, even partisan, investigation by the police, and cannot afford competent lawyers, and are perhaps uneducated to even know their legal rights. The Delhi gang rape case, in fact, is a rare instance where the entire evidence was parsed by two of the finest lawyers appointed by the Supreme Court to assist it in arriving at a conclusion. And therein lies the biggest irony. In the Ankush Maruti Shinde case, the convicts got a reprieve only because they were sentenced to death, and review petitions in death penalty cases are heard in open court. In other words, they were lucky they were sentenced to death. Many murder convicts (but with cases maybe even weaker), are left rotting in jail for life because unlike in death penalty cases, life sentences hardly evince judicial interest. To take the irony further, many judges award life sentence for crimes just as barbaric, only out of humanitarian concerns. A woman learned the hard way not to mess with at least one of nature's creatures. A video recorded last week in Breckenridge, Colorado shows a woman attempting to pet a stray moose when it suddenly raised its two front legs to kick her. Now, the woman has been cited for harassing wildlife, which carries a $200 fine. 'That girl's an idiot,' one person in the background said. 'You're an idiot.' Anna Stonehouse, a professional videographer who shot the footage, said the women in the video was following the moose 'aggressively across the street' before the violent act that she called 'horrifying'. 'I thought it was pretty shocking and everyone else around did, too,' Stonehouse said to FOX31. She added: 'We all wanted to keep our distance and get away and let the moose do its thing. To see someone act that way, it seemed very childish and inappropriate and ignorant.' Last week, a woman walked over to pet a moose in Breckenridge, Colorado and was almost attacked Experts say moose are 'deceptively fast,' can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and will attack if they feel threatened Elissa Slezaon, the district wildlife manager at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said it's common for moose to roam into mountain towns throughout Colorado. But unlike other animals that run from humans out of fear, moose are known to attack if they feel threatened. 'Each year, more people are attacked by moose than by any other species of wildlife,' Slezaon said on the organization's website. Travis Duncan, who also works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said moose are known to act defensively to protect their turf. 'Moose can weigh up to 1,000 pounds,' Duncan told FOX31. 'They're deceptively fast. This person is lucky they weren't injured because this could have been catastrophic.' In February alone, Breckenridge Police Department said it has responded to 34 calls for wildlife roaming through the community. And about 90 per cent of those were for moose. Duncan said for anyone looking to protect themselves from wild animals, use a simple rule of thumb. 'If you hold your hand out at arm's length, and you can cover that animal with your thumb, then you're at a good distance,' Duncan said. 'If you can't, then you need to back up and give that animal space'. Briefing With Senior State Department Officials On the Institution of a Personnel Cap on Designated PRC State Media Entities Special Briefing Office of the Spokesperson Press Correspondents' Room Washington, D.C. March 2, 2020 SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: So again, just to remind you guys, [Senior State Department Official One]. I cover China, Mongolia, and Taiwan issues. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: [Senior State Department Official Two]. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I've got about four minutes here of topline points which I'll just read off to you guys, if that's okay, and then we can do the Q&A. For years, the Government of the PRC has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment, and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists in China. President Trump has made clear that Beijing's restrictions on foreign journalists are misguided. He's also made clear that the U.S. will establish long-overdue reciprocity in our relations with China. Today, the U.S. Government will cap the number of PRC citizens permitted to work for the U.S. offices of PRC propaganda outlets that were designated as foreign missions of the PRC Government on February 18 under our Foreign Missions Act. Just to remind you guys, those five entities are Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily Distribution Corporation, and Hai Tian Development, which is the People's Daily distributor here in the States. Their designations as foreign missions recognizes the fact that these entities are indeed controlled by the PRC Government, and of course, the Foreign Missions Act authorizes the State Department to establish terms and conditions on the operations of foreign missions like these five entities. Today's cap will limit the number of PRC citizens who may work for these organizations in the U.S. at any given time. These entities together currently employ about 160 PRC citizens. The cap will bring this number to 100. PRC citizens working for other media organizations in the United States are not affected by the cap not affected by the cap. The U.S. is taking this action in order to clearly communicate the severity of our concerns about the abusive, unfair, and non-reciprocal treatment of international press in China. We urge the PRC Government to immediately uphold its commitments to respect freedom of expression, including for members of the press. This administration seeks reciprocity across the bilateral relationship with China, particularly in areas where we have long suffered from lack of a level playing field. We note that even after this cap is implemented, these five PRC state media groups, which are to remind everyone explicit propaganda organs of the Chinese Communist Party, these five alone will continue to employ more Chinese personnel here in the U.S. than there are foreign reporters at all U.S. media outlets in China. And of course, unlike U.S.-based media organizations, these PRC state entities are not, in fact, independent news organizations. As I said, they are explicit propaganda organs of the Chinese Communist Party. That said, this decision to institute a personnel cap was not based on the content produced by these entities. This stands in stark contrast, unfortunately, to the actions of the PRC Government with respect to the international press in China. Secretary Pompeo has made clear that mature, responsible countries understand the essential value of a free press. The U.S. Government has long welcomed foreign journalists, including from China, to report the news freely and without threat of reprisal here in our country. Journalists in the U.S., regardless of their nationality, had and will continue to enjoy the freedom of expression that is not permitted in China. This cap merely limits the number of PRC citizens that may work for these designated state propaganda entities at any given time. I've got a couple of numbers here for you guys. For each of the past five years that's '15 through '19, 2015 through 2019 the U.S. has issued more than 11,000 I-visas globally for foreign media reps and their immediate family members. In 2019 alone, we issued 425 I-visas to PRC citizens. Meanwhile, the total number of U.S. journalists working in China on behalf of both U.S.-based and other foreign-based media is only around a hundred total. It is our hope that this action will spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach to U.S. and other foreign independent press in China. We can go to the Qs and As. Do you want to pick them out, [Senior State Department Official Three]? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Yeah. Go ahead. QUESTION: Thank you. First of all, you mentioned it's going down to about 100. Do you expect that some people currently here will be forced to leave because their visas will not be renewed, or do you think this is more applying for the future? And to what extent is this directly a consequence of what China has done with the Wall Street Journal reporters? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I can talk about the second question first, and then maybe [Senior State Department Official Two], you can comment on the first. QUESTION: Sure. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Look, we have been witnessing a very longstanding negative trend in the treatment of the press I'd say both the Chinese domestic press and the international press in China for a number of years. And in fact, I would refer all of you, if you haven't seen it already, to the report that was just published today in Beijing by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China, "Control, Halt, and Delete: Reporting in China Under Threat of Expulsion." I have some copies here that you guys can avail yourselves of if you like. There's a longstanding issue here, and we have been imploring the Chinese for years and years now to improve their treatment of journalists in China. So this is not linked to any one particular incident, although the incident that you do point to was, in fact, a fairly egregious example, but again of a very longstanding trend. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: So in terms of your first question, the caps aren't placed on individuals; they're only on the entities. So it will up to Xinhua to determine who they want to work or not. And in terms of how long they'll be here, that will be up to them. Their status in the country isn't determined by the Department of State. QUESTION: Is it effective immediately? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: No, it's effective March 13th. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Go ahead, Carol. QUESTION: Does this have any connection to coronavirus? And also, what kind of retaliation are you preparing for that the Chinese may make against foreign correspondents in China as a result of this? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: The first question about the coronavirus this is the result of a longstanding policy deliberation not directly related to the coronavirus, although I would point out that, as the Secretary has said, the coronavirus does highlight the need for an independent press very clearly. The second question was QUESTION: Retaliation. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Look, our whole goal here is to signal to Beijing how seriously we take a lack of reciprocity and the intimidation and harassment of foreign journalists in China. Our goal is to get to a situation where China is more open to foreign journalism within its borders. We would be quite happy to take this entire process in a different trajectory. But whether or not the Chinese are going to retaliate is I can't answer that. That's something you'll have to ask the Chinese Government. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Go ahead. QUESTION: Thanks. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Sure. QUESTION: Katrina FT. Can I just check, with the March 13 deadline, does that mean that these five organizations need to send back 60 PRC citizens by March the 13th? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: We're not talking about sending anybody back. These people will not be able to be employed as members of their personnel as of March 13th. QUESTION: So they've got to make a cut? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Right. QUESTION: It's not a natural transition expiry of visa? They've got to SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: It has nothing to do with their visa status. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Tracy. QUESTION: Just a quick you said 100, the cap was down to 100 for five organizations. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Those five, right. QUESTION: So is there, like, a quota each organization? Is it broken down that specifically? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: It is. QUESTION: Can you SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I don't have those numbers off the top of my head, but yes. QUESTION: Okay. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: I have them, if you'd like them. QUESTION: I'd like them. QUESTION: Sure. QUESTION: Yes. QUESTION: Yeah, we all would. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Oh, man. (Laughter.) SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: China Radio International SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Softball. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Yeah, really. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: two personnel. QUESTION: Which one? I'm sorry, say again? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: China Radio SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: CRI. QUESTION: Okay. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: China Daily, nine. China Global, CGTN, 30. And Xinhua is 59. So it's no more than those numbers that are PRC citizens. QUESTION: Is there a fifth? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: No. There was no action taken against Hai Tian at this time. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Courtney, I think you had QUESTION: Thanks. So what kind of engagements, if any, has the U.S. Government had with the PRC Government or with these five outlets prior to this announcement that you're making to us? And just further on what Carol was asking about the retaliation, are there considerations that you're taking or steps to protect American journalists who are there now? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: I can take the first part; you take the second part? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Sure. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: So in terms of the engagement that we've had with these entities, when we designated them as foreign missions on February 18th, we informed them of that via letter. We've had various emails that have gone back and forth. They were required to report the number of personnel they had in the country and where their office spaces were located, what kind of property they own same as any other foreign mission in the United States, as a matter of fact. And so we've been going back and forth getting that type of information. We've also, obviously, let the People's Republic of China's embassy aware of all of this as well, and we've sent them diplomatic notes on this issue as well. So that's pretty much the only engagement that we've had with these five foreign missions, was getting their property and their personnel list. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: With regard to your second question, I would point out again our goal is obviously to get to a place where Beijing moves to a more accommodating posture vis-a-vis foreign journalists, including Americans. I can't I'm not in a position to predict what they may or may not do. If, in fact, they decide to take this in a further negative direction, however, of course, we would all options would be on the table. I can't tell you what in particular we would do, but we would sit down, review the circumstances, and then consider all of our options. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Lara. QUESTION: So I just want to be crystal clear: This is not to expel journalists who are in the United States, but it would force the four, it sounds like, entities to, what, fire 60 people? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: These are global entities. I don't know anybody would be fired at all. They simply cannot work for these entities in the United States. QUESTION: But aren't their visas contingent on having employment in the United States? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Yes. QUESTION: So they would have to find other and are these journalism visas? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: These are the personnel that are members, that are citizens of the People's Republic of China, who are not American citizens and who are not legal permanent residents. That's it. In terms of their visa status or SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: There's all sorts of visa SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: There's a number of different visa statuses that are involved here I, J, a number of different visa statuses. But keep in mind, your visa status is not what allows you to stay in the United States. Your duration of status, your term in the United States, is determined by the Department of Homeland Security. QUESTION: So theoretically they could stay in the United States until their current visa runs out, and then SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: So your excuse me QUESTION: I'm just yeah, I want to be really clear on this point. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Sure. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Well, I think you'd have to answer on individual cases there, which would be difficult, because it's not everyone that is that will be affected is not necessarily on the same visa. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: There could be follow-on considerations, but those are not we're talking about the State Department action, which is the cap. Other things would have you'd have to have DHS and other folks around the table that QUESTION: Yeah, I'm just really trying SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: There could be follow-on QUESTION: I just don't want to put out a story that makes it sound like people are going to be expelled, right? I mean, that this is a tit-for-tat with a direct kind of correlation with what happened to The Wall Street Journal reporters. So I'm trying to be very precise on the language. And so if I'm sitting at China Daily or something, what am I what are my options for the employees who are no longer going to be associated with that organization? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: That's up to each of those entities. Now, keep in mind, if your visa says it expires July 14th, 2020, that has nothing to do with your status in the United States. QUESTION: What do you mean? QUESTION: Why? QUESTION: Yeah, but why? QUESTION: I mean, what do they SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Can we stay with this exactly? This is a cap on their ability to employ Chinese nationals at their offices here in the United States. That is I mean, that's that is the most accurate SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: I would also refrain from calling them journalists. I think it's offensive to The Wall Street Journal to compare the two. QUESTION: Well, that's what I'm trying to avoid, right? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Yes. QUESTION: And so I would I guess we're I mean, it sounds like several of us are kind of confused. I mean, what if their legal presence in the United States is contingent on their visas, why wouldn't they have to leave? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: A visa is a travel document. That's all it is. It gets you in the door. QUESTION: Right. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: And then once you get to the port of entry, the Department of Homeland Security makes a determination how long you can stay. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Humeyra, do you have a question? QUESTION: It's pretty much the same thing. I'm on an I-visa. If they they can no longer employ me, I believe I would have to be out of the country at some point. So I'm not entirely clear, like Lara. I understand you guys are not making the decision to expel them in any way, but if their visas, or at least if some of their visas are dependent, contingent, on this employment, I don't see how it's not for them, how it's not equal for them that they have to leave, unless you're offering these people an alternative. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: The bottom line is each individual visa case, we can't comment on what that situation is. We don't know if they're how long their status is or what they're going to do. We don't even know we're not designating any individuals whatsoever. So those determinations are going to have to be made by Xinhua, by CGTN, by CRI, and you really have to ask the questions of those entities. QUESTION: Was there any guidance? The practical effect is going to be that a large up to 60 people could potentially be going back to China at some date certain, depending on their individual visa status. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: It's certainly a possibility. I mean, that's QUESTION: That's SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: up to each individual entity. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Nick's been waiting. Go ahead. QUESTION: Thank you. Just two quick ones. Can you tell us the numbers that they're going from for those four entities? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I think it was about 160. QUESTION: And that would be broken down. QUESTION: Broken down, yeah. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I don't have those broken down, but QUESTION: Do you? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: they were roughly proportional to the final numbers, was an indication I mean, we tried to do it more or less I don't have the I don't have that number broken down. I don't know if you do. QUESTION: The percentages SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: No. QUESTION: but I mean, it's it does seem just to get don't want to belabor the point, but it does seem like you guys are expelling 60 reporters, but don't really want to use the language of saying we're expelling them. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: First of all, again, we're not SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: The reporters these don't have to be reporters. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: We're not yeah. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: They have all sorts of employees, right. I mean, they can choose to go anybody in the entire org chart that SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: For the integrity of journalism worldwide, we are specifically not calling them reporters and journalists. It's up to all of you how you characterize them, but I would just ask you to think carefully about that. QUESTION: Right, but I mean, that seems to be the effect, right? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Again, they have employees other than what they might call journalists there. We're not saying anything about how they decide to get down to these numbers. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Yeah, they have HR, tech, right, like any organization. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: They might want to get rid of anybody from the top to the bottom, left to right of their org chart. QUESTION: So CRI is only allowed to have two employees in their entire office? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Two PRC national employees. That's correct. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Okay, go. Which CNN, which one? QUESTION: Okay, you go. QUESTION: Will these names of the employees who are let go be turned over to the State Department? What does that information is that being turned over to the Intelligence Community at all, DHS? What is happening with that information after these decisions are made by the entities? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: We request that they inform the Office of Foreign Missions. QUESTION: And then what happens from there? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: We we're treating these entities just like any other foreign mission. So when second secretary so and so at the Chinese embassy leaves, they have to let us know that they've left, per the Foreign Missions Act. This is exactly the same thing. QUESTION: And they have to inform you of which names are no longer working for them by March 13th? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: That's correct. Actually, they need to inform us of that by March 6th. QUESTION: And when those people are informed that they are no longer working for that company, you are not offering additional visa reviews for them? If they have a certain visa, they're not going to get to sit down with the State Department and go over their visa, right? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Again, that would be an individual visa case? QUESTION: Right. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: I can't speak to that at all. QUESTION: Okay. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Katrina. QUESTION: Thank you. Given what [Senior State Department Official Three] has said about the people that the organizations would call journalists but the U.S. does not call journalists SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Well, remember, we call them foreign missions, so it's the same it QUESTION: I understand. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: That's why well, they were talking about the Foreign Missions Act. It's the same requirements on the Chinese embassy here, for example. QUESTION: Yes, I understand. So many of those people may be on existing I visas. Are you separately initiating a review of all Chinese personnel who are on I visas given that you now view them not as journalists? And do you know how many people that would be? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: I don't have any information on that at all. Do you? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I don't have anything at this at this point in time, I think the answer to that is no. But as I said, I mean, all options are on the table. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Good idea. Thanks. Conor hasn't gone yet. QUESTION: Just to follow up on Courtney's question. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Just kidding. That was sarcasm, for the record. QUESTION: If the goal of this is to send a signal to Beijing, why haven't you communicated with the Chinese Government about these decisions, beyond just diplomatic notes, with these actual outlets? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Oh, we have been crystal clear with our Chinese counterparts about our ongoing dissatisfaction with the lack of a level playing field, with the constant and increasing levels of harassment and intimidation. QUESTION: But specifically about like, has Ambassador Branstad gone to the foreign ministry? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Well, we we did signal when these five entities were designated as foreign missions, we did engage in Beijing and in Washington extensively with our PRC counterparts. Yeah, so I would just say that we have been in frequent contact with our PRC counterparts about all aspects of this issue. QUESTION: Has there been any openness to this message on the Chinese side? What's the response been? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I don't want to characterize our diplomatic communications with the Chinese, so I would refer you back to the PRC on that front. I what I will say is that up until this point in time right here and now, all the trend lines I've been able to observe have been in the wrong direction. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Okay, we've got to end it. QUESTION: Can I just a very quick follow-up? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Carol and then she hasn't had one. Can you let her go and then you can be the last one, Carol. QUESTION: I'm sorry. On the numbers that you gave earlier, I'm sorry, I'm a little bit confused. Were those numbers the numbers that you're telling, like CGTN, Xinhua, to like, you take off two of your people, you take off 59? Or are those QUESTION: No, they're allowed QUESTION: the people that are allowed to leave? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: You got it. QUESTION: Okay. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: It's confusing. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: No more than. QUESTION: Okay, so like, CGTN can have no more than 59? MBASSADOR BRENNAN: Actually, I think CGTN was QUESTION: No, that's Xinhua. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Yeah, Xinhua can have no more than 59. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: PRC nationals. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Yeah, right. QUESTION: Gotcha, thank you. QUESTION: So if they have 20 Americans SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: If you want to hire lots of Americans, go for it. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Absolutely. QUESTION: What was the one organization that no action was taken? QUESTION: ITN. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: ITN. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: It's the distributor for People's Daily. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Carol. QUESTION: Very quickly, have you notified the Chinese Government or these foreign news organizations at this point? And if not, when will you do so? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Yes, we have. QUESTION: What was their reaction? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: There hasn't been a reaction as of the moment. QUESTION: You notified them today? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: We did. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Okay. Well, we've really got to get going, but yeah let's QUESTION: Just one quick follow-up. Why was there no action taken against ITN? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: On ITN? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: ITN. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: You want to take it? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: No, you go ahead. I think I've only had one. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: They had as far as we know as of the moment, they have two personnel who are not PRC citizens. QUESTION: Okay. Thanks. QUESTION: Roughly proportional, you said, so about 40 percent each entity? Would that be a fair you said it was roughly proportional, each entity. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: We'd have to do the math. I don't have that. QUESTION: We can't do the math because you didn't have the totals. So SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: Yeah. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Well, the total SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: But they'll SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: The total was around 160. QUESTION: The whole total, yeah, that's what I meant, each entity. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Now we're down to about a hundred, so whatever QUESTION: That's 40 percent or whatever. I can't do math. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Yeah. Well, then I mean, I'd have to do my 60 SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: Yeah, I would I'm not quite sure. QUESTION: So could I say Xinhua roughly has to lose 40 percent I mean, is allowed to keep 40 percent of its roughly? SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: I would I would I mean QUESTION: Don't go don't go there. Okay, never mind. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: I don't have my calculator handy. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THREE: All right, you guys have got to go. Goodbye. SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Thank you so much, everyone. Thank you, guys. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address One of the biggest challenges of being in retirement is the income. Many Americans rely on social security, and this end up not being enough. Even if it is enough to live, it tends not to be enough to be as comfortable as you were pre-retirement. It takes a lot of preparation to set up a truly cushy situation after you stop working, but we at Saving Advice are here to help. Not enough people worry about their income post-employment, they just care about the savings. Savings are great, but these tips on growing your retirement income will help you figure out the magic question: how much will you need? Retirement Savings Saving is one of the focal points for retirement planning. The amount you save, as well as what you do with it, will have a huge effect on your quality of life as a retiree. One of the best ways to plan this value out is to use the interest-as-income model. This method relies on only interest for income, and it avoids touching any of your savings. The calculation is easy: Take seven percent (the average yield of a solid index fund) of your savings, and that is your retirement income. So, if you make $70k at work, youll need $1 million in retirement savings to replace that with you interest. this allows you to pull out any excess interest the moment it hits, and never have less than that million in your savings. We use indexes because they are pretty reliable. The S&P Index, for example, takes the 500 best performing stocks and indexes them to help track growth. What if I Dont Have Enough? No need to fear! There are many different ways to make up for a gap in income. Say you can only make $40k a year with your retirement and social security accounted for. There are to routes to take here: Downsize: The first, and less attractive, option is to downsize your life. Move into a smaller place, get a car with no payment, etc. These are things that matter a lot less when you are retired, and you can find a ton of room in the budget. The average new car payment in America is $550 (used being $393); You can save thousands by foregoing the fancy car. You can also cut costs by eating out less, spending more date nights in the house, etc. Side Hustle: There are many fun skills and hobbies you have probably mastered over the years. dont be afraid to use the things you enjoy to make a little money. Do you know how to knit or woodwork? Sell some little trade goods on a site like Etsy. Do you enjoy keeping a tidy home? Work as a cleaner on the weekends for $25/hr. All of these can keep you from getting another full-time gig, and make up for lost cash along the way! In Summary Retirement takes a ton of planning, and retirement income isnt easy to come by. Make sure you start prepping early, and go hard as long as you can in order to set yourself up for the best life possible. Invest wisely, hustle a little on the side, and live frugally when you can to make sure that you can truly stop working when you are done. 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. A Florida student whose classmates met with and touched vice president Mike Pence is now in coronavirus quarantine. Mr Pence met with senior cadets from Sarasota Military Academy on Friday, shaking hands with them and posing for photographs. The vice president was visiting the city for a fundraiser at the Longboat Key home of Representative Vern Buchanan, the Herald Tribune reports. In a statement, the school confirmed that a student and his mother are in quarantine as a precautionary measure. The mother came into contact with a patient at Sarasota Doctors Hospital in her professional capacity, and that patient has now tested positive for 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 The Pentagon has been in touch with the school about the student. Colonel Christina Bowman, executive director of schools at SMA, said: We have been in touch with the Pentagon, so we assured them that particular cadet was not present for that occasion. Mr Pences press secretary, Katie Miller, stresses in a tweet that the vice president did not meet or come into contact with the student. Neither the student nor his mother are exhibiting symptoms, and the school is in contact with them. I want our parents and employees to know we are safe, Bowman said. Weve been proactive on sanitising and teaching our students how to make sure they are washing their hands. We are working with the health department and making sure we are following their protocols. At this time, they are not recommending any exclusions. They are recommending we go about our business every day. Mr Pence arrived at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Air Force Two on Friday afternoon, shaking hands and taking pictures with approximately 50 supporters. He then posed for a picture in front of his aeroplane with 44 cadets from the academy. According to the Florida Department of Health, there are two confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, eight pending cases, 15 negative results, and 184 people being monitored for possible exposure. In recent months, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, and Queen Elizabeth haven't exactly been in good terms due to the infamous Megxit. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle has announced that they were stepping down from their royal duties, which hasn't been exactly welcomed by the Queen. The couple and the Queen has had a row about issued like the usage of the brand " Sussex Royal," which Meghan and Harry agreed to but not without throwing shade saying the Monarchy does not have jurisdiction to the term. However, before all of this drama, for most of his life, Prince Harry has been close to her grandmother and had a great insight into her married life. In 1947, the Queen married an exiled Greek prince Philip and have remained strong as a couple since then. Philip, however, has had a number of well-documented gaffes and have seemed tactless; despite this, he is said to have a more serious side and have proved to be a rock for the Queen as she serves her demanding role as Head of State. In 2012, Prince Harry said that the 93-year-old monarch would have not been able to live through her royal life as successful as she is without Philip by her side. The prince also noted that regardless of whether his grandfather sort of wandered off like a fish down a river and seemed to always do his own thing, he didn't think that his grandmother could have done the whole royal charade without him. Read also: Meghan Markle's Father Has Shocking Words for Daughter and Prince Harry However, there have been news that their love story may be soon ending due to fears about Prince Philip's deteriorating health spark as he near 100 years old. The 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh scared the British Nation during the Christmas holidays when he was taken to King Edward Hospital in London and was admitted for four nights. Prince Philip will be turning 99 in June and experts have warned that he may not be able to stay with us for much longer. In view of this, Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the Queen claimed that the Duke is now very frail. He also added that it would be a great move if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex brings back their son Archie to the UK to see his grandparents as it might be the last time that Prince Philip will see his grandson. Prince Philip has been spending most of his time on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. It can be recalled that the Duke of Edinburgh has stepped down from his duties as a royal in 2017 with royal experts speculating that it was due to his poor health. According to Angela Mollard, a royal expert Philip's poor health is only one if the stresses that Queen Elizabeth is facing right now. With the royal divorce, the infamous Megxit, and her husband's health, people have been thinking that this year may be another "annus horribilis." Related news: Queen Elizabeth Carried Out Secret Mission Amid Megxit @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 03.03.2020 LISTEN Reflections on the current insecurity and threatening state failure in Nigeria and what the Nigerian Left can do recently led me, in a tortuous manner, back to a formulation on a revolutionary intervention which I thought I had transcended long ago. We shall first discuss the formulation and then come to insecurity and threatening state failure. The formulation was provided by a Leftist revolutionary about 115 years ago. The revolutionary was young (about 27), idealistic and romantic. But he was idealistic and romantic not simply because he was young, but essentially because he was brilliant and came to revolutionary consciousness, and then to Marxism, through a unique set of routes and experiences that together resembled a series of leaps through early life. His name was Leon Trotsky, a name he stole on his escape from a prison warder who was assigned to secure him in detention. This incident alone escaping from a guard and stealing the guards name and retaining it was sufficient for both the revolutionary movement that received him and the Russian state that was looking for him to view the small boy as an evil genius. Leon Trotsky published his romantic formulation in 1906, after the failed 1905 Russian Revolution in which he played a significant role. Here it goes: Revolution can be achieved either by a nation gathering itself together like a lion preparing to spring, or by a nation in the process of struggle becoming conclusively divided in order to free the best part of itself for the execution of those tasks which the nation as a whole is unable to carry out. A middle course in this, as in so many cases, is the worst of all. But it was this middle course that developed in 1848. This formulation can be found in Leon Trotskys 1906 book, Results and Prospects. In it he analysed the 1905 Russian Revolution by comparing it with both the 1797 French Revolution and the European Revolutions of 1848. It was from this exercise that the young revolutionary saw three possible revolutionary paths to the future: the nation gathering itself together like a lion preparing to spring or the nation in the process of struggle being conclusively divided ..., or, the nation being trapped in a middle course, that is, being neither able to spring as a united entity nor able to free its virile segments to do the springing. He saw the 1797 French Revolution as an example of the first, the Russian Revolution of 1905 as an example of the second and the 1848 Revolutions that swept Western Europe as an example of the third. The middle course was the most difficult revolutionary path, said Trotsky. Of course, it was, and it remains so, especially in the way he painted the picture. But if Trotsky had been able to bring in the role of the vanguard or vanguards in each of his three possibilities, and speak of strategic revolutionary intervention, rather than ambitiously speaking of revolution, his formulation would have been significantly revised and made more practically usable by young revolutionaries beyond simply firing them. Though the Russian event took place a long time ago and in a distant land, I was emotionally involved in it. However, in early 1982, I was more than emotionally involved in a similar discussion. But this time around the event took place near home, in Ghana. It was the popular uprising led by Flt-Lt Jerry Rawlings, an event that spontaneously attracted several revolutionary Marxists, radical Leftists and progressive writers from Africa and beyond to Ghana. In one particular meeting a young member of the revolutionary council, an army sergeant, argued strongly that the unfolding event in Ghana should be compared to the French Revolution of 1797 and not to the Russian Revolution of 1917 in terms of the range of classes and strata and political forces that each put on the stage of history. He was still arguing when the meeting adjourned. As far as I can remember, his analysis and opinion did not carry much ideological or practical weight. The question that arises today is this: What difference would it have made in those days if the young radical army sergeant had won the debate and his opinion had defined the course of actions that followed the uprising? My answer is that probably there would not have been much difference if there was no clarity about the character of the vanguard and if there was an attempt to reduce the character of the vanguard to the character of the uprising or subjectively upgrade the uprising to the level of the vanguard. With the available lessons of history, a revolutionary Left (even Marxist) regime should be able to manage, and then advance, a purely popular-democratic or national-democratic uprising. When the masses themselves have stepped out, everything critically depends in a brief but decisive period of history on the character and clear-headedness of the vanguard. Now, what is the connection between this fragmentary theory of revolution and the current state of insecurity and threatening state failure in Nigeria? The connection is the Nigerian Left, or rather, how the Nigerian Left, as a revolutionary opposition movement, can intervene in the current national crisis: insecurity. The immediate regret is, of course, that the Nigerian left is not armed with a Peoples Manifesto of struggle which can serve as a guide to ideological and political intervention. You may retort that the non-existence of a Peoples Manifesto does not prevent a Leftist or a Leftist formation from acting, or that there are in existence several Leftist platforms from which a serious Leftist may choose. My answer to the second objection is that there were many platforms before and after the appearance of the Marx-Engels Manifesto of 1848 and many platforms in Russia before and after Lenins April 1917 Theses. One response to the first objection is that if the Nigerian Left aspires to go beyond periodically rattling and entertaining the ruling class and its state, and regularly supplying them with assistants, advisers and sundry operators of their state machines, it must aim at producing a Peoples Manifesto which, capable of being periodically revised and updated, will be a consistent guide not a magic formula in matters like the current insecurity and its politics. Having said all this, what can the Nigerian Left do on the current state of insecurity and threatening state of failure: generalized violent attacks on the masses by Boko Haram, Islamic State, armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, cattle herders, political thugs, armed agents of the state, etc? The fundamental demand that should be made on the Nigerian state is that everything should be done within the Constitution to protect the masses at no extra cost to them, but rather, with a substantial reduction of their current existential burden. No entity (state or non-state) should circumvent or abridge the known basic laws which the Nigerian state and the ruling class claim they are currently using to rule the nation. We must, with clear heads, insist on this because modern history has taught us that one clear sign of rising fascism under capitalism is the increasing inability of the state to govern by its own laws or by its own laws alone. Beyond this central composite demand on the Nigerian state there are complementary practical demands that can be made on the authorities at different levels. We should note that the country is in a situation in which the Left, in groups and as individuals, may ally with or support clear pro-people and progressive initiatives from outside the movement the dangers of not having a guide or compass notwithstanding. Beyond these steps is the advice to be given directly and continuously to the masses. This popular campaign should always include the insistence that at the root of this insecurity and this threatening state failure is capitalism, capitalist rule and this particular generation of Nigerias capitalist ruling class. Madunagu, mathematician and journalist, writes from Calabar, Cross River State. A 90,000-a-year City worker accused of murdering her four-week old daughter with her Lithuanian lover told police 'my God, I'm such a bad mother' hours before her daughter's death, a court heard. Financial consultant Clare Sanders, 43, and Tomas Vaitkevicius, 45, allegedly shook Eva on three separate occasions at their south London flat during the first weeks of her young life. Sanders' mobile phone had been used to search 'shaken baby syndrome NHS', 'shaking babies' and 'baby is shaking' on 27 August 2017, six days before Eva's death. Clare Sanders (left), 43, and her Lithuanian lover Tomas Vaitkevicius (right), 45, allegedly shook tiny Eva on three separate occasions at their south London flat in August 2017. Both deny murder and an alternative count of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable child Sanders' (above) mobile phone had been used to search 'shaken baby syndrome NHS ', 'shaking babies' and 'baby is shaking' on 27 August 2017, six days before Eva's death Jurors at the Old Bailey today heard the transcript of Sanders' police interview, recorded hours before Eva died, in which she admitted finishing a bottle of 'a liquor thing' the previous night. Paramedics were sent to the couple's house in Mitcham at 2.40am on September 1 after an emergency call was made by neighbour Karen Brewell who lived in the same block of flats in Mitcham, south London, as the couple. Financial consultant Sanders was banging on her door screaming: 'My baby, my baby,' while little Eva was on her back in just a nappy. 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.' Claire Harden-Frost, prosecuting, read out Sanders' police interview from the evening of September 1. Sanders said: 'It's all my fault for not keeping an eye on her. Tom (Vaitkevicius) had already had a couple of beers. We had some of that, like, liquor thing. 'I washed up the glass, so we'd finished it.' After an interviewing officer asks whether she opened it 'before the feed', she replied: 'No, I don't think so. Oh my god, are we negligent?' The officer asked: 'So, you wrote down that Tom had done the feed but you can't remember whether you saw him?' Sanders responded: 'Oh my god, oh god it's all my fault.' Regarding the moment she called the neighbours for help, Sanders said: 'I went to the neighbours and I called them. I just said he wasn't breathing. What have I done to my child?' Jurors at the Old Bailey, above, heard the transcript of Sanders' police interview, recorded before Eva died, in which she admitted finishing a bottle of 'a liquor thing' the previous night On her husband's whereabouts from while she was Eva in the ambulance, Sanders said: 'At the house. Why was he at the house? Why didn't he come in the ambulance? Oh my god, was it my fault what happened to her? 'My god, I'm such a bad mother.' Sanders also gave her account of discovering her 'grey and lifeless' baby. She said: 'She was in the pram over by the window. I picked her up and that's when the milk goes out. I should have, I should have been keeping an eye on her. She was lying on her back. I lifted her to my face. 'The milk came out. It was a gush. I screamed. Was it milk, was it blood? I don't know. I thought it was milk. I screamed and passed her to Tom, Tom came in. I just said she's not breathing.' On how she knew her baby was not breathing, Sanders said: 'I don't know, she was grey and lifeless. Have I just imagined all of that? I was just in a state of panic. I can't really recall it for you.' Jurors were previously told the couple had been together for a couple of years. Eva was born on 2 August 2017 and was Sanders' first child. Sanders and Vaitkevicius, from Mitcham, both deny murder and an alternative count of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable child. The trial continues. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly told her grandson, Harry, that he is always welcome back as the prince and his wife Meghan Markle as they take a formal step back from the royal frontline at the end of this month. During a four-hour-long heart to heart over lunch at Windsor Castle on Sunday, the 93-year-old monarch told the 35-year-old Duke of Sussex that he was a "much loved" member of her family and that he will be welcome back with open arms if he changes his mind in future. She made it very clear to him that he and Meghan are always able to come back if they change their minds and she will welcome them with open arms, a royal source was quoted by The Sun' said. Hopefully the chat cleared the air and the way forward is looking more positive. But she wanted to make certain Harry knew there were limits and the whole set-up is subject to a review after 12 months, the source was quoted as saying. Harry and Meghan are in the UK completing their final set of formal royal engagement before their exit kicks off a 12-month transition period on March 31. The source explained: The Queen had a lot to talk to Harry about and this was the ideal time for them to both say their piece. Sunday was the first time the Queen has had the chance to talk to Harry on his own and really find out what his plans are. It was a much more relaxed environment and they were both able to speak their mind. Harry is believed to have discreetly walked up from his Frogmore Cottage home near Windsor Castle to meet the Queen over a light lunch and tea. They are believed to have discussed a wide range of things, including Harry and Meghan's nine-month-old baby son Archie. CHICAGO, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) will host a webcast and conference call to review its fiscal 2020 third quarter results on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. ET. The company's news release will be issued at approximately 7:30 a.m. ET. The live audio webcast and presentation slides will be available on conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 for participants in the U.S. and 1-412-902-6506 for all other participants and using passcode 1355629. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the call start time. Following the company's remarks, the conference call will include a question-and-answer session with the investment community. A replay of the webcast will be available until March 31, 2021. About Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Marie Callender's, Banquet, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, Reddi-wip, and Vlasic, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. For more information, please contact: MEDIA: Mike Cummins 312-549-5257 [email protected] INVESTORS: Brian Kearney 312-549-5002 [email protected] SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc. Related Links http://www.conagrafoods.com Health authorities in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria have confirmed first coronavirus cases in their respective countries. The latest to announce their first cases Monday were Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal. Italy has been the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe and Africa. According to health authorities in both Morocco and Tunisia, the Moroccan and Tunisian patients came from Italy, the first aboard a flight while the second by boat. First cases in Algeria and Nigeria have also been either Italian nationals or people residing in the EU country, where 52 deaths due to virus also known as COVID-19 have been confirmed. The patient tested positive in Senegal is a Frenchman who lives in Senegal and flew back from France on 26 February, Health Minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr told a press conference Monday. The patient reported to a private hospital on 27 February with symptoms including a headache. The World Health Organizations regional director for Africa said on Monday that UN body expects that all nations in sub-Saharan Africa will be able to test for the coronavirus within a couple of weeks. Dr Moeti said the worst-case scenario would be if the virus spread rapidly to African cities with no facilities to contain and treat people. Close to 3,000 have so far died around the world but most of them in China. Iran is the second country worst affected outside China with at least 54 deaths due to the virus. The official compared the non-recognition of the Baltic States joining the USSR with Washington's non-recognition of Crimea acceeding to Russia. U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore has said the United States will maintain sanctions against the Russian Federation until it "get out of Crimea." "With respect to U.S. policy, we're sticking to our sanctions on Crimea, and there are separate sanctions on eastern Ukraine. And the declaration that we have is that we will never abandon the sanctions on Crimea until they get out of Crimea. We will we also are going to maintain our sanctions with respect to eastern Ukraine, and I think these are important measures that we take that are diplomatic actions that we take for the purpose of standing up for what's right," he said at a briefing on March 2, 2020. Gilmore compared the non-recognition of the Baltic States joining the USSR with Washington's non-recognition of Crimea joining Russia. "I am reminded that we never ever surrendered the proposition that the Baltic States were a part of the Soviet Union. They were conquered by force. We never agreed that they were Soviet socialist republics and legitimate parts of Russia. Likewise, we're going to stand for this proposition until it changes," he said. Read alsoRussia coming up with new ways to try to legitimize Crimea annexation media As UNIAN reported earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump prolonged U.S. sanctions against the Russian Federation for its aggression in Ukraine. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Last August, Michael Gaggi, 57, of Richmond, got the shock of his life when took a 23andMe DNA genetic test and discovered he had an adult son, Steve Becker, 35, living in South Africa. After six months of calls, texts, and video chats, the two finally met for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Steve flew in from his home in South Africa and took an Uber from the airport at 5:30 p.m. with his fiancee, Vanessa, recounted Gaggi. It was their first time on Staten Island." LAUGHS AND HUGS He recalled that his son and fiancee pulled up to the house and began unloading luggage from the car. They were chatting with the Uber driver, so I snuck in the back seat," Gaggi said. I then jumped out and startled all three of them when I said Welcome home! He added: Steve turned around, cracked up laughing, grabbed me, and then we hugged for three minutes. There were too many emotions going on to describe, but they were all good feelings." Admittedly, Gaggi was nervous in the weeks leading up to the big day. We had been talking on WhatsApp for a while, but I got a little worked up about actually meeting him," he said. I knew it would be cool, but I was still nervous. Becker was equally tense. I wasnt sure what to expect or how I might be received in general, he said. It was both exciting and nerve-racking and I am grateful my fiancee Vanessa was there; without her, I wouldve been even more nervous than I already was." MANY SIMILARITIES Gaggi and Becker soon discovered they shared many similarities, even after a lifetime of separation. My initial reaction upon meeting my father was actually quite shocking, Becker said. I didnt think we would be as similar as we actually are, like our mannerisms and even the way we talk. Gaggi also learned a lot about Beckers childhood. Steves life was hard growing up, and he did not get support from the man he thought was his father," he said. In spite of these challenges, however, my son grew into a level-headed, smart, good-hearted, warm, and funny adult." Gaggi and his wife Nuala have five children in addition to Steven: Michaelangelo, 23, Jason, 22, Cristian, 18, Isabella, 16, and Kalea, 13. Michael Gaggi, standing third from left, and his son Steve Becker, seated, third from left, pose for a group family photo. (Courtesy of Michael Gaggi) After their initial meeting, Gaggi introduced Becker has to his extended family at a dinner party in Casa Verde on Richmond Road. A trip to Florida is also planned for Becker to meet his paternal grandmother. Vanessa has to go back earlier to South Africa so she cant join," said Gaggi, But I have a boat in the Intracoastal, so we will do some boating, beaching, and getting to know each other more before he goes back March 13. Michaelangelo Gaggi, at left, Steven Becker, Michael Gaggi, and Cristian Gaggi. (Courtesy of Michael Gaggi) Until then, Gaggi said he plans on spending some quality time with his son. He loves to eat, and we have a few places planned to do some good eating while he is with me, Gaggi said. Because Gaggi runs two businesses on Staten Island that demand a lot of time, a trip to visit South Africa is not in the offing. My wife Nalua and I have a total of six children between us, ages 13-24, and its hard to get all of us on a plane together, said Gaggi. But Steve and Vanessa will be back in May and in August." Becker said he is also eager to spend more time with his father. Our relationship will continue and grow and that is exciting," he explained. I will get to meet my grandmother, and that is absolutely amazing. Appointment of six women in leadership posts represents highest percentage since end of the war more than 20 years ago. Pristina, Kosovo Vjosa Osmai has a clear vision for how she and her government will run the country. Every single law that comes to the assembly should be seen through the gender lens, Osmani said in an interview with Al Jazeera, less than a month after being elected as the first woman to serve as Kosovos speaker of the Assembly. Osmani is among a new generation of politicians who have entered the political scene in Europes youngest nation, instilling hope that was lost during previous governments led by former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders and where corruption and nepotism ruled. Besides Osmani, five women were appointed ministers of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Local Government. The new government comes after opposition politician Albin Kurti, leader of the Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje) won the most votes to become prime minister. Osmani was the centre-right Democratic League of Kosovos (LDK) candidate for prime minister, who came in second after Kurti. It was the first time that people were openly speaking up saying we want women, said Igballe Rugova, executive director of the Kosovo Womens Network network, which comprises more than 150 womens groups and organisations that advocates on behalf of Kosovar women. The appointment of these six women in senior leadership posts represents the highest percentage of women in government since Kosovos liberation and the end of the war here more than 20 years ago. They are women with experience. They are women with courage, Rugova said. Womens groups and activists are hopeful about a new era of change for Kosovos 1.8 million citizens. The Self-Determination Movement and LDK formed a power-sharing coalition after a snap poll following former prime minister Ramush Haradinajs resignation having been summoned by a war crimes court in The Hague. Rugova expects that this new generation of women in government will finally address Kosovos pressing gender-based issues, such as domestic violence, health, unemployment, and education. Around 18 percent of women in Kosovo are part of the workforce, according to Riinvest Institute, a think-tank in Kosovo the lowest rate in the region and one of the worlds lowest rates. Osmani believes this represents gender inequality and harms the economy. That is why the government programme, which we drafted together, focuses quite a lot in creating such conditions for women in our society to find a job and get economically empowered, Osmani said. Rugova and members of her network recently presented Osmani with a list of demands they hope she will address in her mandate, including allocating a permanent budget for shelters for survivors of gender-based violence, and parental leave. Osmani said she will ensure that the national budget will always take into account for shelters to protect women and children who are victims of violence. I really have high hopes that the situation will start slowly to change concerning the development of the economy because, for me, development of the economy is the key to fighting violence, having better health, life and education, Rugova said of the new government. In the previous government, maternity leave was taken out of the labour law and put as separate legislation. Amid reports of poor treatment relating to women who were pregnant or on maternity leave, the new government has said it will place 400 inspectors from the Ministry of Labour to report on discrimination. Previously, there were fewer than 10 inspectors for the whole country. You will see us talking and fighting for gender equality, no matter what the topic in the assembly and in the government is. Vjosa Osmani, first woman to serve as Kosovo's speaker of the assembly Other issues include recognising survivors of rape from the Kosovo war and moving forward with their two-decade-old cases against the perpetrators. Until today, not a single perpetrator has been jailed. We have to work for justice. Same with the missing people justice is so important in order to have peace, Rugova said. Rugova is referring to the more than 1,600 people still missing from the war and most likely buried in mass graves in Serbia. The new minister of justice, 32-year-old Albulena Haxhiu, has already responded positively to these issues and has met with staff from Kosovo Womens Network about gender-based violence. I felt like this is an independent government chosen by us, Rugova said. They are listening now and acting. For other feminists in Kosovo, there is still room for improvement. Of course, it is great news, its something we havent seen in the past governments. However, it is not where we want it to be and what we would like to see. Thirty percent sounds good but I think our aim should be equality, which is 50 percent, said Eli Gashi is a sociologist, feminist and founder of Alter Habitus Institute for Studies in Society and Culture in Pristina. Its obvious that equality and justice are all over their political programme but it remains to be seen what they will do and hopefully they will address those issues; that the voice of women will not be muted by saying we place women in the parliament and that is where the whole thing ends. Osmani appears to be committed to bringing change and a fresh perspective to the government and for the citizens to regain trust in the institutions, especially the justice system. For example, when we talk about sustainable development, energy efficiency, air quality and right to access to clean and drinking water, were also contributing to gender equality because today one of the main worries of mothers, not just in Pristina, but elsewhere in Kosovo, is the horrible air quality, which is leading to thousands of deaths. Moving forward towards fulling her four-year mandate, Osmani realises the work that has been cut out for her and the new government but she will not give up in one important area. You will see us talking and fighting for gender equality, no matter what the topic in the assembly and in the government is, she said. PHOENIX The states top health official said Monday there will be more cases of the coronavirus diagnosed in Arizona. But Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said that doesnt necessarily mean there are actually more people getting sick. Instead, she said, it reflects that more people are going to get tested. And, by definition, Christ said there will be more positive test results for the coronavirus. In a news conference to inform Arizonans about the disease and whats being done here, Christ also urged Arizonans not to stockpile facemasks or hand sanitizer. And both Christ and Gov. Doug Ducey said they are living by that advice and not stocking up on anything. There is evidence, however, that not everyone is following suit. Nielsen Investigations reported that sales of aerosol disinfectants were up 19% in the week that ended Feb. 22. There also was a 3% boost in air cleaners and purifiers. Longer term, we expect similar ripple sales in hand and body lotion, simply because an increased focus on hand washing will have a negative effect on skin, the report says. And CNBC reported that grocery stores, including Costco outlets, have seen a spike in sales of things like hand sanitizer, face masks and cases of bottled water. Christ said thats a bad idea. We would encourage the public not to do a run on hand sanitizers or disinfecting wipes, she said. On the craps table of this campaign, there's a $500 million chip sitting on "Super Tuesday." The bettor's name is mike - small "m," according to the visual design of his campaign, like he's your modest neighbour from the split-level down the block instead of a titan of media and finance with estates in Bermuda and Southampton. That's Bloomberg. Mayor of New York from 2002 to 2013. Democrat, then Republican, then independent, then Democrat. Purveyor of fancy data terminals. Ninth-richest person in the world. A few months ago Bloomberg saw a moribund field of candidates and thought he could vault his way to the nomination through a delegate grab on Super Tuesday. So now it's mike, responsible presidential candidate, asking for the car keys as the nation stumbles around. Is he trying to save the party, or accidentally sabotaging it? Is "mike" just a proxy for Bloomberg as he tries to buy the presidency? "My first answer to that all the time is: What's the right price to save democracy from Donald Trump?" said Tim O'Brien, a senior adviser to mike, at a Bloomberg house party in McLean, Virginia, Thursday night. There, Northern Virginians sipped Chianti and canned Perrier and whispered about Joe Biden as if he were an uncle in hospice care (this was 48 hours before his defibrillation in South Carolina). They shuddered at the thought of Bernie Sanders, democratic socialist, for his perceived radicalism and dismissed Elizabeth Warren, capitalist reformer, for her vendetta against mike. 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 What's a democracy worth? A year ago, before mike arrived on the scene, Bloomberg pledged a half billion to vanquishing Trump. In Virginia, over the past three years, he spent $3.5 million to help flip the statehouse to Democrats, whose gun-control advocates now speak of him with reverence. So far this year, Bloomberg has spent $50 million to pepper online platforms with advertising. Now, mike is in your Facebook feed. He's in your Google search results. Every time you glance at the television, he's there. The 2020 presidential candidates have spent $26 million on TV ads in Texas alone; 80 percent of that was for mike, according to Advertising Analytics. One ad cost $4.3 million all by itself, and said that mike has "la fuerza para enfrentar a Trump" (the strength to face Trump). He's created an entire economy. mike's campaign officially began 13 weeks ago, but already Bloomberg has spent more on his campaign than the Texas city of Arlington (population: 400,000) has in its annual budget. The least senior members of his staff of 2,000 make $6,000 a month (nearly twice their counterparts' wages on Team Warren and Team Sanders). He has deployed an army of meme makers, enlisted mural artists to transform campaign spaces and hired at least one comedian to secretly punch up his speeches. This past weekend he zoomed to Super Tuesday states in private jets to headline campaign events with free booze and barbecue. He knows money might not buy him love, but maybe it can buy him like. "He's the best person to win," said Rennea Henn, 71, standing in a sea of "I LIKE MIKE" signs at a rally at a former airfield in San Antonio Sunday night. She doesn't like Sanders and that "gimme gimme" mentality she believes he instills in the kids. She would happily vote for Biden, but even after the former vice president's boffo victory in South Carolina, she is concerned about his unevenness. "He said he had four women he wanted to pick for VP, and he couldn't even remember their names," Henn said. Rewind to Friday, when mike hopscotched eastward across Tennessee in private jets: He rallied 1,000 people in downtown Memphis, where a handful of protesters hoisted signs that said "Oligarch," "What is your price?" and "Our Democracy is not for sale." At a distillery in Clarksville, near the Kentucky border, mike corked a barrel of bourbon in front of a friendly crowd, while a couple of dozen protesters outside carried Trump-Pence flags and signs like "Mini Mike take a hike." Recommended Follow all the latest polls as US Democrats head into Super Tuesday "I won't talk until the cows come home," mike said inside, pausing for laughter that didn't come. Then: "They told me that would work in Arkansas." (He'd been in Arkansas the previous day.) mike knows he can't land a joke. mike knows that he's not charismatic. mike knows that the New York City Police Department's stop-and-frisk policy got out of control when Bloomberg was mayor, and mike is sorry about that. But he would like you know that he's good in a crisis, that's he a "pragmatic problem-solver," that he can bedevil Trump while consolidating support to defeat him. Bloomberg's millions have helped solve at least one problem, which has to do with mike's age. When 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg suspended his campaign Sunday night - thereby stepping on mike's paid prime-time "address" on the coronavirus - the top of the field got hopelessly geriatric, with Warren as spring chicken at age 70. At 78, mike is older than Biden by nine months, and younger than Sanders by five, but Bloomberg's $500 million investment has bestowed mike with the appearance of vigour, steadiness and omnipresence. It has threatened to render sentimental and obsolete the retail politics of Iowa and New Hampshire. Americans shop online and buy what's on TV, and that's where mike is meeting them. He never looks tired. It has also bought a ground game for the virtual candidate. "We've built the biggest infrastructure that Texas has ever seen," said Ashlea Turner, mike's state director. On the ground in Texas he's got 19 field offices and 180 paid staffers, including Amanda Salas, 33, who grew up conservative, supported John McCain in 2008, Bernie Sanders in 2016, and now has settled in the middle with mike. "I gotta look at what people in my electorate are looking at: solid Democrat but pretty conservative," said Salas, while door-knocking Saturday in a Hispanic neighbourhood of San Antonio. The mike campaign has seven full-time staffers in the remote islands of American Samoa, according to CNN, as part of a play to lock down the U.S. territory's six delegates. Tennesseans, who vote Tuesday, are shocked to be lavished with attention by a Democratic candidate at this stage. mike has seven offices in Tennessee, including ones in Jackson and Johnson City, in largely rural areas on either side of the state that rarely see this kind of action from a presidential candidate. Ernest Brooks, a councilman from the city of Jackson in West Tennessee, accepted Bloomberg's apology for stop-and-frisk and praised his economic initiatives for black Americans. "It's been many, many presidential cycles" since a candidate set up an office in his county, said Brooks, a paid surrogate. "Decades." On Friday in Blountville, near the Virginia border, mike spoke in a Trumpian setting: an aeroplane hangar with a gargantuan American flag behind him. Included in the buffet of pulled pork and casserole were two vats of banana pudding so big that the candidate could've bathed in them. There were a couple MAGA hats in the crowd of 350. A man under one of them was named Craig Widner. I don't like hardly any of what Mike Bloomberg stands for," said Widner, who owns an insurance business, "but I do respect that he had the guts to show up in East Tennessee for an event that's probably not gonna work out well for him." The main goal was not to win outright but to walk away with delegates, and to be prepared for a brokered national convention in Milwaukee in July. Last week, popular distaste with this strategy manifested in spray paint ("Eat the Rich") on the campaign office in Johnson City, Tenn. "When people make comments that he's buying the election, I'm very put off by that," said regional field organiser Kristi Carr. "Because all I have is awe that a candidate would invest their own money in my home state and my home region that has never had that kind of investment before." Out in Kingsport, mike's sole canvasser Friday was a 16-year-old named Carrson Everett. He's the founder of his high school's club for Democrats (membership: 15) and president of the county's society for young Democrats (membership: five). Carrson was originally for Bernie Sanders, but was turned off by his supporters and liked what he heard at the opening ceremony for mike's office in Johnson City. Carrson can't vote, but he can knock on doors. "I get irritated with Democrats who are not in red areas because I think they feel like, 'Well, I just don't need to do anything,' " he said while canvassing in Kingsport. "And I'm like, 'We are working our butts off out here!' " Speaking of red areas, did you know mike's favourite colour is maroon? You would if you'd went to his "women for mike" rally Saturday morning at a hotel ballroom in McLean, Virginia. Bloomberg trivia looped on flat-screen TVs as supporters feasted on croissants, coffee and speared cantaloupe. Arlington, Virginia, resident Twana Barber was undecided until last week, when she was persuaded by mike's work on gun violence and the endorsement of a former mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. As for stop-and-frisk and mike's history of sexist comments, Barber said she is a Christian who believes in forgiveness and second chances. "We've all had a past, and we've all said things that we wish we could take back," said Barber, who works in public relations. "I want to see what he's going to do for us going forward. And sometimes that ugly past makes us better human beings." mike was introduced by a dozen women who have been working for Bloomberg LP for years. He took the stage to U2's "Beautiful Day" and said: "Good morning, women for mike. I am mike for women. Nice to meet you."He talked about getting "it" done, and getting "things" done. He talked about decency, honesty and sanity. He talked about having the resources to defeat Trump. The price of a democracy - whether one intends to save it or merely acquire a controlling interest - cannot be estimated easily. There are some things money can't buy, they say. The recent public meeting for the proposed Ballykelly quarry restoration project in Monasterevin was described as an informative, open, respectful and positive meeting. The meeting organised by Cllr Kevin Duffy was well attended by a cross-section of the community. There was a full-house on the night. I want to thank everyone who attended the meeting, including a special thanks to Judge Haulage, their environmental consultant Golder Associates Ireland and the landowners, who made the evening an informative and constructive discussion, Cllr Duffy said. Overall, there was general support at the meeting for the proposed infill and restoration project. Many residents in the area of the proposed site, including a representative from Ballykelly GFC voiced support for the quarry to be backfilled and to remove the existing health and safety issue that currently exists there. Being balanced, there were operational concerns raised around the environmental, traffic, and noise impacts that the proposed project would generate, he added. According to Cllr Duffy Golders consultant provided detailed responses to these concerns and outlined how their project assessment takes these factors into account while trying to mitigate or minimise any impact. Judge Haulage have applied for a 10 year licence to return the quarry to a contoured landform that will be in keeping with the surrounding landscape with an agricultural end use. The application seeks to import inert soil and stone to back fill the quarry. Submissions on the planning application can be made to Kildare County Council before March 5, 2020. The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday fined Punjab and Haryana Rs 100 crore each for causing damage to the catchment area of Sukhna Lake. The high court bench of justices Rajiv Sharma and HS Sidhu also ordered the demolition of all the structures in the catchment area and ordered that the owners whose building plans were approved by the authorities would be relocated and compensated with Rs 25 lakh each. The order came in a 2009 suo motu petition initiated over the depleting water level in the lake. The lake was created by Le Corbusier in 1958. By 1988, 66% of the original water holding capacity of the lake was lost due to silting. Following this, check dams were constructed in the catchment area. But the water level has once again started going down. The lake now has a capacity of around 500 hectare-metres against the original capacity of over 1,074 hectare metres. The Rs 200 crore fine would be deposited with the ministry of environment, forest within three months. The ministry would utilize the funds for restoration of the lake. The court also declared Sukhna as a living entity. The chief secretaries of both the states and adviser, Chandigarh, have been asked to constitute high-power committees to fix responsibilities of the officers who permitted large scale unauthorized construction, within a period of four weeks. The Chandigarh administration has been directed to declare Sukhna Lake as Wetland within a period of three months. Punjab and Haryana too have been directed to declare areas falling under their jurisdiction as wetland within three months. The ministry of environment, forest has been directed to notify at least 1 km area from the boundary of Sukhna Lake Wildlife Sanctuary as eco-sensitive zone. It also declared two master plans of Punjab and Haryana, which allowed construction in the catchment area, as illegal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Williams has over 34 years of experience in the insurance industry, starting his career at independent Lloyds Broker Cork Bays Fisher. After several broking roles at Ropners, Devitts, and Robert Fraser, he undertook the role of divisional director bloodstock at specialist bloodstock broker SBJ Nelson Steaveson (now Lonmar Global Risks), before moving to Brit Syndicates as class underwriter bloodstock, with responsibility for the formulation of the class business plan, business development, and all broker and client relationships. As one of the markets leading art, specie, and bloodstock insurer, we need a team that combines the best talent and experience available; one that has a deep understanding of the risks facing our clients and is imaginative enough to deliver the bespoke solutions that fit their specific requirements, said Graham Hawkins, chief underwriting officer at AXA XL. I am delighted that Chris will be leading the team going forward. He is a well-known and highly-respected individual with a vast amount of global experience in this marketplace, and I am certain he has all the attributes required to succeed in this role. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:13:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COPENHAGEN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A further two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed here by both the Danish Patient Safety Authority and the National Health Board in press releases on Tuesday, bringing the total number to six. The two new cases returned from their holiday in northern Italy on Saturday independently of each other, said the press release. Neither new case is related to the four already infected, it added. In a related development, Scandinavian Airline Service (SAS) announced in a stock exchange statement on Tuesday the cancellation of flights to northern Italy and China's Hong Kong from March 5. "We are doing this because we are experiencing lower demand and wish to avoid the current situation having a bad impact on company profits," press officer Kristoffer Meinert told Denmark's TV 2. The information came a day after a Foreign Ministry travel guidance update for Italy, advising against any unnecessary travel to four of seven regions in northern Italy. By PTI GANDHINAGAR: More than 15,000 infants died during their treatment for various ailments at newborn care units across Gujarat during the last two years, the state government told the Assembly on Tuesday. These deaths were reported from Sick Newborn Care Units, set up in almost all districts of the state. Responding to a set of questions raised by Congress MLAs during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who also handles the health portfolio, said out of the 1.06 lakh infants admitted to such units during 2018 and 2019 across Gujarat, 15,013 babies died during their treatment. In his written reply, Patel said of these 1.06 lakh children, 71,774 were those who were born in civil hospitals, but referred to Sick Newborn Care Units for further treatment. Another 34,727 infants were those who were born elsewhere and referred to these care units, the minister said. The highest number of infant deaths - 4,322 - were reported from Ahmedabad district followed by Vadodara (2,362) and Surat (1,986), among others, he said. In his reply, Patel also listed various steps taken by the government to improve facilities in the newborn care units. These measures included giving priority to appointment of pediatricians and medical officers, special training for doctors and nursing staff and maintaining adequate stock of equipment and other essential items at these units. 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. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes: Strictly Necessary Cookies We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more. Functional Cookies We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more. Performance Cookies We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more. Sale of Personal Data 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. Social Media 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. 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. SPRINGFIELD City officials are encouraging senior citizens to attend informational meetings starting next week regarding the new coronavirus. There will be four opportunities for Springfield seniors to register for and attend the community outreach initiatives. The sessions will provide information regarding the status of the virus and updates that are specific to Massachusetts, city officials said. The sessions were announced by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, along with Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and Director of Elder Affairs Sandy Federico. This event will address many of the concerns our seniors have with relation to the virus, its spread and the steps they can take to protect themselves, Sarno said in a statement. There will also be a question-and-answer period at the end of the presentation. The sessions are being offered at the following four sites: Hungry Hill Senior Center, 773 Liberty St., 12:30 p.m. March 11. Call 413-733-9411. Ray Jordan Senior Center, 1476 Roosevelt Ave., 12:30 p.m. March 16. Call 413-787-6785. Riverview Senior Center, 122 Clyde St., 10:30 a.m. March 17. Call 413-787-5220. Clodo Concepcion Center, 1187 Parker St., 1 p.m. March 30. Call 413-750-2873. The virus classified as SARS-CoV-2 first appeared late last year in Wuhan, China, and has led to the deaths of more than 3,000 people globally. There are more than 80 confirmed cases in the U.S., including in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, officials said. Sarno thanked Caulton-Harris and Federico and their staffs for continuing to be proactive in addressing issues such as these. We are always looking to increase awareness in the areas of general health, wellness and educational resources. Caulton-Harris said. Related Content: Nebraska students are required to learn about the history and contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and Natives, the North Platte senator added. Groene asked if the Legislature should consider the history and contributions of other groups like Irish Americans, who he said were discriminated against throughout history. He called Chambers' proposal divisive, even racist toward white Americans, and encouraged senators to vote it down. "I would also entertain, if Sen. Chambers would work with me, to change the language to just say genocide and slavery," Groene said. "That doesn't name any race or nationality or point fingers at anybody," he said. "It's just plain bad human behavior. That's what we need to be teaching our children. Not who did it and how they did it and blame a whole subset of people for something only a few people did." Chambers, who warned senators he would launch a filibuster on the omnibus bill if the Legislature defeated his amendment, said he had not laid blame for slavery at the feet of all white people. Description GIS - 03 March, 2020: A new National Gender Policy for the next 10 years is being formulated to serve as an effective tool for Ministries and other institutions to review policies and promote gender equality, stated the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, today, in Port-Louis at a press conference in the context of the forthcoming International Womens Day 2020. The Minister underlined that the Government has committed itself to the principles of gender equality since the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995 that urged collective efforts for an equitable society whereby women are empowered in all domains. Various initiatives namely the extension of Maternity Leave from 12 to 14 weeks; the introduction of a national minimum wage; and the provision of free tertiary education, which are being taken in this endeavour. Speaking of the celebrations at the national level, Minister Koonjoo-Shah highlighted that a huge gathering will be held on Sunday 0 8 March 20 20 at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, in Pailles . The Chief guest will be the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth . The theme chosen for this years celebration , she said, is Accelerating the realisation for Gender Equality in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5 which relates to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. International Womens Day celebrations 2020 International Womens Day, commemorated on 8 March annually, is an occasion par excellence, to celebrate the achievements of women as well as reflect and develop strategies and actions plan to address gender gaps and achieve gender equality. The theme retained by the United Nations is I am Generation Equality: Reali s ing Womens Rights . Several activities comprising sensitisation campaigns and talks will be held during the month of March by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare and other stakeholders to mark the International Day. File image: Twitter/@SuPriyoBabul Union Minister Babul Supriyo hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on March 3, after the latter took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his cryptic Twitter post suggesting that he may quit social media. In an apparent reference to Gandhis foreign trips, Supriyo offered the former Congress chief advice on using "international roaming packs" when "tweeting from your holidays abroad" and normal data packs during his short stays in India. Bhai.. when you tweet frm your holidays abroad, your network provider charges at least 4 times more for Data Usage.. But 10day/15 days International Roaming packs are available.. try availing that in your next trip.. For your short stays in India, you may use normal Data Packs https://t.co/5Lt4cb80Kf Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) March 3, 2020 Gandhis foreign visits, in both personal and official capacity, are often used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attack the former Congress chief. PM Modi had on March 2 tweeted that he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The tweet sparked a frenzy on the micro-blogging platform. Several opposition leaders, including Gandhi, reacted to the development. Taking a jibe at the prime minister, Gandhi said , "give up hatred, not social media accounts." What if you get stuck on the highway in a storm? Here are some tips Wuhan Residents Complain About Soaring Prices The city of Wuhan is now in the 6th week of a complete lockdown. Residents in Wuhan are very worried as vegetable prices keep soaring. When you watch this video, keep in mind that in China, the salary for an average government employee ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 yuan ($430$717) per month. The variation mostly comes from regional differences. Take a look at the current vegetable prices in Wuhan. Potatoes, six yuan ($0.86) per pound; turnips, four yuan ($0.57) per pound; napa cabbage, four yuan ($0.57) per pound. These two napa cabbages cost me 41 yuan ($5.88). These are what I bought today from a grocery store, four different types. A bottle of cooking wine, 300 grams (10.6 oz) of brown sugar, these two cost me 125 Yuan ($17.93). Unbelievable, isnt it? These two turnips, 35 Yuan ($5.02). Two pounds of leek, 24 Yuan ($3.45). Usually, a bottle of cooking wine would cost 4 Yuan ($0.57). Now it is 12 Yuan ($1.72). They try to make a fortune when our country is experiencing a calamity. These crooked vendors! It is a special period of time. We can all understand it if the prices are (reasonably) higher. However, these prices are outrageous. Now we cannot go to work, and we dont get paid. Other regions are making donations to Wuhan, including vegetable donations. A while ago, someone used a truck to deliver vegetables to our community, as free donations to us. As I said, we can understand it if your prices are reasonably higher, but how can we afford such outrageous prices? If it continues this way, we will all have to starve. How can we afford it? Now we cannot go to work and there is no regular salary payment. We are paying Chinese Renminbi, not Japanese Yen or Korean Won This is the phone number of the vendor. I just called him to argue with him. He said the prices are not very high! A bottle of cooking wine is usually priced at 4 Yuan. Now he sells it at 12 Yuan, that is 8 Yuan of extra profit for him. How much profit do you want to have to make yourself happy? How greedy you are! Do you want to become a millionaire overnight? How can he be so evil and heartless! Will the government take care of us? If no one takes care of it, we civilians will starve to death. John Malcolm Patterson was the son of Albert Patterson, who was assassinated outside of his law office in Phenix City, Alabama shortly after he had won the Democratic nomination for Alabama Attorney General on a campaign agenda of elimination of corruption that had existed in the city for over 100 years. Born on September 27, 1921, John served in WWII enlisting in 1940 in the U.S. Army as a private. He rose through the ranks to attain the rank of Major with a Bronze Star in 1945. He graduated from law school at the University of Alabama in 1949 and joined his fathers law practice in Phenix City. Recalled to the military during the Korean Conflict in December, 1953, he later rejoined his fathers law practice. After his father was killed on June 18, 1954, John was elected State Attorney General in 1955. John Patterson campaigned for governor on three main issues in 1958. 1) The cleanup of Phenix City 2) Investigations of corruption in the second administration of governor James E. Folsom, Jr. and 3) Legal attempts to prevent desegregation Although he was a populist and attempted reform in the areas of property tax assessment and education it is in his dedicated fight against integration that he is best remembered. In that capacity, he clashed with the John F. Kennedy administration over the handling of the Freedom Riders who came to Alabama to assist in desegregation efforts. In 1958 he vigorously opposed mixing of the races and he was able to portray George C. Wallace as a moderate on the subject. After his defeat, Wallace is alleged to have stated that this will be the last time I will be out n_ _ _ _ _ _ _ in a political campaign and assumed the hard line against integration which would ultimately lead to national prominence on that single issue. Patterson won the run off with Wallace and received 55% of the vote with support of the Klu Klux Klan, organized labor and working class white votes. When he entered the Governors office, he fought hard for improving education and the revision of the property tax assessment program with limited success. After he left office he was part of the trio of himself, Ryan deGraffenried, and U.S. Senator John Sparkman that fought the Alabama Senate's passage of the successor amendment which would have allowed a Governor to serve two consecutive terms of office. This political fight affected Alabama politics for many years and led to the defeat of many Patterson supporters in the Alabama Legislature. Patterson ran for the Alabama Supreme Court in 1970 but lost to future U.S. Senator Howell Heflin of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Governor George Wallace in 1984 appointed John to the intermediate Court of Criminal Appeals where he was elected for two terms and retired in 1997. When ouster proceedings were filed against controversial Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore he was sworn in as Special Chief Justice where he presided over the court that upheld the decision of the Alabama Court of Judiciary to remove Moore from judicial office. After completing this public service he retired to his place of birth in Goldville on the family farm. In 2008 the University of Alabama Press published Gene Howards, Patterson for Alabama: The Life and Career of John Patterson. ------ Jerry Summers (If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com Pope Francis has been tested for coronavirus after he reportedly fell ill and was forced to cancel his engagements. The Pope was due to attend a Lent retreat, but he couldnt attend because he was suffering from cold. READ: Coronavirus: Abuja Hotel Cancels Womans Reservation Because Shes Married To An Italian Man This is the first time the Pope will cancel his schedule since he became a pope. After showing coronavirus symptoms, the popes blood was taken for tests and the results for Covid-19 came back negative this morning. ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Man Caught On Camera Rubbing His Saliva On Elevator Buttons In China [Video] Italy is currently battling the deadly coronavirus, the country is the worst hit, after China. The death toll in Italy is currently at 60 and the total number of confirmed cases has surpassed 2000. Meanwhile, A newly elected member of parliament in Iran, Mohammad Ali Dastak, has died from coronavirus (COVID-19). After testing positive to the virus a few days ago, Dastak, a veteran of the Iraq-Iran war, was confirmed dead by Iranian media on Saturday. Infosys, in an exchange filing made after market hours on Monday, announced a global alliance to help enterprises accelerate their digital transformation journey using the IBM public cloud. The collaboration will help enterprises -- including those in highly regulated industries such as financial services, insurance and healthcare -- to transition, modernize and transform their enterprise workloads and applications by tapping into the security, open innovation and enterprise capabilities of the IBM public cloud. As part of the relationship, Infosys will also offer its clients access to Red Hat's portfolio of open source offerings on the IBM public cloud. This will provide enterprises a greater level of scale, resources and capabilities to accelerate the impact of their cloud-driven digital transformation. Infosys will be the first Global System Integrator to join the new IBM Public Cloud Ecosystem, to help bring IBM public cloud services to clients via service providers. As part of the program, Infosys will be able to deploy technical expertise from IBM to support clients in their move to IBM public cloud. IBM will work with Infosys and its clients to speed efforts such as proof of concepts, running cloud pilots, staffing client innovation centers and other mechanisms designed to deliver value quickly and securely. Infosys provides business consulting, information technology and outsourcing services. Shares of the IT major ended 1.78% higher at Rs 744.35 in yesterday's session. 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| 2020-03-03 10:01:30|Editor: zyl Video Player Close PYONGYANG, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), "visited the firepower strike drill ground of long-range artillery sub-units" on Monday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday. Kim "guided the drill" after receiving the report on the plan for the strike drill at the observation post, said the report. "As he ordered the sub-units to start the fire, the men of long-range artillery pieces on the front opened fire all at once," it said. The report did not specify what kind of firepower was tested by the long-range artillery sub-units on Monday, but South Korea's military said in a statement Monday that two missiles were fired from Wonsan on the DPRK's east coast, the first such launch by the country this year. Monday's test came just a few days after the DPRK conducted what it described as a "joint strike" military drill on its east coast, also its first such exercise in 2020. By The Associated Press Mar. 02, 2020 | 04:21 PM | HOUSTON The urgency of the moment reflected deep concerns from the Democratic establishment that Bernie Sanders, a polarizing progressive, was positioned to seize a significant delegate lead when 14 states, one U.S. territory and Democrats abroad vote on Tuesday. Klobuchar formally suspended her campaign and endorsed Biden on Monday, a day after Buttigieg announced his formal exit. Both Klobuchar and Buttigieg, who had been Biden's chief competition for their party's pool of more moderate voters over the last year, were set to announce their support for Biden later Monday at a rally in Dallas. Buttigieg's plans were confirmed by two people familiar with the decision who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Klobuchar and Buttigieg become the second and third Democrat to abandon their presidential bids since Biden scored a resounding victory in South Carolina, his first of the 2020 roller-coaster nomination fight. Sanders' senior strategist Jeff Weaver dismissed the importance of the new coalition, which he said would help highlight the divide between the true progressive wing of the party and those in the establishment. Its becoming increasingly clear that the candidates funded by big money and super PACs are coalescing behind Joe Biden, and thats not a surprise," Weaver said. "I think itll add a lot of clarity to this race. A shrinking group of other Democrats vowed to press on, potentially toward a contested convention. The fast-moving developments came at a key crossroads in the Democratic Party's turbulent primary season. The states that vote on Tuesday, led by California and Texas, offer almost 10 times as many delegates in a single day than have been awarded over the first month. Sanders remained the undisputed front-runner. But the rest of the field was decidedly unsettled, even after Biden's South Carolina blowout and the departures of Klobuchar, Buttigieg and billionaire activist Tom Steyer. New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg in particular could create problems for Biden's establishment appeal. Bloomberg, who will appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday, has invested more than a half billion dollars into his presidential bid and wracked up many high-profile endorsements of his own. Yet Biden appeared to have the momentum on the eve of Super Tuesday after his blowout South Carolina victory. The Biden campaign reported back-to-back days of $5 million fundraising hauls, by far the best 48-hour stretch of his campaign. Biden himself touted the threshold Sunday night on a call with donors, according to one person on the call. And the campaign highlights several new endorsements. Perhaps the most powerful endorsement would come from former President Barack Obama, who has a relationship with most of the candidates and has talked with several in recent weeks as primary voting has begun. He spoke with Biden to congratulate him after his South Carolina victory, but still has no plans to endorse in the primary at this point. Yet a stream of new Biden backers stepped forward in the run-up to Tuesday, including former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid. The former Senate majority leader said, I believe Biden is best able to defeat Donald Trump and enact the policies we all care about. Biden's growing collection of endorsers also features Obama national security adviser Susan Rice; former Colorado Sen. Mark Udall; former California Sen. Barbara Boxer; Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va.; Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White; former Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln; and Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Calif. V irginia Rep. Don Beyer, the first member of Congress to endorse Buttigieg, said he planned to endorse Biden and expected Buttigieg to as well. "I do think it's the most logical," Beyer said of a Biden endorsement, given his echo of the former vice president's call for civility, a mantra of the Buttigieg campaign. "I think Joe is the next best possibility." While Biden clearly has momentum, not everyone in his party's moneyed establishment is convinced. Across the country, some major donors remain skeptical and want to see what happens on Super Tuesday before deciding whether to support Biden. Biden has struggled to raise money in Silicon Valley, for example. The area is dominated by the tech sector, and many of its wealthy donors prioritize executing a data-driven plan. Bidens rocky campaign pushed many toward Buttigieg or Bloomberg in recent months, financiers say. Biden's team is waging a quiet campaign to win them over, yet many are taking a wait-and-see approach. We need to see what happens tomorrow, which is going to be very telling," said Alex Sink, a Democratic donor and former Florida gubernatorial candidate who endorsed Bloomberg. During a round of weekend interviews, Biden pledged to improve his campaign organization, his fundraising operation and even his own performance. He reliance on media coverage, instead of a round of Super Tuesday advertising, reflected a stark reality a day after his resounding primary victory in South Carolina: The former vice president was forced to rely on free media coverage because he was understaffed, underfunded and almost out of time as he fought to transform his sole win into a national movement. Biden allies conceded that the post-South Carolina fundraising surge would have little impact on Super Tuesday. Super Tuesday is too close, said former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Biden supporter. Fortunately, Joe Biden has been on the national scene for 35 years. He has less need to advertise. Meanwhile, Sanders was focused on California, the crown jewel of Super Tuesday. California alone offers 415, which is more than double the amount of delegates allocated through Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Sanders predicted victory in California as he rallied thousands of supporters in multiple stops and attacked Biden's record on foreign policy, trade and Social Security, among other issues. My point here is not just to be negative about Joe," Sanders said. My point here is to ask you: What campaign is going to beat Donald Trump?" Sanders has struggled to win over many elected officials in Washington but earned a high-profile endorsement Monday from Democracy for America, a national grassroots organization originally led by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, that boasts thousands of members across the county. The overwhelming support for Bernie we saw in our member vote should be a wake-up call to the broken, visionless, corporate Democratic establishment," said the organization's chair Charles Chamberlain. Americans want fundamental change in Washington, not a return to the status quo. The future for candidates not named Biden or Sanders appeared uncertain at best. A handful of high-profile political strategists with ties to the former president encouraged Biden's rivals including Bloomberg to quit the race to allow anti-Sanders Democrats to unify behind Obama's former vice president. Most of them have seen the writing on the wall for at least the last week, said Rufus Gifford, who held top fundraising posts on both of Obamas presidential campaigns and was part of Bidens fundraising operation. Its clear the Democratic alternative to Bernie Sanders is Joe Biden. But in an example of Biden's challenge ahead, Sanders said Sunday he raised an eye-popping $46.5 million for February. That compared to $29 million for Warren and $18 million for Biden over the same period. In addition to his phone call with Biden, Buttigieg also spoke with Obama, who has been calling most of the candidates who have departed the race. Obama praised Buttigieg's campaign and his decision to step aside at this critical juncture in the Democratic primary, according to a person with knowledge of the call. The person, like the one on the Biden fundraising call, spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal matters. Biden's other rivals showed no interest in getting out of the race. In fact, some vowed to keep fighting no matter what happened on Super Tuesday. Warren campaign manager Roger Lau spoke brazenly of pushing into a floor battle at the Democratic National Convention this summer if no candidate emerged from the primary season with a clear majority, which was possible even if someone had a large delegate lead. The convention in Milwaukee is the final play, Lau wrote in a Sunday memo. And Bloomberg, who this week will be on the ballot for the first time, insisted that he was not going anywhere before Tuesdays primaries. Im optimistic," he told voters in Selma, Alabama, where many of the White House hopefuls gathered for ceremonies commemorating civil rights heroism. Through four primary contests, the AP allocated at least 58 delegates to Sanders, including two added Sunday as South Carolina's remaining votes dribbled in. Biden vaulted past Buttigieg into second place with at least 50 delegates shrinking Sanders' lead from what had been 30 delegates before South Carolina to eight. Buttigieg, Warren and Klobuchar remained stuck at 26, eight and seven, respectively. But the first four states were always more about momentum more than math. Super Tuesday states offer a trove of 1,344 new delegates based on how candidates finish. Just 150 delegates have been awarded so far. Rivals no more, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg united behind Joe Biden's presidential bid on Monday as the Democratic Party's moderate wing scrambled to boost the former vice president just hours before voting began across a series of high-stakes Super Tuesday states. Hansa Research has curated a study based on Customer Experience in OTT media. The study was conducted among approximately 800 OTT subscribers in India administered to a consumer panel Hansa Cheetah. OTT subscribers were represented from across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad with approx. (75 M: 25F). Brand Exposure (Used) amongst these OTT subscribers in the last 3 months- included Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, JioTV, Voot, Zee5, SonyLIV, ALTBalaji amongst other brands. Focusing on customer experience now is more critical than ever, with the customer evolving, being more explorative in nature and more polygamous in their choice of brands. Today, customer experience is amongst the top ranked strategic priority amongst leading companies, especially in markets where there is intense competition said Praveen Nijhara, CEO, Hansa Research Group. Nijhara continued, Customer experience includes the entire interaction between the customer and the brand across all touch points. It is the sum total of the entire experience including everything from purchase, on boarding, usage experience, advertising, content, communication, customer support channels etc. Solus loyalty is no longer an achievable target for brands in many of the markets/ sectors. This holds true, especially with service providers using a digital platform where onboarding and exiting requires a simple click. The report suggests that on an average, an OTT consumer had engaged with atleast 3 brands in the OTT space in the last 3 months, the survey also found that consumption from multiple brands in the OTT space is higher amongst younger adults, said Mr V. Sudarshan, VP Hansa Research referring to the OTT CX Study. Excerpts from the study Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory on Tuesday in the country's third election in less than a year, after television exit polls showed him just a seat short of a governing majority in parliament. A win for Netanyahu, 70, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, would be testimony to the political durability of Israel's longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. It would also pave the way for the right-wing Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex, after the election, Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the region's Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Palestinians have rejected the proposal, saying it was killing their dream of establishing a viable state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel's three main TV channels projected in exit polls that Netanyahu's rightist Likud and like-minded parties would capture 60 of parliament's 120-seats, just one short of a majority, in Monday's vote. In an updated exit poll, Israel's Channel 13 dropped the figure to 59. During an acrimonious campaign which focused more on character than on policy, right-wing and religious parties had pledged to join a Likud-led coalition government. But if the 60-seat projection held true, after actual results later on Tuesday, Netanyahu would still have to enlist other allies in coalition negotiations. An exit poll prediction after polls closed in the Israeli elections, predicting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party expects to command a 60 seat bloc against 52 for Benny Gantz' Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) electoral alliance, at the Blue and White's headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv Israeli centrist Blue and White party and ex-military chief Benny Gantz talks to the media next to his wife Revital at a polling station in the city of Rosh Hayin during parliamentary election on March 2 A Likud spokesman said the prime minister would deliver a late-night victory speech at the party's election headquarters in Tel Aviv. Ahead of the address, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter: 'We won thanks to our belief in our path and thanks to the people of Israel.' Netanyahu's main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party, stopped short of conceding defeat in his own posting on Twitter, telling supporters he would 'continue to fight for the right path, for you.' The exit polls showed Likud taking between 36 and 37 parliamentary seats to 32 or 33 for Blue and White - a gap that would make it far harder for Gantz to find a path to putting together a governing coalition. In the previous election, in September, Blue and White edged past Likud, taking 33 seats to its rival's 32, but Gantz, like Netanyahu, was unable to put together a ruling coalition. Confetti falls as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kisses his wife Sara after speaking to supporters following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel March 3 A man plays a guitar as others around him wave Likud party flags and show its election signs with the face of its leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud's electoral headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 2 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses his supporters after first exit poll results for Israeli elections in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, March 2 Anshel Pfeffer, who wrote a biography of Netanyahu, said on the website of the left-wing Haaretz newspaper that a win for the veteran politician would be a 'stunning comeback' for a man 'who doesn't lie down after a setback'. Netanyahu campaigned vigorously on his strongman 'security-first' platform, familiar to Israeli voters over decades, and his loyal base of blue collar voters has stood firmly behind him throughout, seemingly unfazed by his imminent trial. 'While we need to wait for the final results, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people,' said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. 'Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive to have brought them security and prosperity,' he said. Netanyahu's re-election bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud over allegations he granted state favours worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favourable press coverage and that he wrongfully received gifts. The election is being held amid the coronavirus epidemic, with 10 cases so far confirmed in the Jewish state and another 5,600 Israelis under self-quarantine An Israeli man casts his ballot during the Israeli legislative elections, at a polling station in Jerusalem 'The coronavirus thing is completely under control,' Netanyahu said after voting in Jerusalem. Pictured, Israelis wearing protective masks vote at one of the special polling station erected for the 5,600 voters under quarantin The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin on March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. During the campaign, Gantz termed Netanyahu 'the defendant', accusing him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial. Netanyahu has portrayed Gantz, 60, as a 'coward', saying he would need Arab politicians' support in parliament to form a government and that they would tie his hands. In the final days of the campaign, opinion polls had forecast further deadlock, but turnout was high, at 71 percent, despite concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. Voters under home-quarantine, such as those who have recently travelled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots, voted at special polling stations wearing face masks and gloves. Israelis wearing protective masks vote at one of the special polling station The 70-year-old premier (pictured with wife Sara) will face trial from March 17, faces accusations including receiving improper gifts worth thousands of dollars Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer told CNBC on Tuesday that the pharmaceutical company hopes to have its coronavirus treatment produced and ready for human testing possibly by August. "How quickly that can deployed will depend on some of the early data that we have, some animal data, what we will see in patients," Schleifer said on "The Exchange." "I think that we can get a lot done very quickly." Regeneron, which developed an effective treatment for Ebola, has started the immunization process with its genetically engineered mice, Schleifer said. The mice are altered to have human immune systems. "We already have tubes with lots of antibodies in them. Over the course of the next weeks we're going to screen them for the best couple that we think could block this virus," said Schleifer, who founded Regeneron in 1988. "Then we're going to use our tricks to immediately get it into scale up and be making 200,000 prophylactic doses by August time frame," he added. Understanding the urgency with which the coronavirus needs to be confronted, Schleifer said Regeneron will be pursuing clinical trials and drug manufacturing at once. "We can do this in parallel," he said. "As soon as we get a green light that it looks good, we'll be able to deploy those large-scale approaches." Regeneron was one of about 10 companies that attended a meeting Monday at the White House to discuss progress on treatments for the coronavirus, which has continued to spread across the world. Programming note: Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer and Sanofi's John Reed will be joining us live at the CNBC Healthy Returns Summit in NYC on May 12. Visit cnbcevents.com/healthyreturns to learn more and register. There are at least 91,300 cases globally and at least 3,110 deaths. In the U.S., there are at least 108 cases and at least nine deaths. Regeneron, which is developing its drug in agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, is not the only company pursuing a treatment for the coronavirus. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna Therapeutics and Sanofi Pasteur also are doing so. Dr. John Shiver, Sanofi Pasteur's senior vice president of global vaccine research and development, on Monday warned against overconfidence in developing a coronavirus vaccine. Regeneron is developing a treatment, not a vaccine. "We think there are good tools and approaches at hand that will find success, but we should not be too overconfident that this can happen quickly," Shiver told CNBC. Both Shiver and Schleifer said pharmaceutical companies have acted cooperatively. The companies aren't competing against each other, Schleifer said, but instead are battling the coronavirus. Schleifer also said Regeneron was committed to making its drug affordable for patients. "It doesn't do us any good, if we want to save lives, to make something that's not affordable," he said. "We will make this drug affordable." The position of deputy prime minister for defense may be established in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, according to Head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia. "We would like to strengthen the integration function in the defense sector. There is the defense minister. But there is also the defense complex Ukroboronprom, the private defense sector, etc. We have the National Security and Defense Council, which has to take over this integration function, but it would be good to appoint deputy prime minister for defense at the level of the Cabinet, Arakhamia said. He also added that after the upcoming rotation in government, four to five new people will be appointed. At the same time, he said, it is unlikely that the post of first deputy prime minister will be established. As reported, following the decision of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the Verkhovna Rada will hold an extraordinary meeting on March 4. In particular, MPs will consider the issue on the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. iy The year 2020 is bound to be a special year with the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally. Until today, the highly contagious disease has taken away many lives, especially in China, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in Europe and Middle East. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005479/en/ Dahua Thermal Solution to Measure Human Body Temperature (Photo: Business Wire) Dahua Technology, a world-leading video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, has been an early participant in the epidemic prevention and control in Asia, joining the global efforts in combating the virus to minimize the impact on mankind. Since sending its first batch of thermal cameras to the hardest-hit area Wuhan on January 24th, Dahua thermal solution has been deployed in thousands of sites in China, including transportation hubs, commercial complexes, banks, and other places, and some are on the way to multiple countries in Asia. Hong Kong, a financial capital in Asia, also suffers from the COVID-19 epidemic situation. Dahua Thermal Solution has been applied in some local business complexes, banks, company parks, and other places. To enable a safe and smooth work resumption recently, quite a few major corporations have been using Dahua Thermal Solution in their headquarters to improve their workplace safety, such as Paul Y. Engineering Group Limited. Dahua Thermal Solution measures the body temperature of their employees, handling thousands of staff flow every day. Compare to the traditional way of body temperature measurement a forehead thermometer, using Dahua Thermal Solution will significantly improve speed and accuracy, meanwhile help reduce cross-infection via non-contact measurement. To measure the temperature of 5,000 people, it will take about 4.2 hours using a forehead thermometer, as it takes at least 3 seconds to measure a person. However, it takes only 30 minutes if you use Dahua Thermal Solution, which measures 3 person per second. It also features a high accuracy of 0.3 . Dahua Thermal Solution helped us detect a couple of suspected cases in just a few hours of operation, which we greatly appreciate, a Hongkong user commented. Dahua Thermal Solution has been on the front line since the very beginning, helping with the epidemic prevention and control in airports, railway stations, hospitals, schools, and other sites all over Asia. Featuring high accuracy, high efficiency, strong adaptability and easy deployment, Dahua Thermal Solution can also be applied to all kinds of entrances and exits, kitchens and kindergartens. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005479/en/ A family is mourning the tragic death of a three-year-old girl who fell in a dam on a farm. Evangeline Laura Watts-Marshall's tiny body was pulled from a dam in Moorland, near Bundaberg at about 10.16am on Saturday. She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but sadly died overnight. Tributes for the 'gorgeous' little girl with a cheeky smile have been flowing in as news of her death has spread. Evangeline Laura Watts-Marshall's (pictured) tiny body was pulled from a dam in Moorland, near Bundaberg at about 10.16am on Saturday 'God bless your little angel and comfort those who love her,' one person wrote on Facebook. 'Beautiful angel gained her wings,' another wrote. 'Angels took you way to soon beautiful girl,' wrote another. Her sister, Alyshia Marshall has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs. 'Our beautiful darling three-year-old sister, daughter and granddaughter Evangeline-Laura was just to precious for this world and has grown her wings and left us,' she wrote on the page. 'With her beautiful cheeky smile and gorgeous blue eyes in our hearts with also the great memories. She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but sadly died in Bundaberg Hospital (pictured) 'She passed away yesterday after a tragic accident the family is struggling to pay for the funeral. Any donations to make it as nice as it can be to see your little sister off would be greatly appreciated.' She said they did not wish to disclose full information about what had happened. A spokesman for Queensland Police said: 'As the incident occurred on a private property I can only advise that police will prepare a report for the Coroner in relation to the death of a child' . Meanwhile, Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma said an Italian tourist has tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from the national capital, the Union health ministry said as the government stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. Giving details of the two cases, health minister Harsh Vardhan said the person from Delhi had travelled to Italy, while the other patient who has tested positive for the COVID-19 infection is from Telangana and has a recent travel history to Dubai. Meanwhile, Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma said an Italian tourist has tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The first sample collected from the tourist on February 29 tested negative but his condition deteriorated so a second sample was collected which tested positive on Monday, the minister said, adding, Since there is a variation in the reports, samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for testing. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. Speaking of Mondays two cases of Indians, Mr Harsh Vardhan said, Both the patients had self-reported after they developed symptoms. They tested positive. They are stable and being closely monitored. The person in Delhi had self-reported at the RML hospital after returning to India while the one in Telangana had initially gone to a private medical facility and then was referred to a government hospital in the state, the minister said. As part of the governments contact tracing efforts to control spread of the epidemic, authorities are in touch with the family members and employees in the offices where the two infected persons work. After the ministry announced details of the Delhi resident who has tested positive for novel coronavirus, the Air India crew who had flown the Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25 on which he was the passenger have been asked to stay in isolation at their homes for 14 days, officials said. The crew members of February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight will remain in isolation for 14 days at their respective homes. If, during this period, they show any symptoms related to novel coronavirus infection, they have to immediately contact doctors, the officials told PTI. Air India officials said, The male passenger had travelled to Italy by road. He took the February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight. Mr Vardhan also advised people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries, including the US, Italy and Iran. The health minister, who held a meeting of the Group of Ministers constituted to monitor the current status and actions for prevention and management of the virus, said India has already suspended e-visas/visas issued to Iranian and Chinese nationals over the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in these countries. Depending on the situation, visa restrictions may be extended to other countries, he said. Asked if there could be a drug shortage in the country as around 70 per cent of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) come from China, Mr Vardhan said he has spoken to the minister in-charge who has informed that we are adequately prepared to deal with the situation as of now. Mr Vardhan said around 1,086 people who returned from Iran in recent times have been recommended for community surveillance. Authorities are screening travellers arriving from Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan at 21 designated airports in the country for a possible exposure to the virus, he said, adding, a total of 5,57,431 passengers have been screened at airports and 12,431 at major and minor seaports so far. He also informed that around 10,24,922 people have been screened in the villages of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim bordering Nepal. Besides, as many as 25,738 people are under community surveillance across India while 37 people with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 across the country are currently hospitalised and their samples have been sent for testing, a senior health ministry official said. So far 3,245 samples have been tested out of which five have tested positive for COVID-19 while reports of 23 are awaited, the minister added. The minister further informed that 112 people including nationals from Myanmar (2), Bangladesh (22), Maldives (2), Chinese (6), South African (1), USA (1) and Madagascar (1) have been evacuated from Wuhan and kept at the ITBP camp at Chhawla. They have tested negative in the first round of tests, he said. He added that 119 Indians and five foreign nationals have also been brought back from Japan through an Air India flight on February 27. They all have tested negative and are kept in the Army Facility at Manesar. Mr Vardhan also advised people to take precautions and in case of any symptoms report to the nearest public health facility. People may pose their queries at the Health Ministrys 24x7 Control Room at 011-23978046 or email at ncov2019@gmail.Com, he added. Near the end of his 1933 novel Romance in Marseille, newly and belatedly published for the first time by Penguin Classics, the Harlem Renaissance writer Claude McKay moves toward an operatic climax by steering several characters into a bar. While his cast is diverse girls and men, white and brown and black, mingled colors and odors come together McKay assigns them a shared pastime: drinking, gossiping, dancing and perspiring to the sound of international jazz. But then he predicts an imminent end to all that: The craze of the Charleston and Black Bottom was about dead and buried. This whiplash trajectory from popularity to dead and buried wasnt unusual when classical musicians of the time ventured into pop styles. While jazz-inspired music by the likes of Stravinsky and Weill has never been forgotten, the similar efforts of dozens of other composers from the same period have fallen into obscurity. Democratic presidential candidate former vice president Joe Biden, right, is joined by former rival Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, during a campaign stop in Dallas, Monday. At center is Jill Biden. Kyra Sedwick is making her return to the small screen with a leading role in the ABC comedy pilot My Village. The 54-year-old actress has signed on to star in the multi-cam comedy pilot, after lengthy negotiations, according to Deadline. The pilot is written by Kari Lizer, who created the Julia Louis-Dreyfus ABC sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, which ran for five seasons from 2006 to 2010. Kyra's new role: Kyra Sedwick is making her return to the small screen with a leading role in the ABC comedy pilot My Village The show will follow and empty-nest mom, Jean Raines (Sedgwick), who finds herself wondering how she ended up alone while her kids live their best lives in Los Angeles. Fed up with having her texts ignored and blocked from their Facebook feeds, she re-inserts herself back into their lives, as they realize they may need her more than they once thought. Raines is described as 'earthy, unfiltered and emotional,' who is also coming off the unexpected loss of her husband. Empty nest: The show will follow and empty-nest mom, Jean Raines (Sedgwick), who finds herself wondering how she ended up alone while her kids live their best lives in Los Angeles The mother was born and raised in Iowa, and is not said to be a 'natural fit' for life in Los Angeles, though most people confide in her, except her own children. She is also said to be a, 'fierce defender of her family and will stop at nothing to protect her connection to them.' Lizer wrote the pilot and will executive produce under her overall deal with Sony Pictures Television, with ABC Studios also producing. Mother: The mother was born and raised in Iowa, and is not said to be a 'natural fit' for life in Los Angeles, though most people confide in her, except her own children Sedgwick is an 'empty nester' herself, with two adult children - Travis, 30, and Sosie, 27 - with her husband of over 30 years, Kevin Bacon. This show marks both her return to ABC and her return to a starring network television role, following her 2017 short-lived series Ten Days in the Valley. She also has a recurring role as Chief Madeline Wuntch on the NBC comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Empty nest: Sedgwick is an 'empty nester' herself, with two adult children - Travis, 30, and Sosie (above, middle), 27 - with her husband of over 30 years, Kevin Bacon Recurring: She also has a recurring role as Chief Madeline Wuntch on the NBC comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine While she still continues to act, Sedgwick has started transitioning to directing as well, with several TV episodes under her belt last year alone. Sedgwick has directed episodes of Grace and Frankie, God Friended Me, In the Dark, City on a Hill and Ray Donovan in 2019. She is also attached to make her feature directorial debut with The Way Between, written by Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph writer Jennifer Lee. Director: While she still continues to act, Sedgwick has started transitioning to directing as well, with several TV episodes under her belt last year alone Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. 122 homes, 301 vehicles damaged in Delhi riots, says Interim damage report At least 122 houses, 322 shops and 301 vehicles were gutted or completely damaged during the violence last week, according an interim report prepared by the north-east Delhi district administration. The numbers are likely to go up when the final report is submitted. Read more. Dont let senseless thuggery prevail: Iran to India on Delhi riots Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday urged Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of all Indians and not let senseless violence prevail. Read more. Punjab, Haryana fined Rs 100 crore each by HC over damages to Sukhna Lake The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday fined Punjab and Haryana Rs 100 crore each for causing damage to the catchment area of Sukhna Lake. Read more. Over 80% people who died due to covid-19 are aged over 60 years The novel coronavirus appears to severely affect people over the age of 60, who account for 81% of all infection-related deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Read more. India vs New Zealand: Ravi Shastri will make a statement, but what will happen - Former chief selector hits out at Team India after series loss Former chairman of selectors Sandip Patel was disappointed with the way the Indian team, especially the batsmen struggled in New Zealand. Patil lashed out at the batsmen and said that they failed to adapt and adjust to the conditions which is not the way the number 1 Test side in the world plays. Read more. Neena Gupta asks her fans not to fall in love with married men, says I have done this before and I have suffered Neena Gupta has shared a lesson from her life with her fans, asking them not to fall in love with married men as she has herself suffered for doing so. The actor, who is a single mother to designer Masaba Gupta, has posted a video message on Instagram in which she shared how women falling for married men are forced to leave them when they refuse to separate from their wives. Read more. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, March 4, 2020 Indonesia will host another ulema conference to help bolster stability in Afghanistan, which just received a major boost as the United States and representatives of the Taliban movement signed a peace deal in Qatar on the weekend. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who was in Kabul on Sunday, held meetings with President Ashraf Ghani and a number of Afghan government officials to convey Indonesias support for sustainable peace in the country. The Taliban's political chief, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, signed on Saturday the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad aimed at ending the Afghan war, the hard-line Islamist group said in a statement on Sunday. 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 Prominent Muslim body Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Tuesday urged Muslims and Hindus to jointly reject the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR). The politics of hate had divided the country once, and the country is again at the same juncture, Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Muslim body here. He made the remarks at a "Save Democracy" conference in Hyderabad. "Muslims and Hindus must jointly reject CAA, NRC and NPR. In states, where the government is opposing the centre's laws, people can proactively reject it," he said. "Jamiat believes that CAA is an attack on the secular nature of India, and not a Hindu-Muslim issue. The secular character of the Constitution binds Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, Buddists, and people of other religions," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Central Bank is working on measures to provide liquidity to businesses hit by the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak, three sources familiar with the discussion told Reuters. One of the possible measures could include a targeted longer-term refinancing operation (TLTRO) directed at small- and medium-sized enterprises, who may be the hardest hit by the downturn. The sources added that no decision on the scheme is imminent as preparatory work would take time. An ECB spokesman declined to comment. ECB President Christine Lagarde said late on Monday the bank is ready to take "appropriate and targeted" measures. The sources said that while the ECB has done preparatory work for such a scheme in the past, it has yet to be discussed by the rate-setting Governing Council and so would still face considerable scrutiny before any implementation. The rationale for such a scheme is that small- and medium-sized business have generally more restricted access to credit and would thus feel a bigger hit from any downturn. Larger firms meanwhile already enjoy the benefit of the ECB's corporate sector bond purchases. A fourth source added that some Governing Council members still see the issue as short-term and largely outside the scope of monetary policy, thus mainly requiring a fiscal response. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Bernie Sanders congratulated Joe Biden on his winning the South Carolina caucushis first ever for the Democratic presidential nominationwhich has set the stage for tomorrows Super Tuesday. Now I am very proud that in this campaign so far we have won the popular vote in Iowa. We have won the New Hampshire primary. We have won the Nevada caucus. But you cannot win them all, Sanders said, in Norfolk, Virginia at a rally just hours after the voting had closed on Saturday. And tonight we did not win in South Carolina. And that will not be the only defeat. There are a lot of states in this country. Nobody wins them all, Sanders said with a hoarse voice. I want to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory tonight, he said, before turning his attention to focus to Super Tuesday. And now we enter Super Tuesday in Virginia, he said to his audience. And I believe very strongly that the people of this country on Super Tuesday and after are going to support our campaign because we are more than a campaign. We are a movement. Former Vice President Joe Bidens victory of Feb. 29 breathed life into his campaign after lackluster performances in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown on Super Tuesday. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, 48.4 percent of South Carolina residents voted for Biden. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) came in a distant second with 19.9 percent. Biden and Sanders earned 33 and 11 South Carolina delegates to the national convention, respectively. Sanders still leads the field in total delegates with 56. Biden is in second place with 48 delegates. The victory in South Carolina was essential for Biden after he lost the primary contest in three states and dropped to second place in national polling to a surging Sanders. News from South Carolina will still be fresh as voters in 14 states head to polling places to cast their votes on March 3, Super Tuesday. More than 34 percent of the total delegates1,357 of the 3,979are up for grabs on a decisive day in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. The Associated Press and Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 3:00AM Social media companies Facebook and Twitter have announced that they will be pulling out of the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW). Both companies cited concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey was supposed to give a keynote address at the conference. But the company announced on Sunday that it was halting all "non-critical business travel and events." The policy, they said, would be effective immediately and stay in place until a vaccine was available, or until "the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control deem it appropriate to step back from pandemic precautionary measures." According to an email to The Verge from Twitter spokesperson Siobhan Murphy, the travel restriction extends to SXSW and the company's #TwitterHouse at SXSW, which was expected to have "a variety of events and programming" is cancelled. Facebook has been shutting down some of its big events, too. It recently cancelled the in-person aspect of its F8 developer conference, which was scheduled for May 5 and May 6. It also cancelled a global marketing conference that was planned for Valentine's Day, February 14, this month. So far, SXSW is still happening, but there have been calls for the annual music and tech festival to be cancelled, with a petition already having over 29,000 signatures. According to its organizers, they are "working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies" regarding coronavirus concerns. Some significant events have been cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus, including Mobile World Congress, Game Developers' Conference, and the Geneva Motor Show. Source: The Verge Storyful Supporters of world No.1 Novak Djokovic gathered outside a courthouse in Melbourne on January 10 as the player appealed against his deportation from Australia in the hope of staying to play in the Australian Open.According to court filings, Djokovics lawyers say he was granted a visa on November 18. An exemption certificate was issued by Tennis Australias chief medical officer on December 30, they said.The hearing on Monday was due to start at the Federal Circuit and Family Court at 10am but was delayed multiple times due to technical issues. According to local reports, Judge Anthony Kelly said a professor and an eminently qualified physician have produced and provided to the applicant a medical exemption.Further to that, that medical exemption and the basis on which it was given was separately given by a further independent expert specialist panel, established by the Victorian state government. And that document was in the hands of the delegate.And the point Im somewhat agitated about is, was what more could this man have done? Judge Kelly asked.Footage by Slobodan Bendjo shows fans waving Serbian flags and dancing outside the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne. Credit: Slobodan Bendjo via Storyful Schools might need to change how they operate in the face of the coronavirus, but should also resist significantly disrupting the lives of students and educators, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told members of a U.S. Senate commitee Tuesday. Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director at the CDC, also told lawmakers on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that while federal agencies provide guidance on this issue, ultimately the decisions about things like school closures are made at the local level. Her comments came as Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., raised the issue of what the best practices are for schools if a student or someone else tests positive for the virus. One of the biggest disruptions that can happen in a familys life is the closure of a school, Murphy said, noting how difficult it can be for a day, let alone for a week. Whats the best protocol today? Decisions about school dismissals, school closures, or changes in school policies are very much locally driven, but we provide guidance, Schuchat told Murphy. The general principle is to minimize disruption. Schools are at the forefront of dealing with the coronavirus, especially after a high school student in Washington state and a school employee in Oregon tested presumptive positive for it late last week. And districts are being urged to share their plans for dealing with it , discourage food sharing among students, and encourage that they wash their hands properly. But taking steps such as closing schools might not be as straightforward as some believe. See Our In-Depth Coverage: Coronavirus and Schools Schuchat stressed that students who are ill, whatever they might have, should stay home from school. But she said that, broadly speaking, there are different factors schools must consider. You have this balance between, the earlier you act the more impact it can have in slowing the spread, and the enormous disruption we see with school closures, she told Murphy. During the spread of the H1N1 virus in 2009, she noted, hundreds of thousands of students were sent home in the first few weeks of the pandemic, but she said that proved to be too disruptive, particularly as more was learned about H1N1 and its spread. (More than 700 schools closed in response to H1N 1, according to one study.) She said that as in 2009, schools may want to take steps such as cancelling assemblies and changing other aspects of whats done during the school day, but otherwise to keep classes going, adding, So many depend on school lunches and other services that are at schools. Education leaders must keep in mind parents who will be staying home if their kids are home, she noted. Its a local decision. If theres too many people sick, of course, you cant keep going, Schuchat said. Congress and the Trump administration are negotiating an emergency supplemental spending bill to provide resources for fighting coronavirus, although the two sides havent agreed on a final dollar amount. Earlier in the hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told committee chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., that children are being diagnosed with the coronavirus to a much lesser extent than adults, and for reasons that are still unclear. Specifically, there are very few cases of the coronavirus in children under the age of 15, he said. However, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., subsequently shared his view that its improbable that children simply arent being infected. Schuchat told him that children may be asymptomatic in many cases, and Fauci added that more information from China about the coronavirus might help health officials understand this issue better. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the committees top Democrat, indicated that she will be pressing U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for more information about the U.S. Department of Educations response to the virus. Murray and several of her Democratic colleagues wrote a letter to DeVos on Monday asking for details about her departments response to the virus, how it was working with other federal officials, and other questions. Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa . The Charlotte area marketplace is more competitive than ever before. In this market, like many others, a more efficient, micro-targeted search engine marketing strategy will generate more meaningful awareness and drive home more immediate customer engagement exactly where and when it counts most. SEOblog.com, a fast-growing website providing the latest SEO news, tips and resources and helping business owners connect with leading SEO agencies, has released its exclusive 2020 ratings naming the best SEO companies in North Carolina. SEOblog analysts determined the 14 best SEO companies in Charlotte and the 13 best SEO companies in Raleigh based on dozens of key quantitative and qualitative factors. SEOblog industry experts examined each digital marketing agencys website, industry experience, market presence, client list, portfolio, expert certifications and authorship among other factors in its ranking system. SEOblog has provided an in-depth view of companies in a particular city or focus area on various directory pages to help business owners find the expert help they need to grow. This was a new, free offering added by SEOblog in 2019. North Carolina has several of the nations top SEO agencies that provide a very competitive digital marketing landscape. The Charlotte area marketplace is more competitive than ever before, both online and offline, said William H. (Kip) Cozart, III, the president and CEO of Charlotte-based CC Communications. In this market, like many others, a more efficient, micro-targeted search engine marketing strategy will generate more meaningful awareness and drive home more immediate customer engagement exactly where and when it counts the most. Added Raleigh-based Aeon Ads founder Elias Manolopoulos: What makes the Raleigh SEO industry unique is that as SEO is evolving with an emphasis on local optimization, mobile and voice search, being familiar with the digital media landscape in Raleigh can prove to be very helpful. The triangle area isnt exactly known as a tech hub, but youll be surprised by the quality of services you can find. SEOblog.com rankings are updated regularly as the market shifts and new players emerge. SEOblog.com has published more than 1,500 agency listings with more added every day. There is no fee to participate, and the website welcomes all qualified agencies to apply. SEOblog leaders lists below recognize the best SEO companies in North Carolina: SEOblog.coms 14 Best SEO Companies in Charlotte in 2020: Townsquare Interactive, Blue Corona, Practis, Enventys Partners, Med Rank Interactive, Knowmad Digital Marketing, E-dreamz, CC Communications, UNION, Tanner Grey, Web Full Circle, Peaktwo, Reliable Acorn and BLVD Marketing. Link: https://www.seoblog.com/best-seo-companies/charlotte/ SEOblog.coms 13 Best SEO Companies in Raleigh in 2020: TheeDigital, Chariot Creative, Consultwebs, ROI Revolution, TriMark Digital, Walk West, wEquipuSEO, Sokal, Centerline Digital, Sprout Media Lab, Aeon Ads, The Click Depot and Red Shark Digital. Link: https://www.seoblog.com/best-seo-companies/raleigh/ About SEOblog.com SEOblog.com is a leading thought leadership site with a rich history of publishing educational and informative articles about SEO and digital marketing topics. In early 2019, SEOblog.com answered the call from buyers of digital marketing services that lacked unbiased, informative online resources and launched a comprehensive directory to highlight the best SEO companies in the United States. SEOblogs mission is to connect businesses with qualified digital marketing agencies while also offering further SEO education, best practices and industry trends. SEOblog.com is a one-stop shop for educational SEO and digital marketing content, research, ratings and reviews for the best agencies in each local market across the United States. The website will be increasing its coverage of agencies in North America and accepting more guest posts in the coming months. Contact SEOblog if youre interested in getting involved. The City of San Antonio has sued the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in a bid to protect the community, after it mistakenly released a woman infected with coronavirus from quarantine. Mayor Ron Neregin and others requested a temporary restraining order (TRO), requiring those being tested for COVID-19 to produce at least three negative results or remain in the Texas Center for Infectious Disease for 28 days before being allowed to leave. It was after a woman who the CDC said returned two negative test results after spending time in Wuhan, was discharged from the medical facility in San Antonio after 14 days on Saturday but was summoned back on Sunday after a third test came back 'weakly positive'. On February 7, 91 Americans arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland after being evacuated from Wuhan via a chartered State Department flight. The CDC evacuated 144 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docketed in Japan, and they arrived at Lackland on February 17. Mayor Ron Neregin and others requested a temporary restraining order in a Monday lawsuit so not to subject San Antonio, Texas to any further coronavirus danger A woman who the CDC said had two negative test results was discharged from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease Saturday but was summoned back Sunday after third test came back 'weakly positive' They wanted at three negative results or for those in quarantine remain in the Texas Center for Infectious Disease for 28 days before being allowed to leave Some were quarantined in local hospitals. To date, ten people at Lackland have tested positive for the virus. During the day the woman accidentally released visited a North Star Mall food court alone. But she took a shuttle from her Holiday Inn hotel. The hotel and mall have since voluntarily closed for cleaning. The city was trying to stop the release of people who initially tested negative. They were due to be transported to the local airport and area hotels Monday. Mayor Niregen had said in a statement: 'It is imperative that every one of the individuals at Lackland be tested and cleared before being released, as recommended by our medical community. 'If the federal government will not do the right thing in this case, the City of San Antonio will use its powers so that appropriate measures are taken to protect the community from exposure to COVID-19.' Niregen said the fact that the CDC allowed the public to be exposed to a patient with a positive COVID-19 reading isunacceptable' and 'exactly why we have been asking for federal officials to accept the guidance of our local medical community'. On February 7, 91 Americans arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland after being evacuated from Wuhan via a chartered State Department flight. The CDC evacuated 144 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docketed in Japan, and they arrived at Lackland February 17 Since the outbreak in China's Wuhan, COVID-19 has cropped up in 74 other countries. The US has 111 confirmed cases Erik Walsh, City Manager for San Antonio and his assistant Dr Colleen Bridger were also named as plaintiffs. The mayor said San Antonio Metro Health and other local officials would 'do everything within our power to ensure that the community is kept safe and the exposure risk remains low'. But a judge denied the request for a TRO Monday. 'The Surgeon General of the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services are authorized to make and enforce such regulations as in their judgment are necessary to prevent the transmission or spread of communicable diseases,' US district judge Xavier Rodriguez. 'This court has no authority to second-guess those determinations even though the court also shares the concerns expressed by the plaintiffs.' It's unclear if the people due to be released Monday were allowed to go free. 'The United States Government is, in effect, washing its own hands further of this quarantine. This is disappointing,' judge Xavier Rodriguez added. The move has delayed the release of 122 cruise ship passengers from the Lackland Base San Antonio and Bexar County had declared public emergencies before decision was made. The move has delayed the release of 122 cruise ship passengers from the Lackland Base, which the city had called in its lawsuit 'a public health threat'. CDC director, Dr. Robert Redfield said only 11 of 144 passengers from the cruise had not been tested as they didn't display symptoms during quarantine. Mayor Niregen told the San Antonio Express: 'Locally, CDCs hands are tied. They have to go by the guidance of their higher-ups, and thats what theyre doing. 'And what weve communicated with them and what were working to do is to ensure that theres no additional exposure to the public based on that quarantine mission.' Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institutes Midland Young Leaders Challenge is accepting applications from Midland County high school juniors for the program that is planned for June 17-18 at Midland College. The program is a collaboration between the leadership institute, Midland College and Midland ISD. Students have the opportunity to earn scholarships for writing and speech contests and for demonstrating leadership potential, according to a press release. They also can earn the chance to attend the national Four Star Leadership program, which is in Oklahoma in July. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:23:32|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BANGKOK, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Public Health said on Tuesday that health volunteers across the country will be deployed to monitor the health of Thai workers returning from South Korea. "Illegal workers returning home from South Korea to escape the COVID-19 epidemic are being put into voluntary self-quarantine," said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. "Since South Korea has not declared a lockdown, unlike China's Wuhan, the returnees are not required to enter quarantine. So the government is only asking the Thai returnees from South Korea to go through self-quarantine." When 137 Thais returned to Thailand from Wuhan early last month, they were all quarantined for 14 days, Prawit said. The Thai Labour Ministry said there are about 20,000 Thais working legally in South Korea, and at least 140,000 illegal workers. What worried Thai officials was that many illegal Thai workers were returning from Daegu, the epicenter of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in South Korea, said Prawit. The Thai Labour Ministry explained that the return of the illegal Thai is mainly due to a policy of the South Korean government to allow over-stayers to leave, as part of a campaign to discourage illegal workers. On Tuesday, two Thai illegal workers returning from South Korea were found to have fever during the thermal screening upon their arrivals and sent to hospitals for monitoring and testing of the COVID-19. Kylie Jenner dresses in top designer clothes to help push her brand, Kylie Cosmetics. And the 22-year-old billionaire makes sure her daughter Stormi Webster, aged two, does the same as the child is seen in the best labels from France and Italy. Often times, they even match as they did in a new photo shared on Instagram from their vacation in the Bahamas. I hope she wants to match w me forever, wrote the siren in her caption. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Revenue Secretary Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey has been designated by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) as the Finance Secretary on Tuesday. An Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur, he joined the University of Minnesota in 1998 to obtain his MS and PhD in Computer Science and was later awarded Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals by the University of Minnesota for his outstanding leadership accomplishments in his professional career. Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey took on duties as the Revenue Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance on December 1, 2018. He concurrently holds the position of the Chairman, GSTN (Goods & Services Tax Network) since September 2017 and is also the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee (IMCC) to prevent money-laundering activities. Since his taking over as the Revenue Secretary, he has been at the helm of significant taxation reforms bringing in the simplification of taxation processes, transparency through the use of technology and revenue growth with data triangulation and analytics without any overreach. He has been instrumental in introducing faceless e-assessment, faceless e-appeal, Document Identification Number (DIN) system, pre-filled income tax returns, quick refunds on ITRs, and the sharp reduction in corporate tax rate, TDS/TCS on cash dealings to stop leakages and tax avoidance and specific measures to bring down litigation in tax matters. An IAS officer with over 35+ years of experience in state and central governments, he had a remarkable stint of more than 9 years in UIDAI where he played a key role in establishing and steering Aadhaar across the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [March 03, 2020] Honeywell Achieves Breakthrough That Will Enable The World's Most Powerful Quantum Computer CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced it has achieved a breakthrough in quantum computing that accelerates the capability of quantum computers and will enable the company to release the world's most powerful quantum computer within the next three months. The company also announced it has made strategic investments in two leading quantum computing software providers and will work together to develop quantum computing algorithms with JPMorgan Chase. Together, these announcements demonstrate significant technological and commercial progress for quantum computing and change the dynamics in the quantum computing industry. Within the next three months, Honeywell will bring to market the world's most powerful quantum computer in terms of quantum volume, a measure of quantum capability that goes beyond the number of qubits. Quantum volume measures computational ability, indicating the relative complexity of a problem that can be solved by a quantum computer. When released, Honeywell's quantum computer will have a quantum volume of at least 64, twice that of the next alternative in the industry. In a scientific paper that will be posted to the online repository arXiv later today and is available now on Honeywell's website, Honeywell has demonstrated its quantum charge coupled device (QCCD) architecture, a major technical breakthrough in accelerating quantum capability. The company also announced it is on a trajectory to increase its computer's quantum volume by an order of magnitude each year for the next five years. This breakthrough in quantum volume results from Honeywell's solution having the highest-quality, fully-connected qubits with the lowest error rates. "Building quantum computers capable of solving deeper, more complex problems is not just a simple matter of increasing the number of qubits," said Paul Smith-Goodson, analyst-in-residence for quantum computing, Moor Insights & Strategy. "Quantum volume is a powerful tool that should be adopted as an interim benchmarking tool by other gate-based quantum computer companies." Honeywell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Darius Adamczyk said companies should start now to determine their strategy to leverage or mitigate the many business changes that are likely to result from new quantum computing technology. "Quantum computing will enable us to tackle complex scientific and business challenges, driving step-change improvements in computational power, operating costs and speed," Adamczyk said. "Materials companies will explore new molecular structures. Transportation companies will optimize logistics. Financial institutions will need faster and more precise software applications. Pharmaceutical companies will accelerate the discovery of new drugs. Honeywell is striving to influence how quantum computing evolves and to create opportunities for our customers to benefit from this powerful new technology." To accelerate the development of quantum computing and explore practical applications for its customers, Honeywell Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of Honeywell, has made investments in two leading quantum software and algorithm providers Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) and Zapata Computing. Both Zapata and CQC complement Honeywell's own quantum computing capabilities by bringing a wealth of cross-vertical market algorithm and software expertise. CQC has strong expertise in quantum software, specifically a quantum development platform and enterprise applications in the areas of chemistry, machine learning and augmented cybersecurity. Zapata creates enterprise-grade, quantum-enabled software for a variety of industries and use cases, allowing users to build quantum workflows and execute them freely across a range of quantum and classical devices. Honeywell also announced that it will collaborate with JPMorgan Chase , a global financial services firm, to develop quantum algorithms using Honeywell's computer. "Honeywell's unique quantum computer, along with the ecosystem Honeywell has developed around it, will enable us to get closer to tackling major and growing business challenges in the financial services industry," said Dr. Marco Pistoia, managing director and research lead for Future Lab for Applied Research & Engineering (FLARE), JPMorgan Chase. Honeywell first announced its quantum computing capabilities in late 2018, although the company had been working on the technical foundations for its quantum computer for a decade prior to that. In late 2019, Honeywell announced a partnership with Microsoft to provide cloud access to Honeywell's quantum computer through Microsoft Azure Quantum services. Honeywell's quantum computer uses trapped-ion technology, which leverages numerous, individual, charged atoms (ions) to hold quantum information. Honeywell's system applies electromagnetic fields to hold (trap) each ion so it can be manipulated and encoded using laser pulses. Honeywell's trapped-ion qubits can be uniformly generated with errors more well understood compared with alternative qubit technologies that do not directly use atoms. These high-performance operations require deep experience across multiple disciplines, including atomic physics, optics, cryogenics, lasers, magnetics, ultra-high vacuum, and precision control systems. Honeywell has a decades-long legacy of expertise in these technologies. Today, Honeywell has a cross-disciplinary team of more than 100 scientists, engineers, and software developers dedicated to advancing quantum volume and addressing real enterprise problems across industries. Honeywell ( www.honeywell.com ) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom . Contacts: Media Investor Relations Nati Katz Mark Bendza (973) 615-1281 (704) 627-6200 [email protected] [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honeywell-achieves-breakthrough-that-will-enable-the-worlds-most-powerful-quantum-computer-301015094.html SOURCE Honeywell [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 23:34:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 447 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Apteryx Imaging Inc. ("Apteryx") is pleased to announce that Avi Naider has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Apteryx. Darryl Yea, the former Chairman of Apteryx, has been appointed Lead Director.In his role as Executive Chairman, Mr. Naider will work with Apteryx CEO, Dr. David Gane, and other company executives on strategic plan execution, driving operational excellence and supporting the creation of long-term value for shareholders. As Lead Director, Mr. Yea will be responsible for protecting the independence of the Board and managing the reporting and fiduciary obligations of the Board.Avi Naider is an investor and entrepreneur with twenty-five years of experience operating and advising growth companies in various sectors, including fintech, SAAS software and life sciences. A graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Naider began his career at Boston Consulting Group and most recently served as CEO of ARMCO, a leading provider of risk management software to major financial companies. Mr. Naider has served on various boards of public and private companies, including LOXO Oncology (LOXO), which was acquired by Eli Lilly in 2019."I look forward to working with Mr. Naider in his new role as Executive Chair, leveraging his business talents, experience and relationships," commented Dr. Gane."I am excited by the Apteryx opportunity before me. I look forward to supporting Dr. Gane and working with the Apteryx team to generate value for our shareholders," added Mr. Naider.To learn more about dental imaging technologies from Apteryx, please visit www.apteryx.com or call 877-278-3799.About Apteryx Imaging Inc.Apteryx Imaging has provided dentists and oral health specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging software and device technologies for over 20 years. Our proprietary technologies include XrayVision, XVWeb and XrayVision DCV imaging software solutions, the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment and TUXEDO Intraoral Sensors.Backed by an experienced leadership team and dedicated to a higher level of service and support, Apteryx Imaging is committed to providing dental practitioners with the best technology available by identifying and adding leading products to its growing portfolio. The Company is currently listed on the TSXV under the symbol XRAY, the OTCQB under the symbol APTEF, as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol XRAY.Media Contact:Apteryx Inc.Chris KochPhone: 678-293-9413Email: chris.koch@apteryx.com Corporate Contact:Apteryx Imaging Inc.David Gane, CEOPhone: 604-434-4614 ext. 227Email: david.gane@apteryx.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.SOURCE: Apteryx Imaging Inc. Srinagar, March 3 : Acting on a tip-off, the J&K Police could prevent six youths from the Budgam district in J&K from joining terror groups. According to the police, six youths, including five minors from Magam and Narbal area of Budgam, were planning to join terror ranks. "They had been indoctrinated and influenced by the false narrative," the police said. The police counselled them in presence of their families, prevented them from joining terrorists and were "later handed over to their families.". Last month, DGP Dilbagh Singh said eight youths who had joined militant ranks in 2020 had shunned violence and returned to the mainstream. "They have been reunited with their families," he said. People in the northwestern corner of Syria, in large part controlled by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, have nowhere to go: Turkey, struggling to deal with the more than 3 million Syrians living on its territory, has long closed its border to refugees. In 2015, Turkey was the first stop on the migrant route to Europe, but the country closed its frontier with Greece the following year after striking a deal with the European Union. By Ronald Chaluisan Batlle On July 12, 1995, history was made when Newark schools came under state control. On July 12, 1995, history was made when the people of Newark began their struggle to regain the right to choose their public school leadership. Now, on April 21, 2020, Newarkers will finally have the chance to choose. The question is: will they go to the polls in large numbers so they can participate in addressing the critical issues facing the citys public education ecosystem? Will they go out and vote, aligning their actions with the ideas present in the civics curriculum that the district is restoring to the curriculum? Or will they stay home? Newarkers have been fighting against the idea of state control of the school system for at least 50 years and for the right to select their school leadership for 25 years. In 1969, then-Gov. Richard Hughes, in response to his beliefs concerning the underlying reasons for the Newark Rebellion, introduced legislation to wrest control from Newarks public schools. The legislature did not take action; however, the governor had planted a seed. Twenty-four years later, in October of 1992, the state began monitoring the district and found Newark schools deficient. In 1993, the state initiated a comprehensive compliance investigation and appointed an auditor general to the school board. Based on the investigation, the commissioner of education, Leo Klagholz, announced his plan to take over the school system. A court battle ensued and resulted in Judge Stephen G. Weiss recommending a quick takeover. On July 12, 1995, the state dismissed Superintendent Eugene Campbell and other district officials, placing the district under state control. This April's election will be the first time since the state-takeover that the district will be entirely out from under state control. A large turnout in this election will demonstrate Newarkers' determination to select the district's leadership. A large turnout will confirm their desire to hold leadership accountable for its decisions. Newarkers have many ideas for how to move forward. They have debated curricular choices, disciplinary options, and admission policies. They have questioned the role of partners in schools. They have differing opinions on the relationship between the charter sector and the district. They have advocated for different forms of parental involvement. What issues should the district prioritize? How should it allocate the budget? What is the most effective relationship between the charter sector and the district? The election provides Newarkers with the opportunity to engage candidates in rigorous debate on these and other questions critical to the establishment of a productive educational ecosystem. It allows them to study the candidates' positions on the most critical issues at this moment in Newark's development. It provides them with the opportunity to select a candidate who represents their viewpoint and amplifies their voice in decision-making. Finally, at a time when the district is restoring civics in the curriculum, broad participation in this election allows Newarkers to model for its young people active engagement in the democratic process. Effective classroom learning opportunities provide young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools to participate actively in the democratic process. They allow students to explore multiple perspectives. They encourage students to consider the pros and cons of each situation, to determine the most influential position, and to defend their choices. Newarkers' active participation in the school board election augments the learning of young people in newly restored civics classrooms across Newark; it demonstrates the importance of civics education in the city of Newark and the criticality of young people's active involvement in the decision-making process. In April of 2018, the Essex County clerk reported that just 5% or 7,288 of the 214,436 registered voters cast ballots in Newarks school board election. Registering to vote, if you have not already done so, and voting on April 21, 2020, will make 2020 the year in which Newarkers break the trend of low voter turnout for school board elections. Newarkers have restored local control to Newark. The struggle has been worth it. It is time to use the electoral process to make their voices heard on the future of public education in Newark. Ronald Chaluisan Batlle is the executive director of the Newark Trust for Education. 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. In an unprecedented intervention, the United Nations Human Rights chief has moved the Supreme Court against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, drawing a strong condemnation from India on Tuesday that no foreign party has "any locus standi" on matters relating to its sovereignty. IMAGE: An elderly woman participates in a protest against NRC, CAA in Kolkata. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo The apex court is currently hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended citizenship law and had on December 18 sought the response of the Centre. In its 12-page intervention application, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights sought to "assist the court, in examining the compatibility of the CAA with India's Constitution, in light of India's obligations under the international human rights law". The OHCHR welcomed as commendable the "stated purpose of the CAA" to protect "some persons from persecution on religious grounds", but raised the issue of exclusion of various sects of persecuted Muslims. Asked whether the OHCHR can approach the Supreme Court, a government official familiar with the matter said it was for the apex court to take a decision. In response to queries, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that her office has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on the CAA. "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values, he said. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he added. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," he said. The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following persecution over their faith. The country has witnessed protests in the last two months over the new law with the opposition parties and rights groups terming it as violative of founding principles of the Constitution. Rejecting the criticism, the government has been accusing the opposition parties of misleading people on the law for political gains. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Baijayant Panda slammed the UN body for its move. In a tweet, Panda said the OHCHR has "no shame" in opposing the CAA when it was aimed at providing help to persecuted minorities. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel attacked the Modi government over the move by the OHCHR, saying it is an "unwarranted interference", but it is the Centre that is to be blamed for the "mess". "No doubt that UN's intervening application is a case of unwarranted interference in our matters," Patel said in a tweet. "But who is to blame for this mess? The Government of India for creating a window for such interference by enacting a law which breaches global standards on human rights," the Congress treasurer said. In its application, the OHCHR said, "The CAA can potentially benefit thousands of migrants in an irregular situation, including refugees, who might otherwise face obstacles in obtaining protection from persecution in their countries of origin including through the grant of citizenship. This is a commendable purpose." It added however that there exist "religious minorities in these countries, especially of the Muslim faith, including Ahmadia, Hazara and Shia Muslims whose situations would warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by the CAA". The plea maintained that all migrants regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or immigration status enjoy human rights and are entitled to protection. The OHCHR said the CAA raised important issues with respect to international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees. The CAA also raises other issues "including its compatibility in relation to the right to equality before the law and non discrimination on nationality grounds under India's human rights obligations", the plea said. Referring to several international covenants, it said India has "championed the right to equal protection of the law" and the right to equality before the law. "Without prejudice to the power of States to establish migration policies as a manifestation of their sovereignty, including measures in favour of migrants that may be subject to persecution and other serious human rights violations/irreparable harm in their countries of origin or previous residence, States must ensure migration governance measures are in accordance with international human rights law, including the right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law ...," it said. The plea urged the top court to take into account the international human rights law, norms and standards, in the proceedings related to CAA and termed it "important" for India and its diverse communities which have been welcomed by the State. Joe Lycett is now officially named Hugo Boss (Getty) Fashion brand Hugo Boss has responded to comedian Joe Lycett changing his name in an act of protest against the company. The stand-up comic and presenter of The Great British Sewing Bee shared the official deed poll changing his name to match that of the German fashion brand on Twitter. Lycett, 31, explained: @HUGOBOSS (who turnover approx $2.7 billion a year) have sent cease & desist letters to a number of small businesses & charities who use the word 'BOSS' or similar, including a small brewery in Swansea costing them thousands in legal fees and rebranding. Read more: Peter Andre denies asking fans not to touch him due to coronavirus fears It's clear that @HUGOBOSS HATES people using their name. Unfortunately for them this week I legally changed my name by deed poll and I am now officially known as Hugo Boss. All future statements from me are not from Joe Lycett but from Hugo Boss. Enjoy. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/IlDoCrfmaO Hugo Boss (@joelycett) March 1, 2020 It's clear that @HUGOBOSS HATES people using their name. Unfortunately for them this week I legally changed my name by deed poll and I am now officially known as Hugo Boss. All future statements from me are not from Joe Lycett but from Hugo Boss. Among those small businesses to have been legally challenged by the fashion company in recent years were Swansea brewery company Boss Brewing and charity Dark Girl Boss. A spokesman for Hugo Boss said in a statement: "We welcome the comedian formerly known as Joe Lycett as a member of the Hugo Boss family. "As he will know, as a 'well-known' trademark (as opposed to a 'regular' trademark) Hugo Boss enjoys increased protection not only against trademarks for similar goods, but also for dissimilar goods across all product categories for our brands and trademarks Boss and Boss Black and their associated visual appearance. Story continues Joe Lycett says he's changed his name by deed poll (Awakening/Getty Images) "Following the application by Boss Brewing to register a trademark similar to our 'well-known' trademark, we approached them to prevent potential misunderstanding regarding the brands Boss and Boss Black, which were being used to market beer and items of clothing. "Both parties worked constructively to find a solution, which allows Boss Brewing the continued use of its name and all of its products, other than two beers (Boss Black and Boss Boss) where a slight change of the name was agreed upon. Read more: ITV apologises for Ant and Dec's 'Saturday Night Takeaway' sketch costumes "As an open-minded company we would like to clarify that we do not oppose the free use of language in any way and we accept the generic term 'boss' and its various and frequent uses in different languages." Hugo Boss was a German fashion designer who founded his own fashion house in 1924. He became a member of the Nazi Party and during the 1930s produced and sold Nazi uniforms. Boss died in 1948 but his son-in-law took over running of the company and it has risen to become a global fashion brand. The logo of Hugo Boss, a German luxury fashion house, pictured on the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris (AP) In 2011, the company issued a statement, of "profound regret to those who suffered harm or hardship at the factory run by Hugo Boss under National Socialist rule". Birmingham-born comedian Lycett is best known for his appearance on panel shows Would I Lie To You? and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Last year he took over presenting BBC fashion design talent show The Great British Sewing Bee from Claudia Winkleman. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UKs Reality Check Photo credit: d3sign - Getty Images From Women's Health Now that cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK and it's spreading throughout Europe, the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. Austria and Croatia have reported their first cases, while several towns in the northern Italian region of Lombardy have been placed on lockdown after a spike in incidences - resulting in a reported 19 deaths. Understandably, this has got the public concerned about everything from if they should be wearing a face mask, to seeking advice on whether they can travel internationally. Here's what you need to know about going abroad amid the Coronavirus scare, according to travel and health experts. Is it safe to travel amid Coronavirus? While the spread of Coronavirus may feel worrying, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have not declared a pandemic. Nor have the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) imposed any travel bans from the UK beyond that of travel to Hubei Province, and against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China, as well as parts of Italy. They advise: "The FCO advise against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy (Codogno, Castiglione dAdda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano) and one in Veneto (Vo Euganeo), which have been isolated by the Italian authorities due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)." Iran and South Korea have also been placed on red alert. Beyond these locations, the Foreign Office are not currently advising against going on any international trips, so you could go ahead as planned. It's worth keeping a close eye on the latest advice from the Foreign Office website, to see if anything changes. What happens if you do want to travel amid Coronavirus? The general advice is to be as vigilant with protection from germs as possible. Keep yourself clean, wash your hands, and hold your hand over your mouth if you cough. The NHS still maintains 'the risk to individuals remains low' and insist 'people can continue to go to work, school and other public places', which technically includes tourist attractions too. Story continues 'Coronavirus exhibits flu like symptoms and the average healthy person will recover after self-quarantine,' qualified health practitioner Jason Briggs at health brand ShoeHero insists. 'The elderly and those with underlying health conditions such as respiratory diseases are more at risk and should take higher precautions. Everybody should be washing their hands on a regular basis. If you sneeze, catch it and bin it and then wash your hands.' Is it safer to travel in the UK? At this stage, it's uncertain whether booking a holiday in the UK is safer than going abroad - especially as schools are starting to close in areas where Coronavirus cases have been suspected. There's no evidence to suggest visiting a destination closer to home is any safer than visiting somewhere further afield that isn't on the FCO's restricted travel list. So essentially, as far as official advice goes, providing you're vigilant with germs, you can travel anywhere other than quarantined areas. Can you claim back cancelled holidays on insurance? It depends. According to Which? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has only issued travel advisories for China and Italy, meaning only people travelling there or through there will be eligible for refunds. British Airways has said that passengers with bookings to some airports in the north of Italy - including Milan, Turin, Bologna, Venice, Bergamo and Verona - will now be able to rebook their flights for a later date, though will not be eligible for a refund. Not wishing to travel to other destinations due to your own concerns is not covered by most travel insurance companies, meaning you're unlikely to be able to claim back these costs due to the coronavirus. 'Unfortunately, choosing not to go on holiday due to fear of contracting Coronavirus or any other illness, is not something that your travel insurance would provide cover for,' Stuart Lloyd, Travel Insurance Expert at Columbus Direct, comments. 'So, if you are due to travel to a country or region that the FCO has not advised against travelling to, but cancel the trip anyway, this will definitely not be covered. 'If youre unsure, check your travel insurers website to see if they have added some FAQs about the cover provided. Alternatively, contact the travel insurance provider for more information. It is worth remembering that you should also reach out to your travel agent, tour operators, airlines, holiday accommodation providers etc. in the first instance, to see what costs you can recover. Many companies, especially where the holiday is sold under an ATOL Licence, will have a duty of care to the customer to return costs or to reschedule/reroute the trip.' Like this article? SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER to receive your weekly dose of features. You Might Also Like CUPERTINO (dpa-AFX) - Apple Inc. (AAPL) agreed to pay as much as $500 million to settle a class-action lawsuit in U.S. that claims the company deliberately slowed down the performance of older iPhones to induce owners to buy new phones or batteries, according to reports citing a court document on Friday. The settlement requires approval by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California. Apple reportedly denied any wrongdoing, but it wants to settle the case to avoid the burdens and costs of litigation. As per the proposed settlement, Apple has to pay $25 per device to the owners of certain iPhone models, with total minimum payment of $310 million. The amount each owner receives could increase or decrease depending on how many iPhones are eligible, the reports said. The settlement covers U.S. owners of the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7Plus or SE that ran the iOS 10.2.1. It also covers U.S. owners of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus that ran iOS 11.2 or later version, before 21st of December, 2017. In 2017, Apple confirmed that it did slow down some iPhones, but said it only did so to 'prolong the life' of the devices. Apple said the lithium-ion batteries in the devices became less capable of supplying peak current demands, as they aged over time. That could result in an iPhone unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components. So, it released a software update for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE which 'smoothed out' battery performance, the company said. Last month, Apple was fined 25 million euros by a French regulator for deliberately slowing down older iPhone models without notifying users. AAPL closed Monday regular trading at $298.81 up $25.45 or 9.31 percent. In the after-hours trade, the stock further gained $0.18 or 0.06 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de A white supremacist has been jailed for 56 years after stabbing a student to death outside a bar - just three months after he was released from prison after killing another man. Craig Matthew Tanber, 40, stabbed Shayan Mazroei, 22, twice outside The Original Patsys Irish Pub in Laguna Niguel, California, in September 2015. Tanber's girlfriend, Elizabeth Thornburg, had got into an argument with Mazroei when the two went outside to smoke. Witnesses said Thornburg hurled racial insults at the Iranian-American, and security camera footage showed her spitting on him, before chasing him back into the bar. A bouncer then told Tanber and Thornburg to leave the bar. But Tanber returned later and stabbed Mazroei twice - in the heart and shoulder - before fleeing the scene. Mazroei stumbled back into the bar and collapsed, and died later at Mission Hospital. Craig Matthew Tanber had been released from prison three months earlier, after finishing a sentence for manslaughter The Orange County Sheriff's Department arrested Tanber three days later at a motel in Westminster. It later emerged that Tanber had been out of prison for just three months when he killed Mazroei. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, for helping a fellow white supremacist gang member beat a 26-year-old man to death with a claw hammer. Tanber's girlfriend Elizabeth Thornburg (pictured) allegedly hurled racial slurs and and spat at Mazroei before he was stabbed. She has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact The beating was done in retaliation for the victim allegedly stealing money from the gang member's girlfriend. After Monday's sentencing, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement: 'Shayan's parents were robbed of their only son and a lifetime of memories. Craig Tanber is a callous murderer who has repeatedly shown a complete disregard for human life. 'The sentence handed down today will keep him behind bars for his entire adult life and prevent a cold-blooded killer from harming other innocent people and destroying more lives.' Thornburg has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact. Mazroei was a student attending Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The National Iranian American Council told KTLA: 'Justice is incomplete. Shayans death was a clear case of hate based on his Iranian heritage, reads a statement from the organization.' (Photo : Pixabay) University students, while busy checking out the asteroid Bennu, have detected a newly flaring black hollow 30,000 light-years away. While gazing an asteroid the use of a NASA spaceship, the students noticed a bright object in the constellation Columba. NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, developed by students at MIT and Harvard and designed to measure X-rays emitted from asteroids, accidentally picked up a showy flare of X-rays from a black hole that is now named MAXI J0637-430. These X-ray emissions happen when a black hollow pulls in elements from a regular star in orbit around it. As the matter spirals onto a spinning disk surrounding the black hole, an unlimited amount of energy is launched in the process - primarily in X-ray form. The new black hole changed into detected remaining fall, and only a week after Japan's MAXI telescope found it. ALSO READ: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Moves Closer Than Ever To Bennu Asteroid A first for REXIS In a statement, NASA said REXIS detected the same activity millions of miles from Earth while orbiting Bennu. The space agency added such outburst was the first-ever detected by the spacecraft from interplanetary space. NASA also uploaded a GIF displaying how OSIRIS-Rex instrument detected the black hole outburst. Madeline Lambert, an MIT graduate student who designed the device's command sequences that serendipitously revealed the black hole, said detecting this X-ray burst is a proud moment for the REXIS team. Lambert underscored that their device worked as expected and at a level required of NASA technology instruments. Students and researchers from MIT and Harvard built the spacecraft's Regolith X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer instrument. The REXIS supposed to measure X-rays emitted by the asteroid. However, the device inadvertently picked up a showy flare of X-rays from a black hole now named MAXI J0637-430. MIT professor Richard Binzel, an instrument scientist for the REXIS student experiment, said they are teaching students a way to construct and perform area instruments. The greatest lesson, according to Binzel, is always to be open to "discovering the unexpected." REXIS to spend the following year orbiting Asteroid Bennu The REXIS device's primary purpose is to prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, and project managers in the development and operations of spaceflight hardware. Nearly one hundred undergraduate and graduate college students have worked at the REXIS crew since the venture's inception. OSIRIS-REx left Earth more than two years ago on its mission to take a look at an asteroid and, hopefully, deliver a sample again in 2023. ALSO READ: NASA To Send OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft To Study Bennu Asteroid That Could Destroy Earth The craft will spend the following year in orbit around its target earlier than dropping down in brief so it could get close sufficient to scoop up a pattern of dirt and rock from the surface. Osiris-Rex's main goal is to bring home a regolith pattern of at least 2.1 ounces. Asteroid Bennu is a carbon-rich hunk of rock that might incorporate natural materials or molecular precursors to life. NASA explains that analyzing a pattern from Bennu will assist planetary scientists to understand the role asteroids can also have played in delivering life-forming compounds to Earth. 'We understand from having studied Bennu via Earth- and area-based telescopes that it is a carbonaceous, or carbon-rich, asteroid. Carbon is the hinge upon which natural molecules hang. 'Bennu is likely rich in natural molecules, that are fabricated from chains of carbon bonded with atoms of oxygen, hydrogen, and other elements in a chemical recipe that makes all known living things. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The officials said that the COVID-19 help desks set up at the Srinagar airport have an adequate number of doctors. Also, passengers coming from COVID-19 affected countries including Iran, China, South Korea and Japan will be properly screened and tested at these help desks, he said. SRINAGAR: All passengers, including tourists arriving at the Srinagar International Airport, will have to record their travel history at coronavirus (COVID-19) help desks in a prescribed format before leaving the premises. Kashmirs Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmed Khan on Tuesday said that all airlines are being directed by the airport authority to announce in all Srinagar-bound flights about the mandatory requirement. Also, passengers coming from COVID-19 affected countries including Iran, China, South Korea and Japan will be properly screened and tested at these help desks, he said. The preparedness and arrangements are put in place for screening the passengers and tourists which are arriving daily by air at the Srinagar airport, an official said. The officials said that the COVID-19 help desks set up at the Srinagar airport have an adequate number of doctors, paramedical staff, Infra-red thermometers, viral kits, personal protection gears, special ambulances and other equipment. PRINCETON, N.J., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 4, Eric Poe, Chief Operating Officer of CURE Auto Insurance, a full-service provider of auto insurance licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, takes his crusade to end discriminatory practices in auto insurance rates to Washington DC. On Wednesday, Poe will testify to the importance of enacting the Prohibit Auto Insurance Income Discrimination (PAID) Act across every state legislation that would ban the use of non-driving factors like credit score, occupation, and education when setting rates. It has been more than 15 years since Poe uncovered that some of the largest and most well-known insurance companies, like GEICO and Progressive, were using factors that were strong predictors of income "income proxies" like education level and occupation, to determine eligibility; and were ultimately charging higher rates for those drivers that the income proxies would indicate have lower incomes, regardless of whether they have identical driving records. Since that time, Poe has not only made it CURE's mission to insure drivers based on their driving record but to also educate the public and elected officials of this injustice. "At some point in time, we've all asked the question 'Am I paying too much for car insurance?' For many lower income individuals those with less education and low-paying occupations the answer is a resounding 'yes.' However, the reason why may not be what you think," explains Poe. "Through the use of income proxies, such as occupation, level of education, credit score and home ownership, the car insurance industry has built their business models to attract and provide the best rates only to the higher income drivers, regardless of their driving record, simply because they produce the highest profits." For example, since New Jersey first allowed the consideration of credit scores, education and occupation in determining car insurance rates in 2003, there has been a 90+% increase in the number of drivers who cannot afford car insurance. The uninsured motorist rate in New Jersey are now almost 15%, or over 1,000,000 vehicles, and the use of income proxies, combined with the elimination of several key laws created to help inner cities insurance rates, have slowly made insurance unaffordable to those of lower income. Just how bad is it? Would you believe that a doctor with a DUI could pay less for car insurance than a waitress with a high school diploma and clean driving record? Recently, InvestigateTV ran various auto insurance quote scenarios through GEICO's website. They used the same vehicle make and model and the same address for each. The only variables that they changed were driving history, education level, and occupation. For one quote, they created a female doctor with a DUI conviction. For another, they used the same person but made her a waitress with a high school degree and a clean driving record. The result? The doctor with the DUI had a lower rate. In fact, in every scenario they ran, the doctor with the DUI had the lower rate. "Over the past 16 years, I have made a commitment to exposing such practices to the public and showing how the country's largest car insurance companies have been using income proxies as the basis for determining one's rate," says Poe. "I applaud New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in taking steps to protect New Yorkers from unfairly discriminatory auto insurance rates." Poe believes that the definitive action taken by New York is a strong first step. Eric Poe serves as chief operator officer for CURE Auto Insurance, a full service provider of auto insurance in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As a licensed active New Jersey attorney and certified public accountant, Mr. Poe is a recognized commentator in the insurance field, testifying before the United States House of Representatives Financial Services Committee in Washington D.C. in 2008, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the New Hampshire Legislature as well as before the National Coalition of Insurance Commissioners. He has also appeared nationally on CNBC, Fox Business News, and regionally on ABC, CBS, NBC and WPHL as an authority in the field of insurance. For more information, visit http://www.unfaircarinsurance.org/ or https://www.cure.com/default.aspx. SOURCE CURE Auto Insurance Related Links http://www.cure.com [March 03, 2020] Seegrid Announces Exciting New Rebrand with Website Launch, MODEX 2020 Debut Seegrid, the leader in self-driving industrial vehicles for material handling, revealed the company's complete rebranding, including the launch of a new logo and website, reinforcing the company's vision. The renewed brand, along with new products and technologies, will be on full visual display at MODEX 2020 from March 9, 2020 to March 12, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. To initiate the rebrand process, the company conducted in-depth research, meeting with several internal and external sources in effort to capture the true essence of the brand. Through the analysis, two consistent themes emerged as key differentiators within the market - the integrity of the company's trusted solutions and the passion for customer success from Seegrid's expert-level team. "Our rebrand initiative represents a major milestone in Seegrid's growth trajectory," said Seegrid Chief Executive Officer Jim Rock. "Always true to our core values, we've continued to strengthen Seegrid's solid foundation by offering the best products while also providing an unmatched level of service and support to bring our customers' vision to life. Today, our new brand reinforces our commitment to innovation, but also captures the human element of our strong, supportive, and dedicated tem of experts." Seegrid sets a high bar for Industry 4.0 solution providers, providing the most robust, flexible, and reliable navigation system for industrial automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Their self-driving, vision guided vehicles are unlike any other infrastructure-free AGV on the market with nearly 3 million autonomous production miles driven by customers. In addition to offering leading technology and products, Seegrid also provides an unmatched level of service and support. The company uses a tailor-made method of use-case design, implementation, training, and support to ensure each customer site has well-designed applications, well-trained employees, and a dedicated success team to assist along the way. On the design level, the new logo symbolizes a company that is both innovative and approachable. The new branding blends elements of movement, efficiency, and trust while having an overall friendly aesthetic, creating a sharp new visual identity. "We have strong advocates within our customer base because our team is truly passionate about improving the quality of work and life for our customers by moving material as safely, effectively, and efficiently as possible. We are proud to lead the way in a rapidly evolving industry, and our new branding illustrates how far we've come," stated Rock. To view Seegrid's new website or learn more about Seegrid's customer-focused solutions, visit www.seegrid.com. While attending MODEX 2020, visit the Seegrid booth #10012. About Seegrid Seegrid is the leading provider of connected self-driving vehicles for material handling with nearly 3 million miles driven. The Seegrid Smart Solution combines flexible and reliable infrastructure-free vision guided vehicles with fleet management software for a complete connected solution. Seegrid accelerates Industry 4.0 and lean initiatives with incremental automation, helping companies achieve a truly connected enterprise and transform into smart factories of the future. www.seegrid.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005010/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 5 Dallas Officers Potentially Exposed to Coronavirus While Arresting Suspect Five Dallas police officers were potentially exposed to the COVID-19 coronavirus on Sunday and were advised not to return to work, officials said. Per our contagious disease policy, all five officers that came in contact with the arrested person were notified of the potential exposure and advised not to return to work until further notice, the police department said in a statement Monday evening, according to local news outlets. At about 9 a.m. on Sunday, the five officers were responding to a disturbance call at an apartment on Hudson Street, police told the Dallas News. When they arrived, a 24-year-old man was taken by fire and rescue officials to a local hospital for injuries following an assault. The man was released after he was treated, and Dallas officers arrested him and drove him to jail for allegedly assaulting a family member, police said. But jail staff notified the police department about a potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus after the man displayed symptoms of the virus and was taken via a private ambulance to Parkland Hospital, the report said. Five police cruisers that were used during the day were removed from service and are now being disinfected and cleaned, officials said, according to FOX4. Elsewhere in Texas, the mayor of San Antonio declared a public health emergency to prevent more than 100 people who are being held in quarantine from leaving and entering the city. It came after a coronavirus patient who was held in isolation tested negative for the virus twice before the person was let out into the community for about 12 hours, only to test positive for the virus. As coronavirus cases spread across the country, the DGCA on Tuesday asked airlines and airports to take specific measures such as providing protective gears like surgical masks and gloves to crew members and passengers and having multiple hand sanitising points in terminals. The aviation regulator stated that airports and airlines must ensure that each aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy is subjected to disinfection process before the boarding begins for the next flight on the plane. "All ground handling staff entering inbound and outbound international flights shall be provided with personnel protective equipments (PPEs) and such PPEs shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner after each flight," the DGCA circular said. PPEs stand for protective gears like surgical masks, gloves, disposable shoe covers, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is one of many politicians who have confronted questions about appropriate interactions with constituents on social media. Read more Every political generation must learn how to use the media of its moment. Those who learn fastest generally finish first. Benjamin Franklin who once asked that his gravestone read printer mastered political pamphleteering, Franklin Delano Roosevelt pioneered radio, John F. Kennedy beat Richard Nixon thanks to a televised debate, and Ronald Reagan rode the 24-hour news cycle. In our era of social media, the race is on to see who can most skillfully exploit this mediums potential. Social media is different from traditional media in crucial ways. Twitter and Facebook dont just broadcast messages from public officials; they also invite and publish reactions ranging from praise and support, to polite or impolite counterarguments, to insults, threats, and abuse. Social media also gives public officials the same tools as the rest of us to block or mute messages and speakers they do not wish to hear. But the First Amendment imposes certain obligations on public officials, and the rules of the road for how public officials should navigate their social media accounts are only beginning to become clear. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman learned this the hard way recently, when he responded to and then blocked two men who commented on a tweet about his wife. The men threatened to sue for defamation, and Fetterman eventually unblocked them. There is an early consensus from the courts on at least one point: public officials who block people from their official social media accounts based on viewpoint are violating the First Amendment. That is what two federal courts held in a case brought by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, where I work, after President Donald Trump blocked seven individuals from his @realDonaldTrump Twitter account because they criticized him. As more political discourse moves to social media, clarifying rules of the road will benefit both public officials and citizens seeking to engage with them. If youre a public official, how can you reap the benefits of social media without running afoul of the First Amendment? If youre an individual interacting with officials, what are your rights to speak in social media forums? Here are a few pointers for public officials, designed to protect the First Amendment rights of individuals to participate in these 21st-century town halls: Dont block people from your official account based on viewpoint. If you use a social media account for official purposes, dont block people from your official social media account, or delete or hide their comments, because of their views. If you want your account to remain personal, dont use it for official purposes. Youre free to have a social media account and block people from that account if you wish, but you should keep it personal. If you routinely use an account to inform the public and seek input about your official duties or use government staff or equipment to post on your account, then courts are likely to consider it an official, not a personal, account. Have a social media policy and make it public. If you use a social media account for official purposes, you may come up with reasonable, viewpoint-neutral rules to moderate comments on your account for example, reasonable limits on permissible topics of conversation, or on the number of comments a single user may make in response to each of your posts. Make sure to publish your policy, so people know what they can and cant do. If you moderate comments in your account, be reasonable, viewpoint-neutral, and consistent. If, for instance, you limit what topics people are allowed to address on your account, those limits must be reasonable and viewpoint-neutral, and you must enforce your policy scrupulously, against supporters and critics alike. You dont need to allow true threats, but be prepared for criticism. Its OK to ban true threats of physical harm to yourself or your family from your account, but otherwise, as a public official, you must tolerate even sharp personal attacks. Since the founding, our constitutional tradition has reflected a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials. Be open and reasonable in moderating. Penalties for violating your policy should be proportionate; it is almost never appropriate to block someone from your account indefinitely. Instead, give the person a warning and try temporary blocks or muting functions as less severe penalties. If you want to block or delete a comment, say why, and allow the person a chance to correct the problem. For more detailed best practices, visit knightcolumbia.org. Katie Fallow is a senior staff attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, where she focuses on threats to free speech and a free press in the digital age. Senate Resolution B, Deny Heartwell nomination to chair Natural Resources Commission: Passed 20 to 17 in the Senate To disapprove the appointment by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of former Grand Rapids mayor George Heartwell as chairman of Michigan Natural Resources Commission. This follows the (reportedly related) Feb. 13 denial of Anna Mitterling's appointment to this commission, which has "exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish" and designating which species may or may not be hunted. Heartwell's nomination is opposed by the National Rifle Association because of his role as a "state membership coordinator" of antigun groups organized by former New York City mayor and current Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg. 31 Sen. Kevin Daley, R - Attica, Y 32 Sen. Kenneth Horn, R - Frankenmuth, Y 36 Sen. Jim Stamas, R - Midland, Y Senate Bill 669, Revise state hospital rationing law ("certificate of need"): Passed 21 to 16 in the Senate To revise the powers of a state Certificate of Need (CON) commission that are related to "capital expenditures" for a new hospital or clinic, or expansion of an existing one. This commission has the power to approve or deny facility expansions, as well as any changes in the location, purpose or number of beds allowed in an existing facility, or plans to offer more clinical services. The Senate Fiscal Agency reports that the proposed change would have little practical effect because these regulated capital expenditures "are used to finance expansions of facilities and those expansions themselves require a certificate of need" from the commission. This and similar laws in other states were enacted under a federal mandate in the 1970s with the intention of lowering health care spending by reducing investment in the field; 15 states have repealed the laws but 35 states, including Michigan, still have them. 31 Sen. Kevin Daley, R - Attica, Y 32 Sen. Kenneth Horn, R - Frankenmuth, Y 36 Sen. Jim Stamas, R - Midland, Y Senate Bill 672, Revise psychiatric hospital rationing ("certificate of need"): Passed 21 to 16 in the Senate To exempt psychiatric hospitals or units from the rationing restrictions imposed under a state Certificate of Need law that requires medical service providers to get permission from a panel of existing providers before adding new or expanded facilities. In return for the exemption, private psychiatric hospitals and units would have to maintain half their beds for "public patients," defined as ones receiving social welfare benefits, or subject to a treatment order signed by a clinical psychiatrist, or deemed by a court to be a threat to themselves or others. 31 Sen. Kevin Daley, R - Attica, Y 32 Sen. Kenneth Horn, R - Frankenmuth, Y 36 Sen. Jim Stamas, R - Midland, Y Senate Bill 686, Create state employee whistleblower protection law: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate To establish a state employee whistleblower protection law that prohibits a state department or agency from retaliating against a person for communicating with a legislator on the way the department or agency is performing its duties. 31 Sen. Kevin Daley R - Attica Y 32 Sen. Kenneth Horn R - Frankenmuth Y 36 Sen. Jim Stamas R - Midland Y House Bill 5266, Require electric coops give telecoms equal access to utility poles: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate To require member-owned electric cooperatives to provide video, broadband, wireless or other telecommunication service providers with "non-discriminatory" access to their utility poles under reasonable rates, terms and conditions, and also establish a process for resolving disputes. 31 Sen. Kevin Daley, R - Attica, Y 32 Sen. Kenneth Horn, R - Frankenmuth, Y 36 Sen. Jim Stamas, R - Midland, Y House Bill 4740, Establish another "dark sky preserve": Passed 106 to 1 in the House To designate Dr. T. K. Lawless Park in Cass County as a "dark sky preserve." The term is not defined in this or a related statute but in general it means restricting outdoor lighting to a minimum. 95 Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D - Bridgeport township, Y 96 Rep. Brian Elder, D - Bay City, Y 97 Rep. Jason Wentworth, R - Clare, Y 98 Rep. Annette Glenn, R - Midland, Y 99 Rep. Roger Hauck, R - Isabella County, Y House Bill 4736, Ban using open records requests to locate huntable game: Passed 85 to 22 in the House To prohibit using information obtained in response to an open records request seeking Department of Natural Resources records related to resource-related restoration, management or research projects, for the purpose of locating game to hunt. This and House Bill 4735 would authorize a process by which an individual seeking such records could sign a form attesting that he or she will not use the information to take game or help others do so, subject to misdemeanor penalties for violations 95 Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D - Bridgeport township, Y 96 Rep. Brian Elder, D - Bay City, Y 97 Rep. Jason Wentworth, R - Clare, Y 98 Rep. Annette Glenn, R - Midland, N 99 Rep. Roger Hauck, R - Isabella County, Y House Bill 4042, Authorize interstate nurse licensure compact: Passed 55 to 50 in the House To authorize Michigan's participation in an interstate nurses licensure compact that would allow registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNs) to get a multi-state license that is good in all states that join the compact. 95 Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D - Bridgeport township, N 96 Rep. Brian Elder, D - Bay City, N 97 Rep. Jason Wentworth, R - Clare, Y 98 Rep. Annette Glenn, R - Midland, Y 99 Rep. Roger Hauck, R - Isabella County, N Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Visit www.MichiganVotes.org. A gathering of Lone Star College-Kingwood leaders, local political representatives and community members, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new $18.8 million Lone Star Health Professions Center on ceremony on March 2. The facility is expected to open in Fall 2021. Programs will include dental assisting, dental hygiene, nursing, and respiratory care in the new 49,440 square foot building located at the front entrance to Lone Star College-Kingwood, according to a press release. The programs will be complemented with state of the art facility equipment to provide simulation, virtual and cardiopulmonary labs as well as a 24-chair dental clinic, two skill labs with 11 hospital beds, a simulation lab with eight surgical areas, three ICU rooms and labor and delivery. There will also be a life-skills teaching lab, a patient environment lab and a rehab gym. Related: Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library opens innovation lab Mike Sullivan, a trustee at Lone Star College System District 8, said the groundbreaking ceremony was a celebration for the new facility that will offer more for healthcare profession students, including the new four-year nursing program students. The new building will bring back the dental hygiene program to campus after it was relocated due to Hurricane Harvey. Linda Luehrs Wolfe, dean of Science and Health Occupations, spoke about the changes Harvey made to these program locations during her speech. We are adding and expanding simulation due to the shortage of clinical sites in the area, Luehrs Wolfe said in a press release. Our goal is to provide experience in areas that are hard to get students exposed to in a clinical setting. Luehrs Wolfe said dental hygiene, occupational therapy assistant, and licensed vocational nursing degrees have a 100 percent pass rate. We couldnt do that without the excellent faculty and staff that we have that are committed to helping students succeed in providing quality healthcare workers to our community, Luehrs Wolfe said. Related: Lone Star - Kingwood contributes to success of minority students, staff Lone Star College-Kingwood President Katherine Persson led the ceremony as members of the board, political office representatives and others spoke at the podium through the hour-long ceremony, followed by the official groundbreaking demonstration. Persson said the new building will help relieve the overcrowding in the sciences building and healthcare degrees. All of our health care programs have been over-crowded and maxed out for several years, Persson said. We also have limited lab space for the prerequisite courses, mostly anatomy and physiology, for the healthcare programs. So building this facility will allow not only the current health care programs to expand but also the places that they vacate in the former health sciences building, now known as the science instructional building, will allow the sciences to expand. Sarah Elliott, a second-year, fast-track nursing major and Vice President of the National Student Nurse Association Chapter at Lone Star College-Kingwood, said this facility will offer resources to the faculty and the students so they can learn from their mistakes through simulation and preparation for the industry with state of the art equipment. She said the faculty is the reason this program is successful. This building is going to, I think, not only build upon the actual education foundation but also upon the student as a whole. So I think that thats going to be fantastic to have, and I think in order to be a healthcare provider that helps others, we have to know how to help ourselves first and this allows us to do that. savannah.mehrtens@chron.com BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - Research led by faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York has revealed the most effective hospital-based methods for reducing readmission rates. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to penalize hospitals by reimbursing them at lower rates for what they consider excess readmissions when compared to expected levels of readmissions. According to the American Hospital Association, since the start of the program in October 2012, hospitals have experienced nearly $1.9 billion in penalties. As a result, hospital organizations nationwide have implemented various hospital readmission reduction programs (HRRPs) over the past several years to improve health outcomes for patients and control costs. Some examples of HRRPs include collaborating with certified home healthcare agencies; using telehealth programs, post-discharge phone calls or house-call programs; implementing interdisciplinary case-management or discharge-planning programs; and creating partnerships with primary care practices. Binghamton University researcher Michele Summers decided to investigate which of these programs is the most effective. She confined the research to hospitals within upstate New York, investigating 94 facilities across 53 counties ranging from rural to metropolitan status. She also restricted the study to HRRPs aimed at patients admitted with heart failure or pneumonia. "I chose heart failure and pneumonia because those are two of the most common diagnoses requiring hospital admission," she said. First, Summers gathered data regarding which, if any, HRRPs the hospital organizations used. For facilities with an interdisciplinary case-management team, she further identified whether there was a registered nurse or advanced-practice registered nurse (a nurse with post-graduate nursing education) on or leading the team. Then, she analyzed the relationship between the type and number of HRRPs used by the hospital organization and the facility's readmission and reimbursement outcomes. Results from the study showed that collaborating with home healthcare agencies, using telehealth or implementing house calls for follow-up with post-discharge patients lowered the incidence of readmission for patients who had previously been hospitalized for heart failure or pneumonia. In addition, Summers found that facilities that employed more than one HRRP also had lower rates for readmission. Finally, the research also indicated that including an advanced practice nurse on interdisciplinary case-management teams resulted in better patient outcomes and lower readmission rates. Summers was particularly happy to see house-call programs get good results. These initiatives bring nurse practitioners or physicians into the patient's home for care following discharge. "Of all the different programs I looked at, house calls had the most significant impact on decreasing reimbursement penalties in hospitals located in primary care provider shortage areas," Summer said. As a nurse practitioner with a home-care background, Summers hopes to design a house-call intervention program and test it in the area. "I think it would be wise for hospitals to develop programs that provide house calls," she said. "The organizations that do this are saving money because they're getting fewer penalties due to readmissions. It's an investment up front, but there can be a huge return on that investment." ### A. Serdar Atav, a professor of nursing at Decker, collaborated with Summers on the study. The paper, "Reducing Hospital Readmission in Upstate New York," was published in Professional Case Management. Januarys job numbers for Manitoba recently gained praise from Premier Brian Pallister, with an estimated 6,500 jobs created, but longer-term economic trends should be the focus. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Januarys job numbers for Manitoba recently gained praise from Premier Brian Pallister, with an estimated 6,500 jobs created, but longer-term economic trends should be the focus. Monthly job numbers generate headlines and can provide important indications of movement in the labour market, but they are highly variable from month to month. As trends emerge over time, we become more confident in what the data is telling us. Longer-term economic trends in Manitoba suggest that the austerity agenda that dominated the Pallister governments first term needs to be reconsidered. The reality is that Manitobas labour market is losing its edge relative to the rest of Canada, with advantages in unemployment, labour force participation rates and employment rates narrowing or disappearing in recent years. For example, between 1999 and 2016, Manitobas unemployment rate was two percentage points below the national rate on average, while from 2017 to 2019 that gap fell to 0.4 percentage points. For young people, the narrowing has been even more dramatic, with Manitoba completely losing a three-point advantage since 2015. Similarly, the participation rate gap has narrowed from a peak of 2.5 percentage points in 2015 to less than one point in 2019. Job growth in Manitoba is also lagging federal trends. Canada had strong job creation in 2019, with indicators suggesting many of these were "good jobs" and most of them were full-time. Manitoba, on the other hand, saw effectively no job growth, with increased part-time employment at the expense of full-time work, and more Manitobans leaving the job market than those entering. The prospects are not expected to improve anytime soon, with employment forecasts significantly below national projections for 2020. It isnt just labour market indicators that are heading south. Economic growth rates in Manitoba were higher than the national average four out of five years between 2012 and 2016, averaging 2.3 per cent. This fell to two per cent between 2016 and 2018, and over the last year Manitobas economic growth projections have been revised down significantly, with the Conference Board of Canada (CBOC) predicting growth of less than one per cent in 2019-20. While the Pallister government continues to emphasize national and global economic challenges outside of its control, its austerity measures are also hurting growth. Falling infrastructure spending by the Manitoba government has been particularly harmful to growth and employment prospects, given infrastructures strong local and regional economic spinoffs. Major infrastructure projects initiated by the previous government have reached or are nearing completion, leaving a significant gap that the private sector has been unable to fill. 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. Paired with aggressive cuts to the public sector jobs, and broader retrenchment in health, education and social services, Manitoba has faced the highest net interprovincial out-migration since the 1990s. Given Manitobas dismal growth prospects, and the likely worsening global economic situation arising from the COVID-19 virus, Budget 2020 provides an opportunity for the Pallister government to reverse course. Promising signs in the last Speech from the Throne indicated a willingness to start spending again on infrastructure. This would be a clear reversal, but a pragmatic one: forecasts of last-in-the-country economic performance for 2020 hardly align with the premiers commitment to make Manitoba the "most improved province." The province should also consider reinvesting in social infrastructure that is equally important for supporting a strong and prosperous province. This is all unlikely to happen at any meaningful scale if the Pallister government continues to prioritize cutting taxes. Provincial government revenues have declined significantly as a percentage of economic output over the last 12 years, falling from just over 25 per cent to 23 per cent of GDP. If revenues had been maintained at 2006/07 levels, an additional $1.9 billion would have been available to the province, more than double the actual deficit inherited by the current government in 2016. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba will be releasing its Alternative Provincial Budget (APB) on March 3 an alternative vision to help reverse the provinces economic malaise while at the same time taking steps to address the climate crisis and growing inequality. This alternative speaks to the reality that austerity not only hurts the most vulnerable in our communities, but hurts our economic development prospects as well. Jesse Hajer is an assistant professor of economics and labour studies at the University of Manitoba and a research associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba. Acting Prime Minister Ludovic Orban urged the employees of the Interior Ministry (MAI) to perform their duties in accordance with the law, saying that the MAI departments are vital to securing public peace, to the life and safety of the citizens, and also to guaranteeing the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms. "I just want to urge you to do perform your duties according to the law, the fundamental interest of Romania and, normally, according to what the Romanians expect from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, from all the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which are vital to securing public peace, the life and safety of the citizens, the personal assets of each citizen and to a democratic social life, which will guarantee the exercise of the fundamental rights and freedoms of each citizen. Good luck with your work!," Orban told a 2009 activity review meeting of MAI on Tuesday.Also attending the 2009 activity review meeting of MAI and the unveiling of the ministry's 2020 objectives was president Klaus Iohannis. Headliner Peak At the pinnacle of 30 Hudson Yards, the tallest tower in the complex, will be this sleek restaurant with stunning views from the 101st floor. The architect David Rockwells company, the Rockwell Group, has given the space a richly elegant but subdued look with shades of gray as the dominant palette. The Peak experience involves entering through a dim, plush lounge for cocktails and bar snacks on the fifth floor of Hudson Yardss retail building. From there, an elevator speeds up and docks at a spacious lobby, with the restaurant to one side and private dining rooms and an event space opposite. The restaurant dips gradually from a curved, brass-trimmed 45-seat bar area to a 110-seat dining room, where sculptural light sticks hang from the ceiling and bare tables on a few levels afford views like a birds-eye of the Empire State Building. Does it remind you of Windows on the World? Of course, but with less grandeur and gilt. The restaurant is run by RHC, the English company that also manages Wild Ink in Hudson Yards. The executive chef, Christopher Cryer, who was in that role at the Seamores seafood restaurants, has created a fairly brief menu of sophisticated yet accessible American fare like Atlantic scallops with cauliflower puree, beef tartare, rigatoni with lamb sausages, roasted monkfish with littleneck clams, cauliflower steak, braised short rib, rotisserie chicken and a fried potato terrine. Local ingredients dominate. (Opens March 12) 30 Hudson Yards (10th Avenue and 31st Street), 332-204-8547, peaknyc.com. Opening American Brass Prime waterfront real estate with the Manhattan skyline in full view distinguishes this restaurant at the edge of Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, Queens. And, with 170 seats inside and another 84 outdoors, its primed for all seasons. Aptly described as an American brasserie, American Brass puts ample windows, brass and antique mirrors on display. The menu also leans brasserie, featuring both clam chowder and French onion soup, assorted mussel preparations, Caesar salad, a charcuterie board, steak tartare, barbecue ribs, rotisserie chicken, roasted black sea bass, cauliflower steak and the inevitable burger. The chef, Raffaele Solinas, is also in charge of the kitchen at Maiella, this restaurants sibling. Both restaurants are owned by Tommy Demaras and Robert Briskin. (Wednesday) 2-01 50th Avenue (Center Boulevard), Long Island City, Queens, 718-806-1106, americanbrasslic.com. Bolero Matt Le-Khac, who was at the Finch and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, is celebrating his Vietnamese heritage in the open kitchen of his trim Williamsburg, Brooklyn, restaurant. Jimmy Tran, a Vietnamese-American from Houston who worked at Benu in San Francisco, is his right hand in the kitchen. They are serving steamed glass dumplings packed with mushrooms; ground Wagyu beef wrapped in betel leaf; poached chicken with Vietnamese coriander and cured eggs; and a typical Mekong Delta specialty, whole fried fish (he uses local blackfish), but in a Red Boat vinaigrette. Many of the herbs and vegetables come from his farm. Soon the restaurants backyard will yield small crops and provide room for sipping tea. The name of the restaurant comes from a dance that was popular in Saigon in the 1950s. 177 Bedford Avenue (North Seventh Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-388-6801, bolero.nyc. Nakaji and Bar at Nakaji A 10-seat omakase sushi bar (with tastings at $165 and $195) and a Japanese-style cocktail bar featuring drinks made with Japanese whiskeys, gins, vodkas and ingredients like shiso share the intimate speakeasy-style space in the Canal Arcade in Manhattans Chinatown. Stone and charred wood highlight the decor. Sushi a la carte and other small plates can be ordered at the bar. 48 Bowery (Canal Street), 646-478-8282, nakajinyc.com. Two French academics jailed in Iran for over half a year on national security charges went on trial Tuesday in a case that has raised tensions between Tehran and Paris. Fariba Adelkhah, 60, and Roland Marchal, 64, both researchers at Sciences Po University in Paris, were detained in June on charges that rights groups and fellow academics have denounced as outrageous. Only Adelkhah appeared in the closed-door hearing of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, according to information passed on to their lawyer Said Dehghan. "Mr Marchal had no problem to appear in court today, but (the authorities) did not bring him. They only brought Ms Adelkhah," Dehghan told AFP in Tehran. According to Dehghan, the hearing was postponed to an unspecified date, and the judge refused a defence request that two additional lawyers be allowed to represent them. Dehghan accused the judge of having "violated the law" over the matter. Adelkhah, an anthropologist and expert on Shiite Islam, faces charges of "propaganda against the system" and "colluding to commit acts against national security". Her colleague Marchal, a specialist on East Africa, is accused of the same national security charge, said the lawyer. Their Paris-based support group and the French foreign ministry have sounded the alarm over the health of the two -- Adelkhah went on hunger strike for 49 days and Marchal's health is said to be deteriorating. - Virus fears - The support group denounced as a "masquerade of justice" the closed-door hearing presided over by Judge Fazlollah Salavati. The group said holding them in jail was particularly dangerous given the intensity of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, which officials there on Tuesday said had claimed 77 lives. "The Iranian authorities are deliberately putting in danger the lives of our two colleagues -- already weakened -- by keeping them in an overcrowded jail while the country is hit by a serious coronavirus epidemic whose scale is being played down and which is not under control," it said. Persian-language media and activists outside Iran have claimed the scale of the outbreak is far higher than admitted by the authorities, which has been vehemently denied by Tehran. Iran does not recognise Adelkhah's dual French-Iranian nationality and has lashed out at Paris for what it has described as "interference" in the cases. Adelkhah and Marchal are not the only academics being held by Tehran, which has been accused by the West of arbitrarily detaining foreigners as bargaining chips. Australian Kylie Moore-Gilbert of the University of Melbourne is serving a 10-year sentence after being found guilty of espionage. Tehran is still holding several other foreigners in high-profile cases, including British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his father, Mohammad Bagher Namazi. Iran said Tuesday Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, was "in perfect health" after she had reportedly expressed fears of contracting the new coronavirus behind bars. burs-fz/jj Only Fariba Adelkhah appeared in the closed-door hearing of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, said their lawyer Their supporters have demonstrated in Paris in support of the two academics Coronavirus has claimed 77 lives in Iran, officials said Tuesday Richard Ratcliffe is campaigning for the release of his wife, British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and the two leaders discussed the situation in the riot-hit Northeast Delhi. It was their first meeting after the Aam Aadmi Party returned to power in the national capital for a third consecutive term. The meeting, at the Prime Minister's Office in Parliament, lasted half an hour. Emerging from the meeting, Kejriwal told reporters that the Delhi Police could have prevented loss of lives in the violence had it remained active and vigilant like the last few days. Large-scale violence in northeast Delhi has left around 42 people dead and 200 injured. "The Delhi Police acted promptly to check rumours in the last few days... I appreciated them," Kejriwal added. "The prime minister also agreed that such violent incidents should not be repeated in Delhi," he said. Responding to a question on hate speeches by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Kejriwal said they did not discuss it specifically. The chief minister also requested Modi to take stern action against those involved in the violence, "no matter how influential he or she is". He also sought the prime minister's help for the development of Delhi. On February 25, home minister Amit Shah had discussed the situation with the Delhi chief minister and leaders of various parties. The AAP formed government in Delhi for the third time on the trot after it swept the February 8 elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats. The BJP bagged the rest of the seats. A new social media challenge has seen women in China flaunting their figures in a quirky way. Hundreds of web users have uploaded selfies of them putting lipstick on their collarbones to show how skinny they are. This came after an actress, Chen Shu, uploaded a video of her holding red lipstick with her collarbone. A new social media challenge has emerged in China with people flaunting their good figures This came after a Chinese actress, Chen Shu, uploaded a video of her holding red lipstick with her collarbone. She said in a post on Chinese Twitter-like Weibo: 'New skill unlocked!' 'New skill unlocked! Come and try this challenge with me,' She wrote in a post on the Chinese Twitter-like Weibo. The trending topic has amassed nearly 200million hits on Weibo within 24 hours, with fans stunned by Ms Chens' amazing body. One comment read: 'Why are you so skinny?! You are incredible!' 'I have lipstick, but I need to borrow your collarbone,' another one said. The trending topic has amassed nearly 200million hits on Weibo within 24 hours, with fans stunned by Chen Shu's amazing body. The pictures show web users following the challenge Skinny figures are considered a sign of beauty in China. The picture shows a girl holding lipstick on her collarbone. Hundreds of others have also tried out this new challenge A prominent collarbone is considered as a sign of skinniness and beauty in China. Celebrities with prominent collarbones and small waist, such as Zhang Ziyi, are popular among people. A research has suggested having a visible or prominent collarbone is deemed to be one of the most desirable body features, alongside a toned stomach and bottom. Over a third of British women admit to wanting to achieve the controversial look, according to the results of the study. Another 'skinny test' sees people piling coins with their collarbones to flaunt their good figures Another social media craze saw people piling coins on their collarbones to test if they need to lose weight. It was believed the more coins you held, the better your figure was. Lv Jiarong, a Chinese actress, is seen balancing around 80 coins on her two collarbones while still managing to take a selfie. The original challenge post claimed research by US scientists suggested women who can complete the test have the perfect figure. The country also went wild at the belly button challenge, a trend that sees more than 300million people touching their navels from around the back - to prove they have good bodies. Kurdish Terrorist Group Kidnaps 4 Assyrians in Syria Four Assyrians that are working at Sotooro, an Assyrian security force, were kidnapped by YPG terrorists in northeastern Syria yesterday. According to the reports by the Hujada -- the media outlet of the World Syriac Federation, the four Assyrians were kidnapped as a part of the YPG's ongoing activities against the minority Assyrian community in the region. Recounting previous acts of the terrorist group against the community, from ethnic cleansing and burglary to systematic pressure, the media outlet criticized some Swiss political parties for backing the YPG. Hujada reported that despite ongoing abuse by the YPG, parties like Sweden Left Party and Christian Democrat Party continue to support the terrorist group. Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria and as the domination of the YPG increases in the northern parts of the country, Assyrians have been suffering under the terrorist group and have thanked Turkey for fighting against the YPG/PKK. "The operations of Turkey in northern Syria contribute to the security of our own communities," Johny Messo, the head of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), said last month on the issue. Speaking at the European Council upon an invitation from Turkey's permanent representative to the council, Messo informed the audience about the brutalities and pressures of the YPG/PKK on the regional communities and minorities, including the Syriacs. Since 2008, Messo, a Syriac-Dutch politician, has been the head of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), a federation of the international Syriac community founded back in 1983. Back in October, Messo spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA) about the brutalities of the YPG/PKK, saying that the terrorist group is kidnapping and forcing Syriac children to join their group. "The PYD/YPG is threatening Syriacs and still forcibly detaining some children to join them," he said. Telling how the YPG terrorists fought other terrorist groups only to pursue their own territorial aims, he explained: "The aim of the PYD/YPG in its struggle against Daesh was to seize their territories and integrate them as part of the autonomous Kurdish region envisaged by them." Messo said the YPG/PKK and Daesh are both terror groups, differing only in objectives, and they sometimes even work together. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a third major challenge to the Affordable Care Act, setting up likely arguments this fall in a case that could wipe out President Barack Obamas signature domestic achievement. The court granted requests from Democratic state officials and House members who wanted to thrust the fate of the Affordable Care Act into the public eye just as Americans prepare to vote this November. The Supreme Court did not say when it would hear the case, but under its ordinary practices, arguments would be held in the fall, and a decision would land in the spring or summer of 2021. Democrats, who consider health care a winning issue and worry about possible changes in the composition of the Supreme Court, had urged the justices to act quickly even though lower courts had not issued definitive rulings. They wanted to focus political attention on the health laws most popular provisions like guaranteed coverage for preexisting medical conditions, emergency care, prescription drugs and maternity care and to ensure that the case was decided while justices who had rejected earlier challenges to the law remain on the court. In the meantime, the law remains almost entirely intact but faces an uncertain future. The case the justices will hear was brought by Republican state officials, who argued that when Congress in 2017 zeroed out the penalty for failing to obtain health insurance, lawmakers rendered the entire law unconstitutional. The Trump administration sided with the state officials, arguing that the rest of the health care law could not survive without a penalty for flouting the requirement that most Americans have health insurance, sometimes called the individual mandate. A U.S. District Court judge in Texas agreed, ruling that the entire law was invalid, but he postponed the effects of his ruling until the case could be appealed. In December, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, in New Orleans, agreed that the mandate was unconstitutional but declined to rule on the fate of the remainder of the health law, asking the lower court to reconsider the question in more detail. The Democratic states and the House, which intervened in the case to defend the health law, asked the Supreme Court to put its consideration of whether to hear the appeal on an unusually fast track. The court turned down that request in January. Having lost that fight, the states and the House asked the court to hear their appeal in the ordinary course. They said Supreme Court review was warranted because part of a federal law had been held to be unconstitutional, which is often reason enough for the justices to agree to hear a case. They added that the lower courts rulings had created doubt about the balance of the law. The uncertainty created by this litigation is especially problematic because individuals, businesses, and state and local governments make important decisions in reliance on the ACA, lawyers for the states wrote. Prolonged uncertainty about whether or to what extent important provisions of the ACA might be invalidated makes these choices more difficult, threatening adverse consequences for American families, health care markets and the broader economy. In urging the court to deny review, the Trump administration said that the justices should wait for a definitive ruling from the lower courts. Immediate review is unwarranted in the cases present posture, the administrations brief said, because the court of appeals did not definitively resolve any question of practical consequence. One issue that could be particularly consequential for the election is the threat the case poses to the laws protections for people with preexisting conditions. Those protections, which bar insurers from denying coverage to people with past or chronic illnesses or charging them more, are popular with Americans of all political persuasions. Democrats made them a huge focus of their successful 2018 effort to retake the House and will undoubtedly put them front and center again now. Thanks to Donald Trump, preexisting condition protections are on the chopping block this fall, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in a statement shortly after the courts announcement Monday. Americans who count on their health care will hear loud and clear who is fighting to secure protections for preexisting conditions and who is trying to take them away. Another of the laws provisions that might gain political salience this campaign season, as the coronavirus becomes a serious concern, is its requirement that insurance plans cover vaccinations at no cost. This case is a stark, life-and-death reminder how much is at stake this fall and whats on the ballot right now: Democrats must nominate the candidate whom they know can beat Trump and bring along the Senate, to ensure we can protect our health care for generations to come, Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement. The public has remained deeply divided on the health law since it passed a decade ago this month, but in February it reached its highest favorability rating since the Kaiser Family Foundation started measuring public opinion shortly after the laws passage. The latest Kaiser poll found that 55% of the public supported it and that repealing the law was no longer the top health care issue for Republican voters, a sharp contrast from 2016. Of the remaining Democratic presidential candidates, Biden and Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, strongly support keeping and improving the Affordable Care Act. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts favor doing away with it, and all private insurance, and instead creating a Medicare for All national health insurance program run by the federal government. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii supports Medicare for all who want it and wants to preserve private insurance as an option. Californias attorney general, Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, said the case, California v. Texas, No. 19-840, underscored the two sides differing approaches to the Affordable Care Act. We should all be working to improve health care, instead of ripping coverage away from those most in need, he said in a statement. As Texas and the Trump administration fight to disrupt our health care system and the coverage that millions rely upon, we look forward to making our case in defense of the ACA. American lives depend upon it. The Trump reelection campaign released a statement focused on the Democrats Bernie Sanders-inspired, socialist health care agenda, with no mention of the lawsuit or the Affordable Care Act. Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas, the state leading the lawsuit, issued his own statement saying the entire law was unsupportable now that the appeals court had agreed the individual mandate was unconstitutional, adding, I look forward to finally settling the matter before the U.S. Supreme Court. Robert Henneke, the lawyer representing two individual plaintiffs in Texas in the case, emphasized the growing support of some Democrats for a single-payer health system, saying in an interview: The left will be demagoguing this lawsuit, but I think its a bit disingenuous, given that a large number of their elected officials have moved toward Medicare for All and single-payer health care. There was no immediate reaction from the Justice Department. The Supreme Court has already ruled in two major cases challenging core provisions of the health law. In both cases, it left most of the law in place. In 2012, the court upheld the laws requirement that most Americans obtain insurance or pay a penalty, saying it was authorized by Congress power to assess taxes. The vote was 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the controlling opinion, which was joined in its key section by the courts four-member liberal wing. In 2015, the court said the federal government can provide nationwide tax subsidies to help poor and middle-class people buy health insurance, rejecting an argument that the subsidies were only available in states that had created marketplaces, known as exchanges, to allow people who lack insurance to shop for individual health plans. A contrary ruling would have created havoc in the insurance markets and undermined the law. The vote was 6-3, with Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy joining the courts four more liberal members to form a majority. Kennedy retired in 2018, but the remaining members of the majorities in the two cases are still on the court. The number of uninsured Americans younger than 65 decreased by 18.6 million from 2010, when the health law was passed, to 2018. Most of them gained insurance through expanded Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor; others got coverage through new private insurance options, often with subsidies to help cover the cost, or, for adults younger than 26, through their parents health plans. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. A happy ending! After getting scammed out of nearly $400,000 in a phishing scheme, Shark Tank star and well-known real estate investor Barbara Corcoran has revealed the money has been returned to her. Im thrilled! Corcoran, 70, said in a statement to PEOPLE. I had already accepted it and moved on. Corcoran went on to share that she had her doubts about ever seeing the lump sum again. Corcoran said, Everyone told me I wouldnt get the money back and it just seems unbelievable! As for how the money was returned, Corcoran explained: The money was wired through a German bank on the way to the scammers Chinese account. But my bank put pressure on the German bank and they froze the money giving us time to prove it was fraud. I really thought it was a goner! The incident unfolded last month when Corcorans bookkeeper received an email about an invoice approving the payment for a real estate renovation, Corcoran told PEOPLE last week. Barbara Corcoran | Dia Dipasupil/Getty RELATED: Shark Tanks Barbara Corcoran Loses Almost $400K in Phishing Scam: I Wont Be Getting the Money Back I lost the $388,700 as a result of a fake email chain sent to my company, Corcoran said. 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 of last week. 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. 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 explained. Story continues However, it was too late as $388,700.11 was already gone from the account. Barbara Corcoran The scammer disappeared and Im told that its a common practice, and I wont be getting the money back, Corcoran said. Despite the dramatic loss, Corcoran kept a positive attitude. RELATED: Barbara Corcoran Shows Off the NYC Penthouse She First Saw 25 Years Ago: It Was Meant to Be I was upset at first, but then remembered it was only money, Corcoran tells PEOPLE. 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. Featured stories Nursing aide arrested, charged for 2018 death of escaped patient (WEWS Channel 5) Euclid schools superintendent saves woman from burning car (WOIO Channel 19) Summit County judge discusses decision to self-quarantine after Italy trip due to coronavirus concerns (cleveland.com) Catholic Diocese of Cleveland issues coronavirus, flu precautions during Lent (cleveland.com) Ohio Department of Health to update COVID-19 coronavirus numbers daily (cleveland.com) Beachwood High School cancels Italy trip over coronavirus (WJW Channel 8) Lorain Schools parent, her daughter deported to Central America (Elyria Chronicle-Telegram) Crime 92-year-old man attacked, carjacked outside Cleveland church, police say (cleveland.com) Man arrested in deadly drunken-driving crash in Cleveland, police say (cleveland.com) Medical examiner identifies victim of beating death in Akron (cleveland.com) Man robs Huntington Bank branch inside Parma Giant Eagle (cleveland.com) Video shows SUV slam into gas pumps, truck at GetGo in Painesville Township (cleveland.com) 8 men seeking to buy sex via internet arrested in human trafficking sting in Trumbull County (WEWS Channel 5) Man accused of groping woman at House of Blues Cleveland changes plea to guilty (WOIO Channel 19) Akron man, convicted in 1 fatal robbery, pleads not guilty in 2 others (Akron Beacon Journal) Cleveland / Cuyahoga County Cleveland firefighters battle a fire on the corner of St. Clair and Addison avenues Monday afternoon.The Plain Dealer Firefighters battle large blaze at abandoned building in Clevelands St. Clair-Superior neighborhood (cleveland.com) Union: Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center is dangerously understaffed (cleveland.com) Civil rights and housing advocates warn proposed change to federal law could spell return of redlining (cleveland.com) Clevelands economy wins vs. many in the Sun Belt: Building from Strength (cleveland.com) Just how unusually warm has 2020 been in Cleveland? (cleveland.com) Cleveland City Council adds money to 2020 budget to help senior homeowners, young musicians (cleveland.com) Trump aide JaRon Smith to attend correctional system event with Cleveland Cavaliers (cleveland.com) Local news East 11 Cleveland Browns donate to the Ohio Governors Imagination Library Read Across America Day celebrated with Cleveland Browns donation to mail free books to East Cleveland kids (cleveland.com) Local news West Brecksville increases maximum fine for passing stopped school buses from $500 to $1,000 (cleveland.com) North Ridgeville mayor announces capital improvement projects for 2020 (cleveland.com) Lorain water system customers file $41 million lawsuit against the city (WEWS Channel 5) Akron / Canton area Feds seek civil forfeiture of $356,000 seized from Akron mans home (cleveland.com) AT&T, LeBron James Family Foundation partner on learning center at I Promise Schools transitional housing in Akron (cleveland.com) State A group of advocates for recreational marijuana submitted paperwork for a constitutional amendment Monday afternoon to the Ohio Attorney General's office, thus beginning a long process to get on the ballot in November. (David Dermer, Associated Press file photo)AP Ohio recreational marijuana plan would give tax revenue to criminal justice, local governments (cleveland.com) Ohio Department of Agriculture accepting applications to grow, process hemp starting Tuesday (cleveland.com) Ohio AG Dave Yost to ask U.S. Supreme Court to keep part of Obamacare intact (cleveland.com) Abortion by telemedicine ban could hit Ohio Senate floor this week (cleveland.com) Heres why the Ohio BMV said it needed immigration-related policies a federal judge said were discriminatory (cleveland.com) Ballot measure changing term limits for Ohio lawmakers clears state panel amid criticism from Senate president (cleveland.com) Ohio Ballot Board splits voter access amendment into four issues, dealing blow to ACLU-backed campaign (cleveland.com) New, renewed Ohio concealed-firearms permits dropped sharply in 2019 (cleveland.com) Rep. Marcia Fudge endorses Joe Biden for President (cleveland.com) Disney has scrapped planned press events in London for the launch of its streaming service amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak. The European launch for Disney+ included a press conference and panels with key executives and talent on Thursday and Friday. Disney said in a statement: Due to a number of media attendee cancellations and increasing concerns at the prospect of travelling internationally at this time, we have decided to cancel our Disney+ launch events scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday. Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian (Disney+/PA) They added that the decision has been made out of an abundance of caution and everyones best interests in mind. Plans for a Disney+ executive press briefing by a webcast have since been confirmed, and will take place next week. Disney said journalists based in the UK will be able to access the Disney+ Lounge, which will be open for product demonstrations on Friday. Disney+ is a new platform that will be home to original content, films and other series from studios including Disney, Pixar and Marvel as well as the Star Wars universe. It is due to launch in the UK and other European territories including Germany, Italy and Spain on March 24. The service, which launched in the US last year, is seen as the latest challenger to the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. Sky and Disney today announced a new multi-year deal, making Disney+ available for purchase in the UK and Ireland on Sky Q. Read more https://t.co/Jgg56YI1KR Sky Group (@SkyGroup) March 3, 2020 The cancellation of the press events came as Sky and Disney announced a new multi-year deal that will make Disney+ available in the UK and Ireland on Sky Q and on Now TV later in the year. Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: Weve built a strong partnership with Disney over three decades and were pleased that our customers in the UK and Ireland can continue to enjoy their world-class content all in one place on Sky Q. This is a great start to what is set to be another stellar year for Sky in 2020 well launch new channels and genres, start building Sky Studios Elstree and weve got brilliant new and returning originals coming too. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A plane carrying UN medical experts and aid touched down Monday in Iran on a mission to help it tackle the world's second-deadliest outbreak of coronavirus as European powers said they would send further help. As the official death toll rose by 12 to 66, the Islamic republic turned down a similar offer from arch-enemy Washington, dismissing it as "propaganda". The World Health Organisation said a flight arrived from Dubai carrying medical supplies and experts on a fact-finding mission and to "provide guidance on strengthening and scaling up the response to the ongoing outbreak." Germany, France and Britain, for their part, said they would send emergency medical supplies including testing equipment, body suits and gloves as well as five million euros (USD 5.5 million) to help tackle the outbreak. Iran's confirmed cases leapt Monday by 523 on the previous day, hitting 1,501, said Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi. State news agency IRNA reported the death of Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 72, a member of the Expediency Council which advises Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It did not specify the cause of death but said he had died at Tehran's Massih Danechvari Hospital, the capital's main centre for coronavirus patients. The outbreak that originated in China has sparked concern among Iran's neighbours, with the Gulf Arab states confirming 130 cases including, on Monday, Saudi Arabia's first case. The health ministry in Riyadh, another key rival of Tehran, said the man had tested positive after returning from Iran. Many of the Gulf's other victims are pilgrims returning from Iran, especially the Shiite holy city of Qom where the country's first case was reported. US President Donald Trump had Saturday offered: "If we can help the Iranians with this problem, we are certainly willing to do so... All they have to do is ask." But Tehran rejected the offer, charging that Trump, who has heaped sanctions and a campaign of "maximum pressure" on Iran, was offering help "for propaganda purposes". "We are suspicious of the intentions of the Americans and do not count on this aid," said foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Moussavi, quoted by IRNA. READ | Nine Times More New Virus Cases Outside China Than In: WHO Germany, France and Britain, who remain as signatories to a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran despite Trump's withdrawal, expressed "their full solidarity with all impacted by COVID-19 in Iran". Beijing, also a signatory to the nuclear deal, said an expert team from China had arrived Saturday in Tehran "to provide what assistance it can in terms of epidemic prevention and control and medical relief". The WHO said it had sent Iran "medical supplies and protective equipment to support over 15,000 health care workers, as well as enough laboratory kits to test and diagnose nearly 100,000 people". As the goods worth more than $300,000 -- including gloves, surgical masks and respirators -- were loaded onto an Emirati transport plane in Dubai, WHO's Robert Blanchard warned that global supplies were running low. "What we see now is that demand has greatly exceeded our available stocks... and we are struggling to get access to more supplies." The six-member medical team is made up of doctors, epidemiologists and laboratory specialists to help Iran detect and control the virus, Blanchard said. WHO operations manager Nevien Attalla said the supplies were the "first big shipment which supports the response to coronavirus". "Iran is a challenging country. You don't have always easy approvals to go," she said. The UAE provided the military transport plane for the flight despite having downgraded its relations with the Islamic republic amid fierce rivalry between Iran and close UAE ally Saudi Arabia. Gulf states have announced a raft of measures to cut links with Iran to curb the spread of the virus, cutting off transport links and telling citizens not to visit. "Aid should reach all people regardless of their background," said Sultan Mohammed al-Shamsi, the UAE's undersecretary for humanitarian affairs. IRNA reported the death of Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 72, a member of the Expediency Council which advises Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It did not specify the cause of death but said he had died at Tehran's Massih Danechvari Hospital, the capital's main centre for patients suffering from the new coronavirus. READ | Evacuate J&K Residents Stranded In Coronavirus-hit Iran: Leaders To Centre READ | Rupee Takes 52 Paise Plunge As Fresh Coronavirus Cases Spook Investors MONTVALE, N.J., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), announces it has been awarded the Copiers & Managed Print Services contract #140603 by the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint. Sharp's contract award includes four categories: A3 MFPs, A4 MFPs, production equipment and single function printers. Sharp is a three-time NASPO ValuePoint contract awardee. The company provides turn-key document management solutions, which includes providing state-of-the-art office equipment for today's tech-driven workspace and service on a nationwide level. "This is an exciting time for Sharp in both the digital imaging and smart office markets," said Mike Marusic, President and CEO, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "We are focused and committed to providing quality copiers and managed print solutions that deliver superior productivity, performance and ease-of-use to NASPO ValuePoint end users." NASPO ValuePoint competitively bids cooperative contracts that provide exceptional goods and services to state and local governments. The Copiers & Managed Print Service contract helps government agencies reduce costs while boosting efficiency and productivity. "NASPO ValuePoint is excited to have issued awards for the 3rd iteration of the Copier & Managed Print Services Contract," said Bart Lemmon, supplier development director, NASPO and NASPO ValuePoint. "The new agreements have expanded the scope beyond just copiers and printers to meet the complex office equipment needs of the states and their users. With the expanded scope and breadth of offerings, we expect to see an increase in participating states that adopt these ValuePoint contracts." About Sharp Electronics Corporation Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation. Sharp is a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, professional displays and smart office systems. Sharp has been named to Fortune magazine's 2020 World's Most Admired Company List, a ranking of the world's most respected and reputable companies. About Sharp Imaging and Information Company Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, markets Sharp's business products, including its new Synappx family of collaboration applications that help address the workforce's increased expectation of secure accessibility, ease of use and mobility; its full line of multifunction printers (MFPs); and professional display products, including the award-winning AQUOS BOARD interactive display system. For more information on Sharp's business products, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, 100 Paragon Drive, Montvale, N.J., 07645. For online product information, visit our website at business.sharpusa.com. Become a fan of Sharp business products on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and watch us on YouTube . SOURCE Sharp Electronics Corporation USA Related Links https://business.sharpusa.com A fourth person, alleged to be a BJP supporter, has been arrested for raising provocative slogan -- "desh ke gaddaro ko, goli maro ..." (shoot the traitors) -- while heading for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's rally in the city, police said on Tuesday. Sujit Barua (51), a resident of Ghola of Sodepur in North 24 Parganas district, was picked up by police on Monday night after he was identified from a video footage, a senior Kolkata Police official said. Like the three other arrested "BJP supporters", Barua has been booked for promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony, criminal intimidation, committing public mischief and common intention, he said. Among the three arrested earlier, two -- Pankaj Prasad and Surendra Kumar Tewary -- have been sent to police custody for three days, while Dhruva Basu was granted bail by a city court on Monday on grounds of age and ill health, he said. The video footage was shared with the home department and the arrests were made after getting its nod, he said. "Search for a few others identified from the video footage is on," the IPS officer said. The state BJP leadership has been denying the involvement of any party worker in the incident and termed it as the "handiwork of the TMC (Trinamool Congress)". The men shouted the slogan while they were passing the Maidan Market in downtown Esplanade en route to the rally venue at nearby Shahid Minar ground. The union home minister was on a day-long visit to Kolkata on Sunday. There has been a controversy over raising of such slogans during BJP rallies during Delhi assembly polls and protests in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) due to allegations that they provoke violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The following editorial appeared in Tuesday's Japan News-Yomiuri: - - - Can the 18 years of fighting in Afghanistan be brought to an end and the stability and reconstruction of the country be achieved? The road is still rough. The United States and the Taliban, the former ruling power in Afghanistan, have signed a peace agreement. The United States plans to reduce the number of its troops stationed in Afghanistan in a phased manner from about 13,000 and withdraw them completely over the next 14 months. The Taliban will not allow terrorist organizations to conduct activities based in Afghanistan that threaten the safety of the United States and its allies, nor will it allow them to conduct training or raise funds. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has intermittently held direct talks with the Taliban since 2018. Trump is apparently trying to emphasize the return of U.S. soldiers and reducing the cost of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan as "achievements" for the presidential election this autumn. The Afghan government did not participate in this agreement. The focus will be on whether the Afghan government and the Taliban will be able to hold talks on the future management of the country in line with the agreement. U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan began in 2001. The United States attacked the then Taliban regime for hiding Al-Qaida, the international terrorist organization that carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The regime collapsed, but the Taliban subsequently regained power. Constructive support vital About 2,400 U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan. The annual number of civilian casualties has exceeded 10,000 for six consecutive years since 2014, when the U.S. military handed over the responsibility for securing the country to Afghan security forces. If the reduction of U.S. forces creates a "power vacuum," there is a possibility that the situation could further deteriorate. Even if the Taliban makes efforts to scale back the violence, there is no guarantee that it will be able to control the activities of Al-Qaida and the Islamic State extremist group, among others. "If bad things happen, we'll go back," Trump has said. It is only natural that he urged the Taliban to implement the agreement and indicated his intention to review the withdrawal of U.S. forces depending on the situation. A hasty withdrawal of troops must be avoided. The political turmoil in the Afghan government is a cause for concern. Vote counting in the presidential election in September last year was delayed due to allegations of fraud. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who was reelected in February when the results were announced, is being tested in terms of his ability to govern the country. In contrast to the current republic headed by a president, the Taliban is seeking to govern the country based on an extreme interpretation of Islamic rule. There is a wide gap between the two sides. To realize stable governance, it is essential for each party to make efforts to promote reconciliation and improve public security. China and Russia are increasing their influence in Afghanistan through the Taliban. Instead of competing for influence with each other, the countries concerned should continue to provide constructive assistance to prevent Afghanistan from reverting to a "hotbed of terrorism." The COVID-19 virus can cause a more severe illness than a typical cold, but it initially manifests with many of the same symptoms, experts say. So doctors are unlikely to ask for COVID-19 testing if someone is only presenting with cold and flu symptoms and doesnt have any other reason to suspect they may have it. World Storyful Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan on Monday, January 10, a day after another blaze claimed the lives of 17 people in the Bronx.This footage, recorded on Monday afternoon, shows smoke pouring out of a building at the corner of Avenue A and 3rd Street. According to local reports, at least 100 firefighters responded to the blaze, which the FDNY said originated in a store on the first floor.The incident comes a day after at least 17 people were killed in a Bronx apartment building after a space heater sparked a fire, according to authorities. Credit: EV Grieve via Storyful " " Ice volcanoes, such as the one seen "erupting" here along the shores of Lake Michigan, are created when a wave forces water out of a hole in the ice, causing it to run down like lava and freeze. Deb Perry/Getty Images Ice does all kinds of weird things on the Great Lakes: It forms perfect balls on the shore and piles up in heaving ice tsunamis when winds on the lake are violent in winter. But maybe the most exciting of the Great Lakes ice spectacles are the ice volcanoes. Ice volcanoes are not, of course, real volcanoes belching magma from the bowels of the planet it's impossible for Earth volcanoes to spew ice, though other planets and moons in our solar system have cryovolcanoes, which erupt frozen liquid like ammonia and water. No, these earthly ice volcanoes have three ingredients: water, freezing temperatures (so that the water will freeze after it erupts out of the holes) and choppy waters. It's kind of a treat to get to see them, if only because it can remind you of how lucky you are to be able to go home to some nice warm blankies and a cup of tea. Advertisement Ice volcanoes form when it's really cold outside at least 32 degrees F (0 degrees C), or even "several degrees below freezing," according to researchers at Michigan Tech University, and cold enough to form a sheet of ice along the edge of the water. High winds out on the water create waves that break through the bottom of this shore-hugging ice, causing water and slush to squirt up onto the surface of it. From here, a little mound of ice forms around this hole, and grows each time more water shoots up through it. In this way the ice forms a cone around the hole, similar to that of a volcano. Of course, conditions have to be just perfect for ice volcanoes to form, and they don't stay around forever. For starters, it has to be very cold cold enough for ice to form along the shore, which doesn't always happen but also it must stay cold around the clock so the ice cone doesn't melt. Finally, the winds out on bodies of water such as the Great Lakes need to be whipping up waves forceful enough to shoot water up through the hole in the ice shelf. Ice volcanoes have been seen along the northern shores of Lake Superior and Lake Erie, too, and can presumably form on any body of water where the same conditions occur. When ice volcanoes happen, they're a sight to behold. But please don't climb on them they're hollow and thus not as sturdy as the surrounding ice. And once you fall into an ice volcano, it's hard to get you back out. Now That's Interesting The collective ice on Earth is called the "cryosphere." Swiss Re plans to make UBS Group Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti its chairman from next year, the worlds second-biggest reinsurer said on Tuesday, turning to a financial industry veteran with scant insurance experience. Swiss Re has nominated Ermotti, who is due to step down from Switzerlands biggest bank in November, for a board seat at next months annual meeting. He would then replace Walter Kielholz as chairman from 2021, the company said. The move, reported by Reuters on Monday, comes as Swiss Re faces challenges from climate change, ultra-low interest rates and increasingly large jury awards in the United States that risk upending its casualty business. Ermotti may lack insurance expertise, but he understands asset management, regulators and complex global financial institutions, Kielholz told journalists. Its worthwhile taking this trade-off, he said. Swiss Re shares were up 2.5% in mid-morning trade. UBS last month named ING Chief Executive Ralph Hamers to succeed Ermotti as CEO of the worlds largest wealth manager after a handover period starting in September. Ermotti, who has led UBS since 2011, had been coy about his future career path. When news of Hamers appointment emerged, he declined to speculate whether he would eventually replace UBS Chairman Axel Weber, who intends to stay in his post until 2022. Swiss Re began approaching Ermotti last year probably around October, Kielholz said. Ermotti has agreed not to take the chair of any other companies, in line with Swiss Re policy, he added. Ermotti is a former investment banker and stock trader who turns 60 in May. He earned plaudits for helping rebuild UBS after the financial crisis, with a focus on wealth management. However, UBS missed its profit and cost targets for 2019 amid ultra-low interest rates in Europe and increased competition from U.S. rivals, forcing Ermotti to dial back some of the banks financial goals. Swiss Re, led by CEO Christian Mumenthaler, generated a smaller-than-expected 2019 profit amid claims for a series of man-made and natural disasters and expenses for its U.S. casualty business. Net profit was $727 million. Kielholz has been chairman of Swiss Re since 2009. Ermottis switch to Swiss Re continues a changing of the guard in the Swiss financial elite. Credit Suisse last month named Thomas Gottstein as CEO to take over from Tidjane Thiam, who resigned following a spying scandal. Former UBS investment banking head Andrea Orcel was supposed to become chief executive of Banco Santander, but the plan fell apart in a row over pay. (Additional reporting by John Revill and Tom Sims; editing by Silke Koltrowitz and Mark Potter) Topics USA Swiss Re The King and Queen of Sweden have cancelled a formal dinner amid coronavirus fears. King Carl XVI Gustaf, 73, and Queen Silvia, 76, were due to host 150 guests at the Official Government dinner Royal Palace, in Stockholm, tomorrow night. However the couple announced yesterday that the event has been cancelled after a 24 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in recent days. King Carl XVI Gustaf, 73, and Queen Silvia, 76, were due to host 150 guests at the stunning Royal Palace, in Stockholm, tomorrow night but cancelled amid coronavirus fears. Pictured, the couple (centre) with l-r: daughter-in-law Princess Sofia, son Prince Carl Phillip, daughter Crown Princess Victoria and son-in-law Daniel at an event at the Royal Palace in March 2019 The risk of a widespread outbreak int the country also rose from 'low' to 'moderate'. It is thought other members of the Swedish royal family, including their children Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Carl Phillip, were due to attend, as well as senior members of the Swedish government. It comes as the number of COVID-19 cases in the UK jumped overnight to 51. In a statement released yesterday, the Swedish royal court said: 'In recent days, a number of cases of infection from the novel coronavirus have been detected in Sweden. 'The Public Health Authority considers the risk of detecting cases of covid-19 in Sweden to be high, but the risk of the infection spreading is considered low. King Carl XVI Gustaf, 73, and Queen Silvia, 76, pictured last month, announced yesterday that the event has been cancelled after a 24 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in recent days 'Awaiting further development of events, Their Majesties, as hosts, choose to postpone the Official Dinner that was planned to be held at the Royal Palace on Wednesday, 4 March. This is done out of consideration for the invited guests.' Sweden's Public Health Agency said it now sees the risk of imported cases and of Swedish citizens being infected abroad as 'very high', up from the previous assessment of 'high'. 'In particular the situation in Italy means that we now expect that Swedish citizens will be infected, and also come to Sweden with the infection,' agency head Johan Carlson said. The total number of coronavirus cases increased from 14 at the time the statement was made on Monday to 24 today, according to The Local. New York (United Nations)- 03 Mars 2020 (SPS)- Polisario Front Representative at the United Nations, Dr. Sidi M. Omar, called on Security Council to hold Morocco accountable for human trafficking and drug smuggling leading to more instability in the region. in his letter to the President of the Security Council, Mr Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of the Peoples Republic of China to the United Nations, Dr. Sidi Omar considered that Morocco should he held accountable for its well-documented role in human trafficking and drug smuggling across our region and beyond. He recalled that Polisario Front strongly calls on the Security Council to compel Morocco to uphold its regional and international responsibilities and to desist from its destabilising actions that are threatening security and stability of its neighbours and the whole region. He further recalled that Polisario Front has alerted on previous occasions that he well-documented connivance between Moroccan military and drug lords is what explains how many tons of Moroccan-produced cannabis are smuggled across the illegal Moroccan military wall in Western Sahara. The Saharawi diplomat believed that Morocco therefore should explain to the United Nations and the international community how it is possible that drug and human traffickers are able to pass through Western Sahara, which is entirely encircled by one of the most heavily manned, guarded and militarised walls in the world, which is infested with millions of landmines and equipped with sophisticated radars and surveillance systems. The letter comes following the success by a unit from the Sahrawi Army, on Sunday 1st March 2020, to intercept and seize 725 kilograms of Moroccan cannabis in the region of Ausard. The drugs were being transported across the illegal Moroccan military wall in Western Sahara. The letter explains that the operation is part of the anti-drug-trafficking operations carried out by the Sahrawi Army throughout the Sahrawi Liberated Territories. In conformity with our obligations as an AU Member State and thanks to the growing cooperation with our neighbours, we have actively contributed to curbing the illicit flow of drugs, especially Moroccan-produced drugs, into and across our region, Polisario Fronts Representative stresses. It is well known, the letter emphasises, that Morocco remains the worlds largest producer and exporter of cannabis, as confirmed by many international reports including the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report of the US Department of State and the World Drug Report 2019 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In this regard, Dr. Sidi adds the illegal breach opened by Morocco through its military wall in Guerguerat in southern Western Sahara serves as a point of passage for all sorts of illicit goods including Moroccan produced cannabis and other drugs, which are becoming a major source of funding for transnational terrorist groups operating in the Sahel-Sahara region. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) The BJP observed 'Mukti Divas' (day of freedom) in Tripura on Tuesday to mark the end of the 25-year-long rule by Left Front and the coming to power of the saffron party under Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in 2018. The opposition CPI(M) on the other hand described the day as Black day and said the BJP-led government in the state had come to power by befooling the people and law and order had collapsed in the two years of its "misrule". Deb told newsmen that the decision of the people to "rescue" the state from the clutches of the Left had proved to be historic and his government is working to make Tripura a model state. The chief minister said he is confident that his government will be able to make Tripura "a model and best state" with guidance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and every household in it will have the means of livelihood very soon. Deb offered puja at the Tripureswari temple in Gomati district, about 60 km from here, on the day. BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya told reporters, "This day (March 3) is a symbol of the end of Left misrule and freedom of people. So, we are observing this day through rallies and events in all assembly segments of the state". CPI(M) state secretary Goutam Das told a press conference on Tuesday, We consider the day as Black day. The BJP befooled the people to come to power on this day two years ago". He claimed that RSS and BJP had "exerted full force" and the entire union cabinet and central administration were sent by the Centre to capture Tripura. "Muscle, money and media power were used with false pledges," Das said and alleged that law and order had collapsed in the two years of BJP "misrule". BJP, he said, has failed to fulfil any pledges. "During the two years (since 2018) 13 CPI(M) workers were murdered but none was arrested, while 15 party workers died due to heart attack due to panic created by BJP," he said. Das said in all 141 CPI(M) party offices were burnt down, 322 party offices ransacked and 69 forcefully occupied in Tripura. He also alleged that 2170 CPI-M workers, including 203 women were physically tortured and 1002 houses belonging to party supporters were ransacked, vandalized and looted. Elaborating on alleged attacks by BJP on CPI(M) workers, Das claimed that 341 shops belonging to them were looted and 52 poultry farms, 14 fisheries and 40 rubber plantations were destroyed. Besides, 112 vehicles owned by them were damaged by "hooligans" of the ruling party. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Australian flight attendant has shared exactly how she packs a carry on bag for a one week trip abroad, what skincare she swears by and how to be most comfortable in your seat. Rosalie Edith, 28, who is based in Sydney, runs a YouTube channel that reveals some of the best tips and tricks she has picked up since joining the aviation industry in November 2013. Describing the work she does with Jetstar as her 'dream job' the blonde hostess covers everything from her biggest pet peeve to what a day in her jet-setting life looks like. Scroll down for video Rosalie Edith, 28, who is based in Sydney, runs a YouTube channel that reveals some of the best tips and tricks she has picked up since joining the aviation industry in November 2013 Describing the work she does with Jetstar as her 'dream job' the blonde hostess covers everything from her biggest pet peeve to what a day in her jet-setting life looks like BEST SKINCARE FOR FLIGHTS The blonde flight attendant said she has really dry skin and used to suffer as a result of the moisture-sucking cabin air. To combat this Rosalie found the 100% Jojoba Oil from The Jojoba Company ($19.95) was best at locking in her natural skin moisture and she applies it before doing her makeup of a morning. She also cannot fly without her Lucas PawPaw Ointment ($12.79) because it is good for soothing dry lips, elbows and nail cuticles. At the moment she's 'loving' the MooGoo lip balm ($4.50) because it's slightly smaller and fits easily in her pocket. The blonde flight attendant said she has really dry skin and often suffered as a result of the moisture-sucking cabin air MOST ANNOYING PET PEEVE ON FLIGHTS In a YouTube video titled 'Flight Attendant Tag' Rosalie spoke about one of the most annoying things customers do while they're flying. 'Please don't leave your half peeled, half eaten, hard boiled eggs in the seat pockets,' she said. On short haul flight it is the attendants who are cleaning up after passengers and it's a nasty surprise to find a squished egg somewhere on board. Instead Rosalie said it's easy to throw your food away during one of the many stops the hostess' make down the aisles. In a YouTube video titled 'Flight Attendant Tag' Rosalie spoke about one of the most annoying things customers do while they're flying HOW TO BE COMFORTABLE ON A FLIGHT Rosalie sees a lot of passengers sitting down in their exercise gear or gym tights on a flight but she describes this as the 'worst thing' you can do for your body. She recommends loose fitting clothing be worn at all times and comfortable footwear - like those produced by Easy Steps - be used as 'cabin shoes'. Avoiding high heels on a flight is key, because they can lead to a misalignment of your spine over time. Further to this, book the aisle seat on a plane so you can drink as much water as you'd like and still get up without disrupting anyone. Rosalie finds she drinks less water to avoid being a nuisance to other customers in the window seat, which ultimately leaves you dehydrated. Rosalie sees a lot of passengers sitting down in their exercise gear or gym tights on a flight but she describes this as the 'worst thing' you can do HOW TO PACK CARRY ON Rosalie sometimes adds additional travel to her layovers so she gets the most out of each country she stops in. During the times where she will only take a carry on suitcase and smaller piece of luggage she writes a 'packing list' so she doesn't forget any essentials at the last minute. Then she will lay out all of her desired outfits onto a bed and ensure there is enough there for the length of time she's planning to travel for. Rosalie sometimes adds additional travel to her layovers so she gets the most out of each country she stops in What does a day in Rosalie's life look like? * She will go to the gym if she's on call and has 90 minutes to get to the airport in the event she is asked to fly. * She is called out for a 'duty' from Sydney to Christchurch at 6pm and is told she will only be staying for 12 hours. * Upon landing she goes to sleep before waking up in the morning to go for a short walk and shopping spree. * By the time it hits mid-afternoon she is picked up and taken back to the airport, where she flew back home as a passenger. Advertisement Each outfit is folded into a packing cube and placed inside her Kate Hill suitcase so she knows exactly which intimates, shorts and top will work together. Another smaller bag is used to house her hair tools - a straightener and hairbrush - and she uses a handbag to store a scarf and over-the-shoulder bag for going out during the day. In the top of her suitcase Rosalie keeps a pair of sandals and ensures her 'plane outfit' - a pair of loose fitting trousers, a t-shirt and socks - are at her disposal. 'Use pencil cases with three zippers to house your makeup and inflight necessities like a passport, tissues, eye mask, pens, chamomile tea and a hair elastic,' she said. In the top of her suitcase Rosalie keeps a pair of sandals and ensure her 'plane outfit' - a pair of loose fitting trousers, a t-shirt and socks - are at her disposal For international travel out of Australia passengers are restricted to bringing 100ml of liquid per toiletry and they must be placed in a clear bag. For this reason Rosalie decants larger moisturisers into containers she already has and brings a stick deodorant because it doesn't classify as either a gel or liquid on a flight. Shampoo and conditioner 'bars' work best in this instance because liquid versions are more likely to spill through your entire bag. 'I also tape any electronics to their adapters so I don't lose anything and have a portable charger ready to go so I never run out of charge,' she said. Chennai, March 3 : Kamal Haasan-founded Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) here on Tuesday asked the state government to stop harassing by the police of the actor in connection with an accident at the shooting of "Indian 2" that left three persons dead and 12 others injured. In a statement, the MNM said the Tamil Nadu police had questioned Haasan for three hours about the accident. The government was doing this as it didn't like the party securing good votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, read the statement issued by R. Thangavelu, state Secretary, MNM Welfare Group. The statement came after Haasan met the police in connection with the crane accident during the shooting last month. Speaking to the media, Haasan said he had met the police as they wanted to know the details of the accident. "I am one of the persons who escaped unhurt in the accident. As my duty to the three persons who lost their lives, I came to appraise the police as to what happened," he said. Haasan said he and the movie industry were open to safety suggestions by the police. According to him, some movie industry people had met him at his office to take up the safety issue. There would be a larger meeting of the industry, he said and added, the details would be shared with the media. Three technicians -- Madhu, Chandran and Krishna -- were killed and 12 others injured after the crane fell on them dueing construction os a set at the EVP Film City, near here on February 19 night. Lead actor Haasan, female lead Kajal Aggarwal as well as Director Shankar had a providential escape. The police are summoning people who were present at the accident spot to ascertain the reason for the accident and review the safety precautions taken. Before his time in the House, he was involved with several organizations in Muscatine, including HNI, Bandag, and Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was the co-chair of both the Muscatine Blue Zones Initiative and the Mayors Community Improvement Action Team. Now he wants to focus on spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and traveling. As far as Carlson is concerned, this years session is as good as any to go out on. We get a lot accomplished every year in the legislature, and I would not expect this year to be different than the previous years, Carlson said. He added that representing people in the Legislature has been an honor for him. I tried never to take that election for granted and tried to do the best job I possibly could in representing the people of Muscatine. I appreciate the faith that people had in electing me multiple times. A mother and daughter attacked a pilot after pushing him into his cockpit and biting him in a row over a buggy, a court heard today. Henrietta Mitaiare, 23, and her mother Mary Roberts, 53, flew with Swiss Air from Zurich to London Heathrow on May 2 last year. Before the flight left Switzerland, Mitaiare got into an argument with airport staff after they said her child's buggy had to go into the hold. She was forced to accept she could not keep it with her and the two women and the three-year-old child boarded the plane, Uxbridge Magistrates Court was told. But when they landed in London, Mitaiare demanded to know the names of the women she had spoken to before they left so she could make a complaint. When Captain Guido Keel intervened to say they could use his name instead, Mitaiare said it was 'nothing to do with him' and shoved him into his cockpit, the court heard. A physical altercation ensued, with Mitaiare biting him on the arm and her mother biting his finger. The two women are accused of assault by beating but both deny the charges. Henrietta Mitaiare is pictured in Kensington, west London, in January 2016 Henrietta Mitaiare, 23, and Mary Roberts, 53, leaving Uxbridge Magistrates Court Swiss Air co-pilot Friedrich Preiler (pictured) gave evidence in the case at Uxbridge Magistrates Court today Magistrates in Uxbridge heard today how Mitaiare claimed it was 'too expensive' to put her child's buggy in the plane hold and rowed with workers until finally accepting it had to go in. After Captain Keel's intervention, he and Mitaiare were seen 'tussling' on the floor of the cockpit, before her mother pushed past cabin manager Ali Chkerdaa to get to the pair shouting 'get off my baby'. When Roberts reached her daughter she continued yelling and kicked Captain Keel while he was on the ground, the court heard. Mitaiare had been seen waving her mobile phone in the air, claiming she was going to stream what was happening live on Facebook, magistrates were told. Despite efforts from Mr Chkerdaa and ground staff, the fight could not be broken up until police officers arrived. Arlene De Silva, prosecuting, said: 'This is an incident that took place on a Swiss Air flight which boarded at Zurich and landed at Heathrow. 'The defendant, Miss Mitaiare, initially approached the manager about her bringing a buggy and questioning why she couldn't have her buggy on the plane. 'When the flight landed at Heathrow she approached him again to get means of contact because she wanted to make a complaint. Mitaiare, 23, and her mother Mary Roberts, 53, flew with Swiss Air (pictured) from Zurich to London Heathrow on May 2 last year 'He said he didn't have any other names and was standing next to the captain who identified himself and said he was responsible so said 'have my name.' 'The defendant had her phone out and was starting to record the captain. 'She shoved it at the captain, pushed him in the shoulder area while she was recording and she was saying something like 'she was black' and 'was going to put everything live on Facebook. 'She then grabbed the captain by his hand and pushed him into the cockpit. 'He was in the cockpit, she followed him into the cockpit there was a tussle and she ended up on top of the captain. 'During the course of that his face was scratched his arm was scratched and she was seen to bite the captain on his arm. 'Her mother was also travelling with her at this point. She was initially outside the cockpit but when she saw what was happening went in and started kicking him while he was on the floor saying basically 'get off my daughter.' 'Other members of the flight staff and ground crew and also officers then attended and removed the defendant from the cockpit.' The two women are accused of assault by beating and appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court today (pictured) but both deny the charges The court heard how the pair responded only with 'no comment' when questioned by police, but Mitaiare gave a prepared statement. Mr Chkerdaa also told the court how he was bitten by Roberts when he tried to step in. Wearing his Swiss Air uniform, he took to the stand to explain the incident from the start. He said: 'She said the buggy was too expensive and she doesn't want to put it in the hold. 'I said if it's already labelled on the luggage so we have to put it in the hold and I already told her the flight was fully booked and there was no space left anywhere. 'I already had two ladies coming to the gate because she tried to pull the tag off. 'They started arguing between them, the lady and the two women working at the gate. 'I was just standing by because she was always trying to have a discussion with me because she said I was the manager on the flight. 'The mother stepped in and calmed down the daughter and said 'ok enough, just accept it.' 'They walked into the plane and she was very loud. We put the baggage in the hold.' He later recalled the moment the attack began, adding: 'It was a back and forth - 'give me the name, give me the name'. 'I thought, okay I'm the flight manager I will give her the business card - 'If you have a problem or you are not happy you can contact Swiss and they will know exactly who was on this flight on the ground.' 'She didn't accept my business card. Then the captain came beside me and said 'you have already the name of the person if there is a problem you can write to Swiss.' 'She said 'Sorry you have nothing to do with it, stay away.' 'She said 'Swiss people are racist' - it's because she is a black woman travelling with a child. 'I think she was holding the phone with one hand and the captain said 'ok, we'll have to stop it. Could you please step outside.' 'The moment he touched her she went all crazy, 'don't touch me.' 'I don't know if he touched her, but he put his had towards this side between her arm and shoulder. 'Then they started fighting. She was going to the face, because she is shorter, and the neck with one hand and the other hand was holding the phone. 'He was laying on his back and she is not on top of him but on the side and he was pushing her away with his hand. 'The mother pushed me to the side and went inside saying 'leave my baby alone.' She was kicking, with the feet. One foot maybe. 'They were both on the floor but I think she was trying to kick the captain. There was ground staff from London, I asked him to help me so we could pull her out but we couldn't. 'I couldn't pull her out so I asked him to call the police and in the meantime there was a woman working as ground staff and she came to help me. 'When they were fighting she [Roberts] bit me on my finger but we were able to pull the jacket on top of her head. Because we could not pull her out from the cockpit.' His co-pilot Friedrich Preiler, who was completing paperwork in the cockpit when the fight began, told the court: 'It was like a battlefield, there were shoes on the floor and some buttons. 'I saw some hair and two telephones. I saw blood on the captain's neck. I saw that he had scratches. 'I saw that the pilot's shirt was full of blood. I saw on the hand that there was more blood.' Police sergeant Robert Cater, who was first on the scene with a colleague, PC Barclay, left an extradition operation to attend the incident. He said: 'When you looked into the cockpit there was just a melee going on, you couldn't really see what was going on at that point. 'Initially, not knowing what I was dealing with, I held her hands behind her back and she was calm at that point and I asked her what had happened. 'She explained something similar to 'they had tried to take my pushchair off of me.' She said that she had got mad and kicked him. 'She said 'I also bit him.' She said they 'can't treat women like that.' 'She did tell me that she was live streaming on Facebook. 'She did say 'where's my daughter,' and mentioned that she had a three year old. This was the first mention of the child but I pulled back a curtain and she was there. 'Other officers came onto the plane, quite a number of them, then they took the female off of me.' Roberts, of Fulham, south west London, and Mitaiare, of Kensington, west London, both deny the charges of assault by beating on Captain Guido Keel. The trial continues. When Matthew Byron combined his passion for mountain biking with his day job as a mechanical designer, he devised an innovation that seeks to make mountain bike rides more comfortable by customizing the pistons to the rider's weight. Byron's product gained serious traction Feb. 25, as he won the $2,000 first-place prize and the $500 crowd favorite honor at the 2020 innovateUNG Pitch Challenge. The University of North Georgia (UNG) junior pursuing an interdisciplinary studies degree was scheduled to move on to the Georgia InVenture Prize competition set for April 1-2 at GPB in Atlanta before the state event was canceled. The student from Lilburn, Georgia, who takes classes around his full-time work schedule, brought a product model for the three judges to see. Byron finished his presentation with a short bike jump off the stage to the back of the UNG Dining Hall Banquet Room. Gina Urbina Sanchez, a senior from Atlanta pursuing a management degree, took second place among the four teams of UNG students who took part in the startup contest, earning a $1,500 prize. Her product, "On Me," is a fashionable solution that seeks to hold dresses, ties, scarves and other clothing items in place and avoid wardrobe malfunctions. Urbina Sanchez, who is originally from Colombia, appreciated the feedback and compliments she received from the judges. Gina Urbina Sanchez finished second in innovateUNG with her product that is a fashionable solution that seeks to hold dresses, ties, scarves and other clothing items in place and avoid wardrobe malfunctions. "The ability to be able to share it with people who will see a value in it and maybe help me expand my idea was an amazing experience," she said. Dr. Ruben Boling, director of UNG's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, enjoyed the chance to mentor each of the participants ahead of the competition. "The student entrepreneurs did a great job. It's a great feeling to see the advancement they've made in preparation for this event," Boling said. "Each of them was spot-on with what they were doing, and they answered questions like pros. The judges provided high-value feedback to the contestants that will enable them to make their innovations even more valuable to the markets they are serving" Dr. Mariangela Vecchiarini-Piazza, assistant professor of entrepreneurship at UNG, echoed those sentiments. "The innovateUNG Pitch Challenge displayed how creativity, teamwork and dedication can contribute toward creating something incredible," Vecchiarini-Piazza said. "All contestants did an excellent job, and each idea presented a clear solution to an issue in our world today." She and Boling expressed gratitude for all the participants and attendees. "I appreciate the UNG students, faculty and staff who supported the event and the attendees who cheered on the contestants," Boling said. "The result was an outstanding event for all." The other participants in the contest were: Driven to Style Team member: Jenna Libman Idea: A unique, fully online women's and juniors' secondhand clothing business G-3 Takeout Team members: Eric Ferguson, Jordan Mallak, Wrafi Rucker Idea: A local food delivery service that not only delivers food but also combats drunk driving Judges for the competition were: We have nothing. We dont have that kind of money they are asking for. Those were the words of one of the nephews of couple Narine Maraj, 62, and Mattie Maraj, 52, who were kidnapped on Saturday evening after leaving their Madras, St Helena, home to tend to their animals at a family-owned farm in Piarco. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. He can often be seen driving around in a luxury car, visiting shops where he spends a great deal of money on designer clothes, eating in good restaurants and closing business deals. For his neighbours, who also live in the labyrinth of residential developments on the Costa del Sol, he is just another rich foreigner. He goes almost unnoticed. What they don't realise is that he is carrying a gun under his shirt and he sells drugs. He is a trafficker. One of the many who, together with their gang members, have come to live in Malaga, the place at which their paths cross. The Tower of Babel of the drugs world is being created on the Costa, where there are currently between 50 and 100 gangs of different nationalities, according to an Interior Ministry report on organised crime in Spain. The report shows that Malaga is one of the six provinces in the country with the highest number of these groups. They choose the Costa del Sol as the best place in which to settle and carry out their criminal business because it has numerous attractions for them, says an investigator who specialises in the fight against drug trafficking, These include the good communications with an international airport and the many residential developments where they can go about their illegal business unnoticed. Strategic location Above all, though, Andalucia and more specifically Malaga and Cadiz are the gateway to Europe for drug smugglers. The province is in a strategic location. It is close to Morocco, where the hashish is produced and brought to Spain via the beaches and through Algeciras port. The port is one of the fourth largest in Europe, and last year it handled 109,367,964 tonnes of cargo. A true multitude of containers pass through there, including some which are full of hidden drugs, principally cocaine from Latin America, but also heroin, other illegal substances and even weapons, such as AK-47s. However, Spain is also a country in which drugs are produced, and Malaga and Granada have become the principal suppliers of marijuana. From Spain, where the merchandise is guarded in what are known as 'nurseries', the different substances are distributed to the rest of Europe. The gangs used to specialise in particular drugs according to their nationality, for example Colombian organisations trafficked cocaine and the Italians hashish. That has changed in recent years, as the criminals got to know each other in jail and formed new gangs upon their release; these groups are smaller and more specialised, according to another police officer who is an expert in the field. He explains that, although the biggest organisations concentrate on drug trafficking, the smaller groups are subcontracted for a variety of other tasks such as stealing powerful 4x4 vehicles to load up the drugs when they are brought onto the beaches. When everything is going well, these different groups coexist with no problems, but when something goes wrong the revenge can be bloody. That is when the gangs are needed to carry out other services, such as extortion, kidnapping or murders to 'settle the scores'. In recent months officers from the National Police and Guardia Civil have broken up several gangs of hitmen from Sweden who have been commissioned to carry out revenge killings. They have nothing to do with the conflicts. They just fly in, carry out the crime and leave. These deaths leave a bloody trail of organised crime on the Costa del Sol and that trail is becoming longer. Official figures show that there were eight revenge killings in 2019, the same number as the year before, but there were also more than 50 other incidents of violence, including attempted murder, injuries, kidnappings and damage to property - such as the explosions that were the first cases of narco-terrorism registered in Malaga. Always armed This increase in violence is experienced first-hand by the officers whose job involves them risking their lives on the streets. From the drug trafficking operations they've been involved in, they can see that today's criminals all carry weapons and are even equipped with bulletproof vests. There are two reasons for this. The first is the change of profile of the traffickers and the criminals who move in those circles; they are younger nowadays and less afraid of using a firearm. The police say these are the most violent. For example, the members of one of these groups of hitmen were all aged between 20 and 30. The other reason is the theft of drugs or money among traffickers. The structure of the National Police in the Campo de Gibraltar area has been reinforced and the Guardia Civil now has a Drug Trafficking Coordination Organisation (OCON). In just a year and a half they have made nearly 3,000 arrests, and the gangs have changed their routines as a result. Stealing hauls Now the traffickers have to go outside the Campo de Gibraltar area to unload the boats and, because of the difficulties involved in bringing drugs in and unloading them, they are finding it much more profitable simply to steal them. They often steal the vehicle being used by another gang, or raid the place they are using to store the haul. With this new situation, violence and revenge attacks have increased, and so has the use of weapons. Many of the weapons are used to intimidate, to demonstrate power, such as explosives and long guns, especially the AK-47 (Kalashnikov) assault rifle, the type used at the end of last year to shoot a 20-year-old in Mijas. This type of weapon comes from countries in Eastern Europe where there have been conflicts in the past. One of the officers says they can be bought on the black market for about 600 euros if they are 'dirty' - in other words, if they have been used to shoot someone. The not only demonstrate power, but are also used to protect the valuable 'nurseries' where the drugs are kept. The police have seen that some Moroccan producers no longer use local clans for the logistical side of transporting the drugs. Instead, they send their own people to store them and distribute them to the big importing groups on the continent, and that affects the price. For example, if in Spain a kilo of hashish can be around 2,000 euros, depending on the quality, in some European countries it is now being sold for between 8,000 and 10,000 euros. That is increasing the violence between the mafia groups in those countries such as Sweden, the country from which, curiously, the gang that carried out the attacks with explosives on the Costa del Sol in 2018 came. It was broken up last year by the security forces. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans. The WSJ published a feature today on Applesits dependency on China, Tim Cook and Apple Bet Everything on China. Then Coronavirus Hit. As a Apple user, I have written about the steady crapification of its products, particularly the decline of its MacBook line, where functionality, features, and reliability have been sacrificed in pursuit of a misguided design ethos (see Design Genius Jony Ive Leaves Apple, Leaving Behind Crapified Products That Cannot Be Repaired). As just a short roster of ways Apple has disappointed its serious laptop users: the company introduced butterfly keyboards prone to failure (and double downed on defending the unsuccessful design); replaced the plethora of different laptop ports with USB-C ports only (forcing customers to use dongles or an external hub in order to communicate with external devices); and scrapped the magSafe connector (so that clumsily tripping over ones power cord can now be a catastrophic event). Apple is also the villain in the right to repair story, as its policies force customers to employ its overpriced repair services rather than those of independent third parties, or buy new products rather than replacing a defective or worn-out component. This policy costs all of us money, and also contributes to the mountain of eWaste worldwide. How did Apple manage to get consumers to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for replacement machines when batteries fail? (see, e.g., Apple Blinks on Right to Repair: Or Does It?; Rotten Apple: Right to Repair Roundup; Apple to California Legislators: Consumers Will Hurt Themselves if Provided a Right to Repair; and Apple Battery Debacle: Yet Another Reason to Support a Right to Repair). Apple and China The WSJ feature focuses on another Apple fail: its over-reliance on China. Which now looms even larger, as the coronavirus crisis escalates. From the Journal: Long before the coronavirus struck, Apple Inc.s operations team began raising concerns about the technology giants dependency on China. Some operations executives suggested as early as 2015 that the company relocate assembly of at least one product to Vietnam. That would allow Apple to begin the multiyear process of training workers and creating a new cluster of component providers outside the worlds most populous nation, people familiar with the discussions said. Senior managers rebuffed the idea. For Apple, weaning itself off China, its second-largest consumer market and the place where most of its products are assembled, has been too challenging to undertake. Now, the spread of coronavirus is revealing basic flaws with globalisation as its evolved, particularly extended supply chains, just in time production, and a host of other modern business practices I wont explore further here. To be sure, the WSJ notes that before the coronavirus struck, Apples decision to bet the farm on China has yielded benefits for the company. Ill point out the obvious: Thats often the case, at least in the short-term, when one fails to diversify risk properly: China has been a critical factor in Apples soaring market value. The country provides a stable, efficient, low-cost manufacturing base with an abundant network of suppliers that have helped cement Apples profitability. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook continues to play down the need to significantly change Apples supply chain. During an interview Thursday with Fox Business Network, he said unpredictable events are a facet of modern business and noted that Apples operations team has previously navigated earthquakes, tsunamis and other challenges. I see a worrisome problem here, one I recognize from the butterly keyboard debacle: a tendency to double down rather than reverse or change a decision when its obvious change is necessary: The question for us is: Was the resilience there or not? And do we need to make some changes? Mr. Cook said. My perspective sitting here today is that if there are changes, youre talking about adjusting some knobs, not some sort of wholesale fundamental change. Jerri-Lynn here: I offer no unique insight here. Others have noticed that Apples China exposure is a huge problem at this time. According to the WSJ: Factory production has been crippled as China has shut down activities and sought to contain the outbreak, and Apple warned investors it wont meet its own sales estimates in the current quarter. Since that warning, Apples market value has declined by more than $100 billion. No executive will admit in a public forum: We should have thought about the vulnerability to China, said Burak Kazaz, a Syracuse University supply chain professor and former researcher at International Business Machines Corp. But from this point on, there are no excuses. What Next? The issue of course is not what Apple has done. The key question is of course: what should it do next? And here, the WSJ discusses just how limited its options are: Apple has recently started to experiment with small production moves out of China. These attempts, including plans to assemble wireless earbuds in Vietnam and produce iPhones in India and Mac Pro computers in the U. S., have laid bare a number of difficulties. A clean break with China is impossible. Apple relies on a workforce of more than three million indirect workers in China. Its top manufacturer, Taiwans Foxconn TechnologyGroup, hires hundreds of thousands of seasonal employees in China, many of whom manually insert tiny screws and thin printed circuit boards during the iPhone assembly process, people familiar with the process said. Tens of thousands of experienced manufacturing engineers oversee the process. Finding a comparable amount of unskilled and skilled labor is impossible, said Dan Panzica, a former Foxconn executive. The population in China has allowed suppliers to build factories with a capacity for more than 250,000 people. The number of migrant workers in China, who do much of Apples production, exceed Vietnams total population of 100 million. India is the closest comparison, but its roads, ports and infrastructure lag far behind those in China. Apple is in for interesting times, as the fallout from the current crisis continues. Coda: Offshoring Production of Drugs Now Appears Boneheaded Ive been expecting this latest news for the last couple of weeks. in February, India slammed shut its borders, to Chinese visitors or to foreigners who had recently been in China (see this report in the Economic Times, Coronavirus: India cancels valid visas to Chinese, foreigners who visited China in last two weeks). Thus far, there have been no major outbreaks of coronavirus in the country with the latest, only the sixth reported positive test, reported today in the western state of Rajasthan, a major tourist destination. The patient is an Italian national, according to Al Jazeera (see Six coronavirus deaths in US, China cases slow: Live updates). Today, India decided to cancel all visas to nationals of Iran, South Korea, or Japan, grated on or before 3 March (see this account in India Today, Coronavirus outbreak: Govt cancels Visas for Italy, Iran, Japan and South Korea, issues new travel advisory). What caught my eye as I was compiling todays Links: Indias decision to stop exporting generic drugs, in order to save supplies for its own population. China and India are the leading sources of world pharma production. As Reuters reports in Global supplier India curbs drug exports as coronavirus fears grow: India, the worlds main supplier of generic drugs, has restricted the export of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines made from them, including paracetamol, as the coronavirus outbreak plays havoc with supply chains. Export of specified APIs and formulations made from these APIs is hereby restricted with immediate effect and till further orders, the Director General of Foreign Trade said in a statement here on Tuesday, without explaining the extent of the restrictions. The list given by the government, of 26 APIs and their formulations, account for 10% of all Indian pharmaceutical exports. Irrespective of the ban, some of these molecules may face shortages for the next couple of months, Dinesh Dua, chairman, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, told Reuters. If coronavirus is not contained, then in that case there could be acute shortages, Dua said. When the lessons of the current outbreak are examined, one thing that will surely stand out is the dependence on offshore production of pharmaceuticals necessary to treat people who fall sick. Photo: The Canadian Press Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's annual convention in Toronto on Monday, March 2, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on industries, citizens, and Indigenous groups to help shape the future of Canada's climate policy. Speaking at a major mining conference in Toronto, Trudeau says the government will soon launch a formal initiative to see input from a range of groups on how Canada will get to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. He says a clear pathway forward is crucial for both the planet and for business to provide certainty and adapt to the changing reality. Trudeau pointed to a January letter by the CEO of BlackRock Inc., one of the world's largest asset managers, that called climate change a structural, long-term crisis that will force a significant reallocation of capital. The speech comes a week after Teck Resources shelved its $20-billion Frontier oilsands project, citing the need for more clarity on climate and environmental policies before the company could move forward on such a project. Trudeau says Canada as a whole needs to find common ground on how to move forward in the interest of both the environment and the economy. "The attackers do their homework and the messages are often personally relevant to recipients, Serto says. The latest security warning comes amidst revelations that Alinta Energy, one of Australias biggest energy companies, put the privacy of its 1.1 million retail gas and electricity customers at risk due to reckless cyber security and data protection systems. A joint investigation by The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and ABCs 7.30 reveals that Chinese-owned Alinta Energy may be breaching Australian privacy laws by failing to protect its customers personal information. Through its retail operations, Alinta collects names, addresses, birth dates, mobile numbers, Medicare and passport numbers, credit card details and in some cases individual health information. Regulator APRA says basic cyber hygiene remains "an ongoing area of concern" for financial institutions. It has even adopted an "assumed breach mentality", meaning it believes that information security defences will, at some point, be compromised by a cyber attack. Loading In a speech to the CyBSA 2019 Cyber Breach Simulation Australia forum, APRA executive board member Geoff Summerhayes said there was no room for complacency by financial institutions as cyber attacks grow in number and sophistication. Weve warned repeatedly that its only a matter of time until an Australian bank, insurer or superannuation licensee suffers a significant breach that, in a worst-case scenario, could force it out of business," he said. The regulator has warned that if banks fail to clean up their act, it will take action, including the possible imposition of additional licence conditions, or civil or criminal court action. The Australian Banking Association says it is a strong supporter of APRA's new cyber reporting measures, adding that they will "increase the safety of the data Australians entrust to their financial institutions and enhance overall system stability". Annual surveys show that cyber security is generally well handled by APRA-regulated entities, the association of 22 banks points out. The federal government is also finalising a Cyber Security Strategy in a bid to help further protect consumers and businesses from growing online threats. A Department of Home Affairs discussion paper states that if an organisation is connected to the Internet, it is vulnerable to compromise. "As people and systems become ever more interconnected, the quantity and value of information held online has increased and so have efforts to steal and exploit that information, harming our economy, privacy and safety," the paper says. It's a "security challenge for all Australians". So what can you do to help ward off a cyber attack? Here are a few simple steps: HOW TO FEND OFF CYBER CRIMINALS Stronger passwords Many people use the same password for a range of services, which increases the risk of an attack. Instead, set up a password manager that generates random passwords that you do not have to remember. Google offers a free password manager with all accounts. Get text alerts Banks are increasingly giving customers an option to receive text alerts about their accounts. This means that every time a significant transaction or change of details is recorded on your account, you will receive a text on your mobile phone. You will be notified as soon as any suspicious activity takes place, increasing your chances of recovering the funds. Ask your bank for more details. Look out for phishing One of the biggest risks is a phishing attack. Pay close attention to your emails, particularly if they are asking for personal information. These attacks can also be made via text messages on your phone. Never open a file attached to an email or text unless you know the person it is coming from. And never reply and send bank account details, or any other personal information. Enable multi-factor authentication Multi-factor authentication is a security system that requires more than one method of verification of the user's identity for a login or other transaction. A growing number of financial services companies now offer it. Make sure you are using it. Use bank apps Instead of accessing online banking from you desktop, consider downloading your banks mobile app, which is seen by some as more secure. Be careful to ensure it's the official bank app, as scammers often try to trick you into downloading a fake app. Some financial institutions have multi-factor authentication on their apps but do not provide the same capability on their websites. Mobile apps also do not store any data and you are less likely to encounter a malicious virus on your phone. Avoid free Wi-Fi Public Wi-Fi does not provide a secure internet connection. A savvy hacker can access the network and see what you are doing. Never do any mobile banking or anything else where you may unwittingly provide access to a secure account while using public Wi-Fi. Tonto Dikeh, a Nigerian actress, and Olakunle Churchill, her ex-husband, have reignited their war of words after the former called t... Tonto Dikeh, a Nigerian actress, and Olakunle Churchill, her ex-husband, have reignited their war of words after the former called the latter a bisexual man. Dikeh, 34, has been in a protracted feud with Churchill ever since they ended their short-lived marriage a union that has birthed numerous allegations and repeated counterclaims. On Monday, the movie star struck the first blow at the father of her son after she asked fans what theyll do if they discover that their partner is bisexual. You wake up one day and you discover you are married to a bisexual man. What will you do? I walked out, she wrote on her Instagram page. For those of you who say God forbid, well I hope you know that 60% of the men we marry sleep with men or yall still casting and binding for change. In a swift reaction, Churchill described Dikehs claim as humongous lies. He also charged Nigerians not to succumb to those instigating Twitter trends with his name. Churchill is the new Nollywood. Script attached to 6 months of staying together as partners turns 20 years of bad marriage experience sweet-coated with humongous lies, the businessman wrote. Nigerians should not succumb to the temptation of anyone using my name to trend Churchill. Idleness gives room for pointless reactions. Focus on your career and leave me the hell alone. Still unsatisfied, the actress taunted Churchill for assuming hes the only ex she has had. She also clarified who her rants were directed at, stating that hes the bisexual ex I was referring to. This goat thinks he can trend me? I gave you this fame, calm your sore butt down. I am the news, I will trend your whole village and make them semi celeb wannabe as I did you, she wrote. And go defraud someone innocent souls or look for the next woman to pay your bride price#You do yours in the dark like the coward you are and I do mine in the open. You are a glorified idiot. This one has serious brain damage. I talked about ex and this 40 seconds cow thinks hes the only. Youre just a word in a chapter, although youre the bisexual ex I was referring to. Churchill had filed a N500 million suit against Dikeh after she had made some claims about him, which she said had prompted their divorce. Churchill had last year also threatened legal action against the actress, petitioning the inspector general of police over her illegal sale of his N22 million Toyota Prada SUV. In 2015, Dikeh and Churchill had walked down the aisle. The union was blessed with a son. They, however, called it quits in 2017, following series of heated quarrels and irreconcilable differences. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Here are some stocks that are in the news today: Hero MotoCorp: February sales fell 19.3 percent to 4.98 lakh units, domestic sales down 20 percent but exports up 8.7 percent YoY. Mahindra Lifespace: Arm Mahindra World City got the nod for partial de-notification of the notified area under SEZ. Parag Milk Foods: Company to release entire pledged shares from Kotak Mahindra Investments within 90 days. KSK Energy: CoC passed a resolution through e-voting to proceed for liquidation of the company. Ramco Industries: CRISIL reaffirmed its A1+ rating on the company's commercial paper. Newgen Software: Company secured a patent for system and method for Automatic Quality Assessment of Digital Documents. Gateway Distriparks: The company has fixed March 13 as the record date for the purpose of payment of interest on the non-convertible debentures. Jash Engineering: The company said it has fixed record date as March 19 for the purpose of interim dividend. Tilaknagar Industries defaulted in payment of term loan worth Rs 15 crore, which was due on January 31 NOCIL: The company has fixed record date as March 19 for the purpose of payment of interim dividend. Dollar Industries has issued commercial paper (CP) of Rs 50 crore to HDFC Bank Infosys and IBM collaborate to help businesses accelerate digital transformation with IBM Public Cloud Ingersoll Rand plc completed the merger of its industrial segment with Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc Tech Mahindra - NCLT Mumbai and Bengaluru sanction scheme of merger by absorption between Tech Mahindra Growth Factories and Dynacommerce India Private with the company DB Realty default on payment of interest/ repayment of principal amount on loans worth Rs 80 crore from HDFC Bank Torrent Power - MSEDCL has handed over the Shil, Mumbra & Kalwa (SMK) sub-divisions under Thane Urban Circle, Maharashtra area and its operations to the company on March 1, 2020 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection screening for adults in the age group 18 to 79 years. This update comes against the background of increasing HCV over the last ten years, primarily due to higher injection drug use, and closer monitoring. The recommendation ensures that this screening will be covered by insurance as well without cost-sharing. HCV the problem About 2.4 million people in the U.S. have HCV infection, and over 4 million have or have had it at some point. Acute HCV infection has increased almost fourfold over the last ten years, primarily due to better detection and injectable opioid drug use by young adults. HCV causes more deaths than all the rest of the 60 leading infectious diseases together, including tuberculosis and HIV. This virus infects the liver and causes significant damage. It is primarily transmitted by infected blood through the sharing of needles for injection drug use. Sexual transmission is possible but rare. Symptoms of HCV are mild at first infection, but the virus establishes itself in the majority of individuals, causing chronic HCV, found in about 1% of Americans. Over several years or decades, the liver is destroyed and replaced by fibrous tissue. Liver failure and cirrhosis are potential outcomes, and the only treatment is a liver transplant. Liver cancer and death are the usual terminations in other patients. Hepatitis Virus Cell in detailed view. Image Credit: decade3d - anatomy online / Shutterstock Screening for HCV Formerly, the decision to screen for HCV was based on the investigation of several risk factors such as a past history of injection drug use (risk-based screening). The efficiency of detection was about 80%, and about 12% of patients were being screened using these criteria. The treatment was built around the combination of injectable pegylated interferon alfa with oral ribavirin, but with a less than 1 in 2 chance of cure for the most common type of virus, the type 1 HCV. The use of interferons led to flu-like symptoms and lasted for 48 weeks, which made patients less compliant with the regimen. The high prevalence of HCV in the population born from 1945 through 1965, which accounted for 3 of every 4 HCV-positive individuals, caused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend a one-time screening for this group, which led to the USPSTF recommendation to this effect in 2013, along with the older risk-based screening. The diagnostic yield was similar, at 75%. However, in 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs that could achieve a cure. These need to be used for 12 weeks only. The current drugs efficiently achieve sustained virologic response or cure the virus is not detectable in the serum at 12 weeks or more after a course of treatment in 99% of cases. Moreover, these drugs change the course of the disease, averting the risk of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related death in about 60%, 70%, and 90% of patients, respectively. The adverse effects of these drugs are relatively less than with older interferon-based regimens. The drugs were extremely costly when introduced, but competition has driven down the prices till now, a cure for HCV costs less than a years worth of medication to control HIV. The second reason to recommend universal screening is the opioid epidemic raging in the U.S. in people born after 1965, which is causing thousands of new HCV cases among adults 20-39 years old who have used injection drugs. Adolescents can be treated with these drugs. These drugs have not been extensively tested in adolescence and pregnant women. Screening is also indicated for all pregnant women because many women aged 15-44 years are increasingly testing HCV positive, and the babies are born infected. While these women are not typically treated during pregnancy due to lack of clinical evidence, they are treated postpartum and the baby is also monitored for any signs of infection. HCV transmission is more likely if the membranes were ruptured for over 6 hours, and if internal fetal monitoring is used. Early detection ensures treatment before any risk of significant liver damage occurs in the baby. Some scientists want to extend the program to provide free sterile needles and other harm reduction measures encouraging and facilitating injectable drug use with one hand even while trying to control the infection introduced by it with the other! Their professed aim is to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) HCV eradication targets. The blood test used to screen for HCV looks for the anti-HCV antibody, and if positive, the level of the virus is evaluated in the blood by HCV-RNA. The reason for screening with this test is to pick up HCV at the asymptomatic stage when it can be cured without significant liver damage, because The screening is done only once if there are no symptoms. However, those at continuing risk, such as those who are using drugs actively, must be screened regularly. Again, those who have a higher risk, such as those who were using injection drugs in the recent past or are currently on them, should be screened, at any age. Implications From moving to non-risk-related screening for HCV, the USPSTF has now moved to make recommendations for screening of all adults, 18-79 years, without risk assessment, and of adolescents after risk assessment, and of pregnant adolescents. These cases should be linked to care to ensure they are treated for a cure. While there is no direct evidence that DAAs affect clinical outcomes following HCV infection, they do produce SVR over 95% and have few adverse effects. Meanwhile, an SVR achieved with antiviral therapy is associated with better clinical outcomes than in patients with no SVR. Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila Speaker of Nigerias House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is already warming up to stage an elaborate birthday party for his mother, Alhaja Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, starting from today, March 2. The fanfare and lavish celebration to mark the womans 90th birthday is expected to run until March 10 in the glittering Arab city. Some of Nigerias high and mighty including politicians living fat on public funds are expected to grace the occasion. Already, reservations for guests have been made at the Conrad Hilton Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, where the least room goes for $122 (N43,920) per night. If calculated by 300 guests, the cost for hotel accommodation alone per night will amount to $36,600 (N13,176,000). Calculated for the eight nights that guests will be housed at the hotel, the total comes to $292,800 (N105,408,000). Findings by SaharaReporters revealed that the average price for round-trip flights from Nigeria to Dubai is currently $637 (N229,320). When this is calculated for 300 guests, the total expenditure for airfare falls to N68,796,000. A member of the planning team for the lavish celebration hinted SaharaReporters that some guests have been booked for special and luxurious accommodation and that top personalities not slotted into private jets have already been booked for special seats on commercial airlines heading to Dubai. According to the source, Gbajabiamila could be spending well over N500m to ensure his mother gets a befitting 90th birthday celebration going by the calibre of guests that would be gracing the occasion. The source further told SaharaReporters that Alhaja Gbajabiamila played a pivotal role in her sons foray into politics, hence the Speaker is prepared to celebrate her in a big way especially as she reaches the milestone age of 90. Known to splash the cash when celebrating persons special to him, Gbajabiamila in May 2018 gifted his wife, Salamatu, an exotic Mercedes Benz G-Wagon on her 50th birthday said to cost around N100m. However, apart from living large on public funds, Gbajabiamila is also known to have a questionable past. Recall that he was found guilty by the US Supreme Court of Georgia in February 2007 of stealing $25,000 from his client and suspended from law practice for 36 months. Femi Gbaja, as he was known in the case file, accepted payment of $25,000 as a personal injury claims and deposited those funds in his attorney trust account in January 2003. He failed to disburse the funds to his client; instead withdrawing it, closing his practice and returning to Nigeria where he ran for elections to represent Surulere I Federal Constituency in the House of Representative under the Alliance for Democracy in 2003. Upon arrival in Nigeria, curiously he adopted a longer version of his surname Gbajabiamila ostensibly to peel off his suspicious past. The Speaker has refused to talk about the matter whenever confronted by Nigerian journalists. By PTI NEW DELHI: A week after they were forced to leave their homes in Shiv Vihar in northeast Delhi due to communal violence, many residents sheltered at safer places have sought help from police and other authorities to go back and check on their houses. As unrest over the amended citizenship law hit parts of northeast Delhi last week, many families from Shiv Vihar, one of the worst-affected areas, fled to safer places with nothing but the clothes on them. A large number of such families sheltering in Old Mustafabad now want to return to their houses to check for damages or loss, said Munna, a local volunteer in Old Mustafabad. ALSO READ: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day as opposition demands discussion on Delhi riots At a helpdesk set up by some lawyers, many people came to seek assistance to visit their residences in Shiv Vihar. A draft of an application to the deputy commissioner of police of northeast Delhi has been prepared by the lawyers in this connection. "We left on February 24 when mobs started violence and arson in Shiv Vihar, leaving everything, including important documents and money behind. Now, we need to go back and check if everything is safe or not," a Shiv Vihar resident present at the helpdesk said. Munna said dozens of families from gali numbers 19 and 20 near Shamshan Ghat in Shiv Vihar fled due to the violence and were sheltered by locals in Old Mustafabad. ALSO READ: Trinamool Congress creates fund for victims of Delhi riots, calls it 'planned genocide' "Some of them tried to go back and check on their houses but were stopped and turned back by police and paramilitary personnel. Many others are scared to go without protection. "A written permission from authorities and police protection will help them a lot," he said. Sultan Mirza, a local volunteer helping violence-hit people in Brijpuri, said a shelter home had been set up at Chaman Park for Shiv Vihar residents. "Due to problems of logistics and sanitation, they were divided into small groups and put up at houses of locals. "Many of them are worried about their houses and properties in Shiv Vihar," he said. Efforts are being made to seek permission from the authorities and help of the police to enable them to visit their houses safely and retrieve things of daily use that they left behind, Mirza added. Actress Margaret Qualley made sure all eyes were on her when she attended the Chanel Autumn/Winter 2020 collection in Paris on Tuesday morning. The show marked the end of Fashion Week and Margaret, 25, made sure to stand out from the crowd wearing a stunning hot pink creation. Her cardigan had the traditional darker pink edging and she wore a matching skirt in the same hue which stood out in the crowd. Stunning: Actress Margaret Qualley made sure all eyes were on her when she attended the Chanel Autumn/Winter 2020 collection in Paris on Tuesday morning Margaret, who is best known for her role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, 61, wore her locks in a side ponytail. She completed her look with a pair of Chanel gold heels which had the brand's iconic contrasting toe-section. The beauty was in good company on the day as catwalk favourites Kaia Gerber and Gigi Hadid led the models on the runway. Classic beauty: The show marked the end of Fashion Week and Margaret, 25, made sure to stand out from the crowd wearing a stunning hot pink creation Stylish: Her cardigan had traditional darker pink edging and she wore a matching skirt in the same hue which stood out in the crowd Effortless: Margaret, who is best known for her role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, 61, wore her locks in a side ponytail The French brand unveiled its Fall 2020 collection during Fashion Week, marking one of the most important events of fashion month across all cities. It remains one of the most coveted tickets among fashion editors, however this year Chanel will also streamed the show across its social media platforms. The Chanel show has been held at the Grand Palais for several years, and the set has previously been transformed into a supermarket and a ski resort. All eyes on her! The beauty was in good company on the day as catwalk favourites Kaia Gerber and Gigi Hadid led the models on the runway Glam: The French brand unveiled its Fall 2020 collection during Fashion Week, marking one of the most important events of fashion month across all cities In demand: It remains one of the most coveted tickets among fashion editors, however this year Chanel will also streamed the show across its social media platforms Next season's collection was designed by Virginie Viard who is the current director at the company. Meanwhile, Margaret's acting career looks set to be going from strength as she's soon to appear in new movie, My Salinger Year, alongside Sigourney Weaver. The feature film follows the freshly graduated Joanna (Qualley) as she takes a clerical job working for the literary agent of the reclusive writer J.D. Salinger. Mumbai, March 3 : The body of an Indian woman -- who died suddenly on January 24 on board a Melbourne-Beijing-Mumbai flight -- will finally reach Mumbai for her last rites, 40 days after her death following severe restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to information available here on Tuesday. Bharatiya Janata Party state vice-president Kirit Somaiya, quoting Indian Embassy in Beijing, said that the Indian Ambassador Arvind Kumar had informed that the mortal remains of Rita Rajinder Mehra have been handed over by Babaoshan Funeral Home to a cargo agent at Beijing Airport early on Tuesday. The coffin will be flown in by an Etihad flight EY-889 from Beijing to Abu Dhabi and then onto to Mumbai by Etihad flight EY-208 on Wednesday afternoon. The family has said the funeral ceremony is expected to be performed on Wednesday night around 9 p.m. at the Santacruz Crematorium, said Somaiya. Her son, a dentist based in Bandra, Dr. Puneet Mehra said he and his mother were travelling by an Air China Melbourne-Beijing-Mumbai flight on January 24. However, nearly nine hours into the flight, his mother went to the toilet but failed to return, and the flight crew was alerted. The toilet door was opened to find Rita Meha lying unconscious on the seat and all efforts to revive her failed. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Zhengzhou Airport but the passenger could not survive and had died by then. While Puneet Mehra returned to Mumbai on February 7, his mother's body was kept at a morgue in a Zhengzhou hospital. In view of the severe restrictions on domestic travel in China after the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus then, the body continued to remain in the hospital morgue even as Mehra made frantic efforts to get it to Mumbai for the funeral ceremonies. Zhengzhou is over 500 km from Wuhan. After a 40-day long wait for the shattered family, Rita Mehra's body is now expected to reach the city on Wednesday for the final rites and cremation. Mobility solutions provider Comviva on Tuesday said it has sold its shares in fintech company TerraPay to a consortium of Prime Ventures, Partech Partners and IFC. The company has, however, not disclosed the value of the deal. Prime Ventures and Partech Partners are co-investing in TerraPay, along with International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, a firm said. "Apart from acquiring Comviva shares, the investors have further invested USD 9.6 million in TerraPay to fund the company's expansion," it added. TerraPay, incubated by Comviva in 2015, provides payment infrastructure services by enabling payment service providers such as banks, mobile money operators, money transfer operators or other payment providers to instantly connect to each other at a low cost. Since 2015, TerraPay has acquired more than 25 licences to operate in over 60 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe and is expanding globally. Manoranjan Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer of Comviva said the evolving regulatory framework constrained the growth of TerraPay and made it imperative to step out of Comviva fold. "We have taken a strategic decision to divest TerraPay business and are confident that this change is in the best interest of all the stakeholders. We shall continue to take such strategic initiatives and leverage our start-up factory for fuelling future growth, he added. The new consortium of investors in TerraPay will enable the company to execute its strategy to scale operations as a hub enabling interoperable, real-time, cross-border transactions between telecom and mobile money operators, the statement said. This will help TerraPay scale its payment infrastructure services to clear and settle international payments faster, enable instant payments across operators' interoperable networks, as well as remove a significant barrier for transfers to mobile money accounts, it added. By enabling the electronic low-cost transfer of funds, the project will garner a greater share of formal remittance payments, as per the statement. We believe in our mission to address financial inclusion by making real time national, regional and global payments accessible to everyone," Ambar Sur, founder and Chief Executive Officer of TerraPay, said. Paulo de Bolle, IFC's Global Director, Financial Institutions Group, said by adding TerraPay to IFC's growing fintech investment portfolio, it is supporting the company to grow and expand, while helping to lower the costs and streamline the process to send money home. Fintechs like TerraPay play a vital role in increasing financial inclusion in emerging markets, he added. TerraPay has been advised by the FinTech M&A team of specialised investment bank Kempen & Co and Van Doorne, a law firm based in The Netherlands. Joe Biden yesterday told his supporters to vote on 'Super Thursday' and botched a line from the Declaration of Independence in his latest campaign blunder. The 77-year-old former Vice President was speaking at a campaign rally in Houston, Texas ahead of Super Tuesday voting today that will decide a third of the Democratic delegates on offer. Biden told the rally: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, all men and women created by the... you know, you know the thing!' They 'are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,' were the words he was searching for. Later in his speech he bounded into another blunder as he told his fans, 'Tomorrow is Super Thursday.' He swiftly corrected himself, as the crowd laughed at the gaffe, adding: 'I tell you what I'm rushing ahead aren't I.' Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally Thursday, March 2, 2020, at Texas Southern University in Houston Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally Thursday, March 2, 2020, at Texas Southern University in Houston It is the latest in a litany of high-profile errors by the Democrat candidate dubbed 'Sleepy Joe' by President Trump. Last week he told a crowd he was running for the 'United States Senate.' And earlier last month he called a woman who challenged him at a town hall event, 'a lying, dog-faced pony soldier.' Not a well known idiom or reference to anything as far as experts could find. But despite the faltering, Biden heads into Super Tuesday second in the polls having leaped forward in recent days since a momentum building victory in the South Carolina primary over the weekend. Sen. Bernie Sanders still leads in polling and betting averages, but Biden's recent success has shifted the odds significantly. The former VP capitalized on his South Carolina win to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign. Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns and endorsed Biden. Another former competitor, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, publicly backed Biden while a new wave of mayors, lawmakers and donors said they would support the former vice president. Sanders and his closest advisers pushed back against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Biden. Campaigning in Minnesota, Sanders sought to beat back Biden's momentum with a welcoming message to Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden is joined on stage by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) during a campaign event on March 2, 2020 in Dallas, Texas Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally Thursday, March 2, 2020, at Texas Southern University in Houston 'To all of Amy and Pete's millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in,' Sanders said. 'We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump.' The dramatic developments came at a key crossroads in Democrats' turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat the president. Yet as a field that once featured more than two dozen candidates shrinks to just five, the choice for primary voters is becoming clearer. On one side stands Biden, a 77-year-old lifelong politician who was relishing his newfound momentum in a campaign that has struggled at times to excite voters with a message emphasizing a pragmatic approach to governing and modest change. On the other stands Sanders, a 78-year-old democratic socialist who has scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes relying on an energized coalition drawn to his promise to transform the nation's political and economic systems. Yet the primary isn't just a two-man race. Bloomberg, in particular, could create problems for Biden's establishment appeal. The former New York mayor, who will appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday, has invested an unprecedented amount in his presidential bid and wracked up many high-profile endorsements of his own. And Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has struggled for delegates and momentum over the last month, has vowed to stay in the race until the party's national convention in July. During an outdoor rally Monday night in East Los Angeles, Warren criticized Biden as she told supporters that nominating a 'Washington insider will not meet this moment,' nor will nominating a man 'who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country.' Biden rallying supporters at Texas Southern University in Houston on Monday ahead of Tuesday's crucial voting For Biden, the wave of new support could not have come at a better time. Just two days earlier, a loss in South Carolina would have effectively killed his candidacy. But 48 hours after a blowout victory, the former vice president stood on stage in the heart of one of Super Tuesday's crown jewels backed by three former rivals and a growing collection of donors, activists and elected officials. Biden enters Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolina's demographic makeup: those with large African-American and white moderate populations. That makes Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia potential Biden victories, even in a splintered field. Yet some of Super Tuesday's more valuable terrain is less forgiving. Sanders has predicted victory in California, the day's largest delegate prize. The state, like delegate-rich Texas, plays to his strengths given their significant factions of liberal whites, large urban areas with younger voters and strong Latino populations. Sanders also enjoys obvious advantages in his home state of Vermont, and in neighboring Massachusetts, where he's eyeing a knockout blow against progressive rival Warren in her home state. Bloomberg's stock is at risk of fading as Biden gains ground. But the billionaire will still be a major factor on Tuesday. He spent much of last week campaigning in a handful of Southern and Western states where his aides say they believe he could notch a win, largely because he's the only candidate who's visited multiple times and pounded the local airwaves with ads. He focused on Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas. Elizabeth Warren said Monday night that Democratic voters deserved 'more choice' than just a Biden-Sanders race Elizabeth Warren campaigned at East Los Angeles College the night before Super Tuesday and argued that 'Washington insider' Joe Biden 'will not meet this moment' Bloomberg's campaign believes he has particular appeal among suburban Democrats - those well-educated, upper middle-class voters who may be more moderate on financial issues and may be aware of his advocacy on gun control and climate change. And Biden's strategy for the coming days, which relies on media coverage and dispatching his new collection of surrogates, reflects a stark reality: Compared to Sanders and Bloomberg, he is understaffed, underfunded and almost out of time as he fights to transform his sole South Carolina victory into a national movement. Biden raised $18 million in February, compared to an eye-popping $46.5 million for Sanders and $29 million for Warren. Sanders has struggled to win over his colleagues in Congress but earned a high-profile endorsement of his own on the eve of Super Tuesday from Democracy for America, a national grassroots organization that boasts thousands of members across the county. 'The overwhelming support for Bernie we saw in our member vote should be a wake-up call to the broken, visionless, corporate Democratic establishment,' said the organization's chair, Charles Chamberlain. 'Americans want fundamental change in Washington, not a return to the status quo.' Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane O'Meara Sanders rally with supporters in St. Paul, Minnesota on Monday While Tuesday's outcome is uncertain, Biden's team was confident that the fast-moving trajectory of the race was moving their way. 'The vice president has momentum,' said Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and Biden's national co-chairman. 'You'll see that in the Super Tuesday states that look more like South Carolina.' And, he added in a stroke of confidence, 'We're going to win Texas.' One complication: A significant number of votes were cast in the days and weeks leading up to Tuesday's elections when Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Tom Steyer were still in the race. At least 1.4 million people have already voted in California's Democratic primary, for example, according to data collected by The Associated Press. In Texas, more than 1 million early Democratic votes have been cast. And in Virginia, nearly 28,000 people voted early, twice as many as in 2016. Through four primary contests, the AP allocated 60 delegates to Sanders, 54 to Biden and eight to Warren. The first four states were always more about momentum than math. Super Tuesday states offer a trove of 1,344 new delegates based on how candidates finish. Just 155 delegates have been awarded so far. Press release Paris La Defense, 3 march 2020 2019 annual results Revenue up 18% and EBITDA up 12% Continued increase in the share of renewables in the energy mix, to 67% ESG performance: entry into the Top 20 of the energy sector, with an 8-point gain in the Vigeo Eiris rating Albioma's Board of Directors, chaired by Frederic Moyne, met on 02 March 2020 and approved the Group's consolidated financial statements for the 2019 financial year. "We are today reporting solid results, with revenues up 18% to 505.7 million and EBITDA up 12% to 182.9 million. These results demonstrate the expertise of our teams and Albioma's long-term robustness thanks to the good performance of our thermal and solar power plants, combined with an excellent operational year for the Group's new biomass facilities in overseas France and Brazil. By the end of 2019, the share of renewable energy in our mix will reach 67%. In line with the objectives set out in the Paris Agreements, our Group will continue its drive for ever more environmentally friendly operations to achieve an energy mix of at least 80% renewable energy by 2023, in particular through the 100% biomass conversion of our thermal power plants in overseas France, already underway in Guadeloupe. The clear improvement in our extra-financial performance was recognised by an 8-point gain in our Vigeo Eiris rating, which places us in the Top 20 of our sector," comments Frederic Moyne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Albioma. Consolidated key figures for 2019 In millions of euros (audited figures) 2019 2018 (reported) Change % Revenue 505.7 428.3 +18% EBITDA 182.9 162.6 +12% Net income 54.2 53.6 +1% Net income, Group share 44.1 44.2 - Up 18%, revenue stood a 505.7 million (19% excluding the effect of fuel prices), thanks to: the contribution of new facilities: Galion 2 in Martinique, the Saint-Pierre combustion turbine in Reunion Island and Esplanada in Brazil, the increase in fixed premiums due to contractual indexation, riders to contracts signed with EDF, consolidation scope effects related to the acquisition of Eneco. These items offset the contractual reductions in the historical fixed premiums of the Reunion Island power plants. In line with the revenue trend, EBITDA for the year rose by 12% to 182.9 million. Highlights Operations Excellent performance at all facilities Very good operational year for the new installations (Galion 2 in Martinique, combustion turbine in Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island, and Esplanada in Brazil) Development Finalisation of IED works in Guadeloupe and Reunion Island Beginning of conversion works at Albioma Caraibes (Guadeloupe) Construction of 14 MWp of photovoltaic power plants (100 plants including 9 with storage) First network service project winner of the CRE call for tenders in Mayotte France Thermal Biomass Very good availability of the thermal power plants in overseas France and excellent performance of new power plants The availability of the thermal power plants in France stood at 88.2% in 2019 (compared with 87.9% in 2018), impacted by scheduled outages - contractually compensated by EDF - related to the finalisation of IED works on Reunion Island (last unit of Bois-Rouge) and Guadeloupe (Le Moule). For its first year of operation, the 100% bagasse/biomass plant, Galion 2, has an excellent availability rate (91.8%), as does the combustion turbine operating on bioethanol in Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island (92.0%). Total electricity production from the thermal power plants in overseas France is on the rise (2,061 GWh compared with 1,874 GWh in 2018), thanks in particular to the new plants: excluding the effect of commissioning, production is stable compared with 2018. EBITDA for the business is up 11% compared with 2018 (123.6 million). Construction and development of projects The works related to the modernisation investments in existing installations (fume treatment) has been finalised. Annual maintenance outages, during which the Bois-Rouge and Le Moule plants continued the programme of works to make their fume treatment systems compliant with the European Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), were carried out under very good conditions. Works began in 2019 to convert the Albioma Caraibes plant to run exclusively on biomass before the end of 2020. At the Port of Guadeloupe site, the pellet storage dome has now been completed. The work will reduce emissions by more than 265,000 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent (a net decrease of around 87% compared with current coal operation), and will thereby increase the renewable portion of Guadeloupe's energy mix from 20% to 35%. Solar power Significant increase in production and commissioning of new plants Electricity production from the Solar power business amounted to 121 GWh, compared to 92 GWh in 2018. This strong increase is mainly due to the consolidation scope effect, following the acquisition of Eneco's French subsidiary in December 2018, favourable sunshine conditions in mainland France and the production from the installations commissioned, notably on Reunion Island (Port Ouest, 1.3 MWp with storage), Mayotte and Guadeloupe (Sainte Rose, 3.3 MWp with storage). Excluding the scope effect related to the acquisition of Eneco, production is up 5% compared with 2018. EBITDA for the business totalled 36.3 million in 2019, up 21% compared with 2018 (30.1 million). Project development Confirming its position as the leader in solar power in overseas France, the Group has continued to build photovoltaic power plants there and is planning to commission the 1.25 MWp plant with storage at Stade de l'Est on Reunion Island in the near future. Furthermore, Albioma was announced the winner of a 7.4 MW battery power storage project with a capacity of 14.9 MWh during the first call for projects organised by the French energy regulatory commission (Commission de Regulation de l'Energie - CRE) , relating to storage facilities in Mayotte. This innovative project will provide an arbitration service for the grid operator by drawing electricity, especially during periods of strong sunshine, and reinjecting it later, during peak consumption times. The load transfer will provide flexibility to the electricity system and increase the penetration of renewable energies on the Mayotte network and in particular solar power. It is scheduled to begin operating in 2021. Mauritius Excellent performance from the plants Facilities in Mauritius reported 91.8%, compared with 85.4% in 2018. Electricity production grew from 1,084 GWh in 2018 to 1,200 GWh in 2019. EBITDA for the business was 2.6 million (corresponding to the share of net income of equity-accounted companies) in 2019 (compared to 3.1 million in 2018). Brazil Scope effect related to the consolidation of the Esplanada plant and the very good operating performance of the facilities Production in Brazil is up 64% to 391 GWh compared with 238 GWh in 2018. The contribution of Esplanada, acquired on 21 December 2019, largely explains this increase. The two plants Rio Pardo and Codora Energia performed well, supported by higher cane volumes compared with 2018 (3.4 Mtp vs. 2.7 Mtp in 2018). In addition, the approval of the judicial recovery plan of the sugar partner adjacent to our Rio Pardo plant enabled a favourable restructuring of the sugar refinery's balance sheet. EBITDA increased to 10.7 million in 2019 compared with 6.5 million in 2018. Project development Ahead of the initial schedule, the Group's fourth Brazilian unit, Vale do Parana (48 MW installed eventually, 40% owned) is scheduled to be commissioned at the end of the first half of 2020. A strong balance sheet to finance growth Consolidated gross financial debt increased in particular as a result of debt raised to finance projects (IED, biomass conversion, new photovoltaic power plants) and to refinance the solar assets acquired following the acquisition of Eneco's French subsidiary, with new non-recourse project debt. It amounted to 938 million at the end of 2019, as against 846 million at the end of 2018. Projected debt is 834 million (as against 702 million at the end of 2018). The net debt / EBITDA 12 moving month ratio improved to 4.3x at 31 December 2019 (compared with 4.6x at 31 December 2018). The Group's cash and cash equivalents, including security deposits, amounted to 165 million as at 31 December 2019 compared with 98 million as at 31 December 2018.Consolidated net financial debt was 773 million (compared with 747 million at the end of 2018). Dividends The Board of Directors will submit to the Shareholders' Meeting a proposal to distribute a dividend of 0.70 per share, up 8% compared with 2019, with an option for 50% to be paid in new shares. This proposal is part of a dividend growth policy with a distribution target of around 50% of net income (Group share) excluding exceptional items. 2020 objectives For 2020, the Group announced its targets for EBITDA of 200 million to 210 million and net income (Group share) of 48 million to 54 million. Outlook The Group plans to invest between 450 and 650 million over the period 2020-2023 while maintaining a solid financial structure. Next on the agenda: revenue figures for the first quarter of the 2019 financial year, on 27 April 2020 (after trading). About Albioma Contacts An independent renewable energy producer, Albioma is committed to the energy transition thanks to biomass and photovoltaics. Albioma operates in Overseas France, France metropolitan, Mauritius and Brazil. For 25 years, it has developed a unique partnership with the sugar industry to produce renewable energy from bagasse, the fibrous residue of sugar cane. Albioma is the leading producer of photovoltaic energy in Overseas France, where the company builds and operates innovative projects with storage, Albioma has strengthened its position in mainland France. Investor Julien Gauthier +33 (0)1 47 76 67 00 Media Charlotte Neuvy +33 (0)1 47 76 66 65 presse@albioma.com Albioma shares are listed on NYSE EURONEXT PARIS (sub B) and eligible for the deferred settlement service (SRD) and PEA-PME plans (ISIN FR0000060402 ticker: ABIO). The Group is also included in the Gaia-Index, an index for socially responsible midcaps. www.albioma.com Attachment "Can we stop building Carlow houses in Laois?" asked Cllr Fergal Browne at a recent meeting of Carlow Municipal District. Members were discussing a project on the border between the two counties where 57 houses are being built for Carlow social housing applicants with 20 houses within the development going to people on the housing list in Laois. Cllr Browne said: "Can we stop building Carlow houses in Laois?" The development is by Co-Operative Housing Ireland and is on the Ballickmoyler Road. In response, Cllr Ken Murnane added: "That's it, gloves, let's go!" At a previous meeting, Cllr Murnane asked if it was true that "the Carlow houses won't be built until the Laois houses are built". Director of Services at the Council, Michael Brennan, said at the time: "Laois houses will come on stream first". He added that 20 houses within the development would be completed in 2020 with the 57 houses for Carlow expected to begin in 2020 or "possibly 2021". There have been a number of cross border developments between Laois and Carlow councils in recent years. In 2017 to 40 houses in the 74 house Fruithill Manor estate on the Laois side of Graiguecullen went to Carlow waiting list tenants. About 19 homes went to Laois people. Co-operative Housing Ireland developed the houses after the estate came out of NAMA. Some 800 houses were originally supposed to have been built in Fruithill Manor. The 2020 legislative session is nearly finished, but some lawmakers are using their final days in the Indiana Statehouse to disrupt local politics in Indianapolis. An amendment added to a bill concerning imminent domain would nullify parts of a package of proposals passed by the Indianapolis City-County Council that help protect renters. Another amendment added to a bill that addresses a regional development group in northwest Indiana would penalize IndyGo for not following an earlier rule and jeopardize the future of the Purple Line and Blue Line. The bills carrying both amendments passed in their respective chambers and now go to a conference committee which includes Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate for final passage. The last day for conference committees to meet is scheduled for March 13. The fight for renter protections Indianapolis renters faced 11,570 evictions in 2016, according to a Princeton University study. That was almost 32 households every day. The only other city in America with more: New York City. Its why housing advocates, faith leaders and renters were ready to celebrate a set of proposals introduced by Mayor Joe Hogsetts administration, which would help further protect tenants by creating programs such as an information hotline and making landlords tell them their rights and responsibilities. Hogsett signed Proposals 40 and 41 on Feb. 24, but he did so in a cloud of uncertainty. About a half mile from the city-county building, in the Indiana Statehouse, lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee passed an amendment on Senate Bill 340 earlier in the day that would nullify two major parts of the effort: fining landlords who retaliate against tenants for reporting poor housing, and requiring landlords to notify tenants of their rights and responsibilities. The amendment was brought forward by the Indiana Apartment Association, which represents landlords. Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) introduced an amendment on the House floor in an attempt to erase that language from the bill, but it was defeated along party lines. Republicans are constantly preaching that we need to let those at the local level make these types of decisions, she said. Yet, here we are stripping control from the local level and hurting Hoosier renters in the process. The bill passed 62-31 in the House on March 2. The Indiana Apartment Association did not agree to an interview but said in a statement Senate Bill 340 will not prohibit cities from providing legal assistance or resources to tenants in need. The statement went on: We are committed to providing safe and affordable housing throughout the state of Indiana and do not want patchwork regulations in various cities to hinder our ability to provide stable housing in our communities. It is technically true that the bill does not prohibit cities from providing legal assistance or resources to renters, but it shifts the burden of proof from landlords, as it was written in Hogsetts proposal, to tenants. Under Hogsetts proposal, landlords would face a fine of $2,500 and $7,500 for violating the anti-retaliation measures, but Senate Bill 340 takes away fines and instead gives tenants one months rent. If a court sides with the landlord, however, the landlord can recover damages and attorney fees. Amy Nelson, executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, said this is a continuation of the Indiana Legislatures history of favoring landlords over tenants. Its important for our legislators to remember they dont just represent landlords, she said. They represent tenants. Nelson said its also unlikely that tenants would feel comfortable calling the information hotline or using other programs meant to help them because they would no longer be adequately protected from landlord retaliation. Nearly 300 organizations and individuals signed a letter to Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma opposing the bill. The list includes mayors, social workers, disability rights activists, the Indianapolis Urban League and more. Jessica Fraser, director of Indiana Institute for Working Families, a signee of the letter, said the group wasnt even paying attention to Senate Bill 340 originally because it was a mostly mundane bill. If it wasnt for Nelson knowing what was going on, she said, renter advocates would have had even less time to organize against the bill. Fraser emphasized that unstable housing can lead to instability in other parts of life. Renters who challenge their landlord in court but arent found to have a good enough argument would be on the hook for that landlords damages and attorney fees. In that case, Fraser said, the familys food budget could take a hit, just as an example. Housing has such a determinantal impact on all these other pieces, she said. Housing advocates are now staking their hopes on the language being stricken or at least reworked to better favor tenants, in conference committee. Republican Rep. David Wolkins, who sponsored the bill in the House, said he expects the conference committee to consider if the amendment is relevant to the bill. Retaliation against IndyGo When the Indiana Legislature passed a law in 2014 allowing IndyGo to secure dedicated funding through a referendum, lawmakers included a provision that, six years later, is back in the spotlight. In exchange for an income tax to raise money for projects including the recently opened Red Line and the upcoming Blue and Purple lines the law stipulates IndyGo would need to match 10% of its new tax revenue with private dollars. But lawmakers didnt include any penalties for not raising private money, and IndyGo hasnt followed that part of the law. Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) introduced an amendment to House Bill 1279 that would require the state to withhold 10% of IndyGos local income tax revenue in years that it didnt meet the private funding threshold. The bill passed 43-7 in the House on March 3. In a statement, IndyGo highlighted the support its received for expansion of services. Nearly 60 percent of Marion county voters supported a .25 tax increase dedicated to expanding public transit including bus rapid transit and a more frequent and connected network, that was not dependent on private funds, the statement read. The amendment, as its written today, would jeopardize IndyGos ability to implement the plan voters supported, and the additional service IndyGo has already introduced. IndyGos limited resources were focused on launching the Red Line in September 2019, spokesperson Faith Chadwick said, so IndyGo didnt get nonprofit status for its foundation the Indianapolis Public Transportation Foundation until June 2019. The foundations board chair, Rick Wilson, said in a statement the foundation can now move forward in supporting innovative and accessible mobility projects in the Indianapolis area. The idea that the Foundation would have been able to raise these funds in advance of the opening of the Red Line is not aligned with the reality of the challenges and time constraints of making a brand new non-profit operational, he said. IndyGo did not answer questions about how much money the foundation currently has, but the Central Indiana Community Foundation, which manages the fund, announced a donation of $35,000 on March 2. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Rep. Robin Shackleford speaks on the House floor March 2 about Senate Bill 340. (Photo/Tyler Fenwick) A F-16 fighter jet takes off during a military drill at Zhi-Hang Air Base in Taitung, Taiwan, on Jan. 30, 2018. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) Provocative China Pressures Taiwan With Fighters, Fake News Amid Virus Outbreak TAIPEI, TaiwanChina is pressuring Taiwan with provocative air force maneuvers near the island and spreading fake news to sow discord during the coronavirus outbreak, security sources and government officials in Taiwan say. The outbreak has strained already poor ties between Taipei and Beijing, with Taiwan especially angry at Chinas efforts to block its participation at the World Health Organization (WHO). The two governments have also argued about the fate of about 1,000 Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan, the outbreaks center, and China has made no obvious moves to respond to offers of help to fight the virus from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Tsai won re-election by a landslide in January, pledging to stand up to Beijing. China believes she wants to push for formal independence for the island, which it claims as its own. Tsai denies that, saying Taiwan is already an independent nation called the Republic of China, its official name. In the last month, Taiwan has reported three nearby Chinese air force drills, and in two cases Taiwanese fighter jets scrambled to intercept them. Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that in one instance, a Chinese fighters radar locked onto one of the Taiwan aircraft. In combat, that is a precursor to a missile launch. This was a very provocative action by China, said one of the sources, both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Taiwans air force said it was unaware of the incident, but that it had full knowledge of Chinese military moves near the island. Chinas Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Last week, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian, answering a question on the recent drills, said Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was playing with fire and that any attempt at independence was doomed to fail. Chinas actions have provoked anger in Taiwan, which has told Beijing it should focus on fighting the virus. Xi Jinping is trying to make the point that he is still in control of the military, Wang Ting-yu, a member of the Taiwan parliaments defense committee, told Reuters. China is using external problems to relieve domestic pressure. A man points to a webpage from Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook account, used to promote the prevention of the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus, in Taipei, on Feb. 24, 2020. While China deploys stern communist slogans in its battle against a deadly new coronavirus, democratic Taiwan has embraced cuddly mascots and humor to ease public anxiety, tackle disinformation and prevent infections from spreading. ( Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images) Online Reports Accompanying the military moves has been what Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has called a cyber war of fake online news reports from China about the virus. The fake reports, which Taiwans government has quickly refuted, include false claims that the island is covering up the true number of casesofficially at 42 and one deathand that Tsai had been infected. Taiwan says many of the online posts include expressions only used in China, as well as simplified Chinese characters, which are not used on the island. Taiwans Investigation Bureau has also warned that China is trying to undermine trust in factual newsand disrupt disease-control measuresby portraying Taiwans official announcements on the outbreak as Chinese-made fake news. The pressure and online campaigns seem to have had little effect. A poll last week by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation reported high approval ratings for Tsais China policy, as well as high mistrust of the Chinese Communist Partys ability to control the virus. Tracking and reporting fake news on the virus outbreak suspected to have links to the mainland cyber army has become a top priority for several national security agencies in Taiwan, a security official told Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. We have been told to track if the origins are linked to instructions given by the Communist Party, using all possible means, the official said, adding that authorities had increased scrutiny on online platforms, including chat rooms. By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard 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. 03.03.2020 LISTEN The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has described as worth it the two billion Ghana cedis the government spends annually on Free Senior High School. The Vice President was speaking in Accra on Monday at the Presidents Independence Awards under the theme: Consolidating Our Gains The countries that have made progress have done so because of the investment in their human capital. It is our unwavering belief that education is key to development hence the free SHS the Vice President said. According to him, the free SHS is grounded in the belief of President Akufo Addo that Some parents can not afford senior high school adding that there was, therefore, the need for every child to have access to education. Dr. Bawumiah further revealed that about 100,000 students who passed the BECE between 2013 and 2016 and were provided placement in various SHS did not take up their placement. He said this was due to the financial barriers that existed then adding that the government is committed to removing those financial barriers to enable pupils to benefit from quality education. The Vice President who however acknowledged challenges with the rising numbers in the Free SHS was quick to add that the governments position is that every child who qualifies must be given the opportunity. This culminated in the Double-track system. Schools that operate the double-track system have increased the form 1 intake up to 50%.We will let all the children go to school and we expect the double track to end very soon so we can have a single track Dr. Bawumiah emphasized. He also disclosed that the free SHS is in its third year of implementation adding that about 1,200 students are projected to be enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year after 800,000 students, he added were enrolled in the first implementation stage. According to him, free SHS is not all about access maintaining that it goes beyond access so the government intends to make the education quality to enable students compete anywhere in the world. He mentioned the teachers Licensure Exams and the spending of gh56million on teachers to spend time with students on specific difficult subjects as some of the measures by government to ensure quality education in the country. Ladies and gentlemen, we must consolidate our gains and we need to do much better going forward. We must bring out the best in our young ones by providing them what they need for their success he said. The Vice President later admonished the awardee students to continue striving for excellence since achievement in the Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE) is not a guarantee for excellence at the SHS level. He added that your awards today means that you have something in you, nurture it, water it and let it grow so you can become successful in future. Present at the function were the MD of Nestle Ghana, Madam Philomena Tan who are sponsors of the Awards, the Minister of State in charge of tertiary education, Prof Kwesi Yankah, the deputy Minister of Education. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and the Ashanti regional Minister Mr. Simon Osei Mensah. The Presidents Independence Day Awards since its inception in 1993, continues to provide scholarships each year to young brilliant students between the ages of 14 and 19 from all the regions of the country. The awardees are selected based on their exceptional academic performances in the Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE) Representative image India on Tuesday summoned Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest with him over the comments made by Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif over violence in Delhi. Official sources said that the Iranian envoy was conveyed that Zarif commented on a matter which is purely internal to India. In a tweet on Monday, Zarif said," Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian muslims." "The Iranian Ambassador in Delhi was summoned on Tuesday and a strong protest was lodged over the comments made by Zarif on the matter internal to India," a source said. The coronavirus event is a fluid situation, but as of this writing (Monday, March 2), there are still no known cases of the virus in Montana. However, the number of COVID-19 cases throughout the globe and the United States continues to grow. Should the virus reach Montana, the state of Montana and the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department and its partners are preparing. The Health Department has received inquiries in regard to testing for the virus. The Health Department does not perform diagnostic testing for respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. The departments role, rather, is to coordinate testing of individuals who meet certain criteria for a virus. The criteria for COVID-19 testing keep changing, but testing is currently limited to those returning from traveling from affected areas, or to those having close contact with an infected individual. People with novel coronavirus symptoms which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath should call their healthcare provider, and inform the provider of symptoms and their recent travel history and/or contact with a confirmed case. If the provider believes testing to be warranted, the provider then would contact the Health Department with the patients information; we would in turn contact the patient to determine if they meet criteria for testing and proceed from there. As of this moment, testing samples are still being sent to the CDC, but the laboratory at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services should be able to conduct testing by Friday, March 6. In regard to testing, if community transmission begins to occur in Montana and Butte-Silver Bow, testing protocols may change. Again, the situation is very fluid. Here are steps people can take to prepare for COVID-19 or any respiratory illness: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than into your hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow CDCs recommendations for using a facemask: CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for healthcare workers and people who are caring for someone in a close setting, such as at home or in a healthcare facility. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, but also before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Singing the Happy Birthday Song twice takes about 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The Health Departments lead on this situation, public health nurse Karen Maloughney, will update the Butte-Silver Bow Board of Health at its monthly meeting Wednesday morning. The Health Department and its partners will meet later tomorrow to plan next steps. For those interested in more information, please call the Health Departments public health hotline at 406-497-5008. Karen Sullivan is the health officer for Butte-Silver Bow County, and director of the countys Health Department. She writes this column for The Montana Standards health page. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Iran on Monday made a rare critical statement about India, with its Foreign Minister Javad Zarif calling recent clashes in Delhi as the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims and condemned it. Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims, Zarif posted on Twitter. His strong statement came as the death toll in the violent clashes over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Delhi last week reached 47. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India, Iranian Foreign Minister tweeted, adding: We urge Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of ALL Indians & (and) not let senseless thuggery prevail. The path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Though the violent clashes in the national capital territory already drew flak for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government from certain sections of the international community, the strong critical remarks from Tehran came as a rare shock for New Delhi. Iran generally avoids taking a critical stand on any internal matter of India. After Modi Government on August 5, 2019, moved to strip Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) of its special status and reorganized the state into two Union Territories, Tehran kept its reaction limited to expressing concerns over condition of people in the valley and urging New Delhi to adopt a fair policy towards the people of the region. Tehran also avoided taking Islamabad's side whenever tension between India and Pakistan escalated. India brought down its crude oil import from Iran to zero over the past one-and-a-half-years to save its entities from United States sanctions. When violence broke out in North East Delhi, US President Donald Trump was on a visit to India. He, however, refrained from taking it up with Prime Minister or making any comment about it during his press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. After his return, the US Government's State Department, however, on Thursday subtly nudged India to respect the right of peaceful assembly. The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), however, expressed grave concern over violence in North-East Delhi in a more straightforward manner. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, also expressed concern over 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 (violent clashes) has now widened into broader inter-communal attacks, with 34 people killed since Sunday 23 February. I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence. The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also expressed concern over violence in the National Capital Territory of India. A second woman has claimed Prince Andrew allowed her to sit on the Queen's throne at Buckingham Palace, it emerged today. The Duke of York is said to have allowed the unnamed woman to sit on the throne after inviting her to dinner in his private one-bedroom apartment quarters. She was also allegedly taken to the balcony and invited to wave to imaginary crowds - one of Andrew's 'signature moves' with women, according to the Daily Beast. It follows claims in The Sun on Sunday that Andrew dated the model Caprice and also let her sit on the throne at Buckingham Palace during one of their dates. The claims from the second woman were first reported last year, but have re-emerged more prominently this week following the allegations regarding Caprice. Prince Andrew leaves his residence of Royal Lodge Windsor today in his Bentley car Prince Andrew is said to have met Caprice (pictured, at The O2 in London on January 28) at a dinner party and the pair dated for two months in 2000 The 60-year-old Duke is said to have met the 48-year-old Dancing on Ice star at a dinner party and the pair dated for two months in 2000. On one of the dates he took her to Buckingham Palace and let her take a decorative bowl, according to the newspaper. The pair only went on a few dates before she is said to have introduced him to her friend, US masseuse Denise Martell, whom he was involved with for ten years. The date at Buckingham Palace is alleged to have happened just months before he is reported to have slept with Virginia Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre - when she was just 17. Andrew allegedly let Caprice into the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace where the monarch's Chair of State and the Coronation chairs of her father King George VI, Queen Mary and Queen Victoria, are kept A source close to Caprice told The Sun: 'As an American, she was thoroughly entertained at the notion he was a part of the Royal Family. He took her to Buckingham Palace twice, and on one occasion she sat on the Queen's throne. 'She spotted a bowl she liked and asked Andrew if she could steal it and post it to her mum. She claims that he let her, and her mum loved it.' The pair were friends for two months and were said to have gone on 'platonic' dates, including two at the Palace. He allegedly let her into the Throne Room where the monarch's Chair of State and the Coronation chairs of her father King George VI, Queen Mary and Queen Victoria, are kept. Pictured: Buckingham Palace, where Andrew is alleged to have taken the Dancing On Ice Star on a date Members of the Royal Family are allowed to invite guests to the Palace, but it is protocol to notify staff before showing them round Caprice, who is originally from California but lives in London, ended their friendship when she started being linked to the prince in the press. She set him up with Ms Martell and the pair went on to have a ten-year relationship. Andrew is also believed to have told Caprice that his then 16-year-old nephew Prince Harry was jealous of their friendship. Harry, now 35, had a soft spot for Caprice and was said to have had her calendar on his bedroom wall at Eton. Caprice, who dated Rod Stewart, allegedly stopped taking the royal's calls after she decided to end things with him. Caprice is pictured on Dancing On Ice in January with her skating partner Hamish Gaman She did not have a romantic interest in him and was only interested in finding out more about the royal family, her friend claims. Andrew was forced to step down from royal life last year after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew and Epstein, who killed himself awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges aged 66 last year, became friends through Epstein's ex-girlfriend and 'madame' Ghislaine Maxwell. Virginia Roberts, now Virginia Giuffre and living in Australia, claims she had sex with Andrew three times, including once when she was 17. She says he was groomed by Maxwell and became paedophile Epstein's sex slave. Andrew, a father-of-two, denies having any relationship with her whatsoever and claims a photograph of them together in London has been doctored. A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline today. March 3, 2020 --The fierce national debate over health care reform includes deep divisions over the appropriate roles of the federal and state governments. For example, while Sen Bernie Sanders (I-VT) calls for expanding the federal Medicare program to cover all Americans, the Trump administration pushes for the states to have far greater authority. However, according to Michael Sparer, JD, PhD, chair of health policy and management at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) points towards a more effective inter-governmental partnership, one in which the states have significant policy and administrative discretion, bounded by strong national standards designed to limit unacceptable inequities. In a policy paper titled "Federalism And The ACA: Lessons For The 2020 Health Policy Debate" in a special issue of the journal Health Affairs, Professor Sparer writes: "States are too prominent and too engaged in every aspect of the nation's health care system not to insist on playing an important ongoing role." Proposals to eliminate a significant state role are both unlikely to be enacted and at odds with 250 years of American history. But he adds that future reforms also need strong national standards to guarantee the desired policy outcome (such as universal coverage) and to limit unacceptable inter-state inequities The ACA offers several models for combining centralized and state-based approaches for policy makers to develop the next generation of health reform, notes Sparer, and each of them could achieve universal coverage without eliminating the private insurance system. Indeed, rather than abandoning the ACA, reformers ought to recognize that the law suggests "the sort of intergovernmental partnership that just might lead to a US version of affordable universal coverage. On March 10th Professor Sparer will take part in a briefing in Washington hosted by the journal. Here is more information. Registration is free. ### Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Columbia Mailman School is the seventh largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its nearly 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change and health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with more than 1,300 graduate students from 55 nations pursuing a variety of master's and doctoral degree programs. The Columbia Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers, including ICAP and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit http://www.mailman.columbia.edu. A day after Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif termed the recent clashes in North-East Delhi organized violence against Muslims; New Delhi strongly protested against his comments on internal matters of India. Ali Chegeni, ambassador of Iran to India, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi early on Tuesday. The senior officials of the MEA conveyed to him that the violence in parts of Delhi last week was an internal matter of India and the Government of India did not expect such a statement from Foreign Minister of Iran, sources said. Zarif on Monday called the recent clashes in Delhi as the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims and condemned it. Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims, Zarif posted on Twitter. His strong statement came as the death toll in the violent clashes over Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Delhi last week reached 47. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India, Iranian Foreign Minister tweeted, adding: We urge Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of ALL Indians & (and) not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Though the violent clashes in the national capital territory already drew Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government flak from certain sections of the international community, the strong critical remarks from Tehran came as a rare shock for New Delhi. Iran generally avoids taking a critical stand on any internal matter of India. After Modi government on August 5, 2019 moved to strip Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) off its special status and reorganized the state into two Union Territories, Tehran kept its reaction limited to expressing concerns over condition of people in the valley and urging New Delhi to adopt a fair policy towards the people of the region. Tehran also avoided taking Islamabad's side whenever tension between India and Pakistan escalated. India brought down its crude oil import from Iran to zero over the past one-and-a-half-years to save its entities from United States sanctions. When violence broke out in Northeast Delhi, US President Donald Trump was on a visit to India. He, however, refrained from taking it up with Prime Minister or making any comment about it during his press-conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. After his return, the US Government's State Department, however, on Thursday subtly nudged India to respect the right of peaceful assembly. The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), however, expressed grave concern over violence in Northeast Delhi in a more straightforward manner. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, also expressed concern over 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 (violent clashes) has now widened into broader inter-communal attacks, with 34 people killed since Sunday 23 February. I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence. The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also expressed concern over violence in the National Capital Territory of India. Egyptian foreign policy under late president Mubarak was balanced, pragmatic and responsive to the multitude of changes in the international system across the three decades he ruled Egypt, writes Hussein Haridy Back in 1981, the foreign policy of Egypt had been in disarray. Two years earlier, Egypt had signed a peace treaty with its former archenemy, Israel, and in reaction to a policy of go-it-alone, Arab countries broke off diplomatic relations with Cairo save four and decided to relocate the Arab League to Tunisia. Similarly, the then Organisation of the Islamic Conference, later known as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, suspended Egypts membership, while an attempt within the Non-Aligned Movement to do the same met with stiff opposition from Cuba and other non-Arab and non-Islamic member countries like India and the former Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, relations with the former Soviet Union were almost frozen and Egypts relations with the United States were at an all-time high to the extent that the Americans were working on establishing their largest military base in the Middle East at the southern tip of Egypt on the Red Sea. On the other hand, the complete Israeli withdrawal from Sinai was still seven months away amidst fears that the final withdrawal, slated for 25 April 1982, could be delayed. The foreign policy of Egypt had been in uncharted waters when the late president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak succeeded president Anwar Al-Sadat, assassinated 6 October 1981. The first and foremost order of business for the new Egyptian president was to secure the withdrawal of Israel from Sinai according to the timetable as stipulated in the peace treaty with Israel. To do that, the late president flew to Washington in February 1982 in his first visit as president to make sure the Reagan administration would ensure the Israelis honour their contractual commitments in the context of the treaty, and on the other hand to assure the US administration and US Congress that the new Egyptian president would continue working with Washington along the lines of the pre-6 October 1981 policies followed by Egypt with regard its bilateral relations with the United States. Israel withdrew from Sinai on 25 April 1982, contesting, however, the demarcation lines concerning 14 border posts, including Taba. The two governments agreed to go to international arbitration to settle the border dispute. While Egypt was passing through a very critical period internally and on the foreign policy front, Israel sent its forces into Lebanon, and by September 1982 Israeli forces laid siege to Beirut. It was an earth-shaking moment in Arab history. It was the first time since the establishment of Israel that its forces encircle an Arab capital. It was the first test for president Mubarak in Arab affairs. The test was all the more critical and dangerous in as much as the Israelis, backed by the Americans, insisted on the withdrawal of the forces of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) stationed in Lebanon. Egypt had played a prominent role in securing the withdrawal plus an American guarantee that the Israelis wouldnt target late Yasser Arafat, who was the chairman of the PLO, upon his departure from Lebanon. In retrospect, the successful Egyptian diplomacy under the new president opened new avenues for warming up relations between Egypt and the Arab world because without Egypts strong commitment to safeguard the withdrawal of the Palestinians from Lebanon, a massacre would have claimed the lives of thousands among the forces of the PLO. In parallel to these grave developments in the Middle East, the Iran-Iraq war was raging in the Gulf with a serious Iranian threat hanging over the future security and independence of Iraq and of the Arab Gulf countries. Egypt under the new president assisted the Iraqis militarily and diplomatically, despite the absence of diplomatic relations with Iraq. This assistance resonated not only in the Gulf region but also throughout the Arab world which saw the newly-installed Iranian government as a highly-destabilising force in the Arab world. In the ensuing years and till the official end of the Iraq-Iran war, Egypts membership in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference was restored, and diplomatic relations with all Arab countries were re-established as Egypt kept its distance from Israel while honouring scrupulously its commitments in the context of its peace treaty with the Hebrew state. President Mubarak attended the fifth Islamic summit in January 1987 in Kuwait where he was warmly welcomed by all the heads of state of all member countries. In late 1987, the Oman Arab summit decided to let each Arab country restore its diplomatic relations with Cairo on a bilateral basis. All countries save Syria immediately announced the restoration of their diplomatic relations with Egypt. Syria made the move some time later. What remained for the full normalisation of Egyptian-Arab relations was to determine the fate of the temporary relocation of the Arab League in Tunisia. It was not an easy question for the Tunisian government, which hosted the headquarters of the PLO and of the Arab League as well. It was a matter of national pride for the Tunisians. However, there was Arab consensus to decide favourably on the return of the Arab League to Cairo. The decision was adopted in a meeting of Arab foreign ministers held in Tunis in February 1990 while opening a second headquarters for the Arab League in the Tunisian capital. By March 1990, relations between Egypt and the Arab world had been completely normalised and thus the Egyptian role in Arab politics and affairs completely reinstated. A situation that enabled Egypt to play a greater role in Palestinian-Israeli relations, in parallel with Egyptian efforts to launch a dialogue between the administration of president Ronald Reagan and the PLO, a move that opened the way to the Oslo Accords between the PLO and Israel in September 1993, that were signed in a historic moment at the White House, under the administration of former president Bill Clinton. However, Egypts decisive role in Arab affairs during the Mubarak years was ascertained in the tumultuous period after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990. Egypt, from day one, made it known that it would never acquiesce to Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, and in this context called for an emergency Arab summit that took place 9 August 1990. At this summit, the Arabs decided that the invasion of Kuwait wouldnt stand, and the decisions taken opened the door to the deployment of US forces in Saudi Arabia, a deployment that started preparations for Desert Storm, a military operation that ultimately liberated Kuwait, with the collaboration of both the Egyptian and Syrian armies, on 25 February 1991. It was a milestone in the annals of Egyptian diplomatic history. Outside the Arab world, Egyptian foreign policy in the Mubarak era had seen ups and downs in the course of Egyptian-American relations, particularly in the second term of president Georges W Bush. The palpable stresses in bilateral relations were a direct consequence of the highly-destabilising consequences of the ill-fated US invasion of Iraq in March 2003. The adoption of the so-called Freedom Agenda in the second term of Bush made matters worse. Furthermore, relations under the Obama administration saw a partial thaw with the Cairo speech on June 2009, which seems, in retrospect, prelude to a more interventionist American role in domestic Egyptian politics that ended with full and public American support for the removal of president Mubarak from office on 11 February 2011. The foreign policy of Egypt under president Mubarak was balanced, pragmatic and responsive to the multitude of changes in the international system that took place throughout the three decades he ruled Egypt. His diplomacy protected Egyptian national security interests in time of upheaval and deep transformation in the world. His foreign policy made sure that Egypt had not been involved in wars outside its borders with the exception of the participation of the Egyptian army in Desert Storm. His era was a period of peace, security and stability in Egyptian foreign policy. The writer is former assistant foreign minister. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: The prime ministers other path is to entice an entire party. Already Tuesday, there were signs that some previously unthinkable deals were being weighed, most notably a merger between the two biggest parties, Likud and Blue and White. The two sides failed to reach a power-sharing agreement after previous elections, and Gantz has vowed never to partner with Likud as long as Netanyahu remains in charge. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Tue, March 3, 2020 07:08 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067d86c5 2 Health osteoarthritis,walking,health,Britain Free New UK research has found that people with osteoarthritis are more likely to die early than those without the condition, but the good news is walking more could reduce the risk of premature death. Led by researchers at Keele University, the new study looked at 10,415 patients aged 50 years and older and followed them over a period of ten years to see whether having osteoarthritis was linked to higher mortality rates. After studying questionnaires completed by the patients along with their medical records, the researchers found that those with osteoarthritis had a higher risk of death from all causes. Other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, obesity and their socio-economic status partly explained this increased risk, but even after taking these factors into account those suffering from osteoarthritis still had an 11 percent increased risk of premature death compared to those who did not have the condition. Read also: Lyme disease: Justin Biebers illness can cause joint pain, heart problems, depression However, the findings, which are published in the journal Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases Open, also showed that increasing physical activity could help offset this risk of death. The team found that those who walked more, whether they had osteoarthritis or not, benefited from a reduction in their risk of premature death. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK and occurs when joints wear out. It most commonly affects the hands, knees, hips and spine. Although osteoarthritis is not considered to be a life-threatening condition, the researchers say that the study provides evidence that it can have serious consequences. Lead author Dr Ross Wilkie also commented on the findings saying, "The number of people with osteoarthritis means that managing osteoarthritis is a key issue for public health and primary care. The study has two main findings, first is that the impact of osteoarthritis is broad and extends to premature death. The second is that following the use of a relatively novel approach to identify the mechanisms for premature mortality we have provided evidence for key targets to reduce premature death. "Linked to a population health approach, encouraging people to be more active despite having osteoarthritis is important." Topics : osteoarthritis walking health Britain Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- The global calcium carbide market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 5.6%. One of the main drivers for this is the increasing demand and production of steel in the world. According to World Steel Association estimates, in 2018, crude steel production reached 1,808.6 million tons globally. Moreover, the worldwide demand for steel is projected to reach 1,681 million tons in 2019, which will substantially expand the global calcium carbide market size in the forecast period. Calcium carbide is a crucial component in the production of steel as the compound is used as a desulfurizing and reducing agent. Thus, rising steel production, especially in China, Japan, and India will cause a spike in the global calcium carbide market demand. Browse Report Summary: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/calcium-carbide-market-101580 List of top companies Covered in the Calcium Carbide Market research report are: - AlzChem - PT Emdeki Utama Tbk - Denka Company Limited - Carbide Industries LLC - KC Group - American Elements - Lonza - DCM Shriram Ltd. - Inner Mongolia Baiyanhu Chemical Co., Ltd. - APH - Regency Power Group In its report, titled "Calcium Carbide Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Application (Acetylene Gas, Calcium Cynamide, Reducing & Dehydrating Agents, Steel Making, Others), By End User (Chemicals, Steel, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026", Fortune Business Insights projects the global calcium carbide market value will reach USD 20.55 billion by 2026 from its current value of USD 13.39 billion. The report also contains a detailed evaluation of the factors and dynamics that will influence the market in the forecast period. Economic Feasibility of Producing PVC Using Calcium Carbide to Fuel the Market Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced using calcium carbide is seen as both economically viable and environmentally less harmful. This is mainly because the use of petroleum or natural gas can be avoided, which bodes well for the global calcium carbide market as world faces mounting environmental concerns. Calcium carbide also lowers the molecular weight of PVC and helps make more durable plastic. Request a Sample Copy of the Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/calcium-carbide-market-101580 North America to Generate High Revenue; Asia-Pacific to Boast a Sturdy Growth Rate Having generated a revenue of USD 78.5 million in 2018, North America is projected to hold a major portion in the global calcium carbide market share during the forecast period. The main reason for this being the growing demand for calcium carbide across industries in the region. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate on account of rapidly developing chemical industries in India and China, along with rising steel production in Japan. Additionally, increasing demand for acetylene in PVC manufacturing in China is anticipated to give the extra push to the global calcium carbide market growth in the coming decade. Rising Acetylene Production to Propel the Global Calcium Carbide Market Growth Calcium carbide (CaC2) is a chemical compound that is widely used across different manufacturing industries. It is primarily used in the production of acetylene gas which is used in torches for cutting and welding. In China, calcium carbide is the central ingredient in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Acetylene is in high demand for its diverse applicability in various manufacturing processes such as making of plastic and synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, and oxyacetylene welding. Furthermore, acetylene is also being utilized in various consumer products such as lotions, hairsprays, and sunscreens. The global market revenue will get a boost owing to the widespread demand for acetylene and its derivatives. Key Segmentation: By Application - Acetylene Gas - Calcium Cynamide - Reducing & Dehydrating Agents - Steel Making - Others By End User - Chemicals - Steel - Others By Geography - North America (U.S. and Canada) - Europe - Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia Pacific) - Rest of World Growing Attention Towards Tapping Lucrative Opportunities in China to Drive Competition Chinese companies are stepping up their investments in the production and application of calcium carbide. This has led to the spurting of huge business opportunities for other players in the global calcium carbide market. Many European and North American companies are investing in innovation and developing new products. For example, Germany-based AlzChem has made impressive progress in developing cyanamide and its derivatives which the company uses as building blocks for the heterocyclic compounds' synthesis such as imidazole. Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/calcium-carbide-market-101580 About Fortune Business Insights Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. 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 Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 05:57:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 573 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Zyro has introduced what reviewers are calling, a next-generation website builder. With it, anyone can establish an online presence in less than an hour. The free website builder uses AI-driven features that deliver powerful copy and website analytics.KAUNAS, LITHUANIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / According to announcements made by Zyro, the company's free website builder simplifies running an online business.It's an ideal choice for SMBs that include anything from bakeries, restaurants, mom and pop stores to retailers and other businesses. Zyro CMO Gytis Labasauskas. says that the platform offers a vast choice of beautifully designer-made templates that are very easily customizable to reflect the character and ethos of a business. The templates look great, are responsive and SEO-friendly.Based on deep machine learning algorithms, Zyro has created an automated tool, aptly named the AI Writer that can generate content based on user's business or website category.It creates a unique, engaging copy that is tailored for each business individually. The tool is extremely easy to use; the content is relevant for the business and designed to meet the intended objective, be it information, copy or sales.The free business name generator lets companies begin their online entrepreneurial journey using a unique, catchy, and memorable name. Website owners can choose from a list of carefully crafted business names that the AI presents based on keywords that are representative and important for a brand.The AI-powered tools don't stop at writing. User experience can also be improved with the help of AI.Introducing the AI Heatmap - a tool that allows businesses to understand how visitors will engage with their website before investing money into user acquisition. Gytis L. of Zyro said, "Zyro requires no prior skills or knowledge of any of the programming languages. We made sure that even a complete beginner will be comfortable using all of Zyro's features.Luckily, there are now website builders such as Zyro. They allow you to make a professional-looking and highly functional website in under an hour.You might have heard that SEO is extremely important when it comes to ranking your website well on search engines. By default, your website will be fully SEO optimized.Yet, if you want more control over your content, e.g., changing article titles and descriptions, our builder allows you to do that too. Plus, our page speeds are lightning-fast, ensuring that your website always reaches peak performance and doesn't scare away potential clients because it loads slowly.There is absolutely no need to put yourself through programming courses to use Zyro. You won't even need to call on the help of cousin Johnny, who once dabbled in web design." A library of free, high-quality images is a great asset for those who seek to get their website up and running as fast as possible. That's why Zyro teamed up with Unsplash to provide millions of royalty-free photos to use for any site created using Zyro.Businesses can also benefit from a free slogan generator tool that will make their brand stand out from the crowd. The slogans delivered by the website builder's advanced AI tool reflect the solidity of the ideas and phrases that businesses want to highlight in a few pithy words.Contact and location information is available at Zyro.com Media package can be found here.Contact Info:Name: Gytis LabasauskasEmail: Send EmailOrganization: ZyroAddress: 60C, LT-44192 Kaunas, LithuaniaWebsite: https://zyro.com/ SOURCE: Zyro MCBAIN On Feb. 27, the Frankfort High School Concert Band traveled to McBain High School to perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Associations District 1 Band and Orchestra Festival. The MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival is an opportunity for ensembles from member schools to perform a program of three pieces for adjudication, one of which must be from MSBOA's required list. After this concert performance, each band is required to perform a fourth piece they have never seen before. In a process known as sight-reading, each band is given five minutes to discuss and study the new piece before they play. The Centre will clear next month some part of the pending subsidy dues of over Rs 4,300 crore to the Andhra Pradesh government for undertaking rice procurement at a minimum support price (MSP), Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday. Paswan gave the assurance in a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath on this issue here. "It is a genuine request from the Andhra Pradesh government. The Centre, too, does not have funds and we may get some allocation at the end of March. From that, we will release (the fund) as much as possible to Andhra Pradesh," Paswan told PTI after the meeting. Some subsidy dues are pending in most states, where procurement has been decentralised. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra are some of the states where foodgrain subsidy dues are pending, he added. The dues will be released to the Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (APSCSCL) which has undertaken the procurement operation in the state. After the meeting, the AP finance minister said total Rs 4,308 crore was the pending rice subsidy from the Centre. Of which, Rs 1,598 crore dues were between financial years 2013-14 and 2016-17. "The Government of India normally releases 90 per cent of claimed amount as advance subsidy in each quarter. However, there has been a delay in the release of subsidy for this year, creating hurdles in clearing the outstanding payments to farmers on time," he said. However, the state government has been clearing the payments for farmers from its own resources in order to avoid unrest among farmers and also honour the commitment of MSP given by the central government, he added. The state's finance minister said the Andhra Pradesh government has cleared payments of Rs 6,000 crore so far to the farmers and the outstanding dues stand at about Rs 3,000 crore, which is leading to unrest among the farming community. He demanded the Union food minister to release the funds at the earliest as the state government is not in a position to mobilise funds for clearing these payment dues in the limited fiscal space available. "The previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government had taken a huge loan of Rs 13,500 crore for clearing MSP payments. Much of the loan was taken in 2019 just before elections for implementing welfare schemes. Therefore, we do not have the capacity to take further loan," Rajendranath told PTI after the meeting. The state government has procured 41.73 lakh tonne of paddy so far in the 2019-20 kharif season, while the estimate is to buy 88 lakh tonne in the same period. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations special envoy for Libya said on Monday he has resigned due to stress, days after his latest effort at peacemaking failed to achieve a breakthrough in the conflict. Ghassan Salame said on Twitter that he had "sought for two and a half years to unite Libyans, prevent foreign intervention and preserve the unity of the country", but "my health no longer allows me to take this much stress". Last week he brought representatives of the two main sides in Libya's conflict to Geneva for peace talks, but key representatives suspended their involvement. By the end of last week, shelling in Tripoli had again intensified into some of the heaviest bombardments since Salame brokered a ceasefire on January 12. Libya has faced internal strife since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, and the latest round of violence began last year when eastern-based forces began to advance on the capital Tripoli. Salame was appointed in mid-2017 to replace German diplomat Martin Kobler, after an unusually long and contentious search for a candidate. Widely respected by diplomats, Salame's appointment gave fresh impetus to peace efforts, though early attempts to broker a political deal between rival factions soon stalled. After a plan to hold elections at the end of 2018 was derailed by continuing violence and deadlock between competing rump parliaments, Salame focussed the UN's work on preparing for a national conference based on open meetings across Libya. But 10 days before it was due to take place in April 2019, eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on Tripoli, upending the plans. The fighting also reversed progress in moving UN operations back to Tripoli from Tunis, where much of the international community had been based since 2014. More recently, Salame railed against escalating foreign intervention as Haftar's offensive continued, urging foreign states to respect an arms embargo that has been routinely violated and trying to unite the international community behind a truce. But those attempts proved largely in vain as powers including Turkey, and Russia vied for influence and Western involvement waned. Neither the spokesman for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya or the spokeswoman for the United Nations in Geneva were immediately available for comment. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has received a message from Salame expressing his intention to leave his post, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York. Dujarric said Guterres always had full confidence in Salame and that the secretary-general would discuss a smooth transition with Salame Search Keywords: Short link: A gun-wielding man who was seen confronting an unarmed policeman during violence at Maujpur in northeast Delhi has been arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district and is being brought to Delhi, News18 reported on Tuesday The gun-wielding man who was arrested for pointing a gun at an unarmed policeman during the Delhi riots, has been booked under charges for attempt to murder, among others, the Delhi Police said on Tuesday. At a press briefing regarding the arrest, Additional CP Ajit Kumar Singhla said that the police is yet to recover his pistol with which he fired three shots "in a fit of rage". The police also said that the man, identified as Shahrukh, told the interrogators that he had fired shots in a fit of rage after he saw stone pelting happening in the Jaffrabad-Maujpur area of northeast Delhi, which was one of the epicentres of the three-day riots over the Citizenship Amendment Act. "He had bought the pistol two years ago from a friend in Bihar," Singhla said, adding that the police are investigating whether he has any links with any organisation and whether he had planned the firing. Ajit Kumar Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police: We're trying to recover the pistol he used. Shahrukh said he fired during protests in a fit of rage. He has no criminal background but his father has a narcotics & fake currency case against him. Further investigation underway https://t.co/ON2IxwPDCI pic.twitter.com/11lEUJTr0N ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 "He has been charged under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 186, 353 of IPC and Arms Act. Further sections will be added during the course of investigation if needed. We will try to get his maximum possible remand," he added. Singhla also said that the police are looking into whether Shahrukh has any links with former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who has been named as an accused in the killing of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma. He also added that while Shahrukh's father has a case of narcotics and fake currency against him, he doesn't have a criminal record himself. Shahrukh was arrested from a bus stop in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli on Tuesday morning, Singhla said. In a video that went viral last week, Shahrukh could be seen pointing his country-made pistol at the policeman on the Jaffrabad-Maujpur road. The incident was from 24 February when violence was at its peak in northeast Delhi. However, the gunman managed to escape Delhi as senior officials remained caught up in controlling the rioting. Speaking about the arrested accused, Singhla said that Shahrukh is interested in modelling and makes Tik Tok videos. He added that he has studied till the second year of undergrad and now is involved in a business. A report by The Indian Express also said that, Shahrukh's father is local drug peddler who has been arrested by district police several times and has been under scanner of local police. He is also reportedly a close relative of criminal Irfan alias Chhenu Pehalwan (35), who is currently in jail. Earlier too reports had suggested that Shahrukh had been held, however, Delhi Police later denied such reports. Meanwhile, Authorities said the situation has been peaceful for the last six days. According to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, 79 houses and 327 shops were completely gutted in arson during the violence last week. Besides this, 168 houses suffered substantial and 40 minor damage due to arson, Sisodia said, citing figures available till Monday evening following a survey by officials. On Tuesday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said that over 98 per cent attendance was recorded in the class 12 board exam held in violence-affected northeast Delhi. As fears over coronavirus mounted Monday, election officials moved to assure the public that todays primary elections would proceed uninterrupted. Our election judges always undergo extensive training and are well aware of the situation, Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen said. We recognize the seriousness of the coronavirus but also understand the importance of conducting this election, and it will proceed, as usual. Callanen was responding to state of emergency declarations issued by County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Monday. Fourteen states, including Texas, are conducting primary elections today in what is known as Super Tuesday. Democrats are choosing a challenger to take on President Donald Trump in November, and that crowded field has been narrowed in bruising battles leading up to todays big haul of delegates. Texas alone offers 228 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, more than the states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina all of which have already voted put together. 2020 Voter Guide: A roadmap of the races, candidates and issues on the ballot The Lone Star States Democratic voters also must decide who is going to face U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the fall. San Antonio-area voters in both parties are making decisions in numerous hotly contested local races, including in Congressional District 28, where longtime incumbent Henry Cuellar is facing well-funded progressive Jessica Cisneros, and in Bexar Countys Precinct 3, where eight Republicans are vying to replace incumbent Commissioner Kevin Wolff, who chose not to seek re-election. Three Democrats also are in the running for that seat in their primary. In another top-of-mind race, first-term Sheriff Javier Salazar is facing four challengers as he seeks to become the first incumbent in more than a decade to win re-election. With all those races and more, it was little surprise that early voting in the primaries, which ended Friday, was intense this year. It had reached 138,210 as of Saturday, including mail-in ballots received that day. Thats just shy of the record 138,838 that came in during early voting in 2008, when Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Republicans John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul were duking it out in their respective primaries for an open seat for president. On ExpressNews.com: Early voting skyrockets on last day Mail-in ballots will continue to be counted, Callanen said, as long as they are postmarked by Tuesday. The elections administrator had been expecting that todays voting could set another record, despite rain in the forecast. Now, with growing concerns over coronavirus that sparked a run on hand sanitizer and disinfectants in stores across San Antonio on Monday, Callanen said she still believes that there will be a strong turnout. This is really important. Its passionate. I think those people will come, and theyll understand that, Callanen said. The record number of ballots cast in a primary on election day is 135,834 set in 2008. Im looking at maybe 130 to 140 (thousand), she said, which will be fantastic. Callanen urged election judges and voters to use common-sense precautions, cleaning their hands before and after using the communal voting machines. Although there is often hand sanitizer at the voting centers, we encourage our voters to bring their own, if they feel that is necessary, Callanen said. If voters wish to bring their own pen to sign in at the registration table, they may do so, rather than use the community pen. She could not guarantee that election workers would have hand sanitizer at every polling site, but said, I highly recommend it. I applaud them if they do precautions, as far as keep wiping down the equipment, Callanen said, adding that she has heard little about health concerns from voters. On ExpressNews.com: Early vote turnout high in San Antonio, statewide With the countys new ExpressVote system, voters can cast their ballots at any of the 280 voting locations set up around the county. All the sites are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Although most polling sites are familiar to voters, one was relocated on the South Side. Mission Del Lago Pool and Community Center had a water main break last week, prompting repairs that affected a wheelchair ramp and the sites compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The polling site was moved to Gallardo Elementary School nearby, at 1300 Del Lago Parkway. Callanen urged voters to study the ballot and understand the state election laws, including photo ID requirements and restrictions on cellphones and other electronics, as well as prohibitions on campaign apparel and electioneering at the polls. For addresses of the 280 locations or more information on voting, visit bexar.org/elections or call the elections office at 210-335-8683. 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 Three New York men stopped by Secaucus police in a shoplifting incident are facing more serious charges arrested after authorities found two of them had 20 fraudulent licences in their possession. New Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said the three men 30-year-old Keian Sealy, 47-year-old Robert Martin and 40-year-old Ernst Bazelais were involved in a scheme Saturday at Home Depot in town in which one of the men stole tools and another brought back tools from a previous shoplifting incident. The third man acted as a lookout and getaway driver, Miller said. A store employee reported the shoplifting and police stopped the mens vehicle on Paterson Plank Road near the North Bergen border, Miller said. Police found tools in the vehicle that were believed to have been stolen earlier that day and they also found $1,600 worth of other stolen tools, Miller said. Police searched the men and found that Martin had 14 fraudulent drivers licenses and and Sealy had six fraudulent licenses with personal information of real people in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey, Miller said. Sealy, Martin and Bazelais were all charged with shoplifting and conspiracy to commit shoplifting. Sealy and Martin were charged additionally with trafficking in personal identifying information pertaining to another person, conspiracy to commit trafficking in personal identifying information pertaining to another person, possession of false government documents and conspiracy to commit an offense involving false government documents. Bazelais was also charged with hindering apprehension by providing false information. He was found to have an outstanding warrant for $2,500 out of Newark, a warrant for $750 out of Hillsborough and a warrant for $300 out of Paterson. New Delhi, March 3 : The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers said on Tuesday that as far as drugs for coronavirus are concerned, there is no need to panic about their security. The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Eshwara Reddy, Joint Drugs Controller, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), to address the issues of drug security in the country in the context of novel coronavirus outbreak in China. The committee in its report has mentioned that the present stock-in hand of the APIs may be sufficient for 2 to 3 months to manufacture formulations and also give certain recommendations. The committee has emphasised that there is no need to panic as far as drug security is concerned. Instructions have been issued to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and state governments to ensure adequate supply of APIs and formulations at affordable prices in the market and to prevent black-marketing, illegal hoarding or creating artificial shortages in the country. NPPA has also written to Chief Secretaries of the states with copies to Principal Secretaries, Health, and State Drug Controllers, requesting them to closely monitor the production and availability of APIs and formulations to prevent black marketing and hoarding in their respective states and UTs. They have also been asked to ensure that there is no violation of provisions of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 with regard to compliance of ceiling prices/permissible increase in prices of scheduled/non-scheduled formulations, respectively. In this regard, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has written to DGFT to restrict exports of 13 APIs and formulations made using these APIs. These APIs are primarily made in China's Hubei province. As per the latest available information, most of the Chinese companies manufacturing pharmaceutical ingredients (excluding those in Hubei province) have now resumed operations partially and are expected to resume fully by the end of March. There are no restrictions on the export of APIs from China. The Chinese companies are willing to export to India. However, the logistics sector has not yet resumed operations fully. The virus a cousin to SARS and MERS that typically causes fever, cough and shortness of breath has infected more than 88,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000, mostly in China, according to the World Health Organization. As of Tuesday morning, there were five people in Illinois with the virus: Some had recovered, and others were in quarantine. The lawyer for controversial planner and developer John Woodman was secretly taped describing a conversation she had with Treasurer Tim Pallas in which she claimed she thanked him for introducing her to the secretary of a government department. "I went to the Premiers function last night and I saw Timmy Timmy-Tom Tim Pallas," Mr Woodmans lawyer, Megan Schutz, was caught saying on a wiretap by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. Megan Schutz leaves the IBAC hearing on Monday. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui In the covert recording played in an IBAC hearing on Tuesday, Ms Schutz tells Mr Woodman that Mr Pallas introduced her to the departmental secretary in 2018 to discuss a development in Melbourne's north. The phone call was taped in late 2018, soon after Labor's state election win. "I went up to Tim and I said, 'Oh, Tim, congratulations on your win'," Ms Schutz was recorded as saying. Congratulations, bfa.com.au got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Bfa.com.au scored 77 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 4/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 23 Dec 2012, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. bfa.com.au is very popular in Facebook. Furthermore its facebook page has 2095 likes. The total number of people who shared the bfa homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the bfa homepage on Twitter + the total number of bfa followers (if bfa has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the bfa homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if bfa has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the bfa homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the bfa homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Biological Farmers of Australia DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Microsoft-IIS/6.0 (ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 The language of bfa.com.au as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for bfa.com.au by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK FOUND FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/pages/Biological-Farmers-of-Australia/147952071894781?ref=ts DESCRIPTION The Biological Farmers of Australia LIKES 2095 PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT 37 PAGE TYPE Non-profit organization TIMELINE PAGE TIMELINE The type of Facebook page. 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 total number of people who like website Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND She was named the 'most beautiful girl in the world' when she came to international prominence during her time as a child model. And Thylane Blondeau showcased her good looks as she arrived at the Miu Miu Paris Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2020- 2021 show on Tuesday. The 18-year-old looked every inch the fashionista in a dark denim jacket from the designer, which sheathed over her slender frame. She's got style: Thylane Blondeau looked every inch the fashionista as she arrived at the Miu Miu Paris Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2020- 2021 show on Tuesday Thylane put on a leggy display in the shirt dress and teamed the look with knee-high black Miu Miu socks and chunky boots. She slicked her hair back in a high ponytail and amped up the glamour with a bronzed make-up look with winged eyeliner. Thylane was joined by a slew of stars for the catwalk show, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof and Lucy Hale. Making her arrival: The 18-year-old put on a leggy display in a dark denim jacket from the designer, which sheathed over her slender frame Leggy: Thylane put on a leggy display in the shirt dress and teamed the look with knee-high black Miu Miu socks and chunky boots Stunning: She slicked her hair back in a high ponytail to showcase her radiant complexion Thylane recently reclaimed her title in a poll by TC Candler, in which she made The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2018. It's certainly helped that the teenager has thrust herself back into the spotlight recently, keeping busy with her professional modelling career. In September, Thylane was in Italy for Milan Fashion Week, walking the catwalk for the fashion brand BYBLOS on September 19. Gorgeous: Thylane amped up the glamour with a bronzed make-up look with winged eyeliner All in the details: Adding a touch of sophistication to her edgy look, the online sensational accessorised with gold earrings Clear view: The French beauty took to the FROW at the starry event Stars on the catwalk: Rita Ora (L) and Stella Maxwell (R) light up the catwalk for the star-studded show Rise to fame: Thylane was named the 'most beautiful girl in the world' when she came to international prominence during her time as a child model She walked for a front row packed with Italian celebrities as she strutted her stuff, modelling a sporty ensemble by the brand. That same month, she also announced that she was launching her own fashion brand. Thylane is now a brand ambassador for L'Oreal, and has been named the face of a perfume by French designer Lolita Lempicka. She has also appeared in Dolce & Gabbana's Spring 2017 campaign alongside Zendaya, Lucky Blue Smith, and Presley Gerber. Lee Man-hee, a leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, bows during the press conference in Gapyeong, South Korea. In the hastily arranged news conference Lee, the 88-year-old leader of a religious sect which has the countrys largest cluster of infections, bowed down on the ground twice and apologized for causing the unintentional spread of the disease. (Image: AP) A view of Astra's Rocket 3.0 on the launch pad at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on March 2, 2020. The day's planned launch attempt was scrubbed, ending Astra's chance to win the DARPA Launch Challenge. The DARPA Launch Challenge's $12 million purse will go unclaimed. The California-based spaceflight startup Astra scrubbed a planned orbital launch attempt from the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Alaska's Kodiak Island on Monday (March 2). It would have been the first-ever liftoff for Astra's Rocket 3.0 and just the third overall for Astra, which attempted suborbital flights with two earlier booster iterations in 2018. The mission's guidance, navigation and control officer noticed some potentially problematic data less than a minute before liftoff Monday, and the team couldn't resolve the issue before the end of the three-hour launch window, Astra representatives said during a launch webcast. Related: The history of rockets Monday was the last day Astra had to complete the first phase of the two-part, $12 million DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Launch Challenge. Success on Monday would have netted the company $2 million and given it a chance to win an additional $10 million by acing a second mission from a different pad at the Pacific Spaceport Complex by March 18. "Winning the challenge would have been fantastic today, but our objective really is to reach orbit in as few flights as possible," Astra CEO Chris Kemp said during the webcast. "So, we really want to use this rocket and we want to get out there again when we know everything is perfect. And, unfortunately, that wasn't today." The DARPA Launch Challenge sought to encourage the development of private American rockets that can launch small military satellites cheaply and on short notice. DARPA announced the initiative in 2018, and 18 companies expressed interest in competing for the prize. Three of them Astra, Virgin Orbit and Vector Launch advanced to become "full participants." But Virgin Orbit and Vector Launch eventually dropped out, leaving Astra as the sole competitor. Astra was founded in 2016 but remained in stealth mode until just last month. The company aims to increase access to space by offering bantam satellites affordable, dedicated rides aboard small and efficient launch vehicles. For example, the two-stage Rocket 3.0 is just 38 feet long (11.6 meters) by 52 inches (132 centimeters) wide and can fit inside a shipping container, Astra representatives have said. The launcher was designed to deliver 55 lbs. (25 kilograms) of payload to sun synchronous orbit, a swath of space between 370 miles and 500 miles (600 to 800 kilometers) high in which spacecraft can pass over the same patch of Earth at the same solar time each day. And Rocket 3.0 was going to carry payloads on its first DARPA Launch Challenge flight four of them, in fact. Three were 3.3-lb. (1.5 kg) cubesats : the Department of Defense's Prometheus communications craft and two University of South Florida satellites designed to demonstrate cubesat-to-cubesat communications. The other payload, Space Object Automated Reporting System (SOARS), was provided by Virginia-based Tiger Innovations. It's designed to test a beacon for space traffic management and space situational awareness. Today's mission plan called for the three cubesats to be deployed about 277 miles (445 km) above Earth. SOARS was designed to remain attached to Rocket 3.0's upper stage. (Hitting the altitude target precisely was not a mission requirement, however; DARPA officials said today's liftoff would have been considered a success if Rocket 3.0 had achieved orbit at least 93 miles, or 150 km, up.) The identity of the four payloads wasn't revealed to Astra until Jan. 22, and the company didn't get a look at the satellites until just a few days before the opening of the launch window on Feb. 25, DARPA officials said. (Monday's planned liftoff was delayed about a week by bad weather and other issues.) Astra would have been kept in the dark until shortly before the second mission lifted off as well; flexibility and adaptability were key components of the DARPA Launch Challenge . "What we really are looking at is a future where we are using networked systems using lots and lots of small spacecraft in network fashion, each of which is replaceable, upgradable and tactical," Todd Master, the DARPA program manager for the competition, said during a teleconference with reporters on Feb. 18. "And a big piece of that is being able to put those on orbit, at a time and place of our choosing, on timelines that are relevant to users," he added. "And that is really what we're trying to demonstrate here in the course of the challenge." Related: Gallery: Declassified US spy photos and designs Astra wasn't necessarily expecting to win the DARPA Launch Challenge. Last month, Kemp stressed that orbital rockets typically need about four attempts to ace their first mission. "So, at par 4, we would be delighted but are not expecting to fully achieve all of the objectives here," Kemp said during the Feb. 18 telecon. And Astra should still be fine going forward, he added. Participation in the DARPA Launch Challenge ramped up the company's development efforts. And the company plans to launch many missions in the near future, Kemp said. The United States "now has a completely portable launch system," he said on Feb. 18. "And we are capable of, and will, over the months ahead, launch and launch and launch again, potentially from different sites. And now we have the capability that DARPA wanted to see America challenged with creating." Master lauded Astra for the progress that the company made namely, getting Rocket 3.0 up to Alaska and ready to fly on such short notice. "That's pretty amazing. But it was a hard challenge," Master said during Monday's webcast, adding that Astra "almost made it to the finish line." And DARPA is heartened by what Astra was able to accomplish during the course of the competition, he said. "We learn a lot from these challenges, and we think that even being able to get to the point we got to will demonstrate to folks that this is something that is right on the cusp of possible," Master said. "And we anticipate that, in the very near future, we'll be able to see these approaches succeed." Mike Wall is the author of " Out There " (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate ), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook . EUGENE A man was sentenced to spend 86 years in prison for the sexual abuse of two children in 2012. Maximiano Fonseca, 60, was convicted Thursday of six counts of rape, six counts of sexual abuse, six counts of sodomy and two counts of coercion. He was sentenced Monday, The Register-Guard reported. Fonseca's trial began Feb. 19. Including jury deliberations, it lasted six days. The jury of 12 voted "guilty" unanimously on all but three charges a sex abuse charge was voted 11 guilty to one not guilty; a sex abuse charge was voted 10 guilty to two not guilty; a sodomy charge was voted 10 guilty to two not guilty. In Oregon, the jury does not need to be unanimous in their voting for a conviction. Springfield police arrested Fonseca in April, after an investigation into sexual abuse claims. He was in Mexico at the time the police started their investigation, but had recently returned to Oregon before his arrest in Eugene. The Associated Press Politicians in both major parties talk a lot about lowering the prices of prescription drugs. Understanding how that can be done, however, can get a little complicated. So imagine the world of prescription drugs as having three rival kingdoms: drug manufacturers, pharmacies and insurance companies. They all want to maximize profits, and a key way to do that is by controlling what happens with pharmacy benefit managers the intermediaries between pharmacies and insurance companies. Democratic lawmakers in both houses of the state Legislature passed legislation last year that would regulate pharmacy benefit managers in New York for the first time. Independent pharmaciescheered. Insurers and manufacturers who own some PBMs not so much. Huge sums were at stake, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo ended up vetoing the bill last December. But the governor left the door open for lawmakers to send a new bill this year if it addressed five concerns he had in the original legislation. That could happen in the coming months, according to Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried, who sponsored the original bill. City & State caught up with Gottfried to hear what comes next in the fight for control over PBMs and the wider world of prescription drugs. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How do pharmacy benefit managers fit into the prescription drug supply chain? A PBM is an entity that administers prescription drug benefits in that they decide what drugs to cover. They take money from manufacturers. They take money from drugstores and get paid money by the insurance. So why do they need to be regulated? Our bill is very carefully written. It doesn't say anything about what an insurance company can do. It only says what a PBM can do and it says something like you can't steal from your clients. You have to disclose what you're doing to your client. You have to use care and professionalism all words that would govern a lawyer. So what does this all have to do with something called ERISA? The Employee Retirement Income Security Act is federal legislation that prohibits states from passing any law that relates to any employment benefit plan. The governor has argued that because our bill tells a PBM how to behave, that therefore we are violating ERISA. That's not a totally wacko thought in that there are a lot of people who believe that. I think it's a completely erroneous line of thought. For example, if I tried to represent an ERISA plan in court, and I wasn't licensed to practice law, New York wouldnt be preempted from saying, If you want to practice law for anybody, you need a license. The governor also had concerns about how the legislation would affect administrative costs, undermine market competition and invite scrutiny from general agencies like the U.S. Department of Justice. What is your take? The duties are to use reasonable care, professionalism and act in the best interest of your client. If that is an unfair burden, that is pretty scary. PBMs get big rebates from a drug company, don't tell their clients, and instead pocket the money. I don't understand how cracking down on that is anticompetitive and why that would offend the (Federal Trade Commission). The extent to which the governor tried to really gut the bill is pretty strange. What's your take on the political alliance between insurance companies and drug manufacturers over PBMs? I've never understood why insurance companies are not up in arms about the PBM industry robbing them right and left. You know, at various times some of the biggest PBMs have been owned by drug companies and of course one of the biggest PBMs is owned by the CVS chain. Why an insurance company would want to do business with a PBM that was owned by a drug company, when the PBM is supposed to be helping the insurance company get lower prices for drugs, I don't understand. What comes next for the bill? We are reintroducing the bill with technical changes. We will work to pass the bill again and try to get the governor to talk with us. There will also be more advocacy by consumer groups and pharmacists. That may help things get worked out better. The spring gathering of finance ministers and central bankers held in Washington in April will be shifted to a "virtual format" due to the coronavirus epidemic, the IMF and World Bank said on Tuesday. The twice-yearly meetings of the development lending institutions attract thousands of officials and private sector participants from 180 member countries -- just the kind of gathering health authorities say should be avoided. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass said in a joint statement that "given growing health concerns related to the virus," they will switch "to a virtual format" for the meetings set for April 16-18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MEDIA COURTHOUSE The fourth and final defendant charged with stealing from lockers at the Haverford YMCA received a sentence of six to 23 months in county prison Monday after pleading guilty to two counts each of access device fraud and conspiracy to access device fraud, all third-degree felonies. Marco Morgan, 30, of Washington, D.C., was arrested Oct. 6 with Antranelle Rashawn Cooper, 28, Antonio McCallister Jr., 25, both also of D.C., and Kimberly Wynn, 32, of Baltimore, Md. Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge James Bradley ordered Morgan and Cooper to pay $106 in restitution to two individual victims and $2,058 to Capital One Bank, while Morgan and McCallister were ordered to pay $2,075 restitution to Wells Fargo Bank. Morgan, who was given credit for time served to Oct. 7, was also ordered to serve one year of county probation and stay away from the victims under the negotiated guilty plea worked out by Assistant District Attorney Brian Doherty and defense counsel Michael Mattson. Haverford police arrested all four defendants outside a CVS store at 1109 West Chester Pike. The arrest came after YMCA patrons returning to the locker room discovered their locks had been removed, and wallets containing cash, credit and debit cards had been stolen. While cancelling his cards, one of the victims learned that a card had just been used to make an unauthorized purchase of $2,044.00 at a CVS. Haverford officers checked at the two nearest CVS locations, including the West Chester Pike location, to see if the purchase had taken place there, with no luck. But a clerk at the West Chester Pike CVS called 911 about 4:21 p.m. that same day to report that two men had just attempted to purchase $2,000 worth of gift cards using a credit card. Staff contacted police after the card was declined as the two men fled the store and got into a dark vehicle on Garfield Avenue. Arriving officers blocked a dark blue Nissan Sentra that was attempting to leave from its parked position on Garfield Avenue. The vehicle had four occupants including two men that matched the description relayed by CVS staff, according to police. The occupants were later identified as Wynn, Cooper, Morgan and McCallister. Officers said they also found bolt-cutters, two cut locks, part of a third cut lock, Visa gift cards, a set of padlock keys and $459 in cash inside the vehicle. Wynn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud Jan. 14 and was sentenced to six to 23 months at the county prison with one year of county probation. McCallister also pleaded guilty in January to two counts each of access device fraud and conspiracy to commit access device fraud, for which he was sentenced to one year less a day to two years less a day at the county prison in Concord with one year of consecutive probation. Cooper pleaded guilty last month to access device fraud as a first-degree misdemeanor and was sentenced to time served to 23 months with one year of consecutive probation. Twelve members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Nelson Chamisa, who were arrested Saturday following streets skirmishes with the police in Chitungwiza, have appeared in court facing charges of participating in a gathering with intent to cause public violence. Police had running battles with some MDC activists outside the Chitungwiza Magistrates Courts after they were denied entry into a court where the accused appeared before Vongai Muchuchutu. Muchuchutu denied them bail saying they are likely to interfere with witnesses. State prosecutor Rumbidzai Mushonga asked the magistrate to deny the MDC activists bail claiming that the 12 are capable of engaging in violence in Chitungwiza and other areas. But their attorneys, Moses Nkomo and Jeremiah Bhamu, argued that their clients had no case to answer as they cant be linked to any orgy of violence in Chitungwiza. Local police chief, Tsitsi Mharadzano, claimed that that some of the MDC activists are influential people capable of causing political disturbances if they are granted bail. Political commentator Mlungisi Dube said its surprising that the police are blocking all MDC meetings without giving any valid reasons. I believe that this may be a well-calculated crackdown to suppress any form of dissent in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean police recently arrested 47 political activists who were engaged in street protests in 2019 following fuel price increases of up to 150 percent. Concerned Citizens Movement, a group linked to the ruling party, recently circulated posters on social media calling for protests at Nelson Chamisas rural home in Gutu and the homes of Sikhala and Tendai Biti. They are accusing the three of urging the West to impose sanctions on Zanu PF officials. West Virginia made history in 2018 when it became the first state to offer blockchain-based Internet voting through the mobile app Voatz, but this May the state has decided against using that same technology in its primary election.According to the, Donald Kersey, general counsel for the West Virginia Secretary of State, said the state decided against using Voatz in May because of security concerns raised about the app in an MIT report Instead, West Virginia, which recently passed a law allowing people with physical disabilities to electronically mark ballots, will adopt Democracy Live for its primary. Through Democracy Live, voters with physical disabilities can fill out their ballots online thanks to an Amazon cloud portal.West Virginia, however, has not completely closed the door on Voatz yet. The app could make an appearance in the states general election later this year, provided that the company addresses cybersecurity concerns.If the security community comes out and says you've answered these questions, they'll be an option, Kersey said, according to NBC.Voatz, which has been featured in election pilots in Colorado, Utah and Oregon, has disputed the study from MIT, claiming that the researchers examined an iteration of Voatz that was at least 27 versions old at the time of their disclosure and not used in an election. The researchers noted in their study that they had to reverse-engineer Voatzs Android application in order to test it.NBC also reported that election security experts Matt Blaze and Maurice Turner commended West Virginia for its decision to forego using Voatz in its primary, but they still shared reservations about the states planned utilization of Democracy Live, which has played a role in more than 1,000 elections in the last 10 years.West Virginia isnt the only entity that now has questions about Voatz after incorporating it in an election. Tufts University, a private school in Massachusetts, has offered Voatz as a voting option in its student government elections since September 2017. Yet Voatz suspended its own Web portal right before a Tufts student election on Feb. 5 due to a heightened state of security alert. This incident, along with the MIT researchers findings, has given university stakeholders pause about the blockchain app.Despite calls for more audits of the Voatz system from officials and cybersecurity experts, no evidence at this point suggests the app has been compromised during an election. A hacker targeted Voatz during West Virginias 2018 midterm election, but the FBI, Voatz CEO Nimit Sawhney and election officials indicated that the attempted attack was immediately thwarted.Moreover, a Voatz summary of an analysis from the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shows that CISA did not detect threat actor behaviors or artifacts of past activities on the in-scope portions of the Voatz networks. New Delhi, March 3 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to cancel bail granted by the Allahabad High Court to BJP leader Chinmayanand in a case of alleged sexual exploitation of a law student. The Allahabad High Court had observed it was a case of "quid pro quo". However, the apex court issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and others on a separate plea filed by the victim seeking transfer of the trial to Delhi. A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and Naveen Sinha, rejecting the plea, observed that the Allahabad High Court has already given reasons for granting bail in its order to Chinmayanand. The top court said this does not require any interference, as the High Court had already imposed several conditions while granting relief to Chinmayanand. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves represented the petitioners in the matter. The top court observed that the High Court is already monitoring the investigation and security has been provided to the victim and her family. "We understand and appreciate your anxiety", said the top court to Gonsalves, who insisted that the victim and her family members' life is under threat. The apex court observed that chargesheet has been filed and the law will take its own course. Gonsalves cited the Unnao rape case, where the victim and her relatives had sustained grievous injuries in a mysterious road accident. Former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was the key accused in the case. The court replied that substantial protection has been provided to the victim and her family. "This is equivalent to the security of a High Court judge," said the top court. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Chinmayanand, said that petitioners have suppressed material facts from the court. Gonsalves insisted that chargesheet was filed for offence under section 376-C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which says the offence is not amounting to rape. The bench replied, "How can it be not amounting to rape?" Gonsalves read out the provision, which said not amounting to the offence of rape. The bench replied, it may be changed while framing of charges. The bench also pointed out to Gonsalves about a video, which was allegedly recorded by the woman. The court queried Gonsalves that "Is this normal conduct?" Gonsalves replied, it was normal as it was counter video, as she is being blackmailed through two objectionable videos. On February 3, the High Court had granted bail to Chinmayanand. He was arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting the woman law student at a college run by his trust at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The High Court observed that "both used each other". Justice Rahul Chaturvedi had said, "Both parties crossed their limits and at this stage, it is very difficult to adjudicate as to who exploited whom. In fact, both of them used each other." Chinmayanand was arrested on September 20 last year under section 376-C of the IPC. The apex court had acted after the 23-year-old law student went missing in August last year after alleging sexual abuse through a video clip on social media. The SIT had also arrested the student on a complaint that she and her friends had allegedly attempted to extort Rs five crore from Chinmayanand. Aric Olson, President of Jain Irrigation, said, "Jain Unity builds upon the patented core ETwater technology we acquired in 2018 to now offer a wealth of environmental services along with the renown, centralized smart irrigation control." Jain Irrigation makes history with first-ever irrigation automation to use AI and predictive analytics. Unity answers the question, How much water does a landscape need? Unity decides when and how much an irrigation system needs to operate, allowing for as much available rainfall or precipitation as possible before initiating a watering schedule saving users water and establishing a more beautiful landscape. Unity is an environmental data platform offering an Evapotranspiration (ET) and other environmental calculations derived from multi-sources for companies to build their own products. Unity connects over secure cellular wireless to all models of existing ETwater smart controllers and other units in the field. Jain Irrigation, Inc., (JAIN), the world leader in irrigation technology, today announces the general availability (GA) release of JAIN Unity, an automatic irrigation control system and environmental data services platform. Unity is the first-ever smart irrigation solution for landscape management fully powered by artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. Jain Unity gives users (contractors, water managers, home and building owners) direct access to view how much water the plants in their landscape requires, along with real-time visibility to the efficiency of their irrigation system for eliminating water waste. Arcadis and Bluefield Research recently released a report that is projecting over 36% of U.S. households wont be able to afford water in the next five years. Irrigation, like landscaping in general, is fertile ground for AI to be a game-changer in sustaining our water supply," said Richard Restuccia, VP Water Management Solutions at JAIN. Jain Unity processes over a billion pieces of information hourly on how soil moisture responds to rain or irrigation events based on the different plant factors, soil types, weather, and environmental conditions at the site-specific location. Connecting to irrigation control that automatically acts upon this algorithm to implement the best strategies for minimizing water usage, and managing nutrient loss fulfills the promise of AI and predictive analytics. A users ability to see and understand their water usage outdoors engages them directly in its conservation; reinforcing changes to their behavior that can add up to substantial cost savings for them, while also contributing to greater water resource savings for our communities' livability and affordability." Aric Olson, President of Jain Irrigation, said, "Jain Unity builds upon the patented core ETwater technology we acquired in 2018 to now offer a wealth of environmental services along with the renown, centralized smart irrigation control. Designed for extensibility that allows swift integration of virtually an unlimited number of data sources, the Unity platform can cross-correlate and analyze data in a learning system that intelligently, automatically adapts to make continuous improvement for sustainable resource consumption. Its release marks an important event for JAIN toward unifying our broad AgTech base worldwide and meeting the challenges in a rapidly changing future of water. About Jain Irrigation, Inc. Jain is a fully integrated global food/plant production company recognized by Harvard Business to be one of five global sustainability champions and the G-20 for lifting people out of poverty. Our irrigation manufacturing capabilities include everything from behind the pump to the flush valve at the end of the lateral and everything in between, including drip irrigation. We lead the industry in manufacturing technology, owning both our extrusion and mold manufacturing equipment providers. Jain leads plant science research globally across a variety of food crops and is staffed with some of the world's leading research scientists. With the Gandhi Library, Jain now houses the leading collection of the world's best plant science knowledge in a single facility. Our agronomic knowledge is integrated from our world-class tissue culture operations through our food processing businesses. We research, educate, advance, manufacture, finance, propagate plants, and purchase produce for processing all to fulfill the Jain mission, "leave this world better than you found it." http://www.jainsusa.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 02:32:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NICOSIA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Scores of migrants and refugees who arrived from Turkey have asked for asylum in Cyprus, government officials and the United Nations said Tuesday. They said the asylum seekers came mostly from African and some Asian countries and arrived by air in the northern part of Cyprus. "As we are speaking, about 100 unregulated immigrants are lined up in the buffer zone and are asking for political asylum," Interior Minister Nikos Nouris told journalists early in the morning, as he arrived at a meeting of the ministerial committee on immigration. He added that from Friday to Monday night about 70 people had crossed from the Turkish-controlled part of Cyprus into the area under the control of the internationally recognized government of Cyprus. Later, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cyprus said that over 100 people have already sought asylum from Cypriot authorities. "We have spoken to the immigration authorities and were told that 130 people have applied for asylum today [Tuesday]," UNHCR official Emilia Strovolidou said. Cypriot government spokesman Kyriakos Kousios said that about 100 people were at the Green Line -- the 185 kilometer-long line dividing Cyprus -- requesting political asylum. He said most of them were economic migrants, with some people coming from countries facing war or strife. "The migratory flow will increase due to Turkey's decisions, and we must expect a large influx," he added. Last week, Turkey decided to open its border gates for illegal migrants after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold. Enditem A string of deadly tornados that killed at least 22 people Monday night has also disrupted Super Tuesday voting, officials said. Voting will begin an hour late at polls in Davidson County, where Nashville is, as well as Wilson County as the communities recover from the damage caused by the tornados, which hit Nashville just before 1 a.m. Several alternate polling stations will also be opened, Nashville election officials said, after some original polling places became inaccessible or lost electricity. Nashville residents may vote between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Tennessees Republican Governor Bill Lee warned that the official death toll from the tornados could continue to rise as rescue operations proceed. Theres a really good possibility that there may be more, Lee said, referring to the number of fatalities, because of the number of folks that we know that are missing and havent been reported. Its early yet. Lee said that the state is doing everything it can to ensure voters are able to make it to functional polling stations. Weve actually deployed generators to polling places that are reporting that they dont have power, Lee said. So, of course we want people to exercise caution in areas like downtown Nashville where theres damage in the streets and that sort of thing. But we also want folks to exercise their rights to get out there and vote. Its a very important day for that. So, were going to make it possible for as many folks as we can to vote and wherever we find a polling station that theres a problem, were reaching out to correct that, the governor added. Nashville also closed local courts due to the destruction but is reportedly nevertheless prepared to address any election-related legal issues, according to a state court official. Thirteen other primary elections will be held on Super Tuesday besides Tennessee: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Democrats Abroad. Story continues In Alabama, at least one polling station lost power due to storms but voting machines remained operational thanks to battery backups. More from National Review TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida officials are reporting a third person who's tested positive for a new strain of coronavirus that appears to be spreading across the U.S. Two of the cases have been confirmed while the third one made public Tuesday is awaiting confirmation from federal health officials. The most recent patient is the sister of the woman whose infection had previously been confirmed. RELATED: This map tracks coronavirus in real time Both had been traveling together in Italy. Meanwhile, Florida health officials also expressed frustration that New York officials didn't inform them of the infection of a New York patient who had traveled to Miami. Florida learned about the case through the news media. Embattled Government and Consumer Services Minister Lisa Thompson is defending the secrecy swirling around the Progressive Conservatives bid to fix the blue licence plate fiasco. One day after Premier Doug Ford angrily attacked the media for pressing him on the snafu, Thompson turned her guns on the opposition New Democrats for demanding to know why the Tories signed a nondisclosure agreement with plate manufacturer 3M. What weve just seen here in this house today is a very clear misunderstanding of what business is really all about, Thompson lectured the NDP in the legislature Tuesday. The NDP do not respect commercially sensitive information. Ontarios new double-blue plates have left the Tories red-faced since it emerged two weeks ago they are illegible in certain lighting conditions. A rejigged plate should be available from 3M by March 16. Until then, the traditional white licence plates in use for 47 years will again be issued. With Fords office again shielding Thompson from the media it was left to government house leader Paul Calandra to respond to questions about the debacle. Weve worked very closely with 3M to bring forward a better plate, a more safe and secure plate and it will be at no cost to the taxpayer, said Calandra. We expect 3M to correct that problem, he said. Calandra could not say whether the revamped version would be blue or white. I havent seen what colour theyre going to be. That has left some at Queens Park wondering if the Tories will return to the familiar white plates with legible blue letters that former PC premier Bill Davis introduced in 1973. The much-lampooned double-blue plate, with a design that has been likened to a Q-tip box, was unveiled in last Aprils budget. NDP MPP Jennifer French (Oshawa) said the plate controversy reflects badly on Ford, who had promised to operate in a more transparent fashion than the previous Liberal government he defeated two years ago. This government wants this to go away so badly that now theyve signed a nondisclosure agreement with 3M so no one will ever know the cost, or what was or wasnt involved in supposed testing, or any other details of this botched job, said French. I would bet that the deal that they made for these plates wouldnt hold up to scrutiny, and thats why they want it to disappear, not unlike their branded plates, she said. Green Leader Mike Schreiner put it in simple terms. Heres the bottom line: 3M makes transparent tape, why cant we have a transparent agreement that keeps the people of Ontario informed of whats going on with these plates? said Schreiner. Former NDP premier Bob Rae, who governed from 1990 to 1995, mocked the current administrations problems in a tweet to his 125,000 Twitter followers. Question: what does every government in Ontario from 1910 to 2018 have in common ? Answer: They made licence plates without fuss, bother, or trouble, wrote Rae. On Monday, Ford admitted the problem has him frustrated, but he lashed out at journalists for querying him. Youve got to be kidding me. Im shocked youre even asking me that I know the media wants to pound on little things. Were looking at the big vision, the premier fumed. You guys, the media, want to stick in this little downtown Toronto bubble and start worrying about little things NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Fords anger was completely inappropriate and said concealing the details of the cost and scope of correcting the plate problem is wrong. A gag order is not the appropriate way to address this. Who knows what it is that the premier and the government are trying to hide? Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev on the countrys national day the Liberation Day, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. Armenia highlights the bilateral and multilateral traditional cooperation with Bulgaria and is ready to further strengthen the relations in the future. For this purpose we have the most important a common value system and a centuries-old friendship between our peoples. I wish you good health, success, and peace and prosperity to the Bulgarian people, the Armenian President said in his congratulatory letter. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Biden seemed taken aback by the swift change in fortunes. He told Buttigieg that he reminded him of his late son, Beau, the highest compliment he can offer. He told the crowd Klobuchar has a long political future ahead, and he told ORourke, whose candidacy was marked by liberal positions on gun control, Youre going to take care of the gun problem with me. Youre going to be the one who leads this effort. ECOWAS election experts are heading to Guinea, a foreign ministry official said Monday, after the government delayed a controversial constitutional referendum owing to concerns about its credibility. Guinean President Alpha Conde on Friday postponed a parliamentary election and constitutional referendum scheduled on Sunday after international organisations criticised the polls. No date has been set for a new vote so far. At issue in particular was the electoral roll, which the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) said contained 2.49 million problematic names, including duplicates and those of people who had died. Around 7.7 million people were registered to vote in the West African state, according to its Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The country has a total population of roughly 13 million. Guineans have been staging large protests since mid-October over Conde's plan to change the constitution, charging that is a ploy to keep him in power. The former French colony's current constitution mandates two five-year presidential terms. Under the new constitution, there would be two six-year presidential terms. But critics argue that a new constitution would reset the term counter to zero, allowing Conde, 81, to run again when his second five-year term ends this year, a possibility the government has not denied. On Friday, Conde gave a televised address to announce the vote's postponement, after the OIF, EU, African Union and ECOWAS raised concerns. Conde did not announce a date for a new vote, but in a letter to the 15-nation ECOWAS bloc that was seen by AFP, he said the new poll should take place within two weeks. It is unclear if that will happen however. Guinea's Communication Minister Amara Sompare told AFP he could not comment on a precise date because setting one was up the CENI. The electoral commission declined to comment. Photo credit: GAB Archive - Getty Images From Esquire In 1975, Joe English was staying at the Allman Brothers ranch in Macon, Georgia, after his band Jam Factory split up. He was out of cash, driving a 1964 Dodge Dart with bald tires, he told Modern Drummer in a piece that ran in 1986. My drums were in it and it had no backseat. I could play good, but I sure was broke. Then he got a call from a friend of a friend offering him a gig that would change his life. He joined Wings, the band Paul McCartney formed with his wife Linda after leaving the Beatles. English was the only American in the band for four years, and he traveled around the world, met rock royalty, had 200 acres of land, two Porsches. Then he disappeared from public life. Since 1990, English has been living in rural North Carolina as a member of the Word of Faith Fellowship, the subject of a new book by Associated Press reporters Mitch Weiss and Holbrook Mohr who have been reporting on the group for years. The book details disturbing allegations about the group, including physical abuse against adult and underage members during sessions called blasting, the practice of screaming the devil out of members, who would get so worked up theyd wail, scream, convulse, or vomit into buckets, according to the book. The church was founded in 1979 by a preacher named Jane Whaley who teaches that blasting drives the evil sent from Satan to manipulate humans into addiction and wrongdoing back to hell, Weiss and Mohr write. [Members would] often push you down to the floor, beat your back with their fists, its just kind of a violent group exorcism, former member Ben Cooper told Today last week. Cooper said he was blasted as young as age 12. The reporters describe one incident relayed to them from former members in which a church member grabbed Joe and tossed him across the room to expel his demons. That was what it took for Joe to get a breakthrough. (Esquire has not independently verified this account, and the book does not contain any accounts of English participating in any blasting sessions.) Story continues When asked about allegations of abuse in the church, Joshua Farmer, a lawyer representing Word of Faith, said via email, Mitch Weisss book Broken Faith is a continuation of the campaign of vitriol and lies by Weiss and certain members of the Cooper family against our church We have repeatedly reached out to Weiss and the publisher of this book. They have continually rejected our attempts to address their inaccuracies. Farmer did, however, confirm that English remains a member of the church. When asked for an interview with English, Farmer directed me to call the church, which didnt respond to a voicemail I left inquiring about English. Weiss and Mohr attempted to talk to English during their years reporting on the Word of Faith Fellowship for the AP and their book but say the church blocked interviews with members. I saw English at the sentencing for Word of Faith Fellowship minister, Kent Covington. After Covington was sentenced [for fraud in 2019], I walked over to English and introduced myself, Weiss told me. As I began to ask questions, his wife, Dayle, who used to be married to Allman Brothers guitarist Dickie Betts, pulled him away. She mumbled that he didn't want to talk. Weiss and Mohr were, however, able to get a picture of Englishs life in the church thanks to interviews with former members as well as audio and video from inside the organization. According to their reporting, English rarely speaks about his rock history and is treated no differently from any other member. Tasks are shared among members, and English has done janitorial work for the church and, other times, he and his wife counseled teenagers. After Weiss and Mohr first began reporting on Word of Faith Fellowship for AP, English and several other members of the church recorded testimonials for a local radio station which were posted on YouTube. In 2018, English gave an emotional interview about his years of drug abuse and his introduction to Whaley. English was introduced to the Word of Faith Fellowship by music promoter Ray Nenow, whod visited the church with Englishs wife. We had tried everything. Wed tried rehab, wed sent him to other ministries, Nenow says in the 2018 recording. We sent him everywhere, we tried to get him help. We couldn't help him. It wasn't until we got here and the prayer and the things started happening in his life that things started to change. He started to get free. The video is posted on YouTube and titled, Word of Faith Fellowship Members Share: From Profane Music To True Worship. And English sits next to Nenow and another member named Andy Kidd. English looks subdued in a suit jacket, white dress shirt and purple tie; his hair is combed back and hes well-shaven. When the interviewer gets to Englishs portion of the story 14 minutes in, English seems uneasy, saying with a Southern drawl, Its hard to talk without crying. After a sharp breath, he talks about his introduction to Whaley and the church. She looked at me and gave me a hug and she could see that I was a troubled man but you know what she cared nothing about in the world they wanted to know about your history with Paul McCartney and Wings. She wanted to help me because she knew that I had problems, and she could care less what I had done in the past. And I had never met anyone like that except my wife Dayle. After English explains his path to Word of Faith, the interviewer asks English to sing, and he stands up and belts out a song called Your Love Never Fails. English also seemed to address reporting on the organization. I hear about all the attacks. Hear all the stuff thats said about the church and Sam and Jane, he says. I remember back when I came here, how messed up I was and I remember the love that she showed me. Really, nobody can really tell me anything because I know, I know the truth in my heart that when I was desperate and down and out, she just took me and held me and told me she loved me and God was going to help you if you want help. I've had struggles since I've been here, [but] you can get help if you want help, if you open your heart and say, Jesus help me. You Might Also Like As people frantically stock up to prepare for possible coronavirus home quarantines, some are outsourcing their panic buying, using delivery services like Postmates or Instacart for groceries, Amazon for a wide variety of goods and DoorDash or Uber Eats for restaurant meals. Whether delivery companies can keep up is another question. Amazon notified customers of its Prime Now delivery service on Monday that its taking longer than normal to deliver orders, with the app sometimes displaying a message that no delivery windows were available. The scarcity of couriers also affected Amazon Fresh, according to Bloomberg News, which attributed the delays to a surge in demand. Its like its Christmas all over again, said Nestor Vela, a full-time Amazon delivery driver in the East Bay who works for ONCI Logistics, an Amazon contractor. Our loads are a lot heavier and theres been a bunch of big orders. Amazon did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Instacart, the grocery delivery service headquartered in San Francisco, has also seen a wave of orders, against a backdrop of store shelves emptied by people preparing for a possible pandemic. Over the last few days, weve seen a surge in customer demand for household essentials such as bottled water, as well as personal care products like hand sanitizer, the company said, adding that it remained fully operational across North America and aimed for uninterrupted service. Relying on others for shopping may be a positive, said Karan Girotra, a professor of operations and technology at Cornell Tech in New York. Going into a large public place like a grocery store is less desirable, because of the risk of contagion, he said. Delivery services can serve an important role by decreasing how much people get together in big stores. Of course, the delivery workers themselves may be at risk if theyre bringing goods to the homes of sick people. For the gig workers responding to app orders, who generally are independent contractors, theres another wrinkle: They only get paid if they work, which means they have to balance making money versus the possibility of exposure. Most of the prepper orders I did, the customer didnt tip well, they dont want to go to the store (because) they might get sick, but they think nothing of the person who is shopping in that store for them, said Krystal Asche, an East Bay Instacart shopper and delivery driver, in an email. I have been coughed on and sneezed on so many times these past few days. Shes also concerned about hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes being sold out and wishes stores would limit quantities to prevent hoarding. I need that stuff to do my job, so I dont pass anything onto somebody with a compromised immune system, Asche said. I have enough hand sanitizer for a few more days, after that I dont know what I will do. Driving around shopping and delivering, I don't have access to a sink to wash my hands all the time. For the gig companies, theres a delicate balance: They may be limited in what they can tell workers because exerting control is among the factors that could result in workers being reclassified as employees under AB5, Californias new gig-work law. No on-demand companies responded to questions about whether they are concerned about this, or whether theyre noticing reluctance among workers even while demand surges. DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, Postmates, UPS and FedEx all said they are informing their drivers and couriers about public-health officials recommended hygiene precautions, such as frequent hand washings and staying home if sick. The safety and health of our community of employees, merchants and Dashers is always our top priority, DoorDash said. We are closely monitoring this situation and have shared the CDC guidelines with Dashers and merchants. We will remain in close contact with them as we learn more. Uber likewise said safety is a top priority. We have formed a dedicated global team of Uber operations, security and safety executives, guided by the advice of a consulting public health expert, to respond as needed in each market where we operate around the world, it said. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes UPS noted that, according to the World Health Organization, packages are not at risk of contamination. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages, the company said. San Rafael cannabis delivery company Moonflower Delivery said it is keeping antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer in vehicles for drivers to use after deliveries, since payment involves using a touchscreen. We also have drivers disinfect the phone screens since customers have to sign the digital receipt, co-owner Alexa Wall wrote in an email. In China, where millions are under home quarantine, delivery people have become essential. While most households can only send someone out for supplies every three days, scooter-driving couriers are still allowed on the streets. The couriers have become a lifeline for food and necessities but also are particularly vulnerable to infection. The government has ordered them to hang packages on doorknobs or leave them outside gates, rather than handing them over in person, according to the Wall Street Journal. Bay Area public health officials didnt respond to questions about whether they were developing extra protocols for delivery drivers here. A lot of the delivery folks will become frontline individuals supplying things to people and protecting them from the spread of the virus, as we saw in China, said Girotra, the Cornell Tech professor. Companies should expect more business and should protect their (workers), providing personal protective equipment as much as they can. These are high-risk jobs. Chronicle staff writer Chase DiFeliciantonio contributed to this report. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid Two green entrepreneurs have souper-charged an environmental groups beach cleaning efforts. Award-winning Clean Coasts Ballynamona in Cork has just taken delivery of its new beach clean machine thanks to planet conscious soup-makers Cully & Sully. The multipurpose jeep made its first trip around the beaches of East Cork today with students from Ocean Hero school St Colmans College in Midleton and the duo behind Cully & Sully, Cullen Allen and Colum OSullivan. The beach cleaners will use the jeep to tow their equipment and haul the tonnes of marine litter they collect from the various waterways and beaches along a 40km coastal stretch in East Cork, and in the work they do on various public spaces they manage for biodiversity. Proinsias O Tuama, the founder of Clean Coasts Ballynamona, said it is absolutely delighted with the generosity of Cully & Sully and with the support it has received from Cork County Council. This is going to enable us to clean the beaches and waterways on the 1.5%, or 40kms of Irish coastline that we take care of, he said. It enables us to care for the coastal habitats and walkways that we manage for biodiversity. This is going to allow us to achieve our dreams. Cully & Sully, based in East Cork, said it is delighted to support the ongoing and dedicated work of Clean Coasts Ballynamona because it is local to it and because it realises how important it is to keep our beaches and waterways clean. The work they do in my area is hugely important and they are amazing at spurring on local engagement, Cullen Allen said. My family and I use the local beaches and waterways in East Cork almost daily. My wife Bree is even a dedicated sea dipper. Cully & Sully is passionate about helping to educate the nation on the far-reaching implications of keeping its local piece of beach or waterway clean. It is encouraging to see more and more people as passionate about the environment as Proinsias and his team are. The 'Beach Clean Machine' made its first trip around the beaches of East Cork today with students from #OceanHero school St. ColmanOs College in Midleton and the Cully & Sully team. Pictured are St Colmans College Midleton students, Serena Matana and Leah Barry. Photo: Cathal Noonan The company also partnered last year with the Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean initiative and it plans to announce another Clean Coasts venture later this month. Dr Micheal John OMahony, the director of An Taisces Environmental Education Unit, which organises the Clean Coasts programme nationally, said the partnership between Clean Coasts Ballynamona and Cully & Sully will help scale up the impact of its work on the beaches of Cork. Litter-free beaches and marine environment is now a real possibility for Cork and beyond, he said. This will be an inspiration of the over 1,000 Clean Coasts Groups that are now doing their bit around the coast of Ireland. We all need as much of this inspiration and action and we need everyone to be aware of this action. Clean Coasts Ballynamona has more than 275 volunteers who gather regularly for beach cleans along the East Cork coast. South Africa: Defence force to assist in repatriating SA citizens in China The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Tuesday confirmed that it is part of a multi-disciplinary team that has been instructed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to repatriate South African citizens from the COVID-19 hit city of Wuhan in China. Other departments involved are the Department of Health and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco). According to the Department of Defence, there are approximately 151 South African citizens that are to be repatriated back to South Africa. Once all the logistics have been confirmed by the planners, who are busy with the planning of the operation, the repatriation process will then commence, the department said in a statement. The repatriation planning process is currently at an advanced stage and takes into consideration everything related to the logistics for the operation, the department said. Last December, Chinese authorities announced the emergence of a novel Coronavirus, which was the causative agent for an outbreak of respiratory disease. On 30 January 2020, due to the emerging worldwide spread of the virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This virus has now come to be known as COVID-19. To date, there has been no case of COVID-19 in South Africa. South Africans are being repatriated from Wuhan City, as per the Presidents directive. Cabinet has decided on this course of action after due consideration of the circumstances, and following several requests from the families of South Africans in the city. In South Africa, a quarantine facility that meets all the requirements has been identified. There will be a perimeter line that will be guarded by the military. Within that perimeter, the area will be declared a no entry zone and a no flight zone. Those under quarantine will not be allowed to exit the perimeter but will be allowed to move freely within the perimeter. On arrival, all quarantine members will be briefed and tested, and there will be screening done at pre-determined intervals. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In many part of the world, the 2019-2020 winter was the winter that wasn't. Here in New York City, I keep waiting for winter to happen ... and now it is, checks calendar, March! There were no spells of bitter days, and hardly a speck of snow. Sure enough, this winter the city tied its second-lowest snow total on record, to the great dismay of schools kids across the boroughs. Meteorological winter is comprised of December, January, and February and so now that it's over, weather experts are trying to sum up what just happened. Here are some of the more telling events from around the globe of the winter that wasn't. 1. Helsinki had no snow in January or February for the first time on record All together, the Nordic capital saw a mere 0.2 centimeters of snow for the entire winter. Everyday in January was above freezing in January; the average January high is 30 degrees (minus-1.1 Celsius) and the typical January low is 20 degrees (minus-6.7 Celsius). The lack of snow and the warmth is really unheard of, Mika Rantanen, a research meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, told The Post. Monthly records were not just broken, they were shattered with large margins. 2. Moscow required artificial snow for New Years celebrations Moscow had its warmest winter in two centuries of record-keeping; it was the first winter to have an average temperature above freezing. The Washington Post writes that Moscow's average temperature during meteorological winter was 32.3 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 Celsius), "which is 11.3 degrees (6.3 Celsius) above the 1981-2010 average, and shatters the previous record held by the winter of 1960-61 by an astonishing 3.5 degrees (2.8 Celsius)." The warm temperatures combined with a snow drought meant that officials had to bring in fake snow to create an ersatz wintery wonderland for New Year's. 3. France had its warmest winter on record The average temperature in France this winter was above the normal average by a balmy 4.86 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 Celsius). 4. So warm that a French ski resort had to import snow using helicopters At the Luchon-Superbagneres ski resort in the French Pyrenees (photo top), they decided to use helicopters to bring in 50 tonnes of snow to cover the hills and keep the resort open. 5. Antarctic temperature rose above 68 degrees (20 celsius) for first time on record Brazilian scientists noted the record high on February 9 on Seymour Island. We are seeing the warming trend in many of the sites we are monitoring, but we have never seen anything like this, Carlos Schaefer, a Brazilian government scientist who studies the Antarctic, told The Guardian. 6. An uncharted island even emerged from melting ice in Antarctica Researchers sailing off the coast of the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf in Antarctica discovered a surprise: A small island about 1,150 feet long and comprised of mostly granite that had never been seen before. It was revealed as a retreating glacier slipped away, leaving the island behind. Live Science says the team named the uncharted outcropping Sif Island, after a Norse goddess associated with Earth. 7. Russian bears came out of hibernation in December At Bolsherechensky Zoo, 1,700 miles east of Moscow, Dasha the bear and her bear colleagues burrowed out of their hay beds in December. They probably decided that spring had come, zoo spokeswoman Natalya Bolotova said. They eventually went back to bed, but still... 8. In Japan, it was even too warm for artificial snow Daisen White Resort in Tottori, western Japan, had a little snow and 10 snowmaking machines to get them through December but they had to shut in early January because it was so warm that even the fake snow melted on the slopes. 9. For the first time ever, Germany was unable to make ice wine In Germany, the minimum temperature of 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 Celsius ) required for an ice wine harvest was not reached in any German wine region, said Ernst Buscher from the German Wine Institute. The 2019 vintage will go down in history here in Germany as the first vintage in which the ice wine harvest couldnt be produced nationwide, says Buscher. If the warm winters continue in the next few years, ice wines from German wine regions will soon become even more of a rarity than they already are, How has winter been in your neck of the woods? 15:22 There is no proposalon Muslim reservation before the Maharashtra government, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday. Thackeray's remarks came days after minority affairs minister Nawab Malik informed the Legislative Council that the state government will provide five per cent quota to Muslims in education. The Nationalist Congress Party minister had also said the state government will ensure that a legislation to this effect is passed soon. "No proposal has come to me regarding Muslim reservation. We will check its validity once it comes to us. We have not taken any decision yet on it," Thackeray told reporters at Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, where the budget session of the state legislature is underway. He also asked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led opposition to stop making a hue and cry over the issue. "I also urge those who are creating ruckus on the issue to save your energy to use it when the issue comes up for discussion. The issue has not come up yet. The Shiv Sena has not clarified its position yet. Let us see when the proposal comes up," Thackeray said. "When the issue comes upbefore the government, we will check the legal validity and take a decision.My stand as well as that of Shiv Sena will be decided when the issue comes before us," Thackeray said. On his wife Rashmi Thackeray's appointment as editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray said he had to quit the editor's post after the chief ministership "unexpectedly" came to him. "Saamana, Shiv Sena and Thackeray can't be separated. We are one family. With Rashmi becoming editor, there were speculations if the language of the paper will change. I want to tell that the language will remain the same. Editorial responsibility will continue to be handled by Sanjay Raut. "Saamana is Shiv Sena's mouthpiece. The paper will continue to reflect the party's stand and my views. There will beeditorial freedom too," he said. "The sort of language used in Saamana is our paternal language and it will remain the same. Dont say later that Rashmi Thackeray criticised Uddhav Thackeray. It could be the subject of some peoples interest. But most of the views expressed are mine, that of the Shiv Sena and beyond that, there is also this freedom of the press. Hence, Sanjay Raut has been discharging the editorial duty very well and he willcontinue to do that," he said. The chief minister also said he is going to Ayodhya on March 7 to offer prayers to Lord Ram. "I have faith and therefore, I am heading (to Ayodhya) to get darshan of Lord Shriram. Wheres the question of politics in having a glimpse of god? Where is politics in it? The doors of god dont get shut just because you formed an alliance with the Congress or some other party. God is god and belongs to everyone. I will go (to Ayodhya)," he said. "Those (from among the alliance partners) who want to come, will come. Gods doors are not closed for anyone. Whenever they want to go, they can go (for seeking darshan). They may come with me (to seek darshan), may go before me or go there after I pay a visit (to the temple)," he said. -- PTI The following is the first part of a three-part series on the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Phase 1 concluded last December. Phase two of the Inquiry opened this week, with witnesses from the corporations and organisations whose actions caused the deaths of 72 people granted immunity by the Attorney General from any prosecution that might result from their testimony. Part 2 of the series was posted on March 4, 2020 and Part 3 on March 5, 2020. The report from Phase 1 of the Grenfell Inquiry, limited to considering the events on the night of the fire, is a whitewash designed to obscure the real causes of the fire and direct blame towards the London Fire Brigade (LFB). While the 900-page report is valuable in its examination of the types of dangerous construction materials used at Grenfell Tower and their role in promoting the spread of fire, it largely ignores or minimises the criminality of cost-cutting companies and a complicit Conservative Party-run local authority. Through their decisions to use these materials, they bear direct responsibility for the devastating fire. A protester at a demonstration demanding justice for those who died at Grenfell Tower A 40-page section at the end of the report is dedicated to remembering the 72 people who died at Grenfell Tower. Based on the testimony given by friends and family members, it is a moving commemoration of their lives. The report provides a forensic, minute-by-minute presentation of the June 14, 2017 catastrophe. It is harrowing in its description of the horrors faced by residents and firefighters as they tried to escape or tackle the fire. The report makes use of witness testimony from survivors, firefighters and Control Room Operators (CROs) to form its account, as well as transcripts from 999 calls and phone calls between trapped residents and their loved ones outside the tower. Survivors and the relatives of those who lost their lives showed enormous bravery in reliving their experiences. Families and survivors hold six-month commemoration of Grenfell fire From early into the night of the fire, Grenfell Towers inhabitants were already encountering terrible conditions, with the fire rapidly spreading up the building, and flats, lobbies and stairwells filling up with toxic smoke. Nicholas Burton, who lived with his wife Maria Del Pilar Burton in Flat 165 on floor 19, was awoken by banging on his door shortly after 1:30a.m. He was confronted by a wall of acrid, black smoke as he opened his front door, similar to when a tyre is on fire. Maria sadly passed away in hospital as a result of the fire. Other survivors of the fire describe their efforts to escape their homes, only to be confronted with thick, black smoke, making breathing almost impossible and reducing visibility. Many were forced to return to their flats. Samuel Daniels describes the agonising experience of being forced to leave behind his elderly and frail father, Joseph--who died in the doorway of his home in Grenfell Tower--as he attempted to escape their 16th floor flat. As Samuel opened his front door, thick black smoke poured into the flat [making] him feel lightheaded and caus[ing] his knees to buckle. He called to Joseph to leave the flat with him, but his father, who suffered from dementia, was stubborn and disorientated and was unable to follow his instructions. Firefighters, informed by Samuel of his fathers presence and illness, tried to reach Joseph but failed. Grenfell Tower destroyed following the blaze Transcripts from 999 calls show the impossible situation faced by trapped inhabitants with disabilities, who could not evacuate on their own and who firefighters struggled but were unable to reach. The report describes the ordeal of residents who attempted to leave the building, before succumbing to the terrible conditions in the stairwells and lobbies. Lina Hamide, who had lived in Flat 74 on floor 10, tried to flee sometime after 4:00 a.m. Struggling to breathe, she made it down two flights of stairs before collapsing. She survived after being carried out of the tower by firefighters. Yehualashet Enyew lived on floor 18 and made an escape attempt with his neighbor, Paulos Tekle, after 3:00 a.m. Yehualashet tried to help Mr Tekles five-year old son, Isaac Paulos, holding his hand and helping him down the stairs with firefighters leading the way. With smoke thickening, Yehualashet realised halfway down the stairs that he had lost Isaac and began to lose consciousness. Isaac died and Yehualashet felt that he could not have survived without the help of a firefighter. The bodies of many residents were later found on the stairs. Thousands gather to mark first anniversary of Grenfell Tower fire The report quotes Saber Nedas last heartbreaking voicemail left for his brother-in-law, Habibrahman Abdulrahman, in which he said, Goodbye. We are now leaving this world, goodbye. I hope I havent disappointed you. Goodbye to all. Saber Nedas body was later found in the childrens playground on the west side of the tower. He had jumped after leaving the voicemail message. In the last telephone call between Mariem Elgwahry and her brother Ahmed Elgwahry, who was standing outside at the bottom of the tower, Ahmed repeatedly tried to encourage his sister to leave. Mariem felt unable to do so: No. I cant get out. The landing is filled with thick black smoke and I cant see, she said. Ahmed believed that his sister had not wanted to leave because it would have meant leaving Eslah Elgwahry, their disabled mother, behind. According to thermal imaging cameras used by firefighters on the night, temperatures in Grenfell Tower reached 1,080C and photos included in the report show lobbies and hallways filled with dense smoke. The Grenfell Tower inferno Firefighters attempting to tackle the fire did so under almost impossible conditions, with many testifying that they had never witnessed a fire of this scope before. Watch Manager (WM) Michael Dowden, in charge of the LFBs response for the first hour of the fire, says in his oral evidence: There were probably moments where I did feel helpless Its a very, very difficult place to be as an incident commander when its justits just relentless. We can usually try and control and get a grip on the dynamic stage of an incident, but this was like nothing else I had ever experienced before. The ferocity, the way that fire was developing, it was just relentless. Grenfell Tower fire Inquiry chairman Sir Moore-Bick noted the bravery shown by firefighters on the night, stating that they displayed enormous courage and selfless devotion to duty. In many cases they pushed themselves to, and even beyond, the limits of endurance in their attempt to fight the fire and to rescue those who remained in the building. The toll on CROs, who responded to 999 calls, is noted in the report, and they are praised as having borne the personal consequences of that night with remarkable fortitude. Moore-Bick observes that the psychological cost to them must not be underestimated. Yet both CROs and firefighters receive harsh criticism in the report, often targeted at individual officers, including the relatively junior-ranking WM Dowden, who Moore-Bick says failed in their professional duty. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), in its response to the report, points out this personalised micro-criticism of individual control staff detracts from the real failures. Control staff were under-resourced, not trained for such a fire and faced huge uncertainties on the night. A protester at a demonstration demanding justice for those who died at Grenfell Tower Sener Macit, who lived in Flat 133 on floor 16, describes in his witness testimony the descent from his flat to escape the tower and the effect that the smoke-logged stairwells were having on both residents and firefighters. As he and his wife went down the stairs, with the smoke so thick that they coughed constantly and struggled to breathe even with damp cloths over their faces, they came across the bodies of other people on the stairs. Macit describes encountering two firefighters around floor 10, who despite his calls for help were unable to assist him, as one looked like he was about to pass out. According to the report, many of the firefighters entering the tower to rescue residents were working far beyond the normal limits of their breathing apparatus (BA), with many wearers being deployed beyond the number of times that standard procedures allow. Many senior commanders expressed concern about how quickly their BA resources were being used up. Firefighters deployed inside the tower also had significant difficulties coordinating their efforts with the command bridgehead, as radio equipment often could not establish a connection. By around 5:30 a.m., firefighters found smoke to be so dense that their radios were not working beyond floor five. A protester at a demonstration demanding justice for those who died at Grenfell Tower Tackling the fire from within the tower also proved difficult due to the ferocity of its spread, inadequate equipment and low water pressure. Firefighter Alan Sime said that by around 3:00 a.m., the efforts of he and his colleague, Ernest Okoh, were making little impact on the flames on floor five. They were having to fight the fire lying on their stomachs; visibility was down to one foot and they could not see their hands. Two other firefighters, Oliver Desforges and Richard Mitchell, who had been deployed to the tower around 4:00 a.m., said that low water pressure had prevented them from effectively containing or extinguishing fires in the flats on floor four, all of which were completely alight. Firefighters struggled to use hoses or wet risers due to insufficient water supplies, and by around 5:50 a.m., Assistant Commissioner (AC) Andrew Roe had to make the decision to stop deploying firefighting crews above floor 12. By around 6:30 a.m., fire crews found there was no water above floor six due to a defective rising water main. The fire brigade was unable to take control of firefighting lifts in Grenfell Tower, a problem which Moore-Bick notes is relevant to the circumstances in which some residents came to lose their lives. A 42-metre high aerial fire-fighting platform had to be brought in from the neighbouring county of Surrey, as the tallest appliances owned by the LFBwhich covers a population of nearly 9 million over an area 1,500 km2only reached 32 metres in height. To be continued WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump persisted Monday in making false assurances about U.S. preparedness for the coronavirus outbreak and the prospects for a quick vaccine, or even cure. In remarks at the White House and an evening rally in North Carolina, Trump reached for silver linings as the number of cases and deaths in the U.S. grew. TRUMP: "We're talking about a vaccine. Maybe a cure is possible. But we're talking about a vaccine and they're moving along very quickly, all of the pharmaceutical companies, are moving along very quickly." - remarks before a meeting with Colombian President Ivan Duque.. TRUMP: The U.S. may have a vaccine "relatively soon" and "something that makes you feel better ... sooner." - rally. THE FACTS: That's misleading, given the far more cautious pronouncements of federal public-health officials and scientists. They say a vaccine is probably more than a year away at best and there are no special treatments for COVID-19. The notion of a quick "cure" is not in their vocabulary as they focus on trying to help people avoid getting the disease in the first place. Whats actually happening: Studies have begun in COVID-19 patients in parts of the world to see if certain antiviral medications could help treat the infection. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, March 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn) Today, there are no proven treatments. In China, scientists have been testing a combination of HIV drugs against the new coronavirus, as well as an experimental drug named remdesivir that was in development to fight Ebola. In the U.S., the University of Nebraska Medical Center also began testing remdesivir, in some Americans who were found to have COVID-19 after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan. It's not known how soon such studies will answer whether any of the drugs help. And many patients recover without needing any treatment. The biggest concern is how to help the fraction who become severely ill. ___ TRUMP: The U.S. is "ranked by far No. 1 in the world for preparedness" -- rally. THE FACTS: Not "by far." He's referring, as he did explicitly last week, to a report coauthored by Johns Hopkins Centers for Health Security. Hopkins experts on Monday said the U.S. got a "grade" that overall was highest by a few points among other high-income countries -- Britain, Canada, Australia, countries in northern Europe -- that are all at about the same level of preparedness. But the reports overall finding: "No country is fully prepared for an epidemic or pandemic," cautioned Hopkins Jennifer Nuzzo, who coauthored the report. Its difficult to say from the report that a country that scores 2 points higher than another is going to fare much better, she added. Now that the new coronavirus is spreading around the world, Nuzzos biggest concern is the readiness of health care systems around the globe. Theres been a lot of work in recent years to shore up public health capacity and strengthen laboratories and surveillance for dangerous new outbreaks. But she said her report uncovered that few have paid attention to whether they have enough doctors and nurses, if those workers are seeing patients in a way thats safe and if they have enough of the masks and other gear to safely do their jobs. "We have seen time and time again in outbreaks that systems, that health systems that are unprepared often serve as points that amplify transmission to the community," she said. In the U.S., the biggest worry is access to that health care. "If fear of the cost of health care is a deterrent, that could create a bad situation where people stay at home, potentially infecting others." ___ AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report. ___ EDITOR'S 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 worker at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle, wears a mask as she walks near a UPS truck during a package delivery, Monday, March 2, 2020. Several of the people who have died in Washington state from the COVID-19 coronavirus were tied to the long-term care facility, where dozens of residents were sick. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly began here on Tuesday with Governor Baby Rani Maurya highlighting steps taken by the state government for boosting rural connectivity, industrialisation ande-governance. Delivering her address on the inaugural day of the session amid slogan shouting by opposition members, Maurya said the state government has introduced an integrated financial management system software for treasury computerisation throughout the state under the national e-governance programme. She said Uttarakhand has joined the group of the states that have recorded high industrial growth rate. The state government built 750 km of rural roads, she said, adding that the work to connect 369 villages with roads was under way. Talking about Uttarakhand's vulnerability to natural disasters, she said arrangements have been made for developing an online reporting mechanismto assess damages. A policy has been made for the establishment of community radio stations, the governor said. The governor also highlighted the steps taken by the government for the rejuvenation of dead rivers like the Rispana and Bindal. Throughout the governor's address, the opposition MLAs led by Kedarnath legislator Manoj Rawat kept shouting slogans while standing in the well of the House. They accused the government of being against the development of the hills. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of migrants and refugees from Turkey are attempting to enter Greece after Ankara announced it could no longer enforce a 2016 deal with the EU to prevent migrants entering Europe. Turkey has said it will not prevent migrants on its territory from reaching Europe, triggering an almost instant rush to the borders it shares with European Union member Greece after the Syrian conflict escalated. Turkey can no longer enforce a 2016 deal with the EU to prevent migrants entering Europe. (Reuters) Read more: Turkey shoots down two Syria warplanes in escalating offensive The International Organisation for Migration put the number of people along the Greece-Turkey border at 13,000. A young boy died when a boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos on Monday, Greek police said, the first reported fatality since Turkey opened its borders last week. A man holds a banner as thousands of migrants continue to gather at the Pazarkule Border Gate in Karaagac neighbourhood in Edirne, Turkey to reach Greece. (Getty) Silhouettes of irregular migrants are seen as they continue to wait near the border gate in Edirne, Turkey to reach Greece on Monday. (Getty) A child wakes up beside another sleeping child at the Pazarkule Border Gate in Karaagac neighbourhood in Edirne, Turkey. (Getty) Nearly a million Syrians have fled to the Syrian-Turkish border since December, amid heavy fighting in the Idlib region between Turkish-backed rebels and Syrian government forces. Turkey has an estimated 3.7 million Syrian refugees, as well as migrants from other countries but previously stopped them from entering Europe. Read more: Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens the doors The deal was proposed as a solution to the migrant crisis in 2015 where almost one million refugees and migrants arrived in the EU. Hundreds of thousands of people fled to escape the wars in Syria and Afghanistan. Migrants sleep on a field near Edirne, at the Turkish-Greek border on Monday. (AP) Migrants receive food as they gather in a field near Edirne. (AP) On Monday, a senior Turkish official told the Reuters news agency: We have decided, effectively immediately, not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or sea. Read more: Turkeys borders with Europe open as migrants gather, says president "All refugees, including Syrians, are now welcome to cross into the European Union." The prospect of a new migration crisis caused alarm in European countries already contemplating restrictions on internal borders and public gatherings to fight the coronavirus. Tear gas is being used during clashes at the Turkish-Greek border near the Pazarkule border gate in Edirne, Turkey to stop migrants from entering Greece. (AP) Greek police fire tear gas at migrants who trying to enter Greece.Thousands of migrants and refugees massed at Turkey's western frontier, trying to enter Greece by land and sea. (AP) A migrant reacts as Greek riot police guard the border gate in Kastanies village on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP) Greece, a European Union member state neighbouring Turkey, vowed not to admit the migrants and responded to the incoming refugees at its border. Story continues Greek police fired tear gas toward migrants who were gathered on its border with Turkey and demanding entry on Saturday. In addition to some 3.7 million Syrian refugees, Turkey also hosts migrants from Afghanistan, Iran and Morocco, among others. Standfords [email protected] project has been running for a number of years using the donated idle hours of computers to help undertake complex calculations for researchers. With the advent of the novel coronavirus, researchers are now putting out a call to help develop potential treatments for COVID-19, the infectious disease it causes in humans. 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 Many PlayStation 3 gamers will be familiar with Standfords [email protected] (FAH) project, which developed a piece of software to tap into donated time on users consoles to help undertake complex folding protein computational analysis to develop treatments for an array of illnesses. Although Sony eventually dropped support for the initiative, FAH has continued to tap into the latent processing power of peoples PCs to help with ongoing protein folding research. FAH has now turned its distributed computational analysis to help develop potential treatments for COVID-19 caused 2019-nCOV better known as the novel coronavirus. FAH explains its approach: For both coronaviruses [the current 2019 nCoV and SARS], the first step of infection occurs in the lungs, when a protein on the surface of the virus binds to a receptor protein on a lung cell. This viral protein is called the spike protein ... Proteins are not stagnantthey wiggle and fold and unfold to take on numerous shapes. We need to study not only one shape of the viral spike protein, but all the ways the protein wiggles and folds into alternative shapes. Among the tech giants who have offered support for FAH, along with compatibility for their hardware are Intel, Nvidia, Google, BE, EVGA, Ubisoft, 1fnts and AMD. Anyone who wants to participate in the project can simply download the software compatible with their machine and OS to donate their computational power to the project. Given that the best case scenarios for developing a vaccine is at least 18 months away, donating come clock cycles to the project is a small way in which anyone can contribute to the fight against this serious contagion. Jeffrey Epstein was in a relationship with a woman from Belarus when he died and she was the last person he phoned before he hanged himself, it has emerged. The pedophile rang Karyna Shuliak on August 10 last year from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. The next day, the 66-year-old financier was found dead in his cell. Shuliak's identity was revealed by a report in the New York Daily News, which said they had been together for four or five years. Exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com corroborate that timeline and show that Shuliak, who is in her 30s, knew Epstein as far back as 2015. A photograph from January that year shows her leaving Epstein's $75 million New York City mansion in a white jacket and blue jeans. Jeffrey Epstein was in a relationship with Karyna Shuliak, Belarus, when he died and she was the last person he phoned before he hanged himself. Exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com corroborate that timeline and show that Shuliak, who is in her 30s, knew Epstein as far back as 2015. Shuliak is pictured here leaving Epstein's home in January of 2016 A photograph from January that year shows her leaving Epstein's $75 million New York City mansion in a white jacket and blue jeans. Pictured: Shuliak leaving Epstein's home in early 2016 with a puppy carrier In another set of photographs from June 2016 she was seen coming and going from the property with some of Epstein's inner circle including longtime associate Susan Hamblin Shuliak's identity was revealed by a report in the New York Daily News which said they had been together for four or five years. Pictured: Epstein in 2016 In another set of photographs from June 2016 she was seen coming and going from the property with some of Epstein's inner circle, including longtime associate Susan Hamblin. That same day former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barack entered and left the property. Another woman photographed with Epstein was his associate Jennifer Kalin who, it can now be revealed, married Shuliak in October 2013 and divorced her in July last year after he was arrested. The Daily News reported that this was a sham marriage designed to keep Shuliak in the US. It can also be revealed that, in a bizarre twist, Shuliak is a registered dentist in the state of Florida and California. She also is listed as a dentist with her own practice in the Virgin Islands and the address listed is connected to Epstein. DailyMail.com has previously revealed that a dentist's chair was among the items that Epstein had shipped to his private island in the Caribbean and photos show he also had a dental chair at his Florida mansion. It is understood that he used to fix up the teeth of women close to him and Shuliak, who studied at Columbia University in New York, could have done it for him. Epstein reportedly said nothing in his last phone call to Shuliak that raised concerns with her about his welfare, a claim that will fan conspiracy theories about his death. Another woman photographed with Epstein was his associate Jennifer Kalin who, it can now be revealed, married Shuliak (pictured together) in October 2013 and divorced her in July last year after he was arrested Jennifer Kalin (pictured) attending the American Debut of Award-Winning Jewelry Designer Pattni at Ramscale NYC on April 21, 2010 It can also be revealed that, in a bizarre twist, Shuliak is a registered dentist in the state of Florida and California. DailyMail.com has previously revealed that a dentist's chair was among the items that Epstein had shipped to his private island in the Caribbean and photos show he also had a dental chair at his Florida mansion (pictured) A source said: 'When she hung up the phone she was not under the impression Epstein was suicidal'. Epstein's lawyer Reid Weingarten said in one of his court hearings that he was not a 'despairing, despondent, suicidal person'. Despite this, a prosecutor from the Southern District of New York reviewed the recording of the conversation to see if there was something they had missed. Shuliak, who has declined to cooperate with federal prosecutors, considered herself Epstein's girlfriend and thought that he loved her, a source said. She was on his private plane when it returned to Teterboro airport in New Jersey from Paris and Epstein was arrested by the FBI. Shuliak was in Belarus when she learned he had died and is said to be 'devastated'. Public records indicate that Shuliak was registered as living at Epstein's Palm Beach mansion between 2015 and 2018. She is registered as living on his private island in the US Virgin Islands from 2013 to the present day. Epstein is listed as one of her associates on public records, as is Janusz Banasiak, one of his former housekeepers, and one of his ex-drivers. The pedophile rang Shuliak (pictured) on August 10 last year from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges Epstein reportedly said nothing in his last phone call to Shuliak that raised concerns with her about his welfare. A source said: 'When she hung up the phone she was not under the impression Epstein was suicidal' Pictured: Epstein's prison cell and the noose he used to commit suicide, which were obtained by CBS 60 Minutes Shuliak appears to have a handful of family members in the US but nobody returned calls from DailyMail.com. At one address just outside New York, a woman angrily insisted the relative did not live there anymore. When we called one phone number on her public records, profile a woman with a soft voice and an Eastern European accent said she could not help and hung up. Before Shuliak took down her Facebook page Susan Hamblin - the longtime Epstein associate - was one of her friends. She was also friends with Brad Kalin, the brother of Jennifer Kalin. It is not clear how Epstein met Shuliak but she is not the only woman from Eastern Europe to come into Epstein's orbit. He is said to have bought one of his alleged co-conspirators, Nadia Marcinkova, from her parents in the former Yugoslavia. A previous report by Business Insider said that Epstein arranged at least three marriages for women in his close circle to keep recruiters and friends in America. One of them was detailed in a lawsuit filed by a woman called 'Katlyn Doe' against Epstein's estate, which does not appear to be Shuliak. The lawsuit alleges that Doe met Epstein in 2007 when she was 17 and had an eating disorder and a serious medical condition. It is not clear how Epstein met Shuliak (pictured in 2011 while taking English classes) but she is not the only woman from Eastern Europe to come into Epstein's orbit Epstein promised to help pay for the series of surgeries she needed but began to sexually abuse her as well, and took her virginity. The lawsuit states that in 2013 told the woman he 'needed Associate 3, a non-United States citizen and recruiter of females for Jeffrey Epstein, to obtain a permanent United States residence so that she could remain in the country to work for him'. Epstein offered her $20,000 and said he would pay for surgery she needed. The lawsuit states: 'The ceremony included not only signing the necessary legal paperwork prepared but also posing for photographs to give the appearance that the marriage was legitimate'. Epstein offered the woman a place to live with her 'bride' but at the same time forced her to continue having sex with him. After the marriage went through Epstein only paid the woman $10,000 and said the second installment would be paid once the marriage ended, the lawsuit states. Shuliak's attorney, Maurice Sercarz, declined to comment. Speaking in general terms about arranged marriages, Epstein victims' lawyer Sigrid McCawley said: 'Jeffrey Epstein's international sex trafficking ring harmed an incomprehensible number of girls and these sham same-sex marriages served a basic and important purpose for Epstein's trafficking operation because they enabled Epstein to get citizenship for girls that he wanted to keep in this country without facing a high level of scrutiny in the citizenship process'. Ten people have been found alive inside a container at a dock in Hull, according to authorities. Yorkshire Ambulance Service said that three people have been taken to hospital from the scene. None of those discovered are in a life-threatening condition, police said. Officers are currently in attendance at King George Dock in Hull after a number of people have been found in a container at the dock, Humberside Police said. Some of those found are in need of medical treatment, although none of those are thought to be in a serious or life-threatening condition. 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Show all 15 1 /15 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Thirty-nine bodies have been found in a lorry container in Essex, police have said PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex The discovery of 38 adults and one teenager was made at an industrial estate in Thurrock Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police said they believed the lorry had come from Bulgaria and entered the UK at Holyhead, in Wales, on Saturday. Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Essex Police said it had launched a murder investigation after its officers were called to Waterglade Industrial Park, in Grays, in the early hours of Wednesday morning Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex A 25-year-old-man from Northern Ireland has been arrested on suspicion of murder PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex In a statement, Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner said: This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened. We are in the process of identifying the victims, however I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process. Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Reuters 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Reuters Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they were called to King George Dock at around 11.30am on Tuesday. We sent two rapid response vehicles, three emergency ambulances, two doctors and our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene, a spokesperson said. We transported three patients to Hull Royal Infirmary and seven patients were checked over on scene but did not need conveying to hospital. Last year, 39 bodies were discovered in a lorry in Essex, triggering a police investigation into an alleged human trafficking plot. The provisional cause of death for the Vietnamese nationals was a combination of suffocation and overheating in an enclosed space, according to Essex Police. Additional reporting by Press Association VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eldorado Gold Corporation ("Eldorado" or the "Company") today filed three separate technical reports for its Kisladag, Olympias and Efemcukuru projects (the Technical Reports). Further to the Companys news release dated February 20, 2020 ( Eldorado Announces 15 Year Mine Life at Kisladag; Provides 2020 Guidance and Long-term Outlook ) (Guidance Release), these Technical Reports have been prepared pursuant to Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), and may be found on the Companys website ( www.eldoradogold.com ) or under the Company's SEDAR profile ( www.sedar.com ). Technical Report, Kisladag Gold Mine, Turkey (the Kisladag Technical Report) The Kisladag Technical Report, with an effective date of January 17, 2020, was prepared by the following Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101: Stephen Juras, P. Geo., David Sutherland, P.Eng., Paul Skayman, FAusIMM, Richard Miller, P.Eng., and Sean McKinley, P.Geo., and has been filed to confirm a 15-year mine life based on the completed long-cycle heap leach testwork and the replacement of the tertiary crushing circuit with a high-pressure grinding roll circuit and to confirm the Companys updated disclosure of mineral reserves contained in its Guidance Release. Technical Report, Olympias Mine, Greece (the Olympias Technical Report) The Olympias Technical Report, with an effective date of December 31, 2019, was prepared by the following Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101: David Sutherland, P.Eng., Ertan Uludag, P. Geo., Colm Keogh, P. Eng., Paul Skayman, FAusIMM, and Sean McKinley, P.Geo, and has been filed to update certain scientific and technical information regarding the operations at the Olympias Mine. Technical Report, Efemcukuru Gold Mine, Turkey (the Efemcukuru Technical Report) The Efemcukuru Technical Report, with an effective date of December 31, 2019, was prepared by the following Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101: Ertan Uludag, P. Geo., Imola Gotz, P. Eng., Paul Skayman, FAusIMM, David Sutherland, P.Eng., and Sean McKinley, P.Geo., and has been filed to update certain scientific and technical information regarding the operations at the Efemcukuru Gold Mine. Story continues For further information regarding the results of the Technical Reports, please refer to the Companys material change report filed under the Company's SEDAR profile ( www.sedar.com ). About Eldorado Gold Eldorado is a gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Canada, Greece, Romania, and Brazil. The Company has a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with local communities. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (ELD.TO) and the New York Stock Exchange (EGO). Contacts Investor Relations Peter Lekich, Manager Investor Relations 604.687.4018 or 1.888.353.8166 peter.lekich@eldoradogold.com Media Louise Burgess, Director Communications & Government Relations 604.687.4018 or 1.888.353.8166 louise.burgess@eldoradogold.com Cautionary Note about Forward-looking Statements and Information Certain of the statements made and information provided in this press release are forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, these forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", continue, projected, "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: our guidance and outlook, including expected production, cost guidance and recoveries of gold, including increased heap leach recoveries through increased leach time in conjunction with a high pressure grinding roll at Kisladag, favourable economics for our heap leaching plan and the ability to extend mine life at our projects, including at Kisladag, improved production at Olympias, expanded production, expectations regarding repayment of outstanding debt, planned capital and exploration expenditures; our expectation as to our future financial and operating performance, expected metallurgical recoveries, improved concentrate grade and quality, gold price outlook and the global concentrate market; and our strategy, plans and goals, including our proposed exploration, development, construction, permitting and operating plans and priorities and related timelines and schedules and results of litigation and arbitration proceedings. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, market uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including assumptions about the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that we operate in; the future price of gold and other commodities; the global concentrate market; exchange rates; anticipated costs and expenses; production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, suspensions or delays on our business and the ability to achieve our goals. In particular, except where otherwise stated, we have assumed a continuation of existing business operations on substantially the same basis as exists at the time of this release. Even though our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: results of further testwork, recoveries of gold and other metals; geopolitical and economic climate (global and local), risks related to mineral tenure and permits; gold and other commodity price volatility; continued softening of the global concentrate market; risks regarding potential and pending litigation and arbitration proceedings relating to the Companys, business, properties and operations; expected impact on reserves and the carrying value; the updating of the reserve and resource models and life of mine plans; mining operational and development risk; financing risks, foreign country operational risks; risks of sovereign investment; regulatory risks and liabilities including, environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical testing and recoveries; additional funding requirements; currency fluctuations; community and non-governmental organization actions; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; share price volatility and the price of the common shares of the Company; competition; loss of key employees; and defective title to mineral claims or properties, as well as those risk factors discussed in the sections titled Forward-Looking Statements and "Risk factors in our business" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form & Form 40-F. The reader is directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form and other regulatory filings filed on SEDAR under our Company name, which discussion is incorporated by reference in this release, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Companys business and operations. Forward-looking statements and information is designed to help you understand managements current views of our near and longer term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change. Financial Information and condensed statements contained herein or attached hereto may not be suitable for readers that are unfamiliar with the Company and is not a substitute for reading the Companys financial statements and related MD&A available on our website and on SEDAR under our Company name. The reader is directed to carefully review such document for a full understanding of the financial information summarized herein. Except as otherwise noted, scientific and technical information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Paul Skayman, FAusIMM, Special Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer, a "qualified person" under NI 43-101. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- City leaders met Tuesday to discuss various protocols in the event of potential emergency scenarios related to the global spread of coronavirus. Testing for the virus in New York City is now available, which should bare results within hours and help officials more easily track down anyone that an infected person might have come in contact with, explained Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference Tuesday. When in doubt ... go to your doctor, go to a community clinic, go to urgent care, go to whatever you can," said de Blasio, who echoed the sentiments of health professionals stressing the importance of early detection. So far, two New Yorkers have been confirmed as having the virus. The healthcare worker, who recently returned home from Iran, took proper precautions to avoid spreading the virus and is isolated inside her Manhattan home. Officials said the only person she had prolonged contact with was her husband, whose test results are pending. A man who lives north of New York City was hospitalized in serious condition with the coronavirus, the second confirmed case in the state, officials said Tuesday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo told Long Island radio station 103.9 that the unidentified 50-year-old man from Westchester County commuted to work in Manhattan and lives in a home with school-age children. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the man was diagnosed Monday at a city hospital. REMAIN CALM Officials stressed the importance of remaining calm. We are encouraging New Yorkers to go about their everyday lives, said Commissioner of Health of New York City Oxiris Barbot. That being said, she also stressed the importance of frequent hand sanitizing and covering the nose and mouth when coughing, in addition to getting a flu shot to avoid the anxiety of questioning whether a typical flu is actually the Coronavirus. In the U.S., seven deaths have been reported in Washington state, with 12 states reporting confirmed cases, while experts are saying theyre at least a year away from a vaccine, according to an ABC News report. Of the more than 90,000 cases confirmed nationwide, 80 percent report mild symptoms, with elderly patients, smokers and those with underlying chronic conditions-- such as asthma or diabetes-- reporting more severe conditions, experts say. In New York City, it was announced Tuesday that officials now are partnering with three major hospitals in detecting the illness immediately, so as to reduce the risk of it spreading. We dont want people to go undetected, said Barbot. This is an opportunity for us to take a deeper dive, and leave no stone unturned in terms of identifying individuals who may have Coronavirus. CITYWIDE PROCEDURES In an effort to prevent the virus from spreading through Catholic schools in New York City, the Archdiocese of New York has implemented a guideline for students and staff who have traveled abroad that requires a doctors note before returning to school. Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza said Tuesday its too early to implement any sweeping changes, but officials have implemented a plan of precaution with principals and school nurses. Adding that if a child is sick, do not worry about admissions and all of those things...stay home and get some attention. Whether its schools, public transportation or any other public place in the city, city and state officials have stressed residents and authority figures should be washing their hands frequently, giving fist bumps instead of handshakes and cleaning surfaces with bacteria killing agents regularly. ICYMI: As a precautionary measure, were increasing the frequency and intensity of our sanitizing procedures in stations and on trains and buses. https://t.co/sOMHyOd9Iq pic.twitter.com/gengomIZ2H NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) March 3, 2020 Officials said its also important to note that most New York City employees are guaranteed paid time off under city law, which can further be explained by dialing 311. UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS Undocumented residents should not hesitate to visit a doctor or any healthcare professional if theyre experiencing flu-like symptoms, officials said Tuesday. Healthcare is provided to all New York City residents under the recently implemented plan, NYC Care, which took effect last month on Staten Island. For anyone who contests why we provide healthcare to undocumented people, its not only the morally right thing to do, it is absolutely the practical right thing to do, said de Blasio. Because in cases like this, it maximizes the chance people will get care when they need it, and we can deal with a crisis before it gets out of control. The city has been working with organizations throughout the city to spread awareness about the virus in communities with high populations of undocumented residents. PREJUDICE TOWARD ASIANS Officials also addressed what they called an increased level of xenophobia across the city, out of fear that someone might be infected with the coronavirus based on their ethnicity -- when in fact, the virus at this point has spread to six of seven continents. Diseases do not discriminate against New Yorkers because of their race or ethnicity or national origin, or the way they look or where you think they might be from..." said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. De Blasio added that discrimination -- whether it be against people of Asian descent or anyone else -- is illegal in New York City, and is unacceptable. A Clifton man was charged with bias intimidation for sending threatening text messages to Patersons first Muslim police chief, who was sworn-in last month, authorities said Monday. Stefan Keco, 28, was also charged with two counts of terroristic threats for messages he was accused of sending to Police Chief Ibrahim Mike Baycora, a first generation Turkish-American immigrant, according to the Passaic County Prosecutors Office. The charges allege that Keco sent threatening text messages to Chief Baycora with the purpose to intimidate him because of the chiefs religion, race and national origin, Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said in a statement. Prosecutors filed to have Keco detained as the case progresses, Valdes said. He remained in custody at the county jail. Authorities did not release more details on the threats. Baycora, whose family immigrated to Paterson from Turkey when he was an infant, is a veteran city officer and took the top cop post Feb. 4. Our police chief has a very demanding job and the last thing he needs is for his life to be threatened. I commend our police department for swiftly apprehending the suspect and ensuring our chief's safety, Mayor Andre Sayegh said in a statement. The threats prompted police to boost security at the citys public safety complex and post a patrol car outside the chiefs home. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Authorities in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan have been forcing hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren to take Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal preparations in a bid to ward off the coronavirus, RFA has learned. The Lincang No. 2 High School apologized on after issuing a Feb. 29 letter to parents requiring all students, parents and teachers at the school to take a herbal brew based on a prescription issued by the Lincang TCM Hospital. "All teachers, students and parents must report obtaining the prescription and taking the medicine in a timely manner to their child's class teacher," the directive orders. "This will need to be done prior to registration." Once school resumes following an epidemic lockdown, the school promised to supply the herbal preparation free of charge. But the city's educational bureau intervened after parents complained about the move on social media, ordering the school to suspend the order. "Individual county (district) education bureaus and municipal schools have erroneously required teachers and students to take herbal medicine, and to upload their receipts, photos and videos of the medication and so on as part of the city's response to the epidemic," the bureau said in a statement on . "[These] inconsistent requirements have caused inconvenience to the teachers and students' parents and caused adverse effects in the society," it said. "We hereby apologize and will conduct a full review." Lincang No. 2 High School principal Chen Shengwei also apologized along with senior management to teachers, students and parents, pledging to better understand the orders of their superiors in future. Xi Jinping is keen on TCM Similar notices had also been handed out to kindergarteners' parents, requiring children to upload evidence of having drunk the medicine by 5.00 p.m. every day. Chinese President Xi Jinping is known to be keen to integrate TCM medical practices into the country's response to the coronavirus epidemic, which had infected more than 80,000 people in China and left 2,943 dead by. Xi told a conference in October that "equal importance should be placed on traditional Chinese and Western medicines and efforts be made to enable them to supplement each other," state news agency Xinhua reported at the time. However, there are no known cures or prophylactics for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. A legal sector worker surnamed Wu said Xi has recently also called for the use of TCM as a frontline treatment for COVID-19. "These [officials are] blowing with the prevailing wind, in terms of government policy and the [political] climate," Wu said. "There is another factor, which is vested interests." "Why is [Xi] so keen on TCM, to the extent that TCM classes will be introduced from the fifth grade onwards?" he asked. "Logically, you'd think that there was some scientific basis for this, but there isn't." "Anyone who understood this stuff would recognize dross when they saw it, and wouldn't behave like that." Nationalism makes TCM political Education journalist Shi Jun said TCM -- once promoted by late supreme leader Mao Zedong -- is once more a political issue, because of its link with Xi's nationalist ideology. "Who can resist the government when it wants to do something?" Shi said. "TCM has become a political issue, which is to say that Xi Jinping wants to promote it." "That's why local governments around the country have begun pushing it, too," he said. Pediatrician and social media star Pei Honggang said schools and government officials have no authority to issue prescriptions, which must be done by a licensed TCM practitioner. He said it is illegal to require healthy children to take medicine, only to be met with a large number of complaints that he was damaging Lincang's image in the eyes of the rest of the nation. Repeated calls to the Lincang municipal government, its education bureau, and to a doctor at the Lincang TCM Hospital rang unanswered on. Education expert Yang Ningyuan said the prescription hadn't been clinically verified as effective in preventing infection by COVID-19. "The problem is that this prescription has never been clinically proven [to work]," Yang said. "Does it even work?" Reported by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The ASEAN flag being raised beside the national flags of the ASEAN member states and the US Source: AFP According to Reuters, after not attending the ASEAN conference in last November in Bangkok, Thailand, US President Donald Trump invited leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries to a summit with the US in Las Vegas on March 14 this year. However, a senior administration official in Washington told Reuters that the US had consulted with ASEAN partners to make the difficult decision of postponing the summit. So far, the US Department of State has yet to comment on the postponement of the summit. According to data from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, to date, there are 90,916 cases of COVID-19 infection, 3,124 deaths. 10,776 of infection cases were reported outside of China. In the US, the number of infected case and deaths has been 100 and six, respectively. Earlier, in the evening of February 25 (Vietnam time), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the preparations for the summit were proceeding despite the COVID-19 epidemic. New Delhi: India on Tuesday summoned Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest with Iran over the comments made by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday night on Twitter. The Iranian Foreign Minister had termed the recent Delhi riots as a wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims and senseless thuggery. Pointing out that the remarks were unwarranted and not expected from a country like Iran, India conveyed that the Iranian Foreign Ministers selective and tendentious characterisation of recent events in Delhi are not acceptable. On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said, The Iranian Ambassador to India Ali Chegeni was summoned and a strong protest was lodged against the unwarranted remarks made by the Iranian Minister. It was conveyed that his selective and tendentious characterisation of recent events in Delhi are not acceptable. We do not expect such comments from a country like Iran." But despite New Delhis ire, observers point out that India needs Iran especially for the strategic sea-land access to Afghanistan and central Asia through the Iranian port of Chabahar. The Iranian reaction follows last weeks riots in north-east Delhi. The Iranian Minister had tweeted, Iran condemns the wave of organised violence againstIndian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of all Indians and not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. MEA had just recently slammed certain international bodies for their irresponsible comments on the Delhi riots but the reaction of Iran has caused considerable concern to MEA and taken it by surprise. Foreign policy observers feel the Iranian comments could be an expression of resentment and anger by Tehran against the recent visit of US President Donald Trump to India. Technavio has been monitoring the global general lighting market since 2016 and the market is poised to grow by USD 30.5 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005637/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global General Lighting Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Read the 120-page research report with TOC on "General Lighting Market Analysis Report by Product (LED lighting and Traditional lighting), Application (Residential, Commercial, Outdoor, Industrial, and Others), Geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America), and Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024." https://www.technavio.com/report/general-lighting-market-industry-analysis The declining manufacturing cost of LEDs and growing number of households and urbanization is anticipated to boost the growth of the market. The manufacturing cost of LEDs is decreasing and will continue to decline further during the forecast period due to the reduced ASP of chips and components used in the manufacture of LED devices. Also, metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are increasingly being preferred in the manufacturing process of LED devices as governments are providing subsidies on the purchase of this semiconductor equipment. This is encouraging LED manufacturers to expand their LED production capacities to cater to the growing demand for LED lighting across several application segments. Thus, the overall decline in the manufacturing cost of LEDs is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Major Five General Lighting Market Companies: Acuity Brands Inc. Acuity Brands Inc. offers lighting and building management solutions under several brands such as Peerless, Gotham, Hydrel, Carandini, Mark Architectural Lighting, Holophane, American Electric Lighting, Winona Lighting, Lithonia Lighting, Juno, Indy, Aculux, Healthcare Lighting, and many others. The company offers Juno SlimForm Downlight, Cerra 10 ID, 308 WINLINE, and IBG High Bay. Advanced Lighting Technologies LLC Advanced Lighting Technologies LLC offers finished products such as LED, ADLT, and HID for highly efficient lighting. The company manufactures energy efficient lighting materials through Venture Lighting International, APL Engineered Materials, and Auer Lighting segments. Cree Inc. Cree Inc. operates under various business segments, namely Wolfspeed and LED Products. The company offers lamps and LED lighting systems. The company manufactures LED lighting systems for consumer markets, industrial, and commercial purposes. Dialight Plc Dialight Plc offers products through the following business segments: Lighting and Signals and Components. The company develops, manufactures, and supplies LED signaling solutions for the traffic and signals markets. The company also offers anti-collision obstruction lighting. Eaton Corp. Plc Eaton Corp. Plc offers products through the following business segments: Vehicle, Hydraulics, Aerospace, Electrical Products, Electrical Systems and Services, and eMobility. The company provides pneumatic systems for commercial and military use through its Aerospace business segment. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform General Lighting Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024) LED lighting Traditional lighting General Lighting Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024) Residential Commercial Outdoor Industrial Others General Lighting Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024) APAC Europe MEA North America South America Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report Related Reports on Industrials include: Human-centric Lighting Market Global Human-centric Lighting Market by end-user (residential and commercial) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). Aircraft Lighting Market- Global Aircraft Lighting Market by geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America) and type (interior lighting and exterior lighting). 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/20200303005637/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 SAN FRANCISCO More than a decade after Google started experimenting with driverless cars, Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit of Googles parent company, Alphabet, says it has raised $2.25 billion, mostly from outside investors. Waymo, which was spun out from Google in 2016, said on Monday that the funding had been led by the private equity firm Silver Lake, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Abu Dhabi state investment arm, Mubadala. The company did not disclose at what valuation the investors acquired a stake in it. Waymo has been expanding efforts to commercialize its technology. In 2018, it started a self-driving taxi service in Arizona. On Monday, Waymo said it planned to start a delivery service, Waymo Via, which would use a fleet of autonomous vehicles and self-driving long-haul trucks. After starting out as a research and development project at Google in 2009, the company has invested billions of dollars in developing the technology. Many in the industry consider Waymo to be the clear leader in autonomous vehicle technology. 2020 Exploration Program Commences Press Release Highlights Drilling in Northwest Canyon starts the week of March 8 to follow up drillholes SBC19-002, SBC19-003, and SCP-15. The spring 2020 drill program is tasked with drilling down-dip and along strike, extending the 250-metre long, east-west zone to the west and testing the gold/silver system at depth. The gravity in-fill survey commenced in late February and will be completed the week of March 1, with reprocessing and interpretation completed in March. An IP survey is scheduled to commence in May to test the response of drill-intersected sulfides and associated structures for drillhole targeting at the NE Veins target and adjacent to the Silver Cloud mercury mine. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Blackrock Gold Corp. (the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2020 exploration program on the Silver Cloud project located along the Northern Nevada Rift in Elko County, Nevada. The drill portion of the program has three distinct objectives: to test the mineralized structure down-dip within the contemplated boiling zone of the gold system; to extend the strike of the mineralized structure to the west, and to intercept the basement rocks beneath Northwest Canyon. Andrew Pollard, the Company's CEO, commented, "The Company's 2019 drill program confirmed the east-west orientation of gold mineralization in Northwest Canyon (see news release dated January 6, 2020). A drill intercept in SBC19-002 of 8.32 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 1.5 metres (m) aligns with the 12.5 g/t gold intercept in Placer Dome's drillhole SCP-15, and a low-grade but similar vein zone in SBC19-003 indicates we now have an overall strike length of 250 metres confirmed, of which the initial focus of our 2020 exploration program will be to expand upon. Downhole geophysical surveys illustrate that gold zones are associated with east-west oriented veins and fractures. With strike and dip data on the mineralized structure in-hand, crews are being mobilized to site next week to drill the dip extension to test for high-grade gold and silver within the contemplated boiling zone at depth of this low-sulfidation epithermal system. From there, our plan is to extend the mineralized structure to the west." "Completion of the gravity and IP geophysical surveys will help target the NE Veins and prepare this area for a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program this summer," Mr. Pollard continued. The spring 2020 drill program will follow up on the 8.32 g/t gold intercept returned in core hole SBC19-002 and the 0.28 g/t gold and 8.6 g/t silver intercept from SBC19-003, both drilled at the Northwest Canyon target in the fall of 2019. The Placer Dome drillhole SCP-15 lies on strike between -002 and -003. Downhole geophysical surveys indicate gold mineralization lies along an east-west set of veins and fractures. The mineralized structure is steeply dipping to the south and has a drill-defined strike length of 250 metres. The planned drillholes are intended to test the east-west structure down dip and extend the strike to the west. The structure has the potential to host high-grade gold and silver within a boiling zone contemplated by the exploration model. The volcanic units at Northwest Canyon are much thicker than those encountered to the east, and the basement has never been intersected. The drill program will determine the depth to the Ordovician basement lithologies which should define the geometry of the volcanic basin and assist with future targeting. An in-fill gravity survey commenced in February to refine the existing survey by increasing the resolution and improve the identification of the basement structures. The existing 500m grid is being infilled to 250m, giving much better resolution on the basement structural architecture and intraformational porphyry intrusive bodies. A full reinterpretation is expected in late March to early April. Commencing in May, an induced polarization (IP) survey will cover the Silver Cloud Mercury mine and NE Veins targets. The survey is designed to test the response of sulfides encountered in drilling adjacent to the main Silver Cloud area. The electrical response will help to guide drill targeting at Silver Cloud and NE Veins targets. Blackrock's exploration activities at the Silver Cloud Project are being conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock Gold Corp. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. About Blackrock Gold Corp. Blackrock is a junior gold-focused exploration company that is on a quest to make an economic discovery. Anchored by a seasoned Board, the Company is focused on its Nevada portfolio consisting of low-sulphidation epithermal gold & silver projects located along on the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada, and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada. For further information, please contact: Andrew Pollard, President & CEO Blackrock Gold Corp. Phone: 604 817-6044 Email: andrew@blackrockgoldcorp.com Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern the Company's strategic plans, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration and drilling programs, estimates of mineralization from drilling, geological information projected from sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data, and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53084 The peace deal signed with the Taliban in Doha over the weekend is a conditions-based agreement, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has said, reiterating that this is an important first step towards a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan. After 18 years of war, the US and the Taliban signed the peace deal in Doha on Saturday to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue in Oslo this month and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan in 14 months. "This was an important first step toward a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan. As I reiterated to our Afghan partners, this is a conditions-based agreement," Esper told reporters on his return from Afghanistan. In an interaction with Pentagon reporters, Esper said that the US is watching the Taliban's actions closely to assess whether they are upholding their commitments. "This agreement was enabled by the tremendous sacrifices our servicemen and women have made over the past 18 plus years," he said. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley said that a negotiated political settlement is the only responsible way to end the war in Afghanistan, and this was an important step. "This agreement would not have been possible without the thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines that have served and sacrificed over the last 18 years. We owe an extraordinary debt of gratitude to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families, who have given their all to this nation," he said. Responding to a question, Esper said that their expectation is that a reduced level of violence would occur and it would decrease over time as they move forward. "So, this is going to be a step-by-step process, and we'll evaluate each day," he said. Noting that the agreement calls for reduction of troops to 8,600 within 135 days, Esper said that he has already given his consent to start the drawdown. "Our agreement, our commitment under the agreement was to enable, to facilitate the exchange of persons between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan. And I've said over and over, it's all conditions-based, but we are going to show good faith and begin withdrawing our troops and we can stop that at any moment. We can pause it based on, again, changing circumstances," Esper said in response to a question. The mission, he said, is to make sure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists to attack this country. "We've been very successful for the past 18 years for doing that; and then number two, support our Afghan partners in the process; and then number three, again, as we can, bring our troops home, withdraw our presence in the country," Esper added. Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US has agreed to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 in the next 130 days and withdraw all its soldiers in 14 months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The deadly tornadoes that touched down in Tennessee early Tuesday ripped apart buildings and buried people under rubble. At least 25 people were killed, some while they were still in their beds, police said. It hit so fast, a lot of folks didnt have time to take shelter, Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said, according to the Associated Press. Many of these folks were sleeping. The twisters struck about 2 a.m. Pictures of the devastation have made headlines around the world: People look over storm damage Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP People walk past storm debris following a deadly tornado, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP One tornados two-mile path hit more than 100 buildings in Putnam County. Another damaged homes and businesses across a 10-mile area in downtown Nashville. It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state, Gov. Bill Lee said, according to the AP. He surveyed the damage via helicopter and on the ground. Sumant Joshi helps to clean up rubble at the East End United Methodist Church after it was heavily damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Joshi is a resident in the area and volunteered to help clean up. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP The governor has declared a state of emergency. The National Guard is being deployed to help local authorities with search-and-rescue efforts. By this afternoon, Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said only 30 percent of the affected homes in his area had received a hard check" for survivors, according to the AP. A lot of these homes had basements, and were hopeful there are still people down in there, he said. Volunteers fanned out to search neighborhoods. In one, they had found five bodies by this afternoon. Two others in that area were still unaccounted for, authorities said. Survey teams from the National Weather Service were out looking at the damage today. Preliminary findings were that it was at least an F-3 intensity tornado that did the damage in Nashville, and Wilson County to the east, meteorologists said. Debbie Jones, right, wipes tears as she views the damage to East End United Methodist Church after it was heavily damaged by a storm Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Jones attended the church when she was a child. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP While some of downtown Nashvilles biggest tourist sites escaped damage, nearby neighborhoods were not so lucky. Damage was widespread in the largely African American area of Bordeaux, the AP reported, as well as the citys trendy areas like Germantown and East Nashville. The dogs started barking before the sirens went off. They knew what was coming," said Paula Wade, of East Nashville. "Then we heard the roar ... Something made me just sit straight up in bed, and something came through the window right above my head. If I hadnt moved, I wouldve gotten a face full of glass. A overturned truck sits in a street in an area damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP A man looks over buildings destroyed by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP Super Tuesday polling places were also impacted, the AP said. Voters sent to other polling places were met with long lines in some cases. None of us are yelling at each other, so thats good, said Ryan Rayburn of Nashville, who waited about 90 minutes to vote at the Cleveland Park Community Center, where people were sent after their regular precincts were closed due to storm damage. People walk past buildings damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP Other first-person accounts being shared from the deadly overnight storms came from Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay, whose roof came crashing down in the bedroom of their one-story brick home in East Nashville. We couldnt get out, Baldwin said, according to the AP. And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole." Evan and Carlie Peters, also in East Nashville, woke up to the sound of the roaring wind. They had no time to run to safety. Within about 10 seconds, the house started shaking," Carlie Peters said. I jumped on top of the ground. He jumped on top of me. The ceiling landed on top of him. ... were grateful to be alive. A man walks through storm debris following a deadly tornado Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP More than 44,000 homes and businesses were without power after the line of storms ripped through the state. In the aftermath, schools were closed and the plethora of damaged buildings left others forced to find temporary housing. Red Cross shelters were set up, including one at the Centennial Sportsplex. Also left with heavy damage was the long-closed Tennessee State Prison in Nashville, which was the setting used for the movie The Green Mile and other films. Faith Patton looks over buildings destroyed by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. Patton lives near the damaged area but her home was intact. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP A vehicle is seen damaged after a powerful storm, in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding at least 40 buildings and killing many people. One of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville and leaving hundreds of people homeless. (AP Photo/Travis Loller)AP Burma Fighting Continues in Shan State Between Myanmar Military and RCSS Restoration Council of Shan State troops on parade at the Shan State National Day celebration in Loi Tai Leng, Shan State on Feb. 7. 2020 / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy Fighting broke out in Shan States Mong Kai Township on Tuesday between the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the Myanmar army, despite the ethnic rebels recent retreat from the area. Sai Sam Murng, regional lawmaker for nearby Keysi Township, told The Irrawaddy that fighting broke out around 11 a.m. We heard gunfire for about 15 minutes, he said. Fighting has broken out every day. When the fighting in Keysi goes silent, then we hear it again from Mong Kai. RCSS spokesperson Major Kham San told The Irrawaddy that the small battle Tuesday morning broke out after the two sides met each other while traveling. He added that military tensions in the area increased after the Myanmar army stepped up its troop deployments. The RCSS, also called the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), said they withdrew from their Loi Twan Hill base on Sunday as they hoped to end the fighting with the Myanmar army, but the group reported that the army then fired artillery shells into Shan villages. According to an RCSS video on Facebook, the group killed at least four Myanmar military soldiers and seized guns and ammunition. The recent bout of fighting began on Thursday when the Myanmar army attacked an RCSS base on Loi Twan Hill, in Mong Kai Township, according to RCSS spokesperson Major Kham San. Lawmaker Sai Sam Murng said the fighting has escalated since then and displaced over 300 local residents. Myanmar military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy that the RCSS had attacked military troops on Friday and denied the RCSS accusation that the military attacked first. The spokesperson was not available for further comment on Tuesday. The Myanmar army has suffered causalities, included some fatalities, but the spokesperson did not say how many were killed or wounded. The RCSS also said that before the fighting began, the military informed them that its troops would be in the area in order to provide security for a group of Shan State ministers traveling to Mong Kai, as well as to launch a renewed crackdown on illegal drugs. We saw it as [the military] just coming to attack us, but they gave some seasons, Maj. Kham San said. The RCSS major said that the current fighting is not the fault of the RCSS because the group must defend itself as the Myanmar military ramps up its troop deployments in the area. Our stance has been very clear: we will continue to meet with them, but we will fight back in self-defense, said Maj. Kham San. There are now 200 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Mong Kai and over 160 in Keysi Town, most of whom are staying at Buddhist monasteries, according to Sai Sam Murng. Those IDPs will problems with food if they have to stay a long time at the monasteries, the lawmaker said. The RCSS signed an initial ceasefire with the Myanmar army in 2011 and joined the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015. The ethnic armed group is involved in ongoing peace negotiations with the government and the military but fighting has periodically broken out in Shan State between the two sides, due in part to the fact that there is no clear demarcation of each groups territory. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Military Says Soldiers Killed, Wounded in Attack by RCSS We Have Never Talked About Secession: RCSS Chief A set of pictures showing women pelting or holding stones is being shared on social media with the claim that they are from Delhi. The claim, however, is false and the images are unrelated. Dont fall in love with Muslim women from Delhi. Because they look like Mumtaz and are like roses but will pierce you like a thorn, reads a portion of the translated caption. Along with that, the posts also have four images of woman throwing or carrying stones. Take a look at one such post which was shared on Facebook: Images being shared with false claim. We ran reverse image search for each of the images and heres what we unveiled: Image 1 Image shows a burka-clad woman throwing stones. The image where a burka-clad woman is seen throwing stones is an AP picture shared on Outlook India and on other websites too. The caption of the picture suggests that it shows a woman throwing stones at police vehicle in Srinagar. Hence, the image is not from Delhi. Image 2 Image shows a woman using slingshot in Palestine. This image shows a woman dressed in black T-shirt and camouflage pants with a slingshot. Several links and social media posts shared back in 2015, with the same image, suggest that it shows a Palestinian woman. So, the woman in question is not from Delhi. Image 3 Two women holding stones. The next picture shows two women standing with their faces covered and one of them is holding stones. We found a website showcasing different pictures form Palestinian, including the one in question. Hence, its not from Delhi. Also, the images where shared back in 2014. Image 4 Woman holding stones in both hands. This image shows a woman holding stones in both her hands and pointing towards something. The same image is shared on Getty images site back in 2015. The caption informs that the woman is Palestinian and was photographed during a clash with Israeli security forces. Hence, clearing the fact that the woman is not from Delhi. So, the claim that the images show Muslim women in Delhi pelting stones is false. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The coronavirus outbreak is causing more and more trouble with every next day. Today, Manu Kumar Jain, the Managing Director of Xiaomi India revealed the company is canceling its Redmi launch event that was scheduled for March 12. Instead, it will host an online-only launch that will be truly Note-worthy. #Note the update: Due to recent reports of COVID-19 #CoronaOutbreak in certain parts of the country, we've decided to not host product launch events on-ground in March. This is keeping in mind safety of fans, media friends, employees & partners. I urge you all to stay safe. pic.twitter.com/SOdDZtSkmo Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) March 3, 2020 There will be a stream available on the company social media handles and at the mi.com website. Despite planning this event for months, Jain revealed the decision is to reduce exposure risk of Covid-19 to Mi fans, media representatives and Xiaomi employees. There will be future updates regarding any other events about incoming phones. Redmi might be Worlds First company to cancel its event in India due to coronavirus, but we contacted their competitor Realme regarding the March 5 launch of Realme 6 lineup. There isnt anything official to report yet, but company representatives told us plenty of journalists canceled their trip to the event. Source Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted on Tuesday that the government is ready to debate on the Delhi violence on March 11, a day after Holi. Reasoning the choice of the date, Prasad told the media: "It should be our common effort to ensure amity, understanding and peace in Delhi. Peace has returned to Delhi today. Normalcy is also returning." He added that the government's priority was to ensure that Holi could be "celebrated" in an atmosphere of "brotherhood". Suggesting that it was best to defer any debate on the sensitive issue that cost 46 lives so far, till Holi got over, Prasad said that the offer was extended to the opposition by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and senior ministers like Narendra Tomar and Arjun Ram Meghwal, besides himself. The Lok Sabha was adjourned multiple times on Monday and Tuesday after the opposition demanded to discuss the riots that started on February 23 and lasted at least three days. Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tried to reach a consensus for smooth operation of the House. On Monday, ruckus broke out in the lower House when both Congress and the BJP came face to face which was followed by minor shoving as well. It all started when Congress members came over to the treasury benches as BJP's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Sanjay Jaiswal was speaking in the House. Soon, BJP members like Ramesh Bidhuri came to Jaiswal's rescue. Later, Congress MP Ramya Haridas complained to the Lok Sabha Speaker against BJP MP Jaskaur Meena, while BJP's Dausa representative too complained against the Congress. A group of women members of Parliaments too met Om Birla to raise the issue of alleged attack on Meena and its Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje. Calling it a "perverse desire to vitiate the proceedings", she asked for the expulsion of the Congress MP. On Monday, the opposition demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation for the handling of the Delhi violence. The chief executive of Cairn Homes one of the largest home builders in the State said that shortages of labour are not standing in the way of more housebuilding but that it will nonetheless take time for the industry to respond to the demand for homes that first-time buyers can afford. Michael Stanley, who co-founded the stock market-listed firm four years ago, said that though only around 21,000 homes were built last year that labour shortages were not a serious constraint but attracting more young people into the industry was required. I do not know how people can think we have got a really serious constraint when we are only building 21,000 homes, he told reporters. He said it was a significant achievement for Cairn to bring sites through the planning process last year, but that even large Strategic Development Zones take time to build out homes. Output There was an opportunity for the homebuilding industry to double output but that a myriad of reasons stood in the way of a very quick response, including the industry attempting to try to scale up, access to mortgage finance, and infrastructure gaps, Mr Stanley told reporters. He said that bringing forward a programme for the electrification for the railways before 2027 would help substantially to bring on development. The election last month put the spotlight on housing and homelessness and most experts say that only 25,000 homes will be built this year well short of the estimated 35,000 units that are required to be built to start meeting demand. Cairn Homes, which focuses on the Dublin region but has a development site in Cork, with plans to expand further in Kilkenny and Galway, posted a 2019 operating profit of 68m on revenues of 435m. Mr Stanley said that the price of its three-bed starter homes sold at an average of 360,000 last year. It could, from its land bank, deliver 4,700 homes at prices between 250,000 and 300,000, and 3,900 homes at between 300,000 and 350,000. Cairn Homes shares rose 2.6% in the latest session, bringing losses in the past year to 4%. KPMG also found that for more than half the women who joined all-male California boards in 2019, those board seats were their first, evidence that the law had worked to broaden the candidate pool. In the private sphere, financial firms and investors are now demanding that their clients have diverse boards. In January, David Solomon, chief executive of Goldman Sachs, which was the largest underwriter of public offerings in 2019, announced that starting on July 1 the bank wouldnt take a company public unless theres at least one diverse board candidate, with a focus on women. In 2021, Goldman Sachs will raise its requirement to two. We might miss some business, 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, Solomon said. His announcement echoed a similar sentiment from Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, who in 2018 wrote in his annual letter to chief executives that boards with a diverse mix of genders, ethnicities, career experiences, and ways of thinking have, as a result, a more diverse and aware mind-set. Goldmans new policy contrasts sharply with how the bank has done business in the past: In 2017, 55 percent of the companies it had underwritten had no women on their boards, according to 2020 Women on Boards research. And as recently as 2019, the bank argued that it would simply let investors decide if they liked a companys board. Private equity firms are also pushing their portfolios of smaller firms to diversify their boards, even if they dont have any imminent plans for an initial public offering. TheBoardlist, an online platform that has curated and vetted thousands of female director candidates and connected them with companies, noticed an uptick in demand for female directors for both public and private companies immediately after the California legislation passed, Shannon Gordon, the chief executive, said. It was an indication that companies are quietly beginning to evaluate their diversity efforts regardless of public scrutiny. The amount of drugs seized at Irelands ports and airports by Revenue customs officials has decreased by more than 400% over the past two years. The figures have been released under the Freedom of Information Act. These new details show the amount of drugs seized at four Irish airports Cork, Dublin, Knock and Shannon and three ports Cork, Dublin and Rosslare in recent years. They show a sharp drop in the value of substances recovered between 2017 and 2019. In 2017, nearly 48m worth of drugs was recovered at the seven ports and airports. The following year, the value of drugs seized dropped sharply, to 26m, while last year the total amount of drugs recovered dropped even more to 9.3m. Security analyst Declan Power believes there is a simple reason for the decrease. Mr Power said: "People are able to buy better quality drugs for less and I think this is reflected in the pattern of seizure being seen. Something like cocaine is not the preserve of the super-rich, or even the vaguely rich, as it once was. And you are seeing this spread out at a lesser amount across the country. Revenue said seizures at ports and airports represent only a subset of those made by them every year. It said the main reason for the decrease in value of the seizures between 2018 and 2019 was because of three significant heroin and cocaine seizures in 2018. The number of deaths in the US from the deadly coronavirus rose to six on Monday while the total number of confirmed cases in the country crossed 90, Vice President Mike Pence has said, as the novel virus continues to spread around the world despite travel restrictions. All the six deaths in the US are from the Washington state with 43 domestic cases and 48 cases of the individuals who returned to the US, officials said on Monday. The coronavirus outbreak that started in China's Wuhan city in December has killed 2,943 people in the country with total confirmed cases crossing 80,000 as it continues to spread to new countries around the world. US President Donald Trump along with Pence reviewed the situation at the White House on Monday with top health officials and those leaders from the pharma corporate sector who are working on either vaccine or therapeutics for the COVID-19. "Despite today's sad news, let's be clear, the risk to the American people of the coronavirus remains low according to all of the experts that we are working with across the government," Pence told reporters at the White House. "As the president has said, we are ready for anything, but this is an all hands on deck effort," he said. In his meeting with the leaders of the Pharma industry, Trump said that since the start of the outbreak his administration has taken the most aggressive action to protect the service sense, including closing the borders very early. "I ordered sweeping travel restrictions, increased travel advisory levels, establish screening measures and imposed historic quarantines. We have quarantines all over the country, a lot of them," he said. "The coronavirus shows the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America so that we are at home the medicines and equipment and everything else that we need to protect the public's health and I have been talking about this for a long time," Trump said. At a political rally in North Carolina later in the day, the president pointed to the meeting at the White House with pharmaceutical executives. "They're really working hard and they're working smart. Theyre going to have vaccines, I think, relatively soon, he said. "Washington Democrats are trying to politicise the coronavirus, denigrating the noble work of our public health professionals," he said. Trump said his administration is encouraging the quick development of coronavirus therapies: We will bring these therapies to market as rapidly as possible," he added. Pence told reporters at the White House that many companies are already beginning to work on, but just as importantly, the development of therapeutics and it is remarkable to think that there may well be a vaccine going to clinical trials within the next six weeks. "The nature of trials, as the experts have explained to us, is that the vaccine might yet not be available till late this year or early next, but the therapeutics giving relief to people that contract the coronavirus could literally be available by the summer or early fall," he said. The US pharmaceutical companies, have formed a consortium to work together to share information in the development of therapeutics and vaccines. The US has also updated its travel advisories for portions of Italy and South Korea and the implementation of screening of personnel from across those countries who are trying to take a direct flight to the US. Within the next 12 hours, there will be 100 per cent screening of all direct flights at all airports across Italy and across South Korea. The president has directed them to bring the full resources of the federal government and to bring the very best minds in this country to bear on this effort, Pence said. On March 1, President Trump announced restrictions on travel from Iran and advised fellow citizens not to travel to certain areas of South Korea and Italy. The United States has already restricted travel on people who have visited China and Iran. On Monday, President Trump said he is still considering additional travel restrictions for countries with rampant coronavirus outbreaks, CNN reported. "Yes, we are," the President said in response to a question about additional restrictions on travel "from certain countries where they're having more of a breakout." PTI LKJ AMS Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner has had a year to convince voters he is the right person to vote for, while Labor dropped its 2016 lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding in favour of veteran journalist Pat Condren. Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner speaking in the council chambers. Credit:Tammy Law The Greens selected Kath Angus, a breastfeeding advocate and mother, to run against the two parties, and is pitching multiple candidates in other marginal wards in a bid to boost its single seat in council. Independent Nicole Johnston (Tennyson) might be joined by newly-announced independent, former LNP councillor Kate Richards (Pullenvale), if Cr Richards can wrest the 18 per cent margin away from her former LNP colleagues. Labor lord mayoral candidate for Brisbane Pat Condren. Credit:Fairfax Media In total nine lord mayoral candidates have raised their hands, including the Animal Justice Party's Karagh-Mae Kelly, Herston resident John Dobinson, 2016 candidate Jeffrey Hodges, and Benjamin Gorringe, who is running on a campaign offering a free goldfish for every Brisbane resident. Ipswich After nearly two years under the watchful eye of interim administrator Greg Chemello, Ipswich City Council will return with a full council. During the administrator's era, Mr Chemello overhauled Ipswich's divisions and restructured them so each division has two councillors. Former mayor Paul Pisasale is in jail and appealing his sentence for extortion, while some other Ipswich councillors and former employees are being processed through the court system after the Crime and Corruption Commission laid a litany of charges. Paul Tully, former Ipswich councillor and deputy mayor, confirmed he would run for division two with a running mate, Nicole Jonic. Former Ipswich deputy mayor Paul Tully will run as part of a two-person team with Goodna accountant Nicole Jonic. Seven people, including a federal LNP candidate, two Labor Party members, a Greens accountant, a truck driver, custom truck magazine editor Chris Smith and little-known businessman Karoly Kochardy, want to become the new Ipswich mayor. Logan The second Queensland council to be sacked en masse, Logan City Council has been under the purview of an interim administrator, Tamara O'Shea. Now a sacked councillor, the father of a state Labor minister and a former federal member of Parliament who went up against former mayor Luke Smith at the poll are among the five who will run for the Logan mayoralty in the coming election. Long-serving Logan councillor Darren Power to stand for mayor of Logan in March 2020. Former councillor Darren Power, who lost his job when Logan ratepayers were left without a council after it was sacked en masse by the state government, is one of those running. Allan de Brenni, lawyer and father of Queensland Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni, is also running for mayor, against former federal member Brett Raguse, who lost the race for Logan mayor in the last election. The remaining Logan councillors who were not charged by the CCC - Lisa Bradley, Laurie Koranski and Jon Raven - are all running again. Moreton Bay Incumbent Allan Sutherland announced last year he would not recontest the election, after years of leading the council. Cr Sutherland is facing two charges from the CCC, over which he was automatically suspended. Moreton Bay mayor Allan Sutherland. Credit:Robert Shakespeare Suspended councillor Adrian Raedel, however, confirmed he would run for mayor despite a charge laid by the CCC against him last year, while Moreton Bay division two councillor Peter Flannery has also nominated. Candidate Cherie Porter announced late on Tuesday after nominations closed that she would not be contesting owing to personal reasons. Former LNP candidate and Pine Rivers resident Chris Thompson is also contesting for mayor, while real estate agent Dean Teasdale and community advocate Eric Shields have also nominated. Sunshine Coast Incumbent mayor Mark Jamieson faces a challenge from former councillor Chris Thompson, who was on the council from 2004-2016 and stood down to spend more time with his family. Other mayoral challenges include Donald Innes, and businessman Michael Burgess. Gold Coast Tom Tate insisted he would run again despite a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into the Gold Coast council, and has been true to his word. The Gold Coast mayor will face challenges from eight mayoral hopefuls, including nutritionist Mona Hecke, dry-cleaning business manager Virginia Freebody, and independent Derek Rosborough. Redland In Redland, tucked between Brisbane, the Sunshine and Gold coasts, incumbent mayor Karen Williams will run again, with two possible contenders against her. The Eritrean Catholic Church has sought an explanation from the National Office for Religious Affairs on the Governments refusal to allow Ethiopian Cardinal Berhaneyesus and his delegation entry into the country on 22 February 2020. English Africa Service Vatican City Ethiopias Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, in the company of Abune Mussie Ghebreghiorghis Uqbu, the Bishop of Emdeber Eparchy (Guraghe) and Abba Teshome Fikre Weldetensae, the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia were on 22 February left stranded at the airport of Asmara when authorities refused them entry into the city. In a letter signed by Abba Tesfaghiorghis Kiflom, the General Secretary of the Eritrean Bishops Conference, the Church is now seeking answers from the Eritrean Government. Eritrean Churchs deep regret On 22 February 2020, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee and Patronal feast of the Cathedral Church of Kidanemhret, the Seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop, in Asmara, our illustrious (Ethiopian) guests -His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Suraphiel, His Excellence Abune Mussie Ghebreghiorghis Uqbu, Bishop of Emdeber (Guraghe), and the (Very) Reverend Abba Teshome Fikre Weldetensae, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia - upon arrival at the airport of Asmara for the celebrations mentioned above, were denied permission to enter our capital city. We, hereby, wish to express our deep regret for this most unfortunate incident, whose reasons we have, so far, no means of comprehending, reads the letter made available to Vatican News. In an earlier statement, Abba Teshome Fikre Weldetensae, Ethiopias General Secretary, explained their ordeal in Asmara. After arriving at the National Airport of Asmara, the delegation went through all the requirements and confirmed with the issuance (of an) On Arrival Visa for one month, explained Abba Teshome. Before they could exit, airport security officials informed them that higher authorities had forbidden entry into Eritrea. Cardinal and delegation stayed the night at the airport The Eritrean Church says it is dismayed that the Cardinal and his delegation were made to spend the night at the airport of Asmara. Now we are coming to you with the present letter to state that we still remain in the dark as to the reasons of the facts that have sadly occurred on 22 February at the International Airport of Asmara. At the same time, we reiterate that the eminent ecclesiastical personalities involved were our most distinguished guests, we would like to state our considerable reservation on the whole regretful subject. As we have come to understand, our Ethiopian guests had received the entry permit stamped in their passports, valid for one month. This notwithstanding (and) most disconcerting for us, as Eritreans, they were made to wait at the airport of Asmara from Saturday, 22 February, 5.15 pm to Sunday 23 February 2020, 12.00 noon, to eventually return home right from the airport, reads Abba Tesfaghiorghis letter. Cardinal Berhaneyesus asks the faithful to pray for both countries For his part, Cardinal Berhaneyesus is said to have narrated his experience to the Catholic faithful at Kebenna Kidanemehret Parish Church in Addis Ababa. He asked parishioners to pray for both of our Churches and the two sister-countries. Church-State relations at an all-time low Although the Catholic Church is one of four Churches officially recognised by the Eritrean Government, relations between the State and Churches are at an all-time low. Last year, saw the Eritrean Government unilaterally seize seven schools belonging to Catholics, Muslims, and the Lutheran Church. The Government also confiscated all Catholic health facilities and in some cases including convents situated on hospital grounds. US President Donald Trump has congratulated his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani on the recent key steps taken towards achieving peace in the war-torn country, the White House has said. After 18 years of war, the US and the Taliban signed the peace deal in Doha on Saturday to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue in Oslo this month and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan in 14 months. Trump and Ghani spoke over phone on Sunday, the White House said on Monday. "The two leaders agreed that Saturday's announcement of the United States-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan were important milestones for the Afghan peace process," it said. "They further agreed to stay in touch as the peace process moves into the next phase, which involves negotiations among Afghans for a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and roadmap for the political future of the country," the White House said in a readout of the call. Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US has agreed to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 in the next 130 days and withdraw all its soldiers in 14 months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DOHA, Qatar The Taliban cheered, whooped and cried "God is Great" just moments after one of their leaders signed an agreement that could lead to the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan after more than 18 years of war. On Saturday in this tiny Gulf kingdom, senior American officials shook hands with the group that, as the government of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, had sheltered Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader and the architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The U.S. agreed to work toward lifting sanctions against the group, and Taliban leaders can even look forward to a possible meeting with President Donald Trump. In short, after nearly two decades of war with the world's remaining superpower, the Taliban look like they not only have won the war, but they are also on the way to shedding their status as international pariahs. Even if we dont say that the U.S. is defeated in Afghanistan, it is an open secret now that they are defeated, said Anas Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani network, considered to be the most formidable of the Talibans fighting forces, who was recently released from an Afghan jail in exchange for two Western professors taken hostage by the Taliban in 2016. In the agreement aimed at ending Washington's military entanglement in Afghanistan America's longest war the U.S. agrees to withdraw all its forces from the country in 14 months, although a complete pullout would depend on the Taliban meeting its commitments, including cutting any ties to terrorist groups. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Sunday that the path ahead would be "rocky and bumpy," but said it was time to move forward. "No one is under any illusion that this will be straightforward," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "We've built an important base where we can begin to bring American soldiers home, reduce the risk of the loss of life of any American in Afghanistan, and hopefully set the conditions so the Afghan people can build out a peaceful resolution to what for them is a 40-year struggle." Story continues The U.S. has 12,000 to 13,000 troops in Afghanistan. For the Taliban, getting the U.S. to agree to withdraw is akin to the U.S.-backed mujahedeen, or "holy fighters," pushing out Soviet troops in the 1980s and earlier, to the Afghans declaring independence from Britain in 1919. This sense of celebration and victory spilled into the open Saturday as Taliban leaders and members staged a small parade in the streets of Qatar before the signing ceremony. Image: U.S. soldiers board a Chinook helicopter in 2001 The war has taken an enormous toll on the insurgents. Brown University estimates that between 2001 and October 2018, some 40,000 opposition fighters were killed in Afghanistan. While it does not give breakdowns on how many of these fighters were Taliban members, they are by far the largest insurgent group in the country. The war has also inflicted a deadly toll on the Afghan people. While the Taliban steadfastly deny they target civilians, according to the United Nations the group was responsible for almost half of the more than 10,000 civilians who were either injured or killed in Afghanistan last year. There were around 2,400 U.S. military deaths between 2001 and 2018, according to Brown University's Costs of War project. 'This was the easy part' The Taliban say they feel victorious now, but the war isn't over yet. The group has made a substantial concession in agreeing to enter into talks for the first time with Afghan government officials, representatives of the opposition and members of the civil society on March 10. It is this commitment along with a pledge to prevent Al Qaeda or other terrorists from using Afghan soil to attack the U.S. or its allies that enabled a deal between the Taliban and Washington to be brokered. And it has, at least for a moment, brought them partly out of the cold internationally. The Taliban are betting that Trump is eager to bring U.S. troops home and will be reluctant to backtrack on the planned pullout. Once U.S. forces leave, the Taliban will be in a powerful position at the negotiating table or if necessary on the battlefield. But the Taliban's rehabilitation is contingent on what comes next, according to American officials. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in Kabul that if the Taliban does not abide by its commitments, the U.S. would not hesitate to nullify the agreement." Image: Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, center, who served as ambassador to Pakistan during the Taliban's rule speaks to the media in Doha, Qatar For Laurel Miller, a former senior U.S. diplomat now with the International Crisis Group think tank, this was the easy part. Upcoming Afghan-Taliban peace talks "will have to tackle much more difficult issues of who gets to wield power in the country and how the government is going to be organized," Miller said in a statement Saturday. The Taliban have persistently dismissed President Ashraf Ghani as an American puppet and rejected taking part in elections, and they have also called on Afghans to boycott votes. They have built up shadow authorities throughout the country, taking over state hospitals and schools. And even before intra-Afghan peace talks get underway, there are already issues to iron out. The U.S. committed in the agreement to work with both sides to secure the release of up to 5,000 prisoners held by the Afghan government and 1,000 prisoners held by the Taliban by the start of the talks. However, the timing of the prisoner swap could prove to be contentious. On Monday, a Taliban spokesman said the talks wouldn't happen unless the prisoners were released first. Following that, reports swirled that the Taliban had called off the reduction of violence and had ordered their fighters to start attacking Afghan forces. Representative image A coordination panel comprising senior leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra will look into various aspects of the National Population Register (NPR), Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said here on Tuesday. Addressing media in Vidhan Bhawan in south Mumbai, where the budget session of the state legislature is underway, Thackeray also declined to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that he was thinking of quiting social media. "Responsible leaders of the three parties will be part of it (coordination committee on NPR)," Thackeray said. "I won't let anyone snatch the right of any citizens of Maharashtra. I am very clear on this," he said, when asked about differences in the ruling alliance over implementation of NPR in the state. On NCP minister Nawab Malik's recent announcement that there will be five per cent quota for Muslims in education in Maharashtra, Thackeray said the issue hasn't come before him yet. "The issue of five per cent quota for Muslims has not come to me officially till now. We have yet to decide about our stand on it," he said. On Modi's announcement that he was thinking of quiting social media, Thackeray said, "He (Modi) is big brother. I won't comment on it." Joe Biden, counted out just days ago, took control of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday after racking up stunning primary victories over Bernie Sanders and earning the endorsement of deep-pocketed billionaire Michael Bloomberg. President Donald Trump hailed the "incredible comeback" of the 77-year-old former vice president in the Super Tuesday contests and directed a stream of insults at Bloomberg after the fellow New Yorker ended his campaign. "Those of you who have been knocked down, those of you who have been counted out -- this is your campaign," Biden said in Los Angeles. "We had a great night last night and tremendous support from all across the nation." Sanders, 78, the leftist senator from Vermont, expressed confidence in his chances of winning the nomination despite being "disappointed" with his showing on Tuesday, when the centrist Biden won at least 10 of the 14 states at stake. "We go forward basically neck and neck," Sanders told reporters in his hometown of Burlington, Vermont, where the self-described democratic socialist got his start in politics as mayor four decades ago. "I have every reason to believe that we're going to win this thing," Sanders said. "I firmly believe that we are the campaign to defeat Donald Trump." In an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, Sanders warned it would not be easy. "Do not underestimate Donald Trump. He'll have endless amounts of money because he doesn't believe in the rule of law. He will combine federal agencies with his own campaign. He has a loyal group of supporters, so it's not going to be so easy to beat him." Meanwhile, Sanders said he had spoken with fellow progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren, and confirmed that the senator from Massachusetts was "assessing" her campaign following her poor performance on Super Tuesday, when she failed to win a single state including her own. "She will make her own decision in her own time," he said. The Washington Post reported that the Sanders and Warren camps were talking about uniting, should she withdraw from the campaign in the near future. Biden, who is making his third White House bid after failed runs in 1988 and 2008, welcomed Bloomberg's backing in the contest for the spot on the Democratic ticket against the Republican incumbent in November. "This race is bigger than candidates and bigger than politics. It's about defeating Donald Trump, and with your help, we're gonna do it," he tweeted. - 'Incredible comeback' - The Democratic candidates will now turn their attention to the next primaries on March 10 in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington state. Trump provided his commentary on the Democratic race to reporters at the White House and signaled how he will attack the new frontrunner. "It was a great comeback for Joe Biden, an incredible comeback when you think about it," Trump said. Biden is running as a moderate, in contrast to the leftist Sanders, but Trump insisted that some of the former vice president's "handlers are further left than Bernie." Trump noted that decisions by two centrists -- Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar -- to drop out and endorse Biden had electrified his previously struggling campaign. Trump lambasted the weak performance by Bloomberg, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars of his own fortune on advertising. "He's going to try and save face by putting some money into Biden's campaign," Trump said. "I don't think that's going to have an impact. "He's doing that because he's spiteful," Trump added of Bloomberg. "He made a fool out of himself." Biden's campaign had been on life support after the first three state nominating contests but was revived by a landslide victory in South Carolina on Saturday. He carried that momentum over into Super Tuesday, the biggest day of the election calendar so far. Biden notched up victories in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Maine and even Minnesota -- a state where Sanders had been expected to win handily. Sanders won his home state Vermont, Colorado and Utah and looked to be headed for victory in California, the biggest prize of the night, as vote counting continued on Wednesday. - 'Uniting' - Bloomberg, 78, said that while he was leaving the race, he remained committed to beating Trump. "I've always believed that defeating Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it," Bloomberg said. "After yesterday's vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden." A key takeaway from Biden's long list of wins was his strong support among women and African Americans -- a vital piece in any Democratic presidential candidate's coalition. Biden seemed to fare less well with the large Hispanic electorate, which in California reportedly went heavily for Sanders. But a victory in Texas, which also has a diverse population, suggests Biden has the capacity to build a broad coalition. Many in the Democratic Party establishment have been desperate to stop Sanders, claiming he would be destroyed in an election where Trump would brand him a radical socialist. Most national polls have both Biden and Sanders several points ahead of Trump in a general election matchup. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil and Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3 2020 In time of crisis: A security officer at the isolation facility of Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI) in North Jakarta wears a mask as she talks with a visitor on Monday. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto confirmed on Monday that two Indonesian citizens had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The patients are being treated in the isolation room of RSPI Sulianti Saroso.(JP/Seto Wardhana) President Joko Jokowi Widodo has announced that two Indonesians living in Greater Jakarta have tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the first two confirmed cases of the disease in the country. The Health Ministry has tracked the movements of the patients, both residents of Depok, West Java, and found at least 48 people who were in various level of contact with them. The Depok administration has also sent a circular to about 70 medical workers in a private hospital in Depok, who were in contact with one of the patients, to limit their movements and avoid crowded areas. 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 With six confirmed and seven yet-to-be confirmed novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, India is experiencing limited local transmission, experts said, where all infections have occurred locally but can be traced back to a Patient Zero who was infected in another country with ongoing transmission. The country is at a tipping point where the outbreak can head either way, and training hospital staff on infection-control and identifying labs and hospitals in both the government and the private sector for exigencies is critical, the experts added. Local transmission can still be contained with self reporting, contact tracing, home quarantining and isolation because once indigenous transmission that cant be traced back to a source begins in smaller towns and rural areas, it will be very difficult to contain, as is evident in South Korea, Italy and now the United States, said Dr Randeep Guleria, director and professor of pulmonary medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Also watch | Coronavirus: Delhi designates 25 hospitals for treatment amid fresh cases Before that happens, apart from identifying hospitals and trained medical staff, we will need to convert wards into isolated ICUs and ensure large scale availability of ventilators to treat the 5% of patients who need hospitalisation, he added. India is ill-prepared to contain widespread Covid-19 transmission in the community because of a huge shortage of doctors, health workers and hospital beds, especially in rural areas and densely populated underserved states. India has 1.1 million allopathic doctors registered with the Board of Governors/State Medical Councils/Medical Council in December 2019, according to the National Health Profile 2019. Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 9.26 lakh doctors may be actually available for active service, said minister of state for health and family welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the Lok Sabha last year. The availability is always lower because some retire, some move to hospital administration, while others go overseas without getting their names struck off the register. For a population of 1.36 billion, this makes the doctor-population ratio 1:1,457, which is lower than the WHO recommended norm of 1:1,000. For people living in rural areas completely dependent on government hospitals and clinics, the government allopathic doctor-patient ratio is 1:10,926, according to the National Health Profile 2019. In addition to doctors, India has a little more than two million (2,048,979) registered nurses and midwives, many of whom need infection control training to care for patients with airborne infections. My concern is large clusters of cases, of which around 20% will need hospitalisation and around 5% will develop severe pneumonia that will need ICU support. In such a case, the challenge will be scaling up treatment capacity keeping in mind infection control as Covid-19 infection in healthcare personnel in China and in Canada during the Sars outbreak is disproportionately high, said Dr G Arunkumar, director, Manipal Institute of Virology, Karnataka. The availability of physicians and nurses varies widely across the country, with the central, northern, eastern, and northeastern states being poorly served. Rural areas have an especially severe shortage of qualified health professionals, added Dr Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation of India. The training, accreditation and quality assurance of health professionals and health infrastructure also varies widely within states, cities and neighbourhoods. Covid-19 diagnosis is currently being done at Indias network of 19 viral influenza surveillance laboratories. India has enough labs for testing and can make another 19 labs functional within two days, and take the number to 50 labs within days, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday. AIIMS is part of the network of labs testing for Covid-19, along with the National Centre for Disease Control in north Delhi. AIIMS tested at least 300 samples over the weekend, so diagnosis is not a problem. If and when theres more demand, diagnosis can be outsourced to the private sector, said Dr Guleria. The risk from airborne infections in labs, ICUs and isolation wards during outbreaks carries huge risk for health workers. When patient load increases during outbreaks, health personnel are often drawn from other departments. But even trained staff may overlook an infection-control step when a patient suddenly needs supportive care, such as revival from a cardiac arrest, a health ministry official said on condition of anonymity. China can build a 1,000 bed hospital in a week, but can we do that? No. We are lucky these cases have been identified in large cities. If it had been a smaller city or town, we would have realised we had a problem after patients had started to die, said a doctor at RML hospital, requesting anonymity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal challenging the Allahabad High Court order granting bail to former union minister Swami Chinmayanand in a sexual exploitation case lodged by a law student. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and Naveen Sinha rejected the plea saying that the Allahabad High Court has given reasons in its order granting bail to Chinmayanand and it requires no interference. However, the bench issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and others on a separate plea seeking transfer of the case against Chinmayanand to a court in Delhi. The high court had on February 3 granted bail to Chinmayanand who was arrested in a case of sexual exploitation of a woman studying law at a college run by his trust at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. "Both parties crossed their limits and at this stage, it is very difficult to adjudicate as to who exploited whom. In fact, both of them used each other," the high court had observed while granting bail to Chinmayanand. Chinmayanand, whose trust runs the Shahjahanpur law college where the woman studied, was arrested on September 20 last year under section 376-C of the IPC, a charge short of rape. The section is applied when someone in authority takes advantage of his official position to "induce or seduce" a woman to have sex with him. In a parallel case, the woman was charged with allegedly trying to extort money from Chinmayanand. The high court had granted her bail on December 4 last year. The Supreme Court had stepped in after the 23-year-old law student went missing for a few days in August last year after posting a video clip on social media, alleging sexual abuse. A special investigation team of Uttar Pradesh Police, formed on the directions of the apex court, arrested Chinmayanand about a month later. The SIT also arrested the student after a complaint that she and her friends had tried to extort Rs five crore from Chinmayanand, threatening to make public videos showing her giving massages to him. A bill to provide more powers to the RBI for regulating cooperative banks was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which comes in the backdrop of PMC Bank scam, seeks to strengthen cooperative banks by increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital, improving governance and ensuring sound banking through the RBI. Introducing the bill, Sitharaman said it is the "need of the hour" to avoid a PMC Bank-like crisis in the future. Noting that the happenings at the PMC Bank had "unfortunately" put a lot of small depositors in difficulty, she said there were demands that the government should do something about it. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid the din, with Sitharaman saying that if the opposition wants to deny the small depositors their rights then "it is a shame". It could not be cleared because of the ongoing ruckus in the House over the issue of violence in Delhi. The proposed law seeks to enforce banking regulation guidelines of the RBI in cooperative banks, while administrative issues will still be guided by the Registrar of Cooperative. It also proposed to bring cooperative banks on par with developments in the banking sector through better management and proper regulation of cooperative banks with a view to ensure that affairs of cooperative banks are conducted in a manner that protects the interest of depositors, it said. "Keeping in view developments in the banking sector and regulation thereof overtime, it has become necessary to strengthen provisions of the said Act as applicable to cooperative banks," said the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill. In her Budget speech, Sitharaman had said that to strengthen cooperative banks, amendments would be brought in the Banking Regulation Act for increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital and improving governance and oversight for sound banking through the RBI. The decision assumes significance in the wake of a scam in the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank affecting lakhs of customers who have been facing difficulty in withdrawing their money due to restrictions imposed by the RBI. The PMC Bank was found to have given over Rs 6,700 crore loan to a single realty company HDIL through alleged fraudulent means and also hid the stress from the RBI by creating separate books of accounts. There are 1,540 cooperative banks with depositor base of 8.60 crore having total savings of about Rs 5 lakh crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a subpoena enforcement action against Michael Staisil of New York, New York, seeking an order directing him to comply with an investigative subpoena for testimony. According to the SEC's application, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the SEC's investigation concerns an alleged Ponzi-like scheme that raised over $345 million from over 230 investors across the United States. On September 13, 2018, the SEC filed an emergency action in federal district court in Baltimore, Maryland against Kevin Merrill, Jay Ledford, Cameron Jezierski, and certain entities owned or controlled by Merrill or Ledford to halt the scheme. In its ongoing investigation, the SEC has reason to believe that Staisil may have worked on behalf of Merrill in raising millions of dollars from numerous individual and institutional investors. The SEC is investigating whether Staisil engaged in deceptive or other unlawful conduct in raising money from those investors. In July 2019, the SEC issued a subpoena to Staisil requiring him to appear for investigative testimony. After Staisil failed to appear for testimony as required, in November 2019, the SEC issued a second testimony subpoena to Staisil, which Staisil also ignored. The SEC's application seeks an order compelling Staisil to comply fully with the subpoena. The SEC is continuing in its fact-finding investigation and, to date, has not concluded that anyone has violated the law other than the individuals and entities that have previously been charged. Raahu actress Kriti Garg lodged a complaint in Panjagutta police station and claimed that a person had tried to con her by offering a role in Prabhas' next by claiming himself as a director. The case has been registered and transferred to the cybercrime police station. A cop said that they received a complaint from director Subba Rao, who is working with Kriti Garg in his upcoming project saying that Kriti had received a phone call and an email. The anonymous caller introduced him as Arjun Reddy director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and offered her a lead role opposite Young Rebel star Prabhas in his upcoming film. Kriti said that she was asked to come to Mumbai to audition for Sandeep Reddy Vanga's directorial venture starring Prabhas in the lead role. However, after reaching Mumbai, the actress realised that the call was a hoax. Also Read : Wait, WHAT! Is Prabhas Getting Paid More Than Rs 100 Crore For Nag Ashwin's Film? After Kriti landed in Mumbai, rumours were doing the rounds that she is missing. But later, she told one of the leading portals, "I am safe at my house in Mumbai. It is true that an impersonator called me. After reaching my home, I dozed off and my mobile was switched off. This caused worry in my director, who went to the police to complain against the impersonator." Kriti was last seen in Subbu Vedula's directorial venture Raahu, which was produced by AVR Swamy, Raja Deverakonda, Sri Shakthi Babji and Subbu Vedula under Sri Shakthy Swaroop Movie Creations Banner. The Pennsylvania Department of Health expects to be running its own tests for the new coronavirus by Friday. But the department will continue forwarding tests to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation, said April Hutcheson, a spokeswoman for the department. That means results will still come slower than some infectious disease specialists consider optimal. State testing labs across the country have been without a test for the new coronavirus as a result of problems with test kits initially provided by the CDC. States been forwarding samples from people who may have the new coronavirus to a CDC lab in Atlanta and waiting up to 48 hours for results. The CDC said it would resume providing test kits early this week. As a result of being able to test samples at the states lab near Philadelphia, Hutcheson said, We gain time. We gain the ability to activate a response more quickly. And with the CDC now having only to confirm positive samples rather than perform all the tests, the turnaround time for receiving results should shrink, she said. The symptoms of the new coronavirus fever, cough, difficulty breathing are similar to those of the regular flu. Some experts say its important for hospitals to be able to do their own tests, which could dramatically reduce the wait for results. They say thats key to preventing spread of the coronavirus, since local health care providers could quickly take steps to isolate the sick person and begin tracing the persons contacts to find other possible infections. A fast test would further help doctors know what treatment the patient needs. Federal officials over the weekend also said they would grant emergency permission to hospital-based labs and commercial labs to create their own tests. Hutcheson as of early Monday afternoon said the health department was focused on getting its own testing up and running, and didnt know if tests would soon be available at hospitals and commercial labs in Pennsylvania. Asked about the availability of hospital-based tests on Monday, a UPMC Pinnacle spokeswoman said, As of right now UPMC is working with our partners at the state Department of Health for our testing needs. A spokeswoman for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center said, We are not currently doing any testing at [the medical center] and will defer to the DOH as to when testing will be available in Pennsylvania. Hutcheson said privacy laws prevented her from discussing how many samples of possible coronavirus infections Pennsylvania has forwarded to the CDC. She stressed that Pennsylvania as of early Monday afternoon had no confirmed cases. As soon as there is a confirmed case in Pennsylvania, the public will be notified, she said. Nationally, there were about 80 coronavirus cases in the United States and six deaths as of Monday afternoon. Pennsylvania health officials believe its only a matter of time before people in Pennsylvania get the coronavirus and spread it to others. Hutcheson noted it has now been found in several states close to Pennsylvania, including New York. We are prepared for community spread, she said. No one has a crystal ball. We wish we did There is no way to forecast when this virus will hit. But we can begin thinking about what our reaction will be and thats what were doing right now. An FIR has been registered against Students' Union of India (NSUI) state vice president Rakesh Pandey and others after they entered into a scuffle with the police on March 1 during a protest against I-T raids. "They also manhandled two cops. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon. An FIR has been registered under multiple IPC sections. The investigation is on," said Rajendra Prasad, Additional Superintendent of Police. The incident took place on Sunday when NSUI workers burnt an effigy while protesting against the Income Tax raids in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man has serious injuries after being shot inside a restaurant in Chinatown overnight Tuesday, police say. The man was found inside the restaurant near Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. He was taken to a trauma centre on an emergency run where he remains with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not released any information about a suspect, saying only that they were seen leaving on foot. Stockpiling: Workers unload groceries at a Beijing petrol station where customers can buy supplies while they refuel as China is hit by an outbreak of the coronavirus The upside of getting shat and peed on in milking parlours and lambing sheds, and generally mucking around in nature for a living, is a bullet-proof immune system. So Irish farmers don't need to be over-worried about Covid 19. For a bit of perspective, bear in mind that 200-500 people die in Ireland from flu in an average year. The bigger threat from a farming point of view may well be the knock-on impact on prices from the self-imposed lock-down that is now affecting the daily lives of a fifth of the world's population. Irish meat exporters tell me that their Chinese customers have as many as five ships queuing up outside ports waiting to be unloaded. The Chinese population have been stocking up on non-perishables, so Irish steaks and roasts are not high on the shopping list. Pig prices that hit record highs in 2019 have experienced their first downturn in 18 months. Admittedly, it's only a 4pc decline in prices, but that could be the start of something bigger. One way or another we have huge exposure to the Chinese market. On the dairy side, it's our third largest on the back of the huge demand for infant milk formula. It takes over 40pc of our infant milk formula, which accounts for a large portion of the 550-600m that Irish dairy exports have been achieving in recent years. So Irish dairy farmers can park any hopes of price increases over the coming months. How much of a price fall is in the pipeline is anyone's guess. Much will depend on how much of a grip the disease gets in Europe, but the hope has to be that rich countries in the West can throw resources at this new disease to dampen its impact. Irish pork is even more dependent on the Chinese market. While the 59,000 tonnes that we export there only accounts for 0.1pc of the Chinese market, it equates to a massive 20pc of our pork output. Despite all the hype about the amount of beef that China would be taking from Irish farmers by now, it turns out that they account for little more than 5pc of our output. However, the bigger implication of a fall-off in Chinese demand is the knock-on impact of the discounted Brazilian beef that gets redirected from bunged-up Chinese ports to other outlets such as Europe. But there may be other food for thought for farmers wondering about the fall-out from Covid 19. We live in a globalised world, and nothing short of quarantine will stop diseases moving everywhere humans go. While any suggestion of quarantining people would never work, why do we take such a cavalier attitude to the welfare of our livestock industry? We are possibly the best positioned country in Europe to ensure a disease-free status for all our animals. Despite our natural advantage in this regard, Ireland gave up its quarantine requirements on January 1, 1994 in the interests of free trade. Within two years, we had Johne's disease, quickly followed by warble flies, Foot and Mouth, and Schmallenberg virus. These diseases gave us a fair idea of how fast the livestock world can grind to a halt. Earlier this year, a mink-like animal called a sable was detained in Cork with a suspected case of rabies. The last time we had to deal with that was 1913. Why does Ireland feel the need to throw its borders open when other EU Member States, like Sweden, insist on maintaining quarantine periods? I was surprised to find that we imported nearly 318m of live animals last year. But a massive 93pc of this consists of breeding and performance horses, with about 241m coming from the UK. I estimate that there is only about 3,500 horses involved, which values the average horse imported here at close to 100,000. At that kind of money, it should be possible to issue thoroughbreds with individual health status passports that would allow them to still travel to the UK and France. Is there any farm sector that would suffer seriously if Ireland went back to its requirement for a six-month quarantine period for everything else? The fear is that it would trigger a trade war with countries that have traditionally exported animals to Ireland. But does it make sense to put our multi-billion euro livestock industry in the line for the sake of 20m of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry imports? Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Tuesday attacked the government over the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights filing an application in the Supreme Court over the CAA, saying it is "unwarranted interference" but it is the Modi dispensation that is to be blamed for the "mess". India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that her office has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on the amended citizenship law, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries. "No doubt that UN's intervening application is a case of unwarranted interference in our matters," Patel said in a tweet. "But who is to blame for this mess? The Government of India for creating a window for such interference by enacting a law which breaches global standards on human rights," the Congress treasurer said. The MEA spokesperson has asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. "We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Industry experts will cover the regulatory landscape and the definition and classification of ATMPs and provide practical guidance on how to overcome quality and specific GMP challenges. The differences between GMP for ATMPs and conventional therapies will be discussed, as will the requirements for clinical trials and the preparation of the IMPD. Advice on the specific transportation requirements of these products will also be addressed. 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. After the first transmission of the deadly coronavirus in Australia, the federal government on Tuesday said it could activate the rarely used biosecurity laws that will give power to the authorities to detain people having the virus and prevent its spread. On Monday, the first two cases of the community transmission of the coronavirus were confirmed in Australia. Both the cases of transmission occurred in New South Wales (NSW). Amid fears of outbreak, Attorney General Chritian Porter on Tuesday said that ''The biosecurity laws allow the government to do a range of things based on the best medical advice from the chief medical officer and others requires....In certain circumstances potentially if people were declining to abide by the conditions of the control order some forms of detention are available." "The detentions are available just like they are in other health circumstances, it's not inconceivable that those might be activated," Porter told the media here. "What we're simply pointing out is that there are a range of powers that are available that were designed specifically to handle something as serious as a pandemic," he said, adding that the government could activate rarely used Commonwealth laws that were introduced as the nation faced the growing threat of bioterrorism in 2015. Porter said that for the first time at a mass level in Australia people might be required to give information about who they have come in contact with at certain points in time. "There is a very challenging time coming up for all Australians and these laws thankfully exist so that we can control the spread and growth of the disease," he said. A 78-year-old man, was the first casualty who died in a Perth hospital on Sunday, after being airlifted from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Tasmania on Monday confirmed its first case, a 40-year-old man, who recently returned from Iran tested positive for the disease. The Attorney-General on Tuesday told Parliament that the laws could also bar people or large groups going to shopping centres, schools or work. "There could be the declaration of what are called 'human health response zones', and that could mean there are specific requirements for screening people going in and out of such a zone," Porter said. Porter added the extraordinary powers could be used if there were further outbreaks of the virus in Australia. "It's very likely that these laws will get used on a larger scale, and it's very likely that Australians will encounter practices and instructions and circumstances that they've not had to encounter before," Porter said. "These laws were designed precisely with the type of pandemic in mind that we're now facing. Australia has currently placed travel bans for people travelling from China and Iran. On Monday, the health minister Greg Hunt asked the citizens to follow social distancing if travelling back from a high risk country. Hunt confirmed that there were now 33 Australian cases, an initial 15 from Wuhan or associated with Wuhan, all of whom cleared of the virus, including ten from the Diamond Princess. The chinese city of Wuhan is considered as the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a decree, circumventing parliament by allowing members of the budget committee of the Parliament (Majles) to decide on Iran's budget bill for the next year. Based on Khamenei's decree, the 45 members of the budget committee will decide on the budget bill rather than the 290 members of the Parliament. In late February, the Majles rejected the general terms of the budget bill without going into details, a few days after the budget committee ratified the bill with a very small majority. The Majles then instructed the Rouhani administration to present a 2/12 budget for the first two months of the year. The new Iranian year starts on 21 March. Assadollah Abbasi, a member of the Majles presidium who broke the news about the decree, said it was issued based on a request by Majles Speaker Ali Larijani. Abbasi added that the bill should be reviewed by the Guardian Council after approval by the budget committee. It appears that knowing the parliaments' negative view about the bill, Khamenei has handed it over to a select committee that has already voted in favor of the bill. However, Abbasi attributed the decision to an order by the disease control task force that has banned Majles sessions fearing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on Article 85 of the Iranian Constitutional Law, the Majles may delegate some of its legislative powers to its internal committees at times of emergency. Nevertheless, according to the law, the MPs should decide whether it is time to resort to the emergency arrangements. This is not the first time Khamenei intervenes in the constitutional processes at the Majles. Nor it is the first time he intervenes in legislation about economy and finance. Last year he appointed the heads of the three powers of the government to a committee that decided raising the price of gasoline, instead of allowing the Majles to discuss the matter as usual. The decision made by the committee let to nationwide protests in November. In the past he barred the Majles from voting on key issues such as the press code and two bills about the powers of the Presidency. Khamenei has also circumvented democratic processes on other matters by sending messages to parliament demanding a vote for or against certain bills. Earlier, Hadi Ghavami, the spokesperson for the budget committee had said that the Majles might delegate its authority to the committee about the budget bill, but he had also said that committee's view will be put to vote at an open session of the Majles later. This comes while based on Khamenei's decree, after approval by the committee, the bill will be sent to the Guardian Council for their final attestation. The committee spokesman said that after the review by the Guardian Council the bill will be handed over to the administration for execution. According to the Majles news agency ICANA, on February 25, when the bill was being discussed at the Majles, Planning and Budget Organization Chairman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht said that the budget for the next year will have the least amount of dependency on oil revenue, at around 8.5 percent. The lawmakers rejecting the bill argued that such a budget will bring about a deficit of 2,000 trillion rials (roughly $47.7 billion). The government has no answer for this criticism. Iran cannot export oil because of U.S. sanctions and unless Iran agrees to negotiate, the sanctions will remain in force, at least during the Trump administration. Shahrouz Barzegar, MP for Salmas said at the session: "The administration says that the budget's dependency on oil has been reduced to eight and half percent, but one must ask the question of what the budget is going to be dependent on?" Fatemeh Hosseini, a member of the Budget Committee of the Majles told Sharq newspaper later, that two factors led to the rejection of the budget bill by full parliament. First, 90 current members were barred from running again for parliament and some of them voted against the budget. Second, was the coronavirus epidemic in Iran. Members rejected the bill not to have any further sessions, trying to avoid exposure to the virus. Mohammad Kazemi, another member of the Budget Committee said: "I do not think the vote had anything to do with Coronavirus. The bill was approved at the committee with the minimum of votes. Of course, the virus may have had some impact, but it was clear from the very beginning that the budget bill was not likely to win votes at the Majles." Curtains over the Sixth Session of the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-6) has been drawn on the conference with a call on all stakeholders to redouble efforts to achieve the recommendations of the conference in a decade of action. Professor Paul Y. Mavima, Minister, Public Services, Labour and Social Welfare, who assumed the Chair of Bureau performed the closing on behalf of the government and people of Zimbabwe and said Africa was at the crossroads and all human and material resources needed to be harnessed to win the SDGs fight to give the continent a respite to succeed. He said Africa is not on track to achieve the SDGs and that window of opportunity within the next decade 2020-2030 offers a platform for the decisive action to come to fruition. We count on all partners and member states to continue to build an empowered, inclusive, equal, transformed and prosperous Africa. Prof Mavima said this is a watershed and a defining moment for the continent whose challenges and opportunities are interlinked and inter-related. He thanked ECA, the convener of the conference and AU, UN and partners for giving the opportunity to Zimbabwe to host this incisive event full of hope for the continent. Mr Oliver Chinganya, Director, African Centre for Statistics, Economic Commission for Africa in a remark said many sound ideas, solutions and cases were highlighted and strategies and plans to scale-up actions were reached. He said the world has listened loudly and believed the needed support to anchor the education of every child and adult to have access to quality education, healthcare, guaranteed food security, energy, shelter, communication and securing the peace has been explored. We may not be able to provide these but we must start today. For tomorrow is too late. He said for the first time the youth were given a platform, which shaped the discourse positively with the conference continuing to break many records following number of delegates, which surpassed 3,000 people compared to the last years figure of 800. Mr Chinganya said the extinction and dying of elephants through droughts, hydro-power stations almost drying up with its economic and social consequences needed integrated approaches for humanity to survive. He said the journey has just begun and the Victoria Falls Declaration on the Decade of Action for Sustainable Development in Africa has been born. We need to ensure that the efforts are equal to or greater than the challenges we wish to address. We have over 220 million people classified as hungry, one0fifthof children out of school, youth unemployment continues to grow and over half of the population without electricity, with current trajectory suggesting nine out of 10 classified extremely poor by 2030, and these are the enormity of Africas challenges. He commended the Zimbabwean government under the leadership of President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, sister UN and AU agencies, private sector and other development partners for making ARFSD-6 a success. The Conference adopted a draft Victoria Falls Declaration on UN Decade of Action and Delivery for the Sustainable Development in Africa which include the AU-UN frameworks moving into concrete actions in order to make a difference in peoples living at the regional and country levels in realising the SDGs. It called for integrating and reporting tools to provide good frameworks for unifying the SDGs, Agenda 2030 and 2063 and national development plans, which must be rolled out at country levels. It called for expansion of access to quality education and inclusive education for people with disabilities including national-level budgeting to address the practical needs and strategies. It suggested the harnessing of the youthful demographic dividends with voice and power to participation for inclusiveness. The recommendation said the UN must support and strengthen the capacities of AU blueprint mechanisms for the promotion of peaceful solutions such as the African Governance Architecture, the African Peace and Security Architecture to silence the guns for development to flourish. It noted the existential threat posed by climate change and the urgent need to raise the ambition on climate action to avert catastrophic impacts of the phenomenon across multiple goals. Meanwhile, in an interview Dr Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of ECA said the declaration would the biggest and the heaviest document to deliver the SDGs and called on member states to increase their vision, scale-up, accelerate and leverage on resources at all levels towards achieving their collective aspirations. Zimbabwe government would present these on behalf of Africa to the high-level political forum on Sustainable Development under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council at its meeting in New York, later in the year. Meanwhile Congo Brazzaville has won the hosting rights for the ARFSD-7 according to conference STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After announcing the second confirmed case of the coronavirus -- COVID-19 -- in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will amend the sick paid leave bill to allow those with the virus who are quarantined to be paid by their employers. Cuomo said the states second confirmed case is a man in his 50s -- an attorney who works in Manhattan and lives in New Rochelle, N.Y. -- who is in isolation in a hospital. The man, who has an underlying respiratory condition, had not traveled outside the country, only to Miami, Fla., he said. The SAR school in Riverdale, N.Y., where the mans children attend, is closed Tuesday, the governor said. In addition, two families in Buffalo are being tested for the virus after traveling to Italy, he said. The situation in the state of New York is under control. ...You can not contain the spread. You can control it. You can limit it. But you cant contain it, said Cuomo at a press conference Tuesday morning. This is inevitable that this will continue to spread, but the basic fact is 80% of the people who get it will resolve and may not even know they have it, he added. PAID SICK LEAVE AMENDMENT Cuomo said he will add a specific provision to the sick paid leave bill for those who become infected with the virus. It will say people, who because of this situation with the coronavirus have to be quarantined, should be protected. Their employers should pay them for the period of the quarantine, and their job should be protected, he said. Last week, the governor announced he is requesting a $40 million appropriation for the state Department of Health to hire additional staff, procure equipment and any other resources necessary to respond to the potential novel coronavirus pandemic. SUNY DECIDING ON STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS Cuomo said SUNY schools are considering asking those students studying abroad to come home. He said they should render a decision by the end of the day. The City University of New York (CUNY), which oversees the College of Staten Island (CSI) in Willowbrook, and St. Johns University, which has a campus on Grymes Hill, have already canceled some study abroad programs located in areas with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) level 3 travel health notices. FIRST CASE IN NYC The first positive case of novel coronavirus was confirmed in New York on Sunday night. The woman is a 39-year-old healthcare worker who lives in Manhattan. The patient, a woman in her late 30s, contracted the virus while traveling abroad in Iran, and is currently isolated in her home, Cuomo said. The patient has respiratory symptoms, but is not in serious condition and has been in a controlled situation since arriving to New York. The positive test was confirmed by New Yorks Wadsworth Lab in Albany, only one day after New York was approved by Vice President Mike Pence to test for the virus. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:01:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BUCHAREST, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Romania announced on Tuesday that the country has identified a fourth case of COVID-19, an imported case from Italy. The 47-year-old man flew back to Timisoara, capital city of eastern Timis County, on the same plane as a woman who tested positive last Friday, according to the Strategic Communication Group, a government agency authorized to publish official public information. "The man traveled with the 38-year-old woman on the same plane, on her right side, on Feb. 20, 2020, on a flight returning from Italy," noted the government agency. The man, whose Monday test result came out positive, is asymptomatic, according to local health authorities. Meanwhile, the Strategic Communication Group announced that the country's first case has recovered after testing negative and is to leave the hospital soon. Romania confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus late Wednesday after a 20-year-old Romanian was infected by a visiting Italian. As many as 42 people are currently in institutional quarantine in Romania nationwide, and 9,431 are monitored at home for the novel coronavirus. Romania has frequent people exchange with Italy. As of 2019, over 1.2 million Romanian citizens are living in Italy -- the largest Romanian immigrant population in any country as well as the largest immigrant group within Italy. An Army officer who returned from Iran last month has been isolated in Madhya Pradesh for suspected exposure to the coronavirus. However, there were conflicting versions of where he was isolated. A health official said the 32-year-old officer had been quarantined at the military hospital at Mhow near Indore, while senior Army officials said he was at home. The conflicting versions could not be immediately reconciled. The officer had returned from Tehran, Iran's capital, on February 25. Dr Santosh Sisodia, district in-charge of Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, claimed that the officer was admitted to isolation ward of the military hospital on Tuesday when he complained of sore throat. "His condition is fine. He has been kept under medical observation in an isolation ward. His blood and swab samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing," Sisodia added. Iran announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus on Monday, taking the death toll in the country to 77. In all, 2,336 people have been infected in Iran since the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, a 27-year-old woman, who was studying in Italy and admitted to Indore's state-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital for the past two days for suspected exposure to COVID-19 virus, tested negative, an official said. "She had attended a party in Italy a few days ago and a person who was present there later tested positive for the virus. It scared her and she returned to Indore on Saturday," the official said. Italy, Europe's worst-affected country with around 1,700 coronavirus infections, said that deaths, as of Monday, stood at 52. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [March 03, 2020] 2020 Best in KLAS Report Again Ranks UpToDate from Wolters Kluwer as Category Leader for Clinical Decision Support Wolters Kluwer, Health, a leading global provider of trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions, today announced that its decision support solution, UpToDate, was ranked number one for clinical decision support (point-of-care clinical reference) in the 2020 Best in KLAS: Software and Services report. KLAS, a research firm that specializes in monitoring and reporting the performance of healthcare vendors, found that UpToDate was the top performing point of care clinical reference tool for the second straight year. KLAS interviews thousands of healthcare professionals and uses the responses to rate point-of-care and clinical reference tools. Evaluation questions cover several areas, including Culture, Loyalty, Operations, Product, Relationship, and Value. "KLAS's recognition of UpToDate as a Category Leader again this year is gratifying for us as an organization," aid Denise Basow, MD, CEO, Clinical Effectiveness at Wolters Kluwer, Health. "We are committed to partnering with our customers and helping them to reduce variability in care by using the best available evidence to treat patients. Our expert solutions help align decision making across care teams and patients, enabling more consistent and cost-effective care." Adam Gale, President, KLAS Research, adds, "Providers and payers demand better performance, usability, and interoperability from their vendor partners every year. Best in KLAS winners set the standard of excellence in their market segment. Earning a Best in KLAS award should both excite and humble the recipients. It serves as a signal to providers that they should expect only the best from the winning vendors." About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global provider of professional information, software solutions, and services for physicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, tax specialists, and finance, audit, compliance, and regulatory sectors. The company provides expert solutions - a combination of deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services - that help professionals navigate change, solve complex problems, and deliver impact in their respective fields. Headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, Wolters Kluwer holds market-leading positions in 40 countries globally, represents customers across 180 countries and employs 18,600 people worldwide. In 2018, it reported annual revenues of 4.3 billion. Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students with advanced clinical decision support, learning and research and clinical intelligence. For more information about our solutions, visit http://healthclarity.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (News - Alert) @WKHealth. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005346/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Leader of One Armenia Party Artur Ghazinyan wrote about the meeting of the Turkish foreign minister with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on his Facebook page. He particularly wrote the following: I view the meeting of the Turkish foreign minister with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs as a serious failure of Armenian diplomacy. Turkey and Azerbaijan have never spared efforts and resources to reserve a more active role for Turkey in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It seems as though they are succeeding, and this is becoming more dangerous in the context of the upcoming meeting of Putin and Erdogan in Moscow on March 5. On the background of the situation in northern Syria, Turkey is aspiring to engage Artsakh in the agenda for a solution of the conundrum in the Middle East and expand its involvement in the geopolitical processes in the region. Prior to this, Erdogan had met with Aliyev in Baku, and the Artsakh issue was also on the bilateral agenda. In this period, Armenia is advocating YES and NO for the referendum for constitutional amendments I want to repeat once again that the current authorities are the most meaningless and most unserious authorities in the history of Armenia. There will be many difficulties Ramya Reddys Soul of the Nilgiris is a tribute to the Nilgiris, a mountainous range whose landscape comprises shola forest and grassland, and the four indigenous groups that populate the upper regions | Urvashi Bahuguna writes in #PagesFromTheWild In this fortnightly column, Pages From The Wild, Urvashi Bahuguna looks at accessible, engaging books from around the world, on the environment and ecology. *** In Robin Wall Kimmerers Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, she writes of a fundamental difference between indigenous groups and settlers in their attitude towards land: In the settler mind, land was property, real estate, capital, or natural resources. But to our people, it was everything: identity, the connection to our ancestors, the home of our non-human kin-folk, our pharmacy, our library, the source of all that sustained us. Kimmerer is speaking specifically of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Oklahoma, USA, but I was reminded of her words as I read Ramya Reddys Soul of the Nilgiris a tribute to the Nilgiris, a mountainous range whose landscape comprises shola forest and grassland, and the four indigenous groups that populate the upper regions. She cautions that we are witness to the last of the generations of the Todas, Badagas, Kurumbas, Irulas and Kotas who carry traditional knowledge of the land and localised sustainable practices. That knowledge has been passed down as a means of surviving and thriving in harmony with the land through songs and stories that venerate the land, shrines that pay homage to natural bounty, the preservation of commons for each community that cannot be appropriated by any other and art forms that connect with the earth. The photographer spent over a decade walking the far reaches of these mountains with her husband, Rajesh, and their dog, Yogi, forming deep bonds with the indigenous inhabitants of a land whose biodiversity and favourable climate attracted British settlements in the 19th century, the development of tea estates and a burgeoning (and destructive) tourist industry. Three hundred stunning photographs accompany accessible history, personal conversations between Reddy and the adivasis, and misadventures in the mountains. She takes note of all that has been lost in the Nilgiris (seasonal sources of food, water bodies, large tracts of biodiverse land) and all that is in the process of being lost as she tries to document a way of life that may well tie into our long-term survival in an increasingly uninhabitable planet. Soul of the Nilgiris is as much a history of place as it is a history of people. The key to telling this story well was time. Reddy says that some elders asked her early on in her research if she would take what she wanted and leave, as some others had done before her. It took time for people to trust her. Going forward without allowing for those relationships to form fully and the acceptance and consent of the people involved would have been completely pointless. Over time, she has become a part of the landscape and (in some ways) of the people too. She travelled between Bengaluru and the Nilgiris for the years she worked on the book (with extended stints in San Francisco where her husband works) before finally moving to Coonoor for half of each year. A slow project like this is deeply affecting, it changes you fundamentally in many, many ways, she says, I have countless instances to demonstrate the generosity of adivasi spirit that I encountered on the field, from sharing warm meals in the most unexpected situations, to giving gifts of produce from their backyards, to overextending themselves to help me get to a place. I received a lot more than I can ever give back. This deep engagement forced her to rethink her worldview and confront how little one needs to lead a rich, meaningful life and how far humans are from practicing such a way of life. The beauty of living in accordance with seasonal rhythms makes you want to harmonise with the natural world, she says, I know times are changing for them too but these are my learnings from the elders I was acquainted with. Writing Soul of the Nilgiris became not only an exercise in documentation but a labour of love where she wanted to present these stories as beautifully as possible. This is apparent in the photographs, the folk tales and poems gathered in the book, and the anecdotes that Reddy shares. When I suggest that painstaking projects like hers are unusual, she points me to the work of homegrown ethnobotanists, researchers and anthropologists such as Madhu Ramnath, Asoka Kumar Sen and Dr Tarun Chhabra who have variously captured the eco-cultural heritage of adivasis in the subcontinent, and the Chennai-based publisher, Tara Books, which has produced striking art books illustrated by artists of the Gond tribal art tradition from central India. She believes that the fiction of writers like Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar may even reflect the nuances of adivasi lives more effectively than anthropology texts. There is a wealth of little-known texts and compilations of folk tales, ethnobotany, eco-cultural heritage and farming practices published by independent writers, researchers and eco-development non-profit organisations. She hopes that better platforms may eventually provide these texts with wider readership. She points out that important anthropological work is often sequestered in university libraries abroad. Organisations such as Keystone Foundation have been working on archiving the ethnobotany and farming knowledge of adivasis from over 45 groups spread over 150 villages in the 5500 square kilometres of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The foundations initiatives keep indigenous knowledge intact while also supporting small-scale tribal enterprises. There are plans in motion for a People and Nature Centre which will be a hub for indigenous culture, knowledge and art driven by the community where Keystones archive of knowledge will be accessible and retrievable for all. She continues to discourage travellers from visiting the indigenous people, their sacred lands and settlements for pretty pictures unless there is utmost sensitivity and an intent to deeply understand their lives. The outside world must move beyond patronage and exoticisation if they want to support and engage with these communities, says Reddy. Through organisations like Keystone, there are opportunities for volunteers to meaningfully contribute to the communities. People who have the requisite power and privilege must preserve the last of what is left of indigenous culture and ancient wisdom. She argues that the dairy talents of the Toda men, the embroidering artistry of the Toda women, the sustainable honey gathering of Kurumbas, the gentle millet farming of the Irulas and the durable pottery of the Kotas must not simply be seen as tribal crafts that need a market. They must be first recognised, she says, as the enduring economic practises that they are, and an example of human enterprise that has lasted centuries. There is an urgent need to find effective ways to preserve this knowledge. If its creators are truly empowered from ground up, they will have a lot to show the world. 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. 03.03.2020 LISTEN President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe continues to lash out at government over decision to replace a perfectly functioning ports valuation technologies operated Ghana Community Network Service Limited (GCNet) and West Blue Consulting with Universal Pass (UNI-PASS). Franklin Cudjoe in a write up expressed absurdity at the decision to terminate GCNet and West Blues unbroken, cheaper and rewarding port system charging as low as 0.54% of FoB prices. The new system which is to be operated by UNIPASS is untested, pilot-tragedy prone and rather more expensive charging 0.75% of FoB. This he says has outrageous financial implications and is definitely the straw the breaks the camel backs. According to Franklin, what is even worse is, the contract itself which is priced at $40m for ten years, contains clauses that lists atrocious payouts to UNIPASS should the contract be broken by government from $93m in the first year to $12m in the tenth year. Additionally, judicial judgement debts running into hundreds of millions of dollars must be paid out to existing GCNet and West Blue, a situation he described as a classic case of the tragedy of the Commons. Meanwhile, this move by government is creating tension at the ports as stakeholders like Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters and clearing agents are raising questions. Even though earlier report however suggests that, UNIPASS failed on many occasions to demonstrate its systems, government appears bent on seeing UNI-PASS take over. Read full write up below I have been reflecting over how some major decisions with outrageous financial implications have been made- I have now concluded that the most powerful advisor to our President, a man with whom he served under ex-President Kufuor, is the singular reason for some of these cantankerous decisions. The decision to replace unbroken ports valuation technologies, (cheaper and rewarding GCNet and West Blue, charging us 0.54% of FoB prices) with UNIPASS or its clone, (untested, pilot-tragedy prone and more expensive 0.75% of FoB) prices broke the camels back for me. The contract itself is priced at $40m for ten years, yet contains clauses that lists atrocious payouts to UNIPASS or its clone should the contract be broken by government- from $93m in the first year to $12m in the tenth year. What is worse, judicial judgement debts running into hundreds of millions of dollars must be paid out to existing GCNet and West Blue. But that would not be the Senior Ministers own money. It would be your taxes. Classic case of the Tragedy of the Commons- what belongs to you, you tend to take greater care of; what belongs to others, must fall into disrepair- for no one cares. So, there you are, with a classic example of political rather than economic advise from the older wise. The biggest question though, is with which younger folks, equally powerful are the older advisors pliant in this fishing expedition of a ports facilitation project? Looks like my own beloved Finance Minister, my own saavy and sweet handler of our finances. Together, I dare say the two are the most powerful advisors of our dear leader. By the way, it is Sunday and the scripture Id leave you with is taken from the 1st Kings.. 1 Kings 12:6 King Rehoboam consulted with the older advisers who had served his father Solomon when he had been alive. He asked them, How do you advise me to answer these people? 1 Kings 12:8 But Rehoboam rejected their advice and consulted the young advisers who served him, with whom he had grown up. 1 Kings 12:10 The young advisers with whom Rehoboam had grown up said to him, Say this to these people who have said to you, Your father made us work hard, but now lighten our burden. Say this to them: I am a lot harsher than my father! Cheers! Signed Franklin Cudjoe Have a great week!! ---theindependentghana.com Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. By PTI ALIGARH: The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of the medical college in Aligarh Muslim University has decided to donate Rs 25 lakh for victims of the communal violence in Delhi. Junior doctors and senior resident doctors of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College have decided to contribute at least one day's salary for all riot victims irrespective of their community. RDA president Mohammad Hamza said the money would be distributed through the finance officer of the university for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people. ALSO READ: 79 houses, 327 shops gutted during Delhi riots, says deputy CM Manish Sisodia Hamza said this was time for all peace-loving citizens to join hands in this "hour of the grave humanitarian crisis in the capital of our country". Meanwhile, former AMU students' union president Salman Imtiaz urged all sections of the society to help in the restoration of peace and all riot victims through whatever means available to them. "We have to fight for peace till our last breath," Imtiaz said in a statement. ALSO READ: Hundreds arrested for Delhi riots, social media being watched, Centre tells Lok Sabha AMU teachers' association secretary Najmul Islam said the communal violence in Delhi had shaken the confidence of the people in the law enforcement machinery, and the alleged failure of the police in controlling the riots was a cause of grave concern. He said reports indicating that the police deliberately allowed such sectarian violence to continue was "shameful" to say the least. Michael Moore has faced a backlash after claiming South Carolina 'is not representative of the United States' following Joe Biden's primary win. The filmmaker's comments immediately sparked anger online, particularly over the suggestion he was dismissing black voters in the State. Moore also insisted Bernie Sanders is still the front runner in the Democratic presidential nomination race despite Biden's first victory on Saturday. The Oscar-winner, who has come out in support of Sanders, phoned in to MSNBC on Monday to downplay the significance of 'the coalescing' of moderate candidates around Biden. Following Biden's win, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar both dropped out of the 2020 race to take on Donald Trump to endorse the former vice president. Moore criticized both former candidates saying the move 'is obviously intended to try and stop Bernie's momentum' because he is 'still number one in all the nationwide polls' and not about who 'can stop President Trump' from reelection. When asked by MSNBC anchor Ari Melber about his claim last October (pictured) that Joe Biden would not 'excite the base' following the South Carolina primary, Michael Moore responded on Monday that the state was 'not representative of the United States' Former Democratic presidential primary candidate Pete Buttigieg endorsing Joe Biden during an event at the Chicken Scratch restaurant on Monday, the night before Super Tuesday primary voting On the dropouts ahead of Super Tuesday, Moore also accused them of 'falling in line' instead of being excited to endorse Biden. The Oscar-winning documentary director claimed South Carolina was not an influential state in the election later this year because it does not represent the make-up of the rest of the country. When asked by MSNBC anchor Ari Melber about his previous claim that Biden would not 'excite the base' following the South Carolina primary, he responded: 'South Carolina is not representative of the United States, that's just the facts. 'South Carolina will have absolutely no impact on the November 3 election. 'For people tonight to just get so excited about Biden finally had a win. After 32 years of running for president.' Roughly 60 per cent of the Democratic electorate in South Carolina are African-American. Former Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden during a campaign event in Dallas, Texas, yesterday Biden speaking during a campaign rally at Texas Southern University in Houston. He won his first primary in South Carolina on Saturday Social media users hit out at Moore's remarks, particularly over the suggestion the filmmaker was dismissing the black electorate in the state. Radio host Julie DiCaro wrote on Twitter: 'Michael Moore is on MSNBC yelling that SC is not representative of America. Like Iowa and NH are.' Actor Jeffrey Wright tweeted alongside a clip of the interview: 'Michael Moore ain't it, Never was.' Moore argued the Democratic establishment is 'worried about Bernie Sanders policies'. Fahrenheit 9/11 added: 'It's so sad that Mayor Pete [Buttigieg] and Amy [Klobuchar], they somehow couldn't even go 24 more hours. 'It wasn't going to cost them any more money, wasn't going to cost them any more work.' Moore went on to say the moderate Democrats were going to back Michael Bloomberg until he suffered a disastrous debate in Nevada and a mediocre performance in South Carolina ahead of the primary vote. This is the moment a drug dealer who was stopped by police after a 135mph chase manages to escape and drive off - while officers are still clinging to his door. John Eddy, 30, was pulled over on the A66 just before 1.50am on January 1 last year after speeding down the dual carriageway in his Mercedes. However dashcam footage played at Teesside Crown Court before he was jailed for eight years and six months shows his brazen escape. Video shows the police car in pursuit of Eddy and hitting speeds of 135mph as they drive along an empty road early on New Year's Day 2019. After a couple of minutes the officers manage to pull Eddy over and he is seen walking towards the dashcam. However by 1.56am Eddy has made his way back to the car and as the officers move to apprehend him again, he jumps into the drivers' seat. The two officers pull on the driver's door, managing to open it slightly, but after a few seconds they have to release their grip as Eddy has started to pull away. Police dashcam footage shows the moment drug dealer John Eddy, 30, who was stopped by police in Teeside, managed to escape and drive off with the officers holding onto his car door The officers followed Eddy's car along the motorway, reaching speeds of 135mph before he pulled over Speaking during the case, prosecutor Stephen McNally said: 'The officer tried to get to that vehicle by driving up to 135mph, without making significant ground. 'Ultimately they make that ground up and stop the vehicle. The Mercedes brake lights can only just be seen in the far distance.' Eddy was later arrested and interviewed, where he said he had two gins at a friend's house in Middlesbrough with his girlfriend. He said he did not believe he was over the limit, thought it was a 70mph road and thought he went at 80 or 90mph. He owned up to the escape but said he did not intend to assault anyone. Eddy later admitted dangerous driving, escape and assaulting an emergency worker causing minor injuries. He also faced sentence for being a courier in the north-east part of a multi-million-pound drugs enterprise directed from abroad. At first Eddy (pictured behind the officer) walks over to the patrol car However he manages to escape from the officers and runs back to his driver's side door After Eddy has driven away the two officers run towards the patrol car and use their radios He and four others - Emma Newton, Stephen Harland, Louis Lyons and Daryl Small - who trafficked drugs dropped into the UK by helicopter were jailed for a total of 41 years on Friday. One consignment alone netted a 103kg haul of heroin and cocaine, worth more than 10m, delivered to the south of England via helicopter from Belgium. Judge Howard Crowson said the business imported drugs - mainly high-purity cocaine - from Europe and into the north-west and north-east for major profit. He said: 'It is clear that cocaine and other drugs were brought to the north-east to be used in a Class A drugs supply business operating locally. You all had a role in that business. Eddy (pictured) has now been jailed for eight-and-a-half years for the driving incident and his part in a drug dealing business 'I'm satisfied the police only intercepted a small fraction of the drugs actually trafficked,' Judge Crowson added. 'It's clear that many kilos of drugs travelled across the Pennines. I cannot quantify the amount of cocaine. There were well over 100 visits to this area by couriers.' Mr McNally said 'staggering' quantities of Class A drugs were imported from the continent via chartered helicopter flights which deviated off radar. Some of the narcotics were bound for the north-east in a drugs ring organised from 'exotic' overseas locations. The Teesside defendants - identified in 'Operation Spoonbill' - were not accused of being involved in the air delivery of the 'extraordinarily valuable cargo'. But they were to help sell some of the drugs in this area in a 'sophisticated and well-organised operation' in 2015 to 2016. Eddy and four others - including Emma Newton (left) and Louis Lyons (right) - who trafficked drugs dropped into the UK by helicopter were jailed for a total of 41 years Daryl Small (middle) and Stephen Harland (right) were also jailed at Teeside Court on Friday. Eddy is pictured left Eddy denied conspiring to supply Class A drugs and was unanimously convicted by a jury last December. The judge said he gave 'almost catastrophic' evidence in which the jury laughed at his 'unbelievable' answers, saying: 'I'm not in the thick of it.' His barrister Peter Sabiston said: 'He didn't present himself as particularly sophisticated throughout any of the proceedings in this case. And perhaps I'll leave it there... This was not a sophisticated individual.' Judge Howard Crowson jailed Eddy for eight-and-a-half years - eight years for the drug dealing plus six months for the driving escapade. Eddy, from Norton in Stockton-on-Tees, will also be banned from driving for 18 months after his release from prison and was ordered to pay 120 compensation. 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 Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the leading developers in Bahrain, has renewed its strategic partnership with Gulf Property Show, the Northern Gulfs leading showcase for building and construction sector, which opens next month. The major event is being organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) from April 14 to 16 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain. Diyar Al Muharraq is one of the most visionary and progressive urban developments in the kingdom of Bahrain: an all comprehensive, fully integrated modern city best described as a holistic community incorporating a strong line up of projects which include vast variety of residential and commercial properties, ideal for both personal and investment purposes. On the strategic partnership, Diyar Al Muharraq CEO Engineer Ahmed Al Ammadi said: "The Gulf Property Show is a positive showcase for the real estate sector in Bahrain. It provides Diyar Al Muharraq with a proven platform to market various projects as well as communicating many investment opportunities in the kingdoms new city. We are excited to highlight the cohesive offerings of the mix residential and commercial projects while contributing to creating a sustainable future." "At the Gulf Property Show, we will be introducing both individual investment opportunities, as well as commercial investment opportunities," stated Al Ammadi. During the expo, Diyar Al Muharraq will be showcasing it key investment opportunities such as Al Naseem Villas, Al Bareh Villas and Al Bareh Plots. "Commercial investment opportunities include commercial villa plots, commercial showroom plots and warehousing plots. These projects highlight a range of freehold opportunities for all nationalities that are available for immediate investment in the fully integrated modern city, added Alammadi. HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said: "Diyar Al Muharraq have been supporters of the Gulf Property Show from the first launch event six years ago." "We are excited by their endorsement of the Gulf Property Show as strategic sponsor as we work towards the 2020 edition, ensuring that our position as the Northern Gulfs leading real estate event is maintained," he added. The Gulf Property Show carries with it the strategic organisational support of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (Rera); Survey and Land Regulatory Bureau (SLRB); Urban Planning and Development Authority of Bahrain; Tamkeen; Bahrain Property Developers Association (BaPDA) and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Diyar Al Muharraq is a fully integrated modern city best described as a complete society incorporating a strong line-up of projects which include a vast variety of residential and commercial properties, ideal for both personal and investment purposes. Aimed at creating a long-term and sustainable township, Diyar Al Muharraq is located on the northern shores of Muharraq and comprises 7 reclaimed islands of 10 sq km and total area spanning 12 sq km. Upon completion, Diyar Al Muharraq will encompass over 40 km of waterfront with sandy beaches, and all the elements of a vibrant community ranging extensively from fully equipped educational facilities and schools, medical centres, recreation facilities, shopping malls, expansive parklands, hotels and marinas, said the developer. Diyar Al Muharraq is to be a first-of-its-kind development, one that aims to offer its occupants a safe haven for the ideal life, it added.-TradeArabia News Service On eve of Super Tuesday, study sheds light on how people make choices On Super Tuesday, Democratic voters from Colorado and across the United States will face a serious decision: Sanders or Warren? Biden, Klobuchar or Bloomberg? Then, afterward, what kind of wine to drink. Now, a new study taps into mathematics to probe how people make those kinds of fraught choices--in particular, how hypothetical, and completely rational, individuals might select between two options as they navigate through a noisy social environment. It turns out that not making a choice can sometimes be as revealing as picking a side, report researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Houston. When the people around you are indecisive, for example, that can have a big influence on your own choices. "Say you have a friend who has been a staunch Sanders supporter in the past," said Zachary Kilpatrick, a coauthor of the new study and an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics at CU Boulder. "It's the night before the primary, and they still have not made a decision about who they're going to vote for. That suggests that they have received some evidence that's in conflict with voting for Sanders." Kilpatrick will present his team's results remotely at a meeting of the American Physical Society. (The physical conference has been canceled due to public health concerns). The group's findings, while theoretical, could still inform how we should address real-world problems--for example, the spread of misinformation on the internet, he said. "If we want to combat the hijacking of our social information networks, we need to understand in a quantitative way how peoples' beliefs are swayed by their social connections." Dreaded decisions His team's research zeroes in on a major question in a field of study called decision-making theory: How people make choices based both on their own, private research--such as watching televised debates--and through their social interactions--say, checking out their friends' posts on social media. Kilpatrick compared that goal to the classic battle of wits between Vizzini and the Dread Pirate Roberts in the 1987 film The Princess Bride. In that scene, the pirate claims to have poisoned one of two glasses of wine. Vizzini, a scofflaw of supposedly vast intellect, must choose the one he thinks is safe to drink. It gets complicated. "What Vizzini says is that he knows what the Dread Pirate Roberts knows that he knows," Kilpatrick said. "But he takes multiple loops through what we call a 'common knowledge' exchange before he makes the decision on the wine glasses." In other words, when you make such an exchange, you need to not only consider what you know about your opponents, but what they know you know about them--and on and on. To explore similar kinds of intellectual spirals, Kilpatrick and his colleagues used a series of equations, or mathematical models, to simulate social interactions of varying complexity. Their models didn't revolve around real-life voters, or even pirates, but "rational agents"--theoretical deciders who always make the right choices based on the evidence available to them. The researchers discovered that, when time is of the essence, two fictional voters might go through mental loops akin to Vizzini's thought process. "We're both watching the same news show, for example, and I look over to you to see if you've made a decision or not," Kilpatrick said. "We have to account for our common knowledge multiple times until we've adequately squeezed all of the information that we can out of the fact that you haven't made a decision yet, and I haven't made a decision yet." Eventually, it stops. One voter or group of voters in a network might finally receive enough information to feel confident about their choice. And when that happens, other voters might get the impetus they need to quite dithering, too. The researchers report their findings in a preprint publication online. Messy humans Kilpatrick is quick to note that, of course, no voter is perfectly rational. But scientists can still learn a lot by studying where real-life humans fall in line with what theory suggests they should do--and where they don't. People should also always try to be aware of the baggage that others in their social networks carry, he added. "When we're determining how political leaders or people in our networks make decisions," Kilpatrick said, "we should think hard about how those individuals are biased in order to figure out what we should take away from their decisions." As for your Super Tuesday decision, learn from Vizzini's example and steer clear of the wine. ### This story has been published on: 2020-03-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chinese authorities did not publicly acknowledge the severity of the virus until January 20 China began censoring online discussions on the new coronavirus weeks before officially acknowledging the scope of the disease, according to a report published Tuesday. Although Chinese authorities did not publicly acknowledge the severity of the virus until January 20, censorship began as early as December 31, said researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab. Even general terms such as "unknown Wuhan pneumonia" and "Wuhan Health Commission" were deemed taboo in the early weeks of the epidemic, said the report. More than 3,100 people have died and over 90,000 have been infected worldwide by the virus. Citizen Lab said its research showed at least one social media platform in China was blocking some virus content three weeks before the government confirmed it was spreading between people. That "strongly suggests that social media companies came under government pressure to censor information at early stages of the outbreak," the report said. In China it is common for social media companies to scrub content considered politically sensitive, including protests and government criticism. From the end of December to mid-February, Citizen Lab found more than 500 blocked keywords and phrases on WeChatwhich has over one billion active monthly usersas well as on live-streaming platform YY. Some censored terms referred to information that was later made official, such as the fact that the virus was contagious. The two apps also censored a broad range of keywords, including factual information. For instance, messages that included the words "pneumonia", "disease control and prevention", "virus", and "medical journal" were censored when Citizen Lab tested WeChat on February 14. "What makes this case unique is the potential public health harm blocking this information may have," said Lotus Ruan, researcher at Citizen Lab, commenting on the broad scope of censorship. Doing so can "limit (the) public's ability to be informed and protect themselves," she told AFP. Though the death of a whistleblowing doctor prompted rare calls for political reform in February, Beijing has doubled down on censorship. In early February China's cyberspace authority said it would "supervise" the country's largest social media firms on virus-related content. And Chinese President Xi Jinping called for even tighter control over online discussion to ensure "positive energy" and social stability. "So far Beijing seems to draw the wrong conclusion from the crisis, that it needs to repress more, not less," said Lokman Tsui, a communications professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIREWEED ZINC LTD. (Fireweed or the Company) (TSXV: FWZ) is pleased to report that yesterday the Government of Yukon and the Ross River Dena Council (RRDC) First Nation announced that they have reached an agreement in principle for the North Canol Road (Yukon Highway 6) and the Robert Campbell Highway under the umbrella of the Yukon Resource Gateway Project. The North Canol Road is the access road to Fireweeds large Macmillan Pass Project and the Robert Campbell Highway is part of the transportation route from the project to shipping port. The agreement in principle describes road upgrades which will include bridge replacement and safety improvements on the North Canol Road and resurfacing of 59.5 kilometres of the Robert Campbell Highway. The project has an estimated capital cost value of approximately $71 million with strong input and involvement of First Nations members and businesses. Follow the link for the full text of the announcement: https://yukon.ca/en/news/third-yukon-resource-gateway-project-agreement-reached . The agreement in principle brings the North Canol Road upgrades under the umbrella of the Yukon Resource Gateway Project which is a $360 million commitment by Canadian Federal and Yukon Territorial Governments to fund building and upgrading of resource project roads in Yukon. Upgrading of the North Canol Road to carry heavy truck traffic was a major cost item in Fireweeds 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) comprising a full 25% of capital expenditures to build the project (see Fireweed news release dated May 23, 2018 for details). Announcement Quote from Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai: This agreement in principle with the Ross River Dena Council will provide valuable capacity and economic opportunities to the community and is a tremendous step forward for reconciliation. We look forward to finalizing this agreement and working together with the community to improve this critical infrastructure to enable mineral industry development. Announcement Quote from Chief Jack Caesar of the Ross River Dena Council: Our community has been in need of improvements to the North Canol and paving for the Campbell Highway for many years. We have some of Yukons largest prospective mineral and remediation projects but we had been the only community in Yukon without a paved highway. This important project will finally see our members have a safe road to drive to and from work, a road that helps ensure we are connected to opportunity. Quote from Fireweed CEO Brandon Macdonald: This announcement is a major step forward toward eventual mine development at Macmillan Pass. I want to thank the Yukon Government and the Ross River Dena Council for their efforts to get this agreement in principle done as well as their ongoing cooperation and support for our project over the years. North Canol Road (Yukon Highway 6) Background The North Canol Road (Yukon Highway 6) was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1942-44 as part of the construction of the Alaska Highway during the war. When the war ended, the road was allowed to deteriorate but then in 1972 was reopened from Ross River to the Northwest Territories border to allow access for mineral exploration and tourism. Over the ensuing years the road was maintained to minimal standards as a rough but drivable bush road. Since 2017 when Fireweed began working on the Macmillan Pass Project, the Yukon Government has carried out additional maintenance work including replacement of four bridges. Yesterdays announcement of initial near term funding under the Yukon Resource Gateway Project and potential access to additional future funding is a big step forward toward eventual mine development at Macmillan Pass. Qualified Person Statement Technical information in this news release has been approved by George Gorzynski, P.Eng., Director, and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43101. About Fireweed Zinc Ltd. (TSXV: FWZ): Fireweed Zinc is a public mineral exploration company focused on zinc and managed by a veteran team of mining industry professionals. The Company is advancing its district-scale 544 km2 Macmillan Pass Project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to the 100% owned Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits with current large Mineral Resources and a PEA economic study (see Fireweed news releases dated January 10, 2018, and May 23, 2018, respectively, and reports filed on www.sedar.com for details) as well as the Boundary Zone, Tom North Zone and End Zone which have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes option agreements on large blocks of adjacent claims (MAC, MC, MP, Jerry, BR and NS) which cover exploration targets in the district where previous and recent work identified zinc, lead and silver prospects, and geophysical and geochemical anomalies in prospective host geology. Additional information about Fireweed Zinc and its Macmillan Pass Zinc Project including maps and drill sections can be found on the Companys website at www.FireweedZinc.com and at www.sedar.com . ON BEHALF OF FIREWEED ZINC LTD. Brandon Macdonald CEO & Director Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company and the Macmillan Pass Project that are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including but not limited to, without limitations, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, general economic conditions, changes in financial markets, the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Companys operations, the sufficiency of working capital and funding for continued operations, title matters, First Nations relations, operating hazards, political and economic factors, competitive factors, metal prices, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulations and oversight, permitting, seasonality and weather, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events. Additional risks are set out in the Companys prospectus dated May 9, 2017, and filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7f443a4-2665-4e48-a532-e2ec060fcaf4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d865f00-ac68-4868-9720-fe905fec0701 Ways to make an ever-popular New Year's resolution a reality Getting started on a healthy program can be easy with some professional help. (Photo : REUTERS/David Ryder) A worker walks near the entrance of the Life Care Center of Kirkland, the long-term care facility linked to several confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, in Kirkland, Washington, U.S. March 2, 2020. Health experts are extensively skeptical of the numbers pronounced by China's neighbors. They believe the deadly infection is spreading undetected in Southeast Asia. With infection packs sprouting outside the mainland, where the outbreak started, many worries those pockets are maintaining the outbreak and pushing the world towards a global pandemic. The diseased, officially called COVID-19, has sickened over 83,000 and killed more than 2,850, broadly speaking in China. But instances have spread to more than four countries and been diagnosed as far as Brazil and Finland. Number of cases in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia 'very unlikely' Earlier this month, a study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health concluded that Cambodia, Thailand's number of coronavirus cases is statistically unlikely. Researchers also noticed Indonesia, the world's fourth-highest populous country, not mentioning a single one. The archipelago, based on its direct flights from Wuhan, needs to have at least five patients by now, the researchers noted. It's not that those countries are getting lucky, says Marc Lipsitch, director of Harvard's Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, and one of the research authors. "They're lacking infections." About 2 million Chinese vacationers go to Indonesia annually, broadly speaking holidaying in Bali. According to China's consulate there, around 5,000 Chinese vacationers --- 200 of which are from Wuhan --- have been traveling to the country when news of the outbreak suspended flights on Feb. 5. Most of those were not quarantined or tested. Dr. Shela Putri Sundawa, an Indonesian doctor who hosts health podcast "Relatif Perspektif," said there are simple viral cases. "We just haven't discovered them yet --- I think the surveillance we're doing now is too loose," she added. Sundawa said doctors in Indonesia are not testing out all respiratory infections for coronavirus. She added the health experts there are depending on removing suspected patients by using their links to known instances or their travel history. New York Times reported that instances have already raised up in numerous countries among those who've not been to China. Missing one possible carrier can lead to similar infections that can't be linked to travel, meaning more patients might never be screened. ALSO READ: Are Aliens Behind the First US Coronavirus Confirmed Case of Unknown Origin? A Scientist Claim It's Possible! "You can't locate [the] stuff you don't look for," says Lipsitch, the Harvard epidemiologist. He estimated that even high surveillance countries had missed about half their imported cases. He predicts that a worldwide coronavirus pandemic is "likely" and that 40 to 70 percentage of the world's population can be infected. ALSO READ: Should We Believe Apple CEO Tim Cook Saying Coronavirus is 'Getting Under Control,'? Here's What Experts Have To Say 'So what can we investigate?' Indonesia's health officers insist their protocols follow the World Health Organization's guidelines with a device that specialize in temperature checks at arrival gates and self-reporting. Most of Southeast Asia follows this approach, while numerous studies indicate border screenings are not effective. ALSO READ: Thermometer Guns Used By Coronavirus Front Lines Are 'Notoriously Not Accurate;' Should We Be Scared? These screenings have to catch people in a very slender window, between when they're well enough to travel but sick enough to detect. Temperature scanners, fickle on the satisfactory of times, will also no longer locate everyone whose fever may additionally have subsided after a Tylenol on the plane. And simply because a person doesn't present medical symptoms, doesn't mean they aren't sick. Relying on self-reporting once instances are introduced to the country creates more problems if patients and medical employees don't understand what to look for. It's also hard to check for coronavirus without the correct lab kits, which Indonesia lacked since Feb. 5. Indonesian Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, urged the public not to be anxious in the face of the outbreak, especially as reports of suspected cases had emerged in some local cities, including Bandung in West Java and Sorong in West Papua. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Bengaluru, March 4 : Amid renewed surveillance and control measures by the state government and a city-based employee testing positive for coronavirus in Hyderabad, no positive case has been recorded in Karnataka, an official said on Tuesday. "There is no coronavirus positive case in the state. Health Minister Sriramulu has reviewed the situation. As usual we are screening passengers every day and symptomatic cases are being sent for testing," state Health Department's Joint Director, communicable diseases, Prakash Kumar told IANS. As many as 560 travellers from coronavirus-affected countries have been identified and 352 have been put under home surveillance. Currently, three people are being monitored in hospital, he said. "The confirmed COVID-19 Telangana case has the history of working in Bengaluru and travelled to Secunderabad on the night of February 21 in a private bus. All the passengers and colleagues have been contacted and are under house quarantine," said an official statement from the state government. Indigo airline said that the Telangana techie travelled on its flight from Dubai to Bengaluru on February 20 and all the four cabin crew are under observation while in home quarantine. As part of the Karnataka coronavirus control measures, the state and district rapid response teams (RRT) are on alert at the state and district levels, involving the medical colleges, while Chief Secretary T. M. Vijay Bhaskar and the District Commissioners have meetings at the state and district levels, respectively. A dedicated ambulance has been kept on standby here to ferry suspected coronavirus patients from the airport to hospital. Meanwhile, passengers are also being screened for the virus at the ports of Mangluru and Karwar, said the official statement. As many as 50 designated hospitals - 31 government and 19 private - have been identified for isolation and treatment of suspected cases. Five Karnataka districts bordering Kerala -- Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Udupi, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru -- continue to be under surveillance after three positive coronavirus cases were reported in Kerala. Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks at the North Carolina Democratic Party's Blue NC Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Associated Press Nearly half of Democratic voters say they would be unsatisfied with Mike Bloomberg as the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, according to a new Insider poll. The number of Democratic voters who said they would be unsatisfied with Bloomberg rose sharply between late January and late February. Bloomberg hopped in the race in late November, but has really kicked things into high gear in the past month ahead of Super Tuesday. The former NYC mayor has spent over half a billion dollars on advertising since getting into the race. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. As Democratic voters have become more aware of Mike Bloomberg, an increasing number have said they'd be unsatisfied with the billionaire as the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, according to a new Insider poll. The number of Democratic voters who said they would be unsatisfied with Bloomberg as the nominee jumped up roughly 19 percentage points between late January and late February. For the past several months, Insider has been conducting a recurring SurveyMonkey Audience poll to track the state of the 2020 Democratic primary field. You can download every poll here, down to the individual respondent data. (Read more about how the Insider Democratic primary tracker works here). On January 29, about 30% of Democratic voters said they would be unsatisfied with the former New York City mayor as the nominee. By February 27, that number was up to 49%. Over the course of the same time period, Bloomberg spent millions of dollars on ads, projecting his face on television screens across the US, and appeared in his first presidential debate. The New York billionaire has spent over $500 million on television, radio and digital advertising since he joined the race, which accounts for over half of all spending on ads in the 2020 election cycle, per CNN. Bloomberg hopped in the 2020 race in late November. Around that time, Insider polling found that about 40.5% of Democratic voters said they would be unsatisfied with him as the nominee, with about 60% saying there were "aware" of who Bloomberg was. Story continues Fast-forward to late February and nearly 76% of Democratic voters said they were aware of Bloomberg, while roughly half said they would be unsatisfied if the party nominates him for president. The percentage of Democrats who know of Bloomberg who said they would be unsatisfied with Bloomberg as the nominee gradually rose between late January and early February. Here's a breakdown: December 27: 36% January 10: 35% January 22: 34% January 29: 30% February 7: 31% February 18: 38% February 27: 49% Bloomberg, who is worth roughly $55 billion, has yet to face voters in the 2020 primary season. He skipped the first four contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. His first big test comes on Super Tuesday, the most important day in the Democratic primary season. Michael Bloomberg March 2 Business Insider SurveyMonkey Audience polls from a national sample balanced by census data of age and gender. Respondents are incentivized to complete surveys through charitable contributions. Generally speaking, digital polling tends to skew toward people with access to the internet. SurveyMonkey Audience doesn't try to weigh its sample based on race or income. Read the original article on Business Insider Many houses were damaged and trees uprooted by hail and strong gusts in the northern Vietnamese province of Yen Bai on Monday evening. The hailstorm began at around 7:00 pm and lasted for 30 minutes in Yen Bai City, the capital of the namesake province, according to the provincial steering committee for disaster prevention. Along such streets as Hoang Van Thu, Yen Ninh, Dien Bien, Quang Trung, and Km5-Yen Binh, houses were ravaged and had their roofs blown away. Hailstones are collected following a hailstorm in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, March 2, 2020. Photo: yenbaitv.org.vn A lot of trees were uprooted and some utility poles were broken following the incident, blocking traffic along several routes and causing power outages across the city. Inundation also occurred in some neighborhoods. Authorities have mobilized their units to assist local residents in dealing with the aftermath of the hailstorm. A tree falls on an automobile and a store is damaged after a hailstorm in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, March 2, 2020. Photo: yenbaitv.org.vn According to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, a cold spell will start affecting the northern and north-central provinces of Vietnam on Wednesday, causing rain and strong winds. The lowest temperatures in the regions will drop to between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius, reaching below 13 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas. Motorbikes fall on the ground and trees are uprooted in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, March 2, 2020. Photo: yenbaitv.org.vn Fallen trees fill the streets in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, March 2, 2020. Photo: yenbaitv.org.vn Houses have their roofs blown away in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, March 2, 2020. Photo: yenbaitv.org.vn Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! "We need an agreement that will allow Argentina to get back on its feet and not fall down again. This is non-negotiable," Fernandez said at the 138th ordinary session of the National Congress. Fernandez said the country's public debt has hit "a record amount" and almost US$49 billion are due in 2020 alone. "To this we must add US$14.838 billion in interest on this debt." Argentina and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) signed in June 2018 a loan agreement for US$56.7 billion, of which the international organization has disbursed more than US$44.1 billion. The Argentine government has said that it will seek a new agreement with IMF to begin repayments when the country's economy stabilizes and sees positive growth. The IMF said last month that it "assesses Argentina's debt to be unsustainable," and the country needs a definitive plan which could require "a meaningful contribution from private creditors" to "help restore debt sustainability." Fernandez said Sunday that his administration would not pay the debt only for it to result in "hunger and the destruction of the dreams of Argentineans." The Argentine Finance Ministry said Sunday it had hired Lazard, a financial advisory and asset management firm, as financial advisor and Bank of America and HSBC as debt placement agents for the debt restructuring process. An IMF technical mission will arrive in Buenos Aires on Monday to continue talks with Argentine authorities on debt restructuring that the Argentine government expects to conclude by the end of March. "We are going to work constructively with International Monetary Fund authorities. They have recognized how deeply serious the economic situation is," Fernandez said. Brewery/position: 10 Barrel Brewing Portland head brewer Hometown: Issaquah, Washington Favorite beer: Lagers Education/Experience: Laurelwood Brewery intern, then a stint at Upright Brewing before first full-time job at Elysian Brewing in Seattle; became head brewer at Pelican Brewing before moving to 10 Barrel Whitney Burnside is the head brewer at the Portland location of Bend-based 10 Barrel Brewing, one of Oregons largest craft-beer producers, and she is the former head brewer of another of the states largest, Pelican Brewing of Pacific City. Now among the most respected brewers in the city, Burnside got her start through determination and persistence -- knocking on brewery doors, taking tours so she could meet brewers and owners, and getting her resume into the hands of anyone who could help her get her start. Burnside has participated in SheBrew in the past but isnt this year, as she is on maternity leave. But the 31-year-old said she loves the festival because it brings the community together and showcases the brewers. It really highlights and celebrates the fact that there are more and more women in this industry, she said. It just lifts everyone up who is aspiring to be a brewer, and it connects the dots. Its really wonderful. We asked her to talk about her experience. (Answers have been edited for clarity and length) How did you become a brewer? It started when I went to culinary school in Denver at Johnson & Wales University. At the time I had no idea that I even liked beer. I went because I wanted to eventually open up a place to teach kids how to cook. It was way, way different turnout. I moved back from Denver to Washington and worked at a restaurant and started making cheese in-house. It was a very eye-opening, the whole process of fermentation. At the same time, I was exposed to a lot of baking and sourdoughs and making butter, and one of the cooks was into homebrewing. He had made a batch of beer at the restaurant. I saw it I was totally just enamored with the process. I thought at first that Im either going to make cheese or Im going to make beer. I started doing both at home, and turns out creameries are all mom and pop, so I went the beer route. I started knocking on doors of breweries and even went on tours, took brewery tours, to try to get to talk to brewers to hand them my resume, which had no brewing experience whatsoever on it. And I finally got in the door with Laurelwood in 2009 and was able to work as an intern. Do you have a brewing philosophy and what you want to achieve? I think a lot of my influence came from cooking and baking, so I approach beer making as I would constructing a dish, or a baked item or even a cocktail. I take those elements, and I want that flavor profile to be achieved on your palate. I want each beer, even if its a true style classic beer, no frills or anything with it, I want it to tell a story and to be an experience. What do you love about the craft-beer industry? Many things. I love how approachable and laid back and fun it is. When you compare it to other industries, I guess the closest thing would be wine. You know, I love wine, I love winemakers, love what they do, but I feel like theyre a little more uptight than us brewers are. We get to live by Charlie Papazians words and relax. Hes almost the founder of homebrewing, the one that really put it out there and got people interested. The author of The Complete Joy of Homebrewing. What have been your challenges in this industry? I guess it would be, gender aside, just trying to keep up with everyone else, the ones who are making waves and are successful and making world-class beers. But not only that, my gender, trying to take that out of the equation. I dont think, surprisingly, that I have people immediately judging me or my product because of my gender. I think that I have been able to get where I am today just because of my talent. Another would be just my physical size and performing everything I need to. It has its challenges, but Im able to work around those as well. Im 100 pounds a bag of grain weighs more than half of me. Id also say the biggest challenge has been the time I have spent with 10 Barrel. With it being owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, its been a real struggle in the industry trying to be seen and be accepted. Because everyone is so biased against it. But I think slowly but surely people are maybe coming around. I do feel like Portlands beer community is very special. Theres a lot of people who are near and dear to my heart who are accepting, so Im hoping that that gets better. How would you like to see craft beer evolve? Maybe its because I work for 10 Barrel, I think that because Im on the other side, and people have this hatred for big beer. I think thats maybe a little hypocritical, with other industries or anything else in their lives. They choose to put beer on a pedestal and make beer their politics when there are much larger issues at hand. I would just like to see that kind of mellow out. More brewer profiles: -- Andre Meunier Subscribe to Andres text service and get ongoing alerts about beer releases and news from the Portland and Oregon beer scene. And check out Andres beer reviews on Untappd, where hes andremeunier13, and follow him on Instagram, where hes @oregonianbeerguy. More beer coverage: Shahrukh, the man who brandished a gun before a cop during protests in Delhi, said he did so in a fit of rage, Delhi Police informed on Tuesday and added that he has no criminal background. Ajit Kumar Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police informed that Delhi Police is trying to recover the pistol which Shahrukh brandished on February 24. Shahrukh was arrested by Delhi Police Crime Branch from Uttar Pradesh. "We are trying to recover the pistol he used. Shahrukh said he fired during protests in a fit of rage. He has no criminal background but his father has a narcotics and fake currency case against him. Further investigation underway," said Ajit Kumar Singla. He added, "Shahrukh has been charged under Section 307 (attempt to murder), 186, and 353 of IPC and Arms Act. Further sections will be added during the course of investigation if needed. We will try to get his maximum possible remand." Meanwhile, Delhi Police sources have stated that suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain did not require rescuing. "On the intervening night of February 24-25, news of the Councillor being stuck was received by police, upon investigation it was found the councillor was safe in his house," sources said. Hussain was named in the FIR lodged over the killing of IB officer Ankit Sharma duirng recent violence in Delhi. Sharma's family had alleged that people pelting stones from Hussain's building had killed their son. The councillor, however, had stated that he himself was caught in the violence and had sought the help of the police over it. After the controversy, AAP had suspended him from the party's primary membership. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mike Bloomberg recently declared he was the best presidential candidate to combat the coronavirus outbreak - but his own personal hygiene practices have caused some to question the claim. On Tuesday, a Snapchat video showed the Democratic hopeful touching his mouth before he pulled apart a pizza put out for staffers at a Virginia campaign office. In the clip, the 78-year-old billionaire was seen ripping the crust from one slice of pizza while he simultaneously touched other pieces of the communal pie. After sampling the lunchtime treat, Bloomberg licked several of his fingers and placed the incriminating hand on a box of instant coffee. President Donald Trump, a self-confessed germaphobe, promptly scolded Bloomberg on Twitter, writing: 'Mini Mike, dont lick your dirty fingers. Both unsanitary and dangerous to others and yourself!' The billionaire pulled apart a communal pizza and went on to lick several of his fingers before touching a box of instant coffee Bloomberg's social media team didn't appear to notice the faux pas, captioning the video: 'When in doubt, rip the crust off'. However, the clip quickly went viral, with Twitter users noticing that his unhygienic behavior appeared to defy doctor warnings to avoid hand-to-mouth contact in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. The incident came just two days after Bloomberg released a commercial claiming he would be the best presidential contender to deal with outbreak - which has already claimed the lives of nine Americans. In the commercial, the 2020 presidential hopeful stands in front of a U.S. flag in a room that resembles the Oval Office as he delivers his message to the public. The Democratic candidate speaks of his leadership skills in times of crisis, capitalizing on claims that President Donald Trump is falling short in his handling of the coronavirus scare. In the three-minute commercial, named 'Leadership in Crisis,' he references his election as mayor in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The billionaire head of Bloomberg News assumed office as New York City mayor at the beginning of 2002. In the advertisement, which aired Sunday night, he stated: 'I was first elected just weeks after the attack on 9/11 a massive rebuilding, security and health challenge.' Bloomberg released this commercial claiming he would be the best presidential contender to deal with outbreak - which has already claimed the lives of nine Americans 'I know it is critical that the federal government work in close partnership with state and local leaders who administer services and deploy first responders. 'That requires putting politics and partisanship aside.' He ends the video by telling the public: 'Each crisis is different but they all require steady leadership, team building and preparation. 'As Americans we've faced many challenges before and we have overcome them together by looking out for one another and I'm confident that is how we will get through this one as well.' The coronavirus outbreak has worsened considerably in the days since the commercial was filmed. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 100 Americans have tested positive for the disease. Coronavirus has contributed to the deaths of nine elderly people in Washington state. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 100 Americans have tested positive for the disease. Coronavirus has contributed to the deaths of nine elderly people in Washington state An 18-year-old man was shot to death early Tuesday in Allentown, authorities said. The victim was shot about 1:30 a.m. in the 1200 block of West Turner Street and died of a gunshot wound to the body, the Lehigh County Coroners Office said in a news release. Authorities did not immediately release the identity of the victim, who was pronounced dead at 8:31 a.m. Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. The killing is being investigated by the coroner's office, Allentown police and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call detectives at 610-437-7721 or submit an anonymous tip at tip411.com. This is at least the third homicide of 2020 in Allentown, following the fatal stabbing of a man who was attempting a home invasion robbery Jan. 19 and the shooting death of an armed robber four days later. District Attorney Jim Martin ruled both of those homicides justifiable. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. VIENNA, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Coveris today announces the successful acquisition of Plasztik-Tranzit Kft, a specialist in high-quality flexible packaging solutions for the food industry, for an undisclosed sum. As part of the acquisition, Plasztik-Tranzit Kft is to be renamed Coveris Pirto. Founded in 1985, Plasztik-Tranzit Kft has become one of the leading flexo printing packaging producers in Hungary. The company offers modern inhouse capabilities including extrusion, state-of-the-art flexo printing, lamination and converting in both Hungary and neighbouring markets. The acquisition of Plasztik-Tranzit Kft is part of Coveris' new growth strategy that aims to create a hub for high-tech packaging production in Eastern Europe, alongside growing its capacity in the medical, food and films businesses. Plasztik-Tranzit Kft's state of the art technology will allow Coveris to offer high quality extrusion, flexo printing, lamination and converting services to the Central and Eastern European market. This is the second acquisition of Coveris within the past six months, during which period Coveris also strongly increased and modernized capacity throughout its existing network Jakob A. Mosser, CEO of Coveris, said. "We are delighted that after a two-year search we have now found the perfect CEE hub that will serve all our three Business units. The existing modern technology and the strong focus on high end converted products is very impressive. We are confident to grow the company within a couple of years to the current average size of Coveris' sites that is about m 50." ABOUT COVERIS Coveris is a leading European packaging company that manufactures flexible packaging solutions for some of the world's most respected brands. We develop packaging that protects all types of products - from food to pet food, from medical devices to industrial and agricultural products. Through our broad level of technical expertise, our high-quality packaging extends the shelf life of products hence helping to reduce waste and resource wastage. Together with our customers we are constantly working on new attractive and sustainable packaging solutions. Coveris operates 25 sites in the EMEA region with 4,200 employees. Coveris Group is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. www.coveris.com ABOUT PLASZTIK-TRANZIT KFT Plasztik-Tranzit Kft was founded 30 years ago and became one of the leading flexo printing packaging producers in Hungary. With inhouse extrusion, flexo printing, lamination and conversion capabilities Plasztik-Tranzit Kft offers solutions to complex demands and delivers high quality service, mainly for the food industry. http://www.plasztik-tranzit.hu/en/ SOURCE Coveris Management GmbH Related Links http://www.coveris.com The confidential report provided to member states and obtained by The Washington Post is the first since Iran announced it would no longer adhere to any of the nuclear pacts restrictions on uranium fuel production, in a protest of the Trump administrations decision to walk away from the deal. Iran has declined to formally pull out of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in which it had to sharply curtail its nuclear activities and submit to intrusive inspections in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. The Order of the Moose building in Elizabethtown is getting new life, thanks to House on the Rock Family Ministries. The nonprofit organization is focused on strengthening the family unit and will be renovating the 96-year-old building. Elizabethtown Lodge N. 596 Loyal Order of the Moose Building on 10-18 N. Market St. in Elizabethtown was designed by C.E. Urban, the same architect who built Milton Hersheys home, the Hershey Community Center Building and the Watt and Shand Building. The lodge was built in 1924 and became part of Elizabethtowns downtown community. House on the Rock Family Ministries hopes to return the building to its former role as a member of the Elizabethtown community. Itll be hosting an open house from 6-9 p.m. on April 30 and from 4-6 p.m. on May 3 to share its plans for renovation and the buildings future with the general public. House on the Rock Family Ministries has made a name for itself in the Elizabethtown community by hosting intensive retreats for married couples, each designed to help rescue a relationship from the brink of divorce. You can learn more about House on the Rock Family Ministries at themarriagehub.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. Prosecutors with the Prosecutor's Office of District 1 Court indicted three people and a company on Tuesday, because they dumped in the Arges River and buried in the soil of some gravel pits in Ilfov and Giurgiu Counties hundreds of tonnes of waste, informs a release of the Prosecutor's Office. The illegal activity allegedly took place between 26.07.2019 - 22.10.2019, prosecutors say.The prosecutors ordered a lien of up to the amount of 6,000,000 lei on the assets of the trading company and of the administrator, in order to repair the damage caused.Police on Tuesday morning carried out searches in Bucharest and in Ilfov and Giurgiu Counties in a criminal case involving two companies and several individuals who allegedly collected, transported, dumped and buried waste in unauthorized places, causing significant environmental damage.In recent days, in the Constanta South Agigea Port, several containers of waste from the United Kingdom have been discovered and there are suspicions that they were going to be burned illegally in Ilfov County or reach the landfills around the Capital.On Sunday night, the applications that measure the air quality in Bucharest registered extremely large exceedances of the quantities of suspended particles, even 10 times the maximum allowed. Interim Minister of the Environment, Costel Alexe, announced on Monday that he had learnt from Facebook about these exceedances and not from the Environmental Protection Agency (APM) Bucharest, as it should have been normal. AGERPRES Georgia gets another crack at 'Bama for college football title Moscow: Russia's state-owned Sputnik news agency says four of its journalists in Turkey have been released after questioning in connection with attacks on some of the journalists' residences. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaders of two countries at odds over Syria. Credit:AP Sputnik, which operates news websites in about 30 languages, said angry mobs tried to break into the apartments of three staffers in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Saturday night, threatening violence and demanding they stop their work. Sputnik said the assailants accused the journalists, who are Turkish citizens, of being Russian spies. Sputnik said the journalists went to the police to report the attacks and the agency lost contact with them. Later, it said, investigators raided Sputnik's office and detained the bureau's editor-in-chief. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, health-specialists have been emphasising upon the importance of keeping your hands germ-free, either through the use of soaps or hand sanitisers. The New York Post talked to Dr Nahid Bhadelia from Boston Medical Center, about the effectiveness, appropriate usage and correct choice of hand cleaning products that provide protection against COVID-19. Dr Bhadelia said that "from what we know about this coronavirus, it's similar to SARS and MERS, so it should not be that difficult of a microorganism to kill," therefore "soap and water, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers, can kill it." Meticulous hand washing is your best bet to get rid of the grime that clings to the hand, that might harbour nasty pathogens, including the coronavirus. Clean hands are "also going to protect you from other infectious diseases, too, like the flu and diarrheal diseases," said Dr Bhadelia to New York Post. According to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there isn't enough scientific evidence available to suggest that antibacterial soaps are any better than their normal counterparts for disease prevention. The New York Post suggests that, in situations where washing your hands is not possible, wipes and hand sanitizer can prove to be useful in eliminating dangerous microorganisms. The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hand sanitisers with a minimum of 60 per cent alcohol content are the best choice. However, soap or sanitisers are of no use if not used correctly, warned Dr Bhadelia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests using clean running water of any temperature to wet the hands before applying the soap. The hands then must be thoroughly scrubbed, making sure that the backside, the place between the fingers and the underside of nails are not left out. The lathering process must be carried out for a span of 20 seconds minimum, after which the hands should be dried out with a clean towel or an air dryer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The four-page decision, which still must be approved by the Illinois Supreme Court, noted that Blagojevich sought to further his own interests as governor despite his oath of office and that to this day, he has not acknowledged that his conduct was wrongful or expressed any remorse. Inside Hook James Lipton, the host of Bravos Inside the Actors Studio known for his effusive interviewing style, has reportedly passed away in his Manhattan home at the age of 93 after a battle with bladder cancer. Lipton hosted Inside the Actors Studio for 23 years, stepping down in 2018 when it moved from Bravo to Ovation TV. The show was nominated for 21 Primetime Emmys, winning in 2013 for Outstanding Informational Series or Special. Lipton also received the Critics Choice Television Award for best reality show host in 2016. Cassandra Thorburn launched her new podcast series about divorce and separation on Wednesday. On the first episode of Divorce Story: Surviving Separation, the journalist, 48, revealed the 'grief' of her 2016 split from former husband Karl Stefanovic, 45, after 21 years of marriage, but insisted she is no longer in love with him. Speaking to psychologist Jackie Manning, Cassandra revealed: 'People often say, are you over them? Yes I am over them. Outspoken: Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) launched her new podcast series, Divorce Story: Surviving Separation on Wednesday 'I am over my ex-husband but it is about going through the grief of going through a divorce. Going through a divorce is really stressful, so that is something to grieve.' She added: 'Divorce is a trauma, it is something you have to go through a process of. You can't underestimate that someone going through grief has to go through a process and if they have had a trauma. 'You can't limit that amount of grief... Your own grief process is your own'. Open: On the first episode of Divorce Story: Surviving Separation, the journalist, 48, revealed the 'grief' of her 2016 split from former husband Karl Stefanovic after 21 years of marriage, and insisted she is no longer in love with him. Pictured together on May 1, 2011 in Melbourne Karl and Cassandra share three children, Jackson, 20, River, 12, and Ava, 14. She explained that another difficulty was 'starting over' after two decades as a family together. 'I had been with my partner for 21 years, had three children but my relationship ended and all of a sudden I found myself a single stay at home mum,' she said. In the candid chat, Cassandra went on reveal how she copes when she and Karl exchange difficult words. Cassandra revealed: 'People often say, are you over them? Yes I am over them. I am over my ex-husband but it is about going through the grief of going through a divorce. Going through a divorce is really stressful, so that is something to grieve.' Pictured on June 16, 2012 in Sydney 'Things are said or written or texted or emailed or however you have that relationship with someone that was once a spouse,' she said. 'You can't take all of it to heart. You can often treat those closest to you the worst. You can say things that you wouldn't be able to say to someone else.' Cassandra had announced the project on Monday, telling her Instagram followers it will consist of 'informative' discussions with legal and relationship experts. Cassandra went on reveal how she copes when she and a loved one exchange difficult words: 'Things are said or written or texted or emailed or however you have that relationship with someone that was once a spouse,' she said. 'You can't take all of it to heart' Dream team: Cassandra co-hosts the podcast with journalist Annaliese Dent (left), who she met through their mutual friend, blogger Constance Hall She co-hosts the podcast with journalist Annaliese Dent, who she met through their mutual friend, blogger Constance Hall. Divorce Story: Surviving Separation has been commissioned by New Idea magazine, which is owned by Pacific, Seven West Media's publishing division. Seven West Media is the main commercial rival of the Nine Network, Karl's employer. The Australian claimed that Cassandra will discuss the grief surrounding her own divorce on the podcast and 'tell her side of the story'. Moving on: Karl and Cassandra, who share three children, Jackson, 20, River, 12, and Ava, 14, separated in 2016. The Today show host, 45, has since remarried shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough (right), with who he is expecting a baby girl But Cassandra has disputed this, saying it will not focus on her own experience. She wrote on social media: '[It] will be an informative divorce chat with experts... despite The Australian falsely reporting otherwise.' Karl and Cassandra separated in 2016. The Today show host has since remarried shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, with whom he is expecting a baby girl. Happily ever after: In December, Karl and Jasmine celebrated their one-year anniversary after tying the knot in late 2018 at Mexico's five-star One&Only Palmilla resort (pictured) Karl and Jasmine began dating in late 2016, just months after he had separated from Cassandra following 21 years of marriage. In December, they celebrated their one-year anniversary after tying the knot in late 2018 at Mexico's five-star One&Only Palmilla resort. They are due to welcome their first child together, a daughter, in May. Divorce Story: Surviving Separation launches on Wednesday, March 4. Fiona McDougall never thought shed hire an apprentice. The practice was common in her native Australia, but as a principal at the marketing company OneWorld Communications in San Francisco, she had no time. Plus, here in the U.S., the concept of it seemed like it was forelectricians? Plumbers? Certainly not her. But in 2017, she was invited to an unusual roundtable series with other local businesspeople. It was organized by the city of San Francisco to help them develop an apprenticeship program which is to say, paying a potential employee to work part-time while also providing on-the-job training and education. McDougall came away thinking it could work for her. Small businesses have limited resources, she says. You wear many hats, and we expect people to be specialized but nimble and resourceful. So why not train someone specifically for the role? About a year after the roundtables, the city started distributing small grants to help companies hire apprentices. McDougalls firm received one: $2,500 to pay for her time to manage the apprentice, plus tuition for outside training costs. The goal was to fill a digital marketing position. Stories like this are becoming more common, as businesses of all sizes discover (or, in a way, rediscover) the value of apprenticeships. The conversation is being pushed along by public initiatives, policymakers, commercial education companies, and entrepreneurs themselves, who are now preaching the value of earn-and-learn arrangements. They say its an affordable way to train employees or upskill existing staff, and that the long-term effect is strong. According to the Department of Labor, every dollar spent on apprenticeships returns $1.47 in increased productivity and innovations. Related: How Apprenticeships Can Benefit Your Company's Bottom Line To understand why apprenticeships suddenly became so popular, look no further than the tech skills gap. There just arent enough candidates to fill the open jobs in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development. Currently, more than 500,000 of these new collar jobs are unfilled, and analysts predict the number will grow by 20 percent in three years. As Silicon Valley tech giants wrestled with this problem, some came to the same conclusion: If we cant hire great employees, we have to create them. And so, a new interest in apprenticeships was born. Between 2013 and 2018, the number of apprentices in the U.S. increased 42 percent, and the programs to facilitate them more than doubled, according to the Department of Labor. From there, enthusiasm for the concept spilled out into the broader business world. Two years ago in California, then lieutenant governor Gavin Newsom announced a plan to add half a million high-skilled apprenticeships by 2029 a 500 percent increase for the state. And last year, IBM and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) launched a coalition to scale thousands of these on-the-job tech training positions across the country. As this has happened, though, many small businesses have asked a reasonable question: How can they afford the time and money to put together a whole education program? This is where a third-party company like OpenClassrooms comes in to connect the dots. OpenClassrooms was founded in France in 2013, and it works like this: When a company needs apprentices, the OpenClassrooms team finds and vets applicants. Selected candidates then split their time between work and online classes that are project-based and designed for the specific needs of the employers. Each apprentice is also matched to a dedicated mentor for weekly hour-long meetings via videoconference. Its a 12-month program that, according to OpenClassrooms founder Pierre Dubuc, usually ends with the company hiring its apprentices full-time. In Europe, two-thirds of OpenClassrooms clients are startups and small businesses. After expanding to the U.S. two years ago and becoming part of the CTA coalition, Dubuc says hes committed to serving small businesses here as well. If his program is financially out of reach for some entrepreneurs (it typically costs around $5,000 to $15,000), the government can help with grants that are available from the U.S. Department of Labor. Its pretty cool, especially for startup companies and small businesses that want to hire one developer or two data analysts, says Dubuc. They can have access to this program and actually be subsidized to run these apprenticeships. Related: 4 Key Ways to Create a Culture of Learning As companies consider whether to bring on apprentices, many often ask Dubuc the same question: What if I invest all this time and money training an apprentice, only to have them jump ship when its done? Thats a possibility, as it is with any employee. But advocates argue that the benefits outweigh the risks. First, they say, the arrangement cuts both ways. Companies get to fully test out a potential hire for a year, without having to commit to them. And for what its worth, studies find that the process breeds employee loyalty. One survey in the U.K. of more than 4,000 employers who had used an apprenticeship program found the mean retention rate (of the trainees still working for the company) at 73 percent. Advocates say that programs like this can level the playing field, giving smaller companies a way to staff up despite all the perks being offered by their larger competitors. For me, the war for talent has been never-ending, trying to compete against both the shortage of talent and the resources of huge tech giants who also have deeper pockets, says Marty Reaume, a former tech executive at Twilio and Fitbit, who now sits on OpenClassrooms U.S. advisory board. But ultimately, some of us are getting future-focused by looking to build and develop our own talent. And critically, they say, apprenticeships can draw in diverse and unconventional talent. Many of the public-private apprenticeship programs have formed around the goal of increasing diversity in all kinds of higher-skilled jobs from Apprenticeship 2020, a $3.2 million effort in Chicago, to TechSF Apprenticeship Accelerator, the name of the San Francisco program, which focuses on women and people of color. Related: For Entrepreneurs, Apprenticeship is the Ideal Solution for Addressing the Labor Market Chaos Jocelyne Umanzor is one of the women who went through TechSFs program. The 22-year-old says she never would have thought of working in IT. Meanwhile, the Silicon Valley delivery startup Postmates would likely never have found Umanzor in the open market. She went to Skyline College, not MIT, and didnt have the network a place like that often affords. But through the San Francisco program, Umanzor connected with Postmates and apprenticed there while getting an online education in IT, and then transitioned into a full-time role there. Its like a big door has opened for me, she says. Postmates is happy, too. We need people in IT who look like the people they support, and we need people writing the code who look like the end user, says Claire Sands, the companys director of communications and engagement. Thats something that TechSF apprenticeships have really been able to fill for us. Meanwhile, at OneWorld, Fiona McDougall used her apprenticeship program in a slightly different way: She plucked her office administrator off the front desk and trained the woman to become the digital marketer they needed. It was a great experience overall, says McDougall. Theres some very resourceful, employable talent in the Bay Area, and this is a way of helping small businesses leverage that talent in a realistic way. Related: Small Businesses Are Now Hiring Apprentices. Should You? What Small Business Owners Should Know About Wrongful Termination Lawsuits These City Programs Are Giving Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses Access to Capital Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved If thats Hollywoods idea of being a woman, Maureen OHara once said, Im ready to quit now. The Irish beauty, and star of The Quiet Man, told The Mirror in 1945, Because I dont let the producer and director kiss me every morning or let them paw me, they have spread word around town that I am not a woman that I am a cold piece of marble statuary. No doubt OHara would have had a thing or two to say about Harvey Weinstein, the former movie mogul, who was convicted of a first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape. More than 90 women brought forward allegations of rape, sexual assault, and harassment spanning decades, and last week Weinstein was tried and found guilty of having sexually assaulted his British production assistant in 2006 and of raping an American actress in 2013. Weinsteins lawyers maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he unequivocally denied having partaken in nonconsensual sexual activity, but the jury disagreed. The liberal establishment are determined to sacrifice Weinstein for their collective sins. Yet the implications of the Weinstein case are not quite as straightforward as they might seem. After his initial disgrace, Harvard University stripped Weinstein of the W. E. B. Du Bois medal it had afforded him in 2014, and the British Film Institute withdrew its fellowship from 2002. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts also terminated his membership. And, in an unprecedented step, the Producers Guild of America implemented a lifelong ban, explaining their abhorrence at his reprehensible conduct. But why didnt these leading lights raise the alarm about Weinstein sooner? As with Jeffrey Epstein, countless powerful people in Hollywood must have known very well what he was up to. How many behaved similarly? Ricky Gervais, in his controversial Golden Globes address, alluded to this uncomfortable reality: Talking of all you perverts, tonight isnt just about the people in front of the camera. In this room are some of the most important TV and film executives in the world. People from every background. They all have one thing in common: Theyre all terrified of Ronan Farrow. Hes coming for you. Story continues Farrow, the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, won the Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 New Yorker articles on Weinstein. Too few people were willing to speak, much less allow a reporter to use their names, and Weinstein and his associates used nondisclosure agreements, payoffs, and legal threats to suppress their accounts, Farrow wrote. But while this is plausible, it is also in isolation an oversimplification. Many rich and influential people who could have spoken up chose not to do so; raising their voices would have cost them too much. Speaking now, by contrast, has never been cheaper and easier. Kill Bill actress Uma Thurman sent out a Thanksgiving message in which she attacked Weinstein and all his wicked conspirators. George Clooney and Matt Damon also spoke out, saying that this is the moment to believe women which is a ridiculous generalization. Some men trade on their power in order to get sex. But some women also use their sexuality to gain power. The specific facts of each case matter. No woman should be forced into sexually compromising herself for a job. Maureen OHara said as much nearly 70 years ago. But since then, the sordid Hollywood cesspool has, what with todays porn culture, only worsened. While on one level the Weinstein affair is the tale of a tyrant brought low, many in Hollywood should think carefully before casting the first stone. More from National Review It has served ever since as their base of social media operations, and as a channel for direct communication with the world. It was where, at the start of this year, Harry and Meghan posted their surprise announcement they intended to "step back" from the British royal family. It was where, in the wake of the hectic negotiations that followed, they posted a screenshotted statement from Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to show that she expressed support for their decision. In the latest development, the couple will be required to relinquish use of the word "royal" in their branding, commercial and charitable activities, and presumably, Instagram handle; that change in status is scheduled to take effect on April 1. But let us back up a year, to when one royal brand was cleaved into two. That's when things got weird. ACT I. Two households, both alike in dignity From the outset, @SussexRoyal was runaway popular. It set a Guinness world record for reaching 1 million faster than any account in Instagram history in 5 hours and 45 minutes. (Only Jennifer Aniston has improved on that time, when she created an Instagram account later in 2019.) Tabloid writers and royal reporters began to forecast the moment that @SussexRoyal's follower count would overtake @KensingtonRoyal's, thus crowning Harry and Meghan the definitive winners of an unofficial couples' popularity contest. It seemed inevitable; already, when it came to Google search interest, Harry and Meghan towered over William and Kate. (From November 2017 until the end of January 2020, Harry-and-Meghan-related searches accounted for 83 per cent of the world's curiosity in the two couples.) The Instagram eclipse would happen in April or perhaps May, with the birth of the couple's first child, royal watchers speculated. It happened in neither, it turned out. Nor in June. Nor July. Every day, without exception, from April 2, 2019, until January 21, 2020 through Guinness world record growth, the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby Archie, and the seismic rupture that was their public departure from royal life the size of Harry and Meghan's Instagram audience failed to exceed that of William and Kate's. Was it coincidence that Instagram popularity appeared to align so unwaveringly with monarchical hierarchy? Or was there invisible mischief afoot? A conspiracy was at play, conspiracy-minded corners of the Internet murmured. A cross section of social media analysts, researchers and product developers disagreed about the degree to which the British royal family's two most prominent Instagram accounts invite suspicion. Some felt the growth and engagement patterns between the accounts could be explained by the unknowable workings of Instagram, which regulates the spread of content with the invisible force of a deep ocean current. Others saw in the data a possible shadow campaign, perhaps intended to inflate the appearance of one couple's popularity over the other. Representatives for both royal houses denied strenuously any suggestion that their social media teams had manipulated follower numbers. Here is what we know: April 2019, the month @SussexRoyal announced itself on Instagram, marked eight years since the first royal wedding of this generation: that of the first brother Prince William, to Kate Middleton. In those eight years, a trio of births had knocked the second son, Prince Harry, down the ladder of succession to his current spot, sixth in line to the throne. But the public's longstanding affection for Harry (as indicated in public polls) remained. It combined with the sparkling addition of his new romantic partner meant that, since their engagement, Harry and Meghan, whom the younger prince met in 2016, had been channelling public energy and enthusiasm like palms on a plasma ball. 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 Meghan's 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 Harry's 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 account's 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 another's lives, locked in a perpetual couple's 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 Meghan's new Sussex account was distinct from @KensingtonRoyal and seemed unmistakably the work of an Instagram veteran. It established a signature colour palette (royal blue) and typography (a hybrid of caps-locked roman and lowercase italics). These kinds of personalised elements were absent from @KensingtonRoyal. Over the next several months, the two accounts would diverge even further in style and tone. ACT II. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny According to data provided by CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool that, like Instagram, is owned by Facebook, nine of the 10 most-liked posts ever shared by either @KensingtonRoyal or @SussexRoyal showcase some combination of Harry and Meghan (and/or their son). The single outlier is an image of William and Kate's two eldest children taken on Princess Charlotte's first day of school in 2019. (It came in eighth.) Data generated by media-monitoring software Cision, which tracks online media mentions, found that, from the date of the announcement of Harry and Meghan's engagement in November 2017 to January 2020, Harry and Meghan received vastly more global online attention than did William and Kate. (Recall, too: They crushed them in Google searches.) Loading (William and/or Kate did receive more online attention than Harry and/or Meghan on a handful of dates, such as: the day Kate wore a green gown to the BAFTA awards ceremony; the period immediately before and after the birth of William and Kate's third child.) Thus it is perhaps not surprising that, from the date of the @SussexRoyal debut until Harry and Meghan's bombshell announcement this past January, @SussexRoyal's Meghan-and-Harry-centric posts received more total likes than @KensingtonRoyal posts centred on Kate and William. According to CrowdTangle data, the Sussexes came out around 13.5 million likes ahead. Of course, on Instagram, likes are only one measure of engagement. Another is comments. Harry and Meghan won that by an even bigger margin: In the same time frame, their account received more than double the number of comments that @KensingtonRoyal did, despite @KensingtonRoyal laying claim, perpetually, to hundreds of thousands more followers. Likes and comments are a quick way to eyeball an account's success. Divide that combined figure by an account's number of followers, and you can calculate an interaction rate. A high interaction rate suggests a highly engaged following, which suggests high popularity or at least a lot of interest. @SussexRoyal's interaction rate was nearly twice that of @KensingtonRoyal's. Its audience was rapt, active and, within a month and a half of the account's creation, numbered more than 8 million users a figure it had taken @KensingtonRoyal more than four years to amass. With good reason, perhaps. Unlike @KensingtonRoyal, @SussexRoyal established early that it operated largely independently of the British press. While @KensingtonRoyal released coveted family images in concert with members of the media, @SussexRoyal surprised its followers with images royal reporters could not get. From time to time, it even broke news. Yet it seemed, from the outside, that no matter how many followers @SussexRoyal gained, it could never quite catch up; rather, it appeared eternally on the cusp of doing so. On the date @SussexRoyal was created, @KensingtonRoyal had an audience of about 7.3 million. But the older account's prolonged dominance cannot be attributed to its head start. Accounts created later often overtake popular "partners." Furthermore, follower growth for one account does not necessarily portend a comparable increase for a similar one. ACT III. All are punish'd It is a quirk of digital popularity that social media accounts with large followings can reasonably expect to lose a very small percentage of followers immediately after sharing new content. The appearance of said new content, regardless of format or platform, will inevitably lead some portion of followers to conclude they don't care about it. It will inspire decisive action to unfollow. It is therefore not unusual that, when @SussexRoyal posts a photo of Harry, a typically well-performing subject on horseback at about 2.40 p.m., London time, on a Friday it will lead to a brief exodus of followers. In this case, of something like 420 accounts in the first hour, according to timestamped data. A successful post will quickly make up this difference as new users discover it and elect to follow the account. In this case, the horse post resulted in a net gain of about 1,200 new followers in the first five hours, plus more than 420,000 likes. It is less explicable that when, for instance, @KensingtonRoyal shares a low-resolution image of a painted portrait of the late Queen Victoria who is neither a common nor immediately recognisable subject for the account at 6.47 a.m. the same day, it should immediately gain over 730 followers in the first hour. It is even less explicable that it should experience a net gain of roughly 3,500 new followers in the first five hours, especially considering it garnered only around 283,000 likes total. That means that although the somewhat obscure portrait of Victoria was apparently enchanting enough to draw droves of new followers to @KensingtonRoyal, it received far fewer likes than a photo of Harry on @SussexRoyal a photo that, paradoxically, despite receiving hundreds of thousands more likes than Queen Victoria, enticed far fewer people to follow the account. Curious! Before Harry and Meghan's account existed, @KensingtonRoyal might gain something like 1000 followers on an average good (but not astronomically good) day. But between January 1 and March 31 of last year, its following shrank by nearly 10,000 accounts. The creation of @SussexRoyal seemed to reinvigorate it and then some. On May 12, the day @SussexRoyal posted a photo of Meghan's hands holding newborn Archie's cute tiny baby feet, the account of Archie's aunt and uncle, @KensingtonRoyal, gained more than 42,000 followers. This despite the fact @KensingtonRoyal had posted no content, as well as the fact that the Sussex post was in honour of a holiday few in Britain were observing: US Mother's Day. For comparison, the day @KensingtonRoyal shared its hugely popular for it first day of school post, which featured Charlotte and George hugging adorably in impeccably clean uniforms, it gained slightly more than 40,000 followers. (@SussexRoyal, which shared no post that day, gained about 10,400.) May 21 marked the first time @KensingtonRoyal's growth rate began regularly outpacing @SussexRoyal's. The differences were slight often hundredths of 1 per cent but they appeared to manifest irrespective of the content posted. On back-to-back dates when neither account posted anything, Kate and William's account growth rate might inexplicably increase from 0.06 per cent to 0.11 per cent. Or, on a date when @SussexRoyal content received roughly 10 times the number of likes and comments as @KensingtonRoyal content, Kensington's growth rate might still outpace it by 0.01 per cent. From May 21 on, CrowdTangle data showed the accounts' followings growing in lock step with @KensingtonRoyal permanently ahead. Matt Navarra, a British social media consultant, was unconvinced that either account exhibited suspicious follower activity. "I don't think there's anything in it," he said but added, "I wouldn't put my life on it." Samuel Woolley, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin whose research focuses on social media political propaganda, said that while manipulation was impossible to confirm without more account information than is publicly available, the CrowdTangle data is "pretty damning if we are looking for inauthentic activity." Others consulted were in agreement that several scenarios could explain the follower gap: Scenario 1: Despite @KensingtonRoyal's prior lacklustre performance and oddly low engagement rate relative to @SussexRoyal, it maintained its follower advantage with no manipulation. More real people simply elected to follow William and Kate over Harry and Meghan. Scenario 2: @KensingtonRoyal was given better placement on Instagram's "Who To Follow" list, a curated selection of accounts presented to new users a variable known to drive tremendous numbers to specific accounts with virtually no effort from account owners. Scenario 3: @KensingtonRoyal was the beneficiary of a concentrated fan-driven campaign to keep its numbers high. (No evidence of such an effort could be found.) Scenario 4: @SussexRoyal's initial follower takeoff was supplemented by bot followers, and its growth slowed when no new bots were bought to replace them. (This would not seem to explain Kensington's sudden and sustained increase in popularity relative to Sussex unless, perhaps, Kensington began acquiring followers at the same time as Sussex, and for several months after.) Scenario 5: @KensingtonRoyal was receiving follower boosts in the form of bots. ACT IV. A plague o' both your houses Several researchers observed that some inauthentic activity is bound to plague any prominent social media account: Following popular users is one tactic bots use to mimic humans. While no one consulted knew of a reliable way to keep numbers artificially low by suppressing genuine follower activity, all agreed that it's easy to make them appear artificially high with bots. As part of a recent NATO study, researchers acquired more than 3500 comments, 25,000 likes and 5000 followers, all for roughly $330. It is also possible to use bots to inflate social media accounts even if you are not the owner. Anyone can buy bots on behalf of anyone else, or send them to an account with which they have no affiliation. Loading But inauthentic activity is somewhat unverifiable. One of the biggest challenges of unearthing fake followers, for the layman, is that many of the tools for doing so have disappeared. Alex Taub, a founder and former CEO of social media analytics company SocialRank, described the current social media landscape as "like a black box." It stems from the spring of 2018, when TechCrunch reported that Instagram had abruptly limited the amount of user data developers outside the company could access. The move impaired the ability of third parties to perform widespread data analysis. In so doing, it granted all Facebook and Instagram users more privacy including those accounts operating as bots. "Overnight, almost all audience tools were killed," Taub said of the Cambridge Analytica fallout. "It's very hard to see who follows who, on the granular level, unless you manually go into the account and click on followers." Taub said: "If it was 2016 and you said, 'Hey, Alex, I want to analyse the Duchess in Essex and all this whatever,' it would take probably a day or two, and I could come back to you and show 'These are the followers they share in common. This is the percentage of fake followers this one has. This is the breakdown of locations. This is the amount of fake followers in a location.'" Now, the only people with access to such information work inside Instagram. Jay Owens, a social media researcher in London who evaluated the CrowdTangle data, said she was "certain to a 95 per cent confidence interval" that there was no mass follower purchase on behalf of @KensingtonRoyal since April 2019 in part because a graph of its follower counts did not feature hallmarks of bot acquisition. (Those hallmarks include large, inexplicable surges of thousands of followers, and plateaus of growth that suddenly drop off.) Woolley was less deterred by the lack of obvious indicators of bot activity. "Most people leveraging fake followers these days especially at the behest of well-resourced groups or individuals are being very careful to avoid suspicion, detection and deletion," he said. The new goal is not sudden popularity, but mathematical untraceability: In a sophisticated campaign, fake followers are more likely to be added more frequently, in smaller quantities. "It's been a long time since we've seen accounts gain 50,000 followers overnight," said Woolley. "That doesn't really happen anymore unless it's organic." To him, @SussexRoyal's initial explosive growth seemed genuine. But the fact that @KensingtonRoyal's follower count grew by large numbers on days of popular @SussexRoyal posts the day @SussexRoyal shared the shot of their baby son's feet, for instance made him suspicious of the older account. Then there was the matter of the fans. Anna Gebremedhin, a data analyst specialising in Instagram commerce, found that, when William, Kate, Meghan and Harry shared one Instagram handle, their respective Instagram fan accounts grew in ways that largely mirrored @KensingtonRoyal. But after @SussexRoyal was created, that pattern collapsed. Followings of Meghan and Harry fan accounts rose in proportion to @SussexRoyal's following, but @KensingtonRoyal's numbers grew faster than William and Kate's fan pages. On January 21, 2020, there was a breakthrough: @SussexRoyal, at last, surpassed @KensingtonRoyal's follower lead two weeks after the Sussexes' semi-departure from the royal family. ACT V. These violent delights have violent ends Direct comparison of the accounts is hindered by a final peculiar fact. @SussexRoyal is classified as an Instagram "creator account" a free designation that grants owners (and, to a more limited extent, other users) the ability to view some account metrics. @KensingtonRoyal, on the other hand, is designated a "personal account" a setting a celebrity digital media strategist who was granted anonymity by The Times to protect client accounts called "bizarre." These accounts do not have access to advanced publishing capabilities and other account management tools. "Why would the most prominent figures in the world, basically or among the most popular and prominent not have that? With dedicated social media teams, it doesn't make sense," the strategist said. The mystery remains; the parties of suspicion, neither condemned nor excused. Of course, any bots present could have come from anywhere. They could have been purchased by someone in another country, with no connection to the royal family. (TNS) Its another cold, gray and snowy day in northern Indiana.But the gloom of late winter is overcome by the polished concrete floors, modern furnishings and abundance of natural light streaming into the citys new 12,500-square-foot Technology Resource Center.Theres a subdued energy inside this new office.In one area, small groups and individuals are taking advantage of the centers new community space; theyre buried in their laptops or quietly chatting in deference to those around them. And in a nearby classroom, some city employees are going through some new software training.The community side is bookable for startups, nonprofits, schools and mission-driven efforts, said Denise Linn Riedl, the citys chief innovation officer who also oversees the new space. The other half of the new space will be used by the city and its partners.Organizations might want to use the space for off-site training, meetings or other purposes.Even private businesses could use the public space for outreach or mission-driven works, Riedl said, explaining that an internet provider might, for example, want to offer free classes on how to avoid phishing scams and other basic elements of cybersecurity.The vision for the TRC is to build an inclusive ecosystem where education, government and the private sector can come together to solve problems, develop ideas and grow tech skills in the community, said Mayor James Mueller.Its hoped that as tech jobs are being created in the future, the efforts of the TRC and other initiatives will result in an available pool of people able to assume those jobs. A key goal would be to democratize technology, Mueller said of the effort to boost technology skills throughout the community.That overarching goal is clear in the TRCs mission statement: All will be welcome to the TRC to learn about technology and data, gain skills, and co-build an inclusive tech future for South Bend.Just across the hallway from the citys new office, workers are building out the new home for South Bend Code School, which aims to introduce young people to the fundamentals of computer programming, computer science and problem solving.Some of those students might go on to pursue studies in those fields and return to jobs in their hometown, but all will gain tech skills that will be increasingly in demand in the future.Though part of the mission of the TRC is to build the skills necessary to work in an increasingly tech-based world, others are already working on todays problems, looking to use data and analytics to improve city services, make more efficient use of resources and even identify areas that can improved.The effort to develop the TRC in the Catalyst Two building at Ignition Park got underway a couple of years ago with $2.7 million from the citys Redevelopment Commission, but interest in using data to improve the city began many years prior when Santiago Garces was hired on a contract basis in 2013 and was named the citys first chief innovation officer in 2015.Riedl became the citys innovation officer when Garces was hired away by Pittsburgh to start a similar municipal office in Pittsburgh. Despite its relatively modest size, South Bend is actually regarded as a leader in looking for tech and data solutions to improve services, Riedl said.We punch above our weight class, she said.Working with fellows from the enFocus program and tapping into other talents in the community, the Department of Innovation & Technology already has had a considerable number of successes.A two-year study determined that a relatively small number of people were making a disproportionate number of 911 calls, said Caleb Bauer, a spokesman for the mayors office.That work resulted in the hiring of a community paramedic who was able to investigate and ultimately reduce a considerable number of persistent calls by connecting those people to community and medical resources.Maybe someone needed a primary care physician to help them solve a medical issue; maybe someone needed rails in their bathroom to prevent falls.The community paramedic aims to understand peoples needs and solve problems, Bauer explained, adding that the program has resulted in nearly an 80% decline in emergency room visits for the top group of 911 callers.And beyond reducing unnecessary risks for the citys first responders, its been estimated that the program has removed about $1 million in unnecessary expenses to hospitals, the city and other stakeholders in the community, Bauer said.Additional work by the Department of Innovation & Technology resulted in a Bloomberg Challenge grant to work on solving transportation issues that are often cited as a key barrier to full employment for those who cant afford a dependable car.The grant has allowed the city to work with the University of Notre Dame and other employers on ride-sharing services to help get people to work, and is looking for ways to make the program sustainable and replicable.Bauer said other projects have boosted the efficiency of departments to allow resources to be diverted to other areas that need attention or have aimed to use data to tackle issues like sidewalks, water shutoffs and even police recruiting.An upcoming citywide survey, input from the citys 311 service portal and feedback from departments all give the Department of Innovation & Technology an ongoing supply of issues where it can use data and analytics to improve efficiency or help solve problems.Those employees, called the Business Analytics Team, as well as some partners are located in the other half of the new office in Ignition Park. Members of the citys Civic Innovation and Business Development offices will also maintain a presence at the new Technology Resource Center where officials might be able to meet with prospective tenants and developers interested in the growing Renaissance District on the south side of downtown.There are already hundreds of tech-related jobs in the complex, and visitors will notice the new 83,000-square-foot office that Press Ganey is building just west of the new city office or the ongoing development of the nearby Studebaker complex.Its not hard to imagine those tech employees networking and collaborating in the citys community space or at the restaurants and other amenities that will eventually take notice of the growing area.Its a good front door to show off whats happening in South Bend, Riedl said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 01:07:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GABORONE, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecoms giant, Huawei Technologies Botswana on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Botswana Open University (BOU) for the establishment of an information and communications technology (ICT) academy at the higher learning institution. Through the MoU, Huawei is striving to meet its obligation to cultivate knowledge and impact communities with the necessary information that can assist or enable them to lead independent and productive lives, said Ye Huihui, Huawei Technologies Botswana Managing Director. "This MoU means that BOU is now fully registered under the Huawei ICT Academy and has a full mandate to resource through online or directly in the field of routing and switching," said Ye during the signing ceremony in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city. Huawei will continue to support BOU in the training of instructors to match the learning demands, updating of the course content and evaluating of the institutional performance, he said. Huawei ICT Academy program was established in 2013 under which the telecoms giant has provided quality courses and support services to university or colleges to help them train teachers, establish and optimize ICT majors, improve the curriculum system and build standard labs. Since 2015, Huawei has partnered with more than 600 international universities to set up ICT academies, helping the universities improve their ICT teaching abilities and trained more than 1, 500 teachers. Through this program, Huawei aims to develop two million ICT professionals and popularize digital skills over the next five years by collaborating with universities. The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has said there is a decreased interest by Nigerian youth to study science and science-related courses. The minister also said the government is ready to address the declining interest of young Nigerians in science studies through the Catching them Young initiative offered by the ministry. In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ministry, Abdul Ganiyu Aminu and sent to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Onu said this while addressing young scientists at the final examination of the Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) on Monday. Mr Onu said YONSPA is a deliberate programme by the ministry to take science to the grass root and encourage Nigerian youth to participate in science and technology. He said the YONSPA is aimed at making Young Nigerians develop an interest in Science and Mathematics early in life. According to him, the essence of the programme is to dispel fear amongst students who had the notion that science is a difficult subject to study, assuring that the future is now bright for those who embrace a career in Science, Technology and Innovation. The programme will help them to explore the moon, heavenly bodies, ocean wealth in order to reduce poverty and contribute to solving major national regional and international programs, he said. He also challenged Nigerian scientists to find a cure for coronavirus (COVID-19) which is ravaging many countries across the globe. The coronavirus outbreak was declared a global health emergency of international concern by the WHO in January when cases of the disease kept on spreading within China and other countries. The minister said the excellent ones in the examination will be presented with a Presidential Award by the president, Muhammadu Buhari, at the 4th Technology and Innovation Expo, scheduled to hold in Abuja this month. He said three best students, at the 2nd and 3rd edition of the program, are now enjoying Scholarship up to PhD. levels, he said. Trends According to research from Brookings a Washington based research institution more Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-oriented metropolitan economies perform strongly on a wide range of economic indicators, from innovation to employment. The research also shows that by 2030, more than half of the jobs in the world will be STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics related. Consequently, it was also reported that traditional education in Nigeria is failing, with STEM education being the worst hit. Students are largely uninspired to pursue their passion in STEM-related fields, thereby leaving them unprepared for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st-century world. Like the YONSPA of the ministry of science and technology, the integrated digital payment and commerce company, Interswitch in 2018 also launched an initiative to promote STEM education in Nigeria by providing the right support and reward for students. The initiative, called Interswitch SPAK, is poised to support young Nigerians who are interested in acquiring the problem-solving skills that come with a solid STEM education, in order to fix the challenges facing Nigeria in various sectors of the economy. Maura Higgins and her now ex-boyfriend Curtis Pritchard have been hit by claims that they secretly split three months ago. The former grid girl, 29, allegedly felt pressured to stay in her relationship with the professional dancer, 24, in a bid to boost their profile, despite only announcing their split on Monday - claims that Curtis strongly denies. It comes after Maura reportedly confronted Curtis over claims that he had cheated on her with dancer Amber Pierson, just hours after MailOnline exclusively revealed that they had parted ways. Shocking: Maura Higgins and her now ex-boyfriend Curtis Pritchard have been hit by claims that they secretly split three months ago, after she felt pressured to stay with him for fame According to a source speaking to The Sun, Maura and Curtis' relationship turned sour following their row at the National Television Awards in January. The couple were reportedly told that if they stayed together they could make millions. The source said: 'Maura felt pressured to stick with him. They had booked jobs together, parties they had to attend. 'When they met in Love Island it was genuine. But when the showbiz treadmill started on the outside, it was a sham.' A representative for Curtis told MailOnline that Curtis had not been unfaithful to Maura and the pair had not faked any aspect of their relationship. Upsetting: It's been claimed that the former grid girl felt pressured to stay with with the professional dancer to boost their profile, despite claims they only split on Monday On Monday a source confirmed to MailOnline that Maura and Curtis had officially split, just eight months after they met in the Love Island villa. Just hours later Maura was spotted tearing up on the phone after allegedly confronting Curtis over claims he cheated on her with another dancer. The Dancing On Ice beauty, 29, feared the worst after being tagged in a tweet that claimed Curtis, 24, had been 'hugging and kissing' Amber Pierson, 20, who is performing on his Strictly brother AJ's live tour. A tweet from an anonymous account alleged that they had seen Curtis with fellow dancer Amber at Freedom Bar in London's Soho on Saturday, as Maura enjoyed a separate night out at a different club. Hard: On Tuesday Maura was spotted engaging in an emotional phone call, amid claims she confronted Curtis over claims he had cheated on her An anonymous account tweeted that Curtis had been 'kissing and hugging' fellow dancer Amber Pierson Night out: Curtis posed for pictures with Amber and AJ, as well as other performers on the tour at Freedom Bar in London's Soho Curtis denied any wrongdoing after being questioned by Maura but sources say it was the final straw for the couple, who confirmed their split on Monday. An insider told MailOnline: 'Maura and Curtis hadn't been right since the night of the National Television Awards. 'First it was a video of Curtis looking close to a girl on New Year's Eve, which was published the same day as Maura's first live performance on Dancing on Ice. Then their fallout at the NTAs. 'But the tip of the iceberg for Maura was having to confront Curtis over a tweet which said he kissed Amber, who he performs with on tour. It seemed to be following a pattern. Party ready: Professional dancer Amber, who performs with Curtis on the AJ Live tour, shared a picture on her Instagram story ahead of her night out on Saturday 'After their separate nights out on Saturday, Maura tried to text Curtis but he didn't reply. He called her instead and said it wasn't true. 'It wasn't enough for Maura so they came to a mutual decision to end their relationship. 'In the weeks leading up to their breakup they had hardly seen each other, with Curtis on tour and Maura performing on Dancing On Ice. 'But she has been so upset since, this is her normal life and she did truly love Curtis.' An anonymous Twitter user claimed he saw Curtis kissing Amber, who is believed to have a boyfriend, at Freedom Bar in a tweet posted at 2am on Sunday. The same account has since liked several tweets in reference to the couple's split, which was first revealed on Monday by MailOnline. Montana Brown: Couples are pressured stay together In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Love Island 2017 star Montana Brown claimed that couples from the show opt to stay together so they can make more money. She said: 'People worry they won't do as well on their own. It's also a really overwhelming time so it can be good to have someone by your side. 'People feel a lot of pressure to stay in their couples when they come out the villa. 'They think we will make more money this way and it's a good look. But being together can also feel like a comfort blanket. It's definitely a daunting time.' Advertisement The couple's relationship was first rocked in January after a video of Curtis getting close to another woman on New Year's Eve emerged. Curtis claimed he'd done nothing wrong, saying at the time: 'You can't hug somebody or talk to somebody in this day and age without something coming out.' On Monday a source exclusively revealed to MailOnline that Maura and Curtis had split, though at the time it was claimed that they had only just called it quits after eight months together. A source told MailOnline: 'It's going to be a tough time for Maura. She really tried to make things work with Curtis but unfortunately they've gone their separate ways. 'Most of her family and close friends are in Ireland, which will make this even more difficult for her.' A representative for Maura confirmed the news to MailOnline. The Dancing on Ice star took to her Instagram stories on Monday evening to explain it had been a joint decision for the pair to part ways. She said: 'Curtis and I have made the decision to separate. We enjoyed a great experience from our time in the villa and want to thank everyone for supporting our relationship. Parted ways: On Monday MailOnline exclusively revealed that Curtis and Maura had split just eight months after they met in the Love Island villa 'There is no easy way to get through a break up and no bad feeling on either side. We tried to make it work but it wasn't to be, and I wish Curtis nothing but the best for the future,' followed by a broken heart emoji.' Curtis, who's the brother of Strictly professional dancer AJ, is yet to comment on the split. The former couple only made their romance 'official' in October 2019, meaning they were in a committed relationship for just 20 weeks in total. Their split comes the same day The Sun alleged the reality stars were 'still together' despite the pair not being pictured together for over a month. Love Island fans suspected they had called it quits after Maura and Curtis enjoyed separate nights out in London over the weekend. Maura partied at London nightclub Luxx with former Love Island co-stars Chris Taylor and Joe Garratt while Curtis was spotted at Freedom bar with brother AJ and a group of professional dancers. It was feared their relationship could be in trouble at the point of the National Television Awards when it was reported that the ex-couple had a heated argument behind-the-scenes. Insiders said the dancer claimed him and Maura only secured the red carpet presenting gig at the ceremony because of his fame, despite the pair both rising to prominence on last year's Love Island. The Irish star is said to have told friends she felt 'used' and 'like a d*** for trusting him,' before leaving the party in tears. Over: Maura took to her Instagram stories on Monday evening to explain that it had been a joint decision to part ways The insider also insisted minders attempted to escort the ballroom pro out the bash, with Curtis refusing to leave and letting loose with his pals instead. They added: 'Things were clearly very frosty between them. Curtis seemed to be so drunk he had no idea Maura was just meters away from him.' Since their stint in the villa, the media personalities have gone on to lead successful careers in their own right. Until recently, the model was competing on this year's Dancing On Ice, and often serves as a showbiz correspondent on This Morning. She is a brand ambassador for fashion retailer Boohoo, lingerie company Ann Summers, and luxury tanning brand Bellamianta. Choreographer Curtis, meanwhile, starred as a receptionist on BBC One's The Greatest Dancer and was a guest judge on Ru Pauls Drag Race last year. Throwback: The former grid girl and professional dancer began dating after they met during the summer of 2019 on Love Island series five. The exes came in third place on the ITV show Earlier this month, their romance was rocked by cheating claims on Curtis' part but he firmly denied the rumours. Appearing on Lorraine, he addressed a video which emerged of him hugging a woman in a club on New Year's Eve. Curtis said at the time: '[The] new year photos [are] nonsense, you can't hug somebody or talk to somebody in this day and age without something coming out!' 'Me and Maura are completely fine. I was there watching her on Dancing On Ice yesterday.' The final photo: On Valentine's Day, Curtis shared this snap of himself and Maura, along with the hashtag #loveyou, but she failed to wish him a Happy Valentine's Day on social media During a recent appearance on Heart Radio's Capital Breakfast, Maura outlined the three main reasons why they have managed to stay together. She said: 'I think trust one another, don't believe everything you read in the press and one main thing don't let fame get to your head. You just need to stay grounded.' Prior to coupling up with Maura, Curtis was in a relationship with Celebs Go Dating star Amy Hart. But he broke her heart after returning from Casa Amor claiming that his feelings had changed and it wasn't long before his attention turned to Maura causing Amy to walk from the villa. A case of the ex: Prior to dating Maura, Curtis was coupled up with Amy Hart in the Love Island villa and famously had his head turned leaving the blonde beauty devastated In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, former Love Island star Montana Brown claimed many couples stay together after meeting in the villa for the sake of earning more money. Speaking prior to Maura's split from Curtis, she said: 'People worry they won't do as well on their own. It's also a really overwhelming time so it can be good to have someone by your side. 'People feel a lot of pressure to stay in their couples when they come out the villa. 'They think we will make more money this way and it's a good look. But being together can also feel like a comfort blanket. It's definitely a daunting time.' A truck carrying turkeys overturned on Route 581 in Cumberland County, FOX43 reports. The crash happened at around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at Exit 58 going east near Camp Hill, according to the report. The exit ramp is currently closed so crews can clear the scene. It is not immediately clear how many people or turkeys were injured in the crash. 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. This is the first R&D centre built by Samsung Electronics outside the Republic of Korea and is the largest among R&D centres by foreign-invested firms in Vietnam. Once completed, its research workforce in Vietnam will increase from 2,200 to 3,000, with research capacity to be enhanced not only in product development but also in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things and big data. Samsung Vietnam General Director Choi Joo Ho said in a statement that the R&D centre is a strategic milestone in the firms 12-year investment history in Vietnam. He added that the centre will be the place for the Korean company to fulfil its commitment on contributing to Vietnams science and technology by training and nurturing a talented workforce in the high-tech industry. With this project, Vietnam will not only become Samsungs largest manufacturing hub but also its strategic R&D centre, the company has stated on its website. Located to the west of West Lake in Hanoi, the new R&D building will have 16 storeys above ground and three underground floors, with a total floor area of nearly 80,000 square metres. To date, Samsung has invested more than US$17 billion in Vietnam, of which Samsung Electronics accounts for US$9.5 billion, with the first smartphone factory in Bac Ninh Province in 2008, followed by a second plant in Thai Nguyen Province. The company also has a consumer appliance and TV manufacturing complex in Ho Chi Minh City and an R&D centre in central Hanoi. 3 1 of 3 Bexar County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The Bexar County Sheriff's Office has identified the inmate who died after a suicide attempt Tuesday as 20-year-old Joel Sambrano. Sambrano was found by detention deputies at around 6 a.m. attempting to commit suicide in his cell by hanging himself, the Sheriff's office said. Deputies began to perform life-saving measures before medical staff arrived. Weve featured some interesting animal defense mechanisms in the past, from moths that camouflage as two flies feasting on bird poop, to caterpillars that mimic snakes, but this horned lizards secret weapon is on another level of weirdness. The regal horned lizard is a small reptile native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Their main habitat is the Sonoran Desert Mountains, where they spend most of their time eating harvester ants and other small insects. They can eat up to twenty five hundred ants in one meal, but if you think thats impressive, youll love its most unusual self-defense mechanism squirting blood out of its eyes. Photo: Room237/Wikimedia Commons Life in the Sonoran desert is pretty tough, and the regal horned lizard has its share of predators. From snakes and carnivorous rats, to coyotes and wolves, they all love feasting on the small reptile. Luckily for the protagonist of this article, it has a wide range of self-defense tactics, each specially designed to deal with specific predators. Observing the regal horned lizard in the wild, scientists observed that it saves its blood-squirting technique for very specific situations. For example, if you were to pick one up and even pretend to harm it, it will probably just sit there and maybe hiss a little. It wont bite, scratch and it will mot certainly not squirt blood at you. It saves that trick for when its most effective. Photo: Animal Planet/YouTube Squirting blood at snakes, rats or even humans does little to help the regal horned lizard, but for some reason, its very effective against canids and felids, like coyotes and bobcats. The small reptile is able to target where it squirts the blood from its eyes, and it usually waits until its assailant is ready to bite it, so it can shoot straight into its mouth, where it does the most damage. Even though the blood is not poisonous, canids and felids hate it. They have an almost violent reaction, Wade Sherbrooke of the American Museum of Natural History told the BBC. They shake their heads, they salivate profusely, and try to clear the material out of their mouths. The blood apparently contains a toxin that binds to receptors in the canids mouth, receptors that are not found in human or other species. Sherbrooke claims to have tasted the blood many times, but didnt detect anything more than a mild acrid aftertaste. Coyotes and bobcats unfortunate enough to get the blood sprayed in their mouths reportedly take up to 15 minutes to recover. By that time the lizard is long gone. So how does the regal horned lizard shoot blood out of its eyes? A pouch below the lizards eyes, the ocular sinus, swells as it fills with blood, and using a sudden surge of pressure, it squirts it out through pores in its lower eyelid in a stream that can travel up to two meters. It can shoot the blood several times if necessary. Sherbrooke claims that regal horned lizards are very good at differentiating between different predators. When threatened by a whip snake, which actively hunts its prey, it will sit still, blending in the background, whereas when running into a rattlesnake, which waits for its prey to get close enough, it will run for its life. Somehow it knows what to do against every type of predators, and even though it doesnt always escape with its life, this ability to make the right call increases its chances of survival. U.S. Army and Marine Corps snipers soon will be armed with a new multi-caliber sniper rifle -- chosen by U.S. Special Operations Command -- that's designed to kill enemy personnel and pierce soft-skinned vehicles. Both services have earmarked money in their proposed fiscal 2021 budgets to buy Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc.'s Multi-Role Adaptive Design Rifle (MRAD), a bolt-action weapon that can be converted to fire 7.62x51mm NATO, .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum ammunition. Task and Purpose originally reported this story. Following a U.S. Special Operations Command contract award of up to $49.9 million to Barrett in March 2019, the Army plans to spend about $10.1 million on MRAD rifles -- known as the Mk22, according to service budget documents and Program Executive Office Soldier officials. Related: Army Picks Ammunition Maker for Its New Sniper Rifle "Our current plan is to place an order for 536 Mk22 systems in FY21 based on the current funding profile," said Alton Stewart, spokesman for PEO Soldier. "The MRAD Mk22 will replace the M107 sniper rifle and M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle systems." The MRAD Mk22 will allow Army snipers to shoot out to 1,500 meters. That's 300 meters further than the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum, according to Army budget documents. The M2010 may be in the Army inventory for a while, though, since the service just awarded a $10 million contract to Sig Sauer Inc. to produce .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition. When chambered for .338 Norma Magnum, the MRAD is potent enough to replace the Barrett M107 .50 caliber sniper rifle, which Army snipers have used since the early days of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Marine Corps has also chosen the MRAD for its Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) program. "The Barrett MRAD is the solution for the ASR," Monique Randolph, spokeswoman for Marine Corps Systems Command, told Military.com. "The Marine Corps, along with the Army, is partnered with SOCOM on the ASR capability and is part of the SOCOM contract." The Marine Corps plans to spend about $4 million to buy 250 MRAD rifles in its fiscal 2021 budget request, Randolph said. The MRAD will replace the current Mk13 Mod 7 sniper rifle chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum, as well as all other "bolt action sniper rifles Marine Corps," according to Marine budget documents. The MRAD features a quick-change barrel system that allows snipers to change barrels in the field with a single tool, according to Barrett's website. It has a folding stock with an adjustable cheek piece, and the upper receiver is machined from 7000-series aluminum. The MRAD bolt rides in a unique enclosed polymer guide, which provides smooth, reliable operation even in harsh conditions, Barrett's website states. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Read More: This Marine Was The 'American Sniper' of the Vietnam War Coronavirus (Representative image) Priya Sahni, an architect, had made an elaborate plan for her honeymoon trip to Bali. But it never happened, due to coronavirus. While there were no cases of coronavirus reported in Indonesia when Sahni had planned her holiday in February this year, she took no chances especially due to Indonesia being a travel hub for Chinese travelers. On March 2, Indonesia President Joko Widodo announced two cases of coronavirus. When we were planning for Bali, we did not find any direct flights and we had to halt either at Singapore or Malaysia. But these areas were affected. So, we switched our plan and decided to go to Dubai," she said. However, Sahni had to cancel the Dubai plan as well as cases have been reported in UAE too. "Even the recent case in Delhi, the person has a travel history of Dubai. So, I dont think there is any international place for us right now. All my honeymoon plans are spoiled. Have no plans at present. May go somewhere locally. We want to avoid airports as there the chances of getting infected with the virus is high. So, we dont want to take the risk, she added. Many like Sahni have either rescheduled or cancelled international holiday plans after the coronavirus outbreak in China. At the time of writing this article, the death toll in China stood at 2,934 due to the outbreak. The total death toll stands at 3,120 and around 90,000 people in 64 countries have been affected due to the virus. With so many countries reporting coronavirus cases, the epidemic has created a global scare. This has impacted travel industry the most as travel is the most vulnerable in such scenarios. Going domestic Rashna Khanna Arora, who resides in Qatar and is a supervisor at Hamad Medical Corporation, had planned to go to Bali along with her sister Natasha Khanna, a PR professional in Mumbai, in the second week of February. We had coordinated our flights so that we all could be in Bali at the same time. We had planned this last year in December. At that time not much was known about corona. It didnt click us then that it would spread so fast and that too globally. Arrangements for local travel in Bali was also in place," said Khanna. But when many countries started reporting cases of the outbreak, Khanna and her family started contemplating whether to go or not. And few days prior to taking the holiday trip, there was a change in plan. They decided to not go to Bali and went to Goa instead. Adding to this, Arora said, We had all planned the leaves and my daughter was excited for this holiday. Plus, her school vacations were going on. So, we decided to fly down to India from Qatar for the holiday. The silver lining here was not much was lost in terms of travel cost. There was nominal cancellation fee for flights that was charged and 75-80 percent was refunded, said Khanna. Khanna is not alone in replacing international destinations with local ones. We had planned to go to Thailand in the end of March. We had done the reservations in the first week of January. We had planned in advance to get flight tickets at cheaper rates. But then this (coronavirus) happened and we cancelled and now have decided to go to Coorg and Mysore, said Disha Hoskote, VP, marketing, at a professional services firm. She said that when they had initially called the airlines for cancellation, they offered 50 percent refund but later on they offered us 100 percent refund as the airlines also had cancelled flights due to the outbreak. Like Khanna and Hoskote, many Indians are looking for domestic destinations and this is why travel companies are expecting India to gain some inbound tourism market. However, the coronavirus has been a dampener for many travelers. A family who had plans to celebrate Holi in Bali had to cancel their five-day overseas trip. Allies Day has become an important day for businesses in Cleveland and Liberty County. Its no secret that the city of Cleveland is growing at a quick rate. The City of Cleveland will host its fifth annual Allies Day on March 4 at 8 a.m. Last year, Cleveland Mayor Otis Cohn made it known that the city was growing, and it wasnt waiting for everyone else to catch up. The town is growing, the town is prospering, said Cohn last year at the luncheon. People that live around here and travel around town can see things going on, and thats a good thing. Several big decisions have been made in the city of Cleveland, including the new voter-approved school bond that will build a new middle school and several upgrades to several district schools. Last year attendees were taken on a bus tour around the city of Cleveland that was highlighted by the new home development Grand Oaks Reserve, Industrial Park Cleveland West and Sharpe International. Nothing has been released on what attendees will see this year, but Allies day shows the growth in business that includes industrial sites and new restaurants. Cleveland Chamber honors new members The monthly Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce honored its new members at the luncheon last week. New members of the chamber include Cleveland Donut and Deli, Crossing Moving and Storage and Milton Fregia, whi is an insurance broker. The Ambassador of the month is Jean Noble McAdams. The January business of the month was Fish Tales and the February business of the month went to the Cleveland Health Care Center. marcus.gutierrez@chron.com Health official: 'Regardless of variant, the protective measures are the same' local RodeoHouston is ready for the crowds. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo RodeoHouston is sharing health tips for visitors amid fears of coronavirus. The Rodeo said in a statement it is "working with the Houston Health Department to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests." SHE READY: Becky G promises a 'unique' RodeoHouston experience They have increased the number of hand sanitizer stations throughout AgVenture, The Junction and in the food tents. Hand sanitizer stations are also located throughout the carnival. Additionally, there are hand washing stations in AgVenture, near the petting zoo and pony rides and outdoors near Fun on the Farm and Mutton Bustin. There are handwashing instructions in the bathrooms and additional signage reminding guests to wash their hands has been added near the bathrooms and the livestock stalling area. Guests are encouraged to wash hands before eating or drinking and after touching animals or touching anything in surrounding environments. A page offering health tips on visiting the Rodeo, along with links to the Houston Health Department and CDCs websites on Coronavirus, have been added to the official site. RodeoHouston runs March 3-22 at NRG Stadium. Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter. Get experts picks for concerts, kids stuff, fine arts, movies and more by subscribing to the Preview entertainment newsletter. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 03:49:35|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group "stand ready to help our member countries" address the human tragedy and economic challenge posed by the COVID-19 virus, the two multilateral institutions said in a joint statement Monday. "We are engaged actively with international institutions and country authorities, with special attention to poor countries where health systems are the weakest and people are most vulnerable," the statement read. "We will use our available instruments to the fullest extent possible, including emergency financing, policy advice, and technical assistance," the statement read. "In particular, we have rapid financing facilities that, collectively, can help countries respond to a wide range of needs." The two multilateral institutions noted the strengthening of country health surveillance and response systems is "crucial" to contain the spread of this and any future outbreaks, and that international cooperation is "essential" to deal with the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus. In late February, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that the Chinese authorities are working to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy, with crisis measures, liquidity provision, fiscal measures, and financial support, adding that she "had an excellent discussion" with Chinese senior officials. At the Group of Twenty (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the IMF revised down 2020 global growth to 3.2 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than its January projection. To avoid more dire scenarios, Georgieva said, "global cooperation is essential to the containment of the COVID-19 and its economic impact, particularly if the outbreak turns out to be more persistent and widespread." In an unprecedented move, four retail companies have come forward to support the Better Dairy campaign of international animal welfare organisation - World Animal Protection. The companies are - The Indian Coffee Workers' Co-operative Society Ltd, Jabalpur and Delhi; Lansdowne Travel Trip Cafe, Uttarakhand and Mr Brown. All these companies have several outlets in different corners of the country. The Better Dairy campaign of World Animal Protection aims to shine a light on the alleged suffering faced by millions of cows and buffaloes in dairies residing inside cities. "We have taken this pledge to support World Animal Protection's campaign because dairy animals should be protected by providing them better shelter (with comfortable bedding), good quality feed, pure drinking water, timely health care check-up and necessary vaccinations for all type of diseases," said O K Rajagopalan, President, Indian Coffee Workers' Co-operative Society Ltd, Jabalpur (MP). India is home to over 299 million cattle, 90 million of those live in urban and peri-urban areas. An estimated 50 million dairy animals allegedly suffer every day in India. They are often confined to large dark rooms without windows or natural light, are permanently tied up (tethered) with barely any room to move, they lie in their own faeces all day without access to clean water, good quality feed or any healthcare, according to World Animal Protection. World Animal Protection is working closely with dairy companies to ensure that milk is not sourced from such urban and peri-urban dairies. Over 535,110 dairy animals have received better welfare, following the efforts of World Animal Protection and the commitment made by nine dairy companies to improve the lives of these animals. "The support of such retail chains is essential in achieving our goal of high welfare of dairy animals. By giving their support and signing the pledge, these retail chains are wishing for a better life for dairy animals. The support of these retail companies and more like them will help us to put pressure on dairy companies to make the welfare of this dairy animals their priority," said Gajender K Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection India. Recent visits to Indian rural farms implementing the minimum dairy welfare requirements have realized a range of important benefits. Not only are their cows in good condition, loose housed, with continual access to water, comfortable bedding and shade but they are also producing more milk and are in better health. With retail companies pledging their support to the campaign and wishing a better life for dairy animals, it is time for the dairy industry to sit up and take notice. The five minimum requirements as mentioned by World Animal Protection are: * Provide 24-hour access to clean water for all animals and access to good quality feed. * Provide access to shade, shelter and comfortable bedding for all animals. * No permanent tethering and access to a suitable outdoor area where animals can roam daily. * Provide adequate colostrum and health care to all dairy animals, including pain relief for painful procedures. * Provide good handling and develop a plan to manage unwanted animals - no abandonment. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BOSTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Well (Amwell), a national telehealth technology and services company, announced today that it is working with key stakeholders across healthcare to ensure telehealth is seen and used appropriately as a first line of defense to mitigate the impact and spread of COVID-19. As recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within their Preparing Communities for Potential Spread of COVID-19 action plan, leveraging telehealth tools to direct people to the right level of healthcare for their medical needs should be part of first responders', healthcare providers', and health systems' response to this global outbreak. Telehealth can serve as a force multiplier in the public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak, improving access to care directly from the home. Amwell and its associated Amwell Medical Group have been proactive from the outset to ensure care delivered across its national telehealth network conforms to national and international standards. In addition to ongoing communication and training for the thousands of doctors who deliver care on Amwell's platform, the company has established an always-on-call infection control officer, COVID-19 specific workflows to guide clinical operations and quality, and has established a COVID-19 Readiness Team. "Telehealth is the ideal venue for initial screening of patients with respiratory conditions that are common in COVID-19," said Peter Antall, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Amwell. "Our board-certified telehealth providers are trained to screen patients, assign risk, answer questions, and recommend the next steps a patient should take. For most patients we can help the patient heal at home. However, when necessary, we can facilitate a "white glove" transfer for in-person care. Not only can telehealth greatly minimize the demands on in-person primary care, urgent care, and emergency departments across the country; it can also reduce unnecessary risk to patients and care teams from further exposure to this highly infectious virus." Amwell's client base includes more than 240 health systems comprised of 2,000 hospitals and 55 health plan partners with over 36,000 employers. The company is in close coordination with multiple clients and public health officials on best practices, referral management protocols, as well as community outreach and engagement specific to the COVID-19 outbreak. To ensure this insight is further disseminated beyond its own network, Dr. Peter Antall and Mike Putnam, Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing at Amwell, will host a webinar on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 12pm 1pm EST titled "The COVID-19 Outbreak: How to Use Telehealth as a Key Element of Your Infection Control and Prevention Strategy". You can learn more and register by visiting: http://go.americanwell.com/WBN2020-03-05Covid-19ClientWebinar_LP-Registration.html To see a virtual doctor now, individuals can visit: https://amwell.com/ or download the Amwell app. About Amwell Amwell is a leading telehealth platform in the United States and globally, connecting and enabling providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver greater access to more affordable, higher quality care. Amwell believes that digital care delivery will transform healthcare. The Company offers a single, comprehensive platform to support all telehealth needs from urgent to acute and post-acute care, as well as chronic care management and healthy living. With over a decade of experience, Amwell powers telehealth solutions for over 240 health systems comprised of 2,000 hospitals and 55 health plan partners with over 36,000 employers, covering over 150 million lives. For more information please visit https://business.amwell.com/. CONTACT: For Amwell Holly Spring 781-888-8219 / [email protected] SOURCE Amwell Related Links https://amwell.com (TNS) There's a growing rank of local police departments deploying body cameras as more and more agencies across the country implement them to increase transparency.Barrington, New Hampshire, looks to be next, if its Town Meeting voters approve the department's budget today, March 10. Meanwhile, Dover police support body cams and will launch a formal exploratory study this summer to evaluate whether the costs of the equipment and associated manpower will be feasible for their larger, busy department.If both Barrington and Dover ultimately purchase the devices, they'll join the likes of camera-equipped Lee, Milton, Northwood, Strafford and the University of New Hampshire, along with a host of departments big and small throughout the United States."This is the right thing for this organization to do. Transparency is the biggest thing in the public eye," said Barrington Deputy Police Chief Dan Brooks. "Nationally, we think this is where it is going with law enforcement. We feel they're going to be become a standard piece of equipment. We'd rather have it brought in on our terms, where we can predict where things can go."Body cams and taser cams are becoming increasingly more prevalent throughout the country due to high-profile cases involving police officers' use of excessive or deadly force.There have been recent incidents on the Seacoast in which officers have discharged their weapons, some with fatal consequences. While area police officials say cameras provide important accountability for everyone involved in those instances, they say their push for additional transparency is more about general community comfort and relations."My community here at UNH comes from all over the world, and as you can imagine they may have interactions with hundreds of different law enforcement agencies in their (home) communities," said UNH Police Chief Paul Dean, whose department is separate from the Durham Police Department. "Taking into consideration they're born in places where things are done very differently than my department, having that transparency and accountability, I felt, was important in having them feel comfortable at the institution."Area police officials also love how the cameras extend a level of reassurance to small-town patrol officers and investigators who typically fly solo while out on routine calls."They know they have that security of the camera backing them up all the time," Strafford Police Chief Michael Richard said, adding that having video evidence of things like traffic stops and disturbances has reduced complaints about officers, simplified the evidentiary process and increased Strafford's overall number of plea deals. "The few complaints we've gotten with our officers over the years, we've asked people to come in and see the video and they don't show up (because they know it exists)."Barrington, Lee and UNH prefer chest-worn body cams. Lee rolled theirs out over two years ago, while UNH started this past September.The devices automatically dump their footage wirelessly to the departments' physical or cloud-based servers once they're placed onto their charging cradles inside the station. Gone are the days when departments had to manually upload body cams using USB cables, or hassle with the trunk-mounted VHS recording systems that accompanied cruisers' dashboard-mounted cameras in the 1990s and early 2000s."When I started to see the trends nationally with law enforcement accusations, I felt it was time," Lee Police Chief Thomas Dronsfield Jr. said of body cams. Lee also has dash cams that automatically sync with officers' body cams any time their cruiser's blue lights are on. "(The body cams) are working phenomenally. My guys love them. You get some pushback initially ... (but) now they don't want to work without it."Milton one of the first in the Granite State to start using body cams several years ago uses both body-worn and head-worn, eyeglass-like devices. As does Northwood.Strafford intentionally doesn't use body cams, but has cruiser cams and has had taser-mounted cameras since the first day the department got tasers 12 years ago.To Richard, the key difference between body and taser cams is an important ideological one that explains the reticence or outright opposition some departments and residents have toward police cameras of any kind.State laws require police cameras to be shut off during sensitive, specially handled calls like sexual assaults. The laws and local policies also have some subjectivity for when officers have the authority to turn their body cams off during other types of calls. Those calls can include when an officer chats with a child inside a private home, among other instances in which a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.Taser cams on the other hand only record when an officer, deciding a degree of force is needed, takes the nonlethal weapon out of its belt-worn holster."At some point, we record everything and we get a little too close to home for some people," said Richard. "If I knew they would benefit us 100% and we wouldn't get questioned for shutting them off (while) talking to a 5-year-old, I'd be all for body cams. The way things are today, you can't justify (subjective decisions to shut cameras off). It's a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't.'"Another reason more New Hampshire departments don't use body cams perhaps the biggest reason is because of the equipment and manpower costs associated with them.Those costs, area police officials say, also help explain why the Seacoast's smaller towns have thus far led the body cam charge instead of the area's cities like Dover, Rochester and Portsmouth. (Rochester does have cruiser cams, though, just like Lee and Strafford.)"It's not because we don't want our officers recorded. That couldn't be further from the truth," said Dover Police Chief Bill Breault, whose department serves the Seacoast's largest population city and has 52 sworn officers. "Why we haven't is because the cost has been prohibitive."On top of buying the cameras and charging docks, Breault said the costs would include significant physical or cloud storage space to handle Dover's 30,000 annual calls to service. He said the costs would also include manpower to archive and prepare videos for prosecution, redact sensitive information, and process the significant number of Right to Know and evidentiary requests the department already receives."Most chiefs say, 'It's a great idea, we're not against it, but what does this actually look like?'" said Breault. "Like with everything, you're facing priorities. Is it funding for this, or funding for officers on the street? There are a lot of things in play. One decision has other effects."Manchester, the state's largest city, bit the proverbial bullet last year and equipped all of its officers with cameras in December. While it's too early for detailed case studies about the results, Seacoast officers say they've heard encouraging anecdotal feedback out of the Queen City.Portsmouth won't go that route. Port City officials studied body cams last year, but found outfitting 68 officers and the associated storage and manpower costs could run between $427,500 and $699,675 over a five-year contract to lease body cams."We felt the amount of money it would take to bring them on would be better spent (in other areas)," said Portsmouth Police Capt. Mark Newport. "In small department ... officers for the most part, they're out there by themselves. Here, we have at least two (or) three officers show up to any serious type of call. There are enough people there that it wasn't 'your word versus somebody else's word.' A lot of smaller departments like to have that reinforcement (with the cameras)."Barrington Sgt. Amanda Barber is one of the officers who has heavily researched and led the charge for body cams in her town. Barber said she's hopeful voters will approve their body cams because the town's Select Board has stood firmly behind the reasons why the devices would help the rapidly growing Barrington."With how far the technology has advanced, it's the right time," Barber said when asked why the Barrington Police Department is now making the push for cameras. Barber specifically cited wireless video upload, high video resolution, cloud storage, encryption and the fact that officers will be able to remotely access the video archives on their smartphones.As proposed, Barrington would spread out the cost to outfit all 12 of its officers with leased cameras and to store the footage. The funding will annually have to be approved as a part of BPD's technology budget. The first year calls for $13,500, while the following four years call for $8,000, for a total of $45,500. The costs could ultimately be less if Barrington finds it doesn't need the 1.5 terabytes of cloud storage it'll start with, Barber said.Barber and Brooks said BPD will look to other area departments' policies while crafting their guidelines for the devices. They said that will help them get the best tried-and-tested approaches for the types of cases the town will encounter, hopefully cutting down much of the legally dangerous subjectivity in the process."It's extremely complex," said Brooks. "It all comes down to that we work for the citizens and the town Barrington and anyone else who passes through the state. Our goal is to provide the best service we can." Canada on Monday asked travellers arriving from Iran -- one of the countries hardest hit by the new coronavirus epidemic -- to self-isolate at home for 14 days, even if they are not exhibiting any symptoms. Health authorities asked Canadians to avoid any non-essential travel to Iran and the northern region of Italy, which have both emerged as major hotspots for the infection. The respiratory illness has killed 66 people in Iran with more than 1,500 confirmed infections. Many cases in Canada had been linked to the Iran outbreak, Canadian chief medical officer Theresa Tam told reporters. Canada had 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection as of Monday evening. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in an unprecedented move which was sharply criticised by India. External Affairs Ministry (EAM) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the CAA is an internal matter of India and "no foreign party" has any locus standi on issues pertaining to the country's sovereignty. India's permanent mission in Geneva was informed last evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that her office has filed an "intervention application" in the Supreme Court on the amended citizenship law, he said. When asked whether the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) can approach the Supreme Court, an official familiar with the matter said it was for the apex court to decide. The UN application came as the Indian government summoned the Iranian ambassador over tweets by foreign minister Javad Zarif condemning the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims in the Delhi riots. The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of pleas challenging the new law. The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty. --Raveesh Kumar, spokesman, External Affairs ministry Raveeh Kumar said the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he said. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," the MEA spokesperson said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 12:51 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067ed00a 1 National WHO,World-Health-Organization,coronavirus,COVID-19,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,outbreak-in-Indonesia Free The World Health Organization has called on the public in general to remain calm after Indonesia confirmed its first coronavirus cases in the country, as the UN health body raised the possibility that more cases may be detected in the near future. We are not surprised by the announcement and we can anticipate more cases in the coming days. Early detection of cases and laboratory confirmation is critical, WHO representative to Indonesia N. Paranietharan said in a statement on Monday. We have been working closely with the government to prepare for this scenario. Now that it is a reality, it is important that we ensure the activities planned during preparedness are implemented quickly. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Monday that two Indonesians tested positive for COVID-19, the first two confirmed cases of the disease brought by the coronavirus originating from China. Jokowi said the two people, a 64-year-old and her 31-year-old daughter, both residents of Depok in West Java, had been in contact with a Japanese citizen who tested positive in Malaysia on Feb. 27 after visiting Indonesia in early February. The WHO further urged citizens to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as well as tend to their personal hygiene, to reduce possible risks of viral infection. Read also: Indonesia monitors dozens in contact with first two COVID-19 cases in Greater Jakarta The organization recommended that the public wash their hands properly by using clean running water and soap, or alcohol-based hand rub, and avoid close contact with any individual with a fever or cough. Paranietharan said children were not known to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. Risk of severe disease is high for those over 60 years old and those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, Paranietharan said. Monday's announcement added Indonesia to the list of coronavirus-hit countries after the archipelago claimed there were zero cases for almost two months since the virus first emerged from Wuhan in late December. Many residents of the nations capital reportedly responded to the announcement by frantically stocking up on supplies, most notably face masks and hand sanitizers, at convenience stores across the city a phenomenon known as panic buying amid fears of a possible coronavirus outbreak in the city. Indonesia's previous zero cases had raised concerns from many about the detection ability in the country of more than 260 million people, especially as reports had emerged of COVID-19 cases outside Indonesia in which the patients had visited the archipelago before being declared positive in other countries. The global death toll from COVID-19 soared pass 3,000 on Monday as the virus has now infected more than 89,000 people and spread to more than 60 countries to date, AFP reported. (rfa) By Joseph Ax SELMA, Ala., March 1 (Reuters) - Five Democratic presidential contenders will help mark the anniversary of a landmark civil rights march in Alabama on Sunday, the day after strong African-American support powered Joe Biden to a resounding victory in South Carolina. The candidates will travel to Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the 55th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," when civil rights marchers were stopped and beaten by state troopers and local police while crossing a bridge in Selma. Alabama is one of 14 states holding Super Tuesday contests, the biggest day of voting in the Democratic race to pick a challenger to Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 election. Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren will attend the annual celebration of the march, one of the country's biggest civil rights events, and several will participate later in the day in a candidate forum. Bernie Sanders will campaign in California, the biggest prize of Super Tuesday's 14 state nominating contests. Biden's dominant South Carolina win resurrected his struggling campaign and put the former vice president in position to claim he is the moderate alternative to Sanders, the front-runner after strong performances in the first three contests. Biden immediately took aim at Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont and self-described democratic socialist whose surging campaign and calls for a political revolution have rattled a Democratic establishment worried he is too far left to beat Trump in November. "Democrats want a nominee who is a Democrat," Biden told cheering supporters in Columbia, South Carolina, in a jab at Sanders. "Win big or lose, that's the choice. Most Americans don't want the promise of a revolution. They want more than promises they want results." With the South Carolina results included, Sanders leads in the overall national delegate count with 56 and Biden is second with 51, with another seven South Carolina delegates yet to be allocated. A candidate will need at least 1,991 delegates to win the nomination outright at the party's convention in July. Story continues BIDEN'S BEST FUNDRAISING HOUR The Biden camp said he had his best single hour of fundraising in the entire campaign as the South Carolina results came in, although it did not provide a figure. But the Sanders campaign quickly tried to get back the momentum, announcing it had raised $46.5 million from more than 2.2 million donations in the month of February, a huge sum that dwarfed what any other Democratic candidate had raised last year in any three-month period. The biggest fundraising quarter last year was Sanders' $34.5 million in the last three months of the year. The Sanders campaign also announced a new wave of television advertisements in nine states that will hold primary contests on March 10 and March 17, after Super Tuesday. In the wake of his decisive victory, Biden was endorsed by Terry McAuliffe, a former governor of Virginia and ex-chair of the Democratic National Committee, and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott, an influential African-American lawmaker from Virginia a a possible sign the Democratic establishment was starting to coalesce around his candidacy. Biden must hope a flurry of media attention and his name recognition will help him in Super Tuesday states, where Sanders' prolific fundraising has helped him build bigger organizations and broadcast far more advertisements. Sanders leads opinion polls in delegate-rich California, where 3 million early votes have already been cast. Biden and all of the other Democratic contenders also will face competition for the first time on Super Tuesday from billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has blanketed the country with half a billion dollars in advertising. Bloomberg skipped the first four state primaries. But at least five states - Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Virginia - have big blocs of African-American voters that could help Biden make a comeback. In South Carolina, Biden beat Sanders among a wide range of demographic and ideological groups, including those who said they were "very liberal," according to Edison Research exit polls. The polls showed Biden, vice president under former President Barack Obama, with 61% of African-American support to Sanders' 17%. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer, who had spent heavily in South Carolina to court African-American voters, ended his presidential bid as it emerged he was coming in a distant third. (Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Howard Goller) remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Latest News CoreLogic data shows new listings on the rise in early 2022 First data of the year suggests supply is already entering back into the market, cooling hot property market Business NSW calls for support as pandemic bites Staff shortages and customer falls causing severe problems in recovery New data has helped give shape to the depth and breadth of this bushfire season's impact on Australian enterprise, with two-thirds of all small businesses throughout the country indicating they've either been directly or indirectly affected by the natural disaster, according to a survey conducted by NAB in early February. While the effects were felt directly by the business owners whose property was physically damaged in the blaze, many also reported indirect consequences such as business disruption, higher insurance and other costs and lower customer confidence. Further, over 70% of the respondents expect the fallout to continue impacting their business over the next three months. We know many families and businesses face an uncertain future and we recognise the significant impact the fires have had on cashflow, loss of customers and supplier disruption, said NAB chief customer officer of business and private banking Anthony Healy. Business owners have also shared the physical and mental health impact of the bushfires, including describing the unsettling effects of having to send employees home and sending customers away due to poor air quality. Owners of utility and wholesale trade businesses expect to be most affected over the next three months, at 81% and 79% respectively. Around 75% of the transport and storage sector and agricultural businesses think theyll feel the effects of the bushfires for at least the next year. The survey also found that one in four impacted SMEs are planning to take up the governments $500,000 loan offer, with a higher concentration forecasted in vulnerable bushfire areas, in New South Wales and in major capital cities. By industry, take up is expected to be highest in mining, telecoms and accommodation, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Around 75% of the SMEs surveyed believe the loan could help their business compensate for some or all of the bushfire's impacts. When asked what government should do to most help businesses impacted by the bushfires, around 60% of survey respondents indicated cash grants would help most and 50% named interest free or reduced rate loans. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the state government will bring to the Supreme Court's notice "violations" of its order by Karnataka at the Kalsa-Bhanduri project on Mahadayi river. Three riparian states -- Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka -- have challenged the award of the Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunal over sharing of the Mahadayi water by filing a special leave petition (SLP) in the SC. A special leave petition filed by Goa over the award given by Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal will be heard in July. "We have already started preparing to present our case before SC in July. We will bring to the court's notice violations by Karnataka at proposed Kalsa-Bhanduri project on Mahadayi river," Sawant told reporters in Panaji. Through its order in 2014, the Apex court had stayed any work on the proposed dam site. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti last week issued a notification on the award of Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, pronounced in August 2018, which allowed Karnataka to divert water from Mahadayi river for Kalsa-Bhanduri project. The chief minister said the Goa government will file applications before various ministries including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change objecting to the permission given to Karnataka for the project. The opposition parties have been criticising the Sawant-led government for its failure to protect Mahadayi river. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Incredible CCTV footage has captured the moment a rare Asian elephant gave birth at Chester Zoo. The remarkable clip shows the moment experienced mum Sundara Hi Way, 15, delivered the healthy female calf following a 22-month-long pregnancy. Elephant experts at the zoo who monitored the birth remotely say both mum and calf are doing 'ever so well.' The new calf was welcomed by the rest of the family herd, including one-year-old half-brother Anjan, who experienced a birth for the first time, and three-year-old sister, Indali. CCTV footage at Chester Zoo has captured the incredible moment an endangered baby elephant was born (pictured) The wonderful CCTV footage shows Sundara giving birth with the other elephants in the herd gathered around her which elephant experts have described as 'a great learning experience for the family herd' Katie Morrison, Assistant team Manager of Elephants at the zoo, described the 'wonderful' birth as a 'great learning experience for the family herd.' She commented: 'A birth is a wonderful, positive social event for the elephants and is always a great learning experience for the family herd, particularly the younger members.' 'The excitement levels really build when a calf is due and, as soon as Sundara went into labour, it was obvious to the other herd members that something special was about to take place. 'Sundara delivered her calf onto deep, soft sand following a labour lasting around 20 minutes, with the other elephants gathered around her.' The calf's arrival brought an end to a 657-day pregnancy for mum, Sundara, who delivered her calf onto soft sand following a 20-minute labour - and showed the calf up on her feet and suckling within minutes A spokesperson at the zoo told how the mother immediately began to stimulate the calf with a number of gentle kicks to encourage her up off the ground as quickly as possible. Pictured together 'She then immediately began to stimulate her with a number of gentle kicks to encourage her up off the ground as quickly as possible, and she was on her feet and suckling within minutes, which was wonderful to see. So far both mum and calf are doing ever so well indeed.' Asian elephants are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is highly threatened in the wild by habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict and a deadly herpes virus called Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), which has so far been found present in nine countries across its range. Conservationists from Chester Zoo have, for many years, been working to combat these threats, utilising the skills and knowledge developed working with the family herd in Chester. ASIAN ELEPHANT FACTS Chester Zoo is home to seven Asian elephants Thi, Sundara, Indali, Anjan and the new arrival (all members of the Hi Way family), as well as male Aung Bo (dad to the latest calf) and female Maya The new, female calf was born at 17:10 on Wednesday 27 February after a gestation of 657 days Asian elephants are native to South and South East Asia The species is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Chester Zoo is part of a breeding programme coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in Europe. The new calf's arrival is another huge boost to these efforts The Asian elephant is threatened by habitat loss due to logging, agricultural and urban development; poaching for ivory, disease and conflict with humans. As their natural habitat is lost, more animals are wandering into farmed areas causing crop damage. Increasing numbers of people have also died as a result of elephant encounters, leading to retaliatory hunting by some communities Chester Zoo conservationists have been operating in India for almost 15 years, preventing extinction in the wild by utilising the skills and knowledge developed working with the herd in Chester. A major Chester Zoo project in Assam, northern India, has successfully eliminated conflict between local communities and the nearby Asian elephant population, offering a blueprint for the future conservation of the species. Scientists at Chester Zoo are also leading the global fight to find a cure for a deadly disease which is threatening Asian elephants globally, in zoos and the wild. There is currently no cure for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus, also known as EEHV, but Chester Zoo researchers are leading the fight to produce a vaccine Advertisement Mike Jordan, Director of Animal and Plant Collections at the zoo, added: 'Magnificent Asian elephants are under threat globally. The international conservation community is working tirelessly to secure their future and prevent their extinction. 'Two particular areas that are a main focus for the zoo include human-wildlife conflict in Assam, India where our conservationists have worked for more than 14 years to prevent deaths of elephants and people living alongside them by finding harmonious solutions that allow them to co-exist side by side. Meanwhile the zoo is leading the global effort in the search for a viable vaccine that can help rid elephants of the terrible disease, EEHV. Scientists, researchers and conservationists have made huge progress and are hopeful that Asian elephants will soon have one less threat pushing them towards extinction.' Chester Zoo is part of a breeding programme coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in Europe. The zoo's elephant house is open as normal. Frank McNamara and Theresa Lowe can keep their home A court has approved a 2.9m debt write-off for ex-Late Late Show musical director Frank McNamara and his former television presenter wife Theresa Lowe, rejecting the objections of a vulture fund. However, the personal insolvency arrangement will only be finally signed off by the High Court once it receives confirmation the estate of Mr McNamara's late father, who died in 2009, will be administered and assets realised "within a relatively short period". Mr McNamara is due to inherit around 250,000 from the estate, and this money will go to his creditors. In making the decision, Mr Justice Denis McDonald rejected objections from vulture fund Tanager, which is owed 2.26m and will only receive 100,000 under the arrangement. Difficulties As a result of the ruling, the celebrity couple will now be able to keep their family home near Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. They got into financial difficulties in the early 2000s when Mr McNamara had problems collecting music royalties. They remortgaged and sold properties to get through what they believed would be a short-term financial problem, but the recession in 2007 only compounded their difficulties and they ended up owing 3.7m. Mr Justice McDonald had originally said last August he was "minded" to approve the arrangement, subject to clarification on certain issues. But his approval was delayed repeatedly after Tanager raised matters relating to the non-disclosure of rental income and a potential tax liability. In a 37-page written judgment, Mr Justice McDonald said any discrepancies had now been appropriately explained. Some of the vulture fund's concerns revolved around 60,000 in rental income it estimated Mr McNamara received from property in his late father's estate before he got a protective certificate in October 2016. This is a document which offers a debtor and their assets protection from legal proceedings by creditors while they are applying for a personal insolvency arrangement. But Mr Justice McDonald said the evidence before the court was that it was used to discharge living expenses. He noted Mr McNamara's affidavit evidence that most of it was spent making repayments to Tanager. "There is no evidence it was spent on luxuries," the judge said. Tanager also raised issues over 28,000 in rent received by Mr McNamara in respect of his late father's property after the protective certificate was issued. The judge said it was "unsatisfactory" that this income was not disclosed at the early stage of Mr McNamara's application. He said that as Mr McNamara had disclosed it to his persona insolvency practitioner, the non-disclosure was primarily a matter for the practitioner. However, Mr Justice McDonald concluded this initial non-disclosure should result in the arrangement application being dismissed. He also said he could understand why it had not been included, as it was envisaged at the time the arrangement was put together that the property would be sold soon after. Solicitors The 28,800 sum was later paid to solicitors for the estate of Mr McNamara's late father so there would be no shortfall in the estate. Funds gifted by two family members were used to make the payment to the solicitors. The judge said he did not believe he could treat the retention of the rent by Mr McNamara as a "misallocation of funds" on the part of the musician going to his bona fides or probity. The judge said that in his view, this was a matter between Mr McNamara and his later father's estate and that the money had been, in substance, a prepayment of funds which will become payable to Mr McNamara in due course. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that he spoke on the phone to a Taliban leader, making him the first U.S. president believed to have ever spoken directly with the militant group responsible for the deaths of thousands of U.S. troops in nearly 19 years of fighting in Afghanistan. Trump said the United States has a shared interest with the Taliban, which harboured al-Qaida before the 9-11 attacks. We had a very good conversation with the leader of the Taliban today, and theyre looking to get this ended, and were looking to get it ended. I think we all have a very common interest, Trump said. We had, actually, a very good talk with the leader of the Taliban. The United States and the Taliban signed an agreement last Saturday calling for the withdrawal of American troops, allowing Trump to make progress on a key campaign pledge to extract the U.S. from what he calls endless wars and paving the way for all-Afghan talks to begin on Tuesday. Trump suggested the phone call, which the Taliban said lasted 35 minutes, was not his first. Asked if Tuesday was his first conversation with a leader of the Taliban, Trump said, I dont want to say that. Earlier, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted that the president had spoken on the phone with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban and head of their political office in Qatar. The relationship is very good that I have with the mullah, Trump said. We had a good long conversation today and, you know, they want to cease the violence. Theyd like to cease violence also. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo witnessed the agreement, which was signed last Saturday in Doha, Qatar, by chief negotiators from the two sides. According to the deal, all 13,000 U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan within 14 months if the Taliban meet their obligations to America. Those promises are tied to fighting terrorism, preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists, denouncing terrorist groups, severing past links with the likes of al-Qaida and helping fight the Islamic State group affiliate. It also envisioned talks between Afghans on both sides of the conflict starting March 10, most likely in Oslo, Norway. But so far theres no confirmation that important next step will take place. The U.S. withdrawal is not tied to Afghanistans warring sides figuring out how to talk to each other, let alone coming to an agreement on what peace among them will look like. Already there are hurdles. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has refused to release up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners, which the agreement said would happen before the start of the so-called intra-Afghan negotiations next week. The Ghani administration claims those releases will be part of negotiations. The Taliban are to release up to 1,000 Afghan government and military captives. Trump said its still unclear what the Afghans will do when and if they sit with the Taliban and attempt to draft a peaceful political future for the nation. The country really has to get it ended. Weve been there for 20 years. Other presidents have tried and they were unsuccessful, he said. In addition to the tweet, the Afghan Taliban also released a statement, saying the phone call took place shortly after 9:30 a.m. EST. SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors communications from militant organizations, said the Taliban statement claimed the call was held in the presence of a number of members of the Taliban negotiating committee and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy who negotiated the deal. According to the statement, the phone conversation was about how both sides will implement the agreement. Baradar assured Trump that if the United States honoured the agreement, then the U.S. and the Taliban will have positive bilateral relations, the statement said. The statement said the Taliban leader told Trump: Mr. President! Take determined actions in regards to the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and do not allow anyone to take actions that violate the terms of the agreement thus embroiling you even further in this prolonged war. The White House provided no additional details about what was said on the call. In the past, people have wrongly believed that President Ronald Reagan had a meeting with the Taliban. In 1983, Reagan hosted five Afghan freedom fighters in the Oval Office. At the time, the U.S. was backing these Afghan fighters battling the Soviet Union. The Taliban was not formed until the 1990s. In the 1980s, the U.S. was among those who encouraged hundreds of Arab fighters to travel to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Afghan mujahedeen, or holy warriors, against the Soviet Unions forces there. Today, many of those fighters make up the Taliban leadership, while others are in power in the U.S.-backed Afghan government. As the war came to a close in 1988, many of the Arab fighters united to follow the wealthy Saudi leader Osama bin Laden to create al-Qaida, which orchestrated the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. ___ Associated Press writer Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report. A Connecticut State Police trooper and his canine partner were recognized over the weekend for their response to an incident in January. Trooper First Class Darren Connolly and K9 Kato were awarded with the Annual Stubby Award by the First Company Governors Foot Guard during a ceremony on Sunday. The award is named after Stubby, the canine mascot for the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Yankee Division in New Haven during World War I. Stubby was known for his heroism, saving a French town and catching a German spy, state police said. He was regarded as the very first war dog. The award was granted to Connolly and Kato for their response to a missing person incident earlier this year. On Jan. 2, state police responded to investigate after a missing 21-year-old man left his home wearing a T-shirt, sweatpants and without shoes. After an extensive overnight search, Kato a specially-trained search and rescue police dog was called in to help find the missing man. Connolly and Kato found the man in the wood in Old Lyme, state police said, adding that Kato acted with great heroism. Sgt. Anthony Guliano, the ESU Canine Section supervisor, and Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema accepted the award on behalf of Connolly and Kato. Kato is a 9-year-old German Shepard who has been with Connolly since 2014. State police said Kato will retire soon. He is credited with finding several missing people throughout his career. Connolly recently started another K9 class, state police said. One Libyan womans recent workshop on natural handmade soap for tourists and others in Cairo was an outcome of a very remarkable career A group of American tourists was invited to attend a workshop on soap-making using essential oils and natural ingredients from Egypt at a five-star hotel in Cairo last week. It was presented by Zeinab Bint Osman, a Libyan woman who had fled the horrors of her war-torn country to settle in the Siwa Oasis in Egypts Western Desert. Bint Osman developed the idea of producing natural handmade soap in Siwa, where she found all the natural ingredients she needed, including dates, camel fat, olive oil, the scorching desert sun, salt from the areas petrified lakes, local sulphur-rich dust, shea butter and the rare aromatic plants that grow in Siwa. Looking on the bright side, the war has not been all bad. After all, it drove me to travel, to meet new people and to get to know different traditions, Bint Osman said, explaining that these were the good sides of her new life. She is a strong woman who is eager to learn and gain new experiences. However, she said that her own Libyan culture had also helped her to deal with foreigners and to make efforts to reach her goals. She often offers her services for free until she is recognised for the quality of her work and has the opportunity to earn from it instead. Her father had worked in the oil industry in Libya, she said. My father married four times, and one of his wives was an Egyptian woman. He loved life, cinema and travel. He also took his family with him wherever he went, so I got to visit many countries and became passionate about European theatre in particular, she added. The death of her father, and then also of her husband, and her daughters emigration to Canada before the present conflict erupted in Libya meant Bint Osman found herself in a country where the Islamic State (IS) group, chaos, fear and death were just an inch away, she said. One of her hobbies is photography, but this took her to the edge of danger when her photographs revealed prominent figures in the smuggling trade. I was a single woman, and I needed to keep what I had seen a secret. As a result, I decided to emigrate, she said. The first country she went to was Turkey, but she had little luck there. The competition was fierce in the Turkish market, and I was not fluent in the Turkish language, Bint Osman explained. However, before leaving Turkey, she learned soap-making, and in no time she realised she was passionate about it, since for her it is a mixture of cooking, medicine, the arts, and perfumes. She was soon making milk soap, olive oil soap, green tea soap and lemon-scented soap. She found herself excelling in flower soap and the kind of black soap used in Turkish baths. Something about the mixture of natural essences and black was reminiscent of my life at the time, she said. She bought all the equipment she needed to make soap and went to Tunisia to start her life anew. However, she felt she was not welcome there. I felt like an alien. I failed to make a success of my business in Tunisia, she said. It was then that she heard about Fayoum in Egypt, seeing in it an opportunity to sell her handmade soap to the large number of tourists who frequent its resorts. Unfortunately, Fayoum was not what she had hoped for, and once again her business failed. My neighbours thought I was wealthy, and I always suspected them of having bad intentions towards me. One day they knocked on my door really loudly, and I called the police because I was sure they meant me harm. I safely relocated with all my equipment to a new place, she said. However, this incident, frightening as it was, made her more adamant than ever to stay in Egypt as she sensed that the police was a strong force that could protect her. It was then that she decided to go to Siwa, itself close to the Libyan border. I had heard that life in Siwa was simple and that the people were kind. I also knew that there were many visitors and tourists there who might want to buy handmade soaps, she said. This time, Bint Osman finally made it, and she found a safe home, a kind community and a successful business in Siwa. I finally found the light at the end of the tunnel in Siwa, she said. Her business grew in the oasis and on social-media platforms. She has got to meet people interested in essential oils and the materials she needed to make her soaps online, and lately she has received offers to give workshops on handmade soaps made of natural ingredients that can help to treat disease and rejuvenate the skin and hair, much like her latest workshop for American guests in Cairo. Today, Bint Osman is a professional instructor as well as a soap-maker, giving presentations and workshops in English to a variety of different audiences. With every piece of soap she sells, she puts in the wrap an Egyptian blue eye, an originally Pharaonic symbol designed to ward off evil. Natalie, a banker from Washington who attended the recent workshop, commented that this is my second visit to Egypt, a place where I can forget about the rigid life in the US. I always meet kind people here who make me feel happy, safe, and relaxed. I loved the workshop by Bint Osman, and maybe I will now make soap myself back home to remind me of my happy days in Egypt. Maybe next time I will also go to Siwa, where the dates, olives and other natural materials Bint Osman uses come from, she concluded. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: The problem with the private markets is that theyre difficult to invest in. Since our inception, we have been singularly focused on providing investors with access to some of the worlds leading private companies. InvestX, a leading investment platform in the growth equity asset class, has launched a new growth equity fund (the Fund). Similar its previous Fund, it is designed to offer access to investments in pre-IPO companies in the technology platforms, data analytics, data management, healthcare, fintech and other high growth sectors. The Fund allows qualified investors access to this high growth sector that was previously reserved for institutions. Late-stage private companies are choosing to remain private longer, resulting in investment returns shifting from the public to private markets, said Marcus New, CEO at InvestX. However, the problem with the private markets is that theyre difficult to invest in. Since our inception, we have been singularly focused on providing investors with access to some of the worlds leading private companies. Accredited investors are eligible to participate through their advisors and investment managers. The Fund, similar to all of the investments made available by InvestX, leverages its five-factor investment strategy, helping to secure hard-to-get positions at a price advantageous to clients, with lowered risk, all while increasing anticipated returns. About InvestX InvestX provides over 2400 high net worth investors, though their wealth advisers, access to the #1 institutional asset class Growth Equity. Through InvestX, wealth and portfolio managers can invest in institutional quality private equity, without the traditional multi-million- dollar investment minimums. For more information visit http://www.investx.com InvestX Growth Equity Fund: Important Disclosure The information contained herein is provided to you for informational purposes only and is not, and may not be relied on in any manner as, legal, tax or investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in a fund (the Fund) sponsored by InvestX Master GP1 Inc. (the Sponsor). A private offering of interests in the Fund will only be made pursuant to a confidential Private Placement Memorandum, or Offering Memorandum (the Memorandum) and the Funds offering and subscription documents, which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis at their request for their consideration in connection with such offering. Prospective investors are advised to ask questions of and receive answers from the Sponsor concerning the Fund and to obtain any additional information they consider necessary for their decision to invest in the Fund. This document gives details of an indicative proposal only and is subject to further elaboration and change and should not be considered a recommendation by any person that the possible investment opportunity described would be suitable for any recipient of a copy of this document. The information contained herein will be superseded by, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Memorandum, which contains additional information about the investment objective, terms and conditions of an investment in the Fund and also contains tax information and risk disclosures that are important to any investment decision regarding the Fund. Investment in the Fund will involve significant risks, including risk of loss of the entire investment; prospective investors should consult their own legal, tax and financial advisors as to the consequences of an investment in the Fund. Leveraged investments may present additional capital structure risk; dependence on key personnel may result in additional operational risk; an investment in the Fund is a long term investment, the interests are illiquid and an investor may not be able to transfer or redeem its interest because of restrictions on transferability or redemption of interests; any potential return on an investors investment will be reduced by the Funds fees and expenses; an investor in default with respect to its obligation to fund required capital contributions may expect to experience material adverse effects on its investment and a defaulting investor may lose the right to participate in any investments made after such investors default. Investors should have the financial ability and willingness to accept the risks associated with an investment in the Fund for an indefinite period of time. The information contained herein must be kept strictly confidential and may not be reproduced or redistributed in any format without the Funds express written approval. Except where otherwise indicated herein, the information provided herein is based on matters as they exist as of the date of preparation and not as of any future date, and will not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available, or circumstances existing or changes occurring after the date hereof. Top gainers in the Sensex pack included Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, ONGC, UltraTech Cement, NTPC and PowerGrid. Mumbai: Snapping its seven-day falling streak, equity benchmark Sensex rallied 480 points on Tuesday after gains in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank and Kotak Bank amid positive cues from global markets. RBI to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets as COVID-19 spreads Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/lmv6vZXVzK pic.twitter.com/1BxydfR8QZ ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 3, 2020 After a highly volatile session, the 30-share index surged 479.68 points or 1.26 percent to end at 38,623.70 with 28 of its constituents ending in the green. The broader NSE Nifty jumped 170.55 points or 1.53 per cent to close at 11,303.30 led by gains in metal and pharma stocks. Among Sensex stocks, Sun Pharma rose the most by 6.64 percent amid export restrictions imposed by the government on 26 pharma ingredients and medicines to boost local supplies. Tata Steel, ONGC, UltraTech Cement, NTPC, PowerGrid, Reliance, Kotak Bank and HCL Tech were among the major gainers. On the other hand, ITC and HDFC Bank ended in the red. Domestic market sentiment got a boost after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it was ready to take necessary action to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets. "Globally, financial markets have been experiencing considerable volatility, with the spread of the coronavirus triggering risk-off sentiments and flights to safe haven," the RBI said in a statement. Spillovers to financial markets in India have largely been contained. Growing hopes of coordinated policy action to mitigate a broader fallout to economic activity has boosted market sentiment today, it said. "Comments by central bank officials over possible policy initiatives to curtail economic impact held markets positive across the globe. Broad-based momentum was witnessed in Metals and Pharma while the strong dollar held IT stocks higher. With nations across the globe taking precautions over the virus, further long-term economic impact looks minimal," Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said. Indian markets rose as the hopes of coordinated rate cuts got a boost from the action of Australian and Malaysian central banks, Deepak Jasani - Head Retail Research, HDFC Securities said. "Hopes also rose from concall within the Group of Seven industrial powers is expected to issue a statement on Tuesday or Wednesday on countering the impact of the coronavirus outbreak," he added. Broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices rallied up to 1.75 percent. All the sectoral indices closed in green with BSE Metal rising the most by 5.67 percent following gains in Tata Steel and Vedanta Ltd. BSE Power jumped 3.99 percent led by gains in NTPC and Powergrid. BSE Utilities rose by 3.93 percent while BSE Healthcare gained 3.77 percent following a rise in Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy's. Oil & Gas and Basic Materials also rose by more than 3 percent. BSE IT, metal, energy, auto and realty indices also rallied up to 2.52 percent. Market breadth was positive as 1,234 scrips advanced while 1,165 stocks dropped on BSE. As many as 157 scrips were unchanged. Brent crude oil futures rose 2.93 percent to $53.42 per barrel. On the currency front, the Indian rupee depreciated 40 paise to 73.16 per US dollar (intra-day). Bourses in Shanghai and Seoul ended on a positive note while Hong Kong and Tokyo settled with losses. Stock exchanges in Europe opened up to 2 per cent higher. Paras Bothra, President of Equity Research, Ashika Stock Broking commented: "Domestic markets gained higher in sync with global markets after global central banks assured of their readiness to deal with the growing threats from the coronary outbreak." Besides, the number of new cases in China have hit the lowest, although there are growing concerns of its spread globally. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The importance of strengthening global humanitarian, development and peace collaboration is the key conclusion of the 2nd Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, which closed on March 2nd. Eleven recommendations towards achieving this goal were adopted at the conclusion of the event, which was held over two days. Over two thousand delegates, including the directors of six United Nations agencies, gathered in the capital for this high-level event co-hosted with the United Nations. The forum brought together humanitarian experts and global aid specialists to discuss the many challenges facing humanitarian action and how to better assist those in need. The Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, met and signed agreements worth over USD 60 million with a number of high-level officials. These included the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the Executive Director of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore. Projects included enhancing Access to Basic Education and Protecting Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso, Malaria Control and Prevention in Yemen and Supporting the Provision of Healthcare to in-need Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "We are proud not only of being able to host this global gathering, but also to provide practical and workable principles and recommendations that can now be followed", Dr. Al Rabeeah stated. "This Forum was about bringing the world's most eminent expertise on humanitarian affairs to Riyadh to find ways to improve assistance to those who need it the most". The eleven recommendations focus on humanitarian and development cooperation, health and communicable diseases, large-scale migration flows and supporting vulnerable people. The participants agreed that closer collaboration between humanitarian action, sustainable development and, where appropriate, peacebuilding, is a priority. The United Nations, Governments, humanitarian and development actors, civil society organizations, members of the private sector and community leaders were asked to prioritize these recommendations to improve humanitarian assistance and promote transitions to long-term sustainable development in crisis countries affected by conflict and natural disasters. They were also urged to identify other forms of support needed to address and solve humanitarian challenges. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also announced it would be hosting the next high-level pledging conference for the United Nations 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan next month. SOURCE The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre TASHKENT -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has signed a decree allowing people who are not registered as living in Tashkent to purchase real estate in the capital as of April 1. The country's state-run media outlets reported on March 2 that Mirziyoev made the move in tandem with abolishing the Soviet-era system that barred people from rural regions from residing and working in the capital and nearby districts. The moves are part of Mirziyoev's plan to liberalize internal migration in Central Asia's most-populous country of 32 million. "It is true that we kept our people restrained for 30 years," Mirziyoev said in announcing the plan in January, adding that the time had come to stop the practice, as it pushed hundreds of thousands of Uzbeks to seek jobs in other countries. Mirziyoev, a former prime minister, became president after predecessor Islam Karimov's death was announced in September 2016. Karimov ruled Uzbekistan with an iron fist since before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Mirziyoev has taken steps to bolster the country's struggling economy and to implement reforms in Uzbekistan -- where rights abuses had been widespread under Karimov. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Indian IT services company Infosys has teamed up with tech giant IBM to help businesses go full bore with digital transformation through industry-specific cloud services. Infosys will offer clients across sectors, including regulated industries such as financial services, insurance and healthcare, access to a portfolio of open source offerings on IBM's public cloud platform, the companies said in a statement. Bengaluru-based Infosys will be the first so-called global system integrator to join IBM's new public cloud platform. IBM is looking to partner service providers such as Infosys to help bring its public cloud services to businesses in sectors such as financial services and insurance, among others. It has become imperative for businesses to invest in cloud computing as transactions and services are increasingly becoming digital. The portfolio of open source offerings is housed under Red Hat, which IBM snapped up for $33 billion in July 2019 its biggest acquisition to boost it cloud strategy. Cloud business is one of the fastest growing verticals for IBM and contributed about $21.2 billion for the year-ended December 2019. Explaining the rationale behind the collaboration, Bob Lord, Senior Vice President, Cognitive Applications and Ecosystems, IBM, said, As businesses today continue to migrate critical workloads to the public cloud, they are demanding the highest levels of security and control to ensure their data is not compromised." This past week at Charleston Gaillard Center, East met West in ways that both sharpened the senses and simply stunned. Charleston Symphony was out in full vibrant force for its latest Masterworks concert, which featured composers whose works wrangled contrasting cultures, geographic and otherwise. Titled "Scheherazade," the mesmerizing, ambitious evening took on three distinct orchestral works, which together demonstrated the ways in which a piece of music can reconcile strikingly different approaches to art and to life. Those works were, in order of performance, Igor Stravinsky's "Song of the Nightingale," Leonard Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade, Op. 35." First, we landed in, yes, China, a country certainly front-and-center of late. Long before its global dominance and recent health crisis, Stravinsky had tried his hand at plumbing its pentatonic music. "Song of the Nightingale" is his 1917 work that may not have caused quite the Sturm und Drang of his notoriously unsettling "Rite of Spring," which, when it debuted, turned concertgoers on their ear and into full ire. But his Eastern-inflected piece was far from warmly received at its launch, either. Before raising his baton, conductor Ken Lam (a native of Hong Kong) cited its setting head-on, introducing the work with a good-natured assurance that only the sounds of China were present in the hall. Elephant thus banished from the concert hall, the orchestra struck up Stravinsky's symphonic poem the composer's first opera which was then transformed into a Ballets Russes work of choreography by Sergei Diaghilev at Paris Opera (complete with costumes by Henri Matisse). In four movements, we embark on our first push-me, pull-you of East and West, ancient and modern, and all through that titular nightingale. The pet bird of a Chinese emperor, the nightingale is met with some literally stiff competition when his human is gifted with a mechanical version of his species, one that can be wound up to trill on command. Sign up for our new opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! As the composer slips the Chinese scale into a Western construct, we are in a tweet-off between flute-as-living-bird and oboe-as-robot. In its day, the piece likely would have served as a bracing statement in a world increasingly motorized, and it strikes still, considering currently battles of bots and men. From there, we switched cultural underpinnings entirely, by way of Leonard Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms." The 1965 choral composition that followed from the artist's "Kaddish Symphony," which references the Jewish prayer, is also reflective of Jewish culture, with three movements sung in Hebrew and comprised of well-known Psalms such as Psalm 100 (Think "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord") and Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd"). To do so, the orchestra brought out the soul-stirring countertenor Daniel Moody, as well as Robert Taylor's impressive Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the College of Charleston Concert Choir, all performing to lulling, ethereal effect. At the same time, however, the work cants contemporary (well, contemporary 1960s) with strains of Bernstein's Broadway bona fides emerging throughout. There are dramatic, dreamy sweeps of violins and brassy assertions as the orchestra traverses sonic realms bridging the sacred and secular. And then there is that "Scheherazade," Rimsky-Korsakov's sultry, effusive show-stopper that demonstrates how gloriously two worlds can converge, as the lushness is restrained, and power seductively softened, time and again. Inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights," the composer's 1888 work carries the listener through four movements, through the story sea of Sinbad's ship, the tale of Prince Kalandar, that of the young prince and princess and finally the epic festival in Baghdad and ending. The agency is deepened by concert master Yuriy Bekker's yearning strings, which keen into the Arabian nights while Lam drives and drives the phenomenal orchestra, harnessing all that longing, passion and power, as musicians stand apart and come together in utter, wondrous uproar. By the evening's end, I was spent and sated. From past times and faraway places, there was the unbridled rigor and daring of three composers willing to encompass the world in their art. And there was also the extraordinary orchestra which delivered it to the present with gusto and world-class artistry right on Charleston's doorstep, safe and sound. 'You could be entitled to compensation up to 250,000', 'thousands owed for hidden loan charges and mortgages' and 'don't delay start your free application today'. Barely were my feet back under the desk in 2020 before I was bombarded with emails telling me I could be entitled to compensation for a mis-sold mortgage. In total, I received three emails from the same source in a little more than four weeks asking whether I had been sold a mortgage or secured loan after October 2004. I received emails at the start of 2020 from no-win no-fee lawyers asking me if I had historic mortgages, and that I could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation Even considering the looser affordability requirements of the pre-2008 world, it's still highly unlikely anyone would have agreed to hand out an interest-only mortgage to a seven-year-old, as I was in 2004. But that these emails came at the same time that I was seeing posters on the train to work, which stated so-called mortgage prisoners could be owed thousands of pounds in compensation, well it all seemed a little too much of a coincidence. With the end of the PPI gravy train on 29 August 2019, the question has often been asked as to where the claims management companies and no-win, no-fee law firms which raked in thousands of pounds in commission could turn next. Could the emails I received be the answer? A quick Google search for 'mis-sold mortgage' returns a number of adverts offering to find victims compensation, two of which were adverts for the same people which contacted me; 'Claim Your Hidden Commissions' and 'Claim Your Mortgage'. Both are trading styles of the same firm, 'Pure Legal Ltd,' based in Liverpool and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Fishing: A search on Google for 'mis-sold mortgage' returns multiple adverts inviting compensation claims What is it offering? Claim Your Mortgage offers to help those potentially mis-sold interest-only mortgages after 31 October 2004 gain compensation. Interest-only mortgages are loans where home owners only pay off the interest every month, but not the actual capital they've borrowed, which must be repaid at the end of the mortgage term. Claim Your Mortgage state: 'The rules governing the sale of mortgages state that the lenders and brokers must ensure that the mortgage is affordable not only at the time of sale but throughout the whole term of the mortgage, even if that means into retirement. 'If it can be established that the mortgage was mis-sold then you may have a claim for losses from the start of the mortgage to date, and through to the full term of the mortgage.' The law firm behind the emails, Pure Legal Ltd, said those who had taken out interest-only mortgages since November 2004 could potentially have been mis-sold Complaints about interest-only mortgages often come from people who said they were advised to take one out but couldn't afford to repay the capital at the end according to the Financial Ombudsman Service. These were often from mortgage brokers on commission, or felt interest-only was the wrong mortgage choice for them. Pure Legal say that in return for the name of your mortgage provider, the date you took out the mortgage and a few other 'simple questions', one of its 'team of legal experts' will assess your claim and determine whether you have a case. The company said it could make claims with just the name of your lender and when you took the loan out Like most CMCs and no-win, no-fee lawyers, Pure Legal take a slice of your payout if you get one, in this case 35 per cent plus VAT. In the email they sent me and on their website they use the example of 'David and Andrea', eligible for 65,994 in compensation. Of that sum, Pure Legal would take 23,097.90 under their 35 per cent commission. It is worth noting that, much like with PPI claims, complaints about mis-sold mortgages can be made either to the lender, mortgage broker, the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the lender or broker has gone bust by complainants themselves, without the need for these companies. I asked Pure Legal why I had received these emails. Its director of compliance told me: 'PLL partner with Click Labs Group, a UK based marketing agency, who help us contact potential new customers. 'They and their partners have on our behalf sent you marketing material as you have opted-in or consented to receive these messages. 'This is the lawful reason for why you have been contacted. You can unsubscribe from any of these messages instantly by clicking the relevant link if you have received an email.' Though for what it's worth, I don't remember opting in. Could mortgages really be the new PPI? As of September 2019, 37.2billion has been paid out in successful mis-sold PPI claims according to the FCA, earning CMCs and law firms who packaged together large numbers of claims a hefty chunk of commission in the process. But since the deadline for new claims at the end of last August, those businesses have had to look elsewhere to earn their keep. On 1 April 2019, when the FCA took over regulation of CMCs, they were all required to re-apply for authorisation and submit business plans showing which areas they intended to operate in over the next few years. While the FCA unfortunately was not able to share any data on this, and said it specifically couldn't comment on whether CMCs were looking at mortgage claims, it would be a fair assumption that CMCs and no win no fee law firms had their eyes on this area. The latest UK Finance figures found at the end of 2018 there were around 1.12million interest-only mortgages outstanding, though of course not all of these will have been mis-sold. When it comes to official complaints data, it is slightly tricky to work out how many claims relate to interest-only mortgages and how many have been brought by CMCs, but it is clear the deluge of complaints banks received about PPI has not yet been replicated. According to the most recent figures from the FOS, it received 9,909 mortgage complaints between April and December 2019, 5,827 of which were new. It received 10,071 new complaints on the subject between April 2018 and March 2019. By comparison, the ombudsman received 41,500 new complaints about PPI in the last three months of 2019 alone, and has now received more than 2million complaints about mis-sold insurance. Meanwhile, the FSCS, which would pay out to complainants with valid claims if their mortgage adviser has gone bust, dealt with 270 interest-only mortgage cases between April and December last year. Of those which it had completed, it rejected 147 and paid out in 85. The most you can receive from the FSCS is 85,000. This is certainly a slow start, and CMCs are also likely to be keeping an eye on payday loans, pensions and other potential mis-selling in the search for the new PPI, while interest-only mortgages are a far smaller pond to be fishing in anyway. But, given that PPI payouts trebled to 6.2billion between 2011 and 2012, a slow start does not necessarily mean the topic won't later catch fire. And, at the very least, with claims firms on the hunt for their next payday, I doubt I'll be the only one receiving emails inviting me to make a 'free' application in the hope of 'free' cash. Andrew Yang was the first true crypto candidate to emerge since the advent of digital currencies and blockchain technology. Yang will be remembered for his detailed crypto platform and for the genuine enthusiasm he demonstrated as an advocate for the technologies. Though he never spoke about the technologies directly during a nationally televised debate, he endorsed crypto and blockchain in a range of fora, from Facebook Live AMAs to the main stage at Consensus 2019, where he gushed, Oh, boy, are we going to have some fun in terms of the cryptocurrency community. In contrast to Hilary Clintons sharp rejection of crypto donations in 2016 citing concern over the perception they carried unseemly libertarian connotations Yang accepted up to $2,500 in bitcoin (BTC) or ERC20 tokens, with some paperwork required. These donations supported Yangs detailed crypto platform, including a pledge to act on onerous regulations that he believed have a chilling effect on the growth of the digital assets market. There was no hedging or ambivalence involved. The Yang2020 website stated flatly, The blockchain has vast potential. To comprehend just how much of a break this was, it helps to revisit the last election cycle. In 2016, the closest thing to a crypto candidate was the Republican Rand Paul. Before dropping out in early February, Paul quietly accepted donations in digital currencies, but otherwise didnt consider the young technology worthy of policy attention. Ditto the libertarian former governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson, whose candidacy suggests the Clinton campaigns concerns were misplaced. Despite being a self-declared libertarian, Johnsons support among crypto investors was roughly the same as his support among the general population, which is to say negligible, around 5 percent. (Support for John McAfees Dont-ask-me-about-anything 2016 and 2020 campaigns, meanwhile, is too negligible to quantify.) Related: Why Arent the Candidates Talking About Digital Currency? Story continues Yang showed people who are outside the community that cryptocurrency policy is an issue that is very real and affects millions of Americans, said Neeraj Agrawal, director of communications at Coin Center, the crypto advocacy and policy think tank. He was the first candidate to have a sensible crypto policy, and the first to talk about these issues in a serious way on the national stage. The first, but not the last. Observers in the space believe in future elections, as digital currencies gain mainstream traction, wider adoption and prominence within larger debates over U.S. monetary policy and financial regulation, candidates with platforms like Yangs will be the rule rather than the exception. Yangs campaign was a historical moment for cryptocurrency and blockchain that will lead the way for more candidates to come forward championing the technology, said Craig Cobb, host of The Trader Cobb Crypto Podcast. With a larger millennial public coming to voting age, we will see an ongoing push at all levels of politics to advance the technology that this demographic has embraced. Related: A Tech Bro Like Us, CoinDesks Most Influential Profile of Andrew Yang Related: Biden May Not Be Savvy About Big Tech, but He Understands Cybersecurity *** Meanwhile, Yang has no plans to disappear. As a newly hired regular commentator on CNN, he will continue to have a voice in the national political conversation. It isnt yet clear whether he will be in a position to directly address crypto or related issues on the countrys most-watched cable network, or if hell be asked to comment only on more general political subjects. But he is now one of very few people on CNNs payroll who has a known interest and knowledge on the issue. For years, CNN did not have anyone who could credibly discuss crypto or blockchain. This changed only in 2018, when CNN International hired Julia Chatterly, who now hosts occasional crypto segments, including a recent interview with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. On the campaign trail, Yangs absence has created a vacuum that has yet to be filled. When Yang announced that he was suspending his campaign on the night of the New Hampshire primary, many assumed that his role as the Crypto Candidate would be taken over by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. At first glance, this transfer of allegiance did have a certain logic to it. Bloombergs name is associated with business and technology and, like Yang, he has a crypto plank in his platform. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Bloombergs campaign has indeed made overtures to Yang, courting the former candidates endorsement and floating the possibility of Mr. Yang becoming his running mate. But the report also stated Yang did not show enthusiasm for the idea, mirroring a tepid response to Bloomberg on the part of the so-called Yang Gang, the group of media savvy and energetic supporters that put Yang on the map with a burst of Internet memes and other forms of organic, creative organizing activity. He was the first candidate to have a sensible crypto policy, and the first to talk about these issues in a serious way on the national stage. There are a number of possible reasons for this, beginning with the neutral tone of Bloombergs crypto platform in comparison to Yangs. Nor is there a clear overlap between Bloombergs wider, more traditional business constituency and the more niche crypto community that rallied behind Yang. And where Yang had an undeniable buoyancy and charisma, Bloomberg possesses the leaden anti-charisma of a self-absorbed and domineering late-career CEO. People were very quick to say Bloomberg is the next Yang, but he just doesnt have the same techie-futurist vibe, said Agrawal of Coin Center. Bloombergs platform is very guarded and unspecific. It doesnt celebrate the technologies; it just says there will be some regulation. Any overlap might just be from the fact that there are some more traditional finance types in the cryptocurrency world. But you cant just buy the kind of meme energy that Yang had. Yang was a moonshot candidate and crypto is a moonshot thing. If not Bloomberg, where does the crypto voter, if such a thing exists, go from here? As suggested by Gary Johnsons tepid support, crypto investors are not ideologically predictable and do not necessarily fit the libertarian cliche. Nor are they all Democrats, even if the Democratic Party has traditionally been the most tech-forward of the two parties. Crypto Twitter is notoriously busy with Pepe the Frog avatars and memes, suggesting that a significant minority supports the retrograde policies of the current administration. Then there are what you might call dark-horse crypto candidates. There are, after all, a lot of ways to encourage the growth of crypto and blockchain, not all of them obvious. Four years ago, some made the case that Hillary Clinton, despite her public cryptophobia, was actually poised to become an ally and boon to the development of the underlying technology. In a July 2106 piece for TechCrunch, Brian Forde of the Digital Currency Initiative at MITs Media Lab argued that this was obvious when you took a closer look under the hood of Hillary Clintons policy goals for technology and innovation. These goals included general support for computer science and STEM education, increasing open data, and fighting for net neutrality. Then there was her low-key call for the development of public service blockchain applications, which got a lot less attention in the community than her rejection of crypto donations. Secretary Clinton embraced the technologys potential when looking at it in the context of her call to open more data, wrote Forde, noting that crypto allies DJ Patil and Ed Felten both served as deputy CTOs in the same administration Clinton served as Secretary of State. Having voices like theirs at the table is powerful and having a call for public service blockchain applications opens the dialogue between policymakers in a new Administration and the cryptocurrency community. In a similar vein, Jon Buck of Beincrypto.com has more recently argued that the election of Bernie Sanders, a candidate more closely associated with universal health care and income inequality than tech issues, could be an unexpected boon to the growth of crypto and blockchain. Buck points to the senators plan to provide high-speed internet to every citizen as a basic human right, spreading the infrastructure key to wider participation in the sector. (This would also apply to Elizabeth Warrens similar plank calling for heavy public investment into expanding broadband access.) Regardless of the political leaning, writes Buck, universal access to high-speed Internet would be a massive boon for bitcoin. As a digital currency, Bitcoin requires access to the internet for simple trading and transactions. While government costs may be massive, such a plan would provide access to Bitcoin for the entire country. The virtuous adoption cycle of bitcoin would mean that, as access and adoption increase, prices would also increase. And, as prices respond to greater usage, more users would certainly move into the space. There is another possible future for the Yang Gang, of course. They could reject all of the other candidates, and simply write Andrew Yang on the ballot-line marked Other, staying loyal to their candidate until he sends out word to gear up the machine for a second run in 2024 or 2028. Related Stories At least 15 people have been killed in torrential rain that hit the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, triggering flash floods and destroying houses, authorities said Tuesday. Violent storms in recent days have dumped a month's worth of rain on some areas in a matter of hours, devastating poor neighborhoods on the southern coast of Sao Paulo state and on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, the country's second-biggest city. At least 10 people were killed early Tuesday and one is missing in Sao Paulo after floods and landslides hit the coastal cities of Santos, Sao Vicente and Guaruja, state authorities said. One of the dead was a firefighter who was working on a rescue operation when he was killed by a landslide. "I express my solidarity with those who are suffering from these heavy rains," Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria wrote on Twitter. Several highways were blocked by fallen trees and landslides, including some linking Santos, the largest port in South America, to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic capital. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities said the death toll had risen to at least five after three days of violent rain that swept away houses and cars and left some communities covered in water or mud. The victims were electrocuted, buried in landslides or drowned, emergency officials said. The disaster turned political in Rio when the city's Mayor Marcelo Crivella, a far-right evangelical Christian bishop, blamed residents for the flooding. During a visit to an affected community, he told journalists, "The people can't be throwing trash on hillsides, in storm drains and in the street." Mid-press conference, someone pelted him in the face with a ball of mud, captured in a video that went viral online. "The water knocked my granddaughter and me off the sofa. Dirty water came flooding into my kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, everything. I lost everything," Ivone Cardoso, 65, a resident of the Realengo neighborhood, told AFP as she swept mud and water out of her house. Brazil is having an especially intense rainy season this summer. In January, more than 50 people were killed in Minas Gerais state, which neighbors Sao Paulo, in several days of violent rain. By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijani Culture Minister Abulfas Garayev has unveiled an action plan to mark the 20th anniversary of Icherisheher's inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List, signed y by President Ilham Aliyev. International conference and several cultural events will be held in Icherisheher as part of the celebration. The exhibitions will display some exhibits stored in country's museums. The celebration will feature cultural programs. Moreover, separate routes will be formed for tourists. Negotiations on this issue are already underway with the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve. "The main thing is the international resonance from these events. The work done today in Icherisheher is commendable. Every day is a story," the minister added. Azerbaijan became member of UNESCO on June 3 1992, after restoration of its independence. In 2003, Azerbaijan and UNESCO signed the framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO. Many Azerbaijan's cultural sites have been included into UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Icherisheher (Old City), Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah's palace were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, while since 2007 the Gobustan National Historical-Artistic reserve also listed among these heritages. Sheki, a significant city at the crossroads of the historic Silk Roads was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List during the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee held in Baku. In 2017, UNESCO recognized Azerbaijan's dolma as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Art of crafting and playing with kamancha, presented jointly by Azerbaijan and Iran, was also inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO also celebrated the 600th anniversary of the death of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi and the 200th anniversary of the first settlement of Germans in Azerbaijan last year. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz London: The most striking part of how Europe has responded to the economic threat posed by coronavirus is the lack of any actual response. So far, central bankers are holding their nerve as the US Federal Reserve and Reserve Bank of Australia fire their own monetary cannons. America's surprise interest rate cut - its first unscheduled reduction since 2008 and largest in the years since - is raising expectations of an imminent similar slicing across the Atlantic. The messages coming from Europe's top bankers suggest otherwise. For the time being, they are prepared to let the stock market convulse while a considered policy response is formulated and the economic impacts of the outbreak are properly calculated. It's a risky strategy for such a rapidly escalating crisis but it could make sense. For a while on Tuesday, the Fed's decision to cut rates sent the market skyward. But investors soon reached the view that the decision may have been made too early and will only really work in combination with some sort of yet-to-materialise stimulus from the White House. The gains evaporated and the market went backwards. The result gave some credibility to Europe's approach but the go-slow can't hold much longer. Flavor Flav has responded angrily to his sacking from Public Enemy after he refused to endorse presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, launching a public attack on Chuck D. While the group denied the decision had been taken because he would not join other members in backing the Democrat, a series of statements posted by the legendary hype man on social media suggested he believed this was the case. He posted on Twitter: You wanna destroy something weve built over 35 years [sic] over politics? It followed Public Enemy's statement saying Flav would no longer be working with the group after 37 years as a member. But Flav responded with a series of tweets directed at frontman Chuck D. Are you kidding me right now??? Over Bernie Sanders??? he said. You wanna destroy something weve built over 35 years OVER POLITICS??? All because I dont wanna endorse a candidate Im very disappointed in you and your decisions right now Chuck. In a subsequent tweet, Flav told Chuck D he wasnt your employee Im your partner you cant fire me. He added: There is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav so lets get it right Chuck." Public Enemy subsequently denied that the reason for Flavs sacking his stance on Mr Sanders. Public Enemy did not part ways with Flavor Flav over his political views, said the statement. Flavor Flav has been on suspension since 2016 when he was MIA from the Harry Belafonte benefit in Atlanta, Georgia. That was the last straw for the group. He had previously missed numerous live gigs from Glastonbury to Canada, album recording sessions and photo shoots. He always chose to party over work. It came after Chuck D led a concert for the Sanders campaign in Los Angeles, without the involvement of Flav. Flav, whose real name is William Drayton, initially responded by sending a cease and desist letter to Mr Sanders, who is currently frontrunner in the contest to face Donald Trump in the presidential election in November. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up In the letter, he said he objected to the use of Public Enemy as a tool for political endorsement. It accused Sanders' campaign of advancing a misleading narrative that Public Enemy has supported him. The letter also claimed that the Sanders campaign circulated the unauthorised use of [Flavs] likeness, image and trademarked clock in promotional materials. Those who truly know what Public Enemy stands for know what time it is, he said. There is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav. On Saturday, Chuck D and his attorney had issued a statement saying he was the sole owner of the Public Enemy trademark. From a legal standpoint, Chuck could perform as Public Enemy if he ever wanted to; he is the sole owner of the Public Enemy trademark, the statement said. He originally drew the logo himself in the mid-Eighties, is also the creative visionary and the groups primary songwriter, having written Flavors most memorable lines. Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine 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 Winnipeggers should start saying goodbye to copper wire and hello to fibre optics. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeggers should start saying goodbye to copper wire and hello to fibre optics. Bell MTS is launching a $400-million construction project that involves installing fibre optic cables throughout the city. Close to 275,000 Winnipeg residences and businesses will be connected to state-of-the-art fibre optics that will boost capacity and Internet speeds to the fastest in North America. The investment is part of the commitment Bell made when regulators cleared its $3.9-billion acquisition of MTS in March 2017. At the time, Bell said it would invest $1 billion in Manitobas network infrastructure in the ensuing five years. "We are going to rebuild the citys communications infrastructure," said Bell Canada and BCE Inc.s new CEO, Mirko Bibic. "Winnipegs original communications infrastructure was built on legacy copper wire like everywhere else in the country. Thats copper wire that has been in the ground for 50, 60, 70, 80 years. Now it is time for us to deliver the network for the future." It is the largest single capital investment in Bells five-year commitment to Manitoba and it is the largest current capital project in the companys entire network, after a similar project began in Montreal in 2017. Industry experts believe it is the kind of investment that will infuse confidence in the community for existing businesses and consumers. It will also give future investors a level of reliance that they will have the digital backbone to manage and grow their digital traffic. Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said Bells commitment to Winnipeg is a sign of confidence, and that this market warrants such a high expenditure. "People are making these kinds of investments around the world," Remillard said. "Businesses need to make sure they have access to the best technology that is available to them. They are competing against companies worldwide. They need to have that foundational infrastructure in place to be able to continue to not only meet their needs but to develop the newest offerings in the marketplace." Winnipegs burgeoning tech sector has had challenges with connectivity in the past. Joelle Foster, CEO of North Forge Venture Exchange, said companies are going to notice the difference right away. "When you are online a lot, you notice it when speeds are not up to par," she said. "It will make a big difference in how they are connecting with the rest of Canada and the world." The multi-year project, which has already begun, is expected to take about three years. It will create about 1,100 direct and indirect jobs. Bell estimates it will generate about $900 million in economic activity. The work involves laying the fibre optic cables underground via existing municipal conduits, then lashing the new cables to existing aerial telephone lines for the final distance to the homes. In newer neighbourhoods that do not have telephone poles, the work will require underground trenching. Bell MTS will contract with a number of suppliers to undertake this work, including ACME Technical Services, Aecon, Central Telecom, Crown Pipeline, Mobia Technology Innovations, WP Teletronics and Valard. Bibic said Bell MTS will not have any problem meeting its promise to spend $1 billion in five years. Bibic said, "It is really irrelevant because we will surpass (the $1 billion mark) and we will keep investing. Its not like we hit $1 billion and everything stops and the tap turns off." Since 2017, Bell MTS has extended its fibre connections to more than 30 communities in the province. It recently announced a fibre optic rollout in Flin Flon. As well, the company claims its LTE Advanced mobile service now reaches 90 per cent of the provincial population including coverage along Highway 75 from Winnipeg to the U.S. border, and previously underserved communities such as Churchill, Cross Lake, Berens River, Glenboro, Gods Lake Narrows, and the Jackhead reserve. Work is underway to complete LTE coverage along Highway 6 from Winnipeg to Thompson. This announcement was made just after the CRTC wrapped up hearings to consider regulations that would force facilities-based carriers, such as Bell, Telus and Rogers, to allow new companies known as mobile virtual network operators to rent capacity on those networks and re-sell services at lower rates. 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. Bibic said if those regulations take effect, it would curtail the kind of investment that Bell MTS announced on Monday. He said Bells investment is the kind of progress the economy depends on as the digital economy becomes more mature and new advances in technology make even more applications possible. "From a public policy perspective and from an economic growth perspective, government leaders and industry leaders ought to be working together to make sure announcements like todays get repeated over and over again," Bibic said. "The problem... about giving access to our networks is that if (the CRTC) mandates access the way that is being contemplated, investments like the one today will not repeat themselves." He said Bell MTS is forging ahead with the big fibre build in Manitoba because Bell honours its commitments. "But," he said, "I worry about being able to make investments like this in the next city, and the next city, and the one after that." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca The lawyer for an American held in Iran said on Monday that his client is at serious risk of contracting the coronavirus after another inmate held near his cell tested positive for the illness. A detainee held in the same prison ward as Iranian-American Siamak Namazi was diagnosed with coronavirus and has been removed, Jared Genser, a U.S. lawyer working on behalf of Namazi, said in a statement. Before prisoners in the ward were confined to their cells on Monday, the inmates were eating meals together, gathering in the prison library, exercise facilities and television room, raising the risk of spreading the virus, Genser said. Image: Handout photo of Iranian-American consultant Siamak Namazi is pictured in San Francisco (Ahmad Kiarostami / via Reuters file) Inmates who have asked to be tested for the coronavirus have been denied, he said. Evin prison also has rudimentary medical services and lacks basic medications for flu-like symptoms, according to Genser, who often speaks to Namazi by phone. To keep Siamak at Evin prison in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak and without access to testing or even basic medicines constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in violation of Irans obligations under the Convention Against Torture, Genser said. Iranian authorities should arrange for Namazis release on medical furlough to reduce the risk of further exposure to the virus, Genser said. Irans mission to the United States was not immediately available for comment. Iranian officials previously have denied any mistreatment of Namazi or other foreigners held in the country, and have defended their efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Namazi has been imprisoned in Iran for 1,602 days. He was arrested in October 2015 and later convicted along with his elderly father, Baquer, for collaboration with a hostile government, the United States. His family and human rights groups say the charges against Namazi and his father are without foundation. Iran rejects the claim. Iran has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with senior officials coming under criticism that the authorities allegedly tried to play down the extent of the outbreak. The government said on Monday that 66 people have died from the illness out of 1,501 confirmed cases. Story continues The husband of British-Iranian prisoner Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is also held in Evin prison, has accused the regime of refusing to test his wife for the coronavirus despite repeated requests. The Free Nazanin Campaign in Britain issued a statement over the weekend from Zaghari-Ratcliffe, in which she said she felt feverish and had difficulty breathing. Just some hours after Senegal, Saudi Arabia and Jordan recorded their first confirmed cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19) on Monday, the U.S. also announced four new deaths from the disease. Other countries which reported their first confirmed coronavirus cases included Tunisia, Czech Republic, Scotland, and the Dominican Republic and Indonesia. As at the time of reporting, more than 90,000 people across 73 countries are now infected, while the death toll globally has exceeded 3,000. While, deaths toll in Iran rose to 66, the highest outside China, WHO said that the number of new cases outside China rose nine times higher than those inside the Asian country in the last 24 hours. This implies that cases reported outside China are increasing daily while cases in China which is the epicentre for the disease has been on a gradual decline. Outbreak In spite of the decline in China, there is no respite as cases are fast spreading to new territories. The WHO chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus, on Monday evening, said that countries need to raise their level of surveillance and be alert, in order to control the outbreak. He said that public health officials are operating in uncharted territory as they combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 90,000 people across 73 countries and territories as of Monday evening. Currently, Iran happens to be the hot spot in the middle east, while Italy seems to have contributed to the spread in Europe and in Nigeria. In South Korea, cases are being detected in clusters and have the second largest number after China. Africa In Africa, five countries have now reported cases of the new coronavirus on the continent. Algeria confirmed two new cases of COVID-19. The cases were confirmed in two females tested positive of the disease March 1. Algeria now has three confirmed cases in total the first case was reported seven days ago. READ ALSO: Also, Egypt now has two cases, while Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia have a case each. Here is the list of all the countries who as at 00:00 on Tuesday, reported at least a case since the outbreak broke out in December in Wuhan. 1. Afghanistan (1 case) 2. Algeria (2 cases) 3. Andorra (1 case) 4. Armenia (1 case) 5. Australia (35 cases, 1 death) 6. Austria (10 cases) 7. Bahrain (49 cases) 8. Belarus (1 case) 9. Belgium (1 case) Advertisements 10. Brazil (2 cases) 11. Cambodia (1 case) 12. Canada (24 cases) 13. Croatia (6 cases) 14. Czech Republic (5 cases) 15. Denmark (3 cases) 16. Dominican Republic (1 case) 17. Ecuador (7 cases) 18. Egypt (2 cases) 19. Estonia (1 case) 20. Finland (3 cases) 21. France (130 cases, 2 deaths) 22. Georgia (1 case) 23. Germany (158 cases) 24. Greece (7 cases) 25. Hong Kong (100 cases, 2 deaths) 26. Iceland (3 case) 27. India (6 cases) 28. Indonesia (2 cases) 29. Iran (1,501 cases, 66 deaths) 30. Iraq (26 cases) 31. Ireland (1 case) 32. Israel (12 cases) 33. Italy (2,036 cases, 52 deaths) 34. Japan (974 cases, 12 deaths) 35. Jordan (1 case) 36. Kuwait (56 cases) 37. Latvia (1 case) 38. Lebanon (13 cases) 39. Lithuania (1 case) 40. Luxembourg (1 case) 41. Macao (10 cases) 42. Malaysia (25 cases) 43. Mexico (5 cases) 44. Monaco (1 case) 45. Nepal (1 case) 46. Netherlands (7 cases) 47. New Zealand (1 case) 48. Nigeria (1 case) 49. North Macedonia (1 case) 50. Norway (15 cases) 51. Oman (6 cases) 52. Pakistan (5 cases) 53. Philippines (3 cases, 1 death) 54. Portugal (2 cases) 55. Qatar (7 cases) 56. Romania (3 cases) 57. Russia (6 cases) 58. San Marino (1 case) 59. Saudi Arabia (1 case) 60. Senegal (1 case) 61. Singapore (108 cases) 62. South Korea (4,812 cases, 29 deaths) 63. Spain (73 cases) 64. Sri Lanka (1 case) 65. Sweden (13 cases) 66. Switzerland (18 cases) 67. Taiwan (41 cases, 1 death) 68. Thailand (42 cases, 1 death) 69. Tunisia (1 case) 70. United Arab Emirates (21 cases) 71. United Kingdom (40 cases) 72. United States (105 cases, 6 deaths) 73. Vietnam (16 cases) The figure from the U.S. include presumptive positive cases awaiting confirmation from the US Centers for Disease Control. Last Wednesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing on "Voter Suppression in Minority Communities: Learning from the Past to Protect Our Future." The hearing was based on the premise that "today, many Americans especially those in minority communities face significant barriers to registering to vote and casting a ballot." One witness, civil rights activist Diane Nash, delusionally claimed that America "was founded on genocide," which was an "extremely fundamental institution in our history." She went on to state that "we look on the value of lives of Europeans and white Americans and Australians and maybe Israelis as much more valuable than the lives of people who are Asian, African, and Latin American." First, as an American Jew, I take issue with the loose use of the term "genocide" to describe America's founding. The Holocaust was a genocide; Rwandans faced a genocide, as did the Armenians. But even if you agree with Ms. Nash, what occurred 300 years ago in the Americas is not something that was foundational to our founding and is not enshrined in our Constitution today. Today, our history books until now, with the New York Times attempting to rewrite history with its 1619 Project accurately portray what was done to American Indians and slaves. Despite Nash's claims otherwise, we do in fact acknowledge our historical mistakes. Furthermore, Nash's statement that "Israelis" are valued more in this country than other minority groups is offensive. When Nash mentions "Israelis," she means Jews. That would be the Jews who face the highest level of hate crimes out of any religious group in the country and who are not safe to walk the streets of New York City for fear of being physically assaulted. That would be the folks who have seen two of their houses of worship shot up and one attacked with a machete in just one year. That would be the people who face discrimination from blacks, whites, gays, Muslims, educators, politicians, and so many other minorities and professionals across the country. So sorry, Ms. Nash, your own racism is founded on a pack of lies. Nash also fails to recognize the Civil Rights Movement; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Colin Powell; Condoleezza Rice; Barack Obama; Eric Holder; Valerie Jarrett; Loretta Lynch; Thurgood Marshall; and Clarence Thomas not to mention Keith Ellison, Ilhan Omar, and all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus. While mentioning a lack of reparations (Jews have never asked to be paid by Germany or any other country that mass-murdered them), Nash failed to mention affirmative action, welfare programs, and other government endeavors that have sought to elevate minorities in this country. Nash never mentioned how much America values folks like Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West, Beyonce, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, and all of the other black performers living the life in Hollywood. She ignored LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and every other black multimillionaire athlete, including Colin Kaepernick, who has made millions from Nike, which values him quite a lot for his refusal to stand for the National Anthem. And just as there are wealthy black and white Americans, there are of course minorities living in poor neighborhoods, just as there are whites in poor neighborhoods. The reason for that has nothing to do with our country being founded on genocide or a lack of reparations to people who never picked a bale of cotton or know anyone who personally did. It also has nothing whatsoever to do with our country's values. But like all good progressives, Nash demonized whites, claiming that "white supremacy is a big part of society." She had the audacity to claim that white people live in a fantasy world thinking "of themselves as Scarlett O'Hara, wealthy plantation owners." I don't know about the rest of the white folks reading this, but while I have lots of fantasies of a life that might be fun, Scarlett O'Hara never comes to mind. The fact that Nash believes such nonsense is telling. How does Nash explain the fact that whites (and Asians and Jews) can no longer get into college based on their qualifications while other minorities are given priority despite many not being qualified and ultimately failing out? Nash conveniently ignores all of the diversity initiatives that have led to the discrimination of white Americans on college campuses, in the corporate world, and in other American institutions. But back to the issue at hand. Democrats' lies about voter suppression are about not political ideology, but rather power. In their desperation to regain the Oval Office and Senate while holding on to the House, Democrats want everyone residing in the U.S. to vote without regard to current laws or common sense. They rant about Russia collusion and voter fraud, yet they want felons, teenagers, and illegal aliens to vote because they know they will elect Democrats. And they recognize that the more they convince Americans that we're a racist country with racist leaders in the GOP, the better a shot they have at regaining the reins of power. Let's be honest, since Democrats refuse to be on the topic. There is absolutely no systematic or endemic voter suppression of minorities in the United States. What there is is a whole lot of hypocrisy. When was the last time a Democrat complained about presenting an ID to board a plane? And photo IDs are required not just in order to fly. One cannot enter an office building in New York City without presenting a photo ID. One cannot purchase cold medicine, cigarettes, or liquor without presenting a government-authorized photo ID. Consider using a library, going to a bank teller or a bar, or checking into a hotel the first thing you need to do is show your photo ID. How have all of the repressed minorities dealt with the photo ID requirement in order to apply for welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid if it's so onerous? One would think the party obsessed with foreign influence in our elections would take every step in order to ensure their veracity. That would mean presenting a photo ID prior to entering the voting booth. Alas, that would also prevent the exact voter fraud that Democrats claim to care so much about. The fact that Republicans are not in favor of changing voting laws to permit certain classes of individuals a right to vote (teenagers who couldn't locate Kansas or Iran on a map or tell you what's in the First Amendment, for instance; those who have broken laws and spent years in jail for serious crimes and who, as a result, relinquished certain rights; and those in the country illegally who know nothing about our governing system or way of life and have also broken our most basic of laws) does not make them racists. It makes them honest. Nash's own fantasy of life in the U.S. was expressed thusly: "I think there's a real emotional illness around race in the country." Well, yes, Ms. Nash, there is and you seem to be suffering greatly from it. Perhaps you can show your photo ID at the drug store and buy some meds. Or go spend an hour at your local bar drowning your sorrows over the lack of reparations for black Americans but that will require an ID as well. Lauri B. Regan is the New York chapter president and board member of the Endowment for Middle East Truth. Marine subsidies are a mess, say small scale fishers of southern Karnataka by Supriya Vohra March 03,2020 | Source: Mongabay Till the 1950s, fishing operations in Karnataka were mostly of traditional, non-mechanised, small scale and subsistence nature. The Indo-Norwegian project in 1966 introduced the mechanisation of fishing crafts with a view of increasing fish harvest to increase export earnings. Trawlers were introduced. Purse seiners followed suit, and Karnataka became the first state to introduce purse seining in India. The introduction of modern marine fisheries brought with it several government-sponsored schemes and subsidies. These were meant to enhance the capacity of fishing by reducing fuel costs and offering modern fishing gear at low rates. The schemes trained fishers to improve post-harvest efficiency for preserving, marketing and exporting the fish catch, and eventually improve their socio-economic livelihood. They are applicable to both small scale and large scale industries. In India, subsidies are given by the central government and the state government. Every year, an annual budget is allotted to the department of fisheries, out of which a certain chunk is reserved for subsidies. These subsidies are broadly around fuel, modern fishing gear, fishing nets, ice plants, and marketing infrastructure. Currently, the focus is shifting to the promotion of inland fisheries and aquaculture. The welfare schemes include providing monetary support to the fishermen during the monsoon season (when there is a fishing ban), housing welfare, security and insurance. Coastal Karnataka has three districts Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada. It has one state fisheries department, and three deputy departments in the three districts. The state fisheries budget filters through to the three districts for subsidies. The state subsidies, combined with the central government subsidies, are announced at a particular time each year. The district panchayat also has a budget for certain subsidies... - Subsidies in marine fisheries in southern Karnataka, introduced after modernisation of fishing practices in the 1950s and 1960s, mainly focus around fuel and modernising gear. - Government welfare schemes such as housing welfare and distress relief fund have not been active since 2017, claim locals, although they are advertised on the government websites. - At the WTO, India seeks special and differential treatment because it says it needs to provide a secure livelihood to small scale fishers. Critics say the internal distribution of subsidies is a mess that needs to be sorted out first. - A focus on the welfare of small scale fishers and incentivisation of subsidies to encourage compliance to regulation are both critical to improving the situation, say experts. FELTON, California, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the report published by the experts the scope of the global Condensed Whey Market was expected at US$ 2.54 billion in 2018. It is expected to record a CAGR of 8.4% for the duration of the forecast and touch US$ 4.47 billion by the completion of 2025. The condensed whey is the dense fluid or else liquid. It is remained after milk has been strained and coagulated. It is concluded in the course of making the cheese or else casein and has a unique business use. Whey protein is a collection of curved proteins secluded from whey. At the present time, whey is one of the main existing storages of food protein. Whey proteins contain immunoglobulins, -lacto globulin, serum albumin, proteose-peptones, and a-lactalbumin. It create it one of the major sources of protein. Whey is categorized on the base of its source into acid whey and sweet whey. Sweet whey is acquired from the treating of solid cheese, for example cheddar or else Swiss cheese. Conversely, acid whey is created from acidic dairy products, for example cottage cheese and yogurt. Condensed whey is extensively utilized in the industry of food & beverage in a numerous uses, for example creams, soups, beverages, baby food, dairy products, dressings, sauces, meat production and bakery goods. The most important usage of condensed whey is in the processing of bread and additional bakery foods. Likewise condensed whey is utilized with jams and fruits in a number of spreads and garnishes in sweet meat. Moreover, condensed whey is likewise utilized in the making of whey toffies. Condensed whey is extensively utilized by the producers of feed ingredients and products of animal nutrition. Get Sample PDF and read more details about the "Condensed Whey Market" Report 2025. Drivers: Growing demand for healthy foodstuff products together with increasing alertness concerning fit way of life are some of the most important reasons likely to motivate the development of the global condensed whey industry. Furthermore, increasing ingestion of whey protein products and nutritional food add-on products for constructing the muscle are some additional reason expected to motivate the development of the income of the objective market. Moreover, increasing number of processing units of dairy food in advanced, along with emerging nation state, is a reason expected to boost the development of the condensed whey market during the period of forecast. Restraints: On the other hand, more or less persons may possibly face allergic reaction owing to excess ingestion of whey or else whey protein created food items. It is an important reason likely to hinder the development of the global condensed whey industry during the period of forecast. Classification: The global condensed whey market can be classified by Application, Product, and Region. By Application, it can be classified as: Animal Feed, Food & Beverage. By Product, it can be classified as: Acid, Plain and Sweetened. Regional Lookout: By Region the global condensed whey industry can be classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa. North America headed the market for condensed whey in 2018.It was responsible for a market share of above 45%. Greater demand for acid, plain, and sweetened products of whey is expected to drive onward the local development during the period of approaching years. The USA Dairy Company and Optimum Nutrition (ON) are the most important producers in the U.S. Greater cognizance of the consumers concerning building of muscle, particularly between youths from Canada and the U.S.A., has performed and important part in indorsing the usefulness of condensed whey formulas. In 2018, Europe produced an income of over and above US$ 800 million. Important markets in this province consist of Poland, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the U.K. The greater concentration of the amenities of dairy processing in the nation states comprising Ireland, France and the U.K., is expected to fascinate the manufacturing companies of food & beverage to create their associations and to arrive in the value chain of condensed whey manufacturing during the nearby upcoming years. During the period of 2019 to 2025, the Asia Pacific is projected to observe the speedy CAGR of 9.1%. Speedily increasing populace of middle-class families in the nations for example India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and China is estimated to expose innovative possibilities of development. Additionally, helpful and investment responsive strategies in the sectors of native food processing by the administrations of developing nations for example India and China is expected to additionally power the development. Companies: The formation of planned conglomerates with suppliers and the presentations of innovative product are likely to go on the decisive issues for success. Increasing worries regarding the obtainability of cattle feedstuff stock for the processing of dairy product because of changing patterns of weather in addition to decreasing yield of livestock in prominent nation state comprising India, China and New Zealand is expected to go on a fundamental challenge to the business contestants of the business during the close future. Some of the important companies for condensed whey market are: Optimum Nutrition, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Agri-Mark Inc., Leprino Foods Company, and Dairy Farmers of America. Additional notable companies are: Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, Chicago Dairy Corporation, Berkshire Dairy and Food Products, Foremost Farms USA Cooperative, Inc., Saputo Inc., and Agropur Inc. Browse 110 page research report with TOC on "Global Condensed Whey Market" at: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/condensed-whey-market Market Segment: Condensed Whey Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) Plain Sweetened Acid Condensed Whey Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) Food & Beverage Dairy Products Bakery Products, and Confectionery Sauces, Soups, and Dressings Jams and Jellies Meat Products Animal Feed Others Condensed Whey Region Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) North America U.S. Europe Germany Asia Pacific China Japan Central & South America Brazil Middle East & Africa Browse reports of similar category available with Million Insights: Soup Market Chicory Market Gluten-free Pizza Crust Market Digestive Health Supplements Market 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: sales@millioninsights.com Web: https://www.millioninsights.com/ Blog: https://millioninsights.blogspot.com/ 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 Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal arrives at Parliament House to meet prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on March 3, 2020. (AP) New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called on prime minister Narendra Modi this morning and discussed the situation in riot-hit northeast Delhi. It was their first meeting after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) returned to power in the national capital for a third consecutive term. The meeting, at the Prime Minister's Office in Parliament, lasted half an hour. Emerging from the meeting, Kejriwal told reporters the Delhi Police could have prevented loss of lives in the riots had they remained active and vigilant. Large-scale violence in northeast Delhi has left 42 people dead and 200 injured. However, Kejriwal added "the Delhi Police acted promptly to check rumours in the last few days... I appreciated them." He said, "The prime minister also agreed that such violent incidents should not be repeated in Delhi." Responding to a question on hate speeches by BJP leaders, Kejriwal said they did not discuss them specifically. The chief minister also requested Modi to take stern action against those involved in the violence, "no matter how influential he or she is". Description GIS - 03 March, 2020: A Diploma in Cooperative Business Management was launched, this morning, at the National Cooperative College (NCC) in Bois Marchand by the Minister of Industrial Development, SMES and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah. The course, MQA-approved and of 1000-hour duration, aims at infusing a new dynamism into the Mauritian Cooperative Movement so as to give it a new dimension through professional management. It targets primarily Cooperators and entrepreneurs, holders of a Certificate in Cooperative Management awarded by the NCC. In his keynote address, Minister Bholah recalled that since 1913 the cooperative movement in Mauritius has played a crucial role in the promotion of socio-economic progress while adding that cooperatives should now be guided towards doing inclusive business and should have a significant impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. He underlined that this course represents a milestone for the NCC and is expected to foster entrepreneurial attitudes and innovation at the centre of Mauritian Cooperative Movement. As regards the Mauritius Cooperative Alliance Limited (MCA), he underpinned that its role is to reinforce cooperatives and assist them in their operational activities. Minister Bholah highlighted the role that innovation plays in boosting the performance of enterprises. Adopting innovative approaches and practices will lead to business transformation, new markets, productivity improvement and will enable the economy to make quantum leaps, he emphasised. However, Mr Bholah pointed out, despite the progress made by cooperatives over the years, many cooperatives are still operating in a traditional way and have not modernised their activities and operations, resulting in low productivity and little profits. Government is therefore providing the appropriate financial, infrastructural and fiscal support to the cooperative movement to promote its development. Mr Bholah recalled that the NCC collaborates with international institutions to give training to local entrepreneurs. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cooperative College of Malaysia to develop programmes for cooperation in training, education and other knowledge-based activities was signed . Online Learning Coronavirus Pushes Online Learning Forward While the physical campus at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has been closed due to coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19 by health experts), faculty have quickly adopted an online teaching platform to reach their students through remote instruction. Using a combination of BigBlueButton, a web conference system for online learning, an "interactive communicative environment" (ICE) and lecture capture and management with Sonic Foundry's Mediasite, instructors have made 450 courses available online. The campus, which is about 60 miles west of Shanghai, is a joint effort of two institutions, the University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University. More than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend the school (which has 700 academic staff from 50 countries). The online platform, designed by the university's Management Information Technology and System Office and the Institute of Leadership and Education Advanced Development, can accommodate between 6,000 and 8,000 students simultaneously. Through the system, instructors have access to an interactive whiteboard, shared notes, screen-sharing, polling and a quiz function. They're using video analytics and a reporting function to track attendance. Most of the faculty participants have taken a course on online teaching, and for the new round of courses, they've made a point of setting up live-streaming introductions so that students can meet the instructors and each other face-to-face. The university's President, Youmin Xi, said the epidemic "has proved a catalyst," according to a campus article about the initiative leading to an infrastructure and technology upgrade that was put in place in a month rather than "one to two years." Ying Chang, an online course coordinator in the Department of Urban Planning and Design, suggested that the while COVID-19 should be considered a "national trauma and life event for all Chinese people," the move to online teaching has become a "university collective and proactive endeavor to overcome the adverse situation." As he noted, "Every student represents a family. Any support we give to the student will indirectly support their family. That's what an educator can contribute to speed the recovery of the whole society. By doing so, we feel closer to the wider Chinese community." As for faculty themselves, the shift in instructional modes is "an opportunity to transform the educator's perception on online education and a great leapfrog toward more engagement-led pedagogy," said Chang. The university has also used the epidemic as a learning opportunity in another way. Recently, it completed delivery of a two-week, non-credit online course, titled "Developing Global Citizenship," to which students could invite family members. Developed and delivered by the Institute, the class gave students an opportunity to "develop their abilities to cope with the coronavirus crisis and improve their awareness of global citizenship," the university reported. Students could discuss topics such as "individual social responsibility and the sustainable development of society under highly uncertain living conditions in such a crisis." TORONTO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Platinex Inc. (TSX-V: PTX) (the "Company") has completed a third interim closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), issuing a total of 400,000 units ("Units") for gross proceeds of $12,000. This financing is in addition to the previously closed non-brokered private placement of $21,000 on January 29, 2020 and $100,000 which closed on August 26, 2019 for a total of $133,000. Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one warrant ("Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.075 for a period of 24 months from issuance. The private placement has been extended until March 31, 2020 to provide an opportunity to conclude ongoing negotiations. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement to preserve the Companys existing operations and general corporate and administrative purposes. All securities issued in connection with this Private Placement will be subject to a four month plus one day hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The closing of the Private Placement is subject to receipt of applicable securities regulatory authorization. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company did not pay any finder's fees. About Platinex Inc. Platinex is currently focusing efforts on developing various strategies to capitalize on the lucrative growth of the cannabis sector in North America. At the same time Platinex has been focusing its mining business efforts in assembling a very large property in the Shining Tree gold camp, which has received little modern exploration compared to other gold camps in the Abitibi greenstone Belt. The Company utilizing its proprietary data is also seeking financial backing to secure and advance major Platinum Group Element properties in North America. Shares of Platinex are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "PTX". For further information please contact: Platinex Inc. Lori Paradis, Corporate Secretary Tel: (416) 268-2682 Email: lparadis@platinex.com Web: www.platinex.com To receive Company press releases, please email jtrusler@platinex.com and mention Platinex press release on the subject line. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. More than 550,000 people in the United States are homeless on any given night. More than 18 million spend more than half of their income on housing. And there is no state in which the number of affordable homes matches the number of low-income households. Affordable housing, or the lack thereof, is a crisis no matter which way you slice it, and has been for many years. But it has never gotten as much attention in a presidential campaign as it is getting now, with candidates proposing hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending and terms like redlining and Section 8 starring in stump speeches. And the public debate over housing and homelessness has grown increasingly prominent in many of the states voting on Super Tuesday, such as California, where the crisis has been particularly acute. A new survey of the Democratic candidates on a variety of housing policies, conducted last week by The New York Times, finds they are largely united on offering incentives for affordable development and increasing tenant protections. But the responses to the questionnaire also revealed significant differences, including on rent control. A Tennessee woman has not been located since she went missing last Friday, according to Knoxville Police. Tiffany Trull was reported missing that day by an unspecified individual, say police. A short time later, authorities recovered her car, locating it at the University of Tennessee Research Park at Cherokee Farms near Fort Loudoun Lake. Based on evidence at the scene, there is reason to believe that Trull entered the water near the downtown area, reads a statement from Knoxville Police. It is unclear at this time if police suspect foul play. Multiple agencies spent the weekend searching for Trull. Boats searched the Tennessee River, and has asked that anyone who owns property along the Tennessee River check their docks, boathouses, property lines, banks and outbuildings that have not been recently checked. Helicopters were also utilized in the search efforts. Police are also searching for surveillance footage from around the downtown area, for some insight into what may have happened to Trull. The search was suspended Sunday afternoon. 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. Trull stands 5 feet 2 inches and weighs 148 lbs, authorities say. She has brown hair, and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue long sleeve shirt and a white hoodie, according to investigators. Anyone who has any information relevant to this case is urged to call 911 or (865) 215-7317. Tips can also be messaged to the Knoxville Police Department via Facebook. The Karnataka government on Tuesday said it has taken all required precautionary measures to control the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state and requested people not to panic. Health Minister B Sriramulu convened a meeting of top officials of his department following information that the man, who tested positive for the virus in Telangana, had travelled from the city. A Health department official said the man, who was working in Bengaluru, had travelled to Secunderabad on the night of February 21 in a private bus. "All the passengers (of the bus) and (his) colleagues have been contacted and are under house-quarantine," the official said, adding, passengers who were with him on the flight from Dubai are also being contacted. Also, people who worked with the techie have been asked to work from home. "I appeal to people not to fear or panic. The government, the health and family welfare department and medical education department has taken all precautionary measures," Sriramulu told reporters here. "We have taken precautionary measures at ports, airports and also conducting blood, required tests on people and tourists coming from other places," he said. According to the minister, till now 39,391 foreign travellers have been screened and blood samples of 245 people collected. Tests were conducted on 240 people and their result has come out as negative, he said, adding that report of two more was awaited, and "unofficially we have come to know they are also negative." The condition of the 24-year-old man, who tested positive for the virus, was stable and he was being treated in an isolated ward at the state-run Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad, the Telangana government had said on Monday. The man, a software engineer who works here, had been to Dubai last month on an official visit, where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. The minister said, according to the information received, the IT employee working in Bengaluru had gone to Dubai on February 16. When he was tested on his return at the airport here, the result was negative, the minister said. The man then travelled from Bengaluru to Hyderabad by bus after staying here for a couple of days.He had fever thereafter, contacted doctors there and tested postive for the infection, Sriramulu said. About 23 people, who travelled with him, and his roommates have been screened and tests are being conducted as precautionary measure, according to sources. There were 92 flats in the apartment in which he was staying and tests and precautionary measures are being taken regarding all of them, the minister said. To a question about the company where he worked, Medical education minister K Sudhakar said the firm has been informed and it will ask their employees to work from home. Meanwhile,budget carrier IndiGo in a statement said, four crew members, who were with the virus-infected passenger on the February 20 Dubai-Bengaluru flight, were under observation at home since March 2. Stating that two labs have been set up by the department for blood and other related tests, Sriramulu asserted that the health and family welfare and medical education departments have taken precautionary measures. The minister said 630 beds have been kept ready in government hospitals while 1,689 in private hospitals to serve the purpose of isolation wards. Citing five confirmed cases of the virus in the country so far, three from Kerala and the latest-one each in Delhi and Telangana, he said his department was taking all precautionary measures and will work round the clock to prevent the disease from entering the state. All the three Kerala patients were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and discussed the situation in the riot-hit northeast Delhi and said he has requested Modi that those responsible for the violence irrespective of party affiliation "should not be spared". It was the first meeting of Kejriwal with Modi after the Aam Aadmi Party returned to power in the national capital for a third consecutive term. The meeting, at the Prime Minister's Office in Parliament, lasted half an hour. Emerging from the meeting, Kejriwal appreciated the Delhi police for being proactive in controlling the situation when rumours were being spread on Sunday night. "Delhi police acted in a swift manner to control the situation when rumours were spread on Sunday night. Had the police acted with the same efficiency on Monday & Tuesday last week when riots were confined in a district, so many lives could have been saved," he told reporters. Large-scale violence in northeast Delhi has left more than 42 people dead and 200 injured. The Delhi chief minister said he also requested the prime minister that such incidents should not happen and Modi agreed. Urging Modi to take stern action against those involved in the violence, Kejriwal said, "I told him we should try and ensure that such riots do not happen again in the national capital. Those who are responsible for the clashes - whether they belong to any party - should not be spared, I appealed to the prime minister." When asked did he discuss the hate speeches given by BJP leaders, Kejriwal said they did not discuss it specifically. Talking about the new coronavirus, he said he discussed with the prime minister the lethal disease it causes and how it can be stopped. "We should provide medicare to the infected as early as possible." Describing the meeting as a courtesy call by him after being reelected as chief minister, Kejriwal said he sought the prime minister's help for the development of Delhi. On February 25, Home Minister Amit Shah discussed the situation after the violence in Delhi with Kejriwal and leaders of various parties. The AAP formed government in Delhi for the third time on the trot after it swept the February 8 elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats. The BJP bagged the rest of the seats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 2020 Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival opens Tuesday in San Jose, according to Cinequest. Opening night gets underway at 7:15 p.m. at the California Theatre at 345 S. First St. and includes a screening of "John Pinette: You Go Now." The festival ends March 15, when Cinequest will bestow the Maverick Spirit Award to Jesse Eisenberg, who may be best known as Mark Zuckerberg in "The Social Network." Other Maverick Spirit Award recipients include Nicolas Cage, Elle Fanning Franco, Harrison Ford and J.J. Abrams, among other well-known actors. Following an emergency declaration by the city last week in response to the novel coronavirus, San Francisco city leaders announced on Monday they're preparing for possible cases. During a news conference inside City Hall, Mayor London Breed, along with Department of Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax, said the city's health department will begin testing for the virus at city facilities, in order to detect and thwart the virus faster. Because there have been no cases so far in the city of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Mayor Breed urged the public not to become alarmed, but rather to take precautions. "It's important that we don't panic. It's important that we get the right information, and that we work with the public to address this situation," she said. Colfax said, once the health department begins testing, the department will be able to see test results faster. An Alameda County prosecutor told jurors on Monday that two men should be convicted of first-degree murder for the brutal kidnapping, beating and fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man in the Oakland hills in 2015. In her opening statement in the long-delayed trial of James E. Scott, 27, and Alejandro Garcia, 25, prosecutor Stacie Pettigrew admitted that victim Reynaldo Vazquez himself "was no saint" because he had a criminal history in which he robbed marijuana grow houses. Pettigrew told jurors, "There's a good chance that at the end of this case you won't like anybody." But Pettigrew said even if Vazquez wasn't an innocent victim Scott and Garcia should still be held accountable for his death. The prosecutor said Scott, Garcia and four other young men kidnapped Vazquez when he left his home on 39th Avenue in East Oakland the night of Sept. 29, 2015, to walk to a corner liquor store to buy some cigarettes. With all 110 voting centers up and running in Santa Clara County, Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez cast her vote on San Jose's East Side last week. "The intention here is to make voting easy for everybody," Chavez said Friday at the Tully Community Branch Library voting center. "In this presidential primary, particularly here, Latinos in our community are very young and the population is expanding." She said an expanding Latino voting population has "new meaning for Latino voters. That means that we're going to have a bigger voice in, not just local politics and statewide politics, but also if we choose to, in national politics." She named climate change, school policies and funding, and transportation issues as central to the county's voter base. With Latinos in California being one of the largest ethnic demographic groups in the country, Chavez said "this is our time to make our mark, and we're just encouraging every single person to come out and vote because it matters to our children, it matters for housing, it matters regarding wages, healthcare and the environment." The Healdsburg School, an independent K-8 school that closed Monday following the discovery that someone involved in the care of a coronavirus patient was at the school, will open Tuesday. Head of School Andy Davies said school administrators spoke with the Sonoma County Public Health Monday afternoon. "Based on their protocols and recommendations we are pleased to announce that school will be open tomorrow," Davies said. "We take school closures seriously and made this decision with an abundance of caution." Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Celeste Philip said the school is doing an entire environmental cleaning before opening Tuesday. Jennie Snyder, Sonoma County Office of Education deputy superintendent, said The Healdsburg School is a private school and is not among the county's school districts. Snyder said she doesn't know The Healdsburg School's specific protocols, and all schools in the county remain open. Pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, another person in San Mateo County has tested positive for the coronavirus, county health officials said Monday. The adult is in isolation and has been hospitalized. Health officials said they do not know how the person contracted the disease. It appears the person was not exposed to the virus by traveling or by contact with a person with the virus. Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County health officer, encourages residents to follow CDC guidelines for preventing any disease. The guidelines include washing hands frequently, covering a sneeze and staying home when sick. Officials with the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District said Monday that they are taking precautions to reduce the risk that riders and employees will contract COVID-19. AC Transit has 53 million riders each year and nearly 2,300 employees and made the announcement following inquiries to the agency. As of Monday evening, only one case of the virus had been reported in Alameda County and no confirmed cases existed in Contra Costa County. One repatriated person is quarantined in a hospital in Contra Costa County. AC Transit officials said the virus has not been transmitted on any public transit systems. Nevertheless, AC Transit buses and facilities will be sanitized each day. Buses will be sanitized at the end of the day. A woman was arrested at the Denver International Airport on Monday evening after allegedly abducting her child from an Oakley elementary school on Monday afternoon in an attempt to fly her across the country to live with her, according to Oakley police. The abduction took place at about 2 p.m. at Gehringer Elementary School at 100 Simoni Ranch Rd., according to Sgt. Rick Grubaugh. The mother identified as Quamesha Lott, 41, and some of her relatives allegedly assisted in lifting the 11-year-old girl over a school fence and into an awaiting vehicle. From that point, Grubaugh said the mother and child boarded a flight from Oakland International Airport to Denver, where Denver police were able to take her into custody as she was switching flights. The mother and child were preparing to board a flight to Baltimore, were Grubaugh said the mother lives. The child's father was notified of the abduction incident, according to Grubaugh. Lott has allegedly attempted to abduct the child in a recently similar incident in which she took her to another state, a case that Grubaugh said police are still trying to determine the outcome of. Lott is awaiting extradition to California in the Denver City Jail on suspicion of parental abduction. The child was found unharmed and placed into protective services. Tuesday will be sunny. Highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 70s. Northeast winds will be 5 to 10 mph, before becoming west winds at 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows will be around 50. Southwest winds will be 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday will be partly cloudy in the morning, then becoming sunny. Highs will be in the 60s to lower 70s. Southwest winds of up to 5 mph will become west winds at 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 12:25:54|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council will hold a debate on peacekeeping operations on March 24 with the participation of troop and police contributing countries during China's presidency. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN and the council's president this month, announced Monday the holding of the debate during his briefings to UN member states, press and civil society on the work of the council. He noted peacekeeping operations are facing more complex and difficult conditions, which require improved capacity of troop contributing countries. As a major troop contributing country and the second largest financial contributor, he said, China has been actively engaged in peacekeeping operations and supportive of Action for Peacekeeping (A4P), a UN initiative that aims at more effective response to new challenges in an evolving situation. The theme of the debate will be "UN peacekeeping operations: Better capacity building, more safety and security," and troop and police contributing countries are invited to make statements, according to Zhang. "China will work with other parties to galvanize more attention to UN peacekeeping and secretary-general's A4P initiative," he said. "There should be more input to peacekeeping operations and concrete actions to help troop and police contributing countries strengthen capacity building and ensure the safety and security of frontline peacekeepers." In addition, Zhang said the council will work to promote political settlement of regional hot issues and maintain international fairness and justice in March, covering hotspot issues such as Syria, Libya, Palestine, South Sudan and Yemen. The Chinese UN envoy pledged China will work with other council members to urge relevant parties to increase dialogue and consultation, resolve disputes peacefully and make every effort to achieve progress in seeking political settlement. The Security Council was established by the UN Charter. Its primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security. The council has 15 members: the five permanent members, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The council's presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members. A screen advertising Xinhua News Agency is seen in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, on March 2, 2020. (Reuters/Andrew Kelly) Trump Administration Directs Chinese State-Run Media to Cut Staff in US The Trump administration said March 2 that it will reduce the number of Chinese staff allowed to work at several major Chinese state-run media outlets in the United States. The move was described by senior administration officials as an act of reciprocity against Beijings continued use of intimidation to silence members of a free and independent press. The Chinese regime has been presiding over a deepening crackdown on independent journalism within the country, two administration officials told reporters on a call on March 2, citing recent examples such as the disappearance of citizen journalists covering the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, and the arrest of Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong-based independent newspaper Apple Daily, in Hong Kong on charges connected to his participation in the citys pro-democracy protests last year. Last month, the regime revoked the visas of three Wall Street Journal reporters in Beijing after saying the newspaper refused to apologize for a racially discriminatory headline of an op-ed piece, which had called China the real sick man of Asia. Another reporter with the paper had to leave last year after Beijing declined to renew his visa. For years, the government of the Peoples Republic of China has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment, and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Effective March 13, Washington will cap the number of U.S.-based employees at Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, and China Daily Distribution Corp. at 100, a reduction from the current 160. They are among the five Chinese state-run outlets designated by the U.S. State Department as foreign missions in February. No action was taken against the fifth company, Hai Tian Development USA, which is the U.S. distributor of the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Peoples Daily. This designation means that staff are treated as foreign government employees, rather than journalists. The staffing cap is a direct result of that designation. The five outlets are explicit propaganda organs of the Chinese Communist Party, one administration official said, noting that even after the cap takes effect, those outlets alone will still have more Chinese personnel in the United States than there are foreign reporters from all U.S. media companies in China. In 2019 alone, the United States issued 425 I-visasthe visa type for representatives of foreign mediato Chinese nationals working in the media space, an official noted. In contrast, the number of U.S. journalists working in China for both U.S.-based and other foreign-based media is only about 100 in total. Pompeo said that the move is a part of the Trump administrations efforts to establish a long-overdue level playing field in its relationship with the regime. It is our hope that this action will spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach to U.S. and other foreign press in China, he added. On March 2, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) said in a report that the Chinese regime has weaponized visas as part of an intensifying campaign to suppress independent reporting on issues deemed sensitive by Beijing. As China reaches new heights of economic influence, it has shown a growing willingness to use its considerable state power to suppress factual reporting that does not fit with the global image it seeks to present, the report said. Since 2013, China has forced out nine foreign journalists, either through outright expulsion or by non-renewal of visas. The FCCC fears that China is preparing to expel more journalists, the group said, citing responses from 114 reporters to a survey. The personnel caps would be placed on the entities as opposed to people, hence it would be up to the media outlets to decide the necessary staffing cuts, the officials said. While the United States wont be sending anyone back, the officials acknowledged that Chinese individuals whose visas are contingent on their ability to work in the United States may be forced to leave the country. In the near future, the United States also will be announcing limits on the duration of stay on I-visas issued to Chinese nationals, administration officials said. Reuters contributed to this report. The district police have booked a man for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at Timmowal village falling under Baba Bakala sub-division of Amritsar district. The accused has been identified as Mehkam Singh,19, of Timmmowal village. The incident took place on Friday. Police said the victim, who belongs to a village falling under Khadoor Sahib sub-division of Tarn Taran district, lodged complaint on Tuesday. On Friday, at around 8am, i was on my way to school in my village when I was waylaid by Mehkam, who came in a Honda City car. He forced me to sit in his car. The accused then took me to his home at Timmowal village. I fell unconscious after drinking sedative-laced drink offered by the accused. When i regained consciousness, I realized that I was raped. Inspector Narinder Kaur of Tarn Taran police, who is investigating the case, said, On the victims complaint, we have booked the accused under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act. Station house officer (SHO) of Vaironwal police station Saminderjit Singh said the accused was absconding, and their raids were on to nab him. Imbaba's health directorate said that five foreigners tested negative for the virus on Tuesday Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday reviewed a report on the recent measures adopted by civil aviation authorities on the new coronavirus, in accordance with the health ministry's and World Health Organization's regulations to monitor arrivals I the country. In related news, Imbaba's health directorate said that five foreigners, whose nationalities it did not specify, tested negative for the virus on Tuesday. The report indicated that a central operations room has been set up to follow-up and monitor passenger traffic around the clock at all airports and to monitor the implementation of the preventive plan to ensure that all precautionary measures are applied to secure all Egyptian airports and to combat the infiltration of the new coronavirus into the country. The report indicated that all Egyptian airports and the national aviation company have mandated employees in airports and on aircraft to implement quarantine instructions and take the highest level of preventive standards in dealing with passengers. They have been trained to deal with suspected cases, to conduct medical examinations of passengers, to sterilise aircrafts and airport transportation, to safely dispose of waste, and to distribute informative brochures on dealing with the coronavirus to all workers. The prime minister also followed up with Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir on the recent precautionary measures in place at land and sea ports. The minister highlighted precautionary measures at Alexandria, which recently received a Maltese cruise ship coming from Greece with 629 tourists of different nationalities on board, in addition to a crew of 400 individuals. A team from the quarantine department checked tourists and crew on board the ship before they arrived at the tourist passenger terminal at Alexandria port. They were tested with remote thermometers and no suspected cases were reported. The tourists were accommodated safely after receiving the quarantine departments permit. Egypt has raised the alert level for the novel coronavirus at all airports, the country's civil aviation ministry said in a statement on Monday, adding that all precautions necessary to confront the outbreak and limit its spread have been taken. In accordance with the precautionary plan set up by the government, a compulsory medical examination will be performed on all passengers coming to Egypt from the countries affected by the virus through the quarantine offices, in coordination with the health ministry and all concerned agencies, the statement added. On Monday, Egypt announced its second confirmed coronavirus case, a Canadian employee who works for an oil company in the country. The patient has been isolated in a hospital to receive the necessary medical care. The epidemic has killed over 3,000 people worldwide, with the vast majority in mainland China. It has infected 90,000 globally according to the World Health Organization. Search Keywords: Short link: MADISON, WI A Wisconsin falconer who conspired with a Michigan man to trade migratory birds across state lines has learned his punishment. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker ordered James Kitzman, 69, of Oak Creek to pay $15,000 and barred him from participating in falconry for three years. He also must forfeit to the government the Toyota pick-up truck he used to illegally transport the female northern goshawk from its nest in the wild in Vilas County in 2017. Kitzman pleaded guilty to trading the bird for a Finnish goshawk supplied by Fruitport falconer Edward Taylor, who was fined $10,000 for his role in the poaching on Feb. 25. Both men violated the Lacey Act, a longstanding U.S. conservation law that prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold. Michigan falconer who traded for migratory bird taken from Wisconsin wild fined $10K The public need to know that the Lacey Act matters; the falconry rules matter, Crocker said. These laws are in place to protect the falconry birds, and the public needs to know this message -- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the government -- has their back. If you break these rules, you will be punished, no matter how good a falconer you are. Both men filled out false reports with Wisconsin and Michigan wildlife officials to cover up the swap, prosecutors said. Kitzman also told his associates to keep his deal with Taylor hush-hush, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Kitzman paid the fine immediately. Bulgarian Ambassador to Vietnam Marinela Petkova sends a message to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong, former President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, visiting Bulgaria in 2008. VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung Bulgaria's National Day (March 3), marks the liberation of the country from Ottoman rule. On this date in 1878 the Treaty of San Stefano was signed, which restored Bulgarian statehood after continuous struggles for liberation that lasted almost five centuries. The celebration of the National Day of Bulgaria in Vietnam this year coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries that took place on February 8, 1950. Bulgaria was among the first countries to recognise Vietnams independence. Ever since our relationship has been carefully cultivated and many of our leaders, starting with the historic visit of President Ho Chi Minh to Bulgaria a few years after, and we've worked to build a co-operation of value and purpose. Bulgarias long and difficult road to national liberation and unification helped us to better understand Vietnams position as a newly independent state, facing a number of political and economic challenges. Bulgaria continuously provided comprehensive assistance to Vietnam to establish and strengthen its national capacities, and later on in post-war reconstruction. Vietnam, for its part, shared a strong understanding of the priorities of the Bulgarian foreign and domestic policy at the time, voicing support for important initiatives, such as a nuclear-weapon-free Balkan Peninsula. Development co-operation was extended to encompass Bulgarias assistance for design, engineering and construction of many industrial and social sector sites in Vietnam, such as the urban planning of Thai Binh, a city hospital, school and a bridge; to the healthcare sector through training of pioneer medical professionals; and the construction of about 130 other sites in Vietnam, including food processing factories, refrigerator warehouses, forage and ceramic workshops. In the first few decades of Bulgaria - Vietnam relations, education was a paramount field of co-operation, bearing our shared understanding of its vital importance to national consolidation and prosperity. During the 1980s, Bulgaria provided scholarships for Vietnamese students and PhD candidates, and for technical vocational education. By the late 80s, over 30,000 Vietnamese citizens had received higher or professional education in Bulgaria. In addition, the Bulgarian Studies Department at the Institute for Foreign Languages in Hanoi (Hanoi University) trained over 650 students and 90 PhDs in the Bulgarian language, culture and history. Bulgaria was also among the pivotal foreign contributors to introduce information technology and computer sciences to Vietnam, again in the 1980s, supplying computers to youth associations and organising training courses in programming, programming languages and computing. In the spirit of mutual understanding and goodwill, the leaders of the two countries continue to hold regular comprehensive dialogues and take concrete steps to strengthen bilateral co-operation. Nowadays, this active political dialogue boasts multidimensional sectoral co-operation. Vietnam is a priority partner for Bulgaria in Southeast Asia. Bilateral turnover has increased steadily, but yet to meet its full potential. In recent years there has been a positive trend of increasing bilateral trade in higher value-added goods such as machinery, medical equipment and apparatus and pharmaceuticals. Boosting all-encompassing people-to-people relations, and crosscutting through the fields of education, tourism, culture, business relations and labour mobility is currently also in focus. Ambassador Marinela Petkova and the Deputy Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam Nguyen Van Phuc signed an Intergovernmental Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Education in 2019. Photo courtesy of the embassy Today Bulgaria is a proud witness not only of Vietnams impressive pace of socio-economic development and its accomplishments to reform with international integration, but also of its strengthened global role and posture, culminating in 2020 during Vietnams role as ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2020-2021). The respective membership of Bulgaria and Vietnam in two of the worlds leading political and economic entities, the EU and ASEAN, brings further added value to bilateral co-operation. The dynamic upsurge of EU - Vietnam co-operation with the EVFTA and EVIPA, both concluded in 2019, creates even greater potential for business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges, based on shared political priorities. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria - Vietnam relations bears a very special significance since ours has always remained a partnership rooted in goodwill and mutual respect, genuine and people-centred. Reflecting the accomplishments of seven decades of close friendship, Bulgaria and Vietnam will also look ahead and adapt towards a world of new dynamics and perceptions, of constant innovation, fast mobility and growth, where geographical distances pose little to no barriers between willing and motivated partners on the world stage. Striving to keep up and take full advantage of present-day opportunities, Bulgaria and Vietnam are exploring new avenues for co-operation in advanced technologies, sustainable models of development, and green economies, while measuring the success of our state-to-state collaboration though the opportunities it generates for the people of Bulgaria and Vietnam. VNS Vietnam boosts bilateral, multilateral ties at ASEM FMM14 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held bilateral meetings with officials from the foreign ministries of Romania, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ireland and Bulgaria within the framework of the ASEMFMM14 in Madrid, Spain on Monday. In 2014, Soso emailed both Berman and Vrdolyak to vent his frustration that Vrdolyak had been withholding money he was owed. He also threatened to sue Vrdolyak, warning that the legal action would make front page news and most definitely open a can of worms that I would rather stay closed, according to a copy of the email quoted in Bhachus sentencing filing. 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. Kamin also acknowledged the episode for Legghette began when he declined to speak to two people he did recognize as officers, cops who attempted to stop him for appearing to urinate in public on Lower Wacker Drive. Legghette began to leave, Kamin said, then a few moments later once he got to the street level he sensed that someone might be chasing him for an unknown reason. Avaya Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences Avaya (News - Alert) Holdings Corp. (NYSE:AVYA) today announced it will present at the following upcoming investor conferences: Hardy Myers, senior vice president, Strategy & Business Development and Mike McCarthy, vice president, Investor Relations, will attend one-on-one meetings at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, on Thursday, March 5, 2020. The conference will be held at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. Kieran McGrath, executive vice president & CFO and Mike McCarthy, vice president, Investor Relations, will attend one-on-one meetings at the Jefferies Enterprise Communications (News - Alert) Summit on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The Summit will be held at the Jefferies Conference Center in New York City. Scott Shoults, vice president, Business Transformation and Mike McCarthy, vice president, Investor Relations, will attend one-on-one meetings at the Stephens West Coast 1-on-1 Conference on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The coference will be held at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. For more information about these and other events, access the investor page of Avaya's website https://investors.avaya.com/. About Avaya Businesses are built on the experiences they provide, and every day millions of those experiences are built by Avaya (NYSE: AVYA). For over one hundred years, we've enabled organizations around the globe to win - by creating intelligent communications experiences for customers and employees. Avaya builds open, converged and innovative solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration - in the cloud, on-premise or a hybrid of both. To grow your business, we're committed to innovation, partnership, and a relentless focus on what's next. We're the technology company you trust to help you deliver Experiences that Matter. Visit us at www.avaya.com. Source (News - Alert): Avaya Newsroom View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005992/en/ By Kyle Martin Bay City News Service SAN JOSE (BCN) San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo cast his ballot Monday afternoon and invited reporters to the library for a news conference at the new voting center at the Tully Community Branch Library. He said he was "proud to be voting today, as is our responsibility and our right as Americans." He added that "it's easier than ever to be able to vote - you don't even need a stamp and you can change the world. If you don't want to go outside, just put it in the mailbox." Liccardo was quickly asked about the threat of spread of coronavirus at the polls as news broke over the weekend and Monday of new confirmed cases, bringing the county's total confirmed cases to nine. "We know that folks are concerned about the impact of coronavirus and being out in public, but the great benefit about the process we have now is you only need to walk outside to your mailbox to be able to vote," he said, urging voters to submit their vote-by-mail ballots on time by Tuesday. "This isn't a time for panic, this is a time for common sense." Liccardo acknowledged there are "very serious concerns" regarding the viral infection, but offered little information regarding his city's next steps, and deferred specific plans to the next two days so he may continue discussions with the city attorney regarding what protections San Jose can offer its "most vulnerable," which he said includes those who may have to miss out on paychecks while they are absent from work due to illness. "Obviously we'll have to invoke our police powers and health and safety codes, and so we're certainly looking at all of those options now," Liccardo said, but did not offer more details on what police powers the city could invoke. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A Vietnam Airlines aircraft at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on February 4, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh. Vietnam Airlines will suspend all flights to South Korea from Thursday as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus. They would resume when the epidemic is better controlled, the state-owned carrier said in a statement. Its five flights between the two countries on Tuesday and Wednesday will land in Quang Ninh Province and Can Tho City since flights from that country have already been prohibited in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The flight crews will wear protective garb, and all aircraft returning from South Korea will be disinfected. Private carrier Bamboo Airways halted services to South Korea on February 26. But budget carrier Vietjet continues to fly to South Korea, where there have been over 4,800 cases of coronavirus infection so far and 28 deaths. Authorities have ordered people arriving from South Korea to be quarantined for 14 days. Vietnam has had 16 confirmed cases, but all the patients have recovered, and there have been no new cases since February 13. The historic U.S.-Taliban agreement aimed at ending the long war in Afghanistan is only a few days old, but the deal is already threatening to unravel over disputes about key issues. The United States and the Taliban signed a deal on February 29 that will trigger the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security commitments from the extremist militant group. Part of the deal is the launch of direct negotiations between Afghans and the Taliban over a permanent cease-fire and a power-sharing arrangement. But those intra-Afghan talks have been thrown into doubt because of disagreement over two key tenets of the deal. The Taliban has demanded that the Afghan government free 5,000 of its captured fighters, a claim rejected by Kabul. Meanwhile, the militants have refuted the governments claim that violence nationwide must remain low during intra-Afghan talks. 'Very Difficult Issue' The disputes have been fueled by the United States using different language in separate documents it agreed with the Taliban and the Afghan government. The text of the U.S.-Taliban agreement said Washington was committed to the release of "up to 5,000" Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government and "up to 1,000...prisoners of the other side will be released by March 10, when intra-Afghan meetings are slated to begin. But a joint U.S.-Afghan declaration signed on February 29 only said the Kabul government will take part in discussions on the "feasibility of releasing significant numbers of prisoners on both sides" and did not mention a specific number of prisoners to be released or a time frame. Kabul, which was not a signatory to the bilateral U.S.-Taliban deal, said it had not committed to a prisoner swap. President Ashraf Ghani said the prisoner swap could be included in the agenda of the intra-Afghan talks but cannot be a prerequisite for talks." But the Taliban said on March 2 that it would not take part in intra-Afghan talks before some 5,000 of its fighters were freed. Omar Samad, a former Afghan diplomat who is now a senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, said the issue had become a stumbling block instead of a confidence-building measure. "At this stage, political pressure is needed to resolve this issue with a formula that all sides can agree with," said Samad. "One option is to agree to a gradual and staggered release before and after intra-Afghan talks." A senior U.S. administration official on March 2 signaled that Washington expected a compromise from the Taliban and the Afghan government on the issue. "There are aspirational numbers and timelines in the agreement," said the unidentified official at a special briefing at the State Department. "This is a very difficult issue. Both parties have strongly held views and we are going to try and help broker a positive outcome." There is a lot of ambiguity [in the text of the U.S.-Taliban deal], even when it comes to very particular points, said Andrew Watkins, a senior analyst for Afghanistan at the International Crisis Group. This ambiguity can be a good thing; it allows for flexibility. 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. There are an estimated 10,000 Taliban prisoners being held in Afghanistan. Prisoner releases can be leverage to secure other gains, but the Afghan governments leverage in talks will come from the support of the international community, the Afghan people, and their political leaders, said Watkins. 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. The most recent was in November, when 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. Reduction In Violence The Afghan government and the Taliban are also locked in a dispute about allowable levels of violence and attacks during intra-Afghan talks, which are expected to be complex and protracted. The Taliban ordered its fighters on March 2 to resume operations against Afghan forces as the militants said the weeklong partial truce between the Taliban, U.S., and Afghan forces that preceded the February 29 agreement was "over." The Taliban has since carried out deadly attacks across Afghanistan, including an attack on an Afghan military base in Logar Province on March 3 that killed at least five soldiers. Ghani said on March 1 that the reduction in violence would be extended and eventually transformed into a cease-fire. He said if the Taliban backs away from an extended reduction of violence, it would be openly violating the condition set for them. The text of the U.S.-Taliban deal made no mention of a Taliban commitment to reduce violence during intra-Afghan talks. But U.S. General Scott Miller, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, said on March 2 that the United States expected that violence must remain low during negotiations among the Afghan parties. Samad said that with the weeklong reduction of violence period over, the rules and procedures were not clear and were open to interpretation. Reduction of violence has to be treated as a confidence-building measure, but, in negotiations, it's also used as leverage tied to give-and-take, he said. At this stage, with other stumbling blocks and possible concession-seeking tactics being used by Ghani, the Taliban will most likely use the reduction of violence as a pressure point. Ghani sent a government delegation to Qatar to open what the government said were initial contacts with the militants, with experts saying that this could open communication lines between the warring sides over the levels of violence and what each side expected if the deal was to hold. But the Taliban said on March 3 that it would not meet Kabul's representatives in Qatar except to discuss the release of their prisoners. I suspect that there will be some sort of middle ground, where the Taliban attempt to demonstrate to their own fighters as well as the Afghan government that it will continue to fight for an Islamic system by resuming some combat operations but also keeping them confined or reduced in certain ways, Watkins said. Then-Vice President Joe Biden, right, talks with his son, US Army Capt. Beau Biden, at Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq, July 4, 2009. AP Former Vice President Joe Biden gave some heart-felt remarks after former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg withdrew from the 2020 US presidential race and endorsed his campaign. Biden complimented Buttigieg, who he said reminded him of his son, Beau. Beau served as an officer in the Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died in 2017. "And the fact that he's prepared to help me means a great deal," Biden said of Buttigieg. "I don't think I've ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son Beau." "I know that may not mean much to most people, but to me, it's the highest compliment I can give to any man or woman," Biden added. "Like Beau, he has a backbone like a ramrod." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Former Vice President Joe Biden gave some heart-felt remarks in a speech in Dallas, Texas, after former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg withdrew from the 2020 US presidential race and endorsed his campaign. "I didn't ask Pete to endorse me, but I called him and told him that we needed him to stay engaged," Biden said at a rally, with Buttigieg standing behind him. "We needed him badly to be involved. Because when he talked to the campaign ... about 'passing the torch to the next generation,' that's absolutely essential." Biden's electability and performance ahead of the general election is frequently called into question by his critics. The 77-year-old former vice president and longtime US Senator from Delaware has often been contrasted to that of younger Democratic candidates who have dropped out, including Buttigieg, who is 38. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, 78, is the oldest Democrat still in the race. Biden complimented Buttigieg, who he said reminded him of his son, Beau. One of two sons, Beau was eldest child and eventually became the attorney general of Delaware. Beau served as an officer in the Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died in 2017. Story continues Biden said that Buttigieg's "unlimited potential" was similar to Beau's, and that he looked forward to his continued public service. Like Beau, Buttigieg also served in the military the former mayor served in the US Naval Reserves, and deployed to Afghanistan. "And the fact that he's prepared to help me means a great deal," Biden said of Buttigieg. "I don't think I've ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son Beau." "I know that may not mean much to most people, but to me, it's the highest compliment I can give to any man or woman," Biden added. "Like Beau, he has a backbone like a ramrod." Buttigieg withdrew from the race on Sunday, after he finished fourth-place in the South Carolina primary. Exit polls indicated he won the support of 3% of the state's black voters, compared to Biden's 78% and 36% amongst the state's older and younger black voters, respectively. "The only way we beat Trump is through a politics that reflects the decency of the American people," Buttigieg said in a statement. "It's what we sought to practice in my campaign and it's what [Joe Biden] has practiced his whole life." "I'm proud to stand with the VP and help make him our next Commander-in-Chief," he added. Biden also racked up another endorsement after South Carolina's primary. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota also confirmed she would drop out of the race and would support the former vice president. Read the original article on Business Insider Bengaluru, March 3 : The Karnataka government has directed school authorities to grant leave to students and staff suffering from cold or fever in the light of renewed coronavirus (COVID -19) fears. "If any student, teacher of staff is suffering from respiratory infections, they should be granted leave. They should be allowed to come back to school only after confirming from the doctor that they are cured. In case of a student or staff staying at hostels developing any symptoms, they should be kept in a separate room," said the government circular. Meanwhile, the state health department is on high alert after a techie working in the city tested positive for coronavirus in Hyderabad. "A Telangana techie tested positive for coronavirus in Hyderabad," said Karnataka Health Minister Sriramulu on Tuesday at an emergency meeting at the Vidhan Souda, referring to the employee who works in the city. In January, the software engineer interacted with people from Hong Kong in Dubai and returned to Bengaluru around February 20. Suspected of contracting the virus in Dubai, the health officials are monitoring his colleagues and people in touch with him in the city. "Blood samples of 25 people working with the techie have been collected," said Sudhakar, a Karnataka health official. Later, the techie travelled to Hyderabad on a bus from Bengaluru, prompting authorities to trace and collect the blood samples of 23 fellow passengers in the bus. Aiming at containing the spread of coronavirus, Sriramulu said, "We have formed 1,680 isolation wards in private hospitals. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister of the situation." However, the Health Minister said no positive case has been recorded till now in the state. "Tests are also being conducting on passengers arriving in Karnataka and all precautionary measures are being taken," said Sriramulu about the 40,000 people thermal screened at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in the city. Major private hospitals in the city have geared up to treat suspected cases. Five Karnataka districts bordering Kerala -- Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Udupi, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru -- continue to be under surveillance after three positive coronavirus cases were reported in Kerala. Currently, the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services department is observing 284 people under home isolation across the state for coronavirus symptoms. The deadly virus has killed a total of 2,912 people in mainland China till Saturday, bringing the global death toll to more than 3,000, authorities said on Monday. With Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) set to fully close their manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna, the 28-year old factory will be vacated in the coming weeks. However, it looks like another company is interested in setting up shop at HCPI's factory soon. According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, a company recently showed interest in buying the HCPI facility. Lopez mentioned that the firm is not necessarily in the automotive industry, but has been operating in the country for years now. Thats our point. If a company left, then some will expand. They would like to locate here, (for the) expansion of their operation, said Lopez. When asked who may be the company that is looking to buy the factory, Lopez declined to say as to who they are. [March 03, 2020] StratusWorX Enters into Exclusive Partnership with Telarus to Deliver Next-Generation Cloud Workspace Technology PLEASANTON, Calif. and SANDY, Utah, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Telarus, LLC., master agent of business cloud infrastructure and contact center services, today announced it that it has entered into an exclusive technology distribution agreement with StratusWorX, provider of Converged IaaS, SaaS, DaaS, Security, and Redundancy. With this new agreement in place, Telarus' network of over 4,000 technology brokers will be able to deliver a fully managed IT environment in one easy-to-use cloud platform. StratusWorX's unique solution includes the fast provisioning of infrastructure, software, compute, active directory, security, and storage through a simple app-store menu that requires little to no IT expertise. "We are excited to add StratusWorX to our growing cloud services portfolio to deliver hassle-free Cloud Workspaces that are scalable, secure, and simple to deploy and manage," said Koby Phillips, VP of business development - Cloud, for Telarus. "StratusWorX's agile, next-generation technology includes a hyper-fast self-provisioning platform that helps businesses dramatically increase efficiency and reduce costs through automation. Their solutions enable hosting of any software application in the cloud - accessible from any device via a Zero Touch, Zero Delay, continuously secure paradigm. It's purpose-built for companies that have compute-intensive applications such as AutoCAD and SQL. We are looking forward to a great relationship with StratusWorx and are thrilled that they are exclusive with us." Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, StratusWorX has created and patented a platform that delivers unparalleled performance across the entire spectrum of applications, from Office 365 to compute-heavy design applications such as AutoCAD and compute/IO-intensive applications such as SQL. Entire Cloud Workspaces are provisioned in minutes across mutiple platforms, thereby significantly reducing costs and driving the complexity out of adopting an ultra-secure, cloud-first strategy. "Telarus has a history of innovating and keeping its agent partners ahead of the technology curve, and StratusWorX is excited to be the reliable technology platform partner they've been looking for," said Dan Foster, chief revenue officer for StratusWorX. "With the investments we have made in our platform and infrastructure, combined with Telarus' investments in cloud engineering, software tools, and in-region partner development managers, we see a true partner that has signaled to the marketplace it wants to be known for solutions that simply and economically transform IT." "StratusWorX has assembled a team of industry veterans who know how to serve channel partners and help businesses grow through innovative solutions and transformational change," said Adam Edwards, chief executive officer and co-founder, Telarus. "We are thrilled to offer advanced cloud services like StratusWorX that create real value and differentiation in the marketplace." For more information about how to add the StratusWorX Cloud Workspace platform to your portfolio, please reach out to Telarus by visiting our website, www.telarus.com, or by calling our new partner hotline at 877-346-3232. About StratusWorX Founded in 2014, StratusWorX is the first-of-its-kind converged platform of IaaS, SaaS, DaaS, Disaster Recovery and Security. The StratusWorX Cloud Workspace platform includes the fast provisioning of infrastructure, software, compute, active directory, security, and storage through a simple app-store menu that requires little to no IT expertise. StratusWorX provides enterprises and SMBs with a simple-to-use, ultra-secure, single sign-on to an unlimited number of software applications through a multi-cloud access manager. Businesses can fully con?gure Windows and Linux workspaces in the cloud in minutes, rather than hours or days, to dramatically increase efficiency and reduce costs through automation. Business users gain the freedom and flexibility to access their desktops from any device, anywhere, anytime, for increased productivity. For more information, visit www.StratusWorX.com About Telarus Built for You, Telarus is the largest privately-held technology services distributor (master agent) in the United States. Our dynamic agent-partner community sources data, voice, cloud, and managed services through our robust portfolio of 250 leading service providers. We are best known for our home-grown software pricing tools and mobile apps that are unique in the industry. To help our partners grow their businesses even more, we've assembled the best support organization in the business, which includes SD-WAN, Cloud, mobility, contact center, and ILEC specialty practices whose primary goal is to help our partners identify and design the right technology solutions for their customers. To learn more about the Telarus opportunity, please visit www.telarus.com, or follow us on Twitter @Telarus. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stratusworx-enters-into-exclusive-partnership-with-telarus-to-deliver-next-generation-cloud-workspace-technology-301014906.html SOURCE StratusWorX [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The private air travel industry is 'booming' as people avoid commercial airlines or have had their plans ruined due to cancellations after the coronavirus warning hit Level 4 - Do Not Travel. Delta and American Airlines this week stopped flights from New York, where two people had been affected by Tuesday morning, to Milan where the virus is prevalent. Since the outbreak in China's Wuhan, COVID-19 has cropped up in 74 other countries - 111 were infected in the US Tuesday - and flyers are paying up to $15,000 per hour in a bid to bypass crowded security screenings at public airports. 'We're seeing many inquiries from customers who have experienced airline cancellations or who don't want to fly on airlines, due to concerns about exposure to the coronavirus - as obviously commercial airline travel puts people in much closer proximity to others, and involves moving through more crowded spaces at airports,' Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly told DailyMail.com. The private air travel industry is 'booming' amid the coronavirus outbreak with Jettly (pictured) receiving thousands of requests 'within hours' to secure a seat Delta announced Sunday it was suspending its daily flight between JFK and Milan. American Airlines is also suspending flights. In New York, two people have been infected and the virus has spread in Italy Since the outbreak in China's Wuhan, COVID-19 has cropped up in 74 other countries. The US has 111 confirmed cases In the US six people have died from the virus and the older people with pre-existing illnesses are believed to be at a higher risk. Twidell said the on-demand private jet charter provider has helped people desperate to get home without having to fly with hundreds of people in commercial cabins. 'These include a family looking to return home to Chicago, from New York where they have been attending a wedding. The group includes an older passenger in their late 70s and a young child,' Twidell continued to DailyMail.com. 'In Europe, we flew a couple home from their holiday in Spain, back to Jersey in the Channel Islands. They were keen to avoid making the necessary airline connection in London.' Rival company XO - which allows members to book single seats where available on private planes - said it had seen similar behavior. 'We have seen a rise in private jet travel as clients from across the globe are increasingly utilizing our services during this delicate time affected by the coronavirus outbreak,' Ron Silverman, CCO of XO, told DailyMail.com. 'We foresee in the near future that there will be continued growth for customers preferring to fly private over commercial options and we will continue to accommodate all of our members during this period of high demand.' Another private jet-providing company said it had to triple its flight support staff due to the high demand for charter planes. Jettly reported thousands of requests 'within hours' despite the service costing $5,000 per hour for a six-to-eight-seat light aircraft. 'In short, we are booming,' Jettly CEO Justin Crabbe told Business Insider. 'I've never seen so much activity in our evacuation flight department. 'We have seen dozens of bookings that are two to three times the regular rate for the flight due to the increased demand and the shortage of available aircraft and crews in the area. 'Many aircraft are having to fly in to pick up customers and evacuate them. All of that additional flight time comes with additional cost.' Crabbe has seen an increase in demand due to events such as the Super Bowl but explained, 'it's very unusual to see the sporadic and immediate demand we see as a result of this coronavirus outbreak'. The demand is from individuals and businesses. 'Some of our large corporate clients have already activated their disaster relief plans which include the evacuation of employees out of affected areas back home to the United States and there appears to be no limit to what some of them will spend,' Crabbe shared. But he seemed to warn loopholes in the private travel industry may allow infected people to slip through the net. 'In my opinion, there are many holes that are being left open,' Crabbe told Business Insider. 'Passengers are using private terminals off to the side of the regular commercial terminals and are not subject to commercial security, possibly even including temperature screenings.' A luggage wrapping machine stands in an empty departure hall at Linate airport in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday, February 26 as more airlines announce a suspension of their service to the area Delta will offer a change waiver fee to travelers changing their flights from the U.S. bound for South Korea, Italy and China after services were suspended amid coronavirus concerns PrivateFly said 'private jet operators are taking a number of precautions to keep passengers and crews safe'. Twidell said: 'Our Safety Officers in Europe and the US are working closely with our operator suppliers to evaluate the measures they are taking, to protect the safety and health of both passengers and crews. 'For example, all the aircraft that we charter from operators within our parent group Directional Aviation, have been deep cleaned with an industrial anti-viral disinfectant which gives lasting protection, and are additionally disinfected between each flight. Twidell said each aircraft is equipped with a protective healthcare and sanitary equipment kit for passengers and crew, 'should it be required'. 'The health of crew members is being monitored very closely, including temperature checks before every flight,' he reassured in a comment to DailyMail.com. However PrivateFly said the coronavirus doesn't necessarily mean business is thriving. With 92,174 infected globally and 3,128 deaths, people are cancelling travel plans altogether. 'This additional flight demand is balanced by longer term concerns and challenges, obviously including the impact on the global economy,' Twidell said in the statement. 'While we're seeing additional requests, other clients are changing or cancelling their travel plans. And obviously the operational logistics of flying in or out of affected areas is now highly complex, with availability of aircraft and crews making it more challenging to fulfill requests in some areas.' Travelers wearing masks at Miami International, one of the airports where flights to and from Milan will be suspended Hours before American Airlines' announcement on Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence said the travel advisory alert was being raised to 'Level 4 - Do Not Travel' for the Veneto region and Lombardy, of which Milan is the capital, in Italy Delta and American Airlines have suspended daily flights between New York's JFK and Milan Malpensa airport for two months with six U.S. deaths from the coronavirus now confirmed. Delta intends to resume service on May 1 and 2. Delta will continue its service between JFK and Atlanta to Rome, where the Italian virus outbreak has not been as severe. On Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence said the travel advisory alert was being raised to 'Level 4 - Do Not Travel' for the Veneto region and Lombardy, of which Milan is the capital, in Italy. The Level 4 warning is the most severe that can be issued. The company added that it aims to 'respond to the coronavirus as well as ensure training, policies, procedures and cabin cleaning and disinfection measures meet and exceed guidelines'. Delta has already suspended US services to Shanghai and Beijing until April 30 and reduced its service to Seoul in South Korea. This included a reduction in the number of flights between Seoul and Seattle. The six confirmed deaths in the U.S. have all been in Washington state but there is as yet no plan to suspend domestic services to the airport. The airline states it will waive the fee for travelers wishing to change their flights from the U.S. to South Korea, Italy and China. Delta's announcement came a day after American Airlines said it was suspending flights to Milan after the U.S. State Department announced on Saturday that it was raising its travel warning for parts of Italy amid the coronavirus crisis. The airline said it would suspend flights between the U.S. and Milan. The flights will be grounded until April 24 from New York-JFK and Miami. The company said the decision had been made after a reduction in demand. A traveler posted this picture from an empty flight on Tuesday A health alert for people traveling to China is shown at a TSA security checkpoint at the Denver International Airport on Monday, March 2, after a travel advisory came into effect Saturday The Chicago-based company revealed last Monday that short-term demand for its trans-Pacific routes was down by 75% - excluding China where demand has almost disappeared United Airlines has already cut flights to Asia and suspended services to mainland China and Hong Kong through April 30. On Friday, it then sharply slashed flights to Japan and South Korea. Munoz did not specify which routes would next face the chop. However, the Chicago-based company revealed last Monday that short-term demand for its trans-Pacific routes was down by 75% - excluding China where demand has almost disappeared. Among US airlines, United has the biggest international exposure, drawing about 40 percent of its revenues from overseas flights. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE 11 US PATIENTS WHO DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS So far, 11 people have died of coronavirus in the US, federal and local health officials say. Ten of the deaths have occurred in Washington state - nine in King County and one of Snohomish County. Most came from Life Care Center, a long-term care facility in Kirkland. One deaths has occurred in Placer County, California. Here's what we currently know: 1. A man in his 50s was brought from Life Care Center to Harborview Medical Center on February 24. He died two days later and is the first death in the US from coronavirus 2. A man in his 50s from King County who had underlying health conditions. He was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth on February 29 3. A man in his 40s from Snohomish County who died after being hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland on March 1 4. A woman in her 70s, who lived at Life Care and was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She had pre-existing conditions, and died on March 1 5. A man in his 70s, linked to Life Care, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He died on February 29 and pre-existing conditions 6. A man in his 70s, who was also a resident of Life Care, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He died on March 1 and also had underlying health conditions 7. A woman in her 70s, who was a Life Care resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and died on March 2 8. A woman in her 80s, who was linked to Life Care and was previously reported to be in critical condition at EvergreenHealth, died on March 1 9. A woman in her 80s, who was a resident of Life Care and was never hospitalized, died at her family home on February 26 10. A tenth death was confirmed on March 4, but Public Health - Seattle & King County has not yet released information about the latest death 11. An 69-year-old man died on March 4 in Placer County, California after likely becoming infected on a Princess cruise ship that traveled from San Francisco to Mexico between February 11 and 21 Advertisement Airlines are even feeling the squeeze on domestic US flights as companies reconsider the need for business travel and conferences. On Friday, Amazon deferred all non-essential travel, within the US and beyond, and Google set new restrictions for travel to South Korea and other places, as corporations moved to protect their employees from the spread of coronavirus. Canada's TD Bank Group told Reuters it was suspending all non-essential business travel to China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Its peer Bank of Nova Scotia has also reportedly halted non-essential travel. JetBlue, which flies in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, became the first US airline to offer waivers for all travel on Wednesday, announcing it would suspend change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings between February 27 and March 11 this year. Mike Pence said on Saturday the U.S. State Department would work with Italy to coordinate medical screening for anyone traveling to the United States. A health alert has now been established at TSA checkpoints for travelers going to China, warning that a travel advisory is in place and informing passengers that they should not travel if they are sick. The majority of cases in the US were people who were evacuated under medical supervision from virus hotspots, including three from Wuhan and 44 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Health experts say that the coronavirus has a low mortality rate, resulting in death in about 2 to 3 percent of cases, the majority of whom are elderly patients or those with compromised immune systems. In China, the impact has been even more severe, with air travel plummeting 80 percent at the country's busiest airports and mass cancellations of both domestic and international flights. The reduction in global airline capacity, measured by how many seats remain grounded, is now greater than after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, industry analysts say. After 9/11, airline revenue dropped an estimated $19.6 billion in 2002 dollars. The coronavirus crisis could cost the industry an estimated $29.3 billion in lost revenue for 2020, according to the industry group IATA. The group said on Friday that countries with confirmed virus cases in excess of 90 China, Italy, Iran, Japan, Singapore and South Korea represent 25 percent of global airline passenger numbers and 20 percent of global passenger revenues. With the extent of the crisis still unknown, experts cautioned that the full impact on airlines remains to be seen. Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 2, 2020) - FirstShot Fund Inc. ("FirstShot" or the "Company") announces the following corporate updates: A $2 million debenture opportunity has been made available to existing shareholders and other qualifying investors, with 10% Interest, payable monthly; a 2 year term, secured by assets, with a conversion feature of every dollar of the debenture convertible into one unit, consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant shall be exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of $0.90/share and shall expire 12 months from the date of conversion. Subject to applicable securities regulations, shareholders and investors may invest any amount they wish. Additional information is available from info@firstshotfund.com. Jamie Lippay has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer effective January 16, 2020. "Jamie was the perfect addition as a CEO for the Company, but he lives in Toronto and FirstShot is located in Kelowna. We were hopeful that the long distance dynamics could work but it has been cumbersome. I wish Jamie could just move to Kelowna!", says Brian Lovig, Director. At this time, the Board of Directors of the Company is in the process of recruiting a new CEO. Brian Lovig has consented to act as the interim CEO as the Company searches for a permanent replacement. FirstShot has acquired the domain names and rights to firstshottoken.io and firstshottoken.com. FirstShot has also created a wholly-owned subsidiary, FirstShot Centers, LLC, incorporated in the State of Nevada, U.S.A. and a Digital Asset Division platform and compliance solution for the financing of acquisitions and repurposing of empty and undervalued big box retail properties, located in the United States. The FirstShot Token is an STO. This is a digitized, asset-backed security that utilizes Blockchain technology. STO is the abbreviation and brand for Securitized Token Offering. Liquidity is provided by Token Exchanges with a trading platform similar to those of a typical Stock Exchange. FirstShot is reviewing listing requirements of several Token Exchanges and anticipates making application to tzero, NYSTIX and the Malta Digital Exchange. FirstShot has engaged a platform service provider, transfer agent, blockchain / token attorney and a CEO. FirstShot has made application to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S. and subject to regulatory approval and compliance, FirstShot Tokens are expected to be available for trading in 2020. The proposed White Paper and offering documentation is for $400 million USD raised in $20 million USD tranches for a total issuance of 400 million tokens at $1 USD per token. Additional tokens will be issued to FirstShot. The use of funds shall be for the purchase of properties which in turn secure the token amounts with certain terms and conditions. Shares and Tokens are intended to trade on respective exchanges. Story continues Listing Llama Ltd. has acquired the domain names and rights to Llamatoken.io and llamatoken.com. Listing Llama has also created a subsidiary, Listing Llama, LLC, incorporated in the State of Nevada, U.S.A. on February 26, 2020 and a Digital Asset Division platform and compliance solution for financing the completion of software development and marketing launch in Canada and the U.S. Listing Llama, LLC has engaged a platform service provider, transfer agent, blockchain / token attorney and a CEO. Listing Llama, LLC will shortly make application to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S. and subject to regulatory approval and compliance, Llama Tokens are expected to be available for trading in 2020. The proposed White Paper and offering documentation is for $20 million USD (Series A) for a total issuance of 20 million tokens at $1 USD per token. Additional tokens will be issued to Listing Llama. The use of funds shall be for capital to further develop and expand the platform based upon and from the success of the test version, and to expand the territory and launch national marketing and advertising programs in the U.S. and Canada. General working capital is included. Listing Llama is reviewing listing requirements of several Token Exchanges and anticipates making application to tzero, NYSTIX and the Malta Digital Exchange. Tokens are intended to trade on these exchanges. For further information, please contact: FirstShot Fund Inc. Brian Lovig, President info@firstshotfund.com Phone: 778.699.2097 (extension 1) www.firstshotfund.com ABOUT FIRSTSHOT: FirstShot is a reporting issuer whose business model is to create and acquire unique investments and development properties in the real estate industry. The Company has a sound and driven management team with experience in all facets of real estate who will be conducting due diligence and considering acquisitions of distressed and vacant mall properties in Canada and the U.S. to be repurposed for destination sites where goods and services are not generally available on the internet or in conventional shopping centres. NO SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OR STOCK EXCHANGE HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE OR ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to FirstShot within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including its plans for development and acquisition of vacant and distressed shopping centers. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in FirstShot's public filings under FirstShot Fund Inc.'s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although FirstShot has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. FirstShot disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53067 A porn star who wanted to take a selfie got more than he bargained for when an angry monkey smacked him. Woody Fox shared a short clip of his animal encounter on Twitter, saying that it happened while he was on holiday in Bali. The Australian is seen smiling in the video and positioning himself to get the perfect angle while the monkey snacks on some bread next to him. However, Woody then looks at the monkey and the pair make eye contact, causing the animal to lash out and grab at his arm. The shot is ruined as the porn star is knocked away from his selfie perch and shouts at the unexpected move. Sharing the clip with his 95,500 followers, he wrote: 'Porn star @TheOnlyWoodyFox looses face in Bali monkey attack.' Dozens of people replied to the post, with one writing: 'You're not suppose to show your teeth to the monkey... they see it as a threat.' Australian porn star Woody Fox tries to get a selfie with a monkey while on holiday in Bali As he prepares the camera to get the best picture, Woody makes eye contact with the monkey While others said Woody shouldn't have looked at the monkey as they can be spooked by eye contact. Someone commented 'never suppose to look at them in the eyes' and another added 'its cuz u flashed your canine teeth and made direct eye contact LOL'. However others of Woody's followers said he was 'lucky' not to have been injured badly and checked he was ok. The monkey is spooked and lunges at Woody's arm, grabbing onto the man as he screams Woody can be seen falling to the side and the monkey still hitting him as the short clip ends Woody appeared to quickly recover from the surprise and shared another clip of him doing a handstand while a monkey watched on just two days later. Monkeys can be territorial in Bali and act aggressively if they feel threatened. New Zealand company Southern Cross Travel Insurance has recommended ways to keep on their good side. Their website recommends: 'Dont smile at them [the monkeys]. Showing teeth is a sign of aggression in primates and can be seen as a threat.' Opinion Article 3 March 2020 Consultants are always expected to make predictions and to prepare forecasts, so I do not intend to disappoint you with this bulletin. I predict that, by the time you open this email, something will have happened to ensure that you determine that at least one point I am writing about now is judged to be wrong. Not quite the 'fake news' of Mr Trump perhaps, but we are living in difficult times when many people are taking knee-jerk reactions in the absence of factual evidence. It's easier to cancel events involving lots of people than to wait for the medical outcome to be revealed. (Indeed, I am writing this having had three days of my life suddenly handed back to me when the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin was postponed until two months' time at the last minute.) Advertisements While a great deal of uncertainty exists about the eventual spread of COVID-19, experience to date in China, other Asian countries and now Europe indicates that a global pandemic is underway. Interruptions of supply chains could exacerbate a global economic slowing down. In the USA, COVID-19 could be the event that triggers a recession just as the events of 9/11 affected the US economy in 2001. A recession could last longer than the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior epidemics such as SARS and H1N1 swine flu provide case studies on the impact of such pandemics. History tells us that the hotel and tourism industry generally 'snaps back' from this type of an event (in a V-shape) and that one of the biggest mistakes hoteliers could make at this juncture would be to cut room rates in an attempt to stimulate demand, despite what their revenue-management systems might be suggesting. If people are afraid to travel, that fear doesn't suddenly disappear when a bargain presents itself. However, COVID-19 has potential to have a broader impact as it may not be largely contained to a limited number of accommodation markets. (SARS had little or no effect on the European hotel sector, for example.) The hotel industry may not only be affected by the loss of foreign travel as in prior pandemics, but by the loss of domestic travel as well. Consequently, the impact may be more akin to the events of 9/11 rather than to the impact of prior epidemics. The impact on developing countries may be more severe as many countries lack the medical infrastructure to deal effectively with pandemics. I refer you to my colleague Anne Lloyd-Jones' excellent and timely article, Pandemics and the Lodging Industry (https://www.hvs.com/article/8688/pandemics-and-the-lodging-industry/). Anne is a senior managing director of the HVS New York office and joined the firm in 1982. Her article refers back to the SARS outbreak of 2003 and points out that there are strong parallels with Coronavirus - both originated in China and the diseases are similar in terms of symptoms, severity and transmission. However, she points out that in terms of international travel and tourism, the context in which Coronavirus is occurring is radically different from when SARS occurred in 2003. Whilst she examines the issues from a US perspective, many of the issues she raises apply equally in a European context. My colleagues and I remain at your disposal to discuss any aspect of your business which is affected by COVID-19, or potentially so, and we will continue to share appropriate messages with you as the situation evolves. In the meantime, we will respect official travel advisory notices and limit travel to that which is essential. The UK government is today advising us to 'keep calm and carry on'. Sadly, there are plenty of people in the world who seem to be happy instilling panic in the minds of the general public, so matters are more likely to get worse before they get better. Watch this space. Twenty-four people are dead after devastating tornadoes ripped through Nashville and other areas of Tennessee, flattening homes, tossing airplanes and downing power lines, according to the governor. The tornado in Nashville was just one of three to hit Tennessee early Tuesday. Eighteen people died in Putnam County, Tennessee, officials said Tuesday night, after earlier in the day reporting that 19 had died there. Fatalities were also reported in Wilson, Davidson and Benton counties. PHOTO: A woman walks past buildings damaged by a tornado, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (Mark Humphrey/AP) PHOTO: A man walks past storm debris following a deadly tornado, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (Mark Humphrey/AP) A state of emergency was declared in Tennessee as a result of the damage. Two of those killed were Michael Dolfini, 36, and Albree Sexton, 33, according to Nashville police. The 2 persons fatally injured by debris overnight on McFerrin Avenue when the tornado went through East Nashville are identified as Michael Dolfini, 36, & his girlfriend, Albree Sexton, 33. They had just left Attaboy lounge, where Dolfini worked. Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 3, 2020 About 47,000 are without power and dozens of building have collapsed, officials said. Winds reached at least 155 mph -- EF-3 tornado level -- in Mount Juliet and Donelson. PHOTO: Debris covers a car near after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020. (Shelley Mays/The Tennessean/USA TODAY via Reuters) TDOC has also been affected by the overnight Tornado in middle Tennessee. These are photos of the damage from the site of the historic Tennessee State Prison. pic.twitter.com/Hs5NwmjvyV Dept of Correction (@TNTDOC1) March 3, 2020 Hopewell Baptist Church is one of several destroyer in North Nashville. Its been here since 1823. Devastating. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/QXtFobSAYd Elizabeth Lane WKRN (@elizabethlanetv) March 3, 2020 Some Super Tuesday polling stations were impacted, officials said. Alternative locations will be offered for voters. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said residents can call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959. Story continues A judge ruled that all Tennessee polling stations would have to extend Super Tuesday hours, a Democratic Party spokeswoman told The Associated Press. For polling location changes in Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson Counties and other Presidential Preference Primary information, click here: https://t.co/LFsJwtruMJ. Contact the Division of Elections toll-free 1-877-850-4959. #SuperTuesday #GoVoteTN #TrustedInfo2020 pic.twitter.com/L1RD6GETDh Tre Hargett (@sectrehargett) March 3, 2020 MORE: Voters in Tennessee impacted by deadly tornadoes MORE: Country stars react to tornado that hit Nashville music community Nashville resident James Duncan said sirens started in the middle of the night before "howling" winds moved in. PHOTO: Residents walk through downed utility lines and trees to survey damage caused by one of several tornadoes that tore through the state overnight, March 3, 2020, in Cookeville, Tenn. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) "Things started hitting the window, and my girlfriend and I shot out of bed and darted for the bathroom. We could hear objects slamming against the building ... it was terrifying," Duncan told ABC News. "They say tornadoes sound like a train ... they were not lying. The feeling in my head from the pressure was insane. I've never felt anything like it. We were shaking." "Then the power cut out and the noise started to fade," he continued, but he smelled a gas leak and first responders quickly evacuated the apartment to investigate the suspected leak. PHOTO: A resident makes her way down Underwood St. amidst downed trees and heavy debris on March 3, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. A tornado passed through Nashville just after midnight leaving a wake of damage. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) PHOTO: Damamged vehicles and buildings are seen in East Nashville after a tornado hit the city in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Courtney Predoza/AP) SLIDESHOW: Devastating tornado causes severe damage across Nashville "Downed power lines were everywhere," Duncan added. "We had to walk roughly a mile through the debris and wreckage 'til we could get to a zone where a friend could pick us up. I was trying to reach out to friends in the area to see if they were OK. It was chaos. It felt like we were in a bad dream." My friend found THIS airport terminal sign in her yard after the overnight storms. She lives in Mt. Juliet... more than *10* MILES from @Fly_Nashville !! @WKRN pic.twitter.com/hLUAvBi62a Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowWKRN) March 3, 2020 Jeremy Vaughn said he spotted "the funnel cloud" and heard what sounded like a train. He told ABC News he ran down to the first floor of his apartment building, where he huddled with his neighbors, who "were crying and screaming -- we didn't know what was going on." Outside, Vaughn added, it "looked like a war zone," with the apartment building's roof on the ground, the street littered with insulation and pieces of wood. Im devastated by the destruction of our cherished neighborhoods and businesses. Were doing everything we can to respond. We will heal as a community and then begin the rebuilding process. The hubNashville 311 phone line is open 24 hours to take storm related requests. pic.twitter.com/Ef6kw3vTGO Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) March 3, 2020 One of our helicopters just landed after surveying tornado destruction from overnight. pic.twitter.com/XmBpbOmBuf Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 3, 2020 Its like driving through a war zone. Cars destroyed, buildings destroyed...breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/v3v5tNXhua WKRN Brent Remadna (@RemadnaWKRN) March 3, 2020 In hard-hit Mt. Juliet, 7-year-old Brock Maxwell was rescued by Mt. Juliet Fire chief Jamie Luffman in the aftermath of the twister. Brock's family took video of the moment Luffman carried him to safety across live wires in the middle of the night. The twisters left planes decimated at the John C. Tune Airport in West Nashville. No one there was injured and crews from Nashville International Airport will help rebuild, said Doug Kreulen, Nashville International Airport president and CEO. The team at @Fly_Nashville will rebuild our sister airport John C. Tune. Excellent response by all, tomorrow we start cleaning up. We can replace hangars and airplanes. Thankful no one was injured. pic.twitter.com/ZYBZgDjBd2 Doug Kreulen (@DougKreulen) March 3, 2020 The JWN Terminal needs work and well need new refueling trucks as well. pic.twitter.com/QPQqFiul6i Doug Kreulen (@DougKreulen) March 3, 2020 President Donald Trump in a tweet pledged the federal government's support. Trump said he will travel to Tennessee on Friday. This alley is filled with pieces of multiple homes. An entire 3rd floor was ripped off and thrown. Look close and you can see the metal spiral staircase. No one was hurt here, but one homeowner tells me he woke up to the house shaking. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/x2qBq7ilHu WKRN Brent Remadna (@RemadnaWKRN) March 3, 2020 While the "damage is devastating," residents are already stepping up to help their community, according to Nashville Mayor John Cooper. He said the website for Nashville volunteer organization Hands On Nashville has crashed three times from so many people trying to sign up to volunteer. More than 5,000 people signed up by Tuesday afternoon, he said. @Edleysbbq is one of the most popular BBQ restaurants in #Nashville. It suffered some damage and a truck was thrown down the street, but it is still standing! @WKRN pic.twitter.com/uwhgmur7Uq Stassy Olmos (@StassyOlmosWKRN) March 3, 2020 The damage and power outages shuttered Nashville schools Tuesday and Wednesday. The mayor posted photos of himself assessing the severe damaging at one Nashville elementary school. MNPS interim director Dr. Adrienne Battle and I are assessing the damage caused by this mornings horrible tornado at Robert Churchwell. The school district is working on a relocation plan for students, teachers, and staff. Ill continue to assess other damaged areas today. pic.twitter.com/G5cpHLnSKk Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) March 3, 2020 Nashville is the capital of country music and stars have spoken out in the wake of the destruction. PHOTO: Police at the scene of a damage caused by a tornado in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020. (Alan Poizner/The Tennessean via USA TODAY ) PHOTO: Police cars at the scene where a tornodo touched down in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020. (James Duncan/Twitter) Country music singer Maren Morris tweeted that "the tornado must have missed our block by an inch." "I am so depleted looking at the damage that has happened to our beautiful city. There are so many people in the streets helping already, though, she said. Thinking of those who lost their loved ones + homes." The tornado must have missed our block by an inch because we are alright but I am so depleted looking at the damage that has happened to our beautiful city. There are so many people in the streets helping already, though. Thinking of those who lost their loved ones + homes. pic.twitter.com/pv2VPCafhc MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) March 3, 2020 ABC News' Max Golembo, Rachel Katz, Jordyn Phelps, Erin Calabrese, Victor Oquendo, Christopher Lumsden and Meg Cunningham contributed to this report. 24 dead in Tennessee as tornadoes wreak havoc on towns including Nashville originally appeared on abcnews.go.com In opening its borders to Syrian refugees, Turkey is playing a card it previously wielded as a threat against the EU; one that some European officials have openly called blackmail In the aftermath of an airstrike in Idlib last Thursday that killed more than 33 Turkish soldiers and wounded more than 30, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he had opened the gates for Syrian refugees to flood Europe. Tens of thousands of refugees carrying whatever belongings they have on their backs or heads hastened northward towards the Turkish borders with Europe, as though escaping hell. Turkish gendarmes, wearing surgical masks, merely pointed them in the direction of Kastanies. On the other side, Greek authorities complained that the rush was orchestrated and raised the Greek border alert to high. Bulgaria acted similarly, sending thousands of troops to its borders with Turkey to keep the refugees out. That at least 78,000 refugees (according to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylus unsubstantiated figure) had massed at the borders virtually overnight strongly supports the contention that this was orchestrated and probably planned a long time ago. It would take weeks and considerable resources to move so many people northward from refugee centres in southern Anatolia. As the Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn observed in his 27 February meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, Ankaras move came as no surprise. After all, Erdogan had repeatedly wielded this refugee card to persuade Brussels to give him more money, to support this policy or that, or to stop criticising his regimes rights abuses. This time, judging from Turkish press reports, it is to bow to his demand for a no flight zone over Syria to protect hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. That same media has been relaying images of another heartrending tragedy: thousands of innocent people, perhaps forcibly evicted from refugee camps, caught in a no mans land where violent scuffles have erupted while microphones blare in English and Arabic: The borders are closed. To the south, Turkish officials pointed asylum seekers in a riskier direction the sea route. Hundreds of refugees made it to the shores of Lesbos, Chios and Samos by rubber dinghy within hours after Erdogan announced he had opened the borders. Turkey has welcomed refugees with open arms for years while Europe puts up kilometres of barbed wire barricades to keep them out, Turkeys pro-government media proclaims, without mentioning the Turkish hand extended for billions of Euros in exchange for this service. Turkish journalists who do not toe the propaganda line are at risk, as always. Many were arrested for interviewing refugees who complained at how the Turkish regime traded in their suffering. The journalists were charged with taking photographs in a security area where photography was banned, even though state media was transmitting live footage from the same place. Greek police are firing tear gas into the thousands waiting at their doors. We do not have to prevent people from leaving our country. But Greece has duty to treat them like humans, tweeted an indignant Foreign Minster Mevlut Cavusoglu. Left unmentioned were the dire conditions that made so many refugees desperate to leave his country. There were also reports that they were joined by a number of Turkish citizens from southern Hatay fearful of what was becoming of their province which had become home to the Syrian jihadist organisations Ankara supports. So far, there are no signs that Europe will cave in to what many European officials have openly called Erdogans blackmail and, in some quarters of the European press, Erdogans madness. Margaritis Schinas, vice-president of the EU Commission for Promoting the European Way of Life, which interacts with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), has called for an extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers to discuss the explosive situation. In like manner, EU High Representative Josep Borrell has called for an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the unfolding situation, adding: At the same time, we continue to follow closely the migration situation at our external borders. The EU-Turkey statement needs to be upheld. The EU is engaged in supporting Greece and Bulgaria in addressing the unfolding situation. Borrell also said: The ongoing renewed fighting in and around Idlib represents a serious threat to international peace and security. It is causing an untold human suffering among the population, and having a grave impact on the region and beyond. The European Union needs to redouble efforts to address this terrible human crisis with all the means at its disposal. Nevertheless, as Syrian government forces continue their advance on the ground in Idlib, it appears that much is contingent on a meeting between Erdogan and Putin who, apparently after keeping Erdogan in suspense for a while, agreed to a meeting set for Thursday or Friday. Cavusoglu said that he expected the two leaders to reach a joint understanding. The wording implies a parity that does not exist between Russia and Turkey, especially when it comes to Syria. Firstly, the forthcoming meeting will take place in Moscow, not in Istanbul, and it will not include Paris and Berlin. Two weeks ago, Erdogan had called for a four-way meeting on 5 March between himself and Merkel, Macron and Putin. Second, although the US and NATO have said that they supported their NATO ally, this is unlikely to translate into concrete support for Turkey on the ground in Syria. Third, Lavrov has made it clear that only if Turkey fulfills its commitments under the Sochi agreement will it be able to spare the lives of its soldiers. There can be no compromising with terrorists in Syria, he said. While he did not mention who backs them, the Russian press has openly accused Turkish forces based in the Turkish observation posts in Idlib of supplying the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front (referring to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham) with heavy weapons including anti-aircraft artillery that has been used to fire at Russian aircraft. Fifth, the Kremlin has other partners on the ground in Syria, most notably Iran, which counselled Erdogan to be sensible, and China whose ambassador to the UN said that defeating terrorist forces in Syria was essential to ending the conflict there. Erdogan will have few options when he boards his plane to Sheremetyevo International Airport. He can do very little to alter the balances of powers in Syria, which are tilted in favour of the Moscow-backed Syrian regime. Perhaps the most he can hope for is some concession wheedled out of Moscow that can be presented as a coup back home before public opinion turns against him if more Turkish soldiers lose their lives as the result of his Syrian exploits. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: A group of 30 judicial officers from Nepal have commenced a 7-day specialised training in India to enhance their capacity of effectively dealing with the issues of case and court management and use of Information Technology in administration of justice. The officers, who are part of the first batch to attend the course, began their training on Monday at the National Law University in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and will also get trained on the use of Information Technology in the administration of justice. The training is part of a tailor-made course specially designed at the request of Nepal government and supported by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme under the Ministry of External Affairs, a statement issued by the Indian Embassy here said. "The course will enhance the capacity of the officers to deal effectively with issues related to case and court management and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the administration of justice," the statement said. Under ITEC, countries are offered unique training courses, both civilian and defence, in different centres of excellence in India which empower them with not just professional skills, but prepare them for an increasingly globalised world. A second batch of Judicial Officers from Supreme Court of Nepal will commence the same training from March 23 to 29, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The police chief in charge of accreditation for guards under security agencies clarified on Tuesday that Alchie Paray, the hostage-taker in the San Juan mall, has an active license to work as a security guard. Philippine National Police's Supervisory Office on Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) Chief PBGen Michael John Dubria issued the clarification after San Juan City Police Chief Col. Jaime Santos said they received information from SOSIA that Paray has no record of being accredited by the PNP. "His true name is said to be Alchie Paray Y Pedraza a holder of a license to exercise security profession set to expire on April 2021," Dubria said in a text message. Paray opened fire inside V-Mall in Greenhills around 10 a.m. Monday, injuring a security guard. The held around 60 people hostage inside the mall. The 10-hour standoff ended with the hostages released unharmed following the apology and resignation of Paray's bosses. On Sunday H-E-B put a notice up on its website that it was limiting the amount of disinfectant products such as hand sanitizers that are flying off the shelves over coronavirus concerns. Stores across town are also seeing an increase of these items being snatched up and causing some products to even be sold out or hard to come by. The Texas-based retailer shared the following notice on its website Sunday, March 1st that states: "To be fair to all customers, we are placing a limit of four on many hand sanitizers, wipes and similar items." ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Coronavirus fears disrupt Rice University, cancel CERAWeek Lisa Helfman, public affairs director with H-E-B Houston had the following to share about the notice, "To ensure the availability of product for all customers, the purchase of hand sanitizer and hand soap is limited to 4 bottles each per transaction in one shopping trip. This precautionary measure will ensure that all customers find the products they need." When asked why there was a limit put on these product the spokesperson shared that H-E-B is committed to having products available to customers who need them. Occasionally they will limit product purchases to make sure customers can find the items they need. Some may wonder if these restrictions are due to the coronavirus concerns. The H-E-B spokesperson shared that "Product limits are typical at H-E-B to ensure our customers are able to find what they need. Limits are part of H-E-B being prepared and protecting product availability." CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS: How can you tell if you have a cold, the flu, or coronavirus? Experts weigh in If your worried that there may be a shortage the spokesperson responded by sharing the following: "No, our team replenishes our shelves daily. Our Partners work around the clock to bring products to the shelf. If you cannot find what you need, please check back with us." STAY INFORMED: Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Famous illustration was accompanied by the slogan: 'Skegness is SO bracing' He's the cheerful, white-haired angler often seen skipping along the sands of Skegness, relishing the bracing breeze. But the net is closing around Jolly the Fisherman as local officials consider axing the mascot over health and safety worries. The character is based on the poster created by artist John Hassall in 1908 to advertise Great Northern Railways. The famous illustration was accompanied by the slogan: 'Skegness is SO bracing.' The net is closing around Skegness mascot Jolly the Fisherman (pictured) as local officials consider axing the character over health and safety worries. A fountain topped with a bronze statue of the Jolly the Fisherman in Skegness, Lincolnshire Locals dressed as Jolly are seen parading on the pier and beach to greet holidaymakers. But a report commissioned by the town council has highlighted hygiene fears over the 'very dirty' mascot costumes, along with the 'resource and cost of operating Jolly'. The costs are 'more than many will imagine' due to strict regulations, especially if they are worn by more than one person, it said. Nobody can wear the costume for more than 20 minutes without having a 20-minute break, and all mascots must undergo a check to ensure they can work with children. The character is based on the poster created by artist John Hassall in 1908 Former town councillor John Byford said: 'Jolly is not just our town mascot he's a crowd-puller, he's our A-list celeb. 'He may be 112, but he's certainly not ready to hang his boots up yet.' There are statues and daubings of Jolly around Skegness. But this is not the first time the fisherman has been caught in a row. In 2015, animal rights group Peta said he 'evokes images of cruelty to animals' and demanded that he be replaced with a fish. Lincolnshire Coastal Business Improvement District, which used to look after the mascot, has stopped lending out the costumes and handed them to the council. Last night locals took to social media to launch a 'Save Jolly' campaign. They described the character as a 'real asset to Skegness' and 'part of the town's history'. Hong Kong Journalists Hit Out at Police After Weekend of Renewed Protests 2020-03-02 -- Journalists in Hong Kong have once more hit out at the city's police force for their treatment of journalists during the ongoing protest movement that began as mass opposition to extradition to mainland China last June, and widened into calls for more democracy and accountability. "Since June, clashes between police and protesters over the now-withdrawn extradition bill have escalated," Chris Yeung, who chairs the Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA), said in an open letter to police chief Chris Tang. "Frontline reporters have been facing obstruction and interference by the police in their reporting work," Yeung wrote. "The use of force, violence, verbal abuses and humiliation by police turned from bad to worse." "The government has done nothing to restrain the behavior of front-line officers," the letter said. The letter was posted to the HKJA's website after a weekend in which police once more deployed tear gas and pepper spray as crowds of protesters took to the streets to mark an Aug. 31 attack by riot police on passengers inside Prince Edward MTR Station. Police fired tear gas and pepper spray at short range to disperse a large group of protesters who had gathered outside the MTR station, six months after it was stormed by riot police, resulting in persistent rumors of one or more deaths and confirmed reports of dozens of injuries. The rumors of deaths in the attack have never been independently confirmed or disproved, although the police and rescue services have repeatedly denied them, because all of the media were ordered to leave before riot police entered the station. Police warned the crowd that the gathering constituted an "illegal assembly," although Hong Kong's citizens were promised the continuation of their freedoms of expression and association after the 1997 handover to Chinese rule. "On Saturday, groups of people had gathered outside Exit B of Prince Edward Station where make-shift shrines had sprung up time and again as anti-government protesters placed flowers and burned joss sticks to pay their respects," government broadcaster RTHK reported. "A group of police officers then came out of Mong Kok police station adjacent to the MTR exit and removed flowers and stickers placed there by some people," it said. Virus and lull in protests The coronavirus epidemic had coincided with a relative lull in the size and frequency of protest activities in Hong Kong in recent weeks. However, the HKJA's Yeung said the police have now gotten into the habit of pepper-spraying journalists. "Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the number of people who took part in demonstrations has drastically decreased," the HKJA letter said. "Clashes between police and protesters were less violent. The overall environment of protest areas was less tense than before." "But anti-riot police officers still kept targeting reporters at the scene. Some sprayed pepper spray directly at reporters and their lenses. That has become a norm," Yeung wrote, adding that journalists who film police mistreatment of their colleagues are often surrounded, searched and intimidated, while police have also pepper-sprayed reporters as they are leaving at police request. "Freedom to report is a significant part of press freedom. Journalists will not be able to tell the public the whole truth if their reporting is being obstructed and interfered [with]," Yeung wrote. Hong Kong police have arrested more than 7,100 people since protests began in June, 4,608 of whom were of people aged 19-30. On Nov. 18, police arrested 1,071 people in a single day, the second day of their siege of Hong Kong's Polytechnic University after around 10,000 people rushed police lines or tried other ways to escape. Under the "one country, two systems" framework agreed before the 1997 handover to Chinese rule, Hong Kong was promised the maintenance of its freedoms of speech, assembly, and political participation. The protests that erupted in June 2019 in response to plans to allow extradition to mainland China were largely triggered by the erosion of those freedoms, particularly following a series of high-profile interventions by the ruling Chinese Communist Party in the city's political life, including the debarring of pro-democracy lawmakers and would-be election candidates for their political views. In 2014, Beijing decreed that while it would allow Hongkongers to each have a vote in popular elections, they would only be allowed to choose from among candidates approved by China. Millions of pro-democracy supporters have taken to Hong Kong's streets with demands for a public inquiry into police violence, fully democratic elections, an amnesty for thousands of arrested protesters, and an end to the use of the word "rioters" to describe the movement. While chief executive Carrie Lam formally withdrew hated amendments to the city's laws in October, protesters slammed her response as too little, too late, and demanded she address the rapid erosion of the city's promised freedoms. Reported by Lau Siu-fung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Han Qing for the Mandarin 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 March 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 OTTAWA - Canada is making off-road electric vehicles and automotive equipment eligible for immediate tax writeoffs in a bid to encourage Canadian companies to buy them, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's annual convention in Toronto on Monday, March 2, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette OTTAWA - Canada is making off-road electric vehicles and automotive equipment eligible for immediate tax writeoffs in a bid to encourage Canadian companies to buy them, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. Trudeau was in Toronto speaking at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference, where he lauded the mining sector's efforts to protect the environment. He also offered up some help. "As people in this room know, electric vehicles are not just for city streets," he said. "They're for cleaner mining operations, which protects the health of workers and the environment." He gave a shout-out to Goldcorp's Borden mine in Chapleau, Ont., as Canada's first all-electric underground mining project, and to MacLean Engineering, a Collingwood, Ont., company that is producing electric mining vehicles. "This is only the beginning," said Trudeau. "Our government wants to support this sector in accelerating the use of clean mining trucks here at home." Last year's federal budget created the zero-emission business tax writeoff for zero-emission vehicles including electric cars, hybrid-electric cars and hydrogen-fuel cell cars. Businesses can write off 100 per cent of the purchase price, up to $55,000, in the year the car goes into service. The writeoff is not available if the cars in question also benefit from the parallel rebate program, which sees the cost of many electric cars reduced for consumers by as much as $5,000. The business program will now extend to off-road vehicles as well such as mining equipment and farm equipment. With the types of vehicles available expanding each year, the program specifies that the 100 per cent writeoff will be available for vehicles that will be used before 2024. It is expected to cost $62 million over the next five years. After 2024, the writeoff will be reduced to 75 per cent, and after 2025, it will be 55 per cent. Vehicles that won't be available for until at least 2028 won't be eligible. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Pierre Gratton, president of the Mining Association of Canada, said the announcement responds to one of his organization's budget asks. Gratton said the use of electric vehicles in Canadian mines is expanding but that comes at a "significant cost premium." He said this program will help. The electric-vehicle rebate program proved so popular, nearly half its $300 million allotment was gobbled up between May 2019 and mid-January. The funds were to last for three years but as of Jan. 19, $134 million had already been claimed. Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in January he was considering whether to expand the program. Trudeau also used his speech to the miners Monday to implore Canadians to end the polarized debate over how to address climate change, even as he acknowledged the voices at both ends of the spectrum are getting the lion's share of attention. "Around the world and right here in Canada the debate between environment and economy is becoming increasingly contentious and polarized," he said. "I think we can all agree it's unhelpful for polarized views to define the battleground of a debate." He compared it to the extremely hot debate about free trade in the 1988 election, noting that within five years Canadians had generally come to agree that global free trade is a benefit to them and the Canadian economy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2020. The Federal Government has explained why beneficiaries of its youth empowerment programme, N-Power have not been paid their monthly stip... The Federal Government has explained why beneficiaries of its youth empowerment programme, N-Power have not been paid their monthly stipends. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, explained that the delay in paying N-Power beneficiaries was due to some verification process in the ministry. Farouq disclosed that the Ministry was out to understand and have a full list of beneficiaries that were paid before she took over as Minister. In a statement, she signed, Farouq said: I know we had a complaint in October while we just got the NSIP into the ministry and we needed to understand the programme considering that it has been in existence before we came on board. We needed to understand before we start signing for a large amount of money and that was why we had the delay then. Unfortunately, then we were operating with a director who was overseeing the office of the permanent secretary and then in January, we had a new permanent secretary who also had to understand the nature of the programme. Recall that the Ministry had recently vowed to overhaul the National Social Investment Programmes, NSIPs. A statement by Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, Assistant Director (Information) in the Ministry explained that it had begun the process of rigorous overhauling of N-Power and other social investment programmes. This, the Ministry noted was to ensure maximum transparency, greater efficiency and more prudent application of resources. Help India! Israr Ahmad, TwoCircles.net 45 people are dead during the violence which erupted in places like Zafrabad, Maujpur Brahmpuri, Kardampuri, Khajuri Khas and Shiv Vihar Districts of north-east Delhi. About 5000 families have fled their homes. Violence-hit people are forced to stay in makeshift camps. Shiv Vihar is now completely Muslim-Free. When the Muslims staying here were attacked upon, they fled fearing for their lives. Their homes and places of worship were made the target of arson. Support TwoCircles Some people who have managed to escape from Shiv Vihar after saving their lives have taken shelter with Nauman Saifi in Indira Vihar area of Mustafabad. Some are staying elsewhere. Some have fled to their relatives staying in far off places. These homeless people no longer want to return to their homes in Shiv Vihar. Even though the Delhi Police is claiming the situation to be normal and assuring to protect them, their trust in the Delhi Police has been completely lost. Their neighbours have also been unmasked in the turn of events. Therefore, they cannot trust them either. Recollecting the memories of her house in Mustafabad, a woman says, My child says that we will not go back among Hindus. We no longer want to live among them. Hearing his mother speak, the child standing nearby tells, They came raising the slogan of Jai Shree Ram. They had put tilak. They wanted to kill all of us. He had witnessed everything. Had seen a crowd of rioters in saffron. The rioters were hitting poles on the doors, abusing them. The victims were on their roofs to save their lives. These rioters were threatening to kill the Muslims. Seeing all this made even the grownups tremble with fear. These people are so scared that they do not want to tell their names while talking to the media. Want to keep their identity a secret. One person shared, We kept calling 100- police helpline. The police did not come. After a while, two policemen arrived with the help of some well-connected person. Then we somehow got out from there to safety. After talking to several people, it was found that some women jumped from the roofs in the dark. Few others managed to flee somehow. There were only 20-22 of the thousands of Muslims who fled to save their lives from Shiv Vihar. The rest are elsewhere. In Mustafabad, different families gave shelter to them. Another woman says, The rioters were saying, We will give you freedom, will make it your graveyard. Take your freedom. Neither the neighbors came forward nor did the Delhi government help them. When asked what were the Hindu neighbours doing when the rioters attacked? They said, At first they stood outside together. The neighbors said, We cannot save. You cannot escape. One person said, they (neighbors) got angry when we stood near our houses and shops to protect ourselves. They said, Why stand with the poles? The shops are not going to be saved anyway. It is being told that the attackers were outsiders. But these people raise the question that how do outsiders know which house belongs to whom? How could outsiders identify the shops of Muslims? The attackers may be outsiders but those who have identified houses and shops must have been local. Now Shiva Vihar is completely Muslim-free. One elderly person states, We have 6500 voters here. This would mean around 15-16 thousand Muslims. All Muslims have voted for the Aam Aadmi Party. Muslims have been punished for doing so. The unfortunate thing is that the party that came to power with their vote did not lend support in such awful times. These people allege that their phone calls were neither received by the ministers and MLAs nor by the police. If a policeman picked up the phone by chance, he said bluntly, You have done, therefore, face the music now aazadi lo Many people showed their phone records too. One person said that he is a member of the national executive of the Aam Aadmi Party. He has access to all the top leaders of the party. But everyone turned their backs during the crisis. No leader, who gave orders for the partys work, answered the desperate calls. There is a lot of crowd in the narrow streets of Mustafabad. We were shown another house where some women and children are taking shelter. Today, on Monday, they are in the same clothes that they wore on Tuesday night. We also talked to a woman and the child who had seen the attackers. Everyones story is the same. The woman said, We ran away only to save our lives. In such a situation, where was the sense of bringing clothes and rags. The scared child narrated, They burned our houses. If we were there, we would also have been burnt. Many, who fled from Shiv Vihar, have taken shelter in the houses of Mustafabad. Today, i.e on Monday evening, these people will go to the refugee camps in Idgah. Many Muslim organizations have set up camps there. Relief and rescue work is going on there itself. People are reaching with relief material. Tempo filled with relief materials are constantly coming. Someone is from Amroha. Someone has come from Bulandshahr. Someone came from Nizamuddin. Young boys and girls were also seen roaming here. They are not locals. Some are students of Jamia, some are from JNU. Some IITians are also here. There are Muslims and also non-Muslims. They have come here for the sake of humanity. Some doctors, as well as lawyers, have also. They are reaching out to help the needy as a human being. Local people informed about the whereabouts of the riot-hit people. One woman hesitated while stating that many women, including her, were subjected to misbehaviour. When asked if she would like to go back? The answer was a counter-question. They said there is no assurance of safety and security. Who will give security? The same police who did not even answer the distress calls at 100? Even if the police officials change, how long can the replaced police force provide safety and security? There can be no security until and unless the neighbours assure about it. These questions are hounding everyone. The wounds of violence will heal with the passage of time. Perhaps the broken houses and mosques will also be repaired. But how will broken trust be re-established? This is the biggest question. How will the credibility of the law and order officials be restored? There is no machine nor detergent to clean the stains on the police uniform. How will these scars be removed? The answer is neither with the police nor with the home ministry. More humidity and showers are forecast for northern New Zealand in the next few days. WeatherWatch.co.nz says while an ex-cyclone moving through Australias interior should end up bringing rain to the West Coast. "Drought zones will get some relief in the days ahead but it may not be huge totals. "Next week possibly has a better chance of rain." The weather organisation is also forecasting a cool change for southern places as a Southern Ocean southerly wipes away the warmer sub-tropical northerly. Daytime highs on Wednesday will be down with coastal Otago and Southland having highs between 12 and 15 degrees. "Inland wont be so bad, in fact Alexandra has a high of 24 and sunnier skies. So its very much a coastal cool down around Southland and Otago. "But further north the cold will slide across the flat Canterbury plains on Wednesday, dropping daytime highs by nearly 10 degrees compared to today. Many places have a high in the low to mid teens (14 or 15)." The cooler change also moves into the Lower North Island but highs will still make the late teens. "Overnight lows are also taking a bit of a drop with some places down to just 3 to 7 degrees inland, with Northern Southland potentially the coolest place overnight tonight/Wednesday AM. "Warmer weather returns by Thursday with Wednesday the main cool day." Authorities in Uttar Pradeshs Agra said on Tuesday they were fully prepared to tackle the coronavirus as six residents of the city showed symptoms of the disease on Monday and brought to Delhi. The six people are members of two families from which two brothers recently came back from Italy, among the worst affected country with more than 2000 people infected and 52 deaths. recently. The two brothers had gone to Italy with the 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday. All three men are related. The Union health ministry said on Tuesday that six cases with high-viral load were detected during sample testing in Agra and these people have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. It said their samples are being sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation. We got information about the 13 members of two families from which two brothers who had gone to Italy recently. Six out of these 13 had symptoms of coronavirus and thus considering them highly suspicious cases, all the six were referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, Agras chief medical officer Dr Mukesh Vats said. The remaining seven are being quarantined at their residence. The report for samples taken of all 13 is awaited, he added. Dr Vats also urged people not to panic, saying they are fully prepared to tackle coronavirus. Teams are being constituted for conducting surveys and staff at the isolation ward is being trained to tackle cases suspected of coronavirus. We have enough three-layered N 95 masks and isolation wards have been created at SN Medical College and Hospital of Agra and the District Hospital, he said. The medical officer said amid the coronavirus scare, they are keeping a watch on people coming from certain countries, especially Dubai and Italy. Superintendent in-charge of the District Hospital in Agra, Dr Verma, too urged residents not to panic. Regarding the group of 19 tourists from Italy, Dr Verma said they were also tested on Monday but no symptoms were found in any of them. These tourists had come from Rajasthans Jaipur where one of the members of the group is reported to have symptoms of coronavirus. He was hospitalised and his initial report was negative but as his health kept deteriorating, he was shifted to Sawai Mansingh Hospital in Jaipur. The second report showed the Italian tourist to be positive but due to differences in the reports, his sample was sent to NIV in Pune for confirmation. The report is awaited. Hotels and authorities at tourist sites in Agra have been asked to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, news agency PTI reported citing Dr Vats. He said authorities at all tourist sites in Agra have been told to inform the 24-hour control room about visitors from the countries where the coronavirus outbreak has been reported. Agra is a major tourist destination because of the Taj Mahal and a good number of foreigners come to see the 17-century monument. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi, March 3 : The Air India on Tuesday confirmed that a passenger who flew on a Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25 has tested positive for coronavirus. There were 108 passengers and 10 crew members on board. "This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb '20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus," Air India tweeted. With the threat of COVID-19 looming large, the government has tightened the entry conditions for the nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan with immediate effect. As per the revised travel advisory issued on Tuesday by the Union Health Ministry, new travellers from these countries will have to apply for new visas. The passengers of all the international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars like phone numbers and address in India) and travel history, to Health Officials and Immigration officials at all ports. Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travelling to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. Cancer might seem to be a weighty topic for a superhero movie to cover, but if anyone can tackle it, its Taika Waititi. For one thing, his Thor: Ragnarok became far and away the most financially successful of the Thor Movies, and hes returning to direct Love and Thunder, which might include a story about Natalie Portmans character having cancer. For another thing, Waititi just won an Oscar for writing Jojo Rabbit, which dared to cast Adolf Hitler as the imaginary friend of a boy in Nazi Germany, with Waititi himself playing the buffoon dictator. Still, there are no guarantees, with the script still in flux. Taika Waititi | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic What happened to Jane Foster in the comics? One of the most famous images at Comic-Con was of Natalie Portman holding Mjolnir aloft. The moment was striking for two reasons. One, it marked Natalie Portmans return to the MCU after she sat Thor: Ragnarok out. Second, it was Natalie Portman picking up Thors hammer. Thats arguably even cooler than Captain America doing it. In the comics, Jane Foster picked up the hammer twice. The first time was the speculative What If series in 1978. The second became canon when Thor became unworthy of Mjolnir, while Jane became worthy of it. The only problem is, Jane has contracted breast cancer. The comics put Jane through the wringer, when her husband and son both perish in a car accident even before she was diagnosed with cancer. After that diagnosis, her friends in Thors realm learn of it, but she refuses all magical treatments. While becoming Thor overpowers the cancer, the disease returns when Jane Foster transforms back into her earthly form because being Lady Thor also kills the chemotherapy. So its a double-edged sword. Triumph is only intermittent. Will Jane Foster have cancer in Love and Thunder? The gravity of that storyline might be part of what drew Portman back to the MCU. She had departed under a cloud because she was displeased that her choice as director of Thor: The Dark World, Patty Jenkins, left after creative differences. However, Portman was lured back by Waitits story. The only thing is, Waititi himself seems to be uncertain as to what will ultimately make it into the Love and Thunder screenplay. Screen Rant reported that the writer-director said, That comics run was a big inspiration and was an influence on the first few drafts. But at Marvel, we always change everything. I could say one thing right now, and in two years, it will be the complete opposite or that thing wont exist. We continue writing even in post-production. Its worth noting that the screenplay has taken on a second writer, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, although its also worth noting that Waititi is not credited with the Ragnarok screenplay at all. Marvel has become such a machine, that the machine can even absorb 11th-hour crisis, such as director Scott Derrickson departing the Doctor Strange sequel and being replaced by Sam Raimi. So all this back and forth over the cancer storyline could mean everything or nothing. Its impossible to know for sure until the film is locked. Cancer is not taboo for superhero movies Whether cancer rears its ugly head in Thor: Love and Thunder or not, cancer is far from off-limits when it comes to superhero stories. Some people tend to think, Oh, cancer is too serious a storyline for a popcorn flick like a Marvel movie. People who think that forget that its already been done, by the crassest Marvel movie of all: Deadpool. Amid all the snarking and fourth-wall-breaking by Ryan Reynolds, its easy to forget that cancer was part of Deadpools origin story. When Wade is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he goes in for experimental treatments. Those treatments go awry, leaving Wade disfigured, but with regenerative powers. Simply put, if Deadpool can do it, Thor can too, so it would be regrettable if Thor: Love and Thunder ends up not including such a potentially powerful story. DUBLIN, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Irish Takeover Rules, Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) ("Allergan") confirms that, as of the close of business on March 2, 2020, Allergan's issued share capital, excluding treasury shares, consisted of 329,125,399 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the "Allergan Ordinary Shares"). The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) of the Allergan Ordinary Shares is IE00BY9D5467. Allergan confirms that, as of the close of business on March 2, 2020, there were outstanding 2,716,157 restricted share units (the "Allergan Restricted Share Units") and 5,002,096 options to purchase Allergan Ordinary Shares (the "Allergan Share Options") granted by Allergan. Upon vesting, each Allergan Restricted Share Unit entitles the holder to receive one Allergan Ordinary Share and each Allergan Share Option entitles the holder to purchase one Allergan Ordinary Share at the applicable exercise price. Allergan also confirms that, as of the close of business on March 2, 2020, there were outstanding performance share units (the "Allergan Performance Share Units") entitling holders to receive up to a maximum of 434,009 Allergan Ordinary Shares upon vesting, assuming satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria at maximum performance. The number of Allergan Ordinary Shares capable of being issued in respect of the Allergan Restricted Share Units and Allergan Performance Share Units described in this announcement includes the Allergan Ordinary Shares capable of being issued upon the vesting of the applicable dividend equivalent units attaching to the respective Allergan Restricted Share Units and Allergan Performance Share Units. ABOUT ALLERGAN Allergan is a global pharmaceutical leader. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world. Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products primarily focused on four key therapeutic areas including medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system and gastroenterology. Allergan has operations in more than 100 countries. Allergan's ordinary shares are currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AGN." For more information about Allergan, please visit www.allergan.com. ENQUIRIES Allergan Media: Lisa Brown + 1 862 261 7320 Investors: Manisha Narasimhan, PhD + 1 862 261 7162 Statement Required by the Irish Takeover Rules The Allergan directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Allergan directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they respectively accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in, 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Allergan or AbbVie Inc. ("AbbVie"), all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of Allergan or AbbVie (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by not later than 3:30 pm (New York time) on the 'business' day following the date of the relevant acquisition. This requirement will continue until the date on which the Scheme (as defined in the Proxy Statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 16, 2019) becomes effective or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of any agreement, either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of Allergan or AbbVie, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of Allergan by AbbVie or 'relevant securities' of AbbVie by Allergan, or by any party acting in concert with either of them, must also be disclosed by no later than 12 noon (New York time) on the 'business' day following the date of the relevant acquisition. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie. 'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can also be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a dealing under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie No Profit Forecast / Asset Valuations No statement in this announcement is intended to constitute a profit forecast for any period, nor should any statements be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share will necessarily be greater or lesser than those for the relevant preceding financial periods for AbbVie or Allergan as appropriate. No statement in this announcement constitutes an asset valuation. General The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into certain jurisdictions may be restricted by the laws of those jurisdictions (the "Restricted Jurisdictions"). Accordingly, copies of this announcement and all other documents relating to the proposed acquisition of Allergan by AbbVie (the "Acquisition") are not being, and must not be, released, published, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdictions. Persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, nominees, trustees and custodians) should observe these restrictions. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violations of any such restrictions by any person. A copy of this announcement will be available, free of charge (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions) on the Allergan website at www.allergan.com. The contents of the Allergan website are not incorporated into, and do not form part of, this announcement. Any response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document or any document by which the Acquisition and the Scheme are made. Allergan shareholders are advised to read carefully the Scheme Documents. This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with the laws of Ireland and the Takeover Rules and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of Ireland. SOURCE Allergan plc COLONIE All it took was one man and "a series of very unfortunate events" for nearly $10 million in an Oklahoma payroll company's tax funds to be left in limbo and unpaid at a local bank. This week, representatives from that company, Southwestern Payroll Services, are in Albany demanding to be made right. Workers at the Tulsa-based payroll company are some of the thousands of people across the country continuing to suffer the effects of the sudden shuttering of MyPayrollHR, the Clifton Park payroll company that shut down last year the culmination of a decade-long, multimillion-dollar fraud scheme allegedly committed by its owner, Michael Mann. "He was cheating a whole bunch of folks," said C. David Rhoades, a certified fraud examiner who was appointed emergency receiver of Southwestern shortly after MyPayrollHR's collapse. "And like every Ponzi scheme, every fraud that is perpetrated, you can only keep the balls in the air for so long." MyPayrollHR victims confront Pioneer CEO at shareholders meeting Michael Mann associate pleads guilty to wire fraud Complete coverage of the MyPayrollHR scandal At the peak of its business, Southwestern processed payroll for about 1,400 employers in Oklahoma and nationwide, making the company responsible for giving countless thousands of workers their checks every payday. In 2017, Mann purchased a 51 percent majority stake in the company for an amount in the low seven figures. Mann did not control the day-to-day operations of the business, and the partnership ran smoothly until late last August, said Rhoades and Andrew Jayne, a lawyer representing Southwestern. As part of the business deal, Southwestern agreed to have their clients' tax funds housed in an account at Pioneer Bank before the tax funds are paid to the proper authority. The relationship ran smoothly until early September, when Southwestern received an email from Mann notifying them that he had stepped down from his companies. Mann would eventually face a federal bank fraud charge, accused of a fraud totaling $70 million. During an interview with the FBI, Mann admitted to creating fake shell companies, then borrowing money from banks using receivables from those companies that did not exist. The scheme, along with MyPayrollHR, collapsed when Mann routed payroll funds meant for MyPayrollHR's clients into his own personal account at Pioneer in order to offset debts he owed to various banks. But some of Mann's entities, including MyPayrollHR and Southwestern, were legitimate companies whose workers and clients have borne the brunt of the consequences caused by the collapse of his alleged scheme. Mann has not yet entered a plea to the charge he faces. The amount of money involved, along with how quickly it disappeared, impressed even Rhoades, who has decades of experience investigating fraud cases. Ive never seen anything remotely like this," he said. "The uniqueness of what he did was remarkable. He is good. Some of the best fraudsters are really bright human beings who have found themselves in a unique spot." By the time Southwestern and its co-owner Darin Alred knew something was amiss, the company had already submitted $6,740,340 in tax funds for the payroll period ending Aug. 29 deposited to Pioneer, plus an additional $3,069,627 in taxes that had already been in the account. After Pioneer discovered Mann's purported scheme, the bank froze all of his accounts including the account that housed Southwestern's clients' tax funds meaning they were never paid to the proper taxing authority. But Jayne and Rhoads, in a lawsuit filed against Pioneer, say the bank only froze outgoing transactions and still accepted incoming client tax funds. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "Our position is (the tax funds) cannot be used to offset Pioneer's losses from the loans for (Mann)," Jayne said. Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Pioneer CEO Tom Amell declined to comment, citing the pending legal action. During a shareholders meeting last month, he told other MyPayrollHR victims that he sympathized with them, and said Pioneer was also hurt by the scheme. The bank sued Mann, alleging he had not paid $35 million in loans offered by Pioneer and other banks. In a motion filed in response to Southwestern's lawsuit, a Pioneer lawyer said the bank "is subject to numerous comprehensive federal and state statutory and regulatory regimes." "The (New York State Department of Financial Services) and the New York State Attorney General have been investigating the events surrounding the collapse of MyPayrollHR, LLC for months," Pioneer's lawyer wrote in the motion, noting that neither of those agencies have found wrongdoing in Pioneer's handling of Southwestern's funds. "... when and if this matter reaches the merits of (Southwestern's) other baseless claims, Pioneer Bank ... will establish that they acted and continue to act in accordance with all applicable banking laws and norms." Now, Southwestern clients seemingly have two options: double-pay the tax funds they had already paid, or face fines, penalties and the possible closure of their businesses. Jayne and Rhoads said paying the tax funds again simply isn't an option for some of their clients, some of whom have called Southwestern and placed the blame squarely on their payroll processor. "You get the complete range of emotions," Jayne said. "You get the people who are horribly angry and are going to be angry no matter what you say. You get the people who are angry when you start talking to them, but then when you explain the situation they are more sympathetic toward you but they still need their money back. We really feel for the employers because a lot of them are in a really bad spot. Southwestern, Rhoads said, "cannot continue as it is indefinitely." It's a personal matter for Jayne, whose family has deep roots at Southwestern. His father-in-law and two partners first bought Southwestern as a computer-services company in the early 1980s, and helped build the company into the payroll processor it is today. His father-in-law died last June, before the MyPayrollHR scandal exploded. "We are very happy he did not see this happen," Jayne said. "This would have broken his heart." Michael.Williams@timesunion.com or 518-454-5018 Is the National Security Agency illegally intercepting your emails? Elliott J. Schuchardt insists that it is. A federal appeals court has concluded that he didnt prove it, however. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit reached that conclusion this week in upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit Schuchardt, an attorney, originally filed against President Barack Obama and the NSA in 2014. Circuit Judge Thomas L. Ambros opinion on the case touches on such issues as domestic spying and has a cast of character that includes Edward Snowden, the internationally-known whistleblower and former CIA employee who leaked highly-classified NSA information. As outlined by Ambro, Schuchardts allegations read like the plot of a thriller, maybe even the script for an episode of The X-Files. Schuchardts claim, as relayed by Ambro, is that soon after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks the NSA began collecting massive quantities of email and other data created by U.S. citizens without legal warrants directly from the servers of Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Dropbox and Apple. The supposed collection violated the constitutional protections against unlawful search and seizure, Schuchardt insisted. To back his allegations, Schuchardt cited Snowdens disclosures, articles in The Washington Post and The Guardian news outlets and affidavits from former NSA employees, including one who said he developed the technology used for the supposedly unlawful mass interceptions. The first time U.S. Western District Judge Cathy Bissoon dismissed Schuchardts suit, the circuit judges sent the matter back to her for reconsideration. Bissoon dismissed the case a second time in February 2019 and this time around Ambro agreed with her finding that Schuchardt had failed to rebut the governments evidence that his claims are untrue. Ambro found that Schuchardt didnt prove that affidavits from his alleged experts on NSA operations were reliable. The news media reports he submitted as evidence constituted only hearsay, the circuit judge agreed. Schuchardts reliance on the documents he claimed came, indirectly, from Snowdens whistleblower disclosures fell short as well, Ambro found. Schuchardts argument that the Snowden documents are authenticated by the governments admissions that Snowden misappropriated documents also fails, he wrote. Any general admissions by government officials that Snowden stole documents did not authenticate the specific documents Schuchardt submitted to the court. Ambro noted that federal officials countered Schuchardts claims with evidence including a sworn affidavit from NSA Operations Director Wayne Murphy. In that affdavit, Murphy stated no NSA intelligence-gathering activity involves the bulk collection or storage of all or substantially all of the email or other internet-based communications of all U.S. persons. The government insisted Murphys statement is backed up by a 2014 report required under the federal Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Bissoon credited the federal governments evidence and reasoned that Schuchardt could not show that his communications would have been targeted and collected, Ambro noted. So, he found that since Schuchardts evidence was inadmissible in court and the governments evidence stood uncontroverted Bissoon was right to dismiss the suit on grounds that Schuchardt lacked factual standing to keep pursuing it. (Natural News) Health officials from Ontario have confirmed four new cases of the novel coronavirus infection on Sunday, bringing the total infection tally in Canada to 24. All four patients involving three men and one woman had recently traveled overseas, which could indicate that the virus did not spread locally. However, given the global circumstances, Ontario is actively working with city and health partners to plan for the potential of local spread, said Canadas Ministry of Health in a statement. According to an Epoch Times report, there are 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario as of writing, and the first three confirmed patients have been cleared of the virus. Among the new cases of COVID-19, three of the patients had recently been to Iran and are currently in self-isolation at home. According to Dr. Karim Kurji, York Regions medical officer of health, one of the patients a man in his 40s recently returned from Iran with his wife and child. His wife was later diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday. This is related to travel to Iran, Kurji said. In his case, while he accompanied his wife and toddler, he didnt develop any symptoms at all until after arrival in Canada and while he was in isolation. Another case is a Toronto resident in his 50s who, according to Kurji, is the brother of one of Torontos latest reported cases of coronavirus who also traveled to Iran. The man was assessed and tested at Mackenzie Health Hospital before going into self-isolation. The third case involves a York Region woman in her 70s, who was in Egypt with a person recently diagnosed with the virus in Toronto. Lastly, the final patient was a man in his 60s who just returned from Iran on Sunday, February 23. He presented himself directly to the North York General Hospitals emergency department a few days after his arrival. Based on protocols given by the health ministry, the man was also put into self-isolation, where he maintains minimal contact from others. Health officials claim that all of the cases of COVID-19 in Canada are people who had recently traveled (or those who had contact with people who traveled) abroad. Safety precautions In light of the recent cases of coronavirus infections, the Canadian government told its travelers from Iran yesterday to start isolating themselves at home for at least 14 days as a safety precaution against the novel coronavirus. This same instruction was also given to people arriving from Hubei, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. In addition, it has advised its citizens to avoid any non-essential travel to Iran. (Related: Coronavirus on track to reach EVERY COUNTRY in the world South Korea, Italy and Iran see sharp increase in cases.) The rapid increase in cases in Iran and the number of recent Canadian cases linked to travelers coming from Iran is very concerning, said Chief Medical Officer Theresa Tam. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that travelers are required to tell airport officials whether theyre coming from Iran. Those coming from the aforementioned country will be asked to report any and all symptoms that might be linked to the novel coronavirus, or to follow the isolation protocol if they show no symptoms. Tam claims these new screening measures are based on a risk assessment that considers the rapidly increasing number of cases from Iran, although she could not immediately say how many cases can be traced to the country. However, Tam said there is currently no plan to impose any strict travel restrictions or bans in the near future. Viruses know no borders and we have to balance our public health measures knowing that they are never completely perfect, she said. There are downsides as well as effectiveness. Ive always also said that as the number of countries increases, border measures are less effective and less feasible. So trying to focus on one country versus another can be much less reasonable as an approach, or effective. As reported by Natural News, there are an estimated more than 350,000 cases of COVID-19 virus infections worldwide, with about 35,000 dead from the disease. Learn more about the ongoing outbreak at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CBC.ca 1 CBC.ca 2 Reuters.com NaturalNews.com Buttigieg, Klobuchar, ORourke Endorse Biden Ahead of Super Tuesday Former Vice President Joe Biden won endorsements from a trio of former rivals, at least one of which he promised a position in the White House if he assumes office. Biden, 77, floundered in the first three voting states but notched a decisive victory in South Carolina, setting the stage for a competitive Super Tuesday contest with the few remaining contenders. Appearing in Texas on Monday night just hours before voters were set to head to the polls, Biden was endorsed by former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. The former vice president said earlier Monday that he indicated to his former rival that hed be part of a Biden administration. Speaking to supporters in Dallas, Buttigieg, 38, told them that Biden was the best person to defeat President Donald Trump, 73, who is running for reelection. Biden, Buttigieg said, would also ensure Democrats keep their majority in the House of Representatives and win back the Senate. Weve got to do it in a way that starts to change the toxic and divisive nature of our politics right now. We cant go on like this, he said. Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) addresses a rally at The Saint Paul River Centre in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on March 2, 2020. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images) We need a politics thats about decency, politics that brings back dignity. And that is what we sought to practice in my campaign. Thats what Joe Biden has been practicing his entire life. So what we see right now is an opportunity not just to meet that imperative of getting a new and better president, but of doing it with a leader who will practice that way of rallying people together with ideas that are big enough to unite the American people of all generations, he added. While vice president or senator, Biden has delivered on issues including climate change and gun violence, Buttigieg said. Klobuchar, 59, who abruptly ended her campaign on Monday, said that her supporters could feel comfortable voting for Biden. If you feel tired of the noise and the nonsense and our politics, and if you are tired of the extremes, you have a home with me. And I think you know you have a home with Joe Biden, she said. She also promoted the idea that Biden is the candidate best positioned to defeat Trump. Joe Biden has dedicated his life to fighting for people. Not for the rich and the powerful, but for the mom, for the farmer, for the dreamer, for the builder, for the veteran. He can bring our country together and build that coalition of our fired up Democratic baseand it is fired upas well as independents and moderate Republicans, Klobuchar told the crowd. Because we do not in our party want to just eke by a victory, we want to win big and Joe Biden can do that. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks after former Rep. Beto ORourke (D-Texas) endorsed him at a campaign rally in Dallas on March 2, 2020. (Richard W. Rodriguez/AP Photo) ORourke, 47, who dropped out of the race last year, called Biden the antithesis of Trump, calling the former vice president decent, caring, and empathetic. At a time that this country is so polarized, so deeply divided, we need somebody who can bring us together and heal us. We need somebody who can reestablish the moral authority of the United States. We need somebody who will fight for democracy here and abroad because democracy is under attack here and abroad. We need Joe Biden, he said. Trump during his own rally in Charlotte on Monday night said that Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropping out and endorsing Biden amounted to a quid pro quo. Its being rigged now against Crazy Bernie, Trump said. I think Crazy Bernie is going to be even more crazy when he sees what theyre doing. I could have called it a long time ago. Both the former mayor and current senator made a deal with Biden, the president said. You know. Quid pro quo. Thats why, Trump said. Quid quo pro. Impeach them! They should be impeached! Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks during a Fox News town hall in Manassas, Virginia, on March 2, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Bidens main rivals in the race are Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), 78, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), 73, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 78. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), 38, is also still in the running. Sanders spoke to crowds in Los Angeles and Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Monday, urging them to vote and championing some of his campaign promises, including a $15 an hour minimum wage. We are not just a campaign, we are a multi-generational, multi-racial grassroots movement. That is going to create an economy and a government that works for all, not just the one percent, he said. Were going to have equal pay for equal work. Were not going to make it easier for workers to join unions. Were going to create millions of good paying jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. The campaign is making the corporate and political establishment nervous, Sanders alleged. Warren, speaking in east Los Angeles, told supporters that she has unshakeable values but can also get things done. A Warren administration would transform the government on the inside and bring pressure to bear on the government, she said. Democratic White House hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks to her supporters during a campaign rally on the eve of the California Democratic Primary in Monterey Park, east of Los Angeles, California, on March 2, 2020. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images) Bloomberg appeared at a Fox News town hall in Manassas, Virginia. He told voters that he can beat Trump, arguing he has the most experience in management in his business and as mayor of the nations largest city. I think that the presidents job is a management job, he said. If youre a legislator, you know how to pass legislation but you dont know how to run anything, he added, taking a jab at Biden. He said he could campaign against Trump and attract moderate Republicans who dislike the president. Gabbard held a town hall in East Austin, telling supporters she hasnt dropped out in part because shes been almost completely ignored by national media. Therefore, theres been a disadvantage to say the least. My message to voters here in Texas tonight is you get to decide this election, not the pollsters, not the pundits, not the Washington elites. The people in this country, she said. Women hold flags of Vietnam and U.S. as they welcome President Donald Trump to Hanoi for his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, February 26, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Phong Vinh. A Soft Power Index places Vietnam 50th among worlds 60 most influential countries, lagging far behind some of its Southeast Asian peers. The country scored an overall 31.3 points out of 100 in the first-ever Global Soft Power Index compiled by London-based consultancy Brand Finance. The consultancy interviewed 1,000 experts including politicians and business leaders, as well as 54,000 members of the public to rank 60 countries on their soft power, the ability to influence others through the art of diplomacy and persuasion. Three metrics - familiarity, reputation, and influence, as well as seven soft power pillars - business and trade, governance, international relations, culture and heritage, media and communications, education and science, and people and values were used. The index reveals that Vietnam's soft power is weaker than several Southeast Asian peers. Singapore is ranked 20th, Thailand 32nd, Malaysia 33rd, Indonesia 41st, the Philippines 42nd, and Myanmar 60th. In Asia, Vietnam was the 10th most influential country. Vietnam scored 5.5 out of 10 for familiarity, which assesses the level of awareness about a country, and 5.6 in global reputation. The country scored 3.1 in terms of its influence on the world stage, 3.3 in people and values, and 3.4 in culture and heritage. Vietnam did not fare well in categories such as business and trade, international relations, media and communication, and did worse in education and science. The Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, drew global attention in February last year when it hosted the second summit between North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts said the event significantly furthered Hanoi's diplomacy agenda, showing Vietnam as a neutral and trustworthy partner. The meeting did not yield deal, with both sides disagreeing on the process of denuclearization and lifting of sanctions over North Korea. The U.S. tops the index as the most influential country in the world, followed by Germany and the U.K. China stands fifth in the index, right after Japan. A U.S. District judge on Tuesday ruled that Sprint and T-Mobile, the nationsthird- and fourth-largest mobile carriers, couldgo forward with a US$25 billion merger. The deal will not closeuntil the California Public Utilities Commission approves thetransaction, but clearing this latest hurdle moves the two companies one step closer to a merger that has been years in the making. Attorneys general from several states California,Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and theDistrict of Columbia brought lawsuits to block the deal following pastapproval from both the Department of Justice and the FederalCommunications Commission. The states argued that such a merger would limit competition andresult in higher prices for consumers. Sprint and T-Mobile countered that as a combined entity they would be positioned to compete better with AT&T and Verizon. In addition, the carriers suggested that pooling their resources would help them build a nationwide 5G mobilenetwork. In the end, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled in favor ofSprint and T-Mobile, finding that the combined company would notresult in higher prices or lower-quality wireless service. He alsodisagreed with the argument that Sprint would be able to operate as astrong competitor without the merger. Dish Network, the Colorado-based satellite pay-TV service, willenter the market as the fourth nationwide mobile carrier. As a condition of the merger, T-Mobile and Sprint must divest Sprintsprepaid business, including Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Sprintprepaid, to Dish. In addition, T-Mobile will provide Dish with accessto the T-Mobile network for a period of seven years, while Dishtransitions the business and builds out its own 5G network. The proposed settlement also calls for a divestiture of substantialspectrum assets to Dish. Also, T-Mobile and Sprint must make available to Dish at least 20,000 cell sites and hundreds of retail locations. Bridging the Networks Going into the merger T-Mobile has the wider coverage map, whichshould be good news to Sprint customers. However, the companiesoperate on completely different network technologies. T-Mobiles network is GSMwhile Sprint is CDMA. Sprint customers may beforced to buy a new phone after the merger. For T-Mobile customers, very little is expected to change, as it istaking over Sprints billing once the deal closes. Sprintcustomers on prepaid services, including Boost Mobile and VirginMobile, wont be heading to T-Mobile and instead will become Dishcustomers. Consumer advocates have warned that unlimited plans could be injeopardy. Both Sprint and T-Mobile tried to lure consumers withsuch plans. With less competition, there is an argument that AT&T andVerizon wont need to continue to offer such plans. However, it is unlikely that either of the big two carriers can cut prices, or that T-Mobiles pricing will increase much, at least in the short term. Wall Street values both companies on profit margin, noted RogerEntner, principal analyst at Recon Analytics. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Any reduction in margin is harshly punished with a lower stock price,so I dont think New T-Mobile will raise prices, he told theE-Commerce Times. T-Mobile gets rewarded for customer growth. Its continued low priceswould ensure more new customers, added Entner. Reduced Competition One of the biggest arguments against the merger of the two carrierswas that it would reduce competition, limit consumer choice, andraise prices. The question before judge Marrero, and still before the CaliforniaPublic Utilities Commission, is whether the merger will reduce orincrease competition in the U.S. mobile services market, said SteveBlum, principal analyst at Tellus Venture Associates. I dont agree with Marrero. Going from four national competitors tothree will reduce competition, particularly at the low end of themarket, he told the E-Commerce Times. Consolidation of two such wireless powerhouses means significantlyreduced competition in the U.S. in an already highly concentratedmarket, said telecommunications analyst Gil Regev, consultant atGil Regev Communications. The result is mainly bad news for consumers, translating into hikingprices, with U.S. mobile subscribers already paying some of thehighest plans in the Western world, he told the E-Commerce Times. Serving the Same Customers Arguable, the pre-merger wireless landscape is not a four-way competition. AT&T andVerizon are top-tier competitors of relatively equal strength, while T-Mobile and Sprint are second-tier rivals. T-Mobile and Sprint compete against each other for customers AT&T andVerizon arent particularly interested in, noted Blum. With that dynamic gone, T-Mobile can either set affordable pricesat a point that maximizes profit, or ignore that market segmentcompletely, he added. A D V E R T I S E M E N T They say they wont do that, but economic reality says otherwise. Everybody hates a monopoly until they are one, Blum quipped. Improved Innovation Another concern is that with one less carrier innovation could suffer at least until Dish isable to make the transition from satellite pay-TV service to fullmobile phone carrier. However, thecounter argument is that the combined T-Mobile and Sprint could be farbetter positioned to roll out a 5G network to compete with AT&T andVerizon. This merger does present an opportunity on the technological front. The recent ruling stipulates that the newly merged T-Mobile/Sprintcompany is required to provide 97 percent 5G coverage across the U.S. in the next three years, said Regev. The rolling out of this advanced infrastructure will notonly be available in big cities and financially strong states butthroughout the country, presenting new opportunities for employmentand an advanced-connected technology rollout throughout the U.S.,he added. This could potentially increase T-Mobile/Sprints current relatively small market share, compared to AT&T and Verizon,suggested Regev. Another consideration is how the two companies, which have each seentheir fair share of mergers and acquisitions, actually will handletheir joining of services. Both companies have showed the best and worst in merger integration,said Recon Analytics Entner. T-Mobiles integration of Metro PCS was probably the best Ive everseen, while Sprints integration of Nextel was probably the worst, headded. [T-Mobile US President] Mike Sievert is a knownoperator and has experience on how to pull a merger off. I amoptimistic for T-Mobile. Still, the Girl Scouts sold dozens of boxes of their signature products at The Open Bottle in Tinley Park, while their customers received education for their palates at an event pairing craft brews that complemented the flavors of Samoas, Tagalongs, Lemon-ups and the rest of the lineup. Chinas Huawei Technologies, which for years has denied violating United States trade sanctions on Iran, produced internal company records that show it was directly involved in sending prohibited US computer equipment to Irans largest mobile-phone operator, Reuters News Agency found. Two Huawei packing lists, dated December 2010, included computer equipment made by Hewlett-Packard Co and destined for the Iranian carrier, internal Huawei documents reviewed by Reuters show. Another Huawei document, dated two months later, stated: Currently, the equipment is delivered to Tehran, and waiting for the custom clearance. The packing lists and other internal documents provide the strongest documentary evidence to date of Huaweis involvement in alleged trade sanctions violations. They could bolster Washingtons multifaceted campaign to check the power of Huawei, the worlds leading telecommunications-equipment maker. The US is trying to persuade allies to avoid using Huawei equipment in their next-generation mobile telecommunications systems, known as 5G. Separately, US authorities are battling Huawei on a legal front. The documents The documents involve a multimillion-dollar telecommunications project in Iran that figures prominently in an ongoing US criminal case against the Chinese company and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. The daughter of Huaweis founder, Meng has been fighting extradition from Canada to the US since her arrest in December 2018. Huawei and Meng have denied the charges, which involve bank fraud, wire fraud and other allegations. The documents also provide new details about Huaweis role in providing an Iranian telecom carrier with numerous computer servers, switches and other equipment made by HP, as well as software made by other American companies at the time, including Microsoft Corp, Symantec Corp and Novell Inc. A US indictment alleges that Huawei and Meng participated in a fraudulent scheme to obtain prohibited US goods and technology for Huaweis Iran-based business, and move money out of Iran by deceiving Western banks. The indictment accuses Huawei and Meng of surreptitiously using an unofficial subsidiary in Iran called Skycom Tech Co Ltd to obtain the prohibited goods. The records also show that another Chinese company, Panda International Information Technology Co, which is not named in the US indictment, was also involved in acquiring hardware and software for the Iranian project. Panda International has long-standing ties to Huawei and is controlled by a Chinese state-owned company. Huawei is committed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries and regions where we operate, including all export control and sanction laws and regulations of the [United Nations], US, and [European Union], a Huawei spokesman said in response to questions about the newly obtained documents. Chinas foreign ministry said that the United States, without presenting any evidence, has been over-generalizing the concept of national security and abusing its state power to unreasonably suppress specific Chinese firms. Packing lists The US indictment cites articles by Reuters in 2012 and 2013 which reported that Skycom had offered in late 2010 to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed HP computer equipment to Mobile Telecommunication Co of Iran. The Iranian mobile provider is variously known as MCI and MCCI. MCIs parent company is Telecommunication Co of Iran. At the time, TCI was controlled by a consortium whose largest stakeholder was a company controlled by the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Another stakeholder was Setad, an organization controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The earlier Reuters reports were based on a partial price list included in a Huawei and Skycom proposal in October 2010 to expand MCIs customer billing system. Huawei had provided MCIs original billing system, which wasnt keeping pace with MCIs growing customer base. The price list was marked with Huaweis logo and stamped SKYCOM IRAN OFFICE. At the time, Huawei said it ultimately never delivered the HP goods to Iran. A Huawei spokesman told Reuters in 2012 that the price list was a bidding document submitted by Skycom and that Huawei has never provided the equipment nor done so through Skycom. But the newly obtained documents more than 100 additional pages related to the project show that Huawei was involved in sending at least some of that US equipment to Iran. The documents are variously written in English, Chinese and Farsi. One internal document states that on September 25, 2010, MCI asked Huawei to start the project. The equipment contract was signed, the document states, without providing details. The packing lists, which include some prohibited HP equipment, provided extensive details of 340 shipping cases, such as weights and sizes, with ultimate destinations in the major Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad. Sale prohibited Some of the newly obtained documents suggest Huawei may have used Panda International to buy hardware and software. The records include a signed equipment contract between MCI and Panda International that included more than $10m-worth of equipment for the billing system project, although it does not specify all of the gear. According to the contract, which references an invoice from September 2010, MCI was to pay Panda International through China Construction Banks branch in the city of Shenzhen the location of Huaweis headquarters. Panda International is controlled by China Electronics Corp, a Chinese state-owned tech company. According to Panda Internationals website, Panda has a long and deep history with Huawei that began in 2007. People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Huawei regularly used Panda International to ship equipment to customers in Iran and Syria. Panda International, China Electronics and China Construction Bank did not respond to requests for comment. In 2014, the US Department of Commerce added Panda International to its Entity List a roster of companies effectively banned from doing business with US firms. The department said Panda International may have attempted to export items to destinations sanctioned by the United States. The documents reviewed by Reuters show that Huawei was involved in the equipment contract between Panda International and MCI. A letter from MCI to Huawei with a handwritten date in July 2011 reported a series of problems with the installation of HP racks and other equipment in Shiraz related to the Panda International contract. Two years later, a joint letter signed by officials from Huawei and MCI in October 2013 confirmed that problems and shortcomings under the equipment contract were resolved by Huawei. As new coronavirus cases are confirmed each day, fear and misinformation continue to spread more rapidly than COVID-19 itself. False or misleading claims in the media, buoyed by harmful stereotypes, have fueled discrimination and violence that revive painful histories of attributing disease outbreaks to marginalized groups. Health officials have taken note of the disturbing trend, cautioning that stigma and discrimination could undermine efforts to contain the outbreak. This is not the first time stigma and discrimination have stymied a response to a growing epidemic and hampered progress toward critical global health goals, including universal health coverage. When HIV first came to the fore in the 1980s, lack of timely, accurate information fueled widespread stigma and discrimination. Even when testing, treatment and prevention measures became available, people did not access services out of fear that they would be exposed to further stigmatization, discrimination, violence or arrest. Decades later, stigma continues to have devastating effects on people living with HIV around the world especially for groups already facing systemic discrimination, such as women and girls. For too many women and girls living with HIV, the fear of violence and stigma can be a barrier to getting healthcare and prevent them from seeking support from their families and communities. Health for all cannot be achieved unless all peopleespecially marginalized groupscan get health services without fear of harm. Upholding womens rights In an effort to combat HIV-related stigma and discrimination, some countries have used their court systems to uphold the rights of women living with HIV. Namibias Supreme Court ruled that the practice of forcibly sterilizing HIV-positive women was a violation of their rights, allowing women who had been subjected to the procedure to seek redress for physical and psychological damages. In Malawi, a woman was convicted under a misguided law that made it illegal for women with HIV to breastfeed, despite evidence that women who are on antiretroviral treatment have an infinitesimal chance of transmitting the disease to their child. The Malawi High Court overturned the conviction, demonstrating the importance of grounding judicial decisions in scientific evidence and protecting vulnerable groups from the unjust consequences of public panic. Other countries are enacting policies to tackle stigma and make it easier for vulnerable people to get healthcare. Last year, Tanzania lowered the age of consent for HIV testing from 18 to 15, encouraging adolescents to get tested and helping to normalize HIV testing within an age group thats at high-risk for transmission. Colombia and Belarus also struck down laws that criminalized the transmission of HIV, making it easier for people to seek healthcare without fear of persecution. Accurate, timely information To ensure countries are prepared to respond to outbreaks like COVID-19 we must implement lessons about the importance of investing in programmes to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Governments, media and civil society must put out accurate, timely information about how people can protect themselves and others from the virus, and take steps to combat false, discriminatory narratives, which are ultimately counter productive. Alongside preparedness measures, countries must ensure efforts to strengthen health systems and promote universal health coverage are truly inclusive, by prioritizing and protecting vulnerable groups, including by implementing rights-based laws and policies. A few weeks ago at the 2020 Munich Security Conference, World Health Organization Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom ended his remarks with a question: We have a choice. Can we come together to face a common and dangerous enemy? Or will we allow fear, suspicion and irrationality to distract and divide us? To combat stigma and discrimination and achieve universal health coverage, we must not divide ourselves further. Ultimately viruses dont discriminate on race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. On this Zero-Discrimination Day, let us learn the lessons from HIV and reinvigorate our commitment to respecting human dignity and equality. Postmasters who claim they were wrongly jailed for theft are to spearhead Britains largest ever miscarriage of justice case. Their lives were ruined when money apparently went missing from their branches. But it later emerged that the Post Offices counter-top terminals were riddled with bugs. Tracy Felstead was thrown into jail as a teenager, her supposed crime was to steal 11,500 from the post office where she worked in her first job after leaving school. The 36-year-old mother-of-three said: Id like to think justice will now be swift' The Post Office eventually settled a long-running High Court case brought by 550 former postmasters who were wrongly accused, agreeing to pay them 58million last year. And yesterday the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which examines possible miscarriages of justice, revealed that it is considering pleas from 56 of them to have their convictions quashed. In a letter to claimants, it says it will decide this month whether to refer the cases to the Appeal Court. The Post Office settled the High Court case after being lambasted by the judge in a series of excoriating ruling. It had spent years battling its postal veterans and fiercely denying any problem with its IT system [File photo] If it referred them all, it would be the biggest miscarriage of justice case in the commissions history. Jo Hamilton was convicted after her terminal in South Warnborough, Hampshire, recorded inexplicable losses of 36,000. She said: This is the first time in five years I have felt optimistic about my conviction being overturned. The mood changed in their letter and when I hear that there will be a meeting of commissioners in March I am very optimistic. Justice is coming. Hopefully, unlike some, Ill still be alive to see the day I get my conviction overturned. Tracy Felstead was thrown into jail as a teenager, her supposed crime was to steal 11,500 from the post office where she worked in her first job after leaving school. Yesterday the 36-year-old mother-of-three said: I have had to endure this my entire adult life since aged 19. Id like to think justice will now be swift. The Post Office settled the High Court case after being lambasted by the judge in a series of excoriating ruling. It had spent years battling its postal veterans and fiercely denying any problem with its IT system. Postmasters who claim they were wrongly jailed for theft are to spearhead Britains largest ever miscarriage of justice case. Their lives were ruined when money apparently went missing from their branches. But it later emerged that the Post Offices counter-top terminals were riddled with bugs [File photo] The publicly-owned service blew an estimated 32million on legal costs fighting the mammoth series of interlinked High Court trials. Mr Justice Fraser mocked as wishful thinking its description of itself as the nations most trusted brand. And he said the Post Offices long-running refusal to accept its computer system was faulty amounts to the 21st century equivalent of maintaining that the Earth is flat. The Post Office said: We are assisting the CCRC to the fullest extent with inquiries concerning past convictions of a number of former postmasters. SPRINGFIELD Area advocates urged legislative officials on Monday to continue and expand their support of local arts and cultural programs, saying the investment brings back an array of community benefits. Several organizations that provide and promote the arts in Springfield met with local legislative officials at the Community Music School of Springfield on State Street to share their stories and ask for continued help. Legislative officials and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised the work done by the organizations and said that support for the arts and culture remain among their top priorities. Emily Ruddock, executive director of MassCreative, a statewide organization promoting the arts, said advocacy in the Springfield region is strong and the support received has been appreciated. They understand that it is really important to talk about the impact of the creative community not just within the creative community but to partners, stakeholders and elected officials as well as business leaders, Ruddock said. MassCreative conducted the meeting in collaboration with the Springfield Cultural Partnership and Community Music School. MassCreative is urging a $2 million increase in state funds for the Massachusetts Cultural Council in fiscal 2021, up from the current budget of $18 million. Those attending the Springfield meeting included Lauren Corcoran, chief of staff for state Sen. James Welch, D-West Springfield; Joel McAuliffe, district director for Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow; and Bruce Adams, aide to state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, D-Springfield. They heard from officials representing organizations such as the Springfield Museums and Springfield Armory about how visitors to Springfield are contributing to the local economy, with payback far in excess of the investment. Sarno said he urges people in the business community and charitable organizations to support arts and cultural programs in Springfield, and that he supports such programs himself as mayor and School Committee chairman. Such financial support and advocacy adds vibrancy to the Springfield area, Sarno said. The aides said the legislators they represent will not back down from supporting the arts and related offerings. McAuliffe said Lesser is passionate about the arts. What is good for the arts and culture is good for the economy, McAuliffe said. Corcoran said the budget process is approaching for next fiscal year, which begins July 1, and she knows Welch remains a supporter of the arts and culture. Adams said he knows Puppolo will do whatever he can to continue supporting the arts. Kay Simpson, president of Springfield Museums, said that since the opening of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in June 2017, attendance has more than doubled at the Quadrangle museums. That has been a great boost to the local economy, has benefited the community and has had a profound impact on awareness of regional cultural attractions, Simpson said. In 2018, legislators announced a $100,000 allocation from the state budget to help expand bilingual interactive exhibits at the Seuss museum, promoting literacy and the local economy. Earlier this year, Lesser and Welch were among lawmakers who presented the Springfield Science Museum with another $100,000 grant to update the planetarium and install an International Space Station exhibit. Meanwhile, representatives of Fresh Paint Springfield said they will expand their mural program in 2020, with 10 murals in the downtown area, and 10 more in the Mason Square area. Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, and Reliance Jio collectively paid 6,045 crore to the department of telecommunications (DoT) on Tuesday as half-yearly instalments of deferred spectrum dues for airwaves purchased in 2014, three people aware of the matter said requesting anonymity. Of this, Vodafone Idea paid 3,042 crore, Reliance Jio 1,053 crore, and Bharti Airtel 1,950 crore. These payments are routine, made in September and March, and are not related to the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. Companies have the option of paying the next instalment of spectrum dues in 2022-23 after the Union cabinet in November approved the recommendation of the committee of secretaries on relief measures for the sector and decided to defer receipts of spectrum auction instalments due from operators from the years 2020-21 and 2021-2022. The deferred amounts would be equally spread over the remaining future instalments. Emails sent to DoT, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea were unanswered till press time. The payment on Tuesday by Vodafone Idea comes ahead of the likely visit of Vodafone Group Plc chief executive Nick Read to India this week. Read has sought a meeting telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 6 March. However, the meeting has not been confirmed by the government yet, one of the persons mentioned above said on condition of anonymity. The meeting request comes at a time when Vodafones India entity, Vodafone Idea, formed by merging Vodafone India Ltd with Idea Cellular Ltd of the Aditya Birla group, is struggling to survive after an unfavourable court verdict. In October, the Supreme Court had upheld the governments definition of how AGR levies on telecom operators are calculated. The order dealt a blow to the telecom industry. Vodafone Idea is the worst hit by the verdict with more than 50,000 crore in past dues. It has so far paid just 3,500 crore in AGR dues to DoT. The company last week asked the government for urgent relief and suggested that licence fee and spectrum usage charges be reduced, and that its goods and services tax credits of 8,000 crore be adjusted against its dues. It also requested that it be allowed 15 years to clear AGR dues. However, the digital communications commission, the highest decision-making authority at the DoT, has not yet taken a decision on whether telecom operators should be provided relief measures for payment of dues related to AGR as more details are required to reconcile these dues. Relief measures passed by the commission would also need Cabinet approval. The payments have been made three days after Bharti Airtel Ltd on Saturday said it has finished assessing AGR dues and has thus complied with the court verdict. According to the companys self-assessment exercise, the dues amount to 13,004 crore which it has already paid off, Airtel has said. In addition, Airtel has also paid 5,000 crore as an ad-hoc payment subject to subsequent refund/adjustment to cover any differences arising from the reconciliation exercise with the DoT. The SEO Assistance Program by Wahb Alami is Aimed at Helping Businesses Rank in Voice Search Results to Reach Their Target Audience NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / As the Internet of Things (IoT) is introducing new ways to use technology, voice search is a tool that is slowly but steadily being used more with each passing year. Wahb Alami has developed a program that aims to help businesses capitalize on and streamline voice search results. The Growth of Voice Search in the Market In 2017, a report highlighted that over 20% of adults in the US (47.3 million) used smart appliances in their homes that are voice-activated. Today, the number of users has grown by more than 50%. Moreover, the global market for voice search based devices increased by 187% in 2018. It is estimated that by 2022, 50% of searches on the internet will be voice-based. Devices for voice search are not limited to the use of smartphones (Cortana and Siri), Amazon Echo and Google Home have introduced Google Assistant and Alexa. Their usage is higher than smartphone voice searches, particularly for helping with grocery shopping, researching and multi-tasking. Applying Industry Knowledge to Voice Search Based on consumer use of voice search, Wahb Alami has designed an SEO assistance program that can help business owners, bloggers, and more. The program is dedicated to the use of voice search SEO and AI, understanding user intent, and optimizing content to reach out to the growing number of voice search users. Possessing over 10 years of experience in the SEO industry, Alami designed the program by closely monitoring the algorithmic patterns and differences in search engines like Google, Bing, and more. His research showed that businesses that did not optimize their websites for voice search had poorer rankings on the SEO search results and were not visible to their consumers. He stated: "When it comes to content on the internet, the learning is endless. There are new trends constantly being introduced that revolutionize how we use this vast tool for our benefit." Voice search is not a trend that will go away any time soon. It was introduced in 1961 through IBM (Shoebox) and improved upon with the introduction of Watson in 2010. It has grown progressively stronger over the years. He further explained his motivation for the program by saying, "My program is tailored around teaching people the step-by-step procedure for creating a profitable search engine optimized website." The role of SEO in voice searches is hard to ignore. Trends show that 20% of all voice searches are based on the use of 25 keywords with 8.4% starting with "How' and 5% starting with "What.' Additionally, voice search AI is now beginning to understand and learn user intent behind voice searches as well. Apple's Siri, while not giving the most accurate results, can understand 99.4% of all queries asked. It is also one of the few AIs that are known to give conversational answers to obscure questions. Alami's SEO Assistance program allows businesses to capitalize on user intent and voice search to develop SEO websites that will meet user needs. Given the growth of voice search and more improvements being made in this department, businesses should start preparing for this growing trend. About Wahb Alami Alami has over 10 years of experience in the SEO industry with a master degree on E-commerce from the university of Sherbrooke in Canada. Through his SEO Assistance program, he aims at helping businesses and entrepreneurs improve visibility and connect with their target audience. CONTACT: Wahb Alami support@wahbalami.com https://wahbalami.com/seo-specialist/ SOURCE: Wahb Alami View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578845/Wahb-Alami-Develops-an-SEO-Assistance-Program-to-Help-Businesses-Connect-with-Voice-Search-Users Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 18:43:47|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close DAMASCUS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish F-16 shot down a Syrian warplane in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Tuesday, a war monitor reported. The Turkish jet was flying near the northern outskirts of the Jisr al-Shughour area in Idlib countryside, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based watchdog said the Syrian warplane crashed in the area controlled by the Syrian government in Idlib. Meanwhile, the Turkish Defense ministry confirmed in a statement that "a L-39 type warplane of the (Syrian) regime has been shot down within the framework of the successfully ongoing Operation Spring Shield." The incident comes two days after the Turkish forces downed two Syrian warplanes in Idlib, as part of the escalation between the two countries. Since December, the Syrian forces have been on a wide-scale offensive against the rebels in Idlib province, the country's last rebel stronghold, which borders Turkey. The direct confrontation came in the wake of a Syrian attack last Thursday which killed 34 Turkish soldiers. The toll was the biggest military loss the Turkish military has suffered since it intervened in the Syrian conflict in 2016. Since then, the Turkish forces have been targeting Syrian troops in Idlib, destroying warplanes and killing dozens of Syrian soldiers. India's electricity supply rose 7.1 per cent during February, provisional government data showed, marking the second straight month of growth after five straight months of decline. Power supply rose to an average of 3.62 billion units per day in February, up from 3.38 billion units last year, an analysis of daily load despatch data from state-run Power System Operation Corp Ltd (POSOCO) showed. India's Central Electricity Authority (CEA), an arm of the federal power ministry, is expected to release official data on power demand later this month. POSOCO releases provisional ... Virus-hit Italy was outraged on Tuesday over a mock advert shown on a French television channel for "corona pizza", in which a coughing chef hacks green phlegm onto the country's national dish. Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio slammed the 10-second gag on the satirical Groland programme on Canal+, in which the red tomato base, white mozzarella and green mucus make up the colours of the national flag, as "bad taste and unacceptable". Globally, more than 3,100 people have died of the coronavirus and over 90,000 have been infected. Italy is the worst-hit in Europe, with 52 deaths and over 2,000 people infected. "Here's the new Italian pizza, which is going to spread around the world," the fake advert says. Countries from Britain to China and France have reported cases of people bringing the virus back with them from Italy. "Making fun of the Italians like that, with the Coronavirus emergency we are facing, is profoundly disrespectful", Di Maio said, adding that he had ordered the Italian embassy in Paris to voice Rome's displeasure. He insisted the media were "morally obliged" not to spread disinformation, saying the Italian economy was paying the price. The tourism sector in Italy has been hit particularly hard, with lots of airlines cutting or reducing flights to the north, where the outbreak is concentrated, and hotels reporting widespread cancellations while monuments and museums lie eerily empty. Italy's agricultural minister Teresa Bellanova slammed the video as "shameful and horrifying". "This is not satire, it's an insult to an entire nation," she said, demanding Canal+ apologise immediately. "As the European and international authorities have repeatedly stated, it is not transmitted through food," she said. Despite that, Di Maio said unspecified countries had "called for a 'virus free' label on Italian products" -- which was absurd. The French joke also bombed with Italian farmers' association Coldiretti. It slammed it a "stab in the back" for the Made in Italy industry, worth some five billion euros (USD 5.5 billion) in exports to France, the second largest market after Germany. The pestilent pizza ploy was a "petty and instrumental attack" on a market rival, it said. The two countries historically compete on wine, cheese and bubbles, with Prosecco giving Champagne a run for its money. The Alpine neighbours have long had turbulent relations, with Italy often bridling at perceived French smugness. The last time the neighbours swapped outright insults was under Italy's populist government, when political and diplomatic dialogue effectively ground to a halt. But Di Maio opted Tuesday for the moral high ground, inviting the video's makers "to come and eat pizza in Italy, a pizza like they have never eaten in their lives". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) March 02, 2020 News Defense.gov Taliban Agreement Is Afghanistan's Best Chance for Peace, Esper Says The joint declaration between the United States and the Afghan government is the best chance to bring peace to Afghanistan and return U.S. service members home, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said during a news conference today. Under the agreement signed Saturday in Doha, Qatar, the Taliban must negotiate with the Afghan government and agree not to allow the country to be used as a haven for terrorists intent on attacking the United States and its allies. If the Taliban honors the agreement, all foreign troops may be out of Afghanistan in 14 months. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and veteran of many tours of duty in Afghanistan, also supported the declaration. "A negotiated political settlement is the only responsible way to end the war in Afghanistan," he said during the news conference. Milley reiterated that the declaration would not have been possible without the thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have served and sacrificed over the last 18 years. He said the United States owes an extraordinary debt of gratitude to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice and to their families who have given their all to this nation. But Esper said the declaration is just a first step. The U.S. and other coalition forces will continue to support Afghan security forces against terrorists whenever they emerge. "My message to the coalition was to stay vigilant because we still have a long and difficult mission ahead of us," the secretary said. There were reports of Taliban attacks on government troops today. U.S. officials are watching the situation closely. Milley said the Taliban is not a monolithic group. Some of the terror groups under the rubric of the Taliban are only loosely controlled. Afghan and coalition forces will examine the attacks to figure out who is responsible and take the necessary steps against the perpetrators. Both Esper and Milley cautioned people not to expect an absolute cessation of violence in Afghanistan. "This is a significant step forward, and it's going to lead to inter-Afghan dialogue and ultimately leads to a peace agreement," Milley said. "But to think that (the violence) is going to go to zero immediately, that probably is not going to be the case." Through this process, the United States will secure its national security interests, they said. Of primary importance is ensuring Afghanistan is not a base for terrorism. "We'll maintain whatever capabilities necessary to defend the United States against terrorists," Milley said. Esper said the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be reduced, and that process is starting. "The agreement says that we reduce down to 8,600 it within 135 days and that drawdown would begin in the first 10 days," he said. "My instructions to the commander was, 'Let's get moving. Let's show our full faith and effort to do that.'" The secretary said the coalition forces can still conduct the necessary missions with a force of 8,600. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Michelle Dickerson, second-year doctoral student in biomedical engineering and mechanics in Virginia Techs College of Engineering, understands the value of hard work, facing problems head-on, and passing that knowledge to others to improve their quality of life. For me, attending grad school could have been a lot harder, a lot scarier, than it was, Dickerson said. One of my professors at George Mason was a black male and he encouraged me to go to grad school. That encouragement, and seeing his success as a minority, helped me make the jump. I told myself, If he can do it, I can do it. Dickerson, a New Horizon Graduate Scholar recipient, became interested in biomedical engineering due to its applicability to the real-world to improve others lives. During her high school years, she traveled to Zambia as part of a mission trip. They volunteered in an orphanage where many of the children had HIV or AIDS or the childs parents had died from the same illnesses. There was this 2-year-old girl named Jacquelyn, and we instantly bonded, Dickerson said. As I interacted with her and our connection grew, my desire grew to do something to help her and to help others like her. My connection with her sparked my passion for bioengineering. That is what made me want to be in this field in the first place, and my interest has grown from there. The High Court has been asked to extend by up to 10 years the bankruptcy of Co Monaghan farmer whose cattle were shot by members of the Defence Forces in 2016. The extension application has been made in respect of Mr John Hoey, from Carrickmacross, who opposes the application, and told the court he remains "haunted " after witnessing the shooting of his cattle in July 2016. Mr Hoey was declared bankrupt on foot of a petition brought by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for 262,000. He was declared a bankrupt in February of 2016, and was due to exit the process 12 months later. However the official in charge of bankruptcy, Official Assignee (OA) Mr Chris Lehane claims Mr Hoey has failed to co-operate with the process, and in what have been lengthy proceedings has asked the High Court to extend Mr Hoey's bankruptcy. Mr Lehane claims Mr Hoey has failed to co-operate by failing to provide a a Statement of Affairs detailing all of his assets. Mr Lehane claims in attempting to recover Mr Hoey's assets he has had to take various steps including issuing several warrants in 2016 allowing him to search a number of locations and seize items including farm machinery and vehicles belonging to Mr Hoey. Mr Lehane said on two separate occasions cash, totaling 17,000 was detected by sniffer dogs, was recovered following searches of Mr Hoey's property. The court also heard Mr Lehane obtained freezing orders in respect of monies paid by cheques from a meat processor to Mr Hoey, and had to take steps using Defence Forces marksmen to humanely destroy cattle on Mr Hoey's farm. In July 2016 five cattle on his farm were shot dead by members of the Defence Forces Mr Lehane, said at the time that most of the herd was removed from the farm, but five animals proved difficult to catch. Represented by Bernard Dunleavy SC the Official Assignee is seeking an order under Section 85 of the 2015 Bankruptcy(Amendment) Act that the bankruptcy be extended by 10 years. The maximum period of extension that can be sought under the act is a 15 year extension from the date of the adjudication of bankruptcy. Mr Hoey, represented by Eanna Mulloy SC strongly denies that he has not co-operated with the OA, and says that he furnished Mr Lehane with a statement of affairs. He says that between the date of his bankruptcy adjudication in February 2016, and May 2016 everything that he had worked for over 35 years was "literally wiped out and destroyed". He rejects claims his cattle were put down humanely and said he could have been contacted to remove them from the land and that they were shot without any warning to him. One of the heifers as it lay dying, he claimed was shot twice in the head by one of the army shooters. There was nothing humane about the manner the animals were treated that day, Mr Hoey said. Mr Hoey also claims that assets in his estates have been sold at an undervalue, and that his reputation has been allegedly damaged by the OA and his agent's actions. As part of the application Mr Hoey's lawyers are cross-examining Mr Lehane on his bid to extend the bankruptcy. In reply to Mr Mulloy Mr Lehane said he had attended Mr Hoey's farm after the bankruptcy adjudication with members of the gardai, including garda in the Emergency Response Unit, but had done so on the advice of gardai. However he accepted that on that and other subsequent occasions that he attended at the farm he had not felt threatened by Mr Hoey. The application before Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington continues. Bailey Pryor, founder of The Real McCoy Rum which is produced at Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, has voiced concerns over opposition to Barbadian rum Geographic Indication proposals. Pryor wrote to Drinks International in response to an article defending the West Indies Rum Distillery over Geographic Indication proposals. WIRD is owned by Maison Ferrand and produces rums including Plantation Rum and Malibu but there is an ongoing debate over the establishment of a Gegraphic Indication between WIRD and the other three Barbados distilleries: Mount Gay, Foursquare and St. Nicholas Abbey. These three distilleries want to protect the production methods of Barbados rum by prohibiting added caramel and sugar among other proposed laws. In retaliation to this WIRD released a statement addressing these proposals saying that the pruposed GI would favour the other distilleries and that WIRDs archived documents show Barbados rum was traditionally made how they do it today. However Pryor, who has worked with Richard Seale and his team at Foursquare for more than a decade, took exception to this. I think its inaccurate to say that the GI would favour the rum production of Foursquare, Mount Gay and St. Nicholas Abbey rather than WIRD," says Pryor. "This is inaccurate because the GI treats all producers equally. There are absolutely no provisions in the Barbados GI proposal that prevent any producer from making any kind of rum they like. WIRD can add as much sugar or flavoring agents or sea water or anything else they want to their Plantation Rum. Nothing in the GI prevents Plantation from being sold as rum. Malibu rum has been made at WIRD for more than a decade, with significant amounts of added sugar, but the producers of Malibu have never attempted to call the product Barbados Rum they just call it rum. So the argument that a strict GI would favor one group over another is totally false. The reason why all of the distilleries on the island are in opposition to the WIRD proposal is because managing director Andrew Hassell and owner Alexander Gabriel want to be able to adulterate the rum in ways that have never been done in the 400 year history of Barbados rum production, and still call the product Barbados rum, which is an extremely valuable Geographic Identity. If a GI were to be enacted that allowed the adulteration of rum and still call it Barbados Rum, rather than just rum, it would be highly profitable for the adulterer seeking to mislead their customers about the quality of the product. Anyone attempting to usurp this valuable trade name for their own personal financial gain is really usurping the identity of the nation itself. Mr. Babin, who announced last month that Bulgari would not participate in Baselworld this year, said he and his partners had no intention of replacing the shows, but that they were looking to find a quick, pragmatic and efficient alternative to the watch fairs. Others said the problems facing the industry were far greater than two disrupted shows. The cancellation will deprive us of a rich moment of feedback and exchange, said Davide Traxler, chief executive of Parmigiani Fleurier, referring to Watches & Wonders Geneva, where the brand was scheduled to participate. But any loss of business this year will be mostly caused by the huge downturn in the worlds two largest markets mainland China and Hong Kong rather than by the fair itself. Analysts have said sales of luxury goods in China, the worlds largest market in the sector, have been at a standstill since the epidemic erupted in January and tens of millions of residents were ordered to stay home. The Swiss private bank Vontobel estimated that luxury sales there in February were down by more than 80 percent, and the Swiss research firm Bernstein calculated that Chinas problems could erase as much as 40 billion euros ($44.1 billion), or 11 percent, of global luxury sales originally projected for this year. As for Hong Kong, the semiautonomous region of China that is the Swiss watch industrys top export market (it is ranked separately from the mainland by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry), the political protests that began last summer pushed 2019 exports down 11.4 percent even before the coronavirus effects began to be felt. This year was supposed to be a time of renewal for the Swiss watch fairs, which have seen attendance and exhibitor numbers fall in recent years, although many brands continued to rely on the events for retail orders and news coverage. ~ Gen-X Will Work with uniQure During an Exclusivity Period to Identify Novel Promoters for uniQures Product Portfolio ~ ~ uniQure Receives Option to Acquire Gen-X Business for Use in Gene Therapy ~ LEXINGTON, Mass. and AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- uniQure N.V. (QURE), a leading gene therapy company advancing transformative therapies for patients with severe medical needs, and Gen-X, a spin-off company from the Netherlands Cancer Institute, today announced that they have signed an exclusive research collaboration and license agreement with Gen-X, with an option for uniQure to acquire Gen-X, to identify novel synthetic promoters for use in gene therapy products. Gen-X performs functional annotation of the non-coding genome using its proprietary Survey of Regulatory Elements (SuRE) technology. This technology measures the potential of hundreds of millions of DNA elements for their ability to serve as promoters or enhancers, driving the gene expression with a range of unique properties for gene therapy applications. The SuRE technology is unique among other promoter-identification technologies in finding non-coding promoter elements throughout the genome at remote sites where activity is regulated. Novel promoters are an important area of innovation in gene therapy with the potential to enable valuable functionality and improve treatment options, stated Jonathan Garen, chief business officer of uniQure. With the unique SuRE methodology developed by Gen-X, we will now leverage our modular technology platform to potentially identify new promoters and enhancers that drive gene expression in the right cell-type and under the right conditions. We are excited about the collaboration, providing us with the potential of applying this state-of-the-art technology and increasing the expression and effectiveness of our next generation gene therapy product candidates. During the collaboration, Gen-X will work exclusively with uniQure to develop promoters for the uniQure research pipeline. Through the SuRE technology, the Gen-X promoter library is designed to identify novel promoters to regulate gene activity and, if needed, conditionally control protein production. The parties will also explore further development of AAV vector libraries containing fragments of the non-coding human genome. Active promoter elements can be directly identified following administration of these libraries in vivo. Story continues "We are very proud to enter into a partnership with uniQure, giving us the opportunity to demonstrate the value of the Gen-X platform in a gene therapy setting, stated Joris van Arensbergen, Gen-X founder and CEO. We believe that combining our platform with uniQures leading expertise in AAV gene therapy will accelerate the development of advanced gene therapy candidates. Until the expiry of the research term of the collaboration, uniQure has an option to acquire the issued and outstanding shares of Gen-X for a pre-agreed price. Financial terms on the research collaboration and license agreement were not disclosed. About uniQure uniQure is delivering on the promise of gene therapy single treatments with potentially curative results. We are leveraging our modular and validated technology platform to rapidly advance a pipeline of proprietary gene therapies to treat patients with hemophilia B, hemophilia A, Huntington's disease, Fabry disease, spinocerebellar ataxia Type 3 and other diseases. www.uniQure.com About Gen-X Gen-X is a biotechnology company located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands performing functional annotation of the non-coding genome on an unprecedented scale using its SuRE technology. The company provides screening services to gene therapy companies for the identification of DNA elements that enable controlled transgene expression. uniQure Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "look forward to", "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should, "will", "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the generation of new technology or products, and the payment of associated future milestones and royalties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks associated with our clinical development activities, clinical results, collaboration arrangements, regulatory oversight, product commercialization and intellectual property claims, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" in uniQures Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2020. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. uniQure Contacts: Another negative sign is the lack of candor. The BBC Persian service has reported, based on medical sources, that deaths in Iran are six times higher than what Iran has been saying in public. As of Feb. 28, the BBC said there were 210 deaths when Iran was reporting 34. As of Tuesday, Iran reported 77 deaths and 2,336 infections. If that is true, it would indicate a much more lethal variant of the coronavirus, more than a 5 percent fatality rate, compared to 2 percent in China and less elsewhere. Much more likely, Iran has been underreporting and undercounting the number of nonlethal infections, which may be in the tens of thousands, and spreading through the notorious Evin Prison where westerners and Iranians both are held. As in China, the Iranian authorities were slow to raise alarms about the spread of the virus in February, perhaps because of the political calendar: The anniversary of Irans revolution was Feb. 11, and parliamentary elections were Feb. 21. These were critical weeks when rapid response to the virus should have been launched. In the wake of recent violence in North-East Delhi, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that the opposition parties have a right to ask questions from the Government and demand a resignation. Talking to ANI about the ruckus in Parliament, Raut said, "Delhi riots are a sensitive issue. Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible. The opposition has the right to ask questions and demand a resignation. Be it the Prime Minister or Home Minister, they have to come to the House and answer." He said that Shivraj Patil, who was the Union Minister of Home Affairs from 2004 to 2008, had to resign after a series of bomb blasts in Delhi. "However, the government doesn't take responsibility. They blame the opposition for the same," Raut added. The comments came after opposition protests in Parliament over Delhi violence, in which at least 47 people lost their lives and around 200 others sustained injuries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The billionaire 2020 candidate addresses AIPAC in a speech some analysts say was tone deaf to many Democratic voters. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg used his speech during the American Israel Public Committee (AIPAC) conference on Monday to lash out at fellow Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who boycotted the meeting. The billionaire candidate vying for the Democratic nomination told the powerful pro-Israel lobby group that if elected president, he will never curb military aid to Israel, referring to the $3.3bn a year the United States gives to Israel each year. I will never impose conditions on military aid no matter what government is in power, he said to a standing ovation, adding that he will always have Israels back. The annual conference, which organisers say will draw 20,000 attendees, comes during a busy period for candidates before Super Tuesday, when 14 states will head to the polls in the primary Democratic race. The three-day event once hosted most Democratic and Republican candidates during election years but analysts said AIPAC has alienated the more liberal Democratic voters, who have grown increasingly critical of US foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under the administration of President Donald Trump. #SkipAIPAC Under #SkipAIPAC on Twitter, liberal Jewish and other groups called on presidential candidates to boycott this years event, saying AIPAC endorses unconditional support for the state of Israel, promotes the continued military occupation of Palestinian territory want and is aligned with the policies of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AIPAC used the veneer of bipartisanship in order to push forward a radical right-wing agenda that works against diplomacy and to protect the Israeli government from any meaningful consequences for abusing the human rights of the Palestinian people, Yonah Lieberman, co-founder of the Jewish group IfNotNow told Al Jazeera. American Jews are sick & tired of the establishment equating unconditional military funding for a brutal military occupation w/ "support for Israel." Giving the ruling racist party everything it wants undermines Israelis on the left who want freedom & dignity for all. #SkipAIPAC IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) March 2, 2020 Senators Sanders and Elizabeth Warren heeded that call, with Sanders, who has never attended the conference, saying he remained concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. Bloomberg was the only Democratic presidential candidate of the five remaining hopefuls scheduled to attend the conference in person. He slammed his fellow candidates for missing the event, and singled out frontrunner Sanders. Hes dead wrong, Bloomberg said of Sanderss comments. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is also vying for the Democratic nomination for president, addressed the conference in a pre-recorded video speech on Sunday. He said Israels policies are undermining support for the country among young people in both political parties in the US. Israel, I think, has to stop the threats of annexation and settlement activity, like the recent announcement to build thousands of settlements in E1, Biden said referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus announcement last week that he planned on building 3,500 homes in the occupied West Bank. Like a lot politicians of the past Hady Amr, former deputy special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under the administration of Barack Obama, said, Bloomberg sounded a lot like politicians of the past. He told Al Jazeera that Bloombergs speech had too little focus on the transformation that has taken place within the Democratic Party, which has embraced equality, freedom, security and prosperity for both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples in the Holy Land. Trump, a Republican, has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel and a strong ally of Netanyahu. He moved the US embassy to Jerusalem, supported settlements in the occupied West Bank and recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Bloomberg, who said he supports a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, promised to oppose the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which criticises Israeli policies against Palestinians saying, it is trying to delegitimise and punish the state of Israel. (Bloomberg) -- Pete Buttigieg spoke late Sunday by telephone with both Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama after Buttigieg dropped out of the presidential race, according to people familiar with the call. Buttigiegs departure from the race could benefit Bidens candidacy as he looks to lock down support from the moderate wing of the Democratic Party and blunt Bernie Sanders momentum. Obama has said he would not endorse a candidate in the Democratic presidential primary. He called Biden, who served as his vice president, to congratulate him after Biden decisively won the South Carolina primary on Saturday. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, ended his presidential campaign Sunday after failing to secure the diverse coalition needed to win the Democratic nomination. Biden praised Buttigieg on ABCs Good Morning America and said he could see him serving in his administration. He also said that Buttigiegs exit would smooth his own path to the nomination. He was a real competitor. He is a real competitor. And I think it probably does, he said. He had risen from a young mayor of Indianas fourth-largest city to the first openly gay presidential candidate to earn delegates toward the nomination. The 38-year-old newcomer won the Iowa caucus and performed well in New Hampshire, outlasting several senators and governors in the crowded Democratic field but got little support from non-white voters. (Disclaimer: Michael Bloomberg is also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Bloomberg is the founder and and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.) (Adds Biden quotes in fourth and fifth paragraphs) --With assistance from Ryan Teague Beckwith. To contact the reporters on this story: Tyler Pager in Washington at tpager1@bloomberg.net;Jennifer Epstein in Charleston, South Carolina at jepstein32@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Wendy Benjaminson at wbenjaminson@bloomberg.net, Magan Crane Story continues 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. New Delhi, March 3 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea against the Delhi High Court order, which ruled that it is not mandatory for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to inform it before notifying changes in the Master Plan to make room for the Centre's Central Vista project. According to the authorities, this project would cover the 3 km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in Lutyens' Delhi, and involves the development of new government buildings and a new Parliament house. The apex court will hear the plea on March 6. The bid for consultancy for the Centre's project to redevelop the Central Vista was won by Gujarat-based architecture firm HCP Designs. A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant agreed to examine the plea challenging the ruling of the division bench of the Delhi High Court. The apex court said the matter will be listed before an appropriate bench. On February 28, the high court stayed the order of its single-judge bench on the appeal of the DDA and the Centre, which asked the DDA to approach the court before it notifies changes in the Master Plan to accommodate Central Vista. Petitioners Rajeev Suri and Lt Col (retd) Anuj Srivastava, in their pleas before the single judge bench, opposed the Central Vista project citing a change in land use of the green area adjoining Rajpath and Vijay Chowk for constructing a new Parliament house and government offices. The petitioners had submitted that DDA did not have the authority to bring into shape the changes proposed in the land use and the Master Plan; and this power is only divested with the Centre. The single-judge bench in its order dated February 11 had said, "In case a decision is taken to notify the proposed changes in the Master Plan of Delhi 2020-21, the DDA will approach the court before notifying such a decision." In September last year, the plan to revamp the area was announced. It involved a new triangular Parliament building, with a seating capacity of 900 to 1,200 MPs. The target was set for August 2022, when the country will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day. The plan also includes re-development of the common Central Secretariat by 2024. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met a delegation of the Danish Parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee and held a discussion on India's developmental priorities and global outlook. In a tweet, Jaishankar said they agreed that they would help drive a stronger partnership with Europe and Denmark. "Welcomed Danish Parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee delegation led by @martinlidegaard. Very good conversation on India's developmental priorities and global outlook. Agreed that they would help drive a stronger partnership with Europe and Denmark," he tweeted. In another tweet, Jaishankar said he also met "former president of Iceland and Chairman of @_Arctic_Circle @ORGrimsson". "Appreciate his insights on Arctic issues and climate change," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several MLAs on Tuesday raised the issue of the denial of rooms in Block A of the Delhi's Punjab Bhawan in the state assembly, demanding action against the officials concerned. Describing the issue "serious", Speaker Rana K P Singh said he has summoned the chief secretary and the officials concerned over it and assured the House that the legislators will be given priority in the allotment of rooms. Block A in the Punjab Bhawan is reserved for VIPs, including the ministers and top bureaucrats, whereas other legislators are accommodated in Block B. After Aam Aadmi Party legislator Saravjit Kaur Manuke raised the issue during the zero hour in the Budget session here, several Congress MLAs, including Parminder Singh Pinky, Fateh Jang Bajwa and Nirmal Singh, also lodged similar complaints. Pinky, while expressing displeasure over it, sought to know whether their status was above or below the chief secretary. "The chief secretary has always been given a room there permanently," said Pinky. Qadian MLA Bajwa sought action against the officials concerned, alleging that there were irregularities in the allotment of rooms at the Punjab Bhawan. Congress legislator Nirmal Singh said he was denied a room at the Punjab Bhawan recently due to which he had to return home in the night. "I called the official concerned 17 times, who told me later that there was no room available," said the Shutrana MLA, demanding a privilege motion against the officials concerned. After several MLAs rose from their seats, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra termed it a "maltreatment" of assembly members. He said the legislators are above the chief secretary in status. Intervening in the matter, the speaker said according to a 2007 letter, categories for allotment of rooms have been fixed. In this letter, it has been mentioned that MLAs will be allotted room in Block A if these are vacant. "It is unacceptable that the principal secretary is listed first and the MLA last. I assure the House that I will call the chief secretary and officials concerned tomorrow and get this letter cancelled," the speaker assured agitating members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Photo: (Photo : pexels/Jonathan Borba) The whole world is currently taking precautionary measures in order to stop the spread of coronavirus. As what we know so far, it can be spread through human interaction and it can affect anyone. In fact, a dog in HongKong tested positive for the coronavirus, inciting more fear knowing that even animals can get infected and possibly spread the virus. So far, there have been 82,000 cases of coronavirus patients worldwide, more than 78,000 of them are reported in China where the virus began. The virus has already spread to more than 50 countries, and it is now labeled as a global health emergency and 2,700 people have died. Because of this, mothers are worried about their babies. Infants have a weak immune system and since they need to be breastfeed, they have no choice but to interact. A lot of mothers are now asking if it is still safe to breastfeed their babies or if they have to opt for bottles. Connection between the coronavirus and breastfeeding Doctors who are working on the coronavirus epidemic said mothers should not stop breastfeeding their babies. Breast milk is composed of a lot of nutrients and minerals that infants need in order to build strong respiratory and immune system. Basically, breast milk is their shield against viruses and bacteria. This is important for healthy mothers because if their body is producing antibodies to fight any infection, then they should continue breastfeeding so that they can pass the antibodies to their baby. Mothers should still follow the advice from experts about maintaining a clean environment and adopting proper hygiene. Mothers should still cover their mouth when they sneeze and they cough, especially if they are with their child. Any used tissue should be thrown away immediately and hands should be washed frequently. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, mouth and other body opening with unwashed hands. Mothers with respiratory problems Experts warned mothers with respiratory problems about the dangers of breastfeeding their baby. If you have a respiratory infection, there is a high chance that you will transform the infection to your child through breastfeeding. Doctors encourage mothers with respiratory infection to switch to other breastfeeding alternatives in order to reduce the risk of the child being infected. Coronavirus prevention While there is still no known cure for the virus, the WHO or the World Health Organization is working to spread helpful information and tips that can minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Experts encourage people to wash their hands as frequently as possible with germicidal soap and water. Sanitizing hand-gels and alcohols should also be used in order to remove any bacteria that you may have contracted while holding into corners and furniture. Experts also discourage human interaction, it is best not to touch people or shake their hands for the meantime because the symptoms of the virus does not show until days later but it can be quickly passed down to other people. And contrary to the public's belief, surgical masks does little to help. Unless you are sick, you do not need to wear any masks. If you have fever, cough, experience shortness of breath and if you have any trouble breathing, it is best to get tested right away. ALSO READ: What You Need To Know About the Coronavirus If You Are Pregnant The electoral commission INEC, on Monday, said it will propose 34 amendments to the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill that will include punishments for electoral violators. The Commission also said the bill will make provisions for the security of lives and property during elections. The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said this in Lagos at a retreat on the review of the electoral legal framework, Vanguard Newspaper reported. The retreat was in partnership with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Mr Yakubu said the electoral body last year received the draft of the bill from the Senate Committee on INEC which had been presented to the executive for assent before the 2019 general elections. He added that INEC had shared the draft bill with the National Commissioners, Directors, Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and senior officials in the 36 states and the FCT. As long as violators of electoral laws are not penalised, we will continue to have issues with our elections. As part of the reforms of the key components of the Electoral Act, we will like to see the effective sanctions of those who violate electoral laws of this country. Any country that does not penalise offenders is doomed and we must find a way of penalising electoral offenders so that impunity can be at best reduced or even eliminated completely, Mr Yakubu said. The INEC chairman said the review of the electoral act will increase transparency and credibility of the electoral process, and the reduction of electoral banditry. Listening to Nigerians, it is clear that a review of the Electoral Act and our electoral legal framework in general, must be anchored on curbing incidents of violence and sundry malpractices in the electoral process. It is also to ensure that violators of electoral laws are effectively sanctioned. It must deepen the deployment of technology in elections. It will also ensure inclusivity in the electoral process for marginalised segments of the society such as women, youth and persons living with disabilities, Mr Yakubu said. INEC Director of Legal Services, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the proposed of the retreat was to harmonise all proposals for amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 for presentation to the National Assembly. Mrs Babalola said, There are 34 proposed amendments elaborated in four columns. Also, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sam Olumekun, proposed the need for a special court for electoral offences. Mr Olumekun noted that the special courts should have a defined time frame for prosecution and speedy administration of justice. READ ALSO: On electoral litigation the Lagos Rec also urged the commission to equip the legal department and prepare the staff to represent the commission in election matters. He said, The commission should critically examine the issue of conflict of interests among our external solicitors that represent the petitioners in other matters. The commission should ensure that such solicitors do not represent any petitioner throughout the period of election petitions in the tribunals and courts of competent jurisdiction. While we appreciate the effort of the commission in dealing with legal issues, the commission should continue to equip the Legal Department and prepare the staff to represent the commission in election matters, he said. GADSDEN, Ala., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyons HR, an industry leader as a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaffirmed an ongoing commitment across its rapidly expanding portfolio. Founded in Florence, Alabama in a single 800 sq. ft office, Lyons HR now serves thousands of employees and hundreds of clients in 46 states with 8 service locations. Lyons HR provides comprehensive HR management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, helping them to operate more efficiently. Their services include payroll and tax administration, employee benefits, HR consulting, regulatory compliance, risk management, and recruiting. Lyons HR is accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC), a distinction earned by fewer than 5 percent of all PEOs. In addition, Lyons HR is certified by the Internal Revenue Service, giving clients the greatest security and assurances available in the HR outsourcing industry. "Helping our clients grow and prosper and helping our employees reach their full potential, that's what we are all about at Lyons HR," said Bill Lyons, Founder and CEO, Lyons HR. In a recent video message to Lyons HR clients and employees Mr. Lyons stated "Celebrating the accomplishments of the past 25 years is nice but at Lyons HR we're not focused on the past we are focused on the future and we are excited about what the next 25 years will bring." SOURCE Lyons HR, LLC (Newser) A most generous gift from the host of Jeopardy! has Vulture asking: "What is just the nicest, sweetest thing we got to read today, Alex?" Per TMZ, Alex Trebek recently toured a new homeless shelter being built by Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, a nonprofit he's donated to before, in North Hollywood, Calif., and afterward he had the group's CEO Ken Craft over to his house to talk about the numbers involved in running the new shelter. It was then, Craft says, that Trebek pulled out an envelope and said, "I hope this helps a little bit." Inside the envelope: a check for $100,000 to help pay for hot meals, transportation, medical services, or whatever else the 80-plus-bed facility needs to get up and running. story continues below Craft says Trebek asked him and his wife to a recent taping of Jeopardy!, where he called them onto the stage during a commercial break and told the audience, "I don't normally do this, but I wanted to bring these two people on stage because they are making a difference in LA." Craft says that a wing in the shelter will now bear the name of Trebek and his wife, Jean. People notes Trebek made this charitable move in the midst of contemplating a big one of his own: his final episode of Jeopardy!, which he says will come only if he can't work anymore due to the effects of treatment for his stage 4 pancreatic cancer. "We'll play it by ear and keep chugging along until we either win or lose," he told CTV in October. (Read more Alex Trebek stories.) Christchurch, March 3 : New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has defended Virat Kohli's outburst during the second Test, saying the India captain is a "very passionate and energetic guy" who is always trying to "bring out the best in himself" on the field. "He's (Kohli) a very passionate guy... and very energetic on the field. He tries to bring out the best in himself," Southee told 'Radio New Zealand'. On Monday, Kohli had a fiery exchange with a journalist who asked him to tone down his aggression following his team's crushing defeat in the second and final Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval. On the second day of the Test match, Kohli was seen giving angry send-offs to Kiwi batters and animatedly celebrating the fall of wickets during the first two sessions. On one particular instance, Kohli was even seen using an expletive towards the crowd. One of the journalists asked Kohli: "Virat, what's your reaction to your behaviour on the field, swearing at (Kane) Williamson when he got out, swearing at the crowd. As an Indian captain, don't you think you should set a better example on the field?" The Indian skipper got riled up with the question and told the reporter: "I am asking you the answer." "You need to find out exactly what happened and come with a better question," Kohli said. "You can't come here with half questions and half details about what happened. "Also, if you want to create controversy this is not the right place to be. I've spoken to the match referee. He had no issues with what happened." The Indian skipper had a tough New Zealand tour as he managed to score just 38 runs in the four Test innings. Two boys are in the hospital after they suffered gunshot injuries inside a Northeast Portland apartment Monday afternoon, police said. Police responded to a call of a shooting at Northeast 66th Avenue and Tillamook Street at 2:48 p.m. Portland Police Sgt. Kevin Allen said officers are still investigating the circumstances, but the shooting may have been accidental. He said they dont yet know the condition of the two. He didnt say how old the boys were, but said they are in the preteen or young teenager age range. He said there is no known danger to the public, and the kids were taken to the hospital in an ambulance. This story will be updated. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. A Labor party "fixer" who failed to appear at a corruption inquiry has returned to Australia after a lengthy spell in Lebanon. Bechara Khouri, who prefers to call himself a "facilitator," was a key person of interest during the Independent Commission Against Corruptions long-running inquiry into planning matters handled by Canterbury City Council. Bechara Khouri leaving his home last week. Credit:James Brickwood The inquiry heard that Mr Khouri, a former business partner of Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, had a substantial interest in several of the properties under scrutiny and that the 62-year-old had lobbied councillors Michael Hawatt and Pierre Azzi to achieve favourable planning outcomes without disclosing his interest. Since his return from Lebanon in November 2019, Mr Khouri has met frequently with Mr Azzi. MEXICO CITY (dpa-AFX) - Fresnillo plc (FRES.L) on Tuesday reported fiscal 2019 pretax profit of $178.8 million, down 63.1 percent from $483.9 million in the prior year. Profit for the year decreased 41.1 percent to $205.8 million from $350.0 million in the previous year. Earnings per share dropped 41.7 percent to $0.277 from $0.475 last year. Earnings per share excluding post-tax Silverstream effects decreased 49.9 percent to $0.231 from $0.461 a year ago. Total revenues for the period increased 0.8 percent to $2.12 billion from $2.10 billion in the prior year. Adjusted revenues increased 1.2 percent to $2.27 billion, reflecting higher gold and silver prices. The company noted that its silver production of 54,614 koz declined 11.6 percent from last year, while gold production of 875,913 oz decreased 5.1 percent from a year ago. Fresnillo's board of directors have recommended a final dividend of 11.9 cents per share which will be paid on June 2, 2020 to shareholders on the register on April 24, 2020. The dividend will be paid in UK pounds sterling unless shareholders elect to be paid in U.S. dollars. This is in addition to the interim dividend of 2.6 US cents per share amounting to US$19.2 million. The company noted that the final dividend is lower than the previous year due to the lower profit in 2019, and remains in line with the Group's dividend policy. Looking ahead to fiscal 2020, Fresnillo expects to produce in the range of 51 to 56 moz of silver and 815 to 900 koz of gold. The company added that the 2019 capex projects will continue in 2020 and will account for the majority of its investment in the year ahead, together with an increase in capex as the construction of Juanicipio progresses. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Brewery/position: Breakside Brewery research and development brewer at the Dekum brewpub Hometown: Vail, Colorado Favorite beer: Gose Education/Experience: Studied biochemistry at the University of Colorado; started washing kegs at Burnside Brewing and rose to lead brewer before leaving for Breakside. Natalie Baldwin is the research and development brewer at the Dekum neighborhood location of Breakside Brewery, one of the top breweries in the city and a perennial winner at the Great American Beer Festival. The 30-year-old perfects new beers the brewery will produce and also pushes boundaries with more extreme ideas for recipes. She also has a key role with SheBrew: The winner of the festivals homebrewing contest gets to come to Breakside and brew a beer with Baldwin. I feel really special that Jen (McPoland), who runs it, chose to have the winner brew a beer with me, Baldwin added. Because she knows that I am a big advocate for women in the beer industry or male-dominated industries, and I want to be a part of supporting that and growing that. We asked her to talk about her experience. (Answers have been edited for clarity and length) How did you become a brewer? I thought I was going to be a vet and I was going to school for biochemistry. During my third year I decided I wasnt as passionate about it as everyone else was, so I dropped out of school and had every intention of going back. But I had a job valeting cars, working 40 hours a week and going to school, and it was just a little too much. I transferred to the Marriott in Portland, (but) I wasnt making enough money, so I got a part-time job bartending at a brewery and found out that the brewer was actually really smart, and I liked listening to all the things he knew about beer. So, I started following him around and asked him to brew, and he showed me how to brew a couple of beers there and write recipes. And then I wanted to be more involved in it, so I got a job washing kegs at Burnside and they took me on without any real experience, and by the time I left there I was the lead brewer. I wanted to learn more from other people in the industry and got a job working production at Breakside. And after a little bit there, I got the job as the R&D brewer. Do you have a brewing philosophy and what you want to achieve? I kind of like to witchy brew. I do a lot of cooking brewing where I, the first time I do something, well approximately this much will probably be fine. Then move from there, and obviously learn and grow from everything we make and just continue to make better beer. But I like a lot of brewing from instinct and feeling, as far as like weird raw materials go. Flowers or teas, or coconut or whatever it is, like the first time around I just like to figure it out. I like to achieve nuance and delicate flavors in beers, so I want people to be able to know that theres white tea in the beer but not get kicked in the face with it and not in a way where something tastes like an extract or is super intense but like really beautiful and harmonious. What do you love about the craft-beer industry? When I first moved to Portland, I found it was kind of hard to meet people. I think when you move anywhere its just difficult to make friends. And when I first started, my friend Sam (Pecoraro), who was the brewer at Burnside but hired me and kind of got me in, he left after a little bit to go work at The Commons. But I had never been treated like an equal. Like being a woman in male-dominated industries, kind of, but I always felt like I was young and didnt belong places. And he introduced me to everyone, took me everywhere, and just kind of pulled me into this whole industry. Ive had the benefit of a lot of really great situations to have like a family home feeling in the industry. What have been your challenges in this industry? I dont think its necessarily industry-based, but I think a lot of people who step into something that theyre really excited about go from knowing nothing to thinking they know everything, and then sometimes you get a reality check when you realize that you dont really know (anything) about (anything). And I think the rate that that all happened to me at was pretty quick and intense. I started washing kegs and immediately started doing this job that a lot of other people wanted so I was really excited, felt really good. And I when I started working at Breakside I was like, Oh, I actually dont know anything. How would you like to see craft beer evolve? Everything doesnt always need to go to the women in beer and the equality zone, but I feel really lucky that I work in a place and specific industry in Portland where Im treated as an equal and my cohorts understand and respect me as someone in the industry. A lot of women dont have it that easy. And women or minorities or whoever it is, Ive said this before, but it takes a lot of really strong men and women to create a safe place for people in an industry. And just addressing issues like being taken advantage of by employers or not getting paid enough because its a high-demand job, people taking care of their employees and understanding that its a blue-collar job but theres also a lot of education and nuance and work that goes into these things. So hopefully people get paid according to their worth instead of getting paid nothing and being a little bit disposable. More brewer profiles: -- Andre Meunier Subscribe to Andres text service and get ongoing alerts about beer releases and news from the Portland and Oregon beer scene. And check out Andres beer reviews on Untappd, where hes andremeunier13, and follow him on Instagram, where hes @oregonianbeerguy. More beer coverage: UPDATED 11.59AM: A man is facing a number of driving related charges following a pursuit in the Bay of Plenty today. Police spotted a stolen vehicle in Rotorua earlier this morning and signalled it to stop. The vehicle failed to stop and fled, says a police spokesperson. Police followed the fleeing vehicle towards State Highway 36 before spikes were deployed near Mangatoi Road. The vehicle came to a halt and one person was arrested without further incident. A 32-year-old man is due to appear in Rotorua District Court tomorrow charged with various driving offences. EARLIER: A police vehicle has been severely damaged following a pursuit in the Bay of Plenty. A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says the vehicle has severe damage to its side. "It's on Mangatoi Road, near State Highway 36. "There are a lot of police cars around." SunLive has contacted police and will update this story as soon as we can. At the scene? Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz By PTI ABU DHABI: Major travel disruptions due to the new coronavirus have already caused the equivalent of a roughly $100 million loss to airlines in the Middle East, which serves as a connection hub for east-west travel, the industry's main trade association said Monday. The Persian Gulf city of Dubai, which is home to the world's busiest airport for international travel, relies heavily on tourism and aviation. The Gulf is a major transit hub for passengers connecting from Europe to Asia. The United Arab Emirates has cancelled all flights to Iran, as have other Gulf countries. It has also limited flights in China to just Beijing to reduce the spread of the virus. The International Air Transport Association, which represents around 290 airlines, said a projected 4.6% growth in passenger demand in the Middle East this year will be halved to just 2.3% if conditions do not change. Most cases of the new coronavirus in the Middle East have come from travellers recently in Iran, where the virus has killed 66 people among some 1,500 who are infected. Worldwide, the virus, which started in China, has infected more than 89,000 people, and more than 6,000 have died. Even before the virus emerged, the big Gulf carriers had already posted significantly lower earnings due to higher fuel costs, a strengthened U.S. dollar, and lower airfreight and travel demand. The IATA's estimates do not include the additional impact to regional carriers forced to stop flights to Mecca and Medina, where Saudi Arabia suspended issuing visas to Muslim pilgrims to stymie the spread of the virus. The United Arab Emirates-based newspaper The National reported that Dubai's Emirates Group has given employees at the airline, the Middle East's biggest, the option to take paid and even unpaid leave. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other airlines in Europe and Asia have reportedly done the same. "It's a demonstration of how hard the industry's been hit by flight cancellations and closing borders," said Muhammad Albakri, IATA's regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East. The association has said that if the spread of the virus continues, the aviation industry globally can expect a $30 billion revenue loss and a 4.7 percent reduction in global air traffic for the year. The aviation industry in the Asia Pacific region will be hardest hit, seeing a $27.8 billion revenue loss if the situation does not improve.About $12.8 billion of that will be wiped from the domestic Chinese aviation market. In this photo taken on Monday, March 2, 2020, Ukrainian Chief sanitary and epidemiological doctor Viktor Liashko attend a briefing in Kyiv, Ukraine. Liashko has just reported its first confirmed case of the new COVID-19 coronavirus, saying a man who recently arrived from Italy was diagnosed with the virus.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) France requisitioned protective masks and sent tens of thousands of students home from school, Norway blocked 1,200 passengers on a cruise ship and Spain isolated dozens of health workers as the new coronavirus spread further Tuesday into Europe. With the new coronavirus taking firmer hold in Europe, the continent is facing many of the same complications seen in Asia weeks ago. Flights to Italy, and especially Milan and Venice, were dropping nearly by the hour, with announcements from Finnish and Swedish carriers that they were suspending flights for at least two weeks. Travelers from northern Italy, along with South Korea and Iran, now face a ban in Singapore and will not be allowed entry or even to transit through the country. And Saudi Arabia advised citizens and residents to postpone travel to Germany and France due to the spread of the coronavirus in those countries. Around 120 French schools were ordered to close, most in Brittany and the Oise region north of Paris, which have been hit hard by COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Italy closed schools in the hard-hit regions of Lombardy and Veneto last week, and announced the closure of schools in the Emilia Romagna region last weekend. All student outings have been canceled nationwide, including off-site after-school activities. In addition, a handful of schools are closed or under quarantine in Germany and even in Poland, which has no confirmed cases of the disease so far. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a tweet that the government was requisitioning all current and future stocks of protective masks in order to ensure their distribution to virus patients and health workers. France's education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, told LCI television that more schools could close and confirmed that he had ordered a freeze on all school trips. But he cautioned against rushing to a general shutdown of the education system. A tourist wearing a mask walks away from the Louvre museum in Paris, Monday, March 2, 2020. The Louvre Museum was closed again Monday as management was meeting with staff worried about the spread of the new virus in the world's most-visited museum. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) "It wouldn't make sense to confine everyone at home, to paralyze the country," he said. Around 100 health workers were being kept under isolation in northern Spain and at least 120 more were being closely watched by authorities after at least five doctors and nurses were infected in hospitals, said the Basque health regional minister, Nekane Murga. Health authorities in northern Spain were also speeding up the hiring of new doctors to help a possible shortage of health professionals in the coming months, Murga said. British authorities laid out plans Tuesday to confront a COVID-19 epidemic, saying that the new coronavirus could spread within weeks from a few dozen confirmed cases to millions of infections, with thousands of people in the U.K. at risk of death. Officials hope the most drastic measures won't be needed. Britain may not be able to stop the virus, but it has one vital advantage in fighting it: a head start. The country only has 51 cases so far. In Haugesund, southern Norway, a German cruise ship with 1,200 passengers was blocked overnight while awaiting the results of two passengers tested for the virus, Norwegian broadcaster NRK said. The Aida Aura was supposed to leave Monday but was still in Haugesund on Tuesday and passengers were being kept on board. The ship's operator later said the two German passengers tested negative and the ship hoped to be underway soon. The Geneva International Motor Show resorted to putting automakers' product unveilings and news conferences online Tuesday after this year's show was canceled. BMW presented its sleek i4 electric concept car at a digital news conference from Munich, while competitors Daimler and Volkswagen held their own online events. At Paris Fashion Week, Chanel's fall collection was streamed online for the many VIPs and fashion editors who stayed away. Some of those who showed up in person donned CC-branded face masks. Ukraine reported its first confirmed case of the new virus in a man who had recently arrived from Italy, the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Reuters LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it would consider opposition to its plan to impose a new digital tax on big tech companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon as part of its ambition to agree a free trade deal with the United States. A 2% levy on the money major tech firms make from British users had been expected to be introduced next month. It has been strongly opposed by Washington, however, which has said any such tax would be discriminatory and inappropriate. "We note comments regarding digital taxation and will consider this as part of our policy development," the British government said in its mandate for trade talks with the United States. In January, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the United States would retaliate against any unilateral move to tax the world's biggest technology firms. "If people want to just arbitrarily put taxes on our digital companies, we'll consider arbitrarily putting taxes on car companies," he said. Asked about the digital tax on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said the government's plans had not changed. "We set out that it's our intention to find a global solution to this issue. That is what we're working towards. In the meantime we have put forward proposals for a digital services tax," the spokesman said. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is working to develop international rules to make digital companies pay tax where they do business, rather than where they register subsidiaries. It wants to agree on the technical details of such a tax by July. France had considered a similar digital tax, but it agreed in January to suspend down payments after Washington threatened to retaliate with tariffs on French wine. Britain is likely to provide more details on its proposal when finance minister Rishi Sunak presents his budget on March 11. Asked if the tax was due to come in in April, Johnson's spokesman said: "I think that's right". (Reporting by Paul Sandle, additional reporting by William James; editing by Kate Holton) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Chinese coronavirus, unfortunately, reached Ukraine. Are Ukraine's cities prepared for the epidemic? Coronavirus in Ukraine: first infection case registered 112 Agency Oleksiy Danylov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council earlier announced that the country's authorities are ready for this and have all the necessary means, including 12.5 thousand hospital beds for those infected. Its true, that the preparations have long been underway in Ukraine's regions for the Covid-19. Viktor Lyashko, the Countrys Chief Medical Sanitation Officer, said that in every region, hospital facilities and emergency ambulance teams have already been defined to be called in case of infection with Covid-19. According to the Ministry of Health, there were three regions defined to first receive COVID-tests - Lviv, Chernivtsi and Zakarpattya. Kyiv region At a meeting of the headquarters, which took place on January 29: 2 base hospitals were identified and two emergency medical assistance teams were created to deal with the calls with suspected coronavirus; in the structure of 14 healthcare institutions of the Kyiv region, there are infectious disease box wards for 487 infectious beds, with 201 beds located in 105 boxes; 347 beds have been identified to be converted to infectious beds in case the epidemic situation worsens; another 5 institutions were identified as the first stage reserve base hospitals; temperature screening for those, arriving in Ukraine from countries with coronavirus registered, introduced at the airport "Borispol". Kyiv 7 seven hospitals identified to hospitalize people with suspected coronavirus: 3 hospitals were equipped for children, another 3 will hospitalize adults, and 1 - for pregnant women; 2 specialized teams shall operate in Kyiv to transport patients with suspected coronavirus; 500 beds are prepared: 237 for adults, 200 for children and 63 for pregnant women. On March 10, tests for the diagnosis of coronavirus were sent to Kyiv. The capital received 1200 test systems, there will be 5,000 of them by the end of the week. Express tests will be sent to 7 base hospitals for admission of patients with suspected coronavirus. Volyn region All medical facilities received due instructions. The department of health reports the oblast is ready for a potential outbreak of coronavirus. 2 basic hospitals are ready to accept patients with the virus; 2 ambulance crews were also identified, one in Lutsk, another in Kovel. These teams will only visit patients with suspected coronavirus. The teams have a complete set of personal protection. The facilities that will provide medical care for patients with coronavirus have already reserved 167,000 surgical masks and 200 respirators. Lviv region 1 hospital defined to be a basic medical facility for coronavirus patients. 410 beds, another 20 beds - in isolation wards; 6 beds in the intensive care unit. Open source Rivne region 2 hospitals for possible patients with coronavirus were identified in the region; another 3 medical facilities will be in reserve. Odesa region 1 hospital set as a basic facility for those with coronavirus; 20 boxes for 65 beds are already ready; Izmail hospital will be an additional hospital base; quick response teams created in the region; reserve groups of doctors got additional training. Dnipropetrovsk region 4 ambulance brigades; 2 hospitals are ready to receive patients; according to the Regional State Administration, the institutions are provided with all the necessary funds and medicines to comply with the anti-epidemic regime, as well as isolation of patients; locations for possible observation are being considered. Ivano-Frankivsk region 170 people with suspected coronavirus can be simultaneously hospitalized in isolated wards; 12,500 masks; 300 respirators; 8 hospital units with 435 beds. Khmelnytsky region Khmelnytsky Infectious Disease Hospital will be the main institution for hospitalizing infected people. 150 beds in infection hospital department; 16 boxes; intensive care unit; 35 pulse oximeters; 31 manual respiratory systems; 35 infusion pumps; 285 thousand medical masks; 2 mechanical ventilators and oxygen concentrators. Zhytomyr region 2 infectious hospital departments were identified as basic medical facilities for patients with (suspected) coronavirus: 240 beds, 78 of them are boxed; 139 units of medical transport; 2 medical teams; 22,000 disposable masks; 444 respirators; 140 protective goggles; 40 protective bio-suits. Vinnytsia region 1 infectious hospital department is now isolated; boxed wards have separate entrances for patients and for medical personnel; bathrooms for each box are equipped with separate disinfection systems and are not connected to the general sewage system; there are enough protective suits in the department. Cherkasy region 2 hospital bases have been identified; a ventilator; 4 oxygen concentrators; 3 specialized ambulance crews Zakarpattia region 1 intensive care unit in the region with: artificial lung ventilation apparatus; centralized oxygen supply; portable oxygen concentrators that can be delivered to any room, or a box; a sufficient number of liquids for disinfection, detoxification; a stock of antibiotics (in case of bacterial complications). Chernivtsi region infectious department of Chernivtsi Military Hospital shall be completely reconstructed for hospitalizing those with coronavirus; military doctors are also ready to treat civilian patients having re-equipped the internal medicine department for the needs of infectious disease physicians. Kirovohrad region 557 infectious beds: 275 for adults, 282 for children; 2 hospitals to hospitalize patients with coronavirus, both equipped with resuscitation beds; 2 specialized emergency medical care teams, both provided with the necessary staff protective equipment. Open source Chernihiv region 16 infectious departments with 427 beds and 124 boxes for 217 beds; hospital facilities for the hospitalization of patients with suspected coronavirus disease and the specialized emergency medical teams have been identified. Zaporizhia region 1 hospital will be the main hospital base; temperature screening for those arriving by plane from countries with registered cases of COVID-19, visual examination and questioning performed. Mykolayiv region 1 medical center is ready to hospitalize 200 patients with coronavirus, and more if necessary. Kherson region 1 hospital shall be the base for providing medical care to COVID-19 patients; 135 beds; 6 intensive care beds; 400 boxed squads is organized in the region. Donetsk region It is noted that the region is completely ready for any development of the situation with coronavirus - hospitals are equipped with the necessary, prepared for the possible admission of patients, doctors are trained in the algorithm of action. 1 infectious diseases hospital will accept patients as a quarantine institution; another 3 infectious hospitals shall be basic medical facilities for hospitalization. Luhansk region 1 hospital defined a basic medical facility in the region; another 2 shall be in reserve the head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Gaiday ordered to provide emergency medical teams duty at the checkpoints which are currently operating in the region - in Stanytsya Luhanska, Melov, Prosyan, Tanyushevka; additional non-contact infrared thermometers were given to the border guards to enhance the temperature control of people crossing the checkpoints. Sumy region 4 hospitals defined as an observational base for those with suspected coronavirus infection: 2 hospitals for children and 2 for adults. Similar departments are also identified in every regional center of Ukraine. Oleksiy Honcharuk submitted a letter of resignation as Ukraine's prime minister to Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov on March 3, Servant of the People MP Oleksandr Kachura has said. "Yes, the statement has been received today," Kachura told reporters on Tuesday, March 3. At the same time, he added that the issue of nominating MP Serhiy Ionushas for the post of Ukraine's prosecutor general had not yet been discussed at a meeting of the Servant of the People faction. Earlier, MP Oleksandr Kachura wrote on his Telegram channel that President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed at a meeting of the Servant of the People faction that Honcharuk be dismissed as Ukraine's prime minister and Denys Shmyhal be appointed to the post. op A mother asked four different men to murder her ex-husband because she felt 'such bitterness and anger' after losing custody of a child, a court has heard. Victoria Breeden, 39, allegedly offered money to one of the men and told another: 'I want somebody killed. Can you help?' The defendant, of Littleport, Cambridgeshire, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court where she denies endeavouring to persuade four different men to murder Rob Parkes. A mother asked four different men to murder her ex-husband because she felt 'such bitterness and anger' after losing custody of a child, Chelmsford Crown Court (above) has heard Christopher Paxton QC, prosecuting, said while Breeden's efforts were 'determined' none of the men carried out her plan. He told jurors Breeden met Mr Parkes at university in 1999 and they married in 2004. But the couple separated in 2008 and Mr Parkes was granted custody of a child in 2014 'following protracted proceedings in the family courts', Mr Paxton said. 'It's this, we say, which drove the defendant in whole or in part to seek retribution against Mr Parkes,' he said, adding: 'We say that one of her motives was revenge.' Mr Paxton said Breeden was in a relationship with some of the men who she is accused of trying to persuade to kill her ex, and others were friends. The alleged offending is said to have happened over a period of more than five years and Mr Paxton said Breeden was 'deadly serious in what she sought'. Breeden is accused of endeavouring to persuade former soldier Hamish Lowry-Martin to murder Mr Parkes between January 1 and December 31, 2014. Mr Paxton said Breeden asked Mr Lowry-Martin if he would 'do her a favour and sort out her ex-husband as he was a bastard'. After Mr Lowry-Martin declined, the defendant asked him if he 'knew people back in Scotland who were real nutters' and said she could 'get together 5,000', Mr Paxton said. The second similar charge alleges that Breeden solicited her former boyfriend, handyman Daniel Proctor, to murder Mr Parkes between November 1 2015 and June 1 2016. Mr Paxton said Breeden told Mr Proctor: 'I want somebody killed. Can you help?' When Mr Proctor declined, there was an argument, Mr Paxton said, adding: 'During the row she said, 'You don't help me with anything'.' The third charge is of endeavouring to persuade Graham Wall, another former boyfriend, to murder Mr Parkes between October 19 2018 and October 3 2019. Breeden allegedly said to Mr Wall: 'you must know someone who can help me get rid of him', the court heard. The fourth charge is of trying to persuade Earl Gernon to murder Mr Parkes on October 1 2019. Mr Paxton said Mr Wall made a secret mobile phone recording of a conversation between Breeden and Mr Gernon. Mr Wall suspected Breeden was being unfaithful and had left the device on the record setting in a cupboard under the stairs at her home before he went to work, Mr Paxton said. In the recording, Breeden asks Mr Gernon: 'How easy would it be to make someone disappear?' said Mr Paxton. The prosecution say once Mr Wall confronted Breeden with the recording, she made efforts to destroy it. Police seized 18,000 in cash in a baby milk tin when they searched Breeden's home, and she had the 'motive and the means' for what she allegedly sought, the court heard. Mr Paxton added that Breeden denies making solicitations to the first three men and her remarks to Mr Gernon were 'empty words', and she 'didn't intend that anyone would take seriously what she said.' The trial continues. Coronavirus (Representative image) With coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading thick and fast beyond China, people in India are anxious to know about the possible risks of getting infected by the virus and how to avoid it. India reported three more cases, taking its tally of confirmed cases to six. What is the risk of getting infected? First the good news; according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), if you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or if you have not travelled from one of those areas or have not been in close contact with someone who has and is feeling unwell, your chances of getting it are currently low. Children are at much lower risk of contracting COVID-19. However, the risk assessment may change quickly, sometimes within a matter of days, as more people who had travelled recently to countries (level-3 travel warning) where the disease has spread, come in close contact with communities. While we are still learning about how COVID-19 affects people, WHO says older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes appear to develop serious illness more often than others. The other people who are at high risk of contracting the disease are healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, and paramedic and emergency workers. Also, if you have had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have the novel coronavirus infection and develop symptoms of COVID-19, you are at risk and should immediately call the helpline number and tell them about your symptoms and exposure. What might possibly happen if new clusters emerge? The best possible chance of containing the disease is at the port of entry like airports, ports and land borders. But its easier said than done, because thermal scanners that are installed to detect people who have higher than normal body temperature cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. According to WHO estimates, the incubation period for COVID-19 ranges from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. It was found that a person during the incubation period may not show any symptoms like cough, high temperature, and shortness of breath; and can still spread the disease. So its likely that more cases of COVID-19 likely to be identified in the coming days and widespread transmission is expected, as new clusters emerge. This would put an enormous burden on medical resources and disrupt normal life. People coming from high-risk countries should isolate themselves for the incubation period as advised by the government rather than mingling with others. India is advising isolation and observation for 28 days for people who have travelled to China recently. The government should make sure the travel histories of people are documented for at least three months. Taiwan had imposed a hefty penalty on its citizens for failing to disclose travel history to Wuhan - the epicentre of the disease outbreak. China had used force sometimes to implement quarantine measures. These actions may not be possible in India, but for the greater good, may be necessary. For most people including children, good old hygienic practices like washing hands, sneezing or coughing into a bent elbow or tissue paper, and maintaining a distance of at least one metre from those with cough and sneeze would help prevent infections. If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Stay home if you feel unwell, be informed on COVID-19 situation in your area, and be sceptical of social media forwards without reliable sources that claim cures. How to use masks? The discussions about whether to use N95 mask or surgical mask have become a bone of contention in many social media groups. The WHO and US CDC don't recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings. (Inputs from WHO and CDC were used in the story) Despite early technical problems slowing the vote early Tuesday, the countys top election official declared it had been smooth sailing since, with more than 100,000 ballots projected to be cast. Any time you get north of 100,000 in San Antonio, its a good election, Bexar Elections Administrator Jackuelyn Callanen said at a 4 p.m. news conference. At that time, she said, the count stood at 80,000 with almost three hours left to vote, and all 280 of the countys voting centers up and running. At 7 p.m., I fully expect to have people waiting in lines, she said, adding that anyone waiting in line when the polling places close will be allowed to vote. An early power outage at the Copernicus Community Center that had forced workers to process votes manually was resolved by early afternoon. The only medical issue was an elderly man who fainted while voting, requiring a visit from EMS, she said. Fourteen states, including Texas, are conducting primary elections today in what is known as Super Tuesday. Callanen blamed the early technical problems on a new system of dual printers, used only once before. She said the problems affected 30 to 50 voting centers, and forced some voters to wait and others to be referred to other nearby voting centers. The printing issues should not have stopped anyone from voting. We also have a manual procedure, she added. In Bexar County, voters are able to cast their ballots at any of the 280 voting locations because of the countys new ExpressVote system. 2020 Voter Guide: A roadmap of the races, candidates and issues on the ballot One voter who showed up at election headquarters on South Frio about 7:20 a.m. reported disorder and a one-hour wait. The line grew as the poll workers scrambled confusedly with the system, trying to reboot the whole thing. They seemed to not even have the right person to call to fix the problem, the voter reported. There were a lot of small problems with the people in line in front of me. I was given the wrong ballot, someone elses I believe, entering it in the system to find the wrong set of candidates from the wrong party, she added. Ultimately, she said, she was able to vote. The record number of votes cast in a primary on election day is 135,834, but Tuesdays turnout, while strong, appeared unlikely to reach that total, Callanen said. By midmorning, several interesting new issues were arising with this election, some that Callanen said she had not seen before in her long career as an elections official. Shes been the countys top election official since 2004. One of them had to do with the Democratic presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer and Pete Buttigieg, all of whom have recently dropped out of the race. One of our challenges is that voters who voted in early voting are returning to the polls and wanting to cancel their earlier vote, to vote for a different candidate who is still on the ballot, she said. And despite being told that their earlier ballot has already been processed, and they may not vote again, some wouldnt take no for an answer. A couple came down to the office, and because they were so persistent, I got to talk to them. Its a first for me, she said. The issue continued throughout the day, she said. Whatever they are seeing online, is still out there. They are still trying to do it, she said at the 4 p.m. news conference. At least one state, Michigan, is permitting people to change their vote. But in that state, those voting early do so by filling in an absentee ballot. Also noteworthy, she said, is the increased number of voters asking for curbside voting service, usually requested by people who are elderly, ill or disabled. Callanen said she could not say if the surge is linked to concerns about the coronavirus scare. Obviously we cant ask why. We respect that, she added. On ExpressNews.com: Passion for primary election candidates will overcome coronavirus concerns, administrator predicts Another issue was a high number of people who had failed to report a change in residence since they last voted, bogging down the process for others. And finally, she said, in this primary election, an unusually high number of voters appear to be confused about their party and candidates. And when they cant find their candidate as they try to vote, they ask for a second try. Weve having to cancel votes by the droves. People know the name of their candidate, but not the party, she said. Callanen said that as an election official, complaints about long lines on election day are a two-edged sword, assuming everything else is working well. Part of me says, Im sorry there are long lines, but the other part of me says, It means a lot of people are voting, she said. Democrats are choosing a challenger to take on President Donald Trump in November, and that crowded field has been narrowed in bruising battles leading up to todays big haul of delegates. Texas alone offers 228 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, more than the states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina all of which have already voted put together. On ExpressNews.com: Early voting skyrockets on last day At the state level, Democratic voters will be deciding who will face U.S. Sen John Cornyn in the fall. Locally there are numerous hotly contested races, including Congressional District 28 featuring longtime incumbent Henry Cuellar and progressive Jessica Cisneros and Bexar Countys Precinct 3, with eight Republicans are competing to replace incumbent Commissioner Kevin Wolff, who didnt seek reelection. Three Democrats also are running for that seat in their primary. In addition, first-term Sheriff Javier Salazar is facing four challengers as he seeks to become the first incumbent in more than a decade to win re-election. Interest in the races spurred voters to turn out in nearly record numbers during early voting, which ended Friday. In an afternoon news release, Bexar County Elections Department reported that a total of 138,076 had been cast during early voting, including mail-in ballots. Thats just shy of the record 138,838 that came in during early voting in 2008, when Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Republicans John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul were duking it out in their respective primaries for an open seat for president. Mail-in ballots will be counted as long as they are postmarked by Tuesday. John MacCormack is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | JMacCormack@express-news.net | Twitter: @JohnMacCormack About 100 students and professors at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont protested the threatened closure of the storied 169-year-old Catholic campus Monday, demanding information about money and plans. We want our school to stay open! Lets stand in solidarity and make sure it doesnt close! junior Cassidy Perez, 21, told the crowd on the quad outside the administration building. She and dozens of others called on the universitys trustees and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur which owns and runs the school to keep it open and do a better job of sharing financial details and options. With banners reading Dont Let it Close and Save Our School, the protesters called the administration secretive about the future of the school. They said they were told it could shut down as soon as the end of this academic year. We want to know how this decision was made, Judy Buller, a communications professor, said before the rally started. She accused the administration and trustees of refusing to meet with community leaders, even ignoring letters from local politicians. As word of the possible closure spread last week, panicked parents called the office. A student answering the phone assured them that no decision had been made. But interim President Daniel Carey has said a decision could be announced by March 13, soon enough to give students time to make plans for next year, if necessary. Students and professors said they fear the board has given up but said they have not. Notre Dame de Namur isnt dead yet, and we students, staff and faculty are fighting to keep it afloat, history Professor Stephen Cole told The Chronicle as faculty prepared for the protest. Cole described the university as one of Californias most precious institutions, with a focus on social justice. Founded in 1851, the campus is the states third-oldest college, and the first to award bachelors degrees to women, which it began doing in 1870. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle 2020 In 2016, the liberal arts school enrolled more than 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students, the highest in its history, Cole said. Thats about when top administrators began seeking a takeover or merger by another institution, he said, adding that the move was revealed in a report released by the trustees in October. The campus reported that it not only has had trouble raising money, but has lost large numbers of students. Undergraduate enrollment plunged by a third since 2016, to 680 students from 1,023, the university reported. Graduate enrollment fell by nearly 30% in the same period, to 515 from 730. University leaders have made numerous efforts over the past several years to counteract these trends, spokesman Zack Rogow said in a statement. Despite these efforts, challenges continue to persist. Last week, the trustees released their final report. And this week, administrators met with students, faculty and staff to explain the challenges and options, the statement said. Those meetings have been frank, open discussions with opportunities for everyone present to express their concerns and ask questions of the interim president and other key administrators, Rogow wrote. But students and faculty remain skeptical. 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 dont know why the administration and the board has not not welcomed a collaboration with the community to keep us open, said Bobby Vaughn, a sociology professor. Were in the center of Silicon Valley, in one of the wealthiest communities in the country. University officials, professors and students agree that the campus is an exceptional place, and not just because of its bucolic atmosphere in the forested hills. Many of the students are the first in their families to attend college and appreciate the smaller classes and personal attention. Its a special place, Vaughn said. It would be a shame for it to close because of the mismanagement of an administration and a board that is clearly not up to the task of running this place. Cole also expressed disappointment. Faculty and staff often complained of a lack of transparency we had no input into the current strategic plan, for example but we had no idea just how chronic it was, he said, noting that students and employees were especially angered after learning that top administrators signed non-disclosure agreements they say kept the campus in the dark. Rogow said the university will be as transparent as it can during this process. Michael Cabanatuan and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Ctuan, @NanetteAsimov Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 18:49:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- As China is fighting a tough war against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored international cooperation in scientific research guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. Public health security is a common challenge faced by humanity, and all countries should join hands to cope with it, said Xi during an inspection in Beijing on Monday, calling on countries to share research data and jointly work out response strategies. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has actively cooperated and exchanged information with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries. According to a WHO-China Joint Mission on the COVID-19, full genome sequences of the new virus were shared with WHO and the international community immediately after the pathogen was identified on Jan. 7. "The epidemic is a devil. We will not let it hide," said Xi when meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Beijing on Jan. 28. Chinese researchers have also been actively sharing their latest study results and participating in international cooperation on diagnosis and effective treatments. After receiving the genome sequence of the virus from China, researchers in the United States were able to map the first 3D atomic-scale structure of a key 2019 novel coronavirus protein, making a breakthrough toward developing vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and diagnostics, according to a study published online in the journal Science in February. "Early data sharing really helps save lives," said Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist. Noting that the COVID-19 outbreaks have emerged in many countries, Xi on Monday said it is important to step up communication and exchange with the WHO and carry out scientific research cooperation on source tracing, drugs, vaccines, testing and other fields with other countries, especially those hit hard by the virus. The WHO-China joint mission, consisting of 25 experts from eight countries and the WHO, conducted a nine-day field study trip on COVID-19 last month in China's capital Beijing and several different provinces including Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak. The team made a range of findings on the transmissibility of the virus, the severity of the disease, and the impact of the measures taken. They offered 22 recommendations on COVID-19 control for affected and unaffected countries, the international community as well as the public. The Russian government also sent experts to China to work with their Chinese counterparts on epidemic response. Besides the government level, Chinese academics and the business community have also taken an active part in the international cooperation on COVID-19 scientific research. A team led by renowned Chinese respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan is working with foreign scientists on tracing of the virus source, its transmission routes as well as building of the animal model for experiments, among others. In late February, Jack Ma Foundation announced that it will provide 15 million yuan (around 2.1 million U.S. dollars) to support international cooperation on the development of antiviral drugs or antibodies to fight the epidemic. "To prevail over a disease that threatens all, unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon," Xi wrote in a reply to a letter from Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Yellowstone National Park is capturing wandering bisons for possible slaughter as part of a population reduction programme, officials have said. From Sunday any of the mammals found migrating outside the park will be held in pens for possible slaughter, and by midday on Monday six bison had been captured. The animals were taken as they entered the Gardiner Basin along the Yellowstone-Montana border, park spokeswoman Linda Veress said. State and federal officials carry out the reduction annually and wish to reduce the population by up to 900 animals this winter. The move comes under an agreement that aims to shield Montana's cattle industry from the disease brucellosis, which many bison carry. Environment news in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Environment news in pictures Environment news in pictures Davos 2019: David Attenborough issues stark warning about future of civilisation as he demands practical solutions to combat climate change Sir David Attenborough has issued a stark warning about climate change to business figures gathered in Davos, telling them that "what we do now...will profoundly affect the next few thousand years". On the eve of this year's World Economic Forum, the renowned naturalist told the audience that the worlds of business and politics should "get on with the practical solutions" needed to prevent environmental damage. "As a species we are expert problem solvers. But we've not yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires. "We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan," he said. The broadcaster made his speech after receiving a Crystal Award, which is awarded by the forum to "exceptional cultural leaders". AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures At least 60% of wild coffee species face extinction triggered by climate change and disease Two decades of research have revealed that 60 per cent of the worlds coffee species face extinction due to the combined threats of deforestation, disease and climate change. The wild strain of arabica, the most widely consumed coffee on the planet, is among those now recognised as endangered, raising concerns about its long-term survival. These results are worrying for the millions of farmers around the world who depend on the continued survival of coffee for their livelihoods. As conditions for coffee farming become tougher, scientists predict the industry will need to rely on wild varieties to develop more resilient strains Alan Schaller Environment news in pictures Warming Antarctic waters are speeding the rate at which glaciers are melting The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows Nasa/Getty Environment news in pictures Greater Manchester to ban fracking, paving way for confrontation with government over controversial industry Greater Manchester is to effectively ban fracking, raising the prospect of fresh confrontation with the government over the controversial industry. All of the regions 10 councils are to implement planning policies which create a presumption against drilling for shale gas in their areas, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced. Campaigners said the move was the latest sign that the tide was turning against fracking, which has been the subject of multiple legal battles across the country. Critics of fracking say it poses environmental and health risks. Drilling at the UKs only operational fracking site, run by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, has repeatedly been halted due to earth tremors. But ministers support the industry and last year unveiled plans to accelerate the development of new drilling sites Ross Wills Environment news in pictures Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling in its waters from next year Japan will resume commercial whaling next year for the first time in more than three decades, in a move that has provoked strong criticism from campaigners and the international community. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said his nation would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting the marine mammals in Japanese waters. However, he stated the activity would be limited to Japans territory and the 200 mile exclusive economic zone along its coasts. This means controversial scientific trips to Antarctica in which Japanese vessels killed hundreds of whales, as well as activity in the northwest Pacific, will stop in 2019 AP Environment news in pictures COP24: Environmental groups criticise morally unacceptable climate deal reached after major Poland summit Diplomats from around the world have agreed a major climate deal after two weeks of United Nations talks in Poland. But climate campaigners warned the deal effectively a set of rules for how to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord agreed between almost 200 countries lacked ambition or a clear promise of enhanced climate action. Activists cautiously welcomed elements of the plan, saying important progress had been made on ensuring that efforts to tackle climate change by individual nations can be measured and compared. But environmental groups were also highly critical of the agreement, warning it lacked ambition and clarity on key issues, including financing for climate projects for developing countries. The COP24 deal, which is aimed at providing firm guidelines for countries on how to transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them, was confirmed on 15 December, after talks overran Reuters Environment news in pictures Unprecedented changes needed to stop global warming as UN report reveals islands starting to vanish and coral reefs dying Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut almost in half by 2030 to avert global environmental catastrophe, including the total loss of every coral reef, the disappearance of Arctic ice and the destruction of island communities, a landmark UN report has concluded. Drawing on more than 6,000 scientific studies and compiled over two years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings, released this morning, warn enormous and rapid changes to the way everyone on Earth eats, travels and produces energy need to be brought in immediately. Though the scientists behind the report said there is cause for optimism, they recognised the grim reality that nations are currently nowhere near on track to avert disaster AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures Africas three biggest elephant poaching cartels exposed using DNA from illegal ivory shipments DNA taken from massive shipments of ivory has been used to identify the three largest wildlife trafficking gangs operating at the height of Africas elephant poaching epidemic. Ivory tends to be shipped around the world from African ports in bulk, and scientists have used genetic evidence gleaned from intercepted batches to reveal their origins. Led by Dr Samuel Wasser from the University of Washington, they traced a number of these shipments to three cartels operating out of Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Evidence collected by Dr Wasser has already helped convict ivory kingpin Feisal Mohamed Ali, and as his team joins the dots between shipments they plan to shore up the cases against more of the continents most prolific smugglers Art Wolfe Yellowstone Park currently contains around 4,900 bison. If the population expands the animals tend to take part in winter migration in search of food. The reduction will also involve hunting, slaughter and placing animals into quarantine for relocation. According to Yellowstone, due to high rates of survival and reproduction, the bison population is currently increasing by 10 to 17% per year. Their website states: We understand that many people are uncomfortable with the practice of capture and slaughter. We are too, but there are few options at this time. CBS Sunday Morning contributing videographer Judy Lehmberg reported: Yellowstone managers have tried to deal with the large bison population for years, while at the same time attempting to appease both those who don't want any bison killed, and the hunters, ranchers and some locals who want the population controlled. Last August, Yellowstone announced that 55 male bison were transported to Fort Peck Indian Reservation in central Montana, where a fenced area has been designated for them. Montana Indian tribes have been requesting "surplus" bison from Yellowstone to repopulate their reservations for years, CBS reported. The transfer of the bison to Fort Peck was considered as a historic step for bison conservation. The transfer of these bison is the culmination of years of work by the NPS, the Tribes, the State of Montana, and APHIS, said Superintendent Cam Sholly. Quarantine is a critical component in bison management and the NPS is committed to expand and sustain this program. An 11-year-old Star Wars fan has received an R2-D2 bionic limb and been able to show it off to Luke Skywalker himself. Bella Tadlock, from Florida, raised almost $14,000 (11,000) for her bionic Hero Arm, created by Bristol-based company Open Bionics, which aims to "turn disabilities into superpowers". The school girls fundraiser caught the eye of Star Wars actor Mark Hamill in November when he retweeted her appeal to his 3.6 million followers. Now, Bella has became the first person in the US to receive the advanced multi-grip arm in the style of her favourite character, R2-D2. The Star Wars fan even got the chance show off her new arm to Mark during a Skype call, where she demonstrated picking up a bottle with her new hand. That is great - that is so fantastic. I'm so happy that you were able to have this happen for you," Mark said. I heard youre a Star Wars fan but I have to tell you Im a big fan of yours. He continued: Im so so proud of you. They call it a 'Hero Arm' because you really are a hero. May the Force be with you always. The arm, which works by picking up signals from muscles in the residual limb, is one of several hero arms manufactured by Open Bionics. Bella raised almost $14,000 (11,000) for her bionic 'Hero Arm' (PA) The company has a royalty-free licensing agreement with Lucasfilm to produce Star Wars cover designs for their range of bionic arms. Speaking about her new prosthetic arm, Bella said: I now have two hands I am so excited. I will be able to ride my bike, create in the kitchen and be like my friends. To be able to bend my fingers and pick things up is a dream come true. The Star Wars fan showed off her new arm to actor Mark Hamill on Skype (PA) Bella was born without fingers on her right hand and with her left arm shorter than her right. After several operations, she now has three fingers and a thumb on her right hand, but wanted a non-surgical option for her left hand. Bella's mother, Pamela Tadlock, described her daughters new arm as completely life-changing. Bella's mother has described the new bionic arm as 'life-changing' (PA) Since Isabella was adopted at a few weeks old she has overcome huge obstacles and endured many surgeries, she said. Now she has a hand, with no surgery and no pain. I'm so grateful to Open Bionics and Hanger Clinic. Bella likes Luke Skywalker because he lost a hand and was adopted like her. Samantha Payne, co-founder Open Bionics, said that the company is delighted that Bella loves her new R2-D2 arm. Its fantastic that Mark Hamill, who is a role model to limb-different children worldwide, is so proactive in letting these kids know that they have the admiration and support of one of the galaxy's biggest heroes." Never been seen before. Thats the stark warning from the World Health Organization (WHO) as the deadly coronavirus continues to spike outside of mainland China and spread globally. Almost nine times as many cases were reported in a 24-hour period beyond China than inside, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed. He added that the risk of coronavirus spreading was now very high at a "global level". Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned the world is in "uncharted territory" (AP) He said outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan were the greatest concern, but there is evidence surveillance methods are working in South Korea, the worst-affected country outside China, and the epidemic can be contained there. "We are in uncharted territory we have never seen before a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission but at the same time which can also be contained with the right measures," he told a news briefing in Geneva on Monday. UK war room The warning comes as Boris Johnson is expected to set out the UK governments plan for containing the outbreak on Tuesday, vowing officials are ready to take necessary steps to contain coronavirus and protect the vulnerable. The plan is expected to include a war room to bring together communications experts and scientists from across Government and the NHS to roll out a public information campaign. Other measures could see people discouraged from unnecessary travel, workers urged to stay at home, and retired doctors and nurses asked to return to work to help deal with patients. It is understood potential plans could include getting volunteers into public services to help out with things like delivering food to hospital patients. Other measures could include cancelling events, and giving Border Force officials powers to act if they spot people with the virus. Areas with confirmed cases of coronavirus (PA) NHS cant cope However, many doctors are concerned the NHS is not well prepared for a coronavirus outbreak. While Johnson has insisted the country is ready with a fantastic health service, the Doctors Association UK said less than 1% agree. Story continues Dr Rinesh Parmar, chairman of the group which describes itself as a campaigning and lobbying organisation made up solely of UK doctors, said there is a fear an already-stretched NHS will not cope if there is a sudden increase in coronavirus cases. He told the Guardian: The truth is the NHS has already been brought to its knees and many doctors fear that our health system simply wont cope in the event of influx of coronavirus patients. With nearly 10,000 doctor vacancies and 43,000 nurse vacancies (in the NHS in England) the NHS is already understaffed to deal with demand. A&E waiting times are the worst on record. Intensive care units are at capacity and are even struggling to admit patients who are critically unwell or awaiting cancer surgery. World responds to global surge The fight against the coronavirus should become a bridge for peace, Tedros added during his press conference, commending the US for supporting sending medical aid to Iran despite the tension between them. Elsewhere, finance ministers of the G7 group of leading industrialised democracies are expected to hold a conference call on Tuesday to discuss measures to deal with the economic impact, three sources told Reuters. The global death toll itself is now thought to be up to 3,044. Commuters wearing masks on a Tokyo train (AP) Outside China, the virus has in recent days spread rapidly, now to 53 countries, with more than 6,500 cases and over 100 deaths. The number of dead in Italy has jumped by 18 to 52. Latvia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Morocco reported cases for the first time, bringing the total to more than 60 countries with the illness known as Covid-19. South Korea had 26 deaths and reported another 599 infections on Monday, taking its tally to 4,335 following the country's biggest daily jump on Saturday. Of the new cases in South Korea, 377 were from the city of Daegu, home to a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, to which most of South Korea's cases have been traced. Some members of the church visited China's Wuhan city, where the disease emerged. The Seoul government asked prosecutors to launch a murder investigation into leaders of the church amid allegations they did not co-operate to stop the spread of the virus. China closes coronavirus hospitals as cases drop Wuhan, at the centre of the epidemic in Hubei province, shut the first of 16 specially built hospitals after it discharged its last recovered patients, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported. News of the closure coincided with a steep fall in new cases in Hubei, but China remained on alert for people returning home with the virus from other countries. The virus broke out in Wuhan late last year and has since infected more than 86,500 people, mostly in China. Additional reporting by Tom Flanagan Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to always keep national interest above the party. The Prime Minister made the remarks at the BJPs Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday. National interest is above the party. We all work for national interest. Some are working for their parties instead of national interest. Vikas (development) is our mantra; peace, unity and harmony are prerequisites for development, the Prime Minister said, attacking the Opposition parties. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh and Union Minister Smriti Irani are also in attendance at the meeting. The Opposition has been targeting the BJP-led government at the Centre over the recent Delhi violence which has claimed the lives of 46 people and left more than 200 injured. The second half of Parliaments Budget Session that resumed on Monday saw repeated adjournments in both houses of Parliament over the issue of violence in Delhi. Members of the Congress party, including its Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Gaurav Gogoi, Manickam Tagore and SU Thirunavukkarasar, pressed for adjournment motions, to discuss the Delhi riots which the party described as a communal conflagration. In all, 23 notices of adjournment were filed by Opposition members. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, then carried out a protest outside the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, demanding the resignation of Union home minister Amit Shah. The Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) members, too, filed adjournment motions. The violence broke out last week between the two groups supporting and protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) act or CAA, another issue used by the Opposition to target government. The Opposition has accused the government of dividing the country on religious lines through CAA, which seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring countries. The government, however, hit back, saying the Opposition is spreading lies and accuse them trying to fanning communal tension. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A sixth person has tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel where British holidaymakers have been trapped. But authorities say the person is not linked to the Italian group that sparked the lockdown and refused to reveal the sex and nationality of the new patient. They are now trying to work out how infection could have occurred. The new patient is not showing any of the classic symptoms of the virus but has been transferred to hospital to be quarantined. It came as Britons cleared of infection were free to leave and landed at Manchester airport last night. Five Italians from the hotel are already in isolation in hospital, including the doctor who sparked the alert at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in the south of Tenerife. A spokesman for the regional health authority confirmed yesterday evening: 'This latest case is a guest at the hotel who was being monitored but does not belong to the initial group of Italians. It came as Britons cleared of infection were free to leave and landed at Manchester airport last night A bus carrying British tourists coming from the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel to the airport yesterday afternoon A sixth person has tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel where British holidaymakers have been trapped (guest gives the thumbs up from the window of the hotel) 'An investigation is underway to determine the source of the infection. 'As with the other five, this person has been transferred to a hospital to be quarantined. 'The other people who have tested positive remains in a good state of health.' Regional health chiefs also confirmed 193 people had left the hotel by 6pm local time yesterday. They include locals living on the island and foreign holidaymakers who had tested negative for coronavirus and were showing no symptoms of the virus. British holidaymakers who checked into the H10 Costa Adeje Palace after the first Italians to test positive were taken to hospital, were given permission to start leaving on Thursday. Passengers on flight LS9010 from Tenerife landed at Manchester last night, and were pictured walking through arrivals wearing face masks. Passengers on flight LS9010 from Tenerife landed at Manchester last night, and were pictured walking through arrivals wearing face masks On Sunday regional health chiefs said tourists who checked in after February 24 could leave as long as they fulfilled three key conditions which included their home countries 'guaranteeing' their safe return and their continued monitoring (arrivals at Manchester airport last night) Those who were already in the hotel when the Italians were still there, were initially told they must stay till March 9. But on Sunday regional health chiefs said tourists who checked in after February 24 could leave as long as they fulfilled three key conditions which included their home countries 'guaranteeing' their safe return and their continued monitoring. A spokesman on the island said: 'They can leave the hotel and fly home as long as they fulfil these three conditions. 'The conditions are that they must be showing no symptoms of the virus, test negative in an analysis carried out 24 hours earlier, and their home nations must establish their return mechanisms and guarantee the continuity of their treatment once they return.' More than 120 people now have coronavirus in Spain. Madrid is the worst affected area with 29 cases. These days, when you think of scandals in the royal family, you probably think about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry abruptly announcing their decision to step away from their duties or Prince Andrews friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and connected abuse allegations. These may be the most recent scandals to take over headlines, but the Queen has some history with shocking secrets of her own. These days, the Queen is generally seen as the one trying to keep her family out of the headlines and maintain the utmost image of decorum and respect for their royal standing. Years ago, though, the Queen was at the heart of a relationship scandal that kept her engagement as far from the public eye as possible. Queen Elizabeth II | Victoria Jones WPA Pool/Getty Images Princess Elizabeth had a crush on an older boy When little Princess Elizabeth met her third cousin, Prince Philip of Greece, she developed a crush. Nevermind that she was only 13 years old and he was 18. In 1939, the royal family was visiting the Royal Naval College, and there was an outbreak of mumps and chickenpox. Prince Philip was a cadet at the time, and he was luckily healthy. He was tasked with keeping young Princess Elizabeth and her little sister Princess Margaret entertained during the visit. The next day, he joined the royal family on their yacht and continued to impress Elizabeth as he dined on shrimp and a banana split (hopefully not at the same time!) She developed an unrequited crush on the young man. They developed a relationship 6 years later In 1943, Prince Philip was serving in World War II as a part of the British Royal Navy. He carried a picture of Princess Elizabeth with him during the war. Meanwhile, she had a picture of him on her mantel. After the war, the pair had a chance to explore their relationship in earnest. They had outings to the theater and fell for one another. When Princess Elizabeth was just 20 years old, Prince Philip asked her to marry him. Rashly, the future Queen accepted his proposal without even asking for her parents permission. Prince Philip was seen as an unacceptable match While Princess Elizabeths father ultimately gave his blessing to the engagement, he asked that they keep the news secret for a year. He wanted his daughter to be at least 21 before the public caught wind of this relationship. Meanwhile, other members of the royal family were aghast. Though also of royal lineage, Prince Philips upbringing had been filled with hardship. At the time of his birth, Prince Philip was sixth in line to the Greek throne. When Prince Philip was still a baby, his uncle was forced to abdicate the throne following the Greco-Turkish War. Prince Philips father was accused of treason for his work with the army, and the family fled in exile to Paris. His family was soon scattered across the lands. His mother was absent for much of his childhood after suffering a nervous breakdown, and his sisters were married to German aristocrats. Even after the young Prince found some stability with his mothers family members, his life was marked by tragedy. One of his sisters perished alongside her husband and children in a plane crash when Prince Philip was only 16. A few months later, his guardian uncle died of cancer at only 46. All of this history meant that many saw Prince Philip as an outsider, poor, and unaccustomed to a life of royal expectations. Many saw him as an unsuitable match for Princess Elizabeth. Princess Elizabeth was determined to marry Despite the misgivings, Princess Elizabeth was determined to marry as she wished. Prince Philip gave up his titles and claim to the throne and became naturalized as a British citizen. He also agreed to not invite any of his sisters to the wedding. Their German husbands were a sore point for Brits so close to the war. When Princess Elizabeths father fell ill and ultimately died at the untimely age of 56, the young couples life changed dramatically. At this point, Queen Elizabeth rose to the throne, and Prince Philip became royal consort. These days, the couple has been such a long-standing part of the royal family that its hard to believe their relationship started in secrecy and scandal! The chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty (pictured), urged vulnerable individuals to consider the 'practicalities' of where they are travelling Pensioners were today warned they should think twice about going on holiday to coronavirus-hit countries with 'very weak' health services. The chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, urged vulnerable individuals to consider the 'practicalities' of where they are travelling. The advice came as Prof Whitty took questions at a press conference alongside Boris Johnson and UK chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance. Prof Whitty and Sir Patrick played down the risk to healthy Britons of going abroad, with the chief scientist pointing out that if coronavirus spreads in the UK it 'doesn't make any sense to say you are at more risk anywhere else than you are here'. But Prof Whitty said there were a few countries where pensioners and the vulnerable should be wary of travelling to. 'If you happen to be in a place with a very weak health service at the peak of their epidemic, weaker than the NHS, that obviously might be more problematic,' he said. 'They might want to think through the practicalities of being in a place that has a health service that is weaker than the NHS.' Prof Whitty stressed that although the elderly are at higher risk from coronavirus, the 'great majority' survive. 'Even for the highest risk group, the great majority of people will survive this. 'If you look at the Chinese data, if you take the very oldest people, the great majority survive.' He added: 'If you're talking about the low-risk groups, the rate of mortality is well below 1 per cent.' Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 14:45 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067f6fff 1 National Islam,haj,umrah,umrah-pilgrims,coronavirus,Saudi-Arabia,suspension,travel-ban,pilgrims,pilgrimage,COVID-19 Free The government has promised thousands of Indonesian Muslims, whose planned pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia have been canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, to reschedule their trips at no extra costs. An average 1,500 Indonesians go on the offseason pilgrimage, the umrah, each day. On Friday, the Saudi kingdom put Indonesia on a list of countries whose citizens are barred from visiting the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina amid the rapid spread of the 2019-nCoV virus around the world. The sudden decision left thousands of Indonesians stranded, some on their way to Saudi Arabia, others checked in at airports, and yet others after already arriving there. Thousands more who have booked and paid for their trips now face uncertainty, as the kingdom has not stated any timeframe for the travel ban on the two cities. Rather than offering refunds, umrah tour operators promised their clients to reschedule the trips. Saudi Airlines, one of the carriers that serves Indonesian pilgrims, has promised to refund their tickets in full. The Saudi decision is hurting tour operators that have tapped into the lucrative umrah business. The Religious Affairs Ministry, which oversees the operators, has asked them to absorb the financial losses rather than passing them on to the clients. Rescheduling trips rather than returning the money would allow operators to keep the cash to help them through the slump during the coronavirus outbreak, according to the Association of Indonesia Haj and Umrah Organizations (Amphuri). Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi said on Monday that the government had struck a deal with Saudi Arabia that would allow the pilgrims to reapply for their visas at no additional cost when the temporary ban is lifted. As soon as the Saudis gave the notice on Friday, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy met on Friday with representatives of the Transportation Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the Religious Affairs Ministry, airlines and umrah and haj organizer associations. Both tour operators and airlines agreed they would not charge pilgrims any additional fees, Fachrul told reporters on Monday. He did not specify the airlines. Many local and international carriers profit from the growing number of Indonesian umrah pilgrims. Besides Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Air, Oman Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai International, Malaysian Airlines and Turkish Airlines fly Indonesian pilgrims each day. Association of Indonesia Haj and Umrah Organizations (Amphuri) secretary-general Firman M. Nur said hotels and caterers in Saudi Arabia had agreed on rescheduling the arrangements at no additional cost. Our association can accept Saudi policies to put the safety of pilgrims first, because the coronavirus is very dangerous and spreading rapidly, Firman said. He acknowledged the umrah operators would be severely hurt if the ban went on indefinitely. Operators sent around 1,500 pilgrims on the umrah every day, or 45,000 a month, Firman said. If we calculate the most affordable umrah package, which costs around Rp 20 million (US$1,400), operators could lose Rp 2 trillion every month, he said. Saudi Arabia welcomes nearly 7 million umrah pilgrims every year. Indonesia sent the second-largest number of umrah pilgrims last year with 443,879 arrivals, according to the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry. In first place was Pakistan with more than 770,000 pilgrims. Even assuming the ban was lifted at the end of this month, it is unlikely that operators could send pilgrims whose trips have been rescheduled so soon. Between April and August, all hotels are likely to be fully booked, as it is the peak period between Ramadan and the haj session. Saudi Arabia welcomes around 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world during the haj season. Indonesia as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world is given the highest quota, 230,000 pilgrims. We sincerely pray and hope that this coronavirus can be eliminated and the disease can be cured soon, so that economic activity and peoples worship to the holy land will not be disturbed, Firman said. (mfp) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 02:44:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday discussed with top military officials the recent security developments in the country, the Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement. The meeting was attended by Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohamed Zaki and Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid, the statement said. Sisi was briefed on the overall security situation across Egypt, as well as the security measures and plans implemented by the armed forces to pursue and arrest terrorists who attempt to destabilize the country, especially in North Sinai. Sisi praised the efforts of the armed forces to achieve security and stability through conducting anti-terror operations in cooperation with the police. He stressed the need for the armed forces to continue to show the highest level of caution and combat readiness to implement any tasks entrusted to them to protect Egypt's national security, in light of the current challenges that hit the region. Egypt has been fighting against a wave of terror attacks that have killed hundreds of policemen, soldiers and civilians since the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the crackdown on his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Most of the attacks were claimed by a Sinai-based terrorist group loyal to the Islamic State. Enditem Below is a recap of the Editorial Boards endorsements for several races in todays primary elections for Democrats and Republicans that we believe are especially important to local voters. In some cases, the winners of these contests will face off against each other in the general election in November. In others, the opposing party is not running a candidate. Please vote today if you did not vote early! REPUBLICANS U.S. Senate John Cornyn. He is expected to win his primary race easily against four minor challengers, but Democrats think he is vulnerable in November. Cornyn could strengthen his chances and help his country by standing up more often to President Donald Trump when he departs from conservative principles, which he unfortunately does too often. Jefferson County sheriff David Odom. Two retired lawmen are running for this position, but we think Odom has the better background to take on the challenges of this job. He served as a military policeman in the Marine Corps, and then worked for the Nederland Police Department for 25 years before retiring last year. In Nederland, Odom rose from patrolman to detective and patrol supervisor. He was a sergeant for 20 of his 25 years with the department. Thats a good background for sheriff. Also running is Emil Serda, a former Jefferson County sheriffs deputy who retired when Mitch Woods term ended four years ago. He has worked in the oil business since then in a management position. Orange County judge John Gothia. Hes the former county commissioner who was selected for this job by his colleagues to fill the seat left open when Dean Crooks abruptly resigned last year. Gothia is far and away more qualified for this important job than his opponent. He has a vast depth and breadth of knowledge about Orange County and what it needs to grow in coming years. The county is facing its biggest opportunity in decades with the possible expansion of the Chevron Phillips facility; it could bring hundreds of good-paying permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs. This is the most important issue for every public official in the county getting that plant here and making sure the tax abatement deal is as fair as possible. Gothia is better positioned than almost anyone to lock this down and end the years of stagnation that have plagued Orange County. Also running is Ernest Bayard, a 77-year-old blueberry farmer who lacks the management experience that is vital to this job. Orange County sheriff Rob Strause. Two good candidates are running for this job to replace the retiring Keith Merritt, but we think Strause edges out current Precinct 4 Constable Jimmy Mooney. Strause has worked in several local law enforcement positions, including the sheriffs department. He has served a term as an elected constable, meaning he has experience leading people and managing a public budget. Strause understands that the sheriff and all elected officials have to do the best they can with the resources they have in a county with a tight budget. He knows that the county faces special threats from methamphetamines and game rooms and wants to fight these problems aggressively. Strause says his deputies should be a bit tired after a busy and productive shift, and thats a good attitude for any sheriff. DEMOCRATS Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Party Joseph Paul Trahan. This contest has not one candidate but three, unusual competition for a party chairman in the county. The position came open when Cade Bernsen resigned. Interim chair Ava Y. Graves is running for the rest of this term, and Paul M. Martin wants the job as well. Any one of these candidates could serve; each one has commendable strengths. But Trahan stands out with his determination to grow the party by reaching out more to young voters and the emerging Hispanic population. His family has a history in Jefferson County politics, and hes one of the all-too-rare group of young men and women who returned to this area after graduating from college elsewhere. He wants a chairman or chairwoman for every precinct in the county, and not just from the Beaumont area. Trahan understands that in a closely divided county, Democrats must turn out all of their voters to win elections. U.S. Senate Amanda K. Edwards. This is one of the most crowded contests on the primary ballot, with no less than 12 Democrats vying for the chance to take on incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the fall. A runoff election is likely, and Democrats would do well to make sure that Edwards is in that final pairing. Shes a member of the Houston City Council and brings real energy and enthusiasm to this contest. Edwards is an attorney who understands the lawmaking process. Her focus on goals like better health care and more economic opportunities for Texans are issues that Senate candidates need to be talking about. Shes serving now on a nonpartisan city council and says that background will help her work with Republicans in Washington on the many issues that both parties care about. President Michael Bloomberg. This is an unconventional choice for Democrats, but it may take an unconditional candidate to defeat a resurgent President Trump in November. None of the current group of presidential candidates has stood out so far as a unifying candidate who can win, even though many of them have good ideas about improving our country. If the party chooses democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, it will almost certainly doom any chances of winning. Bloomberg is a brash billionaire from New York just like the current president. Hes on the moderate side of Democratic politics, but thats what the party needs to attract swing voters who defected to Trump in 2016 or just stayed home. With the withdrawals of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, the candidacy of Joe Biden looks more appealing to moderate Democrats. Bloomberg is a moderate too, but either one of these candidates would give the party a solid chance to win in November. And make no mistake about it, that must be the No. 1 priority for Democrats in choosing a nominee. Donald Trump is going to come out swinging hard against whoever runs against him in the fall, throwing in plenty of personal insults along with the policy differences. Democrats need someone who can stand up to this onslaught and fight back when needed. Bloomberg has the personal fortune to take on this challenge, and Biden has the resume. Any Democrat thinking about voting for Sanders must decide whether a noble defeat in November is better than a pragmatic win. We think that choice should be easy. Key Highlights: Strong continued growth of Travelan sales reported in all markets Global sales reached USD $1.1 million (AUD $1.68 million) for first half FY 2020 up 55% from first half FY 2019 North American Travelan sales up by 98% YoY in the first half of FY20 IMM-124E/Travelan US registration strategy - Pre-IND meeting completed with the U.S. FDA USD $3.7 (AUD $5.5) million non-dilutive funding approved by US Department of Defense to develop and clinically evaluate a new therapeutic targeting Campylobacter and ETEC FDA strategy updated for clinical development of IMM-529 U.S. Department of Defense Travelan Shigellosis animal study results reported Three new Shigella drug product candidates commence preclinical evaluation by WRAIR Research and development tax concession refund paid MELBOURNE, Australia, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immuron Limited (ASX: IMC; NASDQ: IMRN), an Australian biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing oral immunotherapeutics for the treatment of gut mediated diseases, today announced an update of its results for the first half of fiscal year 2020 ended on December 31, 2019. Travelan enjoys continued high growth in all markets Immuron experienced robust gross sales growth in the US, Canada and Australia throughout the first half of FY20, with global sales reaching USD $1.1M* (AUD $1.68M*) during the 6-month period. North America sales of Travelan were up 98% YoY for the first half of FY20 from the first half of FY 2019, spurred on by the launch of Travelan in Canadian pharmacies in June 2019 and also by robust growth in online Amazon sales within the US. Passport Health, the USAs largest travel medicine provider, also contributed to the strong result, with Travelan sales rising by 27% from first half FY 2019 within the Passport Health network of clinics. A series of podcasts on the Not old, better network assisted in raising consumer awareness of Travelan in the US. In Australia, Immuron sales reached USD $622K* (AUD $954K*) for the first half FY20, displaying a 33% YoY growth rate. Travelan strengthened its presence in Australian pharmacies with in-store promotional material and TV advertising with Chemist Warehouse. Immurons participation in Medical Practitioner conferences also contributed to increased awareness of Travelan within the medical community. FDA registration for clinical development of IMM-124E/Travelan to prevent travelers diarrhea underway In April 2019, Immuron announced plans to pursue clinical development of IMM-124E through a formal FDA registration pathway as a drug to prevent travelers diarrhea (TD). This is an important strategic initiative towards enhancing commercialisation of the IMM-124E/Travelan franchise. On November 21, 2019, the company announced that it had completed a Pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its investigational drug IMM-124E to treat travelers diarrhea (TD). Following the FDAs guidance and feedback, the company announced plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application for IMM-124E, and to conduct a Phase 3 trial of IMM-124E to prevent TD in individuals traveling to areas endemic for TD. Immuron believes that success with the clinical trial, followed by a BLA filing with the FDA, and successful FDA approval of IMM-124E to specifically prevent travelers diarrhea could lead to substantial increases in sales of an FDA-approved drug to treat travelers diarrhea. Once shown to work, and successfully approved, we believe IMM-124E would be the first and only FDA approved prophylactic effective against acute infectious diarrhea. Overall, diarrhea leads to an estimated 1.5 billion episodes a year globally, killing about 2.2 million people, mostly children in developing countries. Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) grant funded to develop and clinically evaluate new therapeutic against Campylobacter On October 2, 2019, Immuron announced funding by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) of a new research agreement with Americas Naval Medical Research Centre (NMRC), a research arm of the DoD, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, to develop a combined Campylobacter and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)-specific drug candidate for clinical evaluation. Under this agreement, Immuron and NMRC will be collaborating on the manufacture and evaluation of the new product candidate designed to protect against travelers diarrhea caused by Campylobacter and ETEC pathogens. The protective efficacy of the candidate product will be evaluated utilizing two controlled human infection-model clinical trials, with one trial focusing on the ability of the hyperimmune product to protect volunteers against moderate to severe campylobacteriosis, and the second trial focusing on preventing ETEC-specific diarrhea. Positive results for U.S. DoD study on Travelan and Vibrio cholera A prior study conducted during the previous year showed Travelans immuno-reactivity to infectious Vibrio cholera strains from Southeast Asia. The U.S. Department of Defense sponsored the project conducted at the Bangkok laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Clinical isolates were collected from infected U.S. personnel stationed in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand. The new study found Travelans polyclonal antibodies were reactive to all 71 clinical isolates from infected participants. The 71 add on to the 180 isolates of Campylobacter spp, ETEC, and Shigella spp from the earlier 2018 study. The results, along with findings from primate shigellosis studies, point towards Travelan as a potentially effective immuno-prophylactic for travelers diarrhea caused by these pathogens. American depository shares (ADS) capital raise completed In July 2019, the company successfully completed a USD $1.24 million (AUD $1.9 million) public offering of American Depository Shares (ADS). Immuron issued 339,130 ADSs, equivalent to 13,565,200 fully paid ordinary shares. The proceeds will go towards clinical development of our therapeutic drug candidates, as well as for working capital. ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management, were the underwriters for the financing. IMM-124E trial in SAH patients leads to decision to discontinue further development of IMM-124E in this and similar indications In August 2019, the results from a Phase II clinical study in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH), conducted under FDA IND #015675 and funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), were released. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IMM-124E at two oral dosage levels as compared with a placebo in patients with SAH and with all patients also being treated with steroids. The data showed that IMM-124E did not reduce circulating lipopolysaccharide levels, mortality or have an impact on MELD score in the study population. Further clinical development of IMM-124E to treat SAH and similar indications has been discontinued. IMM-529 trial in patients with C. difficile infection (CDI) In March 2019, Immuron provided an update regarding the status of the IMM-529 clinical trial in patients with CDI, along with a refocusing of its efforts to develop IMM-529. The Phase I/IIa clinical trial of IMM-529 in patients with CDI initiated at the end of 2017 at two clinics in Israel exhibited poor patient enrollment, with only nine patients being randomized into a study planned to enroll 60 patients. Immuron decided to close these sites and to focus further development of IMM-529 to treat CDI patients through a formal filing of an IND with FDA, and to develop a new plan for development of the drug candidate to treat patients subject to recurrent disease, a major unmet medical need in the treatment of patients suffering with C. difficile infections. The company plans to file a Type B meeting request with FDA to explore further development of IMM-529. U.S. Department of Defenses Travelan Shigellosis animal study results reported In June 2019, we updated the market on the Shigella research program with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Shigella is the bacterium responsible for the onset of bacillary dysentery, and a major concern for armed forces personnel located in high risk areas for this disease throughout the world. The study results demonstrated that animals with severe inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and high inflammatory cytokines in fecal samples were associated with severe bacillary dysentery, and that those animals treated with prophylactic administration of Travelan significantly reduced the inflammatory response. Preclinical Evaluation of three new Shigella drug products In the same June 2019 announcement, we reported the completion of the manufacture of three new Shigella-specific therapeutic products using proprietary vaccines developed by WRAIR. The immune reactivity of the three hyper-immune Shigella-specific bovine colostrum products have been assessed by WRAIR using ELISA and Western Blot analysis. The antibodies in these products were shown to react with the specific antigens present in the vaccines and were also reactive to four different clinical isolates of Shigella (S. flexneri 2a, S. flexneri 3a, S. flexneri 6, and S. sonnei). These three Immuron Shigella-specific therapeutic products are now undergoing further evaluation in WRAIRs preclinical models of shigellosis, with results expected to be reported throughout this year. Research and development tax concession refund paid The Australian government has paid Immuron a cash refund of USD $345,560 (AUD $530,000) as part of its Research and Development Income Tax Concession program. Immuron CEO, Dr. Gary S. Jacob, said We are pleased to report continued sales momentum globally for Travelan as consumer awareness continues to grow. Our work toward FDA registration remains ongoing and we believe it provides a further boost to our long-term sales potential. Cash flow from increasing Travelan sales, combined with our successful ADS offering and non-dilutive tax concession R&D refund, provide a solid foundation to move our development programs with IMM-529 and IMM-124E forward. We will provide further updates as these and other in-house programs progress. *Unaudited gross revenue COMPANY CONTACT: Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer Ph: +61 (0)3 9824 5254 info@immuron.com AUS INVESTOR RELATIONS: Peter Taylor NWR Communications Ph: +61 (0)4 1203 6231 peter@nwrcommunications.com.au USA INVESTOR RELATIONS: Dave Gentry - CEO RedChip Companies, Inc. US Ph: +1 (407) 491 4498 dave@redchip.com About Travelan Travelan is an orally administered passive immunotherapy that prophylactically reduces the likelihood of contracting travelers diarrhea. Travelan is a highly purified tabletized preparation of hyper immune bovine antibodies and other factors, which when taken with meals bind to diarrhea-causing bacteria and prevent colonization and the pathology associated with travelers diarrhea. In Australia, Travelan is a listed medicine on the Australian Register for Therapeutic Goods (AUST L 106709) and is indicated to reduce the risk of Travelers Diarrhea, reduce the risk of minor gastro-intestinal disorders and is antimicrobial. In Canada, Travelan is a licensed natural health product (NPN 80046016) and is indicated to reduce the risk of Travelers Diarrhea. In the U.S., Travelan is sold as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection. About Travelers diarrhea Travelers diarrhea is a gastrointestinal infection with symptoms that include loose, watery (and occasionally bloody) stools, abdominal cramping, bloating, and fever, Enteropathogenic bacteria are responsible for most cases, with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) playing a dominant causative role. Campylobacter spp. are also responsible for a significant proportion of cases. The more serious infections with Salmonella spp. the bacillary dysentery organisms belonging to Shigella spp. and Vibrio spp. (the causative agent of cholera) are often confused with travelers diarrhea as they may be contracted while travelling and initial symptoms are often indistinguishable. About Immuron Immuron Limited (ASX: IMC, NASDAQ: IMRN), is an Australian biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing orally delivered targeted polyclonal antibodies for the treatment of inflammatory mediated and infectious diseases. Immuron has a novel and safe technology platform with one commercial asset generating revenue. In Australia, Travelan is a listed medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (AUST L 106709) and is indicated to reduce the risk of Travellers Diarrhea, reduce the risk of minor gastro-intestinal disorders and is antimicrobial. In Canada, Travelan is a licenced natural health product (NPN 80046016) and is indicated to reduce the risk of Travellers Diarrhea. In the U.S., Travelan is sold as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection in accordance with section 403 (r)(6) of the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Immurons lead clinical candidate, IMM-124E, is presently in Phase II trials in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis (SAH) and Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The company now has plans to develop a U.S. registration dossier for IMM-124E for Travellers Diarrhea. Immurons second clinical-stage asset, IMM-529, targets Clostridium difficile Infections (CDI), and is in clinical trial development in CDI patients. These products together with the Companys other preclinical immunotherapy pipeline products currently under development targeting immune-related and infectious diseases are anticipated to meet pressing needs in the global immunotherapy market. For more information visit: http://www.immuron.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release may contain 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, each as amended. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock value. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include: risks relating to our growth strategy; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; risks relating to the timing of starting and completing clinical trials; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. A suspected drunk driver drove his vehicle a Michigan home as three people slept inside, according to local authorities. The Ann Arbor Police shared in a Twitter post on Tuesday morning that they responded to a vehicle that crashed into a house. 'Residents were uninjured and the driver is being evaluated for minor injuries,' the department added in the post. The Ann Arbor Police shared in a Twitter post on Tuesday morning that they responded to a vehicle that crashed into a house Photos show the black vehicle practically hanging out one of the windows of the home. Glass and other debris can be seen strewn across the home. The driver, a 25-year-old man from Ann Arbor, crashed into the home near Carhart Avenue and Anderson Avenue just after midnight on Tuesday. Three people - including one child - were inside the home at the time of the crash Three people were inside the home at the time of the crash, including one child, WDIV reports. Police are waiting on blood tests to confirm whether the man was under the influence of alcohol. According to the Ann Arbor Fire Department, the house is not structurally sound. The Cabinet is due to meet today to discuss the response to the coronavirus and severe flooding in parts of the country. Elsewhere efforts continue to form a government ahead of the first sitting of the Dail later this week. Asserting that the US has done a "great job" in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump on Monday said it is now time for other countries to "get rid of those terrorists". The US and the Taliban signed a landmark deal in Doha on February 29 to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home from America's longest war. "We've done a great job in terms of getting rid of terrorists. Now it's up to other countries to get rid of those terrorists," Trump told reporters at the White House. Responding to questions, Trump reiterated that the US is pulling out its troops from Afghanistan. Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US has agreed to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 in the next 130 days and withdraw all its soldiers in 14 months. "We are getting out. We want to get out. We had good meetings with the Taliban. And we are going to be leaving, and we're going to be bringing our soldiers back home. We've been there for almost 20 years. It's a long time," Trump said. Also read: Donald Trump in India Day 2: 10 takeaways from Modi-Trump joint statement Also read: Trump's visit shows value US places on India ties, says Mike Pompeo Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 10:48 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067e6a13 4 Business labuan-bajo,tourism,Public-Works-and-Public-Housing-Ministry,Basuki-Hadimuljono,infrastructure Free The Public Works and Housing Ministry has stated that it will finish constructing several infrastructure projects in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), including roads and bridges, by end of the year. Out of the total Rp 1.31 trillion (US$92.2 million) budget, the ministry has allocated Rp 67.7 billion for building a water distribution system, including a coastal protection infrastructure on Rinca Island, and Rp 420 billion for building roads and bridges, including a port access road. Another Rp 646.3 billion has been allocated for infrastructure developments in the designated creative hub of Puncak Waringin, and Rp 174.5 billion will be used to build 315 houses in West Manggarai regency. The first thing that must be improved is the infrastructure, [and then] the amenities and events, and finally, massive promotion, public works minister Basuki Hadimuljono said on Sunday as quoted by tempo.co. "If the infrastructure is not [there], tourists will come only once and won't return. That's what we must manage properly, Basuki added. Read also: Virus spread starts to hit Indonesian tourism as foreign arrivals cool To reinforce infrastructure connectivity in Labuan Bajo, the ministry has signed a Rp 55.8 billion package comprising five projects, including building a 9.97-kilometer paved road with drainage. "This package is no joke, so everything must be readied with seriousness and later, we will discuss the details of the work [entailed] with all parties involved," said the head of the Kupang National Road Implementation Center (BPJN), Muktar Napitupulu. Read also: Indonesia introduces super-priority tourism destinations at ASEAN forum The ministry has also allocated Rp 6.39 trillion in infrastructure funds for four other destinations designated National Tourism Strategic Areas. The funding breaks down into Rp 1.35 trillion for Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Rp 2.31 trillion for Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Rp 903.4 billion for Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara and Rp 520 billion for Likupang in North Sulawesi. Labuan Bajo and the four other strategic areas are part of the 10 "New Bali" destinations that the government has targeted for development to increase foreign and domestic tourism. Tourism is expected to be a mainstay industry for generating foreign exchange, create jobs and drive the economy. (eyc) Delhi violence: Speaker Om Birla warns LS MPs of suspension following continues ruckus India oi-Mousumi Dash New Delhi, Mar 03: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday warned the MPs that they would be suspended for the rest of the session if they left their seats, this comes after some MPs continued to draw attention to the deadly communal violence that had claimed 47 lives in northeast Delhi last week. "No MP from Opposition or treasury should cross if he/she does I will suspend the entire session", said Om Birla. Meanwhile, both the Houses of Parliament have now been adjourned. Birla has asked floor leaders of all parties to resolve the issues that led to a scuffle between Congress and BJP MPs in Lok Sabha and warned that a repeat of what happened on Monday could lead to serious consequences. Birla chaired a meeting on Tuesday with the floor leaders of all parties to end the lock jam over the Delhi violence issue and told them to resolve the matter otherwise he would be forced to take action. Delhi violence: Crime branch to probe 47 murder cases After Parliament on Monday witnessed noisy scenes with the opposition protesting against the Modi government in both the houses over the violence in Delhi. The opposition demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday has called a meeting of leaders of all political parties as logjam over Delhi violence continues in the Parliament. Members from both sides lodged separate complaints with Speaker Om Birla accusing rival party MPs of misbehaviour. The House was adjourned several times on Monday. Birla, added that the senior members of the House should do their bit to ensure it runs smoothly. NICOSIA, Cyprus - Cyprus is seeing a surge of migrants after Turkeys president made good on a threat to stop intercepting people trying to reach Europe. Cyprus, a member of the European Union, is a mere 51 miles (83 kilometres) away from Turkey at its nearest point. Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said 223 migrants reached the islands south in the last 72 hours, 153 of them arriving Tuesday. Police said another boat ferrying 101 Syrian migrants reached Cypriot shores later Tuesday after setting sail from Mersin, Turkey. Certainly, this concerns us, and we want to see what measures we can take in order to guard against any change in the countrys demographic character but without discounting human suffering, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said. Under a 2016 agreement with the EU, Turkey tried to keep migrants and refugees from setting off for European shores in return for billions of euros in EU funding to care for Syrian refugees in Turkey. Government officials in ethnically divided Cyprus have accused Turkey for months of deliberately channeling migrants from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north to the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence. Although Cyprus is a EU member, only the south enjoys full membership benefits. Nouris said speeding up the asylum application process and getting the EU to take charge of negotiations with third countries were the key steps to make room for refugees fleeing conflicts while halting migrants only fleeing poverty. The number of economic migrants is no longer manageable, simply because our limits have been surpassed, Nouris said, adding that no one would be sent back to a country where their life would be in danger. Joy Ranch reopens under new ownership Joy Ranch near Watertown has reopened under new ownership. With the increasing concern of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and the Hamilton County Health Department continue to monitor the situation closely. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in Hamilton County as well as the state of Tennessee; however, everyone can take safety measures to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Preventative measures include: 1. Wash your hands often with soap & water. If soap & water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer. 2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 4. Stay home if you are sick to protect others. 5. Cover your cough or sneeze. 6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects. First responders, telecommunicators, and medical personnel have been briefed on the Coronavirus and have protocols in place to respond to any potential impacts to protect the safety of residents in Hamilton County. Everyone can play an important role in protecting each other by practicing clean and healthy habits and help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in Hamilton County. For more information on the Coronavirus, visit www.hamiltonready.org. All schools would need to ensure water tests below federal guidelines of 15 parts per billion (ppb), according to the bill. It exempts schools that have already done testing since 2016 -- either independently and found compliant, or through a free state-run testing program funded with federal money since 2017. With a substantial increase in cost of production of drugs in India and shortage of life-saving medicines looming large, the commerce ministry is holding a meeting with manufacturers and exporters of medicines, textiles, electronic devices and electrical machinery among others to assess the impact of coronavirus outbreak and explore alternative sources to help businesses. According to industry sources, the cost of production of medicines has increased upto 40% in the past fortnight but consumers are not feeling the heat due to price control of essential drugs by the government. The meeting chaired by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will discuss challenges and opportunities arising out of the coronavirus outbreak. The government will explore a sector-wise solution to industry problems. Import duty cuts are very much on the discussion table, according to sources attending the Tuesday's meeting. The government may reduce customs duty on pharma, electronic goods and other imports to help industry cope with the shortfall arising out of the crisis in China. An estimated 68% raw materials for pharmaceutical were imported from China in in the financial year 2019. Around 40% of India's electronic equipment came from China last year and 80% of solar cells and modules which absorb sunlight to generate electricity were shipped from the neighbouring country. India gets 14% of total imports from China. A slowdown in imports of inputs could have an impact on domestic production as India has a high dependency on China for manufacturing inputs. The sectors that already have held discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are information technology, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles health, telecom, metals, mobiles, edible oil and marine food among others. Among these, the sources said, chemicals, solar and pharma, have flagged potential price rise issues. Meanwhile, India has been getting queries from the European Union and the United States for textiles, homeware, ceramic tiles, engineering goods, furniture among others, seeking to replace China as a supplier. Boris Johnson today declared he will take paternity leave when his partner Carrie Symonds has their child. The couple announced at the weekend that they had become engaged, and are expecting their first child in the early summer - thought to be late May or early June. The timing immediately raised questions about whether he would be able to take a break, as his working schedule appears to be hectic. It includes a G7 summit in the US in June, and a crucial meeting with EU leaders on the post-Brexit trade deal the same month. Carrie Symonds announced at the weekend that she and Boris Johnson are having a baby and are engaged However, asked at a press conference in Downing Street today whether he would be taking paternity leave, Mr Johnson said: 'Almost certainly, yes.' The couple are the first unmarried one to live in Downing Street together for many years. They met when Miss Symonds worked on his successful bid for a second term as London Mayor in 2012, but were only linked romantically in 2018, shortly after his split from Miss Wheeler. They have made very few public appearances, with Miss Symonds often on the sidelines away from the rest of his family. Mr Johnson's former wife Marina Wheeler - with whom he has four children - has been granted a decree nisi, the initial stage of a divorce. However, it is not clear if she has a decree absolute - the second stage in the process. Miss Symonds, 31, is said to be keen on a home birth, which could mean the baby is born at No10 Downing Street or Chequers. Friends reportedly say Ms Wheeler is 'crushed' by her ex-husband's double announcement. A source told The Sun: 'Carrie has told Boris that a home birth is one thing she's very keen on. She likes to do things her way. 'She has a few options where she could have their firstborn. It could mean Downing Street, Chequers or even Chevening, Kent.' Only one in 50 women in England and Wales opt for home births. There are greater risks of complications, from 5 in every 1,000 births in hospital to 9 in every 1,000 at home. Asked at a press conference in Downing Street today whether he would be taking paternity leave, Mr Johnson said: 'Almost certainly, yes.' Volunteers Julian Shelby (R), Brittney Duran (C), and Natalie King assist voters at the Golden Hill Recreation Center, a polling place for the primary in San Diego on March 3, 2020. (Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images) Californias Jungle Primary System: Analysts Discuss Its Merits, Faults Californians entered the jungle on March 3the so-called jungle primaries. The states primaries are different than in most states. In the statewide and legislative races, as well as U.S. Senate and U.S. House races, voters have a variety of candidates to choose fromregardless of party affiliation. Its one of only a few states that conducts its primaries this way. It means that as a result of the primaries on March 3, Californians in some districts may have a choice between two Democrats and no Republicans on the November ballot. Orthough less likelytwo Republicans and no Democrats. The term jungle refers to a free-for-all where the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, go on to compete in the general election. The presidential race is an exception. Republican voters vote on Republican candidates. Voters who are registered as either Democrats or as having no party preference can vote for Democratic candidates. The jungle primary system has been in place since 2012, with the hope that it would give a greater variety of candidates a fighting chance and prevent partisan deadlock in the legislature. Every year, analysts keep an eye on the impacts this system actually has on elections and debate whether its doing what its supposed to. How It Began In 2009, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger backed the primary reform as a remedy for polarized politics, and as part of a concession to end a 100-day budget impasse. It went on the ballot in 2010, and voters supported it, so it took effect in 2012. The idea was that it would lead to more moderate choices. Democratic candidates would have to appeal to Republican voters as well as Democrats and Independents. Republicans would likewise have to appeal to voters outside their party. A file photo of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) In most races since the reform, it has turned out that one Democrat and one Republican emerge as the top two contenders anyway. But each time, in some districts, voters end up seeing same-party contests. And its usually a choice of two Democrats. In 2018, for example, voters could choose only between two Democrats for the U.S. Senate, Dianne Feinstein and Kevin de Leon. In three districts, voters had a choice between two Democrats for House seats. In one district, voters had a choice between two Republicans. And in five districts, voters had a choice between a Democrat and either a Green candidate or a non-partisan candidate. Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed dislike and praise for the system. Dislike of the System Short of rolling the dice or picking names out of a hat, there is no electoral system more likely to produce random results than the top-two primary, said Republican strategist Ron Nehring. In a recent interview with The Epoch Times, Nehringwho has opposed the primary reform from day onereiterated his stance, saying its been worse than people anticipated. He cited Californias last two U.S. Senate elections as examples. In 2016, the U.S. Senate election was also a choice between two Democrats, Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez. These were North Korean-style elections, he said. You can elect a Democrat or you can elect a Democrat. Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, said that jungle primaries are unfair because they have led to a one-party state and have depressed voter turnout. If a person doesnt really have a choice at the grassroots level in the congressional district, they just dont turn out, Hanson told The Epoch Times. An analysis by the Los Angeles Times after the 2018 primaries found that three races were passed over by millions of voters. In each, both hopefuls were Democrats and the under-vote was substantial. People cast their ballot at the South Whittier Community Resource Center in Whittier, Calif., for the presidential primary on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) The suggestion is that voters become apathetic in same-party races and they leave the ballots blank for those. Hanson said some Democratic candidates have appealed to would-be Republican voters by suggesting they are more Republican than their fellow Democrat contenders. But that this tactic is not representative of true Republican platforms. Their platforms still favor the Democratic agenda. Eric C. Bauman, former chair of the California Democratic Party, has long been vocal about his dislike of the system. Hes had to convince Democratic candidates to drop out of the races so as not to divide the Democrat vote across too many candidates. If Republican voters can unite behind one or two Republican candidates, they have a chance of shutting Democrats out in a district, even if Republican voters are a minority there. The Democrats have to ensure their votes arent spread too thinly between many candidates. Bauman told The New York Times in 2018 that the system had turned out about as poorly as I knew it would. Inevitably, we get blocked out of a few races, and they get blocked out of a few. Thats the way this thing works. I think it sucks, he told the Atlantic that year. Praise of the System Tony Quinn, a political analyst who served on the Fair Political Practices Commission for five years, supports the states top-two primary system. I think its the best thing that ever happened to California, Quinn told The Epoch Times. Now you give the people a real choice. I think it worked out well. I think the public likes it. What youre getting is a real contest when the majority of voters are Democratic. He acknowledged California is now a one-party state. He said, The vast majority of our districts are heavily Democratic, and its absolutely ridiculous in San Francisco to have a Republican in a run-off for a legislative district when Republicans are less than 10 percent of registered voters. Others have also made the argument that, under the old primary system, Republican voters would be guaranteed to have Republican candidates on the November ballot, but those candidates had little chance of actually being elected to office by voters in the blue state. On the other hand, with the top-two system, even if its a choice between two Democrats, one of those Democrats is more likely to be an acceptable choice for Republican voters while still having a chance of winning. At least in an open primary with the top two candidates moving forward, if you live in a Democratic district, it is very possible if not probable that the final two candidates will be Democrats. But at least if its a competitive race, you as a Republican have the option of voting for whichever one you find least objectionable, Democratic strategist Garry South told the San Diego Tribune in 2010. The key is its less extreme, said Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California, in an interview with NPR. So there are still Democrats that are getting elected in most statewide offices and most legislative districts, but those Democrats are just a little bit less liberal than the otherwise very liberal candidates who might have won in a different primary system. Former Republican lawmaker Mickey Edwards wrote in a 2012 editorial for the LA Times that Californias new system of balloting is a step toward armistice. This system is likely to favor moderates over party zealots and could lead, eventually, to a more functional legislature. GOP Now the Third Party Political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe said the jungle primaries have unfairly benefited the Democrats over the Republicans. Jeffe, a retired public policy professor at the University of Southern California, prefers traditional primaries in which each partys registered members vote on their own candidates and each party is represented on the general election ballot. I dont think its fair to have a top-two primary. Period, Jeffe told The Epoch Times. There are more no-party-preference voters in California than there are Republicans, she said. The Republicans are now the third party in California. California Republican Party Chairman Bryan Watkins told The Epoch Times, The Democrats had said this was a way for Independents and moderates to have more of a voice in the system. In his view, It hasnt had that effect. Voter turnout is usually higher in the general election than the primaries, and higher still in presidential election years. In 2018, about 7 million voters participated in Californias primaries, or about 28 percent of eligible voters. In the general election, over 12 million Californians, or about 50 percent of eligible voters, cast ballots. That means the lower proportion of voters who get out for the primaries are deciding in some districts whether those House seats will be taken by Democrats or Republicans. That choice is made before the larger portion of voters get out for the general elections in November. Jeffe said its unfair, but where in the rules book does it say you have to play fair? Its politics. " " What are the laws in the United States regarding what doctors can ask patients about guns? HowStuffWorks At the doctor's office, we're accustomed to answering all sorts of personal inquiries and sharing information that we might not tell anyone else. But one question that many physicians in the United States are asking is causing controversy: Do you have guns in your home? As many doctors see it, the presence of firearmsparticularly unsecured ones-- is a potential health issue, because of the risk of accidents that can cause serious injury or death, if young children and adolescents can get access to those weapons. Another worry is that the easy availability of a gun will make it too easy for a person who becomes despondent to commit suicide. Advertisement Dr. Alice Kuo, who works in a primary-care practice in Santa Monica, California, says she's been routinely asking families for years if they have firearms around. "It's standard in pediatric well-child visits, as early as infancy," Kuo, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at UCLA, writes in an email. If the answer is yes, more questions might follow about where and how the gun is stored, and what precautions such as trigger locks or a safe are in place to ensure that the weapon isn't misused. "Most of the time the parents have just not thought about the guns which might be in the home, and appreciate us bringing it up to make sure their children are safe," Kuo explained. (Here's a recent article that she and colleague Dr. Angelica Zen co-wrote, in which they discuss their experiences with those patients.) Some of those concerns are borne out by the numbers. Across the U.S., more than two million children live in homes with guns that are not stored safely and securely, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a group that strives to reduce shooting injuries and deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 500 people were killed in accidental shootings in 2013, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That included 69 victims ages 14 or under. And when it came to adults, suicides by bullet accounted for 63 percent of the nation's 33,636 firearm deaths in 2013 nearly twice the portion of people who were shot to death intentionally by someone else. Proponents of doctors asking patients about gun ownership say that it can prevent such tragedies. That's backed up by a 2003 study of medical patients who answered a questionnaire and said that they possessed firearms. After being counseled by their doctors, roughly 60 percent of the patients made changes to improve their safety procedures for storing their guns. Gun advocates, though, see this in a different light. To them, doctors' inquiries are an intrusion upon gun owners' rights. The National Rifle Association, for example, complained in a recent blog post that physicians who want to know about firearms are pushing an anti-gun political agenda. "Doctors do not receive firearm safety training in medical school, and advising patients about the many nuances of gun ownership is far outside their field of expertise," the lobbying group wrote. In 2010, gun rights proponents managed to get a provision inserted into the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act AKA Obamacare that bars both health insurers and wellness and prevention programs from asking participants about gun ownership. Proposed legislation in at least 10 states would bar physicians from asking their patients about guns. So far, though, only one state Florida, in 2011 has passed a law restricting doctors and other healthcare professionals from asking about a patient's guns or putting information on them into medical records, and giving patients the right to refuse to answer such questions. The "docs vs. Glocks" law, as newspaper headline writers dubbed it, currently is being challenged in federal court by an assortment of individual physicians and medical groups. There have been misconceptions about the Florida law. It does allow doctors to ask about guns, but if they believe in good faith that "that this information is relevant to the patient's medical care or safety, or the safety of others." So, at least for the time being, it looks as if doctors can and will continue to ask patients about their weaponry, in hopes that it will reduce firearm injuries and deaths. Now That's Interesting A 2004 epidemiological study found that for men, having a gun at home was associated with an increased risk of dying, either by suicide or homicide. That risk was the same, no matter how many weapons a person possessed or how they were stored. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 05:47:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (R) shakes hands with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, during their meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Cai Guodong) TASHKENT, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met here on Monday with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, with both sides reaffirming commitment to strengthening ties. Yang said that the bilateral relationship has developed rapidly in recent years and is showing a strong momentum, under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Mirziyoyev, who have met for three consecutive years. China is willing to work closely with Uzbekistan to strengthen high-level exchanges, set goals for the development of bilateral ties under new circumstances, step up strategic coordination, expand all-round cooperation, cultivate new growth points under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), deepen people-to-people exchanges, safeguard common interests, and achieve common development and prosperity, Yang said. China thanks Uzbekistan for sending medical equipment to assist its anti-virus efforts, Yang said, adding that under the leadership of President Xi, the Chinese people are working together to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. He also noted that the initial achievement has been made and a positive trend is actively showing in the prevention and control of the epidemic. The Chinese people are confident and capable of conquering the disease, and will continue to actively conduct bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fight against the spread of the virus, and make new contributions to maintaining regional and global public health security. Mirziyoyev voiced support for China's anti-virus fight. Under President Xi's leadership, the Chinese people will definitely succeed in completely conquering the disease, he said. Uzbekistan cherishes its friendship with China and thanks China for supporting its reforms and development. Uzbekistan will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, oppose external forces interfering in China's internal affairs, further strengthen the link between Uzbekistan's development strategy and the BRI, continue to deepen cooperation with China in various fields, and promote the bilateral relationship to a new level. Yang also met with Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov on Monday. Two girls were molested by their neighbour in south Kolkata's Haridevpur area after the man, who is in his 60s, lured them to his house, police said on Tuesday. The incident happened on Sunday evening after the man lured the two friends, one 7 years old and another 10 years, to his shanty, promising them sugarcane juice, police said. He was caught by the mother of one of the girls from the spot, but managed to flee and then hid inside a nearby drain, they said. The accused was caught again by locals on Monday and was handed over to the police. He was thrashed by women of the area, said a police officer, adding that he has been admitted to a hospital with injuries. The man has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and further investigations are underway, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) during a break in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Senators Introduce Bill to End Lavish Pay of Employees at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau WASHINGTONSenate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and four Republican colleagues say its time to rein-in the lavish salaries of hundreds of employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is a dangerously unaccountable agency, and its lavish spending on employee salaries is just one example, Enzi said March 3 in a statement announcing the bill. The measureThe CFPB Pay Fairness Actis co-sponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, John Barrasso of Wyoming, and David Perdue of Georgia. There is little that elected representatives can do to oversee the unelected bureaucrats in charge of CFPBs operations, except to ask questions and hope to get answers, Enzi said. The agency essentially runs on autopilot, unaccountable to any branch of government. This common-sense legislation would be one step toward bringing much-needed oversight and transparency to the CFPB. The CFPB was created by President Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Instead of making it an executive branch agency subject to congressional oversight, the CFPB answers to the Federal Reserve Board, which also funds it, making CFPB virtually a regulatory island unto itself, answerable to no elected assembly. The bureau regulates banks, credit card companies, mortgage firms, securities companies, debt collectors, and other financial institutions offering consumer products. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) conceived of CFPB and first proposed it in 2007 while teaching at Harvard University. She then became an assistant to Obama and was CFPBs chief advocate in working with Congress during its creation. She began serving as a junior senator from Massachusetts in 2013. The bureaus novel regulatory and oversight status made it controversial from the day it opened its doors in 2011, with former Ohio Democratic Attorney General Richard Cordray as its director. The extremely high salaries paid to many CFPB employees have been a particularly frequent target of critics. In 2017, an investigation by the Daily Caller News Foundations (DCNF) watchdog team found that pay is flowing so generously at CFPB that hundreds of bureaucrats there receive more than most members of Congress. Congressional pay was then $174,000 annually for most senators and representatives. The DCNF also found that 201 CFPB employees made more than the $193,000 then paid to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Another 170 CFPB employees earn more than the secretaries of defense and state, the attorney general, and the Director of National Intelligence, the DCNF said. Cabinet salaries are capped at $199,700. Thirty-nine CFPB employees are paid higher salaries than the $230,000 earned each year by Vice President Mike Pence. Then-Federal Reserve Board Chairman Janet Yellins $201,700 annual salary was lower than those paid to 198 CFPB employees, according to the DCNF investigation. The CFPB is long-overdue for more accountability and oversight from Congress and allowing their federal bureaucrats to make significantly more money than other federal workers should end immediately, Tillis said in the statement. This legislation would rightfully end this senseless waste and ensure CFPB employees are under the federal pay scale like every other government agency. Sasse said in the statement: Folks shouldnt get into government to make a quick buck. Public service is about serving for a time and making things better. The CFPB has gotten out of control and wants to become our fourth branch of government. We need to make sure that CFPB salaries match public servants at other agencies. The workers at this powerful agency are not above any other government employee. Perdue described CFPB as a rogue agency thats more focused on expanding its power than protecting the public. Time and again, the agency has dished out malicious financial policy and created new rules and regulations without any oversight from Congress. No regulator should ever have this kind of autonomy, he said. The agency has also been sharply criticized for spending more than $200 million on renovations of the building it took over from the Office of Thrift Supervision. A 2014 Federal Reserve Board Inspector General report said CFPBs initial $55 million renovation estimate ballooned to $95 billion and that the agency also spent $150 million on improvements. A report by the House Financial Services Committee the same year said the renovations and improvements cost more per square foot than it cost to build the Trump World Tower ($334/square foot), the Bellagio Hotel and Casino ($330/square foot), and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai ($450/square foot). Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc What we are now witnessing with reparations has been 400 years in the making. And while some will say there have been attempts to trigger a reparations discussion, it is undeniable that the latest push has a significantly different feel and energy. Arguably not since the Reconstruction era have we seen reparations being talked about so seriously and in such a high-profile way. From former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, with whom I discussed how reparations should be structured, to Tom Steyer, a former candidate for president who has been highly supportive of the issue, these are undoubtedly unique and unprecedented times. At the root of this development is the American Descendants of Slavery movement, or #ADOS, which I co-founded with Yvette Carnell. #ADOS is a political project built upon our respective YouTube shows ToneTalks and BreakingBrown and it arises out of our nations failure to contend with its original sin of slavery and the remnants that occurred through Jim Crow. Insofar as a discussion about that outstanding debt now burns in our political discourse, #ADOS helped light the match. A pair of slave shackles are on display in the Slavery and Freedom Gallery in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. This reparations discussion, however, is not about whether blacks will be disaggregated from a singular oneness. Rather, #ADOS seeks recognition of what everyone has known for some time: Black people in America are all very different groups who are being carelessly lumped together under the umbrella of blackness. Detractors of the #ADOS movement refuse to acknowledge this truth. They label us "divisive." Yet, one wonders why when a Haitian, Jamaican or even Nigerian proudly waves his or her respective flag, these same critics are silent. Indeed, there is an almost willful ignorance when it comes to our groups anchoring in America. Worse yet is that these attitudes are being espoused in the very country that enslaved my family, and families like mine, for hundreds of years. That enslavement led to trillions of dollars in wealth being stolen from slaves and blacks who are the descendants of slaves. This debt is owed not to the color of blackness, but rather to the specific lineage that fully bears the cost of blackness in America a cost that is built into the very roots of #ADOS family trees. Story continues To people who ask, Why differentiate between blacks who were slaves and blacks who came to this country as immigrants long after slavery ended? I respond that such a question indicates a lack of understanding of the history and economics of this nation. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the number of black immigrants in America pre-1965 was negligible. At that time, foreign-born blacks made up less than 1% of the black population. In fact it wasnt until after 1980, according to the Pew Research Center, that the bulk of black immigrants arrived, more than 15 years after Jim Crow ended with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act. The significance of this is revealed in the recent Color of Wealth reports issued by the Federal Reserve. They show that in cities across America, there are massive gaps in wealth holdings between #ADOS and black immigrants. In Los Angeles, for example, native black households have liquid assets with a median value of only $200, compared with $60,000 for African immigrants. How, then, can someone argue that there is such a thing as "flat" blackness? Such an assertion is effectively anti-reparations and an erasure of American history. It leaves members of the #ADOS community holding the proverbial bag. And if left unchecked it will further fester and overrun the #ADOS community that built this nation. It will leave us in communities like Flint, Michigan, with its poisoned water, and Lowndes County, Alabama, where a United Nations expert on poverty visited and stated that the sewage conditions there were worse than any other he had seen in the developed world. All of this injustice was birthed from a slice of American history that everyone wants to ignore. Antonio Moore; Los Angeles This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When it comes to reparations, differences in black lineage matter Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. The writing is on the wall. Every major global governmental agency is warning of the imminent tipping point towards catastrophic climate change, even the worlds largest oil company Saudi Aramco is now talking about reaching peak oil within the next 20 years, and the International Energy Agency projects that it will happen in more like 10. Solar and wind are cheaper than ever, and large-scale solar mega-projects are quickly becoming the norm. It makes sense, then, that even the supermajor oil companies are diversifying their portfolios and investing in their own demise--also known as the renewable energy sector. Way back in July, 2017 Oilprice reported that Frances Total S.A. was leading the charge on renewables. At the time, Totals website boasted: For Total, contributing to the development of renewable energies is as much a strategic choice as an industrial responsibility. We are doing our part to diversify the global energy mix by investing in renewables, with a strategic focus on solar energy and bioenergies. In the past three years, many other major oil and gas companies have followed suit and begun investing more heavily in renewables, which is great news for the clean energy industry, which has long struggled with inadequate research and development funding from either the public or the private sector. Just this month Oilprice reported on another supermajor diving into the clean energy game: Royal Dutch Shell is investing in a clean energy combo platter in the Dutch North Sea with an offshore wind farm which will create energy to be used for the production of green hydrogen, which is one of the cleanest fuel sources possible, releasing only water vapor when combusted. Related: The Ultimate Guide To Well Logging Other, smaller oil and gas companies have also been climbing aboard the clean energy train. This month it was reported that for the past six years, a major US oil and gas holding company has been collaborating with the National Renewable Energy Lab on new breakthrough perovskite solar cell research. that company is Hunt Consolidated, Inc., the umbrella company that includes the nearly hundred-year-old Hunt Oil and the much younger branch known as Hunt Perovskite Technologies. According to reporting by CleanTechnica, this novel perovskite research being pushed forward by Hunt could have a profound, widespread impact on the energy marketplace and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewables [...] because perovskite technology can push down solar costs far below todays costs. Perovskite solar cells are also lighter and more flexible, which means they have a greater range of application. These perovskite solar cells are also efficient and easy to scale up for mass production, as they can be printed without needing too much customization for the production process, as they use a relatively conventional high-volume manufacturing process. That being said, these cells are still a ways away from being mass produced, much less from hitting the market. While researchers have worked out the kinks according to CleanTechnica, these cells are only just beginning to edge out of the laboratory. Related: Why Hydrogen Stocks Are Soaring The CleanTechnica article also suggests that this Hunt venture is particularly special because its not just driven by expanding their horizontal market share, unlike other oil companies branching into renewable resources. Comparing the Hunt perovskite project to renewable energy projects by supermajor BP and major Italian energy company Enel, CleanTechnica makes the argument that although other global oil and gas stakeholders are venturing into renewable energy these projects are mainly focused on market-proven technologies that dont disrupt their fossil fuel business, at least not for the time being, whereas Hunts project has potential to create serious market disruption and real positive change. Hunt is not the only company working on the future of perovskite solar cells, which are thought to be superior to more antiquated silicon-based cells. The University of Central Florida seems to be dreaming even bigger, pairing perovskite solar cell technology with artificial intelligence to make generating energy from the sun even more ubiquitous by creating a spray coating that can be used on bridges, houses, or even skyscrapers so they can be energy self-sufficient. These lofty goals, paired with the advances being made by companies like Hunt, point to a sunny future indeed. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif is awaiting a medical procedure in the UK which restricts his travel, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson has said. The 70-year-old three-time former premier's aides in the UK dismissed the prospect of the Imran Khan-led government seeking Sharifs deportation from the UK government because he was in the country on medical grounds on a visit visa. "Mian Sahib is here on medical grounds and is awaiting a medical procedure," a PML-N UK spokesperson said on Monday. "He is here on a visit visa for medical treatment and wasn't handed over to the UK government," he said, in reference to the deportation claims emanating from Pakistan. Sharif left for London in November last for treatment after the Lahore High Court allowed him to go abroad on medical grounds for four weeks. According to the PML-N UK aides, Sharif is due to undergo a similar medical procedure which resulted in health complications a few years ago. Meanwhile, he is keenly waiting for a "visit by his daughter", Maryam Nawaz, if she is granted bail and allowed to travel abroad. READ | Pakistan's Punjab Govt Forms Committee To Review Nawaz Sharif's Plea To Stay Abroad According to Sharif's physician, the top leader of the PML-N is suffering from complex multi-vessel coronary artery disease and substantial ischemic and threatened myocardium for which he is due to undergo surgery. "It is time to bring back the VIP prisoner who is having a lavish stay abroad," Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Special Assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Information, was quoted as saying in Islamabad over the weekend. "The government has decided in principle to write a letter this week to the British government, seeking deportation of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, as he is an absconder not fulfilling the terms and conditions of the bail granted to him on medical grounds," she said. Last week, the Punjab government refused to extend Sharif's bail, declaring that it had found no "legal, moral or medical ground" necessitating an extension in his stay abroad. The Lahore High Court had, in October last year, granted bail to Sharif on medical grounds for four weeks, allowing the Punjab government to extend it further in the light of his medical reports. The Islamabad High Court had also granted bail to Sharif in the Al Azizia Mills corruption case, in which the former prime minister was serving a seven-year jail term, clearing his way to travel abroad for medical treatment. READ | Pakistan's Punjab Govt Not To Extend Bail Granted To Nawaz Sharif To Treatment Abroad READ | In London For Treatment, Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's Pic At Restaurant Goes Viral The head of Nigerias disease control agency, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, has said he is on self-isolation and not quarantine as said by the health minister. PREMIUM TIMES reported the statement of the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, when he appeared before senators to speak on Nigerias preparedness for the coronavirus. Mr Ehanire said Mr Ihekweazus recent trip to China necessitated the quarantine The WHO sent a special delegation to go into China and speak to scientists, look at the cases, try and understand these disease more, the behavior of the virus. It has been found that majority of the people killed are people who have other sicknesses before: tuberculosis, cancer, HIV. Relatively young people are involved and all elderly people. Among those scientists chosen is the Director-General of the NCDC. We are very proud and honoured that he was the only African who was among the experts. They went there for about nine days. We have already established rules here that anybody who has been to China will go into self-quarantine. Chikwe has gone and come back. He has done the test, he is negative but we have insisted he must undergo the 14 days quarantine which is why he is not here. He is not allowed to come out until after 14 days. Because if you make the rule, you must obey it which is to set the example in Nigeria, the minister explained saying the NCDC chief, however, tested negative to the disease. NCDC chief reacts In his reaction, Mr Ihekweazu said he was only observing the precautionary self-isolation as required of people coming from a high-risk country. On his Twitter handle, the NCDC chief said he is well and will be continuing his duty from home for the next 14 days. I am well and have continued my duties from home since my return from China as part of the WHO-China Mission on COVID19 He said the rumour that I am sick or in quarantine is obviously false. I look forward to returning to the office after 14 days of self-isolation. Self-isolation is one of the precautionary measures recommended in the NCDC public health advisory for travellers from countries with ongoing transmission of Covid-19. It advised that such people should proceed on 14 days self-isolation whether well or unwell. The NCDC in a statement Tuesday evening further explained its principals trip to China. According to the statement released by the health agency, Mr Ihekweazu was one of the 25 national and international experts deployed to China by the WHO between February 16 and 24. The mission met with counterparts in China to understand their response to COVID-19 and how global communities can learn from it The Director-General is adhering to the protocol to protect himself and public. He has been tested his return, since his return, and has since shown no symptoms of the Covid-19 infection. He remains in good health, the agency said. Mr Ihekweazu had earlier tweeted two day ago that one of the most important missions Ive had the honour to be part of is WHO-China Mission on COVID19. He said lessons learnt from working with some of the most hardworking experts in China, WHO and other countries will guide Nigeria as it responds to its first COVIDD-19 case. Outbreak Nigeria last Friday reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 which was detected in an Italian businessman who had flown into the country on business. Since then, the Italian has been quarantined, placed under treatment and people who have had contacts with him traced and put under supervised isolation. So far, Nigeria has not recorded any new case of coronavirus, which has caused over 3,000 deaths globally, majority in China. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is interested in cooperation with Belarus in high technology, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Armen Ghevondyan told BelTA ahead of a meeting with representatives of the Belarusian business circles in the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Ambassador said in 2018 Armenia-Belarus trade totaled $50 million, 17% up over 2017, and in 2019 the trade came at $70 million. The growth did not result from a spike in one or another industry or field, Armen Ghevondyan noted. We managed to move forward in this area thanks to concerted efforts of the two countries and entrepreneurial spirit of the business communities, the Ambassador noted. However, I am far from thinking that we have reached the point when we can say that this is our limit, he added. Armen Ghevondyan stressed that Belarus and Armenia do not use the full potential of cooperation. We should also take into account that the economies of Armenia and Belarus are undergoing evolutionary changes. This is primarily due to close attention of the governments to such a trend as high technology. We could hardly imagine an economy of the 21st century without it. I am sure that in addition to traditional areas of cooperation, we will also greatly boost cooperation in IT, and our enterprises in this area will not only achieve their goals, but establish closer ties, the Ambassador said. He also believes that the two countries should promote interregional ties. They should encompass even more fields of practical cooperation. This will broaden the scope of our cooperation and will have a positive impact on the indicators, Armen Ghevondyan added. The young mother smiles as she lays 17-month-old Arafat down for a nap in the shade of their new bamboo-framed shelter. Outside, his three-year-old brother Ayaz laughs and plays with friends as their father arrives home carrying an armload of food for the family. It is a happy moment in the life of this young household, but, for Abul Kalam, Rahima Khatun and their children, the current sense of security and wellbeing is a sharp contrast to the previous two and a half years. In August 2017, Abul, Rahima and baby Ayaz were suddenly forced to flee their home near Buthidaung, Myanmar, when their neighborhood was attacked. I saw people getting killed, 27-year-old Abul explains. We had to escape quickly and couldnt bring anything with us. It took us six days to reach Bangladesh because we had to hide, and it was difficult to travel with a small child. Their story is similar to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have come to Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district in the recent displacement 80 per cent of them women and children. Our biggest challenge used to be shelter ... Whenever it rained, the floor got very wet and turned to mud." These refugees, who faced perilous journeys fleeing for their lives, claimed space on hillsides and built makeshift shelters. Within weeks, the area was transformed into the worlds largest refugee settlement, sanctuary to some 855,000 Rohingya. However, even though families have found safety here, they have also faced considerable challenges. Environmental degradation, inadequate sanitation, lack of infrastructure, and, most terrifying of all, the threat of catastrophic weather during the annual monsoon. Our biggest challenge used to be the shelter where we lived. During the monsoon, whenever it rained, the floor got very wet and turned to mud, says 25-year-old Rahima of the wet season, which is from March to October. There were insects and it was very unhealthy. It made our children sick. The monsoon rains also brought the threat of floods and landslides. Extreme weather, steep slopes and makeshift shelters can be a deadly combination in such a densely-populated place. Abul Kalam holds his sons Mohammad Arafat and Mohammad Ayaz in Camp 1 West, Kutupalong. Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau Rahima Khatun hugs her son Mohammad Arafat in her shelter, in Camp 1 West, Kutupalong. Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau Rahima Khatun holds her son Mohammad Arafat as he sleeps in their shelter in Camp 1 West, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau Community outreach volunteers are vital in getting information to refugees living in camps in Bangladesh. A volunteer visits a family in Charkmakul refugee camp, 26 January, 2020. UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners have worked to save and improve the lives of Rohingya refugees by helping develop and safeguard the settlements in Coxs Bazar district. Like the settlement itself, the scale of the work has been immense. More than 91,000 shelters have been replaced or repaired, on top of construction of 27 kilometres of roads and pathways, 78 kilometres of drainage, 59 kilometres of retaining structures, 32 kilometres of steps and 4.4 kilometres of bridges, lit by more than 2,500 solar-powered streetlights. To further assist residents, 33 health facilities and 25 nutrition centres have been opened, and more than 88,000 pre-monsoon shelter kits have been delivered to especially vulnerable refugees. Some of the environmental impacts of such large numbers living in close proximity have also been addressed in collaboration with energy and environment partners, including the replanting of some 800 hectares with 27 species of local plants and trees, as well as training 185,000 refugees on environmental protection. In order to build on this successful collaboration and further improve the lives of Rohingya refugees and some 444,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in the community generously hosting them, UNHCR and its partners on Tuesday launched the 2020 Joint Response Plan. "We have made huge advances in reducing risks to the lives of Rohingya refugees." The plan aims to mobilize US$877 million to ensure continued access to food, clean water and sanitation, shelter and other urgent assistance, as well as expanding education, energy, environment and other services that contribute to refugees dignity and wellbeing. The Government of Bangladesh and its people have offered hospitality and solidarity in this enormous effort. Together with our partners, we have made huge advances in reducing risks to the lives of Rohingya refugees. Weve prepared for the critical monsoon and cyclone seasons when severe flooding places children at risk and small landslides happen almost daily, says Steven Corliss, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. This has included training thousands of refugees in emergency response, putting in place emergency relocation procedures and adopting other mitigation measures. Innovative responses, such as upgraded shelters, are important to improving the daily lives of refugees in the camps. A team of trained Rohingya volunteers works to raise community awareness of emergencies like the monsoon, as well as help identify households that are particularly at risk from the effects of extreme weather. Mohammed Halim is one of those volunteers. Halim, 20, arrived here in 2017 after fleeing violence in Myanmar alongside his parents, grandmother, seven brothers and four sisters. On a typical day Mohammed spends eight hours or more traversing the settlement, checking on the condition of shelters and the wellbeing of his neighbours, as well as informing UNHCR and its partners which households are most in need of assistance. Im proud to do this work in order to support my community. Im proud to do this work in order to support my community, Mohammed says. We were once strangers, and now we live as friends. Earlier this year, Abul, Rahima and their children were selected to receive a new, improved shelter, which was constructed to withstand the effects of the monsoon and other extreme weather threats. The shelter was built using durable bamboo and is elevated on small stilts so that water can flow underneath it. For Rahima especially, it has been a welcome change. Volunteers helped us the day we moved. After we settled in, we were very happy, she explains. We cooked a good meal and shared it with our new neighbours. I used to be worried in our previous place, but now Im not. The floor and the foundation are stronger, she continues. I was relieved that my childrens health might improve. Im not worried about the rains now; we are at peace. As baby Arafat falls asleep and three-year old Ayaz giggles with his friends, Rahima and Abul go about their household chores with a renewed sense of security and hope. We look forward to a better life, Rahima says. Go deeper: The virtual shutdown of much of Chinas economy is hurting business around the world, including multinational firms, truck drivers and tour guides. All our planning has been turned upside down, said Michael Smerling, the owner of a company in the U.S. whose Chinese suppliers have been shut down. Related: Washingtons partisan divide makes a fiscal stimulus package seem like a long shot, but a deteriorating economy could be a great motivator, our senior economics correspondent writes. Another angle: A growing number of American workers could be asked to alter their routines because of the outbreak, or to stay home. Heres what could happen and what rights employees have. A big day for Democrats Millions of voters are expected to go to the polls today, when about a third of the delegates in the Democratic presidential race will be allocated. Here are the latest updates. Fourteen states (as well as American Samoa and Democrats Abroad) are voting today. Polls begin closing at 7 p.m. Eastern, and the first call of the night will probably be Vermont, for its home-state candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders. The outcome appeared to break more than a year of bitter political deadlock, in which Netanyahu and Gantz battled to inconclusive finishes in elections in April and September, and neither was able to cobble together a parliamentary majority. Many Israelis dreaded the prospect of another election. But despite fears of voter fatigue after previous balloting, Monday's vote was driven by robust turnout, particularly in strongholds of Netanyahu's party. The exit polls on Israel's main television channels projected that Netanyahu's conservative Likud, together with its religious-nationalist partners, would garner 59 seats - two short of a majority in the Knesset. His opponents were together projected to get a majority of 61 seats. But with his main challenger, the centrist Blue and White party, trailing Likud by several seats and the rest of the opposition fragmented, polls were pointing to a continued paralysis of Israel's political system. Official results slowly trickled in and by early Tuesday morning about 14 per cent of the ballots had been counted. The centre-left bloc led by Gantz's Blue and White party was projected to win 52 to 54 seats. But the exit polls sometimes diverge from the official result, which was not expected until late Tuesday or Wednesday. Addressing a raucous crowd of thousands of ecstatic supporters at 2.30am, Netanyahu said his era wasn't over. "This is a victory against all the odds, because we stood against powerful forces," he said. "They already eulogised us. Our opponents said the Netanyahu era is over." A Likud spokesman said that after the exit polls were released Netanyahu telephoned the leaders of parties that have already partnered with Likud and "they agreed to form a strong, national government in Israel soon." If Netanyahu's projected edge holds, legal challenges are expected as to whether an election victor who is under indictment can be given the mandate to form a new government - something that the head of the leading vote-getting party is usually asked to do. Analysts said the early projections seemed to bear out the leader's reputation as a consummate political survivor. "While we need to wait for the final results, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people," said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. "At the same time, the country is heading toward constitutional uncertainty." If he does secure a victory, Netanyahu appeared ready to use his power to try to undermine court proceedings against him. His allies have already said they will seek to pass a law that would preclude or freeze the prosecution of any sitting prime minister. But legal experts are sceptical that such a measure, even if passed very quickly, could affect the course of a trial set to begin very soon, on March 17. Netanyahu, accused of bribe-taking, fraud and breach of trust, is the first Israeli prime minister to be indicted while in office. Prosecutors who charged him in three separate criminal cases said Netanyahu accepted lavish gifts and used improper measures to try to influence media coverage. The Prime Minister has railed against what he calls a rigged judicial system, calling the charges against him a "witch hunt." The campaign was an ugly one, up to the end. On election day, Netanyahu's social media accounts showed a misleadingly edited video, in which a mumbling Gantz appeared to tell a crowd to vote against his Blue and White party. In fact, Gantz called for support. Netanyahu, as in past votes, received a pre-election boost from US President Donald Trump, who in January unveiled a Middle East plan that grants most of Israel's wishes but that Palestinians consider a death knell to their statehood hopes. A man and his daughter vote during elections in Tamra, an Arab town in Israel. Credit:AP During his time in office, Trump has also handed Netanyahu other significant concessions that reversed decades of US policy, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognising Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, seized from Syria in 1967. Palestinians were crestfallen at the projected outcome of the vote. "Settlement, annexation and apartheid have won the Israeli elections," Saeb Erekat, a longtime Palestinian negotiator, wrote on Twitter. As he has done before previous votes, Netanyahu pledged to move toward annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank if he is able to form a government. Most of the outside world considers the settlements illegal under international law. In the last vote, in September, Gantz's Blue and White won one more parliamentary seat than Netanyahu, and the retired general hoped to match or surpass that performance. He sought to make the race a referendum on the Netanyahu's character, likening him to a mobster. The two main parties have similar views on security matters, including on Iran and dealings with the Palestinians. But Gantz has evinced more openness to negotiating Palestinian statehood, which is envisioned in the Trump plan, but with onerous obstacles. Arab citizens of Israel make up about a fifth of the electorate, and in the last vote, the Arab parties formed a bloc called the Joint List, which performed strongly, garnering 13 parliamentary seats. Pre-election polls suggested a surge of support for it, which appeared borne out by exit polls. Loading Throughout the campaign, Netanyahu sought to inflame his nationalist base by warning that Gantz, if victorious, would depend on the Arab parties for parliamentary support. Because smaller parties can be kingmakers under Israel's political system, the final showing by the secular ultranationalist party Yisrael Beiteinu will be closely watched. The party is led by Avigdor Lieberman, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union and a former defence minister who is an erstwhile ally of Netanyahu, but the two had a falling-out and did not team up during the Prime Minister's previous effort to form a coalition government. Anshel Pfeffer, who wrote a biography of Netanyahu, said on the website of the left-wing Haaretz newspaper that a win for the veteran politician would be a "stunning comeback" for a man "who doesn't lie down after a setback". The Delhi Police has busted a gang reportedly involved in awarding fake tenders for printing of ration cards under the Centre's 'One Nation, One Ration Card' initiative, Union minister RaoSaheb Dadarao Danve said on Tuesday. Jharkhand-based mastermind in the case Pratush Kumar and his aid Vikas Kumar have been arrested in this connection in the national capital, he said. Under the 'One Nation, One Ration Card', the central government is making ration cards portable so that the beneficiaries can buy subsidised foodgrains from ration shops in any part of the country. But there is no requirement of fresh ration cards to avail this service. "No fresh ration card is required under the initiative, but the gang faked documents to show that such a requirement was there and a tender has been issued to a private company for sub-contracting the printing of plastic cards linked with Aadhar details across the country," the Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs said at a press conference. On February 6, the minister said his office had approached the police and complained that it was receiving information about some fraudsters duping unsuspecting individuals in the name of issuing ration cards contract. New Delhi DCP Eish Singhal said a team was constituted on receipt of information from the ministry, but it could not make any breakthrough in the absence of any individual victim. However on March 2, one of the victims namely Bhagwat Sahebaro Wayal of Maharasthra approached the Union food ministry and complained about the matter, he said, adding a team was constituted to look into the matter. The complainant said his friend had informed him that companies like Kalvin Pvt Ltd, FSS Pvt Ltd, Tannu Global and Mahindra MIT have got contracts to print ration cards for Maharashtra under the new initiative. He and his friend paid a large sum to get the contract, Singhal said. Later, the complainant and his associate signed an agreement with FSS Pvt Ltd at Hariya Bypass Ranchi and they were shown copies of all necessary documents from the ministry regarding the initiative, he said. Before coming to Ranchi, the DCP said Rs 8 lakh had been agreed for the contract of one district which was later escalated to Rs 15 lakh, of which Rs 9 lakh was to be given in advance and the rest to be deducted from the payment accrue on commencement of the job. The complainant, however, got suspicious of the documents and came to Delhi and enquired from the ministry about the scheme. The police said Wayal got Rs 3.5 lakh out of Rs 10 lakh paid. The DCP said a trap was set up and the two were arrested in Delhi, adding a search is on for three more persons associated with the gang. Accused Pratush Kumar, 38, is from Chatra and been cheating unsuspecting individuals under the garb of his company M/S Friends Securities Pvt Ltd along with his other associates, while his aid Vikash, 25, is from Ranchi. Meanwhile, the Union minister cautioned people not to fall prey to such gangs as the government has not awarded any tender to print new ration cards. Currently, the government is implementing the ration card portability in 12 states and eight more states will be added by June 1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Your browser does not support the audio element. Many South Korean citizens staying in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang have decided to extend their visa to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic that has become increasingly serious in their home country. Visa agents in the central hub have reported a sharp increase in the number of South Korean customers who seek visa extension over the past weeks. According to To My Ro, director of Vietnam Chilli Tour Company (CVD Visa), there has been a 70-80 percent surge in the number of South Korean people signing up for such services at the firm since February 20. As serious COVID-19 outbreaks were reported in South Korea during this period, they must have decided to prolong their stay in Vietnam for their own safety, Ro elaborated. In addition, the Vietnamese government previously suspended visa-free policy for all South Koreans, so they must extend their visas if they want to continue staying here, she added. Kim Won Hoon, a 37-year-old man from Seoul who works in Da Nang, said he usually flew back to South Korea once every three months. However, Kim currently has no intention of returning home because of the ongoing epidemic. Lee Dong Yul, 37, who works at a local spa, believed that Vietnam has done a very good job controlling the epidemic. As there are no new COVID-19 cases in the country, we feel much safer staying here, Lee explained. Expressing the same opinion, Yun Sang, a 45-year-old man from Busan who has been in Vietnam for four years, is now extending his visa for another three months. Despite feeling safe, Yun mentioned his concern over the growing discrimination against South Koreans in the city. My wife and I went out for pho yesterday and a lot of diners tried to keep a distance from us. It kind of bothered me, he recounted. The COVID-19 has killed 3,116 people and infected over 91,300 globally since it first hit the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, according to the South China Morning Post. The number of confirmed cases in South Korea the largest cluster of infections outside of China has exceeded 5,100 as of Tuesday afternoon. The country has reported 28 deaths caused by the COVID-19. Vietnam has so far confirmed 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. All of them have fully recovered and have been discharged from the hospital. The country has reported no new cases since February 13. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! LOS ANGELES Joe Biden made a last-minute push across California on Super Tuesday, hitting Oakland and dispatching his wife to San Diego before they end the day in Los Angeles home to the only advertised Biden campaign field office in the largest state in the country. Why it matters: While Biden is hoping to build a comeback on his blowout win in South Carolina, nearly one-third of the delegates up for grabs in tonight's Super Tuesday contests vote here in California. Bernie Sanders, who narrowly lost the state to Hillary Clinton in 2016, has been dominating the state's polls. Biden doesn't have to win California. But he does need to tap a significant enough chunk of the state's trove of delegates to keep Sanders from running away with the nomination. "One of the biggest misconceptions of 2020 is that California is Sanders' territory," a Biden campaign official in California told Axios. The official said Sanders probably will do well in the state but insisted that Biden's events have had strong and consistent support. Many California voters have waited to cast their ballots, as Politico reported. Biden's campaign website lists just one brick-and-mortar field office in California, compared with four in Texas. (The campaign official said there are several other "staging locations" or unofficial offices in locations around the state.) The official California field office sits strategically in Latino-dominated East Los Angeles. Down the street, mostly Spanish-speaking voters walked into the Centro Estrella center to cast votes for the Democratic candidate of their choice. What to watch: Hispanics or Latinos make up the largest racial-ethnic group in California 39% of the state population, a higher percentage statewide than non-Hispanic whites. This is the first year Hispanic voters make up the largest ethnic-racial minority group of the electorate. But a recent state poll found Biden winning just 15% of Hispanic, Democratic-likely voters in California compared to 42% for Sanders. Latinos also propelled Sanders to his decisive victory in Nevada. The big picture: Sanders has campaigned often in California, drawing large crowds. His campaign claims to have knocked on 1 million doors in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday delivered a sharp rejoinder to ex-PM Manmohan Singh who had recently expressed concern at the slogan of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. It appears some people get offended by people raising the slogan Bharat Mata Ki Jai, the prime minister told Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs on Tuesday. PM Modis remark was seen as a reference to former prime minister Manmohan Singh recently red flagging what he called the misuse of the slogan hailing the motherland to construct a militant and purely emotional idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens. Singh was speaking at a book launch on selections from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus speeches, essays and letters from pre- and post-Independence years in a book titled Bharat Mata by Professors Purushottam Agrawal and Radha Krishna. Singh said a section of people who either do not have the patience to read history or would like to deliberately be guided by their prejudices, try their best to picture Nehru in a false light. I am happy that this book makes an effort to revisit Pandit Nehru. Nehru had led this country in its volatile, formative days when we adopted democratic way of life, accommodating divergent social and political views. Pandit Nehru who was very proud of Indian heritage, assimilated it, and harmonised them into the needs of a New Modern India, Singh said. It is a book of particular relevance at a time when Nationalism and the slogan of Bharat Mata Ki Jai are being misused to construct a militant and purely emotional idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens, he added. Singh said this collection of writings and speeches shows the mind and ideology born out of experience, observation and deep study behind this democratic and genuinely inclusive idea of India. An understanding of Nehrus political and intellectual journey is a pre-condition for Indias survival as a democratic polity as a humane, compassionate society, he had said. Making sure your home is the perfect space for a good night's sleep can be a challenge amid hectic work schedules and family life. But there are steps you can take to help make sure that you are not plagued by insomnia - and one of them is making sure you buy the perfect pillow. The tips below come ahead of World Sleep Day next week, which aims to reduce sleep disorders - and we also get an expert's suggestions for pillows to consider. Interior designers at Alexander James use pillows from The White Company Creating a bedroom that is as conducive as possible to sleep can be particularly helpful if you live in a city environment, which can often feel as though it doesn't have an 'off switch'. Dr Zoe Schaedel, a doctor and co-founder of the Good Sleep Clinic - which offers therapy for insomnia - explained: 'City living means increased levels of light exposure, which can harm your sleep. 'Artificial light causes a delay in our natural surge of melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that tells our body we are ready for sleep, and delaying this evening surge can lead to difficulties falling asleep and shortening total sleep time.' Blackout curtains Some new rental developments are already taking this into account, providing extra facilities to help deter any sleeping issues. For example, one such development in North London has both soundproofing and blackout curtains along with 1,000 pocket sprung John Lewis mattresses. The development in London's Wembley Park overlooks Wembley Stadium, which attracts massive crowds at each of its events - not an environment that would traditionally be considered conducive to sleeping properly. WORLD SLEEP DAY World Sleep Day on 13 March aims to highlight the importance of a decent night's sleep. It is generally held in March every year, with events taking place across the globe. They include lectures on rest for specific professions, such as trainee doctors, and workshops for students deprived of sleep. Advertisement Other measures that the development has to help with sleep include tenants being able to connect their thermostats to their phone. It means that tenants can adjust the heating on their way home from work - or even from underneath the duvet. Cooler temperatures Dr Schaedel added: 'Keeping light dim towards bedtime can help sleep, as can being in control of the temperature of your environment. 'This is because cooler rooms tend to make it easier to fall asleep.' The Sleep Council, a separate organisation established in 1995 to adopt healthier sleep habits, claims that hot, cold and draughty rooms can seriously impact on sleep. It said: 'Your body heat peaks in the evening and then drops to its lowest levels when you're asleep, so a cool 16-18C (60-65F) is thought to be an ideal temperature in a bedroom. 'Temperatures above 24C (71F) are likely to cause restlessness, while a cold room of about 12C (53F) will make it difficult to drop off.' Comfortable pillows The right type of pillows really matter and you don't need to spend a fortune to get a comfortable one. However, it is worth investing as much as you can, advises Rachel Clark, of Alexander James Interiors. She said: 'In a time where we now find it so difficult to put down our digital devices and switch off from the outside world at bedtime, investing in your sleeping experience is now more important than ever. 'Pillows are just as important at mattresses, and are key to getting that perfect night's sleep. Pillows are just as important at mattresses, and are key to getting that perfect night's sleep. Rachel Clark 'Whatever your budget, it's important to find a pillow that works for you.' She explained how retailers such as M&S and John Lewis stock a wide range of pillows of various firmness and sizes to cater for everyone, at a range of prices to suit everyone's budget. However, she added: 'For our clients, we usually opt for The White Company's pillow range, for ultimate quality and lasting comfort. 'Their sumptuous thread counts along with their fine filling materials make that 'sleeping-on-a-cloud' feeling a reality. 'We love their Siberian Goose Down pillows for their feather-rich inner core.' Here, Alexander James Interiors picks three pillows depending on your budget... This M&S pillow has a smooth hollow fibre filling and pure cotton encasing Budget: 17.50 M&S, Feels Like Down Pillow, 17.50 This pillow has a smooth hollow fibre filling and pure cotton encasing, which makes it both lightweight and breathable. At only 17.50, it is the cheapest of our picks, and perfect for those on a budget. The John Lewis pillow is perfect for those who sleep on their back or side High Street: 50 John Lewis, Natural Collection Hungarian Goose Down Standard Pillow, 50 This pillow is perfect for those who sleep on their back or side as it helps to keep your spine aligned for a comfortable and undisturbed night's sleep. It has a Hungarian goose feather and down filling that gives the pillow a supportive feel, which is able to bounce back into shape with little plumping. This pillow from The White Company is filled with Siberian goose-down clusters Luxury: 190 The White Company, Ultimate Symons Siberian Goose Down Pillow, 190 These supremely luxurious pillows are filled with the finest and largest Siberian goose-down clusters . They feature a clever feather-rich inner core, which cocoons the head for support. The super-soft is for back and front sleepers, while the soft is for small shouldered, side sleepers due its denser core. An Inistioge native is making his feature film directorial debut with a sci-fi thriller set in the near future. Andrew Baird, a graduate of the National Film School of Ireland, is directing 'Zone 414'. The feature is shooting in Belfast. Born and raised here, Baird grew up in the house beside the pub on the hill in the South Kilkenny village. He has a lengthy and impressive CV, having worked on projects from Guinness ads to music videos, with artists including Sia, U2, Korn, the Weeknd, Lil Wayne and Ke$ha. His first full feature stars Australian Golden Globe nominee Guy Pearce, Vikings star Travis Kimmel, and Italian model Matilda Lutz. It's set in the near-future among a colony of a state-of-the-art, humanoid robots. Deadline is reporting that, in the film, Pearce plays an investigator hired to track down a missing girl on a colony of robots. Local councillor Michael Doyle, who went to school with Baird, has heaped praise on his fellow Inistioge man for his success. "It was always his dream to be involved in film - a great achievement from him," he said. "He moved to California to follow his dream. It still is the land of opportunity. Up Inistioge!" Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Boyko Borisov of Bulgaria, on the latters National Day: Liberation Day. The message particularly notes that the age-old Armenian-Bulgarian traditional and friendly relations have been consistently developing and strengthening also ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Bulgaria. In his message, Pashinyan expressed a conviction that the two countries will succeed in making their partnership more inclusive and comprehensive by enriching it with new and meaningful programs. DOROTHY DAY Dissenting Voice of the American Century By John Loughery and Blythe Randolph In March 2000, 20 years after her death, the Vatican began a stringent examination of Dorothy Days life to prove that she had demonstrated the heroic virtue that qualifies a Catholic for sainthood; this process is ongoing. More recently, in September 2015, Pope Francis cited Day alongside Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Thomas Merton as an American who exemplified principles that were desperately needed in our inequitable world. Day was a tireless advocate for the poor and homeless, but what exactly is a saint and was she one? Even though her middle-class Republican family had no interest in faith and her father shared a widely held disdain for Catholicism, Dorothy was attracted to religion from an early age. When she was 12, her parents allowed her to be baptized in the Episcopal Church, which she attended for a year before giving it up to focus on politics. She went on to lead a thoroughly bohemian life in Greenwich Village and embarked on a career in left-wing journalism. In 1917, at the age of 20, she was arrested during a suffragist rally outside the White House and experienced for the first but not last time the terror and brutality of an American jail, with its filthy cells, exposed toilets, violent guards and, in this instance, the physiological and psychological nightmare of forced feedings. John Loughery and Blythe Randolph, who are seasoned biographers, claim that they will never again have such a challenging and complex subject as Day, implying that this in part justifies their biography, Dorothy Day: Dissenting Voice of the American Century the first full-length portrait, according to the book jacket, to appear in 40 years. But it may also be true that Days life highlights tensions that are currently of concern to both Catholics and Americans. The authors render their subject in precise and meticulous detail, generating a vivid account of her political and religious development. They also include perceptive portraits of her colleagues, lovers and friends, who in these early days included Mike Gold, a prominent American communist, and the playwright Eugene ONeill. They chronicle her continued preoccupation with religion, which initially was fed by the great Russian writers: Gorky, who vividly depicted the tragedy of poverty; Chekhov, who emphasized the importance of empathy; and Dostoyevsky, who memorably described Aloysha Karamazov as a seeker of the deep flame of inner ecstasy that Day herself would pursue throughout her life. Married At First Sight's Steve Burley has been rejecting his 'wife' Mishel Karen's sexual advances for weeks. And in a trailer for Tuesday's episode, he appears to finally address why he has no interest in pursuing an intimate relationship with her. During a beachside date, the 52-year-old barbershop owner tells Mishel, 48, he has no sexual attraction towards her whatsoever. 'It's just not there': Watch the excruciating moment Married At First Sight's Steve Burley (pictured) says he has zero sexual attraction towards his 'wife', Mishel Karen Steve and Mishel have had a rocky 'marriage' since tying the knot, and have spoken about their lack of intimacy with the relationship experts. In the promo, Steve admits: 'The attraction side of it for me is just not there.' Mishel, a teacher from Brisbane, is left speechless, before the scene cuts to her looking devastated while speaking to producers. 'Oh god,' she says while fighting back tears. Sad! In the promo, Steve tells Mishel (pictured): 'The attraction side of it for me is just not there' 'Oh god!' Mishel, a teacher from Brisbane, is left speechless, before the scene cuts to her looking devastated while speaking to producers It comes after Mishel made their lack of intimacy a point of discussion at the third commitment ceremony on Sunday. 'I just thought we're not getting anywhere with this, so I asked Steve, "Why don't we just have sex? No kissing, just sex,"' she told the group. Steve responded: 'People can laugh, but that didn't sit well with me. I understood where Mishel was coming from. But I'm 52 years old, I'm not 22. 'I don't want to just have sex with Mishel. If I'm going to have sex with Mishel, I'm going to make love with her. If that is wrong, that's where I'm at.' No action: It comes after Mishel made their lack of intimacy a point of discussion at the third commitment ceremony on Sunday Relationship expert John Aiken then shared his thoughts on the couple's non-existent sex life. He explained: 'Let me jump in. You've got a big problem on your hands. Here in the experiment you've got to kick it out of first gear. 'Frankly, this hasn't gone anywhere since the wedding. We need to see you moving this forward, because we know where it's heading if you don't.' Steve snapped back: 'If you want us to rush into being intimate, I'm not going to do it.' Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine Pope Francis, who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus, an Italian newspaper reported Tuesday, as Italy battles Europe's worst outbreak. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the Messaggero newspaper. Francis cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy this weekend, after axing all public meetings at the end of last week over the cold. The new coronavirus has spread from China across much of the world, with Italy among the worst affected with over 2,000 people infected and 52 deaths. The 83-year-old pontiff has been seen coughing and blowing his nose, but the Vatican on Sunday quickly shot down speculation that the pope himself had come down with COVID-19. The Messaggero report did not say when Francis had been tested for the disease. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussexs royal exit plan may have been shocking to some, but Queen Elizabeth supported their decision. How did Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge feel about it though? According to one royal source, the Cambridges didnt approve of the move, nor the way Prince Harry and Meghan showed disregard for the royal family. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton | Anwar Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry and Meghan made their big announcement In January, Prince Harry and Meghan announced a plan that many found drastic at first. The Sussexes shared the decision to take a step back, with the queen signing off on it. Prince Harry later remarked how he and Meghan felt like their exit was the only option to escape the constant public and media scrutiny they faced. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I havent always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option, he shared in a speech delivered at a dinner for supporters of Sentebale in London The queen shared her statement of support, noting: Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family. 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. Prince William and Kate have reportedly had to pick up the slack With the Sussexes packing up and heading to Canada, many royal fans wondered if the Cambridges would need to step up and fill in for the Sussexes. One source shared with The Mirror how the decision was pretty selfish, explaining, Harry and Meghan deciding to up sticks and leave without any thought about how it could affect them is pretty selfish. The source added: If the Sussexes are only here half the year then it will fall to William and Kate to pick up the slack with more engagements, more pressure, and that has not even been considered. A source believes the Cambridges disapprove of the Sussexes plan The Cambridges havent spoken publicly about Prince Harry and Meghans plan but reportedly arent fond of it. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes that Prince William and Kate felt a severe blow to the monarchy when the Sussexes made their announcement to leave the royal family and would not have appreciated the plan. The fact that the Sussexes behaved as they did was a severe blow to the monarchy, Fitzwilliams told Express, adding, William and Kate, together with George and his siblings, are the future of the monarchy. They will not have appreciated the way the Sussexes have so flagrantly disrespected the queen and shown such open disregard for the institution. One of the reasons why this is so important is because we did House Bill 1006 several years ago, and in doing that, we pushed a lot of lower-level people who would be in prison back in the county jail. This would allow us to alleviate some of that jail overcrowding that we as a legislature pushed on to the locals, Pryor previously said. When a grassland becomes a desert, or a clearwater lake shifts to turbid, the consequences can be devastating for the species that inhabit them. These abrupt environmental changes, known as regime shifts, are the subject of new research in Nature Ecology & Evolution which shows how small environmental changes trigger slow evolutionary processes that eventually precipitate collapse. Until now, research into regime shifts has focused on critical environmental thresholds, or "tipping points," in external conditions -- eg when crossing a certain temperature threshold triggers a sudden shift to desertification. But the new model by Catalina Chaparro-Pedraza and Santa Fe Institute External Professor Andre de Roos, both at the University of Amsterdam, reveals how a small change in the external environment, with little immediate impact, can induce slow evolutionary changes in the species that inhabit the system. After what the researchers call a "considerable delay," wherein species slowly evolve a new trait or behavior over generations, the regime shift manifests as a delayed reaction. "Instead of looking for a straightforward relationship between environmental tipping points and ecosystemic collapse, our work brings evolution into the picture," Chaparro-Pedraza explains. "Even though the outcome is the same, we think it's critically important to map out different paths that lead to regime shifts so we can predict and eventually prevent them." In their model, the researchers demonstrate how these evolution-induced, delayed regime shifts arise in communities of salmon. At different stages of their lives, salmon live in freshwater and marine ecosystems, which both have entirely different biological communities. When a slight change in the marine environment reduces the mortality exposure of the saltwater salmon population, the immediate effects are minor. However, it initiates an evolutionary process that slowly drives individual character traits, like the optimal body size for migrating from the river to an open ocean, to a critical threshold where a regime shift occurs. Remarkably, this regime shift produces dramatic changes in community composition in both the freshwater and marine communities simultaneously, even though nothing changed in the environmental conditions of the freshwater community. Understanding the role of evolutionary processes in regime shifts could also shed light on other complex, interdependent systems. De Roos and Chaparro-Pedraza also examined data from the 2008 financial crisis, which, according to de Roos, "seem pretty much in line with the adaptation-induced regime shift we report in this paper." In this example, the 2008 crash can be seen as the delayed regime shift. The deregulation of the financial system in the 1970s and 1980s would be the environmental change with a negligible immediate effect, and the documented trend of banks changing their debt-to-asset ratio would be analogous to the evolutionary process triggered by the environmental change. "Regime shifts don't just happen in ecosystems," says de Roos. "They also appear in systems like stock markets. Our model shows the evolutionary mechanism by which a sudden change -- like an ecosystem or financial collapse -- may be the result of a small environmental change in the distant past." Boris Johnsons reported threat to walk out of Brexit talks with 27 sovereign states unless they surrender to his demands could turn out to be his Suez moment. Anthony Eden, another old Etonian prime minister, believed in 1956 that the nation and the world would rally around his decision to go to war with Egypt after Gamal Abdel Nasser decided to take the Suez Canal into public ownership. Johnson appears to believe that the British nation and global public opinion will support his breaking off talks with Europe if Britain is not awarded a special status by June and he opts for a no-deal crash-out instead. In an unprecedented move, the UN human rights chief has said she intends to intervene in Indias Supreme Court on the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), prompting New Delhi to assert on Tuesday that no foreign party has such a right in matters related to the countrys sovereignty. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, informed Indias permanent mission in Geneva on Monday evening that her office would file an intervention application in the Supreme Court. People familiar with the development in Geneva said on Tuesday evening the brief was still being worked on and would be filed shortly. The external affairs ministry opted to act pre-emptively, with spokesperson Raveesh Kumar saying the CAA was Indias internal matter and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. He added, We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to Indias sovereignty. A draft of the application, accessed by HT, states that Bachelet wishes to assist the Supreme Court as amicus curiae (friend of the court) on the grounds that the challenge to CAA raises important issues related to international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees. It states that her intervention is also based on her mandate to inter alia protect and promote all human rights and to conduct necessary advocacy in that regard. The application says she will tell the top court migrants within a country should receive equal and non-discriminatory treatment regardless of religion, legal status and documents they possess. UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville confirmed Bachelets intention to submit an amicus curiae brief on the CAA in accordance with the Supreme Courts established procedures, and that she had informed Indias permanent mission of her intention. The amicus curiae {brief} will be filed shortly, he said. Colville said UN human rights chiefs have taken similar steps in the past in international, regional and higher national courts. The high commissioner has great respect for the Indian Supreme Courts independence and importance, and in accordance with similar interventions in domestic jurisdictions by the high commissioner and her predecessors, the amicus curiae will focus on providing an overview of relevant and applicable international human rights standards and norms to support the courts deliberations in the context of its review of the CAA, he added. External affairs ministry spokesperson Kumar, however, said India was clear the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of our constitutional values. The CAA is also reflective of our long-standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India, he said. Kumar added, India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position would be vindicated by the Supreme Court. Former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh described Bachelets move as very unusual and said it was unprecedented in Indias recent legal and diplomatic history. This is a direct intervention by a UN agency and as far as my memory goes, I dont recall any other such move, he said. Singh said the UN bodys intervention was unacceptable as India has a good human rights record. He added, There were riots in Delhi but nobody is rejoicing. Everybody has condemned the violence. The CAA, passed by Parliament last December, seeks to fast-track the grant of citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. The linking of citizenship with religion in the law triggered widespread protests in India, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has questioned whether it was necessary. Bachelet too has been critical of the CAA, telling a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 27 that the law is of great concern. She had said that Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed in a mostly peaceful manner their opposition to the Act, and support for the countrys long tradition of secularism. She also expressed concern at 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. Referring to the sectarian riots in Delhi, she had appealed to political leaders to prevent violence. In December, the UN human rights office had described the CAA as fundamentally discriminatory in nature, as it appears to undermine the commitment to equality before the law enshrined in Indias Constitution and Indias obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The draft application further states that the Supreme Courts examination of the CAA is of substantial interest to the UN high commissioner considering its potential implications for the application and interpretation of Indias international human rights obligations, including the right to equality before the law and the prohibition of discrimination as well as the CAAs impact on the protection of human rights of migrants. The application doesnt expressly refer to the CAA violating international law and covenants, but instead states that Bachelet intends to provide the court with an overview of international human rights norms and standards related to the obligation of nations to protect persons at risk of persecution in their countries of origin. It also states that any differentiation on the basis of religion by a law such as CAA should be objective and reasonable. The benefits of CAA, the application adds, are not afforded to people of any religion from countries other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to recent reports by UN human rights bodies, religious minorities, especially Ahmadi, Hazara and Shia Muslims in these three countries, warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by CAA. There have also been protests against a proposed all-India National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the potential problems that could arise from a combination of the CAA and NRC, aimed at identifying aliens living illegally in India. Protests against the CAA by largely Muslim groups and in favour of the law by Hindus erupted into violence in several neighbourhoods of northeast New Delhi last month, leading to the deaths of 47 people. Mixed feelings of victory and a missed opportunity, happiness and frustration, pride and disappointed accurately describe the emotions at the headquarters of the Arab Joint List with the airing of the exit polls at 10 p.m. local time on March 2. The high turnout of Arab voters, probably around 69%, brought the Joint List to the unprecedented achievement of 15 Knesset seats (according to Channel 11 and Channel 12 exit polls) or 14 seats (as per the Channel 13 exit polls). There is thus no doubt that in the 2020 elections, the alliance of four Arab parties managed to restore the trust of the Arab community in Israels political system, which has done its best to alienate the 21% minority and continues to do so. The last time that happened was in 1999, when Arab voter turnout almost equaled the general turnout (75% compared to 78.7%). The high March 2 turnout attests to a healing of the wounds inflicted by the October 2000 rioting, in which police shot dead 12 Israeli-Arabs and one non-Israeli Palestinian, and an end to the subsequent Arab voter boycott. Arab society has taken a big step and heeded the call to come out and vote, the Arab Joint List chair, Knesset member Ayman Odeh, said with satisfaction. However, his fellow Knesset member Yousef Jabarin also expressed disappointment. Arab voters came out en masse to the ballot boxes and expressed their confidence in us. We are proud of our growing strength and will stand up to the radical right and its destructive initiatives. Blue and White did not present a real alternative, did not offer hope and its dreams of a 'Jewish majority' were a failure in the making, he tweeted. The Joint List knows it cannot prevent the formation of a narrow-based right-wing government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Even with its 15 seats in the 120-member legislature, the Arab party will be unable to block the resurgent Netanyahu. The incitement and discrimination against the Arab community will persist, so that in point of fact nothing will change. In other words, the Knesset members of the Joint List will not be able to do anything for their voters with their newly gained 15 seats that they could not do with the 13 they garnered last time, in September 2019. Thus, the blame they attribute to the centrist Blue and White opposition party, and especially to its chair, Benny Gantz, is justified. The Joint List carried out its mission with success and improved its showing at the polls, which under different circumstances could have determined the balance of power between the right-wing ultra-Orthodox bloc of parties and the center-left, or at least blocked a Netanyahu-led coalition. However, Blue and Whites declared rejection of any partnership or relationship with the Joint List in a bid to curry favor with centrist and right-wing voters, and the scandalous campaign it conducted as a result, lost it the elections. Joint List leaders, especially Odeh and Knesset member Ahmad Tibi, led a pragmatic line designed to bring Arab society into the fold of Israeli politics as an accepted, inherent part of Israeli society. They worked hard to offer hope of change, primarily an end to the Netanyahu regime, but ultimately failed in their task. While the Joint List won the battle, it lost the war, as it was left without partners. Netanyahu is not going home. Even if all 15 Arab Knesset members recommend to President Reuven Rivlin that he task Gantz with forming the next government, they will not bring about change and replace the right-wing government. In the September 2019 election campaign, 10 of the Joint List Knesset members recommended to Rivlin that he give Gantz first crack at forming a coalition government. And what did they get in return? A Netanyahu clone. Gantz was dragged along by Netanyahu, who managed to convince voters that the former army chief would not be able to form any government without the support of the Joint List, a priori discrediting such an alliance. Gantz, on the other hand, proved to be a poor campaigner, imposing a boycott on the Joint List and failing to explain to the public and the media how he would form a government without the Joint List, which he excluded. Instead of distinguishing his party from its Likud rival, Gantz chose to humiliate the Arab Joint List. The Blue and White legislators did not even understand what was wrong with the goal they set of achieving a Jewish majority in the March 2 elections. They failed to understand that this supposedly technical definition of seats in the Knesset (of Jewish-Israeli parties) sounds racist. Blue and White also failed to understand that vetoing any partnership with the Joint List was a position unpalatable to both Arab voters and those Jewish voters who had hoped to see a Jewish-Arab partnership as a sane alternative to the Netanyahu regime. In an interview with the Ynet website after the exit polls were aired, Odeh was asked whether he would once again recommend to Rivlin that he task Gantz with forming the next government (which would not help him in any case). What would we recommend, a Jewish majority? A Zionist one? Unilateral annexation? If Gantz wants a certain recommendation, let him call us, talk to us. We want to understand the direction. And that is exactly the problem, Blue and White does not have one. The Joint List swept up Arab voters and got out the vote in a turnout similar to the Jewish one. That is a very impressive achievement. Voters gave the Joint List significant parliamentary power, although they knew that chances were slim that their vote would increase the prospects of their elected officials joining a future coalition government. Neither Blue and White nor Likud view them as equal partners. The previous campaign ahead of the September 2019 elections, which resulted in the strengthening of the Joint List and a return of its voters to the polling stations, brought about a change in perception on the part of Netanyahu, of all people. Whereas Gantz displayed cowardice and unthinkingly lashed out at the Joint List, Netanyahu actually courted Arab votes. As I wrote here previously, of course Netanyahu did not delude himself into thinking that Arab voters would give his Likud more Knesset seats, but he tried to reduce their motivation to vote for the Joint List and thereby keep as many of them as possible at home on election day. He knew, of course, that incitement against them would bring out Arab voters in droves. In any case, his ploy failed and the current elections testify to an increase in the number of Arab voters. On the other hand, Gantz fell into the trap Netanyahu set for him and was dragged into boycotting the Joint List. Barring the unexpected that would force Israelis into a fourth round of elections, Netanyahu will likely continue with the same strategy. In other words, he will treat the Arabs as a rising political force that could block his attempts to form a government, and portray himself as one who views them as equal citizens. That is exactly what could constitute an achievement for the Joint List that Netanyahu would be forced to view their constituents as equal citizens, whose voice at the ballot box could affect his political and personal fate. The position statement of the study was published in the journal - Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.The position statement was developed by the AASM's Artificial Intelligence in Sleep Medicine Committee.According to the statement, the electrophysiological data collected during polysomnography -- the most comprehensive type of sleep study -- is well-positioned for enhanced analysis through AI and machine-assisted learning."When we typically think of AI in sleep medicine, the obvious use case is for the scoring of sleep and associated events," said the lead researcher Dr Cathy Goldstein."This would streamline the processes of sleep laboratories and free up sleep technologist time for direct patient care," she added.Because of the vast amounts of data collected by sleep centres, AI and machine learning could advance sleep care, resulting in more accurate diagnoses, prediction of disease and treatment prognosis, characterization of disease subtypes, precision in sleep scoring, and optimization and personalization of sleep treatments.Goldstein noted that AI could be used to automate sleep scoring while identifying additional insights from sleep data."AI could allow us to derive more meaningful information from sleep studies, given that our current summary metrics, for example, the apnea-hypopnea index, aren't predictive of the health and quality of life outcomes that are important to patients," Dr Cathy Goldstein said."Additionally, AI might help us understand mechanisms underlying obstructive sleep apnea, so we can select the right treatment for the right patient at the right time, as opposed to one-size-fits-all or trial and error approaches," she added.Important considerations for the integration of AI into the sleep medicine practice include transparency and disclosure, testing on novel data, and laboratory integration.The statement recommends that manufacturers disclose the intended population and goal of any program used in the evaluation of patients; test programs intended for clinical use on independent data; and aid sleep centres in the evaluation of AI-based software performance."AI tools hold great promise for medicine in general, but there has also been a great deal of hype, exaggerated claims and misinformation," said Goldstein."We want to interface with industry in a way that will foster safe and efficacious use of AI software to benefit our patients. These tools can only benefit patients if used with careful oversight," Goldstein added. (ANI) File Photo: A girl wearing a mask skips rope at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) FILIPINOS are now allowed to travel to South Korea as the Philippines, on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, relaxed its travel restrictions to the East Asian nation. However, the ban on the entry of foreign nationals traveling from North Gyeongsang Province, including Daegu City and Cheongdo County, into the Philippines remains effective. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in a statement, said the decision was made by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) during its ninth meeting on Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, at the Department of Health (DOH) central office on Tuesday. The IATF has approved to allow Filipinos to travel to South Korea except to the whole of North Gyeongsang Province, including Daegu City and Cheongdo County where the virus is concentrated, Panelo said. All Filipinos who intend to visit other parts of South Korea shall execute and sign a declaration, signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in their trip. A health advisory pamphlet shall likewise be handed out to them upon their departure, he added. Previously, only Korean permanent resident visa holders, overseas Filipino workers and student visa holders were allowed to go to South Korea as the government first imposed a twin travel ban on Filipino tourists to South Korea and those from North Gyeongsang province to the Philippines last Feb. 26. The Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos) welcomed the IATFs decision to allow Filipinos to travel to South Korea except to the province of North Gyeongsang. We hope it gives a signal for both domestic and international tourists to travel in and out of Cebu. Were hoping this will stimulate the traveling activities of tourists, Catos president Alice Queblatin said. South Korea saw its largest daily increase in new Covid-19 cases Tuesday, with 851 new infections reported, largely in and around the southeastern city of Daegu, where many cases were clustered around a local church. Story continues In all, 5,186 people in South Korea have tested positive for the virus as of Tuesday, largely in and around Daegu, with 31 deaths. Meanwhile, the chief of the Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit (Racu) has appealed to the public to stop sharing false information on Cebu hotels that allegedly checked in Korean nationals who slipped through the mandatory government quarantine. Police Col. Marlo Castillo said charges were already filed by Racu 7 against those responsible for the fake news. Were waiting for the warrant of arrest, Castillo said. He said only the DOH had the right to issue reports on the Covid-19. On Feb. 18, Racu 7 filed a case for cyber libel against Josephil Brian Consuelo, an optometrist, for posting a false report on Facebook that a foreigner died of Covid-19 in a hospital in Mandaue City. Online libel is punishable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code. Central Visayas remained novel coronavirus-free as of Tuesday, March 3. Patients under investigation The DOH 7 reported that there were no more patients under investigation (PUIs) for Covid-19 admitted in any of the regions hospitals. All of the 61 PUIs admitted in the region since Jan. 28 had already been discharged although they were still being monitored, the DOH 7 said. PUIs are those who recently traveled to mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong and manifested symptoms of Covid-19 or those that had contact with persons found positive for the novel coronavirus and manifest symptoms of the virus. The symptoms include, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. No new confirmed Covid-19 patients were recorded anywhere in the country although the DOH continued to monitor a total of 639 cases nationwide. Of the number, 613 PUIs were already discharged but are still being monitored by the DOH, while 23 PUIs remained in isolation in various hospitals. The only three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the countrythe 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, a total of 88,948 confirmed Covid-19 cases have been recorded as of Monday, March 2. Of the number, 80,174 came from mainland China. Other developments: The Philippine Government will repatriate overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong and Macau who had lost their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak there. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on his official Twitter account said he wanted the repatriation of the fired OFWs done immediately. Locsin was reacting to a GMA News report that said domestic workers in Hong Kong were being fired for reasons such as arguments over the time they were allowed to spend outside the house on their days off amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Well prepare for their repatriation pronto, said Locsin. Deeply disgusted with HK which begged us to let domestic workers return to work. I extracted promise from Chinese ambassador that theyd be given same protection from Covid-19 as HK residents. I should have specified from Hongkongers, Locsin said in his tweet. At least two Filipino migrant workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Hong Kong as of last month. Of the two Covid-19 affected overseas Filipino workers, one is scheduled to be released while the other is still in isolation. (SUNSTAR PHILIPPINES, JKV, AYB, JOB, WBS with AP ) Majority of Protestant churchgoers do not attend alone: LifeWay Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The vast majority of Protestant churchgoers in the United States do not attend alone, but rather go with family or friends, according to a new report by LifeWay Research. In a report titled Most Protestant Churchgoers Dont Go to Church Alone that was released Tuesday, LifeWay asked Protestant churchgoers who normally travels with them to church. Eighty-one percent of respondents said they attend church with at least one other person, with options including spouse, children, grandchildren, other family, friend, or someone who lacks transportation. Respondents were allowed to select multiple options. The most common response was my spouse, with 54 percent of respondents selecting that option. The next most common was child/children at 31 percent, followed by another family member at 18 percent, and friend or acquaintance at 11 percent. Those who responded that they travel to church by themselves was 19 percent, with respondents aged 50 or older being more likely than respondents aged 18-34 to say they travel alone (23 percent vs. 13 percent). LifeWay drew from an online survey conducted Sept. 20-27 of last year, which had a sample of 1,002 American Protestants who attend church at least once a month. Other findings from the report included men being more likely than women to report attending worship with their spouse (64 percent vs. 46 percent), women being more likely than men to say their children travel with them (36 percent vs. 24 percent), and 3 percent of respondents reporting going to church with someone who lacks transportation. Many weeks, its hard enough for attendees to get themselves to church, so its not surprising few are stopping to pick up a neighbor, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, in a statement released with the report. The reality is, if every Christian driving or riding to church this week used the extra vehicle seats around them to bring other people, churches would likely not be able to contain the crowds. Last August, LifeWay released a report that found a majority of Protestant churchgoers believed they could walk with God without the need of other believers. Sponsored by the Center for Church Revitalization at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the report found that 65 percent of Protestant churchgoers said they could walk with God without other Christians and 36 percent of respondents agreed strongly. At the same time, however, the 2019 report also found that 75 percent of respondents felt they needed help from others with their walk of faith. "The 'needing, yet not needing' responses demonstrate an internal turmoil of individuals desiring community, but not seeing the church as the place to have those needs met," said Kenneth Priest, interim director of the Center, at the time. "Solo Christianity is an inward desire to seek after spiritual matters without the realization biblical community is what will fulfill the desire they are seeking. SANTA ROSA Sonoma County public health officials Monday followed in the footsteps of several other Bay Area governments dealing with the coronavirus, declaring a public health emergency while confirming the existence of a second patient diagnosed with the illness. But Sonoma County officials have diverged sharply in another way from their counterparts in other places, declining since last week to identify the local hospital or hospitals that are treating coronavirus patients. Barbie Robinson, head of the countys Department of Health Services, has cited the federal law meant to guard patient privacy as the cause for withholding the information in conversations with Sonoma County supervisors, according to chairwoman Susan Gorin and Supervisor Shirlee Zane. That decision raised immediate red flags with government transparency experts, several supervisors and critics who said it denied the public access to important information that other local governments and health providers have reported across the region and nation. Zane said she knows where the patients are being treated and that withholding information generally from the public causes anxiety and distrust, Zane said. We dont want to do anything to cause anxiety and distrust, she said. We need the public to work with us. Still, she and her fellow supervisors would not divulge where the patients were being treated. Supervisor Lynda Hopkins signaled that she was also aware of the location of the local patients. Its really important to be forthcoming, she said in an interview, while also declining to share publicly what county officials know. Government transparency experts said the countys stance involved an extraordinary interpretation of the federal law health privacy law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), that bars providers from disclosing of personal information including name, health and financial details about patients. I would say it is an extremely aggressive use of HIPAA, said Glen Smith, litigation director for Californias First Amendment Coalition.If theres no way of linking this information to a specific individual, the statute really doesnt apply. Six people in United States have died from the virus, all in Washington state, where local and state officials have been more forthcoming. At least four Washington hospitals have been identified as treating patients who tested positive for the coronavirus. In California, UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento was singled out among other regional providers that are treating coronavirus patients. Solano County health and government officials have talked publicly about staff members exposed at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville by a patient being treated there and later transferred to UC Davis Medical Center. In February, Napas Queen of the Valley Medical Center acknowledged treating two patients transferred from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County who were suspected of having contracted the coronavirus aboard a cruise ship. The virus was confirmed in one patient who was then transferred to a hospital in Washington state for treatment, while the second patient tested negative and was sent back to Travis to complete a 14-day quarantine. A city of Santa Rosa spokeswoman says the county hasnt even told the city where the coronavirus patients are being treated. Santa Rosa has the countys three largest hospitals, including Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Sutter Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa Memorial. Robinson, speaking Monday afternoon at a press conference about the countys public health emergency, again declined to identify the local hospitals involved in coronavirus treatment. She cited the federal patient privacy law. The first local case of coronavirus exposure was reported Feb. 25 by Sonoma Countys public health division. The patient had been a passenger on the virus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship and transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Solano County before being taken to a Sonoma County hospital for care. The second patient, reported only to be in stable condition, had recently returned from a trip on a cruise ship that traveled from San Francisco to Mexico, according to the county health department. The emergency declaration, which the Board of Supervisors is slated to affirm Wednesday, allows the county to request additional resources to prepare for the virus spread. Supervisors have promised to look more deeply into county decisions to withhold certain information. For Smith, an attorney, those decisions arent always directly linked to HIPAA. What happens with HIPAA lots of times is its cited as a justification when people have other reasons why they dont want to release information, Smith said. In a follow-up phone interview, Zane said she had reached out to Robinson for clarity on the decision to withhold information. Zane said there are reasons beyond health privacy laws. We dont want people to not show up to the hospital, or staff to not show up to the hospital out of fear, Zane said. Were trying to balance the whole issue of providing the public with information while at the same time taking care of the community. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. HEALTH Minister Simon Harris has said officials who incorrectly stated that a HSE-issued letter about the confirmed Covid-19 case in Ireland was a fake, acted in good faith. Mr Harris was responding to earlier denials from the HSE and the Department of Health about a letter issued to those who attended a band practice at the weekend asking them to self-isolate until Sunday, March 15. The HSE has written to a number of people who attended the band practice and asked them to self-isolate until Sunday March 15. The first confirmed case of coronavirus attended the band practice before being diagnosed, and the HSE has issued the letter to the people who attended the same practice to prevent the possible spread of infection. The letter only applies to the people who attended the session with the patient who has now tested positive for the illness, and not people who attended other practice sessions. Those who are self-isolating will now be monitored by public health officials over the next two weeks, in a similar way to the students and staff of the school which has been closed. The HSE initially told journalists on Tuesday that this letter was a fake and the Department of Health tweeted that it was aware of fake letters circulating. The tweet has since been deleted. Speaking at Government Buildings Mr Harris said there had been a lot of misinformation circulating on social media including a letter pretending to be from a supermarket and screengrabs of a fake RTE News doctored. He said the HSE letter issued to members who attended the band practice was real. It arises from the contact tracing in relation to the one person we have in our country who has been diagnosed with Covid-19, he said. He said that officials acted in good faith in responding to what was a very dynamic situation when asked about the earlier denials. He continued: The important thing not to be lost here is the public information here, which is that the letter is true, and that the precautionary measures to be taken have now been put in place. He said Health officials are working flat-out and that they are answering questions and queries in good faith. On this occasion that good faith turned out not to be true. That has been quickly rectified and clarified by me as Minister for Health." He declined to say any officials at the centre of the controversy would be reprimanded or sanctioned. Mr Harris was speaking after a Cabinet meeting earlier where it was agreed to set up a Cabinet sub-committee, a stakeholder forum to engage with civic society and to identify, with the Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, areas of the health service that may need extra funding. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said there is a moderate to high risk of more cases emerging and that the government is pursuing a policy of containment. "There will be no panic but there will also be no complacency," he said. He said there was no requirement for emergency legislation at this stage but that this would be kept under review. Mr Harris stressed that 81pc cases of Covid-19 diagnosed in China were deemed to be mild, according to WHO figures and that this meant the overwhelming number of cases diagnosed so far are mild and would not require hospitalisation. The historic Ferracute building on Commerce Street in Bridgeton will have to be demolished after a devastating fire ripped through the vacant structure overnight, city officials said. Bridgeton Fire Chief Todd Bowen said fire crews were called around 12:30 a.m. to a heavy fire on the entire roof of the office building of the former industrial complex. Pockets of fire continued to burn through daybreak. Later, a construction crew came to begin demolition of the building. Unfortunately, due to the damage sustained from the fire and the walls not being supported anymore, it became a dangerous structure and we could not go inside," Bowen told NJ Advance Media. "We brought the heavy equipment in to extinguish the rest of the fire. Unfortunately, for public safety, it had to be demolished. Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly a significant part of the citys past was lost. I am sad that a piece of history such as this Ferracute office building had to be demolished, Kelly said. It had a lot of potential for future generations. We have tried in the past to find a way to utilize that property, but, unfortunately, to no avail. The Ferracute Machine Company in Bridgeton owned by the city since 2007 and on the National Historic Register was once a sprawling complex, first owned by inventor Oberlin Smith and his brother Frederick, who purchased the site in 1877. With the iconic brick office building placed at the front, the rest of the land housed an erecting shop, a forge, pattern storage, pattern shop, woodworking shop, carpenter shop, and boiler room. Arthur J. Cox, co-author of the book Ferracute: The History of an American Enterprise, previously told NJ Advance Media that Smith was a well-respected, intelligent man who made Ferracute into a global power. He was one of the pioneers of manufacturing certain kinds of machine tools which were metalworking presses. Metalworking presses are different from other machine tools in that they deform metal in certain ways. Other machine tools take metal away. Cox and the contractor were able to help the fire department save the cornerstone of the building that has a time capsule inside of the historic brick. A time capsule from the Ferracute Machine Company was saved after a fire forced the building's demolition Tuesday. As Ferracutes reputation began to spread across the county, the company sold presses and dies to some of the biggest companies in the world. A fire burned down the factory in 1903, but the factory was rebuilt the next year. Business returned to normal, and the company began making presses for bicycles. Auto companies later followed in becoming significant buyers, with Ford being the first to purchase presses to be shipped to its plants for its Model-T cars. In 1939, in a bankruptcy proceeding in Mays Landing, George E. Bass purchased the company, and then some 40 years later the Ferracute Manufacturing Company was sold to St. Louis-based Fulton Iron Works. The structure was eventually included in numerous historic registries the citys, the states and then the National Historic Register. The property was listed on Preservation New Jerseys 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2000, in an attempt to raise awareness about the need for saving it. People have tried to save the office building and reuse it for new office space, Penny Watson is a member of Preservation New Jersey told NJ Advance Media earlier this year. That would be the best use of it, but it has deteriorated, and it will be expensive. In 2014, a business was interested in developing the site as a location for fish farming and hydroponic farming for aquatic plants. However, the plan never came to fruition. READ MORE: He was the Nikola Tesla of N.J. but plans to save his crumbling factory are kaput Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Joe Bidens resurrection as a viable candidate has added new tension to the Democratic primary, and has thinned down the field of candidates, with both Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropping out of the race to endorse him. With Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg yet to catch up in the polls, Biden is now the main challenger to putative frontrunner Bernie Sanders. But while Biden and Sanders are currently seen as the only two likely nominees, the odds that neither will win the nomination outright are apparently going up raising the prospect that the nomination will have to be decided at the Democratic National Convention in July. A brokered or contested convention is not something the Democrats want. It could deeply divide the party, with supporters of whichever candidate was denied the nomination potentially coming out convinced they were robbed of it by the party elite. Equally, its possible the unedifying spectacle of candidates trading horses and shouting each other down at the last stage of the process could leave whoever is nominated badly tarnished heading into the election. Nonetheless, with things as they are, it seems the Democrats are unlikely to go to the convention with the nominee already ordained by primary voters. 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 Why might a brokered convention be on the cards? To formally become the Democratic nominee, a candidate must win a majority of delegates to the convention. There are 3,979 pledged delegates available this year, meaning a candidate needs to pick up 1,990 to win on the first ballot. These delegates are allocated based on candidates performance in the primaries and caucuses held across the states. While some are allocated on the basis of statewide victories, many are allocated proportionally based on results at lower levels, meaning that even candidates who win relatively few states (or even none) can pick up enough delegates to keep others from winning the nomination outright. The delegates vote for the nominee in whats called a roll call vote, where the states delegations take turns to announce their votes. If no candidate reaches 1,991 delegates on the first ballot, a second ballot is held. According to Democratic Party rules, the second ballot includes votes from the partys 771 superdelegates and thats where the controversy really begins. What say do the establishment get? The superdelegates are a collection of party officials, officeholders and grandees with voting rights at the convention. Under current party rules, they are allowed to vote for whichever candidate they like, but only when the process goes to a second ballot. They previously had more power, but it was diminished by a rules change after the 2016 primary, in which many Sanders supporters accused the party establishment of stitching up the nomination for Hillary Clinton by declaring their support for her early on. However, as Elizabeth Warren has pointed out, when Sanders began to trail Clinton in pledged delegates, he himself suggested that superdelegates could hand him the nomination even though he had fallen behind, citing momentum in some of the late-voting states. Sanders has this year changed tack again. He now suggesting the superdelegates should automatically support whoever wins a plurality of pledged delegates, saying that to do otherwise would be to rig the primary against the voters choice. Biden has dismissed the idea as hypocrisy: I wonder where that view was when he was challenging Hillary after she went in with a commanding lead, he said. That said, Sanders may have genuine cause for concern. The New York Times has reported that the party establishment is so convinced Sanders would lose to Trump in November that some superdelegates are already hatching plans to prevent him from being nominated. How likely is this to happen? A lot depends on how long the remaining candidates stay in the race, and how many delegates they win as well as whether they release those delegates and/or instruct them to vote for another candidate. If Warren and Bloomberg fail to win enough delegates to make much of a difference and either Biden or Sanders somehow pulls far ahead, that could defuse some of the tension. But whats also worth remembering is that even though talk of a brokered convention for one party or the other surfaces at some point in almost every presidential cycle, the closest any recent convention has come to genuinely contested is fractious. In 2008, the Democrats headed into their convention exhausted from a months-long battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, by the end of which Obama had eked out a narrow pledged delegate lead. While Clinton endorsed Obama just days after the last primaries, some of her more vocal fans were determined to try and peel the nomination away from him. But in the end, their efforts came to nothing. Clinton nominated Obama in the roll call vote on the convention floor, dispelling any lingering worries of a full-on floor fight. In 2016, meanwhile, both sides went into their conventions with different problems. The Republicans were set to nominate Donald Trump, whose unstoppable rise had left much of the party establishment aghast; the Democrats, meanwhile, had seen Clinton defeat Bernie Sanders by millions of votes, but not before he roused an anti-establishment movement whose support bordered on devotion. Both conventions were acrimonious, with some anti-Trump delegates making a last-ditch attempt to block him and Sanders supporters variously booing, walking out and objecting to procedure. As far as their conventions were concerned, neither party was ever in any serious doubt about who their nominee would be. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 07:28:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Fu Luqiang, a "running man" of UU Runner, an errand running company, hands over the food to a customer in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Feb. 25, 2020. Users can place an order and specify the errands they need done on either UU Runner's website or app. A registered "running man" then accepts the order and run the errands for the customer. People in different occupations stuck to their posts amid the fight against the novel coronavirus. (Xinhua/Li An) New Delhi, March 3 : In a more worrying sign for India, six new suspected cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported in Uttar Pradesh's Agra on Tuesday. "Six cases with high viral load have been detected during sample testing in Agra. These are the ones who have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi, reported yesterday. They have been kept in isolation. Their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for confirmation," read a government statement. "Contact tracing of the persons who have come in contact with these six persons is also simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network", the statement added. With that, the total count of those affected by the deadly virus right now, goes up to 8, in India. On Monday, two cases of the Corona virus were reported - one from the national capital and the other from Telangana. The Ministry in a statement said: "One positive case of COVID-19 has been detected in New Delhi, and one has been detected in Telangana." According to the Health Ministry, the person who has tested positive from Delhi has a travel history to Italy, while the one from Telangana visited Dubai. Earlier in India, there were three positive COVID-19 cases reported from Kerala, but all were discharged from the hospital after they recovered from the disease. More than 2,000 people have been screened at 21 international airports in India in order to contain the disease. The Centre has evacuated Indians as well as foreign nationals at least thrice from the COVID-19-affected China. Suspected persons were quarantined at the Chhawala and Manesar isolation camps arranged by the Army and the ITBP. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text When a patient dies, his or her death is usually blamed on sickness, but dont be mistaken: Nigerian health officials would have enormously contributed to it. Deaths of many patients would have been fast-tracked by the many drawbacks of a comatose public health system. However, to ascertain the time an average patient spends before seeing a doctor, and to experience what patients go through in government hospitals, Information Nigerias Editor, Gbenga Odunsi who disguised and registered as a patient at the Ogun State General hospital on Sokenu Road, Ijaye in Abeokuta brings this report. At about 1:30 pm on a sunny afternoon, the patient-journalist walks up to the registration desk to make inquiries on how to get hospital card. Here, every patient is required to pay N300 to obtain a card before seeing a doctor. You cannot get a card now, says a woman at the small cubicle where patients register to obtain hospital card. You have to wait till 3:30 pm when the doctor for the next shift arrives. Alarmed, I ask what would happen if I have brought an emergency case. You still have to wait till 3:30 pm, she said. But you can go to the emergency ward and tell them. They may attend to you if they see your condition requires emergency, she added. Well, since there was no possibility of seeing a doctor, I left the hospital. The next day, I got to the hospital at about 8am. I met a young lady at the point of payment section of the General Outpatient Department (GOPD). She was the only one attending to patients both new and returning ones. At the Records department, a middle-aged man and lady tended to every patient. The job of the lady requires collecting receipts after payment, while the man inputs the demographic details of patients in a higher education book (not even a computer). This process lasted several hours and patients, including those with emergency cases, had to wait it out. After my details were collected, I joined the queue of patients waiting to see the doctor. At about 9:45am, a nurse called me to check my blood pressure. At the hospital, it is a norm for nurses to examine patients before assigning them to a doctor And again, this process took longer time; even though three nurses were responsible for this procedure. They were seen gisting, chatting, and laughing while attending to sick patients. Many Nigerians prefer to practice self-medication than visit the hospital. The fear of spending long hours before seeing a doctor drives sick people to self medicate. While waiting to see a doctor, Information Nigeria observed that consultation session with doctors did not last up to 10 minutes. Despite complaints of a severe and constant headache, accompanied by body pains, the consultant doctor only asked two questions and scribbled down medical jargons on my card. This didnt last up to 6 minutes either. How doctors negligence led to death of a sick child Information Nigeria recalls a Nigerian woman, Oyin Gucci, who lost her child in 2019. The bereaved mother recounted how she lost her nine-month-old son due to carelessness of a doctor at the Ikorodu General Hospital in Lagos State. According to Gucci, her son suffered from an attack at 3 a.m. on July 19 and she rushed him to the General Hospital, Ikorodu. A nurse on duty met them, but the doctor who was scheduled to be on duty was absent and his phone was switched off. Consequently, the nurse said there was little she could do for the sick child. Gucci narrated how two hours later; the doctor strolled in leisurely, unperturbed. He acted as if there was no emergency and did not offer any direct treatment to her son. Instead, he wrote some prescriptions for her to buy and left for the mosque to pray. Thirty minutes later, he returned and attended to other patients. Gucci felt these other cases were not as serious as her sons, whom she could see was struggling to breathe. In the end, her son died more than 6 hours after arriving at the hospital. The situation is not different at Ogun state hospital Crossing his arms with his left hand out, Bimbo detailed how his brother died at the state hospital due to negligence of the doctor on duty. Wearing a sombre look, the agony in her eyes is evident. Two months after the sad experience, the 32-year-old lady has not been able to get over her loss. She gnashes her teeth intermittently, stressing that her brothers death has caused damage in the family. Bimbo says her brother, who was ill, was rushed to the state hospital on 2nd December, 2019. On arriving at the hospital, he was wheeled to the emergency unit but nurses refused to attend to him until a hospital card was obtained, which took up to an hour, due to a large number of patients on waiting to obtain a card. Several minutes after getting the card, the patient was still not attended to. The nurses on- call were like voltrons; they work at their own convenience and you cannot confront them. But I managed to challenge the doctor when he walked majestically into the ward. With no sign of remorse, the doctor said he wont kill himself over an emergency case. My brother was finally examined; his blood sample collected, and the doctor asked me to take it to the lab for a test. The doctor finally examined my brother, took blood samples and asked me to take it to the lab for test. But unfortunately, when I got to the lab, I was told its past 4pm and I would have to come back the following day for result. With this development, my brother was left without treatment throughout that day until the lab test results were ready the following day. Two days after, he was hurriedly moved out of the emergency unit, due to lack of bed space. On the third day, his condition worsened, his breathing changed. Again, we were told there was no doctor on duty and we would have to wait till the next doctor on shift resumes. I almost ran mad when my brother breathe his last breath. Why a state hospital is understaffed is what I am yet to understand. Many tragic incidents that happened in this hospital could have been avoided if there were enough doctors, Bimbo added, in an embittered voice. Like Bimbo, the visit to Ogun State hospital was similarly a nasty experience for Mr Toba Ogundele, a 41-year-old secondary school teacher. Ogundele had gone to the hospital to complain of chest pain. According to his narration, he got to the hospital around 10am but was unable to see the doctor until 2:10pm, after a long wait at the General Outpatient Department On seeing the doctor, I explained the symptoms of my illness and he suggested I have a blood test. But on getting to the laboratory department, I was told to come back the following day as they could no longer take blood sample for the day. I had to go back home, still in pains. The next day, I ensured I arrived the hospital by 9am before it was already crowded. The lab attendant asked me to pay N1500, which I did. The blood sample was taken and I was asked to return for the result by 1pm. Due to the excruciating pain, I couldnt go to work or even move around; so, I hung around the premises. By 1pm, I was back at the lab for my result. Lo and behold, it wasnt ready. It took another 55 minutes for the result to be ready. I collected it and hurried back to the General Outpatient Department, hoping to see the doctor and get drugs, but those I met on the queue were already tired and lamenting the queue wasnt moving at all. Out of frustration and annoyance, I left the hospital unattended to, after all the sufferings. Endless frustration of patients Information Nigeria met with a man where he sat on a covet beside the maintenance department of the facility, fanning himself on a Thursday afternoon. Recounting his experience on how doctors and nurses treated patients when his mum was placed on admission at the state hospital, the 35-year-old man, who pleaded anonymity said: The nurses have bad manners; they are always rude to patients. Some go as far as screaming at sick patients. While I was at the ward with my mother, on several occasions, I kept reminding nurses that the drip of a patient was finished and needs to be changed. You can imagine that kind of negligence, he says, while his face contours into a frown. Most of the nurses are only good at gossiping with themselves on their seat. When their attention is needed, they find it difficult to leave their seat to attend to patients in the ward. They hardly treated emergency cases with speed of urgency. If they were truly trained as nurse, they would understand that 3 seconds is a lot of time to waste. If some patients had 3 seconds, they could have been alive today. It is a pity but with my experience here, I can boldly state that a lot of deaths that happen in Nigerian hospitals occurred because the patients lived in Nigeria. You would never find unruly health workers in foreign countries, and they take patients health more seriously. Would you blame politicians who travel to foreign countries to treat cough and headache, when health practitioners in Nigeria, who took an oath to save lives are doing the exact opposite? Just two days in the ward, I saw more patients die like it was the latest trend. I would never forget a young girl who was frequently in pain while his parents watched helplessly, but the nurses did nothing about it. Regularly, I would go to meet the nurses to please come attend to her. I got to the ward this morning to hear she had died, just imagine such, in a country that claims to be giant of Africa. It is widely believed that medical bills at state hospitals are relatively cheap and affordable for the average Nigerian, but with the attitude of Ogun health workers, sick patients prefer visiting private hospitals where they will have to pay much but get timely attention. While patients have recounted their experiences of longer waiting in emergency ward or at the General Outpatient Department, leading to frustration and anxiety, some have put the blame on the underfunded system and understaffing. Temidayo, 28, a webmaster based in Abeokuta said he once left the state hospital in anger after several efforts to see a doctor but was discouraged by the number of patients on queue waiting to be attended to. I was not feeling too well sometimes last month, I made a decision to visit the state hospital for a checkup, since it is just a mile away from my house. I arrived there at about 11am but was greeted by hundreds of patients waiting for a doctor to attend to them. If I had waited on that particular day, I am sure I wont be able to see the doctor until evening. So, I went back home and returned the following day, this time, around 8am. Again, I was welcomed by tens of other patients already seated at the general out-patient department, waiting to see a doctor. I had thought I would be among the first ten patients. I joined others, but when it didnt get to my turn around 11am, I left the hospital and checked into a private hospital where I was given quick attention. Mortuary with limited body trays With the negligence, carelessness and recklessness of doctors and nurses at Ogun State Hospital, it is not surprising that the mortuary section of the hospital is filled to the brim. On February 14th, a day commonly known as Valentines Day, I stormed the mortuary, posing as bereaved hunting for a morgue for a freshly dead uncle. I spent time with dead bodies; moving from one corpse to another, ranging from accident fatalities, murder victims, among others. The morgue-attendant, an elderly man in his mid-50s, shows no pity at the bereaved visitor trying to make inquiries. Bring your corpse first, I will explain everything to you, he says. I made him understand family members sent me and I need to get the necessary information to make an informed decision on whether we will bring our corpse or find somewhere else. Knowing I may change my mind if he doesnt spell out the costs and other necessary information, the tall, slim-figure mortuary attendant opens up. I need to see the place where the deceased will be kept, I interrupted. You want to enter? Come in, he says, without hesitation. The morgue of the state hospital is neat and well cleaned. All the corpses were neatly placed on body trays, and no stench emanated from the air-conditioned room. Inside the mortuary, a brightly lit room is quiet; no sound whatsoever. The smell of cleaning agents filled the air. Out of respect for the dead, I decided not to take pictures of corpses. Although the room is neat, stainless body trays were in limited supply. Asked where the new corpse I intend bringing will be laid, the morgue attendant insists I bring it first, then we will find a space for it. When did he die? Is he fat? Bring him first These were the words the morgue-attendant uttered, to my dismay. Depositing a corpse at the state hospital morgue costs N25,000 for the first one week, after which N500 will be paid daily at the expiration of the first seven days. These are official rates pasted on the door entrance of the morgue. It is time to bargain price, but the attendant insists the prices are official. Even though I knew he could do some reductions to make gain for his personal pocket, I blatantly told him the prices are on the high side and I may just have to look for another morgue. This price is cheap when compared to other mortuaries in town, you can go there to confirm, he says, insisting he would not soil his hands in corruption. This attendant is not your average Nigerian. He belongs to a slim clique of men who, despite temptations, would remain resolute while shunning corruption. In his 2020 budget presentation to the State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, 3rd December 2019, Governor Dapo Abiodun says a total sum of N44.719 billion has been earmarked for the Health sub-sector. Abiodun said his administration will enhance health care delivery in the State through rehabilitating, equipping and providing adequate staffing for the general hospitals and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) so as to continue to serve as effective referral centres for the lower tier healthcare delivery centres. The state hospital is vast becoming a home of pains, agony, and deaths, and Ogun state residents can only but hope that the several challenges facing the state hospital, including understaffing, would be resolved soon to forestall further loss of lives of patients. A front of house staff member was mortified when she unwittingly told Andrew Lloyd Webber off for filming while he was watching his own show. Hayley Baldwin, from London, went to have a word when she noticed a member of the audience at the theatre where she works was recording the performance. She tweeted about her experience, revealing the composer, 71, reacted by shaking his head, waving his arms and shouting 'no'. It prompted others to share the embarrassing moment they scolded an audience member - only to realise they were a celebrity. But many commenters sided with Hayley, saying that she'd been following the correct procedures and that the rules on filming in the theatre should apply to everyone. Mail Online has contacted a representative for Baron Lloyd-Webber for comment. Hayley Baldwin (pictured), from London, went to have a word when she noticed a member of the audience at the theatre where she works was recording the performance Hayley, a musical theatre graduate, wrote: 'So today I accidentally told THE Andrew Lloyd Webber off for filming his own show... guess there goes my chances of ever being in any of his shows in the future.' When asked how Mr Lloyd Webber reacted Hayley said: 'If Im honest, its a blur. 'But there were a lot of waving arms and shaking of heads whilst he was shouting "no". 'I then panicked and just replied with "Oh okay", and said sorry more times than I probably shouldve, and ran and hid.' Others were quick to share their own experiences, including telling off theatre director Cameron Mackintosh and asking The Spice Girls' Emma Bunton to stop taking pictures in London's West End. Hayley was mortified when she accidentally told Andrew Lloyd Webber (pictured last December) off for filming while he was watching his own show Another staff member revealed he's also had a Llyod Webber, run in writing: 'Dont worry we told him off at the Donmar for talking all the way through one of the Divas at the Donmar shows - just bad manners.' Another added: 'If it helps an ex friend of mine once sshhd him during Heathers at his own theatre.' 'I told Baby Spice off for taking pictures in a theatre once.... same rule for everyone!' another said. Another wrote of the time her husband asked the producer Cameron Mackintosh to move out of his seat. She tweeted about her experience, prompting others to share the embarrassing moment they told off an audience member - only to realise they were a celebrity They said: 'Reminds me of opening night party of the first tour of Phantom of the Opera, Edinburgh in the early '90s. 'Hubbie went to get puddings and came back to find his seat next to me was taken. 'Huffily and obliviously asked THE Cameron Mackintosh to move. Ever wanted the floor to swallow you up?!!! 'To be fair we were his guests at his Opening Night Party (800 guests in total), so I guess he was fully entitled to sit in whosoever seat he chose! 'My husband, being an engineer by trade, was merrily oblivious to who "he" was and we still chuckle about it nearly 30 years later.' Others were quick to share their own experiences of 'shhing' Mr Lloyd Webber, telling off theatre director Cameron Mackintosh and even asking The Spice Girls' Emma Bunton to stop when she was taking pictures in London's West End Another added: 'Dont worry- one half of our team once told a very noisy person in the foyer to keep their voice down as the show had started, and FOH staff had been told to make sure people were quiet in the foyer. 'The person talking loudly was the lead producer- who also made the rule!' Another said: 'Do not fret, I told Cameron Mackintosh off once for standing in an area where audience members are not allowed to stand. 'Marched over there, tapped him on the shoulder and told him to move, and then he turned around and I slowly backed away mouthing "Oh my god, sorry".' One woman said her husband was sitting next to Mr Lloyd Webber and the moment Hayley told him off was the best part of the night Another revealed: 'We told off John Major for getting in our way at a Test Match (photographer brought him out for photos during play).' 'I also walked onto the 'Blitz' set of 1940s war drama "The Winds of War" wearing a 'The Prisoner' t-shirt, carrying my squash bag. Upset people both times!' Others were supportive as they leapt to her defence, saying Mr Lloyd Webber should have known better than to react by getting angry. Others were more supportive as they leapt to her defence, saying Mr Lloyd Webber should have known better than to react by getting angry One penned: 'If he hasnt got the required permissions, it is as illegal for him to film the design and performers, as anyone else. 'And you were not to know. So thats on him. He should have arranged for them to do it from the box, and you were protecting HIS work.' 'I would have done as well. Ownership is no excuse for poor theatre etiquette,' one added. EU chiefs on Tuesday pledged millions of euros of financial assistance to Greece to help tackle the migration surge from neighbouring Turkey, warning against those wishing to "test Europe's unity". Flying by helicopter over the Greek-Turkish border, where thousands of desperate asylum-seekers have tried to break through for days, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would provide Greece "all the support needed". "Those who seek to test Europe's unity will be disappointed. We will hold the line and our unity will prevail," von der Leyen said, standing alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the chiefs of the European Council and European Parliament. The European Commission president said the bloc would provide 700 million euros ($777 million), half of it immediately, to help manage the migrant situation. In addition, the EU border agency Frontex will deploy a rapid intervention team including an additional 100 guards backed by coastal patrol vessels, helicopters and vehicles, she said. "Our first priority is making sure that order is maintained at the Greek external border, which is also the European border," von der Leyen told journalists. - 'Wake-up call' for Europe - Earlier, Mitsotakis announced that Greek border forces had averted "over 24,000 attempts at illegal entry" by land and sea, making dozens of arrests. "Europe has not been up to the task of dealing with the migration crisis," he said. "I hope this crisis will serve as a wake-up call for everyone to assume their responsibilities." Amid claims on the Turkish side that Greek security forces are shooting near migrants, European Council President Charles Michel said it was "crucial to act in a proportionate manner and to show respect for human dignity and international law". At the Greek border crossing of Kastanies, AFP reporters saw soldiers boarding migrants onto military vehicles. Other unmarked vans were also picking up migrants wandering on the streets. Thousands have arrived at the frontier since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last week that it would no longer stop them trying to enter Europe. European leaders have insisted Turkey abide by a 2016 deal to stop migrant departures in exchange for six billion euros in assistance. Some Syrians have accused Turkish troops of pushing them across the frontier. Von der Leyen said she had "compassion for the migrants that have been lured through false promises into this desperate situation." Turkey already hosts some four million refugees and faces another huge influx from Syria where the regime, backed by Russian air power, is pressing a violent offensive to retake the last rebel-held province of Idlib. burs-jph/jj The EU promised personnel, patrol vessels, helicopers and vehicles to help Greece cope with the crisis European Council President Charles Michel called for a 'proportionate' response from border officials amid reports of violence against migrants trying to land boats on the Greek islands President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap President Moon Jae-in stated Tuesday that South Korea has begun a "war" against COVID-19 as the crisis in Daegu and nearby North Gyeongsang Province peaks, placing all government agencies on a 24-hour full alert. Speaking at a weekly Cabinet meeting, he announced plans to inject 30 trillion won (US$25 billion) of funds directly or indirectly into the virus response. The meeting was held in combination with a daily session of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at the government office complex in Seoul. He said the continuing confirmation of additional cases is "a critical phase." He pointed out the situation has become completely different before and after the massive infections linked with a fringe religious group known as Shincheonji. Many of its followers were found to have contracted the virus after attending crowded worship services at a Daegu church in February. His remarks came as health authorities put the total number of those infected with the virus in the nation at 4,812, up 600 from Monday. Most of the cases were reported in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and the neighboring province. "The crisis in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province reached its peak and the whole country has entered a war against the infectious disease," Moon said. As horse-trading charges intensified in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Kamal Nath said he has asked legislators of the ruling camp to take the money allegedly being offered by the BJP leadership in the state if given for free. He said this while responding to queries on charges of Congress MLAs being offered money by the BJP. As MLAs are telling me about money offers, I am telling them phokat me mil raha hai, toh le lena (accept the offer if given for free), Nath said. When asked about the fate of his government that the saffron party has been claiming is functioning on a very thin majority and can be overthrown easily, the senior Congress leader said there is nothing to worry. On Tuesday, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh accused the BJP of approaching Congress MLAs and allies with offers up to Rs 35 crore. He asked former home minister senior leader Bhupendra Singh if he had taken BSP MLA Rambai Singh to New Delhi in a chartered plane. While claiming he had full faith on the BSP MLAs loyalty, Singh urged former chief minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan to comment on the issue. The BSP and Samajwadi Party are extending outside support to the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Baijnath Kushwaha said senior saffron camp functionaries, including Chouhan, have approached him with offer. Kushwaha is said to have told Minister Govind Singh about how one Pramod Sharma from Bhind had met him on behalf of some BJP leaders a month ago and offered him Rs 25 crore or a ministerial post and Rs 5 crore. "It is not a big deal for me. I will turn down bigger offers and this is my decision. I had nothing, but I was made an MLA. What more do I need? I am with the Congress and I can't be bought at any cost," Kushwaha said. After a meeting, Govind Singh said Digvijaya Singhs charges of horse-trading are true and urged the BJP to stop daydreaming about forming a government in the state anytime soon. AICC general secretary in-charge of MP Deepak Babaria held a meeting with the MP ministers on Tuesday. The war of words intensified after BJP MLAs Sharad Kol and Narayan Tripathi skipped a party meeting organised in Bhopal during the day. The two legislators had earlier voted in favour of Naths government, though the BJP did not take any action against them at the time. Both are former Congressmen who had switched to the BJP. After the party meeting, former minister Rajendra Shukl said the Congress is in touch with BJP MLAs in the Vidhya region. With the Rajya Sabha elections approaching, the two camps are working hard to grab the third seat on offer as both are confident of winning one nomination each. Martin Luther King Jr's son has asked an Alabama governor to halt the execution of a man convicted of killing three cops because a second suspect has already confessed to committing the crime alone. Officers Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisholm III and Charles R. Bennett were killed while serving a warrant at a home in Birmingham in 2004. Nathaniel Woods was convicted and his death by lethal injection is scheduled for Thursday at 6pm, despite Kerry Spencer maintaining he did it alone. Spencer is due to be executed at a later date. Martin Luther King III has asked for the execution of a convicted killer to be stayed Nathaniel Woods (left) is scheduled for lethal injection Thursday at 6pm. But Kerry Spencer (right) says he carried out the killings alone King wrote in a letter: 'Killing this African-American man, whose case appears to have been strongly mishandled by the courts, could produce an irreversible injustice' Woods' request for a stay of execution was denied on Monday, Birmingham News reported. Now Martin Luther King III has stepped in to try to save Woods' life. 'WE NEED YOUR HELP. Nate Woods is about to be executed in Alabama. This is an injustice, and we need to make sure the public is aware. Please retweet, tag @GovernorKayIvey, and use the hashtag #SaveNate,' he tweeted Tuesday. The message was shared alongside the letter he sent Governor Kay Ivey. Martin Luther King III said in the Twitter post he sent the letter 'after she denied my phone call'. 'In just 2 days, your state, and the state I was born in, is set to kill a man who is very likely innocent,' he writes in the letter. '(Fifty-five) years ago, my father, Martin Luther King, Jr., (led) a march from Selma, Alabama, where he and fellow civil rights activists were killed and beaten. 'Under your watch, Alabama is about to produce yet another tragic injustice.' He later added in a tweet: 'My father marched from Selma 55 years ago, where many were killed and beaten. He was fighting for justice his whole life. 'Allowing the execution of Nate Woods would only show that we have not learned from the past. It's time to be on the right side of history.' Woods was in the apartment when Spencer gunned down the officers. Left to right: Officers Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisholm III and Charles R. Bennett were killed while serving a warrant at a home in Birmingham in 2004 He said in the letter to Governor Ivey, 'my father said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," and so I pray that God grants you the courage to do the right thing' It's believed Woods never got the chance to have a fair trial. 'Killing this African-American man, whose case appears to have been strongly mishandled by the courts, could produce an irreversible injustice,' King wrote in the letter. 'Are you willing to allow a potentially innocent man to be executed? 'So before you allow the execution of Nathaniel Woods, I urge you to grant him a reprieve. We must allow time to accurately review the new evidence.' King finished by remembering the words of his late father. The Christian minister spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until he was assassinated April 4, 1968 in Tennessee. 'In closing, my father said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," and so I pray that God grants you the courage to do the right thing: to delay his execution.' Martin Luther King III recalled how 55 years ago his father led a 'march from Selma, Alabama, where he and fellow civil rights activists were killed and beaten' France Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer on March 3 reportedly said that the authorities have closed almost 120 schools in areas that have reported the largest numbers of coronavirus infections. According to international media reports, both primary and secondary schools have been shut in the Oise department north of Paris as the main cluster of French cases had emerged in the area. So far, France has reported 191 coronavirus cases and three deaths in total. As per a French local media outlet, the Oise closures affects approximately 35,000 people. Additional 9,000 people have also been told to stay in the Morbihan department of Brittany on the Atlantic coast. Furthermore, a class of around 20 students have also been suspended in Montreuil after a person was tested positive for the deadly virus. READ: From Epicentre China To Italy, Novel Coronavirus Makes Significant Penetration Globally The authorities reportedly said that the Oise schools will remain closed until further notice. According to reports, the schools have also halted class trips outside the country and also prohibited any gathering of more than 5,000 people in enclosed spaces. Several events have also been called off in a bid to contain the outbreak. 'Game-changer' Last week, the French finance minister also said that the new coronavirus is a 'game-changer' that will require a rethink of global supply networks, especially in the health, medicine and auto industries. He further also said that the outbreak has further highlighted an 'irresponsible and unreasonable' reliance on China. Furthermore, the minister added that the virus would also affect global and European growth and have an impact on travel. READ: Ceferin 'confident' UEFA Can Deal With Coronavirus Threat To Euro 2020 Governments worldwide have stepped up efforts to halt the spread of the virus. France's neighbouring country Switzerland has banned events that expected to draw more than 1,000 people. Italy, which is experiencing Europe's worst outbreak, has ordered schools and universities to stay closed for a second consecutive week. According to reports, more than 700 tourists also remain quarantined at a hotel in the Canary Islands. First detected in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei Province of China, the virus outbreak has now spread across more than 60 countries since December 2019. The total number of confirmed cases within China has reportedly hit 80,152 and more than 90,000 worldwide. According to reports, the death toll in China has also surpassed 2,900 and the National Health Commission also confirmed more than 126 new cases. READ: Cat Found In Chennai May Be Deported Back To China Over Coronavirus Fear READ: 2,300 Coronavirus Cases Reported In Iran; Delhi HC Seeks Evacuation Of Indian Students Alan Beaman with his parents, Carol and Barry Beaman after receiving a certificate of innocence at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana, ILL on Thursday, April . 25, 2013.Darrell Hoemann/The News-Gazette Alan Beaman with his parents, Carol and Barry Beaman after receiving a certificate of innocence at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana, ILL on Thursday, April . 25, 2013. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality PartySGP) and the International Committee of the Fourth International condemn the war being waged against refugees at the Greek-Turkish border. The pictures seen around the world over recent days recall the darkest chapters of European history and expose the true character of the European Union (EU) and all capitalist governments across the continent. Migrants run to avoid tear gas thrown by Greek police during clashes near the Pazarkule border gate in Edirne, at the Turkish-Greek border on Monday, March 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Before the eyes of a shocked public, heavily armed police and military units are intervening against helpless refugees who have fled the conflicts in the Middle East to seek refuge in Europe. Over the weekend, Greek soldiers forcibly prevented 10,000 refugees from crossing the border, firing tear gas at women and children. The first reports of the use of live ammunition and the killing of refugees began to appear yesterday. BBC journalist Mughira al Sharif published a video on his Twitter account showing a group of agitated young men trying to assist a man who was lying motionless on the ground. His face was covered in blood. Ahmed Abu Emad, a Syrian immigrant killed by the Greek military this morning. Ahmed was shot at 9:07 a.m. by the Greek military as he tried to cross the border at Ipsala with hundreds of immigrants. Ahmeds body was brought back to Turkey, wrote al Sharif. Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas described the video as fake news and Turkish propaganda. However, it is clear that the Greek government is preparing for a much more comprehensive and deadly operation against refugees. Since Monday, Greek military units have been conducting live fire exercises on the islands in the eastern Aegean Sea, where tens of thousands of refugees are rotting in overcrowded camps in dreadful conditions. The exercises were a direct response to the boats that began arriving a day earlier from Turkey on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, and Samos. According to a report from the Greek public broadcaster, at least one child drowned in the process. Anyone who manages to make it to dry land is being arrested. To do this, the Greek government has suspended the EU asylum law. Our national security council decided to maximise the deterrence on our borders. Beginning immediately, we will not accept any asylum applications for a month, said conservative Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday. To enforce these measures, which are illegal under international law, the Greek military and police are often collaborating with local gangs of fascist thugs, who attack refugees, aid workers, and journalists. German photojournalist Michael Trammer documented on Sunday how a group of young men on Lesbos attacked a boat full of women and children in front of the Greek coast guard before beating Trammer so badly that he required medical care. A head wound required stitches. I have bruises on my head and body, he later told Die Zeit. The brutal offensive against refugees and anyone who sympathises with them, or even reports critically on the issue, enjoys the full support of the authorities in Berlin, Paris, and Brussels. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen promised additional support would be provided to Greece and Bulgaria on Monday. Our priority is to give Greece and Bulgaria all necessary support so the situation can be dealt with there, she declared. The challenge now faced by Greece is a European challenge. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke along similar lines. Full solidarity with Greece and Bulgaria. France is ready to contribute to the European efforts, provide swift assistance, and protect its borders. We must act together to prevent a humanitarian and immigration policy crisis, he said. What Von der Leyen and Macron mean by challenge and assistance can be clearly seen on the Greek-Turkish border: the securing of fortress Europe through the mobilisation of military personnel and fascist thugs. According to reports, the notorious EU border protection agency Frontex has sent reinforcements to Greece. The state of alarm has been increased to high, and aerial surveillance by satellites and planes has been intensified. Bulgaria also deployed 350 extra troops and special forces to its border. Other countries are preparing similar measures. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who heads a coalition government in Vienna with the Greens, threatened to strengthen the borders along the West Balkan route with Austrian police units. Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative parliamentary group in the European Parliament, made clear the scope of the EUs planned military operations against refugees in comments Monday. The EU states have talked long enough, Greece requires urgent help, and the EU needs an immediate initiative to deploy 10,000 European border soldiers, he remarked. In an interview with the Deutschlandfunk radio station, Weber, who used Nazi-style language in 2018 to demand a final solution to the refugee issue, praised the brutal actions of the Greek military. He left no doubt about the fact that the war against refugees is in reality directed against the entire working class, which in France and Germany is beginning to protest against austerity, the rearmament of the military and the domestic apparatus of state repression, and the rise of militarism and fascist terrorism. If the state ensures that the external borders are secure and that the law is obeyed, then it must also be capable of doing so at demonstrations, like in Germany and France. ... To deploy tear gas. Thats what we Germans do if theres violence on the streets, he provocatively declared. Weber also refused to exclude the option of a German-European military intervention in Syriathe very outcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking with his effective abandonment of the dirty deal reached between Ankara and Brussels on refugees. Can it manage to establish a zone in northern Syria under international command with a UN mandate, as Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer suggested a few months ago, to offer the people a safe haven, to offer them security and stability? asked Weber. That would certainly be the best outcome for the tortuous situation we now have in Syria. One is compelled to recall what Trotsky wrote in his 1933 essay What Is National Socialism?: Not every exasperated petty bourgeois could have become Hitler, but a particle of Hitler is lodged in every exasperated petty bourgeois. While the German bourgeoisie has fully embraced the refugee policy of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), it is increasingly retracing the steps of the Nazis in its foreign and military policies. What Weber cynically refers to as the best for Syria would in reality produce more death and destruction. The establishment of a German-European security zone would further incite the war for oil and imperialist interests that has been raging for nine years in Syria and three decades throughout the Middle East and raise the danger of a direct clash between the major powers. Leon Trotsky noted in the Manifesto of the Fourth International on Imperialist War, written in the early stages of World War II, the connection between capitalism, anti-refugee agitation, racism, and war. The world of decaying capitalism is overcrowded, he wrote. In an era of aviation, telegraph, telephone, radio, and television, travel from country to country is paralysed by passports and visas. The period of the wasting away of foreign trade and the decline of domestic trade is at the same time the period of the monstrous intensification of chauvinism and especially of anti-Semitism. Amid the vast expanses of land and the marvels of technology, which has also conquered the skies for man as well as the earth, the bourgeoisie has managed to convert our planet into a foul prison. [1] The pseudo-left parties across Europe, Syriza in Greece, Podemos in Spain, and the Left Party in Germany, support the pro-war, pro-austerity policies. Yes, there is a right to protect the borders. The European Court of Human Rights confirmed that recently, stated Left Party member of the European Parliament Ozlem Demirel on Deutschlandfunk on Monday. This underscores that the working class confronts revolutionary tasks. Just like the 1930s, capitalism cannot be reformed or pacified. It must be overthrown and replaced with socialism. The war against refugees at the European external borders is the flip side of the growing right-wing extremist terror against people with a migration or Jewish background, as recently in Hanau and Halle. The two cannot be separated. The more aggressively the ruling class pursues its policy of militarism and social dismantling to defend its interests and wealth, the more openly it resorts to dictatorship and fascist violence to suppress any opposition. The SGP calls on workers to reject the attacks on refugees and immigrants and come to the defence of their democratic rights. Independent action and defence committees at workplaces, training centres, schools, and universities, and in neighbourhoods must be formed to organise protests and strikes to coordinate the opposition to the attacks on refugees and immigrants throughout Europe. The following demands should be raised and discussed as widely as possible: The dissolution of the prison camps for refugees in North Africa and the Middle East, the withdrawal of all European and US troops from these regions, and the safe and secure transfer of all refugees to the European country of their choice. The dissolution of the hot spot camps in Greece and other countries, and the recognition of all refugees and undocumented immigrants in Europe. The abolition of the EUs Frontex border protection agency and the demilitarisation and opening of all borders. The refusal to cooperate with the EUs deportation machinery and any state policies promoting ethnic cleansing. The making available of trillions of euros for public services, health care, and training, and the provision of jobs for every worker, regardless of their country of origin. The large banks and corporations must be nationalised and placed under democratic control. For the international unity of the working class in the struggle for a socialist programme against capitalism, fascism, and war. [1] Leon Trotsky, Manifesto of the Fourth International on Imperialist War, May 1940 A notorious landlord who once hired a hitman to kill his business partner walked free from court today after he was found not guilty over an accusation he called a police officer was a 'poofter'. Nicholas Adolf von Hessen, who was formerly called Nicholas van Hoogstraten, made the comment after his son was arrested following a row over clamping at a car park he owns in Hove, East Sussex on August 19 last year. The 75-year-old was cleared by magistrates of behaviour causing harassment alarm or distress. Nicholas Adolf von Hessenis pictured above outside Brighton and Hove Magistrates' Court today Mr von Hessen called the proceedings 'laughable, a complete waste of public money and a disgrace'. In 1999, one of his business partners Mohammed Raja (pictured) was killed by two thugs Mr von Hessen had hired Aged 22, Mr von Hessen was convicted of throwing a grenade into Rabbi Bernard Braunstein's Brighton home and was sentenced to four years, with another four years added following an appeal. In 1999, one of his business partners Mohammed Raja was killed by two thugs Mr von Hessen had hired. He was convicted of manslaughter in 2002 and sentenced to ten years. The conviction was later quashed and he was acquitted at a retrial and freed from prison, having spent a year behind bars. During his trial today at Brighton Magistrates Court, Mr von Hessen accused court staff and prosecutors of lying. He claimed the words he used were 'maybe he's a poofter as well'. He added: 'And since when (is) poof or poofter in any way offensive?' Returning the verdict, magistrate Barbara Dart said: 'We watched the video evidence, we heard Mr von Hessen say 'maybe he's a poofter as well'. During his trial today at Brighton Magistrates Court (above), Mr von Hessen accused court staff and prosecutors of lying Aged 22, Mr von Hessen was convicted of throwing a grenade into Rabbi Bernard Braunstein's Brighton home and was sentenced to four years, with another four years added following an appeal. Pictured: Mr von Hessen in 1968 Who is Nicholas Adolf von Hessen? Nicholas Adolf von Hessen, who previously went by the name of Nicholas von Hoogstraten was born in Shoreham in 1945 and by the late sixties he owned 350 properties around Sussex and called himself the UK's youngest millionaire. He built his empire with the help of a loan sharking business and was well known for threatening tenants to move out. Aged 22, he was convicted of throwing a grenade into Rabbi Bernard Braunstein's Brighton home and was sentenced to four years, with another four years added following an appeal. Nicholas Adolf von Hessen outside Brighton and Hove court today The rabbi's wife Sylvia Braunstein told the court Hoogstraten said: 'I'm a Fascist, and a Nazi, didn't you know that? If I wanted I could pay 50 to men in London to get every Jew in Brighton bumped off.' In the 80s, van Hoogstraten began constructing mega-mansion Hamilton Palace on the former site of High Cross House nursing home near Uckfield, East Sussex. Between 1985 and 2006, the work on the property - which is larger than Buckingham Palace - cost 40 million. In 1999, one of his business partners Mohammed Raja was killed by two thugs Hoogstraten had hired. In the 80s, van Hoogstraten began constructing mega-mansion Hamilton Palace (pictured) on the former site of High Cross House nursing home He was convicted of manslaughter in 2002 and sentenced to ten years, but this conviction was quashed and he was acquitted at a retrial and freed from prison, having spent a year behind bars. However, in 2005, Raja's family successfully sued Hoogstraten and were awarded 6 million by Mr Justice Lightman, who found on the balance of probabilities 'the recruitment of the two thugs was for the purpose of murdering Mr Raja and not merely frightening or hurting him.' He subsequently vowed the family would not receive a penny, and put all his UK property into his children's names, including the Courtlands Hotel in Hove. He then moved to Zimbabwe where he became a close associate of its dictator president Robert Mugabe. Advertisement 'This was said quietly and directed towards his son. Mr von Hessen was not confrontational.' She accepted the words are 'unpleasant and rude' but the magistrates did not think it passed the criminal standard in this case. He denied using any foul language, saying: 'I'm not a person who swears even at the worst of times, never have done.' He then reeled off a string of offensive terms for gay people he had used 'back in the day', adding: 'It was said very quietly. The two police officers standing there didn't even flinch, they didn't take the slightest notice of it.' During the bodycam footage of the incident on 19 August last year, Mr von Hessen's son is heard taunting PC Breeds, calling him 'Mad Max' and saying: 'People don't like talking to you even your own officers don't like talking to you, you can tell you're not Mr Popular in the office...right now you have got your hand on me.' Prosecuting, Melanie Wotton said: 'A gentleman complained that he had been clamped illegally. 'There was some dispute between parties about the reasons for that clamping. Initially it was thought it was a civil dispute and then it transpired it was a criminal matter and as a result police officers attended. 'At some point during the interaction it became necessary to arrest the son... a number of other people turned up including Mr von Hessen. 'He spoke with police officers and PCSOs and during the course of the interaction with PC Breeds and his son, while PC Breeds stood there quietly, it appears that the son took objection to that officer. 'During that time Mr von Hessen comes over while his son is talking about PC Breeds having hands on him and at that point Mr von Hessen says he's a poof.' PC Breeds told the court: 'I initially thought he might be a member of the public who had a misconception about the police and how we were handling this. 'I became aware from comments from Mr von Hessen that it was his son I had in handcuffs. 'He was also confrontational and saying various things, some obstructive, but he had been distanced from me so I wasn't concerned. Colleagues came to distance him from me.' He added: 'The son said something like I was scared or worried, some derogatory comment, to which his father then says he's a poof. That was directed at me, quite clearly. 'It's undermining, it's aggressive, it's something you shouldn't have to hear. It served no purpose, it wasn't constructive, it just had no bearing on anything. 'The intention was to cause me to fear him or back down in the situation.' Mr von Hessen walked free from court and was found not guilty of behaviour causing harassment alarm or distress. In the 80s, Mr von Hessen began constructing mega-mansion Hamilton Palace on the former site of High Cross House nursing home near Uckfield, East Sussex. Between 1985 and 2006, the work on the property - which is larger than Buckingham Palace - cost 40 million. In the 80s, Mr von Hessen began constructing mega-mansion Hamilton Palace on the former site of High Cross House nursing home Panic gripped parents of children studying in The Shriram Millennium School in Sector 135 after they came to know that three children from their school had attended a birthday party hosted by the Delhi resident who has tested positive for Sars-Cov-2, which leads to the novel coronavirus, The school has been closed. The Shiv Nadar School in Sector 168 was also shut till March 9 to sanitise the premises. On Tuesday, health officials reached the Millennium school to sanitise its premises. They have placed six people including three children under quarantine (at their homes) after the health ministry got in touch with the parents of children who attended the party on February 27. The school, in an email ,informed parents that a parent of a student had tested positive for the virus and that the school would be closed as a precautionary measure. The school has asked all the parents to inform the ministry of health and family welfare on its 24x7 helpline number (+91-11-23978046) if they have developed any symptoms . Parents have been asked to maintain hygiene at home and to keep children at home if they are suffering a cold. The school has declared a holiday till March 9. School authorities didnt respond to text messages and calls seeking comment. One of the children of the Delhi resident studies is in class 6 and other in class 1 of the school. Other children who attended classes with them and shared the school bus have been asked to take precautions. The happenings in the school seemed to have spooked many Noida residents. The All Noida School Parents Association plans to meet the district magistrate on Wednesday to ask him to declare a holiday in other schools too. Parents and children are really worried about the Coronavirus threat. We are going to request the DM to keep all the public schools closed for a few days to avoid panic among the parents, said Yatendra Kasana, president, ANSPA. While there are no cases reported at the Shiv Nadar School, it has decided to close until March 9. In the wake of the worldwide spread of COVID 19 -- the coronavirus, and detection of 2 cases in India (1 in Delhi), it has been decided to close the school until the 9th of March in order to sanitize our spaces as a proactive preventative measure, read an email sent to the parents by principal Shashi Banerjee. Dr Anurag Bhargava, chief medical officer of Gautam Budh Nagar said: We have asked all the children who got in touch with the three others who attended the party to keep an eye on developing symptoms like cold, cough, fever and breathing issues. We have taken samples of only six persons including three children . Nobody else has been put under observation but people have been asked to take precautions. There is no need to panic. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On Monday, the third and fourth cases in Illinois were reported: A husband and wife in their 70s both tested positive for coronavirus, but the results still needed to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The man was being treated at Northwest Community Hospital and his wife was under quarantine at home, officials said. Two other cases in Illinois have been confirmed by the CDC. We dont know how bad its going to be. And we didnt prepare for the worst. Heres a shopping list of rather grim possibilities. At this global moment, people fear COVID-19, which is being handled so ineptly by so many countries including an America exhausted by the Trump regency that the bright spot is we might learn from mistakes made early in the epidemic, the best time for containment. For there will be other epidemics. We are coping with a concatenation of crises, partly because we knew they would show up eventually, but didnt prepare. Humans do respond to a crisis but not in advance, and then the crises arrive all at once. Global heating. Epidemics. Mass migration of desperate people. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: pestilence, war, famine and death. Fire. Flood. Huge and sudden storms. Rising water levels. Authoritarian governments in former democracies. Social media spreading hate and fear. Stock market crashes. Empty store shelves. Developers still build on flood plains. Toronto plans new parks without shade and streets without shelter. Nations remain languid about foreign interference in elections that forces tyrants on them. Iran is furloughing 54,000 prisoners for fear of viral jails. Will COVID-19 hit Greek refugee camps? As for Canada, dont continue blockading railroads as the epidemic spreads, especially while China is cutting back production, a double whammy for the supply chain. Cant we pretend, temporarily, that were all in this together? Kenya faces the worst locust infestation in 70 years. Sure, Canada has the spruce pine beetle but we dont eat pine for dinner. Few countries are prepared to care for an aging population, partly caused by fewer women having children because work and life are too difficult, a combination when fathers remain distant. Smaller families are a reasonable response to patriarchy. Misogyny is profoundly damaging to any society. On the plus side, Canada is welcoming immigrants to make up for the shortfall in youthful energy. We will all be old one day. Ageism is pointless because aging is universal (breaking news: as is death). Yet we dont have enough geriatricians and carers. Care homes are so dreadful and unsupervised that serial killers like Woodstock nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer found a handy crop of victims, and no one noticed. And then there are smaller things. Ontario Premier Ford ended the Liberal two paid-sick-days policy, so now in an epidemic, people go to work sick and contaminate others. In the U.K., workers get seven-day sick breaks without a doctors note which may rise because self-isolation requires 14 days but Ford demands sick notes even for unpaid days. Can Ford do anything right, anything at all? Youd think licence plates would be idiot-proof. Gas pump labels peel off. Huge school classes are unpopular with teachers and parents, who knew? Awash in Ford-mandated alcohol, all day and everywhere, we remain strangely displeased. Ford wont talk to journalists. What a surprise that they seem to be doing their job very well without his assistance. Health care is a provincial matter; our clueless premier is doing a Trump. Why did masks, of dubious helpfulness anyway, vanish online? Why werent we told earlier that hospital workers need them more than we do? Why did we tolerate Ford cutting Toronto city council in half when it becomes clear that a smaller council is less able to adopt fresh ideas about making this city livable and affordable? If only designers and architects had thought ahead. Why build glass towers as three seasons become increasingly and sometimes intolerably hot? Whose bright idea was replacing public washroom paper towels with Dyson blowers? I never thought I would concede this, but its probably best to revamp and green brutalist buildings rather than tear concrete apart and damage the planet further. The world is changing so fast. We need to respond just as quickly but speed is not our forte. Things will never be as bad as they could be, but they are looking to be quite bad quite soon. If only we could think harder, act faster, and come together finally to work to a common end. We seek peace, order and good government. Is that too much to ask? Baby monitors and smart security cameras used in homes risk being hacked by cyber criminals, security chiefs warn today. They fear weak passwords can allow online attackers to control wireless cameras and spy on families in their homes. These cameras, and baby monitors linked to the internet, are 'vulnerable' to attack, said the National Cyber Security Centre. In an unprecedented warning, chief executive Ciaran Martin said: 'We are bringing more of these things into the home and that brings new vulnerabilities. On December 4 eight-year-old Alyssa LeMay was startled by a hacker's voice talking to her through a smart camera's intercom feature as she played in her bedroom in Mississippi, U.S. 'People will be concerned about privacy. If you take control of a camera, you can do whatever that camera can do. It can allow you to look around the home. 'If there are minors, they can be seen.' He added this did not mean children could be physically harmed: 'It doesn't turn into a weapon, it just means the attacker can control the camera.' Advice to consumers to keep their devices safe includes using stronger passwords. 'This is about good housekeeping, it is not about panicking about a significant problem', added Mr Martin. 'We see sporadic evidence on cyber criminals interested in exploiting this type of vulnerability. We are not saying this is happening on a large scale.' Smart CCTV cameras in homes use wi-fi to connect to the internet so they can be operated remotely The rare warning follows research by consumer group Which? exposing serious security flaws in devices including wireless cameras and toys such as walkie talkies. Smart CCTV cameras in homes use wi-fi to connect to the internet so they can be operated remotely. This means cyber criminals could hack into the cameras and look around the home if, for example, they intended to burgle the property. In a similar way, baby monitors often offer a function for parents to monitor their child via their phones using the internet. Dr Ian Levy, technical director of the NCSC, said: 'Smart technology such as cameras and baby monitors are fantastic innovations but without the right security measures they can be vulnerable to cyber attackers. We want people to continue using these devices safely which is why we have produced new guidance.' Baby monitors often offer a function for parents to monitor their child via their phones using the internet The NCSC advises consumers to take three steps, starting with changing the default password to a secure one, such as three random words. It also recommends regularly updating security software and disabling the remote access feature if they are not using it. New laws will ensure smart devices sold in the UK adhere to rigorous rules as part of the Government's five-year 1.9billion cyber security strategy. Companies will have to supply unique passwords, give shoppers a contact for concerns and issue guidance on security updates. As sectarian violence engulfed entire neighborhoods of New Delhi last week, Sreekanth Sivadasan watched as his good friend Abdulla Shaheen was forced to hide his religion out of fear Hindu rioters would kill him. "Had they known he was a Muslim, he would have been killed right there. The situation is as bad as that," Sivadasan, a Hindu, told NBC News via the WhatsApp messaging service. The pair's interfaith friendship has propelled them to document the bloody violence rocking the South Asian country. At least 30 people were killed and more than 200 injured in India's capital during three days of riots over proposed citizenship laws earlier this week, according to The Associated Press. Tensions reached their boiling point during President Donald Trump's visit Tuesday. Image: A teenager is taken to hospital after being shot in the waist in Kardam Puri, New Delhi on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Sivadasan and Shaheen, both 24, have been chronicling the violence since December, when police forced their way onto the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia university, where both are studying journalism. Police fired teargas into the library and attacked students inside its mosque. Since then, Shaheen says he has been arrested five times while covering the protests. When NBC News spoke to him by phone Wednesday, he had just been released after being detained overnight after reporting on a protest in front of the home of a Cabinet minister. "I feel numb. We're trying not to have more casualties. We say to the police, Dont beat the students coming in. We tell the students not to talk back. Im kind of like a people manager now," he said, laughing. Sivadasan has had his own run-ins while trying to document the tensions and the violence. Last Monday, he said he was stopped and threatened by a mob. "I was stalked by a fringe mob carrying batons and sticks and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram,'" he said Wednesday. The Hindi phrase means "Victory to Lord Ram," and is often used as a greeting in India in reference to the beloved Hindu deity Ram, but it has also been picked up as a cry of intimidation by Hindu nationalist rioters. Story continues Unrest began sweeping the country after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government proposed the Citizenship Amendment Act, which would give preference to non-Muslim applicants for Indian citizenship. Modi's government insists the legislation is necessary to help protect the rights of persecuted minorities from Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who settled in India before 2015, as Reuters has reported. Human rights groups like the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have denounced the bill as "fundamentally discriminatory" against Muslim Indians, who make up approximately 14 percent of the nation's population, or 180 million people. Resulting protests in favor of and against the bill have been largely divided down sectarian lines. Sivadasan has documented civilians who were attacked for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. One photo shows a young man with a serious head injury who was beaten while cycling home from work; another a young teen face down on a gurney on his way to a hospital after being shot in the waist. In another image, a factory worker stands in shock, covered in blood after he was shot in the face while sitting in front of his home in Kabir Nagar, an industrial area of New Delhi. The man's wife weeps in horror next to him. She said his attackers were police officers a claim NBC News was not able to verify. Image: A woman sobs at the sight of her husband, who was shot in the face while sitting outside his home on Tuesday, Feb. 25. In a tweet Wednesday, Modi appealed for calm. "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," he wrote. In videos shared on social media and analyzed by NBC's Social Newsgathering team, protesters have been seen climbing the minaret of a mosque in the city's Ashok Nagar neighborhood, vandalizing the tower's Islamic crescent moon symbol and raising a flag depicting a Hindu deity. While uncomfortable that his Hindu identity has shielded him from much of the violence and allowed him to document the unrest, Sivadasan finds comfort in his friendship with Shaheen. We know well be there for each other. I just know that he wont ditch me. Thats more than enough at this moment," he said. 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. DOJ backs Kentucky wedding photographer suing over local LGBT ordinance Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The U.S. Department of Justice has sided with a Kentucky-based photographer suing a city over an ordinance that compels her to service same-sex weddings. The Justice Department announced last Thursday that it filed a statement of interest brief on behalf of Chelsey Nelson in her legal battle against Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government Ordinance 92.05, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, among other things, for public accommodations. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, the statement of interest supports the plaintiffs request for a preliminary injunction and argues that the government cannot force a photographer to service same-sex weddings. The central question presented in this case is whether the government can compel a wedding photographer to photograph, provide photography editing services for, and blog about weddings of which she does not approve, and does not wish to photograph or to promote. The answer is no, states the introduction of the brief. Just last year, in fact, the Eighth Circuit held that Minnesota could not force wedding videographers to film weddings that they did not wish to film. Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the DOJ Civil Rights Division, said in a statement last week that the ordinance violates Nelsons First Amendment rights. The First Amendment forbids the government from forcing someone to speak in a manner that violates individual conscience, stated Dreiband. The U.S. Department of Justice will continue to protect the right of all persons to exercise their constitutional right to speech and expression. Last November, Nelson filed a lawsuit, being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative law firm that specializes in religious liberty cases. The suit was a pre-enforcement challenge, as Nelson has not yet been charged with violating the ordinance or punished by the government for refusing to photograph a same-sex wedding. Artists shouldnt be censored, fined, or forced out of business simply for disagreeing with the governments preferred views, said ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson in a statement last year. On countless other topics, photographers and other artists can freely choose the stories they tell. Chelsey simply asks for the same freedom. Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, a Kentucky-based LGBT advocacy group, told WDRB in an interview last November that he considered the lawsuit a fishing expedition and tantamount to a frivolous lawsuit. They are throwing spaghetti at the wall, the Alliance Defending Freedom, to do whatever they can to try to attack LGBTQ rights anywhere they can in the nation, said Hartman at the time. Last August, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit sided with a Christian couple in Minnesota who did not want to film gay weddings due to religious objections. The panel concluded that the Minnesota Human Rights Act violated the First Amendment rights of Carl and Angel Larsen of Telescope Media Group. Circuit Judge David Stras, author of the court opinion, wrote that antidiscrimination laws, as critically important as they are, must yield to the Constitution. Indeed, if Minnesota were correct, there is no reason it would have to stop with the Larsens. In theory, it could use the MHRA to require a Muslim tattoo artist to inscribe My religion is the only true religion on the body of a Christian if he or she would do the same for a fellow Muslim, or it could demand that an atheist musician perform at an evangelical church service, wrote Judge Stras last year. Vatican City, March 3 : Pope Francis has tested negative for the coronavirus after he fell ill and was forced to cancel a religious retreat near Rome, a media report said on Tuesday. For the first time since he became Pope, the pontiff did not go to the week-long Lent retreatthat began on Sunday night at a Church residence south of Rome, as he was suffering from a heavy cold, the Metro newspaper said in the report. The 83-year-old was then tested for coronavirus, the results of which came back negative, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero this morning. But Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he had no immediate comment on the report. Pope Francis fell ill as Italy was battling a surging outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus. The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed past the 2,000 mark. Francis' appearance on Sunday was the first time he has been seen publicly since Ash Wednesday, when he was also seen coughing and blowing his nose during Mass, said the Metro newspaper. Earlier this week, he cancelled two planned official audiences - formal affairs in the Apostolic Palace where Francis would have delivered a speech and greeted a great number of people at the end. The Vatican has said that he was continuing to work from his residence at the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel and was receiving people in private. The espionage trial for ex-CIA worker, Joshua Schulte (pictured), 31, who was charged with leaking secrets published by WikiLeaks in 2017, is wrapping up Tuesday Federal prosecutors on Monday painted a software engineer on trial in the largest leak of classified information in CIA history as a disgruntled employee who was 'prepared to do anything' to betray the agency, as a defense attorney argued the coder had been scapegoated for a breach that exposed secret cyberweapons and spying techniques. A Manhattan jury heard conflicting portrayals of Joshua Schulte, a 31-year-old former CIA employee accused of sending the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks a massive cache of the agency's computer hacking arsenal - tools the agency had used to conduct espionage operations overseas. Schulte left a trail of evidence despite learned attempts to erase his digital fingerprints, Assistant US Attorney Matthew Laroche said in closing arguments. Schulte became disgruntled at the CIA, he said, and took meticulous steps to plan - and cover up - the 2016 theft. 'He was the only one who had the motive, the means and the opportunity to steal the information,' Laroche said. 'He was prepared to do anything to get back at the CIA.' Defense attorney Sabrina Shroff called Schulte a patriot who was wrongly accused by an agency under intense pressure to solve the embarrassing leak. At the start of the trial, Shroff said Schulte was an 'easy target' to try to pin the leak on because he 'antagonized almost every person there' before quitting for a $200,000-a-year position at a company in New York. 'He really was a difficult employee, but being a difficult employee does not make you a criminal. A difficult employee does not translate to being a traitor. A difficult employee does not translate to somebody who would sell out their country. Josh Schulte's not a traitor,' she said. The four-week trial raised more questions than it answered and exposed alarming security lapses within the agency, she said. The prosecution has portrayed Schulte as a disgruntled employee bent on getting back at the CIA by exposing its secrets, but the defense painted him as a 'difficult' employee who had been scapegoated 'The government cannot tell you which of the many people with access to this data' stole the classified archive, she said. 'It wasn't Mr. Schulte who did this.' Jurors are expected to begin deliberating later today. Schulte faces counts of illegal gathering of national defense information, unauthorized computer access, theft of government property and making false statements, among other charges. Schulte worked for a CIA group in Langley, Virginia, that designs computer code to spy on foreign adversaries. The so-called Vault 7 leak revealed how the CIA would hack Apple and Android cellphones in overseas spying operations. Prosecutors have said the leak was devastating to national security, as it exposed CIA operatives, brought intelligence gathering to a halt and left allies wondering whether the US could be trusted with sensitive information. 'The defendant was prepared to burn down the United States government,' Laroche said. 'He is an angry and vindictive man.' A CIA computer engineer - and Schulte's one-time friend - testified that the release of the leaked materials by WikiLeaks in 2017 was 'crippling' to the Agency and required a week of 20-hour workdays to asses the scope of the damage, protect overseas assets and decide how to begin rewriting programs that target foreign adversaries. Authorities said the leak (file image of WikiLeaks) was 'instantly devastating' to America's interests abroad, he said, because it exposed CIA operatives, brought intelligence gathering to a halt and left allies wondering whether the US could be trusted with sensitive information The government settled too hastily on Schulte as the leaker, Shroff said, ignoring suspicious activity by one of his colleagues who was ultimately suspended. The prosecution theory has 'giant holes,' she said, including the unresolved question of why WikiLeaks waited nearly a year to publish the archive. The data was stolen from a CIA network that was so insecure - one witness called it 'the wild wild west' - that investigators could not trace the leak with any certainty, she said. But prosecutors said a sequence of subterfuge implicated Schulte, including deleting computer logs from his CIA work station and restoring administrator privileges from which the agency had stripped him. He made dozens of searches for WikiLeaks in the ensuing months and became 'obsessed' with whether his leak had been published, prosecutors said. Schulte also is accused of trying to leak secrets after his arrest by using a contraband cellphone in the federal lockup where he is being held and creating encrypted email and secret social media accounts. WATERLOO -- With more than 100 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus and nine deaths in the U.S., state and local health officials continued to urge calm over panic, emphasizing hand washing and staying home when sick as the best ways to prevent the spread of all viruses in peak flu season. On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Public Health added more countries to its voluntary self-isolation list. In addition to those returning from China, travelers returning from Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea are now asked to stay home and monitor their symptoms for 14 days. "We recognize staying at home for 14 days is an inconvenience, but it is an important way to limit the spread of a variety of illnesses, including COVID-19," IDPH medical director Caitlin Pedati said in the release. During a call with reporters Tuesday afternoon, Pedati elaborated that the self-isolation is meant to "avoid being in close contact with other people" and included staying home from work, school and other large gatherings of people. "What we know about viruses like this is they can spread person-to-person, and we define that as within 6 feet," she said. "It's really aimed at a reasonable attempt to keep yourself away from other people." That said, Pedati noted there was no evidence of "spread of this illness" in Iowa as of Tuesday. However, several were being monitored and a handful of negative tests had been conducted, and the situation could change with a test positively identifying the disease in the state, she said. "We're always balancing that with patient privacy, but we want to make sure Iowans know what's going on," she said. What's more worrying at the moment is the spread of influenza, which is "widespread" right now, said Black Hawk County health director Dr. Nafissa Cisse-Egbuonye. "We are still at peak flu," she said. The good news is that the same precautions that people should take for COVID-19 and influenza are the same. "We want to make sure people are constantly washing their hands," Cisse-Egbuonye said, noting that should include before eating and after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizer is also encouraged after hand washing, but not as a substitute for it, she added. And people should make sure their and their children's hands are thoroughly dried after washing. "That's what prevents the disease transmission," she said. "When your hands are wet, you can easily transfer stuff; when (they're) dry, you can't." At Greenwood Pharmacy in Waterloo, there's been "an uptick" in sales of face masks, said owner Bob Greenwood. "We've been able to get a pretty consistent supply of them," he said. Cisse-Egbuonye noted that only sick people should be wearing masks as a means of disease transmission, and discouraged healthy individuals from buying them. "We have healthy people wearing masks when they don't need to wear masks," she said. "When we eventually will need masks, we don't want to be out of supplies." Greenwood also has fielded questions about the "consistency of the drug supply" as well as contamination, because many active pharmaceutical ingredients in the U.S. are made in places like China. He noted he was not worried about either. "There is one beta blocker that has been in short supply, but it's not something that is really highly used in the United States, so we have not seen that yet," he said. Like health officials, Greenwood stressed practicing good hygiene for his customers worried about COVID-19. "There's fear out there, but they're not in the panic mode," he said. Cisse-Egbuonye agreed that people should remain calm. "People are so focused about the coronavirus because it's new, and we tend to be focused on new things," she said. "But the most important thing is we are still seeing widespread flu in Iowa, and people still do need to take the flu seriously." Cedar Valley Top 10 Nurses of 2019: Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Saudi Arabia is spending $646,000 each to have its 23 AH-6I armed scout helicopters upgraded to use smaller (70mm APKWS) laser-guided missiles. In addition, the helicopters are being modified to allow for some equipment storage in place of the three passenger seats behind the pilots. A DVR (solids state video recorder) is being added to enable the pilot to get high resolution video of whatever he encounters as well as anytime weapons are used. These aircraft DVRs feature solid-state data storage and can record everything that happens through a sortie and rapidly transfer the video data once on the ground. The AH-6I fire control system was already able to handle Hellfire laser-guided missiles and unguided 70mm rockets. Many helicopters and fighter-bombers now carry the smaller APKWS 70mm guided missiles. These weigh 13.6 kg (30 pounds) with a 2.7 kg (six pound) warhead and a range of about six kilometers. He AH-6I can already carry the 70mm rockets in a seven rocket pod they already use for unguided rockets. That pod can be rewired to fire the APKWS, which are preferable to the larger (45 kg) Hellfire because the smaller warhead allows the APKWS to be fired on armed enemies who have gotten very close to civilians or friendly troops. Since APKWS are smaller and lighter, more can be carried. The AH-6I can also carry a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine-gun pod. Normally one machine-gun pod and one rocket/missile pod are carried. If Hellfires are carried two of these missiles replace a weapons pod. In other words, four Hellfires can be carried or 14 APKWS. Back in 2010, Saudi Arabia was one of the first export customers for the new AH-6I, a gunship version of its OH-6 scout helicopter. In 2008 U.S. based Boeing began offering the AH-6I to foreign customers. Earlier in 2010, Jordan became the first customer, ordering some for their border guard. The 2011 Arab Spring unrest disrupted these plans and Jordan has yet to follow through on their order. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia received the 24 it ordered and in 2019 Thailand ordered eight. The AH-6I has night sensors and a laser designator, and most of the other electronics that equip the latest version of the AH-64 (the Block III). Jordan has a long desert frontier, and lots of problems with smugglers, and the movement of Islamic terrorists across the border. Jordan wanted to retire its 11 elderly AH-1S gunships but that was also delayed by 2011 disorder. U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) has long used the MH-6 (and the AH-6) version of the 1960s era OH-6. Developed in the early 1980s, the AH-6, or "Little Bird" is a 1.4 ton helicopter with a crew of two and a top speed of 280 kilometers an hour. Average sortie is 3-3.5 hours. It can be armed with two 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine-gun pods, or two 70mm rocket pods (seven or 12 rockets each) or four Hellfire missiles. Without weapons, the MH-6 can carry six troops (usually Special Forces operators) externally. The new AH-6I can also carry a day/night targeting system, including a laser designator. The AH-6I also carries four Hellfire or a dozen or more of the 70mm guided rockets (which weigh a quarter of what the Hellfire does.) Later versions of the AH-6 were based on a similar helicopter, the MD-500. The new AH-6I enables nations to have helicopter gunship capability at a cost of only about six million dollars per aircraft. That's about a tenth of what an AH-64D would cost and a third of what a Russian gunship goes for. Little Bird could be a big deal on the international market, but so far only the Saudis, Thailand and the American FBI have stepped up. The 1.6 ton, single-engine AH-6I can carry two pilots and three passengers. Cruising speed is 250 kilometers an hour while top speed is 280 kilometers. Sorties usually last 90-120 minutes. Max ceiling is 5,700 meters (18,700 feet). The court noted that judgments cannot be interpreted in a vacuum, separate from their facts and context. The two cases in which Article 370 was touched are Prem Nath Kaul versus Jammu & Kashmir in 1959 and Sampat Prakash versus Jammu & Kashmir in 1970. New Delhi: A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana on Monday declined to refer a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state of Jammu & Kashmir in two Union Territories to a larger, seven-judge bench. Veteran journalist Prem Shankar Jha, NGO Peoples Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association had urged the court that the matter be referred to a seven-judge bench as two benches, each with a strength of five-judges, had taken divergent views on Article 370. The two cases in which Article 370 was touched are Prem Nath Kaul versus Jammu & Kashmir in 1959 and Sampat Prakash versus Jammu & Kashmir in 1970. The Supreme Court, however, noted that there was no conflict in the position taken by earlier two benches of the strength of five-judges each on the interpretation of Article 370 of the Constitution, thats now abrogated. While the 1959 case related to the Jammu & Kashmir Big Landed Estate (Abolition) Act, the main contention on which the law was challenged was that the Yuvaraj did not have the constitutional authority to promulgate the said Act. The 1970 case, also known as Sampat Prakash case, was rooted in preventive detention detention of the petitioner under the Jammu and Kashmir Preventive Detention Act. Besides Justice Ramana, the bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice R. Subhash Reddy, Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, rejected the plea for referring the matter to a seven-judge bench and said, There is no conflict between the judgments. The court noted that judgments cannot be interpreted in a vacuum, separate from their facts and context, and observations made in a judgment cannot be selectively picked in order to give them a particular meaning. Having said this, Mondays judgment said that in the Prem Nath Kaul case, the top court had to determine the legislative competence of the Yuvaraj, and in the case of Sampath Prakash, the issue was of preventive detention. Having examined the two judgments, the court said, Thus, this court is of the opinion that there is no conflict between the judgments in the Prem Nath Kaul case and the Sampat Prakash case. The plea of the counsel to refer the present matter to a larger Bench on this ground is therefore rejected. Soon after the pronouncement of the judgment, as some lawyers urged the court to fix a date for the hearing of main matter challenging the abrogation of Article 370, the court said that the schedule of the hearing of the main matter would depend on the hearing of the Sabarimala and other matters relating to gender justice and essential religious practices by a nine-judge bench. KYODO NEWS - Mar 3, 2020 - 09:20 | World, All, Coronavirus Travelers on direct flights to the United States from all South Korean airports are receiving multiple screenings, such as temperature checks, before boarding as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday. The same measure will be taken in airports in Italy within the next 12 hours or so, he said at a press briefing in the late afternoon in Washington. (File photo) [Getty/Kyodo] The move came as the United States steps up measures aimed at countries seeing a surge in cases of the pneumonia-causing virus. Over the weekend, the government issued an alert to U.S. citizens not to travel to some virus-hit areas of South Korea and Italy. Pence, meanwhile, said the risk to the American public from COVID-19, the official name of the disease caused by the virus, remains low. There has been "no recommendation about any limitations on travel within" the United States, he said. Concerns are growing that the United States may also see a major outbreak of the virus as it continues to spread globally. The death toll from the disease in the United States rose to six on Monday, with Washington State announcing four additional deaths, according to U.S. media. Ask any CIO for their thoughts on multi-cloud where data and applications flit seamlessly across all the public clouds, private cloud and on premise, for lowest cost and best performance and youre likely to get one of two distinctly divergent responses. One typically comes from the uninitiated, who havent yet moved computing to a public cloud like AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. They are wholly unimpressed with the concept. Because they were under the impression that thats how the cloud is supposed to work anyway. And the other? Its from those who once had the same impression as the others. Then they moved data and workloads to public platforms. Now, they are left wondering if true multi-cloud is even possible. Actually, it is possible. In fact, were now starting to see a new stable of products crop up to address todays multi-cloud shortcomings. In January, Gartner coined the term Cloud Data Ecosystems for this emerging class of products. Analyst firm 451 Research late last year knighted them Enterprise Intelligence Platforms. And Cloudera, which boasts arguably the most comprehensive platform in the category, last summer dubbed the category Enterprise Data Cloud. I call it Cloud 2.0. And when all is said and done, it will turn out to be everything Cloud 1.0 was supposed to be. What goes up Lured by the promise of seemingly boundless on-demand storage and compute capability, many early adopters anxious to shed datacenter capitalization decisions jumped into the cloud model with both feet. But many soon found their feet stuck where theyd landed. Thats for two reasons. First, they were locked into long-term contracts, which they signed to secure preferential pricing without knowing how much capability theyd actually need. So even though they were paying a fixed rate, in practice they ended up paying more. Some only ended up using a fraction of the capability they reserved. And those who underestimated how much storage and compute theyd need ended up facing eye-opening overage charges. The second reason is they learned how difficult it can be to bring data home from cloud services with all associated metadata intact. Abandoning historical records and other descriptive, contextual associations dramatically diminishes datas value for future analysis. In part as an effort to wriggle free, enterprises increasingly invested in their own private-cloud capability, building out either by outsourcing to a third-party datacenter, or by investing in good old-fashioned, back-down-to-earth, on-site capitalization. The goal was to max out their own resources, and then burst up to the cloud only when absolutely necessary. Theres definitely a lot of repatriation activity going on, Henry Vail, Technical Director for the Software-Defined Infrastructure business in at Lenovos Data Center Group, told me. Customers really like the concept of hybrid cloud. So, theyre building or outsourcing their own private cloud. Its important to understand that enterprises that have ventured into the cloud are just as enthusiastic as ever about the cloud model and remain committed to it. Even some that havent yet taken the plunge into the actual cloud are investing in and benefiting from the flexibility and efficiency of virtual machines, containers and microservices. Cloud providers are all responding with hybrid-cloud options of their own. Late last year, in fact, the big three public cloud providers each unveiled or enhanced programs to extend their services to private cloud deployments: AWS announced its own infrastructure-as-a-service offering, AWS Outposts Microsoft, which first introduced Azure Stack to extend its cloud services into customers datacenter in 2017, released Azure Arc, which extended Azure Stacks umbrella to include a wider range of hardware and services, and Google disclosed its own hybrid-cloud platform, Google Anthos. Enter multi-cloud The services are all welcome extensions, as far as they go. That is to say that while theyre all extending their platforms from their own public clouds down to hosted private clouds and on-premises datacenters, none are doing much to help their customers wander outside their own domain and into competitors cloud infrastructures. Youll encounter much the same with other cloud providers, whether it be IBM and Redhat, HPE or Oracle. Platforms like Nutanix and Dells VMware are unique in that they support multiple cloud platforms. But first you must pick a horse. Sliding from one to the other can still be challenging. It is hard to blame public cloud providers for not wanting to pave the way out the door for paying customers, though they may have to someday. Because customers do want multi-cloud. Indeed, the ability to move left and right between the cloud platforms as well as up and down from the public cloud to privately owned or leased assets is what we all hear when we listen to cloud pitches. Unfortunately, its not what the cloud providers are actually saying. At least, not yet. Customers really want that single pane of glass to manage it all, Cindy Maike, Vice President of Industry Solutions at Cloudera. They want the flexibility to access data and place workloads where they make the most sense, either for cost or capability reasons. Today, customers want to know how quickly they can move. The answer, of course, is that it depends mostly on how well you developed your cloud architecture. If youve prepared your data and workloads from the start, youll have a much easier time. And theres more help on the way. On the business analytics and machine-learning side, for example, companies like Databricks, Looker and Rancher help orchestrate ML projects across diverse deployments. And firms like Panoply, Qubole and Snowflake coordinate data across hybrid cloud and multi-cloud deployments. Cloudera is unique in that it provides both data and ML management with its new Cloudera Data Platform, the result of pooling capabilities with Hortonworks, which it acquired a little over a year ago. A key piece of Clouderas platform is its governance capabilities, which help operators set and maintain metadata parameters for security, regulatory compliance and data analytics even across cloud platforms. Naturally, other independent data management platforms are chasing multi-cloud governance as well. Ultimately, everyone will need to. Because we cant achieve true multi-cloud data without effortless data and application portability. And thats the heart and soul of Cloud 2.0: exactly what we wanted from Cloud 1.0. By PTI KALIAGANJ: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday all who came from Bangladesh and have been casting votes in elections were Indian citizens and did not require to apply for citizenship afresh. Banerjee also slammed the Modi government for its handling of the communal riots in Delhi which has claimed 42 lives so far, and asserted she will not allow West Bengal turn into another Delhi. "Those who have come from Bangladesh are citizens of India. They have got citizenship. You don't need to apply for citizenship again. You have been casting your votes in elections, electing PM and CM. ALSO READ: Trinamool Congress creates fund for victims of Delhi riots, calls it 'planned genocide' "Now they are saying that you are not citizens, don't believe them," she told a public meeting here. She also asserted she will not let "even a single person" to be driven out of Bengal. The West Bengal chief minister said no refugee living in the state will be deprived of citizenship. Hitting out at the central government over the Delhi violence, the TMC boss said, "Don't forget this is Bengal. What happened in Delhi will never be allowed to happen here. We do not want Bengal to turn into another Delhi or another Uttar Pradesh." The BJP has often accused Banerjee of "Muslim appeasement" and pandering to the interests of the minority community for "vote bank politics". Donald Trump, continuing his post-impeachment purge, has withdrawn the nomination of a career government bean-counter to oversee the Pentagon's finances. The White House on Monday evening announced it was pulling back Elaine McCusker's nomination to be the Defense Department's permanent comptroller. She has been the Pentagon's acting chief financial officer since last summer, one among a slew scattered in once-powerful posts across the Trump administration. Unearthed during the impeachment saga were emails that showed Ms McCusker raising concerns to White House budget officials about whether a presidential order to freeze a nearly $400m military aid package to Ukraine was legal. Because she is time-limited in her role as acting comptroller, her nixed nomination means she essentially has an expiration date and is being pushed out of the Defense Department. That adds her to the ranks of Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a former National Security Council Ukraine aide; Gordon Sondland, the former US ambassador to the European Union; Joseph Maguire, pushed out recently from his acting director of national intelligence post; and others who have been fired or reassigned since Mr Trump was acquitted by Senate Republicans earlier this year. In remarkable comments, Mr Trump's acting chief of staff on Friday confirmed the purge will continue. Mick Mulvaney, a former conservative congressman from South Carolina who shares Mr Trump's politics-first approach, said addressing the "deep state" would be a second-term priority, if the president wins in November. "You want bureaucrats who work just as hard for Donald Trump as they did for Barack Obama," Mr Mulvaney said at the Conservative Political Action Conference. "That's only fair. ... And that does not happen. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that Ms McCusker is "paying the price for trying to ensure that the administration followed the law," calling her "another casualty of the Trump administration's efforts to purge public servants who put country before fealty to the president." ALBANY New York has confirmed its second case of novel coronavirus in a Westchester County man with no travel history to high-risk areas, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday. The 50-year-old man, who lives in New Rochelle and uses Metro North to commute into Manhattan for work, has an underlying respiratory illness which may worsen the effects of the virus. He is currently hospitalized at an unspecified location in New York City. His family, including a wife and two children, are quarantined back home and being monitored for symptoms. State and local health officials say they're working to trace all known exposures of the man and his family. The man first visited New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville with symptoms, but has been transferred elsewhere since. Westchester County confirmed he attended Young Israel of New Rochelle, a local synagogue, which has been ordered closed for the foreseeable future. Any congregants who attended services on Feb. 22, or a funeral and bat mitzvah on Feb. 23, are being asked to self-quarantine until at least March 8, county officials tweeted. One of his children attends SAR school in the Bronx, which has now closed. Another attends Yeshiva University, which said Tuesday it will remain open but is disinfecting all common areas. The student was last on campus Feb. 27, they said. One other student from the university is under quarantine, but was showing no symptoms as of Tuesday, school officials said. While the father recently traveled to Miami, state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said those travels occurred prior to him becoming infectious. "We have said for the past several weeks that with the coronavirus situation were going to see a continued spreading and that spreading is inevitable," Cuomo told reporters in Albany on Tuesday. "I said youll start to see community-spread cases, where you cant track it back directly to one place and one visit, and I think thats what were seeing today." The governor said Tuesday that two families in Buffalo who recently traveled to the part of Italy where novel coronavirus risk is high have also been placed under quarantine and are being tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. (Here's how the Capital Region is preparing for coronavirus) The news follows a late-night vote Monday by the state Legislature which granted Cuomo broad power to handle emergencies and disasters in New York and appropriated $40 million in emergency funding to respond to the new coronavirus. The governor signed the legislation Tuesday. Cuomo also said he is amending paid sick leave legislation to make sure that no New Yorker who is quarantined for COVID-19 is penalized for missing work, and is still paid for the time they miss while under quarantine. State health officials told the USA TODAY Network last week that more than 700 New Yorkers had been placed under quarantine since monitoring began. The governor has also said his administration would advance emergency regulations to prevent health insurers from requiring patients to pay for COVID-19 testing or health visits in which they seek out such testing. Individuals must meet CDC criteria for testing, which involves a symptom and risk assessment by a health provider. "Youll have a lot of people, especially in this situation where I think you have heightened anxiety that is not factually based, but you have heightened anxiety and people will say, 'Well, I want to be tested just in case. Well, we don't have capacity to test everybody just in case," Cuomo said. "So there's protocol that (the Department of Health) follows." New York received approval to begin testing coronavirus samples on Feb. 29. The state's Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany is currently testing a "couple hundred" cases each day, Cuomo said, but is trying to ramp up to 1,000 a day by the end of the week with the help of private labs. Cuomo also said Tuesday that the State University of New York system is considering whether to instruct its study abroad students to return stateside, as nations around the globe have begun issuing travel restrictions. More than 92,000 people in at least 71 countries worldwide have come down with COVID-19 since it first appeared in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Over 3,100 have died, mostly in China. Still, the governor urged against panic on Tuesday, noting that the disease's mortality rate of 1.4 percent is lower than other known coronaviruses, such as MERS (34 percent) and SARS (10 percent). He said about 80 percent of all cases will resolve themselves on their own. Those at high-risk for complications include elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems and underlying illnesses. "By definition (containment) is an imperfect strategy," Cuomo said. "You cannot contain the spread. You can slow it. You can limit it. But you can't contain it." Nationwide, more than 100 people in 15 states have now tested positive for COVID-19. Three more deaths were reported Tuesday, bringing the U.S. death toll to nine. All took place in Washington state, and most were associated with a single nursing home. In New York, 41 people have met CDC criteria for testing, according to a daily tally published by the state Department of Health. As of Tuesday, two had tested positive, 30 had tested negative, and nine were still pending. Eight of the pending cases are located outside of New York City. Cuomo announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New York on Sunday night. That patient is a 39-year-old woman who contracted the virus while traveling in Iran. She has respiratory symptoms and is currently isolated in her New York City residence, but is not in serious condition, according to the governor's office. Because she is a health care worker who understood the risks of travel to a high-risk area, she took precautions to limit her exposure to the public upon her return to the U.S., Cuomo said. Also on Tuesday, state Sen. Brad Hoylman announced new legislation to limit price gouging during public health emergencies. He said prices on face masks and hand sanitizer have skyrocketed around New York City, and noted Amazon's attempt to crack down on the practice. His legislation would clarify that unconscionable excessive price increases during public emergencies are anything over 10 percent. Along New Yorks northern border, U.S. and Canadian border patrol agencies are remaining vigilant to combat the spread of COVID-19. A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in an email Tuesday that non-U.S. citizens excluding permanent residents, flight crews and immediate family members of U.S. citizens that have been in China within two weeks of their arrival to the U.S. will be denied entry. Those in exempted categories that have been in China will be referred to CDC for health screenings. Canada Border Services Agency has implemented heightened screening protocol at their international airports of people who are arriving from or have recently visited China, and will soon extend the protocol to those who have visited Iran. Those screening measures have not been implemented at ports of entry aside from airports, but a spokesperson for the agency said border officers are still required to screen and report people who seem ill or may have been exposed to a disease, and temporarily quarantine them. Both border patrol agencies are working with their respective public health agencies to screen, contain and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Cayla Harris and Massarah Mikati contributed reporting. CHESS Health, the leading provider of comprehensive addiction management technology, has received a fast-track grant of $1.5 million from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The goal of the grant, identified as 1R44DA050214, is to improve the rate at which those at risk of substance use disorder (SUD), or who require SUD treatment, actually follow through on recommendations following screening in a primary care setting. CHESS Healths innovative eIntervention solution, launched in 2019, is currently deployed at dozens of medical and addiction providers nationwide, ranging from hospitals to MAT clinics to full-continuum behavioral health providers. The web-based solution automates referrals for treatment and wrap-around services through closed-loop provider-to-provider communications. In addition, eIntervention uniquely engages the patient throughout the transition of care through its companion Envoy app, which offers the patient real-time referral details, informative and motivating video content, and secure messaging with their providers. The NIDA grant will fund the enhancement of the Envoy app to deliver targeted interventions to individuals reporting risky use of substances, but who have not yet developed full-onset SUD requiring treatment. Kathleen Carroll, PhD, the Albert E Kent Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, will lead a panel of SBIRT experts in designing the preventative interventions to be added to the Envoy app. SBIRT is the clinical practice of screening for substance use, brief intervention and referral to treatment. In order to streamline the administrative process, the grant is presented in two phases. For both phases, CHESS Health will collaborate with Cherry Health, the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in Michigan. In Phase 1, Cherry Health will conduct a usability trial of the Envoy app for patients referred to treatment for substance use disorder. In Phase 2, Cherry Health will conduct a randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of the Envoy app in increasing successful referrals to treatment and in reducing substance use among those reporting risky use but not requiring treatment. This NIDA grant will enable us to add prevention functionality to our current addiction treatment technology platform, which already includes smartphone-delivered evidence-based treatment and recovery support, digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and referral to treatment, says Hans Morefield, chief executive officer of CHESS Health. At CHESS, addressing the personal and societal crisis of addiction is foremost on our minds preventing addiction is the next frontier. Cherry Healths interest in the proposal was spurred by its commitment to fully integrate health services with substance use disorders and mental illness into its primary care mission as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). SBIRT is a terrific practice, but it is not enough when it comes to improving patient adherence to treatment referrals, says Leslie Pelkey, MD, and chief medical officer of Cherry Health. Thats why were very interested in this initiative to improve health outcomes, and the overall patient experience by making SBIRT actionable. We have two goals with this grant, explained Dr. Carroll. We want to double the current rate of follow-up specialty SUD care from approximately 17 percent to an achieved rate of at least 35 percent, and we want to measure a reduction in substance use among all patients that get the Envoy app. If we achieve these goals, this effort will be an important milestone in applying technology to the prevention of addiction. About CHESS Health CHESS Health creates innovative solutions designed at the intersection of science, technology and recovery. Founded by nationally recognized substance abuse researcher Dr. Dave Gustafson, CHESS developed A-CHESS, the leading evidence-based relapse prevention technology. By integrating A-CHESS into treatment plans, providers can best support those in recovery with access to predictive relapse analytics, condition-specific content and access to live support, which reduces relapse by 50% while decreasing costs and saving lives. The recent addition of eReferral capability prior to treatment, and an eTherapy functionality during treatment, creates an industry-leading technology platform to support the full continuum of care. CHESS Health has received recognition from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), the Journal of Substance Abuse, and the Surgeon General. For more information, visit http://www.chess.health. About Cherry Health Cherry Health is an independent, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a primary focus of providing high quality health services to those who have little or no access to health care, regardless of income or insurance status. Services provided by Cherry Health include primary care, womens health, pediatrics, dental, vision, behavioral health, mental health, correctional health, five school-based health centers and employee assistance for employers. Cherry Health provides services to all individuals, with a slide fee scale based on income and family size is available to those with or without insurance. Medicaid and Healthy Michigan are accepted, as are many other insurances. Established in 1988, Cherry Health is the largest FQHC in the State of Michigan serving Barry, Eaton, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Ottawa and Wayne counties. Providing integrated health care services at more than 20 locations throughout Michigan, Cherry Health has approximately 900 employees and a network of over 60 physicians and mid-level providers specializing in primary care/family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, optometry, oral health, behavioral health and substance use disorders. Additionally, Cherry Health runs a school linked program active in 70 public schools offering both vision and dental care. Cherry Health hosts about 66,000 annual health check-up visits per year, of which about 37,000 are patients 18 and over. For more information, visit cherryhealth.org. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:37:14|Editor: yhy Video Player Close LANZHOU, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Four snow leopards were captured in rare video footage in the Qilian Mountains in northwest China's Gansu Province, according to local authorities. The footage, taken at 3:54 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2019, clearly shows a female snow leopard with three cubs, according to the natural resources bureau of Aksay Kazak Autonomous County. "In recent years, a large number of snow leopard videos have been captured by infrared cameras in Aksay, but it is rare to see four snow leopards together in a video," said Li Zhilong, an engineer with the bureau. Several infrared cameras were installed in the mountainous areas in Aksay by a joint research team of the county's natural resources bureau and the World Wildlife Fund, capturing more than 130 photos and 36 videos of precious wildlife. Snow leopards are a Class A protected animal in China and are classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They mainly inhabit the Himalayas in central and southern Asia at an altitude of 2,500 to 4,500 meters. Cast of the Broadway musical "Mean Girls" Photo: Courtesy Broadway at the Hobby Center Photo: Courtesy Broadway at the Hobby Center A musical based on the hit film Mean Girls will come to Houston next year, along with Tony-winning hit Hadestown and Aaron Sorkins To Kill a Mockingbird. Broadway at the Hobby Center, which released its 2021-22 season Tuesday, also announced several other well-known shows. These include My Fair Lady, Blue Man Group, Tootsie and Jesus Christ Superstar. Mean Girls is written by Tina Fey, who wrote the original film, and composed by Feys husband and musical collaborator Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). The story follows high school student Cady Heron, who enters a new school and is caught up in vicious drama after befriending the popular Regina George. Anais Mitchells Hadestown won eight Tony Awards in 2019, including best musical, and won the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The musical combines two Greek myths the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the myth of King Hades and his wife Persephone into one story. A non-musical play makes a rare appearance in the touring Broadway season in the form of Aaron Sorkins To Kill a Mockingbird. Sorkins adaptation of Harper Lees classic novel, originally starring Ed Harris, is considered to be one of the most successful plays in Broadway history. The rest of the 2020-21 season is as follows: My Fair Lady (Sept. 29-Oct. 4), Blue Man Group (Nov. 17-22), Tootsie (Jan. 5-10, 2021), To Kill a Mockingbird (Feb. 23-28, 2021), Mean Girls (March 16-21, 2021), Jesus Christ Superstar (May 11-16, 2021), Hadestown (June 8-11). Season options: Beautiful The Carole King Musical (March 22-24, 2021), Wicked (June 23-Aug. 1, 2021). Coming in 2021-22: Frozen. Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary on Tuesday expressed confidence of achieving the target of doubling farmers income by 2022. The average monthly income of farmers' income stood at Rs 8,167 during 2016-17, while at Rs 6,426 in 2013-14, as per the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report, he said. "...doubling farmers' income is the priority of the government. ...I am confident (that) the target set by the Prime Minister will definitely be achieved," the minister said at the closing of three-day Krishi Vigyan Mela here. He said a number of schemes have been launched towards fulfilling this goal, and budget allocation for the sector has also been increased substantially for the next fiscal. The budget allocation for agriculture has crossed Rs 1,50,000 crore for 2020-21, he said in a statement. It may be noted that an high-level committee has recommended series of measures for boosting the farmers income. Lauding Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for organising the Farmers' Fair, think-tank Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand expressed satisfaction that during the three-day fair the sale of seeds has crossed Rs 45 lakhs. In his address, ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra said more than 80,000 farmers have taken part in Krishi Vigyan Mela this year. He said under the "Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav" scheme, 13,500 villages are being covered. Agriculture scientists go to these villages every month and address problems of farmers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BARN 8 By Deb Olin Unferth At the heart of Barn 8 is love, specifically the longing that comes from missing someone you love, and how that love can, if catalyzed, move the lover to do great things. Great things like hatch a plot to steal a million chickens. Unferths gift as a short story writer is evidenced in this novel, her second: Within moments of being introduced to these characters, we know them intimately, care about them deeply. First, we meet 15-year-old Janey Flores, traveling by bus from Brooklyn to Iowa to meet her father for the first time, a man her mother had long told her was nothing more than a sperm donor. She should have figured out she hadnt come out of a vial. What woman gives up and goes baster at 18, she thinks. In other words her mother had lied. Janey suspects the error of her decision the moment she steps off the bus, and her suspicions are confirmed when she meets her father, sees his dingy apartment and discovers that hes always known she was out there and never bothered to find her. Suddenly, she understands why her mother left, why she lied. Though Janey and her father lived like strangers in that apartment, still she stays, mostly out of spite. Image The old Janey, the one who went to school and lived with her beloved mother, Olivia, in their cozy brownstone, and the new Janey, already deadening in this place where the wind is always yammering over the fields, become two separate people, living Sliding Doors lives. This heartbreaking rift only deepens when an accident leaves Janey stuck in this new life forever. The narrative throughout often moves outside of linear time, zooming into alternate pasts and certain futures, and to great effect. The states progressive base, which helped elect Representative Ilhan Omar in 2018, had been loyal to Mr. Sanders, and his campaign had hoped to win a big share of the states 75 delegates. But Ms. Klobuchar is immensely popular in her home state, and recent polling showed her maintaining a slim lead over Mr. Sanders. With her exit, large parts of that support appeared to have shifted to Mr. Biden. The results were also disappointing for Mr. Bloomberg, who spent more than $10 million on ads in the state, according to Advertising Analytics, in an effort to amass delegates in some of the more rural and ignored congressional districts. Though he remained in the low single digits in statewide polls, Mr. Bloomberg had been the sole political advertiser in some markets. Minnesota has been reliably blue for decades, and was the only state to go for a Democrat in 1984 thanks to the home-state candidate, Walter Mondale, but the 2016 election showed a Republican surge, as Mrs. Clinton eked out a victory over President Trump by just 45,000 votes. The presidents re-election campaign has been focused on the state, including holding a rally there in October. A would-be robber went to the door of a Montgomery County home Friday wearing what appeared to be a delivery drivers uniform, authorities said. They said he also carried a box, which is common for delivery personnel, and a pistol, which is not. Photo credit: Anmar Khalil/AP/Shutterstock - Shutterstock From Men's Health As the number of COVID-19 cases increases worldwide, travelers are on high alert about airport screenings and flight cancellations caused by this disruptive coronavirus. Passengers monitoring U.S. policies on Italy and South Korea in the past few days may have been more confused than informed as reports trickled out. Uncertainty about what to expect has left some returnees from these hotspots taking matters into their own hands. In an early morning tweet on March 1, President Donald Trump hinted at an airport screening expansion to include arrivals from Italy and South Korea, advising that travelers on flights from certain designated high risk countries, or areas within those countries will also be screened when they arrive in America. Coronavirus: In addition to screening travelers prior to boarding from certain designated high risk countries, or areas within those countries, they will also be screened when they arrive in America. Thank you! @VP @SecAzar @CDCgov @CDCDirector Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2020 Trump did not specify which countries or high-risk areas, but Katie Miller, a spokesperson for Vice President Mike Pence, told CNN that the existing screening for people arriving from China after more than 14 days in that country will be expanded to Italy and South Korea. Miller also mentioned that exit screening, or taking temperatures when passengers board a plane for departure, was also in play for these two countries. In a news conference on Monday afternoon, Pence clarified the current screening plans for travelers from Italy and South Korea. Story continues Despite the initial allusion to screening when travelers arrive in America, Pence spelled out an exit screening plan in the conference. He explained that there would be multiple screenings at all airports in Italy and South Korea for travelers departing on direct flights to the United States. Both countries are expected to have complete exit screening coverage in place within the next 12 hours, he said. With regard to international travel, we will continue to monitor cases and determine whether additional travel advisories or restrictions are warranted, said Pence. Currently, advisories covering Italy and South Korea (as well as China) have leveled out at avoid nonessential travel on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Recent return from Italy Sean Ludwig, a Brooklyn freelance writer who returned from a family trip to Italy via Rome on the afternoon of March 1, was surprised to find no Italy-specific screenings or questions on either end of his flight, including arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Milan, Italy, is a region of rapidly expanding case numbers of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. When we went through the airport, we did expect we would hear additional questions, maybe (they would) give us a pamphlet, he says. Instead, his group had to respond to a single question at departure in Rome and on arrival at JFK: Had they traveled recently in China? They had not, says Ludwig, so they were waved on through in both instances. They did not ask about Iran, he told Men's Health, and asking someone coming in from Rome if they had been to Milan in the past 14 days seems like it would have been a perfect question. In response to social media queries about screenings, the JFK Airport account tweeted, We are providing all necessary support for the screening being carried out by @CDCgov & @CBP of passengers who may have been exposed to the new coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, Ludwig says that he is self-quarantining, based on information he read on the CDCs COVID-19 website. What screenings for the coronavirus illness consist of The CDCs Kristen Nordlund pointed to information on the agencys website for details about what travelers can expect in U.S.-based airport screenings, should they eventually encounter them. Screening staff will query travelers about their health and where theyve been during their trip. Arriving passengers also are assessed for fever with a non-contact thermometer and for cough and difficulty breathing. For travelers with these symptoms, the CDC site says that its staff will evaluate these cases and transfer them to a medical facility. Those who screen negative for symptoms may still face 14 days under quarantine, as Ludwig chose to do on his own. The site warns, You may not be able to complete your travel itinerary. Currently, screening people at U.S. airports only applies to travelers from China. Arrivals fall into different categories: Foreign nationals who were in China in the preceding 14 days cannot enter the United States. Travelers who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and their families who were in China in the previous 14 days will be screened on arrival in the United States at major U.S. airports. Their health on arrival and their travel history, as determined by CDC and other federal staff at customs, will dictate their post-screening fate. People concerned about screening should also be aware that some itineraries may never get off the ground in the first place. A host of airlines, including Delta, have reduced or altogether suspended flights from Italy and South Korea, with the reduced or suspended schedules stretching as far out as May 1. More than 90,000 people worldwide have become ill during this coronavirus outbreak, with more than 3000 deaths, the vast majority of them in China. Cases have been confirmed in at least 59 countries, with U.S. advisories against nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. In the United States, six deaths have been reported in Washington state. You Might Also Like GUANICA, Puerto Rico Nearly two months after an earthquake sent the population of southwest Puerto Rico rushing into the streets, thousands of people are still slumbering each night under camping tents, on cots, in their cars and in enormous open tents that serve as government shelters. Long after a 6.4 magnitude quake sent shock waves across the island on Jan. 7, the ground continues to shake. Over the past week, 43 earthquakes classified as significant have struck, according to the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, part of a prolonged and terrifying series of seismic events not seen on the island since 1918. A house in the town of Guanica recently collapsed after a fresh 3.8 magnitude temblor. And while most of the recent aftershocks have been relatively mild only five over the past week exceeded 3.5 in magnitude the cumulative damage and constant rattling have left many Puerto Ricans with their confidence deeply shaken. Hundreds of families are unable to pay for repairs to their ravaged homes. Others are unwilling to trust government inspectors assurances that their houses are safe. I expected to be relocated to a trailer or a hotel, said Pedro Ramirez, a 65-year-old war veteran who was still staying last week in a government shelter in Guanica with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. I am not expecting them to give me a house. But the only way to get assistance for food is by being here, so they force you to be here. Its a trap. The number of quake survivors still living outdoors has surfaced as a challenge for local and federal agencies that are struggling to find housing on an island where more than 8,000 homes are in need of an overhaul as a result of the temblors. More than two years after Hurricane Maria brought devastation that in some places has still not been repaired, emergency management officials facing the latest natural disasters appear to lack cohesive strategies to keep survivors safe and are improvising as they go along, according to a number of local officials, legal advocates and academic analysts who are watching the response. If they learned anything from Hurricane Maria, they are not making it apparent, said Yarimar Bonilla, an anthropologist at Hunter College who has spent extensive time in the camps. Maybe they learned that they dont have to do anything and people will sort it out, because thats what they are doing. Shelters were located in flood-prone areas, causing some of the tents to be flooded with mud, and more than 150 schools have yet to reopen. Distrust of the government prompted many people to set up their own camps rather than use shelters managed by the authorities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far allocated $20 million to about 8,500 applicants, most of that for home repairs and some to pay for rent. More than 30,000 people applied. But government officials insist that at least half the people sleeping under the stars are responding not to structural damage to their homes, but to the emotional strain of frequent tremors. Frances Robles and Erika P. Rodriguez are New York Times writers. By Angela Hill Bay City News Foundation OAKLAND--To see the sites where it happened, to walk in the footsteps of those who changed the course of American history - it's the opportunity of a lifetime for seven youth leaders from Oakland's Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center, and they're taking full advantage of it. The teens will attend the 2020 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama this weekend as guests of Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, accompanying dozens of members of Congress to historic spots in Alabama that were key to the struggle for racial equality. "This means we get to see history before our own eyes, walking on those streets, walking the bridge in Selma," Jaylin Brown, a ninth-grader from San Leandro High School, said Saturday at the Freedom Center, based at Merritt College in Oakland, during a prep meeting for the trip. "We can't understand history as well if we're not there where it happened," she said. Fayth Njenga, a senior from Kentwood in Kent, Washington, is also part of the group and joined the prep meeting via a video conference. "Being able to go on this pilgrimage is a huge privilege," she said. "No, we're not being trampled by horses or beaten by police, but we're learning from our ancestors' experiences. Plus, just being in a room with members of Congress is going to be such an opportunity to learn and teach. "We want to teach them that today's youth are ready to fight for the future," Fayth added. "We hope to leave them hopeful about what this generation can do." Along with Jaylin and Fayth, students going on this year's trip are Ayanna Boateng, a senior from Sacramento Charter High; Jayda Gray and Ursa Kaiser, both 10th-graders from Oakland Tech High School; Ellie Lee, a senior at Alameda Science and Technology Institute; and Jennifer Hernandez, a freshman at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington. The semiannual congressional pilgrimage to sites in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma, Alabama, started in 1998 by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, and is a program of the Faith in Politics Institute. Lewis, who was beaten by Alabama troopers 55 years ago while trying to march for voting rights, may attend this year's visit despite a serious cancer diagnosis in December. Supporters were delighted to see him at the annual commemorative march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on Sunday. Lee, a longtime participant on the pilgrimage, is the only member of Congress who regularly takes young people on the trip, said Roy D. Wilson, the Freedom Center's executive director. "This is the 10th year we've been doing this with Congresswoman Lee," he said. "The students will get to visit places where democracy was enriched and changed in America because of the work in Selma and Montgomery and Birmingham, and we want them to go there with Dr. King's views clearly in their minds." 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. Bulgaria Ambassador invites Telangana investors Hyderabad, Mar 3 (UNI) Inviting Telangana corporates to invest, Ambassador of Bulgaria to India, Ms Eleonora Dimitrova on Tuesday said Bulgaria is the best destination for investment with hassle free business environment. Addressing Corporates from Telangana region at a seminar on new business opportunities between India and Bulgaria organised by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) in association with Republic of Bulgaria Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, Ms Elenora said doing business in Bulgaria is advantageous for a multitude of reasons, including its dynamic outsourcing market, well-educated and multilingual workforce and good infrastructure. Bulgaria has the lowest tax in entire European Union (EU) and business friendly tax regime, she said, "We impose flat 10 per cent corporate tax, 10 per cent income tax and 5 per cent dividend tax." We are pioneers and experts in various sectors which among others include Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Pharma, Defence, Winery, Food Processing and Tourism, she also said and expressed hope that both Bulgaria and the state of Telangana would use our expertise in these sectors and grow together. FTCCI Senior Vice-President Ramakanth Inani said the objective of the seminar is to create effective awareness among corporate of various business sand trade opportunities available in India and Bulgaria. UNI KNR RHK2230 Northern Railway Central Hospital has set up a dedicated ward for clinically suspected cases of the novel coronavirus in New Delhi, the Indian Railways said on Tuesday. It said the facility will help in countering the emerging threat of the virus, that has spread to over 60 countries and claimed over 3,100 lives since its outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December. On Monday, two fresh cases of the virus were reported in India, including one in Delhi. By Tuesday, the number of coronavirus cases in India went up to six, including three from Kerala who have recovered. Blood samples of more suspected cases are being tested for a confirmation. Two private schools in Noida have been ordered shut for coming days and several people, including the family members of the Delhi man who has tested positive for the virus, have been quarantined. "One dedicated ward for clinically suspected cases has been established at Northern Railway Central Hospital New Delhi with personnel protective disposable dress for both paramedics and patients," the railways said. "A lecture on 'Dos and Don'ts' by health educators along with railway doctors in railway colonies, clubs, health units, gathering shall be done," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arkansas's state newspaper converts79% of its print subscribers over to its interactive Digital Replica, helping return the struggling state newspaper to profitability. VANCOUVER, March 3, 2020 /CNW/ - PressReader, the world's largest premium newspaper and magazine platform and architect of Branded Edition 2.0 technology, is honored to be part of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's 'iPad Initiative' - a bold experiment that won the 200-year-old newspaper the 2020 Mega-Innovation Award in Fort Worth, Texas. Back in 2018, the publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (ADG), Walter E. Hussman Jr., realized that for the first time in more two decades, his newspaper was going to lose money. Many publishers before Hussman faced the same dilemma and soon found themselves on the slippery slope to bankruptcy. Despite experiencing the same disruptive impacts of the internet and massive changes in consumer behavior and business models, Hussman was determined not to end up like the 1,800 US newspapers forced to close their doors over the past 15 years. The Editor and Publisher 2008 Publisher of the Year, known for never surrendering to David versus Goliath battles in the past, was not going down without a fight. Instead of cutting circulation in remote areas and decimating his newsroom as many US newspaper publishers did, Hussman remained committed to being "a public trust vital to our democracy" and the statewide newspaper of all of its 75 counties. By analyzing subscribers' reading behaviors, he discovered that thousands of them had already switched from the print edition of the paper to the Digital Replica because they appreciated the convenience and flexibility it offered without losing the familiar print layout they enjoyed over the years. Armed with this insight, Hussman initiated an experiment in Blytheville where subscribers were encouraged to switch from print to the Digital Replica - incentivizing them with training and an iPad if the person didn't have one. 70% of print readers converted to the Digital Replica, motivating Hussman to launch a full-scale rollout across the state. At first, there was some resistance from subscribers, but after using the app for about three weeks, their opinion was universal. Subscribers liked the app experience better because it offered a familiar printed layout, augmented with engaging features such as zoom and pan functionality, live story updates, breaking news, embedded videos, slideshows, article sharing, story narration, instant translation in up to 18 languages, and access to past issues. In January 2020, Hussman completed his digital conversion of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, transitioning just shy of 36,000 home delivery subscribers (79%) to the Digital Replica powered by PressReader's Branded Edition 2.0 technology - the latest generation of the technology originally used to build the first ADG Digital Replica back in 2012. The total cost of the conversion was expensive - with $12M spent on more than 27,000 iPads and US$90 per subscriber in training - but it was worth every penny. ADG was able to drop Monday through Saturday home delivery in 63 of the 75 counties in Arkansas and only offering the print edition on Sundays. Even some Sunday-only subscribers upgraded their subscriptions to include the Digital Replica. The average revenue per Digital Replica subscriber now exceeds $32/month. When asked about the 21% of people who didn't convert and the loss of that revenue, the publisher was pragmatic, "So, would you rather have 79% of your print subscribers paying you $32 a month? Or would you rather have 100% of your subscribers paying $5 a month? If you do the math, I think you'll find it's a much better economic proposition to go with the Digital Replica." The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has been a valued partner of PressReader for close to a decade, capitalizing on all the distribution and publishing solutions the company has to offer, including PressReader Print-on-Demand, PressReader.com, PressReader mobile apps, and Branded Edition technology for its privately labeled Digital Replica. "It surprises me that so many publishers still don't recognize the value of digital replicas like the one PressReader built for us with their Branded Edition technology," said Hussman. "Our print subscribers may have been skeptical at first, but now they love all the interactive features and extra content we can give them. They spend more time engaged with the Digital Replica, and we know that higher engagement leads to higher retention and lower churn." In a country where media literacy has reached a crisis point, and thousands of US communities are at risk of becoming news deserts, this award is particularly meaningful. Arkansas is the home to over 3 million people, and despite the challenges of having the third-lowest literacy rate1 in the country, the third-lowest income2, and the lowest internet connectivity3, Hussman proved that the trust, perceived value, and achievement that comes with printed media carry over to digital replicas, along with the willingness to pay for them. "It takes an entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of vision to cannibalize existing products and business models in order to pave the way for a more profitable future," said Alex Kroogman, CEO of the PressReader Group of Companies. "Working closely with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, we developed a product that would serve the paper's entire audience, creating opportunities for print and non-print readers to explore all the quality content the publisher produces.Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's success story has been an inspiration to all of us at PressReader and should be to the rest of the publishing world." Hussman is now focused on converting readers of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and expects to turn a profit this year. If it is anything close to what he accomplished with ADG, he should also start working on another acceptance speech at Mega-Conference 2021. 1 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-10-worst-states-education-180112118.html 2 https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/080116/americas-poorest-states-2016.asp 3 https://broadbandnow.com/Arkansas About PressReader PressReader is on a mission to improve the way people discover stories that matter to them. With offices in Vancouver, Dublin, and Manila, the company provides the largest all-you-can-read platform of newspapers and magazines where people can discover relevant and trusted content from anywhere in the world - publications such as The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Hearst Newspapers and Magazines, The Globe and Mail, Newsweek, Forbes, Le Figaro, and Vanity Fair, to name just a few. Using their phone, tablet, or computer, readers can browse content online or download entire issues using the PressReader app. They can subscribe for unlimited access, or get the full experience sponsored by one of its brand partners - businesses that leverage the premium content platform to enhance their customers' experience - household names like British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Marriott, Fairmont Hotels, Seabourn Cruise Lines, Princeton University, and the New York Public Library. PressReader's digital edition technology (Branded Editions) powers many of the world's most iconic publishers for their privately labeled digital editions, bespoke apps, and web kiosks - brands like The New York Times, Arkansas Democratic-Gazette, El Pais, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, The Times (of London), Haymarket, ABC, and Clarin. For more info, visit about.pressreader.com SOURCE PressReader Media Inquiries: Mike Twining, Director, Business Marketing, E: mike@pressreader.com A company that started out 20 years ago to help workers enroll in their benefits programs online says collecting and leveraging data on millions of Americans is now a core part of its business. Daniel Island-based Benefitfocus Inc., which releases its quarterly and year-end financial results Tuesday, created a software platform where employees can buy and manage their health insurance and other job perks. About 1,000 large employers, from the American Eagle retail chain to the North Carolina State Health Plan, use the technology. And whether they realize it or not, the millions of people who log onto the platform also share their data with Benefitfocus, including information about their health and their wealth. CEO Ray August said late last year that data is an increasingly important part of the companys strategy as it seeks to build revenue and turn a profit. We have a very unique and rich data set, August said at a Raymond James conference in December. We use that information to proactively reach out and touch those consumers. Benefitfocus has amassed about five petabytes of data, the equivalent of about 100 million four-drawer filing cabinets filled with documents. The company stores it all at offsite servers in Charlotte and Raleigh. It uses the information, which is kept anonymous, for research that might help its customers better cater to their employees. For example, Benefitfocus will know from medical data when a user has a baby. Benefitfocus can then notify the new parent about updating their medical coverage. The information also is leveraged to generate recommendations for ancillary products that, in some cases, provide commission revenue to a Benefitfocus subsidiary. The company calls the online prompts Smart Moments. It executed 2.9 million of them last year, meant to "drive a more personalized" experience, August said in November. Benefitfocus said the insights can help workers learn about what perks are available through their employers. "This can help them better understand the needs of their employees, how well theyre being met by their current plans, and how they might be better served by changes or additions," Benefitfocus spokesman George Evanko said in a prepared statement. Financial analyst Nandan Amladi, who follows Benefitfocus at Guggenheim Partners, said data collection has become the "holy grail" for software businesses. And Benefitfocus is becoming a heavy hitter: About 25 million people use its platform, according to the company's latest estimate. "They're actually playing at a national scale," Amladi said. The employers that buy Benefitfocus' services must get permission from their workers to share their data with the firm. But Benefitfocus itself isn't required to provide the end users with a disclaimer explaining how it collects data. Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, health policy counsel at the Future of Privacy Forum, a nonprofit that seeks to strengthen data privacy laws, said it is good practice for companies to explain in plain language to consumers what information it can collect and how it plans to use it. Its really up to the businesses to make sure theyre putting privacy first, and that their business models take privacy seriously, she said. Hendricks-Sturrup said software firms have been building platforms where users give morsels of information. Firms can then make money off that data. Google is a prime example. The search engine giant uses the data it gathers about users to target advertisements. While people are engaging, theyre just dropping this data everywhere, Hendricks-Sturrup said. How big technology companies collect and mine private information and how they notify people about how they're doing it were the topics of multiple hearings in Congress last year, as lawmaker weighed whether to put guardrails on how firms handle data privacy. California, home to Silicon Valley and the nations largest tech companies, is one of the only states with a data privacy law on the books. The new legislation gives residents the right to see all of the information a company has stored about them. It also gives consumers the right to sue companies over privacy policy violations. The law passed as efforts to advance nationwide data privacy legislation stalled last year. Lawmakers in a number of other states are considering similar measures. In its annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Benefitfocus said it believes it complies with the California law. Changing privacy rules could mean higher costs for the company, as it would for any business that collects and stores vast amounts of data. It also says it has strong safeguards in place. Evanko said the company uses advanced encryption, and its systems minimize how often the information is accessed. Benefitfocus is also subject to audits that test its security controls. "We are entrusted with people's most sensitive data, and we recognize that it is essential that it be secured at all times," Evanko said. BJP MLAs have been told to intervene in favour of CAA during discussion on Constitution in the Karnataka Assembly. Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is contemplating to move a resolution in the ongoing budget session of the Assembly to implement the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA). Sensing strong opposition from the Congress to such a resolution, the government has decided to bring it through the back door, camouflaged by a two-day discussion on the Constitution which is scheduled to begin on March 3. The speaker decided to conduct two days of special proceedings on Constitutional matters in the House on March 3 and 4. All members have been requested to participate in the discussion. In the guise of a discussion on the Constitution, the government will try to insert the positive implications of the new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) into the resolution. BJP members have been alerted to speak on the benefits of CAA during the special proceedings. The speakers office has circulated the agenda to the members along with a copy of the Constitution to the members. No-confidence notice against deputy speaker Meanwhile BJP members have given notice of a no-confidence motion against deputy speaker Krishna Reddy. He was elected to the post during the coalition government of the JD(S) and Congress. After the BJP came to power, he refused to resign. Recently chief minister B S Yediyurappa orally requested Krishna Reddy to relinquish the post himself rather than face a no-confidence motion which would not be nice. But the deputy speaker remained noncommittal. Now BJP MLAs are putting pressure on the chief minister to move a no-confidence motion. BJP MLA Anand Mamani and others submitted notice of a no-confidence motion notice to the speaker on Monday. As per procedure, to unseat a deputy speaker, members should give prior notice to the speaker. Fourteen days after notice is served, the House can take up it for a discussion. Normally, once a no-confidence motion notice is moved, the speaker or deputy speaker resigns before the House take up the discussion. In his seminal work, The End of India, which was published a year before his death, Khushwant Singh recalled the carnage of Partition with these words: I thought the nation was coming to an end. Decades later, Khushwant was forced to watch the same kind of carnage unfold, by design, in Narendra Modis Gujarat during the 2002 pogrom against Muslims. Like a latter-day Cassandra, he warned that with a triumphant Modi as their mentor, they will repeat the Gujarat experiment all over India, unless we stop them. And as with Cassandra, no one listened, and so, years later, we see the Gujarat model repeated in Delhi itself. And why not, given that it has and always does work so very well? Take the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the ensuing riots, which catapulted the BJP into the limelight and, perhaps more importantly, forced the political mainstream to fight on the BJPs ideological turf a battle they could never hope to win. And then come the Gujarat riots, which cemented Modi as a warrior for Hindu supremacy, a mythical king reborn who would avenge centuries of humiliation and save the Hindus from extermination in their own land. To an outside observer, that belief seems ludicrous. How can the overwhelming majority, one that controls all levers of state power, be threatened by a largely powerless and under-represented minority? But it is this snake oil, poisonous to the very touch, that sells and sells well. The credit goes to the RSS, which has worked diligently and with great patience, sowing the seeds of a toxic Hindutva that has now grown into a festering forest, its roots choking all other life and its canopies blotting out the sun itself. It is under this shade that a slow-motion genocide flowers. Hate, fear and murder are good for the vote bank, it seems. And, as in Gujarat, it is aided and abetted by the very police force that should be preventing it. In countless videos we see the police escorting mobs of Hindutva extremists who proudly boast of the polices support. In another we see uniformed police officers smashing CCTV cameras to allow the mobs full rein without fear of identification. In another video we see several young men, all Muslim, badly beaten and bloody, lying on the ground as triumphant policemen stand over them forcing them to sing the Indian national anthem. Do you still want azadi? asks one of the policemen as he strikes his victim. No, the helpless man replies. The other, a man called Faizan, who was too badly injured to respond to his torturers jibes, later died in a local hospital. Speaking to NDTV, his mother said, He and the others were beaten up badly. He was beaten with iron rods. His legs were broken. His entire body had turned black because of the beatings. The judiciary, what we would assume to be the last line of defence here, is busy either ignoring or indemnifying Modis actions and those who defy that trend are punished. Take Justice S. Muralidhar, who heard petitions on the Delhi violence and slammed the Delhi police. He was transferred on the same day that a bench headed by him expressed anguish over the Delhi police not registering FIRs against incendiary hate speeches by three BJP leaders. This then, is what complete state capture looks like when the state is fascist to its core. But how is all this possible in an age where the media is watching and camera phones are omnipresent? Well, first one makes the media itself an ally, and the majority of Indias electronic media are now staffed by the harlequins of hate, the jesters of genocide who have ranted, raved and lied their way into creating the grounds for the pogrom we saw in Delhi, and which we will see repeated, however sporadically, across India. Forget Amit Shah and Kapil Mishra, it is on Tahir Hussain that the media focus on, because how dare anyone resist a mob out to lynch them and theirs? On social media, which too is dominated by Sanghi supporters, victims are blamed, genocide is cheered and fake news proliferates making it seem as if those being slaughtered are responsible for their fate. Much of this propaganda is then picked up and amplified by the mainstream media in an effort that would make Radio Rwanda proud. Here then is the Gujarat model for the modern era, and it is replicated time and again simply because it works. Many Muslim families, their homes and livelihoods burned to ashes, are leaving the neighbourhoods in which they have lived for decades. The message has been received and it is that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, even with the world watching. And for every heart-warming story of coexistence, there are dozens more of hate and carnage. The avalanche has started, and it is too late now for the pebbles to vote. By arrangement with Dawn By Express News Service KOLKATA: Union Home minister Amit Shah has told BJP functionaries in Bengal that he would visit the state at least once a month between April and October, and spend a week every month after the festive season to achieve the goal of overthrowing the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government in 2021. Senior BJP leaders said no national leader of the party has spent such a long span of time with the Bengal unit and the effort was enough to energise the party. Shah left Kolkata in the early hours on Monday. According to BJP sources, after offering prayer at Kalighat temple, Shah returned to a city hotel to hold the meetings where BJP chief JP Nadda and general secretary (organisation) B L Santosh were present. Shah first held meeting with party MPs from Bengal, then with the presidents of 38 organisational districts and observers and MLAs. The final meeting was with the seniormost leaders in Bengal, including general secretaries, past presidents and central observers. ALSO READ | Congress, CPM students' wings 'purify' Kolkata's Shahid Minar ground where Shah held rally He (Shah) said that from April he would start coming to Bengal at least once a month and from October, the monthly visit would last for at least seven days, said a senior BJP leader. He gave a patient hearing to all of us. He preferred to talk less and listen more. He said that he was aware of Bengals both political and law and order situation. The leader said Shah assured the partys Bengal unit that he was with them shoulder to shoulder. We highlighted our activities in details to explain how rigorously we worked to reach out the common people on the CAA. He made it clear that we would have to intensify pro-CAA campaign in pockets dominated by refugees and work hard in the civic election, said the leader who attended one of the meetings. Meanwhile, three people were arrested in the wee hours of Monday for allegedly shouting the Desh ki gaddaron ko, goli maro slogan on way to Shahs rally on Sunday. [March 03, 2020] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of PharmaCielo Ltd. (PCLOF) on Behalf of Investors Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf PharmaCielo Ltd. ("PharmaCielo" or "the Company") (OTC: PCLOF) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your PharmaCielo investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information here or contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, via email [email protected] or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On March 2, 2020, Hindenburg Research published a report, alleging, among other thins, that PharmaCielo's "key operating property in Rionegro, Colombia" was sold "at a massive markup, allowing insiders to enrich themselves by an estimated $5.35 million." The report also stated that the Company's purported greenhouse facilities on newly-purchased land is "nothing more than an empty field covered in weeds." On this news, the Company's share price fell $0.4579 per share, or over 32%, to close at $0.9621 per share on March 2, 2020, thereby injuring investors. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding PharmaCielo should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email [email protected]. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in a number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press (News - Alert), Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005968/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] ~ Patient Dosing Nearly Completed in Phase III HOPE-B Trial of Etranacogene Dezaparvovec in Hemophilia B ~ ~ First Patient Procedure in Phase I/II Clinical Trial of AMT-130 in Huntingtons Disease Expected to Occur Around the End of the First Quarter of 2020 ~ ~ Strong Balance Sheet Expected to Fund Operations into 2022 ~ LEXINGTON, Mass. and AMSTERDAM, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- uniQure N.V. (QURE), a leading gene therapy company advancing transformative therapies for patients with severe medical needs, today reported its financial results for 2019 and highlighted recent progress across its business. The past year was marked by strong execution in our pivotal, Phase III HOPE-B study of etranacogene dezaparvovec in hemophilia B for which we achieved full enrollment and expect to announce top-line data before the end of this year, stated Matt Kapusta , chief executive officer of uniQure. We believe etranacogene dezaparvovec has a potential best-in-class profile as a one-time treatment for patients with hemophilia B, and our primary goal is to advance this program for regulatory review and potential approval. We have also successfully screened patients in the randomized Phase I/II clinical trial of AMT-130 in Huntingtons disease and expect the first procedure to occur around the end of this first quarter of 2020, he added. In addition, we have continued to advance our research pipeline of innovative AAV gene therapy candidates and further build on our proprietary, commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities. We expect this year to be a transformational one for uniQure in which we announce new clinical data and advance our internally discovered investigational gene therapies. Recent Company Progress Advancing late-stage development of etranacogene dezaparvovec (AMT-061) for the treatment of hemophilia B Nearly all of the eligible patients in the pivotal, Phase III HOPE-B study of etranacogene dezaparvovec have received their one-time administration of etranacogene dezaparvovec. Approximately 60 patients were enrolled in the study, which is being conducted in approximately 40 sites in the United States and Europe. The Company is on track to provide top-line data on all patients in the HOPE-B study before the end of this year, and to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for marketing authorization in 2021. Late last year at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, the Company presented one-year follow-up data on the three patients in the Phase IIb study of etranacogene dezaparvovec. Mean FIX activity for the three patients at 52 weeks after administration was 41% of normal. No patient in the study had reported any bleeding events, and all patients in the study have remained free of prophylaxis after receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec. The Company is producing etranacogene dezaparvovec at commercial scale for product launch and plans to conduct manufacturing process validation throughout the year. Advancing AMT-130 into clinical development for the treatment of Huntingtons disease The Company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have agreed to broaden the eligibility criteria for the Phase I/II study of AMT-130 in patients with Huntingtons disease, and numerous patients are actively screening across multiple sites. Initial patients have successfully passed the screening protocol, and the first surgical procedure is expected to take place around the end of the first quarter of 2020. The Company expects to provide a safety update after the studys Data Safety Monitoring Board convenes later in the year. Important imaging and biomarker data from this first-in-human AAV-gene therapy trial in Huntingtons disease are expected in 2021. Advancing research pipeline of gene therapy candidates towards the clinic The Company is advancing multiple preclinical and nonclinical studies of AMT-180 for the treatment of hemophilia A and expects to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application this year. AMT-180 incorporates the Companys proprietary modified Factor IX transgene that has been demonstrated in preclinical studies to convey Factor VIII-independent activity and circumvent inhibitors to Factor VIII. In addition, the Company expects to initiate IND-enabling studies for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 in 2020, supporting the submission of an IND application planned for 2021. SCA3 patients experience brain degeneration that results in movement disorders, rigidity, muscular atrophy and paralysis. There is currently no treatment available that slows the progressive course of this lethal disease. AMT-150 is a one-time administered AAV gene therapy incorporating the Companys proprietary miQURE silencing technology, similar to the technology used in the Companys AMT-130 program for the treatment for Huntingtons disease, and is designed to halt ataxia in early manifest SCA3 patients. Strong cash position to advance the Companys programs As of December 31, 2019, the Companys cash position was $377.8 million, which is expected to fund the Company operations into 2022. Story continues Upcoming Investor Events 40 th Annual Cowen & Co. Healthcare Conference, March 2 4, 2020, Boston, MA. BioCapital Europe 2020 by LSP, March 12, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Gene Therapy Summit by Chardan, March 23 24, 2020, Miami, FL. Stifel CNS Day, April 1, 2020, Boston, MA Wells Fargo Corporate Access Day, April 7, 2020, Boston, MA. H.C. Wainwright Global Life Sciences Conference, April 19 21, 2020, London, UK. Kempen Life Sciences Conference, April 21 22, 2020, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Financial Highlights Cash Position: As of December 31, 2019, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $377.8 million, compared to $234.9 million as of December 31, 2018. The Company currently expects cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund operations into 2022. Revenues: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $7.3 million, compared to $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in 2019 reflects the termination of the S100A1 program for the treatment of congestive heart failure under our collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb. R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $94.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $74.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The change was primarily related to increased activities associated with our ongoing clinical studies of etranacogene dezaparvovec, the recently initiated Phase I/II study of AMT-130, increased share-based compensation and the hiring of additional clinical and operations staff at our Lexington site. SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $33.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The change was primarily related to increases in personnel and consulting expenses, professional fees and share-based compensation expenses. Other income, net: Other expense was $0.1 million for 2019, compared to other income of $0.6 million for 2018. Net Loss: The net loss for the full years 2019 and 2018 was $124.2 million, or $3.11 per share and $83.3 million, or $2.34 per share, respectively. About uniQure uniQure is delivering on the promise of gene therapy single treatments with potentially curative results. We are leveraging our modular and validated technology platform to rapidly advance a pipeline of proprietary gene therapies to treat patients with hemophilia B, hemophilia A, Huntington's disease, Fabry disease, spinocerebellar ataxia Type 3 and other diseases. www.uniQure.com uniQure Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "look forward to", "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability to provide top-line data or any further clinical updates and data with respect to our pivotal Phase III study of AMT-061 before the end of 2020 or ever, the ability to submit a BLA for marketing authorization of etranacogene dezaparvovec in 2021, or ever, the risk of cessation, delay or lack of success of any ongoing or planned clinical studies, the ability to dose the first sentinel patient in the AMT-130 Phase I/II clinical study by around the end of the first quarter of 2020, or ever, the ability to fund operations into 2022, whether AMT-061 proves to have a best-in-class profile as a one-time treatment for patients with hemophilia, whether 2020 will be a transformational year for uniQure in which new clinical data is announced or investigational gene therapies are advanced, whether we can provide a safety update for AMT-130 this year, whether the Data Safety Monitoring Board for AMT-130 will convene later in 2021, whether important imaging and biomarker data from the AMT-130 trial will be obtained in 2021, or ever, whether IND-enabling studies for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) are initiated in 2020, and whether an IND application for SCA3 will be filed in 2021, or ever. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks associated with our clinical development activities, clinical results, collaboration arrangements, regulatory oversight, product commercialization and intellectual property claims, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" in uniQures Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2020. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. uniQure Contacts: FOR INVESTORS: FOR MEDIA: Maria E. Cantor Eva M. Mulder Tom Malone Direct: 339-970-7536 Direct: +31 20 240 6103 Direct: 339-970-7558 Mobile: 617-680-9452 Mobile: +31 6 52 33 15 79 Mobile:339-223-8541 m.canto@uniQure.com e.mulder@uniQure.com t.malone@uniQure.com uniQure N.V. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 377,793 $ 234,898 Accounts receivable and accrued income from related party 947 233 Prepaid expenses 4,718 1,116 Other current assets 748 329 Total current assets 384,206 236,576 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment, net 28,771 29,179 Operating lease right-of-use assets 26,797 - Intangible assets, net 5,427 5,201 Goodwill 496 506 Restricted cash 2,933 2,444 Total non-current assets 64,424 37,330 Total assets $ 448,630 $ 273,906 Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 5,681 $ 3,792 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 12,457 8,232 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 5,865 - Current portion of deferred rent - 311 Current portion of deferred revenue 7,627 7,634 Total current liabilities 31,630 19,969 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt 36,062 35,471 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 31,133 - Deferred rent, net of current portion - 8,761 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 23,138 28,861 Derivative financial instruments related party 3,075 803 Other non-current liabilities 534 435 Total non-current liabilities 93,942 74,331 Total liabilities 125,572 94,300 Total shareholders' equity 323,058 179,606 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 448,630 $ 273,906 The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) convened meetings within the civic health department and has kept ready 100 beds ready at four hospitals for suspected patients. The civic body has also formulated 26 teams to monitor the incidence of coronavirus in the city. On Tuesday, additional civic commissioner Suresh Kakani instructed the health department to keep all infrastructure and manpower ready to deal with potential emergency situations. As of now, we have screened 152 patients, of which 149 tested negative, said Kakani, adding that the results of the remaining three were expected late on Tuesday. To prevent delays arising from waiting for reports from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, the BMCs health department has set up a lab testing unit at Kasturba Hospital, to analyse samples for coronavirus. Results may be expected within three hours of submitting a sample. As a precautionary measure, the BMC has kept 100 beds ready in isolation wards across Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar; KB Bhabha Hospital, Bandra; KB Bhabha Municipal Hospital, Kurla; and Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care, Jogeshwari. Additionally, 24 health teams consisting of six members will be deployed at every ward to monitor patients who may show symptoms of coronavirus. Two teams will be deployed at the international airport to monitor the situation around the clock. Approximately 65,621 passengers have been screened for possible coronavirus infection at Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. All passengers arriving from China (including Hong Kong), Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Italy, Iran and Malaysia are being screened at the airport, using thermal scanners. A spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (MIAL) said, At Mumbai, we are currently conducting thermal screenings for passengers arriving from 12 different destinations. As of 3rd March 2020, we have screened approximately 64,621 passengers across 549 flights at the airport. So far, 401 passengers, who had arrived from coronavirus-affected areas, have been quarantined across the state. The Supreme Court is set to deliver a judgement in an application filed by Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asking it to set aside a judegment on Imo governorship election that declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner. A seven-member panel of the court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed, announced a recess Tuesday after taking arguments from lawyers. Mr Mohammed said the panel would reconvene at 3:00 p.m. to give its decision on the matter. Mr Ihedioha and the PDP had approached the court after the apex court, on January 14, nullified his victory and declared Mr Uzodinma the winner of the election. Mr Ihedioha was earlier declared the winner of the election by the electoral umpire, INEC. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how, in a unanimous judgment of the seven-member panel, read by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the apex court agreed that results in 388 polling units were unlawfully excluded during the collation of the final governorship election result in Imo State. Mrs Kekere-Ekun said with the results from the 388 polling units added, Mr Uzodinma polled a majority of the lawful votes and ought to have been declared the winner of the election by the electoral commission. Strangely, the court did not provide the details of the new votes scored by each of the candidates in the election after the addition of the results from the 388 polling units. READ ALSO: Consequently, the court voided and set aside the declaration of Mr lhedioha as the winner of the 2019 governorship election in the South-east state. The court ordered that the certificate of return issued to Mr lhedioha be immediately withdrawn by INEC and a fresh one issued to Mr Uzodinma as the elected governor of the state. Vote due to the appellant Senator Hope Uzodinma and the APC from 388 Polling Units were wrongly excluded from scores ascribed to the appellant (to them), the judges ruled. Lawyers arguments During the court session on Tuesday, the lawyer for Mr Ihedioha and the PDP, Kanu Agabi, said they were not in court to challenge the Supreme Court. This court is Supreme and your judgements are final. It is as we hope in God to change his mind that we came to you to change your mind, he added. Mr Agabi further said, It is better than those who feel aggrieved to come before your lordship, to show their grief, rather than stay at home and grumble. Arguing on their application dated and filed on February 17, the senior lawyer held that, the petition that had led to the apex court decision delivered on January 14, was earlier struck out by way of incompetence. He said the appellants abandoned their appeal at the lower court. Mr Agabi noted that At least 34 times, the reference was made to 388 Polling Units (PU), where the appellant alleged that their votes were excluded, but they rendered results only in respect to 366 PU, whereas, give the credit for 388. He further argued that the number of votes cast exceeded the number of accredited voters by 129,000 votes. According to Mr Agabi, the APC and Mr Uzodinma stigmatised the election as invalid, which is part of their grounds which they argued, he said. He said the apex court judgement does not show that they have the required constitutional spread. The lawyer pointed out that the appellants had said the election was invalid and held that election should be conducted in the 388 PUs. He further told the apex court that their case is different from that of Bayelsa State. Mr Agabi finally urged the court to set aside the apex court judgement. Advertisements He added that, If this judgement is set aside, the judgment of the Court of Appeal would be restored. On his part, the lawyer for the APC and Mr Uzodinma, Damian Dodo, urged the court to dismiss Mr Ihedioha and his partys application, one on merit and the other on incompetence, he added. Mr Dodo argued that There is the total lack of jurisdiction of this court to revisit its judgement of January 14, 2020, whether the application is characterised as an application for review or classified as an application to set aside or so, however dressed or clothed. This court has consistently and rightly so, held that there is a lack of jurisdiction to sit on appeal of its judgement, he added. The senior lawyer said there is no constitutional provision that allows the apex court to review its own decision. This application falls short of what the supreme court rule states, in respect to reviewing a judgement, he said. He urged the court to take particular note of the fact that the judgment of the court, delivered on January 14, clearly and categorically set aside the decision of the lower court, in all its ramifications. Mr Damian held that the apex courts decision was a clear pronouncement, adding that the setting aside of the lower court decision was not ambiguous but was clear. He urged the court to dismiss the application on merit and finally said, This application should fail. Following this, the apex court announced that the court would reconvene by 3: 00 pm to deliver judgement on the matter. Present to witness the proceedings of the court on Tuesday is the APCs national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. (Newser) A college recruiter was fired after high school students in Oklahoma City said he had them line up by the color of their skin and then by their hair texture, the AP reports. Harding Charter Preparatory High School student Korey Todd told KFOR-TV that during the Feb. 24 assembly, the recruiter from Oklahoma Christian University "barely talked about the school itself." He was like, 'All right, let's play a little game,'" Todd said. Then he said, 'OK, everyone, now line up from darkest to lightest skin complexion.'" The 11th graders were then told to shuffle again. Student Rio Brown said, He told us to line up nappiest hair in the back and straightest hair in the front." Todd said the recruiter didn't "rationalize" the purpose of the activity. story continues below The university told the TV station that the admissions counselor is no longer an Oklahoma Christian employee, adding that admissions leadership didn't approve the "inappropriate activity in advance." The university said its admissions staff will visit the school Monday to apologize. Harding's principal, Steven Stefanick, said in a statement to KFOR that the recruiter "led a group activity with our students that involved inappropriate and hurtful statements." He said Harding doesn't condone any behavior that "undermines our community's values." (Read more Oklahoma stories.) Cambodia Seizes Cameroonian Tanker That Violated North Korea Sanctions 2020-03-02 -- Cambodian authorities last week seized a Cameroon-registered ship that is suspected of having taken part in ship-to-ship transfers to North Korea of oil and other banned goods, RFA has learned. In a statement Sunday, the General Commissariat of National Police said the MT-Courageous was found to be illegally anchored in Cambodian waters between Koh Tang and Koh Poulo Wai, uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Siam southwest of the country. The ship had previously been expelled from Taiwan. According to the police statement, the tanker has 16 crew members and had been anchored there since Thursday to await new orders from its owner before it was seized on Friday. The statement also said that the Courageous had violated UNSC resolutions 2375 and 2397 for transferring cargo with North Korean ships. The seized ship's crew were sent to the Prosecutor's Office in Sihanoukville, where they may face legal action. Their nationalities were not made public. "For a period of 24 hours, they didn't communicate with us to try to request authorization to dock or request legal permits from the Cambodian maritime border authorities," Chhay Kimkhoeun, a spokesman for the police, told RFA' s Khmer Service Sunday. "That tanker was in involved in activities that violated the UNSC sanctions against North Korea," the spokesman added. Deputy National Police Commissioner General Teng Suon confirmed that the tanker violated UNSC resolutions by participating in ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean ships. He did not say when the transfers occurred. RFA was unable to reach the Sihanoukville court's spokesperson Lim Bun Heng, for comment. The United Nations Security Council has over the past decade imposed a raft of economic sanctions on North Korea to deprive Pyongyang of supplies, resources and revenue that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs. Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. 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 March 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 OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he knows people are impatient for a resolution to tensions involving a disputed natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia, but time is needed to respect the traditions of the Wet'suwet'en people. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons Wednesday February 26, 2020 in Ottawa. Trudeau says he knows people are impatient for a resolution to tensions involving a disputed natural-gas pipeline in Northern British Columbia that led to rail and road disruptions across the country, but time is needed to respect the traditions of the Wet'suwet'en people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he knows people are impatient for a resolution to tensions involving a disputed natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia, but time is needed to respect the traditions of the Wet'suwet'en people. Speaking to reporters in Halifax Tuesday, Trudeau acknowledged the opposition of some Wet'suwet'en leaders to the Coastal GasLink pipeline has led to difficult times for many Canadians over the past few weeks. He said his government has been focused on trying to find a solution, but added that current tensions stem from Canada's dark history of mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. "We know that centuries of marginalization, of oppressive, broken government policies have created a situation that is untenable," Trudeau said. "It is not an easy process. It is a process we are all impatient with that needs to move forward, but we need to remain positive because the only path forward for our country is for all of us to work together and that is what we're going to stay focused on doing." Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and senior federal and B.C. cabinet ministers reached a proposed agreement over the weekend, but details are not being released until the Wet'suwet'en people are consulted through their traditional feast protocol, which could take up to two weeks. Trudeau says his government is respecting this process, and will not discuss details of the agreement until the Wet'suwet'en "have an opportunity to share it and discuss it internally," he said. But the prime minister also sidestepped a question about how the deal will affect the pipeline project. All parties have made it clear the agreement touches only land and title rights generally. The natural gas pipeline itself remains in dispute. Five Wet'suwet'en elected chiefs from councils that support the pipeline released a statement saying they are pleased that progress was made in the talks with the provincial and federal governments but they said the agreement was reached without input from all the Wet'suwet'en communities. The statement said they "envision" the elected chiefs and council of the various Wet'suwet'en communities will be included in a review of the deal. "We need to be engaged in our feast hall, in our respective communities to ensure all of our clan members are heard and acknowledged," it said. The hereditary chiefs could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. B.C. Premier John Horgan said Monday the pipeline project will go ahead. "This project is underway. It has been approved and ratified. It's going to be completed," Horgan told the B.C. legislature Monday. He noted the tentative agreement with the Wet'suwet'en chiefs is "forward looking," dealing with their role in future discussions of land rights. "There was not, at any time, any objective to go in and convince people to have a different point of view. We had a frank discussion. There was disagreement. The project will proceed. Dissent is appropriate. Unlawful dissent is not," Horgan said. Trudeau noted the federal and provincial governments had been working previously with the Wet'suwet'en Nation on rights issues, including a deal signed with Ottawa in 2018 giving the Wet'suwet'en full jurisdiction over their own child and family services. The new deal, if agreed to by the community, will build on this work, Trudeau said. While not saying so overtly, Trudeau's remarks intimated that Ottawa hopes the deal can help lower the opposition to the pipeline project. "Obviously we have come to what is hopefully a new level of solutions and collaboration with this most recent agreement," Trudeau said. "We understand that this is a challenging situation for everyone, but we must remain committed to reconciliation and to the respect and partnership that must underly the path forward we take." Meanwhile, Canadian National Railway Co. has started to recall most of the 450 workers temporarily laid off last month during the height of rail blockades that brought the company's eastern network to a near standstill. The blockades sidelined more than 1,400 freight and passenger trains and, according to analyst estimates, cost the company scores of millions of dollars. CN chief executive JJ Ruest says the recovery process will take several weeks as shipments of bulk and consumer products ramp up. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. At the ongoing rail blockade south of Montreal on the territory of the Mohawks of Kahnawake, discussion is ongoing about whether the barricades should remain, a spokesman said Tuesday afternoon. Kanentokon Hemlock, a traditional chief of the Bear Clan, said the tracks will stay blocked as the community builds a consensus on its next steps. The Mohawks have been in contact with the hereditary chiefs in B.C., who had expressed their gratitude for the support they've received, Hemlock said. However, he says it's up to the Kahnawake Mohawks to decide if and when the blockade comes down. "They were just really thankful for the support and everything from this way, but it's on our end now too, as well, (to decide) on how we're going to continue to support them moving forward," Hemlock said in a phone interview. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. With files from Morgan Lowrie in Montreal. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 16:43:02|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BISHKEK, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Law enforcement bodies in Kyrgyzstan have filed a case against the organizers of a protest in Bishkek, accusing them of an attempted violent seizure of power. Hundreds of people occupied the captial's Ala-Too square on Monday afternoon, calling for the release of Sadyr Zhaparov, ex-deputy of the Kyrgyz Parliament. In the evening, almost six hours after the protest, some protesters headed to the White House, or the parliament building, and threw stones at the police cordon around the building, according to a statement by the State Committee for National Security on Tuesday. The law enforcement officers used water cannons, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the demonstrators. The riot injured 24 police officers. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 166 people were detained, among which 162 were later released. The security committee said that organizers and protesters, including former deputy of the Kyrgyz Parliament Kanybek Osmonaliev and Sadyr's brother Sabyr Zhaparov have been detained and placed in a pre-trial detention facility on suspicion of an attempted violent seizure of power. Sadyr Zhaparov was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison in a maximum security colony by a district court in Bishkek. He was found guilty of taking hostage Emilbek Kaptagaev, the governor of the Issyk-Kul Oblast region, during a protest on Oct. 7, 2013 in the town of Karakol. MIAMI, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management has announced a $5 million gift from Bacardi USA dedicated to a new and unique educational program tailored for the spirits industry. The gift will create the Bacardi Center of Excellence, which will position the top-ranked school as a leader in beverage management education and partner with one of the world's most historic and leading spirits companies. The Bacardi Center of Excellence will provide student scholarship opportunities, promote community events and provide pathways to entrepreneurship. The Bacardi Beverage Innovation Fund will be used to establish a beverage curriculum and create collaboration opportunities between Bacardi USA and FIU faculty. The Bacardi Scholarship Endowment will offer students financial assistance and establish professorships. The gift also expands programming at FIU's CasaCuba. CasaCuba seeks to provide a dynamic home for the discussion and study of Cuban affairs. The initiative is bringing together scholars, policymakers, business leaders, students, and the community at large to realize a multidimensional Cuban cultural center and think tank that will be housed in a state-of-the-art facility at FIU's main campus. Family-owned Bacardi was originally founded by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso in Santiago de Cuba in 1862. Today, Bacardi Limited is the largest privately held spirits companies in the world and South Florida is home to the regional headquarters for North America. "At FIU we are proud to partner with Bacardi, a company with deep roots in our community and a legacy of success that goes back to Cuba more than a century ago," said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. "This gift will fuel a perfect combination of tradition and forward-looking projects that will benefit our students and the entire community for generations." "We are proud to strengthen the hospitality and tourism management work at FIU while connecting with the future talent of this industry," said Pete Carr, President of Bacardi North America. "As a company proud of its Cuba origins, we are excited to support CasaCuba and help spotlight the culture that is forever a part of our story." Bacardi USA's $5 million gift will also create the Bacardi Classroom, a Bacardi Spirits Management Track, and BacardiTeach, which includes micro-credentialing opportunities for FIU students, Bacardi employees, on-premise partners and branded educational programs for bartenders. The Bacardi Scholarship Endowment will support the previously mentioned initiatives, as well as the Bacardi Scholars, a multiyear blended scholarship program. "Our partnership with Bacardi USA will positively affect our university, our school's programs, and the hospitality industry, plus it will greatly enhance the hands-on learning experience for our students," said Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School. "We are honored to be part of a relationship that will leave a lasting impact." Media Contact: Ivonne Yee-Amor Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management 305.299.2091 [email protected] news.fiu.edu @FIUNews SOURCE Florida International University Related Links https://www.fiu.edu Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 01:18:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAKAR, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Senegalese Ministry of Health and Social Action confirmed on Monday the country's first case of COVID-19. The infected patient is of French nationality, father of two kids, returned on Feb. 26 to Dakar from Paris with Air Senegal's flight, after spending holidays in southern France, according to Minister of Health and Social Action Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr. On Feb. 28, the health authorities were informed by a private clinic of this patient who showed symptoms of the COVID-19, Mr. Sarr said. The patient, whose condition is not critical, was tested positive for novel coronavirus in the Pasteur Institute in Dakar. The patient's family members are also put under quarantine. The minister also called on citizens not to panic, but to take preventive measures provided by his ministry to protect themselves. In order to better prepare Senegal against COVID-19, Senegalese President Macky Sall agreed Monday to mobilize about 2.4 million U.S. dollars, to be increased if necessary. So far, it is the second confirmed case in Sub-Saharan Africa, after one case was found in Nigeria. New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Tuesday (March 3,2020) postponed one of its biggest maritime exercise Milan 2020 for indefinite time due to the global outbreak of coronavirus. Milan 2020 was scheduled to start on March 19, 2020 and would continue till March 28, 2020. 31 countries including Singapore, South Korea and Gulf countries were likely to take part in the multi-nation naval exercise hosted by Indian Navy . Giving the information a senior Indian Navy officer said, "We have postponed the naval exercise that was scheduled from March 19. All the countries which were supposed to participate in the naval exercise would be conveyed this message with immediate effect.''He also said that the decision was taken after the outbreak of coronavirus outside China. As per information, Indian Navy had already made all the preparations for the event which was scheduled to be conducted in Andhra Pradesh's Vizag. The maritime exercise was based on the theme of 'Synergy Across the Seas'. MILAN began in 1995 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and grew large with every passing year. In 2018, 17 countries took part in the event. This was the 11th edition of MILAN and was being held under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command. This is the second major event in the Indian subcontinent that has been postponed. Nepal on Monday announced that it will postpone Sagarmatha Sambaad that was to take place in April 2020. Leaders from across the South Asian region including PM Modi was invited for the event focused on discussing regional and global developments. The death toll due to coronavirus is increasing continuously and the number of deaths has reached at 3,120 on Tuesday. India also reported three fresh cases of coronavirus in - Delhi, Telangana and Jaipur. The government of India has issued travel advisory and precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the deadly virus across the country. (With IANS input) Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Auburn University are forging a new collaboration through the addition of a joint research faculty member. Alex Harkess joins the Auburn University College of Agriculture as a faculty member in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences and joins HudsonAlpha as a faculty investigator. He will have a research lab at HudsonAlpha in Huntsville. Harkess, who specializes in plant reproductive, evolutionary and comparative genomics, joins HudsonAlpha and Auburn after four years with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis. Harkess was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at Danforth, conducting research focused on the evolution and function of small RNA pathways, the evolution of sex chromosomes in plants, and broad-scale comparative genomics. HudsonAlphas work in plant genomics includes research looking for genetic markers that can help make agriculture more efficient through increased yields, improved disease resistance and reduced water use. This joint position marks the start of a renewed collaboration with Auburn University that will help develop a pipeline for graduate student education as well as strengthen our outreach to agriculture breeders and producers, said Richard M. Myers, president and science director of HudsonAlpha. Graduate students will take classes in plant genomics at Auburn and conduct their research in HudsonAlpha laboratories. In addition to full time lab employees, Harkess will host a nine-week funded summer position at HudsonAlpha for Alabama undergrad or masters students interested in plant evolutionary genomics. We are excited to have Dr. Harkess join our faculty and to partner with HudsonAlpha in this collaborative effort, said Paul Patterson, dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture. Dr. Harkess will join a team of scientists who will work toward developing new plant varieties and cultivars to enhance the profitability and sustainability of Alabama agriculture. This collaborative effort will also greatly enhance our education programs, which are developing the next generation of agricultural scientists and leaders. Harkess earned his doctorate from the University of Georgia and a bachelors in botany from the University of Miami. The Democratic Republic of Congo would appoint an envoy to Israel in the coming days after a 20-year void. The announcement was made President Felix Tshisekedi while he was addressing Sunday the American- Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful lobby group. Relations between my country and Israel have long been lethargic. Yet we have huge areas of convergence of interest in security, economics, culture and science, Felix Tshisekedi said. Regarding security issues, the new challenges linked to the fight against terrorism, corruption and money laundering as well as the fight against cybercrime give us the obligation to strengthen our ties for shared objectives, he added, urging the Jewish state to increase its relations with the natural resource-rich African country. The future Congolese diplomat will be posted in Tel Aviv while a commercial section would be set up in disputed Jerusalem that Israel considers its capital. Only the US and Guatemala have moved their embassies in the old city, whose eastern part is claimed by Palestinians as the capital of their future state. Diplomatic relations between DRC and Israel have almost become non-existent after the departure of Israels last envoy to the country in 2003. Israel enjoyed good relations with Zaire, former DR Congo, when US-backed dictator Mobutu Sese Seko was in power. Mobutu restored relations with Israel in 1982, breaking African countries boycott of Israel over its support for the Apartheid regime in South Africa, and in solidary with Arab countries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been trying to rebrand Israel in Africa and around the world. He already undertook three tours to Africa over the past three years. Tshisekedi also said he would visit Israel this year and was especially interested in science, technology and agriculture investment. AIPAC is a powerful Jewish lobby that regulates and controls economic relations between Israel and the United States. Its impact is not negligible on cooperation between the Jewish State and other countries of the planet. In the wake of the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus, micro-blogging site Twitter has issued a notice asking its employees across the globe to work from home until any further notice. According to CNN, the company said the same in a message shared in an official blog. "Beginning today, we are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able," CNN quoted the social media platform's chief human resources officer, Jennifer Christie as saying. Christie further said that offices of the company will remain open and the guidance is not mandatory but the option of work-from-home is open to employees. Twitter also said that they will be conducting a deep-cleaning drive for better protection of its employees. Employees working in South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan offices of Twitter have been asked to take up work from home. Earlier on Saturday, the company announced that it is suspending all the non-critical business events. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Iowa Caucuses were such a disaster that the Associated Press still hasnt named a winner. But Super Tuesday could be worse. In California, new to the Super Tuesday lineup this year, most voters will vote on new machines, in different locations than other years, and at a different time of year March instead of June. Im just keeping my fingers crossed that nothing crazy happens, says Joan Hardie of the League of Women Voters in Glendale/Burbank. In Los Angeles County, where 3 million people are expected to vote on Tuesday, most of the regular neighborhood polling places wont be open this year as voters are being routed to vote centers. There are 970 vote centers, but only some of them are open for the full 11 days of the voting period, which began Feb. 22. Others dont open until Feb. 29. Voters with no party affiliation, called NPPs (no party preference), can vote in the Democratic primary, but only if they request a Democratic crossover ballot. All of this is new in California this year, rolled out after passage of a state law intended to make voting more convenient. I think we have a lot of concerns because we dont want another Iowa, says Richard Sherman, chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County. He said he was alarmed when propositions were left off the sample ballots in some towns. We want as many people to vote as possible, but I dont know if theyre ready for prime time, he added. The new voting machines in Los Angeles County are touch-screen tablets that display the ballot in 13 languages and spit out a paper ballot when the person is done making selections. But the city of Beverly Hills is suing the county, saying the new system contains a severe ballot design flaw as the tablets were programmed to display the names of only four candidates on the first page, making voters tap a button labeled More to see the remaining candidates. There are 20 candidates for president listed on the Democratic ballot in California this year, even though only eight are still in the race. Sanders leads in California by 17 points in the latest poll, with Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden coming in second and third, respectively. Sanders himself warned last week that low voting by independents (NPPs) shows Californias new rules could be locking out young and minority voters. And it's not just California. In North Carolina, another Super Tuesday state, a state appeals court just struck down a law requiring voters show ID, saying it appeared to be intended to discourage African Americans from voting. This follows a 2018 federal indictment of 19 foreigners for voting in the 2016 presidential election in the Tarheel State and a Board of Elections audit that showed 508 people illegally voted in the 2016 election, most of them convicted felons. In addition, North Carolina, like California, has same-day voter registration, and no reliable way of checking to verify that the addresses people give to election officials are correct. The Voter Integrity Project found in 2014 that there were 739,041 people on the voter rolls in North Carolina who are missing that is, they no longer lived at the address that was listed for them. Any such registrations can be used to harvest illegal votes. How many local elections could be swayed by a thousand harvested votes, asked Voter Integrity Project founder Jay DeLancy in a Fayetteville Observer op-ed. Virginias voter ID law is also in jeopardy. The state legislature, which swung to full Democratic control in 2019, just passed a bill that would repeal Virginias voter ID requirement. Democratic Governor Ralph Northam has pledged to sign it into law. Once it becomes law, Virginia voters who show up at a polling place without any ID can still vote, but must first sign an affidavit promising that they are who they say they are. Its essentially an honor system. A 2017 study by the non-profit Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) showed 7,474 votes have been cast since 2012 in Virginia by people eventually canceled as noncitizens. In Texas, James OKeefe and Project Veritas caught a poll worker on video in 2018 telling a voter that her boyfriend, who she said was a DACA Dreamer and not a citizen, could vote as long as he was registered and had his ID. We got a lot of 'em, one poll worker said of non-citizen voters. The Texas Attorney Generals Office launched an investigation, and in preliminary checks against drivers license records found 95,000 people on the state's voter rolls who appeared to be non-citizens, 58,000 of whom had voted in an election. The ACLU argued that many of these voters had been naturalized since getting a drivers license and eventually the state dropped the effort altogether, leaving tens of thousands of potential non-citizens on the rolls. "Any Super Tuesday chaos will be a result of years of efforts by groups trying to make it easier to vote,'" said PILF President J. Christian Adams. "When you decentralize election sites, when you drag them out over days, when you run them on apps, you create chaos. Interest groups should stop trying to fundamentally transform our election process." Margaret Menges is a freelance journalist; she wrote this for InsideSources.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MARCH 3, 2020 UTSAs spring enrollment numbers are on an uptick for the fourth consecutive year, according to census report data compiled by the universitys Office of Institutional Research. The spring 2020 report lists UTSAs total enrollment at 30,172, which includes undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and postbaccalaureate students. This is the first time spring enrollment at UTSA has topped the 30,000 mark, which is a promising sign as the university aims to achieve its 2028 enrollment goals outlined in the strategic enrollment initiative. "The UTSA community continues to be hard at work focusing on the many important initiatives set forth in our strategic enrollment plan," said Lynn Barnes Jr., senior vice provost for strategic enrollment at UTSA. "Expanding our recruitment here in Texas and beyond, enhancing student support and success through our student success initiatives, and offering more academic programs are examples of efforts that are helping UTSA grow and become even more attractive to prospective students. We are incredibly proud of our Roadrunners and their success, and are eager to welcome even more students to UTSA in the very near future." The number of doctoral students at UTSA has risen from 798 last spring to 865 in spring 2020, representing an 8% increase. For the second year in a row more than 4,000 students are pursuing their masters or doctoral degrees at UTSA. This is the first time spring enrollment at UTSA has topped the 30,000 mark, which is a promising sign as the university aims to achieve its 2028 enrollment goals. More than 4,000 students (14%) are also taking classes at the Downtown Campus, with 2,083 taking classes exclusively at the Downtown Campus and 2,015 splitting time between the Downtown and Main campuses. Those numbers will continue to rise as UTSA expands the footprint and resources of the Downtown Campus through initiatives like the Cattleman Square Residential Tower, the future School of Data Science and other objectives set forth in the Campus Master Plan. UTSA continues to attract a diverse group of students, with the majority identifying as Hispanic (56%), 23% identifying as white, 8% as African American and 6% as Asian. Additionally, 931 international students (3%) are attending UTSA, and more than half of them are pursuing masters or doctoral degrees. Bexar County continues to be where Roadrunners roost, with 15,248 students (51%) coming from Greater San Antonio. Harris and Fort Bend counties (HoustonThe WoodlandsSugar Land) account for 9% of the student population, followed by Travis County (Austin) and Hidalgo County (McAllenEdinburgMission), which each account for 3% of the student body. More than 700 UTSA students hail from states or territories outside of Texas. The full report will be available at the OIR website later this semester. Sooryavanshi: Ahead Of Trailer Launch Akshay Kumar Reveals He Did His First Chopper Stunt At 28, Happy To Do It Again At 52 Earlier, some media outlets suggested that Kuleba could replace Vadym Prystaiko as the country's top diplomat. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba says he is ready to combine his current post with that of foreign minister, but the ultimate decision depends on President and the Verkhovna Rada. When asked if President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with him his possible appointment to a foreign minister's post, Kuleba said: "All decisions will be made or not made, in line with the results of tomorrow. I think there's no point in speculating before that. I'm used to always draw conclusions on the results of decisions that have been made or not made," he told journalists, an UNIAN correspondent reports. Read alsoNormandy Four foreign ministers to meet in one month Ukraine's FM Prystaiko In addition, when asked if he was ready for taking up additional responsibilities, Kuleba said: "I was never afraid to take on additional powers that I can fulfill. But I emphasize once again the decision depends on President and Parliament." To a clarifying question about his attitude toward the idea of combining the posts of a foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Kuleba said: "If this happens, regardless of who will combine these posts, this will be about strengthening both Ukrainian diplomacy and European and Euro-Atlantic integration." "There is a political process, consultations ongoing," the official said and recommended that journalists wait until Wednesday, March 4, when the Verkhovna Rada will consider personnel reshuffles in the Cabinet. Earlier, the media spread information that Kuleba could replace Vadym Prystaiko as the foreign minister. The number of tests that will actually be administered in the coming days could be substantially lower than the administrations projection of one million by next week. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday that public health labs can currently test 15,000 people, and could test up to 75,000 by the end of this week. The Association of Public Health Laboratories, which represents state and local government laboratories around the country, has said that its labs would be able to conduct about 10,000 tests a day when all of its 100 members that can perform testing are running. Scott Becker, the executive director of the lab association, said on Monday that labs can run about 100 tests per day. As of Monday, he said fewer than half of those labs were able to do so. All that matters is how many people you can test a day, said Scott Gottlieb, who was the F.D.A. commissioner from 2017 to 2019. As they learned on Tuesday that the death toll in their state had reached nine, the two Democratic senators from Washington pressed Mr. Pence and the health officials about both the administrations response and its message to the public, particularly about the availability of testing. Our message to them was, be clear that they arent readily available, and the universe of people who have access to them is not large enough, Senator Maria Cantwell said. Lets figure out a more aggressive plan. The states other senator, Patty Murray, said she had been hearing from constituents who were desperately calling every number they can find for information, and cannot get through. I think theres a lot of concern about honest, accurate reflection of what is real when you have something like this happening, Ms. Murray said. Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is staying out of her party's 2020 primary as the race narrows to a potential showdown between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. "Only 4 or 5% of the people whose views are going to be voted on have actually had a chance to express themselves so theres a long way to go," Clinton said Tuesday on "Good Morning America," as millions of voters head to the polls to decide "Super Tuesday" races. "Today obviously is a big day," she said. "Im just watching and hoping that we nominate whoever is the strongest candidate to take out the current incumbent. Thats the only thing that really matters at the end of the day." PHOTO: Hillary Clinton is interviewed by ABC News' Linsey Davis on 'Good Morning America,' March 3, 2020. (ABC News) Clinton appeared on "GMA" to discuss "Hillary," a four-part docuseries on her life that premieres on Hulu later this week. In the documentary, Clinton criticizes Sanders, whom she beat in the 2016 Democratic nomination before losing to President Donald Trump in the general election, as a "career politician." MORE: Hillary Clinton calls staying in her marriage to former President Bill Clinton the 'gutsiest thing I've ever done' He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done, Clinton said in the documentary. He was a career politician. Its all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it. When asked if she still believes that about Sanders today, Clinton said she does. "That was my authentic opinion then," she said. "Its my authentic opinion now." PHOTO: Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders wave from the stage during a campaign event in Portsmouth, N.H., July 12, 2016, in which Sanders endorsed Clinton. (Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE) Clinton also responded to Sanders' shifting position on the number of delegates needed to win the nomination. Sanders has now said that if he makes it to the 2020 Democratic Convention with the most pledged delegates, he should be the nominee, a change in his stance from 2016. Story continues "My reaction is lets follow the rules," Clinton said. "Weve got rules. We had rules last time and we have rules this time. I think its always a good idea to follow the rules. Everybody knew what they were when you got into it." MORE: Hillary Clinton gets a new role: Executive producer with Steven Spielberg Clinton added that despite any differences, she wants voters to "know what can be done if they give the White House back to the Democrats," citing the work done in the U.S. House of Representatives after Democrats won the majority in the 2018 election. She has said she will support the Democratic nominee regardless of who it is. When it came to deciding to do the docu-series "Hillary," Clinton said she thought, "Why not tell my own story?" PHOTO: Hillary Clinton is interviewed by ABC News' Linsey Davis on 'Good Morning America,' March 3, 2020. (ABC News) "Its a story not only about me but really womens lives, about politics in our country," she said of the documentary, which covers her life from childhood to the 2016 election. "You can go back 25 years and see how I tried to get universal health care for everybody and I got burned in effigy because it was so controversial, or what I said in Beijing about womens rights being human rights, and you can tell that not only my life but the lives of many, many millions of other women are reflected in this documentary." "Thats one of the reasons why I was excited about participating," she added. Clinton -- who has served as Arkansas' first lady, U.S. first lady, U.S. senator and U.S. secretary of state in addition to presidential candidate -- sat for 35 hours of interviews with the docu-series' producers, who also had access to 1,700 hours of behind the scenes footage from Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. "What I hope is that people will see a more comprehensive view of me and not a snippet here or snippet there or some wild conspiracy theory," Clinton said. "Because I came of age and I certainly came into the public eye at a time when there was so much change going on in America, you know, civil rights, womens rights, gay rights." "I was thrust into the role of first lady," she said of the role she assumed when her husband Bill won the presidency in 1992. "There had never been anybody with an education like mine, with a career like mine, so I was kind of put into a kind of position that nobody had ever been before. There was no guidebook." PHOTO: Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, poses for the photographers during a photo-call for the film 'Hillary' ' during the 70th International Film Festival Berlin, Berlinale in Berlin, Feb. 25, 2020. (Markus Schreiber/AP, FILE) Clinton said she is most proud that the four-hour series tells her "complicated story" in a "really driving, compelling way." "I hope that people not only learn more about me but maybe reflect a little bit more about their own lives or their mothers lives, their grandmothers lives, whats happening in our country today," she said. "Hillary" premieres on Hulu on Friday. Disney is the parent company of Hulu, ABC News and "Good Morning America." Hillary Clinton not endorsing as Democratic race narrows: 'Just watching and hoping' originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Homeland star Claire Danes enjoyed a glamorous red carpet date night with her husband of a decade Hugh Dancy at the Roundabout Theatre Company's Annual Gala inside The Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan on Monday night. The 40-year-old native New Yorker - who relies on stylist Petra Flannery - went sleeveless in an evergreen jumpsuit while the 44-year-old Englishman looked dapper in a plum-colored suit and grey-patterned necktie. Hairstylist Peter Butler curled Claire's signature blonde bob and makeup artist Matin Maulawizada applied her bright red pout. Still going strong! Homeland star Claire Danes enjoyed a glamorous date night with her husband of a decade Hugh Dancy at the Roundabout Theatre Company's Annual Gala inside The Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan on Monday night The acting couple's alliance with the Roundabout Theatre Company dates back to 2018 when Hugh starred as Peter/Simon in their off-Broadway production of Apologia opposite Tony winner Stockard Channing. Missing from Danes and Dancy's side were their two sons - Cyrus Michael Christopher, 7; and Rowan, 18 months - who were likely being watched over by a nanny at their West Village home. The four-time Golden Globe winner currently executive produces and stars as bipolar CIA field agent Carrie Mathison in the 12-episode eighth (and final) season of Homeland, which airs Sundays on Showtime. The Emmy nominee will soon make his debut as John Zabel, 'a savvy Washington consultant who joins the White House as a foreign-policy adviser to President Ralph Warner (Beau Bridges) and a formidable opponent to Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin).' Arm in arm: The 40-year-old native New Yorker went sleeveless in an evergreen jumpsuit while the 44-year-old Englishman looked dapper in a plum-colored suit All smiles: Hairstylist Peter Butler curled Claire's signature blonde bob and makeup artist Matin Maulawizada applied her bright red pout Thespian: The acting couple's alliance with the Roundabout Theatre Company dates back to 2018 when Hugh starred as Peter/Simon in their off-Broadway production of Apologia opposite Tony winner Stockard Channing Child-free occasion: Missing from Danes and Dancy's side were their two sons - Cyrus Michael Christopher, 7; and Rowan, 18 months - who were likely being watched over by a nanny at their West Village home (pictured Sunday) '[We're not in scenes together] which I think is a good thing,' the My So-Called Life alum said on the Late Night with Seth Meyers last month. 'I think my focus would have been broken finally - that's what it would've taken. He plays a pretty slime bucket-y politician guy, which I enjoyed. But it was really sweet! It was fun to visit him on his set and share the show with him in that way from the inside out. It felt very symbolic, kind of sweet and rich and nice.' Claire and Hugh originally met on the 2006 set of Lajos Koltai's Evening, in which they portrayed love interests. The Late Night actor also has a recurring role as Caleb, a former military man-turned-lawyer, in the 10-episode fourth season of The Good Fight - which starts streaming April 9 on CBS All Access. 'Chalk Two Down': The four-time Golden Globe winner currently executive produces and stars as bipolar CIA field agent Carrie Mathison in the 12-episode eighth (and final) season of Homeland, which airs Sundays on Showtime Joining Homeland! The Emmy nominee will soon make his debut as John Zabel, 'a savvy Washington consultant who joins the White House as a foreign-policy adviser to President Ralph Warner (Beau Bridges)' The My So-Called Life alum said on the Late Night with Seth Meyers: '[We're not in scenes together] which I think is a good thing...He plays a pretty slime bucket-y politician guy, which I enjoyed' (pictured February 10) Brewery/position: Heater Allen Brewing head brewer Hometown: Portland Favorite beer: Lager Education/Experience: 10 years at Heater Allen A few years ago, Lisa Allen took over a top position at the family business her dad had started. Rick Allen had built one of the most respected breweries of German-style beers in the region, and Lisa Allen was the new head brewer. Heater Allen Brewing of McMinnville hasnt skipped a beat since, leading a resurgence of lagers and lager-focused breweries across the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. Allen, 36, has been involved with SheBrew since its early days, when the festival was a homebrewing competition of 10 women with a handful of professionals involved. It has since become an increasingly popular festival that involves more than 30 professional brewers and cidermakers. Its just great to highlight how many women are in brewing, Allen said. Ive been following @shebrewpdx on Instagram, and every year Im amazed. Im like, oh yeah, I forgot that person is another woman in beer, that person is a relatively new face for women in brewing. It just shows how much the industry is evolving. We asked her to talk about her experience. (Answers have been edited for clarity and length) How did you become a brewer? I actually started in the wine industry. I was studying to become a winemaker, and my dad as a second career had started this brewery in McMinnville. I was in between harvest gigs, thinking about going to Australia to work harvest, and he was needing to get his hip replaced and needed someone to kind of help out. I decided to go work for the brewery and thought it was going to be a temporary thing, and now Ive been there a little over 10 years. Ive taken a couple of courses, but for the most part I learned from him. Do you have a brewing philosophy and what you want to achieve? With me having always worked at a brewery that makes for the most part lager beer, my philosophy is very much backed in tradition and those traditional styles. I try to do my own take on traditional styles, or how I think a traditional style would be made. Its obviously not going to be exact because I primarily make German- and Czech-style beers but I make them in McMinnville, Oregon, not in Germany or the Czech Republic. My goal is to learn as much as I can about those styles then try to produce them, or at least try to produce something that I think would be passable for those styles. What do you love about the craft-beer industry? I really love the community that craft brewing has. Especially now through social media, Ive connected with a bunch of people all over the country in craft beer. Also because Im doing a unique thing where theres not a lot of breweries theres starting to be more but theres not a lot of breweries who specialize in lager beer, so for me Ive been able to connect with people that do specialize in doing that, and thats been really interesting and cool. Having that camaraderie is really great, and thats something actually I really like about the beer industry compared to the wine industry. What have been your challenges in this industry? For me one of the things that has been difficult working for a family business and working for my dad is that people often assume I was just given that position and didnt work hard for it and didnt have to go through the ranks. I work really hard. And yeah, I was given that position and Im lucky to have it, but it wasnt like I was immediately hired and became head brewer. A lot of what I did for the first five years I worked at the brewery was cleaning kegs, doing grunt work, cleaning tanks. I even did deliveries for the first five or six years. There are challenges, too, working for a family business just in general, because you have to wear a lot of hats. I also do our social media and have to deal with a lot of other stuff that a lot of people in a head brewer role wouldnt necessarily have to deal with. How would you like to see craft beer evolve in the future? I would like to see more not only just women in the industry but also minorities. Its a very white male-driven industry. I think that is changing and I think thats great, and Id like to see that evolve and change more. Its still, even though for the most part I feel pretty safe in the industry, I feel there are certain things about the culture that are still pretty bro-y, so it would be nice to see some of those things change. And just be more inclusive in general, because beer is a thing that is supposed to unite people, and we need to work a little bit more toward doing that, because its a beverage to share with friends, and all friends should be invited to that table. More brewer profiles: -- Andre Meunier Subscribe to Andres text service and get ongoing alerts about beer releases and news from the Portland and Oregon beer scene. And check out Andres beer reviews on Untappd, where hes andremeunier13, and follow him on Instagram, where hes @oregonianbeerguy. More beer coverage: In a 2017 Climate Change study, Ekwurzel et al. used climate modeling to find that 90 companies were responsible for nearly two-thirds of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1880 to 2010. In its study, the research team wrote that the emissions traced to these 90 carbon producers contributed 57% of the observed rise in atmospheric CO2, 4250% of the rise in global mean surface temperature (GMST), and 2632% of global sea level (GSL) rise over the historical period, and 43% atmospheric CO2, 2935% GMST, and 1114% GSL since 1980. Coal, oil, and natural gas are produced by 83 of these companies. The remaining are cement and building material manufacturing companies. Unsurprisingly, the companies most responsible for climate change included Saudi Aramco, Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Gazprom, and National Iranian Oil Companycompanies spread across the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and the United States. The top emitter was China's state-owned coal and cement production company. Half of these emissions were produced in the past 25 years, when globally, the awareness of climate change, GHGs, global warming, and rising sea levels has increased. During this period, while some noted oil giants and household names chose climate change denial and funded organizations that questioned climate scientists, others transitioned from being called an oil or coal producer to an energy company, projecting a cleaner profile. Under the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, 196 countries committed to taking steps to limit the rise in global temperature this century to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Four years later, global emissions still increased: by 1.7% in 2017, and a further 2.7% in 2018. In 2019, emissions declined in the United States and European Union but rose in India and China with an overall 0.6% rise worldwide. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the U.N.s climate-science body, said in its 2018 Climate Change Land Report that to keep temperatures from rising, nations needed to halve their GHG emissions by 2030 and aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. According to Climate Action Tracker, which covers data and tracks about 80% of the global population emissions, the countries on track to meet their self-set goals are Gambia, Morocco, and India. Those seen as barely trying are Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Russia. Stacker looked at the original study of the 90 companies released in September 2017 that mentioned the largest emitters between 1880 and 2010 and ranked them according to their atmospheric carbon dioxide contributions during that 130-year period. All values included in this story are taken from estimates using the best, or middle-scenario, the model described in Millar et al. 2016. Each slide also summarizes the best practices employed by the company and the country to reduce emissions and move toward a sustainable future. This article was first published on theStacker.com A doctor stands in front of two 3D-reconstructed lung models of a newly diagnosed coronavirus pneumonia patient during a 5G long-distance consultation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University on March 2, 2020 in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. The World Health Organization will likely deem the coronavirus a global pandemic once sustained person-to-person spread takes hold outside China, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official told Congress on Tuesday. The outbreak already meets two of the three main criteria under the technical designation of a pandemic, Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, said in prepared remarks to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. "It is a new virus, and it is capable of person-to-person spread," she said. "If sustained person-to-person spread in the community takes hold outside China, this will increase the likelihood that the WHO will deem it a global pandemic." On Monday, WHO officials said the number of new COVID-19 cases outside China was almost nine times higher than that inside the country in the previous 24 hours. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health officials would not "hesitate" to declare the outbreak a pandemic if "that's what the evidence suggests." On Friday, he said the WHO hadn't declared a pandemic in part because most cases of COVID-19 were still traced to known contacts or clusters of cases, and there wasn't any "evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities." Schuchat said Tuesday that the CDC, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, has conducted 49,827 passenger screenings at airports. The CDC has also deployed more than 1,500 staff from headquarters, overseas and field deployments to help with response efforts, she said. "CDC's most expert and practiced infectious disease and public health experts are dedicated to this response 24/7 to protect the American people," she said. "The agency's approach to COVID-19 is built upon decades of experience with prior infectious disease emergencies including responses to SARS, MERS, and Ebola, and to pandemic influenza." As of Monday, the CDC said 91 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the United States. At least 48 of those cases were repatriates from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, and the Diamond Princess cruise ship, according to an update on the agency's website. At least 17 cases 12 confirmed and five presumptive positive are travel-related infections. Twenty-six cases four confirmed and 22 presumptive positive are from human-to-human interaction, according to the CDC. Washington state health officials confirmed at least six deaths near Seattle since this weekend. Last week, the CDC stepped up its call 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," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Schools should consider dividing students into smaller groups or close and use "internet-based teleschooling," she said. "For adults, businesses can replace in-person meetings with video or telephone conferences and increase teleworking options," she added. Burma Mandalay Court Collects US$227,000 for Americans Bail in Cannabis Plantation Case CAPTION: A cannabis plantation in Mandalay Divisions Myotha Industrial Park that was raided by Home Affairs Ministry officials. / CCDAC MANDALAYThe Myingyan District Court in Mandalay ordered a bail bondsman involved a prominent cannabis case to pay 325 million kyats (US$227,000) on Tuesday, as the US citizen involved in the case has failed to appear in court in violation of his bail. Dr. Khin Maung Win, a bail bondsman for US citizen John Fredric Todoroki, appealed to the court to reduce the bail amount but the court ruled that the bail should be paid in full. Ive transferred the money to the bank account of the court in Myingyan, Dr. Khin Maung Win told The Irrawaddy after a court session on Tuesday. The court said I could file another appeal to a higher court but I will not do it. Since I have the responsibility, I have to pay the bail money. The court issued an arrest warrant for Todoroki in February after he failed to attend court. Todoroki was arrested in April 2019 along with two Myanmar nationalsKo Shein Latt and Ma Shunlei Myat Noefor operating an alleged marijuana plantation on about 20 acres of land owned by III M Global Nutraceutical Company at Myotha Industrial Park in Myingyan Township, Mandalay division. The court granted Todoroki medical bail last July, as he was suffering from respiratory problems, and Dr. Khin Maung Win signed the assurance for the 325-million-kyat bail. After he was granted bail, his lawyers asked the Mandalay Regional Court to drop the case as III M Global had official approval from the Mandalay regional government to grow industrial hemp on up to 60 acres of land and the seeds used were imported legally. The regional court did not drop the case and returned it to the Myingyan District Court in December to continue hearings. Since then, the US citizen has failed to attend court and his lawyers said they have lost contact with him since November. Rather than losing my money, I think about how the farmers are losing the opportunities and income from industrial hemp, said Dr. Khin Maung Win. Todoroki faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Five other US citizensIII M Global CEO Martin Chi Cheong Pun, Thomas Zeberlon, Grcoug Mercheius, Douglas Soe Lin and Todorokis son, Alexander Kemp Todorokiare also wanted for alleged cannabis cultivation. At the next hearing on March 10, the court is due to issue a final decision on the case of Ko Shein Latt, the manager of the alleged cannabis plantation, who faces a lawsuit under the Anti-Narcotics Law. Ma Shunlei Myat Noe, who interned at the operation for less than one month, was freed in February after 10 months in prison as the court found she bore no responsibility for the alleged plantation. Irrawaddy Reporter D Hlaing Win contributed to this story. You may also like these stories: American, 2 Others Held over Marijuana Plantation in Mandalay Division Landon Creek Apartments Landon Creek is representative of the risk-adjusted deal that we are thrilled about purchasing at this point in the cycle." Four Mile Capital (FMC), a privately-held real estate investment firm based in Louisville, CO, has acquired the Landon Creek Apartments (Landon Creek, the Property), a 72-unit multifamily community in Greensboro, NC, in an off-market transaction. Landon Creek, completed in 2019 and currently in lease-up, sits on 6.65 acres and consists of large one- and two-bedroom apartment units, averaging 905sf and 1,065sf, respectively. Wellington Advisors (Wellington), based in High Point, NC, has been awarded the management contract and will stabilize the Property over the next 30-60 days. At the time of closing, the Property was 79% leased. The transaction closed on February 27, 2020, for $8,700,000, or $120,800 per unit and $123 per square foot. As part of their acquisition, new ownership placed a new 70% LTV, non-recourse, fixed-rate mortgage at 3.61% from Fannie Mae, originated through Berkadias Denver capital markets team of Kevin Batt and Brian Huff. Landon Creek is located in a medium-density area in Greensboros northwest submarket, 15 minutes from downtown and UNC-Greensboro, and 10 minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport. In addition to being centrally located for access to jobs and retail, its neighborhood schools are among the best in the city. The acquisition, FMCs first in the state, aligns with FMCs initiative to expand south from its holdings in Virginia, where it currently owns over 600 units, in markets that demonstrate a balanced outlook for stability and growth. Greensboro has all of the characteristics of a healthy market that we look for. It continues to absorb the recent waves of new construction supply, with strong job and population growth translating into steady rent growth and downward trending vacancies, said Eric Mallon, one of FMCs founding principals. Rents have appreciated well over the past two years, with 2019 year over year rent growth that puts Greensboro in the top 5 nationally, behind Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. The new construction apartments, with unit interiors finished with granite countertops and stainless appliances, were delivered with no deferred maintenance or expected capital needs. FMCs business plan instead focuses on improving operations through the implementation of more sophisticated management and marketing strategies, utilizing their institutional-quality asset management platform to control operational expenses, push other income opportunities, and make strategic decisions for the asset. Landon Creek is representative of the risk-adjusted deal that we are thrilled about purchasing at this point in the cycle. Its new construction, so we create value out of the gate by buying below replacement cost, and yet also expect to generate strong returns that approach those of traditional value add executions, said Andrew Jumbeck, VP of Acquisitions for Four Mile. Four Mile Capital continues to pursue additional value-add investment opportunities in secondary and tertiary markets throughout the U.S, with a specific focus on Colorado, Virginia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They employ an opportunistic strategy in acquiring off-market properties that fall below the radar of its institutional peers, targeting investments with a total capitalization between $10MM and $100MM, and between $5MM and $35MM of equity. Four Mile Capital was formed in 2016 by three veteran real estate principals: Chris Geer, Eric Mallon and Terry Simone. Collectively, they have been involved in the ownership, acquisition, asset management and property management of approximately 20,000 multifamily units representing over $1B in aggregate value and have proven their ability to identify and unlock asset value by instituting capital improvement programs and best management practices. Learn more about Four Mile Capital at fourmilecapital.com or on LinkedIn. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of Radio Hiigsis editor, Mohamed Abdiwahab Nuur (better known as Abuuja) who was illegally arrested by officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) on Saturday 29 February, 2020 over an editorial article deemed critical to the security services. Journalist Mohamed was released approximately 12.p.m local time on Monday 02 March after efforts by his family and was backed by advocacy campaign by Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS). I thank God that I got my freedom today at 12.p.m. I was first detained at Habar Khadijo [main NISA headquarters] and later transferred to Godka Jilaow while blindfolded. I was not charged but was released today on condition that I will not write about security services, Mohamed Abdiwahab Nuur told SJS shortly after his release I thank SJS and all journalists who showed solidarity for me. Mohamed told SJS that his arrest came following his 26 February article which critiqued the security services. There were no charges brought against the journalist. Family members told SJS that Mohamed was not able to get legal assistance during his detention as well. The journalists father, who was able to visit the prison, was the first to confirm to SJS on the news of Mohameds freedom. SJS is extremely concerned about the level of intimidation, death threats and physical assault including drawing of loaded guns in an attempt to silence the journalist. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of our colleague Mohamed Abdiwahab Nuur, editor of the independent Radio Hiigsi from the unlawful detention on Monday. He was arrested for simply conducting his journalistic duty by publishing an opinion article, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said However, we are extremely alarmed by the level of threats, intimidation and the physical assault against him. Any threat against a journalist is a crime and SJS calls for urgent investigation into the officers who committed this crime by bringing them to book. The minor opposition People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, drenched in sweat, returns to an emergency control center building after treating patients with symptoms of COVID-19, Monday, at the Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, the city hit hardest by the novel coronavirus. The doctor-turned-politician has been volunteering in the southeastern city since Sunday. Yonhap By Jung Da-min Ahn Cheol-soo, head of the minor opposition People's Party, has been gaining positive public attention not because of his activity or vision as a politician but because of his volunteer work as a doctor during the current spread of the corona virus. Ahn, who was a doctor before becoming an entrepreneur and then a politician, has been volunteering to help patients showing symptoms of COVID-19 in the southeastern city of Daegu, as it has reported the largest number of virus cases in Korea and is short of medical staff. According to officials from the party, Ahn and his wife Kim Mi-kyung, a professor at the Seoul National University's College of Medicine, went to volunteer in Daegu without the accompaniment of any aides. Ahn, whose doctor's license is still valid, has been treating patients at the Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital since Sunday. Photos of Ahn drenched in sweat after wearing anti-contamination clothing are receiving positive responses from both other politicians and the public. "Even though we are with different parties, I wish to express my respect for Ahn," Lee Jun-seok, a member of the main opposition United Future Korea's (UFK) Supreme Council, said during a party meeting, Monday. Kim Jung-hwa, a co-head of the minor opposition Minsaeng Party, also said, "Ahn's volunteer work in Daegu should be highly appraised, separately from political interests." Outside of the political sphere, many online commenters have been praising his "heroic" efforts. "Giving firsthand help to those in need, Ahn is much better than other politicians who just sit in Seoul and talk about ineffective countermeasures (against the epidemic)," a blogger wrote. But many of the comments also say Ahn shines better as a doctor than a politician. "'Doctor Ahn Cheol-soo' is much better than 'politician Ahn Cheol-soo.' I hope he stops doing politics," another wrote. Such reactions, although positive, may be uncomfortable for Ahn who resumed his political career earlier this year by launching the People's Party in late February and declaring himself a "pragmatic centrist." His new People's Party which has the same name as the party he co-founded in 2016 before it merged with the Bareun Party in 2018 to form the Bareunmirae Party plans to run in the April 15 general election to acquire proportional representation seats, only without candidates for constituencies. The party, however, needs to achieve a 3 percent or higher approval rating to gain proportional representation seats, which is unlikely according to recent surveys. Ahn received his medical degree at Seoul National University, and worked as a professor at Dankook University's medical school from 1989 to 1991. He also served as a naval surgeon during his mandatory military service until 1994. As the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters predicts the first week of March will be crucial for the country to stop the further spread of the virus, Ahn is expected to continue his volunteer work in Daegu for the time being. A 45-year-old woman, who returned from Iran, tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in Pakistan, taking the total number of the COVID-19 infections in the country to five, officials said on Tuesday. Earlier, on February 29, two more positive cases were reported in Pakistan. The woman, who returned from Iran some days ago, is a resident of Gilgit city in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region in the north. "We have now 5th confirmed case of #COVID19 in federal areas. Patient is stable and is being managed well. I request the media to respect the privacy of the patient and the family, tweeted Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Advisor on Health. The blood samples of the patient were referred to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from the Gilgit district hospital on Saturday. Officials said that the patient has been admitted to an isolated ward after testing positive. The GB government announced to shut down educational institutional till March 7 after the confirmation of its first coronavirus case. Sindh and Balochistan province have already closed their schools and college after the deadly virus surfaced in the country. Pakistan has also closed its border with Iran and Afghanistan. So far, no coronavirus related death has been reported in Pakistan. Mirza said that all the patients were in a stable condition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The accused trio were booked under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 506(ii) (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. Kolkata: Three BJP workers were arrested by the Kolkata Police late on Sunday night registering an FIR against them for shouting the controversial goli maaro slogan at Esplanade en route to the rally addressed by Union home minister Amit Shah at Shaheed Minar Ground in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Two of them were remanded in two days in police custody by a city court later. The arrests have left the BJP fuming. The three accused were Pankaj Prasad, Dhruba Basu and Surendra Kumar Tewary. A senior police officer said, This illegal act of shouting the provocative slogan Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro saalo ko (shoot the traitors) is a cognisable offence. One Indrajit Kumar Mal, 29, a resident of Jawaharlal Nehru Road, lodged a complaint with the New Market police that covers Esplanade. The accused trio were booked under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 506(ii) (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. On Monday when they were produced at the Bankshall court, nearly 30 lawyers of the BJP legal cell fought for their bail. The judge sent Pankaj and Surendra to the police custody till March 4. Ohio police were in for a shock when they discovered that a fully grown alligator had been living in the basement of a Groveport home for over two decades. Authorities made the startling discovery on Thursday when the Ohio Department of Agriculture was tipped off that an adult American alligator was being kept in the basement of a local residence, according to Madison Township Police Department. The large reptile which turned out to be 25 years old was voluntarily surrendered by the homeowner when officers and state wildlife officials arrived on scene and determined that the resident did not possess a valid exotic animal permit as required by law, police said. Alligator in basement | Madison Township Police Department RELATED: Long Island Man Finds Baby Alligator in His Swimming Pool During New York Heatwave Authorities said officials plan to relocate their scaly friend to an animal sanctuary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. See ya later, alligator! the Madison Township Police Department said in a statement, noting that there are some things they just dont teach you in the Police Academy. The homeowner told police that her son bought the alligator at a reptile flea market 25 years ago and had been keeping the exotic creature in their basement, according to CNN. Ive never seen anything like that in my 17 years in the department, Madison Township Police commander Darrell Breneman told the outlet. Alligator in basement | Madison Township Police Department RELATED: Alligator Wrangled Out of Pond Behind Michigan Junior High School According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, it has been illegal to own, trade or sell wild animals since 2012 when then-governor John Kasich signed a bill regulating the possession of exotic creatures. The law was imposed after Terry Thompson the owner of a 73-acre exotic animal farm near rural Zanesville, Ohio released his collection of 56 wild creatures before shooting himself, according to NBC News. Animals that escaped from the preserve included lions, tigers, bears, wolves, giraffes and monkeys many of which were thought to have been bought at auctions. At the time, police had to put down 49 of the animals including 18 rare Bengal tigers in order to contain the situation. Longtime MSNBC host Chris Matthews has resigned from the network after facing harsh criticism in the past week over a series of on-air flubs and a journalist's accusation that he made sexist remarks to her. Matthews made the unexpected announcement live during Monday's episode of Hardball, revealing that he and MSNBC had mutually agreed to part ways. He cited his inappropriate comments about women as the catalyst for his departure, which came days after freelance journalist Laura Bassett published an article in GQ accusing Matthews of being 'gross and inappropriate' with her before she appeared on his show. Before Bassett took aim at Matthews, the Hardball host was already in hot water at MSNBC after he berated Sen. Elizabeth Warren in a post-debate interview and compared Sen. Bernie Sanders' Nevada caucus victory to Nazi Germany's invasion of France in 1940. Scroll down for video MSNBC host Chris Matthews announced his resignation live on Hardball on Monday Matthews' resignation came days after freelance journalist Laura Bassett (pictured) published an article in GQ accusing Matthews of being 'gross and inappropriate' with her Matthews opened Monday's show by saying: 'Let me start with my headline tonight: I'm retiring. This is the last Hardball on MSNBC. And obviously, this isn't for the lack of interest in politics. 'As you can tell, I loved every minute of my 20 years as host of Hardball. Every morning I read the papers and I'm gung-ho to get to work. Not many people have had this privilege. I loved working with my producers and our discussions we'd have on how we report the news. And I love having this connection with you, the people who watch. He continued: 'After conversations with NBC, I decided tonight will be my last Hardball. So let me tell you why. The younger generations out there are ready to take the reigns. We see them in politics, in the media, and fighting for their causes.' Matthews then vaguely referenced Bassett's claims of sexual harassment, saying: 'Compliments on a woman's appearance that some men, including me, might have once incorrectly thought were okay were not okay, not then and certainly not today. And for making such comments in the past, I'm sorry.' Matthews said he remained 'very proud' of the work he's done on Hardball, a program he started back in 1997. 'For those of you who have gotten into the habit of watching Hardball every night, I hope you're going to miss me because I'm going to miss you,' he said. 'But remember Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca: We'll always have Hardball. So let's not say goodbye, but until we meet again. Matthews then left the anchor chair as a visibly shaken Steve Kornacki took over. An MSNBC spokesperson said that Matthews was due to retire in the near future, but the move was impacted in part by recent events. One of those recent events was Bassett's GQ article, in which she described her interactions with Matthews, who has been married to his wife Kathleen since 1980, before she appeared on his show a few years back. 'In 2016, right before I had to go on his show and talk about sexual-assault allegations against Donald Trump, Matthews looked over at me in the makeup chair next to him and said: 'Why haven't I fallen in love with you yet?"' Bassett wrote in her first-person account published Friday. 'When I laughed nervously and said nothing, he followed up to the makeup artist. "Keep putting makeup on her, I'll fall in love with her."' Bassett noted that she'd previously described the incident in a 2017 story for the Huffington Post, but said she was airing it again with Matthews' name attached after watching his 'sexist' interview with Warren a few nights earlier. Matthews sparked outrage when he went after Warren in a post-debate interview on February 25 in which he aggressively pressed her about her comments on allegations against rival Michael Bloomberg. During the debate, Warren had directly confronted Bloomberg about his treatment of women over the years, specifically mentioning a lawsuit in which a female employee alleged that the former New York City mayor had told her to 'kill it' when he found out she was pregnant. Bloomberg insisted he 'never said it', despite having eventually reached a settlement with the woman. In the spin room after the debate, Matthews grilled Warren over why she would believe the accuser over Bloomberg and repeatedly asked her why he would lie about pregnancy discrimination. Critics slammed Matthews for casting doubt on Bloomberg's accuser, prompting women's advocacy group UltraViolet to call for his removal from MSNBC. Over the weekend viewers took note that Matthews was absent from the outlet's coverage of the South Carolina primary, despite being a regular fixture on MSNBC's political panels. The night before the Warren confrontation, Matthews publicly apologized for comparing Sanders' Nevada caucus victory earlier this month to Nazi Germany's invasion of France in 1940. Last week Matthews faced criticism over his tense exchange with Sen Elizabeth Warren in a post-debate interview (pictured) Matthews also recently apologized for comparing Senator Bernie Sanders' (right) victory in the Nevada caucus earlier this month to Nazi Germany's invasion of France in 1940 In 2007, Matthews told Erin Burnett 'you look great' after asking her to come closer to the camera in an appearance on his show. The clip resurfaced amid his retirement this week Matthews has been one of MSNBC's most respected figures for decades, offering a centrist voice on the network which often features commentary that falls further to the left. He began his career in politics, working for four Democratic congressmen in the 1970s before becoming a speech writer for President Jimmy Carter and later serving as chief of staff to House Speaker Thomas 'Tip' O'Neill. Matthews then ventured into journalism. He covered politics for the San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Chronicle before discovering a talent for broadcast through guest spots on political panels. He landed his own talk show in the 1990s which was later renamed Hardball with Chris Matthews. Matthews' long career has been studded with allegations of sexual harassment. Bassett responded to Matthews' retirement in a series of tweets on Monday In the late 90s an assistant producer accused Matthews of making inappropriate comments and jokes about her in front of CNBC staff. CNBC reprimanded Matthews after determining her claims were valid. In her latest op-ed, Bassett highlighted several 'well-documented' allegations in the host in recent years. She specifically mentioned cracks Matthews on the physical appearances of then CNBC stars Erin Burnett and Margaret Brennan, as well as political figures including Sarah Palin and Melania Trump. Bassett also slammed Matthews over a joke in made about using a 'Bill Cosby pill' on Hillary Clinton before a 2016 interview. Bassett responded to Matthews' retirement in a series of tweets on Monday. She first retweeted a reporter's post about the news, writing: 'Guessing this is not a retirement. In a second tweet she wrote: 'All I gotta say is... it's about time.' She followed that tweet up by writing: 'No, I have more to say than that. Since calling out Chris Matthews, this week has been really rough. The harassment has been invasive, cruel and personal. And it's all worth it if he will never have the platform to demean and objectify us again.' Bassett concluded the thread by tweeting: 'Anyway, who else needs a whiskey shot.' The Marines are known for recruiting some of the most physically fit young people -- and now they might be after the brainiest too. Commandant Gen. David Berger has instructed his staff to look at raising the bar on a test score used to weed out new recruits. In the next six months, the Marine Corps could require all incoming recruits to score at least a 40 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test -- a nine-point jump over what's needed to enlist today, according to a copy of the memo, obtained by Military.com. Berger also wants infantry riflemen to hit a General Technical score of at least 100 in the next six months. That's up 10 points from the score riflemen are required to have now. Both test scores are based on how people perform on specific sections of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, known as the ASVAB. That test, according to the Defense Department, is meant to measure a person's strengths and potential for success in military training. Related: Top Marine General Wants More Women Serving in Ground-Combat Jobs The Armed Forces Qualification Test score, or AFQT score, rates a prospective service member's arithmetic reasoning, math knowledge and verbal composite, which looks at word knowledge and paragraph comprehension. The General Technical, or GT, composite score is based on word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic reasoning and mechanical comprehension. The Marine Corps and Army require potential troops to have at least a 31 on their AFQT to join, according to recruiting command officials. The Navy raised its requirement to 35 in 2003; the Air Force dropped its minimum score from 40 to 36 in 2004 after defense officials "renormed" the test, officials said at the time. The new scores are two of several innovative and attention-grabbing initiatives under consideration, according to a four-page memo Berger issued to his assistant and deputy commandants Feb. 20. Berger also directed his staff to remove all Confederate materials from Marine Corps bases, look at a year-long maternity leave policy for female Marines who have had babies, and find ways to get more women into ground-combat positions. Berger said the Marine Corps should move out with the plans, barring any evidence-based analysis that the changes will cause irreparable damage to recruiting efforts or readiness. Demanding superior performance and enforcing high standards should not be viewed as draconian, said Maj. Eric Flanagan, the commandant's spokesman. It should be expected by professionals, he added. "The end state is a better trained and educated Marine who can lead on an increasingly complex battlefield," Flanagan said. The infantry rifleman military occupational specialty is the largest in the Marine Corps. Raising their minimum GT scores to 100 will ensure high-caliber Marines are placed in the job, he said. The 0311 MOS is one of eight in the infantry community. Four of them currently require a GT score of at least 90: rifleman, light-armored reconnaissance Marine, machine gunner and mortarman. Scout snipers and anti-tank missile gunners currently need a score of 100 or above. Reconnaissance Marines and critical skills operators need a minimum of 105. Flanagan said there are no plans to bump any of the other MOS requirements up at this time. Berger isn't the only military leader pushing for more education in the ranks. The Navy Department now has a new chief learning officer, who's working to stand up a community college that could allow more Marines and sailors to earn degrees during their enlistments. Weapons and communications systems are only getting more complex, John Kroger, the chief learning officer, told Military.com last fall. The U.S. is facing new threats from near-peer adversaries, including Russia, China and Iran. "We're going to need to tap the full potential of our enlisted force," Kroger said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Read more: Marines and Sailors Could Soon Get College Credit for Military Education Amid a marked uptick in harassment complaints from the Chinese community, a national organization launched a campaign Tuesday to combat a different kind of sickness coronavirus-inspired xenophobia. You still hear comments from people on the street saying Oh, Im fine because I stayed away from Chinatown, Amy Go, interim president of Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice, said in an interview. Volunteers wearing faux haz-mat suits kicked off the campaign by handing out a limited number of hand sanitizer bottles at Nathan Phillips Square and Chinatown, encouraging users to apply liberally to alleviate irrational fear and prejudice. Ignorance has reached epidemic proportions, read the website promoting the campaign, Stopthespread.ca. The world is not well. As COVID-19 spreads around the world, so too does racism and discrimination against the Chinese and Asian community. A dizzying amount of misinformation has led to irrational fear. With fear has come chronic xenophobia, causing Chinese businesses and communities to suffer greatly. Go is worried things will only get worse. We need to make sure none of us will be victimized further, Go said. Complaints have been heard across the GTA. On Feb. 2, a woman entered a flower shop in the Upper Beaches and went on a racist tirade after asking the owner whether he had travelled to Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak. On Feb. 19, Toronto police charged a man after he allegedly harassed and assaulted a woman wearing a medical mask on a TTC bus in downtown Toronto. Police wouldnt say whether the incident was race-related. In late January, the owner of Wuhan Noodle in Markham said the restaurant had lost two-thirds of its customers after being flooded with racist comments on social media and prank phone calls following a viral post on the popular Instagram page 6ixbuzztv. As the City of Toronto has already done, Go is urging the TTC to draw attention to coronavirus-inspired xenophobia and encourage more respect among riders. The agency could also do more to track and release data about complaints related to racism, Go said. Go also said the council is in talks with the federal government to see if a system can be set up to collect data about coronavirus-related harassment across the country. Xu Zhangrun, too, points out its inherent paradoxes, notably the ones revealed by the constant expansion of big data totalitarianism and WeChat terror. The Chinese body politic is riven by a new canker, he declares, but it is an infection germane to the system itself. Where, then, is the country headed as it increasingly stymies the rights of its citizens and stifles civil society? For Xu Zhangrun: The authorities have blocked off all possible roads that may imaginably lead to positive change. We must seriously doubt whether any form of peaceful transition might now even be conceivable. For Xu Zhiyong: Im deeply concerned about our nations future; Im afraid that a system that is so tightly wound up is a dangerously brittle one; and, Im worried that there is no meaningful or substantive form of civil society that can deal with the situation. Yet Xu Zhiyong rejects the view promoted by the Chinese Communist Party and some of its fellow-travelers that a country as vast and complex as China is unsuited to constitutional rule and democracy: There are those who argue that China needs a strongman to lead it. I would posit that the kind of authority figure we need should be more like Chiang Ching-kuo, he writes, referring to the president of Taiwan from 1978 to 1988 (and son of Chiang Kai-shek) who steered the country toward the end of martial law and undertook the reforms that eventually transformed it into a modern democracy. But instead, says Xu Zhiyong, addressing Mr. Xi, With your move away from collective leadership in favor of your own one-man dictatorship, you are driving the country backward. The president of China, shortly after coming to power in late 2012, famously quoted an ancient Chinese poem about the fall of a kingdom to explain the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991: No True Men (or Real Men, in some translations) had come forward to defend it. Now, Xu Zhiyong was pointing out caustically to Mr. Xi: How can you expect there to be a True Man when you, The Revered One, sit at the pinnacle with millions fawning at the foot of your throne? Autocracy encourages sycophants to crowd around the Emperor, but this particular Emperors new clothes are on full display for all to see. Yet, even now, the people of China dare not comment inappropriately about what is in front of them. Well, Xu Zhiyong continues, Im like that kid who blurted out the truth: The Emperor has no clothes! Indeed. He and Xu Zhangrun have raised their voices at a moment of national emergency, both well aware that their warnings may prove not only futile, but also, for them, suicidal. Xu Zhangruns essay ends with a plea: Faced with the crisis of the coronavirus, confronting this disordered world, I join my compatriots the 1.4 billion men and women, brothers and sisters of China, the countless multitudes who have no way of fleeing this land and I call on them: rage against this injustice; let your lives burn with a flame of decency; break through the stultifying darkness and welcome the dawn. A few days after the publication of these texts, Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist and early whistle-blower in Wuhan, died, having been infected by the virus. The outpouring of grief expressed throughout China took the party aback. And so it tried to regain control of the narrative by casting Dr. Li as a brave soldier in the peoples war against the virus: He and other health care workers infected on the job their number now exceeds 3,300 people were praised for making sacrifices for the party, the state and the people, in that order. Drs. Marianne Urbanski, Mariano Polack, and Gregory Toback Present a CE Course on Restorative Dentistry in New London, CT Dental implants mimic the function and appearance of natural teeth that may have been lost due to damage, decay, or the effects of long-term gum disease. Respected periodontists, Drs. Gregory Toback and Marianne Urbanski, hosted the first module of the 2020 Synergy Study Club, Contemporary Tools for Contemporary Implant Dentistry. The course covered the ways dental implants create a harmonious relationship between restoring function and renewing facial esthetics. Drs. Toback and Urbanski provide accurate and effective care, including restorative dentistry with modern dental implant placement, in New London, CT and Westerly, RI. The Synergy Study Club is designed to benefit dentists and dental specialists by giving them advanced education from leading dental experts. The doctors from Shoreline Periodontics host renowned lecturers at all of their study club events. The 2020 Synergy Study Club includes two full-day courses and four evening sessions for a total of 24 continuing education credits earned. This first course, Contemporary Tools for Contemporary Implant Dentistry, featured Dr. Mariano Polack as the keynote speaker. Attendees gained advanced understanding of how restorative dental implants, including the implant connections, the crown, and the gums surrounding the implant, have shown potential to enhance final esthetic outcomes. The course covered diagnosis and treatment planning in the esthetic zone, immediate implant placement, and advanced technology available for providing the most cutting-edge dental implant care. Dental implants are an important part of many dental practices as they help dental professionals like Drs. Toback and Urbanski replace missing teeth. Dental implants mimic the function and appearance of natural teeth that may have been lost due to damage, decay, or the effects of long-term gum disease. As periodontists, Drs. Toback and Urbanski have an in-depth understanding of restorative dentistry, including the proper placement and preservation of dental implants. Keeping dental implants healthy is important so patients can continue to live life with complete oral function and an esthetically pleasing smile. Shoreline Periodontics is a modern dental practice with two locations, one in New London, CT and another in Westerly, RI. The practice specializes in periodontal care, including treatment for gum disease, peri-implantitis, and the digitally guided placement of dental implants. The practice also uses the most state-of-the-art technology and minimally invasive treatments whenever possible, offering patients the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique for minimally invasive gum recession and LANAP laser dentistry for gum disease. Those interested in learning more about the Synergy Study Clubs future events or who are in need of dental implants in New London, CT or Westerly, RI are encouraged to contact the practice by calling 860-443-2428 for the New London location or 401-596-0000 for the Westerly, RI location. Information can also be found online at http://www.shorelineperio.com. About the Periodontists Shoreline Periodontics is a periodontal practice offering personalized dental care for patients since 1998 and is located in New London, CT and Westerly, RI. Leading board-certified periodontist, Dr. Gregory A. Toback, received his B.A. from St. Johns University and his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Connecticut. He also received advanced training in periodontics and dental implants at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Marianne Urbanski has been voted one of Connecticuts top dentists for more than seven years by Connecticut Magazine. Dr. Urbanski graduated cum laude from the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where she earned a Bachelors degree in Biology. She also received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and her Masters of Dental Science degree from the University of Connecticut Dental School. Dr. Urbanski and Dr. Toback pride themselves on offering caring, professional treatment to each patient. Dr. Toback and Dr. Urbanski focus on minimally invasive surgeries including LANAP laser gum surgery and are certified to offer the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique for treatment of gum recession. To learn more about Shoreline Periodontics and their dental services visit their website at http://www.shorelineperio.com or call 860-443-2428 for the New London, CT location, or 401-596-0000 for the Westerly, RI office. In the latest chapter of Ethiopian intransigence in negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, the Egyptian ministries of foreign affairs and irrigation released a statement harshly condemning their Ethiopian counterparts for their statement on the last round of negotiations in Washington on 27-28 February. Ethiopia had not even attended that round, with the express purpose of obstructing the negotiating process. Such behaviour is incompatible with Washingtons persistent efforts to bring the concerned parties together and bridge their differences. Ethiopia actually said it needed more time to think about this vital issue, as though Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa had not already spent a full five years in negotiations covering every detail. It is patently obvious to the international community that Addis Ababa is set on distorting the facts and spreading falsehoods in order to shirk its obligations under international law and the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles that it had signed on 23 March 2015. Ethiopia even reiterated its commitment to these principles during previous negotiating rounds, including the ones it attended in Washington. Yet now it plans to proceed with the filling of GERD in tandem with the ongoing construction of the dam, regardless of its previous agreements with Egypt and Sudan, and in violation of Article 5 of the Declaration of Principles. It should be recalled that the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles underscores the need to reach an agreement on the guidelines and rules for the first filling and initial operation of GERD that observe the principle of avoidance of harm to downstream nations. The signatories agreed to take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm in utilising the Blue/Main Nile. Egypt has repeatedly insisted on the need for a just and equitable agreement. The US and the World Bank tried to advance such agreement in the course of negotiating rounds Washington sponsored during the four past months, and until recently Ethiopia even seemed to agree to the draft provisions that Washington helped formulate. In its last statement (28 February), the US Treasury Department expressed its appreciation for Egypts constructive behaviour in the negotiations and its commitment to a consensual solution that doesnt cause harm to any party. Speaking from Washington, Egypts foreign minister affirmed that the draft agreement that had been worked out in Washington would resolve all outstanding issues and realise the interest of all three countries if they all continue to work in good faith and Ethiopia adheres to its repeated pledges not to harm the interests of Egypt. This is why Egypt, in its last statement, said: Ethiopias ownership of GERD does not give it the right to violate the principles of international law and Ethiopian commitments to the Declaration of Principles or to infringe on the rights and interests of other countries that share the Nile. The Abiy Ahmed government believes that the Nile belongs to Ethiopia alone and that it has the right to act unilaterally. In addition, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry rejected the US Treasury Department statement that stresses that final testing and filling should not take place without an agreement. Ethiopias last act of evasiveness and intransigence marks a dangerous turn in the course of the negotiating process because it constitutes a clear violation of international conventions on transborder watercourses and threatens the principle source of life for the Egyptian people. If the Eastern Nile Basin is pushed over the brink to a protracted conflict, Ethiopia will be solely to blame because of irresponsible behaviour that flies in the face of the spirit of mutual interest and cooperation which Egypt has consistently demonstrated along with development programmes in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian sides claim to need more time for consultations until after parliamentary elections is a feeble pretext and does nothing to justify such irresponsible behaviour. The vital question of Nile waters cannot tolerate such petty manoeuvrings which only serve to escalate the crisis to dangerous thresholds, which Egypt has long been working to avert through its efforts to promote an agreement that realises the interests of all concerned. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Top admin officials alerted before the man was traced to his home and brought back Hospital staff have been alert to the coronavirus after three positive cases were reported from Kerala. Kochi: A man who was under watch for coronavirus in the isolation ward of the Ernakulam Government Medical College fled the hospital yesterday. The 25-year-old man had arrived at the Kochi International Airport from Thailand early yesterday morning and was shifted to the isolation ward as he had symptoms of the virus. However, the man ran away from the ward without the knowledge of the nurses in the isolation ward. The nurses usually sit outside the ward but they didnt notice the man leave. The hospital authorities informed the matter to the district medical officer (DMO) who sought the support of the district collector in tracing him. Since he was having coronavirus symptoms, his interaction with people is a possible health hazard, said the DMO. The matter was informed to the collector, the Kochi police commissioner and the superintendent of police of Aluva. Later, the authorities traced him to Muppathadam near Kochi, and ordered him to comply with the quarantine guidelines. He returned to hospital by late evening. During his furlough, the man stayed at home and didnt move out, which was a big relief for the health authorities. His swab samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology, Alappuzha. (Newser) A 22-year-old California man has been sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for harassing friends and family of victims of the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. Brandon Fleury, a Santa Ana resident, was convicted of three counts of interstate cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmission of a kidnapping threat in October, per ABC News. He was found to have used 13 Instagram accounts to threaten victims' friends and relatives with kidnapping and gun violence, including activist Fred Guttenberg's surviving son, per USA Today and NBC News. "With the power of my AR-15, you all die," one message read, according to prosecutors. Fleury posed as accused Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz and serial killer Ted Bundy in other messages. "I killed your loved ones hahaha," read one, per ABC. story continues below Charged in January 2019, Fleury told authorities he targeted people he viewed as activists with the goal "to taunt or 'troll' the victims and gain popularity" online, according to a criminal complaint. But Assistant US Attorney Ajay Alexander described "a real danger that he will attempt to follow in the footsteps of the very mass murderers and serial killers that he idolizes." Per ABC, Fleury kept photos of his targets alongside thousands of images of Bundy. Prosecutors sought the maximum 20-year sentence, while Fleury's lawyer, Sabrina Puglisi, asked the judge to consider her client's autism diagnosis. Still, she described sentences of 60 months and six months in prisonwith the latter sentence to be served after the firstas "high." Cruz is to go on trial later this year. (Read more cyberstalking stories.) [March 03, 2020] Oceana Celebrates the Public Release of Chile's Fishing Vessel Tracking Data The Chilean government today made its vessel tracking data publicly available through Global Fishing Watch (GFW), which tracks the movements of commercial fishing* vessels in near real-time. By publishing its data, anyone can now remotely monitor more of Chile's commercial fishing vessels via GFW's map platform in near real-time, for free. The launch of this previously private data demonstrates Chile's commitment to greater transparency in fishing and is the result of Oceana's collaboration with the Chilean government to increase transparency of commercial fishing in Chilean waters. In 2019, the Chilean government approved a new law that modernizes Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (or Sernapesca) and requires that the once private vessel tracking information, known as Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), be publicly available. Alicia Gallardo, Sernapesca National Director, highlighted the joint effort with Oceana and said that "We've been able to find an effective way to disclose this data, and thanks to the law on modernization, that data is public and can be universally accessible. This is a huge success, because sharing this data publicly can be challenging due to its volume and complexity." "Oceana has been working for many years to increase transparency in the fisheries sector and to establish large marine parks," said Liesbeth van der Meer, Vice President, Oceana Chile. "We believe that Global Fishing Watch will be a great tool to help local communities, and other groups, observe and evaluate the level of compliance in the recently created marine protected areas." GFW provides an unprecedented view of global fishing activity by using machine learning to interpret data from various vessel tracking sources, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) and VMS data. While AIS is required for the largest vessels that catch a disproportionately large amount of fish, adding VMS data, which is required by some governments, to the GFW map provides an even clearer picture of fishing on our global ocean. By publishing its VMS data to the GFW platform, Chile is adding more than 700 fishing vessels and over 800 vessels that provide support for aquaculture. These vessels will be viewable by anyone accessing the public map, including governments, fishery managers, seafood buyers, researchers and nonprofit organizations. "I applaud Chile's leadership in promoting transparency at sea," said Jacqueline Savitz, Chief Policy Officer at Oceana. "With increased transparency, we can all can see beyond the horizon and better address illegal fishing, human trafficking and other threats facing our oceans. Addressing these threats will allow Chile and the world to reap the benefits of transparent and more abundant oceans. We're calling on other countries to follow Chile's leadership to advance transparency at sea." With a coastline of 2,500 miles, Chile is the world's eighth largest fishing nation with approximately $6 billion in annual seafood exports. The ne agreement will enhance vessel monitoring to help address overfishing and illegal fishing in Chilean waters. In 2017, the Chilean government established three marine protected areas, which cover 450,000 square miles and include a rich diversity of marine life. "Chile's decision to publish their vessel tracking data via the Global Fishing Watch public map reinforces their continued world leadership in environmental conservation and responsible stewardship of our ocean," said Tony Long, CEO, Global Fishing Watch. "The Chilean government is adding real momentum to the global shift towards greater transparency in fishing activity, which is fundamental to improving fisheries management in the Pacific, and globally. We welcome Chile's commitment to tackling illegal fishing, which represents a serious threat to sustainable global fisheries, the well-being of fishing communities, and the future of our ocean. Congratulations from Global Fishing Watch, we look forward to successful collaboration." In 2017, Indonesia became the first nation to make its proprietary VMS data available via GFW's platform - instantly putting 5,000 smaller commercial fishing vessels that do not use AIS on the map. Since then, Peru shared its VMS data in October 2018 and Panama shared its VMS data in October 2019. Costa Rica and Namibia have made public commitments to publish their data on the GFW platform. Public sharing of VMS data, including lists of authorized vessels, helps improve surveillance and encourages vessels to comply with regulations. Unauthorized vessels, and those with a history of non-compliance, can be identified more easily and prioritized for inspections, while vessels that turn off tracking devices can be held accountable when they come into port. "Overfishing and illegal fishing put our oceans and our global food supply at risk of collapse," said Melissa Wright, of Bloomberg (News - Alert) Philanthropies. "At Bloomberg Philanthropies, our Vibrant Oceans Initiative helps to increase transparency on our oceans and restore fisheries. By making its vessel data available to the world, the Chilean government is setting an example for healthier, more productive oceans." Global Fishing Watch, in partnership with Oceana and other organizations, is committed to working with 20 countries to publicly share their vessel monitoring data via the GFW map by 2022 to advance responsible fisheries management. Visuals: Download supporting visuals here. Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world's wild fish catch. With more than 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana's campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more. *Any and all references to "fishing" should be understood in the context of Global Fishing Watch's fishing detection algorithm, which is a best effort to determine "apparent fishing effort" based on vessel speed and direction data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) collected via satellites and terrestrial receivers. As AIS data varies in completeness, accuracy and quality, it is possible that some fishing effort is not identified and conversely, that some fishing effort identified is not fishing. For these reasons, Global Fishing Watch qualifies all designations of vessel fishing effort, including synonyms of the term "fishing effort," such as "fishing" or "fishing activity," as "apparent," rather than certain. Any/all Global Fishing Watch information about "apparent fishing effort" should be considered an estimate and must be relied upon solely at your own risk. Global Fishing Watch is taking steps to make sure fishing effort designations are as accurate as possible. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005790/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Transatlantic Slave Trade transported more than 9 million Africans to the Americas between the early 16th and the mid-19th centuries. In the past decade, scientists have utilized extensive genomic analyses to better understand the patterns of African-American ancestry in today's populations, and help reconstruct the past by taking into consideration the complex geographical and geopolitical history of the Slave Trade. In a new paper appearing in the advanced online edition of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, an international research team performed a genome-wide analysis using 6,267 individuals from 22 populations to infer how different African groups contributed to North-, South-American and Caribbean populations. "We observed an enrichment in West-African ancestry in northern latitudes of the Americas, whereas South/East African ancestry is more prevalent in southern South-America," said lead author Eduardo Tarazona-Santos, of the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Their final dataset included a genomic survey of 6,267 unrelated individuals with more than 10% of African ancestry studied for 533,242 variable genetic positions, or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). From this dataset, they could infer population structures across the Americas and study the amount of African DNA, or genetic admixture, present in today's populations. "Interestingly, Africans are the most diverse human populations from the genetical point of view, and during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, this rich African genetic diversity has not been lost, but has arrived to the Americas and is present in the African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos," Tarazona-Santos. "On the other hand, during the last 500 years, in the Americas, people of different African origins and from different populations have admixed more in the Americas than in Africa" To help refine their data against the historical records, they compared their genetic data with historical demographic information of embarked and disembarked African slaves, obtained the African Voyages database. "We also inferred that in most of the Americas, admixture intensification occurred between 1,750 and 1,850, which correlates strongly with the peak of arrivals from Africa," said Tarazona-Santos. "Interestingly, in most of the Americas, the arrival of the largest contingent of Africans between 1,700 and 1,850 was almost synchronic with the intensification of admixture, which implies that this time interval was critical to shape the structure of the African gene pool in the New World. The study will contribute to our understanding of the population genetics and provides additional perspective to the ongoing social, cultural and political debate regarding ancestry, race, and admixture in the Americas. ### Taliban deal, judicial confirmations, lampooning Democrats: 8 takeaways from Trump's CPAC speech Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday afternoon at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in National Harbor, Maryland. CPAC was familiar territory for Trump, who has given speeches at the largest gathering of conservatives in the United States every year since becoming president. During his speech that lasted well over an hour before a large passionate crowd, Trump touched on several different topics, among them the economy, foreign policy, and media bias. Here are eight things that Trump spoke about during his remarks at CPAC, including the newly announced Taliban deal, economic progress, and criticisms of Democratic presidential candidates. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next The world should not expect a vaccine to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus and must instead swallow "the bitter pill" of quarantine measures, a top Italian researcher warned on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump said Monday he had told the heads of top pharmaceutical companies "to accelerate whatever they are doing in terms of a vaccine". Trump also dismissed suggestion that holding large campaign rallies was unwise while the virus was spreading, calling it "very safe". But Massimo Galli, director of the Biomedical Research Institute in Milan whose team isolated the virus's Italian strain last month, told AFP that exactly the opposite was true. "I would be very happy if it was confirmed that the vaccine could be ready by April," Galli said in an interview. "But I think this epidemic will not stop thanks to a vaccine, which will never arrive soon enough," Galli added. "It is a bitter pill to swallow (but) quarantine measures and the limitation of individual movements in the most affected areas" will help stop the spread. Italy has borne the brunt of the European epidemic, recording more than 2,000 cases and 52 deaths from COVID-19 since February 22. The Mediterranean country of 60 million people has quarantined 11 towns in its northern epicentre, with some 50,000 residents barred from leaving for over a week. Churches, bars, libraries, schools, museums and town halls have all been closed in the quarantine zone. Schools, museums and churches have also been shuttered in the Lombardy region around Milan, where 38 of the deaths have occurred, and the neighbouring areas around Bologna and Venice. Galli said it was too soon say whether these measures have worked. "We will not know that very soon," he said. "It will take days -- and I hope not weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. USS San Antonio Begins First Underway in Three Years Navy News Service Story Number: NNS200302-13 Release Date: 3/2/2020 2:22:00 PM From USS San Antonio Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- San Antonio class amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) began Sea Trials February 29. This is the ship's first underway following a three-year Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) maintenance availability. The short underway will be the first time the San Antonio has been underway since February of 2017. "I am so incredibly proud of our Sailors," said Captain Brent C. Gaut, commanding officer of USS San Antonio. "Our men and women are the heart and soul of our warship. They have given, time and again, everything they have to put our warship back to sea, where she belongs. Today starts the next phase of our journey, where we shape ourselves into a battle-minded crew, breathing life into a combat-ready ship ready to win the fight." During Sea Trials, the San Antonio will undergo multiple training scenarios for each department designed to evaluate the performance of the ship after an extensive maintenance period. "I'm anxious to get out to sea. I've been studying and training to get a better understanding of what I'm supposed to do while at sea and now I have the opportunity to apply what I've been learning," said Operations Specialist Seaman Gayvin Ford. San Antonio is the first ship named for the city in Texas and the first amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio-class. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 2) Senators have agreed to seek the Supreme Court's guidance on whether it needs to concur with the government's decision to end treaties. Resolution 337 was adopted Monday by the chamber with 12 yes votes and seven abstentions. This would pave the way for the Senate to file petitions before the high court to clarify the process, which will determine the fate of the controversial military deal with the United States. The resolution would prompt the chamber to ask the high court whether it is necessary for the Senate to concur with a decision to abrogate a treaty. "The ambiguity of the concurrence of the Senate in the abrogation of treaty involves an issue of transcendental importance that impact on the country's constitutional checks and balances," the measure read. "It presents a constitutional issue that seriously affects the country's legal system as well as the country's relations with the international community." President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr. to send to the US Embassy on February 11 an official notice of termination of the VFA, which becomes effective after six months or 180 days. The US government has received the notice, but President Donald Trump simply shrugged it off, noting that "they would save a lot of money." 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. Under the military accord, the US has provided military assistance and financial grants to the Philippines, aside from providing deterrence against possible attacks from other countries. READ: Basing VFA termination on Dela Rosa's canceled visa a 'serious mistake' Tatad The 1987 Constitution requires the Senate to vote on any treaty which the Philippines will enter into, but says nothing if the same rule applies when leaving an agreement. Duterte's close allies Senators Lawrence Christopher "Bong" Go, Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, and Francis Tolentino abstained, saying there was no need to ask the judiciary to settle the issue. "Wala akong nakitang probisyon dito na kasama ang Senado sa pag-abrogate ng isang tratado. Igalang po natin ang kapangyarihan ng Pangulo sa pagpasok sa tratado. Dahil ang Saligang Batas ay walang sinasaad tungkol sa abrogation at shared power, sa aking palagay ay dapat hindi tayo makialam," Tolentino said. [Translation: I don't see a provision in the Constitution that the Senate is involved in abrogating treaties. Let us respect the power of the President in entering treaties. Since the Constituion does not say anything about abrogation and shared power, I think we should not interfere anymore.] Senate President Tito Sotto III was among those who voted in favor of the resolution. He said the petition is almost ready, and will ask the high court for two things. The Senate will seek declaratory relief, which will allow magistrates to render their legal opinion on whether or not the Senate also needs to concur with the VFA termination. READ: Majority of senators also against VFA abrogation, Sotto says A petition for mandamus is also being sought. Sotto said this would be useful if ever the SC rules that the Senate needs to act on the termination of the military deal. The mandamus would then compel the Executive to transmit the intent of the President to pull out of the VFA. Tolentino and Sen. Imee Marcos also questioned the format of the petition, saying it would not look good for the case to be docketed as "Senate of the Philippines versus President Rodrigo Duterte," or even his deputy, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. But Senator Franklin Drilon said he was dismayed to see the voting split over a simple issue. "All we're asking the Supreme Court is to define our Constitutional boundaries nothing else, nothing more. We are not dictating on the Supreme Court. For all you know, the Supreme Court may rule that the Senate's concurrence is not necessary and that settles the issue," he said. Apart from Drilon and Sotto, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon, Ralph Recto, and Lito Lapid voted in favor of the resolution. Those who abstained are Marcos, Go, Tolentino, Dela Rosa, as well as Senators Cynthia Villar, Koko Pimentel, and Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. You may have heard, amid the weeks-long celebration, that Huntsville International Airport in January was voted the nations best small airport. Now the airport is ready to celebrate the celebration. The airport announced registration arrangements for Saturday's shindig at the newly-opened Mars Music Hall at the Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville. Local cover band Juice will perform at the event set for 7-10 p.m. There will be no admission charge. The airport has taken advantage of the top ranking, which came via online voting as part of USA Todays 10 Best Readers Choice awards. In particular, there was a social media push to attract the attention of Southwest Airlines to encourage beginning operations at the airport. Southwest was voted the nations best airline in the same online voting contest. The airport has also used its new prominent platform to urge Huntsville area residents to stop driving (#StopTheDrive) to airports in Nashville or Birmingham both of which are locations where Southwest operates as the best way to lure the low-fare carrier to the Rocket City. The airport said that registration will close after 1,500 people sign up because of the capacity of the music hall, "so please only register if you are sure that you can attend the event." This party is recommended for adults and no childrens activities will take place, however, future Pop-Up parties will cater to children and families," the airport said. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available at no charge and there will be a cash bar available. The airport also said parking will be available in Lot V on the west side of North Hall and attendees should tell parking attendants that you are attending the airport event at Mars Music Hall. Click here to register. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will, this week, issue fresh notices to telecom companies seeking details of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) calculations as it has found discrepancies in the amount paid by the telcos and the sum sought by the government. "We have so far received Rs 24000 crore from the companies, which is way less than the amount that we had arrived at. They will have to explain it to us as to how they arrived at their numbers," a senior DoT official said. Bharti Airtel, on February 29, said it had finished assessing dues related to AGR that ... TORONTO, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Loncor Resources Inc. ("Loncor" or the "Company") (TSX: "LN"; OTCQB: "LONCF") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Barker as Vice President of Business Development for Loncor. Arnold Kondrat, Chief Executive Officer of Loncor, commented: We welcome John Barker as Vice President of Business Development for Loncor. Mr. Barker has over 30 years of global mining experience encompassing many key elements of the mining world, and I look forward to working with him and the team to unlock the potential evident in the Ngayu gold belt. Mr. Barker has 15 years experience as a leading mining analyst, including with RBC DS heading up their Global Gold Mining initiative and focussing on African mining equities. Subsequently, he was Vice President Corporate Development for TSX-listed SouthernEra Resources, which was taken over by Lonmin, and was instrumental in the Guinor Gold sale to Crew Gold. More recently he has been involved in various copper, diamond and platinum initiatives in Southern Africa. During his career he has been involved in numerous asset sales and equity issues raising over US$600m in Canada, Australia, Europe and RSA. Mr. Barker commented: Loncor offers the chance to get involved in a region of the world that is only now starting to show its true gold producing potential through the success of the Barrick-operated Kibali gold mine. The Ngayu belt holds the potential of similar discoveries and I am excited on helping the company utilise its vast in-country experience to realise value for all. About Loncor Resources Inc. Loncor is a Canadian gold exploration company focussed on the Ngayu Greenstone Belt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC). The Loncor team has over two decades of experience of operating in the DRC. Ngayu has numerous positive indicators based on the geology, artisanal activity, encouraging drill results and an existing gold resource base. The area is 200 kilometres southwest of the Kibali gold mine, which is operated by Barrick Gold (Congo) SARL (Barrick). In 2019, Kibali produced record gold production of 814,000 ounces at all-in sustaining costs of US$693/oz. Barrick has highlighted the Ngayu Greenstone Belt as an area of particular exploration interest and is moving towards earning 65% of any discovery in 1,894 km2 of Loncor ground that they are exploring. As per the joint venture agreement signed in January 2016, Barrick manages and funds exploration on the said ground at the Ngayu project until the completion of a pre-feasibility study on any gold discovery meeting the investment criteria of Barrick. In a recent announcement Barrick highlighted six prospective drill targets and are moving towards confirmation drilling in early 2020. Subject to the DRCs free carried interest requirements, Barrick would earn 65% of any discovery with Loncor holding the balance of 35%. Loncor will be required, from that point forward, to fund its pro-rata share in respect of the discovery in order to maintain its 35% interest or be diluted. Story continues In addition to the Barrick JV, certain parcels of land within the Ngayu project surrounding and including the Makapela and Adumbi deposits have been retained by Loncor and do not form part of the joint venture with Barrick. Barrick has certain pre-emptive rights over the Makapela deposit. Loncors Makapela deposit has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 614,200 ounces of gold (2.20 million tonnes grading 8.66 g/t Au) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 549,600 ounces of gold (3.22 million tonnes grading 5.30 g/t Au). Adumbi and two neighbouring deposits hold an Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.675 million ounces of gold (20.78 million tonnes grading 2.5 g/t Au), with 71.25% of this resource being attributable to Loncor via its 71.25% interest. Resolute Mining Limited (ASX/LSE: "RSG") owns 25% of the outstanding shares of Loncor and holds a pre-emptive right to maintain its pro rata equity ownership interest in Loncor following the completion by Loncor of any proposed equity offering. Newmont Goldcorp Corporation (NYSE: "NEM"; TSX: "NGT") owns 7% of Loncors outstanding shares. Additional information with respect to Loncor and its projects can be found on Loncor's website at www.loncor.com. Qualified Person Peter N. Cowley, who is President of Loncor and a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. Technical Reports Certain additional information with respect to the Companys Ngayu project is contained in the technical report of Venmyn Rand (Pty) Ltd dated May 29, 2012 and entitled "Updated National Instrument 43-101 Independent Technical Report on the Ngayu Gold Project, Orientale Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo". A copy of the said report can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Certain additional information with respect to the Companys recently acquired KGL-Somituri project is contained in the technical report of Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. dated February 28, 2014 and entitled "Technical Report on the Somituri Project Imbo Licence, Democratic Republic of the Congo". A copy of the said report, which was prepared for, and filed on SEDAR by, Kilo Goldmines Ltd., can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To the best of the Companys knowledge, information and belief, there is no new material scientific or technical information that would make the disclosure of the KGL-Somituri mineral resource set out in this press release inaccurate or misleading. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Certain terms are used by the Company, such as "Indicated" and "Inferred" "Resources", that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Company's Form 20-F annual report, File No. 001- 35124, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements 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 drill targets, exploration results, mineral resource estimates, future exploration and development and potential gold discoveries) are forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the possibility that the planned drilling program by Barrick will be delayed, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, risks related to the exploration stage of the Company's properties, the possibility that future exploration (including drilling) or development results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, failure to establish estimated mineral resources (the Companys mineral resource figures are estimates and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of gold will be produced), changes in world gold markets or equity markets, political developments in the DRC, gold recoveries being less than those indicated by the metallurgical testwork carried out to date (there can be no assurance that gold recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large tests under on-site conditions or during production), fluctuations in currency exchange rates, inflation, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F dated April 1, 2019 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For further information, please visit our website at www.loncor.com, or contact: Arnold Kondrat, CEO, Toronto, Ontario, Tel: + 1 (416) 366 7300. State-owned NBCC on Tuesday received National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approval to takeover debt-laden Jaypee Infratech, restoring hopes of homebuyers finally getting their promised flats in next four years. This development will provide a huge relief to over 20,000 homebuyers across various housing projects launched by Jaypee Infratech (JIL) in Noida and Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh). NBCC has proposed to complete over 20,000 pending flats in the next three-and-a-half years. The principal bench of NCLT (Allahabad), headed by Acting President B S V Prakash Kumar, gave nod to the resolution plan of NBCC, which was already approved by the lenders of Jaypee Infratech in December last year, news agency PTI reported. Jaypee Infratech's Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) Anuj Jain had filed a petition before the NCLT to approve NBCC's bid. The tribunal also modified the resolution plan and said Rs 750 crore deposited by Jaiprakash Associates, the parent company of the debt-ridden Jaypee Infratech, would be part of the plan. The homebuyers' claim amounting to Rs 13,364 crore and lenders' claim worth Rs 9,783 crore have been admitted, the agency reported. The NBCC has offered 1,526 acres of land to lenders under a land-debt swap deal. Apart from this, the state-owned firm has proposed to transfer the road asset to lenders. A subsidiary of crisis-hit Jaiprakash Associates (JAL), JIL went into insolvency process in August 2017 after the NCLT admitted an application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium. Last month, the Supreme Court had upheld the NCLT order directing JAL to return 858 acres of land, which was pledged with several banks, to its debt-laden subsidiary firm JIL. The JAL had mortgaged JIL's land-bank to secure a Rs 20,510 crore loan from a consortium of around 20 banks including State Bank of India, AXIS Bank, ICICI Bank, Stander Chartered Bank. Earlier on November 6, the Supreme Court had directed completion of Jaypee Infratech's insolvency process within 90 days, adding that the revised resolution plan would be invited only from NBCC and Suraksha Realty. By Chitranjan Kumar with PTI inputs Also Read: Jaypee Infra insolvency: Homebuyers seek continuation of talks on NBCC's revised bid Also Read: NBCC offers to prepare revised plan for completing stalled Jaypee projects Description GIS - 03 March, 2020: A two-day seminar on National Cybersecurity Strategy aiming to assist Mauritius in building capacity in different areas of cybersecurity and increasing resilience, and developing national cyber security strategies, opened, today, at Pearle Beach Resort and Spa in Flic en Flac. The Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Deepak Balgobin, the Deputy Head of Mission , European U nion (EU) Delegation to the Republic of Mauritius , Mr Michal Golabek, and other personalities were present. The event which is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation and the EU Cyber Resilience for Development (Cyber4D) also has as objectives to identify and raise awareness on cyber threats, to provide for information assurance and resilience, to set up training and equipping Computer Emergency Response teams, building early warning, information sharing, and protecting critical information infrastructures. In his address, Minister Balgobin , recalled that Mauritius was included in the project Cyber4D in 2018 in view to act as a model cyber resilient country and share its experience and best practices with other countries in the region. The project support s national strategies and enables local expertise an d stakeholders to develop skills, knowledge, and resilience by concentrating on three major areas namely , policies , training and integration. He further said that internet is a major driving force that is helping in transforming the countrys development pattern and economic structure. Nevertheless, he cautioned, that with the dynamic evolution of the cyberspace, there exist associated sophisticated threats which can have adverse consequences. The security models of the past decade, he mentioned, are no longer useful adding that organisations should constantly develop capabilities for detecting incidents in a comprehensive framework. He also underlined one of Governments main objective which is to shape the right environment to make the internet more secure and accessible to the population and that his ministry is working on enhancing internet development by devising appropriate strategies and policies. For his part , Mr Michal Golabek, congratulated Mauritius for its leading position in the African region in ITU Global Cybersecurity Index . This, he said, is evidence of the efforts of the Government of Mauritius to stay in the forefront of the digital economy. He also spoke of the longstanding partnership between EU and Mauritius and emphasised that EU consider s Mauritius as a close all y and is willing to support the country in its endeavours to becoming a high income country. You are here: Business China's top economic planner has pledged more efforts to steadily promote railway construction, stressing prioritizing the progress of key projects. Efforts will be made to speed up the construction of major projects including the Sichuan-Tibet Railway and the high-speed railway along the Yangtze River, the National Development and Reform Commission said Tuesday in a statement on its website. Railway construction in central and western regions of the country will be strengthened and the inter-city rail projects will be advanced in an orderly manner, it said. The commission stressed equal importance of advancing the passenger and cargo rail transport. China's railway operation mileage reached 139,000 km by the end of last year, with 35,000 km of high-speed railways. The country plans to expand the railway network by more than 4,000 km in 2020. Protest-torn Iraq on Monday faced more political gridlock after prime minister-designate Mohammed Allawi withdrew overnight, accusing lawmakers of obstructing his attempt to form a government. Oil-rich but poverty-stricken Iraq has for five months been rocked by the biggest wave of anti-government demonstrations since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein. The mostly youthful protesters demand the ouster of Iraq's entire political elite, which they accuse of being inept, corrupt and beholden to powerful neighbour Iran. Allawi's departure plunges Iraq deeper into uncertainty and leaves President Barham Saleh 15 days to propose a new candidate -- likely intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kazimi, according to political sources. But Kataeb Hezbollah, a hard-line paramilitary faction backed by Iran, warned against such a choice, with a spokesman on Monday saying al-Kazimi's appointment would amount to a "declaration of war." "He is one of those accused of helping the American enemy assassinate" top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who helped found Kataeb Hezbollah, spokesman Abu Ali al-Askari said on Twitter. The two died in a US drone strike near Baghdad two months ago. Iraq has been in legal limbo since outgoing premier Adel Abdel Mahdi stepped down in December, as the constitution makes no provisions for such a resignation. Allawi's withdrawal a month after his appointment marks another first for Iraq, which has never seen a premier-designate fail to secure parliamentary backing for a cabinet line-up. Iraq's bitterly divided parliament had on Sunday failed for a third time to convene a confidence vote on Allawi's proposed government. In a letter to the president, Allawi charged that some factions were "not serious about reform or fulfilling their pledges to the people". One Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that "political leaders are living in a bubble" and dealing with the crisis "as though nothing has happened in the country". - 'Holding Iraq hostage' - Allawi's withdrawal raised fears of a protracted political void, as Abdel Mahdi had pledged to formally step down by March 2, the constitutional deadline for parliament to approve a new government. But with Allawi out of the picture, Abdel Mahdi backtracked on Monday, saying he would stay on as premier until a new government is formed. "The most dangerous thing that we currently face is the prospect of a constitutional and administrative vacuum," he said in a statement. Allawi had been nominated as a consensus candidate among Iraq's divided political parties and had emphasised that his cabinet would be made up of technocrats and independents. Anti-government demonstrators had nonetheless rejected him as too close to the political elite. The protesters have backed Alaa al-Rikaby, a pharmacist who has emerged as a prominent activist in the southern protest hotspot of Nasiriyah. Many celebrated Allawi's departure as a victory. "We have already removed Abdel Mahdi and now Allawi," said Roqiya, a 20-year-old student demonstrating in Baghdad. Political commentator Hamid Abou Nour said Allawi's demise came precisely because he tried to reconcile the interests of political parties with those of the street, telling AFP that "he failed on both counts". - Rockets hit Green Zone - Allawi's successor will inherit the daunting task of reconciling the government with an angry street movement after months of demonstrations that have left nearly 550 dead and 30,000 wounded, most of them protesters. The new candidate must first secure the backing of the most divided legislature in Iraq's history and then lead a government until early parliamentary elections, which Abdel Mahdi said could take place in 10 months. Forming an Iraqi cabinet is a difficult task at the best of times, as quotas apportion posts to key Kurdish and Sunni and Shiite Muslim communities. This time around, political factions have again squabbled over how to share power, with ministries "up for sale", according to political sources. Compounding the situation, Kurdish lawmakers are expected to hold back support until they receive assurances on their share of the federal budget and of Iraq's oil revenues. Kurdish and Sunni MPs are meanwhile at odds with Shiite lawmakers, who since Soleimani's killing have angrily called for the expulsion of 5,200 US troops stationed in Iraq. Tensions soared further after rockets were fired at bases hosting US forces in attacks Washington blamed on Iranian-linked Iraqi Shiite paramilitaries, with further attacks reported in recent weeks. Most recently, two rockets were fired overnight into Baghdad's Green Zone, where the US embassy and American troops are based, in the 20th attack against US assets in Iraq in four months. Jaipur, March 3 : An Italian tourist here has been been confirmed to have coronavirus after his sample checked out positive at the National Institute of Virology, Pune on Tuesday, a top Rajasthan government official said. Even the samples of the tourist's wife, admitted in the SMS hospital here, have tested positive in a Jaipur lab on Tuesday and are being sent to Pune for cross-verification, Chief Secretary D.B. Gupta said. He said that the 69-year-old Italian, along with other 22 other group members, came to Rajasthan from Delhi, going to Mandawa on February 21, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and coming to Jaipur on February 28. There, the man complained of cough and breathlessness and was taken to the Fortis Hospital, which, after keeping him overnight, referred him to the SMS Hospital. The first report of this Italian came negative. However, as his condition deteriorated, another sample was tested which came positive this time. Later, his samples were sent to Pune which confirmed Covid-19 virus positive, said Gupta. Even the samples of his 70-year-old wife tested positive here on Tuesday and are being sent to the Institute of Virology for further testing, officials said, adding that the report will come on Wednesday evening. The state government has alerted the staff and an emergency meeting was called here in the evening to discuss the way to tackle the virus. Soon after receiving the report from Pune, the SMS hospital administration made strong security arrangements, moving both patients to an isolation ward, A three kilometre area around the SMS hospital has been declared as containment zone, officials said, adding that the houses in this area shall be surveyed by health officials. The Chief Secretary also said that the Central government has directed setting up of a rapid response team at the district level with the District Collector as nodal officer, and the state government is doing so. "We have asked the Tourist Department and police to ensure the message is conveyed to all hotels that any case of illness should be reported immediately to the government so that the patient might not leave undetected. The patient contacts travel desk as he does not know about any local doctors, hence, we have asked them to report all such matters immediately on our helpline numbers." The Ramada hotel, where the Italian couple, were staying has been sanitised completely in Jaipur, he added. Dells latest Alienware gaming monitor (model AW5520QF) is an incredibly niche device. At 55 inches, the display is as big as most televisions, and the OLED panel ensures the best image reproduction available. But with a $7000 price tag, it is hard to justify the monitors power gaming features over an OLED television. The monitors design is as practical as it is aesthetically pleasing. Too often gaming products are designed with a confused mishmash of masculine signifiers such as giant angular devices covered in red skulls or camouflage that look like something a young Elon Musk might have sketched in his textbooks in high school. Dell's Alienware OLED gaming monitor has landed. Thankfully, Alienware has ditched this aesthetic for a panel that looks more suited to an Aperture Science testing laboratory. The front panel has very little bezel surrounding the display, and floats atop a small but sturdy stand. A curved white back plate hides the various ports and cables connecting to a PC, while a small glowing Alienware logo and strip of coloured LEDs brightens your room as you play. This is a monitor that demands to be shown off, not shoved against a wall, and Im sure part of the design is intended to appeal to Twitch streamers. Dells press material shows the monitor being used on a desk, with a player standing right in front of the massive screen. While this makes for amazing, immersive gameplay, I couldnt use it this closely for more than a few minutes at a time. Even the few minutes it took to set up Windows 10 and install Steam left me with a sore neck. Instead, I preferred playing across the room, with a wireless keyboard, mouse and gamepad. Former CNN Anchor Bobbie Battista Dies at 67: Family Former CNN anchor Bobbie Battista died at the age of 67 after battling cervical cancer, her family said. Bobbie was the consummate trooper in her struggle with cancer, she was courageous and fearless in her battle and thoughtful for all the others in her life even as she fought through the pain, Battistas husband John Brimelow told CNN Tuesday. My dear partner of 25 years of marriage has cut her earthly bonds and is now in peace. David P. Gelles, a CNN executive producer, announced the news on Twitter. Battista was one of the first CNN Headline News anchors when the network was started in 1981. She was the host of shows like TalkBack Live and others. Whether the Challenger explosion, the assassination attack on Reagan, the Gulf War, certainly this terrorist attack. Those were memorable from the anchor desk, Battista recalled of her news coverage in the 1980s. As far as TalkBack, weve had some serious shows, and some fun shows. If I had to pick, Id say I liked Free for All Fridays the best. Before CNN, she worked at Action News 5 for WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2001, Battista shared some advice to aspiring reporters. Youll have to be willing to go to a small town somewhere, and do your time in the trenches. Theres a lot of competition, and you have to work your way up, she said at the time. Or, you can start at an entry level position at a [network like] CNN, but if you want to be an anchor, youll have to do your time in the trenches, she added. You have to love what you do. Its probably one of the most rewarding fields you could ever choose to work in. Asserting that the US has done a "great job" in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump on Monday said it is now time for other countries to "get rid of those terrorists". The US and the Taliban signed a landmark deal in Doha on February 29 to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home from America's longest war. "We've done a great job in terms of getting rid of terrorists. Now it's up to other countries to get rid of those terrorists," Trump told reporters at the White House. Responding to questions, Trump reiterated that the US is pulling out its troops from Afghanisatn. Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US has agreed to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 in the next 130 days and withdraw all its soldiers in 14 months. "We are getting out. We want to get out. We had good meetings with the Taliban. And we are going to be leaving, and we're going to be bringing our soldiers back home. We've been there for almost 20 years. It's a long time," Trump said. A Delhi Assembly panel on Tuesday issued a WhatsApp number and an email ID to complain about hate message being spread on social media over the communal violence in northeast Delhi. Talking to reporters, Aam Aadmi Party legislator Saurabh Bharadwaj, chairman of the Committee on Peace and Harmony of Delhi Assembly, said if people find hate messages on social media, they could complain at WhatsApp number 8950000946 and email ID dvscommittee@delhigov.in. Bharadwaj said peace meetings in six assembly constituencies covering riot-hit areas of northeast Delhi would be held on Thursday. Local religious leaders and MLAs would participate in these meetings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nothing more important than our common humanity The coronavirus highlights how our interdependence as a species cannot simply be reduced to global economic indicators, but that whatever impacts our survival as a species must take the greatest precedence (Australia may be beginning to learn to love the virus, March 3). Ultimately, this most valuable lesson must be learnt if we are to eliminate all these present dangers to our very existence. Vincent Zankin, Rivett ACT The cost to health services, and the economy more widely, is clearly less with limited travel bans and sensible controls on contact, compared with the disruption if we just carried on as normal. But how would the cost compare if we just shut everything down for two weeks (or as much as practical) so that the virus couldnt spread? No travel, no school, take leave or work from home. It might seem drastic, but maybe some short-term pain is better than sustained misery? David Rush, Lawson I'm amazed by your correspondent's letter (Letters, March 3). He appears to give credence to The Simpsons cartoon in believing a person in a foreign factory coughing into a packing box can infect us with the coronavirus weeks later. Hartcher warned us that "more virulent than the coronavirus is the fear virus". I never realised a cartoon series could be so influential. Kim Woo, Mascot A quick shopping trip on Tuesday morning revealed no signs whatsoever of panic shopping (''Sydney doctor now ill as virus spreads'', March 3). Shelves were stocked as normal, shoppers behaving as normal; although I didnt see much kissing or handshaking. Trevor Wilson, Chifley, ACT Yesterday, I went shopping. The stores were empty of stock including of toilet paper. In desperation I visited several stores. The last store I visited was also devoid of toilet paper, until an equally eagle-eyed woman and I spied some at the bottom of a very full store trolley cage. With a furtive glance over our shoulders, we worked quickly as a team to open the trolley door, lift boxes and packages out of the way, tear through outer plastic packaging and each triumphantly claim two packets of 20 rolls of toilet paper. Success! With brief congratulatory exchange we discussed how crazy all this panic buying is ... oh hang on ... Jenny Harris, Gordon The NSW Health Minister is urging us to have our flu vaccinations. This sense of urgency has not been communicated to the vaccines providers; the 2020 vaccine is not yet available and supplies are expected to arrive sometime in April, as usual. Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow Minister's views on school funds are a little bit rich How good is the private school system? The Prime Minister gave them their own slush fund to play with ("Blank cheque for private schools to use", March 3). Did he throw in a pack of coloured pencils? Geoffrey Dyer, Bundanoon It's hypocritical of the federal Minister for Education to make an extra "discretionary" gift of nearly $5 billion to the Catholic education system, with nebulous accountability attached, while at the same time repeating the mantra that extra funding does little to improve student results. Such side deals are a scourge for all those students, teachers and parents crying out for equitable resourcing of their schools, particularly in disadvantaged and remote areas. Vanessa Tennent, Oatley In need of someone to lead I would caution Tanya Plibersek not to consider any political leadership aspirations ("Plibersek's popular front digs in for the long haul", March 3). Going on previous Australian experience, and noting the current American desire to put up ageing, white men, selectors seem to think a woman's place is as education minister. Mark Paskal, Clovelly An offer you can't refuse I, too, am an obsessive recycler ("Care for our environment blowing in the wind", March 3). Our daily Herald wraps messy non-recyclables secured with a little masking tape; soft plastics are washed, dried and delivered to our supermarkets bin; veggie waste into the compost; leaves and twigs to the green bin. But it's the sheer, utter volume of wrappings and containers that overwhelm. Please, let's return to glass bottles and containers that can be washed and re-used. It would create a whole new "washing-up" industry, and deter gutter-chucking from the suited man. Sue Young, Bensville The problem with the "fancy-suit fellow" and his theory that "the council will sweep it up", is that, more often than not, local councils can't keep up with clearing the amount of rubbish being dropped in the streets. Instead, much of the rubbish goes into the gutter, travels into the stormwater drains, and ends up in the harbour and the sea. Ask anyone who has just worked on Clean Up Australia Day in a foreshore area. It's impossible to count the number of cigarette butts and straws found along the foreshore, and that's only one aspect of the floating rubbish problem. Kate Foot, Concord Fairness a foreign concept While I am hopeful, but not confident, that Julian Assange would receive a fair hearing in the UK courts: surely the Australia Government should be stridently lobbying to have both Kylie Moore-Gilbert and Assange freed from foreign jails on an equal basis ("Imprisoned academic deserves more sympathy than Assange, Sharma says", March 3). They are both Australians and have committed no crimes under Australian law. John Watkins, Collins Creek While I agree it is imperative to acknowledge the case of Moore-Gilbert, currently trapped in an Iranian prison, and call for her release, I found Liberal MPs Dave Sharma's comments that "she is more deserving of our sympathy than Julian Assange" unhelpful. Being imprisoned by any regime for whatever reason without access to proper consulate support should never be addressed in terms of one person needing sympathy over another, but I take particular issue with the comment that Assange is receiving a fair and open trial. All persons detained unlawfully by foreign regimes need our unrelenting assistance, but the Assange case is a landmark case and highly unusual therefore it requires an unusual response. Certainly the difference between it and Moore Gilbert's case in Iran is that it is being tried in a democratic nation closely linked with our own, yet if you read the defence's clear summation from the end of the preliminary hearing it is clearly cruel and unusual. Rather than espouse who deserves more help than another person in desperate need of support perhaps our MPs could formulate plans and responses that provide citizens with appropriate consular assistance. Sonia Henry, Sydney Conflict of interest There can be no "peace with honour" for the Americans and their allies as they withdraw from Afghanistan, abandoning the nation to the Taliban. Despite Trump's huff and puff about the American forces returning if the Taliban doesn't play nice: once they leave, the Americans won't be back ("Trump's deal with Taliban is step in right direction", March 3). Afghanistan is a Vietnam re-run. It is ironic that the Taliban, created by the Americans in the 1980s to oust the Russians from Afghanistan, will soon oust the Americans themselves. Geoff Black, Caves Beach The Trump Peace Plan: surely a contender for oxymoron of the decade? Maggy Todd, Hardys Bay Time to help victims What a tragic situation lies behind the pair of contributions to the Herald letters, made worse by the fact that both correspondents need to remain anonymous (Letters, March 3). Surely 50 years after putting people on the moon, the technology which delivers a vast array of apps could be used to stop the bashing, brutalisation and terrorising of women and their children by men. It is now possible to wear a tiny device which, on the press of a button, reaches a 24/7 contact centre, connects to a real person, records and amplifies the call and surrounding sounds and via GPS, the location of the caller. But it's costs around $1000 a year, probably well beyond the means of many victims of DV. By all means let's embark on the long-term processes of cultural change, but surely we could act now to equip any woman who needs one with new technology which might prevent an attack. And bring the perpetrators of these cowardly crimes out from the protection that the victim's anonymity provides them. Peter Skinner, Beecroft Railroading commuters Forcing commuters onto light rail will enable the NSW government to crow about record passenger loads and growing public transport use, as has occurred in the ACT following the introduction of a "new improved" bus/rail network last year ("Leaked plan to cut buses 'politics over planning' ", March 2). Abandoning direct and efficient bus services to the Canberra CBD from a large number of northern suburbs has caused many commuters to endure broken and more time-consuming journeys in sardine tin-like rail vehicles over large parts of the day, as well as face wasteful rail/bus connection wait periods on return trips, given that many connecting bus services run far less frequently than the light rail. Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT) Enough said So, that's the Loong and Shoort of it, eh (Letters, March 3)? Lorna Denham, Cardiff Heights Brevity has its place in letter-writing, but you watch, it'll be short-lived. Rosemary O'Brien, Ashfield I dont know if keeping letters short is a sure way of getting them published in the Herald, but from my observations over the past six months, if you are anti-Morrison, anti-Trump and anti-coal, youre in with a big chance. Jim Hawkins, Goonellabah It is beyond time short letters about short letters that take up precious space better used for more substantial letters were given short shrift. Ron Sinclair, Bathurst Two BJP MLAs Narayan Tripathi and Sharad Kol on Tuesday did not turn up for a party meeting here, a development that may have set off alarm bells in the saffron outfit ahead of the March 26 biennial polls for three Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. Going against party lines, both the opposition lawmakers had voted for a Congress-sponsored bill in the Assembly in July last year. When contacted, Tripathi told PTI over the phone that he was too busy in Delhi and that's why couldnt make it to the meeting called by the state BJP in view of the upcoming RS polls. "Similarly, I have come to know that Kol was at his village due to some important work," he added. Both the MLAs were once in the Congress and are not getting along well with the BJP, sources close to them said. Madhya Pradesh BJP president V D Sharma could not be contacted for comments despite repeated calls. However, another state BJP leader confirmed that both the MLAs gave the meeting a miss, but declined to shed more light of the development. In the backdrop of the July incident, the state BJP is not taking any chances and holding meetings with its MLAs in groups here for the last two days (Monday-Tuesday) to keep its flock together and prevent any cross-voting in the RS polls. The faction-ridden Congress, too, is a worried lot and wants it MLAs to stay united for the Upper House polls. Sharma, Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava, party's chief whip in the assembly Narottam Mishra, BJP vice-president Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MP BJP organisation general secretary Suhas Bhagat held meetings with MLAs in batches since Monday. Likewise, Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Deepak Babaria arrived here on Tuesday for meetings with state leaders and MLAs ahead of the RS polls. According to sources in the BJP, in meetings, the state leadership has told the party legislators to stay alert and promptly inform them in case they are approached by the rival camp in connection with the RS polls. According to talks in state Congress circles, around nine party MLAs are unhappy with the leadership and some of them are eying Cabinet berths. Amid preparations for the RS polls, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Monday made a sensational claim that his party MLAs were being offered "huge money by BJP leaders" as part of the saffron party''s "poaching" attempt to destabilise the Kamal Nath government. The BJP, however, has rejected the Congress allegations outright. After losing the Lok Sabha polls to BJP MP Pragya Thakur from Bhopal last year, Singh might seek re-election to the Upper House of Parliament, Congress sources said. The ruling party may field former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the RS elections, they said. Scindia, like Singh, had lost general elections from Guna. The BJP may renominate former Union minister and Dalit leader Satyanarayan Jatiya in the RS polls, party sources said. The three RS seats, which are falling vacant, are currently held by Singh (Congress), Jatiya and Prabhat Jha (both from BJP). The BJP will make all out effort to retain the two seats, where the Congress wants to take it tally to two from one as it has more legislators this time around. The 230-member Assembly has 114 Congress MLAs followed by the BJP (107). The simple majority mark is 116. Four Independent MLAs, two lawmakers of the BSP and one of the Samajwadi Party (SP) are providing crucial support to the Congress government. Two seats are vacant following the demise of a Congress and a BJP legislator. Members of a state''s Legislative Assembly vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hudson Yards in New York City. (PHOTO: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) By Rob Urban, Prashant Gopal and Nic Querolo (Bloomberg) -- Eric Marrus, a real estate broker at Compass in New York, walked through a US$7.5 million townhouse in Manhattans Lenox Hill neighbourhood last week, pointing his phone into every corner of the property. He was conducting a virtual tour via WhatsApp for a Chinese couple unable to visit the home together because of coronavirus travel restrictions. Logistically, its a nightmare, said Marrus, who gets about a quarter of his business from China, where the virus originated. As the outbreak spreads, snarling travel across the world, real estate markets in the U.S. and other countries that rely on Chinese buyers face a looming crisis as deals languish and potential purchases are delayed indefinitely. Chinese buyers spent US$13.4 billion on U.S. homes in 2019. That was the most from any foreign country, even as purchases plunged amid an escalating trade war and a crackdown on taking cash out of China. In California, where 34% of foreign purchases were from China last year, Keller Williams broker associate Coco Tan has taken to wearing a surgical mask to open houses and greeting clients with a wave rather than a handshake. Tan, who was born in China, said that normally about 25% of her clients are Chinese. With flights canceled, most have postponed visiting until after the summer, she said. I tell them that I have some nice properties that I saved for them, Tan said. There are more lights on these days in the wealthy Orange County neighbourhoods south of Los Angeles that are favoured by Chinese buyers, said Alvin Wang, an associate broker with Compass in Newport Beach. The homes are often used for estate planning and only occupied part-time. But these days, many Chinese are staying in California, waiting out the coronavirus quarantines and travel restrictions. Communities are a lot more populated, said Wang, who estimates 85% of his clients are from China. It used to be, out of every street, youd have three to five empty houses. Story continues Sydney Surge Half a world away in Sydney, the virus has boosted demand for luxury property, according to Monika Tu, founder of Black Diamondz, an Australian real estate company that caters to wealthy Chinese. Many of her clients, who run businesses in China, have family in Australia. Some came to town for Lunar New Year and have extended their stays because of the outbreak. Now, theyre buying homes, Tu said, adding that the weakness of the Australian dollar is another selling point. Australia is so close and so protected, she said. People feel really safe here. How long this surge of interest lasts may depend on the extent of the outbreak. Closed embassies are gumming up the processing of new significant investor visas -- the main route for ultra-rich Chinese to gain permanent residency in Australia and the right to purchase existing real estate. Vancouver, Singapore Elsewhere, from Vancouver to Singapore, realtors are facing the same problems as their counterparts in U.S. that rely on Chinese buyers: With hundreds of millions of Chinese effectively quarantined, its hard to sell real estate. People were planning to do open houses in early February and obviously the turnout wasnt as good, said Jerry Huang, an agent in Vancouver. Many investors arent planning to come at all, just to follow rules. Singapore is being hit especially hard -- Chinese nationals are the top foreign homebuyers in that market, especially for luxury properties. Clarence Foo, a Singapore-based agent, had one Chinese couple looking to buy a S$6 million ($4.3 million) apartment near the glitzy Marina Bay Sands casino and shopping mall. They also wanted to scout for schools for their children because they plan to settle in the city-state. They were set to visit in late January, but right after they booked their flight, Singapores government banned China nationals to prevent the virus from spreading. Theyve had to shelve their purchase until a later date, said Foo, who estimates sales involving Chinese clients have dropped by 20%. Back in California, Toll Brothers Inc., a builder that focuses on luxury homes, said last week that 11 closings were delayed in recent months because of the coronavirus. California and the Seattle area reported new cases on Sunday. In New York, the second-biggest region for Chinese buyers, the city announced its first positive virus case as the global death toll surged past 3,000. New York Problems For Silverback Development, which is building a 13-story condo property near Manhattans Gramercy Park, the virus has complicated several facets of business. Apartment buyers are reluctant to sign deals with the stock market in flux, while conversations with Chinese investors have stalled because moving money outside the country is challenging, said Josh Schuster, a principal at the firm. On top of that, the company is searching for alternatives to Chinese building materials such as granite countertops for the Gramercy project, which could boost costs by as much as 30%. Were nervous, Schuster said. What if the supply chain could cause delay to the delivery of our kitchens or stone materials? Without a real solution, I cant take that risk. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Elizabeth Warren warned that Democrats were setting themselves up for failure as droves of moderates announced their support for Joe Biden Monday to blunt the momentum of the more liberal Bernie Sanders. 'No matter how many Washington insiders tell you to support him, nominating a fellow Washington insider will not meet this moment,' Warren said Monday night at a 'Super Tuesday' eve rally at East Los Angeles College. 'Nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country will not meet this moment.' She also suggested that a Biden-Sanders showdown would be 2016 all over again - and could produce the same result: a President Trump. Elizabeth Warren campaigned at East Los Angeles College the night before Super Tuesday and argued that 'Washington insider' Joe Biden 'will not meet this moment' Elizabeth Warren said Monday night that Democratic voters deserved 'more choice' than just a Biden-Sanders race Elizabeth Warren presented herself as the middle ground between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders as she made a final push for votes in California before the Super Tuesday primaries Elizabeth Warren also warned the crowd that the Democrats were poised to repeat 2016 if the race came down to 'insider' Joe Biden and 'outsider' Bernie Sanders Elizabeth Warren atrracted around 3,000 people to an outdoor rally Monday night at East Los Angeles College Elizabeth Warren got a true Los Angeles welcome as animal rights protesters overwhelmed the stage as she started her speech - with one deciding to wear a jacket and just a jacket Animal rights protesters jumped onstage as soon as Elizabeth Warren began to speak at a rally at East Los Angeles College Monday night. 'I love Los Angeles!' the 2020 hopeful exclaimed after they were taken away One of the protesters, part of the group Direct Action Everywhere, decided to wear a jacket and nothing else when she barged onto the stage Elizabeth Warren greets an animal rights protester who interrupted the beginning of her remarks at East Lost Angeles College Monday night 'From the start of this campaign, despite so many great candidates with so many different perspectives, voters were worried about beating Donald Trump,' the Massachusetts senator said. 'And they have been told there are only two lanes, only two choices and now we find ourselves barreling toward another primary along the same lanes as 2016 - one for an insider, one for an outsider,' she continued. Warren was responding to the new reality in which she was suddenly one of five Democrats left in the presidential race. Since Biden's big win in South Carolina Saturday night Tom Steyer, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar all dropped out. On Monday night Klobuchar and Buttigieg put their weight behind Biden at a rally in Dallas. Former 2020 candidate and congressman Beto O'Rourke appeared and endorsed the former vice president too. The Biden campaign announced a number of other endorsements too. Joe Biden got a slew of endorsement from mainstream Democrats on the heels of his Saturday win of the South Carolina primary. On Monday alone he gained the support of Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke Warren was cordial to all three, thanking Buttigieg and Klobuchar for running spirited races. 'I look forward to their continued service to our party and our country,' she said. She also congratulated Biden for his South Carolina win. The quick move to support Biden was meant to blunt Sanders' momentum, after the Vermont senator won the popular vote in the first three races, beating Biden badly all three times. Warren said the Democratic voters deserved 'more choice' than just a Biden-Sanders race. 'Americans should have more choice than that,' she added. Warren has long considered herself the candidate who split the difference between the moderate Biden and the democratic socialist Sanders, even though she's more in line politically with the latter. 'Voters deserve a choice of someone with unshakeable values who can also get things done and bring all kinds of Democrats along with her,' she argued Monday night. 'Voters deserve a choice of someone who can both do the work to transform our government from the inside and who can bring pressure to bear on government by leading a grassroots movement from the outside,' she added. Warren will see if her pitch works as Democratic voters from 14 states - including her home state of Massachusetts - head to the polls Tuesday. With about a third of all the delegates available up for grabs in one day, it's referred to as 'Super Tuesday.' California, with 415 delegates, is the biggest prize in the nation. The last poll taken before Super Tuesday showed Warren in fourth place in California behind Sanders, Bloomberg and Biden, but at 12 per cent, she's within the margin of error of being able to earn delegates. Candidates must get 15 per cent of the vote to qualify. That was enough to bring her to the west coast for a final rally before traveling back to Massachusetts so she can vote. And she got a true California greeting. First by the first 'partner' of California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California's Gov. Gavin Newsom. 'I know that a lot of male talking heads on TV have counted Elizabeth out,' Siebel Newsom said. 'One was forced to resign tonight,' she added, alluding to 'Hardball' host Chris Matthews, who announced his retirement effective immediately earlier in the night. And then, as Warren took the stage at the outdoor venue in front of a crowd of around 3,000, several animal rights protesters jumped onstage. They were from the group Direct Action Everywhere and one chose to wear a jacket and only a jacket, just asking for a wardrobe malfunction. After security removed them, Warren was ready to address the crowd. 'I love Los Angeles!' she exclaimed. Poor fire safety and low staff levels were among the concerns health inspectors found at residential centres for older people in Cork. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published some 38 inspection reports on residential care facilities. While generally, centres were found to be meeting the needs of their residents, inspectors found evidence of non-compliance in 15 centres. These included a number of issues in several Cork nursing homes. Midleton Community Hospital, run by the HSE, was found to be non-compliant with nine regulations, with inspectors concerned about the governance and management at the home. Following an unannounced inspection on October 31, 2019, inspectors reported that the HSE "has repeatedly failed to implement its own plans to improve the quality of life for residents by definitely taking adequate action". Inspectors found that staffing levels were inadequate. To cover staff gaps, the centre was reliant on a role called the multi-task attendant which required a staff member to move between caring for residents and cleaning at different times during a shift. Concerns were also raised that some residents belongings were being stored in bags in linen rooms due to a lack of space, while large, multi-occupancy rooms "did not afford personal space, privacy or choice" to those residing in them. Inspectors also highlighted concerns about infection control, describing sections of the centre as "not sufficiently clean". An inspection at Cobh Community Hospital found the facility to be non-compliant with ten regulations. This included poor fire safety, with the inspector not assured the fire safety arrangements were adequate to ensure prompt, safe and effective evacuation of residents in case of a fire. Among the issues noted was that a fire door to a staff office was propped open with a chair, laundry trolleys were across the swing of a fire compartment door and the regulator on an oxygen cylinder was noted to have an out of date label for returning for service. The inspector was not assured that adequate means of escape were provided. For example, an alternative escape route required evacuating residents to go up one flight of stairs and down another. This would be physically demanding for staff, the inspector said. The centre was provided with two separate, unlinked fire detection and alarm systems. Alarm panels and bells were not interconnected, with a reliance on internal phones to raise the alarm. Responding, the care provider said work has commenced on addressing the issues identified by the fire inspector, though progress slowed down due to an outbreak of influenza. An unannounced inspection in Bandon Community Hospital on December 11, 2019, found it to be non-compliant with nine regulations. Residents were left with little interaction for hours on end, according to inspectors. Conna Nursing Home, near Mallow, was found to be non-compliant with seven regulations, with inspectors finding there was an insufficient number of staff to respond to residents needs. The unannounced inspection on October 29, 2019, also found that while residents enjoyed a good quality of life, there were issues with fire safety management, succession planning, maintenance of records, communication and issues regarding residents rights. The chaos of 2015, when more than a million refugees came to the European Union within a year, caused lasting fractures between and within the bloc's countries. Now growing numbers of migrants are once again crossing into the EU from Turkey. It's too early to tell whether this mounting crisis could become another "2015." But it's already clear that it's blowback for the EU's utter failure to reform its migration system in the past five years a failure that leaves it open to blackmail by cynical autocrats like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Though nominally a NATO ally and applicant to join the EU, Turkey is increasingly becoming a geopolitical threat to the West. Erdogan is waging a war in Syria for which he wants European support, even as his onslaught swells the huddled masses trying to escape the hell of Idlib. To put pressure on the EU, Erdogan is actively shooing more of the roughly 4 million refugees in Turkey toward Europe. That directly contravenes a deal Turkey and the EU made in 2016, when Erdogan, in return for lots of European money, promised to prevent migrants from crossing to Greece and to take back any who did. As a result, refugees are again paddling in dinghies to Greek islands, then crowding into overfilled and filthy camps. They're also and this is new trudging by land to Turkey's Thracian borders with Greece and Bulgaria, where, at least for now, they're stopped by tear gas and barbed wire. It's hard to say exactly how many tens of thousands they are. But for the EU it's another potential catastrophe all the same. If Greece stays firm, throngs of human beings will suffer in limbo between the borders, and many will get sick and even die. The EU, in contrast to leaders like Erdogan who understand only the callous rules of realpolitik, cannot afford to allow such a humanitarian catastrophe. If it sacrifices its values, it also forfeits its raison d'etre. If, however, the EU allows the migrants to enter, that will create even bigger problems. As soon as word gets out that the borders are "open," more people will set off on their journey, not only from Syria but also from Africa, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The rush of migrants would be another gift to populists, who tend to be both xenophobic and euroskeptic. A new refugee crisis would mean more populists in more countries trying more brazenly to undermine the EU from within. Such a dilemma could have been foreseen since 2015, when the backlash against the refugees almost toppled Angela Merkel as German chancellor. That makes EU leaders' failure to prepare for a new crisis all the more glaring. It defies comprehension that the union today still has the same flawed migrant regime that broke down so spectacularly in 2015. Called the Dublin System, it requires migrants to apply for asylum only in the first EU member state they physically enter, which usually means Greece, Italy or Spain. In effect, the system leaves those frontier states to cope or not cope on their own, even though most migrants plan to move on to northern countries. Overwhelmed, Greece just suspended its processing of asylum applications for a month. The system is both dysfunctional and unfair. After the previous migrant emergency, Germany and a few other countries tried to reform the system. In that plan, the EU as a whole would have allocated refugees among all member states according to their economic strength and population size. But welcoming even relatively few foreigners, especially Muslims, was anathema to nationalist governments like Hungary and Poland, which willfully balked at all attempts at reform. It was a mistake for the EU to let these nay-sayers get away with their obstruction. But the EU should now move on without them to a new approach that works. People like Gerald Knaus, the architect of the 2016 deal between the EU and Turkey, think that a group of countries led by Germany, France and Italy should forge ahead and resettle new arrivals among them, even if other member states refuse to share the burden. This would relieve frontier states like Greece. Crucially, this new system must avoid creating a new "pull effect" by assuring swift and certain deportation of economic migrants who don't qualify for asylum. The EU must signal that illegal migration isn't worth the hazardous journey, and simultaneously offer a legal path, with more visas and work permits for qualified workers, for example. To get the home countries of economic migrants, from Africa to Afghanistan, to cooperate, the EU should unapologetically use policy sticks and carrots. Participating nations, for example, could get better terms of trade, investment and aid depending on their readiness to repatriate their own migrants from Europe. It goes without saying that this is a huge and complex undertaking. But the EU has had five years to get started, and has little to show for it. Its inaction has left it at the mercy of events like wars and famines, and actors like Erdogan, that are outside its control. A confederation that can't control its own borders and can't inspire cohesion among its members has no credibility and will eventually collapse. If the EU wants to avoid that fate, it had better get busy right now. - - - This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Andreas Kluth is a member of Bloomberg's editorial board. He was previously editor in chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Shawnee Mission School District, teachers' union negotiations headed to federal mediation A federal mediator will be brought in to help settle the dispute between the Shawnee Mission School District and its teachers' union. According to a source familiar with this latest development, the two sides will meet Thursday with a federal negotiator. The army of high paid administrators couldn't effectively manage this one without scrutiny from the Federal government and outcry among very angry white ladies which quickly earned attention. Read more: The London Book Fair will proceed as planned next week, according to fair organizer Reed Exhibitions. The book fair said it was following the lead of the U.K. government, which today issued a three part action plan to confront the potential spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, and did not mandate the shut down of large events, like the fair. According to The Bookseller, Reed and fair director Jack Thomas spoke with the fair's advisory council on Monday to discuss the situation. Thomas told The Bookseller, "We respect travel bans, and people's personal position of not wanting to come over and potentially be quarantined, but at the moment there are also 34 international pavilions who are planning on being here. These are unprecedented, uncharted waters. It's a very fluid situation and you are trying to balance absolutely everything. As a book fair organiser there are many, many constituencies." She confirmed that several members of the advisory board opposed the decision to go ahead with the event. Many members of the global publishing community, from publishers to literary agents, have been waiting for a decision from the fair before finalizing their own travel arrangements. In addition to the many American companies that have already pulled out of the fair, including all of the Big Five (Penguin Random House, which was making traveling to LBF voluntary for U.S. employees, has decided to officially withdraw from the fair), several U.K. companies announced today that they too will not be attending. These include Hachette Livre, which is keeping its London staff away; Scottish publisher Canongate, which hosts a popular part at the fair each year; and Original Talent, the parent company of literary agency Curtis Brown and other agencies. HarperCollins has canceled its party and said it was reviewing whether its U.K. staff would attend the fair. One U.S. group making the trip is the American Collective Stand, which represents a number of U.S. publishers and other companies. Even as the decision came down that LBF would go forward more cancellations from American literary agencies came to light as did growing frustration with the position Reed has taken. Among the agencies that have canceled is Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. "I am disappointed that the LBF has not offered the rights center attendees a refund as they did when the volcano hit," said Jennifer Weltz of JVNLA. "The official word worldwide is that no one should be doing non-essential travel and so many of my appointments are canceling and are still canceling with many people in my position of deciding at the last minute. Sanford J. Greenburger Associates also said they will not be making the trip.Stefanie Diaz, director of foreign rights at Greenburger, said while it was a difficult decision to stay home, she said as more people canceled it became clear what the appropriate action to take is.Even the most dedicated fairgoers sounded doubtful about the benefits vs. risks of attending a convention with travelers from around the world in these uncertain circumstances, she said. In a brief interview today, the fair's public relations team reiterated that many other members of the international community had reaffirmed to the fair their commitment to attend, including the U.A.E. emirate of Sharjah, which is this year's international market focus. A large party hosted by the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office to celebrate Sharjah's participation remains scheduled for Wednesday, March 11. "We are still busy taking calls and booking business from people who are coming to the fair," they said, adding, "It is a fast moving situation but it's also business as usual." X6zz.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 15 Feb 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 x6zz homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if x6zz has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the x6zz homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the x6zz homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the x6zz homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the x6zz homepage on Twitter + the total number of x6zz followers (if x6zz has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE X6-seo DESCRIPTION X6,dede,,,,DIV+CSS,cms,ppt,,,:www.x6zz.com KEYWORDS seo, , , , , , , cms, ppt, OTHER KEYWORDS seo, seo , seo, seo , seo , seo , x6 The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE GBK DETECTED LANGUAGE SERVER Microsoft-IIS/6.0 (ASP.NET,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) Character set and language of the site. Type of server and offered services. The language of x6zz.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. 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 x6zz.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 URL of the found Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Iran said Tuesday a British-Iranian woman jailed in Tehran is "in perfect health" after the dual national reportedly expressed fears of contracting the new coronavirus behind bars. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016, is serving a five-year term for sedition at Evin prison in the Iranian capital. Iran's judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday that she was "in perfect health". "Yesterday she talked to her family by phone. There has been about her recently that was fake news," he said on state television. On Saturday her husband Richard Ratcliffe said that the 41-year-old detainee believed she had contracted the COVID-19 illness that has claimed 77 lives in the Islamic republic. Ratcliffe said she had complained to him in a phone call that prison authorities were refusing to test her for the virus, despite her suffering from a worsening "strange cold". His wife has repeatedly denied the charges against her. She was arrested after visiting relatives in Iran with their young daughter. At the time, she worked for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the media organisation's philanthropic arm. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The next year, Father Cardenal was suspended from the priesthood, setting off a break with the church that was repaired only last year, when he was absolved by Pope Francis. By then, Father Cardenal had become an outspoken critic of Ortega, whose party had stifled a rebellion from a CIA-backed army known as the contras and was accused of rampant corruption and human rights abuses. President Trump and his team tasked with combating the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States should be commended for their efforts. However, while they are taking important action, travel continues from South Korea, Italy, and other countries stricken with the disease. To effectively prevent or significantly delay an uncontrolled outbreak in the U.S., President Trump must order a travel ban from all countries afflicted with uncontrolled outbreaks of the coronavirus, along with enforced quarantines of U.S. travelers who had recently been in any of those countries. President Trump has taken important action towards preventing or significantly delaying an outbreak of the coronavirus in the United States. Notably, in a presidential proclamation on January 31, he barred entry to foreign nationals who had been in China within the previous 14 days. Residents of the U.S. who had been in China within the past 14 days are quarantined upon entry. Despite criticism from political opponents and from China, President Trump's actions helped prevent a potential uncontrolled outbreak in the U.S. from individuals who would have traveled to the U.S. from China. At the time of the proclamation on January 31, there were approximately 12,000 reported cases, which increased to 80,000 confirmed cases in China as of March 2. The presidential proclamation provides the justifications for President Trump's unprecedented China travel ban: The CDC, along with state and local health departments, has limited resources and the public health system could be overwhelmed if sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus occurred in the United States. Sustained human-to-human transmission has the potential to have cascading public health, economic, national security, and societal consequences[.] ... The United States Government is unable to effectively evaluate and monitor all of the travelers continuing to arrive from China. In addition to the outbreak of the coronavirus in China, other countries have experienced subsequent outbreaks, notably South Korea, Italy, and Iran. As of March 3, South Korea had a total of at least 4,812 confirmed cases, with 477 new cases or a 9.9% increase over the previous day, while on March 1, Italy had 1,694 cases, with 566 new reported cases, or a rise of 50% in one day. In fact, as of March 3, South Korea far surpassed China's rate of infection, with China at 56 cases per million people compared with South Korea at 94 cases per million people (Italy has 34 cases per million people). Iran, which is assumed to be vastly downplaying the extent of the outbreak, as of March 2 had reported 1,501 cases, with 523 new cases, or a 34.8% jump in one day. Indicative of Iran's cover-up is that as of February 28, Iran claimed that 34 people had died from the coronavirus, while according to sources in Iranian hospitals, at least 210 had died by then. On February 29, in response to the outbreaks in South Korea and Italy, the Trump administration authorized a travel ban on foreign nationals who had been in Iran within the previous 14 days, while the State Department raised the travel advisory for the worst affected areas of South Korea and Italy to its highest level. In addition, the State Department is working with the South Korean and Italian governments to enhance screenings of those traveling to the U.S. In an interview on Fox News Sunday, HHS secretary Alex Azar explained why travel bans from South Korea and Italy have not yet been put in place: The point is with Italy and South Korea we have highly developed public health and healthcare systems, we have transparent leadership and very aggressive action that's been on it from day one. So, at this point we think advising people not to go is the right measure, but everything will always be on the table. However, the recent stunning jumps in coronavirus cases in South Korea and Italy are fueled in part by the lack of proper preventive measures and deficient quarantines. Notably, the South Korean government imposed a voluntary curfew over only the city of Daegu, at the heart of its coronavirus outbreak. Stunningly, subsequent reports of "maximum" quarantine steps by the South Korean government did not amount to a lockdown such as China has imposed in the Hubei Province hotspot. Continued travel from South Korea and Italy is disconcerting because it allows avenues for coronavirus to spread more rapidly in the U.S. Even with screening of travelers to the United States, infected passengers who do not yet display measurable symptoms of coronavirus will pass these screenings and be permitted to travel to the U.S. And since these passengers would not be quarantined, it is extremely likely that many new cases of coronavirus will spread in the U.S., mostly originating from these travelers from South Korea and Italy. With an estimated transmission rate of coronavirus of 1.5 to 3.5 per carrier of the virus, making it more contagious than the flu, it is likely that continued travel from South Korea and Italy will allow for further spread of the coronavirus in the United States. It's important to note that not only is the coronavirus more contagious than the flu, it's much more deadly; While the flu has a mortality rate estimated at below or about 0.1%, coronavirus so far has had a 6.1% mortality rate, with a reported 48,173 patients who have recovered and 3,119 who have died, although this may decline somewhat with increased preparedness. Delta and American airlines have just suspended flights to Milan on account of the coronavirus, and 72 other airlines have suspended flights to locations with outbreaks outside of China. It's worth noting that many other countries require quarantines or have outright bans on travel from South Korea and Italy, including 81 countries with bans or quarantines for travel from South Korea, which should serve as an example for the United States. For instance, Israel banned South Korean travelers after 29 South Korean tourists to Israel, as well as a flight attendant who had subsequently been in Los Angeles, had tested positive for coronavirus. Israel more recently banned travel from Italy and other affected countries. Israel's strong measures, including the quarantine of 5,630 people enforced under penalty of serious criminal sanctions, are helping keep the spread of the virus limited. In light of the rapid rise of coronavirus cases in South Korea and Italy, it is imperative that President Trump implement travel bans and quarantines for travel from South Korea, Italy, and any other country with an uncontrolled and rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak. Most importantly, people who have been in hotspots in affected countries, such as North Gyeongsang in South Korea (which includes the hotspots of` Daegu and Gyeongbuk) and Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto in Italy, should require forced quarantines, akin to the forced quarantines of those who arrived from Wuhan, China. Continued travel from hotspots of the virus, particularly by travelers without symptoms of a disease they may be carrying, can threaten to allow uncontrolled outbreaks throughout the world and further exacerbate an already trying health situation. If the Trump administration takes action to delay the spread of the coronavirus in the United States, it may allow enough time for vaccines to be readied and for medical institutions and medical professionals to have the tools at their disposal to much more effectively control any potential outbreaks on the horizon. Taking the necessary steps to restrict travel from countries with coronavirus hotspots will be of great benefit and will avoid "cascading public health, economic, national security, and societal consequences." It will also be of invaluable political benefit to the Trump administration and the Republican Party by preventing a potential political catastrophe in the 2020 election, as noted by Goldman Sachs, Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics, and by Jason Miller, former senior communications advisor to President Trump's 2016 campaign. Now is the time for President Trump to take advantage of the opportunity and take additional bold and decisive actions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus from South Korea, Italy, and other hotspots. This may be the last and best opportunity and it must be fully and immediately utilized. Image credit: Pixabay. She's been spending plenty of time with her husband Adam Levine and their two children in recent weeks. Behati Prinsloo made a detour on Monday to support an important day for the planet when she lit up the Empire State Building in Manhattan. The 31-year-old model was given the honor to help celebrate World Wildlife Day in collaboration with the United Nations. Let there be light! Behati Prinsloo, 31, was honored to light up the Empire State Building in Manhattan on Monday Behati looked sleek and didn't distract from the occasion with her all-black ensemble. She had on a black sweater with a plunging collar that revealed a hint of her toned tummy, and she pair it with high-waisted black slacks. The 5ft11in beauty rounded out her look with pointy black boots, and she wore her dirty blonde hair back in a ponytail. Back in black: Behati looked sleek and didn't distract from the occasion with her all-black ensemble Simple: She had on a black sweater with a plunging collar that revealed a hint of her toned tummy, and she pair it with high-waisted black slacks Low key: The 5ft11in beauty rounded out her look with pointy black boots, and she wore her dirty blonde hair back in a ponytail International issue: Behati's lighting was put on in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Behati's lighting was put on in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. World Wildlife Day isn't until Tuesday, March 3, but the date honors the importance of wildlife in nearly every aspect of human well-being, as well as the planet's overall health. The holiday is also designed to raise awareness about the threats across the globe facing wildlife and the need for global conservation. The UN instituted the day in 2013 in honor of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1973. For a good cause: World Wildlife Day isn't until Tuesday, March 3, but the date honors the importance of wildlife in nearly every aspect of human well-being, as well as the planet's overall health Raising awareness: The holiday is also designed to raise awareness about the threats across the globe facing wildlife and the need for global conservation Long-running: The UN instituted the day in 2013 in honor of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1973 Sky high: In addition to lighting up the iconic 102-story Art Deco skyscraper, Behati also toured the observation deck and got an astounding view of New York City. The 88-year-old building was completed in 1931 and reaches to 1,453ft at the top of it's pinnacle In addition to lighting up the iconic 102-story Art Deco skyscraper, Behati also toured the observation deck and got an astounding view of New York City. The 88-year-old building was completed in 1931 and reaches to 1,453ft at the top of it's pinnacle. The Namibian model also took some playful photos by the a display featuring a massive hand modeled off King Kong's Empire State Building visit in the classic 1933 film. The runway star gave a short speech during the ceremony. 'It's so crazy when I think about growing up in Namibia and being so lucky to see rhinos and elephants and lions in the wild,' she began. 'And thinking that I would be up here on day at the Empire State Building fighting for the future. 'I just want to say thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for everyone that cares about animals and cares about wildlife and cares about the future for our kids to see them as we did,' she concluded. 'It's so crazy when I think about growing up in Namibia and being so lucky to see rhinos and elephants and lions in the wild,' she said during the ceremony. 'And thinking that I would be up here on day at the Empire State Building fighting for the future' Giving thanks: 'I just want to say thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for everyone that cares about animals and cares about wildlife and cares about the future for our kids to see them as we did,' she concluded Missing: Seemingly absent was her husband Adam Levine. She shares two daughters with the Maroon 5 frontman: Dusty Rose, three, and Gio Grace, two Classic: The Namibian model also took some playful photos by the a display featuring a massive hand modeled off King Kong's Empire State Building visit in the classic 1933 film Seemingly absent from the ceremony was Behati's husband Adam Levine. She began dating the Maroon 5 frontman in May 2012, shortly after he ended his relationship with model Anne Vyalitsyna. The two were married in July 2014, and they share two daughters, Dusty Rose, three, and Gio Grace, two. The administrators of George Calombaris' collapsed food empire will investigate the role of former Swisse vitamins boss Radek Sali as a shareholder and lender to the business. The question of whether the celebrity chef's Made Establishment traded while insolvent, and the possibility Mr Sali could be personally liable for some part of the debts, is also set to be probed. Radek Sali and George Calombaris at Jimmy Grants in Fitzroy in 2016. Credit:Paul Jeffers Mr Sali was the majority shareholder and sole director of Made when it fell into administration last month, forcing the closure of a dozen restaurants and leaving nearly 350 people without a job. Minutes from the first creditors' meeting on February 20 show KordaMentha's Craig Shepard was asked about Mr Sali's involvement as a shareholder and lender to the business, which he said would be investigated. Mountlake Terrace, Wash., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premera Blue Cross, a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, today announced a $4.7 million grant to the University of Washington to establish the Rural Nursing Health Initiative to place current students in rural practices in Washington state. According to a 2017 study from the National Rural Health Association, people living in rural areas suffer worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts. They have less access to primary care, less access to preventive care, less longevity and less chance of surviving a major heart attack, stroke or other health event. In Washington state, more than a million people, or 14 percent of the states population, live in rural communities. Premera is proud to support the University of Washington School of Nursing in their efforts to deliver health care to remote and medically underserved communities, said Jeff Roe, President and CEO of Premera Blue Cross. We know that students who learn in rural settings are much more likely to return to that community when they graduate. With the growing disparity between urban and rural health care access, it is critical we invest in sustainable solutions that close that gap. The UW School of Nursing will spearhead the effort and will build the Rural Nursing Health Initiative over a four-year period, supporting 20 students each year. The program will create enhanced clinical placements for advanced practice registered nurse students (APRNs) in rural areas throughout Washington, as well as build a pipeline for student placements and provider support, especially critical for rural communities without robust networks. While the program will be led by the UW, students from Seattle University, Washington State University, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle Pacific University, and Gonzaga University will also be eligible to apply for placements in rural settings and to participate in the new Rural Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program after graduation. Additionally, UW nursing faculty will consult alongside Washington State University nursing faculty to conduct a comprehensive outcomes evaluation study. Faculty will analyze the data from this study to provide evidence of the effectiveness of this effort. I firmly believe that advanced practice nurses are the answer to providing equitable access to primary and preventive health care in rural and underserved areas, and I believe the Rural Nursing Health Initiative will prove that out. This grant allows us to ensure the sustainability of the rural nursing workforce, improving health outcomes across our communities, said Azita Emami, the Robert G. and Jean A. Reid endowed executive dean, UW School of Nursing. It is critical that this work happens in an academic setting because we have the resources required to gather the necessary data to evaluate the overall success of this program and to report the findings in scientific publications. Premeras investment in and partnership with the UW School of Nursing is part of a larger Premera program to improve access to care in rural areas. The company is focusing its investments in the following areas: physician, nurse and health aide recruitment and training; clinical integration of behavioral health; provider to provider consultations to support isolated rural doctors; and, programs to increase the capacity of mental health crisis centers in rural areas. Learn more about how Premera is investing in rural communities. About Premera Blue Cross Premera Blue Cross is a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, providing comprehensive health benefits and tailored services to about 2 million people, from individuals to Fortune 100 companies. About the UW School of Nursing Celebrating more than 100 years in nursing education and research, the University of Washingtons School of Nursing is consistently a top-ranked nursing school, according to U.S. News & World Report. Ranked No. 3 in research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the UW School of Nursing is a national and international leader in improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. The school addresses societys most pressing challenges in health care through innovative teaching, award winning research and community service. For more information, visit www.nursing.uw.edu. Local universities have recalled more than 100 students from programs in countries where the new coronavirus outbreak is most severe. The last of 71 University of Texas at San Antonio students studying in Italy got back to the United States on Tuesday, said Joe Izbrand, the universitys chief communications officer. Of those, 66 were in the city of Urbino at the universitys main study abroad program. The others were graduate students in Rome. In Italy, the virus has mostly sprung up around Milan and Venice. Trinity University is in the process of bringing back dozens of students studying abroad in Italy, South Korea and Iran, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. They will have to self-quarantine for 14 days before coming back to campus, said Tess Coody-Anders, the universitys vice president for strategic communications and marketing. The returning UTSA students have been told to self-isolate at their homes for two weeks and arrange a health assessment with the universitys medical director. They can take classes online and return to campus after spring break provided they dont have flu-like symptoms. They are all asymptomatic, Izbrand said. This is all precautionary. Three UTSA faculty members, also asymptomatic, came back from UTSAs International Studies Center at the 16th-century University of Urbino. The city, the birthplace of the artist Raphael, is a World Heritage Site famous for its medieval architecture and the program is popular with architecture students. Other UTSA students in Urbino this semester were in music programs, Izbrand said. The recall began Saturday, a day before the Italian government designated the region as a red zone and suspended educational activities to combat the spread of the virus. The university decided to pull students and faculty last week partly out of concern they could be trapped there if the situation worsened, Izbrand said. There was discussion in Europe about the possibility of other countries choosing whether to allow travel to or from Italy, Izbrand said. Thats certainly one of the aspects that we have to take into account, is the ability to get our students out. Many students had already scheduled return flights for after the semester ends in May. The university paid their change fees when necessary, Izbrand said. Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox The university is providing a per-diem allowance for the students during their isolation period and will pay for housing and a meal plan for the remainder of the semester. The last of five study-abroad payments, $2,300 due March 15, has been waived. Self-isolation differs from a quarantine in that students are expected to behave as if they have a cold or the flu, Izbrand said. The university is asking them to minimize contact with others, monitor their temperature, keep a symptom log and work with their health care provider if they start to show symptoms. The university has 13 other students in independent study programs scattered around the world. Two in Nagoya, Japan, had not been recalled as of Tuesday. The university urged all its students to avoid unnecessary health risks, reconsider public transportation, check daily for news and access International SOS, which provides English-speaking doctors. Traveling students were told to make contingency plans in the event their destinations become isolated due to outbreaks. About 40 UTSA students and employees who had visited China, Korea and Japan earlier in the year have been through health assessments and 14-day self-isolation, and all are asymptomatic, President Taylor Eighmy said in a Monday email to the university community. Eighmy said the universitys emergency response team is working on plans including telecommuting, online academics and preparing supplies and facilities. He encouraged students feeling stress over the virus to contact Counseling and Mental Health Services. About 40 Trinity students have returned or still are traveling back to San Antonio to begin quarantine. Once those 14 days have passed without symptoms, theyll be screened again once they get to campus before they can continue their classes and move into on-campus housing, Coody-Anders said. Six Trinity students who were studying in Beijing and Shanghai have moved back into on-campus housing and resumed classes. They returned in January and none have shown symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The university still has students studying in other places but has focused on China, Italy, South Korea and Iran because those countries have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having widespread, sustained transmission of COVID-19, Coody-Anders said. There are some risks with traveling back and moving through major cities on your way back. In some places it may be better to stay where you are, she said. Our recommendation is that people take a very close and comprehensive look at where they are, what the risk profile is and stay very closely attuned to the CDC recommendations. The University of the Incarnate Word recalled one student who was studying abroad in South Korea and canceled two upcoming faculty-led programs to Italy and Japan, university spokesman Michael Valdes said. Two faculty members and 19 students were scheduled to go to Japan this month as part of a cultural exchange theater production. The performance, called Phoenix Fire, was to be held at UIW on March 17 but has been suspended, Valdes said. In May, two faculty members and 16 students were scheduled to go to Italy for a study-abroad trip but it also was called off. University health officials also issued a message to students urging them to reconsider non-essential travel during their Spring Break next week. It warns that countries could implement travel restrictions with little advanced notice as the situation rapidly changes. UIW students from China or any of the high risk countries named by the CDC who plan to travel home are advised to contact the Office of International Services to discuss international travel plans in advance If you are feeling worried or concerned for family back home, we encourage you to contact Counseling Services, said the message, signed by Health Services Medical Director David Garza and Health Services Clinic Director Ronda Gottlieb. We are here for you. The university will continue running its dorms and dining halls during the break and offer additional activities for students who stay on campus. St. Marys University canceled study-abroad programs scheduled for May to China and South Korea, as well as a School of Law program in China. We are evaluating which additional study abroad programs may be canceled and are actively monitoring information about the spread of the virus to inform those decisions, university spokeswoman Jennifer Lloyd said in an emailed statement. Texas A&M University San Antonio has no study abroad programs. An A&M University System notice issued Monday discouraged all foreign travel by students, faculty and staff as long as the COVID-19 outbreak remains a dynamically changing and uncertain situation. Students, faculty and staff returning from higher risk countries will be required to self-isolate for two weeks before returning to campuses, according to the systemwide notice. The system is also preparing an expert medical response team and is assisting its universities with crisis response plans. Alia Malik covers several school districts and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amalik@express-news.net | Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN Defunct since 18, Kullu trout fish farm to be revived in Himachal Pradesh by Dipender Manta March 03,2020 | Source: The Tribune The Patlikuhl trout fish farm in Kullu district will be revived at a cost of Rs 2.53 crore. The fish farm was damaged in September 2018. Since then, the fish farm has been defunct, which is a good source of income to the Fisheries Department. The department is producing trout fish to meet the demand of the market and producing quality fingerlings (seed) of trout fish to allocate it to farmers for fish production. The department has requested the Centre to provide Rs 15 crore for the revival of the farm but till now no aid has been provided. At the same time, Director of the department Satpal Mehta had requested the state government to provide some financial help for its revival. The state has now approved Rs 2.53 crore for the purpose. Mehta said, The fish farm will be made functional soon. The department had requested the Centre to provide Rs 15 crore for its revival. The highest production of 16.47 metric tonne and 11 lakhs fingerings was recorded in the fish farm. Now, we are planning to enhance the production of trout fish up to 50 metric tonne, he said. The trout farming was introduced in Patlikuhl with the Norwegian assistance in 1991. The government has now imported more exotic varieties of trout fish to promote extensive trout farming. The department is motivating more people to adopt fish farming as alternative source of income and it will provide help to farmers to set up their own fish production units. Speaking about the prospects of Armenian nuclear energy, skeptics note the inexpediency of renovating the current nuclear power plant due to its satisfactory condition, as well as problems during its operation, which cannot be completely eliminated every year. Proponents of modernization insist that closing a nuclear power plant is tantamount to Armenias energy suicide, therefore they convince them of the need to improve the station and build new more modern power units that will ensure energy security for the republic and strengthen Armenias position among countries that have managed to tame the peaceful atom. As far back as the mid-2000s, the European Union put pressure on Armenia demanding to close the nuclear power plant. Europe is concerned about the state of the Armenian reactor, since the only working power unit No. 2 has long reached its design life and needs to be modernized. The EU does not conceal its concern, since since the Chernobyl disaster it has not been credible with Soviet water and water energy rectors. The Armenian nuclear power plant operates the classic Soviet VVER-440 reactor, which runs on hazardous uranium dioxide. It was planned that by 2016 the current nuclear power plant will close, and by 2018 the construction of a new station will be completed, which will not only replace the existing nuclear power plant, but will also be more powerful. However, the financial situation of Armenia made adjustments, and it was decided to extend the operation of the NPP until 2026. In 2018, Europeans argued that Armenia should pay attention to the development of alternative energy sources. Today, the preservation of the atomic potential of Armenia is, among other things, of an ideological nature. The country remains in the blockade caused by the unresolved Karabakh conflict. The mid-1990s is called cold and dark times in Armenia, therefore any talk about the threat of a nuclear catastrophe is politicized and perceived by the public as a desire to weaken the states position. During the years of the Karabakh conflict, fears of an escalation of new bloodshed between neighbors, the mobilization idea was so tightly embedded in the public consciousness that it supports any decisions of the government that refuses to cooperate with the EU, believing that such interaction will certainly undermine the sovereignty of Armenia. The presence of nuclear power plants is perceived as an issue related to the country's prestige. It is important for Armenia to emphasize the nuclear status of the state. This allows us to raise common energy issues with neighboring Iran, (the Bushehr nuclear power plant), although it does not consider nuclear cooperation with Armenia as promising. Armenias western neighbor, Turkey, is also developing in this direction, and since 2018 has been building Akkuyu NPP. For these reasons alone, the issue of the Armenian NPP is defined as an axiom of the development strategy of the energy sector of the republic. As usual, finances intervene in the matter, since Armenia cannot afford the development and maintenance of modern alternative methods of energy production (wind generators, thermal and solar energy). Yerevan pays attention to every line of its economic spending, as it suffers from a chronic shortage of finances and resources. Nuclear power plants for Armenia are, first of all, a source of guaranteed capacity. This quality is inherent only to nuclear power plants and hydroelectric power stations. The change of power in the country did not affect the intention to exploit nuclear energy. The construction of a new nuclear power unit is one of the long-term goals of the government, which means that the new authorities still have a lot of work to raise funds, primarily diasporal ones, to extend the maximum allowable operating life of nuclear power plants. What exactly will happen to the station is not yet clear, since even the project management for extending the life of nuclear power plants, which is supervised by their Russian experts, cannot say what to expect, since the principles of modernization have not yet been adopted and agreed upon. By the early 1980s, Lewis was gathering career momentum and technical polish as a stand-up comedian. A 1984 appearance at Zanies on Wells Street prompted me to write in my review: The material pours out of him confessional-style, and not a word sounds rehearsed or manipulated for laughs. Yet the laughs are there and in unbelievable abundance because Lewis material rings of high craft and because the scenarios he laments go much deeper emotionally than one expects from one-liners. He can communicate more with twisted body language than most comics can with words. He is the rare kind of comedian who broadens the art. FREMONT, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 2, 2020 / DPW Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: DPW) ("DPW" or the "Company"), a diversified holding company, today announced that it will be presenting at the third LD Micro Virtual Conference on March 4, 2020 at 2:40 PM PST / 5:40 PM EST. Milton "Todd" Ault, III, the Company's CEO and Chairman will be giving the presentation, an overview of DPW and its subsidiaries and discussing the Company's goals for 2020. Mr. Ault will conclude the presentation by answering questions from investors. The written presentation being discussed during the conference will be disclosed on a Form 8-K that will be filed with the SEC prior to the conference. The Company encourages all shareholders, investors and those interested in DPW Holdings to participate by using this link: LD Micro Virtual Conference. The virtual conference can be audio accessed by using a computer with online connectivity while the presentation will only be viewable online. "We are delighted to finally be hosting our third virtual event in order to showcase some of the truly unique names in micro-cap" stated Chris Lahiji, President of LD Micro. "There are many people and companies who are unable to attend our live events, due to any number of reasons so we are happy to offer an additional way for our companies to present to investors without taking a lot of time out of their day-to-day operations. While virtual events will never replace the experience of sitting in the same room as others, it is a great format for updating the investor community and getting increased exposure." The conference will be held via webcast and will feature over 40 companies in the small / micro-cap space. About DPW Holdings, Inc. DPW Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact. Through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, the Company provides mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including defense/aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, medical, crypto-mining, and textiles. In addition, the Company owns a select portfolio of commercial hospitality properties and extends credit to select entrepreneurial businesses through a licensed lending subsidiary. DPW's headquarters are located at 201 Shipyard Way, Suite E, Newport Beach, CA 92663; www.DPWHoldings.com. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event). In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com for more information. 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. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "may," "will," "should," "could," "potential," or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company's business and financial results are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.DPWHoldings.com. Contacts: Investor Relations, IR@DPWHoldings.com or (888) 753-2235 Source: DPW Holdings, Inc. via LD Micro View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578696/DPW-Holdings-to-Present-at-the-2020-LD-Micro-Virtual-Conference A FRESH, clean water supply will be a reality in Pakistan, particularly in South Punjab, following the announcement of an international partnership spearheaded by the Pakistan government, alongside other key stakeholders, and driven by the University of Huddersfield. The initiative, led by University of Huddersfield Senior Research Fellow Dr Muhammad Usman Ghori, will transform the water supplies in the region into affordable drinking water for the benefit of the whole population and also will provide a sustainable option of raw material to fabricate healthcare products. It is an initiative that is much needed by a considerable population of Pakistan. In a recent study, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) found that a sizeable portion of the supplied water was not suitable for human consumption. The contaminated water was contributing to significant number of deaths every year and a large part of Pakistan's GDP was spent on health care of people who suffer from water borne diseases. However, a solution to providing a clean water supply is present in abundance in the region's Koh-e-Suleiman mountain range in the form of a raw nanoclay with properties that can be targeted for a number of health-giving applications. A recent University of Huddersfield-led research article, published in NATURE: Scientific Reports, explored a new source of montmorillonite in the Koh-e-Suleiman mountain range located in South Punjab, Pakistan. The project lead Dr Ghori explained that this raw clay required a sophisticated purification protocol to remove any undesirable substances from the clay, such as lead, arsenic and crystalline silica, which could impede industrial potential and have adverse health effects. The area of South Punjab has a large dependence on agriculture and relatively low levels of industrialization and consequently currently faces higher levels of poverty and unemployment compared with the rest of the province. An abundant supply of this largely untouched raw clay could help with economic conditions in the region so, in addition to physicochemical characterization, this study investigated the practicality and economic feasibility of its extraction and purification for large-scale industrial applications by comparing the properties of the small-scale extracted clay to the large-scale extracted clay, and by conducting a techno-economic analysis. It is anticipated that the findings in this study will improve the economic condition of the region by providing employment opportunities to locals and a valuable resource for exportation. Further work in collaboration with Pakistani universities and research institutes is now under way to use this natural resource for the benefit of the local people, not just in purifying the water supply, but for further industrial applications that would expand the economy of the region and provide work and industry for its people. To establish this strategic partnership, Dr Ghori first shared his vision and initiative with the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, who played an instrumental role in establishing research links in Pakistan. Now, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed that will initiate a strategic partnership to develop a network led by the University of Huddersfield with the support of the Pakistan government which will also include universities in Pakistan. The High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria expressed his pride at the work and congratulated Dr Ghori and the team on their achievement and expressed gratitude to University of Huddersfield's leadership. Dr Ghori had met with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, through the good offices of High Commissioner Zakaria, during the Foreign Minister's official visit to the United Kingdom. Dr Ghori briefed the Foreign Minister on the on-going research activities, who welcomed the potential of the research project. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi congratulated Dr Ghori, the team and University's senior management. He said that the Government was cognisant of Pakistanis' talent abroad and therefore many of Government's policy initiatives are aimed at galvanizing and providing direction to young scientists and tech professionals for their constructive engagement in the country's mainstream economic activities. The UK is among Pakistan's very close friends. The relationship has its roots in pre-independence period and the 1.5 million Pakistani Diaspora in the UK is a strong bridge between the two countries. Cultivating deeper and diverse partnership with the UK is a priority in our foreign policy. I am delighted to learn that the University of Huddersfield's researchers and scientists have taken such an initiative. The Government welcomes them and will extend every support in their endeavors in Pakistan, the University of Huddersfield's engagement with Pakistan has come at the most propitious time." Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Fawad Hussain Chaudhry applauded the Huddersfield team over attaining a milestone in the field of industrial science. He expressed his "contentment and happiness at the signing of the memorandum by University with Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources (PCRWR) and five Pakistani universities. He sees it as a significant step towards collaboration between educational institutions of Pakistan and the United Kingdom involving research. While commending Dr Ghori's work, Minister Fawad urged Pakistani scientists, technology professionals and scholars to look towards Pakistan, which holds enormous opportunities in diverse areas. "Under Prime Minister Imran Khan, high importance has been attached to the emerging technologies and many policy initiatives have been taken," he said. Pakistan on Tuesday reported a new coronavirus case, taking the total in the South Asian nation to five since the first cases were confirmed last week, officials said. "We have now 5th confirmed case of COVID19 in federal areas," Zafar Mirza, the country's health minister said in a tweet early Tuesday morning. The patient is stable and being managed well, he said, without giving further details. Also Read: Coronavirus cases shoot up again in China as relapse looms; fewer deaths a solace The local Geo television station said the patient is a 45-year-old woman from the northern mountainous region of Gilgit Baltistan, who arrived from Iran a few days ago. She is being treated at a hospital in Gilgit, it said, and her family members are being tested for the virus. Local schools have been closed following the confirmation of the infection. Most of the cases reported so far in Pakistan have a history of travel to Iran. The southern province of Sindh on Monday extended the closure of all educational institutions following the confirmation of a second coronavirus case in Karachi, the country's largest city. Pakistan announced its first two cases of COVID19 last Wednesday. WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation (NPF) announced that since 2011, it has engaged more than one million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation raises support from generous individuals and dedicated partners for diverse in-park educational experiences that connect kids, high-schoolers, and students of all ages to their local parks and inspires the next generation of park champions. "National parks are vibrant living laboratories that enrich learning for students of all ages," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. "The National Park Foundation and partners are bridging the gap to make transformational experiences possible for one million students and counting, eliminating barriers to access and maximizing educational benefits." Over the past nine years, more than one million students, many of whom are from underserved communities, have directly benefited from engaging with parks as classrooms. Together with its donors and partners, NPF has invested $13.9 million since 2011 toward fostering the next generation of park champions. Select projects were matched with federal funds as part of the Centennial Challenge program. The National Park Foundation's goal is to connect 250,000 kids and adults to parks throughout 2020 via school field trips, service corps, volunteer efforts, and fellowships, thereby growing the community of people who benefit from and care about these treasured places. From local philanthropic organizations and friends groups, to local schools, to community-based organizations, partners are critical to this effort. "Educational programs engage the next generation of park visitors who may not know or otherwise have access to national parks," said David Vela, Deputy Director of the National Park Service (NPS). "This is crucial to developing a park experience that is more reflective of the American population, an important goal for the NPS in our second century of service." While national parks are found throughout the United States, several factors affect students' abilities to access them. A lack of transportation options and financial means, working parents who are unable to provide transportation, and geographic proximity are all potential challenges to park visitation for young people. "We have the largest urban park in the U.S. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area located right in our backyard. Yet many of our students come from lower-income communities that face barriers to park access. They would never have visited it unless they had an opportunity to get into the park through their school," said Vickie Garza, a teacher at Calahan Street Elementary School, a Title I school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. "When they see a bird they've never seen before, or when they touch a unique type of plant -- this brings the lessons in the classroom to life for them. It's so much more meaningful for my students than it would be had they read about the park in a book, or seen it in a movie. It's beautiful to see as a teacher." The National Park Foundation is committed to making educational experiences in parks more accessible for all people, with a specific focus on underserved populations and communities of color, in both rural and urban settings across the country. NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program connects elementary school-aged youth to national parks through meaningful, educational, and engaging field trips. The majority of funding for this program supports fourth grade students at Title I schools with high percentages of students from low-income families that receive financial assistance through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help ensure they have the resources to meet academic standards. Nationally, school districts in high-poverty communities have the highest total Title I allocations per eligible student. Schools in these communities are less likely to have the resources to engage national parks and outdoor education into student curriculum. Additionally, Open OutDoors for Kids complements the federal Every Kid Outdoors initiative focusing on 10-year-old students, the age of most fourth graders. Research indicates that children of that age are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they begin to understand how the world around them works in more concrete ways and they are more receptive to engaging with nature and the environment. View the list of the National Park Foundation Open OutDoors for Kids grantee projects for the 2019-2020 school year. "Accessibility is a limiting factor for so many students, especially those who come from underserved communities. The students we work with have no idea that these green spaces are here, so close to their homes," said Kim Bott, a California State Parks Aide who partners with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to bring the Open OutDoors for Kids program to life for Los Angeles-area students. "This is why having ranger-led programs with built in school curriculum and free transportation is so impactful. The sooner we can get young kids into these parks, the better. We want to instill a lifetime of passion for these parks as early in these students' lives as we can." The Los Angeles partnership for Open OutDoors for Kids is one of NPF's focus cities. A program within a program, the Open OutDoors for Kids focus cities are provided with expanded investments to create successful models for how parks, schools, and other local partners can collaborate on a long-term basis to not only connect kids to parks, but also raise awareness broadly about the importance of connecting children to the outdoors and historical and cultural sites. National Park Foundation-supported programs across the country engage students and their teachers in educational field trips, provide young adults and veterans employment opportunities that help restore public lands, connect people of all ages with the joyful experiences of giving back through volunteer events, and offer career development opportunities for teachers (such as the Teacher Ranger Teacher program) and emerging scholars. All of these efforts are part of NPF's broader work to connect people to and protect national parks. Thanks to private philanthropy, including support for Open OutDoors for Kids from Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque premier partner Union Pacific Railroad and partners such as the 3M Open Fund, Apple, Columbia Sportswear, OARS, Parks Project, Sierra, Niantic, and Winnebago Industries Foundation, the National Park Foundation is investing $2.5 million in educational programs across the country during the 2019-2020 school year. The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, and Wilmes Family Charitable Foundation also provided generous contributions to this effort. "A picture is worth a thousand words, but a positive experience, immersed in the wonder of our national parks can have a life-long impact," said Scott Moore, senior vice president, corporate relations and chief administrative officer at Union Pacific Railroad. "Union Pacific is proud to support Open OutDoors for Kids, creating the next generation of explorers and environmental stewards." Individuals, foundations, and companies can support NPF's efforts to engage more students with national parks as classrooms by visiting the NPF website. ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org. SOURCE National Park Foundation Related Links www.nationalparks.org has asked its employees to work from home while other tech giants like Tata Consultancy Services and instructed staff to avoid non-essential travel as IT firms put in place measures to safeguard workers against the deadly gave employees an option to work from home after the outbreak claimed over 3,000 lives globally, and fresh cases being reported in India. "We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 for us -- and the world around us," said in a blog. In a series of tweets, Jennifer Christie, who leads the people team at Twitter, said, "Today, we shared additional guidance, strongly encouraging all Twitter employees globally to work from home if they're able. Our goal is to minimise contact with others and contain any potential risk, protecting everyone's health and safety." The Indian information technology industry, which gets a significant chunk of its revenues from exports, is also focussing on ensuring the safety of employees. A spokesperson said the company is working closely with all the relevant global, regional and local health institutions and are implementing the latest recommendations given to the company. "We are ensuring that our staff have all the information and support they require. In addition, we are also working closely with our clients to co-ordinate any measures in this situation," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that specifically in Italy, as a precautionary measure, the company has implemented work from home and restrictions on travel. "This had also been put in place across some countries in Asia-Pacific, and is being monitored and modified based on the situation in each location," the spokesperson said. said it has invoked an epidemic contingency plan in the impacted geographies and is providing full support to employees, wherever possible. "'Remote Working/Work From Home' strategy has been activated to aid social distancing in the impacted regions. Travel advisory across the organisation has been issued with full precautionary measures," the company said. It has also formed a special global task force to actively monitor the situation and take necessary actions in consultation with external agencies (International SOS). "HCL is pro-actively invoking all required measures to ensure business continuity and will also be providing full support to clients and employees," the company said. The government has stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed over 3,100 people worldwide. Last month, Mobile World Congress (MWC), the biggest annual showcase for the telecom and technology industry held in Barcelona, was cancelled in view of the coronavirus outbreak whose epicentre was in China. The virus outbreak, which has seen cases being registered across the world including South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan, has had a significant impact on supply chains and manufacturing, given China is one of the biggest sources of components for products like electronics. Richard Burgon at a Labour deputy leadership hustings in Glasgow last month. (Robert Perry/Getty Images) Labour deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon has promised voters will regret the day they chose Boris Johnson over Jeremy Corbyn. In an interview with Yahoo News UK, Corbyn loyalist Burgon said Johnson will make peoples lives worse as prime minister and that the electorate will grow increasingly disturbed at how he treats UK communities. Burgon said he is proud to be labelled the continuity Corbyn candidate a mantra actively avoided by other leadership and deputy leadership contenders even after Corbyn led Labour to its worst election defeat since 1935. He declared he would have voted for Corbyn again if he had stood in the leadership election, but admitted the party needs to learn the lessons of why it got smashed in Decembers poll. Burgon is up against Rosena Allin-Khan, Dawn Butler, Ian Murray and Angela Rayner in the deputy leadership contest, for which ballots opened last week. Deputy leadership candidates Richard Burgon, Angela Rayner, Rosena Allin-Khan, Dawn Butler and Ian Murray. (Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images) Citing Johnsons handling of the coronavirus outbreak, for which he announced an emergency meeting last week only to be held three days later, the shadow justice secretary said: He does come across as a part-time PM. Wanting the weekend off before it takes place is not how you normally deal with an emergency. Boris Johnson is going to be tested now. Hes good at bluster and good at slogans, but now he has to deliver the serious business of looking after the welfare of people in this country, and Im not convinced he will, unfortunately. Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson ahead of the Queen's Speech in December. (AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth) I think he will get less and less popular. I think many people who voted for him will regret voting for him as it becomes clearer and clearer he is a Tory. He might try and separate himself from the Tory Party in elections by running a presidential campaign trying to set up some sort of cult of personality. The reality is, he is a Tory. I think people will be disturbed how he treats communities up and down this country, including those who lent him their vote. They will come to regret it. Story continues The Leeds East MP, speaking in his Westminster office, said wonderful Corbyn, on the other hand, would have been the most anti-racist PM in our countrys history, the most internationalist. The wonderful thing about him was he wasnt somebody who manoeuvred to get to that top position [as Labour leader]. That would have empowered him to become a different kind of PM. I truly believe he would have been a peoples PM. Like Dawn Butler, Burgon has said Labours 2019 manifesto policies including nationalising rail and water services, delivering a minimum wage of 10 an hour and providing free broadband for everyone must remain in place. We cant throw the baby out of the bathwater, because it wasnt our socialist policies that lost us the election, he insisted. Im proud of what Diane Abbott, John McDonnell and Jeremy have achieved politically. If people want to describe me as the continuity Corbyn candidate, Im proud to have that mantle as that is my politics. Richard Burgon with Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn at a rally in Hastings in January last year. (Jack Taylor/Getty Images) That doesnt mean we couldnt have done some things better and we dont have to learn the lessons of the defeat. But we cant ditch those socialist policies. Burgon criticised Labours Brexit position a pledge to negotiate a new deal with the EU and present this in a second referendum saying it forced Leave-supporting Labour voters to overlook party loyalties. He conceded that Johnsons get Brexit done mantra was clever. Rival candidate Butler previously told Yahoo News UK she wont target Tory voters as it would mean playing to some kind of Conservative narrative. Burgon flatly rejected this. The point of a political party is to persuade people to vote for you, he said. We need to persuade people who have voted Tory in the past, and Lib Dem and Green, and people who dont vote at all. There should be no no-go areas when it comes to the Labour Party. Tony Blair, the only Labour leader to win an election since 1974, is considered the partys least popular figurehead among members. Perhaps surprisingly, Burgon known for his anti-war stance and firebrand speeches at left-wing rallies didnt dismiss Blairs premiership. I joined the Labour Party in the mid-90s when Tony Blair was the leader, he said. Ive worked and campaigned for Labour under four leaders: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and Jeremy. Ive always been proud to campaign for Labour. But the shift to the left under Jeremy represents the part of the party Im from. Richard Burgon pictured ahead of a BBC interview on Sunday. (Ollie Millington/Getty Images) Labour has more than 500,000 members, and is the largest political party in western Europe. As deputy leader, Burgon said he would push to increase membership to one million, with 50 community champions in each of 100 target seats. He went on: In the long-run, as a goal it would be fantastic to see a Labour Party rooted enough in communities to actually have street captains: somebody that relays to the Labour Party locally which then relays to the Labour Party nationally. If the Labour Party is only a party in Parliament, were not going to win back the trust of communities. Richard Burgon: Quick-fire questions Sum up the Corbyn leadership in one word. Anti-establishment. The hyphen makes it one word. What was your last conversation with Corbyn? He messaged me the other day to see how I was going on and I told him what I was up to. It was nothing particularly profound, Im afraid. He did mention Leeds United had won, so its good hes watching Leeds fortunes as well as Arsenals. Who is your favourite Labour leader of your lifetime? Jeremy Corbyn. What was your first thought when you saw the exit poll on election night? Devastated. Would you like Corbyn to be in the shadow cabinet? Yes. I think the best role for him would be as shadow foreign secretary. Whatever happens, I think Jeremy has got an important contribution to make. If you dont become deputy leader, which of the other four candidates would you like to win? I think that would be unfair. If I recommend any others, Im sure theyd lose votes from their core supporters. How many Tory MPs are you friendly with? I dont even have time to see my family and my own friends as much as Id like, so youre not going to catch me hanging around seeking the company of Tory MPs. Out of all the Tory MPs, who do you respect the most? Bob Neill. Hes done a lot of good work as chair of the justice select committee. As shadow justice secretary, his interventions have been objective, helpful and well-researched. Brexit briefing: 303 days until the end of the transition period New weather data analysis says climate change has led to major increases in summer temperatures. Researchers say climate change is behind the longer summers Australia's summers have become twice as long as its winters amid increasing temperatures driven by climate change, according to new weather data analysis. The Australia Institute found that summer across most of the country over the past 20 years was about a month longer than in the mid-20th century, while winters had become shorter. Between 2014 and 2018, summers were found to be about 50% longer. The findings followed Australia's warmest and driest year on record. "Our findings are not a projection of what we may see in the future. Its happening right now," the Australia Institute's Richie Merzian said. The country experienced a devastating bushfire season, which killed 33 people and an estimated one billion native animals. While scientists said climate change was not the direct cause of the bushfires, they have long warned that a hotter, drier climate would contribute to Australia's fires becoming more frequent and more intense. What does the report say? In its analysis, the Australia Institute think tank compared official Bureau of Meteorology data from 1999 to 2018 with mid-20th century benchmarks. It found that summer temperatures had lasted 31 days longer than in the 1950s and 1960s, while winter was about 23 days shorter. It noted that some areas, such as the town of Port Macquarie in New South Wales, were experiencing even more drastic changes to the length of seasons, with seven more weeks of traditional summer temperatures than in the 1950s and 1960s. "Summers have grown longer even in recent years, with the last five years facing summers twice as long as their winters," Mr Merzian said. "Temperatures which were considered a regular three-month summer in the 1950s, now span from early to mid-November all the way to mid-March." Mr Merzian said global warming had made Australian summers "a more dangerous ordeal" than they used to be. Australia's government faced scrutiny over its climate policies during the devastating bushfire season, with critics accusing Prime Minister Scott Morrison of inaction. Australia is one of the highest emitters of carbon pollution per capita, largely because it is still heavily reliant on coal-fired power. Mr Morrison has insisted that Australia is meeting the challenge "better than most countries" and fulfilling international targets. BBC Regional cooperation is solution to climate change Scientists believe regional cooperation will help cope with the effects of climate change. $300 million Ben Thanh underground trade centre looks for investors The delays in construction will make it impossible to complete the project, along with Metro Line No.1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) at the same time, by the end of 2021. In case the underground trade centre is developed at the same time as Package 1a of Metro Line No.1, the road and surrounding land will not have to be dug up and filled twice, and the metro lines operations will not be hindered. The project was approved for development since 2016, with the investment capital of VND6.8 trillion ($295.65 million), which would be mobilised from official development assistance (ODA). At the time, Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee worked with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Construction, as well as the Ministry of Finance to build implementation plans to submit to the prime minister for approval. In order to accelerate the construction, in September last year, Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee assigned the Department of Planning and Architecture to organise an international bid to select a project proposal, with the requirement that the construction of both the trade centre and Metro No.1 would be completed by the end of 2021. At the same time, the joint venture of Toshin Development Co., Ltd., JOIN, Nikken Sekkei, and Osaka Chikagai was picked by the People's Committee as the developer, but no new information has been posted mentioning this joint venture since then. Ben Thanh underground trade centre will be located under Quach Thi Trang Square, at the first basement (B1) of Ben Thanh Metro station, 500 metres under District 1s Le Loi Street. The project will be directly under Ben Thanh market and stretch all the way to Ho Chi Minh City's Municipal Theatre. It will have an area of around 45,000 square metres, including an 18,100sq.m trade centre and 21,500sq.m of corridors and underground square. Devi Director: Priyanka Banerjee Cast: Kajol, Shruti Haasan, Neha Dhupia, Neena Kulkarni, Mukta Barve, Yashaswini Dayama, Sandhya Mhatre, Rama Joshi, I still remember my response to the news of Delhi gang-rape case, I am sure so do you. Having covered crime at one point of my career, I should have been in some ways be immune to the heinous details, but I wasnt. I felt this visceral pain which started right in the pit of my stomach, realising much later that I was crying. The outrage would follow, at that point I was just reliving what she must have felt, her pain and her strength. Watch Devi here It has been close to eight years and the headlines are now about the hanging of perpetrators as the Supreme Court takes decision on their mercy petitions. Thousands of women have been raped in the interim, so many killed by the rapists. As per statistics, 32,500 cases of rape were registered with the police in 2017, about 90 a day. Statistics dont have faces, they dont feel the pain. ALSO WATCH | Men took seven steps back after MeToo India: Kajol during Devi promotions Aruna Shaunbag spent 40 years in a vegetative state after she was sodomised and strangled. Hetal Parekh was just 14 when she was raped and killed. Priyadarshini Mattoos father fought for justice for 17 years. Devi is the story of the victims; the women who became statistics. For a film the length of which is 13 minutes, Devi is surprisingly effective and impactful. A closed-room drama, it pulls us in directly as we see a disparate group of women sitting in a room together. A homemaker Jyoti (Kajol) who seems to be praying for the ones she is surrounded by, the lines of worry etched on her face. Yashaswini Dayama, clearly the youngest in the room and speech impaired, is fiddling with a remote of a box TV, the reception is what it is. She gets the channel right finally as the news of yet another rape is announced; it has shaken the conscience of a nation, announces the anchor. The news gives the room a pause, but only for a moment. Sandhya Mhatre, Neena Kulkarni and Rama Joshi a trio of Maharashtrian maushis -- keep up their conversation; Neha Dhupia, who seems like a 30-something executive, is lost in thought; Shruti Haasan is a glam diva who sparingly speaks; Shivani Raghuvanshis student studies like her life depends on it while Mukta Barves burka-clad character is waxing her legs. Their religion, language, class, thoughts and beliefs are widely different but still this incongruent group does more than just stick together -- there is something binding them. You just know they are not leaving this room despite all the fights. The room is their sanctuary, or maybe a purgatory of sorts? A newcomer, urgently ringing the bell as if she is desperate to find her own nook in this sanctuary leads to a heated discussion. Should she be let in? Is there space enough for everyone in the room? Who gets the precedence and based on what? Devis conclusion will shake you up; it is as much a comment on our society as on us. Priyanka Banerjees nuanced portrayal of sisterhood and resilience works on so many levels, beginning with the ironical title. Perhaps saying more would be giving away spoilers but this is a film which puts a lot of weight on subtext. The actors match her step for step, bringing a lived-in feel to their characters. Their vulnerability is tinged with strength, the world has failed them but they are damned if they will let it take that last shred of self they are left with. I will watch Devi again, it will not be easy. The Supreme Court on Wednesday will deliver its judgment on pleas objecting to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) 2018 circular that barred banks from trading in cryptocurrencies. A three-judge bench of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice V Ramasubramanian will pronounce the verdict on March 4. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), whose members include cryptocurrency exchanges, and others had approached the top court objecting to a 2018 RBI circular directing regulated entities to not deal with cryptocurrencies. The petitioners had argued that the RBI's circular taking cryptocurrencies out of the banking channels would deplete the ability of law enforcement agencies to regulate illegal activities in the industry. IAMAI had claimed the move of RBI had effectively banned legitimate business activity via the virtual currencies (VCs). The RBI on April 6, 2018, had issued the circular that barred RBI-regulated entities from "providing any service in relation to virtual currencies, including those of transfer or receipt of money in accounts relating to the purchase or sale of virtual currencies". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A San Antonio man suspected in his ex-girlfriends slaying had grown increasingly unstable and erratic in recent weeks, at one point allegedly abducting her at gunpoint and driving her to a remote ranch where he threatened to kill her, according to court records. On Feb. 24, Andrew Munoz failed to appear in court for a hearing on a charge from two years ago when he is accused of punching Marisela Cadena, 43, in the face and scratching her chest, leaving four marks. The next day, Cadena went to the Bexar County Family Justice Center and sought a protective order, a civil order granted by a judge that prohibits an alleged abuser from contacting the petitioner. Cadena also gave a statement to police and set up a safety plan in an effort to thwart any additional violence. Cadena did everything she was supposed to. It still wasnt enough to save her life. On Friday, just two days after Cadena filed for the protective order, police say Munoz, 42, walked into Cadenas workplace, a South Side Subway near Loop 410 and Roosevelt Avenue, and shot her multiple times. Cadena, who family described as a beloved mother and grandmother, died later at a hospital. Munoz fled and is still at large. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio unveils five-year domestic violence plan San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, along with Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, appealed to the public Monday afternoon to provide police with information about Munozs whereabouts. Marisela was abused and she did everything she was supposed to do to try and get away from him, McManus said. The SAPD and the district attorneys office did everything we could to prevent this senseless death. Police say Munoz is armed and dangerous. He reportedly told family members that he will not be taken alive, McManus said. According to court records, Cadena and Munoz began dating about six years ago. In an affidavit signed after they broke up, Cadena said Munoz would become physically and emotionally abusive after drinking alcohol. In June 2018, she said, the couple went to a strip mall and Munoz grew angry when she didnt hand him his ID quickly enough, mistakenly giving him hers instead. He punched me a couple times on the left side of my face, Cadena wrote. She said he also scratched her. Cadena called police, who documented her injuries in an affidavit later that year. On Dec. 10, prosecutors filed charges against Munoz for assault bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor, and issued a warrant for his arrest. The following year, on Sept. 14, the couple were arguing about money when Cadena says Munoz grabbed her and pushed her into a closet, where he punched her in the head and the stomach. Again, Cadena reported the abuse to police. This time, police were able to find Munoz. They arrested him on the warrant that had been filed nine months prior and booked him into jail. A judge set his bond at $3,500 and prohibited him from contacting Cadena. He was released that day. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio domestic violence victims receive free Ring surveillance devices from local police agencies The pair broke up soon thereafter, Cadena wrote, but she continued to see him drive by her home. On Feb. 16, Cadena wrote, Munoz began calling her repeatedly while she was at work. She blocked his number. When she returned home about 10 p.m., Cadena said, she saw Munoz appear from between cars, seemingly out of nowhere. Munoz repeatedly asked Cadena to talk with him in his car, Cadena said. She told him she did not want to, but he insisted, at one point lifting his shirt and showing her a handgun tucked into his waistband. He led her to the car, put the gun to her head, and forced her to drive to a ranch about an hour away, Cadena said. He kept yelling at me, saying I betrayed him, Cadena wrote. All the time we were in the car he was pointing the gun at me or putting it to my head. At one point, Cadena wrote, Munoz insisted she place her hand on the dashboard so he could shoot it. I begged him to stop, Cadena wrote. He said it was going to hurt like I had hurt him. Moments later, he fired the gun into the ceiling making Cadenas ears ring. After several hours, Cadena wrote, she convinced Munoz to return home. He continued to call her all week, at one point begging her to sign paperwork denying the alleged attack in 2018. She said no. On Feb. 24, when Munoz failed to appear in court, Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzales issued a warrant for his arrest. The next day, Cadena reported the alleged kidnapping to police, who issued a warrant for Munozs arrest on an aggravated kidnapping charge. McManus said police continued to check up on her afterward, driving by the Subway where she worked several times, McManus said. In a court document filed last week, Cadena wrote: I am afraid of Andrew. I fear for my life. The protective order was filed Friday, hours after her death. Anyone with information on Munozs whereabouts should call police at 911 or at 210-207-7273 and refer to case number SAPD20043121. Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeaton SEOUL, SOUTH KOREATo his followers, he is a descendant of the ancient kings who ruled Korea centuries ago, the angel Jesus sent for mankind, and the one and only counsellor who can interpret the symbols and secret codes hidden in the Bibles Book of Revelation. To officials and politicians, he is a villain, the leader of a religious cult who is thwarting the governments efforts to contain the exploding coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. Lee Man-hee, the 88-year-old enigmatic founder of the Shincheonji church, is now trying to defend his group while challenging the accusations against it. South Korea has 4,335 cases of the coronavirus, with at least 60 per cent connected to Shincheonjis branch in Daegu, a city in the southeast. As the government scrambles to contain the epidemic, Lee and the church have been blamed for contributing to the spread by failing to provide a full list of its members to the government. In the past week, hundreds of church members have remained incommunicado, baffling health officials trying to track them down for testing. Major cities, including the capital city of Seoul, have asked national prosecutors to investigate Lee for potential criminal charges, including murder through wilful negligence. On Monday, Lee, wearing a surgical mask and speaking in a choking voice, said he was remorseful that so many patients were tied to his church. But he denied the claims that its actions contributed to the epidemic, saying that the church has been co-operating with the government as best as possible. I offer my word of deep apology to the people, Lee said Monday during a nationally televised news conference, during which he knelt and bowed. His tone marked a shift from the message he sent to his church members last week, in which he blamed the epidemic on the evil who got jealous of Shincheonjis rapid growth. When night passes, dawn will arrive, he said then. Lee has long courted controversy. He has been dogged by lawsuits, protest rallies and allegations of preaching heresy and splitting apart families, as well as going after rival churches. He has survived them all, commanding a messianic charisma over the 245,000 followers who he says the church has in South Korea and abroad. Until now, Lees Shincheonji has been one of the fastest-growing religious sects in South Korea. He has employed an aggressive proselytizing program that has unnerved mainstream Christian denominations who liken the church to a cult. He has often staged large-scale outdoor events that remind critics of massive propaganda rallies in North Korea. Like North Korea, the church has its own calendar, counting the years from the day Lee founded it in 1984. It hosts its own Olympiad, filling a stadium with worshippers from around the world. It features military-style honour guards, taekwondo exhibitions and other group performances similar to North Koreas Mass Games. Often dressed in snow white and carrying his trademark hand-held folding fan, Lee likes to snap a military salute to his adoring crowds. Shincheonji has been growing rapidly despite the persecutions from the mainstream Christian churches, Lee said in an interview with newspaper Kyeonggi Ilbo in June. Why? Because we have a doctrine. We are not a traditional church. Lee was born Sept. 15, 1931, in a poor farming family in Cheongdo, a county near Daegu. He says he began praying with his grandfather at a young age, although he didnt go to a church. He fought in the Korean War in the 1950s as an army sergeant. He worked for another religious group deemed a cult by mainstream churches before starting his own Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in 1984. Shincheonji means new heaven and new Earth in Korean. In his sermons, he promises an end to the crime- and corruption-ridden world and a new era. Shincheonji only uses Jesus as a front, and what its members worship is Lee Man-hee, said Hwang Eui-jong, a Christian pastor who has been fighting against groups like Shincheonji. Since the outbreak, members of Shincheonji have become the target of disease-control officials running against time to tame the epidemic. Police detectives and anti-disease officials have been tracking them through their smartphone locations or credit-card data. They have visited their homes, knocking on their doors or watching from outside to see if there were signs of life inside. One provincial government sent an urgent message to citizens through smartphone messages asking them to report Shincheonji members. If Shincheonji officials took such a message as a form of witch hunting, it was also a testimony to the difficulty disease-control officials have faced. An official at a government health clinic in Daegu that handled coronavirus screening did not reveal that he was a church member until he himself tested positive. Many church members were afraid to come out and reveal their church members, given the overwhelming blaming coming from politicians and news media that called Shincheonji the originator of the virus outbreak, said Kim Si-mon, the churchs spokesman. He said that church members have been exposed to widespread discrimination, taunting and even violence since the outbreak. Kim said much of the bad publicity was fuelled by the prejudices mainstream churches have created against Shincheonji. Please stop blaming and hating us, he said. In a country like South Korea that has freedom of religion, do we have to die because we dont belong to the established church? Shincheonji did not make the coronavirus. Its not the first time that a religious sect shunned by mainstream churches was connected to a national crisis in South Korea. After an overloaded ferry sank in 2014, killing more than 300 people, South Koreans were shocked to learn that the ferry company was controlled by a religious leader often condemned as heretical like Lee. On Monday, Lee looked repentant throughout his news conference. But a flash of his usual charisma appeared at the end when journalists tried to ask questions at the same time while his critics hurled him insults from the sidelines. Be quiet! Order! he shouted before his underlings hurried to usher him out. We are all grown-ups! Advertisement Supermarkets have been accused of setting up 'doomsday' displays aimed at worried stockpiling 'survivalist' shoppers but bosses have insisted it is all just a coincidence. Shelves piled high with bulky household items usually kept in different aisles have been highlighted as Britons buy in bulk in case they and their families are isolated at home for weeks. One customer at the Sainsbury's store in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, photographed the display close to the checkout - containing toilet rolls, crisps, bottled water, and pasta as well as 'mega packs' of detergents, dishwasher tablets and disinfectant. James Woolnough told MaiOnline: 'Sainsburys have created this area to allow bulk buying of items that could be essential if this situation worsens I made sure I stocked up on the 5kg packets of dried pasta and bought a 60 metres packet of aluminium foil. 'I've been watching the show Doomsday Preppers on Netflix and these are some of the essential items survivalists recommend'. Sainsbury's claim the display has been there for a year and a spokesman denied it was deliberate - but Mr Woolnough said: 'We havent noticed it in the past, but have only been buying in bulk over the last few weeks. The items in the area seem very specific to those that are recommended in these situations. Perhaps they have adapted the area to include such items'. A Sainsbury's shopper in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, has spotted this display containing items Britons have been stockpiling in case there is a China-style shutdown over coronavirus One committed MailOnline reader has built up 3 months worth of food and water for his family of four Kirsty Mildrew spent 40 on small bottles of anti-bacterial hand gel in Aldi and Lidl and admitted: 'I was like a mad woman stock pilling - Im keeping it all for myself and my family' Shelves in this London Tesco is empty of pasta, pasta sauces, rice and other staples but crisps and chocolate oranges appear to have been left The shelves of British supermarkets are emptying at pace as coronavirus stockpiling spiralled out of control amid warnings of 'food riots' if the crisis worsens - despite warnings from the Government not to panic buy. Shortages previously limited to anti-bacterial hand gel and hand soap have spread to cupboard items such as rice, pasta, couscous, Pot Noodles, bottled water, toilet roll and pet food - as well as chilled items including milk, butter and yoghurt. Pharmacy shelves are also emptying of paracetamol, ibuprofen and immune-system boosting tablets such as Berocca as people prepare to fight off the flu-like illness that has claimed hundreds of lives worldwide. Facebook and Twitter is packed with photographs of empty shelves from major supermarkets across the UK where shoppers appear to have thrown empty boxes into the aisles in the mad scramble for items. MailOnline readers have also shared pictures of their well-stocked larders as people prepare for weeks in isolation. One reader said: 'I have been trying for THREE days to buy pasta but I cannot see any as most shops have run out of pasta and pasta sauce'. The scramble for food has also revealed what Britons do not consider essentials despite a China-style shutdown of communities predicted - including some flavours of crisps and confectionary including Terry's Chocolate Orange. Londoner Jasia Warren tweeted: 'Interesting to see what people are stockpiling in my local supermarket. Bare shelves for rice, pasta, handwash, tissues and loo roll. Also interesting to see what people are not stockpiling: polenta, crumpets and get well cards. Their loss is my gain. #stockpiling'. This London Sainsbury's is running out of germ-busting disinfectant, bleach and anti-bacterial wipes Water is also selling out in supermarkets including this Asda in the capital despite coronavirus posing little threat to the country's water supply Sales of oral painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen are up ten per cent in the past year Milk also appears to be flying off themselves along with other dairy products such as cheese and yoghurts also selling well There has also been a spike in sales of effervescent drinks containing vitamin C including Berocca and Redoxen This MailOnline reader has shared pictures of her stockpiled goods that include pies, squash, beans, sauces, detergent, bottled water and pet food These two pocket-sized bottles of limited edition antibacterial hand gel are being sold on Amazon for 50 as people try to cash in Haslemere shoppers empty the shelves in 'heaving' Sainsbury's after four locals fall ill with coronavirus By Nick Fagge Shoppers and supermarket staff have told how the Haslemere Coronavirus outbreak has caused panic buying. Stocks of toilet roll, pasta and baked beans were completely sold out at the Sainsburys store in nearby Liphook, with new deliveries failing to make-up the short-fall. Today shelves remained partially empty with shoppers buying extra provisions, just in case. One shopper, who declined to be identified, told MailOnline: There was panic buying here on Saturday. The shelves were empty of rice, pasta, beans of all kinds, lentils and loo roll. People were clearly worried about what had happened in Haslemere and wanted to make sure they would be ok if they had to stay in-doors. The 55-year-old mother-of-two, from Liphook, added she had been buying extra provisions today. She said: Today I saw the shelves were almost empty of loo roll so I have stocked up. Ive also got some extra tins of soup in and some Lucozade in case we have to self-isolate. Haslemere is only down the road and everyone around here knows people there. A Sainsburys worker described the weekend as heaving. He said: Saturday and Sunday were unbelievably busy much busier than a normal weekend. We sold out of lots of essentials, like beans, toilet roll and pasta. It looked like people were trying to stock up just in case. Advertisement Shops have seen a surge in panic buying fuelled by the coronavirus crisis - and supermarkets have now drawn up contingency plans to 'feed the nation' in the event of a sudden escalation, it has emerged. With two chains already rationing sales, a former Tesco executive said a major outbreak in Britain would 'quickly lead to empty shelves and food riots'. Ocado has emailed customers to warn it is running out of home delivery slots due to 'exceptionally high demand' and 'particularly large orders'. Waitrose reported 'seeing more demand for... cleaning products and hand sanitisers', and Tesco's website has sold out of hand gel. Lidl said it is 'experiencing a significant increase in demand for durable products and disinfectants'. It has now limited sales of hand sanitisers to two per customer as has Boots. Industry experts insist that supermarkets have contingency plans to cope with a worst-case scenario and, despite the pressure, will ensure food remains on shelves. Under the plans, supermarkets would work alongside suppliers to scale back the variety of available foods and groceries, instead paying attention to maintaining the supply of staple products, the Guardian reported. However, senior food markets analyst Bruno Monteyne, a former Tesco executive, warned: 'If a major [coronavirus] outbreak happens, that will quickly lead to panic buying, empty shelves and food riots.' Mr Monteyne, who now works for stockbrokers Bernstein, told industry magazine The Grocer: 'Plans are surely being drawn up with suppliers to rationalise product ranges when necessary. The objective isn't to scaremonger... the industry has plans to deal with this. 'Yes, it will be chaotic and expect pictures of empty shelves but the industry will keep the country fed.' The British Retail Consortium's director of food and sustainability, Andrew Opie, insisted: 'Disruption to supply chains has been limited, and the availability of products remains good. Retailers are working closely with their suppliers and monitoring consumer behaviour to anticipate changes in future demand.' Ian Wright, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, added: 'At this stage supply chains have experienced disruption but there is no evidence of significant disruption to food supplies.' However, Ged Futter, a former senior buyer at Asda, said supermarkets were reluctant to admit to shortages for fear of making matters worse. Mr Futter, now director at consultancy firm The Retail Mind, said: 'The last thing retailers will want to talk about is rationing. As soon as you mention rationing it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and the food equivalent of a run on the banks.' Toilet rolls are in short supply at Sainsbury's in Liphook - close to Haslemere, the current epicentre of the UK coronavirus outbreak Empty shelves in Boots in Weymouth where it is hard to get your hands on handsoap and anti-bacterial gel Sainsbury's in East Dulwich has a severely depleted poultry section as people stock up on food There is also a visible shortage of toilet roll as people also stock up on tissues MailOnline reader Navjot Singh said he has been trying to buy own brand bags of pasta and sauce for three days - but only the premium brands remain These bare shelves in a Boots pharmacy as panic buying over the UK took hold Superdrug and Boots has sold out of hand gel and face masks at their stores with emergency orders on their way 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. Clean mobile twice a day Phone screens are 'portable petri dishes' and should be disinfected twice a day to stop coronavirus spreading. Scientists claim the virus can live for up to 96 hours on flat surfaces, such as the screen of a smartphone and urged users to invest in alcohol wipes to clean their screens throughout the day. Professor Mark Fielder, a microbiologist at Kingston University, backed the suggestion and said 'don't share your phone around'. Last week Professor Peter Hall from the University of Waterloo in Canada called smartphones a 'portable petri dish, accumulating bacteria and viruses'. Research by Dscout in 2016 found that people tap their phone screen an average of 2,617 times a day. Advertisement 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'. 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'. Ged Futter, a former senior buyer at Asda, said supermarkets were reluctant to admit to shortages for fear of making matters worse (file image) Once I got into Dartmouth I started to see more of the implications of the term illegal alien, Cornejo Casares said. Oftentimes, the argument is that its something codified in the U.S. code and legally set in immigration law, and thats why we should use it. But theyre forgetting that beyond the denotation of words, there is the connotations of words. 03.03.2020 LISTEN The main accused person in the plot to destabilise the country and topple the government, Dr. Frederick Mac-Palm has denied all the allegations levelled against him. Dr. Mac-Palm who spoke for the first time during a committal process at the district court in Accra on Tuesday said he and the other accused persons at no point in time discussed and plotted a coup. Narrating how the group, Take Action Ghana, which the prosecution has described as the focal point for the case, was established, Dr Mac-Palm told the court that he trained as a medical doctor in the US and returned to Ghana in 2009 where he established a hospital at Alajo in Accra. The location of his hospital, he said made him treat a lot of vulnerable patients stricken by poverty, compelling him to offer free healthcare. Based on this, he decided to form the group which he named Take Action Ghana. According to Dr. Mac-Palm, he named it as such because he realized the disparity between the poor, average and above-average citizens. He added that he saw their plight as one resulting from governance. In January 2019 he and others decided to embark on a medical outreach across the country. This according to the medical doctor, unfortunately coincided with the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence. Dr. Mac-Palm said he and some of his members got worried about the violence and the way it took a political twist. In a related development, all the other nine accused persons have denied any involvement in a plot to destabilize the state. The accused persons all took turns to address the court as part of the committal process in court on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Background to destabilisation plot Dr. Mac-Palm is among nine persons facing charges of treason felony. With regards to Dr. Mac-Palm, security officials said they seized several weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices at the Citadel Hospital, at Alajo and at another location at Kpone Bawaleshie near Dodowa in Accra. Other persons standing trial are Col. Samuel Kodzo Gameli, W.O.2 Esther Doku, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Lance Corporal Albert Baba Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Sylvester Akapewon, Bright Alan Debrah and Corporal Seidu Abubakar. The accused persons are said to be part of a group known as the Take Action Ghana (TAG). The group, according to the prosecution, planned to organise a series of demonstrations and also to destabilize the country. They reportedly put together a plan to target some key installations including the Jubilee House, the Ghana Broadcast Corporation, the National police trading school, 37 Military Hospital and Burma Camp. Their arrests, in September 2019, followed 15 months of surveillance and gathering of evidence on the activities of the suspects. The government also said meetings between the civilian suspects and serving military personnel with a view to executing a plot to obtain weapons, take over key installations, and secure funding for the purported coup were closely monitored. ---citinewsroom Subscriber content preview SEATTLE As the DJC first reported last month, Carmel Partners has been planning apartments on the Stoneway Electric corner, at 3665 Stone Way N. That property just sold for over $13.7 million to a Carmel-related LLC, according to King County records. The seller was Sealib Properties LLC, which is associated with the Kelly and Ralph families of Spokane. They founded Stoneway Electric in 1974, then sold it in 2012 to national distributor Crescent Electric Supply. . . . Passengers on a German cruise ship moored in southern Norway received clearance to come out of a 24-hour quarantine after two of them tested negative for the coronavirus, Norwegian officials said on Tuesday. Officials in the coastal town of Haugesund learned Monday that two passengers on the Aida Aura had contact with someone a week ago who did test positive for the virus. The infected individual wasn't among the cruise ship's 1,200 passengers. The two people on the cruise were removed from the ship to be tested for the virus while the other passengers had to remain on board. "There is no need to keep the passengers in quarantine," Teis Qvale, a doctor with the Haugesund municipality, said. The Aida Aura is operated by the German cruise line AIDA Cruises. It was supposed to leave Haugesund on Monday. In recent weeks, cruise ships have remained docked without permission to disembark their passengers or refused authorization to enter ports because of concern about the spread of the virus. Some 3,700 people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship remained in their cabins during a long quarantine period in Japan. Hundreds of passengers from the ship subsequently tested positive for virus. Cruise ships have also been turned away from Caribbean ports due to virus concerns, though no passengers from those ships are known to be infected so far. Norway's coastline is a popular destination for cruise ships because of its breath-taking landscapes and fjords. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BENEO, one of the leading manufacturers of functional ingredients, has announced a significant expansion for its chicory root production facility in Chile by 2022, which is being funded by an investment of more than 50 million Euro. The news comes following rising demand for BENEOs chicory root fibers, inulin and oligofructose, as consumer interest in digestive health continues to grow. Worldwide consumers are paying more attention to their digestive health and are gaining further understanding of the intrinsic link between the gut microbiome and its beneficial effect on overall well-being. This, in turn, is leading to a rising interest in chicory root fibers from food and drink manufacturers around the globe, creating a high market demand for BENEOs inulin and oligofructose ingredients. Eric Neven, Commercial Managing Director at BENEO-Orafti comments, The market demand for chicory root fiber continues to increase. In order to keep up with this rising interest, we are investing significantly into expanding our production facilities in Pemuco, Chile. With 20% more volume, BENEO can continue to ensure reliable and consistent delivery to our customers. As well as expanding production capacity at the Chilean plant, the raw material sourcing will be supported by additional surface (hectares) dedicated to chicory farming in the region. The existing plant already operates using 75% renewable energy. The recent investment will enable BENEO to make further strides against its aim to increase the use of renewable energy over the coming years. Inulin and oligofructose, such as those produced by BENEO, are the only plant-based proven prebiotics according to ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Pro- and Prebiotics). They have been scientifically shown to support a range of functional health benefits, including a balanced gut microbiota and a persons overall well-beingi. There is a wealth of scientific evidence available (in excess of 150 high quality studies) and Orafti Inulin even has an exclusive 13.5 EU health claim for its promotion of digestive healthii, which is proving successful in various countries. In fact, only recently, industry expert Julian Mellentin highlighted the potential for inulin, naming it a top ingredient for 2020 in the new New Nutrition Business report, 10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition and Health 2020. Not only are BENEOs prebiotic chicory root fibers helping to bridge the fiber gap, they are also being widely used in both food and beverages as they help to reduce fat, sugar and calories. Unlike other fibers, BENEOs fibers are naturally derived from chicory roots via a gentle hot water extraction method and are natural, clean label and non-GMO. They are highly soluble and have a mild natural taste, allowing manufacturers to reformulate their products while keeping the same taste, body and mouthfeel as the original options. As digestive wellness continues to trend across the globe and more consumers come to realize the impact it has on their health, this significant production expansion will ensure BENEO is well-placed to maintain efficient delivery of its high quality ingredients throughout the years to come. BENEO offers functional ingredients derived from chicory roots, beet sugar, rice and wheat. BENEO is the ideal partner to help improve a product in its nutritional and technological characteristics. Key nutritional benefits are less fat, less sugar, less calories, added fiber, gluten-free and dairy alternatives as well as energy management, digestive, bone and dental health. Key technological benefits focus on taste and texture improvements. Through a unique chain of expertise, including the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology, BENEO actively supports customers in the development of more balanced and healthy food products. BENEO is a division of the Sudzucker Group that employs more than 1000 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy. For further information on BENEO and its ingredients, please visit: www.beneo.com and www.beneonews.com or follow BENEO on Twitter: @_BENEO or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/beneo For further U.S. press information, please contact: Dawn Fontaine Ripple Effect Communications Tel: +44 (0)203 757 6800 Email: dawn@rippleeffectcommunications.com For further corporate information please contact: Claudia Meissner, Head of Corporate Communication BENEO Maximilianstrae 10, 68165 Mannheim, Germany Phone: +49 621 421-148 Fax: +49 621 421-160 Email: claudia.meissner@beneo.com i Measured by the improvement of quality of life evaluated by validated questionnaires ii The authorised EU health claim under article 13.5 is: chicory inulin contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency, which can be combined with general health-related well-being claims under article 10.3 that include: chicory inulin promotes digestive health, chicory root fibre supports a healthy and balanced digestive system and with prebiotic fibre. PLFI extortion: NIA arrests two top operatives India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: The National Investigation Agency has arrested two persons in a terror funding case relating to the People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI). The arrested have been identified as Jai Prakash Singh and Amit Kumar. The case pertains to the seizure of Rs 25.38 lakh in cash which was being deposited in the SBI Branch, Bero, Ranchi. Investigations revealed that the money was part of a large scale extortion racket that was run by the PLFI. The members of the outfit would extort money from contractors, businessmen. NIA arrests wives of PLFI chief in naxal terror funding case The racket was being run by PLFI members Dinesh Gope, his two wives and their associates. During investigation till now, cash/bank deposits of Rs. 68.17 lacs and other movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 70 lacs have been seized/ attached in this case. In more than two dozen bank accounts in the names of shell companies and family members of Dinesh Gope, transactions worth more than Rs. 2.5 Crores have also surfaced. NIA has already filed a charge sheet against ten arrested accused and one absconding accused. Searches were conducted by NIA at five locations in Torpa, district Khunti, Jharkhand during which incriminating documents, electronic devices and other materials were recovered from premises of accused. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 7:53 [IST] President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is currently on a 12-day working visit to Scotland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Belgium. He has already been to Oslo, Norway, on a working visit, at the invitation of the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg. As co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates on the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the Norwegian Prime Minister, the President will also join other SDG advocates at a high-level meeting on food security and climate change. Again, at the invitation of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group, President Akufo-Addo will travel to Brussels, Belgium, on March 3 to address the Second ECR-Africa Summit on March 4 on: Ghanas economy and thriving democracy and also meet with the leadership of the European Union (EU) to discuss issues pertaining to Ghana-EU relations. Ghana and the EU recently held a political dialogue in Accra on the theme: EU and Ghana: Partners for the Future. They discussed many issues of mutual interest, including the political situations of both Ghana and the EU, the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Ghana and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ECOWAS matters, Ghanas digital economy, anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism and cooperation on regional, maritime and cyber security. Other matters discussed were migration, the future of the cocoa industry, sustainable fisheries and Ghanas readiness to include green jobs in its employment space. The Daily Graphic, therefore, expects more from the dialogue, which, among others, is to foster strengthened linkages between the different aspects of Ghana-EU relations. For instance, Ghana is expected to start liberalising its market for EU products by the first quarter of 2020 and this is expected to be concluded by 2029. The EU and Ghana agreed on the final version of the Protocol on Rules of Origin and will adopt it officially through a written procedure in the first quarter of this year. Under the Economic Partnership Agreement, all exports from Ghana, including agricultural or manufactured to the EU have entered the EU market duty-free and quota-free since January 2008, and in return, Ghana is expected to gradually and partially liberalise imports from the EU. Undoubtedly, Ghana and the EU are entering into a new phase of deepening partnership. This partnership has become even more paramount, especially as Ghana moves towards an agenda beyond aid. Presently, the EU is Ghana's main market for the countrys agri-business products (cocoa beans and transformed cocoa, canned tuna, fruits, among others) and the EU supplies a large part of the equipment that contributes to economic growth. Over the next 15 years or so, Ghana will liberalise 80 per cent of imports from the EU and this will involve industrial machines (pumps, generators, turbines and certain vehicles, including boats and tractors, and chemicals). These are all inputs used by Ghanaian industries which are not produced locally. The EU also supports Ghana's competitiveness through dedicated development cooperation programmes at national and regional levels. As the largest multilateral development and trade partner, the EU and its member states currently finance about half of all official development assistance (ODA) received by the Ghanaian government. We of the Daily Graphic are, therefore, quite satisfied that efforts to deepen Ghana and EU ties are picking up steam and that the parties involved are making good progress. It is our conviction that the EPA will continue to become a platform for sustainable dialogue between the parties on matters related to trade and development. It is also healthy to note that on a broader scale, the relationship between the EU and Africa continues to strengthen and improve. We note with interest that the EU still wants to be closer to Africa and its relations with the continent are even becoming much stronger, in terms of multilateralism, the spirit of cooperation, peace and security. Source: Graphic Online 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 In a major breakthrough, Over ground workers arrested in connection with Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 during the investigation have revealed that along with terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen was also part of the planning and execution of the deadliest Fidayeen attack on the CRPF convoy killing 40 brave hearts. NIA investigation has found that Hizbul Mujahideen commander from Kishtwar Jahangir Saroori, who is the longest surviving terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir, had stayed in Pulwama for one month and it is also believed that he met several terrorists in the area and planned deadly terror attack. NIA questions Congress leader GM Saroori Recently Congress leader and former state minister GM Saroori was questioned by NIA for his links with Jahangir Saroori. Earlier, National Investigation Agency (NIA) had questioned Ghulam Mohammad Saroori over his alleged links with Jahangir Saroori and top Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Osama who was killed in an encounter with Security forces in September last year in Batote area of Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. READ | Cong Confused? Party Targets PM Modi On Pulwama While Adhir Chowdhury Calls For Restraint Jahangir Saroori and other terrorists were behind the killing of senior BJP leader Anil Parihar and RSS functionary Chanderkant Sharma in Kishtwar town on November 1 last year. NIA on Saturday arrested Jaish Over Ground worker Shakir Bashir who provided shelter and other logistical assistance to the suicide-bomber Adil Ahmad Dar. He was introduced to Adil Ahmad Dar in mid-2018 by a Pakistani terrorist viz. Mohammad Umar Farooq and he became a full-time OGW of JeM. During his initial interrogation, he has disclosed that on several occasions, he collected and delivered arms, ammunition, cash and explosive material to the JeM terrorists including those involved in Pulwama attack.. NIA also seized his room after incriminating documents were seized from his room. READ | Pulwama Terror Attack: In A Major Breakthrough, NIA Arrests Pakistan-based Jaish Terrorist Shakir Bashir Magrey also revealed that he had harboured Adil Ahmad Dar and Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq in his house from late 2018 till the attack in February 2019, and assisted them in the preparation of the IED. His shop is located near Lethpora bridge, and as advised by Mohammad Umar, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019 and informed Mohammad Umar and Adil Ahmad Dar about it. Further, he was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting the IED in it in early February 2019. READ | Pulwama Martyr's Wife Nikita Kaul Set To Join Indian Army, Says She Feels Close To Him WATCH: Major Gaurav Arya's Report From Pulwama As India Salutes CRPF Martyrs, One Year On Note: References to the coronavirus in this story have been updated to what evolved into generally accepted usage. First thing this morning, I used my new Subtext account to ask what questions you want us to ask Ohios public health director, Dr. Amy Acton, when she meets with our newsroom later this morning. She is coming in to discuss the coronavirus. You can watch Dr. Actons coronavirus interview at cleveland.coms office live at 11 a.m. You came through with great ones. Below is a partial list. If you dont know about the Subtext account, check out the details here. Its free, and in gives you a direct line to me and the newsroom. Once or twice a day, I send you a message about the what were working on at cleveland.com. Or just sign up by sending me a text message at 216-868-4802. Thank you for the great questions. Here they are: What is the plan for dealing w/virus? Local, state & national, now that the window of opportunity for containment has passed? It seems the most publicized means other countries have used when dealing with covid-19 once it surfaces in a community, is to close schools, cancel public events and quarantine the community. Is there another solution? What should we expect and prepare for if/when it becomes a local concern? Testing for the virus will likely identify cases in Ohio. How widespread will they test in Ohio and are there funds for that. Are there now sufficient test kits in Ohio? Also, can someone who has recovered from the virus become reinfected, or are they now immune? Will OH Medicaid cover your quarantine costs if it requires confinement in a Health Care facility outside of your home? (i.e. Hospital, or other State designated quarentine facility.) Assuming you have no health insurance. Will the state pay for the cost of someone tested for virus whether they have health insurance or not? Thank you If your place of full-time employment is closed voluntarily, or by State, County, or City Health Dept. order. Will you be eligible for OH Unemployment Benefits, and SNAP, once your paid time off is exhausted, assuming your employer actually offers paid time off? (sick leave, personal days, and vacation time) As Cleveland is (& rightly so)a world-renown medical center, when will our area be "granted" privileges to TEST & treat patients who may present as possible coronavirus victims? From what I've read, this virus isn't really that much more dangerous then others from the past, H1N1 for example. Instead of focusing on how many people are successfully recovering from this virus, the media keeps focusing on the "death toll" which is just feeding more fear and panic. As Acton moves forward in her effort to communicate, is there a way she can change her message to help inform people effectively while not feeding the fear and panic people are experiencing? It's getting way over blown and ridiculous. Why haven't local CERT (emergency response teams) organizations been more engaged? I'm sure many people will have a similar question. I'm involved in organizing a conference that is coming up in less than three weeks. We are expecting about 100 people and have people coming from New York, California other states. There is one person attending from England Argentina. I'm not inclined to cancel but some people are asking. What advice would she have both about the advisability of holding the event and assuming we do what percussions we should be taking. It is a two day conference being held in three conference rooms at Baldwin Wallace University. It's cold and flu season here and everyone seems to have the type of symptoms talked about for COVID-19. It would be helpful to know if there are any particular or unique symptoms that should prompt us to schedule an immediate doctor's visit? How long should we wait to cancel travel plans to Italy scheduled for late September. The broader question could be any European travel particularly with cancellation penalties. Who or where is the best source for current, accurate and scientifically based daily information on the outbreak in Ohio? How is that being publicized? Balance of preparedness vs. extreme alarmist--how to handle? Just back from SE Asia (not China) on Saturday. Effect on tourism there is monumental. What should local governments be doing to prepare? Police fire etc.? What are local Boards of Health doing around our state? What steps should we take to best protect ourselves? What steps are overkill/unnecessary? Thank you! EDMONTON - An Alberta-based humanitarian organization says 13 Canadians who work with the charity and were detained in Ethiopia have received bail. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. EDMONTON - An Alberta-based humanitarian organization says 13 Canadians who work with the charity and were detained in Ethiopia have received bail. Canadian Humanitarian said Saturday that a group of 10 Canadian volunteers, three Canadians on staff and two Ethiopian staff members were in custody in the African country on allegations they were practising medicine without permission and had dispensed expired medication. The charity has disputed the allegations. "With support of Canadian consular officials, Global Affairs Canada and legal representatives on the ground, Canadian Humanitarian can confirm that documentation is currently being processed that will hopefully see the detainees released on bail tomorrow," it said in a statement Tuesday. "At that point they will be free to move within the country, but it is uncertain when Ethiopian authorities will allow their return to Canada." James Murphy, a brother-in-law of one of the detainees, said the situation has been distressing for the families. "We are focusing all of our efforts on getting our loved ones back to Canada safely and quickly," he said in the statement. The charity added that one of its representatives as well as consular officers have been permitted brief access to the prison and said the detainees have received fair treatment. Edmonton Strathcona MP Heather McPherson, the NDP's international development critic, said she has also been keeping a close eye on the situation. "I am incredibly worried," she said in an interview earlier Tuesday. McPherson said she has been receiving regular updates from Global Affairs Canada about the case and heard they had received bail. "It does look likely that they will be able to be removed from the prison, which is great news," she said. Global Affairs did not provide additional information Tuesday, but a spokeswoman again said they are fully engaged with Ethiopian officials. Department officials are in contact with local authorities to gather more information, she said, while consular officials are working with the Canadians and their families. Canadian Humanitarian said last week that the group's mission was to provide essential medical care to Ethiopians. "While we cannot comment on the specifics of the expiry of the medication, we can with confidence say that all medicine and care offered by our team was safe," said a Feb. 29 statement. "Our medical groups are comprised of numerous doctors and medical professionals." The organization is described as a registered charity that has been sending volunteers abroad to provide medical and dental support, along with other humanitarian services, since 2003. McPherson, who's a former executive director of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, said she travelled to Gondar with Canadian Humanitarian in 2012. "My experience is that they would understand the need of treating all people with the same level of health care," she said. "They are accustomed to working in Ethiopia and they are accustomed to following the letter of what's required." She said the charity follows a code of ethics developed by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation that sets operational standards. McPherson said the detained Canadians included charity founders Dr. Richard Northcott and Deborah Northcott from Medicine Hat, Alta. Some of the others are from Alberta and British Columbia, she said. "My first priority is making sure they are safe while they are in Ethiopia, making sure they are receiving as much support as we can give them through consular services and making sure the legal process ... is done in a transparent way," said McPherson. "For me, right now, the biggest concern is their welfare and their safety. I want to see these Canadians all these Canadians come home." This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020 Twenty-three years is not a trivial number of years to spend in an institution. Youve been a pillar of this institution. Youve done very well. It is with those words that the Executive Director for Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe, Bright Okogu, also Dean of the Board of directors of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), commended the outgoing Senior Vice President, Charles Boamah. You are going to leave large pair of shoes to be filled On behalf of the Bank, I wish to say that we are content with your work, we are content with your commitment to the African Development Bank, we are content with your passion for the continent, Mr Okogu added. Mr Boamah was attending his last Board meeting following 23 years in service. Since 1996, Mr Boamah has been a constant steadying presence at the African Development Bank during a tenure full of milestones. Mr Boamah is a globally respected executive with over 35 years of successively challenging leadership experiences in and outside of Africa. Before assuming the role of Senior Vice President, he served as Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank as Acting First Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. Bank President Akinwumi Adesina expressed gratitude and appreciation to an amazing character and leader. Some of the pioneering initiatives have been led by Charles Charles has dedicated half of his career to Africas development. Several executive directors echoed the president and dean of the boards commendations of Mr Boamah for his first-hand understanding and knowledge of the finances, operations, and administration of the Bank and the development space. Responding, Mr Boamah said: I feel very honored and privileged to be have been part of the journey. Its been a huge privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve. Its about making a difference, and thats what brought me to the bank. The senior vice president has witnessed three of the banks capital increases, and seven African Development Fund replenishment cycles. He served three presidents of the bank. I am leaving the bank, but I can tell you the bank never leaves you. I expect to continue to be an ambassador of this great institution, Boamah concluded. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Several aid groups on Greece's Lesbos said Tuesday they were suspending work with refugees and evacuating staff in the wake of violence by locals, amid fear and confusion on an island in the crosshairs of the migrant crisis. While Greece's land border with Turkey has seen the largest push of migrants heading for Europe in recent days, there has also been a surge in those attempting the short boat journey to Greece's northern Aegean islands. In an effort to curb the influx, which erupted after Ankara said last week it would no longer stop refugees from entering Europe, Athens has suspended asylum procedures and bolstered its borders. On the islands, the new arrivals have exacerbated an already combustible climate. Lesbos hosts more than 19,000 refugees and migrants crammed into squalid conditions around a camp built to house less than 3,000, a legacy of the 2015 migration crisis. Fed up with shouldering the burden of Europe's bloated asylum system, locals have protested against the presence of the migrants on their shores, saying they threaten safety, public health and a tourism-dependent economy. That anger has spilled over into violence in recent days, with an extremist minority accused of leading attacks on newly-arrived migrants, intimidating media and targeting aid workers, according to several groups based on Lesbos. "Once night falls, there are non-stop attacks on NGOs, on workers, on people who are here as volunteers," said Douglas Herman, co-founder of the organisation Refocus, which teaches media skills to refugees. "Most of those organisations right now have started to suspend their operations, some indefinitely. Many have advised their staff to leave the island, and many have heeded that call," he told AFP, adding that all six of his group's current volunteers are departing. The violence has been waged by "fascist" mobs, he said, describing roadblocks manned by thugs who have attacked or threatened people inside their cars. The Dutch group Boat Refugee Foundation, which provides medical care in Lesbos' Moria camp, said its staff and other aid workers were victims of such an assault by island residents on Sunday. "Their cars were hit with steel pipes," a spokesperson told AFP, adding that the violence appears to be led by a "small group of right-wing extremists" who want to prevent more refugees from coming. The foundation's medical clinic has called a pause until it is deemed safe enough to continue, she added. On Monday night, the crew of the human rights observation ship Mare Liberum said it was also "attacked by a mob of fascists" while docked on the island. "They shouted, threatened us (and) poured gasoline on our deck!" the organisation wrote on Twitter. - Confusion, scuffles - Police, who have been accused of a sluggish response, have opened an investigation after reports of several "attacks on people and cars" on Lesbos, a police source told AFP. A day earlier officers fired tear gas at refugees who protested their detainment at the overflowing Moria camp. After the recent surge of some 1,720 migrants to the Aegean islands in four days, the numbers slowed Tuesday as strong winds roiled the sea. But confusion prevailed on Lesbos, where some migrants were boarded into vans for transfer only to be returned later to the beach where they had been camping. In the main city of Mytilini, police pushed back several hundred migrants who had gathered to reach the port because they heard a boat was leaving for the mainland. Several dozen new arrivals were set to sleep there overnight. Earlier, the island's MP Haralambos Athanasiou told AFP that all new arrivals would be "systematically sent to the mainland" and then back to their country. In the meantime, not all aid groups are leaving. "We don't plan to move," said the medical coordinator of Medecins du Monde, Dimitris Patestos. There is "fear and insecurity" among some staff but so far the group had not encountered issues with locals, he added. The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday witnessed heated exchanges between SAD legislator Bikram Singh Majithia and minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa after the former raised the issue of alleged deteriorating law and order in the state. During the Zero Hour in the ongoing budget session here, Majithia alleged that there had been an alarming increase in the state's crime rate and incidents of loot, kidnapping, robbery etc. were being reported almost everyday. Majithia also claimed that gangsters lodged in jail were threatening people on phone and demanding ransom from them as he pointed towards Randhawa who is the jails minister. Randhawa immediately rose from his seat and slammed Majithia for taking his name in the House. He also said that it was the "weakness" of his government that Majithia had not been put behind bars yet. The Akalis then stormed the well of the House and shouted slogans against the state government. They then staged a walk out. During the Question Hour, Majithia also exchanged barbs with forest minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot over the issue of declining arrival of migratory birds at Harike wetland. Though Dharamsot said the strength of migratory birds rose in the last few years, Majithia pointed out that a report of the world wildlife fund had said that the number of migratory birds declined from 1.23 lakh to 90,000. Members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also staged a walk out after its MLA Harpal Singh Cheema was not allowed to bring adjournment motion for discussing issues related to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Earlier, Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains brought a calling attention notice to raise the issue of problems being faced by commuters especially NRIs because of non-plying of government buses from the Delhi airport. In her reply, transport minister Razia Sultana said despite raising the matter with the Delhi government, the issue was yet to be resolved. She said the state-owned buses were allowed to ply till ISBT in Delhi and were not allowed to take passengers to the Delhi airport. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis, who cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy, is suffering only from a cold that is "without symptoms related to other pathologies," the Vatican said on Tuesday. A statement followed a report in an Italian newspaper that said the pope had tested negative for coronavirus. It did not say whether the pope had been given a test for the virus. "The cold the Holy Father was diagnosed as having is taking its course without symptoms related to other pathologies," spokesman Matteo Bruni said. Francis was to have taken part in a week-long retreat with senior Vatican officials that began on Sunday night at a Church residence south of Rome, but did not go at the last minute. Bruni said the 83-year-old pope, who had part of one lung removed because of an illness decades ago, was saying Mass every morning and following the retreat from his residence in a Vatican guest house. Francis has been taken ill at a time when Italy is battling a surging outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus. The death toll in Italy jumped to 79 on Tuesday from 52 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed past the 2,500 mark. By West Kentucky Staff Mar. 02, 2020 | 02:12 PM | PADUCAH A Facebook post shared an image from store security showing a man leaving the Kroger store on Park Avenue. Employees told police the man concealed about $300 in merchandise and left the store, then drove away in a dark-colored Nissan vehicle. Anyone with information about the man in the photo is asked to contact Paducah Police at 270-444-8550. Information can also be anonymously shared through West Kentucky Crime Stoppers through their app or by texting WKY and any tips to 847411 (TIP411). An online tip form is also available at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers. Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000. Paducah Police are looking for an alleged shoplifter captured on surveillance. Bentley has revealed the Mulliner Bacalar, an incredibly limited-run, hand-built convertible which has already sold out. Just 12 examples will be built by Mulliner, Bentleys bespoke division, which has been revived to offer these low-run models as well as exclusive upgrades to standard Bentley models and restoration for classic examples. The Bacalar, which takes its name from a lake in Mexico thats known for its breath-taking natural beauty, has a 6.0-litre W12 engine making 650bhp and 900Nm of torque. Power goes to all four wheels when needed, but its rear-wheel-drive at most times to improve efficiency and driving dynamics. Just 12 examples of the Bacalar are set to be offered. (Bentley) Buyers will work with a team of specialist designers to create a unique vehicle, with upholstery including ethically sourced materials, such as natural British wool and paint containing ash from rice husks. Despite looking similar in shape to a Continental GT Convertible and likely being based on a modified platform of that car, the Bacalar shares no body panel with any other Bentley model. The doors and wings are made from carbon-fibre, it has 22-inch alloy wheels, and a rear clamshell made from aluminium. Inside, the dashboard is made from rare Riverwood, a sustainable material sourced from East Anglia, while the upholstery is made from natural wool though customers have the option of working with designers to create their own bespoke fabric blend. Adrian Hallmark, Bentley Motors chief executive, said: The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is our ultimate expression of an open-top, luxury grand tourer, and of the immense capabilities of our team in Crewe. In Bacalar, we have created a fully bespoke Bentley, orientated towards a two-seat open-top experience, and carrying a number of the forward-thinking elements of future luxury, first heralded in our EXP100GT as part of our Centenary celebrations last year. Bacalar is a rare and remarkable Bentley, and whilst clearly defined, will be an extraordinary and collaborative experience for just 12 discerning people who will now co-create, collect, drive and treasure one of twelve being built. Our customers are as excited as we are about Bacalar, as it brings our team and discerning enthusiasts together, to create the finest bespoke, hand-built cars, and push the boundaries of our imagination and capabilities. In the Bible story, King Solomon has to make a judgement about who to believe in a case of two women claiming to be the mother of the same child. He suggests that the baby be cut in two. The horror on the face of the real mother at this barbarous idea is enough to provide the King with all the proof he needs to decide who is telling the truth. A woman in the crowd sheds a tear at the vigil for Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3. Credit:AAP Sadly, cases of separation and child residency are not at all straightforward. While not physically carved up, we see children being expected to split their lives in half between their parents. Women leave violent and abusive men to protect their children but are then "forced" through personal, legal and community pressure to ensure these same abusive fathers are granted extensive time with their children. The instincts of a mother may be to protect their children from these violent and abusive fathers, but courts seldom listen to a mother's instincts. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. You can either keep getting mad about it to excuse your embarrassment, or you wow classic gold can attempt to discuss things honestly. The custom designed, state of the art traveling library has no shortage of impressive features, including an onboard computer system, Wi Fi, rollout awning, hybrid engine, skylights and solar panels. It all depends on the developers. In his Marian writings, it finds expression in the superlatively holy figure of Mary. Just be sure that you live in the United States, there no way I can afford to send this overseas. I am a pretty experienced user, and I just could not figure this out. New York Giants Lori M. Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg told reporters in Paris on Sunday, June 16 that the company's communication "was not consistent," calling that "unacceptable."(AP Photo/Jim Young, file). But eventually the filmmaker opted to direct the movie himself, originally envisioning two Hobbit films. In this study, the terminus of Fjallsjkull, an outlet glacier in SE Iceland, was scanned using a Riegl VZ 4000, a very long range laser scanner which has sufficient sensitivity to obtain laser reflections from ice surfaces and was programmed to acquire data automatically each hour, over a diurnal cycle (13th 14th August 2016). Movierulz Telugu website has a large collection of movies, web series, documentaries, TV serials including the latest movie releases 2019 and is available to view or download at a single click. Their lasting impact on the autism community will be felt long after their fame and fortune have gone; they will be remembered for their generosity, compassion and activism. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said in a Twitter post, was a star for us and had such a great plan for her life commitment to others. We put in really very long time developing this and lastly, we created generator, which is super easy to make use of. Obama 14 times. The study asserts that the root drivers of the prevailing financial system have to be challenged and replaced by a more transparent and ethical alternative, for which Islamic finance is a serious yet underdeveloped option. Nup, no compassion there.. Half Blood longs to return home and yet, like the other soldiers, he plods ever forward.. Now a great time to gather a carpool crew and share the cost of fuel or investigate viable public transport options together. Eventually we arrived home, nearly three hours after I logged in. According to figures the CBSA provided to the Post, the agency removed just 723 irregular migrants with failed refugee claims between April 1, 2017 and June 21, 2019.Kelly McParland: Could Canada become like Denmark and ship refugees off to an island?Syrian chocolatier in Nova Scotia aims to give back by helping refugees in CanadaThis is largely because asylum seekers must exhaust all legal avenues of appeal before they can be removed, which takes time. 2020 Spring Savings:Up to $10 Off WOW Classic US/EU Gold,wow classic powerleveling and More Offered on WOWClassicgp.com From Feb 24-Mar 4 !More https://www.wowclassicgp.com/ Code WSP3 to Save $3 When Order $40+! Code WSP7 to Save $7 When Order $80+! Code WSP10 to Save $10 When Order $110+! By PTI LOS ANGELES: Actor Anya Taylor-Joy says shooting for Edgar Wright's "Last Night in Soho" felt like a "acid trip" to her. The "Peaky Blinders" actor stars alongside Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, and Diana Rigg in Wright's follow-up film to his 2017 blockbuster "Baby Driver". Anya, who is playing a character named Sandy in the 1960s-set psychological horror movie, discussed the film during her appearance on MTV's "Happy Sad Confused" podcast. "Not to say much about the movie, but when I watch bits of it back in ADR or whatever I am disturbed. It's very claustrophobic. The colours are so intense. It's a really well-directed acid trip. "I think people will really like it. You definitely will not be bored," the 23-year-old actor said. Anya said Wright loves "cinema" and all of its different forms. "It's so fun to talk music with him. He just knows everything. I don't know how he fits it all in his head. I loved it. As a dancer, he's big on choreography, and things happen on beats. "It's not quite to the level of 'Baby Driver' where you're coordinating exact car chases to the beats of the music, but I sort of act in beats in my head. I count those out for myself, and he says them out loud. So it's wonderful to do that," the actor said. "Last Night in Soho" will debut in October this year. Published on 2020/03/02 | Source Actor Jo Dong-hyuk is turning into a human weapon. Advertisement The new OCN drama "Rugal" released still cuts of Han Tae-woong (Jo Dong-hyuk), the leader of Rugal. His charisma increases anticipation for this action piece. "Rugal" is a human action hero drama about a former elite police officer who ends up losing not only his beloved wife, but also his eyes, and is accused of being a murderer. The drama follows his fight against criminal organizations after he obtains artificial eyes with special abilities crafted by the biotechnology organization "Rugal". Han Tae-woong is a hero with an artificial arm. He is a cool-headed and calm man, but he has an extreme power that no one can stop; the artificial arm. Even with the arm, Han Tae-woong trains fiercely, as the stills show. Han Tae-woong is the leader of Kang Ki-beom (Choi Jin-hyuk), Song Mi-na (Jung Hye-in) and Lee Gwang-cheol (Park Sun-ho). He doesn't get worked up easily and leads the team with his cool-headedness. He has outstanding fighting skills and although he doesn't show it, he thinks greatly of his team members. However, it spikes interest that he used to be a part of Argos, a terrorist organization. Jo Dong-hyuk said, ""Rugal" is a new kind of genre being introduced in Korea and I'm very happy with my choice. Unique materials, themes, and CG-based action offer a different visual effect compared to other dramas. I'm also in training to look stronger". ___________ "Rugal" is directed by Kang Cheol-woo, written by Do Hyun-I, and features Choi Jin-hyuk, Park Sung-woong, Jo Dong-hyuk, Jung Hye-in, Han Ji-wan, Kim Min-sang. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/03/16~Upcoming, Mon, Tue 22:50 on OCN. Labour leadership contender Aodhan O Riordain, who is leading the campaign against housing development at St Anne's Park in Dublin, proposed planning changes to allow residential development on the land. Mr O Riordain was a member of Dublin City Council in 2005 when he and his colleagues called for residential development use on Z15-zoned, institutional lands. This includes the St Anne's site in Raheny. However, in recent years he has spearheaded opposition to plans by Pat Crean's Marlet Group to develop on St Paul's College land. Mr O Riordain and local campaigners hope for a judicial review against An Bord Pleanala's decision last month to allow more than 650 homes there. Last week, Marlet wrote to Mr O Riordain claiming his role in rezoning Z15 lands to include residential use "appears significant". The letter, signed by Mr Crean, claimed the newly-elected TD's involvement appeared to be "entirely at odds" with, and "makes a mockery of," his position as an opponent of the development. Minutes from a council meeting held on January 31, 2005, show a motion by Labour Party councillors, including Mr O Riordain, calling for residential development to be allowed on Z15 sites. It was a proposal that received cross-party support and the Labour motion was ultimately withdrawn. Last night Mr O Riordain told the Irish Independent that he did not represent the area at the time and hit out at the developer for "playing the man not the ball". "I received a bizarre correspondence from the developer over the weekend. I consider it quite inappropriate. The democratic process is there for people to engage with it," he said. "I support the democratic process, I don't trust developers. "He is in it for profit, that's the capitalist society we live in, I'm not in it for any profit." Asked about his motion to allow residential development on the land, he said Z15 zoning is "clearly for institutional use", such as by a religious order. As Rajasthan authorities awaited a crucial medical test report to confirm if an Italian visitor here has coronavirus, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot instructed health officials to strictly follow the Centre's guidelines on containing the disease. Gehlot chaired a high-level meeting on Monday night after a 69-year-old Italian tourist reported positive for coronavirus following a test conducted at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital. An earlier test conducted at the same government hospital had, however, cleared the man of the virus. Since the two reports were contradictory, the SMS Hospital sent another sample to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The sample was dispatched from the SMS Hospital to Jaipur airport last evening but it could be sent to Pune in a cargo plane on Tuesday morning, hospital superintendent Dr D S Meena said. The sample has been received at NIV, Pune and the report is likely to come this evening, he said. The man, part of a group of 20 tourists, is admitted at an isolation ward at the hospital. The other members of the group left for Agra and then New Delhi, according to officials. Gehlot said the Health Department should ensure that there is no fear in the public about coronavirus. There should be no shortage of facilities for screening and treating those suspected of carrying the virus, he instructed. In a statement on Tuesday, he said those who came in contact with the Italian tourist should be screened after obtaining his travel history. Those showing symptoms of the disease should be kept in Isolation at home or in hospital, he said. The tourist arrived in Jaipur with his group February 28. He was taken to Fortis Hospital the same night, and then to the SMS Hospital the next day. While the first test for swine flu and coronavirus cleared him of the two diseases, the second came out positive for coronavirus. State government officials took part in a video conference on Tuesday with a top official from the Centre, Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said. At Monday night's meeting with Gehlot, Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Chief Secretary D B Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Rohit Kumar Singh, Medical Education Secretary Vaibhav Galaria, SMS Medical College principal Sudhir Bhandari and other senior doctors were present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A student at the Mt Kenya University died Monday afternoon after jumping from the seventh floor of Chancellors Tower at the institutions main campus in Thika. Thika West Deputy Police Commander Daniel Kitavi confirmed the incident saying the student died while receiving treatment at the Thika Level V Hospital. He said the deceased suffered serious injuries on his legs and head. Police officers rushed to the scene and were able to rescue him but he died while undergoing treatment at Thika Level Five Hospital where he had been taken, he said. Kitavi noted that the student did not leave behind a suicide note. We were not able to immediately establish the reason behind his cause of action but I think its a kind of depression or stress, added Kitavi. The students colleagues claimed he had been threatening to commit suicide over what he said were personal issues. It has caught us with a lot of disbelief, we initially thought he was joking only to hear that he had executed his mission, a student said. The deceased was a fourth-year male student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Rural Development. Investigations are ongoing. VICTORIA - Three more cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in British Columbia, bringing the total number of people infected to 12 in the province. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. British Columbia has confirmed its ninth case of COVID-19 in a man who returned from Iran last week. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says the man in his 50s and began to feel ill after he returned home to the Fraser Health region, which is near Vancouver. Henry is shown in this January 28, 2020 file photo with British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward VICTORIA - Three more cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in British Columbia, bringing the total number of people infected to 12 in the province. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, said a woman and a man in his 60s tested positive after returning from Iran, while another woman in her 30s developed symptoms in isolation. That woman had contact with the eighth confirmed case in B.C., which also involved travel to Iran, Henry told a news conference in Victoria Tuesday. Henry said the most important advice she can offer is for people to wash their hands to prevent infection as COVID-19 spreads around the world. "It's necessary," said Henry, adding thorough hand washing with plain soap and water works best. She also advised people not to touch their faces, to stay home from work and school if sick, to avoid large gatherings and not to visit others, especially the elderly, when feeling sick. Employers should consider limiting travel for employees and holding as many virtual meetings as possible, she said. It's not too early for community leaders to start preparing for more cases worldwide. There have been confirmed novel coronavirus cases in as many as 63 countries, said Henry. "This is affecting all of us in the global community," Henry said. "This is an extraordinary situation globally. This is the time for kindness. We're all in this together." Health Minister Adrian Dix said the first five cases in B.C. were linked to China, where COVID-19 originated, but the last seven are related to travel from Iran. "This is an evolving situation," he said. Among the cases linked to Iran, Henry said the people did not return to Canada on the same flight and were not known to be travelling together. She said people contract the virus through close contact, which could occur at family events, dinners and religious gatherings. Canada now has 33 cases of the new coronavirus, most of them in Ontario. Earlier Tuesday in Vancouver, Henry announced the ninth B.C. case of COVID-19 a man in his 50s who began to feel ill after he returned home from Iran last week to the Fraser Health region, which is near Vancouver. He is in isolation at home and Henry said his family and close contacts are being monitored. Officials in B.C. are asking travellers from China and Iran to isolate themselves for 14 days when they return home to Canada as the province expanded its advice on Tuesday to help prevent transmission of the novel coronavirus. "We know that we all have to be aware of mild respiratory symptoms and so I'm asking all British Columbians if you are sick, stay home, stay away from others," Henry told the news conference in Vancouver. With March break around the corner, Henry asked people to be aware of potential issues when they travel, such as getting access to health care and what they would do if caught in a quarantine while travelling during this "challenging time around the world." Those who have trips planned should monitor the federal government's travel advisories, she said. In a joint statement, Henry and Dix said employers should increase the availability of supplies used for cleaning and hand hygiene and think about how they would manage absenteeism by allowing employees to work remotely. "Schools should be increasing cleaning and hand hygiene, educating students on respiratory etiquette, in addition to putting mechanisms in place to support students who may be away for extended periods," the statement said. It also said event organizers should ask anyone who is sick, returning from an affected area or has underlying health conditions that may be affected by respiratory illness to stay away. "Gathering large numbers of people together can increase the risk of transmission," the statement said. Henry said people also need to have a plan ready "for the potential that we might have more transmission of this disease." While she advised against stockpiling supplies, she said everybody should be ready to look after themselves and people in the community. "Do we have the medications that we need, do we have contacts with friends and others who can assist us if we need to stay home, and can we do that for others?" More than 1,000 tests have been done and all novel coronavirus cases in B.C. have been successfully managed at home, she said, adding that no one has been severely ill. With files from Hina Alam in Vancouver. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said all three new cases involved travel to Iran. WESTPORT An investigation by the school district has found no evidence of a racist social media post that prompted a Staples High senior to write a letter outlining the challenges faced by minority students. After a careful investigation by the high school administration, the evidence indicated that, with respect to this issue in question, there was no post, Interim Superintendent David Abbey told the Board of Education last week. As such, no student or group of students should be implicated in any way for posting something that never existed. Last month, Staples High senior Niah Michel, who is black, said statements allegedly made on social media by a white classmate spurred her to submit the letter to the editor published on WestportNow, detailing situations she felt showed an apparent disregard for black and Latino students from their peers and the schools staff. Michel said she has since had several meetings with Staples Principal Stafford Thomas. They were mostly about what the next steps are going to be, she said, regarding the concerns she detailed in the letter. Abbey and Thomas declined to comment on what the investigation into the social media post entailed. According to Michel, she heard about the post through friends, but did not see it herself or know if anyone had taken a screenshot. The post was allegedly made on the Snapchat app, which automatically deletes photos and videos after 24 hours. Thomas notified parents in an email last week that the schools investigation found the post never existed. Therefore, it is essential that no student be singled out or have to bear the burden for something that never occurred, Thomas wrote in the email. Going forward, we will continue to work toward the goal of making Staples a school where every student feels valued and included. Abbey noted its important to exercise care when resolving problems because children are involved. Were still talking about people who need our support whenever they put themselves on the line, and wherever they do it, and whether they make mistakes or dont make mistakes, Abbey said. Id ask that as we go forward all of us when issues come up resist the impulse to pounce, resist the impulse to judge, and resist the impulse to blame until we have a good sense of what occurred. Abbey emphasized that Staples has initiated activities to build bridges between students, including the high schools faculty and administration training with the Anti-Defamation League this year and the schools collaboration with TEAM Westport. On March 16, Staples will begin celebrating diversity month a four-week initiative that will honor women in the first week, black history and ethnic groups in the second, religious inclusion in the third, and the LGBTQ community in the final week. The district is also among eight in the state participating in the pilot program, Creating a District Plan to Increase the Racial, Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity of Your Educator Workforce. This work will not only assist us with the recruitment of a diverse workforce, but with the retention process as well, Abbey said. Weve always been an inclusive community, and we always will be an inclusive school district. dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com Mercedes has a three-tenth advantage over Red Bull-Honda heading into Australia, according to an analysis done by a number of F1 engineers. Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport claims Ferrari comes in next in third place, about 5 to 6 tenths off the pace. Referring to Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel said: "They do fast laps with ease." The publication said its analysis of the Barcelona testing pace involved multiple engineers who analysed laptimes, GPS data, tyre types used, and fuel load and engine mode estimates. Mattia Binotto denied that Ferrari has been sandbagging. "What you saw is our potential," said the team boss. After Ferrari comes Racing Point, then McLaren, Renault, Alpha Tauri, Haas and Alfa Romeo. Williams continues to bring up the rear, but is now as little as a tenth off the next best team. Racing Point's technical boss Andy Green takes issue with the pecking order, though, claiming that the second Red Bull team Alpha Tauri is faster than it appears. "You would expect that from a copy of the old Red Bull," he said, following accusations that Racing Point's own 2020 car is a 'pink Mercedes'. McLaren driver Carlos Sainz agrees with that analysis. "I currently rate Racing Point and Alpha Tauri most strongly," he said, referring to the battle for the top of the midfield. "Racing Point's laptimes are puzzling as they started at a high level but didn't improve as much as the others," added Sainz. "I think they just don't want us to know how fast they are. "I think if we want to defend our fourth place, they are our main rivals." Haas boss Gunther Steiner, meanwhile, agrees with the Auto Motor und Sport-published hierarchy that claims the American team's 2020 car is faster than Alfa Romeo's. "With harder tyres and more fuel in the tank, we were four tenths faster than them," he said. (GMM) Australian of the Year and eye surgeon Dr James Muecke has accused retailers and confectionary makers of "preying on addiction", calling for government action to tackle the nation's growing obesity problem. "You can't walk into a servo or walk through the supermarket checkout without seeing two-for-one chocolates," Dr Muecke told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. "The government can and should address how it is so readily accessible." Australian of the Year Dr James Muecke wants action on obesity. Credit:AAP Dr Muecke, who treats patients with diabetes-related vision loss and sparked headlines when he declared his support for a sugar tax during his Australian of the Year acceptance speech, said the measure was just part of the "multi-pronged approach" needed to tackle the obesity crisis. Victoria Fuller has been one of the most controversial contestants in Bachelor history. It seemed with each passing week a new bit of unflattering news would come out about the medical sales representative. Victoria Fuller | Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images The biggest accusation against the contestant, though, is that shes broken up marriages. Reality Steve began reporting on what he learned about Victoria F. back when filming first began. The Victoria F. Reality Steve findings I wanted to finally report to you on everything Ive heard on Victoria Fuller since before I had even announced she was a contestant on this season, he wrote on his blog. I can honestly say in all my years doing this, I have never had so many negative stories and as many people contact me about one person than I have this season with Victoria Fuller. Its been unreal to be honest. The blogger continued, First email I received was back on Sept. 7th, two weeks before filming even began, and I was told Victoria is [a] contestant and has a horrible reputation in the Virginia Beach area for, well, being with married men. As with anything, first time hearing something, you take it with a grain of salt. But then the emails kept coming, and coming, and coming, and coming all saying the same thing. Basically that she was bad news, many people in Virginia Beach knew the stories about her, and I should look into it more. Not only that, but if I looked deep enough, Id probably be able to find a marriage or two that she broke up because of it. So I looked. And I found. And Im not talking about this happening once, or even twice. The info I was receiving was talking about her having done this three or four times. Its one thing for someone to have that type of lifestyle, but when digging deeper, not only did I find this behavior to be true, but I also found out that the wives of the husbands that Victoria was having relationships with, were actually women Victoria knew and was friends with, Steve continued. Like, had attended their wedding and sh*t. Double whammy. Before anyone says, How do you know this is true? People are probably just jealous and trying to tear her down. You have no proof, blah blah blah. I can tell you today that I personally was in touch with women whose now ex husbands were involved in relationships with Victoria while still married, and both confirmed it to me. Could I have gone off the gossip and told you this a month ago? Sure. But for something this serious, I couldnt just start calling someone a homewrecker because emailers were telling me to. I needed to hear from those women whose husbands were directly involved with her. And they confirmed it, the blogger continued. When Victoria is able to speak on this, will she admit to it? Of course not. Is she gonna say, Yep, I did that. My bad. Its on me. No. But that doesnt mean it didnt happen. Because if you ask the two women I spoke with, they would absolutely say otherwise. So its whose word you choose to believe. The blogger went on to reiterate the large number of emails he received about Victoria F. stating awful things about her. He also said a few of her friends reached out to him to defend the controversial contestant, but they didnt deny the claims. Oh sure, after my tweet last night about todays column, obviously a couple of people who know her both DMed me and said something to the effect So youre gonna come after Victoria now? They never said what Im hearing is false. They never said dont report what you have no idea about. Theyre just in the mode to stick up for Victoria because I guess theyre friends. Hey, if Victoria didnt do this, I wouldnt report it. She did. She can deny it all she wants. I spoke to the women involved. They know the truth. Hell, Victoria knows the truth, she just doesn't want to admit it for fear of backlash. Not a good look for her, but not the least bit surprising she continues to deny it. RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) February 22, 2020 Whats especially interesting is Steve claims production knew about Victoria F.s alleged history. They contacted a woman whos ex-husband was involved with the medical sales representative while they were married. Some of Bachelor Nation doesnt buy Victoria F.s denial on Women Tell All Fans who have kept up with Steves accusations found Victoria F.s softball hot seat during Women Tell All to be particularly peculiar. Much of Bachelor Nation took to Twitter last night to say they dont believe the controversial contestant after she denied the claims. Why are they letting Victoria F get away with lying at women tell all?! tweeted one fan. Oh joy. We get to watch Victoria F lie through her teeth about breaking up all of those marriages. #TheBachelor MEAGAN (@picturesqueME) March 3, 2020 Bachelor nation not buying Victoria Fs lies, tweeted another. Why would Victoria F lie about that when there is proof wondered another. Reality Steve predicted from the beginning that Victoria F. would deny the accusations. What does she have to gain by confirming them? At this point, its simply a matter of who Bachelor Nation believes. Read more: The Bachelorette: Demi Burnett on Hannah Browns Run-In With Jed Wyatt Last Weekend Explained: Why was PSA slapped against Omar Abdullah India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: Jammu and Kashmir administration informed the Supreme Court on Monday that National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has been detained under the Public Safety Act considering his "past conduct" and possibility of such conduct being repeated on his release, which may "prejudice the public order". Vocal critic: Terming Abdullah as "a very vocal critic" of abrogating Article 370, the J&K administration claimed that his acts squarely fell within the realm of public order as it was "calculated to disturb public peace and tranquility". The District Magistrate of Srinagar has said this in his reply filed on a plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot, who has challenged the detention of her brother Omar Abdullah under the provision of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA). The J&K administration has said that in the history of independent India the existence and continuance of Article 370 of the Constitution, which used to give special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, has "always remained a contentious and burning issue". SC to hear plea challenging Omar Abdullah's detention on March 5 "The detenu has been a very vocal critic of any possible abrogation of Article 370 prior to its abrogation on August 5, 2019. It is submitted that considering the very peculiar geo-political position of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and its geographical proximity with Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the concept of 'public order' needs to be examined contextually," it said. Should have moved HC: It also said that Abdullah should have moved the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to avail his remedy before approaching the Supreme Court. The matter came up for hearing on Monday before a bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for J&K administration, told the bench about the reply filed by the district magistrate. The bench, which posted the matter for hearing on March 5, said the petitioner can file rejoinder, if any, to it. PSA In its reply, J&K administration has said that detention of Abdullah was ordered under section 8 of the PSA after being satisfied that it is necessary to detain him with a view "to prevent him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order". It also dealt with submissions advanced in Pilot's plea which said that as Abdullah was already under detention since August 5 last year, there was no ground to come to a conclusion that he may act in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. Omar Abdullahs National Conference to contest J&K Panchayat polls "It is submitted that the said assertion is fallacious and ignores that the subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority, the grounds of detention and the dossier clearly indicate that there exists a live and proximate link in the events that occurred in the past, the activities of the detenu (Abdullah) and the possibility of such activities being prejudicial to maintenance of public order," it said. Ample grounds: "In light of the above, the deponent states and submits that there was ample material and grounds to issue the impugned order of detention against the detenu considering the past conduct and the possibility of such conduct being repeated on release and thereby prejudicing the public order in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," it said. The reply further said, "It may not be out of place to mention that so far since 1990, 41,866 persons have lost their lives in 71,038 incidents throughout the erstwhile state of J&K. This includes 14,038 civilians, 5,292 personnel of security forces and 22,536 terrorists." It said that J&K High Court is seized of over 350 habeas corpus petitions and pleas challenging the detention orders. "It is further submitted that the high court is fully functional and has in fact quashed 68 detention orders since August 2019 while confirming 11 detention orders passed by the appropriate authority," it said, adding that the petitioner has failed to disclose the reason for not approaching the high court first. "It is submitted that entertaining one petition would open flood gates of petitions which in absence of any special ground to make a departure, needs to be avoided," it said. Whoever drafted grounds of detention for Abdullah, Mufti needs to be sacked: Chidambaram Seeking dismissal of the plea for "bypassing the effective alternative remedy" available under the PSA, the district magistrate said, "The detenue has chosen not to file a representation before the advisory board". Grounds of detention were supplied to Abdullah to enable him to make an effective representation as stipulated in law, it said, adding that the advisory board had on February 24 observed that there was sufficient cause for his detention. "It is submitted that the acts, which are easily available in public domain, on the part of the detenu squarely fell within the realm of public order, as it was calculated to disturb public peace and tranquility. It is needless to emphasise that the incitement of the public at large, pertains to public order," it said. It said the detention order is "not vague or without any material facts" and such order based on subjective satisfaction of detaining authority cannot be a matter of judicial review. "The deponent states and submits that invocation of jurisdiction of this court to issue high prerogative writ in the present case is unjustified and unwarranted in as much as the detention of the detenu was neither illegal nor unlawful as alleged in the petition," it said. Pilot has approached the Supreme Court claiming that the detention order was "manifestly illegal" and there was no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". [March 03, 2020] Dane Street Brings Awareness to Autism with Support of Aspire's Spring Gala Dane Street, a leading URAC-accredited provider of Peer Reviews and Independent Medical Examination services to the Workers' Compensation, Disability, Group Health and Auto markets, announced support today for Massachusetts General Hospital's MGH Aspire Program which helps children, teens and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorder or a related social profile achieve success. This program is celebrating its 20th year, and has raised over $19 million to assist its participants in achieving the skills necessary to be successful in their communities and workplaces. As a Platinum sponsor, Dane Street's financial contribution will help ensure Aspire's services are accessible for families in need and allow for the expansion of program offerings. The Aspire Works program offers young people on the autism spectrum real-life work experience and the gala raised more than $2.6 million in 2019. The annual spring gala will be held at the Four Seasons in Boston, MA on Thursday, April 2, 2020, where friends and sponsors will join together to raise awareness for Autism. This initiative is part of Dane Street's ongoing commitment to support local communities. "We are inspired by the work of the MGH spire team, and honored to be part of something so impactful to the entire New England region," said Will Fulton, CEO. About Dane Street Dane Street is a leading national provider of Independent Medical Examination and Peer Review services to the Workers' Compensation, Disability, Auto and Group Health market segments. Our nationwide panel of active-practice, board-certified health care professionals consist of more than 10,000 state-licensed individuals across more than 100 different specialties and fields of services. Our mission is to deliver superior report quality and turnaround time via robust technology, and by people who are committed to exceeding our clients' expectations. Please visit us at www.danestreet.com. About Aspire Aspire is a highly successful, therapeutically-based program that serves children, teens and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorder and related social profiles. The program supports more than 15 area school districts and conducts trainings and workshops serving 700 education and private sector professionals each year. Aspire's programming is designed to help participants develop social competency skills so that they can succeed at home, school, work and in community settings. For more information, visit https://www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire/teen-adult View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005638/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] RICHMOND, Va. - After a lengthy delay, Virginia Democrats are advancing legislation to amend the states constitution to overhaul how new congressional and legislative maps are drawn. A House committee voted Monday to support a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a bipartisan commission made up of lawmakers and citizens charged with drawing maps, instead of letting lawmakers draw the maps themselves. The measure now heads to the full House, where it is expected to pass in coming days. Virginia Democrats have been in a national spotlight on redistricting reform after taking full control of the statehouse this year. The party has made redistricting reform a key campaign plank but has been split on whether to support the proposed constitutional amendment or back a different proposal that is friendlier to the new Democratic majority. House leaders delayed making a decision on the measure for much of this years legislative session, which is set to end Saturday. Supporters say the proposed constitutional amendment will limit lawmakers ability to gerrymander maps for political advantage. Its a good compromise, said Republican Del. Mark Cole. But several black lawmakers have objected to the proposed amendment on the grounds that it could dilute African Americans influence in drawing maps. It is flawed beyond repair, said Democratic Del. Cia Price. The proposed amendment passed last year with broad bipartisan support. Lawmakers need to pass it again this year before it can go to the voters for final approval later this year. The measure has passed the Senate this year already. Redistricting has long been a hot-button issue in Virginia, where federal judges in recent years have struck down both the state legislative and congressional maps as racially discriminatory. Opponents of the proposed constitutional amendment supported an alternative that 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 alternate 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 alternate plan would still give the General Assembly that power. U.S. House and state House and Senate districts will be redrawn based on the results of this years census, making the 2020 election particularly important. The winners could help control who holds power for the next decade, just as Republicans did after a tea party wave a decade ago. Both parties have been accused of using partisan advantage to draw unfair maps around the country. More than a dozen states, both conservative and liberal, have passed some sort of redistricting procedures designed to keep partisanship in check. At least 18 people were killed when a riverboat sank in the Amazon rainforest region, Brazilian authorities said Monday, as survivors described fleeing the foundering boat in terror. The ferry was taking passengers up the Jari River, a tributary of the Amazon, when it suddenly began to tip over on Saturday at around dawn. Authorities said late Monday that beyond the 18 fatalities, they had rescued 46 survivors and 30 were still missing -- meaning there were far more people on board than initially believed. Search operations were ongoing, using helicopters, planes and rescue divers. The Brazilian navy said it had opened an investigation into the accident, the cause of which was unknown. Survivor Vanderleia Monteiro said the boat, the Anna Karoline III, seemed to run into trouble when another boat pulled alongside it and tried to anchor, a common practice for the ferries that travel the Amazon and its tributaries. Someone screamed, "It's sinking!" and within seconds the boat was tipping over, she told Brazilian news site G1, after fleeing with her husband and 11-year-old son. "We escaped through the window and felt our way up the outside wall of the boat as it tipped over. It was like something out of a movie," she said. "The current swept us downstream fast, and we saw the boat sinking in the distance. Then the other boat rescued us." The Anna Karoline III, a two-story river ferry, set out Friday afternoon from the city of Macapa, the capital of Amapa state in northeastern It was heading for Santarem, in the neighboring state of Para, about a 36-hour trip. Rescue helicopters took about nine hours to arrive because the region is so remote. Three of the victims were girls aged between seven and 11, the Amapa state government said in a statement. Hackers gaining control of government websites isnt new. And, this time they have decided to gain control of a website of gau rakshaks in India. hargauseva.gov.in A group of Indonesian hackers have hacked hargauseva.gov.in -- a government website that used to display content pertaining to taking good care of their cattle while enabling better yield. The hackers say they belong to Indonesian One Hat Cyber Team. The entire website has been taken down and replaced by a black screen with the logo of the hacker group and the text, For the government of India, we are Indonesian Muslim citizens. We see hard Indian citizens action. Wounded many Muslims in Delhi. We will not stand idly by when our brother is harmed. Were warning you, please stop hurting people of Muslims, or well attack your other websites. This is how the website looked like before it was hacked. hargauseva.gov.in The website also displays the names of the members of the One Hat Cyber Team. There is no official statement revealed by the institution or authoritative figure as of now. While the website surely has been hacked, we strongly advise you take the aforementioned statement with a pinch of salt. Such acts could also be done to stir disharmony among people online and one must not react to such extremist statements. This isnt the first time hackers have taken control of Indian websites. Last year, a hacker group took control of the website of Bhartiya Janta Party. They completely defaced the website putting memes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the background of the website playing Bohemian Rhapsody. The website also flashed the sentence. Bhaiyas and bhehenos (sic), we made you all chu***as. More to come. In 2017, a Pakistani hacker group took down 10 Indian university websites as a counterattack to Indian hackers taking control of Pakistani Railway website. The on Tuesday formed a relief committee to provide help to the affected people in violence-hit northeast chief announced formation of the committee after a meeting of core committee of the party, also attended by BJP's president JP Nadda, general secretary(organisation) BL Santosh and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. "It was decided that if needed, MPs from will provide money for relief work from their funds," Tiwari said. The relief committee, headed by Tiwari, will include Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Bidhuri, party MPs Gautam Gambhir and Hans Raj Hans, Delhi unit vice president Yogia Singh and general secretary Kuljeet Chahal. It was also decided that all the parliamentarians, legislators, councilors and office bearers of the party will take part in the relief drive, Tiwari said. Chu Lai International Airport is expected to become a a centre for transshipment of goods in the not distant future Chairman Thanh has just given conclusions on the planning scheme of local transport network as well as the investment orientation and strategy of key transport works in the province in the forthcoming period. Accordingly, in the past, the province has focused resources on constructing transport infrastructure, especially roads and waterways. The traffic network has been gradually upgraded, leveraging the approved transport development plan to 2020, with vision towards 2030. Furthermore, Quang Nam Department of Transport was assigned to report on the actual situation of the transport network in the province and to co-ordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment and relevant localities to review their capabilities, balancing the resources, and proposing a list of key transport projects to be prioritised for investment in the public investment plan in 2021-2025. Remarkably, the provincial leaders requested early completion of the planning and pushing up to call for investment into Chu Lai International Airport and Chu Lai Seaport, not using state budget sources. Remarkably, the provincial leaders requested the early completion of the planning andpushing up calls for investment into developing Chu Lai International Airport and Chu Lai Seaport, not using state budget sources. Chu Lai Airport is planned to become an international airport by 2030, with the capacity of five million passengers a year. However, in light of the 2030 vision of the Quang Nam Socio-economic Development Master Plan which was approved by the prime minister in 2018, the growth rate of gross regional domestic product is expected to be more than 2.5 times compared to 2020. Regarding air transport in particular, Chu Lai International Airport will be further upgraded and expanded to gradually transform into a centre for the transshipment of goods, as well as repair and maintenance of large-sized aircraft. Therefore, it needs to study and adjust the planning of Chu Lai Airport to meet the development needs of Quang Nam province and the central region. In addition, to ensure the connection of transport infrastructure, the Chairman of Quang Nam People's Committee requested an investment study of inter-regional transport routes, facilitating the development of dynamic urban areas and key projects in the eastern region. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday urged Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of all Indians and not let 'senseless' violence prevail. Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday urged Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of all Indians and not let "senseless" violence prevail. India's 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. Kumar has urged international bodies not to make irresponsible statements at this sensitive time. "Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. The path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law," Zarif tweeted. Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 2, 2020 The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in Delhi has claimed at least 42 lives. Frenzied mobs have torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at police personnel. Nurses and children infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia cheer themselves up at a ward in Wuhan Children's Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua) China's measures had won time for the world to combat the disease and led to valuable prevention and control experience from which countries around the world could learn, read messages from leaders of foreign political parties and organizations. BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of foreign political parties and organizations have sent messages to China, speaking positively of the country's achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The messages sent to the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee also said China's measures had won time for the world to combat the disease and led to valuable prevention and control experience from which countries around the world could learn. They said they look forward to working together with China to stem the disease's global spread. In a joint message, Pakistan's National Party President Abdul Malik Baloch and General Secretary Jan Muhammad Buledi paid tribute to the CPC cadres and the Chinese people for the valor and unity demonstrated during the fight against the epidemic. They also condemned some Western media for making false claims about the outbreak. Under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC, China will no doubt defeat its current difficulties and become ever stronger and more united, they added. Secretary-General of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) Roque Silva Samuel said that China has made achievements in epidemic prevention and control, a reflection of the effectiveness of China's measures. The four male nurses Tang Qiaojie, Liu Ming, Zhang Yong and Zhang Yingzhen (L to R), from a special team taking care of children infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia, cheer themselves up in Wuhan Children's Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua) Noting that the FRELIMO -- supported by the CPC -- has taken corresponding preventive measures, Samuel said that under Xi's leadership, the Chinese government and people will quickly beat the epidemic and set an example for the world. Secretary General of the Rwanda Patriotic Front Francois Ngarambe said that under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have overcome many challenges, and the outbreak will prove no exception. Ngarambe said he believes that the epidemic will not seriously impact the Chinese economy, and China's long-term sound economic growth remains unchanged. General Secretary of Cape Verde's Movement for Democracy Miguel Monteiro said that as the epidemic continues to spread, some countries are facing increasing risks. The Chinese government has taken strong measures and effectively contained the outbreak, Monteiro said, adding that China's valuable experience is helping other countries across the world. The construction site of Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 4, 2020. Leishenshan Hospital is one of the makeshift hospitals to treat pneumonia patients infected with the novel coronavirus. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) China's response has played an important part in safeguarding global public health security, he added. Slumber Tsogwane, chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party and vice president of Botswana, noted that the epidemic is not just a challenge for China but rather a common challenge for the whole world. Had the outbreak originated in another country, the consequences would have been unimaginable, he said. Tsogwane said that China has been actively sharing information and its experiences with the World Health Organization and other countries, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country. Polish Democratic Left Alliance Vice Chairman Andrzej Szejna said he believes the outbreak will not impede China's path to modernization and the rapid growth of its economy, neither will it hinder cooperation between Poland and China, especially pertaining to the Belt and Road. China's experience in handling the epidemic will prove invaluable to global fights against possible future outbreaks, said the official. Branislav Djordjevic, director of the Institute of International Politics and Economics of Serbia, said the Chinese leadership is dedicated to finding the best solution to safeguarding people's livelihoods and reducing threats brought by the epidemic. China's efforts have earned international acclaim, Djordjevic said, expressing his belief that China will win the battle against the crisis and return to its devotion of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. She will take to the silver screen for a new role in James Bond film, No Time To Die. And ahead of her debut in the franchise, Ana de Armas was spotted out and about with her small white Maltese pooch in Larchmont Village, Los Angeles, on Monday. The actress, 31, went make-up free for the outing as she showcased her natural beauty during a stroll in the sunshine with her beloved dog Elvis. Relaxed: Ana de Armas was spotted out and about with her small white Maltese pooch in Larchmont Village, Los Angeles, on Monday Ana opted for grunge chic as she rocked a plunging black vest, layered with an embroidered black velvet bomber jacket and a pair of grey skinny jeans. Ana boosted her petite frame by adding a pair of black leather heeled boots to her ensemble, while accessorising her look with a cream and black fedora. The Knives Out star was spotted hopping out of her car in the village, before tapping away on her mobile phone on the pavement. Cute: The actress, 31, went make-up free for the outing as she showcased her natural beauty during a stroll in the sunshine with her beloved dog Elvis Ana plays new Bond Girl Paloma in No Time To Die, set for release on April 2. No Time to Die is the 25th film featuring MI5 heartthrob James Bond and it is also the last time Daniel Craig, 51, will step into the secret agent's dress shoes. The actor broke hearts in November when he told USA Today he would be hanging up his tuxedo after playing Bond for the fifth time. Knives Out star Daniel has failed to beat the record for playing the leading role in a Bond film, as veteran actors Roger Moore and Sean Connery remain tied at seven movies. Wow: Ana plays new Bond Girl Paloma in No Time To Die, set for release on April 2 The Layer Cake star told the publication: 'I've had a really good run, and I think doing this movie was the right thing to do,' Craig tells USA TODAY. 'It was the right thing to do one more.' Father of two Daniel is certainly going out with a bang as the James Bond franchise is set to pull out all the stops in the momentous 25th film. The incredible first trailer released last week was crammed with high octane car chases, explosions, gun fights and wild plane rides. The 30 second clip included scenes with Rami Malek, Ralph Fiennes, Lea, Ana de Armas and Lashanna Lynch. A 60-year-old Nigerien national is in the custody of the Kasoa District Police Command for allegedly stabbing to death, a 21-year-old boy. Sources say the suspect, Ibrahim Abdulah, who begs for alms in Kasoa had a confrontation with three other individuals including the deceased, Hamza Awal. According to the sources, the argument got out of hand with the suspect stabbing the other individuals resulting in Hamzas death. The Kasoa District Police Commander, Superintendent, Samuel Odame, in an interview indicated that the suspect will be processed for court soon to answer to a charge of murder. The suspect had a confrontation with three other people and through that, all the three were stabbed and unfortunately, Awal lost his life. The body has been taken to the police hospital for autopsy while the suspect is also in police custody awaiting further action. We are sure he will be arraigned soon. The community was thrown into a state of shock after the perpetrator who was armed with a machete allegedly attacked the two Ghanaians after the argument. Awals death angered some members of the Zongo community who decided to lynch the individual but the timely intervention of the Police in Kasoa prevented the matter from escalating. Family of deceased expresses shock The mother of the deceased, Adoley Abossey said the death of his son comes as a shock to her since her. She is thus calling on authorities to make sure that the individual who committed the crime is brought to book. I was selling yesterday when I received a call from my sister informing me that my son had been stabbed. So we rushed him to the hospital but he was pronounced dead. He is my only son. I have no one to rely on. I need help. ---citinewsroom People wearing face masks walk in front of an Apple store at a shopping mall, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 18, 2020. Qorvo, a radio frequency chip supplier for Apple's iPhones, lowered its fourth-quarter revenue expectations to $770 million on Tuesday, down from its predicted range of $800 million to $840 million in late January. "The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted the smartphone supply chain and customer demand more than anticipated," Qorvo said. "The full impact of COVID-19 remains difficult to forecast given the uncertainty of the magnitude, duration and geographic reach of the outbreak." Qorvo's fourth-quarter results are expected on May 5. Apple is expected to announce a new low-cost iPhone sometime this spring, possibly named the iPhone SE2. It typically announces its new flagship iPhones in September. In mid-February, Apple said it didn't expect to meet its quarterly revenue forecast due to lower iPhone supply globally and weak Chinese demand. Fifteen percent of its revenue comes from the region. Apple previously predicted net sales of $63 billion to $67 billion for its fiscal second quarter, though it didn't provide a new forecast. On Feb. 28, Apple CEO Tim Cook said he believes that China is getting coronavirus under control. "When you look at the parts that are done in China, we have reopened factories, so the factories are working through the conditions to open. They're reopening," he said. On Tuesday, Foxconn Technology, which builds Apple's iPhones, said production has reached 50% of seasonal required capacity and that, based on its current schedule, it expects to reach "full seasonal capacity by the end of March." But Foxconn warned that "there are still plenty [of] uncertainties which we can not quantify the potential impact [of] on the full year." Qorvo is among the latest among tech companies to feel the impact from the deadly coronavirus outbreak that's sickened at least 91,300 people. PC makers have also indicated this cycle will be impacted by the coronavirus. HP warned during its fiscal first-quarter earnings call last week that production restraints may delay business computer upgrades to the second half of 2020. Lenovo also warned that supplies would be constrained in Q1. Microsoft, which relies on sales of Windows to those computer makers, said its More Personal Computing Unit would miss segment guidance during the third fiscal quarter, noting that "Windows OEM and Surface are more negatively impacted than previously anticipated." Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 18:24:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed an intervention application in India's Supreme Court over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). However, the move was strongly rejected by India's foreign ministry Tuesday, saying CAA was an internal matter and no foreign party has any standing on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty. "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," reads a statement issued by India's foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. The petition filed by the UN body asks the top court to make it a party in the case against the CAA that is being heard by the top court. "We are clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of our constitutional values," the spokesperson said. "We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position would be vindicated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court." Over 140 petitions challenging the new citizenship law have been filed in the country's Supreme Court. CAA 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. Protests against the CAA were triggered in December last year after India's upper house of parliament passed the law. So far, the violence triggered by the protests has killed over 70 people across India. Last week communal violence broke out between pro- and anti-CAA groups in the northeastern part of India's capital New Delhi. At least 46 people were killed and over 300 injured in the violence. The violence left a trail of damage in the northeastern parts of the city as rioters torched vehicles, vandalized shops and burnt buildings including schools. Many people, especially Muslims, have their homes in the affected areas and took refuge in the shelters set up by government and relief workers. Federal authorities in a statement Wednesday morning said Arnowitz maintains his political campaign account under the name "Friends of Larry Arnowitz." From June 2015 through February 2019, Arnowitz used donated campaign funds for personal expenses, federal authorities said. The expenses were unrelated to any legitimate campaign or re-election purpose, the U.S. attorney's office said in a release Wednesday. For instance, he used the money for his personal residential mortgage, and made "substantial cash withdrawals" for personal use, the U.S. attorney's office said. The indictment, filed Friday and unsealed Wednesday, cites a $5,000 check Arnowitz sent on Feb. 13, 2019 to pay some of his home mortgage loan. To conceal his fraud, he filed false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, federal authorities said. U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen said in a statement: "Alderman Arnowitz abused the trust of many individuals and organizations that contributed to his political campaign fund for several years. This type of corruption by our elected officials will not be tolerated, and federal law enforcement will continue to investigate and prosecute these types of criminal schemes in order to insure the integrity of our political processes." Continuing its clampdown on China's official media, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday put a cap on the number of Chinese citizens permitted to work for their five official outlets in America at any given time. Xinhua Agency, China Radio International, China Global Television Network and China Daily have been asked to reduce their Chinese employees from 160 to 100, a senior State Department official. They have been asked to comply with the new limits by March 13, the official said. The cap applies to the five Chinese state media entities operating in the US that have been designated as foreign missions, recognising that they are effectively controlled by the Chinese government, Pompeo said on Monday. "Unlike foreign media organisations in China, these entities are not independent organisations," Pompeo said and alleged that for years, the Chinese government has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China. President Donald Trump has made it clear that Beijing's restrictions on foreign journalists are misguided, he said adding that the US government has long welcomed foreign journalists, including Chinese journalists, to work freely and without threat of reprisal. "The US government is today instituting a personnel cap on certain PRC-controlled state media entities in the United States specifically, the five entities that were designated by the US State Department on February 18, 2020, as foreign missions of the People's Republic of China," he said. "This cap limits the number of Chinese citizens permitted to work for these organisations in the United States at any given time," Pompeo said. He said that the decision to implement this personnel cap is not based on any content produced by these entities, nor does it place any restrictions on what the designated entities may publish in the United States. "Our goal is reciprocity. As we have done in other areas of the US-China relationship, we seek to establish a long-overdue level playing field. It is our hope that this action will spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach to US and other foreign press in China," he said. Pompeo urged the Chinese government to immediately uphold its international commitments to respect freedom of expression, including for members of the press. A senior administration official told reporters that there is an assault on free speech inside of China that goes even beyond what it was a decade ago. "According to the Foreign Correspondents Club of China, we've also seen the expulsion of nine foreign journalists from China since 2013. Now, to put that into perspective, even the Soviet Union used expulsions sparingly at the height of the Cold War, as contrasted with Beijing today," the official said. Foreign reporters who have been expelled tend to be reporters who have reported on topics that are critically important to an international audience, the official said. For example, the Chinese Community Party's indoctrination camps and the use of forced labour to export products to US consumers; high-level corruption and the ways that wealth and power are employed by top leaders, sometimes against the interests of American business; how a virus first started spreading. "So it's really no accident also that the expelled foreign journalists are ones who speak Chinese language very well," said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The United States on the other hand has issued 3,000 I-visas to Chinese nationals working in the media space, since 2015. By contrast, US outlets have only about 75 American or other non-Chinese citizens working for them inside of mainland China. Also, the visas that we issue to Chinese propagandists have no duration of stay. They can stay indefinitely on those visas. By contrast, Beijing currently imposes duration of stay on all foreign reporters in China, some as short as 30 days. So, after 30 days, some reporters have to reapply for an extension, the official said. "So one step that we'll be announcing in the near future is establishing limits on duration of stay for PRC nationals coming to the United States on I-visas, which are the category for representatives of foreign media," the official said. This merely creates some degree of reciprocity for foreign journalists in China who are increasingly getting these shorter and shorter durations of stay based on, frankly, how much Beijing dislikes their reporting, the official noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A trilateral agreement on the operation and filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) deal which was signed by Egypt in Washington last week is fair and balanced, preserving Ethiopia's right to development and Egypt's right to the Nile water which is a right to life, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said on Tuesday evening. In a telephone call to Al-Hayat Al-Youm current affairs show on Al-Hayat channel, Rady said that the deal, which Ethiopia and Sudan have not yet signed, does not prevent the construction of the GERD but "rather regulates the filling and operation of the water through the GERD. "The deal does not touch the right of Ethiopia in construction or development or generating electricity through the dam. It recognises the construction, the start of filling and operation, but according to rules that preserve Egypt's right to life," he said. The deal is fair and balanced, the spokesman said of the deal, which was sponsored by the US Treasury and the World Bank after rounds of talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump called Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in order to discuss the latest developments concerning the mega-dam, expressing his appreciation that Egypt had signed the GERD deal, according to a separate statement by Rady. Also on Tuesday, Ethiopia's foreign and irrigation ministers accused the US of being "undiplomatic" in its push to resolve the row, but vowed to continue with talks. The ministers added in a joint press conference that Ethiopia would start filling the dam next July. Egypt is worried Ethiopia will fill the reservoir too quickly, reducing water flow downstream. Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan were expected to sign a final deal on the mega-dam during the two-day talks that concluded in Washington on Friday, but Ethiopia skipped the meetings citing incomplete domestic discussions. Egypt initialled the deal and called on Ethiopia and Sudan to do the same. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday that Washington was disappointed after Ethiopia skipped last week's talks. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi: The original lover boy aka 'Arjun Reddy', who recently turned 'World Famous Lover', south sensation Vijay Deverakonda is now gearing up for his big Bollywood debut. And this time, joining him is the 'Student Of The Year 2' star Ananya Panday. The moment their on-screening pairing was announced online, netizens couldn't be happier in anticipation of what the storyline will be like. The fresh on-screening casting of Vijay with Ananya has surely raised the expectations from the upcoming venture which will be helmed by famous director Puri Jagannadh. Recently, Ananya and Vijay Deverakonda were spotted by paps on the Versova jetty. They hugged and greeted each other and ended up chit-chatting. Meanwhile, the paps on duty were more than happy to click them together and guess what? As soon as the pictures went online, it became a talking point. Check out the photos: (Pic Courtesy: Yogen Shah) Vijay Deverakonda was dressed in a casual ash grey tee with black trousers and a beanie while Ananya looked pretty in a white crop top and ripped shorts. The two looked happy in each other's company as they headed for the shoot location. Previously, they set the internet on fire with their pictures of their shoot where Vijay was seen riding the bike and Ananya comfortably seated on the front, giving major couple-in-love vibes. Looks like the movie is essentially going to be a love story with loads of action to complement it. The yet-to-be-titled venture is being bankrolled by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. It will be made in Hindi and other regional languages simultaneously. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 08:02 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067d9cd9 1 Editorial #Editorial,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,coronavirus,COVID-19,health,Terawan-Agus-Putranto,Jokowi-administration Free President Joko Jokowi Widodos announcement on Monday of the first two confirmed cases of Indonesians contracting the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in the country was much-anticipated, however, it will still have a number of consequences. First and foremost, the announcement by the head of state implies the governments intention to show not only the domestic audience but also the international community that it takes the outbreak seriously. The government, in return, demands public confidence in dealing with the virus, which has affected more than 60 countries worldwide and claimed over 3,000 lives. Second, the Presidents statement amounts to an official declaration of war on the virus. The debate had arisen as to whether Indonesia was ill-prepared for the epidemic given that it had failed to detect any infection more than one month after the virus began to spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan. With the announcement of the first infections on home soil, people are anxious about whether the two people testing positive for the virus are just the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, the government will now trace who the 64-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter had been in contact with to discover any further infections. The two residents of Depok, West Java, a city to the south of Jakarta, had been in contact with a Japanese citizen who tested positive in Malaysia on Feb. 27 after visiting Indonesia in early February. The health authorities discovered the first two infections also after conducting contact-tracing mechanisms. Third, now that the virus has infected people in the country with a possibility of multiplying through human-to-human transmissions, it is time for the government to focus on curing those infected and minimizing the spread of the virus. The Health Ministry now takes the lead and will coordinate nationwide measures to win the battle against COVID-19. The emphasis on health measures should be translated into the allocation of more funding and the use of all resources at the governments disposal for the fight against the coronavirus. Attempts to take advantage of the epidemic, as evident in the recent stimulus to boost tourism, will divert from the endeavors to save vulnerable people, hence disrespecting human lives. Of course the virus has impacted the economy, but failure to address COVID-19 will be more devastating as it would further affect global confidence, including that of investors, in Indonesia. The government has demonstrated its readiness by designating over 100 hospitals across the archipelago to deal with the disease. This should and will be followed by the deployment of health workers, who must race against time to protect the country from a health crisis. Coordination between the central and local governments will be key in this regard, particularly in disseminating tips to protect themselves, including how to live a healthy life to sustain ones immune system. Indonesia should not hesitate to learn or ask for assistance from other countries in winning this battle, even though we have survived previous outbreaks like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which are in the same family as COVID-19. Moroccos agricultural exports to the EU grew 4% in 2019 to 1.4 million tons, the European Unions statistics agency Eurostat reported. The EU bought 859,095 tons of Moroccan vegetables and 533,065 tons of fruits, Eurostat said, noting that watermelons and oranges dominated Moroccos fruit exports. Spain topped the list of destinations for Moroccan fruits and vegetables. Morocco and the EU are bound by a farm deal offering trade preferences for Moroccan products including those from the Sahara southern provinces. NILES, MI A Berrien County tattoo and piercing parlor has been shut down by the county health department until further notice over concerns of possible blood-borne pathogens being transmitted. After identifying unsafe and unsanitary piercing practices that may have exposed former customers to the blood of other customers, the Berrien County Health Department announced Tuesday that the license for Paparazzi Tattoo & Body Piercing, 114 N. 4th St. in Niles, would be suspended until the shop comes into compliance with the Michigan public health code. The health department is encouraging former piercing customers of Paparazzi to receive blood tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, according to a news release from the department. Anyone who has received dermal piercings or piercings of their navel, tongue, nipples or genitals at Paparazzi in the last decade, is encouraged to get tested, Gillian Conrad, communications manager with the health department, told MLive. Those who received ear and nose piercings exclusively are not at risk and are not recommended for blood testing, she said. Conrad also stated that there were no issues found with any tattooing equipment or practices at the shop and that those who have been tattooed at Paparazzi were not found to be at risk for transferred blood-borne pathogens. The health department first became aware of unsanitary practices occurring at the shop following a customer complaint in which the customer described seeing blood on a pair of metal forceps used to hold a piece of jewelry during a piercing, Conrad said. We responded to the customer complaint about safety and hygiene, and upon further investigation our public health sanitarian discovered unsterile equipment was being used, Conrad told MLive. Conrad said the shop did have sanitation practices in place, but that the full sterilization required by the Michigan public health code was not being met." Specifically, Conrad said, the department sanitarian found the metal forceps being used at the parlor were not being sanitized properly between uses. Metal forceps are the tools used to hold the jewelry as piercing are being done. The risk of a blood-borne pathogen transmission is low given that there was some sanitation happening; however there is a potential elevated risk and that is the reason for the public being notified and for testing recommendations," she said. While investigations are ongoing, to date, the Berrien County Health Department has not identified any cases of hepatitis C, hepatitis B or HIV that are associated with practices or procedures at Paparazzi Tattoo & Body Piercing, Conrad said. Former customers are encouraged to go to their primary health care provider but can also be tested at the Berrien County Health Department offices in Niles on Tuesdays or Thursdays or at the Benton Harbor location on Mondays or Thursdays, Conrad said. People infected with viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV may not have symptoms for many years, the health department cautions, so even though there may not be symptoms, blood testing is still recommended as there are treatment options available if test results are positive for infection. The Berrien County Health Department has been established a hotline to answer questions or concerns from the public at 1-800-815-5485. More information is also available at the Berrien County Health Department website at www.bchdmi.org. A call to Paparazzi Tattoo & Body Piercing by MLive was not immediately returned. Also on MLive: Mother sentenced to jail, probation for leaving toddlers alone for 17 hours Fire destroys furniture store for second time in under two years From icon to rubble: Nazareth motherhouse demolished in Kalamazoo A cooking fire at an apartment building displaced two families with children Sunday night. The Rochester Fire Department was called to a fire alarm around 8:20 p.m. Sunday at 920 40th St. NW, according to a news release from the department. Firefighters arrived to find smoke in the building. The sprinkler systems were on. "When crews arrived at the apartment unit with the fire, they discovered an unattended cooking fire that had been extinguished by an activated sprinkler head," the statement said. The fire had been completely extinguished. Crews turned off the sprinkler system to limit the amount of water damage to the building and then ventilated the building to remove smoke and other toxic gases. No one was injured, but the fire damaged the apartments stove, microwave and cabinets, while smoke and water damaged other parts of the building. ADVERTISEMENT "Cooking is by far the leading cause of structure fires in Minnesota; almost half of all structure fires are due to cooking, which is over 4 times more than the next cause according to a 2017 report by the MN State Fire Marshall," the statement said. "The top three factors in cooking fires is unattended cooking, combustibles too close to cooking equipment, and cooking equipment accidentally turned on." Staff from the American Red Cross said Sunday night that the organization was helping the two families secure a place to stay after the incident. In January, an erroneous emergency alert about an incident at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station frightened many Ontarians. But should we fear the nuclear power? Angela Bischoff the Ontario Clean Air Alliance says yes, while nuclear scientist Michael Ivanco argues no. Angela Bischoff Ontario Clean Air Alliance YES Ask yourself: Would we build a massive nuclear power station in the middle of Canadas largest urban area today? The answer, of course, is a common sense no. Its common sense because nuclear energy, despite its boosters assurances, is not without risk. And while the risk of something going wrong may be small, the consequences could be catastrophic. Just ask the people of Japan. There is a persistent myth that there is something special about CANDU (Canadas nuclear) technology. But thats just wishful thinking. CANDUs are just as prone to risk as any other type of system for splitting atoms. In fact, the inability of nuclear engineers to address some of the risks built into the CANDU process led to the shelving of both the CANDU 6 advanced reactor design and the Maple small reactors that were to supply medical isotopes (a role that is now being increasingly filled by non-nuclear technologies). Those failures cost us billions in wasted taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, with their miles and miles of corrosion-prone piping and complex designs, CANDUs are notoriously hard to maintain, and all our reactors have had to undergo significant rebuilding well before reaching the end of their promised lifetimes. Share your thoughts Accident experts know there is one leading cause of mega-mishaps human error. It was a major contributor in both the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters. We are in no way special when it comes to avoiding mistakes: a serious leak was discovered in the Pickering plants unusual (and dangerous) shared containment structure, heavy water valves have been left open, and employees have been accidentally exposed to radiation. Meanwhile, the whole station is controlled with computer systems designed in the 70s. This very newspaper documented the alarming findings of a safety review at Ontarios nuclear plants in the 1990s that described standards as minimally acceptable and led to the immediate shutdown of seven reactors (and a huge increase in the use of the provinces dirty coal plants.) Then theres the radioactive waste left behind for untold future generations to contend with. The total radioactivity in Pickerings spent nuclear fuel is 200 times greater than the total radiation released to the atmosphere by the Fukushima accident in 2011. Maybe the risk involved in storing 15,000 tonnes of radioactive waste next to the source of our drinking water and surrounded by millions of people would be worth it if we had no alternatives. But we have plenty of options to keep our lights on and our beer cold. What we dont have is any viable solution for the long-term storage of highly radioactive waste that will have to be kept absolutely secure for hundreds of thousands of years. Theres no shortage of happy talk about deep geologic waste disposal or even miraculous waste-consuming mini breeder reactors (a technology long since dismissed by countries around the world due to its horrendous risk profile). What you wont find are any actual operational solutions or even any ready-to-implement plans on the near horizon. And then theres the danger to your wallet. Nuclear power with risks so huge that no commercial insurance industry will touch it for any amount of premium is no bargain. Today, Ontario Power Generation is charging 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour for nuclear power; within 5 years that will jump to 16.5 cents as OPG deals with the huge cost of rebuilding Darlingtons reactors. That is three times the cost of renewable power we could secure from Quebec, twice what Ontario was paying for wind power (and about equal to solar) four years ago, and eight times what we pay to help our industries and businesses improve their energy efficiency and reduce their need for power (and their bills). So, the calculus is simple. On one hand we have a fading technology nuclear now generates half the power it did worldwide 10 years ago with rising costs and security concerns, and a long history of bringing in projects behind schedule and massively over budget. On the other, a 100 per cent renewable system where costs continue to plummet, technology including storage is leaping ahead, and safety is about making sure workers wear harnesses, not radiation monitors. Which one would you choose for your neighbourhood? Angela Bischoff is director of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, an NGO working to move our province to a 100 per cent renewable electricity system. Michael Ivanco Nuclear Scientist NO If you really want to address global warming and reduce your carbon footprint, then embracing a clean energy solution that electricity can provide is your answer. Fortunately, Ontario is a world leader from hydro to nuclear; we have developed noncarbon solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a safe and effective manner. Clean, cheap and efficient electrical power is what helped drive the Ontario economy in the 1950s and 60s. Now it is once again ready to power our electric cars, rapid transit systems and factories. Nuclear is the most cost effective, and scalable, solution we have available. We developed a unique nuclear power technology for making electricity, the CANDU reactor. CANDU reactors were built in Canada, mostly in Ontario, and also in several other countries. In Canada, they were built at a time when electricity demand growth was high and the only alternative was to build coal-fired generation. To date, CANDU reactors in Ontario have produced over 3000 TWh of electricity and in displacing coal, have avoided the release of over 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. To put this in perspective, this is more than four times Canadas annual carbon dioxide emissions from all sources. CANDU reactors produce more than 60 per cent of Ontarios electricity, affordably, reliably and with zero carbon emissions. Indeed, the carbon emissions from Ontarios electricity generation are amongst the lowest in the world, at 30 grams of CO2 per kW/hour. The electricity generated by nuclear power in Ontario is cheaper than natural gas, wind and solar, the latter being the most expensive. Some people will try to tell you nuclear power is no longer needed because of advances in wind and solar power generation that can replace nuclear power. This idea is a fantasy. There are only two economically viable ways of generating electricity on demand that are carbon free and independent of weather conditions: hydroelectricity and nuclear power. By way of example, in 1990 Germany vowed to replace all coal and nuclear powered generation with renewable energy in a program called Energiewende. At that time its single largest source of electricity generation came from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal. Since then it has spent hundreds of billions of Euros developing their wind and solar generation capacity. THE BIG DEBATE: For more opposing view columns from Toronto Star contributors, click here. After 30 years Germany has shut down half of its nuclear plants but in 2019 more electricity was generated by burning fossil fuels than by any other method. Germanys greenhouse gas footprint is 360 grams of CO2 per kW/hour, 12 times our own and its electricity costs are the highest in Europe. As any scientist will tell you, when the data doesnt fit your idea then your idea needs some adjustment. We have learned how to utilize and contain nuclear energy for the benefit of humankind. While there have been three famous accidents, fatalities have been very few. Near Fukushima, Japan in March of 2011, approximately 20,000 people died from a tsunami. At the nuclear plant, there were three fatalities, all from drowning. By contrast, it is estimated, on the low end, that at least 1,000 people around the world die every single day as a result of pollution from coal-fired generation. Some credible estimates are as high as 10,000 per day. Nuclear technology has developed to the point that small modular reactors (SMR) can power communities or industries and are one-tenth the size of a traditional site. These can serve remote communities, heavy industries and replace coal and gas plants. We currently face an existential threat from global warming caused by human-made greenhouse gas emissions and we need all the useful tools that are available to combat this threat. Wind and solar are weather dependent, expensive and can provide only a partial solution. Those who argue that natural gas is an acceptable alternative are peddling a falsehood because, at the end of the day, it still emits hydrocarbons and is increasingly it is produced by fracking, which is environmentally problematic on its own. Nuclear power is safe, reliable and efficient. It is one of the best tools we have to combat climate change. The energy contained inside the nucleus of atoms is the most powerful energy in the universe and you have to respect that. But we have learned how to tame it and we should use it for our benefit. Our ancestors did not walk away from the discovery of fire, despite its inherent dangers, and we should not bury our heads in the sand and pretend that nuclear energy does not exist. We should respect it but not fear it. Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government will be reviewing the earlier BJP dispensations project Govardhan Govansh Seva Kendra (GGSK) to decide on the continuity of the cow protection scheme. Animal and Husbandry minister Sunil Kedar said his department was asked to review the cow protection scheme. Fund spent on this scheme, its benefits and its overall impact (are under review). Once we get the comprehensive report, then we will take the decision on ending this scheme of the previous government, said Kedar. Sources in government said that this scheme was started to fund the RSS-affiliated organisations. The RSS is not at all interested in cow protection. Government money was used for other works. This is the misuse of the government fund that the minister wants to stop, said a source. BJP leader Sudhir Mungatiwar has opposed the move, saying that the decision of launching the scheme was taken in a Cabinet meeting where Shiv Sena ministers were also present. I am surprised whether CM Uddhav Thackeray supports this decision of his minister. We have to protect cows by providing all kind of facilities. Just that the cow protections shelters are affiliated to the RSS does not mean it should be shut down. Meanwhile, Kedar said that the previous BJP government had taken several controversial decisions which would be reviewed. This is not the BJP government. We are here to protect the right of all communities and parties, not any one organisation. The BJP led government had also appointed the cow vigilantes and given them identity cards for monitoring the beef ban imposed by the Maharashtra government. The members were mostly drawn from Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Ram Sena, Hindu Sena, Shiv Sena, among others. Not the first time In February, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government stopped the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan Fadnavis pet project aimed at solving water crisis in the drought-prone regions of Maharashtra Edible oil may become up to 10% cheaper in the next one week owing to fall in global prices due to coronavirus outbreak, according to industry executives. As India imports around 70% of its annual consumption of 23.5 million tonnes of edible oil, global prices weigh strongly on the country's market. "Low demand in China, which is one of the biggest consumers, has led to a fall in prices in the global market and simultaneously in the domestic market," Angshu Mallick, deputy chief executive officer at Adani Wilmar told the Economic Times. He added that the company will pass on the benefit of this fall in prices to consumers "which will reflect in the sticker packs of branded cooking oils in the coming week." Also Read:Adani, Patanjali and Emami to gain from restrictions on Malaysian palm oil Mallick added that the consumer will pay 10% less i.e. Rs 8 a litre for palm oil and soyabean oil and 7% less at Rs 5 a litre for sunflower oil. Presently, the wholesale prices of branded soyabean and palm oil stand at Rs 78 a litre, whereas that of sunflower oil is Rs 82 a litre. Mallick further told the news daily that as the coronavirus spreads to other regions of the world "we can expect a further drop in prices by Rs 3 a litre." Sudhakar Desai, President at Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association, also said that because of poor global demand, coronavirus outbreak and long liquidation, the prices of cooking oil in the international market have dropped 15-22% in the last 50 days. Meanwhile, palm oil prices have dipped 20% and soya and sunflower oil prices fell 15% during this period. Desai told the news daily that mustard oil prices have dipped 13% whereas, rice bran oil prices have come down by 20% in the past two months. Also Read: Pakistan readies to import more palm oil from Malaysia after curb by India Bengaluru: A late night tweet by Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu On Monday has set off alarm bells across India's tech capital Bengaluru. In a series of tweet, Sriramulu revealed that a coronavirus-hit techie who is admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad had travelled from Bengaluru to the Telangana capital, leading to panic in the Karnataka capital. According to him, the health department officials visited the area where the infected man had stayed before traveling to Hyderabad and are keeping a close watch on the health of the residents there. It is learned that the person infected with coronavirus had moved from Bangalore. Therefore, all those who lived at this person's local address have been identified and being taken care of, Sriramulu posted. Sriramulu, who is busy with his daughter's extravagant seven-day wedding this week, has convened an emergency meeting of the top officials of the health department on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in Bengaluru. The state minister was under fire for focusing only on his daughter's wedding and ignoring the impending danger of the spread of the deadly virus. According to a senior government doctor, the health department officials have been asked to visit the homes of all those who have returned from the coronavirus-affected countries for 28 days to keep a close tab on their health conditions. Speaking to News18 a lady doctor said, "We have been asked to visit people who have just returned from virus-affected countries. It seems the immigration department at the airport has shared their details with the Karnataka government. We have to visit them every day for the next 28 days without a break. It is a tedious task. Unfortunately, we have not been given any security gears or suits. We don't even have masks. We have to buy it all using money from our pockets. Who will save us, if we contract coronavirus?" However, Sriramulu says the government is fully equipped to handle the suspected cases and is personally monitoring the situation, despite being very busy with his daughter's mega wedding. Escalating military action by Russia and Turkey in Idlib risks a direct confrontation between the two major foreign powers in Syria's war, days ahead of a summit of their leaders to hammer out a deal to halt the fighting. Both countries say they hope to avoid a head-on clash, but after Turkey ramped up attacks on Russian-backed Syrian forces and Russian military police helped secure a town seized from Turkey-backed rebels, all sides acknowledge the risk. Turkey says it has shot down three Syrian planes and destroyed eight helicopters and scores of tanks since last Thursday, when 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in an air strike, the deadliest attack on the Turkish army in nearly 30 years. In response to the Turkish assault and advances by Turkey-backed rebels, Moscow said on Monday that Russian military police had helped drive back rebels from Saraqeb and entered the strategic town which has changed hands three times in a month. "We need to accept that this incident raised tensions between the two countries," a Turkish security official said of last week's attack on Turkish troops. "Turkey does not intend to clash with Russia in any way, and Russia does not want that either," he said. "But on the battlefield it's another story. It's so complicated that an accidental attack on one another is the biggest risk." NATO member Turkey has the alliance's second largest army. Russia, a nuclear-armed power, has a major air base in Syria and deployed warships in the Mediterranean last week. Turkey already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and is trying to stem advances by Russian-backed Syrian government forces which have displaced 1 million people in Idlib, the last rebel bastion in Syria, driving them towards the Turkish border. Russian support since 2015 has been instrumental in turning the tide of the war in favour of President Bashar al-Assad, who says he will recapture "every inch" of Syrian land. "Russia is taking a very tough stance and showing it's ready for conflict," said former Russian lawmaker Sergey Markov. "An attack on Saraqeb will be an attack on Russia." STRENGTHENING NEGOTIATING HANDS The showdown in northwest Syria comes ahead of Thursday's meeting between Presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, suggesting both sides are seeking to consolidate their military position in part to bolster their negotiating hand. A Syrian opposition figure described the battle for Saraqeb, at the junction of Syria's main north-south and east-west highways, as a "war of wills", while a rebel military commander said both countries were trying to impose a "fait accompli". "The Syrian government is trying to take over new places with Russian support ahead of the Erdogan-Putin meeting," the Turkish security official said. "They are trying to have the upper hand at the table". Turkey insisted last month that Syrian forces withdraw to Idlib frontlines established in a 2017 "de-escalation" accord. Damascus and Moscow ignored the demand, taking more territory in a conflict they frame as a war on terrorists. Vladimir Frolov, a former senior Russian diplomat, said the key issue at Thursday's summit was the size of the remaining pocket of border territory which Russia would allow rebels to hold and where millions of displaced people could shelter. "Erdogan wants a 30 mile deep zone, Moscow has been offering an 8 mile strip," Frolov told Reuters, predicting that the two leaders might split the difference. He said Russia's deployment in Saraqeb was a signal that the control of the north-south M5 highway on which the town stands was a "red line" for Moscow, and would remain under its control. That would require Turkey to back down from a months-long refusal to abandon a dozen military observation posts set up around the perimeter of the de-escalation zone, most of which are now surrounded by Syrian government forces. BOSTON It is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling stories that Elizabeth Warren tells. She was just a girl when her father (my daddy, she calls him) had a heart attack. The family lost its station wagon and came close to losing its home. That is when her mother dug out the dress. You know the one, Ms. Warren says of the outfit that her mother saved for weddings, funerals and graduations. Muttering to herself we will not lose this house, we will not lose this house, her mother slipped it on, marched to Sears and won a minimum-wage job to keep their family afloat. From Iowa to New Hampshire to California, most of the 100,000-plus people who have taken selfies with Ms. Warren have heard some version of the story, often listening in rapt silence. But Ms. Warrens presidential campaign has never packaged the wrenching tale into a tidy television commercial for the millions of Americans who will vote on Super Tuesday, or who voted in any other state so far. Donald Trump on Tuesday became the first President of the United States to talk to the leader of the Taliban after the 2001 September 11 attack. According to reports, Donald Trump had a telephonic conversation with the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, whose name he did not reveal while talking to the press. Trump while talking to reporters said that he had a 'good talk with the leader of the Taliban'. Read: Peace Deal With Taliban Is Conditions-based Agreement: US Defence Secretary Trump's 'good talk' with the Taliban leader came just days after the United States and the Taliban signed a peace deal in Doha that would supposedly see an end to the 18-year-war in Afghanistan. Trump further said that the Taliban is dealing with Afghanistan, referring to the next step in the peace process that requires Afghan govt and the Taliban to decide on the power equation in the country. US-Taliban peace deal The United States and the Taliban signed the peace deal after 18 months of negotiations. The deal which was signed in the presence of leaders from Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan would see the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan under a timeline of 14 months. The deal also requires Afghanistan to guarantee that their land will not be used as a launchpad that would threaten the security of the United States and its allies. Read: Taliban Ends Partial Truce Days After Peace Deal, To Resume Afghan 'operations' The deal faced obstacle after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani while talking to the press the other day, objected to certain arrangements that would see a prisoner swap between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban in order to start direct talks between the two important stakeholders of the country. The deal requires the Afghan government to release around 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 Afghan security personnel by March 10. Read: Taliban Declines Intra-Afghan Talks Without Prisoners' Release After Peace Deal After Ashraf Ghani's comment, the Taliban spokesperson attacked the Afghan forces in public and said that the Taliban will continue their operations against Afghan government forces if the prisoners' swap doesn't happen. The deal was signed by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar with Mike Pompeo as a witness. As per reports, more than 1,00,000 Afghan citizens have lost their lives or wounded since 2009 when the UN Assistance Mission began documenting casualties. Read: Afghan-US Deal: Trump 'congratulates' Ghani 'expresses confidence In Govt's Leadership' Pipeline 3 March 2020 Deutsche Hospitality is set to continue its expansion into new markets by launching Zleep Hotels in the Czech Republic for the first time. The new Zleep Hotel Prague is scheduled to open in 2024 as part of a mixed-use scheme comprising an international school, housing units, offices and a retail area. The hotel will be located in the Waltrovka development, a project by the Penta Group. The area will encompass a modern residential and commercial buildings and a park extending over an area of two hectares. The Zleep Hotel Prague will offer 166 rooms as well as accommodating a Scandinavian-styled lobby, reception and snack bar. Deutsche Hospitality has already announced initial Zleep Hotel projects for Spain and Germany, and this venture in Prague represents a further major step within the scope of the group's global expansion strategy. Bidens aides see that argument as so much malarkey, and they have conveyed as much to Obamas inner circle, arguing that the former presidents leverage would evaporate once Sanders accrued millions of votes. They have pleaded with Obamas camp to distance him from Bloomberg, who has run saturation-level advertising showing images of himself with the former president. When a poll came out last week showing that many Democratic voters believe Obama is supporting Bloomberg, the Biden campaign shared it with Obamas aides. A billionaire in his shirtsleeves and Dockers, gyrating on stage to a late '90s gangsta-rap tune, complete with misogynistic lyrics and pulsating, syncopating production. Rarely has there been such a pat demonstration of the scourge of "money in politics." Tom Steyer made a midnight-hour pitch to black Democratic voters in South Carolina by appearing at Allen University, a federally designated "historically black university," with rapper Juvenile of the short-lived supergroup the Hot Boys. In his patented gules-dominant tartan tie, Steyer awkwardly gamboled in front of a half-empty gym to the Y2K-era hit. The display was cringey enough for a 62-year-old white guy. But Steyer, being a Yale man and MBA-holder, made it all the more inglorious, even emetic. The desperate jiving did not become the former hedge-fund manager who can probably still recite "Bright College Years" word for word. Steyer's "appropriation," to borrow the galling leftist term, of ghetto culture showed the fathomless depths some presidential hopefuls sink to for attention. Being of the 1%, Steyer can't convincingly tell straitened blacks he feels their pain. But he can pay a princely sum to entertain them during his presidential pitch with an entr'acte of twenty-year-old Top 40 hits. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, depending on your comfort level with big money greasing the political wheel, the ignominious gesture failed to pay off. For perhaps the first time in his charmed life, Steyer bet wrongly. For the price of a Victorian country pile, he got a brass farthing's worth of electoral value. Steyer captured third place in a heavily black state, then promptly dropped out. The two delegates he won cost over $20 million. Joe Biden spent a fraction of that for the coveted first prize, redounding impressively in time for the biggest contests of the campaign season. The former V.P. heads into Super Tuesday in a near tie for delegates with Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, who has made a political point of eschewing big-dollar donors. Pete Buttigieg, the out-of-nowhere Midwestern mayor, has also taken a powder from the race, despite his aggressive courting of the in-clover class. The absenting from the field of two moneyed candidates leaves it, for all intents and purposes, a three-way race that is, if Michael Bloomberg's billions can buy him any standing in the dozen or so Super Tuesday races. As polling stands now, the former Big Apple mayor's deluge of slick advertisements may not move the needle enough to make him a viable contender. His campaign is already tempering expectations. Bloomberg 2020 has spent over $200 million only to be polling nationally in third place. Popular data-cruncher Nate Silver says "Bloomberg is in quite a lot of trouble" as his "national polls have stalled out or begun to reverse themselves." Without any definite victory on Tuesday, Bloomberg will find it difficult to maintain that he's a serious candidate with a real chance of winning the nomination, let alone beat Donald Trump. That the Democratic primary is being won by popular candidates rather than those with fat wallets is not unexpected. Donald Trump prevailed in his improbable presidential bid despite being outspent by Hillary Clinton by a ratio of 2:1. What the Trump campaign did spend, it spent strategically, taking advantage of potent social media platforms that had a low cost of entry and high yield of exposure. The way the left still regards money in politics, however, you'd think every presidential election were between Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett, with each burying less flush competition under mountains of paper, effectively gagging them by buying up bandwidth in every imaginable publicity avenue. The Supreme Court case Citizens United, which lifted many financial limits on campaign donations, is regarded in certain progressive circles as morally aberrant as Dred Scott v. Sandford. Yet, since Citizens was decided, none of the dystopian predictions about America becoming an undemocratic oligarchical state has come to pass. Two billionaires just failed to wedge their way into a major political party by expending much of their personal fortune. Our current president, though a billionaire, was outmatched monetarily in both his primary and general campaign. For all of America's consumeristic impulses, voters aren't easily convinced with expensive and flashy advertisements. They quaintly believe in the candidate with the best ideas, or most inspiring vision, for the country. Or, at a minimum, they identify with a party platform and vote based on its first principles and even that isn't always a given. Being inundated with campaign commercials during Dancing with the Stars rarely changes their minds. Neither do groveling displays of contrived hipness with has-been hip-hop stars. The American voter still resists algorithmic impersonation; he remains an enigmatic and surprising creature. Without that humane part of our larger character, res publica would resemble another shopping mall, and the White House and Congress would be dominated by the Forbes 400. Heaven help us if we sell our political life to highest bidder. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the 2019 novel coronavirus. Prescription drug shortages are anticipated in the U.S. because so many pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines come from China, where the virus has limited travel and disrupted daily life. (CDC via AP, File) Read more The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is being criticized for announcing the first drug shortage caused by Chinas coronavirus epidemic without disclosing the name or maker of the drug. The Feb. 27 news release by FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, the former head of radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, stressed that there are alternatives to the scarce drug and that the agency will do everything possible to mitigate the shortage. But on Tuesday, the consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen sent letters to Hahn and three industry groups urging full transparency" in tracking drug-supply disruptions. "Any hint that the government is hiding important information sows distrust, says the letter to the FDA, signed by Michael Carome, director of Public Citizens health research group. Asked for a response, an FDA spokesperson said the name of the drug is considered confidential commercial information and manufacturers would be less willing to provide voluntary information if they cannot trust the FDA to keep it secret. While manufacturers are legally required to report drug supply disruptions to FDA ... they are not required to provide the detailed information on their supply chain that we have needed to monitor the drug supply since the onset of the outbreak, the spokesperson emailed. Long before the coronavirus epidemic, chronic shortfalls of many drugs, particularly generic injectables, have plagued the United States for years because of the complexity and economics of manufacturing. The FDAs news release said it has contacted more than 180 drugmakers among them manufacturers of 20 drugs that get ingredients solely from China and so far only one has reported any shortages due to a facility affected by the new virus. About 150 prescription drugs, including antibiotics and some branded drugs without alternatives, are at risk of shortfalls because of the Chinese outbreak, according to the news website Axios. China is a huge world supplier of pharmaceutical ingredients and finished drugs; the FDA says the country has 13% of all facilities that make components for drugs sold in the United States. China has imposed stringent quarantine and travel restrictions to try to contain the respiratory virus, which emerged in the city of Wuhan in late December. Called COVID-19, it has sickened about 80,000 in China, of whom 2,900 have died. The Public Citizen letter asked three pharmaceutical and biotech-industry groups to encourage your member companies to publicly disclose the names of their specific drugs or biological products that are involved in any shortage resulting from the epidemic. Important public health interests must take precedence over any purported industry interest in keeping such information secret, the letter said. One of the groups, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), is headed by James C. Greenwood, who represented Pennsylvania for six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. BIO did not respond to a request for comment on the Public Citizen letter Owners of internet-enabled cameras must take steps to ensure they are not watched through their devices, experts have warned. Security cameras and baby monitors that can connect to the internet could be turned back on their owners and used to spy on them, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned. It comes after troubling incidents such as hackers breaking in through baby monitors and speaking to children. Now the NCSC has published new tips on protecting the smart gadgets from hackers, and is supported by consumer group Which?. The guidance comes amid the rise in popularity of such cameras and concerns previously raised by Which? about security flaws in these types of devices. 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 three-step advice asks users to change the default password on their camera, ensure its security software is kept up to date and disable the feature which lets users remotely access the camera from the internet if they do not use it. The NCSC has warned that failing to protect such devices could see them accessed by hackers in extreme cases, placing a user's privacy at risk. Recommended Hackers can figure out passwords just from the sound of typing Dr Ian Levy, technical director at the NCSC said: "Smart technology such as cameras and baby monitors are fantastic innovations with real benefits for people, but without the right security measures in place they can be vulnerable to cyber attackers. "We want people to continue using these devices safely, which is why we have produced new guidance setting out steps for people to take such as changing passwords. "These are practical measures which we can all take to help us get the most out of our home-based technology in a safe way." The Government has previously announced plans to introduce new laws which will force manufacturers to improve the security standards of internet-connected gadgets, which digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman said would "hold companies manufacturing and selling these devices to account". "We are working hard to make the UK the safest place to be online and want everyone to have confidence in their connected devices," Mr Warman said. "I urge everyone who owns a smart product to follow the NCSC guidance to make sure their device is secure." Under the Government's plans, firms will be required to ensure consumer smart devices feature unique passwords not resettable to a universal factory setting. They would also be required to provide a point of contact so anyone can report a vulnerability, and state a minimum length of time for which the device will receive security updates. Caroline Normand, Which? director of advocacy said: "Which? has repeatedly exposed serious security flaws with devices including wireless cameras and children's toys, so mandatory security requirements and strong enforcement that ensures manufacturers, retailers and online marketplaces are held accountable for selling unsecure products is essential. "Until new laws are in place, it is vital that consumers research smart device purchases carefully, and follow guidance to ensure their devices are protected by strong passwords and receiving regular security updates to reduce the risk of hackers exploiting vulnerabilities." Additional reporting by Press Association Under the Vivad se Vishwas scheme, the MNCs will have to bring in disputed amount to India, else, the entire money will be considered as loan from subsidiaries on which interest will have to be paid. The subsidiaries of multi-national companies (MNCs) can settle their transfer pricing disputes under the proposed Vivad se Vishwas scheme, but will they have to bring in entire disputed money to India. Or else, the money not brought into India would be taken as loan from subsidiaries to headquarters on which interest has to be paid. According to the amendments to Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, the settling of dispute regarding transfer pricing adjustment would not have effect on the secondary adjustment. Secondary adjustment is repatriation of an excess amount that MNCs keep with themselves after tax officers made adjustments. If an Indian subsidiary of an MNC provides some technical service to global headquarters, it shows in its books that Rs 100 crore is given by headquarters to it and pays tax on it. However, transfer pricing officers arrive at a conclusion that the service rendered is to the tune of Rs 110 crore and the subsidiary has to pay tax on Rs 110 crore. Now, this difference of opinion may be pending in some court or tribunal. This can be settled by paying tax on Rs 110 crore, but this entire amount will have to be brought to India. Otherwise, Rs 110 crore will be taken as loan to the MNC by the subsidiary and interest will have to be paid on it at the rate of 6 per cent a year. Alternatively, an all-time interest of 18 per cent, besides surcharge of 12 per cent or in other words a total of 20.16 per cent of Rs 110 crore can be paid and the case be settled. Amit Maheshwari, partner at Ashok Maheshwary & Associates, said: Thus, the declarant shall be required to repatriate the funds to India even if he goes for the settlement under the scheme. The intention seems to give relief only for litigation and not from repatriating the funds, he said. The scheme offers waiver of interest, penalty and prosecution for settlement of these disputes pending before the commissioner (appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITATs), high courts or the Supreme Court as of January 31, 2020. While a complete waiver of interest and penalty will be given in case of payment made by March 31, an additional 10 per cent of the disputed amount will have to be paid after that. In case of tax arrears pertaining to only disputed interest or penalty, 25 per cent of disputed penalty or interest will need to be paid while settling appeals up to March 31, 2020 and 30 per cent if payment is made after that. The Cabinet amended the scheme than was contained in the original Bill, tabled in Parliament. The revised Bill will come up once the Budget session resumes next month after the recess. Ximen Acquires Greenwood Copper-Gold Property from Saville Posted by Publisher Internet Ximen Mining Corp. (TSX.v: XIM) (FRA: 1XMA) (OTCQB: XXMMF) (the ?Company? or ?Ximen?) https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/ximen-mining-corp/ announces that that it has entered into a Property Acquisition Agreement with Saville Resources Inc.(?Saville?) for the purchase of 100% of its mineral property located near Greenwood in southern British Columbia.? The property is located close to Ximen?s property, 4 km northwest of Greenwood, and consists of 6 mineral claims covering a total of 380.6 hectares. ? Map showing Greenwood area mineral claims including property acquired from Saville (purple), and properties held by Ximen (red), GGX Gold Corp. (orange) and Golden Dawn Minerals (Yellow) with mill site (star). The Saville property is situated within the highly mineralized Boundary District, which includes the Republic district in northern Washington State and the Greenwood Mining Camp in southern British Columbia. It lies only 9.5 kilometers from the 200 tonne per day Greenwood mill facility of Golden Dawn Minerals Inc.? The Saville property covers six BC Minfile occurrences, including the past-producing Morrison mine.? The Morrison, classified as a copper and gold skarn, produced 7.15 kilograms of gold, 26.0 kilograms of silver and 10.7 tonnes copper from 2,647 tonnes.? Another exciting prospect is the Buckhorn deposit, classified as a Porphyry Cu +/- Mo +/- Au deposit and hosted in the prolific Quesnelia Terrane, where pyrite, chalcopyrite, native copper, malachite and molybdenite mineralization is hosted by a dioritic intrusion. ?Saville previously reported highlights from rock grab sampling conducted in 2018, including 4.57 g/t Au and 6.70 % Cu, 6.84 % Cu and 4.44 g/t Au, and 7.14 % Cu and 1.23 g/t Au.? These results demonstrate an association of elevated gold with high copper values, consistent with models for large copper-gold porphyry and related skarn deposits. Key points of the transaction include: 388,888 Shares Ximen shares paid to Saville; The transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.? Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, approved the technical information contained in this News Release.? On behalf of the Board of Directors, ?Christopher R. Anderson? About Ximen Mining Corp. Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC.? Ximen`s two Gold projects The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine.? Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under a option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has recently acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment. Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL. This press release contains certain \forward-looking statements\ within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words \expects,\ \plans,\ \anticipates,\ \believes,\ \intends,\ \estimates,\ \projects,\ \aims,\ \potential,\ \goal,\ \objective,\ \prospective,\ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions \will,\ \would,\ \may,\ \can,\ \could\ or \should\ occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company\-\-s management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company\-\-s reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators\-\- System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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. Ximen Mining Corp 888 Dunsmuir Street Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4??? Tel:? 604-488-3900 A Moscow court has rejected an activists demand that the government pay him compensation for what he calls an illegal prosecution following his arrest for participating in an unsanctioned protest last summer. The Tver District Court on March 3 rejected Sergei Abanichev's bid to receive 500,000 rubles ($7,500) as compensation for his August 5 arrest relating to a rally in the capital on July 27. Abanichev, along with several other activists, was detained by authorities after he took part in the unsanctioned rally. The protest was part of a series of demonstrations by activists demanding that independent and opposition candidates be allowed to run in September 8 municipal elections. Dozens of protesters were fined or given jail sentences for organizing and participating in the rallies. Several were charged with taking part in "mass unrest" and allegedly assaulting police, with some of some of them being convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. On September 3, the charges of taking part in mass riots and assaulting law enforcement officers were dropped against Abanichev and four other activists -- Daniil Konon, Valery Kostenok, Vladislav Barabanov, and Dmitry Vasilyev. On March 2, the Tver district court partially met Konon's demand for compensation and ordered the government to pay him 100,000 rubles ($1,500). Konon had sought 1.2 million rubles ($18,000). Based on reporting by Rapsi and TASS "Charlotte has been an important part of our recruiting efforts since she joined our team in 2016," said BancorpSouth Chairman and CEO Dan Rollins. "With her new expanded role, we'll be able to tap into her vast expertise and experience to enhance our recruiting programs and generate a diverse pool of qualified candidates, which will allow us to make an even greater impact in our communities." Prior to joining BancorpSouth, Pratt served as benefits and compensation director for a not-for-profit, community-owned, and integrated healthcare delivery system located in Northeast Mississippi and Northwest Alabama for 18 years. She also spent four years as a senior recruitment manager for a national recruiting firm. Her background includes employee staffing, onboarding, benefits and compensation, customer service, project management, benefits administration, records management and policies and procedure compliance. Pratt earned a master's degree in business administration in human resources management from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, and a bachelor's in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. She has received several professional certifications, including the Society for Human Resources Management - Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification, Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Certified Benefits Professional (CBP). About BancorpSouth Bank BancorpSouth Bank (NYSE: BXS) is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, with approximately $21 billion in assets. BancorpSouth operates approximately 310 full-service branch locations as well as additional mortgage, insurance, and loan production offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois. BancorpSouth is committed to a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. To learn more, visit our Community Commitment page at www.bancorpsouth.com; "Like" us on Facebook; follow us on [email protected]; or connect with us through LinkedIn. SOURCE BancorpSouth Bank Related Links http://www.bancorpsouth.com Recent headlines have touted the record $55 billion renewable sector investments last year. Yet these headlines hide the fact that the renewable energy industry has been engaged in a world-class scam for more than 20 years. If we dont do something about it, it wont be long before Americans find themselves living in European-style energy poverty. Built on promises of clean, affordable, and reliable energy that cant be kept, todays renewable energy industry would not otherwise exist but for subsidiesa burden placed on the backs taxpayers and consumers. At the same time, the traditional energy sources that have helped make the United States one of the most prosperous nations in history are rapidly being forced out of the marketplace. To keep the renewable industry afloat, Americans will pony up more than $120 billion from 2006 through 2029 in the form of direct subsidies, tax credits, and mandates for generation and transmission. Rather than benefit taxpayers, these funds will primarily boost the profits of multi-billion-dollar generators and Wall Street bankers who invested the $55 billion last year, along with providing for generous donations to non-profit advocates of renewables in capitols across the country (who then lobby for even more subsidies). The biggest subsidy for renewables is the federal production tax credit (PTC), which Congress first adopted in 1992and renewed once again last December. The PTC largely benefits wind generation, and will cost taxpayers more than $51 billion through 2029money thats going to companies with combined market caps of more than $300 billion. The solar industry also gets it share of subsidies. Though solar power is highly inefficient and extremely expensive to produce, that hasnt stopped the federal government from giving investment tax credits (ITC) to the industry that will exceed $25 billion. Making Americans pay extra for their electricity is not just a federal priority, however. States have been doing the same thing. Texas is the nations leading producer of wind energy. Yet most of the thousands of wind turbines littering the Texas landscape would not exist if Texas had not built subsidized transmission lines. These CREZ lines were needed because while the wind blows best in West Texas, most Texans live far to the east and along the Gulf Coast. The CREZ lines will cost Texans around $19 billion over their estimated useful life. Wind and solar farms also benefit from more than $3.5 billion in abatements offered by Texas counties and school districts. Other states have joined Texas in handing the hard-earned money of their residents over to companies like NextEra (Florida Power and Light), BP (British Petroleum), and EDF Renewables (Electricite de France). Most states have done this by adopting renewable portfolio standards (RPS), which mandate that a certain percentage of electricity used be generated by renewables. Maryland, for instance, last year upped its RPS to 50% by 2030. On the opposite coast, California is even more ambitious, with a goal of 100% clean power by 2045. The size of its market and its large geographic footprint means that Californias goal will soon result in increased costs and reliability issues throughout the 13 states in the Western Interconnection as Californias aggressive policies undercut reliable power plants and put them out of business, according to former California Assemblyman Chuck DeVore. This highlights the most devastating effect of renewable subsidies. Just as the United States has regained its economic mojo, the energy sources needed to power our growth are being sidelined. The Trump administration has recognized this problem and responded. Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mandated that the northeastern grid operator PJM set minimum price offers for renewable generators so they cant use the subsidies to undercut their competition. States have acted as well. Ohio, for instance, has taken steps to subsidize certain nuclear and coal-fired generation. Texans last year paid a hidden $3.9 billion electricity tax, imposed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, that goes directly to generators. In other words, because of the harm caused by the $120 billion that Americans are forced to pay to the renewable industry, we are now being forced to pay billions more to keep traditional generators afloat. There is only one way out of this madness; America must eliminate renewable subsidies before we find ourselves paying European energy prices, riding around in European-style mini-cars, and living on top of each other in European-sized apartments. As the policies of the Trump administration and the move toward competitive electricity markets have proven, energy markets work. American can be energy independent with an affordable and reliable energy supply. Americans just need to convince our politicians of what the rest of us already know. Bill Peacock is the Vice President of Research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that he is "very happy" that passengers will now be able to avail of the inflight Internet and Wi-Fi services and that it is upto the airlines to decide whether or not to charge for such facilities. On Monday Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in a gazette notification dated February 21 said that the Pilot-in-Command may permit access to internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight through Wi-Fi. "Hopefully very soon. We had notified the rules on February 21 and I am very happy that airlines have started acting upon that. Some of the airlines are going to implement it very soon," the Union Minister told ANI outside Parliament When asked whether internet services would be free or would carry some tariff, he said that it is the airlines' concern. He added, "Whether they decide to make it complementary or put a charge on it is completely a commercial decision for airlines to make. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 2 Patients Test Positive for New Coronavirus in Atlanta, Georgia A husband and wife tested positive for the new coronavirus in Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Monday night, the first cases in the state. The couple, who live in Atlanta, were tested after visiting a local doctor. These cases involve two individuals who reside in the same household. One who recently returned from Italy, Kemp said at a press conference. The patient who returned from Italy said they didnt feel any symptoms until they arrived back to Atlanta. Both are now exhibiting symptoms, which officials described as minimal, and are isolated at their house. The self-isolation at home is safe, officials said, adding that its recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Officials are working on tracing people who came into contact with the two patients in recent days. We thought it was important that we come today and tell you about this even as our epidemiologists are still investigating and find any potential contacts in the community, Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey told reporters. We will continue to search for any contacts to ensure that we stop any further spread in the community. The message to the public is still low risk. No local transmission going on and wash your hands and get a flu shot, she added. Kemp asked Georgia residents to remain calm and told them the government has been preparing for potential cases for weeks. The risk to the general public remains low, Toomey said. The new virus emerged in China late last year and has infected tens of thousands of people, killing thousands. Ninety-one patients had tested positive for the virus in the United States as of Monday morning, not including the new cases in Georgia and elsewhere. A medical staff member (C) gestures on an ambulance as patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus leave from Wuhan No.5 Hospital to Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built hospital in Wuhan, China, on March 3, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Cases have been confirmed in Florida, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington state. Most cases in the country are on the West Coast, in Washington state or California. All deaths in America from the virus have taken place in Washington state, with many linked to an outbreak at a nursing home in Kirkland, just outside Seattle. Officials have said they expect to see a growing number of confirmed cases but that they dont know what the spread of the virus will look like in the country. The virus, which has an unknown origin, spreads primarily from person to person between people who are in close contact with one another, or within about six feet, according to the CDC. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs, the CDC states on its website. Limited spread can take place when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes. Experts recommend frequently washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding sick people, and not touching ones face with unwashed hands. If people show symptoms of the virus, which are similar to the flu, they should stay home and contact their doctor or health authorities. There is no vaccine or proven treatment but a number of people have recovered from the virus through rest and medical care. Former Vice-President Joe Biden stormed into the Super Tuesday voting in 14 states with key endorsements from current and past rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination in a coalescing of moderates in the party ranged against Senator Bernie Sanders, the front runner and leader of the progressives. Biden picked up three endorsements Monday, from former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the breakout star of the race who dropped out on Sunday; Senator Amy Klobuchar, who quit Monday; and former congressman Beto ORourke, who withdrew weeks ago. All three are moderate Democrats, same as Biden. When I ran for president we made it clear that the whole idea was about rallying the country together to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for the values that we share, Buttigieg said, with Biden standing behind him at a campaign stop. And that was always a goal that was much bigger than me becoming president and it is in the name of that very same goal that I am delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden for President. These endorsements on the eve of the Super Tuesday nominating contests are being seen as a major boost for the former vice-president, who is hoping to build on the momentum his campaign got from the massive victory in the South Carolina primaries, that some are calling Joementum (collapsing Joe and momentum). Its became a two-man race between Biden and Sanders, even though Senator Elizabeth Warren, billionaire Michael Bloomberg and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard are still around. The Tuesday contests are the first time Bloomberg is on the ballot in these primaries, and will be closely watched. Millions of voters will be participating in the Super Tuesday contests in 14 states which include California, New York, Alabama, Illinois and Massachusetts and American Samoa, a US territory. At stake are 34% of the 3,979 pledged delegates who will elect the nominee in the event of a contested presidential convention to be held in July. A candidate needs 1,991 of them to win the nomination, in the first round. The contests goes into the second round if no one gets that number, and then 771 more delegates join the voting. Sanders is leading in delegate count with 60, and Biden is behind him with 56. The Super Tuesday contests could potentially turn the race and propel the former vice-president to the top of the race, if he does well. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:43:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close QINGDAO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China's rolling-stock maker CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co. Ltd. on Tuesday shipped the last four class-S14 diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains to Sri Lanka, which ordered nine in 2017. The shipment, consisting of 40 carriages, was nearly two months ahead of the contracted date of delivery, as the manufacturer made early and detailed deductions on material purchasing, transportation and warehousing, as well as production and delivery amid the novel coronavirus epidemic, with plans made for the resumption of production. S14 DEMUs are the lastest type that CRRC Sifang provided to Sri Lanka, with upgraded carriage facilities including information display screens, LCD TVs, power sockets, adjustable seats and multi-functional lavatories. CRRC Sifang is Sri Lanka's largest provider of passenger railway equipment and has so far delivered 52 DEMU trains in four batches to Sri Lanka. Pope Francis waves to the faithfuls as he delivers the Sunday Angelus prayer from his studio window overlooking Saint Peters Square, at the Vatican (AFP) Vatican City: Pope Francis has tested negative for the coronavirus, Italian newspaper Messagero reported today. The Pope had been suffering from a cold. The 83-year-old pontiff has been seen coughing and blowing his nose, but Vatican City on Sunday quickly shot down speculation that the Pope himself had come down with Covid-19. Francis cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy this weekend, after axing all public meetings at the end of last week over the cold. The Messaggero report did not say when Francis had been tested for the disease. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the newspaper. The new coronavirus has spread from China across much of the world, with Italy among the worst affected with over 2,000 people infected and 52 deaths. TN temples, and their architecture attract more tourists than the beaches and nightlife of Goa or Kerala. CHENNAI: More than the glamourous beaches and nightlife of Goa or the attractions in the God's Own Country, Tamil Nadu's temples appear to enchant foreign and domestic visitors alike. About 60.74 lakh foreign nationals preferred Tamil Nadu for their visit, thus making the state host a maximum number of foreign tourists in a year in the country. The architecture at the ancient temples across the state are unique and are contributed by the Chera, Chola, Pandya and Nayak kings. The splendorous architecture make the temples a rich repository of cultural and religious heritage. Some of the temples - out of nearly 36,612 temples under the ambit of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, are 1,000 or 1,500 year-old. These and other historical monuments which are the soul of Tamil Nadu sustain tourist traffic all through the year. "Although not much publicity is given to the temples, particularly the stone architecture, the shrines that dot Tamil Nadu's landscape are the real crowd pullers. While the numerous temple festivals attract the domestic tourists, foreigners flock to the State on a heritage trail," says a tourism official. While 9.33 lakh foreigners visited Goa in 2018, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and West Bengal follow Tamil Nadu in hosting the foreign tourists - 50.78 lakhs, 37.80,27.40, 17.54 and 16.17 lakh foreigners respectively. On the flip side, Mizoram received the least number of foreign tourists in one year. Only 967 such tourists visited the State in 2018. After Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh were the least preferred tourist destinations by foreigners. Majority of foreign nationals to India arrive from Bangladesh, followed by the USA, UK, Malaysia, China, and Australia. A significant number of them come to India for medical purposes. During 2019, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) were 10.89 million (provisional) with a growth of 3.2 % over same period of the previous year, as per data available with the Tourism Ministry. A total of 2.93 million foreign tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa registering a growth of 23.6 %. 11.3 Arrivals of Non Resident Indians (NRIs) were 6.87 million during 2018. Domestic tourism continues to be an important contributor to the sector. As per the data available with the Ministry of Tourism, there were 1854.93 million domestic tourist visits all over the country during 2018. If there is one thing common about Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, that would be the fact that they are both causing a headache to Queen Elizabeth. Last year, Prince Andrew earned massive criticisms after his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed. On the other hand, Prince Harry became the man of the hour earlier this year when he and wife Meghan Markle decided to step down as senior members of the royal family. But aside from bringing scandal and controversy to the monarchy, the Duke of Sussex and Duke of York also once shared the same interest and admiration for a stunning lady. Prince Harry's source of jealousy According to reports, back in 2000 when Harry was still 16-years-old, he was envious of Prince Andrew after learning about the woman his uncle was dating. A source revealed to the Daily Star that Prince Harry admired then-model Caprice Bourret and even kept a calendar photo of the model on his wall. So when he found out that his uncle was dating the woman, he insisted on talking about his crush. "Apparently Harry had Caprice's calendar on his bedroom wall at Eton, and Harry was grilling Andrew over Christmas pudding at Sandringham about his crush," a source told The Sun. Prince Andrew told Caprice that his teenage nephew was intrigued by their frienship. Prince Andrew and Caprice: What's the Deal? However, it looks like the "dating" thing only happened on Prince Andrew's side, as the insider revealed that the "Dancing on Ice" star thinks her relationship with the Duke of York is something strange. While Prince Andrew and Caprice went on several dinners (one in Michelin-starred Lanesborough hotel in central London) and saw a Star Wars film together, the supermodel did not fancy Queen Elizabeth's son. The source also revealed that the supermodel stepped foot inside the Buckingham Palace twice. During one of Caprice's visit, Prince Andrew reportedly tried to impress her by allowing her to sit on the Queen's throne. "He took her to Buckingham Palace twice, and on one occasion she sat on the Queen's throne," the insider added. The source also revealed that Caprice wanted to take home a souvenir from the Buckingham Palace, which Prince Andrew gladly permitted. "She spotted a bowl she liked and asked Andrew if she could steal it and post it to her mum," the source said. "She claims that he let her, and her mum loved it!" Their friendship only lasted for two months, as Caprice dumped Prince Andrew when rumors about their relationship started to surface. "Caprice ghosted Andrew; she stopped returning his calls," the insider revealed. "He'd been nothing but a gentleman, but quite simply she didn't fancy him and ran for the hills when a newspaper article came out linking them - he wasn't her type, and she found him quite dry," the insider added. Effective and quality education is being neutral allowing individuals to be themselves. As a retired teacher in the state of Washington, I understand what an excellent education is. It is not about enough money, tests, or rigid teacher training; it is about a balanced philosophy for left and right brain creativity. Real education lets the inner person come alive with imagination, inspiration, and feelings. What is a real "education"? In the fifties, we taught to the needs of the student, and then it changed to the school district deciding what we were to teach, followed by state mandates, then the federal government's "No Child Left Behind". Common Core has everyone thinking in the same box. Current philosophy has changed. Test scores are only a number given to the results of the performance by a student on a given day on a skill learned. However, effective leaders come from the open-minded and supportive teachers where they can be creative, intuitive, and offer ideas beyond the confined thinking of the times. That is real education. The combined thinking and philosophy of early men in education formed our educational foundation many years ago. Today, tests shame the student for not excelling within the box. This stops many students from graduating or continuing with their educational dreams. We need to focus on what a student does well to encourage a student to keep inspired. To compare one student with another is not helpful. American education began with Horace Man. Later, John Dewey was a strong proponent for progressive educational reform. Dewey believed that human beings learn through a 'hands-on' approach. A universal education was the key to teaching people how to abandon their habits and think creatively. A left-brain curriculum creates robots and students with poor self-esteem. The current schoolroom curriculum offers little room for balance, creativity, or insight. Without a balanced curriculum, robot teachers teach robot students. Left-brain thinking is all about learning to pass a written test. Schools currently minimize the arts, music, drama, and other imaginative classes. With the change of focus, creativity is discouraged because book learning and test readiness takes priority. Currently, every school grade has a test to pass and instruction for this test dominates the curriculum. When I taught school, there were four standardized tests spaced between grade school and high school. The teachers monitored the growth of each student in regard s to individual achievement and progression from earlier testing. Effective education is not teaching to fill a student with book learning. Good teachers leave education because they are sensitive, caring people. The major current issue in education is not a lack of funding or other diversions prohibiting quality education. The current viewpoint of teaching is for students to think in a box for the test, rather than encouraging them to think creatively outside the box. Teachers need to assist a student in finding their own proficiency, while discovering that learning is limitless. The movie "Spare Parts" is a great story of a teacher who encouraged disadvantaged high school students to enter a contest, against school opinion and with minimal funding, to achieve victory over Ivy League colleges in a national underwater robotics contest. The high school students were inspired to think with their imaginations and were winners twice competing against the reigning champions MIT. In college teacher education classes, I was taught "success breeds success". The teacher's college program with a basic and diverse background, was not meant to create humiliating challenges for those becoming teachers, Recently, a college instructor supervising student teachers told me that her college students have hoops and challenges dictated from above that are almost impossible. It is more important to have an educated teacher with a rational and open mind with a healthy attitude, than a trained teacher pushed through a restrictive set of curricula that promotes conformity. My class had been working in a math book that taught the principles of multiplication and division besides the tables for multiplication. They were able to solve every problem on the standardized test, even those typically beyond that grade level. This upset the administrative powers. The teachers were told to return to our prior math books that taught by rote learning and memorization. A few years later several teachers in my school learned a program called The Slingerland Method. It was designed for dyslexic children. It included reading, English, spelling, phonics, penmanship, art, physical education, and composition. The results from these students were amazing. I used the teacher directed program that did not need textbooks with my whole classroom. I had some first grade students reading at the 5th and 6th grade level. We could not officially adopt this marvelous program, as the School Board would not know on which page of the book we were studying. Pouring more money, adding curriculums, and further testing in education will not change anything as it is being taught or administrated today. When did the school shootings start? The attitude in schools changed, when prayer was not allowed anymore. As Albert Einstein, said, "Education is not the learning of facts; it's rather the training of the mind to think". Therefore, free thinkers do not accept tyranny, laws that deprive freedom, and thought control. Cultivating the inner strength of healthy and strong young minds in America will promote growth and success. Education should not be teaching to fill a student with book learning as Bill Gates advocates. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Applying a balanced curriculum of left and right brain experiences promotes an excellent and quality education. I promote the potential for a return to the original educational philosophy from my experience, so every student can enrich his/her life through a quality and balanced education. We need leaders to arise from the current confined thinking to search, explore, and be creative. Marilyn Redmond is an ordained spiritual minister for counseling, regression, and healing. Redmond is an internationally board-certified regressionist for past life therapy (IBRT) and on the American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH). She is a teacher, speaker, and medium channeling ascended beings. Her two radio shows are on the internet. Redmond sees angels from her many experiences with their help; she paints portraits of your angels. Her 10 books are at Amazon and on line at Barnes and Nobel. They have tools, information, and help you to find a higher consciousness of love, grace, and compassion. In addition, her many articles and monthly columns reveal how she achieved a consciousness of oneness. Check out Redmond's website, https://www.angelicasgifts.com / her 173 videos on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/user/puyallup98372, her blog at http://marilynredmondbooks.blogspot.com./ Contact Redmond at marilyn@angelicasgifts.com Syracuse, NY -- A Lyncourt driver has been indicted in the past week in connection with a fatal hit-and-run on Onondaga Lake Parkway. If proven, Michael Ziemba, 49, will likely be headed back to prison. More than 20 years ago, he served time for a drugged-driving crash and possessing more than 50 pounds of marijuana. But those prior crimes are not whats keeping him in jail now. In fact, Ziembas fatal hit-and-run charge in the Oct. 12, 2019 death of pedestrian Jason Quackenbush -- a father of four -- isnt grounds to keep him locked up, either, under the states new bail laws. Ziembas case might be the closest one yet in Central New York to create controversy over bail reforms new rule that requires the release of suspected hit-and-run drivers before trial. Ziemba had been jailed on $200,000 bail in late 2019, before the new law went into effect Jan. 1. A felony judge reluctantly ordered Ziemba released, without bail, because the new law didnt allow him to be jailed on the fatal hit-and-run charge. But Ziemba cant stop getting into trouble, and that turned out to make any bail debate moot. Ziemba had previously admitted beating up his girlfriend in 2018. Under his plea deal, prosecutors still had some control over his liberty. And following the fatal hit-and-run, they convinced another judge to keep him locked up. So Ziemba remains jailed on the old domestic conviction as the new hit-and-run case reaches court. No date has been set to begin proceedings. Ziemba faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted of felony leaving the scene of a fatal crash in Quackenbushs death. Hes also accused of trying to hide the vehicle before eventually turning himself in to authorities. Jason Quackenbush Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070. 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. A former executive with San Antonio refining company Andeavor has launched pipeline company Tatanka Midstream with a half-billion dollars of private equity. Tatanka, founded last month by Andeavor's former Executive Vice President Keith Casey, said it acquired a $500 million commitment from private equity firm EnCap Flatrock Midstream. Tantanka doesn't have any assets in the field but plans to use the investment to buy and build pipelines and storage terminals that serve the North American energy market. The company has pledged to develop its pipeline, storage terminals and processing plants in a sustainable manner. Supersize Me: Moda Midstream has VLCC-sized plans for exports Headquartered in San Antonio with offices in Oklahoma City and Houston, EnCap Flatrock Midstream now has $9 billion of investment commitments with 17 pipeline companies. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox The detention at the border was carried out through bilateral communication channels between Russia and Greece. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko has explained how the name of former Commander of Aidar Battalion, ex-MP Serhiy Melnychuk, who was recently detained at the Greek border on Rusia's warrant, had appeared on the Interpol list. "According to the latest information, this detention took place through Russia's communications at the bilateral level," the minister told journalists, an UNIAN correspondent reports. Prystaiko specified that Melnychuk's name had been put in Interpol database precisely through bilateral channels between the Russian Federation and Greece. Read alsoEx-commander of Aidar Battalion, former MP Serhiy Melnychuk detained in Greece on Russia's warrant "Since it [name] was put there at the bilateral level, rather than through the common central system of Interpol, we could not warn this Ukrainian citizen that his name was on the list. And Russia is doing this specifically to prevent the Ukrainian authorities from warning [citizens]. That's not the first time," the minister said. Prystaiko said the consul had met with Melnychuk shortly after the latter was apprehended. According to the minister, the circumstances of this case are being clarified, while the Consulate General in Thessaloniki is in contact. As UNIAN reported earlier, former Commander of the Aidar Battalion who later served as member of parliament of the previous convocation, Serhiy Melnychuk, was on Sunday, March 1, detained at the Greek border on the Interpol warrant submitted by Russia. An intoxicated passenger caused disruption on board American Airlines Flight 927 headed from Miami, Florida, to Guayaquil, Ecuador, on February 26. Passenger Gabriela Panchana, who filmed this video, told Stortyful that the passenger allegedly stole liquor from the planes kitchen, peed in the aisle, yelled, and insulted and threatened other passengers. Other passengers on the plane can be seen interacting with the intoxicated man and attempting to reason with him. Eventually, a flight attendant interjects, asking the other passengers to sit down and telling the man, put that seat belt on and stay in that seat, I dont want to hear it. The man then approaches the cabin crew, and is pushed by a male flight attendant, who also demands that he sit down. The crew was unable to control the situation I want to believe that there are better procedures to handle situations that affect the safety and well-being of the rest of the passengers on the plane, said Panchana in a message to Storyful. Panchana went on to say that once the plane landed in Guayaquil, Ecuadorian police boarded and escorted the drunk passenger off the plane. He kept yelling and cursing after being released at the airport, so he was brought back inside by the police to be detained, Panchana said. Credit: EnVozAltaEC via Storyful The chairman of the AFL, Qantas and energy giant Woodside Petroleum has taken aim at activist investors hijacking shareholder meetings in an attempt to force boards to take stronger action on climate change. In a keynote speech to the Australian Governance Summit in Sydney on Tuesday, Richard Goyder said climate change rightly features on board agendas but said activists run the risk of making the transition to renewable energy more difficult. "Climate change is the number one issue raised with me by investors. We do have a responsibility to engage on this and manage the risks as best we can and acknowledging that we do not hold all the answers," he said. Richard Goyder lashes out at shareholder activists hijacking AGMs ahead of a showdown over climate-related resolutions at Woodside. Credit:Phillip Gostelow Mr Goyder, one of the most senior figures in corporate Australia and a former Wesfarmers chief executive, criticised the tactics some activist groups have used to force votes on company policies over climate change and emissions. Increasingly AGMs are being hijacked by activist shareholders who in some instances have only one share and require 100 shareholders to put up resolutions. The issues these activists raise are material issues that we already take seriously, he said. Our retail shareholders who have invested a significant part of their personal savings shouldnt be sidelined at AGMs so activists can pursue their political agenda. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:39:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi analysts said that Iraq hopes to benefit from China's health experience in confronting the outbreak of COVID-19. "I believe that Iraq can benefit from the experience of China in its efforts to contain the outbreak of coronavirus," said Ibrahim al-Ameri, a political expert and teacher of politics at the University of Baghdad. "Great efforts have been made by the Chinese government in different aspects: treating infected people, reducing fatality rates, protecting social stability, and strengthening emergency medical supplies," al-Ameri said. He said that Iraq must take into account its own capabilities if it wants to follow suit the Chinese experience. As China considers the epidemic as "a big test," the situation in Iraq is expected to be more serious, al-Ameri explained, referring to growing number of COVID-19 cases amid a weak health system due to unrest and years of battles against the extremist Islamic State militant group. Al-Ameri stressed that Iraq must learn from the Chinese people who are showing "a great deal of determination and discipline" to help themselves and the world as well to contain further spread of the epidemic. "I think the world should be grateful for the sacrifices made by the Chinese people in battling the disease and preventing it from spreading," he added. For his part, Abbas Farhoud, head of Health Inspection Department of the Iraqi Health Ministry, told Xinhua that Iraq is trying hard to benefit from the Chinese experience in confronting the virus. He thought China is transparent in declaring the number of infected cases and has transferred its experience to the World Health Organization, so that other countries can make use of such experience. "There is a decrease in the number of cases in China because China took firm measures and allocated huge amount of resources to fight the epidemic," Farhoud added. On Monday, a positive step took place when the Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao held a meeting with Abdul Karim Mustafa, undersecretary for political affairs at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, where the two exchanged views on cooperation in combating the novel coronavirus. According to a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Iraq, Zhang said during the meeting that China will donate diagnostic kits to Iraq to help it fight the outbreak of the COVID-19. The donated kits from China will be enough to diagnose 1,000 suspected cases, the statement said. "The Chinese side is currently studying positively the possibility of donating other medical materials and providing technical support for Iraq," Zhang was quoted by the statement as saying. The two sides also discussed the beneficial experience China has gained in confronting and curbing the coronavirus, according to a separate statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Late on Monday, the Iraqi Health Ministry announced that 26 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Iraq, with 13 of them in the capital Baghdad. Two Chinese nationals have been charged by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and sanctioned by the US Treasury for allegedly laundering $100 million worth of virtual currency using prepaid Apple iTunes gift cards.According to a newly unsealed court document , the illicit funds originated from a $250 million haul stolen from two different unnamed cryptocurrency exchanges that were perpetrated by, a cybercrime group with ties with the North Korean government.The two individuals in question and were both charged with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money laundering conspiracy.Prosecutors said the defendants worked on behalf of the threat actors based in North Korea to allegedly launder over a $100 million worth of stolen cryptocurrency to obscure transactions, adding the hacking of cryptocurrency exchanges posed a severe threat to the security of the global financial system.It's worth noting that Lazarus Group was one among the three hacking outfits to be sanctioned by the US government last September for conducting a variety of financially-motivated operations ranging from cyber-espionage to data theft, so as to fund the country's illicit weapon and missile programs.Per the US Treasury , the Lazarus Group stole the funds in 2018 after an employee of a cryptocurrency exchange unwittingly downloaded malware through an email, which gave the threat actor access to private keys, virtual currency, and other customer information."Lazarus Group cyber actors used the private keys to steal virtual currencies (250 million dollar equivalent at date of theft) from this exchange, accounting for nearly half of the DPRK's estimated virtual currency heists that year." the Treasury said.While the name of the exchange remains unknown, a report by Kaspersky back in August 2018 detailed a campaign that involved dropping malware in the corporate networks of a number of crypto-exchanges by sending spear-phishing emails.Stating that North Korea trains hackers to "target and launder stolen funds from financial institutions," the Treasury added that both Tian and Li received $91 million from North Korea-controlled accounts that can be traced back to the 2018 cryptocurrency exchange hack and an additional $9.5 million from a hack of a second exchange.Prosecutors said the two individuals helped convert more than $34 million of the illicit funds they received back into Chinese yuan by moving them to a bank account linked to the exchange account, in addition to converting $1.4 million worth of cryptocurrency into Apple gift cards.Created in 2007, the Lazarus Group has gone after a number of targets, including militaries, governments, financial institutions, media companies, and utility sectors, to perpetrate monetary heists and destructive malware attacks, making it the most-profitable cryptocurrency-hacker syndicate in the world. United Nations report last August estimated North Korea to have generated an estimated $2 billion for its weapons programs through "widespread and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks" targeting banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. European experts have lambasted Pakistan for misusing Kashmir for its political agenda over the decades, and backed the Indian government's move to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution. The discussion in this regard took place at an event titled "Weaponising Kashmir: Misused Kashmir for its political agenda", held on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday. Brian Toll, a former director at European Commission said that Pakistan has been involved with Jammu and Kashmir since the partition in 1947, which has helped tribes people and non-residents of J-K to find their place there and follow the agenda set largely by Islamabad. He said, "It is clear that Pakistan has issues with India because Pakistan is not a secular democratic state with the same kind of diverse constitution and diverse ethnicity which India has and India is feeling proud of having". "India is doing its best to make sure the minorities are well represented. For example, India has had Muslim Presidents, it has had a Muslim head of the Supreme Court. Pakistan is very reluctant to extend the same courtesies to its minorities and to its ethnicities. What it is doing is to create an issue in Jammu and Kashmir to extend the boundaries of Pakistan itself and its influence and partly is to do with keeping attention on areas outside Pakistan itself," he said. "Pakistan's economy is in a very difficult situation. They are very dependent on loans from Saudi Arabia. They are very dependent on developments on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is China. And what they are trying to is to make sure is that is the focus of attention and not the issue with Pakistan itself," he added. Brian supported the recent initiative by New Delhi to abrogate Article 370 and 35(A) of the Constitution that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "What India has done is to say, well let's all work together, let's look how we can improve education, particularly secondary education, let's make it more skills-based and let's have the Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir brought up to the same standards as rest of India with high levels of employment with high degrees of education and with more hope for people who live there. It's a brave intention, I hope it works," he said. Paulo Casaca, Executive Director of a Brussels based South Asia Democratic Forum said, "The key of the matter is for Pakistan to acknowledge that since 1947 it has been occupying an unlawfully big part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and it should sort out the issue directly, bilaterally with India". He added, "It should fulfill the first condition proposed by the United Nations (on Kashmir) and it is not in the interest of no one in Pakistan or in India to continue attrition war that has been developed for decades by Pakistan". "It is very important that some of the gestures taken by Pakistan are genuine gestures or are just cosmetic. I do think that the international community should be very attentive and should ask for substantive changes of policy from Pakistan", said Paulo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men escape serious injuries as car flips PHUKET: Two men escaped serious injuries after the car they were travelling in swerved out of control and struck a light pole on the central reservation then flipped, landing on its roof on the other side of Thepkrasattri Rd in Mai Khao yesterday (Mar 2). transportaccidentspolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 3 March 2020, 10:24AM The wipeout occurred on the busy Thepkrasattri Rd at about midday yesterday (Mar 2). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The wipeout occurred on the busy Thepkrasattri Rd at about midday yesterday (Mar 2). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The wipeout occurred on the busy Thepkrasattri Rd at about midday yesterday (Mar 2). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The wipeout occurred on the busy Thepkrasattri Rd at about midday yesterday (Mar 2). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The wipeout occurred on the busy Thepkrasattri Rd at about midday yesterday (Mar 2). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The wipeout occurred on the busy Thepkrasattri Rd at about midday yesterday (Mar 2). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Capt Thanom Thongpaen of the Tha Chatchai Police and rescue workers were called to the scene, near the Blue Canyon Country Club, at about midday. At the scene officers and emergency responders found a black Toyota Altis, registered in Kalasin province, overturned in the northbound lanes. Trapped in the car were the driver Montri Boonsai and his passenger Thongsong Prasansai, both from Ubon Ratchathani. Rescue workers freed the men from the wreck. Montri had suffered minor head injuries, while Thongsong suffered only other minor injuries, Capt Thanom reported. Thongsong told police that they were heading southbound going back home after a funeral in Nai Yang when something wrong happened with the car, Capt Thanom said. Montri lost control of the car, hit a light pole on the central reservation and overturned, ending up on the other side of the road, Capt Thanom said. Montri and Thongsong were taken to Thalang Hospital for treatment of their injuries, he added. Capt Thanom confirmed that Montri will be charged with reckless driving causing damage to the public property. However, Capt Thanom gave no explanation of any attempt by police to find out what caused the car to swerve out of control, no explanation of any alcohol or drug test by police, and no explanation of any attempt by police to determine what speed the men were travelling at when the accident occurred. The Green Party has insisted that providing for added public transport should take priority over the delivery of major new motorways including the M20 between Cork and Limerick in talks with Fine Gael. The Greens prioritised the provision of radical new measures to deliver large scale cost-rental homes in Dublin, in their talks with Fine Gael on Monday. Talks will continue this morning on the state of the national finances and while the talks were described as cordial and good-natured by both sides, there is a recognition that todays discussions are likely to be more difficult, as they were with Fianna Fail last week. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is set to give an overview as to where the public finances stand and both sides yesterday said there were clear differences as to where the parties stood yesterday on several key areas including health, housing and the climate agenda. All 12 Green TDs faced off against the Fine Gael team which included Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Simon Coveney, Mr Donohoe and Housing Minister Eoghan Harris. The Greens are insisting that two publicly-owned sites at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines and Broadstone Bus Depot in Phibsboro are ideal locations to build these cost rental spaces. With nearly 24 hectares of central land in use at these sites, they could be put to much better use as accommodation. This would create 3,000 centrally located homes for people to live in affordably, the party says. Eamon Ryan, the party leader, said the talks were detailed and informative but insisted there was no rows, just policy differences. The talks broke off into various workshops and during a 40-minute workshop on transport, Mr Ryan said his party spoke up for the delivery of public transport over major motorways. Fine Gael repeatedly insisted the party is happy to talk to all parties about policy and to exchange views as to how government works, but these are not talks about forming a government. The party is still preparing for opposition, a spokesman said. The Dail is set to convene on Thursday and while the Business Committee said TDs will not vote on nominations for Taoiseach, there was a call from Brendan Howlin that a vote should happen. Sinn Fein appeared to be ready to change its mind and support Mr Howlins call and Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party have said they will not stand in their way. Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar admitted many voters were very distressed and offended by the failure of Fine Gael to address the housing crisis. I think housing, homelessness was a really important issue in the election that a lot of people are very distressed and offended at the fact that we didnt make more progress when it comes to homelessness, he said. And obviously, the housing crisis has affected so many people in so many different ways, whether its people in their 20s or 30s, who are still living at home at the low paying really high rent, so I think housing was a really real issue in this election. I do feel we made a lot of progress in the last year or two, he added. But I think the public took a different view that we didnt do enough. Now we need to reflect on that. And refresh our policies when it comes to housing and see if there is more that we could have done, or at least things that we can call for an opposition that the new government should be doing. Imran Khan, military generals to be responsible if anything happens to Maryam: Nawaz Sharif Ex Pak PM Nawaz Sharif awaiting medical procedure in UK: PMLN spokesperson International oi-PTI London, Mar 03: Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif is awaiting a medical procedure in the UK which restricts his travel, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson has said. The 70-year-old three-time former premier's aides in the UK dismissed the prospect of the Imran Khan-led government seeking Sharif's deportation from the UK government because he was in the country on medical grounds on a visit visa. "Mian Sahib is here on medical grounds and is awaiting a medical procedure," a PML-N UK spokesperson said on Monday. "He is here on a visit visa for medical treatment and wasn't handed over to the UK government," he said, in reference to the deportation claims emanating from Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif's cardiac treatment delayed twice due to daughter's absence in London Sharif left for London in November last for treatment after the Lahore High Court allowed him to go abroad on medical grounds for four weeks. According to the PML-N UK aides, Sharif is due to undergo a similar medical procedure which resulted in health complications a few years ago. Meanwhile, he is keenly waiting for a "visit by his daughter", Maryam Nawaz, if she is granted bail and allowed to travel abroad. According to Sharif's physician, the top leader of the PML-N is suffering from complex multi-vessel coronary artery disease and substantial ischemic and threatened myocardium for which he is due to undergo surgery. "It is time to bring back the VIP prisoner who is having a lavish stay abroad," Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Special Assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Information, was quoted as saying in Islamabad over the weekend. "The government has decided in principle to write a letter this week to the British government, seeking deportation of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, as he is an absconder not fulfilling the terms and conditions of the bail granted to him on medical grounds," she said. Pakistan govt denies permission to Maryam Nawaz to travel abroad Last week, the Punjab government refused to extend Sharif's bail, declaring that it had found no "legal, moral or medical ground" necessitating an extension in his stay abroad. The Lahore High Court had, in October last year, granted bail to Sharif on medical grounds for four weeks, allowing the Punjab government to extend it further in the light of his medical reports. The Islamabad High Court had also granted bail to Sharif in the Al Azizia Mills corruption case, in which the former prime minister was serving a seven-year jail term, clearing his way to travel abroad for medical treatment. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:41 [IST] Twitter has told all of its 5,000 employees around the world to work from home in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus epidemic. The social media platform's decision to ask its staff to avoid the office follows similar requests by governments in virus hotspots. Working from home will be mandatory for employees at the company's South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan offices. Twitter has told all of its 5,000 employees around the world to work from home in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus epidemic. Pictured: Medical staff in protective gear arrive for a shift at Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, South Korea today The outbreak has spread across the world since emerging in central China late last year, killing more than 3,100 people, infecting over 90,000, and prompting a wave of travel restrictions. 'We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able,' Twitter human resources chief Jennifer Christie said in a blog post on Monday. Working from home will be mandatory for employees at the company's South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan offices. Pictured: workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against coronavirus at a bus station in Gwangju, South Korea today Map showing the total number of cases of the virus worldwide and the number of people that have died so far 'Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us - and the world around us.' South Korea has recorded nearly 5,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections - the largest number outside mainland China - along with 28 deaths. Google tells staff at its Dublin HQ to work from home Around 8,000 employees at tech giant Google's Dublin headquarters were told to work from home today. It comes after one worker had flu-like symptoms. They are being tested for the virus. However, the company said the measure is to 'test' the ability of its staff to work remotely. They said that 'out of an abundance of caution' staff have been told to work from home and to monitor their health. The move affects all of Google staff at Dublin's docklands office but not those based in the firm's data centres in Sandyford and Eastpoint. Advertisement More than half of the cases have been linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious group often described as a cult. Japan's government has urged the closure of schools nationwide and employers to give their staff permission to work remotely. Most civil servants in Hong Kong returned to work on Monday after they were asked to work from home for a month. The financial hub has recorded 100 cases of the infection. Twitter had already announced the suspension of 'non-critical' business travel and events last week. In a dramatic development yesterday, BA axed hundreds of short-haul flights to destinations across Europe, including Italy, France, Germany and Ireland, from March 16 to 31. The airline also scrapped 12 long-haul flights from Heathrow to New York, its busiest and most profitable route, along with dozens of services to China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The Land Transportation Office is working on translating the driver's license exam into the country's major languages upon the orders of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. We have already created a team for each of the major dialects. The assigned team will translate the drivers license examination. The translation will be checked by experts of the language to ensure that the terms are accurate and official, LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said in a statement released by the Department of Transportation on Tuesday. This is in line with Tugade's department order issued on February 14, which emphasizes "the need to afford examinees the opportunity to fully comprehend the Drivers License Examination. "I instructed the LTO, all examinations shall now be done in English, Tagalog, or the local language of the examinee," Tugade said in a statement. Tugade's order will be effective 15 days after its publication in the government's website or in a newspaper of general circulation, the DOTr said. From then, LTO's regional offices have 30 days to translate the driver's license exam in their respective regional languages to comply with the order. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Watchers of primary results on election night in Ohio likely will know which Democratic presidential candidate won the most votes statewide. But they will be left guessing as to how the vote will translate to the all-important number of convention delegates for each candidate. This is because the Ohio Secretary of States office has no plans to report results during the evening by congressional district, where the lions share of the delegates will be determined on a more local level. Instead, those numbers will have to wait a day. At stake on March 17 will be 136 delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Forty-seven will be determined by the statewide vote. The other 89 will be split among Ohios congressional districts, determined district-by-district by the vote within those districts. The congressional vote details for president will be reported on the Republican side, where Donald Trump is unopposed, because of the way the party conducts its primary, said Maggie Sheehan, spokeswoman for the Ohio Secretary of State. Republican presidential results will be by congressional district, county, and statewide. Democratic presidential results will be by county and statewide, not congressional district. They are different because each party elects their delegates differently, Sheehan wrote in an email to cleveland.com Tuesday. Past election results for final tallies posted on the Secretary of States website show congressional district breakdowns for presidential elections from 2000 through 2012, but in 2016 the congressional-level totals are omitted. Nothing substantive changed with our delegate selection process in the past four years. For decades we have elected our delegates at the statewide and district level, emailed Kirstin Alvanitakis, communications director for the Ohio Democratic Party. Cleveland.com a week ago began asking the Democratic Party about the the counting process. The party delayed responding in detail until Tuesday, releasing a letter from Chairman David Pepper that the party said was hand-delivered Monday to the Secretary of States office. Pepper specifically asked that results be reported on election night by congressional district. "Surely there must be a way you can work with your staff and the county boards of elections to ensure the Republican and Democratic results are reported equally on Election Night, particularly when reporting results by district level in the Democratic primary, as weve requested, will make the reporting out of election results far more transparent and timely, Pepper wrote. Pepper asked that the results be reported in a timely manner for the voters and members of the in-state, national and international media who will all be watching Ohios primary results closely and in real-time. The Secretary of States office late Tuesday shared a response it sent to Pepper, promising to compile results by congressional district on March 18, the day after the primary. In the past this task of contacting all the necessary county boards of election was performed by party staffers and took considerable time in the day(s) following the primary election, Secretary of State Frank LaRose wrote. My team will take this task on in the spirit of transparency and public service because were always looking for ways to make public information such as election results easier to access. At that time, the unofficial results of democratic delegates by congressional district will be available. Timely results became a major issue in the days after the Iowa caucuses, run by the party in Iowa, delaying for days solid estimates of how many delegates each Democratic candidate had won. In Ohio, the state runs the primary. The results are used by the party to allocate delegates. Official results take weeks to compile, as late-arriving absentee ballots and provisional votes are added. Statewide, the 47 delegates will be split among candidates who receive at least 15% of the vote. Then, within each congressional district, delegates are split among candidates getting at least 15% of the vote in each district. More heavily Democratic districts have more delegates. Congressional districts held by Marcia Fudge in Cleveland and Akron, and Joyce Beatty in Columbus have the most, nine delegates and seven respectively. Districts in more Republican areas have fewer delegates. The smallest number is three, for the congressional district stretching from near Youngstown to southern Ohio. The current congressman there is Rep. Bill Johnson. In addition to the 136 delegates that will be determined by the primary, Ohio has another 17 delegates for a total of 153. The additional 17 are the five elected Democratic members to congress from Ohio and other party leaders. Under rule changes for 2020, those 17 will not participate in the first ballot at the convention, only voting if the nomination goes to a second ballot. Note: This story was updated throughout Tuesday night after LaRose announced his decision to provide results the day following the election. Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner . Find other data-related stories at cleveland.com/datacentral. Read previous stories Ohio presidential election results - 1960 to 2016 (county details with interactive maps) Early voting historically is used little in Ohio primaries Donald Trump vs. Barack Obama on jobs, and jobs growth under other presidents Dow Jones up 49% in first 3 years of Donald Trump; how this ranks vs. Obama, Bush, Clinton, Reagan, Carter In Westerville, Ohio, Democrats picked a suburban presidential debate site that is trending blue 5 numbers that say a lot about presidential politics in Ohio Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 01:06:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Community worker Huang Lifang (2nd L) and volunteers Liu Ying (2nd R) and Zhang Qi (1st R) deliver food to a senior citizen living alone in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) It is now the most crucial moment to curb the spread of the epidemic, so the prevention and control work should not be relaxed at all. BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A leading group of China's COVID-19 response on Monday called for efforts to improve precise prevention and control, as well as solid measures to care for community staff working at the frontline. The group, led by Premier Li Keqiang, also demanded efforts to coordinate the prevention and control measures and the spring farming. The positive trend of the prevention and control situation should be expanded, according to a meeting of the group held Monday. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presided over the meeting. It is now the most crucial moment to curb the spread of the epidemic, so the prevention and control work should not be relaxed at all, according to the meeting. Hubei Province and Wuhan, as the centers of the epidemic, should continue to strictly implement prevention and control measures, boost prevention and control from the source in communities, improve the level of treatment and ensure the timely and accurate release of information on the epidemic, the meeting said. Community workers record residents' health information in Caidian District of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Beijing and other cities with large population mobility should have channels, communities and ports watched over to prevent the inflow and spread of the epidemic, the meeting said. Other regions should adjust the emergency response levels based on the actual situations and combine them with the differentiated prevention and control at the county level, precisely implement the prevention and control measures after the resumption of work, reduce unnecessary crowd gatherings and restore normal production and life in an orderly way, the meeting said. The meeting also called for greater efforts to advance development of fast and convenient detection kits, the development and testing of major drugs and the development of effective vaccines in a bid to promote scientific and accurate prevention and control. At present, the epidemic situation in China is generally at a relatively low level except for Hubei, showing a positive trend. Community prevention and control, however, is an important gateway and foundation to further control the spread of the epidemic and prevent sporadic outbreaks. People working at urban and rural communities have contributed remarkably to the fight against the epidemic, and local regions should pay more attention to them and care for them. The protection conditions of community workers shall be improved, including provision of reasonable amount of masks, protective clothing, and well-considered arrangements be made to help them continue their work. The meeting also urged a balance between epidemic prevention and control work and spring farming, adding that Hubei should also carry out agricultural production in an orderly way while maintaining solid work in epidemic prevention and control. 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. (TNS) With the first round of postcards from the U.S. Census Bureau due in mailboxes later this month, elected leaders, civic figures and community voices are preparing to emphasize the significance of this once-a-decade population tally.Literally billions of federal dollars are directly tied to the response we give to the census, said former Mississippi state senator Giles Ward. It impacts our state for 10 years. In the 2010 census, we had a significant undercount in Mississippi, and we are doing our best to stop that from happening again.Ward is leading a statewide Complete Count Committee that aims to promote awareness of the census across Mississippi.Locally, similar efforts are starting to happen.Last week, a handful of figures from Mayor Jason Sheltons administration convened to discuss census outreach.Leesha Faulkner, curator of the Oren Dunn City Museum, is leading Tupelos awareness efforts. Shes working to coordinate with other figures in the community, including religious institutions, civic clubs and businesses.City Hall expects Shelton will begin playing a role in outreach efforts by midweek, and in a series of forums hell hold in the coming weeks in each of Tupelos seven wards.Invitations to complete the census should be mailed to virtually every U.S. household in mid-March. The census form can be completed and returned by mail, or the form can be completed and returned electronically over the internet, using either a computer or a smartphone.Faulkner is optimistic about the possibility of partnering with the Lee County Library, with its publicly available computers and a steady influx of the general public.Reminders will be sent by mail to households that do not respond to the census. Eventually, census staff called enumerators will physically visit homes that have not completed a census form.Theres broad agreement that one key aspect of census outreach involves overcoming the resistance some will have to revealing personal information.Our biggest issue is that so many individuals have developed, understandably, a sense of suspicion or concern over responding to any questions from the government, Ward said.Both Ward and Faulkner emphasized that census information is kept confidential by law, even from other federal agencies.Beyond the city of Tupelo, an array of county, school, business and media leaders in the area have begun to confer about outreach efforts.Ward is expected to meet later this month with some locals involved in census awareness efforts.Jon Milstead, a senior figure at the Community Development Foundation, helps coordinate the local Council of Governments, and he expects that body to play a role as well.What weve talked about doing so far through Council of Governments is using our network of local officials to really try to increase awareness of the need for people to participate in the census, Milstead said.The Census Bureau estimates that approximately $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to local communities annually, and census numbers help direct where that money goes.According to Ward, every person in Mississippi not counted on the census costs the state an estimated $5,000 per year in federal dollars.It is staggering to realize how much money is lost by one single person not begin counted, Ward said. There has never been a more bipartisan issue than the importance of responding to the census. Two candidates in a crowded primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn had Southeast Texas on their list of final stops between the end of early voting and Super Tuesday. Democratic primary candidate Amanda Edwards was in town Saturday to visit and speak at the Black History Month Black Business Expo and HBCU College Fair, with plans to stop at Broussards BarBQ before heading out. Cornyn stopped at the Jefferson County Republican Party Headquarters in Mid-County to tell Texans to Saddle Up n Vote as part of a state tour. Both candidates stressed this election as a pivotal one for Texas whether to stand up for broad spectrum change, said Edwards, or fight to continue leading the nation in job creation, freedom and opportunity, said Cornyn. Edwards, one of a dozen Democrats running for the seat, and Cornyn, one of five Republicans, both seem to be running in the shadow of fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruzs slim victory over former El Paso U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke. Edwards said her campaign looked at what ORourke was able to do to galvanize persuadable voters and is now working to continue that momentum, with success turning out communities of color and voters younger than 35. She said shes the candidate to encourage those people to visit the polls because shes passionate and vigilant about issues that affect these communities and delivered results to her constituents as an at-large Houston councilwoman. To those groups I say, Dont lose faith. We can do it this time because we have a slightly different approach, she said. Among the issues most important to her are healthcare and economic opportunities for all people. She said she learned about the importance of insurance first when her father, who died when Edwards was 17, was diagnosed with cancer. She said he told her if insurance wouldnt cover peoples medical treatment, they had to find another way. I would ask, What happens when people cant? The truth is, for millions of people across the country, thats a life or death situation, she said. For someone to be in a seat in the U.S. Senate, thats one of 100 votes, and be willing to play games with peoples lives (and vote to overturn the Affordable Care Act), I take that personally. As far as economic activity, if elected, she said she wants to pursue opportunities for people in a certain field to get job training credits so that technology advancements give an opportunity for people to move up in their jobs, instead of getting a pink slip. Why send people into an unemployment number? Why not educate people so they can move like the economy moves? she said, noting that we no longer live in an economy where people stay in the same job for decades. She said she also wants to see incentives for jobs that offer a sustainable wage and benefits in rural areas that have seen an economic downturn because of a lack of jobs. And the easy part, she said, would be coming back to the district, holding town halls and talking with voters. Cornyn also seemed to use ORourkes near-victory to encourage voters at Mondays event. We talked a little bit about 2018 and what happened in Texas. We got what I call a two-by-four to the side of the head, he said. It wasnt just a wake-up call. It was an alarm that should have sounded in all of our heads saying we are so close to letting what we worked so hard for all these many years slip away from us. He urged voters to talk with their neighbors and people they to go to work, school and church with about the importance of voting, in part because of the huge turn out expected from Democrats, no matter who ends up being the nominee. A Democratic win, he said, would put at risk the preservation of peoples jobs, their ability to work, provide for their family and pursue their dreams. Thats whats really at stake in 2020, he said. He also stressed the work President Donald Trump and the U.S. Senate have done to send Republican Supreme Court justices and federal judges to lifetime appointments on the bench. State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who introduced Cornyn at the event, spoke highly of Cornyns involvement in confirming those members of the federal judiciary. That is something a lot of folks dont understand the work hes done to get our nominees through the process and in place at the Supreme Court, especially in federal courts, he said. Those are lifetime appointments. So were talking about a generation of change due to those judicial appointments. Phelan also praised Cornyn for threatening to hold members of the U.S. Senate in 2017 through Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years so Southeast Texas could get the money it needed to recover from Tropical Storm Harvey. Cornyn pledged to continue that support and join Phelan to repair Beaumonts Veterans Administration Clinic and potentially include a few inpatient beds so veterans dont have to travel to Houston for minor procedures. I look forward to fighting with you and winning with you in November, he said. Election Day is Tuesday. Follow The Beaumont Enterprise online Tuesday or in print Wednesday for Election Day information and results. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain Chris Matthews, a longtime MSNBC political commentator and host of the networks Hardball program, is retiring, he announced on Monday night. The 74-year-old and Philadelphia native started what will now be his last show by explaining why hes moving on. A full transcript of his comments, courtesy of a video posted to Matthews Twitter account, can be seen below: "Let me start with my headline tonight. Im retiring. This the last Hardball on MSNBC and obviously, this isnt for lack of interest in politics. "As you can tell, Ive loved every minute of my 20 years as the host of Hardball. Every morning, I read the papers, and Im gung ho to get to work. Not many people have had this privilege. I love working with my producers, and the discussions we have over how to report the news, and I love having this connection with you, the good people who watch. "Ive learned who you are, bumping into you on the sidewalk, or waiting in an airport and saying hello; youre like me. I hear it from your kids and grandchildren who say, 'my dad loves you, or my grandmother loves you, or my husband watched it till the end. "After conversation with MSNBC, I decided tonight will be my last Hardball, so let me tell you why. The younger generations out there are ready to take the reins. We see them in politics, in the media, and fighting for their causes. Theyre improving the workplace. Were talking here about better standards than we grew up, with fair standards. "A lot of it has to do with how we talk to each other. Compliments on a womans appearance that some men, including me, might have once incorrectly thought were okay, were never okay. Not then, and certainly not today, and for making such comments in the past, Im sorry. "Im very proud of the work Ive done here. Long before I went on TV, I worked for years in politics, was a newspaper columnist, and author. Im working on another book, Ill continue to write and talk about politics and cheer on my producers and crew here in Washington and New York, and my MSNBC colleagues, they will continue to produce great journalism in the years ahead. And, for those of you who have gotten in the habit of watching Hardball every night, I hope youre going to miss me because Im going to miss you. But remembering Humphrey Bogart and Casablanca, well always have Hardball. So lets not say goodbye bu, 'till we meet again. Matthews unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. In 2008 and 2009, Matthews weighed running for the U.S. Senate and challenging U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. He ultimately decided against a run. His brother, Jim Matthews, is a former Montgomery County Commissioner. Jim Matthews also ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in 2006. He ran as Lynn Swanns running mate. Swann, the Pittsburgh Steelers legend, failed in his bid to unseat then-Gov. Ed Rendell. According to The Associated Press: Matthews announcement came on the heels of a first-person story for GQ published Feb. 28, in which freelance journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews behaved inappropriately toward her when she was guest on his show. An article on an influential think tank in Australia has questioned the intentions behind its smearing of China, claiming it is being funded by Australia's Department of Defence as well as foreign governments. The think tank behind Australia's changing view of China, written by columnist Myriam Robin, was recently published in daily Aussie paper Australian Financial Review, and took a closer look at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). (Screeshot of Myriam Robin's article on the Australian Financial Review) According to the article, ASPI has come to dominate the Australian public's understanding of China over the past five years. The organization has some staunch supporters, many of whom are in the Australian Parliament, who credit it with raising issues such as Chinese military involvement in Australian universities, the spread of so-called Uygur detention camps in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the recent and contested defection of a Chinese intelligence agent, who was later proven to be a fraud. The article, which traces the sources of ASPI's funding and also interviews several experts on China-related issues, claims that the think tank is funded by the Department of Defence of Australia, foreign governments and military contractors, and has been fomenting anti-China hysteria to the alleged benefit of its benefactors. According to the article, the Howard government seeded the funding, provided through the Department of Defence, which is the mainstay of ASPI's budget, and will remain so until at least 2022-23, when the current four million Australian dollars funding agreement expires. The article also claims that ASPI is constantly seeking to develop alternative sources of funding, and these other sources have grown far faster than its funding from the Department of Defence. The article says that ASPI's most recent sponsors can be divided into three categories. The first are defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin, BAE and Northrop Grumman. The second is technology companies like Microsoft, Oracle Australia, Telstra and Google. And finally, there are contributions from foreign governments, many being strategic competitors to China. The article also added that the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme, a project set up by the government to monitor Chinese government influence in Australia, ironically captured some other recent sources of ASPI funding, including NATO, the US State Department and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The article suggests that unlike other academic institutions, ASPI's influence comes partly from its deep engagement with the media. Peter Jennings, the executive director of ASPI, said that he has no interest in running an ivory tower institution engaged in pure academic research. ASPIs biased academic ethic and inflammatory rhetoric has led to a slew of criticisms. Former NSW premier Bob Carr has accused it of pumping out a one-sided, pro-American view of the world. Veteran foreign editor Tony Walker has slammed its "dystopian worldview" which "leaves little room for viewing China as a potential partner". "It lacks integrity and brings shame to Australia," says retired former DFAT chief and ex-Qantas CEO John Menadue. I see it as very much the architect of the China threat theory in Australia, said ex-ambassador to China turned Beijing-based business consultant Geoff Raby. "Public money shouldn't be put into public advocacy anyway," Raby adds. "Objective, balanced, nuanced research is acceptable, but not to fund advocacy of one countrys position vis-a-vis China." The article also suggests that quite aside from the question of independence, there is a deep-seated cultural appetite in Australia for hawkishness on China. Many don't need much nudging to believe the worst of China and its people. Concerns about xenophobia appear to underlie some of the alarm over public discussion of such issues. SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Lotte Chemical <011170.KS> has shut its naphtha cracker after an explosion at the plant in the southwestern city of Seosan, which injured 31 people, the company said on Wednesday. The explosion, which was triggered by a fire at a compressor in Lotte Chemical's naphtha cracker at around 3 a.m. local time (1800 GMT), has been contained and is under control, the company said in a statement. The petrochemical maker said it has suspended its naphtha cracker's operations in Daesan county in Seosan due to the fire and will seek to minimise supply disruptions. The company is looking into the exact cause of the accident, it said, adding there was no leak of toxic chemicals. Lotte Chemical runs two naphtha crackers in South Korea. One cracker is located in Daesan county in Seosan which can produce 1.1 million tonnes per year of ethylene with the other 1.2 million tonnes per year cracker in the southwestern city of Yeosu. (Reporting By Jane Chung; Editing by Chris Reese & Shri Navaratnam) Be Thi Bang had given up all notions of romance after losing a leg in an accident, but fate had different plans for her. The 33-year-old, an ethnic Tay, was born in northern Cao Bang Province, graduated from the Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and was working for a dental clinic in Hanoi. In 2012 a truck ran over her as she was walking on the street. When she recovered consciousness after four days, she found her right leg had been amputated at the hip. She tried to adjust to her new life, learning to walk with a prosthetic leg and a crutch. She says: "I thought I was lucky to be alive. I did not dare dream of love." But she started to get her life back on track. She returned to work, practiced dancing on one leg and threw herself into voluntary activities. Life went on until one day in mid-2016 everything changed. She was seeing her friend off at the airport when she came across a German tourist, Oturak Be. Seeing him struggle with a map, she offered to give him a hand. "Perhaps that was destiny," she says with a smile. After a few days she accidentally met him again in the West Lake area. They became friends and spent a lot of time exploring Vietnam together. They also visited Cao Bang, her hometown. At first he had no idea about her disability since she used an artificial limb, and only knew the truth when she showed him a video recording of her dancing on only one leg. Surprised he praised her: "How can you dance so beautifully? Do you know how much I love Arabian and Persian dances?" One day he confessed to being in love with her, but she said, "Give me more time." When he was about to return home, he surprisingly proposed to her. But, thinking she did not deserve him, she rejected it. Her heart was shouting "I accept," but her mind stopped her from doing so. She was afraid she would be a burden. Oturak then wrote her a long letter saying: "Please do not say that. In German, do not deserve is not a nice term. You are beautiful and confident, you deserve better." Be Thi Bang and her husband, Oturak Be. Photo courtesy of Bang. Despite being touched by this, she still said no. But the two continued to keep in touch. She took him to her hometown to visit her parents once. Her parents strong support and Oturaks determination finally convinced Bang. His unconditional love helped her understand that beauty is not in perfection or physical appearance, and what really matters is the dignity of the soul. He began to visit Vietnam every three months. The two tied the knot in late 2017. Bang says: "Only when we got married did I find out that he was a mathematics professor." He lives in Germany while she is still in Vietnam, managing a dental clinic and running a business. He visits four times a year and during other holidays. She says: "As soon as I complete my other plans I will leave for Germany. We will soon reunite." Despite living on two different continents, they always keep each other up to date on all daily details. Both of them have three mobile phones so that they can keep in touch at any time. "We set our marriage rules. Responsibility, understanding and trust are the keys." High heels are still favorite In May 2019 she became instantly famous for her smooth dance moves at the Beauty of Half-Moon" pageant. She took people by surprise by walking confidently in a pair of shoes with 14-centimeter heels. "I am myself when I wear high heels, and there is a long back story." When she was young she fell in love with the high-heeled shoes she saw on TV fashion shows and admired those elegant models, and since then always dreamed about wearing those shoes. Unable to afford a pair, she made one at home with bamboo, wood and banana leaves. The heels did not fit her but she insisted on wearing them anyway. Just before the car accident she had bought a lovely pair of high heels. "They were brand new, but I hid them away since I would not need them anymore." At the age of 27 Bang began to practice dancing on one leg and was determined to learn to walk on high heels. One-legged, she tries to get used with using only one piece of shoe. Instead of throwing the other piece away, she gives sneakers to those in need and keeps high-heels as souvenirs. Bang has no specific plans for the future. All she wants is to spread positive vibes to as many people as possible because "to love is to give." While talking about the pains and joys of living some 7,300 miles away from hometown Indianapolis in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, Alta Mauro floated two realities that may at first seem contradictory. Mauro is excited to come home to the U.S. in a month to start a new job as associate dean of students for inclusion and belonging at Harvard University. But that doesnt mean it will be easy to move away from what Mauro considers home in Abu Dhabi. Its been difficult, she said of being away for almost six years. Mauro is currently associate dean of students at New York University Abu Dhabi. You miss your friends. You miss your family. But after a while, if youre lucky, a new place becomes home. That may be especially true for her 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. This feels like home for me, and I think this feels like home for my kids, Mauro said. I dont think theyll realize that until theyre away. Mauro, 41, was born and raised in Indianapolis and left after high school to attend Indiana University, where she also received her masters degree. She hasnt lived in Indiana since 2004. Mauro also has a doctorate in educational leadership and cultural foundations from the University of North Carolina. Her three sisters arent surprised the baby of the bunch grew up to become someone willing to live around the world and land a job in the upper echelons of higher education. Dana Elmore, the oldest sister, remembered Mauro being intelligent enough before she was even 1 to know what colors flashed above her head at stoplights. Im beyond the moon, she said. I tell her all the time I cant wait until she moves back in the country. Shes an exceptional talent. Mauro apparently had quite a bold personality as a child. Monica Elmore, the second oldest sister, said Mauro used to dress up and impersonate Michael Jackson and Prince. We always knew she was gonna go far, she said. You hear that about your siblings, about your close ones, but shes literally one that took the torch and just blew it up. Even Rhonda Perry, the sister closest to Mauro in age, is eight years older. Everyone had a chance to watch Mauro grow up and observe traits that may not have been so obvious for siblings too close in age. Getting a job at Harvard, then, just seems like the next step in this natural progression theyve been watching unfold for years. I dont expect anything less from her, Perry said. Mauro will begin her new job at Harvard on May 1 and joked that she may stay in Abu Dhabi until she doesnt have a choice but to finally leave. Her husband and two children are staying until the end of the school year. The United Arab Emirates is a transient place, Mauro said, where people are always coming and going. Shes made many friends over the years, as have her children, but it seems like most people leave at some point. Now, Mauro will become part of that wave of people who came and went, leaving one home for the other. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Alta Mauro is the new dean of students for inclusion and belonging at Harvard University. (Photo provided) Michelle Loibner A clever golden retriever has been helping his owner fight the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan by bringing hot meals to the man every day. The dog owner, Xiao Xiao, has volunteered to buy daily essentials for his 600 neighbours since they were put under quarantine nearly a month ago. The pet, Hani, has been delivering lunches for the 31-year-old volunteer who is usually too busy to leave his post, according to Chinese media. A golden retriever has been delivering hot meals to his owner who volunteers to help 600 residents in his community purchase daily supplies during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan The golden retriever, Hani, has been bringing lunches everyday for the 31-year-old volunteer who has been too busy to leave his post. The picture shows the dog with the owner, Xiao Xiao A video shows Hani leaving home with a lunch bag - prepared by Xiao Xiao's mother - in his mouth and bringing it to his owner. He would then bring back the empty bowls after the volunteer finishes the food. Xiao Xiao was running a parcel service station in his neighbourhood before he became a coronavirus volunteer to buy supplies for the residents on February 8. Xiao Xiao was running a parcel service station in his neighbourhood before he became a coronavirus volunteer to buy supplies for the 600 quarantined residents on February 8 He decided to help out the community after some elderly neighbours struggled to go to shops during the virus outbreak. A picture sees Xiao Xiao delivering groceries to one of the residents He decided to help the community after some elderly neighbours struggled to go to shops during the virus outbreak. 'I'd buy whatever the residents need and deliver the goods to them. I do it all by myself,' the dog owner told a local blogger. He was also overwhelmed with the amount of work and didn't have time to go home to have lunch. Xiao Xiao's golden retriever became his 'food delivery guy' as his mother had problems with her legs and found it difficult to walk downstairs. Hani became Xiao Xiao's 'food delivery guy' as his mother had problems with her legs and found it difficult to walk downstairs. Hani is seen with his owner, Xiao Xiao, having his lunch The volunteer Xiao Xiao also said he never charged the residents any extra fees for his service 'To be honest, it is exhausting. But I think it's worth the effort as my neighbours are now safe and sound,' Xiao Xiao said. The volunteer also never charged the residents any extra fees for his work. One of the neighbours said: 'He provided his service and he paid for all of the extra cost. We tried to give him some money, but he never took it.' 'His selflessness is something our generation and the society need to praise for,' another resident told the press. 'To be honest, it is exhausting. But I think it's worth the effort as my neighbours are now safe and sound,' Xiao Xiao said. The picture shows Hani delivering a lunch bag to Xiao Xiao People are pictured wearing protective masks walking through a market in Hong Kong Chinese pet owners are flocking to buy face masks for their dogs amid the coronavirus outbreak. No evidence shows that the strain of virus can be passed onto pets, WHO says Cities around China have enforced lockdown measures in a bid to curb the epidemic of the coronavirus. The deadly disease, which is believed to originate from Wuhan in late December, has claimed at least 3,117 deaths and infected over 91,300 people globally. Dozens of countries across the world, including South Korea, Iran and Italy, are battling with the killer virus outbreak. Face masks have become an increasingly common sight on the streets of London as concern about coronavirus rises The novel coronavirus has claimed at least 3,117 deaths and infected over 91,300 people People are pictured wearing protective masks ahead of the St David's Day Parade in Cardiff Patrons with shopping carts loaded with tissue and water wait in checkout queues at a very busy Costco in Miami, Florida Four more cases were confirmed in the UK yesterday but one of those was later ruled a false alarm making the national total 39. Boris Johnson is gathering Cabinet today as he unveils the government's 'battle plan' for combating the escalating coronavirus crisis. Panic buying has spread across the US from New Jersey to San Francisco with worried shoppers emptying shelves to stock up on supplies amid a surge in deadly coronavirus cases. "Avengers" star Chris Hemsworth says he was "blown away" by the welcome he received in India while shooting for his upcoming action drama "Extraction", which is predominantly set in the subcontinent. Hemsworth, who enjoys a huge fan following in the country thanks to his portrayal of God of Thunder Thor, had shared videos of hundreds of people who had lined up the streets of Ahmedabad and Mumbai to watch him shoot the film. The fan mania and logistics were partly responsible for the production to be shifted to a quiet suburb near Bangkok, Thailand, but Hemsworth has fond memories of the time he spent in India. "We had such a great time in India. People were beyond welcoming. I've never had that kind of response. I was blown away. I thought I was Beatles or something," the actor told PTI during an interaction with select international media on the sets of the Netflix film. "It gives you a false sense of security. I felt more important than I was. When I go back to Australia, no one really cares," the 36-year-old actor added. Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a black market mercenary in the film, who embarks on a deadly mission when he's enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. The film, based on an original script by Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo, is scheduled to release on April 24. The film marks the directorial debut of Sam Hargrave, who has worked as a stunt coordinator as well as the body double of "Captain America" star Chris Evans. Indian actor Randeep Hooda plays a key role in the film, so does newcomer Rudhraksh Jaiswal. Hemsworth is confident that the film will appeal to an international audience as it is produced by the Russo Brothers and is set in the Indian subcontinent. "It was something that I haven't seen a lot in this setting. It has some beautiful set pieces and it gave me a chance to work and interact with wonderful people. We had such a great time in India, the actor recalled. The Australian star had some of the kindest things to say about his Indian co-stars, praising Hooda for his stillness and Jaiswal for his emotional performance in the film. "With Randeep, it's wonderful. Our first introduction was We had three weeks of fighting each other and we both had our fair share of cuts and bruises. And actually a couple of times I nicked him, but it was by accident and I felt very embarrassed, he said describing the intense combat sequences they shot in hot weather. "He (Randeep) wasn't angry at me, Hemsworth said with a laugh, adding, "He has been great to work with. And then we've had little moments of quiet dialogue." The actor, who shares a lot of screen time with Jaiswal, said the young actor reduced people on the sets to tears with his acting. "Rudy is amazing. I'm blown away by that kid The way he takes direction is better than a lot of adults... With all honesty, he had us in tears a number of times. We would be chatting and just out of nowhere he pours his heart out and I'm like, 'I'm not supposed to be upset in this scene' He will have a big career. He's very talented and just super eager to learn." The working title of the film was "Dhaka" and that's where most of the action takes place but the production team shot majority of the scenes in India and then in a street near Bangkok, which was made to resemble a typically chaotic market in Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The nations largest tax-credit scholarship program doesnt seem to have hurt the academics of students who remain in public schools, a new study shows. Those students who stayed in public schools during the expansion of Floridas tax-credit-funded private school vouchers programthe nations largest, with more than 100,000 students participatingsaw improvements in their reading- and math-test scores, and had fewer suspensions and absences on average, concludes the study, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The most likely explanation for the gains, the study says, appears to confirm one of the arguments made by private school choice boosters: The competitive pressure that comes from students having a lot of school choices led public schools to improve their offerings. But the study was not designed to peer inside the black box of schools to determine precisely what happened. Researchers from Emory University; the University of California, Davis; and Northwestern University drew on a sample of more than 1 million Florida students, merging their birth records with test-score data from grades 3-8 from the 2002-03 through the 2016-17 school years. Students suspensions and absences were tracked through 2011-12. Student outcomes were analyzed against different measures of school competition, such as how many private schools with the same grade levels were nearby or the proportion of students served in private schools. The findings showed students attending schools in more-competitive areas seeing greater increases in reading- and math-test scores and decreased suspensions and absences. The researchers tried to rule out alternative explanations for the results, such as smaller classes in the original schools or lower achievement among the exiting students. They also warned that Floridas program has some unique features: Not all private school choice programs may yield the same effects. Mumbai: Bollywood star Ranveer Singh's famous out-of-the-box fashion sense has a new fan in Hrithik Roshan, it seems. Hrithik, who is currently vacationing in Dubai, shared a couple of photos on Instagram on Monday afternoon. In the photos, he can be seen wearing a red tee along with a white towel that he has wrapped like a lungi. "Fashion inspiration courtesy: I guess Ranveer Singh," Hrithik wrote in the caption. While Ranveer Singh is yet to comment on Hrithik's post, we are sure he is going to love it! Of course, look at Hrithik's pic closely and you understand the probable reason for his quirky dressing. In the photo, the actor has an injury on his right ankle which is covered with a bandage. This did not escape the attention of Hrithik's "Super 30" co-star Mrunal Thakur who expressed concern. Commenting below the actor's post, Mrunal wrote that she loves the funny caption and added: "What happened to your foot?" Commenting on Hrithik's post, a fan called him "Fashion icon" while a user trolled him saying "Sanskaari Krish". Another user suggested that the actor is looking nice in his "lungi" and he should try his luck in South films. Fidel Castro is back in the news. Bernie Sanders, favourite for the Democratic nomination for US president, recently noted that when the Cuban revolutionary gained power in 1959, he launched a massive literacy programme. Is that a bad thing, even if Fidel Castro did it? he asked. The political backlash was swift and uncompromising. Rival candidate Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, wrote on Twitter: Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps, religious repression, widespread poverty, firing squads, and the murder of thousands of his own people. But sure, Bernie, lets talk about his literacy program. Related: If Bernie Sanders thinks Cuba is worth defending, he should talk to gay dissidents | Aaron Hicklin Social media seems ill-equipped for nuance and the notion that a political leader can be both heroic and despotic. Theatre, however, invites and revels in the possibility that opposing viewpoints can coexist truthfully at the same time. Castro, who died four years ago, offers the dramatist a Shakespearean bundle of contradictions. Eduardo Machado, 66, a Cuban playwright based in the US, says: Hes a genius, hes a totalitarian, hes an egomaniac. Theres a part of the Cuban revolution thats more humanitarian than, say, the eastern bloc. He was sexy. So hes a mess because every time you think youve come to a decision about him, you get evidence that goes, no. Its been the story of my life from worshipping him to hating him to thinking, Oh, he had to do it and Im proud that he did it, because we are not the whores of the United States, to then seeing how the people live, part of which is wonderful and part of which is really oppressive. And seeing all that at once, constantly when Im in Cuba, its like Im changing my mind every five minutes. Machado is speaking at the Arena Stage theater in Washington, which in recent years has brought to life political figures such as John Quincy Adams, Lyndon Johnson and Vladimir Putin. It is now producing the world premiere of Machados latest work, Celia and Fidel, which shines a light on Cubas most influential female revolutionary, Celia Sanchez, who was Castros political partner and most trusted confidant. Story continues Yet Sanchez remains relatively little known internationally. Today, foreign tourists who flock to Havanas Revolution Square, where Castro made many speeches, find vintage car tours on offer and see giant steel profiles of heroes Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. Fidel Castro with Celia Sanchez in 1958. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Machado, the author of 53 plays, says: Celia was more important than Che. Shes not written out of history in Cuba but in the rest of the world they never considered how much power she actually had, which I find interesting. She had a lot more power than Che. Che left early on in the revolution and she helped shape how the revolution treated its citizens much more than anybody else. Castro said little about the nature of their personal relationship. Machado comments: They were most likely lovers but he married other people and they were very close. Someone in Cuba told me there was no Fidel without Celia and no Celia without Fidel. She never got married. He was her life and they had offices next to each other and they saw each other every day and very much ran the government together. And then theres Raul, his brother, who also had big influence, and a doctor that Fidel had that was also very influential, but mostly it was Celia even before his brother. Sanchez was a positive influence on Castro, the writer believes, until her death from lung cancer removed a crucial guardrail that would prove a major loss for the people. They disagreed on a lot of things. Unfortunately, she died in 1980 and the revolution took a twist after that. The revolution had overthrown Fulgencio Batista, a dictator backed by the US part of a long, hypocritical history of Washington meddling in its own backyard. Staged just a couple of miles from the White House, Celia and Fidel promises a revealing, disquieting insight into how Cubans view America. All of Latin America sees America as imperialists that have tried to control their governments and their fate, and certainly Cubans see that more than anybody else, Machado says. So its about the oppression we lived under because we live 99 miles away from the biggest power in the world. Before Teddy Roosevelt went into Cuba and liberated it, Cuba was shown in drawings as a white woman that was about to get raped by the natives and the only people that could save her were the Americans. I think thats still the attitude thats ingrained. Machados family at first embraced the revolution. One day he went with them to a local bar and came face to face with Castro, Guevara and Cienfuegos. What does he remember of that experience? Aww, he chuckles. I thought they were our saviours and I was seven and impressionable. My family was for Castro and fought to to get him there and we hated Batista, something they dont remember any more, and we thought he was gonna save us. He saved some people, but not us because we owned a bus company and thats the first thing they nationalised. So we got out of there quickly after that. Another, horrifying childhood memory was watching televised executions. He recalls: I think assassinating people against the wall, which I watched on TV when I was a little kid, was the final straw that turned a lot of people against him, because thats what Batista did and he didnt do it on television. Interestingly enough, like Trump, Fidel always thought if you show everything, nobodys going to say anything. He had trials on television, too, and then you would see them go off to the firing squad and you would see them die. Machado, who was eight, and his five-year-old brother left Cuba in Operation Peter Pan, a US government programme designed to protect children from communist indoctrination. It was chaotic. We went to the airport five times before I ever got on a plane. There were masses of kids but the Cuban government approved it. The boys started their new life in Miami. Their parents arrived eight months later and the family settled in Los Angeles. Machado adds: I didnt learn to speak English until I was 11. When I was young, I thought if I want to understand America, I have to understand English people. So I started reading all the biographies of English kings and queens and then I read Shakespeare at 13 and actually understood it. Thats sort of what got me into plays and playwriting. So it was Shakespeares fault. Asked if Castro reminds him of any Shakespearean characters, the writer, who has returned to Cuba often over the past 20 years, names Richard III. The same can be said about Trump, he muses, and thats whats interesting about doing the play right now. A few days before the New Hampshire primary vote, midway through a speech at a packed town hall in Nashua, Andrew Yang began to talk about data. Specifically, the industrial-scale harvesting of private data that is at the heart of todays biggest and most profitable tech companies. We produce an enormous outflow of information that is taken from us, often without our consent, and monetized, said Yang. But then he swerved. Instead of issuing the call-to-arms implicit in the Data as a Property Right plank of his presidential platform, Yang launched into a pitch for what he called a Data Dividend: a monthly, thousand-dollar check that he saw as a way to remunerate citizens for their loss of privacy at the hands of unaccountable Big Tech overlords. (This was Yangs Freedom Dividend by another name; both refer to a proposed Universal Basic Income (UBI) that was at the center of the campaign until Yang dropped out after the New Hampshire vote.) Related: Yang 2020 and the Search for the Next Crypto Candidate If you received a Data Dividend, how much of it would stay right here in Nashua? he asked the audience. Most of it, right? Maybe not all of it you might get your own Netflix password. The line got a laugh, one of several that afternoon. (Yang was easily the funniest of the Democratic candidates.) The use of data harvesting as a set-up for UBI suggesting the system cant be changed, so you might as well take a cut might have surprised those most familiar with the details of Yangs platform. That platform includes a large section on data and tech that understands them as moral and political issues. Its an incredibly detailed program including The right to download all data in a standardized format to port to another platform but the fact that he largely ignored it on the stump tells you much about the issues low-profile on the campaign trail. It took a bit of searching at the rally to find anyone who felt strongly that the issue deserved more serious treatment. That person was a 50-something local podcast host and former PBS programmer named Larry Rifkin. An undecided voter, he described Yang as an interesting guy and felt strongly the tech and privacy issues were getting short thrift on the trail. Story continues Related: Pete Buttigieg Was Silicon Valleys Favorite Everybody sees privacy as an individual right issue, but it should be framed as a social issue, said Rifkin. Were giving away our rights, as Ralph Nader has said, one disclaimer at a time. Modern life requires us to be online and pass through these digital gates. How do you live in this age unless you give away these rights? Who can we question? We need to broaden this conversation. He said he supported Elizabeth Warrens calls to dismember Facebook on anti-monopoly and public-interest grounds, but was careful to say not every tech-related issue requires a federal sledgehammer. When you look at the power Facebook has amassed, and their cavalier attitude to real problems, theyve shown they should be broken up. But all the big tech companies are different, Rifkin added. Some require oversight, others need to be herded a bit. So far, Congress has proven to be way out of its depth it doesnt even know what to ask, let alone what to safeguard. *** Its been a long seven years since NSA contractor Edward Snowden blew the roof off the U.S. governments far-reaching and unconstitutional surveillance program. The revelations were followed by a steady drip of stories about data breaches exposing Americans to various forms of manipulation and theft, capped by the Cambridge Analytica-Facebook scandal. Around the time of Donald Trumps election, the large plurality of Americans who once believed technology firms were a positive force in American life disappeared. By early 2017, the percentage of the population with a sunny view of Big Tech had plummeted 22 points from recent highs to 50 percent. That this anxiety and concern was not much in evidence in New Hampshire, however, suggests a reckoning may not be on the horizon. To find the possible outlines of this reckoning, it was necessary to dig into the platforms of the candidates. Along with Yang, the most detailed reform programs covering everything from the digital divide to online privacy belongs to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The latter is running on a plan to not only rein in the power of Facebook and others, but is calling for an $85 billion public investment in public broadband. In Berlin, the capital of Coos County in New Hampshires Great North bordering Canada, I met a Warren supporter and former computer fraud investigator named Kathleen Kelley. She was well-versed in Warrens tech platform, which she described as a source of the candidates appeal amid a crowded Democratic field. I am increasingly concerned about privacy, Kelley, 64, told me over coffee one morning at a cafe in the shadow of the White Mountains. Facebook seems to know what Ive seen, and said even recommending things that I was just thinking about. I have Siri at home, and it knows my patterns: when I come home, what music I like, what news I listen to. Its a little scary. Im at the point, with Amazon and others, where Im asking, How big is too big? I think we need to talk about that, just as we broke up the Ma Bells years ago, which led to innovation. Good things could come out of reducing their power over the economy and our private data. A small but active segment of the Democratic base has lost patience with Congress altogether. As a resident of a remote community, Kelley was impressed with Warrens focus on bringing public broadband to rural communities. This is an infrastructure and development crisis across the country. According to Pew, one in five American students cant finish homework because of lack of internet access. A full quarter of rural Americans say internet access is a major problem. And while views on the governments responsibility for fixing this are mixed, there is overwhelming public support for government action to override large commercial providers seeking to block the emergence of local solutions. To see what this crisis looks like, Kelley directed my attention to the other end of the Granite State, where the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border town of Royalston, Mass., has emerged as a perfect test case for the programs advocated, however quietly, in so many Democratic platforms. *** Midway between the primary circus of Manchester and the technology hub of Boston, is Royalston, a farming town. Until five years ago, one-sixth of the towns 1,200 residents were without high-speed internet, because it did not make economic sense for the towns commercial ISP to service them. This was unacceptable to a Royalston resident named Jon Hardie, a 70-something veteran community organizer, entrepreneur and computer enthusiast. With a small grant from the state, he launched an initiative to build a community-owned fixed LTE wireless network that could service the entire town including the otherwise cut-off residents. The project was successful, and serves as a beacon for those who believe powerful community-owned WiFi networks are not only possible, but much cheaper and resilient than the fiber cables preferred by commercial operators. The major vendors cherry-pick high-density population areas, and to heck with people in rural areas, says Hardie, who has expanded his project into a network of 42 rural communities in the region. Corporations are putting a huge amount of pressure on state legislatures and agencies to prevent local communities from building their own networks. We invited Sprint and Verizon to our towns, but we said you gotta do the rural schools, fire and police and municipal offices. They said no. Here in Royalston our network serves 600 homes and 1,200 people for $1.4 million, when the fiber cost would be $3.5 million. Hardie declined to discuss his voting preference in the election, but he speaks a language that resonates strongly with that found in Bernie Sanderss platform on internet access: public investments, social goods, climate resilience, and community organizing. Indeed, Sanderss platform includes a plank, High Speed Internet Access for All, that lines up exactly with the vision and details of Hardies initiative. Sanders is calling for $150 billion to be invested, as part of the Green New Deal, in infrastructure grants and technical assistance for municipalities [and] states to build publicly owned and democratically controlled, co-operative, or open access broadband networks [that are] resilient to the effects of climate change. Unique among the Democratic candidates, Sanders also supports breaking up ISP and cable monopolies, unwinding anticompetitive mergers and barring ISPs from providing content. How do you we deliver rural healthcare and education without information? Like health care, you have to subsidize it, Hardie told me, echoing another of Sanderss signature policy ideas. State support and community ownership is a winning combination for high-speed internet in rural America. Fiber is expensive and susceptible to bad weather in an age of increasing climate volatility. The government should be investing in the lowest cost, highest performance tech. It used to be $1,000 a meg, now its a couple of bucks. The cost will continue to fall, especially in the Southwest where solar can power the community-owned systems. This is not what the companies want to hear, because it keeps revenue streams out of their hands. *** Few of Sanderss supporters may understand the technical details of building resilient community internet networks, but those I met in New Hampshire thought it a no-brainer the state should be more involved in the sector. A public option for the internet that runs like a local utility is a great idea, said Mark Grueter, a Lyft driver and out-of-work academic that I met at the Sanders rally in Manchester on the night of the vote. Other countries do it and the results are usually better than what we have in the States. The corporate monopolies in this country dont come close to delivering the best service at the best price. I think the candidates should be talking about it more. Grueter also said breaking up Facebook, and possibly other tech giants, was a good idea deserving of close consideration for the Democratic Partys 2020 platform. They are the new robber barons, he said. It started off as an innovative sector, but now its just so oppressive. I havent used Facebook in a long time. I hate how everything you do online requires a Facebook account, like Facebook is the gatekeeper for participating in the modern world. Its a very alienating time. Social media companies should be held accountable for misinformation. I mean, whats the counterargument? That its a free speech issue? Its ridiculous. Up in Berlin, Kathleen Kelley was also worried about bad information, which like high-speed internet can be worse in rural communities. We dont have newspapers up here, like so many places, so people are getting their news on Facebook, Reddit or Instagram, and how much of that is wrong or false? I try to figure out what is true, but sometimes I get fooled and have to stop myself, she said. I dont think were teaching our children how to filter information. We need education. When I sub at schools I see kids using Wikipedia, or open-source information. Is that all true? Rifkin, the podcaster at the Yang rally, said education and individual responsibility are ultimately the most important lines defense. He mentioned that he was currently reading Rana Foroohars book about Google and data harvesting, Dont Be Evil, and he had recommended it on his show, American Trends. Unfortunately, so much falls to us as individuals, and we choose to go into these dens, because we feel comforted, or feel backed up in our prejudices, said Rifkin. I want more cautionary alerts, maybe not regulation. Its just a very strange time in this countrys public life. * ** On the sub-freezing night of Feb. 7, groups of supporters behind every candidate lined the street outside of St. Anslem College, site of the final Democratic debate before the vote. Among the clusters of machine-made signs for Elizabeth, Amy, Pete and Bernie was a dozen or so homemade signs decrying the capture of government by special interests. At their lead was Brain Beihl, director of the Concord, N.H.-based non-profit Open Democracy. The group is best known for its founder, Doris Granny D Haddock, who at the age of 88 began a two-year trek from California to D.C. to rally support for campaign finance reform. When I asked Beihl what Granny D, who died in 2010 at age 100, would think about the unique kind of power now wielded by Big Tech in D.C., in our living rooms, in our minds he said that any solutions and reforms will only be possible after curtailing their power over regulators and Congress. If you want to rein in these tech companies, its the same as dealing with climate and health care and education none of it is gonna happen until we get campaign finance fixed, he said. They are big-time lobbyists now. If you want to regulate or reform them in any way, start with their ability to buy influence. A small but active segment of the Democratic base has lost patience with Congress altogether, and believes that the fight should be taken to the streets in particular, the streets outside of Mark Zuckerbergs two Bay Area mansions. A week after the primary, an alliance of media advocacy and human rights groups led by Global Exchange and Media Alliance held protests outside of the Facebook CEOs private residences in San Francisco and Palo Alto, demanding the company follow Twitters lead and ban political ads. (Google has instituted a partial ban focused on targeted ads; YouTube has announced a plan to remove misleading election-related content). Twice in January, the groups protested outside Facebooks headquarters in Menlo Park, and on February 21 unfurled a Truth Matters human billboard outside of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in Redwood City. Since January, more than 88,000 people have signed two petitions related to the campaign, called Wake the ZUCK Up! Facebook has been concealing its vast profits from sabotaging democracy under a fig leaf of free speech, said Tracy Rosenberg, one of the organizers. It refuses to take responsibility for lies, hate and disinformation that could jeopardize the integrity of the 2020 elections. The company is also all too happy to profit from micro-targeting that directs disinformation at vulnerable communities and hides it from everyone else. The sense of urgency animating the direct-action campaign is clear enough to comprehend: The president has shown no interest in investing in public broadband, breaking up monopolies, or making an issue of data and privacy. If he is reelected, with or without the help of Facebook, Americans can forget about the sensible reforms and proposals being put forward by the Democratic candidates to expand access to the internet while at the same time reigning in the giants that control it. Alexander Zaitchik is a freelance journalist living in New Orleans. He is the author, most recently, of The Gilded Rage: A Wild Ride Through Donald Trumps America. Related Stories By Lambert Strether of Corrente. I keep noticing how civilized countries are handling #COVID-19 (Bangkok Post: Virus covered by universal health care) in contrast to our own (Politico: Schumer calls for Medicare to cover coronavirus vaccine that is still in development. Come on, man. Over-65s only? No coverage for testing? Really?). So I was intrigued when I saw the following tweet from Carlos Mucha, responding to Sarah Kliff: The acronym for the day is NDMS. Once (if?) the President declares a public health emergency, Uncle Sam is on the hook for out-of-pocket medical costs via the National Disaster Medical System. https://t.co/rVfYOf26FY pic.twitter.com/2PPwerteuQ Carlos Mucha (@mucha_carlos) February 29, 2020 (Mucha has a lot of credibility in certain circles, because he was the modern originator of the MMT-adjacent Trillion Dollar Coin concept, legitimized as not cray cray by Politico here, and dont @ me. Mucha is, in other words, good at combining lateral thinking with complete legality, and this NDMS reimbursement concept sounds like it could solve a lot of our problems mitigating #COVID-19.) In this post, Ill only look at the NDMS reimbursement concept, because I suspect thats what most readers are reallly interested in. I hope at some future point, to take a look at NDMS itself, because it seems to be that rare thing in government these days: An agency with operational capability. (Googling turns up very little Beltway news on NDMS, but a lot of home-town stories about NDMS people who were deployed into emergency situations, upon their homecomings.) My real hope for this post and this is exactly what happened with the Trillion Dollar Coin, which propagated from the blogs outward is that that the idea will propagate into the mainstream media, and thence to either the administration, or the campaigns, or both. To the reimbursement concept. First, a Public Health Emergency has been declared for #COVID-19, so NDMS reimbursesments can kick in. It seems to be hospitals who are reimbursed, not patients, but I assume thats all to the good. (Pause here to envision some insane liberal scheme to reimburse patients through tax credits, after means-testing them.) From the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): As part of the Trump Administrations government-wide efforts to provide relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) activated a program to help hospitals and medical facilities providing care to people affected by Irma. This is the first time HHS has activated the program in response to a natural disaster since a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in 2010. The program, called the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Definitive Care Reimbursement Program, reimburses medical facilities and hospitals for the definitive medical care[1] costs of patients medically evacuated following disasters. These patients are directed to NDMS-designated hospitals and medical facilities and tracked through Federal Coordinating Centers managed by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. And here are the NDMS coverage guidelines in detail. First, eligibility: A condition of NDMS coverage is that the patient is transported via Federal assets, processed through a FCC, and referred to facilities or practitioners for Definitive Medical Care. The NDMS tracks all patients who are transported via Federal assets and thus, are eligible for coverage under this program. OK, organize an NDMS #COVID-19 program to provide transport as follow me closely here the gateway to NDMS reimbursement as a universal concrete material benefit (probably good for standardizing protocols anyhow): And now the providers: Only providers who currently participate in either Medicare or Medicaid are eligible for reimbursement. All providers who participate in Medicare will be reimbursed based upon their Medicare rates. Any provider who does not participate in Medicare but does actively participate in Medicaid will be reimbursed based upon their Medicaid rates. Next, covered services: Generally, any medically necessary service which is authorized under Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B or a States Medicaid program is eligible for reimbursement as long as the NDMS patient sustained one of the following: Injuries or illnesses resulting directly from a specified public health emergency; or Injuries, illnesses and conditions requiring essential medical services necessary to maintain a reasonable level of health temporarily not available as a result of the public health emergency; or Injuries or illnesses affecting authorized emergency response and disaster relief personnel responding to the public health emergency. That would seem to cover not only #COVID-19, but testing for #COVID-19. The program ends after 30 days; IIRC #COVID-19 runs its course in two weeks. Finally, the benefit guidelines: The NDMS Reimbursement Program will pay primary under the following circumstances: The patient is uninsured. The patient is covered only by Medicaid. The patient is only covered by other state or local payer of last resort. For individuals with private coverage (e.g., employment-based coverage), the NDMS Definitive Care Reimbursement Program may make a secondary payment to cover the difference between the full NDMS payment amount and the other payers allowance(s). However, NDMS does not cover co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance associated with the patients other coverage other coverage(s) this includes any Medicare or Medicaid co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance. Too bad about the co-pays and deductibles (and that Medicare and VA arent integrated, so we had true single payer.) One could, I imagine, do a little lateral thinking and get thrown off ones insurance program by not making payments, thereby becoming uninsured, but there are probably better solutions to be had. (Id also welcome comments from readers far more experienced in disentangling benefits programs than I am.) It remains only to determine who activates the NDMS. From DOD INSTRUCTION 6010.22 NATIONAL DISASTER MEDICAL SYSTEM (NDMS): In accordance with Section 300hh-11 of Title 42, U.S.C., HHS activates the NDMS or specific capabilities of the NDMS, depending on the situation. The Secretary of HHS activates the appropriate FCCs by notifying the VA and DoD program managers in writing. Activation may be in response to: (1) A national emergency, domestic disaster, or in support of a homeland security event. (2) The Secretary of HHS declaring a public health emergency in accordance with Section 300hh-11 of Title 42, U.S.C. As we know, HHS has already declared #COVID-19 a public health emergency, so President Trump could order HHS to activate NDMS tomorrow. Of course, the reimbursement procedure outlined is trying to be #MedicareForAll, albeit on an emergency basis for a single disease, so Trump might be considered to be unlikely to activate it. On the other hand, if Trump really wants to own the libs and what good conservative doesnt? this would be a wonderful way to do it; Steve Bannon could be called in to handle the re-branding (LibertyCare). Speculating wildly: It has not escaped our notice that if a Sanders administration wished to implement #MedicareForAll by executive fiat, it would begin by declaring that the 55,000 deaths per year caused by our current, for-profit system constitute a public health emergency. And dont they? Comments welcome from readers really expert in navigating these programs! NOTES [1] The best definition I can find: Definitive care is usually considered the domain of the hospital and of larger facilities and implies the resolution of the condition needing treatment. Subject to correction with those who have experienced it, definitive care does not seem designed to deny care. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:20:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Lu Yifan, Huang Anqi SHANGHAI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Shouldering a 20-kg container full of disinfection fluid, Liu Jianmin in mask, gloves, goggles and protective suit, trudged through the buildings in Shanghai and sprayed disinfection fluid onto roads, sweat dripping down his face. Two weeks ago, Liu leisurely watched TV in his hometown in central China's Henan Province when something touched him. "The exhausted medical workers busy treating patients in protective gear worried me," he said. Liu, a 30-year-old house cleaner, never imagined that he would one day become a disinfection worker, not to mention join the fight against the novel coronavirus like the people he saw on TV. The youngest of his siblings, Liu had been away from his family for years to earn a living as a migrant worker. He came to Shanghai and began working with a housekeeping company more than a year ago. For this year's Spring Festival which fell on Jan. 25, Liu planned to stay at home until Feb. 3 to accompany his parents and his grandmother in her 80s. His plans changed when he received a notice from his company on Jan. 26, saying that they were asked to help disinfect places such as office buildings, commercial buildings and neighborhood community centers, as Shanghai has stepped up efforts on prevention and control of the epidemic. His company, short of disinfection workers, expected Liu to take on the disinfection work. Liu returned to Shanghai three days later. He received detailed training on procedures of compounding disinfection fluid and tips on avoiding electric shock while taking two weeks of quarantine at his residence. "I had mixed feelings when I was allowed to go back to work on Feb. 13," he said, adding that he rejoiced at making some money while doubting his own ability to fulfill the new assignment. Liu was a bit scared of being infected. He said that he understood at this critical moment, people should avoid unnecessary personnel gathering to contain the spread of the virus. However, he still proceeded as planned. Together with his colleagues, he carried a container full of disinfection fluid and sprayed the fluid onto the floors, walls and air conditioner vents. "On his first day as a disinfection worker, my fingers got stiff in the tight plastic gloves, and the container was so heavy that it almost fell on my head," Liu recalled. In addition to this, he sprayed the towels, wiped and disinfected places including on and off keys, handles and elevator buttons. "Although it seems trivial, we must be especially careful when we disinfect offices with a large number of computers," he said, as the excess fluid may cause computers to glitch. "Every day after work, when I come home, I can also smell disinfection fluid. I feel that the smell of the fluid wafted into my nostrils," he said. Liu has a full schedule and works from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. To spare more time for work, he eats instant noodles for lunch with hot water he asks for from nearby shops. On sunny days, he spends his lunch break in the park. But on rainy days, he has to slurp instant noodles under the shelter of the overpass. "After all, time is tight and tasks tough. Usually, I'm too busy to take off the thick protective clothing," he said. A stranger greeted Liu and his colleagues a few days ago by saying that "the medical workers in protective suits are beautiful, and so are you." That was the moment when Liu felt that all the stress and hard work he has undertaken paid off. "I get up at 5:30 a.m., then ride an e-bike for an hour to get to my workplace," said Liu who lives in the suburbs of Shanghai. "The day usually breaks as I ride. I believe the epidemic will end and we'll all see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said. SAN RAMON (dpa-AFX) - Chevron Corp. (CVX) said it has the potential to distribute $75 billion - $80 billion in cash to shareholders over the next five years. Higher returns are primarily driven by the new $2 billion target for cost and margin improvements. Chevron also anticipates 9 percent compound annual growth in adjusted operating cash flow per share through 2024 while holding annual capital spending in a range of $19 billion to $22 billion. The combination is expected to result in the doubling of adjusted free cash flow per share by 2024. Chevron Corp. projects compound annual production growth greater than 3 percent from 2019 to 2024, excluding any future unannounced asset sales. 'We expect return on capital to exceed 10 percent by 2024 at flat $60 Brent nominal prices, an improvement of over 300 basis points,' said Pierre Breber, Chevron's CFO. 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. In collaboration with Swiss-based laser engagement systems provider RUAG, global logistics provider Agility, and UK-based engineering and technical services corporation QinetiQ, Ravenswood will provide British troops training in Kenya and other locations with instrumentation, weapon simulators, battlefield effects, and instrumented after-action reviews (I-AARs). RUAG's laser-based, live-simulation system (known as Gladiator) will interface with Ravenswood's instrumentation system (known as the Mobile Ground Truth System) to generate high-fidelity exercise data, track troops and vehicles over a large, remote training area, and produce I-AARs to improve training. TESIK is Ravenswood's first major contract with the UK MOD for turnkey exercise support and instrumentation services. "Team Ravenswood is thrilled to begin building a strong, trust-based partnership with our new client, the UK Ministry of Defense," said Ravenswood CEO Dan Donoghue. "We tailored our best-in-industry capabilities to meet the British Army's training needs, and we are honored that they have put their trust and confidence in us. We look forward to helping the MOD achieve their desired training outcomes, as well as bridging our current capabilities to their future needs." About Ravenswood Solutions Ravenswood Solutions, a subsidiary of SRI International, provides government agencies and commercial clients with technology and services for combat training, test and evaluation of vehicles and equipment, and policy analysis events. Our field-proven packages include high-fidelity instrumentation, advanced global positioning and mapping, realistic training effects, and turnkey support services that are customized for each client. Ravenswood leverages more than 20 years of experience in technology insertion, training support, and sustainment services. This heritage of world-class technology and dedication to customers has made us the leading provider of mobile instrumented training and performance assessment for military ground troops and other security forces, while opening the door for industries such as civil response, logistics, and behavioral research to explore new applications for the technology. * The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Katie Landry Marketing and Communications 949-306-8292 [email protected] SOURCE Ravenswood Solutions Related Links http://www.ravenswoodsolutions.com In the wake of Kerala High Court's decision on banning students strike in campuses, Higher Minister KT Jaleel said that the state government was planning to bring in a bill to legalise students' union activities on educational campuses. Speaking at the Kerala Assembly here on Tuesday, Jaleel said that the new bill to legalise strike of students on campuses is in the final stages and would be introduced in the House soon. "The High Court was hearing a bunch of petitions by some private managements, who want to ban campus politics. The government has told the High Court that the government is taking steps to legalise students' union activities on campuses," he said. The Minister said that the government was committed to protect the democratic rights of students. "Our country has a long history of student movements starting from the freedom struggle. It has been noticed that in those college campuses where students union activities are weak, religious organisations that promote extremist ideas tries to influence students. Also, gangs and drug mafias become active where there are no students' unions," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The host of a new podcast series on residential schools hopes all Canadians will plug in their earphones to learn about the harm done by schools purpose-built to assimilate First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The host of a new podcast series on residential schools hopes all Canadians will plug in their earphones to learn about the harm done by schools purpose-built to assimilate First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. Historica Canada is publishing three educational podcasts Tuesday to acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and honour survivors. Illustration by Halie Finney RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS: Historica Canada launches its three-part educational podcast series, Residential Schools. Hosted by Winnipeg-based journalist Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, the episodes detail First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivor experiences in the church-run, government-funded schools created to assimilate them. Hosted by Winnipegger Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, each Residential Schools episode highlights the experiences of different students: First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors all of whom entered schools with different identities, yet experienced many of the same abuses. "The intergenerational trauma and blood memory, if you will, that comes from that legacy is super important to share with every single person that lives in Canada, whether they are Indigenous, non-Indigenous or new Canadians," said Robinson-Desjarlais, a second-generation residential school survivor. "The (over representation of Indigenous people in) child welfare, the health care system, the justice system these are all direct effects from residential schools. I think thats important for mainstream Canadian society to understand. Not only mainstream Canadian society, but even ourselves as Indigenous people." The first 20-minute history lesson in the series takes listeners on a journey through a school day in the life of First Nations students like Riley Burns at institutions such as Gordons Indian Residential School in Punnichy, Sask. Robinson-Desjarlais speaks about how little academic learning actually took place in the schools. Instead, she explains as little as two hours were dedicated to academic learning daily. The rest of the time was dedicated to physical labour, religious study and meals often more suitable for livestock than humans. Clips from Burns, a member of James Smith Cree Nation, and other survivors play throughout, as do details about Burns' story of physical and sexual abuse, malnutrition and lost culture. "You had to fight for yourself. You didnt have time to be hugging anybody. You didnt have time to be crying in a corner. You better be standing up and fighting for yourself," he recalls. A guest on the first episode, Anishinaabe academic and Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair also talks about how abuse in residential schools was so rampant students began to internalize it and abuse each other. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The last residential school closed in 1996, and while many of the remnants of such schools have been destroyed, Robinson-Desjarlais said its critical Canadians revisit the history, be empathetic and recognize the lasting effects, from alcoholism to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. "The stories of these people are super intimate and I think in a classroom setting or on their own, it hits you in the heart," she said, adding she hopes the episodes will be valuable learning tools for teachers. Frank Deer, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Education, said educators are increasingly using multimedia, oftentimes documentaries, to teach students about the histories of Indigenous people. Thats especially the case, Deer said, when the subject is outside the realm of a teachers expertise. "Elders are passing. It is important to store and share in an appropriate way: their stories, their languages, their perspectives, so that people may have access to them and do well by them," he added. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie Queenslands crime watchdog is reviewing its own assessment of a complaint against LNP Brisbane councillor James Mackay after Labor raised concerns the original decision missed the point of the referral. In July last year Cr Mackay self-referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission on the same day Labor councillors made a formal complaint against him, alleging he had potentially benefited from contracts between Brisbane City Council and his private company. LNP councillor James Mackay had referred himself to the CCC. Credit:Tammy Law The LNP had enlisted Cr Mackay as Walter Taylor Ward councillor two months earlier, following the departure of now federal MP Julian Simmonds. The allegations stemmed from two companies Cr Mackay directed, Findah and We Promote, both of which were declared on his register of interests. Jailed Catalan leader Oriol Junqueras, who is serving 13 years for a failed 2017 independence bid, left prison Tuesday to teach in university as part of a day-release programme. Under the terms of a deal approved by the separatist-dominated Catalan regional government, Junqueras is allowed to leave Lledoners prison north of Barcelona three days a week to teach a course on the history of western thought. "Teach and learn. Always. Thank you everyone for your support," he tweeted over a picture of him leaving prison late on Tuesday morning for his first day on the job. A historian by training, Junqueras' new role will allow him to leave prison for six hours at a time to take up a voluntary teaching post at the University of Vic, the Central University of Catalonia. The decision was taken last week by the regional government, which enjoys broad powers over prison administration and has already approved a similar day-release programme for most of nine separatists jailed in October over the 2017 independence bid. But Spanish prosecutors have said they would appeal the move, reproaching the Catalan government for giving the prisoners too much freedom. Junqueras served as deputy head of the Catalan administration at the time of the independence bid and still heads the ERC, one of the two separatist parties in Catalonia's ruling coalition which recently opened talks with the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to try and resolve the political conflict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri and AAP MP Sushil Gupta on Tuesday welcomed the arrest of the man who was seen pointing a pistol at a policeman during last week's communal violence in north-east Delhi. "We congratulate Delhi police for being successful in arresting him. The rioters will know that nobody can escape the clutches of law after doing something wrong. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should also appreciate the efforts of police rather than just playing a blame game," Bidhuri told ANI. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta said that riots could have been prevented had Delhi Police been vigilant. "If Delhi police were vigilant before the violence erupted, then these riots would not have taken place. Kapil Mishra was given upgraded security after he spewed venom during the violence. Action should be taken on the culprit who was seen brandishing a gun during the violence," Gupta told ANI. Shahrukh, the suspect who was seen brandishing a gun during the violence on February 24, was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch from Uttar Pradesh. At least 47 people have been killed and more than 200 people sustained serious injuries in the communal violence that rocked north-east Delhi for four days last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Labour could face another abject humiliation at the hands of voters in May's local elections, a damning leaked document reveals today. The rudderless party could lose 315 councillors and control of heartland cities including Sheffield under the worst-case scenario laid out for the May 7 poll. It comes after the party suffered its worst general election defeat since the 1930s in December. Leader Jeremy Corbyn announced he would step down after that embarrassment but the protracted race to succeed him will not be completed until the start of next month. It means the new leader will not have much time to get his or her feet under the table before voters had to the polls. The documents, leaked to the BBC, warned that the party is facing 'one of its worst' results. Ian Murray, who is running to be Labour's deputy leader, said: 'This report should be an urgent wake-up call for the party. Leader Jeremy Corbyn announced he would step down after the party suffered its worst general election defeat since the 1930s at December's general election But the race to succeed him, between rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Sir Keir Starmer (above), will not be completed until he start of next month 'We are sleepwalking into disaster if we don't change, and communities across England will lose dedicated local Labour champions. 'We have to change to become a credible alternative government of the future, not a protest movement of the past. We need to win again so that we can change people's lives. 'As the only candidate for deputy leader standing for change, I will work with the new leader to ensure the Labour Party wins again.' Labour did not do well in last year's local elections, but its loss of six councils and 86 seats was overshadowed by Theresa May's horror showing in losing the Tories more than 1,300 councillors. Elections will take place on May 7 for 118 councils in England: 22 unitary authorities, 34 metropolitan boroughs and 62 non-metropolitan districts. Some councils have elections for all seats while others have a third of their seats up this time. There will also be eight mayoral elections including in London. Ian Murray , who is running to be Labour's deputy leader, said: 'This report should be an urgent wake-up call for the party Labour did not do well in last year's local elections, but its losses were overshadowed by Theresa May's horror showing The leaked document laid out three scenarios for the election, using different polling methods. In every scenario Labour loses control of councils in Plymouth, the Essex town of Harlow, Amber Valley in Derbyshire and West Lancashire. In two scenarios it loses control of Southampton and the worst-case one also adds the loss of Sheffield, which it has controlled for much of the post-war period. A Labour Party spokesman said: 'We recognise the scale of the challenge we face on May 7 and we will be fighting for every vote in the local elections.' The 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers of Hunterdon County received a visit and more than a few licks from a four-legged friend on Friday. Barny, a 4-month-old golden Labrador retriever, trotted into the Hunterdon County Communications Center in Flemington last week to provide its public safety telecommunicators with an opportunity to destress from fielding calls from numerous police departments, fire companies, first aid squads and mobile intensive care units on an around-the-clock basis. Jim Curry, the division head of Communications for Hunterdon County, said that visits from puppies like Barny provide the dispatchers, numbering 27 in total at the center, a few minutes to blank out and forget about the last call they just took. The dispatchers have an incredibly stressful job. Theyre here for 12 hours a day, day after day, holidays, weekends, nights," Curry said. They hear some of the worst of the worst calls you can imagine, day in and day out, and they will receive about 100 to 150 9-1-1 calls a day on top of the administrative calls. And theyre confined to this building. Barny, a four-month old golden Labrador retriever, trotted into the Hunterdon County Communications Center in Flemington last week to provide its public safety telecommunicators with an opportunity to destress from fielding calls from numerous police departments, fire companies, first aid squads and mobile intensive care units on an around-the-clock basis.Caroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Curry said that the calls received by the dispatchers in 2019 amounted to over 41,000. While adding that this volume in calls has remained generally consistent in recent years, he emphasized that dispatchers task of fielding them has increased in complexity. The job itself is more complicated," Curry said. We do a lot more; were a support function for all the law enforcement agencies, all the fire departments, all the EMS agencies in the county. For that reason, Curry emphasized the importance of dogs like Barny visiting the center approximately once every month to offer the dispatchers a break from their regularly demanding routine. People just sort of relax for a couple minutes. And its different; its a change of pace for everybody," Curry said. The center is visited by dogs trained through either Puppies Behind Bars, based out of New York, or the Caring K9s program, headquartered in Florida. Barny was brought into the center on Friday afternoon by Puppies Behind Bars volunteer Larry Dawkins, who said what was meant to be a quick trip to a store prior to visiting the dispatchers was extended by half an hour or so because of his presence. Barny, a four-month old golden Labrador retriever, trotted into the Hunterdon County Communications Center in Flemington last week to provide its public safety telecommunicators with an opportunity to destress from fielding calls from numerous police departments, fire companies, first aid squads and mobile intensive care units on an around-the-clock basis.Caroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com When a dog walks into the room, their stress just seems to go away," Dawkins said. At the center, "we walk around so people in the back get a chance to say hello and it releases the tension. Its amazing how well it can do that. Through Puppies Behind Bars, inmates of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Union Township raise dogs, including Barny, to act as companions to wounded war veterans or first responders, or become explosive-detection canines for law enforcement agencies. The more aggressive a puppy is, the more likely theyll be bomb sniffers or accelerant detection (canines). The ones that are more laid back would probably be better for a ... dog for a veteran or a First Responder," Dawkins said. Dawkins added that the program has had most of our success with Labradors like Barny, who will eventually become an explosive detection canine. He and the other dogs in the program enter the prison at roughly 8 weeks of age and live with inmates for a period of approximately 24 months. While emphasizing their utility to service units or retired soldiers as fully grown dogs, Dawkins underscored that the animals equally benefit the inmates of the facility -- whom have to pass several interview processes in order to raise the dog -- as maturing puppies. I can tell you hundreds of stories, Dawkins said. This gives (the inmates) skills, it gives them an opportunity to express themselves, (and) they get unconditional love from the dogs. Its a win-win situation. Separated from the inmate raising him for the afternoon, in her place Barny captured the affection of the dispatchers working at the center on Friday. Barny, a four-month old golden labrador retriever, trotted into the Hunterdon County Communications Center in Flemington last week to provide its public safety telecommunicators with an opportunity to destress from fielding calls from numerous police departments, fire companies, first aid squads and mobile intensive care units on an around-the-clock basis.Caroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Just being an animal lover, its a like a sense of relief that theyre here," dispatcher Joe Swaney said. "Its therapeutic; you get to interact with them or just watch them, and in a way it just takes your mind away from all the stuff thats going on. Im not a fan of dogs; you can ask anyone. But I love when he brings the dogs in here. Its really nice to see them," dispatcher Tammy Hoffman echoed. Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips Father Ernesto Cardenal, a Nicaraguan poet, priest and political revolutionary who wielded his pen as a weapon against two autocratic regimes the Somoza family dynasty and the left-wing Sandinista party that took its place died March 1 in Managua, Nicaragua's capital. He was 95. His personal assistant, Luz Marina Acosta, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. Cardenal had recently been hospitalized for respiratory problems. In a sign of his renown in Nicaragua, the government of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega ordered three days of national mourning, despite having persecuted Cardenal after he resigned from the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in the early 1990s. For many Nicaraguans, Cardenal was revered as a literary beacon and a moral authority, a Catholic priest who drew on Marx as well as the Gospels to champion social justice in his ministry and writings. One of Latin America's most acclaimed poets, he wrote verses that offered a cosmic fusion of spirituality, politics, science and history, while appearing at frequent lectures and readings that made him a kind of international ambassador for Nicaragua. Cardenal drew few boundaries between his callings. The son of a wealthy Nicaraguan family, he fought with a revolutionary group in his late 20s, then emerged as a leading proponent of liberation theology, which emphasizes Jesus' message to the poor and oppressed. With a thick beard and signature black beret, he celebrated Mass with Sandinista revolutionaries in the jungle, later joining Ortega when those forces marched into Managua in 1979 and toppled the Somoza family, whose rule had lasted more than 40 years. Declaring that "the triumph of the revolution is the triumph of poetry," he went on to work for nearly a decade as Nicaragua's minister of culture, angering the Vatican with his mix of politics and religion while aiming to teach tens of thousands of Nicaraguans how to read and write. Cardenal traced his religious convictions to the years he spent at a Trappist monastery in Kentucky, where he befriended Thomas Merton, a distinguished writer and priest. He later completed his religious training in Mexico, Colombia and Nicaragua, where he was ordained in 1965 and settled on the Solentiname Islands in Lake Nicaragua. He had originally intended to establish a parish church. Cardenal, a sculptor as well as a writer, instead presided over a sprawling art colony, turning Solentiname into a haven for painters and spiritual seekers alike. On Sundays, he led the islanders in discussions of Christianity, eventually recording their conversations and adapting the dialogues into a multivolume work, "The Gospel in Solentiname" (1975), considered a touchstone of liberation theology. "As the peasants of Solentiname got deeper and deeper into the Gospel," Cardenal wrote in the book, "they could not help but feel united to their brother and sister peasants who were suffering persecution and terror. . . . For this solidarity to be real they had to lay security, and life, on the line." Some of the islanders joined the Sandinistas, organizing in a 1977 raid against Anastasio Somoza Debayle's forces with the blessing of Cardenal. The government responded by destroying the Solentiname chapel and other buildings, and Cardenal was labeled the "No. 1 enemy of the people." He later served in the Sandinista cabinet alongside his brother, education minister and fellow Catholic priest Fernando Cardenal, who died in 2016. Both men defied Pope John Paul II's order to quit their government jobs and focus on their ministries, and during a 1983 visit to Managua the pope publicly reprimanded Cardenal, reportedly telling him to "straighten out your position with the church." The next year, Cardenal was suspended from the priesthood, setting off a break with the church that was repaired only last year, when he was absolved by Pope Francis. By then, Cardenal had become an outspoken critic of Ortega, whose party had stifled a rebellion from a CIA-backed army known as the Contras and was accused of rampant corruption and human rights abuses. His split from the Sandinistas was "perhaps his most important political legacy," said Manuel Orozco, a Nicaragua scholar with the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. The party had "refused to recognize the atrocities committed in the 1980s," Orozco said in an email, and transformed "into a typical Latin American clientelistic and populist party." After Ortega returned to power in 2007, he added, Cardenal "was politically persecuted by the government, publicly attacked by the regime and even legally prosecuted on false charges." "It was a beautiful revolution. But what happened is that it was betrayed," Cardenal told the Agence France-Presse in 2015, recalling his turn away from the Sandinistas. "There is now the family dictatorship of Daniel Ortega. That's not what we fought for." Ernesto Cardenal Martinez was born in Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, on Jan. 20, 1925. After graduating from a Jesuit high school, he studied literature at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and at Columbia University in Manhattan, where he immersed himself in American poetry. "From Ezra Pound, William Carlos Williams and Marianne Moore he borrowed the belief that poetry is a public language of precise documentary facts that he called 'exteriorismo,' " said Northwestern professor Harris Feinsod, author of "The Poetry of the Americas: From Good Neighbors to Countercultures." "At the same time, from Latin American poets like Ruben Dario and Pablo Neruda, he took the belief that poetry could be a vehicle for Latin American nations to craft independent political visions," Feinsod added by email. Poems such as "Zero Hour" and "With Walker in Nicaragua" recalled the history of U.S. imperialism through figures such as Sam Zemurray, the head of United Fruit Company, and William Walker, who conquered Nicaragua in the mid-1850s. Cardenal also spoke out against the Somoza regime in his verse, skirting government censorship by publishing outside the country as an "Anonymous Nicaraguan." His later works increasingly incorporated scientific themes, notably in "Cosmic Canticle" (1989), a 500-page poem that drew on the theories of physicists such as Richard Feynman and Stephen Hawking. "Science brings me close to God because it describes the universe and creation, and that brings me close to the creator," he told The New York Times in 2015. "For me this is a prayer." Cardenal leaves no immediate survivors, according to local news reports. In recent years he led a Granada cultural center, the Casa de los Tres Mundos, and received literary honors including Chile's Pablo Neruda Ibero-American Poetry Award and Spain's Reina Sofia poetry prize. In interviews, Cardenal declared that Jesus had led him to Marx, once calling himself "a revolutionary for the sake of His kingdom." "The Bible is full of revolutions," he said at a public reading in 2014. "The prophets are people with a message of revolution. Jesus of Nazareth takes the revolutionary message of the prophets. And we also will continue trying to change the world and make revolution. Those revolutions failed, but others will come." The government is trying to prepare the private hospitals to manage new coronavirus (COVID 19) infections. The health ministry is working with industry body FICCI for New Coronavirus (COVID 19) management, the Cabinet Secretary was briefed on Tuesday. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, is the President of the industry chamber FICCI. The review meeting, held by the Cabinet Secretary through a video conference, was also told that the guidelines on cluster management of COVID-19 have been communicated to the States two days ago. "The operationalisation of the guidelines was emphasised upon and the Chief Secretaries were requested to review the same", a health ministry statement said. The Secretaries of concerned Ministries, Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of the States attended the review meeting to assess action taken for containment of COVID-19. According to the health ministry, the travel restrictions imposed from March 2 were reviewed and shared with the States. States were asked to monitor the airport management in coordination with the concerned Airport Public Health Officers (APHOs) and Airport Managers so that effective screening takes place. The statement said that the States were also requested to hold coordination meetings with the related ministries for possible quarantine facilities in their States, augmentation of isolation wards and include facilities of the labour department, armed forces, paramilitary forces, medical colleges and PSUs within their jurisdiction. The review meeting also decided that District Collectors shall now be involved in cluster management in their district. The collectors have been asked to hold coordination meetings and ensure that teams at the district, block and village levels are made for cluster management as per the SOPs communicated. It was also informed that apart from the three COVID-19 positive cases from Kerala, who have recovered, three more cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and six have heavy viral load and are awaiting confirmation. While all nine of them are in isolation and are stable, the ministry has also shifted 24 persons, including 21 Italian tourists and three Indians (bus driver, conductor and tourist guide), who had contact with the Italian national found confirmed as COVID-19 positive in Jaipur, to the ITBP facility for testing. Depending on the result, the future course of action will be taken, the ministry said. Also Read: Coronavirus Live Updates: Italian tourist's wife tests positive, number of cases rises to 7 Also Read: Travelling to India from a coronavirus-hit country; here's what you need to do Jammu, March 3 : Though there has been no coronavirus case in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory is fully geared up to deal with it, according to a senior official. "We are fully alert. The surveillance has been increased, since the first advisory issued by the Centre on February 2," said Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning, Development, Monitoring) and the J&K administration's official spokesman, here on Tuesday. According to Kansal, 201 individuals who either had visited China, South Korea, Iran and Thailand or come in contact with the persons who travelled to these countries, have been screened. Of the 21 tests, no one has been reported positive for coronavirus. Self-declaration points have been set up at all J&K airports and check-points on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for screening of travellers from the affected countries. Kansal said round-the-clock data centres had been set up to keep track of information on travellers from the affected countries. "There is no reason to panic. Doctors, specialists and government officials are reaching out to people about respiratory hygiene," he said. To house coronavirus patient, facilities have been set up in Srinagar and Jammu, which includes isolation facilities and dedicated ventilators. "Samples of suspects are being sent to Delhi laboratory and we get reports within 48 hours," Kansal said. On Tuesday morning, a nurse surrendered to Pune police after slashing the throat of her drunk husband while he was asleep. The victim has been identified as Mahantesh Ishwar Birajdar, 26, a resident of Birajdar Vasti in Sankh village, Sangli while the woman has been identified as Anuradha Pundalik Kare, 25, a resident of Narayan Niwas in Narhe. According to the police, the incident took place at 4.30 am. The woman surrendered at the Narhe police outpost at 7.30 am. Kare initially tried to hang herself between 4.30 and 7.30 am. She informed us that she hung a dupatta from the fan but upon consulting her father over call, she listened to his advice of not doing so and instead going to the police. She informed the police at Narhe chowky that they would find the body in the bed, which they did, said Nandkishore Shelke, senior police inspector, Sinhagad police station. While Birajdar was out of work, Kare was a staff nurse at Navale hospital and told the police that she had decided one month ago to kill him and commit suicide as well. She had bought the chopper she used to kill him from Sarasbaug in January. She did so because she was angry with him for forcing her to take abortion pills in December, 2019. She suspected that he had a second marriage. On that day, he came home drunk at 1am and while they were fighting, where he allegedly said that he had re-married without her knowledge, said an officer close to the investigation. The couple had been together since 2016 but had a strained history. Their relationship, early on, had met with opposition from their families due to difference in caste. On June 6, 2019, the woman had lodged a complaint of sexual assault against Birajdar for having intercourse with her under false pretext of marriage, but later refusing to marry her. After a case was registered, Birajdar agreed to marry her and on August 5, 2019, the two got married in Alandi. When he came here from the village to marry her, we arrested him. She had helped him get bail after almost three weeks in jail. There was bad blood between them because of the case. After their wedding, she said she had gotten pregnant in December 2019 and he had forced her to take abortion pills, said Pomaji Rathod, assistant commissioner of police, Sinhagad division of Pune police who visited the spot. The police have seized the blade she used to commit the crime and arrested her under Section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code. Based on her confession and police visit, a complaint in the matter was lodged by a police official. From Crasher, speaker, mentor, attendee and now exhibitor, Ive worn just about every hat at GAC. The event is truly a whirlwind as credit union professionals push themselves to learn and advocate for their members. Here are three themes I heard during the first days of the biggest event for credit unions. We want to know our members A constant topic of conversation both in the breakout sessions and in the exhibit hall has been how credit unions can better understand their membership. Weve also talked about credit unions desire to learn more about non-members or as one credit union executive put it, soon-to-be-members! With branch traffic projected to decline over the next few years, many credit unions are hoping to use data and analytics as a window into their membership. Members now expect relevant and timely offers. With new competition on the rise, credit unions are working hard to leverage information to amplify the good they provide in the communities they serve. The youth movement On Sunday, I had the pleasure of chatting with the future of the credit union movement, the 2020 GAC Crashers . These 60 young professionals represent CUs of all shapes, segments, states and sizes. My message centered on making sure their week in DC was not a week off from their day job, but instead, a catalyst for the start of a career in cooperative finance. We then shifted the conversation to serving the youngest generation of consumers, Gen Z. TransUnion has completed a research effort about Gen Z: how they differ from the millennials and other previous generations, and how CUs might serve them. You can access the global research report here. Improving inclusivity It was so inspiring to talk with credit union advocates who are determined to help make credit unions more inclusive. Weve had lots of conversations this week about how alternative and trended credit data can help credit unions better understand and confidently serve more members. This especially applies to the Gen Z population many of whom have little to no credit history. As we discussed this week at GAC, using information for good is a winning strategy for credit unions. We must continue to evolve to ensure we are providing relevant, timely and inclusive offers to our members and soon-to-be-members. To learn more about how we help credit unions, visit transunion.com/creditunions. Weddings and funerals are also suspended until further notice. Weekday Masses will continue as fewer people attend them. The faithful are asked to sit in church and not shake hands. For priest in the capital, measures are designed to contain the contagion. Card Sako offers a special prayer to God the Father and Mary. Baghdad (AsiaNews) After the first outbreak of the new coronavirus in Iraq, the leaders of the Chaldean Patriarchate have tightened the guidelines about Mass and other celebrations they laid out a few days ago. Given the number of new cases in Baghdad and in other cities, we recommend, as a precautionary measure, to suspend weddings, funerals and Sunday Mass services, said the Patriarchate in a statement. Speaking to AsiaNews, Fr Madyan Shamil, assistant parish priest in Baghdads St Joseph Cathedral, said that cases reported in the capital and other cities are "cause for concern" and the measures are meant to contain the contagion. In light of the situation, "Patriarch Sako decided to stop Sunday Masses" even if "some priests" wanted to continue, he said. Hence, as more dangerous conditions have occurred, we want to boost praying. In Baghdad the faithful are not surprised by the measure. Most are in favour, as evinced by what some have posted on the Patriarchates social media. "Well done," writes Nura M. George. Precautionary measures should remain in effect "as long as this ordeal isnt over. Waleed Naser Elia agrees. This is the right choice". So does Majida Yacoub who calls it a necessary step for the good of the community. Fr Shamil notes that when there was a plague outbreak in Kirkuk and Nineveh in 581 AD, at the time of patriarch Ezekiel, the bishops of the two cities decided to "pray and fast with the faithful to ask God to end the epidemic, which happened. Since that time, we conduct Bautha, a supplication, three days of fasting and praying. Some people fear illness but rely on the Lord following Psalm 91:6: "Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. The patriarch knows he is "a father" and responsible for the health, both physical and spiritual, of the faithful. The sense of responsibility applies to all churches and places of worship in the capital "until further notice, says the Patriarchate's statement. Hopefully, the bishops in Iraqs other dioceses will also comply with the directive designed to stop the spreading the new coronavirus, which has affected 26 people so far according to official sources. For their part, Iraqi authorities have suspended schools, universities and public gatherings. Daily Masses continue because they have fewer worshippers. But those that do attend are advised to sit down and not shake hands" as the sign of peace. We are in a state of uncertainty about what preventive supplies we have [to cope with the crisis] and about the effective ways to contain the virus, the statement goes on to say. On this occasion, we invite our believers to pray at home so that this epidemic can end as soon as possible. To this end, the Chaldean patriarchate provided a preventive prayer written by Patriarch Louis Sako himself. See below: O Lord Almighty, our Father and our hope / You know that we are going through such difficult and dangerous conditions / as the coronavirus is threatening the lives of human beings around the world / in addition to other political, economic and social difficulties that hurt and disturb every one of us. Please Lord, do not leave us alone facing all these risks that intimidate our lives. Stay with us, Lord, and protect us, our loved ones and all human beings from all harm. O Lord, grant us your fatherly care / protect us from the coronavirus and other fatal diseases / keep us safe and bless our health Grant our country the blessings of peace, security and stability / because You are our only refuge. O Mary our mother / we are seeking your motherly protection / at this difficult time as always / Please do not forget us, because you are our loving mother. Amen. To the Editor: The letter to the editor from Chris Viggiano (Kids, teachers, counselors need February break to recharge, Feb. 28, 2020) just may be the most clear demonstration of what is wrong in our school systems that Ive read in a long time. While it does seem that he needs a nap, his argument for a week-long nap in February runs rather shallow. If you find your work so taxing, why dont you quit and get another job? Oh wait, you get a tax-funded pension. The rest of us need a dictionary to refresh what the word pension means. If you need to recharge, isnt getting every summer off enough? Or Columbus Day? Or Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Or Presidents Day? You know, those holidays where the rest of us just cant go to the bank, or get any mail. How about Christmas break, or Easter break? Not enough for you? If your math teacher wife has the burden of doing work from home, have her take a look at your neighbors when they pull into their driveways (usually long after shes been home). Do you think they are carrying those laptop computers for fun? Everyone is 24/7 these days. Well, almost everyone. Look, youve already gotten over on life. You have a never can be fired, never have the job move to Mississippi, secure pension, work 180 calendar days a year, call in sick to the point they have a battalion of people to sub for you, medical coverage better than the president job. If I were you, Id just be quiet and hope no one notices. Remember, every time you ask for something, youre basically saying, Hey, take more from my neighbors, and give it to me. Bryan A. Roberts Baldwinsville How to submit letters and commentary to Syracuse.com A highly-educated IT specialist has been jailed for nine years for the murder of a beauty blogger, doctor, and part-time sex worker in Russia. Maxim Gareyev, 33, a graduate of Britain's Open University, will serve his sentence in a Russian penal colony after he admitted stabbing 24-year-old Ekaterina Semochkina to death in Moscow. Gareyev told investigators that he attacked Semochkina after she insulted his wealth, sexual prowess and personality after they met for a paid sex session. Maxim Gareyev, 33 (left), has been jailed for nine years in a Russian penal colony after he admitted stabbing 24-year-old Ekaterina Semochkina (right) to death in a jealous rage Semochkina's body was discovered stuffed into a suitcase in her apartment with the throat slit and stab wounds to her chest in July last year. The victim's mother Dr Olga Semochkina, a cardiologist, told a Moscow court how she went to Ekaterina's flat and found her body after she failed to answer her phone. 'I saw my daughter lying in a suitcase,' she said. 'The big red suitcase was in the middle of the room. I started to scream.' Ekaterina's father Dr Stanislav Semochkin, a urologist, rushed to her side hoping she was still alive, but soon realised she was dead, she said. Gareyev - who had four degrees including an Open University MBA - claimed he killed Ekaterina after she taunted him. Semochkina was found naked except for a suspender belt, with her throat slashed and stab wounds to her chest, after Gareyev attacker her in her apartment Ekaterina, who also went by the name Katya, was a newly-qualified doctor who also worked as a beauty blogger on Instagram where she had 85,000 followers. She also worked part-time as a sex worker, charging 130 per hour to supplement her earnings. Gareyev claimed she mocked him for not being as wealthy as other men she knew, for a 'lack of personality', and for his failure to satisfy her in bed. He told the Russian Investigative Committee: '(After we had sex) she carried on making jokes about me' 'I lost control. I grabbed a knife in the kitchen. She half turned and I struck her.in the neck.' She tried to escape to the bathroom and lock the door, he said. 'I pulled her out of the bathroom,' he said. 'Her blood was dripping Then in the corridor she started screaming. Semochkina, a newly-qualified doctor, also worked as a beauty blogger and supplemented her income with part-time sex work, for which she charged 130 per hour Gareyev (left being arrested, and right in court) told police that he attacked Semochkina after she insulted his wealth, personality and sexual performance after they met for a paid session 'I covered her mouth I stabbed her again, to her chest with a knife. 'She ran to the living room and started fighting me, but I was in a state that I didn't feel pain. 'During the fight she fell down and I struck her twice againin the neck She had convulsions and died.' The victim's distraught parents, who attended Gareyev's sentencing, strongly denied that she had worked as a prostitute. They claimed 'jealous' university classmates had posted her picture on escort sites. There were also allegations that at the time of her death she was being blackmailed over nude pictures which appeared online. She was close to them and not short of money, they said. Semochkina's mother, Dr Olga Semochkina (centre), told how she went to the apartment along with father Stanislav (right) after she failed to answer her phone and found her body Gareyev apologised to Semochkina's parents and said he is 'ashamed of myself' as he was carted off to jail Her mother posted a video of her grave, saying: 'Here she is - our girl. 'If anyone is interested, take a look. Beautiful and clever.Now just to hug and kiss her, we come to this grave.' She was killed shortly before she was due to go on a trip to Amsterdam with a 'lover' who was reported to be aged 52. Gareyev was quoted as saying: 'I want to apologise to Katya's parents. I regret a lot. 'I'm very ashamed of myself. His father Ranit described the sentence as 'strict'. Mike Bloomberg: Her Honor Jane Byrne" at Lookingglass Theatre through April 12; lookingglasstheatre.org. Bloomberg is, of course, a big-city mayor and, like Rahm Emanuel, he argues that mayors are the political figures who get the most done in todays fractured America. Bloombergs fans would surely be interested in the new Lookingglass production about the time a mayor moved into a public housing project to draw attention to inequality and to jump-start city services. The author, J. Nicole Brooks, is unlikely to be supporting Bloomberg, given the politics expressed in her past work, but that shouldnt faze democratic pragmatists who are interested in an ideological moderate who says he will focus on trying to solve Americas problems on the ground. Thats exactly what Byrne tried to do. For P L Jill, winning Mondays $36,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park was like shooting fish in a barrel for 'Team Baillargeon.' Reinsman Mario Baillargeon used the mares great gait speed to get her involved early, and she simply powered away from the competition in the late stages of the mile. P L Jill, who was sent off as the 2-1 favourite in the six-horse affair, swept to the lead after battling with stablemate R First Class to the quarter pole in :27. P L Jill worked to the top and then threw down middle panels of :56.1 and 1:24.3 before using a :28.3 closing panel to win by 5-3/4 lengths over B Yoyo in 1:53.1. On The Ropes rallied from last to finish third. Ben Baillargeon trains the seven-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Fridays Gem for Prince Lee Acres, Jill Coleman and Alan Christensen. The homebred now owns a 3-1-1 record from seven starts this season. The 27-time winner is quickly closing in on $500,000 in lifetime earnings. To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results Woodbine Mohawk Park. Carlsbad, California, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mikroscan Technologies, innovators and manufacturers of live robotic microscopy and whole-slide imaging (WSI) systems, announces that it has entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Inspirata Inc., a leading provider of digital pathology and cancer informatics solutions. Commencing February 29 2020, Inspirata will market and distribute Mikroscans digital pathology and telemicroscopy systemsthe SL5 Dual-Mode Real-Time Telemicroscopy and Digital Pathology system and the L5 Real-Time Telemicroscopy systemthroughout the United States. The partnership expands Inspiratas digital pathology solution, which features the powerful, open-architecture Dynamyx case management platform, and allows a broader set of users to experience Mikroscans growing portfolio. Allowing pathologists to efficiently and accurately evaluate slides remotely, Dynamyx hastens case turnaround time and enhances care. We are excited to be working with Inspirata and ultimately supporting their mission to provide cancer informatics that drive informed decisions, said Martin Stuart, Ph.D., President and CEO of Mikroscan. Our systems offer the highest quality optics for slide scanning and live, remote viewing, which greatly enhances frozen section, fine needle aspirate, and dermatopathology evaluation, providing excellent decision support for diagnoses. Mikroscans systems will be paired with Inspiratas Dynamyx case management software and will be sold nationwide to institutions, hospitals, and laboratories in need of oncology informatics. Both the Mikroscan systems and Inspirata offerings are vendor-agnostic, which facilitates system interoperability within an organization. We believe that Mikroscans flexible systems are a great complement to our Dynamyx Digital Pathology platform, said Mark Lloyd, Inspiratas Executive Vice President and Founder. Combining our industry-leading, comprehensive digital pathology solution with Mikroscans low-cost, high-quality systems will lower the barriers to entry for organizations looking to add more digital aspects to their workflows in a cost-effective way. About Inspirata, Inc. Inspirata helps patients fighting cancerand the clinicians they trustto make every moment matter. Our comprehensive cancer informatics solutions bring disparate data together throughout the entire cancer care journey to drive informed decisions that improve survivorship. Inspirata has assembled the most advanced and proven technologies to address the complex challenges of delivering cancer care and conducting ground-breaking research. We combine leading digital pathology solutions with automated cancer registry solutions, comprehensive cancer informatics and advanced patient engagement tools to bring users the broadest oncology informatics platform available globally. To learn more visit www.inspirata.com. About Mikroscan Technologies, Inc. Mikroscan is a privately held company headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Our vision is that every patient receives the right diagnosis from the right expert at the right time; regardless of where world they live. To achieve this goal, our products are compact, rapidly deployed, easy to use, portable, and highly affordable. To learn more visit www.mikroscan.com AUSTIN, Texas, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Overall, the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce continues to grow along with compensation for full-time NPs, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), which released both the new national NP count and findings from its 2019 National NP Sample Survey. As of December 2019, a record of more than 290,000 NPs (estimated) are licensed to practice in the United States. This number jumped from an estimated 270,000 NPs in January 2019. Patients are benefiting now more than ever before from the high-quality, comprehensive, patient-centered health care services provided by NPs. "Millions of patients of all ages choose an NP as their health care provider each year. As the number of seniors increases and the demand for health care access grows, NPs are meeting that need in rural and urban areas across the nation" said AANP President Sophia Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP. "An estimated 1.06 billion patient visits were made to NPs in 2018, improving the health of our nation and increasing the growing number of patients who say, 'We Choose NPs.'" NP compensation can vary widely based on several factors, including type of certification, additional administrative duties, years of experience and education level. In 2019, four of the top five certifications reported were in primary care: family (65.4%), adult (12.6%), adult-gerontology (7.8%) and pediatrics (3.7%). Findings from the survey indicate the median base salary for full-time NPs was $110,000 and the median total income (including bonuses) for full-time NPs was $115,000. NPs who worked full time and were certified in psychiatric mental health had the highest median base salary ($125,000), while emergency NPs had the highest median hourly rate ($70.00). NPs with an administrative role in addition to their clinical role reported a higher median base salary of $120,000, whereas NPs who only held a clinical role made a median base salary of $108,000. A majority described their administrative role as "professional-level" (e.g., director, manager or supervisor), and about one in seven held an "executive-level" position (e.g., CEO, CNO or owner). Additional findings in the report include compensation by community population, certification, work setting location and years of experience. NPs also reported the benefits they receive from their work site. The full 2019 National NP Sample Survey report is free for AANP members, who can access it on the AANP website along with regional compensation briefs. Nonmembers can purchase the report in the AANP store. Methodology: This survey has been conducted periodically since 2007 with the purpose of capturing vital information regarding compensation and benefits for NPs. A sampling frame of more than 156,000 records for this survey was pulled from the AANP National NP Database, which includes contact information from AANP members, customers and state regulatory agencies. From this, slightly more than 59,000 NPs were sent the electronic survey instrument and a total of 5,770 responded. The survey used a multivariate weighting adjustment for sampling bias and for subtle over- and under-representations of certain demographic and geographic groups. The survey results were also limited to NP respondents who were clinically practicing at the time of their participation. To locate an NP near you, visit NPFinder.org . The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 290,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org . SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners Related Links http://www.aanp.org No quarantine for illegal workers returning from South Korea THAILAND: Illegal workers returning home from South Korea to escape the COVID-19 epidemic are being put into voluntary self-quarantine because there is no law requiring they be quarantined, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said today (Mar 3). healthSafetyCoronavirusCOVID-19 By Bangkok Post Tuesday 3 March 2020, 03:45PM Military vehicles spray disinfectant on a road near Dongdaegu railway station in Daegu, South Korea as part of preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Photo: AFP Since South Korea has not declared a lockdown, unlike Chinas Wuhan, the returnees are not required to enter quarantine, he said. Asked how checks could be kept on the returnees, to ensure they do not leave their homes and go to public places, Gen Prawit said they could only be asked not to do that. There was no law to prevent them do so. Yesterday (Mar 2), Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said the Public Health Ministry was considering whether to apply the same measures as applied to the Wuhan cases. When 137 Thais returned to Thailand from Wuhan early last month, they were all quarantined for 14 days. The ministry has been forced to consider more strict measures as thousands of illegal Thai workers in South Korea, known as phi noy (little ghosts), have been returning home. There are roughly 20,000 Thais working legally in South Korea, and at least 140,000 illegal workers. The Labour Ministry said yesterday that legal Thais were staying in South Korea to serve out their contracts, but 4,000 illegal labourers have returned home since December. What scared Thai officials was that many illegal workers returned to Thailand from Daegu, the centre of the virus outbreak in South Korea. The return of the illegal Thai is mainly due to a policy of the South Korean government to allow overstayers to leave - part of a campaign to discourage illegal workers. Those illegally living in South Korea who leave are not being charged with overstaying and not being put on a blacklist. Others decided to return due to fear of the virus. The Public Health Ministry said today health volunteers across the country will be employed to monitor the health of Thais returning from South Korea. A Bamboo Airways aircraft prepares to land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Shutterstock/Phuong D. Nguyen. Bamboo Airways plans to become the first Vietnamese airline to operate direct services to Munich, Germany, in July, as it seeks to tap the European market. On Monday it signed a memorandum with Munich Airport for direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. There will be one weekly round-trip from Hanoi and two from Ho Chi Minh City using wide-bodied Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets. Munich is Germanys third largest city after Berlin and Hamburg. The German-Vietnamese community of 176,000 is expected to be a source of travel demand. There were 226,800 visitors from the country to Vietnam last year, up 6 percent from 2018, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Bamboo Airways considers the European Union a key market. It also received permits to fly directly to the Czech Republic and will launch its first flight on March 29. The airline now operates on 40 domestic and international routes, and plans to increase the number to 85 this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that he will be handing over his social media accounts to women who inspire and urged people to share stories of such women with him. "This Women's Day, I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions. "Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs," he tweeted. His tweet puts a stop to all speculation following his post on Monday that he was thinking of quitting his social media accounts. Prime Minister Modi sent the social media buzzing with his tweet on Monday, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted." In about an hour, the tweet had been retweeted over 26,000 times. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CHICAGO, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Navy Pier, Chicago's year-round lakefront destination, invites guests and the community to come and "let go" through dance and movement at The Let Go a free, immersive and interactive performance installation in Festival Hall A from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 12, which coincides with Chicago Dance Month in April. Created by internationally-acclaimed and Chicago-based artist Nick Cave, the installation is presented in partnership with EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art, and the Park Avenue Armory, who originally commissioned the work and debuted it in New York City in 2018. This dance-based town hall part art installation, part music venue and part dance club will allow for social gatherings and be activated by "Chase," a multi-colored, 40-foot high, 100-foot-long mylar sculpture that glides across the dance floor. People of all ages are invited to explore art through movement, release their creative energy, celebrate independence and engage with the community. "It's important for me that my work connects with people, all people. I see my art as a platform that invites everyone to share a collective experience," said artist Nick Cave. "For me, Navy Pier is the perfect space for The Let Go because of its magnetic pull on so many different populations and the destination's ability to bring people from all over together." As part of The Let Go's Chicago debut and Nick Cave's return to Navy Pier, the space will further be activated by "dance instigators," who will liven the crowd through performance and lead group dances regularly. The installation will also feature Chicago's top house music DJs live each day to celebrate the city's rich history of house music and create a festive and exciting atmosphere. DJs performing at The Let Go include Steve Miggidy Maestro, Lady D, Duane Powell, Chosen Few DJs (Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter, Wayne Williams & Alan King, Mike Dunn), Cordell Johnson, Dee Jay Alicia, DJ All the Way Kay, Czarina Mirani, Sadie Rock, DJ Diz, Jesse De La Pena, Ron Carroll, DJ Heather, DJ Milty Evans, Celestethedj, DJ Love Bug and John Simmons, as well as playlists provided by WBEZ's Vocalo. Additionally, as a way to introduce Chicago to Chicago, many groups and organizations across the city will be invited to use the space at set times to create, commune or just let go. "Navy Pier is thrilled to welcome back Nick Cave, one of the most imaginative, innovative and inclusive artists in the world, to present The Let Go," said Michelle T. Boone, Navy Pier's Chief Program and Civic Engagement Officer. "As the 'People's Pier,' this installation allows for families, art lovers, dancers, and adults and children of all ages to experience a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Nick's latest installation featured in his hometown for the first time." This multi-disciplinary experience is supported by generous grants from Choose Chicago, The Joyce Foundation and Jennifer Steans and Jim Kastenholz. The Let Go will be free and open to the general public during the following dates and times: April 3: 7 11 p.m. | April 4: Noon 10 p.m. | April 5: Noon 6 p.m. | April 8: Noon 8 p.m. | April 9: Noon 5 p.m. | April 10: Noon 6 p.m. | April 11: Noon 11 p.m. | April 12: Noon 5 p.m. While admission to The Let Go is free, there will also be two ticketed special events to support and energize the project. Chicagoans are invited to attend the Freedom Ball on Thursday, April 9 from 7 p.m. to midnight, an evening celebration of art, house music, fashion, creativity and the power of community, featuring a competitive costume runway show with cash prizes totaling $15,000 awarded by a panel of guest celebrity judges. At the Artist Response Night, the second premiere event of The Let Go on Friday, April 10 from 8 p.m. to midnight, artists of different mediums, invited by Nick Cave, are asked to respond to "Chase" and interpret and create a site specific performance, including Chicago-based poet and spoken word performer avery r. young and "The Empress of Soul" entertainer and songwriter Terisa Griffin. Tickets are available online here respectively (Freedom Ball; Artist Response Night) as well as at the door. Bundle ticket pricing options are available on Eventbrite. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and additional event details will be announced in the upcoming weeks. To illuminate The Let Go, EXPO CHICAGO will host a symposium as part of /Dialogues in collaboration with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on Wednesday, April 8 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the SAIC Ballroom, featuring Nick Cave in conversation with others to be announced. "The exposition's year-round international program for panel discussions, /Dialogues, will return to Chicago this Spring on the occasion of this momentous installation at Navy Pier," said Stephanie Cristello, EXPO CHICAGO Artistic Director. "The Symposium will provide a platform for critical discussion and context with Cave, one of the leading artists in the United States working in Chicago, through a multi-part conversation that delves into the concept of The Let Go, and the local histories embedded within the work." As a mission-driven nonprofit, The Let Go is part of Navy Pier's free, year-round arts and culture programming, designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. In addition to attending The Let Go, guests are encouraged to check out other Pier-wide experiences in dining, retail, attractions and more. For more information, please visit www.navypier.org. PHOTOS: The Let Go | Credit: See file name(s) for photo credit About Nick Cave Nick Cave is an artist and educator working between the visual and performing arts through a wide range of media inclusive of sculpture, installation, video, sound, and performance. His solo exhibitions have toured globally from the United States through France, Africa, Denmark, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. Cave also works as a professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute. Two exhibitions related to The Let Go will be presented at Jack Shainman Gallery: Weather or Not in May 2018 and If a Tree Falls in November 2018. Recent exhibitions and projects include: Nick Cave: Feat. (The Frist Center for Visual Arts, 2018); Nick Cave: Until (Mass MoCA, 2017); Nick Cave (Telfair Museums, 2017); Spotted by Nick Cave (artspace 2016); Nick Cave: Here Hear (Cranbrook Art Museum, 2015); Currents 109: Nick Cave (Saint Louis Art Museum, 2014); Nick Cave: Sojourn (Denver Art Museum, 2013); and HEARDNY in New York's Grand Central Terminal (2013). About Park Avenue Armory Part palace, part industrial shed, Park Avenue Armory fills a critical void in the cultural ecology of New York by enabling artists to create, students to explore, and audiences to experience, unconventional work that cannot be mounted in traditional performance halls and museums. With its soaring 55,000-square-foot Wade Thompson Drill Hall and an array of period rooms, the Armory offers a platform for creativity across all art forms. Together, these and other spaces within the historic building utilized for arts programming comprise the Thompson Arts Center. Since its first production in September 2007, the Armory has organized and commissioned immersive performances, installations, and cross-disciplinary collaborations in its Drill Hall that defy conventional categorization and challenge artists to push the boundaries of their practice. In its historic period rooms, the Armory presents its acclaimed Recital Series, which showcases musical talent from across the globe and the new Artists Studio series, which features innovative artists and artistic pairings. The Armory also supports artists across genres in the creation and development of new work through its annual Artist-in-Residence program, which each year offers several artists space and resources to produce new works and present them as part of the Armory's programming. About EXPO CHICAGO Opening the fall art season each September, EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art features leading international galleries alongside one of the highest quality platforms for contemporary art and culture. Hosted within Navy Pier's Festival Hall, EXPO CHICAGO's ninth edition will take place September 24 27, 2020. EXPO CHICAGO presents a diverse program, including /Dialogues (presented in partnership with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago) and Exchange by Northern Trust, an unrivaled talks program for both public and VIP audiences; IN/SITU, dynamic on-site installations highlighting large-scale sculpture, film, and site-specific work; and major public art initiatives, including IN/SITU Outside, public art installed throughout Chicago Park District locations, and OVERRIDE, a curated selection of international artists throughout the city's digital billboard network. The EXPO CHICAGO program also features an unprecedented commitment to host curatorial initiatives during the exposition, including the Curatorial Forum in partnership with Independent Curators International (ICI), and the Curatorial Exchange, which partners with foreign agencies and consulates to expand the exposition's global reach. EXPO CHICAGO is the publisher of THE SEEN, Chicago's only international journal of contemporary and modern art criticism, online and in print. EXPO CHICAGO is presented by Art Expositions, LLC. Under the leadership of President and Director Tony Karman, EXPO CHICAGO draws upon the city's rich history as a vibrant international cultural destination, while highlighting the region's contemporary arts community and inspiring its collector base. For more information on EXPO CHICAGO and EXPO ART WEEK (September 21 27, 2020) visit expochicago.com . About Navy Pier Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming nearly 9 million guests annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. The Pier recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2020, Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts including a 220-room Hilton hotel with a year-round rooftop bar, Offshore (now open), and more in addition to free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of free public programs. For more information, visit www.navypier.org. Navy Pier Mission Statement Navy Pier is the People's Pier, Chicago's lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder. CONTACT Navy Pier | Payal Patel (312) 595-5073 | [email protected] Navy Pier | Anna Schapiro (312) 595-5063 | [email protected] SOURCE Navy Pier Related Links www.navypier.org Bahrain may transfer some of its oil and natural gas assets into a proposed state-run fund in which it could sell shares to investors, a Bloomberg report said. The government is working on the project and may decide to proceed with it later this year, Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said in an interview. Its still deciding which assets to put into the proposed fund and how to value them, he was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. After Saudi Arabia sold a stake in national oil company Saudi Aramco last year, nothing is not for sale anymore, Shaikh Mohammed said. Bahrain, where oil is central to its economy, wants to balance its budget by 2022. Its deficit ballooned to 13% of gross domestic product in 2015, though it has improved, narrowing in 2019 to 4.7% of economic output from 6.3% a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said last month. The proposed fund and the sale of a stake in it would serve as a channel for private investors to come in, which they havent really done in the oil and gas sector in Bahrain, Shaikh Mohammed said, according to the report. The government is monitoring test wells for oil production at the Khaleej Al Bahrain shale oil and gas deposit discovered in 2018, while gas is in early development there. The ministry plans to organise a roadshow later this year to invite international oil companies to sign deals to produce at three new offshore gas blocks, he added. The Egyptian FM's statements came a few days after Washington failed to seal signatures from the three countries on the filling and operation of the Ethiopian dam Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Ethiopia's ownership of its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) does not give it the right to violate legal accords signed willingly, days after the collapse of months-long Washington-mediated talks to resolve the GERD crisis. In an exclusive interview with state TV, Shoukry said Ethiopia's ownership of the GERD does not give it the right to unilaterally control the Nile, which he described as the lifeblood of Egypt since the dawn of time. Addis Ababa should acknowledge that the Nile is a river that passes through several countries with rights and interests, Shoukry said. Shoukry's statements came a few days after Washington failed to seal signatures from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the filling and operating of the GERD, failing to reach an agreement after months of dispute over the dam project, which the three countries hoped to overcome with US mediation. Despite the stalemate, the United States said it would remain engaged in talks with the three countries until a final agreement is signed. Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan were expected to sign a final deal on the disputed dam by the end of February; however, Addis Ababa said it would not take part in what was due to be the final round of talks to resolve the years-long crisis. Only Egypt initialed the US-prepared final agreement, calling on Sudan and Ethiopia to follow suit. The latest Washington meeting's outcome led to a tug of war between the concerned countries in the past days, with Egypt accusing Ethiopia of "deliberately" impeding the course of negotiations on the disputed Nile dam project through its boycott of the latest meetings and comments about "disappointment" with the meetings. "One of the most dangerous aspects of the latest Ethiopian comments is an implication or a clear declaration of Ethiopia's violation [or attempted violation] of the 2015 signed Declaration of Principles," Shoukry said. "We have repeatedly put ourselves in Ethiopia's position, and were content with the positions that we see as fair and serve the partners in Ethiopia and Sudan," he said, adding that Egypt has not received the same treatment. Ethiopia hopes the massive $4.8 billion megaproject on the Blue Nile, which has been under construction since 2011, will allow it to become Africas largest power exporter. Cairo fears the dam will diminish its water supply from the Nile, on which it relies for the vast majority of its fresh water. Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) Super Tuesday is here, and the stakes are huge. More than a third of all pledged delegates are at stake as 14 states vote. Joe Biden is riding big momentum, Bernie Sanders is hoping to grab an insurmountable lead, Elizabeth Warren hopes for a surprise strong showing that keeps her in the race, and Michael Bloomberg faces the first real test of his novel skip-the-early-states strategy. A sample of analysis and previews: Spoiler alert: Sanders is a near lock to win the most delegates Tuesday because he is headed for victory in the biggest state at play, California, and he's also expected to win the second biggest, Texas. California alone has a whopping 415 delegates to dole out, and "the only question is how big is the size of Bernie Sanders' win," per Politico. This isn't winner-take-all, so Biden and the others can rake in delegates of their own, provided they meet the 15% threshold. Sanders is a near lock to win the most delegates Tuesday because he is headed for victory in the biggest state at play, California, and he's also expected to win the second biggest, Texas. California alone has a whopping 415 delegates to dole out, and "the only question is how big is the size of Bernie Sanders' win," per Politico. This isn't winner-take-all, so Biden and the others can rake in delegates of their own, provided they meet the 15% threshold. The 'real' question: "The real fight at the moment is not to beat Sanders in delegates collected on Super Tuesday," writes Chris Cillizza at CNN, because he sees that as impossible. Rather, it's "to be the person who takes the second most delegates, and, by extension, can make the case as the Bernie alternative." For Biden to do so, he'll need strong results in California and Texas, and big wins in the South. The Democrats' "nightmare scenario" is a second-place "muddle," Cillizza adds. story continues below 2nd place counts: To reiterate the importance of California, FiveThirtyEight notes this: "Finishing in second place with, say, 25% of the vote can represent the support of millions of peopleand potentially win a candidate more delegates than were available in the four early states combined." Polls suggest Biden could indeed hit 25%, while Warren and Bloomberg are right on the cusp of the minimum 15% mark. To reiterate the importance of California, FiveThirtyEight notes this: "Finishing in second place with, say, 25% of the vote can represent the support of millions of peopleand potentially win a candidate more delegates than were available in the four early states combined." Polls suggest Biden could indeed hit 25%, while Warren and Bloomberg are right on the cusp of the minimum 15% mark. Warren's big fight: Cillizza thinks she has a "decent chance" of surprising people Tuesday night in a good way. For her, that would mean strong third-place finishes in California and Texas. The Hill, however, sees her home state of Massachusetts as a "must win" for her in order to remain a candidate, and Sanders has a strong chance of winning there. Cillizza thinks she has a "decent chance" of surprising people Tuesday night in a good way. For her, that would mean strong third-place finishes in California and Texas. The Hill, however, sees her home state of Massachusetts as a "must win" for her in order to remain a candidate, and Sanders has a strong chance of winning there. Another key state: Much of the focus is on California and Texas, but Trip Gabriel at the New York Times writes that "perhaps nowhere more than in North Carolina will the strength of a potential Biden revival and a reset of the Democratic primary be calibrated." The state is No. 3 in the delegate total Tuesday, and it has demographics suited to Biden, including a decent number of African-American voters. Biden must do well here, as well as in the other Southern states of Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas. Much of the focus is on California and Texas, but Trip Gabriel at the New York Times writes that "perhaps nowhere more than in North Carolina will the strength of a potential Biden revival and a reset of the Democratic primary be calibrated." The state is No. 3 in the delegate total Tuesday, and it has demographics suited to Biden, including a decent number of African-American voters. Biden must do well here, as well as in the other Southern states of Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas. Bloomberg: The nation is about to find out whether his $500 million bet has paid off, per NPR. Bloomberg seems to be now banking on the strategy that no single candidate will win enough enough delegates to cinch the nomination, thus leading to a brokered convention. (Indeed, per the Hill, he told reporters Tuesday, "I dont think that I can win any other way.") For that to happen, he'll need strong results Tuesday to chip away at the frontrunners' totals. If he fails to collect delegates from either California or Texas, he might be in trouble. (Read more Super Tuesday stories.) Democratic presidential candidates former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) share a moment during the Democratic presidential primary debate in the Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College on February 07, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The graphics below show the delegates up for grabs in each state, along with key characteristics including race and health-care coverage. Here are the states voting Tuesday, in alphabetical order. Polls started opening as early as 6 a.m.: Fourteen states and American Samoa hold presidential primaries on Super Tuesday . The contests will award 1,344 national pledged delegates, more than a third of the total available in the 2020 Democratic race. If Democrats are hurtling toward a brawl between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden for their presidential nomination, Tuesday will help to set them on that path. After jumping out to an early delegate lead, the independent Sen. Sanders of Vermont hopes to pull in enough delegates to propel him to the majority needed to snag the nomination. A big win in California, a 415-delegate jackpot where Sanders has comfortably led recent polls, would help to create some distance from Biden. Biden hopes a few recent breaks will help him keep pace with Sanders. A huge win in Saturday's South Carolina primary brought him to 53 total pledged delegates, only seven short of Sanders. He appears competitive in Texas, which awards the second most delegates on Tuesday with 228, along with North Carolina and other Southern states. By cutting into Sanders' margins in key states, Biden could improve the odds that no candidate heads to the Democratic National Convention in July with a majority of delegates. He got a boost when former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota dropped out of the 2020 race in the last two days and endorsed him moves that could consolidate more of the votes for a candidate other than Sanders. The Vermont senator brushed off the endorsements Monday night. He told CNN he has fought the "establishment," and it's "no surprise they do not want me to become president." Another rival to Sanders and Biden will enter the fray Tuesday. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, propelled by more than $500 million in personal spending, will appear on ballots for the first time. The primaries will test his strategy of an ad bombardment across the country, particularly focused on Southern states. While he may lop off chunks of Biden's support, Bloomberg may not actually win any states. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts also hopes to stack up delegates across the states, though she also may have a tough time prevailing in any individual states. She is even locked in a close race with Sanders in her home state, which votes Tuesday. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. A 22-year-old who was left heartbroken after her ex-boyfriend told her he had moved on after their break-up was found dead three hours after her worried father asked police to check on her. Isabella Goddard was discovered by her ex-boyfriend submerged in a bath at her home in Kent on April 13 last year. Her father Peter Goddard - who was in the Cayman Islands at the time - had called police at 2:43pm to ask them to check on his daughter because he feared she was suicidal. Isabella had returned to the UK from her parents' property in the Cayman Islands the day before her death, an inquest was told. She had returned to her home in Canterbury to meet her former boyfriend Kieran Wilson, from whom she had recently separated. Isabella Goddard (pictured above) was found dead hours after her father asked police to check on her Mr Wilson found the property dripping with water and called an ambulance after he tried to resuscitate her. Paramedics were unable to resuscitate her and she was pronounced dead at the scene, just before 6pm. An inquest heard that the police arrived at the property to carry out the 'welfare check' shortly after - only to find it was too late. Mr Goddard said if the police had told him that it could take up to four hours to carry out a welfare check, he would have taken alternative measures. Isabella, who had a history of mental health problems including bipolar disorder, was left devastated after the break up with Mr Wilson and had tried to take her own life, the inquest was told. Isabella (left) was said to have been heartbroken when Kieran Wilson (right) said he had moved on Her mental state improved after she began an effective medication regime and regularly visited her psychiatrist and counsellor in the Cayman Islands. Peter Goddard, Isabella's father, said: 'The difference was remarkable - she was back to herself again.' Isabella returned to the UK six days before her scheduled flight, a move which her psychiatrist approved after seeing her mental state improve. Mr Goddard said: 'I think she had been looking forward to seeing Kieran just to show him how she had changed from the depressive personality she had been before, to being the girl she had been when they first met. She wanted to speak to him face-to-face, to gain some closure.' St Edmunds Road in Canterbury where Isabella and her ex-boyfriend had lived together But she was left distraught after her ex-boyfriend told her that he had moved on just hours after she had landed. Mr Wilson told the inquest at Maidstone's Archbishop's Palace: 'I knew she was upset. I didn't think she was going to commit suicide.' 'There had been other occasions when she was very upset, and I was there for her and was able to help support her. On this occasion, she was alone. 'We continued to speak after and she was calmer when we ended the phone call.' Mr Wilson then called Isabella's parents who were 5,000 miles away in the Cayman Islands to tell them that she had been crying for 35 minutes and advised them to call her. Isabella's parents called their daughter and spoke to her for 17 minutes. Mr Goddard said: 'She was talking about letting Kieran have her support dog Tilly, who she was very close to. 'My wife started worrying she was having suicidal ideations again. We tried to get her to focus on her plans.' The next morning, her parents awoke to find Isabella had not responded to messages sent the previous night. Mr Goddard called the police at 2.43pm and asked if a police officer could visit her home to check on her, explaining that he had not heard from her for 14 hours. In a recording of the phone call played during the inquest, Mr Goddard said: 'She's bipolar and has literally just returned home and broken up with her boyfriend. 'She's unfortunately tried to commit suicide before, so we are very concerned. She has a history of depression and suicidal thoughts.' At the end of the call, the handler appears to have said they would visit the property to carry out a 'welfare check' - but did not give a time frame. Mr Goddard told the inquest that he was not told that it could take up to four hours for officers to carry out the welfare check because the urgency depended on the risk posed. Isabella's father said: 'Had I known at 2.43pm police would take up to four hours to perform a welfare check, I would have got my sister-in-law who lives an hour away, or some of her friends who live two minutes away, to go check on her. 'I didn't think it was appropriate, for someone considered a suicide risk, to wait for up to four hours to check on her.' In a 2009 report the World Health Organisation said all situations involving someone who is suicidal should be 'approached as a psychiatric emergency and that officers should 'act accordingly (never assume that suicidal ideas or gestures are harmless bids for attention or an attempt to manipulate others).' MailOnline has contacted Kent Police regarding the measures put in place by the force to respond to those in a suicidal state. Having not heard from police, and growing increasingly worried, Mr Goddard and Isabella's brother tried desperately to reach Mr Wilson. Mr Goddard said he rang the police helpline again at about 5pm. He added: 'Again, I wasn't given any timescale as to when they might get around to doing that. I was somewhat frustrated.' Isabella's ex-boyfriend visited the property upon finishing work after 5pm, and entered using a spare key. Mr Wilson told the court he found the walls 'dripping with water', and Isabella's dog's fur covered in moisture. He said he climbed the stairs, calling out for 'Bella', and discovered her submerged in the bath, with the water still running. He pulled her out and called 999, before attempting to resuscitate her. Paramedics arrived on the scene just before 6pm, but Isabella was pronounced dead shortly after. At an inquest opening in July, the cause of her death was revealed to have been 'submersion under water due to intoxication'. Police arrived a short while later to carry out a welfare check, only to discover that they were too late as paramedics were on the scene. Isabella's family were allegedly not contacted by police, and were instead informed of their daughter's death by Mr Wilson at about 8pm. Mr Goddard said: 'We were on a plane just 48 hours after Isabella had been on the same plane, to come back to the UK. We were never able to see Isabella again.' The inquest continues. Paytm today announced that it has received insurance brokerage license from IRDAI and will soon offer insurance across four categories including two-wheeler, four-wheeler, health, and life. The company added that Paytm Insurance Broking Private Limited (PIBPL), wholly-owned subsidiary One97 Communications Ltd (OCL), has already tied up with 20 of the leading insurance firms in India and will be integrating with 30 more companies over the next few weeks. Other than online initiatives, the company will be leveraging on its 16 million-strong merchant partner base to sell these insurance products across India. Building a large network of Point of Sales Persons (PoSP), it plans to increase the reach of insurance products to a large customer base. This will also help us to empower millions of merchants with alternate income sources which they will earn through commissions on selling insurance products, said the company. Paytm has already started the process of shortlisting merchant partners who will be trained to become PoSPs and plan to rope in 2 lakh such PoSPs this year. Amit Nayyar, President of Paytm, said: Our entry into Insurance Broking is in line with our commitment to broaden our footprint into financial services and offering numerous and customized choices to millions of our customers. This would enable us to offer a wider suite of product offerings from a large set of insurance partners. The potential of the insurance business is huge as the market is still under-penetrated in India. Paytm Insurance is going to give millions of our users the option of buying bite-sized insurance products at a competitive price. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global dental lasers market size is expected to reach USD 1,530.6 million by 2026, according to a new report by Grand View Research Inc. It is projected to register a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. Rising application of dental lasers for the treatment of dental diseases and procedures, such as cavity preparation, dentinal hypersensitivity, restorative removal, growth modulation, and caries prevention, is contributing to the growth. In addition, increasing adoption in hyperplastic tissue removal, wound healing, photostimulation of herpetic lesions, and photodynamic therapy for malignancies is anticipated to fuel the demand. Advantages such as high efficiency, less bleeding, better control of soft tissue, and comfortable treatment are anticipated to further fuel the demand for dental lasers. Additionally, many insurance policies cover the usage of dental lasers for conservative soft tissue, therefore fueling market growth. Technological advancements are predicted to offer lucrative opportunities in the forthcoming years. Growing use of lasers in dentistry domain coupled with increasing acceptance of devices with novel technologies by dental surgeons are few emerging trends witnessed in the market. Further key findings from the report suggest: Soft tissue is the fastest growing segment owing to the rising number of soft tissue disorders, such as periodontal disorders and gingivitis. Diode lasers are majorly used in soft tissues procedures, driving the segment growth Oral surgery segment is expected to witness lucrative growth in the next seven years owing to the rise in the number of patients demanding bone and gum tissue restructuring. Rising awareness regarding oral hygiene is expected to further impel the growth Hospital segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.7% by 2026 owing to improving healthcare facilities in the emerging economies and well-established medical settings in the developed nations North America dental laser market has been estimated to be the largest owing to rise in awareness regarding oral hygiene, increasing incidence of dental diseases such as gingivitis, periodontics, and caries Key players of dental laser market include Biolase, Inc.; AMD LASERS; FOTONA D.D.; Ivoclar Vivadent AG; Danaher; Dentsply Sirona Inc.; Syneron Dental; ZOLAR Technology & Mfg Co. Inc.; THE YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG. CO., LTD.; and Convergent Dental Request a Sample Copy of the Global Dental Lasers Market Research Report @ www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dental-lasers-market/request/rs1 Grand View Research has segmented the global dental laser market on the basis of product, application, end use, and region: Dental Lasers Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) Soft Tissue All Tissue Dental Welding Lasers Dental Lasers Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) Conservative Dentistry Endodontic Treatment Oral Surgery Implantology Peri-Implantitis Periodontics Tooth Whitening. Dental Lasers End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) Hospitals Dental Clinics Dental Lasers Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Asia Pacific China Japan India Thailand South Korea Latin America Mexico Brazil Argentina Colombia MEA South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Access full research report on global dental lasers market: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dental-lasers-market SAN FRANCISCO A senior member of the main U.S. union that represents opera performers resigned Monday, accusing the leadership of a cover-up in its investigation into accusations of sexual harassment against superstar Placido Domingo. Samuel Schultz, a baritone and vice president of the American Guild of Musical Artists, had provided the full findings of the unions investigation to The Associated Press, which he said AGMAs leadership had planned to keep secret as part of an agreement with Domingo. Schultz said the deal involved the legendary tenor paying the union a $500,000 fine and issuing a negotiated public apology in exchange for the full details not being disclosed. The union has said that money would have covered the cost of its 4-month investigation, which involved hiring outside counsel, and funding sexual harassment training. But Schultz called it hush money that did a disservice to the women who stepped forward. This is a quid pro quo silence in exchange for money, Schultz said in a resignation letter sent Monday to AGMA President Raymond Menard and National Executive Director Len Egert. I found AGMAs willingness to bury the details of the investigative report deeply betraying of the women who were sexually harassed by Domingo, he wrote. Schultz, who wrote that he was acting as a sexual assault survivor myself, provided a copy of his letter to the AP. In a statement to the AP, Egert denied any cover-up, saying the investigations details were kept confidential to protect the identities of people who requested anonymity and that the unions leaders also felt the settlement could avoid formal disciplinary charges against Domingo that would require an internal hearing. Regrettably, due to Mr. Schultzs admitted breach of confidentiality, the witnesses will now need to determine whether or not they will testify at a disciplinary hearing to prove the charges against Mr. Domingo, Egert said. The union filed disciplinary charges against Domingo on Friday, initiating a potentially lengthy process that could result in a fine, suspension, censure or expulsion. The unions investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations was one of two independent inquiries launched after multiple women accused Domingo of harassment and abusing his power in AP stories published last year. The second inquiry, still ongoing, was launched by Los Angeles Opera, where Domingo had been general director since 2003 before resigning in October. Last week, AGMA said only that its investigators found Domingo had engaged in inappropriate activity, ranging from flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside of the workplace. Based on its findings, the union said, Domingo would pay fines, be suspended from the union for 18 months and undergo sexual harassment training. According to people who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, the investigation found that 27 people were sexually harassed or witnessed inappropriate behavior by Domingo in the 1990s and 2000s, when he held senior management positions at Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera. They said another 12 people told investigators they were aware of the stars reputation and that it was common knowledge at the two companies. Schultz resignation came after the union launched an inquiry into who leaked the investigations findings. In an internal email seen by the AP, Egert and Maynard said the deal fell apart because it was expressly premised on AGMAs promise to maintain confidentiality over the details of the investigatory report. Last week, Domingo apologized to the women who accused him of misconduct, after denying the allegations for months. I want them to know that I am truly sorry, he said. I accept full responsibility for my actions. But two days later, as several Spanish concert halls moved to cancel his appearances, he issued a new statement saying his apology was sincere and wholehearted, but had generated a false impression. I have never behaved aggressively toward anybody, nor have I ever done anything to obstruct or hurt the career of anybody, he said. Schultz said in his letter to Egert and Maynard that he felt they had duped the board into believing Domingo was truly sorry, adding, As Domingo made clear when he retracted his apology, he is unrepentant and continues to believe that he did nothing wrong. In 2018, Schultz accused opera star David Daniels and Daniels husband, William Walters, of having drugged and raped him in May 2010 after a closing-night party at the Houston Grand Opera. Daniels, who denies the accusation, has since been indicted in Texas on a felony charge of sexual assault. With a bipartisan vote on Feb. 13 requiring Congressional authorization for military action against Iran, the U.S. Senate made official its view that the United States does not want a war with Tehran. But what does the United States want in regards to Iran, and how does it go about pursuing its objectives? As we approach two months since the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, there are still two sharply distinct approaches: One comes from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It prioritizes sustained economic pressure on Iran and regional isolation. The alternative proposes renewed engagement with Iran that would begin by rejoining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 accord on Tehrans nuclear program. Each approach has its moderate and extreme forms. Sustained pressure can be a way of containing Iran without force, inducing it to negotiate stronger and longer constraints on its nuclear program, as well as on its missile development and its destabilizing activities in the region. Or it can be the prelude for conflict, possibly driven by the goal of regime change. Renewed engagement can mean a return to the cautious, eyes-wide-open detente of the Obama Administration -- matching hopes for incremental reform with continued scrutiny of Irans security-related posture. Or it can mean wholesale normalization of Iran, including the revolutionary concept that the United States should accept Tehran as a legitimate actor in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq. In short, the choice is between one of skepticism, in which Iran is the party that must change course, or optimism, in which it is the United States that must change course, moving from exclusion to inclusion of Iran. The Senate has spoken and Iran has just elected its next parliament, which makes now an opportune time to reflect. The question of what to do about Iran is particularly important for Democrats. There is a real risk of a Trump in reverse dynamic taking over the partys foreign policy platform, with reflexive demands to cancel the administrations policies simply because they are hallmarks of the previous president. Instead of, for example, dialing back on Trumps excesses with the Saudis and Israelis, and examining objectively the conduct and character of the Iranian regime, the temptation to embrace radical solutions could mount. U.S. national security rests on a prudent assessment of American interests and ways to protect them, and Iran remains the most volatile challenge facing any American president. Here are four contradictions that undermine the case for a radical reversal of policy. Iran can withstand the pressure campaign and will not collapse and Iran cannot withstand the pressure and will be forced to strike again When it comes to the near-term impact of the pressure campaign, critics face a conundrum. On one hand, the Iranian regime is said to be able to ride out the sustained, devastating economic and social impact of sanctions, which have effectively denied Iran the ability to sell oil. On the other hand, the sanctions are said to have forced Iran into a corner, making further confrontation inevitable. Can both propositions be true? Can U.S. pressure simultaneously fall short of its aims -- achieving neither a new negotiation nor regime collapse -- and also push Iran into war? Lets consider what we know: Last spring, Iran reacted violently to new sanctions. They mined vessels in the Persian Gulf, downed a U.S. drone and struck two Saudi oil installations. Iran also began to back away from compliance with the nuclear deal, and it took a further step after the Soleimani assassination. Last fall, sanctions forced the regime to raise gasoline prices. This sparked widespread protests. It took a lethal crackdown to subdue the protesters, itself causing unprecedented public outbursts and resentment. The Jan. 2 assassination of the iconic Soleimani then produced a massive outpouring, a display of reverence and support that Irans leaders underscored in taunting public statements aimed at the United States. However, even in the midst of this fervor, protesters returned to the streets when the regime refused to acknowledge culpability for the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752. Protesters went well beyond complaints about economic hardship and directly challenged the regimes legitimacy. The Flight 752 tragedy may have wrecked the regime's ability to stoke nationalist anger at the United States over the 1988 downing of Iran Air 655 by the USS Vincennes. Only two days prior to Flight 752 tragedy, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had invoked that incident in a riposte to President Trump, only to see Iran shamed by a similar disaster. (Unlike Rouhani in 2020, President Reagan in 1988 immediately apologized for the airliner tragedy.) In February, Iran disqualified about 7,000 candidates from parliamentary elections for openly political reasons. This included almost 100 sitting legislators and prompted some opposition leaders to call for a boycott. Turnout for the elections appears to have measured at a historic low, driven there by dejection over the mass disqualifications as well by fears of coronavirus, a threat the regime had downplayed prior to the poll. Predictably, conservatives, including those associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were elected. The net result is that two months after experiencing a shocking setback, the Iranian regime finds itself in a more precarious domestic position. At a minimum, the mass disqualifications of candidates prove the Soleimani assassination was not a windfall for the regime, which would have been expected to reap a bonanza at the polls over the slaying. Regime hardliners have strengthened their grip in parliament, but at the cost of weakening the regimes legitimacy. There was little benefit to doing this, since the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council already wield ultimate control. The widening coronavirus epidemic will further test the governments legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens it is meant to serve. Meanwhile, the international status quo for Tehran remains in place, with U.S. sanctions curtailing its foreign trade and leaving Iran unable to sell its oil. To Tehrans frustration, the European signatories of the JCPOA have not yet managed to devise an effective work-around for U.S.-imposed sanctions, and such efforts may be moot for some time. France, Germany and the United Kingdom had conditioned trade on Tehrans removal from the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force. This multilateral body just extended Irans tenure on that list for failing to approve anti-terrorism legislation. Iran enjoys the sympathy of JCPOA signatories when it comes to the hardships inflicted by U.S. sanctions, but not when it comes to Iranian military reprisals. Tehran must be disappointed that its brazen September strike on two Saudi oil installations earned it a strong rebuke by London, Paris and Berlin, while Washingtons brazen assassination of Soleimani brought only concern and even limited support. At the Munich Security Conference in February, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Irans reprisals over Soleimani were finished. However, he added that it was possible that Iraqis would seek their own vengeance for slain militia leader Abu Mahdi Muhandis. Zarifs comment is a reminder that Irans formidable regional position remains largely the same post-Soleimani. Its prestige suffered a blow, but its proxies remain loyal and firm. After Soleimani, Iran moved swiftly, stepping up military activity in Syria and reaching out to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. It may have persuaded Iraqi Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr to effectively shut down protests in Iraq -- protests in which Iran has become a primary target. Iran retains its dynamic relationship with Qatar. It still has open channels to Oman and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries in the region. Tehrans military options are more uncertain now, for several reasons. Iran now knows that Washington is willing to impose a serious cost for attacks against U.S. assets, if not for allied interests in the region. The congressional resolution, which Trump will veto, will probably not alter Tehrans calculus. The resolution raises Trumps political risk for acting against Iran without consultation, but Trump could also perceive political risk in failing to respond to any Iranian provocation. Tehran also knows that, contrary to the administrations claims, Soleimani was not hatching a plot against the United States when he was hit. On the other hand, Washington had impeccable intelligence on Soleimanis movements. The intelligence success of the United States, and Irans failure, could act as a deterrent. Further, the loss of Soleimani, Muhandis and another nine associates may have had an operational impact on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Quds Force. In sum, maximum pressure leaves Iran facing an aggravated array of economic and social problems, with fewer options to address them. Regime survival may not be at stake, but Tehran can no longer rely on its usual demonization of the United States to subdue opposition. Repression carries its own risks of fueling further resentment. Hostile action, whether overt or covert, remains at Tehrans disposal and may ultimately be its choice, but it carries greater risk after Soleimani. 2. Regime change is an illusion and Regime reform is plausible The very argument against sanctions-induced regime collapse -- that the regime is too impervious and entrenched to be displaced -- also undercuts the notion of incremental regime reform in Iran. A government that can comfortably and consistently manage unrest is also unlikely to undertake significant political reform -- a step that authoritarians typically take only when forced to. Because the Trump administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, the question remains open whether the envisioned opening of Iran to improved economic conditions, trade and investment would, over time, have brought political liberalization and less noxious regional behavior. The limited empirical record is mixed. No doubt President Rouhani and his allies were strengthened in the initial period after the deal was signed when hopes for change were high. He was then weakened when expectations were not met. The Trump withdrawal exposed Rouhani and Zarif to derision from skeptics who distrust the United States. Externally, it is hard to identify significant shifts in Irans posture. Even during the final 20 months of the Obama administration, when the deal was largely in place, Tehran took aggressive steps. The same month the deal was finalized, Tehran tested the Emad, a medium-range, nuclear-capable missile. (The Obama administration swiftly imposed new sanctions on Iran and raised the matter to the UN Security Council.) Would reform become possible if the United States rejoined the accord and dropped sanctions, opening up a new era of trade, investment and growth in Iran? There is no guarantee. China has shown that oppressive regimes can reform their economies and open them to foreign trade and investment without losing their grip on political power or on the ideology that undergirds their legitimacy. A more relevant, less inflated comparison is with Vietnam, another one-party state that has liberalized its economy without broad political reform. Hanoi, largely on its own and without many grand gestures on the part of the United States, has moved past a devastating war that killed millions and has embraced a new, cooperative relationship with Washington. Of course, Vietnams core ideology allows national pride over the long, bitter struggle to co-exist with a new era of mutual respect with the United States. In contrast, the core ideology of Irans regime, a sclerotic and corrupt theocracy, is centered on opposition to the United States. The redoubtable pragmatism of the Vietnamese is not detectable in Iran, even among reformists like Zarif and Rouhani. It may be that across the ruling spectrum in Iran, so-called resistance to the United States is perceived as essential to regime survival. In other words, the scope for reform in Iran may be inherently limited by the regimes founding ideology. It may also be that regime collapse is as chimerical as regime reform. In the end, the Iran we know is the one that we may have live with it indefinitely. In that case, skepticism, rather than optimism, would appear to be the prudent course. This is the first of a two-part essay on the topic. Part II will be published on Tuesday, March 3. Edward Joseph is senior fellow and adjunct professor in Conflict Management at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He has served in senior positions in US and international missions in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and in the Balkans. The views expressed are the author's own. Novel biomedical advances that show promise in the lab often fall short in clinical trials. For researchers studying peripheral artery disease, this is made more difficult by a lack of standardized metrics for what recovery looks like. A new study from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers identifies major landmarks of PAD recovery, creating signposts for researchers seeking to understand the disease and develop treatments. Having these landmarks could aid in more optimal approaches to treatment, identifying what kind of treatment could work best for an individual patient and when it would be most effective." Wawrzyniec L. Dobrucki, Illinois bioengineering professor He also is affiliated with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. PAD is a narrowing of the arteries in the limbs, most commonly the legs, so they don't receive enough blood flow. It often isn't diagnosed until walking becomes painful, when the disease is already fairly advanced. Diabetes, obesity, smoking and age increase the risk for PAD and can mask the symptoms, making PAD difficult to diagnose. Once diagnosed, there is no standard treatment, and doctors may struggle to find the right approach for a patient or to tell whether a patient is improving, Dobrucki said. The researchers used multiple imaging methods to create a holistic picture of the changes in muscle tissue, blood vessels and gene expression through four stages of recovery after mice had the arteries in their legs surgically narrowed to mimic the narrowing found in PAD patients. They published their results in the journal Theranostics. "There are a lot of people who study PAD, so there are all these potential new therapies, but we don't see them in the clinics," said postdoctoral researcher Jamila Hedhli, the first author of the paper. "So the main goal of this paper is utilizing these landmarks to standardize our practice as researchers. How can we see if the benefit of certain therapies is really comparable if we are not measuring the same thing?" Dobrucki's group collaborated with bioengineering professor Michael Insana, chemistry professor Jefferson Chan and senior research scientist Iwona Dobrucka, the director of the Molecular Imaging Laboratory in the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, to monitor the mice with a suite of imaging technologies that could be found in hospitals or clinics, including ultrasound, laser speckle contrast, photoacoustics, PET and more. Each method documented a different aspect of the mouse's response to the artery narrowing - anatomy, metabolism, muscle function, the formation of new blood vessels, oxygen perfusion and genetic activity. By serially imaging the mice over time, the researchers identified key features and events over four phases of recovery. "Each imaging method gives us a different aspect of the recovery of PAD that the other tools will not. So instead of looking at only one thing, now we're looking at a whole spectrum of the recovery," Hedhli said. "By looking at these landmarks, we're allowing scientists to use them as a tool to say 'At this point, I should see this happening, and if we add this kind of therapy, there should be an enhancement in recovery.'" Though mice are an imperfect model for human PAD, each of the imaging platforms the researchers used can translate to human PAD patients, as well as to other diseases, Dobrucki said. Next, the researchers plan to map the landmarks of PAD in larger animals often used in preclinical studies, such as pigs, and ultimately in human patients. "We are very interested in improving diagnosis and treatment," Hedhli said. "Many people are working to develop early diagnosis and treatment options for patients. Having standard landmarks for researchers to refer to can facilitate all of these findings, move them forward to clinic and, we hope, result in successful clinical trials." Description GIS - 03 March, 2020: A Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to the implementation of a new and state-of-art Road Crash Data Management System (RCDMS) was signed, this afternoon, by three main concerned parties, namely the Mauritius Police Force, the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit, and Statistics Mauritius, in presence of the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Mr. Alan Ganoo, in Port-Louis. According to the Minister, the new and modern system will improve the existing one that was a paper-based process deemed cumbersome. The aim of the project to the tune of Rs 14 Million including Rs.2.5 Million for the purchase of 80 tablets, is to ensure quality of data in terms of accuracy, consistency, completeness, integrity and timeliness. He indicated that the RCDMS is driven by iMAAP, a software developed by the world recognised firm, Transport Research Laboratory, UK, and will be implemented with a partnership with the State Informatics Limited Mauritius . The system, he said, was adopted by Tamil Nadu in 2009, and it successfully helped to bring down the number of road accidents and fatalities from 13.39 for every 10,000 vehicles in 2006 to 10.09 in 2010. The Minister highlighted that road traffic injury are the leading cause of deaths in Mauritius, and deplored that last year, some 144 persons lost their lives on our roads and hundreds were either severely or slightly injured. This, he said, is a clear reminder to all of us that using the road involves high safety risks, while adding that everyone has a role to play to make commuting on our road safe. The Minister underlined that road safety is among the key responsibilities of his Ministry and the signing of the MoU seeks to address, together with a series of measures, the number of road accidents and fatalities on our roads, in line with the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 launched by the UN, and the National Road Strategy 2016-2025. Hence, with a view to reduce the number of road accidents, the ministry has come up with a series of measures , namely: sensitisation campaigns, regular enforcement of traffic laws activities; including crackdown operations, strengthening of road traffic legislation, and introduction of road safety education in all primary schools. The Minister observed that bad driving behaviour is the leading cause of road accidents and if the numerous other reasons are identified, remedial actions can be taken to bring down number of road fatalities. To this end, the new RCDMS will analyse that data scientifically and detect contributory factors leading to accidents, to finally come up with measures, he added. He pointed out that it will enable the analysis of the How, Where, and Why of road accidents so as to allow planning and implementation of remedial measures. He indicated that the RCDMS makes use of web and mobile applications, and that data collection by police officers at crash scenes will now be done by means of tablet and data and will be automatically uploaded at the Government Online Centre. He also announced that the data collected under the system will be used by The National Road Safety Observatory which will be set up through a collaboration between the Ministry and the University of Mauritius. The 80 tablets, that have already been configured and tested , will soon be handed over to each police station across the island , including Rodrigues. The first part of a continuous training programme for some 100 police officers on how to use the tablets for collections of data has been completed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 12:18:17|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close GENEVA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has adopted a double standard policy of counter-terrorism, which is based entirely on its own national interests, disregarding the appeal of other countries and regions, a scholar said here Monday. "On the one hand, under the guise of 'upholding human rights' and 'religious freedom,' they (the United States) have attacked other countries' counter-terrorism operations, while on the other hand, they have ignited war in Afghanistan and Iraq under the banner of human rights and counter-terrorism," said Aierken Shamushake, deputy director of School of Law at Xinjiang University of China. The scholar made the remarks at an international symposium on counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and promotion and protection of human rights, which was held during the ongoing 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council. "At present, the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism are still serious, and the fight against terrorism and extremism has a long way to go," he stressed. The symposium is sponsored by the Chinese Mission to the UN in Geneva, the Mission of Cameroon to the UN in Geneva and the China Society of Human Rights Studies. There still seems to be a lot of manoeuvring from Indian operators and government in the two weeks leading up to the next Supreme Court hearing on payment of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. Indias Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is, according to some reports, planning to write to the various companies still owing moneys to the government after last Octobers Supreme Court hearing on AGR payments. This is because some companies are assessing AGR dues based on their own calculations, and not those of the DoT. The amounts paid so far are well short of the DoT's AGR estimates. The DoT will want to know the reasons for the variation. For example, Bharti Airtel recently submitted approximately $2.47 billion to the DoT, said to be a full and final settlement of its AGR liabilities; this is only about half the DoT estimate. The same goes for Tata Teleservices, which has paid less than a quarter of the (approximately) $1.9 billion it is said to owe. Vodafone has so far paid a deposit of some $478 million, but is still assessing its full dues, said by DoT to be well over $7 billion. The payment is apparently towards deferred spectrum dues for airwaves bought in the previous auctions; the deadline for this payment was 3 March. Into this strange and potentially volatile situation will be flying Vodafones global CEO Nick Read, who arrives in India later this week. He is coming to India to underline the need for government to consider a bailout for Vodafone Idea. Vodafone Idea has already asked the government to give it 15 years to pay its AGR dues after a three-year moratorium. It also wants a GST refund of just over a billion dollars at present exchange rates, which it hopes can be adjusted against its AGR liabilities. In addition it has asked for a reduction in licence fees and spectrum usage charges, among other relief measures. The urgency of Vodafone Ideas situation is hard to estimate precisely. However, Indian press reports cite a report by Goldman Sachs, which last year indicated that Vodafone Idea had a gross cash balance of $1.8 billion as of December 2019. [March 03, 2020] Eko Named to the 2020 CB Insights AI 100 List of Most Innovative Artificial Intelligence Startups Eko today announced that it has been named to CB Insights' fourth annual AI 100 ranking, showcasing the 100 most promising private artificial intelligence companies in the world. "Eko has achieved numerous milestones over the past year, including partnerships with preeminent healthcare institutions, breakthrough FDA status on our low ejection fraction screening algorithm, and most recently, FDA clearance of our atrial fibrillation and heart murmur detection algorithms, all of which further our mission to enable healthcare clinicians to better detect heart disease during routine office visits," said Connor Landgraf, Co-Founder and CEO of Eko. "Our team is proud to be recognized by CB Insights as one of the most innovative artificial intelligence startups and look forward to continuing to bring AI-powered cardiac screening to the front lines of care." Through an evidence-based approach, the CB Insights research team selected the AI 100 from nearly 5,000 companies based on several factors including patent activity, investor quality, news sentiment analysis, proprietary Mosaic scores, market potential, partnerships, competitive landscape, team strength and tech novelty. The Mosaic Score, based on CB Insights' algorithm, measures the overall health and growth potential of private companies to help predict a company's momentum. "It's been remarkable to see the success of the companies named to the Artificial Intelligence 100 over the last four years. The 2019 AI 100 saw 48 companies go on to raise $4.9B of additional financing and nine got acquired," said CB Insights CEO Anand Sanwal. "It has been gratifying to see that CB Insights' data-driven approach to identifying the top AI companies using patents, customer traction, investor quality, market sizing and more has become so effective at picking the AI winners of tomorrow. We look forward to seeing what the 2020 AI 100 companies will accomplish over the course of this year and beyond." In addition to disrupting core sectors including healthcare, retail and finance, the 2020 AI 100 companies are revamping the broader enterprise tech stack. These companies span the globe, from the US, UK, China, Chile, and South Africa, and are supported by more than 600 investors. Quick facts on the 2020 AI 100: As of the end of February 2020, these 100 emerging private companies have raised over $7.4B in funding across 300+ deals from 600+ unique investors. There are 10 unicorns (companies valued over $1B) in this year's AI 100 cohort. The list spans across various industries, including healthcare, retail & warehouse, and finance & insurance. 13 countries, such as China, Sweden, and Japan, are represented on the ranking. The majority of startups (65%) are based in the United States. About CB Insights CB Insights helps the world's leading companies accelerate their digital strategy and transformation efforts with data, not opinion. Our Emerging Tech Insights Platform provides companies with actionable insights and tools to discover and manage their response to emerging technology and startups. To learn more, please visit www.cbinsights.com. About Eko Eko is driving the next evolution in cardiac care by creating digital health solutions that enable doctors, nurses and entire health systems to change how we care for the heart. Eko brings together advanced stethoscopes, patient and provider software, and AI-powered analysis-elevating the way clinicians detect and monitor cardiovascular disease. Its FDA cleared platform is used by thousands of clinicians treating tens of millions of patients around the world. Eko is a privately-held company headquartered in Berkeley, California. For more information visit www.ekohealth.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005290/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The brewery, adjacent to the Athens Cotton Press, is the fifth to open in Athens, the first in the Normaltown neighborhood and the smallest in the city. Forbidden City, Beijing, China after coronavirus (File image) The tourism sector is facing the brunt of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, with travel and aviation companies deferring salary hikes, cutting costs and freezing hiring, Business Standard reported. International bookings to Southeast Asia and Europe, in particular, were hit the most, and more cancellations are expected as the latter is a popular summer-time destination, the report said. Spike in cases in Italy, South Korea, Japan, Iran, among others have caused worldwide travel bans, visa and flight cancellations and closing of borders, which has crippled companies. Thomas Cook informed staff it has held back increments in view of 'unpredictable market conditions' and in a share buyback notification last month stated that a sluggish economy and difficult trading conditions due to coronavirus has resulted in slowing demand. The Akbar Group has initiated a hiring freeze, except where absolutely essential, COO Amey Amladi told the newspaper. 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 While Expedia is laying off 3,000 employees, starting from Hong Kong and Singapore. Stic Travel Group has halted infrastructure upgrades and office improvement works, the article quotes Director Isha Goyal as saying. Among airlines, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates a $30 billion revenue loss, with Chinese carriers bearing the brunt. Singapore Airlines has announced a 5-15 percent salary cut for all employees CEO and management included, while Emirates is offering voluntary leave without pay. Both are cutting costs and have halted fresh bookings, the paper said. Also Read Coronavirus impact: Airlines go all out to limit damage For Indians in particular, Italy which has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Europe is a summer favourite. But the government has issued a travel advisory to 'curb all non-essential travel' to the country. As we head towards the peak summer season, we anticipate a drop of 12-15 percent in bookings, Sabina Chopra, co-founder, Yatra.com, told the paper. A MakeMyTrip spokesperson told the paper that they expect a 'definite slowdown in outbound travel bookings' and expect a potential impact if the outbreak spreads westwards. The companys outbound business is 20 percent of its entire operation. They, however, added that domestic bookings have not seen any 'noticeable dip'. The Israeli election was a no-confidence vote in the rule of law and the judicial system. Half of Israels citizens (and a decisive majority of Jewish voters) gave their votes to parties that stood behind a man accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. In this election, which took place after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted and on the eve of his trial set for March 17, Netanyahu's Likud received a whopping 36 mandates after 90% of the votes were counted. Netanyahu should send the White House flowers. The serial temporary prime minister owes his achievement to no one more than US President Donald Trump. The Jan. 28 ceremony unveiling Trump's deal of the century was the Likud's most important campaign event in 2020. But as we know, Trump doesnt usually give free gifts, especially during a presidential campaign. The US administration expressed support for the UN Security Council's Feb. 24 call to pursue a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The council emphasized the need for a common effort to begin credible negotiations on permanent status issues. Under the thunder of the election, the United States joined the rest of the 14 members of the Security Council in calling for the parties to refrain from damaging the possibility of realizing the two-state solution and to uphold the chance for a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace. The last bit threw ice water on those celebrating Israel's annexation and sovereignty over the West Bank, from Yamina to the Likud. It should be read as a response to Netanyahu's declaration a day earlier that he would advance a plan to build 3,500 new housing units in the West Bank Area of E1, east of Jerusalem, in addition to 3,000 homes in a new Jewish neighborhood in Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem and 2,000 new housing units for Jews in the adjoining Har Homa neighborhood. Peace Now explains that construction in E1 will bisect the West Bank and thus prevent any possibility of realizing the solution of two states for two peoples. This area is also the last remaining region for potential development of a central Palestinian metropolis between Bethlehem, East Jerusalem and Ramallah, without which a sustainable Palestinian state cant be established. The end of the declaration hints at Israels stated intention to build thousands of additional homes in East Jerusalem in an area claimed by the Palestinians. The election also drowned out a statement by US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft at a Feb. 11 debate in the Security Council regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that likely displeased Netanyahu. The ambassador said that Israels agreement to Trumps plan constitutes a historic step toward the creation of a Palestinian state with a capital in East Jerusalem. Chairman of Blue and White Benny Gantz had announced in January that he intends to ask the next Knesset to adopt the principles of Trumps plan. However, Yamina has made it clear that under no circumstances will the party support a decision that includes the phrase Palestinian state, and the Likud also has members who will never utter the words. Without Blue and White (excluding its right-wing members Moshe Yaalon, Zvi Hauzer and Yoaz Hendel), Netanyahu has no chance of recruiting a majority for the Trump plan. Borrowing from the worldview of Culture Minister Miri Regev, Trump will justifiably wonder, Whats Netanyahu worth if I dont control him? The deal of the century was supposed to drum up support among the Jewish electorate for the president, in contrast to the Democratic presidential candidates who refused to attend the AIPAC conference and said nothing when their fellow candidate Bernie Sanders called Netanyahu a racist reactionary. If even the Trump administration disagrees with unilateral steps that break the status quo in the Palestinian territories, the European governments will never accept them. The European Unions Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said Feb. 2 during a visit to Jordan that Trumps plan challenges many accepted international norms. In a debate at the Security Council on Feb. 11 the ambassadors from Britain, Germany, France and Belgium made clear that annexation of territories in the West Bank would be considered a unilateral move that contradicts UN resolutions. Further, in response to Trumps plan, France, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Malta, Luxembourg and Slovenia are debating an initiative for joint recognition of a Palestinian state. The European Unions foreign ministers decided to postpone the debate on the issue until a new government is formed in Israel. If it comes to fruition, minister of defense and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett's promised sovereignty government referring to the intention to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank's Area C is guaranteed a sharp response from Europe. Its doubtful whether Netanyahu's progress with the Gulf States, primarily Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will stand the test of annexation. The Arab League has made it clear that it would not cooperate with the United States in implementing the plan and warned that Israel should not attempt to do so unilaterally. The White House's go-ahead for Netanyahu to erase the Green Line was very useful to the rights election propaganda, but don't expect things to go so smoothly when the time comes to cash the check. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 3, 2020 2020/03/03 I'd like to share with you some latest figures. According to the statistics from the National Health Commission this morning, March 2 saw 2,742 patients cured and discharged from hospital in China's mainland, bringing the tally to 47,204. Q: On March 2 local time, the US State Department announced that the US government will cap the number of Chinese citizens permitted to work for the five Chinese media groups that were designated as foreign missions, effective March 13th. What is your comment? A: The US State Department waged this political crackdown on the US offices of the Chinese media out of the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice on shaky ground. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns that. Chinese journalists stationed in the US have been strictly abiding by US laws and regulations and carrying out news reporting under the principle of objectivity, fairness, truthfulness and accuracy. Their professionalism is well recognized. The US side has no basis and reason to take such an action against Chinese journalists. The US side has been so entrenched in its Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice that it has escalated its actions from listing the Chinese media as "foreign agents" to designating them as "foreign missions", and now to capping the number of their Chinese employees which means de-facto "expulsion" in a limited time. Because of their mounting oppression, Chinese journalists' normal reporting activities, the reputation of the Chinese media and normal people-to-people exchanges between the two sides have been gravely damaged. While priding itself on freedom of press, the US now obstructs the Chinese media from doing their job. Such a two-faced behavior exposed its hypocrisy in so-called freedom of press, nothing short of double standards and hegemonic bullying. Considering where the China-US relationship now stands, what the US has done will have serious negative impacts and damage bilateral relations. We urge the US to immediately change its course and correct its wrongdoings. The Chinese side reserves the right to respond and take further actions. Q: As President of the UN Security Council for the month of March, how will China discharge its duties and what kind of role will it play? What are the priorities? A: China has assumed Presidency of the UN Security Council for March. This month, the Security Council will discuss regional hotspot issues such as Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan's Darfur and Somalia. China intends to convene three open debates on upholding multilateralism, combating terrorism and extremism in Africa, and strengthening peacekeeping capacity building. Yesterday in his press briefings in New York, Permanent Representative of China to the UN Ambassador Zhang Jun elaborated on five priorities during China's presidency, namely, strengthening multilateralism, supporting Africa in promoting peace and development, tackling challenges in peacekeeping more effectively, promoting political settlement of regional hotspot issues, and improving the working method of the Security Council. Faced with the fluid and complex international landscape, the world needs multilateralism and a stronger UN and Security Council more than ever. As President of the Council for March, China will act responsibly and constructively to enhance solidarity and cooperation in the Council to contribute more to world peace and security. We also expect support from all parties so that together we can fulfill the tasks on the agenda for the month. Q: There have been more than 8,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases outside China. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said yesterday that the number of cases reported outside China over the past 24 hours is almost nine times of that in China. You said yesterday that the overall situation in China is getting better and that China is working actively with others at regional and global levels. I wonder what assistance China has offered to affected countries? A: We note the remarks by Director-General Tedros. China is following closely the global developments of the epidemic and relates deeply to the difficulties of some countries where the outbreak is getting more severe. As we speak, China's prevention and control efforts have produced visible progress, but this is no time to relax as we are still in a critical stage. Currently, cases have been reported in many countries, and some of those countries are facing an increasingly severe situation. It is of greater importance and urgency for countries to enhance communication and cooperation in public health security. China has been in communication with other sides. We have provided testing reagents to Pakistan, Japan, the AU, among others and shared diagnostic and therapeutic solutions with many countries. The Red Cross Society of China and many Chinese enterprises delivered reagents to Iran and African countries. We also sent a volunteer expert team to Iran. While fighting the epidemic at home, we will continue working with other sides and offer them assistance to the best of our capabilities. China stands ready to step up cooperation in the health sector with the WHO and relevant countries, especially the ones seriously affected by COVID-19. We will fight together for the final victory over the virus. Q: US officials say the restriction on Chinese media is not "linked to any particular incident", but is to address "a very longstanding negative trend in the treatment of the press" in China. The cap the US set for Chinese personnel in these media agencies is 100, while the total number of registered American journalists in China is no more than 100, so this decision follows the principle of "reciprocity" the Trump administration seeks. If China makes further negative response, the US will act, too. All options are on the table. Is China prepared for a more intense situation? And what is your comment on that? A: "Reciprocity" is their mantra, isn't it? But I want to remind you of a few facts. First, China has never instituted any caps on the number of offices and employees of US media in China. It is their own choice to make on how many people they want to send here, not a result of China's restriction. As far as I know, since 2018, the US has been restricting Chinese journalists going to the US by rejecting and delaying issuance of their visa. At least 21 journalists have been denied visa since last year. On top of all that, this time, the US has decided to "expel" 60 Chinese employees of these Chinese media in the US, under the pretext of capping their number. Can this be called "reciprocity"? Second, there are only 9 Chinese media agencies in the US while they have 29 American media groups here in China. Can this be called "reciprocity"? Third, regarding the policy of visas for media personnel and visa fees, American journalists stationed in China can make multiple entries as long as their visa remains valid. But Chinese journalists have to reapply for visa if they leave for a short stay or for visiting family back in China, because of their single-entry visa, thanks to the discriminatory policies the US specifically instituted for the Chinese journalists stationed in the US. Not to mention they have to spend as much as 354 dollars each time they apply for one, more than double what we charge of the American side. Can this be called "reciprocity"? Fourth, the US wants "reciprocity" with us. Does it seek such reciprocity with other countries' media agencies, too? The reciprocity they cannot stop talking about is in fact their exclusion of Chinese media out of prejudice and discrimination. The US is guilty of foul play first. We will simply do what we have to do. Q: Egypt's Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed visited China as special envoy of the Egyptian President on March 2. How does China see the visit at this special time amid the outbreak? A: As the Chinese people's fight against the epidemic comes to a critical juncture, President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi sent Minister Hala Zayed as his special envoy to express sympathies and support and bring medical supplies to China. It shows the high emphasis Egypt attaches to relations with China and its deep friendship towards the Chinese people. We'd like to express our appreciation and thanks. During the Minister's visit, she met with Vice Chairman Chen Zhu of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and officials from the National Health Commission. The two sides held in-depth exchange of views on cooperation in the health sector. China also shared with the Egyptian side information on the epidemic and its prevention and control experience. Q: You just talked about foreign countries providing aid to China. I know many of them have lent a helping hand. Could you update us on foreign assistance China received? A: At the critical moment when it is combating COVID-19 with all-out efforts, China receives sincere and friendly assistance from the international community. We will never forget this and would like to express our appreciation. We have full confidence and capability in winning this battle against the virus. According to what we learned through diplomatic channels, as of March 2, 62 countries and seven international organizations have pledged epidemic prevention and control supplies to China. To be specific, supplies from 46 countries and six international organizations have arrived in China. Sixteen countries and one international organization announced they would provide prevention and control supplies. In addition, 12 countries and two international organizations have provided or announced they would provide food, cash and other forms of material support to China. At present, the epidemic response is at the most crucial stage, and many countries are also facing the threat of the epidemic. In the spirit of a community with a shared future for mankind, while making continued efforts for prevention and control at home, China will strengthen cooperation at regional and international level, timely share information and experience, and coordinate policies and resources with other countries and the WHO in this battle against the epidemic until altogether we win a victory around the globe. Q: Just going back to the cap on Chinese journalists in the US. What further action is China considering? Would it consider expelling more American journalists from China or capping the number of American journalists or news outlets that can work in China? A: I stated China's position earlier. We urge the US side to immediately stop its wrong actions and provide convenience for the normal operation of Chinese media in the US. We reserve the right to respond and take further actions. Q: Is there any update on President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan? A: The two sides have been in close communication regarding President Xi's visit to Japan to foster enabling conditions and a favorable atmosphere and make sound preparations. We will keep you updated if there's anything new. US President Donald Trump called for further cut rates after the Federal Reserve earlier on Tuesday slashed rates by half percentage point in an emergency move designed to insulate the nation's economy from the impact of the coronavirus. "The Federal Reserve is cutting but must further ease and, most importantly, come into line with other countries/competitors. We are not playing on a level field. Not fair to USA. It is finally time for the Federal Reserve to LEAD. More easing and cutting!" tweeted Trump, who has long criticized the US central bank and urged lower rates. Mark Esper reiterated that this is an important first step towards a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan Washington: The peace deal signed with the Taliban in Doha over the weekend is a conditions-based agreement, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has said, reiterating that this is an important first step towards a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan. After 18 years of war, the US and the Taliban signed the peace deal in Doha on Saturday to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue in Oslo this month and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan in 14 months. "This was an important first step toward a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan. As I reiterated to our Afghan partners, this is a conditions-based agreement," Esper told reporters on his return from Afghanistan. In an interaction with Pentagon reporters, Esper said that the US is watching the Taliban's actions closely to assess whether they are upholding their commitments. "This agreement was enabled by the tremendous sacrifices our servicemen and women have made over the past 18 plus years," he said. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley said that a negotiated political settlement is the only responsible way to end the war in Afghanistan, and this was an important step. "This agreement would not have been possible without the thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines that have served and sacrificed over the last 18 years. We owe an extraordinary debt of gratitude to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families, who have given their all to this nation," he said. Responding to a question, Esper said that their expectation is that a reduced level of violence would occur and it would decrease over time as they move forward. "So, this is going to be a step-by-step process, and we'll evaluate each day," he said. Noting that the agreement calls for reduction of troops to 8,600 within 135 days, Esper said that he has already given his consent to start the drawdown. "Our agreement, our commitment under the agreement was to enable, to facilitate the exchange of persons between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan. And I've said over and over, it's all conditions-based, but we are going to show good faith and begin withdrawing our troops and we can stop that at any moment. We can pause it based on, again, changing circumstances," Esper said in response to a question. The mission, he said, is to make sure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists to attack this country. "We've been very successful for the past 18 years for doing that; and then number two, support our Afghan partners in the process; and then number three, again, as we can, bring our troops home, withdraw our presence in the country," Esper added. Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US has agreed to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 in the next 130 days and withdraw all its soldiers in 14 months. Within minutes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet saying that he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts, scores of netizens urged him not to quit the various social media platforms as 'No Sir' trended on Twitter. Prime Minister Modi sent the social media buzzing with his tweet, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted." In about an hour, the tweet had been retweeted over 26,000 times, with comments of people pouring in almost every second. Within minutes, 'No Sir' started trending on Twitter with people's reactions varying from shock to confusion. Several netizens urged him not to quit social media. "People Around The World Love You So Much Modi Ji. You May Take A Short Break From Social Media If You Want But, #NoSir We Requesting You Musn't Leave Social Media (sic)," a user tweeted. "Am Narendra Modi fan. If Modi ji quits - I am off as well," said another user on Twitter. Some netizens even offered explanations over why the prime minister was contemplating giving up his accounts. "No sir.. We know that you are upset with the misuse of social media but we need you," a Twitter user said. It was not just reactions of people that poured in on Twitter, but memes began to appear as well. One meme said, "People on all social media platforms to Modi Ji: 'Jane nahin denge tujhe'" -- with the snapshot of a scene from the popular '3 Idiots' song'. Some netizens were just plain shocked by Modi's tweet. "You inspired us nationalists to be active on social media!...And now you are saying you'll be leaving social media! I'm shocked looking at this tweet! Modi ji, without you, we are nothing on Social Media," a user tweeted. The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media. He has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram. The Twitter handle of the Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers. In September 2019, PM Modi was the third most followed world leader on the microblogging site, behind only US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama. The prime minister was the first Indian to cross the 50-million followers mark on Twitter. Pakistan on Tuesday called on the Afghan government to create a "favourable environment" for intra-Afghan dialogue, warning that the peace and reconciliation process with Taliban would not move forward if any side showed "stubbornness". Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a statement called on President Ashraf Ghani to abide by a prisoner swap clause in the US-Taliban peace deal, the rejection of which saw the Taliban resume attacks on Afghan forces in the northeast of the country. It is the responsibility of the Afghan leadership to create a favourable environment to take the talks forward," Qureshi said. The intra-Afghan negotiations are due to begin March 10 according to a US-Taliban deal signed in Doha on Saturday, but a dispute over a prisoner swap has raised questions about whether they will go ahead. The agreement includes a commitment for the Taliban to release up to 1,000 prisoners and for the Afghan government to free around 5,000 insurgent captives -- something the militants have cited as a prerequisite for talks but which President Ghani has refused to do before negotiations start. The foreign minister said that Pakistan cannot take decision on the part of Afghans. Pakistan can create a favourable environment, it cannot take (Afghanistan's) decisions, he said. Qureshi reminded the parties to Afghan conflict that the agreement signed by the US and Taliban representative on Saturday in Doha contained provisions for exchange of prisoners. Exchange of prisoners has happened in the past. When we move from war towards peace, it needs to be done to show a positive intention," the foreign minister said. He warned that the process of peace and reconciliation would not move forward if any side showed "stubbornness". He urged the parties to take confidence-building steps in order to move forward. Qureshi said that intra-Afghan process was a test of Afghan leadership and it would show if the Afghans were ready to leave the past behind and work for peace. He said that Doha agreement was just the first step, though an important on, for a lasting peace in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan would continue to provide support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. Qureshi said that the Taliban pledged that would not allow al Qaeda or any terrorist organization to operate in Afghanistan. The foreign minister warned that the spoilers were not would be uncomfortable with the deal but there were many people who are comfortable with it. There are many who feel that it is in Afghanistan's long-term interest. It is in region's long term interest and it is essential for global peace and stability, he said. Earlier, the peace process got was shock when Ghani said that prisoners would be released. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Africa: SA sees decline in rhino poaching South Africa is making progress in the fight against rhino poaching with figures showing a steady decline for the fourth consecutive year. During 2019, 594 rhino were poached in South Africa, down from 769 rhino killed during the previous year. The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries noted this progress as the country joins the international community in commemorating the World Wildlife Day 2020, which is being celebrated under the theme: Sustaining all life on Earth. The decline in the number of rhino poached is an indication that the initiatives being implemented by government and with the support of partners, are working, but we cannot rest on our laurels. Plans to combat wildlife crime are constantly being updated and adapted to meet the incessant and ever-present threat. We are also making greater use of innovative ideas and new technologies as government in order to address the relentless onslaught against our natural resources and ecosystems, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy said in a statement on Tuesday. Entities such as the South African National Parks (SANParks), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) , iSimanagaliso, and provincial conservation agencies work together to ensure that the plant and animal life is preserved and conserved for current and future generations. We do this with the understanding that threats to wildlife have multiple and undesirable ecological, economic and social effects, Creecy said. The Minister said South Africa is making a concerted effort to combat wildlife crime, particularly poaching of iconic species and associated illicit trade affecting diverse species including iconic species of rhino, elephant, lion, pangolin, cycads and many other species of mammals, plants, reptiles, amphibians. Our country, supported by its people, partners and in cooperation with other countries, will continue with these efforts in an integrated manner until this war is won, the department said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. OAK BROOK, Ill. - The first study to examine both chest X-ray and CT imaging findings in teenagers with electronic (e-)cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) was published today in the journal Radiology. "This population is particularly vulnerable to e-cigarette use and its potentially life-threatening consequences," said the study's lead author, Maddy Artunduaga, M.D., assistant professor of pediatric radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. First introduced in the U.S. around 2007, e-cigarettes are now the most used tobacco product among U.S. youth. The 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey reported that in 2018 more than 3.6 million middle and high school students were using e-cigarettes. Although vaping has been often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, e-cigarette liquids and aerosols contain a variety of chemicals that can result in ill health effects. When these potentially harmful chemicals are inhaled, acute lung injury may occur. EVALI has emerged as a serious and sometimes fatal complication of vaping. Patients under 18 years of age account for 15% of reported U.S. hospitalizations due to EVALI. Imaging plays a key role in the evaluation of suspected EVALI. Accurate identification of the condition allows for prompt medical treatment, which may decrease the severity of injury in some patients. Dr. Artunduaga and colleagues retrospectively reviewed chest CT images and X-rays of 14 patients (7 boys and 7 girls) ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old. All patients included in this study used an e-cigarette or engaged in dabbing--the practice of inhaling small quantities of a concentrated and vaporized drug, such as cannabis oil--in the 90 days before symptom onset. Four patients had a history of exposure to both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and nicotine-containing vaping products. Nine patients had a history of exposure to THC-containing vaping products only. One patient had a history of exposure to nicotine-containing vaping products only. All 14 patients had respiratory symptoms. Symptoms varied among patients but most commonly included shortness of breath, cough and chest pain. Twelve patients also had gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Four patients initially had isolated gastrointestinal symptoms and later developed respiratory symptoms after hospital admission. Other symptoms included fever, chills, weight loss and fatigue. "In some cases, the initial symptoms may lead clinicians to suspect a gastrointestinal origin for the patient's presentation, and the radiologist may be the first to suggest EVALI as a diagnostic consideration," Dr. Artunduaga said. The results showed characteristic chest X-ray and CT findings. Bilateral and symmetric ground-glass opacity in the lungs, frequently associated with consolidation, often of lower lobe predominance, was the key imaging finding. On CT, subpleural sparing was also visualized in 79% of patients. "Another imaging feature observed on CT in 36% of our pediatric patients with EVALI, was the reversed halo sign, which is characterized by the presence of a central ground-glass opacity surrounded by denser consolidation of crescentic shape or complete ring," Dr. Artunduaga said. Dr. Artunduaga noted that chest X-ray alone does not allow the sufficient characterization of the patterns of EVALI in pediatric patients and, therefore, CT is needed for a complete assessment. "CT provides a better evaluation of the extent and degree of involvement, as well as a better assessment of the characteristics of abnormal pulmonary findings. This can lead to the early diagnosis of EVALI, which would ultimately allow the timely management of this entity in the pediatric population," she said. Recent advances in low-dose CT techniques have yielded diagnostic exams that have decreased radiation dose up to 93%. Thus, the radiation dose associated with low-dose CT is justified in the evaluation of suspected EVALI in pediatric patients, according to Dr. Artunduaga. "Radiologists will continue to play an important role in the initial detection and follow-up of pediatric patients with EVALI," she said. "When these imaging findings are observed in pediatric patients, with or without the history of exposure to e-cigarette or vaping products, EVALI should be included as a diagnostic possibility." ### "Pediatric Chest Radiographic and CT Findings of Electronic Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)." Collaborating with Dr. Artunduaga were Devika Rao, M.D., Jonathan Friedman, M.D., Jeannie K. Kwon, M.D., Cory M. Pfeifer, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., Amy Dettori, M.D., Abbey J. Winant, M.D., and Edward Y. Lee, M.D., M.P.H. Radiology is edited by David A. Bluemke, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, and owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (https://pubs.rsna.org/journal/radiology) RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org) For patient-friendly information on chest CT and X-ray, visit RadiologyInfo.org. , Cookies . cookies. FILE PHOTO: The Goldman Sachs company logo is seen in the company's space on the floor of the NYSE in New York LONDON (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc has told its staff that all non-essential international business travel should be postponed, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The "precautionary measures" come as global businesses take more sweeping steps to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. "Effective immediately, all non-essential international business travel should be postponed," the memo said. Until now most companies had focused on restricting travel to areas particularly affected by the virus such as mainland China, South Korea and Northern Italy, rather than imposing wider restrictions. But as the number of cases grow in other countries, firms are looking at more blanket measures. Last Thursday JPMorgan also said it was restricting all but essential international work travel. Goldman Sachs added that any travel to and within all of Italy is now restricted. All of the firm's staff who have traveled to mainland China, South Korea, Iran and Italy, or have been in close contact with individuals who have been to these countries, are required to self-isolate. The spread of coronavirus outside of China has gone up in recent days, with cases in 53 countries and more than 100 deaths. (Reporting by Clara Denina; Editing by Rachel Armstrong) The apt and timely piece A telecom crisis, once again (March 3) provides many clues on how to resolve the impasse. While dealing with the repercussions, the woes of consumers are also to be considered. Any disruption in telecom services will have collateral damage that is beyond imagination. The fine print in licensing agreements is often ignored in the enthusiasm of the signing ceremonies. The clauses that are not tenable, if any, could be tackled before signing the agreements to avoid any subsequent disputes. The Department of Telecommunication and the ... Algerian Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, bringing the total number in the country to eight, Trend reports citing Reuters. The official APS news agency quoted an announcement of the ministry as saying that the three new cases were recorded in the family circle of the previous four cases in the province of Blida, some 50 km south of the capital Algiers. The ministry said the epidemiological investigation continues to identify all the people who were in contact with these diagnosed patients. On Feb. 25, Algeria announced the first COVID-19 case of an Italian national who arrived in Algeria on Feb. 17. Four more cases of coronavirus from a family were recorded later in the province of Blida who were infected by two family members from France. Enditem People who contributed to a street collector carrying out a collection for Suicide Aware in Cork were being conned out of their money by a Galway man who was jailed for six months yesterday. Judge Olann Kelleher said: I have to say this is a very mean fraud on the people of Cork or wherever he carries out a collection like this. We are all aware of the number of families affected by suicide. I have to take into consideration that people contribute to these appeals and it is terrible to see them let down like this. The judge imposed a six-month jail term on Francis Sweeney, aged 49, of 19 Liam Mellows Terrace, Bohermore, Galway, who came to the attention of Garda Mark OConnor in relation to the bogus collection in July 2018. He pleaded guilty at Cork District Court yesterday to a charge that on July 14, 2018, at Lapps Quay, while carrying out a collection, he failed to provide Garda Mark OConnor with a collection permit, and a related charge. Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined the background to the offence. The man was seen on Lapps Quay carrying out a collection on that date. Sweeney had the property he was carrying at the time seized from him. This included three collection forms with names written on lines. The forms carried the charity name, Suicide Aware. He had just over 70 in cash that he had collected. When asked for a permit, he handed over a document with someone elses name on it. It was established that this was not his name. The defendant later gave his name correctly as Francis Sweeney. While the accused had two theft-related convictions and one for handling stolen property, he had none for anything similar to carrying out the bogus collection. Solicitor Frank Buttimer said of Sweeney: He is from Galway. He had no particular business in Cork he just came down to get away from a particular drinking environment he was in in Galway. The judge imposed a six-month jail term. It will run concurrently with a longer unrelated sentence that Sweeney is serving. The United States has 43 domestic cases of coronavirus and 48 cases of individuals who have returned to the country, Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday. "At the present moment, we have 43 domestic cases of the coronavirus, 48 cases of individuals who've returned to the United States. Of the domestic cases, 29 of the 43 are either in California or Washington state," Pence said during a briefing on coronavirus. According to health officials, six people have died in Washington state from the virus, including the person who died in Snohomish County on Monday. The other five people have died in King County, according to Jeffrey Duchin, a public health official with the county. The US reported its first death from coronavirus on Saturday, involving a man in his 50s who had underlying health conditions. On Sunday, the Trump administration announced 91 confirmed and presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in the country. The country has announced additional travel restrictions affecting Iran, Italy, and South Korea in order to contain coronavirus outbreak. Coronavirus first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since then spread to several countries across the world, including India. The Health Organisation has declared the outbreak an international health emergency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 28.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trump was in regular form on Monday night, slurring his way through another MAGA mob rally by ramping up attacks on Democratic candidates, particularly the surging former Vice President Joe Biden. At one point during his ramble, he accused Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar of a quid pro quo because the two candidates dropped out and endorsed Biden. Sounds like they made a deal, ya know? Trump said. Quid pro quo! They made a deal! Impeach them! They should be impeached! They should be impeached! Quid pro quo! Video: They should be impeached! They should be impeached! Trump, tongue in cheek (I think), calls for the Democratic presidential candidates to be impeached pic.twitter.com/x5VZyQS1eU Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 3, 2020 While Trumps bizarre attacks are to be expected, his rallies have become increasingly incoherent over time. To say that Trump isnt as sharp as he once was is an understatement. He demonstrates that repeatedly at each of his MAGA mob rallies. Trump is clearly terrified of Joe Biden Trumps increased focus on Joe Biden during Monday nights rally made it clear the he is (still) terrified of facing off against the former vice president in November. Biden has consistently polled strongest against Trump compared to the other Democrats running, and those numbers have held up throughout the course of the past year, regardless of the ups and downs of the Democratic primary. As new momentum builds around Bidens campaign following his strong victory in South Carolina, Trump is again faced with the growing prospect that Biden will be his opponent this fall. Not only is Trump nervous about that possibility, but Republicans appear nervous, too, as they restarted their efforts to undermine Biden via a bogus investigation. As Joe Bidens primary support grows ahead of Super Tuesday, so too does Donald Trumps fear that he may have to face off against (arguably) the most electable Democrat left in the field. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter New York: Drugmaker Pfizer Inc said on Monday that it has identified certain antiviral compounds it had in development that have the potential to inhibit the coronavirus (Covid-19). It said it is engaging with a third party to screen the compounds. The company said it hopes to have the results from screening by the end of March, and if any of the compounds are successful, it would hope start testing them by the end of the year. Pfizer chief scientific officer Mikael Dolsten was one of the pharmaceutical executives who met with U.S. president Trump at the White House on Monday. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. "I think people are more accessible now," she said. "Maybe I'm one of those people that I feel like "Hit me, DM me, message me and I'm going to try to hit you back." You can now reach out to your favorite stars, and they may hit you back. I didn't necessarily have that because it was still kind of new. I was using the internet for sure, but I think now it's a little more accessible. Not that that makes it easier, but it definitely means like if you got something and you get it to right person, there is a chance that it can really take off." Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! 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. VENTURA, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rincon Consultants, Inc. has been honored with two awards from the Environmental Business Journal (EBJ) and the Climate Change Business Journal (CCBJ) for accomplishments in 2019. EBJ and CCBJ are business research publications that provide high value strategic business intelligence to the environmental and climate change industry. Award pictures. EBJ recognized Rincon with a Business Achievement Award in the Mid-Size Firms category for another year of paced revenue growth, expanded services, and growth with core clients across 13 offices in California. Gross revenue grew 8 percent, to nearly $40 million, with nearly 100 percent growth over the past five years. Notable achievements for 2019 included expanding in the energy market sector by being awarded $6.6 million in renewable energy projects, being the number one greenhouse gas (GHG) verification body for the California Air Resources Board, and adding strategic hires, including a Los Angeles region manager. CCBJ recognized Rincon with an Advancing Best Practices: GHG Analysis Award for CAPDash, the Climate Action Plan implementation tool. Rincon developed CAPDash to help jurisdictions meet the requirements for streamlining California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) GHG analyses. CAPDash lets jurisdictions update GHG emission inventories and track implementation of GHG reduction strategies in real-time with an easy-to-use dashboard interface. Customized data visualizations can be created and shared immediately, providing staff and stakeholders instant updates to the implementation status of GHG reduction measures. "This recognition for our business achievement and innovation is due to our talented team, winning culture, relentless pursuit for improving our industry, and our entrepreneurial spirit," said John Dreher, President of Rincon Consultants. The 2019 EBJ and CCBJ awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the Environmental Industry Summit XVIII in San Diego, Calif. on March 19, 2020. The Environmental Industry Summit is an annual three-day executive retreat hosted by EBI, Inc. About Rincon Consultants, Inc.: Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an environmental science, planning, and engineering consulting firm with thirteen offices throughout California. Founded in 1994, the firm has emerged as a statewide leader in environmental sciences, urban planning, biological resources, cultural resources, water resources, sustainability services, soil and groundwater assessment, and remediation. Rincon's wide breadth of expertise and qualifications are mirrored by the diversity of projects they manage, serving both public and private entities. Detailed information about Rincon Consultants, Inc. is available at rinconconsultants.com . Please also connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. About EBI: Founded in 1988, Environmental Business International Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) is a research, publishing and consulting company that specializes in defining emerging markets and generating strategic market intelligence for companies, investors, and policymakers. EBI publishes Environmental Business Journal and Climate Change Business Journal . EBI also performs contract research for the government and private sector and founded the Environmental Industry Summit Series, four annual conferences event for executives in the environmental industry. Media Contact: Stephanie Jones 805 644 4455 Ext. 68 [email protected] Related Images ebj-and-ccbj-business-achievement.png EBJ and CCBJ Business Achievement Awards Award pictures. Related Links Visit our website SOURCE Rincon Consultants, Inc. Traffic disruption is likely in Galway later as a rush-hour protest is held in the city. The 'Get Galway Grooving' demonstration is against the construction of the N6 City Ring Road. From 5.30pm today and on Thursday, protesters will take to the streets dressed in bright colours while riding skateboards along Quincentenary Bridge. Seamus Diskin from Extinction Rebellion Galway, said instead of a ring road, public transport needs to be the priority. Mr Diskin said: "Our national objective is to reduce carbon emissions. The ring road, by their own report, is stated to increase carbon emissions by 37% and I believe that figure has been revised upwards. "The price that has been bandied around for the last five or six years is 700m. It doesn't include the land take costs, there are 55 houses going to be purhcased and demolished in order to build this bypass." Mr Diskin outlined two reasons why he thinks the road is a bad idea, saying: "The bypass as proposed has two major drawbacks. The first is the cost and especially the carbon emission cost. The second problem that we have with it is the lack of benefit, and that's the failure of bypasses to reduce traffic congestion in so many cases. "We have the case of the M50 in Dublin, originally built two lanes wide, then widened to three and four lanes." Two teenage boys are facing charges for their part in a viral 'skull breaker' challenge that left one of the peers with a concussion. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office said on Monday that the two minors were charged with third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering an injured victim for their part in the challenge. The challenge involves three people standing in a row and jumping. While the middle person is in the air, the other two kick inwards to knock the middle person's legs out from under them. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office said on Monday that the two minors were charged with third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering an injured victim for their part in the challenge Stacy and Mark Shenker's 13-year-old son, a Cherry Hill middle school student, was rushed to the hospital after he fell victim to the challenge Stacy and Mark Shenker's 13-year-old son, a Cherry Hill middle school student, was rushed to the hospital after he fell victim to the challenge. It's been a little over a month since the couple's son was injured and his symptoms from the fall - which include headaches and lethargy - continue to affect his performance in school. 'It's hard. My son, in a way, feels like he's being punished because he's restricted,' shared Stacy Shenker. According to Dr. Grier Arthur, a trauma surgeon at Saint Christopher's Hospital, injuries sustained in the fall could be life-changing. 'It's hard. My son, in a way, feels like he's being punished because he's restricted,' shared Stacy Shenker Mark Shenker said of the challenge: 'Just because you see that something looks funny doesn't mean when you try to do it, that it's going to be' 'If you hit headfirst you can have a skull fracture or a hematoma on the outside of the skull or even bleeding within the brain,' said Arthur. The boy's parents expressed their concern for other kids participating in the dangerous challenge. 'When the next craze of the next challenge comes out, think about it.. is that really how it's going to turn out?' said Stacy Shenker. Mark Shenker added: 'Just because you see that something looks funny doesn't mean when you try to do it, that it's going to be.' School districts and police departments across the country have been issuing warnings about the dangers of the viral trend. Rajeev Sharma On February 25 a new political template was created when the Bihar assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and for a National Population Register (NPR) in its 2010 format which does not include questions that have stoked fears of it being a first step towards the NRC. It was a landmark political event because it made Bihar the first National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled state to come out against the NRC. Even more surprising was that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the Centre and is the principal NDA party, did not object to the resolution. It almost quietly fell in line. The BJP has been aggressively pushing the trio of the NRC, the NPR and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar didnt even bother to take the BJP into confidence before moving the resolution, while he kept opposition parties, such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress in the loop throughout. The BJP had no other option but to swallow its pride because after losing an important ally, the Shiv Sena, in Maharashtra, the national party could hardly afford the risk of losing another ally Kumars Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)). Its too early to say which way the wind will blow in the Bihar assembly elections due by November, but Kumar gave a sneak peek into his electoral strategy on March 1. He was addressing a rally of JD(U) workers from all over the state at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on the occasion of his 69th birthday, where it was clear that the stress will be on the three issues of the CAA, the NRC and the NPR. His strategy appears to be to retain the Hindu votes by riding piggyback on the BJP (as a part of the NDA) and, at the same time, winning over the minorities by passing the resolution against the NRC. As far as NPR is concerned, it will be on the basis of 2010 format and we have also passed the resolution in the state legislative assembly, he said at the March 1 rally. The NPR, under the 2010 format, does not include questions relating to the date of birth and place of parents and last residential address of the individual. As for the CAA, Kumar pleaded for exercising patience since the matter was before the Supreme Court. At the rally Kumar also reiterated that the JD(U) would contest the assembly polls as a part of the NDA and expressed confidence of winning over 200 of the 243 seats. Political observers familiar with Bihars caste-riven politics say that Kumar has sent positive vibes among the states Muslim community by his bold move of getting the NPR resolution passed. It remains to be seen if the opposition parties such as the RJD and the Congress are able to effectively counter Kumar and the JD(U). For now it is advantage Nitish Kumar. The effects of the Bihar assembly resolution will not be confined to Bihar only. It will reverberate in the assemblies of non-NDA states too. Maharashtra, a non-NDA state, is also set to follow Bihars path on the NRC and the NPR. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has already announced that his state will not implement the NRC and that no controversial columns in the NPR will be allowed. On February 27, two days after the Bihar assembly passed the NPR resolution, a Congress delegation led by senior party leader Naseem Khan met Thackeray demanding a Bihar-type resolution in Maharashtra. The BJP is in power in Bihar. The party did not oppose the same there. It is clear that the party cannot have double standards and oppose the resolution in Maharashtra, Khan said. Indications are that the Maharashtra government is going to move the Bihar-type resolution in the assembly in this session itself. More non-NDA state governments are likely to follow suit. The Bihar resolution has already weakened the BJPs stand on the twin issues of the NRC and the NPR, despite public statements to the contrary by the party bigwigs. What Opposition stalwarts couldnt do, Nitish Kumar, a BJP ally, has done. As Democrats in Virginia choose who they want to lead their party, one of the issues on many voters minds is the cost of housing. Over the weekend, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), laid out his vision for America in front of a crowd of thousands of people in Northern Virginia. Every few words, the crowd interrupted him with cheers. 18 million American families should not be spending 50% of their income on housing, said Sanders. The crowd responded with a roar. Last month a voter in Virginia asked then-candidate Pete Buttigieg what he would do to address housing discrimination and ensure access to safe, decent housing for low income and other vulnerable populations. At an event for former Mayor Mike Bloomberg in McLean, Va., on Saturday, Rowesaye -- an undecided voter who didnt want to give her last name -- told Yahoo Finance rising housing costs are getting worse by the day. Ive been living in this area for the last ten years and theres no way that I would even afford to buy anything, said Rowesaye, who said she lives in Annandale, Va. Julie Riley, a Bloomberg supporter, said her top priority is bringing down the cost of healthcare, but connected the issue back to housing. I live in Fairfax County. Its one of the most expensive counties, I think, in the country for housing and everything else. When you look at how people are spending their money, so much of its going to healthcare, said Riley. I think that [lowering healthcare costs] would make a huge difference to people locally. The Amazon effect Its no secret Northern Virginia, across the river from Washington, D.C., is an expensive area to live. But real estate agents say prices have skyrocketed since Amazon announced it would move its HQ2 to Arlington, Va. First-time homebuyers particularly are frustrated because they're having difficulty finding properties that they can afford, said Derrick Swaak, president-elect of Northern Virginia Realtors. Sometimes they're just putting off the buy decision for further down the road until they have more money in their pocket to really buy their dream home. Story continues A protesters yells at Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, right, during a FOX News Channel Town Hall, co-moderated by FNC's chief political anchor Bret Baier of Special Report and The Story anchor Martha MacCallum, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Va., Monday, March 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) According to research updated exclusively for Yahoo Finance, the median list price in Arlington County reached $1,080,000 in January 2020 -- up 29% year-over-year. Since October 2018, a month before the announcement, the median list price in Arlington has increased by $431,000. While Amazon is not the sole cause of the price increase (low mortgage rates were also a factor), Realtor.com said in Northern Virginia, each mile closer to HQ2 raises home sale prices by $11,618. In October, just before the big announcement, listing prices in Arlington were actually declining by 1.3% compared to the previous year; immediately following the announcement, listing price growth jumped to double-digits, according to Realtor.com. Swaak told Yahoo Finance fewer homes are on the market, and homes are selling faster now. As soon as Amazon made their announcement we saw that, first of all, a bunch of investors jumped in -- and that really cut down on the inventory, said Swaak. Renters are feeling the squeeze too. Sellers said Well Im not going to sell my house. Im just either going to stay in it for a few more years or rent it out, rather than sell it. Because I can make much more money in my house over the next few years rather than in the stock market or any other investment, said Swaak. For renters, its a much more aggressive market, said Swaak. Roshan Abraham, an organizer with Our Revolution Arlington, protested Amazons move to Arlington, in part because of fears it would make housing unaffordable. Gentrification is already happening in Arlington and Northern Virginia, that was already in place before HQ2. What HQ2 is doing is super charging it, said Abraham. Abraham believes companies like Amazon get too many incentives and tax breaks. He told Yahoo Finance he thinks Sanders is the best candidate to change that. That money thats being lost in tax revenue is money that could go into things like Medicare for All, like free public college. And those are things that will help the 99%, said Abraham. FILE - This Nov. 13, 2018, file photo shows a sign of a street map for Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Va. Protesters repeatedly shouted "shame" as a northern Virginia county board Saturday unanimously approved a $23 million incentives package for Amazon to build a new headquarters there. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) Amazon is slated to eventually bring in 25,000 jobs to HQ2. The company told Yahoo Finance its headcount stands at 715, with 127 pending starts. More than 500 jobs are currently open. The tech giant has also pledged millions of dollars to addressing housing affordability and improving transportation in the region. The candidates plans The remaining Democratic candidates each have specific plans to make housing more affordable. Sanders is billing his plan as Housing for All, and it includes investing $2.5 trillion dollars to build 10 million units of affordable housing. Former Vice President Joe Bidens plan would invest $640 billion over 10 years. According to his website, some of his ideas include ending redlining and fighting housing discrimination, creating a new tax credit for first time homebuyers and expanding the low-income housing tax credit. Over 10 years, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wants to invest $500 billion in housing units for low- families. She also plans to end redlining and create a new down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers who have lived in redlined neighborhoods or communities that were segregated by law. Bloombergs plan calls for guaranteed rental assistance for low-income Americans, hundreds of thousands of new affordable housing units and targeted down-payment assistance. Jessica Smith is a reporter for Yahoo Finance based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @JessicaASmith8. Read more: New Delhi, March 3 : The Supreme Court ruled the process of land acquisition would be flawed in the absence of actual receipt of compensation, noting that even though right to property is no more fundamental right, it still remains a constitutional right. "On the aspect of the compensation, only a covering letter is available, and not the actual receipt," said a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph as they heard a land acquisition matter to decide whether the due process of law was followed under Section 5(1) of the Sikkim Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1977, which is similar to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The case pertains to acquisition, by the state's Agriculture Department, land measuring 8.36 acres in Dundung Block, Sang in east Sikkim for the purpose of building the Progeny Orchard Regional Centre. The land was recorded in two names - 1.29 acres in the name of the Maharaja of Sikkim and 7.07 acres in the name of Man Bahadur Basnett, father of the original appellant. Basnett's land was the subject matter of dispute. The land acquisition by the government has been challenged, as no notice of acquisition was ever published, nor any process followed for the same. The top court observed: "An unusual process of making payment in cash is claimed to have been adopted, and the amount is not an insignificant amount, if we look at the year of acquisition. We even gave a further opportunity to the authorities to show, as to from which account this compensation was withdrawn by the Collector, but it appears that there is no proof even of the withdrawal of the amount, much less payment of the compensation." The top court said the burden was on the state to prove that the process as envisaged under the said Act was followed and cited ample primary and secondary evidence on non-compensation. "Not an iota of evidence has been laid in support of any of these aspects, except the willingness of late Man Bahadur Basnett to permit the land to be acquired on payment of compensation, the forwarding of the amount by the Land Revenue Department to the District Collector through a cheque, and thereafter a letter from the Collector stating that some receipt was being enclosed, acknowledging the payment in cash (without a receipt being found)," said the court. The top court observed that the government had failed to establish the acquisition of land in accordance with law. "The appellant/original landowner was, thus, entitled to the possession of the land and also damages for illegal use and occupation of the same by the respondents (Collector)," it said. The apex court, emphasising on following due process of land acquisition, said: "We may note that even though rights in land are no more fundamental right, still it remains a constitutional right under Article 300A of the Constitution of India, and the provisions of any Act seeking to divest any person from the rights in property have to be strictly followed." The matter came before the apex court as an appeal to the 2008 verdict of the Sikkim High Court. In May 2019, this matter was taken up and then referred to mediation, but it failed and as a result, again came before the court. Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. A teenager wanted in the Feb. 9 slaying of a Baton Rouge man who was shot as he answered the door turned himself in to East Baton Rouge Sheriff's detectives on Monday and booked on first-degree murder and other counts, the Sheriff's Office said. Johntrell Banks, 17, of 14321 Sweet Gum Ave., surrendered to detectives, with his attorney present. Banks declined to make a statement to detectives, according to the arrest report. The victim, 20-year-old Tyler Batiste, was shot several times on Feb. 9, when he answered a knock at the door of a home in the 8400 block of Bayou Fountain Drive and later died at the hospital. Banks also faces five counts of attempted first-degree murder; three other adults were in the home struck by gunfire when Batiste was shot. Those three people were unharmed. Meanwhile, two adults were in an adjacent home, which was also struck by gunfire. Those residents also were not injured. Other counts against Banks include illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property. 20-year-old dead after he answered door 'and was met with gunfire' off Gardere Lane A young man was shot and killed late Sunday when he answered the door in a neighborhood off Gardere Lane, authorities said. Detectives had developed Banks as a suspect and had obtained an arrest warrant before his surrender. Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory DNA Division and the Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force assisted in the investigation, the Sheriff's Office said. President Xi Jinping learns about progress in the research for a vaccine for novel coronavirus pneumonia during his visit to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing on Monday. He also visited Tsinghua University School of Medicine. JU PENG / XINHUA President inspects research facilities, listens to scientists President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of medical research on the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia on Monday. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Tsinghua University School of Medicine, learning about progress on the vaccine, antibodies, medicine and fast testing kit research and applications. Xi then chaired a symposium to listen to views and advice from officials and researchers. The most powerful weapon to fight diseases is science and technology, Xi said, adding that mankind's victory over disasters and epidemics relies on scientific development technological innovation. He said scientific research on COVID-19 is a major and urgent task, and he required coordinated efforts to speed up such measures. At the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Xi said science and technology are the key to increase the recovery rate, decrease the fatality rate and finally defeat the disease. Xi complimented researchers for their contributions and encouraged them to make further efforts in developing a safe and effective vaccine, medicines and a fast testing kit as soon as possible. He told them to enhance collaboration to master more core technologies with independent intellectual property and make greater contributions to the safety and health of the people. At Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Xi said the prevention and treatment of serious epidemics and major public health risks cannot be slackened. He instructed relevant departments to improve the national network to monitor epidemics, improve laws and regulations, strengthen the research on cutting-edge technologies, and raise the capacity to deal with major public health incidents. At the symposium, Xi said that trying to save more patients remains the top priority, and medical research should be integrated with clinical treatment. He urged more coordinated efforts to apply research to clinical treatment, speed up research on medicines and promote the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicines. The safety of a vaccine should be a top priority, Xi said. He instructed researchers to speed the development of a vaccine and closely follow vaccine research in other countries to promote clinical trials and application of a vaccine as early as possible. He required establishment of a national vaccine reserve system and preparations for the possibility of regular prevention and control work. Xi said new technologies like artificial intelligence and big data should be used to clarify where the virus came from and where it may go. He stressed the importance of psychological health for patients, family members and people in quarantine for a long time. Xi called serious infectious diseases and biological security risks grave challenges for national security and development as well as for social stability. Biological security should be deemed an important part of national security, Xi said, adding that the country should enhance its disease prevention and control capacity and public health research. The improper eating of wild animals must be firmly prohibited, he said, adding that the people should lead a civilized, healthy and green life. Noting that novel coronavirus pneumonia has appeared in many countries, Xi said that China will enhance communication with the World Health Organization, strengthen cooperation with other countries in research on investigation and development of medicines, a vaccine and tests, share scientific information and conduct joint research to find solutions. Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. announced that it has entered into anadverse development cover reinsurance agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Enstar Group Ltd. In the transaction, Enstars subsidiary will reinsure losses incurred on or prior to Dec. 31, 2019 on a diversified mix of property, liability and specialty lines across the U.S., U.K and Europe for a premium of $770 million. Enstar will provide $770 million of cover in excess of a $3.805 billion retention, and an additional $250 million of cover in excess above $4.815 billion. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of various other closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020. Source: Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. Related: Banks and money transfer agencies traded accusations in Parliament on Monday over an uneven playing field. Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) accused money transfer agencies such as EcoCash, One Money and Telecash of enjoying an unfair advantage over financial institutions. This came out during a meeting convened by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance chaired by Chikomba Central MP Cde Felex Mhona (Zanu PF), who had invited banks, money transfer agencies, business and industry to hear their views on how the economy could be improved. During the meeting, BAZ chief economist Dephine Mazambani said money transfer agencies were regulated by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, while banks were regulated by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), but yet both provided similar services of collecting and dispensing money. Money transfer agencies and banks are not regulated the same way, she said. We are regulated by the RBZ while they are regulated through Potraz. Our regulation terrain is different, but one of the key challenges is that while we are regulated differently, sometimes you see that we offer similar or the same products or services which creates an uneven playing field and sometimes pose a risk to the financial sector, seismic risks. It is the regulatory environment that we are hoping that can be levelled. Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Eddie Chibi, which owns EcoCash, said Mrs Mazambanis views were misdirected. EcoCash is under the direct oversight of RBZ, he said. We are regulated under the National Payment System Act and we make as frequent returns and engagement with the central bank as any other financial services sector in Zimbabwe, including banks. For certain services, we are also regulated by the RBZ Financial Intelligence Unit where we submit all our suspicious transactions reports and other general issues which we pick. We have invested in a robust system which tracks transaction in terms of any suspicions of fraud and money laundering which we share with the RBZ on a regular basis. In terms of our remittances services, we also get regulated by the Exchange Control division of the RBZ, including the licence which we have for the EcoCash Bureau de Change. Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce representative, Mr Archie Dongo called on Government to narrow the gap between cost of subsidised products and the price on the market to avoid arbitrage. He said while subsidies were meant to address affordability of products and services, there was need to rationalise the cost of the end product and how much the market was charging. We fully understand the thrust of subsidising certain products for the benefit of the general populace, particularly in an era of austerity, said Mr Dongo. The demand that has been created by lowering of prices is quite high, but the supply has been reduced or is inadequate, for example, when you use Zupco, the queue will tell a story that not everybody who wants to use Zupco will be able to use it. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:53:26|Editor: zh Video Player Close YANGON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities seized over 4.9 million of stimulants in Rakhine State, according to a release from the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) on Tuesday. Acting on tip-offs, the joint anti-narcotic police force confiscated over 4.9 million of stimulants from a warehouse along with one suspect in Maung Daw Township on Monday. The township police filed a case against the suspect and further investigation is underway under the countrys Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, the release said. Myanmar authorities also detained 19,200 litres of Hydrochloric acid, 25,600 litres of Acetone and 25,600 litres of Ethyl Acetate from three trucks in Mong Naung Township of Shan State on Sunday, the release added. According to a release issued by the Presidents Office on Tuesday, a total of 1,002 drug-related cases were registered across Myanmar while 1,544 suspects were charged in connection with the cases as of Feb. 29 this year, since the formation of the Drug Activity Special Complaint Department in 2018. ROME - To mark the 500th anniversary of Raphael's death, along with the great show that opens on March 5 at Rome's Scuderie del Quirinale, the superb Villa Farnesina in the Italian capital will dedicate two events to the occasion. The majority of the villa's frescoes were painted by the Renaissance genius from Urbino. A show on April 6-July 31 will provide the occasion to discover a few secrets of the Roman residence of Agostino Chigi, the banker of popes, a rich and powerful man who dominated the scene. Chigi, a collector who befriended many artists, was together with popes Julius II and Innocent X an important patron for Raphael who commissioned many works of art. He was also a friend and Raphael often visited. He was asked to paint the frescoes and plan the stables - a building that was torn down in 1808 after being abandoned for decades - and its rich collection was a source of inspiration for the artist. The two friends died within five days of each other, on April 6, 1520 the great painter and on April 11 the brilliant banker. When he died, Chigi was 54 and at the height of his power. When he married Francesca Ordeaschi a few months before his death, in August 1519, he commissioned new frescoes at the villa. Architect Baldassarre Peruzzi, who was also in charge of decorating the villa, was aided by Raphael to whom Chigi asked to decorate the Loggia. Giovanni Antonio Bazzi decorated the bedroom on the first floor while another great talent, Venice's Sebastiano dal Piombo, a pupil of Giorgione, worked beside Raphael in the room made famous by the 'Trionfo di Galatea'. Following Ordeaschi's death, seven months after her husband's, the villa in 1579 was bought by the Farnese family. The cultural academy Accademia dei Lincei has been based at the villa since 1944. After recent restoration work, the exhibit opening on April 6 will enable visitors to discover designs unconvered in the 1970s which have never been shown to the public before. A new interactive system will enable viewers to observe details of the painting in the Loggia which are too distant - eight meters away - to observe to the naked eye. From October 1, 2020, until January 10, 2021, a second show curated by Alessandro Zuccari and Costanza Barbieri will focus on Agostino Chigi's collection of statues, sarcophagi, cameos and ancient coins on display at the villa: treasures that influenced Raphael and are now being loaned for the occasion by museums including the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi, the Kunsthistorisches in Vienna and the archaeological museum in Naples.(ANSAmed). Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio on Tuesday paid cumulative over Rs 6,000 crore to the government towards deferred spectrum dues while Tatas said it has deposited another Rs 2,000 crore for ad hoc statutory liabilities. The development came as DoT prepared to send out fresh missive to telcos questioning them about discrepancies in AGR dues assessed by firms and its own calculations. On Tuesday, Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) CEO and MD Ravinder Takkar again met Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash although he remained tightlipped about the meeting. While crisis-ridden VIL has paid about Rs 3,043 crore to the telecom department for deferred spectrum dues -- essentially instalment payments that are made by telcos for airwaves bought in past auctions -- Bharti Airtel submitted Rs 1,950 crore and Reliance Jio Rs 1,053 crore towards the same. The payment made by VIL in particular assumes significance as the company has been under financial pressure and is confronted with AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) liabilities of over Rs 53,000 crore. This is the last lot of payments that telcos will make towards deferred spectrum liabilities, as the Union Cabinet had late last year approved a two-ear moratorium on such spectrum payment dues. Separately, Tata Teleservices on Tuesday said it has made an on-account AGR payment of an additional Rs 2,000 crore to the Department of Telecom (DoT) on March 2 "in good faith and as a matter of abundant caution" towards licence fees, spectrum usage charges and applicable interest, penalty and interest on penalty. "This on account payment is subject to reconciliation after the conclusion of the process of computation and verification being conducted by DoT spanning a period beginning from FY2007 and spread across 20 circles," the company said in a statement. According to sources, DoT has decided to send fresh letters to telecom companies questioning them about the variation in AGR dues assessed by firms themselves and its own calculations. This is because amounts paid by telcos so far, even those who have announced full and final settlement, are woefully less than DoT's AGR estimates. Sources said the letters would go out within a day or two to telecom companies. Bharti Airtel recently submitted over Rs 18,000 crore to DoT declaring it has made full and final settlement towards its AGR liabilities but the amount is far less than over Rs 35,000 crore that the government estimates the company owes it. It is pertinent to mention here that Bharti Airtel on Saturday said it has made payment of Rs 8,004 crore towards AGR dues to the government, an amount over and above Rs 10,000 crore it has already paid. The amount of Rs 8,004 crore includes Rs 3,004 crore towards full and final settlement on AGR dues based on self assessment, and a deposit of buffer Rs 5,000 crore to cover DoT's reconciliation differences. "Based on the aforesaid payment we have now complied with AGR judgement and the directions in the order of the Supreme Court dated October 24, 2019," Airtel had said in a regulatory filing. Similarly, Tata Teleservices has paid Rs 2,197 crore in AGR dues, and now additional Rs 2,000 crore to cover reconciliation differences, while DoT estimates the liabilities to be about Rs 14,000 crore. VIL has so far deposited Rs 3,500 crore in two tranches to DoT but is still assessing its full AGR dues. According to the government's calculation, VIL owes Rs 53,000 crore in AGR liabilities. After the meeting with the DoT secretary, Takkar declined to comment on how soon VIL would be able to complete the self assessment of dues. DoT has also asked all telecom companies to furnish names of their MDs and their addresses, sources said adding this had been a requirement of the court which wanted those details. In all, 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore in unpaid statutory dues -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. Of the estimated dues that include interest and penalty for late payments, Airtel and VIL account for about 60 per cent. These dues arose after the Supreme Court, in October last year, upheld the government's position on including revenue from non-core businesses in calculating the annual AGR of telecom companies, a share of which is paid as licence and spectrum fee to the exchequer. The Supreme Court last month rejected a plea by mobile carriers such as Bharti Airtel and VIL for extension in the payment schedule and asked companies to deposit their past dues for spectrum and licences. Since the February 14 tongue lashing that the Supreme Court gave telecom companies for missing its previous deadline of January 23 to pay past dues as well as the DoT for failing to enforce it, firms and the telecom ministry had been doing separate maths on the actual dues. Meanwhile, IIFL Securities in a note on Tuesday said its recent interaction with senior DoT officials suggests that the department is keen on ensuring that India remains a three private player market and "its own assessment tallies with our estimate that ARPU has to double from current levels". The IIFL note also highlighted that AGR burden for telcos may be 10-15 per cent lighter, based on accurate assessment. "Key risk is the Supreme Court imposing fresh punitive measures when it learns that the entire amount due has not been paid; however, we believe this is unlikely," IIFL Securities said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people not to panic owing to new coronavirus cases reported from cities across India. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention." There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he added. Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 PM Modi's tweet came after more cases were reported from Delhi, Agra and Jaipur on Monday and Tuesday. Shiv Nadar School based in Noida cancelled its annual school exam on Tuesday and closed the school till March 9 after a Student's parent tested positive with COVID-19 on Monday. Another school also decided to shut from March 3 to March 11. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called an urgent meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials at 3 pm on the government's preparations to deal with coronavirus, an official said. The move comes a day after a case of the novel coronavirus was reported in the national capital. Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev and top officials of the Health Department will be present at the meeting and will brief the chief minister about the Delhi government's preparations, the official said. The Union Health Ministry (on Tuesday) also issued a travel advisory suspending all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan who have not yet entered India. The advisory also suspends visa on arrival (VoA) issued by March 3 to Japan and South Korea nationals who have not yet entered India. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate, said the advisory which brought the suspension with immediate effect. In view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19, in supersession of all earlier advisories, the government issued the new travel advisory on Tuesday. Regular (sticker) visa/e-Visa granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force. Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate. The advisory said regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect. (With inputs from PTI.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 18:42:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An employee inspects the electrolytic cells at the United Initiators Hefei Co., Ltd. at a circular economy demonstration park in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 18, 2020. (Photo by Zhou Mu/Xinhua) Despite the temporary impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on economic activities in China, business leaders have expressed confidence that the Chinese economy and the global economy will recover soon after the epidemic subsides, and in the long run, China's ability to attract foreign investment will not be dampened. BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders around the world have expressed confidence in China's leading role in the global supply chain in an increasingly interconnected world economy. Although the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has sparked concerns of global supply chain disruption, business leaders have recently told Xinhua that China boasts an effective workforce and a vertically integrated supply chain, and its commitment to high-level safety standards and quality has made it irreplaceable. LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS "We are relying on our partners in China. The manufacturing cannot be moved quickly or easily, because there are so many safety standards to be observed," said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the U.S. Toy Association, a New York-based non-profit trade group for the U.S. toy industry. Noting that China manufactures about 85 percent of toy products sold in the United States, Pasierb said that safety is more important than cost control for his industry, and Chinese manufacturers have proven themselves capable of supplying cost-effective products that meet a full set of regulations. "Manufacturing partners in China are true partners. They're not only making the product, they work with our companies to make the product better," said Pasierb, adding that "meaningful, true collaborative partnership" with Chinese suppliers has made U.S. toy makers more profitable. For Jean-Paul Agon, chairman and CEO of L'Oreal Group, China's competitive advantage in the global supply chain is built on quality, innovation and sustainability. "Therefore, we are confident in China's resilience and long-term competence and competitiveness," said Agon. ORDERLY PRODUCTION Thanks to China's drastic and rigorous prevention and control measures against the epidemic, the overall tally of new cases of confirmed COVID-19 infections nationwide has gradually declined. As a result, in a key meeting on Feb. 23, China called on the public to return to work and for the orderly resumption of large-scale production in a bid to achieve its social and economic development goals this year. Workers make protective suits at Harbin Taigu Industrial Co., Ltd. in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Song) As of Monday, China's manufacturing heartland Guangdong Province has seen 91.2 percent of firms resume operation, according to official data. The province, a major magnet for migrant workers from other provinces, also saw the return of 6.94 million non-local workers. In the Yangtze River Delta integration demonstration zone in China's east, a manufacturing hub of complex industrial chains, 96 percent of large-scale industrial enterprises there have resumed operations by Feb. 26, according to local authorities. In an interview with the FOX network that aired on Friday, Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook said that factories in China are returning to normal, and he is "very optimistic" about China's ability to get the epidemic under control. "I think of this as the third phase in getting back to normal, and we're in phase three of the ramp mode," he said. SUSTAINABILITY EMPHASIS Despite the temporary impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on economic activities in China, business leaders have expressed confidence that the Chinese economy and the global economy will recover soon after the epidemic subsides, and in the long run, China's ability to attract foreign investment will not be dampened. A builder works at the construction site of a relocation project in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) "We have no indication of our American companies, our members leaving China at all. Rather, many companies are increasing their investments in the country," Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, said recently at a press conference. The confidence in China's future economic performance mainly derives from its commitment to investing in technology and sustainable development, which is conducive to future economic development, said John Denton, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce. Calling China's strong investment in green technology and renewable energy encouraging, Denton said that when the outbreak is under control, China's economic activity will resume steadily and investors will seek out opportunities in these and other areas. The Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, John Coumantaros paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of BUA Group at the BUA Hq in Lagos. See attached for your publication, a picture and a quote (below) from our chairman during the visit. Speaking on the visit, Executive Chairman, BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu said, I am pleased to receive Chairman Coumantaros here at the BUA Hq to further discuss our shared commitment and partnership in enhancing food security in Nigeria. Nigeria, and indeed, Africa is blessed with enough resources to make her the food basket of the world. We must keep joining hands to make this a reality., he added. BUA Group and Flour Mills are two of West Africas largest investors in the foods and agribusiness sector. With most production houses constituting a team to address complaints of any form of harassment, actor Kajol believes film sets have become safer workspace for women. The actor said people from the fraternity, including production houses, need to "police" their own and ensure a healthy working environment. "Right now, film sets are pretty safe. Our production house and a lot of others have put teams together to deal with people coming up to them with any kind of complaints. A film set is not a very big area. Everyone knows everything that's happening. "There's not much that you can really keep a secret. But we have to police our own, there's nobody from outside who's going to come in (and check). Each production house has to take responsibility and work through it," Kajol told PTI in an interview. The Hindi film industry has often come under scanner for its gender imbalance -- both on screen and off screen. The 45-year-old actor said the industry is "slowly" moving in the right direction. "The world is gender imbalanced, not particularly the industry. But we are getting better. My short film 'Devi' had an all women cast, our cinematographer was a woman. "I've just finished working with Renuka (Shahane) as well, another female director and I'm really happy about that. We are indeed progressing in that direction." Kajol currently features in the short film, "Devi", which depicts how nine women belonging to different strata of society are brought together by circumstance and end up forming a sisterhood after they share their stories of abuse. Directed by Priyanka Banerjee, the short is produced by Niranjan Iyengar and Ryan Ivan Stephen. Kajol said the conversation around abuse has been consistently happening but asked why it took a crime of Nirbhaya gangrape-murder-like proportions for people to stand up against atrocity. "'Devi' is the kind of statement you want to make to men and women. It's meant for people to take notice and start talking. The conversation has been going on but we always look at it with a tired acceptance of what's happening. It takes something big, like a Nirbhaya, for us to stand up as a country," she added. "Why does it take that kind of an atrocity for us to stand up and say so far but no further?" she questioned. The actor said road to change was still quite long. "It takes a lot to change societal mindsets, traditions that have been beaten down over centuries. The first mindset which needs to be changed is the woman's, before anybody else can even come to the picture. You have to realise a victim is as victim does. Don't be one, you won't be seen as one. The short film also features Shruti Haasan, Neha Dhupia, Neena Kulkarni, Mukta Barve, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Yashaswini Dayama, Sandhya Mhatre and Rama Joshi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAN ANTONIO -- March 3, 2020 -- Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) conducted room burn comparisons to better understand how country-specific fire codes in the U.S., France and the United Kingdom affect the fire safety of home furnishings and their contributions to flashover. Reducing the rate for flashover in a room burn can significantly save lives translating to more time for people to escape a fire. Flashover occurs when temperatures at the ceiling reach 1,000 degrees C and all the combustibles in the room ignite. The study found the American and French-furnished rooms reached flashover in just five to six minutes whereas the United Kingdom room took 22 minutes to reach flashover. The upholstered furniture from the U.K. contained the most fire-retardant protection. The smoke toxicity measured was also recorded as less acutely toxic than the U.S. and French furnished rooms. "Most countries test upholstered furniture for fire performance, however, fire preventative measures and testing standards applied to consumer products vary greatly by country," said Dr. Matthew Blais, SwRI director of Fire Technology and principal investigator. SwRI fire engineers conducted nine room burns to better understand the variances in fire standards from different countries and to study how quickly flashover occurs in a replicated realistic environment. Each of the three identically furnished sets of rooms contained a three-cushion couch, a chair and a flat panel television. However, for testing purposes, SwRI purchased these specific items from each respective country given that the materials and retardants vary. Each room set up also included an identical coffee table, end table, curtain, bookcase and books, which were all purchased in the U.S. Because these items are typically not treated with a fire retardant, the fire performance should not vary from country to country. The Institute conducted the room burn tests using the international standard for full-scale room test specifications, standard ISO 9705. The U.S. and France use a smolder only flammability standard while the U.K. combines a smolder and open flame ignition test to evaluate the flammability. When the living room furnishings are the first item ignited in a fire, there tends to be a higher incident of death. SwRI selected three ignition sources that represent a passing standard used in the UK during a room burn with an open flame ignition. For each room configuration, ignition started in the center couch cushion. "In the U.S. and other countries, there is a push to eliminate chemical flame retardants due to an anti-chemical movement," Blais said. "When testing consumer products, one of the methods employed is to reduce the requirement to test consumer products, especially furniture, against open flame ignition sources. This study shows the impact of country fire codes only requiring smoldering ignition compared to a country testing with open flame ignition. When an open flame standard is applied to consumer products that have been treated with fire preventative material, the results show the room would reach flashover at a much slower rate allowing people five to six times the number of minutes to escape from a house fire when the first item ignited is a couch." ### Video: https://youtu.be/wlnAAxOKYLg Blais was the lead author of the paper. Karen Carpenter, assistant director of Fire Technology, and Kyle Fernandez, a fire technology engineer, also collaborated on the study and paper. The paper published in Fire Technology journal is titled "Comparative Room Burn Study of Furnished Rooms from the United Kingdom, France and the United States." Fire Technology is a peer-reviewed journal publishing research about fire hazards and safety. The North American Fire-Retardant Association and the American Chemistry Council funded the research. SwRI, based in San Antonio, has one of the world's largest organizations dedicated to fire research and testing. The article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license allowing users to read, copy, reference and distribute as long as the work is cited. It can be downloaded from Springer (DOI 10.1007/s10694-019-00888-8) and is available in the March 2020 print edition (ISSN: 0015-2684), pages 489-514. For more information, visit https://www.swri.org/industries/fire. Bennett, Brassard and Shor win the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences has gone in this twelfth edition to Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard and Peter Shor for their "outstanding contributions to the field of quantum computation and communication," said the committee in its citation. Bennett and Brassard, a chemical physicist and computer scientist respectively, invented quantum cryptography in the 1980s to ensure the physical inviolability of data communications. The importance of their work became apparent ten years later, when mathematician Peter Shor discovered that a hypothetical quantum computer would render effectively useless the conventional cryptography systems underpinning the privacy and security of today's Internet communications. In other words, when a true quantum computer is eventually built, quantum cryptography will be the only means to keep communications secure. The award committee, chaired by Nobel Physics laureate Theodor Hansch with quantum physicist Ignacio Cirac acting as its secretary, remarked on the leap forward in quantum technologies witnessed in these last few years, an advance which draws heavily on the new laureates' pioneering contributions. Their work, says the committee, "spans multiple disciplines and brings together concepts from mathematics, physics and computer science. Their ideas are playing a key role in the development of quantum technologies for communication and computation." The invention of quantum cryptography Quantum cryptography emerged in the realm of basic science, but in a few decades has produced a whole new technology that is now commercially available and tipped as a rising market. When Bennett, at IBM Research for over forty years, and Brassard, Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information Science at the University of Montreal, began working together in 1979, there was not the least hint of this future scenario. Quantum physics and computer science were separate, even distant fields, and any work on the linkages between them was confined to the fringes of established research. Yet by 1984, Bennett and Brassard had come up with an intriguing result: a cryptographic system which, as the committee describes it, "allows encoding and transmitting messages using the laws of quantum physics in a way that makes them unreadable to eavesdroppers, even if they had quantum computational resources." To create quantum cryptography, Bennett and Brassard made use of one of those strange phenomena of the quantum world: superposition, which, in simplified terms, makes it possible for a single particle to be in two or more places at once. Quantum theory holds that this dual state is lost as soon as somebody observes the particle, which will then appear in one position or the other. And if the same particle was in the midst of being transmitted, any attempted hack would collapse the superposition, alerting the interlocutors that same instant. Bennett and Brassard's protocol, known as BB84 after its inventors and year of publication, is today generally acknowledged as the first practical application of the science of quantum information. "Quantum information is a kind of information that is disturbed by observation and cannot be copied," explained Bennett on the phone yesterday after hearing of the award. "Gilles Brassard and I realized that it could be used for the practical purpose of sending messages, in such a way that the sender and receiver could tell immediately whether anyone had listened to the message en route. And that, in essence, is quantum key distribution or quantum cryptography." The importance of BB84 was not immediately recognized by the scientific community. The cryptographic protocols now in use, which underpin the security of all our Internet communications and transactions, are based on the existence of mathematical problems that computers cannot solve, and in the mid-1980s there was nothing to suggest that this might one day change. However ten years later change it did, thanks to the work of Peter Shor. The algorithm that challenged classical cryptography Shor, Professor of Applied Mathematics at MIT, discovered that the supposedly intractable problem on which standard cryptography was based, the prime factorization of large numbers -i.e. the decomposition of a large number into its prime factors - would be within the scope of a hypothetical quantum computer. As the citation states, "Shor discovered that quantum computers could factorize integers much faster than any supercomputer, therefore compromising the security of conventional cryptographic schemes." Shor's algorithm, so named for its author, is now one of the quantum algorithms that comprise the fast developing language to be spoken by tomorrow's quantum computers. "When Shor discovered that if you could build a quantum computer", explains Bennett, "it would defeat certain cryptographic systems in widespread use, that stimulated a lot more research, because the cryptographers wanted to find more secure systems that were harder to break. And at the same time other people wanted to build a better quantum computer to see what it could be used for besides code breaking." In phone conversation, Gilles Brassard also recalled this time in his career: "We created the BB84 system ten years before Peter Shor discovered that quantum computers, if they could be built, would completely undermine the cryptographic infrastructure that protects Internet communications. The importance of our work became much more evident after Shor destroyed everything else. It's sort of funny, because in 1984 quantum theory led to the most secure confidentiality possible in inter-machine transmission. And ten years later the same quantum theory challenged all the cryptographic systems invented, except for ours!" Bennett and Brassard would go on working closely together for several decades. Both have also collaborated with Shor, who explains his own contribution as follows: "Current cryptographic systems depend on the difficulty of factoring numbers. If you could factor numbers quickly, you could break all the codes of today's systems. What I showed is that a quantum computer could factor large numbers fairly quickly. Of course nobody has actually built a big enough quantum computer to factor those numbers yet, and it will probably be years or decades before they do." Shortly after devising his algorithm, Shor made another landmark contribution, known as quantum error correction; "an essential requirement," in the words of the committee. "for enabling and scaling quantum computations." By their very nature, quantum computers are exposed to a large volume of noise, causing numerous errors. Before Shor's finding, it was not believed theoretically possible to isolate quantum computers to such an extent that errors could be eradicated. So Shor, in essence, gave hope to the field and propelled it forward. "Everyone thought that you couldn't correct errors on quantum computers," recalls Shore, "because as soon as you try to measure a quantum system you disturb it. In other words, if you try to measure the error so as to correct it, you disturb it and computation is interrupted. My algorithm showed that you can isolate and fix the error and still preserve the computation". The promise of a rising technology Quantum cryptography is right now one of the most advanced branches of quantum technology, with several companies up and running in Europe and the United States. In China a quantum communication terrestrial system known as Backbone has been laid between Beijing and Shanghai is already being used for commercial applications, and in 2016 the country launched an experimental satellite link with Europe. The laureates, however, view the development of quantum computation as essentially a long-term prospect, unlikely to immediately fulfill the expectations stoked by the prototypes of leading tech firms. As Bennett reflects, "I really welcome the number of smart people working in this field, because back in the days when there were only half a dozen of us it didn't progress. But I think people are too eager to know what it's going to be used for right away, especially considering that quantum information is very delicate. It requires very precise hardware resistant to error and well insulated from environmental influences. These are tough engineering problems. Not necessary impossible, but they are hard and will take years to achieve." That said, they have no doubts about the future potential of quantum computers. For Brassard, "the 19th century was the era of steam power, the 20th century was the era of information, and the 21st century will go down in history as the quantum age, the age in which quantum technologies dominate all the changes occurring in society, in a way we cannot yet foresee." Shor, meantime, believes that "it will be 5 or 10 years before a quantum computer can do anything approaching useful." With time, however, he is convinced that these machines will deliver revolutionary applications, in biomedicine, for instance: "At the moment, it takes enormous amounts of computer time to simulate the behavior of molecules, but quantum computers could achieve that, and help design new drugs." ### Bio notes Charles H. Bennett (New York, United States, 1943) graduated with a BA in Chemistry from Brandeis University (Waltham, Massachusetts, United States) in 1964 then went on to complete a PhD in Chemical Physics at Harvard in 1971. The following year he joined IBM Research, where he remains to this day. From 1984 to 1986 he was a Visiting Professor in the Computer Science Department at Boston University, and from 1986 to 1987 a Visiting Scientist at the MIT Computer Science Lab. His publications have a Google Scholar citation count of over 78,000. An IBM Fellow since 1995, he is also a member of the American Physical Society and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Gilles Brassard (Montreal, Canada, 1955) graduated in Computer Science from the University of Montreal in 1972, and in 1979 earned a PhD in Theoretical Computer Science from Cornell University. In 1988, he joined the faculty at the University of Montreal, where he is currently Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information Science. Among other distinctions, he holds honorary doctorates from ETH Zurich, the University of Ottawa and Universita della Svizzera italiana. He is founder and Scientific Director of the Institut Transdisciplinaire d'Information Quantique and a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cryptology. Peter Shor (New York, United States, 1959) completed a BA in Mathematics at California Institute of Technology in 1981 then went on to obtain a PhD in 1985 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After a year as a postdoc at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley, he joined AT&T Bell Laboratories, where he remained for ten years, then moved to AT&T Shannon Labs from 1996 to 2003. In this last year he became Henry Adams Morss and Henry Adams Morss Jr. Professor of Applied Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also chairs the Applied Mathematics Committee. In a research career of almost 40 years, he has had more than 170 papers published in specialist journals. Basic Sciences committee and evaluation support panel The committee in this category was chaired by Theodor Hansch, Director of the Division of Laser Spectroscopy at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (Germany), and the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Physics, with Ignacio Cirac, Director of the Theory Division at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (Germany) acting as secretary. Remaining members were Emmanuel Candes, the Barnum-Simons Chair in Mathematics and Statistics at Stanford University (United States); Nigel Hitchin, Emeritus Savilian Professor of Geometry at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom); Hongkun Park, Mark Hyman Jr. Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics at Harvard University (United States); Martin Quack, Head of the Molecular Kinetics and Spectroscopy Group at ETH Zurich (Switzerland); and Sandip Tiwari, Charles N. Mellowes Professor in Engineering at Cornell University (United States). The evaluation support panel of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) was coordinated by M. Victoria Moreno, Deputy Vice President for Scientific and Technical Areas, and formed by: Carmen Garcia Garcia, Deputy Coordinator of the MATERIA Global Area and research professor at the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC); Berta Gomez-Lor Perez, scientific researcher at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM); Jose Luis de Miguel Anton, tenured scientist at the Institute of Optics "Daza de Valdes" (IO); Carlos Prieto de Castro, Coordinator of the MATERIA Global Area and research professor at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM); and German Sierra Rodero, research professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT). About the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards The BBVA Foundation centers its activity on the promotion of world-class scientific research and cultural creation, and the encouragement of talent. The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards, established in 2008, recognize and reward contributions of singular impact in diverse fields of science, technology, social sciences and the humanities that have demonstrably expanded the frontiers of the known world, opening up new paradigms and knowledge fields. Their eight categories are reflective of the knowledge map of the 21st century, encompassing basic research in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Biology and Biomedicine, Information and Communication Technologies, Humanities and Social Sciences, Economics, Finance and Management, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Climate Change, and, within the arts, the supremely creative realm of music. The BBVA Foundation is aided in the evaluation process by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the country's premier public research organization. The Foundation and CSIC jointly appoint the evaluation support panels charged with undertaking an initial assessment of the candidates proposed by numerous institutions across the world and drawing up a reasoned shortlist for the consideration of the award committees. CSIC is also responsible for designating the chair of each committee, formed by eminent authorities in the subject area. This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Open house set The SIU Carbondale Strong Survivors program and Phil Anton, program director, will celebrate the grand open of the programs new location on Wednesday. The free fitness, conditioning and nutrition program for cancer survivors is located in Davies Hall, Room 123. (Photo by Russell Bailey) Opening of new Strong Survivors Cancer Rehabilitation lab is Wednesday by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. For 15 years cancer survivors by the hundreds, along with their caregivers, have gotten a new lease on life with the help of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Strong Survivors program. The free fitness, conditioning and nutrition program that more than 200 SIU students have helped facilitate through the years now has its own dedicated space. Everyone is welcome to attend the grand opening set for Wednesday, March 4, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Davies Hall, Room 123. Showcase for new facility The grand opening and open house is a great opportunity to see the extensive array of fitness equipment, from weights and exercise balls to treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bicycles and beyond. The new facility is both functional and inspirational. The SIUC Strong Survivors Cancer Rehabilitation Laboratory (CRL) is dedicated for the Strong Survivors program, which since 2009 had shared space with the Integrative Movement Laboratory elsewhere in the building. Succeeding for 15 years The Strong Survivors Program launched in 2005 and since that time, more than 800 cancer survivors and their caregivers have participated in the program. Having a slightly larger and truly private space for the program will help us to administer Strong Survivors mission more effectively and improve participant quality of life to a great degree, Phil Anton, Strong Survivors director and exercise science program coordinator and associate professor, said. Former participants, students invited All current and previous Strong Survivors participants are invited to attend the grand opening. Likewise, the current and former SIU students who serve or have served as staff members helping the participants in their recovery journeys are encouraged to stop by. Refreshments will be served. Restorative effect The Strong Survivors program provides free exercise testing and training to participants at any stage of their cancer journey, whether they are finished or still undergoing treatment. The goal is to help them improve their quality of life and return to the lifestyle they previously had or something close to it. Program participants, who progress at their own pace, typically exercise twice a week with specially prepared individualized regimens based on their individual needs, physical assessments, medical histories and personal goals. Aerobic, balance, strength and flexibility training are typically incorporated, and the program features a nutritional component as well. The university collaborates with Southern Illinois Healthcare and John A. Logan College on the program. SIU students serve as personal trainers and work individually with each participant, giving students, particularly those in the exercise science and rehabilitation fields, unique teaching and experiential opportunities. Students work individually with clients, assessing fitness and needs, establishing training plans and personally assisting in implementing those plans. Participants say the individualized attention and relationships make the program all the more effective. There are currently 37 people participating in the program at SIU or through an affiliate class at John A. Logan. Cousins death served as inspiration Antons cousin and childhood best friend, Julie Honerkamp, was the inspiration for Strong Survivors. At 13, she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma in her thigh bone. Six years and numerous surgeries later, she succumbed to cancer in 1990. But shes still very much in Antons heart and thoughts and in her honor, Anton created a program to help other people recover from their battles with cancer. Free program There is no cost to participate in Strong Survivors, for cancer survivors or their caregivers. For more information about the program, visit the website at strong-survivors.siu.edu, call 618/453-3116 or email Anton at panton@siu.edu. Scott Morrison has finally admitted he asked Hillsong pastor Brian Houston to join him at a White House dinner in Washington DC. The prime minister was pressed on the issue during an interview on 2GB radio show Ben Fordham Live after he dismissed the claims as 'gossip' for months. Fordham said now was the time to 'clear things up' about the September, 2019 event. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with Donald Trump) admitted he did ask Hillsong pastor Brian Houston to join him at a White House dinner in Washington DC The admission comes after months of denials from the prime minister that he invited Mr Houston (pictured) to the White House event 'Brian Houston actually turned up to the White House a few months later at the invitation directly of the White House,' Mr Morrison said. 'On that occasion we put forward a number of names, that included Brian, but not everybody whose names were put forward were invited. 'But the point about this is they are a very large church, they are well known in the United States.' U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny Morrison to an official dinner at the White House September 20, 2019 A Royal Commission censured Mr Houston in 2015 after it found he failed to report to police that his father Frank Houston was a child abuser. Pictured: Scott Morrison in Parliament on March 3, 2020 The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the invitation in September but it was flatly denied by both Mr Morrison and Mr Houston until this week. Fordham said the 'reason this is of interest' was due to Mr Houston being under investigation by NSW Police over allegations he didn't report child sex abuse involving his father. A Royal Commission censured Mr Houston in 2015 after it found he failed to report to police that his father Frank Houston was a child abuser. Frank Houston, who died in 2004, admitted to molesting a boy for years beginning when the child was seven years old in the 1960s and early 70s. In 1999, Frank Houston told his son Brian that he had sexually abused the boy. Brian suspended his father from the church but decided not to tell the police about his father offending, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mr Morrison and Mr Houston are pictured at a Hillsong conference in Sydney earlier this year 'We are satisfied that, in 1999 and 2000, Pastor Brian Houston and the National Executive of the Assemblies of God in Australia did not refer the allegations of child sexual abuse against Mr Frank Houston to the police,' the commissioners wrote in their report. The boy gave evidence saying Houston Snr would come into his room 'nearly every night of the week' to abuse him during visits in 1970. The victim told the commission he had been left 'full of shame, fear and embarrassment' and the abuse by Houston had 'destroyed his childhood'. Mr Morrison called Mr Houston his 'mentor' during his maiden speech to Parliament in 2008. In July, Mr Morrison and his wife Jenny appeared at the opening session for the Hillsong annual conference, standing by Mr Houston's side, claiming Australia needed more love and more prayer. 'There's a lot of talk about our freedoms as Christians in this country and they should be protected,' Mr Morrison said at the conference. 'There's nothing more fundamental than freedom of belief.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the office of the Prime Minister for further comment. President Donald Trump attacked 'fringed globalists' over the coronavirus Monday night and accused Democrats of trying to 'politicize' the crisis. 'There are fringe globalists who would rather keep our borders open than keep out infection. Think of that, keep all of the infection, let it come in,' Trump said before thousands of supporters at a campaign rally in swing state North Carolina. Trump took partial credit for a record one-day stock market gain days after the market entered a correction. 'Today we just had the largest one day increase in the stock market in history,' he said. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Bojangles Coliseum, Monday, March 2, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) He referenced his meeting with experts over the deadly disease making its way across the country and the world. 'We learned a lot. And maybe that had the impact on the stock market, who knows what happened,' Trump said. 'But were going to reduce the severity of whats happening the duration of the virus. We discussed all of these things. We will bring these therapies to market as rapidly as possible,' he said. The DOW surged nearly 1,300 points Monday after experiencing its worst week since 2008 amid the coronavirus outbreak. 'America is so resilient. We know what were doing,' he said. 'Do you think our opponents were thrilled when they saw the stock market today?' Trump asked. Trump touted a White House meeting where top experts said it could take more than a year to get a vaccine, but Trump said he wanted one in months. 'We had a great meeting today with a lot of great companies, and theyre going to have vaccines I think relatively soon. Theyre going to have something that makes you better and thats going to take place we think even sooner, so a lot of great things are happening,' Trump said. Trump took shots at Joe Biden, who picked up key endorsements Monday Bernie Sanders is looking for a big delegate haul on Tuesday Trump ridiculed Democrats and accused them of politicizing the coronavirus response He said his meeting with experts may have goosed the stock market in record one-day rise Trump credited his coronavirus meeting with a jump in the stock market, which analysts attributed partly to an improved interest rate scenario QUEENS, NEW YORK - MARCH 2: A pedestrian wears a surgical mask as he walks along Main Street in Flushing, Queens on Monday, March 2, 2020. The first confirmed coronavirus case in New York State is reported An employee disinfecting a wagon of Tbilisi Metro as a measure to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Tbilisi, Georgia, 02 March 2020.The Covid-19 epidemic that has killed more than 2,500 people mostly in China, has been linked to wild animals carrying a coronavirus and sold in a Wuhan wet market for food Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the presidential contest and threw his support to Joe Biden Monday Then he touted administration actions to close travel to countries after the outbreak. 'Our tough and early actions really have been proven to be 100 per cent right,' Trump said. 'Were doing everything in our power to keep the sick and infected people from coming into our country. Were working on that very hard,' he said. Earlier Monday, Trump told reporters it was safe to hold huge campaign rallies amid the outbreak. 'I think it's safe. I think its very safe,' he said when asked. Trump swatted at Democrats when asked about the topic shortly before convening a meeting of the coronavirus task force. 'Well this was set up a long time ago and others are,' the president said hours before flying to Charlotte. 'You could ask that to the Democrats because theyre having a lot of rallies,' he said, on the eve of one of the biggest political primary days of the year. Trump called attention to deaths from the flu, something he said he was shocked to learn about just days ago. 'We're going to come up with some really great solutions,' Trump said. He said he told pharmaceutical execs he met with Monday: 'You have to do a little bit better job on that vaccine,' in reference to the flu. 'Washington Democrats are trying to politicize the coronavirus, denigrating the noble work of our public health professionals,' Trump said, reading off a teleprompter, then adding: 'But honestly not so much anymore. Everyone appreciates ' 'We've got to all work together on this one to safeguard our people,' Trump said, to cheers. As usual, Trump used his rally to attack a host of his Democratic opponents. He blasted Michael Bloomberg, whom he calls 'mini mike,' and took a shot at Fox News for hosting a town hall with him. 'I dont know whats going on with Fox,' Trump said. 'He's a disaster waiting to happen. He's a mess,' Trump said. 'Theres not a lot of enthusiasm for Biden. I thought he gave up the presidency the other day because he said hes running for the Senate,' Trump said, bringing up a recent Biden gaffe. 'Super Tuesday - not Super Thursday. Oh he said Super Thursday. You can't do these things. Can you imagine if I said Super Thursday? It would be over, right?' Trump said. 'I tell you what, I'm rushing ahead, aren't I?' Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg endorses former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's campaign at Chicken Scratch in Dallas, Texas, U.S., March 2, 2020 Trump recounted a series of Biden flubs, then said: 'So many mistakes. You cant do that when youre negotiating with China.' In Texas Monday, Biden said barely checked his gaffe: 'Look, tomorrow is Super Thur Tuesday. And I want to thank you all,' he said, on a day he picked up endorsements from rivals Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. 'He makes a lot of those mistakes. They're a little scary,' said Trump. Trump accused the left of pushing 'vile hoaxes and delusional witch hunts.' Pointing to the endorsements, Trump said: 'It's being rigged against Crazy Bernie,' his insult for Sanders. Mentioning Buttigieg and Klobuchar, Trump said: 'Sounds like they made a deal, you know?' They both supported Sleepy Joe. You know why? They made a deal. Quid pro quo, that's why,' he said pointing to the charge against him during impeachment. 'Impeach them. They should be impeached!' he said. Neither candidate had a clear path to picking up many delegates Tuesday, and Buttigieg had maximum leverage in swinging his support to Biden now. On a day when U.S. coronavirus deaths were announced at the LifeCare long-term aged care facility in Washington State, Trump speculated that Biden had a chance to win but that he would be put 'in a home.' 'I honestly dont think he knows what office hes running for. And it doesnt matter. You know maybe he gets in because hes a little more moderate. So maybe he gets in. But hes not going to be running it,' Trump said. 'Other people are going to. Theyre going to put him into a home, and other people are going to be running the country. And theyre going to be super left radical crazies. Joe's going to be in a home. Hell be watching television. Everything will be just fine,' Trump said. The 'Monday effect' -- that letdown of returning to work after a weekend -- along with other factors may lead to longer times between ordering and shipping, and more errors in order fulfilment, according to a study. Researchers, including those from Lehigh University in the US, found that process interruptions that occur when operations are shut down over the weekend, along with human factors like the "Monday blues," hurt supply chain performance on Mondays. The study, published in the journal Information Systems Research, is the first to look at the impact of the "Monday Effect" on supply chains, the sequence of processes that move a product or service from creation to customer. The researchers used a dataset of more than 800,000 transaction records gathered during a 12-month period from the US General Services Administration to look at variations in operations performance by days of the week. They also analysed order and fulfilment data from one of the largest supermarket chains in China. The team, including researchers from the University of Maryland and University of California, San Diego in the US, found the "Monday Effect" was prevalent and significant. For example, time between receipt of a purchase order and shipping is 9.68 per cent longer on Mondays than other weekdays, on average, said Oliver Yao, a professor at Lehigh University. Mondays, it turns out, are subject to both process- and human-related impacts, said Yao. The researchers noted that weekends create bottlenecks at distribution centres that are tackled on Mondays as orders are processed, picked, staged and shipped to customers. Humans completing processing activities are impacted by adjusting to returning to work, more prone to errors and less efficient, they said. Most supply chain managers are unaware of this impact, but they can take steps to counteract the "Monday Effect", Yao said. The most effective way to reduce the Monday performance gap, the researchers explained, is integrating technology solutions, such as automated order processing systems. Yao found using electronic markets can improve Monday performance by as much as 90 per cent. For example, technology reduces the Monday performance gap by 94 per cent in order-to-shipping time, 71 per cent in complete orders fulfilled, and 80 per cent in the portion of shipments that have incorrect numbers of products, he said. Seattle, WA Periodontist, Dr. Shoko Sato, Joins LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry With skill and expertise in gum health, periodontists like Dr. Sato are ideal doctors to perform treatments that benefit both the function and aesthetics of gums and teeth. LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry is proud to welcome Dr. Shoko Sato to the practice. Dr. Sato offers her skills and experience as a periodontist in Seattle, WA to help patients with their gum health and overall smile aesthetic. Periodontists like Dr. Sato specialize in both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, including the gums, jawbone and teeth. Dr. Sato joins brings this expertise to the practice, complementing the work of cosmetic dentists, Drs. Paul Amato, Chris LeCuyer, and Lauren Kopp. Dr. Sato practiced as a general dentist for five years in her home country of Japan prior to attending the graduate periodontology program at USC in Los Angeles. She then furthered her education through a post-graduate program in periodontology and a masters degree in craniofacial biology at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. These training and educational opportunities gave Dr. Sato a lot of hands-on experience to add to her existing dental skills. With skill and expertise in gum health, periodontists like Dr. Sato are ideal doctors to perform treatments that benefit both the function and aesthetics of gums and teeth. A common treatment offered at LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry to improve gum health and aesthetics is a gum graft. The procedure involves taking a sample of gum tissue from the patient or a donor source and placing it over the area in the mouth where gums have receded. Once this tissue has been gently sutured onto surrounding gum tissue, the tooth roots are protected, and the smile aesthetics are restored. Having a periodontist perform these sensitive soft tissue treatments allows for impeccable results, fast healing and a highly comfortable treatment overall. A gum graft is often used when gum health has been compromised due to gum recession. This is a common condition that causes the gum tissue to pull away from its natural position along the tooth and reveal the sensitive tooth roots underneath. When the tooth roots are not protected by gum tissue, teeth can feel loose, become sensitive to hot or cold beverages, and are at risk of decay from bacteria. Gum grafting helps protect these teeth and restore the natural gum line. Common causes of gum recession can include: Aggressive tooth brushing Smoking or tobacco use Teeth grinding or clenching Periodontal disease Misaligned teeth At LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry, the doctors specialize in all manners of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Those interested in meeting Seattle, WA periodontist, Dr. Sato, or who would like to improve their oral and gum health, are encouraged to schedule an appointment at LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry by visiting their website at http://www.lecuyeramato.com or calling the office at 206-626-5400. About the Doctors LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry has brought industry leading cosmetic dentistry treatments to Seattle, WA for over 30 years. Dr. Paul Amato is passionate about his community and offers pro bono dental care through organizations like Jewish Family Services and the King County Dental Society. He actively attends continuing education courses to remain on the leading edge of his field, and has advanced training certifications from prestigious institutions including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Kois Center. Dr. Chris LeCuyer has over 30 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry and has lent his expertise to the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. Dr. Lauren Kopp received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington and regularly participates in continuing education courses to gain skills that will improve her patients health. Dr. Shoko Sato brings her years of experience as both a dentist and a periodontist to this practice to offer leading gum disease treatments and thorough periodontal care. These esteemed doctors offer the most advanced treatments including the Bioclear Matrix, Invisalign, and full arch dental implants. The team at LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry is committed to maintaining a standard of excellence in everything they do, providing the highest quality of care and precise results. To learn more about LeCuyer & Amato Dentistry and the industry leading cosmetic dentistry services they offer, visit their website at http://www.lecuyeramato.com, or call the office at 206-626-5400. Be it dressing chic or sticking to classy outfits, our girl next door Pooja Hegde never fails to amaze us with the ease with which she carries herself. So it was no shocker to spot her at the Filmfare Awards looking like a vision in white wearing an open back, halter neck, deep plunge neck dress with a daring high slit in the middle. This outfit by Myor Studio was definitely breathtaking! She kept the accessories to a minimal while pairing the look with silver peep-toe pumps. Her all glam makeup game complimented her look perfectly. Pooja Hegdes Outfit If you were mesmerized by the stunners look just as much as we were, dont worry, weve curated the entire look for you from amazon.in. Vero Modas A - line dress is just the perfect dress for a date night when you want to look your best effortlessly where as the white cold shoulder maxi dress by Miss Chase is the dress you should be picking for your day out with the girl gang. To amp up the glam quotient, go for Carlton Londons womens silver pumps. But if you prefer casual yet stylish footwear, you can opt for Tresmodes womens grey stiletto heels. Pooja Hegdes makeup Coming to the makeup, conceal any spots and blemishes on your skin using a good concealer. Set a strong base with the right foundation. Go bold on the eyes like the diva with a shimmery smokey eye look.you can use brown kohl on your waterline to give your eyes a more defined look. Dont forget to use the highlighter to highlight the high points on your face. To get the perfect pout use the Faces Canada ultimate pro HD intense matte lips + primer or opt for the Loreal Paris color riche moist matte lipstick. Start by drawing an x on your cupids bow. Follow this by following your lipline. Fill in and your pout is red carpet ready! So what are you waiting for? Shop now at Amazon and be #HarpalFashionable live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Infosys share price gained over 1 percent intraday on March 3 after the company announced a global alliance with IBM to accelerate their digital transformation journey using the IBM public cloud. The collaboration will help enterprises -- including those in highly regulated industries such as financial services, insurance and healthcare -- to transition, modernise and transform their enterprise workloads and applications by tapping into the security, open innovation and enterprise capabilities of the IBM public cloud, company said in a release. Infosys will also offer its clients access to Red Hats portfolio of open source offerings on the IBM public cloud. "Our collaboration with IBM will help enterprises across industries address concerns and accelerate their digital transformation journey on IBM public cloud," said Ravi Kumar S, President, Infosys. At 14:34 hrs, Infosys was quoting at Rs 752.70, up Rs 8.35, or 1.12 percent on the BSE. New York is among the first states in the country to waive some fees and expenses for people who undergo testing for the coronavirus, as public health officials are increasingly worried that medical bills will discourage the poor and uninsured from getting medical care. The federal government is also considering paying for care for those affected, possibly based on funds available through federal disaster relief programs. There are initial conversations, Dr. Robert Kadlec, a senior official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told Congress on Wednesday. In addition to the nations 27.5 million uninsured, some lawmakers are concerned that the tens of millions who are underinsured Americans with high deductibles or limited insurance may also be at risk of unexpected expenses as more and more people are exposed to the virus. The health insurance system is designed to make you think twice to seek care every time you get a runny nose, fever and cough, said John Graves, a health policy expert at Vanderbilt University. Even though identifying people with the virus in the early stages is critical to preventing a spread of the disease, Dr. Graves said, many people are likely to wait out any symptoms to avoid expensive care. A group of 30 judicial officers from Nepal have commenced a 7-day specialised training in India to enhance their capacity of effectively dealing with the issues of case and court management and use of Information Technology in administration of justice. The officers, who are part of the first batch to attend the course, began their training on Monday at the National Law University in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and will also get trained on the use of Information Technology in the administration of justice. The training is part of a tailor-made course specially designed at the request of Nepal government and supported by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme under the Ministry of External Affairs, a statement issued by the Indian Embassy here said. "The course will enhance the capacity of the officers to deal effectively with issues related to case and court management and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the administration of justice," the statement said. Under ITEC, countries are offered unique training courses, both civilian and defence, in different centres of excellence in India which empower them with not just professional skills, but prepare them for an increasingly globalised world. A second batch of Judicial Officers from Supreme Court of Nepal will commence the same training from March 23 to 29, the statement said. Philippine soldiers patrol on the southern island of Mindanao nearly a week after attacks on members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, May 10, 2017. A soldier and four suspected Filipino militants were killed in gunbattles between government forces and an Islamic State-linked group during the past two days in southern Maguindanao province, the Philippine military said Tuesday. Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) militant group ambushed troops near the town of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, triggering a gun battle Tuesday afternoon, said Maj. Arvin Encinas, regional military spokesman. The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes, he said, adding that two militants were killed while no troops were injured. On Monday, troops clashed with BIFF militants who were harassing civilians in nearby Ampatuan town, said Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the regional military chief. A soldier and two militants were killed. We lost one brave soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice just to ensure the safety of the community, said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, head of the Western Mindanao Command. We pray for his eternal repose, for the fast recovery of two of his comrades and for the safety of the others who are currently pursuing the remaining enemies, he said. Carreon said Mondays clash occurred as troops were responding to complaints about militants in the region. Soldiers recovered the bodies of two dead militants and their weapons, including a .50-caliber sniper rifle, an M14 rifle and homemade bombs. One of the slain BIFF militants was identified as Ustadz Kamaruh, the nephew of Basit Usman, a Filipino bomb-making expert who had been on the U.S. list of wanted terrorists. Usman, who operated training camps in the southern Philippines, was killed in a military operation in 2015. MILF splinter group The BIFF is one of several known militant groups operating in the southern region of the predominantly Catholic Philippines. With a force numbering in the few hundred, the BIFF has allied itself with IS and Filipino militants in the south. Despite the alliance, BIFF did not send fighters to Marawi in 2017, when other IS-linked militants launched a failed siege to take over the southern Philippine city. More than 1,200 militants, government troops and civilians were killed during five months of fighting. The BIFF splintered from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which was the largest Muslim insurgent group in the Philippines until its leaders gave up their insurgency in exchange for controlling their own region in the south. In September 2019, MILF turned over hundreds of weapons as part of the peace agreement reached with the government five years ago. In addition, MILF fighters integrated into army ranks have assisted in the hunt for militant fighters in the south, officials said. Australian Health Official Urges People on Dubai Flight to Isolate Themselves Passengers who sat near a coronavirus-infected woman on a Dubai-to-Sydney flight are being advised to immediately isolate themselves at home. A woman in her 50s flew into Australia from Iran on February 23 aboard Qatar Airways flight 908 from Dubai. She developed symptoms of COVID-19 the next day and was tested on Saturday after attending a hospital emergency department. NSW Health on Tuesday said the airline had passed on the infected passengers seat details as well as the names of those sitting nearby. The health authority is now urging adjacent passengersseated two rows in front and behind seat 43Hto self-isolate and contact their local GP or public health unit. NSW Health will contact these passengers immediately once their email or phone numbers have been provided by the relevant federal authority, the health department said in a statement. NSW authorities on Monday evening confirmed the first cases of locally-acquired coronavirus. A 53-year-old male doctor is in a stable condition at Westmead Hospital and going quite well, Health Minister Brad Hazzard told the Nine Network on Tuesday. The minister said it still wasnt clear if the man had infected others after becoming contagious. Authorities are busy talking to various people he may have come into contact with. We are making sure we get in contact with them and make sure they dont have symptoms, Hazzard said. Its a bit of a worry. The other locally-acquired case in Sydney is a 41-year-old sister of an infected man who recently returned from Iran where the virus is rampant. NSW has now had nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 with five people diagnosed in the past week. The latest three were confirmed on Monday. Four people have recovered. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says the case of the health worker raised the question: Was there a case that was missed? Our key focus at the moment is to contact staff or patients that may have been close contacts of this gentleman, she said on Monday. Hazzard on Tuesday again cautioned NSW residents to sneeze into their elbow if a tissue wasnt available, wash their hands regularly and pat people on the back when greeting them. Perhaps it is time to forget handshaking at the moment because thats a very easy way to transmit the virus, he said. If you are out and about and you put your hand on a banister on a train or railway or bus, it is possible you end up with the virus on your hands. The state government is also warning of a likely convergence of a COVID-19 pandemic with the annual winter flu season. Its announced a lowering of the age at which pharmacists could administer flu jabs to 10. SCHENECTADY Capital Region Classical, which for almost 50 years has brought the finest chamber artists and other classical musicians to its home at Union College, will branch out for its 2020-21 season and present performances at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy and the Massry Center for the Arts at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. It is also introducing a new program that will feature a residency by an upcoming artist of color. Formerly known as the Union College Concert Series, Capital Region Classical changed its name at the end of last year to reflect that it has been spun off into an independent, registered not-for-profit, with its own volunteer board of directors. " " An anatomical model showing an inflamed appendix. ericsphotography/Getty Images It's not hard to find examples of the marvels of modern medicine. Humans have been coming up with new and interesting ways to heal and treat their bodies since long before Alexander Fleming turned a petri dish full of mold into penicillin. There was a time when doctors drilled holes into people's heads to treat migraines and spread animal waste on their bodies as topical ointments and dressings to ward off infections. Today, thankfully, there are pills for that. Here's one more advancement that involves trading the surgical knife for a prescription pill bottle: Researchers say they've found a way to treat appendicitis with antibiotics. Advertisement About two thirds of people suffering from moderate appendicitis can avoid surgery and instead be treated with antibiotics, first intravenously and then in pill form, according to a study out of Finland published September 25, 2018 in the journal JAMA. Researchers tested that treatment on 500 people experiencing inflammation of the appendix. About 64 percent of those folks didn't have another bout of appendicitis within five years. The results could mean a sea change in the way doctors combat the inflammation of the appendix that can prove deadly if not properly treated. Surgery has long been considered the best course, removing the appendix completely before it bursts inside the body. Now patients whose condition is spotted early may be able to avoid going under the knife. Now that's Interesting Sushruta, and ancient Indian physician, is considered by many to be the father of medical surgery. He wrote a 6th Century BCE manual detailing a wide range of ailments and surgical procedures for treating them. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:08:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The fight against the COVID-19 virus is also a battle against rumors and lies. When China is fighting vigorously against the disease, certain Western individuals and media outlets have suggested that the COVID-19 virus may have to do with China's biological warfare program and that it is a bioweapon leaked from a lab. Such conspiracy theories are groundless and are made with ill intentions and absurd ignorance. It is known to all that it is complicated to trace the source of the virus amid an epidemic, which requires a scientific approach and constant caution and patience, not arbitrary surmise. During an inspection tour to medical research institutions in Beijing on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of coordinating research on virus source tracing and transmission routes and evaluating whether some suspected animals are intermediate hosts. Xi's remarks send a clear signal: the work of tracing the virus source and the evaluation of the intermediate host is unfinished. While China is making rigorous and scientific investigations, those conspiracy theory makers should think twice before they speak. Many global agencies and medical experts disagree with the conspiracy talk. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly said there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus was engineered in a laboratory or caused by the making of biological weapons. The Lancet, a mainstream international medical journal, has published a joint statement signed by 27 of the world's leading public health scientists. They said scientists from multiple countries have published and analyzed genomes of the causative agent and overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife, as have so many other emerging pathogens. Spreading rumors and lies amid an epidemic is like rubbing salt on a wound. As these scientists have noted, the conspiracy theory can do nothing but create fear, rumors and prejudice that jeopardize the global collaboration in the fight against this virus. Science and technology are the most powerful weapons against rumors and lies. Accelerating scientific research on the virus will allow people to rid themselves of misconceptions about the virus and reasonably respond to the outbreak. Monday's inspection tour highlights the importance and urgency of stepping up science and technology research to turbocharge the anti-virus drive, and more importantly, free people from misinformation. The battle against the COVID-19 virus is still at a crucial stage, as the number of new infections is rising sharply outside of China while the turning point of the outbreak in China has not arrived. It is high time to guard against varied versions of conspiracy theories and let science, reason and cooperation prevail over rumors, panic and mistrust. Viruses know no borders. It is a shared responsibility for the global community to stop both the biological and political virus. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the citizenship amendment law, in an unprecedented move which was sharply criticised by India. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the Citizenship Amendment Act is an internal matter of India and that "no foreign party" has any locus standi on issues pertaining to the country's sovereignty. India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that her office has filed an "intervention application" in the Supreme Court on the amended citizenship law, he said. The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of pleas challenging the new law. "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. He said the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he said. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," the MEA spokesperson said. When asked whether OHCHR can approach the Supreme Court, an official familiar with the matter said it was for the apex court to decide. India witnessed massive protests in the last two months over the new law with the opposition parties and rights groups terming it as violative of founding principles of Indian Constitution. Rejecting the criticism, the government has been accusing the opposition parties of misleading people on the law for political gains. The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following persecution over their faith. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coming soon to a theater near you: a long-lost film featuring the world's first movie star dog -- a Scotch collie named Jean from Eastport, directed by Robbinston native Laurence Trimble, a silent film director, writer and actor. The film is being shown as part of a statewide series of screenings during the state bicentennial event Maine in the Movies from March 5 through 15. The Maine Film Center and 19 other arts and education organizations and independent cinemas are collaborating on the 17city festival of 35 feature films set in Maine. The film starring Jean also will be screened by the Northern Lights Film Society at the Eastport Arts Center on Sunday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. March 15 is also the first day of Maine statehood, so the stars are aligned for the showing of Jean the Match-Maker, the first movie made in Maine and featuring the first animal movie star -- all where the sun first rises over the state. David Weiss, executive director of Northeast Historic Film in Bucksport, says the nonprofit archives of New England movies knows "a lot about Maine's oldest narrative movie, Jean the Match-Maker, featuring the first certifiable animal movie star: Jean, the Vitagraph Dog. Before Rin Tin Tin, Lassie and Toto, Eastport-born Jean was the most famous dog in the world." She and Trimble, her owner, trainer and director, made 25 silent films together. Tom Wilhite, a film producer who lives in Camden and volunteered to help organize the Maine in the Movies series, comments, "She started a whole genre." He points out that the films with Jean, made from 1910 to 1916, established movies starring animals as a commercially resilient and popular genre, as evidenced 110 years later by the $25 million opening of The Call of the Wild in 2020. "It's amazing what a big star she was," says Weiss. "Jean was definitely known coast to coast. Jean was the first animal star in the world, I would say." Northeast Historic Film learned about Jean and Trimble in 1988 when they received a postcard from a curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City who had been to a silent film festival in Italy and had seen a film that appeared to have been shot in Maine. "We bought the print of The Sailor's Sacrifice that was shot in 1910 and was the only Jean film known," says Weiss. Then in 2012 a cache of old U.S. films was discovered in New Zealand, and one was Jean the Match-Maker. An effort was made to get the films repatriated to the U.S., and Weiss showed Wilhite a copy of the original film. Wilhite tracked down a copy of Jean the Match-Maker and just recently had an orchestral score written for it by Mikel Hurwitz, a Los Angelesbased film composer and musician. The Sailor's Sacrifice had a silent film piano accompaniment added later. Along with those two films, the only other Jean films that are believed to survive are Playmates and Jean Rescues, which exists only as a Library of Congress paper print. They were shot in Maine for Vitagraph Studios and are one-reeler films of about 12 to 15 minutes. Other film titles featuring the Eastport collie include Jean Goes Foraging, Jean Goes Fishing, Jean Intervenes, Jean Rescues, Jean and the Waif and Jean and the Calico Doll. Weiss relates that in The Sailor's Sacrifice, with heartbreaking scenes of poverty and despair, Jean can be seen helping to dig clams and carrying a note back to a house. Jean also could do other tricks such as rolling over and playing dead and knew how to tie knots, which could come in handy, as in the film she was sold to a sailor, but she eventually gets reunited with her owner. Film historian Anthony Slide wrote, "Jean was equal in popularity to Vitagraph's human stars, Florence Turner and Maurice Costello." Actress Helen Hayes had roles as an eight-year-old girl in two of Jean's 1910 films and in 1931 stated in a New York Times interview, "I had long curls and they let me play the juvenile lead in two pictures in support of Jean, the collie." She added, "Jean was the most famous dog of the day, and I was very thrilled." Becoming an international filmmaker Film director Laurence Trimble's parents John and Maria emigrated from Ireland to Maine in the late 19th century, arriving in New Brunswick before settling in Robbinston, where Trimble Mountain bears the family name. Laurence was born in 1885 in Robbinston and evidently had a close bonding with dogs and other animals. Trimble later wrote: "I wanted a dog more than anything, but my family could not afford to let me have one. By the time I had worked my way through school I had owned a number of dogs. Mostly they had bad reputations and nobody else wanted them, but I loved them and learned from them." Trimble's grandniece Pearl Hart says, "Uncle Larry had a way with animals and evidently discovered this talent as a teenager when a troupe of performing animals came to Robbinston. He went back every day they were there. Pretty soon he was training the farm animals and Jean, the family's dog." In 1907, Trimble, 22, and Jean, 5, boarded a Maine Central train at Ellsworth and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he pursued a career as a freelance journalist. Their big break was recalled by Trimble's second wife Marian Blackton in a 1985 interview with historian Anthony Slide: In 1909, Trimble visited Vitagraph Studios, a major film company at that time, researching a series of articles about how movies were made. He learned that a story of particular interest to studio head Albert Smith had been set aside because it required a dog who could act. Trimble scanned the script and said, "Tomorrow I'll bring you the right dog for the picture." The next morning he arrived with Jean and, after she proved her talent for performing on cue, she and Trimble were quickly signed to contracts. By the time Jean and Trimble started making movies, the family had moved to Yarmouth, Maine, where it's most likely Jean the MatchMaker and The Sailor's Sacrifice were filmed in the summer of 1910. "Launching into being an international filmmaker anywhere is hard," points out Weiss about Trimble's perseverance. He ended up making 100 silent films between 1908 and 1926. He also began his career as an actor in 1910 in the silent film Saved by the Flag. While Jean was known as the Vitagraph Dog, in a branding strategy by Vitagraph Studios, actress Florence Turner was known as the Vitagraph Girl. Wilhite notes that Turner was "the most prominent actress in the world at the time." And Trimble was one of Vitagraph Studio's leading directors. However, he, Turner and Jean left the studio in 1913 and went to England, where Trimble worked as head of production in Turner's own independent film company. Over a three-year period Trimble wrote and directed some highly regarded British films, including Far from the Madding Crowd, based on Thomas Hardy's novel, and My Old Dutch. Trimble returned to the U.S. in 1916 with Jean, who died later that year. He continued directing films for Goldwyn and other companies and later found another dog, a German shepherd who had been a Red Cross dog during the war and who was renamed Strongheart. Trimble trained Strongheart, who became a major canine film star, and directed him in four outdoor adventure films, including The Silent Call and White Fang, based on the Jack London book. Trimble's daughter Jan recalled growing up on her father's ranch in Hollywood and the many visitors, including Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino. After losing most of his investments in the stock-market crash of 1929, Trimble left filmmaking and trained guide dogs for the blind. In a 1950 Los Angeles Times report on a presentation Trimble gave on training dogs, he told those at the talk how dogs could help them make friends with people. "A dog has no politics or religion, so you can tell people about him freely, and when you have finished you have talked to them about themselves. I can tell more about people from what they say about their dogs than from what they say about themselves." Trimble died in February 1954 in Woodland Hills, Calif., and was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Screenings scheduled Along with the showing at the Eastport Arts Center, Jean the MatchMaker will be screened with a number of longer different films in the Maine in the Movies series at the following venues at the beginning of March: Friday, March 6 -- Maine Historical Society, Portland, 5:30 p.m.; Harbor Theater, Boothbay Harbor, 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 7 -- Colonial Theatre, Belfast, 10 a.m.; Temple Cinema, Houlton, 11:30 a.m.; The Gem Theater, Bethel, 1, 4 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 8 -- Lincoln Theatre, Damariscotta, 2 p.m.; Monday, March 9 -- Alamo Theatre, Bucksport, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, March 10 -- Spotlight Cinemas at the Strand, Skowhegan, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 11 -- Lincoln Theatre, Damariscotta, 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 12 -- Alamo Theatre, Bucksport, 6 p.m.; Railroad Square Cinema, Waterville, 7 p.m.; Friday, March 13 -- Lincoln Theatre, Damariscotta, 2 p.m.; Saturday, March 14 -- Nordica Theatre, Freeport, 9:30 a.m.; Eveningstar Cinema, Brunswick, 10 a.m.; Stonington Opera House, Stonington, 7 p.m.; Waterman's Community Center, North Haven, 7:30 p.m; and Strand Theatre, Rockland, 1 p.m. Thousands of national police held a tense demonstration in Madrid on Tuesday, demanding salaries in line with those of their better-paid counterparts in other Spanish regions. Dressed in civilian clothes, most wearing black-and-white Anonymous masks, they gathered outside the parliament, shouting, whistling and firing flares, some engaging in minor scuffles with the officers drafted in to secure the demonstration. Police sources said "at least 2,000" demonstrators joined the protest, some carrying banners reading "We're sick of it", others wearing slogans reading "equal salaries" or even "traitors". Unions called the protest over discrepancies between the salaries of the national police and those in the autonomous regions of the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia. Although they work alongside each other, the regional forces benefit from a more generous pay packet. "The real problem is that for doing the same job, the regional police are earning about 600 euros each month more than the state police," said Pablo Perez, spokesperson for JUPOL, the main police union. "It should be the same salary." Fellow union member Manuel Fernendez, who comes from the northwestern Galicia region, said they were fed up. "It's been three years that we've been asking for equality.. the colour of your uniform shouldn't be what decides your salary," he told AFP. In a statement, the union said it called the protest after the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ruled out a "popular legislative initiative" to impose "true wage equality" across the country. The issue of wage equality between the national police and the Catalan police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, has been a particularly sensitive issue since the region's separatist leaders staged a banned independence referendum in October 2017. Officers from the national police complain they are seen as "pariahs" in the region not only over the salary issue but for obeying a legal ruling against the referendum, which went ahead anyway but was marred by police violence. Among the demonstrators on Tuesday were several MPs from the far-right Vox party and from the opposition conservative Popular Party who both expressed support for the protest, as well as representatives of France's largest police union Alliance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CB Insights today named Synapse Technology Corporation to the fourth annual AI 100 ranking, showcasing the 100 most promising private artificial intelligence companies in the world. It's been remarkable to see the success of the companies named to the Artificial Intelligence 100 over the last four years. The 2019 AI 100 saw 48 companies go on to raise $4.9B of additional financing and nine got acquired, said CB Insights CEO Anand Sanwal. It has been gratifying to see that CB Insights' data-driven approach to identifying the top AI companies using patents, customer traction, investor quality, market sizing and more has become so effective at picking the AI winners of tomorrow. We look forward to seeing what the 2020 AI 100 companies will accomplish over the course of this year and beyond." In addition to disrupting core sectors including healthcare, retail, and finance, the 2020 AI 100 companies are revamping the broader enterprise tech stack. These companies span the globe, from the US, UK, China, Chile, and South Africa, and are supported by more than 600 investors. "Artificial intelligence is the core tool that powers our Syntech ONE product to catch thousands of illicit firearms, sharps, and other dangerous items. It's an honor to be recognized by CB Insights for our work in this field" said Synapse President Ian Cinnamon. Bruno Faviero, Chief Operating Officer of Synapse, said "AI has allowed us to deploy these systems at a global level, serving a wide range of customers previously untouched by AI from airports to courthouses." "In the last 18 months, the advancements made in artificial intelligence have allowed us to develop and deploy this technology at an unprecedented scale." added Simanta Gautam, Chief Technology Officer. Through an evidence-based approach, the CB Insights research team selected the AI 100 from nearly 5,000 companies based on several factors including patent activity, investor quality, news sentiment analysis, proprietary Mosaic scores, market potential, partnerships, competitive landscape, team strength, and tech novelty. The Mosaic Score, based on CB Insights algorithm, measures the overall health and growth potential of private companies to help predict a companys momentum. About Synapse Technology Synapse Technologys AI platform Syntech ONE integrates with new and existing X-ray machines used at security checkpoints. Instead of security screeners relying solely on human cognitive abilities to identify threats like guns and knives, Syntech ONE augments and automates the detection of these dangerous items. Syntech ONE has already been widely deployed, having processed over 26,000,000 passenger bags at security checkpoints in four countries. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes the value of Syntech ONE and has granted Synapse Technology Corporation a SAFETY Act award for its technology platform. For more information, visit synapsetechnology.com. Indian migrants play cards at the Temporary Station of Humanitarian Assistance in La Penita village, Darien province, Panama, on May 23, 2019. Migrants mainly from Haiti, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Cameroon, Bangladesh and Angola cross the border between Colombia and Panama through the Darien Gap on their way to the United States, to escape poverty, political prosecution or lack of opportunities in their countries, according to Satnam Singh Chahal, Indian American executive director of NAPA. (Luis Acosta/AFP via Getty Images) SYDNEY, March 3 (Xinhua) -- An increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Australia does not indicate a more widespread outbreak of the disease, New South Wales (NSW) Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Tuesday. Australia had recorded 38 cases as of Tuesday, however, Chant said that the number is primarily the result of people travelling from overseas and reflects a higher number of cases globally, rather than a local spread. "The fact that we have identified an increasing number of cases from travellers overseas I think reflects the evolving situation in those countries," Chant said. "We've been able to diagnose these cases, institute isolation and quarantine any contacts with these cases to prevent further transmission." Chant said that health officials were also hopeful they had successfully isolated two patients who contracted the disease within Australia. On Monday a 41-year-old woman and a 53-year-old male healthcare worker became the first person-to-person recipients of COVID-19 recorded on Australian soil. The woman was the sister of a man who had travelled from Iran with the virus, while the man in his 50s was a health care worker and it is unknown whether he caught the disease during his work duties or from within the community. Chant said that while health officials' main aim was to identify and isolate individual cases of the disease, they were also putting plans in place should community transmission become widespread in coming months. Official advice to the public was to wash hands thoroughly, self isolate if showing flu-like symptoms and to seek advice about whether testing is necessary. "We are not recommending that the community wear masks but we are recommending that the community wash their hands and be conscious of how they touch surfaces and might touch their hands and eyes," she said. While some members of the public had taken the measure of stocking up on household items such as toilet paper, Chant said this was not necessary, adding that health officials' advice would adapt to the developing situation. WESTON A projected sharp uptick in the Weston transfer stations operating budget was a point of contention during a review of the first selectmans proposed budget. In the past, this was a profitable endeavor, First Selectman Chris Spaulding said at the Board of Finance meeting on Monday. The question is, is this an amenity, is this a service, or is this something that has changed over time and do we have a smaller and smaller portion of people using it? The transfer stations operating budget is projected to increase from $5,572 to $53,574 due to the towns contract with City Carting expiring. Spauldings proposed $13 million town budget represented a 2.55 percent increase over last year, largely due to contracted costs and the transfer station, which handles waste and recycling processing. To offset the stations growing budget, the Board of Selectmen has proposed charging neighborhood haulers and upping the cost per garbage bag that residents bring to the station from $2.50 to $5.50. Some finance board members voiced opposition to the cost increase for residents, but Spaulding noted towns across Connecticut were feeling similar effects. Another budget concern for the town comes in the form of transportation costs. Weston anticipates spending $900,000 for road improvements in the first year, but has only budgeted $550,000, with Spaulding suggesting using the towns reserve fund to make up the difference. Im generally not comfortable with using offsets from reserve funds, he said. The reason this one conceptually works and Im OK with it is that we know this is for a specific purpose and its to catch up on an underinvestment, and its not going to be a recurring item. Finance board member Rone Baldwin said he felt strongly that the town has several months to understand how the road projects could affect the tax rate, and plan for it. We should not have to deal with a special appropriation, Baldwin said. We should be able to deal with this and reflect it through the budget process. Not deal with a special appropriation in June. With the mill rate expected to rise again next year, finance board members also highlighted the need to find cost savings to alleviate the burden on taxpayers. The selectmen recommended that the BOF limit the schools budget to a 2.5 percent increase, below the proposed 2.8 percent increase, to lessen the tax rates increase. I think we have to do better, member Allan Grauberd said. We cant just keep pushing these tax increases down to our town. The BOF will review the schools budget on Wednesday. dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com By Peter Fournier Bay City News Service OAKLEY (BCN) A woman was arrested at the Denver International Airport on Monday evening after allegedly abducting her child from an Oakley elementary school on Monday afternoon in an attempt to fly her across the country to live with her, according to Oakley police. The abduction took place at about 2 p.m. at Gehringer Elementary School at 100 Simoni Ranch Rd., according to Sgt. Rick Grubaugh. The mother identified as Quamesha Lott, 41, and some of her relatives allegedly assisted in lifting the 11-year-old girl over a school fence and into an awaiting vehicle. From that point, Grubaugh said the mother and child boarded a flight from Oakland International Airport to Denver, where Denver police were able to take her into custody as she was switching flights. The mother and child were preparing to board a flight to Baltimore, were Grubaugh said the mother lives. The child's father was notified of the abduction incident, according to Grubaugh. Lott has allegedly attempted to abduct the child in a recently similar incident in which she took her to another state, a case that Grubaugh said police are still trying to determine the outcome of. Lott is awaiting extradition to California in the Denver City Jail on suspicion of parental abduction. The child was found unharmed and placed into protective services. 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. As COVID-19 continues to spread, San Francisco tech company Twitter is asking its more than 5,000 employees around the globe to stay home. Workers in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea have been ordered to work remotely, and employees in other locations, including San Francisco, are encouraged to protect workplaces from the coronavirus strain that originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and is now multiplying around the world. "We are working to make sure internal meetings, all hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation. We recognize that working from home is not ideal for some job functions," a statement from the company read. The company also announced they're "increasing deep cleaning and sanitizing in all spaces, as well as more visual reminders for personal hygiene best practices and pre-packaged, pre-composed, and pre-plated food options." Twitter CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey explained the directive in a series of tweets: "Out of an abundance of caution and care, both @Twitter and @Square are taking significant measures to help lower the probability of spread of #coronavirus #covid19, including strongly encouraging all of our employees globally to work from home if able. Dorsey is also the co-founder of the S.F.-based financial services company Square and its employees are also being encouraged to work remotely. Before taking this step, Twitter banned non-essential business travel and events for its workers and pulled out of the South by Southwest media conference in Austin, Texas. A statement on the new travel policy stated it "will continue until the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control deem it appropriate to step back from pandemic precautionary measures or when a vaccine becomes available." Amy Graff is a digital editor for SFGATE. Email her news tips and photos at agraff@sfgate.com. In this instance, I did not ensure that the criminal background checks received by the business office for Mr. Garcia were, in fact, fingerprint-based background checks, Stange wrote. Whether or not fingerprint based background checks were required by law, I agree with the conclusion that it would have been the best practice for our District to complete them, and not rely on the vendors. To the District 29 parents, guardians, staff and Board, I offer you my sincerest apology. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) The bloodletting in Nigeria continued unabated on Sunday as the Police confirmed attacks by armed bandits in which 51 people were killed in several communities in the northwest of the country Kristin Scott Thomas has expressed her frustrations at the way women are treated when they age. Speaking to Radio Times, the 59-year-old actor explained that she finds it offensive when people tell her she has still got it. Im fed up of having to say thank you when someone says Ive still got it, she said. Ageing is a quality for women. We dont just fade away. I dont put up with any bulls*** anymore. The actor praised writer and actor praised Phoebe Waller-Bridge for articulating [her] own personal frustration with the way women are treated as they age in Fleabag, which Scott Thomas starred in. Recommended Six women describe the thrill of asking their partners to marry them In the BBC programme, Scott Thomas plays a woman who delivers a powerful speech about being a woman and describes going through the menopause as liberating. Ive never been happier, the British actor continued. Now young people are interested in me again because Im six, seven years older. In fact, someone called me dear in a shop the other day. Scott Thomass comments come after she opened up about her frustrations regarding the gender pay gap in an interview with The Telegraph. All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Show all 17 1 /17 All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Nadia Murad, 2018 The Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 'for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict'. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Malala Yousafzai, 2014 The Pakistani activist, who champions female education, became the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 years old, receiving the accolade 'for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education'. Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 2011 The Liberian politician was one of three female recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, all of whom received the recognition 'for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work'. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Leymah Gbowee, 2011 The Liberian peace activist, who also received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, lead the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement, which contributed towards the Second Liberian Civil War coming to an end in 2003. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Tawakkol Karman, 2011 The journalist, politician and human rights activist from Yemen was the third person who jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, having co-founded and lead the group Women Journalists Without Chains. Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Wangari Muta Maathai, 2004 Wangari Muta Maathai, a social, environmental and political activist from Kenya, passed away in 2011. Seven years prior, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize 'for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace'. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Shirin Ebadi, 2003 The Iranian political activist, human rights activist, lawyer and former judge co-founded the Defenders of Human Rights Centre in Iran. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 'for her efforts for democracy and human rights', having 'focused especially on the struggle for the rights of women and children'. Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Jody Williams, 1997 American political activist Jody Williams received the accolade 'for their work for the banning and clearing of anti-personnel mines'. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Rigoberta Menchu Tum, 1992 The Guatemalan-born K'iche' Indigenous feminist and human rights activist became the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 'in recognition of her work for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples'. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Aung San Suu Kyi, 1991 The Burmese politician, who is the first State Counsellor of Myanmar and the leader of the National League for Democracy, received the Nobel Peace Prize 'for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights'. Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Alva Myrdal, 1982 Alva Myrdal, a Swedish sociologist, diplomat and politician, jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Garcia Robles in 1982. She was a leader of the disarmament movement. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Mother Teresa, 1979 Regarded as one of the most prominent humanitarians in history, Roman Catholic nun Mother Teresa was awarded the accolade in 1979. She passed away less than two decades later. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Betty Williams, 1976 In 1976, Betty Williams, from Belfast, Ireland, was one of two women to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Williams co-founded the Community of Peace People, previously named the Northern Ireland Peace Movement. Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Mairead Corrigan, 1976 Mairead Corrigan was the second recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976, having co-founded the Community of Peace People alongside Williams. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Emily Greene Balch, 1946 Emily Greene Balch, an American sociologist, pacifist and economist, was a leader of the Switzerland-based Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, a role that resulted in her being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Jane Addams, 1931 Sociologist and activist Jane Addams became the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. She was the first international president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. AFP via Getty Images All the women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Baroness Bertha von Suttner, 1905 Baroness Bertha Sophie Felicita von Suttner was the first woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, and the second female Nobel laureate after Marie Curie in 1903. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, having become a campaigner for disarmament. Getty Images The actor was recently made honorary president of the Womens Forum for the Economy & Society. When they first asked me I thought Me? she said. I am not particularly involved or engaged, I am not an activist, but then I started thinking about it, and actually, that really p***ses me off, when I find out that someone who does the same job as me got paid more because he has a penis. I have come to realise that the subject of equality, and all that implies, is something that has to be addressed every day by everybody. Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Bloomberg unveiled an agenda for Michigan one week before votes will be counted in the March 10 primary. Bloombergs 24-page plan outlines proposals to protect the Great Lakes, reduce opioid deaths, prevent the risk of inland flooding, oppose right to work laws, improve homeownership among African Americans and fix the states crumbling infrastructure. Surrogates for the former New York City mayor and multibillionaire told reporters that Bloomberg, who will visit Macomb County Thursday, provides a roadmap to put Michigan back on track after four years under President Donald Trump. Donald Trump has over-promised and under-delivered when it comes to Michigan families, said former Michigan congressman Mark Schauer. From his reckless trade war that has hurt manufacturing and farmers across the state, to his denial of the climate crisis and how it impacts the economic and environmental interests of our lakes and communities at large, Donald Trump has done great harm here to our Great Lake State. Bloombergs plan proposes increasing annual funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative from $300 million to $475 million. It calls for more federal support to prevent shoreline erosion and directs the EPA to set protective standards for PFAS in groundwater and drinking water. Antha Williams, the campaigns senior advisor on climate, energy and environment, said climate change has the potential to create disastrous outcomes in Michigan. The good news is that combating these problems and the climate crisis that contributes to them has been a priority of Mikes for more than a decade, she said, pointing to his work to reduce emissions as mayor of New York City. Bloomberg also proposes allocating $850 billion over the next decade to repair roads, bridges and dams across the country, and invest $100 billion to upgrade public water systems. The campaign said researchers believe Michigans economic growth could slow in 2020 due to its dependence on manufacturing. Bloomberg proposes investing billions to create new industries in agriculture and manufacturing and creating an Earned Income Tax Credit to reward employers who do business in distressed communities. Michigan has seen the largest decrease in African American homeownership than any other state, according to the campaign, dropping from 51% in 2000 to 40% in 2016. Bloomberg seeks to help 1 million black Americans own a home by providing payment assistance and expanding access to bank loans. Bloomberg has kept a tight focus on Michigan since entering the Democratic primary last November. Hes dispatched 100 paid staff across 10 field offices, and spent nearly $12 million on television advertising, giving him by far the largest and most expensive Michigan operation of any candidate. The New York billionaire plans to visit Macomb County Thursday, one of the key battlegrounds which helped deliver Michigan to Trump in 2016. The campaigns Michigan State Director Michael Kurtz said Bloomberg is the only Democrat who can win Macomb, which flipped for Trump after previously supporting Democratic President Barack Obama twice. It will be Bloombergs third campaign stop in Michigan. Bloomberg isnt the only candidate to visit Michigan this week. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, are holding events in Detroit on Super Tuesday, just a few blocks from each other. Warren began running her first television ads in Michigan this week, which target Bloomberg for donating millions to Republicans in past elections. Bloomberg contributed $3 million to help Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder win re-election in 2014. Dan Doctoroff, a Michigan native and former NYC Deputy Mayor for Economic Development under Bloomberg, said Bloombergs support for Republican candidates has been extremely isolated." Doctoroff said Bloomberg backed Republicans 'who he felt were necessary for New York" to receive assistance after 9/11, and candidates who bucked the GOP to support gun reforms. Bloomberg was quoted in 2014 saying Snyder took on the unions to get Detroit and Michigan going in the right direction." The Republican governor signed a right to work law two years earlier that ended requirements for workers to pay union fees as a condition of employment. Bloombergs new plan opposes the spread of anti-union" right to work laws passed in Michigan and other states. He also committed to supporting the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which aims to protect workers rights and empower them to organize and collectively bargain. Doctoroff said Bloomberg is a learner and a grower," willing to change his opinions when the facts or circumstances warranted. What he said in the past is obviously relevant in the context of the time, and people will make comments about it, but what really matters is what he is saying now, Doctoroff said. What he says will be what he believes and what he does. Schauer ran and lost against Snyder in 2014 but endorsed Bloomberg anyway. Schauer said Bloombergs endorsement was likely given because Snyder vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed guns in schools. Schauer said Snyder got a number of things wrong, including his mishandling of the Flint water crisis, but his veto was not one of them. Schauer said he serves as an example of how Democrats should put aside concerns that Bloomberg isnt playing for the right team. The campaign also pointed to Bloombergs effort to boost Democrats in 2018. Bloomberg spent nearly $5 million to help U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens, D-Bloomfield Township, and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, flip their traditionally Republican House districts. I look at whats at stake in this election, I look at the crisis Donald Trump has thrown our country and our world into, Schauer said. Mike Bloomberg is the anti-Trump. He is exactly what we need. Read more on MLive: What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary? What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary Bernie Sanders could seize second Michigan presidential primary win, this time as Democratic front-runner Elizabeth Warren sets sights on Michigan while Democratic primary field shrinks Democratic hopeful Tulsi Gabbard to campaign in Michigan on Super Tuesday Zambia could issue a fifth mobile licence, according to new reports. The director general of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), Patrick Mutimunshi, was quoted in ITWeb Africa as saying: There is still the possibility of us accommodating a fifth operator that can still be able to make profit because at the end of the day, the operations must be sustainable. He noted that the regulators priority was to ensure competition in the market, saying: The new licensing regime that we have has opened up the market for anyone to come in the country and invest. The news outlet also indicates that the government has conducted an analysis of the market which concluded that a fifth operator would not impact profitability in the wireless sector. With rates for voice and data services currently high, the government is reportedly keen to push down prices by introducing greater competition. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 While conservative Muslims in Indonesia believe that the main responsibility of a wife is to stay at home and be an adept homemaker, two clerics maintain that Islam has never positioned women as maids. It is instead the obligation of the husband to provide food, clothes and decent housing for his wife, meaning he is the one who should cook, do the laundry and keep the house neat, according to the clerics who spoke about the teachings of Sunni Islams four largest mazhab (Islamic schools of thought): Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali. "When I looked closer at Islamic jurisprudence books, I was surprised that none of the major mazhab actually obligated wives to take care of household duties," cleric Ahmad Sarwat said on Friday during a public discussion on his book titled Wife not Housemaid, which was first published last year. 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 Ahead of the most important day of campaigning so far for those remaining in the Democrat race for the White House, Republican senators have attempted to revive discredited claims about Ukrainian gas company Burisma, where Joe Bidens son sat on the board. As Mr Bidens campaign picked up steam ahead of the crucial Super Tuesday votes after picking up endorsements from three former rivals, the Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Ron Johnson, announced he was aiming to subpoena documents related to Hunter Bidens seat on Burismas board, according to a letter obtained by CBS News and Reuters. Hunter Bidens position with Burisma while his father was the US vice president has been attacked as corrupt by Donald Trump and his Republican allies, but no proof has ever been provided to back up the allegation. But Mr Trumps efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens resulted in the president being impeached on abuse of power and obstruction charges in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives. He was later acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate. The renewed effort by Republicans to push Burisma into the spotlight comes as a flood of senior Democrats have swung behind Mr Bidens presidential bid. Candidates Amy Klobuchar, and Pete Buttigieg both ended their campaigns on Monday, and have stated their support for Mr Biden, while another former rival, Beto ORourke also gave his backing to the Biden campaign. The swell of endorsements has been interpreted as making Mr Biden the only Democrat in the race who can beat Bernie Sanders the current front runner, who despite his popularity with many voters is regarded by establishment figures in the party as too socialist, too revolutionary, and altogether too left wing. Mr Trump has consistently voiced support for Mr Sanders campaign, and some Republican voters have even said they will vote for Mr Sanders in their states primaries, as they appear to believe that in a Trump vs Sanders 2020 election, Mr Trump would triumph. This week Mr Trump even suggested the Democratic race was rigged against Mr Sanders. The efforts by Republicans to bring back the Burisma allegations are a further indication the GOP considers Mr Biden a more serious threat in a head-to-head election. On Monday, Democrats also warned that the new committee investigation could aid alleged disinformation efforts by Russia and other actors. 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 Intelligence officials have told US lawmakers Russia appears to be engaging in disinformation and propaganda campaigns with the view to help both Mr Trump and promote Mr Sanders, congressional sources told Reuters. We need to take every step to ensure the credibility and resources of the US Senate are not used to advance interference efforts by foreign adversaries that seek to undermine our democracy or put our national security at risk, said Senator Gary Peters, the top Democrat on Mr Johnsons committee. Now, Mr Johnson and Senator Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, are re-igniting their public efforts to assess whether Hunter Bidens role at Burisma posed a conflict of interest while his father was in the White House. Mr Johnson told committee members in the letter that he plans to subpoena documents and an interview from Andrii Telizhenko, a former Ukrainian diplomat and consultant for Blue Star Strategies, a lobbying and consulting firm. Mr Johnson said Blue Star represented Burisma and sought to leverage Hunter Bidens position in an effort to gain influence with the US State Department. The letter from Mr Johnson was dated 1 March, a day after Mr Bidens victory in South Carolina on Saturday. Additional reporting by Reuters UW Trustees Schedule Special Meeting Wednesday The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, via teleconference. The meeting will start with an executive session to discuss personnel and litigation. It then will move to open session, when the board may act to appoint the universitys 28th president. The meeting will be conducted from the Old Main board room. Public sessions of the board are streamed online at https://zoom.us/j/381140209?pwd=&status=success. If its true that Gen. Henry Tumukunde is standing for presidency next year, then we are in for some bit of excitement, after all. The preserve for a serious competition still remains between President Museveni and Dr.Kiiza Besigye, if the later stands for presidency again, though I highly doubt. Old is always someone about ten years older than you are unless you are a kid then it can be one or two years. Born on February 28, 1959, in Rukungiri district, Tumukunde is younger than Museveni who was reportedly born on 15th September 1944. He falls in the same age bracket of the 60s old, with the likes of Mugisha Muntu(62), Besigye(64), Kale Kayihura(65), Paul Kagame(63),e.t.cBasically, these are the young men that joined Museveni for a guerrilla war in 1980-81,and they had cojones compared to our generation. Most importantly, they are ready to keep their thing, and not let go, and that complicates things in the post-Museveni Uganda. Retirement is not always a picnic! One might want to do things. But then when one retires there either isn't the money to do that or one just isn't in the shape to do them, or both. No matter how good we are, things still happen. So, basically, Tumukundes interest in the presidency is an indication that Musevenis time is up. Obviously, Museveni will win next years elections, and I think, Tumukunde is looking beyond 2021when other historicals may also keep pace and join in for a bite. Logically speaking, you want people who will tell you not only what you don't want to hear but also need to hear to arrive at well-balanced, well-reasoned decisions that takes everything into account for the good of the whole nation, not just have those around you give nothing by sweet talk about you and grant you a license for you to freely think as idiotically as you want and get everything your way with impunity. Insiders say that Tumukunde was among those that always told Museveni what he didnt want to hear and got away with it. For example, he was against the impending removal of term limits in 2003, and thats because he also wanted to have a chance at the presidency. I dont think his interest is a decoy aka kiwanyi-- you know, there is a point at which a person realises that he must make an impact on his country in a certain way, especially if you are nearing, or over 60 years old. And I think this is what Tumukunde is thinking. And there is also a point at which a person loses credibility when they mindlessly or deliberately, or both, fail to see the crystal clear obvious about aging - and that person would be Museveni, if he doesnt start making plans for his death. God has given a long gift of life! Tumukunde, like Besigye, is a gifted speaker, and is well informed. That guy can condense more in a couple of sentences than Hon. Francis Zaake can express in a year of speechifying. There is a dynamic tension between the first family and the NRM historicals, that bubbles just below the calm surface. Tumukunde is a member of both clubsso, go figure out. Museveni has set up a system that can allow anybody from NRM to easily become president, or MP. To be honest, if Museveni today endorses anybody to be president, he will be president, because the system serves only him. Like it or not, Museveni's system, decisions, etc will probably shape Ugandas electoral policy, especially concerning the president for the foreseeable future. And like it or not, Musevenis rigging policy counts. In broad terms, the "status quo" is no longer acceptable, with Besigyes candidatures as the catalyst to move to action, but we are still stuck with Musevenis way of doing things, and Tumukunde wants to get into that long term. It takes a bit of digging, but thats where we are heading. Amaama Mbabazi was born in 1949, and in the same age bracket as Museveni, and he may also have a say, a little bit, about things in future. Of course, if Museveni's electoral policies fail and the power radically changes in Uganda, chances are it won't matter, one way or the other. We will be heading the Zimbabwe way, where a coup within will be inevitable. As for Besigye, I shall always think of you as a prince among the NRM historicals , and you have a special place in Uganda history. After all these years, here we are still. Just like frogs on a log in a swamp. Haha. As long as the swamp does not dry up, I guess we'll all be ok. Just stay away from the sugary bugs. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday dismissed reports about Class X Marathi examination paper getting leaked at Kurha in Jalgaon district. School Minister Varsha Gaikwad, in a statement, said the Nashik Divisional Board secretary probed the matter of alleged paper leak at examination centre 3,351 at Kurha, but did not find any breach. It was found that the Class X Marathi examination paper did not leak, she said. "Hence, the exam candidates should not believe in any rumour and face exam in stress-free atmosphere. Best wishes to all the students," Gaikwad said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sinking sea mountains make and muffle earthquakes Subduction zones -- places where one tectonic plate dives beneath another -- are where the world's largest and most damaging earthquakes occur. A new study has found that when underwater mountains -- also known as seamounts -- are pulled into subduction zones, not only do they set the stage for these powerful quakes, but also create conditions that end up dampening them. The findings mean that scientists should more carefully monitor particular areas around a subducting seamount, researchers said. The practice could help scientists better understand and predict where future earthquakes are most likely to occur. "The Earth ahead of the subducting seamount becomes brittle, favoring powerful earthquakes while the material behind it remains soft and weak, allowing stress to be released more gently," said co-author Demian Saffer, director of the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG), a research unit of The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences. The study was published on March 2 in Nature Geoscience and was led by Tian Sun, who is currently a research scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada. Other co-authors include Susan Ellis, a scientist at the New Zealand research institute GNS Science. Saffer supervised the project and was Sun's postdoctoral advisor at Penn State when they began the study. The researchers used a computer model to simulate what happens when seamounts enter ocean trenches created by subduction zones. According to the model, when a seamount sinks into a trench, the ground ahead of it becomes brittle, as its slow advance squeezes out water and compacts the Earth. But in its wake, the seamount leaves a trail of softer wet sediment. The hard, brittle rock can be a source for powerful earthquakes, as forces generated by the subducting plate build up in it - but the weakened, wet material behind the seamount creates an opposite, dampening effect on these quakes and tremors. Although seamounts are found all over the ocean floor, the extraordinary depths at which subduction occurs means that studying or imaging a subducting seamount is extremely difficult. This is why until now, scientists were not sure whether seamounts could affect the style and magnitude of subduction zone earthquakes. The current research tackled the problem by creating a realistic computer simulation of a subducting seamount and measuring the effects on the surrounding rock and sediment, including the complex interactions between stresses in the Earth and fluid pressure in the surrounding material. Getting realistic data for the model involved conducting experiments on rock samples collected from subduction zones by scientific ocean drilling offshore Japan. The scientists said the model's results took them completely by surprise. They had expected water pressure and stress to break up material at the head of the seamount and thus weaken the rocks, not strengthen them. "The seamount creates a feedback loop in the way fluids get squeezed out and the mechanical response of the rock to changes fluid pressure," said Ellis, who co-developed the numerical code at the heart of the study. The scientists are satisfied their model is robust because the earthquake behavior it predicts consistently matches the behavior of real earthquakes. While the weakened rock left in the wake of seamounts may dampen large earthquakes, the researchers believe that it could be an important factor in a type of earthquake known as a slow slip event. These slow-motion quakes are unique because they can take days, weeks and even months to unfold. Laura Wallace, a research scientist at UTIG and GNS Science, who was the first to document New Zealand slow slip events, said that the research was a demonstration of how geological structures in the Earth's crust, such as seamounts, could influence a whole spectrum of seismic activity. "The predictions from the model agree very nicely with what we are seeing in New Zealand in terms of where small earthquakes and tremors are happening relative to the seamount," said Wallace, who was not part of the current study. Sun believes that their investigations have helped address a knowledge gap about seamounts, but that research will benefit from more measurements. "We still need high resolution geophysical imaging and offshore earthquake monitoring to better understand patterns of seismic activity," said Sun. ### The research was funded by the Seismogenesis at Hikurangi Integrated Research Experiment (SHIRE), an international project co-led by UT Austin to investigate the origin of earthquakes in subduction zones. The study was also supported by the National Science Foundation, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and GNS Science. This story has been published on: 2020-03-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. US-Taliban Afghan Peace Deal Suffers Early Blows By Ayaz Gul March 02, 2020 The Afghan Taliban on Monday urged the United States to fulfill its obligations under a newly-signed agreement and secure the release of 5,000 insurgent prisoners from the custody of the Afghan government. The insurgent comment came after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's announcement on Sunday that his government had made no commitment to free Taliban detainees and would not bow to pressure to do so. Ghani's assertions dealt an early blow to the landmark deal U.S. and Taliban officials signed in Qatar on Saturday with a goal to end the more than 18-year-old Afghan war, America's longest. Chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted Monday that Washington has committed itself to completing the prisoner release process by March 10, when intra-Afghan peace negotiations are to open. Mujahid also tweeted the relevant portion from the Pashto language version of the deal that reads that up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners and up to 1,000 Afghan security personnel will be released before the talks begin. Ghani, whose government had been kept out of the U.S.-Taliban peace process, said the prisoner swap could become part of the coming negotiations. The Taliban and U.S.-backed Afghan security forces observed a mutually agreed weeklong reduction in violence truce last week, culminating in Saturday's signing of the agreement between the two adversaries. The warring sides were supposed to commit to little or no violence by the time the intra-Afghan talks begin. But, reports of renewed violence in Afghanistan on Monday, including a bomb explosion in a southeastern province, raised questions about those commitments, although the Taliban denied involvement. The reported trouble apparently prompted the U.S. military in Afghanistan to remind the Taliban of their commitments to ensure a low level of violence. "The reduction in violence was a confidence builder. We're very serious about our obligations and we expect the Taliban will be serious about their obligations," said General Scott Miller, who commands U.S. and foreign troops in the country. "The United States has been very clear about our expectations the violence must remain low," Miller said. A U.S. military spokesman tweeted the top general's comments. Under the deal with the Taliban, Washington will reduce the number of its forces to 8,600 from roughly 13,000 stationed in Afghanistan, within five months. The complete U.S. troop withdrawal is to take place within 14 months, or by April 2021, provided the Taliban deliver on all its pledges and show progress in intra-Afghan peace talks on a nationwide permanent cease-fire and future-power sharing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York A software engineer on trial in the largest leak of classified information in CIA history was "prepared to do anything" to betray the agency, federal prosecutors said Monday as a defense attorney argued the man had been scapegoated for a breach that exposed secret cyberweapons and spying techniques. A Manhattan jury heard conflicting portrayals of Joshua Schulte, a former CIA coder accused of sending the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks a large portion of the agency's computer hacking arsenal tools the agency had used to conduct espionage operations overseas. Assistant U.S. attorney Matthew Laroche said Schulte became disgruntled at the CIA and took meticulous steps to plan and cover up the 2016 theft. "He was the only one who had the motive, the means and the opportunity to steal the information," Laroche said. "He was prepared to do anything to get back at the CIA." Defense attorney Sabrina Shroff called Schulte a patriot who was wrongly accused by an agency under intense pressure to solve the embarrassing leak. The four-week trial raised more questions than it answered and exposed alarming security lapses within the agency, she said. Coronavirus has claimed 77 lives in Iran, officials said on Tuesday, as the emergency services chief became the latest high-ranking official to be infected in the deadliest outbreak outside China. Iran has scrambled to halt the rapid spread of the virus, shutting schools and universities, suspending major cultural and sporting events, and cutting back on work hours. On Tuesday it announced another 11 deaths and 835 new infections -- the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the Islamic republic nearly two weeks ago. "According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have been added" to the overall number of infections, Iran's stand-in deputy health minister Alireza Raisi said. "Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths, and with this amount we have reached 2,336 new confirmed cases and a total of 77 dead," he said in remarks aired live on state television. The national emergency services chief Pirhossein Kolivand was the latest high-profile official to contract the illness, a spokesman for the services told AFP. Confirmation of his infection came a day after Tasnim agency reported that the virus claimed the life of Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 72, a member of the Expediency Council which advises Iran's supreme leader. It also comes a week after the country's original deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, fell ill with COVID-19. Harirchi admitted he had tested positive a day after he had coughed and wiped sweat from his brow during a conference that was beamed live around the country on February 25. But the judiciary said a jailed British-Iranian woman, whose husband said she feared she had been infected behind bars in Tehran, was "in perfect health". Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016, is serving a five-year term for sedition at Evin prison. "Yesterday she talked to her family by phone. There has been about her recently that was fake news," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said. Iran announced on February 19 its first two deaths from the coronavirus in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies and pilgrims from abroad. The country now has the highest death toll for any country outside China, where the virus has killed more than 2,900 people since late December. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading. "The health care guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should be observed," said Khamenei, who was seen on state television wearing gloves as he planted a tree. Khamenei said Iran was being transparent with its figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of trying to conceal them. "The #Coronavirus has affected many countries," he was quoted as saying on his official Twitter account. "Our officials have reported with sincerity and transparency since day one. However, some countries where the outbreak has been more serious have tried to hide it. Of course, we ask God to heal the sick in those countries too," he added. Iran on Saturday dismissed a BBC Persian report that the real number of coronavirus deaths in the country was more than 200. The United States and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of concealing information about the outbreak. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The launch events will be streamed online for prospective buyers and smartphone ethusiasts (Photo | Redmi) New Delhi: Chinese smartphone makers Xiaomi and realme have cancelled their launch events scheduled for the next two weeks in the wake of coronavirus fears in the country. With an Italian tourist in Jaipur testing positive for novel coronavirus, the total number of confirmed cases in India is now six. While realme was scheduled to unveil its realme 6 series on March 5, Xiaomi was slated to launch Redmi Note series on March 12. However, it is not clear whether Motorola - which is to launch its new flagship 'Motorola Razr' in India on March 16 - will go ahead with its launch event. "We won't be holding any launch events on-ground through March. While we have been planning for this launch for months, we believe this is an unprecedented yet extremely important step," Xiaomi Vice President and India Managing Director Manu Jain said in a statement. The company has taken this decision with "the objective of reducing exposure risk to coronavirus COVID-19 for our Mi fans, media friends, partners and Xiaomi employees". The launch event of the mid-premium Note series will now be only streamed online. Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth tweeted that the company is calling off its March 5 event. "In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online," he said. Two private schools in Noida have cancelled classes for the next few days as a precautionary measure as the father of a student tested positive for coronavirus. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Six years ago, not all Ukrainian military men left the annexed Crimea. Some of the servicemen, either in pursuit of high salaries and pensions, or because of support for the Kremlins imperial ideas, chose to side with the enemy. UNIAN found out what happened to those who then changed the oath. When six years ago Russia began the annexation of Crimea, not all Ukrainian military, who were then stationed on the territory of the peninsula, intended to resist till the end. Some embraced the invaders. However, those who, without waiting for the Crimean pseudo-referendum, tore up and burn their Ukrainian passports on cameras, those who were convinced that betraying at the right moment isn't betraying at all but rather seeing the future clearly (in the end, they did not acknowledge themselves as traitors), later were forced to leave the peninsula fleeing from bullying by their new colleagues. The high pension and "paradise" conditions turned out to be empty promises of the invaders. "Everyone has already been reshuffled" In 2015, the following figures were announced by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: of the 18,000 Ukrainian military in Crimea, about 14,000 remained on the peninsula. At the same time, in 2014, part of the servicemen quit, while the lion's share signed contracts with the occupiers. "In the spring of 2014, we heard an ultimatum, being offered to surrender the Ternopol Corvette. Our commander Maksym Yemelianenko replied: "Russians do not give up." This was in all media. But in the end, he stayed in Crimea and is now serving on some kind of patrol ship. They told me that not so long ago some Russian admiral was boarding that ship and the first thing he said was: 'I better not see that Yemelianenko here again," says Lieutenant Vasyl Tymoshchuk, who served as a midshipman on the Ukrainian Navy's Ternopil Corvette in spring 2014". He admits that among those who stayed in Crimea were those who he thought would never betray their allegiance. "Our units were staffed according to the territorial principle, so two-thirds of the contracted servicemen were locals. This influenced their decision. But it was strange to hear from a guy from Zaporizhia such words: 'But what has Ukraine given me?' He flipped. He and others were promised high salaries and apartments. Plus, the invaders played people's fears, telling us: 'You surrendered your ship! You dropped your weapons! What do you think is awaiting you in Kyiv for this?' Indeed, we didn't know," continues Tymoshchuk. In addition to wealth, traitors were promised promotion and service on new ships. However, they'd not been told they would be redeployed to Russia's far north and other regions far less comfortable than Crimea. "I've been monitoring information about our former military. For six years no one has provided housing to low ranking officers. Their allowances never reached the level of their Russian colleagues. It did rise, but not as promised. And everyone has already been reshuffled. I know a soldier, Yevgeny, he served with the Marine Corps, Major, and in 2014 he flipped to the invaders. Three years later he was told that he would be deployed to serve in Transbaikalia. So he quit. Otherwise, he would be facing life behind closed doors in a secret base. There is a special military town in the forest where you can't take your kids to the movies. And his case isn't isolated. My former classmates either remained in the same positions, or quit, or serve in remote Russian regions," says an Ukrainian Army officer and blogger Anatoly Shtefan. Only those remained who had appeared on TV UNIAN's interlocutors say that, over time, some traitors voluntarily left Crimea because of higher allowances paid in the Russian Federation for service in remote regions. But there is another reason why many fled the peninsula. The fact is that former servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Navy) began to be treated as second grade servicemen. There are many stories on the web about how they were addressed: "Come here, junk! We will make a nice Russian out of you!" A midshipman could be ordered to go mop floors, while a Russian soldier would command. "They saw no respect. No one would obey orders of those officers, so many agreed to leave Crimea to where no one knew about their past. Those remained who had appeared on TV, pledging allegiance to Russia," says the former Assistant Commander of the Ternopil Corvette, now working at the Department of Sea and River Transport of Ukraine, Oleksiy Kirilov. "In social networks, I saw messages: 'There is no life beyond Crimea. I quit without a pension, without anything.' And, as far as I know, the ceiling they can count on is becoming security guards,"adds Anatoly Shtefan. However, some of the defectors tried to challenge Russian occupation authorities in... courts of the Russian Federation. On the website of "Judicial and normative acts of the Russian Federation" UNIAN found the story of a former serviceman Andrei Mishonov, who is trying get his pension through court. He has served for a total of over 15 years, but the court keeps rejecting his motions. It is also curious that two years ago, as reports claim, occupation authorities in Crimea started to recall service apartments where government employees used to be living in. On the same site, "Judicial and normative acts of the Russian Federation," there's a story of a former Ukrainian soldier who in 2006 received a two-room service apartment, privatized it two years later, and has been living there with his wife and two children. This continued until 2016, when the defector's apartment actually became the property of the occupation authorities and the tenants lost litigation over it. Not only sailors faced similar fate. "There were also SBU security operatives who thought they would be transferred to the FSB. They ended up working in branches across Crimea before gradually being fired. Getting a job with the FSB in mainland Russia was off the table. They are considered traitors. Even the invaders do not trust them," summarizes Anatoly Shtefan. By the way, although their "new homeland" never accepted them, no one will be happy to accept such people in Ukraine, either, that's if they consider flipping back and "returning". Under Ukrainian law, they face prosecution for high treason. Vlad Abramov [March 02, 2020] PwC: Global Economic Crime Rates Remain High as Customer Fraud Continues to Rise LONDON, March 3, 2020 /CNW/ -- Fraud and economic crime rates remain at record highs, impacting companies in more ways than ever. PwC's bi-annual survey of business crime reports that fraud committed by customers tops the list of all crimes experienced (at 35%), up from 29% in 2018. Businesses report that customer fraud and cybercrime are the most disruptive of all the crimes. Although fraud committed by customers is on the rise, it is also one of the types where dedicated resources, robust processes and technology have proven most effective for prevention. Globally, all regions experienced customer fraud in the last two years, with the Middle East (47% up from 36%) and North America (41% up from 32%) seeing the biggest increases. The Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey examines over 5000 responses from 99 countries. It reports on the overall insights from companies who have experienced on average six incidents over the last two years. The report provides insights into the threat, cost of fraud and what companies need to do to develop stronger proactive responses. The report highlights the importance of prevention and how investing in the right skillset and technology can create an advantage. Nearly half of organisations responded to crime by implementing and enhancing controls, with 60% saying their organisations were better for it. However nearly half of respondents did not conduct an investigation at all. Barely one third reported the crime to their board, but of the organisations who did, 53% ended up in a better place. "Fraud and economic crime is a never- ending battle. Getting to the root of the problem is key to preventing and dealing with future fraud. Whether it's through technology, new processes, skills and training, or a combination - the result is strengthening business as a whole against crime, which is ultimately good for the consumer too." comments Kristin Rivera, PwC Global Forensics Leader. The perpetrators: Who's committing the fraud Fraud hits companies from all angles - the perpetrator could be internal, external or in many instances there is collusion. In the last two years, 39% of respondents said external perpetrators were the main source f their economic crime incidents. One in five respondents cited vendors/suppliers as the source of their most disruptive external fraud. 13% of respondents who experienced fraud in the last two years reported losing more than US$50 million . . Antitrust, insider trading, tax fraud, money laundering, and bribery and corruption are reported as being the top five costliest frauds in terms of direct losses - sometimes compounded by the significant cost of remediation. Taking action and being prepared While technology is just part of the answer in fighting fraud, the report finds that more than 60% of organisations are beginning to employ advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to combat fraud, corruption or other economic crime. However, concerns about deploying technology are linked to cost, insufficient expertise and limited resources. 28% say it's because they struggle to see its value. The benefit in using technology to fight fraud is undeniable but organisations must recognise that using tools or technology alone does not amount to an anti-fraud programme. "Collecting the right data is just the first step. How the data is analysed is where companies will have an advantage when fighting fraud. Companies often fail to see the value in technology when they don't invest in the right skills and expertise to manage it" comments Kristin Rivera, PwC Global Forensics Leader. Notes: Download the report at www.pwc.com/fraudsurvey. Customer fraud is defined as fraud against a company through illegitimate use of, or deceptive practices associated with, its products or services by customers or others (e.g. mortgage fraud, credit card fraud). Cybercrime features in the top three most disruptive crimes experienced in almost all industries reported in the survey - Financial Services (15%), Industrial Manufacturing and Automotive (15%), Technology, Media and Telecommunications (20%), Consumer Markets (16%), Government and public sector (17%), Health Industries (16%). Globally, all regions report experiencing customer fraud in the last two years: Middle East (47%), Africa (42%), Asia Pacific (31%), Europe (33%), Latin America (33%), North America (41%). PwC highlighted the global issue of upskilling in its 23rd CEO survey and identified that whilst retraining/upskilling was seen as the best way to close the skills gap, only 18% of CEOs have made 'significant progress' in establishing an upskilling programme. In order to take advantage of what technology can do for your organization, hiring the right people to work alongside new technologies is important. This is apparent even when hiring staff to support advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to uncover fraud. About PwC At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We're a network of firms in 157 countries with over 276,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. 2020 PwC. All rights reserved Contact: Marian Diyaolu Mobile: +44-7483407064 Email: [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pwc-global-economic-crime-rates-remain-high-as-customer-fraud-continues-to-rise-301014792.html SOURCE PwC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The UN human rights chief intends to file an application in the Supreme Court in connection with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), prompting New Delhi to say on Tuesday that no foreign party has locus standi on issues related to the countrys sovereignty. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Indias permanent mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, about the plans to file an intervention application. Also Watch | Most countries accept CAA, NRC to be Indias internal matter: MEA The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to Indias sovereignty, Kumar said. He added, We are clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of our constitutional values. It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India. Kumar further said India is a democracy governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position would be vindicated by the Supreme Court, he said. Last week, Bachelet had expressed serious concern at the CAA and riots in Northeast Delhi and called on Indias leadership to prevent further violence. Shortly after it was passed by Parliament in December last year, the United Nations human rights office had described the CAA as fundamentally discriminatory in nature, and had called for it to be reviewed. The government said that the CAA was aimed at protecting minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, but the UN body noted that the law does not extend the same protection to Muslims, including minority sects. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) too appealed to the Trump administration for action. It had earlier asked the Trump administration to consider sanctions against Indias top leadership if the law was approved. Cost of goods and services are likely to go up if the outbreak of the coronavirus is not contained. For instance, spare parts dealers at Abbosey Okai tell TV3s Grace Hammoah Asare, they are running out of goods, and will be compelled to increase prices between 5 and 10 percent. Chinas isolation amidst the coronavirus outbreak is having a rippling effect, across the world. The vital economy is seemingly being cut off from its trading partners, and Ghana is no exception. Abbosey Okai is the hub of spare parts of Accra. Most dealers get their goods from China, Korea and some other countries, which have recorded cases of coronavirus Kwadwo Yeboah, a dealer says we are not able to go to Korea or China because of the virus, and our colleagues who are there are not able to return. Our goods are locked up Some dealers have resorted to prayers to be in business. You are not sure, what you are coming back with, whether the virus or your goods, so it's better we stay and wait in prayer, whilst our containers get stuck, Anthony Gyasi, added. National organizer of GUTA, Clement Boateng reiterated that a prolonged outbreak of the virus can lead to price increases. Because of the virus, most factories have been shut down, including the ones who get our goods from. If the Chinese government is not able to contain this in the next one to two months, we will have be running out of goods and the little that we have, I am afraid, we will have no option than to increase the prices, between 5-10 percent. Its a thing of demand and supply, he explained. He appealed to government and other stakeholders to ensure adequate measures are fashioned out. We are continuously engaging our members to as much as possible, do business online and practice proper personal hygiene so that they are protected, Total coronavirus cases have reached 89,000 worldwide, with more than 3,000 deaths. Source: 3news 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 PHNOM PENH, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense on Monday donated 300,000 surgical masks and protective medical clothing to China's Ministry of National Defense to aid the fight against COVID-19. Cambodian Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh handed over the items to Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian at a ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh. Gen. Banh said the donation was to express solidarity and Cambodia's full support for China's efforts to combat the virus. He said although Cambodia is a small country, the country has a big heart and always helps friends in difficult times. "I'm strongly confident that the government, the ministry of national defense, and the people of China have enough capacity to stop the spread and eliminate the virus in the near future," said Gen. Banh, who is also a deputy prime minister. He also extended his profound condolences to the Chinese government and people over the loss of lives and wished the patients a speedy recovery. Ambassador Wang said "a friend in need is a friend indeed" and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Cambodia for standing firmly with China to fight the virus. "This is a big spiritual encouragement for the Chinese people to tide over this difficult moment," he said. By Trend In Iran, from February 20 to March 3, some 400 criminal cases were launched in the field of counterfeiting and selling of health care products,said Yasir Raigani Suspending Organization of Iran. Trend reports citing Mehr. According to Raigani, most of the crimes are related to Razavi Khorasan, Tehran, Hamadan and Kermanshah provinces. Raigani added that only smuggled 6.5 million masks were discovered in Tehran and handed over to Iran's Ministry of Health, Medical and Medical Education. The official said 16 tons of disinfection gels, 5,000 tons of disinfectants and more than 30 million gloves were located and seized. Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 1,500 people have been infected, 66 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. Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights. The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. Winnipeg will lobby the feds for more control over the number of marijuana plants a medicinal user can grow in one home. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeg will lobby the feds for more control over the number of marijuana plants a medicinal user can grow in one home. After complaints that a few local residences each contained hundreds of the legally grown plants, councils property and development committee voted Monday to ask Ottawa for help restricting the number. The committee did not suggest the exact maximum number of plants that should be allowed. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) pushed for the change, arguing the city should allow no more than 20 plants to be grown in each home, with commercial operations handling larger cultivation. "This is about protecting our citizens from adverse effects from huge medical cannabis operations," he said. The councillor said he believes odours coming from affected homes pose a nuisance to nearby neighbours. He said hes learned of houses with about 300 plants, which he doesnt believe anyone requires to medicate themselves. "The people that live next door to (those) places, its totally unreasonable for them and their families," said Eadie. A Health Canada formula determines the number of plants that can be grown by each registered medicinal marijuana user. For example, an approved user with a prescription to use one gram of dried marijuana per day could grow five plants in their home. Some homeowners are also permitted to grow additional plants for other patients. The city said the federal agency doesnt actually set a maximum limit on the number of indoor pot plants a medical user can grow. Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), who chairs Winnipegs property and development committee, said hes received multiple complaints over two properties that are each suspected of growing a large number of pot plants. Since the matter falls under federal regulation, Mayes said he agrees Winnipeg should lobby Ottawa for more control. "If it gets to a certain size, these should be located in industrial zone areas, not within a stones throw of somebodys school ... The problem is we dont have the power to enforce it," said Mayes. In an email, city spokesperson Kalen Qually noted that under the current system, local grow-op complaints are handled by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), who contact Health Canada to find out if the marijuana growth is legal. If it is legal, police then end their involvement, Qually wrote. 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. "WPS have received many formal and informal complaints from the public," he added. John Kiernan, Winnipegs director of planning, property and development, said any enforcement is complicated by concerns over privacy rights and access to health care. "You dont want to infringe upon peoples human rights, to be able to have easy access to their medication," said Kiernan. He said such concerns are typically deemed to trump land-use planning rules. Due to an email issue, a Health Canada official said the agency was unable to comment Monday. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:12:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people died of dengue outbreak since January in East Nusa Tenggara province's district of Sikka, local authorities said on Tuesday. "Until Tuesday, 1,057 people have been infected. Eleven of them died of the disease," Petrus Herlemus, an official of the district's health agency, was quoted by Indonesian news website Kompas.com as saying. He said the affected people are currently under medical treatment in hospitals and community health centers in the district. The local administration has declared the outbreak an "extraordinary" occurrence and said the medical team in the district is now on a 24-hour alert to handle incoming dengue patients. The team has also requested more doctors from the central government to help cope with the outbreak. The Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has been quarantined for 14 days as p... The Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has been quarantined for 14 days as part of measures to stop the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading into the country, it was learnt on Tuesday. The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing the leadership of the Senate on efforts being made to curb the spread of the disease in Nigeria. Ehanire said that the DG had to be isolated in his residence since he just returned from China as a delegate for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Wuhan, China to understudy the behavioral pattern of the COVID-19. The Minister said that the 14-day isolation for the NCDC DG was in line with established safety procedure against the Coronavirus. He also briefed the Senate leadership on the efforts being made by the Federal Government to treat the confirmed case in Nigeria as well as prevent the disease from further spreading into the country. Details shortly The agreement reached over the weekend between the federal and B.C. governments on one side, and Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs on the other, amounts to a series of questions with no clear answers. What, exactly, does the draft agreement, arrived at behind closed doors and still kept secret, mean when it speaks of implementing the rights and title of the Wetsuweten to their traditional territory, a vast swath of central British Columbia? How will the badly divided Wetsuweten arrive at a workable solution to an issue they have wrestled with for years: who speaks for them? The hereditary chiefs or their elected band leaders? And why should anyone believe B.C. Premier John Horgan when he insists that his pet project, the Coastal GasLink pipeline, will still be completed on schedule even though the hereditary chiefs continue to oppose it? In fact, one of the most striking things about the agreement is that it conspicuously sidesteps dealing with the pipeline itself, the very issue at the heart of the blockades that shut down much of Canadas rail traffic over the past month. On the face of it, the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs won a resounding victory. By standing firm while their sympathizers across the country disrupted the rails, they have moved the issue of their rights and title to the land from the backburner to the top of the Trudeau governments agenda. All that, without giving an inch on the pipeline itself. The federal and B.C. governments did not even try to link the two issues, accepting instead that its finally time to come to terms with the rights affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in the landmark Delgamuukw case almost a quarter of a century ago. If the Chretien, Martin, Harper and Trudeau governments all hadnt dragged their heels on facing up to the implications of that case, its arguable that the crisis of the past few weeks would never have arisen. It would certainly be easier to pretend that the land rights of the Wetsuweten and other First Nations could be swept away or conveniently ignored. But when the top court ruled in 1997 that aboriginal title and rights to land were not extinguished when B.C. became a province in 1871, it was only a matter of time before the issue had to be faced. The question remains, however, precisely what rights the ruling implies. It did not concede outright ownership to the Wetsuweten, but affirmed their right to exclusive use and occupation of the land all the while recognizing that governments could infringe on those rights in order to develop the province with such things as .... pipelines. But only if there is adequate consultation. Lawyers live to wrangle over the meaning of such language, so theres no question that legal fights will continue regardless of the content of the still-secret weekend arrangement. Equally, though, it seems certain that the accord will tilt the playing field significantly toward the Wetsuweten. Otherwise, why would the hereditary chiefs be so clearly delighted with it? Given all that, two things become even more urgent. First, its now up to the Wetsuweten people to start healing the divisions among them and figure out a way for the hereditary chiefs and the elected band councils to work together. Ironically, its the elected leaders who now feel left out, ignored by governments eager to cut a deal with the hereditary chiefs who were able to mobilize so much support across the country. In the end, though, all must work together. Other First Nations have found ways to recognize both types of leadership, and given the stakes involved its vital that the Wetsuweten do that as well. Second, its high time for all blockades to end, including the ones in Quebec that are still being maintained. The federal and B.C. governments have gone the extra mile to break the impasse over the Coastal GasLink pipeline. The Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs should respond in kind and tell their allies to stand down. Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has been arrested after a fight broke out at a holiday park, according to reports. The Sun said on Monday that 37-year-old Robinson got into a row with another man in the pool at Woburn Forest Center Parcs in Bedfordshire. Witnesses claimed that Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, confronted another man before punching him in the face, it added. Bedfordshire Police confirmed that officers were called to reports of an altercation between two men at the holiday park at around 1.10pm on Sunday. A spokesman added: "One man sustained an injury to his face, and received first aid at the scene. "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Show all 7 1 /7 "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Covered in a milkshake... While out on the campaign trail for the European Elections in Warrington, a man threw a milkshake in Tommy's face. Frame 1: Man throws milkshake. Frame 2: Robinson & Co beat man. Frame 3: Robinson covered in milkshake. @AzTheBaz/Twitter "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson ...the day after being covered with a milkshake The day before in Bury, a suspected child threw a milkshake over Robinson before running away Paul Ryder/Youtube "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Confronted for his racism... Back in 2014, Robinson was not warmly received in his home town of Luton... ABC "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson ...falls over while cowering away ...In attempting to back away from the three advancing men, he fell over a curb ABC "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Slapped in Luton The slap came as then-EDL leader was trying to drive away directly after making the subtitled comment Round8ere/Youtube "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Shouted down in Salford When trying to spread his message to the streets of Salford, this woman told him where to get off Beth Redmond/Twitter "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson "You're not as famous as you think you are" A judge at Peterborough County Court explained this to Robinson as she dismissed his discrimination case against the police. Robinson had claimed that he was ejected from a pub on account of his beliefs, however the officer didn't recognise him and was ejecting him on account of his drunken behaviour PA "A 37-year-old man from Bedford was arrested on suspicion of common assault and has been bailed until April 2. An investigation is ongoing." A Center Parcs spokesman confirmed that police attended an incident at Center Parcs Woburn Forest on Sunday afternoon. Press Association The enemy used proscribed 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, and rifles. One Ukrainian soldier was killed; another four were wounded in action amid Russian aggression in Donbas on March 3. Russian-led forces attacked Ukrainian positions seven times from 00:00 and 19:00 Kyiv time on March 3, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said in an evening update on Facebook. Read alsoFive Ukrainian soldiers wounded amid 13 enemy attacks on March 2 The enemy used proscribed 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, and rifles, it said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia's hybrid military forces on March 2 mounted 13 attacks on Ukrainian Army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with five Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action. When students approached Samrat Ashok Vidyalaya in Kalyan on Tuesday, for their first secondary school certificate (SSC) exam, each one of them was given a rose. At Vidya Prasarak High School, in Balkum, Thane, students were greeted by the school staff who carried ceremonial trays and applied tilak on each candidate. I was not prepared for something like this. For a few seconds, I felt as if I was at home. This was a great idea to make us feel comfortable. We entered the exam hall with smiles on our faces due to this initiative, said Vansh Bhoir, 16, who appeared for an exam at Vidya Prasarak High School. Sangita Mahajan, a teacher at Samrat Ashok Vidyalaya, said these gestures were intended to relax students prior to the examination. Anyone who gets a gift in any form feels happy and we wanted to do the same for the kids who enter our institute for the exams. It is their first attempt at a board examination and they should not feel panicked or be upset in any way, Mahajan said. Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut on Tuesday indicated in the Legislative Council that a plan for free supply of 100 units of electricity to all farmers could be rolled out after a report on it is finalised. He was responding to a question by BJP MLC Parinay Fuke. "The power ministry is reviewing current generation and transmission situation in the state. The report on this will be available in three months. After we get the report, we will take appropriate action on giving 100 units free to farmers," he said. Incidentally, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had earlier said it may not be feasible for Maharashtra presently to give free power upto 100 units to farmers. Raut admitted power tariffs in the state were high as generation units were far away from coal mines, which raised transportation and other input costs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Joe Biden's South Carolina victory showing that he's still a viable candidate and with the specter of an unelectable Bernie the Red hovering over the Democrat party, the Democrat Powers that Be seem to have spoken firmly to Buttigieg and Klobuchar, both of whom abruptly dropped out of the race within 36 hours of Super Tuesday. The Democrat party is powerful. The problem is that Joe Biden's escalating mental confusion may be more powerful still, as demonstrated by his latest, and most spectacular, gaffe. (The following four paragraphs sound like a non sequitur. They're not. They're leading to an important point about Biden's failing mental state.) Back in 1992, when Ross Perot launched his quixotic presidential campaign, he chose Admiral James Stockdale as his running mate. Unbeknownst to a shamefully ignorant media, Stockdale was a truly great man. In 1965, after ejecting from his disabled plane over North Vietnam, he was taken prisoner and sent to the Hanoi Hilton, where he was held for the next seven and a half years. As the senior naval officer there, he led the prisoner resistance and suffered mightily for that, being routinely tortured in ways horrible to contemplate. Upon his return to America, Stockdale received the Medal of Honor and continued in the Navy until he retired as a vice admiral. He then spent two years as president of the Naval War College, attempted to reform some of the more medieval aspects of The Citadel, and finally closed out his career working at the Hoover Institution. Throughout this time, he proved to be a deep and serious philosopher. In 1992, when Stockdale appeared for the vice presidential debate, not only had the Perot campaign failed to prepare him, but it was the first time many people had seen him. They knew nothing about his greatness. They knew only what the left-leaning media had told them, which was that he was a retired admiral allied with that crackpot Ross Perot. Stockdale, still crippled by his ordeal in Vietnam, white-haired, and wearing thick, black-framed glasses, without a working hearing aid, decided to open the debate by asking a philosophical question as a predicate to introducing himself to America: "Who am I? Why am I here?" By the end of the debate, the media were lambasting him as a senile old man who had somehow wandered into a presidential election. Saturday Night Live, the home of moral indecency, did a sketch cementing that image. And here's the point of the preceding four paragraphs: the same media that destroyed a man of incredible decency, courage, and intelligence are trying to tell us that a man who is visibly crumbling before our eyes is fit to be the president of the United States, the most powerful country in the world. The media are always dishonest and frequently ignorant. At this point, Biden's gaffes are legion: he often has no idea where he is, he picks fights with audience members, he insults people, he forgets what office he's seeking, he gets confused when he tries to pander to black people, he imagines that half the country was killed by guns in the last 13 years and that's just the short list. On Monday, Joe outdid himself, when he completely forgot what the Declaration of Independence said and ended up calling our creator "the thing," like some creature out of a Godzilla movie. And no, that's not the Babylon Bee talking. It's really Joe Biden: "My name is Joe Biden, I'm a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, vote for me on Super Thursday in North South Carolina because we hold these truths to be self-evident all men and women created by the, you know, the thing."pic.twitter.com/ULzGB0XtQK Elizabeth Harrington (@LizRNC) March 2, 2020 The mainstream media, though, won't talk about this risible gaffe. Indeed, they cannot talk about it because, when compared to Bernie the Red, Joe Biden is the best that the Democrat Party has to offer to the American people: a corrupt, senile, and extremely creepy old man. Recruitment giant Robert Walters has seen shares come under pressure after it warned the coronavirus outbreak is likely to impact 2020 profits (Jonathan Brady/PA) Recruitment giant Robert Walters has seen shares come under pressure after it warned the coronavirus outbreak is likely to impact 2020 profits. The group which operates worldwide said the spread of the virus is adding further uncertainty to an unpredictable global recruitment market. Shares fell 10% on the warning and as the group reported 2019 pre-tax profits of 47.4 million down 6% on a constant currency basis. Everything has stopped, everywhere. It's a global phenomenonRobert Walters Founder and chief executive Robert Walters told the PA news agency that coronavirus had slowed recruitment activity across all major markets worldwide, not just in China, where it started. He said: Everything has stopped, everywhere. Its a global phenomenon. But he said the firm and many of its clients and candidates were prepared to work remotely and flexibly to cope with the disruption caused by the outbreak and measures to contain it. It follows a difficult last year for the group amid Brexit and election uncertainty in the UK, political protests in Hong Kong and global economic worries caused by the US-China trade war. In the UK which accounts for around 24% of group net fee income underlying earnings fell 7% to 11.5 million after net fee income dropped 9% to 98.4 million Mr Walters said: The global recruitment market remains unpredictable at present with the coronavirus outbreak, which is likely to negatively impact full-year profit expectations, adding a further layer of uncertainty. We will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and update the market as appropriate. Robert Walters makes more than 40% of its group net fee income from the Asia Pacific region. The Asia Pacific business grew underlying earnings by 7% to 22.6 million last year despite a significant hit to Hong Kong due to the political protests. Overall group-wide net fee income lifted 2% to 405.5 million. 2019 was a year of unprecedented political and economic turbulence fuelled by the US-China trade war, Brexit, protests in Hong Kong and Gilets-Jaunes disruption in France, said Mr Walters. Analysts at Liberum said they expected Robert Walters full-year profit expectations to be cut by around 2 million or 15% after the groups likely coronavirus hit. Vandals have defaced goats that were being used to control weeds near a busy station. A woman named Mieke took a photo just after 6pm on Monday that showed black spray paint on the white hair of a goat near Belgrave Station in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Six goats were leased from a landscaping company in October to keep the weeds by the bus stop and train station at bay. Mieke and her partner said the goat photographed was one of two that had been tagged. A woman named Mieke took a photo just after 6pm on Monday that showed black spray paint on the white hair of a goat The couple reported it to Metro Trains. A Metro Trains spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the company would contact the goats' caretaker. 'This is an appalling act of vandalism,' he said. 'Metro takes the care of these goats very seriously, we check on them regularly and we will be visiting them today to ensure they are all safe and healthy. 'The goats are doing an important job of clearing weeds in the area, which will allow the native plants to thrive.' The photo shocked social media users. 'Simple minded is too good a name for these vandals!' one woman said. 'What is wrong with people?' another asked. 'Shocking,' someone else said. Police told Daily Mail Australia that they were unaware of the incident. Washington, March 3 : A student-led group from the Yale University has called for demonstrations across 21 varsities in the US against the violence in Delhi, which has claimed the lives of 46 people in the Indian capital, a media report said. "A Holi Against Hindutva" demonstrations have been organised by Students Against Hindutva, a South Asian student activist group, the American Bazaar newspaper said in the report on Monday. In a statement on Monday, Shreeya Singh, founder of the group, said: "This fight is the most patriotic fight I have ever fought for, and I believe it is the diaspora's duty to stand behind the protesters risking their lives day after day for India's secular soul." On the demonstration plans, the organisers said that they will ask participants to be dressed in black as opposed to Holi's traditional white attire and will also supply only white coloured powder. "The goal of this symbolic use of black and white is to signify that we are not in celebration but in condemnation. Raising awareness about recent events in India among people in the US and students on campuses across the country is of utmost importance to our mission," they added. The universities where the demonstrations will take place are Yale University, Cornell University, UCLA, Claremont Colleges, UC Davis, Harvard University, Princeton University, Brown University, Dartmouth University, Purdue University, American University, Bard College at Simon's Rock, University of Pennsylvania, Northeastern University, Columbia University, Wellesley College, University of Illinois, Chicago, Rutgers, UC San Diego, Michigan State and Duke. Besides the 46 fatalities, the violence that erupted in northeast Delhi last week also injured over 260 people Jammu and Kashmir: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday (March 3, 2020) arrested two more accused in the Pulwama attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred in an IED blast. The accused are a father-daughter duo named Tariq Ahmed Shah and Insha Jan. Tariq Ahmed Shah a resident of Hakripora in Pulwama works as a tipper driver in the South Kashmir and he is accused of providing shelter to all the terrorists and for planning of the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019. The names of the terroist who took shetled in Tariq's house includes - Umar Farooq who is a Pakistani terrorist and IED maker, Kamran who was later killed in encounters with security forces, Sameer Ahmed Dar, a Jaish-e-Mohd terrorist from Pulwama and Mohd. Ismail a Pakistani terrorist. On further investigation by NIA, it was found that his house was also used by some terrorists for preparing and recording of video of Fidayeen Adil Ahmed Dar, which was released by Jaish-e-Mohammad soon after the Pulwama attack. Tariq's daughter Insha Jan who is one of the accused in the case helped the terrorist by providing them food and helping them with other logistics during their stay in Pulwama. In the initial interrogation it was also revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with one of the terrorist Mohd. Umar Farooq, Pakistani IED maker and communicated with over telephone and on other social media platforms . NIA is further investigating the matter and conducting continuous raids at suspected places in Jammu and Kashmir. As with any startup organization, when you have a few founders still left in the operating side of the business, different visions start to go in different directions, he said. Im incredibly proud of everything we were able to accomplish with Cresco, but I think theres more in the cannabis industry yet to be done and I didnt think Cresco was the right platform for me to continue to explore what I think this industry has to bring. North Chinas Tianjin and the city of Anyang in Central Chinas Henan province both reported two new cases of the highly transmissible omicron variant over the weekend. Both cities have launched new rounds of mass testing and designated more Covid-19 risk areas to control the spread of the virus Jan 10, 2022 06:18 PM Amidst the ongoing controversy over a Christ statue at Kapalabetta in Ramanagara district, another statue on Tuesday was removed from Mahimabetta in Doddasagrahalli village of rural Bengaluru. The statue, eight feet tall, was removed by local authorities under police protection to ensure that no untoward incidents take place. It was removed after authorities found there was no permission granted for the structure and the land was unsuitable to withstand the structure. The action comes after a peace meeting that took place in the village last Thursday where authorities told villagers that the statue would be removed. Despite the villagers' requests to have the removal delayed until Good Friday, the authorities granted time only till Monday for the villagers to either have the structure removed by themselves or allow authorities to do so. A villager told News18 that four acres of the 24-acre government land was sanctioned for a cemetery and the village had all necessary permissions required for the statue and a cross nearby. "We have all necessary permission for the statue and the cross around it also. We do not know what exactly is illegal but we haven't opposed the authorities after they said it (the statue) was not legal. We have cooperated with them. The statue is now in the village's church," he said. The tehsildar of the village, Ajith Rai, said the statue blocked a part of the road near the church below the hill. "When the villagers wanted to widen the road, the statue was removed and moved atop the hill is what we know. We found that the land is not suitable for even a cemetery as approved. Also, since it's a public cemetery, it cannot have any one particular religious symbol," he said. "We received memorandum from certain pro-Hindu groups to look into the matter. However, we did not receive any complaint from the villagers. We discussed the issue with the villagers and they agreed upon having the statue removed. In spite of the villagers' cooperation, we took police along during the removal of the statue to ensure nothing went wrong," he added. Police have issued out a warning following a suspicious incident on a farm in west Dorset. Bridport Police said they received a report of a suspicious vehicle on a farm in the Melplash area on Friday 28 February. The force has now warned local farmers to be on the lookout. A spokesman for Bridport Police said: "At approximately 2.30pm, a white Transit van with a partial reg of NL07 drove along the drive. "When someone approached the vehicle it sped off. "Please be vigilant, review your security and contact us if you notice any suspicious activity, on 101, or if you believe a crime is being ccommitted please call 999." Rural crime cost the UK 50m in 2018 as brazen criminals continue to target farmers' livelihoods. Crimes such as machinery and livestock theft have reached a seven-year high in terms of cost. The sharp rises are being driven mainly by high value thefts of tractors, quad bikes and other farm vehicles up 26% to 7.4m in 2018. Mexican cable operator Megacable is deploying fibre GPON infrastructure across its footprint via a US$400 million investment. The groups CEO Enrique Yamuni Robles told local news outlet El Universal that the firm expects the overlay to be ready within two years. The announcement is somewhat unexpected given that in January this year, Megacable unveiled plans to migrate its cables to the DOCSIS 3.1 platform to enable Gigabit download speeds. Across continents, another provider chasing the same speed offering is Serbia Broadband (SBB), which much like Megacable is its markets second-largest ISP based on subscribers. It has now made the city of Nis into its sixth Giga City after launching 1Gbps broadband plans for residents. Nis joins Belgrade, Gornji Milanovac, Novi Sad, Subotica, and most recently Kragujevac, with the move forming part of a planned EUR300 million (USD333 million) infrastructure investment over the next five years. CHICAGO The wife of a man who is being treated for COVID-19 at a suburban Chicago hospital has tested positive for the virus, Illinois public health officials said Monday, becoming the fourth person in the state to test positive for the virus. The unidentified woman, who is in her 70s, is quarantined at home and reported to be in good condition along with her husband, who is being treated at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Dr. Daniel Reaven, director of the hospital's emergency department, said the husband, also in his 70s, was admitted over the weekend because he had a preliminary positive test for COVID-19, and doctors are awaiting confirmation of the test by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials say they're working to determine who the couple had been in contact with to prevent additional transmission. Officials did not reveal any information about how the couple might have contracted the virus. During a Monday news conference, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the risk to the general public remains low. The best thing the general public can do at this time is to continue taking the same precautions you take during the flu season with renewed vigilance, Pritzker said. Officials of Arlington Heights School District 25 said two staff members and their children are isolating themselves at home after learning one of their babysitters relatives, a hospital employee, was exposed to a patient with coronavirus. A Chicago couple tested positive for the coronavirus in January, the first Illinois residents diagnosed with the illness. They were released from a Hoffman Estates hospital last month, and have since made a full recovery, health officials said. As of Monday, the number of confirmed U.S. cases climbed to over 100, and health officials in Washington state reported four more people had died from coronavirus, bringing the number of deaths in the U.S. to six. The global death toll has pushed past 3,000, and the number of people infected topped 89,000. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The China-funded Kaliwa Dam is scheduled to break ground by July or August this year, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday. The controversial dam project, which would build an integrated reservoir bordering Rizal and Quezon provinces using Chinese money, has been long delayed. It will augment supply from the only source of water for Metro Manila - Angat dam in Bulacan province. "What I heard last night is they are assuring us that there will be no water problem. They are doing something about it," Panelo said, citing updates given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the Cabinet meeting Monday night. READ: Razon's Wawa Dam project to supply water to Metro Manila by 2021 The project is still in the process of acquiring lots where the tunnel system that would bring raw water to processing and distribution plants as of September 2019, according to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. Public dialogues have also been completed, while the project secured an environmental clearance certificate in August last year. The Kaliwa Dam was approved by the government under the Aquino administration, but construction has not begun since. Environment groups such as Haribon have lobbied to abandon the project as it will cause "long-term, irreversible environmental damage to the Sierra Madre and its biodiversity" and displace the Dumagat indigenous tribes residing there. READ: Duterte mulls using police powers to start Kaliwa dam project President Rodrigo Duterte earlier vouched that the government will pay natives who will be displaced to make way for the dikes and tunnels that will be built in the area. The state will also provide for relocation, he added. Panelo added that the flagship construction project would provide sustained water flow in the coming years, as the Executive assured of enough supply this year. READ: NPA vows to launch attacks to stop Kaliwa Dam project He said Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu recently visited Angat dam to check its water level. Millions of Metro Manila consumers had to face rotational water supply interruptions during summer last year as the dam's water level dipped. Water concessionaires have given early warnings that supply interruptions could happen again this year to manage limited supply. Both Maynilad and Manila Water are also in the middle of negotiations for a new concession agreement with the government, which officials said may be finalized in the middle of the year. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday the government was ready to deploy further fiscal stimulus measures depending on the damage the coronavirus outbreak inflicts on the economy. "We've already compiled a spending package to forestall various risks" funded by a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year ending in March and next fiscal year's budget, Abe said. "We'll scrutinize the impact of the coronavirus on the global and Japanese economies. If further steps are deemed necessary, we will take action without hesitation," he added. Also read: World economy may shrink because of coronavirus, says OECD Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Death toll rises to six in US Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi has disclosed that some of those who boarded the same flight with the Italian coronavirus patient, gave out false information. Abayomi who revealed that they have identified some of those who had contact with the index case of coronavirus in Nigeria added that the center is still investigating possible transmission of the virus. READ ALSO Why We Moved Italian With Coronavirus From Ogun To Lagos: Health Commissioner Speaking with Newsmen, Professor Abayomi said: There were 159 passengers in the aircraft and six people that came in contact with him at the airport. There are 25 people who came in contact with him at the factory; there were two drivers and an ambulance driver. We have quarantined those identified so far at our medical facilities and some of them at home. We are calling them twice a day to check if they are okay. If they develop symptoms, we will bring them to our bio-security facility for test. We have identified all of these people except some of the people on the aircraft who have either gone back to Europe and other states. Some of them gave us false information on the phone. We are still trying to find the remaining passengers on that aircraft every day. Our contact list is over 100 persons and this number is increasing every day. NORTH PORT, Fla. Joe Girardi thinks so much about his teams batting order that it even consumes the Phillies manager when hes trying to sleep. Thats what I think about the most when Im in bed, Girardi said before Monday nights game against the Atlanta Braves. Honestly. I think about lineups. But those thoughts became a bit less dreamy last week when Andrew McCutchen was ruled out for opening day. The Phillies have to find a new leadoff hitter. And Girardi is still dreaming up scenarios. Perhaps it will be Scott Kingery batting first or Roman Quinn hitting leadoff. Maybe even J.T. Realmuto. The Phillies still have a little more than three weeks to determine who is atop the lineup card on March 26. One thing is for sure, it will not be Bryce Harper. No, I wouldnt do that, Girardi said. As of right now, I just wouldnt. I would like for him to hit with somebody on in the first inning. The Phillies tried eight hitters in the leadoff spot last season after McCutchen suffered a season-ending knee injury, but none could stick. The two players who started the most games there will not be options on opening day. McCutchen will be on the injured list and Cesar Hernandez now plays for Cleveland. So the Phillies have to do some thinking. Harper batted leadoff eight times as Gabe Kapler was desperate last summer to spark his slumping lineup. He hit Harper first for four straight games in June and four straight in August. Harper regularly works deep counts as he saw the second-most pitches last season among Phillies batters. But he also led the team in RBIs and his career OPS is 68 points higher when a runner is on base. He went 8-for-30 in his eight games with three homers and seven walks from the No. 1 spot. The Phillies won just two of those games as the lineup remained stagnant. It was a short-lived experiment and met in the city with ridicule, but Harpers numbers were not a total failure. I think ideally he fits in the two or three spot, Girardi said. Two is an option. Girardis batting order on opening day in Miami will likely be headed by Quinn or Kingery, but he did bat Realmuto first on Sunday afternoon. The construction of Grapefruit League lineups can also be based on other factors, such as wanting Realmuto to get extra at-bats before hes done catching his four or so innings. But this, Girardi said, is something hes considering for the regular season. Realmuto batted leadoff 40 times over three seasons in Miami, but Kapler never tried him there last season. Perhaps it is something to dream about. Hes done it before and he was comfortable doing it. Thats what I like about it, Girardi said. Hes not a guy thats going to walk a ton, but he hits for a pretty good average. He can hit a home run to lead off a game. I mean, hes not going to clog the bases, thats for sure. He can run, which is good because youve got some guys that are coming up behind him that are hitting doubles and homers. Extra bases Adam Haseley started in center field on Monday night after he was cleared to play following last weeks awkward diving catch. He had a stiff neck the last few days.. ..The Phillies are off on Tuesday. ... Aaron Nola will start Wednesday afternoon in Clearwater against the Pirates and Nick Pivetta will start at night in Tampa against the Yankees. Girardi said he plans to manage both games. Karwar: The much-awaited Aircraft Museum is all set to become a reality in Karwar with the Karnataka government and the Indian Navy signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on handing over of a Tupolev TU 142M aircraft. The TU 142M was the Indian Navy's long-range maritime patrol aircraft. It played a key role in various operations until it was decommissioned in 2017. The Karnataka government wanted to convert it into an aviation museum, placing it alongside the Chapal Warship Museum to make it a tourist attraction in Karwar. After the then chief minister Siddaramaiah wrote to the defence minister, the latter agreed to the proposal. But it lay in cold storage for about two years. Now the project has gained momentum with initiative being taken by Uttara Kannada deputy commissioner K Harish Kumar and Officer Commanding of the Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh. Speaking at a press conference after the signing of the MoU, the deputy commissioner said the Tupolev Aircraft Museum will come up at the Ravindranath Tagore Beach next to the Chapal Warship Museum. The aircraft will be dismantled and brought from Chennai. At Karwar, Navy experts will ressemble it. The aircraft museum will showcase models and photos of important operations taken up by the Navy. "We propose to complete the work by December and get the museum inaugurated on Navy Day. The Navy is bearing the transportation and assembling costs. We will have to only spend on maintenance," Harish Kumar said. The maintenance cost is estimated at about Rs 6 lakh per month. The district administration plans to fund it through entry fee. As the aircraft would be placed next to the warship museum, the district administration plans to have a common entry fee for both. Speaking to reporters, Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh thanked the people of Karwar for their cooperation. "The Tupolev aircraft have been gifted by the Navy to Visakhapatnam and Kolkata and now Karwar is the third city to receive it. The Sea Bird here is growing to become Asia's largest base. The Navy is committed to the development of Karwar," he said. At a recent press briefing on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Gedu Andargachew said that Ethiopia has full rights to its own natural resources to extricate citizens out of poverty, reported ENA. Ethiopias official news agency continued that Andargachew stated that the country is building the dam in such a way as to not cause a significant harm to the downstream countries. Andargachew said Ethiopia would stick with the US-facilitated talks but warned Washington not to rush the process or try to influence the outcome. A few hours after the Ethiopian press conference, US President Donald Trump told his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in a phone call that Washington will keep up efforts for a deal between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over GERD, the Egyptian presidency said. Al-Sisi told Trump that Cairo will continue giving this issue the utmost attention in defence of the interests of the Egyptian people, their capabilities and their future. On Monday, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri emphasised that negotiations should not stop because of the unilateral decision of Ethiopia, Shoukri said during a satellite TV interview following Ethiopias no-show at the last round of negotiations in Washington. Shoukri said Ethiopias ownership of the dam does not allow it to unilateral control of the vital Nile artery or to violate international law. Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi stated following the phone call between Al-Sisi and Trump that the agreement Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia were scheduled to sign after the 27-28 February round of talks strikes a balance between the interests of the three states, Ethiopias right to development, and Egypts right to Nile water. Nader Noureddin, professor of agriculture and irrigation at Cairo University, described Addis Ababas absence from the last round of talks on the GERD as a major miscalculation, saying it showed Ethiopias willingness to fly in the face of international opinion. Shortly before what was regarded as the decisive and final round of negotiations in Washington, Ethiopia declared that it would not attend because outstanding issues still needed to be settled. It had been widely expected the round would conclude with the signing of a final agreement. No matter what reservations Ethiopia has it should have come to discuss them. Addis Ababa could have always asked for the signing to be postponed until the differences are settled, says Noureddin. Former deputy foreign minister Mohamed Hegazi questioned why Ethiopia opted not to turn up when only three weeks earlier Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had told his parliament that the involvement of the US Department of Treasury and the World Bank in the tripartite negotiations had encouraged the resolution of ongoing disagreements between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Egypt has chosen the negotiating track and it will be difficult to switch to an alternative, said Noureddin. He added that if Addis Ababa continues to insist on procrastination and circumvention, Cairo must raise the issue in every available international forum. Tarek Fahmi, professor of political science at the American University in Cairo, expressed concern that Egypt may be left with fewer options after Ethiopia pulled out of the talks. In the meantime, Fahmi says Egypt has two options: to press for negotiations to continue, which possibly means changing some articles Egypt has already initialed, or to try and work out a new agreement from scratch. The alternative, he says, is to abandon negotiations altogether and refer the case to the UN Security Council, though that would first involve presenting the case to the African Union. Both options will take time, a luxury that Egypt does not have, he said. At the conclusion of the Washington meeting last Friday, Cairo announced that it had initialed the agreement. Noureddin criticised Khartoum for not following suit and claiming that to do so would have shown bias. Sudanese officials attended the talks and held separate bilateral meetings with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Suleiman Wahdan, deputy speaker of the Egyptian parliament, said in a statement that Ethiopias avoidance of signing the agreement constituted a deliberate attempt to harm downstream countries. He added that Egypt would not stand helpless in the face of Addis Ababas conspiracies and Cairo was ready to take all necessary measures to preserve Egypts historic rights to Nile water. Mnuchin issued a statement praising Egypt for initialing the agreement and cautioned Ethiopia against testing and filling the dam unilaterally. Consistent with the principles set out in the [2015] Declaration of Principles, and in particular the principles of not causing significant harm to downstream countries, final testing and filling should not take place without an agreement, read the statement. The statement also reaffirmed US commitment to act as a mediator until a final agreement is reached. Ethiopia expressed its disappointment with the US stand. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday confirming that it will begin filling the dam without first securing an agreement with Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia notified Egypt, Sudan and the US that it needed more time to deliberate on the process. Ethiopia, as the owner of the GERD, will commence filling in parallel with the construction of the dam and in accordance with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilisation and the causing of no significant harm as provided for under the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles, read the statement. Egypt expressed its rejection of the Ethiopian position in a joint statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources. Issued on Sunday, the statement said Addis Ababa was in violation of Article 5 of the Declaration of Principles which stipulates that all three countries should reach an agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam before starting the process of filling the reservoir. The fair and balanced agreement drafted by the US and World Bank included articles that Ethiopia had agreed. The agreement reached in the recent round of meetings in Washington is fully consistent with international law, represents a fair and balanced compromise and is the product of intensive negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the last four months in Washington, said the statement. Fitsum Arega, Ethiopias ambassador to the US, tweeted that Ethiopia will not attend meetings or sign any agreement that involve forgoing its rights to Nile water. When tripartite talks reached deadlock in October the US Department of the Treasury stepped in to act as an observer of negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. It drew a roadmap for the talks which were supposed to conclude by mid-January. The deadline was subsequently pushed to the end of February. In January the three countries agreed a schedule for the staged filling of the dam and mitigation mechanisms during dry periods and drought but said they needed more time to finalise details of safety measures and a dispute on resolution mechanism. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: DALLAS, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- OutMatch, a leading Talent Intelligence Platform, which enables companies to hire and develop great employees, has secured a strategic majority investment from Rubicon Technology Partners ("Rubicon"), a private equity firm based in Boulder, CO, that specializes in enterprise software companies. OutMatch's Talent Intelligence Platform enables businesses to optimize both candidate selection and post-hire development by providing an end-to-end solution that integrates the entire talent analytics workflow, including assessments, video interviewing, reference checking, and culture analytics. With over 100 million assessments completed, OutMatch generates unparalleled data-driven insights, allowing many of the world's largest companies, including major hospitality brands, airlines, banking institutions, and professional services firms, to maximize the lifetime value of their employee-base. "OutMatch has created a unique platform that not only provides a seamless candidate experience but also delivers proven results for organizations with varying talent needs across all end markets," said Jason Winsten, Partner at Rubicon. "The OutMatch platform solves critical talent problems of large and mid-sized companies worldwide. We are excited to partner with the OutMatch team to accelerate their growth through both organic investments and strategic acquisitions." Rubicon's investment is expected to accelerate and expand OutMatch's existing strategic acquisition roadmap, which includes the acquisitions of Pomello, Wepow, and The Devine Group over the past three years. The investment also positions OutMatch to accelerate product innovation and invest in further go-to-market expansion to help customers derive even more value from OutMatch's solutions. "Rubicon shares our passion for enabling companies to hire and develop great employees, and culturally, Rubicon is in lock step with our mission to match people with purpose," said Greg Moran, CEO of OutMatch. "This investment by Rubicon validates the hard work the OutMatch team has put into building and growing our Talent Intelligence Platform and delivering world-class customer support." Camden Partners of Baltimore, MD, an existing investor in OutMatch, will remain an investment partner. Raymond James served as financial advisor to OutMatch. About Rubicon Technology Partners Rubicon Technology Partners invests in enterprise software companies with proven products and talented management teams to help grow and scale their businesses. Rubicon enables companies to adapt to the changing requirements of their businesses as they grow and scale using a proven set of proprietary processes, best practices and a portfolio-wide engagement model called RTP Change Management. With offices in Boulder, CO, Palo Alto, CA and Stamford, CT, Rubicon has approximately $1 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit www.rubicontp.com About OutMatch The OutMatch Talent Intelligence Platform brings clarity to talent decisions by gathering the right data and putting the insights companies need at their fingertips. We help the world's biggest brands to select and develop great people, maximizing the employee life cycle. With over 100 million assessments completed, and over 10 million flowing through per year, this volume of data gives OutMatch unique insight into the workforce and prepares OutMatch clients for the future of work. SOURCE OutMatch Related Links http://outmatch.com I added a question mark to the title of this post about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan because there is room for reasonable disagreement as to the wisdom of our withdrawal. To answer my own question, though, I think withdrawing is the wrong move. We have accomplished a lot in Afghanistan. We crushed al Qaeda there and, as John says, we ensured that Afghanistan would no longer be a launching pad for terrorist attacks against the West. In addition, we drove the Taliban out of power, replacing a barbaric Islamic regime with a functioning civil society that, among other important virtues, relieved woman from bondage and allowed them to flourish. Presently, the Afghan government is said to govern about 50 percent of the countrys population (control of the remainder is either in dispute or in the hands of the Taliban). One can see that glass as half full or half empty. I see it as half full because before we invaded (and almost certainly after we leave), the Taliban had something much closer to complete control. These accomplishments have come at a high cost. However, the cost was front-loaded. Today, with our small troop commitment, it isnt that steep. On average, our forces suffered fewer than 20 deaths per year from 2016-19. Its impossible in any scientific manner to weigh the benefits of our presence against the costs. If we compare the costs to the benefit to Afghans of keeping the Taliban at bay and avoiding an Afghan bloodbath, we are comparing applies and oranges. In addition, we cant know whether or to what extent the major benefit of our presence preventing terrorist attacks will be squandered if we leave. Thats why I said there is room for disagreement over the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. But my view is that, given the relatively low cost of our presence, a prudent America would not risk the revival of Afghanistan as a staging ground for terrorism and a great America would not leave our Afghan friends to be slaughtered and oppressed by the Taliban. Much has changed since we invaded Afghanistan in 2002, as John points out. But the fundamentals of Islamic terrorism have changed little. Islamists hate America at least as much as they did in 2002. The Taliban is still an Islamist organization. It has not reformed. Regions controlled by American-hating Islamists and regions in which there is a power vacuum remain places where terrorists plot attacks against America and its allies. John sees evidence that the worlds Islamic leaders have acted to rein in the extremists. As I see it, some have and some have not. Based on its history and the fact that Trump is handing it victory, I dont trust that the Taliban will be among those Islamic regimes that rein in extremists. They themselves are extremists. The Taliban might fight some terrorists groups those that contest it for power in any portion of Afghanistan. But it likely will form alliances with other terrorists those that help it retain power. Thus, I put little faith in President Trumps claim that, as a general matter, the Taliban will fight terrorists for us. Johns friend the one with two tours of duty in Afghanistan is right. If we want to fight terrorists in Afghanistan, we have to be present in Afghanistan with boots on the ground. The problem is that we have been present for 18 years. Americans dont just want success in Afghanistan, which we have achieved to a considerable degree. They want victory, which we havent delivered despite nearly two decades of trying. I dont recall being terribly surprised when, after John advocated withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2011, a clear majority of our readers agreed. If we took a poll today, I suspect that upwards of 90 percent of our readers would back withdrawal. If a hard-left website took a poll, support for withdrawing might well be even higher. Whats surprising is that President Trump kept our troops in Afghanistan for as long as he has. After all, he promised during the campaign to pull out of our endless war in Afghanistan. Why did it take him so long to do get on with it? I suspect its because our generals and national security experts made a convincing case to him for our continued presence in Afghanistan. But this is an election year. Trumps opponent will be against remaining in Afghanistan (Joe Biden was in favor of a pullout in 2009). Unless we are pulling out this year, the Democratic candidate will remind voters of Trumps promise. In addition, Trump likes to keep his campaign promises (which is one of his virtues). So our pullout was nearly inevitable. Theres no point in railing against it, especially since credible arguments favor our leaving. The terms of the peace deal are another matter. The deal strikes me as something of a hoax, to use one of Trumps favorite words. This is not a peace deal. As David French says, there is no peace deal when your opponent intends to keep fighting, as the Taliban does. Under Trumps deal, there will only be peace if/when the Taliban wins. Most people probably understand this. What is less well understood is that, as French notes, the terms of the deal will make it easier for the Taliban to win than would a simple pullout of our troops. The deal calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners by March 20 and the release of the remainder over the next few months. In addition, it commits to the goal of removing sanctions from members of the Taliban sanctions that include travel bans, asset freezes, and an arms embargo. Why not simply withdraw while keeping important sanctions in place and allowing the Afghan government to hold thousands of Taliban fighters who intend to fight it? Because the Taliban promises in return not to allow its members or members of al-Qaeda to use Afghan soil to threaten American national security. But there is no way, once we withdraw, to verify that the Taliban is keeping this promise. Thus, French is correct in saying that were making concrete concessions in exchange for unenforceable promises from an untrustworthy enemy. If we want to end our involvement in Afghanistan, I say its better just to pull out without securing any promises from the Taliban. In the aftermath, our best hope of avoiding terror from Afghanistan is to make it understood that we will retaliate massively if the terrorism resumes. If the Taliban believes this, and continues to after Trump is gone, we dont need any promises. If they dont believe it, any promises are worthless. Getty Images En espanol | The Supreme Court will once again determine whether the Affordable Care Act and its individual mandate are constitutional. On Monday morning, the nation's highest court agreed to hear a case tied to the ACA's requirement that most adults have some type of health care coverage, which is called the individual mandate. The arguments have not been scheduled yet but are most likely to take place this fall, with a ruling in 2021. Until that decision arrives, the health insurance and other protections of the ACA will remain in place. A final ruling by the Supreme Court is needed to end years of uncertainty for millions of Americans who worry that they will lose access to critical health care coverage and essential consumer protections, says Nancy LeaMond, AARP executive vice president and chief advocacy & engagement officer. It would also end the uncertainty for insurers and state and local governments who must make advance decisions each year about participating in the ACA Marketplaces and other ACA programs. The suit revisits a key precedent from shortly after the law was enacted. Eight years ago, in that pivotal ruling, a 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court held that the ACA was constitutional because the individual mandate which at that time included financial penalties for people who didn't have insurance was a tax, which is a well-established power of Congress. But in 2017, Congress reduced the fine for not having health insurance to zero. Texas and 19 other states then filed suit in federal court, arguing that because there was no longer a penalty, the 2012 tax ruling precedent no longer applied and that the entire ACA no longer worked if the individual mandate was removed. The district court ruled in their favor. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision about the individual mandate but sent the suit back to the lower court to figure out whether the ACA could otherwise work without the mandate. In January, the U.S. House of Representatives and 17 states led by California asked the Supreme Court to intervene immediately, arguing that the uncertainty created by the lawsuit was affecting the health care of many Americans. AARP and AARP Foundation partnered with two other nonprofit groups Justice in Aging and the Center for Medicare Advocacy in filing an amicus brief Jan. 15 asking the high court to review the 5th Circuit's decision. Without the law's protections, the brief says, 4 out of 10 adults ages 50 to 64 about 25 million people could be denied health coverage because they have a preexisting condition. Also, without the law's protections against the so-called age tax, older Americans could once again be charged five times as much as younger adults or more for the same health coverage. "Because of the [ACA], millions of older adults now have access to health care, the brief says. The Fifth Circuit's decision threatens to take away their health care at a time when they need it most." The court refused an expedited review at that time, but now has added oral arguments to its docket. The court will consider the constitutionality of the mandate and whether the rest of the ACA can survive if the court finds that the mandate is unconstitutional. Posted on: March 3, 2020 1:55 PM [ACNS, by Staff Writer] The Anglican delegation to the 64th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW64) will be urging states to act on issues such as domestic violence and human trafficking. The delegation are raising these, and other issues, to argue that girls and boys, women and men, should live and work in relationships that reflect love, dignity and justice. Eight women from around the Communion have been selected by the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations to engage in two weeks of advocacy, learning and fellowship. UNCSW64 was due to run from the 9-20 March in New York City; but late on Monday night (2 March) the UN postponed the meeting until later in the year because of the Coronavirus outbreak. The Anglican Communion delegation will not travel to New York this month but will continue their advocacy work. Based on their experiences, the delegation have highlighted a number of priority areas for their time at CSW. These include freedom from oppression and human rights, domestic violence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, and the reintegration of mothers in education. Other priority areas are indigenous women, sexual and reproductive health and health workers, medias impact on women and girls, the role of boys and men, and women in leadership. Each delegate has identified specific advocacy points to bring to UNCSW64 in the hopes of changing their states. Bianca Daebs, a priest in the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, will denounce the increase in violence against women in Brazil. Amal Sarah from the Church of Pakistan will be advocating against the sexual harassment of women and men in Pakistan, and the shame that is attached to it. Unfortunately, Amals visa was denied and so she will not be able to join the delegation in New York, but will participate from afar. Navina Thompson, a priest in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, will be focusing on human trafficking. Martine Dushime from the Anglican Church of Burundi will be advocating for teenage girls and the need to prevent early pregnancies. Clare Hendricks from the US-based Episcopal Church will be speaking up for missing and murdered indigenous women in the United States. Robyn Andreo-Boosey from the Anglican Church of Australia will be asking the Australian government to invest more in efforts to equip faith communities to prevent violence against women. Bridie Boyd from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia will be focusing on the negative impact that media can have on young girls and women. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, will be speaking on women and health; modern slavery and women in leadership. More information and news on the Anglican Communion at UNCSW64 can be found at Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations on Twitter. NEWTOWN >> The Council Rock School Board on Jan. 6 announced that it has granted Superintendent Dr. Robert Fraser a temporary leave from his duties as administrative head of the school district. In the interim, the board has appointed assistant superintendent for teaching and learning Dr. Susan Elliott as substitute Superintendent. The Board looks forward to Dr. Fraser's return to the district... The Indore district administration plans to nominate 'Ger', a traditional Holi procession, for UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, an official said on Tuesday. 'Ger' or 'Phag Yatra' is a procession that is taken out on Rang Panchami in different parts of Madhya Pradesh's Indore city during the five-day Holi festivities. Speaking to reporters here, district magistrate Lokesh Kumar Jatav said, "We are trying to get UNESCO recognition for 'Ger' as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." The nomination will be sent to UNESCO through Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi, which is the nodal centre for such work in the country, he added. "UNESCO will take over a year to decide on the matter once the nomination is submitted," he said. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to observe 'Ger' in traditional Holkar style on March 14, the senior official said. "We are trying to observe the festivities like they used to in the Holkar era, wearing traditional attire and using herbal colours," the district magistrate said. Space will be provided for tourists on rooftops of multi-storey buildings along the roads to give them a better view of the colourful procession, he added. According to experts, the tradition of Ger in Indore was started under the Holkar dynasty, when royals would take to streets to celebrate Holi with the general public. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In 1968, McCulloch bought the London Bridge and moved it from England to Arizona to create a tourist attraction in the desert. Though the bridge, erected in 1831, was one of London's most recognizable landmarks, it hadn't been designed for the weight of automobile traffic, and by the mid-1960s it was sinking into the ground at the rate of an inch a year. London officials needed to replace it. Enter McCulloch, who was looking for a way to raise the visibility of Lake Havasu City, a community he was developing on the edge of a man-made reservoir. McCulloch paid $2,460,000 for the bridge and $7 million to have its granite blocks disassembled and shipped across the ocean and through the Panama Canal to Long Beach, Calif. They were trucked to Arizona and reassembled over a concrete structure. Initially, the bridge spanned dry land - until a canal was dug under it and flooded. In 1971, the bridge was dedicated at a ceremony attended by London's lord mayor, Sir Peter M. Studd, and 25,000 spectators. McCulloch died in 1977, but his gambit paid off. Lake Havasu City has developed into a tourist magnet that attracts 775,000 visitors a year. In 1967, the Common Council of the City of London began to look for potential buyers for the London Bridge. As Lake Havasu City's founder, chainsaw magnate Robert P. McCulloch, Sr. saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He believed--correctly, as history shows us--that reconstructing this massive icon in his new city would attract tourists and prospective buyers of residential lots. McCulloch placed the winning bid of $2.4 million on April 18, 1968 (over $17 million in today's dollars). McCulloch arrived at this figure by doubling the estimated cost of dismantling the structure ($1.2 million), bringing the price to $2.4 million. He then added on $60,000, a thousand dollars for each year of his age at the time he estimated the bridge would be reconstructed in Arizona ... The purchase included ornate lampposts made from the melted-down cannons captured by the British from Napoleon's army, after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After it was dismantled, each of its 10,276 exterior granite blocks from the original bridge was shipped to Lake Havasu City. Each block was numbered before the bridge was disassembled. The blocks were shipped overseas through the Panama Canal to California and trucked from Long Beach to Arizona. The shipping and assembly of the bridge, and dredging of a man-made channel underneath, cost $7 million. The inside of the bridge is hollow because it was rebuilt with a steel framework faced with granite. This reduced its weight from 130,000 tons to 30,000 tons, while strengthening the structure in order to accommodate auto traffic. After three years of reconstruction, Lake Havasu City rededicated the bridge in an extravagant dedication ceremony held on October 10, 1971. The (former) London Bridge was dismantled and moved from London UK to Arizona USA in 1968. It was rebuilt in what was then a desert in Lake Havasu City and is now a major tourist attraction (second-biggest tourist attraction in Arizona).A replacement London Bridge was built on the site of the old London Bridge. It was opened in March 1973: New Delhi, March 3 : The UN human rights chief has filed a case in the Supreme Court of India against the recently enacted Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), even as the Centre has said that no foreign institution or individual has any locus standi on internal matters of a sovereign country. In a statement, the Ministry of External affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed "an intervention application" in the apex court in connection to the CAA. The CAA fast tracks citizenship of persecuted religious minorities of three Islamic theocratic countries neighbouring India. The law triggered widespread violent protests in India, with the opposition calling it discriminatory against Muslims. Last week, Delhi witnessed massive violence that resulted in the deaths of 48 people, while over 250 others were injured. The Centre on Tuesday said that the CAA was an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. "We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. "We are clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of our constitutional values. It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India." India, he said, is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. "We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position would be vindicated by the honorable Supreme Court," he added. TEL AVIV, Israel, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In light of developing circumstances with the COVID-19 coronavirus and based on recommendations from the Israeli Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CannaTech Tel Aviv and PsyTech Summit are postponed. PsyTech Summit will take place June 14-15 and CannaTech, June 15-16, 2020. Saul Kaye, CEO of iCAN: Israel-Cannabis commented: "Our number one concern is the health and safety of our attendees and speakers, our partners, our colleagues and our vendors. While we are disappointed to postpone both CannaTech Tel Aviv & PsyTech Summit, we are very confident it will be worth the wait. "We thank our sponsors and attendees for their understanding and wish all those affected by the virus our very best. We are fully committed to create beautifully crafted events in June that will showcase the brands and solutions that fuel this industry." About CannaTech CannaTech is the only Medical Cannabis event of its kind with a global focus that offers senior industry leaders, medical and scientific experts, and new ventures the platform to come together, drive innovation, form partnerships and promote knowledge exchange. Click here for more information about CannaTech. About PsyTech Summit PsyTech Summit is the global industry event for innovation in psychedelic medicine. With renewed research interest in LSD, MDMA, Ketamine and psilocybin, and a growing normalization after decades of stigma, psychedelics are quickly becoming the next therapeutic frontier. Click here for more information about PsyTech Summit. For further information contact Laura Kam, [email protected], +972-54-806-8613. SOURCE CannaTech China's Yuanwang-7 sailing to Atlantic for satellite monitoring mission PLA Daily Source: Xinhuanet Editor: Huang Panyue 2020-03-02 09:25:57 NANJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's new-generation space tracking ship Yuanwang-7 is sailing to the Atlantic Ocean for a satellite maritime monitoring mission. The ship departed from a port of the China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Controlling Department in Jiangsu Province Thursday. It is the first time for Yuanwang-7 to carry out a mission in the Atlantic. Only one ship of China's Yuanwang fleet, Yuanwang-3, so far has conducted missions in the ocean. "This time the designated maritime area is remote and the route is new. We estimate that the vessel will sail in waves higher than 4 meters for over 10 days, a tougher journey than before," said Ni Liuguo, captain of the ship. Before setting out, crew members were quarantined on the vessel and cabins were disinfected to prevent the novel coronavirus infection. They completed the preparation of medical supplies and examined facilities to ensure the success of the mission. Yuanwang-7 was developed with the latest technologies in shipbuilding, space measurement and control, marine meteorology and shipping power. Since it was put into use in 2016, Yuanwang-7 has made 13 voyages and performed 21 tasks in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, including maritime tracking of China's second space lab Tiangong-2, the Chang'e-4 lunar probe and BeiDou satellites. China will have more than 40 space launches this year, and the Yuanwang fleet is expected to carry out intensive maritime monitoring missions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By PTI MUMBAI: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday said it has infused Rs 1.46 lakh crore in the rural banking system during the current fiscal. NABARD has been extending financial support to the banks operating in rural areas to help them deploy their resources effectively for meeting the credit needs of rural people, including farmers. "As on February 28, 2020, Rs 87,069 crore has been extended to cooperative banks and regional rural banks in short-term refinance. In addition, long-term refinance of Rs 59,502 crore has also been provided to these banks as well as other financial institutions," National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) said in a release. So far in the current fiscal, the development finance institution has extended Rs 66,397 crore in short-term credit and Rs 6,704 crore long-term credit to rural cooperative banks. Regional rural banks have availed Rs 14,141 crore in short-term credit and Rs 8,417 crore in long-term credit. The release said that in addition, other banks, including small finance banks, have obtained long-term refinance of Rs 37,895 crore. It provides short-term refinance, which is essentially production credit, to banks to allow farmers meet their operational costs. Long-term refinance is aimed at supporting sectors like dairy, poultry, fishery, farm mechanisation, irrigation, and non-farm sectors, among others. The development is also directing its resources to increase institutional credit to rural sectors through non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs). It has also extended Rs 4,638 crore to NBFCs and MFIs so far in FY20. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Riaboshapka told the ambassadors of the G7 countries about the reform of the prosecution authorities in Ukraine, the Office of the Prosecutor General's reports. "When discussing the changes in the system of the Ukrainian prosecutor's office, the ambassadors supported the reform and drew attention to the importance of the constancy and progressiveness of the processes that are taking place. Riaboshapka said that this is a comprehensive and lengthy reform that already yields first results," the Prosecutor General's Office said in a message. It says that the first result of the reform was the optimization of the central apparatus - the Prosecutor General's Office, which is currently undergoing personnel selection. In addition, the Office of the Prosecutor General's reminds about the start of certification of prosecutors of regional prosecutor's offices on March 2. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: Georgian Ambassador to Denmark Gigi Gigiadze took part in the event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, Trend reports via Georgian media. As reported, the coronavirus outbreak was one of the main topics of discussion. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, after the event, the ambassador of Georgia held a meeting with the Director of WHO Regional Office for Europe, Hans Kluge and Director of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases at the WHO Regional Office, Nedret Emiroglu. The cooperation between the World Health Organization and Georgia was discussed at the meeting. Representatives of the organization praised the efforts of the Georgian side to detect and prevent the early spread of coronavirus in the country. They emphasized the contribution of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health and its head Amiran Gamkrelidze to this process," the statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia reads. To date, three cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Georgia. All infected are Georgian citizens who have recently arrived from abroad. In addition, 170 people are quarantined with suspected coronavirus. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. 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. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356 [March 03, 2020] Jackson Earns 2019 "Contact Center of the Year" Award from SQM Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson) was recognized with four awards from Service Quality Measurement Group, Inc. (SQM)1 for excellence in contact center service in 2019. For the first time, Jackson was awarded SQM's top honor - Contact Center of the Year - for earning the highest combined ratings for customer and employee experience among a field of leading call centers from across North America. "We're incredibly honored and excited to win the most prestigious award SQM offers after achieving recognition as a Contact Center of the Year Finalist for the past four years," said Laura Prieskorn, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Jackson. "Winning this distinguished award demonstrates the high level of commitment, integrity and knowledge our outstanding associates exhibit to consistently provide the superior customer service financial professionals have come to expect from Jackson." Jackson also received two additional awards that reflect the company's strong focus on providing excellent service to financial professionals. These include Contact Center World Class CX Certification, awarded for an 80 percent or higher rate of solving customer issues on the first call for at least three consecutive months, and the Highest Customer Service - Financial Industry award, for achieving the highest first-call resolution (FCR) score in the market. Additionally, Jackson received the World Class Employee Experience Award for the sixth time, which is based on at least 50 percent of employees rating their overall experience of working in the contact center as "very satisfied." "SQM is very happy to announe Jackson as Call Center of the Year," said Lara Pow, chief financial officer of SQM. "As an ongoing finalist for this award for the past four years, Jackson has shown a commitment to providing a world class customer experience, which is a testament to the hard work of their contact center team. Based on their customer feedback, the effort the team consistently puts forward has certainly been noticed. The results that Jackson was able to achieve were remarkable and very deserving of this award." According to SQM's benchmarking survey, 97 percent of financial professionals who called the contact center gave Jackson's customer service the highest possible rating, which is 12 points higher than the industry average. The survey also showed the contact center resolved 89 percent of inquiries in the first call, which is 8 percent higher than the average world class call center. "Achieving world-class performance is not only a testament to the dedication of our Service Center, but to all our Operations associates and other team members within the organization who provide them with the essential support they need to excel on the job," Prieskorn said. "Our award-winning results would not be possible without the dedicated and unwavering approach of our associates to supporting each other and our customers. This recognition exemplifies Jackson's extraordinary success as a leading retirement solutions provider." SQM's awards are based on the customer's satisfaction with his or her service experience, the customer service representative, as well as the resolution of the call. Feedback came from the customers who contacted Jackson as well as employees who worked in a contact center. SQM benchmarks more than 500 leading North American contact centers annually and has conducted benchmarking studies since 1996. The 2019 awards are based on studies from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019. 1 SQM, Contact Center of the Year, 2019, Contact Center World Class CX Certification, 2019, Highest Customer Service - Financial Industry, 2019, World Class Employee Experience, 2019. About Jackson Jackson is a leading provider of retirement products for industry professionals and their clients. The company and its affiliates offer variable, fixed and fixed index annuities designed for tax-efficient growth and distribution of retirement income for retail customers, as well as products for institutional investors. Jackson is a proud founding member and co-chair of the Alliance for Lifetime Income, a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization formed and supported by 24 of the nation's financial services organizations to create awareness and educate Americans about the importance of protected lifetime income. With $281.5 billion in IFRS assets*, the company prides itself on sound corporate risk management practices and strategic technology initiatives. Focused on thought leadership and education, Jackson provides industry insights and financial representative training on retirement planning and alternative investment strategies. The company is also dedicated to corporate philanthropy and supports nonprofits focused on strengthening families and creating economic opportunities in the communities where its employees live and work. For more information, visit www.jackson.com. *Jackson has $281.5 billion in total IFRS assets and $265.7 billion in IFRS policy liabilities set aside to pay primarily future policyowner benefits (as of June 30, 2019). International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is a principles-based set of international accounting standards for reporting financial information. IFRS is issued by the International Accounting Standards Board in an effort to increase global comparability of financial statements and results. IFRS is used by Jackson's parent company. Jackson is an indirect subsidiary of Prudential plc, an Asia-led portfolio of businesses focused on structural growth markets. The business helps individuals to de-risk their lives and deal with their biggest financial concerns through life and health insurance, and retirement and asset management solutions. Prudential plc has 20 million customers (as of June 30, 2019) and is listed on stock exchanges in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and New York. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America. Jackson is the marketing name for Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Home Office: Lansing, Michigan) and Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (Home Office: Purchase, New York). Jackson National Life Distributors LLC. PR3271 02/20 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005219/en/ [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Bernie Sanders dismissed claims he failed to get things done: CNN Bernie Sanders has rejected accusations he is unable to turn his policies into action, responding to claims he fails to get things done by listing his political achievements for two minutes. During a CNN interview on Monday, presenter Anderson Cooper challenged the veteran Vermont senator to respond to criticism from his Democratic presidential rival Elizabeth Warren. Mr Sanders is a senator who has good ideas but whose 30-year track record shows he consistently calls for things he fails to get done and consistently opposes things he nevertheless fails to stop, Ms Warren said last week during a campaign event in Houston. Mr Sanders said he would respectfully disagree with Senator Warren before launching into a list that he claimed proved her wrong. He pointed to Amazon and Disney raising workers wages after he called for a minimum wage of $15 (12) an hour, a rate that seven US states have also now adopted although some Sanders campaign staffers have complained they earn less. Mr Sanders added he had helped pass the most significant veterans bill of recent history, put $11bn (8.6bn) for community health centres into the Affordable Care Act, and force the US to end its involvement in the war in Yemen. He suggested his calls for free university tuition had instigated states, cities, counties moving in exactly that direction, and claimed his focus on the climate emergency during the 2016 Democratic primaries had helped put the issue on the map. Mr Sanders said he was proud of his record, which involved year after year passing more roll call amendments than any other member of the House of Representatives. The socialist senator is leading in polls going into Super Tuesday, although there are signs former vice president Joe Biden may be closing the gap following the withdrawal of fellow moderate Pete Buttigieg. Read more Follow all the latest polls as US Democrats head into Super Tuesday NORWALK Barbara Dalio will kick off a series of town hall-style gatherings Tuesday evening to talk about her innovative and unfortunately, controversial state partnership to help at-risk youths at a place called the Carver Center in Norwalk that has special meaning to the Greenwich philanthropist. Dalios joint project with the state, called the Partnership for Connecticut Inc., combines $100 million from Dalio Philanthropies, $100 million from state taxpayers and, if the plan succeeds, yet another $100 million from other private donors. It culminates 12 years of work by Barbara Dalio, work that started right there at the Carver Center after the last of the Dalios four sons was grown. She had a lot more questions than answers as a benefactor looking to make a difference for struggling youths in 2008. At the private, nonprofit Carver, which runs after-school and summertime programs mostly in the Norwalk school system, Dalio didnt want to just write checks and walk away with maybe a plaque on a wall or a building named in her honor. No, she spent two years listening to teachers, listening to administrators, listening to students there and at an alternative public high school. Young people on the verge of dropping out, facing a grim future in the richest state of the richest nation, where Dalio and her husband, Ray Dalio, occupied the summit of the economic mountain. The Dalios still occupy that summit with a net worth exceeding $18 billion, according to Forbes, from Ray Dalios Westport-based Bridgewater Associates. Barbara Dalio did write checks, some small, some very large. When I started, thats what I did with many of the schools, she said in an interview Monday at the Hearst offices in Norwalk, not far from the Carver Center. They would maybe need $20,000 for books. Or much more than that. In all, she said, Dalio Education Initiatives, part of the larger Dalio Philanthropies, has given about $60 million in Connecticut. But her dreams were bigger than what even tens of millions of dollars can buy. They were about nurturing a culture that helps troubled young people succeed. And her motivation, from the start, was personal. I have two children with learning differences, Dalio said, giving no more details. Today her sons range in age from 32 to 42. In Norwalk and other Connecticut cities over the last dozen years, she said, It was easier for me to relate to those kids because a lot of them have learning differences on top of all the circumstances that they have, a lot of poverty. And the partnership, the result of a lot of ideas including hers about cultural change, is underway wading through some 340 program ideas, zeroing in on a CEO. The idea is to reach the estimated 39,000 young people who are disconnected from the system and engage them in ways that steer them on track to graduation and meaningful work. It means working more directly with employers and more profoundly with the troubled families whose lives hang in the balance. It means dealing with soft skills like punctuality and deal-killer concerns such as transportation and health. Thats not a new idea, not in the least. Dalios hope is that the partnership creates a new platform to do it better. And lets face it, weve seen mixed success at best. Then the next level is that we can really impact 70,000, she said, referring to a larger number of disengaged people, including young adults. And its not just 70,000, but maybe changing the way we have done things forever. Thats what she wants to talk about in a planned 15 or 16 public forums around the state, starting Tuesday at the Carver Center. The transparency issue For the moment, its unfortunate that the effort has mired politically in a flap over its exemption from Freedom of Information laws, granted last spring by the General Assembly. Some top elected officials, including the two top Republicans in the legislature, who are also on the partnership board, believe that exemption slipped quietly into the state budget should be revoked. They say the partnership must adhere to all the open-government rules of any public agency because were talking about $20 million a year from the state, for five years and Id guess it will grow from there. Barbara Dalio, soft-spoken and unassuming for anyone, much less for someone of unimaginable wealth, is prepared to talk about that FOI controversy, too. Simply put, as I said in a column last month, the partnership needs to be able to have conversations with families, school professionals, administrators and private-sector partners that those people wont have if their every utterance might end up in a news story. The kids and the families, when they come and were discussing the different issues they might have, it would be very difficult, especially when youre dealing with mental issues, she said. As for the money: Every penny will be made public, she said, describing a plan for regular disclosures, and the board meetings will be, and have been, public. This really should be a side issue especially since every single government agency operates similarly. Ever wonder why school boards seem to vote quickly on contentious issues? Ever wonder how the state legislature magically reaches a deal on a $20 billion budget every year, after winnowing thousands of bills down to a workable number that get votes? Yes, records are and should be fully public. But in the end, its done by back-room dealmaking, people. Sorry to break it to you this way, I know its harsh. Addressing disengagement Harsher still, by a longshot, are the lives Barbara Dalio hopes to make better if the partnership works. American-style poverty concentrated the way it is, often along race lines, sometimes just a few hundred yards from extreme wealth didnt make sense to her. Not that it should make sense to anyone, but Dalio, who was born in New York, spent most of her childhood and youth in Madrid, Spain, moving to New York in her 20s, barely speaking English. A liberal arts graduate, she worked at the Whitney Museum of American Art in a few different jobs and met Ray, then a commodities trader working out of his apartment. They married and moved to Wilton, later Greenwich. I would ask Ray, Whats going on, why do we have this poverty? she said. Part of the answer is that jobs for many young people not bound for college have fallen behind, especially if the job-seekers dont have trade skills or computer literacy. Thats a lot of what Barbara Dalio hopes to address with the partnership. The bigger picture came together very slowly, methodically. First, Dalio Education Initiatives helped to build up programs such as the Carver Center, officially the Carver Foundation of Norwalk named for George Washington Carver, an African American scientist and inventor who died in 1943 in Alabama. Today, Carver serves 2,600 students, mostly from 17 schools in Norwalk. When Dalio started her involvement, it was basically a single community center. Shes one of the individuals who believed in our vision and supported it, CEO Novelette Peterkin said. Barbara has a beautiful mind and a courageous heart. She brings out the best in everyuone....She has a passion for these students. Dalio deflects the conversation from herself. I am eager to just start doing the work and I hope everybody gets excited because its going to take all the different communities, the different industries to come together to make this happen. The first of about 15 community meetings about the Partnership for Connecticut Inc., led by Barbara Dalio, will be Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Carver Center, 7 Academy St., Norwalk. The gatherings are open to anyone. dhaar@hearstmediact.com Australians in rural communities are up in arms over the extraordinary price they're forced to cough up for basic groceries, with instant coffee costing $46 and a packet of toilet paper more than $25. The staggering prices sparked a national conversation when an image of $82 lamb chops at a rural Queensland supermarket went viral after being posted by Sondra Gorringe. Dozens of angry residents followed suit, sharing photos of basic grocery items with massive prices compared with metropolitan supermarkets. 'The price on this meat f*** that,' Ms Gorringe wrote, while sharing an image of the Warwick Meats lamb product coming in at $38.99/kg. 'The price on this meat f*** that,' Sondra Gorringe wrote, while sharing an image of the Warwick Meats product coming in at $38.99/kg The product was sold at a grocery store operated by government body Community Enterprises Queensland [CEQ] at Palm Island, off the coast of Queensland. 'Packaging error': Community Enterprises Queensland blames label for $82 lamb A CEQ spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the high price was actually a packaging error. 'The lamb meat pack identified by a Palm Island customer was incorrectly labelled by our supplier and as soon as our Palm Island store staff identified the issue, the item was removed from display and withdrawn from sale,' a spokesman said. He said organisation recently compared CEQs Everyday Low Price Basket on 40 common household items and the same products in Coles. The CEQ basket was $30 more expensive. 'We are very proud of this result when considering the higher ongoing costs associated with running a remote store, including increased freight, power, maintenance, and staffing costs,' the spokesman added. Advertisement A CEQ spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the high price was actually a packaging error. But Warwick Meats Sales Manager Shane Leehy told 9news the meat was being sold as a 'family pack' and wouldn't be too far off the price at urban centres. 'There was 2.1kg of meat in there. If you go into just about any little butcher on Gold Coast you will find it at that price. Supermarkets can do it a bit cheaper because they absorb the costs,' Mr Leehy said. He said the price would also have included additional costs to transport the product to Palm Island from mainland Australia. 'There is a fair bit of a freight component in that price. They left the Gold Coast and went all the way to Palm Island some items can be in transport for eight days so there is a cost involved,' he said. Ms Gorringe told NITV it's not just meat that's hitting the pockets of the local community. 'For shampoo and conditioner, they're about $9.00 each here and then in Townsville they're only like three or four dollars,' she said. She said she's resorted to buying groceries on the mainland and getting them sent to the island to save on her shopping bills. Basic groceries such as instant coffee is costing $46 for 500g (pictured) in rural communities A social media campaign under the hashtag #PriceChallenge has been launched, where frustrated shoppers share images of expensive groceries 'I work full-time so I'm OK and I normally get a $100 meat pack from Townsville and get it sent over on the plane and get groceries, but I reckon it would be hard for people still on Centrelink.' A social media campaign under the hashtag #PriceChallenge has since been launched, with shoppers in rural communities venting their anger over the cost of groceries. Jody Wallace, from the Queensland town of Wonga, shared images of a 500g tin of instant coffee for $46 and a 16-roll packet of toilet paper costing $25.05. 'It first became an issue to me when I didn't have a vehicle to travel to the nearest town, or city. I walked up to the local shop to find the toilet paper was almost $26,' Ms Wallace said. Some of the other photographs show a 24 slab of Coke cans being sold for $38.99 (pictured) and a chocolate birthday cake for $68.80 A Facebook user shares a photo of a chocolate birthday cake being sold for $68.80 Other photographs shared in her post show a 24 slab of Coke cans being sold for $38.99 and a chocolate birthday cake for $68.80. For the same tin of coffee at a city store the price is around $20. A slab of 24 cans of Coke cans is listed on the Woolworths website for $31.80 and the toilet paper retails for around $10.60 A 170g packet of Smiths chips was being sold for $6.02 at Wonga when they retail for around $2.50 at Woolworths city stores. 170g packets of Smiths chips were photographed being sold for $6.02 Gene Stewart-Murray has since started a petition calling on the federal government to introduce legislation to help support indigenous communities struggling to pay for groceries in remote areas. 'After spending lengthy periods throughout remote Australia; working in remote indigenous communities. It became apparent that the price of general necessities at local stores (generally privately owned by corporate companies) was outrageously high,' he wrote. 'I call upon the Hon Ken Whyatt indigenous affairs minister as well as the government from all political spectrums to legislate and encore laws to ensure such price hikes for all products can not continue.' Another image shows a 'Mixed Grill Family pack' for $54.33 (pictured) Beautiful Morningstar Foundation, a nonprofit created by a politically connected priest, purchased four lots, including 1229 and 1231 N. Lawrence St., for $1 in 2004. The group promised to build a community center. To this day, the four lots remain vacant with a tax delinquency of $4,291. Read more The deal that the city offered a baker named Mark Dwayne Gresham in 2015 couldnt have been sweeter: For $1 he could buy the house he was living in at 19th and Federal in Point Breeze, as long as he kept it up and stayed five years. For Philadelphia, offers like this have been common over the last two decades, allowing the city to give away thousands of abandoned properties acquired as the population declined. And in theory, new owners would earn their bargains by fixing up dilapidated houses and sprucing up vacant lots, returning once-derelict parcels to the tax rolls. But Gresham immediately fell behind on his property taxes. He now owes Philadelphia $11,557. Gresham is far from the only owner who bought a $1 property and struggled to pay taxes. The back taxes and penalties for the nearly 400 other people whove kept their $1 city properties over the last 20 years total $867,255. Last month The Inquirer wrote about the lack of oversight by the city as it sold a total of 2,300 properties for $1 over two decades. Nearly 800 of those parcels have since been flipped for a total of $54 million. Playgrounds and lots meant for affordable housing have been turned into market-rate homes in neighborhoods that are fast gentrifying. Of those who havent sold their properties, some have simply walked away. Others have left their lots vacant, without the promised development. About one in seven of those properties has racked up five or more violations from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. READ MORE: Sold for $1, resold for riches: How Philly gave away $54 million in properties Medical and legal woes Gresham moved into the Federal Street house in 1999 and lived there rent-free starting in 2003, when the city foreclosed on the property and let him stay if hed bring it up to code. He said he spent between $60,000 and $70,000 in improvements before 2015, when he paid the city $1 for the house, which was assessed for $123,700. As is customary in Philadelphia, the sale required the approval of the district councilman, in this case Kenyatta Johnson. Johnson referred questions about Gresham to his spokesperson, Vincent Thompson, who said: "He has been in the house since 1999. The councilman doesnt want to kick people out of their house if he doesnt have to. So, he supported the gentleman getting this property but he had to make payment arrangements to keep the property. He is paying the back taxes. Gresham said he has had medical troubles, which made it hard to stay current with his taxes. He has also had legal troubles. Philadelphia police raided the house in 2016 and reported finding $136,240 worth of marijuana. Gresham said that a friend had used his house to bake pot brownies. Gresham pleaded guilty to two drug-related felonies and got two years of probation. A city spokesperson said the $1 deeds do not restrict illegal activity. One former neighbor, Susan Engle, said she had complained several times to the city about noise coming from Greshams house blasting music, whimpering dogs, and people coming and going at all hours. Gresham, 50, said hes paid for his mistakes and has matured. I get out here every Saturday morning. I clean my block up. I have community days for the children. I feed the police officers every summer. I have a cookout for the firemen and police officers of the 17th district " He is on a payment plan with the city, as are about half of the other delinquent $1 property owners. By next year, Gresham said, he will have paid off his tax debt. I earned this house." Its hard to take back a house Through a reversion clause in most of the $1 deeds, the city has the right to take back parcels that have not been fixed up or developed, and give them to someone who has more means to follow through. It has seldom done so. The Inquirer found only 24 such cases over 20 years. The city has another tool: tax-delinquency sales. But former heads of the Redevelopment Authority say that taking properties to sheriffs sale can be difficult. Terry Gillen, who headed the agency between 2008 and 2010, said city attorneys argued against taking the owners of smaller properties or with lower tax bills to sheriffs sale. As a result, we were more focused on reversion clauses as the low-hanging fruit. Even that proved thorny. As soon as Gillen started the process to take back some properties, the property owner would call the district councilmember or the mayor and complain, she recalled. Word would get back to her to cool off. It ended up not being worth it. Brian Abernathy, the authoritys executive director from 2013 to 2015, said last month that former Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell intervened when he tried taking back 34 lots that the city had given to Brooklyn Heights LLC that were never developed. That developer has racked up 179 blight-related violations and owes $159,673 in back taxes. If Council and the mayor dont agree this should happen, then the head of the Redevelopment Authority wont be able to do anything, Gillen said. Empty promise Of the nearly 1,500 lots that have not yet been resold, 917 remain vacant. Nine are on the 1600 block of North Bouvier Street, near Temple University. They are owned by Cecil B. Moore Homeownership Development Corp., a nonprofit run by the Philadelphia Housing and Development Corp. Tax-exempt, the lots have amassed dozens of L&I violations. PHDC officials had no answers for the properties decrepit state other than saying that the Redevelopment Authority is exploring options for the lots. In 2004, four parcels in the 1200 block of North Lawrence and Leithgow Streets went to Beautiful Morningstar Foundation, a nonprofit created by the Rev. Monsignor George Tomichek of St. Peter the Apostle Church. The group had purchased some surrounding properties at the edge of Northern Liberties, and promised to build a community center. Neighbors recall how Tomichek was close with John Johnny Doc Dougherty, who chaired the Redevelopment Authority at the time. When Dougherty, then head of the electricians union, announced a run for state Senate in 2008, Tomichek stood by his side, and spoke highly of his candidacy. Tomichek became ensnared in a scheme in which religious leaders were scammed by Rafaello Follieri, then the boyfriend of actress Anne Hathaway. Tomichek had flown to Rome with Follieri and later the monsignor said he was owed $20,000. Board members of Beautiful Morningstar gave Tomichek time to resolve the controversy. He died in 2014. Four years later one of the nonprofits board members asked a City Council committee for permission to give two of the lots to a parishioner for a home. The committee was wary and asked for financial details from the would-be purchaser. The matter was tabled. All four lots remain vacant. The board member, Miguel Leon, did not respond to multiple messages. One former board member, Wilfredo Rojas, said he was surprised to hear of the plan to give the lots away. Those lots were supposed to be for a community center," he said. If you sell them. its going to go to a developer. Thats not right. Two of the four $1 lots have a combined tax delinquency of $4,291. Not what we need Freshman Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who replaced Blackwell to represent West Philadelphia, said that she complained to the city Land Bank after reading last months article on $1 land deals, asking why it doesnt effectively track sales of properties once owned by the city. The current database the Land Bank uses is not what we need, she said. She said she was particularly shocked at the 34 lots in her district that were given to Brooklyn Heights for nominal value in 2007 for low-income housing and that have since sat vacant, accumulating dozens of violations and $159,673 in tax debt. She called them a nuisance. Those are properties that should have been pulled back, she said. As of January, the city has new terms for its $1 deals. Applicants have to show they have the money to deliver whatever they promise theyll do with a vacant lot, which now come with either permanent deed restrictions or mortgages structured so the city gets some money back if the property changes hands within 30 years. And the city no longer sells houses for $1. While the program was well-intentioned providing housing while inhabiting vacant properties people who obtained homes for a dollar often faced financial challenges in keeping the homes, said Paul Chrystie, spokesperson for the citys landholding agencies. For that reason the program was discontinued. The Inquirers investigative reporting is supported in part by the Lenfest Institutes Investigative News Fund. Gifts to support the fund can be made at www.inquirer.com/donate. Editorial content is created independently of the funds donors. A listing of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Georgias Speaker of Parliament Archil Talakvadze on the sidelines of his official visit, the PMs Office told Armenpress. Mr. Talakvadze highlighted the active cooperation between the Armenian and Georgian governments and parliaments and stated that the PMs visit will give a new impetus to the further strengthening and expansion of ties between the two peoples. He highly valued the partnership between the parliamentarians both in the bilateral relations and also within the international platforms. The Georgian Speaker of Parliament also valued the role of the Armenian community in the countrys development and added that it serves as a firm bridge for boosting the Armenian-Georgian inter-state ties. In turn Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the inter-parliamentary dialogue has a special place in the relations of the two countries. He also emphasized the importance of close cooperation between the lawmakers, stating that these close relations bring their contribution to the development of friendly ties between Armenia and Georgia. Pashinyan and Talakvadze stated that Armenia and Georgia can find new opportunities for mutually beneficial joint programs and projects through an intensive dialogue. At the end of the meeting the Armenian PM left a note in the Georgian Parliaments Honorary Guest Book. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a congratulatory message on the Businessmans Day, the PMs Office told Armenpress. The message says: Dear businessmen, I congratulate all of you on the Businessmans Day. Its symbolic that this day has been selected on the birthday of famous entrepreneur and philanthropist Alexander Mantashev. This day is a chance not only to honor Alexander Mantashev, but also those entrepreneurs of Armenia who continue Mantashevs work. As I have stated many times, we imagine in the role of conducting Armenias economic revolution our business community and consider you, the businessmen, our governments number one ally in the countrys development process. In 2019 we jointly managed to record high economic results which became possible thanks to our joint activities and cooperation. I am confident that Armenias business community, people who are engaged in entrepreneurship are exceptionally talented and I am also sure that this year you will generate higher results in your companies, by creating greater outcomes for Armenia and its people. And I want to assure you that the government of Armenia will do everything possible to improve the business climate and expand the opportunities for new investment projects. As I have stated in the past, today as well want to note that the characterizer of a businessman in our country is the reputation gained with fair, legal and hard work based on one concrete goal to become rich and enrich the homeland, the people and the state. Dear businessmen, I wish you good luck, a lot of energy and new ideas. In 2017 Armenia declared March 3 as the Businessman Day. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Most of the evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship were released Tuesday from their quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, a day after local officials sought to extend their confinement and have them retested for the coronavirus. A total of 127 evacuees finally were allowed to head home, after about a month of confinement on the ship and in a hotel on the base. The city said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has overseen the quarantine at Lackland, had modified its protocols and provided a plan that satisfied local officials concerns about the departure. Some evacuees were bused directly to San Antonio International Airport in small groups based on their flight times. There, they were met by airport employees who assisted them with ticketing and bags and accompanied them through security. Others who live in Texas were taken on the same buses to the airport so they could arrange for car rentals. Most of the group initially was scheduled to leave Monday, in accordance with their 14-day federal quarantine order. But they remained on base as they were caught up in a political battle between local officials, who argued the evacuees still could pose a health risk to the community, and federal officials, who said only those who had been medically cleared would be released. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio, Bexar County in battle with the CDC over evacuees Now Playing: Sig Christenson is a senior reporter who covers the military for the San Antonio Express-News. He is currently reporting on the coronavirus evacuee situation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Video: San Antonio Express-News Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that before he and others intervened, the evacuees would have been free to go wherever as soon as they stepped off the base. While the city could not force the CDC to conduct further testing, he said, it did help coordinate a new plan for release that would limit their contact with the general public. We were able to improve the departure process with CDC, Nirenberg said. That release was coordinated and quick to minimize the risk of exposure. No passengers stayed in local public areas while waiting to depart. No further groups of evacuees are expected to be brought to San Antonio, Nirenberg said. Those released do not pose a health risk to the community, CDC spokeswoman Carol Williams said. Ten people among the 144 Diamond Princess passengers evacuated to Lackland ultimately tested positive for the coronavirus, including three who received positive results while in Japan and are waiting for confirmation from the CDC. One sick evacuee was transported out of state to be reunited with a spouse who was hospitalized elsewhere after also contracting the virus. Of the 144 Americans who arrived at Lackland on Feb. 17 from the coronavirus-ridden cruise ship, seven still are under quarantine on the base due to close contact with someone with the virus, Nirenberg said. Their releases will be staggered according to their time of possible exposure. On ExpressNews.com: A timeline of coronavirus news in San Antonio Local officials frantic attempts to extend the Diamond Princess quarantine came on the heels of the erroneous release Saturday of an evacuee from Wuhan, China, who had been infected with the virus, COVID-19. After being hospitalized for weeks, the woman had tested negative twice and appeared recovered, only for positive test results to arrive following her discharge from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, a state hospital designated to treat coronavirus patients. Before the mistake was realized, she stayed at the Holiday Inn Express near the airport and took a hotel shuttle to North Star Mall. After about 12 hours, she was being taken back to the hospital. Its not clear whether she still was contagious during that period, but officials with the Metropolitan Health District say they have identified at least 21 people who could have been exposed to the virus. Two San Antonio congressmen, Joaquin Castro and Lloyd Doggett, both Democrats, have called for an investigation of the bungled release, which they said raises serious questions about CDC oversight, protocols and attention to public safety, according to a letter the pair sent Monday to leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The letter went on to more broadly question CDCs handling of the two groups of evacuees from the cruise ship and Wuhan, including their transport into the community for testing and medical care, even when symptoms were mild. It asked why federal officials could not quarantine coronavirus patients at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonios military hospital. Our communitys capacity to provide isolation rooms for the quarantined population is not unlimited and filling them up with people not in need of hospital-level care is an inappropriate use of these rooms, the letter said. On Tuesday, Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Republicans, penned their own letter to Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the CDC, asking how a similar mix-up could be prevented with future coronavirus patients. Redfield already had told Texas health officials Monday that new criteria had been established for medically clearing people who had been infected with the virus. Moving forward, previously symptomatic patients will be required to have two sequential negative tests within 24 hours, and no one will be released while tests are pending. On ExpressNews.com: Calm the panic: With impending release of cruise ship evacuees, San Antonio health officials begin pivot to community coronavirus plan The mayor and other local officials repeatedly have raised the same concerns to the CDC. On Monday, Nirenberg declared a public health emergency and unsuccessfully sought a temporary restraining order in federal court to delay the evacuees release. He said the city used the tools at its disposal in an effort to protect the safety of the public, but also that of the evacuees themselves. All was done to prevent the community spread of the virus that already has begun in other areas of the country, Nirenberg said. In the last week, coronavirus cases have surfaced in more states, including New York, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Nine people in the U.S. have died, all in the Seattle area, which is grappling with a serious outbreak of the virus at a long-term-care facility. To date, we have zero community transmission in this city, Nirenberg said. We want to keep it that way. Still, on Tuesday Metro Health established a hotline, 210-207-5779, which can residents can call with concerns about the virus. The department is directing symptomatic residents to first call their primary care doctors, rather than showing up at hospitals or clinics. For the time being, any samples collected from possibly infected patients will be sent to the CDC lab in Atlanta, as local testing isnt yet available for the virus. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, left, speaks during a meeting at the National Assembly on March 2. Yonhap By Do Je-hae The rapid spread of COVID-19 has prompted the government to draw up a massive extra budget to help communities and businesses deal with the fallout from the virus. The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed to a supplementary budget of over 6.2 trillion won ($5.12 billion) for the nationwide fight against the new coronavirus during a meeting at the National Assembly, Monday. The amount is expected to exceed the fiscal spending that had been set aside for the 2015 MERS epidemic, according to Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, chief of the DPK policy committee. "The government has been moving as fast as we can to submit the bill to the National Assembly by March 5," Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said during the meeting. "We have selected projects that are indispensable for a defense against the new coronavirus and overcoming damage from it." New Delhi, March 3 : After the Lok Sabha witnessed shoving, blocking ways and shouting at each other to the degree that Speaker Om Birla had to adjourn the house for on Monday, he put forward two very straight conditions in front of members for the way forward, on Tuesday, before the house reconvened. The first condition he put in front of all members that if treasury bench members cross over to the opposition side or the opposition members do the same by crossing over to the treasury benches, the concerned MPs will face suspension. Sources say, all parties came to an agreement on this. But what proved to be the bone of contention was the second condition. Birla clearly warned against bringing any placards inside the house. He is believed to have warned, those failing so, regardless of parties they belong to, may face action by the Chair. While most political parties including the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress agreed to it, sources say, few "young MPs" who are particularly hailing from Kerala had "strong objections" to it. This effort which is touted as the "peace initiative" by Birla to end stalmate came after a ruckus broke out in Lok Sabha on Monday when both Congress and the BJP came face to face which was followed by minor shoving as well. It all started when Congress members came down to the treasury benches as BJP's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Sanjay Jaiswal was speaking in the house. Soon, BJP members like Ramesh Bidhuri came to Jaiswal's rescue. Later, Congress MP Ramya Haridas complained to Lok Sabha speaker against BJP MP Jaskaur Meena, while BJP's Dausa representative too complained against the Congress. A group of women BJP members of parliament too went and met Om Birla to raise the issue of alleged attack on Meena and its Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje. In fact, in a complaint to Om Birla, Karandlaje wrote, "I am appalled to report to you the misbehaviour thrust upon senior MP Jaskaur Meena by Congress MPs.... That a senior member can be jostled in the house is against all norms of decency." Calling it a "perverse desire to vitiate the proceedings", Karandlaje asked for the expulsion of the Congress MP. However, as soon as the house resumed, ruckus broke out. As Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, DMK's T.R. Balu upped the ante over Delhi violence that has killed 45 people so far, a visibly agitated Birla asked, "Announce and make yourself clear whether you want to run the house with placards and banners." But after all the peace initiatives, the matter came back to square one, from where the way forward seems extremely tough for the Lok Sabha Speaker. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Twitter Inc. (TWTR) said Monday that it is strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. 'Beginning today, we are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us - and the world around us,' Twitter said in a blog post. Twitter said it is mandatory for employees in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea to work from home, due to government restrictions. But other offices will remain open for those who prefer or need to come into the offices. 'We are working to make sure internal meetings, all hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation,' Twitter said. On Sunday, Twitter suspended all non-critical business travel and events. 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. By PTI LOS ANGELES: A group of fans has petitioned the makers of Daniel Craig's latest James Bond movie "No Time To Die" to delay the release in the wake of coronovirus scare. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries, including the US, Italy and Iran. "No Time To Die", which marks Craig's final outing as the suave British spy, is slated for a UK release on April 8 and in North America on April 10. In an open letter posted on MI6-HQ.com, the fan group placed onus on the producers of the film to put the health of the public over everything else. "After enduring three delays in production already, it is by no means easy to say this: the release of 'No Time To Die' should be postponed. With the coronavirus reaching pandemic status, it is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of cancelling publicity events," read the statement. The fan group urged distributors MGM and Universal and producer Eon Productions to push the film's release until summer as well as its world premiere scheduled for March 31 in London. "That brings us to the world premiere for No Time To Die set for March 31st in London. Hundreds of fans and celebrities from around the world will be flying to the UK to attend." The Royal Albert Hall capacity is above the 5,000 limit that affected countries are banning for public gatherings. Just one person, who may not even show symptoms, could infect the rest of the audience. This is not the type of publicity anyone wants," the letter said. The group said the film is not more "important" than the "well-being of fans around the world, and their families". "Delay the release of 'No Time To Die' until the summer when experts expect the epidemics to have peaked and to be under control. It's just a movie. The health and well-being of fans around the world, and their families, is more important. "We have all waited over 4 years for this film. Another few months will not damage the quality of the film and only help the box-office for Daniel Craig's final hurrah," the letter concluded. "No Time To Die", directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, also features Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux, Jeffrey Wright, Ana De Armas, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, and others. This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (pink) cultured in the lab. Credit: f NIAID-RML Since mid-February, the disease caused by the coronavirus has been known as COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019. The new name was chosen by the World Health Organization because it's a more accurate name for the disease caused by a specific strain of the fairly common coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause symptoms ranging from those of a mild cold to severe pneumonia. The specific strain of the virus associated with COVID-19, discovered in China's Hubei Province in late 2019, has been named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. Still, many news outlets continue to use "coronavirus" as shorthand to refer to this specific disease and the toll it is taking around the world, and that's not totally accurate. The naming convention follows the same logic as that for HIV/AIDS: Human immunodeficiency virus is the virus that canbut doesn't alwayslead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Consider it another way: Some movies are scary, but most are not. If you're afraid of horror movies, it wouldn't be wrong to say "Movies scare me," but neither would it be totally accurate. The more accurate statement is: "Horror movies scare me." In this metaphor, using "coronavirus" is the same as using "movies." Using "COVID-19" is equivalent to using "horror movies." One is more specific, and therefore, more accurate. Wendy Parmet is Matthews University Distinguished Professor of law and director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern. Credit: Mary Knox Merrill/Northeastern University At some point in their lives, most adults have likely caught some form of a coronavirus, spent a week or two with a runny nose and a cough, and then recovered. Symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the specific strain of coronavirus in the news right now, can range from mild to severe respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. So, why did WHO choose "COVID-19," and not something a bit catchier? The new name was chosen because it's easy to pronounce, and it avoids any implication of association with people, places or animals. "Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, in a press conference. "It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks." The new name divorces the disease from an unfair association with Wuhan, China, where it was first discovered in December 2019. Wendy Parmet, Matthews Distinguished University Professor of law, who studies public health at Northeastern, told TIME magazine that had the name referred to Wuhan, it would have put a "tremendous stigmatization on the people of Wuhan who are the victims" of the disease. Researchers in a number of different disciplines at Northeastern have been tracking various aspects of the disease, and the university has a robust set of policies in place to prepare for an outbreak of the disease, as well. Alessandro Vespignani, who directs the Laboratory for the Modeling of Biological and Socio-technical systems at Northeastern, has been working with an international collaboration of researchers to try to predict the potential spread of the disease. Their prediction map is publicly available and constantly being updated with information coming from China and other countries. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak As the votes roll in from 14 states and one U.S. territory on Super Tuesday, anxious Democrats will be looking for signs everywhere: hints that their preferred candidate has the momentum, indications that the party wont end up with a brokered convention, and proof that the partys eventual candidate can beat Donald Trump. Some of those signs will surely come from voter turnout. Four states have held primaries or caucuses this year, and each had its own turnout story. Iowas turnout was lower than expected, but up slightly from 2016. New Hampshires turnout was above 2016, similar to 2012, and even higher than 2008the year often cited for setting records across the country (though there are now more eligible voters in the state). Nevada had more voters than in 2016 but fell far short of 2008. And South Carolina saw surprisingly high turnout, with numbers almost matching 2008. But what does primary turnout data really tell us? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not much, according to several political scientists. While a radical groundswell of support for a candidate from a traditionally underrepresented demographic would be a promising sign, just about anything else would be relatively meaningless. There are two broad questions when looking at voter turnout in early primaries: What does this mean for the rest of the primary election? And what does this mean for the general election? In the primary, its not simple. As pundits and forecasters are quick to tell you, each state has its own dynamics. Race and age matter, as does the political history of a state. Iowa, where political participation is a proud tradition, will be different than, say, Mississippi, which typically has lower voter turnout. The candidates own regional identity will often be a factor, possibly creating a spike for the local candidate that might contradict other voting patterns. Not much is universal, and high or low turnout in one state cant necessarily predict a candidates performance in the contests to come. Advertisement Advertisement Turnout doesnt offer much more clarity for the general election. Trump has no serious competition, so those who show up to vote for the president do so more as a symbolic gesture. That means its hard to predict comparative turnout for the general election. High Democratic turnout in a state thats still predicted to go RepublicanSouth Carolina, for exampleisnt that meaningful in a practical sense. Things like a fragmented slate of candidates could also depress turnout. And its not easy to match one election to another, so theres hardly any use trying to map 2020 onto 2016 or 2008. Ultimately, theres just not enough data to know if theres a real relationship between primary and general election turnout. Advertisement Advertisement In the first four contests of this election cycle, though, one consistent narrative has emerged. Nothing so far has pointed to a large, organic surge from young people that would shift the Democratic coalition, which could be a bad sign for Bernie Sanders, who has promised to significantly grow the base. Surveys often say that young people are particularly excited about Sanders, but according to Anthony Fowler, a professor at the University of Chicagos Harris School of Public Policy, its unlikely that they will actually turn out in high enough numbers to shift the whole conversation. Every election, someone talks about how that might be disrupted by some new candidate or some new force, and generally speaking, the patterns are pretty predictable, he said. Barack Obama brought out black voters in higher numbers, but even then the shift wasnt that dramatic. If you were expecting a candidate to dramatically transform the voting population such that the typical patterns dont hold, thats a big ask. And weve never really seen anything like that before. To a certain extent, Democrats should take comfort in the fairly normal behavior were seeing. It might signal that a lot of Democrats are satisfied with any of the candidates and will vote for whomever the nominee is. Thanks to Meredith Rolfe at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Bernard Fraga at Indiana University. Narendra Modi, Prime minister of India | Though almost all of Indias Prime Ministers have come from the nearly 80% of the population that is Hindu, only Modi has governed as if no one else matters, writes Karl Vick, Time editor. (Image: Reuters) Amid fears of the novel Coronavirus spreading in India after two fresh cases were reported on March 2 from Delhi and Telangana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3 said that he has had an "extensive review" regarding the "preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus". "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," the prime minister tweeted. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," PM Modi added, tweeting an advisory on the basic protective measures to follow. One case each was reported from Delhi and Telangana on March 2. The person from Delhi had travelled to Italy, the Union Health Ministry said adding that he is being treated at the RML hospital in the national capital. 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 other person with coronavirus infection has a travel history to Dubai, the ministry added. Read Also | 'True leader' would be focused on averting crisis to be unleashed by coronavirus on India: Rahul Gandhi The virus, now known as COVID-19, has infected over 89,000 people globally and caused more than 3,000 deaths. As many as 25,738 people are under community surveillance across the country, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said as he advised people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore. Company bolsters presence in China with appointment of Qing (Steven) Chen as General Manager and the establishment of a WFOE H.E.L Group (H.E.L), a global developer and manufacturer of innovative laboratory tools for process optimization, safety and scale-up, today announced the appointment of Qing (Steven) Chen as China General Manager (GM). Steven will support H.E.L's transition to a wholly foreign-owned entity (WFOE) in China, as the Company expands its sales, marketing and support efforts in the region. Steven joins the Company with over 20 years' experience in senior management, including GM roles in the Chinese divisions of Bruker Optics and, most recently, Nanophoton Corporation. Previously, Steven held the position of Greater China President during a 10-year tenure with PerkinElmer, where he took the leading role in business strategy implementation and P&L responsibility for the area. As an experienced commercial GM for scientific instrumentation companies, Steven is ideally suited to lead H.E.L's program to expand operations in China. This will include building a team of local talent focused on customer support and service. H.E.L provides automated solutions to optimize the safety, efficiency and productivity of key processes in the pharma, biotech and chemical sectors. The Company's safety portfolio, including its range of battery test equipment, is fully compliant with the thorough and rigorous test procedures required by Chinese regulations. Steven and his team will support customers to meet their own compliance commitment to these testing processes and produce batteries that deliver increased functionality whilst being fully safety tested. Louise Madden, CEO of H.E.L Group commented: "China is one of the world's most vibrant and exciting markets for chemistry and biotechnology with a strong drive for innovation. The setting up of a legally owned entity in China reflects our long-term commitment to the region and our intent on building a stronger and more effective presence there. We are delighted to welcome Steven to the team as we continue on a journey of global growth and operational excellence Steven's experience and expertise will be key to this." Steven Chen, H.E.L's General Manager China, added: "I'm very proud of becoming a member of this great team. I look forward to working with colleagues to build a stronger team in China with the same commitment to our customers and commercial success. That will come from the sharing of ideas and best practice around the team. Our portfolio of safety products is particularly well received in China and we will continue to ensure we maintain the highest levels of regulatory adherence for our own internal processes and those of our customers." About H.E.L. Group H.E.L Group's mission is to work together with chemistry, safety and biotechnology experts to engineer and unleash the full potential of the scientific community. To this end, H.E.L develops and manufactures innovative scientific instruments and software designed to optimize the efficiency, safety and productivity of key processes in chemistry and biology applications. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005461/en/ Contacts: Sarah Jeffery E-mail: sarah.jeffery@zymecommunications.com President Donald Trump tweeted: "There was no corporate leader like "neutron" Jack. He was my friend and supporter. We made wonderful deals together. He will never be forgotten. My warmest sympathies to his wonderful wife & family!" Under him, GE's market value grew from $12 billion to $410 billion. But his push to build out the GE Capital financing business nearly proved the undoing of the entire enterprise during the global financial crisis more than a decade ago, and GE now trades at a fraction of its peak value. Welch -- known as "Neutron Jack" for cutting thousands of jobs -- bought and sold scores of businesses, expanding the industrial giant into financial services and consulting. Jack Welch, who grew General Electric during the 1980s and 1990s into the most valuable public company in the United States, has died at age of 84, the conglomerate said on Monday. In December 1980, it was announced he would succeed CEO Reginald Jones and in April 1981 he took over as the company's eighth chairman and CEO. He served in that position until he retired in September 2001, succeeded by Jeff Immelt. GE saw great growth and expansion under Welch's leadership. Through streamlining operations, acquiring new businesses and ensuring that each business under the GE umbrella was one of the best in its field, the company was able to expand dramatically from 1981 to 2001. "Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others," Welch wrote in a book called "Winning." According to GE's website, Welch was born in 1935. He received his B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1957 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1960. In 1960, Welch joined GE as a chemical engineer for its plastics division in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was elected the company's youngest vice president in 1972 and became vice chairman in 1979. In 1980, the year before Welch became CEO, GE recorded revenues of roughly $26.8 billion; in 2000, the year before he left, they were nearly $130 billion. The company was one of the most valuable and largest company in the world at the time of his retirement, up from America's tenth largest by market cap in 1981. In 1999, Fortune named him the "Manager of the Century," and the Financial Times named him one of the three most admired business leaders in the world. The leader in Los Angeles for the so-called progressive prosecutor movement is in some ways an unlikely choice. George Gascon is not a young public defender, like Tiffany Caban, who came within a hair of winning the district attorney post in Queens, or Chesa Boudin, who upset the establishment choice in San Francisco last November. Mr. Gascon, 65, is a former beat cop who rose to become an assistant chief in Los Angeles and then chief of two other departments. For decades, he was part of a system he has since renounced as unfair, indifferent and ineffective. Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Matthew Continetti writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Michelle Cottle examines two primary contests that will shake the parties well beyond the states in play. During almost nine years as San Franciscos district attorney, Mr. Gascon championed practices that have become central to the new breed of prosecutors promoting alternatives to jail; gathering and relying on transparent data; limiting cash bail; expunging marijuana convictions; and deciding charges based on race-blind information. He sponsored a state initiative that reduced many drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors and supported a proposal to tighten the legal standard for the use of deadly force by the police. Although he stopped short of the more sweeping reforms embraced by some prosecutors and while racial disparities persist in San Francisco, Mr. Gascon is in many ways the godfather of the nascent movement. In 2018, he announced he would retire to Los Angeles, the county where he grew up after fleeing Cuba with his family. He soon became a logical choice for reformers seeking a high-profile candidate to challenge the incumbent. His opponent in the election, Jackie Lacey, a career prosecutor with strong law-and-order bona fides, made history in 2012 when she became the first woman and the first African-American elected district attorney in Los Angeles. Eight years later, black civil rights activists who cheered that breakthrough became her harshest critics. Black Lives Matter and other groups have picketed her office weekly and disrupted public events. They criticize her decision to seek the death penalty (in 22 cases), failure to charge police officers who have killed civilians, a weak record on public corruption and a cautious approach to high-profile defendants. Those criticisms are echoed by Mr. Gascons prominent black endorsers, who include Representative Maxine Waters, Senator Kamala Harris and the musician and activist John Legend. Multiple factors influence crime rates and convictions, many beyond the control of prosecutors. But by any measure, Los Angeles has relied on incarceration far more heavily than almost any other jurisdiction in California, sending people to prison at the rate of about 608 per 100,000 residents. San Francisco ranks at the other end of the scale, incarcerating about 130 people per 100,000. A Nigerian man has gone viral on social media after he decided to embark on a journey to Saudi Arabia from Jos, Plateau state using a Bicycle as his means of transportation. A Twitter user, Abdul-Majid Lawan (@ Abdul_Majid84) shared photos and the story of the man. He left Jos yesterday on his way to Saudi Arabia on a bicycle. He said he has settled the needs of his wife and three children. Whats your message for him? he tweeted. In the photos, the unidentified man wore a shirt with the inscription; From Nigeria (Plateau State) To Saudi Arabia With Bicycle. The man reportedly left Jos on February 28, 2020, after settling the needs of his wife and three children. Read Also: Fans Drag Reality Star, Bisola For Claiming To Be A Virgin In Secondary School See the tweet below: Tech Helps Kansas City Park KC drivers can access new mobile parking app for downtown KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Frustrated by payment methods for parking downtown? Change has arrived. Kansas City, Missouri, is promising an easier way to pay for parking digitally and monitor it remotely with an upgraded and rebranded mobile payment app. ParkSmartKC, which was developed in partnership with Passport, launched Monday. KCK Condemned Postscript Residents at condemned KCK apartment complex still unsure what to do Hide Transcript Show Transcript SAY THEY WON'T HAVE TO MOVE AS OUR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER MATT EXPLAINS. UNFIT PROPERTY, 319 SOUTH BETHANY STREET. THERE IS UNCERTAINTY. SEAN McGINNIS CAME HOME TO THE APARTMENTS LAST WEEK TO SEE THIS PINK SLIP ON HIS FRONT DOOR. Rock Chalk Legal Smack Down Kansas Suspends Lawyer Who Forged Judge's Signature A Kansas attorney who forged the signatures of a judge and a clerk, neglected numerous clients and fabricated court pleadings, has been suspended for two years by the state's top court. A "two-year period of suspension is warranted given the serious nature of the respondent's acts that gave rise to the multiple violations in this matter," the Kansas Supreme Court's Feb. Show-Me Army Of Licensed Missouri Weed Smokers 35,000 Missouri patients already have OK for medical marijuana ST. LOUIS (AP) - Medical marijuana sales in Missouri won't likely begin until the second half of 2020, but the state health department has already approved more than 35,000 patients who want to use the drug, far exceeding projections. Missouri's medical marijuana director, Lyndall Fraker, said Monday that psychological disorders are the No. Holiday Hotness Revealed Kylie Jenner's Vacation Outfits Have Been So Extra Kylie Jenner is currently on vacation somewhere tropical, because that's what you do if you're a young billionaire. Of course, her wardrobe has been unsurprisingly over-the-top and made for Instagram thirst trap shots. Travis Scott, are you watching? The makeup mogul started by sharing a traveling shot: Then two "we're in paradise" bathing suit shots. Photog Behind The Scenes Kylie Jenner's Personal Photographer Is Here to Quash Those Photoshop Rumors Amber Asaly's summer was better than yours. Unless you also spent the past three months chilling on a $22 million dollar yacht, taking dreamy photos of Kylie Jenner in vintage Dior while Kris Jenner flounced about in a tunic. Blue Dog Bows Out MSNBC host Chris Matthews announces resignation amid series of controversies MSNBC star Chris Matthews shocked his colleagues and viewers Monday night by announcing that he was stepping down as host of the cable news channel's primetime staple, "Hardball," effective immediately. "Let me start with my headline tonight: I'm retiring. This is the last 'Hardball' on MSNBC," Matthews announced at the top of his show. Forever War Cover Story Secret documents on Trump Afghanistan peace deal shared with Congress Both Engel and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) plan to hold hearings to review the agreement, although neither has scheduled any session at this point. Since the agreement is not a formal treaty, Trump does not have to submit it to Congress for approval. Sickness Timetable Debate Task force health expert contradicts Trump about coronavirus vaccine timing President Donald Trump was contradicted by a health expert on his coronavirus task force over the timing for a potential vaccine during a briefing Monday. Local Merch Good Deeds Charlie Hustle named TeamKC MVP for KC Heart icon, unveils trio of summer charity events Charlie Hustle's KC Heart icon gained regional notoriety after a high-profile association with the World Series-winning Kansas City Royals, but now the brand is helping put Kansas City on the global stage with its simple, but historically-rooted design, said TeamKC. Kansas City Climate Check March comes in like a kitten FAIRWAY, KS (KCTV) - The lion isn't roaring as we start March. No, it's more like the gentle meow of a house cat. We can sit back and enjoy a great stretch of weather to start the month. Weather Report Today Tuesday looks sunny, warmer Hide Transcript Show Transcript AS WELL. MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TO BE EXPECTED. NO RAIN OR SNOW. YOUR FIRST ALERT HOUR BY HOUR FORECAST HAS IT DIPPING INTO THE 40s BEFORE OUR 6:00 NEWSCAST. 47 BY 7:00. 8:00 P.M. TEMPERATURE 45. AND DOWN TO 43 DEGREES. AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO FALL BY TOMORROW MORNING. Inspired by the branding ofwe awake to pop culture, community news and info from across the nation and around the world. Gorillaz - Desole ft. Fatoumata Diawara is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . . HAMDEN The Hamden Police Department is searching for an 84-year-old man who was reported missing. The Silver Alert was issued for Vitaliano Roccapriore, who was last seen leaving a family friends house in Meriden on Monday at about 12:30 p.m., police said. Advertisement The coronavirus death toll in the US has now jumped to nine after test results for two people who died last week came back positive for the disease. All nine deaths have occurred in Washington state with at least six of them linked to the senior living facility, Life Care Center, in Seattle. Health officials revealed on Tuesday that one of those Life Care residents, a male in his 50s, died last Wednesday after being taken to a Seattle hospital. A woman in her 80s, who was a resident of Life Care but was never hospitalized, died at her family home that same day. Test results only just confirmed that they both had coronavirus. Some staff may have been exposed to the virus while working in the intensive care unit where that patient was being treated but they don't believe that other patients were exposed, a hospital spokeswoman said. Officials have not yet determined how the senior living facility became the epicenter of where the majority of deadly cases have been linked to. North Carolina announced its first case on Tuesday after a man traveled to Washington state and visited the Seattle care facility where the outbreak has occurred. The jump in the death toll came as health officials promised to ramp up coronavirus testing across the US and vowed to test a million people by the end of the week. Officials have also revealed that at least a quarter of the cases across the country have been transferred through communities rather than travel. An increase in testing for the coronavirus has started to shed light on how the illness has spread in the US with newly confirmed cases in New York, Georgia, Florida and New Hampshire pushing the tally to more than 100 across 15 states. Dr Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that 'what is happening now in the United States may be the beginning of what is happening abroad'. Tensions over how to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus are also now escalating as lawmakers expressed doubts about the government's ability to ramp up testing fast enough to deal with the crisis. The coronavirus death toll in the US rose to six on Monday and there are now more than 100 confirmed cases across multiple states. Five of the six deaths - all of which occurred in Washington state - have been linked to a Seattle senior living facility (pictured above) Medics wait to enter the Life Care Center in Seattle that has been linked to at least six of the nine coronavirus deaths in the US Increase in testing for the coronavirus began shedding light on Monday on how the illness has spread in the United States Death toll has risen to nine and newly confirmed cases pushed the tally to more than 100 across 15 states All nine deaths have occurred in Washington state with at least six of them linked to the senior living facility, LifeCare Centre, in Seattle Health officials said Tuesday that one of those patients living at LifeCare died last week but test results only just confirmed that they had coronavirus Officials expect to test more than one million people within the next week Georgia and New Hampshire have both reported its first cases with all being linked to recent travel to Italy New York announced its second confirmed case on Tuesday and Florida declared a public health emergency as it confirmed its first three cases Some schools across the country have closed for disinfection and officials in Washington state are buying a hotel to be used as a hospital for isolated patients Officials have said a vaccine may not be ready for at least a year, despite Trump pushing for one in the next few months Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said he expects community-related cases to grow in the coming weeks. 'My concern is as the next week or two or three go by, we're going to see a lot more community-related cases,' he said. 'That's of great concern.' HOW DID THE NURSING HOME RESIDENTS IN WASHINGTON GET CORONAVIRUS? The short answer is that no one knows. And that's very worrisome to local and federal health officials alike. The majority of cases of coronavirus infections in the US can be traced back to an obvious source. Most patients were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, or had recently traveled to China. A few caught the infection from obvious close contacts, like husband-and-wife pairs in California and Illinois. But California and Washington each now have cases in individuals who have not recently traveled to China or other countries that have since been hard-hit by coronavirus. Contact tracing for the infected residents of the LifeCare Center in Kirkland, Washington, is ongoing but officials have not announced any cases That suggests that the virus has been circulating undetected in these communities for weeks, health officials say. If people are carrying it around, unknowingly and spreading it to one another. Once a virus is a widespread in large communities, there's no point trying to trace or contain it. Flu, for example, is so common in communities that doctors won't try to find those with whom you've come into contact or quarantine you. 'What we have seen with the level of community spread has raised the level of concern about the immediate threat of COVID-19,' said Washington health officials. Additionally, genetic testing of viral samples suggest this is and has been happening in Washington. For weeks after the first US patient was identified and isolated in Snahomish County, the area had no other community caes. A high school student from the same county was diagnosed with the virus last week. The two viral samples are nearly identical, genetically. It's early evidence, but suggests that the virus is lurking unseen among US residents. By Natalie Rahhal, Acting US Health Editor Advertisement Despite this, the latest cases detected in both Georgia and New Hampshire on Monday - both firsts for each state - have been linked to travel in Italy. The two cases in Georgia involve people from the same Atlanta household, including a man who recently returned from Italy. The New Hampshire case involved a hospital worker who also recently returned from a trip to Italy. New York announced on Tuesday its second confirmed case in a man in Westchester County. Florida also revealed it had detected its third case after a woman whose sister had previously been diagnosed was found to have contracted the disease. The total number of cases in the US includes people who tested positive after returning from travel to outbreak areas in other parts of the world, their close contacts and infections that appear to be from community spread - people who did not travel or have known contact with other infected people. Dr Fauci, who is the top coronavirus expert in the country, said community spread made it almost impossible to predict how many cases there will be. 'The very fact that you have community spread the source of these infections are not entirely known. People are cropping up with infections and you can't trace where they got it,' Dr Fauci said. State and local authorities have been stepping up testing for the illness following a debacle with faulty kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that officials say delayed results. In response to the faulty tests, the Food and Drug Administration over the weekend allowed state and local labs to develop their own tests for coronavirus. It will see an increase in tests being carried out, according to FDA Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn, who said he expects more than 1 million people to be tested within the next week. The CDC recently broadened its guidelines for who should be tested for the new virus to include people with symptoms but without a travel history to virus hot zones. More testing will bring more confirmed cases, experts said, but they cautioned that does not mean the virus is gaining speed. Instead, the testing is likely to reveal a picture of the virus' spread that was previously invisible. It comes after Dr Fauci told NBC News that the disease had likely reached 'pandemic proportions'. 'We're dealing with an evolving situation. We're dealing with clearly an emerging infectious disease that has now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions,' Dr Fauci said. 'If you look at, you know, by multiple definitions of what a pandemic is, the fact is this is multiple sustained transmissions of a highly infectious agent in multiple regions of the globe. 'When you have a brand new virus, in which no one has had any experience before, that kind of gives the virus an open roadway to spread. If you look at the people who have just come to the attention of the health authorities, that's 2 to 2.5 percent... But even if it goes down to 1 percent, that's still very, very serious.' Patrons with shopping carts loaded with tissue and water wait in checkout queues at a very busy Costco in Miami, Florida on Tuesday This Costco in Miami, Florida put a limit of five water packs per customer on Tuesday following a panic buying spree A woman stocks up on toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning products at a BJs in New Jersey on Monday WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE 11 US PATIENTS WHO DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS So far, 11 people have died of coronavirus in the US, federal and local health officials say. Ten of the deaths have occurred in Washington state - nine in King County and one of Snohomish County. Most came from Life Care Center, a long-term care facility in Kirkland. One deaths has occurred in Placer County, California. Here's what we currently know: 1. A man in his 50s was brought from Life Care Center to Harborview Medical Center on February 24. He died two days later and is the first death in the US from coronavirus 2. A man in his 50s from King County who had underlying health conditions. He was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth on February 29 3. A man in his 40s from Snohomish County who died after being hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland on March 1 4. A woman in her 70s, who lived at Life Care and was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She had pre-existing conditions, and died on March 1 5. A man in his 70s, linked to Life Care, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He died on February 29 and pre-existing conditions 6. A man in his 70s, who was also a resident of Life Care, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He died on March 1 and also had underlying health conditions 7. A woman in her 70s, who was a Life Care resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and died on March 2 8. A woman in her 80s, who was linked to Life Care and was previously reported to be in critical condition at EvergreenHealth, died on March 1 9. A woman in her 80s, who was a resident of Life Care and was never hospitalized, died at her family home on February 26 10. A tenth death was confirmed on March 4, but Public Health - Seattle & King County has not yet released information about the latest death 11. An 69-year-old man died on March 4 in Placer County, California after likely becoming infected on a Princess cruise ship that traveled from San Francisco to Mexico between February 11 and 21 Advertisement In efforts to try and control the outbreak, some schools across the country have closed for disinfection and officials in the Seattle area where the nine deaths occurred announced they were buying a hotel to be used as a hospital for patients who need to be isolated. Homeland Security said that it had closed one of its Washington state facilities on Tuesday because an employee became ill after visiting a family member at the LifeCare Center linked to the deaths. Acting U.S Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf told Congress that employees of the DHS facility were told to work from home and the office will remain closed for 14 days. All employees have been directed to 'self-quarantine' during that time. New York confirmed its second case on Tuesday with an attorney in his 50s - who lives in Westchester County and works in midtown Manhattan - contracting the disease. A day earlier, a female healthcare worker in Manhattan, aged in her 30s, was confirmed to be the state's first case. Florida declared a public health emergency after confirming three cases. A man in his 60s with no recent travel history was diagnosed on Sunday with coronavirus. A woman who had recently returned from Italy tested positive on Sunday before her sister became the third case on Tuesday. In Texas, tension between U.S. and local officials brewed over the planned release of more than 120 ex-passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship in quarantine in San Antonio. Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a public safety emergency in an attempt to continue the quarantine. He and other officials in San Antonio called for more lab testing of the passengers after one woman tested positive after release. The CDC said its case count includes 45 infections among people who were on the cruise ship. In the nation's capital, officials moved on a number of fronts. The Federal Reserve announced the biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade to try to fend off damage to the U.S. economy from the factory shutdowns, travel restrictions and other disruptions caused around the globe by the outbreak. On Wall Street, stocks briefly rallied on the news, then slumped badly. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers expressed skepticism about U.S. health officials' claims that testing for the new virus should be widely available by the end of the week. Authorities have said labs across the country should have the capacity to run as many as one million tests by then. Donald Trump spars with top US coronavirus expert as he demands vaccine in a 'couple of months' President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet met at the White House on Monday with executives of 10 pharmaceutical companies to discuss ways to speed the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. Officials have said a vaccine may not be ready for at least a year, despite Trump pushing for one in the next few months. During the meeting, officials noted the vaccine could be ready for human testing within months but stressed it would not be available widely for at least a year. 'We're working very hard to expedite the longer process of developing a vaccine. We're also moving with maximum speed to develop a therapy so that we can help people recover as quickly as possible and a lot of recovery going on,' Trump said. He added that a vaccine would be available within 'a couple of months'. Dr Fauci, who is the top coronavirus expert in the country, interjected during the meeting, saying: 'Like I've been telling you, a year to a year and a half.' Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said he expects community-related cases to grow in the coming weeks Dr Fauci speaks to President Trump on Tuesday during a tour of the National Institutes of Health's Vaccine Research Center Dow closes down nearly 800 points as stocks fall sharply despite emergency interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve - the first since 2008 - to 'offset coronavirus impact' The US Federal Reserve failed to stop the stock market from falling sharply Tuesday despite an emergency interest rate cut designed to 'offset' the impact of coronavirus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 785 points hours after the central bank said it was cutting rates by a half percentage point to a target range of 1.00 per cent to 1.25 per cent. At one point the Dow lost 997 points, while the yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped below 1.00 per cent for the first time in history. The S&P 500 index fell 2.8 per cent and is now 11 per cent below the record high it set two weeks ago. The Nasdaq fell 3 per cent. Stocks had initially jumped more than 1 per cent on the news, but gains soon petered out as analysts and traders worried whether pumping more money into financial markets would address the central problem - a cut in business activity as workers and consumers stay home. The move had marked the biggest one time cut in more than a decade and the first time the Fed have acted outside of a regularly scheduled meeting since the 2008 financial crisis. Donald Trump tweeted urging 'more easing and cutting'. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged that the ultimate solution to the health crisis will come from health experts and others, not central banks. But the decision, unanimous among policymakers, to cut interest rates before its next scheduled policy meeting on March 17 and 18 reflects the urgency with which the Fed feels it needs to act in order to prevent the possibility of a global recession. Markets have been on edge for nearly two weeks, as the virus spreads beyond China and companies across continents and industries say they expect it to hit their profits. Advertisement Trump, however, shrugged him off: 'I like the sound of a couple of months better'. 'I've heard, very quick numbers, a matter of months. Pretty much a year would be an outside number. So I think that's not a bad,' Trump said. Dr Fauci responded: 'When is it going to be deployable... That is going to be at the earliest a year to a year and a half, no matter how fast you go.' The Trump administration said soon after the meeting that it had secured commitments from the top pharmaceutical companies to work together to develop a vaccine and treatments to fight the coronavirus. The company leaders indicated a willingness to cooperate with one another, but did not lay out how that would happen. The White House, which has clashed previously with the pharmaceutical industry over high drug prices and has been struggling in recent weeks to show it is on top of the virus response, saw the meeting as a victory. 'This is all hands on deck. And the news out of this meeting that you've already formed a consortia... now we know they will be working together to create therapeutics and ultimately a new vaccine,' Vice President Mike Pence said. Vacation fears for millions of Americans as TSA warns of coronavirus travel restrictions to MORE countries in addition to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea The Trump administration plans to implement further travel restrictions to 'additional countries' amid the quickly escalating number of coronavirus cases in the United States, according to a top transportation official. Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske said Tuesday that further restrictions will soon be announced. The countries to be targeted were not identified, with restrictions already in place and airlines suspending services to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. Vice President Mike Pence is set to meet with airline executives Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus spread as major airlines such as Delta, United and American Airlines begin to waive change fees to virus hotspots because of traveler concerns. Airlines and the Trump administration are currently in a dispute over sharing information on international travelers. The CDC issued a rule a few weeks ago as the coronavirus outbreak began to escalate globally, requiring airlines to provide certain information about international traveler. They are still putting pressure for more informative passenger lists to be shared as the deaths in the United States reached nine people on Tuesday. Airlines continue to fight the release of information claiming that a government-run project would provide better results. New York transit workers to disinfect subway cars, stations and trains every 72 hours to prevent the spread of the disease Subway cars, stations and trains within the New York City transit system will now be cleaned at least every 72 hours as part of a new policy to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The policy was introduced as the state confirmed its first two cases of the disease. On Monday night, crews began disinfecting the New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North as part of am 'enhanced daily cleaning procedure'. The MTA will be significantly increasing the frequency and intensity of its cleaning protocol to ensure that each of its stations and the full fleet is fully disinfected at least once ever 72 hours. More frequently used surfaces including turnstiles, MetroCard and ticket vending machines and handrails will also be disinfected daily. Subway cars, stations and trains within the New York City transit system will now be cleaned at least every 72 hours as part of a new policy to combat the spread of the coronavirus On Monday night, crews began disinfecting the New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North as part of am 'enhanced daily cleaning procedure' The new procedure will take effect on the whole system, including the 472 stations throughout the subway system, 21 stations along Staten Island Railway, the 124 stations and terminals along Long Island Rail Road and 101 stations throughout Metro-North's New York territory. The daily clean will also include 6,714 subway cars, Staten Island Railway's 64 cars, and Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North's over 1,100 cars as well as MTA's 5,700 buses and fleet of 1,341 dedicated Access-A-Ride vans. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that bleach would also be used over disinfectant as he warned commuters they would probably notice the smell. 'They will use a disinfectant, many will use bleach, which is a good protocol in the flu season anyway,' he said. 'So if people smell, it smells like bleach when you get on a bus or a child goes to school, it's not bad cologne or perfume, it is bleach.' The MTA is said to be working with the CDC as it stockpiles its hygiene and cleaning supplies. Twitter 'strongly encourages' its American staff and 5,000 global employees to work from home as other big companies start enforcing rules to stop spread Twitter is 'strongly encouraging' its staff in the US and across the world to work from home as the coronavirus death toll in the United States rose to six and more than 100 cases were confirmed. The San Francisco-based social media giant urged its 5,000 staffers across the world to stay away from its various offices where possible in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Workers in Twitter's American offices have for now been strongly encouraged to work from home. There is a mandatory ban on Twitter employees coming into offices in South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. 'We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us - and the world around us,' Twitter HR chief Jennifer Christie wrote in a blog post on Monday. 'We are operating out of an abundance of caution and the utmost dedication to keeping our Tweeps healthy. 'We are working to make sure internal meetings, all hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation. We recognize that working from home is not ideal for some job functions. For those employees who prefer or need to come into the offices, they will remain open for business.' Twitter had already announced the suspension of 'non-critical' business travel and events last week. Twitter is 'strongly encouraging' its staff in the US and across the world to work from home as the coronavirus death toll in the United States rose to six and more than 100 cases were confirmed. Pictured is the San Francisco office The company said its CEO Jack Dorsey would no longer be appearing at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas later this month as a result of the coronavirus. By Monday evening, Facebook had announced it will no longer attend the event as well. Facebook has also banned non-business visitors to its offices and and discouraged all gatherings of more than 50 attendees. Job candidates are on the list of visitors not allowed on campus with interviews being rescheduled as video conferences where possible, according to one source familiar with the plans. The San Francisco-based social media giant and its CEO Jack Dorsey urged its 5,000 staffers across the world to stay away from its various offices where possible in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak Facebook last week shelved its annual developer conference and has also restricted travel to China, South Korea and Italy. Alphabet Inc's Google on Monday scrapped its biggest conference for cloud computing customers, scheduled for next month in San Francisco, following the cancellation last Friday of two other events. As news broke of more cases of coronavirus spreading across the United States, other big companies started enforcing rules in a bid to stop the disease from spreading. T-Mobile had a novel response to the threat: fewer hugs, kisses or high-fives. The wireless provider, which is based in Washington state, said it is 'encouraging personal distancing at work' and has 'all sorts of sanitation products readily available'. In addition to banning travel to and from Asia and Italy, Home Depot also implemented a 14-day stay-at-home policy for employees who have returned from those regions within the past two weeks. On Wall Street, at least two major banks are testing technologies and compliance systems in preparation for employees who may be asked to work from home or off-site locations in coming weeks. In Hollywood, the coronavirus threat has already affected how films are being made and who gets to see them. Movie producers are being forced to delay film releases in China and parts of Italy where movie theaters are closed, and are looking at relocating movie shoots in areas with high numbers of coronavirus cases. ViacomCBS Inc's Paramount Pictures postponed a three-week-long shoot in Italy for Tom Cruise's next 'Mission Impossible' film. Walt Disney Co executives are waiting to see when theaters will reopen in China so they can release 'Mulan' - an action epic about a Chinese heroine that is scheduled to hit other countries on March 27 and was expected to be the entertainment giant's first billion-dollar box office hit of the year. An editor-cum-head of political news at Media General, Edward Kwabi, who was in his thirties, has died. He died Monday night in Accra at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he was on admission receiving treatment for short ailment, family members confirmed to 3news.com His colleagues were shocked and saddened Tuesday morning to learn of the passing of their friend and former colleague who has been working with TV3 for over a decade both as service person and employee. Described by his boss as very ambitious, Mr Kwabi was made the Head of Political Desk of the synergised Media General newsroom a year ago having demonstrated the ability and experience for the post. Eddy was one of the most hardworking producers I have met; very passionate about his work and very ambitious. He was an excellent producer, especially of live events, General Manager in charge of News, Abraham Asare, said of the late Kwabi. Mr Kwabi was among the presidential press corps involved in a deadly accident in August 2015 which led to the death of a young Ghanaian Times journalist Samuel Nuamah. The man who is popularly referred to as The General in the Media General newsroom, joined the company in September 2012 as broadcast journalist having previously done his internship and national service with the company. He played various roles in the newsroom including producing news bulletins and events and serving as the news anchor for TV3 late night news, [email protected] In 2017 when the company underwent restructuring, Mr Kwabi was made an editor. Mr Kwabi had his secondary education at St. Martins High School and proceeded to Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra where earned his Diploma and first degree in Communication Studies. In pursuit of higher education, he went back to the premier journalism institute to study for MA in Media Management and graduated in 2018. Mr Kwabi left behind a wife and three children. Source: 3news.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 Turkey Shoots Down Syrian Warplane as Fighting Escalates Turkey shot down a Syrian government warplane on March 3 over northwest Syria, where fighting has intensified in recent weeks as Turkish forces have intervened in the battle over the last remaining area under rebel control. It was the third Syrian warplane Turkey has shot down since Sunday in an escalating campaign against President Bashar al-Assads forces that threatens to bring NATO-member Turkey into direct confrontation with Assads superpower ally Russia. With more than a million refugees amassing since December on the Turkish border, the battle for Idlib has brought what the United Nations fears might be the worst humanitarian crisis of the nine-year-old Syrian civil war. Turkish-backed rebels have fought back and forth in recent weeks against government forces backed by Russia and Iran for control of the strategic crossroads town of Saraqeb. The town controls access both to Syrias biggest city Aleppo, held by the government, and to Idlib, the last major rebel-held city. Migrants arrive at the village of Skala Sikaminias on the Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on March 1, 2020. (Michael Varaklas/AP Photo) Last week, a Syrian air strike killed at least 34 Turkish soldiers in the deadliest attack on the Turkish army in decades. Moscow, which has anti-aircraft missiles in Syria, has since warned Turkey that it cannot guarantee the safety of Turkish planes in Syrian skies. The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its forces had shot down a Syrian L-39 ground attack jet. Syrias state-run SANA news agency confirmed the plane had been shot down over Idlib province by missiles fired from Turkish warplanes. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russias Vladimir Putin are due to meet on Thursday to try to find ways to avert conflict. Asked about the prospect of direct clashes with Turkey, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, We hope that were able to absolutely minimize this risk thanks to the close contact between the two countries militaries. Turkey, already home to 3.6 million Syrian refugees, says it cannot take any more. It wants to push Assads forces back to lines agreed in a 2017 deal brokered with Russia and Iran, which left a buffer zone in northern Syria near its border. Since last week, Turkey has thrown open its frontiers with Greece and Bulgaria to allow migrants to enter the EU, a move apparently aimed at putting pressure on European countries to back it in Syria. Some 10,000 migrants have tried to cross into Greece by land in recent days and more than 1,000 have arrived by sea at Greek islands, creating fears of a repeat of the 2015-2016 migration crisis, when more than 1 million people crossed into Greece and 4,000 drowned in the Aegean. By Peter Graff Political commentator Paul Begala on Monday predicted that President Donald Trump will dump Vice President Mike Pence and replace him with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for the Democratic nominee acceptance speech ahead of the presidential elections. Begala, a former CNN's Crossfire co-host, guaranteed that Trump will throw Pence "under the bus" because of his handling of the coronavirus, which the president tapped Pence to lead a task force on last week, The Hill reported. "This is not a prediction. It's a certainty. On Thursday, July 16 -- that's the date the Democrat gives his or her acceptance address -- on that day, to interrupt that narrative, Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. He's going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms," Begala said during a panel discussion at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) conference in Washington. "You watch. Guaranteed." "Trump put Pence in charge of coronavirus to throw him under the bus," he added. In December, Begala had predicted that Trump would be impeached again. "This is not the last impeachment we will cover of Donald J. Trump," he said during a panel discussion on 'Anderson Cooper 360'. Haley, who was nominated by Trump to serve as US ambassador to the United Nations and was confirmed with a 96-4 vote in January 2017, has staunchly denied speculations that she could replace Pence on the GOP ticket. "The vice president and the president are a great ticket together," Haley told 'Fox & Friends' in November. "They're solid. Solid enough that they're going to win together," she noted. Meanwhile, noting that Haley would "absolutely" be involved in his 2020 campaign, Trump in November, said, "Mike Pence is a great vice president." "She is a friend of mine, she endorsed me with the most beautiful endorsement you've ever heard. She did a great job at the UN," Trump added of Haley. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Queens' Coffee flavor is a cool new take on your favorite hot drink, but there's a larger story behind this special collaboration. Coolhaus handpicked Allegro's Three Queens Blend because the coffee beans are fully sourced and produced by women in East Africa. Allegro's efforts to promote gender equality and work towards a brighter future for young women all over the world perfectly aligns with the Coolhaus mission. "As a Certified Women-Owned business, we look forward to International Women's Day each year as a platform to support the ever-growing community," said Coolhaus co-founder and CEO Natasha Case. "This year we are excited to work with Allegro Coffee to continue to bring awareness to the badass women across the globe who are working toward a better future for themselves and their community." Coolhaus will be sending pints of Queens' Coffee to a number of brave, creative and inspiring women as a rich and creamy thank you for all of their hard work. The ice cream brand is also reaching out to one very well-known "Queen" or Duchess, perhaps to champion women being bold on both sides of the pond. Coolhaus Queens' Coffee will be available at Whole Foods Market nationwide and on www.Cool.haus starting March 1, 2020 (16oz., SRP $6.29). Coolhaus will also be making a donation to the Myna Mahila Foundation in support of International Women's Day. For more information check out www.Cool.haus and follow: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coolhaus Twitter: https://twitter.com/COOLHAUS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coolhaus/ About Coolhaus: Coolhaus is the leading women-founded and -led ice cream brand. Their delicacies include premium pints and cookie sammies with both dairy and dairy-free options. Each treat is thoughtfully crafted with the highest quality ingredients and creamiest texture. Coolhaus is best known for both uniquely innovative flavors and modern twists on the classics. About Allegro Coffee: Allegro Coffee Company was founded in 1977 in Boulder, Colorado. It is one of the first certified organic roasters in the country. Whole Foods Market acquired Allegro in 1997; since then Whole Foods Market has offered Allegro's coffee as its signature house roast. SOURCE Coolhaus Related Links https://cool.haus With two hit BBC shows airing back-to-back and a third set to start later this year, there is no doubt Nicola Walker is having a major TV moment. The 49-year-old actress, originally from London, is dazzling fans as sheep farmer Gillian in Sunday night's Last Tango In Halifax and as power lawyer Hannah Stern in The Split, which continued last night. While Walker has been on screens for almost two decades, the two high-profile roles, broadcast just one night apart, have earned the actress a legion of new fans of social media, with one saying she is 'absolutely owning' the BBC's best TV series. Scroll down for video Nicola Walker is dazzling fans as sheep farmer Gillian in Sunday night's Last Tango In Halifax (left) and as power lawyer Hannah Stern in The Split (right), which continued last night The two high-profile roles, broadcast just one night apart, have earned the actress a legion of new fans of social media, with one saying she is 'absolutely owning' the BBC's best TV series Others hope Walker's star will raise far beyond the lights of British television and will reach Hollywood, where she could follow in the footsteps of former TV star Olivia Colman to awards show glory. Last night's episode of The Split saw a particularly moving performance from Walker as her husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan) discovered she had been having an affair with their colleague, Christie Carmichael (Barry Atsma). It came just 24 hours after she impressed with her restrained delivery in Last Tango In Halifax, where she showed her support for Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) as she put herself out there and invited a woman for dinner. Last night's episode of The Split saw a particularly moving performance from Walker as her husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan) discovered she had been having an affair with their colleague, Christie Carmichael (Barry Atsma). Pictured, the moment of discovery Hannah was left devastated after her infidelity was uncovered and broke down in her office The back-to-back episode prompted a fresh wave of praise on Twitter, as seen above, Others said they hoped Walker would follow Olivia Colman's lead and bag a Hollywood film The back-to-back episode prompted a fresh wave of praise on Twitter, with one posting: 'Put in Nicola walker and it's a dream episode.' Another tweeted: 'Nicola Walker is starring in two prime time bbc dramas at the same time, playing two completely different characters from different parts of the country/social class and is utterly convincing as both. The range as an actor... #TheSplit #LastTango.' A third added: '#nicolawalker is killing it on @BBC dramas. I love her!! In everything she has been in. She is such a natural actress. Really enjoy having her on Sunday and monday nights! #thesplit #LastTangoInHalifax #drama #bossactress.' Walker, who also appeared in mini series Collateral, is also expected to return to screens later this year as DCI Cassie Stuart in BBC1's Unforgotten, alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar, pictured Looking ahead, others said they had high hopes for Walker's future career. They drew comparisons with Olivia Colman, who had a sterling TV career with success in Peep Show, Broadchurch and the Night Manager before having her Hollywood big break. One fan tweeted: 'I hope Nicola Walker goes on to be the next Olivia Colman and win all the awards she deserves. About time she was given some recognition #TheSplit.' A second added: 'Ive said it before and Ill say it again. NICOLA. WALKER. DESERVES. EVERY. SINGLE. AWARD.' Walker, who also appeared in mini series Collateral, is also expected to return to screens later this year as DCI Cassie Stuart in BBC1's Unforgotten, alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar. Since the novel coronavirus landed in the United States on Jan. 21 in Washington, health officials in at least 11 states as of Tuesday have reported a total of 107 confirmed and presumptive cases, including 2 in Massachusetts. Although many who contract the disease have mild symptoms, the spread of the virus, as well as the lack of a vaccine, has had public health officials on alert. Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County, addresses a news conference Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Seattle. A man in his 50s with underlying health conditions became the first coronavirus death on U.S. soil. The man had underlying health conditions and no history of travel or contact with a known COVID-19 case, health officials in Washington state said. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)AP How many people have died from the coronavirus? Eleven Americans have since died from the disease caused by the virus, known as COVID-19. Ten of those deaths have occurred in Washington state, and one is from California. The majority of cases in the U.S. are also clustered in California and Washington state. In all, the novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,100 people globally with the vast majority of those in mainland China. There are more than 90,000 global cases as of March 3 with infections in more than 70 countries and territories. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker updates reporters on the state's response to the novel coronavirus' spread around the world. What to know about coronavirus in Massachusetts? Officials in Massachusetts say the risk of coronavirus spreading in Massachusetts remains low. The highest risk factors face individuals who have recently traveled or come in contact with confirmed cases. Of the two cases in Massachusetts, one is confirmed and the other is presumptive. A UMass Boston student was the first person diagnosed with the respiratory infection in Massachusetts, and still the only confirmed case. He returned to Boston Logan International Airport late January from Wuhan, China, where the outbreak of the illness started. Monday evening, health officials announced a second potential case of the virus diagnosed in a Norfolk County woman in her 20s, who recently returned from a trip to Italy with a school group. Her test results came back positive for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, on Monday, health officials said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still needs to test specimens from the woman to confirm the illness. Roughly 608 people in Massachusetts have self-quarantined after showing possible symptoms, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. Officials said that its at the discretion of local boards of health to monitor symptoms of the virus and make decisions with respect to quarantining individuals within their localities. Dr. Andre Kalil, of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, speaks in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Dr. Kalil, Kalil, who will oversee a clinical trial of the coronavirus at the medical center, said the study developed quickly in response to the virus outbreak that is centered in China. Patients who are hospitalized with the COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, will be eligible to join the trial if they have at least moderate symptoms. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)AP What are the symptoms of the coronavirus? Symptoms of the respiratory illness can range from mild to severe, and can include a sore throat, fever, cough, shortness of breath and a runny nose, according to the CDC. Symptoms may appear between two and 14 days after being exposed. The CDC said the virus is spread mainly from person-to-person. It can be spread through the air by sneezing and coughing. The virus can also be transmitted through close personal contact of within six feet, and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A man wearing face mask and plastic bag as a glove walks past empty shelf of tissue papers at a supermarket in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. In recent days, residents have been buying large amounts of products because they fear that border restrictions, which were enforced to control the coronavirus outbreak, may affect supply flows into Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)AP What to stock up on for coronavirus The American Red Cross recommends that you have enough nonperishable food and water for at least two weeks. Soap and water and most household cleansers such as bleach wipes and alcohol will kill coronaviruses. If someone is sick at home, wipe kitchen counters, bathroom faucets and other surfaces several times a day. Officials also note its important to have an adequate supply of any daily or prescription medications. The CDC does not recommend a face mask for disease prevention; but for individuals who are sick a Niosh N95 respirator mask is recommended to prevent the spread of infection. How are Massachusetts schools responding? The Executive Office of Health and Human Services sent a letter to school administrators on Feb. 24, offering guidance on how to deal with individuals in school who show symptoms and may have traveled recently or had close contact with a confirmed case. But health officials have not yet ordered that schools cancel their planned international spring trips, as federal officials have recommended. Many schools and colleges in Massachusetts have issued warnings to their students and faculty who have recently traveled abroad about the need to stay home and monitor symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, is similar to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in that it is spread from animals to people. The MERS virus particles are in blue, surrounding an infected cell. The undated image was taken at Fort Detrick, Md. Department of Defense What can you do to prevent coronavirus? These are the common, everyday preventative actions suggested by the CDC. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Face masks can be worn but the CDC does not recommend people who are well to wear one. Face masks should be used by people showing symptoms of the virus, the CDC said. Vice President Mike Pence, center, with, from left, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health Anthony Fauci, White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx, Pence, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, speaks to reporters in the Brady press briefing room of the White House, Monday, March 2, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)AP What are our leaders doing to stop the spread of disease? Public health and human rights experts from around the country have jointly put forward an extensive list of policy recommendations for White House officials to adopt as cases of the virus continue to be reported across the country. The letter outlined the impacts the virus would have on the health care system, the importance of establishing effective disease control measures and the need to maintain clear, evidenced-based messaging about the infection as it spreads throughout the United States. Were going into uncharted territory, Albert Ko, professor and department chairman at Yale Universitys school of public health, told reporters during a conference call on Monday. The letter calls upon federal, state and local governments to increase funding to ensure all communities receive the support needed to combat the virus from health care providers and public services. Experts also caution that too much disruption to government operations can prevent citizens from accessing public services needed in the event of sustained absence from work due to sickness. Related Content: CultNews101.com: news, links, resources. Cults101.org: resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations and related topics. CultMediation.com: offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved ones cult involvement. Intervention101.com: to help families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement. CultRecovery101.com: assists group members and their families make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice. Prime Minister claimed victory in Israel's general election Monday, with exit polls putting the indicted premier in a strong position to form the next government. The election, Israel's third in less than a year, was called after inconclusive votes in April and September plunged the Jewish state into political stalemate. The surveys conducted by three Israeli networks gave Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120-member parliament. Likud's main challenger, the centrist Blue and White party, was estimated to take 32 or 33. Those projections mark a major improvement on Likud's performance in Israel's last vote in September, which ended as a stalemate. Netanyahu tweeted "thank you" after the polls. "It's a huge victory for Israel," he added. The estimates give Likud and its right-wing allies, including ultra-Orthodox parties, 60 seats -- one short of a majority. In a statement, Likud said Netanyahu had spoken with all the heads of right-wing parties and "agreed to form a strong national government for as soon as possible". Blue and White along with its centre-left allies as well as the mainly Arab Joint List were projected to win between 52 and 54 seats. The nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, which was in the position of kingmaker following inconclusive polls in April and September, was forecast to win between six and eight seats. The president of the Israeli Democracy Institute think-tank, Yohanan Plesner, said the projections showed that Netanyahu had "won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people". But, he added, with Netanyahu's trial due to open on March 17, the country was heading towards "unprecedented" legal uncertainty as the likely head of government will be forced to "fight to clear his name in court". Netanyahu, the longest-serving premier in Israeli history, was formally charged in January with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The premier campaigned on his tough position towards the Palestinians and on Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. In January, US President Donald Trump unveiled his controversial peace plan greenlighting Israel's annexation of settlements and swathes of land in the West Bank, sparking Palestinian outrage. Bolstered by US support, Netanyahu has campaigned on building thousands more homes in Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory, even though they are considered illegal by the international community. Reacting to the result, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the exit polls showed that "settlement, annexation and apartheid had won". The election was being held amid the coronavirus epidemic, with two new cases confirmed Monday -- raising the tally in to 12. Another 5,600 Israelis are under self-quarantine, many of whom visited countries where the virus is prevalent. At 18 special polling stations, those under quarantine met election staff in full protective suits and masks. Voters had to wash their hands and wear gloves before casting their ballots, presenting their ID cards to election officials separated by plastic sheets. GREATER LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) The future of Goodrich Quality Theaters is not clear after the company filed for bankruptcy. GQT owns nearly 30 theaters throughout the midwest and one in Florida. Nine of those theaters are in Indiana, with three, Eastside 10 IMAX, Lafayette 7 and Wabash Landing 9 located in Greater Lafayette. As the public is finding out about this, the employees are finding out about this so it's an especially stressful time for them, said former employee Alli Chaney. Chaney said many employees are left wondering what's next. The Michigan-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after falling nearly $33-million in debt. Chaney worked as a theater manager and a member of the corporate marketing team. Many of her close friends are still employees. I've met so many of my best friends there, I met my significant other the person that I'm going to marry someday I met working at these theaters and at this company and I'm just worried for all these people that I just love dearly, said Chaney. GQT plans to keep its theaters open. Filing for Chapter 11 will allow the chain to restructure its debts but Chaney explains what could happen in a worst-case scenario. My history of working with the theaters and knowing them, the one kind of at-risk probably looks like Lafayette 7, said Chaney. There is a potential, we don't know yet, but a potential that maybe theaters will get sold off and another company will come into town. It's unclear what has led the company to bankruptcy but Chaney believes it's a combination of recent company decisions. There were a lot of renovations company-wide but specifically here in our community Lafayette 7 getting some new seats, new concessions remodeling, Wabash Landing 9 getting new paint jobs just kind of a new facelift but especially Eastside 10 IMAX getting an IMAX theater, that is not cheap, said Chaney. This holiday season didn't do so well either. Across the nation theaters just underperformed for Christmas which is typically the busiest time for movie theaters and when you have the busiest day of the year and not all of your shows sold out that's massive, said Chaney. Our sister-station in Michigan reports the theater chain owes IMAX, Pepsi, Sony, and Warner Bros, but the one that worries Chaney most is the company's debt to Disney. Disney they own basically everything at this point, if they're putting out a lot of movies and the company owes money to Disney then Disney could cut off the whole chain and say, hey you can't show our movies until you pay us money, well they can't make money if they're not showing these Disney movies, said Chaney. Chaney said she and her friends are deciding to stay positive. We need to support the people that are there and who are worried about their jobs and their careers but still kind of be calm and realize it's a long process and there's a lot to it so not panic just yet, said Chaney. Chaney said she loved her experience working with GQT and has left with life-long lessons. She hopes the community steps up to help save the future of all theaters as streaming services continue growing. For moviegoers, if you love movies, just continue to support movie theaters go out there, said Chaney. Streaming services are convenient but theres nothing that can compare to the experience of going to the movies, being surrounded by strangers but having this wonderful shared experience watching movies how directors and filmmakers intended it to be. We reached out to the company's headquarters in Michigan, but our calls for comment weren't returned. Prosecutor Theresa Romero will no longer be sitting in a courtroom, looking through case files or trying defendants herself. Instead, she will spend her days working as a sort of liaison among community members, businesses, police officers and prosecutors about the problems the International District is facing. Romero was assigned to be the first community prosecutor for the area as part of the district attorneys Community-Based Crime Reduction pilot program. The position is the first of its kind in New Mexico. What I do is engage with community members and make them part of the decision-making process, Romero said. Hear from them about what they perceive as the big issues here, what they perceive as quality-of-life and crime problems in their own neighborhoods, and brainstorm with them about what solutions would be appropriate to address those things. Romero began attending meetings and trainings in Southeast Albuquerque in November. The position is funded through a $1 million Community-Based Crime Reduction Grant through the Department of Justice. The funding is meant to help make Albuquerques International District safer and reduce crime there over the next three years. Michael Patrick, the DAs spokesman, said that if the community prosecutor model is successful, the DAs Office might seek funding for similar positions in other neighborhoods. On Monday, Romero moved into her new office in a small room in the back of the Albuquerque Police Departments Southeast Area Command substation, at Louisiana and Kathryn SE, several miles from her colleagues at the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office Downtown. The office walls are still bare, and the bookshelves are still empty. Bikes used by the Problem Response Team are piled outside the door. She plans to be there a couple of times a week and hold open office hours every Wednesday. I feel like our office Downtown is not as accessible, Romero said. Were looking at accessibility; were looking at knowing that someone is going to be here at a certain time, and is willing and able to speak to you and listen to you about whats going on in your neighborhood. Romero, who has been with the DAs Office since 2015 and worked most recently in the major crimes division, has a background in social work and conflict resolution. She grew up in Albuquerque just north of the fairgrounds. I want to be part of the solution in whatever way I can, and I think that this program has given our office a different way of doing things, she said. Its not traditional, its new, its creative; and I have a lot of hope that its going to work. (TNS) Robots delivering food and other consumer items could be coming to a St. Louis sidewalk near you.Following the lead of a handful of other states, Missouri lawmakers are considering new guidelines that would regulate autonomous delivery devices.The proposed law could help companies begin rolling out the small, cooler-sized delivery units to drop off late-night snacks, packages or other sundry items in St. Louis and other Missouri municipalities. And, the rules could help pedestrians and motorists who will be sharing city streets and sidewalks with the robots.The marketplace is changing very swiftly and we just want to make sure our policies are up to date, said Rep. Travis Fitzwater , R-Holts Summit, who is sponsoring the legislation.Other states, including Washington, Idaho and Wisconsin, already have put similar laws on their books as robots perform more and more jobs once done by humans.Fitzwaters plan would limit the robots weight to 200 pounds, excluding the cargo.The machine also must be capable of navigating a sidewalk without the intervention of a person.The measure would allow a device to operate on sidewalks, but also on roads as long as it does not interfere with a motor vehicle. The maximum speed would be 10 mph.The proposal also requires operators to maintain insurance policies of at least $100,000 for damages.The proposed rules in Missouri are less stringent than those in some other states. In Washington, for example, the top speed is 6 mph and the top weight is 120 pounds.Fitzwater said he expects his proposal to be altered as it moves through the legislative process.Its just a first step, he said.Amazon, which already employs robots in its warehouses, has tested a device called Scout that has been compared to a cooler with wheels.Other companies, such as Starship Technologies , have operated pilot projects, primarily on university campuses.In 2019, the company deployed two dozen robots on the campus of George Mason University in Virginia to cart food to hungry students at a cost of $1.99 per delivery.Supporters say robots will reduce congestion and pollution by removing cars, trucks and vans from the delivery process.The legislation marks the second futuristic bill sponsored by Fitzwater this year.Earlier this month, he successfully shepherded a plan through the House aimed at convincing developers to build a high-speed transportation system test track in Missouri.This is an opportunity for our state to be innovative and forward-thinking on transportation, Fitzwater said at the time.The measure adds tube transport systems, a concept developed by the company Virgin Hyperloop One, to the list of projects that could be financed through public-private partnerships.Although the long-term goal is to connect St. Louis and Kansas City with a pneumatic tube that could transport passengers across the state in 30 minutes, a recent study recommends the state first should build a 15-mile track to test the feasibility of the concept.The delivery device legislation is House Bill 2290. Leading providers from across the globe unite to revolutionize supply chains beginning to end HAMBURG, Germany and ORLANDO, Florida, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Korber Supply Chain - the global supply chain technology leader from software to material handling automation, today unveils its plans to revolutionize the supply chain industry by combining the technology, services and expertise of some the world's top solution providers. More products, suppliers, distribution channels and ever-rising consumer expectations make supply chains more complex each day. This is heightened by global labor challenges. Technology can help, but often adds complexity - a major issue being end-to-end integration of software and hardware. In a global survey of hundreds of supply chain professionals, Korber found: More than 90% aren't ready to handle supply chain complexities Less than 50% can address more than one supply chain challenge at a time One in three still rely on manual methods for receiving, storing, picking and packing "Your supply chain can make or break your business," said Stephen Gottsche, chief executive officer of Korber Supply Chain Automation. "Korber is dedicated to making your supply chain a strategic differentiator - regardless of location, industry, size or business strategy." Spanning software, automation, voice/vision/mobility, robotics, materials handling equipment, systems integration and consulting, Korber provides a broad range of solutions and more than 30 years' experience evolving supply chains end to end. This is supported by 1,300 in-house experts and nearly 100 partners around the world. "Korber is a partner with both depth and vision," Chad Collins, chief executive officer for Korber Supply Chain Software. "By offering the right solution, at the right time at, any point in the supply chain, we turn complexity into an opportunity - overcoming challenges that arise today or beyond." Formerly Korber Logistics Systems, Korber Supply Chain consists of Aberle, Aberle Software, Cirrus Logistics, The Cohesio Group, Consoveyo, DMLogic, HighJump, inconso, Otimis, Langhammer, Riantics and Voiteq. The companies already have proven success with thousands of companies around the world. The announcement was made at HighJump's annual user conference, Elevate, held March 2-5, 2020 in Orlando. In its 14th year, Elevate brings together more than 800 supply chain professionals from around the globe. Learn more at: https://www.koerber-supplychain.com/ About Korber Supply Chain Your supply chain is the lifeblood of your business. It's also increasingly complex. You're handling more products, from more suppliers, and fulfilling through more channels. Your customers have ever-higher expectations for choice, convenience, speed and of course, price. At the same time, it's harder than ever to recruit people, train them, retain them, and grow their skills. And as these pressures grow, so does the competition. To get ahead and stay ahead, you have to move even faster. Technology can help. But besides the cost, there's implementation, integration, maintenance, upgrades, training without a sound strategy, simply adding technology just adds more complexity. That's why you need more than a vendor you need a global partner with a proven track record of delivering efficiency and a lower cost of ownership today - plus the flexibility, agility and innovation to help you realize your strategic roadmap. Today, tomorrow and beyond. That partner is Korber. At Korber Supply Chain, we have a broad range of proven supply chain solutions to fit your size, business strategy, and appetite for growth. A range that goes beyond software to include automation, voice, robotics, materials handling - plus the expertise to tie it all together. All backed up with a wealth of experience to help you make smart decisions about what to invest in now, and how to optimize as your needs continue to evolve. We'll help you manage your supply chain as a competitive advantage. A strategic asset. An opportunity to excel. Conquer supply chain complexity - with Korber. About Korber Korber AG is the holding company of an international technology group with around 10,000 employees worldwide. The Group unites technologically leading companies with more than 100 production, service and sales locations. Korber combines the advantages of a globally represented organization with the strengths of highly specialized and flexible medium-sized companies that offer their customers solutions, products and services in the Business Areas Korber Digital, Supply Chain, Pharma Systems, Tissue and Tobacco. Contact: Heather K. Smith Director, Corporate Communications & Brand Korber Supply Chain 1-800-328-3271 x 2717 Heather.Smith@highjump.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1098713/Korber_Logo.jpg Spinny, a Gurugram-based used-car retailing platform, has raised Rs 315 crore (43.7 million) from investors. The Series-B round of funding for Spinny was led by Nandan Nilekani's Venture Capitalist fund Fundamentum Partnership. Other chief investors who took part in the funding round included US-based General Catalyst Partners, South Korea-based KB Financial Group and existing investors Accel, SAIF Partners and Alteria Capital. With this round, Spinny is now valued at nearly $140-150 million. The start-up plans to use the funds to improve the technology it uses as well as to strengthen its business by expanding to newer cities. "With the increase in disposable income levels and evolving consumer demand, we want to be the market leader in the organised used car market segment, and provide our customers a completely trustworthy and hasslefree buying experience," Niraj Singh, CEO of Spinny, told The Economic Times. During its first round in funding in June 2017, the company raised $1 million from Blume Ventures and Simile Ventures. In April 2019, during the Series A round of funding, the start-up managed to raise $13.2 million from SAIF Partners and Accel. Founded in 2015 by Niraj Singh, Mohit Gupta, and Ramanshu Mahuar, Spinny is a pre-owned car retailing platform. It works on an online-to-offline mechanism, where customers search and select cars online but then make the final purchase offline. It has presence across four cities in India and claims to have sold close to 10,000 cars through its platform. According to industry experts, the Indian pre-owned car market is positioned at about 4.3 million used cars sold annually. The market is growing at a pace of 14 per cent CAGR. Currently, the pre-owned car market is mostly unorganised with the organised section only covering 18 per cent. Also Read: IIMs, top B-schools defy economic slump; attract top recruiters, fat pay cheques Chengdu, China As the coronavirus spreads to every continent except Antarctica and the death toll climbs above 3,000, scientists and doctors around the world are rushing to find a way to cure the disease, COVID-19, before it infects more people and poses an even bigger challenge to global health. The progress made by the Chinese health workers in treating the disease offers hope: more than half the patients in China where the outbreak first originated late last year have reportedly been discharged, reducing the remaining number of confirmed cases to less than 35,000. China has been touting the recovery rate and offering to provide medical help to other countries in need. Foreign Minister Wang Yi called his counterparts in the hard-hit countries of Italy and Iran at the weekend to offer assistance. Most of those who have recovered only suffered mild symptoms of the disease, but the mortality rate among the elderly and those whose infection progresses to the critical stage remains high. That remains a significant challenge for medical workers treating COVID-19 patients, according to a doctor working at one of the leading hospitals in Wuhan who requested anonymity because the hospital management had banned its medics from talking to the media. The overall mortality rate among the infected is approximately 2.3 percent in China. However, according to a study on early samples that was published in The Lancet, a UK-based medical journal last week the disease killed 61.5 percent of the critically ill. The normal procedure of treating pneumonia, such as using ventilators, putting the patients on antiviral and antibacterial treatment and using steroids, has been proven relatively ineffective in treating patients reaching the last stage of the disease, the doctor told Al Jazeera. A picture made available by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows a transmission electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19 isolated from a patient in the USA. Doctors in China say the virus does not respond to traditional pneumonia treatments [NIAID- RML/National Institutes of Health via EPA] The unsatisfactory supply of ECMO machines and effective drugs contributed to the high mortality rate, the doctor continued, referring to the machine that provides cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and lungs are failing. Stopping disease progression Such concerns have been echoed by Chinas National Health Commission. Officials have stressed the importance of reducing the mortality rate among those who are more severely affected, usually people who are older or who have existing health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. One of the main things we are trying to do at this moment is to reduce the number of patients whose conditions progress to the critically ill stage and improve the survival rate of those who have already reached that stage, said the doctor. To do this, we need to understand which drugs would be helpful. There are, so far, 293 clinical trials on various existing drugs ability to fight off the novel coronavirus, according to the latest data on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Despite the usual logic of more trials, better chance of success, some experts have voiced concern over the sheer number of trials and how that might actually impede the research process. Frankly, its a bit ridiculous that so many clinical trials are continuing, especially given the fact that the drugs used in some trials have practically no possibility of being effective in treating this disease, a doctor at a leading research institute in Beijing who requested anonymity told Al Jazeera. Consequently, it leaves less room for trials that actually have a shot at effectively treating the patients and indirectly slows down the process of finding an actual cure. Although there are currently no drugs that have allowed scientists to conclusively determine their efficacy against the disease, among all the 293 drugs or combination of drugs being tested, one has stood out: Remdesivir, an antiviral drug produced by the US-based pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences and aimed at fighting the Ebola virus. There is only one drug right now that we think may have real efficacy and thats Remdesivir, the World Health Organization or WHO Assistant Director-General Bruce Aylward said at a press briefing in Beijing after visiting the outbreaks epicentre in Wuhan. The drug made its debut in the fight against COVID-19 at the beginning of last month when a paper reporting that Remdesivir was used in the treatment of the first discharged case in the US was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Two days later, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Wuhan also started its clinical trial and the outcome is expected in April, which could offer doctors a more definite answer to the medicines efficacy. Plasma donations Gilead also announced on February 26 the initiation of two phase-three clinical studies to evaluate the drugs safety and efficacy, which would include 1,000 infected adults. Researchers around the world are working to find effective treatments and vaccines as the coronavirus spreads to nearly all continents of the world [Matteo Corner/EPA] Apart from Remdesivir, doctors in China are also putting a few other contenders into clinical trials, including chloroquine phosphate, an anti-malaria drug, after finding apparent efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19. Earlier, anti-HIV drugs, such as Lopinavir or Arbidor, were also included in Chinas diagnosis and treatment plan, which has been updated six times since the outbreak began. None of these drugs has yet been proved to be universally applicable to every patient battling the novel coronavirus. This problem also extends to the plasma extracted from the donated blood of those who have recovered. Earlier this month, doctors confirmed the usage of the plasma had had some use in fighting the disease, but experts remain cautious. Any drug or supplement options only constitute part of the entire treatment plan, so the idea of injecting the plasma to the patients yielding immediate results can only be seen in movies, said Dr Zhang Wenhong, the leader of a medical team sent from Shanghai to Wuhan to help tackle the outbreak. The result is limited, and the usage of plasma will probably reduce the time needed to treat the disease from five to 10 days to three to five days. Others are also cautious on treatments, preferring to wait until the outcome of the trials is known. Its unclear how effective these drugs will be and whether we need some new drugs to effectively curb the progression of the disease, so only clinical trials can tell, said Dr David Ho, a prominent Columbia University professor who made significant contributions to the development of anti-HIV/AIDS drugs. Apart from making use of existing drugs, the development of a vaccine has also been put under the spotlight since a group of scientists in Shanghai first released the viral genome of the virus early in January. Finding a vaccine Despite a concerted effort from across the globe, experts believe it will take at least a year for any vaccine to be available to the general public. Moderna, a biotech company based in the US, is leading the global race and released the first batch of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus for human use on February 24. In a statement, the company said the vials of mRNA-1273, the official name for the vaccine, had been shipped to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to be used in the phase one study in the US. The clinical trials will first take place at a research centre in Seattle among 45 volunteers and are expected to run 13 months with the main objective being to detect if the vaccine will trigger an immune system response and whether it is safe. After phase one, clinical trials to actually test the vaccines ability to resist the novel coronavirus will take place. The earliest efficacy trial will take an additional six to eight months, so although it is the fastest we have gone from getting the sequence of the virus to a trial, it still would not be applicable to the current epidemic unless this goes on for another year or year and a half, Anthony Fauci, the director of NIAID, said at a news conference held by US President Donald Trump last week. In addition to the long process of developing a vaccine from scratch, researchers also voiced concern over its fate: many suspect its development could be halted if the outbreak begins to taper off, as happened with SARS, the last large outbreak to originate in China. We never had a chance to test the SARS vaccines because there was no need to continue the development at that time, Dr Zhong Nanshan, a leading pulmonary disease expert in China, said. However, I do think its important to continue the effort in this case because of the fast-spreading nature of the virus and the subsequent unpredictability on how long this epidemic will last. Criminal immigrants who are fighting deportation from Australia claim they should be protected as they have indigenous heritage. It comes after a landmark ruling banned the deportation of Aboriginal people. The government is now examining the claims of 23 immigration detainees who all claim to be from indigenous backgrounds - with some having no physical proof. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton had warned the ruling, which says Aboriginal Australians cannot be considered 'aliens', would have 'significant repercussions'. He said the ruling was a 'very bad thing' and would be exploited by opportunistic lawyers. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) had previously warned the ruling would be 'exploited' by lawyers Pip De Veau, general counsel to the department, said some of the claimants had only their word to back their claims, and had no other proof of their ancestry. She told The Australian that the department was discussing the matters with the detainees' lawyers. 'That spans all possible indications of indigeneity, not those that might ultimately meet the threshold,' she said. 'The bulk of those, we already had information about prior to the (High Court) decision. There has been a smaller number who have self-identified since the decision.' New Zealand-born Brendan Thoms (pictured) had his residency visa cancelled. He is a descendant of the Gunggari people through his maternal grandmother In February the High Court ruled people with Aboriginal heritage cannot be deported from Australia because they are exempt from immigration laws. Australia's most powerful court delivered a majority 4-3 verdict ruling that indigenous residents born overseas can't be considered 'aliens' under the constitution. 'It essentially creates another class of people, which I think is a very bad thing,' Mr Dutton said at the time. 'Obviously we've got to adhere to the law, and they've interpreted the constitution, but for us, it makes it harder [to deport people]. On 30 November 2019, there were 1,449 people in Australian detention facilities. This included 68 women and 1,379 men (pictured is the centre on Christmas Island) 'There may be other areas, particularly around citizenship, or claims that people can make. 'No doubt, lawyers will try and exploit that.' The full-bench decision, announced in Canberra on February 11, was a major win for two indigenous men fighting deportation from Australia after serving time in prison for violent crimes committed in Queensland. New Zealand-born Brendan Thoms has lived in Australia since 1994 and is a descendant of the Gunggari people through his maternal grandmother. Papua New Guinea-born Daniel Love (pictured) had been fighting deportation after his visas were cancelled in 2018 following a criminal conviction and serving jail time The 31-year-old man was detained in 2018 and had his residency visa cancelled after serving part of an 18-month jail sentence for a domestic violence attack. He also had further convictions dating back more than a decade. Papua New Guinea-born Daniel Love, who was jailed for assault, was also able to avoid deportation. He has been living in Australia since the age of five on a permanent residency visa, as his father is Aboriginal. But his parents never completed the paperwork to make him a citizen. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) warned there could be serious ramifications from the ruling Some immigrant detainees are now claiming to have Aboriginal heritage, which would mean they could not be deported to their country of birth (stock image) Claire Gibbs, a senior associate with social justice law firm Maurice Blackburn, who represented both men, said the High Court decision would stop Aboriginal people from being removed from Australia. 'This case isnt about citizenship, it is about who belongs here,' she said. 'What this means, and what the real significance of this case is, is that Aboriginal people, regardless of where they are born, will have protection from deportation. Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge (pictured) said the ruling could have implications for Australian citizenship laws 'This is a very significant decision today that has helped to clarify the law it is now beyond doubt that Aboriginal Australians cannot be deported through the exercise of the aliens power.' Over the weekend, it came to light that a third man - a New Zealand-born criminal - was also released after the decision. Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge revealed Thoms was released on the same day as the High Court decision. He said the verdict was likely to have implications for the Australian Citizenship Act and the Migration Act. 'On the face of it, it has created a new category of persons; neither an Australian citizen under the Australian Citizenship Act, nor a non-citizen,' he said in a statement. 'The government is currently reviewing the decision and its implications.' TOKYO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- As COVID-19 spreads in Japan with rising number of confirmed cases, overseas Chinese in Japan continued their support for the country's fight against the epidemic by distributing masks amid a shortage of protective supplies. Mask Panda Action, a volunteer group initiated by overseas Chinese after the outbreak in Japan, is one of the examples in Tokyo. The group handed out masks to the Japanese at Tokyo's Ikebukuro station in late February. The volunteers stuck slogans in Japanese on their jackets, reading "Thank you," "Be strong, Japan," "China and Japan in joint efforts," and so on. "We are glad to give our remaining stocks of masks to help some Japanese people who are in dire need but cannot obtain masks... We stand by the Japanese people without hesitation... We will continue distributing masks as long as we still have stocks," the group said in its poster. In Nagoya, Chinese volunteer groups also started actions to help the local people. Deng, one of the volunteers, went to great lengths to collect 5,000 masks with her group and handed them all out near Nagoya station in late February. Many Japanese were very touched when they received the masks. One of them, who was on a business trip in Nagoya from Tokyo, expressed his gratitude to the volunteers, saying that he was troubled as masks were almost out of stock in Tokyo. "The Chinese repay kindness. China and Japan should face the difficulty together and help each other. I hope we will overcome the epidemic as soon as possible," Deng said. Some overseas Chinese acted on their own to help the Japanese and show support. A Chinese girl, who held a cardboard box with the Japanese words "Gratitude from Wuhan" on it and distributed masks on the street of Tokyo, has recently received great attention on social media. "I hope that by handing out the masks, I can call attention to the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and draw the attention of the international community to the situation in Japan," the girl named Tiantian told Xinhua. Tiantian said she was touched when some Japanese, taking the masks, said "Thank you" or "Be strong" to her in Chinese. "I was wearing a headgear and couldn't see very well, but in my limited view, I saw smiling faces," she said. Yang, mother of a Chinese student studying in Japan, has recently donated 5,000 masks to Japanese institutions. "I feel that as a Chinese citizen, I should return a debt of gratitude to the Japanese people for helping us when we were in the most difficult situation in Wuhan," Yang said. "I sincerely hope that the friendship between the two peoples established during the course of fighting against the epidemic will continue in the future," she said. A shopper has been mocked on social media after taking bizarre measures to protect themselves against the deadly coronavirus for a trip to the shops. Sporting a full-body white plastic suit and mask to cover their face, the shopper stunned locals with their bizarre attire while shopping for groceries and using the self-serve checkouts at two supermarkets in Wanganui, New Zealand. A photo posted of the man to Facebook sparked discussion about his over-the-top outfit. 'Could anyone be more prepared?' the photo was captioned. People soon pointed out the person wasn't fully protected against the deadly virus with one vital piece of attire missing, as he wasn't wearing gloves. 'At first I thought maybe he was some sort of cleaning worker but then I saw him with his trolley bag and realised that probably wasn't the case,' local Carrie Sutton told the New Zealand Herald. 'I had to laugh though, as they had no gloves on.' The cautious shopper (pictured) was missing gloves during his trip to the shops Others defended the cautious local's actions and praised their commitment. 'He might have been overseas to a country affected and is just taking precautions', one commented. Another added: 'Better to be safe than sorry.' The Kiwi donned a coronavirus kit when they visited the Pak'nSave Wanganui supermarket Many health experts say face masks aren't necessary effective in the protection against coronavirus. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention only recommends masks for those in a region currently experiencing an outbreak, health workers treating affected patients and anyone with flu-like symptoms. For everyone else, the frequent washing hands, avoiding touching of the face and staying away from affected patients is recommended. New Zealand recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Friday as the world death toll surges past 3,100. The local also stunned fellow shoppers at Countdown Victoria Avenue in Whanganui On Tuesday, the World Health Organisation admitted the world was now in 'unchartered territory', with the virus now spreading much more rapidly outside China than within the country. Almost nine times as many cases had been reported in the past 24 hours beyond China than inside, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that the risk of coronavirus spreading was now very high at a 'global level'. He said outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan were the greatest concern. 'We are in uncharted territory - we have never seen before a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission,' he told a news briefing in Geneva. 'But at the same time which can also be contained with the right measures.' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may finally have the freedom and the lives they always wanted away from the royal family. However, their departure and life-long wish could put the safety and security of their son, Archie, at risk. During his interview on ITV Good Morning Britain, former royal protection officer Ken Wharfe warned the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that their son is their biggest threat when it comes to the family-of-three's security. Wharfe claimed that Archie is "a real kidnap risk" and suggested that the couple should focus on him right now, most especially when they left him in Canada while they returned to the U.K. Piers Morgan, the Good Morning Britain host, asked Wharfe if the Sussexes truly need 20million to cover the safety and security expenses of the family. "I think it is accurate, it is a bit of an unknown environment they are moving into here," the former royal protection officer confirmed before explaining how a protection officer currently earns 100,000 in an average. In their case, the Sussexes need two officers per member, leaving them a total expense of 600,000. According to recent reports, it was confirmed that despite the price, Harry, Meghan and Archie will continue to enjoy their lives with protection officers -- and they will pay their overtime. They also plan to send the officers back to the U.K and replace the staff every two weeks. It is worth noting that the expense are only for the salaries of the security team. The said price would inflate more once they add the costs of their accommodation and travel fees. Do They Really Need The Officers? In the same interview, the 54-year-old GMB Broadcaster expressed his disbelief over the fact that both Prince Harry and Meghan would jet to London and leave their nine-month-old son in Canada. "On the financial aspect of this, that means that Archie has to be protected in Canada while both his parents have to be protected here," Morgan went on. Wharfe responded to his query and said that compared to his parents, Archie is more at risk of a kidnap all along. In return, the journalist once again said that even the couple needs a "high-level security" just like Princess Diana. Morgan also pointed out that if they would get rid of royal protection officers, the Sussexes should assure themselves that they surround themselves with people "of the same high standard" so they would not have to worry about anything again. However, a former royal bodyguard previously clarified that the Sussexes "need to keep police protection." Jacqui Davis told the BBC's World at One that Meghan and Prince Harry need to have intelligence in the background. "You have got to FTAC, which Scotland Yard has. FTAC is people who are known to have a grudge against the Royal Family and are kept an eye on I believe," the former royal bodyguard warned, pointing out why they should not remove any of the officers from the premise. In addition, Davis stated that the country does not have enough policemen sitting around and available to get called. That fact alone would not guarantee the family's security if they relied on anyone else other than royal protection officers. SEOUL, March 2 (Reuters) - The projectiles North Korea fired on Monday flew 240 km (150 miles) and reached 35 km in altitude, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. North Korea fired two short-range projectiles off its eastern coastal city of Wonsan - from where it has fired a series of missiles - into the sea on Monday, JCS said. The North appears to be continuing a firing drill that leader Kim Jong Un oversaw last Friday, JCS said. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Jack Kim; Editing by Tom Hogue) Joe Biden with former rival Amy Kloubchar. Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Joe Bidens list of endorsements just got some major names to place at the top. Prior to his Monday night rally in Dallas, reports emerged that Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Beto ORourke three moderate candidates who dropped out of the 2020 race would endorse the former vice-president as he consolidates support following his win Saturday in South Carolina. Before Bidens rally in Dallas, Pete Buttigieg who suspended his campaign on Sunday came out in favor of Biden: When I ran for president, we made it clear that the whole idea was about rallying the country together to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for the values that we share. That was always a goal that was much bigger than me becoming president. And it is in the name of that very same goal that I am delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden for president of the United States. Biden then compared the former South Bend mayor to his late son Beau: I know that might not mean much to most people but to me its the highest compliment I could give any man or woman. An odd Biden-ism followed the warm sentiment: Like Beau, he has a backbone like a ramrod. At the rally, Amy Klobuchar, who suspended her campaign on Monday, spoke first with a call for unity: If we spend the next four months dividing money and going at each other, we will spend the next four years with Donald Trump. The Minnesota senator then endorsed Biden as the candidate who could unite Democrats: He could bring our country together and build the coalition of that fired up Democratic base, as well as independents and moderate Republicans. Biden then spoke, thanking Klobuchar and affirming her future in American politics: Youre going to hear a lot from Amy Klobuchar for a long, long time. He then detailed the corrosive impact of the president, stating that he didnt realize just how selfish Trump was before he was elected. Just a few days ago the press and the pundits declared this campaign dead, Biden said, an analysis he disagreed with. He also included a few jabs at Bernie Sanders: Most Americans dont want the promise of revolution, they want results. They want revival of decency. After concluding his stump speech, Biden thanked former Texas congressman Beto ORourke and welcomed him to the stage. ORourke called Trump an existential threat to democracy, and lauded Biden as kind, caring, and empathetic. Though ORourke once asserted that Biden was a return to the past and said that the country can do better, the former representative, gesticulating and sweating, celebrated him as the candidate to defeat Trump. Biden repaid the favor, hugging ORourke, who touted gun reform as his policy core, and telling him: Youre going to be the one who takes care of the gun problem with me. Following his expected rout in the South Carolina primary on Saturday, the moderate lane of the Democratic primary has reopened for Biden, following a roughly monthlong polling slump. With Buttigieg and Klobuchars campaigns suspended, the moderate vote is now split between just two septuagenarians: Biden and Bloomberg. On Monday, Morning Consult released a poll showing the former mayor down one point and the vice-president up seven points after South Carolina though still trailing Sanders by three points. As New Yorks Ed Kilgore notes, the picture on Super Tuesday looks quite competitive though the Sanders campaign has outspent and out-staffed Biden in most of the states voting on Tuesday: As of Monday night, FiveThirtyEights projections have Joe Biden favored in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and American Samoa, with Sanders favored in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, and Vermont. If either candidate has a significantly higher number of states in the win column, that could be a dominant headline while the dust settles. In Texas, where Bidens rally was held, Sanders is leading in polls by 4.5 points though the former veep is likely to clear the 15 percent minimum to earn delegate support there. Though Biden has had a banner few days, the question of how his public speaking may or may not reflect his overall stamina was raised again on Monday, when he botched a quote from the Declaration of Independence: JOE BIDEN: We hold these truths to be self-evident, all men and women are created by the go you know you know the thing. (H/t @terri_rupar) pic.twitter.com/WZFQhCyevX JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) March 2, 2020 Nevertheless the Democratic Establishment appears to have rallied behind him: In addition to the endorsements from the former candidates, on Monday former Nevada senator Harry Reid also announced he would support Biden. Perhaps more important is the new support of hedge-fund manager Orin Kramer, one of Buttigiegs top fundraisers, who just backed Biden. The former vice-president, who started the year with less cash on hand than his rivals, will need all the help he can get to take on the remaining front-runners: billionaire Michael Bloomberg and Bernie Sanders, who raised $46.5 million in February, the most of any Democratic candidate in a month thus far. We are honored to have such a revolutionary mind as Noam Chomsky contribute to our educational experience. The Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, the official meeting of the Milton H. Erickson Foundation, today announced that Noam Chomsky, the father of modern linguistics, will participate in a live video interview as part of the opening keynote session. The keynote will kick off the first day of the five-day meeting scheduled for December 913, 2020, in Anaheim, California. An American theoretical linguist, Chomskys work revolutionized the field of linguistics by treating language as a uniquely human, biologically based cognitive capacity. His contributions to the field of cognitive psychology and the philosophies of mind and language helped initiate and sustain what became known as the cognitive revolution. The interview-style session will be led by Dr. Jeffrey Zeig, director and founder of the Milton H. Erickson Foundation. Dr. Zeig will engage Chomsky in a discussion of how therapists can harness linguistics to become better communicators in order to improve patient relationships, understanding, and care. We are honored to have such a revolutionary mind as Noam Chomsky contribute to our educational experience, said Dr. Zeig. Noam has been the most-requested speaker for our conference for decades, and it is particularly special that he has chosen to join us for our 35-year anniversary meeting, which also coincides with the 135th anniversary of the practice of psychotherapy. This will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our attendees. Dubbed the Woodstock of Psychotherapy by TIME, the Evolution of Psychotherapy meeting is expected to attract 8,000 professionals from around the world who include clinical and counseling psychologists, psychiatrists, and marriage and family counselors. The meeting agenda is focused on strengthening clinical practice and highlighting the unifying principles that guide effective clinical work. Participants in the 2020 meeting will gain insight from 50 expert faculty and 10 keynoters, each considered trailblazers in their field, and have the ability to earn up to 50 CE/CME credits. To register for Evolution of Psychotherapy 2020 or to learn more, visit evolutionofpsychotherapy.com. For press access and media inquiries, contact Kelly McCurdy at pr@hmpglobal.com. About HMP HMP is the force behind Healthcare Made Practicaland is a multichannel leader in healthcare events and education, with a mission to improve patient care. The company produces accredited medical education events and clinically relevant, evidence-based content for the global healthcare community across a range of therapeutic areas. Its brands include Consultant360, the year-round, award-winning platform relied upon by primary care providers and other specialists; Psych Congress, the largest independent mental health meeting in the U.S.; EMS World Expo, North America's largest EMT and paramedic event; and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), the largest wound care meeting in the world. For more information, visit hmpglobal.com. About The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Established in 1979, the Milton H. Erickson Foundation is a federal nonprofit corporation formed to promote and advance the contributions to the health sciences by the late Milton H. Erickson, MD. It has grown to become one of the most globally recognized and influential organizations in the field of psychotherapy and fulfills its mission through the organization of congresses, workshops, programs, and the development of clinically relevant content for mental health professionals. For more information, visit erickson-foundation.org. Will he leave the party? Will he float a new one? Or join an existing one? As speculation is rife over Jyotiraditya Scindia's next move, the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit appears to be divided on the rift between him and Chief Minister Kamal Nath, reports Sandeep Kumar. The Congress leadership is trying hard to downplay the power struggle between Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and former MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, but the rift is there for anyone to see. Scindia is not only upset with the chief minister but also the party brass, which had sided with Nath, who also heads the Congress state unit, in the race to the top post. In the run-up to the 2018 assembly polls, Scindia was named the head of the MP Congress campaign committee. He faced intense attack from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Undeterred, Scindia campaigned aggressively and played a key role in the Congresss return to power in the state after 15 years. After the win, a tussle for the chief ministers post broke out between Nath and Scindia, but the former prevailed. Dejected, Scindia was hoping that the party brass would at least anoint him or his nominee Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, but the top leadership kept delaying the decision. Following this, Scindia started targeting Naths government over one issue or another. First, he demanded strict action against illegal sand mining, then he removed the Congresss reference from his Twitter bio, and recently he said if the party reneged on its manifesto, he would take to the streets, to which Nath replied: Let him do that. Scindia had also endorsed the Centre's decision to abrogate Sections of Article 370, against the partys stand on the matter. The state Congress unit, too, appears to be divided on the rift between the two heavyweights -- some call it pressure politics, while others feel Scindia is being sidelined. States Minister for General Administration Govind Singh said taking to the streets was the job of the Opposition, and if Scindia had any complaint, he should discuss it with the party and the government. On the other hand, Minister for Women and Child Development Imarti Devi said if Scindia took the path of demonstration, state Congress workers would follow him. Six ministers in Naths Cabinet belong to the Scindia camp. They are Imarti Devi, Govind Singh Rajput, Pradumnya Singh Tomar, Tulsiram Silawat, Prabhuram Choudhary, and Mahendra Singh Sisodia. Also, at least 22 MLAs from Gwalior, Chambal, and Malwa are with Scindia. Not long ago, Scindia loyalist and first-time Congress MLA Suresh Rathkheda said: Lets make it crystal clear that Maharaj (Scindia) is not leaving the Congress. But the day Maharaj wants, he can form a new party and tell how powerful he is in the entire state. The day Shrimant (Scindia) launches a new party, Ill be the first to join him. Scindia is also miffed at the news of the party planning to send its General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to the Upper House from Madhya Pradesh. In April, three seats from the state are falling vacant, and two of them will go to the Congress. Former CM Digvijaya Singh is set to be re-elected and Scindia was eyeing the second seat for himself. Power equations A close aide of Scindia said: As many as 25-30 MLAs are directly in touch with Maharaj (Scindia). He is under a lot of pressure, especially from his supporters. Sources said Scindia was waiting for the partys decision on the MPCC president and the selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections before taking a call. Scindia joining the BJP remains only a vague possibility. He may float a party. The Bharatiya Janata Party, after losing many of its strongholds in the recent past, is keen on putting together its government in Madhya Pradesh. BJP MP Ganesh Singh not long ago said: Scindia was neither appointed president of the Madhya Pradesh Congress nor chief minister. All is not well in the Congress. Political analyst Arvind Tiwari said: Bitterness between Scindia and Nath is no secret. Scindia never hid his ambition of becoming chief minister. He also made it clear to the party leadership. But the party used him in the run-up to the assembly polls, only to discard him after the victory. Scindia is considered to be close to Rahul Gandhi, but he lost his grip after losing the Lok Sabha election. On the other hand, Congress spokesperson Syed Jafar said: The BJP is trying to destabilise our government in the state and spreading rumours. Scindia has repeatedly said he cant even dream of leaving the party. I think this is enough to put an end to these rumours. The party is currently in damage-control mode. State Public Relations Minister P C Sharma said that all is well in the Madhya Pradesh Congress. After challenging Scindia to do whatever he desired, Nath sarcastically said: How could I be angry with Scindia, if I couldnt be angry with Shivraj Singh Chouhan! Sources close to Scindia said he was in no mood to take a step back. If things dont go right for him, he may surprise everyone, including his party, a source said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed Monday to expedite the enactment of legislation needed to declare a state of emergency, in order to aminimize the impact on Japanese citizensa livelihooda from the rapid spread of COVID-19. aIt is critical to always anticipate the worst-case scenario, and be prepared to take measures if the coronavirus spreads exponentially in certain areas in the future,a Abe told lawmakers during a meeting of the Upper House Budget Committee. The prime minister said the government hopes the new legislative measures will be equivalent to those taken under a law implemented in 2013 aimed at tackling a novel influenza virus that became a pandemic in 2009. Under the 2013 law, if a state of emergency is declared, municipal leaders are authorized to ask residents to stay inside and temporarily close or downscale schools and other public facilities. Municipal governments are also able to build temporary medical facilities to treat a surge of patients, dispense medicine and vaccines, and ask businesses to distribute necessary materials. The health ministry also unveiled a subsidy plan for companies that would allow parents who work full or part time to take time off to care for children up to elementary school age, as well as those enrolled in special education schools. According to the plan, companies regardless of size that pay qualified workers up to A8,330 per day are eligible for the new subsidy, with time off being considered separately from paid leave. The program is applicable for the period starting Feb. 27 to March 31. At least 18 new cases of the disease were confirmed Monday, including five each in Hokkaido and Kanagawa, four in Niigata, two in Osaka and one each in Ehime and Kochi. In the first case for Ehime Prefecture, a bank clerk in her 40s who tested positive for the virus had attended a concert at a club in the city of Osaka with a friend in her 30s who was also infected. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:34:05|Editor: zh Video Player Close CANBERRA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- South Australians diagnosed with coronavirus could be detained for failing to comply with mandatory quarantine under new laws. The South Australia (SA) government on Monday night announced a raft of changes to public health laws to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The state's chief public health officer (CPHO) will be able to verbally order the detention of a person if they are considered to be at risk of spreading a disease such as COVID-19, according to The Australian Broadcasting Corporation report. The new laws would make it easier for police to be called in to enforce detainment and quarantines, as well as security firms or court orders. "There is no need to be alarmed. Part of strengthening our state's protection is to make sure that our public health experts have the powers they need to protect South Australians," Premier Steven Marshall told reporters. "We know people are anxious, and I assure the people of South Australia that you are unquestionably our priority." There have been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Australia with one other suspected patient awaiting tests. A 78-year-old man from Western Australia who spent time on the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Sunday became the first Australian to die from contracting coronavirus. Stephen Wade, the SA health minister, said that the law changes could be critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. "While we hope for the best, we need to plan for the worst," he said. "The key to being prepared is to ensure that our public health experts have the tools they need to be nimble and proactive in controlling any possible outbreak scenario." Appointment 3 March 2020 Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche is pleased to announce Wesam Khouran as General Manager at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche. In his new role, Wesam will oversee and drive the successful performance of the hotel in accordance with company standards, mission statement, vision, and values. Wesam brings a wealth of over 18 years' experience within the hospitality industry, with predominant expertise in F&B. Throughout his career, Wesam took part in 4 hotels opening in the Middle E ast with international well-established brands such as Four Seasons, Kempinski, Intercontinental and also Accor. Wesam's new role as General Manager comes as a promotion from his most recent position as Director of Operations at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche. Here, he was responsible for pursuing outstanding quality of operations and high performance of the hotel. Alongside his experience with Sofitel, Wesam has over 7 years' experience with Pullman. His journey started when he joined the pre-opening team of Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates as Food & Beverage Manager. He then continued to grow his career when he was promoted to Food & Beverage Director at Pullman Deira City Center. Wesam then extended his scope at Pullman Deira City Center Residences where he was Residence Manager and Food & Beverage Director. In 2017, Wesam successfully completed the International Hospitality Management Program (IHMP) from ESSEC Business School Paris, the Accor's Glo bal fast-track Leadership Development Program for aspiring General Managers. The ruler of Dubai is mounting a last-ditch Supreme Court bid to stop his marital secrets being published to the world, it was revealed today. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 70, has applied to the High Court in London for the summary return to Dubai of his two children with Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan. Princess Haya has applied for the children to be made wards of court, and has also applied for a forced marriage protection order in relation to one of the children and a non-molestation order. Princess Haya at the Court of Appeal with Baroness Fiona Shackleton for last Friday's hearing Sheikh Mohammed, who is also vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, is now taking his bid to challenge the decision by Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the Family Division, to publish two of his judgments to the UK's highest court. The Court of Appeal said last week that Sir Andrew's two rulings relate to 'certain disputed factual issues' and 'issues arising out of the special position of (Sheikh Mohammed) as the sovereign and head of government of a foreign state'. At a Court of Appeal hearing in London on Friday, Lord Justice Underhill said it was 'the unanimous decision of the court' to dismiss Sheikh Mohammed's appeal. The judge added that the Court of Appeal had refused Sheikh Mohammed's application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, but that he had until 4pm today to apply directly to that court. Today, a spokesman for the Supreme Court confirmed that Sheikh Mohammed had lodged an application for permission to appeal against the Court of Appeal's ruling. Princess Haya accompanies Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum at Ascot Racecourse in 2008 She added that the application will be referred to three Supreme Court justices - Lord Hodge, Lord Wilson and Lady Black - and that the court is 'aware of the urgency of this matter'. At a hearing last Wednesday, Lord Justice Underhill said Sheikh Mohammed's legal team argued that Sir Andrew's decision to publish the judgments was 'wrong in law and that the judgments should not be published, if at all, in advance of the welfare hearing' later in March. The judge added that Sheikh Mohammed's appeal - which 'raises questions both about what is in the best interests of the children and about how to balance that, if necessary, against the right of the press to report matters of public interest' - was opposed by Princess Haya, the independent guardian 'appointed by the court to represent the children's interests', and by a number of media organisations. Princess Haya, who became Sheikh Mohammed's sixth wife in 2004, ran away from Dubai to London last year 'in fear of her life'. The Daily Mail and other papers have spearheaded the application to ease reporting restrictions. Congress MLAs on Tuesday disrupted proceedings of the Haryana assembly after their protest march was stopped by security personnel at some distance away from the entrance to the Vidhan Sabha complex. The legislators were taking out a protest march against the BJP-JJP government when they were stopped near the civil secretariat parking by the security personnel. The security personnel said they were ordered by Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta not to allow any protesting legislator carry any hoarding, banner or placards inside. After being detained there for nearly 15 minutes, the Congress MLAs were allowed to proceed when Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda assured them that they never intended to carry placards inside the House. As soon as the legislators entered the Vidhan Sabha, they disrupted the question hour for about 20 minutes. Hooda objected to being stopped at the gate near the parking lot, claiming it was "an illegal and undemocratic step". "We were not going to enter the House with placards and posters, then why we were stopped there? You have to protect our rights," he told the Chair, demanding that a map be shown to him to clarify from where the Vidhan Sabha complex's boundary starts. Though the speaker told them that it was his verbal order that no one should be allowed to carry posters, banners or hoarding inside, the Congress MLAs raised slogans, saying the government was "acting in a dictatorial manner". In response to the Congress protest, BJP MLAs raised the slogan of "Bharat Mata ki Jai". As the ruckus prevailed, Home Minister Anil Vij intervened and reminded the Congress MLAs how during their rule, BJP legislators "were often named and not allowed to enter the Vidhan Sabha". "Whatever happened with you today is very good, you should remember your time too," Vij told them. As the Congress legislators rushed to the Well of the House, Speaker told them not to break discipline. Hooda pointed out that the security staff had not shown them any written orders, to which the speaker told him that if they had given prior intimation about their protest, he would have had time to issue orders in writing. On the speaker telling the Opposition that even some members of the public could have entered the premises due to the protest, Congress leader Geeta Bhukkal said, "It is a matter of shame that this government, which has failed on the law and order front, thinks anti-social elements could mingle with the legislators." The Congress MLAs resumed their seats when the speaker assured them that their rights will always remain protected. Earlier led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and senior party leaders Kiran Choudhary and Geeta Bhukkal, the Congress MLAs held a protest against the state government over "unkept promises" and various alleged scams. The Congress MLAs after alighting from their cars nearly one kilometre away from the assembly complex, took out a protest march. Carrying placards and posters, they raised slogans against the state government, accusing it of not ordering any probe against the alleged paddy and mining scams. "There have been paddy scam, mining scam.. but the government is not ordering any probe. This government has also not fulfilled the promises it made to people," Hooda told reporters. Kiran Choudhary said due to the mismanagement of economy by the state government, the debt has risen to Rs 1.98 lakh crore. "There are burning issues pertaining to farmers, law and order and unemployment but the government is not willing to talk about these," Choudhary said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A lock of hair from the great English Romantic poet Lord Byron has sold for nearly 20,000 at auction. The clump of the wordsmith's light brunette hair has been kept in a gold and enamel locket for almost 200 years. George Byron died of fever during the Greek War of Independence fighting against the Ottomans in 1824. The fine wisp of hair was taken from his body by his Italian companion Count Pietro Gamba who was with Byron on his final days. Pictured: An undated photo showing the fine strands of hair in the centre of the locket. A lock of the great English Romantic poet Lord Byron's hair has sold for 18,000 at auction in London Pictured: Lord Byron in an 1813 painting. Byron's most celebrated works include the poem Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage The wisp of fine hair was placed in a locket after the poet's death, and gifted to Sir James Emerson Tennant by Byron's Italian companion, Count Pietro Gamba in 1825 Gamba then gifted it in the locket to Sir James Emerson Tennant, another participant in the conflict. The locket is engraved by Gamba to Tennant with the date 1825. It was sold by a private collector with Chiswick Auctions, of London. The European buyer paid a hammer price of 15,000, with extra fees taking the overall figure to 18,000. Tennant's military medals from the campaign was also included in the sale. Beatrice Campi, specialist at Chiswick Auctions, said: 'The hair locket is incredibly fascinating and it helps us telling the story of not only Byron's life and adventures, but also of British collectorship and passion for memorabilia. 'Collecting old follicles was a quite common trend in Georgian and Victorian England. 'The hair colour is a light brunette tone with some reddish flares and medium-long, in tune with Byron's hairstyles in many paintings. Pictured: The inscription on the back of the locket that was sold at a London auction for 18,000 'It was a very important and rare lot.' Byron's most celebrated works include the poem Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. He is also known for his womanising ways, having a string of high profile liasons and fathering several illegitimate children. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Speaking at a meeting between permanent Cabinet members and the national steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control in Hanoi, the leader also asked the committee and agencies to stay vigilant and take drastic actions against the epidemic. Protecting peoples life and health is the leading task at this time, he said, noting that public health must be ensured even at the expense of some economic benefits in the short term, given the worldwide spread of the disease. This is the highest requirement from the Prime Minister, and Party and State leaders to agencies and localities, he stressed. PM Phuc also ordered more equipment in service of the combat, restriction of trips to and from virus-affected areas and intensification of the communication work to raise public awareness of the epidemic. The Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)s spirit of cohesive and responsive should be carried forward in the fight against COVID-19, he said, calling for joint efforts of individuals, organisations and localities in this regard. As for the huge losses facing tourism, aviation and other sectors, the PM pledged that the Government will roll out specific monetary and fiscal measures and other incentives to facilitate production and business activities. He also called for enhanced online transactions to prevent the epidemic. At the meeting, the committee reported that from February 13th to 12h00 on March 2nd, no new COVID-19 cases had been recorded in Vietnam. Currently, there have been 115 suspected cases that are being quarantined. Those who come from the Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy which are experiencing the alarming spread of the virus are quarantined for 14 days, the committee said, adding that it has warned people against travelling to the countries. At the same time, the committee asked relevant agencies at airports to enhance coordination to speed up entry procedures, thus swiftly conducting medical quarantine. On March 2nd, the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanois outskirts district of Dong Anh allowed 30 Vietnamese citizens who returned from Chinas Wuhan city to go home after a 21-day quarantine./. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:01:10|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close ZAGREB, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Croatian President Zoran Milanovic confirmed here on Tuesday that Croatia will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in the next few months. "Years-long adventure of the U.S. and Croatia in Afghanistan is coming to an end in a few months. They are retreating, and we are retreating. The Croatian army is returning home, but it will continue to be present in the world," Milanovic said at the handover of the position of Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces. In February, only a few days after his inauguration, the new president agreed to Croatia's earlier commitments and approved to send in March a new contingent of 110 soldiers to Afghanistan. But he announced then that Croatia's further participation in the mission would be discussed to realize a permanent withdrawal of troops from that country. In his election campaign, Milanovic said that he would initiate the withdrawal of Croatian troops from the mission of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan. One of my greatest sorrows is that I hold the belief that of every area in the United States, Southeast Tennessee has the worst representation in Washington that could ever be foisted upon its citizens. For 10 years Chuck Fleischmann has been a Republican member of Congress and in all that time has authored 25 bills that havent amounted to a ripple on our behalf. Thats right, an average of five every two-year term! In the same time span, Scott DesJarlais has been the representative for Tennessees 4th District, a sprawl that includes Murfreesboro, his hometown of Jasper and Cleveland, Tn. and his track record is equally void of any accomplishment. I fully blame the Republican Party for blocking or disallowing any candidate that has as much as a pulse, and the Democratic Party that, as of this writing, apparently has no candidate to challenge either of these two nothings. There is an interesting guy from Winchester, Lawrence Doug Meyer, and, while he served well as the Chairman of the Republican Party in Franklin County, he lacks the wherewithal or the Party power to better DesJarlais in the August primary. The far-worst news is that the same repugnant Republican machine is force-feeding the most-nothing vanilla Senate candidate in the history of Tennessee upon us in former Ambassador to Japan, Bill Hagerty. As a Nashville child of privilege, Hagerty went to Vanderbilt and its School of Law before morphing into a professional politician. He was high in Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign but when John McCain outdistanced the then-Governor of Massachusetts as the heat was turned up, it was in February before the November election that Mitt threw in the towel. To be fair, that was eight years ago, long before Romney would turn on Trump in the impeachment hearings. But Hagerty, while speaking to a group in Chattanooga a couple of weeks ago, showed he sorely lacks in character and integrity by now using Romney as a punch line. Good men never turn on a fallen friend, most especially for their own personal gain. This Hagerty has no class. Hagertys lack of recall that he once quite gratefully endorsed some juicy Elect Romney paychecks is stupefying and further sullies his unknown name in a state where 90 percent of todays voters never heard of him and will soon wish they hadnt. This chump aint nothing but cheap seats. Get this straight. Hagerty leaves no doubt he will blindly support Trump mind over matter. A good number of conservative Tennesseans, along with most-assuredly every liberal, dislike Trumps unnecessary arrogance and his crass manners but with no one trustworthy as his opponent, there is no viable alternative. I like Trump and, while I wish hed throw his Tweeter in the Potomac and study Dale Carnegies How to Win Friends, hes head and shoulders better than any of the challengers who are still left. After the 115th Congress ended on Jan. 3, 2019, the last Congressional Report Card was issued by very factual GovTrack.us. It informed us that is the past two years, Fleischmann authored four bills while DesJarais penned seven over 24 months. Neither Pathetic A or Pathetic B from Southeastern Tennessee had a winning nag, instead both A and B had not one bill nada -- become law. I have had nothing to do with either one of them for their nauseated anti-stand against the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. This is because the sadistic Dirty Lick contributed heavily to both mens election campaigns. The PAST Act (Prevent All Storing Tactics) is today one of the most popular bills in the current Congress and in the last vote 333 members of Congress endorsed it, while 96 members did not. Among those who voted neigh were Fleischmann and DesJarlais, while DesJarlais actually offering a toothless Horse Protection Amendments Act on behalf of the Dirty Lick that brought guffaws from every corner in the chamber. In the January 2019 Report Card, that kept the scores on all 438 members of 115th Congress, DesJarlais was tied at 285 (he wrote 7 bills) and Fleischmann whose pen ran out of ink early in the session -- tied at No. 356. * * * CHUCK FLEISCHMANNS REPORT CARD FROM HIS FIFTH TERM IN CONGRESS Note there are nine members of The Tennessee Delegation in Congress; 7 Republicans and two Democrats. (Chuck Cohen, D-Memphis authored 980 bills between 2017-18) * -- INTRODUCED THE FEWEST BILLS COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: Fleischmann introduced four bills and resolutions in the 115th Congress. View Bills * -- GOT INFLUENTIAL CO-SPONSORS THE LEAST OFTEN COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: 0 of Fleischmanns bills and resolutions in the 115th Congress had a co-sponsor who was a chair or ranking member of a committee. * -- GOT BIPARTISAN CO-SPONSORS OF THE FEWEST BILLS COMPARED TO THE DELEGATION: In this era of partisanship, it is important to see Members of Congress working across the aisle. 1 of Fleischmanns 4 bills and resolutions had a cosponsor from a different political party than the party Fleischmann caucused with in the 115th Congress. * -- GOT THE FEWEST CO-SPONSORS ON THEIR BILLS COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: Fleischmanns bills and resolutions had eight co-sponsors in the 115th Congress. * -- WAS MOST PRESENT IN VOTES COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: Fleischmann missed 0.1 percent of votes (1 of 1,210 votes) in the 115th Congress. * -- GOT BICAMERAL (A legislative body having two branches) SUPPORT ON THE FEWEST BILLS COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: The House and Senate often work on the same issue simultaneously by introducing companion bills in each chamber. 0 of Fleischmanns bills and resolutions had a companion bill in the Senate. Working with a sponsor in the other chamber makes a bill more likely to be passed by both the House and Senate. * -- CO-SPONSORED THE 2ND FEWEST BILLS COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: Fleischmann cosponsored 164 bills and resolutions introduced by other Members of Congress. Co-sponsorship shows a willingness to work with others to advance policy goals. * -- SUPPORTED GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY THE 2ND LEAST NUMBER OF TIMES (tied with 1 other): GovTrack looked at whether Fleischmann supported any of 32 government transparency, accountability, and effectiveness bills in the House that we identified in this session. We gave Fleischmann 1 point, based on one point for co-sponsoring and three points for sponsoring any of these bills. * -- GOT THEIR BILLS OUT OF COMMITTEE THE 28TH LEAST TIME OFTEN COMPARED TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS (Tied with 26 others): Most bills and resolutions languish in committee without any action. Fleischmann introduced two bills in the 115th Congress that got past committee and to the floor for consideration. * -- JOINED BIPARTISAN BILLLS 101ST LEAST OFTEN COMPARED TO ALL REPUBLICANS: Of the 164 bills that Fleischmann cosponsored, 12% were introduced by a legislator who was not a Republican. * -- LAWS ENACTED: Fleischmann introduced 0 bills that became law, including via incorporation into other measures, in the 115th Congress. * -- COMMITTEE POSITIONS : Fleischmann held a leadership position on 0 committees and 1 subcommittee, as either a chair (majority party) or ranking member (minority party), at the end of the session. * * * SCOTT DesJARLAIS REPORT CARD FROM THE 115th SESSON OF CONGRESS (2017-18) * -- JOINED BIPARTISAN BILLS THE LEAST OFTEN COMPARED TO THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION: Of the 217 bills that DesJarlais cosponsored, five percent were introduced by a legislator who was not a Republican. *-- GOT BICAMERAL SUPPORT ON THE FEWEST BILLS COMPARED TO TENNESSE DELEGATION (tied with 1 other): The House and Senate often work on the same issue simultaneously by introducing companion bills in each chamber. 0 of DesJarlaiss bills and resolutions had a companion bill in the Senate. * -- GOT INFLUENTIAL CO-SPONSORS THE 2ND LEAST OFTEN COMPARED TO TENNESSEE DELEGATION (tied with 1 other): One of DesJarlaiss bills and resolutions in the 115th Congress had a cosponsor who was a chair or ranking member of a committee. * -- GOT BIPARISAN CO-SPONSORS ON THE 28TH FEWEST BILL COMPARED TO ALL REPRESENTATIVES: In this era of partisanship, it is important to see Members of Congress working across the aisle. 2 of DesJarlaiss 7 bills and resolutions had a cosponsor from a different political party than the party DesJarlais caucused with in the 115th Congress. * -- GOT THEIR BILLS OUT OF COMMITTEE THE 28TH LEAST TIMES OFTEN COMPARED TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS (tied with 26 others): Most bills and resolutions languish in committee without any action. DesJarlais introduced 2 bills in the 115th Congress that got past committee and to the floor for consideration. * -- INTRODUCED THE 39TH FEWEST BILLS COMPARED TO ALL REPRESENTATIVES (tied with 9 others): DesJarlais introduced 7 bills and resolutions in the 115th Congress. * -- GOT THE 49TH FEWEST COSPONSORS ON THEIR BILLS COMPARED TO ALL REPRESENTATIVES (tied with 1 other): DesJarlaiss bills and resolutions had 49 cosponsors in the 115th Congress. Securing cosponsors is an important part of getting support for a bill, although having more cosponsors does not always mean a bill will get a vote. * -- DesJARLAIS INTROCED 0 bills that would have become a law.The legislator must be the primary sponsor of the bill or joint resolution that was enacted or the primary sponsor of a bill or joint resolution for which at least about one third of its text was incorporated into another bill or joint resolution that was enacted as law, as determined by an automated analysis. * -- COMMITTEE POSITIONS: He held no leadership position on 0 committees and 0 subcommittees, as either a chair (majority party) or ranking member (minority party), at the end of the session. * -- BILLS CO-SPONSORED: DesJarlais co-sponsored 217 bills and resolutions introduced by other Members of Congress. Co-sponsorship shows a willingness to work with others to advance policy goals. * -- MISSED VOTES: DesJarlais missed 4.3 percent of votes (52 of 1,210 votes) in the 115th Congress. * -- GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY: GovTrack looked at whether DesJarlais supported any of 32 government transparency, accountability, and effectiveness bills in the House that we identified in this session. We gave DesJarlais two points, based on one point for co-sponsoring and three points for sponsoring any of these bills. * * * ON DOUG MEYERS WEBSITE, where the Winchester native is intent on dethroning DesJalaris, let it be known the career lawman writes neither a boast nor a challenge, but how good is this? Meyer writes, I pursued this career direction after returning to the civilian world, wearing one uniform or another for the next four plus decades. I specialized in gangs, organized crime and counter/criminal-insurgency operations. In my career, I have been beat, bit, cut, shot at, burned, peed on, ran over, betrayed, wrecked, sued and stabbed in the back. Yet I stand. I am a straight-up, straight-edge, and hardcore fighter & survivor. Though I truly prefer cooperative 'team' efforts, utilizing tact, diplomacy and restraint, it is also my nature to run straight at conflict, head-on into chaos, and by myself if I have to. I know exactly who and what I am, and know also exactly 'what I am made of.' I will not be bullied. I cannot be bought. And I fear none but God. royexum@aol.com If people canat buy new masks, is using old ones more than once the next best option? Japan is currently experiencing its most severe surgical mask shortage in recent memory. Coronavirus fears have triggered bulk buying by those concerned for their personal and loved onesa health as well as profiteering resellers whoave been offering their stashes for inflated prices through online auctions. Manufacturers have been ramping up production to try to meet demands, but the country has still seen shocking cases of street fighting and theft by those trying to get their hands on the face coverings. As stores continue to sell out as soon as they get new shipments in, TV Asahi reports that the government may be planning to ask people to cope with the supply bottleneck by reusing their masks. Thatas not to say that the government wants people to just keep strapping on the same dirty mask day after day, though. According to the report, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is considering encouraging people to reuse their masks after treating them with ethanol or some other antiseptic solution to disinfect the material. Such a measure would only be recommended to currently healthy ordinary individuals looking to avoid infection, not those who have already contracted the virus, and masks soiled by mucus, phlegm, or other particles expelled by coughing/sneezing, which canat be sufficiently cleaned with a quick antiseptic spray, would ostensibly still be thrown away after a single use. In addition, the reuse of masks would also not be recommended to health care workers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to supporters following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading the pack, following the country's third election in less than a year, but his political survival is not guaranteed, an analyst said Tuesday. According to Israel's Haaretz newspaper, Netanyahu's Likud party has won 36 seats, with 90% of the votes counted. That puts him narrowly ahead of his main rival, Benny Gantz, but it may not be enough for him and his allies to secure a parliamentary majority. "If they don't by tomorrow, we're moving back into a territory where we may see a fourth election on the horizon," said Ryan Bohl, Middle East and North Africa analyst at Stratfor. This election was called after two previous polls left Israel in a political deadlock with no majority in parliament. "But even if they do, they push over to a 61-vote majority ... the corruption trial doesn't go away," Bohl told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia." Netanyahu is set to appear in court to face corruption charges on Mar. 17. Bohl said the Israeli leader is likely to prioritize "immunity legislation" for himself, but that may not get past lawmakers. "It's a very open question about whether or not that legislation would survive a narrow, somewhat fractured coalition," he said, noting that it has "ambitious" insiders who might like to replace Netanyahu. "So, even as he may win the day and win the battle, there's still a very long war for his own political survival, and the outcome is not guaranteed," he added. The Centre on Tuesday informed the Parliament that it is considering Kerala government's proposal to ban highly poisonous pesticide 'Glyphosate' and all its derivatives throughout the state. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said the central government has also received a proposal from Maharasthra government to ban five pesticides. "The proposal of Government of Kerala is under active consideration," Tomar said. On Maharashtra government's proposal, the minister said that the state government was informed to submit the proposal under Section 27 as required under the Insecticides Act, 1968 along with the relevant investigation/study report. Maharashtra government had written to the Insecticide Board and Registration Committee requesting ban of five pesticides. The pesticides include Profenophos Cypermethrin, Fipronil Imidacloprid, Acephate, Difenthiuron and Monocrotophos, he added. Highlighting the measures taken to ban poisonous pesticides in the country, the ministersaid that technical reviews are carried out from time to time by expert committees to assess the safety and efficacy of registered pesticides for their continued use or otherwise. Till now, 44 pesticides have been banned for import, manufacture and use in the country, while two pesticides are banned for use but continue to be manufactured for export, he said. The minister further said eight pesticides have been withdrawn, nine pesticides are restricted for use in the country and six pesticides will be phased out by December 31, 2020. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the 4th of November 2019, residents of La Mora, a remote community, were passing along the southern border of Mexico-United States and was traveling to attend a wedding when armed men ambushed them and killed nine members. They suspected that a drug cartel was behind all the tragic events. A few months after the incident, a distinguished member of the same community received a death threat and decided to retreat to the United States. That person who is known in his community for exposing and condemning the violent and criminal acts and the conspiracy between the local authorities and the gangs, Julian LeBaron, was displeased with the ongoing issue about the 35,588 murder in 2019 was announced by Mexico. Julian LeBaron called and reported to The Associated Press on Saturday that he thinks that the problem is going beyond the limit and that people don't want to see or hear about all of these criminal activities anymore. He also added that they are fed up with feeling like their movements should be limited and conservative so that they won't be involved in this kind of mess. In his own opinion, the threat has something to do with his choice not to follow what people have said to him which is to remain silent and be unbothered of the situation. He also said the recent verbal dispute between him and the local police might have been the last solution left but still did not work. On February 17, LeBaron was alarmed by a gunfight he heard in a Chihuahua state, Casas Grandes, where he was staying at that time. The following day, he called the local police to inquire about that event. The officer that answered his call said they don't know a thing about what he was talking about but it ended with an argument. LeBaron stated that night that some trusted source contacted him at home and told him that they had a piece of information about the gang La Linea, who operates as Juarez Cartel's enforcers and the gang has given a death threat. According to the source, the gang also advised LeBaron to run to the north of the border for shelter. He panicked and immediately called the federal police for help which is posted in the vicinity of Colonia LeBaron. Colonia LeBaron is a well-trusted police station of the community deeply and has maintained a good relationship with each other. The community witnessed the local police struggle when they reached Casas Grandes. A maid of a relative claimed that he witnessed 15 gunmen in a canal a couple of blocks from the home of LeBaron and that he assumes that LeBaron might have been their objective. LeBaron believed that him keeping a low profile for a few days on a farm would keep him away from the threat. After a while, his uncle escorted him along with the federal police in convoy to the border of Arizona. He mentioned that in the future, he would be going to Seattle because a construction job was offered to him. He wants to lay low for a while and wait if things would go back to how they used to be. Unidentified people asked LeBaron whether he is coming back to Mexico or not and he answered that if the authorities could get the people who are responsible for the death of his cousins, then maybe there would be a big possibility that he would. "It is very unlikely that he got the virus in China, based on the advice that he provided so far," Mr Miles said. "He became ill on the 25th, that would preclude the possibility that he contracted it in China, it also means that he is unlikely to have been contagious on his flight from Dubai to Australia. A seventh person has tested positive for coronavirus in Queensland. Credit:Bloomberg "The contract tracing now will focus on those who he may have come in contact with in the period he is thought to have likely been contagious." Mr Miles said the man was thought to be contagious between February 23 and 25. Anyone who has travelled overseas - anywhere - and becomes ill within 14 days of returning should seek health advice," he said. Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said authorities were looking into where the man might have contracted the disease. The male has recently returned to Brisbane and we are working closely with relevant authorities to undertake contact tracing, Dr Young said. "Our contact tracing methods are tried and trusted and we will take every opportunity to raise awareness of this case in the community if there has been any community exposure." In a statement, a UQ spokesperson said the university understood the student had complied with federal government travel requirements. "At this time, authorities do not believe that the student had visited any UQ campuses after arriving in Australia," they said. "A flatmate and fellow student is understood to be feeling well, and has been tested for the virus as a precaution, and is awaiting results." Loading "The university is in contact with Queensland Health and is working swiftly to assist with any measures necessary." Staff and students had been been asked to adhere to government advice about hygiene and stay home if unwell, they said. "The university is prepared to respond and has a number of safeguards in place." There have now been 10 people in Queensland with COVID-19, including the three people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were diagnosed offshore. Loading The most recent case, a 63-year-old woman, remains in isolation in a stable condition at Gold Coast University Hospital. The other eight patients have been clinically cleared by their treating team and discharged from hospital. The confirmation came hours after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced public emergency departments were bracing to treat three times the usual amount of patients and $25 million worth of protective gear would be stockpiled for medical staff. Dr Young said the spread of coronavirus in Queensland was not a matter of if but when. It is highly likely that we will see an outbreak in Queensland, that is why all of this work is happening at the moment, Dr Young said. We know that well probably need that [extra] capacity for around a 10-week period, thats what the modelling shows. A Perth man on Sunday became the first Australian to die of coronavirus as health authorities reconsider advice for travel to Italy. A travel ban is now in place for people returning from Iran, in addition to restrictions around mainland China. North Korean leader has overseen a "long-range artillery" drill, state media said Tuesday, after Pyongyang threatened to demonstrate a new weapon. Kim "guided" the drill on Monday, KCNA said. had said that fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday, but it was not immediately clear if the two incidents were the same. "As he ordered the sub-units to start the fire, the men of long-range artillery pieces on the front opened fire all at once," KCNA reported. The South Korean military said two devices were fired eastwards over the sea from the Wonsan area on North Korea's east coast and flew 240 kilometres (150 miles) at a maximum altitude of 35 kilometres. They were "believed to be short-range ballistic missiles," a military official said. The reported launch was the nuclear-armed North's first for more than three months and came as nuclear negotiations with the United States remain at a standstill. Kim declared in November that Pyongyang no longer considered itself bound by its moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, and threatened to demonstrate a "new strategic weapon" soon. When Connie Elson was diagnosed with a rare disease at the age of five, it was already too late for doctors to stop it. By then the bright and independent little girl was losing her ability to walk, talk and eat as the degenerative brain condition known as MLD paralysed her young body. But while her diagnosis was devastating and has led to a life of dependency for Connie, it spared her three-year-old brother Joe who had also inherited the condition allowing him to be treated before it could take hold. A degenerative brain condition known as MLD paralysed Connie Elson's body. But while her diagnosis was devastating and has led to a life of dependency for Connie, it spared her three-year-old brother Joe (pictured with his sister) Connies parents Nicola and Ian say the fates of their son and daughter illustrate just how important it is to catch conditions early. They are backing a campaign to expand the heel-prick test which is given to all newborns so that it includes a far wider range of conditions, including MLD metachromatic leukodystrophy. Britain, which tests for just nine diseases, is far behind many developed countries and now trails the likes of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in testing for severe conditions. Tory MP Nickie Aiken is leading efforts to bring the UK into line with countries such as the US, which tests for up to 59 conditions, Iceland, which tests for 47, and Italy, which tests for 43. Connies parents Nicola and Ian say the fates of their son and daughter (pictured) illustrate just how important it is to catch conditions early Mrs Elson said: Joe was diagnosed on time only because of Connie. We wish we could have known sooner about Connie and given her a chance. 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. The UK is so far behind many other European countries and that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Connie is completely dependent on her parents for every aspect of her care. Pictured: Connie and Joe Our children are the most important things in the world and right now they are being let down, it needs to change. Mrs Elson, from Cumbria, said that up until the age of four Connie was like any other little girl. But her parents became worried when she began school and was unable to concentrate and became clumsy. They initially put this down to her having trouble settling into school but soon realised it was more serious and tests eventually revealed she had MLD. Two months after her diagnosis she took her last steps and just a few months later spoke her last words. Nicola and Ian (pictured with their children) are backing a campaign to expand the heel-prick test which is given to all newborns so that it includes a far wider range of conditions, including MLD Five years on, Connie is completely dependent on her parents for every aspect of her care. She has to take a cocktail of drugs to try to keep her as comfortable as possible. She has lost her memory and sight, and suffers seizures. Doctors were unable to offer Connie treatment as the disease had progressed so swiftly. But as Joe had yet to show symptoms he was offered pioneering gene therapy treatment in Italy. He is doing well. Mrs Aiken, the new MP for Cities of London and Westminster, is writing to every MP to win their support for expanding the heel-prick test screening programme, which would cost just 42 per child. Tory MP Nickie Aiken is leading efforts to bring the UK heel-prick test into line with countries such as the US, which tests for up to 59 conditions, Iceland, which tests for 47, and Italy, which tests for 43 Yesterday a leading specialist in rare diseases in children said red tape was the reason Britain was falling behind. Bobby Gaspar, professor of paediatrics and immunology at University College London, said: Other countries have managed to do this in a much shorter time. There is a sense of caution in the UK. It is a bureaucratic process and the criteria are applied too stringently. Given that we are one of the most technologically advanced nations, and we have such pride in the NHS, it seems anomalous that were not screening for these conditions. In the post-Brexit era we dont want to be at the bottom of international league tables. We want to have pride in our independent nation. Canadas immigration department is working to accommodate those whose visa applications are being hindered by COVID-19 containment measures in China, Iran, and South Korea Canada expands special measures to include visa applicants affected by coronavirus outbreak in Iran and South Korea Canadas immigration department is working to accommodate those whose visa applications are being hindered by COVID-19 containment measures in China, Iran, and South Korea Canada expands special measures to include visa applicants affected by coronavirus outbreak in Iran and South Korea Canadas immigration department is working to accommodate those whose visa applications are being hindered by COVID-19 containment measures in China, Iran, and South Korea Canada expands special measures to include visa applicants affected by coronavirus outbreak in Iran and South Korea Canadas immigration department is working to accommodate those whose visa applications are being hindered by COVID-19 containment measures in China, Iran, and South Korea Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A The Canadian immigration department is working to accommodate visa applicants from China, Iran and South Korea as the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) causes service disruptions and travel restrictions. Nationals of these three countries who have applied for a Canadian visa, but who are unable to comply with certain requirements due to circumstances beyond their control, will be given more time to complete the necessary steps, such as providing their fingerprints and photo. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expanded the special measures implemented for China, on February 7, to include citizens of Iran and South Korea on February 29. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs The IRCC webpage says that special measures apply to the following types of applicants: Chinese, Iranian, or South Korean Nationals; or those who are in China, Iran, or South Korea; and those who are affected by service disruptions or travel restrictions related to COVID-19 Disruptions may include any of the following: visa application centre closures; service disruptions; limited access to local government offices and businesses; and limited access to a panel physician who can do the immigration medical exam. IRCC will also be able to help those who need a permanent resident travel document to return to Canada. In addition, the immigration department will still accept incomplete applications from those who are applying for a visitor visa, work permit, study permit, or permanent residence. No application in progress will be closed or refused due to a lack of documentation, the IRCC webpage says. Well automatically give you an extra 90 days to complete these steps. Once youre able to, complete the steps as soon as possible to avoid delays. The additional 90 days also applies to the biometrics deadline. Though the instruction letter says this step must be completed within 30 days, the IRCC is giving an additional 90 days to those applicants who have been affected by service disruptions no new biometrics instruction letter required. IRCC has laid out special instructions for affected permanent resident applicants, work or study permit applicants, and citizenship applicants. In most cases, it is necessary to communicate with IRCC through their online web form. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs Permanent resident applicants Those who are applying for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system must submit their application within 60 days of receiving their Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, IRCC will accept incomplete applications provided that applicants were unable to send all the required documents due to disruptions related to COVID-19. Applicants must send a letter explaining the reasons why the documents are missing, and the application will be held until further notice. When applicants do obtain the missing documents they may send them to IRCC using the online web form. This same form can also be used for those who wish to withdraw their application. Refunds may be available to those who withdraw within 24 hours of submitting, as long as processing has not yet started. Canadian citizenship applicants Those who anticipate that they will miss an important date in their citizenship application process must contact IRCC via their online form, and explain why. Citizenship events or appointments may include one of the following: the knowledge test; a retest; the interview; a hearing; or taking the Oath of Citizenship. You must contact IRCC within 30 days of missing the appointment. If you need to submit documents use the online form to tell IRCC when you have returned from an affected country. You will be given an additional 30 days for most required documents and an additional 45 days for medical opinion forms. Citizenship applicants will still need to meet the physical presence requirement. Canada requires that applicants be present in the country for at least three years out of the five years immediately preceding the date of their citizenship application. Extra days spent in affected countries due to the virus will not count as days in Canada. Restricted from travelling to Canada after permanent residence approved Those who have been approved for permanent residence, but are unable to travel to Canada before their documents expire must use IRCCs web form to explain their situation. Once travel becomes possible again, they must tell IRCC via the online form in order to receive instructions regarding restarting the processing of the permanent residence application. The same instructions apply for those whose confirmation of permanent residence has already expired. Temporary workers, students, and visitors unable to leave Canada Foreign nationals who are in Canada on a visitor visa can apply online to extend their stay in Canada. Temporary workers and students have a couple of options depending on their circumstances. Those who are no longer working or studying can apply to change their status to a visitor, as long as the study or work permit has not expired. Some may be able to extend their work permit or study permit if they are eligible. IRCC says it is important to include a note in the application explaining the reason for extending a stay in Canada. If the visitor record, work or study permit has expired within 90 days it may be possible to restore status. If the 90-day mark has been passed, it may be possible to apply for a temporary resident permit. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs Special instructions by country If you are a permanent resident, visitor visa applicant, study permit applicant, or work permit applicant who needs to travel to Canada urgently, IRCC recommends following the instructions below: China Those who need a permanent resident travel document to come to Canada from China urgently due to exceptional circumstances can email the visa office in Beijing, China, (beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca) to request urgent processing. The application must be submitted to the visa office by courier. If you need a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit to travel to Canada urgently: Apply online at the governments webpage After applying, or if you have already applied, request the urgent processing of your application to the visa office in Beijing, China via email: beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca. Applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis. Iran Permanent residents coming from Iran who need their permanent resident travel document can submit a web form to IRCC. The form will ask Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada? You must answer Yes. It will then prompt you to Choose the visa office processing your application where you need to select Turkey Ankara. In exceptional circumstances where you need to travel to Canada urgently, email the Ankara, Turkey, visa office at ANKRA@international.gc.ca. The application will need to be submitted to the visa office by courier. If you need a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit to travel to Canada urgently you need to apply online at the governments webpage. After you apply, fill out a web form and explain your situation and request urgent processing of your visa or permit application. In order to make sure it goes to the right office, IRCC recommends the following: When asked Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada answer No. Complete the rest of the form. South Korea Canadian permanent residents in South Korea who need a permanent resident document to travel to Canada must submit a web form. The form will ask Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada? You must answer Yes. It will then prompt you to Choose the visa office processing your application where you need to select Philippines Manila. In cases where you need to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, email the visa office in Manila, Philippines, at MANILIMMIGRATION@international.gc.ca. The application will need to be submitted to the visa office by courier. If you need a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit to travel to Canada urgently you need to apply online at the governments webpage. After you apply, fill out a web form and explain your situation and request urgent processing of your visa or permit application. In order to make sure it goes to the right office, IRCC recommends the following: When asked Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada answer No. Complete the rest of the form. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved JERUSALEM With 92 percent of votes counted in the Israeli general election on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in the lead, but it was still far from certain whether he would win enough seats to form a majority government and end a year of political stasis. Mr. Netanyahus right-wing and religious bloc was projected to win 59 seats just five more than that of his main rival, the centrist former army chief Benny Gantz, but still two short of a majority. The full implications of the election remain uncertain, because the votes yet to be counted could affect the balance of power in Parliament. Heres what we know so far. Israels political system is still in a logjam. If the results stand, no bloc has enough seats for a majority in Parliament, not even Mr. Netanyahus. All eyes are on Avigdor Liberman, the leader of an unaligned ultranationalist party that now holds the balance of power. Who could be disconnected from YouTube: expert explained the fate of unlicensed IPTV/OTT set-top boxes The representative of the Ukrainian manufacturer of IPTV/OTT set-top boxes ("Infomir") explaines who is facing a possible disconnection of the YouTube service in the nearest future. Infomir marketing director Igor Oklander described the situation in detail on his blog for Bukvy. Since the Ukrainian manufacturer is an official partner of Android TV, blocking YouTube on its set-top boxes does not threaten anyone. Non-certified devices will be blocked. We are talking about cheap (mostly Chinese) counterparts without a license agreement with Android TV. Previously, YouTube was accessible to everyone and was not regulated. However, Googles policy has recently changed, and now the service has a built-in affiliate program for manufacturers. Google obliges manufacturers to maintain and update them, so there will be guaranteed access to YouTube, writes Igor Oklander. Android TV certification is not a formality, but a system of stringent requirements put forward those who produce them. Non-certified set-top boxes and televisions will not immediately leave the market, but over time, licensed devices will inevitably replace them, the expert comments. To avoid blocking YouTube, users of non-certified devices have a choice: buy either Smart TV or an Android TV set-top box. The last have no less capabilities than expensive TVs. For example, the IPTV/OTT set-top box MAG425A, produced by Infomir, is voice-controlled, has the ability to send images from a smartphone to a large screen. The multiscreen set-top box platform supports the ability to transfer video not only to the TV, but also to tablets and smartphones - that is, to all gadgets in the house. With the help of the set-top box, the capabilities of Android TV are available on any TV with an HDMI port and even on an analog TV (via an AV adapter). The device plays videos up to 4K resolution. You can use the built-in Wi-Fi module or Ethernet to connect to the Internet. The device easily and smoothly plays video from removable media via the USB 3.0 port. Even more convenient to play content directly from the console. Thanks to the support of MicroSD, the internal memory can easily be increased up to 128 GB, says Igor Oklander. A solo show by one of Australia's most highly-acclaimed Indigenous artists, the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye, is about to open in New York, reflecting a growing interest in Aboriginal art beyond our shores from both exhibitors and buyers. Kngwarreye created three of the top five most expensive Indigenous works ever sold in Australia, according to the Australian Art Sales Digest, with the top commanding $2.1 million. Emily Kame Kngwarreye, 1910-1996, Untitled, 1990, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 152 x 242 cm. Now a new commercial show at High Line Nine, in Manhattan's art hotspot of Chelsea, aims to build on that reputation with a 17-work survey: the first major exhibition of Kngwarreye's work in the US and her biggest collection exhibited together in the past two decades, according to the organisers. The exhibition includes a massive early canvas, My Country which measures five by 8 feet (1.77m) that has not been seen in public since its creation in 1990. Two works on show are on loan, while the other 15 paintings were for sale, ranging in price from $US18,000 to $US650,000 ($28,000-$998,000). All except one have sold to prior to the show opening on Thursday, purchased by private collectors. The Duchess of Cambridge's nude New Look heels are back in stock - and on sale. (Getty Images) Yahoo Lifestyle is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Duchess of Cambridge hit the headlines last year when she stepped out wearing a pair of heels from high street store New Look. Duchess Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before she married Prince William - first wore the Pale Pink Suedette Low Heel Court Shoes on her royal tour in Pakistan in October 2019. The 38-year-old royal wore a long collarless shirt, with white embroidered detail along the hem, complete with matching trousers and pashmina, all made by a local designer Maheen Khan for the royal engagement. She accessorised the ensemble with a pair of New Look heels when she visited a school in central Islamabad. The Duchess of Cambridge wore New Look court shoes on her visit to Pakistan in 2019. (Getty Images) Buy it: Wide Fit Pale Pink Suedette Low Heel Court Shoes | 23.99 from New Look The pointed toe block heeled shoes, boast a two inch heel, as well as an ankle strap with buckle detail. Plus they are available in a wide fit design to suit those who need a little more room across the insole, joint and instep. What we love most is the shoes are vegan, and have been given the seal of approval by The Vegan Society. The highly coveted design were a huge sell out at the time, so it is music to our ears to learn they are back in stock, and will only set you back 23.99. For those who want an extra pop of colour in their wardrobe can also buy the exact same design in red. There are alternative designs to suit other shoppers preferences, including a round toe heel, and platform designs. For those who want to up the glam can buy the same design, but with a diamante heel, which is slightly higher than Kates shoes, as they measure 3.5cm. This is not the first time Kate has opted for a high street fashion label, as she has previously accessorised her outfits with a pair of 8 drop down earrings from Accessorize. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Style UK 03.03.2020 LISTEN State prosecutors have accused the alleged coup plotters facing the law of hatching a plan to capture the President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The prosecution has also accused the alleged coup plotters of having discussion on whether or not to kill the President and also how to force him announce his overthrow. This was contained in the prosecutions facts presented by a Senior State Attorney, Ms Hilda Craig, during committal proceedings at the Kaneshie District Court on Tuesday, Graphic Online's Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson, who was in the courtroom reported. The Senior State Attorney also accused the alleged coup plotters planned to jam communications signals of the National Communications Authority (NCA) in furtherance of their plan to overthrow the government. Ms Craig told the court that the prosecution will call 19 witnesses and also present 113 exhibits as evidence to prove its case. The committal is currently ongoing Accused persons The accused persons are Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, a medical practitioner; Donyo Kafui, alias Ezor, a blacksmith; Bright Alan Debrah, a fleet manager. Other accused persons are Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzor, Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon and Johannes Zikpi, a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) The 10 individuals were accused of being members of Take Action Ghana (TAG), a group alleged to have hatched a plan to destabilise the country and possibly take over the government. ---graphic.com.gh New Delhi: Shahrukh Khan who pointed a pistol at a Delhi Police head constable during the riots was arrested from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, on March 3, 2020. Shahrukh had been missing from the national capital after the incident. The Delhi Police ha Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Shahrukh Khan who pointed a pistol at a Delhi Police head constable during the riots, being brought to Delhi on transit remand after he was arrested from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, on March 3, 2020. Shahrukh had been missing from the natio Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Shahrukh Khan who pointed a pistol at a Delhi Police head constable during the riots, being brought to Delhi on transit remand after he was arrested from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, on March 3, 2020. Shahrukh had been missing from the natio Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 3 : Shahrukh Khan who pointed a gun at a Delhi Police constable during the riots last week and is now under arrest has a chequered history of crime. After his arrest from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, the Delhi Police Crime Branch is now planning to pin down the entire family for spreading violence in the area. Shahrukh hit the national headlines after he was caught on camera brandishing a pistol at Delhi Police Constable Deepak Dahia during the riots on February 24. He was also seen firing several rounds in the air in the video that went viral on social media. Dahia had recounted his side of the story explaining how he tamed Shahrukh with the help of just a stick. Dahia who was deployed in the northeast district on February 24 to contain the riots had said, "suddenly a man in maroon colour T-shirt came charging at me and threatened to shoot me. He could have opened fire at me, but I remained calm and did not show my fear. I showed my stick to him and dared him to fire. I stayed put in front of him and asked him to put down the gun. It worked and the man (Shahrukh) retreated firing in the air." After the video went viral, Shahrukh went missing from the national capital. The Delhi Police launched a massive manhunt to nab him. On Tuesday, he was arrested from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, where he was hiding for the last 5-6 days. Two teams of Delhi Police were formed to nab Shahrukh - Delhi Police crime branch and Delhi Police special cell. Multiple raids were conducted in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and finally the crime branch team headed by A.K. Singla succeeded in nabbing Shahrukh from Bareilly on Tuesday. Shahrukh is a resident of street no. 5 of Arvind Nagar under Usmanpur police station of Jafrabad. His father, Shawar Pathan, who came to Delhi in 1985, has been to jail on charges of drug peddling, according to Delhi Police. An officer of the SIT probing the Delhi riot cases told IANS, "Police will try to get the remand of Shahrukh and will confront him with several questions. Why did he go to hide in Bareilly? Who gave him the pistol? Who instigated him to open fire during the riots? Who else in his family knew that he possessed a revolver?" IANS has learnt that Shahrukh and his family went seeking refuge to several relatives after the video went viral and the police were after them. The police went to his house on February 28 and found it locked. Police is trying to find out who gave him shelter in Bareilly and how he managed to land in Bareilly. Police is also trying to pinpoint who gave the gun to Shahrukh. Sources say that Shahrukh was given shelter in Bareilly by one of the friends of his father who is also allegedly a drug supplier. (Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan can be contacted at sanjeev.c@ians.in) Precautionary Measures at GHA and Elderly Residential Services to Prevent Spread of Germs The Government has said it is continuing to follow the best advice of Public Health professionals to prevent and lessen the spread of infections. "Gibraltar is planning for the worst-case scenario" explains a statement issued by Govt today, "which we dont believe will happen, but we must be ready in case it does." To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Gibraltar. All tests have returned negative. However, due to the rapid global spread of the virus, all evidence indicates that we can soon expect cases in Gibraltar. The evidence currently available indicates that the elderly, over the age of 70 years, who often have existing medical conditions will suffer the worst effects of COVID-19. In order to protect these vulnerable groups, the focus of the GHAs planning has now moved to the prevention of the spread of germs to patients at St Bernards Hospital and users of the Elderly Residential Services. As a precaution, strict visitor restrictions have been implemented across the GHA and ERS. This means that only one visitor will be allowed per patient at any given time. Visitors will be asked to wash their hands carefully using soap and water or sanitising gel before having direct contact with a patient or resident, and again before they leave. The Government is preparing a specific protocol for Bishop Canilla House, Charles Bruzon House, Sea Master Lodge and Albert Risso House. In the meantime, if you are over 70 there are things you can do to keep yourself safe: wash your hands regularly and limit your direct contact with others. The Director for Public Health, Dr Sohail Bhatti, said: Washing hands and avoiding close contact like hugs and kisses and shaking hands is the best way to protect loved ones, especially the elderly and the sick, from the spread of infections. It is also important to really consider whether your loved ones will be better off in the long run if you do not visit them, but show them your love and care by phoning them instead. Local Enterprise Week kicked off in Kilkenny with a Business Start-up Seminar in Hotel Kilkenny yesterday. Enterprise Week is a national initiative by the Local Enterprise Office network which involves a series of information events, workshops and seminars taking place across the country from March 2 to 6. The Business Start Up Seminar Learn Network, Grow on Monday evening last provided an opportunity to showcase the success of the clients who have availed of a variety of supports from the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. It also provided a flavour of the diversity of clients and businesses that the Local Enterprise Office assists, as well as hearing their personal and business success stories and challenges in building growing and developing their business. The panel members included John Duggan, Loanitt Ltd originally from Tullahought, Piltown, a national finalist in Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur Competition 2019; Kay Lyng, based in Clonmantagh, Urlingford with her handmade jewellery company K Kajoux, Helen Costelloe, the Cutting Vedge a plant based deli located on Ormonde Street, Kilkenny and also TJ Reid and Richard Connolly from TJ Reid Fitness, who run state of the art health and fitness clubs both here in Kilkenny and also recently opened a gym facility in Galway. The panel moderator for the event was well known business consultant and author Blaise Brosnan. Helen Costello (The Cutting Vedge), Blaise Brosnan (MC), Kay Lyng (K Kajoux Jewels), Richard Connolly (Director at TJ Reid Health & Fitness), Peter Chap Cleere (Chairman of Kilkenny County Council), TJ Reid (Director at TJ Reid Health & Fitness), Fiona Deegan (Head of Enterprise), John Duggan (Loanitt Ltd) and Catherine Walsh (LEO Kilkenny) PICTURE: Vicky Comerford Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny as part of their First Stop Shop initiative also created the opportunity to have agencies with a remit for enterprise development and supports to come together on the night in the one location to outline their services. These included Enterprise Ireland, Kilkenny Leader Partnership, Revenue, Intellectual Property Office, New Frontiers, South East Business Innovation Centre, Credit Review Office, TSSG and Network Ireland Kilkenny. The Local Enterprise Office also encourages entrepreneurs in raising alternative funding sources, for small businesses. This includes supporting small businesses to make application to Micro-Finance Ireland (MFI) and to the St Canices Kilkenny Credit Union Smart Option Loan Scheme who were both present as were representatives from Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Cleere, Kilkenny County Council advised those present that There are lots of different supports available for Irish start-ups and small businesses. This seminar is an opportunity to find out more about what is on offer and what supports could possibly apply to your business to assist in its growth and development. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 01:09:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close President Xi Jinping inspects COVID-19 scientific research at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Xi stressed the pivotal role of science and technology in curing more patients, reducing mortality and eventually defeating the epidemic. BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed coordinately advancing the scientific research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to provide support for winning the battle against the epidemic. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his visit to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing. During his visit, Xi learned about the progress of research and application of the vaccines, anti-bodies, medicines and fast testing kits. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere gratitude and greetings to frontline science and technology personnel. SCIENCE AS MOST POWERFUL WEAPON "Science and technology are the most powerful weapon in humanity's battle against diseases," Xi said. "Mankind can not defeat a major disaster or epidemic without scientific development and technological innovation." Xi said the COVID-19 research must be taken as a major and pressing task, calling for accelerating its progress and overcoming major difficulties in epidemic prevention and control at an earlier date. On Monday afternoon, Xi first went to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, where he heard a report on the academy's COVID-19 scientific research and inspected a contingency medicine research lab for major epidemic outbreaks. President Xi Jinping inspects COVID-19 scientific research at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Xi stressed the pivotal role of science and technology in curing more patients, reducing mortality and eventually defeating the epidemic. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the academy's contingency scientific research efforts have delivered positive results, he said. Xi urged prompt efforts to develop safe and effective vaccines, drugs and testing kits to help fight the virus. He also called for more core technologies with own intellectual property rights and strong products after the tough battle against the coronavirus. While inspecting the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University, Xi noted coordination between the frontline battle against the epidemic and scientific research and material production. He called for accelerating the development of new-type testing kits, antibody medicines, vaccines, and diagnosis and treatment plans. Xi also required efforts to reinforce the national surveillance network for major epidemics, improve the legal and regulatory system, promote the research of cutting-edge technologies and cultivate top-notch professionals to raise the country's ability to respond to major public health emergencies. President Xi Jinping talks with researchers during his visit to the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) SAVING LIVES MOST PRESSING TASK Chairing a symposium at Tsinghua University, Xi heard reports and gave an important speech. He noted the progress made by the country's scientific and technological front in just over a month, saying it has provided forceful support to epidemic prevention and control. At the moment, winning the people's war against the epidemic still requires hard work, Xi said, stressing more efforts to seek solutions through science. "Saving the lives of more patients is the most pressing and important task," he continued. Xi stressed linking the research on medicines and medical equipment with clinical treatment as well as giving priority to the clinical application of scientific research achievements. Treatment should combine traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, more effective drugs be applied and new treatment methods explored to prevent patients with mild symptoms from becoming severely ill, he said. Advanced treatments using convalescent plasma, stem cells and monoclonal antibodies should also be applied to treat severe and critically ill patients, he added. On vaccine, Xi said it is vital to epidemic prevention and control, with its safety the top priority. He called for speeding up the vaccine research and development while closely tracking the progress of related research overseas. Xi urged early clinical trial and application of vaccines, as well as linking research and development with industrial-chain production. He also required building a national reserve system for vaccines. Xi stressed the importance of coordinating research on virus source tracing and transmission routes and evaluating whether some suspected animals are intermediate hosts. Xi pointed out that new technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data, should be applied to epidemiological investigation and virus source tracing to figure out where the virus comes from and how it will develop. Xi also underscored psychological intervention to help patients recover. President Xi Jinping chairs a symposium at the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) DOUBLE DOWN ON KEY, CORE TECHNOLOGIES Bio-security should be included in the overall national security as an important part, Xi said, calling for strengthening the system and capacity building of epidemic prevention and control and scientific research on public health. Xi called for improving the epidemic warning and forecast systems to gather information in a timely manner and quickly take response measures. He emphasized concentrating nationwide resources to double down on key and core technology research and urged breakthroughs in developing high-end medical equipment to accelerate fixing the country's "weak link" in this sector. Xi also emphasized resolutely eradicating the bad habit of eating wild animals to promote a civilized, healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Public health security is a common challenge faced by humanity, and all countries should join hands to cope with it, Xi said. Noting that the COVID-19 outbreaks have emerged in many countries, Xi said it is important to step up communication and exchange with the World Health Organization and carry out scientific research cooperation on source tracing, drugs, vaccines, testing and other fields with other countries, especially those hit hard by the virus. Xi called on countries to share research data and jointly work out response strategies to contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity. Dr. Bowale Abimbola, the Chief Medical Director at the Mainland General Hospital Yaba, has explained why himself and others do not go ar... Dr. Bowale Abimbola, the Chief Medical Director at the Mainland General Hospital Yaba, has explained why himself and others do not go around wearing facemask and other protective gadgets around the ward of Italian infected with Coronavirus. Over the weekend, Dr Bowale and the state Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi were criticised by Nigerians after a photo of them speaking to the Italian man tested positive for CoVID 19 in the Isolation center surfaced without them wearing masks or any protective gadget. But, the medical doctor in a new viral video clarified the concerns of Nigerians. He said there was no need to wear a mask when there is a reasonable distance between the patient and himself. I am not using any facemask because the distance between me and where the patient is more than 2 meters so I cant get infected. It is only when I am going to move into the ward and move closer to the patient is when I am going to put on my full PPE. Coronavirus is a respiratory infection, I and the commissioner of health were not close enough to the patient and therefore cannot contact the infection. We know what we are doing and there is no need for Nigerians to panic, he said. Nigerias health minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Thursday night confirmed the first case of Coronavirus The first case was recorded in an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy on the 25th of February, 2020. His case is presently managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos. VIDEO: A Naas native living in the US will be closely involved in the US presidential election which incumbent Donald Trump will be hoping to win in November. Conor Boylan is the board president of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) which is supporting the campaign of veteran Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Boylan believes that Super Tuesday taking place today will give a clearer picture of which candidates are getting the most support. Super Tuesday will see 14 state primaries take place where one-third of all delegates deliver their nominations for president. Boylan moved to Oregon in 2006 and later married his long-distance American girlfriend Nora and they now have a three-year-old son Ronan. The former Intel worker, who worked on the successful Barack Obama presidential campaign in 2008, believes that theres a long way to go to polling day in November. Boylan said: If you look at the betting odds, it appears that Trump will be re-elected easily but a lot can happen between now and November. The US presidential election, which is held on November 3, has a complex campaign which is mainly made up of a series of presidential primary elections and caucuses held between February and June. Boylan said: There is a very diverse cast of characters running for the Democratic party such as billionaire New York businessman Michael Bloomberg and former vice president Joe Biden, who has Irish roots. Factors He added: Any number of factors could affect voters intentions between now and November. Trump is currently riding high in the ratings but if the economy or jobs take any kind of an impact from factors such as Covid-19 / coronavirus, that could all change. The big question is: will everybody who voted Trump four years vote for him again, or will he gain new voters to make up for any voters he loses? It will be a fascinating contest. He added: I believe Bernie Sanders has all the attributes to make a great president if he gets the chance. Boylan grew up in the Paddocks of Naas and went to St Corbans national school and later the CBS. He went on to study Manufacturing Engineering in Waterford IT and later worked at HP and then Intel in Leixlip as a technician and field service engineer. Working for the contractor ASM gave him an opportunity to move to the Portland, Oregon in 2006 and thats where his US adventure started. Politics Boylan grew interested in politics by watching Fox News and his wife encouraged him to volunteer at the local campaign office of the then Senator Barack Obama from Illinois which was embroiled in a tough primary battle with Senator Hilary Clinton from New York. He explained: It quickly snowballed from there as Obama won the nomination and faced off with Senator John McCain from Arizona in the general election. And the rest is history when Obama became the first African American US president in 2009. Higher profile Boylan believes that Sanders has a higher profile now than four years ago when he went on to 43% of pledged delegates compared to successful rival Hillary Clintons 55%. He is also raising a considerable amount of funding from ordinary voters just like Obama in previous campaigns. Sanders wife, Jane OMeara Driscoll, who he married in 1998, has strong Irish links. The new president will be inaugurated in January 2021. By Shariq Khan (Reuters) - Chevron Corp is offering buyouts to reduce its U.S. oil exploration and production workforce, three sources told Reuters, as the oil major moves to cut costs in the face of sharply lower oil and gas prices. The No. 2 U.S. oil producer decided to reduce staff after reviewing operations late last year as energy prices fell, the sources said. Chevron confirmed that it was offering buyouts to workers in its shale gas business in the eastern United States but did not comment on any other U.S. job cuts. Other oil and gas producers and service companies have begun cutting workers as prices have dived on soaring production and tepid demand, which has been made worse by the coronavirus outbreak. One of the sources said some employees who accept Chevron's buyout offer could remain until October. Another source said the company hopes to open spots for people who currently work for its shale gas operation in the Appalachian region of the United States, which is on the auction block. Chevron notified Pennsylvania state officials last month that it planned to cut up to 320 jobs in the state, which includes the shale gas business. The company said in a statement it could not yet say how many employees in that business would be affected. "We are taking active steps to reduce job loss," including moving employees to other operations, a spokeswoman said. Employees who ultimately lose their jobs will be offered severance pay and outplacement services, the spokeswoman said. The restructuring is part of a business review "toward capturing efficiencies and directing resources where they will generate the most value," she said. Chevron overall employed 48,200 workers globally at the end of last year, down 7,000 from three years ago. About 53% of its workers, or 25,400 employees, are in the United States. Chevron's results swung to a loss last quarter on a $10.4 billion impairment charge, mostly from writing down the value of natural gas fields and projects. The U.S. shale boom has led to a glut of crude oil and natural gas in world markets, especially since the coronavirus outbreak has slashed energy demand, with experts forecasting growth this year to be the lowest in a decade. Story continues U.S. oil futures have fallen 24% since the year began to $46.69 a barrel and natural gas futures have collapsed 40% since hitting an eight-month high in November. [O/R] This week, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will consider a further output cut to prevent prices from falling further. About 16% of U.S. natural gas production comes as a byproduct of oil output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Shale gas has so overwhelmed demand that producers in West Texas are paying customers to take the fuel and some are burning it as waste. Chevron's rivals, including Occidental Petroleum Corp , Apache Corp and Gulfport Energy Corp , have already cut workers in response to the gas glut. Oilfield service providers Halliburton [HAL.N] and Schlumberger also have been furiously cutting as shale producers cut drilling to reduce the glut. (Reporting by Shariq Khan in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Arathy Nair, Jennifer Hiller and Erwin Seba; Editing by David Gregorio) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NetworkWire Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN, OTC:WLDFF) (the Company) announces more than $5.5M in revenues in its second quarter, compared to $1.4M in the previous years second quarter and $6.3M in the first quarter. Revenues were expected to be down due to the Robson store having to close in order to move to its newly renovated, licensed 2,800 square foot facility at Robson and Granville. This was the first cannabis retail license the regulators moved in British Columba. Further, revenues were expected down due to a steep drop in vape sales due to the vapegate crisis. Highlights for the quarter ending December 31, 2019 (with comparisons to the prior quarter except as otherwise noted) include the following: Revenues of $5,514,502 (Q2 2018: $1,410,135), including sales in British Columbias provincially regulated cannabis market, US nationwide e- commerce sales, nationwide US wholesale sales and from the sales in Californias States regulated market through the licenses held there; Cost of goods sold of $2,705,797 (Q1 2018: $810,698) related to the cost of the products and packaging sold during the period; Wages and benefits of $889,613(Q2 2018: $296,889) related to wages and related benefits paid to employees; Consulting fees and management fees of $192,543 (Q2 2018: $211,656) related to fees paid to the Companys CEO, CFO, COO and board of directors, as well as individuals providing business consulting services; Advertising and marketing costs of $107,808 (Q2 2018: $8,557) related to advertising and marketing campaigns for the Companys cannabis products; Investor relations and shareholder communications of $115,688 (Q2 2018: $12,824) related to fees paid to investor relations personnel and costs associated with public relations; Professional fees of $134,802 (Q2 2018: $27,410) related to general corporate matters; General office and miscellaneous expenses of $291,199 (Q2 2018: $73,841) related to office supplies and incidental expenditures for the Companys Vancouver-based offices, Washington State subsidiary office, and Californian subsidiary office; Interest expense of $626,488 (Q2 2018: $184,097) related to the interest accrued on the loans payable, lease obligations, promissory notes and convertible debentures issued during the period; Foreign exchange gain (loss) of ($274,597) (Q2 2018: $627,339) related to translating the transactions of the Companys foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the Canadian dollar. Net gain (loss) before other items of $265,579 (Q2 2018: (299,812) related to the business operations. ABOUT WILDFLOWER BRANDS The Company is a Vancouver-based pioneer in the cannabis industry that develops, designs and operates brands throughout North America. Our brands work together to make Wildflower a leader in cannabis innovation throughout the globe. The Company operates British Columbias largest retail cannabis chain under the brand City Cannabis Co. On Behalf of the Board of Directors William MacLean ____________________________ William MacLean Director and CEO The Canadian Securities Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Wire Service Contact NetworkWire (NW) New York, New York www.NetworkNewsWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@NetworkWire.com Brett Kavanaugh, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, smiles as President Donald Trump, not pictured, speaks during a ceremonial swearing-in event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images President Donald Trump pledged during his 2016 election campaign that he would appoint justices to the Supreme Court who would "automatically" overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion decision. Four years later, Trump is seeking reelection, and his two appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, will determine whether that promise is kept. On Wednesday, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh will hear arguments in the first major abortion case since either was confirmed to the bench. A decision is expected by the end of June, a month before Democrats are scheduled to convene in Wisconsin to formally select their presidential nominee. Conservatives are gearing up for a big election-year win. While it's unlikely that the court will go so far as to overturn Roe, those on the left and right expect the justices to trim its edges. The justices could very well overturn a more recent abortion decision, from 2016, decided by the court's liberal wing before Trump secured a conservative majority. "So many people really credited voting for President Trump because of the Supreme Court," said Katherine Beck Johnson, a fellow at the Family Research Council, an anti-abortion group. "I think this really could allow us to see the benefits of that." The case being argued Wednesday, known as June Medical Services v. Russo, No. 18-1323, is one of the highest profile in a jam-packed Supreme Court term. The justices are also weighing the legality of the Obama-era DACA immigration program and whether LGBT workers are protected by federal anti-discrimination law. At the end of March, the court will hear arguments over whether Trump may shield his personal and business financial records from state and congressional investigators. Amid the high-stakes litigation, Trump has ramped up his critiques of the court's liberals, accusing Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor of bias last week and demanding that they recuse themselves from cases with "anything having to do with Trump." Case concerns 'admitting privileges' law In the abortion case, the justices will consider a Louisiana law that was passed in 2014. The law, which is not currently in effect, would require abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic. Admitting privileges are "nearly impossible" for abortion providers to obtain, according to a group of health-care managers and consultants who filed a friend-of-the-court brief. A federal district court that struck down the law found that it would limit Louisiana, where 10,000 abortions are performed yearly, to just one provider at a single clinic. The law was challenged by two anonymous physicians and a Louisiana abortion clinic known as Hope Medical Group, who are being represented in court by the Center for Reproductive Rights. The state of Louisiana is defending the measure. After the law was blocked by a district court, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision, which would have allowed it to be enforced. A year ago, the Supreme Court stepped in to temporarily halt the law from going into effect until it could issue a final decision. The justices ruled as recently as 2016 that a nearly identical admitting privileges law in Texas was unconstitutional in the case Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt. Since then though, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have joined the bench. The court's decision to take up such a similar case so soon suggests that the justices may be willing to overturn their recent precedent. Travis Tu, lead attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, has argued in legal briefs filed with the top court that the admitting-privileges law fails to provide any medical benefits while presenting a serious burden on women seeking abortions. Hope Medical has had only four patients who required transfer to a hospital in 23 years, and all of them received appropriate care regardless of whether the abortion provider had admitting privileges, Tu wrote in one brief. But Louisiana has argued that the law serves an important role in credentialing abortion providers and ensuring the safety of women who undergo the procedure. "Every American, regardless of your stance on abortion, has an interest in protecting women at abortion facilities," said Angie Thomas, associate director of Louisiana Right for Life. A substantial portion of Louisiana's argument has targeted what's known as third-party standing, or the right of abortion clinics to sue on behalf of the women they serve. Louisiana argues that the clinics should not be able to represent women in lawsuits targeting regulations that the state believes are necessary for their safety. Some of the most important victories for abortion rights groups have come in lawsuits brought by abortion providers, including the landmark 1992 case known as Planned Parenthood v. Casey that reaffirmed Roe v. Wade's central holding. The justices could deliver a win to Louisiana if they find that the law does not present a substantial obstacle to women seeking abortions or if they rule that the clinics should not have been able to pursue their lawsuit in the first place. Either ruling would be a substantial victory for anti-abortion activists. Where do Gorsuch and Kavanaugh stand? Written by ACM *Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- As EU prepares its "Future of Europe" Conference, (2020-2021), the Time has come to Help Bring EU Citizens closer to the EU Decision-making process, and the occasions offered by the sessions of EU Parliament's plenaries, as well as relevant CoE's activities in Strasbourg could and should usefuly Contribute in that direction, replied in substance the Frontrunner in the forthcoming Elections for the New Mayor of the City, Alain Fontanel, to a Question raised by "Eurofora", in line with our long-time Project for EU Citizens-European Politicians Debates before Decisions affecting their Lives and/or Society at large. - The Main Point is that Everything should be done in order to Bridge the Gap which recently Divides Citizens from Political Decision-Makers, he stressed, as a matter of principle. Strasbourg's European quarter's reputation (including Both EU Parliament, EU Ombudsperson, Shenghen, and CoE's Assembly, ECHR, CLRAE, INGOS, etc), to favour more Citizens than Technocracy, should help, he added, pleading also for a - "Eurofora" observed that the forthcoming EU's Conference on the Future of Europe was notoriously due to deal also with EU Citizens' role in the Public Decision-Making. Meanwhile, even the preexisting EU's "Lisbon Treaty" had an untaped yet Potential there, particularly, when it spoke about "Regular Dialogue", with "Citizens" and "Civil Society", on all "EU Institutions' Acts". Isn't that a Good Occasion to Meet the Need for Dialogue between EU Citizens and Political Decision-Makers before they take Measures Affecting their Lives and/or Society ?, we asked Fontanel. - The currently Leading Top Candidate to March 2020 Municipal Elections in Strasbourg, replied to the above-mentioned "Eurofora"'s Question with a Sober and Brief, but Open and Positive manner : - First of all, Fontanel agreed with the basic observation that the Conference on Europe's Future was going to discuss and decide also on EU Citizens' role. => In consequence, We shall try to use this opportunity in order to Contribute into Helping UpGrade Citizens' participation in topical European Issues, the probable New Strasbourg's Mayor promised in substance. ------------------- Symbolicaly, this Meeting was organized by the "Circle of the Cathedral", animated by Henri Mathian, inside the cosy "Cathedral Hotel", historically favored by several Politicians, Intellectuals, etc, and with a Charming Couple of Managers faithfully participating to "Strasbourg's Press Club-Europe"'s activities for Decades, Facing directly Strasbourg's impressive, Huge "Notre Dame" Cathedral Church, (in the Presence of its "Archi-Pretre" now), a rare and inspiring, UnFinished Religious Monument, (with just 1 Higher Tower and an Empty yet Ceiling at its Holiest part), where People might still Dream of various new "Miracles"... (../..) ("Draft-News") [March 03, 2020] No More Walking Up Hill Both Ways in a Snowstorm: Hoosier Academy Online School is Open for Enrollment Hoosier Academy at Indianapolis (Hoosier), a blended online public charter school, is inviting all students to stop "walking up hill both ways in a snowstorm" to get to class. Authorized by Ball State University, Hoosier is available tuition-free to students in grades K-8 and is now accepting enrollments for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Hoosier's blended program, where students attend a Learning Center two days per week and work from home virtually in required class-connect sessions the other three, offers a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education. Students receive support and resources needed to reach their academic goals, an access programs and courses designed to help with career readiness. "Hoosier provides an educational experience like no other school in the state of Indiana," says Head of School Janice Silver. "Our students thrive in this kind of learning environment, and they leave Hoosier confident they can handle whatever life throws at them next." All Hoosier students are offered a full course load in the core subjects of math, science, language arts, and history. Hoosier also offers student clubs, field trips, social outings, and other activities to foster a sense of school community, including an in-person high school graduation ceremony in the spring. Virtual classes are taught by Indiana-licensed teachers who communicate with students and families via phone, chat, and email in addition to the required class-connect sessions. Hoosier is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Families are encouraged to attend an in-person information session hosted by the school. For more information on how to enroll, and for a schedule of upcoming events, visit ha.k12.com/. About Hoosier Academy at Indianapolis Hoosier Academy, a tuition-free, public charter school authorized by Ball State University, offers a blend of online learning and face-to-face instruction through Hoosier Academies Indianapolis, a K-12 blended learning school. With Hoosier Academies, families have access to the curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of proprietary technology-powered online solutions for students in kindergarten through high school. For more information about Hoosier Academy, visit ha.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005016/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Sorry, California supporters of Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Mayor Pete Buttigieg. If you've already sent in your vote by mail, you're out of luck for Tuesday's California primary. The Los Angeles Times, responding to queries from curious readers, clarified Sunday that there is no mechanism in California law to allow voters to withdraw their mailed-in ballots. Whether Punxsutawney Phils early spring prediction is correct or not, warmer temperatures will eventually come and melt the blanket of snow winter gave us this year. Many areas of Region 8 have an above-average snowpack and it seems that nearly every week this winter has included a major snowstorm in our area. The water from melting snow will flow into streams, rivers and lakesand potentially for some, your homes. Not much can be done to avoid a flood when water levels rise. You can, however, take steps now to minimize how much a flood affects you. An inch of water in your home is enough to cause significant damage. Drywall will need to be replaced, water heaters or furnaces can be damaged, and if water reaches your outlets you could need extensive electrical work. On top of that, you may need to deal with damage to priceless items like family heirlooms or hard to replace documents. One way to minimize the impacts of a flood is to look around your home and visualize what flood waters would do to your belongings. Transfer items stored in cardboard boxes to waterproof tubs, move valuables higher in your home and make digital backups of important documents. Another way to enable you to recover from a flood more quickly is flood insurance. Just like you dont have to be in a floodplain to get flooded, you dont have to be in a floodplain to get flood insurance. Visit floodsmart.gov to learn more, then talk to your insurance agent to learn about your options and see what is right for you. But dont wait, because a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program takes 30 days to take effect. And with spring right around the corner, if you are looking to buy a policy the time to do it is now. Fortunately, time is still on our side and you as a citizen arent alone in this fight. We at FEMA are working closely with our state and local partners to monitor the changing conditions. Communities are already taking steps to prepare, with many being experienced in this battle. At the federal level, our partners at the National Weather Service will be providing frequent flood updates, and when needed flood warnings for areas at risk. And the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be ready with their resources to help with the flood fight. The spring flood threat is real, but it doesnt need to cause fear. A few simple steps can keep you in control of your situation. Stay informed of current conditions. Take steps to limit the impact flooding will have on your home and property. Talk with your insurance agent to see if you are protected against flooding. Being ready means that both you and your community can bounce back more quickly should a flood happen. In November 2017, Lee dePalo was named as the Regional Administrator for FEMA Region VIII, which serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming along with the 29 federally recognized Tribal Nations located within those states. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Italian German French English Zurich 3 March 2020: Amun AG, the Swiss issuer of crypto Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), is pleased to inform investors of its change of name of the ETP line of products to 21Shares AG. This name change occurred with immediate effect on 2 March 2020 and all Amun ETPs will now be traded under this new name on SIX Swiss Exchange. In addition, the website www.21shares.com is also now live. Launching a total of 11 ETPs in one year and getting the approval of the base prospectus by the Swedish Financial Authority (SFSA), 21Shares has been pioneering innovation in the regulated digital asset space since its inception in 2018. The newly rebranded 21 Shares company will focus on further expanding its range of ETPs internationally to service more diverse markets and broaden its offering of financial products on regulated operating venues, with the goal of listing on at least two new such exchange venues by end of 2020. Hany Rashwan, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We remain on a mission to help simplify access to crypto and we are focused on being the financial partner of choice in the crypto ETP industry. The name change will allow us to target additional and increasingly more diverse markets with ease by utilising a consistent brand appropriate for all regions around the world. This change is not limited to marketing communications but focuses on our financial product range to better serve our investor community in the crypto markets." The new brand name is a homage to the total maximum supply of Bitcoin, as only 21 million Bitcoin will ever be in circulation. It further reflects the progressive change made in implementing the corporate strategy to transform the company into a multi-project, multi-crypto business and to standardise its offering by streamlining access for investors into either the financial or in crypto markets. For example, last week, 21Shares was in the news for launching the world-first inverse Bitcoin ETP on Boerse Stuttgart, the second-largest stock exchange in Germany. The changes will not impact the trading of the ETPs and therefore investors will feel no disruption. All tickers, ISINs and WKNs will remain unchanged. About 21Shares 21Shares makes investing in crypto assets as easy as buying shares using your conventional broker or bank. Investors can invest in cryptocurrencies using a conventional ETP structure (or tracker) easily, with total confidence, and cost-effectively thanks to the 21Shares suite of ETPs launched by 21Shares and now composed of 11 Crypto ETPs: the 21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETP (HODL:SW), 21Shares Bitcoin (ABTC:SW), 21Shares Ethereum (AETH:SW), 21Shares XRP (AXRP:SW), 21Shares Bitcoin Cash ETP (ABCH:SW), 21Shares Binance ETP (ABNB:SW), 21Shares Tezos ETP (AXTZ:SW), Amun Bitcoin Suisse ETP (ABBA:SW), Amun Bitwise 10 ETP (KEYS:SW), Amun Sygnum Platform Winners Index ETP (MOON:SW) and 21Shares Short Bitcoin ETP (SBTC:SW). The entire suite is listed on a regulated framework on the SIX Swiss Exchange, BX Swiss and some on Boerse Stuttgart in CHF, USD and EUR respectively. Founded in 2018, 21Shares is led by a team of talented serial entrepreneurs and experienced banking professionals from the technology and financial world. Incorporated in Zug, with offices in Zurich, Berlin and New York, the company has launched several world firsts, including the first listed crypto index (HODL) in November 2018. 21Shares has 11 crypto ETPs listed today and has over $70 million in AuM in total listed. Press Contact 21Shares Laurent Kssis +41 44 260 86 60 press@21Shares.com Disclaimer This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful. This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"); or (iv) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (v) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The Securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. In any EEA Member State (other than the Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden) that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, together with any applicable implementing measures in any Member State, the "Prospectus Regulation") this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. Exclusively for potential investors in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden the 2019 Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuers website under www.21Shares.com . The approval of the 2019 Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the 2019 Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand. This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (the "FinSA") and not a prospectus. In accordance with article 109 of the Swiss Financial Services Ordinance, the Base Prospectus dated 13 November 2019, as supplemented from time to time (the "Base Prospectus") and the final terms for SBTC dated 22 January 2020 (the "Final Terms", and together with the Base Prospectus, the "Prospectus") have been prepared in compliance with articles 652a and 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, as such articles were in effect immediately prior to the entry into effect of the FinSA, and the Listing Rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange in their version in force as of January 1, 2020. Consequently, the Prospectus has not been and will not be reviewed or approved by a Swiss review body pursuant to article 51 of the FinSA, and does not comply with the disclosure requirements applicable to a prospectus approved by such a review body under the FinSA. Copies of the Prospectus are available free of charge from the website of the Issuer. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Base Prospectus and the final terms of any product mentioned herein can be obtained from 21Shares AG on the website. Copies of this document may not be sent to jurisdictions, or distributed in or sent from jurisdictions, in which this is barred or prohibited by law. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any jurisdiction. Workout Anytime is going global. The fitness brand, which was founded with a mission to provide valued customers with a convenient and results-based exercise solution, has signed a deal with Honduras-based organization Lady Lee Corporation. Lady Lee Corporation will sell, open and manage Workout Anytime gyms in Belize, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama and act as the Master Franchisee for each country. Lady Lee Corporation develops multi-purpose shopping centers that combine food establishments, office spaces and more. The company also owns and operates Wendys franchises in Honduras and Venture X franchises throughout Central America. Workout Anytime is the perfect addition to the Lady Lee Corporation portfolio. Workout Anytime is a well-structured franchise, with well-defined procedures and a highly aggressive pricing and service strategy that does not yet exist in the Central American region, Lady Lee Corporation Director of Marketing and Advertising Felix Rivera said. Our partnership will enable people from different social backgrounds to improve their lifestyle through a highly modern and well-equipped gym concept at a low price. Lady Lee Corporation has three openings planned for 2020 in Honduras and is scouting real estate for more locations in that country, as well as throughout Central America and in the Dominican Republic. Rivera and his team look forward to bringing a valuable service and job opportunities to the region through the partnership. Through our Lady Lee Foundation, we build and execute the social investment strategy of Lady Lee Corporation, identifying, studying and providing solutions to the fundamental problems in high-risk communities in Honduras, Rivera said. It is with this philosophy that we stay present, assuming as a socially responsible company the commitment to promote the development of our communities, with actions aimed at generating value in the fields of health, education and childhood. Workout Anytimes leadership team is thrilled that the Lady Lee Corporation will represent the brand in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Workout Anytime has always had ambitious expansion plans, predicated on finding the right partner, which is why were is so excited about associating with Lady Lee Corporation, Workout Anytime COO Mark de Gorter said. The Lady Lee Corporation has extensive experience bringing a variety of leading brands to Central America and the Dominican Republic. Their strong presence in retail franchising, as well as real estate development, provides the perfect partnership to launch our international expansion into that region. Workout Anytime was first founded in 1999 and has since grown to more than 160 clubs nationwide, all of which are locally owned and operated. This new partnership marks a major turning point for the brand in its mission to surpass the 200-unit mark and capture a global audience. Workout Anytime has come a long way in our 20-year history, and were far from finished growing, Workout Anytime Director of Franchise Development Terri Harof said. We have many tools in place to help our franchisees grow, including pre-negotiated real estate and strong developer partnerships, and were eager to continue bringing new franchisees on board. This is an exciting time to be part of the Workout Anytime brand, and our partnership with Lady Lee Corporation proves that we are in it to win it. ABOUT WORKOUT ANYTIME: Atlanta-based Workout Anytime is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness concept with 160+ units across the U.S. Founded by fitness veterans John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland, the company was formed to provide members with first-class fitness facilities at the lowest cost possible, while delivering a profitable and affordable business model to franchisees. Built on the founders motto of think big, keep it simple and do it with integrity, Workout Anytime is preparing for significant expansion into new territories by providing opportunities to business-minded entrepreneurs. Franchise opportunities are available and more information can be found on http://workoutanytime.com/. ABOUT LADY LEE CORPORATION To learn more about the Lady Lee Corporation, visit http://www.corporacionladylee.com/ The Finance Commission will hold a consultation meeting with the Finance Ministers of all States on 13th March, 2020 in New Delhi. This is to discuss issues related to the final report of the Finance Commission for 2021-26 which the Commission is likely to submit in October, 2020. This meeting is part of the Commission's continued engagement with the States. In particular the Commission would like to seek views of the Finance Ministers on how the State FRBMs can be aligned with the Central FRBM legislation and also determine the priority of the state-specific grant proposals that have been submitted by the State Governments. 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 last episode of The Office aired in 2013, but the show continues to experience a growing fanbase of viewers who are discovering the groundbreaking series for the first time. Like other iconic series, The Office has a nostalgic impact on viewers who watched the series in real-time. At the same time, it attracts new and younger viewers who are fascinated with the multi-layered characters. In fact, a number of fans admit to watching the series multiple times, to the point where they can recite the dialog from memory. Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor, Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone, Ellie Kemper as Kelly Erin Hannon, Kate Flannery as Meredith Palmer |Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Quite a few fans appreciate the developmental trajectory of each character as a compliment to the comedy. Relatable characters and development for me. I feel like a lot of people look at the show as a bunch of silly characters, but watching the show from start to finish several times reveals a lot of development, one person shared on Reddit about the show. Actress Ellie Kemper, who played the meek gone wild character, Erin Hannon, on The Office shared her insights with Showbiz Cheat Sheet into why the show continues to resonate with a wide swath of viewers, which includes kids. Everyone knows a Dwight Kemper told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that having the show stream on Netflix has been instrumental in continuing the series legacy. Having it on reruns all the time is helping, she says. Adding how some of the new, young viewers werent even born when she was on the show makes her feel a thousand years old. Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, Ellie Kemper as Kelly Erin Hannon, Kathy Bates as Jo Bennett |Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank But it is interesting to me that it resonates across generations and these young kids specifically, she adds. But I do think it is a very realistic show. And those awkward moments, those cringeworthy moments in The Office setting can easily be translated to school, classroom or whatever it is. I think anyone can relate to it, Kemper continues. And sort of every office or school has a Dwight in the mix. I do think its relatable in that way, but its really neat that its sort of having this renaissance, especially for younger kids. A magical mix of actors like Kemper made the show Of course, The Office would not have been so electric without the talented actors who brought the characters to life. Kemper is the perfect example of how a simple character became a mainstay of the show. Kemper insists she was in the right place at the right time, but clearly her impeccable comedic timing mandated for further character development. Originally that character was just going to be on a four-episode arc and then they decided to promote Pam to salesperson, Kemper recalls. And so they needed to keep the receptionist at the desk. And that was the luckiest break there was. I was able to have this very specific idea of Erin in mind. And I do feel at the beginning of her introduction of Erin to the show, she was more grounded. She was a little more serious. She got weirder as the show went on, she laughs. And I was like What are they basing this on? I was like, Is this how I am? Did they notice some weird things in craft services that they are now weaving into the show? But I dont know. I do think she got weirder. Shes now playing a mom in the next Home Alone Kemper recently shared a photo while shooting Untitled Home Alone. Im playing a mother who is basically trying to break into this little kids house to get something back of mine that is valuable, Kemper shares about the plot. Actress and writer Mindy Kaling wondered if Kemper was shooting a horror film. While Home Alone is a family film, Kemper would be totally in if Kaling wrote a horror film. I think she should write one to begin with, she says. I will sign up for that. And I would be first in line to ask to be in it. Playing a mother likely comes easily to Kemper who is the mom to two small boys. She recently partnered with Toms of Maine, especially because she appreciates using a more natural approach at home. Ive been using the body wash with my toddler, hes three-years-old and Ive been using the blood orange scent, which he loves. But she is also into the entire prebiotic personal care line.The idea that prebiotics are nutrients actually helps you feed the good bacteria in your body was really interesting to me and also seems necessary. So to be a part of that is really, you know, natural and fun, she says. [March 03, 2020] Dolbey Ranked No. 1 by KLAS Research for Computer-Assisted Coding for Four Years Straight CONCORD, Ohio, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dolbey is a leading provider of medical coding and billing software that drives greater accuracy and higher productivity in medical coding by using artificial intelligence and machine learning. KLAS Research announced that Dolbey was awarded the 2020 Category Leader designation for Computer-Assisted Coding for the fourth year in a row. KLAS Research is a healthcare information technology data and insights company providing the industry with accurate, honest and impartial research on the software and services used by providers and payers worldwide. KLAS collects thousands of evaluations from healthcare providers to rank vendors across several categories. In January, KLAS presented its findings in the 2020 Best in KLAS: Software and Services Report complete with scores and rankings in categories such as product, value, relationship and operations. KLAS President Adam Gale explains that, "Providers and payers demand better performance, usability, and interoperability from their vendor partners every year. Best in KLAS winners set the standard of excellence in their market segment. Earning a Best in KLAS award should both excite and humble the recipients. It serves as a signal to providers that they should expect only the best from the winning vendors." "Earning the No. 1 rank from KLAS validates our team's effort to not only meet our customers' expectations but to exceed them when at all possible," states Kris Wilson, President of Dolbey. "This recognition of a job well done by our customers is truly meaningful and appreciated." Dolbey's Fusion CAC and Fusion CDI integrte with all leading EHR companies to create a collaborative workspace for clinical documentation teams, coding and quality staff. Using advanced AI tools, Fusion CAC and Fusion CDI are helping health systems to realize maximum potential in the middle revenue cycle process. For more information or a demonstration, see Dolbey at HIMSS booth #5759 during the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference in Orlando or visit www.dolbey.com. About Dolbey Dolbey's award-winning healthcare suite of solutions improve productivity while delivering better documentation which improve patient care. Since 1914, Dolbey has consistently evolved its products, incorporating the latest technologies available to meet the demands of the healthcare community. Today, Dolbey's suite of products includes speech recognition (premise or cloud-based), CAPD, CDI, CAC, transcription and dictation. About KLAS KLAS is a data-driven company on a mission to improve the world's healthcare by enabling provider and payer voices to be heard and counted. Working with thousands of healthcare professionals, KLAS collects insights on software, services and medical equipment to deliver reports, trending data and statistical overviews. KLAS data is accurate, honest and impartial. The research directly reflects the voice of healthcare professionals and acts as a catalyst for improving vendor performance. To learn more about KLAS and the insights we provide, visit www.klasresearch.com. For further information, please contact: Traci Miller, Marketing Director 800-878-7828 x119 / [email protected] www.dolbey.com Related Images dolbey.png Dolbey Dolbey Logo View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dolbey-ranked-no-1-by-klas-research-for-computer-assisted-coding-for-four-years-straight-301015001.html SOURCE Dolbey [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Midland Mayor Patrick Payton welcomed the Texas Economic Development Corp.s Regional Business Summit to Midland on Monday, saying it was proper that the summit should take place in the heart of the states economic engine. The Permian Basin has changed the world, he told those gathered at the Bush Convention Center to hear from Gov. Greg Abbott; Tracee Bentley, president and chief executive officer of Permian Strategic Partnership; Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Occidental Petroleum; and Bryan Sheffield, executive chairman of Parsley Energy. What we do makes the world possible, Payton said. We are the economic driver of the region, the state, the nation and now the world. But the riches the region enjoys come at a price that is now higher than ever before, he said. The entire region must partner, plan and execute on a vision of growth and development for the area, Payton said. Abbott told the audience Site Selection Magazine just presented him with the Governors Cup for Texas being the top state in economic development for the eighth year in a row. He touted the business-oriented focus of the state government and said the TEDC and other state offices are working to create an environment that will help not only the Permian Basin and Texas businesses grow but attract new businesses to the state. RELATED: Energy CEOs: World will watch how Permian protects environment We embrace the oil and gas sector in Texas, he said. We want you here, we want you to produce here. We also see the tremendous stewardship of the industry. Companies are working not just on producing oil and gas but on the next generation of producing oil and gas while also protecting the environment. We know youre good business leaders, good stewards. The entire world needs the products youre producing. He said state officials also want to promote the industry, providing the resources and partnerships needed to succeed. One example is the $600 million coming to the Permian Basin for road infrastructure, and Abbott said that is on top of the billions headed the regions way. He said state officials are seeing the impact the oil and gas industrys growth has had on the areas infrastructure, especially roads, and the adverse impact that has had on quality of life. Not only will the additional funding improve infrastructure and quality of life but improve safety, he said, citing the rise in vehicle wrecks and fatalities in recent years. Bentley praised the leadership of the 19 oil and gas companies that joined together to form the Permian Strategic Partnership, including Parsley and Occidental. In 2019, the partnership invested $30 million in projects ranging from a career technology high school in Hobbs, New Mexico, to funding teacher subsidies. A new program will aim to bring medical residents to Texas Techs Health Science Centers in the area. We know an individual can accomplish something, but collectively we can move mountains, she said. Its so easy to come up with reasons why this wont work. I am so proud of all our partners for staying at the table even when things arent easy, Bentley said. Im proud to be part of the 19 companies in the PSP, Hollub said. We care about the state, about the industry, but most of all we care about the people. Its time the people of the Permian Basin had a better quality of life, especially as resources here become so stretched. New York's new ban on plastic bags is, on its face, an effort to reduce consumer waste. It likely also offers an important lesson on consumer psychology and how we think about money. As of Sunday, most businesses in the state can no longer offer single-use plastic bags to consumers. Several cities and counties, such as New York City, are also imposing a 5-cent fee for each paper bag a consumer chooses to use. A similar rule in Los Angeles (which imposed a 10-cent fee) led to a 94% reduction in single-use bag consumption, according to a New York task force report. In Washington, D.C., a 5-cent fee on both paper and plastic bags caused a 50% reduction. Internationally, bag fees have resulted in reductions ranging from 50% to 90%, according to the report. More from Personal Finance: How to build a cash reserve if the coronavirus disrupts your job How to manage your 401(k) as the coronavirus upends markets Avoid this investing mistake as coronavirus fears grip markets How can a seemingly trivial fee change consumer behavior so dramatically? For one, people really like "free" things so much, in fact, that they tend to overconsume them. Think about a buffet. Folks tend to overeat because each additional plate is "free." And when something is no longer free, consumer reactions are strong. In the case of paper bags, New Yorkers likely will use them less frequently. Airlines in Vietnam and South Korea cancel flights in growing numbers due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Source: AFP Due to the serious development of COVID-19 epidemic in South Korea, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has recently decided to suspend all flights between Vietnam and South Korea starting from March 5. On March 3 and 4, all Vietnam Airlines flights from Seoul (Incheon International Airport) and Busan (Gimhae International Airport) to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will arrive at other airports in Vietnam: Van Don in Quang Ninh province, Can Tho, and Phu Cat in Quy Nhon province, at the request of authorities. To protect the safety of staff, the entire crew on these flights will be equipped with protective medical gear. The airline also disinfects all aircraft returning from South Korea to actively prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to Vietnam Airlines, routes will be reopened to South Korea once the COVID-19 situation becomes more positive and control is reasserted. Previously, two Vietnamese carriers have also announced the suspension of Vietnam-South Korea flights. Bamboo Airways late last month has stopped flights from Danang and Nha Trang to Incheon (frequency of seven round trips a week), while Jetstar Pacific has also called off flying this route as soon as COVID-19 broke out in South Korea. As such, among local airlines, Vietjet Air is the only carrier which has yet to officially announce a complete suspension of its Vietnam-South Korea routes (except for flights to and from Daegu). At the moment, Vietjet has reduced flight frequency to other destinations in South Korea. South Korean airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines said that they will sharply reduce the number of flights to many destinations in Vietnam in March because of the COVID-19. The former said that many of its flights from Incheon Airport and Busan Airport to cities in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc will be suspended during March and April. However, the Incheon-Danang route still remains operational with the frequency reduced to three flights per week. Similarly, Asiana Airlines temporarily stopped operating the majority of its flights from Incheon Airport to Hanoi, Danang, and Nha Trang at least until the middle of March. One of the schoolboys charged with aggravated robbery and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm over an attack on a young man at Stirling Train Station has pleaded guilty in Perth Children's Court on Tuesday. Matthew Henson was allegedly bashed and robbed by five teenagers from Churchlands Senior High School at Stirling station in February. Police allege a group of five Churchlands Senior High School students assaulted and robbed 20-year-old Matthew Henson at the station on February 13. He sustained severe injuries and was placed in intensive care following the attack. Mr Henson remains in a serious but stable condition in Royal Perth Hospital. The accused boys are aged 14 to 16. Times Union meteorologist Jason Gough says the Capital Region is about ready to stick a fork in this winter. Elsewhere in New York, other utensils were required. After last weekend's lake-effect storm dropped upwards of four feet in some areas of Upstate and Western New York, an Associated Press photographer traveled to Hamburg's Hoover Beach, where homes along the Lake Erie shore have been transformed into gritty ice palaces by a combination of waves, wind and sand. How much of tourism is too much? The question baffles avid travelers, particularly to Indias hill destinations which were designed to accommodate a limited number of people. According to India Tourism Statistics, between 2000 and 2018, the number of tourist visits to States and union territories gone up by a staggering 8.5 times to 186 crore, including 1 crore of foreign tourists. Travelling increased exponentially in the current decade. The result is evident. From Darjeeling to Shimla or Kullu-Manali, Indias top tourist draws are suffering from common maladies of traffic congestion, overflowing garbage, unbridled construction, water crisis etc. Lesson from Bhutan Does this help tourism. Indias smallest neighbour Bhutan says No. On February 4, Bhutan ended free entry of regional tourists from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Indians, who make 70 per cent of the total tourist inflow to Bhutan, now have to pay a sustainable development fee (SDF) of Rs 1200 a day. The fee is applicable only in popular tourist destinations and is a fraction of the daily charges paid by visitors from other countries. However, the budget tourists will be hurt. A family of two adults and a child now pays Rs 20,000-25,000 for a low-cost four-night package, including stay at cheaper hotels. SDF will increase their total spend by 50-60 per cent. As in 2018, Bhutan received 2.74 lakh tourists, including two lakh regional tourists. Two-third of the regional tourist availed cheaper land routes to enter the country. Apparently, majority of them were budget tourists. And, that takes us to the crux of the issue. Bhutan pursues high value, low volume tourism. They dont want budget tourists to eat out the space for value tourists who stays longer, spends more on cars, food, souvenir etc. The policy is not new. Bhutan was always extra careful about its environment, including cultural environment. Over the last decade footfalls in the country increased by nearly three times, reaching upto one-third of its population. This called for scrutiny. Restricting footfalls will help Bhutan avoid construction spree, waste generation and environmental decay in top destinations and at the same time create opportunity for maximizing revenue from value tourists. Budget travelers are encouraged to visit less explored parts of the country without any SDF. India playing half-cock Famous American economist Paul Krugman pointed out that market economy works best when regulated. Bhutan is doing exactly that. Tourist destinations are valuable assets and, like all products or brands their performance will depend on perfect positioning. Apple doesnt play in the volume phone segment because that will impact the exclusivity of the brand, which translates into premium price. Shimla or Darjeeling were top tourism brands. Failure to regulate the market not only destroyed their aspirational value but also caused severe damage to the product quality. Darjeeling is converted into an urban slum, thereby limiting future revenue potential. The Indian authorities are aware of the problem and are promoting alternate tourism destinations. A number of such destinations popped up in Darjeeling hills. Premium foreign tourists are visiting new South Goa destinations, where came up top resorts. However, India is avoiding any direct regulatory intervention, as in Bhutan. This is either to avoid any popular backlash or take an easy way to promote tourism. Does it help? Look at Shillong. In 2010, Meghalaya got 6.6 lakh tourists. In 2017, they received nearly 10 lakh visitors with an year-on-year growth of 19 per cent. Newspaper reports point at serious overcrowding, congestion, littering and unbridled construction. Need regulation Tourism is more of an experience than scenic beauty, as is amply proved by Dubai. The developments in Bhutan could have been a boon to the neighbouring Indian State of Arunachal which has just lifted restrictions on travelling. However, lack of basic infrastructure makes it a costlier proposition. There is no airport. The capital city of Itanagar reflects complete absence of urban planning. Car rentals are exorbitantly high, when compared to Bhutan. And, the turnaround time is higher. The point is clear. India needs long-term, multi-sectoral planning to promote new destinations. Leaving it to the market is a bad idea; as a crowd of unorganized players may end-up blocking the way of organized development. The existing popular destinations must be graded in terms of their brand-equity, infrastructure, carrying capacity etc, so as to encourage States to put adequate mechanism to stop further decay. HALIFAXA prominent Indigenous historian says its the ideal time to drop the name Edward Cornwallis from a coast guard ship, as the federal agency announced plans on Monday to spend $12.1 million renovating the vessel. Daniel Paul, a Mikmaw elder and the author of We Were Not the Savages, said in an interview the refurbishment should include a name change, as has occurred at a Halifax junior high school and a historic African Nova Scotian Baptist church. The colonial governors statue has been removed from the city as an act of reconciliation with Indigenous communities over a proclamation Cornwallis made that offered a bounty to anyone who killed a Mikmaw person. However, federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan said in an interview the ship will for now remain named after Cornwallis, who founded the City of Halifax in 1749. Jordan was in a community on the provinces south shore to announce the federal Liberalss support of 55 jobs at the Irving-owned Shelburne Ship Repair in a project expected to begin this spring and last until January 2021. Jordan said to date her office hasnt received formal renaming requests, but added if Indigenous communities bring the matter forward it is something we would have discussions around. Weve been a government thats been committed to reconciliation and that we listen to First Nations communities with regards to these things. So these are absolutely conversations were willing to have, said Jordan. But for now we havent had a great deal of feedback on that. So right now it stays the Edward Cornwallis. Paul, 81, said he had made his views known frequently in the past. Its a priority to have that ship renamed. Its an insult to the Mikmaq people, he said. The historian, writer and former federal government worker said he had been told by officials in prior governments that the ship would be scrapped and this would end the continuation of its name. Its an ideal time if theyre going to do major repairs and a refit to rename it ... They could give it a Mikmaq name if they feel like it. There are plenty of Mikmaq heroes they could look at, he said. Jaime Battiste, the Liberal MP for Sydney-Victoria, said in an interview Pauls views should be taken seriously. Canadas first elected Mikmaw member of Parliament said in an interview the potential renaming is a challenge and an opportunity. Daniel Paul is correct in saying now would be the time, if were going to be planning on making major changes to a vessel that has the name Cornwallis, when everyone in Halifax is looking to see if thats the name we want to promote out there, he said. Its something we need to discuss. Jack Granatstein, a Canadian historian and professor emeritus at York University, has in the past cautioned against renaming of historic sites, arguing they should be displayed with contextual information to help people understand, interpret and learn from the past. However, in this instance, Granatstein said the key thing is to get the work done on the aging ship as the country awaits the construction of a fresh generation of icebreakers and research vessels. The important thing is to get this 34-year-old icebreaker refurbished. Id hope the name wasnt changed, but resistance to a name change in the current national mood is probably futile and might delay the work needed, he wrote in an email. Jordan said her government is building 18 new large ships and six icebreakers, but in the meantime, theres a need to keep the existing vessels in service. Edward Cornwallis is kind of a workhorse of the fleet. ... Were upgrading that in the meantime until the new ships are ready as it could be a few years before the new ships are available to us, she said. A coast guard news release says the repairs include the replacement of main engines, a new heavy-lift crane, a new bow thruster and hull coating. The vessel will also undergo regulatory work such as inspecting the tail shafts, seals, stern tubes, propellers and rudder. The 34-year-old icebreaker was launched in 1986 after being built by Marine Industries in Tracy, Que. Under the national shipbuilding strategy, more than $7.5 billion in contracts have been awarded under the repair, refit and maintenance program. Read more about: ISB Mohali, Punjab has been recognized as the newest inductee to the ACREX Hall of Fame 2020 for their commitment to energy efficient and sustainable infrastructure. ACREX Hall of Fame, is an extremely prestigiousand sought-afterrecognitionjointly instituted by ISHRAE and Danfoss India in 2015as an effort to recognize best practices and to encourage innovation in technology, design and systems to promote the highest standards of energy efficient HVAC systems in Commercial Buildings.The announcement was made on the sidelines of the ACREX Expo that is taking place at IEML, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. This year, the aim of this initiative was to encourage and promote sustainable technologies across all commercial buildings, ranging from universities to large corporate offices. The goal is to give impetus to all commercial buildings to push the envelope in innovative technologies to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability through the length and breadth of their operations. The other top finalists for ACREX Hall of Fame 2020 were Adobe Systems, Noida; ITC Kohenur, Hyderabad and Vestas Wind Technology, Ahmedabad. ISB Mohali, an IGBC Platinum-rated campus is spread across 70-acres, of which 14.6 acres has green cover. They have instituted several sustainability and energy efficient practices across their campus which includes a one-of-a-kind Geothermal HVAC System with zero water discharge. All the buildings in their campus sport white rooftops which reduce heat island effect, with insulation above and under deck for the entire campus, decreasing load on the air conditioning systems. The university converts all its organic waste on campus to be used for horticulture and alsohas a highly efficient Cross-wave Modular Rainwater Harvesting System. In the past, ISB Mohali has been the recipient of several awards such as the Smartest Educational Building in India, Most Energy Efficient Educational Building in Punjab, and the Best Green Campus Award. Speaking at the award ceremony, Mr. Sanjay Bajpai, Head, Department of Science and Technology, GoI, said,Over the last five years, the government has been doubling its efforts to address the issue of climate change. There is however, greater need to accelerate the cycle of innovation and the approaches to achieve this may be manifold. Public private partnerships are at the core of this. The industry should be on the drivers seat, with the unflinching support of the government, to lead the way forward. It gives me great joy to be here today, as an event such as this will usher in a new era of collaboration. The government will certainly consider bringing in more initiatives such as this to incentivize the culture of energy efficiency in India. Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Ravichandran Purushothaman, President, Danfoss India said, Our cities are the main drivers of the worlds economic output, but they are also massive consumers and account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. Over the next 33 years, all urban areas of the world will need to provide space for another 2.2 billion people, and this will take a big toll on cities and its resources. This being the reality in which we live, the most effective way to turn the challenges of our cities into opportunities is urban efficiency. Cities need to set ambitious targets for energy efficiency to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. Buildings today account for 40% of the global energy use and half of a citys emissions, and instituting energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings can cut energy consumption by nearly 30-45%. It is time that more buildings across all cities proactively invest in smart and energy efficient technologies to enable their transformation into a sustainable building. The ACREX Hall of Fame was instituted in this very spirit and it is my pleasure to congratulate our winner today, ISB Mohali for their exemplary efforts in this direction. Presidential Member of ISHRAE & Chair, ACREX India 2020, Mr. Sushil K Choudhary said The ACREX Hall of Fame, an initiative brought about in collaboration with Danfoss India, is part of our larger initiative to sharpen the focus on building efficient HVAC systems for commercial buildings in India. Over the years, it has been heartening to see that the number of participants for Hall of Fame has been increasing exponentially. More and more commercial buildings in India have been nominating themselves. This year, it gives me great pleasure to present this honour to ISB, Mohali for their exceptional work. Indeed, this should act as a benchmark for other academic institutions in India to aspire to. The ACREX Hall of Fame nominations are invited from all states across India every year. There are a number of criteria on which the nominees are rated, such as Energy Performance Index, IEQ Initiatives (Indoor Air Quality), Energy Saving Initiatives including Renewable Energy, Building Management System including Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) and one-year operational data wherein the nominated buildings should not be more than 4 years old at the time of induction. This is yet another attempt at restricting the vote of the people, said Rep. Trish Gunby, D-Ballwin. Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, said passing the legislation would just make it harder for people to vote. The people who tend not to have IDs are those who already face barriers to voting, he said. Lets make sure we put the money behind it to make sure folks have the information they need to know to get out and vote, he said. If we dont do those things, we are likely to see this struck down again in court. Januarys court ruling gutted a law that the Republican-led Legislature approved in 2016. The law directed voters to present a valid photo ID at the polls or sign a sworn statement and present some other form of identification. These other forms could include a voter registration card, utility bill or bank statement. Last month, the Supreme Court upheld a previous courts decision that ruled the affidavit portion of the law was unconstitutional. The courts opinion called the statutory language misleading and contradictory. The voter ID legislation is House Bill 1600. 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. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0481931eb8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481da0d70)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0481931eb8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481da0d70)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0481941178)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481da0d70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481da0d70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f048145f5e8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0481ea46b0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0481ea46b0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 The EPP Group says the Turkish President is playing with the lives of people. It follows his decision to not prevent migrants from seeking entry into Europe from Turkey. EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber says Europe will never allow itself to be blackmailed and he strongly supports efforts by Greece and Bulgaria to maintain order at their borders. In animals, releasing eggs in a timely manner is vital to maximize the chances of successful fertilization. However, how this process evolved and is controlled in different species is poorly understood. A new regulator of egg release has been identified in jellyfish in a new study published March 3 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Gonzalo Quiroga Artigas and Evelyn Houliston of Sorbonne University, France, and colleagues. The finding sheds light on how the complex hormonal control of sexual reproduction in animals evolved. Clytia hemisphaerica is a small marine jellyfish, common across the world's oceans. It is part of the phylum Cnidaria, a large and diverse group of invertebrate animals that includes jellies, anemones, corals, and sea urchins. While the cellular events of meiosis (chromosome shuffling and genome reduction) are similar in eggs of all animals including cnidarians and vertebrates, the hormonal control of the process to ensure that eggs are produced at the best time to maximize fertilization success differs considerably, and key steps in the regulation of cnidarian gametogenesis are only partially understood. In Clytia, formation of mature eggs (which have one set of chromosomes) from immature oocytes (which have four) is triggered every morning by release of a maturation-inducing hormone (MIH) from the surrounding tissue when it is stimulated by light at dawn. Previous studies had identified this neuropeptide hormone, but its receptor was unknown. However, the authors knew that stimulation by MIH produced a rise in levels of the signaling molecule cyclic AMP within oocytes, and that such a rise is typically associated with activation of a type of receptor called a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). From that clue, they identified 16 GPCRs from the Clytia genome that are made in oocytes. Using a synthetic MIH neuropeptide as bait, they then identified the GPCR that it stuck to most strongly, on the grounds that it was likely to be the MIH receptor (MIHR). To confirm that this receptor was involved in MIH-stimulated signaling, they mutated the MIHR gene using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. This mutation produced severe defects in development or release of eggs in females and of sperm in males. These effects could be mimicked by injection of an antibody that blocked part of the normal receptor, and mitigated by treatment of the mutant with an analogue of cyclic AMP, bypassing the mutant receptor and restoring the downstream signal. The family tree of the receptor sequence showed that it is related to a large set of GPCRs in other cnidarians, and also to a set of peptide hormone receptors in vertebrates . These include receptors for hormones that regulate both sexual reproduction and feeding, including neuropeptide Y and gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone in humans. "The discovery of this receptor will help us understand the critical process that transforms animal oocytes into eggs," Houliston said, "and may help reveal important steps in the evolution of the hormone systems that regulate and link sexual reproduction to nutrition in animals." ### In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS Biology: https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000614 Citation: Quiroga Artigas G, Lapebie P, Leclere L, Bauknecht P, Uveira J, Chevalier S, et al. (2020) A G protein-coupled receptor mediates neuropeptide-induced oocyte maturation in the jellyfish Clytia. PLoS Biol 18(3): e3000614. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000614 Funding: Funding was provided by the EU Marie Curie ITN NEPTUNE (grant agreement: 317172) to EH and GJ, French ANR grant OOCAMP-ANR-13-BSV2-0008 to EH, the EU Horizon 2020 programme ASSEMBLE Plus project (grant agreement: 730984) to TM, as well as core funding from the CNRS and from Sorbonne University to the Laboratoire de Biliogie du Developpement de Villefranche-sur-mer. Work done with the Service Aquariologie and the Villefranche-sur-mer Imaging platform of the Institut de la Mer de Villefranche was supported by EMBRC-France (ANR-10-INBS-02). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. The Archdiocese of Newark directed its parishes to stop sharing wine in communal chalices and cease having parishioners shake hands during the sign of peace in an effort to prevent the transmission of coronavirus, church officials said. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, head of the Archdiocese of Newark, sent out new guidelines Monday as a precaution in case there is a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 virus in the United States. The archdioceses parishes, which include churches in Bergen, Union, Hudson and Essex counties, were told to make several changes, including: -- Distribution of wine, or the blood of Christ, from a communal chalice during Holy Communion is suspended. Church officials also reminded parishioners they are not obliged to receive the host, or the body of Christ, on their tongues. The host can be placed in their hands. -- The sign of peace, a point during the Mass where parishioners usually shake hands, should be exchanged without physical contact. Some parishioners already nod, bow or wave instead of touching. -- Priests, deacons and others who serve as ministers during communion should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after distributing communion. -- Anyone who is sick or has flu-like symptoms is urged to stay home and skip Mass, the guidelines say. Those who are ill can watch a Mass on television and make a spiritual communion at home until they are well. The changes, including the complete suspension of the distribution of wine, is expected to be temporary until church officials believe the threat of illness has lifted, said Maria Margiotta, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Newark. For now, distribution of the Precious Blood from the chalice is suspended, Margiotta said. These temporary precautions are similar to options that pastors may exercise during the regular flu season, but weve taken this action now out of an abundance of caution and concern for the health and safety of our faithful since the flu remains a threat and concerns about the coronavirus increase. Across the country, Catholic dioceses and other religious institutions have been modifying their practices to limit physical contact as cases of coronavirus have continued to rise nationwide. Though there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Jersey as of Tuesday, some religious institutions have already tweaked their rituals and ceremonies. Archdiocese of Newark Issues Guidance to Priests, Religious, and Parishioners regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19): https://t.co/UXuAS6LmI1. pic.twitter.com/iTlyoVwsHK Newark Archdiocese (@NwkArchdiocese) March 2, 2020 In the Catholic churches, the changes come as parishes are in the Lenten season, one of the holiest and busiest times of the year for parishes as they prepare for Easter. The Archdiocese of Newark is one of the states five Catholic dioceses. The others are the dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Camden and Paterson. Each can release its own coronavirus guidelines for its parishes. In both the Diocese of Trenton and the Diocese of Camden, parishioners have been reminded they are not required to shake hands, drink from a communal chalice or have the host placed on their tongue. But the dioceses stopped short of suspending the use chalices and shaking hands, as the Archdiocese of Newark directed. With the concerns about the coronavirus, the faithful are encouraged to take all the same precautions they would follow regarding the flu. Use normal good judgment, the Diocese of Camden said in a letter to parishioners. The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, which oversees churches in six counties in North Jersey, also advised its churches to use good sense to limit spreading coronavirus or any illnesses during communion. But the Episcopal diocese did not ban the use of shared drinking cups for the distribution of communion wine. Instead, churches were advised to wipe down the rims of chalices between sips. Those giving Communion should do so with clean hands and wipe the chalice thoroughly between sips; chalices should be washed with soap and water afterwards, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark said in a statement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not released specific recommendations for churches or other religious institutions that regularly ask the faithful to shake hands or share drinking cups. However, the CDC guideline warn that any shared objects should be disinfected. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe, the CDC guidelines say. Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Commuters are warned of a nightmare journey home on Tuesday as the train system continues to face delays. Train services were delayed up to an hour after a track maintenance vehicle derailed at Circular Quay, just before 6am. Services on the T2 City to Parramatta or Leppington, T3 City to Liverpool or Lidcombe via Bankstown, T8 City to Macarthur via Airport or Sydenham are facing ongoing delays. Train services were delayed up to an hour after a track maintenance vehicle derailed at Circular Quay, just before 6am Commuters waiting for a train at Sydney's Redfern Station were told to find another way to work Sydney commuters are urged to allow extra travel time as flow on delays continue into the afternoon. 'Allow plenty of extra travel time due to the derailment of a small maintenance vehicle at Circular Quay earlier and urgent track equipment repairs at Flemington earlier,' they wrote on their website. 'Buses may supplement some services in both directions between Leppington and Glenfield, and Macarthur and Campbelltown. 'Listen to announcements and check indicator boards as stopping patterns may change.' The track maintenance vehicle, which was described as a 'work train' by Sydney Transport, came off the tracks in a tunnel connecting Wynyard with Circular Quay. Sydney commuters will face a nightmare trip home on Tuesday as flow on delays continue A track maintenance vehicle has derailed between Wynyard and Circular Quay (left) this morning. Commuters have been hit with major delays (right, stuck at Circular Quay) Hundreds of commuters packed into Redfern Station in Sydney's inner-city were told to find another way to work. 'I just got off my train after sitting standstill for ages,' one commuter said. 'To sum it up we are screwed.. sleepover at work is a possibility tonight.' 'It's a common occurrence these days! It's disappointing that Sydney Trains still charge the public (to) be late (for) work! The system is prehistoric,' said another. 'Most incompetent department on the planet. Sydney trains is an absolute joke,' a third frustrated commuter said. Sydney trains crews are on site and repairs are underway Linda Crossan, who had planned to catch a train to the airport to fly to Adelaide for her mother's birthday, said the delays had ruined her plans. 'I normally go early but my husband laughed at me so today I decided not to,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Confused commuters have been arriving at Circular Quay with their suitcases in hand only to discover there are issues with the line. Shortly after 7am, NSW Transport confirmed the maintenance vehicle had been returned to the tracks with no workers injured. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday said it has infused Rs 1.46 lakh crore in the rural banking system during the current fiscal. Nabard has been extending financial support to the banks operating in rural areas to help them deploy their resources effectively for meeting the credit needs of rural people, including farmers. "As on February 28, 2020, Rs 87,069 crore has been extended to cooperative banks and regional rural banks in short-term refinance. In addition, long-term refinance of Rs 59,502 crore has also been provided to these banks as well as other financial institutions," National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) said in a release. So far in the current fiscal, the development finance institution has extended Rs 66,397 crore in short-term credit and Rs 6,704 crore long-term credit to rural cooperative banks. Regional rural banks have availed Rs 14,141 crore in short-term credit and Rs 8,417 crore in long-term credit. In addition, other banks, including small finance banks, have obtained long-term refinance of Rs 37,895 crore, the release said. It provides short-term refinance, which is essentially production credit, to banks to allow farmers meet their operational costs. Long-term refinance is aimed at supporting sectors like dairy, poultry, fishery, farm mechanisation, irrigation, and non-farm sectors, among others. The development is also directing its resources to increase institutional credit to rural sectors through non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs). It has also extended Rs 4,638 crore to NBFCs and MFIs so far in FY20. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This week, the open-access journal PLOS Medicine launches its latest Special Issue, focused on research and commentary about the health of refugees and migrants. As discussed in a recent Editorial in the journal, in recent years there has been a large increase in the number of people migrating both within countries and internationally, voluntarily or otherwise. Migration can be motivated by diverse factors, including conflict and violence, population growth and environmental degradation, and escape from economic hardship. The health of those people migrating can be adversely affected by the situation which led to their displacement, and further threats to their safety, health and wellbeing may arise during the process of migration or in a destination country. Continued growth in migration is expected, and the aim of the Special Issue is to document the health challenges faced by refugees and migrants in different settings worldwide, and to highlight opportunities to develop policy and practice aimed at improving their health and wellbeing. Guest editors Paul Spiegel, Terry McGovern and Kolitha Wickramage have advised on the content of the issue, which begins with a report from Megan Doherty of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada, and colleagues. In the past 5 years, large numbers of Rohingya people have been displaced from Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh. Doherty and co-authors studied 311 people, 156 with serious health problems and 155 caregivers, living in refugee camps in 2017. Among those reporting health problems, 64% had a significant physical disability, 21% reported having treatment-resistant tuberculosis, and 10% had cancer. Caregivers were often family members, and reported providing more than 13 hours of care per day, on average. Importantly, 62% of those with health problems reported experiencing significant pain, and the majority of available pain treatments were judged to be ineffective, indicating a need to provide palliative care components in humanitarian settings. In a second research study, Sarah Crede and colleagues from the University of Sheffield, UK report on the use of paediatric emergency care by mothers in Bradford born outside, as compared with those born in, the UK or Ireland. Among 10,168 mothers in the Born in Bradford study who gave birth to children in the period from April 2007 to June 2011, about one third were born outside the UK. Crede and colleagues found that mothers born outside the UK were less likely to make a first visit to the emergency department with their children (odds ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97, p=0.012), which could indicate a limited awareness of, or hesitancy about attending, health care by some migrant groups. Reasons for attending and the proportions admitted to hospital were similar across the two populations. On the other hand, among the study participants using the emergency department, utilization rates were higher for children of migrant mothers (incidence rate ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.40, p=0.04). Migrants from Europe and those who had been in the UK for longer than 5 years had higher utilization rates. Studies of this type in high-income countries can help to guide provision of appropriate health services for children, and highlight populations for whom access should be improved. ### Image Credit: geralt, Pixabay Research Article - Doherty et al Funding: World Child Cancer provided unrestricted funding to MD for completion of the research project (no grant number) (https://www.worldchildcancer.org). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Citation: Doherty M, Power L, Petrova M, Gunn S, Powell R, Coghlan R, et al. (2020) Illness-related suffering and need for palliative care in Rohingya refugees and caregivers in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. PLoS Med 17(3): e1003011. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003011 Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada World Child Cancer, London, United Kingdom Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Cambridge Palliative and End of Life Care Group, Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom Faculty of Medicine, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada MWAPO Health Development Group, Nairobi, Kenya Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Global Health Academy, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Health Protection and Emergency Management, Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Fasiuddin Khan Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003011 Research Article - Crede et al Funding: This research is independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research Yorkshire and Humber ARC (https://www.arc-yh.nihr.ac.uk/) Grant number: NIHR200166. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Institute of Health Research or the Department of Health and Social Care. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Citation: Crede SH, Mason S, Such E, Jacques RM (2020) Paediatric emergency department utilisation rates and maternal migration status in the Born in Bradford cohort: A cross-sectional study. PLoS Med 17(3): e1003043. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003043 Author Affiliations: School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003043 The Delhi government is organising special Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) on Wednesday and Thursday in all the schools of violence-hit north-east Delhi run by it. The objective of this PTM is to counsel the students and build confidence in them, officials said. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the portfolio, will also visit some of the schools to take part in PTMs. At least 47 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in the violence that rocked several localities of north-east Delhi for four days last week. All the schools were ordered shut by the Delhi government in the area and CBSE postponed its exams at all the centres in north-east Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Ofeliya Afandiyeva Azerbaijans State Oil Company (SOCAR) may supply up to 1 million tons of oil to Belarus in 2020, the Chairman of the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim Concern) Andrey Ribakov has said while commenting on the recent meeting between Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Roumas and SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev. Volumes will increase from year to year. This year, we are talking about the volume of up to 1 million tons of oil. This will be determined every month based on economic, logistical factors, among others. However, it will be defined on a permanent basis, Ribakov said. The head of the concern recalled that Belarus has long-standing ties with SOCAR, since Belarusian refineries have already refined Azerbaijani oil: Colleagues confirmed the possibility of continuing this strategic cooperation in the current year and subsequent years. It is, in a sense, international collaboration, as it will involve the pipeline system of Ukraine. It will ensure transportation of oil to the Mozyr Oil Refinery, including its refining and supply of oil products to Ukraine, Belarus, as well, Ribakov stated. Today, agreement in principle has been reached on such strategic cooperation both in the current year and in subsequent years, the chairman of the Belneftekhim mentioned. The expansion of the Azerbaijani companies participation in investment projects in Belarus was also discussed with the management of SOCAR. Rybakov recalled that the special unit of SOCAR is already working at the Mozyr Oil Refinery. They [SOCAR] have established themselves as high-quality, reliable partners, fulfilling all their commitments on time. Therefore, the possible participation of SOCAR in projects at Naftan and other enterprises in the Belneftekhim concern system, as well as in projects in other sectors, was discussed, Ribakov underlined. Note that PM of Belarus Sergei Roumas and SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev met on March 2 in Belarus. In the meeting, Belarusian PM mentioned that Belarus purchased oil from SOCAR in 2011 and 2016 and the Azerbaijani side also purchases Belarusian oil products. Obviously, it is impossible to speak of energy security in Belarus today without alternative oil supplies. Therefore, we are looking for reliable partners who can conclude long-term contracts in this area. Experience shows that SOCAR can be such a reliable partner, Roumas said. He expressed his hope that the meeting will be the next step towards strengthening bilateral ties between SOCAR and Belneftekhim concern in the oil industry. As reported, SOCAR will send the first oil tanker for Belarus from the Turkish port of Ceyhan on March 5-6. The volume of oil sent will be about 85,000 tons. Approximately, on March 20, it is planned to ship a second tanker from the Georgian port of Supsa with a volume of about 85,000 tons. Recently, it was reported that 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. It should be noted that Belneftekhim, which was established in 1997 performs a full cycle of works related to crude oil exploration and production, its transportation, refining and oil product sales. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz From newsy tidbits to local news nuggets, following are some brief updates from The Woodlands and South Montgomery County: The second year of The Woodlands Township special bus service to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins on Saturday, March 7. The special service, which ferries riders from the Sawdust Road Park and Ride lot to the drop-off lot at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and then back to The Woodlands, runs only on Saturday and Sunday over three weekends: March 7-8; March 14-15; and March 21-22. The cost for a round-trip ticket is $13 per person and reservations are required. The service utilizes the townships bus fleet that is called The Woodlands Express, and each bus is outfitted with onboard bathrooms, free wi-fi and air conditioning. Departures to the event are scheduled beginning at 9 a.m. with a new bus leaving every hour through 6 p.m. The return ride back to The Woodlands begins at 10:30 a.m. and leaves every hour through 4:30 p.m. before a break. Departures to The Woodlands resume at 7:30 p.m. with an alternating departure schedule of 7:45 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:45 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. For more information, contact The Woodlands Township at 832-851-3362. Township sees boost from internet sales tax Monique Sharp had some good news for township directors during her Feb. 26 report to the board about internet sales tax revenue, something that the township and other Texas communities were expecting to begin collecting in early 2019, but did not see any funds until December. Sharp said the incoming revenue from the internet sales tax exceeded expectations and was a very positive sign for the townships coffers when it comes to budgeting. One element that was a boost, she said, was internet sales tax revenue, which supplemented the local sales tax collected at physical locations of businesses, not purchased online. The $377,000 garnered from the internet sales tax in 2019 helped offset a bad year overall for sales tax revenue, which was down about 0.3 percent from 2018 to 2019. We finished the (2019) year higher than what we anticipated. We are 11.4 percent higher (in 2020) for sales tax. We are off to a really, really positive and good start to the year, Sharp told directors. We struggled last year with retail. Internet sales (tax) was about 70 percent of our total increase (so far in 2020). Even though our brick and mortar sales are lagging, what were seeing is these internet sales really taking off. Bret Strong named to EDP board Local attorney Bret L. Strong was appointed to the board of The Woodlands Area Ecomomic Development Partnership in The Woodlands, according to a press release sent to media on March 3. Strong is a well-known face around The Woodlands, serving as one of several legal counsels for The Woodlands Township as well as the townships Development Standards Committee. He formed his law firm, The Strong Firm P.C., which specializes in business issues, in 2004. According to the press release, Strong said he is Committed to investing time and resources to enhance the growth and upward trajectory of the already robust economy and business community in The Woodlands Area. jeff.forward@chron.com New ultra-high capacity, low-latency Lightspan MF fiber access node enables operators to use existing fiber access network for efficient mobile transport at 50 percent lower cost New Beacon 6 Wi-Fi gateway with Wi-Fi 6 and Nokia Bell Labs low-latency technology helps operators deliver a 5G experience in the home, while offloading 5G traffic to Wi-Fi and fiber networks 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) gateways continue to complement fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and bring gigabit broadband to more people, sooner 3 March, 2020 Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced it is expanding its fiber access portfolio to include new solutions and innovations that will enable service providers to deliver a gigabit experience to everyone, sooner. The enhanced portfolio includes a new Lightspan MF access node designed for the 5G era, a new Beacon 6 in-home gateway that supports 5G mobile data offloading and several Nokia Bell Labs innovations that reduce latency to create a seamless 5G experience. By combining the strengths of FTTH and 5G, Nokia is helping operators accelerate 5G deployments and deploy gigabit services in the most cost-effective way. To effectively deliver on 5G, operators will need a transport network that can provide the high-capacity, low-latency performance and small form factor needed to support densification. By using existing FTTH infrastructure, operators can quickly gain the footprint and performance needed to support 5G. They can also save up to 50 percent in transport costs by eliminating the need to build a dedicated transport network and quickly move to future fiber evolutions like 25G PON and beyond to ensure 5G needs continue to be met. With Nokia's new Lightspan MF-2 fiber access node, operators can easily and seamlessly add mobile 5G transport capabilities to their existing FTTH infrastructure. Based on the Nokia's Quillion chipset family, the system is optimized for low-latency applications and features an ultra-high capacity architecture. In addition to the fiber network, the evolution towards Wi-Fi 6 in the home means that service providers can now effectively offload 5G traffic onto a home Wi-Fi network without disruptions. This will free up valuable 5G capacity for mobile devices and applications like self-driving vehicles. Nokia's new Beacon 6 mesh WiFi solution supports Wi-Fi 6, which includes several core 5G technologies, along with two Nokia Bell Labs innovations designed to further optimize latency. Nokia Bell Labs' PI2 active queue management algorithm reduces excessive delays in congested networks, while L4S technology provides an "express lane" for data in network equipment to further reduce latency needed in applications like gaming and virtual reality. Operators can then use Nokia's Software Defined Access Network solution to create a high-priority slice in the fiber access network to ensure low latency is further guaranteed from the home to the core. Julie Kunstler, Principal Analyst at Omdia: "We are seeing the reuse of FTTH access networks to support 5G deployments, enabling operators to quickly and cost-effectively support transport requirements. In addition, advanced in-home networking, such as WiFi 6, is enabling operators to offload 5G traffic, thereby reducing spectrum consumption. Access solutions, both to-the-home and within the home, are serving as enablers for 5G." Operators can also continue to combine fiber-based access technologies with 5G FWA and choose the best tool for bringing gigabit services to every city, street and building they serve. 5G FWA can deliver up to gigabit speeds in areas where the business case for FTTH is not viable or where ultra-fast time to market is needed. With Nokia's FastMile portfolio of 5G FWA solutions operators now have more deployment options to connect more people sooner. "Fixed networks will be the critical technology behind 5G's success," said Sandra Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia. "By leveraging existing FTTH and in-home Wi-Fi networks, operators will be able to deploy 5G faster and ensure a seamless, powerful 5G end-user experience is achieved." "Low-latency innovations like PI2 and L4S demonstrate the many ways Nokia Bell Labs continues to push the boundaries of technology innovation," said Marcus Weldon, Nokia Corporate CTO and President of Nokia Bell Labs. "These technologies will play a critical role in the network and how end users ultimately engage with low-latency applications like gaming and AR/VR experiences. We're excited to be the first in the industry to bring these innovations into our WiFi portfolio and offer this to customers and end users alike." About solutions in the enhanced portfolio: Nokia Lightspan MF-2 provides: High capacity, small form factor access node fit for distributed deployments 10G PON today, and ready for evolution beyond Supports Multi-PON Optimized for low latency 5G Anyhaul Based on Nokia's Quillion chipset family Nokia Beacon 6 provides: Support for Wi-Fi 6 which improves the overall speed, performance and latency needed for 5G mobile offload Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh and is fully interoperable with third-party Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh products Includes Nokia Bell Labs low-latency innovations - PI2 algorithm and L4S 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 Media Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone:+358 10 448 4900 Email:press.services@nokia.com The prestigious title of "Member of the Year" is reserved for members who demonstrate exceptional mentorship to young attorneys, and contribute both significant time and resources to the organization's efforts. David C. Prather was the 2020 award recipient as a result of attending all executive committee meetings and having served as the board's Advisor for the last four years. In late 2019, Prather played a pivotal role in organizing Bahamian relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Abaco Island area. He is also an annual sponsor of the Student Table at the William Holland Scholarship Lunch, which is reserved for local high school students. The F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association promotes the personal and professional development of African Americans within the legal profession. The annual William Holland Scholarship Lunch awards educational scholarship funds to well-deserving third-year African American law students who are scheduled to take the Florida Bar exam later in the year. The scholarships awarded offset the examination preparation expenses and encourage young lawyers to enter the legal profession. About David C. Prather David C. Prather is a partner at Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is a board-certified trial lawyer, practicing in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and auto negligence litigation. He was named Personal Injury Litigation Lawyer of the Year in 2014 by Best Lawyers in America and has earned the title of Super Lawyer for 14 consecutive years. SOURCE Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin Related Links https://www.clarkfountain.com Fortescue Metals Group has cleared an employee at its Christmas Creek mine of COVID-19. The Pilbara miner isolated an employee who arrived at the site with flu-like symptoms after a recent trip to Indonesia. The worker arrived at Fortescue's Christmas Creek mine on Monday. Credit:Damien Smith On Wednesday night the company released a statement that said the worker returned a negative test result for the coronavirus disease COVID-19. The company said the result was welcome news and it detailed the current travel restrictions on its workforce. Do you think that your children will have a better situation than you do? That was the big promise of the last century, that capitalism improves the situation for all, he said. If we cannot keep this promise up, then people will radicalize. New Delhi, March 3 : The Air India on Tuesday confirmed that a passenger who flew on a Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25 has tested positive for coronavirus. "This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus," Air India tweeted. With the threat of COVID-19 looming large, the government has tightened the entry conditions for the nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan with immediate effect. As per the revised travel advisory issued on Tuesday by the Union Health Ministry, new travellers from these countries will have to apply for fresh visas. The passengers of all the international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to Health Officials and Immigration officials at all ports. Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travelling to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text CONWAY, Ark. (March 3, 2020) Hendrix College alumna the Rev. Ellen R. Alston has been named interim Hendrix College Chaplain, effective July 1, by President Ellis Arnold, in consultation with Bishop Gary E. Mueller, episcopal leader of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. What an opportunity and delight to return to the campus where I was so enriched as a student years ago, Alston said. I am honored to walk alongside this amazing generation of student leaders who are exploring vocation and vision for their lives, and who will be impacting the world for years to come. Alston, a 1982 Hendrix graduate, follows the Rev. J.J. Whitney, who was named senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Bentonville this spring. Rev. Alston brings her wisdom in mentoring young adults in ministry in her role as a superintendent, and has the ability to relate to a diverse campus of faculty, students, and staff as a minister who has served various communities and churches throughout Louisiana, Whitney said. With her love of Hendrix as an alumna, and through her guidance of programs in the Miller Center and the Chaplains Office helping students discern a call to ministry and church leadership, she will be a source of joy to the College. I am grateful for the outstanding and faithful leadership Rev. J.J. Whitney has offered as the Chaplain at Hendrix, said Bishop Mueller, who is also an ex officio member of the Hendrix College Board of Trustees. Rev. Ellen Alston, who has deep Arkansas roots and is a Hendrix alum, offers a wealth of experience and many gifts as she begins her ministry with the entire Hendrix community. An Arkansas native, Alston has served the United Methodist Church in Louisiana for nearly two decades in numerous clergy and leadership roles, including two District Superintendent appointments. Her ministry is grounded in cultivating relationships, resilience, and renewal around purpose and vision, particularly during seasons of transition. We are so fortunate to have Rev. Alston serve in this critical capacity at this time, said President Arnold. She brings a wealth of strong leadership experience, as well as a commitment to and passion for the values that we hold so dear as an institution. Alston is currently senior pastor of Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur, Louisiana, which recently launched a Beds for Kids mission that has increased church members engagement with the local community and mission field. In other roles, she has coordinated local mission and national disaster relief work in the Gulf Coast and shepherded congregations through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A humanities major with an emphasis in English, Alston participated in the Oxford Overseas Study Course in Oxford, England, while a student at Hendrix. She then earned her Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, in 1990. In addition to numerous church and community service roles, Alston served as a member of the Hendrix College Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2017. About Hendrix College A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College consistently earns recognition as one of the countrys leading liberal arts institutions, and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu. Boston, MA, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IDG Communications, Inc. the worlds leading tech media, data, and marketing services company releases the 2020 Partner/Alliance Marketing Study , focused on partner marketing activities within the tech industry. This study looks at budgets, challenges and success metrics, and provides insights for marketers to benchmark their own efforts and how to increase program success. ( Click to Tweet ) Documented Strategy Increases Partner Marketing Value & Budget The good news is that partner marketing is recognized by organizations as a necessary marketing tactic providing great value by 62% of respondents. This increases to 67% among respondent who say they have a documented partner marketing strategy, compared with 33% at companies who do not. This translates into investment, with 37% of overall marketing budgets being allocated to partner marketing activities. Sixty-eight percent expect partner marketing spending to increase over the next two years, while 21% expect it to remain stable and only 8% expect to see this level of investment decline. Budgets are fairly evenly split between in-house efforts (36%), outsourcing (29%), and partner funds (31%).Those who said their organization received no value or were negatively impacted by partner marketing efforts cited a lack of clarity on how to get funds, and poor communication and misaligned goals with partners. Partner marketing is certainly not for the faint of heart given the diverse role and responsibilities, and the number of partners and stakeholders this effort encompasses, said Rick Currier, Sr. Director of Sales, IDG Global Partner Solutions. The research shows that on average marketers are working with 116 channel partner/resellers, 118 systems integrators, and 155 technology partners which of course changes significantly by company size. This illustrates why the use of a documented strategy by 82% of respondents allows marketers to stay on track and achieve greater results. Goals of Partner Marketing Efforts Revenue generation is an obvious top objective (38% overall) but interestingly it is much higher for those without a documented strategy - 63% compared to 32% of those who have a documented strategy and who have a broader set of objectives. Additional top objectives include, increased sales engagement/joint selling (32%), generating brand awareness (29%), attracting new customer segments (28%), increasing partner engagement (26%), and demand generation (25%). Tactics used to meet those goals include content development and demand generation (both 40%); followed by events and branding (tied at 32%), and social media and thought leadership (both 30%). Small- and medium-businesses (less than 1,000 employees) place greater emphasis on content development (47%) and social media presence (37%) than their enterprise (1,000+ employees) counterparts. Challenges The top challenges to organizations partner marketing success are lack of partner commitment, and too many competing priorities (both 27%), lack of partner marketing expertise (26%), lack of resources, and managing/aligning with partner expectations regarding success measurement (both 22%). When looking at these challenges by title we can see that executive-level respondents are more concerned about partner relations and outcomes as 27% feel that their contact covers too many vendors to provide the focus needed, compared to 12% for their mid-management counterparts; 24% dont think their partners fully understand their business, compared to 13% for mid-management; and 23% feel there is a lack of commercial success, compared with 12% for mid-management. Measurement & Metrics When asked what types of programs have yielded successful results, the top three are thought leadership (78%), branding (76%), and social media presence (73%). However, only 57% of partner marketing programs have ultimately yielded successful results. Looking at how results are being measured, the research shows that they are using an average of four success metrics which means they are looking at their programs holistically and understanding the variety of benefits these tactics can achieve. Topping the list is total revenue generated from programs (53%), followed by increase in number of actual customers (52%), and strong partner relationships (48%). Among those who have a documented strategy, 36% use pipeline as a success measure compared with 60% who do not, and conversely 41% of those with a documented strategy use growth of market share versus 20% who dont. Outsourcing With limited resources and the opportunity for stronger results, it is not surprising that 94% will outsource some partner marketing tactics in the next 12 months. These external investments are worthwhile, as 86% agree that working with an outside partner yields better results than their in-house efforts. Areas where outside partners are being brought in are social media services, and campaign and program strategy (both 35%), development of messaging and creative, and events - planning and execution (both 32%), and demand generation (31%). Dont be afraid to ask for help, is my biggest take away from these results, continued Currier. This research allows you to understand what your peers are faced with and how they are resourcing and measuring their efforts. Benchmarking your efforts against similar organizations will provide the ammunition needed to up level your efforts including outsourcing to partners like IDG where needed. Want More Insights? To better understand how to benchmark your partner marketing efforts, download our white paper on this research, or contact us for the full presentation of results. About IDG Global Partner Marketing Solutions Our Global Partner Solutions practice can help you navigate the unique and complex challenges of partner marketing, and help you drive positive business outcomes through collaboration. By implementing practical strategies and leading-edge marketing solutions, we help you elevate and communicate the value of your partnerships and drive return on investment. We can be there every step of the way from messaging, content, strategy and production services. About IDG Communications, Inc. IDG Communications connects the world of tech buyers with insights, intent and engagement. We are the worlds largest media, data and marketing services company that activates and engages the most influential technology buyers. Our premium brands, including CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PCWorld engage a quality audience of the most powerful audience of technology buyers providing essential guidance on the evolving technology landscape. Our global data intelligence platform activates purchasing intent, powering our clients success. IDG Marketing Services creates custom content with marketing impact across video, mobile, social and digital. We execute complex campaigns that fulfill marketers global ambitions seamlessly with consistency that delivers quality results. Follow IDG on Twitter: @IDGWorld Follow IDG on LinkedIn Like IDG on Facebook # # # A recent Urban Institute report highlights how legislative changes have led to the steady decline of the usefulness, as a measure of student poverty, of participation in the free- and reduced-price lunch (FRPL) program. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act mandates that schools enrolled in CEP have at least 40% of their students eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch in the year before enrolling. CEP schools provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students regardless of any given students household income or enrollment in safety net programs. Thus FRPL participation is 100% in a school and can no longer be sensibly used as a poverty measure. Michael Harwell of the University of Minnesota reviewed Measuring Student Poverty: Developing Accurate Counts for School Funding, Accountability, and Research. The report looks at how states now make poverty-related determinations for school funding and accountability purposes. Professor Harwell found the report to be useful in providing an important snapshot of the crazy quilt pattern of enrollment in safety net programs. The report, however, does not fully address a question that should significantly influence its methods, conclusions, and impact: Is it sufficient to rely on enrollment in safety net programs to define and measure student poverty, or is a change needed in its definition and measurement? The report seems to lean towards the latter, but no definition (new or otherwise) of student poverty is provided, and alternative measures of poverty are presented without critique. The report is also silent on whether a poverty measure should be related to important student outcomes such as achievement. As such, the report is very useful in describing the current dilemma, but it offers little specific guidance on how to move forward. Find the review, by Michael Harwell, at: http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/student-poverty Find Measuring Student Poverty: Developing Accurate Counts for School Funding, Accountability, and Research, written by Erica Greenberg, Kristin Blagg, and Macy Rainer and published by the Urban Institute, at: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/101430/measuring_student_poverty.pdf NEPC Reviews (http://thinktankreview.org) provide the public, policymakers, and the press with timely, academically sound reviews of selected publications. NEPC Reviews are made possible in part by support provided by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice: http://www.greatlakescenter.org The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Visit us at: https://nepc.colorado.edu Thus did he return approximately five years after he re-emerged in New York with a whole new idea called Yeezy Season 1; and three and a half years since his Season 4 debacle on Roosevelt Island, where the heat and the wait and the lack of water led to fainting models and furious guests. (In fashion, and Kanye time, seasons and years have nothing to do with one other.) Once upon a time he had tried to be part of the system and Paris had judged him and his aspirations harshly. But the world is very different today, in the wake of Instagram and influencers, Rihannas incursion at LVMH, the rise of streetwear and Mr. Wests own position as a sort of combination Delphic oracle/court jester/cultural harbinger/sneaker supremo. Hes a new man. He said as much preshow as he shook every one of the various hands of a group of editors and critics while smiling beatifically beneath Gucci shades and surveying an assortment of models arrayed in Vanessa Beecroft-choreographed performance art positions, showcasing the collection like statuary. He was here to face the music. Or make the music. Something like that. But not to talk about some of his more recent controversies. President Trump did not come up. China has provided Egypt with 1,000 thermal detectors along with the updated version of the technical documents, health minister Hala Zayed said during a visit to China Egypt is fully confident that China, as a super power, will defeat coronavirus at the earliest time possible, Health and Population Minister Hala Zayed said on Monday. Zayed made her remarks during a press conference held at the Egyptian embassy in Beijing on the fringe of her visit to China, upon the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, to show solidarity with the Chinese people against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. China has provided Egypt with 1,000 thermal detectors along with the updated version of the technical documents illustrating the precautionary measures taken against the epidemic, which will be of great use to contain the virus spread, Zayed noted. She said her current visit coincided with President Sisis decision to mark a number of Egyptian landmarks in the colors of the Chinese flag in a humanitarian gesture of solidarity with the Chinese people. The minster added the Egyptian people will soon join their Chinese brethren in their celebrations for eradicating the coronavirus, commending the effective precautionary measures taken by the Chinese government to protect the Chinese people and all humanity from the deadly virus. These measures have contributed to curbing the virus spread at the international level, Zayed said. In the past weeks, Egypt had upped preventive measures at all entry points nationwide to combat a global outbreak of the China originated disease. The epidemic has killed over 3,000 people worldwide, with the vast majority in mainland China. It has infected a near 90,000 globally, with infections hitting every continent except Antarctica. Search Keywords: Short link: Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as people slept early on Tuesday, shredding at least 140 buildings and killing at least 22 people. Authorities described painstaking efforts to find survivors in piles of rubble and wrecked basements as the death toll climbed. One twister caused severe damage across a 10-mile (16 km) stretch of downtown Nashville, wrecking businesses and homes and destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church. Another erased homes from their foundations along a two-mile (3.2 km) path in Putnam County. Daybreak revealed a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, leaving city streets in gridlock. Schools, courts, transit lines, an airport and the state Capitol were closed. More than a dozen polling stations were damaged, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at alternative sites. The death toll jumped to 22 on Tuesday as first responders gingerly pulled apart the wreckage, hoping to find people alive in the rubble of their homes. Putnam Sheriff Eddie Farris said only 30 per cent of the disaster area had a "hard check" by mid-day. "A lot of these homes had basements and we're hopeful there are still people down in there," he said. Nashville residents walked around in dismay as emergency crews closed off roads. Roofs had been torn off apartment buildings, large trees uprooted and debris littered many sidewalks. Walls were peeled away, exposing living rooms and kitchens in damaged homes. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. President Donald Trump announced plans to visit the disaster area on Friday. "We send our love and our prayers of the nation to every family that was affected," he said. "We will get there, and we will recover, and we will rebuild, and we will help them." The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms that stretched from Alabama into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, the twister's path was mostly north and east of the heart of downtown, sparing many of its biggest tourism draws the honky tonks of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry House, the storied Ryman Auditorium, and the convention center. Instead the storm tore through areas transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out longtime residents. Metro Nashville police said crews were responding to about 40 building collapses in their area. Putnam authorities said an aerial tour revealed more than 100 structures destroyed or damaged. With more than a dozen Super Tuesday locations in Nashville's Davidson County damaged, voters were sent to other locations, some of them with long lines. Tennessee's Secretary of State delayed opening polls in the disaster area for an hour, but said they would close as scheduled Tuesday night. "Anyone that wants to vote, we want to create an opportunity for you," Davidson County elections administrator Jeff Roberts said. Because poll workers will be navigating through a damaged city to deliver results Tuesday night, he said the tallying may take longer than anticipated. A reported gas leak forced an evacuation of the IMT building in Germantown, according to WSMV-TV. Dozens of people, suddenly homeless, were seen carrying their belongings through garbage-strewn streets after the tornado blew through. Schools were closed in Nashville and beyond. Nashville Electric tweeted that four of its substations were damaged in the tornado. More than 44,000 customers lost power early Tuesday, the utility company said. The tornado blew down a major Tennesee Valley Authority transmission line in Putnam County, and also damaged gas lines, water mains and cell phone towers, making the recovery much more difficult, authorities said. Hundreds of people went to a Red Cross shelter for displaced residents at the Nashville Farmers Market, just north of the state capitol, but a power outage there forced them to move again to the Centennial Sportsplex. The storm system left just scattered rain in its wake as it moved eastward. Strong cells capable of causing damage were spotted in central Alabama, eastern Tennessee and the western Carolinas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An idea mooted to see if two border guarding forces SSB and ITBP could be merged is now not under consideration, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday. Five MPs had asked the Union Home Ministry if the government was considering to merge the SSB with the ITBP. "An idea was mooted for considering the possibilities of merger of ITBP and SSB and informal consultations were held in this regard. However, no such proposal is under consideration, at present," Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. PTI had first reported in January this year that a committee of the Directors General of central paramilitary forces and special secretary (internal security) in the Home Ministry is looking into the issue of merging some forces to make them leaner, fighting fit and task-oriented for a specific border guarding role or a specialised counter-terrorist task. The committee was looking at two mergers: ITBP and SSB; and the National Security Guard with the Central Reserve Police Force. While the 90,000-personnel-strong ITBP is tasked to guard the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control with China, the SSB mans two open Indian borders with Nepal (1,751 km) and Bhutan (699 km). The minister also said the government has approved a modernisation plan-III for all Central Armed Police Forces (including SSB and ITBP) for equipping them with advanced weapons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jules Kay, director of Asia Property Awards under PropertyGuru The GEM Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, the citys largest conference place, will host the countrys leading annual real estate gala event, which is set to be held on Friday, August 7. The general public is encouraged to submit their nominations through June 5 online here. Nearly 50 accolades are at stake at the 2020 PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards, including honours for the countrys Best Developer, Best Boutique Developer, Best Sustainable Developer, Best Breakthrough Developer, Best Lifestyle Developer, Best Commercial Developer, Best Hospitality Developer, Best Industrial Developer, and Best Mixed-use Developer. There will be development awards for outstanding new properties in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Phu Quoc, Khanh Hoa, and Halong Bay, as well as Best Green Development, various design, and some special awards for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and for Building Communities. Nominations are expected to cover breakthroughs in development and design as well as achievements in niche property segments for which one of Southeast Asias most active real estate markets is increasingly known. An independent panel of experts will deliberate on these nominations, led by returning awards chairperson Thien Duong, managing director at Transform Architecture. Following a hugely successful gala event at the InterContinental Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City last year, the PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards move to the GEM Centre in 2020 is notable, since the event is expected to host the largest number of guests ever for the prestigious competition, as it continues to influence the local property market by elevating the standard of quality. The Sixth PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards itself is expected to draw in more than 600 guests, including top brass from development firms and execs in property consultancy, construction, marketing, proptech, law, finance, architecture, and design. The developers receiving PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards in 2019 Key dates for the 2020 edition are: February 4, 2020 Nominations and Entries Open; June 5, 2020 Nominations Close; June 12, 2020 Entries Close; June 22-July 3, 2020 Site Inspections; July 7 or 8, 2020 Final Judging; August 7, 2020 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; November 20, 2020 Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand. The PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards began in 2015 with 400 developers, VIPs and real estate professionals from all over Vietnam converging in Ho Chi Minh City to watch the nations top developers and best developments vie for 21 accolades. The 2019 edition of the PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards presented 62 trophies and 39 Highly Commended citations to the countrys outstanding companies and properties. These included five new Developer awards that recognised the countrys niche property segments. Gamuda Land Vietnams chairman Cheong Ho Kuan was also honoured as the 2019 Vietnam Real Estate Personality of the Year. Meanwhile, the chief executive of two-time Best Developer (Vietnam) winner CapitaLand Vietnam, Chen Lian Pang, was honoured at the regional grand final following his win as Vietnam Real Estate Personality of the Year in 2016. The 30-year property development and construction veteran received the 2019 PropertyGuru Icon Award at the 14th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in November, in Bangkok, Thailand. Vietnam hauled four regional trophies at the 2019 Grand Final, including Best Office Development (Asia) for CapitaLand Vietnams grade-A commercial project Capital Place. The 2020 PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards is supported by the industrys leading brands, including returning platinum sponsor Kohler; official portal partner Batdongsan.com.vn; official magazine PropertyGuru Property Report; media partner Vietnam News; official PR partner T&H Communications; official airline partner Thai Airways; and official supervisor BDO, one of the worlds largest auditing and accounting firms. For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com. Rochester supporters of Amy Klobuchar responded with disappointment to the Minnesota senator's decision to drop out of the presidential race, praising her performance but acknowledging that she probably didn't have a path to the Democratic nomination. Despite a strong showing at times, particularly in New Hampshire, where she finished a strong third, Klobuchar was plagued by weak name recognition against her better-known opponents and was never able to overcome it, supporters said. One supporter said she feared that Klobuchar's gender may also have worked against her, a sign that the country may still not be ready to elect a woman president. "We knew her in Minnesota, but the rest of the country did not have a chance to really get to know her," said Mary Petersson, a former Rochester City Council member. Klobuchar's decision came a day after former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg withdrew from the race, clearing the moderate lane of the Democratic nominating contest and delivering a boost to Joe Biden's electoral prospects. Klobuchar endorsed Biden, and Buttigieg was expected to. ADVERTISEMENT "I'm sad she dropped out, but one of the things that I like about Amy is that she's a team player," said Rochester supporter Angie Gupta. "I suspect that this is a move intended to help the Democratic team." Pernell Plath Meier, a Rochester DFL activist, said she believes Klobuchar and Buttigieg threw their support behind Biden out of the belief that the former vice president represents the best chance of stopping Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders, a concern that has grown as Super Tuesday has neared. "There's some panic in the air," said Meier, a supporter of Elizabeth Warren. "There is concern about a down-ballot drag from Sanders. There's some coalescing around the concept that we need someone else besides Sanders." Klobuchar's announcement came a day before Super Tuesday, when more than a third of all delegates for the Democratic National Convention are up for grabs. But it meant that those who voted for Klobuchar would be unable to change their votes, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a tweet. Deb Staley, a past chairwoman of Senate District 26, voted for Klobuchar, but said she did not feel deprived of a chance to vote for the Democratic nominee by Klobuchar's late withdrawal. "It was a very hard decision for her," she said. Staley said the disruption of a Klobuchar rally Sunday night by "Black Lives Matter" protesters may have added to her decision to bow out. "There are some people who want a perfect candidate," she said. "There is no perfect candidate." ADVERTISEMENT The possibility that Klobuchar would lose her home state may also have been a factor in her decision. Meier was busy Monday canvasing Rochester neighborhoods, seeking to drum up support for Warren. She said she was struck by the number of voters she encountered who expressed support for Biden, believing he represented the best shot of unifying the party and stopping Sanders. "To be completely honest, that was always the message," Meier said. "I think they thought that Biden had the best chance of stopping Sanders." Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Growing a company is always difficult, but when that growth crosses borders, scores of new challenges arise. As globalization accelerates, companies to able to navigate the challenges of international business will have real opportunities to get ahead. Alibaba is a prime example. Named the most valuable brand outside the U.S. last year, the multinational e-commerce, retail, internet, and technology giant was founded in China in 1999, and has since expanded into a global company with a market cap of around $560 billion. But along the way, Alibaba has had growing pains just like any other company. To learn how its team worked through those challenges, I spoke with John Caplan, the companys Chief Growth Officer. We discussed how entrepreneurs can tackle three of multinational companies' most common hurdles. Adopt a rigorous system for documenting internal communication especially when there are language barriers The rise of collaboration software has made it much easier for us to communicate with team memberseven if theyre working from different offices. But for multinational companies, language barriers still pose significant challenges. A 2012 Economist Intelligence Unit Report showed that nearly half of the 572 senior executives interviewed admitted that "messages lost in translation have halted major international business deals for their companies. When language barriers exist, communicating through multiple mediums can be like playing a game of telephone. As a message gets passed along, it can change slightly based on each individual's translations and perceptions. This was something Alibaba realized as they began to do business beyond the Chinese market, so now, Caplan says, "We're pretty disciplined and rigorous about both documenting what someone said and being very precise about what we heard and learned because ambiguity can lead to inadvertent error, and we work really hard to avoid that. Whether its having a translator on your calls to take notes and file them properly or making sure to pair your bilingual employees with those who are working from regions outside of headquarters, it is crucial to adopt a particularly stringent company-wide process of documentation. Related: Impact Of Ethnic Diversity And Multiculturalism In Corporate Culture Geographical differences can impact your hiring process but identify core traits employees should have Fostering effective communication isnt just about employees speaking the same language or even working out of the same office space. It starts earlier than that in the hiring process. Finding employees that fit your company culture (and add to it) is crucial in ensuring that employees can work together seamlessly. Of course, this is a particularly challenging task for multinational companies. Every locality has its own systems and values, and you can't always perfectly sync cultural norms across international borders. In Caplans experience at Alibaba, he's found it vital to be willing to get outside your comfort zone. It is true that there are cultural differences in terms of cultural norms, rituals, habits that take some getting used to," he says. "I have dressed up in a spacesuit and gone on stage at an Alibaba conference in front of thousands of people and danced around. You know, in my career, I've never had to do that before. The point is, people may interact and conduct themselves differently across borders, but being open to nuances in communications and expectations will make it significantly easier to integrate your company across borders. And in the end, what's most important is that every hire embraces and emobodies the core values of your company. There's a set of values that operate at Alibaba that, regardless of whether you speak Mandarin as your first language or English as a first language, actually transcend geography, Caplan says. Related: 3 Tips for Managing a Cross-Cultural Workforce To build corporate culture, emphasize deep personal communication According to a 2105 survey of over 1400 CEOs and CFOs on corporate culture, 92% of respondents believed that improving their companys corporate culture would improve the value of the company. But that can be tough for multinational companies whose employees have never met. Caplan agrees, There is some real value in sitting next to your colleagues and being in the lunchroom together. But obviously, you cant share every meal with your colleagues across the globe, so establishing a corporate culture of personal communication is even more crucial for multinational companies. Instead of just sending messages over Slack, take the time once in a while to get on a call even if its not absolutely necessary. Give your employees time to engage in more casual chat at the beginning of business call. This might seem like a time sink at first, but it really is a good way to have your team build more personal relationships. And though you clearly can't fly your employees overseas every day, it can be immensely helpful to do it periodically so that every team member can truly put a name to a face. Related: The Unique Cultures of 10 Hugely Successful Companies Related: Alibaba's Chief Growth Officer On 3 Critical Challenges For International Companies How to Know When to Hire an International Team Countries Around the World Make Moves to Decriminalize Cannabis Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved India has suspended all regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before March 3 and who have not yet entered India with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian embassy/consulate, the health ministry said. The decision comes in the backdrop of emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19, to restrict travel to affected countries. The revised travel advisory states that the suspension of regular (sticker) visa/e-Visa granted to nationals of People's Republic of China, issued on or before February 5 remains in force. Also read: Coronavirus update: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads Similarly, regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to People's Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1 and who have not yet entered India also stand suspended with immediate effect. The ministry said that diplomats, officials of UN and other international bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from the above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory. The advisory reiterates that passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history to health officials and immigration officials at all ports. Also read: Hyatt Regency in Delhi warns coronavirus patient dined at restaurant Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry too. The ministry said Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. Also read: Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present Dublin, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Agricultural Biologicals Market by Function (Biocontrol, Biofertilizers, Biostimulants), Product Type (Microbials, Macrobials, Semiochemicals, Natural), Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil and Seed Treatment), Crop Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global agricultural biologicals market size is estimated to account for a value of USD 8.8 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.6%, reaching a value of USD 18.9 billion by 2025. The demand for agricultural biologicals is increasing due to the growing trend of sustainable agriculture and the rising demand for organic food products worldwide. The registration of these products is one of the major restrains that is projected to hinder the growth of this market. Strict government regulations and less guidance discourage the companies to get their bioproducts registered, which inhibits the commercialization of new products The biocontrol segment, by function, is projected to be the fastest-growing in the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period The increasing instances of pest infestations on crops around the globe are driving the market for biocontrol. The rising use of biopesticides to control insect pests have increased the market value for biocontrol in the biologicals market. Biocontrol products are not toxic to the environment unlike their chemical counterpart and only affect the target pests without harming other beneficial insects. The requirement of biocontrol products in micro quantities offers cost-benefits to end-users, which is projected to drive the growth of the market. By crop type, the fruits & vegetables segment is projected to be the fastest-growing in the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period The increased global consumption of organic fruits and vegetables has resulted in the dominance of this segment in the agricultural biologicals market. The rise in exports has encouraged farmers to increase the productivity and yield of fruits and vegetables. The use of biostimulants is effective in producing uniform shaped and nutritive fruits. The cost-effective biostimulants and biofertilizers, unlike their synthetic counterparts, has led to an increase in their adoption rate among small farmers in the Asia Pacific regions. By region, the North American market is projected to dominate the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period The shift toward sustainable agriculture and the introduction of favorable government regulations in the North American market are some of the factors that are projected to contribute to the growth of the agricultural biologicals market. The North American market is a major producer of field crops, such as wheat and corn. These crops are highly susceptible to insect pests, which affect the yield and productivity. To maintain the yield and meet the growing demand, the usage of biocontrol methods remains high in North America. Key Topics Covered 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Overview of the Agricultural Biologicals Market 4.2 Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Function 4.3 North America: Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Function and Key Country 4.4 Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Function and Region 4.5 Key Markets, By Key Country 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Macro indicators 5.3 Increase in Organic Agricultural Practices 5.4 Declining Trend of Manufacturing Conventional Fertilizers 5.5 Market Dynamics 5.5.1 Drivers 5.5.1.1 Regulatory Pressures and Harmful Effects Associated With Synthetic Plant Protection Products 5.5.1.2 High Costs Associated With the Development of Synthetic Crop Protection Products 5.5.1.3 Growing Preference for Organic Products to Drive the Adoption of Biologicals in Farming 5.5.2 Restraints 5.5.2.1 Technological and Environmental Constraints for the Use of Biologicals 5.5.3 Opportunities 5.5.3.1 Advancements in Microbial Research Undertaken By Key Players Across Regions to Drive the Market Growth 5.5.3.2 Adoption of Agricultural Biologicals in Developing Countries 5.5.4 Challenges 5.5.4.1 High Preference for Agrochemicals Among Farmers Across Regions to Inhibit the Market Growth 5.5.4.2 Presence of Counterfeit Products in the Market Across Regions to Inhibit the Market Growth 5.6 Supply Chain Analysis 5.7 Value Chain Analysis 5.8 Patent Analysis 5.9 Regulatory Framework 5.9.1 US 5.9.2 Canada 5.9.3 Europe 5.9.4 India 5.9.5 Australia 6 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Function 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Crop Protection 6.2.1 Biocontrol 6.2.1.1 The Usage of Biocontrol Methods in Integrated Pest Management Programs is Projected to Drive the Growth of the Market 6.3 Crop Enhancement 6.3.1 Biofertilizers 6.3.1.1 The Ability of Biofertilizers to Enhance the Fertility of the Soil is A Major Factor That Fuels Their Demand 6.3.2 Biostimulants 6.3.2.1 The Increase in Seaweed Production in Europe to Drive the Biostimulants Market in That Region 7 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Product Type 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Microbials 7.2.1 The Ability to Increase the Nutrient Availability in the Soil and Enhance Plant Yield to Drive the Growth of the Microbials Market 7.3 Macrobials 7.3.1 Requirement for High-End Distribution Logistics Hampers the Growth of Macrobials 7.4 Semiochemicals 7.4.1 The Features of Non-Toxicity and Efficiency to Drive the Demand for Semiochemicals 7.5 Natural Products 7.5.1 Increasing Requirement for Sustainable Agriculture to Drive the Demand for Natural Products 8 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Mode of Application 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Foliar Spray 8.2.1 Foliar Sprays are Effective Due to Their Direct Action on Leaves 8.3 Seed Treatment 8.3.1 Seed Treatment Increases Yield and Protects Seeds From Early Season 8.4 Soil Treatment 8.4.1 The Cost of Crop Enhancement Method Acts as A Barrier for Adopting Soil Treatment Solutions 9 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Crop Type 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Macroindicators 9.2.1 Adoption of Organic Agricultural Crops Across the Globe 9.2.2 Ban on the Use of Chemical-Based Pesticides 9.3 Cereals & Grains 9.3.1 Wheat is One of the Most Targeted Cereals for Pests 9.4 Oilseeds & Pulses 9.4.1 The Demand for Biostimulants Remains High With an Increase in Yield and Productivity of Canola 9.5 Fruits & Vegetables 9.5.1 The Increasing Export of Nutrient-Rich Fruits is Projected to Drive the Market Growth for Biostimulants 9.6 Other Crop Types 9.6.1 Biofertilizers to Increase the Quality of Lawns and Turf Grasses 10 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Region 10.1 Introduction 10.2 North America 10.2.1 US 10.2.1.1 Favorable Regulatory Frameworks Enable Convenient Registration of Biocontrol in the US 10.2.2 Canada 10.2.2.1 Aphids and Moths are the Major Damage Causing Insects to Canola in Canada 10.2.3 Mexico 10.2.3.1 The Demand for Manure is Projected to Drive the Growth of the Biofertilizers Segment in Mexico 10.3 Europe 10.3.1 Germany 10.3.1.1 Increasing Organic Farming in Germany has Led to A Surge in Demand for Agricultural Biologicals in the Region 10.3.2 France 10.3.2.1 Increased Government Initiatives are Encouraging the Use of Biocontrol in the French Market 10.3.3 Spain 10.3.3.1 Increased Infestation of Citrus has Led to A Surge in the Use of Biologicals in Spain 10.3.4 Italy 10.3.4.1 Increase in Focus on Integrated Pest Management is Projected to Drive the Market Growth 10.3.5 UK 10.3.5.1 Naturally Occurring Seaweed-Based Biofertilizers to Drive the Growth of Biofertilizers in the UK 10.3.6 Rest of Europe 10.3.6.1 The Increase in the Production of Vegetable Crops to Meet the Growing Domestic Demand is Driving the Growth of the Market 10.4 Asia Pacific 10.4.1 China 10.4.1.1 The Increase in Grower Acceptance to Drive the Demand for Biocontrol 10.4.2 Japan 10.4.2.1 New Product Launches That Cater to the Need for Sustainable Agriculture to Drive the Market Growth in Japan 10.4.3 India 10.4.3.1 Favorable Government Regulations to Drive the Market for Biocontrol in India 10.4.4 Australia 10.4.4.1 Impact of Pathogens on the Australian Horticulture Industry to Drive the Growth of the Biocontrol Segment in the Market 10.4.5 Rest of Asia Pacific 10.4.5.1 The Production of Vegetable Crops to Cater to the Growing Domestic Demand is Driving the Growth of the Market 10.5 South America 10.5.1 Brazil 10.5.1.1 Increasing Awareness and the Adoption of Organic Methods for Cultivation to Drive the Market Growth 10.5.2 Argentina 10.5.2.1 The Deteriorating Agricultural Conditions in Argentina are Rapidly Recovering With the Use of Biocontrol, Biofertilizers, and Agricultural Technology Solutions 10.5.3 Rest of South America 10.5.3.1 Less Nitrogen Content in Soils to Drive the Market for Biofertilizers in the Rest of South American Countries 10.6 Rest of the World (RoW) 10.6.1 South Africa 10.6.1.1 A Large Number of Organic Farmers and Supportive Government Policies to Widen the Scope of the Biological Industry in the Country 10.6.2 Others in RoW 10.6.2.1 Countries Looking Forward to Increase the Agricultural Outputs With Sustainable Farming Practices and Organic Alternatives 11 Competitive Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Competitive Leadership Mapping 11.2.1 Visionary Leaders 11.2.2 Innovators 11.2.3 Dynamic Differentiators 11.2.4 Emerging Companies 11.3 Start-Up Microquadrant 11.3.1 Progressive Companies 11.3.2 Starting Blocks 11.3.3 Responsive Companies 11.3.4 Dynamic Companies 11.4 Ranking of Key Players, 2018 11.5 Competitive Scenario 11.5.1 New Product Launches 11.5.2 Expansions 11.5.3 Acquisitions 11.5.4 Agreements and Collaborations 12 Company Profiles 12.1 BASF SE 12.2 Isagro S.p.A. 12.3 Syngenta Crop Protection AG 12.4 Bayer AG 12.5 UPL 12.6 Marrone Bio Innovations 12.7 Evogene Ltd. 12.8 Vegalab S.A. 12.9 Lallemand 12.1 Valent Biosciences 12.11 Stockton Bio-AG 12.12 Biolchim S.p.A. 12.13 Rizobacter 12.14 Valagro 12.15 Koppert Biological Systems 12.16 Symborg 12.17 Andermatt Biocontrol AG 12.18 Seipasa 12.19 Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC 12.20 Biobest Group N.V. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xr33kz Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. After 25 years of handling real cases and real people, the wildly popular reality court show, Judge Judy will be coming to an end. Judge Judy Sheindlin made the official announcement that the courtroom show would be ending with its 25th season during her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 2. Ever since Judge Judy made its television debut in 1996, the show has gone on to win three Emmy awards for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program, earned some of the highest ratings among courtroom television programming, and averages 10 million viewers daily. After nearly three decades of airtime and 24 seasons of classic Judge Judy sass and entertaining courtroom drama, Judge Judy has earned its place among the most iconic and memorable daytime television programs to date. As a matter of fact, Sheindlin herself is the highest paid television personality as of 2020. Judy Sheindlin | Photo by Peter Kramer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images How has televisions favorite reality court show, led by a no-nonsense judge radiating with sharp wit and armed with a gavel and a silver tongue, changed over the years? How did she develop her legal career, both televised and off the air? How has Sheindlins salary changed over the years? Keep reading to learn more about how Judge Judy got her start and how her salary as a television personality has changed throughout the years: Judy Sheindlin was the only woman in a class of 126 students in law school On Judge Judy, Sheindlin is especially famous for handling cases with her strong personality and tough demeanor. Being a Brooklyn native, it would only make sense for Sheindlin to carry that famous New York spunk to Washington D.C. where she attended college at the School of Government at American University. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts, having majored in government, Sheindlin began her law career at American Universitys College of Law, where she was the only woman in a class of over a hundred students. She went on to complete her law school education at New York Law School in Tribeca, NY, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1965. Sheindlin has no shortage of academic achievements, having also earned honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, New York Law School, and University at Albany, SUNY. She sparked her career and began to practice law in Manhattan as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics firm, but found herself dissatisfied with her position and left the practice to raise her two children. A few years later, however, a friend from law school informed her of an opening within the New York courts. Sheindlin was a perfect fit as a prosecutor for the family court system, quickly earning herself a reputation as an assertive, no-nonsense attorney. This reputation inspired Mayor Ed Koch to appoint Sheindlin as a criminal court judge and four years later, she rose to the position of supervising judge in the Manhattan division of the family court. After Sheindlins father passed away in 1990, her loss had a profound effect on her, granting her a new sense of mission and purpose: to dispense justice firmly and fairly. Within the next few years, Sheindlin began to attract media attention. In early 1993, The Los Angeles Times painted her a steadfast justice-seeking superwoman with a soft spot in her heart for underdogs and a mission to transform the legal system into something that benefits the common good. After nearly three decades of practicing family law and hearing over 20,000 cases, Sheindlin retired from practicing law, but would soon return to the judges stand to dispense justice in a completely new way. Judith Sheindlin | Photo by Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Judge Judy first aired in September 1996 After becoming an even bigger apple of the public eye with a 60 Minutes special on Sheindlins career and the publication of her first book, Dont Pee on My Leg and Tell Me Its Raining, she was approached about potentially presiding over her own courtroom on a reality courtroom series with legitimate cases and actual rulings. Sheindlin accepted the offer and the very first episode of Judge Judy aired in the fall of 1996. After a rocky start, the show experienced a rapid rate of success. The third season of Judge Judy cemented the shows popularity with daytime television viewers, with ratings transcending past both The Jerry Springer Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show, becoming the highest-rated daytime television program for the first time. Judge Judy revolves around small claims cases that Sheindlin adjudicates. Typically these are civil cases between neighbors, former lovers, friends, and family members. With the combination of Sheindlins brutally candid, strict demeanor and the daily variety of wildly entertaining courtroom drama, daytime television audiences were enamored with Judy Sheindlin. By August 1999, Judge Judy had seven million viewers weekly. Less than a decade after Judge Judy first aired on television, Judy Sheindlin was earning a salary of $25 million annually. After presiding over her own courtroom for over two decades, Sheindlins annual salary nearly doubled to $47 million. As of 2020, Judy Sheindlin is reported to have a net worth of $420 million. Whats next for Judge Judy Sheindlin? With Judge Judy currently in its 24th season, CBS Television Distribution plans to continue to air new episodes through the remainder of the 2020-2021 television series. After this, CBS will no longer produce new episodes and will, instead, air reruns from the past two decades. Ive had a 25-year-long marriage with CBS and its been successful, said Sheindlin in her interview with Ellen DeGeneres. Next year will be our 25th season, silver anniversary, and CBS, I think, sort of felt they wanted to optimally utilize the repeats of my program, because now they have 25 years of reruns. So what they decided to do was to sell a couple of years worth of reruns. While her time as a judge on CBS hit reality court series has come to an end, Sheindlin is far from entering retirement. In fact, Sheindlin even teased a new upcoming television show on Ellen: Im not tired. So Judy Justice will be coming out a year later, Sheindlin explained, The following couple of years, you should be able to catch all the reruns that are currently carrying Judy, and Judy Justice will be going elsewhere. Isnt that fun? It seems only fitting that one of the, if not the, toughest judges on reality court television programs would have more fight in her in the name of the legal system. While details surrounding the upcoming series Judy Justice, have yet to emerge, fans can rest at ease knowing their favorite Brooklyn legal superheroine will be back on the television screen, serving justice once again in the very near future. Read more: What is Judge Judys Net Worth in 2018? The Ebola epidemic is still ongoing in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it has killed 2,264 people since August 2018 Their continent has so far only registered two coronavirus cases, but sub-Saharan African governments are looking to their experience with Ebola as they prepare their fragile public systems for outbreaks of the new virus. In 2014, an Ebola outbreak stormed West Africa, leaving more than 11,000 dead mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and also reaching Nigeria and Mali. Then, the World Health Organization was criticised for what some saw as a delayed response to what became the worst Ebola epidemic ever recorded. Now the WHO is holding two simultaneous regional meetings on the coronavirus in Dakar and Nairobi with the United Nations and international partners, said a source familiar with the meetings. The objective: "share information", "support countries", "pool resources". Only two cases have been recorded in sub-Saharan AfricaSenegal on Monday and Nigeria last weeksince the virus broke out in China in December. So far, Covid-19 cases have risen to more than 90,900 worldwide, including over 3,100 deaths, across 76 countries and territories, according to a report gathered by AFP from official sources. "The Ebola epidemics have enabled (African) countries to have a base on which we can rely in preparation for Covid-19," said WHO's Michel Yao. Yao, the agency's Africa director of emergency programmes, said countries would benefit from their experience in border detection systems for suspected cases and isolation and treatment structures at airports. Health ministries are also obliged to apply the WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR), which require them to be able to report epidemics and cases early, said Pierre-Marie Girard at the Paris-based Pasteur Institute Foundation. Confronted with multiple diseasesmalaria, cholera, measles, as well as Ebolamost African countries are struggling with fragile public healthcare systems. Parts of Africa also face conflict, crowded cities with inadequate sanitation, rickety governance and porous bordersall of which provide excellent opportunities for the virus to spread. According to the World Bank, health spending amounted in 2016 to $78 per inhabitant in sub-Saharan Africa compared with a world average of $1,026, with a peak of $9,351 in North America and $3,846 in the European Union. But the lessons of Ebola offer some guidance. "With the Ebola epidemic, we can assume that health systems, cooperation and communication platforms and 'monitoring' have developed more," said Dorian Job, a doctor and programme manager for MSF (Doctors Without Borders) in Burkina, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon. "There is better monitoring, better follow up and it will certainly help." Prevention measures taken from the Ebola crisis could help, experts say Possible vaccines The Ebola epidemic is still ongoing in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it has killed 2,264 people since August 2018. But no new cases have been recorded for 13 days, a development welcomed by the WHO. The authorities however still have to wait a total of 42 days without new cases to declare the end of the epidemic. To prevent the arrival of coronavirus, Congolese health authorities are already testing the temperature of travellers as soon as they get off the plane at Kinshasa airport, or when they cross the Congo river from Brazzaville. "The measures we have taken to fight against Ebola are the same measures as those we have taken against the coronavirus, namely hygiene and hand washing," said Congolese professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, head of the anti-Ebola response team. With financial assistance from Japan, Kinshasa has also just launched a "diagnostic and research centre" within its National Institute for Biological Research (INRB). In early February, only South Africa and Senegal had laboratories able to test suspected cases of coronavirus. WHO has since supplied equipment to around 40 countries to help them prepare. More than 300,000 people have been vaccinated in response to the Ebola epidemic in eastern DR Congo, another illustration of the country's response. "WHO says we're going to take advantage of the Ebola experience to speed up the Covid-19 vaccine and drugs," said Muyembe. Several companies and institutes in Australia, China, France, Germany and the United States are racing to develop a vaccinea process that usual takes years. Better prepared In West Africa, health systems are still marked by the most serious Ebola epidemic in history and what they learned in the process. "Our preparedness is better because of the lessons learned from the Ebola crisis," said Mosoka P. Fallah, the director general of the National Institute of Public Health in Liberia. Liberia has put in place "nine strategic pillars" to prepare its response to the coronavirus, Fallah said. "All the people at the head of each of the pillars derive their experience from Ebola." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, Im in my late 30s. Im still close with my childhood best friend I met when I was 10. We live in different states. Leading up to her divorce last year, we talked on the phone several days each week for about an hour each time. I was basically her sounding board and cheerleader. Advertisement I thought her crisis would end after she and her kids settled into a post-divorce home and life. It didnt. She still called regularly in distress, often over whatever guy she was dating, even if shed only known him for a few weeks. I started to ease off the phone calls, but we still talked weekly and texted multiple times a day. Then, in her second serious relationship since the divorce, she cheated on her boyfriend after deciding to leave himand lied to him to cover it up. Shed done something similar before her divorce, too. I talked to her about it, commenting that it seemed like she used him because she was afraid to be alone. She said she felt no guilt since she broke up with him shortly after cheating. She also reminded me that words hurt, and she needs to not feel judged with all shes gone through. I dont think holding a close friend accountable is judging and tried to explain. She said that I should of course speak up if I see her doing something bad, but she didnt need my feedback on this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a few weeks of only having short, superficial conversations, we talked. Not only is she back together with the guy she cheated on (and had complained about the entire duration of their short relationship), but theyre in love, and shes talking as if shes going to be with him for life. She never came clean about the cheating and lying. She said itd be selfish to tell him, since itd hurt his feelings and the only purpose would be to clear her conscience. How do I proceed? Ive tried to be her friend as normal, but men are always central to any conversation she wants to have, and it definitely bothers me to hear about him. Every time she tells me about some nice thing he does, I catch myself thinking, I bet he wouldnt be doing that if he knew you cheated! Is this a sign that we just have different values and priorities? Shes also talked about wanting to come visit me and bring him. I didnt say so, but Im not interested in putting myself in that situation while I feel this way. I was her maid of honor in her first wedding, and in the past, shes made comments saying Ill have to do the job twice. I dont think Id want to stand in her second wedding if its to this guy who she cheated on and lied to so early on without ever coming clean. I might be jumping the gun even thinking about it, but she seems keen to rush things. Am I ruining a 25-plus year friendship because Im being too judgmental? Advertisement My Best Friends Wedding Get How to Do It in Your Inbox Sex advice from Stoya and Rich, plus letter follow-ups, delivered weekly. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Dear MBFW, Nope. You are being totally reasonable here. Advertisement Advertisement Lets talk about friendship, even though thats not exactly the scope of this column. Friendsreal friendsdo hold each other accountable. Fake friends are the ones wholl tell us were doing great, sweetie, and our behavior is perfect, and basically never do the work of reminding us to inhabit the better aspects of ourselves or give us pushback when were being unreasonable. In my estimation, youre trying your best to be a good friend. I havent experienced divorce myself, but Ive seen a few. Divorces can send people into a tailspin of self-centeredness and frantic attempts to self-soothe. The validation and security a person had became accustomed to can leave a gaping void when a partnership dissolves. Your friend is hurting, and acting like a jerk to this guyand to you. My gut says she is using this guy. And shes definitely using you for emotional support. This is a genuine question: How much support has your friend given you lately? Advertisement Advertisement If I were in your place, Id send her a letter or an email. Id explain that I do not support her behavior or treatment of her boyfriend, and express a new boundaryno dating talk. No more sympathetic ears for her sexual and romantic woes. And definitely no hosting her with the guy shes taking for a ride. If your friend comes to her senses, thats awesomeyou can start rebuilding your friendship. If she doubles down on her insistence that your actions are judgmental, you might want to take some time off from each other. A break doesnt have to be the end of the friendship, but it might take some of the pressure off of you and help her realize how far out of bounds shes gotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear How to Do It, While talking about a trip to Nevada with my girlfriend, I jokingly asked if we could make a stop at a brothel. She said that it was fine, and seemed OK when I asked again seriously, as long as I did it solo. I plan on talking to my girlfriend more about it to make sure were on the same page. But I cant really find much information about going about the whole business, with or without her. What should I expect when visiting a brothel, and how would I even act? Ive tried looking for answers online, but I cant find much information. Brothel Questions Dear Brothel Questions, It is a good idea to check in with your girlfriend again about this, but to answer your actual question, I reached out directly to the source: pornographer and Nevada brothel worker Kimberly Kane. She had a lot of useful stuff to say. Honestly, youre not alone, she wrote in response to your question. There isnt a ton of information about brothel etiquette online. Advertisement Here is her advice, edited slightly: You say youre taking a trip to Nevadaare you driving or flying? Keep in mind that brothels are in rural or unincorporated areas because of the brothel zoning laws. Youll need to drive to the brothel or ask the brothel if they have a car service. If possible, drive yourself. Some brothels offer clients complimentary pickup and drop-off but will tack on a high percentage to the total amount of your visit, making it more expensive. I work at the Bunny Ranch, where rides are 100 percent free of charge (but ALWAYS tip the driver). When planning a trip to a brothel, its best to start your research on the brothels website. There is always a robust FAQ page that can answer a lot of your questions about safety and legality. You can also browse the courtesans profiles to see which lady would be a good match for you. All brothels are open 24/7, and theres always someone available to answer questions and take bookings. Pro tip: When emailing a courtesan, be courteous and professional. Give your name, available dates and times, a brief (nonvulgar) description of the party youd like to have, and your ballpark budget. I always say, pretend youre writing your chiropractor instead of a sexy lady. If you send an unprofessional email, you will most likely not get a good response or any response at all. Even though courtesans are licensed and legal in parts of Nevada, they cant solicit sex online. Every courtesan has her own rates, and if youre nice, prices are negotiable in-house. Keep in mind that whatever your budget is, the house takes half, so be conscious of that when budgeting your trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kane wrote that a brothel is like Disneyland for your genitals, and that level of service should be highly valued. She considered the lowest tier of services as south of four figures, and if thats your budget, she said, I suggest being genuinely kind to the ladies. Nice guys finish first in a brothel. The options increase in price from there: In the midfour digits, you might get to plan a bespoke experience with the special lady of your choice. It doesnt sound like your girlfriend has any interest in joining you, but if that changes, Kane also wrote, Honestly, if you and your partner want to experience a three-way without the headache of navigating it in your community, I highly suggest seeing a courtesan. The most important thing for couples to know when visiting a brothel is to BE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH YOUR PARTNER. If one of you doesnt want to be there, it shows, and its going to be a long, awkward ride back into town. Advertisement Dear How to Do It, Ive had a crush on a work colleague for a while. Although we work for the same company, were in different departments and hardly see each other in person. Last year, he started sending me flirty messages on social media, which quickly turned into very hot (and regular) sexting. He is in an open relationship, and his partner is aware that this has been going on. Weve even had a three-way sext session. The problem is Id like for things to get more physical. He says he wants to as well but is hesitant because hes never been sexually involved with someone from work before. He doesnt think that working together is a complete deal-breaker that stops things from possibly becoming more physical in the future but needs time to get his head around it. In the meantime, he still wants to keep up with the sexting, but this just isnt enough for me anymore, and Im desperate for things to become more physical. To be clear, Im not interested in having anything but a casual hookup with him, and Ive been very upfront about that. What should I do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work and Play Dear Work and Play, What happens if youre offered a promotion, but itd mean moving to this guys department? Are you going to tell your boss that it wouldnt be appropriate because of your sexual relationship and turn down the opportunity? Or will the two of you attempt to cease sexting andpotentiallysexing? In case it isnt clear, I think its a bad idea to continue this workplace liaison. Yeah, sure, people do it all the time. But if everyone does it was enough to assuage your mind, you wouldnt be writing in, would you? There are other hot, crush-worthy humans in the world. Go find one and get going on your groin grind. Advertisement Dear How to Do It, I am a freshman (woman) in college and I want to have sex. Really badly. However, I have zero experience whatsoever. Im not worried about seeming silly or doing something wrongIve gathered that thats pretty much inevitablebut what I am worried about is my firsts. Im a bit of a romantic, and in high school, I had always treasured the hope that I would meet someone I liked who liked me back, they would give me a first kiss I would look back on fondly, and eventually I would have a respectful and enjoyable first time with them. Eventually, I thought, we would part ways, and I would head off to college ready to have pleasurable sexual encounters with whoever I chose, without having to worry about having a tarnished memory of my firsts. Obviously, that dream did not materialize into a reality. But still, I really want my first times to be with someone I know is a good person, who I like, and who I trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I am also incredibly horny. Im not sure if its a human connection thing, or just a hormone thing, but I want to have had sex yesterday. So Im torn between my desire to treasure my special first moments, which has always been important to me, and my desire to get pounded, which is becoming increasingly stronger by the day. Sorry if thats too much. And now Im at college, and it would be so easy to do that! In theory! Honestly, Im really stuck on the kiss thing. I feel like I would be OK losing my virginity to an attractive, respectful, decent person that I didnt have a close bond with, but I really dont want to compromise on the kiss thing. I want my first kiss to be someone who I care about and am attracted to, and who cares about me and is attracted to me. I dont think its unreasonable to want what I want, but my desires are now so opposite each other that I feel that I cant have one without the other. Would it be bad to just sacrifice my first kiss so I can finally start having sex like Ive been dreaming of doing? Should I sex now, kiss later? Where do I go from here? Is there any way I can have my cake and eat it too? Before you suggest masturbation, its just not cutting it anymore. Please help me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Losing It Dear Losing It, Dont make excuses or apologies for your sexual desire. It isnt too much. Well, as long as youre still able to get the rest of your life handled, it isnt too much. Youve put a whole lot of pressure on yourself here. I get itI remember puberty, when it seemed like every other young woman had fantasies of rose-petal-strewn beds, candles, and simultaneous orgasms the very first time. On prom night, no less. Romance can be heady, and were all exposed to so many unrealistic depictions of it that we can encounter difficulty being happy with, well, mediocre. Advertisement What if you find someone where theres mutual care and attraction, and it turns out that their idea of a great kiss is filling your mouth with their flaccid tongue and wiggling it, just a little? Or theyre one of those people who try to suck your lip off like its some kind of flesh oyster? Or they taste bad to you? Is that going to tarnish your memory? I worry that youve built this up so much that youre setting yourself up for disappointment. Advertisement Advertisement Im 33. I havent thought about my first kiss in maybe 15 years. I might not ever have thought of it again if it werent for your question. My first kiss was truly, deeply, meh. It was with a childhood friend who Id started dating. Neither of us knew what we were doing. He pushed his tongue into my mouth and left it limply laying on top of my own. It was kind of gross. I didnt kiss again for somewhere between six months and a year. Kissing just didnt seem that appealing. If I were to have a first kiss again, I would pick someone more experienced. But thats me. And Im not really romantic about rutting. Advertisement You get to have boundaries, and they can be literally whatever you want. Theres a world where you can say to people I want you to go down on me, pound me, make love to me, but I dont want to be kissed. Some people might think thats weird, or have questions about why those are your limits, but you might be able to find someone who is happy to bone you without mouth-to-mouth contact. Who knowsthe sex might help you find the mutual care and attraction that you want to experience the first time you purse up your pecker. Best of luck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stoya More How to Do It Im a late-20s woman. I recently went on few dates with a nice, cute guy, and we hit it off enough that I invited him up after the third date. When we started having sex, all was fine until, when we were marching to the finish, he started saying pretty horrible things to me. First it was whore, then you like that, you stupid slut? and then one other thing Im not even going to type. I was extremely turned off and wish I had said so immediatelyif he had been paying attention to my face at all, he would have noticed. It was weird after, and he left. He is now texting me as if hes confused why I was distant. Others have told me this is more of a tic than anything for a lot of guys. Like, really? Kathaleen Pittman likes to leave the door of her office at Hope Medical Group for Women open at the end of the day. That way she can watch patients leave after their abortions, and absorb the palpable sense of relief in the clinics hallways. Being able to see them before the procedure, after the procedure, and just have them say how grateful they are that they were able to make it in when they did, that just can make all the difference in the world, Pittman says. Aside from the craziness, I absolutely still love this work. Pittman, who has been at Hope since 1992 and is now the clinics administrator, may not be able to do that work much longer. Located in a squat, unassuming building in Shreveport, Louisiana, Hope is one of three abortion clinics left in the state. Its locked in a legal battle with the state and anti-abortion groups that has launched both sides into a national fight over womens rights to an abortion. On March 4, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, in which Hope is a plaintiff. Its the first major abortion case before the nations highest court since President Donald Trumps two justices, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, joined the bench. The courts decision could impact how safely women can access abortion in the U.S. At issue are two legal questions: the validity of a Louisiana law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, and, more broadly, whether abortion providers like Hope have the right to go to court over laws like this one that restrict their services. If the Louisiana law is allowed to stand, Hope might have to close its doors because only one doctor working there would be able to practice, impacting thousands of women who pass by Pittmans door every year. The second question could have even wider implications. Stemming largely from a 1976 Supreme Court decision, abortion providers have been allowed to sue on behalf of their patients. But Louisianas Solicitor General Liz Murrill wants to change that and has asked the Supreme Court to rule that only women seeking abortions can sue, since they are ultimately the ones affected by laws regulating access to abortions. If the court rules in favor of the state, it would make it much more difficult to challenge restrictive abortion laws nationwide. Story continues Kathaleen Pittman in her office at the Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, La. | Kathleen FlynnCenter for Reproductive Rights Bringing these questions before the Supreme Court is part of a broader pattern of conservatives efforts to roll back abortion access in the U.S. How the court rules will have significant effects on laws and litigation underway in several states, including potentially halting numerous challenges to existing laws that restrict abortion access. The decision in this case and the fate of Hope Medical Group for Women is expected to be a bellwether for the future of womens right to choose in a judiciary that Trump has filled with conservative judges. The stakes are extraordinarily high, says Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing the Hope clinic in the case. What we have seen is an almost 50-year campaign to deprive in practice what the promise was of Roe v. Wade. Over the years working at Hope, Pittman has seen plenty of animosity directed at her and her colleagues by anti-abortion activists. Shes watched a makeshift Molotov cocktail that was lobbed at the building fizzle out on the sidewalk. Shes been evacuated with all other staff and patients when a suspicious backpack was left unattended in the yard. She says shes heard about acid injected into the facility through a hole in the door. We always have to be careful and watchful, she says. At the same time, we cant allow that to deter us. That kind of protest has increased in recent years, she says, as the number of clinics has dwindled. Louisiana already has several barriers to abortion access in place, including banning abortion after 22 weeks, requiring in-person counseling before the procedure, and limiting insurance coverage. Those restrictions helped bring the number of clinics in the state down from seven in 2011 to three today, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. The three clinics left performed over 8,000 abortions last year. Most patients are from Louisiana, says Pittman, but about a third come from states where it is also difficult to obtain an abortion like Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and as far away as Nebraska. In 2014, Louisiana passed the Louisiana Unsafe Abortion Protection Act, which said doctors performing abortions in the state must have active admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility. The Center for Reproductive Rights challenged it shortly after, and in 2017, a district court struck down the law. But the state appealed, and the following year, the Fifth Circuit reversed the district courts decision. The Center for Reproductive Rights petitioned the Supreme Court, and in 2019, the nations highest court agreed to hear the case, after the Louisiana Solicitor Generals office had also asked the Supreme Court to also rule on the standing question if it were to take the case. Critics of the law say it is little more than a pretext to close abortion clinics. According to Pittman and others fighting against Louisianas law, admitting privileges dont actually safeguard women. They say that abortions are overwhelmingly safe, and some research backs that up. According to data cited in the district courts 2017 decision, just 0.05% of outpatient abortion procedures performed in the first trimester involve major complications that require hospitalization. The decision also notes that over the last 23 years, Hope, which typically serves more than 3,000 patients per year, has only had four patients who required hospital transfer. Admitting privileges are also notoriously difficult to obtain, opponents sayand are more a product of a business relationship between a hospital and a physician than a health-and-safety measure. Only one doctor at Hope has admitting privileges at a local hospital because he has a full-time hospital job delivering babies in addition to his work at the clinic. He has said he will stop performing abortions if the Supreme Court upholds the law, due to personal safety concerns if he became one of if not the only doctor in the entire state of Louisiana who could provide abortions. Truthfully, one physician cannot handle the need, even if he were to work constantly, says Pittman. She has been trying to get her other physicians admitting privileges since 2014, when the law was passed, but to no avail. The Center for Reproductive Rights Supreme Court Rally on March 2, 2016. | Center for Reproductive Rights When abortion is so safe that you almost never send a patient to a hospital, the hospitals have no financial incentive to give that doctor admitting privileges, says Travis J. Tu, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights and a litigator in the June Medical Services case. And in a state like Louisiana, where hostility towards abortion and abortion providers is rampant, hospitals actually have many disincentives to create a financial admitting privileges relationship. Less than five years ago, the Supreme Court agreed. In the 2016 case Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt, the court ruled 5-3 that a law in Texas that required providers to have admitting privileges and hospital-grade facilities violated the Constitution by placing a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a pre-viability abortion and constitutes an undue burden on abortion access. At the time, the late Justice Antonin Scalias seat sat vacant, and former Justice Anthony Kennedy sided with the courts four liberal justices. The Louisiana case faces a very different court, with two new justices on the bench nominated by President Trump. Scalias seat is now filled by Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh has replaced Kennedy. With Kavanaugh more reliably conservative than perennial swing vote Kennedy, the Supreme Court now has a solid 5-4 conservative majority to consider this case. Interested parties on both sides of the issue are wrestling with whether the courts traditional respect for precedent will prevail, leading the court to stand by the Whole Womans Health decision, or whether the votes of the two new justices might lead to a different outcome. I dont think its fair to think of the court in such political terms, like now that theres two more [conservative justices], for sure, everything is going to be overturned, says Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, lead attorney at The Catholic Association, which opposes abortion. But, she adds: Sometimes mistakes happen. And the history of the Supreme Court is full of cases where reasoning and holding has been readjusted in light of a new understanding. In New Orleans, more than 300 miles away from the Hope clinic, Benjamin Clapper is hoping for exactly that sort of moment. As executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, Clapper brought the idea of the admitting privileges law to the Louisiana legislature in 2014, and has been supporting it through court challenges for the past five and a half years. Like Pittman, Clapper considers this to be his lifes work. Now 35, he been working on anti-abortion causes since he was in high school. He says he initially felt motivated by a calling to protect the unborn. But the longer hes been doing this job, and the more stories hes heard from women who have considered or had abortions women, he says, who were shaken, regretful, or scared the more he has felt that restricting abortions is about supporting women, too. While I began with the perspective of wanting to defend the rights of the unborn child, Ive been able to see that the abortion facilities, in their pursuit to sell abortions, kind of lose sight of the care for the woman in that process, he says. That was part of the motivating factor behind this law. In 2014, after hearing about Texass law and other states who had considered enforcing admitting privileges at abortion facilities, Clapper brought his idea to then-state Rep. Katrina Jackson. (Jackson, a Democrat, is now a state senator.) In the initial meeting, Clapper says he presented Jackson with evidence for why Louisiana needed a law to mandate admitting privileges, including testimony from women about substandard levels of care they had received at abortion clinics and documents he had compiled outlining a series of health violations the Louisiana Department of Health had found at abortion facilities in Louisiana, including Hope. He and others believe those infractionswhich at Hope ranged from failure to properly clean and disinfect medical instruments in 2012 to failure to ensure a physician completed and documented medical examinations of each patient in 2010might help Louisianas law meet a different fate at the Supreme Court than Texass. (When deficiencies are cited they are corrected, Pittman says in response to the violations recorded at Hope. No one is more invested in the care and safety of our patients than our physicians and staff.) Clapper also pointed out to Jackson that abortion facilities are the only outpatient surgical facilities in the state that did not have to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Pro-life demonstrators across the street from the Louisiana Governor's mansion in Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 20, 2015. | Edmund D. FountainThe New York Times/Redux In the end, it was a successful pitch. Jackson ended up introducing the legislation, which passed with a bipartisan majority in 2014. It has been tied up in court battles ever since. As a woman, I said that there was no way that there should be a lower standard of healthcare only in the area of abortion, Jackson tells TIME. Proponents of the law say it isnt a pretext to close clinics, as critics claim, but is rather aimed at ensuring that the quality of abortion clinics is prioritized over the quantity. They say it brings abortion clinics in line with the standards at other similar medical centers and guarantees a high standard of care for women and a smoother way to get them to the hospital if something goes wrong. It ensures some level of competency on behalf of the doctor, says Maureen Ferguson, a senior fellow at The Catholic Association. Public opinion in Louisiana supports those on the anti-abortion side of the issue: 57% of adults in Louisiana believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, according to the Pew Research Center, a stark departure from the 61% of Americans overall who believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. So many people look at this as just a political issue, says Angie Thomas, who works with Clapper as the associate director of Louisiana Right to Life. But when you humanize it, when you see that abortion is not good for women, it becomes so much more significant to understand the stories and to understand the plight of women in unplanned pregnancies and the lack of support that theyre getting. The biggest impact of this case may not simply be whether Hope and the other two abortion clinics in Louisiana get shuttered. How the Supreme Court rules on whether or not clinics have standing to sue in court on behalf of their patients could have much wider consequences for the future of abortion laws throughout the country. Those who say clinics should not be able to pursue legal cases on behalf of women argue that abortion providers have their own business interests at stake and, as the ones who charge money for providing abortions, cannot be counted on to represent the best interests of their patients. This is like a fox guarding the hen-house situation, says Mallory Quigley, vice president of communications at Susan B. Anthony List, an organization dedicated to ending abortion. But in order for an individual to sue, abortion-rights advocates worry she would need to bring the lawsuit while she is still pregnant to meet the legal test for standing. They point out that is an extremely narrow window of time, at a moment when a woman is making deeply personal decisions about terminating an unwanted pregnancy. Clinics, they argue, are better placed to take the fight to court. The way these laws work, theyre steps removed from the patients actual purview, says Tu of the Center for Reproductive Rights. They work their harm directly on the physicians. So the people who know bestwho are on the front line, seeing the actual effect of the law is causing the reduction in abortion access are the physician and the clinic. The standing question allows for a few scenarios in the Supreme Courts judgment, which isnt expected until this summer. The justices could rule that abortion clinics do not have standing to sue on behalf of patients, which would have major ramifications for abortion litigation and allow them to avoid ruling on whether or not Louisianas law is unconstitutional. Or, the justices could keep the status quo on standing, allowing clinics to sue and not rocking the boat on the overall pattern of abortion litigation, and then render a decision on Louisianas law. Inside the House of Representatives at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, May 29, 2019. Louisiana lawmakers voted to ban the procedure once the pulsing of what will become the fetus's heart could be detected. | Emily KaskThe New York Times/Redux Bringing the standing question before the Supreme Court is just one new tactic in a series of legal maneuvers aimed at restricting abortion throughout the country. There has been an escalation in anti-abortion legislation since Republican lawmakers took power in many state legislatures in 2010; according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, nearly 450 state laws restricting abortion access have passed since 2011. Some of the new laws have been aggressive assaults on Roe v. Wade itself. In one of the most extreme examples, Alabama passed a law in 2019 outlawing abortion in almost all cases, with no exceptions for rape or incest, and introduced a criminal penalty for doctors who perform abortions. Others have restricted access by banning abortion after a certain time period, or for certain reasons, or by instituting mandatory waiting periods on women seeking abortions. Theres also a new wave of measures called pain capable bills working through state legislatures in tune with an idea that has failed to pass federally. They ban abortion after 20 weeks, based on the premise that a fetus can feel pain after that time. Many of these laws are being fought in court right now, and what the Supreme Court decides about standing could determine if those challenges also can move forward. I think youre going to see a lot of those cases be removed altogether, predicts Thomas of Louisiana Right to Life. Abortion-rights advocates would see that as a major step backwards. Im frustrated and angry that we are in the position that were in today having to re-fight battles, says Northup of the Center for Reproductive Rights, whether (its) a battle from four years ago at the Supreme Court, or the ultimate battle from 47 years ago in Roe v. Wade. For now in Louisiana, Clapper and Pittman will each continue working towards their opposite missions, waiting for the panel of nine judges in the nations capital to decide who wins. After hearing oral arguments on March 4, the Supreme Court isnt likely to render a decision in this case until June. Until then, Clapper will continue speaking to Louisiana women and to the media, trying to educate the public about what he sees as the untold human cost of this issue thats so often framed around politics. So many women who have been hurt by abortion, as you can imagine, are hesitant to share that story, because its of course extremely personal, Clapper says. But for those women who feel like they want the world to hear their stories, we have a responsibility to make sure their stories are heard. And up in Shreveport, Pittman will continue to churn through the daily slog of attendant paperwork involved in running a busy abortion clinic, punctuating her days with as many visits with patients as she can. Sometimes at work she thinks about her mother, a Catholic who later became a Southern Baptist and who had sixteen children. When Pittman first started at the Hope clinic decades ago, she was too nervous to admit to her mom that she was counseling women about abortions. But one day, she decided she needed to come clean, unsure of how her mother would react. She got this funny expression on her face, Pittman recalls. She said, Darling, women have always had abortions, and they always will. They need a safe place. Thirty Vietnamese citizens who returned from Wuhan in China three weeks ago were discharged from hospital on Monday after finishing their quarantine period. All of them are in stable conditions. Doctors at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases present flowers to some of the 30 people who had returned from Wuhan in China after they finished their quarantine period in stable conditions. Speaking at a ceremony at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi, on behalf of the 30 people, Tran Dinh Nhan, a lecturer at the Literature Faculty of the Hue University of Education, expressed his thanks to the Ministry of Health, doctors and organisations for taking care of them. Pham Ngoc Thach, director of the hospital, said that after 21 days under quarantine, all 30 people were in good health and had tested negative for COVID-19. Following instructions from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and based on the citizens wishes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-operated with organisations to return the people from Wuhan, the centre of COVID-19 epidemic, to Vietnam. After entering the country, they received medical examinations based on regulations and were taken into quarantine. HCMC seizes over 400,000 facemasks without invoices District 5 Police in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday discovered a huge amount of facemask without any invoices. As reported, the police investigation team cooperated with Market Management Group No. 5 under Ho Chi Minh City Department of Market Management to raid Khai Nam freight service company, based in No.363, 365, 367, Hung Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City at 9:35 am yesterday. At this site, police discovered 8,183 boxes of face mask (50 pieces per box) with three to five protection classes, and seized a total of 409,150 face masks with 34 different brand names without any invoices or origin documents. The Market Management Group No. 5 issued a decision of holding the face masks. According to police force, the owners of the above facemasks are Tu Van Long in District 10 and Tran Thi Thanh Truc in District 1. Long declared that he planned to transported 20 facemask boxes to Cambodia for profit while Truc declared that she planned to send 112,500 facemasks to Cambodia for charitable purposes. Currently, the functional forces continue to verify and clarify the case. VNS/SGGP Vietnam repots the 8th case of coronavirus infection This morning, February 3, the Ministry of Health confirmed that a 29-year-old female patient, a worker returning from Wuhan, China was positive for nCoV, bringing the total number of infection cases in Vietnam to 8. Vietnam records 12 coronavirus infection cases Vietnam has reported two more new coronavirus (nCoV) infection cases, bringing the total number of detected nCoV patients in the country to 12, the Ministry of Health announced on February 6 evening. Ark Encounter, Creation Museum chosen as Americas top religious museums Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The $100 million Ark Encounter biblical theme park with a life-sized Noah's Ark replica, and its sister institution, the Creation Museum, have finished No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in USA Today's 10 Best Readers Choice Awards for 2020. The Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum received the most readers votes from a list of the top religious museums in the nation as selected by a panel of top travel experts. Both attractions have made Northern Kentucky the leading faith-based destination in America, the two winners said in a statement Friday. We are so grateful to USA Today for considering our internationally recognized attractions in its contest, said Answers in Genesis' Ken Ham, who is also the CEO and founder of the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum. USA Today readers were asked to make their choice based on the stories, collections, and message at 20 U.S. museums, each dedicated to sharing the history, culture, art, and traditions of the worlds diverse religious groups and faith communities. The religious museum category included the countrys best Jewish museums, religious art collections, heritage centers, and other sites, from 14 states and the District of Columbia. Indeed, people from around the world rave about the exhibits and features at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, and now these people have validated our exciting attractions from among an impressive list of museums, Ham said. By the way, one could make the argument that USA Today should have included the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in its list. While most people would not consider the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. to be a religious museum, it, too, promotes a worldview: atheism, he added, explaining, You see, there are no non-religious positions for such museums. Each has a worldview to proclaim. The Ark and Creation Museum are, of course, religious museums in that they promote a theistic Christian worldview. Last June, Answers in Genesis announced that they were expanding the Ark Encounter site to include new facilities, partly in response to a growth in annual attendance. This included the creation of a 2,500-seat auditorium with a 70-foot-long LED screen, expanding the size of the Ararat Ridge Zoo, and opening a larger family play space. Built by Playground Equipment Services, this family play area is accessible by all children and adults, said Answers in Genesis. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to have fun with their kids as a family activity. This cutting-edge playground has been specially designed for children of all abilities. In 2017, Answers in Genesis announced that they would be reclaiming the rainbow for God with permanent rainbow lights for their life-sized Noah's Ark replica. We now have new permanent rainbow lights at the Ark Encounter so all can see that it is Gods rainbow and He determines its meaning in Genesis 6, Ham said at the time. The rainbow is a reminder God will never again judge the wickedness of man with a global Flood next time the world will be judged by fire. The search for a missing South Carolina woman came to a sad end Monday when her body was found, along with a dead man who was considered a person of interest in her disappearance, the Charleston Police Department said. Celia Marie Sweeney was found dead days after she was reported missing, police said. The 28-year-old Charleston womans body was found at an Inman home and her death was called a homicide, according to Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger. At the request of Charleston police, Spartanburg County sheriffs deputies investigated the Inman residence of a person of interest, identified as Buddy Allen Carr. Deputies found the bodies of Sweeney and Carr at the home, police said. Buddy Allen Carr, a person of interest in the disappearance of a Charleston woman, was found dead along with her body, police said. Sweeney was beaten to death, with Clevenger saying she was killed after suffering blunt force trauma to the head. The coroners office said an autopsy has not yet been performed on Carr, 32, and no preliminary cause of death was given. There has been nothing official that Carr killed Sweeney, but Clevenger said none of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation feel like there is any danger to the community. Information on how Sweeney and Carr knew each other was not available. His Inman home is more than 200 miles away from where Sweeney was last seen. Sweeneys co-workers and friends reported her missing to Charleston police Feb. 28. Police said officers did a welfare check at Sweeneys residence and found she was missing along with her car, a 2010 dark colored Audi S5. The abandoned vehicle was located late Saturday night, according to police. Investigators identified Carr as a person of interest and reached out to the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for assistance. SLED is leading the investigation into Carrs death, while Charleston police lead Sweeneys investigation, with continued assistance from the sheriffs office and coroners office in Spartanburg County. With Sweeneys death still under investigation, police are asking anyone with information to call 843-743-7200, or Lowcountry CrimeStoppers at 843-554-1111. In total, Chicago Fire Department officials said the 10 patients went to four South Side hospitals for treatment. Eight were described as being in good condition, while two were said to be in fair condition. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu has called an emergency meeting of officials at Bengaluru on Tuesday after a Telangana techie was found positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus infection which has killed nearly 3,000 people across the world till now. The meeting will begin at 12.30 pm today. The first confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Telangana was reported from Hyderabad on Monday when a 24-year-old man, who had come in contact with some Hong Kong citizens, while he was in Dubai on February 17, tested positive for the virus. After arriving in Bengaluru on February 20 he went to Hyderabad by bus on February 22. He was first admitted to a private hospital after he displayed flu symptoms. After four days of receiving treatment, he was shifted to a state-government hospital where he was diagnosed with coronavirus. Most of his close aides and neighbours are being monitored for their health condition to know their health status. On Sunday, Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender said that the state government is on high alert since the confirmation of one coronavirus positive case here. The Health Department has issued an advisory to all educational institutes. The guidelines to all the schools and educational institutions, Police, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA & UD), Transport Department, Revenue Department and Tourism Department will be discussed in an emergency meeting to be held today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan attended an event on March 2 dedicated to the birthday anniversary of adviser to the President, academician Grigory Gabrielyants, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. The event was held in the State Museum of Fine Arts in Shoushi. Minister of state Grigory Martirosyan and other officials were present at the event. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan T wo rumours consistently persist about our smartphones: one, that Facebook is using it to listen in to everything you say, and two, that Apple intentionally slows older iPhones so you have to buy a new one. Whilst Facebook has categorically denied the first, and many stories have debunked it, Apple actually admitted to the second back in 2017. The tech giant said it implemented a feature on the iPhone 6, 6S and SE devices in 2016, which would slow down the phones caused by ageing batteries. It also rolled out the feature to iPhone 7 in December 2017. The company said the reason for the issue was because ageing lithium batteries delivered power unevenly. This could cause iPhones to shut down unexpectedly and endanger the circuits inside the devices. However, following the backlash, the company apologised in a statement on its website, saying: We apologise. Theres been a lot of misunderstanding about this issue, so we would like to clarify and let you know about some changes were making. First and foremost, we have never and would never do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades. Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that. That didnt lead to the end of the issue, however. In October 2018, both Apple and Samsung were fined by the Italian Competition Authority 5 million each for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of its devices. Samsung denied the allegation and said it would appeal the decision. Which brings us to the present day. Apple has agreed to pay between $310 million and $500 million (243 million - 391 million) to settle a different lawsuit, this time in California, which accuses the company of intentionally slowing down iPhones. If the settlement is approved, affected phone owners could get up to $25 (19.56) per handset. Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing. In the settlement, the company said: "Apple vigorously disputes the claims alleged in the Actions and is entering into this Settlement to avoid burdensome and costly litigation. The Settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, fault, liability, or damage of any kind. 12 years of Apple's iPhone 1 /18 12 years of Apple's iPhone Unveiled Steve Jobs with the first iPhone AFP/Getty Images iPhone The original iPhone Screen size 3.5in, rear camera 2 megapixel PA iPhone 3G Screen size 3.5in, rear camera 2 megapixel AFP/Getty Images iPhone 4 Screen size 3.5in, rear camera 5 megapixel Getty Images iPhone 5 Screen size 4in, rear camera 8 megapixel Getty Images iPhone 6 Screen size 4.7in, rear camera 8 megapixel Getty Images iPhone 7 Screen size 4.7in, rear camera 12 megapixel PA iPhone 8 Extremely similar to the iPhone 7, but with a glass wireless charging back Justin Sullivan/Getty Images iPhone X The first full-screen iPhone, ditching the thick bezels and adding FaceID ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP/Getty Images iPhone XS and XS Max The upgrade to 2017's iPhone X, with a new bigger Max version and two cameras on the back NOAH BERGER/AFP/Getty Images iPhone XR The "cheaper" iPhone with an LCD screen and only one rear camera NOAH BERGER/AFP/Getty Images iPhone 11 The upgrade to 2018's iPhone XR, the iPhone 11 kept the LCD screen and the bright array of colours as well as the more affordable price tag Lucy Young iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max With three rear camera lenses, Apple went all in on the camera tech with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max phones in 2019 Apple iPhone SE 2020 A surprise announcement, Apple released the follow up to iPhone SE in May 2020 with a very affordable 419 price tag Apple Loading.... If you own an iPhone 6, 6s, 7 or SE phone then you may have a chance to claim the $25 from Apple, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements related to the operating system you had running. The settlement covered US owners of devices running the iOS 10.2.1 or later operating system, or iOS 11.2 or later when it comes to the iPhone 7, before December 21, 2017. However, its worth noting you need to file claims in order to receive the money but if too many people file claims then the reward money is like to be reduced. Monday, March 2, 2020 at 8:05PM With every sort of app getting dark mode, we aren't surprised it's showing up more and more. While the Google Play Store has had the feature for some time already, the app is getting a toggle that lets you turn dark mode onwhether it's enabled system-wide or not. It's showing up for some users within their Google Play Store settings. Since it's just showing up for some users, it could mean the company is doing a server-side test before a wider rollout. It doesn't look like it can be enabled via an APK download, so it's a toss-up whether you get the feature now or not. Reports suggest this option won't just be limited to Android 10-powered devices. To check if you have the option, head to the Google Play Store. Open the side hamburger menu and scroll down to Settings. You'll know if you have the feature if you have a Theme option there. From there, you can choose from Light, Dark, to System default. Source: 9to5Google New Delhi, March 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people not to panic and "work together" on a day six new suspected coronavirus cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh's Agra. "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," Modi tweeted. He also tweeted a poster highlighting basic hygiene like washing hands frequently and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of the virus. A control room number is also provided in the tweet. He also had an "extensive review" regarding the preparedness on the COVID-19. "Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," tweeted Modi. Earlier in the day, health concern was discussed between Modi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting in Parliament. On Tuesday, six fresh cases of suspected Coronavirus with high viral load was detected in Agra besides one in Lucknow. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, there is at least one case in Delhi, one in Telangana and one in Jaipur, where a traveller from Italy showed signs. The Agra cases were detected during sample testing. Contact tracing of the persons who have come in contact with these six persons is also simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, informed the government. The Ministry in a statement said: "One positive case of COVID-19 has been detected in New Delhi, and one has been detected in Telangana." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Gardai are expected to submit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions within the next fortnight in relation to the abduction and murder of Deirdre Jacob more than 20 years ago. Convicted rapist Larry Murphy, last known to be living in England, was considered the main suspect for the disappearance of the 18-year-old from outside her home in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Murphy moved to England after his release from jail in 2010, where he had served 10 years for the kidnapping, rape and attempted murder of a woman in the Wicklow mountains in 2001. The Irish Examiner understands that the file will recommend charges be brought, though the final details are not yet clear. The file is believed to be going through final stages of clearance and sign-off before being sent to the DPP for a decision. The State prosecutor will have to weigh-up whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution. Ms Jacob, a student teacher, vanished near the gates of her home at Roseberry, Newbridge, at around 3pm on July 28, 1998. Her parents, Michael and Bernadette, have fought relentlessly for justice in finding the person responsible. Following an extensive review of her case, gardai in August 2018 upgraded what was a missing persons probe to a murder investigation. In July 2019, gardai reported making significant progress in their investigation but made appeals on two lines of inquiry in order to complete their file: Securing the co-operation of a close associate of Murphy who had previously claimed to have incriminating information on him. Contacting an anonymous caller to Newbridge Garda Station who said they saw something potentially suspicious near where Ms Jacob was abducted, the day after she went missing. The associate of Murphy, who lives in Kildare, claimed he had incriminating evidence after having a personal dispute with Murphy. It is understood that investigating gardai believe they have exhausted all lines of inquiry on these two issues. Gardai travelled to Britain in 2018 and, in the company of the London Metropolitan police, attempted to interview Murphy, but he refused to answer questions. There was no legal basis to arrest Murphy, who is originally from Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. If the DPP directs that charges be brought against Murphy, gardai will then apply for a European Arrest Warrant. Under the transition period forming part of Britains withdrawal from the EU on February 1, it will continue to be a member of the EAW until it leaves at the end of the year. What will happen after that is not clear, with some security sources saying that a pre-existing extradition act with Britain could be used. Out of the 200 largest cities in the U.S., Boston is the second-best city to celebrate St. Patricks Day (behind Chicago), according to WalletHub. Other New England cities, including Providence and Worcester, rank high as well, listing at 28 and 30, respectively. Massachusetts is one of two states that has over 20% of residents with Irish ancestry. With more than 32 million in America claiming Irish ancestry, Americans are expected to spend $6.16 billion on the holiday. To determine the best cities to celebrate in, WalletHub compared 200 of the largest cities in the U.S. across four key dimensions: St. Patricks Day traditions, costs, safety and accessibility and St. Patricks Day weather. From there, those dimensions were evaluated using 17 relevant metrics. For example, average beer price and Irish pubs and restaurants per capita. Worcester natives will be proud to boast that their city ranked fifth in highest percentage of Irish population out of the 200 cities. More fun St. Patricks Day facts, per WalletHub: Nikolaos Tzima Hatziefstathiou, known as "Nik the Hat," is accused of manufacturing a fake, race-fueled scandal using altered emails. He has denied the charges. Read more The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office has taken over the prosecution of a Delaware County man accused of forging an email from county officials to create a race-fueled scandal for his news website. Nikolaos Hatziefstathiou, 26, of Broomall, was arrested in July and charged with tampering with public records, forgery, identity theft, and related offenses. Hatziefstathiou, who goes by the nickname Nik the Hat, has denied the charges, asserting that the email he touted on his website, YC News, was a legitimate document. The referral of his case, formally announced at a hearing Monday, was made out of an abundance of caution, according to District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. Stollsteimer, a Democrat, was chided by Republicans during his campaign in the fall for attending a news conference in May 2019 calling for the email to be investigated before it was debunked. Its one of these things where because the case came up during the course of the campaign, we just thought it best to have the attorney general step in and prosecute, Stollsteimer said. Its nothing bigger than that. Hatziefstathious attorney, Norm Pattis, said news of the referral was a relief. Were happy that a more detached and neutral entity will handle this case, which shouldnt have been brought in the first place, said Pattis, a criminal defense attorney based in New Haven, Conn. And if it isnt dropped, we will try it. On May 25, YC News reported about an email it said it had obtained from an unidentified source. The email, allegedly sent by a supervisor with the countys Adult Probation and Parole department, included racist language about African Americans, according to the story. But after investigating the email, prosecutors led by then-District Attorney Katayoun Copeland alleged that it was a fake news hoax created by Hatziefstathiou by doctoring another email he had received from his own probation officer in an unrelated case. Copeland also detailed instances in which Hatziefstathiou posed as a producer from Good Morning America and as a New York Times reporter in attempts to glean information from her office. He will use any means to create a false narrative, Copeland said of Hatziefstathiou after his arrest. He will go to any length to do so. Copeland, a Republican who lost her seat to Stollsteimer, went on to rebuke him and other elected officials who jumped on Hatziefstathious bandwagon knowing these claims may be false, and were willing to believe the very worst about people without a shred of evidence." But Stollsteimer said Monday that that was a mischaracterization of the intention of the news conference, which was organized by State Rep. Margo Davidson (D., Delaware) and attended by State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, a Philadelphia Democrat whose district includes parts of the county, among other politicians. All Margo said, and all I said, was that this should be investigated, and if someone sent the email, they should be prosecuted, and if it was a hoax, this should be prosecuted, Stollsteimer said. We got what we asked for: It is being prosecuted. A $2 million bond was set on Tuesday in Wisconsin for a man accused of savagely stabbing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and killing her 3-year-old daughter as revenge for the woman breaking up with him. Demetrius Williams, 25, was charged on Monday with one count of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide/domestic abuse, and one count of attempted first-degree homicide. On February 27 in Appleton, Wisconsin, three-year-old Zyana Corbin died after suffering a very deep laceration to her neck,' according to WLUK. Her mother, 27-year-old Tiana Corbin was stabbed in her chest and stomach, along with her face and neck. Demetrius Williams, 25, was arrested on Monday and accused of killing a 3-year-old girl Williams has bond set at $2 million after being charged with stabbing a 3-year-old girl Tiana (left) and Zyana Corbin were viciously stabbed on February 27 by Demetrius Williams, police say Zyana Corbin was stabbed to death as revenge for her mother breaking up with Demetrius Williams, police say This act of rage began on February 27 when Williams became infuriated after Tiana Corbin wanted to break off their relationship, according to a report obtained by WLUK. "He was beginning to feel that his girlfriend who was pregnant with his child was beginning to distance herself from him. He began to concoct a plan to kill her and to kill her 3-year-old daughter," Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis, told WLUK. On the day of the attack, Williams told police he arrived at Tianas apartment at about 6pm, according to the criminal complaint. Tiana asked Williams to leave as she began putting Zyana to bed. After Tiana went into the bathroom, Williams hurried to the kitchen to grab some knives, which he shoved into his pocket. Williams said he also had a box cutter in his pocket. When Tiana returned to the bedroom, Williams said he ripped off her eyeglasses and blinded her by pepper spraying her eyes. He then pulled a knife from his pocket and cut Tianas face multiple times, according to the criminal complaint. Williams told police he that he cut her so hard the knife broke, so he pulled a second knife from his pocket to continue attacking her. But Tiana ultimately escaped from the apartment. Thats when Williams turned his fury to Zyana. He moved into the living room and grabbed his box cutter, which he told police he used to slice the 3-year-olds face and throat. He later told police killing Zyana would bring Tiana great pain and hurt her a lot. Tiana told police that when she later returned to the apartment, the cut in Zyanas neck was deep enough to see her throat. Meanwhile, Williams ultimately called the police to report his crime. Williams later told police he had been planning how he would kill them for about a week. He even considered poisoning them before settling on using knives instead. Zyanas family has set up a GoFundMe account for to help with funeral costs. "Zyana was taken from us to soon; she was full of life and so sweet," the GoFundMe account reads. "She always would smile and brighten up the room." Tiana had injuries to her chest and abdomen area, as well as her face and neck. Both she and her unborn child survived. A view of the possible mini-moon amid background stars. The image combines three images each obtained using different filters to produce this color composite. The international Gemini Observatory/NSFs National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory/AURA/G. Fedorets Astronomers recently photographed a small object in a chaotic orbit around Earth. It might be a mini-moon a former asteroid temporarily in Earth's orbit. If so, it would be only the second such object astronomers have seen. It could also be space debris 500,000 pieces of space junk float in low-Earth orbit. Astronomers are trying to conduct more research and record more observations before the object leaves Earth's orbit in April. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Astronomers have captured images of a small space object only a few meters wide in a chaotic orbit around the Earth. It could be a "mini-moon," but it won't be here for long. The object is set to get ejected from Earth's orbit in April. The International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center has provisionally named the object "2020 CD3," as scientists quickly try to figure out what it is. For now, it's considered a "temporary captured object," the term for a small space object drawn into Earth's gravitational field. If it's a "mini-moon," it was an asteroid that has been captured by Earth's gravitational pull. If not, there's a much less exciting option: It could be a piece of man-made space junk. "Either way, this is a very compelling object and needs more data to determine what it is," Grigori Fedorets, the lead astronomer who captured the images of the 2020 CD3, said in an announcement. Astronomers were able to create the composite photograph of the mini-moon above which shows it as a small but bright pinprick among vibrant disco-ball-like splashes of light by focusing high-resolution telescopes on the fast-moving object. The splashes of light are stars that appear as trails because of the mini-moon's motion. Their colors come from the filters used to create this composite. Story continues The images, captured February 24, come from the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii. Researchers Kacper Wierzchos and Teddy Pruyne discovered the object at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona, on February 15. Data from the Catalina Sky Survey shows the recently discovered mini-moon orbiting Earth. K. Wierzchos/T. Pruyne/University of Arizona/Catalina Sky Survey A mini-moon or space junk? If the object is a natural rocky satellite, it would be only second mini-moon astronomers have ever seen. The other was seen in 2006 and has since left our purview. But it could also simply be a piece of space debris, one of the many manmade objects that humans have put into space. The orbiting field of space junk around Earth includes paint flecks and other little pieces from spacecraft, rocket parts that have fallen off or are left over from explosions, nonfunctional satellites, and more. NASA estimates that there are over 500,000 pieces of space junk in our atmosphere, and most of them orbit at speeds up to 18,000 miles per hour almost seven times faster than a bullet. Orbital debris surrounds the Earth. NASA Scientists think the object's reflexivity the way it reflects light might help them figure out what it is. If it's a natural rocky object, it would likely have relatively lower reflectivity than a piece of spacecraft debris. Still, it's difficult for astronomers to study the object since it's so small between 1.9 and 3.5 meters, Wierzchos estimated and far away. A one hour time-lapse sequence at the Gemini North telescope, shot from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's telescope catwalk. Gemini Observatory/AURA image by Joy Pollard "Obtaining the images was a scramble for the Gemini team because the object is quickly becoming fainter as it moves away from Earth," John Blakeslee, head of science at the Gemini Observatory, said in a release. Fedorets added that "additional observations to refine its position will help us determine this mystery object's orbit and its possible origin." Leaving after a chaotic orbit Wierzchos told Space.com that 2020 CD3 has a "chaotic orbit" the object is all over the place because it's pulled by both the moon and Earth. He tweeted a simulated diagram of the object's orbit since it came close to Earth about three years ago. But the mini-moon is not slated to stick around. "It is expected to be ejected from Earth's orbit altogether in April," Blakeslee said in the announcement. Read the original article on Business Insider What does all this have to do with Trumps reelection bid? First, the prospect of instability along the border of Israel and Jordan would be bad news for any president in an election year. And, in this case, the annexation push is a direct result of Trumps peace proposal, which envisions Israeli takeover of settlement blocks and the Jordan Valley as part of an eventual deal of the century between Israel and the Palestinians. Democratic governor candidate Whitney Williams named a Roosevelt County farmer as her running mate Monday, with an eye of increasing the appeal of her campaign in the rural parts and eastern half of the state. Milo "Buzz" Mattelin, 67, farms barley, of which he has a variety named after him, and other crops along the Missouri River outside Culbertson. He is the president of the National Barley Growers Association and last year was named 2019 Outstanding Ag Leader by Montana State University. "After 43 years of running my own farm business and roughly 30 years of promoting agriculture and conservation in various roles and venues, I will take any opportunity to bring agricultural issues, our rural economy and the conservative folks living in eastern Montana to Helena. And I'm excited to do this alongside of Whitney Williams," Mattelin said Monday at the Capitol in Helena. " ... I bring with me my experience and passion for all the issues facing our state, but especially those issues of sustainable-production agriculture, conservation on working lands, ag research and, of course, barley." Williams and Mattelin are running in the Democratic governor's race primary against Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and his pick to share the ticket, state House Minority Leader Casey Schreiner, of Great Falls. At the announcement in the Capitol rotunda Monday, Williams highlighted Mattelin's agriculture credentials. "Buzz helped open new markets for farmers to sell crops, and he fights to protect the land for generations to come," Williams said. "And he advocates for our agricultural economy in the face of developers and corporate interests." Mattelin was appointed by former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who has endorsed Williams, to the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. He was re-appointed by Bullock. He has also sat on the U.S. Grains Council, Northern Crops Council and the Montana Environmental Quality Council. He was also on the Culbertson school board for six years and holds a seat on the Roosevelt County Conservation District Council. Williams is a businesswoman who founded Williamsworks, which consults with some of the largest companies in the U.S. and world. She is also the daughter of Carol Williams, the first woman to hold the majority leadership position in the state Senate and founder of Carols List, which works to get Democratic women elected. And her father is Pat Williams, the longtime U.S. representative for Montana. While Williams was born and raised in Montana, much of her career has been outside the state until moving her life and business back to Missoula in 2017. That trajectory was reflected in her first campaign finance report, which boasted an impressive $439,000 over one quarter, though about three-quarters of the overall haul came from out of state. While 60% of the overall donors were from Montana, most came from the western half of the state, something she acknowledged in a February interview wanting to change. We launched our 56-county tour last week, and were really focused on making sure we meet folks in small towns and rural communities across the state, Williams said then. Well see a dramatic difference in our next (finance) report because when folks meet this campaign, they invest, and were going to be doing a lot more community conversations and house parties and getting out knocking on doors and meeting people. Having an eastern Montana farmer on the ticket is likely to help that effort. As I was thinking about who would make a good lieutenant governor, certainly the geography of having someone who brings this really important perspective from the eastern half of the state was central to my decision, Williams said. Mattelin said when he was first contacted by Williams in January, he wasn't all that excited about jumping into politics. "When I was approached about joining Whitney Williams' ticket as an lieutenant governor, my first inclination is to avoid the nasty politics and just say I'm flattered but I'm not interested," Mattelin said. "But I like to sleep on important decisions, and 24 hours later, I decided." Mattelin said he and Williams "bring different strengths to the ticket" and that he didn't see another candidate out there who spoke to the issues he thinks are most important in rural Montana. He and his wife, Laurie, have two children and three grandchildren. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Pfizer surged 5.01% to Rs 4472.05 after the company's US-based parent, Pfizer Inc, on Monday said it identified some antiviral compounds with potential as coronavirus treatments. The scrip jumped 15.75% to hit the day's high at Rs 4929.85, which is also a 52-week high for the scrip. Pfizer Inc's chief scientific officer Mikael Dolsten participated in a meeting with other pharmaceutical companies about various ways to develop vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19 held at the White House. Offering comment on COVID-19 White House meeting, Pfizer said that it identified certain antiviral compounds it had in development that have the potential to inhibit coronaviruses and is engaging with a third party to screen the compounds. It currently expects to have the results back by the end of March. Upon completion of such screening, the company could be in a position to move forward with development depending on the results. Toxicology studies would then need to be completed prior to any clinical development, but if successful, Pfizer hopes to be in the clinic by no later than the end of 2020. Shares of Pfizer Inc. jumped 4.37% to $34.88 on Monday at the New York Stock Exchange. Pfizer is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company which is engaged in the discovery, development and manufacture of healthcare products. Pfizer East India B.V., which is owned by Pfizer Inc., held 39.75% stake in the Indian unit as on 31 December 2019. The Indian drug maker's standalone net profit rose 5.4% to Rs 139.06 crore on a 4.7% increase in net sales to Rs 538.18 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. 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| 2020-03-03 08:21:47|Editor: Liu Video Player Close BRUSSELS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The risk for people in Europe to be infected with the COVID-19 was leveled up by the European Center for Disease Prevention Control (ECDC) on Monday, but the European Union (EU) insisted not to close the borders between its member states. According to the daily ECDC risk assessment, the risk associated with COVID-19 infection for people in the EU/EEA(European Economic Area) and UK is currently considered "moderate to high". In its previous assessment published on Feb. 23, the assessment was "low to moderate". "In other words the virus continues to spread," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a press conference in Brussels. NEW CASES KEEP RISING The ECDC has made the assessment on a daily basis for more than a week, since the COVID-19 outbreak was reported in Italy, where a total of 1,835 people have so far tested positive for the coronavirus. There have been 52 deaths, while another 149 patients have recovered in the country, according to Angelo Borrelli, Italy's Civil Protection Department chief and Extraordinary Commissioner for the coronavirus emergency. He told a briefing late on Monday that over 23,300 coronavirus tests have been carried out since the epidemic first broke out on Feb. 21 among Italians who had no links to China or any other parts of the world with ongoing coronavirus outbreaks. Since the start of the outbreak in northern Italy, there has been a clear sign of dissemination crossing borders. Germany reported 150 confirmed infections as of Monday morning, and cases were found in 10 out of the 16 federal states. Despite the alarming situation, German Health Minister Jens Spahn did not consider it necessary to close German borders and stressed that the cancellation of major events or the closure of companies was generally not advisable. The risk level of the infection in Germany was set to "moderate". France confirmed 191 cases with three deaths on Monday. The cases of infection increased by 61 compared to Sunday. The French government on Saturday banned all gatherings expected to draw 5,000 people in confined spaces and some in open-air space too. In regions where over 10 cases of infections have been confirmed, schools remain closed until further notice and residents are recommended to limit their journeys. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee as Britain confirmed four new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total number of infections to 40. The emergency COBRA meeting finalized and signed off a battle plan containing a detailed set of countermeasures. Johnson said the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to become more significant in the coming days or weeks, but he urged people across Britain to go about their business as usual. At the moment the situation is at the containment stage. Downing Street also announced a "war room" being set up and running in the Cabinet Office, nerve center of the government, to roll out a public information campaign and respond quickly to cross-cutting issues. In Austria, the number of people infected rose to 18 as of Monday evening. Franz Lang, Director General for public security, assured that everything was under control. "In Austria itself, routine has come," said Lang. "Worldwide, we only notice slightly increasing numbers of over 80,000 coronavirus cases. It makes us slightly optimistic that the curve in China will flatten out." Finland reported a new case which brings the total figure to seven. The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said on Monday that around 150 people, without diagnosis, are in quarantine currently in Finland. Tuija Kumpulainen, head of Department (Director General) for Wellbeing and Services at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, said that when the infection rate exceeds a certain percentage, Finland will stop quarantining people who have no diagnosis. "This will be necessary to ensure that the society can continue functioning," she said. Following Sweden raised the risk level of identifying new cases in the country to "very high" last Friday, the country raised on Monday the risk of a general spread of the virus from "low" to "moderate". EU'S ANTI-VIRUS FIGHT So far more than 20 European countries have reported COVID-19 infection cases. Measures have been taken to contain the virus on one hand, and advices have been given, on the other, to keep the normal life going. The EU has been working to coordinate the member countries' national measures so as to boost the overall preparedness in the bloc. "There has been a huge amount of coordination over the last eight weeks," said von der Leyen. Praising the efforts made by the European Commission to respond to the global outbreak, von der Leyen also announced the establishment of a COVID-19 response team that comprises five European Commissioners. The response team will work on three parallel pillars -- medical field, mobility and economy, she elaborated. An accelerated joint procurement procedure for personal protective equipment with 20 EU member states was announced. Stella Kyriakides, the European Commissioner for health issues, said invitations to tender have been sent to a number of selected companies identified through a market analysis. During the press conference, questions were raised on whether the free movements of people were to be limited within the EU due to the epidemic concerns. "No, this is not under consideration," replied von der Leyen. However, the Czech Republic on Monday joined a number of other countries to stop direct flights from affected areas including South Korea and northern Italy. "We are stopping flights from Milan, Bergamo, Venice, Bologna of Italy and that from South Korea due to the coronavirus spread. It is currently a necessary measure to protect our citizens. Unfortunately, in Italy and South Korea the number of infected people is rising rapidly," said Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtech on Twitter. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 09:06:02 Another Successful Exit for Praesidian Capital Europe PlanetHome Group Abernathy MacGregor 713.817.9346 Sydney Isaacs, sri@abmac.com Praesidian Capital Europe (Praesidian), a leading provider of growth capital in the United Kingdom, Germany and Northern Europe, announced today it has successfully exited its investment in PlanetHome Group (PlanetHome), a Munich Headquartered leading real estate brokerage and mortgage brokerage business in Germany and Austria. Praesidian backed the original carve-out of PlanetHome by AP Capital Investments from its previous parent UniCredit Bank, a major pan-European financial institution. According to Serkan Dede, Investment Director of Praesidian, who executed the original transaction in 2015: We are very pleased with our investment in PlanetHome, having worked closely with the owners since the original buy-out and provided further follow-on financing in 2016. Osman Unsal, co-founder AP Capital Investments, commented, Praesidian has been a dependable and flexible partner since the initial complex transaction and onwards. Our close partnership with Praesidian from the beginning enabled us to carve out and build a market leading business in Germany and Austria, added Bulend Corbacioglu, co-founder AP Capital Investments. Jason Drattell, Praesidian Founder and Managing Partner, said, We are pleased to have supported PlanetHome over the last five years and are delighted by the value this investment has created for our investors. Praesidian continues to actively invest capital into business in the UK, Germany and Northern Europe, with a strong pipeline of new investment opportunities. About PlanetHome Group Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Munich, PlanetHome is a leading provider of real estate and mortgage brokerage services in Germany and Austria. The Group employs over 500 people in more than 80 locations and generates more than 100 million of revenues. For more information, visit www.planethome.de. About Praesidian Capital Europe Praesidian Capital Europe is an innovative private investment firm focused on providing tailored and flexible capital solutions to lower middle market businesses in the United Kingdom, Germany, and selectively Northern Europe. Established in 2014 and based in London, the team invests in private small and mid-sized companies, often in connection with management buyouts, recapitalizations or refinancings. For more information, visit www.praesidian.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005 2019 Dreamstarter from Running Strong 4AIY on Vimeo. News from Running Strong for American Indian Youth Washington, DC -- Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills announced the sixth class of American Indian youth to receive $10,000 Dreamstarter grants for projects that help them bring their dreams to life. Each of the ten Dreamstarter recipients, who are all American Indian youth under age 30, will work together with a community nonprofit on a health and wellness initiative supported by Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Our Dreamstarters provide vital perspective into the Native youth of today, said Mills, who is Oglala Lakota (Sioux) from Pine Ridge, SD and co-founder of Running Strong. Health and wellness tinges every aspect of every life. Its a unique joy and very moving for these ten young leaders to share with us their visions for a healthier Indian Country. Dreamstarter projects create lasting impacts in Native communities. Will your dream be next? Apply TODAY for Dreamstarter 2020 for dreams on the theme of Health & Wellness. #RunningStrong #Dreamstarter#NativeYouth #NativeAmericanshttps://t.co/VIpQRKgfe3 pic.twitter.com/OuxAcvRkuU Running Strong (@RunStrong4AIY) October 31, 2019 The 2020 2021 Dreamstarters are: Dreams of opening a nursery for Native Hawaiian plants for reforestation, lei making, and therapeutic benefits. Clyson Igarashi-Marquez (Native Hawaiian), 16, Hawi, HIDreams of opening a nursery for Native Hawaiian plants for reforestation, lei making, and therapeutic benefits. Lindsey Montileaux Mabbutt (Oglala Sioux Tribe), 26, Seattle, WA Dreams of inspiring high school and undergraduate students to achieve careers in dentistry and medicine. Lindsey Montileaux Mabbutt (Oglala Sioux Tribe), 26, Seattle, WADreams of inspiring high school and undergraduate students to achieve careers in dentistry and medicine. Shakotah Star Billie (Navajo Nation), 20, Spanish Fork, UT Dreams of helping the youth in her community achieve peace and harmony through several types of wellness. Shakotah Star Billie (Navajo Nation), 20, Spanish Fork, UTDreams of helping the youth in her community achieve peace and harmony through several types of wellness. Bailey Chalfant (Northern Cheyenne), 20, Busby, MT Dreams of empowering young women and men with self-defense techniques and healthy relationship counseling. Bailey Chalfant (Northern Cheyenne), 20, Busby, MTDreams of empowering young women and men with self-defense techniques and healthy relationship counseling. Tahnee Poafpybitty (Comanche Nation), 30, Springfield, VA Dreams of providing full dilated eye exams and eyeglasses to youth in underserved communities. Tahnee Poafpybitty (Comanche Nation), 30, Springfield, VADreams of providing full dilated eye exams and eyeglasses to youth in underserved communities. SNya Sanchez (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), 16, Bismarck, ND Dreams of creating a summer program to teach her peers healthy cooking skills and physical activities. SNya Sanchez (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), 16, Bismarck, NDDreams of creating a summer program to teach her peers healthy cooking skills and physical activities. Dante Jackson (Assiniboine/Fort Belknap Indian Community), 16, Harlem, MT Dreams of creating a peer mentorship program to provide relatable role models for local elementary school students. Dante Jackson (Assiniboine/Fort Belknap Indian Community), 16, Harlem, MTDreams of creating a peer mentorship program to provide relatable role models for local elementary school students. Samantha Harrison (Native Village of Kotzebue/Alaska Native), 29, Juneau, AK Dreams of creating a line of medical scrub tops to promote visibility of Alaska Native healthcare workers. Samantha Harrison (Native Village of Kotzebue/Alaska Native), 29, Juneau, AKDreams of creating a line of medical scrub tops to promote visibility of Alaska Native healthcare workers. Dawn Marie Johnson (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), 29, Summit, SD Dreams of offering mental health and well-being kits to students in grades 7-12 in her community. Dawn Marie Johnson (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), 29, Summit, SDDreams of offering mental health and well-being kits to students in grades 7-12 in her community. Tia Yazzie (Navajo Nation), 23, West Valley City, UT Dreams of a Native youth support group using holistic and culturally based healing methods. Tia Yazzie (Navajo Nation), 23, West Valley City, UTDreams of a Native youth support group using holistic and culturally based healing methods. More information about the sixth class of Dreamstarters and their projects is available at indianyouth.org/meet-the-2020-Dreamstarters Running Strong has given away a total of sixty $10,000 Dreamstarter grants over six years to support Native youths dreams for their communities. This program was announced in October 14, 2014, to mark the 50th anniversary of Billy Mills gold medal win at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. On October 14, 1964, Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota (Sioux) runner, won the 10,000 meter race at the Tokyo Olympics in an upset, come-from-behind victory that has been called the greatest race in American Olympic history, and ever since has been an inspiration to Native youth and all Americans. He is still the only person from the Western hemisphere ever to win gold in the 10,000 meter race. He co-founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth in 1986 to help others live their dreams. Mills announced the Dreamstarter program on the 50th anniversary of his gold medal win, to help Native youth believe in the power of their dreams to build strong futures for themselves and their communities. Additional information about the program can be found at IndianYouth.org/Dreamstarter Join the Conversation [March 03, 2020] Never Miss the School Bus Again Alabama Virtual Academy Now Accepting Enrollment for the 2020-2021 School Year Alabama Virtual Academy at Eufaula City Schools (ALVA) is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2020-2021 school year. ALVA offers a tuition-free education to students statewide in kindergarten through 12th grade. ALVA also offers families an alternative to the traditional brick-and-mortar learning environment. Combining online instruction, a rigorous curriculum and the support of state-licensed teachers, ALVA provides a personalized learning experience. "We are committed to the success of each one of our students," said ALVA Head of School Dr. Melissa Stokke Larson. "The unique learning environment allows us to meet them wherever they are on their academic journey and get them where they want to go. We look forward to serving new and returning families in the coming school year." ALVA students across all grade levels are offered a full couse load in the core subjects of English/language arts, math, science, history, art, music and physical education, as well as electives and world languages. ALVA teachers facilitate live, interactive classes, which allow students to enjoy a safe learning environment anywhere with an internet connection. In addition to scheduled classes, teachers regularly communicate with students and families via phone and email in order to ensure they are supported and appropriately challenged. Resources are available to help ALVA students and families navigate the online and blended learning experience. "ALVA is more than a school for my children. It is a place where they learn at their own pace while developing essential skills such as time management and self-determination," said Wei Barr, an ALVA parent. "It's also a caring community that works tirelessly to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to be part of the ALVA family." ALVA's platform gives students the opportunity to pursue academic goals in a supportive environment that recognizes their individual learning styles. Athletes, advanced learners, and all types of students can balance a full academic load along with extracurricular pursuits or any other specialized needs. Throughout the school year, ALVA hosts field trips and social outings and celebrates graduating seniors with an in-person commencement ceremony in the spring. Virtual clubs and organizations allow students to further explore shared interests together. Families are encouraged to attend an in-person or online information session hosted by the school. For more information on how to enroll, and for a schedule of upcoming information sessions, visit https://alva.k12.com/. About Eufaula City Schools Established in 1872, Eufaula City Schools is the oldest city school district in Alabama and is the heartbeat of this beautiful southeast Alabama city. Eufaula City Schools is a progressive district providing many academic, enrichment, and technical opportunities for students and teachers while maintaining the values and traditions of the best in public schools. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005033/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Following the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged citizens to team up and pray for the cou... Following the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged citizens to team up and pray for the country to be better. Obasanjo said Nigerians cant fold their hands and watch as insecurity ravages the country. He spoke while hosting a special envoy to the archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin Welby, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Wednesday. The former President also stressed that all Nigerians must work and pray to restore unity in the country. He said: There are so many areas in the world where attentions are needed for peace, equity, and justice. We just cannot as children of God, fold our hands where needs abound for us to do something. If you Nigeria cannot solve your security problem or unity, how can we look up to you for help, help comes from God and we are looking up to God for help. We cannot fold our hands, we must work and pray, but Im a very irredeemable optimist about Nigeria and the world. If we show love, I think all other human problems we can deal with. This is coming at a time when gunmen suspected to be bandits killed over 30 villagers in Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State at the weekend. The affected villages are Kerawa, Rago, Marina, Zariyawa, Hashimawa, Gidan Musa Saidu, and Unguwar Barau. Also, Boko Haram insurgents have been attacking Nigerians in the Northeast. Meanwhile, Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central Senator had blasted Northern leaders for being silent over kidnapping and killings in the region. In a post on his Facebook page on Monday, Sani wrote: Northern political leaders dont converge when their subservient followers are being kidnapped or massacred,they converge when their friends or family members are marrying or turbaned or having their birthdays. The doctors will confirm the document with the electronic signature Open source Starting from April 2020, the Ukrainians will be able to process sick leave certificates online. The doctors will confirm the document with an electronic signature as Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk reported on Telegram. From April, the Ukrainians will be able to process the sick leave certificate online there will no more need to write them out on paper sheets and visit polyclinic once more. The government introduces the system of the electronic sick leave certificates, Honcharuk stated. It is noted that the doctor will be able to confirm the certificate with an electronic signature. The system will send information about the certificate to the employer and Social Insurance Fund automatically. According to Honcharuk, implementation of the electronic sick leave certificate will accelerate the procedure of getting insurance payments and decrease fraud. As we reported, 29 million Ukrainian citizens have signed declarations with their family doctors. The reform of the healthcare primary section (family doctors and pediatricians) kicked off in Ukraine in 2018. By the estimates of the Health Index survey conducted in 2019, 73% of respondents are fine with their doctors. A virus epidemic that started in China about two months ago is now tightening its grip around the globe. Today's biggest developments: U.S. death toll increases to 9 'We are at least a year away' from a vaccine: Expert Officials say state labs should be equipped for a million tests by end of week Man in Westchester County, New York, is in "serious condition" Stocks tank despite Fed's interest rate cut Here's the latest from Tuesday. All times are Eastern. 9:51 p.m. Amazon says one of its employees contracted virus Officials at Amazon, the giant online retailer, said that one of the company's Seattle employees has contracted the coronavirus. It was not immediately known what the employee's role was, but a company spokesperson said the infected person is now in quarantine. Amazon has more than 50,000 employees in the Seattle region. 8:20 p.m. South Korea announces 516 new cases The number of coroavirus cases in South Korea jumped by 516 Tuesday, according to the Yonhap news agency. The country now has 5,328 cases in total. Thirty-two people have died from the virus in South Korea, according to the country's Centers for Disease Control. Vice President Mike Pence said all passengers coming into the U.S. from South Korea on direct flights would be subject to screening at South Korean airports. 6:23 p.m. Pence provides updates Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairing the White House coronavirus task force, announced new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that all Americans can be tested for the virus following a doctors order, and that any clinician or health authority can administer the test. Pence added that about 2,500 CDC-approved testing kits will be sent out by the end of the week. 6:21 p.m. Case confirmed in Berkeley, California In California, City of Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez announced that a Berkeley resident has tested positive for the virus. The patient returned from a trip from one of the affected nations on Feb. 23 and largely stayed at home in a voluntary self-imposed quarantine, according to Hernandez. Story continues Health officials are investigating whether the resident had contact with any other individuals. 5:58 p.m. Santa Clara issues warnings after 2 new confirmed cases Health Department officials in Santa Clara, California, are advising seniors and those with underlying health risks to avoid religious services, large parties and other big gatherings after the county confirmed two more positive coronavirus cases. The county now has a total of 11 confirmed cases. Health officials say vulnerable residents can go to locations like offices and grocery stores where it is unusual for large numbers of people to be within arms length of one another, but they advised senior centers and other similar facilities to cancel any planned large gatherings. 5:38 p.m. New Hampshire has 2nd presumptive positive case New Hampshire health officials announced their state has a second presumptive positive case of the coronavirus: an adult male from Grafton County who was in contact with the initial patient. Both patients are isolated in their homes as officials await confirmation on tests from the CDC. The initial patient, who works at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), allegedly ignored a directive to self-isolate and attended an invitation-only event on Friday, health officials said. Health Department officials are tracking down all the attendees and are instructing them to follow the recommended 14-day self-isolation. DHMC said it identified the staff members who were in close contact with the initial patient and will monitor them, health officials said. 4:39 p.m. Google cancels I/O conference Google announced that the company's I/O developers conference scheduled for May 12-14 has been canceled because of coronavirus concerns. Ticket holders will receive a full refund, the company said. 4:30 p.m. Kirkland Washington first responders show flu-like symptoms Twelve of 30 firefighters and police officers in Kirkland, Washington, who were quarantined after potential or direct exposure to COVID-19 are showing flu-like symptoms, city officials confirmed. One firefighter was released from being quarantined at a fire station after waiting for 14 days, officials said. Among the remaining 29 first responders, 19 confirmed they had direct exposure to the virus while responding to calls at a care facility. 4 p.m. Stock markets drop despite Fed interest rate cut U.S. stock markets, after rebounding on Monday, reversed those gains on Tuesday, closing 795 points lower. That loss of 2.94% was mirrored closely by the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, which each tumbled by 2.81% and 2.99%, respectively. MORE: Dow plummets despite Fed's emergency rate cut over coronavirus Earlier in the day, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced it would cut interest rates by half a percentage point to help mitigate economic losses because of the coronavirus. 3:20 p.m. North Carolina identifies 1st case of coronavirus A resident of North Carolina has tested positive for COVID-19, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday afternoon. He or she was exposed at a long-term care facility in Washington state where there is currently an outbreak, Cooper said. The person is doing well and is being isolated at home, Cooper said. Local health officials are identifying close contacts to monitor symptoms and contain spread. "I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared," Cooper said. "Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur." 3:15 p.m. Trump considering more stringent measures to prevent spread of virus The U.S. is monitoring other countries that have been badly affected by the coronavirus, such as Italy, South Korea and Japan, to see whether more stringent measures are necessary to prevent a mass outbreak in the U.S., President Donald Trump told reporters at a roundtable discussion at the National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center on Tuesday afternoon. Trump did not provide any specifics on what those measures would look like. When asked whether he was considering restricting domestic travel, Trump responded, "We are not looking at that at all, no." The president also told reporters that he's not currently considering closing the southern border to stop the spread because "We;re not seeing a lot of evidence of it in that area." 2:45 p.m. 9th death from virus confirmed in US Health officials in King County in Seattle has reported an ninth death in the U.S. from the coronavirus, according to a statement. The patient, who is in her 80s, died at her family home on Feb. 26, officials said. County officials also confirmed an additional seven cases of the virus, bringing the total confirmed cases to 21, which includes the patients who died. Eight of the patients who died are from King County, one is from neighboring Snohomish County, which is reporting six total confirmed cases. 2:40 p.m. HHS considering emergency Medicare reimbursements for uninsured patients The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is in discussions about using an emergency provision to reimburse uninsured patients or providers treating uninsured patients impacted by the coronavirus, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec told lawmakers Tuesday. The program, the National Disaster Medical System, is typically used for natural disasters to supplement local medical systems, but it can be used to reimburse providers 110% of Medicare rates, Kadlac said. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) 2:35 p.m. Florida confirms presumptive case as positive A presumptive positive case of coronavirus in the state of Florida has been confirmed, said Gov. Ron DeSantis. The woman is a California resident who tested presumptive positive after traveling to Italy with her sister, who was confirmed by the CDC as one of two positive cases in Hillsborough County on Monday. Since she is a California resident, the CDC will technically list her case under that state, but she is currently under self-isolation in Florida, DeSantis said. 2:20 p.m. 8th death from coronavirus in the US confirmed An eighth person has died from the coronavirus in the U.S., according to a statement from the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The patient was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 24 and died two days later, according to the statement. The patient had underlying medical conditions. While some staff may have been exposed while working in the intensive care unit where the patient was being treated, health officials do not believe any other patients were exposed. 2:15 p.m. 2 major international conferences in US changed due to virus Two major international conferences scheduled to take place in the U.S. have been canceled over the spread of COVID-19. Later this month, the U.S. was supposed to host a special Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Las Vegas, which brings together leaders from the bloc of Southeast Asian countries and others. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told ABC News that the administration and ASEAN partners had "made the difficult decision to postpone the ASEAN leaders meeting" indefinitely. In addition, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are not convening their annual spring meetings in Washington, D.C. and will instead hold them using a "virtual format," according to a statement from World Bank President David Malpass and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. The meetings won't be canceled or postponed but rather will be held via teleconference because a number of officials cannot travel and both organizations want to be "responsible" during the outbreak, an IMF spokesperson told ABC News. MORE: As coronavirus spreads in the US, employers gear up for massive work-from-home experiment 1:50 p.m. Trump donates quarterly paycheck to battle coronavirus President Donald Trump has donated his salary from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the battle against coronavirus. It's the fourth time Trump has donated a portion of his salary to HHS during his time as president. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted a photo of the check from Trump to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. The check, in the amount of $100,000, is dated Jan. 29, 2020. "Honoring that promise and to further protect the American people, he is donating his 2019 Q4 salary to @HHSGov to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus," Grisham wrote. President @realDonaldTrump made a commitment to donate his salary while in office. Honoring that promise and to further protect the American people, he is donating his 2019 Q4 salary to @HHSGov to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/R6KUQmBRl1 Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) March 3, 2020 1:40 p.m. 12 states currently reporting cases of COVID-19, CDC says Twelve states are currently reporting cases of coronavirus, most of which have occurred within the past two weeks, according to CDC officials. The CDC is counting 108 cases of coronavirus in the U.S., including 60 confirmed by the local health systems, 45 from the Diamond Princess cruise and three repatriated from Wuhan, China. The cases are likely a mix of travel-related, contact-related and community associated cases, officials said during a teleconference briefing Tuesday afternoon. Officials urged those with expected exposure to the virus to reach out to their health care provider by phone in order to avoid additional spreading. (Yonhap/AFP/Getty Images) 1:30 p.m. Westchester County man works at small law firm in Manhattan The Westchester County man who has tested positive for coronavirus works in a small law firm in Manhattan that employs seven people, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a news conference Tuesday. The man, who is in his 50s, is now being hospitalized at New YorkPresbyterian Hospital and is the first patient to become "seriously ill" and require hospitalization in New York, De Blasio said. The patient has been suffering from respiratory symptoms for the past month which recently became more severe, according to the mayor. The man has two children with a connection to New York City -- one who attends SAR Academy in Riverdale, who has no symptoms, and another who goes to school in New York City and has symptoms, De Blasio said. Both are being isolated at their home in Westchester County. MORE: Photos: Coronavirus outbreak sparks global health emergency 1:10 p.m. New York's MTA to disinfect public transportation every 72 hours The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will disinfect its entire fleet every 72 hours in response to the coronavirus arriving in New York, MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Foye told reporters Tuesday. Trains, cars and buses will be cleaned daily as well as handrails, ticket machines, elevators and escalators, Foye said. Mayor de Blasio urged New Yorkers to not panic about contracting the virus from public transportation, emphasizing that it is spread through "prolonged" contact rather than "occasional" or "glancing" contact. Since Monday afternoon, NYC transit has disinfected 427 stations and thousands of buses and subway cars. The Metro-North has also disinfected 60% of its fleet and 64 of 124 stations. Cleaning occurs regularly, but the workers will be cleaning more aggressively and with more force, Foye said. 1:05 p.m. Diamond Princess cruise passengers to be released The evacuees aboard the Diamond Princess cruise will be released from quarantine Tuesday in an orderly way that "mitigates community concerns about potential exposure," according to Texas officials. Several buses will transport passengers from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio directly to the airport in shifts that correspond with their flight times, officials said. Upon arrival, each group will be met by airport representatives, who will take them directly to the ticket counters, assist with baggage and facilitate movement through security. The release of more than 120 passengers was delayed from Monday at the request of the city of San Antonio. (Carl Court/Getty Images) 1 p.m. Health officials should know within months whether vaccine is effective Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told senators during a hearing Tuesday that health officials should know within months whether the coronavirus vaccine being tested in the U.S. and China works. If effective, the drug will be available almost immediately, Fauci said, adding that it will take at least a year to become available to the public. The vaccine is on track to be "literally the fastest that we have ever done," Fauci said. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he told vaccine developers to "speed it up." "A lot of good things are happening and they're happening very fast. I said, 'Do me a favor, speed it up, speed it up,' and they will," Trump said during remarks at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference. "They're working really hard and quick." 12:50 p.m. TSA administrator 'sure' airlines will be required to ask passengers about recent travel to additional countries Airlines have been directed by TSA at 280 airports around the world to ask U.S.-bound passengers about recent travel to China and Iran, but TSA Administrator David Pekoske said he is "sure" additional countries will be added to the list. "Not a large number" of non-U.S. citizens are being denied entry into the country, Pekoske said. If necessary, the TSA will have a contingency plan in place if they have a lot of officers call out sick, he added. (Mindy Schauer/AP) 12:45 p.m. Officials in New York's Westchester County tracking more individuals following confirmed case Health officials in Westchester County in New York investigating the possibility of additional cases related to the man who tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday. The man is a regular commuter from New Rochelle through Grand Central and rises the Metro-North railway, a source familiar with the case told ABC News. It is unlikely that the man rides the subway from Grand Central Station, because his law firm is nearby. Investigators are also tracking the movements of the man and his family within Westchester County, Westchester County Executive George Latimer told reporters at a news conference. Individuals "of concern" may or may not require testing, said Westchester County Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler. The man has two kids in the U.S., one who attends Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy in the Bronx's Riverdale neighborhood, which has voluntarily closed. Another child is away at college, the source said. His other two kids are in Israel, Latimer said. Twelve people in Westchester County who may have been exposed are currently undergoing quarantine, Latimer said. 12:25 p.m. Coronavirus has led to the cancellation of several Super Tuesday voting events abroad Coronavirus has led to the cancellation of several voting events in Italy via Democrats Abroad. Events in Milan, Padova, Verona, Venice and Bologna have been canceled, but events in Rome and Florence are expected to go ahead. Local ordinances have canceled organized gatherings to combating the spread of the virus. However, coronavirus isn't expected to have much effect on voting itself because international voting in primaries via Democrats Abroad happens overwhelmingly remotely. Democrats living outside the U.S. can choose to vote in their own state according to whatever rules apply to remote voting there. Or they can choose to vote through Democrats Abroad, where their vote goes into one big international pool to distribute 21 delegates proportionally among Democratic candidates. (Mehdi Marizad/AFP via Getty Images) 12:20 p.m. Officials say state labs should be equipped for a million tests by end of week FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said during a hearing Tuesday morning that state labs should have the ability to conduct up to a million tests by the end of the week. Hahn said that 2,500 test kits should be distributed to labs by the end of the week and each kit has the ability to conduct 500 tests. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, said they are rapidly supplying public health labs with tests, but emphasized that public health labs only represent a small portion of all the tests run of respiratory samples during flu season and that the majority of people with respiratory symptoms don't get tested. "By the end of this week really all the state labs the public health labs should be able to do testing," she said 11:25 a.m. COVID-19 does not compare to SARS, MERS or influenza, WHO says While addressing a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the novel coronavirus as "a unique virus with unique characteristics." Based on data collected thus far, scientists believe the newly identified virus, known officially as COVID-19, does not transmit as efficiently as influenza. With the common flu, people who are infected but not yet sick are "major drivers" of contagion, Tedros said, "which does not appear to be the case with COVID-19." In China, the epicenter of the global outbreak, less than 1% of reported cases are people who aren't symptomatic and most of them develop symptoms within two days, according to Tedros. PHOTO: Ambulances are parked to transport patients with mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Daegu, South Korea, March 3, 2020. (Lee Moo-ryul/AP) As of Tuesday, there were 90,893 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and 3,110 deaths. The vast majority of cases were reported in China. Outside China, there were 1,848 cases confirmed in the past 24 hours -- 80% of which were reported in South Korea, Italy and Iran. To date, 122 countries have yet not reported any confirmed cases, according to Tedros. 10:35 a.m. New York patient recently traveled to Israel, source says A New York man who is the latest American to be infected with the novel coronavirus had traveled to and from Israel through January and February, a source familiar with the case told ABC News. Israel had 10 confirmed cases of the newly identified virus as of Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo didn't mention that detail of the man's travel history during a press conference on Tuesday, but he did say the patient is believed to have contracted the virus through "community spread," without specifying exactly where. 9:53 a.m. Latest US patient in 'serious condition,' New York City mayor says The latest American to be diagnosed with the novel coronavirus is receiving treatment at a New York City hospital where he remains "in serious condition," according to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The patient received the diagnosis on Monday after a test conducted by the New York City Public Health Laboratory came back positive, de Blasio said. "City and state disease detectives are working closely to identify close contacts and the appropriate next steps," the mayor said in a statement Tuesday. "With the results confirmed within a number of hours, we were immediately able to take next steps to stop the spread of this virus. We have said from the beginning that it is likely we will see more positive cases of the Coronavirus. We are working closely with our state and federal partners to ensure we are taking the highest precautions to keep New Yorkers safe." PHOTO: A woman wears a face mask as she waits on the subway in Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., on March 2, 2020, after the first confirmed case of coronavirus was announced in New York state. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) The man is a resident of New Rochelle and works as a lawyer at a law firm in New York City, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The patient was initially admitted to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville and later transferred to a New York City hospital. It's unknown whether he has recently used any public transportation. The patient is believed to be the latest case of "community spread" in the United States, meaning the person had no travel history or known contact with infected individuals. The man had recently traveled to Miami but that was prior to the infectious period, according to New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. 9:19 a.m. Man tests positive in Westchester County, New York A man has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in New York's Westchester County, according to the governor's office. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office said Tuesday that the patient has no apparent connection to China or any of the hot-spot countries, and he may be another example of "community spread" on U.S. soil. He had recently traveled to Miami. The man, who is in his 50s and suffers from an underlying respiratory illness, has been hospitalized. He lives with his family in Westchester County and works in New York City, according to the governor's office. PHOTO: A man wears a mask as he walks near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the financial district in New York City, U.S., March 2, 2020. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters) Some schools in Westchester County announced closures Tuesday upon word of the confirmed case. New York state health officials are also testing two families in Buffalo who recently returned from Italy. They have been quarantined, according to the governor's office. 7:53 a.m. 'Highly likely' that UK will see growing number of cases, prime minister warns U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned it's "highly likely" that the country will see "a growing number" of cases on British soil. "That's why keeping the country safe is the government's overriding priority" Johnson said at a press conference in London on Tuesday, while launching a domestic plan to combat the virus. "The U.K. will take all necessary and reasonable steps to prepare for and tackle this outbreak." PHOTO: Travelers wearing protective face masks pull their suitcases while walking across the concourse at London Victoria train station in central London, U.K., on March 3, 2020. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images) The prime minister said the plan will unfold in four stages: containing the virus, delaying its spread, researching its origin and for a cure, and mitigating the impact of the virus. "Our plan means we're committed to doing everything possible, based on the advice of our world-leading scientific experts to prepare for all eventualities," he added. Johnson said up to one fifth of employees could be off work in the United Kingdom when the outbreak peaks. He urged members of the public to do their own part in fighting the virus, by continuing to wash hands with soap and hot water "for the length of time it takes to sing happy birthday twice." 7:13 a.m. 'We are at least a year away' from a vaccine, expert says Scientists still have a ways to go to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "We are at least a year away," Fauci told ABC News in an interview Tuesday on "Good Morning America." Health officials could know "within a period of a few months" whether any developed therapeutics work in fighting the illness, he said. Fauci also warned it's "very likely" that more cases will be confirmed in the United States as the virus continues to spread on the community level. "The source of these infections are not entirely known," he told ABC News. "You cant really trace where they got it." 6:15 a.m. China reports lowest number of new cases since lockdown China has reported its lowest number of new cases since Jan. 23 when authorities imposed a lockdown on the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. China's National Health Commission said it recorded 125 new cases of confirmed infections on Monday. The death rate also appeared to be stabilizing over the past few days, with 31 new fatalities recorded Monday -- all in Hubei province, which includes Wuhan. PHOTO: A worker wears protective clothing as a preventive measure against the novel coronavirus as she watches over customers in a supermarket in Beijing, China, on March 3, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images) However, the country is now seeing a spike in cases being imported back in from other virus-hit nations, such as Italy and Iran. Zhejiang province reported eight imported cases from Italy on Monday, all traced to a Chinese restaurant in the Italian city of Bergamo, officials said. The surge in imported cases has prompted the cities of Beijing and Shanghai as well as the province of Guangdong to impose quarantine rules on travelers arriving from Italy. 5:32 a.m. South Korea declares 'war' on the novel coronavirus South Korean President Moon Jae-in has declared "war" on the novel coronavirus after the country recorded 600 new infections on Tuesday, bringing its total to 4,812. At least 28 people have died so far, according to South Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PHOTO: South Korean soldiers in protective gear use a machine to spray disinfectant on visiting cars at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, March 3, 2020. (Kim Kyung-hoon/Reuters) A majority of the confirmed cases have been linked to a secretive religious sect in Daegu, a city in North Gyeongsang province. "The crisis in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province reached its peak and the whole country has entered a war against the infectious disease," Moon said at a press conference Tuesday. 5:32 a.m. Ukraine reports 1st case Ukraine has confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus, Ihor Kuzin, the acting head of the Ukrainian health ministry's Public Health Center, told ABC News on Tuesday. The patient is a 38-year-old man who had travelled with his wife from Italy to Ukraine via Romania on Saturday. He was hospitalized in his home city of Chernivtsi upon arrival that day. He is in stable condition and has a mild case of the illness, Kuzin said. PHOTO: Ukraine's Health Minister Zoriana Skaletska speaks with evacuees from coronavirus-hit China's Hubei province at a sanatorium in the village of Novi Sanzhary in Poltava region, Ukraine, in this picture obtained from social media on Feb. 24, 2020. (Facebook / Zoriana Skaletska/VIA Reuters) Health officials have traced all individuals who came in contact with the patient, and they too will be quarantined and tested. The man's wife initially tested negative for the virus but will be tested again Tuesday, according to Kuzin. 5:04 a.m. Outbreak slows in China but flourishes elsewhere At least 64 other nations have confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, with South Korea, Italy and Iran having the highest national totals, respectively, behind China. The World Health Organization, which has declared the outbreak a global health emergency and warned of its "pandemic potential," has recorded nearly 90,000 confirmed infections and over 3,000 deaths worldwide. China remains the hardest-hit country by far, accounting for over 90 percent of cases and fatalities. PHOTO: This photo taken on March 2, 2020, shows workers spraying disinfectant on a road in Yunmeng county, Xiaogan city, in China's central Hubei province. (AFP via Getty Images) However, China appears to be winning its battle against the newly identified virus, known officially as COVID-19, which emerged in the city of Wuhan back in December. The number of new cases reported each day has plummeted in recent weeks and hospitals are sending thousands of recovered patients home. MORE: No plans to cancel or postpone Tokyo 2020 Olympics amid coronavirus outbreak, organizers say "We definitely believe that with the coming of spring, we are not far from the coming of the victory, of the final defeat of COVID-19," Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, told reporters in New York City on Monday. PHOTO: In this photo taken on March 1, 2020, a medic treats a patient infected with the novel coronavirus at a hospital in Tehran, Iran. (Koosha Mahshid Falahi/AP) Meanwhile, an outbreak is growing in the United States where over 100 cases have been confirmed in at least 11 states as of Tuesday morning, according to The Associated Press. That number includes 48 people who were repatriated to the United States on charter flights from Wuhan, China, or from the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan. There have also been several instances of community-acquired cases on U.S. soil in which the patients had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual. MORE: Washington county declares state of emergency as coronavirus death toll rises At least six Americans sickened with the virus have died. PHOTO: Two women wearing protective masks walks past the Trajan Forum in Rome, Italy, on March 3, 2020. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images) U.S. President Donald Trump met with pharmaceutical companies at the White House on Monday to discuss the progress being made in trying to rapidly develop a vaccine. 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 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no vaccine yet for the virus. ABC News' Liz Alesse, Alice Chambers, Stephanie Ebbs, Conor Finnegan, Sabina Ghebremedhin, Ben Gittleson, Joshua Hoyos, Mina Kaji, Aaron Katersky, Rachel Katz, Dragana Jovanovic, Bonnie Mclean, Jordyn Phelps, Christine Theodorou and Karson Yiu contributed to this report. 9th coronavirus death reported in U.S. as virus continues to spread originally appeared on abcnews.go.com [March 03, 2020] Emmaus Life Sciences Announces Equity Purchase Agreement for up to $25 Million with Lincoln Park Capital TORRANCE, Calif., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: EMMA), a leader in sickle cell disease treatment, announced today the execution of a purchase agreement for up to $25 million of common stock with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (LPC), a long-only Chicago-based institutional investor. As part of the purchase agreement, LPC will make an initial purchase of 100,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share, representing 33.3% above the closing price of Emmaus common stock on March 2, 2020 as reported on the OTCQB. Thereafter and subject to the terms and conditions in the purchase agreement, Emmaus maintains the sole discretion to direct LPC to purchase from time to time up to $25 million of common stock over the 36-month term of the purchase agreement. Emmaus will control the timing and amount of any future sales of shares and LPC is obligated to purchase the shares at prices based on the market price at the time of each sale and in amounts as described in the agreement. LPC has agreed not to cause or engage in any manner whatsoever, any direct or indirect short selling or hedging of Emmaus common stock. Yutaka Niihara, M.D., M.P.H., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emmaus, stated, This purchase arrangement with Lincoln Park Capital, a well-known and established healthcare-focused investment firm, provides us with long-term access to equity capital as needed to augment our working capital in connection with our ongoing expansion of the commercialization of Endari and our clinical programs. The flexibility provided by this purchase agreement allows us the complete discretion to access equity capital from Lincoln Park Capital at the appropriate times coinciding with our business needs and does not restrict us from pursuing financing from other sources. Emmaus plans to use the proceeds from sales of its common stock under the purchase agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. In consideration for LPC entering into the purchase agreement, Emmaus issued shares of its common stock to LPC as a commitment fee. Additional information regarding the purchase agreement with LPC is available in the Current Report on Form 8-K that Emmaus filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The shares of common stock covered by the purchase agreement are being offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement (File No. 333-223203) that was declared effective by the SEC on June 29, 2019. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The offering can be made only by means of the prospectus supplement and accopanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained at the SECs website at www.sec.gov or by request from Emmaus at 21250 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 800, Torrance, California 90503 or by telephone at (310) 214-0065, extension 3005. About Emmaus Life Sciences Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, marketing and sale of innovative treatments and therapies, including those in the rare and orphan disease categories. For more information, please visit www.emmausmedical.com. About Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (LPC) LPC is a long-only institutional investor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. LPCs experienced professionals manage a portfolio of investments in public and private entities. These investments are in a wide range of companies and industries emphasizing life sciences and technology. LPCs investments range from multi-year financial commitments to fund growth to special situation financings to long-term strategic capital offering companies flexibility and consistency. For more information, please visit www.lpcfunds.com. About Endari (prescription grade L-glutamine oral powder) Indication - Endari is indicated to reduce the acute complications of sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients five years of age and older. Important Safety Information The most common adverse reactions (incidence >10 percent) in clinical studies were constipation, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, cough, pain in extremities, back pain, and chest pain. Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation included one case each of hypersplenism, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, burning sensation, and hot flash. The safety and efficacy of Endari in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease younger than five years of age has not been established. For more information, please see full Prescribing Information of Endari at: www.ENDARIrx.com/PI. About Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the production of an altered form of hemoglobin which polymerizes and becomes fibrous, causing red blood cells to become rigid and change form so that they appear sickle shaped instead of soft and rounded. Patients with sickle cell disease suffer from debilitating episodes of sickle cell crises, which occur when the rigid, adhesive and inflexible red blood cells occlude blood vessels. Sickle cell crises cause excruciating pain as a result of insufficient oxygen being delivered to tissue, referred to as tissue ischemia, and inflammation. These events may lead to organ damage, stroke, pulmonary complications, skin ulceration, infection and a variety of other adverse outcomes. Sickle cell disease is a significant unmet medical need, affecting approximately one hundred thousand patients in the U.S. and millions worldwide, the majority of which are of African descent. An estimated 1-in-365 African American children are born with sickle cell disease. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding possible sales of common stock pursuant to the purchase agreement with LPC and Emmaus financing needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which change over time, including uncertainties related to Emmaus working capital and ability to carry on its existing operations and obtain needed financing and other factors previously disclosed in the companys reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and actual results may differ materially. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Emmaus assumes no duty to update them, except as may be required by law. Company Contact: Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. Joseph (Jay) C. Sherwood III Chief Financial Officer (310) 214-0065, Ext. 3005 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: LifeSci Advisors Bruce Mackle (929) 469-3859 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister condemned Seoul as a "frightened dog barking" on Tuesday over its response to a weapons drill by Pyongyang, state media reported. Kim Yo Jong's comments -- the first time she has issued a political statement in her own name -- came after Seoul's security ministers expressed "strong concern" following Pyongyang's firing of what the South's military said appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday. North Korean state media published pictures on Tuesday of Kim Jong Un supervising what it called a "long-range artillery" exercise. Seoul said it was the North's first weapons test for more than three months. The North is banned from testing ballistic missiles under UN Security Council resolutions. The South Korean military said two devices were fired eastwards over the sea from the Wonsan area on the North's east coast and flew 240 km (150 miles) at a maximum altitude of 35 km. The North also appeared to be carrying on a firing drill that began Friday, it added. Kim Yo Jong said the nuclear-armed North was entitled to carry out military drills and the South's condemnation was a "truly senseless act" and "perfectly foolish", according to a statement published by the North's official Korean Central Agency. She likened it to "a frightened dog barking". "Such incoherent assertion and actions made by Chongwadae only magnify our distrust, hatred and scorn for the south side as a whole," she added, referring to the South's presidential office. Kim Yo Jong has long been one of her brother's closest advisers and has frequently been pictured alongside him at summits with US President Donald Trump or the South's President Moon Jae-in. She acted as her brother's envoy to the South at the time of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, which ushered in a rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the divided peninsula. The issuance of a political statement in her own name highlights her central role in the regime, analysts said. "By having someone like Kim Yo Jong -- who has been a dovish figure towards the South and acting as a soft and friendly messenger -- issue such a strong statement condemning the current government, the North is raising its pressure," said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. While she was named in January as a first vice-department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, the statement signalled she may have moved further up the hierarchy, he added. If she went on to issue direct condemnations of the US, he told AFP , it would be confirmation that she had become "the second most powerful person after her brother". Monday's drills came days after the one-year anniversary of the failed Hanoi summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un, and followed the expiry of an end-of-year deadline Pyongyang set Washington to offer it fresh concessions. The two countries are deadlocked over sanctions relief and what the North would be willing to give up in return, while there are no significant contacts between the North and South. Kim Jong Un has declared the North no longer considered itself bound by its moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, and threatened to demonstrate a "new strategic weapon" soon. Seoul and Washington last week postponed forthcoming joint military exercises over the coronavirus outbreak -- the South has more than 5,000 infections -- and the South's President Moon offered to co-operate over the disease with the North, which has closed its borders to try to prevent a potentially devastating outbreak. The moves had generated "no goodwill" from the North, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. Pyongyang was making clear "it will continue to improve military capabilities and make outsized demands, despite the political and public health preoccupations of Beijing, Seoul and Washington", he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accelerating Vaion's Growth in the Government Sector LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Vaion, an innovator in end-to-end AI video security, today announced Joel Brunson, has joined the company as CEO of Vaion's Federal business. Brunson brings world-class leadership in business growth and proven expertise in the federal government sector. "We're on a growth trajectory as organizations around the world realize the need to take a proactive posture to security in both the physical and cyber realms," said Tormod Ree, Vaion CEO. "Joel brings a unique vision and an incredible depth of experience working with the federal government on both video and cybersecurity solutions, a huge asset both for our team and our customers." "Vaion is setting the precedent for intelligent video security. I've worked in this industry for nearly three decades, and the only thing that is constant is change," said Joel Brunson, CEO, Vaion Federal. "Organizations worldwide but especially in the government sector, need to rethink their approach to security. Vaion's ability to detect and address incidents through AI and machine learning, combined with our agility to meet the unique needs of different government agencies, is industry-shifting." Brunson joins Vaion from video conferencing and collaboration company, Acano which was acquired by Cisco. Before Acano, Brunson led teams at Black Box Video, Tandberg, and Avaya. Brunson has a passion for creating and developing successful business teams to meet and exceed targets consistently. In his new position, Joel will oversee both physical and cybersecurity solutions aimed at protecting federal government agencies from internal and external threats. "Joel has a track record of exceeding market expectations because he's raised the standard when it comes to understanding each unique customer's needs. This is especially important in the federal sector where security takes on a whole new meaning," added Ree. "Vaion offers a solution the federal market absolutely needs," added Brunson. "The more warning we can give security professionals tasked with protecting the public, the better the outcome." Vaion's Philosophy: Prevent Threats from Escalating Vaion addresses the need for a scalable, intelligent video security solution across markets-federal government, retail, commercial, healthcare, and education. By detecting and addressing threats in real-time, Vaion allows security professionals to prevent threats from escalating. This is made possible through the use of computer vision and a neural network (machine learning) that mimics the human brain's ability to recognize patterns and categorize images. With Vaion's end-to-end security solution, organizations can address security issues as they unfold rather than merely reviewing recorded incidents after the fact. And when necessary, Vaion provides the tools to find "what matters' in recorded video quickly. A vital capability to expedite effective investigations with minimum resources. In the federal government sector, taking a proactive approach to security is no longer an option; it is a necessity. Just consider the reactive alternative for government agencies like the TSA who protects airline passengers and employees or the DOJ who runs the Bureau of Prisons or the CISA who protects critical national infrastructures, to name a few. All of these agencies are tasked with one thing-protecting the employees, buildings, records - and the citizens they serve. Vaion allows these agencies to be vigilant and alert to pre-empt threats rather than just respond. Watch our webinar recording describing how to transform your video security using real-time data to keep your building, records, employees-and the civilians you serve-safe. Join Us at ISC West We invite you to learn more about our video surveillance innovation at ISC West, March 18-20 in Las Vegas. We'll be demonstrating our latest technology at booth #19125. If you'd like to meet Vaion's new CEO Federal, Joel Brunson, or Vaion's CEO, Tormod Ree, please contact us here to schedule an appointment in advance. About Vaion As a global company with offices in New York, London, and Oslo, Vaion is changing the traditional video security landscape with AI capabilities that make it easier for businesses and organizations to monitor their assets proactively. Vaion offers an end-to-end surveillance solution that helps companies detect threats - physical and cyber - in their earliest stages and perform fast, effective investigations with fewer resources. Learn more at www.vaion.com. Press Contact: Monica Nascimento Vaion (408) 722-7856 monica.nascimento@vaion.com SOURCE: Vaion View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578382/Vaion-Welcomes-Joel-Brunson-as-CEO-Federal For 2020, Industry Nine have partnered with Canadian brand We Are One Composites for an all-new carbon wheel line. The carbon rims use a layup specifically designed in conjunction with Industry Nine. There are XC, trail, enduro, and DH models available. By now, most riders have heard, or at least heard of Industry Nine's hubsets. With an ever-increasing number of engagement points over the years, their top-tier Hydra hub-set now ticks along to the tune of 690 engagement points, every rotation.For 2020, Industry Nine have partnered with Canadian brand We Are One Composites for an all-new carbon wheel line. The carbon rims use a layup specifically designed in conjunction with Industry Nine. There are XC, trail, enduro, and DH models available. Industry Nine TR280 Details 27.5" or 29" (tested) system options I9 specific We Are One Composites rim 28mm internal rim width 24 or 32h options 6-pawl, 6-phase, 115-tooth drive ring .52 degrees between engagement points Weight: 1,560g, as tested, with rim tape and valves Lifetime warranty Wheelsets from $2,250 / Front - $1,015 / Rear - $1,235 / $2,515 (as tested) industrynine.com 27.5" or 29" (tested) system options I9 specific We Are One Composites rim 28mm internal rim width 24 or 32h options 6-pawl, 6-phase, 115-tooth drive ring .52 degrees between engagement points Weight: 1,560g, as tested, with rim tape and valves Lifetime warranty Wheelsets from $2,250 / Front - $1,015 / Rear - $1,235 / $2,515 (as tested) The rims are designed and manufactured to I9's specifications by We Are One Composites. Construction Industry Nine's Hydra hubs have a lot of engagement and even more color options. First Impressions The TR280 wheels use Industry Nine's system spoke and hub combination and carbon rims from We Are One Composites. The rim profiles are different from WR1's current offerings, with a shallower rim depth and a layup that's designed specifically for I9's hub and spoke system. In addition, the bead walls are thicker to help reduce the chance of pinch flats or impact damage.The entire wheelset, less bearings, is engineered, manufactured, and assembled in North America - the rims are made in British Columbia and the hubs/spokes being made by I9 in Asheville, North Carolina, where the wheels are also assembled.As far as the hubs go, theres a 115-tooth drive ring, and 6 individually phased pawls, equally spaced from each other. This means that all of the pawls, and the teeth on them, catch the teeth on the drive ring individually instead of simultaneously. That means that each time you move the drive ring one tooth over youll get six individual clicks, all of which adds up to 690 points of engagement in the hubs.Axle configurations are nearly endless and the hubs are available in both standard Boost and Superboost. The trail rims, as tested, measure 28mm internally.Having spent considerable time on I9's alloy Trail 270 wheels, I can draw a few comparisons between them and the Trail 280's. The Trail 280 wheels are a bit lighter, and the ride quality is noticeably different; better, I would say. The carbon seems to do its job in damping a lot of trail chatter and vibration and the wheels feel smooth and responsive. There isn't an overly harsh feel or too much feedback. Quick engaging hubs aren't an absolute necessity, but that near-instant engagement from the Hydra hub is nice to have, especially in slower speed, technical terrain.I'm going to keep riding the wheels and will report back with a more in-depth report on the rim and hub durability once they've undergone a substantial thrashing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Berlin, March 3, 2020 Greek authorities should quickly and thoroughly investigate attacks on reporters covering refugee movements and ensure the safety of journalists who report on events of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 1, a group of Greek protesters at the port of Thermi, on the island of Lesbos, attempted to block refugees traveling into the country from Turkey, and attacked journalists who were covering the refugees arrival, according to social media posts by journalists at the scene and news reports. Greek authorities must quickly and thoroughly investigate the attacks on reporters covering refugee movements on the island of Lesbos and ensure that they can continue their reporting safely and without fear, said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Gulnoza Said in New York. Greek police have an obligation to protect members of the press. The protesters kicked and beat freelance photojournalist Michael Trammer, and threw his cameras into the water, the journalist tweeted. Trammer told CPJ via messaging app that he went to a local emergency room after the attack with injuries to his head, where he received stitches and an x-ray and was released. CPJs messages to other journalists at the scene did not immediately receive any replies, but several posted about their experiences on Twitter. The protesters kicked and beat freelance photographer Raphael Knipping, and hit him with his camera tripod, he wrote on Twitter, saying that he was with Trammer at the time of the attack. He wrote that Trammer was more seriously injured and that he was ok. Protesters threw sticks at Der Spiegel reporter Giorgos Christides and chased his car while he was attempting to report on the refugees arrival, he wrote on Twitter, adding that the assailants built roadblocks to obstruct reporters and human rights workers. Julian Busch, a freelance photojournalist, posted a video on Twitter showing local residents throwing sticks at the car that he and freelance journalist Franziska Grillmeier were driving. Trammer said he did not see any Greek police officers at the scene. Christides tweeted that police were watching or non existent. CPJ emailed the press department of the Greek national police for comment but did not immediately receive a reply. GENEVA and NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian youth artist Tiarn Garland, 15, was named the winner of the World Wildlife Day 2020 International Youth Art contest. Comprised of the CITES Secretariat, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the jury announced the winner at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as part of the World Wildlife Day celebrations on 3 March. Titled "Here today.but tomorrow?", Tiarn's work depicted a koala on the foreground, clinging to a lone branch as a not-so-distant bushfire ravages a forest in the background. The detailed animal and its lifelike gaze struck the jury, which chose it as this year's winner, among a high volume of quality entries to this year's contest. Tiarn was welcomed as a guest of honour at the high-level event at the UN Headquarters where she received the award. This year's Youth Art Contest followed the theme of the 2020 World Wildlife Day celebrations: "Sustaining all life on Earth." This encompassed all forms of wild fauna and flora, celebrating their roles as essential components of the world's biodiversity, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life On Land), 1 (No Poverty) and 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns). This was the second time an International Youth Art Contest was held to mark World Wildlife Day. Nearly 200 entries from over 20 countries were received. The jurors picked the winner from an exceptional roster of 13 finalists. The panel of jurors included: Azzedine Downes , President and CEO of IFAW , President and CEO of IFAW Midori Paxton , Head of Biodiversity and Ecosystems at UNDP , Head of Biodiversity and Ecosystems at UNDP Ivonne Higuero , Secretary-General of CITES , Secretary-General of CITES Monica Medina , Founder and CEO of Our Daily Planet , Founder and CEO of Our Daily Planet Maddy Paice , IFAW Youth Ambassador , IFAW Youth Ambassador Kathleen Rodgers , President of Earth Day Network , President of Earth Day Network Jim Toomey , Syndicate Cartoonist of Sherman's Lagoon "In November 2019, dozens of bushfires erupted across Australia and burned uncontrollably for months destroying millions of acres of valuable wildlife habitat. Billions of animals perished in the devastating blazes. This heart-breaking loss included some of our most iconic wildlife species in particular tens of thousands of precious koalas. I was inspired to draw this scene as it represents the sustainability struggle happening in my own backyard. I wanted to draw attention to the vulnerability of our native wildlife and how their lives hang in the balance. I wanted to convey how this fragile balance can be quickly destroyed sometimes, in as such short a time as days or even hours and to evoke action to tackle the immediate and longer-term impacts that threaten wildlife. Sustaining life on earth means making sure all of us have the same chance to survive," said Tiarn Garland, the 2020 International Youth Art Contest Winner. "Through a means that offers both creativity and expression, we continue to be in awe of the breadth and remarkable beauty of the artwork received from all ages from all parts of the world," said Kelly Johnston, Program Officer of IFAW. "We are inspired by the global response to this contest which so vividly reflects the natural affinity that children have for both animals as well as art. We will continue to welcome the opportunity to celebrate the rich biodiversity that surrounds us, and which so needs the critical role of youth to serve as stewards of the natural world." CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero said, "We congratulate Tiarn for her powerful drawing and for the talent she showed in illustrating the threats that weigh on the world's biodiversity. We are proud to collaborate with IFAW and UNDP on this Art Contest. We do so in the hope of galvanizing young people and children's interest in the conservation of wild fauna and flora and their habitats in all their diversity. We thank Tiarn and all participants in this year's contest for their work and commitment. We believe they will inspire others and that their art will help strengthen the bonds between youth, wildlife and the world's biodiversity." "Tiarn's artwork is extremely powerful. It captures the theme of this year's World Wildlife Day and shows how the climate crisis and nature crisis are directly interlinked," said Midori Paxton, head of Biodiversity and Ecosystems at UNDP. "Frequent heatwaves and wildfires represent some of the most pressing threats to biodiversity. The plight of the koala as depicted by Tiarn symbolizes these growing threats. Many small endemic species such as mouse-size marsupial dunnarts are also on the brink of extinction because of the Australian fires. We are facing a planetary crisis whose solution requires integrated approaches that tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss together." Celebrated annually, World Wildlife Day was established by a 2013 resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, marking the day of signature of the CITES Convention. The CITES Secretariat is its principal facilitator. Since its proclamation, the day has become one of the most important global annual events specifically dedicated to wildlife, with annual high-level events at the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva. The winning artwork as well as all entries are viewable on the Flickr page of World Wildlife Day and on the IFAW website. For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact: IFAW: Rodger Correa at +1 202 834 6637 or [email protected] CITES: Francisco Perez at +41 22 917 1447 or [email protected] UNDP: Sangita Khadka at +1 212 906 5043 or [email protected] About CITES The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 183 Parties (182 countries + the European Union) it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 36,000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people, in support to UN Sustainable Development Goals. About UNDP UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. About IFAW The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org. SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare Related Links http://www.ifaw.org BETHLEHEM Lenders of Monolith Solar have reached an agreement to sell off the solar installation firm's unfinished Slingerlands headquarters building as part of a broader attempt to keep the financially troubled firm operating as it completes several key projects in Albany and Troy. Monolith was in the process of building a new headquarters at the Vista Technology Campus last year when it suddenly had to stop construction as it ran into trouble paying Pioneer Bank, which provided a construction loan for the $5 million project. Pioneer then started a foreclosure proceeding in state Supreme Court in Albany. Only the steel framework was completed before construction ended. Monolith owes Pioneer $1.4 million. Meanwhile, a New York City-based receiver has been working to keep Monolith afloat while the company attempts to complete projects across the region, including the Troy landfill project. After those solar farms are completed, the company could be sold or an asset sale could take place. "The goal here is to keep the company in business, to stay in business," Daniel Scouler, Monolith's receiver, told the Times Union on Tuesday. "We could sell the company (once all the existing projects are completed). There's been a fair amount of interest." Scouler says Monolith's founders Steve Erby and Mark Fobare are out as executives. Only four people are working at the company's headquarters in Albany, and the company has a construction crew of 10, Scouler said. Monolith once had more than 100 employees when it was one of the largest solar installers in the region. Meanwhile, NYSERDA, the state's energy research and development agency that provides incentives to solar installers and their customers, has moved to block Monolith from signing up new projects through its programs, which are supported by fees on utility bills. "Monolith Solar is currently suspended from applying for new funding through the States NY-Sun initiative but is allowed to complete existing, ongoing projects," NYSERDA said in a statement to the Times Union. "If under their new leadership, these current projects built demonstrate industry quality and standards, NYSERDA will then reevaluate their ability to apply for future projects." Scouler was appointed by a federal judge from the Albany-based Northern District of New York as receiver at the request of KeyBank, which has loaned Monolith millions of dollars over the years to fund construction of its solar farm projects. KeyBank says it is owed $6 million from Monolith. KeyBank's case has since been moved to the court's Utica location. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. In his updates to the court, Scouler has blamed the company's original management team for allowing "the operation and maintenance" of its projects to "deteriorate which reduced power generation and cash flow from these assets." That management team also "permitted the billing and collection of invoices from customers to fall into disarray." For instance, four customers owed the company $400,000, Scouler wrote. The biggest of the uncompleted Monolith projects is a 2.6-megawatt solar farm at the Troy landfill. In a January filing in federal court, Scouler wrote that the Troy landfill project was "seriously behind schedule when the receiver took over management, and now it is expected to be finished this month. Once it is completed, Scouler expects to realize a $600,000 profit. The next project to be completed would be a 600,000-kilowatt project at the Albany landfill. KeyBank has also agreed to lend the receiver $1 million to help it complete the projects and keep the company afloat. There is no date yet when the uncompleted Slingerlands building at Vista might be sold. Posted on: March 3, 2020 1:47 PM In this fifth article in our series of features looking at the Anglican Communions Five Marks of Mission, Kate Brankin, the International Coordinator for the Office of the Primate in South Sudan, looks at that churchs approach to the fourth Mark of Mission: To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) is involved in the process of peace making and peace building. ECSS has a unique place in that it has dioceses and parishes throughout the country. It uses mission and evangelism to reach different communities, telling them how important peace and reconciliation is so that the communities see themselves as brothers and sisters in a family of God. The archbishop, bishops and priests regularly preach during Sunday services on peace and reconciliation, as well as conducting community meetings to share messages of peace. As a respected institution in the community, ECSS is often asked to partake in community reconciliation initiatives. It visits the internally displaced and refugee camps to encourage and give hope to the people living there. The church is using its departments, like the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation department, to reconcile the communities that have been affected by the war. This office makes efforts to aid in the reconciliation of different community groups by bringing communities together to educate, dialogue, and reconcile them. The church has also played an active role in disseminating the details of the revitalised peace agreement amongst different groups of people, such as the youth, women and intellectuals, throughout the country. Where communities and politicians are divided, people turn to the church to provide an impartial voice that helps to reconcile communities, and even parties, to the conflict. Sometimes the ECSS works, with other Christian denominations under the umbrella of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) in reconciling political leaders. An example of this is when the leaders were taken for a retreat at the Vatican to build trust. Some political parties that have sharp divisions amongst themselves have also been brought together in an attempt to reunite them. The Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, has been involved in peace talks on behalf of South Sudan Council of Churches. He is able to meet with political leaders to speak on behalf of the South Sudanese people both within and outside the country. These meetings also provide an opportunity to pray with the leaders of the country, that they may hear and respond to the will of the Lord. The church have schools and colleges where Christian values are taught. As children share with their parents the things they've heard at school, whole families can be influenced in the way of peace. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan also works with other Christian mission agencies and organisations that deal with peace building and healing. Examples of such are Flame International that have an ongoing programme with the Army Chaplains. With the help of the church they travel to different areas within South Sudan to conduct healing workshops and teaching in their barracks and sometimes they bring the chaplains to a church and train them to go back and teach others. SOMA UK is another example of a mission agency that has been working with the ECSS in helping to equip the youth so that they are not misled by the different warring parties and are able to do something productive with their lives. The church works through the Mothers Union to create awareness and educate women to engage in peace building and to speak against gender based violence and rape. The Mothers Union also reiterate the message of the church against child marriage, to enable more girls to stay in school and get a good education. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan has a relief and developmental wing that works to transform the lives of those left devastated by the unjust results of war. Read the rest of our series on the Five Marks of Mission As a general rule, being inaccessible or remote is not good economically for a city, but it can make a place more interesting. That's what drew me to spend a few days in Duluth, Minn., a city hardly touched by the demographic changes that have swept through so much of the country in recent decades.Duluth sits up high in the northeast quadrant of Minnesota, touching Wisconsin. Few go through the city to get to somewhere else, unless they are on board a long ship loaded with iron pellets: The city is a major port on Lake Superior at the terminus of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. There is an interstate highway, I-35, but it dead-ends in Duluth. The airport is small. Amtrak trains from Minneapolis stopped running in 1985.Some gridded streets on the lake form the core of the city. Behind it are neighborhoods that slope steeply up a hill. The city faces and seems to draw sustenance from the giant lake, despite a misguided urban renewal effort in the 1950s that put a wide highway along the waterfront separating downtown and adjacent neighborhoods from the water.Despite its isolation, the city has what some might call a just-right economy, neither too hot nor too cold. Besides the port, there is a university and a major hospital. The aircraft maker Cirrus, known for its light planes with parachutes, has its headquarters and a manufacturing plant there. The city's population has been stable for three decades at about 86,000, although this is down from about 106,000 in 1960. James and Deborah Fallows, in their recent book, include Duluth among America's prosperous, smaller cities flying under the national radar.One way Duluth differs from many other cities of its size, however, is in its striking lack of racial and ethnic diversity. Walking and driving around, I encountered no shortage of the blond folk of Scandinavian heritage whose ancestors immigrated to the Upper Midwest in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The distinctive accent non-Midwesterners might know best from the moviewas ubiquitous, as was an almost aggressively pleasant demeanor that reminded me of my native South. Almost everyone I spoke to was born in or around the city.I had been in Duluth a day and a night before I realized I had not seen a single African American or Asian, or anybody identifiably Hispanic. That was quite a contrast to where I live in Brooklyn. Finally, on my last day there, I saw a young black girl entering a school, and a woman I presumed to be her mother. According to the Census Bureau, the city is 2.7 percent African American, 2 percent Hispanic and 1.7 percent Asian.This got me thinking about diversity in general. Is it OK that Duluth is so un-diverse? What strengths and weaknesses does diversity, or a lack of it, bring to a city? After all, some towns and cities promote how diverse they are, celebrating an ethnic mix as key to cultural and economic vibrancy even as they grapple with how to handle ethnic and racial differences, whether in the curricula of their schools or in the way they deliver public services.I did like one aspect of Duluth which its more homogenous population probably made stronger: its deep sense of community. Duluth is a city where most people know their neighbors and watch out for them, I was told. This matches research from Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, who said one ill effect of more diversity is that people can "turtle" more, retreating into their ethnic shells. Putnam named Duluth as having one of the highest reserves in the country of "social capital," the bonds such as trust between people that help society function.I spoke to Mayor Emily Larson about diversity and Duluth. Larson did not grow up in Duluth, but in distant St. Paul, 150 miles to the south. She came to the city at 17 to go to college, and never left. She said she values the city's homespun, Scandinavian-rooted, civic-minded culture, but would like to see more minorities. "We want to focus on who we need to be, not just who we are now," said Larson, who is in her second term as mayor. "I know full well that Duluth has not been benefiting from immigration as well as migration. What can we be doing to change that? These are things we focus on all the time."While there's so much that's appealing about Duluth's sense of community, I found myself thinking that if I were to move there with my family, we would feel like outsiders in such a strong, established local culture, even though I'm sure we would be welcomed. I would have more in common with someone, of whatever skin color, from Brooklyn where I live now, or my native Virginia and the South, with all of its baggage.Still, in more than one respect Duluth is quite similar to Brooklyn. In 2016, both voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. Cities, whatever their location or inhabitants' ethnicity, have become very Democratic. And Duluth has its share of home-grown vibrancy. One young Duluth woman I spoke to, as we listened to someone playing guitar on a small stage, said of her native city, "It's a hipster town with a lot of good bars and coffee shops, with a good music scene." That sounds pretty Brooklynish.Mayor Larson said she would work to attract newcomers of all races but particularly minorities, an aspiration she said would need extra effort given their present low numbers in the city. "We want to be welcoming in a way that people deserve," Larson said. "We are very straightforward, not pretentious. We are not trying to be a different kind of city, we just are. We go running when it's 20 below."That last bit was a reference to Duluth's famously cold winter weather, which might add to the challenge of attracting those newcomers. But generations of immigrants have come before, and somehow they got used to it and thrived.GoverningGoverning Sectors that are heavily affected by the global health crisis will earn new incentives. Photo: Le Toan After a series of proposals from experts and the business community, it is expected that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will issue a hallmark directive on measures to support enterprises in adapting to the ongoing novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak and ensure economic growth for 2020. The directive, compiled by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), will likely include special incentives for enterprises, especially those operating in industry, agriculture, and tourism. The most heavily hit sectors of COVID-19, they will get incentives during and after the epidemic. These may involve a reduction and exemption of many types of fees and taxes, and ease of customs clearance procedures. The State Bank of Vietnam is expected to ask banks to reschedule debt payment time, reduce or exempt lending rates, and provide new loans with preferential lending rates. This directive is extremely important as it is expected to give the kiss of life to enterprises suffering numerous difficulties caused by COVID-19, said MPI Minister Nguyen Chi Dung at last weeks MPI meeting to seek out solutions to assist enterprises amid the global health crisis. The solutions must help enterprises recover performance and the economy bounce back, with growth [of 6.8 per cent] maintained for 2020 and the whole 2016-2020 period [of 6.5-7 per cent annually], Minister Dung said. I am really worried about the health of enterprises. If enterprises continue suffering great losses as they are now, the economy will suffer reductions in budget revenue, growth, employment, and social disorder. Depressed production The governments new move comes amid many enterprises in the country seriously affected by woes caused by COVID-19, and with many neighbouring nations having launched different packages to assist businesses to recover production. Tran Duy Dong, head of the MPIs Department for Local and Territorial Economy, said that production enterprises are in critical need of support in reducing input costs and seeking out markets, and extension of tax payments. Meanwhile, tourism firms need assistance in visa extensions, promotion of tourism programmes, and reduction of air tickets. Agricultural firms also require assistance in product consumption in the local market. The minister and business associations have directly met with enterprises, with those in industries such as textiles and garments, electronics, automobiles, and agriculture noting that the government would need to have sturdy policies to support them. Many are facing tough difficulties due to a shortage of materials, of which 30-60 per cent are imported from China. Currently, firms material stock can help them maintain production until late February. If their shortages continue, they must halt production in March, Minister Dung said. The German Industry and Commerce Vietnam carried out a survey of over 80 German firms in Vietnam on the COVID-19 impacts on their operations. Some 76 per cent of respondents confirmed that the epidemic is affecting their activities in Vietnam. About 44 per cent highly valued the Vietnamese governments timely measures against the outbreak, helping them in performance. According to the MPIs Foreign Investment Agency (FIA), numerous international firms in Vietnam have been heavily affected by the unpredictability caused by COVID-19. For example, Taiwanese-backed Foxconn is anxious with its serious lack in both material supplies and experts. Foxconn is a supplier of Apple, Cisco, and Google. A new huge project and contracts of Foxconn with partners have been heavily affected, and the situation will become even worse if Foxconns experts are not allowed to enter Vietnam, said FIA head Do Nhat Hoang. Foreign business associations told us that their materials are only sufficient until late February, and in March, their performance will be more affected. The MPIs Department of Economic Zone Management also reported that thousands of enterprises in economic zones are operating in the production sector, and are facing serious material shortages. Major firms such as Foxconn, Formosa, and Samsung can ensure their materials until March. Besides that, enterprises are suffering from grave shortages of employees, said department director Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc. Hoa Phat, Samsung, and Foxconn are lacking technical workers. Damaging growth According to Jacques Morisset, the World Banks lead economist in Vietnam, it is expected that COVID-19 could lead to a 5 per cent reduction in GDP each month if the epidemic continues. In 2020, the whole economy may suffer from a 1.4 per cent drop in GDP growth. Morisset suggested that to spur on local production and ensure economic growth, the Vietnamese government should not use too many tools, which can make it difficult to manage. He added that it is advised Vietnam use tax-related methods such as rescheduling payments and refunds which are now critically needed by enterprises. Meanwhile, Standard Chartered Bank has launched a report on gauging exposure to coronavirus disruptions in Asia, forecasting that it has lowered its 2020 GDP growth projection for Vietnam to 6.6 from 7 per cent. We expect the coronavirus to have the greatest impact on manufacturing, Vietnams strongest growth driver in recent years. The impact is likely to be concentrated in the first quarter when we see growth slowing to 4.5 per cent on-year, with activity rebounding in the first half of the year, the report read. The manufacturing sector has registered double-digit growth for the last five years, contributing close to a third of overall growth. We expect manufacturing growth to slow to nearly 8 per cent in 2020 from 11.3 per cent in 2019. We expect the government to deliver fiscal stimulus via accelerated disbursement of funds for public investment and measures (including tax incentives) to attract foreign direct investment inflows. With this new forecast, Vietnams growth this year will still be the highest in the region, with Standard Chartered also lowering growth projections for many economies such as China (5.5 per cent), Hong Kong (-1.5 per cent), Indonesia (5 per cent), Malaysia (4.2 per cent), Singapore (0.8 per cent), South Korea (2 per cent), Taiwan (1.9 per cent), Thailand (1.8 per cent), and Japan (0.4 per cent). Last week, global analysts FocusEconomics also released its new forecast on Vietnams economic outlook, stating that the economy is set to remain one of ASEANs top performers in 2020 thanks to strong domestic demand. However, COVID-19 will hamper momentum in the short-term, the forecast said. A possible escalation of the viral outbreak and domestic banking vulnerabilities pose further risks to the outlook, the firm stated in a fresh bulletin sent to VIR. FocusEconomics panellists project the economy will expand 6.5 per cent in 2020, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last months forecast, and 6.6 per cent in 2021. At a government-led meeting last week, PM Phuc stated that the government will support all sectors in the economy via numerous measures such as a reduction in visa fees, no increase in prices of power, water, healthcare, and educational services, and many others. Another solution is we must boost public investment and construction of key projects, as well as accelerate disbursement of official development assistance, foreign investment, and development capital, PM Phuc noted. Actions by nations As of last Saturday, COVID-19 has it 50 nations and territories around the world. Many have taken sturdy solutions to keep their enterprises and economies afloat. For example, China has increased money supply worth $240 billion into the banking system, and the banks are required to provide preferential loans for enterprises and people. All loaning procedures are simplified. Meanwhile, Thailand has just announced new measures to fuel its economy, with a reduction in average annual lending rate from 1.25 to 1 per cent, and a rise in corporate income tax exemption for enterprises and large-scale projects, as well as loosening of debt payments. Singapore has announced a package worth over $4 billion to support the economy, including exemption of many fees for the hospitality sector. Moreover, the Philippines has also reduced its average annual lending rate from 4 to 3.75 per cent for borrowers. Indonesia has also followed suit, from 5 to 4.75 per cent. According to Minister Dung, the packages by these economies are aimed to implement specific purposes. Thus, Vietnam must also have a suitable package to support our enterprises. We must make a list on the types of enterprises that must be given incentives. We cannot support all enterprises at the same time as not all enterprises are affected by COVID-19, he said. We do hope that with the new policy from the Vietnamese government, enterprise confidence will be strengthened, and economic growth targets will be ensured. By Laurence Frost and Sarah Young BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The worst is still to come for the airline industry in terms of economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak, European bosses warned on Tuesday, but they predicted that travel demand could stabilise in the coming weeks. Coronavirus has hit travel demand, forcing airlines to cancel flights and cut costs, and ask governments and regulators for help, as they battle to get to grips with what they hope will be short-term, rather than long-term, disruption. The heads of Europe's biggest carriers including Ryanair's Michael O'Leary; Willie Walsh, boss of British Airways-owner IAG; and easyJet's Johan Lundgren said at an annual industry conference the epidemic was upsetting growth. "We have seen a drop in demand when you look particularly in the northern part of Italy, but that has also spilled over to the other parts of the network," easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said on the sideliness of a conference. Italy has seen the biggest outbreak of the illness in Europe. IAG's Walsh also noted a "very significant fall-off in demand" in Italian markets in the past week. But he predicted demand would stabilise in coming weeks if bookings followed the pattern seen in Asia. "I think we will see air traffic recover in due course," he said. Ryanair's O'Leary agreed the next few weeks would be tough. He said he expected a "very deflated booking environment" for the next two to three weeks, but should the crisis stabilise, bookings would recover. "I think you will see a pretty rapid return to normal," he said. Yet the bosses acknowledged it could get a lot worse before it gets better. "If we're not successful in the containment of it then there might be a more difficult outcome," Lundgren said. HELP NEEDED Airlines worldwide have been suspending flights or modifying services in response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has now claimed more than 3,000 lives and infected more than 90,000 people globally, after spreading from China to 77 other countries and territories. Story continues The crisis has led to a quarter of the short-haul fleet of airlines like Lufthansa being grounded. As part of the European airline lobby group A4E, the airlines called for a relaxation of airport regulations to help them cope with the impact of coronavirus. That followed a call from global industry body IATA on Monday for a suspension of rules under which airlines can lose lucrative landing and take-off slots if they cancel flights for a prolonged period. "We request that a temporary waiver be granted by all (EU) member states, Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith said ahead of the annual conference of the Brussels-based A4E. Airlines also want a "common set of health requirements for travel to and from the affected regions", Smith added. IAG's Walsh said struggling airlines should not be given state aid to enable them to survive the drop-off in demand. But there was a feeling governments could take other action to help all airlines navigate this difficult period. "I do think it is asbolutely the right thing to do to ask governments to consider what type of support they can give their airlines in terms of maintaining connectivity," Lundgren said. Smith said that what set this crisis apart from SARS crisis in 2003 was the role played by social media. "Whats definitely different with this crisis (is) the type of media attention its getting. Social media has had a different impact on the trust and the understanding of people who fly," he said. Ryanair's O'Leary said social media wasn't helping but he was confident its impact was short-lived. "There's a lot of misinformation out there. Social media is a scourge for idiots but common sense usually wins out in a reasonably short period of time," he said. (Reporting by Laurence Frost and Sarah Young; Editing by Tim Hepher, Mark Potter and Pravin Char) OSLO, Norway, March 3, 2020Elkem has decided to implement a new global productivity improvement programme to improve the company's cost position and streamline the organisation as a basis for future growth and specialisation. Elkem's profitability is currently below the company's financial targets. In addition, the market outlook is uncertain. "Corrective actions are expected and needed. Our aim is to improve Elkem's profitability to fund future growth and specialisation in line with our long-term strategy. With these measures, I am very confident that Elkem will continue to deliver on our ambitions and grasp the opportunities that lie ahead," says Michael Koenig, Elkem's CEO. Elkem has identified a potential of more than NOK 350 million in annual improvements from the programme. The company expects positive EBITDA contributions from early 2021 and the full potential to be realised from the end of 2021. Restructuring costs are expected to be around NOK 200 million, which will be taken as a provision in Other items in Q1 2020. The productivity improvements will be achieved mainly through planned reductions of personnel cost. It is too early to estimate how many full-time equivalents will be affected. The programme is being implemented in close dialogue with employee representatives and in compliance with local labour laws. Elkem will prioritise reducing external contractors and using normal attrition. The company is addressing all divisions, as well as the corporate functions, across all 29 global locations. The programme will be finalised by the end of 2021. For further information: Odd-Geir Lyngstad, VP Finance & Investor Relations Tel: +47-976-72-806 Email: odd-geir.lyngstad@elkem.no Fredrik Norman, VP Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Tel: +47-918-66-567 Email: fredrik.norman@elkem.no About Elkem Founded in 1904, Elkem is one of the world's leading suppliers of silicon-based advanced materials with operations throughout the value chain from quartz to specialty silicones, as well as attractive market positions in specialty ferrosilicon alloys and carbon materials. Elkem is a publicly listed company on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker code: ELK) and is headquartered in Oslo. The company has more than 6,300 employees with 29 production sites and an extensive network of sales offices worldwide. In 2018 Elkem had revenues of NOK 25.9 billion. To learn more, please visit www.elkem.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/elkem/r/elkem-asa-initiates-new-productivity-improvement-programme,c3051576 The following files are available for download: ALBANY A reduced Common Council voted 8-1, with two members voting present, to approve a new law on Monday that will automatically enroll city residents in a program that relies more on renewable energy sources to power their homes. The program, known as Community Choice Aggregation, allows local governments to band together to negotiate prices from alternative energy sources through the Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance. The electricity and billing would still run through National Grid. The idea is were going to save people money and move toward 100 percent renewable energy, said Councilwoman Cathy Fahey, who sponsored the legislation. The goal is to beat the price of the average energy bill. Fahey said it won't affect residents who rely on the Home Energy Assistance Program or those who have contracts with energy service companies. Additionally the city can back out at a later date if it doesn't believe it is getting a fair deal. Homeowners and small businesses that dont want to be a part of the program will have to choose to opt-out of the program. Residents can opt-out at any time with no penalty. Under the law, a newly created board would issue a request for proposals to energy service companies to submit bids. The winning bid and contract would be approved by the board, which will include two members of the council, two members of the city administration and the chair of the citys sustainability committee. That contract would lock in the electricity rate for about two years. Councilmembers Alfredo Balarin, Derek Johnson and Michael OBrien raised various objections to the program. Johnson was the lone vote against the program while Balarin and O'Brien voted "present." Balarin said he was concerned about handing the power to approve a contract that would affect city residents to an unelected board. Balarin asked if the council could include an amendment that would allow any bid to go before the full council. I think this is something that the full council should have a say in, he said during the council caucus. A representative from the Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance told Balarin it would be difficult to hold on to the bid until the full council could vote because prices for bulk electricity vary often. Councilmembers Joyce Love, Jahmel Robinson, Jack Flynn and Judy Doesschate were not present. The state Public Service Commission approved the creation of Community Choice Aggregation programs in 2016. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. There are 13 other local communities, including Schenectady, Bethlehem and Troy, pursuing similar programs and New York is one of seven states to offer the program. The program also has a tiered structure where customers who want a heavier reliance on renewable energy sources can choose a green option and pay more to have a higher percentage of their energy come from renewable or green energy sources. The council also unanimously approved a resolution urging the state to include its annual Capital City Funding payment to the city in its budget. Councilman Owusu Anane, who introduced the resolution, said it was imperative that the state continue to make that $12.5 million payment, which is designed to help the city make up for the fact that it hosts state-owned buildings, which are tax-exempt. Albany is doing all that it can to straighten out its finances, but the truth is that state assistance is needed to close this structural deficit, he said. City officials have sought to make that payment permanent for the last several years, arguing Albany faces a structural deficit and that the capital city is treated like no other when it comes to the funding the state provides to other municipalities. As 2019 peaked in an absurd crescendo of existential business class reviews and first-class complaints we thought wed seen it all. But then 2020 came at us with dodgy jetlag beating strategies and travellers bizarre reaction to coronavirus. Minds open to anything, it was slightly less a shock when The Points Guy took to Instagram this morning to share an up and coming business class product from the most unlikely of places: Russian Airlines. This comes as Russian Airlines just took delivery of a spanking new A350 which, as The Points Guy explains, features improved seats in all three cabins, including enclosed suites in business class. We have to admit, they look very swanky. After a few months of domestic testing, Aeroflot will start flying this (and the 21 more they have on order) from Moscow (SVO) to destinations like London, New York, Miami, Osaka and Beijing-Daxing, The Points Guy continues. While lie-flat snobs have previously excluded Aeroflot from their wanderlust rotisserie, frequent business class flyers reaction to Aeroflots Big Swank Energy suggests thats set to change. From Flyer Talk: The business-class experience will be complemented with a bar and lounge area in the cabin, offering snacks and beverages on demand. The experience is on par with other European carriers who wish to create a bespoke experience aboard their aircraft. Aeroflot is planning to accept eight A350 aircraft into its fleet in 2020, with the remaining delivered over the next several years. Read Next Storyful Birds swarmed over a Texas parking lot on January 8, perching on the cars in a scene worthy of Alfred Hitchcock.The unnerving sight was captured by Kenna Mitchell outside the Stonebriar Mall in Frisco.The footage shows birds perched atop parked cars, while others circle above in the foggy evening sky.We went to Stonebriar Mall just after dusk and the entrance by the Cheesecake Factory was overrun with thousands of birds, she told Storyful.These grackles were perched on cars, in the trees, and swarms were everywhere you looked. Other people in the lot were just amazed at the sheer number of birds, Mitchell said.Very loud and very gross, but still quite a site to see! Definitely in need of a car wash now! she added. Credit: Kenna Mitchell via Storyful US President Donald Trump has said he held a very good talk with a Taliban leader in what may be the first direct discussion between a US leader and a senior Taliban official. Talibans chief negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Trump held a 35-minute telephone call on Tuesday, a Taliban spokesman said, with Trump later confirming the call to reporters in the White House. I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today, said Trump. We had a good conversation. We have agreed there is no violence. We dont want violence. Well see what happens We had actually a very good talk with the leader of the Taliban. The phone call came three days after the US and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha on a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan after more than 18 years. The President of the United States Trump @realDonaldTrump held a phone conversation with the Political Deputy of the Islamic Emirate, the respected Mullah Baradar Akhund. Details later, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted on Twitter. In an emailed statement later, Mujahid said Trump told Baradar that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would soon speak to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani so that the barriers against the inter-Afghan talks get removed. No other details were disclosed. Acknowledging a military deadlock after nearly two decades of conflict, the US on Saturday signed a historic peace agreement with the Taliban. The deal, signed by chief negotiators from the two sides and witnessed by Pompeo, could see the withdrawal of all American and allied forces within 14 months and allow Trump to keep a key campaign pledge to extract the US from endless wars. But it could also easily unravel, particularly if the Taliban and other factions of Afghan society fail to have successful talks plotting a political way forward for the country. Taliban ready to meet Afghan officials Meanwhile, the Taliban on Tuesday said it is willing to meet Afghan officials, but only on the question of releasing prisoners, while diplomats raised concern that a deadlock over the issue could jeopardise the Afghan peace process. The prisoner release dispute has emerged as a fresh impediment to peace negotiations between the armed group and the Afghan government that are due to begin on March 10. A prisoner swap arrangement was part of the US-Taliban troop withdrawal agreement. The Taliban delegation has not met with the government delegation in Qatar, but authorities responsible for prisoners on both sides could meet to discuss the issue, Talibans Doha office spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted. The US-Taliban deal says the Afghan government will free up to 5,000 Taliban detainees by March 10. But a US-Afghan declaration commits the Kabul government only to taking part in US-brokered talks on the feasibility of such a release. 200302093650382 Taliban spokesman Mujahid told Reuters News Agency the prisoners release was one of the few important points that took US and Taliban negotiators a long time to agree upon. But a day after the deal between the Taliban and US was clinched in Doha, President Ghani said the government of Afghanistan has made no commitment to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners. The Taliban has said it will not begin talks with the Afghan government as envisaged in the agreement until the prisoner release takes place. Now, it is in the agreement and it is up to the US how it fulfils the commitments they made in the agreement. It is not our problem what is in the US-Afghan government joint declaration, Mujahid said. Some Western diplomats have raised concern that the impasse could threaten the peace process. If they postpone the talks then we will see a collapse of a deal. Trump doesnt want that to happen at this juncture, an official who has been overseeing the negotiations for two years in Doha told Reuters. The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission expressed concern about the prisoner release in a letter to US officials, the Taliban and the Afghan government. The commission raised a number of questions, including on the record of activity of the individual Taliban prisoners and if they had been charged with carrying out violent crimes against civilian and military targets. Chennai, March 3 : At a time when national carrier Air India is facing financial difficulties and the government is looking out for a buyer, what is the need for giving service extension for managerial non-technical personnel, an Air Corporations Employees Union (ACEU) official said. In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri dated March 2, ACEU President C. Udayshankar said: "Air India is presently on the path towards disinvestment and the payment of wages for the serving employees is delayed by two to three weeks stating shortage of funds, then why the wage bill is further raised by granting extension of service post retirement?" According to the ACEU, the decision to extend service on contract basis to non-technical managerial staff at high costs is not in the interest of Air India. Udayshankar also wondered that the officials can contribute on post retirement extension when they were not able to contribute to the turnaround of the company while in regular service. "All over India, 202 employees were given contract engagement. Other than pilots and engineers, there were 127 in Air India and 21 in AI Airport Services Limited (AIAPS), formerly Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL)," Udayshankar told IANS. According to him, there is no issue with granting service extension for pilots and engineering staff but there is no need for service extension for managerial staff as it also hinders internal promotion. "At the staff level there is shortage of hands. At the cost of hiring a managerial personnel, couple of people could be hired at the staff level," Udayshankar added. He said the ACEU represents over 7,000 non-technical staff including cabin staff. Udayshankar said in 2018, then AI Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola put an end to service extension as it resulted in resentment amongst the other employees. "After this decision, a change and improvement was noticed in the operational and financial performance of the company," he wrote in his letter to Puri. New Delhi, March 3 : Amid the raging violence in northeast Delhi, two barbers proved quite helpful for doctors at Al-Hind Hospital that was flooded with riot victims. They -- Mohammed Shahzad and Wasim -- kind of turned into para-medics and extended their helping hands to the doctors. Recalling their experience, one of them said they started shaving off victims hit on heads to help doctors put stitches and bandages. "And being barbers, they were quite adept at that," said one of them. As the trickle of wounded turned into a flood, they also had to help doctors and the other hospital staff put stitches and bandages. The Al-Hind hospital had only three doctors and nurses and a few staff members to run the pharmacy. Dr Meraj Akram, a dentist and one of the brothers who run the hospital, said we trained them in basics of dressing wounds, giving first-aid and administering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). "We treated as many as 500 clash victims. We have also distributed over Rs 2 lakh worth of medicines till date," said one of the doctors at the hospital. Meanwhile, the life is limping to normalcy in Old Mustafabad after a week of violence. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is preparing to issue fresh notices to telecom companies asking them how they had calculated their dues linked to adjusted gross revenue (AGR). The notices, likely to be issued this week, have been prompted by the wide gap between payments made by the industry and the government estimates on AGR dues of telcos. We have so far received Rs 24,000 crore from the companies, which is way less than the amount that we had derived. They (telecom companies) will have to explain as to how they arrived at their numbers, a senior DoT ... Woody Allenthe famed and controversial directorhas written an autobiography, Apropos of Nothing, which will be released on April 7. In the book, Allen delves into his long career and headline-making relationships, according to the books publisher Grand Central Publishing, The book is a comprehensive account of his life, both personal and professional, and describes his work in films, theater, television, nightclubs, and print, said Grand Central Publishing, according to a statement released on Tuesday. Allen also writes of his relationships with family, friends, and the loves of his life. The Annie Hall director is as well-known for his tumultuous personal life as he is for his Oscar-winning films and has become a divisive figure in Hollywood. In late 2017, Allen faced resurfaced allegations of child molestation by his daughter Dylan Farrow, who claimed in a New York Times open letter in 2014 that Allen molested her as a child. Allen has long denied the allegations, which were first reported during his explosive 1992 split from Mia Farrow. The director was not charged, though a Connecticut prosecutor said there was probable cause for a criminal case. (Dylan is the adopted daughter of Allen and his former girlfriend, Mia Farrow, with whom he also shares adopted son Moses and biological son Ronan. The three children were in the center of a 1993 custody battle in which both sides testified about Allens affair with Farrows adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, whom Allen went on to marry in 1997. Farrow was awarded custody of her and Allens three children.) Mia Farrow and Woody Allen | ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty RELATED: All the Actors Who Worked with Woody Allen and Now Regret It In April 2019, Amazon Studios, which had a four-movie distribution deal with Allen, defended its decision to cut ties with him in response to his $68 million breach of contract lawsuit. The company argued he sabotag[ed] efforts to promote his films by repeatedly weighing in on the #MeToo movement and the allegations of sexual abuse put forth by his daughter. Story continues After Dylan Farrows allegations resurfaced, many stars announced they would no longer work with Allenthough others spoke out in support of him. In May 2019, the New York Times reported Allen had been shopping his memoir around to major publishing houses. They refused to take on the project. RELATED VIDEO: Dylan Farrow Asks Why Woody Allen Has Been Spared After Harvey Weinstein Scandal The publishers were all deterred by the negative press working with Allen would generate, according to the paper. (In 2003, Allen turned down a $3 million offer for his memoir because he wanted more money, per the Times.) Hes not one to set the record straight, but presumably, the memoir is his side of things, writer Daphne Merkin, a longtime acquaintance of Allens, told the Times. (Allen had told her about the project, but she hasnt read it herself and isnt sure of its contents.) Hes the kind of person who soldiers on, and someone whose work is his nutrient. Whatever vicissitudes hes been exposed to, I think he keeps his own counsel about how all this affects and doesnt affect him. The MP said Honcharuk was absent at the meeting on March 3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at a meeting of the Servant of the People faction, has proposed that Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk be dismissed and Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal be appointed to this post. A source in the Servant of the People parliamentary faction shared this information with UNIAN on terms of anonymity. Read alsoUkraine's PM Honcharuk says didn't file resignation letter Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Oleksandr Kachura (the Servant of the People faction) wrote on Telegram that the president had proposed the appointment of Shmyhal as new head of government. The MP said Honcharuk was absent at the meeting on March 3. Zelensky reportedly arrived at the parliament for the Servant of the People faction meeting. Under heavy clamour in the international arena in 2019, the term populism came out of the domain of political science, and into the public sphere The term populism became associated with influential politicians on the international scene, such as: Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, Bernie Sanders, Narendra Moody and Viktor Urban for years. Last year was best described as the era of turmoil. Despite the volumes of literature written on populism, the contemporary context has evolved in the past years, after the election of Trump in the US, and the British vote to leave the European Union (Brexit). Populism now indicates that politicians can speak directly to the masses through social media, without resorting to traditional media. That is in addition to the exploitation of right-wing extremist parties, such as the Alternative Party in Germany, the National Front in France and Fox in Spain, of austerity measures, economic stagnation and the refugee crisis to continue to fan the streets to reap political gains by awakening national sentiments. Hence, there are two dimensions of populism in todays world: the first feeds on economic conditions and inequality; and the second exploits cultural factors and nationalism. Some researchers believe that the rise of populism is a reaction to events that occurred in the past decade, the most important of which are: the global financial crisis in 2008, the failure of the eurozone and failed military interventions, especially the Iraq War that perpetuated global mistrust and unleashed repercussions of international magnitude. For example, populist, leaderless movements and mass uprisings emerged in 2019 against the ruling elites, as was the case in Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, Algeria and Iran in the Middle East. Critics of traditional government policies believe traditional political elites spread the fear of popular movements that express their anger by going out on the streets. The same applies to voters in democratic countries who have lost confidence in major political parties, against the backdrop of their failure to raise incomes or provide jobs in the past two decades. Peter Baker expressed this trend in The Guardian in January 2019, saying: We cant really talk about populism without talking about our conflicting conceptions of democracy and the question of what it truly means for citizens to be sovereign. But populists in different societies do not represent a homogeneous or united bloc, nor are they united by one opinion, logic or current. They extend from the far right to the far left. However, what unites them is presenting the people as the ultimate holders of truth in the face of the existing policies or in the face of the other those who are politically, ideologically, ethnically or religiously different in certain cases. In the foreseeable future, populist policies are expected to gain the support of larger sectors around the world, in light of the increasing crises of the global capitalist system, imbalances in capital flows and globalisation. These factors will give populist movements more power, and will exacerbate economic and cultural conflicts between elites benefiting from the existing order and the majority suffering from marginalisation and economic hardships in various parts of the world. Therefore, the relationship between populism and the emergence of national identity will come in the limelight in 2020. The emphasis on national identity has become a strong reaction to the frustrations that the existing international system poses, and an opportunity for national governments to divert attention from internal failures. However, populist governments that came to power failed to offer convincing economic alternatives, just as much as traditional elites failed, which portends greater chaos at the international level due to the absence of convincing alternatives. There is a great diversity in the growing global manifestations of populism. Playing on identity, as is the case towards white ethnic nationalism by Trump and Johnson, in what is called Western sphere, may increase in the coming months before the US presidential elections in November and the UKs scheduled exit from the European Union in a few months. Likewise, the largest democracy in the world, India, is witnessing a raging dialogue about identity after its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, disclosed policies that support the ideas of Hindu nationalism. In the same manner, the Arab region is witnessing the continuation of fundamentalist currents in an attempt to raise the issue of Islamic identity, whether in the face of the ruling regimes, or to gain international supporters. In light of the global economic downturn, and the failure to confront corruption, the atmosphere is conducive to the continuation of. leaderless demonstrations in the main squares in a large number of countries, as happened in 2019. The middle classes and the working and industrial classes that do not feel an improvement in economic conditions are equally enraged. Politically, the populist parties gains in the past year represent a threat to the centre-right and left parties in Europe and other regions. Despite the economic promises and social welfare policies that populist parties from the right and left wings pledge to garner votes, many liberal intellectuals at present see that it is not only the issue of inequality that drives the wave of populist election. They believe culture is the main driver of popular votes, and that there is an increasing trend to include the politics of identity and culture in the public ballot in the next decade, putting populism at the forefront of global debate in the coming years. Identity questions the world over take populist currents to new levels in the new year, and between them lies the Middle East, struggling with questions of sectarianism, doctrinism and ethnicity, as well as interventions by foreign powers, some of which say they are trying to prevent the reasons for the growth of populism in their countries. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: One of the six pillars of the Chester County Historic Courthouse on North High Street will shine in blue light on January nights beginning Tuesday evening in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. by Bernardo Cervellera We need to follow Pope Francis line of thought, according to which "the whole is superior to the parts". There are two impervious sides in the Church: pro-China and anti-China; pro-Bergoglio and anti-Bergoglio. We must find a common position, also in view of the deadline of September 21, 2020, when the Agreement expires. This Agreement, although it has positive aspects, has never been put into practice. We must reject an "independent Church" that does not allow ties "with foreigners" and the evangelization of young people. The division among Catholics serves the purpose of the Chinese Communist Party. Rome (AsiaNews) It is with great pain that I write these words having watched two cardinals whom I have the honor of knowing, two witnesses of the faith and coworkers of the pontiff in the mission of the Church, have a very public discussion without perhaps ever having spoken directly to each other (see letters of Cardinal Re and Cardinal Zen). It leaves me with the impression that in the Vatican, as in the rest of the world, the affirmation of ones own truth or rather one's point of view, without ever seeking to listen to the other, is what matters most, thus making it rather difficult to reach any synthesis. Card. Zen has told me that in his visits to Rome he often found himself in front of a wall of silence. Precisely during the pontificate of Francis, who so often stresses that "the whole is superior to the part" (E.G., nn. 234-237), two opposing and impermeable fronts have established themselves in the Church: traditional and liberal; pro-China and anti-China; pro-Agreement and anti-Agreement; ... It would seem that everything can be assimilated into two fundamental parties: pro-Francis and anti-Francis, so much so that the expression of a minimum perplexity on a fact or on the life of the Church is immediately judged a priori: is it pro or anti Bergoglio? Even Card. Res letter risks falling into this pattern when he says that the "very serious claims" of Card. Zen "contest the same pastoral guidance of the Holy Father". Yet even Card. Re recognizes that in China "on a doctrinal level" and "on a practical one ... tensions and painful situations remain", which is what the emeritus bishop of Hong Kong highlights. The necessity for dialogue is evidently clear, to find a synthesis between the position of the Card. Re, according to which the Sino-Vatican Agreement is positive and "at the present time, it seemed the only possible one", and that of Card. Zen, who is close to "all my desolate brothers and sisters" who are under pressure, violations, expulsion, suffocation and destruction every day. They include the faithful of underground communities, but also many priests and bishops of the official Church who see no improvement in religious freedom after the Agreement. It is time for the two sides, pro-Agreement and anti-Agreement to talk and find a common position, also in view of the deadline of September 21, 2020, when this agreement expires. If it is necessary to renew it, it must be greatly improved, correcting some discrepancies in the one already signed in 2018. 1. As I have said before, the Agreement - which provides for the "last word" of the Pope on the appointment of new bishops - has a positive aspect because it somehow links the appointments of Chinese prelates to the pontiff. And this is a new fact that has not appeared since the days of Mao. But the doubt remains whether this bond is merely an external "blessing" because it is not clear whether the pope has a right of veto and whether this right is permanent or temporary. It should also be explained why there has been no episcopal ordination in China since the Agreement. The two ordinations that took place in 2019 had in fact already been decided long before and we cannot lie - as the so-called "pro-Francis" press did - saying that they "are the result of the agreement". From this point of view, it must be said that the Agreement, even if it has a positive aspect, has never been put into practice. 2. The requirement of belonging to an "independent Church", as suggested by the "Pastoral Guidelines ..." needs clarification. If, in fact, for the Vatican it is clear that only "political independence" is spoken of, ambiguity lies in the Party which continues to demand independence "tout court", without distinction. So much so that in joining the "independent Church" it is required that bishops and priests must not "contact foreign powers, welcome foreigners, accept any delegation from foreign religious communities or institutions". In addition, the "package" of the "independent Church" includes denying "religious education to minors" and not carrying out any religious activity outside the boundaries of the registered place (no extreme unctions in hospitals, nor prayers or blessings at home , ...). That bishops and priests accept these things with obviousness is worrying. 3. It is clear that the situation of the Church in China after the Agreement has worsened: churches closed or destroyed; crosses torn from the bell towers or from the walls of the churches; domes razed to the ground; ancient statues of sanctuaries seized; religious signs at home or outside erased; priests driven out of their ministry. Is it possible that the Catholic Church and the Vatican remain silent while many brothers and sisters suffer such violence? Reporting is often the only way to save these brothers and sisters of ours. I once asked a member of the Chinese Communist Party why they used so many resources to control a small group of Catholics in China (less than 1% of the population). He replied: "We are afraid of your unity." To the extent that we keep silent, that we are divided and that we contest each other, we play the Partys game of "divide and conquer". A tourist visits Milan's Duomo cathedral, as it reopened to the public for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy, in Milan, Italy, on March 2, 2020. (Yara Nardi/Reuters) Policeman, Fireman Test Positive for Coronavirus in Rome A policeman and a fireman based in Rome have tested positive for the new coronavirus, authorities said, raising the risk of the virus spreading in the Italian capital. Around 90 percent of the 1,694 cases reported in Italy up to March 1 are concentrated in the wealthy northern regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia Romagna. Cases in Rome, Italys largest city with 3 million people, had so far been limited to a Chinese couple on holiday and an Italian repatriated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began late last year, on a special flight and hospitalized. All three recovered. Authorities reported late on Sunday that a Rome policeman had tested positive. On Monday, the Spallanzani infectious diseases hospital where he was staying announced that his wife, two children, and sister-in-law were also infected. Very few people are seen in the area surrounding the Colosseum, which would usually be full of tourists, in Rome, Italy, on March 2, 2020. (Remo Casilli/Reuters) A fireman living at barracks in the southeast of the city tested positive on Monday. The school attended by the policemans son, in the nearby town of Pomezia, was closed and lessons were suspended in the university faculty at Romes main Sapienza university, attended by his other son. On Monday, the local government in Lombardy said all its members would undergo tests after a councilor tested positive. The national civil protection agency will give an update of cases at its daily briefing around 1700 GMT. Italy, the European country worst affected by the outbreak, has recorded 34 deaths and seen economic sectors from manufacturing to tourism hit by a plunge in orders. Several international airlines including Lufthansa Delta Airlines and countries such as the Czech Republic have reduced or suspended flights to Italian cities, including Milan. Work From Home Milan cathedral reopened to the public on Monday, but schools and universities remain closed and many companies told staff to work from home. The top of UniCredit skyscraper in Milan was lit in red, white and green, the colors of the Italian flag, in a sign of solidarity with people hit by the virus. Very few people are seen in Piazza Navona, which would usually be full of tourists, in Rome, Italy, on March 2, 2020. (Remo Casilli/Reuters) Lombardys regional governor Attilio Fontana and the councilor responsible for welfare Giulio Gallera, the main public faces of the crisis management effort, are among those who will be tested. Fontana has placed himself in voluntary partial quarantine after an assistant tested positive, isolating himself in a room in his office in the regional government headquarters, an Italian daily reported. As the human toll grows, the government is increasingly worried about the economic outlook. Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri announced the cabinet would this week approve 3.6 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in measures to help companies. An aid package worth 900 million euros was unveiled on Friday for the worst-impacted zones. National statistics bureau ISTAT reported on Monday that the 2019 budget deficit came in at 1.6 percent of national output, the smallest fiscal gap for 12 years. The much lower-than-expected reading potentially gives the coalition of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party more leeway to spend and borrow this year. By Gavin Jones and Angelo Amante Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:30:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Olya from Ukraine checks body temperature of a student at Chongqing University in Chongqing, southwest China, Feb. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Foreign students have volunteered with COVID-19 prevention and control teams at universities in Chongqing Municipality, southwest China. CHONGQING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Wearing a mask at the gate of the dormitory of Chongqing University, Olya, from Ukraine, carefully tests the body temperature of every student with an electronic thermometer. "Please put on your mask and register your information before entering," she reminds those passing through the gate. Majoring in international trade, Olya is in the final year of her master's degree. She is also vice chairperson of the International Student Union of Chongqing University. "We are paying close attention to the epidemic situation every day, and we are fortunate that our university responded very quickly and provided us with necessary help," she said. "Though the epidemic has brought some inconvenience to our daily life, we all have full confidence in the prevention and control of the epidemic in China," said Olya. Olya makes a PDF file explaining how to use some online shopping platforms and food-delivery apps for foreign students at Chongqing University in Chongqing, southwest China, Feb. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) "I've just made a PDF file explaining how to use some online shopping platforms and food-delivery apps for foreign students here," said Olya. "China has the most convenient online shopping and food delivery services in the world, so we don't need to stock up on daily commodities." Iroegbu Paul Ikechukwu, from Nigeria, watches the English bulletin that provides the latest information on the novel coronavirus outbreak every day. "My Chinese is still not good enough to read, and the English bulletin can keep me updated," he said. "My family was a little worried in the beginning, but I told them that life here is normal and the university has taken multiple measures to protect us. I feel very secure," he said. Mustapha Bala Tsakuwa from Nigeria explains epidemic control information to other oversea student volunteers at Southwest University in Chongqing, southwest China, Feb. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) In the hall of the International College of Southwest University in Chongqing, Nigerian student Mustapha Bala Tsakuwa is explaining the transmission pattern of the novel coronavirus and epidemic prevention measures to students from different countries. "In fact, infectious diseases are the common enemies of all humans. I hope I can share some epidemic prevention knowledge with my classmates and raise their awareness of the epidemic control and prevention," said the young man. Tsakuwa praised China's efforts in curbing the spread of the virus. "I'm amazed at how hospitals were built in China," he said. "I think only China can make it happen to construct a hospital within days." Foreign student volunteers post postures to cheer for Wuhan, hardest hit by COVID-19 epidemic, at Southwest University in Chongqing, southwest China, Feb. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) A volunteer team consisting of foreign students is also active in Southwest University. They were responsible for disinfecting facilities on the campus and assisting in the distribution of epidemic prevention supplies. "Disasters and diseases are common threats that human beings are confronted with. The anti-virus effort China has made is touching and I hope the world can put aside its differences and join hands to fight against the epidemic at this time," said Ikechukwu. "I believe we'll eventually win this battle." HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A mid-level appeals court decision issued last summer that allowed some victims of childhood sexual abuse a way to pursue lawsuits despite time limits will be reviewed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the justices announced Monday. The high court granted a request to hear the case that was made by the defendants, three priests and the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese. Superior Court ruled in June that Renee Rice could pursue claims that church officials' silence about a priest who she says molested her amounted to fraudulent concealment. The Rice case has since been cited by other litigants in the past eight months to support their own claims, Rice's lawyer, Richard Serbin, said Monday. Of course I'm disappointed that they're taking the appeal. But I understand the reason why, Serbin said in a phone interview. Because issues were decided which there's not much case law on. And therefore, while I think the Superior Court decision is sound and will be upheld, the Supreme Court may very well want to put its stamp on it. Because we're talking about a lot of cases. A diocesan spokesman declined comment, and a phone message was left for Eric Anderson, who represents the defendants the diocese, the late Bishop Joseph Adamec, the executor of the estate of the late Bishop James Hogan, and the Rev. Charles F. Bodziak. The justices agreed to consider whether the Superior Court decision improperly did away with the statute of limitations and a discovery rule for civil actions, and whether the lower court also mistakenly let plaintiffs sue for civil conspiracy as a secondary reason for a lawsuit when too much time has elapsed to pursue the primary reason. The other grounds for taking the case, the Supreme Court order said, was whether the lower court wrongly established that a fiduciary, in this case, the church and church officials, owed a never-ending duty to speak after the end of the relationship, thereby eliminating a plaintiff's duty to exercise due diligence and conduct a reasonable investigation." The Pennsylvania Legislature in November passed a number of changes related to future abuse giving prosecutors more time to pursue cases and victims more time to sue. As for prior abuse that occurred too long ago for lawsuits, Republicans in the state Senate blocked legislation to set up a two-year window for otherwise time-barred lawsuits, instead starting the lengthy process of amending the state constitution to allow the lawsuit window. The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they are sexual assault victims unless they want to be identified, and Serbin said Rice does. Rice claims Bodziak, identified as the subject of allegation in a 2016 grand jury report into sexual abuse of children by priests in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, abused her while a parish priest at St. Leo's Church in Altoona some 40 years ago. Bodziak has denied her claims. The lawsuit was dismissed by a county judge in 2017 because of the statute of limitations. Rices lawsuit claims the bishops and diocese knew or should have known Bodziak molested girls when they assigned him to St. Leos. The priest asked her parents whether Rice could clean his home, where he molested her between ages 9 and 14, ending in 1981, her lawsuit claims. She also claims abuse took place in the choir loft, Bodziaks car and a cemetery. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:41:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LANZHOU, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Bai Xiyan, 54, has stayed at home for more than one month due to the novel coronavirus epidemic prevention and control but is not idly sitting around. She knits two pairs of slippers every day, earning 80 yuan (about 11.5 U.S. dollars). "It's better not to go out at such time. I stay at home and make slippers so that I can sell them for money after the epidemic," she said. In Xiayang Village in northwest China's Gansu Province, nearly half of the 970 villagers including Bai are poverty-stricken. Villagers make a living by raising cattle and planting corn. "In winter, we don't have farm work. Villagers have nothing to do but stay at home," said villager Mu Yaner. Her family of four relies on her husband to do some odd jobs, earning less than 3,000 yuan a month. In Xiayang, most male villagers go to large Chinese cities for more job opportunities, leaving women behind to take care of their families and do farm work. To help those "left-behind" women earn more money and shake off poverty, the Women's Federation of Gansu launched a skill training program for women in rural areas in 2019. Last November, 20 impoverished villagers including Bai and Mu attended a two-day training course on knitting handicrafts such as slippers and hats. "At first, woman villagers were not willing to attend the training course as most of them have a low education level," said Zhang Lixia, a village official in Xiayang. Zhang and her colleagues visited villagers door to door to encourage them to try. "It is easy to learn. Try to use your spare time to make more money," Zhang told them. After the first training courses, the federation invited a local handicraftsman to offer training courses every week. Bai is among the first group in the training program. "It was hard at the very beginning, but I become familiar with the knitting skills after more practice. Now I can make two to three pairs each day," said Bai. They faced a new challenge later. "We have no marketing channel. Compared with the products in shopping malls, ours are not exquisite," said Zhang. Zhang and her colleagues did not give up, and they tried to advertise on their WeChat accounts. Their efforts paid off. Before the Spring Festival holiday, several companies came to purchase more than 200 pairs of handmade slippers. "Everyone is happy and relieved. Although it is not a lot of money, we have found a new way to make money," said Bai, who can now earn 800 to 1,000 yuan per month. According to statistics from the Women's Federation of Gansu, over the past five years, 220,000 impoverished women have benefitted from such training courses, with an annual per capita increase in income of more than 2,000 yuan. Zhang is busy with organizing online courses for her villagers during the epidemic. "Woman villagers can take the chance to learn to make new products," she said. Zhang also plans to open an e-commerce shop to increase sales after the epidemic. "Everything will become better and so will our life." 02.03.2020 LISTEN Barely 24 hours after news went viral on various social media platforms as well as the media in Ghana regarding the Auditor General's performance audit report on the administration of scholarships by GETFUND which contained lists of beneficiaries including key personalities such as the current Minister for Education (Member of Parliament for Manhyia Constituency) Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Sarfo Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya et. al, I wish to share my own little experience with the public. I listened to the response from the Ministry of Education through its PR unit. I also heard the supposed response from Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh through Citi FM Eyewitness News on 24th February 2020. The Education Minister admitted that he benefited from GETFUND SCHOLARSHIP for his short course for about 3 weeks duration at Harvard University which summed up to $24,000 in 2014 as contained in the Auditor General's list No. 38. The programme he studied was Senior Executive in National and International Security. As far as I know, Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a medical doctor by profession. Someone should correct me if I am wrong. The course he went to study with due respect has very little or no correlation with his profession as a medical doctor. Even though that may not be wrong, but ordinarily, one would have thought that, he would rather enrol himself in a professional course relating to his profession or better still as a legislator. I as far as I know, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a member of the Health Committee of Parliament yet he got funded to study 3 weeks senior executive course in national and international security as contained the AG report. By the way, even though he did not receive the GETFUND scholarship as a Minister but the truth is that, as at the time Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh applied for this GETFUND scholarship support, he was already a Member of Parliament for Manhyia since 2009 (6 years). So, effectively, he was still a NEEDY person after serving in parliament for 6 years. They may be nothing wrong with that. Guess what! Under the same Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Minister for Education, who has oversight responsibilities as a sector minister on both Scholarship Secretariat and GETFUND, refused to grant me partial financial support constituting (25%) to enable me to pursue my PhD studies in 2017. In July 2017, I had just graduated from my Master of Science Degree (Research) programme in Environmental Science and Engineering. I got a partial PhD Scholarship offer and admission type GOLD Merit-Based Tuition-Waiver Scholarship to pursue my PhD research at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. I was offered admission to pursue PhD in Environmental Health Engineering for 4-5 years depending on the decision of my department. The scholarship also covered my accommodation, first transport from the airport in Tehran, Persian language classes, computer labs, internet access. The total fees per year was $5000 but because of the 75% partial scholarship ($3,750), the university waved the fees down to $1250 for the first year subject to renewal every year till I finish the programme in 4 years once my academic performance met the requirements of the university. Basically, if my request for GETFUND had been granted, the government of Ghana only needed to give me a little token as a stipend for my upkeep in addition to the yearly school fees balance of $1,250 anyway not the full fees of $5000 per year. Mind you, it is not my fault to come from less endowed family in terms of resources. For those who care to know about the TUMS, it is about 160 years old based on my checks. Tehran University of Medical Sciences is NOT an underdog University. It's ranked 3rd in Iran in 2018-2019. Mind you, Iran has 54 State-Operated Universities, 42 State Medical Schools and 289 Major Private Universities. This means that Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) is not just mere University in terms of ranking. In terms of Academic Ranking of World Universities, in 2019, it is ranked in the range of 401-500 top universities in the world. I personally wrote an application letter dated 19th August 2017 addressed to the administrator of Scholarship Secretariat which was letter referred to GETFUND. One of the current leaders in Parliament of Ghana officially wrote a cover recommendation letter with copies of my application and relevant documents addressed to the administrator of GETFUND dated 14th September, 2017. I personally followed up a couple of times at the GETFUND Office in 2017. I was later asked to go to the Education Minister's Office at Ministries which I did. When I went, I was asked to sit down in the registry at the ministry of education building for several hours unattended to. Subsequently, I was asked to go and join a queue to meet the Education Minister in his office. I joined a queue in the waiting corridor next to the minister's office. People were walking in and out while some of us were patiently waiting for our turn. Finally, a gentleman whose name I cannot immediately remember came from the Education Minister's secretariat told us that, the minister was busy so it was not possible to meet him, the rest is history. I made several attempts afterwards till November 2017, when it became clear that, my request was not going to be approved. The Iranian Embassy had already granted me 30 days visa entry permission while I was struggling to get my own govt 25% support to take up my admission offer. Eventually, I lost the opportunity. Two good friends of mine who are Members of Parliament felt devasted when I shared my story with them and the two of them were willing to personally contribute to getting the first-year school fees balance of ($1,250) for me but what was not certain was about my daily upkeep and research needs as well as the partial fees for the remaining three-four years to complete the programme. I thank those friends even though I missed that opportunity sadly. I have since been wondering what my crime as a Ghanaian? So, when this news, broke, I felt it is the right time to share my personal experience. Could it be that, my intended programme of study at Tehran University of Medical Sciences was not 'relevant' to the development of Ghana? Well, I have my doubt. The question is, how many environmental health engineers do we have in Ghana especially in our tertiary institutions? For those who may not understand what Environmental Health Engineering study is all about. Environmental engineers are biological and agricultural engineers who specialize in the environment and its effect on health. They study environmental problems that relate to public health, such as industrial pollution of air and water resources . Presently in Ghana, we are confronted with serious environmental issues ranging from the pollution of our freshwater resources through illegal mining popularly called 'galamsey'. We are equally confronted with illegal logging activities in many areas in Ghana including illegal rosewood logging in northern Ghana. Ghana is virtually engulfed with filth including the national capital Accra which pose serious health risks to Ghanaians. Our marine resources especially the seashores are engulfed with plastic waste. Outdoor air quality in Accra currently exceeds WHO guidelines for outdoor air quality. These are the nature of environmental problems currently confronting Ghana today, yet someone in authority felt that it was not necessary or prudent for Government of Ghana to give 25% financial support to the son of a poor peasant farmer to pursue higher research and learning, to enable me acquire relevant skills to come back and serve our dear country Ghana. Maybe some of us are second class citizens or perhaps come from regions classified as non-resource regions in Ghana. My article is meant to share my personal experience about the kinds of frustrations many ordinary citizens in Ghana who genuinely and desperately need help to further their education go through in the hands of GETFUND Secretariat and Scholarship Secretariat as well as other authorities. It is even possible that, some people may have worse experience than me. Perhaps, the current findings by the Auditor General, should trigger a national conversation and discussion on the need for certain reforms regarding how educational support and scholarships should be administered or be given to deserving and qualified students or applicants whether in Ghana or abroad under the government of Ghana Scholarships. It was great vision and foresight by the former NDC government under HE President J.J. Rawlings to have established GETFUND in 2000 which has contributed immensely to educational and infrastructure development in Ghana since its inception at the secondary school and tertiary levels. Attached is my offer letters I got in 2017. I am grateful to Allah for wiping my tears after my bizarre experience and all those who in diverse ways have been supportive to me all this while. Thank you. Ghana must belong to all Ghanaians and not selected few. God bless our homeland Ghana. Baba Musah [email protected] After police began chasing after him, he fired numerous rounds at the two officers, Waller said. Officers returned fire and hit the man twice, once in the shoulder and once in the leg, police said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is projected to win most seats in the recently concluded general election in the country. According to reports, Netanyahu's Likud party is projected to win 52-59 seats in Knesset, the Israeli parliament, by all three exit polls. However, the exit polls results show Netanyahu's right-wing party is still two seats short of a majority in the parliament. Netanyahu couldn't form the government following elections in April and September because his party failed to gain a majority in the house. But the exit polls results could be a breather for the Prime Minister who is facing a corruption trial in the country. Read: Israeli PM Netanyahu Lashes Out At Bernie Sanders For Boycotting AIPAC Netanyahu's Likud party won 32 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, while his major challenger Benny Gantz's Blue and White party won 33 seats in the September election. Both the party combined won 65 seats while Knesset needs 61 to form a government. After days of talks, no agreement was reached between the two largest parties and hence no government was formed. On December 11, the Knesset voted for the second time in history to dissolve itself as no party had a majority to form the new government. The first time Knesset had voted to dissolve itself was after April 2019 election results, when Netanyahu failed to form the government. Read: Israeli PM Netanyahu Vows To Take Immediate Steps For West Bank Annexation If Re-elected Isreal election The election in Israel concluded on March 2 and the turnout of 71% showed that there was no fatigue among the people despite it being the third poll in less than a year. If the exit poll results are to be trusted, it shows that people have put their faith in Netanyahu once again despite all the charges of bribery and fraud that he is facing. Media reports suggest that the support from the people could well be because of the promise that the right-wing leader made about the annexation of West Bank within weeks if he gets elected. Some are also saying that the new peace deal offered by US President Donald Trump to solve the Israel-Palestine conflict could also be the reason behind Netanyahu's good performance at the booth projected by exit polls. Read: Israeli PM Announces 3,500 Settler Homes In West Bank Area Ahead Of Elections Lead Image Credit: AP Rohingya refugee children queue to draw water from a well in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh, June 2018. UNHCR/David Azia United Nations agencies and NGO partners today launched the 2020 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Building on the efforts and success of previous years, the appeal aims to raise US$877 million to respond to the needs of approximately 855,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and over 444,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in the communities generously hosting them. Vital services and assistance including access to food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, require urgent funding and total 55 per cent of the overall appeal, with food needs alone accounting for almost 29 per cent. Health, protection, education, site management, energy and environment continue to be critical to ensuring the safety and dignity of Rohingya refugees, and the well-being of local Bangladeshis. The Government and the People of Bangladesh have shown immense solidarity in welcoming the Rohingya refugees. Fostering peaceful coexistence between communities and invigorating the local economy is imperative as this crisis continues. 2020 marks the third year of exile for most Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, following their flight from Myanmar in 2017. The Rohingya are clear that they want to go home, but only when they and their families will be safe, when they can access to basic rights and services and see a pathway to citizenship in Myanmar. Support of the 2020 Joint Response Plan is essential to safeguarding the well-being of Rohingya refugees - both now in Bangladesh and once it is safe and sustainable for them to return home to Myanmar. Until then, the world must stand by the Rohingya and by the Government and people of Bangladesh who continue to host them. Most important will be engaging refugees and hearing their voices and understanding their hopes and vision for the future, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Until return becomes possible, the Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian partners continue working together to meet the needs of the Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis living nearby and to improve their lives. The 2020 JRP places a clearer and stronger emphasis on areas that have most impacted host communities, including public service infrastructure and delivery, access to sustainable livelihoods, rehabilitation of the environment and energy initiatives. From the moment the international community responded to the crisis in August 2017, we committed ourselves to a long-term investment working with the government to create sustainable, dignified living arrangements for all until such time as they could safely return home, and to provide meaningful support to host communities, said IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino. The 2020 JRPs focus on infrastructure, livelihoods, protection and the environment are extensions of the work completed to date. The JRPs strategic objectives include strengthening protection for refugee women, men, girls and boys; delivering life-saving assistance to those in need; fostering the well-being of affected Bangladeshi communities; and working towards sustainable solutions in Myanmar. The objectives are closely aligned with the longer-term Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since the beginning of the refugee influx in 2017, aid agencies have been working to provide life-saving assistance and protection, as well as to mitigate the risks they face, including Bangladeshs long annual monsoon and cyclone seasons. An important achievement in 2019 was the biometric registration of all Rohingya refugees living in the camps, with those over the age of 12 receiving individual identity documents. This secures their identities, enhances their protection and lays the foundations for an even more targeted, effective and efficient humanitarian response going forward. This is the biggest biometric registration exercise undertaken by UNHCR in Asia. Environmental rehabilitation combined with providing alternative energy sources have brought real improvements to life in the Rohingya settlements. All Rohingya refugee households now use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking, which has led to a staggering 80 per cent drop in demand for firewood. Some 30,000 local Bangladeshi families are also now included in the initiative. The introduction of LPG, together with reforestation and conservation interventions, has resulted in a remarkable re-greening of the areas in Coxs Bazar District where the Rohingya refugees are living. The 2020 JRP will also allow humanitarian partners to seize the important opportunity offered by the Government of Bangladeshs decision in January to authorize use of the Myanmar school curriculum for Rohingya refugee children. A pilot phase will get underway shortly, targeting 10,000 children in grades six to nine, with plans to scale up currently under development. Rohingya refugee parents and children alike have sought access to education in the Myanmar curriculum, which they see as crucial to prepare for return and reintegration in Myanmar, when this is possible. Through the 2020 JRP, the Government and humanitarian community will build upon solid work and lessons learned over the past two years in emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction efforts. Last year saw a marked decline in the number of families impacted by flooding throughout the monsoon season. The camps are now safer, with better roads, drainage, bridges, and more stable slopes. More than 3,000 trained and equipped Rohingya refugees are part of the standing capacity for emergency response. The progress and achievements since the first day of the massive Rohingya refugee influx are remarkable, but strong international solidarity and funding support for the refugees and Bangladeshi communities will be essential to help the Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian partners to continue meeting the challenges until Rohingya refugees can return home voluntarily in safety and dignity. The 2019 JRP was funded at just over 70 per cent, or US$650 million received against US$921 million requested. The launch of the 2020 Joint Response Plan for Rohingya Humanitarian crisis in Geneva was also attended by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Shahriar Alam. Following the gathering with the donor countries Minister Alam said: The international community, including the UN agencies, must work meaningfully and engage vigorously with the Government of Myanmar to create an environment that would be conducive to voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to Rakhine." For more information on this topic, please contact: For UNHCR: In Bangkok, Catherine Stubberfield, [email protected] , +66 65 929 8062 , +66 65 929 8062 In Coxs Bazar, Louise Donovan, [email protected] , +880 18 4732 7279 For IOM : The bottom line is, nothings really changing. Thats how Marc Brooks, executive director and acting chief engineer of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, described the multi-year rehabilitation project currently taking place at the Round Valley Reservoir in Clinton Township. The project, overseen by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and expected to be completed by summer of 2022, will make improvements and renovations to an over half-a-century old reservoir in order to secure its long-term future as the states largest source of drinking water. Were really just doing this rehabilitation to make sure (the reservoir) lasts another 50 or 100 years. And Im sure in 50 years theyll probably look at it again, Brooks explained. The Cushetunk Trail bordering the reservoir has been rerouted to accommodate construction but remains open, as do both the reservoir itself and its recreation area. Cushetunk Trail signCourtesy - New Jersey Water Supply Authority County Route 629, which parallels the north side of the reservoir between Old Mountain Road and the boat launch area, will likely be closed until March 2021, Brooks said. The rehabilitation project entered its third and largest phase at the end of January, the main component of which is the installation of a chimney drain -- or layer of sand and gravel -- in the dike on Prescott Brook, as well as in the North and South Dams, which Brooks said will not aesthetically change the structures. As the sand and gravel layer is going back in, youre placing the same material that you took off the dam right back on the slope, so its really going to look the same," Brooks explained. "Its going to have this sand and gravel layer on the inside that Im going to know about -- but its not going to be anything that anyones going to see. The first and second phases of renovation, which involve construction work entirely separate from the implementation of the chimney drain, will be substantially completed within the next week, Brooks confirmed. Phase one of the project, headed by Keller Construction of Rockaway, began approximately one year ago. It involves the grouting of the abutment, or the point at which the constructed embankment meets the original valley, of the North and South Dam of the reservoir. Theyre drilling down through the soil, and into the rock. And theyre pumping cementitious grout under pressure to fill existing cracks and voids in the rock," Brooks explained. North Dam facing Lebanon BoroCourtesy - New Jersey Water Supply Authority Brooks said the grouting project will help to reduce the seepage of water out of the reservoir through the bedrock and below the embankments. When the reservoirs full, theres a lot of pressure thats being exerted on the embankments itself and on the bedrock below it. And there is seepage (through or around) the dams ... but were trying to limit that seepage as much as we can," Brooks explained. Phase two of the project, which Brooks labeled the smaller of the two phases, is being facilitated by Mount Construction, Inc. of Berlin and involves dredging in front of the South Dam Tower, or the cleaning out of the bed of the reservoir in the area by scooping out silt and rock with a dredge. The dredging, which has been underway for approximately two months, will clear out the sediment build-up created by the pumping of water from the South Branch of the Raritan River into the reservoir. When we pump, oftentimes the sediment in the water and the river ... tends to settle out there in front of the tower (of the South Dam)," Brooks explained. "Weve also had some erosion take place there, and the amount of sediment was getting to the point where it was actually obstructing and not allowing us to fully use the tower. Its piling up right in front of the tower, and we had to get rid of that. Phase three, or what Brooks referred to as the main part of the multi-phased project, was initiated in January by general contractor Thalle Construction Company, based out of Hillsborough, North Carolina. This phase involves the installation of the chimney drain in both the North and South Dams as well as in the dike of the reservoir. Dike and County Route 629Courtesy - New Jersey Water Supply Authority Brooks explained the layer of sand and gravel being installed is designed to move water seepage that may come through the embankments away from the structures. Were putting the sand and gravel layer downstream, on the dryer side of the clay. So any water that does seep through the clay, because its not perfectly impervious, and it never was expected to be, gets captured by the sand and gravel layer and gets transported away from the dam," Brooks said. Theres lots of dams in the country and the world that still dont have these (chimney drains), but were thinking were trying to bring (the dams and dike) up to more current standards," he added. Brooks said he expected the implementation of the drains in the dike, followed by the North Dam, to be substantially completed" in 2020. He estimated near-full completion of its installation in the South Dam in 2021. At present day, the contractor has started to mobilize their equipment, submit shop drawings, and began clearing trees located near the North Dam and South Dam, to be followed by the dike. Brooks particularly emphasized the importance of the clearing of trees in the area, explaining that the action creates room to place the material of the top layers removed from the dams and dike. Were excavating all of this earth off of the dams. Between all three dams, its 675,000 cubic yards. So, thats a lot of space, so you need a place to put that, Brooks said. With the excavation, all of which is taking place on the downstream side of the embankments, de-watering devices will be installed to lower the pressure of the reservoir and increase the efficiency of the construction process. Other ancillary work accompanying phase three of the construction process includes renovations to and roof replacements of the towers of the North and South Dams, the rehabilitation of sluice gates or valves that control the flow of water in and out of the reservoir, and the replacement and grouting of piping located near the South Dam. North Dam TowerCourtesy - New Jersey Water Supply Authority To further move forward the multi-faceted project, the capacity of the Round Valley Reservoir has been lowered by approximately 25 feet. The reservoir currently contains a total of 36.7 billion gallons, or two-thirds of its maximum of 55 billion gallons. Despite the diminished capacity of the reservoir, Brooks confirmed the boat ramp of the park remains open. Obviously theres less water, but 36.7 billion gallons is still a lot of water to use for the reservoir," Brooks said. Brooks expressed his hope that individuals acknowledge the necessity of the rehabilitation project, as well as its overall purpose to preserve the 180 foot deep and 2,350-acre wide state icon that draws thousands of swimmers, boaters, fishermen, picnickers and campers to Clinton Township each year. Its a great state resource, and its been 50 years since it was built in the 1960s," Brooks said. This is a huge resource, for all these people that use it for drinking water, and we just want to maintain it as such. Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips Defense Ministry considering postponing part of military drill ROC Central News Agency 03/02/2020 03:45 PM Taipei, March 2 (CNA) The computer-simulated part of this year's Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan's biggest annual military drill, could be postponed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, Defense Minister Yen De-fa () said Monday. "We are evaluating the possibility of pushing it back to the second half of the year," Yen said. The annual Han Kuang military exercises consists of two stages: computer-simulated war games followed by nationwide live-fire drills. According to Yen, the computerized war games were scheduled for April, but the ministry is now considering a postponement because it is held in an enclosed venue and is attended by all important army officials. Yen did not say whether his ministry was also considering postponing the live-fire drills, which are scheduled for May. (By Fan Cheng-hsiang and Chiang Yi-ching) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 03/03/2020 Photo (c) sorbetto - Getty Images For travelers forced to change plans due to the COVID-19 epidemic, many airlines are doing what they can from their end by offering fee waivers and flexibility in rebooking. However, its not a cut-and-dried thing. The original travel dates have to be considered, as do routes and the timeline for when destinations were pegged with coronavirus-related alerts. ConsumerAffairs has assembled the basics of what airlines that fly between the U.S. and Asia -- as well as Italy, a place that has become a major concern for parents with college-aged children who might be doing their semester abroad -- are offering and compiled a basic list of what consumers can expect. Waiver and rebooking details by airline All airlines offer waivers of some sort, but applicable dates vary from one airline to another. Most travelers will also have to pay any difference in fare for a rebooked flight. Any traveler who has a reservation on any of those airlines is urged to click on the full details links for that particular airline for a complete rundown of whats available. Air France Since Air France serves both China and Italy, it has two sets of policies regarding waivers and rebookings. Unlike some of its peers, Air France also allows consumers to postpone their trips completely and receive a full refund (until June 30). Full details are available here. Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is probably the most compassionate of the airlines in this situation, offering a peace of mind waiver which covers every single fare the airline offers, even the ones which generally do not allow for any changes or cancellations. Change and cancellation fees are suspended for any new ticket purchase made from February 27 through March 12, 2020. This applies to travel through June 1, 2020. Full details are available here. Alitalia Because the outbreak has a significant presence in Italy, Alitalia is offering waivers to travelers with tickets for a destination in Northern Italy (Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Milan Bergamo, Bologna, Genoa, Turin, Venice, Verona and Trieste airports). Full details are available here. American Airlines American will waive change fees up to 14 days prior to travel for customers who purchase travel between March 1 and March 16. It will also waive any change fee for tickets bought by February 27 for travel scheduled between February 27 - April 24, 2020. Full details are available here. British Airways British Airways has cancelled flights on most of its Asian routes, but -- as of Tuesday, March 3 -- it has not cancelled flights into or out of Northern Italy. The company says that its continuing to monitor the situation closely, but because the situation might be causing some uncertainty, it has introduced flexible rebooking options for customers booked to travel to/from some Northern Italian airports. Full details are available here. Delta Air Lines Like United, Deltas list of cans and cannots runs the gamut and is highly dependent on when the tickets were purchased, the destination, when travel has to be rebooked, etc. Full details are available here. Hawaiian Airlines Because Hawaii is a frequent destination for both U.S. and Asian travelers, Hawaiian Airlines has taken a very liberal -- and simple -- approach to rebookings. The company says guests who book any flights between March 1-16, 2020 may change their travel to a future date without incurring change fees. Full details are available here. JetBlue Airways JetBlue is suspending any change/cancellation fees for reservations made between February 27, 2020 and March 11, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020. Full details are available here. Lufthansa Lufthansa has cancelled all flights to mainland China through April 24 and estimates that it will reduce the number of its flights into Europe by as much as 25 percent depending on the spread of the coronavirus. Any traveler whose flight is impacted by those changes can request a refund free of charge, and Lufthansa will rebook those customers at no additional charge. Full details available here. United Airlines Uniteds waiver program is a bit complicated, but depending on what the destination is and when the travel was booked, the range of refunds includes everything from unflown flights and nonrefundable tickets to end dates when any travel change must be completed by. Full details are available here. It has been nearly three months since the first cases of a new coronavirus pneumonia appeared in Wuhan, China, and it is now a global outbreak. And yet, despite nearly 90,000 infections worldwide (most of them in China), the world still doesn't have a clear picture of some basic information about this outbreak. In recent weeks, a smattering of scientific papers and government statements have begun to sketch the outlines of the epidemic. The Chinese national health commission has reported that more than 1,700 medical workers in the country had contracted the virus as of Feb 14. (That's alarming.) The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that some 80% of those infected have a mild illness. (That's comforting.) Last week, a joint World Health Organization-China mission announced that the death rate in Wuhan was 2% to 4%, but only 0.7% in the rest of China a difference that makes little scientific sense. In recent days, the WHO has complained that China has not been sharing data on infections in health care workers. Last month, the editors of the journal Nature called on researchers to "ensure that their work on this outbreak is shared rapidly and openly." Much more could be known and, in all likelihood, some scientists out there have good, if not definitive, answers. And yet, the lack of consistent, reliable and regularly updated information on the key measures of this outbreak is startling. In an era when we get flash-flood warnings on phones and weekly influenza statistics from every state, why is data on the new coronavirus so limited? Science, politics and pride have all, in various ways, conspired to keep potentially vital, lifesaving knowledge under wraps. That is problematic at a time when more information is needed to be strategic about preparedness. It began early in the course of the epidemic. On Dec. 30, a Chinese physician, Dr. Li Wenliang, posted on social media about a small number of people with unusual pneumonia. Though scientists in labs were already sequencing the virus, he was "warned and reprimanded" by local officials for rumor-mongering and the "illegal activity of publishing false information online." (Li later died of the illness.) There is a tradition in China (and likely much of the world) for local authorities not to report bad news to their superiors. During the Great Leap Forward, an economic and social campaign by the Communist Party of China from 1958 to 1962, local officials reported exaggerated harvest yields even as millions were starving. More recently, officials in Henan province denied there was an epidemic of AIDS spread through unsanitary blood collection practices. Indeed, even when Beijing urges greater attention to scientific reality, compliance is mixed. On Feb. 13, the Communist Party secretaries of Wuhan and Hubei provinces lost their jobs over their botched initial handling of the crisis. But damage had been done. As the virus was taking hold, doctors were not wearing proper protective equipment. Sick people, thinking they had just a cold, didn't seek medical attention. And travelers continued to board cruise ships, spreading a new pathogen. "Early on, management was less than optimal in Hubei and they're paying for that now," Dr. Ian Lipkin, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health who has been working in China and advising the Chinese government since the SARS outbreak, told me. There were, of course, genuine barriers to understanding what exactly was happening in Wuhan: Cases of pneumonia are not unusual in winter, and there was no way to know there was a novel virus. (Lipkin's group is working on building a new test that distinguishes between different causes of viral pneumonias, with a researcher headed to China next week for testing.) Lest Americans feel it could never happen here, Lipkin pointed out that it took many months for health officials in the United States to acknowledge and recognize HIV as a new virus, despite gay men turning up at alarming rates with unusual pneumonias and skin cancers. Scientific competition has also slowed reaction and response, experts fear leading to the extraordinary editors' plea in Nature. For a young researcher, a paper in Nature or the New England Journal of Medicine is gold in career currency. Scientific prestige may encourage perfecting data for peer review, but preparedness requires rapid dissemination of information. While federal officials in the United States warn Americans to be ready for the virus, there are important aspects of its spread about which we have little information even though they have likely been studied by scientists and officials in China, Japan and elsewhere. Scientists in various countries are presumably gathering large amounts of data day by day and the world deserves to see more of it. "Were there patterns around infections, places, procedures? Maybe that is being collected and readied for the medical literature. But it would be hugely important to know," said Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which studies epidemics. For example: Of the more than 1,700 health workers infected in China, did those infections occur before they knew to wear protective equipment? Were they doing procedures that might lead to exposure? Those answers would quell fears about how the virus spreads and how to protect front-line workers. Likewise, hundreds of people tested positive aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and were transferred to the hospital. But little public information has been released about what shape they were in. How many in the cohort were really sick, how many just had minor symptoms, and how many just needed isolation? Does the pattern of infection suggest a role for transmission via plumbing on the ship? Finally, the world's public health researchers need much more transparency about how officials are monitoring this epidemic. What exactly is China's surveillance strategy among the general population? To gauge the actual death rate of COVID-19, researchers would need to know how many people actually have it, even if they have only mild symptoms. In-country surveillance may reveal a very large pool of people with mild or no symptoms at all. Lipkin noted that because cases observed early in an epidemic are the most severe, early mortality estimates tend to be high. As more information comes out, the death rates are likely to fall. "We're probably six months out from having a good picture, and when we do I'd guess the mortality will drop dramatically," he said. Compared with the situation in 2003, when it took about five months for the Chinese central government to publicly acknowledge a deadly crisis associated with SARS, the flow of information has clearly improved. But since then, travel and commerce between China and the rest of the world have increased manifold. The spread of information about emerging infectious diseases needs to keep up with that new reality. A new study by scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and colleagues shows for the first time how massive flood events in the eastern North Pacific Ocean--known as the Missoula Floods--may have in part triggered abrupt climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere during the last deglaciation (approximately 19,000-11,700 years ago). The findings, published Feb. 26, 2020, in the journal Science Advances, are contrary to the long held notion that cooling was primarily driven by changes in North Atlantic circulation. "Everyone's been searching for evidence of floods into the North Atlantic that might have caused various cooling events, but very little has been done to investigate whether the Missoula Floods had any impact beyond the Pacific Northwest," says lead author Summer Praetorius, a Research Geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and former WHOI research assistant. Sedimentary deposits on land indicate that the Missoula Floods occurred nearly 100 times during the first part of deglaciation as former Glacial Lake Missoula in Montana repeatedly filled and drained enormous volumes of fresh water down the modern-day Columbia River, into the northeastern Pacific Ocean. "The peak discharge of water during these flood events would have been equivalent to the flow of 85 Amazon Rivers," says Alan Condron, a climate scientist at WHOI and coauthor of the paper. "In fact, these floods were the largest on Earth, dwarfing outburst floods from the Laurentide ice sheet that have frequently been proposed as major triggers of abrupt deglacial climate change, but little is known about what happened once the waters entered the Pacific Ocean." In this study, Praetorius and Condron, along with collaborators Alan Mix, Maureen Walczak, Jennifer McKay and Jianghui Du from Oregon State University, show for the first time the trajectory of Missoula Flood waters exiting the Columbia River. Using Condron's high-resolution climate model, they found that meltwater flowed across the North Pacific following coastal boundary currents and ultimately made it as far east as Japan, where it was incorporated into the Kuroshio Current--the Pacific equivalent of the Gulf Stream current. While the largest of the Missoula Floods occurred when sea levels were much lower than today due to water being locked up in large ice sheets, the final Missoula floods occur close to the time when the Bering Strait land bridge between Russia and Alaska was finally submerged by rising sea level and Pacific waters entered the Arctic. To account for this, Condron also ran his climate model with the Bering Strait open, much like modern day to trace the water's route in both scenarios. "We were excited and surprised to find that when the Bering strait land bridge was submerged, floodwaters from Glacial lake Missoula flowed through the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic where processes controlling the strength of the Gulf Stream and transport of heat to Europe and North America take place," says Condron. "Basically this is the region of the ocean that seems capable of triggering large-scale climate change." The precise timing of when the Bering Strait opened is still a matter of some debate and on-going research, Condron notes, but is does demonstrate a possible connection between Pacific meltwater and the North Atlantic that was not known before. In order to assess the evidence for how Missoula flood events may have impacted ocean circulation and climate, the researchers compiled an extensive collection of data from fossil plankton in marine sediment cores throughout the Northeast Pacific to reconstruct changes in sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and deep-water circulation. The compilation shows that there were two major periods of ocean freshening (a decrease in salinity) and cooling during the last deglaciation. The first was early in the deglaciation, at about the same time the largest of the Missoula floods occurred. Curiously, this was a time of cooling in the Northern Hemisphere that has previously been attributed to a massive release of icebergs to the North Atlantic. Recent evidence suggesting that the icebergs drifted into the North Atlantic after the cooling had already started though has meant the cause of the cooling is still a mystery. Praetorius, Condron and colleagues now point to the Missoula Floods as a possible cause of this early cooling event. Similarly, the team found a second interval of ocean cooling and freshening during the Younger Dryas period--an abrupt cooling period in the Northern Hemisphere that has a long history of contentious debate on its causes. Some scientists say it was floods into the Atlantic that caused the cooling, some say it was a comet impact, and now Praetorius and collaborators are adding a new twist. Condron notes that the results are quite humbling as the geologist, J Harlen Bretz, who first recognized in the 1920's that these floods shaped the landscape of the Pacific northwest, was initially derided by the geological community as his findings were considered 'preposterous' and 'incompetent.' "Yet, close to 100 years on, our results suggest that meltwater into the Pacific may have also played a role in the climate shift," he adds. These findings highlight the importance of changes in North Pacific circulation as an integral player in deglacial climate events. ### Funding for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation. Numerical model simulations were run in-house at WHOI on the new HPC resource, Poseidon. Collaborators on this study are from U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Oregon State University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Mass., dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930 on a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate a basic understanding of the ocean's role in the changing global environment. For more information, please visit http://www.whoi.edu. The World Health Organization on Sunday urged all countries to prepare for caring for patients severely sickened by the deadly new coronavirus by stocking up on ventilators. The UN health agency stressed in its latest situation report on COVID-19 that "oxygen therapy is a major treatment intervention for patients with severe COVID-19." "All countries should work to optimise the availability of pulse oximeters and medical oxygen systems," it said. Worldwide, nearly 3,000 people have been killed and more than 88,000 infected across some 60 countries since the virus was first detected late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. But WHO noted that the virus appears to particularly hit those over the age of 60 and people already weakened by other illness. Among the nearly 45,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in China by February 24, only 2.1 percent were under the age of 20, WHO said. The agency noted that most people with the illness only experience mild symptoms, while around 14 percent suffer severe disease like pneumonia and five percent become critically ill. The mortality rate in the outbreak appears to be between two and five percent. The UN health agency stressed the importance of early recognition, followed by "implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures; provision of symptomatic care for those with mild illness; and optimised supportive care for those with severe disease." WHO warned that mortality among those suffering with critical illness had been reported at over 50 percent, emphasising that rapid "critical care interventions such as lung protective ventilation should be optimised." I took my 86-year-old mother to a TSB branch to open an account because she has been told she can no longer receive her state pension via the Post Office. We took a birth certificate and several documents, including home insurance, showing her address. She has mobility issues so making the visit was not easy. My father had been a customer of TSB for 50 years at the same address so he also attended with his passport to identify my mother. One reader's 86-year-old mother found TSB to be rather less than helpful when she needed to open an account to access her pension The man we saw seemed to have no further capabilities than inputting my mother's address and birth details and then telling her that her ID was insufficient. I explained that Mum does not drive and has not been abroad for years so does not have a passport. He did not pick up the phone to ask for advice nor exercise any discretion. I feel my mother is being discriminated against because of her age. She does not already have a bank account. Dr A. G., Liverpool. I fully appreciate your frustration. Helping elderly relatives with mobility problems is a task faced by many of us in middle age. When things do not go to plan it can be exceedingly frustrating. The problem appears to stem from the fact that you were a walk-in customer. TSB says that if you had phoned to make an appointment, it would have provided you with a list of acceptable documents, such as a state pension letter. The list is available on its website. You are extremely unhappy about the lack of flexibility or help offered. You tell me you don't see 'the rational difference' between a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions telling your mum to get a bank account, which has her address on it, and a pension notification letter. She had her birth certificate and was sitting with her husband. However, that's not the way banks operate now. While it may seem absurd to you and me, financial regulations force banks to subject elderly people to the type of scrutiny they would show a suspected money-laundering drug dealer. TSB says it has now provided a list of acceptable ID. Incidentally, the person you met in the branch has been with TSB for more than 30 years so has plenty of experience in customer-facing roles. You have YOUR say Here are some of your letters and emails about our story last week on how holidays booked online can turn into a nightmare. I look on comparison sites for the best deals, then I ring the hotel direct. I tell them what I have found and then I ask what they can offer me. Sometimes it can be a cheaper deal as you don't pay booking fees. L. L., London. you get what you pay for. If you want to have an ultra-cheap holiday, you may find yourself in a dive with no on-site help. A tour operator charges more, but one of its reps is usually there to help. J. S., Fort William. I've been very impressed with one major booking site mentioned in your article. I also don't think you should always blame the site when something goes wrong. It can only do so much, and then it is up to the traveller to sort themselves out. C. B., London. My wife was taken ill while on holiday in Portugal last May. I made a claim on our Nationwide bank account travel insurance. Initially I was told the claim was being dealt with, but then received a letter asking for more information, which we had already provided. So we sent photocopies of documents as we had already provided the originals to UK Insurance, the company which provides the cover for Nationwide. I am still waiting to be paid. B. S., Essex. You made the claim on June 10 last year and your wife sent all the documentation, including bills for medical treatment, to UK Insurance. It lost or, to be charitable, mislaid them. It became aware of your claim on July 26 after you have chased it up. At that point, UK Insurance asked for original receipts and medical reports to confirm the your wife's illness. She sent photocopies because, as you say, she had already sent the originals. UK Insurance subsequently found the originals but these included some receipts from before the incident which, I'm told, confused the issue. Apparently some were for further medication which suggested an infection or shortness of breath. Nationwide and UK Insurance accept they could have settled the matter sooner. They will be paying 470.51 to settle the claim plus 200 compensation. A Nationwide spokesman says: 'We apologise for the delays. While we didn't have all the information requested, she had provided enough for us to make a pragmatic decision.' Straight to the point My phone wasn't connecting to my wi-fi. When I called Virgin Media, it transferred me to its Gadget Rescue team. They fixed the problem, but I ended up being charged 25.67 and was told I would have to make six further 5 monthly payments. Why is Virgin charging me for basic customer service? S. M., Manchester. You were transferred to the Gadget Rescue team because you said your mobile was with a different provider. Your broadband was with Virgin Media, so you shouldn't have had to pay anything. Virgin has apologised, refunded you the 25.67, cancelled the scheduled 5 payments and added 25 as a goodwill gesture. *** My holiday to Sri Lanka was cancelled last year on account of the bombings. We tried to claim the 10,980 back from our credit card provider, Marks & Spencer, last month but we were told we filled in the wrong forms. B. H., by email. M&S says it spoke to you in January to confirm it would help you claim your money back using a process called chargeback. This can take up to 60 days. A spokesman says it will contact you to answer any questions you might have. *** My wife returned 400 of unwanted jewellery to Gemporia, the online jewellery retailer, by post. When it arrived, Gemporia said the package had been tampered with and the jewellery was missing. I made a claim to Royal Mail but it refused to cover our loss. A. A., Wiltshire. It's important to ensure valuable items are covered in the post in case they are lost or stolen. Royal Mail has looked at your case again but has not offered a refund. Use its Special Delivery services for jewellery as this offers tracking and compensation if things go wrong. One year ago today, SpaceX took a giant leap forward for private spaceflight with the launch of its first Crew Dragon to the International Space Station and the company is celebrating that feat with an epic new video. The new video, which SpaceX shared on YouTube and Twitter, shows the company's first Crew Dragon spacecraft launched on the Demo-1 mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, an uncrewed test flight, launched a spacesuit-clad dummy named Ripley and an adorable Celestial Buddy Earth plush toy to the station. "On March 2, 2019, Falcon 9 launched Crew Dragon on its first demonstration mission, and the next day it became the first American spacecraft to autonomously dock with the International Space Station," SpaceX said in a YouTube description. "After its stay at the space station, the spacecraft successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its mission and demonstrating SpaceX's capabilities to safely and reliably fly astronauts to and from the space station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program." Related: SpaceX's Crew Dragon Demo-1 test flight in pictures The new video lasts just 2 minutes and 20 seconds, but covers the full six-day test flight for Crew Dragon's Demo-1 mission. A Falcon 9 rocket launched the mission on March 2, with Crew Dragon arriving at the station a day later on March 3. On March 8, 2019, Crew Dragon returned to Earth with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, where it was plucked from the sea by SpaceX's GO Searcher recovery ship. SpaceX is one two companies tapped by NASA to fly astronauts to and from the space station as part of the multi-billion-dollar contracts under the agency's Commercial Crew program. (The other company is Boeing and its Starliner spacecraft.) While SpaceX's first Crew Dragon capsule (the one that flew the Demo-1 mission) was destroyed in April 2019 during abort system ground tests, the company has since successfully launched a second Crew Dragon on an in-flight abort test that demonstrated the vehicle's launch escape system in January of this year. The company now aims to launch its first human crew, NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, later this year, possibly in May. SpaceX's next launch will be the uncrewed Dragon CRS-20 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA. That flight is scheduled to launch late Friday (March 6). Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram. The Sanders campaign also circulated a memo to surrogates and supporters highlighting the contrasts that we expect to now be in the spotlight as we head into Super Tuesday and beyond. We are now entering the phase of the primary in which the differences between Bernie and Biden will take center stage, the memo said. These differences make clear that the choice between these two candidates is stark. Since Mr. Sanders got into the race a year ago, his top advisers have ached for a two-way race with Mr. Biden, viewing the moderate former vice president as the perfect foil for Mr. Sanderss promise of a political revolution: a throwback Democrat who touts his ability to work with Republicans and who has been criticized by rivals for telling donors that under a Biden administration, nothing would fundamentally change. But the reality of such a direct confrontation with Mr. Biden, a five-decade fixture in Washington politics, poses challenges for Mr. Sanders, whose style of grass-roots politics and long history as an outsider means he cannot muster the same kind of institutional forces. Instead, he relies on a loyal army of individual donors who give $18 at a time, and a progressive network that for all of its ambition remains in some ways disjointed and uncoordinated. Theres a reason the establishment has power, keeps power and maintains powers, because these are the things that they do well, Mr. Shakir said. Complicating matters, Mr. Sanderss chief ideological rival, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, remains in the race despite finishing out of the top two in all of the first four nominating contests including a distant fifth in South Carolina. Though there have been fissures in the united facade their two campaigns presented for much of the primary race, Sanders aides respect her and do not want to publicly pressure her to drop out. We respect the fact that shes going to make whatever decision she makes, and she should be allowed to do that, Mr. Shakir said, adding that she should be given the time and space to determine her path forward. According to a recent piece written by Huawei Technologies USA SVP of public affairs Joy Tan, cooperation with Huawei on 5G in the US is imperative. At the heart of Ms. Tans argument is the fact that Huaweis networking tech is widely relied on by rural communities. In particular, those are regions where smaller carriers operate on tight budgets and have unique requirements. Those needs, the executive claims, arent typically met by telecommunications companies. As a result, Huawei technology has been vital for US consumers. Thats despite the fact that Huawei accounted for less than a percent of the 349,344 US mobile wireless cell sites in 2018. Specifically, Ms. Tan points out that communities from Washington to Kansas to New York often depend on the FCCs Universal Service Fund. The companies make use of that funding to flesh out networks in areas where broadband and wireless access is otherwise limited. Advertisement Now, the FCC is effectively banning companies that purchase Huawei or ZTE technology from accessing those funds. Its also halting dispersal from that fund to any company that doesnt replace Huawei and ZTE technology. The measure not only creates a gap in current networks that other companies cant adequately fill the Huawei exec asserts. It additionally creates a gap in regions where those carriers will be able to roll out 5G. Because of the increased cost of 5G relative to 4G LTE and the new requirements for funding, Ms. Tan says that the US simply cant afford to build out its 5G networks without the company. These assertions about cooperation on 5G between the US, Huawei do not stand alone Huaweis SVP of public affairs for the US also backed up her claims with examples of analysts that back up her assertion. But those reports in favor of US cooperation on 5G extend well beyond that countrys borders. Advertisement Huawei, she explains, is one of only a handful of companies that competitively manufacture the equipment needed for 5G. In 2018, Huawei accounted for almost a full third of all telecom equipment purchased globally. Analysts, Ms. Tan says, assert that impeding Huawei and its ability to take part in world markets will slow down the rollout of 5G worldwide. Data analytics company and consulting firm GlobalData has gone so far as to assert that Huaweis 5G technology holds the strongest position overall too. That means that US companies simply arent keeping up with Huaweis development in that market. So reliance on those other companies will drastically reduce the USs ability to keep up as well. As a result of that slowing, the country stands to lose out on a technology that IHS Markit predicts will enable $13.2 trillion of global economic output and support an additional 22.3 million jobs by 2035. Advertisement Aside from market analysts, some big companies have also sided with Huawei on the matter. Qualcomm has mirrored Huwaeis statements most closely, voicing concerns that the companys needed to ensure that 5G is standardized globally. None of this necessarily means that Huawei needs to be directly involved Now, Huawei has not relied solely on the stance that it needs to be directly involved in the rollout of 5G. In the US it has also discussed helping drive 5G in other ways. The most prominent of those is its offers to license its technology exclusively to a single US firm. That would actually result in Huawei competing its own competitor within the US. Any license deal would include Huaweis proprietary 5G technology. That would encompass its source code and software to verification, production, and manufacturing know-how. Several companies have considered taking the Chinese tech giant up on its offer but none has come forward to claim the exclusive licensing yet. OTTAWA - Canada's telecom regulator won't force mobile service providers to offer customers paper invoices, at least not yet. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Canada's telecom regulator won't force mobile service providers to offer customers paper invoices, at least not yet. But the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is opening a consultation to learn more about whether there's a "market failure" that demands the government step in. A CRTC logo is shown in Montreal, Monday, September 10, 2012. Canada's telecom regulator is set to rule this week on whether mobile service providers should be compelled to offer some or all of their customers paper invoices, at no charge. Two advocacy groups want the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to force Telus-owned Koodo Mobile to reverse its move to electronic billing for all but a select few of its customers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Two advocacy groups wanted the CRTC to force Telus-owned Koodo Mobile to reverse its move to electronic billing for all but a select few of its customers. John Lawford with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, which filed a formal complaint to the CRTC alongside the National Pensioners Federation, said Canadians have a right to receive paper bills at no cost under changes to the Telecommunications Act passed in 2014. Koodo argued that, while the law says telecom companies cannot charge a fee for invoicing, they are not compelled to actually provide paper bills. 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. Since Koodo began switching to electronic bills in early 2015, most other wireless carriers, including Telus, have followed suit. Rogers is planning to do the same as of March 26. As long as companies clearly spell out their invoicing policies to new customers, the CRTC ruled Tuesday, "the offering of paper bills may operate as a competitive incentive, and that one communications service provider's refusal to cater to such a demand can be another provider's opportunity to gain a customer." But, says the ruling, the investigation of this particular complaint was narrow. "The evidence on the record of this proceeding is insufficient for the commission to conclude that the marketplace has failed to meet an economic or social need regarding the provision of paper bills and that commission intervention is warranted, since the evidence related largely to Koodo," it says. So the CRTC is seeking more information about other providers' practices, and whether there's a need for regulations, especially to protect people who might have trouble paying bills online. It's seeking input on both telecom and broadcasting services. Providers will have a month to file information on their invoicing practices. Further examination of the issues will take until the end of May. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. In the mid-1980s, India and the US struggled to arrive at sufficient confidence for Washington to even sell a supercomputer to India for monsoon prospecting. Now, the most sensitive military technologies, data, and intelligence resources are being shared. This would not have happened without that one big deal that changed the fundamentals of India-US relations, notes Shekhar Gupta. IMAGE: Then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and then US President George W Bush in the Oval Office, July 18, 2005, the day India and the US signed the nuclear deal. Photograph: Eric Draper/The White House In the first 53 years of our independence, only three US presidents visited India: Dwight Eisenhower (1959), Richard Nixon (1969), and Jimmy Carter (1978). Donald Trump's was the fifth presidential visit in the past 20 years. Two big nations that remained at strategic odds for half a century are making up for lost time. The end of the Cold War and the Soviet bloc coincided with the Narasimha Rao-Manmohan Singh economic reforms and the 25 years of Indian growth. A fresh opening up between India and the US was natural. But, if you were asked to name one fact or achievement that characterises this turnaround most of all, what would it be? I'd say, it's the India-US nuclear deal. I know it will draw two extreme reactions. One, so what is the big deal, everyone knows it. And at the other end, ha ha, big deal! Not one megawatt of nuclear power has been installed since, and an American reactor won't be producing any for the next 15 years, if ever. To think that the India-US nuclear deal was either about a bilateral relationship or energy is to miss the point. The degree of difficulty that Dr Singh faced in making it a reality underlines how complex it was and what wide-ranging implications it had. Let us list six here. The first and the biggest implication of the deal was ideological. It was the first time that India had signed a treaty of any kind bilaterally with the Americans, with high strategic implication. Not only did it mark a 180 (if not 360) degree repositioning of India in the post-Cold War world, it also tested our public opinion on a vital question: Would it trust Americans to be friends after decades of suspicion? To that extent, it ran contrary to the ideological nationalism the Congress and its Left intellectual vanguard had built so masterfully. That is why it ran into immediate opposition from the Left, but also almost the entire Congress establishment. Besides, there was the usual nonsense, like Muslims will be upset. Because Dr Singh decided to make this the touchstone of his prime ministership and threw into the battle all his carefully conserved political capital, he pretty much arm-twisted a reluctant Sonia Gandhi into agreeing, even as her old guard turned up its nose. The general election that followed, in 2009, proved that the Indian voter was smarter, a better judge of the national interest, and enormously more honest than the old Left and, frankly, even the Right. The BJP, usually seen as pro-West through India's decades of Soviet enchantment, opposed the deal even more strongly on nationalist grounds than the Left did ideologically. Both were defeated. The UPA returned in larger numbers and the ideological ghost of anti-Americanism was buried so deep that you do not see it being exhumed. The post-Cold War India was born. The second gain was of strategic principle Although Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who was deputy chairman of the planning commission, talking to me about his latest book, Backstage, put it at the top of his list. He said Dr Singh was deeply concerned about India having been subjected to nuclear apartheid as, despite being a declared nuclear weapons power, it wasn't treated as one for nuclear commerce and technology transfer/exchange regimes because of the old, discriminatory regimes originating from the discriminatory Non-Proliferation Treaty. The nuclear deal gave India the opportunity to break out. It was also a fortuitous period when the US president had greater leverage with his Chinese counterpart and could lean on him to ease up on India. India is now accepted as a nuclear weapons power, more or less like any other under the NPT, but also respected as a responsible, non-proliferating one, unlike rival Pakistan. The third is of great domestic significance. Until now, there was no compulsion on India to subject itself to accepted international safeguards and standards of transparency. Because civilian and nuclear programmes were mixed up, and deliberately so, to ensure one masked the other. There was zero transparency and oversight. This included Parliament. At the same time, because civil and military were mixed up, nuclear scientists in Indian labs struggled to excel in a free, international peer-reviewed environment as everything was seen as covert and suspect. One big gain of the nuclear deal therefore was to bring India's nuclear programme, including its funding and performance, into a more transparent domain. It also brought more installations, declared civilian, under international safeguards. Overall, it promoted more responsible behaviour, accountability, and safety. The benefits in the tactical, military, and scientific fields come next. It may have been called a 'civilian' deal, but in essence it was deeply military and strategic. It resulted in a rapid relaxation of the US establishment's old fears of transferring sensitive military technologies and equipment to India. In the mid-1980s, India and the US struggled to arrive at sufficient confidence for Washington to even sell a supercomputer to India for monsoon prospecting. This, despite a fine personal equation between Rajiv Gandhi and Ronald Reagan. Now, the most sensitive military technologies, data, and intelligence resources are being shared. This would not have happened without that one, big deal that changed the fundamentals of India-US relations. The fifth gain is the context of regional geopolitics. For 15 years since the Cold War ended, America had moved gingerly towards de-hyphenating its India policy from Pakistan. The nuclear deal changed all that dramatically. For the first time, Washington had signed a strategic deal with India which wasn't -- and has still not been -- offered to Pakistan. If you do not see it as the final striking out of that dreaded hyphen, ask a Pakistani strategist. Since then, the Americans have done very little to bring it back. It is just that we Indians, especially under the Modi government, keep relapsing into that trap, given how undeservingly important Pakistan is made out to be in our internal politics. The sixth and the last, and I say so with trepidation, is my favourite. It is a gain of immeasurable significance in our domestic politics. The nuclear deal, and the way our political Left went out on a limb to fight it, and lost, ended a scourge of our political economy: The Left. In 2008, it owned the central government with 60-plus seats. Now, it struggles to get into double figures in the Lok Sabha. It made common cause with the BJP in Parliament to bring down Dr Singh's government, and was defeated. It exposed both, the Left's ideological bull-headedness (blind anti-Americanism) and hypocrisy (joining hands with political Hindutva). Soon enough, it was routed in West Bengal, as if forever. That's a gain to keep for generations. So what if it took a little bit of the foreign (American) hand to achieve this. By special arrangement with The Print After all the campaigning, all the speeches, all the visits from prominent presidential candidates, all the advertising and intrusive phone calls, today is the day it all comes to an end for at least a few moments. But its an election year with high stakes, so the reprieve is likely to be brief before campaigning for the general election begins. Nevertheless, todays primary election is important. It will narrow and focus the field of candidates including those running for governor, U.S. Senate and House, as well as local offices like city council members and mayor who will continue speechifying, asking for donations and seeking the support of citizens who care about how we are governed and about who does the governing. If you havent yet taken advantage of earlier opportunities, we urge you to go to the polls today and vote. Its a right, a privilege and a responsibility. As weve said many times before, traditionally, primary voting doesnt garner as much participation as Election Day voting but that means that every vote carries more weight. One vote, maybe yours, could determine which candidate will represent your interests in November. Russia did not confront a major Turkish offensive against Syrian forces seeking to capture all of Idlib province, the last rebel stronghold in Syria. Over the last four days, two Turkish brigades crossed into Syria accompanied by artillery, armed UAVs and F-16s. The Turks claim to have destroyed over a hundred Syrian armored vehicles, most of them tanks, along with two Su-24 fighter-bombers, eight helicopters and numerous unarmored vehicles. The Turks claim to have killed or wounded several thousand Syrian troops. Most of the airstrikes were carried out by slow, low flying Turkish made armed UAVs using Turkish versions of the U.S. Hellfire missile or lightweight GPS guided bombs. Some F-16s and helicopter gunships were also used. The Turkish offensive took much from the Cold War NATO playbook for war against Russia. The Turks still practice these tactics and in the past often did so with NATO allies, including American forces. The current Turkish attack did not depend on the many American specialized electronic warfare aircraft but did go after whatever electronic weapons (usually jammers) the Syrians were using. Syrian air defenses were apparently not very effective. Turkish UAVs captured on video their attacks destroying several of the Russian Pantsir air defense vehicles (equipped with radar, missiles and autocannon). Turkey demanded that Syrian forces pull back from Idlib territory they have captured recently, and that the Russians enforce the boundaries and ceasefire previously agreed to by Turkey and Syria. Iran threatened to support the Syrian forces if the Turks attacked. The Iranians apparently fired a ballistic missile at the advancing Turkish forces but the missile did not appear to do any damage. The Turks claim to have intercepted the missile but did not say with what. Beyond that Iranian forces stayed away. What triggered this change of attitude by the Turks was the death of so many (33) Turkish troops during a February 27 Syrian/Russian airstrike. This was big news inside Turkey and Turks, in general, were enraged and demanded reprisals. A lot of Turks do not agree with their government on the importance of the 30 kilometers deep security zone in Syria but they do agree that anyone who kills Turkish soldiers must be punished. As of now, 54 Turkish troops have died in Syria this month, most of them because of Russian airstrikes. One more Turkish soldier was killed before the end of the month and the Turkish voters were in an ugly mood. The current Turkish government, the first Islamic one since the republic was founded in the 1920s, has been in trouble during the last few years as the president was accused of acting more like a sultan (unelected monarch) than a leader elected to clean up the corruption and protect Turkeys border. The anti-corruption campaign worked for about a decade until it no longer did and for the last decade, it has become common for Islamic party politicians to put personal wealth ahead of the public welfare. Now the unpopular president was accused of doing nothing as Russians continued killing Turkish soldiers. The government did promptly respond, quietly ordering a major military operation against the Syrian ground forces and letting the Russians know that if Russians interfered they would be treated as hostile and attacked. The Russians said nothing publically but their warplanes, artillery and air defense systems did not open fire on the Turkish offensive that took place a few days later. It was notable that the Turks did not officially accuse Russian aircraft of deliberately attacking Turkish troops. Turkey and Russia have an agreement to report where each side has troops in Syrian combat zones in order to avoid situations where Turkish and Russian forces might fire on each other. In practice this agreement is imperfect and both sides know it. Turkey also accused the EU (European Union) of not helping Turkey enough with its Syrian refugee problem and at the end of February began allowing these refugees to cross the Turkish border into EU territory where the refugees could claim asylum and demand to be taken care of, including the right to settle permanently in the EU. The refugees could not do this in Turkey, or any other Moslem country. It appears the Turks are allowing at least 20,000 Syrians a day into the EU and will continue until the EU agrees to increase payments, currently (since 2014) $814 million a year to over a billion a year, perhaps way over a billion. The confrontation in northwest Syria (Idlib province) is closer to home for Turkey because Russian support for the Syrian (Assad) government offensive to eliminate the last rebel (and Islamic terrorist) stronghold in Syria is driving hundreds of thousands of civilian refugees, along with many Islamic terrorists disguised as refugees, towards the nearby Turkish border. The Turks are on good terms with some of the Islamic terror groups in Idlib, as they are with Islamic groups in Libya. The Russians are generally hostile to all Islamic terrorist and Islamic political groups. For that reason, the Turks are openly calling on the Russians to decide if they are a friend of Turkey or not. The Russians dont want to make an open declaration, at least not yet. Turkey is a new customer for Russian weapons and helpful against the sanctions Russia is operating under. The Turks have already proved a troublesome ally for the United States and other NATO members. Turkey is in real danger of being expelled from NATO. While the Russians would love that, they are finding that being a Turkish ally is a risky and expensive undertaking. The Russians have refused to consider a ceasefire and are apparently prepared to back Syria with whatever it takes to regain control of the entire province. At this point, Russia and Syria both claim that Syrian troops are firmly in control of the southern half of Idlib province and are continuing to advance on the other half. The Turks insist they wont halt their efforts to block and roll back the Syrian offensive. So far the Turks have been taking casualties while the Russians are not. The Russians have pilots and some special operations troops on the ground who are at risk. Russia also uses mercenaries, but they are former Russian troops now working for Russian military contractors. Most of the Russian losses so far have been among the contractors. The Turks threaten to send their U.S. made F-16 fighters into Syria to confront the Russian jets. The Russian S-400 air defense system has been operational in Syria for several years and is considered quite formidable, at least compared to older Russian systems. Turkey recently purchased the S-400 from Russia but it is not operational yet and if the Russians decide to bomb targets inside Turkey the Turks will have a hard time opposing them with the Cold War era air defense systems they currently have. The Turkish air force has been weakened over the last decade by several purges as the current Islamic government accused many pilots of plotting against the government. So many pilots were dismissed that there aren't enough to fly the hundreds of combat aircraft the Turks have. The Russians know this but are apparently unwilling to endanger their S-400 sale to Turkey by using the S-400 against Turkish warplanes. War Crimes Described The UN released a report today that detailed Russian attacks on civilians in Syria. This is no secret but now the UN has documented the practice in great detail and called for the prosecution of Russia and the Asssads for war crimes. The Assads have long used starvation, as well as artillery fire and airstrikes, against civilians. By cutting road access to pro-rebel areas, food and other aid could not get through. This is why there were times in the last few years when at least a million civilians nationwide were cut off from food and other supplies. Since 2011 nearly two-thirds of the dead in Syria have been civilians largely because of a deliberate Assad policy of attacking pro-rebel civilians to force them out of the country (or at least the combat zone). This has worked because over half of all Syrians have been forced to flee their homes to escape the fighting, especially the government's air and artillery attacks on civilians. Thus the Assads have been responsible for nearly 80 percent of the civilian deaths since 2011. The Russians still use the same tactics and, since the Russian forces arrived in mid-2015, the air attacks on rebel civilians have increased. This includes attacks on hospitals and aid facilities, including some run by the UN and thus illegal to attack. Russia says these targets were actually being used by rebels, which in some cases is true. Technically if armed men are in any of these neutral facilities they lose their legal immunity from air or artillery attack. Russia has refused to back off from using what the West considers barbaric and inhumane tactics. Russia is determined to see the Assad government regain control of the country no matter what. That goal is shared by Iran. Russia does not deny its airstrikes since September 2015 have killed a lot of people (estimates go as high as 20,000) and that many of the victims might have been civilians. The Russians point out that their approach defeats the rebels while the more acceptable (to the rest of the world) methods merely prolongs the fighting and enable Islamic terrorists, especially ISIL, to expand. Ukraine The low-level war in eastern Ukraine (Donbas) continues. Pro-Russian forces suffered 38 dead and 44 wounded in February. The rebels continue to be more aggressive and frequently violate the ceasefire using machine-guns and mortars against Ukrainian troops, who managed to suffer somewhat lower casualties. The new Ukrainian president made several attempts to discuss peace with his Russian counterpart but to no avail. As a result, there will be no more attempts unless Russia makes a convincing offer. The Ukrainians are paying more attention to their economy and continuing corruption problems. Meanwhile, Donbas will fester, costing Russia billions a year to support. Given the current poor economic condition of Russia, that expense hurts. Libya At the end of February Russia ordered hundreds of Wagner Group military contractors out of Libya because the Turkish backed GNA Libyan government had agreed to a ceasefire with a more powerful Russian backed government. The Turkish troops were to have left as well but didnt. Once more Russian blinked in the face of Turkish resistance. March 2, 2020: Ukraine has started broadcasting a new TV channel with programming suited to the populations in Crimea and the half of Donbas controlled by Russia. Broadcast towers were built close to the areas occupied by Russia and, as expected, the Russians proceeded to jam these broadcasts most of the time. March 1, 2020: The United States responded to more pleas from Turkey for military assistance to halt Russian attacks on Turkish troops in Syria. The U.S. refused to help with troops or by sending a Patriot air defense battery to Turkey. The Americans said they would do everything they could short of direct military intervention and made it clear they believed Russia was the guilty party. But the situation did not meet the criteria to trigger the NATO mutual-defense clause. That would only happen if Russia attacks Turkey itself. The U.S. pointed out that the Turkish presence in Syria was technically illegal, as was past and current Turkish support for Islamic terrorist groups. Other NATO members are offering Turkey military support inside Turkey, but not Patriot batteries (which had been in Turkey after 2014 to protect against possible ISIL attack) on the borders. There are still some foreign Patriot batteries guarding airbases in eastern Turkey that are heavily used by NATO aircraft. Other NATO members are not happy about Turkey letting Syrian refugees enter Europe and resent the Turks demanding more cash from the EU if the Turk border with the EU is to be closed tight one more. February 29, 2020: Turkey demanded that Russian forces cease supporting the Syrian offensive against rebels in Idlib province. Both Russia and Iran insist they are the only legitimate foreign force allowed in Syria. The Assad government, although widely condemned for past and current atrocities has been the legitimate government of Syria for decades and did invite Russian and Iranian forces in. The Turks were invited in by the Syrian rebels who, since 2011, have been trying to oust the Assads. The problem is that Turkey has backed Islamic terror groups who are at war with the world as well as the Assads. Any nation backing or trying to use Islamic terror groups is deluding itself. Recognizing this the Turks mainly depend on the one secular Syrian rebel group, the FSA, and hire them as mercenaries. The FSA that the Turks are not fighting to overthrow the Assads but rather support Turkish efforts to establish a 30 kilometers deep security zone on the Syrian side of the border in order to keep Islamic terrorists and other undesirables (like Syrian refugees) out of Turkey. Russia sympathizes with Turkey on the issues of Islamic terrorists and illegal migrants. Russia has to choose between Iran, which wants the Assad rule in all of Syria no matter what the cost, and Turkey while wants its security zone no matter what the cost. Russian and Turkish leaders have agreed to meet soon and discuss possible solutions. The key problem here is that Russian wants a unified Syria under a Russia-friendly government. At the moment that means the Assads and their patron Iran. The only compromise opportunities are a suitable deal on Turkish border security. The only positive factor here is that neither Turkey nor Russia wants to keep fighting each other. That is a losing proposition for both nations but the Turkish leaders have committed themselves to secure the border and the Russian leader cannot afford anything the reeks of defeat in Syria. Turkey claims its troops, armed with tanks and artillery, are inflicting massive casualties on the Syrian troops who already control half of Idlib and want to continue advancing. The Syrians have suffered losses from Turkish troops but continue to hold a lot of territory the Turks want them out of. Until now the Turkish troops and their FSA mercenaries were not numerous enough to halt all the Syrian advances in Idlib and neighboring Aleppo province. The Syrians deny they have taken heavy losses or halted their advance. It will be another week or so to determine exactly who lost, or gained, what. The Turkish offensive has cost it the diplomatic support of any Arab nations that had long expressed willingness to tolerate Turkish support for Syrian rebels. The recent fighting between Russian and Turkish forces persuaded Arab states to seek accommodation with the Assad government, which is now seen likely to eventually regain control of the entire country. This sudden switch is also another example of how much Arab states distrust and dislike the Turks. These Arabs made no secret of their fears that the Turks were seeking more than better ties with their former imperial provinces and would go after actual control of more Arab territory. February 28, 2020: Russia sent two more frigates to Syria, with both ships coming from the Black Sea via the Turkish controlled Bosporus/Dardanelles channel. By international agreement, Turkey must allow passage of all warships through the Bosporus/Dardanelles route unless that puts Turkey at risk. Turkey told Russia that they would use this clause of the treaty to block all Russian shipping if Russia opposed Turkish forces in Syria. This apparently played a part in the Russian decision to stand aside and let Turkish troops inflict major damage on Syrian forces in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. February 27, 2020: In northwest Syria (Idlib province), another Russian/Syrian airstrike in support of the Syrian offensive killed Turkish troops, this time 33 of them. This involved two Syrian Su-22 ground attack aircraft and two Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers attacking a Turk occupied building and a Turkish convoy. The Russians said the Turks were mingling with Islamic terrorists and thus legitimate targets. February 26, 2020: In northwest Syria (Idlib province), the Turkey-backed NLF (National Liberation Front) Islamic terrorist coalition claims they have recaptured the crossroads town of Saraqeb, which the NLF had lost to Syrian forces earlier in the month. With this, the M5 highway is again blocked, as is the M4 which is the main east-west highway from Aleppo to the Assad stronghold Latakia province and its Mediterranean ports. Given the importance of the M5, it was believed that Syrian troops and Russian air support would try to regain control of the town. Instead, the Russians and Syrians denied that the control of the town had been lost. So far no one else has been able to confirm who is in control. The NLF serves as a Turkish military auxiliary force that will carry out missions the NLF believes are in its interest. At the moment preventing the Syrians from regaining control of Idlib is crucial. If the Syrians do manage to conquer the entire province the NLF (about 50,000 armed men and their families) face death at the hands of the Syrian secret police which have been quick to kill even suspected Sunni Islamic terrorists elsewhere in Syria where the Assads regained control. This was brutal even by Russian standards and the Russians brought in Moslem police battalions, mainly from Chechnya, to get the Syrians to ease up on the mass murder. The conquest of Idlib will put the largest, so far, a number of Islamic terrorists and their dependents under the control of the Syrian secret police. In the past, the Assads have not hesitated to kill large numbers (at least 10,000 in one case) of opponents in one place after a failed uprising. Russian military police will be insufficient to block this, especially when Iran agrees with and encourages the Assads use of mass-murder to remind rebellious Syrians what is at stake here. The NLF does have the possibility of being allowed to find refuge in Turkey. While the current Turkish government favors that approach, most Turks do not and the Islamic Turkish political that has been in power since 2000 is in danger of losing control of the government in upcoming elections. That is not good news for the desperate NLF. The NLF is a Syrian Islamic terrorist coalition formed in August 2018 with the help and approval of Turkey. This merger was arranged by Ahrar al Sham, a longtime rival of al Qaeda faction HTS (Hayat Tahrir al Sham), and backed by Turkey. At that point, about ten percent of the province was controlled by Turkey (in the north along the hundred kilometer long border with Turkey) and Assad forces (several towns and villages in the southeast). HTS recently convinced the NLF to join a larger coalition, under the leadership of HTS which would be better able to defend Idlib. Despite its Turkish ties, NLF was persuaded, after HTS attacked and eliminated NLF factions who opposed the deal. Technically all Islamic terrorists in Idlib belong to the HTS , which al Qaeda supports but does not entirely trust. HTS is a coalition of coalitions and many of the factions never did trust each other. The major fear is that another faction, or even HTS leadership, has made a deal with Turkey which, so the story goes, wants to control HTS as a sort of Sunni Hezbollah and use it to drive Shia Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah out of Syria. Many HTS leaders do have a history of working with the Turks. Russia and Syria has reason to believe the Turks are actually supporting some of the HTS factions in Idlib. The Turks do support moderate Islamic terror groups but refuse to outright admit it. This policy is unpopular with Israel and Western nations as well as Syria, Iran and Russia. Many Turks also oppose any pro-terrorist policy but the current Turkish government is controlled by an Islamic party that favors cooperation with some Islamic terror groups to protect Turks from the more rabid Islamic terrorists. Syria used to play this game and it did not work out well. It rarely does but for many shortsighted politicians, it is still an attractive option. February 25, 2020: In Libya, the Russian-backed LNA (Libyan National Army) repeated its demand that the Turks leave the country. As long as the Turks are in Libya there can be no peace. The LNA also pointed out that the Turks are not the invincible imperial conquerors of old. The LNA claims to have killed at least 17 Turks and nearly a hundred of their Syrian Arab (FSA) mercenaries. Several Turkish UAVs have been shot down and photographed. The Turks deny these claims but back in Turkey, the government is doing its best to suppress news of Turkish military personnel who have died in Libya and buried back in Turkey without any admission of where they died and how. Turkey claims to have killed at least a hundred LNA personnel so far. If the casualty reports are to be believed then the Turks are taking more of a beating than the LNA, which has always stressed keeping its casualties low. According to Turkish claims, the LNA has lost less than one percent of its strength in the same period that the Turkish mercs lost over three percent and the smaller Turkish military contingent suffered about the same casualty rate. The Russian mercs have casualty rates similar to the Turks while the Russian and Gulf Arab military personnel providing logistical and tech support for the LNA have suffered very few casualties. Most Libyans oppose the Turks and welcome assistance from other Arab states as well as the Russians, who got on well with Libyans on a personnel level. Russian support for the Kaddafi dictatorship came from the Soviet Union, which itself disappeared in 1991. After that, the Russians were no longer as eager to back Kaddafi who seemed to be following the same self-destructive trajectory as the Soviet Union. The GNA is being propped up by the Turks and still depends on independent minded Islamic militias as well as some militias that are basically criminal gangs with heavy weapons. Historically the Turks and Russians were always rivals and often at war with each other. Although the Russian and Turk empires dissolved a century ago, the ancient animosities did not. Now Turkish and Russian forces are fighter each other in Syria and Libya. Both areas used to be part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire and both because close to Russia during the Cold War, buying most of their weapons from Russia and cooperating diplomatically. Most Syrians and Libyans are more interested in reviving the Russian relationship than the Turkish one. February 23, 2020: In northwest Syria (Idlib province), Turkey complains that the Syrian attacks in the province have caused nearly a million Syrian civilians to head for the closed Turkish border. These refugees are camped out on the Syrian side of the border. There they join over a million refugees that had been camped out there for a while, hoping to get into Turkey. February 20, 2020: In northwestern Syria (Idlib province) Turkish forces attacked Syrian army positions near the town of Nayrab, which had recently been held by Idlib based rebels. While Turkish troops operated the artillery they did not provide air support. That was because Russian fighters and air defense systems dominated the air space in northwest Syria. Russian warplanes provided air support for the Syrian troops who were fighting the Turkish ground forces. These were not Turks but veteran Syrian mercenaries of the FSA. These mercenaries felt pretty confident because of the massive and accurate artillery support and could have defeated the Syrian troops if it were not for the Russian air support the Syrian forces, in addition to some Syrian Air Force aircraft that Russian technical personnel helped keep flying. The Turkish military announced that two Turkish soldiers had been killed and three wounded by a Russian airstrike in Idlib province. The Russians admitted that their Su-24 fighter-bombers were involved. So far fifteen Turkish troops have died from Syrian artillery fire and Russian or Syrian airstrikes. Turkey accuses Russia of violating an Idlib ceasefire agreement both had signed in late 2018. The Assads were no party to that deal and continued to prepare for the current offensive to regain control of Idlib province even though it has caused so many civilians to head for the Turkish border. Syrian claims and the Russians concur, that Turkey did not keep its end of the ceasefire deal by controlling the heavily armed Islamic terrorist rebels in Idlib who continued to fire on Syrian and Russian forces. The Tusks and Russians are technically allies but they couldnt agree on how to handle these ceasefire violations which were caused by Turkish inaction. Now the Turks are complaining about Russian aggression and asking NATO allies to help them out. The Turks even asked the Americans to provide some Patriot batteries to protect Turkey from possible air raids. Turkey chose Russian S-400 air defense systems over the American Patriot (or similar European or Israeli systems) and has received much of the S-400 equipment but the Turkish crews and maintainers of the S-400 have not completed their training yet. Since the Syrians began their current offensive on January 16th they have regained control of 1.500 square kilometers of rebel territory in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. But now Russia and Turkey are technically at war with each other. Diplomats and senior officials from each country were on the phone talking to each other soon after the Russian airstrikes against Turkish forces took place. The situation is further complicated because two thousand of the Turkish FSA mercenaries volunteered to serve in Libya, where their opposition is assisted by Russian troops (veterans serving as military contractors for the Wagner Group). The FSA mercs are Syrian Sunni Arabs who oppose the Assads and Islamic terrorism. But in Idlib and Libya, they are supporting Russian allies who see Islamic terrorists as potential allies, not relentless foes. Many FSA men are beginning to doubt the wisdom of trusting the Turks. That is a common attitude throughout the Arab world. In western Syria (Latakia province), one kilometer from the Hmeimim (or Khmeimim) Russian airbase Syrian forces report being hit by missiles fired by unidentified aircraft off the coast. The Syrians have some of their S-300 air defense batteries in this area but since their arrival in late 2018, these S-300 systems have not been used in combat. It took about a year for the Syrian crews to be trained and out of that came Syrian complaints that the S-300 radar could not find or track Israeli F-35 stealth fighters. The Syrian S-300 operators doubt the S-300 is very effective against any Israeli weapons, including the less stealthy cruise missiles and F-16 fighters. The Syrians claim the Israelis have EW (electronic warfare) equipment that can jam or deceive the S-300 radars and guidance systems in S-300 missiles. Russia is believed to still have a veto over when the Syrian S-300s can be used and apparently has not yet allowed the Syrian S-300s to fire on Israeli attackers. In China, a recent article in a state-controlled newspaper came right out and said the S-300 does not work and that the Chinese should know because they bought the system from Russia and fixed the problems by developing their own, improved version of the S-300 called the FD-2000. This system is available for export, to just about anyone can pay, including the Syrian government. February 19, 2020: The United States has imposed sanctions on Roseneft, the Russian state-owned oil company, for assisting Venezuela to export its oil despite sanctions on such exports. Roseneft is using its distribution network to sell Venezuelan oil and the new sanctions on Roseneft and any companies doing business with them, will make it more difficult, and expensive to move Venezuelan oil. These American sanctions are usually pretty effective because the U.S. has learned to specify sanctions that do maximum damage to those they are aimed at while causing minimal or no problems for anyone else. Russia depends on its sale of Venezuelan oil to get some repayments on loans to Venezuela as well as paying for current Venezuelan purchases of Russian goods. For example, a Russian firm prints the Venezuelan currency and just received another contract for that worth $7.4 million. Most Venezuelans are now using dollars, which the Venezuelan government tolerates because that is the only way to keep some of the economy going. February 18, 2020: In eastern Syria (Hasaka province), a Russian convoy was stopped by an American checkpoint and turned away. The road led to a Kurdish controlled oilfield. This is the fifth time so far this year that American troops have blocked Russian efforts to drive past Kurdish oil facilities in Hasaka and Deir Ezzor provinces. February 9, 2020: Over the weekend Russia again accused Israeli airstrikes of using civilian airliners to mask their airstrikes from Syrian air defense systems. Russia provided no evidence and no civilian airliner has complained. This is apparently another effort to support its ally Iran. Russia is unable to halt the Israeli airstrikes with the many Russian air defense systems stationed in Syria so some anti-Israel propaganda is better than nothing. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0481c865d8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481ebc0c8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0481c865d8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481ebc0c8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0481db3660)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481ebc0c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481ebc0c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f048145f588)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0481dc0df8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0481dc0df8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 An Adelaide man who killed his 20-year-old daughter by stabbing her eight times in a fit of rage will spend at least 20 years behind bars. Convicted drug trafficker Petrit Lekaj, 49, strangled and stabbed Sabrina Lekaj eight times in her Mercedes-Benz on their way to Hungry Jack's near the family home in Kidman Park, Adelaide, last July. Supreme Court Justice Trish Kelly on Tuesday handed him a life sentence with the mandatory minimum 20-year non-parole period. Justice Kelly said the murder was a 'catastrophic breach' of the bond between a father and daughter. She said Lekaj's violent reaction to his daughter's recreational drug use was 'ironic' given he had previously spent more than four years in jail for drug trafficking. Scroll down for video Petrit Lekaj (left), 49, murdered his daughter Sabrina (right) in their luxury Mercedes last July Ms Lekaj's body was found inside her white Mercedes-Benz (pictured) sedan just outside their home on Kidman Avenue, in Adelaide's western suburbs, about 11.30pm on Sunday, July 21 Romina Lekaj (left) the mother of Sabrina and wife of Petrit Lekaj leaves the supreme court in Adelaide, Tuesday, after his sentencing Sabrinas mother Romina didn't give a victim impact statement on Tuesday, and made no comment as she left court 'It seems clear enough from the evidence before me that the insolence of your daughter that day and her response to your distress and anger incensed you and you lost your temper to the point where you stabbed her eight times,' she said. 'In those few moments you simultaneously destroyed your life as well as Sabrina's. 'You also changed forever the lives of each member of your family, your wife and your young son. 'You will have to live with those consequences for the rest of your life.' Sabrinas mother Romina didn't give a victim impact statement on Tuesday, and made no comment as she left court. Her younger brother Pyrrhus, 12, didn't attend his father's sentencing. Lekaj, a well-known member of Adelaide's Albanian community, took a 15-centimetre knife with him when he drove his daughter to get takeaway food. Sabrina had been partying the night before with friends at Hindley Street nightclub Dog and Duck where she took cocaine, ecstasy and Xanax. Lekaj claimed Sabrina was 'throwing her life away' and she replied that she 'didn't care' before her murder Petrit Lekaj (left), a well-known member of Adelaide's Albanian community, took a 15-centimetre knife with him when he drove his daughter Sabrina (centre) to get takeaway food. Pictured with wife Romina and son Pyrrhus on Sabrina's 18th birthday While stationary in her luxury car, which was birthday present from him, the father-of-two 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', the court previously heard. 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. As she screamed for help, he then got into the back seat, strangled her and stabbed her seven more times, the court heard. After the murder, Lekaj was found next to his daughter with a serious stomach wound and was treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Prosecutor Melissa Wilkinson previously 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.' Defence lawyer Ben Sale said the judge should take into account that Lekaj instantly admitted he had killed the 'apple of his eye'. 'It was the realisation that his daughter the apple of his eye has been lying; she's been living another life with friends that involves the use of drugs,' Lekaj's lawyer Ben Sale previously told the court. 'It wasn't a frenzied attack committed in a moment of provocation but a deliberate decision to get out of the car, back in the car, to continue to stab until she's dead.' Last week, Lekaj's chilling police confession, recorded at a mental health facility, was revealed to the public. Supreme Court Justice Trish Kelly on Tuesday handed Lekaj a life sentence with the mandatory minimum 20-year non-parole period. Pictured: Lekaj's chilling police confession, recorded at a mental health facility When asked why Sabrina was found with stab wounds all over her torso, the father 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. '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, Lekaj 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. Sabrina (left) was a top student who had graduated Nazareth Catholic College in 2016 with a score of 99.35 Romina Lekaj (left) hugs her son Pyrrhus and is comforted by a mourner at the funeral of their daughter and sister Sabrina Romina Lekaj is pictured with her husband of 24 years, Petrit Lekaj '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.' In December, an antecedents report detailing Lekaj's criminal history was tendered by prosecutors and released to the media. Reports stated that 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. At her funeral, Sabrina was remembered as a good friend and top student who had graduated Nazareth Catholic College in 2016 with a score of 99.35. She was accepted into the University of South Australia where she studied both classical piano performance and medical imaging. The MDC has become compliant and that does not augur well. There is need to confront the regime and to be successful Chamisa must take advantage of the fact that more than 98 percent of Zimbabweans do not want Zanu PF. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens not to panic and to work together as coronavirus outbreak reached different parts of Delhi-NCR and even Agra. The Prime Minister held a review meeting to take stock of preparedness to stop COVID-19. Earlier today, a school in Noida was closed for three days after it was found that children of the man diagnosed with coronavirus in Delhi studied in the school. Another school in the vicinity was also closed. Six other individuals in Agra, who were visited by the 45-year-old patient from Delhi, have been identified by the Health Ministry with "high-viral load" and have been kept in isolation. In a tweet, PM Modi said: "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection." "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he further added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fired a fresh salvo against PM Modi on Twitter, asking him to "quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts", and focus on the rising coronavirus threat in India. He also took potshots at the Prime Minister's decision to give away his social media accounts to women on the occasion of Women's Day. ALSO READ:Coronavirus impact: Delhi patient visited family in Agra; 6 members quarantined ALSO READ:Hyatt Regency in Delhi warns coronavirus patient dined at restaurant ALSO READ:Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present To follow coronavirus updates LIVE, follow BusinessToday.In: 7:30 pm: Italian tourist's wife test positvie for coronavirus Wife of the Italian tourist found to have been infected with coronavirus also tested positive for the virus in Jaipur. Her samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for another test, an official told PTI. This takes the total number of patients tested positive for coronavirus in India to 7. "The wife of the Italian tourist also developed symptoms and samples were collected. The report indicates positive signs of the virus in her. For further confirmation, we are sending her sample to the NIV, Pune," an official of Rajasthan Health Department said. The Italian couple has been kept in isolation at the Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital here. 6:25 pm: 24 people, including 3 Indians and 21 Italians, residing in a South Delhi hotel have been shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp for testing of coronavirus. Their test results are expected to come tomorrow. Government sources: 24 people including 3 Indians and 21 Italian nationals residing in a hotel of South Delhi have been shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp for testing of #Coronavirus. Their test results will come tomorrow. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 6:15 pm: Indian Navy's Milan multilateral naval exercise, scheduled from March 18 in Visakhapatnam, may be cancelled in view of coronavirus outbreak, government sources told ANI. Government has asked Army, Navy and Air Force to be prepared for quarantine facilities for over 2,500 suspected cases in coming days. New dates for the Milan exercise are being worked out. Government sources:Indian Navys Milan multilateral naval exercise planned to be held from March 18 in Visakhapatnam may be cancelled in view of #Coronavirus. Govt has asked Army,Navy&Air Force to be prepared for quarantine facilities for over 2500 suspected cases in coming days. pic.twitter.com/1WDlwRAGUJ ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 6:06 pm: IndiGo alerts co-passengers of Hyderabad patient IndiGo has alerted passengers who took its flight 6E 96 from Dubai to Bangalore on February 20, which also used by the coronavirus patient from Hyderabad. The 4 cabin crew members have been placed on home observation, the airline stated. IndiGo statement: The #Coronavirus affected passenger in Hyderabad travelled on IndiGo flight 6E 96 (Dubai-Bangalore) on Feb 20. All 4 cabin crew who operated this flight have been placed on home observation. We're following all prescribed Airport Health Organization guidelines. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 5:51 pm: Italian tourist in Jaipur tests positive for coronavirus An Italian tourist in Jaipur has tested positive for novel Coranavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to six so far, Union Health Ministry sources said Tuesday. The first sample collected from the tourist on Saturday had tested negative, but his condition deteriorated and a second sample was collected, which tested positive on Monday. "Since there was a variation in the reports, samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for testing," officials said, adding that it had tested positive. 5:36 pm: After a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain assured that government is taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe and isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals. Jain further said that 3.5 lakh N95 masks have been arranged. We have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients, he added. 4:47 pm: Air India warns passengers who flew with patient from Delhi Air India has warned passengers who flew on flight number AI154 from Vienna to Delhi of 25th February 25, 2020 after one of the passengers was tested positive for coronavirus. The national carrier has asked passengers from the flight to follow protocol regarding coronavirus notified by the Health Ministry. "This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus," Air India said in a tweet. Crew members from the abovementioned flight have been asked to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days. #FlyAI : This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus. Kindly visit https://t.co/YR6yHUi4Or. Air India (@airindiain) March 3, 2020 4:42 pm: Iran reports 11 new coronavirus deaths. Death toll reaches 77. 4:38 pm: "Till now not a single person has been affected by coronavirus in the state, except the youth who arrived from Dubai. 88 people have been identified who came in contact with him, 45 of them are being tested. Others will also be tested," Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra. Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra in Hyderabad: Till now not a single person has been affected by #COVID19 in the state, except the youth who arrived from Dubai. 88 people have been identified who came in contact with him,45 of them are being tested,others will also be tested. pic.twitter.com/khv0Gt1rHm ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 4:23 pm: Agra hotels told to report visitors from Italy, Iran, China As the coronavirus scare reached Agra, hotels in the historic city have been asked to report tourists from Italy, Iran or China to the office of chief medical officer, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, an official said on Tuesday. Meanwhile in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh residents who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital. The instructions came a day after an Italian tourist was tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The 69-year-old man was part of a group of 20 tourists, who were in Agra on Sunday. (PTI) 4:09 pm: Coronavirus Update: Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI assess situation Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday conducted a meeting with all airports to review and guide the preparations to prevent the spread of the infection in the country. Civil Aviaiton Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and AAI Chairman Arvind Singh reviewed measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. "Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, MoCA & Shri Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI conducted a video conference with all the airports to review & guide the preparations to take effective steps for preventing the spread of COVID-19," the ministry stated in its tweet. Airports and airlines have been advised to comply with the travel advisory issued for passengers by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), it added. Passengers from 10 countries -- China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia -- are already being screened at Indian airports. Delhi High Court asks Centre to file response on a petition seeking evacuation of Indian students at the earliest to their home country and to ensure the safety of Indian students studying in Iran in wake of spreading of Coronavirus. HC to hear the matter on March 11. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 4:04 pm: Export of pharma ingredients, medicines banned as COVID-19 menace grows The government on Tuesday put export restrictions on 26 pharma ingredients and medicines, including paracetamol, vitamin B1 and B12, amid the coronavirus outbreak in China. With this, export of these active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations requires licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the commerce ministry. Earlier, there were no restrictions on outbound shipments of these products. API is raw material for pharmaceuticals. Restrictions on the exports are important as there would be an increase in demand for these products in the country. The latest announcement assumes significance on account of concerns over coronavirus spreading to many countries. Apart from paracetamol, vitamin B1, B6 and B12, other APIs and formulations over which the export restrictions have been imposed include tinidazole, metronidazole, acyclovir, progesterone, chloramphenicol, ornidazole, formulations made of chloramphenicol, clindamycin salts, neomycin, and paracetamol. (With PTI inputs) 4:02 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is currently holding an emergency meeting over the coronavirus outbreak. 3:58 pm: Coronavirus update: Sensex jumps back after RBI's assurance Snapping its seven-day falling streak, equity benchmark Sensex rallied 480 points on Tuesday after gains in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank and Kotak Bank amid positive cues from global markets. Domestic market sentiment got a was boost after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it was closely monitoring global as well as domestic situation regarding the impact of deadly coronavirus and ready to take necessary action to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets. Global stocks also rallied on hopes of stimulus from policy makers to lessen the impact of coronavirus on their economies ahead of the talks between G7 finance ministers and central bank heads. (PTI) 3:54 pm: Coronavirus news: HC seeks Centre's response on plea to vacate Indian students from Iran Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to file its response on a petition seeking evacuation of Indian students at the earliest to their home country and to ensure the safety of Indian students studying in Iran in wake of spreading of Coronavirus. The High Court will hear the matter next on March 11. Dear @PMOIndia, Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge. Here's how it's done..#coronavirusindiapic.twitter.com/jLZG5ISjwt Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 3, 2020 3: 42 pm: Quit playing clown with social media, focus on coronavirus, Rahul Gandhi tells PM Congress leader Rahul Gandhi rebuked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his decision to give up his social media acccounts and suggested that he turns his attention to the coronavirus menace. In a tweet on Tuesday, Gandhi said: "Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge." There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy. #coronavirusindiahttps://t.co/SuEvqMFbQd Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 3, 2020 In an earlier tweet, Gandhi said: "There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy." Travel advisory on COVID-19: All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan&S Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan& issued on or before 3 March and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 3:37 pm: Coronavirus Imapct: RBI monitoring global, domestic financial markets The Reserve Bank of India said that it is keeping an eye on global and domestic financial markets in view of growing volatility due to the coronavirus update. The central bank also assured that it will take adequate measures to "maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability". "Globally, financial markets have been experiencing considerable volatility, with the spread of the coronavirus triggering risk-off sentiments and flights to safe haven. Spillovers to financial markets in India have largely been contained. Growing hopes of coordinated policy action to mitigate a broader fallout to economic activity has boosted market sentiment today. The Reserve Bank of India is monitoring global and domestic developments closely and continuously and stands ready to take appropriate actions to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets, maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability," the RBI said. 3:33 pm: Coronavirus update: Visa restrictions due to COVID-19 All regular (sticker) Visas and e-Visa, including Visa on Arrival for Japan and South Korea, granted to citizens of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, and issued on or before March 3, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 3:00 pm: Coronavirus India: No need to panic, we need to work together, says PM Modi "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," tweeted PM Modi. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he added in a following tweet. {blurb} 2:45 pm: Two schools have been closed in Noida after it was found that children of the man diagnosed with coronavirus in Delhi study one of them. "Where she got it is not clear ... we are taking additional measures to up surveillance in that area." Loading Mr Hazzard described the employee as "a much-loved and very long-working member of the staff". "She's actually worked there at the nursing home, at the residential care facility, for more than two decades," he said. The woman worked at the lodge on February 24 when she started getting symptoms and it is likely that she could have been infectious from at least February 23, Mr Hazzard said. She has been quarantined in Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition. Loading More than 80 per cent of COVID-19 deaths globally are people over 60, and more than 75 per cent had underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. By Wednesday morning the total number of cases in the state rose to 15, as NSW Health released the details of five flights to Sydney that carried passengers later diagnosed with the virus. One of the infected people is a lecturer at Macquarie University from the Science and Engineering faculty. He is recovering in an isolation ward at Westmead Hospital. He became ill after returning from Iran and sought medical attention, a spokesman for the university said in a statement. "Our staff member has not been present at Macquarie Universitys campus since returning from Iran and has had no contact with either staff or students," the statement said, adding there was no evidence to suggest the case was connected to the aged care worker. Meanwhile, 75 staff from Ryde Hospital have been quarantined after coming into contact with a 53-year-old doctor diagnosed with COVID-19, including 30 doctors, 24 nurses and 21 support staff. Ten of the doctors and 21 nurses are in home isolation, NSW Health said. Eight patients have also been identified as close contacts and have been contacted by health authorities. None have reported symptoms. A total of 37 patients have been flagged as casual contacts. So far 24 have been contacted, NSW Health has attempted to contact another 11 and two are yet to be contacted. Additional healthcare workers were brought in to ensure Ryde Hospital was fully staffed, Dr Chant said. NSW Health also released the flight details of five other people diagnosed with the virus who may have been infectious on flights to Sydney. A man in his 30s returned from Iran and arrived in Sydney on Malindo Air flight OD171 from Kuala Lumpur on March 1. He was seated in row 15 and passengers seated around him will be contacted by NSW Health. The man is being treated at Westmead Hospital. Another man in his 30s arrived from Iran on Sunday, March 1, on a flight from Malaysia that transited through Singapore. Loading He was on Jetstar Asia Airways flight 3K686 which codeshares with Qantas QF5186 departing Kuala Lumpur on February 29 and arriving in Singapore later that day. He then flew to Sydney on Qantas flight QF82. He was seated in row 32 on that flight, which departed Singapore at 8.30pm on February 29 and arrived in Sydney on March 1 at 7.35am. A man in his 50s returned from Singapore on February 28 on Qantas flight QF02. He was seated in row five. A woman in her 60s arrived in Sydney from South Korea on Korean Air flight KE121 on February 27. Another woman in her 60s, returned to Sydney from Japan on February 21 and was diagnosed on March 3. The details of the flight the woman was on have not been provided. NSW Health said travellers from Iran, South Korea and Japan should be particularly vigilant for symptoms as there had been a rapid increase in COVID-19 activity there in recent days. Emergency departments are bracing for a deluge of patients, with authorities predicting coronavirus outbreaks will converge with an early and severe flu season. The number of confirmed influenza cases in January and February are greater than last years unusually high numbers. Increasingly, patients are presenting to emergency departments and presentations for flu-like illnesses and other respiratory conditions at well above historic averages, NSW Health said. NSW paramedics have offered to make home visits to help diagnose coronavirus and ease the strain on hospitals. "We are normally reluctant to suggest extra duties for the states already over-stretched paramedic workforce. However, these are not normal times," Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said. "Coronavirus will add massive strain to the flu season by clogging up emergency departments and medical centres. This also creates an environment for the virus to spread." The union wants these home visits to be free of charge to the public, which would be a decision made by the state government. Loading Mr Hazzard said he was yet to speak to Mr Hayes about the offer and would follow it up. "Every suggestion is being taken constructively, positively," Mr Hazzard said. The HSU is also asking the NSW Treasurer for at least $100 million to boost the capacity of ambulances and hospitals before the start of the flu season. Globally there are 92,844 confirmed cases (48,229 of whom have recovered) and 3160 deaths. Last weekend, the city of Houston issued a boil notice due to a city-owned pipe that broke and disrupted water services for thousands of Houston residents. Health officials warned the lack of pressure could increase the risk of bacteria and had many residents worried. But the communities of West University Place and Bellaire were unaffected because their water comes from alternative sources. According to both cities managers, they purchase water from the city of Houston and the moment an emergency happens that impacts their ability to pull surface water from Houston, Bellaire and West U can pull from groundwater sources to meet their needs. However, a lot of residents were unaware of their citys water sources and were still concerned. The city received some calls from West U residents about the Houston notice, West U City Manager Dave Beach said. West U city officials, sent out updates to residents via email and social media. This appeared to alleviate the concerns as the number of calls decreased. Residents did react positively to the way each city responded to Houstons main break and were relieved they could continue to live their daily lives without interruption to their water services. Everyone was concerned if Bellaires water was safe to drink and what we were going to do, said a resident of Bellaire at the latest City Council meeting. So many people were so grateful to live in Bellaire and not the city of Houston and I was inviting everyone to eat at Bellaire restaurants where the water is safe, and the ice is safe. It made me feel so grateful to live in the city. But both cities are prepared if their waterlines do break and will respond by isolating the area of the break to limit the number of customers impacted and has staff on-call day and night to respond to any situation that may arise. Until then, both cities take comfort knowing they can take care of themselves. From time to time we have citizens and different people come to us and talk to us about why dont you do this and why do you do that and why dont you coordinate and cooperate with the city of Houston, said Bellaire Mayor Pro Tem Gus Pappas at a City Council meeting. That was a perfect example of why its really good to have control of our own stuff. ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com New Delhi: The Delhi government on Tuesday (March 3,2020) released data of the damaged caused during the violent incident and informed that over 287 house and 327 shops were doused during the riot in North-East Delhi. The data further said that out of the 287 house, 79 were completely burned during the riot incident. The government further informed that compensation amounting to rupees 25 lakh were distributed until Monday evening (March 2, 2020). In the wake of Delhi violence a special parent-teacher meetings have been called in schools located at North-East Delhi. On Monday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal appealed people to provide details of the needy for a quick response from the government and said that the government is working 24/7 to provide relief materials at the earliest possible. Taking to Twitter Kejriwal said, '' "We are working 24/7 to make sure relief efforts reach all in need. If u know of anyone who is in need, use #DelhiRelief to reach us. Pl do mention exact address/contact details so that we can reach him. We will ensure a quick response from our agencies.'' Kejriwal also discussed Delhi's situation with Prime Minister Modi and said that he has requested him not to spare anyone involved in the violence irrespective of their party affiliation. The Delhi CM also lauded the the Delhi police for being proactive in controlling the situation when rumours were being spread on Sunday night in the national capital. The areas which suffered heavy loss due to the violence include - Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajan Pura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad areas of northeast Delhi. The death toll in the Delhi violence case went up to 41 and 422 people were reported to be injured. Pharmacists have seized on the coronavirus outbreak to ramp up their campaign to take on more GP-like tasks, arguing they should be allowed to hand out common medicines without a prescription to ease the burden on doctors. "The last thing you want to do in a pandemic is create a cluster where sick people congregate with people with the virus," Pharmacy Guild vice president Trent Twomey told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. "Frankly, state and federal governments can't afford not to utilise the pharmacy workforce." Pharmacists want to be able to hand out common medicines without a prescription. Credit:Louie Douvis The guild, which represents the nation's 5700 pharmacy owners, wants the rules changed so pharmacists can dispense medicines like the contraceptive pill, preventative asthma inhalers, blood pressure tablets and antibiotics for urinary tract infections without the need for a GP visit. 11.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard In a state that Bernie Sanders hoped to win in a walk, a new survey shows that Joe Biden has surged to within single digits as momentum continues to build behind his campaign. According to a new poll from AtlasIntel, Sanders only has an eight-point edge over Biden, 34 percent to 26 percent. #California @atlas_intel Poll: Sanders 34% Biden 26% Warren 15% Bloomberg 15% Gabbard 1% Buttigieg 3% Klobuchar 1% (Poll conducted 2/24-3/2) Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) March 2, 2020 The fact that Biden has pulled to within single digits should worry the Sanders campaign as California increasingly looks like their firewall to maintain the Vermont senators front-runner status. Its also a bad sign for Sanders that much of the poll was conducted before Bidens victory in South Carolina. Not to mention, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar were both included in the survey, though they only received a combined four percent of the vote. Still, given how quickly things have shifted in Bidens direction over the past 48 hours, its possible that the race is even closer in the Golden State than this poll shows. Once again, the margin in California will be key Polling still shows that Bernie Sanders is the favorite to win California on Super Tuesday but, as I said before the South Carolina primary, the margin between the two candidates will be key. If Biden manages to limit Sanders margin of victory to single digits while racking up wins in other states on Super Tuesday, then the former vice president could potentially pull ahead of Sanders in the delegate race when all the votes from tomorrows contests are counted. After the first three primary contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, some pundits viewed Bernie Sanders campaign as a runaway train on its way to the Democratic nomination. Now, a day before voters in 14 states and one U.S. territory cast their ballots, its shaping up as a neck-and-neck contest between Biden and Sanders. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter March 03 : Filmmaker Rohit Shetty who next outing Sooryavashi talks about Terrorist attacks and Hindu-Muslim harmony, says without knowing the ground realities talking about Delhi Riots is not something people should indulge in, it is serious matter which is being handled by Government and as citizens, we should refrain from creating more chaos. Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Karan Johar, Katrina Kaif along with filmmaker Rohit Shetty were interacting with media at the trailer launch of forthcoming action thriller Sooryavanshi in Mumbai. Watch:Rohit Shetty at Sooryavanshi Trailer Launch Event When asked about his thoughts on Hindu-Muslim riots taking place in Delhi, as his movie highlight the issue, Rohit Shetty said, What is happening in Delhi or Country, that is a very serious issue, and there is whole bunch of people who are talking about it. And I think at this moment, the best thing would be to keep calm. Our officials and government and people, they are working on it in Delhi Were here in Mumbai, at a trailer launch, having a good time, and to talk about those people suffering in Delhi, would be the easiest thing to do. Right now the best thing is to keep quiet and calm. Everyone is talking and that is only increasing the chaos. Keep calm, people are working out the situation, we have no idea about the ground realities. None of us knows what it feels like to be in riots or situation like that, its horrible and devastating. We shouldnt indulge in such talks right now I can give you an inspirational speech here, and people would go on social media and praise me about it as well, but its wont be right. We should keep calm and quite regarding such matters, for the time being. People are suffering, let it sort out and then we all can talk about it added Rohit Shetty. Sooryavanshi is produced by Rohit Shetty, Karan Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta, it is the fourth installment of Shetty's Police Universe and features Akshay Kumar as the titular character opposite Katrina Kaif. The film releases on 24th March 2020. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu has said that a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had stayed with the coronavirus-hit techie who is admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad. The first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Telangana was reported from Hyderabad on Monday where a man from Bengaluru, who recently returned from Dubai, tested postive for the virus. "It has come to our knowledge that the coronavirus-hit person in Hyderabad had gone from Bengaluru. Therefore, all the members in the house where he had stayed here have been identified and are under watch," Sriramulu tweeted on late Monday night. The minister said he has convened a meeting with the additional chief secretary, commissioner and other senior officials of the health department on Tuesday morning. "Our government has initiated all the measures to prevent the spread of this virus," the minister said. It is learnt that the 24-year-old techie had not contracted it when he was in Bengaluru but all precautionary measures have been taken. The software engineer, who works in Bengaluru, had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus, Telangana health minister E Rajender told reporters in Hyderabad. The man reached Bengaluru on February 19/20 and later went to Hyderabad in a bus. He took treatment for fever after coming to Hyderabad and was admitted to a private super speciality hospital in the city. As it did not subside, he came to the state-run Gandhi hospital on Sunday evening, Rajender said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the outbreak emerging as a global menace claiming over 3,000 lives in China and abroad, Chinese President has called for cooperation to develop a cure and vaccine to halt the COVID-19 on its tracks. Public health security is a common challenge faced by the humanity, and all the countries should join hands to cope with it, Xi said during an inspection to research institutes here on Monday, calling on countries to share research data and jointly work out response strategies, official media reported here on Tuesday. The death toll in China on Tuesday climbed to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, even as the deadly disease wreaked havoc globally with the total number of deaths crossing 3,000 and infections surging past 89,000. Noting that the COVID-19 outbreaks have emerged in many countries, Xi said it is important to step up communication and exchange with the WHO and carry out scientific research cooperation on source tracing, drugs, vaccines, testing and other fields with other countries, especially those hit hard by the virus. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has full genome sequences of the new virus with various countries and permitted a team of experts from the World Health Organisation and other countries to visit the virus hit areas. Chinese researchers have also been actively sharing their latest study results and participating in cooperation on diagnosis and effective treatments, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. After receiving the genome sequence of the virus from China, researchers in the United States were able to map the first 3D atomic-scale structure of a key 2019 novel protein, making a breakthrough toward developing vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and diagnostics, according to a study published online in the journal Science in February, it said. The WHO-China joint mission, consisting of 25 experts from eight countries and the WHO, conducted a nine-day field study trip on COVID-19 last month in China's capital Beijing and several different provinces including Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak. The team made a range of findings on the transmissibility of the virus, the severity of the disease, and the impact of the measures taken. They offered 22 recommendations on COVID-19 control for affected and unaffected countries, the community as well as the public. The Russian government also sent experts to China to work with their Chinese counterparts on epidemic response. In late February, Jack Ma Foundation announced that it will provide 15 million yuan (around $2.1 million) to support international cooperation on the development of antiviral drugs or antibodies to fight the epidemic. President Xi also wrote an appreciation letter to Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their grant to promote research to develop a vaccine. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 10:12:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (R) speaks at a daily briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 2, 2020. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan has become the greatest concern. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia) "Our message to all countries is: this is not one-way street. We can push this coronavirus back...There's no choice but to act now," said the WHO chief. GENEVA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus introduced to humans for the first time, tweeted the chief of World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, adding that it can be contained with the right measures. Noting that knowing and understanding the epidemic is the first step to defeating it, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said on Twitter that "We are in unchartered territory with COVID-19. We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission." "It spreads from person to person mainly through the droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes," explained Tedros. The WHO chief reiterated that containment of COVID-19 is still feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries right now, though there is no one-size fits all approach. A girl receives temperature test at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 2, 2020. The Iraqi Health Ministry on Monday announced five more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 26. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) "Our message to all countries is: this is not one-way street. We can push this coronavirus back," he reiterated. "Your actions now will determine the course of the COVID-19 outbreak in your country. There's no choice but to act now." WHO is currently advising that all countries take actions on the "first case, first cluster, first evidence of community transmission." Meanwhile, Tedros also deplored stigmatizing during the outbreak, which he said is "more dangerous than coronavirus itself." "It is painful to witness the level of stigma we are seeing. We are not angels, we are human beings, but we can do the right thing," he said. NEW YORK, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. announces to investors that it is investigating potential claims on behalf of stockholders of Mobile Mini, Inc. (MINI), Forty Seven, Inc. (FTSV), Cincinnati Bell, Inc. (CBB), and Telaria, Inc. (TLRA). Additional information about each potential action can be found at the link provided. Mobile Mini, Inc. (MINI) Buyer: WillScot Corporation On March 2, 2020 Mobile Mini announced that it had signed an agreement to merge with WillScot. Per the merger agreement Mobile Mini stockholders will receive 2.4050 shares of WillScot common stock for each share of Mini Mobile common stock owned. The deal is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2020. Bragar Eagel & Squire is concerned that Mobile Minis board of directors oversaw an unfair process and ultimately agreed to an inadequate deal price. Accordingly, the firm is investigating all relevant aspects of the deal and is committed to securing the best result possible for Mobile Mini stockholders. To learn more about the Mobile Mini investigation go to: https://bespc.com/mini/ . Forty Seven, Inc. (FTSV) Buyer: Gilead Sciences On March 2, 2020 Forty Seven announced that it had signed an agreement to merge with Gilead Sciences. Per the merger agreement Forty Seven stockholders will receive $95.50 in cash for each share of Forty Seven common stock owned. The deal is scheduled to close in the second quarter of 2020. Bragar Eagel & Squire is concerned that Forty Sevens board of directors oversaw an unfair process and ultimately agreed to an inadequate deal price. Accordingly, the firm is investigating all relevant aspects of the deal and is committed to securing the best result possible for Forty Seven stockholders. To learn more about the Forty Seven investigation go to: https://bespc.com/ftsv/ . Cincinnati Bell, Inc. (CBB) Buyer: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. On February 28, 2020 Cincinnati Bell announced that it had signed an amended agreement to be acquired by Brookfield Infrastructure for $12.50 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $2.745 billion. The deal is scheduled to close by the end of 2020. Story continues Bragar Eagel & Squire is concerned that Cincinnati Bells board of directors oversaw an unfair process and ultimately agreed to an inadequate deal price. Accordingly, the firm is investigating all relevant aspects of the deal and is committed to securing the best result possible for Cincinnati Bell stockholders. To learn more about the Cincinnati Bell investigation go to: https://bespc.com/cbb/. Telaria, Inc. (TLRA) Buyer: The Rubicon Project On December 19, 2019, Telaria announced that it had signed an agreement to merge with Rubicon Project. Per the merger agreement, Telaria stockholders will receive 1.082 shares of Rubicon Project common stock for each share of TiVo common stock owned. The deal is scheduled to close in the first half of 2020. Bragar Eagel & Squire is concerned that Telarias board of directors oversaw an unfair process and ultimately agreed to an inadequate deal price. Accordingly, the firm is investigating all relevant aspects of the deal and is committed to securing the best result possible for Telaria stockholders. To learn more about the Telaria investigation go to: https://bespc.com/tlra/. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. The owner of a funeral home business in Klamath Falls took money from family members to cremate their loved ones and then stacked up the bodies without actually performing the service, according to court documents filed by the Klamath Falls Police Department. The owner of Affordable Cremation Care, Maximilian Bodzin, currently resides in the Klamath County Jail charged with five counts of Theft in the First Degree, seven counts of Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree, and two counts of Theft in the Second Degree in addition to a single possession of methamphetamine charge that is being tried separately. According to court documents, concerns about Bodzin first came to the attention of Klamath Falls Police on January 15, when officers received a call from the county's deputy medical examiner, John Dougherty. "Mr. Dougherty told me he was concerned that a local Funeral Home, Affordable Cremation Care, was out of money and was storing bodies at the place of business because they were unable to dispose of them," the reporting officer said. An Klamath Falls Police investigation found multiple people who had paid Bodzin more than $1,000 have their loved ones cremated, then return the remains and death certificates. Some of them had been waiting for days, weeks, or even several months with no indication of when it would be done, and with Bodzin frequently dodging their questions. Meanwhile, one witness told investigators that Bodzin had about five bodies in a refrigerator and four more out on tables in the garage, with a "strong odor of decomposition" noticeable in the air. Based on witness statements provided by investigators Bodzin and Affordable Cremation Care served primarily as a middle-man between loved ones and several crematoriums. Families paid Bodzin, then Bodzin was supposed to deliver the bodies to a crematorium and pay the business to have the cremation done. At least one of these crematoriums reportedly told officers that Bodzin had made an appointment for three cremations, then cancelled it claiming that he did not have the money to do it. Bodzin told investigators that his vehicle had been stolen in December. Though it was recovered and impounded by a towing company, Bodzin said that he did not have the money to pick it up and the vehicle was his main method of delivering bodies to a crematorium. During an investigation that lasted more than a week, statements indicate that KFPD gave Bodzin repeated chances to rectify the problems. According to court documents, the bodies languishing at Affordable Cremation Care were only passed on for cremation after significant pressure from families, law enforcement, and other funeral homes, and only on a case-by-case basis. When the investigation finally resulted in an arrest warrant for Bodzin, an officer found him at the Purple Parrot on 6th Street. According to the officer's statement, Bodzin had two plastic bags on him that contained substance "consistent with the appearance of methamphetamine." Bodzin's meth charge also includes language identifying him as an out-of-compliance sex offender. Oregon court records do not indicate any convictions for sexual crimes, and Bodzin does not appear on the sex offender registry however, Bodzin is listed on the Florida sex offender registry for a 1999 charge of lewd or lasvicious conduct with a child under 16. Bodzin's last registered address in the Florida system was in Portland. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) The 47th annual Salute to Women Ceremony is Tuesday, and News 18 is proud to partner with the YWCA to feature this year's recipients. Former Tippecanoe County Clerk Christa Coffey is one of this year's twelve women being honored. "To be a part of the class that is being recognized is awe-inspiring," said Coffey. "It's an incredible honor." Coffey moved to Lafayette in 1989 and started her career with county government as a bailiff in 1997. In her two terms as clerk, Coffey was responsible for administering official court records and handling millions of dollars in filing fees. She also led the effort to turn more than 20 years of paper documents into electronic files. That's something she now is implementing across the state in her new role with the Indiana Supreme Court. "That's kind of an ironic twist that, a system that I helped convert our courts to, I'm now helping counties across the state as they change to that system," said Coffey. Her new job takes her to Indianapolis every day, but it was important to her to keep Tippecanoe County her home. "So much has changed," said Coffey. "When I came 30 years ago, you got off the interstate and there was McDonalds, a couple of gas stations, and maybe a hotel and now look at it. [State Road] 26 is just one continuous link to the city. I think people are finding out that Tippecanoe County is a good place to be, and they want to be here as part of that." The 2020 Salute to Women ceremony is Tuesday at the Trails Banquet Facility in West Lafayette. Yonsei University campus in Seoul, where many students are usually crowded during the beginning of the new semester, remains virtually empty, Monday, due to the school's decision to delay the spring semester amid growing fears of the novel coronavirus infection on the campus. /Yonhap By Bahk Eun-ji More than 80 percent of university students here are expressing concerns over the efficacy of online lectures they will be given following their schools' decision to keep campuses closed until March 22 amid the continued coronavirus outbreak, a survey showed Tuesday. The students also said that the colleges should refund part of their tuition for the spring semester if they are not offering classroom lectures until March 23, instead of March 2. The spring semester will begin March 9 at universities, a week later than usual, according to the Ministry of Education. However, under ministry guidelines, school officials said they will only provide online lectures for the following two weeks until March 23 so that students do not have to go to campuses. The Association of Student Councils Network, the union of the nation's 49 university student councils, conducted an online survey of 12,213 members nationwide for five days from Feb. 27. According to the survey, 83.8 percent of respondents said universities should refund part of their school tuition for the delay in opening as compensation for the period they replace offline lectures with online ones. Among them, 7,547 or 59.8 percent said the refund was "highly necessary," while 3,023 or 24 percent said it was "necessary." The respondents were also concerned over the quality of the online and makeup classes while alternative options were limited. When multiple answers were allowed, 70.2 percent said the universities should implement measures for students with disabilities, such as subtitles and spoken language interpretation in the online classes. About 50 percent said there were insufficient alternatives to classes that cannot be replaced by ones online, such as practicals, performances and laboratory work, while 40.9 percent were concerned that the online classes would fall short compared to face-to-face ones. According to the education ministry, even if universities postpone the start of classes and reduce their number, current laws stipulate that a minimum of 15 hours per semester must be taught. Universities that delay their classes will be required to provide makeup ones to students either in the morning or evening during the week or on weekends. Online classes are expected to be scheduled as alternatives. When Sungkyunkwan University announced its decision to postpone opening for a week, it also halted classes for an additional two weeks. "Students will be allowed to attend classes in classrooms from April 6, as online lectures will be provided for four weeks," said Shin Dong-ryeol, president of the university said in a letter sent to students. The president added that this was the only solution the university had when it was necessary to protect students, faculty members and school staff from infection by the highly contagious virus. Kookmin University will also operate all classes online for four weeks after opening. Other universities in Seoul, including Konkuk, Kyunghee, Sejong, Yonsei and Hanyang, Ewha Woman's University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will provide online lectures for two weeks, according to their school officials. UN Special Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame Monday resigned from his position citing health issues, two years and a half after his appointment. My health no longer allows this rate of stress, the Lebanese UN official said in a statement. So I asked the Secretary-General to relieve me from my mission, wishing Libya peace and stability. Salame since his appointment has tried in vain to unify Libyans who fell apart following the removal of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-led uprising in 2011. The oil-rich North African country is ruled by two rival administrations: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the east-based administration of retired Gen. Khalifa Haftar. Haftar since April last year has been pushing to seize capital Tripoli from the GNA that he accuses of housing terrorists and being controlled by Muslim Brotherhoods. Thousands have been killed in the offensive by the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA). Over the weekend, UN Secretary Generals spokesperson Stephane Dujarric issued a statement saying that the Secretary-General strongly condemned the indiscriminate bombing of several parts of Tripoli, including residential areas and the airport, 15 miles from the capitals center. The Secretary-General emphasizes that civilians must be protected at all times in line with international humanitarian law, the statement spelled out while also echoing the UN chiefs call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urging that Security Council resolution 2510 be fully implemented. However, the repeated calls and the dozens of international conferences to bring an end to the military clashes between the two sides have failed. Recent Geneva talks proposed by January Berlin conference to snatch a truce have collapsed and both sides resumed attacks. The Libyan crisis has gone out of control with the interference of the foreign countries, which have been violating the UN arms embargo in place since 2011. Turkey and Qatar have been propping up the GNA while the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia support Haftar. The UN in a statement to reporters said Secretary General Antonio Guterres would discuss with Salame the way to ensure a smooth transition so as not lose any momentum on the gains that have been made. A convicted 'Essex Boys' murderer is set to be freed from prison after serving a reduced life sentence of 22 years. Jack Whomes, 57, is still attempting to clear his name 25 years after being jailed over the shooting of three men who were found dead in a Range Rover near a farm in Rettendon, Essex, in 1995. His case is to be put to the parole board within months, after his 25-year sentence was reduced by two years in 2018 due to 'exemplary behaviour'. While Michael Steele, 76, who was convicted alongside Whomes for the same triple murder remains a category A criminal and is not up for parole, reports The Mirror. Jack Whomes arrives at the Appeal Court on February 22, 2006 in London. Whomes was jailed for life, with accomplice Michael Steele at the Old Bailey in 1998 Tony Tucker, 38, Pat Tate, 37 and Craig Rolfe, 26, were gunned down with a pump-action shotgun in December 1995 in what is believed to have been a row over drugs. Just a month earlier the three gangsters are said to have given 18-year-old Leah Betts an ecstasy tablet in a Basildon club which led to her death. The bloodbath scene of the triple murder of the three men down a snow-covered farm track in the small village of Rettendon inspired the 2000 Essex Boys movie, starring Sean Bean. Whomes and Steel were convicted after evidence, which was then lost, was given by their self-professed getaway driver Darren Nicholls. Steele was jailed in 1998 for the murder of three drug dealers in Rettendon, Essex Michael Steele, 76, (left) was convicted alongside Jack Whomes (right) for the same triple murder but remains a category A criminal and is not up for parole. Pictured in 2006 After being scrutinised for 30 hours, detectives realised the tape recording Nicholls' questioning had stopped recording. This lead Whomes and Steel's lawyers to claim the get-away story was fabricated, both the convicted murders still maintain they are not responsible for the Essex Boys murders. Another gangster, London-based Billy Jasper, came forward admitting he had been paid 5,000 to take the killer to the scene of the murder - but was never charged. The infamous killing was made into a 2000 film starring Sean Bean, pictured left Gangsters (from left to right) Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe who were all found shot dead in a Range Rover on an isolated farm track at Rettendon, Essex in December 1995 Tragic Leah Betts' death from an ecstasy pill sparked the reprisal attacks that left three dead A spokeswoman for the Parole Board told The Mirror: 'We can confirm the parole review of Jack Whomes has been referred to the Parole Board. 'Steele, whose case has not been referred, is a category A prisoner in HMP Full Sutton.' An application by Whomes to the Criminal Cases Review Commission last year is believed to have contained proposed evidence that Scotland Yard had recorded another gangster saying that he would 'take out' the people who supplied Leah Betts with drugs, reports The Mirror. ExxonMobil will contribute $500,000 to a fund used to clean up leaks from petroleum storage tanks as part of a settlement reached with New Mexico. The settlement stems from a 2010 lawsuit that alleged the company used money from the state Corrective Action Fund to clean up petroleum contamination at a service station in Taos but that it also collected on its own insurance coverage for the costs of remediation at the same site. ExxonMobil was accused of failing to disclose the existence of the insurance coverage and the reimbursement it received from its insurance policies. The company has denied the allegations, maintaining that it did not misrepresent facts and was legally entitled to payments from the fund. The company agreed to pay into the fund to settle the case. The settlement totals more than $1 million. Aside from the $500,000 that will be diverted to the fund, the attorney generals office and the states general fund will share in the proceeds. State officials said the fund is often the only way petroleum leaks can be cleaned up, as many former tank owners and operators are financially unable to pay for the work. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Mexico Looking to buy hand sanitizer in San Antonio? Good luck. As fears of coronavirus swept the city and local officials declared a public health emergency Monday, the prized commodity couldnt be found anywhere. Not in stores. Not at pharmacies. Not online. I had some friends who told me I wouldnt be able to find any, said Dalee Rogers, 24, of San Antonio, who went to the H-E-B store at Interstate 10 and Wurzbach shortly after Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued the emergency declaration. I figured I would at least get a small thing of soap to keep in my purse. Rogers said she looked on Amazon before going to H-E-B in search of hand sanitizer. She struck out in both places. I havent found any yet, she said. In stores across San Antonio, there were signs of stepped-up demand for germ-killing products and supplies that could tide families through a period when they might want to avoid public places. Surface disinfecting wipes, such as those made by Clorox, were becoming hard to find. Sales of bottled water were brisk, and at some stores people stood in line to buy it. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio sues to keep coronavirus evacuees in quarantine H-E-B temporarily imposed limits on purchases of disinfectant sprays, wipes, hand soap and hand sanitizer four of each per customer per shopping trip. Signs posted on H-E-Bs store shelves warned customers of the limit. At least one customer sounded astonished as she reported the limit to someone on her cellphone. H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos issued an upbeat statement. She said the company has a strong inventory of supplies that consumers might need and that employees are continuously replenishing such items throughout the day. But no hand sanitizer could be found on the shelves at several H-E-B stores Monday, including those at I-10 and Wurzbach, I-10 and De Zavala, Babcock and Huebner, Northwest Loop 1604 and Blanco, and the Alon Market H-E-B at Northwest Military Highway and Wurzbach. At the H-E-B store in Olmos Park, only three or four containers of hand sanitizer remained perched on the very top shelf, which some customers were too short to reach. Likewise, shelves normally stocked with hand sanitizer were empty at the CVS and Walgreens stores on Medical Drive in the heart of the South Texas Medical Center. Its crazy, said a cancer patient named Laurie, who declined to disclose her last name, while shopping at the H-E-B at Babcock and Huebner. She said she had just come from a Sams Club on North Loop 410 that ran out of toilet paper and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. On ExpressNews.com: North Star Mall temporarily shuts down after coronavirus exposure I hope it ends up being one of those things that the media made all the hype and it ends up being much ado about nothing, Laurie said of the coronavirus threat. Better safe than sorry. Walgreens has been seeing greater customer demand at many of its stores nationwide for certain products, including face masks and sanitizers, spokeswoman Alex Brown said. The company hasnt imposed any purchase limits, she said. Were continually and closely monitoring the situation and continue to work with our supplier partners to best meet the needs of our customers, Brown said by email. At the Costco on UTSA Boulevard, sales of bottled water were lively. But the store was sold out of Kirkland paper towels and toilet paper. That particular Costco hasnt sold hand sanitizer for some time, an employee said. Workers greeting customers at the entrance used disinfectant wipes to clean the handlebars of every shopping cart wheeled through the doors. Peggy OHare reports on the census, demographics and occasionally crime and general assignments in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare Several Kashmiri activists, journalists from Jammu and Kashmir and PoK, European Parliamentarians and foreign experts on Monday hailed the Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution. The delegation also slammed Pakistan for questioning India's move. According to the Former Member of European Parliament, Nathan Gill, the abrogation of Article 370 will eventually lead to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir demanding more and more for their rights and for them to be reintegrated for the rest of the Indian community. Another woman activist Syed Tehmeena hailed India's move and said that the women in the region will enjoy better rights after the abrogation of Article 370. The discussion of the same was held at Geneva Press Club on the sidelines of the ongoing 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The event was titled 'Jammu and Kashmir: Sifting facts from fiction'. The Indian government on August 5 last year abrogated Article 370 and 35A, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and dividing the state into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Delegations slam Pakistan During the event, the leaders slammed Pakistan's narrative on the abrogation of Article 370. As per reports, during the event, a short documentary was also screened which showed how Pakistan invaded Kashmir and illegally occupied the region. Along with it, another video was shown that exposed Pakistan's drive towards spreading fake news after the abrogation of Article 370. Read: 'Not Pakistan's cup of tea': India slams Pakistan at Human Rights Council in Geneva Read: Nadda: Congress did not 'dare' to abrogate Article 370 despite several opportunities The situation in Kashmir The restrictions on communication that were imposed in the region sincde the abrogation of Article 370 since August 5 were subsequently eased. The internet is functional at a few places through leased lines. Mobile internet facility has been made functional but with a speed of 2G with special instructions that it would not be used to access social media sites. However, internet services were shut down as a preventive measure earlier this month on the death anniversaries of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat, and when rumours around Hurriyat leader Syed Geelani's health started doing the rounds on social media. Read: BIG: SC order on referring pleas against Article 370 abrogation to larger bench on Monday Read: Schools reopen in Kashmir Valley, students happy to return to classrooms (Image Source: ANI) Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIn case you missed it, LeAnn Rimes appeared on Sunday's episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She and host Jesse Tyler Ferguson helped a California-based family make their home wheelchair-accessible after father Jeff Holtzclaw lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. Willie Nelson is returning to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Willie Nelson & Family Tour will make a two-night stop at the Hall of Fame's CMA Theatre on May 1 and 2. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. ET. Southern Halo is becoming a duo. The former trio of sisters Natalia, Hannah and Tinka Morris will now only include Natalia and Tinka, as Hannah has decided to pursue her passion for interior design. The twosome is currently working on new music. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. - Zari Hassan hosted a few friends and family at her South African home over the weekend - According to her, the guests who loved her cooking requested for chapatis - She rushed to the kitchen and quickly whipped up a batch - The socialite and entrepreneur then uploaded pictures of the end result on social media and claimed her exes could attest to her perfect cooking skills - However, social media users begged to differ Zari Hassan popularly referred to as Diamond Platnumzs most problematic ex has once again left social media users gasping for air. The mother of five decided to show off her cooking skills on social media and her fans could not help but laugh as they watched the end result. READ ALSO: TV presenter Kimani Mbugua apologises to SDAs for calling their church cult READ ALSO: Picha ya Moha Jicho Pevu na DP Ruto yazua hisia kali In an Instagram post, the single mum admitted she is a homemaker who lured men with her amazing culinary talents. According to her, all her ex-lovers bowed down to her marvelous skills in the kitchen. READ ALSO: Tanasha Donna bids Diamond Platnumz's family goodbye, returns to Kenya To prove what she was saying was nothing but the truth, Zari posted a few photos of her chapatis and bragged about how quick shoe could whip up a complex meal. The beauty had hosted a bunch of family and friends at her South African home and the guests badly craved her scrumptious meal. However, netizens were left scratching their heads after spotting box-shaped chapatis sitting pretty on a platter. According to them, the mother of five did not know her way around the kitchen and should immediately stop referring to herself as a gifted cook. Others wondered why she chose to dub herself a homemaker when preparing a meal as simple as chapatis was a challenge for her. Lol some jokers claimed Diamond left because he could not stand the shape of the beautys chapatis. Well, Zaris supporters insisted the taste matters more than the shape and that is all that counts. The caramel-skinned beauty instantly became a laughing stock and her confidence entertained social media users more. To them, she was all talk and needed a few lessons on how to prepare the favourite meal like a true African woman. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Kenya's biggest con? The man accused of conning jobless youths millions of shillings : | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 15:09 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067f83b2 1 National COVID-19,coronavirus,outbreak,Cianjur,West-Java,health-ministry,Malaysia,telkom Free A patient who died at Dr. Hafiz General Hospital in Cianjur, West Java, on Tuesday did not die from the novel coronavirus disease, a Health Ministry official has said. The patient, identified as a 50-year-old male who works as an employee in a state-owned enterprise, had been treated in the hospitals isolation room since Sunday for showing symptoms of COVID-19. The Health Ministry's disease control and prevention directorate general secretary, Achmad Yurianto, denied that the patient died from the viral disease. The patient in Cianjur is among those observed as negative [for the coronavirus]. Therefore, he died not because of COVID-19, Achmad told journalists at the State Palace on Tuesday. When asked about the patients actual cause of death, Achmad said that his office would ask to the hospital first. Read also: Death of isolation patient 'not COVID-19', says Indonesian hospital Cianjur acting regent Herman Suherman confirmed on Monday that Dr. Hafiz General Hospital in Cianjur had been treating a patient in its isolation room. He is actually not a resident of Cianjur, but he was visiting his relatives. He came from Bekasi [also in West Java], Herman told journalists after visiting the patient on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com. He said the patient traveled to Malaysia from Feb. 14 to 17. According to data compiled by the John Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering on Tuesday, there are at least 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Malaysia, of which 18 have recovered. He was healthy when he arrived home. However, he caught a fever and was coughing on Feb. 20. He was admitted to a hospital in Bekasi from Feb. 22 to 26, Herman said. The patient, however, left the hospital early to go to Cianjur on Feb. 29. He went to Cianjur for a vacation to get healthy as well as to seek a traditional medical practitioner, the regent explained. Read also: Malaysia maintains tourism target, bets on locals and non-Chinese visitors During his stay at his relatives house, the patients health dropped significantly. He was then rushed to the hospital on March 1 to get treated. The regent said the patient complained of shortness of breath as well as pain in his lungs and heart. The regent initially said that the patients health was improving. However, the patient died on Tuesday early morning. State-owned telecommunications company Telkom confirmed that the patient was one of its employees in a statement issued on Tuesday. His medical record within the company shows that the employee has a history of inflammation in his respiratory airways as well as the common cold, Telkom vice president for corporate communications Arif Prabowo said in the statement. President Joko Jokowi Widodo announced on Monday that two Indonesians tested positive for COVID-19, the first two confirmed cases of the disease in the country. The two patients, a 64-year-old and her 31-year-old daughter, had been in contact with a Japanese citizen who tested positive in Malaysia on Feb. 27 after visiting Indonesia in mid-February. (gis) Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Director General of the Information Office of China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND By Li Chun BEIJING, Mar. 3 -- At the Press Conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council held on March 2, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Director General of the Information Office of China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, said that a number of foreign defense departments and armed forces have expressed deep concern and made donations to China. Wu mentioned that as of February 29, leaders of defense departments and armed forces from Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran, Tanzania, Serbia, the US and New Zealand have sent statements of sympathy to China. The defense ministries and armed forces of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Mongolia, Trinidad, Tobago and other countries have donated money and materials to China. Countries such as Pakistan, Belarus, and Turkey have specially dispatched military aircraft to deliver aid to China, including large quantities of medical protective suits, masks, goggles and other medical protective supplies. There are also some military attaches in China and their group representatives, and international military students praying for China through recording videos, letters of condolence and other forms of blessing. Wu expressed heartfelt thanks to these countries and armed forces for their help and support. "The Chinese character '' , which means the people, is in a mutually-supporting structure. There is a Chinese saying that only when the years grow cold do we see that the pine and cypress are the last to fade; only when we get into trouble do we know who our genuine friends are." He pointed out that the Chinese military will actively carry out international military cooperation and work with the militaries of other countries to fight against public security threats including the COVID-19 outbreaks. After the LVMH Watch Week in Dubai last January, where Bulgari unveiled part of its 2020 new releases, the Jeweller of Time will be presenting a new set of major creations to its clients and the media in Geneva from April 26 to 29. A new World Record will be presented on this occasion. At the initiative of Bulgari, the Geneva Watch Days will bring together several important brands including Girard-Perregaux, Gerald Genta, Ulysse Nardin, Breitling, MB&F, De Bethune and Urwerk as well as other independent brands. The event will primarily target European retailers and media. Bulgari will cover the other world markets with a succession of roadshows from the beginning of April. The international situation which unfortunately led to the cancellation of the Watches & Wonders show in Geneva as well as Baselworld should not however penalise our clients, many of whom want to meet the brands and plan their purchases according to the most interesting watch innovations. Aware of the professional difficulties they are facing and wishing to avoid succumbing to gloom, Bulgari has decided to present its second wave of 2020 new releases over four days in Geneva, including - in addition to a new world record - strong creations from its iconic Octo Finissimo and Serpenti collections. A particularly daring new collection will also be unveiled. In announcing its withdrawal from Baselworld 2020 in February, Bulgari was the first watchmaking company to envisage alternative approaches to traditional exhibitions, which were clearly at risk. Bulgari hopes that its initiative will encourage the presence of numerous watch brands in Genevas many luxury hotels during this period. The absence of an overarching structure such as Watches & Wonders or Baselworld in no way prevents innovative and audacious brands from strengthening Geneva in its role as the world watchmaking capital, by grouping their European roadshows during the dates left vacant by Watches & Wonders in a city located at the heart of Europe and renowned for its very high level of security. This event will be held in strict compliance with the Federal Council's decisions of February 28, 2020 regarding public gatherings, as well as any future recommendations from the WHO and the Federal Council relating to the evolution of the Covid-19 epidemic currently affecting many countries. The State of Geneva, which is following the health situation as closely as possible, has given its full support to this initiative. Geneva Watch Days - Official Press Release Several major Swiss luxury watch brands, including Bulgari, Breitling, Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux and MB&F unite to create the independent Geneva Watch Days 2020 late April with the full support of the State of Geneva. A decentralized and self-managed Multibrand Watch Event will take place in several Geneva high-end hotels from April 26 to April 29, at the dates initially planned by Watches & Wonders. The initiative has been unveiled Monday evening by Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari, during the RTS (Swiss National Television) TTC broadcast. Despite the cancellation of the two major Watch Fairs, it will allow retailers and media, primarily from Europe but not only, to discover, comment and order the novelties of the founding Brands, namely Breitling, Bulgari, Gerald Genta, Girard-Perregaux, MB&F, Ulysse Nardin, De Bethune and Urwerk commented Jean-Christophe Babin. This initiative will allow retailers and media to meet with these Swiss Watch Brands in a few days in the capital of Swiss Watchmaking rather than attending many roadshows in different European cities currently under organization after the Watches & Wonders and Baselworld cancellations, thus saving a lot of time. Besides these Brands, we are currently in advanced discussions with several other important names including Chopard and H. Moser & Cie., which we hope will be confirmed very soon. Plus some others which Im sure will be interested after discovering our initiative added Jean-Christophe Babin. The Brands will create a Steering Committee responsible for negotiating the best potential showrooms and hotels rates. The Committee will liaise and work closely with the State and City of Geneva and relevant institutions to guarantee the maximum safety and sanitary protection for participants. It will also organize two multi-brands evenings, including the GMT Magazine party and B2C activities, and will contact media and retailers. The Committee will eventually select additional Brands wishing to join the initiative. The Geneva Watch Days event does not intend to substitute on the long term the historical Geneva Watches & Wonders and Baselworld Fairs but presents an efficient alternative at smaller scale, given the 2020 changing environment. It ensures visibility for the funding Brands 2020 novelties and fights against the slow-down and gloominess prevailing in the watch industry in the recent years, reinforced since February by the Covid-19 pandemic. We fully support this initiative, especially after the cancellation of both the Geneva Motorshow and the Watches & Wonders Fair last week. Even though its scale cannot be compared, it will contribute significantly to the Geneva economy during a period which otherwise would have been very challenging. We will provide the participating Brands with all our possible support and thank them for having elected Geneva as their event venue commented Pierre Maudet, Geneva State Councillor. By Azernews By Ofeliya Afandiyeva The volume of Azerbaijans exports exceeded $19.6 billion in 2019, which is 0.8 percent higher than in 2018, Yusif Abdullayev, acting president of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) told local media. Abdullayev made the remarks while speaking about the measures to promote the brand Made in Azerbaijan during the press conference on the activities of Azerbaijani Export and Investment Promotion Fund (AZPROMO) in the Baku Convention Center on March 2. The acting president stated that income from exports of oil and gas products amounted to $17.6 billion, and non-oil products - $1.9 billion. Export missions to 33 countries have been organized by Azerbaijan so far. Nine of them were created in 2019 and covered the countries such as China, Poland, Latvia, Qatar, Switzerland, Russia, and UAE, Abdullayev mentioned. In addition, he addressed that AZPROMO plans to organize export missions from Azerbaijan to Russia, China, Lithuania and Croatia by the end of the current year. Abdullayev added that the export mission, which is due to be launched in China in March this year, has been postponed. Azpromos mission is to attract potential buyers of Azerbaijani products from European countries, including Hungary, Croatia and Germany. Touching upon launching of new trade houses abroad Abdullayev said: This year, the Kazakh Trade House will be officially opened in Nur-Sultan city. The Trading House operates but has not been officially opened. In addition, there are proposals to open new trade houses in Russia and the Gulf countries, which are under consideration. AZPROMO provided support for the signing of export contracts in the amount of $ 9.935 million 2019, Abdullayev said, adding that over the past four years, about $17 million were directed to export promotion. Furthermore, Abdullayev also mentioned that AZPROMO held 188 events and bilateral meetings in 2019. Some 48 of these events were organized abroad and 140 in Azerbaijan. As for business forums, he stated that 22 business forums were held last year, which 5 of them organized abroad. 3 March 2020 - Attached is the notice of Annual General Meeting of Kvrner ASA including notice of attendance/proxy, the Nomination Committee's recommendations, the Board of Directors' proposed resolutions to the Annual General Meeting and the Board of Directors' statement of executive remuneration. The General Meeting will be held Tuesday 24 March 2020 at 12:00 CET at Engineerium, Snaryveien 20, 1360 Fornebu, Norway. Ballots will be distributed at the meeting venue from 11:30 to 12:00 CET on the day of the Annual General Meeting. The notice of meeting and the following supporting documents are also available at www.kvaerner.com: the Annual Report 2019 the Board of Directors' Corporate governance statement the Environmental, social and governance report 2019 the recommendation of the Nomination Committee the Board of Directors' proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting 2020 the Board of Directors' statement of executive remuneration ENDS For further information, please contact: Investor Relations: Idar Eikrem, EVP & CFO, Kvaerner, +Mob: +47 950 28 363, email: ir@kvaerner.com Media: Torbjrn Andersen, Head of Communications & IR, Kvaerner, Mob: +47 928 85 542, email: torbjorn.andersen@kvaerner.com About Kvaerner: Kvaerner is a project execution specialist and a trusted advisor for our customers. We provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services and deliver advanced offshore platforms, onshore plants, floating production units (i.e. FPSOs) and renewable energy solutions. We have offices in seven countries and approximately 2 800 employees. Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) has the highest priority in our work, and we aim to deliver technology and solutions in a safe and sustainable way. Our passion, experience and expertise realise values for costumers and societies. Kvrner ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Kvaerner"), is an international contractor and preferred partner for operators and contractors within oil and gas, renewable energy and in the field of engineering and fabrication. In 2019, Kvaerner's Field Development segment had consolidated annual revenues of NOK 9.4 billion and the company reported an order backlog at 31 December 2019 of NOK 8.2 billion. Kvaerner is publicly listed with the ticker "KVAER" at the Oslo Stock Exchange. For further information, please visit www.kvaerner.com ( http://www.kvaerner.com ). To subscribe or unsubscribe to our press releases, please see our web page: https://www.kvaerner.com/investors/news-and-stock-exchange-announcements/subscribe-to-releases/ Attachments Virtually kickstarting propaganda for next year's Assembly polls, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday exhorted party orators to expose what he called the disinformation campaign against the government by the opposition parties. Addressing a workshop held by the party's literary unit here, Palaniswami, who is the co-coordinator of the AIADMK, said Tamil Nadu has been adjudged a best performing state in various sectors by the Centre, which spoke volumes about the government's administrative efficiency. A host of welfare schemes was being implemented and all the assurances of late party chief J Jayalalithaa made during the 2011, 2016 Assembly elections were also being continuously fulfilled, he said. Meeting the aspirations of farmers, a Bill was also adopted in the Assembly recently giving protected status to the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu, he said. The DMK had alleged that the government did not take steps for closure of already existing oil wells in the delta region. People need to be apprised about the implementation of welfare schemes and the efficiency of the government, he said. Pointing to new industries and fresh projects in various departments, he said rivals were spreading canards that no developmental work was happening in the state. "Rivals are engaged in defamatory and disinformation campaign," he said adding when lies were repeated people may get suspicion. "Our orators have a duty to expose such disinformation campaigns," he said. "Let us tell the people about the government's schemes and our party's work for them and win over evil forces; you should work with dedication for continuance of the AIADMK government," he said. Assembly elections are due in Tamil Nadu in April-May 2021. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon says schools and day care centers will be asked to bring in cleaning teams to scrub down their buildings as part of the local response to the coronavirus outbreak. McMahon said Tuesday the preventive cleaning is recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The advice will be included in a wider countywide plan to deal with the virus that he plans to share with the public on Wednesday. The county executive discussed parts of the plan Tuesday while attending the National Association of Counties annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. McMahon said he was among 15 county leaders at the conference invited to the White House on Monday to meet with federal officials coordinating the nations coronavirus response. We got to hear first-hand from the people who are directing the effort nationally, McMahon told syracuse.com in an interview. McMahon said he walked away from the White House meeting, and discussions with other county officials, with confidence that the county is well prepared to respond to the virus. I feel good about where we are right now, McMahon said. I think New York is probably one of the better prepared states. Unlike other states, New York is equipped to do its own laboratory testing to determine if any of its residents are infected with coronavirus. Onondaga County is monitoring eight people who are among 700 statewide that health officials have asked to self-isolate after returning from places where the COVID-19 virus has been detected. The countys response plan will include the designation of one hospital in Syracuse where individuals can be tested for the virus, McMahon said. That hospital would have trained staff and facilities to isolate sick patients who come in for testing. The county is also coordinating contingency plans with hospitals in case enough beds are not available to treat patients. McMahon was among almost 2,000 county government officials in the audience Tuesday morning when President Donald Trump addressed the group and discussed the federal emergency plans to address the virus. Trump told the group that the federal government will help states and local governments pay for their costs related to coronavirus. The president also praised Congress for agreeing to quickly provide more money than the White House requested. I asked for $2.5 billion and it looks like theyre going to give us $8.5 billion, Trump said of Congress. I dont think thats ever happened before. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: 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. The mistaken release of an evacuee with novel coronavirus from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has stoked panic in the community and raised a number of pressing public health questions about the adequacy of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions response. But the spread of the virus has highlighted the need for paid sick leave and access to health care. Well start with the news and then shift to the policies. While its unclear if the evacuee from Wuhan, China, was contagious, its abundantly clear she should not have been released into the community, visiting North Star Mall and potentially exposing any number of people, who might then expose any number of other people. Totally unacceptable, Mayor Ron Nirenberg put it, perhaps too mildly. The evacuee had been in isolation for several weeks at two area hospitals and twice tested negative for the coronavirus but was released Saturday before results came back on another test that registered weakly positive for the virus. Whether this other test means she was contagious is unclear, just as its unclear how many people she came in contact with upon release. A mistake like this should never have happened, and the public deserves a deeper explanation about what went wrong and how contagious the evacuee might have been. Unfortunately, a mistake like this fuels panic and undermines trust in experts at a time when we need collective calm and to heed the advice of public health officials. Its cast a cloud over the successful release of more than 120 evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, a feat that should be celebrated but has been looked upon by many with nervous eyes. And it prompted Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff to issue emergency declarations in an attempt to extend the quarantine of coronavirus evacuees. Focusing solely on this mistake distracts from the larger dynamics at play. Given community-spread in Washington state for several weeks and the viruss appearance in other communities, its fair to assume it will continue to spread across the nation. The best course of action is to frequently wash ones hands, use hand sanitizer, and stay home from work and school, if appropriate. These are precautionary steps and best practices at any time, not just during a public health scare. But they are not meaningful policies to boost the publics health and well-being. First, the spread of coronavirus highlights the need for paid sick leave in San Antonio and Texas. Readers of these pages know in the past we have been somewhat ambivalent about this issue the overreach of local government, additional costs to business, the potential patchwork of regulations are all concerns but the possibility of an outbreak underscores the importance of paid sick leave. The last thing the community needs is people with coronavirus or the flu showing up to work at their restaurant jobs because they cant afford to call in sick. Should schools begin to close, many parents will need to stay home with their children, but that also potentially requires sick leave. As the New York Times Upshot has reported, research is showing paid sick leave has led to a reduction in influenza infections. It also points to the need for access to health care, and here the state could go a long way by simply expanding Medicaid, which would extend coverage to more than 1 million Texans. Texas leads the nation in the rate of uninsured people, according to recent census data. It also has the highest number of uninsured children, according to a recent report from Georgetown University. These are not rankings to be proud of at any time, but especially at this moment of health concern. Stay calm, San Antonio. Treat others with kindness and compassion. Wash your hands. And think hard about the best policies to help all people stay healthy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 19:23 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206807276 1 Business BPDP-KS,China,crude-palm-oil,European-Union,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,CPO Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has appointed Eddy Abdurrachman as the new Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDP-KS) president director, replacing Dono Boestami. Sri Mulyani told Eddy Abdurrachman that his responsibilities were very heavy and full of challenges and that the agency needed to monitor the impact of COVID-19. Indonesia lso jumped whereas global crude palm oil (CPO) remained steady. China is the largest importer of Indonesian CPO, according to recent association data. "I hope that Eddy Abdurrachman with his previous experience as the customs and excise directorate general and the secretary of the Coordinating Economy Ministry can use BPDP-KS funds for programs that are in line with building a sustainable industry, she said in a statement on Monday. Read also: Coronavirus drags down commodity prices as demand from China drops Indonesia has become the largest palm oil-producing country in the world, making up more than 55 percent of world production. The palm oil industry is a significant foreign exchange earner for Indonesia, as it contributes 13.5 percent to the total non-oil and gas exports of US$22.3 billion, Sri explained. The minister also reminded the agencys officials that according to the President's direction, the palm oil replanting program must be carried out for 500,000 hectares within the next three years. She suggested BPDP-KS partner with the microcredit program (KUR) to strengthen palm oil replanting financing. Last year, the government had simplified requirements for oil palm smallholders to access assistance for the replacement of their old trees through the people's oil palm tree replanting program after the meager realization of the program in 2018. I want replanting to be the focus of [BPDP-KS], said Sri Mulyani. In 2019, CPO prices fell below their economical price, compelling the government to suspend last Septembers export tax imposed on CPO and its derivative products until January of this year to ease the financial burden on palm oil producers. Read also: Palm oil export levies suspended to help producers cope with low prices Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) chairman Joko Supriyono said in a February press conference that he also sees 2019 as a challenging year as trade spats over the EU's sustainability and trade policies hang over the Indonesian industry. The industry also faced a long period of drought last year, coupled with tariff issues with India. Gapki data showed that palm oil exports had increased to 36.17 million tons in 2019, up by 4.2 percent from 2018. Indonesia sent most of its palm oil to China in 2019, around 6 million tons, representing 16.5 percent of overall exports last year. India followed with 4.8 million tons (13.2 percent) and the European Union with 4.6 million tons (12.7 percent). Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body Auburn University is recalling all of its travel abroad students and suspending all official international travel for students, faculty and staff until further notice given the global outbreak of COVID-19. Auburn officials report taking this action out of an abundance of caution for safety and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decision comes on the heels of a new CDC advisory that asks institutions of higher education to consider postponing or canceling upcoming student foreign exchange programs. Auburn abroad programs currently span the globe throughout Europe, Asia, South and Central America, Australia and the Pacific Islands as well as Africa and the West Indies. The recall will begin immediately and will be undertaken as carefully as possible. Our number one goal is the safety and well-being of our students, said Bill Hardgrave, Auburns provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. We are aware of how this recall impacts programming for those students currently abroad and for those who have trips planned in the coming months. We are making provisions for students affected to continue their coursework. Prior to this latest decision involving travel abroad programs, Auburn had already temporarily suspended all university travel to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea due to the coronavirus. That decision included official travel for students, faculty and staff. In advance of Auburns spring break during the week of March 9-13, Auburn officials are also urging caution for those planning travel abroad during that time. Students, faculty and staff should be aware of the potential implications of international travel, said Dr. Fred Kam, medical director for the Auburn University Medical Clinic. We strongly discourage personal travel to any country classified by the CDC as a level 3 risk for COVID-19. Beyond that, we urge everyone to seriously consider the possibility of quarantines or restricted travel back to the United States for any trips outside the country. The CDC maintains a website outlining travel warnings and alerts for airline and cruise ship travel to specific countries, as it relates to potential coronavirus exposure. Upon return, students, faculty and staff who have reason to believe they may have been exposed or have symptoms associated with the coronavirus, should call the Auburn University Medical Clinic at 334-844-6125 before visiting the clinic. Afterhours or on weekends, they should call 334-749-3411 before going to the ER at East Alabama Medical Center. Auburn President Jay Gogue established a group of campus leaders, including heath experts, emergency management personnel and others, to plan for how this evolving situation with COVID-19 could continue to impact the university. Currently, there are no known cases in the state of Alabama; however, the CDC expects the number of cases in the U.S. to rise. To keep the campus community informed, the university has created a COVID-19 website for updates and answers to common questions about COVID-19 and its impacts. Praesidian Capital Europe ("Praesidian"), a leading provider of growth capital in the United Kingdom, Germany and Northern Europe, announced today it has successfully exited its investment in PlanetHome Group ("PlanetHome"), a Munich Headquartered leading real estate brokerage and mortgage brokerage business in Germany and Austria. Praesidian backed the original carve-out of PlanetHome by AP Capital Investments from its previous parent UniCredit Bank, a major pan-European financial institution. According to Serkan Dede, Investment Director of Praesidian, who executed the original transaction in 2015: "We are very pleased with our investment in PlanetHome, having worked closely with the owners since the original buy-out and provided further follow-on financing in 2016." Osman Unsal, co-founder AP Capital Investments, commented, "Praesidian has been a dependable and flexible partner since the initial complex transaction and onwards." "Our close partnership with Praesidian from the beginning enabled us to carve out and build a market leading business in Germany and Austria," added Bulend Corbacioglu, co-founder AP Capital Investments. Jason Drattell, Praesidian Founder and Managing Partner, said, "We are pleased to have supported PlanetHome over the last five years and are delighted by the value this investment has created for our investors." Praesidian continues to actively invest capital into business in the UK, Germany and Northern Europe, with a strong pipeline of new investment opportunities. About PlanetHome Group Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Munich, PlanetHome is a leading provider of real estate and mortgage brokerage services in Germany and Austria. The Group employs over 500 people in more than 80 locations and generates more than 100 million of revenues. For more information, visit www.planethome.de. About Praesidian Capital Europe Praesidian Capital Europe is an innovative private investment firm focused on providing tailored and flexible capital solutions to lower middle market businesses in the United Kingdom, Germany, and selectively Northern Europe. Established in 2014 and based in London, the team invests in private small and mid-sized companies, often in connection with management buyouts, recapitalizations or refinancings. For more information, visit www.praesidian.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005378/en/ Contacts: Abernathy MacGregor 713.817.9346 Sydney Isaacs, sri@abmac.com Surveillance footage shows the moment authorities in the capital city of Nicaragua arrested an American man linked to the shooting death of his wife and friend on Monday. Larry Robert McCartney, 68, was arrested at a restaurant in the department of Managua almost three hours after police said he shot his spouse, Guadalupe del Carmen Garcia, and Marta Auxiliadora Lopez. Garcia was the mother of a three-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy from a previous relationship. Lopez had a four-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter, and was a member of a local softball team. Both women were 22. Nicaraguan radio station La Nueva Radio Ya reported Tuesday that McCartney had been living in the Central America nation for a decade. He claims to be a retired member of the U.S. Marines, according to his Facebook profile, and professes to have done intelligence work in Central America, according to his LinkedIn page. Larry Robert McCartney was arrested Monday by the Nicaragua National Police after he allegedly shot dead his wife Guadalupe del Carmen Garcia (pictured with him above) and her friend Marta Auxiliadora Lopez. The incident occurred almost two hours after the three shared drinks and food at a local bar in the department of Granada Police say Marta Auxiliadora Lopez was shot dead by her friend's American-born husband in Granada, Nicaragua, on Monday afternoon. Her body was found lying on a grass pitch near the side of a road in the town of Posintepe Larry Robert McCartney has been living in Nicaragua for 10 years. Garcia's sister, Sonia, told local radio station La Nueva Radio YA that McCartney had visited their mother's home in the department of Granada to deliver the news that a doctor allegedly diagnosed him with just three weeks to live. McCartney, who married Guadalupe del Carmen Garcia two years ago but kept a separate residence, tracked his wife down at a friend's home and invited her and Lopez to a local bar in the town of La Leona, according to the Nicaragua National Police. McCartney, a native of Anderson, Indiana, arrived with the women at the bar 3:30pm local time and departed with them at 4:40pm. Larry Robert McCartney (pictured in the circle) was arrested at a restaurant in the department of Managua almost three hours after police said he shot his spouse, Guadalupe del Carmen Garcia, and Marta Auxiliadora Lopez. Both women were 22 Authorities said that fingerprints on the bullets that were fired at the two women matched the prints on a gun that was taken from Larry Robert McCartney While in the car, McCartney and Garcia were involved in a heated argument, the police said, before he asked both of them to step out of the vehicle in the Granada town of Posintepe. He subsequently fired several shots at Garcia and Lopez, striking each in the head and chest, before abandoning their bodies on a grass pitch next to the road, poice said. One of the victims was declared dead at the scene and the second one died while she was being transported to a local hospital. Police were notified of the shooting at 5:30pm and arrested McCartney in Managua, about two hours away from the crime scene. Fingerprints found on the bullets that were fired at Garcia and Lopez matched those on McCartney's revolver, which was confiscated along with his vehicle, police said. Photo of Larry Robert McCartney's vehicle, which he used to drive his wife and her friend before kicking both of them out of the car and reportedly shooting them dead The last date to submit bids is March 17 but the deadline could be extended if there are requests from potential bidders. Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines are actively weighing the option to bid for Air India and a decision to submit an expression of interest (EoI) could be taken soon. Sources aware of the development said the board of Tata Sons, the holding company of the group, would meet later this week and possibly take up the Air India matter for approval. Singapore governments sovereign fund Temasek is also likely to be a part of the consortium being planned for the Air India bid, one of the sources said. When asked about Tata groups interest in Air India, Bhaskar Bhat, chairman of Vistara and a director in Tata Sons board, said the group was evaluating options. "We are evaluating Air India. Which company would not be interested in evaluating a sovereign airline of the country?...Whether we bid or not comes later," he said. On whether Vistara or Tata Sons was evaluating Air India, Bhat said, "We (Vistara) are a joint venture". The government has decided to sell 100 per cent stake in the airline and has invited bids for it. The last date to submit bids is March 17 but the deadline could be extended if there are requests from potential bidders. Officials involved in Air Indias sale process said a big reason why the Tata group didnt submit a bid last time was the governments decision to hold on to 24 per cent stake. They were interested last time too. But a big hurdle was that they wouldnt have been able to merge Air India with Vistara unless they owned 100 per cent, another source said. After its unsuccessful bid to sell Air India in 2018, the central government this time has decided to off-load its entire stake. Tatas, the salt-to-software conglomerate, and Singapores national airline operate Vistara, which inducted its first wide body aircraft Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on Monday. The wide body aircraft is the centre piece of Vistaras business plan. Its expecting that supremacy in long-haul international routes will help it recoup losses due to the cut-throat domestic market dominated by low-cost airlines. Thats among the reasons the Tata group is interested in Air India, which has slots and bilateral rights in all major airports across the world including some of the most constrained like Heathrow in London. Unavailability of slots at Heathrow has forced Vistara to plan its London flight into Gatwick Airport- the citys secondary airport which isnt popular among full service airlines. Anyone who operates to London ideally wants Heathrow Airport. "We tried a lot but finding a slot in Heathrow is quite impossible at this point of time. "No one wants to give up. We may start with Gatwick and shift to Heathrow whenever slots are available, a Vistara executive said. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Oshiwara police on Monday arrested a 28-year-old man from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly sending porn videos, obscene messages and photos to a 39-year-old celebrity dermatologist last year. According to the police, the accused, Shyamji Mishra, posed as a patient and harassed the dermatologist on her phone at her clinic. The dermatologist immediately blocked his number and filed a complaint with the police. A police officer said they received the complaint on August 2019 and started their investigation after an FIR was registered under sections 354 (A) (sexual harassment), 354(D) (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 67 (A) (sending obscene content) of the Information Technology Act (IT). Dayanand Bangar, senior inspector, Oshiwara, said they arrested Mishra from Unnao, brought him to the city on Monday and filed a charge sheet hours after his arrest. Initial probe revealed that Mishra, who is unemployed, found the victims profile on Instagram in April 2019 and started sending her lewd messages till July 2019. A police officer said when Mishra got no response for his Instagram messages, he started sending messages to the victims mobile number, which he got from her social media account. TerraSense Analytics announced today they have been awarded a $977,439 contract through the Department of National Defences Defences Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. This contract will fund the next phase of development for its Multimodal Input Surveillance & Tracking (MIST) product, an advanced airborne surveillance system developed by TerraSense Analytics. MIST is a computer vision system that uses artificial intelligence to watch the cameras onboard surveillance aircraft in real-time, fusing thermal and colour imagery and automatically identifying and tracking targets. Designed with input from airborne sensor operators in the Canadian Armed Forces and around the world, MIST uses deep learning to improve operator situational awareness and enable analysts on the ground to search and recall precise moments from thousands of hours of footage in an instant. Working closely with Dr. Zheng Liu at the University of British Columbia, and Erik Blasch of the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the TerraSense Analytics team will spend the year developing and testing a working prototype of MIST. Our goal is to provide concrete validation of the system onboard real aircraft, using real sensors, detecting real targets, by the end of this year, says TerraSense Analytics CTO Jozsef Hamari. As the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) role becomes increasingly important to the Canadian Armed Forces, even older aircraft are being outfitted with advanced camera packages. TerraSense Analytics, an artificial intelligence company with extensive experience processing imagery from airborne and remote sensors, will enable analysts to find the right intelligence quickly and easily, without requiring thousands of hours spent annotating video by hand. This will be the second phase of development for MIST, which received its original funding from the Government of Canada in 2018 and has gone from concept to prototype in the time since. About IDEaS The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program is an investment of $1.6 billion over 20 years aimed at meeting the demands of todays complex global defence and security environment. The program enables Canada to deliver the capabilities needed for a strong and agile military by providing financial support to foster innovation through contracts, contribution agreements and grants. The IDEaS program helps innovators by supporting analysis, funding research, and developing processes that facilitate access to knowledge. It will also support testing, integration, adoption, and acquisition of creative solutions for Canadas defence and security communities. For more information on the IDEaS program, visit the website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas/understanding-ideas/competitive-projects.html. About TerraSense Analytics TerraSense Analytics develops remote sensing technologies with a focus on deep learning. Partnered with several research institutions to advance the development of aerial sensing technology, data fusion and predictive maintenance, TerraSense Analytics provides services to both the government and the private sector, deploying intelligent sensor solutions to the most remote and hostile domains. For more information, visit http://www.terrasense.ca/mist. For media inquiries, please contact: Kendra Penrose, kendra.penrose@terrasense.ca, 778.214.0957. Rajasthan Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma on Tuesday instructed health officials to screen all those people who had come in contact with the Italian tourist tested positive for coronavirus. Asking to step up vigil, the minister also asked officials to send a rapid response team of the Medical Education and Health Department to the places visited by the patient, along with 19 others from Italy. The team, including senior professors and epidemiologists, will inspect hotels and excursions in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mandawa (Jhunjhunu) and Jaisalmer. Jaipur Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Narottam Sharma said the room where the 69-year-old tourist stayed has been locked. "The room will be disinfected as per the procedure. The hotel authorities will be able to use it only after it is properly disinfected," Sharma said, adding that samples of the four staffers who were in touch with the tourist have also been collected for testing. The Italian tourist was tested positive for coronavirus following a test conducted at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital. An earlier test conducted at the same government hospital had, however, cleared the man of the virus. Since the two reports were contradictory, the SMS Hospital sent his swab sample to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, which on Tuesday confirmed that he was infected with the virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI VIENNA: A global network of journalists on Tuesday condemned attack on mediapersons during the communal clashes in northwest Delhi last week, saying it was a "gross violation" of press freedom and safety of journalists. Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI), a network of editors, media executives and journalists for press freedom, urged the government to take immediate measures to protect the journalists and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. In a statement, IPI Director of Advocacy Ravi R Prasad said the attacks on journalists during the communal violence last week was an "attempt to prevent the media from reporting about it, which is a gross violation of press freedom and safety of journalists." A journalist with JK 24X7 News received a bullet injury while two reporters from NDTV were beaten and punched by rioters during the communal clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) last week. Many other journalists were heckled during the violence, that claimed 42 lives. Nearly 1,300 people have been arrested or detained so far in connection with last week's communal violence in northeast Delhi. With new faces and a fresh look, the Beaumont ISD Board of Trustees took their seats at a recently renovated dais for the first time in almost six years, ending state involvement in the management of the district. The board of managers set out with a task, and that task was to restore the financial stability and viability of this district, said Jeff Cottrill, the deputy commissioner of governance and accountability for the Texas Education Agency. And over the last years that has been done. Cottrill thanked Angela Bransford, the last state-appointed manager, who left the stage as Kevin Reece and Robert Dunn were sworn in and took their seats. I implore you, the board of trustees, those that will rotate on into their locally elected serving seats to continue to do the good work for our students in Beaumont to ensure that they get a high quality education, Cottrill said. The night was celebratory, with students being recognized for reading as part of a campus program, and the board members taking their seats. But the clean break from a past fraught with financial troubles was punctuated by public comments highlighting new problems that the local board of trustees will face. One resident asked the new board to return the teaching staff that was slashed after the board of managers took over to stave off financial ruin, causing increased class sizes and an uptick in discipline issues. Another Beaumont resident, BISD employee Linda Gilmore, told the board what those issues look like firsthand. I would like to say thanks to the most visible superintendent in my era with BISD with an A+ cabinet, Gilmore said. Our problems are too broad for your small group to handle. It is like the coronavirus, spreading from the school to the community. We have to stop putting band-aids on it and fix it. Gilmore criticized in-school suspension, recommending Saturday school or other measures that involve more work for the students to do, and asked Superintendent Shannon Allen and the rest of the administration to take time to visit the disciplinary alternative education program campus. Close this building and everybody from the custodian to the superintendent walk in my world for a day you will get sick to your stomach, she said. It is going to be hard, but hard does not mean impossible. I need you all to come and see and hear our concerns at the DAEP ... for the first time in my 40 years, I dont want to go to work tomorrow. One of the new trustees, Robert Dunn, ran his 2019 campaign on tackling the districts sky-high discipline rates. Everything I campaigned on about trying to get the discipline straight, working with parents and the students and the whole entire community, I will do my best to do, Dunn told The Enterprise. One of the key players in the months leading up to the takeover in 2014, Mike Getz also testified before the board, lauding their return to local control and turning their attention to concerns he and other community members have about South Park Middle School. We should stop and remember that it was because of poor decision making, and a failure to listen to the community by prior boards and prior administrations, that led to the state coming in to take over the district in the first place, Getz said. Tonight I want to speak on the decision that is causing concern for members of the community, and myself, and that is with regard to what is going to become of South Park Middle School. Students at South Park Middle School were transferred to Vincent and King middle schools after Tropical Depression Imelda flooded out several campuses, causing the district to shuffle their students. The campus currently houses ninth-graders from Beaumont United High School, with plans to move the Early College High School into it next year. South Park Middle School is built to house 750 students and is a promise to those kids in the neighborhood to provide them a school, Getz said. It is not fair to ask them to have to trek all the way to Vincent or all the way to King out of their neighborhood. Getz is no stranger to going head-to-head with the district over South Park, having led an unsuccessful legal challenge to the destruction of former South Park High School, which is where the contested campus now stands. After the public comment and the swearing-in of the two new trustees, the board moved to appoint Darrell Antwine Sr. for the final vacancy, and moved into conducting the business of the board. New board members abstained from the votes, which included approving the purchases of new police vehicles and paying for the tuition of students attending the Early College High School and approving an engineer to fix the roof at Vincent Middle School. Allen lauded the return to local control in her report. BISD, we have come a long way, Allen said. We have a big job we understand that. We understand the task that is before us. And although it is challenging, that does not mean that we cannot do it and do it well for our kids. It is about the success of our children. While the manager and the TEA left the building, a state-appointed conservator remains to monitor the transition. Darrell Myers, who was lauded by Board President Thomas Sigee as an integral part of the team, said it was an exciting move for the transition. When I came in in August of this year, it was pretty much a light touch situation, because most of the programs and the things that needed to happen were in place, Myers said. Now that we have transitioned to a local board, my job will be basically to help them transition back from a board of managers to local board of trustees and be there to support them and ensure they have what they need to be successful. Myers said Allen and the board would likely turn their focus to academics, noting that they have made progress already. In terms of discipline issues, Myers said he is confident the board will address the underlying problems there as well. My role is diminishing, and the local board of control is increasing, so I think what you will see is there are some stressors that have happened in the community that have caused some of those issues. And I think you will see that the administrative team is addressing those. It is going to take a little bit of time, but I have faith in this administrative team. isaac.windes@hearstnp.com twitter.com/isaacdwindes The rapid spread of the dreaded coronavirus (COVID-19) rattled the airline industry significantly by crippling air-travel demand. This is evident from the International Air Transport Associations (IATA) last-month projection, which suggested that airline revenues for 2020 might be hurt in excess of $29 billion due to this adversity. Per this research firms latest commentary, it requested an immediate suspension of rules governing the usage of airport slots. This statement further adds to the gloomy scenario. Alarmingly, the coronavirus outbreak is now no longer restricted to its country of origin, China. The health scare spread it tentacles fast to every continent barring Antarctica ever since it was first detected late last year. The contagious disease already registered a death toll of above 3,000 people apart from infecting more than 88,000, globally. As a result of this health peril, the Zacks Airline industry has declined 21.9% in the past month as it grapples with dwindling demand for international travel. The S&P 500 Index has also shed 10.3% of value in the same time frame. Against this backdrop, the IATAs request to aviation regulators worldwide for suspension of slot-use rules for the entire season (through Oct 2020) is fully understandable. Delving Deeper Currently, around 43% passengers depart from more than 200 slot-coordinated airports, globally. Per the existing rules for slot allocation, the concerned carrier under normal circumstances needs to operate at least 80% of the slots allocated to it. In the event of non-compliance, the airline has to give up its right to the slot in the next equivalent season. The concerned regulator can relax the above rule under special circumstances. Why the Request? Various airlines across the globe are trimming their capacity as the coronavirus outbreak is speedily becoming a full-blown pandemic from an epidemic. Reportedly, the European low-cost carrier Ryanair Holdings RYAAY decided to reduce flights to/from Italy by 25% for three weeks. The decision to cut capacity in its largest market followed a significant decline in bookings due to this health hazard. Story continues According to a Reuters report, Latin American carrier LATAM Airlines LTM also planned to cancel its daily flight from Sao Paulo to the Italian destination, Milan, through Apr 16 due to coronavirus-induced tepid demand. LATAMs U.S. counterparts, namely United Airlines UAL, Delta Air Lines DAL and American Airlines AAL also decided to slash flight frequency in a bid to combat the sharp drop in air traffic. For instance, Delta and American Airlines recently chose to suspend some flights connecting the United States with Milan. Moreover, United Airlines cut back flights to Japan, South Korea and Singapore due to substantially weak demand on these routes. Additionally, this Chicago-based airline, which carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), is offering travel waivers to Italy. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. JetBlue Airways JBLU also announced a waiver in its change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings. Going by IATA, many carriers are reporting 50% no-shows across several markets. With airlines across the world swinging into action to tackle this tepid demand caused by the health threat as highlighted by the above evidences, the current scenario certainly qualifies as an exceptional circumstance. Therefore, it is widely perceived that the existing slot-allocation rule that requires the concerned carrier to operate minimum 80% of its allocated slots should be made flexible. This, in turn, will allow airlines to adjust their schedules to suit the current situation of low air-traffic. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> 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 JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ryanair Holdings PLC (RYAAY) : 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 LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (LTM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Digital Desk Update: An international health expert has called on the government to adopt a multi-agency approach to the coronavirus and to immediately scale up the number of people who can carry out contact tracing. In public health, contact tracing is the process of identification of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person and the subsequent collection of further information about these contacts. Sam McConkey, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine at the RCSI, told Newstalk Breakfast that the Chinese response to the virus had been very pragmatic with thousands of staff deployed in Wuhan to work on tracing the contacts of anyone who contracted the virus. The Irish response to date in terms of testing and contact tracing had been excellent, he said because structures were already in place for dealing with tuberculosis and meningitis. We already have people in place who are good at this. The question is can the government start allocating money to scale up contact tracing and treating people. We are likely to see more cases, it could be dozens or hundreds, we need to be making plans. In China intense contact tracing had worked, he said. We have to be pragmatic, thorough. Prof. McConkey said that in China the equivalent of county councillors, sporting bodies and religious organisations were involved in combating the spread of the virus and that may need to be the case in Ireland. He also urged the public to take advice only from credible news sources and to adopt a Doubting Thomas approach to reports on social media. "Show me the empirical evidence, the facts of the case. We all need to see the evidence. Twitter tells staff across world to work from home in effort to stop coronavirus spread Twitter has become the latest tech giant to tell staff members around the world to work from home if they can, to try to contain the spread of coronavirus. Employees in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea have no choice but to work remotely, because of government restrictions. The social media giant says offices are being deep cleaned for those who do need to go in, and staff are being reminded of personal hygiene practices. "We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able," Twitter human resources chief Jennifer Christie said in a blog post. "Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us - and the world around us." Elsewhere, Dr Lindsay Broadbent from Queens University Belfast has said two-thirds of people in the world could eventually develop the Covid-19 coronavirus. However, she said, for most people, the virus will be quite mild. In Ireland we are probably quite lucky that a large proportion of the population live in quite rural communities, she said. They might have added protection from this virus because they wont be in very busy areas. She said about 80% of people who do contract the illness will have a very mild illness and will not require any hospitalisation at all. She said people over the age of 70 and 80 and more vulnerable to severe disease. The HSE is urging anyone who has been to one of seven coronavirus-affected areas in the past two weeks and is experiencing symptoms of the virus to phone their local GP or Emergency Department without delay. If you are felling well, you are advised to carry on with your normal routine. People are urged to contact the HSE on 1850 24 1850 if they think they have been in contact with a coronavirus patient or at a healthcare facility in another country where coronavirus patients are being treated. Virus fear hits 8,000 Google staff in Dublin By Conall O Fatharta, Eamon Quinn, and Daniel McConnell The majority of Googles 8,000 staff in Dublin have been told to work from home today after a staff member reported flu-like symptoms. The employee is not a confirmed case of Covid-19, but a source told the Irish Examiner that, out of an abundance of caution, staff who were in close contact with the individual in question have been told to work from home and to monitor their health until there is greater clarity on whether or not they are at risk. The Google office in Dublin The decision will result in the majority of the multinationals 8,000 Dublin-based staff working from home. Googles offices in Sandyford, Eastpoint, and its data centres are not affected. The company is also using the work-from-home day to test its operational readiness and its ability to perform at full capacity in case of an extended period. It is understood this is not the first Google office that has closed for a day or more and the company has been doing this across its hubs to prioritise worker safety. We continue to take precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of our workforce, and as part of that effort we have asked our Dublin teams to work from home tomorrow, said a Google spokesperson. Meanwhile, the OECD has told world leaders they can not sit back and let the coronavirus ravage their economies, warning that the world is in Read More: Tocumen International Airport, Panama, Panama. Photographer Cesar Rodriguez/Bloomberg. In a further sign not seen since the 2008 banking collapse, the IMF and the World Bank issued a joint statement saying they stood ready to help the worlds poorest nations, as the human tragedy and economic challenge of the virus take hold. In an unusually strong rebuke, the Paris-based OECD, which brings together the worlds richest economies, including Irelands, warned that an already fragile world economy was at risk if its worst fears are realised. Governments of the big economies cannot afford to wait and should be planning to support their healthcare systems and their most vulnerable industries. The virus is bringing considerable human pain. It is also resulting in significant economic disruption from quarantines, restrictions on travel, factory closures and a sharp decline in many service sector activities, said OECD chief economist Laurence Boone. If its fears materialise, the OECD warned co-ordinated policy actions across all the major economies would be needed to ensure effective healthcare provision around the world and provide the most effective stimulus to the global economy. Regardless of where the virus spreads, the world economy, previously weakened by persistent trade and political tensions, has already suffered a sharp setback, said the OECD. At the daily briefing of the National Public Health Emergency Team in Dublin, the States chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan said guidelines were being prepared in relation to mass gatherings that will be issued to relevant organisations. However, he stressed that we are not at a phase, at this moment in time, where we think there is any indication to cancel mass gatherings. He said Ireland remains in a containment phase, with one confirmed case currently in isolation and that contact tracing is underway in relation to the case. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris will seek Cabinet approval today to establish a special committee to examine the full impact of the Coronavirus on the economy and society. Mr Harris will also confirm the establishment of a stakeholder event to brief trade unions, employer bodies, voluntary leaders, and a variety of sectors. A teenager remains under treatment in a Dublin hospital and his school, Scoil Chatriona in Glasnevin, will be closed for 14 days as a result of the diagnosis. 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 Voters in 14 states and one territory cast their ballots on Super Tuesday, tweeting and blogging along the way. Why it matters: The huge delegate hauls of California and Texas this year make the day about as close as the U.S. gets to a national presidential primary. The big picture: Analysts are watching tonight to see if Joe Biden can turn a South Carolina landslide and the subsequent unification of moderate Democrats into a campaign that can beat Bernie Sanders. As Dave Wasserman, editor of the Cook Political Report, tweeted today, that's hard to guess: A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Reporters have fanned out across the country to describe the mood of voters casting their ballots and the challenges election workers face as voters exercise the most basic democratic right. Bernie and Jane Sanders vote in Burlington, Vermont. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Elizabeth Warren votes in Cambridge, Massachusetts Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images Daisy, a golden retriever, stands next to a sign near a polling station in San Diego, California Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images A voter on the way to a polling station in Houston, Texas, walks past a mass of political signs. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images Supporters of various Democratic campaigns stand outside an international polling place in London. Photo: Peter Summers/Getty Images A voter fills out her ballot in a polling station at the San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Voters line up to cast their ballots in Houston, Texas. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images Voters line up in Houston, Texas on March 3. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images Voters in San Anselmo, California, on March 3. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images Go deeper ... Super Tuesday: What you need to know SEOUL, South Korea The sister of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, attacked South Koreas presidential office on Tuesday, calling it idiotic a day after the South denounced the Norths first weapons test this year. Kim Yo-jong, Mr. Kims only sister, also serves as one of his closest aides. She helped arrange the first summit meeting between Mr. Kim and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea in 2018, visiting Seoul with her brothers letter of invitation. On Tuesday, in the first-ever statement issued under her name, Ms. Kim heaped scorn on South Korea, another sign that relations between the North and South have chilled since the collapse of a second summit meeting between Mr. Kim and President Trump in February last year. On Monday, North Korea conducted its first weapons tests this year, which involved large-caliber rockets. Mr. Moons presidential Blue House, called Chongwadae in Korean, immediately blamed North Korea for raising tensions. But, as a supporter of the #MeToo movement, I cannot help but be troubled by the allegations. They come nowhere near Weinsteins excesses, but we all have an obligation to avoid making other people uncomfortable. Trouble is, we all have vastly different boundaries for what causes us discomfort. Havana (Cuba), March 03, 2020 (SPS) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, has received Monday the Ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Malainin Etkana, to whom he expressed the satisfaction for the relations that unite the two peoples and government. "We note with satisfaction the strengthening of the bilateral ties and the historical relations of friendship that unite us," said Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla after receiving the Saharawi ambassador in Havana. Malainin Etkana, who will soon complete his mission as an extraordinary plenipotentiary ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic to the Republic of Cuba, has transferred to the chancellor the gratitude of the Saharawi people and Government for the firm and historic solidarity with the struggle for the total independence of the SADR The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) has also joined in the activities held to dismiss the Saharawi diplomat and recognize his work in strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two peoples. On January 21, 1980, diplomatic relations were established between Cuba and SADR. During these 40 years both countries have maintained excellent ties of cooperation, solidarity and brotherhood. 125/090/TRA VIENNA - Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium since November in violation of its deal with world powers, U.N. atomic watchdog agency said Tuesday, while raising new questions about possible nuclear-related activities and undeclared nuclear material at three locations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. VIENNA - Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium since November in violation of its deal with world powers, U.N. atomic watchdog agency said Tuesday, while raising new questions about possible nuclear-related activities and undeclared nuclear material at three locations. The International Atomic Energy Agency made the statement in a confidential report distributed to member countries that was seen by The Associated Press. The agency said as of Feb. 19, Iran's total stockpile of low-enriched uranium amounted to 1,020.9 kilograms (1.1 tons), compared to 372.3 kilograms on Nov. 3, 2019, noted in its November report. The European Union's political director Helga Schmid and Iran's deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, from left, wait for a bilateral meeting as part of the closed-door nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Roland Zak) The current stockpile puts Iran within reach of the amount needed to produce a nuclear weapon, which it insists it doesn't want to do. The nuclear deal that Iran signed in 2015 with the United States, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, allows Iran only to keep a stockpile of 202.8 kilograms. The JCPOA promised Iran economic incentives in return for the curbs on its nuclear program, but since President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal unilaterally in 2018, Iran has been slowly violating the deal's restrictions. With the violations, Tehran has said it hopes to put pressure on the other nations involved to increase economic incentives to make up for hard-hitting sanctions imposed by Washington after the American withdrawal. In a second report issued Tuesday, the IAEA said it had identified three locations in Iran where the country possibly stored undeclared nuclear material or undertook nuclear-related activities without declaring it to international observers. It said it had sent questions to Iran in three separate letters, but Tehran maintained it wasn't obliged to respond. The IAEA asked for access to two of the sites, but was denied. The activities at all three sites are thought to have been from the early 2000s. According to the Washington-based Arms Control Association, Iran would need roughly 1050 kilograms (1.16 tons) of low-enriched uranium under 5% purity and would then need to enrich it further to weapons-grade, or more than 90% purity, for a weapon. With the nuclear deal in place, Iran's so-called breakout time the period Tehran would need to build a bomb if it choose stood around a year. As Iran has stepped away from the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal, it slowly has narrowed that window. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani gives a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. Rouhani said Sunday that he doesn't believe the U.S. will pursue war with his country, because it will harm President Donald Trump's 2020 reelection bid. Tensions have been escalating steadily since Trump pulled the U.S. out of TehranAos 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, and reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) However, that doesn't mean that Iran would immediately rush toward a bomb if all materials were in place. Prior to the nuclear deal, Iran enriched its uranium up to 20%, which is just a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. In 2013, Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was already more than 7,000 kilograms (7.72 tons) with higher enrichment, but it didn't pursue a bomb. Iran has been violating other restrictions in the JCPOA, including the stock of heavy water it is allowed and the number and type of centrifuges it operates. It has announced the violations as they have occurred, and allowed IAEA inspectors access to verify them. Iran has also said the measures are all reversible if it gets the economic incentives it needs. In the latest case, Ali Asghar Zarean, an aide to Irans nuclear chief, on Jan. 26 announced that Irans enriched uranium stockpile had exceeded 1,200 kilograms (1.32 tons). The European Union's political director Helga Schmid and Iran's deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, from left, wait for a bilateral meeting as part of the closed-door nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Roland Zak) Iran is increasing its stockpile of the enriched uranium with full speed, he said. So far, the pressure from Iran has failed to produce the economic incentives from the JCPOA countries that Tehran has hoped for. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The European nations involved in the deal Germany, France and Britain in January invoked a dispute resolution mechanism, designed to resolve issues with the deal or refer them to the U.N. Security Council, which could result in a snap-back of international sanctions. The three sites in Iran cited by the U.N. agency, where nuclear activities were thought to be, date from before the JCPOA was signed. They come in addition to one outside Tehran where the IAEA had previously said that uranium particles of man-made origin had been discovered and hadn't been declared, which appeared to confirm allegations made by the U.S. and Israel about Iran having a secret nuclear warehouse. The agency said Tehran responded to its latest concerns in a letter on Jan. 28 that Iran will not recognize any allegation on past activities and does not consider itself obliged to respond to such allegations. The IAEA responded that its requests for clarification were in line with Irans broader commitment to allow inspections of its nuclear facilities and weren't tied into the JCPOA provisions. ___ David Rising reported from Berlin. Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this story. COVID-19: WHO chief issues warning, UK releases action plan, Thailands new quarantine rule World Health Organization director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (right). Photo courtesy: Twitter/@WHO The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a warning about the novel coronavirus, saying that public health officials are in "uncharted territory" as they try to fight the outbreak. Knowing & understanding an epidemic is the first step to defeating it. We are in unchartered territory with #COVID19. We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 2, 2020 "We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures," said Dr. Ghebreyesus. Containment of #COVID19 is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries. There is no one-size fits all approach. @WHO is advising countries on actions they can take for each of the scenarios first case, first cluster, first evidence of community transmission. pic.twitter.com/2PzvXYVkPx Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 2, 2020 COVID-19 has infected over 90,000 people in 73 countries with over 3100 deaths across the globe, as of March 2. The virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. UK releases coronavirus action plan The United Kingdom government has released its action plan to tackle the coronavirus outbreak which has seen 51 people infected in the nation as of March 3. The plan was agreed upon at an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday, headed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The government has said "it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work" during the peak of a coronavirus epidemic in the UK. Today we've published the #covid19UK Action Plan. This details the actions we've taken so far, and the actions we may take in the future to research, contain, delay, and mitigate against #coronavirus in the UK. Read online https://t.co/0exAAlgfyj Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 3, 2020 As per the action plan, "police would concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order" in the case of a significant loss of officers and staff. WATCH LIVE: PM @BorisJohnson holds a press conference on coronavirus. https://t.co/JNOtZZWegU UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 3, 2020 Other measures that will be put in place if the disease becomes "established in the UK," include, "school closures, encouraging greater home working, (and) reducing the number of large scale gatherings." Other measures that could be put in place are: Concessions may be made by tax officials if businesses struggle to pay tax bills Some non-urgent care in the NHS may be delayed to focus on treating coronavirus patients Recently retired staff may be called back Hospital discharges could be monitored to free up beds All government departments to have a lead person for coronavirus Helping businesses with short-term cash-flow problems, including giving them longer to pay bills A "distribution strategy" for the UK's stockpiles of key medicines and equipment such as protective clothing "Let me be absolutely clear that for the overwhelming majority of people who contract the virus, this will be a mild disease from which they will speedily and fully recover, as we have already seen," Prime Minister Johnson said. Thailand imposes compulsory self-quarantine, including for passengers from Singapore Thailands Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said that passengers arriving from 14 countries and territories in Asia, the Middle East and Europe will be forced to self-quarantine by Thai authorities. The countries in the list include Singapore, Japan, Germany, South Korea, China, Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, France, Italy and Iran - these have all been declared as "dangerous communicable disease areas." Travelers from these countries will be quarantined for 14 days even if they are asymptomatic. HINGHAM, Mass., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbot Medical Inc. (MBOT), announced the appointment of Eyal Morag, M.D., a leading radiologist, to Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. In his new role, Dr. Morag will lead the development and execution of the clinical strategy of the Companys technology platforms, including its current development of the Self-Cleaning Shunt (SCS) and LIBERTY products as well as its future pipeline. Dr. Morag has been a member of the Companys Scientific Advisory Board since November 2017 and will report directly to Harel Gadot, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman. Dr. Morag is highly-regarded in the radiology community, and has been a valued member of our Scientific Advisory Board, having played an integral part in the creation of our LIBERTY device. I am pleased that he sees the potential in our endovascular solutions, and as such joined us full-time to become part of our leadership team, commented Mr. Gadot. I am confident his contributions to date, combined with his expertise and experience, will allow us to achieve our near- and long-term development, regulatory, and commercialization plans. Microbot Medicals innovative technologies are at a critical junction point, transitioning from product development to focus more on clinical validation and regulatory phases, said Dr. Morag. I am excited to join the Company, and to be part of Microbots talented team on our mission to improve outcomes and safety by bringing novel endovascular tools to patients and clinicians. Dr. Morag is certified by the American Board of Radiology and until recently served as Chairman of Radiology at Assuta Ashdod Medical Center, Ashdod, Israel. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine and completed both his Radiology residency and Fellowship in Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Harvard Medical School. Following his clinical training, Dr. Morag joined a private practice in western Massachusetts, where he served as Chief of Radiology at Holyoke Medical Center for several years. He has also served as the Regional Radiology Director at Mercy Health Partners Hospitals in Toledo, Ohio, and was a member of the University Radiology Group (one of the largest private Radiology groups in the U.S.) where he headed the International Investment efforts for the Ventures division. Story continues Dr. Morags extensive international experience developing and establishing radiology-related businesses includes teleradiology, interventional Radiology services, and free-standing imaging centers. During his fellowship, Dr. Morag co-founded InTek Technology, a medical device startup company. Later he founded Global Versa Radiology (GVR), an Israeli and U.S. based Teleradiology Company that has expanded reach to provide Interventional Radiology services to U.S. hospitals. GVR has established imaging centers in Russia and Ukraine and provided teleradiology services in countries outside the U.S. and Israel. Dr. Morag has served as GVRs Chief Medical Officer and Vice-President. About Microbot Medical Inc. Microbot Medical Inc. (MBOT) is a pre-clinical medical device company that specializes in transformational micro-robotic technologies, focused primarily on both natural and artificial lumens within the human body. Microbots current proprietary technology platforms provide the foundation for the development of a Multi-Generation Pipeline Portfolio (MGPP). Microbot Medical was founded in 2010 by Harel Gadot, Prof. Moshe Shoham, and Yossi Bornstein to improve clinical outcomes for patients and increase accessibility through the use of micro-robotic technologies. Further information about Microbot Medical is available at http://www.microbotmedical.com . Safe Harbor Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development, and potential opportunities for Microbot Medical Inc. and its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as will, believes, plans, anticipates, expects and estimates) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, the outcome of its studies to evaluate the SCS, LIBERTY and other existing and future technologies, uncertainty in the results of pre-clinical and clinical trials or regulatory pathways and regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the businesses of Microbot Medical Inc. particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in Microbot Medical Inc.s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Microbot Medical disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Investor Contact: Michael Polyviou EVC Group mpolyviou@evcgroup.com 732-933-2754 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e59d93a-e73d-4e85-8f97-5a43f1b3da84 At least 18 people were killed when a riverboat sank in the Amazon rainforest region, Brazilian authorities said Monday, as survivors described fleeing the foundering boat in terror. The ferry was taking passengers up the Jari River, a tributary of the Amazon, when it suddenly began to tip over on Saturday at around dawn. Authorities said late Monday that beyond the 18 fatalities, they had rescued 46 survivors and 30 others were still missing -- meaning there were far more people on board than initially believed. Search operations were ongoing, using helicopters, planes and rescue divers. The Brazilian navy said it had opened an investigation into the accident, the cause of which was unknown. Survivor Vanderleia Monteiro said the boat, the Anna Karoline III, seemed to run into trouble when another boat pulled alongside it and tried to anchor, a common practice for the ferries that travel the Amazon and its tributaries. Someone screamed, "It's sinking!" and within seconds the boat was tipping over, she told Brazilian news site G1, after fleeing with her husband and 11-year-old son. "We escaped through the window and felt our way up the outside wall of the boat as it tipped over. It was like something out of a movie," she said. "The current swept us downstream fast, and we saw the boat sinking in the distance. Then the other boat rescued us." The Anna Karoline III, a two-story river ferry, set out Friday afternoon from the city of Macapa, the capital of Amapa state in northeastern Brazil. It was heading for Santarem, in the neighboring state of Para, about a 36-hour trip. Rescue helicopters took about nine hours to arrive because the region is so remote. Three of the victims were girls aged between seven and 11, the Amapa state government said in a statement. The Think Blue, Live Green awareness campaign for sustainable and clean communities proudly supported by the Embassy of Sweden Monrovia and organized by Miss Boss Lady (MBL) International got underway on the weekend of February 29, 2020 with a one-day youth forum in Marshall City, Margibi County. The event brought together more than 150 students and youth from the City of Marshall, and the cadets from the Liberia Maritime Training Institute to talk about the significance of our waters, its natural and financial resources and the importance of keeping it clean in order for our communities to stay healthy. The campaign asks everyone to, think blue, and live green! Mr. Donald T. Gwaikolo, a professor from the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI), informed the students about the relevance of the different aspects of the "Think Blue, Live Green" including thinking blue: blue economy, blue ocean and blue skies; green environment and clean marine ecosystem that Liberia is endowed with. He said despite the West African nation being blessed with long Coastline unlike its neighbors, little is being done to tap on the economic advantages the country's marine resources hold. "This is because we are not "thinking blue. Mr. Gwaikolo indicated that the youth workshop will enlighten young people to begin taking actions that would help them sustainably take care of marine resources and their environment given the fact that Liberia is naturally gifted. "The long Coastline Liberia has is a reservoir of wealth, health and money if utilized," the Instructor added. According to Mr. Gwaikolo, there are many resources under the ocean that can be mined for the greater good of the country but Liberians are either not interested or aware. The team leader of MBL Group, Marcelle G. Yhap told participants that the intent of the Think Blue, Live Green initiative is to rally communities on the importance of keeping their surroundings clean since most of the trash is wasted into the ocean; hence causing pollution that result to adverse effects on marine ecosystem and the very communities that created them. "We want to make sure that Liberia has clean communities especially along the coast. A lot of our resources come from the water. We have fish and port facilities that depend on the water, we depend on water everyday, so we have to think about how we are affecting our waters" she stated. According to the MBL Group Team leader at the Youth Forum, MBL with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia is going to various communities across selected coastal areas to educate residents, students and young people about the need to keep their beaches and communities clean. She disclosed that the team will go to Grand Cape Mount and Grand Bassa Counties to conduct similar forums and beach clean-ups as part of Think Blue, Live Green awareness exercise. Marshall City, she noted, is privileged to be the first place to benefit from the initiative that would go a long way in helping young people to be aware of the danger that pollution poses to the waters around them and the environment. At the end of the day long event, the Special Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Marshall, McArthur Williams thanked MBL Group for the initiative and Swedish Embassy in Monrovia for the support that provided the young people of the coastal city the opportunity to acquire new knowledge about the management of marine ecosystem and the environment. Two large trash and recycle bins were donated to be used by the Marshall City Hall and to LMTI to store trash for proper disposal. As a part of the campaign we will be highlighting various companies and organizations who are already doing the work in line with the Think Blue, Live Green campaign, if you have any information, or would like to be a part of this movement please follow us on all social media platforms. Instagram @ThinkBlue_LiveGreen_Lib or Facebook at Think Blue, Live Green Libera and Twitter @thinkbluelib or by email at [email protected] Look out for more events! Think Blue Live Green is an awareness campaign in Liberia undertaken by MBL Group with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia to encourage youth participation and support the underserved through engagement and activities for clean and sustainable communities. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Champignon Brands Inc. (Champignon or the Company) (CSE: SHRM) announces that it has granted a total of 3,900,000 stock options to its directors, officers, consultants and advisors. The stock options have a two-year term and are exercisable at $0.22 per share. About Champignon Brands Inc. Champignon Brands Inc. is a Canadian based company dedicated to the distribution of artisanal medicinal mushroom-infused products. The Champignon team is mandated with enhancing the health and wellness of millions of potential consumers through the distribution of a premium, mushroom-infused product suite. Champignon continues to be inspired by sustainability, as all of its eligible SKUs are organic, non-GMO and vegan certified. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS W. Gareth Birdsall CEO & Director T: +1 (778) 809-6664 For Champignon Brands French inquiries: Remy Scalabrini, Maricom Inc. E: rs@maricom.ca T: +1 (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 Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Companys control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Champignon Brands described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Companys filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedar.com. The Congress of South African Trade Unions expects a plan that its proposing to save Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. from its debt burden to be ready within weeks, said the labor federations parliamentary coordinator. The labor group, an ally of the ruling African National Congress, has proposed using the state pension fund manager, the Public Investment Corp., and government-owned development finance institutions to cut the power utilitys debt by 254 billion rand ($16.3 billion) to 200 billion rand. The companys dire finances have led to regular power cuts and stagnant economic growth. While there was initially some disagreement within Cosatu as some affiliate unions were concerned about the plan consultations have now been held, Matthew Parks, the coordinator, said. The matter was discussed at the Presidential Working Committee, which groups labor business and other stakeholders, on Monday, he said. We do appreciate that its a very emotional issue because of state corruption, he said. You are going to an institution that has been broken by corruption. Cosatu and Business Unity South Africa, the main business lobby group, had previously said theyd hoped a pact would be announced in last months state-of-the-nation address, but this was moved out to allow for more consulting. No urgency Labor officials also pressed the the government over they see as its lack of urgency in selling broadband spectrum needed by telecommunications companies, finalizing the public procurement bill and setting a levy on exports of scrap metal, he said. At a later meeting of the ruling African National Congresss National Working Committee, South African Airways, the state airline thats undergoing a bankruptcy process, was discussed, Parks said. Under some of the scenarios being considered it could shed 6,500 jobs, Parks said. The labor group wants talks to be held with other airlines to absorb some of the jobs. Were adamant that government must honor its job summit agreement commitment not to retrench workers, this includes SAA, he said in an interview. Weve told government they must look at alternatives to retrenchments including redeployments within state owned enterprises, the public sector and service. We wont agree to retrenching any workers. Armenia again ruled out Turkeys involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process on Tuesday after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with international mediators trying to broker an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal. The U.S., Russian and French mediators co-heading the OSCE Minsk Group held the rare meeting with Turkeys top diplomat in Ankara on Monday. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Cavusoglu told them that they should do more to resolve the Karabakh conflict. He said the conflicts resolution should be in full respect of the sovereignty, the territorial integrity and the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, reported the ministry. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian responded scathingly to Cavusoglu later on Monday, tweeting a quote from the Gospel of Luke: Physician, heal thyself! With its unfriendly policy towards Armenia and the Armenian people, which in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict also takes the form of unilateral military support for Azerbaijan, Turkey cannot play any role in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the Armenian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Anna Naghdalian, said the following day. Successive Turkish governments have lent full and unconditional support to Azerbaijan in the Karabakh conflict. They have also made the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations conditional on a Karabakh settlement acceptable to Baku. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed this policy when he visited Baku late last month. Union chiefs have called for Queensland's juvenile courts to lock up repeat offenders and for Centrelink to cut their parents' welfare payments. His comments come as 'out of control' youth street gangs make headlines for filming high speed police chases and boasting about them online. 'Its unacceptable, weve had enough, Police have had enough, we just need other people to start doing their jobs - and that is the judiciary as well as the parents,' he told Sunrise. 'With this generational cycle of juvenile crime we need to hold the parents responsible and they must play a role in this.' 'If we need to cut welfare payments to make them act, then so be it, because nothing else is working and parents need to step up and take responsibility.' Photo: ABF Two Canadians have been charged with allegedly smuggling methamphetamine into Australia. The Australian Border Force announced Tuesday it stopped two Canadians, a 27-year-old man and 26-year-old woman, arriving in Melbourne from Vancouver. About 16 kilograms of methamphetamine was found hidden in the lining of their luggage with the help of x-ray examination. The Canadians are facing charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. They remain in custody until their next court appearance on May 22. As a result of officer's intuition, these passengers were targeted for a baggage search. When the contents of the male passengers suitcase was emptied by ABF officers, they noted that it still seemed unusually heavy which led to it being x-rayed, said Craig Palmer, ABF regional commander Similar discrepancies were found with the suitcases of the female passenger. This is a good example of the real-time capabilities of our officers working at the border, 24 hours a day, to protect the Australian community from harmful drugs. 3.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard As the coronoavirus is reported to have infected 92,823 people with 3,164 deaths, Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) busted the Trump CDC for what appears to be a cover-up after the CDC removed public data on the number of US patients dying from and being tested for the coronavirus. Americans are dying We deserve to know how many people have been tested for, or who have died from, COVID-19, the Democrat wrote, demanding some answers to the growing pandemic and public health concern in a letter to CDC Director Robert Redfield. This is unacceptable. I just sent a letter to @CDCDirector demanding answers to why their website removed public data on the number of patients tested in the United States. The American people deserve answers. https://t.co/fr50cDL7id pic.twitter.com/Sh6JRYBjRz Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) March 3, 2020 Many patients are unable to get tested, like this Seattle woman detailed on Twitter. The tests were also messed up. Faulty. Some of the kits sent to U.S. states and at least 30 countries produced inconclusive results due to a flawed component. And only three states had them. It was only four days ago a month after doctors were raising the red flag that the CDC finally announced the kits were ready. The CDC also limited the criterion to be tested to such a degree as to mislead people about who should be tested. It also highlights how the CDCs narrow testing protocols, combined with the agencys continued delays in getting functional coronavirus test kits to state and local public health agencies, have hindered the public health systems ability to respond to the outbreak. The bottom line is: When you dont test, you dont prevent. Pocan is hardly the first to note the life-threatening impact of what seems to be a deliberate Trump administration cover up: Dr. Matt McCarthy: NY Presbyterian Hospital on Coronavirus: "We are not testing at full capacity and that is a national scandal." "We're being told that things are ok That's just not the way we're talking about it in medical circles."#coronavirus #CoronaOutbreak Heidi Przybyla (@HeidiNBC) March 2, 2020 Just to list just a few ways (and there are so many) this has gone sideways and could have been avoided: Trumps political people overruled the recommendations of the CDC, testing kits werent made available, there was a deliberate cutting of programs designed to prevent a pandemic around the world as well as cutting of experts and funding for pandemics, and as always, an eye on how this all impacts Trump politically first and foremost. Republicans are selling the coronavirus panic as a hoax designed to hurt Trump. The President blames Democrats, as he always does. We are just awaiting Trump finding a way to blame Obama for Trump dismantling Obama-era programs designed to protect the globe from a pandemic. Trump himself doesnt even understand the most basic, readily available information on the coronavirus, and had to be told that the regular flu vaccine wont work on it. This should come as no surprise, however, as Trump still does not actually know what a vaccine is, and on Tuesday he again conflated vaccine with cure. The problem with covering up reality is we can only manage viruses like this when we have information. Our government should be a source of reliable information, but it is modeling itself more on Putins propaganda machine, where even health information is political and put through the flattery machine. People should not be surprised that the man who couldnt read Obamas birth certificate and who imagined he saw people cheering on 9/11 isnt great at facts or science. This is just another reason why we shouldnt have conspiracy theorists in positions of power. Democratic hopeful Mike Bloomberg will visit one of the swing counties that helped President Donald Trump win Michigan later this week. The former New York mayor and billionaire activist announced plans to meet with voters in Macomb County on Thursday, March 5. Additional details about the event, Bloombergs third visit to Michigan, have not yet been released by the campaign. The Michigan stop is part of a busy week for the Bloomberg campaign. He will travel to Pittsburgh on the same day and then hold other events in Florida on Friday and Saturday. Michigans primary is scheduled for March 10, though voters can still vote earlier by requesting an absentee ballot. Mike is running for president to unite our country when it is more divided than ever and to defeat Donald Trump," said Dan Kanninen, states director for Mike Bloomberg 2020. Nowhere is Mikes commitment to delivering a Democratic victory in November more clear than in the key battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida, and Mike is excited to return to them this week. Bloomberg visited Detroit twice since launching his campaign last fall. He attended the opening of a campaign office in Detroit last December and addressed a crowd of 450 people at an Eastern Market venue in early February. The Macomb County visit comes as Bloomberg argues he is Democrats best choice to take on Trump in the general election. Hes spent nearly $12 million on television ads pushing that message in Michigan -- more than all 2016 candidates combined -- according to an analysis by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. Macomb County was one of 12 counties that supported Trump in 2016 after previously voting for Democratic President Barack Obama. Trump was able to boost the Republican vote while votes for the Democratic nominee dropped 15%, allowing Trump to win Macomb County by nearly 12 points. Bloomberg quickly built up his campaign operation since announcing his intention to run for president in November 2019. He has more than 2,400 staff nationally, including nearly 100 staff spread across nine field offices in Michigan. The campaign claims it has the most robust field organization in Michigan of any Democratic presidential candidate. Bloomberg skipped the first four primary contests and to focus on states voting on March 3, also known as Super Tuesday," and beyond. Bloombergs staff held 40 events across Michigan last weekend, including an office in Macomb County. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, are also scheduled to visit Michigan this week. Both are holding campaign events in Detroit on Super Tuesday. Former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg had also planned to visit Macomb County this week, but a March 3 town hall was canceled after Buttigieg ended his presidential campaign. Read more on MLive: What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary? What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary Bernie Sanders could seize second Michigan presidential primary win, this time as Democratic front-runner Elizabeth Warren sets sights on Michigan while Democratic primary field shrinks Connecticut was the only state to post an annual decline in home prices while Idaho experienced the largest gain at 10.5%. CoreLogics HPI Forecast calls for a 0.2% increase in US home prices nationally from January to February; and for the annual increase to rise to 5.4% by January 2021. This forecast is based on the CoreLogic HPI but also on other economic variables. One third of top 100 metros are overvalued CoreLogics Market Condition Indicators show that 33% of the nations top 100 markets by housing stock are overvalued while 29% are undervalued, and 38% are at value. Of the top 50 markets, 38% were overvalued, 24% were undervalued, and 38% were at value. Sarah: I never heard the story. Charlie: What story? Sarah: How Rex went from K-9 to being your partner in Major Crimes? Charlie: I was called to a crime scene where a K-9 officer had been killed in the line of duty. Rex was there, refusing to let anyone near her body. For whatever reason I was able to calm him down, get him to come with me. I decided Id take him home with me for a few days. (1x01) Our greatest weapon is Rex, and Rex runs on snacks. Charlie (2x16) I just want you to know I love working with you and Rex. Sarah (2x14) Everybody needs a Rex. Charlie (1x02) 2x16 Flare of the Dog Maybe its a puzzle? See, this is the kind of thing that Charlies good at. - Sarah (2x16) This might be the start of a beautiful friendship. Charlie (2x16) If you havent discovered the charming Hudson & Rex yet, allow me to give you a brief summary: Police procedural. One partner is adorable, smart as a whip and a hit with the ladies. And the other is Charlie Hudson, the human. Charlie is all those things too, of course; hes especially a hit with one woman in particular. Well get to that.Airing on Tuesday nights on Citytv, Hudson & Rex (based on the long-running Austrian show) is a family-friendly police procedural that partners Hudson up with a German Shepherd named Rex. They work in the Major Crimes division of the SJPD, in the picturesque Canadian city of St Johns, and every week is another case that highlights how perfectly partnered up Hudson and Rex are, and how well the ensemble has gelled over two seasons.Meet Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) - and Rex (Diesel vom Burgimwald). Charlie, a detective with the SJPD, has for roughly the past year or so been partnered up with Rex (in episode 1x03 we learn they have been a team for six months). Rex is an ex-K-9 dog, whose previous partner was gunned down in front of him. Rex stayed with her until paramedics arrived, and only Charlie was able to coax him away from her body. Since then, theyve been working together to solve crimes. In the beginning, Charlie still had some work to do, learning how to control a K-9 police dog. But theres mutual respect, and a lot of love, between the two, and they now work seamlessly together.Rex has his tragic backstory, and Charlie too has things in his past hes working through. Sometime during the year prior to us meeting these characters, Charlie went through a divorce. It is suggested in episode 2x06 that Julia wasnt the most faithful of wives. This coincides with him acquiring Rex.Charlies bonds with his human colleagues grow through season one and into season two as the pain of his divorce subsides, allowing him to open himself up to closer relationships. Its a subtle, but really quite lovely, transition.Trained to sniff out drugs, Rexs nose is the reason Charlie has such a high close rate on cases. And he knows when to use those big puppy dog eyes to his advantage. Both Rex and Charlie, I mean.Sarah Truong (Mayko Nguyen) is the resident coroner; shes a Jill of all trades with a big heart and a kind soul. Through season one, and at least part way into season two, Sarahs been in a long-distance relationship with a paramedic named Thomas. In 2x12 the viewers, and Charlie, learn the relationship has ended. Charlie isnt exactly sad about this.In her teen years, Sarah skated on the junior circuit, giving up figure skating for med school, and she later waitressed a bit through university.Although working for the SJPD might not be exactly where she pictured herself ending up, shes found a family with her coworkers.Through season one we watch her friendship with Charlie deepen. In season two, a few close calls with death bring the two even closer. Theres a nice chemistry between them, the kind of easy chemistry of friends, becoming best friends, becoming more. As of 2x12, they both seem to be on the same page regarding the next step for their relationship, but as with all good slow burns that step may not be taken any time soon. Watch this space.Supt. Joseph Donovan (Kevin Hanchard) has a softer edge to him than most TV captains and is the reason Charlies been allowed to use a K-9 dog as a partner in Major Crimes. He was the one who saw the potential in Rexs contribution to the team and made it official. Were still learning about Joe, but what we know is he has a daughter named Camilla, and while not her biological father he is her legal guardian and has been in her life since she was four-years-old. At times he can be a little over-protective of Camilla, but being a cop tends to send his mind to worst-case scenarios whenever she isnt quite acting like herself. His ex, and Camillas mother, Wendy had been sober for ten months by the end of season one. Once an informant with an addiction, Wendy is getting her life together. We may still see Wendy again, as this show is particularly good at bringing minor characters back for a second episode.Jesse Mills (Justin Kelly) is the tech extraordinaire. Hes delightfully socially awkward, often offering up too much information. The pilot episode saw him learn a hard lesson in the realities of police work outside the precinct, but he took it in stride and helps his colleagues out in the field often. Locked phones, SD cards corrupted by stomach acid, electromagnetic fields, there are few puzzles or challenges that Jesse cant handle.Except most social situations, that is.The four are often seen strengthening their bond at the end of episodes. By the end of season one theyve become a family, who not only support the victims and their families by attending social gatherings or funerals, but who also hang out outside of work, with either a movie or a beer at Charlies.Theres a lot of heart in the stories each week. Character-driven, the ending is typically uplifting, making it the kind of show that leaves the viewer feeling lighter after the murder is solved.Episode sixteen changes the dynamics a little. In the cold open, Charlie responds to a call regarding a break in at a restaurant. He arrives to see a masked man entering with a flaming bottle in his hand. Rex stays back, but Charlie follows the intruder, only to be thrown back by the force of an explosion. He hits the water, face down, unconscious, and we cut to credits.Charlie is okay, of course. Pulled from the water by Rex, hes now recovering in hospital with just a fractured ankle. This is when the dynamics shift a bit. With Charlie confined to a bed, Rex buddies up with Sarah and Jesse to help them solve the case, while Charlie does what he can from the hospital.The case itself is related to the Green Bottle Bomber, and this explosion makes it hit number four for the arsonist.Via a call, Charlie is able to offer more information about what he remembers. Joe sends Sarah to speak to the fire department with the new info from Charlie, and shes more than happy to do so.she says, hiding her pleased smile behind her pen.Sarah introduces herself to firefighter Asher Browning, and the two hit it off. Theres something a little off about Asher, but it could just be the rocky relationship the Fire Department has with the SJPD. The deputy fire commissioner steps in and ends the conversation, unwilling to involve Sarah in the investigation until shes on the list of cleared names. But theres obviously more to the commissioners stern demeanor.From his hospital bed, Charlie meets with the widow of a firefighter who lost his life in the Green Bottle Bombers second attack. Rex is a great comfort to victims, and here he curls up with the widow and allows her to pet him while she speaks of her loss. Its a nice moment, and another example of how this show has a heart the size of a German Shepherd.We get to see another of Rexs skills in this episode: stealing extra brownies for Charlie off the orderlys cart. Good boy.Sarah brings Asher to meet with Charlie, and Rex continues to be a good boy by showing no interest in Asher and walking away when he tries to pet him. Maybe Rex is the biggest Charlie/Sarah shipper (Charah? Sarlie? TruLie?? The show had an entire scene on shipper names once and they couldnt have been meta and created their own for those two?), or maybe Ashers just shady?Charlie notices theres a bit of a spark between Sarah and Asher, and this is the first time weve really seen jealousy from Charlie. Previously wed seen a little from Sarah in 2x03, in an adorably awkward hand-shake scene with Charlies temporary work mistress. This displeasure in Asher's interest in Sarah fits in well with continuity as Sarah and Charlie had just recently had a conversation about a possible shift in their relationship (2x12). Sarah told Charlie he was ready to date, and as he agreed he looked at her with the most inquisitive, adorable, hearteyes that put Rexs puppy dog eyes to shame. Now that Charlies over the pain of his divorce, the interest in Sarah as more than a friend is obviously there. Its just going to take these two a little longer to take that next step. So, in the meantime, viewers get the huddling for warmth in a freezer trope, the jealousy trope, and the I love working with you trope. This show doesnt need a ship, as it's cute and fuzzy enough as it is, but its nice watching Charlie grow closer to his best friend as he heals from his divorce.Charlie, Sarah, and Asher determine butane was the main ingredient, due to the blue color of the explosion that forced Charlie into the water. Jesse uses CCTV footage to track down a large purchase of butane, and the main suspect seems to be a man named Malcolm Wild. Hes young, with curly hair, and fits the description Charlie gave. Jesse tracks Malcolms cellphone, and Joe, Jesse, Sarah and the SJPD head to the address. They find all the equipment for making the bombs, and a journal, full of poems, drawings, names, and numbers, but no Malcolm.They take the journal to Charlie, and its clear while he looks over it that Rex is getting bored in the hospital.The team discovers that Malcolms father died in an explosion at a bottling plant that makes green bottles.Charlie: Jesse, get everything you can find on this.Sarah: Well, luckily we have an in at the fire department.Charlies face at that reminder:And Jesses face at Charlies reaction.These dorks are the cutest.Charlie and Joe figure out the names and numbers in the journal are codes for buildings, leading them to Malcolms next target.Unfortunately, theyre too slow with the discovery, as the building is already engulfed in flames.Asher brings Charlie a box of treats, and at first the contents appear to be for Rex, but upon opening the box Charlie discovers Asher has actually brought him the files on Malcolms fathers death.Sarah takes Rex with her to the scene of a fire, and hes able to sniff out some charred human remains. With it already looking like the fire department may have removed the body and are now covering up the fact someone died, its about to get even more suspicious when the SJPD is officially removed from the case.But even off the case our team continues to investigate. Charlie realizes it was Malcolms charred body that Rex found, which Sarahs lab work confirms, suggesting someone else is the Green Bottle Bomber.The iffy vibes Asher (Im really trying not to write a whole paragraph on a firefighter named ASHer) was giving off are more than just because of tension between the departments. Charlie sees a tattoo on the arm of the bomber in the CCTV footage and recalls seeing the same tattoo on Ashers arm. Sarahs admirer, the oh so helpful fireman, is actually the bomber. Asher enters Charlies hospital room in his bomber wig and jabs Charlie with a syringe. Sedated, Charlie tells Asher he knows hes working for the mafia. Asher calmly squirts flammable liquid on the hospital room floor, preparing to tie up loose ends.Asher says, lighter in hand.Just as he tosses the lighter into the air, Rex bounds into the room, catching the lighter in his mouth before the liquid can ignite.Charlie replies.With Asher behind bars, and the fire department now aware the police werent in collusion with the bomber as feared, the rivalry between the two departments is put on pause, and in a sweet scene Rex is sworn in as an honorary member of the metro fire department.Catch Hudson & Rex on Citytv, Tuesdays at 8pm ET. A man wearing a face mask passes a Nike store, as the country is hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Beijing By Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. sportswear giant Nike said on Monday its European headquarters in the Netherlands would be closed until Wednesday after an employee was infected with the new coronavirus. "We are aware of an employee coronavirus (COVID-19) case. Out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a deep cleaning of the (European headquarters) campus," the company said in a statement sent to Reuters. Dutch health authorities have reported 18 coronavirus infections since Feb. 27. All facilities in Hilversum, where roughly 2,000 employees from 80 countries work, will be disinfected. Nike's global headquarters in the U.S. state of Oregon were closed over the weekend for cleaning due to a suspected coronavirus case. "We are aware of the presumptive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Lake Oswego," the Nike statement said. "While we have no information indicating any exposure to Nike employees, out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a deep cleaning of campus." (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Edmund Blair and Mark Potter) As the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in India is on the rise, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Tuesday stressed the need for continuous vigilance and assured that the state is carrying out strict surveillance to contain the spread of the deadly virus. KK Shailaja said that the authorities in Kerala took prompt action after India's first three positive cases were reported in the state. She added that the officials are being more cautious as there have been several reports of Coronavirus from other places in the country. As a precautionary measure, the Kerala government has decided to strengthen the surveillance at airports. "If a person is coming from the affected region with any symptom he/she will be directly shifted to the isolation ward. If they don't have symptoms they will be referred for home quarantine," KK Shailaja added. READ | Kerala CM Writes To EAM, Seeks 'safe Return' Of Trapped Fishermen In Iran Due To COVID-19 'Patients who tested positive have recovered' The Health Minister said that the three patients who initially tested positive for Coronavirus have recovered, and in all the following tests, they have tested negative. Kerala now has below 30 people with mild symptoms of the virus. KK Shailaja had earlier clarified that a 36-year-old patient, who was admitted to the Government Medical College in Ernakulam after returning from Malaysia, did not die of coronavirus. READ | Kerala Health Minister Confirms Person Who Returned From Malaysia Did Not Die Of COVID-19 'Coronavirus outbreak threatens global economy': Kerala FM Fearing that the novel coronavirus will impact Kerala's economy, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Tuesday asserted that if the coronavirus outbreak is not contained globally within three months it may lead to a worldwide economic crisis. The impact of the crisis may be felt in the state, Thomas added. "With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the global economy is facing a threat... if the outbreak is not contained within three months, " said Thomas Isaac in Kerala Assembly on Tuesday. He further informed that the tourism industry in the state has already been adversely affected after Coronavirus cases were reported in the region. The finance minister also expressed his worry about the Kerala economy as it is dependent on NRI remittances. READ | Coronavirus Outbreak Threatens Global Economy, Must Control In 3 Months: Kerala FM Isaac READ | 'Kerala Successful In Containing Spread Of Coronavirus': State Health Minister KK Shailaja (With inputs from ANI) The Andhra Pradesh government will pass a resolution in the state assembly requesting the Centre to exclude the new contentious questions added to the questionnaire of the National Population Register (NPR). Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday indicated the decision in a tweet, saying some of the questions proposed in NPRa biometric register of residents in India the exercise for which will begin on April 1were causing insecurity among the states minorities. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010. To this effect, we will also introduce a resolution in the upcoming assembly session, the chief minister tweeted. Some of the questions proposed in the NPR are causing insecurities in the minds of minorities of my state. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central Government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010. (1/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 3, 2020 The announcement came after Jagan held a meeting with a delegation of Muslim representations at his camp office at Tadepalli in the afternoon. The representatives expressed concern over the questions which will be asked as part of NPR during census work. ALSO WATCH | No one needs to fear CAA, NPR: Uddhav Thackeray after meeting PM Modi Last month, lawmakers in NDA-ruled Bihar resolved against implementing a National Register of Citizens (NRC) and decided to only go along with NPR on the condition that the Union home ministry doesnt use the new contentious questions. With that resolution, Bihar became the first NDA-ruled state to pass a resolution against the proposed NRC. Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal(United) is in power in partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the eastern state. NPR, a comprehensive biometric database of all usual residents in India, was created in 2010 and was subsequently updated in 2015. The register is again being updated for 2021. As the Union home ministry set out to update the database later this year, it added questions about the respondents mother tongue and the place and date of birth of the respondents parents. These additional questions were viewed suspiciously by opposition parties, particularly against the backdrop of the governments announcement earlier about rolling out the NRC. However, the Centre has insisted that there had been no decision yet on NRC as a huge row erupted over amendments that introduced a religion test to citizenship for people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Opposition parties have said this declaration does not imply that the government wont go for NRC in the future. The Telangana government, too, has decided to put on hold the NPR exercise and move a resolution in the legislative assembly during the ensuing budget session, urging the Centre to implement the old format of NPR, instead of the revised one proposed for 2020 Census. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also announced that a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would also be passed in the state assembly during the budget session beginning March 6. Both the decisions are expected to reflect in the speech of Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan in her joint address to the legislative assembly and council on the first day of the session. The Congress, Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), JD(U), CPI(M), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), TRS and YSRCP have opposed a nationwide NRC. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The condition of the 24-year-old techie, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Hyderabad, is stable and the process of tracking people he came in contact with was on, Telangana Health Minister E Rajender said on Tuesday. "The health condition of the man, who works in Bengaluru as a software professional, has, in fact, shown improvement since Monday," he said. Admitted to an isolation ward in the state-run Gandhi hospital here, the man is found to have come in contact with 88 people. Rajender said of these, 45 had been brought to the Gandhi hospital here and their testresults awaited. Test would be conducted for the remaining 43 also, he added. The 24-year-old man was in Dubai last month and worked with people from Hong Kong where he is suspected to have contracted the virus.From Dubai, he had returned to Bengaluru before travelling to Hyderabad in a bus. He took treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad for fever and reported at the state-run hospital on Sunday evening as it did not subside. The software professional is the first confirmed case of the virus in Telangana. The minister spoke to reporters after a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee wheremeasures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus following detection of the positive case were discussed. The meeting was attended by other members of the cabinet sub-committee--state municipal administration minister K T Rama Rao and panchayati raj minister E Dayakar Rao--along with senior officials. Rajender also said the state government has set up isolation wards in five government hospitals and has identified altogether 3,000 beds, including 2,000 in different private medical colleges. The minister said he spoke to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Central officials and sought supply of masks which was accepted. Replying to a query, he said the family members of the virus-infected patient were doing fine. Asked if the state government has enough doctors and other staff, he said 24 doctors have been allocated for handling the cases and another 20 have been identified. "If more are required, the services of retired doctors and retired nursing staff would be utilised." Rajender said the sub-committee discussed measures to deal with the situation and to instill confidence among people. Chief Minister has sanctioned Rs 100 crore to be used for measures to deal with the virus situation, he said and asked people not to panic. The state government would undertake a major campaign to spread awareness on COVID-19, including setting up of hoardings, publishing pamphlets and also through TV and other media, he said. A helpline '104' would be fully functional from Wednesday. The minister hoped that the novel coronavirus would not survive in the increasingly rising temperatures of Telangana. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:48:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- As more confirmed cases of COVID-19 and fatalities from this contagious disease have been reported worldwide, many countries are stepping up efforts to contain a further spread of the disease. Among some of the worst-hit countries, South Korea, which has 4,812 confirmed cases with 29 deaths as of Tuesday, has raised its four-tier virus alert to the highest level, and designated Daegu, the epicenter of the viral spread in the country, and its neighboring county to the south, Cheongdo, as "special care zones." The country has urged its citizens to stay indoors over the weekend and warned of a "critical moment" in the coronavirus battle. President Moon Jae-in vowed Sunday to overcome the outbreak through national unity at home and in cooperation with neighboring countries. As Japan reported more than 960 cases of infection by Monday, with 706 connected to the Diamond Princess cruise ship previously quarantined near Tokyo, many large public events have been canceled, as per the government's requirements, while popular theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan have been temporarily shut. The Japanese government has also asked all elementary, junior-high and high schools to temporarily close for around a month, and will provide financial assistance to parents taking leave from work to look after their children. Hokkaido, one of Japan's worst-hit areas, declared a state of emergency on Friday. As for Iran which reported 1,501 cases with 66 deaths as of Monday, educational centers have been shut down in cities and provinces seriously hit by the virus. In the central Yazd city, the construction of a hospital for the exclusive use of treating COVID-19 patients kicked off on Sunday morning, and is expected to be finished within days. Meanwhile, people showing symptoms have been barred from leaving the city of Qom, where the country's first two cases were reported. Iran's parliament also said Friday it would stop working temporarily. Italy reported 1,835 confirmed cases with 52 deaths by Monday. Several towns in the country's most-infected Lombardy and Veneto regions have been locked down. Public gatherings are banned, and schools and universities are closed. The Italian cabinet on Friday passed the first package of measures to support households, companies, and economic sectors in the worst-affected areas, and announced the second one on Sunday to reduce the impact on the overall domestic economy. Apart from the worst-hit countries, many others around the world are also rolling out prevention and control measures. The United States reported on Monday 31 more cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total number to 91 with six deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned the public of an inevitable outbreak of coronavirus within the country. The country announced on Saturday additional travel restrictions on Iran and raised travel advisories for certain areas of Italy and South Korea over coronavirus concerns. U.S. President Donald Trump in a tweet on Sunday announced new screening procedures for people traveling from "high-risk countries." Several counties in the U.S. state of California declared local emergency over COVID-19 last week. Washington State on Saturday declared a state of emergency after the first death caused by the disease in the United States was reported in the state. Florida State also declared a public health emergency on Sunday. Within Europe, France had 191 confirmed cases with three deaths by Monday. The French government on Saturday banned all public gatherings with over 5,000 people in a confined space. In regions where over 10 cases of infections have been confirmed, schools remain closed until further notice and residents are recommended to limit their journeys. Germany, which reported 150 confirmed infections as of Monday morning, considered it not necessary to close German borders and stressed that cancellation of major events or closure of companies was generally not advisable. The risk level of the infection in Germany was set at "moderate." On Monday, as Britain reported a total of 40 cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee, which finalized and signed off a battle plan containing a detailed set of countermeasures. Downing Street also announced a "war room" being set up and running in the Cabinet Office, nerve center of the government, to roll out a public information campaign and respond quickly to cross-cutting issues. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced the establishment of a COVID-19 response team that comprises five European commissioners. The European Center for Disease Prevention Control has leveled up the risk associated with COVID-19 infection for people in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area and Britain to "moderate to high," while the EU insisted not closing the borders between its member states. Australia, which has 33 confirmed cases, enacted its emergency response plan to tackle the outbreak last week, and is using a federal defence law to boost the production of gloves, masks and gowns. Kenya, though not infected, has set aside adequate funds to facilitate the acquisition of protective gear and life-saving drugs required to manage possible COVID-19 cases. By 1500 GMT on Monday, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that there were 89,527 confirmed cases in 67 countries, and death cases had increased to 3,056. The WHO on Friday raised the risk assessment of COVID-19 from "high" to "very high" at the global level. At Monday's daily briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "containment of COVID-19 is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries," while emphasizing there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The WHO has suggested a combination of public health measures such as rapid identification, diagnosis and management of the cases, identification and follow up of the contacts, infection prevention and control in health care settings, implementation of health measures for travelers, awareness-raising in the population and risk communication. Avengers star Chris Hemsworth says he was blown away by the welcome he received in India while shooting for his upcoming action drama Extraction, which is predominantly set in the subcontinent. Hemsworth, who enjoys a huge fan following in the country thanks to his portrayal of God of Thunder Thor, had shared videos of hundreds of people who had lined up the streets of Ahmedabad and Mumbai to watch him shoot the film. The fan mania and logistics were partly responsible for the production to be shifted to a quiet suburb near Bangkok, Thailand, but Hemsworth has fond memories of the time he spent in India. We had such a great time in India. People were beyond welcoming. Ive never had that kind of response. I was blown away. I thought I was Beatles or something, the actor told PTI during an interaction with select international media on the sets of the Netflix film. It gives you a false sense of security. I felt more important than I was. When I go back to Australia, no one really cares, the 36-year-old actor added. ALSO WATCH | Pretty special: Chris Hemsworth on playing Thor for eight years Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a black market mercenary in the film, who embarks on a deadly mission when hes enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. Also read: Ajay Devgn gives hilarious reply when asked if he had a fight with Saif Ali Khan over Tanhaji comments. Watch video The film, based on an original script by Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo, is scheduled to release on April 24. The film marks the directorial debut of Sam Hargrave, who has worked as a stunt coordinator as well as the body double of Captain America star Chris Evans. Indian actor Randeep Hooda plays a key role in the film, so does newcomer Rudhraksh Jaiswal. Hemsworth is confident that the film will appeal to an international audience as it is produced by the Russo Brothers and is set in the Indian subcontinent. It was something that I havent seen a lot in this setting. It has some beautiful set pieces and it gave me a chance to work and interact with wonderful people. We had such a great time in India, the actor recalled. The Australian star had some of the kindest things to say about his Indian co-stars, praising Hooda for his stillness and Jaiswal for his emotional performance in the film. With Randeep, its wonderful. Our first introduction was We had three weeks of fighting each other and we both had our fair share of cuts and bruises. And actually a couple of times I nicked him, but it was by accident and I felt very embarrassed, he said describing the intense combat sequences they shot in hot weather. He (Randeep) wasnt angry at me, Hemsworth said with a laugh, adding, He has been great to work with. And then weve had little moments of quiet dialogue. The actor, who shares a lot of screen time with Jaiswal, said the young actor reduced people on the sets to tears with his acting. Rudy is amazing. Im blown away by that kid The way he takes direction is better than a lot of adults... With all honesty, he had us in tears a number of times. We would be chatting and just out of nowhere he pours his heart out and Im like, Im not supposed to be upset in this scene He will have a big career. Hes very talented and just super eager to learn. The working title of the film was Dhaka and thats where most of the action takes place but the production team shot majority of the scenes in India and then in a street near Bangkok, which was made to resemble a typically chaotic market in Bangladesh. Follow @htshowbiz for more In the 1980s, paleontologists found a dinosaur nesting ground with dozens of nestlings in northern Montana and identified them as Hypacrosaurus stebingeri, a species of herbivorous duck-billed dinosaur that lived some 75 million years ago (Cretaceous period). Now, a team of researchers from the United States, Canada, and China has investigated molecular preservation of calcified cartilage in one of the Hypacrosaurus stebingeri nestlings at the extracellular, cellular and intracellular levels. Theyve found chemical markers of DNA, preserved fragments of proteins and chromosomes in the dinosaur chondrocytes (cartilage cells). The findings further support the idea that these original molecules can persist for tens of millions of years. The skull bones of baby dinosaurs are not fused when they hatch, but instead, some of them have cartilaginous plates that fuse later as bone forms in the spaces between them, said Dr. Alida Bailleul, a paleontologist in the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology and the Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Seeing exquisitely preserved microscopic structures that resembled the specific cell types found only in cartilage, and which would have been present in the living organism in these tissues, led us to hypothesize that cellular preservation may have extended to the molecular level. Dr. Bailleul and colleagues performed immunological and histochemical analyses of tissues from the skull of the Hypacrosaurus stebingeri hatchling and compared the results to those from an emu skull at a similar stage of development. Bird skulls ossify, or harden, in the same pattern as this hadrosaurs skull would have, and primitive birds (ratites) like emus are the closest relatives we have alive today to non-avian dinosaurs, said Professor Mary Schweitzer, a researcher at North Carolina State University, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the University of Lund. The cartilaginous tissues and chondrocytes from the dinosaur skull reacted with antibodies to collagen II, but the surrounding bone did not react with collagen II antibodies. This is significant because collagen II is found only in cartilage, while collagen I dominates in bone. Comparing the results to the emu confirmed the findings. These tests show how specific the antibodies are to each type of protein, and support the presence of collagen II in these tissues, Professor Schweitzer said. Additionally, bacteria cannot produce collagen, which rules out contamination as the source of the molecules. The scientists also tested the microstructures for the presence of chemical markers consistent with DNA using two complementary histochemical stains that bind to DNA fragments within cells: 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride and propidium iodide. These chemical markers reacted with isolated cartilaginous cells, supporting the idea that some fragmentary DNA may remain within the cells. We used two different kinds of intercalating stains, one of which will only attach to DNA fragments in dead cells, and the other which binds to any DNA, Professor Schweitzer said. The stains show point reactivity, meaning they are binding to specific molecules within the microstructure and not smeared across the entire cell as would be expected if they arose from bacterial contamination. Although bone cells have previously been isolated from dinosaur bone, this is the first time that cartilage-producing cells have been isolated from a fossil, Dr. Bailleul said. Its an exciting find that adds to the growing body of evidence that these tissues, cells and nuclear material can persist for millions even tens of millions of years. The findings were published in the journal National Science Review. _____ Alida M. Bailleul et al. Evidence of proteins, chromosomes and chemical markers of DNA in exceptionally preserved dinosaur cartilage. National Science Review, published online January 12, 2020; doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz206 PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs launched the Policy Platform within the public administration. The Policy Platform is an initiative of the Ministry of General Affairs, spearheaded by the Department of The Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Department of Personnel, as the Secretariat to the Platform. The objective of the Policy Platform is to connect the policy layer throughout the public administration, thereby ensuring proper cohesion and collaboration on a policy level and ultimately enhancing and elevating the work of the entire government apparatus. Every Ministry has a mandate for a specific policy domain, however, often aspects within the domains overlap and efforts are therefore duplicated. There are currently fifty-three policy advisors divided amongst twenty-three departments and entities. Government with its limited capacity and resources must implement ways and means to enhance institutional development, not only for efficient and effective functioning but also enhance productivity. Through the Policy Platform, all policy departments/policy workers are connected. The Policy Platform also includes a digital platform in the form of an intranet. The intranet provides a digital space for policy workers to share documents and information as well as edit policies in real-time. It also has a function for policy workers to chat with each other or in groups and has digital meetings. Through the Policy Platform, policy workers will be up to date on policy developments as well as to what policies are in process. Finally, the Policy Platform aims to create a baseline of knowledge throughout the public administration. This will be achieved by providing workshops, presentations, and training on operational aspects of the public administration. A Portland paint company plans to make a splash and mark a milestone with a souped-up neon sign: Miller Paint Co. is restored its beaming, iconic windmill along Southeast Grand Avenue to celebrate 130 years in business. The 10-foot placard has shined brightly from the companys flagship location since 1938 and is among the citys more memorable neon landmarks. Its part of our heritage, said Steve Dearborn, Miller Paints CEO and president. Miller Paint Co.'s neon windmill pre-restoration. (Shane Dixon Kavanaugh / Oregonian/OregonLive) Started in a Northeast Portland barn in 1890, the employee-owned company now has 56 stores across Oregon, Washington and Idaho. After receiving a grant from Prosper Portland, Miller Paint partnered with Security Signs family-owned and operated since 1925 to restore the neon windmill. Security Signs has also done installations for the Hollywood Theatre and Providence Park. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. She is known to be a style chameleon. And 40-year-old actress Rose Byrne debuted yet another transformation on Monday while attending the Atlantic Theater Company's 35th Annual Anniversary Gala. The Instant Family star showed off her new cropped brunette tresses as she walked the red carpet alongside partner, Bobby Cannavale, 49. Is that you, Rose? Actress Byrne has debuted her new short cropped brunette locks at the Atlantic Theater Company gala on Monday (right). She is pictured with blonde hair back in January, left Rose looked absolutely flawless with her new hairdo as she posed by the media wall at the event. The Australian beauty opted to wear a gorgeous bohemian dress - a fitted white prairie-style gown with a high neck by Zimmermann. The stunning dress also featured elegant lace and ribbons, long sleeves along with a beautiful raffled, layered skirt. Beauty: Rose looked absolutely flawless with her new hairdo as she posed by the media wall at the event Rose finished her ensemble with a simple pair of black heels. She kept her makeup simple, wearing only natural tones along with a matte lipstick. The star first revealed her new look on her Instagram account earlier in the day. Tressed to impress! The Australian beauty opted to wear a gorgeous bohemian dress - a fitted white prairie-style gown with high neck by Zimmermann - as she walked the red carpet alongside partner Bobby Cannavale (pictured) Sitting in the makeup chair, Rose captioned two photos of her hair pushed up, writing: 'who needs gel?!' The Bridesmaids favourite is known for her usual blonde, shoulder-length tresses. The actress has had a long association with the Atlantic Theater Company, where she studied in 1999. Transformation: Rose first revealed her new look on her Instagram account earlier in the day Rose and her partner Bobby never wed and they raise their four-year-old son Rocco and two-year-old son Rafa in Brooklyn together. Speaking to InStyle magazine in December, Rose spoke about her relationship with Bobby and their two children. 'Meeting Bobby and having my kids was the biggest profoundly emotional turning point in my life,' she said. 'Who needs gel?!' Sitting in the makeup chair, Rose captioned two photos of her hair pushed up, writing: 'who needs gel?! 'It's so hard to talk about without sounding like a cliche because it's so much more than that.' Rose currently stars as beauty company co-owner Mel Carter in Miguel Arteta's comedy Like A Boss, alongside Salma Hayek, and Billy Porter. While Bobby will next play 'sexually-depraved misfit' Petey in John Turturro's Big Lebowski spin-off The Jesus Rolls, which is due for worldwide release later this year. The Northern Territory is the most sparsely populated state or territory in Australia and seems much too far away for most investors to get excited about, especially with its house market on a seemingly endless downward spiral. Yet back in 2009 Darwins median house price was on a par with that of Sydney as the graph (below) shows and its rental yields were the highest on offer in any capital city. The dramatic rise in Darwins housing prices at the start of the current millennium led many experts to assume that this was connected to the coal and iron ore mining boom which was occurring at the time. In more recent years, the population of Darwin has been falling and there was a net loss of over 1,000 residents to other States in the last year, but what is behind this exodus? Could it really be due to the end of the mining boom or is this a classic false correlation and theres actually something else thats causing people to leave, and leading to a decrease in housing demand? The Northern Territory economy relies on mining for over 16% of its economic output, but there has not been any decline in demand for its minerals in recent years which would explain Darwins fall in population. In fact, demand for the Territorys non-ferrous and high-technology minerals, fertiliser commodities, gold and uranium have grown in recent years. Demand for oil and gas has also risen, even though Darwin acts only as a support hub for the oshore oil and gas elds located along our northern coastlines and these operations have little impact on the local housing market. The secret to Darwins housing market performance is that it is the defence capital of Australia, the embarkation point and logistical supply and support centre for virtually all of our overseas military, peacekeeping and border security engagements. Every service person stationed overseas requires the support of ten logistics personnel back in Darwin and so housing demand swells there whenever we have large scale overseas commitments and then it quickly declines again when they end and the personnel leave. Our successive and significant defence and peacekeeping commitments grew rapidly from 2000 onwards, with 6,000 military and police personnel deployed in East Timor and over 7,000 personnel stationed in the Solomon Islands from 2003. Thousands of military personnel were also engaged in warfighting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. These deployments propelled the Darwin housing market upwards as the troops were rotated in and out of Darwin, with support personnel and their families making Darwin a temporary home. More recently our defence forces have been deployed in the north to combat smuggling and prevent illegal immigration under Operation Sovereign Borders. We have participated in international stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan and operations to counter Islamic State, but these commitments have now declined, resulting in the current fall in the citys population and a decline in Darwins housing market. These high numbers of temporary residents changed the nature of the Darwin housing market for several reasons The personnel and their families were nearly all renters. Their rents were heavily subsidised, resulting in high rental yields. They left Darwin when their term of duty was over. Property investors were drawn to Darwin from the early years of the millennium because of the high rents on offer, but with the result that nearly half of all dwellings in Darwin are now investor owned rental properties. When you compare this to the rest of Australia where only one third of dwellings are investor owned, it is easy to see that the high percentage of investor owned properties gives this market its volatility. While rent demand was rising, rents also increased and investors competed to buy properties. This resulted in high price growth, but when rent demand started falling prices followed, as investors tried to sell their empty properties at the same time. Only new defence, peace keeping and border security commitments operated in or from Darwin will turn this housing market around, so canny investors will keep an eye on possible changes in our overseas commitments as it is the presence of personnel in Darwin who are associated with our overseas military, peacekeeping and border security activities which underpins demand for housing in the city. ................................................. John Lindeman is widely respected as one of Australia's leading property market analysts, authors and commentators. Visit Lindeman Reports for more information. He has well over fifteen years experience researching the nature and dynamics of the housing market at major data analysts. Johns monthly column on housing market research featured in Australian Property Investor Magazine for over five years. He is a regular contributor to Your Investment Property Magazine and other property investment publications and e-newsletters such as Kevin Turners Real Estate Talk, Michael Yardneys Property Update and Alan Kohlers Eureka Report. John also authored the landmark books for property investors, Mastering the Australian Housing Market, and Unlocking the Property Market, both published by Wileys. To read more articles by John Lindeman, click here Disclaimer: while due care is taken, the viewpoints expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Your Investment Property. Twitters decision to ask its staff to avoid the office follows requests by governments in coronavirus hotspots. (Photo | Alpha Stock Images - Nick Youngson) San Francisco: Twitter staff across the world were asked to work from home starting Monday in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly new coronavirus epidemic. At the same time, thousands of staff at Googles European headquarters in Ireland were told to stay away for the day after one employee reported flu-like symptoms. Twitters decision to ask its staff to avoid the office follows requests by governments in virus hotspots. We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if theyre able, Twitter human resources chief Jennifer Christie said in a Monday blog post. Working from home will be mandatory for employees at the companys South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan offices, Christie said. South Korea has recorded nearly 5,000 confirmed COVID-19 infectionsthe largest number outside mainland Chinaalong with 28 deaths. More than half of the cases have been linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious group often described as a cult. Japans government has urged the closure of schools nationwide and employers to give their staff permission to work remotely. Most civil servants in Hong Kong returned to work on Monday after they were asked to work from home for a month. The financial hub has recorded 100 cases of the infection. Twitter had already announced the suspension of non-critical business travel and events last week. Google employees some 8,000 staff and contractors in the Irish capital. In accordance with the advice of medical experts, and as part of that effort, we have asked our Dublin teams to work from home today, a Google spokesperson said. Ireland has one confirmed case of COVID-19 -- a man who returned from northern Italy. Google staff who have been in contact with their colleague with the flu-like symptoms have been told to monitor their health, while the company is using the situation to help test the companys readiness to deal with any outbreak. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 2, 2020) - Peekaboo Beans Inc. (CSE: BEAN) (OTC Pink: PBBSF) ("Peekaboo Beans" or the "Company") announces that further to its news release dated February 14, 2020 announcing a reduced exercise price of $0.05 on all outstanding common share purchase warrants for a period of 20 days, (the "Warrant Incentive Program"), it will now extend the Warrant Incentive Program for an additional 14 days. Under the Warrant Incentive Program, the Company has offered to all holders of common share purchase warrants (the "Warrantholders") a reduced exercise price of $0.05 on all outstanding common share purchase warrants for a limited period of 20 days. The Warrant Incentive Program was originally set to expire on March 4, 2020, but will now be extended until March 18, 2020. The Company currently has 12,306,114 common share purchase warrants outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $0.15 to $1.00 (the "Warrants"). 1,604,914 of the Warrants were set to expire on the original expiration of the Warrant Incentive Program of March 4, 2020, but will now expire on March 18, 2020. If a Warrantholder does not exercise their Warrants under the Warrant Incentive Program, the Warrants will revert back to their original terms following the new expiration of the Warrant Incentive Program on March 18, 2020. About Peekaboo Beans Inc. Peekaboo Beans is a children's apparel brand with a focus on environmentally responsible clothes that are intentionally designed to inspire play. Through an omni-channel approach, Peekaboo Beans engages sellers through social platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, as well as online retailers, to maximize revenue and build brand loyalty. The Company works to promote a playful lifestyle for children by designing comfortable clothes that are built to last. To learn more about Peekaboo Beans, visit: www.peekaboobeans.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Peekaboo Beans Inc. Ms. Traci Costa, President and CEO (604) 279-2326 For more information, please contact the Company at: IR@peekaboobeans.com 1-604-279-2326 Reader Advisory This news release may include forward-looking information that is subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53065 100+ Edge Projects Deployed in China Leveraging 5G and IoT Infrastructure Almost 90 per cent of mobile ecosystem players in China identified edge computing as a major revenue opportunity in the 5G era, according to a new GSMA survey. The views of more than 20 leading mobile operators, network vendors, and cloud edge providers in China's market are revealed in a new GSMA Intelligence report, 'Edge computing in the 5G era: Technology and market developments in China', produced in collaboration with the Edge Computing Consortium (the ECC). It notes that China's leadership in Edge Computing, as demonstrated by early trials and deployments, is being driven by government support for new technologies and operator investments in new 5G and IoT networks. GSMA Intelligence forecasts that Chinese operators will spend nearly $200 billion, deploying new 5G networks between 2018 and 2025. Early edge deployments are mostly designed to serve the requirements of smart ports, smart campuses and smart factories. As 5G networks scale over the next few years, edge use cases such as autonomous driving, sporting events and gaming will be made possible. According to the ECC, there are currently more than 100 edge computing projects up and running in 40 cities in China across various sectors. These include projects in areas such as smart campus, smart manufacturing, AR/VR, cloud gaming, smart ports, smart mining and smart transportation. However, the report notes that several critical questions remain, such as the most viable location of the network 'edge', the levels of investment required and the most appropriate business models. "Judging by the pace of edge trials and early deployments, it is clear that the Chinese ecosystem is looking to play a leading role in the development of edge computing," explained Sihan Bo Chen, Head of Greater China, GSMA. "Creating a favourable ecosystem environment that supports technology developments and fosters innovation will ultimately determine the pace and magnitude of edge deployments in China and beyond." "The goal of the Edge Computing Consortium (ECC) is to build a cooperative platform in the edge computing industry," claimed Yu Xiaohui, Vice Chairman, ECC. "After three years of unremitting efforts, the edge computing industry has advanced from 1.0 consensus stage to 2.0 implementation. ECC will continue to promote the scale application of edge computing in the major fields including mobile network, industrial internet, and enterprise IoT." The new report can be accessed at: www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/?file=641eaa5136e46c0cc2cb2edb05cb6bf7&download -ENDS- Notes to Editor The following companies contributed to the report: 99Cloud, BaishanCloud, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology(CAICT), China Mobile (Chengdu) Industrial Research Institute, China Mobile IoT Company, China Mobile Research Institute, China Telecom, China Unicom, DTmobile, Ericsson, Haier Smart Home, HollySys, Horizon Robotics, Huawei, iQIYI, Neusoft, Nokia, Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA), Chinese Academy of Sciences, SIASUN Robot Automation, Sunny Intelligent Technology, Wangsu Science and Technology, ZTE About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005384/en/ Contacts: GSMA Press Office Isobel Moseley pressoffice@gsma.com Czech Republic has reportedly confirmed five new cases of the COVID-19 virus as of March 3, all cases are linked with travel to Italy, confirmed the Health Minister of the Czech Republic. Czech state broadcaster Radio Prague International announced on March 3 that the three patients are the Czech nationals who studied in Northern Italy. The third patient is an American citizen who studied in Milan and entered Czech, confirmed reports. One of the patients infected is a teacher at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague who attended a conference in Italy. He contracted the strain of the COVID-19 during the trip. Symptoms surfaced well after he returned to Czech, and a few days later, he tested positive to coronavirus. The school cancelled classes and the entire staff along with the students were isolated. Health authorities were in the process of mapping the patients contacts to ascertain the individuals that may have been exposed as per the international media report. Read: Scientists Warn Coronavirus Could Become Seasonal Infection Like Flu Read: South Korean President Declares 'war' Against Deadly Coronavirus Czech planning to declare emergency According to the reports, the interior ministry of Czech is planning to declare a state of emergency within the country as a measure to control the drastic spread of the disease. It is also looking to impose travel restrictions against the Italian citizens as well as suspend all flights with South Korea and Italy. Czech has a pending consultation with the EU regarding the travel ban. Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babis told the media that his country will halt all travel to the nations where the impact of the coronavirus is major, and cases are escalating. People are urged to avoid travelling to Italy. Bus line operator RegioJet also plans to suspend services on Prague-Venice-Rome and Prague-Milan international routes effective the end of the week, he added. Industry Minister Karel Havlicek mentioned in the reports that Czech was considering to ground the planes flying from Italian cities of Milan, Venice, and Bologna for at least two weeks initially, the decision will be revised basis further analysis of the situation. Read: South Korea Reports 374 New Cases Of Coronavirus, Total Cases Climbs To 5,186 Read: Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI Hold Meeting To Review Coronavirus Situation TORONTO, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Loncor Resources Inc. ("Loncor" or the "Company") (TSX: "LN"; OTCQB: "LONCF") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Barker as Vice President of Business Development for Loncor. Arnold Kondrat, Chief Executive Officer of Loncor, commented: We welcome John Barker as Vice President of Business Development for Loncor. Mr. Barker has over 30 years of global mining experience encompassing many key elements of the mining world, and I look forward to working with him and the team to unlock the potential evident in the Ngayu gold belt. Mr. Barker has 15 years experience as a leading mining analyst, including with RBC DS heading up their Global Gold Mining initiative and focussing on African mining equities. Subsequently, he was Vice President Corporate Development for TSX-listed SouthernEra Resources, which was taken over by Lonmin, and was instrumental in the Guinor Gold sale to Crew Gold. More recently he has been involved in various copper, diamond and platinum initiatives in Southern Africa. During his career he has been involved in numerous asset sales and equity issues raising over US$600m in Canada, Australia, Europe and RSA. Mr. Barker commented: Loncor offers the chance to get involved in a region of the world that is only now starting to show its true gold producing potential through the success of the Barrick-operated Kibali gold mine. The Ngayu belt holds the potential of similar discoveries and I am excited on helping the company utilise its vast in-country experience to realise value for all. About Loncor Resources Inc. Loncor is a Canadian gold exploration company focussed on the Ngayu Greenstone Belt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC). The Loncor team has over two decades of experience of operating in the DRC. Ngayu has numerous positive indicators based on the geology, artisanal activity, encouraging drill results and an existing gold resource base. The area is 200 kilometres southwest of the Kibali gold mine, which is operated by Barrick Gold (Congo) SARL (Barrick). In 2019, Kibali produced record gold production of 814,000 ounces at all-in sustaining costs of US$693/oz. Barrick has highlighted the Ngayu Greenstone Belt as an area of particular exploration interest and is moving towards earning 65% of any discovery in 1,894 km2 of Loncor ground that they are exploring. As per the joint venture agreement signed in January 2016, Barrick manages and funds exploration on the said ground at the Ngayu project until the completion of a pre-feasibility study on any gold discovery meeting the investment criteria of Barrick. In a recent announcement Barrick highlighted six prospective drill targets and are moving towards confirmation drilling in early 2020. Subject to the DRCs free carried interest requirements, Barrick would earn 65% of any discovery with Loncor holding the balance of 35%. Loncor will be required, from that point forward, to fund its pro-rata share in respect of the discovery in order to maintain its 35% interest or be diluted. In addition to the Barrick JV, certain parcels of land within the Ngayu project surrounding and including the Makapela and Adumbi deposits have been retained by Loncor and do not form part of the joint venture with Barrick. Barrick has certain pre-emptive rights over the Makapela deposit. Loncors Makapela deposit has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 614,200 ounces of gold (2.20 million tonnes grading 8.66 g/t Au) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 549,600 ounces of gold (3.22 million tonnes grading 5.30 g/t Au). Adumbi and two neighbouring deposits hold an Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.675 million ounces of gold (20.78 million tonnes grading 2.5 g/t Au), with 71.25% of this resource being attributable to Loncor via its 71.25% interest. Resolute Mining Limited (ASX/LSE: "RSG") owns 25% of the outstanding shares of Loncor and holds a pre-emptive right to maintain its pro rata equity ownership interest in Loncor following the completion by Loncor of any proposed equity offering. Newmont Goldcorp Corporation (NYSE: "NEM"; TSX: "NGT") owns 7% of Loncors outstanding shares. Additional information with respect to Loncor and its projects can be found on Loncor's website at www.loncor.com. Qualified Person Peter N. Cowley, who is President of Loncor and a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. Technical Reports Certain additional information with respect to the Companys Ngayu project is contained in the technical report of Venmyn Rand (Pty) Ltd dated May 29, 2012 and entitled "Updated National Instrument 43-101 Independent Technical Report on the Ngayu Gold Project, Orientale Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo". A copy of the said report can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Certain additional information with respect to the Companys recently acquired KGL-Somituri project is contained in the technical report of Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. dated February 28, 2014 and entitled "Technical Report on the Somituri Project Imbo Licence, Democratic Republic of the Congo". A copy of the said report, which was prepared for, and filed on SEDAR by, Kilo Goldmines Ltd., can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To the best of the Companys knowledge, information and belief, there is no new material scientific or technical information that would make the disclosure of the KGL-Somituri mineral resource set out in this press release inaccurate or misleading. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Certain terms are used by the Company, such as "Indicated" and "Inferred" "Resources", that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Company's Form 20-F annual report, File No. 001- 35124, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements 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 drill targets, exploration results, mineral resource estimates, future exploration and development and potential gold discoveries) are forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the possibility that the planned drilling program by Barrick will be delayed, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, risks related to the exploration stage of the Company's properties, the possibility that future exploration (including drilling) or development results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, failure to establish estimated mineral resources (the Companys mineral resource figures are estimates and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of gold will be produced), changes in world gold markets or equity markets, political developments in the DRC, gold recoveries being less than those indicated by the metallurgical testwork carried out to date (there can be no assurance that gold recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large tests under on-site conditions or during production), fluctuations in currency exchange rates, inflation, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F dated April 1, 2019 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For further information, please visit our website at www.loncor.com, or contact: Arnold Kondrat, CEO, Toronto, Ontario, Tel: + 1 (416) 366 7300. Former director of Pemex transferred to Madrid prison, considered a flight risk Madrid, Spain Emilio Lozoya, the former director of Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), was transferred to the Madrid IV prison in Navalcarnero Monday for administrative purposes after a judge sentenced him to preventative detention in Malaga after ruling him a flight risk. On February 13, the judge of the National Court, Ismael Moreno, declared the former Pemex director a flight risk and ordered him in preventative custody while the investigation into his case continues. Lozoya was arrested a day earlier in Malaga on an International Detention Order issued by Mexican authorities who were looking for him for the crime of operations with resources of illicit origin. He is being investigated in Mexico for allegedly receiving $10 million USD fraudulently from construction company Odebrecht, implicated in multiple cases of corruption in the Americas. He is also being investigated for authorizing the purchase of Agronitrogen and for 51 percent share purchases in Altos Hornos de Mexico (AHMSA) steel mill, which generated millions in losses to the oil company. He is charged with organized crime, bribery and operations with resources of illicit origin which resulted in Mexican authorities issuing a search and capture order through Interpol. The owner of AHMSA, Alonso Ancira, was arrested in Spain last year, but was granted bail by a judge. Lozoya was the general director of Pemex between 2012 and 2016. Mexican authorities began an international search for him after escaping in May 2019, when his name appeared as allegedly responsible for a network of corrupt activities carried out during 2012 and 2013, when he served as director of Pemex. He was arrested on February 12 in Marbella. Good morning and welcome to On Politics, a daily political analysis of the 2020 elections based on reporting by New York Times journalists. Sign up here to get On Politics in your inbox every weekday. And then there were seven. No, six. Wait, five. Democratic candidates have been dropping like flies, at a rate of one per night, since Joe Biden won the South Carolina primary in a landslide on Saturday. Amy Klobuchar was the most recent one, exiting the race on Monday night, less than 12 hours before the polls were to open today in Super Tuesday states. By the end of Monday, both Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg had officially endorsed Biden, uniting in a last-minute attempt to solidify his support among moderate Democrats in the lead-up to Super Tuesday. Today is the moment of truth: Fourteen states will vote, as well as Democrats abroad, and roughly one-third of all delegates will be up for grabs. Bernie Sanders is the favorite in the largest states (Texas and California), but Biden is hoping to ride the momentum from his South Carolina victory to a strong showing in various Southern states. Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren both expect to pick up significant delegate hauls, and possibly a state or two. The swiftness and efficiency with which the Democratic establishment has coalesced around Biden is nearly unprecedented. Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader, also threw his support behind Biden on Monday. We need less confusion about who were all for, he told The New York Times in an interview. The subtext was clear: Party leaders dont want that person to be Sanders. Still, it remains to be seen whether the departures of Klobuchar and Buttigieg will actually boost Biden. Polling suggests that he is not necessarily the clear second-choice pick among the supporters of other candidates, even moderate ones. For his part, Sanders received one major endorsement on Monday, but not from a powerful Democratic politician. It was from Democracy for America, a liberal political action committee, which had tried to draft Warren to run for president in 2016 before ultimately endorsing Sanders in that race. This time around, its choice was clear: Nearly 80 percent of D.F.A.s 38,000 members voted to back Sanders. Sanders continued to project the air of a front-runner as he spun through events in Super Tuesday states on Monday. But he also took some pointed swipes at the man who is now his obvious opponent. Does anybody think that Joe can go to Michigan or Wisconsin or Indiana or Minnesota, and say, Vote for me, I voted for those terrible trade agreements? Mr. Sanders told a crowd in St. Paul, Minn. I dont think so. Klomentum officially became Joementum in Dallas, where Klobuchar appeared alongside Biden at a rally, bowing out and offering him her endorsement in a single swoop. It was a tough balance to strike, delivering a campaign-ending speech before an erstwhile rivals crowd. I cannot think of a better way to end my campaign than joining his, Klobuchar said, framing a contrast between Biden and President Trump. What I want all of you to do is vote for Joe. Vote for decency, vote for dignity, vote for a heart for our country. Beto ORourke, the former congressman and presidential candidate, also gave a speech at the rally endorsing Biden. A: Clearly, you want to love how it looks and how it feels in your hand. Turning on the faucet is a humanistic, tactile thing. If the parts arent great, it can feel like it jerks in place when you turn the lever. You want a kitchen faucet that works so intuitively that you never have to think about which way the handle turns. Then, ask if the scale is right for the size of the sink. Make sure the faucet or fitting that you choose is big enough to swing from one sink to another. If its a gooseneck, it should be tall enough that it wont hit your pots every time you clean them. Credit James Marcus HaneyGrouplove will be celebrating the release of their new album, Healer, with a special show in Los Angeles. The concert takes place Friday, March 13, the same day that Healer arrives. You can enter to win free tickets now via Songkick.com. "We'll be performing and there will be glitter, tacos, and more!" Grouplove promises. Healer features the lead single "Deleter." It's the follow-up to 2016's Big Mess album, which spawned the single "Welcome to Your Life." Grouplove will launch a full U.S. tour in support of Healer March 18 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. A well-known market intelligence company, Infiniti Research, has partnered with several top medical diagnostics companies to help meet their strategic and sales objectives and implement seamless route-to-market strategies through turnkey solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005648/en/ Why partner with us? (Graphic: Business Wire) "The rising demand for healthcare in the APAC region is driven by factors including an aging population with complex healthcare needs and the shift in the focus of medical service and care facilities from infectious diseases to life-threatening chronic ailments," says a healthcare industry expert at Infiniti Research. In countries like Singapore, the medical diagnostics market is growing at a breakneck pace due to the growing demand to identify diseases beforehand in an attempt to control the rising medical costs. This trend is expected to become widely popular across the Asia-pacific region over the next decade, fueling the overall growth of the medical diagnostics industry. A healthcare industry thought leader from Infiniti Research was recently interviewed for insights into the growing medical diagnostics market in APAC and identify the key market trends and innovations. Keeping up with the market transformations is the key to thrive in a highly competitive market. Want to know more about how Infiniti helps clients achieve this? Request a FREE proposal. How has the medical diagnostics landscape in APAC evolved over the past decade? The growing healthcare needs in APAC is primarily a result of the region's rising population. With the growing demand for healthcare facilities, private hospitals and other MedTech companies are increasingly expanding their business in the region and are also establishing their R&D and manufacturing facilities here. As a result of these transformations, the MedTech industry in Asia-Pacific is expected to overtake the EU to become the second-largest market next to the US over the next five years. Which countries in APAC has shown a comparatively greater potential in terms of business growth and adoption? In the APAC region, China is the leader in terms of market growth in the medical diagnostics market. Furthermore, over the years, China has also refined their investments policies and regulations, opening up new investment opportunities for MedTech companies. Singapore is also not far behind. Most of the top global life sciences players have established some form of activity in Singapore ranging from manufacturing, R&D, and even headquarter functions. In addition, the South Korean government has also put funds into clinical precision medicine, and we expect this to proliferate over the coming years. What are the key drivers to thrive in APAC's medical diagnostics market? Government support and focus is vital. Government assistance and funding help laboratories to stay on top of technology and ahead of the rapidly changing market. Apart from this, it is also necessary to educate the public on the need for medical diagnostics. This can be done through media publications or via the internet. Moreover, the quality of treatment and access to the best equipment and solutions in the market also plays a crucial role in helping medical diagnostics companies gain a leading edge in the market. Facing business pressure from dynamic market trends and increasing market competitiveness? Stay ahead of market transformations with Infiniti's advanced market intelligence solutions. Get in touch to share your business challenge with an industry expert and gain constructive solutions substantiated with market data to support your growth strategy. About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. To know more, visit:https://www.infinitiresearch.com/about-us View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005648/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 844 778 0600 UK: +44 203 893 3400 https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-us Bothell, Washington is a tiny town 16 miles north of Seattle; I live here and work as a waitress at a busy family restaurant. This probably doesnt mean much to you, except just a few days ago, the Bothell area became the location of the first confirmed U.S. cases of coronavirus. The first affected person, confirmed on February 28, was a teen in the town just north of Bothell. Later that day, another case was confirmed one town to our south. By Saturday, that person had died from the virus, which claimed another life at the same hospital on Sunday. By Tuesday morning, six people had died of COVID-19 in the United States all in Washington. Cases have also now been confirmed in Florida, Rhode Island, New York, and Georgia (the latest added on Monday). As panic rises about where itll appear next, or what anyone should be doing to prepare, its important to learn from the places its been. Most Americans have seen and know little about the deadly disease, except for what has been shared on social media, especially from Wuhan, China, where it is thought to have originated. We know that Wuhan residents have been on lockdown since January 23. We have seen racism against Asian-American people rise, as misplaced paranoia about a pandemic leaves some pointing fingers. We have perhaps remained naive to what this illness means, what it is like, and what we should have been doing to prepare for its inevitable arrival on our shores. I first saw the news posted in our restaurants private Facebook group on Friday. Since I had to work early the next morning, I decided Id seek out some hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes the next day, and headed to bed. By morning, it was clear that panic had set in, not just in our tiny town, but across the entire region. People lined up for hours at Costco before the store even opened. When it did, the store was quickly wiped clean of hand sanitizers and face masks. I arrived at the shopping center at 8 a.m to find not a single store with any hand sanitizer; hand soaps were pretty much gone. In this easygoing Northwestern town, neighbors are usually polite, slow, and forgiving. On Saturday, it was difficult to find a parking spot; people cut each other off racing for a space: Everyone seemed frantic to get in, to try to grab that last bottle of Purell for themselves. Story continues Since the public response was happening quicker than any official guidance on how to prepare (on Friday, the same day as the first confirmed U.S. diagnosis, President Trump announced he thought the illness was a hoax, and we shouldnt worry), my restaurants management took initiative to swap all of our cleansers (which only remove dirt) to sanitizers (which can actually remove bacteria or lingering viruses). The sense from inside the building was that chain businesses were taking guidance from their corporate headquarters, but mom-and-pop shops and individuals were left to their own defenses to figure out how to handle the scare (hence the run on Costcos Purell section). Since then, the CDC has released guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the virus, including proper handwashing procedures and avoiding close contact with those who are ill. COVID-19 is acceptable on first reference for the coronavirus disease that first appeared in late 2019. Because COVID-19 is the name of the disease, not the virus, it is not accurate to write a new virus called COVID-19. Instead: A new virus caused a disease called COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/6fxGkgunXv AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) February 26, 2020 The teen who became ill in Bothell was likely infected due to community spread. And while the CDC reports unprecedented, aggressive efforts have been taken to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of this virus, any community spread means the exact passage of the illness from one person to another isnt entirely traceable, or preventable. As of March 3, 2020, The New York Times reports there are 90,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 3,000 deaths globally. For Bothell residents now afraid of catching coronavirus, there is seemingly little that can be done. Even Amazon is sold out of some hand sanitizer (such as individual bottles from brands like Purell, Germ-X, or Mrs. Meyers). Here in town, a local Walgreens has been sold out, but a representative said they expect to have more in stock later this week. After striking out at Costco and the drug store, I went to a nearby medical clinic and simply asked for a few face masks and sample bottles of hand sanitizer not exactly a strategy we can all put into place. Meanwhile, you can still find Lysol disinfecting wipes, or hospital-grade hand sanitizers and wipes in bulk on Amazon, if you can wait a day or two for shipping (or more if youre not a Prime member), and afford to pay for the larger order. But all this stocking up, while it can make you feel reassured in the immediate, isnt following any official guidance, which still says handwashing, and maintaining a safe distance from anyone whos coughing or sneezing, is our best course of action. I had a doctors appointment Monday, which was pre-scheduled and unrelated to the scare, and for the first time in a year of bi-weekly visits I had to sanitize my hands upon entering the clinic, then again before entering my doctors office. He sat behind his desk wearing a mask, though not sick himself. Driving home, traffic was eerily light, but fast; I had to drive about 80 miles per hour on the highway to keep up. When I stopped for an afternoon latte, my barista was a bit frantic herself. The vibe around town is that we all just wish to be done with work or errands and get home away from other people as fast as possible. It turns out that this slightly hermit-like instinct is the right idea. World Health Organization A local pharmacist, who requested not to be named, told me only those who are sick should wear face masks to prevent spreading the virus by coughing and sneezing. The World Health Organization adds that anyone caring for an infected person can also wear a mask to protect themselves, but they arent recommended as a precaution for everyone. The WHO, again, recommends handwashing, and staying at least three feet away from anyone whos coughing or sneezing in public. Because Im exposed to so many people at work, I have even considered leaving my job. It feels as if protecting ourselves and others is an individual endeavor at this point we're each doing what we can, and what we can afford. While the teenager here in Washington was the first documented U.S. case of the coronavirus, The Washington Post reports that a computation biologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found nearly identical virus samples between that teenager and from a person who was possibly infected in January and had traveled to this area from China. This could mean the disease had already been spreading here for over a month and, with dozens of cases diagnosed across the country in the last 24 hours, that it has been spreading nationally for that long as well. I live in Seattle, I have all symptoms of COVID-19 and have a history of chronic bronchitis. Since I work in a physical therapy clinic with many 65+ patients and those with chronic illnesses, I decided to be responsible and go to get tested. This is how that went. sketchy lady (@into_the_brush) March 3, 2020 As this disease quickly spreads, most local residents (including myself) are realizing we had a reactive rather than proactive response, and we all reacted too late. If I could go back in time I would absolutely have not been so ignorant to think this could never happen to me. (Nor wasted time tracking down masks when others who need them now cant find any.) With the developing news that this virus is silently sneaking around the country, it seems obvious that playing bumper cars in the Costco parking lot, to race my neighbors for a lone bottle of disinfectant, hardly feels like an appropriate response. RELATED: Asian-Americans Are Being Attacked Over Coronavirus Fears The AP reported that following the death in Kirkland, WA (yes, this is the home of Costco, which makes the stores shortage of products even more shocking), President Trump dialed back his claim that the virus was a hoax, but said there is no reason to panic. Sitting in my bedroom in Bothell, drinking my third glass of orange juice in the morning (telling myself a vitamin C overload cant hurt) I find it hard to agree. Whether youre in Seattle, Savannah or anywhere between, take whatever steps you can to protect yourself and those around you. That might mean waiting in line in a store to get hand soap; or it could look like staying home and using what you have. If possible, try to get ahead of the panic and skip right to the neighbor-supporting-neighbor phase. Now in Bothell and the surrounding area, there is still fear, but also an overarching friendliness and desire to help others. When pharmacists are calm, baristas chatty, and people friendly in the grocery store line, it helps us forget, if just for just a moment, that something so fearsome has descended on our town. In the Seattle area, that means were still sipping our coffees, complaining about the rain, and hoping for the best as our friends to the east figure out how theyll respond if the virus comes to their city next. At the restaurant, we're wiping down every surface with extra attention, to make a safe space for our community to come and eat if they choose to. And all of us, refreshing Amazon to find more hand soap and sanitizer, are riding this out together. By PTI AURANGABAD: The BJP-ruled Selu municipal council in Parbhani district of Maharashtra has unanimously passed a resolution against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The council chairman Vinod Borade told PTI on Monday that the Nagar Parishad has 27 councillors including three co-opted members. "The resolution was passed by majority without any opposition on February 28," he said. He said local public representatives were also in favour of such move. Borade said he had summoned a meeting two days before the resolution was passed, as demanded by the members of the NCP, the Congress and seven councillors from the Muslim community. The CAA, which was passed by Parliament in December last year, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who had settled in India before December 31, 2014. The new citizenship law triggered protests in many parts of the country since then despite the repeated claims made by the ruling BJP that it will not take away anybody's citizenship. North Koreas Kim Jong-un oversaw a live-fire rocket artillery exercise to ensure his militarys preparedness and further kindle the flames of training revolution, on Monday. Kim smiled widely while watching from an observation post, and wore a black fur hat and leather coat. Other military officials were seen wearing black masks, in an apparent reflection of the country's campaign against the coronavirus, but Kim went mask-free. The Korean Central News Agency report of Jong-uns, 36, test run comes one day after South Koreas military detected what appeared to be two short-range ballistic launches of projectiles that landed in the Sea of Japan. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the 'unidentified projectiles' were fired near the coastal town of Wonsan and flew about 149 miles. Pyongyangs official Rodong Sinmun newspaper shared photos of the rockets being blasted out of several launchers and a target placed on an island shrouded in smoke. This photo provided by the North Korean government shows a military drill in North Korea on Monday to test a live-fire rocket artillery exercise Jong-un reportedly said the People's Army should keep full combat-readiness to protect the sky, land and sea of the country from any encroachment North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un (pictured) watched the launch with hopes of further kindling 'the flames of training revolution', state media reports Experts said North Koreas recent pause in launches was due to the countrys shifted focus to the fast-spreading coronavirus. But on Monday, Jong-un watched as the military proudly demonstrated accurate marksmanship with their long-range artillery, according to state media. North Korea likely tested a developmental super large multiple rocket launcher it demonstrated last year, said Kim Dong-yub, an analyst from Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. Pyongyangs official Rodong Sinmun newspaper shared photos of a target placed on an island shrouded in smoke State media said Jong-un (pictured) was pleased with demonstration, specifically the accuracy of long-range artillery KCNA said: (Kim) expressed great satisfaction with the fact that the artillerymen are prepared to make rapid reaction to any circumstances and perfectly carry out their firepower combat duties. Saying that the victory of the socialist cause is guaranteed by the powerful military force and a war deterrence, he said that the People's Army should keep full combat-readiness to protect the sky, land and sea of the country from any encroachment. The agency did not specify what encroachments were referring to. North Korea has resumed ballistic activity and weapons launches to expand its military capabilities since talks between Jong-un and President Donald Trump fell through last year. Jong-un said he will bolster his testing in spite of gangster-like" U.S. sanctions and political pressure. People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's firing projectiles with a file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea Across the border into South Korea, there are at least 4,800 confirmed cases of coronavirus that risk of spilling over into the north. State media has called North Koreas efforts to keep coronavirus at bay a matter of national existence. Jong-un has warned that if coronavirus hits the country there will be serious consequences. Pictured: A man in South Korea watch a report on North Korea's launch of two unidentified projectiles on TV He said: In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences. No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system. He has since instructed officials to seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine. So far, North Korea has banned tourists, intensified screening at entry points, halted nearly all cross-border traffic and mobilized tens of thousands of health workers to assist patients. South Korea's case numbers are expected to rise further as authorities carry out checks on more than 260,000 people associated Shincheonji Analysts have said North Korea may also be reducing training and other activities with large groups to reduced possible coronavirus spread throughout the armed forces. Chinas UN ambassador said Monday that North Korea is suffering negatively from the coronavirus amid continuing sanctions from other countries. Zhang Jun called on the United States and other countries for more flexibility. He said sanctions are having a lot of humanitarian impact on ordinary people in North Korea so we should do whatever we can to lessen, to diminish the negative impact on that. Especially nowadays, you know many countries are also being affected negatively by COVID-19 (virus) including [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea]. So we do think we should take all the things into consideration in finding a comprehensive solution to the issue relating to DPRK. When asked what North Korea was doing to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in country of 25 million people. 'We know that they are also attaching great importance, and taking preventive methods, and they are also doing whatever they can in fighting this virus, Zhang said. W ell, here we are, another new year. Another new variant in the coronavirus. And with the new year, the wine trade in Italy and America is ... World Health Organization officials called on medical supply manufacturers to "urgently increase production" to meet the global demand that is needed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak rapidly spreading across the world. "Supplies are rapidly depleting. WHO estimates that each month 89 million medical masks will be required for the COVID-19 response, 76 million examination gloves and 1.6 million goggles," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at the organization's Geneva headquarters. Tedros said manufacturers need to increase personal protective gear supplies by 40% to meet the needs of the medical community. On Capitol Hill in Washington, Health and Human Services' assistant secretary for preparedness and response, Dr. Robert Kadlec, said the U.S. has about 35 million N95 respirator masks. That's about 10% of the 3.5 billion he estimates the U.S. will need if COVID-19 erupts into a full-blown pandemic. World health officials have said that N95 face masks are effective in protecting health-care workers from the infection, prompting global demand for them to surge. In China, demand for face masks has depleted the country's stockpile where doctors and nurses face shortages, according to the South China Morning Post. WHO officials announced on Monday that the number of new coronavrius cases outside China was almost nine times higher than that inside the country in the previous 24 hours. They also increased the risk assessment of the coronavirus Friday to "very high" at the global level. In January, it declared the virus a global health emergency, while urging the public against overreacting to the virus. "As one epidemic looks like ending, one front of the fight closing, another is becoming increasingly complex" Tedros said Tuesday. China reported 120 new cases in the last 24 hours, compared with 1,848 new infections in 48 countries, with most of those cases coming from Italy, Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said. Emerging from Wuhan, China, more than two months ago, COVID-19 has already spread to more than 91,300 people across at least 73 countries, killing at least 3,110 including at least six in the U.S. "Iranian medical doctors and nurses have concerns that they don't necessarily have enough equipment, supplies, ventilators, respirators, oxygen and all the things you've heard spoken about in many of the press conferences," said Dr. Michael Ryan, who runs WHO's emergency program. "Those needs are more acute for the Iranian health system than they are most any other health system." The organization has yet to classify the virus as a pandemic and has maintained that its attention is on containing the spread, although the virus has substantially moved beyond China and has now been found in nearly 60 countries. Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told Senate lawmakers Tuesday that the current outbreak already meets two of the three main criteria under the technical designation of a pandemic. "It is a new virus, and it is capable of person-to-person spread," she said in prepared testimony at a hearing. "If sustained person-to-person spread in the community takes hold outside China, this will increase the likelihood that the WHO will deem it a global pandemic." Epidemics have emerged in Iran, Italy, and South Korea, where the number of cases is rapidly increasing. The U.S. recorded its first six deaths from the virus since this weekend, while New York state confirmed a second case earlier Tuesday. Every country should prepare for its first case and no one should assume it won't get any cases, Tedros said last month. "This is a unique virus, with unique features. This virus is not influenza," Tedros said. "We are in uncharted territory." Tedros shed more light on the virus Tuesday, saying it spreads similar to influenza, by small droplets of fluid from the nose and mouth of someone who's sick. "However, there are some important differences," he said. "First COVID-19 does not transmit as efficiently as influenza from the data we've seen so far. With influenza, people who are infected but not yet sick are major drivers of transmission, which doesn't appear to be the case with COVID-19." REUTERS MIAMI, FloridaMike Bloomberg started the most important day of his 2020 campaign scolding a sea of reporters about rival Joe Bidens momentum and refusing to drop out of the Democratic primary. Joes taking votes away from me, Bloomberg said at his campaigns Little Havana field office when asked by a reporter about moderates dropping out to support Biden in the last 24 hours. Have you asked Joe whether hes going to drop out? Bloomberg then challenged. When you ask him that then you can call me. When a reporter asked a follow up, Bloomberg scolded that it was the same question that had just been asked. I have no intention of dropping out, Bloomberg said. Were in it to win it. The former New York City mayor has staked his last minute 2020 campaign on a strong showing in todays Super Tuesday contests. But Bidens once struggling effort has surged since his win Saturday in the South Carolina primary. Recent rivals like former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) ended their runs this week and pledged their support to Biden. The top two spots are expected to go to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Biden on Tuesday, leaving Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) fighting for thirdalthough Bloomberg didnt seem aware of that fact. If theres only three candidates, you cant do worse than that, he said in response to a reporter who asked if hed accept third place. The reporter reminded him that Warren, who has eight delegates, is still in the primary race, according to The Hill. I didnt realize shes still in, is she? Bloomberg asked. In his campaign office on Tuesday, Bloomberg interjected when a female reporter asked a lengthy question and grew increasingly indignant as she continued her query. Are you going to ask or are you going to give a lecture? Bloomberg said. Asked later about what states he expects to win and what a win would look like on Super Tuesday, Bloomberg dodged the question. Story continues You dont have to win states, you have to win delegates, he said. And I think what happens here is nobody gets a majority. That would mean a contested convention for the Democrats which may hinder the party as it tries to beat President Donald Trump in Novembers general election. Pressed on whether he wants a contested convention, the former mayor said he didn't think that I could win any other ways. Bloomberg also used the Little Havana setting to slam Sanders over his affectionate comments for deceased Cuban dictator Fidel Castros literacy program. We will not win Florida with a candidate who sings the praises of Fidel Castro and downplays the atrocities committed in Cuba, Bloomberg said. 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. In search of that identity, Taus is rolling out a new menu of Spanish and Portuguese dishes (pintxos, small and medium plates and three versions of paella), and weekly specials (happy hours, 30-percent-off neighborhood night Wednesdays, $30 Sunday suppers) to attract Logan Square locals. More than 2,000 families have been displaced after heavy fighting in northern Yemen, the United Nations said Tuesday, after the Houthi rebels seized control of a provincial capital. The Iran-backed Houthis took control of Al-Hazm, capital of the northern province of Al-Jawf, on Sunday, government sources told AFP. The loss of the strategic city means the militia now threatens the oil-rich neighbouring province of Marib. Since the fall of the city, "an estimated 1,800 families reportedly fled heavily populated districts of Al-Ghayl and Al-Hazm in Al-Jawf", the UN humanitarian coordination agency OCHA said in a statement. It added that "2,100 displaced families reached Marib on March 1". Al-Jawf has been mostly controlled by the Houthis, but its capital -- only 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia -- had been in the hands of the government. Yemen's internationally recognised government has been battling the Houthi rebels since 2014 when they captured the capital Sanaa and swathes of the impoverished Arab nation. The government has been backed by a Saudi-led military coalition since 2015. Since the war started in March 2015, tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced, in what the UN has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Search Keywords: Short link: Oscar winner Timothy Hutton has been accused of rape by a Canadian former model who claims the actor sexually assaulted her in the 1980s when she was 14. The actor, who was most recently in Netflix series "Haunting of the Hill House" and biographical drama "Beautiful Boy", said he "completely and unequivocally denies" the claims and called it an attempt to extort money. In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Sera Johnston has alleged that the veteran actor raped her in 1983 when she was a junior high school student in a Vancouver hotel room while another man looked on and participated. Hutton was shooting the 1984 film "Iceman" and he and two friends began a conversation with her and two of her classmates. He then invited them back to his hotel to hang out, according to the new report. When the girls returned to the actor's room, they were served drinks and Johnston said Hutton got close to her, brought her to his bedroom and raped her while a friend watched. Johnston said she doesn't remember how she was led to the actor's bedroom, but said he asked whether she had ever had sex. She said she initially told the men she was 17, then later admitted she was 14 years old. The age of consent in Canada is 16 years old now, but was 14 years old in 1983. There is no statute of limitations for sexual assault, misconduct or battery claims in Canada. "I don't think this is a good idea. I don't think my mother would be too happy about this," the ex-model, who was also a working actor at the time, recalled saying to Hutton. She said she wanted to leave. "To everything I would say, it was, 'It'll be OK, it'll be OK. It won't last long, and you'll be fine'," Johnston said. Johnston said she begged the men. "Please, don't do this. I can't do it. I can't," she said, adding Hutton told her she would like it and that his friend was going to watch. Johnston filed a criminal complaint with the Vancouver police late last year about the alleged incident. Lawyers for Hutton said Johnston's story is "fabricated" and contains "patently false, scurrilous, and defamatory statements". In a statement, his lawyer said the actor, whose Fox series "Almost Family" concluded its first season in February, has never met Johnston at all. "(He) will not spend one more minute dignifying these allegations as they are patently false and designed only to extort money from him. (Johnston) has provided salacious, heinous, and graphic details of this made-up sexual encounter that supposedly occurred 36 years ago. Although these were disgusting details any smut fiction writer could conjure up. There is no evidence to support them," Hutton said. Johnston countered she was advised by one attorney to reach a settlement considering that she was within the legal age of consent at the time of the alleged incident. She added Hutton agreed to an initial settlement of USD 135,000 (less than the USD 1.5 million her lawyer had suggested), but she later scrapped the deal. The veteran actor has enlisted two law firms and three spokespeople to counter Johnston's claims. Hutton won the best supporting actor Academy Award in 1981 for his role in "Ordinary People". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has formally endorsed U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy's re-election bid. "THANK YOU @BillCassidy for all of your support with our #MAGA Agenda," Trump tweeted Monday. "You are doing an outstanding job representing the people of Louisiana & the U.S.A. You have my Complete and Total Endorsement!" THANK YOU @BillCassidy for all of your support with our #MAGA Agenda. You are doing an outstanding job representing the people of Louisiana & the U.S.A. You have my Complete and Total Endorsement! #KAG2020 https://t.co/zmZZgbnNKc Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2020 Cassidy, who unseated incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu in 2014, is running for his second term in the U.S. Senate. He has not drawn any significant GOP opposition to date. On the Democratic side, Baton Rouge community organizer Antoine Pierce, who has had unsuccessful campaigns for the state House and Baton Rouge Metro Council in the past, is the only candidate who has announced plans to challenge Cassidy. The election is Nov. 3, which is also the presidential election day. A Senate runoff will take place Dec. 5 if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the first round. Cassidy has been a big backer of Trump since the president took office in 2017 working with the White House on health care and paid family leave issues. So Trump's endorsement didn't come as a surprise, but it signals that it's unlikely any major GOP candidates will enter the race. Cassidy was one of several lawmakers Trump invited to the White House for a celebration after the GOP-led Senate voted to acquit Trump on impeachment charges brought by the Democrat-controlled House. +4 Bill Cassidy kicks off reelection bid, embracing Trump and touting flood recovery DENHAM SPRINGS Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy on Wednesday kicked off his reelection bid by praising President Trumps economy and tout The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Trump praises Louisiana Republicans Scalise, Johnson, Cassidy during celebratory address after acquittal WASHINGTON During a celebratory address marking his impeachment acquittal, President Donald Trump heaped praise upon Louisiana Republicans As he circled the room, dolling out praise for his Republican allies, Trump lauded Cassidy's efforts on health care. "When I need to know about health insurance, preexisting conditions and individual mandates, I call Bill," he said. Cassidy unsuccessfully pushed an attempt to repeal the federal Affordable Care Act and replace it with a program that would rely more on states. His latest proposals have included a paid family leave option that would allow parents to borrow against a child tax credit to take time off work when a child is born or adopted. He's also pushing a measure to eliminate the surprise charges people face for unexpected medical treatment outside their insurance network. Cassidy called the endorsement from Trump, who has remained politically popular in Louisiana, an "honor." "We have passed legislation to help every American, like lowering the cost of health care, fighting the opioid epidemic, and improving support for our veterans," he said. "We are working to bring more success to our state. The Congress on Tuesday said the government should give up its "obduracy" to allow a debate in both Houses over the Delhi riots, saying the "silence of Parliament" on the matter will be a poor reflection on the world's largest democracy. Congress' senior spokesperson Anand Sharma also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a veiled dig at his predecessor Manmohan Singh. Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi said attempts were being made to create a controversy around the slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' (Hail Mother India) in the same way objections were raised about 'Vande Mataram' after the freedom struggle. At a recent event, Singh had said the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' was being misused to construct a "militant and purely emotional" idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens. Sharma said it was "unfortunate" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take Singh's remarks in the right spirit. "Instead of being sarcastic, he should understand that Dr Manmohan Singh is known for his humility and wisdom. Bharat Mata belongs to all those who live in this country. The slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' or the tricolour have to be held in high respect and not to be used for polarisation, division and violence," he told reporters outside Parliament. The deputy leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha said Congress leaders have requested Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and the government to immediately start a discussion on the riots in Delhi. "There is a need for Parliament not only to discuss (Delhi riots) but also to fix accountability, that is exactly what Parliamentary democracy is all about," Sharma said. "The government should give up its obduracy, its rigidity, and in the larger interest of Indian democracy and respect the institution of Indian Parliament by accepting discussion on the issue," he said. It is time to send a message to the people in Delhi and citizens across the country that Parliament, irrespective of parties, is collectively concerned and jointly condemns what has happened in the national capital, Sharma said. "Silence of Indian Parliament does not auger well and will be a poor reflection on the largest democracy in this world," he said. Sharma also expressed concern over friendly countries conveying their concerns over the violence in Delhi. "India's Parliament debating and sending a message will be in the country's interest in today's situation," he said. Proceedings of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were disrupted for the second consecutive day on Tuesday amid uproar over the issue of Delhi violence as Opposition members sought an immediate discussion on the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dan Meek Meek is an attorney, campaign finance reform advocate and architect of Measure 47 of 2006. He also helps maintain the honest-elections.com website. One might think that the Oregon Legislature is doing nothing, because the absence of the Republicans shuts down all business on the floors of the House and Senate. But the committees continue to approve dozens of bills, which will go to the floors when if the Republicans return. After last years walkout ended, the Legislature passed 151 bills in just two days. Unfortunately, one bill progressing through committees is House Bill 4124, which, if ultimately passed, would very likely ensure that a campaign finance reform measure Oregon voters adopted in 2006 will never go into effect. That ballot initiative, Measure 47, imposed strict limits on the size of political campaign contributions to candidates. But it never went in effect, due to a clause suspending its effective date until the Oregon Supreme Court reverses a 1997 decision (Vannatta v. Keisling) that campaign contribution limits violate our states constitution. HB 4124 would set July 1, 2021, as the effective date for Measure 47, if the Supreme Court reverses its previous ruling. Not only does that delay implementation of what voters already called for, but it could actually render the law unconstitutional, because it would impose campaign contributions limits in the midst of an election cycle, instead of at the start of an election cycle. (The Oregon election cycle ends on the date of the November general election.) So, candidates who start their campaigns earlier could build up war chests by accepting contributions of unlimited size, while candidates who start after July 1, 2021, would be allowed only smaller contributions and only from individuals. Share your opinion Submit your essay of 500-700 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification. Those advocating for this bill know the constitutionality problem and even submitted an opinion of the Legislative Counsel that warns of this possibility. But strangely enough, ensuring that Measure 47 never comes to pass appears to be exactly their intent. Measure 47 not only imposed strict campaign contribution limits, but it banned corporations and unions from giving donations to candidates at all. If this measure were to go in effect the way that voters intended, most legislators would see their largest donations dry up. Measure 47 set its own effective date at the end of an election cycle. It also sought to ensure a level playing field by requiring that all candidate committees that still had money left at the end of the election cycle pay those funds, within 60 days of the end of the cycle, to the secretary of state to defray the cost of printing and distributing the Voters' Pamphlet. Despite the Supreme Courts 1997 ruling, voters have continued to adopt other campaign finance limits, such as a 2016 measure to limit contributions in Multnomah County elections and a similar effort in 2018 for City of Portland elections. The constitutionality of that Multnomah County measure is now up before the Oregon Supreme Court, which could issue its decision at any time. If the court overturns the Vannatta decision, Measure 47 would take effect when the Oregon Supreme Court specifies provided that the Legislature doesnt pass HB 4124. The nonprofit groups and individuals who have advocated for limits in the case support November 3, 2020, the end of the 2020 election cycle, as the best effective date to adopt. In addition to undermining the constitutionality of Measure 47, HB 4124 would give the Legislature the entire 2021 session to pass a bill repealing Measure 47 or replacing it with ineffective limits. The Oregon Legislature has never adopted contribution limits. Oregon voters have adopted such limits four times by statewide initiative 1906, twice in 1994 and 2006. The Legislature has partially or completely repealed those voter-enacted limits twice. Assuming Republicans return to work, HB 4124 should not be one of the bills that get passed in an end-of-session rush. I urge all legislators to vote no on HB 4124. [March 03, 2020] ATIS Workshop on Synchronization and Timing Systems Agenda Highlights the Growing Need for Precise Timing and Synchronization Technologies Across Multiple Industries The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), in conjunction with NIST (National Institutes of Standards and Technology), today announced the agenda for the 29th Annual Workshop on Synchronization and Timing Systems (WSTS), North America's leading timesync event. Taking place March 11-14, 2020, at the Westin Bellevue in Bellevue. Wash., the event brings together leading experts who network, share knowledge and demonstrate their innovations. A vendor-neutral technology workshop, this year's event - "Leap Forward with Accurate and Resilient Time"- will address evolving sync requirements, as well as the roll-out of new sync systems and standards and how these affect industries and equipment manufacturers. "As innovation accelerates, technologies in critical sectors that touch our lives daily, including telecom, electric power, finance and others, have a growing need that increasingly precise time be made available for their new applications and services," says Marc Weiss, Ph.D., WSTS Chair, Time and Frequency expert consultant. Synchronization and precise timing are critically important for a variety of industries, for example: With the advent of 5G today's telecommuncations networks face accelerating needs for time, frequency and phase synchronization, as they support both existing and emerging services. In the finance industry, markets are coming under tighter restrictions on timestamping of trades. The power industry needs accurate and reliable time for managing and stabilizing the grid. Smart transportation systems need precision timing to support systems and services, especially moving into an age of autonomous vehicles. Regarding the Internet of Things, many forecast an unprecedented growth of endpoints to the network that will require both time-stamping in sensors, and latency control. Defense systems require various kinds of timing to support actions and services in challenged environments. "WSTS is the place to learn about advances in timing and synchronization accuracy and the challenges to achieving it from a perspective that is relevant to all industries," adds Weiss. About ATIS (News - Alert) As a leading technology and solutions development organization, the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) brings together the top global ICT companies to advance the industry's business priorities. ATIS' 150-member companies are currently working to address 5G, robocall mitigation, IoT, Smart Cities, artificial intelligence-enabled networks, distributed ledger/blockchain technology, cybersecurity, emergency services, quality of service, billing support, operations, and much more. These priorities follow a fast-track development lifecycle - from design and innovation through standards, specifications, requirements, business use cases, software toolkits, open source solutions, and interoperability testing. ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ATIS is the North American Organizational Partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a founding Partner of the oneM2M global initiative, a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as a member of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL). For more information, visit www.atis.org. Follow ATIS on Twitter and on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005678/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissLaw LLP, a national class action and shareholders' rights law firm with offices in New York, California and Georgia, announces an investigation of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) ("NiSource" or the "Company"). If you own NI shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website: http://www.weisslawllp.com/nisource-inc/ Or please contact: Joshua Rubin, Esq. WeissLaw LLP 1500 Broadway, 16th Floor New York, NY 10036 (212) 682-3025 (888) 593-4771 [email protected] The investigation focuses on possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of federal securities laws by NiSource's Board of Directors. Specifically, the Company and its subsidiary, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts ("Columbia"), have recently agreed to plead guilty and pay a $53 million fine in connection with a series of gas fires and explosions that took place in September 2018. According to the Massachusetts US Attorney, the Company failed to maintain and acted with flagrant disregard for the public safety. The fine represents the largest penalty paid for violations of the Pipeline Safety Act. Moreover, as part of the guilty plea, the Company was also ordered to sell Columbia. WeissLaw LLP has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected] SOURCE WeissLaw LLP Related Links http://weisslawllp.com BURLINGTON, Vt. The moderate presidential candidates are falling in line. The progressives are falling apart. After weeks of mainstream Democrats hand-wringing about finding a viable center-left alternative to Bernie Sanders, former 2020 contenders Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg and Beto ORourke all lined up behind Joe Biden on Monday. But the divide between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and their supporters deepened. After recently arguing Sanders consistently calls for things he fails to get done, Warren began airing a TV ad this week flashes images of Sanders, Biden and Mike Bloomberg while a narrator says, "Politicians and billionaires won't cut it. At a rally in her home state of Massachusetts on Saturday, Sanders said, "We don't have a super PAC, we don't want a super PAC, we don't need a super PAC. That was an implicit jab at outside spending for Warren and Biden, which has exceeded independent expenditure assistance Sanders has received. The deepening rift among the two progressive candidates threatens to lock the Democratic Partys left wing out of the White House. With hours to go until roughly a third of delegates are awarded, anxiety among progressive leaders is rising, and Warren, after her weak performance in the first four voting states, is under growing pressure to drop out from some Sanders supporters but notably not the Sanders campaign itself. If a candidate pulls ahead after [Tuesday], we need to put aside our differences and unite on behalf of economic and racial justice, Aimee Allison, founder of the organization She the People, said of Warren and Sanders. The country is ready for new ideas, and we have two leading progressive campaigns that have so much to offer millions of Democrats. The moderates are playing to win. Its time we rose up as a movement to play to win as well. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at a campaign rally Monday, March 2, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King) But the split may be difficult to mend. Warren allies and some aides have long felt Sanders could have done more to rein in his surrogates, staffers and supporters from attacking Warren and they were upset when grassroots Sanders backers hissed at the mention of her name and tweeted snake emojis at her. Story continues Some Sanders aides and allies, meanwhile, feel as if Warren's team is too sensitive to criticism from some campaign aides and is wrongly holding them responsible for tweets from people outside their operation. Others also still suspect she or people close to her planted a January CNN story about him allegedly telling her a woman couldn't beat President Donald Trump as a way to kneecap him. Sanders denied ever saying that. Alexandra Rojas, executive director of the left-wing group Justice Democrats, called on Warren to stop attacking Sanders and pledge to "give her delegates to him if he has more votes to ensure a progressive wins the nomination. Justice Democrats has not endorsed in the race. Evan Weber, national political director of the pro-Sanders Sunrise Movement, likewise said Warren and Sanders should publicly commit to grouping their delegates together at the convention in order to ensure that a progressive can win against the establishment if they both stay in the race after Super Tuesday. The Warren campaign did not respond to those statements. There was one ray of hope this week for progressives fearful of a divided front, particularly those who favor the Vermont senator: Democracy for America and The Nation both endorsed him Monday. The publication encouraged Sanders to "do more to discourage his supporters from engaging in personal attacks, while pressing Warren to recognize "criticism by her of Sanders or his record only benefits their common enemies." But some progressives remain split, even if they don't want to further the disconnect. Though for months liberal groups and officials have been coalescing behind Sanders, leading figures on the left have failed to consolidate in the past few days anywhere close to the degree moderate elected officials have. Despite finishing behind Buttigieg, who suspended his campaign Sunday and then endorsed Biden, Warren has shown no signs of exiting the race. Instead, she has promised to fight all the way to the convention. Some progressive activists are debating what to do about the predicament. One of the largest immigrants rights groups, United We Dream, issued a co-endorsement of Sanders and Warren this week. Its almost a mirror image of the place moderates found themselves in weeks ago, when centrist presidential candidates tore into each other in debates and attack ads while Sanders racked up victories. At the time, moderate insiders complained that they lacked a coordinated strategy to unite against Sanders and were mostly talking instead of doing. "There's a lot of, 'Oh, my god, what's going on?' networked chatter from person to person that I imagine will turn into deeper conversations over coming days, said a person involved in efforts to unify progressives. Tuesday could make things more clear or more confusing." Some of Sanders supporters in left-wing media have been calling on Warren to drop out for the good of the progressive cause. And some Warren supporters argue there will be a backlash to pushing out the last viable woman in the race. I think the media and other politicians are underestimating the unmitigated fury a lot of women like me will feel if Warren is forced out because of a massive pressure campaign to intimidate the millions of voters who actually prefer her," said Liat Olenick, a public school teacher and progressive activist in Brooklyn who supports Warren. "We need women to turn out in November." The Working Families Party and Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which support Warren, have argued that it is beneficial for Sanders to have her in the race because she attracts voters who would switch to Biden if she dropped out, a point even some Sanders supporters concede. Other Sanders backers believe that analysis doesnt take into account the boost he would receive if she simultaneously left the race and endorsed Sanders. A Morning Consult national poll found that Bidens support jumped by 10 percentage points after Buttigieg and Klobuchar exited the race and threw their weight behind him, putting him in the lead with 36 percent, followed by Sanders with 28 percent. Faiz Shakir, Sanders campaign manager, said his team has made calls to progressive groups and officials in recent days to build support as moderates consolidate. For anyone whos wondering whether we are making efforts to try to expand our tent, yes. We are doing so, he said. The prospect of Warren and Sanders and their supporters coming together could be made more difficult by the realities of the rocky primary, however. After attempting to stick to a nonaggression pact throughout most of the campaign, the relationship between the two camps has become increasingly fraught. Some Warren surrogates and aides long frustrated by what they considered cheap shots from Sanders team and supporters are increasingly hitting back. When Matt Bruenig, a prominent Sanders backer and founder of the left-wing think tank People's Policy Project, said that most of [Warrens] career was corporate bankruptcy, longtime Warren policy aide Bharat Ramamurti snapped back: This is an outright lie, as are many of the things you say about her and her ideas. Ramamurti quickly deleted the tweet, but it was further evidence of frayed nerves. Sanders aides and surrogates, too, have been aggravated by Warrens recent attacks on Sanders as well as her campaigns declaration that she will go all the way to the convention as her campaign predicts no candidate will have the required delegate majority. If your progressive candidate is running to be Joe Bidens vice president then maybe its time for a rethink. Like, before Tuesday, tweeted Sanders surrogate and professor Naomi Klein. (She later told POLITICO, I do not tweet as a surrogate.") But with Biden surging, the two progressives could have a common enemy to unite around. On Monday, Warren signaled that she is turning her attention to Biden, telling a crowd in Los Angeles, "No matter how many Washington insiders tell you to support [Biden], nominating their fellow Washington insider will not meet this moment. Nominating someone who wants to restore the world before Donald Trump, when the status quo has been leaving more and more people behind for decades, is a big risk for our party and our country. Sanders, too, declined repeatedly to take the bait this week at a news conference when asked about Warrens role in race and whether her super PAC is funded by special interests. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, predicted a shift in strategy in upcoming days. The issues that Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are talking about are the issues that are energizing the Democratic base, she said, adding that after Super Tuesday, I think that a lot of people in the progressive movement will gladly talk about how we coalesce around the issues that we care about. Looker Launches BEACON Events to Take Data Experiences to the Next Level Looker today announced BEACON(), a global event series that will spotlight the latest innovations and most impactful solutions for maximizing the value of data. This multi-city experience will provide knowledge tracks, tools and perspectives on how to tap into the true power of data. BEACON kicks off April 14th in New York City, followed by Los Angeles on April 30th. BEACON is tailored specifically for data professionals to help all businesses - large and small - jumpstart their modern data journey by showcasing data capabilities beyond traditional business intelligence (BI) and dashboards. As an everything-you-need opportunity, BEACON events offer expert advice, answers to key questions, an understanding of the modern data landscape and how to uncover new ways of utilizing the power of data. "With our customers spanning every industry, geography and size of business, we are constantly discovering new ways to leverage data and position it within the daily work routine," said Lissa Daniels, head of marketing at Looker. "BEACON brings all this variety to one place with content designed for both people that have little experience with data, and data professionals who are discovering new and interestin ways to incorporate data experiences into everyday business decisions." BEACON attendees can expect to hear from leaders and influencers in the data industry, along with Looker experts and customers. All speakers will share insight into how they have successfully expanded their use and value of data beyond dashboards to be a vital component of business operations and improved decision making. BEACON events will be complimentary and vary in length from full-day, half-day, and breakfast events, depending on the location. BEACON is presented by Looker, the data platform for data experiences that puts real, actionable information into the hands of its customers when they need it by infusing data into day-to-day workflows. Looker allows virtually any organization to extract value from data at web-scale, embed customized Looker data experiences and extend the platform into third-party workflows or applications. More than 2,000 companies are using Looker and half of those companies are integrating insights and experiences beyond traditional BI with over 5,000 developers creating data experiences on the platform. Registration is now open for BEACON in New York City on April 14th with registration coming soon for other cities worldwide. Learn more about BEACON and its other locations by visiting https://looker.com/events/beacon. About Looker Looker is a unified platform that powers data experiences and delivers actionable business insights to employees at the point of decision. Looker integrates data into the daily workflows of users to allow organizations to extract value from data at web-scale. Over 2000 industry-leading and innovative companies such as Sony, Amazon, The Economist, IBM (News - Alert), Etsy, Lyft and Kickstarter have trusted Looker to power their data-driven cultures. Looker joined Google Cloud in February 2020. For more information, connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube or visit looker.com. Looker, BEACON and associated marks and trademarks are registered trademarks of Looker Data Sciences, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005337/en/ Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane O'Meara Sanders vote at the Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center in Burlington,Vermont on March 3, 2020 Bernie Sanders isn't short of supporters in his Vermont stronghold, but many appear hesitant to vote for him on Super Tuesday out of fear the self-described "democratic socialist" can't beat the party establishment or win the White House. If there is one place in America where Senator Sanders is loved more than any other, it is Burlington, the largest city in the small state bordering Canada where the child of Brooklyn, New York settled in the late 1960s. From there, first as a mayor in the 1980s, then as a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Sanders, 78, has championed the people and proven that he can form broad coalitions. "We have knocked on two million doors, from California to Maine. We have a grassroots movement all over the country," he told journalists as he voted alongside his wife Jane O'Meara. "To beat Trump ... we need energy, we need excitement, and I think our campaign is that campaign," Sanders added And while everyone there is certain he will win the Vermont primary, the least populous of the 14 states voting on Tuesday, many wonder whether he can rally broad enough support to defeat Donald Trump in November if Sanders wins the Democratic nomination. "I like him. I think he's real, and he's honest, and I think he really cares about people and about the country," says 77-year-old Miriam Burns, who campaigned for Sanders in 2016 when he lost to Hillary Clinton. "But I'm not sure if I'm gonna vote for him. I don't know if he can beat Trump (and) it scares me. "We're so divided. With Trump and everything that's happened, and with the Republicans being so strong, it is just I'm really worried about the country," she told AFP. If Burns opts for a more centrist candidate, then she says she is going to vote for former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the embodiment of the rich elite that Sanders rails against daily. - 'Worried about the country' - Nat Caldwell -- a 52-year-old college fundraiser -- says he is also going to vote for Bloomberg, who is on the ballot for the first time Tuesday, fearing that Sanders cannot not win nationally. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane depart after voting at the Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center in Burlington, Vermont on March 3, 2020 "I think it's time for pragmatism and not ideology," he told AFP. "This is a bubble up here, a liberal bubble. It makes for a lovely place to live in many respects, but I don't know that it translates in the rest of the country right now," he added. Although sympathetic towards Sanders, 53-year-old firefighter Sean Ploof, followed his union's orders and voted for former vice president Joe Biden even though he doesn't think he can beat Trump. Sanders fans, thousands of whom are expected to attend a rally with their hero in Burlington Tuesday evening, are worried that moderates Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Beto O'Rourke endorsed Biden after dropping out of the presidential race. Jane Stromberg, a 24-year-old environmental researcher at the University of Vermont and a city council candidate, considers Sanders "the most consistent politician in American political history. "(But) it's Bernie against the Democratic establishment. So it's gonna be hard," she told AFP. Stromberg believes, however, that Sanders has a better chance to win the Democratic nomination than he did four years ago when he pushed establishment favorite Clinton to the wire. Trish Siplon, a local political science professor, is convinced Sanders has an excellent chance of securing the nomination but says attempts by moderates to block his path makes it more difficult. "Yeah, I am worried about that," the 53-year-old told AFP. She dreads a scenario where Sanders arrives at July's nominating conference in Milwaukee with the most delegates but shy of a majority, only for the centrist wing of the party to deny him the nomination in favor of a moderate. "I think that would be disastrous, not just because he's my candidate, but also because I think it will be terrible for the Democratic party. "The Democratic party should think long and hard about whether they want to alienate the voters who are the future of the party," said Siplon. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio speak during a news conference on the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New York, on March 2, 2020 in New York City. At least two New York area high schools closed Tuesday after a suspected case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the local community. SAR Academy and SAR High School said in a statement that it was a precautionary measure, following guidelines from the New York City Department of Health. The school is located in the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale, according to its website. It's a modern orthodox Jewish High School, according to its Facebook page. Another Jewish school outside New York City, Westchester Day School, also announced it would be closed Tuesday due to the potential case at SAR. Westchester Torah Academy was also reportedly closing. The New York City Department of Health did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. Representatives from Westchester Day School were not immediately available for comment. Reuters first reported the school closure. New Delhi: Last weeks agreement between the United States and the Taliban, as well as the communal violence in Delhi, have energised jihadists in Kashmir, al-Qaeda wing has said, hailing these glorious times when the crusaders army in Khorasan have signed the final document of their defeat and in such a hopeful season when Indian Muslims have decided not to bear the atrocity and oppression of Hindu polytheist groups. The statement from Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, the Kashmir-based wing of al-Qaeda, was its first since the Government of India ended Kashmirs special constitutional status in August. The statement hailed the killing of ethnic-Kashmiri jihadists Jehangir Rafiq Wani Raja Umar Maqbool, Saadat Thokar, last month on the outskirts of Tral in southern Kashmir. We give glad tidings to the ummah [Muslim nation] of the martyrdom of its sincere and loyal sons. In its statement, the jihadist group vows that it will free the land of Kashmir from the Hindu polytheists, and will implement the sharia law. It also said it would continue fighting until the Masjid-e-Aqsa [in Jerusalem] and Babri Masjid are not free from kuffar [the unbelievers]. The statement comes amid mounting concerns that the Taliban could offer safe havens to Kashmiri jihadist groups as the United States withdraws from the region. The Taliban has long worked alongside al-Qaedas South Asian wing, led until last year by Indian-born jihadist Sana-ul-Haq, and the terms of its recent peace agreement with the United States do not require it to severe the relationship. Even though al-Qaeda remains marginal in Kashmirs jihadist landscape, there have been signs that its influence is growing among a section of young people, amid a cutback in Islamabads support for organisations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad. In turn, organisations like the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have claimed al-Qaeda is a front for Indias intelligence services, and a tool to divide the jihadist movement. An estimated 2,500 people in Trals Drumbal village, local government sources said, attended three separate funeral prayers for slain jihadist Wani, led by local clerics Umar Lone and Ghulam Qadir. Wani is believed to have joined the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the summer of 2018, serving under the recently-slain commander Hammad Khan, before joining al-Qaeda some months ago. Local residents also turned out in crowds of over 2,000, the sources said, for the burials of Umar Maqbool Bhat and Sadat Ahmad Thoker, both of whom also had two rounds of funeral rites, led by local clerics and their families. These crowds arent huge compared to the tens of thousands who have come out on some occasions in the past, an intelligence official observed, but they do reflect an undercurrent of sympathy for jihadists, which is a cause for concern. In September, Shia residents of Budgam, who were allowed to march to commemorate the martyrdom of the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, shouted slogans hailing the memory of the Ansar Ghazwatul Hind jihadist Zakir Ahmed Bhat, also known as Zakir Musa. Even though Bhat was part of al-Qaedawhich, as an affiliate of the al-Qaeda, views Shi'as as heretics, and had been responsible for a series of genocidal attacks on them he was valourised as a hero who fought Hindu hegemony. Zakir Rashid Bhat, an engineering college dropout, had founded al-Qaedas Kashmir unit in the summer of 2017. In one video, Bhat appeared under the al-Qaeda banner, accusing Indian Muslims of cowardice, and calling on them to engage in jihad against the government. Then in July, 2017, al-Qaeda had announced the formation of the Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, saying, The jihad in Kashmir has reached a stage of awakening as the Muslim nation of Kashmir has committed to carry the flag of jihad to repel the aggression of tyrant Indian invaders. From its outset, al-Qaedas Kashmir wing sought to distinguish itself from other jihadist groups, saying it would focus on high-value targets across India. In December 2017, South Asia-region al-Qaeda chief Usama Mehmood argued that the key to victory in Kashmir lay in attacking Indian cities. India is already using 6,00,000 troops just to hold on to Kashmir, Mehmood said in a statement. If it is attacked in Kolkata, Bengaluru and New Delhi, it will come to its senses and release its grip on Kashmir. Then in February 2018, Zakir Bhat called for targeting companies which are associated with the Government of India, or those foreign companies which have invested or wish to invest in India". However, last months encounter, intelligence sources said, indicated that Ansar Ghazwatul Hinds ambitions and capacities. Notably, an official pointed out, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind faced problems acquiring weapons, since the three men between them possessed only two Kalashnikov assault rifles, a pistol, and some 50 rounds of ammunition. NEW DELHI: BJP leader Kapil Mishra, accused of instigating riots in northeast Delhi, has been provided 24x7 security. After assessing threat perception to his life, the saffron party leader has been provided with Y category security which entitles him to have six security personnel round-the-clock to guard him in and outside the city. It is reliably learnt that Mr Mishra had been advised to carry along with him security personnel for his personal safety after he was attacked while protesting outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals residence way back in 2017, when he himself was an Aam Aadmi Party MLA. At that time, he had outrightly refused to accept the security cover. But just a few days ago, he himself made a request that he be provided security as he was fearing threat to his life, a senior police officer, requesting anonymity, told this newspaper. Mishra, who joined BJP last year, tweeted on Sunday (March 1) morning that he was receiving thr-eats to his life on phone, WhatsApp and email, both from India and abroad. He also tweeted that he does not fear the hate campaign launched against him. He has been provided with two Personal Security Officers (PSOs), who will remain with him round-the-clock. Besides this, there are four more security personnel to ensure his safety. As per the security protocols, one of the PSOs will be armed with an automatic rifle, while the others will be carrying pistols with them, said a source. As per the home ministrys guidelines, security cover is divided into four categories Z-plus (highest level), Z, Y and X. On February 23, Mishra led a gathering in support of CAA at Maujpur Chowk in the Jafarabad area, after which violence erupted between pro and anti-citizenship law groups. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegeni on Tuesday over the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif comments on social media on the Delhi violence. The ambassador was clearly told that the foreign ministers comments were totally uncalled for and unacceptable, people familiar with the development said. The foreign ministry issued a demarche to Iranian ambassador Ali Chegeni, expressing dismay and disappointment at the foreign ministers comments. New Delhis prompt message to Iran to steer clear of matters internal to India came after foreign minister Javad Zarifs sharp comment on Twitter over the Delhi violence. The minister had condemned what he described as a wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law, Zarif said on Twitter on Monday night. The foreign ministers comment places Iran in the company of countries such as Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia that have issued statements on the violence on Delhi streets last week. The external affairs ministry last week asked international bodies and governments to not make irresponsible statements that are not based on facts at a sensitive time. Violence in north-east Delhi last week had claimed 46 lives and injured over 300 people. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON KATHMANDU, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Monday applauded the efforts by the Chinese government and Chinese people in containing the spread of the COVID-19. Talking to Xinhua at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu, the foreign minister expressed his confidence in China to win the fight against the epidemic soon. "If China hadn't taken those strengthened measures to combat virus, the situation would have been more dreadful till now," the minister said, adding every country in the world should learn from China in fighting such outbreaks. "Epidemic cannot be predicted, China too hadn't imagined such outbreak in Wuhan. But the way it constructed hospitals in a short period and managed everything, it's really appreciable," Gyawali said. He said that Nepal has been safe till now as it has adopted prevention measures as part of preparation, and will strengthen the measures gradually. Nepal had recorded one case of COVID-19 at the end of January, involving a male student who had returned from China. But he was already discharged from hospital after full recovery, he said. He said necessary measures have been adopted by the Nepali government in airport, border points and in hospitals, with at least 100 beds preserved in isolation wards in different private and public hospitals. "Crisis can be an opportunity to enhance domestic labor, production and capacity," the minister said, adding that the government has encouraged the production of pharmaceutical materials and medical supplies like masks and sanitizers. He said the devastating earthquake of 2015 has made Nepal more resilient in face of emergency, and his country is highly alert to encounter the epidemic. Angola, IN (46703) Today Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 7F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph, becoming ENE and decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 7F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph, becoming ENE and decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun checks the facilities at the Ministry of Education's National Education Training Institute in Daegu, Monday, as the institute has been designated as a facility to accommodate COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms amid a worsening shortage of sickbeds. / Courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office By Jun Ji-hye The continuous surge in the number of COVID-19 patients has resulted in a serious shortage of hospital beds in Daegu, the southeastern city hit hardest by the virus, with about 1,800 confirmed patients still waiting at home to get treatment in hospital, according to the health ministry and city officials, Tuesday. While Korea has reported thousands of infected patients, 70 percent of confirmed cases have occurred in Daegu, with a major cluster of infections linked to the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. Following the deaths of several patients in the region who were waiting at home for hospital admission, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), after consultation with health experts, decided Sunday to use vacant training centers and other facilities run by the government as well as private companies to accommodate patients with mild symptoms. Snowballing infections in the region have forced the government to overturn its earlier policy created Feb. 24 which called for infected patients to receive treatment only at designated hospitals. Two factory workers, allegedly illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, were arrested in the Thaandya industrial area of Nanjangud taluk in Mysuru district of Karnataka. Mysuru: The police arrested two factory workers on the suspicion that they are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The arrests were made Saturday but disclosed today. Identified as Muhammed Abdullah (27) and Muhammed Imaanmulla (23), the two men were employed at the Thaandya industrial estate near Nanjanagud. They had Aadhaar cards issued in Bengaluru, police said. They were staying at Immavu village near Nanjangud. Initially and claimed that they were from Bengaluru. However, they have confessed that their native place is Saam Nagar, Shirgul Gate in Saathkira district of Bangladesh. The Mysuru police have written to Indian embassy in Bangladesh as well as the External Affair Ministry to verify the credentials of the two men so that they could be deported. The Nanjangud rural police have registered a suo motu case under provisions of the Passport Act 1976 and the Foreigners Act 1946. They are in judicial custody as an investigation is going on. Police claimed to have intelligence that more such illegal immigrants are working in factories in the area. They have called a meeting with representatives of factories in the industrial estates around Nanjanagud on Wednesday. Today, Waymo is announcing our first external investment round, led by Silver Lake, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and Mubadala Investment Company. Additional investors in this initial $2.25 billion close include Magna International, Andreessen Horowitz, and AutoNation, as well as Alphabet. "We've always approached our mission as a team sport, collaborating with our OEM and supplier partners, our operations partners, and the communities we serve to build and deploy the world's most experienced driver," said John Krafcik, CEO, Waymo. Today, we're expanding that team, adding financial investors and important strategic partners who bring decades of experience investing in and supporting successful technology companies building transformative products. With this injection of capital and business acumen, alongside Alphabet, well deepen our investment in our people, our technology, and our operations, all in support of the deployment of the Waymo Driver around the world. Waymo is the proven leader in self-driving technology, is the only autonomous vehicle company with a public ride-hailing service, and is successfully scaling its fully driverless experience, said Egon Durban, Co-CEO, Silver Lake, and nominee for Waymo's Operating Board. Were deeply aligned with Waymos commitment to making our roads safer, and look forward to working together to help advance and scale the Waymo Driver in the U.S. and beyond. This investment round follows a recent series of major operational and technical milestones. The Waymo Driver has driven more than 20 million miles on public roads across over 25 cities, and over 10 billion miles in simulation. Engineers and technicians at Waymo's Detroit factory, the worlds first factory dedicated to the mass production of L4 autonomous vehicles, have shipped the first vehicles (electric cars and Class 8 trucks) integrated with fifth-generation hardware, with all-new, more powerful compute and more capable sensing. Waymo One, the worlds first public self-driving ride-hailing service, serves thousands of customers in Arizona and has already provided thousands of fully driverless rides to our riders, in a high-speed mixed usage market area larger than San Francisco. The Waymo Driver is now deployed across a variety of vehicle platforms and business applications, including Waymo Via, which is focused on all forms of goods delivery. We're grateful for all our new partners who have joined us on our mission of making it safe and easy for people and things to get where theyre going. Ross Tugade is a lawyer and is working for the Commission on Human Rights. She is currently a Master of Laws student in Transnational Crime and Justice at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the authors. Turin, Italy (CNN Philippines Life) A tense hostage situation involving a former security guard at Greenhills Virra Mall named Alchie Paray gripped the whole nation yesterday. Around 30 people were held hostage inside the shopping mall in San Juan, Metro Manila, in an ordeal that lasted almost 10 hours. After a standoff causing one person to be injured, the hostage negotiation itself resulted in the resignation of six mall security officials amid allegations of internal corruption. Paray eventually released all hostages and was given the chance to air his side. Before he was tackled and arrested by authorities, Paray asked the public, Pagkatapos nito, saan ang punta ko: sa kulungan o sa sementeryo? (After this, where will I land: in jail or in the cemetery?) Parays fate is now up to the criminal justice system, where he will be charged and made accountable for committing clearly unlawful acts in taking a group of civilians hostage and injuring one individual. However, the uncertainty right at the heart of Parays question is the very same precarity surrounding wage work in the Philippines today. Beyond one mans act of violence loom larger systemic hardships felt by ordinary Filipino laborers. The state of the law The general manager of Safeguard Armor Security Corporation, Parays private security agency, denied that Paray was illegally dismissed. One of his former superiors said that the security guard was only to be reassigned to a different post as part of a rotation scheme of the company. A rotation policy implemented by a private security agency is not illegal per se. In Carique vs. Philippine Scout Veterans Security and Investigating Agency, a 2015 case, the Supreme Court ruled that the implementation of the rotation policy [by respondent agency] is within the ambit of management prerogative. Absent a showing of bad faith and an intent to circumvent the law, rotational schemes are validly part of a private security agencys security planning. Department Order No. 15-16, series of 2016, which was issued by the Department of Labor and Employment to provide the guidelines governing the employment and working conditions of security guards, also allows for the transfer of assignments of security guards. Such transfers are conditioned on compliance with labor laws and the provision of statutory benefits to private security personnel. Details surrounding Parays alleged termination are not yet clear to the public. The clear dissatisfaction that prompted him to resort to drastic measures, however, is telling of the current state of affairs in Philippine labor standards, despite what the law says. Avenues for grievances and solidarity In a 2014 legal study surrounding precarious work in the Philippines, the lawyers Mely Ann Emerie Cristobal and Efren Resurreccion II cite factors such as abject poverty, the lack of employment opportunities in the country, and the generally ambivalent perception of employees towards joining unions that cause workers to merely suffer in silence because of the possibility of unemployment. While security guards such as Paray are generally granted security of tenure, their labor conditions could not be far off from other workers who suffer from uncertainty in their jobs they work long hours and endure low pay. In a metropolis dotted with shopping malls earning millions in profit, security personnel tasked with guarding their premises are a vital part of the labor force. At the very least, they should be recognized as essential to keeping the consumer-driven economy of the shopping malls thriving. Moving forward, workers rights should be given high priority and attention at any time by the government. Workers themselves ought not to be deterred from organizing themselves to assert what is rightfully entitled to them by and within the bounds of the law. Nothing less than the Philippine Constitution affords full protection to labor, humane conditions of work, a living wage, and participation in decision-making processes affecting workers rights. Enhancing mechanisms for airing grievances, encouraging management and employees to sit at the negotiating table, and pushing for greater solidarity are steps toward enabling workers dignity to flourish and remain intact. Only then can our workers avoid making fatal questions and decisions in order to fight for their rights. MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews reviews notes before an episode of 'Hardball' in November 2019. Read more Chris Matthews, the outspoken host of MSNBCs Hardball, announced his sudden retirement from the network Monday night, a shocking decision by the Philadelphia native who has been an important voice in the world of politics for more than 25 years. Let me start with my headline tonight: Im retiring. This is the last Hardball on MSNBC," Matthews announced to open his show. The surprise announcement a mutual decision to part ways, according to an MSNBC spokesperson came after the 74-year-old host was benched during the networks coverage of the South Carolina primary, following several verbal missteps and accusations of inappropriate behavior from a former female guest. Matthews alluded to the allegations during his announcement. Compliments on a womans appearance that some men, including me, might have once incorrectly thought were OK were never OK. Not then and certainly not today, Matthews said. And for making such comments in the past, Im sorry. After a commercial break, a shocked Steve Kornacki took over for Matthews and finished Mondays show, ending with an emotional sendoff where he called the longtime Hardball host the most human television personality hes had the opportunity of watching and knowing. I say that as one of the highest compliments I can play to someone, Kornacki said. Im sorry, I think you got him. And I think he got you. And all of us are going to miss him. Moving forward, a rotating crew of hosts will fill in until MSNBC makes a decision on programming. Matthews recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with MSNBC and had several years remaining on his contract. As recently as November, Matthews told The Inquirer he wanted at least one more contract with the network. He recently launched a new podcast. I dont want to leave. I love it, Matthews said in November. Matthews struggled through a rough series of headlines last week. He confused two prominent African American politicians in South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison and Republican Sen. Tim Scott and was forced to apologize for comparing Sen. Bernie Sanders victory in the Nevada caucuses to the Nazi invasion of France during World War II. Matthews was also accused by journalist Laura Bassett of making inappropriate comments on the set of Hardball in 2016, where she alleged the longtime host asked, Why havent I fallen in love with you yet? while she was having makeup applied. Matthews, who recently battled prostate cancer, has for the last 25 years been the outspoken host of Hardball, which began in 1994 on NBCs now-defunct Americas Talking channel. He began his career as a political aide on Capitol Hill for several Democratic congressmen, including a six-year stint as chief of staff to longtime Speaker of the House Thomas P. ONeill. Matthews also worked as the Washington bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner and as a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Matthews told The Inquirer in 2014 that his grandfather spurred his lifelong interest in politics. My grandpa Charles Shields was a ward leader in Nicetown. We talked politics all the time. Every day, he walked five miles down to Tioga to buy the first edition of The Inquirer, Matthews said. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Non-Ionic Surfactants Market Overview Non-Ionic Surfactants are surface active wetting agents that helps to reduce water surface tension. These surfactants offer superior wetting & detergency, emulsification, rinseability, low toxicity, and good handling properties. Some of the most commonly used non-ionic surfactants includes ethoxylated alcohol & alky-phenols, fatty acid esters, and glycerol esters among others. The product finds application in cleaning, food additives, cosmetics & personal care products, coatings, and pharmaceuticals among others. The global non-ionic surfactants market is driven by rising demand for detergents form industries and households. The product is being increasingly used for hand dish washing, laundry, and hard surface cleaners owing to good wetting and detergency properties. Surging demand for cosmetics & personal care products across the regions is augmenting the market growth. Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share in the non-ionic surfactants market in 2017 and is expected to grow at significant rate during the review period. Growing industrialization and urbanization coupled with changing lifestyles and rising disposable income is another important factor driving the market growth in this region. Furthermore, rapidly growing cosmetics & personal care industry as a result of increasing demand for the cosmetics from the working population for personal grooming and appearance is fuelling the demand. Furthermore, in the developed nations, the product consumption is growing in pharmaceutical industry owing to rising geriatric population coupled with high per capita income. Increasing R&D investment in pharmaceutical industry is stimulating the product demand in these regions further. Segmentation: The Global Non-Ionic Surfactants Market Growth is segmented on the basis of type, application, end users, and region. Based on the type, the market is segmented into alcohol ethoxylates, fatty alkanolamides, amine derivatives, glycerol derivatives, and others. Based on application, market is segmented into cleaners, emulsion, additives, and others. On the other hand, based on end user, the market is segmented into food & beverages, paint & coatings, oilfield, textiles, personal care, household, and others. Based on region, this market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Non-Ionic Surfactants Market- Competitive Landscape The global Non-Ionic Surfactants is at nascent stage and is expected to witness considerable growth owing to rapidly expanding industrial base in the Asia Pacific region during the review period. Some of the growing trends notices among the market players includes new product invention, capacity expansion and acquisitions. For instance, BASF SE will expand its alkyl polyglucosides (APG) production capacity at sites in China, U.S., Ohio, and JInshan. This will help the company to meet the customer demands for surfactants with different specifications in the Asia Pacific region. Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: Feb 9, 2018- BASF SE will expand its alkyl polyglucosides (APG) production capacity along with two production improvement projects at sites in China, U.S., Ohio, and JInshan. The capacity expansion at Jinshan site has been started in order to meet the need for surfactants in personal and home care applications in the Asia Pacific region. July 31, 2017- Croda International Plc, a specialty chemical company acquired Enza Biotech having technology for making non-ionic sugar-based surfactants from carbohydrates. March 24, 2017- Evonik launched next generation Grind Aid non-ionic surfactant under the brand name Carbowet GA-200 with low-zero volatile organic compounds (VOC). This product will help to comply with the regulations set by the environmental protection agency to reduce VOC emissions. December 08, 2015 - Croda International Inc, announced nearly USD 140 million investment in North America to produce 100% sustainable non-ionic surfactants form bio-ethanol. Regional Analysis: Geographically, Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Non-Ionic Surfactants Market growth. Increasing per capita income of the growing middle class especially in household, and personal care industry is reason to drive the non-ionic surfactants market in this region. Upgraded lifestyle, increasing cost of living and rising population have fostered the adoption of surfactants in various industries, such as personal care, soaps & detergents, and pharmaceutical industry; therefore, boosting the growth of the this industry. North America holds the second position for non-ionic surfactants market and is another profitable market in terms of value and volume after APAC. UK, Canada, and United Mexican States led the demand for non-ionic surfactants in this region. Browse Full Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/non-ionic-surfactants-market-3837 Related: Chemicals And Materials Market Research Report Click for Reports Infographics Click for Videos BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 Trend: The Armenian government decided to extend restrictions set on the border with Iran for two more weeks due to an outbreak of coronavirus, Armenian Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan said on his Facebook page, Trend reports referring to the Armenian media. The Armenian authorities closed border with Iran on February 24 and also partially limited air communication due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the message said. Moreover, the leadership of the country decided to temporarily restore the visa regime with Iran on March 2. "Taking into account the outbreak of coronavirus in Iran, a decision was made to extend the restrictions for two more weeks until March 24," the minister added. The decision was made following a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which was held on March 2, Torosyan added. The decision will be made public on March 3 and will enter into force on March 4. The first case of coronavirus was registered in Armenia on March 1. Twenty-nine-year-old Armenian citizen who arrived from Iran has been infected. His wife underwent medical check-up and the results returned negative. Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 1,500 people have been infected, 66 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. The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. The sudden, unfortunate outbreak of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) beginning in China has caught the world by surprise. It has not only created a medical emergency but also triggered an alarming explosion of Sinophobia and racism, especially in the West. The usage of racist headlines such as "Chinese virus panda-monium" and "China kids stay home" in the reports by Western media related to the virus seem to have become normal. All kinds of misleading theories from Chinese people eating wild animals to labeling them as being the virus themselves has become a routine all over social media. Such a massive flow of biased and flawed information from both social networking platforms and mainstream media has led to a drastic upsurge in groundless prejudice and, in some cases, even violence against the people of China and other East Asian nations. Such a stigma isn't new. However, the outbreak of this virus, coupled with a plethora of misinformation and growing fear of infection, has made matters worse. The current climate of discrimination and intolerance in some parts of the world is a stark contrast of what is required in such times. While the struggle against this dangerous virus continues, the least we can do is to try not to succumb to this fear of COVID-19 and remember our moral responsibility as humans. Despite some negative instances, many people from around the world are still showing their solidarity with China. A lot of people have conveyed their support to the Chinese people in videos online, and many countries across the world have provided practical aid. It is noteworthy that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has made "ambitious, agile and aggressive" efforts, according to WHO, to contain the disease, such as building new temporary hospitals, universal body temperature monitoring and masking. Moreover, it is the Chinese people's collective action and deep commitment that has made such strict measures possible. Due to such a fighting spirit shown by its people and its steadfast counteracting systems, there has been a gradual decline in the number of newly-confirmed cases along with the further improvement in the rate of recovery. Despite some positive news, the situation of the COVID-19 is still far from getting over, especially with the expanding number of cases in Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran in particular. While we are racing against time to contain the virus, discrimination, misinformation, and racism can only create a much deeper divide among people, thereby causing more harm than good to humanity. Times are hard and uncertainty grips the world, as the development of the first vaccine to prevent this menacing virus is still months away. Therefore, in the period such as this, it becomes all the more imperative for the international community to get rid of prejudice and take immediate joint actions to contain the virus, so that everyone can come out of this difficult situation together. Rachana Gupta is a blogger, poet and freelance content writer. She is also the author of the book "To The Horizon We Indeed Sail". Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people not to panic as six people in India were confirmed to be infected by coronavirus, including an Italian couple in Rajasthan, while the government banned visitors from four countries hit by the potentially deadly virus. Two private schools in Noida were shut for next few days after father of one of their students tested positive, while several people, including his family members, were quarantined or kept in isolation as authorities stepped up prevention efforts. Officials said the sample of an Italian tourist in Jaipur which was sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, was found to be positive after the first two tests gave contradictory results. With this, six cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country so far. Three of the patients have recovered. The 69-year-old Italian's wife also tested positive for the virus on Tuesday but her samples are being sent to Pune for another test. The couple has been kept in isolation at the Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital. Twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators, who were in the same group as the couple, have been sent to an ITBP quarantine facility in Delhi on Tuesday for suspected coronavirus exposure, official sources said. As concerns over the spread of the virus mounted after two more persons tested positive on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an extensive review on the preparedness. He urged the people not to panic and instead take basic protective measures. Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar in Delhi, who had travelled to Italy recently and tested positive on Monday, was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. One of the schools in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi, where the Delhi man's son is a primary class student, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6, while the other said it will be closed till Saturday. The board exams are not affected, the messages sent by the schools to the parents made clear. It came to light that the man had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fears that those who attended it including some students and his relatives might be at risk. Samples from six people from Noida, including three children, have been taken to check if anyone has been infected, Noida's Chief Medical Officer Anurag Bhargava said. Fumigation was underway in both the schools and a Health Department team led by Noida's chief medical officer visited the site, an official said. While some family members of the man, an accountant and others who came in contact with him were asked to remain quarantined at their homes in Delhi and Agra, six others from Agra with "high-viral load" have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples sent to NIV, Pune, officials said. Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, the Health Ministry said in a statement. In a statement, the Uttar Pradesh government said that two Agra residents, who had come in contact with the Delhi man, were found to be having symptoms of Coronavirus. "As many as 23 contacts were identified, and report of 13 persons were obtained. Of these 6 persons are suspected to be infected by Corona, and the samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune. All the six suspected patients have been admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. The result of 10 samples sent to NCDC, Delhi is awaited," it said. Hotels and the authorities at tourist sites in Agra have been told to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Vats told PTI. The other patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 infection on Monday, a 24-year-old techie, is admitted in Hyderabad and had recently travelled to Dubai and Bengaluru. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said that a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had come in contact with the software engineer. The software engineer had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus, Telangana health minister E Rajender told reporters in Hyderabad. The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, who have not yet entered India, stand suspended in view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease. On February 4, India had cancelled the existing visas for Chinese nationals and foreigners who had visited the neighbouring country in the preceding two-week period, following the outbreak of Coronavirus which has now spread to over 60 countries and claimed over 3,100 lives. Over 90,000 have been infected. Visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals, who have not yet entered India, have also been suspended. The Ministry also said diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory. "Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to health officials and immigration officials at all ports. "Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry," it said. The ministry said that all previous advisories stand superseded in view of the fresh instructions. It asked all Indian citizens to refrain from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and asked them to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. The Civil Aviation Ministry too conducted a meeting with all airports to review and update guidelines. The DGCA asked airlines and airports to take specific measures such as providing protective gears like surgical masks and gloves to crew members and passengers and having multiple hand sanitising points in terminals. It also stated that airports and airlines must ensure that each aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy is subjected to disinfection process before the boarding begins for the next flight on the plane. The government has asked people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," the prime minister said in a tweet. "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," he said while sharing a health ministry post. Meanwhile in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh resident who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Agarwal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syria has lashed out at Turkey and condemned its plans and action in northwestern Syria and reaffirmed it commitment to end their occupation reports SANA. A Foreign and Expatriates Ministry official source affirmed that the Syrian Arab Republic expresses its strong condemnation and categorical rejection of the brutal Turkish aggression against Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity. They stated that Turkeys actions crown the hostile behavior of Erdogans regime and its unlimited support to the terrorist organizations that have shed the blood of the Syrians and left destruction and sabotage behind them, as they implement his agendas and the expansionist ambitions and illusions of Erdogans ill imagination of reviving the defunct empire. They added that Erdogan is seeking an escape from the internal crises which have resulted from Erdogans wrong internal and foreign policies. The source added that this aggression shows again that Erdogans regime lacks the minimum credibility through its violation of the Astana process and Sochi understandings, and its determination to remain in a one trench with the terrorist organizations. Turkey proves what Syria has consistently asserted, that Erdogans regime is ineligible to be one of the guarantors of Astana process. The source said that the Syrian Arab Republic, which has combated terrorist organizations and is still doing and have inflicted humiliating defeats on them, affirms its intention and determination to confront the outrageous Turkish aggression with all firmness and to put an end to all Turkish interventions. The Syrian Republic will preserve Syrias unity and territorial integrity, and that this aggression is doomed to failure, especially with regards to the revival and rescue of the collapsing terrorist groups. The source added that based on Syrias keenness of the security and stability in the region and around the world, it calls upon the international community to condemn the Turkish aggression, which constitutes a blatant violation of international law, and to put an end to the acts of Erdogans regime and the danger its spread in the region and the world. The source highlighted the transferring of terrorists to Libya and using the suffering of the Syrians to blackmail the European states by allowing waves of the displaced to head for Europe, which constitutes a serious threat to international security, peace and stability. 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. Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum spoiler alert: Rohit was suffering from the effect of the super virus and Sonakshi was the last option to save him. For that Veena releases Sonakshi but Nishi plots something serious to kill Rohit. Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum spoiler alert: In the last episode we have seen that Rohit urges Veena to bring back Sonakshi because her blood was unique and she was the only one who could save Rohit and other affected patients from a super virus. Veena then urged Nishi to bring back Sonakshi so that Rohits life could be saved. In the upcoming episode, you will watch how Nishi put a condition in front of Sonakshi to release her. She said that Sonakshi has to be rude and insensitive in front of the Sippy family. She has to prove that she doesnt love Rohit anymore and doesnt care about the Sippy family. Sonakshi did the same and after coming back into the hospital she said that she is donating her blood and taking the risk of life for the other patients not for Rohit Sippy. She also said that if she will die due to this experiment Sippy family have to pay compensation to Sonakshis family. Now Sonakshi has been taken into the surgery room where the nurse has injected the super virus inside her body. The procedure was too risky so Sonakshi decided to go to Rohit before the surgery but the twist came when Nishi allowed the doctors to give Sonakshis blood antidote to all the patients. But she did not let Rohit to take the antidote she tried to kill Rohit and make sure that Rohit will not get the antidote. Now it will be interesting to see that how Sonakshi will save Rohit or this is the end of Rohits life. For all the latest Entertainment News, download NewsX App The Sussexes have once again set foot in the UK for their final round of engagements before officially leaving the royal family. One of Prince Harry's final engagements was the launch of an eco-friendly travel company in Scotland, where the Duke of Sussex preferred to be called "Harry." Next to this was the much-awaited performance duet with rock legend, Jon Bon Jovi for this year's Invictus Games. The duo sang Bon Jovi's 2019 single "Unbroken" in aid of the foundation created by Harry to cater to wounded servicemen, women, and veterans. And as for Meghan Markle, it was confirmed that she will join Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William, and Kate, along with other members of the British firm for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9. This is the first time that the "Fab Four" will reunite publicly after the controversial "Megxit." Queen Elizabeth Disappointed as the Sussexes Left Archie in Canada However, as reported by the Sunday Times, the Sussexes have decided not to bring their 10-month old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor as they return to the British monarchy. With that said, the 93-year old Queen and Prince Philip were disappointed and felt 'very sad' by the news, since they have only seen their grandson twice after he was born. Archie was said to be taken care of the Sussexes' nanny, and with Meghan's friend Jessica Mulroney in Vancouver, Canada. Security Issues Moreover, per the news outlet, The Sun, this will cost an additional 50,000 or about $64,000 to the royal couple's security bill consisting of six royal protection officers. A royal insider also mentioned that: "Meghan's London jaunt is proving a real headache. It's an expensive time just when the costs of looking after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are under scrutiny." Earlier this week, the Canadian police announced that they will stop providing security assistance to the couple once they officially stepped down as senior members of the royal family. British Host Slams Meghan for Leaving Archie Adding up to the royal security issue, Good Morning Britain presenter, Piers Morgan slammed both Meghan and Prince Harry for leaving their son in Canada. Morgan asked his co-star Susanna Reid and whether it is acceptable to leave Archie alone. "Susanna and Charlotte, on this issue of if Archie doesn't come on this trip - and we don't know for sure, maybe he will come - if he doesn't come... isn't it a bit odd?" He then continued: "I mean, I've had four kids and the rule was always both parents wouldn't be out of the country at the same time when my kids were that young. I'm very surprised." While the talk show hosts lashed out the couple for their 'odd' decision, viewers took to social media their support for the Sussex. "I think it's smart that Meghan and Harry keep their baby safe with all the coronavirus knocking about! Wouldn't any responsible parent do that?!" @petttylabelle wrote. Another user points out that Morgan is using Archie to criticize the Duchess. READ MORE: Chris Pratt Makes Hilarious Attempt to Reach 28 Million IG Followers [WATCH] By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday said the government should give up its "obduracy" to allow a debate in both Houses over the Delhi riots, saying the "silence of Parliament" on the matter will be a poor reflection on the world's largest democracy. Congress' senior spokesperson Anand Sharma also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a veiled dig at his predecessor Manmohan Singh. Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi said attempts were being made to create a controversy around the slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' (Hail Mother India) in the same way objections were raised about 'Vande Mataram' after the freedom struggle. ALSO READ: Centre ready to hold discussion on Delhi riots after Holi, says Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla At a recent event, Singh had said the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' was being misused to construct a "militant and purely emotional" idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens. Sharma said it was "unfortunate" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take Singh's remarks in the right spirit. "Instead of being sarcastic, he should understand that Dr Manmohan Singh is known for his humility and wisdom. Bharat Mata belongs to all those who live in this country. "The slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' or the tricolour have to be held in high respect and not to be used for polarisation, division and violence," he told reporters outside Parliament. The deputy leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha said Congress leaders have requested Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and the government to immediately start a discussion on the riots in Delhi. ALSO READ: At least 185 students protesting against CAA detained while going to Delhi's Ramlila Maidan "There is a need for Parliament not only to discuss (Delhi riots) but also to fix accountability, that is exactly what Parliamentary democracy is all about," Sharma said. "The government should give up its obduracy, its rigidity, and in the larger interest of Indian democracy and respect the institution of Indian Parliament by accepting discussion on the issue," he said. It is time to send a message to the people in Delhi and citizens across the country that Parliament, irrespective of parties, is collectively concerned and jointly condemns what has happened in the national capital, Sharma said. "Silence of Indian Parliament does not auger well and will be a poor reflection on the largest democracy in this world," he said. Sharma also expressed concern over friendly countries conveying their concerns over the violence in Delhi. "India's Parliament debating and sending a message will be in the country's interest in today's situation," he said. Proceedings of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were disrupted for the second consecutive day on Tuesday amid uproar over the issue of Delhi violence as Opposition members sought an immediate discussion on the matter. Soon you wont have to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art to see artwork by Carmen Herrera. By the end of May, one of her abstract paintings will be visible from Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive in Upper Manhattan. Publicolor, an arts and education nonprofit, announced on Tuesday that its students will create a large outdoor mural designed by Ms. Herrera at Manhattan East School for Arts and Academics, a middle school in East Harlem. The whole idea is to bring the power of visual beauty to neighborhoods where there is very little and where parents are just not taking their kids to museums, said Ruth Lande Shuman, the founder of Publicolor. The mural, which will be titled Uno Dos Tres, is an adaptation of Diagonal, a painting by Ms. Herrera from 1987. The design, Ms. Herrera said in a statement, is a variation on a theme, not a re-creation of her earlier work. The new piece takes into account the specific features of the murals site and its location near the highway. It needed something strong and bold and different to compete with all the visual noise, she said. The artefacts included statue heads of the deity Amun and King Ramesses III Egypt has thwarted an attempt to smuggle artefacts hidden in parcels in a number of the countrys ports, a statement issued by the countrys tourism and antiquities ministry said on Monday. The Egyptian customs authority confiscated 16 parcels containing a set of possible antiquities, replicas and moulds used to cast these replicas with the purpose of exporting them abroad. An ad-hoc committee made of archaeology experts was formed specifically to inspect the parcels contents, the secretary-general of Egypts Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri said. The committee found a collection of statue heads of individuals, kings and deities made of granite, basalt, and limestone dating back to different periods of ancient Egyptian history. The artefacts included statue heads of the deity Amun and King Ramesses III, as well as part of a colourful head from a royal statue that was likely broken off during excavation. The parcels also included four copper pieces ornamented with floral decorations and Arabic handwriting dating back to the Islamic age, as well as a plethora of ancient beads and faience amulets, Waziri added. Search Keywords: Short link: Snow and ice could cause problems The road has been closed. Follow the latest updates from our travel feed below The Dobbin Road in Armagh has been reopend folowing an earlier crash. Diversions are in place and traffic is being diverted onto the Vicarage Road, delays are expected. Our live updates from across Northern Ireland are compiled by @TrafficwatchNI, @BBCNITravel and @PSNITraffic. A doctor treats a patient infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province, on Feb. 24, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) China Performs First Lung Transplant on Coronavirus Patient, Raising Concerns About Source of Organs With support from government authorities, a Chinese surgeon recently conducted lung transplant surgery for a patient who was infected with the novel coronavirus. Chinese media reports said the pair of lungs was a voluntary donation from a person who died. Ethics and virology experts questioned whether the treatment would be effective and raised concerns that the surgery could have involved forced organ harvesting. In a June 2019 judgment, an independent peoples tribunal in London unanimously concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that prisoners of conscience in China had beenand continue to bekilled for their organs on a significant scale. Lung Transplants Beijings government-run newspaper Beijing Daily reported on March 1 that top Chinese lung transplant specialist Chen Jingyu spent five hours and completed the first lung transplant operation for a virus patient in Wuxi city, located in eastern Chinas Jiangsu Province. The patient was a 59-year-old man who began to exhibit symptoms on Jan. 23. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Jan. 27. Days later on Feb. 7, he received a medical procedure to insert tubes into his airways. The patients situation continued to deteriorate. On Feb. 22, he began receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment. ECMO involves using equipment outside the human body to replace the function of the lungs. It uses a pump to circulate blood through an artificial lung and into the patients body. On Feb. 24, the patient was transferred to the Wuxi Infectious Disease Hospital. After the [ECMO] treatment, the coronavirus diagnostic test kits continually came back negative. But the patients lungs were seriously damaged and could not be repaired, the newspaper reported. Regarding the source of the organ for transplant, it said, The lungs were donated from a brain-dead patient. The lungs were shipped to Wuxi from another province via a seven-hour high-speed train. Chen is deputy director of the Wuxi Infectious Disease Hospital. He told the Beijing Daily reporter: The operation is very risky. Medical staff must wear protective suits, and perform the surgery in a negative air pressure operating room. Chen himself could not confirm that the patient was free of the novel coronavirus. On March 1, Chen told another state-run media outlet The Paper: The negative result of the nucleic acid test doesnt mean that theres no coronavirus in his lungs. So we took strict precautions when we performed the operation. Chen said he would propose to the central government setting up a team to perform lung transplant operations on relatively young COVID-19 patients in critical condition, such as patients in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Chinese state-run media announced on March 2 that a second lung transplant operation was performed for a COVID-19 patient at the First Affiliated Hospital of the College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, on March 1. The patient was a 66-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Jan. 31 and had been receiving treatment at the hospital since Feb. 2, according to news reports. This patient also underwent ECMO treatment, but on March 1, both of her lungs failed. The news report said the transplanted organ came from Hunan Province and was transported by airplane. The donor was reported to have been a brain-dead patient. Han Weili, director of the hospitals lung transplant department, performed the operation. Media reports havent elaborated on the current conditions of the two transplant patients. Questions Chen said that transplant operations could be a solution for other COVID-19 patients whose lungs are severely damaged and whose diagnostic test results turn up negative. But Sean Lin, a former virology researcher for the U.S. Army, said a transplant is unlikely to help treat such virus patients, as their seriously ill condition indicates that they still have the virus. Doing this [transplant surgery] is completely blasphemous, Lin told The Epoch Times in a phone interview. From the progression of the treatments this [first lung transplant] patient received, its clear that his lungs, respiratory tract, and his body is full of the novel coronavirus, Lin said, noting that the patient was transferred to an infectious disease hospital after his condition worsened, suggesting that the viral infection was serious. Dr. Torsten Trey, executive director of the Washington-based advocacy group, Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting, said doing a lung transplant is an unprecedented approach to treating COVID-19. [A] lung transplant can only be considered as an option if the virus infection left scarring and permanent damage in the lung tissue, he said in an email interview, noting that current research on COVID-19 patients has found the damage to be not as severe. And as Chen said, it cannot be ruled out that the virus is still in the patients body. Thus, transplanting a lung while the virus is still in the body would not solve the problem, as the virus would reinfect the new lung in short time, said Trey. After transplant surgery, the body is struggling against rejection of the new organ. Doctors usually provide immunosuppressive therapy to prevent the rejection from happening. At that time, there is a high risk that the infection exacerbates, Trey said. Meanwhile, Lin noted that the operation also brings a high infection risk to medical staff performing the surgeryas evidenced by Chens explanation of precautionary measures they took. The effectiveness of diagnostic kits has been called into question by top Chinese experts, who said some patients who have the virus have been receiving negative test results. Source of the Organs Though Chinese media reports claimed that the lungs for both transplant surgeries came from donors, experts who have investigated the Chinese regimes organ harvesting practices raised the alarm about the organs provenance. There is certainly the possibility that the organs used for the lung transplants were forcibly harvested from prisoners. This risk increases whenever there is an on-demand scenario where donor organs are swiftly delivered, said Trey. For over a decade, researchers have collected mounting evidence that the regime is killing prisoners of conscience, most of whom are practitioners of the persecuted spiritual group Falun Gong, for their organs and selling them in the transplant market. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice consisting of meditative exercises and teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese regime has heavily suppressed the practice since 1999. Adherents are subject to arbitrary detention, forced labor, and torture. Thousands have died in custody, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center. Chen also said in The Paper interview that he and his team at the hospital typically perform a lung transplant every two to three days. That kind of turnaround is extremely unusual in the West, said Trey. This is a scale that some active experts reach over their lifetime. David Kilgour, former Canadian secretary of state for Asia-Pacific and a longtime researcher on the subject of forced organ harvesting, told The Epoch Times he would be very surprised if the organ donors for those two transplants were genuine consenting donors. He added that independent observers should go into China to examine exactly what happened during the recent procedures. Ethan Gutmann, a China expert who has co-authored reports with Kilgour on the subject, suggested that the state medias publicization of these lung transplants was akin to a public relations exercise. These lung transplants done in record time suggests that they are open for business, Gutmann said, noting that Chinas lucrative transplant industry would have taken a hit since the outbreak began. Im reading the announcements as an ad. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan commented on the statement of Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu over the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Armenpress presents the MFA spokeswomans comment on the question over the meeting of the Turkish FM with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Question: Yesterday Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. How do you assess Turkeys involvement in the NK peaceful settlement process? Answer: The Armenian foreign minister already gave a respective response. Let us add that Turkey, with its unfriendly policy towards Armenia and its people which in the context of the NK conflict is also expressed with providing a unilateral military-political support to Azerbaijan, cannot play any role in the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:01:42|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Staff register for a worker at a construction site in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 3, 2020. Construction workers here have come back to work thanks to chartered buses offered by the construction companies. These workers received temperature monitoring and disinfection before they returned to their posts. (Xinhua/Chen Bin) Ministers travelling abroad as part of scaled back St Patricks Day visits this year have been banned from flying first class, hiring limousines, or using hotel suites. The cull in the annual exodus of ministers to far-flung locations comes as other countries battle to prevent the spread of coronavirus and as the outgoing Government prepares for opposition. In all, Cabinet members will travel to 10 locations, most in the US, for the annual St Patricks Day celebrations. Tanaiste Simon Coveney this year has ordered that ministers must not avail of costly facilities amid a clampdown on luxury spends which the taxpayer traditionally foots. Costs for trips, including flights and hotels, must be kept to a minimum. There has been a ban on first-class flights, hotel suites, and the hiring of limousines. Acting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar along with eight ministers will represent Ireland abroad for the national holiday. Mr Varadkar will lead a mission that will include the annual bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump in the White House. Mr Coveney is set to travel to New York. Other ministers visiting the US include Business Minister Heather Humphreys, going to Sacramento; Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, travelling to Chicago; Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring, visiting Boston, and defence minister Paul Kehoe, going to Savannah. Attorney General Seamus Wolfe will also travel to New York. Elsewhere, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will visit Paris and Brussels while Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will go to Berlin. Education Minister Joe McHugh had been due to travel to Canada for the annual celebrations but both he and Health Minister Simon Harris will remain at home amid efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Cabinet agreed the locations based on the fact that the destinations being of indisputable and immediate value to Irelands interests and having as those regions have a significant diaspora community. Some of the key messages that ministers have been asked to deliver while visiting other countries for the St Patricks Day festivities include are that Ireland remains a dedicated member of the EU and that the country is working towards a close trading relationship with the UK post-Brexit. They also have been asked to promote the countrys economy and global visibility. Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar announced efforts to help communities affected by recent flooding. Some 1bn had already been agreed under the national development plan, he said, while Mr Creed and others were assessing how farmers could be helped with more resources. Hundreds of flood schemes are under way, said Mr Varadkar, while dozens of home owners impacted by previous floods had been offered works as well as new places to live. Some 6.7m is also being set aside for Met Eireann as it prepares to work with forecasters from other EU countries to help to improve short-range weather predictions. Russian strikes kill 12 more civilians in Idlib According to the local sources, four children were among twelve fatalities in rocket attacks hitting Idlib. At least 12 civilians were killed when the Assad regime and Russian assaults targeted Idlib, a de-escalation zone in northern Syria, local sources said on Tuesday. IDLIB CITY CENTER WAS TARGETED Russian and regime fighter jets hit Idlib city center, Binnish town and Sahil Roj region, the White Helmets, a civil defense agency, said. In recent months, nearly 1.7 million Syrians have moved near the Turkish border due to intense attacks by forces of the Assad regime and its allies. On Sunday, Turkey announced a new offensive, Operation Spring Shield, in northwestern Syria to protect civilians from regime attacks. It came after at least 34 Turkish soldiers were martyred and dozens injured in a regime airstrike in Idlib on Feb. 27. The Supreme Court has dismissed the application by Emeka Ihedioha for the review of its 14 January judgment that ousted him as governor of Imo State. The judgment was handed down in Abuja on Tuesday, by the review panel headed by Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad, with one Justice Chima Centus Nwese dissenting. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola read the majority judgment and dismissed the application for lacking merit. The judgement of the Supreme Court is a finality, he said. But no costs was awarded, unlike the Bayelsa case where lawyers to the APC and David Lyon were slammed with N60m cost to be paid to the defendants. Ihedioha and the PDP had asked the justices to review their judgment on the Imo governorship election which ousted Ihedioha and installed Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress. The appellants claimed that the judgment was obtained by fraud and urged the seven-man panel headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammed to review the verdict in their favour. Lawyer to Mr. Ihedioha, Chief Kanu Agabi, in his argument, claimed that fraud was evident in the judgment, as the appellant, Hope Uzodinma, claimed he was excluded from 388 polling units but tendered results from only 366 polling units He argued that the addition of votes from 388 polling units in favour of Senator Uzodinma exceeded the total number of accredited voters by 129,000 votes. Countering the argument, Damian Dodo, lawyer to Governor Hope Uzodinma said the application to revisit, review or set aside the judgment of the court is an incompetent one lacking in merit. He argued that the apex court lacks the jurisdiction to sit on appeal over any judgment delivered by the court except where cases of typographical errors or slips are noticed in the said judgment. In this case, no such errors have been established, he said. Mr Damian Dodo added that the appellant approached the apex court in the face of compelling evidence that Senator Hope Uzodinma won the election, and therefore asked the court to dismiss the application. In the March 3 episode of In The News podcast, host Anvita Bansal gets in conversation with Atharva Pandit, Shraddha Sharma, and Ruchira Kondepudi to find out the top news of the day. Pandit starts with details on the meeting between Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and PM Narendra Modi to discuss the Delhi violence and follows it up with reasons behind PM Modi's latest cyptic tweet on his plans to go off social media. Sharma then takes over to give a quick roundup on Coronavirus in India. Kondepudi closes the discussion with latest details on Yes Bank's search for foreign investors, and Vodafone Idea's pending dues to the government. Indonesias Mount Merapi volcano erupted on the morning of March 3, sending a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) column of ash into the air and triggering the closure of the airport in the nearby city of Solo on the densely populated Java island, authorities said. The volcano, located near the cities of Yogyakarta and Solo, is one of Indonesias most active volcanoes and a series of eruptions in 2010 killed more than 350 people. Indonesias Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation issued a red alert and said the ash cloud was moving north. The international airport in Solo had been temporarily shut since 9:25 a.m. local time, Indonesias Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said. Four flights had been affected. The local disaster mitigation agency warned people to keep out of a 3-kilometer exclusion zone around Merapi. Outside a 3-kilometer radius its still safe, Biwara Yuswantana, the head of Yogyakartas disaster mitigation agency, told Reuters. The city is located about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the volcano. The latest eruption, part of a series that started in 2018, sent up a column of ash that affected several neighboring areas, the countrys Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center said in a statement. It said the eruption lasted almost 8 minutes and warned of a risk of further eruptions due to continuing movements of magma. The 2,930-meter (9,612.86-foot) volcano is a popular site for tourists and its fertile soil is also farmed. By Stanley Widianto and Bernadette Christina Thousands of migrants are searching for ways to cross Greeces land border days after Turkey declared its frontiers with Europe open. Many of those hoping to enter Greece were wading or rowing across the Evros River that runs along most of the length of the Turkish border. Turkey declared its borders with Europe open in an attempt to force the European Union into helping it handle the growing fallout from Syrias civil war. Greek authorities said they thwarted an attempt by about 1,000 people overnight to make their way across the Evros wetland area, at the southern end of the border. Greek police detain a migrant in the Evros region (AP/Giannis Papanikos) They said that in the 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday morning, they had prevented a total of 5,183 people from entering Greece, and arrested 45 people, mostly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco and Bangladesh. Greece has made clear its borders are shut. It has sent military and police reinforcements to the area, which have used tear gas and water cannon to repel mass attempts by migrants to cross into the country. Authorities have also set up cordons of police and army checks on and near the border, arresting those who managed to make it through. On Tuesday morning, two men one from Mali and one from Afghanistan were seen being arrested by Greek authorities shortly after crossing the border, and being loaded into a van with about 20 more people, from Somalia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Iraq. Turkey announced last week it was easing restrictions on those wishing to cross into Europe, leading a wave of migrants to mass along its western frontier. The vast majority appeared to be Afghans, along with people from a wide variety of countries, including Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh and Syria. Thousands of migrants have massed at the Turkish-Greek border (AP/Giannis Papanikos) Turkeys announcement upended its previous policy of containing refugees and other migrants under an agreement with the European Union. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has demanded more support from Europe. He says his country is facing an imminent and dramatic new influx of refugees from the war in Syria, where growing clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops has raised alarm. Migrants have also been trying to reach Greece by making the short but often perilous sea crossing to islands from the nearby Turkish coast. A young boy died on Monday after the dinghy he was in capsized off the coast of the island of Lesbos. The other 47 people in the boat were rescued. On Monday night, Greek authorities said they had stopped more than 24,000 attempted illegal crossings at the land border with Turkey since early on Saturday, and arrested 183 people very few of whom were Syrians. (CNN) -- Climate change poses an existential threat to the world's sandy beaches, and that as many as half of them could disappear by the end of the century, a new study has found. Even by 2050 some coastlines could be unrecognizable from what we see today, with 14% to 15% facing severe erosion. While the amount of beach lost will vary by location, the study found that many densely populated areas -- including those along the US East Coast, South Asia and Central Europe -- could see some shorelines retreat inland by nearly 330 feet (100 meters) by 2100. "We considered the threshold of 100 meters because if erosion exceeds 100 meters, then this means that most likely, the beach is going to disappear because most of the world's beaches are even narrower than 100 meters," said Michalis Vousdoukas, a coastal oceanographer and scientific officer at the European Commission who was a lead author of the study. "In a way, we consider this to be a conservative assessment." The study was published Monday in the scientific Journal Nature Climate Change and was conducted by scientists from the European Commission's Joint Research Center, as well as universities in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Using updated sea level rise projections, the researchers analyzed how beaches around the world would fare in a future with higher seas and more damaging storms. They also considered natural processes like wave erosion and a beach's underlying geology, as well as human factors -- like coastal building developments, dams and beach nourishment efforts -- all of which can affect a beach's health. The study found that sea level rise is expected to outweigh these other variables, and that the more heat-trapping gases humans put into the atmosphere, the worse the impacts on the world's beaches are likely to be. It's hard to overstate just how important the world's beaches are. They cover more than one third of the world's coastlines, and serve as a critical buffer to protect coastal areas from storm surge. Beaches are also important economic engines, supporting recreation, tourism and other activities. And in some regions, the beach is more than just a vacation destination. In places like Brazil and Australia, life near the coast revolves around the beach for much of the year. "There are large parts of the world where sandy beaches have value that cannot be directly monetized," Vousdoukas said. Some of the world's most popular stretches of sand are already waging a war against physics. Normally, beaches are dynamic environments. Shorelines are supposed to naturally shift and change with the tide and respond to changes in sea level. "The coast that we see today is just a snapshot in time," said Robert Young, the director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University and a coastal geologist who was not involved in this study. "Our beaches, our wetlands and estuaries, they move back and forth in response to the changing sea level and they have since time began." However, scientists say that when we develop near the water, we disrupt a beach's ability to move and halt the natural processes that allow sand to replenish on its own. Today, many of the beaches facing the worst erosion problems are located in urbanized areas, where high-rises and roads butt right up against the shoreline. Places like Miami Beach are trucking in thousands of tons of sand to patch up badly eroded shorelines, while others have built massive sea walls and breakwaters in an attempt to hold precious sand in place. But the financial and environmental costs of these projects are enormous, and scientists say rising seas and more powerful storms, supercharged by a warmer climate, will make this a losing battle. "Right now, what we're trying to do everywhere is hold the shoreline in place. But over the next few decades, we are not going to be able to do that, even if we want to," Young said. The new study found that as sea levels continue to rise, more and more beaches will face erosion problems. The study found that Australia will likely see the most shoreline impacted, with at least 7,100 miles of coastline -- roughly 50% of the country's entire sandy coastline -- that could be threatened by 2100. Other countries that could see huge lengths of shoreline eroded are Chile, China, the United States, Russia, Mexico and Argentina. Vousdoukas said that small island states are also likely to suffer, especially those in the Caribbean because of their flat terrain. The researchers did find that humans have some control over what happens to the world's beaches. If the world's governments are able to stick to modest cuts to heat-trapping gas pollution, the researchers found that 17% of projected beach losses by 2050 could be prevented, a number that grows to 40% by 2100 if greenhouse gases are limited. "By trying to accomplish the Paris agreement goals, we can reduce 40% of the impacts that we project in our study," Vousdoukas said. Correction: The Nature Research press site originally distributed an incorrect version of this study, and two of those inaccurate findings were included in the original version of this story. The story has been updated with the correct percentage of beaches that could see severe erosion by 2050 and the correct percentage of projected beach losses that could be prevented through modest efforts to limit greenhouse gases. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Half of the world's beaches could disappear by the end of the century, study finds" A thermal camera monitor shows the body temperature of people at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Monday, March 2, 2020. AP U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that all airports in South Korea have begun coronavirus screenings on travelers taking direct flights to the United States. Pence said the screenings began "three hours ago" and involve multiple temperature checks on the passengers before they board. He spoke during a White House briefing to provide an update on the U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak. Italy, another country hit hard by the virus, will also begin screenings "within the next 12 hours," according to Pence. The precautionary measure for South Korea comes after the country reported 4,335 infections and 28 deaths as of Monday. Pence said President Donald Trump authorized the State Department on Saturday to raise the travel advisory for South Korea's hardest-hit city of Daegu to the highest level. Coronavirus fears now hitting Koreans in US Korea reports 600 new virus cases, total now at 4,812 Virus fatalities mostly elderly patients with underlying diseases "The American people should know that we are saying that they should not travel to certain sections of Italy or South Korea," he said. "Those advisories may expand, but we'll allow the caseload in those countries to define that." The rest of South Korea is currently under the second-highest travel advisory, which urges Americans to reconsider travel. Pence said the screening protocol will "ensure that anyone traveling on a direct flight to the United States of America receives multiple screenings at all airports in Italy and South Korea." "South Korea, actually, about three hours ago fully implemented the screening on all direct flights at all airports," he added. "And as I mentioned, within the next 12 hours or so, Italy will have implemented the same thing. It will be multiple temperature checks in the airports for people before they are boarding. And we're working very closely to assist them in implementing that." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jonathan Pincus (The Jakarta Post) Wed, March 4 2020 For Indonesias revolutionary leaders, public education was an essential building block of the nation. Universal access to schooling would forge a national identify from the archipelagos thousands of islands and hundreds of ethnic groups. The adoption of Indonesian as the language of instruction was an important milestone in the formation of a national culture, as fewer than 10 percent of the population spoke Indonesian as their mother tongue in 1945. The common experience of a national curriculum, school uniforms, flag-raising ceremonies and the commemoration of national milestones would awaken a national consciousness in the young generation, the first to grow up in a free and independent Indonesia. Under Dutch colonialism, most Indonesians had not had a chance to attend school. Good progress was made in the 1950s, as the new government doubled elementary school enrolment and sharply reduced the gender gap in school attendance. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login The International Atomic Energy Agency considers issuing a report to berate Iran for allegedly declining to provide access to the sites that are of interest to the UN nuclear watchdog, several diplomats said. In addition to a quarterly report, the agency plans to issue a separate report on the same day, calling Iran out for its lack of cooperation in general and its failure to provide access in particular. "The second report will be on Safeguards issues linked to sites that the IAEA did not get access to. We know of two cases, but we dont know whether the IAEA will put both in (the report)," Reuters cited a European diplomat as saying. The IAEA is seeking access to one or more sites mentioned in that trove, which Israel refers to as the atomic archive of information on Irans former nuclear weapons program. Bernie Sanders told Donald Trump Monday night to 'stay out of the Democratic primary' and do his job after the president accused Democrats of running a coup against the Vermont senator. 'President Trump, stay out of the Democratic primary. Why don't you do your job for a change as president. Stop lying. Stop running a corrupt administration. Pay attention to the American people, not just your own political aims,' Sanders said during an interview on CNN. 'You know what, I really wish that the president of the United States, might kind of spend his time doing his job. Maybe just maybe, he might want to worry about the coronavirus, he might want to worry about the stock market. He might worry about the 500,000 people in this country who are homeless or the massive level of income and wealth inequality that exists,' the senator said. Bernie Sanders told Donald Trump to 'stay out of the Democratic primary' President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea the Democratic primary is rigged against 'Crazy Bernie' President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea that the Democratic primary was being rigged against Sanders and in favor of Joe Biden. 'They are staging a coup against Bernie!' Trump tweeted Monday afternoon directly before he emerged from the West Wing to leave for a planned evening rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He elaborated further with the hoard of reporters awaiting his departure on the White House's South Lawn. President Trump floated again on Monday that the Democratic Party was trying to rig the primary against Bernie Sanders pointing to Amy Klobuchar's and Pete Buttigieg's decision to back Joe Biden President Trump tweeted Monday that the Democrats are 'staging a coup' against Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders holds the delegate lead in the Democratic Primary but lost to Joe Biden Saturday in South Carolina 'I think it's rigged against Bernie,' Trump said. Sanders brushed off the moderate candidates joining forces against him in the Democratic primary. 'It is no surprise they do not want me to become president because our administration will transform this country to create an economy and a government that works for all of the people not just the 1 per cent,' he told CNN's Anderson Cooper. 'It will not be the same old same old. But the other reason that I am running is to defeat Donald Trump. And the fact of the matter is if we want to defeat Donald Trump, we're going to need a campaign that has energy and excitement that can speak to working people, young people, people who have given up on the political establishment. All over the country. To defeat Donald Trump, we're going to have the highest voter turnout in the history of this country and I think our campaign is uniquely suited to be able to do that,' the Vermont senator said. Trump, who has dubbed Sanders with the 'crazy' moniker, has argued Sanders would be one of the toughest members of the Democratic field for him to beat. There is some thought out there that the president and his party wants to see Sanders emerge as the Democratic nominee because his liberal political philosophy would drive away voters in the general election. 'I actually think he would be tougher than most of the other candidates because he is like me but I have a much bigger base,' the president said last week during his state visit to India. Trump, in his comments about Sanders on Monday, was pointing to the fact that within 24 hours both Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropped out of the race and would announce their endorsements of Joe Biden Monday night in Dallas, Texas. The president suggested that Biden had dangled administration positions in front of the ex-rivals in order to garner their support. 'Probably they'll say, "Hey, look if I win, I'll put you in the administration,"' Trump said. 'That's called a quid pro quo, right?' the president mused. 'Quid. Pro. Quo.' Trump, himself, had been accused of a quid pro quo when he held up around $400 million in Congressionally authorized military aid to Ukraine as he pressured the country's president to announce an investigation into Biden and the former vice president's son Hunter, who had business dealings in the country. This was the accusation that the House of Representatives made in the first of two articles of impeachment that passed the House in December, making Trump the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. Trump survived a Senate trial last month. Trump has long floated that the Democratic Party has been trying to steal the nomination from Sanders, who currently leads the delegate count. Biden had been looking like a weak frontrunner for weeks as he came in fourth and then fifth place in Iowa and New Hampshire. Meanwhile Sanders received the most votes in Iowa - though Buttigieg bested him with delegates - and came in first place in New Hampshire, with Buttigieg directly behind him. In Nevada, Sanders proved he could win with Latinos, while Biden did better - coming in a distant second place to the democratic socialist. But in South Carolina things changed, with Biden's deep roots in the African-American community paying off, giving him a huge win over Sanders. Since then, Biden has received a flurry of endorsements from moderate Democrats including former Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former California Sen. Barbara Boxer - and then those coming from Buttigieg and Klobuchar. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Protesters dig into major mining convention, Mar. 2 What, pray tell, was the aim of the protesters at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference? They cant seriously be opposed to all mining; that would be like being opposed to the alphabet because its sometimes used for hate speech. An end to mining would be an end to the metals that all of us, including everyone at the PDAC rally, use in daily life, from the cellphones we carry to the aglets in our sneakers. We humans mined before we wrote. Indigenous people in the Americas were miners long before contact with Europeans. Its neither all good nor all bad. One would think that the protesters would support better mining, rather than agitating for an end to the metals we, and they, want and need. If they took time to learn about what PDAC does, they would discover that it invests considerable time and energy in making mining better for the world at large. Isnt that good, not protest-worthy? If their goal was simply to educate, their message would be better received if they learned a bit about mining before educating others about it. Trying to make the world a better place is laudable and noble; noble enough to warrant doing some homework, both about the issue and about the organization youre protesting. Donald Trump asked medical experts if coronavirus could be treated with a flu vaccine that already exists at a meeting with pharmaceutical executives on Monday. The Trump administration called the meeting to discuss early work for developing a vaccine for the virus, which has killed more the 3,000 people and infected nearly 90,000 worldwide. However, the president appeared to not understand basic information about how a vaccine is tested or produced and had to be repeatedly corrected by public health officials. When Leonard Schleifer, the CEO of biotechnology company Regeneron, noted that millions of people are vaccinated for the flu, Mr Trump interrupted and asked if the same vaccine could be used for coronavirus. You take a solid flu vaccine, you don't think that would have an impact, or much of an impact, on corona? he said. No probably none, Mr Schleifer replied. There is currently no vaccine for the new strain of coronavirus, officially known as Covid-2019, which was first identified in China in December. Although multiple organisations are working on developing vaccines for the virus, health officials have said it will take at least one year to develop an effective treatment. "In order to get a [coronavirus] vaccine that is practically deployable for people to use, it's going to be at least a year to a year and a half at best, Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said last week. There are currently 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 27 presumptive positive cases awaiting confirmation in the US, according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Officials announced yesterday that six people in the US have died from the virus so far. Later on Monday at a rally in North Carolina, Mr Trump also expressed his surprise at the fact that thousands of people die from flu every year in the US. Three or four weeks ago, I was sitting there and I said what do we lose with the regular flu?, they [health officials] said about 27,000 minimum', it goes up to 70, sometimes even 80, one year it went up to 100,000 people, Mr Trump told his supporters, as he recounted one of his meetings with health experts. I said nobody told me that, nobody knows that. So I actually told the pharmaceutical companies that they have to do a better job on that vaccine." Recent estimates by the CDC have shown between 12,000 - 61,000 deaths annually from influenza since 2010. Chuck Schumer, the Democrat Senate minority leader, accused Mr Trump on Monday of downplaying the threat posed by the coronavirus outbreak. Even now, President Trump seems to be spending more of his time blaming the media, and blaming the Democrats, than being constructive. In fact, he blames everyone not named Donald Trump, Mr Schumer said. We know the history of how these viruses spread and work. When you deny them, when you dont let people know whats happening and what to do about it, things get worse." Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio MANILA, Philippines Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who chairs the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) blasted the removal of Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab as head of the House Committee on Appropriations in the lower chambers major shake-up on Monday. In a statement on Tuesday, Duterte-Carpio said the HNP strongly condemns Ungabs removal from the key House post, calling it grossly unacceptable and disadvantageous to the reform agenda being pushed by the Duterte government. For HNP, the ouster of Ungab was grossly unacceptable as it is disadvantageous to the Duterte administrations reform agenda for the Filipino people and the country, she said. Also booted out from post is Oriental Mindoro Representative Paulino Salvador Doy Leachon as head of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said Ungab and Leachon were removed from their posts because they were more interested in funds and intrigues than working with him. The shake-up follows Cayetanos accusations against Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco of attempting to stage a coup to grab the top House post. Velasco has denied the allegation. Duterte-Carpio said Ungab is a good soldier of the President who did his job with pride and principle. She, however, denied any personal knowledge on the alleged coup attempt. Meanwhile, Leachon claimed that Cayetanos move was just a smokescreen of his alleged intention of not honoring the term-sharing agreement with Velasco as brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte. Youve been telling that there was a coup in order to, as I said it was a smokescreen para pagtaguan ang tunay na dahilan na gusto mo magtagal sa position para diridiretso ang enjoyment ng kasamahan or ikaw partikular ka sa iyong probinsya to the detriment of other members, he said. It can be recalled that in July 2019, Duterte brokered a 15-21 term-sharing deal between Cayetano and Velasco to settle the conflict in the then-House speakership race. Under the deal, Cayetano will serve the first 15 months while Velasco will serve the remaining 21 months of the three-year term. RRD (with details from Correspondent Vincent Arboleda) The post Sara Duterte hits allys grossly unacceptable ouster from key House post appeared first on UNTV News. India has come out strongly against UN High Commissioner for Human Rights after his office approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the hearing on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying there was a need to take into account the "international human rights law, norms and standards" in the proceedings. On Tuesday, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that no foreign party has any locus standi to intervene in its internal matters. "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values, he said. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he said. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," he said. AFP This came after India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that her office has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on the amended citizenship law, in response to queries. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has approached the Supreme Court The plea, filed on behalf of Michelle Bachelet Jeria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has sought to intervene as an amicus curiae (third party) in the matter by virtue of mandate to protect and promote human rights and to conduct necessary advocacy in that regard. The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) welcomed the "stated purpose of the CAA" to protect "some persons from persecution on religious grounds", but raised the issue of exclusion of various sects of persecuted Muslims under the law. REUTERS "The CAA can potentially benefit thousands of migrants in an irregular situation, including refugees, who might otherwise face obstacles in obtaining protection from persecution in their countries of origin including through the grant of citizenship. This is a commendable purpose," the plea said. It added however that there exist "religious minorities in these countries, especially of the Muslim faith, including Ahmadia, Hazara and Shia Muslims whose situations would warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by the CAA". The apex court had on December 18 last year sought response of the Centre on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of CAA. The OHCHR said the CAA raised important issues with respect to international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees. The CAA also raises other issues "including its compatibility in relation to the right to equality before the law and non discrimination on nationality grounds under India's human rights obligations", the plea said. BCCL Referring to several international covenants, it said India has "championed the right to equal protection of the law" and the right to equality before the law. "Without prejudice to the power of States to establish migration policies as a manifestation of their sovereignty, including measures in favour of migrants that may be subject to persecution and other serious human rights violations/ irreparable harm in their countries of origin or previous residence, States must ensure migration governance measures are in accordance with international human rights law, including the right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law ...," it said. It said the UN body seeks to "assist the Court, in examining the compatibility of the CAA with India's Constitution, in light of India's obligations under the international human rights law". The plea urged the top court to take into account the international human rights law, norms and standards, in the proceedings related to CAA and termed it "important" for India and its diverse communities which have been welcomed by the State. Referring to the 2011 census, the plea said India has a population of 5.87 million migrants from outside the country out of which over 50 per cent of them came from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. "Of those migrants, 6,600 were from Afghanistan, 2.3 million were from Bangladesh and 707,000 were from Pakistan. The 2011 census found that out of the 5.87 million migrants from outside the country, 475,910 had arrived in India between five and nine years prior to 2011," it said. "It is unclear from these figures, whether the migrants are irregular migrants, or what proportion of the migrants are of a religion not prescribed as benefitting from the provisions in the CAA. There are no reliable figures regarding actual migration to India, particularly in respect of irregular migration," it said. The plea said that all migrants regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or immigration status enjoy human rights and are entitled to protection. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 08:37:20|Editor: Liu Video Player Close BRUSSELS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) and Britain started the negotiations for a new partnership here on Monday. The talks began with a bilateral meeting between the chief negotiators, the EU's Michel Barnier and the UK's David Frost, according to the audiovisual service website of the European Commission. With around 100 British officials participating, the first round of negotiations will cover 11 areas including trade in goods and services, energy and transport, as the agenda showed on the UK government's website. "We approach these negotiations in a constructive spirit. We want to agree an ambitious and fair partnership. We will respect our prior joint commitments," said Barnier on Twitter. The first round of negotiations is set to last until Thursday. This job expired on 2 May 2020. - Joshua Garcia is undeniably one of the most adorable celebrities in the Philippines - His photos on social media always capture the eyes of many people including his fans - Recently, he uploaded some throwback photos of him that immediately went viral - Many netizens aired their unsolicited comments after seeing the post of the actor PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Joshua Garcia immediately caught the attention of netizens when he posted some throwback photos of him. KAMI learned that the much-talked-about pictures showed how cute the actor was when he was still a toddler. It was evident that the prominent Kapamilya celebrity is already handsome even when he was still a little man. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Many social media users could not help but express their admiration to Joshua after seeing his toddler photos. Here are some of the reactions: Magkamukha po kayo ni Gunhoo sa The Return of Superman. Cutie! Nakakagigil! Lahat ng photos, ang cute! Ang cute! Parang girl sya. Napa-cute naman niya. He looked like a girl. Cute ng baby! Hanggang ngayon cute pa din. In a previous article by , Julia Barretto frankly commented on Joshua being partnered with other leading ladies. Joshua Garcia is one of the most critically-acclaimed young actors in the Philippines. He starred in several drama series including Ngayon at Kailanman. POPULAR: Read more news about Joshua Garcia! Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Pinoy Confessions: Ano ang gagawin mo kung may katrabaho kang lapit nang lapit sayo kahit alam niyang may girlfriend ka at may asawa siya? Tara't tulungan natin ang ating sender. on HumanMeter! Source: KAMI.com.gh Just a few days ago, forecasting Super Tuesday state wins and delegate projections seemed straightforwardly doable. Bernie Sanders, coming off of a half-win in Iowa, followed by a narrow win in New Hampshire and a blowout win in Nevada, would build up a large, if not insurmountable, delegate lead on March 3, when 14 states hold primaries accounting for one-third of all pledged delegates in the primary season. He would do so on the strength of his comfortable lead in California, and by either winning other states or earning a healthy share of delegates across the board. His field of rivals, meanwhile, would only have splintered the opposition and cleared this path for him. Advertisement The case is so different today that it seems foolish to even speculate about how the day will play out, since news altering the shape of the race is breaking by the minute. Joe Bidens dominating performance in the South Carolina primary prompted three of the top six candidatesPete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyerto drop out within about 36 hours of each other. Two of those candidates, Buttigieg and Klobuchar, along with other top Democrats like former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, have endorsed Biden in an effort to consolidate the center-left of the party around him, and to stop Sanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though theres been some promising insta-polling for Biden since South Carolina, there wont be enough time for forecasters to capture the full extent of the past three days events in their models. That leads us to a very strange position heading into the most consequential day of the Democratic primary thus far: Well have to just watch results come in and see what happens, like its the 1950s or something. The horror! Advertisement Advertisement Two of the states that will be the least affected by sudden news breaks are the two largest: California (415 pledged delegates) and Texas (228). Vote-by-mail balloting began in California on Feb. 3, the same day as the Iowa caucuses, while Texas held an early voting period from Feb. 18 to 28. Somewhere north of 40 percent of Californians may have voted alreadyand some of them wish they could revote, which is definitely not allowedwhile over 1 million people had already voted in Texas 10 largest counties. The difficulty for Biden, here, is that during the majority of these days, his campaign had been left for dead, and no one likes voting for a dead loser. Advertisement That doesnt mean that all is naught for Biden in these states. The true doomsday scenario for Biden and other non-Bernies in California was that they wouldnt meet the 15 percent threshold to be viable for delegates, either statewide or in many of the congressional districts that award them. That could have led to Sanders, as the only candidate viable just about everywhere, earning a far higher percentage of delegates than his plurality percentage statewide. With Buttigieg, Steyer, and Klobuchar gone, Biden, Michael Bloomberg, and Elizabeth Warren are much more likely to pick up delegates, preventing Sanders from running away with too much of an advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential for Biden in Texas is much higher than simply constraining Sanders haul. Its not purely a coincidence of timing that Klobuchar and Buttigieg chose to endorse Biden at his rally in Dallas on Monday night. Though Sanders has maintained a polling lead, its narrowand narrowing. There are plenty of new, moderate Democratic voters in the suburbs of Dallas and Houston for whom a Stop Bernie, center-left consolidation might be just what they were looking for. Its a state that Biden could win, providing him a crown jewel of his own on the night to compete with Sanders expected win in California. Advertisement Advertisement Bidens remaining strong states are strewn throughout the South, where he hopes the overwhelming support he enjoyed among moderates and older black voters in South Carolina materializes again: Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Though, for the reasons stated above, its difficult to forecast these races with too much accuracy, we will be bold and predict that Sanders will win the Vermont primary, winning nearly all of its 16 delegates. The home-state principle does not, however, extend to predicting that Warren will comfortably win Massachusetts. Sanders opened a narrow polling lead on Warrens turf over the past couple of weeks, and went for a direct knockout blow to her campaign by hosting two rallies in Massachusetts late last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most that can be said for Warren and Massachusetts is that it looks like the only state she could plausibly win on Tuesday. Its also a state where anything could happen, what with everyone dropping out of the race the day before to endorse Joe Biden. The other home-state race, Minnesota, is no longer a home-state race given Klobuchars suspension of her campaign, but it had been a tight contest between Klobuchar and Sanders. The move, then, should clear the way for a Sanders victory therebut Biden could also pick up delegates where he had been previously locked out. Colorado, Maine, and Utah will also be three of Sanders strongest states. Advertisement There are two other big prizes on Tuesday: Virginia (99 pledged delegates) and North Carolina (112). These two had, before all of the Latest News Stuff (LNS), been showing three-way races between Sanders, Biden, and Bloombergas the tycoon ex-mayor makes his debut on actual ballots after weeks of extremely expensive publicity. If the LNS has the effect of consolidating the center-left around Biden, he would drain Bloombergs share of the vote down and help eliminate whats left of the megabillionaires rationale for staying in the race. Advertisement Advertisement And thats about all you can say! Sanders will win a whole bunch of delegates, Biden will win a whole bunch of delegates, and Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren will win some number of delegates. Dead candidates, like Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, might also win some delegates based on either early voting tallies or people who dont watch the news. Tulsi Gabbard, who is still in the race, will probably not win any delegates. The rest, though, is all unknown. It is unusual in 2020 that an elections happening, and we dont have fancy computer systems (all named Nate) to tell us where the chips will land. Enjoy watching the public answer the questions, by voting, as it happens. The total confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in India stood at six on Tuesday after an Italian tourist tested positive for the novel virus in Jaipur, and authorities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several state governments doubled down on facilities to treat patients and precautionary measures. The disease has now spread to over 60 countries and has claimed over 3,100 lives worldwide, PTI reported. The total confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in India stood at six on Tuesday after an Italian tourist tested positive for the novel virus in Jaipur, and authorities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several state governments doubled down on facilities to treat patients and precautionary measures. The disease has now spread to over 60 countries and has claimed over 3,100 lives worldwide, PTI reported. The report said that the sample of the Italian tourist, which was sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune, was found to be positive after the first two tests gave contradictory results. The 69-year-old man, part of a group of 20 tourists, is admitted at an isolation ward of the SMS Hospital. His wife also tested positive for the virus, PTI reported, however, the Rajasthan government said that her sample is being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for another test. Rajasthan health minister Dr Raghu Sharma on Tuesday instructed health officials to screen all those people who had come in contact with the Italian tourist who tested positive for coronavirus. Asking to step up vigil, the minister also asked officials to send a rapid response team of the Medical Education and Health Department to the places visited by the patient, along with 19 others from Italy. The team, including senior professors and epidemiologists, will inspect hotels and excursions in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mandawa (Jhunjhunu) and Jaisalmer. Meanwhile, the Centre on Tuesday extended the suspension of existing visas given to nationals from Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan on or before 3 March and who have not yet arrived in India. The move came a month after India cancelled the visas for Chinese nationals and those who had visited China in January, after the outbreak of the disease in December. Over 90,000 have been infected globally so far. As country records three new #COVID19 cases in two days, here are the symptoms one should watch out for: pic.twitter.com/V2zajZSes9 Firstpost (@firstpost) March 3, 2020 Two schools shut in Noida amid coronavirus scare Two private schools in Noida shut on Tuesday till 6 and 9 March, respectively, and several people, including family members of a Delhi man who tested positive for the virus, were quarantined or kept in isolation. One of the schools in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi, where the Delhi man's son is a primary class student, said it will remain shut from 4 to 6 March, while the other said it will be closed till Saturday. The board exams are not affected, the messages sent by the schools to the parents made clear. It came to light that the man had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fears that those who attended it including some students and his relatives might be at risk. Samples from five students from the school have been taken to check if anyone has been infected, Noida's chief medical officer Anurag Bhargava said. Fumigation was underway in both the schools and a health department team led by Noida's chief medical officer visited the site, an official said. While some family members of the man, an accountant, and others who came in contact with him were asked to remain quarantined at their homes in Delhi and Agra, six others from Agra with "high-viral load" have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples have been sent to NIV, Pune, officials said. Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar in Delhi, who had travelled to Italy recently, was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. Meanwhile, in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh resident who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Agarwal. Condition of virus-hit techie has improved: Telangana govt The condition of a 24-year-old Bengaluru-based techie, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Hyderabad, is stable and the process of tracking people he came in contact with was on, Telangana health minister E Rajender said on Tuesday. "The health condition of the man, who works in Bengaluru as a software professional, has, in fact, shown improvement since Monday," he said. Admitted to an isolation ward in the state-run Gandhi hospital, the man is found to have come in contact with 88 people. Rajender said of these, 45 had been brought to the hospital and their test results are awaited. The minister spoke to reporters after a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee where measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus following detection of the positive case were discussed. The meeting was attended by other members of the cabinet sub-committee, state municipal administration minister KT Rama Rao and panchayati raj minister E Dayakar Rao, along with senior officials. Rajender also said the state government has set up isolation wards in five government hospitals and has identified altogether 3,000 beds, including 2,000 in different private medical colleges. The minister said he spoke to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Central officials and sought supply of masks which was accepted. Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu convened a meeting of top officials of his department in Bengaluru following information that the techie had travelled from the city. A Karnataka health department official said all the passengers of the bus he had travelled in and his colleagues have been contacted and were under house-quarantine. Passengers who were with him on the flight from Dubai were also being contacted, even as people who worked with the techie have been asked to work from home. The software engineer had been to Dubai last month on an official visit, where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. He then travelled to Hyderabad after staying in Bengaluru for a couple of days. He had developed fever thereafter, contacted doctors there and tested postive for the infection, Sriramulu said. A total of 23 people who travelled with him and his roommates have been screened and tests are being conducted as a precautionary measure, sources said. Narendra Modi holds review meeting As concerns over the spread of the virus mounted after reports of the two new cases of COVID-19 were reported from India on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review on Tuesday on the preparedness. Urging people not to panic and instead take basic protective measures, Modi also released a helpline number (+911123978046) and email id (ncov2019@gmail.com) to report any suspected cases. Taking to Twitter, Modi wrote, "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection." There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he said in another tweet. The Civil Aviation Ministry too conducted a meeting with all airports to review and update guidelines. Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Delhi govt sets up facilities at 25 hospitals The AAP government said Tuesday it is taking all steps to contain the spread of the virus and earmarked 230 beds in isolation wards being set up at 25 hospitals, as several city schools sent advisories to parents listing precautionary measures. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with state health minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials and took stock of government preparations to contain the virus. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Delhi government was trying to get in touch with people who could be infected or were in contact with the man infected with the virus. The Delhi health minister said 3.5 lakh N95 masks were being arranged and the government has 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients. "COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic," Jain told reporters after the meeting, flanked by Sisodia. "We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals. 230 beds have been earmarked for coronavirus patients," he said. Navy postpones multilateral naval exercise in Milan The Indian Navy on Tuesday postponed a multi-nation mega naval exercise 'Milan 2020' which was scheduled to be held off the coast of Visakhapatnam as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus infection. The Milan naval exercise was scheduled to be held between 18 and 28 March and over 40 countries were expected to participate in the exercise. The exercise has been postponed taking into consideration the "safety of all participants and travel restrictions imposed due to the spread of COVID-19", officials said. The Milan 2020 had generated a very enthusiastic response, with navies around the world having expressed desire to participate, they said, adding the Indian Navy looks forward to schedule the exercise at a later convenient date. Health ministry issues travel advisory The Union Health Ministry said that while visa restrictions on Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan, besides China, will continue, it exempted diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from it on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory, it said. "Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particulars, ie, phone number and address in India) and travel history, to health officials and immigration officials at all ports. "Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry," it said. The ministry said that all previous advisories stand superseded in view of the fresh instructions. It asked all Indian citizens to refrain from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and asked them to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. The government has asked people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. All the three have recovered. DGCA instructs airlines to provide protective gear to passengers, staff The DGCA on Tuesday asked airlines and airports to take specific measures such as providing protective gears like surgical masks and gloves to crew members and passengers and having multiple hand sanitising points in terminals. The aviation regulator stated that airports and airlines must ensure that each aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy is subjected to disinfection process before the boarding begins for the next flight on the plane. "All ground handling staff entering inbound and outbound international flights shall be provided with personnel protective equipments (PPEs) and such PPEs shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner after each flight," the DGCA circular said. PPEs stand for protective gears like surgical masks, gloves, disposable shoe covers, it said. With inputs from agencies New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Tuesday attacked the government over the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights filing an application in the Supreme Court over the CAA, saying it is "unwarranted interference" but it is the Modi dispensation that is to be blamed for the "mess". India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that her office has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on the amended citizenship law, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries. "No doubt that UN's intervening application is a case of unwarranted interference in our matters," Patel said in a tweet. "But who is to blame for this mess? The Government of India for creating a window for such interference by enacting a law which breaches global standards on human rights," the Congress treasurer said. The MEA spokesperson has asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. "We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. A mother and daughter from London attacked a Swiss Air pilot in the cockpit after a row over a buggy, a court has heard. Henrietta Mitaiare, 23, and Mary Roberts, 53, were travelling from Zurich, Switzerland, to London Heathrow on 2 May 2019 when the alleged attack took place. Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard how before the flight, Ms Mitaiare argued with staff after she was asked to put her child's buggy into the hold of the plane. Arlene De Silva, Senior Crown Prosecutor, told the court: "The defendant, Ms Mitaiare, initially approached the manager about her bringing a buggy and questioning why she couldn't have her buggy on the plane. "When the flight landed at Heathrow she approached him again to get means of contact because she wanted to make a complaint." Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Show all 12 1 /12 Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane First class lobby of the A380 2014 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Lounge bar on the A380 2015 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane First class suite of the A380 2014 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane First class compartment of the A380 2007 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane The 1st class bar and lounge of the A380 2004 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Business class compartment of the A380 2007 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Business class bathroom of the A380 2010 model Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Bar on the A380, 2016 Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane First class suite of the A380 2014 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane First class suite of the A380 2014 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane First class compartment of the A380 2014 model AFP/Getty Inside the A380: the world's largest passenger plane Business class seating on the A380 2016 model Getty Cabin manager Ali Chkerdaa told the court: "She said the buggy was too expensive and she doesn't want to put it in the hold. "I said if it's already labelled on the luggage we have to put it in the hold and I already told her the flight was fully booked and there was no space left anywhere." The buggy went into the hold, the court heard. The court heard how the fight broke out when the flight landed in Heathrow. Ms Mitaiare had approached Mr Chkerdaa for details of the gate agents she was arguing with, the court was told. Mr Chkerdaa told the court he tried to give Ms Mitaiare his business card, but she didn't accept it. He added: "Then the captain came beside me and said 'you have already the name of the person if there is a problem you can write to Swiss'. Mr Chkerdaa told the court how Ms Mitaiare started filming the argument when "the captain said 'ok, we'll have to stop it. Could you please step outside.'" He added: "The moment he touched her she went all crazy, 'don't touch me.' "I don't know if he touched her, but he put his hand towards this side between her arm and shoulder. Man furious after passenger destroys his laptop on flight by reclining seat "Then they started fighting." Mr Chkerdaa told the court how the pilot, Captain Guido Keel, was on the floor on his back trying to push away Ms Mitaiare. He told the court: "The mother pushed me to the side and went inside saying 'leave my baby alone'. She was kicking, with the feet. One foot maybe. "They were both on the floor but I think she was trying to kick the captain." Mr Chkerdaa enlisted the help of ground staff and the police to help break up the fight, the court was told. The court heard how the pair both provided no-comment interviews when questioned by police but Ms Mitaiare gave a pre-prepared statement. Ms Roberts, of Fulham south west London, and Ms Mitaiare, of west London, both deny the charges of assault by beating on Captain Guido Keel. Additional reporting from agencies NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Humanity 2.0, the pioneering Vatican-affiliated foundation, has launched a new life science and wellness implementation arm, Humanity 2.0 Well-Being (HWB). The platform will harness the momentum of one of the world's fastest-growing industries, Wellness, estimated by the Global Wellness Institute to be $4.5 trillion and growing twice as fast as the world economy - with the world's largest tangible platform, the Catholic Church. The combined integration is the first purpose-built platform of its kind in the world and will have profound impact on human health and well-being. HWB partners with the world's leading scientific organizations to scale leading environmental and pregnancy well-being solutions through the Faith sector in order to catalyze global adoption. The Catholic Church is present in 196 countries (1.4 Billion people), manages 26% of the world's healthcare facilities and 150,000 schools. It is also the world's largest platform partner for new well-being projects. HWB's first wellness implementation project is scheduled for April 2020 in Vatican City. "HWB was developed to harness the awesome force of paradigm shifts affecting our ecology, our health, and well-being into cohesive, tangible solutions," said Morad Fareed, CEO of HWB. "We will be implementing multiple projects throughout 2020 - both in Vatican City and at leading academic centers in the US - to demonstrate leading environmental and maternal wellness innovations, build marketplaces for their adoption and provide tangible results in people's lives. It is a great honor to be able to work with such committed colleagues helping to redefine and improve human well-being." A social innovator and well-being pioneer, Fareed is a Co-Founder of Humanity 2.0 as well as the Co-Founder of Delos, the world's leading healthy environments company. As Delos Co-Founder, Fareed helped architect Delos' leading wellness science and solutions platforms from the company's inception to maturity, which include the WELL Building Standard and the Well Living Lab at the Mayo Clinic, and contributed to the growth of the Wellness Real Estate industry from $0 in 2010 to $197B in 2020. Delos' global footprint now spans over 500 million square feet across 4,200 projects in 58 countries. The Humanity 2.0 project's catalyst is Pope Francis' 2015 Laudato Si encyclical. In his precedent-setting Papal letter, Pope Francis calls for greater concentration and commitment to the common challenges of our time, primarily centered on the environment and human ecology. Since its publication and the ensuing formation of the Dicastery of Integral Human Development in 2017, led by His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, there has been a wellspring of initiatives to redefine business models and foster global collaborations around sustainability and well-being. In parallel, there has been an extraordinary rise in Environment Social Governance (ESG) investing, currently estimated to be $30 trillion and projected to reach as high as $50 trillion over the next 20 years. This large influx of investment capital will usher in a new era of rapid growth and implementation in the global well-being space. "We are very proud to be taking this concrete step forward by introducing Humanity 2.0 Well-Being at this critical time - 5 years since Pope Francis' Ladauto Si - we see many of the global forces converging to advance human flourishing - especially in the areas of the environment, maternal well-being, and shifts towards preventive health," said Father Philip Larrey, Chair of Logic at the Pontifical Lateran University in Vatican City and Chairman of Humanity 2.0. "Our work to-date at Humanity 2.0 has been building up to this moment, and we are now ready to bring to bear all of the science and partnerships we have fostered into this new impact vehicle." Father David Nazar, Rector of the Papal Orientale Institute, has offered his encouragement. "Laudato Si is an important document that provides important insights as to how we should approach advancing human flourishing," said Father Nazar. "HWB is a promising new vehicle for translating the global mission of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis' into concrete interventions that will improve human health and well-being. I look forward to collaborating with HWB and contributing to ushering in a healthier future for humanity." In addition to his past work on developing healthy environment innovations, HWB's CEO Fareed led work on maternal health innovation, which will be a key focus of the new HWB platform. Fareed is the founder and CEO of Square Roots, a maternal health and science organization founded in 2015 to develop free prenatal centers, fund scientific research, and support clinics throughout vulnerable neighborhoods within the U.S. Fareed also created the first maternal health scholarship fund at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health focused on students of Palestinian descent. "Improving health outcomes and driving human performance is about more than just advancing "wellness'. It is equally about designing and declaring what a future "human' civilization should be built around," said Matthew Harvey Sanders, CEO of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation. "HWB to our global community at Humanity 2.0 is a way of re-orienting our species away from an unhealthy fixation on driving economic value to the more reasonable focus of accelerating human flourishing." About Humanity 2.0 Humanity 2.0 is a unique organization - perhaps unlike any in the world - created to facilitate collaborative ventures between the historically siloed public, private, and faith-based sectors. Founded in 2018 in collaboration with the Dicastery for Integral Human Development at the Holy See (Vatican) led by His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Humanity 2.0 Foundation has become a unique global force in its novel ability to identify important global initiatives, forge partnerships, and introduce scientific solutions for global impact. After two years of convenings in Vatican City with global luminaries from Ethics, Science, Health, and Technology, Humanity 2.0 Well Being was developed to focus more concretely on installing the world's leading environmental and maternal wellness solutions throughout the Faith Sector and beyond. https://humanity2-0.org/ Contact: matt@midtownwestmedia.com SOURCE: Humanity 2.0 View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578810/Humanity-20-Launches-New-Global-Wellness-Platform-to-Implement-Scientific-Innovations-in-the-Faith-Sector The coronavirus, which has spread to 73 countries, including India, and has sickened more than 90,000 people, is making the global luxury property market jittery. But in India, the overall impact will be limited unless the outbreak lasts long. According to a report by CBRE, there has been no material impact thus far on the retail market. Both physical retail and online retail continue to witness growth in key retail markets as more global retail brands enter and expand, it says in its report Why the Corona Virus Outbreak Could Have a Lasting Impact on Asia-Pacific Real Estate. The office-leasing demand, too, has been unaffected. Robust leasing continues to be supported by an improvement in domestic economic sentiment and sustained appetite among US and other EU-based corporates for outsourcing their business operations to India, says the report. On the industrial and logistics sector, the outbreak is unlikely to have a major impact, too. The logistics sector has been witnessing robust growth due to supply-side incentives and promotion from the government and demand from local and global 3PLs, e-commerce firms. Manufacturing could be affected, as China is Indias largest trading partner. A serious disruption of supply-chain linkages might force traders to look for alternate markets for sourcing both raw materials as well as finished products which will impact costs, the CBRE report says. The China factor But the same cant be said of global luxury real-estate market. International property consultants are worried that there may be a short-term impact, as Chinese are the biggest buyers of such properties across the world, especially in Europe and North America. China, from where the virus originated, has been the worst hit, though infections seem to be slowing. Wealthy Chinese buyers are the largest purchasers of luxury lifestyle properties, especially branded residences, across Europe and the US. The top-end of the market may be expected to soften as a result at least for the short term, Rod Taylor, director, International Residential Developments, Global Residential, Savills, told Moneycontrol. In the short term, buyers have less incentive to purchase if its unclear when theyll get to visit the property. In the long term, the virus could temporarily weaken sales if the problems persist, say realty consultants. The Chinese community buys homes across Europe. Chinese are very active property buyers in Cyprus, Lisbon, Portugal, Italy, London and even Germany. Lifestyle and property appreciation is the main motivation for the Chinese to buy second homes in these markets. They are largely lifestyle buyers and collect properties the way they would collect pieces of art or even vintage cars. Properties are like trophies that they would want as part of their collection, Taylor said. Also, if one were to compare the Chinese community with the Indians, the Chinese are faster at making property decision when compared to Indians, who tend to be conservative. A Chinese buyer is more likely to make a decision over the phone. Therefore, the coronavirus may have an impact on the economy and activity in the lifestyle property market may take a hit in the short term, he said. Since there were travel curbs, there would be fewer property roadshows in China over the next six months and impact the property market, he said. The fixture fix Indian realtors, however, are of the view that the virus may not have a major impact on the domestic real-estate market. The impact may be restricted to high-end luxury real estate that relies heavily on import of fixtures and furniture from China. Imports from China have slowed down as a result of the unprecedented situation arising from the coronavirus pandemic. When we look at possession dates as also the ongoing interior work in the luxury real estate segment, these are definitely going to be delayed. Supply of fixtures, furniture and fittings used in luxury housing in India is also imported from China and will be impacted, said Niranjan Hiranandani, president (National) NAREDCO as also President, ASSOCHAM. Also, there were no alternative sourcing options for the fixtures, furniture and fittings at the price contracted with Chinese manufacturers, he added. The impact of the virus is difficult to estimate. Its not clear how it will play out in the long run but something we will have to keep a watch on the overall macro level, Mohit Malhotra, managing director and CEO at Godrej Properties Limited, said. - Kris Aquino shared her thoughts and feelings about her former home network ABS-CBN - The actress-host expressed her love and appreciation for ABS-CBN despite her falling out with the network years ago - She explained that she cannot change how they fell apart but she can choose to cherish her memories as a Kapamilya star - The Queen of All Media also expressed her full support for all of the ABS-CBN employees she has worked with for many years PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Kris Aquino took to social media to share her thoughts and feelings about her former home network ABS-CBN. KAMI learned that Kris expressed her love and appreciation for ABS-CBN despite her falling out with the network years ago. According to her, she cannot change how they fell apart but she can choose to cherish her memories as a former Kapamilya star. She also expressed her full support for all of the ABS-CBN employees she has worked with for many years. The Queen of All Media added that her sons Josh and Bimby both grew up watching her work for the Kapamilya network. Swipe to the left to see Kris full message about ABS-CBN: PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! In a previous report by KAMI, Kris bravely answered some netizens who made nasty accusations against her. Kris Aquino is a famous actress, host, and endorser in the Philippines. She has two children Josh and Bimby Aquino. Joshs father is Philip Salvador and Bimby is the son of James Yap. The star is mostly active as a social media personality after leaving ABS-CBN. Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters! In the new episode of our Celebrity Tricky Questions, the respondents tried to guess the celebrities just by looking at their eyes! Check out all of the epic and exciting videos on our KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: KAMI.com.gh It was initiated by lawmakers from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction and the Opposition Platform. A draft resolution on no confidence in Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. It was registered under No. 3154 on March 3, 2020. It was initiated by lawmakers from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, namely Oleksandr Dubinskyi and Maksym Buzhanskiy, and the Opposition Platform For Life Party, and one independent MP. Read alsoProsecutor General Riaboshapka faces no pressure over Burisma case The information mentioned in the profile of the draft resolution on the parliament's website is being constantly updated, and the list of its authors is thus changing. The document posted on the parliament's website states that given the "importance and urgency of establishing justice on major demands by the public, there is every reason to assert that Ruslan Riaboshapka's performance as prosecutor general is poor and thus he is unsuitable for the position." "The failure to investigate and a delay in an investigation into the most notorious crimes indicate the Prosecutor General's unwillingness, impossibility or inability to ensure the fulfillment of the tasks set by law before the Prosecutor General's Office, including the prosecution in general," it says. Thus, 158 lawmakers propose that there should be a vote of no confidence in Riaboshapka, which entails his dismissal. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov on February 28 announced that lawmakers would gather for a special meeting on Wednesday, March 4. It is to start at 16:00 Kyiv time. Several bills are on the agenda of the meeting, the President's Office said. They will also consider the issue of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as look into how the Interior Ministry, the SBU Security Service, the State Bureau of Investigation, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General's Office counteract corruption and strengthen the rule of law in the country. Chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction David Arakhamia said that a government reshuffle was also on the agenda of the meeting. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare noted today that six cases with high viral load have been detected during sample testing in Agra. These are the ones who have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi, reported yesterday. They have been kept in isolation. Their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for confirmation. Contact tracing of the persons who have come in contact with these six persons is also simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Steel Strips Wheels on Tuesday said its total wheel rim sales rose 1% to Rs 12.98 lakh in February 2020 as against Rs 12.83 lakh in February 2019. The company's gross turnover fell 7% to Rs 165.89 crore in February 2020 from Rs 177.40 crore in February 2019. Its net turnover slipped 5% to Rs 137.77 crore in February 2020 over Rs 144.38 crore in February 2019. Exports segment reported highest ever volume for Steel Strips Wheels (SSWL) on the back of record sales to USA. During the period under review, exports segment surged 144% and tractor volumes rose by 13%. Passenger car segment volumes fell 4%, two & three wheelers segment fell 19% and commercial vehicles segment volumes fell by 40% during February 2020. The company's total wheel rim sales declined 3.49% in February 2020 as against Rs 13.45 lakh in January 2020. SSWL's standalone net profit slumped 68% to Rs 6.29 crore on a 28.8% decline in net sales to Rs 343.60 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. SSWL is engaged in the manufacturing of steel wheel rims catering to different segments of automobile industry. The firm operates in automotive wheels segment. Its geographical segments include India and overseas. Shares of SSWL fell 1.15% to Rs 700. The scrip hovered in the range of Rs 694 to Rs 700 so far. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: Actress Sara Ali Khan, after wrapping up her forthcoming film 'Coolie No 1' with a blast, flew to Varanasi for a brief stay. On Day 1 of her divine sojourn, Sara attended the famous Ganga Aarti and took a boat ride along the river. Pictures from the same have been posted by Sara on Instagram and it seems she is making the most of her trip. Treating her Instafam to pictures from her stay in Varanasi, Sara simply captioned the post as, "Ganga Nadi." Take a look: Sara is an avid traveler and keeps her Instagram profile updates with her tour diaries. Just a week ago she was in Goa with her actress mother Amrita Singh and brother Ibrahim Ali Khan. She was in Goa to shoot for 'Coolie No 1' and after completing the film, she spent some time with her family. Here's how Sara enjoyed her work-cum-leisure trip to Goa. After landing in Mumbai, Sara and team 'Coolie No 1' celebrated the film wrap with a star-studded party. 'Coolie No 1' is Sara's film with Varun Dhawan. It is a reboot of Govinda and Karisma Kapoor's 1995 film of the same name. 'Coolie No 1' is Sara's fourth film. She was last seen in the February release 'Love Aaj Kal' opposite Kartik Aaryan. Directed by David Dhawan, 'Coolie No 1' releases on May 1. A mother and son from New Hampshire have been arrested and charged with kidnapping after they allegedly held the mans girlfriend captive for five days, say police. Alec Blazek, 24, and his mother, Felisa Blazek, 49, of Windham, allegedly held the unidentified woman in their home from Feb. 10 through Feb. 15, Windham Police Capt. Mike Caron tells PEOPLE. While the woman, 25, was being held against her will in their home, Alec Blazek allegedly physically assaulted her, Caron says. She was able to escape when the three were driving together on Feb. 15, he says. She managed to jump out of the car at an intersection, he says. She tried to evade them and luckily a motorist saw her and brought her to the Salem P.D. Alec Blazek was arrested on Feb. 26 after turning himself in on a warrant, says Caron. He is charged with five counts of domestic violence simple assault, one count of domestic violence strangulation and one count of kidnapping. His mother was arrested the same day and charged with kidnapping. They were both released that day on their own recognizance, says Caron. It is unclear if they have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf. They have not yet entered pleas. They are scheduled to appear in Rockingham Superior Court on March 12. 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. Alec Blazek has a history of domestic violence against women, court records show. Four women have filed domestic violence petitions against him, according to court records, The Eagle-Tribune reports. The court upheld three of the requests for protection. A fourth was withdrawn. In 2014, he was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, criminal threatening with a deadly weapon, burglary and simple assault. A judge dismissed the charges and ordered him to attend a rehabilitative program instead, The Eagle-Tribune reports. Maldives has stated that fish purchase in the European countries has gone down due to the outbreak of Covid-19 March 03,2020 | Source: AVAS Maldives Seafood Processors and Exporters Association (MSPEA) has stated that fish purchase in the European countries has gone down due to the outbreak of Covid-19. The Association whose members are the leading exporters of fish to Europe stated in a news statement, due to Covid-19, the purchase of yellowfin tuna has gone down by 30% in Europe. The statement details that among the countries the Maldives exports fish, Covid-19 have been spreading in Italy and Germany and those countries restaurants and food courts are being shut down. Moreover, European suppliers have informed the Maldivian fresh yellowfin tuna exporters that it might go further down. The leading fish exporters of Maldives have brought the issue to the Fisheries Ministry. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) held its annual meeting with analysts earlier today. In discussing its five year business plan, chairman and CEO Michael Wirth focused on growing cash flows and maintaining efficient capital spending. He specifically pointed to the ability for the company to distribute between $75 billion and $80 billion to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends, without relying on any increase in oil prices. Improving returns on capital The company is planning on adding nearly $2 billion in returns, mainly from cost reductions and improving margins. Also, by maintaining capital spending near the same $20 billion to $21 billion level where it's been over the prior two years, the company believes it can double adjusted free cash flow per share by 2024. Even at steady levels of $60 per barrel oil prices, it expects return on capital of greater than 10% by 2024, an improvement of more than 300 basis points. The company believes its focus to spend capital on lower-risk projects-including in the Permian Basin, Kazakhstan, and potential deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico - will allow it to return more to shareholders. In January 2020, the company announced an 8.4% dividend boost, bringing the current dividend yield to approximately 5.3%. Combined with $5 billion in planned annual share repurchases, total shareholder yield comes to more than 7%. To maintain these returns, Chevron sees compound annual energy production growth of greater than 3% through 2024. Combined with this latest capital return plan, Chevron shareholders have a lot to look forward to going forward. Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrandSafway has finalized the acquisition of AGF Access Group Inc., effective March 2, 2020. Headquartered in LAssomption, Quebec, with two manufacturing sites in Canada and 24 branches across North America, AGF Access Group provides turnkey solutions for both small-scale as well as multibillion-dollar commercial construction and refurbishment projects. By combining with a leader in motorized access equipment, BrandSafway can grow its market presence in mast climbing, suspended solutions, elevators and building maintenance units throughout North America, said Dave Witsken, president of Energy and Industrial at BrandSafway. As a combined entity, BrandSafway and AGF Access Group will be able to provide an even wider range of solutions and a greater depth of expertise. AGF Access Group is a great fit for BrandSafway, said Witsken. Our companies are complementary businesses in many aspects. AGF Access Groups strong presence in the mast climbing and suspended work platform segment; its capacity to engineer and manufacture custom temporary suspended platforms, MCWPs (Mast Climbing Work Platforms), and permanent access systems; and its strong commercial presence in Quebec and Ontario are a perfect match for BrandSafways leading market position in industrial and commercial scaffolding, suspended access, and construction elevators projects throughout the U.S. and Canada. AGF Access Group includes four divisions, two world-class product groups Hydro Mobile and Winsafe and two successful rental units AGF Access, which includes recent acquisitions Jamco Construction, IEQ/Noxxent, and Hydro Rents. Moving forward, both Hydro Mobile and Winsafe will retain their names. AGF Access and IEQ/Noxxent will be combined with AlumaSafway. Hydro Rents will become Hydro Rents by BrandSafway, and Jamco Construction will become Jamco Construction by AlumaSafway. We look forward to working together to leverage our complementary businesses for growth, said Vincent Dequoy, president of AGF Access Group. Our combined customers will benefit from a broader portfolio of products and services and an expanded team of dedicated engineers. This is an exciting time for AGF, our employees and our customers. About BrandSafway With a commitment to safety as its foremost value, BrandSafway provides the broadest range of solutions with the greatest depth of expertise to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets. Through a network of 340 strategic locations across 30 countries and more than 38,000 employees, BrandSafway delivers a full range of forming, shoring, scaffolding, work access and industrial service solutions. BrandSafway supports maintenance and refurbishment projects as well as new construction and expansion plans with unmatched service from expert local labor and management. Todays BrandSafway is At Work For You leveraging innovation and economies of scale to increase safety and productivity, while remaining nimble and responsive. For more information about BrandSafway, visit www.brandsafway.com. # # # In a late-evening tweet on Monday, Prime Minister said he was thinking of giving up his accounts on Sunday. Though nothing has been confirmed so far, the Prime Ministers tweet has led to many speculations and conjectures on Here's a look at Mr Modis huge presence and peoples reaction to his cryptic tweet suggesting he might quit social media. Prime Minister has a huge following on social media. Currently, he has 53.5 million followers on twitter, 35.2 million on Instagram, 44.72 million on Facebook, and 4.51 million on That makes him one of the most popular and active global leaders on these platforms. This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, & Will keep you all posted, Mr Modi said in his tweet. Minutes after this tweet, scores of netizens urged him not to quit and used several hashtags, including #NoSir, which became the number 1 trending hashtag on Some netizens even offered explanations for why the prime minister might have been contemplating giving up his accounts. Some speculated the PM might be planning to switch to an Indian platform, much like Chinas Weibo, on which Modi made his debut on May 4, 2015. Some said he might shift all his communications on to the NaMo app. Some also said that the PM could have been hurt by the role played by social media in the Delhi riots, in which 48 people have died so far. However, a source close to the PMs office suggested Mr Modi might just be planning to take a day off from social media, in the meantime allowing women to post on his behalf. Sunday, March 8, is international womens day. Some, like Congress leader and BJPs Sudheendra Kulkarni went so far as to suggest that the PM's abrupt announcement might have led many to worry whether it was a prelude to banning social media services in the country. Kulkarni said a big assault on Indian peoples freedom of expression and communication could be coming. Different people, different reactions. Here are some political reactions to the PMs tweet. In his reply to Mr Modis post, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked him to Give up hatred, not social media accounts. To this, Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb retorted: So that's the reason (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi doesn't have any social media account? Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: Earnestly wish you would give this advice to the concerted army of trolls, who abuse-intimidate-badger-threaten others every second in your name! Amruta Fadnavis, spouse of former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, tweeted: Sometimes its the smallest decision that can change our life forever! I will follow the path of my leader. Fadnavis was not alone. The list of people pledging to follow the prime minister and leave social media grew gradually and like #iwillalsoleavetwitter and #NoModiNoTwitter also trended highly on in India. To know more, listen to this podcast PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 18:55:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 636 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FRENCH LICK, IN / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / SVB&T Corporation (OTCQX:SVBT), French Lick, IN, the bank holding company of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, announces the retirement of Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Darrell Blocker on March 31, 2020. During his tenure, Darrell also served as Treasurer & CFO of SVB&T Corporation.Darrell graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University and has worked in the banking industry for over 30 years. Prior to joining Springs Valley Bank & Trust, he worked for 14 years at First Federal Savings Bank in Huntington, IN as Senior Vice President and CFO and for 3 years at Tower Financial Bank as Vice President and Controller. In his 15 years at Springs Valley, he has overseen the Finance and Accounting Departments and served as Chair of the ALCO Committee.Since 1989, Darrell has been a member of the Rotary Club. He stood as the Huntington Rotary Club President from 1993 to 1994 and the Jasper Rotary Club President from 2008 to 2009. He has been a member of the Dubois Strong Enterprise Loan Fund Board since 2009. Darrell joined the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA) Financial Management Committee in 2006 in which he helps select presenters for the IBA MEGA Conference each year. For over 20 years, Darrell has been a member of the Financial Managers Society where he served on the Accounting Council (2002-2004) and the Strategic Issues Council (2004-2008). Darrell was elected to FMS Board in 2012 holding the position of Vice Chairman for FMS from 2016 to 2017 and Chairman from 2017 to 2018, with his term expiring in 2019."I have enjoyed working with Darrell since mid-2008 when I joined Springs Valley Bank & Trust, "said Jamie Shinabarger, President and CEO. "His strategic insights were invaluable as we carefully navigated the troubled waters of 2008-2011 and then transitioned from defense to offense, rebuilding franchise value lost during the Great Recession from 2012 to the present." In honor of Darrell's dedicated service, Springs Valley will host an Open House at the Jasper 1500 Main Street Banking Center on Wednesday, March 25 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm to celebrate Darrell's accomplishments and to wish him well as he enters a new phase in his life."It has been a privilege to serve the Springs Valley Bank & Trust Co. community and to be a part of the team that has grown the bank substantially while maintaining our family atmosphere. The bank has allowed me and others to passionately serve our community, continually grow in knowledge with training programs, and to be an active member of community and professional organizations such as Dubois Strong, Rotary, Indiana Bankers Association and Financial Managers Society." Darrell and his wife, Jan, currently reside in Jasper with future plans to move to Nashville, TN to be near family. They have four children and nine grandchildren.Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, is a subsidiary of SVB&T Corporation, headquartered at 8482 West State Road 56, French Lick, Indiana 47432 with administrative offices at 1500 Main Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546. Springs Valley has locations in Dubois, Daviess, Gibson, and Orange Counties, offering full-service bank and financial services. Springs Valley has products and services for all types of families and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, electronic services, online consumer and mortgage applications and a variety of other loan options. In addition, the company has a full-service financial advisory group managed by experienced, talented professionals specializing in estate planning, tax planning and wealth management. Investment Services are also offered by a licensed, professional Springs Valley representative. More information can be found online at www.svbt.bank . The company's stock is traded on the OTCQX trading platform under ticker symbol SVBT ( www.otcmarkets.com) . Springs Valley Bank is a member of FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender.For more information contact: Dianna Land, Marketing Director, at 812.634.4963 or email at dbland@ svbt.com SOURCE: SVB&T Corporation Business SoftInWay Gives Back to the Engineering Community 03.03.2020 20:44:17 - Turbomachinery Mainstay Donates Commercial Software to AIAA Competition for 9th year in a row. (live-PR.com) - Burlington, MA, March 2, 2020 For the 9th year in a row, SoftInWay is sponsoring the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Undergraduate Engine Design Competition to design a gas turbine engine for a supersonic business jet. Engineering students from around the world come together for this competition and apply their talents and skills in a scenario very - Burlington, MA, March 2, 2020 For the 9th year in a row, SoftInWay is sponsoring the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Undergraduate Engine Design Competition to design a gas turbine engine for a supersonic business jet. Engineering students from around the world come together for this competition and apply their talents and skills in a scenario very similar to what they will encounter in their professional careers. Competitors will be challenged with designing a gas turbine engine to replace the current propulsion system on a supersonic business jet. The new engines should enable the plane to travel past the speed of sound and complete a transatlantic round trip in a day without generating sonic booms over land. Excess noise was part of the reason the famous Concorde supersonic airliner had to be retired, in addition to excessive fuel consumption and unaffordable airfare. Using SoftInWays proprietary AxSTREAM software platform, students will be able to design and analyze their supersonic engine concepts based on the required specifications while avoiding the pitfall of using multiple programs for different stages of the design process and needing to be proficient in multiple design programs. We love sponsoring these competitions, because its at the heart of what we do. We work with hundreds of colleges and universities supporting young engineers in their journey towards the professional world. Often, these students will go onto work for companies developing next generation aerospace technology such as a supersonic engine or turbopump in a rocket. And AxSTREAM will be there for them every step of the way. Said Valentine Moroz, COO of SoftInWay, Inc. Whats really exciting for us, is that previous winners in this competition used AxSTREAM to create their award-winning designs. The ideas these engineers develop today, can change the world tomorrow. Thanks to SoftInWays software donation, students are able to use industry leading tools to simulate a real-world exercise. I have enjoyed their support in helping to develop critical thinkers as it applies to gas turbine engines through this competition. Said Andrew Yatsko, Chair of the AIAA undergraduate engine design competition. SoftInWay has a long history of working with educational and research institutes, supporting more than 300 universities around the world with its AxSTREAM EDU platform. Additionally, SoftInWay has for years sponsored different competitions to design turbomachinery in the aviation industry as well as the space exploration business and power generation industry. Moroz concluded saying that the SoftInWay team is excited to see what these bright and talented engineering students will design in this competition, and proud to encourage creativity and innovation in these young engineers. ### About SoftInWay SoftInWay, Inc. is a global R&D engineering company specializing in the development of efficient turbomachinery components and systems by offering its integrated and automated software platform, AxSTREAM for all steps of the turbomachinery design, redesign, analysis, and optimization process (including complete 3D design, thermodynamic cycles, rotor dynamics, and secondary flow and cooling system simulation). SoftInWay also offers a number of engineering services and educational courses, available both online and in a classroom-style setting. SoftInWay is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certified and committed to providing our customers with products and services that meet international quality standards. SoftInWay supports more than 450 companies worldwide, and works closely with universities, research laboratories, and government organizations. You can find more information at SoftInWay Inc. 1500 District Avenue Burlington MA 01803 USA Phone: 1-781-685-4942 Fax: 1-781-685-4601 E-mail: similar to what they will encounter in their professional careers.Competitors will be challenged with designing a gas turbine engine to replace the current propulsion system on a supersonic business jet. The new engines should enable the plane to travel past the speed of sound and complete a transatlantic round trip in a day without generating sonic booms over land. Excess noise was part of the reason the famous Concorde supersonic airliner had to be retired, in addition to excessive fuel consumption and unaffordable airfare.Using SoftInWays proprietary AxSTREAM software platform, students will be able to design and analyze their supersonic engine concepts based on the required specifications while avoiding the pitfall of using multiple programs for different stages of the design process and needing to be proficient in multiple design programs.We love sponsoring these competitions, because its at the heart of what we do. We work with hundreds of colleges and universities supporting young engineers in their journey towards the professional world. Often, these students will go onto work for companies developing next generation aerospace technology such as a supersonic engine or turbopump in a rocket. And AxSTREAM will be there for them every step of the way. Said Valentine Moroz, COO of SoftInWay, Inc. Whats really exciting for us, is that previous winners in this competition used AxSTREAM to create their award-winning designs. The ideas these engineers develop today, can change the world tomorrow.Thanks to SoftInWays software donation, students are able to use industry leading tools to simulate a real-world exercise. I have enjoyed their support in helping to develop critical thinkers as it applies to gas turbine engines through this competition. Said Andrew Yatsko, Chair of the AIAA undergraduate engine design competition.SoftInWay has a long history of working with educational and research institutes, supporting more than 300 universities around the world with its AxSTREAM EDU platform. Additionally, SoftInWay has for years sponsored different competitions to design turbomachinery in the aviation industry as well as the space exploration business and power generation industry. Moroz concluded saying that the SoftInWay team is excited to see what these bright and talented engineering students will design in this competition, and proud to encourage creativity and innovation in these young engineers.###About SoftInWaySoftInWay, Inc. is a global R&D engineering company specializing in the development of efficient turbomachinery components and systems by offering its integrated and automated software platform, AxSTREAM for all steps of the turbomachinery design, redesign, analysis, and optimization process (including complete 3D design, thermodynamic cycles, rotor dynamics, and secondary flow and cooling system simulation). SoftInWay also offers a number of engineering services and educational courses, available both online and in a classroom-style setting.SoftInWay is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certified and committed to providing our customers with products and services that meet international quality standards.SoftInWay supports more than 450 companies worldwide, and works closely with universities, research laboratories, and government organizations. You can find more information at www.softinway.com SoftInWay Inc.1500 District AvenueBurlington MA 01803 USAPhone: 1-781-685-4942Fax: 1-781-685-4601E-mail: info@softinway.com Press Information: SoftInWay, Inc. 1500 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803 Contact Person: Daniel Green PR Manager for North America Phone: 347 580 1459 eMail: eMail Web: http://www.softinway.com 03.03.2020 20:44:17 - 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. Wyomings two largest hospitals say theyre prepared to handle any cases of coronavirus in the Equality State, and state leaders say the disease will likely spread here, though a state infectious disease expert urged Wyomingites to stay calm. (You) should not panic in any way and realize that we are in a rural setting, and so transmission of this, especially outside of our cities, would be difficult, as you can imagine, said Dr. Mark Dowell, Natrona Countys health officer. While the risk remains low, its becoming increasingly likely that COVID-19 will spread to the state, Gov. Mark Gordon said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon, using the exact name for the disease thats widely referred to as simply the coronavirus. There have still been no confirmed cases in Wyoming. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, symptoms of which include fever, cough and shortness of breath. There have been more than 100 cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in 15 U.S. states. There have been six deaths associated with the disease. Worldwide, there have been more than 90,000 cases and 3,100 deaths. The disease is most dangerous to the old, the young, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems. Of the six U.S. deaths, four are linked to a nursing home in Washington state. In Wyoming, state health officials are still saying that the risk to residents here is relatively low. While there has been some community spread person-to-person transmission in the U.S., the primary concern is still those who have traveled to nations experiencing an outbreak. Two neighboring states Nebraska and Utah have treated cases, though Nebraskas patients were transported to Omaha for treatment and quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The low risk hasnt deterred concerned Casperites. Employees at both Walgreens here said the drug stores are either out or running very low on hand sanitizer. In an email to state employees Monday, state epidemiologist Dr. Alexia Harrist said that it is becoming increasingly likely that COVID-19 will eventually spread to our state. Our most important piece of advice right now is for people to stay informed about COVID-19 and to look for updates and recommendations from credible sources such as our department and the CDC, Harrist wrote. Dowell echoed that advice, urging Wyomingites to not rush to panic-sowing media sources. Harrist said much is still unknown about the disease, which has spread across several countries worldwide. Right now, I could only say that we are not sure exactly whats going to happen with this virus, Harrist said, adding that there were other viruses in the coronavirus family that provide clues. I would agree that we need to prepare for widespread community transmission in Wyoming and the United States, but that the effort in the U.S and Wyoming are underway to prevent that as much as possible right now, she added. Dowell, whos on the board of Wyoming Medical Center, said the states largest hospital was prepared to handle any patients who test positive here. The hospital is a designated ebola assessment hospital, meaning staff there are capable of treating and isolating any patient with that level of infectious illness. We have the appropriate ventilatory systems in at least three or four of our rooms, including in the (intensive care unit), Dowell said. We have proper equipment, we have people trained. ... We are ready to go. Dowell said the hospital might and I emphasize might test a patient who comes to the hospital with a form of pneumonia that doctors cant diagnose or explain. The state Health Department will soon have the ability to test for the disease locally, but until then, any test done will be sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During Gordons press conference, Harrist said the Health Department has the testing kits from the CDC and is making sure they work correctly. That work should be done this week, she said. If a patient suspected of having COVID-19 presents at the hospital, we will coordinate with the state and local health department for treating and isolating the patient according to our protocols, WMC spokeswoman Kristy Bleizeffer said. We continue to confer with state and local health department officials about COVID-19. Gordon said state officials are studying the capabilities of the states hospitals to deal with a suspected case of COVID-19. Dowell said he suspected most hospitals arent equipped to deal with it. Kathryn Baker, spokeswoman for Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, said its following guidance from the CDC and customizing them for our facility. Additional training on the use of personal protective equipment is currently taking place, she said in an email to the Star-Tribune. We want to be sure our staff is prepared and comfortable with the equipment. Healthcare worker safety and protecting our most valuable resource, our employees, is a priority. In an email sent late Tuesday afternoon, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department warned Casperites about scams in the community that urge respondents to take certain actions. The Casper-Natrona County Health Department would also like to remind the community that wearing a mask should only be used as a precautionary/additional measure if you are already ill, the agency wrote. These masks simply keep the person who is ills germs away from others. Masks do not need to be worn by those who are not ill and are NOT a form of protection from illnesses such as seasonal influenza or COVID-19. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Southern U.S. state of Texas is known as the "Lone Star State" because of its history as an Independent Republic. But will it hold up to its history of being a solid conservative state or are Texans increasingly accepting of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described socialist? Women in Law Centenary Celebration Minister Sacramento recently hosted an event for women lawyers, ahead of International Womens Day, and to mark a centenary of women in the law. The event was generously sponsored by Mrs Donna Seruya Sackman. The evening was opened by the Minister for Justice and was followed by speeches by two women who have been pioneers in the legal profession in Gibraltar. Mrs Seruya, who was herself the second woman to be called to the Gibraltar Bar in 1983, spoke about her experience as a lawyer in those early years as we as the importance of giving back to women in the profession. This speech was followed by Mrs Justice Ramagge Prescott who was called to the Bar in 1988, and was the first woman to be appointed Stipendiary Magistrate and later appointed Judge of the Supreme Court and in 2017 was the first woman to be appointed Master of the Bench of the Middle Temple. The evening was very well attended by the women in the Gibraltar Bar with diverse representation at all levels, including attendance by Ms Gillian Guzman QC, the first female QC in Gibraltar and also the youngest person, at the age of 39, to take Silk and many partners in local law firms. The majority of lawyers in Gibraltar will have been called to the Bar in England and Wales and those in practice will be called to the Bar of Gibraltar and be on the Supreme Court register. Almost 100 years ago, the first women was admitted to an Inn of Court in the UK, the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. The Inn is responsible for the education and training of barristers. This was 24 hours after the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act came into force. Until that time, women were excluded from being Barristers, solicitors and judges. This Act came a year after women in the UK were given the right to vote. The first woman to be called to the Bar in Gibraltar was Pamela Benady in 1955. There are now 59 women at the Bar, just 24% of the 243 lawyers in Gibraltar who have been called to the Bar. This shows how under-represented women are in the profession. Signs for the future are positive as it shows that there is a 50/50 gender split of students currently studying law; the issue is to ensure that women do not have barriers placed in the way of their professional progression. Commenting on the matter, Minister Sacramento said A career in the law is a challenging and demanding profession, and a male dominated one. Such demands can make it more difficult for women to succeed. Donna, a real trailblazer for women in this profession, and I have been discussing an event for a long time and it has now coincided with the important centenary and I am very grateful for her generous support for this. The event sought to look back at achievements of women in the profession locally and was certainly very inspiring and uplifting following the remarkable speeches. The event concluded positively with a call to action to support women in profession. Federal authorities are looking into allegations, which have already become the focus of a state grand jury investigation, that state Sen. Nicholas Scutari was often a no-show as Lindens municipal prosecutor. The city has been asked to provide the FBI and U.S. Attorneys office with some of the same information subpoenaed by the state, according to two sources familiar with the request. They said those records, though, were not the subject of federal subpoena. Linden Mayor Derek Armstead confirmed only that the city has responded to questions from federal authorities, but would not comment further. Armstead said that the city intended to cooperate fully with the state investigation by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office, just as we have been cooperating with a similar information request from federal law enforcement. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney said only that he could neither confirm nor deny the existence of any federal investigation. State officials have also declined comment. The request for records came after the mayor late last year sent federal and state authorities copies of a city audit that had examined Scutaris absences from court, and asked that they look into the matter. Armstead has charged that Scutari, D-Union, essentially had a no-show job. Thats exactly what Im characterizing it as, the mayor said in an interview after the report first came to light in October. Scutari, the powerful Democratic chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, said he was unaware of any involvement by federal law enforcement, and called the mayors allegations a political hit job. This is politics at its worst, charged Scutari, who also serves as the Union County Democratic chairman. He accused Armstead of using his office to set up a political opponent, in the wake of a long feud over his own endorsement of a challenger to the mayor. Its a fictitious story thats been cooked up said the Scutari. Its not true. But politically, its been brilliant. He has threatened a $10 million lawsuit for slander. Scutari, a lawyer who had served as Lindens municipal prosecutor for 15 years, was fired from his high-paid part-time post in early 2019 after the report commissioned by the city found that the senator had failed to show up for court more than half the time in 2018 while serving as municipal prosecutor. During that time, Scutari, who was paid $84,659 in his part-time role, continued to earn state pension credits, the report said. The grand jury subpoena, which NJ Advance Media was first to report, was served on the city last Friday and requested payroll records, court appearance logs, records showing Scutaris use of time off, and payments made to others who served as acting municipal prosecutors when he was not in court. It also sought an accounting of contributions made on behalf of Scutari into the Public Employee Retirement System, as well as payroll taxes paid in relation to his employment. Although the specific nature of the investigation was not spelled out, the subpoena was signed by Deputy State Attorney General Samantha McCluskey, who is assigned to the Division of Criminal Justices Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. Separately, Linden has retained an outside law firm, Calcagni & Kanefsky of Newark, to conduct a review of all the municipal court cases that involved Scutari when he was the citys prosecutor. Attorney Thomas Calcagni, a former federal prosecutor, confirmed that his firm had been engaged to examine the handling of municipal court matters by and in the absence of the citys former municipal prosecutor. A primary focus is whether due process was compromised in any of the matters where the prosecutor was not in attendance, he said. Scutaris alleged failure to appear in court has already been a factor in the appeal of one case charging that a municipal judge routinely conducted hearings without a prosecutor or defense attorney. A lawsuit filed last week by a woman wrongfully jailed in 2007 charged that a culture of wrongdoing pervaded the Linden Municipal Court, which cited the conduct of Judge Louis DiLeo, who was later ousted as a municipal judge, as well as the absenteeism of Scutari. Scutari said he did nothing wrong in his long tenure as prosecutor. Ive done my job and done it well, he said. What I am accused of doing is exactly the way other municipal courts operate. There was nothing inappropriate about it. Scutari said there were no requirements for him to be in court, and that the municipal prosecutor generally is only called into the courtroom when required. At the same time, he said it is a common practice for appointed municipal prosecutors to provide substitute attorneys when they are not available. What they are trying to accuse me of is inaccurate, Scutari said. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. 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 University of Texas Permian Basin is limiting university-related travel because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a press release. The university is monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and is receiving guidance from the University of Texas System and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the release. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, recognised the unsung hours of service to churches and communities throughout our region by local people when he awarded them St Chads Medals at Lichfield Cathedral. The medal is given to lay people who have made a particularly valuable contribution to Christian life in the Diocese of Lichfield. It is named after the first Bishop of Lichfield, St Chad, who charged his followers to have lives characterised by watching, prayer and good works. Bishop Michael presented the medals, in the second year of the annual award, to four people Geoffrey Brown, Lynne Mills, Jean Myatt and Liz Jermy - at Lichfield Cathedral, the ancient seat of St Chad, on St Chad's Day, Monday 2 March. A fifth recipient, Michael Carding, will receive his medal at a later date. Citations for all five are below. The medal winners have served in a wide variety of places including Burton, Stoke-on-Trent, Oswestry, Great Wyrley and Shrewsbury. Their contributions include voluntary work with children, charities and community groups as well as many hours spent serving local churches. Bishop Michael said: Lay people are often the unseen heroes who keep churches and communities running on a daily basis across the Diocese of Lichfield. The St Chad's Medal is one way of recognising their tireless service while encouraging more people to follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, partnering with others in their communities to seek the common good. As this annual event becomes further established, I would love to receive more nominations from across our diocese." You can nominate someone via the Bishop of Lichfield's office. Geoffrey Brown For outstanding service as a churchwarden. Geoff has been Churchwarden at St Modwens, Burton, for over 40 years and has managed several vacancies with an exemplary knowledge of the Church of England. He is also known throughout the Burton area and through his many years of work with Bretby Rotary Club. Geoff is widely respected and admired and his sense of duty and service is exemplary. St Modwens recently retired Vicar, the Revd Stanley Monkhouse, described Geoffs unwavering support as utterly steadfast. Lynne Mills For outstanding voluntary service in and around the Diocese of Lichfield. Lynne serves as the inaugural Warden to the diocesan Community of Evangelists. She has been volunteering in evangelism and mission around the diocese for well over a decade, being the dioceses most prolific Mystery Worshiper! She has planned and served in many mission weekends and events and has been a stalwart in the Churches Tent at the annual Staffordshire County Show. Beyond her diocesan work, Lynne serves as the volunteer administrator for the Fellowship of Parish Evangelism and is a trustee of Hands At Work, a charity that links churches and schools in South Staffordshire and Southern Africa. She also find times to worship and serve in her home church of St Marks Great Wyrley as well as being a devoted grandma, mother and daughter. Jean Myatt For outstanding service as a churchwarden. Jean has been a faithful member of St Mary and St Chads Church Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, since an early age. An octogenarian, she continues to demonstrate her Christian faith and is well-known in the community for being approachable, friendly and willing to help. Jean has many roles in the church and is hands on in carrying out many tasks quietly and without fuss as well as being the link person with several community groups. She is an ardent and enthusiastic fundraiser and manages many church events. A clear people person, there is no doubt Jeans devotion and tireless energy help St Mary and St Chads remain a beacon of Christian worship and witness in Longton. Liz Jermy For outstanding service to children and the community. Liz has been a foster mother to a number of children including those with mental and physical disabilities and is deeply involved in education. She has achieved very impressive work with the food bank in Oswestry in a hands-on capacity as well as organising a huge number of Christmas hampers and acting as a food bank advocate across the Oswestry area. Along with her own ministry in these areas, Liz has played a supportive role in the ministry of her husband, the Revd Stuart Jermy. Michael Carding For outstanding voluntary service to the church and young people. From 2016-2018, Michael was coordinator of the St Chads Volunteer programme which saw many young people visit the diocese or spend time in our link dioceses on placements for six to 12 months. He is also a member of Trinity Churches in Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, and as Tower Captain he has taught a band of bell ringers from scratch. After a long silence the bells have been rung for worship, every Sunday without exception, for over six years. Michael has also been involved in leadership of a LIFE group for young people of secondary school age. He is a volunteer for the Shrewsbury Food Hub and on Good Friday 2020 will play Pilate in the Shrewsbury Passion Play. More photos from the service can be found on our Flickr account. Despite high hopes for a program aimed at retaining full-time pilots, there are only two airmen currently utilizing Air Mobility Command's Aviator Technical Track (ATT), also known as the "fly-only" track. There are no plans to expand the program any further, the command's top general said Thursday. "Right now, we're not going to accept any more folks into the program," Gen. Maryanne Miller said in a telephone interview with Military.com. "We don't plan to scale it, and we don't plan to expand it." The experimental program, launched in 2018, was initiated under Miller's predecessor, Gen. Carlton Everhart II, in hopes of keeping active-duty mobility pilots in cockpits longer without assigning them additional, non-flight-related duties. The goal was to give majors and majors-select the ability to stay in one job for five years in an effort to provide a better work-life balance. Officials surveyed airmen on why the program didn't take. Some pilots said it was lack of interest; others said they were apprehensive about being the "first" to attempt the experiment. AMC received only a handful of applicants and selected two 11M (mobility) Air Force Specialty Code pilots for the program, the general said. Related: Air Force Misses New Pilot Goal Again as Service Pushes to Revolutionize Training "There was really no interest beyond that," Miller said. Since the program was experimental, "there is no finite end date to these pilots' participation in the program," added Capt. Nicole Ferrara, AMC spokeswoman, in an email. "They'll simply be considered for future assignments and opportunities alongside their cohorts who were not in the ATT program. In other words, if they want to pursue command or leadership opportunities, they can do that at any time." The news comes following the Air Forces announcement that it will fall short in its year-end goal of having 1,480 pilots across the force by the end of fiscal 2020; it also missed its goal in fiscal 2019. However, the service could not provide a breakdown of which pilot communities -- such as mobility or fighter -- are experiencing manning gaps. AMC officials said they're using three other tools to retain mobility airmen: the squadron deployment model; squadron administrative support contract; and the readiness-driven allocation process, or RDAP. The efforts are part of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein's "revitalizing the squadron" initiative, which he spearheaded when taking his post in 2016. While official statistics could not be provided by press time, AMC said that the squadron deployment model has shown promise and officials anticipate similar outcomes for the other two. The squadron administrative support contract and deployment model are not unique to the command. The squadron deployment model stresses unit cohesion by deploying an entire unit together instead of taking a few people at a time for months-long rotations. The technique was popular prior to 9/11 but, following the ramp up in forces in the Middle East, the Air Force switched to deploying a handful of airmen from squadrons at a time to avoid burnout. Currently, all AMC active-duty C-130 Hercules squadrons are operating under the squadron deployment model, Ferrara said. "The first C-130J deployment under this model began in September of 2019," she said, with members of one squadron deploying to two locations. AMC also began using the model for KC-135 Stratotanker units in August 2019, officials added. There is no plan for KC-10 Extender squadrons to implement the strategy. In August 2016, the service began removing miscellaneous responsibilities known as "additional duties" typically assigned to airmen at the unit level. Beginning this summer, AMC will implement the squadron administrative support contract, which will add four administrative personnel per flying squadron to take care of bureaucratic work that airmen have taken up over the years. Lastly, RDAP, which began rolling out in October, was being used by all units as of January, said Col. Damien Pickart, another AMC spokesman. The model looks at when pilots and aircrew may be busiest during the year to decide when it's most appropriate to schedule their training, he explained, adding that it allows for additional training time pilots and aircrew may need. "It's about ensuring adequate training opportunities exist in the unit," Pickart said. The initiative was driven largely by pilot feedback; airmen expressed concern there were inadequate opportunities to complete their semi-annual training requirements. "It's giving them greater predictability as to when they're going to get their training complete," Pickart said. Together, the three programs aim to give aviators greater stability. "They are so proving to be successful," Pickart said. "They're helping with morale, and they're helping with our retention challenges." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read more: White House Nominates Nation's 1st African American Military Service Chief Labour has accused the government of using aid money to "plug funding gaps" in defence spending over proposals to use the foreign aid budget to buy a multi-million pound hospital ship. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the new international development secretary, is said to have ordered officials to look at use of the aid budget, which includes an option for a vessel to bolster humanitarian efforts abroad, and to assist with military operations. Officials are considering a ship similar to US Mercy class vessels, which provides disaster relief and medical care for American forces overseas. Each ship costs around 550m and contains some 1,000 patient beds. Under the plans, revealed by the Financial Times, a potential new medical vessel would be paid for by the Department for International Development (DfID) but operated by the Royal Navy. The navy currently operates the RFA Argus, a 100-bed floating hospital, but it is expected to retire from service in 2024. Recommended Charities relieved as Johnson steps back from axeing aid department The news sparked concern from Labour that the government was seeking to chip away at the foreign aid budget, which is ring fenced at 0.7 per cent of GDP. Using aid money to plug funding gaps in the MOD is a clear abuse of our aid budget," the shadow international development secretary Dan Carden told The Independent. UK aid is money that has been set aside to alleviate global poverty, and that is the only thing it should be spent on. If the government does try to spend aid on military assets, they will need to explain how this complies with international rules governing aid spending. It comes after the department escaped the axe in Boris Johnson's latest reshuffle, following widespread speculation that it would be merged into the Foreign Office. Dominic Cummings, the PM's powerful aide, had spoken openly about slimming down Whitehall in the run up to the February cabinet shake-up - with DfiD among the departments in his sights. Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty While the department emerged unscathed, Ms Trevelyan is the fifth international development secretary in five years. The staunch Brexiteer, who resigned from Theresa May's government over Brexit, has also been critical in the past about aid spending. A DFID spokesperson said: We are committed to ensuring UK aid reaches the worlds poorest people, achieves value for money for the taxpayer and works in our national interest. Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (21) An outbreak of coronavirus in a Washington state nursing home has highlighted the vulnerability of elderly people with weakened immune systems to the virus. And while government officials haven't confirmed any virus cases in Louisiana, nursing-home operators are getting ready. Preparations are underway at hospital system LCMC Health in New Orleans, which operates Woldenberg Village, a residential retirement community with assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Dr. John Heaton, LCMC president of clinical and systems operations said the hospital group was making plans for a worst-case scenario similar to the one in Washington state, where four nursing home residents died after the virus, COVID-19, was transmitted from an unknown source. The first step, he said, is to get anyone infected out of the assisted-living facility to a place that can better treat them. You dont want to leave those folks on site, said Heaton. You want to get them into a hospital environment. LCMC has over 150 negative pressure rooms, which prevent cross-contamination from room to room and is where hospital officials would send confirmed cases. Heaton said the hospital system is taking inventory of other necessary items such as ventilators. Other tactics being employed at area facilities include limiting volunteer groups and asking visitors to communicate by phone and email if sick, said Margaret Hoffman, administrator at Covenant Nursing Home in New Orleans and state resource chairperson for nursing homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes. If coronavirus is introduced to the facility, Hoffman said they have the ability to isolate patients in-house if symptoms are not severe but would contact the city and state for guidance. "There are not a lot of settings that would be more concerning for spread than a nursing home," said Dr. Joe Kanter, Louisiana Department of Health assistant state officer. "Respiratory illness will spread very quickly among people who are elderly and have underlying conditions." In addition to the nine coronavirus cases and four resident deaths in the Seattle-area nursing home, at least 50 residents and workers have symptoms. According to data from China, where coronavirus originated and more than 80,000 of the 90,000-plus infections have been reported, the elderly are at a heightened risk. The disease has about a 2% mortality rate and about 80% of cases are mild. But in people ages 70 to 79, that fatality rate shot up to 8%. In those over 80, the fatality rate was almost 15%. Officials have warned that the fatality rate may be skewed due to underreporting of mild cases where infected people experience few or no symptoms. Person in Washington state first in US to die from new coronavirus A person has died in Washington state of COVID-19, state health officials said Saturday, marking the first such reported death in the United States. Fatality was also higher for people with preexisting conditions 10.5% for cardiovascular disease, 7.3% for diabetes, 6.3% for chronic respiratory disease, 6% for hypertension and 5.6% for cancer. As of Tuesday evening, there were 118 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. Nine deaths have been linked to the virus, all in Washington State. Globally, over 3,100 people have died. We have reminded our members to act now to review and continue to implement their infection prevention and control policies and procedures as this is standard practice for the prevention of coronavirus and other common viruses, said Mark Berger, executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, in an emailed statement. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The association represents more than 250 facilities in the state that care for about 25,000 elderly and disabled people. +2 To prep for coronavirus, this is how Louisiana hospitals, officials are cranking up plans Empty shelves in local stores that sell respiratory face masks are one sign of coronavirus concerns among Louisiana residents. In Baton Rouge, Rebecca Gauthier, vice president of clinical services for CommCare Management Corporation, said her company is taking measures to reduce the risk of infection at the two facilities it manages, Baton Rouge Health Care and the Old Jefferson Community Care Center. People who are sick are being asked to refrain from visiting family members in the facilities, and staff members have been instructed not to come to work if ill, Gauthier said. The company is also working with state health agencies on testing and advice on detecting the virus. Were trying to be very aggressive in our assessments of our patients respiratory systems in the hopes of catching things early, she said. The best chance at minimizing this is catching the early signs and symptoms. Hoffman, of Covenant Nursing Home, said her facility had an infectious disease training last month and is well-stocked in protective gear. Her facility has mounted hand sanitizer dispensers every six to eight feet. We take precautions every day for so many viruses, said Hoffman. I know coronavirus is out there and very scary, but influenza is a big deal for us all the time. Although the overall risk in the U.S. is still low, health officials say its a matter of when not if the virus comes to Louisiana. +5 Will Sutton: Louisiana universities struggle with coronavirus and travel, foreign students The coronavirus epidemic is continuing to garner attention across the globe, including here in Louisiana. It started late last year in China, Were operating under the assumption that well likely see some cases in the future, said Kanter. Nobody on our side is going to be surprised if that happens. In the Seattle county where the outbreak is concentrated, the government has declared a state of emergency and is in the process of purchasing a motel where infected people could go for isolation. Over a dozen states are reporting confirmed coronavirus infections, including Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Staff writer Terry Jones contributed to this report. APALACHIN, N.Y. -- State police have used a drone, a helicopter and a K-9 from another police department to help them search for a woman who went missing after leaving a party with her husband early Sunday. But so far, state police say they have found no trace of Casie Weese, a 37-year-old mother from Broome County. New York State Forest Rangers will join the search efforts Tuesday morning, said Trooper Aga Dembinska, a state police spokeswoman. Weese, of Glen Aubrey, was last seen leaving a party with her husband at about 1:20 a.m. Sunday on Main Street in Apalachin, a small hamlet west of Binghamton in Tioga County. The couple left the party in their car and started driving east on Main Street, Dembinska said. They only traveled a short distance when their car broke down on Main Street with a flat tire, the trooper said. When state police interviewed Casies husband, Ronnie Weese, troopers said they saw a spare tire on the car. They also said Ronnie Weese has been cooperating with the investigation. Ronnie Weese told state police he asked his daughter to call 911 to report her mother missing after she did not return home later Sunday. He also told police he and Casie had had a disagreement before she walked away hours earlier, Dembinska said. They had some sort of disagreement and she walked away on foot, the trooper said. Casie Weese was last seen walking east on Main Street, away from the car and away from the party they had just left, the trooper said. State police do not know exactly where on Main Street the car broke down, but they believe it may have been just east of a bridge near Apalachin Creek, Dembinska said. State police did not say what the couple was arguing about or whether they had been drinking alcohol at the party before Casie Weese disappeared. "I cant speak intellectually to their level of intoxication, State police Zone 3 Commander Capt. Erik Dauber said. We dont know what her state was, Dembinska added. Dembinska said theres a lot of speculation as to why Casie Weese disappeared, but state police are still trying to iron out all the facts. Everyone seems to be a detective on this one, the trooper said. We do hope that if people have information or if they did witness something to please come forward. State police have received reports from people who claimed to have seen Casie Weese in Glen Aubrey and Waverly, but they have not yet found her, Dembinska said Monday night. We are investigating every tip we receive, she said. State police say they are concerned about Weese because it was cold outside when she went missing early Sunday and she has a medical condition that can make it difficult for her to walk, Dembinska said. Ronnie Weese posted on social media that his wife left her cell phone at their friends house. Troopers said they are interviewing as many people as they can who saw Casie (pronounced Cas-ey) Weese before she went missing. State police have sent in troopers from Owego, Binghamton and Kirkwood, and from its Special Operations Response Team to help search for Weese on Sunday and Monday. The Broome County Sheriffs Office on Sunday brought a K-9 to help with the ground search. State police have also used a drone and helicopter to search from above near where Casie Weese was last seen. The search is expected to expand, as state forest rangers will join the search on Tuesday, Dembinska said. Weese is 5 foot 5 inches and weighs about 100 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black and white checkered jacket, jeans and black Ugg boots. State police ask anyone with information to call 911 or their barracks in Owego at (607) 687-3961. A state police helicopter searches for Casie Weese, a missing 37-year-old woman, in Apalachin, N.Y. on Monday, March 2, 2020.Provided by New York State Police 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 or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call (315) 470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook Advertisement Personal photographs taken by a British woman who worked on the original Star Wars movies during breaks in filming include Han Solo actor Harrison Ford holding a sizeable fish he had just caught during a fishing trip and a group photo signed by the late Carrie Fisher. Pamela Mann, now aged in her 90s, was the continuity supervisor on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. She also worked on the Steven Spielberg movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. Her job involved taking polaroid pictures of actors such as Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill at the end of a filming session to ensure there were no continuity errors when the recording resumed. But the candid photographs, sold for more than 4,000, were taken during breaks in filming. There was also a group picture signed for Pamela by many members of the cast including Mark Hamill, who wrote that working with her had been a 'continual pleasure'. The late Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia, described her as 'the most deeply, deep, deepest fun woman I have ever fish or filmed with'. The picture sold for 2,000. Other photos kept by Pamela included some of her with Steven Spielberg on location in Tunisia for the filming on 1981 movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. And there was one of her alongside George Lucas during the making of Return of the Jedi. A humorous cartoon drawing of Luke Skywalker that Hamill had made for her was also included in the archive. The actor's annotated notes on the drawing poked fun at the continuity challenges Pamela faced. Some of the 'instructions' listed included 'check position on head', 'check all hair tucked in', 'check face mike not up left nostril' and 'check position of mole'. Harry Ballin, auctioneer at Windsor Auctions in Berkshire, said: 'By all accounts she was very popular and did the job with humour and in a positive fashion. For the likes of Ford, Hamill and Fisher, they were early in their careers so they appreciated her help. These items are quite personal which is why they are valuable. 'There is a lot of Star Wars memorabilia out there but this has personal messages from the cast to the crew which makes it valuable.' Other items in Pamela's collection included a signed photo of the late Peter Mayhew who wrote 'To Pam, love from a wookie'. Pamela also kept a sample of Wampa fur, the terrifying 10ft snow creature that resided on the ice planet of Hoth and attacked Luke Skywalker in the opening scenes of The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars filming shot in the woods near Crescent City in California showing Han Solo actor Harrison Ford (right) and the late Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia (centre). The candid photographs, sold for more than 4,000, were taken during breaks in filming by Pamela Mann, who was the continuity supervisor on the set Photograph shows a continuity polaroid of Yoda during filming near Crescent City, California. Pamela's job involved taking polaroid pictures at the end of a filming session on the original Star Wars movies, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, to ensure there were no continuity errors when the recording resumed Pamela (right) with George Lucas (centre, looking into the camera lens) on the set of Return of the Jedi in a behind-the-scenes photograph. The 1983 film is the final movie in the original Star Wars trilogy and was shot in the Redwood forests near California and at the Chetham Grove section of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park A continuity polaroid of Ford, who played Han Solo, during Star Wars filming. Other items in Pamela's collection included a signed photo of the late Peter Mayhew who wrote 'To Pam, love from a wookie'. The archive was sold at Windsor Auctions in Windsor, Berkshire by Pamela, who is now aged in her 90s The collection included a picture of Han Solo actor Ford wearing binoculars around his neck and holding a sizeable fish he had just caught during a fishing trip with Pamela near Crescent City while they shot Return of the Jedi in California A group picture, sold for 2,000, signed for Pamela by many members of the cast including Mark Hamill, who wrote that working with her had been a 'continual pleasure'. The late Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia, described her as 'the most deeply, deep, deepest fun woman I have ever fish or filmed with' The grateful cast presented Pamela with a humorous drawing of Luke Skywalker in his X-wing fighter helmet with a personal message from Hamil, who played Skywalker, reading: 'We're in big trouble!' The actor's annotated notes on the drawing poked fun at the continuity challenges Pamela faced. One of the 'instructions' listed included 'check position on head' Pamela (right) standing next to Steven Spielberg, alongside some actors from Raiders of the Lost Ark, a 1981 Indiana Jones film directed by Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasda. The filming took place in the Tunisian desert Pamela (left) holding a ring binder while on a Star Wars set. Harry Ballin, auctioneer at Windsor Auctions in Berkshire, said the archive is 'valuable' as, despite there being 'lots of Star Wars memorabilia out there', these items are 'quite personal' Pamela (front left) with Spielberg and the crew filming Raiders of the Lost Ark in Tunisia. Pamela worked on the Spielberg movie, alongside being the continuity supervisor on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi Appeal against detention of ex-policeman controlling arrest of Golunov set for March 11 Moskva city news agency, Kirill Zykov 12:10 03/03/2020 MOSCOW, March 3 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court will hear an appeal against detention of ex-chief of a Moscow drug police district department Igor Lyakhovets charged in a case over abuse of power during apprehension of journalist Ivan Golunov, on March 11, lawyer Alexey Kovrizhkin has told RAPSI. In late February, Kovrizhkin told RAPSI that another defendant Denis Konovalov had testified against Lyakhovets, saying it was him who had ordered to plant drugs on Golunovs bag and apartment. Investigators believe Lyakhovets, who does not admit guilt, is the organizer of the crime. Earlier, all five ex-police officers, investigators allege are involved in the case, were placed in detention for two months, until March 29. Defendants are ex-Moscow narcotics control policemen Lyakhovets, Konovalov, Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov, Maxim Umetbayev. They are charged with abuse of power, evidence tampering and illegal drug trafficking. All the men except Konovalov plead not guilty. Investigators believe that they planted drugs on Golunov. Thus, they falsified the results of operative search activity that later became inculpatory evidence against Golunov in a drug dealing case; however, the drugs had been earlier illegally bought and kept by the police officers, according the Investigative Committee. In late December 2019, investigators opened the case over arrest of Golunov. The journalist was recognized as an injured party. All five defendants in the case have been dismissed from police. Golunov was arrested in Moscow on June 6, 2019. On June 8, the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow placed him under house arrest for 2 months. According to the Interior Ministrys official statement, police seized nearly 4 grams of methylmethedrone from Golunov. The journalist pleaded not guilty, insisted that the drugs were planted on him during the arrest and claimed that his prosecution is related to his journalistic investigations. According to his defense, an examination showed no drugs in his biomaterial. On June 11, charges against Golunov were dropped because of a lack of evidence that he participated in the crime, and the journalist was released. On June 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed two generals of police on the back of the arrest of Golunov. LOBAMBA - Is it high time the Prime Minister, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, considers a Cabinet reshuffle? Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday asked the PM if he was still happy with his current team of ministers. Do you still have a good team and is this a winning team? wondered Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo during the annual budget debate of the PMs Office by the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee. MP Khumalo said his question was based on the performance of some of the Cabinet ministers whom during the debate of their ministries budgets were not convincing. Are you sure that you do not want to consider other MPs for appointment as ministers, for example MP Mthandeni Dube? asked Khumalo. He said from his observations, some of the Cabinet ministers were not performing well. MP Khumalo further highlighted that the current government had already broken Section 67 of the Constitution in the appointment of ministers. He told the prime minister that Section 67 (2) was clear that the King shall appoint ministers from both chambers of Parliament on the recommendation of the PM. He said Subsection 3 continued to read that at least half the number of the ministers shall be appointed from among the elected members of the House. However, he said this was not the case as 11 of the current ministers were not elected while only nine of them had been elected. Crucial Khumalo further stated that there were crucial ministries which in other countries the ministers were those elected, such as the Finance minister and that of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Khumalo further stated that 22 years ago, they had the pleasure of being able to meet with the likes of the late DPM Arthur Khoza, who taught them politics. He said they welcomed all ideas instead of what was happening nowadays that if you had different opinions, then you were viewed as being against the Tinkhundla System of Governance. He said ex-PM Absalom Themba Dlamini (AT) had been a dream to work with because he accepted diverse views. Then came in the late PM Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, who was of the view that if you did not follow his views, you were wrong, said Khumalo. Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Phila Buthelezi said there was a need for government to call a referendum which would in turn amend the Constitution of the kingdom. He said Sibaya was also not the right forum for it and government needed a structured set-up for the referendum. MP Buthelezi said there was a lot that was now not in line with the Constitution and, therefore, a referendum was highly necessary, particularly since the Constitution belonged to the people who would then express their views. He made an example that the Constitution still referred to the country as Swaziland yet it was now Eswatini. He said although there was a legal notice changing the name of not the country to Eswatini, such notice could supersede the Constitution, which was the supreme law of the land. Freeman was elected an appellate judge in 1986 and then was elected a state Supreme Court justice in 1990. He succeeded James Heiple as the states chief justice in May 1997when Heiple resigned after being censured by fellow justices. Freeman went from being one of Heiples allies on the court to being one of his most vocal critics after Heiple came under investigation for misconduct. Home Just In Police arrest eight Chinese who were working in Nepal without permit Gorkha, March 3 Police in Gorkha district of northern Nepal have arrested eight Chinese nations after they were found to be working in Nepal without obtaining a permit. SP Som Prasad Adhikari says they were working for the proposed Upper Budhigandaki Hydropower Project in Soti, Aarughat rural municipality-3 of the district. The arrestees have been sent to the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu for further action, according to him. A few of them even do not have passports, Adhikari informs, adding the arrest was made after they failed to show their documents when asked. He claims the police in the district have launched an operation against suspicious activities of foreigners here. It has been learned that they had come to Nepal to test soil for the preliminary survey of the proposed project. REGISTRATION is now open for Darkness Into Light 2020, proudly supported by Electric Ireland, which will take place on Saturday, May 9 nationwide. Pieta and Electric Ireland are calling on as many people as possible around the country to join in the global movement to end suicide by coming together to walk from Darkness Into Light. The walk not only raises vital funds for Pieta and awareness for mental health, it brings people together in a spirit of solidarity and hope. In Limerick over 8,000 people took part in the 5km walk and this year, Pieta and Electric Ireland are encouraging more people to register and take part to raise vital funds for mental health. To register now and avail of the discounted early bird rates, visit www.darknessintolight.ie The unique event, which is symbolic of the journey from despair to hope, will begin in darkness at 4.15am on May 9t. Thousands of people will walk a 5-kilometre route into the light of dawn. Funds raised from Darkness Into Light help keep Pietas counselling services free of charge and freely accessible to those in suicidal crisis, people who engage in self-harm, and to those bereaved by suicide. In 2019, a total of 5.4m million was raised from Darkness into Light walks with over 200,000 people taking part around the world. Read also: Limerick councillor says local authority should be stripped of responsibility for housing Pieta has supported over 43,000 people with face to face therapy across centres nationwide. Since opening its doors 13 years ago, Pieta has heard painful truths from thousands of people who have come to the organisation at the point of suicidal crisis or actively engaging in self-harm. Speaking about Darkness Into Light and the movement of hope, Rachel Murphy, Director of Fundraising at Pieta, said: We rely on the support of the public to keep our doors open. Without this support the life-saving work of Pieta around the country would not be possible. It gives us tremendous hope to see the incredible solidarity of people across Ireland who walk together towards the dawn. Darkness Into Light is a community event so, if possible, walk with friends and family on May 9th to show your support, it was added, we are proud to partner with Electric Ireland this year, and every year, since 2013 because together we are stronger As Pietas flagship fundraising awareness event, Darkness Into Light has grown from a single walk in the Phoenix Park, Dublin with just 400 walkers into a global movement dedicated to raising awareness around suicide and self-harm. Almost 250,000 people in 24 countries across five continents are expected to come together in the pre-dawn hours to take part, and to spread Pietas message of hope around the world. For more information, see www.darknessintolight.ie, or telephone 061-484444. By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a politically explosive case on whether Obamacare is lawful, taking up a bid by 20 Democratic-led states including California and New York to preserve the landmark healthcare law By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a politically explosive case on whether Obamacare is lawful, taking up a bid by 20 Democratic-led states including California and New York to preserve the landmark healthcare law. The impetus for the Supreme Court case was a 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that Obamacare as currently structured in light of a key Republican-backed change made by Congress violates the U.S. Constitution and is invalid in its entirety. The ruling came in a legal challenge to the law by Texas and 17 other conservative states backed by Republican President Donald Trump's administration. The Supreme Court's decision to intervene means the fate of the law formally called the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the signature domestic policy achievement of Trump's Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, will be up in the air during the ongoing U.S. presidential race. The court is expected to hear arguments and decide the case in its next term, which starts in October and ends in June 2021, meaning a ruling is not likely before the Nov. 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second term in office. "As Texas and the Trump administration fight to disrupt our healthcare system and the coverage that millions rely upon, we look forward to making our case in defence of the ACA. American lives depend upon it," said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who is leading the defence of the law. Joe Biden, who served as Obama's vice president and is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in the election, said the case illustrates the stakes for healthcare in the presidential race. "This fall, Donald Trump will be trying to get the Supreme Court to strike down Obamacare - ripping health insurance away from 30 million Americans, ending protections for 100 million more with pre-existing conditions, destroying families and costing a million jobs," Biden said. The coalition of Democratic-led states have asked the Supreme Court to overturn a Dec. 18 ruling by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that declared that the law's "individual mandate" that required people to obtain health insurance ran afoul of the Constitution. The 5th Circuit ruling, which did not resolve the question of whether the law should be struck down entirely, came in an appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor's prior ruling that the entire law must fall. "Without the individual mandate, the entire law becomes unsupportable. The federal government cannot order private citizens to purchase subpar insurance that they don't want, and I look forward to finally settling the matter before the U.S. Supreme Court," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican. Trump has said he supports a prohibition on private insurance companies denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions - a provision contained in Obamacare - even as his administration has urged courts to invalidate it. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Supreme Court has a 5-4 conservative majority that includes two justices appointed by Trump. In 2012, it ruled 5-4 to uphold Obamacare. All five justices in the majority in that case - four liberals and conservative Chief Justice John Roberts - remain on the court. For the law to be struck down this time, Roberts likely would have to reverse course and join the other conservatives. Obamacare has helped roughly 20 million Americans obtain medical insurance either through government programs or through policies from private insurers made available in Obamacare marketplaces. Republican opponents have called the law an unwarranted intervention by government in health insurance markets. The law was signed by Obama in 2010 over strenuous Republican opposition. In the lawsuit led by Texas, O'Connor ruled that the entire law was unconstitutional. The 5th Circuit, while agreeing with O'Connor about the individual mandate, sent the case back to him for reconsideration on whether any parts of Obamacare could be salvaged. The Supreme Court will now decide the issue. In the 2012 case, the Supreme Court upheld most Obamacare provisions including the individual mandate, which required people to obtain insurance or pay a financial penalty. The court defined this penalty as a tax and thus found the law permissible under the Constitution's provision empowering Congress to levy taxes. In 2017, Trump signed into law tax legislation passed by a Republican-led Congress that eliminated the financial penalty under the individual mandate, which gave rise to the Republican lawsuit. The tax law meant the individual mandate could no longer be interpreted as a tax provision and is therefore unlawful, the Republican challengers argued. Trump's administration supported the legal challenge although it has suggested that not all Obamacare provisions need to be struck down. The administration had urged the Supreme Court not to take up the appeal because the 5th Circuit decision was not final. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. [March 03, 2020] Sentar Joins 2020 FedHealthIT Innovation Award Team Sentar Inc. (Sentar), a women-owned business specializing in advanced Cybersecurity and Intelligence solutions and technology, and its Government Customer have been selected by FedHealthIT magazine as a 2020 Innovation Award winner. The Sentar team was nominated and selected by a panel of current and former Federal and Industry leaders from across the Federal Health IT sector. FedHealthIT, a print and digital magazine dedicated to providing Federal health technology news and insights to key Government and industry decision-makers, recently honored companies, agencies, and programs providing effective innovations within the Government healthcare services industry. With this award, FedHealthIT recognizes both Sentar, the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC), and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) for services and capabilities this Sentar/government collaboration provided to the DHA enterprise, resulting in the newly established Marketplace Technology Integration Office (MTIO) cyber initiative. The MTIO initiative was awarded by FedHealthIT for contributing significantly to the complex transition of overhauling the Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) into one DHA enterprise. This effort requires a massive transition of military networks, infrastructure, and medical devices to one standardized information network to deliver healthcare to facilities. This standardization involves a large-scale internal restructure while enabling the rollout of MHS Genesis, a multi-billion dollar update to the MHS' legacy Electronic Health Record (EHR) solution. The MTIO Cyber Team provides distributed Risk Management Framework (RMF) and related services and support within this global environment, helping ease the cyber burden at MTFs. The dispersal of resources to market regions allows the MTIO Cyber team more coverage over a broader area enabling rapid process development targeting customer needs. Implementation of this effort has proven to be an effective solution, resulting in a reduction of overall costs while providing more efficient use of resources in regards to the RMF in the DHA. The MTIO Cyber Team has also maximized enterprise productivity, having accelerated work on 165 cyber authorizations. Through streamlined business processes, the team is capturing risk data for 40 sites on the DHA network in real-time. "The team has been able to ease cyber constraints at these treatment facilities, and onsite staff are now more equipped to focus their efforts on supporting the healthcare needs of the warfighter," said Joseph Sabin, Vice President for Health IT. "This award is yet another example of the success one can realize through meaningful collaboration between industry and government thought leaders, each of whom are deeply invested in the success of the DHA mission." The 6th annual FedHealthIT Innovation awards will be held on March 24, 2020 at the Carnegie Institute for Science in Washington, DC. This event brings together more than 300 senior Federal Health leaders from Government and industry to help celebrate and recognize the top Federal Health programs and the teams behind these innovative efforts in support of Veterans Affairs, Military Health, Health and Human Services, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The event celebrates the programs that are achieving unparalleled access and elevating functional efficiencies through models that are modern, secure, and scalable. About Sentar, Inc. Sentar is a cyber-intelligence company, applying analytics and systems engineering expertise to protect our national security and way of life by innovating, building, and securing mission-critical assets. Established in 1990, we have a long history of innovation. Today, we are one of the fastest-growing cyber-intelligence companies serving the National Security sector. Sentar has offices in Huntsville, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; Columbia, Maryland; and San Antonio, Texas. Visit www.sentar.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303006044/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The actress will soon head back to Bhopal to resume shooting for the film, which stars Bhumi Pednekar in the lead. Actress Mahie Gill is known for her more sensual roles in films like Dev D and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, but she is switching lanes to comedy for Gagan Puris Doordarshan and even horror for G Ashoks Durgavati, in which she plays a CBI officer. Mahie is keen to drop the sensuous tag. At the moment, I have decided not to do any characters that would bring me back to this sensuous tag. I was looking to do varied characters, so I got not one, but two films with totally different characters that I will play, she says. About the comedy flick Doordarshan, she says, I am trying my hand at comedy for the first time, and I have enjoyed doing it. When director Gagan Puri narrated the story, I instantly accepted the offer, adding that the films plot will warm the audiences hearts. The story of is a very loveable one, and it turns you nostalgic. I, too, became very nostalgic and went down memory lane to when we would sit and watch Doordarshan as a family. Those who will watch it will surely remember their earlier days. Todays youth will also see how families would sit together and watch television, she avers. As for Durgavati, Mahie is more tight-lipped as the film is still being shot. I play a CBI officer in this film. Whether I wear a uniform or not, you will have to wait and watch the film. We have not revealed the look of my character in the film, she coyly says. The actress will soon head back to Bhopal to resume shooting for the film, which stars Bhumi Pednekar in the lead. We have a long schedule. I am promoting my film Doordarshan, and then I will be going to Bhopal soon as the shoot (of Durgavati) has not ended. We are shooting regularly and continuously. I am happy doing films in which I play different characters, she concludes. She was last seen in California, taking in the mountain air with Rebel Wilson. And Love Island's Montana Brown turned heads in a midriff-flashing beige tracksuit on Tuesday when she attended the Deported movie premiere in LA with pal Georgia Harrison. Reality star Montana, 24, went braless under her ribbed crop top while a pair of fitted tracksuit bottoms perfectly complemented her complexion. Golden girl: Love Island's Montana Brown, 24, turned heads in a midriff-flashing tracksuit as she attended the Deported movie premiere in LA on Tuesday The British beauty kept it casual in a pair of black trainers and wore her honey blonde locks in an elegant bun with a centre parting. Fitness fan Montana added a touch of bling to her film premiere outfit with a pair of simple silver hoops and a stylish gold watch. Montana, who rose to fame when she appeared on Love Island in 2017, attended the event with fellow Love Islander Georgia Harrison, 25, who looked chic in a black satin jumpsuit. The statement one-piece fastened at the side and boasted peak lapels while a plunging neckline teased a glimpse of her cleavage. Gal pals: Montana, rose to fame on Love Island in 2017 and attended the premiere with fellow Love Islander Georgia Harrison, 25, who looked chic in a black satin jumpsuit Starry night: Montana and Georgia partied with Hollywood's finest at the Deported premiere (L-R: Mariano Di Vaio, Mickey Gooch, Montana Brown, Brooke Chamberlain, Georgia Harrison) The blonde beauty wore her loose hair slicked back and highlighted her long neck with a pair of large silver hoop earrings with chunky cross baubles. Media personalities Montana and Georgia were invited to the premiere by Deported producer Mickey Gooch, who has been working closely with Montana since she signed up to a top LA acting agency. At the end of February, MailOnline exclusively revealed that Montana was moving across the pond to pursue her acting career. Peace out: The British beauty kept it casual in a pair of black trainers and wore her honey blonde locks in an elegant bun with a centre parting The Swim Society founder has settled into the LA scene with ease and posed for photos with pal Mickey and actors Mariano Di Vaio and Brooke Chamberlain. Over the weekend, Montana and her pal Georgia showed that they have Hollywood in their sights as they took to Instagram to boast of their unlikely friendship with movie star Rebel Wilson. The girls stunned fans as they shared a series of pictures and images of themselves enjoying a VIP ski break with the Pitch Perfect star, 40. Say what? Montana has Hollywood in their sights as she took to Instagram this weekend to boast of their unlikely friendship with movie star Rebel Wilson Magical: While other pictures saw her rubbing shoulders with other actors including Harry Potter star Tom Felton Montana's Instagram stories were littered with clips of her cosying up to Rebel as they frolicked in the snow at the resort in Los Angeles, California. Other pictures saw her rubbing shoulders with other actors including Brooke Chamberlain and Harry Potter star Tom Felton. The reality star pair also joined the Hollywood star in making a TikTok video in which they strutted through the snow in slow motion. Work it: The reality star pair also joined the Hollywood star in making a TikTok video in which they strutted through the snow in slow motion Montana and Georgia are not the only former Love Islanders who have their sights set on stardom. Elsewhere, Love Island winner Finn Tapp, 20, was seen doing the rounds at a number of elite London modelling agencies on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Shaughna Phillips, 25, arrived in Manchester for a day of meetings on Tuesday after hinting that she was ready to begin a new chapter of her journey on Instagram last week. Stepping out: Elsewhere, Love Island winner Finn Tapp, 20, was seen doing the rounds at a number of elite London modelling agencies on Tuesday J oe Biden has been handed a huge boost to his presidential candidacy as his former rivals Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar threw their support behind him to strengthen his challenge to Bernie Sanders. Ms Klobuchar, the latest contender to drop out of the race to become the Democrats presidential candidate, endorsed the former Vice President as she delivered a barnstorming a speech at a rally on Monday night. "Joe Biden has dedicated his life to fighting for people," Ms Klobuchar said before introducing Mr Biden at the rally in Dallas, Texas, on the eve of Super Tuesday voting. "Not for the rich and powerful, but for the mom, for the farmer, for the dreamer, for the veteran. He can bring our country together." Mr Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and the first openly gay presidential candidate, said earlier in Dallas that he was "delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden He is somebody of such extraordinary grace and kindness and empathy. Former Democratic presidential primary candidate Pete Buttigieg endorses Joe Biden / AP Mr Biden in turn told reporters Mr Buttigieg reminds him of his son Beau, who died in 2015. He added: "To me, it is the highest compliment you can give any man or woman. Former US Representative Beto O'Rourke, another former candidate for the Democratic nomination, also endorsed Mr Biden, appearing to cheers as a surprise guest at the Dallas rally. Mr Biden is fresh off a resounding victory in Saturday's South Carolina primary and is aiming for a strong showing on Super Tuesday against Mr Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, who many centrist Democrats fear cannot win against Republican President Donald Trump in November. But Mr Biden still faces a challenge from billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg among voters hoping the party will nominate a moderate to face Trump. Loading.... Mr Bloomberg, a late entrant to the race, will make his ballot-box debut when 14 states vote on Super Tuesday. He is betting that the $500 million of his own money he has poured into his campaign will allow him to make up for not competing in the first nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. TODO: define component type apester The Super Tuesday contests offer the biggest one-day haul of the 1,991 delegates needed to win the party's nomination at its national convention in July, with about 1,357 delegates, or nearly one-third of the total number, up for grabs. Loading.... Fourteen states - California, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Vermont, Colorado, Utah, North Carolina and Maine - cast ballots on Tuesday. Five candidates Mr Biden, Mr Bloomberg, Mr Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Tulsi Gabbard - remain in the running for the Democratic nomination, down from more than 20 earlier in the campaign. A n Indonesian volcano has erupted spewing a huge ash cloud around six thousand metres into the air and covering nearby villages with grey dust. Mount Merapi, located near the country's cultural capitol Yogyakarta, erupted on Tuesday triggering the closure of an airport in the nearby city of Solo on the densely populated Java island, authorities said. The volcano is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes and a series of eruptions in 2010 killed more than 350 people and forced the evacuation of 280,000 residents. A six thousand metre-high ash cloud column has risen into the air and ash mixed with sand has fallen on towns as far as six miles away. Indonesia's Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation issued a red alert and said the ash cloud was moving north. Indonesian Volcano Spews Smoke And Ash Into Sky The international airport in Solo was temporarily shut at 9.25am local time (02.25 GMT), Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said. Four flights had been affected. The local disaster mitigation agency warned people to keep out of a 3km exclusion zone around Merapi. "Outside a 3km radius it's still safe," Biwara Yuswantana, the head of Yogyakarta's disaster mitigation agency, told Reuters. The city is located about 30km from the volcano. The latest eruption, part of a series that started in 2018, sent up a column of ash that affected several neighbouring areas, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Centre said in a statement. It said the eruption lasted almost eight minutes and warned of a risk of further eruptions due to continuing movements of magma. The 2,930-metre (9612.86 ft) volcano is a popular site for tourists and its fertile soil is also farmed. Merapi's worst eruption in the last century was in 1930 when it killed 1,300 people. In 1994, another eruption killed 60. There are almost 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is made up of more than 17,000 islands. HEC Paris and the Yale School of Management have joined forces to bring the Yale Women's Leadership Program to Europe. The program, to take place at HEC Paris on March 30 April 2, will draw together women leaders from around the continent. Designed to fulfil the specific challenges of women moving into or already in leadership positions, the program will also address a more pressing business need: to increase the presence of women in senior positions. The program combines the strengths of two world-leading executive education providers. The Yale School of Management brings globally renowned faculty, revered for their original research on critical leadership issues and commitment to developing change-oriented leaders. Since the inception of the program in 2016, reception in the U.S. was so enthusiastic that Yale began offering it quarterly. HEC Paris adds the European perspective, making the program highly tailored and relevant to European women leaders. The school has a longstanding record in promoting female leadership. According to HEC Paris Economics Prof. Jeremy Ghez, "this program helps us capitalize on the full potential of the school's ecosystem that has long promoted diversity. We live in a time that calls for novel ideas and different models. Gender diversity can't be just a buzzword in this context." Some of the topics addressed during the program include strengthening cross-cultural communication skills, creating high-performing teams, building effective networks, and creating an authentic leadership style. The program also provides excellent opportunities to connect with a global network of like-minded women. "Consistently, participants are willing to be honest with one another and themselves," said Emma Seppala, Women's Leadership Program Faculty Director. "This generosity improves participants' ability to apply insights from the curriculum to their own lives and develop meaningful relationships with one another that continue well after the course concludes." About HEC Paris Specializing in education and research in management sciences, HEC Paris offers a complete and unique range of programs for the leaders of tomorrow: the Grande Ecole program, Specialized Masters and MSc, Summer School programs, the MBA, Executive MBA and TRIUM Global Executive MBA, a Ph.D. program and a wide range of programs for executives. Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, HEC Paris has a full-time faculty of 140 professors, 4,500 students and 8,000 managers in executive education programs every year. About Yale School of Management Yale SOM Executive Education advances the mission of the Yale SOM through educating leaders in business and society. In partnership with faculty, Yale SOM designs and delivers immersive, impactful executive development programs on business and leadership topics that transform senior leaders, their teams, and their organizations. Yale Executive Education leverages the school's global reach, integrated thinking, and intellectual wealth to offer customized corporate programs built in partnership with clients and open enrolment programs for individuals or small teams in areas built on Yale expertise and research. More Information View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005725/en/ Contacts: Julie Dobiecki HEC Paris dobiecki@hec.fr +33139679439 A Cincinnati 911 dispatcher was suspended without pay after Cincinnati's city Manager said the person failed to send help when a man had a stroke. Cincinnati City Manager Patrick A. Duhaney wrote a letter to Cincinnati City Council members detailing what he called "nothing short of a tragedy," highlighting that the dispatcher violated multiple processes and procedures. In the letter, he stated on Jan. 12, a resident of an apartment complex called 911 to report one of his neighbors appeared to be having a stroke. The caller was not with the stroke victim when he placed the 911 call pleading for help. He was in a different apartment on a separate floor. The dispatcher, who was an employee of an Emergency Communications Center, told the caller to go to the stroke victim so that he could ask questions, but the caller said the victim might not want to answer questions or want help. The call continued for nearly eight minutes. During the call, the caller told the dispatcher, "He is getting worse and worse," "This is an emergency," "He's had a stroke," "He's had a stroke and another one is coming. He's gonna die," "He's going to die here." The dispatcher reportedly told the caller, "We can't force ourselves on him" and "If he doesn't want help, they won't do anything. He has to want to be helped." The dispatcher also said, "There is nothing the fire department or police officers can do. They can't force themselves on him." After around eight minutes, the caller hung up the phone and the dispatcher closed the call. No help was sent for the stroke victim that night. According to Duhaney, 911 dispatchers received another call from the apartment complex the next day. The caller said the person who suffered a "medical emergency" the night before had died. The caller also requested someone come to the apartment complex to help remove the body since no one had come to help the day before. ECC officials promptly opened an investigation into the incident. The officials determined that 45 seconds into the call, the caller provided the dispatcher with a clear, dispatchable location. The dispatcher was also aware that there was a person having a stroke, but yet chose not to send anyone to the apartment complex to help. ECC officials found that the dispatcher violated many established ECC procedures. Duhaney said those training to become an emergency medical dispatcher are trained to send "immediate medical response that is not subject to delay" to anyone who appears to be having a stroke. The dispatcher had reportedly taken all required training on ECC procedures and "should have taken a more appropriate course of action," according to Duhaney. The dispatcher will remain suspended without pay as authorities continue to investigate the incident. "What took place on the night of January 12 is nothing short of a tragedy. It's unclear if the individual would have lived or died, but the actions of this call-taker undermined the possibility of a positive outcome in this situation," Duhaney wrote in the letter. Brewery/position: Wayfinder Beer brewer Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado Favorite beer: Partial to lagers in general, and Wayfinders Czech Pils in particular Education/Experience: Studied in Portland State Universitys craft beer program; Wayfinder for past three years Kelsey Cable is one of three brewers at Southeast Portlands Wayfinder Beer, one of the citys most highly regarded breweries. She landed the coveted position her first brewing job through immersing herself in Portlands beer scene and seeking out the advice and guidance of mentors, the late, great publican Jim Parker in particular. This will be her third year participating in SheBrew, a festival the 34-year-old said is an important resource for women interested in brewing, especially homebrewers, who serve their beer. It is a cool opportunity for them to get public feedback because your friends can only know so much about beer when youre homebrewing and be able to hear feedback from professional brewers and people who are really involved in the industry, she said. We asked her to talk about her experience. (Answers have been edited for clarity and length) How did you become a brewer? I grew up in Colorado, so there was a big craft brewing scene there. Moving to Portland (in 2011), I really got into craft beer here, and it seemed like a community that was really accepting. I started just volunteering at beer festivals to learn the beer scene and get to know people. I started homebrewing in Portland, and I met Jenn McPoland, who is one of the co-founders of SheBrew, and she just had me volunteer for all these different festivals and got me into some really cool situations, and just got me really excited about the scene. So I was like, I should start focusing more on my homebrewing, see if I can get an internship. Eventually I met Jim Parker at Baerlic Brewing, and we had gone over doing an internship there, or finding a place for me. And when Wayfinder decided to open, he put in my name and suggested I come to work front of house, and meet with (brewmaster) Kevin Davey and talk about once we started brewing getting an internship. I started with a paid internship once a week and worked my way into full-time brewing. Do you have a brewing philosophy and what you want to achieve? I think its an unlimited learning opportunity, and starting with lagers, Ive been able to learn the technical aspects first. And further down the line I can work that into being more creative, adding more ales to my profile. But its been really nice getting the technical stuff first before I start experimenting with the creative side. What do you love about the craft-beer industry? I like that its like we all work for the same company but in different locations. Especially in Portland, the community aspect, were all so connected, and if a brewery needs yeast, another brewery provides it for free. Its very connected, and its nice to have a community. Were all working towards making better beer. What have been your challenges in this industry? I think its definitely a male-dominated industry, but I believe Portland is a market that has been easier in that aspect for women because of SheBrew and events like that. And Portland strives for diversity, especially in the beer scene, and so theres definitely been instances in the scene that are awkward and uncomfortable. But having the female brewers so closely involved with each other, thats a nice feeling. How would you like to see craft beer evolve? As we are having all these buyouts from all the big beer companies, I feel like we have to think of how much growth is good and how we want to be involved in the community. So how big do you want to get or how small do you want to keep it. And thats an interesting balance right now that craft brewers have to figure out is, how sustainable a business model is and how big it can get. Some people have really rapid growth, and some people have been around for 10 years under the radar and are doing really good beer and providing for their employees. More brewer profiles: -- Andre Meunier Subscribe to Andres text service and get ongoing alerts about beer releases and news from the Portland and Oregon beer scene. And check out Andres beer reviews on Untappd, where hes andremeunier13, and follow him on Instagram, where hes @oregonianbeerguy. More beer coverage: The Russian Federation is completing the formation of two new armies in the western and southern military districts near the border with Ukraine. The Russian Federation continues to build up troops near the border with Ukraine. The formation of two new armies in the western and southern military districts (the 20th Army headquartered in Voronezh and the 8th Army headquartered in Novocherkassk), as well as the 22nd army corps (Simferopol) on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula, is currently being completed. The main battle units have already been practically formed and the support units are being formed now. The armies are expected to gain operational capabilities by the end of 2021, Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said in an interview with the Obozrevatel media outlet. According to him, the forces and units of the southern and western military districts of the Russian Federation receive modern and modernized samples of weapons and military equipment on a priority basis. Particular attention is given to the re-equipment of aviation units with strike aircraft and helicopters, as well as the supply of state-of-the-art land-launched and sea-launched missiles to the troops. ol A 25-year-old man faces multiple criminal charges after authorities say he took a 4-year-old girl away from her mother then sexually assaulted the child on a Southeast Portland street. Richy Kinu was indicted Tuesday on six counts of kidnapping and sexual abuse, court records show. If convicted, he would receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years under Jessicas Law, which targets those who commit sex crimes against children. Kinu had met the woman and her daughter, neither of whom he knew, while they were at the Gateway Transit Center late at night Aug. 11, court records show. Richy Kinu. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office) The three went grocery shopping together at the Fred Meyer on Northeast 102nd Avenue then took the MAX train to the Lents neighborhood in Southeast Portland, according to a probable cause affidavit. As they walked to the womans home, Kinu carried the child while her mother schlepped bags of food. Suddenly, Kinu took off with the little girl, ignoring the mothers pleas for him to stop, court documents allege. The woman found her daughter a few minutes later near Southeast 92nd Avenue and Mt. Scott Boulevard, according to the probable cause affidavit. The little girl appeared to have been sexually assaulted. Kinu was nowhere to be found. The woman called police just after midnight Aug. 12, court records show. According to the responding officer, the mother smelled like alcohol and struggled to provide specific details about what happened, the affidavit alleges. Forensic tests later found that the little girl had been sexually harmed, court records show. Kinus DNA was also discovered. He was booked into the Multnomah County jail Feb. 20. His next court date is scheduled for April 13. Kinu has no previous convictions or arrests in Oregon, court records show. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. West Side Army veteran Terrence Moore reflects on the four years he spent incarcerated due to Guerra Dickler's violation of court instructions The prosecutor's deliberate presentation of prejudicial hearsay in violation of a pretrial ruling and misstatement of the law in closing argument amounted to plain error mandating reversal of the convictions in this case with closely balanced evidence. Voters should have grave concerns about egregious and deliberate prosecutorial misconduct and deception in a case prosecuted by Jamie Guerra Dickler, a candidate running for Cook County Judicial Circuit Court, according to a People for Liberty and Justice for All, and a coalition of activists and organizations. In prosecuting a drug case in 2013 against Army Veteran Terrence Moore, Guerra Dickler was admonished in a lengthy Appellate Court ruling overturning the conviction: The prosecutors misstatement of the law, and especially the egregious, deliberate violation of the courts ruling on the motion ..., threatened to tip the scales of justice against the defendant. Accordingly, because of the plain error, we must reverse the convictions and remand for a new trial.'' Read the appellate court decision here. "Cook County saw a mandate when voters ousted Anita Alvarez for the Laquan McDonald cover up and the over-prosecution and over-incarceration of people of color - many of whom were innocent,'' said Guadalupe Rivera, a founder of the Liberty and Justice for All PAC that works for racial justice, among other issues. Added Zerlina Smith of the West Side Democracy For America, one of several groups looking into the appellate court concern: "Prosecutors like Guerra Dickler cared more about conviction stats than people. She never should be a judge.'' Guerra Dickler is running for 6th Subcircuit judge of the Cook County Judicial Circuit Court against Anne Shaw, a civil rights attorney. Moore was arrested for drug possession after a search of his aunts home, but the court ruled the jury could not know Moore had been a target of the warrant. Despite this ruling Guerra Dickler put the information before the jury while questioning an officer. It is unusual for appellate courts to single out an attorney, but in this case the Appellate Court of Illinois pulled no punches. The prosecutor deliberately elicited the barred evidence. Moore's fate is endemic in the culture of former prosecutors on the bench, a huge part of the prison-pipeline epidemic that ruined the lives of generations of people of color. Moore, 54, a U.S. Army veteran, served three years and was in a work-release program when the appellate court reversed his conviction in 2017. He now lives on the West Side, trying to re-establish a life, Rivera and Smith say. I cant imagine a person who would do this to another human being anywhere in the court system, let alone as a judge,'' said Moore, the victim of Guerra Dickler's misconduct. In addition, this raises questions regarding Guerra Dicklers disclosure, Rivera said. Guerra Dickler has earned ratings from bar associations and legal groups that require such reversals to be disclosed Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ended her Democratic presidential campaign on Monday and plans to endorse rival Joe Biden in an effort to unify moderate voters behind the former vice president's White House bid. She is flying to Dallas and plans to join Biden at his rally Monday night, according to her campaign. Klobuchar was the third presidential candidate to drop out of the race in less than 49 hours, following Pete Buttigiegs departure late Sunday and Tom Steyer's exit late Saturday. Their decisions reflect an urgent push among moderates to consolidate behind Biden as a counter to progressive rival Bernie Sanders. Klobuchar outlasted several better-known and better-funded Democrats, thanks to a better-than-expected third-place finish in in New Hampshire. But she couldn't turn that into success elsewhere, as she struggled to build out a campaign that could compete across the country and had poor showings in the next contests. The three-term senator had one of this cycle's more memorable campaign launches, standing outside in a Minnesota snowstorm last February to tout her grit and Midwestern sensibilities. Klobuchar argued that her record of getting things done in Washington and winning even in Republican parts of her state would help her win traditionally Democratic heartland states like Wisconsin and Michigan that flipped in 2016 to give Donald Trump the presidency. She was hoping to own the moderate lane of a Democratic field that grew to some two dozen candidates. But that got much tougher when Biden joined the race in April, starting as a front-runner and remaining there. Klobuchar also was quickly overshadowed by Buttigieg, a fellow Midwesterner who shot from being the largely unknown mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to a top contender on a mix of intelligence, strong oratory and youthful optimism. Buttigieg dropped out on Sunday, saying he no longer had a viable path to the nomination. He has not endorsed anyone. Klobuchar entered the race with low name recognition compared with many of her rivals, a disadvantage she was still citing a year into her campaign. Outside Minnesota, the lawyer and former prosecutor was best known for her questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during a 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Klobuchar asked Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow teenager when both were in high school, if he ever had so much to drink that he didn't remember what happened. Kavanaugh retorted, Have you? Klobuchar continued, unruffled, and Kavanaugh later apologized to the senator, whose father is recovering from alcoholism. Even before she got into the race, Klobuchar was hit with news stories claiming she mistreated her Senate staff, and she had a higher-than-usual turnover rate in her office. Klobuchar said she is a tough boss but countered that she has several longtime employees, including the manager of her presidential campaign. She also face questions over her prosecutor past. In January, The Associated Press published a story about Klobuchar's office in Minneapolis having prosecuted the case of a black teenager accused of the 2002 shooting death of an 11-year-old girl. Klobuchar has cited the story to show her toughness on crime. But an AP/APM Reports investigation uncovered new evidence and myriad inconsistencies, raising questions about whether Myon Burrell was railroaded by police. The issue followed Klobuchar on the campaign trail, with protesters forcing her to cancel a rally in suburban Minneapolis days before Super Tuesday. Klobuchar campaigned on her productivity in Washington, where she led more than 100 bills that were signed into law. And she criticized the more liberal candidates in the field, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Sanders, for running on promises she said they couldn't keep. Rather than advocate for Medicare for All, for example, Klobuchar favored expanding the Affordable Care Act and working to reduce prescription drug costs changes she said had a chance of passing and would make a significant impact. She supported making community colleges free but said she wouldn't promise to do the same for four-year colleges and universities because the U.S. cannot afford it. I've got to tell the truth, she said during a CNN town hall at a college campus, where she acknowledged her position may be unpopular with younger voters. Klobuchar was one of the first candidates to outline a plan for addressing addiction and mental health, an issue she described as personal because of her father's longtime struggle. Her accounts of growing up with a father suffering from alcoholism and watching him be forced to choose between prison or treatment were some of the most compelling moments of speeches, interviews and discussions with voters. Klobuchar said that her father described getting help as being pursued by grace and that it's an opportunity all people fighting addiction deserve. But Klobuchar couldn't match her top competitors in fundraising. She raised about $11 million in the last quarter of 2019 roughly half of what Sanders and Buttigieg received. The lack of finances early on in the campaign meant Klobuchar wasn't able to expand her operation on the ground in Iowa and New Hampshire until months after her rivals. She then scrambled to put an operation in place in Nevada, South Carolina and the 14 states that voted on Super Tuesday. Still, there were bright spots, including strong debate performances that helped bring in new donors. Her campaign credited Klobuchar's showing in a debate days before the New Hampshire primary with helping her clinch a better-than-expected third place in the state's primary, topping Warren and Biden. Klobuchar said she raised $12 million in the next week. During one debate she addressed sexism in the campaign, questioning whether a woman with Buttigieg's experience would qualify for the stage. She also pushed back at fears of a female candidacy, saying, If you think a woman cant beat Donald Trump, (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi does it every day. In January, she earned endorsements from The New York Times, which also endorsed Warren, and the Quad-City Times, one of Iowa's largest newspapers. But Klobuchar was sidelined for much of the last few weeks before the Iowa caucuses when she along with fellow candidates Warren, Sanders and Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado was stuck in Washington for the Senate impeachment trial. She continued to rack up endorsements even as her campaign struggled, getting the backing of newspapers including the Houston Chronicle, The Seattle Times and the New Hampshire Union Leader. The American Tri-Five Ultimate Road Trip Display! Join the American Tri-Five Association in their Florida Sun Run Tri-Five display. Tri-Five's from all over the U.S. will join us at the 31st Daytona Turkey Run as the final destination on their road trip! You won't want to miss this incredible viewing of an American classic. Display dates are March 27th and March 28th . and . Hops and Hoods Beer Festival! Taste test local, craft and domestic beers on Saturday, March 28th from 12PM-4PM! Beer tasting tickets are $5 for 4 samples and $10 for 10 samples. Tickets can be purchased in advance or onsite. Advanced tickets include special Hops and Hoods VIP parking. from 12PM-4PM! Beer tasting tickets are for 4 samples and for 10 samples. Tickets can be purchased in advance or onsite. Advanced tickets include special Hops and Hoods VIP parking. Little Gobbler's Play Zone! Kids love cars and they love our Little Gobbler's Play Zone! For no additional charge our little gobblers will enjoy bouncy houses, an obstacle course, carnival games and more! Remember, kids 11 and under are always free to enter the show. Take a Kid to a Car Show - Spending quality time with a kid is the greatest gift we can give them. And sharing our appreciation for collector cars is a great way to nurture their interest in a hobby that can be enjoyed together for many years to come. The first 500 kids to enter will get a special Turkey Run gift. Annual classic car parade lap around the track! Registered show cars will enjoy a fun lap around the iconic Daytona International Speedway track on Sunday, March 29th at 2pm . The Spring Daytona Turkey Run is open to the public and features thousands of vintage, classic, custom, muscle cars, race cars and trucks on display and for sale, as well as a massive swap meet in which vendors sell and trade hard-to-find auto parts and accessories. There are also arts and crafts on Artisan Alley and a full midway of delicious food and drink vendors. Admission to the Spring Daytona Turkey Run is $10 Friday and Saturday and $5 on Sunday with free parking. Children under 11 are free when accompanied by an adult. Show hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. In its history, more than $13 million in Daytona Turkey Run proceeds have been granted to capital projects in our community that improve residents' quality of life. More information can be found at www.TurkeyRun.com. MEDIA CONTACT Jennifer Labonte [email protected] 386.341.8097 SOURCE Daytona Turkey Run Related Links http://turkeyrun.com Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij Tuesday said all works under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in the state are done by inviting tenders through e-trading portal in a transparent manner. The Minister gave this information in the Assembly responding to the Calling Attention Motion brought on the AMRUT scheme by main opposition Congress. As Congress legislators including Geeta Bhukkal alleged scam claiming some works under the project had been allotted to private companies on higher rates, Vij said if anyone is found guilty of any irregularity they will not be spared. The Congress members alleged that contracts in Hisar and Karnal had been given on very high rates. Vij said he has formed an SIT after allegations pertaining to some irregularities in some works. Independent MLA Balraj Kundu had also levelled allegations of irregularities in some works. Anyone found guilty will not be spared, Vij stressed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Municipal administration minister K.T. Rama Rao meets officials during his surprise visit to check the progress of the Durgam Cheruvu cable-stayed bridge work on Monday. HYDERABAD: Municipal administration and urban development minister K.T. Rama Rao made a surprise inspection of the ongoing works at the Durgam Cheruvu cable-stayed bridge. While carrying out the inspection, the minister instructed officials and contract agencies to ensure that there are pedestrian ways and lighting systems to ensure complete safety for users of the bridge. He enquired about the various stages of the ongoing works. L&T engineers informed Rama Rao that the cable-stayed bridge is in the final phase of completion. The minister emphasised that officials must complete construction of the bridge on time, if necessary by increasing manpower and deploying additional equipment. Mr Rama Rao also walked along the Jubilee Hills road number 45 to Inorbit mall as part of his surprise visit. He inspected construction works on the flyover coming up on road number 45 and instructed that it be completed on time for convenience of people. The minister told TRANSCO officials that they expedite shifting of power lines, so that works pending on the flyover could be completed. The officials assured the minister that the power lines will be shifted within two weeks. The minister said completion of all these works will help ease traffic congestion in the IT corridor. Michael Bloomberg has said he will eat at a Chinese restaurant in the coming days to show solidarity with businesses who have been hit by public fears about coronavirus. The multi-billionaire and Democratic presidential candidate made the pledge during a Fox News town hall event in Virginia as he hopes to kickstart his 2020 campaign with a strong performance in Super Tuesday this week. Mr Bloomberg was asked by Fox News Bret Baier how he would deal with the impact of coronavirus on the US economy. Its not the economics, its the people that are afraid to go out, he replied, as he argued financial solutions, such as tax cuts, were not the only way to help businesses during the outbreak. Go to Chinese restaurants all across the country here in America, where theres no reason to think whatsoever that youre going to catch the flu but people arent patronising them. Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters Mr Bloomberg added: I thought to myself tonight, Im going to go to a Chinese restaurant it actually turns out I cant but I will do it tomorrow night just to show the flag and help them. The 78-year-old businessman has based his unconventional campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on winning big on Tuesday, when voting takes place in 14 states. Mr Bloomberg has opted to ignore early states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, which are normally seen as an indicator of who will win the nomination, and has spent vast sums of money from his personal fortune to fund his campaign. Recommended Five things to know going into Super Tuesday The former mayor of New York has spent more than $501m (392m) on television, radio and digital advertising since entering the race, according to CNN. On Sunday night, he broadcast a three-minute advert on the coronavirus outbreak that mimicked a presidential TV address and reportedly cost more than $1.5m. Critics of the businessman have accused him of attempting to buy the nomination with his personal wealth, by ignoring traditional campaign events and spending huge amounts of money on advertising. During a bruising Democratic debate last month, Mr Bloomberg was also targeted by another Democratic candidate, Elizabeth Warren, over his past comments about women and the use of non-disclosure agreements at his company. Id like to talk about who we are running against. A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I am not talking about Donald Trump. I am talking about Mayor Bloomberg, Ms Warren said during the debate. Look, Ill support whoever the Democratic nominee is, but understand this, Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another. As of Tuesday morning, Mr Bloomberg was in third place in the Democratic race, according to a polling average from RealClearPolitics. The Telangana and Karnataka governments on Tuesday reviewed their Coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness after a Bengaluru-based man who travelled to Secunderabad tested positive for the infection, making him the fourth confirmed case from south India. Earlier, three positive cases were reported from Kerala but all of them were discharged later from hospitals on recovery. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man, who returned to Kerala from Malaysia on Monday, is under observation at the isolation ward of a government medical college hospital in Ernakulam district. Both Karnataka and Telangana declared that the health condition of the 24-year-old Bengaluru-based software professional had improved and he was stable, even as they stepped up efforts to track and bring people associated with him, including air passengers, under observation. The affected techie has been admitted to an isolation ward in the state-run Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad and is found to have come in contact with 88 people. He was in Dubai last month and worked with people from Hong Kong where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. From Dubai, he had returned to Bengaluru before travelling to Hyderabad in a bus. Budget carrier IndiGo said four of its crew members who were with the virus-infected passenger on a February 20 Dubai-Bengaluru flight were under observation at home since Monday. The condition of the man, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Hyderabad, is stable and the process of tracking people he came in contact with was on, Telangana Health Minister E Rajender said. "The health condition of the man, who works in Bengaluru as a software professional, has in fact shown improvement since Monday," he said after attending a meeting of a cabinet sub-committee which discussed measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu convened a meeting of top officials of his department in Bengaluru following information that the affected person had travelled from the city. A Karnataka Health department official said all the passengers of the bus he had travelled in and his colleagues have been contacted and were under house-quarantine. Passengers who were with him on the flight from Dubai were also being contacted, even as people who worked with the techie have been asked to work from home. "I appeal to people not to fear or panic. The government, the health and family welfare department and medical education department have taken all precautionary measures," Sriramulu told reporters in Bengaluru. "We have taken precautionary measures at sea ports, airports and also conducting blood and required tests on people and tourists coming from other places," he said. The software engineer had been to Dubai last month on an official visit, where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. According to information received, the IT employee working in Bengaluru had gone to Dubai on February 16, Sriramulu said. On his return at the airport here, he tested negative for COVID-19, the minister said. He then travelled to Hyderabad after staying in Bengaluru for a couple of days. He had developed fever thereafter, contacted doctors there and tested postive for the infection, Sriramulu said. A total of 23 people who travelled with him and his roommates have been screened and tests are being conducted as a precautionary measure, sources said. There were 92 flats in the apartment in which he was staying and tests and precautionary measures are being taken regarding all of them, the minister added. Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said the firm where the virus-affected techie is employed has been informed and it will ask their employees to work from home. In Hyderabad, Health Minister Rajender said the family members of the virus-infected patient were doing fine. Earlier, Kerala had reported three confirmed cases of the virus but all of them were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A nomads bikie associate who was arrested for his alleged involvement in two drive-by shootings and fraud is accused of scamming a bushfire relief charity out of $20,000. James O'Keefe, who also goes by the name James Wallace, allegedly claimed his home in Long Beach, on the New South Wales South Coast, was destroyed by fires. The father-of-one, 33, allegedly submitted two applications to the Australian Red Cross for financial assistance, both of which were approved, the Daily Telegraph reported. James O'Keefe (pictured), who also goes by the name James Wallace, allegedly claimed his home in Long Beach, on the NSW South Coast, was destroyed by fires The father-of-one allegedly submitted two applications to the Australian Red Cross, both of which were approved Police allege the father lived more than 4km from the nearest firefront and his home was not touched. Some of the money O'Keefe received in funding was used attempting to purchase large quantities of drugs, police will allege in court. 'We have not only had bushfires, we have had the greatest natural disaster to affect this country in recent memory,' Criminal Groups Squad Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow said. Residents in the Batemans Bay area are still living in caravans and tents as a result of losing their homes. These are the people that need charity relief, Det Supt Critchlow said. The Red Cross raised $150million for bushfire relief and is attempting to retrieve the funds back from O'Keefe. The 33-year-old was charged with multiple charges, including firearm offences, fraud, affray and drug supply. Despite police alleging the 33-year-old lived more than four kilometres from the nearest firefront (Batemans Bay fire pictured) and his home was not touched, he received $20,000 Another man, 26-year-old Matthew McGann, was also arrested over allegations he falsely claimed his home was flattened in the fires. Det Supt Critchlow said there could be more arrests in the future as they believe there may have been more bikie associates who attempted to make claims. 'We know the charitable group was very keen to get money into the community to support business and individuals and they have been duped by these criminal groups,' he said. Det Supt Critchlow said the alleged behaviour of the men was 'disgusting'. More than 500 homes were destroyed and eight people were killed when wild bushfires ravages the NSW South Coast over summer. Another man, 26-year-old Matthew McGann (pictured) was also arrested over allegations he falsely claimed his home was flattened in the fires The Red Cross is distributing grants of up to $20,000 to those who have been displaced by the catastrophic events or injured. The charity has found 'several dozen' claims to be 'suspicious' and referred a number of cases to the police. Director of Australian services Noel Clement said multiple people in small communities have falsely claimed their homes were affected by the fires. 'In one community alone we had applications for 15 homes that we were told had been destroyed, none appeared on official damage assessments so we directly inspected the sites and discovered that none had been impacted by the fires,' he said. The Chief Medical Officer of Lucknow Narendra Agarwal on Tuesday said that passengers coming from various countries are being screened and helpdesk has been set up at the international airport as part of measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Speaking to ANI he said, "We are screening passengers coming from various countries and a 24x7 helpdesk has also been set up at the international airport." "Six doctors and eight paramedical staff have been deployed at the helpdesk. People are being informed about the precautions for the disease by distributing pamphlets and a self-declaration form is also being filled by the passenger," he added. He said that a total of 71 isolation wards have been arranged in the state capital. "Total of 71 isolation wards have been arranged at King George Medical University, Lok Bandhu Hospital, Civil hospital, Balrampur Hospital and SGPGI Lucknow," he told ANI. Agrawal informed that 248 people have been put under watch in Lucknow who returned from a foreign trip for possible Coronavirus symptoms. "So far 248 people have been under watch. There were 6 cases in Lucknow out of which 5 have tested negative for Coronavirus while a report of other persons is awaited," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coronavirus seems to have benefitted paper companies, especially those such as Ballarpur Industries and JK Paper, which manufacture coated paper. The market prices of the product have increased by 8-10 per cent, according to two dealers due to the huge decline the past two months in the quantities China had been dumping into the country prior to the outbreak. However, prices of other varieties of paper, such as writing, printing and copier have not improved as much. The January 31 decision of the government to ban the import of stock lots across all categories of paper has also helped ... A day after two fresh cases of coronavirus was reported in India, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday issued a travel advisory suspending all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan who have not yet entered India. The advisory also suspends visa on arrival (VoA) issued by March 3 to Japan and South Korea nationals who have not yet entered India. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate, said the advisory which brought the suspension with immediate effect. In view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19, in supersession of all earlier advisories, the government issued the new travel advisory on Tuesday. Regular (sticker) visa / e-Visa granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force. Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate. The advisory said regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Photo enthusiasts will love the creative opportunities for photography in cities known for their majestic architecture, history, and culture. Jason P. Odell Photography, LLC is pleased to announce two travel photography workshops for 2021. http://bit.ly/JPOPhoto2021 On these small-group workshops, participants will tour a pair of European cities. Professional photographer Jason Odell will be teaching participants how to create dramatic travel images that do more than just document your visit. Participants will learn photographic composition and exposure, and a wide range of creative photographic techniques to make their travel photos stand out. These workshops will also emphasize the use of the latest version of Adobe Lightroom for iPad, allowing participants to travel light while retaining their ability to adjust their images while traveling. For 2021, Jason P. Odell Photography is offering two travel photography workshops. Each workshop will take place in a pair of European cities known for their stunning architecture and cultural history. Prague & Vienna: April 2021 http://bit.ly/Prague-Vienna2021 Participants will discover the culture and architectural beauty of Prague and Vienna with professional photographer, Jason P. Odell. The tour begins in Prague, Czech Republic and then continues by train to Vienna, Austria. Amsterdam & Bruges: September 2021 http://bit.ly/Amsterdam2021 This travel workshop is round-trip from the amazing city of Amsterdam, where participants will photograph the cultural centers and famous canals in the city. The tour includes private transportation to the famous windmills at Kinderdijk, for sunset and twilight photography. The tour continues by train to Bruges, Belgium, another city famous for its food, culture and canals to go along with the impressive architectural sights. About Jason P. Odell Photography Jason P. Odell is a professional photographer and photo tour leader based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He specializes in nature, landscape, and travel photography. He has authored 13 comprehensive photography guides, including guides to Nikons Capture NX, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Nik Plug-ins. Jason's photo tours and workshops are designed to provide participants with the experience of photography as a craft, starting with composition and exposure, and ending with digital post-processing. Jason's workshop groups are kept very small so that he can work with participants directly. Jasons photography has been featured by Nik Software, Tiffen, Studio Photography Magazine, Wildlife Photographic Magazine, Singh- Ray Filters, and Digital Silver Imaging. Jason has been a full-time photographer since 2010, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:10:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MACAO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The total merchandise export from Macao in January 2020 amounted to 1.15 billion patacas (about 143.64 million U.S. dollars), down by 24.8 percent year-on-year, the special administrative region (SAR)'s statistics service said here on Tuesday. The latest report from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of re-exports decreased by 28.3 percent to 996 million patacas (about 124 million dollars), with that of diamond and jewellery, and watches tumbling by 76.4 percent and 44.5 percent respectively. The value of domestic exports rose by 9.8 percent to 154 million patacas (about 19 million dollars), the DSEC report added. Analyzed by destination, merchandise export to Chinese mainland dropped by 35.1 percent year-on-year to 108 million patacas (about 13 million dollars) in January 2020, of which exports to the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta declined by 39.2 percent to 98 million patacas (about 12 million dollars). The exports to Hong Kong SAR fell by 35.0 percent to 730 million patacas (about 91 million dollars). The exports of textiles and garments jumped by 79.7 percent year-on-year to 127 million patacas (about 16 million dollars) while those of non-textiles dropped by 29.9 percent to 1.02 billion patacas (about 127.40 million dollars). Labor will begin its push to take over local councils across Melbourne by targeting Moreland, the inner-north stronghold of their arch-rivals the Greens, at council elections later this year. The partys ambitions for a historic revival as a political force on Victorian councils looked set for a boost on Tuesday night with the likely passage through State Parliament of a law changing the way local governments are elected. Voters streaming into South Melbourne Town Hall on a previous council election day. Credit:Ken Irwin A desperate rearguard action by the Greens in the upper house looked set to fail, allowing Labor to get its way on single-member wards in the October elections, an outcome that is tipped to return large numbers of major party councillors and squeeze out independents and smaller parties. The Greens say single member wards have a bad record of failing to elect women and members of minorities to councils and are something the Victorian Electoral Commission has repeatedly opposed. Here at the Foreign Citizens Advice Centre we have been providing free, independent and confidential advice & support on all aspects of living, working, visiting, buying & selling property and investing in Turkey. The centre has been set up to assist qualifying foreign nationals with a comprehensive range of free advice and support. We can simply point you in the right direction or, if you prefer, guide you every step of the way The advice and support that we offer is given by a mixture of both foreign and local citizens. Between them they have many years of practical experience in a wide range of professional fields of expertise. The subjects we cover include: Residency Applications Passport Applications Wills and Inheritance Buying and Selling Property Healthcare Mariage and Divorce Disputes Debt Recovery Property Management Banking Investments A giving and receiving experience Many of us are volunteers which is about giving back to the community; it can also be quite the receiving experience, too. Here at The Foreign Citizens Advice Centre we not only assist our visitors on a daily basis; we also gain from meeting new people and new challenges everyday. Below is an example of one situation I found myself dealing with. How the Foreign Citizens Advice Centre helped Tony Lucy, a volunteer at the Foreign Citizens Advice Centre talks about how they helped Tony. I had posted on our social media platforms the telephone number to contact if you were to lose your Irish Passport in Turkey. I had a call from a Turkish friend who said that he was with an elderly Irish gentleman named Tony who could not find his passport and was due to fly home that evening. My Turkish friend did the right thing and took the gentleman to get a police report stating that he lost his passport. As I live close to Tony, I brought him to my house to try and sort out an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) for him. As it was the weekend I knew the Irish Embassy in Ankara would be closed, however, if it is an emergency you can leave a message, which I did. Within five minutes I had a call from them. They were extremley helpful and said that, although he would not be able to travel that evening, they would arrange an appointment with the Irish Consulate in Izmir for Monday. Meanwhile, Tony contacted his family in Ireland to arrange a new flight for the following Tuesday. As he had no email address, I gave them my details to send the informaion to. Whilst I was talking to his family, the Irish Consulate in Izmir called and confirmed that an appointment was available for him on the Monday morning. Tony had to take new passport photos, the police report and another form of identification with him in order to obtain an ETC. It is always important to keep your passport in a safe place. Replacing it costs a lot of money (especially if you have to book new flights), youre at risk of identity theft, it completely messes up any plans you might have had until you get a new one and youre no longer legally entitled to be travel in our out of the country. Always have copies of the main passport pages with you when you go on holiday and if like Tony you lose your passport while you are in Turkey, please feel free to contact The Foreign Citizens Centre on the details below. If you need any advice you can contact the Foreign Citizens Advice Centre on: 00 90 256 612 3207 or 00 90 5318 560 546 (24 hr) support@adviceturkey.org www.adviceturkey.org This is a sponsored article in association with the Foreign Citizens Advice Centre Featured photograph of Kusadas courtesy of hurriyet.com.tr [March 03, 2020] Arkansas Democrat-Gazette leverages PressReader's Branded Edition 2.0 technology for its Digital Replica, winning the 2020 Mega-Innovation Award Arkansas's state newspaper converts 79% of its print subscribers over to its interactive Digital Replica, helping return the struggling state newspaper to profitability. VANCOUVER, March 3, 2020 /CNW/ - PressReader, the world's largest premium newspaper and magazine platform and architect of Branded Edition 2.0 technology, is honored to be part of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's 'iPad Initiative' - a bold experiment that won the 200-year-old newspaper the 2020 Mega-Innovation Award in Fort Worth, Texas. Back in 2018, the publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (ADG), Walter E. Hussman Jr., realized that for the first time in more two decades, his newspaper was going to lose money. Many publishers before Hussman faced the same dilemma and soon found themselves on the slippery slope to bankruptcy. Despite experiencing the same disruptive impacts of the internet and massive changes in consumer behavior and business models, Hussman was determined not to end up like the 1,800 US newspapers forced to close their doors over the past 15 years. The Editor and Publisher 2008 Publisher of the Year, known for never surrendering to David versus Goliath battles in the past, was not going down without a fight. Instead of cutting circulation in remote areas and decimating his newsroom as many US newspaper publishers did, Hussman remained committed to being "a public trust vital to our democracy" and the statewide newspaper of all of its 75 counties. By analyzing subscribers' reading behaviors, he discovered that thousands of them had already switched from the print edition of the paper to the Digital Replica because they appreciated the convenience and flexibility it offered without losing the familiar print layout they enjoyed over the years. Armed with this insight, Hussman initiated an experiment in Blytheville where subscribers were encouraged to switch from print to the Digital Replica - incentivizing them with training and an iPad if the person didn't have one. 70% of print readers converted to the Digital Replica, motivating Hussman to launch a full-scale rollout across the state. At first, there was some resistance from subscribers, but after using the app for about three weeks, their opinion was universal. Subscribers liked the app experience better because it offered a familiar printed layout, augmented with engaging features such as zoom and pan functionality, live story updates, breaking news, embedded videos, slideshows, article sharing, story narration, instant translation in up to 18 languages, and access to past issues. In January 2020, Hussman completed his digital conversion of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, transitioning just shy of 36,000 home delivery subscribers (79%) to the Digital Replica powered by PressReader's Branded Edition 2.0 technology - the latest generation of the technology originally used to build the first ADG Digital Replica back in 2012. The total cost of the conversion was expensive - with $12M spent on more than 27,000 iPads and US$90 per subscriber in training - but it was worth every penny. ADG was able to drop Monday through Saturday home delivery in 63 of the 75 counties in Arkansas and only offering the print edition on Sundays. Even some Sunday-only subscribers upgraded their subscriptions to include the Digital Replica. The average revenue per Digital Replica subscriber now exceeds $32/month. When asked about the 21% of people who didn't convert and the loss of that revenue, the publisher was pragmatic, "So, would you rather have 79% of your print subscribers paying you $32 a month? Or would you rather have 100% of your subscribers paying $5 a month? If you do the math, I think you'll find it's a much better economic proposition to go with the Digital Replica." The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has been a valued partner of PressReader for close to a decade, capitalizing on all the distribution and publishing solutions the company has to offer, including PressReader Print-on-Demand, PressReader.com, PressReader mobile apps, and Branded Edition technology for its privately labeled Digital Replica. "It surprises me that so many publishers still don't recognize the value of digital replicas like the one PressReader built for us with their Branded Edition technology," said Hussman. "Our print subscribers may have been skeptical at first, but now they love all the interactive features and extra content we can give them. They spend more time engaged with the Digital Replica, and we know that higher engagement leads to higher retention and lower churn." In a country where media literacy has reached a crisis point, and thousands of US communities are at risk of becoming news deserts, this award is particularly meaningful. Arkansas is the home to over 3 million people, and despite the challenges of having the third-lowest literacy rate1 in the country, the third-lowest income2, and the lowest internet connectivity3, Hussman proved that the trust, perceived value, and achievement that comes with printed media carry over to digital replicas, along with the willingness to pay for them. "It takes an entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of vision to cannibalize existing products and business models in order to pave the way for a more profitable future," said Alex Kroogman, CEO of the PressReader Group of Companies. "Working closely with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, we developed a product that would serve the paper's entire audience, creating opportunities for print and non-print readers to explore all the quality content the publisher produces. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's success story has been an inspiration to all of us at PressReader and should be to the rest of the publishing world." Hussman is now focused on converting readers of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and expects to turn a profit this year. If it is anything close to what he accomplished with ADG, he should also start working on another acceptance speech at Mega-Conference 2021. 1 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-10-worst-states-education-180112118.html 2 https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/080116/americas-poorest-states-2016.asp 3 https://broadbandnow.com/Arkansas About PressReader PressReader is on a mission to improve the way people discover stories that matter to them. With offices in Vancouver, Dublin, and Manila, the company provides the largest all-you-can-read platform of newspapers and magazines where people can discover relevant and trusted content from anywhere in the world publications such as The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Hearst Newspapers and Magazines, The Globe and Mail, Newsweek, Forbes, Le Figaro, and Vanity Fair, to name just a few. Using their phone, tablet, or computer, readers can browse content online or download entire issues using the PressReader app. They can subscribe for unlimited access, or get the full experience sponsored by one of its brand partners - businesses that leverage the premium content platform to enhance their customers' experience - household names like British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Marriott, Fairmont Hotels, Seabourn Cruise Lines, Princeton University, and the New York Public Library. PressReader's digital edition technology (Branded Editions) powers many of the world's most iconic publishers for their privately labeled digital editions, bespoke apps, and web kiosks brands like The New York Times, Arkansas Democratic-Gazette, El Pais, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, The Times (of London), Haymarket, ABC, and Clarin. For more info, visit about.pressreader.com SOURCE PressReader View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arkansas-democrat-gazette-leverages-pressreaders-branded-edition-2-0-technology-for-its-digital-replica-winning-the-2020-mega-innovation-award-301014843.html SOURCE PressReader Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Oil advanced for a second day after an OPEC+ committee recommended a larger supply cut to offset lost demand from the spread of the coronavirus. Crude futures rose 0.9% in New York on Tuesday. Ahead of OPEC meetings later this week, the groups Joint Technical Committee recommended an output cut of 600,000 to 1 million barrels a day. The proposal helped insulate oil from a broader market decline that followed an emergency rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which investor worried wouldnt be enough to thwart the economic impacts of the virus. Todays rally is about OPEC, says Andrew Lebow, senior partner at Commodity Research Group. It looks like theyll make a substantial cut and it could bring the oil market closer to equilibrium. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied nations will meet Thursday and Friday to discuss measures to shore up slumping oil prices in the face of the spreading virus. PRODUCTION: Annual U.S. oil production breaks another record Global petroleum demand is forecast to take a steep hit as the virus spreads more widely, with Morgan Stanley cutting its demand growth forecast for 2020 to 500,000 barrels a day while Goldman Sachs sees global oil demand shrinking 150,000 barrels a day, the lowest annual growth rate since the 2008/2009 financial crisis. West Texas Intermediate futures for April delivery rose 43 cents to settle at $47.18 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent futures for May settlement fell 4 cents to $51.86 on the ICE Futures Europe exchange, putting its premium over WTI at $4.53. The Fed, the central bank in the worlds largest economy, announced an emergency half-percentage point interest rate reduction after Group of Seven finance chiefs pledged to shelter their economies from the spreading contagion. The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide topped 90,000 on Tuesday. FUEL FIX: Get our energy news in your inbox daily. The stimulus is encouraging but thats not moving the timetable for coronavirus recovery and the impact to oil demand, says Stewart Glickman, an analyst at CFRA Research. The hope is that OPEC makes a substantial cut to production to meet oil fears head on. Its uncertain if it will be enough because theyre trying to hit a moving target. Central banks in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain matched the Feds half-percentage point cut, hours after Chairman Jerome Powell said the fallout from the virus had increased risks to the U.S. economic outlook. --With assistance from Alex Longley, Craig Torres, Grant Smith, Salma El Wardany and David Marino. The state Legislature passed a bill late Monday night to allocate $40 million to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law early Tuesday morning, just as the second case of the virus in New York was confirmed in Westchester County. The legislation also allows Cuomo to make any directive (an order or instruction) he wants in the event of a natural disaster, ranging from landslides to terrorist attacks. This means that the governor can override any local agencys authority during a declared state of emergency. The law also stipulates that no suspension of a law or directive can be made if it is not in the interest of the publics health and welfare, and is not reasonably necessary to aid the disaster effort. While there was strong support for the bill prior to its passage, some lawmakers have expressed concerns with language that imbues Cuomo with more power, albeit during public health crises. This is far more sweeping than dealing with the public health issues in battling the coronavirus, so why would this majority grant unfettered discretion, unbridled authority and cede our powers to the executive? state Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan said during a floor speech on the bill. Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried argued during a heated debate that no governor, no health commissioner, ever had occasion to ask for anything like the powers that the governor is asking for in this bill. The New York Civil Liberties Union released a statement on Twitter on Monday night, urging lawmakers to reconsider the bill and questioning why the governors executive powers needed to be expanded. There are no answers to the critical question of what activities are contemplated by the governor that are not already authorized by the existing emergency powers law, the NYCLU wrote. The organization also used the state Legislatures expansion of the states antiterrorism law after 9/11 as an example of how disaster initiatives that expand certain powers can have long-lasting negative effects. After 9/11, the state legislature approved a drastically expanded emergency antiterrorism law that has not been used to prosecute terrorism, but has been used to make other prosecutions easier, the NYCLU wrote. Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialists of America-backed Assembly candidate in Queens, echoed the NYCLUs concerns in a statement by pointing to the continued surveillance that many Muslim New Yorkers were subjected to after previous executive overreach. Mosques, businesses and homes across our district were subject to long-term, unlawful surveillance by the NYPD, Mamdani wrote. Although this isnt the type of activity being contemplated in response to coronavirus, it nevertheless falls under the scope of the powers granted by this bill. Our district deserves representation that remembers this history and learns from it and thats exactly what I intend to bring to Albany. Ultimately, the bill passed the state Senate in a 53-4 vote. However, Gerald Benjamin, a longtime political science professor at SUNY New Paltz, told City & State that he feels Cuomo is responding promptly to the immediate crisis and that his decision to include the Legislature is good politics and good government. To the degree that hes extended his power past the immediate crisis, you might say its a power grab, Benjamin said. But I think if you look at the executive order, youll find that the governor has the authority to respond and has done so with past natural disasters, without legislation. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who introduced the bill at the governors request, addressed concerns from fellow lawmakers following the vote. We can continue to debate whether or not there is an overreach of power, she said, according to Politico New York. I think we all are looking at a lot of ways this could have transpired. But the reality is our state and our nation continues to look for leadership, and we probably, better than most places, have the ability to act. We have the facilities, we have the personnel and quite honestly, I know Sen. Flanagan has expressed great confidence in the national scene, I have confidence in New York. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also commented to reporters at the Capitol on the strong reactions that lawmakers had to the bill. The governor raised this language, and some members did express their concerns, but the Legislature has the ability that, if the governor takes an action that we feel oversteps the bounds of where we think he should go, we can pass a concurrent resolution to undo it, he said. There is a check on the broadening of powers that is given to the governor. Cuomo explained why it was necessary for him to have the ability to make any necessary directives in the case of a state of emergency during a press conference in Albany on Tuesday morning. Suspension of an existing law means I am removing an impediment from an agency, he said. But it does not give you the ability to affirmatively do anything. And in this situation (a coronavirus outbreak), the government has to act. Two more African countries, Senegal and Tunisia have confirmed cases of the deadly Coronavirus. Senegals Health Minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, said on Monday that the country has confirmed its first case of coronavirus. The patient is a French man who lives in Senegal and flew back from France on 26 February, Mr Sarr told a press conference in the capital, Dakar. The patient reported to a private hospital on 27 February with symptoms, including a headache. The authorities are monitoring everyone who travelled on the same flight as well as the patients family. The minister said the country was prepared to deal with the virus, pointing out that Senegal had the facilities to test for the coronavirus. This is the second case in sub-Saharan Africa after one was confirmed in Nigeria last week, BBC reports. Also, Tunisia confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, the countrys health minister told journalists on Monday. Abdelatif el-Maki said the patient was a 40-year-old Tunisian man, who arrived in the country by boat from Italy on 27 February. He and the other passengers had been advised to monitor themselves. When his fever spiked, he contacted emergency services. In Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Senrgal and Nigeria have all confirmed cases of the virus. By Express News Service KENDRAPARA: Abhaya Sutar of Chaulia village in Patkura was charged with murdering his wife seven years back. He even spent a month in jail for the alleged crime while all his claims of innocence fell on deaf ears. On Monday, he was proved not guilty after police nabbed his dead wife and her lover from Pipili in Puri district. Abhaya married Itishree Moharana of Samagola village on February 7, 2013. But, after only two months of marriage, Itishree went missing from his house. Abhaya launched a frantic search for his wife but was unable to trace her. Later, he lodged a missing complaint with Patkura police on April 20, 2013. On May 14 the same year, Itishrees father Prahallad Moharana filed an FIR in the police station alleging that his daughter was being tortured by her husband over dowry. He claimed that Abhay dumped Itishrees body somewhere after killing her. Acting on the complaint, police arrested Abhaya and sent him to jail. After languishing in jail for around a month, he was released on bail. After his release from prison, Abhaya decided to devote all his time to trace Itishree and prove his innocence. Suspecting that his wife may have eloped with someone, he visited many places in search of her. Finally, he tracked Itishree at Pipili where she was living with her lover. On getting information from Abhaya, police rushed to Pipili and detained Itishree and one Rajiv Lochan Moharana. Both were produced in the court of Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) at Kendrapara on Monday where their statements were recorded under Section 164 of CrPC. In her statement, Itishree said she had an affair with Rajiv before her marriage. However, her parents were against their relationship and forced her to marry Abhaya. After two months of marriage, she fled her in-laws house in the night and eloped with Rajiv. Both fled to Gujarat and stayed there for seven years. Itishree also gave birth to a son and a daughter. Recently, they returned to Odisha. Patkura IIC Sujit Pradhan said Rajiv is earning his livelihood by driving an auto-rickshaw in Bhubaneswar. The family are now residing in Pipili. Abhaya said, When police failed to locate Itishree, I decided to take matters into my own hands. In these seven years, I have visited many places to track her down. Now that I have proved my innocence, I am a satisfied man. ROSEMONT, Ill., March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- After careful consideration regarding the ongoing spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) overseas and recent cases in the United States, the International Housewares Association's Board of Directors has decided not to hold The Inspired Home Show 2020, scheduled to take place March 14-17, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. "For the last several weeks, we have been watching this situation very carefully, with our primary concern being the safety and well-being of the home + housewares industry," said Derek Miller, IHA president. "The IHA Board of Directors made this decision after consulting with industry constituents including exhibitors and retailers. In the end, the global nature of our event, combined with the worldwide concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak and ongoing travel restrictions make it impossible for us to hold The Inspired Home Show next week." The IHA Board of Directors and IHA staff will be working together over the next several weeks to measure the financial impact on the industry and the Association. Once an analysis is complete, additional information regarding exhibitor refunds will be made available. IHA had previously announced that the International Sourcing Expo, which primarily houses Chinese-based suppliers, would not open in 2020 due to the restrictions on travel between China and the United States. The Inspired Home Show 2021 will be held March 13-16 at Chicago's McCormick Place Complex. The International Housewares Association is the 82-year-old voice of the housewares industry, which accounted for (US)$394.3 billion at retail worldwide in 2018. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world's premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA's Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com), and offers its 1,400 member companies a wide range of services, including industry and government advocacy, export assistance, industry and consumer trends through the IHA Market Watch, executive management peer groups, a B2B community at www.housewares.org, group buying discounts on business solutions services and direct-to-consumer engagement through TheInspiredHome.com. SOURCE International Housewares Association Police cleared in shooting death, Feb. 24 Its disturbing, yet unsurprising, to read another news article regarding police clearing themselves in the shooting of a mentally ill person in Canada. This time it was an unarmed Indigenous man in Ottawa, who was stunned with a stun gun twice, then shot to death, for becoming visibly frustrated in the presence of police. Police-controlled special investigations units almost always exonerate police involved in these killings, highlighting the lack of real accountability in our police departments. Special investigation units are opaque in their decision-making details, but transparent in their intent to normalize the killing of mentally ill citizens by police forces across Canada. Mentally ill persons in distress are routinely instructed to call 911, for police assistance, when they are unable to access the appropriate help through our underfunded health-care system. Police are obviously not equipped to provide mental health care, nor should they be tasked with doing so. The outcome between police and distressed mentally ill persons too often results in death for the sick person, who requires medical attention, not the firing end of a gun or stun gun. Mental health nurses and community outreach workers, (who generally make less money compared to the average cop), are far better suited to dealing with mentally ill persons in need of medical assistance. Anyone looking for cost savings in our public sectors would serve the people better by diverting funds from policing and into mental health services. This fiscally responsible decision would decrease the number of fatal interactions between the police and mentally ill people, while providing the most appropriate form of care for the ill. Crime rates are significantly decreasing in Canada, while health care needs are rising. It makes sense to put our tax dollars where they really belong: into health care, not policing. Vice President Mike Pence in an appearance Sunday on NBC News' Meet the Press refused to condemn controversial remarks by Donald Trump Jr. about the coronavirus. NBC News Vice President Mike Pence in media interviews Sunday refused to condemn Donald Trump Jr. for claiming that Democrats want Americans to die from the coronavirus. Trump Jr. in a Fox News interview Friday said "for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning is a new level of sickness." Pence told NBC News' Chuck Todd after being played the clip: "When you see voices on our side pushing back on outrageous and irresponsible rhetoric on the other side, I think that's important." Democrats have criticized the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus but some allies of Trump have groundlessly claimed they welcomed the virus. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Vice President Mike Pence in media interviews Sunday refused to criticize Donald Trump Jr. for claiming that Democrats want Americans to die of the coronavirus to hasten the end of Donald Trump's presidency. Pence is leading the Trump administration's battle against the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and appeared on NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday to field question about the spread of the illness, and the government's response. During the interview host Chuck Todd played Pence a clip of Trump Jr. on Fox News on Friday, where he claimed of Democrats that "for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning is a new level of sickness." "None of this seems to match the facts. What facts are there that Democrats are doing this?" Todd asked Pence, and challenged him to name Democrats who have made the claim Trump Jr ascribed to them. Story continues After a brief exchange with Todd, Pence said: "When you see voices on our side pushing back on outrageous and irresponsible rhetoric on the other side, I think that's important." Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) February 28, 2020 Pence was also challenged about Trump Jr.'s claim in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday morning. In the interview, Tapper played Pence the clip of Trump Jr. and twice asked Pence if he rejected the comments. "He said, seemingly, Democrats want millions of Americans to die of coronavirus," said Tapper. "But responding to the kind of things that have been hurled is is understandable," replied Pence. President Trump has also accused Democrats of seeking to use the coronavirus to damage him politically. The president told supporters at a rally in South Carolina Friday that "Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus. They're politicizing it," and went on to describe the illness as "their latest hoax." In a press conference at the White House Saturday, Trump said that the hoax claim refered not to the virus itself, but to claims about it made by Democrats. Several leading Democrats have criticised the Trump administration's response to the illness, but Business Insider has found no evidence of Democrats welcoming it. Pence, in the interview with Todd, cited an article by columnist Gail Collins in The New York Times, entitled "Let's call it Trumpvirus" with a standfirst which read, "If you're feeling awful, you know who to blame," as evidence that Democrats were using the crisis to damage Trump. Pence also said the Democrats were the ones seeking to exploit the illness for partisan gain. "It's time for the other side to turn down the volume," Pence said. Read the original article on Business Insider People in South Korea are turning to smartphone apps to avoid areas infected by the Covid-19 coronavirus. The country was placed on red alert last month by health authorities after a rapid rise in the outbreak. Since then, app developers in the country have used public government data to create tools that help track the outbreak, with six of the country's top 15 most-downloaded apps on Google Play now coronavirus related. The most popular is Corona 100m, which has been installed more than 1 million times since it launched on 11 February. The app alerts users if they come within 100m of a location that has been marked by the government as a high-risk area. Other apps provide data about where infected people have visited, together with demographic information about the patient. More than 5,000 people in South Korea have been infected with the deadly virus, making it the country with the most confirmed cases outside of China. The outbreak is already having a significant impact on the countrys economy. Major manufacturing plants have been forced to shut down, travel restrictions have been put in place and many live events have been cancelled. The worst affected areas have been in Daegu and the North Gyeongsang Province, where Samsung factories and Apple supply facilities have reported worker infections. More than 3,600 people in Daegu have tested positive for coronavirus, according to The Korea Herald, resulting in a shortage of hospital beds in the city. The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Show all 11 1 /11 The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Visitors with suspected symptoms of the new coronavirus, inside of a car, bottom right, get virus test by members of medical team as others queue in their cars at a "drive-through" test facility at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Workers move equipment into containers set up as a makeshift medical facility to accommodate COVID-19 patients at a hospital's grounds in Daegu, South Korea on Friday 28 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea People wait in line to buy face masks in front of a store at Dongseongro shopping district in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Medical workers wearing protective gears comfort each other outside a hospital in Daegu, South Korea, on 28 February 2020 REUTERS The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Medical staff in protective gears arrive for a duty shift at Dongsan Hospital in Daegu South Korea on Friday 28 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea 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 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A man wears a mask and goggles as he waits in line to buy face masks from a post office near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea South Korean medical workers wearing protective gear visit a residence of people with suspected symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus to take samples, near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea 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 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A South Korean army vehicle sprays disinfectant on a road to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Daegu, South Korea on Thursday 27 February 2020. AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Troops set up makeshift partitions and beds at the Armed Forces Hospital in Daegu South Korea 28 February 2020 EPA There has also been a shortage of protective face masks, prompting a public apology from President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday. I feel very sorry for causing inconveniences to the public by failing to supply masks sufficiently and quickly, Moon reportedly said. He stressed the need for an urgent and bold injection of state funds, as well as bi-partisan cooperation to pass the necessary budget bills. Around 30 trillion won (19 billion) is expected to be rolled out in order to combat the public health crisis and prevent its further spread. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 23:18:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Tuesday said the government will audit all sisal plantations with a view to identifying undeveloped plantations and repossess them. "After the auditing, the government will reclaim all undeveloped sisal plantations from investors and give them to farmers for growing the cash crop," Majaliwa told public rallies at Segera and Kabuku on his six-day official visit to Tanga region. Majaliwa said the repossession of the undeveloped sisal plantations was part of the government's strategy to revive production of the crop. At the start of his visit to Tanga region on Sunday, Majaliwa announced government plans to revive production of sisal to enable the crop to contribute to the national economy. Majaliwa directed all district commissioners in the region to oversee the revival of the crop without delay. Majaliwa appealed to large investors in the sisal industry to produce high quality sisal seeds in bulk and distribute them to sisal growers. Tanga region was leading in Tanzania in the production of sisal but production of the crop had deteriorated in recent years due to various reasons, including poor management of the sisal industry. The sisal industry in Tanzania employed over 100,000 people, with a total production of about 40,000 tonnes annually from the 1970s to 1980s but poor management by the Tanzania Sisal Board led to the collapse of the industry. In August 2019, the government of Tanzania annulled possession of 15,738 hectares of sisal plantations from a private investor after the investor had failed to observe conditions for the development of the farms. In August 2017, President John Magufuli ordered repossession of all farms that have remained idle for long time. Enditem Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court observed that the amended Telangana Mun-icipalities Act, 2019, which allows demolition of illegal constructions without giving notice to the owners, was a draconian power vested with muni-cipal authorities. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chau-han and Justice A. Abhi-shek Reddy was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Mohan Chandra Parth-asarathy which challenged Section 178 (2) of the Telangana Municip-alities Act, 2019. The petitioner submitted that the principles of natural justice should be followed, and apprehended that the law may be misused. Reminding the government of the Constitut-ional necessity that a person must be heard before taking any action against him or her, the bench said that the powers granted in the law fell foul of the rights guaranteed to a citizen under the Constitution i.e., the principles of natural justice. Chief Justice Chauhan said, Even a hardcore dacoit cannot be hanged without a trial... Where is the fairness? The aspect of principles of natural justice have been totally ousted by the Telangana state government. Putting up firm stand, Advocate-General B.S. Prasad reminded the court of its rebuke the other day, when it came down heavily on GHMC officials and other municipal authorities for not dealing firmly with those resorting to illegal constructions. The Advocate-General said, When the State has come up with a strong law, with an intent to keep the violators of law at bay, now the court is asking the State to follow principles of natural justice. He also submitted that the Bombay Municipal Act had similar provisions. Reacting immediately, the Chief Justice said, We are aware of the fact that there are a lot of illegal constructions. At the same time, we are also equally aware of the arbitrary powers vested with the municipal authorities. Therefore, the question would be, do we place certain limitations on the exercise of powers. He said that the amended law spoke about setting up the Municipal Building Tribunal to deal with issues of deviations from the rules and violations. The High Court had been told several times that the tribunal would be constituted soon but it had not been done so far, the Chief Justice said. The High Court also pointed out that the state was making constitutional and statutory bodies unfunctional by not appointing the posts. The Advocate-General informed the bench that the rules have not yet been framed about the procedure to be followed up to act on deviations and assured the court that he will advice the state government to frame rules adhering to the observations of the court. The hearing was adjourned to March 11. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu smile at the Likud Party after vote celebration on March 3, 2020 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images Israel's sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is projected to win his third election in under a year. Exit polls indicate that the 70-year-old conservative Likud Party chair has secured a narrow lead against challenger Benny Gantz, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces and leader of the moderate Blue and White Party. But it's unclear if Netanyahu will be able to form a coalition government, as he has failed to do so twice in the past. Netanyahu has been formally indicted in three separate criminal cases and his trial is set to begin on March 17. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defied expectations once more, narrowly winning his third election in less than a year despite an impending criminal trial. The 70-year-old conservative Likud Party chair has secured a narrow lead against challenger Benny Gantz, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces and leader of the moderate Blue and White Party. Netanyahu has faced Gantz in the three elections within the last year: first in April 2019, again in September 2019, and most recently on March 2, 2020. Israel's perpetual election cycle has to due with the way the country's democracy operates. While elections usually happen every four years, the country's parliamentary system makes it difficult for elected officials to maintain a governing coalition long enough to last an election cycle. In 2018, Netanyahu's government dissolved over clashes with his coalition partners, and early elections were called for April 2019. This cycle, voters chose from a list of 29 parties to serve in the 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset. The electoral threshold is 3.25%, which means a party needs to pass that threshold equivalent to four Knesset seats of the overall vote in order to gain representation. Story continues It is rare for any one party to win an outright majority. Ultimately it will be up to President Reuven Rivlin to select the prime minister based on which party has the best chance of forming a coalition. Rivlin will consult with leaders of parties that won Knesset seats about their preference for prime minister. After the president makes his selection, the chosen candidate has 42 days to form a coalition government through vigorous, often tense, negotiations with smaller parties. If the selected leader can't form a coalition, another candidate will be given a chance. In the last two elections this year, both candidates failed to yield a viable government, leading to another exhaustive round of elections. In this round, exit polls indicate that Likud is projected to win around 37 Knesset seats, while rival Blue and White is projected to win about between 33 and 34 seats, securing Netanyahu's narrow win. Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party. GALI TIBBON/AFP via Getty Images Still, experts and politicians remain skeptical that either candidate will be successful in forming a coalition government, and there are preemptive concerns that Israel may be headed to a fourth election. Rivlin on Monday said the country should be deeply ashamed to hold an election for the third time in less than a year. "We simply don't deserve this," he said. "We don't deserve another horrible election campaign that descends into filth, like the one that ends today." Meanwhile, Netanyahu was already celebrating his win on Monday, saying that his campaign was able to tun "lemons to lemonade." It's unclear if Netanyahu will be able to form a coalition before his trial is set to begin on March 17. Netanyahu has been formally indicted in three separate criminal cases for charges relating to bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said that Israel is headed into an extraordinary situation where Netanyahu officially the country's longest-serving prime minister in history will be in charge of the justice system he has become so tangled in. "Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive [as] bringing them security and prosperity," Plesner said. "At the same time, the country is heading towards constitutional uncertainty. On March 17, the Prime Minister's trial will begin and the country will find itself in the unprecedented situation in which the man in charge of institutions of law and order will begin his fight to clear his name in court." Read the original article on Insider While going viral usually refers to a popular meme on the internet, the emergence of COVID-19 is behind an *actual* viral epidemic -- one that promises to impact public- and private-sector organizations as well as average individuals worldwide. Over the past month, fear of contracting COVID-19, the illness resulting from coronavirus, has prompted organizations to cancel conferences and curtail non-essential business travel. Over the past three weeks those fears have kept people from going into their offices in cities where the virus is quickly spreading. Chinese officials reported the virus in late December, and by early February there were already reports of the virus on every continent except Antarctica. By the end of February there were tens of thousands of cases reported globally and thousands of related deaths. Within government agencies, plans for how to react and respond to coronavirus are changing over time, since even virology, epidemiology and disaster preparedness experts cannot confirm how COVID-19 will act or transmit in the United States. The Defense Department held a March 2 news conference where Secretary Mark Esper and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley both stressed that DOD is prepared to address short- and long-term scenarios, both domestically and overseas. Milley said DOD is working with operational commanders to assess the impact of the virus on military operations around the world. A command post exercise in South Korea has been postponed, he said, but Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand is continuing. Milley also said that military research laboratories are working to come up with a vaccine. Commanders are taking all necessary precautions because the virus is unique to every situation and every location, Esper said. "We're relying on them to make good judgments," he said. In early February, Office of Personnel Management Director Dale Cabaniss issued guidance on various HR flexibilities agencies could use in the event the virus puts employees or their families in quarantine or isolation, including telework, alternative work schedules and emergency hiring and pay options. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention likewise has posted interim guidance for business and employers planning their response to the virus. With this in mind, here are key concerns affecting public-sector IT in regard to the coronavirus spread: IT supply chain. Since technology products and support services coming from China and other Pacific Rim countries are often much less expensive than those produced elsewhere, government agencies (like many other global enterprises) have become dependent on goods from various Pacific Rim countries and India, which have been deeply affected by the coronavirus. Contractors are also likely feel the pinch. Slowdown in production at tech factories in China "will impact the ability to get components," procurement expert Larry Allen said. "Obviously, the longer the outbreak, the bigger the issue" for both government and commercial consumers of IT hardware and systems. A case in point: On Feb. 25, the online portal of NASA's Services for Enterprise-Wide Procurement acquisition contract warned of delays in deliveries of items shipped from affected areas. Call centers. Both employee and customer call centers tend to see volume spikes when epidemics or other disasters happen, according to Xaqt, an automated call center company. Government agencies may receive calls about the coronavirus itself, or its impact on public services, as well as calls from employees pertaining to policies, procedures and attendance at their jobs. Federal, state and local agencies might need to consider establishing hotlines, ramping up automated call-center services, offering opt-in SMS updates or issuing alerts related to this or future epidemic. Telework. When the coronavirus began spreading in China, remote work began in earnest as a way isolated or quarantined employees could continue working. According to reports, more than 300 million workers in China have been telecommuting in recent weeks. Dr. Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University and professor of health policy and management, said he believes this health crisis will show public-sector agencies that they can be less dependent on having people move from place to place or come into an office. However, telework and video conferencing may stress a home users internet capacity, causing slowdowns in some areas, suggested Asha George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense think tank. Experts believe this viral epidemic will encourage more private- and public-sector enterprises to utilize cloud storage and embrace remote work applications and consider new options for teleworking. Collaboration apps. With employees working from home to avoid catching or spreading the virus, online collaborative work applications are taking off. Use of the WeChat Work app in China has exploded this year, adding 1 million new users every day to the countrys WeLink teleconference software. As a result, China's remote-working solution market is expected to reach $477 million by 2024, up from $169 million in 2019, according to Beijing-based consultancy Qianzhan Industry Research Institute. Similarly, U.S.-based Zoom, provider of remote video-conferencing software, has seen its stock rise more than 60% in the past month, as more private- and public-sector employees opt to use this and other remote-work applications to communicate and collaborate, rather than come into to the office. Its not just Office documents and spreadsheets that are being shared. Erin M. Sorrell, member of the Center for Global Health Science and Security and an assistant professor in the department of microbiology and immunology at Georgetown University, said information regarding COVID-19 is being shared among government employees and contractors. People are getting the information out quickly. Critical IT employees. While IT staff often gut it out and work when theyre not feeling well, contagion concerns regarding COVID-19 may force employees to stay home, leaving mission-critical systems with a skeleton staff. More broadly, the cancellation of various IT-related and developers conferences, as well as the concern around the wisdom of attending others, may hinder the development of new applications, delay product releases and postpone essential training. Disaster planning. If nothing else, the potential epidemic is forcing public-sector managers to revisit their disaster planning strategies. Right now, agencies should be testing their systems. Posing questions and seeing what the issues are. George said. They should be planning ahead for worst-case scenarios with national security and biological events. These [issues] are happening more frequently than in previous history, George said. I wish everybody wasnt so surprised. As difficult as it is, organizations should be looking to future, even as were trying to respond because this is going to continue to happen, again and again. A former submarine commander said he had voiced his misgivings about an inexperienced and sleep-deprived crew returning to port in the dark before the USS Georgia ran aground and suffered $1 million in damage. Captain Dave Adams, now retired, said he spoke up about his concerns before the Ohio-class guided missile submarine under his command struck a buoy and ran aground while returning to Kings Bay, Georgia, on November 25, 2015. The Georgia is one of two subs based out of Kings Bays, and is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Captain Adams says he emailed and spoke face-to-face with superiors, including some who told him 'slow things down a little,' if he felt uncomfortable. But when the mission was ordered ahead, he said he dared not create a delay for fear of being accused of insubordination, according to the findings of a nearly 500-page report of the investigation. Captain Dave Adams, a former submarine commander, said he had voiced his misgivings about an inexperienced and sleep-deprived crew returning to port in the dark when the USS Georgia ran aground almost five years ago and suffered $1 million in damage Captain Adams, now retired, said he spoke up about his concerns before the Ohio-class guided missile submarine under his command struck a buoy and ran aground while returning to Kings Bay, Georgia, on November 25, 2015. The Georgia is pictured leaving port after a refit a year ago The report is only coming to light now after a public information request, reports Military.com. The investigation, completed in March 2016, found that the 'excessive speed' of the sub as it approached a pilot who waited to be picked up in the dark made it more difficult for the crew to control the ship, and that a tugboat carrying the pilot was positioned poorly, making the maneuver more difficult. Blame was ultimately laid on Captain Adams, who also took full responsibility and was reassigned to a different post after the mishap. 'His inability to effectively manage the complexity of the situation and failure to respond to the circumstances in a manner sufficient to protect the safety of the ship and crew is beneath my expectations for any CO,' an investigation endorsement by Rear Adm. Randy Crites, then-commander of Submarine Group 10, reads. Crites also disagrees with the argument that maneuvering in the dark and with an inexperienced crew was what led to the sub's disastrous mishap. 'Ultimately, had this crew (and the Pilot) executed the same plan in the same manner during broad daylight, there is nothing in the ship's planning effort, demonstrated seamanship, or response to tripwires that indicates the outcome would be any different,' he said. However, the rear admiral also indicates that others who were involved would share in the punishment. Sailors are pictured on the bridge of the USS Georgia. Although its former captain was blamed for a mishap that caused the sub to strike a buoy and run aground in 2015, a real admiral said others who were involved would share in the mishap Crites said he was taking administrative action against the sub's executive officer; chief of boat; navigation/operations officer; weapons officer, who was the officer of the deck at the time of the mishap; and assistant navigator. He also said he'd issue non-punitive letters of caution to the commander of Submarine Squadron 16 and his own chief of staff and director of operations, all Navy captains, for failure to take appropriate action regarding Captain Adams' concerns. Captain Adams, according to the investigation report, wrote an email to the commodore of Squadron 16 marked 'confidential,' where he laid out his concerns about his orders before the mishap. He was particularly concerned about making a predawn return to port for a brief one-day stop with a crew that had spent just three weeks underway together on a new ship. 'CO/XO/NAV have not piloted into Kings Bay in the last 20 years. All of the untoward [incidents] I know of occurred between [St. Marys] and Fort Clinch,' he wrote. 'My assessment is that this is not a prudent plan for [return to port] ... Having just been at sea for a few weeks, I have not built enough depth. I am concerned about the fatigue level of my command element,' Captain Adams explains. 'Given an all day evolution and subsequent [underway], we will have spent the majority of 36 hours awake and are set to pilot out and submerge on the mid-watch at 0330.' Capt. John Spencer, commodore of Squadron 16, apparently did not receive or read the email. But Captain Adams testified he voiced the same concerns directly to with Spencer days before, on Nov. 22. Captain Adams said he also discussed the same issues in a follow-up phone call. Despite his alleged warnings, the return mission was not called off and there was poor communication leading up to the accident, as well as during the mission itself. The USS Georgia is pictured alongside a submarine tender USS Emory S. Land in 2013 The report found that as the sub exited a channel at the west of the Fort Clinch basin, assistant navigator recommended to the navigator that the sub go to 'all back emergency'. But Captain Adams overrode the order and ordered 'all ahead full' instead, reports Military.com. Despite a series of desperate maneuvers to try to avoid the buoy, the submarine ended up hitting it, before running aground. The sub suffered damage to a screw propeller, an acoustic tracking device and an meter that measured it's speed, as well as cosmetic damage, and had to go into dry dock for repairs. A middle-aged man, Hassan Yahaya, has been jailed 10 years for killing his friend with a knife during a fight over sweet melon seeds. The State High Court in Yola found Mr Yahaya guilty of killing Bapeto Suleiman of Lainde village in Shelleng Local Government Area of Adamawa State in 2014. The incident occurred during a fight between the two friends over the seeds of sweet melon. According to the prosecution, the fight broke out when the deceased bought a sweet melon and was eating it with his friends, including the convict. The prosecution added that the deceased was gathering the seeds of the melon in a polythene bag when the convict told him to stop picking the seeds, resulting in a fight. The court was told that the deceased was the first to bring out a knife before the convict also brought out his own and stabbed Mr Bapeto to death. Delivering the judgement after the counsel to the defendant pleaded for leniency, Justice Abdul-Aziz Waziri sentenced Mr Yahaya to 10 years imprisonment for manslaughter. The court declared that the jail term will start counting from 2014 when the convict was taken into custody and urged Mr Yahaya to be of good behaviour and not to engage in a fight anymore. Touch screens can reportedly carry bacteria for up to five days (Getty) An expert has warned people to wipe down touch screens in public places before using them to avoid contracting coronavirus. According to Professor Bill Keevil, a virologist from the University of Southampton, the virus can survive on the screens for several days at a time meaning it could be easily transmitted from person to person if they are not wiped down. If you think about the number of times you go to a bank or get rail tickets, any tickets, he said. This is a common touch service, coronavirus can survive on glass for at least five days, if these screens are not being cleaned, which is unlikely, people should wipe them with a disinfectant wipe, or wear gloves. A 2018 investigation found traces of faecal matter on several McDonald's touchscreens (Getty) Any public touch screen needs to be wiped down. An investigation carried out by Metro earlier in late 2018 found traces of faeces on McDonalds touchscreens across the UK. Read more: Travel Restrictions Pointless If Coronavirus Gets Worse Says Government Expert Senior lecturer in microbiology at London Metropolitan University, Dr Paul Matewele said at the time: We were all surprised how much gut and faecal bacteria there was on the touchscreen machines. These cause the kind of infections that people pick up in hospitals. It comes after experts said people should be wiping down their phones at least twice a day to help prevent the spread of the disease. Peter Hall, professor of public health and health systems at the University of Waterloo, described mobiles as portable petri dishes and said they should be disinfected regularly. Mobile device screens are portable petri dishes accumulating bacteria and viruses, he wrote in The Conversation. "Antibacterial wipes are necessary here, as they generally kill viruses as well. "Clean your device at least twice daily, once at lunch and once at dinner time (or linked to another daily routine). According to some researchers, live coronaviruses can likely live up to 96 hours on phone screens. Rudra Channappanavar, an immunologist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, told Quartz touchscreen phones were particularly dangerous. This is because tiny droplets from coughing and sneezing are likely to stick to the glass phone screens more than other surfaces. The UMPC health system, with medical offices and hospitals across much of Pennsylvania, has so far seen no need to test anyone for the new coronavirus, a UPMC doctor said on Tuesday. UPMC has been screening people for the possible symptoms of the coronavirus, called Covid-19, for two months. We still have not had any cases in need of Covid-19 testing. We are proactively trying to find cases. We are not waiting for them to appear before us and become obvious, said Dr. Donald Yealy, the chair of emergency medicine at UPMC. Speaking to the news media, Yealy was questioned about the possibility people in Pennsylvania may be carrying the coronavirus while showing few or no symptoms. Health officials in Washington state, where there is a cluster of cases, believe the virus may have been circulating there for weeks undetected. Yealy, who stressed that UPMC staff is well-trained regarding symptoms and has hotline access to UPMC infectious disease specialists to help evaluate cases, acknowledged, Is it in the realm of possibility? Yes. Still, a panel that included two UPMC doctors and a physician from the Allegheny County Health Department said they are well-prepared to detect cases, treat the sick and limit spread of the coronavirus. Asked about worst-case scenarios, Dr. Kristen Mertz of the county health department said her biggest worry involves outbreaks at nursing homes, with their high concentrations of old and sick people at higher risk of dying of the coronavirus. She said her department urges people who have cold- or flu-like symptoms not to visit nursing homes, and urges nursing homes to put up signs telling people with such symptoms to stay away. Mertz said the ultimate worst-case scenario would be an outbreak on the scale of the one in Wuhan, China, which has been ground zero for the outbreak since early January. But she said that scenario is unlikely, given the preparation and precautions that have taken place in the United States. That includes travel restrictions and airport screening, and advice Americans have been receiving about protecting themselves and limiting possible spread of the coronavirus. We dont think that will happen here. We are more prepared for the virus now. They had the disadvantage of being the first place where it broke out, Mertz said. UPMC officials were asked about possible shortages of supplies of things such as face masks to protect health care workers. They said they have stockpiles of items and also are advising staff to conserve supplies. Tami Minnier, the chief quality officer, said UPMC has a strong supply chain and is in close contact with suppliers. To date, we are in a very good position and continuing to see our supplies grow every day, said. A UPMC doctor said UPMC is devising its own test for the coronavirus, but he had no estimate on when it will be available. Such a test would help remedy an early gap in the national response plan: The initial test kits provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were faulty. As a result, most states including Pennsylvania lack testing capability, and have had to forward samples to the CDC in Atlanta and wait about two days for results. That is creating concern the U.S. case count of coronavirus cases might be artificially low as a result of a lack of testing, which may have further resulted in infected people walking around and potentially spreading the coronavirus for weeks. The CDC it would ship new test kids to state health departments this week, and also give emergency approval for some hospitals and private labs to develop and use their own tests. Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine planned to hold a news conference later Tuesday to discuss the status of testing in Pennsylvania. Astronomers might finally have found the reason behind our galaxy's strange, warped shape. Decades ago, astronomers realised that the Milky Way's disc, which contains most of the stars, is not actually flat. Instead, it curves up towards one end, and down at the other. It has given rise to a number of theories, including suggestions that it might be the result of a magnetic field or a halo of invisible dark matter that is thought to surround our galaxy, bending the disc because of its own galactic shape. But new data taken from the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite, which aims to map the stars, suggests that the distortion is actually the result of a collision with another, smaller galaxy next to ours. That collision is still happening, a new study says, and is sending ripples through the galactic disc of the Milky Way. The new study relies on unique information from the Gaia mission, which has gathered data one more than a billion stars from our galaxy. A team of scientists picked through that release and found that the warp is not static but changes over time, spinning around on its axis. Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Mystic Mountain, a pillar of gas and dust standing at three-light-years tall, bursting with jets of gas from fledgling stars buried within, was captured by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope in February 2010 Nasa/ESA/STScI Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures The first ever selfie taken on an alien planet, captured by Nasa's Curiosity Rover in the early days of its mission to explore Mars in 2012 Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Death of a star: This image from Nasa's Chandra X-ray telescope shows the supernova of Tycho, a star in our Milky Way galaxy Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Arrokoth, the most distant object ever explored, pictured here on 1 January 2019 by a camera on Nasa's New Horizons spaceraft at a distance of 4.1 billion miles from Earth Getty Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory in January 2012. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures The first ever image of a black hole, captured by the Event Horizon telescope, as part of a global collaboration involving Nasa, and released on 10 April 2019. The image reveals the black hole at the centre of Messier 87, a massive galaxy in the nearby Virgo galaxy cluster. This black hole resides about 54 million light-years from Earth Getty Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Pluto, as pictured by Nasa's New Horizons spacecraft as it flew over the dwarf planet for the first time ever in July 2015 Nasa/APL/SwRI Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures A coronal mass ejection as seen by the Chandra Observatory in 2019. This is the first time that Chandra has detected this phenomenon from a star other than the Sun Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Dark, narrow, 100 meter-long streaks running downhill on the surface Mars were believed to be evidence of contemporary flowing water. It has since been suggested that they may instead be formed by flowing sand Nasa/JPL/University of Arizona Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Morning Aurora: Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station in October 2015 Nasa/Scott Kelly The warp takes 600 to 700 million light years to make one rotation. That is much faster than expected and would be explained by those other explanations for the warp suggesting that it is caused by something far more powerful, such as crashing into another galaxy. We measured the speed of the warp by comparing the data with our models. Based on the obtained velocity, the warp would complete one rotation around the centre of the Milky Way in 600 to 700 million years, said Eloisa Poggio of the Turin Astrophysical Observatory, Italy, lead author of the study published in Nature Astronomy. Thats much faster than what we expected based on predictions from other models, such as those looking at the effects of the non-spherical halo. Astronomers are so far unable to see which galaxy might be colliding with ours, or how long ago that happened. One possibility is Sagittarius, which orbits the Milky Way, is believed to have burst into its disc previously, and is being gradually absorbed by our galaxy. Astronomers cautioned that despite the intense grandeur of the warp, it has no meaningful effect on life on Earth. The Sun is at the distance of 26 000 light years from the galactic centre where the amplitude of the warp is very small, Poggio said in a statement. Our measurements were mostly dedicated to the outer parts of the galactic disc, out to 52 000 light years from the galactic centre and beyond. The Duchess of Cambridge channelled Ireland's national colour as she landed at Dublin International Airport today. The 38-year-old wore a bespoke Catherine Walker coat over a custom emerald Alessandra Rich midi dress. Catherine Walker is a favourite of the Duchesses. She last wore the brand in January to attend the UK Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony at Westminster. Similarly, the last time the mother-of-three opted for cool-girl brand Alessandra Rich was in December for an appearance on Mary Berry's new baking show. The Duchess last wore an Alessandra Rich design in December / PA To accessorise, Duchess carried an emerald suede clutch from LK Bennett, which is available to buy for 150. She also opted for an amped-up Alice band in her hair, which is believed to be from Zara and costs just 3.99. On her feet, the Duchess wore a pair of the Rebecca Greenery court shoes by Emmy London, which cost 395. She last wore them during the Royal Tour of Pakistan in October. The Duchess wearing the shoes in Pakistan last year / Getty Images Green is a regular go-to of the Duchess's, she last wore an emerald dress by Emilia Wickstead in December for a NATO reception alongside Donald Trump. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Ireland for a three-day visit and will meet with the President of the country later today. It follows Queen Elizabeth IIs historic state visit made in 2011, which was the first time a British monarch made an official state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 100 years. Passengers from Egypt, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Georgia and Lebanon must undergo tests at Kuwaiti embassies before travelling to the country Kuwait has said it will oblige passengers from ten countries, including Egypt, to provide certificates proving they are free from the new coronavirus, a statement by the Kuwaiti civil aviation ministry read. The ministry said passengers from Egypt, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Georgia and Lebanon should undergo tests by Kuwaiti embassies in those countries to ensure they are coronavirus-free. The decision will be effective from 8 March. Those who fail to provide the certificate will be barred entry to the Gulf country, risking deportation. The announcement comes a few days after Kuwait's health ministry issued a directive to all the airlines currently working in Kuwait International Airport to impose precautionary procedures on all passengers arriving from Egypt. The directives -- issued in a memo dated 1 March and seen by Ahram Online -- include testing passengers to see if they have a high temperature. Several Gulf countries had introduced restrictions on travellers from Egypt over the outbreak, which has infected over 90,000 and killed over 3,000 globally. In the past weeks, Egypt had upped preventive measures at all entry points nationwide. It reported two confirmed cases, with one cured and released from quarantine, while the other, a Canadian oil expert, receiving medical treatment in hospital quarantine. Search Keywords: Short link: Washington, March 3 : Drug maker Pfizer saw its stock jumping nearly 13 per cent after media reports claimed that the company has identified some antiviral compounds that may treat the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The revelation came after US President Donald Trump met executives from Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Pfizer and other manufacturers to discuss progress on vaccines and antivirals to combat the coronavirus which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. Pfizer Chief Scientific Officer Mikael Dolsten was one of the pharmaceutical executives who met with Trump at the White House. According to reports, Pfizer is currently in the process of screening the compounds with a third party and the results will be in by the end of March. Pfizer stock hit Rs 4,925 per share -- a 52-week high. Trump reportedly urged pharmaceutical executives to accelerate their efforts to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus. "We've asked them to accelerate whatever they're doing in terms of a vaccine," Trump told reporters during an Oval Office meeting, reports The Hill. The novel coronavirus has killed four more Americans in suburban Seattle, taking the total death toll in the US to six, while New York reported its first case in Manhattan as Trump cranked up the pressure on Americas leading pharmaceutical companies to "get it done" although his own health experts have cautioned that a vaccine was at least 12 months away. The US now has about 100 total cases across 14 states. Migrants and refugees were searching for ways to enter Greece from Turkey, after Turkey announced on Thursday it was easing restrictions on those wishing to cross into Europe. Greek authorities said they thwarted an attempt by about 1,000 people overnight to make their way across the Evros wetland area, at the southern end of the border. Turkey's announcement upended its previous policy of containing refugees and other migrants under an agreement with the European Union, in which the EU would provide billions in funding for the care of refugees within Turkey. The announcement marked a dramatic departure from the current policy and an apparent attempt to pressure the European Union, to help Ankara handle the fallout from the war in Syria. A third man has appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with attacking and falsely imprisoning a man in a Louth farmhouse over two years ago. Thomas McGuinness (33), of Chestnut Court, Johnstown, Navan, Co Meath appeared before the three-judge court today charged with a total of four non-scheduled offences. Detective Garda Eoin Clerkin agreed with State Solicitor Ciara Vibien for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that he executed the warrant this morning and met Mr McGuinness by arrangement at 9.58am, before conveying him to Blanchardstown Garda Station. The detective also told the non-jury court that he later met the accused man in the confines of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin 8, handed him a copy of the charge sheet, read over the charges and explained them to him in plain language. Det Gda Clerkin said he then cautioned Mr McGuinness and he made no reply. Mr McGuinness is charged with falsely imprisoning Edward McAndrew by detaining him without his consent at One Ferry Hill, Cornamucklagh, Omeath, Co Louth on or about December 2nd, 2017. This is contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. He is also charged with assaulting Mr McAndrew causing him harm at the same location and on the same date. This is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Furthermore, Mr McGuinness is charged with robbing car keys, approximately 200, a travel bag and its contents, a wallet and its contents, a briefcase and its contents, two mobile phones and an Irish passport from Mr McAndrew on the same occasion. This is contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001. He is also charged with making an unwarranted demand to wit demanded money totalling 50,000 from one Edward McAndrew with menaces on the same occasion. Ms Vibien told the court that there are two other persons already before the court relating to the same incident and asked if Mr McGuinness could be joined with them. The court agreed to this. George Burns BL, defending, informed the court that bail was agreed and said the cash lodgement was within the system. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, remanded Mr McGuinness on bail subject to a number of conditions until March 9. Two other men, William Twomey (56), from Havelock Place, Warrenpoint, Co Down and Anthony Finglas (49), also of Havelock Place, are also charged with the same offences. Mr Twomey was granted bail last week but Mr Finglas' application for bail was denied. The 112 evacuees, who were airlifted from China's Wuhan and were being quarantined at the ITBP facility in southwest Delhi, have been tested negative in the first test for coronavirus. According to the Times of India, the second series of tests will be carried out in the next 14 days. If the results of the second round of tests are also negative then the evacuees will be allowed to go home. "The evacuees include five toddlers, 80 men, and 32 women. Among the evacuees are 36 foreign nationals," an official said. He cleared that none of the people quarantined had developed any symptoms of COVID19. He added that a team of doctors is monitoring the quarantined 24/7. At the Indian Army's facility in Manesar, 119 individuals, who were airlifted from Tokyo, have been quarantined for the past 14 days. Among them are 114 Indians and also 5 foreigners. These individuals were on-board the Diamond Princess Cruise ship which had been quarantined at Yokohoma, Japan. According to Dr. Balram Bhargav, the director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research, the evacuees who have been quarantined at both the facilities in India are being monitored constantly. "The government has so far rescued around 900 individuals from Wuhan and Tokyo that have been the worst affected by COVID-19 outbreak. We took a big risk in this exercise and carried it out successfully," he added. According to reports, many Indians are stuck in Iran and Italy where fresh cases of the COVID19 were recently discovered. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Health Minister, has said that the government is in discussions with the authorities in Iran and Iraq for the evacuation of the passengers stuck there. "If we didn't deter from evacuating citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, there is no reason why we wouldn't try to save those stuck in other countries affected by COVID-19. But we have to follow the protocol and international guidelines for the rescue process," Vardhan said. Vardhan has advised Indians to restrict non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore. The Union Health Minister recently held a meeting of the group of ministers to monitor the current status and deliberate on the actions for the prevention and management of coronavirus. He said that India had suspended e-visas/visas given to Iranian and Chinese nationals when new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in these countries. "Depending on the situation, visa restrictions may be extended to other countries," he added. When questioned about the potential medicine shortage in India as 70 percent of all pharmaceutical ingredients are exported from China, Vardhan replied, "We are adequately prepared to deal with the situation as of now". He added that around 1,086 people who returned from Iran in recent times have been recommended for community surveillance. Also Read: Coronavirus update: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads After almost 70 years, Kellys Roast Beef, an iconic Boston-area eatery, has announced that it plans to expand, opening as many as six new locations over the next two years. Kellys Roast Beef is eyeing Worcester, Natick, Quincy and Providence, Rhode Island, for new locations, according to a news release. In addition to brick-and-mortar expansion, the company is looking at opening express locations in mall food courts and at local universities. In total, Kellys Roast Beef hopes to have as many as 50 total locations open and operating in the next five years, the news release said. Kellys is a known brand that people love. People associate it with Boston similarly to the way people associate In-N-Out Burger with California," said Neil Newcomb, CEO of Kellys Roast Beef Franchising. Customers have a passion for the brand and there are very few franchise opportunities out there founded on over 70 years of history. Currently, Kellys has locations in Revere, Danvers, Saugus, and Medford. Including a franchise fee of $40,000, the total initial investment to open a Kellys franchise is $900,000 to $1.7 million. For the first 10 franchise agreements signed, the royalty will be 3% year one, 4% year two, and 5% for the remainder of the term, according to the news release. Kellys Roast Beef founders Frank McCarthy and Ray Carey first worked together in 1951 at the Paul Roger House in Revere Beach. They decided to start a business together and opened a hot dog stand next door while continuing to work at the inns restaurant. The iconic roast beef sandwich was created on a whim one night after a wedding was cancelled, and the two took the roast beef from the event over to their hot dog stand and served it on a grilled hamburger roll, the news release reads. Today, its estimated that across multiple locations, Kellys sells one million sandwiches a year. During peak season, a busy location can sell upwards of 20,000 roast beef sandwiches a month, according to the news release. A carving machine thin slices 25-day aged, medium rare roasted sirloin-tip meat plopped on a buttered, griddled hamburger roll, and topped with any condiments the customer ordered plus a slice of cheese, the news release reads. A small sandwich gets five to six ounces of roast beef, while a large gets seven-and-a-half to eight-and-a-half. Each Kellys location roasts its beef in-house all through the day. Its never sitting. Its a medium rare, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef," Newcomb said. Other items on the menu at Kellys include fried clams, lobster rolls, crispy french fries, onion rings, hot dogs, and chicken finger plates. Kellys Roast Beef has garnered national attention through a cult following and some pop-culture references. The eatery has been featured on the Food Networks show $40 a Day with Rachael Ray, a PBS Special called Sandwiches You Will Like, Robert B. Parkers Wonderland by Ace Atkins, NBCs three-time Emmy award-winning 30 Rock, and in the movie Good Will Hunting. Related Content: [March 03, 2020] Coretelligent Recognized on CRN's 2020 MSP500 List Coretelligent, a leading provider of comprehensive managed IT and private cloud services, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company has named Coretelligent 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. These accomplished MSPs work tirelessly to guide their customers and create solutions for complex IT issues. 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. Celebrating their fourth showing on the MSP 500 list, the Coretelligent team is continually recognized for an unrelenting focus on clients -- providing exceptional solutions that are flexible, extensible and secure. Coretelligent's White Glove IT management services create a proactive approach to support by delivering high levels of service. Continuing the stellar growth patterns of the past decade, the recent acquisitions of United Technology Group, LLC and SoundView IT Solutions have allowed Coretelligent to expand into hedge funds and family offices as well as strengthen their geographic footprint. "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." "Being recognized by our peers as a thriving entity is an extremely rewarding experience for our team. eceiving this prestigious award reinforces the importance of delivering an exceptional, personalized experience for each of our clients," notes Kevin J. Routhier, Founder and CEO of Coretelligent. "From creating an IT infrastructure that provides a competitive advantage to managing compliance, our team of highly-qualified experts strives to engineer excellence in each of our engagements." The MSP500 list is featured in the February 2020 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500. About Coretelligent Coretelligent is a leading provider of comprehensive managed IT, Security, and cloud services, enabling organizations to seamlessly power and successfully grow their businesses. Founded in 2006 and led by world-class experts, Coretelligent's key White Glove services - Managed IT, Security and Compliance, Cloud Management and Backup and Disaster Recovery - are relied on by top-tier organizations in the financial services, life sciences, legal, and technology industries among others. The organization is recognized as leaders by the Boston Business Journal, CRN, Inc., MSPmentor, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Coretelligent's headquarters are located in Westwood, Mass., with strategic offices located nationally in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta and the San Francisco Bay area. For more information, please visit www.coretelligent.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn. 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 Copyright 2020. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005160/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Trump adds 3 countries to coronavirus travel ban as US reports first death Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump on Saturday announced travel restrictions affecting Iran, Italy and South Korea in response to the coronavirus outbreak as the first death from the virus was reported in the United States. After Trump acknowledged the first death from the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, in the U.S., Vice President Mike Pence explained to reporters in a joint news conference at the White House what the travel ban entails. Iran is already under a travel ban, but we are expanding existing travel restrictions to include any foreign national who has visited Iran within the last 14 days, Pence said. In addition to Iran, we are going to increase to the highest level of advisory which is level four advising Americans do not travel to specific regions in Italy and South Korea. He added that the president had also directed the State Department to work with our allies in Italy and in South Korea to coordinate a screening a medical screening in their countries of any individuals that are coming into the United States of America. Trump said 22 people in the U.S. had the virus and that more cases were likely. However, some 62 people are believed to be infected with the virus. Unfortunately, one person passed away overnight, Trump added. Additional cases in the United States are likely but healthy individuals should be able to fully recover. If youre healthy, you will probably go through a process and youll be fine. A man in his 50s from Washington state with underlying health conditions died late Friday. Trump stressed that there was no reason to panic at all. Responding to a reporters question, Trump also said the U.S. was considering restrictions at the Mexican border as well. However, he later added that this is not a border that seems to be much of a problem right now. Italy has at least 1,128 confirmed cases and 29 deaths, and France with 100 cases has reported two deaths, according to The New York Times. In Australia, there are 25 confirmed cases, and the first death from the virus was reported Sunday. At least 19 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported in the U.K., whose Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to 11 locked-down towns at the center of the Italian outbreak. Around the world, there are about 87,000 cases, the majority of them in China, where the virus originated last year. At least 2,976 people have died from the disease 2,870 in mainland China, and 106 in other parts of the world. Willow Creek Germany had to end its three-day leadership summit in Karlsruhe, southwest Germany, a day early last week after a speaker tested positive for coronavirus. Willow Creek said in a statement in German on Twitter that the speaker, who has not been named, was not at any time present during the summit and that there was no risk to delegates. As more than 50 countries have reported cases of coronavirus, the World Health Organization has upgraded the global risk of the outbreak to very high. However, WHO clarified that there was still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission were broken. The international evangelical humanitarian agency World Vision is spending millions to provide assistance to nearly 400,000 people in China. Sponsoring over 55,000 children and employing 300 staffers in China, World Vision is one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations operating in the country. The Trump administration is said to be pressuring airlines to hand over personal information of international passengers in an attempt to track the spread of the coronavirus, The Washington Post has reported. Government officials want the data to be able to warn local authorities about who might have been exposed to the virus. According to a number of people briefed on the situation who spoke to The Washington Post, the government is under significant pressure to receive the information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are said to be asking for data, possibly including emails and phone numbers, to be collected and released when ordered, to be able to implement a system known as contact tracing. This system enables health officials to contact passengers on flights who may have been exposed to a carrier of the coronavirus who tested positive after their journey. The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Show all 11 1 /11 The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Visitors with suspected symptoms of the new coronavirus, inside of a car, bottom right, get virus test by members of medical team as others queue in their cars at a "drive-through" test facility at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Workers move equipment into containers set up as a makeshift medical facility to accommodate COVID-19 patients at a hospital's grounds in Daegu, South Korea on Friday 28 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea People wait in line to buy face masks in front of a store at Dongseongro shopping district in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Medical workers wearing protective gears comfort each other outside a hospital in Daegu, South Korea, on 28 February 2020 REUTERS The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Medical staff in protective gears arrive for a duty shift at Dongsan Hospital in Daegu South Korea on Friday 28 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea 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 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A man wears a mask and goggles as he waits in line to buy face masks from a post office near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea South Korean medical workers wearing protective gear visit a residence of people with suspected symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus to take samples, near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea 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 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A South Korean army vehicle sprays disinfectant on a road to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Daegu, South Korea on Thursday 27 February 2020. AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Troops set up makeshift partitions and beds at the Armed Forces Hospital in Daegu South Korea 28 February 2020 EPA Contact tracing is effective at reducing cases of communicable disease at the early stages of a potential outbreak if the contacts are notified as soon after initial exposure as possible, the CDC said, announcing its policy. If an efficient contact system is not in place when the first ill passengers arrive, the benefits of the contact tracing are greatly diminished. The airline industry is reported to have refused the request, saying the government should share information it already collects between different agencies and create their own system of obtaining the rest. On 7 February, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a provisional rule which would require airlines to share certain passenger data with federal officials. Airlines for America, a lobbying group that represents the airline industry told the Washington Post that collecting the data shouldn't be the airlines' job since the government already has much of it in existing databases. They have also maintained that it will take them a long time to form a tracking system, possibly up to a year. The situation has meant the two groups have reached an impasse, one that is said to have dragged on for four weeks. However, the urgency to resolve the issue has intensified over the last few days as the spread of the virus has escalated in America. With the number of cases increasing across America in recent days officials have stated the failure to resolve the issue could complicate the government's efforts to contain the outbreak's spread, The Washington Post said. An anonymous official at the US Department of Health and Human Services who spoke to The Washinton Post said the passenger data issue has raised alarms at meetings of the US coronavirus task force. Another official familiar with discussions told the newspaper that Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, also flagged the issue during internal administration meetings on Saturday. The CDC also wants to pass on the data to states and counties so that authorities can check in on individuals who have taken flights from China. Since HHS's rule was put into effect, airlines have turned over some information but it has been incomplete, according to a HHS official. Need to reprogramme systems and inability to authenticate the accuracy of passenger data has been cited as reasons for the inability of airlines to submit to the request. We have some of the information, but we don't have all of it, said Sharon Pinkerton, senior vice president for legislative and regulatory policy at Airlines for America. The airline industry has pushed Congress to intervene, with some lobbyists asking lawmakers to insert a provision into an emergency bill that would effectively absolve the airlines of having to track some of the data, the report said. Airline executives are slated to meet Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence, who has been put in charge of leading the coronavirus outbreak response by President Donald Trump. The lobbyists are also scheduled to meet with US lawmakers, who hope to resolve the impasse quickly in the hopes of stemming the spread of the virus. Additional reporting by The Washington Post Delhi's Tihar Prison authorities had made all necessary preparations for the hanging of four convicts in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case which was scheduled for Tuesday, officials said. However, on Monday evening, a city court deferred the hanging till further orders. Postponing the execution, Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana said the hanging cannot be carried out pending disposal of Pawan Gupta's mercy plea before the president, observing any condemned convict must not meet his "Creator" with grievance against courts for not acting fairly on the opportunity to exhaust legal remedies. "We had made all the necessary arrangements for the execution of the four convicts which was scheduled for Tuesday at 6 am. Now, the execution has been postponed and we are waiting for the further order by the court," a senior jail official said. The hanging of the four men -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26), Akshay Kumar Singh (31) and Pawan -- who are lodged in Tihar jail, was fixed for March 3 in Tihar jail on a court order. "We had checked the ropes. Hangman was called and dummy executions were carried out," another senior jail official said. The hangman, who was called from Meerut, will leave the national capital on Tuesday afternoon, they said. Barring Pawan, the other three had in the previous weeks moved curative petitions and mercy pleas which were all dismissed. The first date of execution -- January 22 -- fixed on January 7 was postponed by the court to February 1. But on January 31, the court indefinitely postponed the hanging. On February 17, the court again issued fresh date for execution of death warrants for March 3 at 6 am. The court in its orders observed that the four convicts cannot be hanged since a mercy plea of one or the other convict was pending. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HONG KONG: The February 7 death of a Wuhan ophthalmologist unleashed pent-up emotions in untold millions of Chinese who expressed grief and outrage over the handling of the coronavirus and how authorities treated the whistleblower after he alerted other doctors to the deadly disease. After sending a WeChat message to medical school alumni on December 30, Li Wenliang found himself confronted by the party-controlled establishment, including Wuhan Central Hospital where he worked, the local health commission and police. Authorities pressured the young doctor into signing a police statement admitting guilt to spreading rumors that had severely disturbed the social order. In the aftermath of his death from the COVID-19 virus, millions sent messages voicing grief that the man reprimanded for trying to warn others had fallen victim. Messages ranged from the simple Dr Li Wenliang has passed away to those calling for political change, I want freedom of speech, We know the government lies and The Wuhan government owes Li Wenliang an apology. Millions more read such messages before they were censored. Hundreds of people, including leading academics, signed an online petition calling on the National Peoples Congress to defend the right for free speech, which exists as Article 35 in the Chinese constitution though not in reality. So far, no apology has been forthcoming. The Wuhan municipal government within hours of his death issued a statement paying tribute to Li and extending condolences to his family. As for the central government, no official is about to apologize. Instead, the central government sent a team from the National Supervision Commission, the top anti-corruption body, to Wuhan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into matters reported by the masses about Dr Li Wenliang without providing details. Clearly, the central government, without saying so openly, expects to pin responsibility for mishandling of the coronavirus and Lis early warning on local and provincial officials. Zhang Jin, party secretary of Hubeis health commission, and Liu Yingzi, director of the commission, were dismissed. On February 13, Jiang Chaoliang, Hubei party secretary and most senior official in the province, was fired along with Wuhan party secretary, Ma Guoqiang. Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong is the new Hubei leader; Wang Zhonglin, party chief of Jinan, in eastern China, is now Wuhans party leader. Such dismissals are meant to be an exercise in accountability by the Chinese government. But the Chinese public is unlikely to be satisfied with mere sackings of officials. After all, Jiang, as member of the partys Central Committee, and Ma as an alternate member, should be accountable to the 25-member Politburo and its seven-member standing committee, at the apex of which sits Chinas President Xi Jinping himself. Questions linger. How did the handling of this virus, which first appeared in early December, go so wrong? Who was in charge? Is there a problem with the system? Given Chinas top-down leadership system, it was hardly credible that no one in Beijing was aware of the developing epidemic in Wuhan. Reports suggests that Xi discussed the disease with the politburo standing committee on January 7, a week before public alarms began. He also delivered a speech days before Li's death, emphasizing the urgent need to tackle the virus. Politburo speeches arent often published and certainly not so soon after delivery so Xi may have felt a need to vindicate himself amid the outpouring of anger. Xi is serving his eighth year as Chinas leader, and in theory, he can rule for life. He appears to use the crisis to strengthen his control and international image. Deft propaganda messaging can only go so far, and in the long run, the epidemic could be damaging for him personally. If nothing else, the epidemic exposes the vulnerability of the Chinese system. Local officials, it seems, are reluctant to be the bearers of bad news to the central government, which decides their promotion prospects. That may well count among the reasons for suppression of Lis warning. Local officials fear instigating panic, but many also fear being held responsible, preferring a cover-up. The official Peoples Daily published a commentary depicting the ophthalmologist as having been on the frontline in the battle against the coronavirus and urging mourners to unite behind the antivirus effort. China, the party paper said, needs solidarity more than ever to jointly win a battle that it cannot lose, so that its people can be protected against disaster and patients around the country can return to health. It was a clever, if not subtle, attempt to change the narrative. Calling for unity at a time of national disaster is among the many ways that the Communist party seeks to prevent discussion of reforms or reasons for disunity. The party, in effect, suggests that the priority is for citizens to focus on one task: containing the outbreak. Other issues must wait. But then, after the outbreak subsides, the party is likely to tighten its grip rather than to give in to demands for free speech or other reforms. The party regards control of information as a key element for maintaining its monopoly on power and will not surrender that lightly. There is little doubt that officials in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, did a disastrous job of protecting the health of their 60 million people. They prioritized need for political control, lying about the gravity of the outbreak and doing little to prevent the disease's spread until the January 23 lockdown. The central government, when it acted, was decisive. From the lockdown of Wuhan on, the Chinese government kept the World Health Organization and foreign governments informed. Yet that dramatic action now seems too little, too late. According to Wuhans Mayor Zhou Xianwang, by then 5 million people had already left the city for other parts of the country, some presumably carrying the virus. Local health authorities falsified or withheld figures of confirmed infections and played down reports of human-to-human transmissions with medical personnel being infected. The government did not institute quarantine measures and instead created circumstances for the virus to spread, holding a lunar new year potluck banquet for 40,000 families. Even if Lis death does unite large numbers of people behind one issue such as freedom of speech, chances are slim that China will grant that demand. For now, reformers may be better off by focusing on a narrower issue, such as free speech where medical matters are concerned. The World Health Organization praised Chinas transparency, and perhaps the world body could advise on institutionalizing such transparency in local and provincial governments. China, which paid a high price during the SARS outbreak, does not truly comprehend the need for transparency in health matters, a lesson that many people assumed had been learned. Ten years ago, for example, then Health Minister Chen Zhu was quoted by the Philadelphia Inquirer as saying: SARS has taught us a very good lesson. Now we emphasize information transparency and immediate disclosure. Alas, that turned out not to be the case. The lessons of SARS must be learned again at a high price, with the COVID-19 death toll already exceeding that of SARS. The partys obsession with secrecy, justified as the need for stability, still trumps the peoples need for health information. When Dr. Li sounded his warning, no deaths had been reported and the virus might have been controlled given proper government action and public awareness. The world is now on alert with more than 75,000 cases and more than 2,100 deaths, with the disease swiftly exported to at least 25 countries. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has reported the first case of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, a citizen coming from Iran through Bahrain. "The citizen did not disclose his presence in Iran at the Saudi port," the ministry said in a statement published by the state news agency SPA. The ministry further stated that a sample for a laboratory examination of the person confirmed that he was infected with the virus. Meanwhile, Bahrain has registered two new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases -- a Bahraini female and a Saudi male -- arriving at Bahrain International Airport via indirect flights from Iran, increasing the number of confirmed cases to 49, said a Bahrain News Agency report. The health ministry noted that both patients were tested upon arrival to Bahrain International Airport. Furthermore, after testing negative at the airport, the patients had been quarantined for 14 days in accordance with established procedures, during which time the COVID-19 symptoms began to appear. They were subsequently retested with all results coming back positive. Both patients were immediately transferred to a dedicated isolation centre for treatment. The ministry asserted that it is coordinating with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to combat the spread of COVID-19, and expressed its appreciation to Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their ongoing support. The ministry added that it has conducted laboratory tests for 2,274 individuals, of which 2,225 tested negative. Additionally, 47 of the total 49 confirmed cases do not require any medication, with only two cases receiving necessary medication. San Francisco Schools across the country are increasingly using technology to spy on students at home, at school, and on social media. Today, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) launched a new Surveillance Self-Defense guide for students and their parents, so they can learn more about how schools are watching them, and how they can fight back. The surveillance technology currently in use includes software to scan students social media posts, cameras with facial recognition and other scanning capabilities, and microphones to detect aggression. Schools can even track you on devices that they dont control: if you have to download a certain kind of security certificate to use the school Internet, they may be monitoring your browser history and messages you send. Some administrators argue that they need to use this technology to keep schools safe, yet there is little evidence that it works, said EFF Activism Project Manager Lindsay Oliver. Instead, surveillance can make people second-guess everything they do or say. When we are constantly spied on, we censor the way we express ourselves. Thats known as the chilling effect. Students need space to experiment and learn without being monitored and recorded by their schools at every turn. School discipline disproportionately targets students of color, and its reasonable to think that additional, and more comprehensive scrutiny of their lives will only add to that injustice. As a criminologist told Vice, LGBTQ+ students, who tend to look for support online as they explore their orientations and gender identities, find theyre under so much surveillance that it affects them in ways that shuts them out of those resources. They learn not to look. They learn not to trust online public spaces. In the new guide, EFF shows students and concerned parents what kind of technologies to watch for, how they can track you, and what it means for privacy. For example, some schools are tracking students locations, ostensibly to automate attendance or track school bus ridership. This monitoring can be conducted through tools ranging from students cell phones to ID cards with tracking chips, and it can easily continue when you are off campus. Location information is extraordinarily sensitiveit can reveal who your friends are and what you do when you see them, as well as what kind of medical appointments you might have or what sort of meetings or groups you attend regularly. In some cases, student data is reported to school resource officers or the police, and it can be kept over time, creating a granular history of a students actions. But what can students and concerned parents do? Often, the best solution is to simply not use the systems that schools have set up, if youre able to, and encourage your friends to do the same. But the new guide also shows students how to gather information on whats happening and how to talk to adults about it. Being under constant surveillance at home and school teaches kids to accept that people they should trust are spying on themand thats a lesson that will serve them poorly in later life, said EFF Associate Director of Research Gennie Gebhart. If authority figures for youth say constant surveillance is OK, what happens when a romantic partner wants access to every message on their phone? Or an employer wants your social media password? Invasive monitoring isnt acceptable, no matter who tries to do it, and personal privacy matters. For Privacy for Students: https://ssd.eff.org/en/module/privacy-students A lot of movies can make you cry at the end, but a movie that can make you cry in the first 20 minutes? Ah, the Pixar touch. Onward is such a movie, one of the very best Pixar has made, full of comedy with a purpose and pointedly metaphorical action. As with other Pixar offerings, its best feature is in its world-building rather than its characteristically frantic climax, but its foundation of ideas is sublime. Onward gazes into the deepest sources of our collective psyche in anno domini 2020 and cries out movingly against the decadence of our age. I refer to the somewhat obscure, Jacques Barzun definition of decadence: an era when the forms of art as of life seem exhausted; the stages of development have been run through. Institutions function painfully. Repetition and frustration are the intolerable result. Boredom and fatigue are great historical forces. . . . When people accept futility and the absurd as normal, the culture is decadent. Oh, and intermingled with the Barzun is a lot of Seth MacFarlane. Recall that Ted imagined a world in which a magical talking teddy bear had become so ordinary over time that he wound up working in a grocery store and smoking weed all day. Onward takes place in a less profane but more comprehensively enervated iteration of the Ted world, an imaginatively null post-magic society that makes for a nifty metaphorical overlay on our post-religious society. Dragons are just yappy little housepets, and a tavern like the one from The Fellowship of the Ring has become a Chuck E. Cheese. Fabulous creatures centaurs, manticores do prosaic jobs: waiting tables, driving police cars. One young fellow, Barley Lightfoot (voiced by Chris Pratt), stands athwart all of this, demanding a return to mystical ways, epic trials, enchantment, meaning, transcendence. Of Disneys last big cartoon feature, Ross Douthat wrote, Frozen 2 comes as close as an hour-and-40-minute kids movie can come to uniting every grievance and aspiration, every resentment and ambition, every theoretically in-tension element of the intersectional Left into a single animated master narrative. Onward is effectively a beautiful rebuttal of that rubbish. Its so reactionary it practically cries out for a return of the Latin Mass. Its positively medieval, and absolutely wonderful. I mean both excellent and full of wonder. Story continues Barley and his little brother Ian (Tom Holland) are missing their father, who died far too young and left behind an intriguing item, a staff that suggests he wielded mysterious powers. He was a wizard! insists Barley. No, the boys widowed mother (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) responds, he was an accountant. Via incantation, the boys father might be returned to life, yet to complete the job will require an Arthurian journey. So the brothers sally forth in a groovy Seventies-style van in which Barley has covered up the D on his gearshift with an O, so that instead of Drive, he can shift the car into Onward. Barleys faith in the ineffable is childlike and comical, yet it is his unwavering commitment to the existence of mystical powers that brings them back and makes them relevant again. He is the congregation, and shy, dorky little Ian is the priest who conjures up a bridge (at one point a literal one) between our daily lives and our spiritual selves. Onward contains multitudes of other movies Back to the Future, Zootopia, the Indiana Jones series, The Incredibles but these references arent lazy borrowings. They speak to something see that Barzun remark about endless repetition. Co-written and directed by Dan Scanlon, who previously directed Monsters University and who, like Ian, lost his father when he was a baby, the film casts a waspish gaze on our habits of performative imagination the Medieval Times restaurants, the cosplay, the Halloween parties for grownups and finds that they all have the same basis, a continuing human need that there be more to life than what we experience on the surface. We yearn for something more marvelous than the mere everyday. We long to connect with our fathers, to walk in their footsteps. I can hardly believe Im typing this, but its a movie about patrimony, a word that can hardly be spoken aloud anymore, at least in this country. The last time I came across such a heartfelt consideration of what patrimony means to the wellsprings of a culture, it was in Michael Brendan Doughertys book My Father Left Me Ireland. If Michael (or Douthat, or Sohrab Ahmari) had supplied Pixar the idea for this story, I wouldnt be surprised. Its odd that there are ten movies about losing ones mother for every movie about losing Dad because, as a culture, separation from our fathers is something weve achieved on an enormous and devastating scale. Ian makes a poignant little list of things he wishes he could have done with his father, and the list is so starved and basic that it speaks for a huge cohort of children, going back generations, who can barely comprehend what it means to have a father and so imagine that playing catch is where the magic lies. As in Richard Curtiss 2013 film About Time, the only other recent feature I can think of with a comparable understanding of what fathers and sons mean to one another, Onward recognizes that its simply the ordinary days we spend with our fathers that really matter. More from National Review Memphis, Tenn., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FBSciences Inc., a global leader in naturally derived plant health technologies and products, is excited to announce a partnership agreement with Yara North America that will focus on developing and delivering innovative plant health solutions to growers across North America and bringing together the power of FBSciences technologies and products with Yaras industry-leading calcium nitrate fertilizers. FBSciences specializes in biosolutions including biostimulant and biopesticide technologies which form the foundation of comprehensive crop nutrition programs. FBSciences technologies have been tested for over a decade through more than 1,500 trials and have proven over and over they deliver four key things: a) healthier plants and increased yields b) increased quality and nutrient density c) stress mitigation and recovery, and d) increased utilization of other crop inputs. FBSciences and Yara spent 2019 field testing the combination of FBSciences technologies and products with Yaras leading fertilizers and the synergies and results were overwhelmingly positive for growers. ZiCAN Soil is the first product to commercially launch in the United States as part of this new relationship. ZiCAN Soil was specially formulated to mix with YaraLiva liquid calcium nitrate fertilizers, including YaraLiva CAN-17 and YaraLiva CN-9. In independent testing on almonds, ZiCAN Soil and YaraLiva CAN-17 together picked up a 10.6% yield increase when compared to using YaraLiva CAN-17 alone. The results translate into an increase of 200 pounds per acre, which is $550 per acre (at $2.75 per pound). Traditional liquid zinc and calcium nitrate fertilizers dont mix well and when combined create gypsum, resulting in clogging and cleaning issues. This problem leads to the need for separate applications. This unique formulation allows nitrogen, calcium, zinc, and manganese to mix together in the tank for perfect compatibility. FBSciences technologies offer not only increased compatibility but also increased efficiency of other crop inputs. As a result, ZiCAN Soil not only promotes the uptake and translocation of the zinc and manganese in its own formulation but also enhances the uptake and translocation of several nutrients including calcium and nitrogen in YaraLiva CAN-17. This increased nutrient use efficiency will create meaningful increases in ROI for the farmer. To leverage these synergies, FBSciences and Yara have agreed to design and commercialize additional calcium nitrate compatible products. These products will launch in 2020 across the United States. These products create tangible benefits to the grower and a significant return on investment throughout the value chain. FBSciences is very excited to announce this important relationship, says Courtenay Wolfe, chairman and CEO of FBSciences. "The impact of making crop inputs more compatible, allowing for less applications and inputs, while also increasing performance and efficiency cannot be overstated. We share a common vision with Yara of being a leading change agent in achieving sustainability in agriculture through using less inputs while increasing agricultural productivity and profitability for growers. Working with a world-class partner like Yara gives us the reach needed to significantly advance this goal, explains Wolfe. Debbie Watts, VP premium products for Yara North America explains, We are a global leader in crop nutrition. We work closely with growers across the world to help improve agricultural productivity and farm performance. We have seen how FBSciences technology and products perform in the field, especially when combined with ours, and are confident that these new products represent the next generation of crop nutrition and a meaningful and sustainable step forward in agricultural productivity and farmer profitability. Visit FBSciences.com to find an exclusive distributor of ZiCAN Soil in your area today. About FBSciences FBSciences is a global leader in naturally derived plant health technologies. Our purpose is to harness the power of nature to transform agriculture and food production globally. Producing natural, sustainable, and renewable technologies that help preserve land and water. FBSciences offers a robust lineup of proprietary technologies that are used to produce highly compatible, conventional, and organic biostimulant, biopesticide, and fertilizers for seed, soil and foliar application opportunities on every managed acre globally. www.fbsciences.com About Yara Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet, to fulfill our vision of a collaborative society, a world without hunger and a planet respected. To meet these commitments, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming and work closely with partners throughout the whole food value chain to develop more climate-friendly crop nutrition solutions. In addition, we are committed to working towards sustainable mineral fertilizer production. We foster an open culture of diversity and inclusion that promotes the safety and integrity of our employees, contractors, business partners, and society at large. Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has a worldwide presence with about 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries. In 2018, Yara reported revenues of USD 12.9 billion. www.yara.us/ ### FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: FBSCIENCES Courtenay Wolfe Chairman & CEO cwolfe@fbsciences.com Attachments Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas and Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, March 4 2020 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide around US$2.7 billion in loans this year to support Indonesias human capital, infrastructure and green energy development. ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa said the bank planned to provide Indonesia with more loans this year than the $1.7 billion it provided in 2019. The bank plans to provide Indonesia with $500 million for a competitiveness enhancement program and another $500 million for a financial inclusion program this year. This is an increase of $1 billion but it is still a forecast amount, Asakawa said during a news conference in Jakarta on Tuesday after a meeting with President Joko Jokowi Widodo. We want to expand ADBs support for human capital development and infrastructure connectivity. 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 MBABANE - While tourism remains a priority in Eswatini, tourists claim to be have been frustrated at Ngwenya Border Gate last Sunday. Some tourists, who shared their experiences, claimed that they saw only two Immigration officers helping them on the Eswatini side on the very busy day at the border gate. The weekend was very busy as local Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs fans had crossed to the Republic of South Africa to watch their teams play. Delayed One tourist claimed that he spent less than five minutes on the South African side before he was delayed on the Eswatini side. The tourist stated that while queuing to be assisted by the two officers, their day was spoilt by a group of about 30 people whose state of sobriety was questionable. The group is believed to have been made up of fans from either of the teams. They claimed that the group caused disorder when they arrived at the border. The suspected fans who were clad in teams replics stormed through the immigration queue to everyones disgust and wanted to be served first. However, they were repelled by an American tourist. I never saw this in my life, said the tourist, who said such conduct could cost the local tourism industry. The group of fans is said to have also visited the Ngwenya Police Post which was understaffed on the day, however, the police officers are alleged to have done nothing to instill order and sanity. Shamed These people deserve to be named and shamed. Their identities could be obtained from their passports, said another tourist. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Nhlanhla Nxumalo said nothing had been reported to them concerning frustration of tourists at the border gate. Nxumalo said in the absence of a report, he assumed things were normal. He said delays were normally caused by slow machines at the border gate. However, he said he would verify what happened at the border last Sunday. Chairman of Orlando Pirates Local Supporters Committee Zama Tsabedze said nothing had been communicated to him concerning misbehaving fans at the border gate. Tsabedze said as far as he was concerned, the local fans subscribed to of code a strict conduct which they were always expected to adhere to. Conduct Misbehaving people should not associate themselves with our local fans who subscribe to a strict code of conduct. I dont believe that our fans could conduct themselves in an unruly fashion at the border gate, he said. We apologise to the nation and those affected if it might come out that our fans conducted themselves on unruly fashion at the border gate, he added. Tsabedze stated that he was driving with his family when he saw the queue at the border gate. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said there was no report from Ngwenya Border concerning misbehaving fans. Four Alberta Conservative MPs have probably done their party more harm than good by issuing a 13-page rant against some amorphous entity described as the power elites of the Laurentian consensus, and threatening to separate Alberta from Canada if they dont get the reforms they want. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Four Alberta Conservative MPs have probably done their party more harm than good by issuing a 13-page rant against some amorphous entity described as "the power elites of the Laurentian consensus," and threatening to separate Alberta from Canada if they dont get the reforms they want. The document, grandly titled the "Buffalo Declaration," was issued Feb. 20 by Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill), Blake Richards (Banff-Airdrie), Glen Motz (Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner) and Arnold Viersen (Peace River-Westlock). Though it is not Conservative party policy, it is a forceful statement of Alberta rage against Canada, likely to be remembered long after more careful expressions of Conservative thought have been forgotten. The four MPs demand abolition of the federal governments equalization program. This idea wins applause these days in Calgary, but it will be hard to explain in Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where the provincial governments count on equalization for a substantial share of their revenue. They demand an increase in the number of Alberta seats in the Senate. The Constitution gives the four western provinces 24 seats and currently six of the appointees are from Alberta. As with the United States Senate, there is no connection between a provinces population and its number of Senate seats. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is one of four Alberta Conservative MPs who authored the "Buffalo Declaration", a 13-page rant against "the power elites of the Laurentian consensus" and threatening to separate Alberta from Canada if they dont get the reforms they want. (Justin Tang / Canadian Press files) They demand a parliamentary denunciation of devastation they believe was caused by the National Energy Program, an oil-pricing regime that applied for five years and was wrapped up 35 years ago. Their underlying theme is that the Laurentian elites have always treated Alberta as a colony, never as an equal partner in Canada. Because most Canadians do not live in Alberta, the national political parties govern for the benefit of a non-Alberta majority, and thats just not fair. Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The authors ransack Canadian history for evidence the Canadian political structure is rigged against Alberta or against the larger Buffalo region that was formed into the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905. The region has supplied four of Canadas 17 prime ministers since 1905 R.B. Bennett, John Diefenbaker, Joe Clark and Stephen Harper but the authors deftly write around that point. The document seems hastily drafted. The authors complain there are not enough Alberta reporters in the parliamentary press gallery. They want someone to bring more Albertans into the gallery as a means of providing more Alberta news in national media. But when editors want Alberta stories, they dont look for them in Ottawa. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is waging political war against the federal carbon tax and against anyone who gets in the way of oil production and pipelines. (Todd Korol / The Canadian Press Files) The authors complain, moreover, that the CBC reports too much about United States politics and not enough about Albertas economic pain, and this proves once again that Canada is rigged against Alberta. A moments thought could have persuaded them to look for stronger arguments than this. The Conservative party, searching for a leader to replace Andrew Scheer, is uncertain in its direction and its policy at the moment. The loudest voice in the room lately has been Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who is waging political war against the federal carbon tax and against anyone who gets in the way of oil production and pipelines. In these circumstances, Canadians may easily conclude the Buffalo Declaration authors and the Conservative party are vehicles for Alberta anger, lacking a wider understanding of the necessity of national accommodation. This might help re-elect Alberta Conservatives to Parliament, but it wont help the party return to government. Two alleged terrorists of a banned Manipur-based organisation were arrested from Burari area, police said on Monday. New Delhi: Two alleged terrorists of a banned Manipur-based organisation were arrested from Burari area, police said on Monday. The accused have been identified as Laishram Mangoljao Singh and Hijbur Rahman, both residents of Manipur, they said. On Sunday, the wanted terrorists were apprehended from Nirankari Sarovar Bus Stand, Burari. Non-Bailable Warrants were issued against them by the courts concerned, police said. Singh was the chairman of the terrorist outfit, Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group), KCP-PWG, and Rahman used to raise funds for the organisation, a senior police officer said. They both were operating their organisation from other states and were staying in Delhi to collect funds for their organisation, they said. The main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he was disappointed with exit poll results but that his party would not compromise on its principles. Speaking to supporters in Tel Aviv, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz also reminded them not to forget "two weeks from today, Benjamin Netanyahu will sit on the dock in Israeli court with three serious charges". Exit polls on Israels main TV channels showed Netanyahu and his nationalist and religious allies winning 59 seats, two short of a parliamentary majority. Gantz was projected to win 54 to 55 seats. If the official results from Monday's election match the exit polls, Netanyahu could find himself stuck in continued political deadlock ahead of his trial on corruption charges, set to begin March 17. Netanyahu is charged with 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 favorable coverage. He vowed to prove his innocence in court. A 16-year-old boy called in six bogus bomb threats at schools in Hackensack and Paramus, authorities said Monday. The teen, whose name was not made public because of his age, was charged with terroristic threats and false public alarm, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a statement. He blocked his caller ID and phoned in the false reports to several police departments last Thursday and Friday. The threats prompted a response from local police, sheriffs officers, firefighters and the countys regional SWAT team, according to the prosecutor. Authorities took the teen into custody Friday and he was sent to Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center ahead of a family court hearing, Musella said. Officials did not name the specific schools that received the threats or disclose a possible motive in the case. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- There is something fascinating about reading Singapores government-supplied coronavirus outbreak information. The data is organized as an unfolding, public story tracing relevant details of the known cases of Covid-19 diagnosed there. The website shares the age, sex and occupation of each person who has tested positive for the virus. It reveals where they travelled recently, and when they sought medical help. It explains when they were hospitalized and when they were discharged. Theres data on their local whereabouts, including whether they attended either of two large church services which appear to tie together two clusters of the disease. In contrast, in the United States, there are disturbing revelations of online misinformation, including YouTubers advising people to drink bleach. The president has contradicted scientific consensus in offering reassurances that containment is likely and a vaccine is on the way; experts, including infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci of the NIH, say containment is unlikely and a vaccine could take more than a year to test, develop and deploy. Now the Trump administration is trying to control the flow of information out of CDC, which is exactly backwards. The CDC or another scientific body should be vetting the statements coming out of the White House. The freedom to get information about the disease in Singapore, of course, comes at the cost of patient privacy. The Singapore patients arent named, but theres enough information their identities might be inferred something that would be scandalous in the United States. News reports also show that in Singapore and elsewhere in Asia, some governments are coercing citizens to disclose their movements in ways that would be unacceptable in a Western democracy. But the American approach also has drawbacks: the freedom to disseminate information has allowed speculation and conspiracy theory to drown out responsible coverage of the disease, leaving citizens scared and confused. Story continues Some of this misinformation stems from the way scientists are exchanging information now not through vetted, peer reviewed papers but through hastily posted data, including one paper that suggested that there were similarities between the new coronavirus and HIV. Some conspiracy theorists used that to promote the notion that the virus was bioengineered. The paper was criticized, and the rumor debunked, but scientists argue that the ability to disseminate information fast is worth the price of possible misinformation getting to the public. The hodgepodge of information, speculation, conspiracy theory and disinformation is what Georgetown University law professor Lawrence Gostin calls an infodemic. The cure isnt to curb freedom of information and the press, but to supply trustworthy sources. Where is the surgeon general? asks Columbia University medical ethicist Art Caplan. In his view, we would benefit from a single, trusted, accountable expert whose job is to keep the public updated. Other candidates could be the NIHs Fauci, the head of CDC or someone else with relevant expertise and some ability to explain science and its inherent uncertainty to the public. The U.S. could also learn from Singapores approach to testing for Covid-19. Singapore has been working toward widespread testing using antibodies, which linger after an infection has cleared, and can therefore give information about who has been infected. That would be an improvement over most of the tests done so far, which rely on detecting genetic material from the virus itself, and therefore cant detect those who have harbored and later cleared an infection. Widespread testing of both current and past infections could help scientists understand the spread of the virus and predict who is most at risk. In contrast, the United States has been slow to deploy any tests at all. It took more than a week for anyone to test a hospitalized women in California who represents the first case in the country of community spread someone who hasnt been to China or in close contact with anyone who has. This weeks New York Times has suggested that we Go Medieval against this new scourge using such tactics as mandatory testing, as Cuba did for HIV, or quarantine, which has been used since the days of the Black Death. Americans are unlikely to tolerate the kinds of mass quarantines imposed in China. However, even liberty-minded Americans should be willing to sacrifice some privacy in order to help experts trace the spread of the disease; and its not unreasonable to ask a few people likely to have been exposed to stay home for a while. Extensive voluntary testing, surveillance and contact tracing could work -- and avoid the sacrifice of freedom required to go Medieval. A non-coercive, cooperative fight against the virus, however, might require public trust in the government, the press and scientists. In the United States, there was once a system in which the press held government accountable and communities held newspapers accountable. Now people get much of their information from social media. The president calls reporters enemies of the people and uses Twitter to send out misleading notions about vaccines and climate science. Covid-19 will test democracies principles of freedom and commitment to human rights. We will have to walk a fine line between letting transparency and reason prevail, and taking sensible precautions to save lives. To contact the author of this story: Faye Flam at fflam1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Sarah Green Carmichael at sgreencarmic@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Faye Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. She has written for the Economist, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Psychology Today, Science and other publications. She has a degree in geophysics from the California Institute of Technology. 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. Idlib region has seen weeks of fierce fighting between pro-regime and opposition forces At least 11 civilians were killed in Russian air raids on northwestern Syria Monday, a monitor said, as Syrian regime forces re-entered a key town days after losing it to rebels. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said regime forces had wrested back full control of Saraqeb. "Regime forces with Russian air cover were able to retake complete control of the town of Saraqeb on the Damascus-Aleppo highway," it said. Syrian state news agency SANA said the army had re-entered the town after violent clashes with Turkey-backed rebels. Rebel spokesman Naji Mustafa however said President Bashar al-Assad's forces had only taken part of the ghost town long emptied of its inhabitants. "Assad's forces have launched an assault on Saraqeb and very violent clashes are ongoing inside," the spokesman for the National Liberation Front said. Pro-government forces battling to seize the country's final rebel bastion had for the first time in years wrested control of the town on February 8, but jihadists and allied rebels then re-entered on Thursday. The Observatory said clashes around Saraqeb were continuing on Monday evening, pitting regime and allied forces against Turkish-backed rebels, with elite fighters from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadist group deployed nearby. The Russian army said it had deployed units inside Saraqeb to "guarantee the safety and free movement of transport and civilians" on two key highways nearby. The Observatory said Russian air strikes had killed nine civilians in the village of Al-Foua as well as two in the village of Adwan, both in Idlib province. The fighting had killed 21 rebels and jihadists and 11 pro-regime fighters on Monday, it said. - Strategic prize - Since December, Russia-backed regime forces have led a deadly military offensive against the last major opposition stronghold of Idlib, where Turkey supports some rebel groups. The UN says the assault on the jihadist-dominated region has caused almost a million people to flee their homes and shelters in the middle of winter, with more than 470 civilians killed according to the Observatory. It said Damascus had deployed regime troops and allied fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah group as reinforcements to the Saraqeb area late Sunday in preparation for an assault on the town. Up to 23 rebels and jihadists were killed in Russian air strikes and clashes overnight, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. Violence has escalated between regime fighters and Turkish forces in the Idlib region in the past weeks, killing dozens of troops on each side. On Sunday, Turkey confirmed a full military operation in northwest Syria after a Thursday air strike blamed on Damascus killed 34 Turkish soldiers. The Observatory says 93 regime soldiers have been killed in Turkish bombardment since Friday along with 10 Hezbollah fighters and four pro-Iranian fighters who were also supporting the regime. Saraqeb is a strategic prize for the Syrian government as it seeks to revive a ravaged economy after nearly nine years of conflict. The town lies at the intersection of the M5 and M4 highways, which connect the capital and regime coastal stronghold Latakia with second city Aleppo respectively. On Sunday, SANA reported that the government shot down a Turkish drone near Saraqeb, publishing footage of an aircraft tumbling from the sky in flames. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 380,000 people since it began in 2011. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday asserted that there was no threat to his government. Nath's comments came when he was asked about reports of alleged 'poaching' attempts being made by the opposition BJP in the state. "The legislators are telling me that they are being offered so much money. I am telling the MLAs to take it, if they are getting this free money," Nath told reporters here on the sidelines of a programme. Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Monday alleged that his party MLAs were being offered "huge money by BJP leaders" as part of the saffron party's "poaching" attempt to destablise the Kamal Nath government. When Nath was asked about any threat to the stability of his government in Madhya Pradesh, he said, "There is nothing to worry about." Reacting to Nath's statement, state BJP spokesman Rajneesh Agrawal told PTI that his party has nothing to do with the allegations. "In fact, these speculations and allegations are part of the internal bickering of among Congress leaders to get nominated for the Rajya Sabha polls," he said. After Digvijaya Singh's remarks on Monday, senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Congress veteran of making false statements to create sensationalism. "Speaking lies to create sensationalism is Digvijaya's habit. Probably some of his (Digivijaya's) works were not done and he wants to create pressure on the CM to get them done," Chouhan alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New concept EV takes Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy to the next level Concept EV expands Hyundais concept of Optimistic Futurism with the aim of forging an emotional connection between humans and automobiles SEOUL/OFFENBACH, March 3, 2020 Hyundai Motor Company unveiled its new concept EV, Prophecy, expressing the companys latest design language. The visionary concept clearly expresses Hyundais latest design philosophy, Sensuous Sportiness, expanding on the era-defining example set by last years 45 concept EV that stripped away complexity in favor of clean lines and minimalistic structures. Prophecy follows suit with an iconic silhouette of perfect proportions that have been inspired by an aerodynamic design. Leveraging the extended wheelbase and shorter overhang, Hyundais designers have achieved the Ultimate Automotive Form, thanks to a new EV architecture defined by pristine surfaces and pure volume in combination with aesthetic harmony and functionality. We have brought to life yet another icon that establishes a new standard for the EV segment as well as pushing Hyundais design vision to even broader horizons, said SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. A part of that expansion is what we call Optimistic Futurism, a design concept embodied by Prophecy. With Optimistic Futurism, our aim is to forge an emotional connection between humans and automobiles. Sensuous Sportiness finds its full expression with the Prophecy exterior The application of Hyundais Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy is evident in the voluptuous side section, which is like that of a perfectly weathered stone. It is cut by a clean and simple One Curve streamline which extends from front to rear with minimalist restraint. This underlines the timelessness of its design. The dynamic and elegant boat-tail line created by the rear quarter panels appear to propel the form forward even when it is standing still. Furthermore, the design provides excellent aerodynamics, a characteristic indispensable to EVs. The propeller shapes embedded in the vehicles wheel not only affirm this trait, they also compel air to be drawn in and flow down the side of the body like water over a stone. The integrated rear spoiler complements this effect by harnessing downforce that aids vehicle stability when travelling at speed. The transparent acrylic material provides a clear view of the functional components inside. This intentional design feature is integrated in the spoiler, headlamp and in the camera monitoring system (CMS), calling attention to the functional beauty of the components. The pixel lamp lights, which were first seen on the 45, take a step forward. This progressive lighting technology is integrated into the headlamp, tail lamp and spoiler, calling to mind the abundant energy contained in the vehicles battery cells. Pixelated lamps will be carried forward as a signature design element in future Hyundai models. Prophecys identity as an EV extends to the underbody. A wide air intake that is installed below the bumper takes fresh air to cool the batteries more effectively, delivering an even more eco-friendly EV to customers. The Prophecy interior realizes the benefits of an EV platform The interior of Prophecy underlines the advantages of using the stretched cabin of an EV platform. Instead of a conventional automotive interior, a lifestyle space of refinement and comfort provides customers with a warm welcome. Prophecy also utilises autonomous driving technology. Instead of a steering wheel, joysticks provide a completely new yet reassuringly familiar and intuitive driving experience. By offering two joysticks that can pivot left and right, one in the centre console and another on the door trim, drivers are able to control the vehicle from a position of comfort. Furthermore, drivers have access to a wide variety of functions, which can be selected via the joysticks integrated buttons. Ultimately, this human-machine interface enhances passenger safety. Design changes that have been enabled by the use of joysticks offer more visual freedom to passengers. In Relax mode, passengers have virtually zero visual obstacles. In a comfortably reclined position, all that the passengers see is the horizontal pillar-to-pillar display and the wing-shaped dashboard. In this mode, the dashboard swivels, allowing for a spacious interior and seat position from which passengers are able to enjoy content shown on the display. With Prophecy, Hyundai has created an interior environment where eco-friendly design and material selection have been combined to demonstrate the companys vision for EVs of the future. External intakes placed at the bottom of the side doors allow air to circulate through Clean Air Technology, providing a steady stream of purified air inside the vehicle. In addition, the treated air is circulated back out into the atmosphere as clean air. The flow of clean air over the interiors wool-based felt carpet is inspired by the flow of water in nature. The interiors colours and materials compel passengers to take time to decompress, aided by low intensity ambient lighting, while gently soothing modulated colours encourage rest and relaxation. The name Prophecy reflects the concepts purpose, as it signifies a bright future for both Hyundais designs as well as innovative mobility solutions for the EV customers of tomorrow. - End - About Hyundai Motor Company Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company offers a range of world-class vehicles and mobility services in more than 200 countries. Hyundai Motor sold more than 4.4 million vehicles globally in 2019, and currently employs some 120,000 personnel worldwide. The company is enhancing its product lineup with vehicles designed to help usher in a more sustainable future, while offering innovative solutions to real-world mobility challenges. Through the process Hyundai aims to facilitate Progress for Humanity with smart mobility solutions that vitalize connections between people and provide quality time to its customers. I t might be grey outside, but the most colourful event of the year is back in London this month, with the Hindu festival of Holi taking place in March. The celebrations signal the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil, with the official festival taking place on March 10. It's being marked with events throughout the coming weeks, from fantastic dining to technicolour parties, and promises to be one of the most uplifting and feel-good moments of the year for everyone involved. From colour powder parades to one-off special menus, here's our pick of how to celebrate Holi in London. Get colourful at the Cinnamon Kitchen Curry favourite Cinnamon Kitchen is hosting its annual paint throwing pop-up in the name of Holi. As well as trying out the special seasonal dishes on the menu, theres a chance for guests to step into the venues print pod, grab a few handfuls of paint powder and create their own expressive artwork. Just dont turn up in your Sunday best things are sure to get messy. March 4-15, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL, designmynight.com Holi Festival supper club at Little Yellow Door A special supper club is coming to this Notting Hill Spot on Sunday, with the team behind Yaatra Diwali Brunch Party whipping up a colourful feast. The four course menu of traditional dishes will reflect the arrival of spring and theres also the option to make the meal bottomless, with a selection of Holi inspired cocktails on offer. DJs will spin a selection of Bollywood and Bhangra tunes until 6pm. March 8, 6-8 All Saints Road, W11 1HH, eventbrite.co.uk Holi Festival 2020 - In pictures 1 /61 Holi Festival 2020 - In pictures Click through the gallery to see some of this year's best images from the Holi Festival ... AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Reuters AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Reuters AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Reuters AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AP AFP via Getty Images AP AFP via Getty Images AP AP AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Reuters AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Reuters AP AP AP AP AP AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AP Reuters AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Magic of India Holi Colour Dance Festival Harrow This indoor event from Magic of India at Harrows Byron Hall will feature DJ sets, live music, dancing and, of course, all the dry colour powder people can throw at each other. The community event is sure to be one of the liveliest parties taking place this month theres also a Magic of India outdoor event on March 21 in Greenfords Horsenden Hill West to look out for, which will be just as fun. March 15, Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure Centre, HA3 5BD, eventbrite.co.uk Dance the night away at Bang Bang Oriental North west Londons shrine to Asian cuisine, Bang Bang Oriental, is marking this years festival with an evening of dance. Bollywood dance group Bollywood Belles will take centre stage at this Holi celebration. There is, of course, huge choice when it comes to food too there are 30 food kiosks packed into the Colindale food hall, offering an eclectic mix of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Malaysian dishes. KASTANIES, Greece - Thousands of migrants and refugees searched for ways to cross Greeces border with Turkey on Tuesday, as Athens ramped up its diplomatic efforts for help from the European Union to seal off its eastern land and sea frontiers. Turkey has made good on a threat to open its borders for those seeking to cross into Europe. Many seeking to enter Greece, which has made clear its border is shut, were trying their luck by wading or rowing across the Evros River that runs along most of the land frontier. The action by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan triggered days of violent clashes and scenes of chaos at the land border, while hundreds of others have headed to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast in dinghies. Greece has struggled to push back the wave of migrants, with its armed forces now leading the effort. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the troubled border along with top EU officials, including European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel. Mitsotakis said Turkey was breaching a 2016 agreement with the EU on migration and has systematically encouraged and assisted tens of thousands of refugees and migrants to illegally enter Greece. It has failed, and will continue to fail, should it continue to pursue this strategy. This is no longer a refugee problem. This is a blatant attempt by Turkey to use desperate people to promote its geopolitical agenda, he said. The government has called the situation a direct threat to Greeces national security and imposed emergency measures to carry out summary deportations and freeze asylum applications for one month. Migrants have been reporting being summarily pushed back across the border into Turkey. The Greek army and navy held live fire exercises across the eastern border areas for a second day Tuesday to reinforce the message of deterrence. Greek authorities said they had prevented 26,532 people from entering Greece between Saturday morning and Tuesday afternoon, and arrested 218. The Greek worries are our worries, von der Leyen said. This is not only a Greek border but it is also a European border, and I stand here today as a European at your side. She said those at the borders had been lured by false promises into this desperate situation. Turkeys announcement Thursday that it would not stop those wishing to cross into Europe came amid a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive into Syrias northwestern Idlib province, where Turkish troops are fighting. The offensive has killed dozens of Turkish troops and sent nearly a million Syrian civilians toward Turkeys sealed border. However, Oleg Zhuravlev, head of the Russian militarys co-ordinationcentre in Syria, said Tuesday the claims about a humanitarian crisis in Idlib were false. The announcement on Turkeys opening of its borders upended Ankaras previous policy of containing refugees under a 2016 agreement with the European Union, in which the EU would provide billions of euros (dollars) in funding for the care of refugees within Turkey. Turkey, which hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has long maintained the EU has not honoured the deal. But European countries say that is not the case. Turkeys use of migrants as a means of pressure and blackmail on Europe is absolutely unacceptable, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told lawmakers in Paris. We reached an accord in March 2016, this accord should be respected, he said. It is respected by Europe. ... It should also be respected by Turkey, especially because the financial commitments (to Turkey) are significant. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz levelled blunt criticism at Turkey for the crisis. The people are being used by President Erdogan as a political football, as weapons and as instruments of pressure on the European Union, he said in Vienna. Von der Leyen said EU border protection agency Frontex would send an offshore vessel and three coastal patrol vessels, two helicopters and other aircraft, three thermovision vehicles and ad 100 border guards to the 530 it already has in Greece. The EU would also proved 700 million euros in assistance. The movement of migrants has appeared well organized, with buses, minibuses and cars provided in Istanbul to ferry people to the border. The vast majority appeared to be Afghans, along with people from a wide variety of other countries, including Syrians. Human rights groups said the Greek response, while justified, has been heavy handed. Showing humanity and defending rights is the best way to defend the EU borders, said Lotte Leicht, EU director at Human Rights Watch. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said he understood Greece may need to take decisive and exceptional measures, but warned access has to remain for those in need of protection. At the border, Greek authorities said the main pressure Tuesday had moved from the official crossing to points farther south along the border. Authorities said they thwarted an attempt by about 1,000 people overnight to make their way across the Evros wetlands, at the southern end of the border. People have also been trying to reach Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast. A young boy died Monday after the dinghy he was in capsized off the island of Lesbos. Greeces coast guard said 519 people reached nine Greek islands in the 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday morning, a sharp drop from the nearly 1,000 people who arrived the previous day. The Greek navy said it was sending a transport ship to Lesbos to temporarily house up to 400 migrants, following tension with local residents who have refused to allow new arrivals to reach the islands already massively overcrowded migrant camp. ___ Becatoros reported from Athens. Derek Gatopoulos and Nicholas Paphitis in Athens, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Vladimir Isachenkov in Mocow and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed. ___ Follow Kantouris at http://www.twitter.com/CostasKantouris and Becatoros at http://www.twitter.com/ElenaBec Xurcun is an Azerbaijani national premium brand founded by Vugar Maharramov in 2015 and today is a rapidly growing chain of boutiques selling organic dried fruits, nuts, exotic teas and sweets. As a true Azerbaijani patriot when I started to work on the idea and concept of Xurcun, my first goal was not only to create a high quality brand, distinguished by the best taste and natural products, but also worthily to represent Azerbaijan that has a centuries-old history and rich culture both in motherland and beyond its borders. I am very glad that I finally achieved my goal. Today, Xurcun creates a certain cultural value through special designs and various exclusive products combining different tastes from all over the world, says Vugar Maharramov. As a perfect example of his words is the fact that 10 Xurcun boutiques opened in 5 years. You can get acquainted with all the addresses and contacts of Xurcun brand in Baku by clicking on the link. Note that soon the national brand will be officially represented abroad. The popularity of the brand is also evidenced by the fact that Baku residents, in search of a tasty and identifiable gift with Azerbaijan for foreign friends, always look at Xurcun boutiques before traveling abroad. The same is done by foreign tourists, who have become regular customers of the network, taking with them a particle of Azerbaijan in the form of delicious premium-class products presented in Xurcun. While talking about the brand, it is necessary to emphasize the stylish and memorable packaging products, the design of which uses symbols of Azerbaijan and Baku, such as pomegranate, Maidens tower, Flame Towers, etc. "Narli" paintings by artist Hamida Malikova dedicated to Azerbaijan are used in the series of packages of the "Xurcun" products. Paintings and patents were acquired by Vugar Maharramov. The success of the Xurcun brand is associated with the highest quality products and, of course, with the fact that the brand is national and has Azerbaijani roots , which are reflected in it. I always proudly emphasize the fact that Xurcun is a national brand, one of the main goals of which is to represent Azerbaijan worthily at the international level. And we have achieved a lot in this direction. and this is not only a kind of trade for Azerbaijani residents or tourists to export abroad, but also cooperation with government agencies and institutions that always want to see Xurcun at their official events or as souvenir gifts to foreign delegations . I am proud that Xurcun thus adequately represents Azerbaijan and spreads the fame of our glorious Motherland, said V. Magerramov , the owner of the chain of boutiques. Fond of Quality - is the slogan that best describes Xurcun, which stands out in the Azerbaijani market for its incredible taste, organic naturalness and the highest quality products. It should be noted that it was Xurcun which brought the sale of dried fruits and nuts to a premium level first not only in Azerbaijan, but also throughout the world. The brand is constantly evolving and expanding. It also makes me feel happier. Our stores have a wide range of natural products. But along with all of these, our boutiques will also have chocolates that will be released under the Xurcun brand. In the very near future, the assortment of premium quality chocolates will decorate the shelves of all our boutiques, says Vugar Maharramov. Vugar Magerramov touched upon the Xurcun pricing policy: Many people consider our brand to be expensive, but this is fundamentally not so. We are responsible for the quality of each product presented on our shelves. For example, if we talk about almonds or walnuts, then each of them is selected and sorted by hand. Even though, it can be sounded far from modesty, I'd like to note that its basis is perfect. Our products do not differ in color, odor or size - do not contain any cracks or any other damage. You will not find anything like this in ordinary stores, only at Xurcun. Simply, once becoming a customer at Xurcun, you will be impressed not only by the taste of our products, but also their high quality. The price of the products in our network correspond to their high quality which is impossible to say when buying dried fruits and nuts in stores or at bazaars. The products at Xurcun are organic and natural, and therefore beneficial for the body, as they provide it with the necessary vitamins, protect immune system and increase its resistance to harmful environmental influences. It should be noted that Xurcun also offers gluten free products. Currently, it is halva, but in the future it is planned to increase the gluten -free line network. Keeping up to date and following innovations, the national brand Xurcun launched mobile applications for IOS and ANDROID thanks to Brandonline technology, successfully entering the online commerce market, thus becoming even closer to customers who can complete an order with a few clicks. It is worth noting the loyalty program in relation to regular customers who are given a discount of 5 to 15%. Official site - https://www.xurcun.az/ Xurcun on social networks: Contact numbers: +994777170070; +994502121311 (for corporate orders). Email Address - [email protected] SEATTLESix people in Washington have now died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, state and King County officials announced Monday as they said that an extraordinary effort to contain and manage the health crisis is moving toward a new stage. While stressing most people will experience mild symptoms, the officials say more cases are inevitable and they will soon stop intensively following up on each one. Rather, they will focus on outbreaks and giving individuals, schools and other institutions the best advice on how to minimize illness. Were pivoting toward a more community-based approach, Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health Seattle & King County, said at a news conference. At the same time, King County Executive Dow Constantine said he has signed an emergency declaration and is in final negotiations to buy a motel where patients can recover in isolation. My real estate people tell me it is all but done, Constantine said of the sale. The motel, which the county has not yet identified, should be available for patients by the end of the week, he said. The county is also in the process of siting modular units, aimed primarily at people experiencing homelessness who need a place to recover. As of noon PST Monday, 18 people in King and Snohomish counties had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health, or DOH. Six people have died. Another 231 people are being closely monitored by public health officials, according to DOH. Those people include close contacts of already confirmed cases and individuals who have returned from China within the past two weeks. Amid the growing number of confirmed cases and deaths, Gov. Jay Inslee and state health Secretary John Wiesman called Monday for legislators to set aside $100 million to help respond to the novel coronavirus. The request for $100 million is a sharp increase from the money lawmakers had earlier been considering. A Senate proposal approved last Thursday included $10 million for coronavirus response. A House budget plan included $5 million specifically for virus response, and another $14.5 million more broadly for the public health system. In the 42 days of the states response to coronavirus, the state Department of Health has spent $2.3 million, which Wiesman said amounted to about $60,000 daily. 100 to 150 DOH staff members are working on the response. All the deaths occurred at EvergreenHealth Health Medical Center in Kirkland, according to Dr. Ettore Palazzo, chief medical and quality officer for the hospital. Five of those were of King County residents and one a Snohomish County resident. The death of a man in his 40s was the first for Snohomish County, according to that countys Health District. Of the remaining deaths, most were older people: two women in their 80s and two men in their 70s. All but one of those had underlying health conditions, making them more vulnerable to the disease. One, however, was a man in his 50s, who also had an underlying chronic health condition. Health officials did not say if the Snohomish County man in his 40s who died had any preexisting conditions. The majority of King Countys cases are also linked to Life Care Center according to Duchin, the health officer Seattle & King County, Officials have previously said 50 residents of the Kirkland nursing home have shown possible signs of the virus. Asked why Kirkland has become such a hotspot of the illness, Duchin said he didnt think there was any rhyme or reason. A lot of it is random, he said. It also may be that officials just know of more cases in Kirkland because EvergreenHealth, according to Duchin, has been very aggressive about testing for the virus. However, a genetics and infectious disease expert at Seattles Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center said Tuesday that the outbreak in Snohomish County likely has been moving quietly through the community since mid-January, with Snohomish County as the center. Trevor Bedford said that the transmission likely began with an individual whose infection was missed because early guidelines limited testing to individuals who had traveled from China. Bedford, who has been tweeting about his findings, concluded that the genetic relationship between the first case of COVID-19 in Washington was so genetically similar to the second case reported on Feb. 23 that they almost certainly came from the same source. On Monday, he said as many as 570 Washington residents may have contracted the virus, many of them without knowing it. We believe this particular transmission chain will have a foci in Snohomish County, he wrote Were working as fast as possible to understand extent of spread in the greater Seattle area. Bedford said his recent analysis remains preliminary, and that he will refine his findings as more data becomes available. A handful of schools canceled classes to disinfect their schools Monday, many in what they dubbed an abundance of caution, some of them after students had already boarded their morning buses. The North Kitsap School District, for example, announced Monday morning that Kingston High School would be closed because it learned that a student there was being tested for the virus. The district told parents they were shipping students already on their way to the school to Choice Academy. Overall, there were at least 13 closures statewide, with a few districts preemptively shuttering schools Tuesday to train teachers on how to teach online in case of future closures. Health officials indicated that their response is evolving. At this point, they said, they were not recommending widespread closure of schools or cancellation of public events. We have to carefully weigh the risks and benefits, Duchin said. There are so many unknowns. Instead, officials emphasized individual precautions: washing hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, staying home when sick and perhaps even staying away from crowds, especially for people over 60 and those with health conditions. Some people will have a harder time coping with the new coronavirus, and those include people experiencing homelessness. The modular units planned in King County are aimed at helping them, and any others who for whatever reason dont have a home to recover in, according to Leo Flor, director of King Countys Department of Community and Human Services. These units formerly housed oil workers in Texas, Constantine said. The county bought them before the COVID-19 outbreak to serve the homeless population, and used them to set up the Eagle Village complex for Native Americans south of downtown Seattle. Fourteen such units, now in storage, will be placed on publicly owned parking lots and other available land around the county, including Seattle, as part of the coronavirus effort, the executive said. The four-room units could house more than 100 people in all. Unlike the modular units, the motel will not be aimed at patients who are homeless, according to Mark Ellerbrook, the countys Housing & Community Development director. Even while they stressed how seriously they were taking the situation, and the uncertainty around how it will develop, officials seemed eager to avoid scaring people into paralysis. We understand people still need to carry on with their lives, Duchin said. Wisconsin public health officials are investigating two more people who may have been sickened by the new coronavirus as the number of cases and deaths in other states continues to climb. Officials also announced Monday that the State Lab of Hygiene in Madison and the Milwaukee Health Department have been authorized to administer a coronavirus test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That should mean faster results as the state shifts from a strategy of containment to identifying and controlling the spread within the community, said state health officer Jeanne Ayers. The risk to the public remains low in Wisconsin, Ayers said. (But) its especially important we have this lab capacity. As of Monday, officials said Wisconsin has had one confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Eighteen people have tested negative for the virus and two cases remain under investigation. Assistant State Lab director Allen Bateman said the state has the capacity to test hundreds of patients, and private-sector tests under development could be available in the coming weeks. But health officials said CDC criteria limit testing to those who have had contact with a known COVID-19 patient and show signs of fever or respiratory illness, those who have recently traveled to affected areas and have both fever and respiratory illness, and those with fever and pneumonia-like symptoms with no other diagnosis. Not everybody who requests testing will have testing approved, said Tom Haupt, respiratory epidemiologist for the Department of Health. Haupt said the state does not have information on the number of requests for testing that have been denied. The CDC on Monday dropped from its website the tally of tests administered nationwide. A Dane County resident diagnosed with the states first case of coronavirus after returning from Beijing on Jan. 30 has since recovered and been released from isolation, officials announced last week. Haupt said the state is not aware of any people who had traveled with the Wisconsin coronavirus patient and who subsequently tested positive for the virus, and could not say how many of them had been tested. According to state officials, the risk of contracting the virus in public is low, even for those who have been in confined spaces with people who are sick. According to the CDC, the risk is limited to those sitting within six feet or about two airline seats of an infected person. Ayers said Wisconsin has not made any efforts to acquire housing for potential quarantines, but will need support from employers to allow people to work from home if need be. UW-Madison officials announced Saturday that in response to the virus outbreak overseas they have recalled 170 students studying in Italy, in accordance with the universitys international travel policy. The university and several other UW system campuses previously suspended exchange programs in South Korea and China. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed an intervention in the Supreme Court on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and informed India's Permanent Mission in Geneva about it, the Ministry of External Affairs said Tuesday. The MEA asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. "Our Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed yesterday evening by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Michelle Bachelet) that her office had filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court of India in respect to the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," he said. India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values, Kumar said. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he said. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From the moment Jenny Muller stepped onto campus at the University of North Georgia (UNG) for Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week with the Corps of Cadets, she realized she wanted to lead them. Her goal was not easy to achieve, especially since not a lot of women were in the Corps' leadership ranks. In fact, some laughed when she said she wanted to be a company commander. Muller overcame those stumbling blocks, mental challenges and setbacks to succeed at UNG. In her senior year, she became the first female company commander at UNG. The 1994 graduate shared this story on March 1 during the annual Women of UNG Leadership Luncheon on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. "I wanted the women of UNG to know not to let other people's limited beliefs limit them," she said. Her message came through loud and clear to the nearly 100 UNG students, faculty and staff along with friends and family at the luncheon. "She paved the path for us," said Nataleigh Ryan, a member of the Corps of Cadets. "Because of her, we didn't face as much push back as she did." Samantha Ethridge, a member of the Corps of Cadets, said she had heard Muller's story as a freshman. "Her story inspired me and it showed me where I want to go and what I wanted to do," she said. Muller was one of six UNG alumnae recognized at the annual event. Her fellow honorees included: Beth Brownlee, '79, a motivational speaker, cancer survivor and co-founder of Trust Your Journey, which is an online company offering ecofriendly womens apparel, jewelry and accessories Laura Williams Croft, '85, vice president for advancement at the CDC Foundation, which is an independent nonprofit that supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jacqueline Jenkins Daniel, '04, founder of ConnectAbility, a Dahlonega-based nonprofit organization that creates communities where people of all abilities are valued, included and empowered. Patricia Vandiver Powell, '72, retired senior vice president and officer of The Coca-Cola Company and a former UNG Board of Trustee Greta Railsback, '99, the first female UNG Corps of Cadets graduate to be promoted to full colonel. Leanne Minghini, chairwoman of the Women of UNG, said the leadership luncheon recognized outstanding alumnae and students who have excelled in their collegiate and professional careers and supported the university. It is held annually on a Sunday in March, which is Women's History Month. "What better time to recognize them?" she said. Nearly 30 female UNG students were nominated by deans and professors for the honor. A committee selected 11 to be recognized. They were: Samantha Ethridge, a senior from Roswell, Ga., pursuing a psychology degree Olivia Ferrara, a senior from Vidalia, Georgia, pursuing a biology degree Sydney Lawrence, a junior from Macon, Georgia, pursuing degrees in marketing and management Jelma Flores-Mota, a junior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a political science degree Kimberlee Nettles, junior from Waycross, Georgia, pursuing an early childhood education degree Camden Pruitt, senior from Woodstock, Georgia, pursuing a music education degree Nataleigh Ryan, a senior from Augusta, Georgia, pursuing a sociology degree Logan Scott, a senior from Pembroke, Georgia, pursuing a kinesiology degree Kylee Smith, senior from Suwanee, Georgia, pursuing an international affairs degree Julianne Sutton, junior from Flowery Branch, pursuing a kinesiology degree Adriana Zarate, a senior from Alpharetta, Ga., pursuing a kinesiology degree "These women had to display the leadership qualities of integrity, initiative, courage, humility, responsibility, and positivity," Minghini said. "We are really excited to honor these students who stepped up and took the initiative to get involved and lead." Muller credits UNG and its Corps of Cadets for teaching her about leadership. She does both as a district sales manager at Smith & Nephew, a British multinational medical equipment company. The Houston, Texas, professional manages nine sales representatives covering the Gulf Coast region. "I feel my experience in the Corps of Cadets gave me the knowledge and the confidence to 'put myself out there' and believe I could do it or at least deserved a chance to try," she said. "My experience at UNG also taught me that I could weather the storm. When times were difficult, I wore my class ring to remind myself that tough times don't last, but tough people do." iPrice Group, which helps comparison shoppers in Southeast Asia by pulling together prices from different e-commerce platforms, has closed a $10 million Series B. Led by ACA Investments, the round also included participation from Daiwa PI Partners and returning investors Line Ventures, Mirae Asset-Naver and Asia Growth Fund. The companys last funding announcement, from Line's venture capital arm, was in May 2018. Its new round brings iPrices total funding so far to about $19.8 million. The company said it has more than 20 million monthly visitors and about 5 million transactions were made through its platforms in 2019. Its core iPrice unit accounted for about half of its revenue and operated at a 30% EBITDA margin, a level of profitability the company expects its other businesses to hit in the next two to three years. iPrice will use its funding to develop product discovery features, including recommendations and professional product reviews. The platform currently partners with "super apps," like Line and Home Credit, that offer a wide array of services through one app. iPrice began by collecting coupons and discount codes when it launched, before expanding into price aggregation to help consumers navigate the growing roster of e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, such as Zalora, Shoppee and Lazada. The platform is divided into verticals, including electronics and appliances, fashion and automotive, and it now claims to aggregate more than 1.5 billion products from more than 1,500 e-commerce partners. It says it is the leading product aggregator in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. In a press statement, ACA Investments chief investment officer Tomohiro Fujita said, "The e-commerce industry in Southeast Asia is at its emerging stage and we see huge potential. iPrice Group will play an important role, especially with its comprehensive coverage of markets in Southeast Asia. Its the prime gateway to online shopping." PORTLAND, Oregon, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Chicken Flavor Market by Form (Liquid and Powder) and End User (B2B and B2C): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 20192026." According to the report, the global chicken flavor industry was estimated at $629.26 million in 2018 and is expected to hit $1.01 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 5.6% from 2019 to 2026. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities- Surge in demand for RTE meal and fast foods, increase in technological strides, and rise in income levels drive the growth of the global chicken flavor market. On the other hand, increase in side effects of artificial flavors, strict government regulations, and rise in health awareness among consumers curb the growth to some extent. However, development in the unpenetrated and under penetrated countries is expected to usher in an array of opportunities in the near future. Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/6375 The powder segment to dominate by 2026- Based on form, the powder segment held the major share in 2018, generating more than four-fifths of the global chicken flavor market. Rise in trends of health consciousness and consumer preferences toward taste has led to an exponential increase in the use of powdered form of flavors by most of the manufacturing companies. And, this factor has driven the growth of the segment. The liquid segment, on the other hand, would grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.5% by the end of 2026. This is due to their increased demand in the meat industry. The B2B segment to lead the trail during the study period- Based on end user, the B2B segment accounted for nearly three-fourths of the global chicken flavor market revenue in 2018, and is projected to rule the roost till 2026. Ease of doing business and convenience of trading is triggering the consumer preference toward the specialized chicken flavor, which, in turn, has boosted the segment growth. Simultaneously, the B2C segment is expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 6.3% during 20192026. Availability of local manufacturers with variety of options in chicken flavors has proven to be the key factor behind the growth of the segment. North America generated the major share in 2018- Based on region, North America contributed to more than two-fifths of the global chicken flavor market share in 2018, and is anticipated to maintain the lion's share throughout the forecast period. Awareness among food lovers about the availability of various chicken flavors in the market has spurred the growth. At the same time, the Asia-Pacific region would showcase the fastest CAGR of 7.5% till 2026. Rise in concern among consumers about the long-term health effects of artificial ingredients and additives in food products has increased the demand for natural and healthy ingredients in food products, which majorly drives the flavor's demand in the region. For Purchase Enquiry at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/6375 Leading market players- Koninklijke DSM N.V. Innova Cargill Kerry Group plc BASF Symrise Trailtopia Adventure Food International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. Givaudan Sensient Technologies Corporation Avenue Basic Plan | Library Access | 1 Year Subscription | Sign up for Avenue subscription to access more than 12,000+ company profiles and 2,000+ niche industry market research reports at $699 per month, per seat. For a year, the client needs to purchase minimum 2 seat plan. Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter Get more information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access Similar Reports: Meat Substitute Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192026 Food Flavors Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20182025 Meat Snacks Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192026 Flavor Enhancer Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027 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. Contact us: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): 1-800-792-5285, 1-503-894-6022, 1-503-446-1141 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Food and Beverages Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/food-and-beverages Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-market-research SOURCE Allied Market Research Take a lead in ensuring peace, unity and harmony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told BJP Parliamentarians and asserted 'development is our mantra'. "The Prime Minister told party MPs that we are here for the interest. He said the country is supreme and interest is above all. He said development is our mantra. Prime Minister Modi said that peace, unity, and harmony are prerequisites of development. He urged MPs that they should take lead in ensuring peace, unity, and harmony," Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi told reporters quoting Modi who had spoken at the BJP's Parliamentary party meet on Tuesday. The comments of the Prime Minister assume significance as they came days after the violence in North-East Delhi which has claimed 47 lives. The Prime Minister also attacked the opposition stating that "even today some parties are putting their interest above the interest". "The Prime Minister said that the national interest and party interest also came in the freedom struggle. Even today some parties are putting their party interest above the national interest. But BJP people should consider national interest at the top," Joshi said quoting Modi. Joshi quoted the Prime Minister as saying that "while during the independence struggle an issue was created over Vande Mataram, similar attempts are being made against Bharat Mata ki jai". "The Prime Minister said that the national interest is supreme and 'Bharati Mata ki Jai' should be our slogan," Joshi said. Asked about notices given to Congress MPs, Joshi said: "Our MPs have written to the Speaker about their (Congress) MPs behaviour. No decision has been taken regarding this." Congress MP Ramya Haridas had lodged a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker alleging physical assault on her by BJP member Jaskaur Meena. The Minister also stated that there was no discussion on Prime Minister's tweet through which the PM said that he may be giving up his social media accounts on coming Sunday. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold an interaction, via video conferencing, with beneficiaries of Jana Aushadi centres on March 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American diplomat Kari Paetzold praised Egypt for allowing 'citizens to exercise their religious rituals in freedom and peace' An official from the US embassy in Cairo held a meeting with Egypt parliament's religious affairs and endowments committee on Tuesday. Kari Paetzold, who holds the post of acting political counsellor, said Egyptian-American relations have been good throughout history. "These relations have faced several challenges at some time, but right now they are at the highest level," Paetzold said. She also praised the role of Egypt in the Arab and Islamic worlds. "This is largely thanks to Al-Azhar," the official said, adding that "she highly appreciates the roles being played by the Egyptian leadership, government and people for allowing all citizens to exercise their religious rituals in freedom and peace." A statement said the discussion between MPs and US embassy officials also focused on laws that govern religious relations in Egypt. MP Amany Aziz said Egypt is a country of religious diversity and that "all Abrahamic religions lived on the land of Egypt for long time in a state of peace, co-existence and love." "Egypt knows nothing about racial discrimination or sectarianism," said Aziz, adding that "she is a member of parliament's religious affairs committee although she is a Christian." The head of parliament's religious affairs committee, Osama El-Abd, welcomed the US embassy official's visit, revealing that many draft laws are on the committee's agenda, most of them aimed at containing extremist fatwas and fighting sectarian strife and terrorism. El-Abd said Egyptian MPs are ready to cooperate with the US embassy to spread a message of religious tolerance and world peace. "There has been coordination between Egypt and the US on a number of important issues, particularly the fight against terrorism and extremist thought," said El-Abd, also praising the assistance Washington gives to countries which are at war against terrorism. Search Keywords: Short link: Delhi rioter Shahrukh who trained gun on policeman arrested from UP's Shamli Eight days after Delhi rioter Mohammed Shahrukh, who was caught on camera pointing a gun at a policeman after firing eight rounds of bullets on the police and protesters in northeast Delhis Maujpur area last month, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested him from Shamli in Uttar Pradeshs Barelli district. The police while tracking Shahrukh's phone found that he had gone to Panipat from Delhi's Maujpur first, before hiding in different cities of western Uttar Pradesh, including Kairana and Amroha, before reaching Shamli. According to the police, the family of the accused had also disappeared after the incident. An IANS report citing Delhi Police sources on Monday said many suspicious articles were found in Shahrukh Khan`s house, including inflammable objects in polythenes. At least 10 teams of the Special Cell of Delhi Police conducted searches in multiple cities of Uttar Pradesh, including Kairana and Shamli in search of the accused. Shahrukh had been on the run ever since the 24 February shooting. "The day on which the communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi, I was called for emergency duty from my training centre. Suddenly a man in a maroon colour T-shirt came charging at me and threatened to shoot me. He could have opened fire at me, but I remained calm and did not show my fear." Deepak Dahia, the head constable who faced Sharrukh told reporters earlier. "He could have fired at me but I showed my stick to him and dared him to do so. I also warned him with the stick. I stayed put in front of him and asked him to put down the gun. It worked and the man retreated firing in the air," he had stated. "In fact, I was deployed in the northeast district on Monday (24 February) on emergency duty. My training is going on at Wazirabad Delhi Police Training Centre. I was recruited in Delhi Police in 2012 as a constable," Dahia, who faced Shahrukh, said, "It was because of the police training that I gathered guts to confront this man," the cop who stared at death during communal violence added. The communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi resulted in the killing of at least 46 people and destruction of property worth crores of rupees. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 05:07:01 i2c Appoints Payments Veteran as General Manager for MEA i2c Expands Presence in Middle East and Africa Due to High Demand for Its Agile Processing Jessica Kersey VP, Marketing Communications i2c Inc. +1 650.480.5714 jkersey@i2cinc.com i2c Inc., a leading provider of payment and open banking technology, today announced it is expanding its presence in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) due to high demand in the region for its solutions. i2c partners with financial institutions, fintechs and governments using its unique i2c agile processing technology and APIs to bring innovative credit, debit, prepaid, and multi-currency solutions to market quickly. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005 Aurangzaib Khan Appointed i2c Inc. General Manager for Middle East and Africa (Photo: Business Wire) To support the growth in MEA, i2c added a General Manager position to its team and is announcing today the appointment of payments industry veteran Aurangzaib Khan to the position. Khan is based in Dubai. Prior to joining i2c, Khan was VP, Government Business Development for Mastercard in the UAE and Oman where he managed government relationships and engagement in the areas of policy and regulation, fostered commercial initiatives and grew revenue. Other senior Mastercard positions during his eight-year tenure included the strategic development of banks, financial institutions and merchants in Dubai and Northern Emirates, and serving as Country Manager of Pakistan and Afghanistan where he established the Mastercard Pakistan office, grew Mastercard to become one of the largest networks in Pakistan and launched the first global QR. i2c recently announced support of Apple Pay for Najm Prepaid cardholders, one of the first such implementations in the region in partnership with its client Majid Al Futtaim Finance (MAF)/Najm. The implementation, which took just 90 days to bring to market, is raising awareness for i2c services, global agile technology and APIs, and reputation for delivering 100 percent availability and superior security. Ive been aware of i2cs growing presence in the region and of their well-deserved reputation for client responsiveness and delivering innovation to market incredibly fast, said Aurangzaib Khan. Ive also experienced firsthand what its like to drive financial and socio-economic development in the region. I believe i2c is unique among payments processors and has what it takes to lead the market. Im excited to be joining the i2c team at this historic time. We are pleased to welcome Aurangzaib to i2c, said Jim McCarthy, President of i2c Inc. He is an experienced payments executive with deep insights about our industry, established relationships with key players and a stellar record of execution across the region. About i2c Inc. i2c Inc. drives innovation to the global digital payments and open banking industry with a multi-function platform built for endless possibilities. Advanced building block processing technology at its core provides a vast suite of credit, debit and prepaid solutionsall from a single global SaaS platform. This enables clients to dynamically configure payment solutions with unparalleled flexibility, agility and performance while maintaining highly secure and reliable payments. Founded in 2001, and headquartered in Silicon Valley, i2cs next-generation technology helps organizations drive revenue growth, scale and adapt to change while supporting millions of users in more than 200 countries and territories and all time zones. Visit www.i2cinc.com and follow us at @i2cinc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005 US cites deepening crackdown in China for its decision as Beijing threatens to retaliate over move. The United States said it would slash the number of Chinese nationals permitted to work at the US offices of major Chinese state-owned media outlets in response to what Washington said was Beijings long-standing intimidation and harassment of journalists. Citing a deepening crackdown on all forms of independent reporting inside China, administration officials said Beijings attacks on free speech were worse than they were 10 years ago, comparing them to those of the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. From March 13, Washington will cap the number of US-based Chinese nationals allowed to work at Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International and China Daily Distribution Corp at 100 from the current number of 160. Beijings UN ambassador said the move was not appropriate. In a briefing on Tuesday afternoon, the countrys Foreign Ministry said the US decision had caused a serious negative impact on the two countries relations and that it reserved the right to take measures in response. China last month revoked the visas of three Wall Street Journal reporters in Beijing after the newspaper declined to apologise for a column with a headline that called China the Real Sick Man of Asia. Another reporter with the paper had to leave last year after China declined to renew his visa. For years, the government of the Peoples Republic of China has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment, and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Mondays decision was not particularly linked to the Wall Street Journal case or to the content the Chinese outlets in question produced, senior State Department officials told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Weve been imploring the Chinese for years and years now to improve their treatment of journalists in China. So, this is not linked to any one particular incident, one official said, adding that the expulsion of the Wall Street Journal reporters was a fairly egregious example. While the officials said the move was not an expulsion of Chinese nationals, they acknowledged that the people whose visas were contingent on their ability to work in the US could be forced to leave. The four outlets were among five designated by the US as foreign embassies earlier this month. Weaponised visas Tensions between the two superpowers have escalated since President Donald Trump came to office three years ago, with disputes over issues ranging from trade to accusations of Chinese spying in the US and American support for Taiwan. We have some differences but we do not think it is appropriate for the United States to take steps in interfering with the work of journalists coming from China, Chinas UN Ambassador Zhang Jun told a news conference. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the decision effectively meant some Chinese journalists would be expelled from the country. Earlier on Monday, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) said in its annual report on working conditions for foreign media that the Chinese government had weaponised visas as part of a stepped-up campaign of pressure on foreign journalists. It also found that 82 percent of reporters had experienced interference, harassment or violence, while 70 percent said they had had interviews cancelled after the authorities had intervened. The FCCC noted that, for the second year in a row, not one correspondent said reporting conditions had improved. It is our hope that this action will spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach to US and other foreign press in China, Pompeo said, while State Department officials said Washington was ready to take further action if Beijing retaliated. The personnel caps would be placed on the organisations rather than individuals, so it would be up to the media outlets to decide the necessary staffing cuts, the officials said. The US will also announce in the near future limits on the duration of stay for Chinese journalists, they added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Giancarlo Navach, Stephen Jewkes and Elvira Pollina (Reuters) Milan, Italy Tue, March 3, 2020 06:06 679 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067d6ef7 2 World Italy,Europe,coronavirus,COVID-19,Wuhan-coronavirus,lockdown,outbreak,health Free For schoolchildren in northern Italy, the beginning of their second week blocked at home because of coronavirus saw a scramble to adapt digital alternatives to the classroom, ranging from online maths games to homework on Dante sent by WhatsApp. Schools in several areas have been closed since the coronavirus outbreak just over a week ago and authorities have had to improvise to keep classes going, using school digital platforms and services like Skype, Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom. "The system has been functioning very well and it's holding up for the moment," said Lucia Balzarini, a religion teacher at the A. Tosi agricultural technical college in Codogno, a town in the quarantined "red zone" where five children have tested positive. "The problem will be in the longer term." Her school was closed on Feb. 22 and by the following Thursday, the virtual system was operational. Schools have been closed in the northern regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna until at least the end of the week, but with the number of cases in Italy rising to more than 2,000, there is no certainty about when they will reopen. Many schools have websites and email or electronic messaging groups that have allowed teachers and pupils to stay in touch. "The school has an electronic registry and I am sending work to my pupils using email and WhatsApp. I gave them a canto of Dante today to study," said Flavia Santonico, a high school teacher in Bologna. In the red zone in which 10 towns in the Lombardy region around Milan and one town in neighboring Veneto have been locked down, telecoms operator TIM has temporarily provided unlimited data coverage. Marco De Rossi, head of WeSchool, an Italian company that develops educational platforms, said the company had seen a three-fold jump in traffic on its platforms last week, with 590,000 active users. He said extra shifts had been added to deal with demand. "Stir Crazy" The Education Ministry has appealed to schools to share their experiences to help adapt to the shutdown and opened a page on its website to help with long-distance learning. Schools and children have different levels of experience with long-distance learning and, for now, there is no national system. "There were a few problems at first but it's working great now," said Federico Vita, 11, a pupil at the Ungaretti school in Melzo which started focusing on digital teaching techniques about three years ago. The state school, near Milan, has "adopted" a school in the red zone in Veneto to share its experience. The shut down has created a headache for parents forced to find child minders, work from home or take time off. "My 12-year-old is going stir crazy," said Susan, a mother in Bologna. "And you have to make sure they don't get hooked all day on their mobiles. "Homework has been coming through, but there have been no virtual classes or lessons or stuff like that organized yet." Even teachers who say the system has worked well worry about whether pupils will be able to keep learning effectively outside the normal rhythm of the classroom. Monica Boccoli, a maths teacher in Cremona, who is part of a network of teachers trying to encourage digital educational techniques, works in a school experienced in digital learning for younger pupils. "But managing an emergency is different," she said. "In primary schools, teacher contact remains fundamental". NEW HAVEN A city man is set to serve 97 months in prison on racketeering and weapons charges for his role with the Goodrich Street Boys, a street gang linked to multiple shootings, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. DeJuan Ward, 23, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, officials said. He was indicted, along with five other men, on attempted murder, racketeering, firearm and narcotics trafficking charges in August 2017. According to the governments sentencing memorandum, Ward attempted to kill at least one other individual in New Haven, distributed marijuana and was involved in other acts of violence in the city. The Goodrich Street Boys group is alleged and believed to have been responsible for dozens of shootings in New Haven from 2015 to 2017, prosecutors said in the memorandum, including the attempted murder of a New Haven man who Ward acknowledged shooting in the leg in September 2015. Prosecutors sought a sentence of 78 to 97 months, in accordance with guidelines for his determined offense level, arguing that Wards role in the Goodrich Street Boys group was serious. As part of his association with GSB, Ward was adjudicated responsible for an attempted murder, at least one Hobbs Act robbery, and obstruction of justice, which he knew would lead to and did lead to violent retaliation against a witness whose only transgression was telling federal authorities who shot him when he was 13 years old, prosecutors said in their memorandum. Wards violent conduct on the streets of New Haven and his incitement of violent conduct on social media had two significant consequences: causing serious physical and mental injury to others; inspiring fear in the residents of New Haven; and undermining the rule of law in New Haven. Defense attorney Jon L. Schoenhorn argued for a lower offense level and shorter sentence in his memorandum, suggesting a sentence of 57 to 71 months would be appropriate. He argued Wards traumatic childhood, which included being badly burned by his fathers girlfriend and the violent deaths of his cousin and a close friend were mitigating factors, and that prosecutors had sought to hold Ward inappropriately liable for the actions of his co-defendants and erred in setting the offense level. As Mr. Wards personal history shows, the significant childhood trauma he experienced coupled with the environment of violence and poverty around him affected his ability to make positive life decisions. Today, Mr. Ward understands that he looked up to the wrong figures and idolized a destructive lifestyle, said Schoenhorn. Schoenhorn noted that the man wounded by Ward was later charged with murder, characterizing him as not an innocent bystander. Ward is the sixth of the six men indicted in the case to be sentenced, prosecutors noted Monday. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the New Haven Police Department, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. Prosectors also credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hamden Police Department and New Haven States Attorneys Office for aiding in the inquiry. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com The pre-immunization acquired through common childhood vaccines can be used to enhance therapeutic cancer treatment, according to a new research from University of Helsinki published in the Cancer Research magazine. Professor Vincenzo Cerullos research team at the University of Helsinki discovered that when animals were pre-immunized with ordinary vaccine, e.g. anti-tetanus, engrafted with tumor and then treated with the new hybrid viral platform called PeptiCRAd, they showed a dramatic improvement in tumor-specific immune response and a significantly improved anti-tumor efficacy. According to Cerullo this approach can be very easily translated into clinical trials as it relies on pre-existing immunity of vaccines included in the national vaccination programs worldwide. "This method has potential to have a significant impact on current immunotherapy protocols," said Vincenzo Cerullo, professor at University of Helsinki, director of the Drug Research Program. Majority of the worldwide population has been vaccinated against common pathogens, leading to a pathogen specific immunological memory. This is able to deploy a much faster and more effective immune response when we re-encounter the pathogens; this is called secondary response and it is stronger and faster than the first time we encounter a pathogen. "To overcome this limitation, and convert the anti-tumor response into a secondary response we developed a hybrid tumor-pathogen therapeutic cancer vaccine, explains Cerullo. Since their introduction, the vaccines have made one of the greatest contribution to public health, with the eradication of common deadly infections such as smallpox and rinderpest. We thought that they could do even more and help our fight with the cancer," Cerullo said. Cerullo and his research team are developing therapeutic cancer vaccines based on viral platform. One of these is called PeptiCRAd, basically a virus dressed as tumors. "The main idea behind this new hybrid PeptiCRAd is taking advantage of the pre-existing pathogen-specific immunological memory present in the worldwide population of vaccinated individuals. This is to boost the anti-tumor response," summarizes Sara Feola, one of the co-authors of the study. After a bad experience on last year's season of Married At First Sight, Elizabeth Sobinoff returned for a second chance at love on Monday night. And while fans have thrown their support behind the unlucky-in-love brunette, her former co-star Heidi Latcham isn't so impressed. While interviewing 2020 star Josh Pihlak on her Sea FM breakfast show on Tuesday, Heidi expressed disbelief that anyone with genuine intentions would do MAFS twice. 'As if!' Former Married At First Sight star Heidi Latcham (pictured) has expressed disbelief that anyone with genuine intentions would appear on the show twice 'No! As if! You can't do it again,' Heidi said, after Josh had praised Elizabeth for putting herself out there. 'If you'd gone through it [before], you'd be like, "Oh no."' Heidi, who was unsuccessfully paired with Mike Gunner on last year's experiment, isn't the first MAFS alum to criticise Elizabeth's return to the show. A second chance: Unlucky-in-love Elizabeth Sobinoff (pictured) returned to Married At First Sight this week after a disastrous 'marriage' to Sam Ball last year Sam Ball, Elizabeth's ex'-husband' from last year's season, took a subtle swipe at her via Instagram on Saturday, just two days before her big return. He said: 'Good on her if that's what she wants to do to find love. Everyone that's been in the experiment [before] knows how set up [it is], and what goes on behind the scenes. I wouldn't do it again.' Sam had infamously fat shamed Elizabeth on their wedding day by saying he 'didn't usually date girls her size', before cheating on her with another bride, Ines Basic. Throwing shade: It comes after Sam Ball, Elizabeth's ex'-husband' from last year's season, took a subtle swipe at her via Instagram on Saturday, just two days before her big return Just hours before Elizabeth's wedding aired on Monday night, Cyrell Paule also criticised her former friend in an interview with WHO magazine. 'The intruders come in soon. I hope that they make it interesting, but I'm very doubtful. I have seen who is coming up and they don't look that exciting,' she said, clearly taking a swipe at Elizabeth. Cyrell and Elizabeth had a very public falling out last year over a $3,000 nightclub appearance deal in Darwin. Torn apart: Just hours before Elizabeth's wedding aired on Monday night, Cyrell Paule (right) also criticised her former friend in an interview with WHO magazine 'She wasn't happy with me getting all the club appearance gigs and that's why the jealousy started. It's just really pathetic and immature,' Cyrell said at the time. Intriguingly, none of Elizabeth's former castmates have publicly congratulated her on returning to the show this year. Daily Mail Australia understands that Elizabeth 'isolated herself' from many of her co-stars after last year's season aired. It's believed some participants 'resented' her for being so loyal to Channel Nine after they had been portrayed badly in the experiment. Married At First Sight continues Wednesday 7.30pm on Nine President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today arrived in Goranboy for a visit. The head of state laid flowers at a statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the city of Goranboy. Head of Goranboy Executive Authority Maharram Guliyev informed President Ilham Aliyev of the works recently carried out in the region. *** As part of his visit to Goranboy, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of Gizilhajili-Goranboy-Goran-Rahimli-Veyisli-Gazanbulag-Borsunlu highway after renovation and repair. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerbaijan Highway State Agency Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state of the work done. Enquiring about the state of the Aghjakand road, President Ilham Aliyev said: - Aghjakand is a strategic point. This is where the first IDP settlement is located. It was opened in the presence of the great leader. I was there too. The IDPs expelled from their lands as a result of Armenian aggression are based there. Therefore, this road should always be in the spotlight. If it is necessary to renovate it, do let me know. In accordance with state programs on the development of the regions, specific measures have been taken to develop the road infrastructure in recent years. The scope of work on the construction and reconstruction of roads has been increasing every year. Currently, large-scale projects on the reconstruction and improvement of the countrys road infrastructure are being successfully implemented at the expense of the state. Based on the orders and instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the main focus today is on the repair and reconstruction of roads connecting villages and towns in the regions, as well as the roads within settlements. First of all, these measures are evidence of the sustainability of projects aimed at improving peoples lives. The construction of the Gizilhajili-Goranboy-Goran-Rahimli-Veyisli-Gazanbulag-Borsunlu highway is one of such projects. President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the road. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the Goranboy branch of Azerkhalcha Open Joint-Stock Company. Chairman of the Board of Azerkhalcha OJSC Vidadi Muradov informed President Ilham Aliyev of the conditions created at the enterprise. *** President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Goranboy District Central Hospital. The head of state first cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. President Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created at the hospital. The head of state then met with the hospital staff. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting. Speech of President Ilham Aliyev - I congratulate you on the opening of Goranboy Central District Hospital. I am very pleased that an excellent medical center has been established in Goranboy in a short time. Two and a half years ago, the construction began on my instruction and we are opening this hospital together today. As you can see, all the conditions here meet the highest standards. Both the building is quite modern and beautiful, and the equipment installed here is manufactured by leading companies. This equipment is no different from the equipment of the leading hospitals in the world. And this should be the case. I said that the material and technical infrastructure of the public health sector in Azerbaijan should be at the highest level, and we are achieving this. Over the past 16 years, 22 new hospitals, 15 diagnostic and treatment centers were built in the regions of Azerbaijan alone. Twenty-eight central district hospitals have been overhauled. The construction of five hospitals is under way. Thus, 70 modern medical facilities have been commissioned in the regions alone. Of course, these medical facilities serve public health. The construction and renovation of many hospitals has also been completed in Baku. In general, more than 700 medical institutions have been built and overhauled in our country over the past 16 years. Of course, this requires major funds, and they are being allocated through the state budget. This hospital, too, was built as part of the state investment program and on the basis of state programs on the socioeconomic development of the regions. The main goal of this is to provide people with quality medical services. Today, it is possible to say that modern medical institutions operate in all our cities. They have all the opportunities for both treating and diagnosing patients. It is no coincidence that the number of our citizens undergoing examination is growing every year. Last year it reached 5 million people. More than five million people underwent medical examination. Ten years ago, I recommended that people undergo annual examination so that both themselves and doctors have an idea of their health and, if necessary, treatment or surgical operation are carried out. There were no conditions at that time, but they are available now. Therefore, the establishment of such an excellent medical center is an indicator of our policy. There is a modern medical facility not so far from here, in the city of Naftalan, and it might have seemed to some people that this hospital would serve the residents of Goranboy too. But I said that a separate central district hospital should be built in Goranboy too because the old hospital building did not meet the standards any longer. This shows again that a focused state policy is being pursued in this area. In such excellent conditions, doctors, of course, should provide patients with quality medical services. The hospital is also the workplace for doctors. I am told that 125 doctors and a large number of medical personnel are working here. Therefore, the creation of such wonderful conditions should increase the responsibility of doctors. Patients need to be treated with attention, taken care of and receive high-quality medical services. I am sure that doctors of this hospital will provide high-quality medical services to our citizens. Currently, the key issue on the global agenda is the problem of coronavirus. This issue is discussed practically in all countries. As for Azerbaijan, I can say that the situation is under control. A special operational headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers has been set up on my instruction. In addition, I have issued the instruction to allocate an additional 10 million manats to expedite the adoption of necessary measures. Special measures are being taken to evacuate Azerbaijani citizens from Iran. They will be brought to Azerbaijan both through the land border and by air. However, everyone should understand that they will have to spend some time in quarantine in order to prevent the spread of the disease in Azerbaijan. At the same time, relevant instructions have been issued on the temporary closure of schools, universities and kindergartens. The purpose of this is to protect children and teenagers from the disease. So all necessary measures are being taken. As of today, the likelihood of this disease spreading in Azerbaijan is not very high. However, I can say that this issue is monitored in the country several times a day. Special devices have been installed at all border checkpoints. I must also say that no country has introduced restrictions on cargo transportation, including Azerbaijan. As you know, Azerbaijan is a transit country. We have been trying to expand our transit potential for many years and have been able to achieve this. There are no restrictions for transit cargo. However, paying special attention to this area, we work in an organized manner to deliver transit goods, in particular the goods arriving in our country from the southern direction for both Azerbaijani consumers and for those in neighboring countries. Special columns composed of relevant trucks are formed and police escort is provided. In addition, I have asked for foreign drivers to be provided with food so that they dont get often leave their cars and visit public places. In other words, careful steps thought to the smallest detail are being taken, and their purpose is to protect the citizens of Azerbaijan from this disease. So far, all our actions have been successful. We are always in contact with the World Health Organization. Work is under way to deliver tests to our country. This issue is being resolved. I am told that there is a shortage of masks in pharmacies of late. It is impossible to find an explanation for this because we have a sufficient supply of masks. Apparently, some dealers are trying to take advantage of the situation to increase their illegal incomes. All law enforcement agencies have been instructed to identify such facts and apply the most severe punishment to those committing this. After all, those taking advantage of the situation to resort to unsightly actions in pursuit of their selfish interests should face the most severe punishment. Therefore, I want to once again assure the Azerbaijani public that the Azerbaijani government is taking all necessary measures. The current picture does not give serious reason for concern. No signs of the disease have been detected in the absolute majority of quarantined people. If their condition is in order, they will be discharged after the required time. I believe that this is sufficient information. At the same time, all health workers directly involved in this matter, the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance, have been instructed to regularly update the public. I want to say this again: the strengthening of the material and technical infrastructure of our public health system is also designed to counter unexpected situations. Of course, we are building such wonderful hospitals for our citizens to use them. At the same time, in force majeure situations such medical facilities expand our capabilities, of course. I am glad that such an excellent medical institution is already functioning in Goranboy district. Numerous infrastructure projects have been implemented by the state in Goranboy district. On my instructions, the level of gas supply has been increased to 96 percent. Gasification of the remaining villages is currently on the agenda. Several important road projects have been implemented. We opened one of them today. Nevertheless, proposals on the construction of new roads, rural roads are still coming from citizens. Corresponding instructions will be issued and an order signed. Sixty-five percent of roads have been repaired. The drinking water problem was resolved in the city in 2014. I attended the opening of this major project. A modern Olympic sports center is under construction. This is also a necessary facility for athletes and citizens in general because I said this before and want to say it again everyone should do play on a regular basis. I once said that everyone should undergo examination, and it is possible to say that we are achieving this goal. I am sure that we will achieve this as well. If everyone regularly does sports, their health will be in order, their immunity will be high, they will live a long time, lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoy life. Additional measures related to the development of Goranboy district and creation of jobs will be taken in the future too. A carpet factory has been opened in Goranboy. In other words, infrastructure projects, social projects, projects related to job creation are and will continue to be implemented. I congratulate you on the opening of this beautiful hospital again, wish you success and happy upcoming Novruz holidays. *** Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an Order regarding measures to construct Alirzali-Khan Garvand-Safikurd-Tap Garagoyunlu road in Goranboy. Under the presidential Order, the Azerbaijan Highway State Agency is allocated 5 million manats for the construction of the road connecting 8 residential areas with a total population of 31,000 people. Lord Farmer is a former Treasurer of the Conservative Party. Much has been said about the Governments need to maintain the support of red wall voters. Influential new think tank, Onward, stresses the greater premium they place on belonging and on resilient communities, than on the relentless pursuit of ever greater liberty. Doing justice to these values requires investment in social, not just physical, infrastructure. So the 2019 Conservative Manifesto statement that a strong society needs strong families is a line they need to prioritise. Recently, Ranil Jayawardena, the partys vice-chair of policy, supported by dozens of other Conservative MPs, called for a cabinet-level Minister to coordinate family-strengthening efforts across departments. This is the bold machinery of government change required to address our family breakdown crisis and implement manifesto commitments to champion family hubs, improve the Troubled Families programme, and review the childrens care system. We compare very badly with other OECD countries with our high rates of single parenthood, divorce and separation, and large numbers of children entering local authority care. Broken and dysfunctional family lives and the absence of fathers drive so many of the social problems this Government is grappling with, particularly knife and gang crime, county lines, mental ill-health, educational underachievement, early pregnancy, drug and alcohol addiction, and poor productivity. Yet instead of charging ahead with these promised reforms, they have picked up David Gaukes Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill which fell when Parliament was dissolved last year. Unmentioned in the Manifesto, this Bill stealthily ushers in state-sanctioned, unilateral divorce under the guise that it will minimise the impact of divorce, particularly on children. It is fundamentally flawed because not only does it ignore the urgent need to strengthen families, it actually weakens them. The Government claims a lot of support for this Bill, but in reality, its largely from a narrow selectorate of lawyers and judges who are of course in favour of sanitising the messiness of divorce. Yet when the general public were asked recently if fault should continue to be a ground for divorce, 71 per cent supported the status quo. The Ministry of Justice dismissed this and the response to their own consultation where over 80 per cent wanted to retain the right for an individual to contest a divorce. Obviously, the fault cited may not be the actual reason the relationship faltered, but airbrushing the very notion of fault out of divorce weakens marriage. It sends a very strong signal that even this explicit commitment might be illusory and unreliable, so why go to the bother of getting married at all? Marriage rates reduce following the introduction of no-fault divorce and the likelihood that divorcees will remarry drops considerably. Less marriage means more cohabitation, an inherently less stable relationship form. Where does unilateral divorce leave the weaker party often the primary carer, often the woman, and often the financially disadvantaged? On average women see their income drop by 12 per cent after divorce whilst mens incomes bounce up by 30 per cent. Divorce rates spike and even if they reduce again in time, that spike is made up of real people adults and children. They will not be spared conflict as the Government claim: this heightens around financial and children issues which are of course considered separately. If they persist with this reform, the Government should state on the face of the Bill that they will track the trends that follow it and publish reports on family stability. As the legislation progresses through the Lords this week, I will also support amendments to ensure respondents have the full six months before the divorce is granted although far better if this period were extended to a year. Currently, the clock starts ticking when the applicant informs the court, but the respondent may be wholly ignorant, several weeks hence, that the legal end of their marriage is nigh. At least 12 weeks of that period should be litigation free the Government is billing it as an opportunity to reflect but there is nothing to stop anyone from charging ahead with parallel financial arrangements. The Bill also needs to be stripped of Henry VIII powers which enable a future Lord Chancellor to reduce the proposed six month timeframe without proper parliamentary debate. As it stands, this Bill is an applicants charter which only assists divorce, and provides no support to help struggling couples stay together. Its authors are saying, in effect, were on your side if you want easier divorce, but if you actually want to overcome your marital difficulties you are on your own. If we have to have this Bill, and I sincerely wish we did not, then it has to come with an expansion of support for relationships. This Bill is an overhang from a very different Parliament mandated by a very different election manifesto. Absent of public clamour for the reform, this Government risks losing its way early in the new term by ignoring the values of its actual voters. The 2019 election changed everything. It has provided a valuable opportunity, to set a new, pro-family tone, which should not be squandered. So I would urge the Government to pause, rethink this Bills implications, and implement the family-strengthening policy platform they were elected on. The LGBTQIA+ community is growing with every passing day, as more and more people are proudly stepping out of the closet. But, our society is still trying to catch up and accept it, especially when it comes to being open about your sexuality at work. While we all work in an open, modern environment, there are still barriers that need to be brought down. And that is exactly what the Lalit and Keshav Suri Foundation, KSF, are working towards. Having taken several path-breaking initiatives to embrace, empower and mainstream the LGBT+ community; KSF in collaboration with Pride Circle and got Stonewall Workplace Equality Index to India. The launch took place in Delhi on February 22, with RISE countrys first LGBT+ job fair. The Delhi edition of RISE saw over 1500 attendees which included changemakers, businesses, LGBTI and allies, experts, HR professionals and students. Presenting their strong thoughts on the acceptance towards the long-fetched ignored community, over 15 community groups came in full support of the community at the RISE. The RISEs marketplace saw 16 micro, small and medium-sized LGBTI owned businesses displaying their products and services in the areas of bakery, merchandise, travel & tourism. The first edition of RISE was held in July 2019 at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru, which turned out to be a huge success with over 900 attendees and 43 job offers for the LGBTI people. Speaking on the momentous occasion, Mr Keshav Suri, Executive Director, The Lalit and Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation, said, I want to see a country that is free of discrimination. Queer people need jobs. Embracing, empowering and Mainstreaming the queer community is what KSF and RISE stand for. Events like RISE provide a platform for stakeholders to come together and work towards an inclusive society. I am pleased with the success in both Bangalore and Delhi. The Stonewall Equality Index will help push Corporates into next level of inclusion and engagement. It will accelerate change. Jobs were offered by 20 companies which include Accenture, KPMG, The Lalit Hospitality Group, Uber and HSBC. FICCI joined RISE as an industry partner. RISE provided a platform to the LGBTI and allies to engage in a thought-provoking conference, a marketplace for the LGBTI owned businesses and skill-building workshops. With over 46 eminent national and international speakers, the conference enlightened the attendees on diversity & inclusion, equity at workplaces, thought-leadership, role-modelling, tips for strengthening business, among others. Some of the speakers included veteran industry experts such as Tim E, EVP & Managing Counsel, International American Express; Olfert De Wit, COO, HSBC Singapore; Dilip Shenoy, Secretary-General of FICCI; Leanne Macmillan, Director, Global Programmes, Stonewall and Tony Tenicela, Global Leader Marketplace Diversity & Workforce Engagement Services, IBM. Talking about the significance of the index, Leanne Macmillan, Director, Global Programmes of Stonewall said, Stonewall stands in solidarity with Pride Circle and the Keshav Suri Foundation as we meet in Delhi at the RISE workplace conference. For over 30 years Stonewall has worked to advance the rights of and respect for LGBTI people. In our work with both civil society and employers globally we see how LGBTI people are excluded and discriminated against simply because of who they are! We applaud the efforts of those from across civil society and the business community in India who stand ready at the forefront to tackle the many challenges LGBTI communities face to create a society where LGBTI people are accepted without exception. The conference gave an opportunity to everyone present to learn from the experts on various topics through breakout session and masterclasses which included financial literacy for the existing and interested LGBTI entrepreneurs, resume building, interview skills, among others. Thanking the community and allies for showing tremendous support, Srini Ramaswamy, Chief Evangelist and Co-founder, Pride Circlestated, We are overwhelmed by the support of the community and allies, our partners, hiring companies and all the attendees. Taking a step closer towards realising the civil rights of the community, RISE has risen as the voice of the LGBTI who want social equity through affirmative actions. Addressing the participants at the RISE, Ramakrishna Sinha, Co-Founder, Pride Circle said, Affirmative action by hiring organisations is evidence that we are moving towards the right direction to foster inclusion at workplaces. The overwhelming response at RISE Delhi is highly promising and presents the collective voice of the community and allies to set the tone to build more inclusive India. Mumbai, March 3 : Various forms of cancer claimed 5,727 lives in Maharashtra out of the total 11,306 new cases that were registered in 2019, the state Legislature was told on Tuesday. Health Minister Rajesh Tope gave the information in reply to a a question by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Pravin Darekar, Niranjan Davkhare and others on the issue. The opposition members also expressed concern that 9 percent of all cancer cases in the country were reported from Maharashtra and demanded to know what kind of treatment facilities are available for the patients in the state. Tope informed the upper house that 11 out of 36 districts in the state have required facilities to provide chemotherapy treatment to cancer patients, and through the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, cancer treatment facilities are made available through registered private hospitals also. "The staff and doctors at the 11 district hospitals are imparted a month-long training in chemotherapy treatment at the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, Mumbai. Within a year, the staff and physicians in all the 36 districts will be trained in chemotherapy. After the skilled staff is available, the chemotherapy will be gradually extended to other district hospitals in the state," he said. According to a report cited by Darekar and others, there is only one specialist doctor available for every 3,000 patients which the minister admitted is a very adverse ratio. But this casual sexism wasnt at the heart of why he had to go. One of the most prominent and well-paid hosts in the cable-news game didnt listen, didnt do his homework and treated politics as a game in which noisy confrontation was a necessity. The problem was less about greenroom boorishness and far more about what you could see and hear on the air especially in recent weeks, but also going back a long way. The Russian Federation believes that Ukraine is to blame for the MH17 disaster In June 2020, Fred Westerbeke, the head of the Joint Investigative Group, said that the trial of suspects in the tragedy of MH17 flight would begin on March 9, 2020, in a court in The Hague. The disaster occurred on July 17, 2014. Versions of its causes and culprits have changed repeatedly. Ukraine claims that everything that happened was a terrorist attack and "MH17 was shot down by militants," the militants, as well as the Russian Federation, insist on the versions regarding the catastrophe repeatedly changed. An approximate chronology of Russian versions of the one who shot down the MH17: Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft; Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile division; the plane was shot down with the Ukrainian Buk M-1; air-to-air missile; Ukrainian Buk again. July 17, 2014 Former "Donetsk Peoples Republic Defense Minister" Igor Girkin reported that militants shot downed the AN 26 military transport aircraft. Open source Russian media immediately picked up this information. Here, for example, the plot of the propaganda channel LifeNews (the plot was subsequently deleted, but managed to scatter over the Internet). But when it turned out that a passenger airliner was shot down in the sky over Donbas, the rhetoric of the militants changed dramatically. If this is really a passenger airliner, then we didnt do it, RIA Novosti quoted then Prime Minister of the DPR Alexander Borodai. He assured that the militants "did not have a weapon with which it was possible to shoot down the MH17," hinting at the altitude at which the Boeing flew (10 km). Subsequently, the militants adhered to this version and repeated the Russian version of who shot down the MH17 and how. Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Alexander Neradko said that the Ukrainian side was responsible for the crash of Boeing since at the time of the disaster the liner was in the zone of responsibility of the Dnipropetrovsk dispatch center. Russian President Vladimir Putin also blamed Ukraine for the disaster. Of course, the state over whose territory this happened is responsible for this terrible tragedy, Putin said. Andrei Kartapolov, Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said that Russia had fixed a Ukrainian Su-25 plane, which was flying towards Boeing. The Su-25 in its characteristics is capable of reaching a height of 10 km. R-60 air-to-air missiles are on its armament, which can hit targets at a distance of up to 12 km and guaranteed to 5 km, Kartapolov reported. Open source It was also reported that the Russian Federation has space images with the location of air defense of the Ukrainian army, which allegedly confirms that one of the Buk missiles was moved to the territory controlled by the militants. December 22, 2014 On December 22, 2014, Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda outlet reported that it had found a witness who allegedly saw Boeing shot down by a Ukrainian Su-25 military aircraft. A little later, Vladimir Markin, the official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, noted that the investigation received evidence of the involvement of the Ukrainian military aircraft in the crash of the Malaysian Boeing 777. As reported, the combat mission was carried out from the airfield, which was deployed in the region of Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine). July 4, 2015 In an interview with American director Oliver Stone, Putin said that the Spanish air traffic controller allegedly watched the crash of flight MH-17 in Ukraine and saw a combat vehicle next to the Boeing. There could be no other combat vehicle besides a Ukrainian one... I am not saying that this aircraft shot down a civilian aircraft, but still, the question remains: what did he do there, in the corridor of a civilian vessel?" Putin noted. Later, the "Spanish dispatcher Carlos" admitted that he received money from Russia. July 15, 2015 Vladimir Markin, the spokesman for the Russian Federations official, said investigators believed that a Malaysian Boeing was shot down by a non-Russian-made air-to-air missile. October 13, 2015 The Russian Almaz-Antey air defense group conducted a study, according to the results of which it was reported that the Malaysian Boeing was allegedly shot down by a 9M38 missile from the Buk complex. Then it was reported that two full-scale experiments conducted by the Almaz-Antey air defense concern led to the conclusion that the Boeing was shot down by a rocket that was withdrawn from service in Russia, and that the launch was allegedly made from territory controlled by Kyiv. October 22, 2015 Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia considers the main reason for the Boeing disaster over Ukraine that Kyiv did not close airspace in Donbas. February 26, 2016 The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation responded to the report of the Bellingcat expert journalistic group that the Buk, from which the MH17 was shot down, was most likely led by servicemen of the 2nd battalion of the 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Russian army. Then deputy head of the press service and information department of the Russian Ministry of Defense Aleksey Komarov said that conspiracy theories of a journalistic group were repeatedly denied by bloggers and experts. "Therefore, (Bellingcat evidence, - Ed.) is not subject to serious commentary." At the same time, Komarov noted that the position of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation regarding the tragedy has not changed. "The Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly publicly and reasonably proved its position regarding the causes of the disaster and the likely involvement of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Komarov said. September 26, 2016 Russia stated that there were no objects other than two civilian airliners near the downed Boeing. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense underlined that the Ukrainian side is concealing information that would allow us to establish the full picture. September 28, 2016 JIT (Joint Investigation Team), which includes prosecutors and representatives of other law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, and Malaysia, as well as representatives of Eurojust, concluded that the airliner of flight MH17 was shot down by a 9M38 series missile launched from the BUK-TELAR self-propelled firing system from an agricultural field in the area of the village of Pervomaiske. This area at that time was under the control of pro-Russian separatists. And MEP Rebecca Harms emphasized that "since there are no private Buks, the Russian Federation is responsible for the downing of MH17." At the same time, Russia said that the international investigation into the MH17 disaster was biased and politically motivated. "Everything on which the so-called evidence base of the Dutch prosecutors office is based was provided by the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, which are undoubtedly an interested party," said Maria Zakharova. May 24, 2018 The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation again stated that it was the Ukrainian calculations of the Buk air defense system that were involved in the Boeing crash of flight MH17. On May 25, 2018, the Russian defense department announced that the Buk engine belonged to the Ukrainian military. Open source Buk-M1 (SA-11 Gadfly) September 17, 2018 The Ministry of Defense of Russia said that the missile, which was hit by a Boeing of flight MH17 in Donbas in 2014, belonged to Ukraine. The ministry said the rocket was fired at the Dolgoprudnensky factory in 1986 and delivered to the military unit of the Ukrainian SSR, where it was before the tragedy. According to them, the data presented was classified as secret, but because of the importance of what is happening they decided to declassify them. Also, the power department announced the availability of audio recordings of the Ukrainian military, which allegedly prove Ukraine's involvement in the crash of flight MH-17. June 19, 2019 The suspects in the crash of MH 17 became known. There are four of them: Igor Girkin (Strelkov), Sergey Dubinsky (Khmury), Oleg Pulatov (Gyurza), and Leonid Kharchenko (Krot). The first three are citizens of Russia, the fourth is a citizen of Ukraine. "Why are these four? Girkin - because at that time he held the most important military post in the self-proclaimed DPR, Dubinsky was his deputy, Pulatov Dubinskys deputy, and Kharchenko - because he was subordinate to Dubinsky," DW writes. The EU called on the Russian Federation to take responsibility for the disaster MH17 and cooperate with the investigation. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the international investigation team brought absolutely unfounded accusations against the Russians in the disaster MH17. Final result In the summer of 2018, the Dutch government withdrew from Ukraine the responsibility for the disaster MH17. The Netherlands and Australia officially blamed Russia for the crash of the MH17 flight. The Russian Federation stated that they were ready for negotiations with the Netherlands on this issue. At the same time, Russia stated that Ukraine should be held accountable "for not closing its skies." Sydney's most popular Vietnamese pork roll shop, where customers are often seen lining up around the block, has been hit with multiple fines for poor hygiene. Marrickville Pork Roll in Sydney's inner-west is widely considered the city's best hole-in-the-wall spot for banh mi. But in January the popular lunch spot was repeatedly hit with fines for violations of food safety by the NSW Government Food Authority. Marrickville Pork Roll, located in Sydney's inner-west, is believed to be the city's best hole-in-the-wall spot for banh mi Sydney's most popular Vietnamese pork roll shop, where customers are often seen lining up around the block, has been hit with multiple fines for poor hygiene Records on the Register of Penalty Notices show the popular eatery was hit with six food safety violations over the past few months. The fines cover the original Marrickville location on Illawarra Road, the first and most popular store. The square metre shopfront is renowned for its famous and cheap pork rolls which set customers back just $6. On January 17 food inspectors fined $880 the cafe for failing to maintain accessible hand washing facilities. Ten days earlier the shop was slapped with another $880 fine for failing to store potentially hazardous food under temperature control. The store was disciplined for the exact same offence in August 2019. But in January the popular lunch spot was repeatedly hit with fines for violations against food safety by the NSW Government Food Authority Records on the Register of Penalty Notices show the popular eatery was hit with six food safety violations over the past few months Two new shopfronts were opened in 2018 in Darling Square and Haymarket, with the entire chain being hit with three fines in September. The fines were for failing to maintain single-use towels at the sink, using a handwashing sink for more than washing hands and failing to properly store food. The three fines totalled $1,320. Daily Mail Australia's calls to Marrickville Pork Roll went unanswered on Tuesday evening. Click the photo to write a caption and have a chance to win a free subscription to the Norfolk Daily News. TORONTO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust ("ERES REIT") (TSXV:ERE.UN) announced today it will issue its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 after markets close on: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 A conference call hosted by Phillip Burns, Chief Executive Officer and the ERES REIT management team to discuss the results will be held on: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 9:00 am ET The telephone numbers for the conference call are: Local / International: (416) 340-2216 North American Toll Free: (800) 377-0758 A slide presentation to accompany managements comments during the conference call will be available an hour and a half prior to the conference call. To view the slides, access the ERES REIT website at www.eresreit.com click on Investor Relations and follow the link at the top of the page. Please log on at least 15 minutes before the call commences. The telephone numbers to listen to the call after it is completed (Instant Replay) are local / international (905) 694-9451 or North American toll free (800) 408-3053. The Passcode for the Instant Replay is 9844056#. The Instant Replay will be available until midnight, June 6, 2020. The call and accompanying slides will also be archived on the ERES REIT website at www.eresreit.com. For more information about ERES REIT, its business and its investment highlights, please refer to our website at www.eresreit.com. 2019 ANNUAL UNITHOLDERS MEETING ERES REIT will hold its 2019 Annual Unitholders Meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 10.00 am at Stikeman Elliot LLP, 5300 Commerce Court West, 199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario. ABOUT ERES REIT ERES REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. ERES REIT's Units are listed on the TSX-V under the symbol ERE.UN. ERES REIT is Canada's only European-focused multi-residential REIT, with an initial focus on investing in high-quality multi-residential real estate properties in the Netherlands. ERES REIT currently owns a portfolio of 131 multi-residential properties, comprised of 5,632 suites and ancillary retail space located in the Netherlands, and owns one office property in Germany and one office property in Belgium. Hotel Business News and Analytics Important! This article is written by orangesmile.com editors and is protected by copyright law. The article can only be re-used with a direct link to www.orangesmile.com NEWS BLOCKS: Business Travel Industry is in Danger Because of the Coronavirus As the latest study by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) states, the whole business travel industry is in danger because of the coronavirus outbreak. The latest epidemic can be potentially very harmful to the industry, costing as much as $46.6 billion per month. This is a true threat that the industry might be incapable of dealing with. If the epidemic persists, this might cause the annual damage of US$559.7 billion a year, which is 20% of the forecasted spend in the industry in 2020. With the latest cancelations of large events in different parts of the world, such a big decline in revenues doesnt look impossible anymore. Hotels in Barcelona already suffered from the cancelation of the mobile forum. Last week, Geneva hotels had to deal with a similar situation as it was decided to cancel the Geneva Auto Show, one of the biggest car exhibitions in the world. The poll conducted by GBTA also revealed the following findings. Business events are losing popularity in light of the virus outbreak. Almost two-thirds (65%) of the surveyed companies say they had to cancel at least few meetings or events. Furthermore, 18% of the companies had to cancel many events. Many businesses prefer to postpone events until the coronavirus threat ceases. As it is not easy to move events and meetings to a new location last minute, the share of the surveyed companies that actually did that is not big. Instead, 66% of respondents decided to cancel at least several meetings or events. 17% had to cancel many meetings or events. The uncertainty about the end of the epidemic is one of the biggest threats to the industry. More than half (54%) of respondents are not sure when they will be able to travel again. Approximately one-third of the surveyed companies (31%) hope that they will be able to try within the next three months. Finally, the remaining 14% think that travel will go back to normal within six months. The coronavirus has the biggest impact on Asia and travel to Asia. The majority of companies (95%) decided to cancel their meetings and trips to China. The same applies to such destinations as Hong Kong and Taiwan 73% and 54% respectively decided to cancel their events in these destinations. Nearly half of the surveyed companies (45%) decided to postpone or cancel their travel and meetings in Asia Pacific countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan. When it comes to Europe, the number of cancelations is smaller here only 23% of the respondents decided to cancel their trips to some European countries such as Italy, Germany or France. 03.03.2020Stay in touch with the latest news of a worldwide hotel industry. All up-to-date analytics, reports , and news about hotel business trends on OrangeSmile.com. Emma Thompson and her Greg Wise were seen enjoying the sights of Venice after becoming citizens of the city. The Love Actually star, 60, and her husband, 53, looked in good spirits as they headed out on a cosy stroll on Monday in their winter warmers. Dame Emma bundled up in a pink checkered coat that she layered over a woollen polo neck and scarf. New home: Dame Emma Thompson, 60, and her Greg Wise, 53, were seen enjoying the sights of Venice on Monday after becoming citizens of the city She teamed the jacket with a pair of plain black trousers, whilst she concealed her cropped blonde locks beneath a knitted hat. Greg also wrapped up warm for the outing in a padded black jacket and navy hoodie. Reportedly in the wake of Brexit, the Oscar winner left Britain to start a new life in Italy. Feeling the chill: Dame Emma bundled up in a pink checkered coat that she layered over a woollen polo neck and scarf Dame Emma and her husband Greg, who played Earl Mountbatten in Netflix hit The Crown, have become citizens of Venice. They have registered as residents of the lagoon city, where they already own a house, and are both having intensive Italian lessons. By registering in Venice which has been hit by recent flooding and the current coronavirus crisis they have also become official residents of Italy. This gives them the same rights to healthcare, work and study as an Italian citizen. She and Wise have also been granted honorary citizenship of Venice. Wrapped up warm: She teamed the jacket with a pair of plain black trousers, whilst she concealed her cropped blonde locks beneath a knitted hat This has no legal status it is akin to being made a freeman of the City of London. They will retain their British passports. Speaking in Italian after signing the formal documents last week, Dame Emma said becoming an honorary citizen of Venice represented 'the realisation of a dream she had cherished for years'. Venice's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, confirmed that the couple had been granted citizenship in a ceremony in the city's register office, where they were pictured signing documents and were presented with a Lion of St Mark statuette. Residents: Dame Emma and her husband Greg, who played Earl Mountbatten in Netflix hit The Crown, have become citizens of Venice. They have registered as residents of the lagoon city The couple own a 3 million house in West Hampstead, London, but the deputy mayor of Venice, Simone Venturini, said their Italian property would be their main residence. ' They wanted to be resident citizens to come and live in Venice,' he said. 'They bought in the historic centre, not a 'second home'.' Mr Venturini added: 'She was very happy and said that she loves Venice very much. 'They told me they are attending Italian courses. We are truly happy and proud to have Emma Thompson and Greg Wise as our fellow citizens, for what they represent and for the love they show for Venice.' A source at the mayor's office said Dame Emma took the decision because of Brexit and because her children were now old enough for her to move away, fulfilling her dream to live in Venice properly. Dame Emma memorably once described Britain as 'a tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe, a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. The couple have a 20-year-old daughter, Gaia, and an adopted son, Tindy, in his 30s. It's official: The couple (pictured signing papers) have registered as residents of the lagoon city, where they already own a house, and are both having intensive Italian lessons Dame Emma, who also has a Scottish holiday home, was a strong opponent of Brexit, claiming before the referendum that Britain would be 'mad' not to remain in the EU. The actress and screenwriter added that she 'just felt European' and 'we should be taking down borders, not putting them up'. She will be following in the footsteps of her Love Actually co-star Colin Firth, who accepted honorary Italian citizenship in 2017, becoming a dual Italian and British citizen. The actor, whose estranged wife Livia is Italian, previously said: 'Brexit does not have a single positive aspect for me. Many colleagues, including Emma Thompson, are like me enthusiastic Europeans.' If a Briton registers officially as a resident in an EU country before the deadline of December 31 this year, as Dame Emma has done, they have the right to live and work in that country permanently. After the deadline, anyone not resident will have to apply and be assessed according to the systems which emerge in individual EU countries. 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 It's reasonable to be worried about the spread of the coronavirus. So, we put together a quick (and optional) shopping list in case you're feeling the urge to prep. Good news -- a lot of it's stuff that you probably already have in your home. Soap: Wash your hands! Wet them, scrub them for at least 20 seconds -- two rounds of the "Happy Birthday" song -- then rinse. Again, please wash your hands. Especially if you're sick. It's tough to overstate how essential basic hygiene is to preventing the spread of disease. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen products: Always good to have on hand to help with fevers and associated aches. (Update 3-18-20: There's an ongoing debate about the use of ibuprofen to help counteract fevers associated with COVID-19. We've got more information about that in our no-panic guide. To read more, go to the section: SHOULD I NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN?) Toilet paper, food, water and critical medicine: If COVID-19 is spreading within your community and you're worried about going to the grocery store, it's a good idea to stock up on household supplies. I picked up some rice, beans and frozen produce, as well as extra toilet paper, water and medicine. Everything I mentioned is also essential for earthquake and wildfire prep, so I felt like I could justify the cost. Extra credit: Consider working on a household and community-based plan of action if the virus starts to spread through your area. And talk to your kids about what's going on. It's scary. If you want to jump down the rabbithole, the CDC has a thorough breakdown for businesses, schools and individuals when it comes to prepping and responding to COVID-19. After six suspected cases of coronavirus in Agra were referred to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday morning, the health department asked hotels in the city to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, said officials. The tourists will be screened at isolation wards constituted at the District Hospital and SN Medical College in the city. Chief medical officer (Agra) Dr Mukesh Kumar Vatsa said, We have asked hotels in Agra to provide us details about tourists from Iran, China and Italy. Tourists will be taken for thermal screening and other tests. We have constituted 10-bed isolation wards at the District Hospital and SN Medical College and Hospital in Agra. Besides, Rapid Response Team has already been formed to tackle the situation and ambulances to transport suspected patients, he added. The health department has also issued guidelines to the Airports Authority of India, Civil Air Terminal, Agra to inform the health department about tourists coming from Iran, China, Italy etc. Vivek Mahajan, general manager at a five-star category hotel, said: We have been asked to provide details of tourists from Iran, China, Italy and Japan staying in hotels. We have been given a declaration form that has to be filled by tourists in which they have to mention about various queries asked by the health department. Ramesh Wadhwa, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association, said: We have been asked to inform about tourists from five nations, if they stay at the hotel. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee continued to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government on Tuesday, targeting them for the riots in Delhi and the controversy around the amended citizenship act. After an initial silence over the Delhi clashes, Banerjee took a jibe at the BJP on Monday, a day after Union home minister Amit Shah stung her Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on issued related to law and order during a public meeting in Kolkata. Banerjee had alleged on Monday the Delhi riots, in which more than 40 people have died, were a planned genocide. On Tuesday, she urged people to be watchful that no outsider manage stoke a riot here. What happened in Delhi will never happen in Bengal, Banerjee said while addressing a public gathering in North Dinajpur district in the northern part of the state. I am pained by what happened in Delhi. There have been so many deaths! Bodies are still being recovered from drains. But see that the Centre has not yet sought a single apology. They have not said that they are ashamed, hurt or pained with these deaths, she said. We dont want Delhi, we dont want UP (Uttar Pradesh). You people burn down houses and destroy everything, Banerjee added. In the Bangladesh-bordering district where the Muslim population is slightly above the Hindu population and Hindu migrants from Bangladesh form a significant chunk of the population, she reiterated her government would never allow the implementation of the of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) or National Population Register (NPR). Do not worry. Do not panic. No one can touch people in Bengal. If anyone comes knocking your door seeking documents or information, just tell it on their face that you have a voter ID card and that it was enough, she said. In Kolkata, TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said that the party will organise protests against the Union governments role in the Delhi riots in all the 343 community development blocks and more than a hundred towns across the state on Wednesday. We must protest Delhi genocide. We will not remain silent, Chatterjee said. Press Release March 3, 2020 Villanueva: Include labor education subject in college to help prevent abuse of workers The poor showing of employers' compliance to labor standards in four regions in the country, which produce about half of college students in higher education institutions (HEI), could be traced to the lack of effort to educate them about their rights as they transition to the workforce, according to Senator Joel Villanueva. Villanueva seeks to address this gap through Senate Bill No. 1218 which seeks to include labor education in higher education curriculum to equip students with essential knowledge on their rights as workers. SBN 1218 is among the bills on labor education that will be heard today by the Committee on Higher, and Technical and Vocational Education, chaired by Villanueva. "On social media alone, workers complain about alleged labor infractions of their employers. The growing docket of our National Labor Relations Commission is also a proof of the need to educate our workforce about labor standards, especially workers' rights," said Villanueva in a statement. "By integrating labor education in the curriculum of higher education institutions, our government can further empower our workers in terms of exercising their rights, learning about the labor market, and having appropriate career guidance that will help them navigate the workplace," continued the senator, who also chairs the Senate labor committee. Workers' rights include the following: assurance of security of tenure; payment of correct wages; weekly rest day; payment of wage and wage-related benefits; provision of welfare facilities; assurance of safe working conditions, and rights to self-organization and collective bargaining. Data from the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) show that about seven in every 10 employers inspected last year (71.3 percent) in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Central Visayas are compliant with general labor standards. The figure may not be necessarily considered high because the headcount of employers varies from one company to another, according to Villanueva. "For example, if one noncompliant employer has 1,000 workers, that itself already presents a serious problem because the infractions against general labor standards may affect most, if not all their workers," Villanueva explained. "Naturally, employers should follow general labor standards." Compliance of employers to the occupational safety and health (OSH) standards in the four regions are also concerning, according to BWC data. Compliance to OSH standards of inspected employers in Metro Manila was registered at 36 percent, while Calabarzon (35.2 percent) and Central Luzon (37.2 percent) likewise recorded poor scores. Some 3.2 million students at HEIs, which include state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, other government schools, and private HEIs, were enrolled during Academic Year 2018-2019, according to data from the Commission on Higher Education. The higher education committee will also hear proposed measures on providing scholarships to medical students and the commemoration of the national higher education day every May 18 of each year. Hollywood stars are paying tribute to Inside the Actors Studio host James Lipton, who has died aged 93. Lipton, who died from bladder cancer, launched the popular series in 1994 with an episode featuring Paul Newman. Over the years, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand all appeared on the series. His work was his passion, Liptons wife Kedakai Mercedes Lipton told The Hollywood Reporter. He loved what he did and all the people he worked with. He empowered people to do their best, and hopefully his spirit, curiosity and passion will live on. Following the announcement of his death, numerous Hollywood figures paid tribute to the TV personality. Streisand praised Lipton for being interested in the actors process, which was so refreshing. Thank you for some of the greatest actor and actress interviews, Mark Ruffalo wrote. Film director Judd Apatow added: I studied so many episodes of Inside the Actors Studio over the years. He was a wonderful interviewer and loved doing his show so much. He said Lipton was a big fan of Will Ferrells Saturday Night Live impersonation of him and named the Gene Wilder episode as his favourite. Many others have been naming their favourite interviews of Liptons, with several mentions going to Dave Chappelle and Robin Williams. Lipton is also remembered for his role in comedy series Arrested Development, in which he played Warden Stefan Gentles. On the eve of Super Tuesday, Beto ORourke is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden in his bid for president. The former Democratic presidential candidate appeared at a Biden rally in Dallas Monday night, where he declared that "Tomorrow, March 3, 2020, I will be casting my ballot for Joe Biden." "The man in the White House today poses an existential threat to this country, to our democracy, to free and fair elections, and we need somebody who can beat him, and in Joe Biden we have that man," O'Rourke said at the campaign event. "We have someone who is in fact the antithesis of Donald Trump." "Joe Biden is decent. He's kind. He's caring. He's empathetic," O'Rourke continued. Until Monday, the former congressman had shied away from supporting anyone in the presidential race, instead focusing his energy on state-level races. In a Feb. 7 text to the El Paso Times, O'Rourke said he was not planning to endorse for president. Live Super Tuesday updates: A state-by-state breakdown of what to watch for on Super Tuesday, where 15 contests are up for grabs Biden is someone who, if elected, would work to address gun violence in the country, O'Rourke said, noting the Aug. 3 El Paso shooting where 22 people were killed at a local Walmart. "Mr. Vice President, you also know that whether it was Sutherland Springs, or Santa Fe High School or El Paso, Texas, at that Walmart last August, or Midland-Odessa in the the same year, we understand the devastating toll of gun violence in America and in this state," O'Rourke said. "I want to make something clear," Biden said after O'Rourke concluded his remarks. "I'm gonna guarantee you, this is not the last you're seeing of this guy. You're gonna take care of the gun problem with me. You're going to be the one who leads this effort." In a Monday night email to supporters, where ORourke also shared he'd be supporting Biden, O'Rourke called the former vice president a clear contrast to Donald Trump. Story continues Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke tells supporters during a speech announcing his return to the campaign trail Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, that he is more convinced now than ever before of the need to establish an assault rifle buy-back program to get military-grade weapons off the streets. O'Rourke said he has spoken with doctors treating some of the victims of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall who told him the wounds they saw in the victims are the same types of wounds they saw while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Amy Klobuchar endorses Joe Biden: 'Vote for decency, vote for dignity, vote for a heart for our country' Im voting for Joe Biden because he can beat Donald Trump; because having him at the top of the ticket will help our down-ballot candidates, especially in Texas; and because he can bring people together to reach the ambitious goals we have for our country, O'Rourke said. He also took a moment in the email to recognize the other candidates still in the race. "While I am declaring my support for Joe, I must acknowledge the strengths of the remaining candidates," O'Rourke said. "Elizabeth Warren has demonstrated extraordinary integrity and intelligence in her career and on the campaign trail. Michael Bloomberg has often used his wealth to pursue the common good: reducing gun violence and averting climate catastrophe. And Bernie Sanders has consistently and successfully pushed this country to think big." O'Rourke continued that he'll support whoever the Democratic nominee is, whether or not it's Biden. O'Rourke's endorsement comes on the same day as that of other former presidential candidates. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg both endorsed Biden Monday. On Monday, Biden also received the endorsement of O'Rourke's successor, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar. More: Ahead of Super Tuesday, El Paso US Rep. Veronica Escobar endorses Joe Biden for president Eleanor Dearman may be reached at edearman@elpasotimes.com; @EllyDearman on Twitter. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Super Tuesday: Beto O'Rourke endorses Joe Biden before key primary day Bible school quarantines students returning from Italy amid coronavirus fears Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Bible school and Christian holiday center in the United Kingdom has quarantined six students and a teacher who returned from a trip to Italy, which is suffering an outbreak of coronavirus. Several schools in the country are closing or sending pupils home over fears of infection. Capernwray Hall in Lancashire said it was nothing more than a precautionary measure as the students and the teacher came back after working with a partner church in Milan, which is 40 miles from the lockdown areas in northern Italy. We are not worried but we wanted to take extra caution and that is why the decision was made, as a cautionary measure not due to concern, Capernwrays managing director, Jonathan Halsey, told Premier. None of the people have had any symptoms of Coronavirus. The returning team was housed in a separate accommodation on the Capernwray campus, about 500 meters away from the main hall. At least 19 confirmed cases of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, have been reported in the U.K., whose Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to 11 locked-down towns at the center of the Italian outbreak. At least eight schools whose students made half-term trips to Italy have closed across the country, from Middlesborough, North Yorkshire, to Harlow in Essex, The Times (of London) reported. An additional 19 schools have also told students and staff who have visited Italy to stay at home. As more than 50 countries have reported cases of coronavirus, the World Health Organization has upgraded the global risk of the outbreak to very high, according to BBC. However, WHO clarified that there was still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission were broken. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has delivered updated test kits to the Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases in anticipation of more cases. CDC official Dr. Nancy Messonnier said Friday some earlier tests gave inconclusive results but newly manufactured test kits are reliable and available for order from both domestic and international public health partners, according to The Hill. Messonnier also said that a CDC team had gone to California to deal with what could be the first case of community spread in the U.S. She said the CDC will be investigating the patients recent contact. On Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said 33 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and the state was monitoring at least 8,400 others. This is a fluid situation right now and I want to emphasize the risk to the American public remains low, Dr. Sonia Y. Angell, California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer, said during a press conference, according to CNBC. There have been a limited number of confirmed cases to date. China, where the virus originated, announced last week that more than 500 prisoners in five prisons in three provinces had contracted the virus, which has sickened more than 80,000 people and killed at least 2,000 people, according to the South China Morning Post. Nearly half of the cases were in Rencheng jail in Jining, located in China's eastern province of Shandong. Officials said a prison guard had shown COVID-19 symptoms in early February and that 200 prisoners and seven officers subsequently tested positive for the virus. According to persecution watchdog International Christian Concern, Christian human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang has been incarcerated in the same province, and his wife, Li Wenzu, has not been able to learn about his condition, as her regular visit time on Feb. 13 was canceled due to the ongoing spread of coronavirus. The international evangelical humanitarian agency World Vision is spending millions to provide assistance to nearly 400,000 people in China. Sponsoring over 55,000 children and employing 300 staffers in China, World Vision is one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations operating in the country. BJP MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo alleged two women Congress parliamentarians assaulted her during ruckus in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. She said she has also lodged a formal complaint with Speaker Om Birla and with her letter has submitted the dispensary's prescription. "I have been in Parliament for a long time. I had never seen such unruly behaviour," she told reporters outside the parliament building. In her letter, Sangeeta has alleged the two Congress MPs scratched her elbow and she was about to fall when they allegedly pushed her. "This is not how Parliamentary democracy works," she said. Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for a second day Tuesday as BJP and Opposition members tried to shove each other amid unrelenting demands from the opposition for an immediate discussion on Delhi violence. The Speaker said the discussion would take place on March 11 after the Holi festival, but opposition members stormed the Well demanding an immediate discussion. The House was adjourned for the entire day after the lunch. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An official from the Mangyongdae District emergency anti-epidemic headquarters disinfects a tramcar to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at the Songsan Tram Station in Pyongyang on February 26, 2020. An entire island county in North Koreas North Pyongan Province was designated as a quarantine zone last week, after residents there began exhibiting signs of coronavirus infection, RFA has learned. Although North Korea has yet to report a confirmed case of COVID-19, state media Sunday said nearly 7,000 people were being held for medical monitoring between North Pyongan, South Pyongan, and Kangwon provinces. The government has also in recent weeks taken aggressive precautions to prevent its spread within the country, including the cancellation of major festivals. The quarantine was imposed in Shindo county, an island at the mouth of the Yalu river located at the westernmost edge of the Sino-Korean land border. Sources say it is a high-risk area because it is frequently used by smugglers to get in and out of China easily. A group of suspected new coronavirus cases occurred in Shindo county, North Pyongan province, near Donggang, China, so the area was completely quarantined on Feb. 25, a resident of nearby Ryongchon county told RFAs Korean Service. Soldiers and residents are not allowed to go out to sea or to travel inland. There are border guards there to block people from other areas entering the island, the source said. The closing of Shindo is not the first time North Korea designated a large area as a quarantine zone. Authorities first sealed the border areas of Sinuiju and Ryongchon county here in North Pyongan, back on Feb. 10 when there were a few suspected cases of coronavirus, the source said. They designated Yomju county as a quarantine zone a few days later, said the source. The source said that the COVID-19 cases in Shindo have origins with Chinese smugglers. The first suspected case is known to be a man who came in contact with a Chinese smuggler, but his family doesnt even know where he is being treated, said the source. To enforce the quarantine, the government has sent security forces to the area. The national emergency quarantine committee stationed border guards from outside of Shindo in response, the source said. There is also a battalion of soldiers stationed there, and they are guarding the border guard posts. But each company and platoon of soldiers are themselves prohibited from leaving, the source added. The source said that local residents are also prohibited from approaching military units to sell goods, which under normal circumstances would happen quite often in Shindo. The coronavirus scare has also had a profound effect on the smuggling industry in Shindo. Shindo is less than a kilometer from Donggang, China, and border security has been tightened to prevent Chinese smuggling boats from approaching, the source said. It is the first time that our side has controlled and completely blocked Chinese smuggling boats. A second source from the same province said that even though the island is in quarantine, the government is still expecting farmers to work in areas where smugglers frequent, without even giving them facemasks. North Korea still downplaying virus Washington-based North Korea experts told RFA that the admission in state media reports that there were a large number of possible COVID-19 cases being monitored is probably a solid indication that the virus has already entered North Korea. It seems as though North Korea is still downplaying the virus to an extent, but with the virus spreading to more countries around the world it may be politically easier for the regime to acknowledge the coronavirus presence in North Korea, Troy Stangarone of the Korea Economic Institute told RFA. Given the coronavirus outbreak in China and the cross border trade and tourism between the two countries, it seems unlikely that there would be no infections in North Korea. However, due to the closed nature of North Korea it is difficult to know how widely the virus has spread, he added. Bruce Klingner, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told RFA that the announcement is a grudging recognition that COVID-19 has entered North Korea. Pyongyang appears to projecting an aura of control while still claiming there have been no actual cases of the disease, said Klingner, who added that North Korea is ill-equipped to handle the disease. Much of North Korea's populace is emaciated, weak, and quite vulnerable to virus. The country's dilapidated medical system and shortage of medicine would compound the effects of an outbreak, he said. Regarding that vulnerability, the Quincy Institutes Jessica Lee told RFA, Given North Koreas proximity to China and South Korea, where the coronavirus epidemics are concentrated, the international community is right to be concerned about North Koreas ability to handle this virus. She called for a reevaluation of how sanctions on North Korea affect its healthcare system. Isolating and sanctioning North Korea without any regard for the impact on the healthcare system of the North Korean people has proven to be highly risky, she said. After this ordeal has ended, a public debate on the impact of U.S. and U.N. sanctions on the North Korean healthcare system is in order, as the status quo clearly is not serving U.S. national security interests, she added. On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council approved an exemption requested by the World Health Organization to allow diagnostic and medical equipment to be transported into North Korea to assist the government with any coronavirus outbreak. Projectiles launched This picture taken on February 28, 2020 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 29 shows rockets and artillery being fired during a Korean People's Army joint strike drill at an undisclosed location. STR / KCNA VIA KNS / AFP North Korea launched two short-range projectiles in waters to the east of the peninsula Monday as part of what South Korean officials said was a military drill that began Friday. Several South Korea-based experts told RFA that the launches might be related to the coronavirus spread in North Korea. If the disease spread, they would have to ask the international community (for help) and say they did their best, said Choi Jeong-hoon, a professor at Korea University. Choi said that North Korea might connect any international aid to the projectile launches in order to project the effectiveness of provocations domestically. But Professor Park Won Gon of Handong University pointed out that the provocation might make the international community less enthusiastic about sending aid to North Korea in the event of an outbreak. Overall, North Korea is in no position to make such a provocation. With China and South Korea struggling with the new coronavirus now, provocation would reduce the number of countries that would support North Korea and worsen international opinion, he said. Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said the launches were probably part of military exercises as claimed by Pyongyang, but might have also been a political message aimed both inside and outside of the country. One audience is the North Korean public, which might need reassurance that the authorities are following up on Kim Jong Un's year-end message about developing strategic weapons and also reassurance that the coronavirus is not impeding defense readiness. There is probably an intention to send the same message to the Republic of Korea and to the United States, he said Reported by Hyemin Son, Soyoung Kim, Seung Wook Hong, and Hee Jung Yang for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Evidence of DNA and cartilage have been pulled from the skull of a 75-million-year-old baby dinosaur found in northwest Montana, according to a joint report by N.C. State University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The discovery is getting international attention, in part because the idea is reminiscent of the plot of the Jurassic Park films and book. However, the research is nowhere near whats needed to clone a dinosaur, National Geographic pointed out Tuesday. The evidence of DNA was found in the form of exquisitely preserved cells within preserved calcified cartilage tissues, the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported in a March 2 press release. This is a reconstruction of the nesting ground of Hypacrosaurus found in Montana, which is the basis of the DNA evidence study by N.C. State and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The fragments had a structure consistent with chromosomes, the release said. Alida Bailleul of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said her heart almost stopped beating when she saw the evidence, the release said. These new exciting results add to growing evidence that cells and some of their biomolecules can persist in deep-time, she was quoted saying in the release. They suggest DNA can preserve for tens of millions of years, and we hope that this study will encourage scientists working on ancient DNA to push current limits and ... reveal all the unknown molecular secrets that ancient tissues have, the release said. The baby dinosaur involved was a Hypacrosaurus a type of duck-billed dinosaur that lived in what is now Montana during the late Cretaceous period, according to the N.C. State press release. Mary Schweitzer, a professor of biology at N.C. State, was part of the international team that worked on the project and has been defending the study from skeptics. She says the researchers did tests with chemical marks on the preserved fragments and the results supported the idea that some fragmentary DNA may remain within the cells, the N.C. State release said. We do not say that it is dinosaur DNA, although that would be a reasonable interpretation, Schweitzer told Gizmodo, which reported Monday that some paleontologists say the data is insufficient, inaccurate, and unconvincing. In defense of the study, National Geographic quoted Bailleul as saying: Were not doing the Jurassic Park thing. David Evans, a paleontologist at the Royal Ontario Museum, told National Geographic the research is still very much in its infancy, but the possibilities are absolutely thrilling if we suspend our disbelief, dig into the data, and continue to test and refine our ideas. An all-party meeting convened by Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato to break the logjam over the BJPs persistent demand for announcement of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the House failed to resolve the issue on Tuesday. When the BJP MLAs continued their protest for the third day demanding the chair to "do justice" on the issue of LoP, the Speaker convened an all-party meeting in his chamber, taking a 20-minute break of the house. However, when the house resumed, the BJP MLAs raised the matter again and when Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon started the Budget speech, the saffron party legislators walked out in protest against their demand being not "listened to". Babulal Marandi, who continues to sit in the allotted seat since special session between January 6-8 silently for the last three days, also joined the walkout. Marandi has been elected as the BJP-LP leader in Februart end and the party informed the office of the Speaker about it. Earlier, as soon as the house began, the BJP MLAs, Biranchi Narayan, Anant Kumar Ojha, Amar Kumar Bauri, Bhanu Pratap Sahi, Amit Mandal, Neera Yadav and other party lawmakers trooped and sat in the well in support of their demand. The ruling MLAs, Baijnath Ram, Lobin Hembram, Irfan Ansari and some other legislators also walked into the well in protest against the opposition disrupting the house proceedings. Asking the members to go back to their seats and allow the question hour in the interest of the people, the Speaker reiterated that justice would be done. Would you give me some time? Justice will be done, the Speaker asked the members. When the din continued, the Speaker called leaders of respective political parties to meet them in his chamber to discuss about the stalemate. The meeting appeared futile as the opposition members continued with their protest and staged a walkout as soon as Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon began his budget speech. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sunrise at Samahita Retreat "For us it is not about profit focus, trying to satisfy everyones different wishes, which only ends up with a diluted approach to the guest, but really about making a positive impact to those who are looking for tools to transform their health." ~ Paul Dallaghan, Samahita Retreat Co-Founder Samahita Retreats 18 years of continuing commitment to well-being through breathwork that transforms lives is reinforced by its upgraded Mission Statement: "Samahita means centered and is purposely set up to transform lives, to bring a balance of vitality and peace through our offerings and space: world-class expertise in the practice of yoga, breathwork, meditation, health and fitness, in a uniquely dedicated mind-body supportive environment." This long-standing and upgraded mission statement reinforces Samahitas focus: to help and positively impact anyone with the desire to improve their lives and seeking to transform their health - mentally, physically and spiritually - by offering both the tools and the space with full support to make this happen. The highest quality of practices, programs and teachings offered by Samahita support this mission, with integrity being the leading focus over profiting from the latest fads in an ever-growing wellness tourism market. Every program is designed with years of experience, research and study as input, drawing from ancient yogic practices while simultaneously influenced by the latest scientific research in health, fitness and wellness. Co-founder and CEO of Samahita Retreat, Paul Dallaghan, while teaching yoga internationally, also researches its effects with an empirical scientific approach based in original textual study. He recently conducted a large clinical study as a PhD scholar at Emory University. As a scientist, educator and entrepreneur he drives the evolution of Samahita and its teachings, while still drawing from deep traditions of yoga and healthy living. With growth every year in business and many of their guests returning annually, Samahita firmly believes in its approach of integrity and quality. Upgrades in programs incorporate modern approaches only if understood to truly be beneficial and effective. With their upgraded mission statement in place, senior management stands by their commitment to offer a dedicated space for the wellbeing and transformation for their guests to counteract the effects of a world of increased stress. Samahita means centered and offers the perfect retreat space to become more so. About Samahita Retreat Established in 2003, Samahita Retreat is an intimate yet vibrant beachfront retreat center hidden away from Thailands busy tourist areas. Owned and directed by scientist, yogi and teacher, Paul Dallaghan, who was selected by Emory Universitys anthropology department, (Atlanta, GA, USA) for PhD work with a focus on the cultural and scientific aspects of yoga practice and knowledge, the retreat center is a friendly and inclusive spot for yoga and fitness holidays, yoga teacher training, detox, wellness programs, or simple relaxation - perfect for newbies looking for a way to get started in these methods, and known by those experienced as a place for expert guidance. Samahita Retreat is located at 55/20-24 Moo 4 Namuang, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand. To learn more, visit the website at http://www.samahitaretreat.com, or email info@samahitaretreat.com. Flight crew from Korean Airlines, wear face masks to protect against the spread of the COVID-19, coronavirus as they arrive at LAX airport in Los Angeles, Calif., Feb. 29, 2020. AFP An increasing number of countries are suspending flights to South Korea, government officials said Tuesday, amid rising cases of the new coronavirus in the Asian country. Mongolia and Israel were quick to suspend all of their flights to South Korea from late February over COVID-19 concerns. Russia suspended all flights to South Korea, except for the Incheon-Moscow route, from Sunday, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Vietnam, Turkey, Italy and the Czech Republic recently said they will stop flight services on routes to South Korea from Thursday, Hwang Seong-pil in charge of the issue at the ministry said over the phone. "Through our ambassadors to the countries, the South Korean government is making efforts to persuade the governments of the countries to withdraw their decisions," he said. But he said there could be more countries taking similar steps unless the coronavirus is contained. Further suspensions of flights to South Korea, Asia's fourth-biggest economy, would deal a bigger blow to local airlines already facing a sharp decline in air travel demand both on domestic and international routes amid virus woes, analysts said. "An extended virus outbreak would sharply cut into South Korean carriers' bottom lines for the first quarter and further deepen their losses," Choi Go-woon, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities Co., said. As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, 87 countries and regions have imposed entry bans or quarantine measures against people from South Korea, which has so far reported 4,812 confirmed cases of the novel virus and 28 deaths. Puducherry Minister R Kamalakannan has allegedly been robbed of his mobile phone when he was taking a stroll on the beach road here, police said on Tuesday. The Education and Agriculture Minister, dressed in a T-shirt and half-trousers, was walking on Monday night without any security, when a motorcycle-borne gang snatched the phone away while he was speaking on it, the police said. Cases have been registered and the cyber crime police were examining CCTV footage in the vicinity to track the alleged culprits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Babak Dehghanpisheh DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian authorities uncovered a stash of hoarded medical supplies including millions of gloves as deaths from its coronavirus epidemic hit 66 including a senior official. A World Health Organization (WHO) technical team flew into Tehran to help with the response in the country with the most deaths outside China, where the flu-like disease originated By Babak Dehghanpisheh DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian authorities uncovered a stash of hoarded medical supplies including millions of gloves as deaths from its coronavirus epidemic hit 66 including a senior official. A World Health Organization (WHO) technical team flew into Tehran to help with the response in the country with the most deaths outside China, where the flu-like disease originated. Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi announced on state television 523 new infections and 12 new deaths, giving a total of 1,501 cases and 66 fatalities. Among the dead was Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a member of the Expediency Council, intended to resolve disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, a governmental body that vets electoral candidates among other duties, Tasnim news agency said. Several other senior officials have been infected including Masoumeh Ebtekar, the vice president for women and family affairs, and Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi. Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said a closure of schools announced on Saturday would continue through the end of this week, the official IRNA news agency reported. The hoarded supplies, including 28 million medical gloves, were found in two warehouses in Kahrizak, a town about 25 km south of Tehran, a Revolutionary Guards commander, Hassan Hassanzadeh, told the Fars news agency. Pharmacies are short of gloves and other supplies. Anyone found hoarding medical supplies will be dealt with harshly, Iran's judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday, according to Mizan, the news site of the judiciary. "Show no mercy to hoarders of medicine and medical supplies," Raisi said in a message to prosecutors. During its week-long visit, the four-person WHO team is to meet health officials and visit facilities and laboratories dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Several countries in the region have reported coronavirus infections in people who have visited Iran. Among them was Saudi Arabia which on Monday announced its first case of the new coronavirus - a person that had come from Iran through Bahrain, the health ministry said, according to the state news agency. Kuwait's health ministry on Monday also reported 10 new cases in the last 24 hours, all of whom had been in Iran. Qatar's health ministry said on Monday that four more people had been diagnosed with coronavirus, among a group who were evacuated by the government on a private plane from Iran on Feb. 27. That raised total cases in Qatar to seven. The United Arab Emirates sent a shipment of medical supplies, including gloves and surgical masks, to Iran on Monday, state news agency WAM reported. (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh, Alaa Swilam and Hadeel Al Sayegh; Additional reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Hesham Abdul Khalek in Cairo; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Andrew Cawthorne) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Then the world changed. The Internet had spawned Netflix, the elimination of late fees and no-effort rentals. The Internet also distracted consumers, stealing hours they might once have spent reveling in movies. In other words, the Internet was a force more powerful than the Blood Sword of the 99th Virgin, one of the more esoteric works in the Kims Video collection. At the stores peak in the 1990s, more than 200,000 people were listed in Kims database, but by the end of last year, only about 1,500 of them were considered active members. Though customers still harbored an obsessive affinity for Kims cult collection, along with its cantankerous employees and underground spirit, for too many of them, that affection had faded into a fond memory. Kims was the cutting-edge; that was always the business concept, Mr. Kim said the other day in one of a series of conversations about the fate of his video collection. But ironically, I didnt prepare. Last September, in a move that swept through the Internet at viral speed, he issued a public challenge. In a notice pasted on a wall inside the front door, he wrote, We hope to find a sponsor who can make this collection available to those who have loved Kims over the past two decades. He promised to donate all the films without charge to anyone who would meet three conditions: Keep the collection intact, continue to update it and make it accessible to Kims members and others. Offers poured in. Every one failed on one count or another. Every offer, that is, except one. The Alderman to Nothing 03.03.2020 LISTEN Fidelity Bank has rubbished statement by Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongos statement that the bank is planning to take over Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG). The bank in a statement said Adongo's comment not only is it despicable and irresponsible but false, defamatory and constitute tortious interference with their business and as such actionable under the laws of Ghana. Read the full press statement below: FOR PUBLICATION ON 3RD MARCH 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE Our attention has been drawn to some false statements made by Hon. Isaac Adongo at a lecture organised by the Coalition for Restoration and broadcast on multiple media platforms on February 27, 2020. The Ghana Web publication appears under the heading: Adongo exposes NPP over the alleged plot to sell CBG to Fidelity Bank. The false statements state among others that: 1. That the NPP government was engaged in a shady move to sell the Consolidated Bank of Ghana (CBG) to Fidelity Bank. 2. That Fidelity Bank is being used as the best architect for fraudulent activities of the government particularly in a scheme to defraud contractors of billions of cedis. 3. That a transaction involving the arrangement of a facility of Ghs3billion was fraught with illegality and was only a gimmick to circumvent the law. 4. That while the owners of CBG were in court fighting to recover their assets, Fidelity Bank was conniving with the Government of Ghana to take over the same assets. We wish to state in no uncertain terms that Hon. Adongos statements are not only despicable and irresponsible but false, defamatory and constitute tortious interference with our business and as such actionable under the laws of Ghana. For the avoidance of doubt, the Government of Ghana has never spoken/written to, discussed and/or made an offer to Fidelity Bank on any matter touching and concerning the sale of CBG. The imputation of unethical and criminal conduct regarding contractors and GAT as alleged by Hon. Adongo is a non-sequitur and denied outright. In the era of fake news, we are still shocked at the audacity of the maker of these allegations to propagate such falsehood and keep a straight face! We have since written to the offending perpetrator to do the needful by retracting and making a public apology. Failing that we have instructed our lawyers to visit him with the wrath of the law. FIDELITY BANK GHANA LIMITED Its increasingly likely that the major-party presidential choice in 2020 will come down to Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. I could not possibly be more thrilled to realize that, after all of the expensive sifting of candidates during this round, these are the two best that our republic can propose out of a population of roughly 330 million people. My low esteem for Mr. Trump, despite the admirable judicial appointments of his administration and despite other policies that I can applaud, is on public record. But please permit me to share a few links about the execrable Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT): What Bernie Sanders Missed on His Soviet Honeymoon I Lived In Soviet Russia When Bernie Sanders Visited, And Hes A Communist Dupe The Moral Failing of Bernie Sanders: Sanders was not a liberal during the Cold War. He was an outright Communist sympathizer. Bernie Sanders, the Most Useful Idiot And here are some links on one specific issue that has recently re-emerged: Senator Sanders Is Wrong on Cuban Education and Healthcare Why Bernie Sanderss Praise of Fidel Castro Matters: Hes defended virtually every Communist tyrant hes ever been asked about over the past 50 years. No, Fidel Castro Didnt Improve Health Care or Education in Cuba: Cuba has made less educational and health care progress than most Latin American countries over the last 60 years, data show. Education and Health Care in Castros Cuba Think the Cuban healthcare system is ideal? No cigar. Not even close. Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders? Oy veh. Ive never, ever, voted for a Democrat in a partisan political race. Had the Democrats shown any capacity to nominate a reasonable presidential candidate for 2020, however, I might perhaps possibly have considered maybe doing it in November. (And probably, in the end, would not have done so. I am, after all, a serious conservative.) But their overall field of candidates has been profoundly disappointing, and the rise of Bernie Sanders is nothing short of catastrophic. I find myself in strong sympathy with this piece by Bernard Goldberg from a couple of days ago: Ill sit out this presidential election because of the yahoos running But good grief. Were about to have an avowed socialist its his choice of words as a major-party presidential nominee? JUNEAU, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is requesting about $4.1 million in state funds to aid in preparations for the coronavirus. He said there were no known cases in the state but that could change, given how the virus has spread. We dont know where this virus is going to go. Were preparing for an increase in the number of cases and an impact on Alaska, he told reporters during a Monday afternoon news conference from Anchorage. Dunleavy said he thinks the state is prepared as much or more than other states because of how long Alaska has been working on the issue. In January, a plane carrying Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China, underwent screening in Anchorage, where the plane had stopped to refuel. The passengers were isolated to a terminal little used during the winter months. Alaskans right now should just be aware, Dunleavy said. Officials have been meeting regularly since January, he said. Dunleavy said there was no reason to ask people to not gather for Saturdays ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a huge attraction in Anchorage, or other large events at this time. But he added officials were following developments with the virus closely and that could change if warranted. The states chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, said officials were working with Iditarod organizers, sharing with them ways to minimize the risk of spreading the virus and ways the state could help if someone got sick. Dunleavys budget request calls for deploying public health nurses to Bethel, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka and positioning other specialists. State health Commissioner Adam Crum said the nurses would help educate community health and tribal health centres about how they can do screenings, work with schools and administer flu shots. He said this also would help maintain capacity within hospitals. The request also seeks the authority to accept up to $9 million in federal funds. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:29:19|Editor: yhy Video Player Close LONDON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's ex-private secretary and leading expert on China-UK relations said it is a bold decision for China to close down a major city of millions of people in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. Charles Powell, a member of Britain's House of Lords and chairman of the Said Business School at Oxford University, spoke about the coronavirus, Brexit and Hong Kong in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua. IMPRESSIVE RESPONSE Powell said the Chinese government's response to the outbreak has been impressive. "It got off to a slightly slow start, but once the Chinese government swung into action, the scale of the action has been really very impressive," said Powell. "In lengthening the Chinese New Year holiday and keeping people at home, for a country of that size and scale to be able to do that is very remarkable." Other countries, he added, have tried to imitate China's response on a much smaller scale. "One is seeing how the Italian government is trying to isolate two parts of the country and whether it will work. I think people respect China's reaction," he said. NOISY POST-BREXIT TALKS The veteran politician and businessman said he believed there is a genuine wish by Britain's new prime minister Boris Johnson and his government to build further on the relationship with China. As Britain and the European Union (EU) prepared to kickstart talks on permanent post-Brexit trade agreements, Powell gave his own opinion on the likely outcome. Following the end of Britain's membership in the bloc on Jan. 31, links and trade between the two sides are continuing as normal as part of a transitional period during which Britain continues to follow rules made in Brussels, but all that will change on Dec. 31 when the transition arrangement ends. Powell believes the negotiations are going to be difficult. "They're going to be very noisy. It's a big challenge to get a conclusion across the board in the short time they've allowed." He said it helps because the Johnson government is looking for far fewer concessions from Europe than the previous government was. "So in that sense, the mountain is not quite as steep and as high as it might have been," added Powell. "I think it is perfectly possible we will end up with a minimal agreement. It means basically just trading on normal WTO terms. I hope we can avoid that...there's lots of incentives to reach agreements. But this journey is going to be tough." Powell said if he was really pressed to the wall, he's put the odds at striking a deal at 60-40. "I don't think there is going to be a comprehensive trade agreement," he said. "Obviously what worries the Europeans is that Britain will turn out to be more competitive outside the EU than it is when it was inside." But Powell did not think it would be the end of the world if Britain and the EU fail to reach an agreement. "Over the long term I believe Britain would continue to do well in the world. We would have advantages of being outside the EU. We will not be so tied down by regulation," he said. Powell admitted future UK-EU relations based on World Trade Organization (WTO) terms would be worse for Britain than the present terms. "Because we have completely tariff-free trade and so on. So there will be inconveniences and market obstacles as well. Any WTO arrangement is worse than what we have at present and worse than a Canada-style free trade agreement. But is it calamitously worse or really that much worse? The answer is no." Powell recalled that before the 2016 referendum on EU membership in Britain, a lot of people in the government, in the city and in business gave the impression that voting for Brexit would be a disaster for the British economy and terrible things would happen. But that hasn't happened very much. Fear-mongering generated by some critics of Brexit has actually turned out to be misjudged. Instead, Powell suggested, the British economy has been performing relatively well. CHINA-UK TRADE DEAL Powell believed China will first seek to reach an agreement with the EU while negotiations with the EU are going to take up a lot of the British government's time this year. "The idea of big new diplomatic initiatives, whether with China or with anyone, has to be regarded as patiently. Governments can only do so much at one time, even the government in the country the size of China. You can't do everything at once. So I wouldn't be looking for dramatic initiatives," Powell said. He did not see that as a lack of will. "I think there is a genuine wish on the prime minister's part and the government's part to build the relationship with China further." In its new position in the world after leaving the EU, Powell noted, Britain will continue to look for balanced policies and good relationships. And that includes wanting a good relationship with China. Powell served in the 1980s as private secretary and foreign affairs adviser to Margaret Thatcher when she was Britain's prime minister. Regarding Hong Kong, Powell told Xinhua: "I hope Thatcher would be pleased that the joint declaration signed between Britain and China had very largely been successful in practice, and I still believe this is the case." "The prosperity of Hong Kong has increased greatly, and China has abided by the obligations and the commitments it undertook in the joint declaration. She would have been worried by some of the demonstrations which have been going on, particularly where she would believe that they were based on ignorance of facts," said Powell. "I think Mrs. Thatcher would have been distressed by the violence, and she would condemn that very much," he added. Powell believed that the demonstrations will prove to be "a spasm" rather than a lasting and enduring phenomenon. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 12:38:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Li Ganjie (L), also minister of ecology and environment, meets with Uruguay's new President Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 2, 2020. Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Li Ganjie attended the Uruguayan presidency handover ceremony in Montevideo on March 1. (Xinhua) MONTEVIDEO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Li Ganjie, also minister of ecology and environment, on Monday met with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou after attending the Uruguayan presidency handover ceremony here on Sunday. Li conveyed Xi's congratulations and good wishes to Lacalle Pou and handed over a letter signed by the Chinese president. Noting that China and Uruguay are good friends and partners who trust each other, Li said China stands ready to work with Uruguay to strengthen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in various fields so as to promote the bilateral strategic partnership to a new level. For his part, Lacalle Pou thanked Xi for sending a special envoy to attend the ceremony, and asked Li to convey his greetings to Xi. He said China is Uruguay's largest trading partner, and developing relations with China is the priority of Uruguay's diplomacy. Lacalle Pou noted that Uruguay is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges between the two countries and continue to deepen practical cooperation in various fields such as trade and investment. He extended sincere sympathies and support to the Chinese people in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, and expressed his confidence that under the strong leadership of Xi, China will achieve a complete victory over the epidemic at an early date. By Express News Service KOCHI: Actor Jayaram has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Kerala Feeds Limited (KFL), KFL managing director B Sreekumar told reporters on Monday. Besides, Anand Farms, a dairy farm owned by Jayaram at Thottuva, will be developed as a model farm through which he will endorse KFLs products and encourage others to take up dairy farming, said Sreekumar. Started by Jayaram 10 years ago on six acres of land with five cows, Anand Farms now has 55 cows. Jayaram said he loved farming since childhood. I always dreamt of being a farmer as my ancestors were farmers. There were nearly 10 cows in our house. There was a room adjacent to the cowshed where my uncle Malayattoor Ramakrishnan used to study till he cracked the civil services examination. I used the same room. Maybe it developed my love for dairy farming, said Jayaram. Dairy farmers are struggling after back-to-back floods. I will try my best to rejuvenate dairy farming in the state. Also, youngsters entering the field should be passionate and work hard to yield results, he said. Sreekumar said the cleanliness of the farm and the extreme care Jayaram provided to the cows made KFL choose Anand Farm as the model. The UNs human rights chief has applied to petition Indias supreme court against the Modi administrations new citizenship laws that critics say discriminate against Muslims, in what is being described as an unprecedented move. It comes as opposition MPs stalled proceedings in Indias parliament for a second day on Tuesday, demanding an urgent debate on the bloodshed in Delhi last week that saw at least 46 people killed and more than 400 injured. UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet has informed India of her decision to file a brief as an amicus curiae, or third-party friend of the court, over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The court has already received more than 140 petitions questioning the constitutional validity of the new law. Ms Bachelet has previously expressed concerns about the CAA and the violent police crackdown on protesters against the law, which had already claimed lives in Uttar Pradesh state and elsewhere. The mostly anti-Muslim riots in Delhi last week began with clashes between those protesting and counter-protesting over the law. Ms Bachelet said she was concerned by reports of police inaction in the face of attacks against Muslims by other groups. And last month, during her regular update to the UN human rights council, she said the CAA was of great concern, adding that Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed in a mostly peaceful manner their opposition to the Act, and support for the countrys long tradition of secularism. Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures A shop burns as a mob sets it on fire during violence between two groups in Delhi, India on 25 February AP Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Police officers clash with 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 on 27 February AFP Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Student members of the Campus Front of India stage a protest in front of the Karnataka Governor's house, also known as the Raj Bhavan, in Bangalore on 27 February AFP/Getty Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Student members of the Campus Front of India stage a protest in front of the Karnataka Governor's house, also known as the Raj Bhavan, in Bangalore on 27 February AFP/Getty Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures People watch on as a car is burned during clashes between hundreds of supporters and opponents of a new citizenship law in Delhi, India on 24 February AP Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Demonstrators form a human chain to protest against India's new citizenship law, in Kolkata on 25 February AFP/Getty Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in Delhi on 27 February AP Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Police officers 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 on 27 February AFP/Getty Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Activists of the All India Trinamool Congress party hold electric candles during a vigil condemning he recent sectarian violence in Delhi over the Indian government citizenship law and to demand peace, in Kolkata on 27 February AFP/Getty Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Men look at burnt vehicles at a parking lot in a riot affected area following clashes between people demonstrating for and against a new citizenship law in Delhi on 27 February Reuters Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures 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 Delhi on 27 February AP Religious riots flare up in Delhi: In pictures Relatives, friends and residents gather during the funeral of Mohammad Mudasir, who died in the recent sectarian riots in Delhi AFP/Getty The Modi government is facing mounting calls for home minister Amit Shahs resignation in the wake of the violence, with police accused of standing by, or in some cases, urging on mobs as mosques and Muslim properties were destroyed. Mr Shah is responsible for policing in the capital. Yet despite last weeks riots being the deadliest in Delhi since 1984, the governments top leadership have offered precious little in the way of public comment. Mr Shah did not mention Delhi directly when addressing a rally for the ruling BJP party in West Bengal on Sunday, and Mr Modi has only tweeted, in English, calling for peace and brotherhood. The government has, however, been swift and vociferous in its condemnation of any members of the international community raising concerns over the breakdown in law and order, and particularly the polices failure to protect Muslims. Raveesh Kumar, the Indian foreign ministrys spokesperson, said Indias mission to Geneva was informed of Ms Bachelets application to the supreme court on Monday. He said the CAA was an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to Indias sovereignty, he said. Earlier on Tuesday, India summoned the Iranian ambassador after Tehrans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, tweeted that his country condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. Iran became the fourth Muslim-majority nation to speak out over the Delhi riots, after Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia raised their concerns. The US president Donald Trump failed to do so, despite the fact they were unfolding just across the city from his high-level trade talks with Indian officials. He later told a press conference that handling the riots was up to India. And the UK government also toed a careful line in its response to the riots on Tuesday, during an urgent question raised in parliament by the opposition. Labour accused India of behaving like a state with no regard for human rights and the rule of law or the freedom of religion, adding that it must face the consequences of its behaviour. Shadow foreign office minister Khalid Mahmood described the CAA as enabling documented migrants from neighbouring countries to seek Indian citizenship provided they meet one condition theyre not Muslim. This is the first such law that has been passed in India since its independence, he said. Representing Johnsons government, the foreign office minister Nigel Adams said the UK was monitoring closely developments in India, saying that the events in Delhi last week were very concerning and the situation is still tense. But he failed to specifically criticise the Indian authorities, saying: The death of one protester is one too many. We urge restraint from all parties and trust the Indian government will address concerns of people of all religions in India. LINCOLN All three occupants of a small plane that crashed onto Interstate 55 this morning have been confirmed dead at the scene by the Logan County coroner. Identification is pending next-of-kin notification. The aircraft crashed onto the interstate about 8:50 a.m. and became fully engulfed upon impact, according to the Illinois State Police. Multiple agencies remain on the scene to assist and the Federal Aviation Administration has been notified. ALTON Judge Veronica Armouti will speak to Alton Middle School students on March 9 on the dangers of social media. Worries of the World Wide Web is a presentation of the Illinois Judges Association to discuss with students the use of cell phones and other technology to instantly send and receive texts, pictures and videos to their classmates. The association notes that some students are using the technology to harass and bully classmates, send nude or partially nude photographs, and take pictures and/or videotape of school fights, underage drinking or drug use and criminal behavior such as vandalism. As a result, more juveniles are being charged with related crimes. An Oregon lawyer landed on the wrong side of the law after authorities say he refused to pay for a pricey lap dance at a suburban strip club and led Washington County deputies on a wild foot chase. Dylan T. Vinzant, 38, careened through blackberry bushes and a train tunnel during his attempted getaway Friday night from the Sunset Strip Gentlemans Club on Southwest Park Way, the Washington County Sheriffs Office said. The trouble began when he declined to fork over the $200 he had agreed to pay for a private, 15-minute dance, said Sgt. Daniel DiPietro, a sheriffs spokesman. After bolting from the clubs bouncers and hiding from the cops, Vinzant hopped a nearby fence and landed in a blackberry briar, DiPietro said. Dylan Vinzant. (Washington County Sheriff's Office) He then made his way onto the MAX train tracks that run parallel to U.S. 26 and took off east toward a darkened tunnel, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies were waiting for Vinzant on the other side of the passage, said DiPietro. During his arrest, the suspected strip club swindler said he was a lawyer. Authorities booked him into the Washington County Jail on suspicion of theft and trespassing. Prosecutors are currently reviewing the case, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said. His arraignment is scheduled for March 11. Vinzant graduated from Willamette University School of Law in May 2017 and was licensed to practice that October, said Kateri Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Oregon State Bar. He did not return a phone call seeking comment Monday. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The United States has ordered China to cut the number of its nationals allowed to work for Beijing's state-run media in the US, after American journalists were kicked out of China. The US has said that its decision was based on leveling numbers between the countries rather than retaliating over content. China on February 19 threw out three reporters from The Wall Street Journal -- two US nationals and an Australian -- in its harshest move against international media in years. China said it took action because the newspaper had not apologized for a 'racially discriminatory' headline that read 'China is the Real Sick Man of Asia' and appeared on an opinion column about the nation's fight against the coronavirus. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China had 'imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China.' WSJ reprters Josh Chin, left, and reporter Chao Deng, center, both U.S. nationals, as well as reporter Philip Wen, right, an Australian national, were ordered to leave China in February Wall Street Journal reporters Josh Chin and Philip Wen walk through Beijing Capital Airport before departing on February 24, 2020, after China ordered them to leave Chin tweeted a 'last view of Beijing' after the country ordered him to leave China last month 'We urge the Chinese government to immediately uphold its international commitments to respect freedom of expression, including for members of the press,' Pompeo said in a statement. A State Department official said that five media outlets, which last month were reclassified by the United States as foreign missions, would be allowed to employ a maximum 100 Chinese nationals as of March 13, down from around 160 now. The United States is not explicitly expelling the other 60 staff members, who in theory can seek other employment, although most are expected to be obliged to leave the country. Chinese citizens who work for other media outlets in the US are not affected, the official said, and state-run media outlets will not be barred from hiring employees of other nationalities. 'The US government has long welcomed foreign journalists, including PRC (Chinese) journalists, to work freely and without threat of reprisal,' Pompeo said. 'We urge the Chinese government to immediately uphold its international commitments to respect freedom of expression, including for members of the press,' Secretary Pompeo said The Secretary of State tweeted how the U.S. would be applying reciprocity to Chinese journalists working for State Media in the country 'Our goal is reciprocity. As we have done in other areas of the US-China relationship, we seek to establish a long-overdue level playing field,' he said. 'For years, the (Chinese) government has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists in China,' a senior State Department official told reporters in a briefing. 'Theres a long standing issue here. We've been imploring the Chinese for years and years now to improve their treatment of journalists in China. So, this is not linked to any one particular incident,' he said, but added that the expulsion of Journal reporters was a 'fairly egregious' example. China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, condemned the move, saying during a news conference: 'We do not think it's appropriate for the United States to take steps to interfere with the work of journalists coming from China.' The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists also voiced dismay, saying the United States was furthering a 'dangerous cycle of tit-for-tat retaliation' that could impede the flow of information in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. Three WSJ journalists were thrown out of China after this article was published by the paper In its annual report released Monday, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said that Beijing was using visas as a weapon to intimidate foreign press 'like never before' and feared it was preparing to kick out more reporters. It said China had also been reducing the time-frame in which journalists can stay, with at least 12 correspondents issued credentials for half a year or less, more than double the number from a year earlier. While the U.S. goal was to get China to be more open with foreign journalists, Washington was ready to take further action if Beijing were to retaliate. 'If in fact they decide to take this in a further negative direction however of course..all options would be on the table. I can't tell you what in particular we would do, but wed sit down review the circumstances and then consider all of our options,' the official said. Tensions between the two superpowers have escalated since President Donald Trump came to office three years ago, with disputes over issues ranging from trade to accusations of Chinese spying in the United States and to U.S. support for Taiwan. A senior US official said that President Donald Trump's administration was also considering limiting the duration of stay for Chinese staff of state media. Last year the United States issued 425 journalist visas to Chinese citizens, including family members, according to official data. China Global Television Network will be permitted 30 nationals. China Daily can have nine Chinese employees and China Radio International are allowed two. The 5th company is the US distributor of the official People's Daily who are not believed to employ Chinese in the USA The organization most affected by Monday's order will be the state news agency Xinhua, which will be allowed to keep 59 Chinese staff in the US, according to a State Department official. The China Global Television Network will be permitted 30 nationals. The China Daily can have nine Chinese employees and China Radio International will be permitted two. The fifth organization is the US distributor of the official People's Daily, which is not believed to employ Chinese nationals. In reclassifying the five outlets under foreign missions last month, the State Department required them to seek permission to buy property and also to provide lists of their staff, including the growing number of Americans they employ. Kupwara : , March 3 (IANS) Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men were injured while several weapons got damaged after a fire broke out in an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Tuesday evening, police said. Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, Shriram Ambarkar told IANS that one barrack inside the camp of the anti-insurgency force Rashtriya Rifles at Kalarose caught fire, but the blaze was brought under control immediately. "Three CRPF men suffered injuries, two of those were minor injuries," he said. The SSP said investigations are going on while the cause of fire isn't known so far. In less than a month, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will officially be free from their duties as senior members of the royal family. The Queen has granted them the freedom to explore their options and become more financially independent as they wish. What Do the Royals Think? However, if it were Prince William or Kate Middleton to decide, they would disapprove of the decision. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge believe that the actions of Harry and Meghan are a blatant disregard for the royal family and a total disrespect for the Queen. According to Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, Kate and William would not have appreciated Harry and Meghan's decision to drop their royal duties. When they made their bombshell decision public through social media, Meghan and Harry knew what they wanted. However, their decision impacted the royal family in such a negative way. "The fact that the Sussexes behaved as they did was a severe blow to the monarchy," Fitzwilliams told Express U.K. Prince William is the second heir to the throne next to his father Prince Charles. His family, together with Kate Middleton, Prince George and his siblings, are the future of the British Monarchy. "They will not have appreciated what the Sussexes did as it is a show of blatant disregard for the institution and the tradition that it came with," Fitzwilliams said. Although a lot of people support Prince Harry and Meghan and applaud them for their bravery, their honesty has put the royal family and the Queen in hot water. When Meghan openly admitted that she is struggling as a member of the royal family, it raised a lot of eyebrows. Some people thought Meghan's honesty was harsh, while others said she complains too much. The royal expert added that he does not think that the once dubbed as the "Fab Four" would meet up while Harry and Meghan are in the U.K. for their final royal engagements. Fitzwilliams' remarks came after Meghan and Harry issued a statement following the Queen's decision to ban them using the "Sussex Royal" brand. What Does Harry and Meghan Want? The months before they made their decision public, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were under intense scrutiny of the British press. Their every move was covered, and every action received cruel commentaries. Reports of the feud between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began to circulate since Meghan married into the royal family. During one of the interviews, everyone was surprised when Prince Harry made a surprising comment. He admitted that he and his brother Prince William were "on different paths." And just like any family, they too have their good days and bad days. "Inevitably, stuff happens because this family is under pressure that it's under," Prince Harry added. However, he reassuringly said: "We are certainly on different paths at the moment, but I will always be there for him as I know he will always be there for me." It is a world of social media influencers and followers follow their idols religiously and keep up with everything they post. So, when the biggest 'influencer' in the country, our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, decided to put out a tweet which said that he might quit all social media platforms, his fans and followers did not take the news very well. His tweet, which has now gone insanely viral on the Internet, is the most talked about topic on social media right now. For a man who is popular among his followers for his social media presence, this definitely came as a shock to his fans as well as the rest of the users. Social media had played a key role in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections which eventually landed him the most powerful seat in the country. This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2020 Soon after the PM posted about the social media detox possibility, #NoSir started trending on Twitter with his followers urging him to rethink his decision. After there was radio silence from the man himself, #NoModiNoTwitter and #IWillAlsoQuitTwitter took the micro-blogging website by storm with netizens claiming that they will also delete their Twitter accounts. From reasons like 'I joined Twitter because of my PM Narendra Modi' to 'You're an inspiration for all Indians. Please don't leave social media platforms', his followers put out all sorts of thoughts on why the most powerful man in the country should not quit one of the most-used social media platforms. #NoSir Why you will leave sir, the people who misuse this media need to go, only you can do this ,#NoModiNoTwitter #ModiJi pic.twitter.com/8uUjNAxVvD rajeev #ISupportCAA (@mishra1965) March 3, 2020 #NoModiNoTwitter I follow u to the end sir ji. If u leave I too leave Twitter. pic.twitter.com/Xm58eqYYLc Kafir (@Tiruppur_Sailor) March 3, 2020 If Modi ji leave social media, then I will also leave this plateform. I am with my PM @narendramodi#NoModiNoTwitter #NoModi Saket Kumar (@sir_saket) March 3, 2020 If Modi ji leaves Twitter I will also leave Twitter.#NoModiNotwitter (@Onerathour) March 2, 2020 #NoModiNoTwitter I use Twitter because of Modi ji pic.twitter.com/FW6TM30iE7 Tushar (@Tushar27481975) March 3, 2020 #NoSir #NoModiNoTwitter Plzzz sir you don't do that. You r one of the best source of my inspiration. pic.twitter.com/NgAndP43JK (Santosh Tiwari) (@santoshtbjp) March 3, 2020 #NoModiNoTwitter It is time for us to act like Israel, Russia & China No Social Media & No care for what Int'l media says If these guys do not act, just ban them from India Urge all Patriots to leave SM if Modiji does it Become positive. Only reply to hatred is (@Guru_Vashishtha) March 3, 2020 Honourable PM Sir, You are the Inspiration to believe that politics is a good thing if we do it with good intentions.Before you, I always believed that the most worst thing to do is Politics because of corruption, lack of transparency and you gave us hope.#NoModiNoTwitter pic.twitter.com/sucQokfBH4 sanjaygupta (@prabhas_sanjay) March 3, 2020 Updated my profile pic in solidarity with Honorable PM Mr @narendramodi If he moves out of @Twitter then, so do I.#NoModiNoTwitter #ByeByeTwitter Karun Chauhan (@analysethyself) March 3, 2020 I am ready to sacrifice my Twitter account as soon as @narendramodi quits Twitter, that is the strongest thing I can do for my country today #NoModiNoTwitter The Sleaze District (@Slea_Zilla) March 3, 2020 Some of them sound almost emotional and have taken the news to heart, about their favourite man in the country quitting social media. Apparently, a lot of them feel they have a special connection with Modi ji on social media. A lot of them are also emphasizing on how inspiring they find the lotus leader. if you left Twitter then I will also leave this platform on the same day. It is a connection between u and me bcoz it connects u with me and many others. plz @narendramodi @PMOIndia ji reconsider ur decision plz plz #NoModiNoTwitter Aniket (@Aniket_OM5) March 3, 2020 PM @narendramodi jee, you are not going to use social media this Sunday only OR leaving social media from this Sunday forever My request is to be active at on twitter so that billions of people like me can interact with you and you can also #NoSir #NarendraModi #NoModiNoTwitter Prof. Vivek Singh (. ) (@VVivek_Singh) March 3, 2020 However, we are still unsure of how this move could effect the way the Prime Minister approaches his fans; with no press conferences taking place, Twitter was one of the only platforms we had where we could interact with him and find out what is on his mind. The EU Court of Justice has ruled that Spain cannot retroactively apply for the extradition of Majorcan rapper Josep Miquel Arenas, aka Valtonyc from Belgium. The Luxembourg-based Court said that its ruling does not mean that the execution of the European arrest warrant should be denied, but that it is up to the Belgian Justice Department, which has already refused to extradite the rapper. English Valtonyc fled to Belgium in June 2018, after he was sentenced to nearly 3 years in jail for glorifying terrorism in his lyrics. When requesting his extradition from Belgium in 2018, Spain processed the request for a crime of terrorism which is included in the list of crimes to which the suppression of the double classification of facts applies and based on the new law of 2015 in Spain, carries a maximum prison sentence of three years. The Belgian Justice Department refused to extradite Valtonyc in September 2018 alleging that there was no double criminality, and that none of the three charges for which he was convicted in Spain are classified as a crime. A former security guard left severely traumatised by the deadly riots at the Manus Island detention centre has taken her own life before her legal battle with the Australian government and G4S Australia reaches court - after writing a suicide note addressed to the Prime Minister. Diane Parker, 53, was one of 18 former staff to pursue compensation through the courts - with the first case to proceed to trial next week. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald can reveal Ms Parker pleaded with the government to settle her claim in a hand-written letter addressed to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was immigration minister in 2014 when weeks of protests by asylum seekers erupted into three days of violence. "Scott Morrison, My name is Diane Parker, I was working on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea in February 2014. Do I need to go on? "I have PTSD and have committed suicide. I am over the courts, over the delay, over people not caring," Ms Parker said in the letter on June 27, 2019. We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com? So should AppsVillage Australia (ASX:APV) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. Check out our latest analysis for AppsVillage Australia How Long Is AppsVillage Australia's Cash Runway? A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. In December 2019, AppsVillage Australia had US$2.7m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through US$2.7m. Therefore, from December 2019 it had roughly 12 months of cash runway. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years. ASX:APV Historical Debt, March 2nd 2020 How Is AppsVillage Australia's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? Whilst it's great to see that AppsVillage Australia has already begun generating revenue from operations, last year it only produced US$611k, so we don't think it is generating significant revenue, at this point. Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis we'll focus on how the cash burn is tracking. In fact, it ramped its spending strongly over the last year, increasing cash burn by 154%. That sort of spending growth rate can't continue for very long before it causes balance sheet weakness, generally speaking. AppsVillage Australia makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow. Story continues Can AppsVillage Australia Raise More Cash Easily? Since its cash burn is moving in the wrong direction, AppsVillage Australia shareholders may wish to think ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Companies can raise capital through either debt or equity. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate). Since it has a market capitalisation of US$9.5m, AppsVillage Australia's US$2.7m in cash burn equates to about 29% of its market value. That's fairly notable cash burn, so if the company had to sell shares to cover the cost of another year's operations, shareholders would suffer some costly dilution. So, Should We Worry About AppsVillage Australia's Cash Burn? We must admit that we don't think AppsVillage Australia is in a very strong position, when it comes to its cash burn. Although we can understand if some shareholders find its cash runway acceptable, we can't ignore the fact that we consider its increasing cash burn to be downright troublesome. Looking at the factors mentioned in this short report, we do think that its cash burn is a bit risky, and it does make us slightly nervous about the stock. Notably, our data indicates that AppsVillage Australia insiders have been trading the shares. You can discover if they are buyers or sellers by clicking on this link. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) 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. As tensions continue to simmer in parts of northeast Delhi, the Sikh community members neither depended on the Delhi police nor did they leave anything to chance just in case they were to come under attack from any mob. Hyderabad: On Sunday night, when rumours flew thick and fast across northeast Delhi about fresh trouble, Sardar Khushpal Singh, a 27-year-old resident of Harinagar, suggested to the Sikh community members to take cover in nearby gurudwaras for safety. We will all be together in the gurudwara which will keep us safe, he said even as the sound of sirens from passing police patrol vehicles filled the air. But the elders in the community who had seen worse earlier had a word of caution. During the 1984 riots, taking shelter in gurudwaras what had proved costly for hundreds of Sikhs. Back then, they were told by policemen to leave the gurudwaras and return home, assuring them all was well. When they started leaving the place of worship, they came under brutal attack by blood-thirsty mobs. To this day, many Sikhs allege that police deliberately asked them to leave the gurudwaras. As tensions continue to simmer in parts of northeast Delhi, the Sikh community members neither depended on the Delhi police nor did they leave anything to chance just in case they were to come under attack from any mob. The community drew up with their own strategies and precautionary measures to ensure safety of thousands of people who live in areas close to Bhajanpura, the epicentre of last weeks riots which left 47 dead and over 300 injured. Only, this time, their strategies were chalked out keeping in mind the 1984 pogrom in which 3,000 Sikhs died in Delhi alone. Wherever our community members were living in societies, we had entry and exit points closed. The next challenge was what would we do if we came under attack by the mobs. Every night, we assembled in our societies with our kirpans (daggers), sticks and other objects and were prepared to thwart any attempt to target us, Mr Khushpal Singh, who runs a manufacturing unit in Delhi, told Deccan Chronicle over telephone. Going by the way things were spiralling out of control, they feared the community could be targeted to incite passions. His relative in Hyde-rabad, Sardar Roshan Singh, has been calling up Khushpals family requesting them to come to Hyderabad but he refused saying there was nothing to worry and they would be safe as they are fully prepared. When it was suggested that all Sikhs can take shelter in gurudwaras if they feel unsafe in their houses, the elders recalled the 1984 riots and said it would be a grave mistake. The Delhi police cannot be trusted and therefore, we should stay back in our homes, but make arrangements for securing the Sikhs, said Maninderpal Singh, who runs an automobile business in Delhi. Huddersfield senior research fellow Dr. Muhammad Usman Ghori will be working with Pakistani officials to bring clean, affordable drinking water to the people of South Punjab A FRESH, clean water supply will be a reality in Pakistan, particularly in South Punjab, following the announcement of an international partnership spearheaded by the Pakistan government, alongside other key stakeholders, and driven by the University of Huddersfield. The initiative, led by University of Huddersfield Senior Research Fellow Dr Muhammad Usman Ghori, will transform the water supplies in the region into affordable drinking water for the benefit of the whole population and also will provide a sustainable option of raw material to fabricate healthcare products. It is an initiative that is much needed by a considerable population of Pakistan. In a recent study, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) found that a sizeable portion of the supplied water was not suitable for human consumption. The contaminated water was contributing to significant number of deaths every year and a large part of Pakistan's GDP was spent on health care of people who suffer from water borne diseases. However, a solution to providing a clean water supply is present in abundance in the region's Koh-e-Suleiman mountain range in the form of a raw nanoclay with properties that can be targeted for a number of health-giving applications. A recent University of Huddersfield-led research article, published in NATURE: Scientific Reports, explored a new source of montmorillonite in the Koh-e-Suleiman mountain range located in South Punjab, Pakistan. The project lead Dr Ghori explained that this raw clay required a sophisticated purification protocol to remove any undesirable substances from the clay, such as lead, arsenic and crystalline silica, which could impede industrial potential and have adverse health effects. The area of South Punjab has a large dependence on agriculture and relatively low levels of industrialisation and consequently currently faces higher levels of poverty and unemployment compared with the rest of the province. An abundant supply of this largely untouched raw clay could help with economic conditions in the region so, in addition to physicochemical characterisation, this study investigated the practicality and economic feasibility of its extraction and purification for large-scale industrial applications by comparing the properties of the small-scale extracted clay to the large-scale extracted clay, and by conducting a techno-economic analysis. It is anticipated that the findings in this study will improve the economic condition of the region by providing employment opportunities to locals and a valuable resource for exportation. Further work in collaboration with Pakistani universities and research institutes is now under way to use this natural resource for the benefit of the local people, not just in purifying the water supply, but for further industrial applications that would expand the economy of the region and provide work and industry for its people. To establish this strategic partnership, Dr Ghori first shared his vision and initiative with the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, who played an instrumental role in establishing research links in Pakistan. Now, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed that will initiate a strategic partnership to develop a network led by the University of Huddersfield with the support of the Pakistan government which will also include universities in Pakistan. The High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria expressed his pride at the work and congratulated Dr Ghori and the team on their achievement and expressed gratitude to University of Huddersfield's leadership. Dr Ghori had met with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, through the good offices of High Commissioner Zakaria, during the Foreign Minister's official visit to the United Kingdom. Dr Ghori briefed the Foreign Minister on the on-going research activities, who welcomed the potential of the research project. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi congratulated Dr Ghori, the team and University's senior management. He said that the Government was cognisant of Pakistanis' talent abroad and therefore many of Government's policy initiatives are aimed at galvanising and providing direction to young scientists and tech professionals for their constructive engagement in the country's mainstream economic activities. "The UK is among Pakistan's very close friends," said Mr Qureshi. "The relationship has its roots in pre-independence period and the 1.5 million Pakistani Diaspora in the UK is a strong bridge between the two countries. Cultivating deeper and diverse partnership with the UK is a priority in our foreign policy. I am delighted to learn that the University of Huddersfield's researchers and scientists have taken such an initiative. "The Government welcomes them and will extend every support in their endeavours in Pakistan, the University of Huddersfield's engagement with Pakistan has come at the most propitious time" he added. Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Fawad Hussain Chaudhry applauded the Huddersfield team over attaining a milestone in the field of industrial science. He expressed his "contentment and happiness at the signing of the memorandum by University with Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources (PCRWR) and five Pakistani universities. He sees it as a significant step towards collaboration between educational institutions of Pakistan and the United Kingdom involving research. While commending Dr Ghori's work, Minister Fawad urged Pakistani scientists, technology professionals and scholars to look towards Pakistan, which holds enormous opportunities in diverse areas. "Under Prime Minister Imran Khan, high importance has been attached to the emerging technologies and many policy initiatives have been taken," he said. ### The overall winners of the Glanbia Ireland Grain Awards for 2019 were Ross and Alison Hendy, from Clonbullogue who took the Glanbia Ireland Grain Grower of the Year Award at the event held in Kilkenny on Thursday, February, 20. John Conroy, Ballymacken Farm Ltd, Ballymacken, Portlaoise was a Category Winner for Seed Wheat. Glanbia Chairman Martin Keane congratulated the 10 suppliers whose excellence and attention to detail were recognised at the ceremony. Grain farmers have had to contend with difficult weather conditions in recent years, and 2019 was no different, he said. Yet, despite this, our award winners have continued to set high standards for others to follow. Glanbia Irelands Director of Ingredients Aoife Murphy told the growers at the awards ceremony that the company has made significant investments in facilities and the marketing of native Irish grains in recent years. We are continuously looking at new opportunities to add value to grain and increase the premiums paid to growers for specific grains. The state-of-the-art food grade facility in Portlaoise has played a key role in producing a high quality and traceable product that offers a strong premium. Looking to the future our new 15m R&D centre in Ballyragget will increase our capabilities, utilise synergies across the business and allow us to bring new products to the marketplace. The overall winners, the Hendy family, farm approximately 450 acres with their crop mix including winter wheat, winter barley, winters oats and grass. They operate a plough-based system on land types which vary from loam to heavy clay. It is the attention to detail and the pride that Ross Hendy takes in his familys work on the farm that made him stand out as the overall winner. Producing quality high-yielding crops that leave a margin is of keen importance on the Hendy farm. A strong soil health and fertility programme is followed on farm. It is the food grade oats that the Hendy farm grows under contract for Glanbia Ireland which landed the top prize. The winning crop, which was the variety Barra, averaged a specific weight of over 60kph at 16.3% moisture across 108 tonnes. "I can't use more than three 'unscheduled absences' in six months, or it's a disciplinary ding. I used up my unscheduled days on sick kids, so when I got sick, I had to wear a mask and come in anyway. I ended up doing chest compressions on my patient while I had a fever." --Andrea, RN "We get sick time but can't use it till all our vacation time is gone, so people come to work sick. Even if we have a note from the doctor, we still get dinged for it. So many occurrences result in disciplinary action." --Tina, physical therapist assistant When people talk about problems with sick time, they often refer to retail and restaurant workers who regularly work part time at low salaries and have limited to no paid time off. But Andrea and Tina are licensed, educated professionals, and they work under terrible sick policies. Imagine punishing someone who was sick and had a doctor's note! Imagine you or your loved one is crashing, and the RN, standing directly over your face, is running a fever. Yes, she's wearing a mask, and yes, she washed her hands, but wouldn't you feel better if she weren't sick? And what if you're recovering from a serious illness or injury and the physical therapist assistant who works inches from your face and touches your body is sneezing and coughing into her mask? The federal government doesn't require any sick time unless you qualify for accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Family Medical Leave Act. State laws can vary--with some states requiring sick days and others not. But your business should provide them, regardless of your industry. While it's especially disgusting to have fevered medical personnel and vomiting restaurant workers, your IT guys don't need to be spreading plague or COVID-19 around the office, either. Your sick plan should include the following: No doctor's note should be required for fewer than three days' absence unless the company pays for the visit. Most illnesses don't require treatment. Provisions for employees to use sick days to care for sick children. Schools and daycares won't accept a sick child, and you cannot count on your employee to have a spouse to take care of the children. Allow employees to work from home if they can. A minimum of five days paid sick leave and five days unpaid. Don't panic that people will take a ton of time. In 2018, the average employee took 2.5 days of sick leave. If you have a plan and your exempt employees have used their paid days, you don't have to pay them for a full day off. Full compliance with FMLA and ADA. Provide flu shots. In many cases, you can get someone to come to your office to administer the vaccinations. Keep bathrooms stocked with soap and paper towels. Provide hand sanitizer at entrances. Remind people to clean their keyboards and phones frequently. No one likes to be sick. Not you, not your employees, and not your customers, and certainly not people who are in your hospital, because they are already feeling terrible. With Covid-19 on the rise, you may see employees quarantined. Naturally, if they are healthy and just waiting out an exposure period, let them work from home if possible. (This is not, of course, possible with all jobs.) While the experts debate over whether this qualifies under ADA or FMLA, you should have a heart and hold their positions. Remember, you can always be nicer than the law allows. WARNING: Story and video contain graphic language and topic matter The Bachelorette alum Rachel Lindsay has spoken out against online bullying during the ABC franchise's Women Tell All special that aired Monday. 'There is so much passion out there in Bachelor Nation - unfortunately, there is a line that has been crossed,' host Chris Harrison said as he introduced the Dallas-born beauty. Lindsay, 34, revealed she was 'really nervous' about speaking out 'because the issue that we're going to discuss today is sadly something that most of us have experienced - that's online harassment and it's hate.' Grace under fire: The Bachelorette alum Rachel Lindsay, 34, spoke out against bullying during the ABC franchise's Women Tell All special Monday with host Chris Harrison Lindsay said that 'people have become so comfortable being mean' and the time has come to confront the issue head on. 'By not talking about it I think people feel empowered that they can continue to say certain things to us,' Lindsay said. 'And if we're ever gonna fix this problem, we have to acknowledge the problem.' Lindsay, who was the first black Bachelorette, said she 'knew it would be hard' and 'knew [she] would get even more hate and criticism' but hoped to 'pave a way for women who look like me, who haven't been represented in this role on this show.' After the studio audience applauded Lindsay, she thanked them and said that she feels like her 'efforts are in vain, because' the harassment 'seems to be getting so much worse.' Troubling: Lindsay said that most of the show's contestants, seen on the show's Women Tell All episode, 'have experienced ... online harassment and hate' Got your back: Harrison supported the Texas-born beauty amid her brave speech Ongoing problem: The beauty said that the harassment 'seems to be getting so much worse' Lindsay told the audience, 'I feel like you guys hear us talk about the hate that we receive, but you have no idea what it is - and the only way that I can actually make you feel it is for you to see it.' Lindsay then read a series of messages she'd received online illustrating the stream of vitriol aimed in the direction of herself and other reality stars. Among the stream of insults and threats included: 'You stupid punk a** b**** ... If I ever see you, get ready to have your lawyer ready because I'm gonna f*** you up, b****.' Another urged her to harm herself, writing, 'You're an emotional, stupid b****. Kill your self. You're useless.' One message included racial slurs and called Lindsay 'disgusting and are jealous.' Speaking her truth: The ABC beauty was fearless in confronting the topic at hand Lindsay added 'that's just the tip of the iceberg,' asking, 'Just imagine how uncomfortable it is to get this in your comments, in your DM's, every day, every week, every month? She said that lines had been crossed past the point of the normal expectations of being in the public eye: 'Clearly what we're talking about isn't criticism - this is hate - how many of you have faced true hate, not criticism, true hate?' At that point a number of other Bachelor Nation stars, such as Tammy Ly and Alexa Caves, chimed in with their own experiences. 'I know, as someone who's been in your shoes, I know how much courage it takes to put yourself out there,' Lindsay said. 'These people who hide behind their phones and their smart devices, they don't have even a fraction of the guts that you do to stand here today.' The former heavyweight boxer who was awarded the George Medal after saving Princess Anne from a gun-toting kidnapper, admitted he feels he's 'betraying the Queen' by selling his accolade. Ronnie Russell, 72, from Bristol, was shot at after he punched fanatical loner Ian Ball twice in the head as he tried to take the princess hostage at gunpoint in central London in March 1974. He was awarded The George Medal medal however is now reluctantly selling it to help provide for his future after his health deteriorated following several strokes. Appearing on This Morning today, he admitted that while he 'vowed' to never sell the medal, he did not want to be left in a situation where his family would be forced to pay for his funeral when he does eventually pass away. Ronnie Russell, 72, from Bristol, was awarded the George Medal after saving Princess Anne from a gun-toting kidnapper, admitted he feels he's 'betraying the Queen' by selling his accolade Ronnie, second right, with the Queen and Anne (right) at Buckingham Palace event rewarding the heroes who stepped in to protect the princess from Ian Ball 'I vowed I would never sell it, said Ronnie, 'I felt it was a betrayal to the Queen. But Ive had support from my family. I don't want a situation where everyone is putting money in. 'I feel very sad about it. I was honored receiving it, but I have been forced into the situation. Ive been particularly unwell now. ' Ronnie spoke of the heartwarming chat he had with the Queen when he was given the award at Buckingham Palace. He told: 'She said, "This medal thanks you as The Queen, but I want to thank you as Annes mother"'. Former heavyweight boxer Ronnie Russell (left in 1974) awarded The George Medal (right) after he thwarted the attempted armed kidnap of Princess Anne is to go under the hammer Ian Ball had blocked the princess's car with his own as it drove along the Mall back to Buckingham Palace, and fired a series of shots through the rear window as he tried to kidnap Princess Anne Ian Ball had blocked the princess's car with his own as it drove along the Mall back to Buckingham Palace, and fired a series of shots through the rear window as he tried to kidnap the princess. The princess and her then husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were unhurt during the late-night ambush. But her personal detective, chauffeur, a police constable and a journalist were all shot by Ball, who was armed with two revolvers. Mr Russell was then a 28-year-old 6ft 2in 17-stone former boxer who trained at the same club as the Kray twins in Bethnal Green. The area cleaning manager was heading home to Kent when he saw the incident unfold and rushed to the newly married couple's aid. Appearing on This Morning today, he admitted that while he 'vowed' to never sell the medal, he did not want to be left in a situation where his family would be forced to pay for his funeral Russell told how he originally thought it was a road rage incident and punched the kidnapper twice before he shot PC Hills and tried to shoot at him, missing him and going through the windscreen of a taxi. Mr Russell said Ball was trying to drag Princess Anne from her car while her husband was pulling her back. 'She was fantastic', said Russell,' A lot of people don't believe me. 'It was unreal. You think about what was going on, you expect there to be screaming and shouting. She sat there very patiently, saying "go away silly man". The bizarre plot failed and is perhaps best known for the princess's reaction to Ball's request for her to get out so he could claim the 3 million ransom money. She is reported to have said: 'Not bloody likely.' He was later sent to a psychiatric hospital by an Old Bailey judge. The Princess's car was unaccompanied because police did not think the Royal Family was a target. But Ball's actions led to a major overhaul of security arrangements for all VIPs. The medal is going under the hammer at Dix Noonan Webb in central London next month. It is estimated to sell for between 15,000 and 20,000. It will be sold with related items, including a letter from 10 Downing Street informing Mr Russell of the award, a telegram from Princess Anne and a letter from the Met Commissioner. Manama His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday chaired the regular weekly Cabinet session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, at the Al Sakhir Palace. HM the King asserted that the citizens are the nations assets in facing all challenges thanks to their awareness and civilisational dealing with various global developments, thus reflecting the authentic Bahraini spirit proved by the firm stances showcased by Bahrainis throughout history, a post-statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr Yasser Al Nasser, said. HM King Hamad stressed that Bahrain will remain, as it has always been, a land of love, where everybody enjoys security and harmony, noting that overcoming the Coronavirus (COVID-19 is not only a challenge that we face locally, but it also a crisis that the entire world is confronting. We are fully confident that the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the solidarity of its citizens, is capable of overcoming this challenge. HM the King was informed, through a presentation, about the efforts being exerted in the Kingdom to address COVID-19. The presentation revealed that during the ongoing medical tests, a total of 2,225 individuals had tested negative, while only two cases tested positive, to whom HM the King wished speedy recovery and wellness. HM King commended the close endeavours, as well as the national, humanitarian and noble efforts, led by HRH the Crown Prince and with the spirit of the united Bahrain team, including the Executive, the Legislature, the private sector institutions, the citizens and residents, to combat the virus. HM the King emphasised that the Bahrain team has proved its worth and outstanding ability to overcome the challenges faced by the kingdom, which consolidates the dedicated efforts that would preserve the health and safety of everyone, adding that he is looking forward to the continuity of HRH the Crown Princes efforts in order to achieve the expected goals. Saudi support vow His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held a phone call with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and expressed the Kingdom of Bahrains support to the precautionary measures undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus and protect its citizens and residents, as well as those arrive to perform the Umrah and visit the Prophets Mosque. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed thanks and appreciation to HM the King, lauding Bahrains support to Saudi preventive measures against the virus. Preventive measures Lt Col Dr Manaf Al Qahtani, Infectious Diseases Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital and Member of the National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus (COVID-19), noted that the Kingdoms preventive measures, which began before the identification of the first domestic case, are ensuring the continued safety and well-being of citizens and residents alike. Green light to leave quarantine The Ministry of Health announced that twelve individuals have been given the green light to leave quarantine after completing a preventative mandatory 14 day stay, having tested negative for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The ministry highlighted that the twelve individuals include ten Bahraini nationals returning from Iran, and one Bahraini and one Chinese national, both returning from China. The ministry further highlighted that the individuals had been monitored closely by a highly specialised medical team for the duration of their quarantine. The ministry affirmed that the measures taken within all quarantine centres are in line with established guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO), aimed at combating the spread of the virus and safeguarding the health of citizens and residents. Before passing SF 155, both chambers amended it to make it effective upon the signature of the governor and to expand the definition of a salon or a barbershop to include such businesses that are readily movable. The issue was highlighted by William Burt of Waterloo, who created a mobile barbershop he calls Kut Kings. Burt, who was a guest of Gov. Kim Reynolds for her Condition of the State address at the Iowa Capitol in January, was present in the House and Senate galleries when the legislation was approved. NAIG PLEASED WITH TRADE MISSION: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said he thinks its back to business as usual with Mexico now that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is signed. Naig recently led a trade mission delegation to Mexico coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority that focused on increasing exports of manufactured products and agriculture goods. Naig, who also led a trade mission to Mexico in 2017, said previously there was uncertainty about trade relations, but now theres more stability and predictability thanks to the signing of the USMCA trade agreement. AP Photo/Susan Walsh Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday announced the largest-ever annual sweep of alleged fraudsters accused of targeting older Americans. More than 400 defendants have been charged in the past year, and they are purported to have been behind victim losses surpassing $1 billion. Foreign-based fraud schemes that victimize older Americans in large numbers were at the center of many of the cases in the sweep. Barr also announced that preventing and disrupting transnational elder fraud is now one of the top priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice. "Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens, Barr said. According to a senior official at the Justice Department, the cases that are part of DOJ's annual sweep ran the gamut from romance frauds and grandparents scams to computer tech-support scams and Social Security impostor frauds, among others. At a DOJ elder fraud sweep announced in 2019, there were 260 criminal defendants, making this year's collection of cases the largest in history, the department said. Cases in the new sweep date back to March 2019. Spanish speakers in U.S. victimized Among the bad actors overseas were members of a crime ring in Peru that allegedly targeted Spanish speakers, most of them elderly, in the U.S. Victims were threatened with arrest, deportation and the seizure of property for not paying a bill for a product the victims never purchased, a senior Justice official said. "All of this was lies, according to the official, who said a number of the defendants in Peru have been extradited. In Singapore, it was an Internal Revenue Service impersonator who was targeted by U.S. officials and that defendant also has been extradited, the official said. Impersonators claiming to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration and other government agencies con victims into sending money by, for example, concocting a phony financial obligation and threatening them with arrest. As teenagers, they were a group of summer camp kids with first loves and big dreams. As adults, they helped shape the foundation of disability rights in America. Barack & Michelle Obama produced documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution will screen on Netflix later this month. The former President & First Lady moved into screen production following presidential office. The doco on disability rights pioneers was winner of a 2020 Audience Award at Sundance. Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed in a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is an untold story co-directed by Emmy Award winner Nicole Newnham and film mixer and former camper Jim LeBrecht. Executive producers include President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan, and Oscar nominee Howard Gertler (How to Survive a Plague). Wednesday March 25 on Netflix. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka. Saturday, Feb. 29 11:09 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Larkin Township for a report of an unknown subject calling and harassing a 44-year-old Larkin Township man. The complainant did not know the man who was calling and making threats. No subject showed up at the residence to confront the complainant. 3:15 p.m. -- Officers responded to a hit-and-run vehicle crash in the area of Eastman Avenue and Pheasant Ridge Drive. 2:03 p.m. -- City of Coleman Fire Department, Midland EMS and Midland County deputies were dispatched to a City of Coleman residence in reference to an unresponsive 26-year-old woman. The woman was later pronounced dead at the hospital. This incident is currently being investigated. 11:39 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Warren Township residence in reference to a damaged mailbox. A 33-year-old man reported a vehicle struck his mailbox and left the scene. The area was checked but the vehicle was not located. Friday, Feb. 28 10:14 p.m. -- Officers performed a warrant arrest in the area of North Saginaw Road and Sturgeon Avenue. 9:15 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to a Homer Township location for a report of a damaged mailbox. A unknown vehicle struck and damaged a mailbox. The mailbox was valued at $150 to replace. There are no suspects at this time. 8:24 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Mills Township. 7:59 p.m. -- Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the 1700 block of East Ashman Street. 7:09 p.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township location for a domestic assault that occurred in a moving vehicle. Through investigation, it was determined the assault occurred in Gladwin County. The investigation was turned over to the Michigan State Police. 6:48 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash causing injuries in the area of East Buttles and George streets. 6:08 p.m. -- Officers responded to a report of malicious destruction of property in the 4700 block of Moorland Drive. 5:16 p.m. -- Officers performed a warrant arrest in the 300 block of West Main Street. 5:04 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident in Edenville Township. 3:03 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a vehicle crash in Lee Township. 12:07 p.m. -- A 29-year-old Midland man was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop in the City of Midland. The man was also cited for an expired license plate and no insurance. 12:05 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Waldo Road and Fuller Drive. 8:33 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to an adult foster care facility in Lee Township in reference to the death of a 91-year-old woman. The death is believed to have been from natural causes. 7:04 a.m. -- A deputy responded to a car-deer crash in Warren Township roadway. 6:51 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Lee Township. 2:23 a.m. -- A 35-year-old Montcalm County man was arrested for driving while license suspended, following a traffic stop in Greendale Township. Published on 2020/03/02 | Source Netflix original series "Kingdom - Season 2" is directed by Kim Seong-hun and Park In-je. Advertisement "Kingdom - Season 2" is a mystery thriller about the struggles of Prince Yi Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) who can no longer trust anyone in Joseon, where the dead have come alive and the royal throne is being sought after. PD Kim Seong-hun, who is known as the genre master for his success in "A Hard Day" and "Tunnel", opens the doors to the first episode of "Kingdom - Season 2" with a major scale battle scene, and PD Park In-je takes over the second episode to the end. It's typical for Hollywood to have many directors participate in the making of one series for higher quality and variety, but in Korea it is rare for two PDs to collaborate in one season. Park In-je was invited onto the project by Kim Seong-hun before the release of season 1. "The viewers may be able to enjoy different personalities in one series", said Kim Seong-hun. He showed pride in "Kingdom - Season 2", which has strengthened thanks to the work of two PDs. PD Park In-je said, "I was hesitant, but I had to do it. There wasn't much work to do, because the actors already had great harmony". Actor Ryu Seung-ryong, who plays Jo Hak-joo, talked about Park In-je. "He blended in the good bits of season 1 into season 2 perfectly". The characters that PD Kim Seong-hun has built up in season 1 with the source of the plague and their own desires are evolving in season 2 with PD Park In-je. From "Moby Dick" to "The Mayor", Park In-je has dealt with the message of absurdity and contradiction in society heavily. "Season 2 is when the kingdom is on the way to the next dynasty. I thought a lot about how to deliver and show season 2, which is about blood and descent", he explained. "Kingdom - Season 2" begins on the 13th of March. ___________ "Kingdom - Season 2" is directed by Kim Seong-hun, Park In-je, written by Kim Eun-hee-I, and features Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong, Park Byung-eun, Kim Tae-hoon, Jun Suk-ho. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/03/13~Upcoming, Fri on Netflix. LOS ANGELESThe written complaint came in three days after the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others: At the Baja California Bar and Grill in Norwalk, a young Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy was showing gruesome photos taken at the scene of the tragedy. He was working the day the helicopter went down and took pictures of the crash site and bodies, the author wrote. The report, filed just after midnight on a contact form on the sheriffs departments website, generated an email to the Sheriffs Information Bureau, a team that handles media requests. From that point on, for nearly five weeks, the leadership of the sheriffs department tried to keep a lid on the episode instead of following the normal investigative protocols even after determining that several more deputies had obtained photos, according to interviews. The efforts to avoid public disclosure of the deputies actions began in earnest with an order from Sheriff Alex Villanueva to have them quietly delete the photos, a move that some inside the department as well as legal experts said could amount to destruction of evidence. After the Los Angeles Times disclosed last week that the deputies shared the photos, Villanueva said he would launch an investigation. But now there are mounting demands for an independent inquiry into the matter, the latest in a series of scandals to afflict the nations largest sheriffs department in recent years. Patti Giggans, chair of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, said she expects Villanueva to find out what happened in a timely way, but that the destruction of photos looks like a coverup of misconduct. She added, Im hoping that thats not the case. Joseph Giacalone, who teaches police procedures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said the sheriffs department mishandled the complaint. For starters, he said, the department should have preserved the photos, confiscated any cellphones used to take them and made certain no images were sent electronically to anyone outside the agency. Its now blossomed into a real mess, Giacalone said. He and others said the public would only have confidence in an outside investigation. We should be having outside people investigating whats happening inside the department thats been riddled with corruption, said Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, who has long advocated for more accountability and transparency within the agency. Cullors spearheaded the campaign for Measure R, an initiative on Tuesdays ballot that would secure subpoena power for the oversight commission. Theres an inherent conflict of interest when a department investigates itself, said Jessica Levinson, professor at Loyola Law School. And lets be honest, especially this department, she said, while also criticizing how the allegations were handled initially. The idea that sheriffs (deputies) could get to keep their phones and pinky-swear to delete evidence is not how you go about this. An attorney representing Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryants widow, requested a sheriffs internal affairs investigation into the allegations and the harshest possible discipline for those responsible. Gary C. Robb called the alleged behaviour inexcusable and deplorable. This is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families, he said in a statement. Villanueva has provided scant details on the scope of his investigation or who within the department is conducting it. Giacalone and other legal observers said the probe should be turned over to the county Office of Inspector General, which does not report to the sheriff. Villanueva did not respond to repeated requests for comments by the Times. In a brief telephone conversation Wednesday, he likened the newspapers queries to tabloid journalism. I got nothing to say to you, he said, before hanging up. On Monday, Villanueva gave interviews to several broadcast outlets. KNBC-TV reported that Villanueva said he focused on containing the dissemination of the photos rather than punishing the deputies. He said eight deputies were involved, but he did not identify any of them. Had we done the original, usual routine, which was relieve everybody of duty and everybody lawyers up and all that, that would increase the odds tenfold that those photos would have somehow made their way into the public domain. And thats definitely what we do not want, he told the station. According to KNBC, Villanueva said no department policy specifically addresses deputies photographing such crash scenes on their personal cellphones, and that he plans to change that. However, according to the departments policy manual, members shall not use a personal cellphone to record, store, document, catalogue, transmit, and/or forward any image, document, scene, or environment captured as a result of their employment and/or while performing official Department business that is not available or accessible to the general public. Although the citizens report was sent to the Sheriffs Information Bureau, the captain who heads that office, Jorge Valdez, told the Times last week that he was unaware of any complaint and that there was no order given to delete any photographs. Find all our Lessons of the Day here. Lesson Overview Featured Article: After 18 Years, Is This Afghan Peace, or Just a Way Out? by David E. Sanger After more than a year of talks, Taliban and American negotiators struck a deal on Feb. 29 to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, laying out the beginning of the end of the United States longest war. In this lesson, youll learn how Afghanistan has gone from being considered the good war to a longstanding burden that the Trump administration now seeks to unload. Then youll view New York Times photos and read firsthand accounts from Afghan civilians to better understand the effects this decision could have. If you need a refresher on the war in Afghanistan, you might read this short explainer or check out our related lesson plan before starting this lesson. Warm Up A recent Times article reports on details of the accord between the Taliban and the United States: The agreement signed in Doha, Qatar, which followed more than a year of stop-and-start negotiations and conspicuously excluded the American-backed Afghanistan government, is not a final peace deal, is filled with ambiguity, and could still unravel. But it is seen as a step toward negotiating a more sweeping agreement that some hope could eventually end the insurgency of the Taliban, the militant movement that once ruled Afghanistan under a severe Islamic code. The war cost $2 trillion and took the lives of more than 3,500 American and coalition troops and tens of thousands of Afghans since the U.S. invasion in aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, which were plotted by Al Qaeda leaders under the protection of the Taliban. The withdrawal of American troops about 12,000 are still in Afghanistan is dependent on the Talibans fulfillment of major commitments that have been obstacles for years, including its severance of ties with international terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda. The agreement also hinges on more difficult negotiations to come between the Taliban and the Afghan government over the countrys future. Officials hope those talks will produce a power-sharing arrangement and lasting cease-fire, but both ideas have been anathema to the Taliban in the past. Who was involved in negotiating this deal? Who was not? What are the terms of the agreement? What challenges lay ahead? Gloves made in China for the popular French brand Lacoste appear to have been sewn inside a factory where ethnic minorities face forced ideological and behavioural re-education, according to a U.S.-based labour rights group. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Gloves made in China for the popular French brand Lacoste appear to have been sewn inside a factory where ethnic minorities face forced ideological and behavioural re-education, according to a U.S.-based labour rights group. Lacoste, known for its iconic little green crocodile logo, says it halted shipments after learning of labour abuse in its supply chain from Washington, D.C.-based labour rights group Worker Rights Consortium. The group alleges that Uigher Muslims and other ethnic minorities are being forced to sew the Lacoste-branded gloves. A Lacoste spokeswoman told The Associated Press that the Chinese factory had been visited by auditors who interviewed workers and didnt report any concerns. Lacoste prohibits the use of forced, mandatory, or unpaid labour of any type," company spokeswoman Nathalie Beguinot said, adding that 95 pairs of gloves from the factory in question were sold in Europe and that unsold gloves made at the Yili Zhuo Wan Garment Manufacturing Co. are currently warehoused. Worker Rights Consortium executive director Scott Nova said Lacoste and any other buyers should have known better than to trust auditors who interview workers on site, where they can't speak freely. Given the climate of terror the government has created in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, given its intensive efforts to conceal proof of forced labour from foreign eyes, and given the pervasive surveillance apparatus that makes a confidential conversation oxymoronic, no worker is going to tell a factory auditor that her employer and the government are breaking the law by forcing her to work against her will," Nova said. Officials at Yili Zhuo Wan could not be reached for comment. Last year, media and non-profit group reports described forced labour and indoctrination of hundreds of people inside the factory. The people were swept up as part of a massive Chinese government crackdown that by some estimates has locked away more than 1 million ethnic minorities, most of them Muslims, over the past three years, according to the reports. The Chinese government denies this. It has said that the detention centres are for voluntary job training and that it does not discriminate based on religion. Last year the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies interviewed two former Yili Zhuo Wan workers, who said they were forced to study Mandarin and praise the government. One, a trained seamstress, said she was paid about $37 for her first month and a half of work. 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 basically state-encouraged forced labour and part of a much broader pattern of extremely severe human rights violation," said Amy Lehr, who co-authored a CSIS report that included claims of forced labour in Xinjiang. It's an attempt to eradicate a culture and religion." It's illegal to import products of forced labour into the United States. Lacoste says the gloves went only to France. The AP and others have repeatedly tracked everything from sportswear to pyjamas from detention camps in Xinjiang to the U.S. and Europe. Last fall, U.S. Customs and Border Protection slapped detention orders on several shipments from the region. The orders are used to hold shipping containers at the U.S. ports of entry until the agency can investigate the claims of wrongdoing. Massachusetts Rep. James McGovern, who chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, says he'd like to stop the import of all forced labour-made goods from the region. No one should profit," McGovern said, from the horrific human rights crimes being committed in Xinjiang. ___ Associated Press writer Yanan Wang in Beijing contributed to this report. The strike by up to 50,000 lecturers, technicians, library and other university staff has entered its third week. It was called after the University and College Union (UCU) failed to reach an agreement following months of talks with the employers organisations. University staff are opposing increased workloads, casualisation and pay restrictions. They are also resisting demands that they sharply increase their pension contributions. Universities UK (UUK) represents universities in the pension dispute and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) in the pay and conditions dispute. Staff walked out yesterday and will return to work on Friday, having already struck for five days since February 20 as part of a rolling series of stoppages over 14 days. Industrial action will culminate next week with a five-day walkout. The strike is the largest ever in higher education, with staff taking action at 74 universities. Around a million students were affected during the national strike in November/December of last year. With 14 additional institutions, another 200,000 students are impacted. UCU members are fighting because they know there is no alternative. Not only are pensions on the line that many have paid into for decades, but the very future of further and higher education provision is at stake. In 2018, the UCU sold out a national strike against pension cuts based on a promise by UUK to establish a Joint Expert Panel. A critical element in that betrayal was the UCUs refusal to turn the struggle into a general offensive against the marketisation and privatisation of education at all levels. The attacks facing university workers today, including the casualisation of large swathes of the sector, are the result of two decades of policies implemented by successive Labour- and Conservative-led governments to escalate the marketisation of education, with the aim of wholesale privatisation. In 2017, the Conservative governments Higher Education and Research Act established the framework for privatisation of higher education, aided and abetted by the retreats and betrayals of the UCU, the National Union of Students and the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn, which demobilised and stifled mass opposition from students and academic staff. The act replaced the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Fair Access with a new Office for Students, which is to be a market regulator and competition authority for higher education. It is empowered to grant degree-awarding powers to new education providers without requiring them to demonstrate a track record of successfully delivering higher education, as was previously the case. These institutions will be allowed to use the word university in their titles, opening up the higher education market to private providers. There are already six private institutions with degree-awarding powers, largely in business, management, law and health care-related subjects. There are at least 674 different private higher education providers with a student population of more than 160,000. The new system has created winners and losers. Many universities are facing financial pressures, with nearly one in four in deficit in England in 2018-2019 and warning of redundancies. This compares with one in ten universities in deficit in 2012-2013. In 2017-2018, when 32 universities in England recorded a financial deficit, totaling 173 million, 12 cut the number of academic staff by nearly 900 over three years. Under the new regime, universities will not be bailed out by the government and will be forced to close or merge with others. Brexit is exacerbating the crisis, leading to a reduction in the number of European Union (EU) students, since they will have to pay fees at the even higher, overseas rate. It also means the likely end of EU funding for scientific research. The drive by universities to increase income and cut costs has gone along with a sustained attack on the academic workforce. Most teaching today is done by a casualised, exploited, underpaid and insecure workforce. Many are employed on a variety of fixed-term, hourly paid, fractional and even zero-hour contracts. According to a 2019 UCU survey, around 70 percent of 49,000 university researchers are on fixed-term contracts. Many more are employed precariously on contracts that are nominally open-ended, but with built-in redundancy dates. Fully 37,000 teaching staff are on fixed-term contracts, with most being hourly paid. In their fight against these intolerable conditions, and to defend education as a social right, university workers confront a hostile force in the UCU. Having had to call the latest action due to the determination of its members to fight, the union has done nothing for months but beg for compromises from the UUK and UCEA, which refuse to budge. The UCEA declines to meet any pay deal above a paltry 1.8 percent, under conditions in which pay has dropped in real terms by 21 percent since 2009. The UUK is similarly insisting that staff bear the brunt of funding the pension scheme. The UCUs London region declared Monday: So far, the employers have not increased their pay offer and have made very limited concessions on casualisation, pay inequality and workload. The unions response was to call on members to attend a lobby today outside the negotiations to help us make the case! Its statement added, The employers could negotiate to end the strike in the interests of staff and students. This struggle is against not just the employers, but against the Johnson government. A report issued this month, Universities at the Crossroads, by the right-wing Policy Exchange think tank, describes the higher education sector as out of touch. Licking their lips, the authors declare that due to all the funding and competitive pressures on the sector, higher education is a sitting duck [for the Conservative government] unless it takes more radical action to be more financially sustainable. Policy Exchange was founded by hard Brexiteer and leading Conservative Michael Gove, who as minister for the cabinet office advises Johnson on developing and implementing overall policy. At the end of last year, the UCU called off another national strike just prior to the December general election, holding out the prospect of a Corbyn Labour government coming to power and acting as the saviour of higher education. Just as workers cannot rely on the trade unions, which function as adjuncts of management, they cannot rely on the Labour Partya tried and trusted party of big business. The first major education policy imposed by Blairs government, in September 1998, was the introduction of tuition fees nationwide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. All talk that Corbyn would have reversed any of this has been exposed as a fraud. After years of capitulating to every demand of the Blairites, Corbyn achieved nothing in his declared aim of opposing austerity, militarism and warwith Labour now set for an even sharper move to the right. Right-winger Sir Kier Starmer is expected to win the leadership contest next month, with another of the candidates, Lisa Nandy, declaring, We cannot carry on going around as a party making promises to nationalise everything or slash tuition fees. The nominal left candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey speaks of a fight for the soul of education and support for strikers but will sit loyally in Starmers cabinet alongside Nandy. Education workers must wrest the struggle from the suffocating confines of the UCU and establish rank-and-file committees that operate independently of the bureaucratic apparatus. They must unite workers and students throughout the entire education sector in opposition to the onslaught of the employers and the government. These independent organisations must be animated by a perspective of building a new political leadership that opposes the pro-capitalist politicians of all the main parties and sets out to defend high-quality publicly funded education as a universal right. Cebu to quarantine hog feed materials from Mindanao As a preventive measure and to maintain its status as free of African swine fever (ASF), the provincial government of Cebu in central Philippines will be subjecting raw materials needed to produce hog feeds sourced from Mindanao to a 20-day quarantine starting on March 8. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order that requires raw materials including corn from Mindanao to undergo a 20-day quarantine before they can be mixed and used for the production of feeds. Garcia explained that the quarantine period would allow millers to have time to prepare biosecurity measures needed to screen hog-related products from Mindanao, Cebu Daily News reported. The governor recently met with representatives from local feed millers in the province and stressed the need to quarantine raw materials from Mindanao, since Cebu's feed millers mainly source their raw materials from that region. Garcia said local feed suppliers in Cebu produce around 1.2 million bags of feeds per month. While international standards require only 10 days of quarantine, taking into account the days it takes to transport the materials, Garcia said they decided to extend the period to 20 days due to the short distance between Cebu and Mindanao. Earlier, Cebu imposed a 90-day ban on live hogs and pork products from Mindanao starting last Feb. 13. It also bans pork from Eastern Visayas and Luzon. The Philippines' first ASF outbreaks were reported in Rizal, Bulacan and Pampanga provinces in Luzon. Later the disease spread to Metro Manila, Pangasinan and other provinces in Luzon. Anusha Ravi By Express News Service BENGALURU: Question of centenarian freedom fighter HS Doreswamys honour led to a logjam in the Karnataka legislative assembly on the very first day it convened for the budget session. With the Speaker refusing to allow a discussion, without notice from the Opposition on the matter first, the House proceedings were chaotic, even after two prolonged adjournments. Congress Legislators, who stormed to the well of the House alleging that their rights were being compromised, refused to back off and return to their seats. Despite the House not being in order, Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri allowed Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to present his response to the Governors address. Eight bills were also tabled and passed in the House. Obituaries had barely ended when leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah rose to speak on Yatnals statements about Doreswamy. The ruling party immediately took exception and pointed out that the Opposition had not issued any notice to speak on the subject. This is an unprecedented situation. There are no provisions in the rule book under which we can issue a notice. Our appeal is that the Speaker, using his residual powers under 363, allow discussions, pointed out Siddaramaiah. Yatnal had accused Doreswamy of being a Pakistan agent and a fake freedom fighter. The Congress insisted that their qualm was not against the government, but against one legislator. The Constitution mandates that we respect freedom fighters. His remarks are a violation of the Constitution. This is treason according to me, Siddaramaiah said. After two prolonged breaks during, during which the Speaker held talks with the both sides, things remained at square one. I do not think the topic is so urgent that it needs to be discussed without a notice. I dont understand your reluctance to give a notice. Do not make this a prestige issue. Give this to me in writing under any section and I will allow discussion, said the Speaker, before telling the Opposition that he will not invoke residual powers to allow discussions on the matter. We have no objection to having a discussion, but all we are asking the opposition is to give notice. Let it not seem like they are trying to waste the time of this House and stall proceedings, said the CM. Expel Siddaramaiah instead As Siddaramaiah asked for BJP MLA Basanagouda Yatnal to be expelled from the House for his act of treason, Rural Development minister KS Eshwarappa stood up seeking the expulsion of Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah called Narendra Modi a murderer. Throw him out of this House, shouted Eshwarappa. Yatnals statements rock Council too Bengaluru: Ruckus prevailed in the Legislative Council on Monday over BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnals statements on freedom fighter HS Doreswamy, with the House having to be adjourned twice. Opposition leader SR Patil raised the issue, claiming Doreswamy is one of the last connects we have to the freedom struggle. Yatnal did not just insult Doreswamy, but all freedom fighters, he said, pointing out that many cabinet ministers have, unfortunately, come out in support of Yatnal. BJP leader Aynur Manjunath said they all respect Doreswamy, but added, His statements dont sound like those of a freedom fighter. He is associated with the Tukde Tukde gang, he said. Another BJP leader Narayanaswamy pointed out that Doreswamy talks with disrespect towards Veer Savarkar. How can one freedom fighter treat a fellow freedom fighter with disrespect? he questioned. Is Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. (HKG:3328) a good dividend stock? How can we tell? Dividend paying companies with growing earnings can be highly rewarding in the long term. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments. With Bank of Communications yielding 6.6% and having paid a dividend for over 10 years, many investors likely find the company quite interesting. It would not be a surprise to discover that many investors buy it for the dividends. When buying stocks for their dividends, you should always run through the checks below, to see if the dividend looks sustainable. Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis SEHK:3328 Historical Dividend Yield, March 3rd 2020 Payout ratios Dividends are usually paid out of company earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. Looking at the data, we can see that 30% of Bank of Communications's profits were paid out as dividends in the last 12 months. This is a middling range that strikes a nice balance between paying dividends to shareholders, and retaining enough earnings to invest in future growth. Besides, if reinvestment opportunities dry up, the company has room to increase the dividend. We update our data on Bank of Communications every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here. Dividend Volatility Before buying a stock for its income, we want to see if the dividends have been stable in the past, and if the company has a track record of maintaining its dividend. Bank of Communications has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. The dividend has been cut on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was CN0.18 in 2010, compared to CN0.30 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 5.1% per year over this time. The growth in dividends has not been linear, but the CAGR is a decent approximation of the rate of change over this time frame. Story continues Dividends have grown at a reasonable rate, but with at least one substantial cut in the payments, we're not certain this dividend stock would be ideal for someone intending to live on the income. Dividend Growth Potential With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share (EPS) are growing - it's not worth taking the risk on a dividend getting cut, unless you might be rewarded with larger dividends in future. Earnings have grown at around 3.3% a year for the past five years, which is better than seeing them shrink! Bank of Communications is paying out less than half of its earnings, which we like. However, earnings per share are unfortunately not growing much. Might this suggest that the company should pay a higher dividend instead? We'd also point out that Bank of Communications issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective. Conclusion Dividend investors should always want to know if a) a company's dividends are affordable, b) if there is a track record of consistent payments, and c) if the dividend is capable of growing. Firstly, we like that Bank of Communications has a low and conservative payout ratio. Second, earnings growth has been ordinary, and its history of dividend payments is chequered - having cut its dividend at least once in the past. While we're not hugely bearish on it, overall we think there are potentially better dividend stocks than Bank of Communications out there. Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 17 Bank of Communications analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our curated list of dividend stocks with a yield above 3%. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said Rs 4,807 crore has been deposited into the bank accounts of 7.65 lakh farmers under the Mahatma Phule farm loan waiver scheme. Talking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhawan here, Thackeray said the government has already started making farmers, who took loans of up to Rs two lakh, debt-free. "Till Tuesday noon, authentication of 10 lakh beneficiary accounts has been done with Aadhaar cards and an amount of Rs 4,807 crore has been deposited into the accounts of 7.65 lakh farmers," he said. The chief minister said 35.8 lakh farmer accounts have been uploaded on a special portal created for the implementation of the loan waiver scheme. "In the first list, 15,358 bank accounts in 68 villages were declared and in the second list 21.81 lakh farm accounts from 15 districts were declared," he said. He further said that five lakh bank accounts will be declared later, as the model code of conduct is in force for gram panchayat elections in six districts of Gadchiroli, Amravati, Yavatmal, Nanded, Nandurbar and Nashik. "We will waive of loans of those whose loan accounts are linked with Aadhaar," he said. The scheme to write off outstanding crop loan of up to Rs 2 lakh, as on September 30, 2019, was announced by the three-party Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in December last year. "The MVA government's loan waiver scheme will be implemented within the stipulated time frame. My government will pay attention to see farmers remain happy," he added. The portal, which is in Marathi language, was developed by the state government's IT department in 28 days. There was no involvement of private tenders, Thackeray said. The portal has a high capacity server and cloud technology, he said, adding that authentication of four lakh farmers is done every day. Unlike the loan waiver scheme of the previous government, farmers do not have to fill online forms. They don't have to login or stand in queues, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A federal court dismissed a $2 million civil rights lawsuit a Spring couple filed against Montgomery County, two judges, the Houston SPCA and six others for what they argued was a conspiracy to scam them out of ownership of 231 cats. Representing themselves, David and Faye Spencer contended in their lawsuit that a neighbor made false reports about them to the homeowners association and to multiple Montgomery County agencies about their cats. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Spring couple at center of cat seizure plan to appeal court decision The animals were removed Oct. 17, 2018, from their home on the 3300 block of Hickory Hollow Road by the HSPCA. The couple asserted they had been operating a private feline sanctuary for 11 years from the home, according to court documents. The suit alleged all defendants conspired against the Spencers to engage in an animal forfeiture scam interfering with plaintiffs rights as the owners of the animals, the dismissal stated. GRAPHIC: Houston SPCA: Spring home at center of major animal rescue one of most toxic sites ever encountered The suit sought the immediate return of the 231 cats, $1.5 million in punitive damages from defendants, $500,000 in compensatory damages from the HSPCA and Montgomery County officials, documents show. It was dismissed Feb. 19 by the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Texas. Feline forfeiture The couple ran a nonprofit for stray and re-homed cats they founded in June 2017 and named Dave and Fayes Cat Sanctuary. The Spencers sole source of income, as detailed in 2018 court documents, came from social security and disability benefits. Their only asset of value appeared to be a $40,000 truck. TOP HITS: Get Houston Chronicle stories sent directly to your inbox Many of the cats were found suffering malnutrition, open wounds, diarrhea, infections and worms or fleas during an evaluation of the Spencers house. There had been repeated complaints about the smell emanating from the home. Just walking through and looking at these cats a reasonable human being could tell somethings going on with them and somethings not right, said HSPCA investigator Bob Wilson at a December 2018 hearing. Wilson was also named as a defendant in the Spencers suit. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Spring couple ordered to surrender more than 200 ill and injured cats Once at the HSPCA, three of the cats were euthanized, while six others died after suffering from heart disease and organ failure. Defendants, the suit maintained, violated the Spencers constitutional rights by carrying out unlawful search and seizure, levying excessive bonds and fines and depriving them of due process. The suit stated no complaints about the sanctuary had been received prior to January 2018, a month after the complaining neighbor moved in, according to court records. The day of the animal seizure in 2018, Houston SPCA and Montgomery County officials appeared at the Spencers home with what the suit described as a bogus warrant on cruelty of animals grounds. Huge nets were used to capture the cats, injuring many of them and leaving $8,000 in damages to the home, court documents state the suit argued. Court rulings On Oct. 24, 2018, Montgomery County Assistant County Attorney Ronald Chin, named as a defendant in the suit, argued the cats were being treated cruelly by the Spencers. Then Montgomery County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Edie Connelly ordered the cats ownership taken from the Spencers and given to the Houston SPCA. Connelly also fined the couple $52,137, court records show. This is the biggest farce Ive ever seen, David Spencer said during the hearing, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Spencers appealed the ruling and on Dec. 4, 2018, County Court at Law 2 Judge Claudia Laird made the same ruling on ownership as Connelly and fined the Spencers $100,000. The Spencers in turn filed a complaint against both judges. They argued Connelly and Laird lacked jurisdiction, the warrant was invalid and both judges orders were void,according to court documents. David Spencer, though not present at the December hearing, slammed authorities in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. Everything they have done so far has been totally illegal, David Spencer said at the time. The county courts do not interpret the law the way it is written, they interpret it the way they want. Others sued by the Spencers included the complaining neighbor, a Montgomery County Sheriffs deputy, Montgomery County Animal Control Director Joseph Guidry and Montgomery County Animal Shelter Director Aaron Johnson. Montgomery County was also listed as a defendant. Suit dismissal Citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the suit was dismissed because federal court cannot reverse or modify state court judgments unless directed to do so by Congress, court documents show. The only federal remedy for an erroneous state court judgment is an application for review by the United States Supreme Court, the order for dismissal stated. Furthermore, the order declared the Spencers failed to show in their suit any jurisdictional issue, as required by Texas law. Regardless, the state appellate court is where any errors must be resolved, the dismissal stated. As for claims of a conspiracy, they did not meet the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals standard. Claims of a conspiracy must point to racial animus as a motivator for depriving a plaintiff of equal protection under the law, equal privileges and immunities under the law and other protections a U.S. citizen has rights to, the dismissal concluded. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx The Trump administration has struck another blow to common-sense management of public lands in the West. Virtually all the spectacular country neighboring the Escalante River in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah will be reopened to cattle grazing, thanks to a new plan for managing the monument released by the Interior Department last month. The move manages to be both anti-rancher and anti-environment. Without justification, the Interior Departments decision upends a landmark deal between ranchers and conservationists that for the past 20 years has allowed the flora and fauna in the remote red rock canyons of the monument to flourish once again. This backward step threatens free-market solutions that have given ranching families across the West the financial flexibility to move to greener pastures. Under that deal, which had been honored by the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations, local ranchers voluntarily relinquished their permits to graze public lands in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars from conservationists. Over the past few decades, similar deals around the West have sought to resolve conflicts between conservationists and ranchers running livestock on public lands by cooperation rather than confrontation and litigation. The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that five foreign nationals who participated in anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India. "As per the Bureau of Immigration, 5 foreign nationals who violated visa norms by participating in the anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India," Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha. Protests erupted in various parts of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after Parliament gave its nod the Bill. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The DARE1 consortium has landed cables in Somalias two largest coastal cities, Mogadishu and Bosaso. The landings are an important step for the DARE1 cable project spearheaded by the consortium, which consists of Djibouti Telecom, Somtel and Telkom Kenya. The DARE1 cable features a three-fibre-pair trunk, with the Bosaso branch running for 108km. The cable network is expected to go live by June 2020, and will cover four cities across three countries Djiboutis eponymous capital, Bosaso and Mogadishu in Somalia, and Mombasa in Kenya. It will span around 5000km, with capacity of 100Gbps. Ships laying the cable recently provoked the wrath of Somaliland authorities for entering their territorial waters without permission. However, the dispute seems to have settled. As reported by Fox News, U.S. district judge Randolph Moss "ruled Sunday that one of the Trump administration's top immigration officials, Ken Cuccinelli, was unlawfully appointed to his post." The Fox News article is a bit off. The unlawfulness is not because of a statute, as the article claims, but because of the Constitution itself specifically, the Appointments Clause (U.S. Constitution, art. II, 2, cl. 2). This is set forth in the first paragraph of the judge's ruling. The position to which Cuccinelli was appointed, as a matter of constitutional law, is that of a superior officer therefore the appointment to be lawful must must be approved by the Senate. Because the Senate did not approve the appointment, the judge (rightly) concludes, the appointment is unlawful. The judge rightly concludes that such agency actions are to be set aside as either void from the beginning or voidable by a judge (p. 5053). But this is exactly the same argument that two law professors Steven G. Calabresi and Gary Lawson make in their law review article titled "Why Robert Mueller's Appointment as Special Counsel Was Unlawful." Lest we forget, Mueller, at the time of his appointment, had no position in government. The power he wielded was greater and wider in scope than, or at the very least as great as, any U.S. attorney. (Indeed, the law professors describe the power of a Mueller-style special counsel as being "supercharged" [p. 55]). U.S. attorneys are superior officers, and in order for their appointments to be lawful, they need Senate approval which did not happen in Mueller's case. Similarly, the professors correctly point out, Mueller was not an inferior officer. They write: Under the Appointments Clause, inferior officers can be appointed by department heads only if Congress so directs by statute and so directs specifically enough to overcome a clear-statement presumption in favor of presidential appointment and senatorial confirmation. No such statute exists for the Special Counsel. The professors stop short of discussing whether the actions taken by Mueller are void. But applying Judge Moss's rationale, it appears they would be unless, perhaps, we have two systems of justice. Mueller's team might have one dodge left: to claim it was all counterintelligence and that the prosecutions were ancillary and tertiary. (U.S. attorneys do not "do" counterintelligence; they prosecute crimes.) In this regard, the exchange between Senator Lindsey Graham and Inspector General Michael Horowitz is telling. The underlying issue the senator was exploring is whether a counterintelligence investigation is legitimate if it does not seek to protect Americans, including the president-elect and later the president, from the foreign intelligence activity. After all, counterintelligence investigations are not criminal investigations, but directed at countering the activities of foreign intelligence services. Lindsey Graham: (14:01) There's a mountain of misconduct. Please don't ignore it. So my point is, if this is a counterintelligence investigation, who are they trying to protect? Who should they be trying to protect? M. Horowitz: (14:16) Well, if it's the threat outlined in the friendly foreign government information, you would be looking to protect the election process, which would include -- Lindsey Graham: (14:27) The candidate? M. Horowitz: (14:28) The campaign, the candidate, and the American people Lindsey Graham: (14:57) What would you call a counterintelligence investigation that never had a protective element? M. Horowitz: (15:07) I'm not sure. Sorry, Mr. Chairman. Lindsey Graham: (15:09) Okay. If without eventually trying to protect the entity being influenced, is it legitimate? M. Horowitz: (15:22) It would depend on each fact and circumstance. Horowitz had the opportunity to achieve greatness but managed to evade it. "It would depend on each fact and circumstance," indeed! No, it wouldn't. Tadas Klimas is a former FBI agent, awarded the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement (NIMA). He is also a former law professor and is the author of Comparative Contract Law. Lighting fires was the one way Daylia Brown felt she could have some control over her chaotic life. So on the Tuesday before Christmas in 2018, she lit three in one day in a Melbourne Target store and in supermarkets in the hope of returning to the place she felt she belonged: juvenile detention. The fires would continue, she told staff at a psychiatric centre days later, because she "would like to be with her friends in juvie". On December 29, 2018, she lit a blaze at a vacant mental health facility that caused $548,000 of damage. Brown has a severe personality disorder and has regularly self-harmed since her early teens, and her detachment from social relationships means she recently told her lawyer, Tim Marsh: "I just want to disappear and die." Ill be meeting personally with Taliban leaders in the not-too-distant future. And well be very much hoping that they will be doing what they say theyre going to be doing: They will be killing terrorists, Trump said. They will be killing some very bad people. They will keep that fight going. Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai has ordered that bandits in the of state be eliminated once they are identified, as his government would not negotiate with terrorists. The governor, who spoke on Monday, following the killing of over 50 people in Giwa and Igabi Local Government Areas by bandit on Sunday, was told by the locals who lost their loved ones in the attack that casualty figure from the invasion was over 50. The statement read, Nasir El Rufai has visited the invaded communities which include Kerewa, Ungwan Musa and Zariyawa among others. Read Also: Police Kill 250 High-Profile Suspected Terrorists In Kaduna He says but for the intervention by security personnel on land and in the air, the situation would have been worse. El Rufai says his government is not and will never negotiate with bandits. He advocates their prompt elimination when they are identified. The locals say the bandits came on Sunday morning heavily armed. McMillions Episode 5 Season 1 Episode 5 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Photo: HBO There are no free lunches, but there may be some brownies hidden somewhere. Does that make any sense? No, that makes no sense. And Ive been staring at it for 15 minutes. So lets try this one, from Sam Elliotts opening narration in The Big Lebowski: Course I cant say Ive seen London, and I aint never been to France. And I aint never seen no queen in her damned undies, so the feller says. But Ill tell you what after seeing Los Angeles, and this here story Im about to unfold, well, I guess I seen somethin every bit as stupefyin as youd see in any of them other places. Thats more the spirit of McMillions as it starts to wind down with arrests, denials, and confessions and a mass reckoning the fifth episode. There is no moral to the story, despite the best efforts of Marsha Derbyshire, Jerry Jacobsons fourth ex-wife, to offer some hidden brownies worth of insight. The truth is that white-collar frauds are perpetrated all the time and free lunches are consumed in broad daylight look no further than the absence of prosecutions or consequences for Wall Street after the economy was blown up in 2008. And even when someone like Jacobson gets caught with brownie crumbs cascading from his mouth, the fallout is so wide-ranging in its collateral damage that you wonder if justice was served at all. Its a weird, messy, screwed-up case that defies any one explanation. Stupefyin. And yet its not that screwed up, at least from the perspective of the professionals in Jacksonville who locked it down. Save for the astonishing mishap of faxing a 20-to-30-page summary of the case to the Greenville News, rather than the Greenville FBI office, theres no doubt the FBI locked down the evidence and coordinated arrests in an exceptionally methodical way. The coordination with McDonalds security paid off. The Shamrock Productions sting paid off. The wiretaps paid off. And finally, the surveillance of an actual money-for-game-piece exchange between Jacobson and Dwight Baker put the finishing touches on the case. They may not know how Jacobson stole the pieces, but there could be no doubt of his guilt or the guilt of others involved in the scheme. The accounts of how all the different players reacted to their arrests are revealing of character. Of the winners, Gloria Brown is perhaps the most sympathetic a million-dollar winner whose cut of the loot was a measly $10,000 a year and the intimidation and threats of a bona fide New York City gangster. Shes relieved to have unburdened herself and been rewarded the privilege of staying at home, rather than getting hauled off to jail. Jacobson and A.J. Glomb, who could both be described as career criminals, were bound to deny the charges or bottle up entirely until lawyers could mediate on their behalf. And then theres certified piece of work Robin Colombo, in prison for a separate fraud, showing absolute disrespect for the FBI (You dont know who youre messing with!) until a change in her custody status has her singing like a canary. Until now, McMillions has been a fabulously entertaining, news-of-the-weird-type story, with its ever-expanding spiders web of co-conspirators, dupes, and lowlifes and at least one extremely excitable FBI guy. And the question of who was really hurt by this scam made it go down easier: Are we to feel sorry for McDonalds, a corporation that made untold millions from the Monopoly promotion regardless of whether it was on the level? Or McDonalds customers, who surely never expected to win big against such long odds anyway? Outside of Brown and maybe George Chandler, is there anyone on the criminal side whos really drawing much sympathy here? It hasnt seemed that way, which has helped make the show such a pleasurable yarn. But in this fifth episode, we learn that McDonalds naturally had to pull its business from Simon Marketing, the agency responsible for running the Monopoly game, in order to restore trust with its customers. And we also learn that Simon Marketing isnt some rinky-dink ma-and-pa operation but a global business of enough magnitude to get publicly traded on the stock market. When the FBI turned up to raid its offices and McDonalds severed all ties, the vast majority of its business and nearly all of its stock value were lost in an instant, which effectively shuttered the entire operation within a year. (Kraft and Philip Morris backed out of Simon, too.) Hundreds of jobs were lost due to one mans greed, and its hard not to wonder if the world would be a better place had the FBI chosen not to open Pandoras Happy Meal. But open it they did, and now the unraveling is happening in earnest. The only two big unanswered questions are these: How did Jacobson get the winning game pieces? And whos the informant? On the first question, Jacobson himself is giving nothing, which has the effect of putting additional scrutiny on the Dittler Brothers printing operation and its potentially lax security measures. On the second question, the documentary is teasing an answer it suggests it knows, leaving a cliffhanger for the final hour. Frank Colombo plays along by teasing out the fact that nothing would have happened without the informant. Robin Colombo isnt the type to be coy about anything. She thinks Frank did it. Chance Cards: Having Jared Jacobson, Jerrys son from his second marriage, offer testimony against his father isnt essential to the overall scope of the case, but its a useful window into how Uncle Jerry operated. That Jared had any relationship with his father at all is owed to Jerrys failure to pay child support, which led him to spend a few summers with his dad up in Atlanta when he was a teenager. This is definitely going to put the nail in the coffin for our relationship, says Jared. And you know? Im okay with it. Last weeks tease of Dwight Bakers sister-in-law potentially fleeing with a winning game piece turns out to be a red herring. This type of misdirection can work in fiction features, but it feels cheap in the documentary. The FBI is extremely lucky that the Greenville News didnt report out on the story. A scoop that gigantic doesnt fall into a journalists lap that often. (And why in the world would a newspaper be on speed dial anyway? How often does the FBI need to fax papers to the Greenville News?) Doug Mathews is the obvious breakout character of McMillions, but can a second spinoff documentary be produced about A.J. Glomb, too? Hes like a character out of a Carl Hiaasen novel. Jacobson has been given a Go to Jail card. What a gift this story must have been for headline writers and news broadcasters. VULTURE NEWSLETTER Keep up with all the drama of your favorite shows! Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. WHO medics, supplies arrive in Iran to fight coronavirus 03/03/20 Source: Iran Daily The World Health Organization on Monday sent its first planeload of assistance to Iran to help fight coronavirus, dispatching six medics with tons of medical equipment and test kits aboard a UAE military aircraft. "Today's flight will carry 7.5 tons of medical equipment and supplies, primarily the critical items needed for infection prevention and control to support health care workers in Iran," said Robert Blanchard from the WHO in Dubai. Official Iran's statistics on coronavirus as of March 3rd Infections: 2336 Deaths: 77 Recovered: 535 As the supplies worth more than $300,000 - including gloves, surgical masks and respirators - were loaded onto the United Arab Emirates military transport plane in Dubai, Blanchard warned that global supplies were running low. "What we see now is that demand has greatly exceeded our available stocks... and we are struggling to get access to more supplies." The six-member medical team is made up of doctors, epidemiologists and laboratory specialists who will help the Islamic Republic detect and control the virus, Blanchard said, adding it has been the first WHO team to be sent to Iran since the crisis began. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in Geneva that the team will review measures to deal with the outbreak and provide technical guidance. WHO operations manager Nevien Attalla said some 15,000 health workers in Iran would benefit from the supplies which were the "first big shipment which supports the response to coronavirus." The UAE provided the military transport plane for the flight to Tehran. The plane landed in the Iranian capital's Imam Khomeini Airport later in the day. So far, 129 cases have been confirmed across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, many of them pilgrims returning from Iran. "Aid should reach all people," Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, the UAE's undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, said at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport. European offer The British Foreign Office said on Monday Britain, Germany, and France have offered a five-million-euro (5.6-million-dollar) package to Iran to help fight coronavirus in the country. The trio would provide the support through WHO or other UN agencies, it said in a statement. Death toll jumps Iran on Monday raised its coronavirus death toll to 66 - the highest outside China - with 1,501 confirmed cases. "The definite latest numbers we have are 523 new infections and 12 new deaths so the total number of those infected is 1,501 until now and the number of deaths is 66," Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raeisi announced on television. In two days, the number of confirmed cases more than doubled. Raeisi said Iran's Armed Forces and the all-volunteer Basij force stood ready to mobilize 300,000 troops to help combat the virus. Already, military vehicles have been spraying disinfectant on streets in major cities. Those troops would help sanitize public areas and run down leads on who infected people had contacted before falling ill, Raeisi said. The new deaths include a member of the Expediency Council who had fallen sick from the new coronavirus. Mohammad Mirmohammadi died at a north Tehran hospital on Monday at the age of 71, becoming the first top official to succumb to the illness. He previously served as the head of the presidency under former presidents Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, now the country's Leader. Mirmohammadi's mother had died of the coronavirus in recent days as well, Iranian media reported. The 45-member Expediency Council advises the Leader, as well as settles law-making disputes between Parliament and the Guardian Council, Iran's constitutional body that also oversees the country's elections. Mirmohammadi's death comes as other top officials have contracted the virus in Iran. Those sick include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar and Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi. 'Difficult weeks ahead' Government spokesman Ali Rabiei, who addressed journalists by teleconference over concerns about the virus said Iran "will have two difficult weeks ahead." Rabiei said containing the epidemic is currently the country's top priority. He said despite suffering an initial shock, the country soon regained control over the overall situation, and hailed that the Iranian people in various sectors for enhancing their cooperation with one another and with the administration in the face of the predicament. The country has set up 107 new workshops tasked with making up for the shortage of disinfectants and sanitary items, Rabiei said. The production of nanomasks for hospital staff will reach a daily 300,000 by the end of the week, the official said, noting that all the machinery required for manufacturing the item existed inside the country. Rabiei also noted that experts with the Ministry of Defense had helped develop the testing kits used for diagnosing the infection. The country, he added, had kick-started efforts to manufacture around 1.5 million facemasks per day. It has also begun distributing imported masks among the public. The official noted that more than 1.2 million masks hoarded across the country have been confiscated. More than 700 pharmacies have been assigned by the Health Ministry for countrywide sales and distribution of facemasks and hand sanitizers, he said, and put the volume of domestic alcohol production at 400,000 liters per day. Rabiei said given its stockpiles of imported goods, the country currently faced no shortage of staples. He also said the government had begun addressing the economic losses that had been suffered since the onset of the outbreak. "What we seek to do is not only to put this monumental scourge behind us, but also to enhance the level of the country's overall health situation in its aftermath," Rabiei said. He hailed the Islamic Republic for being one of the most transparent countries in providing facts and figures since the start of the outbreak, as opposed to certain countries, which have withheld information due to political and economic reasons. The official said the Islamic Republic would willingly accept help from all countries to deal with the situation except "the dishonest states," referring to Washington's recent alleged offer of assistance. He mentioned Washington's enforcement of severe economic pressure and currency impediments against Iran as it alleges readiness to help the Islamic Republic. Crackdown on hoarders Iran's Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeisi said some people had begun stockpiling medical supplies for profit in the country, urging prosecutors to show "no mercy for hoarders." "Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people's lives and it is not ignorable," Raeisi said. Raeisi also urged officials to grant "maximum" leave to prisoners. AFP, AP, Reuters, and Press TV contributed to this story. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) Bribery and corruption in the Philippines have spiked in the last two years, with a fifth of businesses saying they were made to pay grease money, a global survey disclosed. A study done by PricewaterhouseCoopers, or PwC, showed that 42 percent of companies reported experiencing fraud in the past two years, losing anywhere between $5 million and $50 million (about 254 million to 2.54 billion) since 2018. A total of 101 businesses were covered by the survey, which involved a balanced mix of local firms and multinational companies. Of them, 43 percent said they have encountered fraud at least twice, while a tenth claimed they experienced such incidents over six to 12 times. In 2018, the London-based business consulting firm recorded that 54 percent of Philippine-based businesses encountered fraud, but that came from a study covering just 63 companies. According to PwCs Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey 2020, asset misappropriation was the most common form of fraud, accounting for 52 percent of the cases. This went against the global decline in instances that involve tinkering with records to profit from company property. Meanwhile, 21 percent of firms operating in the country said they have been asked to pay a bribe. It added that 14 percent of respondents claimed they "lost a business opportunity" because their competitor paid grease money to get ahead. "This is concerning as businesses operating in the Philippines may be more likely to contemplate paying bribes as a feasible option to take in order to win business opportunities against competitors," read the report published Tuesday. Other major issues among industries were customer fraud (24 percent), procurement fraud (21 percent), cybercrime (19 percent), and deceptive business practices (19 percent), the study revealed. In contrast, customer fraud and cybercrime were the biggest threats reported globally. PwC noted that more cybercrime threats are emerging as technology evolves, going beyond the usual fake emails, online scams, and identity theft. Now, some fraudsters use digital channels for unauthorized money transfers and payments, as well as to make fake purchases online. READ: Citing money laundering risks, policy lapses, senator eyes suspending POGOs in PH This result matches the Philippines' fall in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index, which showed that illegal deals worsened in 2019. Nonprofit Transparency International placed the Philippines at 113th of 180 countries in battling graft and corruption, down 14 notches the previous year. The country scored 34 two points lower than in 2018 in a scale of zero to 100, with zero as highly corrupt and 100 as very clean. Based on PwC's findings, a company loses an average of $100,000 (about 5 million) in each incident. "Aside from these, there are losses that may have a long-term impact and may be almost immeasurable such as loss of public trust, damage to the brand, low employee morale, and credit loss," it said. About 38 percent of the time, the culprit behind these illegal schemes are rogue employees "acting badly at night." The biggest cases were created by people working in the company for decades, PwC said, citing the $81-million Bangladesh bank heist which went through the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, where a branch manager was found guilty of money laundering. Meanwhile, outsiders like vendors and hackers are the biggest perpetrators out to cheat a company to get their money. Recently, Senator Richard Gordon revealed that Chinese nationals who arrived in the country from December to February brought in $180 million in cash, which he wants the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to probe. READ: Customs, anti-money laundering body to probe influx of foreign bucks in PH Despite these issues, PwC acknowledged gains made by the Philippines in terms of digitization which helps boost safeguards against fraud. It added that provisions in the Bank Secrecy Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) hamper investigators from getting full evidence to catch a fraudster. The Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering recently rated the Philippines with a "relatively strong" legal framework to combat dirty money, but pointed out "serious risks of financial crime" amid gaps in local laws. The body recommended changes to the AMLA and the Human Security Act, particularly to include tax crimes and allow the AMLC to impose financial sanctions, have subpoena powers, and retain forfeited assets. RELATED: IMF wants tax evaders also charged for money laundering The group gave the Philippines until October 2020 to make these adjustments. Failure to do so could mark the country's return to the "gray list," which could mean tighter regulations for financial transactions involving foreign partners. Another three COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the UK this morning, including the first one in Wales, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 19. The Department of Health and Social Care said the virus in the two new cases in England had been contracted in Iran and the patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres at the Royal Free Hospital. The Welsh patient was infected in northern Italy before heading to the UK. The UK Chief Medical Officer has raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate. The latest guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England suggests returning travellers should call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people immediately if they have come to the UK from China, Iran or northern Italy. To reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in the UK, the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been put in place. It suggests keeping individuals in isolation where there is a reasonable risk an individual may have the virus. (Tianxing Bai) An Army helicopter made a "precautionary landing" in an agriculture field in Balesar near here on Tuesday, an official said. After making some necessary checks, the Chetak helicopter flew back to an Army base in Jodhpur, defence spokesperson Sombit Ghosh said. The chopper was on its way to Jaisalmer when the pilot noticed some indication on the control panel. He made a precautionary landing in Belwa of Balesar subdivision of Jodhpur, Ghosh said. There was no serious technical or mechanical issue with the helicopter, Ghosh said, adding that the aircraft flew back to Jodhpur after 20 minutes. The chopper had four Army officers onboard, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (HealthDay)Including travel history in patients' medical records could help slow the spread of coronavirus and future infectious outbreaks, two experts say. Adding travel history to routine information such as temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in patients' electronic medical records could help put a patient's symptoms in context for health care providers, they explained. "The current outbreak is an opportune time to consider adding travel history to the routine. The COVID outbreak is clearly moving at a tremendous pace, with new clusters appearing daily," said Dr. Trish Perl, chief of infectious diseases and geographic medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She wrote a commentary with Dr. Connie Savor Price, from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "This pace is a signal to us that it is a matter of time before we will see more of these infections in the U.S.," Perl said in a UT Southwestern news release. "What is different with this outbreak is that this virus is more fit and transmissible and hence there has been much more transmission." If appropriate, travel history could lead doctors to gather more information, conduct further tests, and quickly order protective measures for patients' families, coworkers or other daily contacts, and health care personnel. Also, travel history in electronic health records can be integrated with computerized decision-making to suggest specific diagnoses in recent travelers, the researchers said. Their article appears in the March 3 Annals of Internal Medicine. "We have the infrastructure to do this easily with the electronic medical record, we just need to implement it in a way to make it useful to the care teams," said Perl, who studies outbreaks and pandemics. "Once the infrastructure is built, we'll also need to communicate what is called 'situational awareness' to ensure that providers know what geographic areas have infections so that they can act accordingly," she added. The emergence of new infectious respiratory diseases in recent decades, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), highlight the need for health care providers to know patients' travel history. "MERS and SARS were associated with very specific travel. MERS was associated with travel to the Arabian Peninsula, and SARS was associated with travel primarily to Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing," Perl said. "Currently COVID is similar in that there are geographic clusters, but those lines may be blurring as the outbreak expands," she said. "The challenges and potential stress on the public health infrastructure, including the hospitals which are part of this, will be notable in that we could see large numbers of patients," Perl said. "Our role will not only be to care for these patients but to communicate to them the strategies that they can use to protect themselves." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the coronavirus Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. There are 1,357 delegates at stake on Super Tuesday in the Democratic presidential primary, spanning 14 states and one territory. That makes up about one-third of the 3,979 pledged delegates nationwide, only 155 of which have been allocated so far. The biggest day of the 2020 Democratic primary is arriving at a critical moment in the race. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared poised to build an unassailable lead on Tuesday over Joe Biden, his top rival in Texas and nationally, before the former vice president decisively won in South Carolina and consolidated the partys moderate wing Monday. Nearly half the Super Tuesday delegates will come from two states: California, which has 415 delegates, and Texas, whose 228 delegates represents the third-biggest prize in the country (behind New Yorks 274). Lets unpack how Texas will allocate its delegates. SUPER TUESDAY: Follow the Chronicle's coverage of all the important races as the results come in How many delegates does Texas have and where do they come from? Texas will send 261 delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, and 228 of those will be awarded based on the results of Tuesdays primary. An additional 33 superdelegates Texas 20 members of the Democratic National Committee and 13 members of Congress may vote for any candidate at the convention. The party diminished the influence of superdelegates and rebranded them as automatic delegates following a turbulent nominating process in 2016. Now, superdelegates may only weigh in during a contested convention, which ensues if nobody secures a majority of the 3,979 pledged delegates. Of Texas 228 pledged delegates, 149 are allocated based on results within the state's 31 Senate districts. The other 79 are determined by the statewide vote. Candidates who fail to reach 15 percent in a district are ineligible to receive any delegates from that district. And those who miss the 15 percent threshold statewide walk away without any of the 79 statewide delegates. How are Texas district-level delegates allocated? The number of delegates in each state Senate district varies based on Democratic voter turnout in the 2016 presidential and 2018 gubernatorial races. More delegates are generally at stake in districts that lean heavily Democratic. Senate District 14, anchored in Austin, has the most delegates with 10. Senate Districts 28 and 31 in west Texas have two delegates, the fewest. In the Houston area, Senate District 13 represented by state Sen. Borris Miles, a Democrat has the most delegates, with seven. Districts 15 and 17, represented by Houston state senators John Whitmire, a Democrat, and Joan Huffman, a Republican, each have six delegates. And four delegates are up for grabs in state Sen. Carol Alvarados Senate District 6. In each district, the delegate pool will get divided proportionally among the candidates who receive at least 15 percent of the vote. For instance, say Candidate A receives 40 percent of the vote, Candidate B receives 30 percent and everyone else finishes with less than 15 percent, meaning they dont get any delegates. In this case, the qualifying candidates combined for 70 percent of the vote. Candidate A would take 57 percent of the delegates calculated by dividing 40 by 70 while Candidate B would receive 43 percent. Vox has a breakdown of the process for rounding delegate counts when a candidate ends up with a fraction of a delegate. What about the statewide delegates? This one is far more simple. Texas 79 statewide delegates will be awarded proportionally to the candidates who clear the 15 percent threshold for the entire state. The 79 delegates include 49 at-large delegates and 30 party leaders and elected officials, or PLEO delegates. Though both types of statewide delegates are awarded proportionally, the allocation is performed separately for each batch, meaning the distribution could be slightly different depending on how the rounding plays out. Which candidates are expected to receive at least 15 percent of the vote? Biden and Sanders are all but certain to clear 15 percent statewide, with both candidates approaching or surpassing 30 percent in recent polls. Things are far less certain for former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Bloomberg has received at least 15 percent in eight of the last 10 Texas polls, with an average of 17.4 percent, according to RealClearPolitics. In the same 10 polls, Warren averaged 13.6 percent support and cleared the 15 percent threshold four times. In the two most recent polls, which account for South Carolina results, Bloomberg received 20 and 16 percent, while Warren was at 15 and 14 percent. It becomes far more complicated to consider how the state Senate districts might play out. A forecast late afternoon Monday by FiveThirtyEight projects Biden, Sanders and Bloomberg will reach 15 percent in all 31 districts, with Warren clearing the threshold in several. What happens if Pete Buttigieg or Amy Klobuchar win delegates? On Sunday, former South Bend, Ind. mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic primary, followed Monday by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Both candidates were virtually certain to receive less than 15 percent of the statewide vote, according to recent polls. In the unlikely case that Buttigieg or Klobuchar receive district-level delegates in Texas, those delegates would back the candidate on the first ballot at the party convention, even though the candidate had dropped out. Buttigieg and Klobuchar both endorsed Biden Monday. But their hypothetical pledged Texas delegates could support whoever they want if there is a second round of voting at the convention. [March 03, 2020] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN) on Behalf of Investors Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Align Technology, Inc. ("Align" or the "Company") (NYSE: ALGN) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your Align investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information here or contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, via email [email protected] or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On July 24, 2019, Align announced its financial results for the scond quarter of 2019, revealing significantly declining sales volumes for its Invisalign products and drastically reducing its growth projections for the third quarter and full year of 2019. The Company's Chief Executive Officer attributed the decline "to softness in China related to a tougher consumer environment." On this news, the Company's share price fell, $74.26, or over 26%, to close at $200.90 per share on July 25, 2019, thereby injuring investors. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding Align should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email [email protected]. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in a number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg (News - Alert) Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005993/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] - Rising efficacy of treatments to treat severe burn wounds, and reduced mortality rates remains the key driver for growth in the burn injury treatment market - The Burn Injury Treatment Market was valued at US$ 2.6 bn in 2018, and is projected to grow at 5.0% CAGR during 2019-2027 ALBANY, New York, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The risks of HAI (hospital-acquired infection) remain an integral risk to injury treatment for patients with burn injuries. Burn patients with bloodstream infections remain at highest risk of mortality during hospitalization. Additionally, effective integrated care, and appropriate infection control promises to bring down the mortality. The Burn Injury Treatment Market will likely to reach valuation of US$4.0 bn by 2027. According to TMR analysts, the growing demand for minimally-invasive procedures for rising elderly patients, and means such as antibiotics, and ointments promise major relief for patients with second-degree burns. The growing move towards skin grafting is also apparent in the burn injury treatment market, wherein third-degree burns are often treated with synthetic skin treatment. On the other hand, intravenous antibiotics are deployed immediately for treating severe burns to large parts of body. The burn injury market also promises opportunities for innovation in the area of native tissue cells, which are created using plant cells, and can mimic the human body. Read Detailed TOC of the Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/73694 Key Drivers in the Burn Injury treatment Market According to the World Health Organization, 2, 65,000 deaths occur every year due to burns. The report also notes that a majority of these are preventable with proper treatment. Moreover, the report also notes that most of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries. The rising access to healthcare treatments promises new opportunities for growth in the developing world in near future. The rising awareness about personal hygiene, and infections will drive significant demand for wound care products in near future. The market continues to witness a growing cases of burn injuries, driving demand for injury treatment products. The rate of adoption, and the affordability of high-end critical burn injury products promises new opportunities for growth in the burn injury treatment market. The North America region remains a key prospect in the burn injury treatment market. The large cases of vehicle-related accidents, and growing environmental calamities drove 4, 86,000 burn victims to hospitals during 2011-2015. The availability of highly effective, and advanced treatment options, and penetration of quality healthcare will promise more opportunities for growth in the burn injury treatment market in near future. Explore a 227 pages report with detailed research, incisive insights, and in-depth country levels estimations. Gain business intelligence on global burn injury treatment Market by (Product: Wound Care Dressings, Wound Care Devices, Biological Products, Medications; Degree of Burn: First-degree Burns, Second-degree Burns, Third-degree Burns; Treatment Type: Medications, Traditional Dressings, Advanced Dressings, Surgeries, Others; End User: Hospitals, Clinics, Home Care Settings, Others) Download a PDF Brochure of the report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=73694 Major Restraints for Growth for Players in the Burn Injury Treatment Market High costs of burn injury preventive infection treatment remains a major barrier to growth in emerging regions. The high costs of preventive care, and limited access to facilities which can provide complete isolation for victims with severe burns is another major barrier to growth. This will likely keep the rate of adoption in emerging countries low during the forecast period. Unfavourable reimbursement policies often become a major restraint for preventive care. Among these, the specialised complex care often requires new reimbursement guidelines, and current policies promise to remain a major challenge for adoption of new procedures. Growing preferences of patients in countries like the United States toward outpatient settings remains a major challenge for growth. The high-costs of hospitalization, and concerns regarding reimbursement policies emerge as major challenges to growth in the burn injury treatment market. Key Advancements and Opportunities in the Burn Injury Treatment Market Tissue generation technology remains a promising prospect in the burn injury treatment market. The technology has achieved many key milestones, despite its limitations. Additionally, new products like Cryoskin, and Epicel act as much needed bioactive materials in dressings. Recently, immune rejection among patients has emerged as a major concern, thanks to rising chronic illnesses like cancer, HIV, among others. This has resulted in significant demand for ECM, and Cytokines to provide skin-generation therapies. On the other hand, collagen-based products promise robust opportunities for growth during the forecast period. The segment is expected to account for $US276 million in 2027. The growing demand for compatible skin compositions, and poor mechanical efficiencies of collagens promise significant growth for synthetic materials for better skin-regeneration treatment options. Burn injury treatment 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. Competitive Landscape: Burn Injury Treatment Market The key players in the burn injury treatment market are keen to focus on product innovations. Some key players in the market include ntegra LifeSciences Corporation, Cardinal Health, Molnlycke Health Care AB, Essity Aktiebolag, Smith & Nephew plc. The global burn injury treatment market has been segmented as follows: Burn Injury Treatment Market by Product Wound Care Dressings Antimicrobial Dressings Hydrocolloid Dressings Hydrogel Dressings Film Dressings Foam Dressings Alginate Dressings Other Dressings Wound Care Devices Thermal Burn Therapy Devices Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Ultrasound Therapy Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Biological Products Collagen Skin Grafts Flaps Medications Burn Creams and Ointments Anti-infective Drugs Painkillers and Anti-anxiety Medications IV-Fluids & Therapeutic Peptide Nutrition Degree of Burn First-degree Burns Second-degree Burns Third-degree Burns Treatment Type Medications Traditional Dressings Advanced Dressings Surgeries Others End User Hospitals Clinics Home Care Settings Others Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Healthcare industry: Hospital Acquired Infection Treatment Market - According to Transparency Market Research's latest report on the global hospital acquired infection treatment (HAI) market for the historical period 2017-2018 and forecast period 2019-2027, unhygienic conditions and improper sterilization treatment, lack of surveillance systems for HAIs, high susceptibility of neonatal population, and rising geriatric population are projected to drive the global hospital acquired infection treatment (HAI) market during the forecast period Hydrogel Dressings Market - Improving health care infrastructure, advancements in remote monitoring technologies in case of advanced wound care products, rising government initiatives with an objective of improving awareness about diagnosis and treatment among patients with diabetes, and significant focus of major market players on offering cost-effective products in order to improve the quality of patients' lives are some of the major factors projected to drive the global hydrogel dressings market during the forecast period. Tissue Regeneration Market Tissue regeneration is replacement or repair of tissue which is damaged or diseased by regrowing or replacing it. Congenital diseases, defects, and tissue damage due to diseases drives the need of tissue regeneration. This technique involves tissue engineering process which maintains, restores, and improves damaged tissue function. The tissue regeneration process helps in increasing the life expectancy of patients by replacing the damaged organs, including kidneys. Gain access to Market Ngage, an AI-powered, real-time business intelligence that goes beyond the archaic research solutions to solve the complex strategy challenges that organizations face today. With over 15,000+ global and country-wise reports across 50,000+ application areas, Market Ngage is your tool for research on-the-go. From tracking new investment avenues to keeping a track of your competitor's moves, Market Ngage provides you with all the essential information to up your strategic game. Power your business with Market Ngage's actionable insights and remove the guesswork in making colossal decisions. About Us Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals. Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories. TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision." Contact Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1085206/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg Adobe Summit is now live Each year, we look forward to hosting our customers, partners and employees from around the world at Adobe Summit and Magento Imagine to talk about the future of customer experience, unveil the latest product and platform innovations, and get inspired together as a community. Over the past few weeks, we have been closely monitoring and evaluating the situation around COVID-19 to ensure we are taking the necessary measures to protect the health and wellbeing of Adobe Summit attendees. As a result, we have made the difficult but important decision to make Summit/Imagine 2020 an online event this year and cancel the live event in Las Vegas. While we are disappointed that we will not be together in-person with our community this year, we are excited to host Adobe Summit as an online experience. At least 3.8 million U.S. homes lie in flood plains. Together, they may be overvalued by $34 billion. New research published today in a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper shows that markets fail to incorporate risks from flooding and climate-related catastrophes. Losses from extreme weather events are rising, a function mostly of people and wealth becoming more concentrated where theyre most vulnerable. If home prices more accurately reflected risk, the researchers say, thered most likely be less development in flood plains. The additional risk created by these investments is likely growing due to climate change and the long-lived nature of housing and infrastructure, write Miyuki Hino of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Marshall Burke of Stanford. Such concerns extend to other climate hazards as well: both flood-prone and fire-prone locations have experienced substantial development in recent years. This new study has not been released into a vacuum: Last week, a joint hearing between the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittees on investigations and oversight and on the environment looked at how to improve the science and communication of flood-risk to property owners. The U.S. government already promotes awareness by publishing maps showing what areas of the country face a flood risk greater than 1% in any given year. Flood plain homes bought with federally backed mortgages must be insured. But researchers disagree on the extent to whichor in some cases, ifhomes rise or fall in value when theyre zoned in or out of a flood plain. To help address that question, the authors of the NBER paper have assembled what they say is the first nationwide look at the effect of flood plain designations on property values. While the scope of the paper is broad, the data are quite granular: the flood plain often splits houses on the same block or divides one side of the street from another, Hino and Burke write. Once theyd compiled a database of flood plain maps going back to 1996, they compared that with detailed proprietary data on real-estate transactions. This allowed them to compare the prices of individuals houses as their flood plain status changed over time. Making sure buyers are aware of climate risk helps close the valuation gap. Very few buyers would know about flood risk before they make their offer, the studys authors write. Just a few states require sellers to disclose how much they pay in flood insurance. Low-lying Louisiana is singled out in the paper for having an extremely comprehensive policy, mandating that sellers disclose if a house has ever flooded, is in a flood zone, carries flood insurance, has ever had federal flood-related assistance, and more. Commercial buyers are generally much more adept at sussing out that information, and therefore tend to pay amounts that are more aligned with climate risk. Their research has implications well beyond the real estate marker, Hino and Burke add. Home-buying is far from the only kind of transaction where sellers may have more information than buyers. Recent proposals that require corporations to disclose climate risk, for instance, are critical for enabling investments in resilient assets, the authors write, and ultimately limiting damages in a changing climate. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Take for example, Vietnams trade relationship with China, one of its closest neighbors. China is today the second biggest economic power in the world, and Vietnam shares a 1,281 km border with China on the north and therefore cross border trade with China has developed strongly over the years. Hence, if trade policies are square and fair, both countries would naturally benefit, especially as they lie in such close proximity to each other. However, in the current scenario the shock waves being felt in Chinas economy are reverberating deep into Vietnams economy as well. The Covid-19 epidemic has now affected China's economic growth severely which is taking an unfortunate turn for the worse and showing a drastic slowdown in GDP growth which showed an increase of only 6.1%, the worst index in the last three decades. Investment results are not indicating any significant improvement either and structural issues are still very serious. The outbreak of Covid-19 has seriously affected all aspects of the Chinese economy. In the first quarter of 2020, China's economy could suffer losses of upto Yuan 1,000 bn (more than USD 143 bn), which is around 1% of the country's GDP. The first economic casualty was the services industry where hotels, restaurants, transportation, amusement areas and all retail activities where hit immediately. Simultaneously, the losses facing manufacturing enterprises are also extremely worrisome as well and for some companies, the cumulative impact of this epidemic could be "the straw that broke the camel's back". The current difficulties and depression in the Chinese economy will seriously and significantly impact the Vietnamese economy too. Research from the bilateral inter-industry balance sheet between Vietnam and China shows that in Vietnam's intermediate costs, 8% of inputs are imported from China, while in China's intermediate costs only 0.1% of the input is imported from Vietnam. This partly shows that the relative importance of imported products from China for Vietnam's production is much larger than vice versa. Considering the factors affecting production and income, it shows that a households final consumption in Vietnam accounts for a higher proportion of gross value-added (GVA) than in China by upto 20% (56% compared to 36%), in return for final consumption in China which is 8% higher than Vietnam (14% and 6%). However, China's overall final consumption in the GVA is still quite low compared to Vietnam (50% versus 62%), while the proportion of net exports in GVA of Vietnam is higher than China. Thus, in order to achieve growth, China largely relies on capital, because the proportion of investment in GVA of China is very high at around 44% of GVA, while this rate in Vietnam is only 22% of GVA. If this situation continues for a long time, it can lead to a vulnerable economy when the revenue from ownership is in trouble and savings are smaller than investment. In general, the influence from the final demand to production value of China is higher than Vietnam. In particular, Vietnam's final demand stimulates China's production value which is much higher than China's final demand which stimulates Vietnam's production. For example, an increase of USD 1 mn in Vietnam's final demand generates USD 318,000 in production value in China, while an increase of USD 1 mn in China's final demand generates only USD 3,000 in production value in Vietnam. Vietnam's production uses few inputs which are domestically produced except electricity, water and service costs. Calculation of scenarios when there is trade vulnerability between the two countries shows that Vietnam is heavily affected. Assuming that a 10% reduction in imports from China will reduce Vietnam's GDP by 0.6%, imports from China decreased by 20% could result in Vietnam's GDP falling by 1.2%; and imports from China decreased by 50% could decrease Vietnam's GDP by approximately 3%. In all such events and scenarios, only if the Covid-19 epidemic is eradicated at the earliest, will Vietnams economy become less vulnerable. Translated by Hoa Nam Dr. Bui Trinh, Vietnam Economic Institute Who is Delhi's infamous Shahrukh Pathan? The gunman who had a notorious past India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 03: Shahrukh Pathan, who became infamous for gun-wielding photos during violence in Northeast Delhi, was arrested by the Delhi Police today. Shahrukh Pathan pointed gun at police on February 24 during violence in Delhi's Jaffrabad. He also fired three bullets in air at the time. He went missing soon after that as Delhi Police closed in to arrest him in subsequent days. Shahrukh Pathan was arrested on Tuesday by Police in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli. Speaking to reporters, Additional Commissioner of Police Ajit Kumar Singla said Shahrukh was inclined towards modeling and used to post TikTok videos. Singla said the police teams were trying to recover the pistol used by Shahrukh. The pistol was bought from Bihar's Munger two years back, police said. "He fired in a fit of rage," the official said. However, police said Shahrukh had no criminal background except a case of narcotics and fake currency registered against him. Shahrukh is a resident of street no. 5 of Arvind Nagar under Usmanpur police station of Jafrabad. Shahrukh went missing along with his family immediately after the February 24 incident. He roamed in Delhi for few days, and then went to Punjab then Bareilly and lived with his friend in Shamli. His father, Shawar Pathan, who came to Delhi in 1985, has been to jail on charges of drug peddling, according to Delhi Police. However, It is not yet known whether Shahrukh Pathan had a license for the pistol he pointed at the policeman. Delhi Police said that Shahrukh Pathan acquired gun from Munger in Bihar For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 18:49 [IST] Technavio has been monitoring the network security firewall market and it is poised to grow by USD 2.17 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 12% 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/20200302005769/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Huawei Investment Holding Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Juniper Networks Inc., Palo Alto Networks Inc. and SAP SE. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Advent of next-generation network security solutions has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Network Security Firewall Market is segmented as below: Deployment On-premises Cloud-based 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=IRTNTR40238 Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our network security firewall market report covers the following areas: Network Security Firewall Market size Network Security Firewall Market Trends Network Security Firewall Market Industry Analysis This study identifies growing demand for SMS firewalls as one of the prime reasons driving the network security firewall market growth during the next few years. Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the network security firewall market, including some of the vendors such as Huawei Investment Holding Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Juniper Networks Inc., Palo Alto Networks Inc. and SAP SE. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the network security firewall 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 Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist network security firewall market growth during the next five years Estimation of the network security firewall market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the network security firewall market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of network security firewall market vendors Table of Content PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Preface 2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Value chain analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market Outlook PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DEPLOYMENT Market segmentation by deployment Comparison by deployment On-premises Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Cloud-based Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by deployment PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Emergence of product launches Strategic partnerships and acquisitions among vendors Growing demand for SMS firewalls PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Cisco Systems, Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. Fortinet Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. Huawei Investment Holding Co. Ltd. International Business Machines Corp. Juniper Networks Inc. Palo Alto Networks Inc. SAP SE PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO 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/20200302005769/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 change.org petition is calling for the University of Washingtons campus in Seattle to be closed because of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city. There have been six deaths in the Seattle area from COVID-19, the disease caused by the Wuhan novel coronavirus, and Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency in Washington. The online petition was launched two days ago and has more than 15,000 signatures. We are asking Ana Mari Cauce, the president of the University of Washington Seattle, to close the campus to prevent the spreading of this virus, since this virus may lay dormant for two weeks or even more in some cases, the petition states. In classrooms, dining halls and during other crowded areas, the virus will inevitably infect people thus increasing the infection rate exponentially. The University of Washingtons website, updated Tuesday morning at 8:15 a.m., points out that no members of the UW community have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus and four have tested negative. The campus is operating as usual. The availability of coronavirus testing has been an issue in Washington state. Its only after a long, frustrating delay that were able to test patients, Washingtons senior U.S. senator, Patty Murray, said this morning. Cauce, the UW president, has said in a statement that the university is working with public-health officials to be as prepared as possible to protect the health of the UW community. The university is asking instructors to provide students with maximum flexibility during this time of uncertainty. The University of Washington Medical Center has begun coronavirus testing. On the change.org petition page, students are expressing their concerns and anxieties about the coronavirus spread. We do not sign this to get out of our school work, wrote one student. Online courses are workable and safe. We just want to be safe instead of putting ourselves and our parents in the position of choosing between our education and our health. -- Douglas Perry @douglasmperry Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. At the heart of Hong Kongs past year of protests is an emboldened nativism that portrays the Chinese Communist Party, and mainland Chinese people, as antithetical to the citys interests. At its worst, such nativism manifests in racist, dehumanizing rhetoricand a chilling schadenfreude over crises such as the COVID-19 outbreakimbued with thinly veiled colonialist nostalgia and a disparaging of mainland Chinese culture. It is in turn reciprocated by equally vehement anti-Hong Kong sentiments across the border, held by many on the mainland who view the protests as products of foreign interference. But while Hong Kongs democracy movement is guilty of harboring an extremist minority, for the more moderate majority nativism is a framework through which they can articulate a desire for more accountable and competent governance in Hong Kong, free from what they see as Beijings interference. Such sentiments culminate from a decade of increasing embitterment and mistrust between Hong Kong and Beijing. To be sure, Hong Kongs nativism is a reactionary ideology, as opposed to a comprehensive political vision. But it neednt be that way. Nativism in Hong Kong could be cosmopolitan and compassionate, and serve all parties under the One Country, Two Systems formula that governs Hong Kongs relationship with China. Reorienting governance around its citizens interests would call on Hong Kong leaders to capitalize on local talents, resources, and endowments in consolidating the enclaves international competitiveness and role in Chinese national politics. Through focusing on structural issues plaguing localsfrom bureaucratic inertia to lack of governmental accountability, socioeconomic immobility to stagnating economic developmentan unpopular administration could demonstrate to its citizens that further integration with China need not be at the expense of the citys distinct identity and culture. Nativism could also offer Beijing a much-needed way to balance reforming Hong Kongs governance while preserving national political stability. Story continues Moderate nativism stems from pragmatic realism. Consider, for instance, the recent COVID-19 outbreak. With unbearably long queuing times and bed-space shortages, the citys healthcare system was already overstretched. A dearth of well-trained, qualified doctors in the public sector, and limited foresight in planning, caught the city off-guard in the recent outbreak. Seen in this light, calls for the government to shut down borders and prioritize locals when it came to in hospital treatment were not solely politically motivatedthey were also practical. Despite the increasing volume of cross-border economic transactions and joint ventures since the resumption of Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, many Hongkongersparticularly the working and lower-middle classhave not seen improvements to their quality of life. Scarcity and speculation have made Hong Kongs housing market the worlds least affordable and social mobility has frozen in a city once famous for its rags-to-riches tales. Economic anxieties, and disillusionment with the governments apparent inability to address them, have underscored the shortcomings of a calcified political system. A group of Hong Kong independence supporters display flags during a pro-democracy rally at Edinburgh Place in the Central district of Hong Kong on January 12, 2020. | DALE DE LA REY/AFP via Getty Images Compounding these anxieties, the past several months of anti-government unrest, exacerbated by the administrations repeated publicity blunders, sluggishness in communication and consultation, and perceived pandering to Beijing, have left the population with little reason to think that they are valued by the citys leaders. Compassionate nativism could mean prioritizing the poor and working classes through establishing more robust safety nets or comprehensive vocational schemes for individuals who were born and have toiled most of their lives away in Hong Kong. It also means committing to treating Hongkongers as a separate and equally important stakeholder as Mainland China. From embracing the citys distinct cultural identity and language, to championing the citys virtuestransparency, freedom, and open-mindednessthe government can re-establish itself as the publics servant, as opposed to a cohort of rubber-stampers taking instructions from Beijing. Satisfying local needs calls for more than short-sighted cash hand-outs or materialistic enrichment: it also requires a celebration of the citys achievements and distinct political history. Should locals feel that their cultural identity could remain intact despite greater political proximity to China, their antagonism towards the foreign mainland immigrants will steadily decline over time. Through rigorously incorporating oppositional viewpoints into its governance, the administration could also convince a fundamentally moderate public that there is a viable alternative path under which Hong Kongs transition to becoming a semi-autonomous yet integrated part of China could take placedespite the territorys institutional and political differences from its northern sovereign. Hong Kongs value to the mainland lies with its internationally accredited legal and financial infrastructure, founded upon its high-quality human capital and independence from the mainlands political defects. If the public view the upholding of these institutions and their associated way of life as compatible with assimilation into China, popular support for risky secessionist movements will fall off. In contrast, pivoting away from them would inflict far greater uncertainty and collateral damage upon both the city and China at large. Bold yet necessary acknowledgment of Hong Kongs different way of life will be crucial to soothing local fears (certainly exaggerated) of an absolutist political takeover. In the long run, it would encourage more locals to embrace their northern compatriots with greater open-mindedness. By permitting a healthy variant of nativismjust as it already does for metropolises such as Shanghai, Chengdu, and GuangzhouBeijing will not only stifle the creep towards secessionism in Hong Kong, but also maximize the enclaves untapped potential in areas such as innovation, technology, and cultural production, all areas where it could contribute towards Chinas rise. A nativist outlook could energize and empower a new political establishment that speaks and hears the minds of Hongkongers yet can also connect with Beijing. Amid a global environment increasingly hostile towards China, Hong Kong is a valuable asset to Chinese growth, stability, and prosperity. Both Beijing and Hong Kong ought to recognize and embrace this fact. ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago was named to the all-tournament team at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. In two games, she scored 38 points and had eight rebounds. DANTE WILK, Westerly, Boys Basketball, Senior; Wilk was named MVP of the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament after the Bulldogs beat Chariho in the title game. Wilk had a combined 35 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in two tournament victories. TYLER LABELLE, Chariho, Boys Basketball, Junior; LaBelle scored 41 points in two games to earn all-tournament honors at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. LaBelle had 22 in a win against South Kingstown and 19 in a loss to Westerly. ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler, Girls Basketball, Senior; Hauptmann scored 32 points in two games in the Montville Christmas Tournament. She also had 20 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals. Vote View Results A senior Maoist, allegedly involved in several cases of killing of security forces in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, surrendered himself before the Bijapur police on Monday, the police said. Doctor Prashant Modiyam alias Sonu (25) was divisional committee member of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division and was active in Abujmaad (Chhattisgarh), Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) and Odisha. Sonu, one of the important cadre of the CPI (Maoist) in the region, surrendered in front of the Bijapur police claiming that he was disillusioned with the Maoist ideology, said inspector general of police, Bastar, Sunderaj P. The IG said the Maoist was a resident of Peddakorma village which comes under Bijapur district and started working for ultras when he was twelve-year-old. In 2007, Sonu was inducted as militia member and later 2008, he was selected as member of Platoon number 12 of Maoists, which was active in the region. Sonu was later inducted as doctor of divisional supply team and trained to provide medical help for Maoist supply team. In 2013, he was made a divisional committee member, the IG said. The police said that Sonu was involved in eight cases of violence, including killing of security forces and looting weapons in two states. Sonu is accused of killing five security personnel in Pamalvaya village in 2007, Nayagarh (Odisha) training quarters attack in 2009, in 2013 Bhejji (Sukma) attack, Konjologo attack of 2013 and other rebel attacks in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, the IG said. Sonu was given an encouragement amount of Rs 10,000 and he will be provided further assistance as per the Chhattisgarh governments surrender and rehabilitation policy, the police said. This is the second big surrender of a Maoist in the past one week. Senior Maoist leader and one of the members of the high-power divisional committee of north-Gadchiroli Division, Vilas alias Dasru Keye (44) surrendered to Gadchiroli police last Friday. Vilas, operating under the north-Gadchiroli division, bordering Chhattisgarh was involved in as many as 149 violent incidents. He carried a reward of Rs 9.50-lakh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nothing in life is free, the saying goes, and a college education is no different. That is why University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy urges a careful look at so-called free tuition, which is being discussed as a national remedy to the burden of college cost. Subbaswamy endorses paths to debt-free or low-debt college. Eliminating the cost to the student entirely, though, is not an all-encompassing elixir, he said. "If you are talking about free college, you really have to think closely about it. Debt-free or low-debt (solutions) are much more easily (related to) the equity discussion,'' he said. The chancellor was part of a panel that discussed a wide range of challenges facing students, faculty and institutions. The discussion, entitled Higher Education in a Time of Social Change took place Monday at UMass Furcolo Hall. It was hosted by the universitys College of Education and moderated by Professor Kathryn A. McDermott. Joining Subbaswamy on the panel were Greenfield Community College president Yves Salomon-Fernandez and Paul J. LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University. Subbaswamy warned that relying on government subsidies would mean the forfeiture of institutional control over finance, and would inevitably lead to underfunding. "If the government says they will pay, we know it will soon be capped. It will become an unfunded mandate. Im not sure a public research university can survive in the free-college model,' he said. "We have to be innovative in how we lower cost,'' he said, suggesting that a single pathway - notably the sweeping elimination of cost to the student - might be less preferable than a varied, nuanced strategy. LeBlanc echoed the belief that institutions must find ways to ease the crippling cost and resultant debt associated with higher education - without looking at so-called free college as an overnight solution. "Education is not free. Somebody is paying,'' LeBlanc said. Were having a discussion about free college that I never thought wed have. All the pressure is to drive down cost, but in (countries) that have had it, its been a mixed bag. LeBlanc said that attaching no personal or family cost to college risks devaluing it. "Because its free, you could have enormous numbers and terrible performance,'' he said. If Subbaswamys scenario of an eventual government cap on financial support squeezes the resources of institutions, that would seem more likely. Salomon-Fernandez similarly supports priorities that would ease cost and debt, but not by placing college education under a sweeping free umbrella. "Im not a big fan of universal free college. I think those who can pay, should pay,'' she said. She did say that without the next few decades, the United States would continue on the path to more diversity, making education equity more critical than ever before. Equally important will be the goal of retaining the nations place as a welcoming global center for talent and intellect. "We became a superpower because we were able to bring talent from all over the world here,'' she said. The panel discussion touched on other subjects, among them the need for higher administration figures to remain connected with students. Asked how he does so, Subbaswamy said, you make it a thing to have a selfie taken with you. That provoked laughter from the capacity crowd at Carney Auditorium. Turning serious, he said he made it a point to walk the campus without aides and staff members surrounding him. "Be where the students are - be accessible. I would be lost without that. We learn from them,'' he said. The chancellor expressed concern that mistrust between governments could choke the spirit of cooperation that he says is the lifeblood of research institutions. "The purpose of a land-grant institution such as UMass has changed. Globalization is a way of life,'' Subbaswamy said. Its natural for us to seek the international front. Doing research together - sending hard mail, writing papers together - has always been international. But today, everyone (internationally) is under scrutiny, especially with laboratory work and intellectual property." Subbaswamy described that as understandable and even defensible - unless it was carried too far. He warned that it does, it could unravel advances and practices that have produced benefits for the United States and the world since the 1800s. "If we dont tread carefully, it could have a very negative effect. I worry about that,'' he said. We must clean house - there are bad players and bad governments. But speaking in xenophobic terms goes against the entire American experience dating back to the Industrial Revolution. The panelists agreed on the need to strike a balance between online or university without walls education and traditional classroom teaching, where even the so-called sage on stage tradition of a professor lecturing to the class is being replaced by more creative student engagement strategies. A woman on Sunday took her own life after killing her daughter following the loss of Ksh.120,000 at an M-Pesa shop she was operating in Mwingi, Kitui County. Rose Joseph Kamba, 20, was reportedly conned out of the amount at the shop owned by her uncle, Christopher Musyoka. Mr Musyoka and his wife Teresia Mbaki said they left the deceased in their rented house as they went to church. However, upon returning home at around 2 pm, they found the door had been locked from the inside. After failing to gain entry, they reported the matter at Mwingi Police Station for help. The area OCS and police officers broke into the two bed-roomed house and found the body of Rose Kamba dangling on a rope from the ceiling of one of the bedrooms. The body Kambas two months old baby was found wrapped in a bedsheet in the same bedroom with fresh blood oozing from her nose. Police also recovered a suicide note on the bed indicating that Kamba killed herself after she was conned Ksh.120,000 at her uncles M-Pesa shop. She reportedly indicated that after she explained to him, he thought that she had stolen the money. Mwingi Central Sub-county Police Commander Police Mutuma said investigations are ongoing. The bodies of the deceased were moved to Mwingi Level IV Hospital mortuary. Joining the dots of the Pulwama terror attack, the NIA arrested a man and his daughter for helping Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Adil Ahmad Dar, who was hiding at their residence in South Kashmir. 40 CRPF personnel had died in the cowardly attack on February 14, 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district For helping and facilitating Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Adil Ahmad Dar, the one who rammed his car loaded with kilos of explosives into a CRPF convoy in February last year leading to the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel, a man and his daughter were arrested on Tuesday by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) from South Kashmir. The father and daughter have been identified as Peer Tariq and Insha, who helped the terrorist to hide before the attack. The investigating agency claimed that the video of Adil Ahmad Dar, shared by Jaish-e-Mohammad after the cowardly attack, was filmed at Tariqs residence. An official told the media that father and daughter had run to Jammu to seek their custody and now have been held by the NIA. The Pulwama attack was one of the deadliest attacks in recent times. To avenge the killings of 40 braveheart soldiers, India attacked JeMs training camps in Pakistans Balakot and annihilated everything. Reports said over 300 terrorists, who were trained near the LOC, were killed by the Indian Air Force. The retaliation was a clear message to the terror organizations that India wont remain silent if anyone tried to attack it. Although the government couldnt provide the exact number of terrorists killed, still the before and after satellite visuals proved the destruction caused by India. 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 Meanwhile, some of the voices from inside the country including the Opposition and the families of the Martyrs of the Pulwama attack had asked the Narendra Modi government to the public the exact number of terrorists killed with concrete proof. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App A man accused of first-degree murder admitted in court Monday he is a gun-toting crack dealer but denied he was a gang member who fatally shot an innocent man because he was on enemy turf in a west-end Toronto housing complex. Instead, Abdullahi Mohamed testified in Superior Court he and co-accused Trevaughan Miller were walking through Scarlettwood Court to do a drug deal when he thought he saw a man he knew as Biggs to whom he sold drugs to on consignment. Biggs was ignoring Mohameds attempt to collect $350, so Mohamed said he decided to fire a warning shot over his head to tell him he was serious about collecting the debt. I had a gun on me . . . I let out one shot . . . (that went) high and wide, Mohamed told jurors. After I let off the first shot . . . he turned around and said Hey, hold on, right away, (I knew) thats not Biggs voice . . . I realized it was the wrong person. The 24-year-old said as he panicked and turned to run away, Miller just started shooting, Mohamed said. The deceased was Nnamdi Ogba, 26, an electrical engineer from Brampton, who was walking to his car after visiting a friend on March 16, 2018. Ogba suffered five gunshot wounds to the back, legs and side fired from two handguns. Nine shell casings were found at the scene. How were you feeling (afterwards?), Sid Freeman, Mohameds lawyer, asked her client. Mohamed paused for several seconds. I was hoping he didnt get shot and . . . when I turned around to run, he (Ogba) was still standing, he said. Mohamed said he didnt go to Scarlettwood Court, near Scarlett Road and Lawrence Avenue West, to kill anyone. He was a good person, Mohamed said, after he learned who the victim was. It was just he . . . , Mohamed stuttered, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didnt deserve to die. At the time Mohamed said he was high on painkillers, weed and lean, pop infused with cough syrup. Mohamed identified himself, Miller and the alleged getaway driver, Abdirahman Islow, in survelliance video footage, key evidence in the week-old murder case. During cross-examination, Crown attorney Paul Zambonini suggested to Mohamed his story was a fabulist tale, that the three accused belong to C3 an alliance of three west-end Toronto street gangs with a long-standing beef with the Scarlettwood Crips. Mohamed denied he was in a gang. The jury has heard that some gang members will shoot the first person they see in rival neighbourhoods as a sign of power and to intimidate entire communities. Zambonini replayed some of the surveillance video capturing the shooting at a distance but acknowledged by Mohamed to be him and Miller firing guns and later the trio dancing, skipping and smiling in an elevator. That is you and your friends on the worst day of your life, after realizing you tragically killed an innocent man, the prosecutor said to Mohamed. Mohamed acknowledged he was laughing in the elevator at a joke, but added, Im not smiling. I see, youre sadly laughing, replied Zambonini. The Crown finished calling evidence Thursday. Miller, 24, and Islow, 29, did not testify. Closing arguments are expected later this week. Manama The Ministry of Health announced the registration of 9 new cases of coronavirus (Covid 19) to Bahraini and Saudi citizens coming from Iran through Dubai and Sharjah through Bahrain International Airport, bringing the total number of cases so far to 17 infected in the Kingdom. Ministry has confirmed that it performs the necessary checks for all travelers coming from the affected countries upon their arrival at Bahrain International Airport in the hall designated for this matter. The ministry indicated that the results of the analyzes that were made for the nine new cases confirmed that these cases were infected with the virus and that necessary measures were taken with the infected cases by transferring them immediately to Ibrahim Khalil Kano Health Center in Al-Salmaniya region, and isolating them to receive the necessary treatment and care. The Ministry of Health stated that the nine cases are of four female citizens coming from Iran via Sharjah and three citizens, two of them coming from Iran through Sharjah and one through Dubai, along with two Saudi women coming from Iran through Sharjah. Stressing that all new cases and all previously infected cases are subject to continuous follow-up and careful care by the specialized medical team, and that the accompanying patients were also removed for isolation as a precautionary measure after ensuring that they are not infected with the virus. The Ministry of Health noted that the infected cases arrived in the Kingdom before the issuance of the Civil Aviation Affairs decision to suspend all flights coming from Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport for 48 hours. The Ministry pointed out that, in coordination with the concerned authorities, it undertakes all necessary precautionary and preventive measures to combat the virus, whereby all arrivals to Bahrain International Airport suspected of contracting the virus are examined to ensure that they are not infected with it, and if symptoms appear on them, they are immediately transferred to treatment after confirming the results of the analysis, and isolating them in Centers designated according to the medical protocols against COVID 19, global guidelines and guidelines for the Gulf Health Council as recommended by the World Health Organization. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian-Georgian high-level talks in an extended format were held today in Tbilisi. Welcoming Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his delegation in Georgia, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said the two sides have a broad agenda of issues to discuss today. We will cover all the issues that are important both for the Armenian and the Georgian side. I want to highlight the issue of the democratic development of our countries and the regional peace. This is the base for the economic development of our states. All conflicts in the region should be solved peacefully, the Georgian PM said. He introduced Georgias aspirations of the Euro-Atlantic integration space, stating that that is the decision of their people. PM Gakharia said they welcome Armenias cooperation within the Eastern Partnership framework. As you said, the democratic development of our countries is the base for our security and economic development. I am confident that our meeting today will be one more step to move forward on the democratic path, the Georgian PM said at the meeting. In turn the Armenian PM said there is a huge potential in the relations of the two countries which is still not utilized. According to him, the complete utilization of this potential is a key part of their agenda. Pashinyan said Armenia and Georgia have numerous opportunities to raise the economic cooperation to a completely new level. In this regard democracy again has a vital significance. We respect Georgias aspirations for Euro-Atlantic space integration. Our countries have a little bit different visions on security systems. But I think that we have a common vision on our securities. Armenia cannot be a security threat for Georgia, and vice versa. Paying official visit to Georgia shortly after assuming the office of the prime minister for the first time I proposed to put this particular formula on the base of our future relations, the Armenian PM said. Pashinyan added that Armenia welcomes Georgia position according to which all conflicts should be solved exclusively peacefully. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Georgia today on an official visit. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Fifteen students from an all-girls private school in Baton Rouge came home two days early last week from a school-sponsored trip to Italy in hopes of avoiding exposure to the coronavirus, which has killed more than 50 people in that European country. The students, as well as two teachers and two more adult chaperones, are now spending two weeks at home to make sure they didnt contract the virus. The decision was made purely out of an abundance of caution, explained Mindy Averitt, a spokeswoman for St. Josephs Academy. +3 Coronavirus will spread to Louisiana, and a task force is ready, John Bel Edwards says Gov. John Bel Edwards has formed a task force of top state officials dedicated to responding to the coronavirus that has begun spreading acros The Catholic high school sent an email to parents late Monday afternoon, alerting them to the developments. Averitt said none of the 19 individuals on that trip are sick, none are showing signs of sickness, and the risk that they contracted anything while in Italy is very, very low. 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 But to make absolutely sure, students, as well as the adults, are to steer clear of the 3015 Broussard St. campus and wont be able to return until Friday, March 13. The two-week period is in keeping with guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control, though Averitt said the decision to impose that time away was the schools decision alone. Coronavirus affects Louisiana stock prices, supply chains; tourism industry keeping close eye Fears about the global impact of the coronavirus outbreak has hammered Louisiana stock prices, caused some businesses to adjust supply chains, The students will be away from the campus for a total of seven school days, but they will be expected to keep up with their schoolwork remotely during that period, Averitt said. St. Josephs Academy students regularly travel to foreign locales, including Italy. This one-week trip began Friday, Feb. 21 and ended last Thursday; the students were originally supposed to return this past Saturday. The original plan was to visit sites in northern Italy, where coronavirus is most prevalent, but the itinerary was changed to keep everyone in south Italy, Averitt said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 16:09:25|Editor: yhy Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The largest unnamed planet in the solar system has recently been named after the Chinese water god Gonggong by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This is the first and only dwarf planet in the solar system that has a Chinese name, according to the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences Tuesday. Gou Lijun, a researcher at the observatory, said the naming is an important event that will help Chinese astronomy gain global attention, as most dwarf planets are named after Greek and Roman mythical figures. "It will not only help promote a more international understanding of Chinese culture, including ancient myths, but also attract more Chinese astronomers and stargazers to pay attention to the 'Gonggong' planet," said Gou. The planet, coded 2007OR10, was discovered in 2007 by three astronomers on the far edge of the solar system, outside Neptune's orbit. It is one of the reddest celestial bodies found in the Kuiper Belt in the solar system, and it rotates around the sun in an elliptical orbit. Previous studies have predicted the presence of large amounts of water ice and methane on its surface. The official naming was produced through an online vote in 2019 launched by one of its discoverers. The three candidates were the Chinese water god Gonggong, the Germanic Winter Goddess Holle and the God Vili from Norse mythology. They are all mythological characters related to water, ice, snow and the color red. In the end, the Chinese water god, with red hair, the head of a human and the body of a snake, won the competition, and its name was submitted to the IAU. In late February, the Minor Planet Center of the IAU accepted the name and updated its catalog. Gonggong is the fifth-largest dwarf planet detected in the solar system so far. Can we see Gonggong at night? The answer is no because it is too far away from Earth. The closest distance between Gonggong and the sun is 33 astronomical units (AU), and the farthest is 101 AU. One AU is the distance from the sun to Earth, almost 150 million km. Scientists estimated the planet has a diameter of 1,230 km, 35 percent of the moon's diameter, and its weight is only 2.4 percent that of the moon. It rotates very slowly, with a period of 44.81 hours. In Chinese mythology, however, Gonggong was a short-tempered god, who always created chaos, leading to floods and landslides. The satellite of the planet was also named after Xiangliu, a Chinese minister of Gonggong. Gou said with further exploration of the universe, more planets are expected to have Chinese names in the future. Biden surges with victories in nine Super Tuesday states, including Texas as Sanders takes four, including California. Voters went to the polls in 14 US states and one territory on Tuesday in the largest day of voting in the United States primary season. More than two-thirds of the delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination 1,357 out of the 1,991 needed at the partys convention in July were up for grabs. California and Texas were the days biggest prizes, with 415 and 228 delegates, respectively. Super Tuesday came amid a number of fast-moving developments for the Democratic Party: Former Vice President Joe Biden received endorsements from Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, who dropped out of the race just ahead of the big election day. That proved to be a boost for Biden, who surged across the US. Senator Bernie Sanders may not have won the most number of states on Tuesday, but he did take the largest prize of the night: California. Meanwhile, Senator Elizabeth Warren, billionaire Michael Bloomberg and US Representative had poor Super Tuesday showings. Here are all the latest updates: 07:08 GMT Biden wins Texas, the second biggest contest Joe Biden has won the Democratic primary in Texas, Super Tuesdays second biggest contest. It might be one of the most surprising victories of the night as Sanders had hoped to win in the state, which has a large Latino population. Its still unclear exactly how many state delegates will be rewarded to each candidate. Texas has 228 delegates. Former US Vice President Joe Biden speaks during his Super Tuesday event at the Baldwin Hills Recreational Center in Los Angeles, California [Etienne Lauren/EPA-EFE] 06:45 GMT From crowded field to two-man Democratic race Even though were still awaiting results in Texas, Maine and California, if theres anything Super Tuesday has shown so far, is that the US is now looking at virtually a two-man contest: Biden v Sanders. The Democratic field was once one of the biggest and most diverse in US history, with more than 25 candidates. Sanders and Biden in a combination of images [Reuters] Biden and Sanders offer Democratic voters quite a stark difference. Biden represents the more moderate wing of the party, while Sanders offers a more progressive platform. On a technicality note, Warren, Bloomberg and Gabbard remain in the race. 06:30 GMT Bloomberg to reassess campaign Bloomberg will reassess the future of his campaign after a disappointing showing on Super Tuesday. That does not mean, however, his bid for the Democratic nomination will end, however, a campaign official said. As our campaign manager said before the polls closed tonight, any campaign would reassess after tonight, after next week, after any time there was a vote, said Bloomberg national press secretary Julie Wood. Bloomberg poured more than half a billion dollars into political advertising and organising in Super Tuesday state. His only victory, however, was American Samoa. 05:45 GMT Voters are still waiting in line in Texas Jolt Action, a Texas-based progressive Latino civic engagement organisation, reported dozens of people were still waiting in line to vote at Texas Southern University. Its past 11:30pm there. Long lines were reported in a number of Texas cities and especially on university campuses. Its 11:30 PM and there are still voters in line at TSU. This is unacceptable! VOTING SHOULD BE EASY and not take 4+ hours. pic.twitter.com/Y0lP7EbW3V Jolt Action (@JoltAction) March 4, 2020 Hundreds of polling sites have been closed in recent years. An analysis by The Guardian newspaper found that the closures have disproportionately affected minority groups. Sanders tweeted about an hour ago: If youre in line to vote, stay in line. If youre in line to vote, stay in line! #VoteForBernie Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 4, 2020 05:15 GMT A look at the delegate count so far Heres a quick look at the overall delegate count so far after Super Tuesday. Biden : 376 Sanders: 295 Bloomberg: 32 Warren: 24 Gabbard: 1 Remember, however, we still dont know exactly how many delegates each candidate will win in the big states of California and Texas. Were also awaiting results in Maine. A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to clinch the nomination 04:22 GMT A recap of where we are right now So far, Biden has had an impressive night with an early surge in a number of states, including Virginia, Minnesota and North Carolina. It was the night he was hoping for after gaining last-minute endorsements from Buttigieg and Klobuchar, both of whom dropped out of the race just before Super Tuesday. Sanders lagged behind early in the night, but picked up the biggest prize: California. Remember, however, the primaries are not a winner-takes-all scenario, meaning that even though a candidate may have lost a state, he or she could still pick up delegates. We still dont know how many delegates Sanders won in California. Warren and Bloomberg have so far had disappointing nights, with reports that the former New York City mayor will reassess his candidacy later this week. Which states have the candidates won so far? Biden : Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia. : Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia. Sanders : He is projected to win California. He also saw victories in Colorado, Utah and Vermont. : He is projected to win California. He also saw victories in Colorado, Utah and Vermont. Bloomberg : American Samoa : American Samoa Which states are left? Were still awaiting results from Texas and Maine. 04:05 GMT Sanders takes biggest Super Tuesday state: California Sanders wins California, the biggest prize on Super Tuesday, the Associated Press projected just as the polls began to close. The state has 415 delegates. Supporters of US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders cheer at his Super Tuesday election night rally in Essex Junction, Vermont [Caitlin Ochs/Reuters] 03:52 GMT In upset, Biden wins Massachusetts Biden wins Massachusetts in an upset victory over Warren, who represents the state in the US Senate. 03:50 GMT Sanders campaign files emergency injunction in California The Sanders campaign has filed an emergency injunction asking for polls to stay open for two extra hours in Los Angeles County, Reuters news agency report, citing a court filing. 03:25 GMT Sanders gets his third win in Utah As Sanders expressed confidence in Vermont, US networks called Utah for the senator. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, accompanied by his wife Jane OMeara Sanders, speaks during a primary night election rally in Essex Junction, Vermont [Matt Rourke/AP Photo] 03:00 GMT Long lines reported in parts of Texas Parts of Texas, including in university student hubs, are reporting long extremely long lines at polling centres. Any voter who is in line when the polls close will get to vote. 02:50 GMT Biden picks up Arkansas Biden wins the Democratic presidential primary in Arkansas 02:48 GMT Where the delegate count stands so far Without hearing from the big Super Tuesday states Texas and California heres a look at where the delegate count stands so far: Joe Biden: 257 Bernie Sanders: 152 Michael Bloomberg: 17 Elizabeth Warren: 12 02:46 GMT Minnesota becomes Bidens 6th state Biden wins his sixth state of the night with a victory in Minnesota. He wasnt polling well there just a week ago, but it appears his last-minute endorsement by Amy Klobuchar propelled him to victory. 02:22 GMT Biden wins Tennessee Biden picks up another win in Tennessee, where several polling locations stayed open late after tornadoes ripped through the state early Tuesday morning. 02:09 GMT Biden gets another victory this time in Oklahoma Biden wins the Democratic primary in Oklahoma Democratic US presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden pays for ice-cream at La Michoacana during the states Super Tuesday Democratic presidential primary election in Los Angeles, California [Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters] 02:00 GMT Sanders wins Colorado Sanders scores his second win of the night in Colorado 01:30 GMT Polls close in Arkansas Polls close in Arkansas where Biden is looking to continue his strong night. No results have been reported yet. 01:17 GMT Where the delegate count stands so far Heres what the delegate count looks like after several Super Tuesday races were called. Dont forget, however, that Texas and California, which each have big delegate totals, likely wont be called for hours. Joe Biden: 100 Bernie Sanders: 80 Elizabeth Warren: 8 Michael Bloomberg: 4 *A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to win. 01:05 GMT Its Biden in Alabama Again, the networks and even the normally cautious Associated Press called Alabama for Biden immediately after the polls closed there at 8pm local. 01:00 GMT Elizabeth Warren remains upbeat in Detroit speech An upbeat Elizabeth Warren is urging Democratic voters to cast ballots that will make them proud instead of listening to political pundits. At a rally in Detroit on Tuesday night, the Massachusetts senator says prediction has been a terrible business and is encouraging people to vote with their heart. Warren has had poor showings in recent contests dominated by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden. An undeterred Warren says she will defeat President Donald Trump and is still running because she believes she will make the best president. She says: You dont get what you dont fight for. I am in this fight. 00:45 GMT Bloomberg get first win of the evening in American Samoa Michael Bloomberg scores his first win of the evening in the US territory of American Samoa, which held caucuses today. Not much of a surprise, though, given that he had seven paid staffers on the ground there and chief Faalagiga Nina Tuaau-Glaude endorsed him in the race. Curiously, another Democrat still in the race Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii was born in American Samoa. 00:35 GMT Networks call North Carolina for Biden Both CBS News and NBC News called North Carolina for Biden immediately after the polls closed in that state at 730pm local time. 00:10 GMT Sanders takes Vermont ABC News calls Vermont for Bernie Sanders right after the polls close there. Not exactly a surprise as Vermont is his home state. The outstanding question in this race is Sanders margin of victory. Can he keep all the other candidates under 15 percent and deprive them of any of Vermonts 16 delegates? 00:00 GMT (Wednesday) Biden takes Virginia The Associated Press called Virginia for Joe Biden immediately after the polls closed at 7pm local. Headed into this evening, Virginia was being watched as a bellwether state. It is traditionally a swing state but has moved more reliably Democratic in recent years, especially as people living in densely populated communities outside Washington turned their back on President Donald Trump, as many suburban voters have around the country. Exit polls suggest that Michael Bloomberg may not get the 15 percent he needs in order to get any delegates at all, a massive hit for him given the amount of money he has spent on advertising in the state. If that pans out and continues across the remaining states, then its probably curtains for the former New York City mayor. 23:40 GMT When will polls close? The 14 states voting on Tuesday cover nearly all time zones in the US. Heres a look at when polling stations close across the US. Closing at 7:00pm EST (00:00 GMT) Vermont and Virginia Closing at 7:30pm EST (00:30 GMT) North Carolina Closing at 8:00pm EST (01:00 GMT) Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas Closing at 8:30pm EST (01:30 GMT) Arkansas Closing at 9pm EST (02:00 GMT) Colorado, Minnesota, El Paso, Texas Closing at 10pm EST (03:00 GMT) Utah Closing at 11pm EST (04:00 GMT) California 23:30 GMT Democrats Abroad give Sanders an early boost Democrats Abroad, the overseas affiliate of the Democratic Party, is also holding primary elections around the world beginning today. The voting goes on for several more days, but some early results are starting to trickle in and, in at least one locale, they look good for Bernie Sanders. 23:10 GMT Health care tops list of voter concerns If exit polls are any indication, voters across several US states believe health care is the most important issue facing the United States today. Exit polls cited by both the Associated Press News Agency and Reuters on Tuesday both said it was at the top of voters concerns. A third of the voters surveyed by the AP pollsters in North Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia said health care was the top issue. More than half told the Reuters pollsters that they support a single-payer system, which is what Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have been pushing for with their Medicare for All plans. 22:40 GMT Tennessee polls extended Tennessees democratic party announced that several polling places will stay open an additional hour to allow voters to cast their ballot after the state was hit by a devastating storm that killed 25 people and shattered entire neighbourhoods. More than a dozen polling places in Nashvilles Davidson County damaged, voters were sent to other locations, some of them with long lines. The party filed a suit calling for the extension. A victory for voters Judge says all polling sites in Nashville can remain open until 8 pm CT & 5 "super sites" will remain open until 10 pm: Cleveland Community, Pearl Cohn, Donelson Presbyterian, Howard School, & Davidson County Election Commission.https://t.co/eKVt8rqWyD https://t.co/CetCLfzB7M TN Democratic Party (@tndp) March 3, 2020 22:25 GMT Free from interference National security professionals in northern Virginia who were monitoring cyberattacks and foreign disinformation said the Super Tuesday primary elections were so far free from any signs of interference. On the specifics of today, we have not seen any acute increase in any misinformation, said Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security. 22:20 GMT First time voters and coronavirus An exit poll showed that less than 2 out of 10 voters are first time primary voters, and at least 8 out of 10 say they will support the party nominee regardless of who it is. About three out of four Democratic primary voters in California, Texas, Virginia and North Carolina said the new coronavirus was a factor in their vote, according to exit polls analysed by Edison Research. 21:45 GMT Tacos and a Mariachi band A group of young Latino students in Houston, Texas took promoting voting (and taco Tuesday) to another level: free tacos and a live mariachi band. Under the slogan, nourish your rights, young people marched alongside the lively mariachi band while others posed for pictures with tacos in hand. Thank you to everyone who attended our Tacos & Vote East End Walk to Vote event. We are so honored and happy to work with so many students, and to see them vote and be civicly engaged! This would have not been possible with out our amazing partners. #VoteTexas #SuperTuesday pic.twitter.com/51uEt5lTKU Tacos And Vote (@TacosAndVote) March 3, 2020 20:50 GMT Sanders votes in Vermont Sanders and his wife Jane voted in their home state of Vermont, and told a crowd of reporters outside a polling place in Burlington that his campaign was about defeating Trump, who is the the most dangerous president in the modern history of our country. We are putting together a multi-generational, multi-racial movement of people who are standing up for justice and to beat Donald Trump, we are going to need to have the largest voter turnout in the history of this country, he said. Sanders is planning on holding an election night rally in Vermont. 20:45 GMT Trump will be watching Speaking on the White House lawn as he was heading to a roundtable on coronavirus Trump said he would be watching the results of Super Tuesday. I think its going to be a very interesting evening of television and I will be watching, he told reporters. Trump on Super Tuesday: " I think it's going to be a very interesting evening of television and I will be watching." Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) March 3, 2020 Trump added that he does not have a favourite to run against in November, saying Ill take anybody I have to. 20:00 GMT Sanders team surprised by speed of Biden rise: Report Bernie Sanderss campaign was not expecting the speedy surge of moderate support for rival Joe Biden following his win in South Carolina, his campaign manager told the New York Times. We always anticipated that there would be consolidation of an establishment side, Faiz Shakir told the newspaper. Its one thing to know its going to happen, and its another thing to watch it happen so very quickly. Because of the swiftness with which it moved, its becoming clear that in order for us to win this nomination, that road clearly flows through Joe Biden, he said. 19:30 GMT Biden campaign launches Klobuchar ad Less than a day after endorsing Joe Biden, Senator and former Democratic candidate Amy Klobuchar has appeared in ad supporting her former rival. The ad is airing in the Minneapolis area in Klobuchars home state of Minnesota, one of fourteen states with primaries on Tuesday, Politico reported, citing Bidens campaign. It is time to turn back the division and the hate, Klobuchar says in the ad, which uses footage from her endorsement announcement on Monday. Vote for decency. Vote for dignity. Vote for a heart for our country. 19:20 GMT Former FBI Director James Comey supports Biden Former FBI Director James Comey has thrown his support behind Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. Comey tweeted Tuesday that he had voted in his first Democratic primary and that he believes the country needs a candidate who cares about all Americans and will restore decency, dignity to the office. Voted in first Dem primary to support party dedicated to restoring values in WH. I agree with @amyklobuchar: We need candidate who cares about all Americans and will restore decency, dignity to the office. There is a reason Trump fears @joebiden and roots for Bernie. #Biden2020 James Comey (@Comey) March 3, 2020 Comey had served in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He was fired as FBI director by Trump in May 2017. The Biden campaign, however, didnt seem terribly appreciative of the nod. Comey, a Republican, was fired by Trump in 2017 and remains a polarizing figure even in Democratic circles. Yes, customer service? I just received a package that I very much did not order. How can I return it, free of charge? https://t.co/NK4VrYGzT1 Andrew Bates (@AndrewBatesNC) March 3, 2020 Bates is the Biden campaign rapid response director. 19:00 GMT Democratic operative tells RNC chair to go to hell Former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile, appearing on Fox News Channel, clashed with Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, telling her to go to hell after the Republican party chief said the Democratic primaries will be rigged against Bernie Sanders. Stay the hell out of our race, Brazile said, referring to Republicans in general. For people to use Russian talking points to sow division among Americans is stupid. So Ronna, go to hell! Donna Brazile just told Ronna McDaniel to go to hell on FOX NEWSpic.twitter.com/Cd2LY9v5vW PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) March 3, 2020 18:45 GMT No noticeable uptick in cyber attacks: Govt official The national agency that oversees election security has not detected any notable uptick in either misinformation by foreign nations or targeted attacks on voting equipment during the first hours of voting during Super Tuesday. Misinformation campaigns by Russian operatives and others are ongoing but there hasnt been any appreciable increase in activity, as voters go to the polls for Super Tuesday, senior officials with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told reporters, according to Reuters news agency. Louise Wilcox checks her ballots after coming out of a booth while voting in the primary election in Maine [Robert F. Bukaty/The Associated Press] 18:20 GMT Election Protection coalition calls for extension of Tennessee primary Election Protection, a national coalition that works to ensure election integrity, has called on Tennessee officials to extend the states primary after severe storms and tornadoes caused widespread destruction. In a letter to the Tennessees governor and secretary of state, the group said that the storm has made it difficult, if not impossible, for many people to vote in todays primary election. The group also noted that the severe weather, which has killed at 22 people, has forced at least 24 polling stations to relocate. BREAKING: We're calling on #Tennessee officials to extend the primary election period for voters impacted by the destruction and devastation caused by the tornado. Voters must be given a full and fair opportunity to vote. For those in the affected area, that can't happen today. pic.twitter.com/edI7f4ZoH2 Kristen Clarke 866-OUR-VOTE (@KristenClarkeJD) March 3, 2020 18:00 GMT Coronavirus fears loom over Super Tuesday Super Tuesday has begun amid a backdrop of an escalating political and economic crisis over the global outbreak of the coronavirus, which has infected some 90,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000, mostly in China. In Travis County, Texas, voting got off to a slow start because many election workers did not show up, with some citing coronavirus fears, Reuters news agency reported, citing the county clerks office. The election office said it began implementing emergency procedures, with elections staff and others employees filling in as poll workers. Wearing a mask as a precaution against passing or receiving germs, Joseph Dorocak casts his ballot on the eve of Super Tuesday at a voting center in Sacramento [Rich Pedroncelli/The Associated Press] One California county sought to address concerns over the coronavirus by sending bottles of hand sanitizer to polling places and asking poll workers to post fliers from the public health department on how to avoid spreading the virus, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released guidance for polling stations instructing workers to frequently wash their hands and disinfect the machine and told those with symptoms to stay home. 17:45 GMT Immigrant and Refugee rights group releases candidate score card The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) has released an immigration policy score card for each of the candidates. The Texas-based non-profit judged each candidate based on 36 policy points falling under three categories equality and inclusion for all people, build bridges not walls, and we were here because you were there, which looks at foreign policy. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders scored the highest with B-, while Joe Biden was given a C+ while Mike Bloomberg and Donald Trump were each given an F. BREAKING: This #SuperTuesday and before voters go out to polls to decide who to vote for in this Democratic primary, RAICES Action releases a candidate scorecard to educate voters on who their best option is when it comes to immigration. #DontLookAway pic.twitter.com/8MsquuWm2i RAICES Action Fund (@RAICESACTION) March 3, 2020 17:30 GMT Report highlights difficulty of voting for transgender Americans About 378,000 of an estimated 965,350 transgender adults who will be eligible to vote in the US 2020 general election could face barriers because they do not have an ID that correctly reflects their name or gender, according to a report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law published in February. Of those, nearly 81 transgender adults live in the eight states with the strictest forms of voter ID laws and risk disenfranchisement: Super Tuesday states Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia, as well as Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, and Wisconsin. The American Civil Liberties Union tweeted about the potential problem on Tuesday, and urged any voters facing issues to call the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline. If you face any trouble voting or have questions about your rights, call the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. #SuperTuesday ACLU (@ACLU) March 3, 2020 17:00 GMT Analysis: Virginia the state to watch on Super Tuesday Jonathan Last, a conservative US pundit and prominent never-Trumper, has some good analysis over at the Bulwark about what state is worth watching particularly close today Virginia. Why? because it has a mix of lots of different types of Democratic voters: African-Americans, college-educated suburbanites, union workers, and rural voters. There are no dense urban cores and not a lot of heavy industry, but it might be a pretty good bellwether, Last writes. He continues: I suspect we are on the way to a protracted battle for the soul of the Democratic party that pits two very different coalitions against one another: African-Americans, union workers, and college-educated suburbanites versus progressives, young Hispanics, and populist outsiders. Former Vice President Joe Biden is currently projected to win an average of 52 out of the states 99 pledged delegates. 16:45 GMT Bloomberg acknowledges only path to victory is convention fight Mike Bloomberg is acknowledging that his only path to the nomination is through a convention fight, while suggesting he may not win any states on Super Tuesday. Speaking to reporters at a field office in Miami, the business mogul and former mayor of New York City said, I dont know whether youre gonna win any when he was asked which of the 14 states voting Tuesday he believed he could win, according to the Associated Press news agency. A vote for me is a vote to defeat Donald Trump. https://t.co/xtjZRuLObW#SuperTuesday pic.twitter.com/smdBTo7qfE Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) March 3, 2020 Bloomberg added, You dont have to win states, you have to win delegates. He suggested that no one will get a majority of delegates and then you go to a convention, and well see what happens. Bloomberg was then asked if he wanted a contested convention and he said, I dont think that I can win any other way. 16:30 GMT Tennessee not the only state facing severe Super Tuesday weather In rural central Alabama, the National Weather Service had issued tornado warnings for at least five counties as polls began to open. In Bibb County, southwest of Birmingham, as seven poll workers were getting ready to open up the Lawley Senior Activity Center, cellphone alerts began going off with a tornado warning about 6:45 AM, volunteer Gwen Thompson told the Associated Press news agency. https://twitter.com/TNforMike/status/1234845341360496640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw The storm knocked out electricity, she said, but the precincts two electronic voting machines had battery backups and a few people had cast ballots less than an hour later. Were voting by flashlight, Thompson said. In Tennessee, tornadoes had killed 19 people early Tuesday, and forced many polling stations to relocate. A man walks through storm debris following a deadly tornado in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday [Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press] 16:15 GMT Time for Warrens political obituary? The New York Times already appears to be writing Elizabeth Warrens political obituary this morning: Now, as voters head to the polls on Super Tuesday, Ms. Warrens campaign has all but admitted her pathway to winning the Democratic nomination outright has vanished. She enters March seeking to accumulate delegates for a potential contested convention and is most realistically hunting for them in more educated enclaves, like Seattle and Denver, where she recently held rallies and is investing heavily in advertising. .@ewarren greets her supporters after voting here in Cambridge, MA. pic.twitter.com/92KQ6mrWZB Ali Vitali (@alivitali) March 3, 2020 In many ways, the arc of the Warren candidacy is the story of her cornering an upscale demographic early, only to become confined to it, and then lose her grip on it, the newspaper says. The Times calls that upscale demographic the wine track of Democratic politics: white, affluent and college-educated voters, especially women. Warren voted in her home state of Massachusetts in the last hour and didnt sound like someone who is giving up just yet. But polls there have her trailing Sanders by 4 points. If she cant win her own state, odds are that shes not going to do terribly well nationally. 16:00 GMT Bernie Sanders casts vote in Vermont Bernie Sanders, the frontrunner heading into Super Tuesday, has cast his vote in his home city of Burlington, Vermont. To beat Donald Trump, we are going to need to have the largest voter turnout in the history of this country. We need energy. We need excitement. I think our campaign is that campaign, he said. Polls indicate an all-but-sure majority for Sanders in the state, where he is forecasted to take an average of 12 of the 16 pledged delegates. Bernie Sanders drove himself to his polling place in Burlington, VT this morning. pic.twitter.com/sSvAoTEHxo Holly Otterbein (@hollyotterbein) March 3, 2020 15:45 GMT Elizabeth Warren casts vote in Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren has cast her ballot in her hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In a video posted to her Instagram page, Warren speaks to a group of children before casting her ballot. As she leaves, a crowd of supports chants welcome home. Warren has eight delegates heading into Super Tuesday, far behind Bernie Sanders 60 and Joe Bidens 54. She has vowed to stay in the race until the partys national convention in July. 15:30 GMT Sanders maintains demographic edge in key states: Report Bernie Sanders may have the establishment apparatus of the Democratic Party lined up against him, but an analysis of voter preferences by congressional district concluded that he maintains a demographic edge over Joe Biden in key states like California and Texas with huge delegate counts. The analysis of census data by the University of Southern California Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, provided to CNN, concludes that because Sanders performs well among Hispanic voters and white voters without college degrees, he has a strong chance of earning delegates in congressional districts where those voters compose at least a quarter of the eligible electorate. Meanwhile, there are fewer Super Tuesday districts where Black voters and white voters with college degrees, who have been more resistant to Sanders, are prevalent, according to the analysis. People vote on the deck of the Echo Park Deep Pool in Los Angeles, California [Mario Anzuoni/Reuters] This is critical because, unlike the November general election, in which electoral college votes go to whichever candidate wins a states popular vote, many of the delegates in todays primary elections will be distributed proportionally. Its not just about winning states, its about how much you win by and how much of the vote you get in both states and congressional districts. There are no winner-take-all states. 15:15 GMT Polls have opened in California Polls have opened in the California, a state with 415 delegates up for grabs, the most of any Super Tuesday states. Sanders is expected to win the majority, an average of 32 percent of the vote, according to polling by FiveThirtyEight. That equates to about 164 delegates, according to their forecasts. California voters who had already mailed in their ballot for a candidate who has since quit the race will be out of luck, as there is no provision in the states election law for a redo. CALIFORNIA: TODAY is Election Day! Polls are open from 7:00AM to 8:00PM. As long as you are in line by 8PM, you will be able to vote. If you run into any issues, you can contact the voter hotline: 800-345-VOTE(8683). Find your polling place here:https://t.co/H8H63rnCeD Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 3, 2020 15:00 GMT Super Tuesday first contest to show latino influence Super Tuesday is expected to be the first primary where the influence of the Latino vote will be felt, according to a report by Reuters news agency. Accounting for 13.3 percent of eligible voters, Latinos will be the largest minority voting group in the general election, according to the Pew Research Center. That is an 80 percent jump since 2000, and compares to a share of black voters that has been roughly level since then at around 12 percent, and a white share that has fallen 10 percentage points to an estimated 66 percent of the eligible electorate. Supporters listen as US Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren speaks at a rally at East Los Angeles College in Los Angeles [Lucy Nicholson/Reuters] The Latino vote helped shaped recent local races in North Carolina and flipped California Congressional districts in 2018, according to Reuters, both Super Tuesday states. With Latino populations leaning Democratic by about a two-to-one margin, Super Tuesday states like Texas and North Carolina could become increasingly competitive for democrats, along with Florida and Arizona, whose primaries are later in March. 14:20 GMT How will Bidens victory in South Carolina affect the race? The short turnaround between Saturdays primary in South Carolina, which Biden ran away with, and todays voting means there hasnt been much in the way of polling to gauge what impact, if any, that outcome had on voters. This morning, we got one from Data for Progress, a progressive thing-tank. Heres a breakdown of the numbers just after the Nevada caucuses, which Sanders dominated, and South Carolina: Post-Nevada: Colorado: Sanders over Biden by 24 points North Carolina: Sanders over Biden by 2 points. Texas: Sanders over Biden by 9 points Virginia: Sanders over Biden by 9 points Post South Carolina: Colorado: Sanders over Biden by 14 points North Carolina: Biden over Sanders by 9 points Texas: Biden over Sanders by 2 points Virginia: Biden over Sanders by 15 Points. Nate Silver over at FiveThirtyEight, one of the top American political prognosticators, has adjusted his projections and now predicts Biden winning the delegate race against Sanders, but failing to secure enough to win the nomination outright. Sanders remains firmly in the lead in FiveThirtyEight average of national polls. A brokered convention remains the odds-on favourite. So this is the first fully post-South Carolina poll we've seen in a Super Tuesday state, from a pollster that generally has low numbers for Biden and, ummm, it has Biden +20 in Virginia, a state where the polls were ~tied before SC.https://t.co/8hFcxidICn pic.twitter.com/8VtHdd4F3A Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) March 3, 2020 13:39 GMT Trump kicks off Super Tuesday with tweets aimed at Bloomberg Trump kicked off his Twitter game on Tuesday with tweets aimed at Michael Bloomberg. Mini Mike Bloomberg can never recover from his incompetent debate performances, Trump tweeted, using his self-declared nickname for the former New York City mayor. Also as mayor he was very bad under pressure a chocker! Trump added without elaborating. Mini Mike Bloomberg can never recover from his incompetent debate performances. Also, as mayor he was very bad under pressure a choker! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2020 13:00 GMT When will polls close? The 14 states voting on Tuesday cover nearly all time zones in the US. Heres a look at when polling stations close across the US. Closing at 7:00pm EST (00:00 GMT) Vermont and Virginia Closing at 7:30pm EST (00:30 GMT) North Carolina Closing at 8:00pm EST (01:00 GMT) Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas Closing at 8:30pm EST (01:30 GMT) Arkansas Closing at 9pm EST (02:00 GMT) Colorado, Minnesota, El Paso, Texas Closing at 10pm EST (03:00 GMT) Utah Closing at 11pm EST (04:00 GMT) California 12:52 GMT Tornadoes kill 7, affect polling stations in Tennessee Tornadoes that ripped through parts of Tennessee, early on Tuesday, killing at least seven people, have closed some polling stations in the state. The city government of Nashville said voters whose polling stations were hit by the twister can vote at two Election Commission office locations instead. Any voter whose polling location has been affected by damage will be able to vote at either of the two Election Commission office locations today: 1417 Murfreesboro Pike 800 Second Avenue South, 4th Floor Reminder that all polling locations open one hour late at 8 AM. Metro Nashville (@MetroNashville) March 3, 2020 Polling across Davidson County, where Nashville is located, are also opening an hour late due to the tornado. The tornados also affected the counties of Putnam and Benton. A resident makes her way down a street amid downed trees and heavy debris in Nashville, Tennessee [Brett Carlsen/Getty Images/AFP] 12:41 GMT #IVoted: Voters share voting experiences online Voters in the East Coast Super Tuesday states and those abroad are taking to social media to share their voting experiences online. Polls are open across the United States for #SuperTuesday and there is only one thing that matters Make sure you vote. You have a power to shape your country in ways that millions around the world can only dream of. Speak. Participate. Vote. #IVoted #YoVote @votefromabroad pic.twitter.com/2Rtgy6Yqdw Paul Verhagen ( (@PJverhagen) March 3, 2020 12:07 GMT How many delegates are up for grabs in each state? More than 1,300 delegates are up for grabs on Tuesday. Heres the breakdown based on state: California: 415 Texas: 228 North Carolina: 110 Virginia: 99 Massachusetts: 91 Minnesota: 75 Colorado: 67 Tennessee: 64 Alaska: 31 Utah: 29 Maine: 24 Vermont: 16 Democrats abroad: 13 American Samoa: 6 11:46 GMT Polls open in most East Coast Super Tuesday states Polls have opened in a number of East Coast states, including Virginia, North Carolina and Maine. Some polling locations have also opened in Vermont and Massachusetts. 11:45 GMT Whats is the delegate count so far? Of the remaining candidates, heres a look at how many delegates each candidate has heading into Super Tuesday: Bernie Sanders 60 Joe Biden 54 Elizabeth Warren 8 Michael Bloomberg 0 Tulsi Gabbard 0 *A candidate needs 1,991 to win 11:40 GMT Who are the candidates? Last year Democrats saw a diverse field of more than 25 candidates. Today there are only five. Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) Commissioners and senior executives from more than 34 African election management bodies are attending a conference in Cape Town,South Africa, which is addressing the impact of social media on elections David Ryder/Getty Health officials scrambled Monday to trace contacts who may have interacted with infected 2019 novel coronavirus patients across the country as four new U.S. deaths were reported, bringing the total number of fatalities on American soil to six. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth deaths were announced in Washington state, where two previous deaths were revealed over the weekend. Five of the deaths were in King County and one in Snohomish County, officials said. Unfortunately, we are starting to find more COVID-19 cases here in Washington that appear to be acquired locally here in Washington, State health officer Dr. Kathy Lofy said during a press conference on Monday, as CNBC reported. We now know that the virus is actively spreading in some communities. Meanwhile, in Texas, the saga of an infected patient being prematurely released in San Antonio sparked finger-pointing over alleged shortcomings in the federal governments response to the deadly outbreak. The evacuee from the viruss epicenter in China was in the San Antonio community for more than 12 hours on Saturday, said Anita Kurian, assistant director of the Metropolitan Health District, in an interview with The San Antonio Express-News. During that period, Kurian said the patient rode a hotel shuttle to one of the regions busiest retail outlets, North Star Mall, where she visited shops and ate at the food court from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We are making every effort to identify any exposures at the mall and based on what we have at this time, those exposures are pretty low risk, Kurian said, recommending that the mall conduct a deep clean of its premises. At least 18 people at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease and three people at a Hampton Inn near the airport have been identified as potential low- and medium-risk exposures to the deadly illness. There were 91 confirmed 2019 coronavirus infections in the U.S., including 43 picked up through the U.S. health systemin New York, Wisconsin, Florida, Rhode Island, Oregon, and elsewhere, according to a tally from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Another 48 cases on American soil involved either repatriated individuals who were evacuated on State Department-chartered planes from China or the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Both Florida and Washingtonwhere the outbreak has hit a nursing homehave declared public health emergencies. Story continues A genetic analysis of the virus in Washington state suggests that the virus may have been spreading within the community for as long as six weeks before the first case was detected, The New York Times reported. That analysis was one of several indications that the infection has been spreading undetected as officials rushed to create a fast and effective test for its diagnosis. Dr. Scott Lindquist, an epidemiologist for communicable diseases with the Washington State Department of Health, told the Times that he was aware of cases in the state where physicians suspected coronavirus but could not get those patients tested because of stringent CDC criteria. Lindquist added that he could not ballpark how many such cases there had been, but said the state laboratory was rapidly working to ramp up to performing 200 tests a day. State health authorities said over the weekend that they planned to test residents and staffers at the Kirkland, Washington-based long-term care facility, where dozens of people in the most high-risk demographic for severe infection have reported symptoms. Were really aggressively sampling in Washington State now, because we feel like it has been here and we havent had the ability to lab test, Lindquist said. Local officials and experts have previously called out the CDC for alleged missteps in handling the virus. Specifically, California physicians have said that they were hampered in identifying a positive patient because of the CDCs stringent testing criteria, which until last week required a patient to have both respiratory symptoms and recent travel to China or contact with another known patient. Now the CDC is allowing tests on people with severe and unexplained respiratory illness with no known connections to other cases. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday condemned the agency for what he called negligence in the San Antonio case. Abbott asked the CDC to begin requiring three negative coronavirus results over 48 hours instead of its current requirementtwo negative tests over 24 hoursto ensure a course correction for the mistake. After the San Antonio woman completed two negative tests, a third came back positive, the CDC said on Sunday night. What the CDC did is completely unacceptable, Abbott said at a press conference on Monday morning. It appears to be a case of negligence with regard to allowing this person who had coronavirus to leave Texas Center for Infectious Disease and go back into the general population. I think they understand the magnitude of the error. In a statement on Sunday, the CDC said the woman was asymptomatic and met all of CDCs criteria for releaseresolution of any symptoms and two consecutive sets of negative test results, collected more than 24 hours apart. But the third test results came back weakly positive and triggered officials to put the patient back in isolation at a hospital after they had some contact with others while out of isolation. CDC and local public health partners are following up to trace possible exposures and notify them of their potential risk, said a statement on Sunday. Its important to remember that this is a new virus and we are learning more about it every day. The cycle of infection is not yet well understood, but the amount of virus is typically highest when the person is sickest. As the illness resolves, the amount of virus falls. In the press release, the CDC added that others have encountered similar situations where test results have alternated back and forth between negative and positive. The cycle of the virologic infection on this particular patient is longer than what has been previously seen, continued the statement. That echoed concerns by health experts in recent weeks that a reliance on a 14-day incubation period for the virus, as has been common practice across much of the world, may be a mistake. In fact, Abbott demanded Monday that repatriated Americans scheduled to leave quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland not be allowed to exit the facility until federal officials can actually guarantee that they are not infected. Those at the base include evacuees from the notorious Diamond Princess cruise ship that saw an explosion in hundreds of cases in Japan. They must improve their protocols and they must be absolutely certain that before they allow anybody to be released from any location in San Antonio they can ensure the public that whoever they are releasing does not have coronavirus, Abbott said. Hours before Abbott stepped into the debate, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg called the CDCs handling of the situation unacceptable and said he intends to hold the agency accountable to providing complete transparency for the public. A motion filed by city leaders seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the release of cruise ship evacuees failed to win over a Texas judge on Monday, the Express-News reported. We are in dire need of additional resources and protocols immediately to include longer quarantine periods and the opening of appropriate facilities, added Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said Monday that the rest of the world can learn from the viruss patterns in South Korea, where the largest outbreak outside of China has infected more than 4,000 people. We are in uncharted territory, he said. We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures. If this was an influenza epidemic, we would have expected to see widespread community transmission across the globe by now, and efforts to slow it down or contain it would not be feasible. As of Monday morning, there were roughly 88,900 cases of novel 2019 coronavirus across the globe, of which 90 percent were still in China. More than 3,000 people have died. Tedros said the five known clusters in Korea have been responsible for the majority of cases there, which indicates that surveillance measures are working and that Koreas epidemic can still be contained. That observation highlights a key problem in U.S., where surveillance testingin which hundreds of people in possible hotspots are tested to proactively measure the viruss presenceis not the norm. The CDC announced on Feb. 14 that it planned to implement surveillance testing in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. But as of late last week, there was still no surveillance testing in the U.S., ProPublica reported. Epidemiologists in other countries have heavily relied upon this sort of testing in an effort to track the spread of the disease beforenot afterlarge numbers of possible cases end up at hospitals. Were weeks behind because we had this problem, according to Scott Becker, chief executive officer of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, which represents 100 state and local public laboratories. Becker told ProPublica that were usually up-front and center and ready. Vice President Mike Pence said over the weekend that the federal government had released 15,000 testing kits to labs in the U.S. in hopes of meeting the current demand in various states, adding that federal officials were working with a commercial provider to distribute 50,000 more soon. Speaking alongside Pence, Alex Azar, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, emphasized during a press conference in Washington late Monday that the immediate risk to any individual American has been and does continue to be low but that the degree of risk has the potential to change quickly. Robert Redfield, director of CDC, added that health departments throughout the country are aggressively evaluating to see if they can understand the linkage of cases, as they pop up in Washington and elsewhere. We have one of the finest public health programs in the world, he said, later noting that the CDC will be able to activate surveillance testing around the country in the near future. But even as federal officials from President Trump on down tried to calm financial markets and reassure the public, there were signs the government might be moving into a higher degree of alert. NBC News reported Monday the Federal Emergency Management Agency was planning for Trump to potentially make an emergency declaration over the outbreak, which would bring in extra funds and personnel. One expert told the outlet this was reassuring and another deemed it a positive sign that the president and the White House are finally aware of the gravity of the situation. 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. Cisco has decided to extend its business licenses for the free Webex account that will be available for 90-day due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. Cisco has announced an enhancement of its free Webex account offerings and is offering free 90-day business licenses to limit the spread of Coronavirus. WebEx is a popular web conferencing and videoconferencing application. This is an important initiative that could help companies and individuals to better manage the critical situation caused by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. Governments are asking citizens to limit travels, major conferences and events have been postponed or delayed, businesses are promoting smart-working, and in this scenario the communications technologies like WebEx are essential. The company noticed that the traffic on the Webex backbone connecting China-based Webex users to their global workplaces has increased as much as 22 times since the coronavirus outbreak began. The IT giant has implemented additional features for the smart-working removing limitation in terms of participants and duration of WebEx web meetings. Before the Coronavirus outbreak, free Cisco Webex account licenses allowed users to arrange meetings with up to 50 participants for a limited duration of 40 minutes. According to the enhancements implemented by Cisco, free accounts can now host meetings with up to 100 participants and without limitation of time. Cisco also included in the offering dial-in numbers in addition to the ordinary VoIP. Effective immediately, weve expanded the capabilities on our free Webex offer in all countries where it is available, not only those impacted by COVID-19. reads the announcement published by Cisco. Here are the additional features: Unlimited usage (no time restrictions) Supports up to 100 participants Offers toll dial-in (in addition to existing VoIP capabilities Cisco decided to offer supplementary support during this unprecedented time, it is offering free 90-day licenses through partners and the Cisco sales team. Cisco also revealed that during the coronavirus outbreak it saw 4 to 5 times as many users in Japan, South Korea and Singapore, with the average time spent on Webex video meetings doubling among users in those countries. On average, free sign-ups in impacted countries are up 7 times over pre-outbreak sign-up rates. reported Cisco. With the recent uptick in Italy and additional countries, Cisco continues to actively monitor global traffic trends and usage worldwide, and have a proactive plan to support our customers with their changing needs. The company announced it is proactively expanding its meeting capacity on a global scale, scaling up further in the United States and Europe. Cisco is also supporting non-governmental organizations to enable schools to go on with their activity. Additionally, through our partners and the Cisco sales team, we are providing free 90-day licenses to businesses who are not Webex customers in this time of need. Were also helping existing customers meet their rapidly changing needs as they enable a much larger number of remote workers by expanding their usage at no additional cost. To take advantage of this offer, users can sign up for their free Webex account here. Pierluigi Paganini Durg: The Income Tax Department raid at the Durg residence of Soumya Chaurasia, the Deputy Secretary of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has continued for over 20 hours.Senior I-T officials had also questioned Chaurasia's mother last night. The agency had also raided the Bhilai residence of Chaurasia last week. The IT department had earlier conducted raids at 25 premises, including those of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Ajaz Dhebar and senior IAS officers in the state. The state unit of Congress held a protest on Saturday against the ongoing IT raids in Chhattisgarh.Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had also alleged that the Central government had ordered the raids to destabilise his government. Ncam Technologies has appointed former The Mill CEO Robin Shenfield as Chairman. Shenfield will be charged with applying his experience in VFX and post-production to the world of real-time VFX, and work in collaboration with the Ncam senior management team and investors to drive global growth. Shenfield is the co-founder and former global CEO of The Mill, and over his 30 years with the vfx house, moved the company into experiential, immersive and IP-based technologies. He oversaw the companys diversification into feature film VFX with the launch in 1997 of Mill Film which became the first British company to win an Academy Award for visual effects, for Gladiator in 2001 as well as the launch of Mill+, an innovator in technology-focused production. Shenfield also grew The Mill from a 30-strong start-up team into a global powerhouse of 1100 employees across studios in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Berlin. He led the acquisition of The Mill by Technicolor in 2015 having previously partnered successfully with several private equity investors including Candover, Carlye and Equistone to expand the company both globally and into new areas of production. Nic Hatch, CEO, Ncam, said, Robins reputation as a highly respected and trusted individual precedes him. His deep understanding of the creative industries, combined with his experience of successfully building and running an investor-backed business and his eagerness to embrace new technologies, make him the ideal person to help us fulfill and exceed our global ambitions. Robin Shenfield said, Ncam is a leading innovator in the development of augmented reality technology and virtual production. This is a key area of opportunity for producers working across television, film, advertising and events. Im excited to join Nic and the team to help develop and deliver their vision for further growth. Share this story Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more A coding error in an app used to count vote totals in the Democratic caucuses in Iowa has delayed the release of final tallies, the states Democratic Party announced Tuesday. Although the data collected by the app was sound, it was reporting only a portion of that data to party headquarters due a coding issue with its reporting system, the party explained in a statement. After discovering inconsistencies caused by the flaw, party staff implemented manual backup measures that delayed release of final tallies. Nevada was set to use the app for its caucuses Feb. 22, but has scrapped the idea after the Iowa debacle. The problematic app was made by Shadow, a company that builds political tools and platforms. At its website, it touts work it has done for Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee. The company sincerely regrets the delay in the reporting of the results of last nights Iowa caucuses and the uncertainty it has caused to the candidates, their campaigns and Democratic caucus-goers, CEO Gerard Niemira wrote in an online post. We will apply the lessons learned in the future, and have already corrected the underlying technology issue, he added. Shadow did not respond to our request to comment for this story. Inadequate Testing Although details about the app remain sketchy, it seems that it was rushed to market. It was tested for two months. It should have been tested for far longer than that, said Bruce deGrazia, program chair for cybersecurity management and policy at the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, Maryland. You dont bring something like this out in the middle of an election cycle, he told the E-Commerce Times. Thats just asking for trouble. And guess what? Thats what happened. Organizations never should rely on brand new technology during the immediate lead-up to a critical event, said Jamil Jaffer, senior vice president at IronNet, a network security company in Fulton, Maryland. You want to have vetted it and tested it and be relying on something youve had experience with, he told the E-Commerce Times. At the minimum, there appears to be a failure to perform adequate functional and stress testing of the app and its back-end systems, noted Jack Mannino, CEO ofnVisium, a Herndon, Virginia-based application security provider. Systems perform differently in preproduction and live environments due to a number of factors, including volume of usage, heavy loads and component failures, he explained. This is why exhaustive and comprehensive testing must be done across the software development lifecycle from prototype development through integration to preproduction or simulated environment and especially before live deployment for such mission-critical applications, he told the E-Commerce Times. Its so important that people have faith in the results of elections, so its extremely important to vet these applications with extensive load testing before theyre deployed, added Mark Graff, CEO of Tellagraff, a cybersecurity consultancy. Testing at load is critical for all election applications, he told the E-Commerce Times. Need for White Hats It appears that Shadows developers did all their testing in-house, observed Michael Covington, vice president of product at Wandera, an enterprise mobile security and data management provider in San Francisco. When producing an app with this much visibility, they really should have made an effort to collaborate with the White Hat hacker community in an effort to truly vet the security properties of the app and back-end supporting systems, he told the E-Commerce Times. Any app used in the democratic process should be released as open source software or at the very least, be submitted to an independent organization for a complete static and dynamic code analysis, suggested Richard Henderson, head of global threat intelligence at Lastline, a cloud-based provider of threat intelligence in Redwood City, California. A D V E R T I S E M E N T How was something so obvious as ensuring the transmission of an accurate count missed? Thats a pretty substantial flaw, he told the E-Commerce Times. It was entirely irresponsible of the Iowa Democratic Party and the app developer to approve the use of this app without adequate testing, said Josh Bohls, CEO of Inkscreen, a maker of enterprise mobility security solutions in Austin, Texas. The app was not dealing with much data or demand, he noted. There were only 1,600 caucus sites, Bohls told the E-Commerce Times. That is an incredibly small number of endpoints connected to a centralized database that is only required to collect and process around 250 thousand records. In the app world, that is not much data. Disinformation Fodder While the voting technology used by the Iowa Democratic Party was flawed, there are some bigger questions that must be answered, noted Parham Eftekhari,executive director of the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, a cybersecurity think tank in Chicago. The real question is, How did we get here? Where did the decision-making process fail that led to the development of a piece of technology that wasnt properly tested and didnt work? After the paper ballots are counted, they need to do a major dissection of the entire process, he told the E-Commerce Times. Whenever technology fails in a very public way, the consequences can be severe. Unfortunately, a failure like the one in Iowa will have a lasting impact on the publics trust in using information technology to adequately and accurately support future elections, whether theyre held at state or national level, Mannino said. I think many people will point to this debacle as an argument against technology in future elections, said Paul Bischoff, privacy advocate at Comparitech, a reviews, advice and information website for consumer security products. The many conspiracy theories surrounding the app will fuel distrust, he told the E-Commerce Times. Ideally, the problems in Iowa will help spur more rigorous future vetting and testing, not only of mobile apps but also of any digital aspect of the voting infrastructure, said Andrea Little Limbago, chief social scientist at Virtru, a data protection company inWashington, D.C. However, the biggest impact of the Iowa snafu may not be technical, she added. It will likely be used in disinformation campaigns that attempt to weaken the faith of Americans in free and fair elections, and will provide fodder for those who question election results, she told the E-Commerce Times. In fact, it actually demonstrates the opposite how a resilient system built on checks and balances and audit trails is foundational to election integrity, said Limbago. Hopefully that is the narrative that will prevail. Parliament is likely to witness a showdown between the Centre and opposition parties on March 3. This comes a day after scuffle broken out between Members of Parliament (MPs) from the two sides over the recent Delhi riots. Both Houses of Parliament were rocked by protests against the government over communal violence in Delhi. Opposition parties demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah . Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress MPs pushed and shoved each other in the Lok Sabha. MPs belonging to the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Left and the Trinamool Congress, forced repeated adjournments in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as the Budget Session of Parliament resumed after a three-week break. The government managed to introduce a few bills in the two Houses amid the din, but that was the only bit of listed transaction carried out as an aggressive opposition, whose slogan-shouting members had stormed the Well, refused to return to their seats. Amid the din, two bills The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill and Mineral Laws Amendment Bill-- were introduced. The Direct Tax Vivaad Se Vishwas Bill was also moved for consideration and passage. The Congress is likely to continue its protest until the Centre agrees to a discussion on the Delhi riots issue in both Houses of Parliament. A final call on the partys strategy would be taken after consulting other opposition parties, Hindustan Times reported. Congress allies, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), DMK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) are likely to support its demand for a discussion on the issue. Shiv Sena leaders have said the Centre, and especially the home minister, is answerable on the violence in Delhi and should brief Parliament about the matter. BJP is expected to decide on the matter during its parliamentary party meeting scheduled for March 3 morning. The meeting is generally attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party president and its MPs. Ahead of the session's resumption, the government had said its priority is to get The Finance Bill, 2020 passed. At least 47 people were killed and over 200 injured in the communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi on February 24 after clashes between groups supporting and opposing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) spiralled out of control. (With inputs from PTI) [March 03, 2020] Leading Education Provider K12 Inc. Offers Support to Schools, Families Disrupted by Coronavirus As the coronavirus outbreak spreads across continents and countries, the global online and blended education provider K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is offering schools, districts and parents essential education resources including access to technology platforms, state-licensed educators, and standards-aligned curriculum to help address this issue. "First and foremost, our thoughts go out to those impacted by the virus, both in the U.S. and internationally. Let's hope a treatment is found soon. That said, we notice schools are affected. When schools have to close, children lose learning opportunities," said Nate Davis, K12's CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. "K12 is committed to providing education for anyone, in any circumstance, and we stand ready to support educational institutions around the globe that need technology support, training or a ready-built online platform that can be deployed quickly to reach those students who can't come to school." In Hong Kong, schools have closed for two months. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently called for all schools to close until late March. This week, the first high school in Washington state closed while a staff member was being tested and quarantined for the virus. "Educators across the world are already facing difficult choices protecting students and staff," said Davis. "Here at K12, we want people to know that if they want to make online and blended learning a part of their crisis response planning, we are prepared to quickly lend a helping hand now and in the future." Online and blended schooling has provided a critical educational refuge following large-scale crises. In 2016, when historic flooding in Baton Rouge required several school districts to close buildings for the remainder of the school year, K12 and its partner, Community School for Apprenticeship Learning, worked with the Louisiana Department of Education to make it possible for students in effected areas to enroll at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. In 2018, North Carolina Virtual Academy families who were forced to evacuate their homes after Hurricane Florence were also able to maintain consistency in their children's education despite relocation, accessing the school's curriculum online and staying connected with classmates and staff. Families already choose online and blended learning as an educational alternative when they have safety concerns such as bullying, or medical needs that require regular attention. K12 offers a range of education resources, including district solutions, full and part-time public and private school enrollment, and domestic and international programs. In the United States, K12's public school partners offer tuition-free public education options. The interactive and dynamic curriculum is aligned to meet state standards, and classes are delivered by state-licensed teachers. For more information visit www.K12.com/coronavirus or call 855-593-7280. About K12 K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) helps students of all ages reach their full potential through inspired teaching and personalized learning. The company provides innovative, high-quality online and blended education solutions, curriculum, and programs to students, schools and enterprises in primary, secondary and post-secondary settings. K12 is a premier provider of career readiness education services and a leader in skills training, technology staffing and talent development. The company provides programs which combine traditional high school academics with career technical education through its Destinations Career Academies. Adult learning is delivered through K12's subsidiary, Galvanize, a leader in developing capabilities for individuals and corporations in technical fields such as software engineering and data science. K12 has delivered millions of courses over the past decade and serves students in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company is a proud sponsor of the Future of School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology in daily life and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at K12.com, destinationsacademy.com, jobshadowweek.com, and galvanize.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005304/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Peter Kaestner (67) has seen 9,258 bird species till date, nearly 90% of all known species which makes him the top birder globally on eBird, a citizen science project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He hopes to round it off to 10,000 soon. But what is extraordinary about Kaestners feat is that he achieved it while working as a career diplomat, making the most of his foreign assignments to pursue his passion for birding. Kaestners recollections of early childhood are all of watching birds in his own backyard. I have no recollection of not being a birder ever, he said during a talk here on Monday attended by a packed hall of birders. Kaestner has had a long association with Delhi because of the time he spent here as a teenager and then twice in his career as the visa wallah, who interviewed thousands of visa applicants in Punjabi and Hindi at the US Embassy in the national capital. His stay here in 1967 at Hauz Khas left a deep imprint of the city -- of peacocks and jackals calling at night. And, those days, Delhi largely had a dry and desert-like ecosystem. His stay also fuelled his love for birds he had a pet Alexandrine Parakeet called Alex and fondly remembers seeing some amazing birds in Bharatpur Sanctuary, including a Bluethroat. Kaestners first international birding trip was to the Bahamas, when he was 10 along with his brother, who was 12. Four years later he took his younger brother also to the same island nation in the southern Atlantic Ocean. We had no passports, no credit cards. Two kids went on an overnight trip to the Bahamas to watch birds. All I remember is the birds I watched such as the Bahama Woodstar and nothing of how we had travelled, he recalled. Kaestner went on to study Ornithology at Cornell University, but decided that birding will remain a hobby and not his vocation. I knew I would never have the money or time to watch all the birds. So, I decided I will watch all the bird families, he said. In fact, he chose to become a diplomat just to be able to watch birds. I joined the Foreign Service to travel and watch birds. At the beginning of my diplomatic career, I was able to get assignments in India, Papua New Guinea, Colombia and Malaysia, which were all ideal postings for birding. Fortunately, there are no prerequisites for becoming a US diplomat -- apart from being 21 years old and an American citizen. There is an entrance examination, and if you pass you are in, he said over email. Kaestners surreal experiences and adventures left the birders laughing or exclaiming in awe. For example, during his first posting at the New Delhi Embassy in 1981 he took a weekend break to fly to Kashmir in search of Ibisbill. He hiked for a day to Warwan valley through the Margan pass to be able to locate the bird as described in a 1952 book titled Breeding Birds of Kashmir. I found the Ibisbill at the exact same spot on a stream where the book mentioned it was found 30-40 years ago, he said. Kaestner was so tired after his hike that he could barely walk back, but the excitement of sighting the bird kept him going and he was back at work in Delhi on the following Monday. He was also once shipwrecked with other birders along the Brazil-Peru border while going to Leticia in Colombia through the Amazon rainforest. His small boat was hit by a ship leaving them sinking until they found shallow water and made a narrow escape. Kaestner had the opportunity to take American ornithologist, Dillon Ripley, and the famous Indian ornithologist, Salim Ali, to Sultanpur, where he showed Ali the Sociable Lapwing for the first time and describes it to be a life-time experience for Ali. One among his similar adventures in Colombia in 1989 turned out to be an important discovery of a new bird species. Those days, an assignment in Colombia used to be fraught with danger because of the threats posed by the various warring drug cartels. Kaestner went to meet a group of American missionaries in a remote area in Colombia, and on his way back took a detour to watch birds. There was a road going to communications tower where I heard something I couldnt recognise. I played a recording of its call back, the bird came closer and finally it came up. It was something new, he said. The bird was named Grallaria kaestneri in Kaestners honour. On the work front, Kaestner had to handle extremely challenging assignments in Afghanistan at the military base in Mazar-i-Sharif with heavy security surrounding him and all he could see was birds on the concertina wire. In Delhi, when he returned in 2006 as the Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs, there was a massive backlog of 158,000 people who had paid $60 to get a visa appointment but they werent granted one because of staff crunch. We were getting a million dollars a month from visa appointments. It was a horrible crisis, he reminisced. Kaestner has seen almost 1,000 different bird species in India till date, and has several more on his wish list, which are found only in the north-eastern parts of the country. Despite the experience of watching and studying exotic birds, Kaestners favourite bird is the Jungle Babbler because of its extraordinary personality and constant babbling. Kaestner has put up all his observations on eBird because data from the portal can be used for scientific research and guide fellow birders. He is now a full-time birder after retirement and his wife, Kimberly Vreeland, is a wildlife lover, who plans to work on wildlife rescue projects. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON CHICOPEE A female driver who crashed into the Connecticut River off Erline Street Monday night was rescued from her partially submerged car by four residents, police said. The crash occurred shortly after 10:22 p.m. when the vehicle went down an embankment at the end of the street and into the river, said Michael Wilk, public information officer for the police department. The residents heard the crash and went into the river to remove the victim from the car. The driver, conscious and alert, was taken to the hospital. Wilk had no information on her condition Tuesday morning. Responding officers also went into the water to ensure no other people were in the vehicle, Wilk said. The crash remains under investigation. The first novel coronavirus case has been recorded in Saudi Arabia, the countrys Ministry of Health said, Trend reports citing TASS. "Laboratory tests have confirmed the first novel coronavirus infection case," the ministry said, explaining that a Saudi citizen who arrived from Iran via Bahrain had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The patient has been quarantined in a medical institution where he is under medical supervision. All those the individual in question had been in contact with have been identified, the ministry said. A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in Chinas city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in Italy and South Korea. A total of 70 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest reports, the death toll in China, which, according to WHO estimates, accounts for the majority of novel coronavirus cases, has climbed to 2,900, 44,400 patients have recovered, while the total number of infected people has exceeded 80,000. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Huseyn Safarov - Trend: Azerbaijan's alternative energy potential is rather high, considering climatic conditions, Head of the Center of Economic Strategies of the New Society Institute in Russia, Dmitri Zavorotni told Trend. "The prevailing number of sunny days in summer season suggests high use efficiency of wind panels in Azerbaijan, and an average annual wind speed of 7-8 meters per second peculiar to the coast makes the development of wind energy economically profitable," he said. This seems to be apparent benefit, but we should note that for example, many European countries, actively developing wind and solar power generation, have much worse climatic conditions. The average annual wind speed in Denmark, which due to the wind provides already more than 40 percent of the total electricity supply, is noticeably lower than in Azerbaijan. Or Netherlands, being Europe's leading solar energy country, but can barely boast a large number of sunny days per year. And we know that the European green energy boom is largely provided by various types of state support. Therefore, Azerbaijan, due to its climate, has more favorable starting conditions. This is important, because alternative methods of generating energy still have a very high cost," said Zavorotni. Regarding the export of solar panels, the expert considers this a good idea, but notes that the specifics of these products should be taken into account. The price is a decisive factor here. This is important, because production equipment and components are manufactured in China or European countries. Perhaps the import costs can be covered by cheaper assembly of the equipment and components and then its quite realistic to fill a certain gap in foreign markets. Anyhow, the own production of panels should focus first of all on domestic market. This is also the launch of new generation capacities and, maybe, it is worth to consider creation of conditions for the sale of panels to the private sector," he said. Zavorotni said that alternative energy should not be either over- or underestimated. "Its main function today is to increase the efficiency of traditional energy. Wind and solar energy can save a lot on burning coal, fuel oil and gas. And due to savings, this raw material can be provided with flexible tariffs, which will allow the population and business to reduce utility costs and increase costs in other sectors of economy, being a good impetus for economic development," he said. He went on to add that hydropower sector in Azerbaijan should be modernized and developed. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has warned the leadership of Ukraine and its partners with the EU and NATO about the strengthening of an information attack of the "Russian world" ahead of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yehor Bozhok has said in an interview with Ukrinform. "The Foreign Ministry has already identified the launch of a new information and propaganda attack by the Russian Federation aimed at returning to the agenda the concept of the so-called 'Russian world.' The quintessence of this attack will be celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Kremlin is trying to make the most of these days to create an information pretext for proving the validity of the so-called 'Russian world'," the diplomat said. He added that this information attack is being carried out in relation to the whole European region - Ukraine, other Eastern European countries. Respective signs of this campaign are visible in Western and Southern Europe, he said. "We have reported this to the leadership of the state, warned our partners and put forward proposals for response and counteraction," Bozhok said. op HOT SPRINGS | Veterans seeking health-care solutions in the Black Hills will continue to receive full services at the Hot Springs Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the foreseeable future, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said Monday. The announcement breathes new life into the 113-year-old campus, once known as the Battle Mountain Sanitarium, after it was identified in a 2017 order for closure initiated under the Obama administration. "I'm taking another look at that Record of Decision in 2017," Wilkie said Monday. "I was given ideas today that I have not seen. I think it's vital that we maintain this place. It will not close, but we have to be more creative in making sure that it stays vibrant and healthy." Wilkie visited the Hot Springs facility with South Dakota's congressional delegation of Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds, Rep. Dusty Johnson and Gov. Kristi Noem. Wilkie said he heard some great ideas during his tour that will help "continue the legacy that began in this space at the very beginning of the 20th century." The congressional delegation sent a letter to Wilkie on Feb. 24, encouraging him to visit with veterans who would be personally affected by the VA's Black Hills 2017 realignment plan. That plan closed a major part of the Hot Springs facility and created an inpatient residential treatment facility in Rapid City. Thune has authored measures every year since 2014 that prohibited any VA closure until a national realignment strategy is produced. The move has blocked the VA's January 2017 Record of Decision to proceed with the Black Hills Health Care System realignment. "The best thing that could happen is if they would reconsider and perhaps rescind that Record of Decision in 2017, take a fresh look, start the process over and actually get the buy-in from the veteran community here as we move forward," Thune said Monday. "We are encouraged by what we heard today. I think we have a unique, fabulous situation here with a facility that is uniquely situated, both in terms of the geography of the Black Hills but also maintains a lot of the features of these buildings of the past, and a place where our veterans can really come to heal." Rounds said Wilkie's visit to Hot Springs and reconsidering the Record of Decision is critical to veterans' health care in rural parts of the Black Hills, Nebraska and Wyoming. "There were veterans and members of this community who have worked very hard to lay out alternative plans," Rounds said. "They did a great job today of sharing their vision for the future of this facility and the community of Hot Springs." Noem said programs at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center are vital to the rural communities it serves. "This community, this state and even national organizations rallied behind Hot Springs and how this facility serves not only veterans here but in surrounding states and our tribal nations," Noem said. "That's what's incredibly important about how special this place is it serves veterans who have no other alternatives." Johnson said the Hot Springs facility has delivered "outstanding outcomes" and the community has embraced helping veterans. He said the congressional delegation remains committed to the health care of veterans at the facility and commended Wilkie for agreeing to take another look at the 2017 Record of Decision. "When you've talked about not closing this facility, but making sure we are able to imagine together a better future, that means a lot to us," Johnson said. "We've heard from you a sincerity and commitment that, at times, we have felt has been lacking from senior leadership at Veterans Affairs." The US Department of Veterans Affairs proposed a $243.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2021, which would be a 10.2% increase from fiscal year 2020. Contact Assistant Managing Editor Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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. OPECs crude oil production fell to the lowest in more than ten years last month as a number of producers cut more deeply than they had agreed to and Libyas output continues to fall amid the oil port blockade, a Reuters survey has shown. At 27.84 million bpd, the cartels February average was 510,000 bpd lower than the January average, with Libyas production at a little over 120,000 bpd, down from over 1.2 million bpd at the start of the year. Only Iraq and Nigeria pumped more oil than they had agreed to, but this still kept production cut compliance levels above 100 percent, at 128 percent. Just days before the meeting of OPEC and its partners in Vienna, sources from the organization said OPEC was discussing even deeper cuts, adding another 1 million to the current cuts of 1.7 million bpd, up from an earlier proposal to deepen the cuts by 600,000 bpd. Also, the group could go ahead and deepen the cuts even if Russia decides to sit this round out, the sources, who spoke to Reuters earlier this week, said. Saudi Arabia wants to hold prices from falling, but Russia is still not agreeing. So the only way might be for OPEC to cut alone, which will not send a good signal to the market, one source said, while another added, There should be a cut, there is no other option. OPEC has been desperately looking for a way to stop the oil price decline or at least slow it down, after the coronavirus outbreak in China pressured oil prices into a bear market, with Brent and WTI falling to the lowest since the 2008 financial crisis last week. This week, the benchmarks recouped some of their losses largely on expectations of OPEC to announce deeper production cuts. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Barclays came under attack on two fronts yesterday as a major investor called for the boss to be axed and climate change protesters shut branches. The bank was unable to open almost a hundred branches across the UK yesterday, as a result of protests organised by environmental pressure group Greenpeace. Meanwhile, its biggest shareholder called on the bank's board to not renominate Jes Staley due to his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Activists blocked the doors to bank branches today, preventing bank staff from entering the branch and holding up signs with slogans such as 'Barclays: Stop Funding the Climate Emergency' and 'Barclays: Climate Criminals' Sherborne Investors, a New York-based investment firm run by Ed Bramson, says Mr Staley's close ties with Epstein means his renomination would be 'extremely ill-advised.' They called on the board of Barclays to take 'decisive action' and vote at the banks annual shareholder meeting on 7 May to overturn their advice to re-elect Staley. This, they write, would 'draw a line under this destabilising situation, 'allow the company to move forward and focus on more constructive activities.' Sherborne's statement comes as the financial services giant was hit by protests by Greenpeace. Greenpeace is demonstrating against the bank's financial support for fossil fuel projects, which they claim totalled $85billion between 2016 and 2018. Activists blocked the doors to bank branches, preventing staff from entering the branch and holding up signs with slogans such as 'Barclays: Stop Funding the Climate Emergency' and 'Barclays: Climate Criminals' It calls on supporters to send a letter to Jes Staley urging the bank to end its involvement in supporting oil, gas and coal companies. Jes Staley (above) faces trouble over both his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his bank's support for fossil fuel companies and projects, which has led protests by Greenpeace today The letter states: 'Barclays is the 6th biggest funder of fossil fuels among banks globally and the biggest in Europe. 'In the context of the climate crisis, its critical that banks like yours stop funding fossil fuels and align themselves and their portfolios with the 1.5C target. 'Over the years, Barclays has provided hundreds of billions of dollars to fossil fuel companies, supporting the expansion of some of the dirtiest fuels on the planet. 'Now is the time for strong, principled action. We ask you to take a stand - immediately end the expansion of fossil fuels and publicly commit to align your portfolios with the Paris Climate Agreement target - to stop funding companies driving the climate crisis.' Barclays was challenged at the start of 2020 by shareholders organised by the ShareAction organisation to phase out its support for fossil fuel enterprises. Staley has faced investigations by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) over his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison last August after being arrested over allegations of sex-trafficking. Epstein and Staley's professional relationship began in 2000 when the Barclays CEO was running JP Morgan's private bank. Epstein was a prominent client of the bank. They continued to see each other even after Epstein was jailed in 2008 for soliciting prostitution with a minor. Staley has said his relationship with Epstein only started to 'taper off' after 2013, with the last contact occurring in 2015. But Sherborne questioned whether Staley at JP Morgan placed Epstein's accounts under the necessary scrutiny that financial institutions are required to undertake in the USA and UK if certain account activity 'may be related to criminal conduct.' Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with Jes Staley goes back to 2000 when Staley was head of JP Morgan's private bank and Epstein was a prominent wealthy client It goes on to say: 'It seems to us that the real issue, therefore, is Staleys professional conduct, not the dubious company he may have elected to keep in his private life.' Sherborne states matter-of-factly that there is no indication Staley was involved in any crime. But it remarks that Mr Epstein's criminal behaviour would have made it 'reasonable to expect' JP Morgan would have scrutinised his financial accounts. It adds: 'If Staley knowingly continued providing financial services to Epstein, which could have helped to facilitate the latters child prostitution activities, in order to reap personal career benefits, it raises the question as to whether he is suitable to be an executive of a financial institution.' The Barclays CEO has said he strongly regrets his association with Epstein, while the bank has declared that Staley has been 'sufficiently transparent' over his relationship with the former financier. Shares in Barclays were down 6.1 per cent today at 145.2p. A 45-year-old woman, who returned from Iran, tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in Pakistan, taking the total number of the COVID-19 infections in the country to five, officials said on Tuesday. Earlier, on February 29, two more positive cases were reported in Pakistan. The woman, who returned from Iran some days ago, is a resident of Gilgit city in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region in the north. "We have now 5th confirmed case of #COVID19 in federal areas. Patient is stable and is being managed well. I request the media to respect the privacy of the patient and the family, tweeted Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Advisor on Health. The blood samples of the patient were referred to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from the Gilgit district hospital on Saturday. READ | Coronavirus Outbreak: UN Releases USD 15 Million As WHO Raises Risk Level To 'very High' Officials said that the patient has been admitted to an isolated ward after testing positive. The GB government announced to shut down educational institutional till March 7 after the confirmation of its first coronavirus case. Sindh and Balochistan province have already closed their schools and college after the deadly virus surfaced in the country. Pakistan has also closed its border with Iran and Afghanistan. So far, no coronavirus related death has been reported in Pakistan. Mirza said that all the patients were in a stable condition. READ | Coronavirus Outbreak: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Advisor Dies READ | Coronavirus: Washington State Confirms 4 New Deaths, Total Rises To 6 A stretcher is moved from an AMR ambulance to the Life Care Center of Kirkland, where one associate and one resident were diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a statement released by the facility in Kirkland, Washington, on Feb. 29, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) US Death Toll Rises to 6 as Authorities Ramp Up Coronavirus Response A spate of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported in the United States, with some statesincluding New York, Rhode Island, and Floridaseeing their first-ever instances of the virus. A total of 96 confirmed cases have been reported from across the country, as of this writing. Six people have died from the disease in Washington statethe first batch of deaths recorded in the United States. The fatalities have mostly involved older people with underlying health conditions. On March 2, health officials announced four additional confirmed cases of the virus in residents from King County and three additional deaths, including an individual who was previously reported as ill but who has now died. It brings the total number of coronavirus deaths in the county to five, after two were recorded over the weekend. In King County, a nursing home is on lockdown over two confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a number of staff members and residents showing flu-like symptoms. The Life Care Center in Kirkland said that all visits to the facility from families, volunteers, or vendors are not allowed. The sixth reported death was a Snohomish County, Washington, resident. In Kings County, all fatalities have involved those of older people, the youngest being a man in his 50s and the oldest over 80. The age of the Snohomish resident was not disclosed. At this time, we have not detected COVID-19 cases outside of King and Snohomish Counties, but given the movement of people around our state, it is possible the virus is spreading in other counties, too, Washington state health officer Dr. Kathy Lofy told reporters at a conference. Dr. Jeff Duchin, chief health officer for the Seattle and King County Public Health agency, told a news conference that the county was not recommending school closures or cancellation of any events at this point, but they do expect the number of cases to increase. In Washington state, the total number of confirmed cases is now 18. Meanwhile, five other states in the past few days have reported cases of the virus for the first time: Oregon, California, Rhode Island, Florida, and New York. The number of total confirmed cases in the United States jumped by at least two dozen over the weekend. A state of emergency has been declared in at least two states, Washington and Florida, following cases of the coronavirus. Despite todays sad news the risk to the American people of the coronavirus remains low, Vice President Mike Pence said at a March 2 briefing. Pence said a vaccine is in development and that therapeutics giving relief to people that contract the coronavirus could literally be available this summer or early fall. He added that within the next 12 hours, there will be a 100 percent screening [on] all direct flights at all airports across Italy and across South Korea on flights heading to America. In New York, officials said the first confirmed case was a woman in her late 30s who had contracted the virus while traveling abroad in Iran. She is currently isolated in her home. The patient has respiratory symptoms but is not in serious condition, according to the New York governors office. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there is no reason for undue anxiety and that the general risk in New York remains low. The governor on March 2 said there will be community spread in New York and that the mortality rate with the virus is going to be higher among senior citizens and the immune-compromised. Military Response The top general in the country said on March 2 that the military is currently preparing for how to respond to the outbreak, noting that a pandemic is the worst-case scenario. The United States military looks at a wide variety of scenarios, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon. Of course we do all kinds of planning in the department of defense. Milley told reporters the military labs are also consistently working on a vaccine in direct support with health and human services. Trump, on March 2, said he has asked pharmaceutical companies to accelerate whatever theyre doing in terms of a vaccine. The general said the broader impact of the virus has been minimal so far. The coronavirus outbreak emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December. Authorities across the United States are preparing for more cases of COVID-19, with an emphasis on ratcheting up the number of available test kits. Protective gear and test kits are being distributed to U.S. military facilities, with a priority on distribution to the Korean Peninsula, Milley said. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Headline indices of the Japan share market were mixed on Tuesday, 03 March 2020, after trimming earlier gains as ongoing fears about the economic impact of the continued spread of the coronavirus unsettled investors. Around late afternoon, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average declined 142.70 points, or 0.67%, to 21,201.38, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange shed 11.56 points, or 0.76%, at 1,514.31. All industry categories of Topix index lost ground, with Securities & Commodities Futures, Warehousing & Harbor Transportation Services, Real Es Fishery, Agriculture & Forestry, Machinery, Rubber Products, and Retail Trade issues being notable losers. The magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on the economy and supply chains remain the biggest questions for investors. The global death toll from COVID-19 has passed 3,000, and South Korea said Monday it had confirmed 599 new cases, far higher than the daily tally reported in China. Italy now has more than 1,600 confirmed cases, while Iran surpassed 1,500, with 66 deaths. Meanwhile, health officials in Washington state on Monday said there have been four more deaths from the outbreak, bringing the total to six. The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Monday forecast that the global economy would grow by 2.4% in its best case scenario, compared with 2.9% expansion projected before the viral outbreak. The OECD urged governments to act swiftly and forcefully to boost the world economy. Finance ministers from the Group of Seven economies were scheduled to hold a call Tuesday to discuss potential responses to the virus, according to reports. CURRENCY NEWS: The Japanese yen, often viewed as a safe-haven currency in times of economic uncertainty, appreciated against a basket of currencies. The Japanese yen strengthened to 108.07 per dollar after an earlier low of 108.53. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that he held an extensive review on the preparedness for novel coronavirus. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. "Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he said in a tweet. ALSO READ: Coronavirus outbreak - Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal calls urgent meeting with health minister, top officials The Health Ministry on Tuesday said seven cases with "high-viral load" were detected during sample testing in Agra and Lucknow and these people have been kept in isolation. The people had come in contact with a 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday, and they include his family members. According to government sources, the man, who is a resident of Mayur Vihar, had visited them in Agra. They have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for confirmation. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also called for an urgent meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials at 3 pm today on the government's preparations to deal with coronavirus, an official said. The move comes a day after a case of the novel coronavirus was reported in the national capital, while another case was reported in Telangana. Amid a worldwide slump in passenger and cargo traffic due to the fast-spreading novel coronavirus, airlines are asking airport authorities to suspend rules governing the use of takeoff and landing slots as they cut back flight schedules. Under slot allocation rules at more than 200 airports worldwide, airlines must operate at least 80% of their allocated slots under normal circumstances or risk losing the slot to competitors the following season. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging airport governing bodies to relax the slot rules for the remainder of the flying season due to the respiratory illness spreading around the world because carriers need flexibility to adjust their schedules. Suspending the requirement through October will allow airlines to respond to market conditions with appropriate capacity levels, avoiding the need to run empty services in order to maintain slots. Aircraft can be reallocated to other routes or parked, while crews can have certainty about their schedules, IATA said. Regulators have already been waiving the slot rules on a rolling basis during the COVID-19 crisis, primarily for operations to China and Hong Kong. "The world is facing a huge challenge to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while enabling the global economy to continue functioning. Airlines are on the front line of that challenge and it's essential that the regulatory community work with us to ensure airlines are able to operate in the most sustainable manner, both economically and environmentally, to alleviate the worst impacts of the crisis," IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement. On Sunday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases outside China doubled to nearly 2,000, while new cases in China are declining after a monthlong quarantine program in large parts of the country. Overall there have been more than 80,000 cases and 2,900 deaths, most of them in China. Many companies are limiting corporate travel and many industry conferences have been canceled in the past two weeks, while leisure travelers are also opting to stay home to avoid contracting the flu-like disease. Story continues The impact on many airlines has been swift and severe. Some are offering to temporarily waive change fees for customers who book in the next few weeks. IATA said one of its members has experienced a 26% reduction in business across its entire network, while a major carrier reported bookings to Italy have collapsed to zero and refunds are growing. Many carriers report 50% no-shows. Carriers such as Deutsche Lufthansa AG are reacting with cost-saving measures, such as offering crews unpaid leave, freezing pay increases and grounding aircraft. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific has taken the most dramatic steps so far. It has parked about half its passenger fleet, or about 120 planes, and scrubbed about three-quarters of its weekly flights in March, according to the South China Morning Post. On Monday, Lufthansa curtailed schedules for group airlines even further as part of an effort to trim short- and medium-haul flights by 25%. Lufthansa Airlines is reducing frequencies on various routes to Italy from Germany this month and SWISS will probably reduce flights to and from major tourist destinations in Italy until the end of April, the company said. Austrian Airlines is reducing its flight program to Italy in March and April by 40%, and Eurowings is reducing flights to Venice, Bologna and Milan until Sunday. Brussels Airlines is reducing flights to Rome, Milan, Venice and Bologna by 30% until March 14. Lufthansa Group airlines are also reducing long-haul flights between Germany and Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea, from Thursday through April 24. Flight suspensions to mainland China and Tehran, Iran, remain in effect through April 24 and April 30, respectively. Airline analysts over the weekend said they are watching whether airlines start canceling flights on the North Atlantic and U.S. domestic market to gauge how far the crisis is reaching. On cue Monday, British Airways said it was reducing the number of flights from London to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in the second half of March due to lower demand. It previously canceled flights to mainland China, as well as some flights to Italy, Singapore and South Korea. Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) also said it was suspending daily flights between JFK and Milan, with service scheduled to resume May 1. And Delta's summer seasonal service between JFK and Venice, previously scheduled to begin April 1, has been pushed back to May 1. The airline's daily flights between Rome and both JFK and Atlanta continue to operate as scheduled. The pull-down of passenger planes is also reducing capacity for shippers and their cargo, forcing them to look for other options. That could be especially problematic for areas outside China where economic activity and trade are still proceeding and transport demand remains high. All-cargo carriers will likely be in hot demand around the world, beyond just the China market but the uncertainty about the disease makes it difficult to predict where and when all-cargo demand will climb. Airlines are girding for financial losses this year if the outbreak isn't contained soon. The reduction in international corporate travel is especially worrisome because airlines depend on it for profits. Airlines could also lose significant revenue during the domestic spring break season that begins this week and runs through mid-April. Airlines "can stimulate demand by lowering fares to attract leisure customers, but replacing high-value customers with leisure customers means earnings will come under pressure," Cowan equity analyst Helane Becker wrote in a note. A silver lining for airlines is that jet fuel prices have decreased to about $1.45 globally compared to $1.60 to $1.77 at the end of January and between $1.81 and $2.06 at the end of November. Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing municipal government has issued a raft of measures to shore up bookstores impacted by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The measures were taken after a survey of 248 brick-and-mortar bookstores in Beijing found 48.4 percent of them were at risk of bankruptcy within one to three months. Man Xiangwei, an official of the Beijing municipal publicity department, said the municipal government normally provides annual funding support to bookstores in October. However, given the impact of the epidemic, the government will provide the funds this month. "Rental subsidies will be provided from March to June to bookstores with evaluations of the businesses," he said. Beijing will also select 200 bookstores for cash rewards for their cultural characteristics and innovative business models. "We will encourage bookstores to carry out high-quality cultural activities and promote community-based bookstores," said Man. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar.3 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will provide Italy with security against other gas exporters, Senior Analyst at an independent energy research and consulting firm Rystad Energy Swapnil Babele told Trend. "Italy currently imports majority of its gas from Russia, Algeria followed by Qatar, Libya and Norway. Italy for some time has been planning to diversify its energy sources and be less reliant on Russian gas. It imported ~23 billion cubic meters of Russian gas in 2018, in 2019 it is still one of the biggest buyers after Germany as Turkey decreased its import of Russian gas. Last year Italy increased its gas imports from Libya. However there exists an uncertainty over Libyan gas due to the ongoing civil war, as it can default anytime. Hence additional gas will help stabilize its demand," he said. The analyst noted that Azerbaijani gas through TAP will not only diversify Italys gas sources but will also provide security against other gas exporters. "It will also make Italy a regional gas hub for European countries. It will give leverage to Italy to bargain a better gas price from other suppliers, resulting in a gas competitive market. The 8.8 bcm of additional gas will replace pipeline imports from Algeria which we forecast that will decline towards 2030, but could also replace import from Russia in the short-term as export from Azerbaijan is ramping up," he added. Babele went on to add that Shah Deniz phase 2 field will be providing 10 billion cubic meters of gas via TAP. "The SGC and the increasing availability of LNG will play an important role in diversification going forward. Turkey which has been among the biggest importer of Russian gas in 2018 (~24 Bcm), reduced its import volumes by roughly 34 percent in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to 2018 due to more gas supplies from Azerbaijan and LNG imports." Italy will receive 8.8 billion cubic meters of gas via TAP, with supplies expected by late 2020. TAP project is 92 percent complete as of late January. TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016. Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S., known as Dr. J. The primary worry regarding COVID-19 is the sheer number of cases that may occur at the same time and the possible impact on the health system and the economy, A February 28 article on CNN Health reports that a Northern California woman hospitalized with the new coronavirus strain, also called COVID-19, is in serious condition. Reports say she is distinguished from the other 61 known cases in the United States because she has not been in China recently, nor has she knowingly been in contact with anyone who has. While there is cause for concern regarding the possibility of a pandemic, people dont need to be in a state of fear, said Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S., known as Dr. J to his patients. The COVID-19 strain is less lethal than past highly publicized flu strains, such as SARS, and is no cause for panic, says Dr. J. The reason governments are acting on this worldwide has more to do with how fast its spreading than how dangerous it is to individuals. Everyone should be aware that the primary worry regarding COVID-19 is the sheer number of cases that may occur at the same time and the possible impact on the health system and the economy, says Dr. J. Its very serious but most people are unlikely to be seriously sickened. As with any flu or respiratory infection, elderly and infirm individuals do need to be especially careful due to the risk of pneumonia and other complications. For those concerned, avoiding large crowds may also be a good idea for the time being, says Dr. J. The serious cases we are seeing are primarily older people. That was not the case with the extremely deadly 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic thats often mentioned in the media. The funny part is that few or no children seem to have been infected up to now. People should know that the medical community is working very hard to prevent the transmission of this and other communicable diseases. Responsible members of the professions always engage in extremely rigorous protocols with regards to cleanliness and sanitary practices, Dr. J noted. As both a certified plastic surgeon and also a certified general surgeon, I can tell you that, regardless of whats happening in the world, when it comes to potentially dangerous microbes, we employ complex multiple layers of precautions that would probably surprise most people. During a time like this, of course, we understand that patients may be more concerned than usual and we do whatever we can to reassure them that safe conditions are always a top priority, Dr. J said. As far as what people can do to stay healthy generally, the steps are well-known. Frequent and thorough handwashing something we surgeons know all about -- is one of the primary ways to prevent contagions from spreading, said Dr. J. We probably dont need to tell people that avoiding people who are sick is desirable. Also, COVID-19 seems to last fairly long on surfaces, so keeping tables and chairs clean with cleaning solutions may be more important than usual, said the surgeon. Please stay calm but do stay abreast of media reports from reliable outlets like major news organizations and local television and radio stations. If there is a pandemic, knowing whats happening will be important, says Dr. J. Interested readers can call (310) 228-3151. Dr. Js qualifications as a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon double board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery can be seen online. A Chicago man faces a felony weapons charge after Evanston police say he waved a handgun out the window of his vehicle at another driver in an incident of road rage. Adelle Spraags, 44, of West 112th Place, Chicago, was charged in the Feb. 20 incident with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor aggravated assault with a firearm following the alleged incident on Sheridan Road, police said Monday. The confrontation started on the North Side of Chicago and entered Evanston, police said. Evanston officers were advised by dispatch that the driver of a gray Jeep Cherokee was traveling northbound on Sheridan Road waving a gun out the vehicle window, police said. Officers located a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop in an alley off the 800 block of Foster Avenue, police said. Officers talked to Spraags and he admitted to having a handgun in his secure glove box, according to the release. Spraags signed a consent to search form and the officers recovered a Glock 9mm handgun and an extended magazine from his vehicle, said the release. Spraags has a valid FOID card, but does not have a conceal and carry permit, police said. He was released on bond and is scheduled for a March 30 hearing at the Skokie courthouse. Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter. Nashville: Tornadoes that ripped across Tennessee early on Tuesday, shred at least 40 buildings and killed at least 25 people. One of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville, destroying the stained glass in a historic church and leaving hundreds of people homeless. Daybreak revealed a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, leaving city streets in gridlock. Schools, courts, transit lines, an airport and the state capitol were closed, and some damaged polling stations were moved only hours before Super Tuesday voting was set to begin. The tornadoes ripped through dozens of buildings in Tennessee. Credit:AP The death toll jumped to 19 on Tuesday, US time, Tennessee Emergency Management Spokeswoman Maggie Hannan said, after police and fire crews spent hours pulling survivors and bodies from wrecked buildings. It reaches 25 a few hours later. "Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is," Nashville Mayor John Cooper said at a news conference. The European Union will provide Greece "all the support needed" to help tackle the migration surge from neighbouring Turkey, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday. "Those who seek to test Europe's unity will be disappointed. We will hold the line and our unity will prevail," von der Leyen said after visiting the border area with the Greek prime minister and chiefs of the European Council and European Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A New York State assembly employee has been slammed for sharing a 'xenophobic' Facebook message urging people to avoid Chinese businesses amid the coronavirus crisis. Marilyn Franks, a receptionist in Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus' Coney Island office, shared the message which claimed owners of restaurants and shops had returned from China 'bringing along the coronavirus'. The message also urged others to spread the word to 'keep our people from this deadly virus.' Marilyn Franks (left), a receptionist in Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus' Coney Island office, shared the message (right) which claimed owners of restaurants and shops had returned from China 'bringing along the coronavirus' 'We urge citizens to stay away from Chinese supermarkets, shops, fast food outlets, Restaurant, [sic] and Business,' the message read. 'Most of the owners went back to China to celebrate the Chinese New [Year] Celebrations,' it continues. 'They are returning and some are bringing along the coronavirus. Rather be safe than sorry.' A campaign group for Chinese workers in New York has since blasted the comments as 'divisive'. 'We urge citizens to stay away from Chinese supermarkets, shops, fast food outlets, Restaurant, [sic] and Business,' the message read. Pictured: Chinatown in Manhattan Zishun Ning of the Chinese Staff and Workers' Association told The Daily News: 'It's a very divisive message and doesn't help at all fighting the virus'. 'The most important task right now is to fight the disease instead of blaming it on a certain group, which doesn't make sense at all.' Ms Frontus, who is based in Brooklyn, has since apologised for her employee's statement, noting it had been part of a chain message which was forwarded. 'I apologize for the harm this caused,' the assemblywoman said in a statement. 'This message violates the core values of my office, and this staffer has been warned and ordered to desist, and will complete additional cultural sensitivity training. People gather as street vendor Mike James sells them surgical mask, hand sanitizer and alcohol in Flushing, Queens on Monday as the first confirmed coronavirus case in New York State is reported 'Crisis can bring out latent fears and prejudices, but that is when it is most important for us to come together. Ignorance is no excuse for spreading hateful messages,' she added. New York confirmed its first coronavirus case on Sunday as a female healthcare worker in her 30s who returned from Iran last week and is now being quarantined in her Manhattan home. The coronavirus death toll in the U.S. has now climbed to six as President Donald Trump called for drug-makers to speed up the development of a vaccine despite the top infectious disease official in the country warning it won't be ready for at least a year. Health officials in Washington state announced on Monday that four people had died in the Seattle area in addition to the two other patients in that same area who died over the weekend. Five of the six deaths have been linked to the LifeCare long-term aged care facility in Kirkland in King County. The sixth victim was from nearby Snohomish county. Officials say at least four of the six people who have died were elderly and/or had underlying health conditions. President Donald Trump holds a copy of The Washington Post as he speaks in the East Room of the White House one day after the Senate acquitted him of two articles of impeachment, February 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump's campaign on Tuesday sued the The Washington Post for defamation, citing two opinion articles published last June about the campaign allegedly benefiting from Russian assistance. The lawsuit came a week after the campaign sued The New York Times for defamation in connection with an op-ed entited "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo." Both legal actions claim damages "in the millions of dollars." The suit against the Post was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. It identified two articles that allegedly contained false claims. The first article, published June 13, was written by Greg Sargent and was headlined, "Trump just invited another Russian attack. Mitch McConnell is making one more likely." The second article, published a week later and written by Paul Waldman, was entitled, "Trump: I can win reelection with just my base." The suit says that the question posed in Waldman's article, that is, "who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the Trump campaign, now that he has invited them to offer their assistance," was defamatory. Jenna Ellis, senior legal advisor to Trump's campaign, said that the statements published by the Post "were and are 100 percent false and defamatory." "The complaint alleges The Post 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 statement. "The campaign files suit to publicly establish the truth and seek appropriate legal remedies for the harm caused by false reporting." The Post did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The newspaper is owned by multibillionaire Jeff Bezos, CEO of online retailer Amazon. A French official on Tuesday threatened to issue a decree controlling prices of face masks and disinfectant gels used to protect against the virus outbreak if an investigation shows they are being sold at unfairly high prices. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire also urged the public to avoid "precautionary shopping" in supermarkets. Some store shelves, notably in the Oise region north of Paris the centre of a virus cluster in France are empty of staples. He said he has asked the office of consumer affairs and fraud prevention to investigate prices for masks and alcohol gels. If widespread abuses are uncovered, he said he "will not hesitate" to make high prices unlawful. France has reported 191 cases of the virus, including three on French Caribbean islands, and three deaths. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here. The coronavirus outbreak that began in central China in December is continuing its spread around the globe. The number of cases has multiplied as of Monday to nearly 90,000 in more than 60 countries, according to world health officials, who are advising governments to prepare for outbreaks while simultaneously cautioning against the risks of unnecessary fears or stigma. The death toll has reached more than 3,000. By comparison, the flu infects some 1 billion people per year and causes 291,000 to 646,00 deaths worldwide. Active outbreaks are springing up outside of China, including in South Korea, Italy and Iran. China today reported 202 new cases, the smallest increase in cases since January. 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. ALSO: What's the difference between coronavirus, the flu and the common cold? Health officials have recorded 88 cases in the United States, including people evacuated from Wuhan and the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Two deaths have been reported in the U.S., both in the Seattle suburbs. The first U.S. case was a Washington state man who had visited China, but several recent cases in the U.S. have had no known connection to travelers. California has 27 cases and Washington state now has 12. Researchers said the virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in Washington. In California, two health care workers in the San Francisco Bay area who cared for an earlier coronavirus patient were diagnosed with the virus on Sunday, the Alameda and Solano counties said in a joint statement. The health care workers are both employed at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville and had exposure to a patient treated there before being transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, the statement said. That patient was the first person in the U.S. discovered to have contracted the coronavirus with no known overseas travel. Alameda County declared a state of emergency on Sunday following the news. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her news tips and photos at agraff@sfgate.com. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: A full list of online coronavirus resources: Where to get your questions answered The worst myths and misinformation about coronavirus Are the elderly at a greater risk for coronavirus complications? US Surgeon General: 'Seriously people - STOP BUYING MASKS' Bay Area company to expand coronavirus drug trials to other companies CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears JetBlue waives all change, cancellation fees on new bookings due to coronavirus (Newser) A recently dismissed security guard freed dozens of hostages and was subdued by police after walking out of a shopping mall in the Philippine capital on Monday, ending a daylong hostage crisis in an upscale commercial district near the police and military headquarters, officials said. The former guard at the Greenhills shopping center, identified by police as Alchie Paray, left the mall in San Juan City in metropolitan Manila with the remaining hostages, who were then secured by police, the AP reports. Several others had managed to escape earlier, police said. "Everyone is in shock, very traumatized. Well have to give them time to recover," said San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, who ordered an investigation, including into how the suspect was able to enter the mall with a pistol and grenades. story continues below Instead of being immediately arrested, the suspect was allowed to speak for several minutes to journalists to describe his grievances against his former bosses, whom he accused of corruption and abuse, before police approached and subdued him. Zamora said the suspect had a pistol with him when he walked down from a second-floor administrative office where he had held dozens of hostages, many of them mall employees, for around 10 hours. Other people hid in nearby offices and hallways and escaped in batches, the mayor said. He said the gunman shot and wounded a former colleague before taking hostages. In a bid to appease the suspect during the hostage crisis, six officers in charge of mall security apologized to Paray for shortcomings and resigned or offered to quit. (Read more Philippines stories.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 01:39:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (C) speaks at a daily briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 2, 2020. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan has become the greatest concern. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia) GENEVA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan has become the greatest concern. South Korea has so far reported more than 4,200 cases and 22 deaths, meaning it has more than half of all cases outside China, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing. The cases in South Korea, however, appear to be coming mostly from suspected cases from the five known clusters, rather than the community, which indicates that surveillance measures are working and the epidemic can still be contained in the country, Tedros added. "(South) Korea's situation also underlines that this is a unique virus with unique features. This virus is not influenza," Tedros explained, because if COVID-19 was an influenza epidemic, widespread community transmission across the globe would have been expected by now, and efforts to slow it down or contain it would not be feasible. "But containment of COVID-19 is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries," he reiterated. "With early, aggressive measures, countries can stop transmission and save lives." While in Iran, COVID-19 death toll has risen to 66 as of Monday, with a total of 1,501 people having been affected and 291 of them recovered, according to Iran's health authority. The WHO chief announced Monday that a WHO team had arrived in Iran on Monday afternoon to deliver supplies and support the government in the response. In Italy, the total number of COVID-19 cases by Sunday has reached 1,577, or 1,694 including those healed or died, the authority said. That was an increase from 1,128 a day earlier. The death toll was 34. In Japan, as of Monday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to more than 960, with over 700 of them stemming from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in the port city of Yokohama. PCTEL, Inc. PCTI is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2019 results on Mar 5, after the closing bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 16.7%, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Notably, PCTEL topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the trailing four quarters, the beat being 150.6%, on average. The Bloomingdale, IL-based company is expected to have recorded higher aggregate revenues on a year-over-year basis in the fourth quarter, primarily driven by 5G scanning receiver business. It is well positioned to benefit from the number of industrial IoT applications together with robust market for its antenna solutions. Factors at Play During the fourth quarter, PCTEL announced new testing capabilities to support 4G/5G Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) and accelerate 5G New Radio rollouts. DSS testing is available on new and existing HBflex and IBflex scanning receivers. This is expected to get reflected positively in the upcoming results. The company added Digital Mobile Radio signal quality measurements to its public safety network testing solution. With this, the efficient pass/fail testing system can be applied to a broad range of public and private critical communications networks. PCTELs public safety network testing solution reduces testing and reporting time by more than 50%. PCTEL expanded its Industrial IoT portfolio adding access points, sensor communication and radio modules to its market-leading line of purpose-built antennas. It launched a new antenna that combines precision multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System with high performance LTE, sub-6 GHz 5G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The companys performance is expected have benefited from these positives. For the December quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues stands at $24 million, implying a rise of 14.3% from the year-ago quarters reported figure. Adjusted earnings per share are pegged at 12 cents, indicating an increase of 300% from the prior-year quarters reported figure. What Our Model Says Our proven model doesnt predict an earnings beat for PCTEL this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But thats not the case here as youll see below: Earnings ESP: PCTELs Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is 0.00% as both are pegged at 12 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. PCTEL, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Story continues PCTEL, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise PCTEL, Inc. price-eps-surprise | PCTEL, Inc. Quote Zacks Rank: PCTEL currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Stocks to Consider Here are some companies that you may want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: Burlington Stores, Inc. BURL is slated to release quarterly results on Mar 5. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.02% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Costco Wholesale Corporation COST is scheduled to release results on Mar 5. The company has an Earnings ESP of +0.20% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. The Cooper Companies, Inc. COO has an Earnings ESP of +0.63% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is set to report results on Mar 5. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> 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 The Cooper Companies, Inc. (COO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) : Free Stock Analysis Report Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) : Free Stock Analysis Report PCTEL, Inc. (PCTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, mother to Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, has been rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke, the UK ... Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, mother to Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, has been rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke, the UK Mirror reports. Ronaldo has flown to Madeira to be with her, after she was admitted to Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital on Tuesday morning. She is reportedly conscious and stable. However, Dolores will undergo new tests later in the day, to determine her state of health. Last year, she admitted she was fighting for her life after a new cancer drama. Dolores was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Vogue fashion outlet at the Abbey Centre in north Belfast, where Ann Kane was employed as a shop assistant A north Belfast woman narrowly avoided prison yesterday after she admitted the theft of over 30,000 from a shopping centre fashion outlet. Ann Kane (51), from Silverstream Park, was told by a judge that she will carry out 100 hours community service and be on probation for 18 months for her crimes, instead of going to prison for six months. After she accepted the combination order, Judge Neil Rafferty QC told Kane that the Probation Service provided support for defendants suffering from depression and low mood which had led to her offending. Kane had pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position by pocketing 30,783.40 in 16 counts of theft. Prosecution barrister Simon Jenkins said Kane's offending had spanned almost four years from August 2014 to April 2017 when she voided sales on tills at Vogue fashion shop at the Abbey Centre in north Belfast while working as a shop assistant. He told Belfast Crown Court that Kane's offending came to light when a customer returned to the store in May 2017 having received the wrong receipt for an item she had purchased. Mr Jenkins said the incident sparked an "immediate investigation" by the store which revealed Kane's modus operandi had been carried out "multiple times". The prosecution barrister said an analysis of computer records showed Kane had carried out the sales voids using her unique log-in code. And CCTV footage also showed Kane going to the store safe after each voided sale and "removing monies from the safe and placing it in her purse". The court heard over the course of three police interviews, Kane consistently denied that she had taken the money. When the CCTV footage of her taking money from the safe was shown to her, she suggested she "was swapping a 5 note for coins". Defence barrister Danielle McMahon said Kane had no previous criminal convictions but as a result of her guilty pleas to fraud and theft "she may never work again". Ms McMahon added that a medical report stated that Kane was suffering from "depression and low mood" during her offending. He added: "This is a clear case of where somebody needs help and statutory supervision." [March 03, 2020] Xealth Sponsored Survey Underscores Digital Health Divide Between Patient Expectations and Current State Xealth, a leader in enabling digital health at scale, today announced recent survey findings that examine the digital health expectations of new or expectant mothers compared to the services received from healthcare providers. The last few years have seen a movement towards offering patients a more consumer-friendly experience, with significant investments made in digital health. This new experience can assist with patient engagement, treatment compliance and patient retention. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005514/en/ Xealth and Sid Lee Survey Underscores Digital Health Divide Between Patient Expectations and Current State (Graphic: Business Wire) According to the Project Beyond survey1, commissioned by Xealth in partnership with Sid Lee and conducted among nearly 1,000 U.S. women who are new or expectant mothers, a majority (53%) who are familiar with digital health see online information as a key factor in choosing a hospital. Key findings include: Digital tools rated most important to patients: online access to medical records (61%), online payment tools (57%), online scheduling (52%) and electronic refill of prescriptions (51%); Digital tools most offered by hospitals: online payment tools (45%), online access to medical records (39%), online education and information (31%), and online scheduling (29%); The widest gaps exist related to electronic refill of prescriptions (51% find this important vs. 23% actually can), online scheduling (52% vs. 29%), and price transparency (30% vs. 8%); and Comments about what hospitals can do to improve the digital health experience involved providing greater convenience, creating patient communities, improving education and increasing transparency. "Digital connections have permeated almost every industry except the most important one - healthcare," said Xealth CEO Mike McSherry. "Until hospitals and patients get on the same page for basic transactional services, the true potential of digital health outcomes is going to be held back. The results of this survey show that most of the digital experiences that patients want from their healthcare providers will enhance their relationships with doctors. There is a significant opportunity for hospitals to fill this need for patients, while helping define what successful digital heath means." Other notable findings: Nearly half of respondants (47%) expect some form of digital interaction with their doctor; and Nearly 30% of respondants answered "I don't know" when asked what the definition of digital health. "We're interested in how specific communities are engaging with digital health tools and how those tools impact their health experiences and choices," said John Breen, Executive Director of Health Strategy at Sid Lee. "This survey captured the perspective of new or expectant mothers, most of whom belong to the digital native Millennial and Generation Z cohorts. As they look to manage growing families and aging parents, their expectations for a digital health experience will only continue to rise." Access Sid Lee's full report and infographic here. Methodology This survey was conducted online within the United States by Sid Lee on behalf of Xealth from February 04-11, 2020 among 932 adults ages 18 and older who are new or expecting moms. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. About Sid Lee One of the most multidisciplinary creative companies in the industry, Sid Lee is a collective of makers and thinkers who use the power of collaboration to create work that matters. Based in Montreal, Toronto, Paris, New York, Seattle and Los Angeles, our work ranges from advertising to branded content, digital solutions to design & branding, architecture & retail design to social media and from analytics to experiential platforms. Using deep strategic insights, we seek to strengthen our understanding of human behavior while embracing change, technology and innovation. A creative business ally, we have achieved international recognition by designing brand experiences rooted in people's cultures and everyday lives for some of the industry's most progressive clients. Offering fully integrated solutions across the globe, Sid Lee is a member of kyu, a collective of top-tier global creative companies including IDEO, SYPartners and Digital Kitchen established by Hakuhodo DY Holdings, the second-largest agency network in Asia. Together we propel our belief that creativity has the power to move the economy and society forward. Sid Lee also imagined C2 Montreal, one of the largest innovation conferences in the world. For more information, visit www.sidlee.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram. About Xealth Xealth scales digital health programs, enabling clinicians to integrate, prescribe and monitor digital health tools for patients to drive engagement and utilization. Through the secure Xealth platform, clinicians can find and order the right digital health tools and programs for patients direct from the EHR workflow, send these digital health orders to the patient's email or patient portal, and then monitor activity. Xealth spun out of Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH) in 2017, and investors include Atrium Health, Cleveland Clinic, MemorialCare Innovation Fund, McKesson Ventures, Novartis, Philips (News - Alert), and ResMed as well as Providence Ventures, UPMC and the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network. For more information, visit www.xealth.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. 1 Survey conducted online within the United States by Sid Lee on behalf of Xealth from February 04-11, 2020 among 932 adults ages 18 and older who are new or expecting mothers. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005514/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] There are no municipal offices up for election this year. However, residents who live within the Glenview School District 34 boundaries will have a referendum on the ballot. SD34 is Glenviews biggest elementary school district, and voters will be asked whether the district can take on debt to to help pay for school building repairs and add space to able to offer full-day kindergarten. Semperis Named Best Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Solution at 2020 SC Awards Semperis, the leader in identity-driven cyber resilience, today announced that Semperis Active Directory Forest Recovery (ADFR) was named the Trust Award winner in the Best Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Solution category of the 2020 SC Awards. Winners were announced on February 25, 2020 during the 24th annual SC Awards gala in San Francisco, presented by SC Media, a CyberRisk Alliance company. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005192/en/ The SC Awards are recognized throughout the security industry as the gold standard of excellence in cybersecurity. Receiving this prestigious award further reinforces Semperis's position that Active Directory (AD) protection and recovery is one of the best security investments an organization can make because if AD is corrupted, encrypted, or wiped out, the impact on an organization's business operations can be devastating. "Traditional AD backup tools only address recovery from IT operational issues, where AD is affected, but host servers are not. Semperis ADFR is the only solution that can recover AD even if host servers are infected or wiped out," says Mickey Bresman, CEO at Semperis. "Winning this recognition by SC Media is a great honor and validates our mission to empower organizations worldwide to say no to ransom and blackmail demands." For organizations that cannot tolerate lengthy outages or degraded service, Semperis ADFR orchestrates a fully automated AD forest recovery process - avoiding human errors, reducing downtime to minutes instead of days or even weeks, and eliminating the risk of malware reinfection. Key capabilities include Anywhere Recovery, Clean Restore, and Advanced Automation. Winners of the Trust Award were chosen by a distinguished group of leading IT security professionals from SC Media's readership and selected by SC Media's editorial team. Entrants were narrowed down to a select group of finalists before undergoing a rigorous final judging process to determine the winner of each category. "Since we last celebrated our SC Awards winners in 2019, ransomware attacks have evolved to include data wiping and information leaking, the California Consumer Privacy Act officially took effect, and software supply chain attacks have grown bigger and bolder," said Illena Armstrong, VP, editorial, SC Media. "As an SC Awards winner in the Trust category, Semperis has demonstrated that they will help user organizations prepare for whatever new challenges emerge in 2020 and beyond." The SC Award is one of multiple industry awards to honor Semperis at the RSA (News - Alert) Conference 2020. Additional award wins include the 16th Annual Info Security PG's 2020 Global Excellence Awards, where Semperis ADFR was named a gold winner in two categories - Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Solution and Data Center Backup and Recovery Solution. Semperis was also recognized by the CyberDefense Magazine InfoSec Awards, winning in two categories - Cutting Edge Ransomware Recovery Solution and Publisher's Choice for its Hybrid Identity Protection Cybersecurity Conference Series. Other recent honors include the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in which Semperis was awarded two honors - Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery (BCDR) solution and Best Cybersecurity Conference. The Edison 2020 Best New Product Awards also honored Semperis earlier this year in the data management category. About SC Media SC Media is cybersecurity. For over 30 years, they have armed information security professionals with in-depth and unbiased information through timely news, comprehensive analysis, cutting-edge features, contributions from thought leaders, and independent product reviews in partnership with and for top-level information security executives and their technical teams. In addition to their comprehensive website, SC Media offers magazines, ebooks, and newsletters. They also host digital and live events such as SC Awards and RiskSec Conference to provide cybersecurity professionals all the information needed to safeguard their organizations and contribute to their longevity and success. About CyberRisk Alliance CyberRisk Alliance is a business intelligence company founded through a partnership between Doug Manoni and Growth Catalyst Partners in November 2018, and created to serve the high-growth, rapidly evolving cybersecurity and information risk management marketplace. The company is comprised of a diversified portfolio of business information products and services with a shared mission of informing, educating and training business professionals, while building community and facilitating industry commerce. The company is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy through a combination of organic product development and a series of highly targeted acquisitions and partnerships - bringing together leading brands - and it is led by a collaborative and highly accomplished team of entrepreneurs, operators and investors. In addition to SC Media, the company's portfolio currently includes InfoSec World Conference and Expo, the Security Leadership Exchanges, Cybersecurity Collaborative, and Cybersecurity Collaboration Forums. About Semperis Semperis is the leader in identity-driven cyber resilience for cross-cloud and hybrid environments. The company provides threat mitigation and disaster recovery solutions for enterprise identity-management systems - the keys to the kingdom. Its patented technology for Microsoft (News - Alert) Active Directory (AD) protects over 40 million identities from cyberattacks, data breaches, and operational errors. Semperis is headquartered in New York City and operates internationally, with our research and development arm in Tel Aviv. Semperis is a Microsoft Partner, and its technology is recognized by Gartner (News - Alert) as the only fully automated AD recovery solution available in the market today. For more information about Semperis AD threat protection and recovery, visit www.semperis.com. Follow: View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005192/en/ Thank you for joining us at NVIDIA GTC 2020, where we highlighted our Cisco and NVIDIA partnership, Cisco Advanced Analytics solutions, VDI solutions, and more, through multiple on-demand sessions and demos. Together, Cisco and NVIDIA deliver unparalleled acceleration and manageability combined with world-class support. With the NVIDIA accelerated computing platform, Cisco UCS-based converged and hyperconverged solutions power visualization, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence practices, enabling you to turbocharge your data center, accelerate insights and outcomes, and innovate for the future. Press Release March 3, 2020 On a True Senate of the People More at: https://pinglacson.net/2020/03/03/on-a-true-senate-of-the-people/ When we cast our vote on any matter under deliberation, we should be dictated only by our own conscience and what we honestly think is good for our country, and the institution where we belong - and not because of blind loyalty to any person or party. While loyalty is a virtue, blind loyalty is simply just that - blind. Otherwise, we can no longer be the Senate of the people that we are supposed to be, but an expensive "rubber stamp" that our taxpayers have to sustain out of their hard-earned tax money. Having said that, there is no reason to be saddened either way by the voting on Senate Resolution 337. That is democracy at work in the Senate. UK student Julia Walentin's boozy night out landed her in quarantine. Photo: Instagram/walentinjulia A tourist who caused pandemonium on board an international flight after her hangover symptoms were confused for the Coronavirus has been released after a seven-day quarantine. 26-year-old Julia Walentin and her friend Dina boarded a Singapore Airlines flight to London after spending a very boozy final night enjoying Singapore together when they decided to attempt an upgrade with disastrous consequences. The student asked cabin crew for paracetamol and a place to lie down, telling them she felt unwell which sparked something of a panic on board. Julia (left) and Dina (right) were held on the plane then transferred to an isolation unit. Photo: Instagram/walentinjulia "I tried to explain that I was just tired and hungover but they moved everyone on my row away and made me lie down, she told The Sun. They also asked me to put a mask on and started taking my temperature but the readings were really up and down. Despite the Swedish nationals protests, the airline had to follow procedure, and the plane was held up upon arrival, and the two women detained in quarantine for over a week, including isolation in an official residence followed by self-isolation at home. Julia and Dina had spent their holiday in Cambodia. Photo: Instagram/walentinjulia The embarrassed traveller was returning to her home in South London after a trip to Cambodia, and said the pair had initially planned to visit China but changed their plans because of the virus. Wild night of drinking leads to blunder Footage from the night before shows the cause of the hangover. Photo: Instagram/walentinjulia The virus clearly wasnt done derailing the pairs vacation however, after the wild night of drinking lead to the embarrassing misunderstanding. Saved content on her Instagram hilariously details the evening before the flight, with one video showing Julia draining the contents of a huge glass of beers in video captioned, Im drunk. The next video shows Julia bleary-eyed, her face hidden by the mask the airline made her wear with the caption, never travel hungover kids. Julia was forced to wear a mask and isolate herself on the flight. Photo: Instagram/walentinjulia Julia told The Sun the pair were met by medical officers in hazmat suits, and left in compelte isolation for days, during which they ironically drowned their sorrows with a case of corona beer, before finally being allowed to return home. Story continues Just yesterday, on Tuesday evening, the shame-faced traveller let her growing number of followers know she had finally been cleared via Instagram Im free, she wrote alongside a selfie snapped in the sunshine. Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Syafrizaldi (The Jakarta Post) Pontianak, West Kalimantan Tue, March 3, 2020 15:56 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067fbb43 4 Environment Dayak,arts-and-culture,culture-preservation,forest-conservation,Kalimantan,West-Kalimantan,Youth,AMAN Free Young Dayaks consider technology the perfect tool to celebrate and preserve their cultures and traditions. Dwi Ayu Dahlia, a 19-year old Dayak girl from Sanjan village in Sanggau regency, West Kalimantan, uses her cell phone mostly for recording footage and taking photographs. Unlike her contemporaries in Java, she seldom uses her phone for browsing due to the lack of internet access in her village. Signal is hard to get here, only in certain places. And even if you do, its not always 4G, let alone 4G+, she said. In the morning of Jan. 12, Ayu was already in the Tomawankng Ompu communal forest. In the middle of the 237-hectare forest, Ayu took selfies in various poses typical of young people of her age with her head slightly tilted and two fingers held up. The Tomawankng Ompu' communal forest. (JP/Syafrizaldi Jpang) On her way into the forest, Ayu also recorded videos of nature in the vicinity. The communal forest will soon be developed into a natural tourist zone for education. She was accompanied by her father, Petrus, along the way. Petrus said he helped Ayu learn many things from local resources and wanted the children of Sanjan to become keen learners and reliable people in the future. Learning from nature is one way of building childrens character, said Petrus. Petrus acquainted Ayu with different forest fruits. They found durian and savored the tasty fruit while taking several more fruits to be eaten together in a forest hut. Ayu and her father belong to the Dayak Kodatn Sebiau community, a sub-ethnic group of Dayak Bidayuhik. The other well-known sub-ethnic Dayak group is the Ibanik. The Dayak Kodatn Sebiau people in Sanjan are now participating in the development of the Tomawankng Ompu communal forest into a natural tourist location. The forest is not too far from the center of Sanggau regency and is opportunely located. From Sanggau, it is only 17 kilometers away. From Pontianak [the capital city of West Kalimantan], where I often stay, the distance is almost 230 kilometers, said Ayu. Petrus also introduced some medicinal plants to Ayu and some teenagers who were talking about trees. A tree enables many creatures to live, from those nesting in roots and soil to birds benefiting from branches and twigs. Fruits and flowers provide food for birds, bees and squirrels, explained Petrus. According to Petrus, the cycle of life begins from the earth, water and air that support the lives of trees. When the trees grow, they help maintain the soil humidity because sunlight is absorbed by the forest canopy instead of directly falling on the forest floor. Some of the teenagers had heard Petrus description in school, but they gained a great deal of new knowledge that day. Im going to invite my campus friends to study medicinal herbs here, said Ayu, who is also a medical student at the Tanjungpura University, Pontianak. The forest was first managed in 1930. Its special designation was established by the Sanjan customary authority, which called on local residents to protect the forest and prohibited its reclamation for farming. In 1953, its boundaries were delineated. Local people have known the exact area of the communal forest, said Petrus. This forest is part of the Kodatn Sebiau communal zone, stretching along the tributaries of the Sekayam River. In a village east of Sanggau, the same passion was shared by 18-year old Ifnasia Untet Riska. The teenager, who wore clothes made of bark during her interview, believed that young Dayak people should not be ashamed of wearing traditional attire and accessories. The clothes worn by Untet were a follow-up to a youth meeting that took place in Ansok village in Sintang regency, West Kalimantan. Attendees were determined to revitalize the culture and customs of the people of Dayak Seberuang Ansok. Weve just formed a youth group called the Seberuang Ansok Traditional Youth Movement, she said. Untets village is inhabited by the Dayak Seberuang ethnic group, about 78 kilometers from the hub of Sintang regency. The Dayak Seberuang people spread from the Seberuang River area in Kapuas Hulu regency. Their ancestors moved many times before reaching the Tempunak River. There are no written records. We follow the history told by village elders, she added. Dayak Seberuang is part of the Dayak Ibanik group. Ansok village is among the oldest in Tempunak Hulu district. Formerly it was the seat of the administration of Temenggung Udap, the regional chief. Green space: Some members of the Seberuang Ansok Traditional Youth Movement. (JP/Syafrizaldi Jpang) Ansok village, according to Untet, covers 1,173 hectares, of which 119 hectares are divided into two communal forests, one is Emperkak Hill and the other is Lamat Hill. The name Emperkak refers to a hill that was a tembawang (settlement) in the past. Untets uncle Timotius said the younger generation should be more familiar with natural potential for village development in the future. The tembawang is a settlement with old plantations already abandoned. Its also scientifically known as an agroforest, added Timotius. The initiatives of traditional communities in Untets and Ayus villages are in response to the Constitutional Courts Decree No.35/PUU-X/2012 on communal forests. Our program is supported by the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago [AMAN]. The program aims to recognize communal zones and promote organic farming, sources of livelihood and conservation, said Ayu. AMAN Program Director Mirza Indra said Sintang regency had even issued a bylaw on the recognition and protection of customary institutions and traditional communities. This bylaw should be implemented because its the first in West Kalimantan Barat, said Mirza. Traditional communities, according to Mirza, are recognized through identification by district chiefs, village heads and other parties. Then, the regent of Sintang forms a verification and validation committee, whose final decision serves as the basis for the regent to determine the communal zones of the communities. AMAN and other supporting parties have from the start promoted this bylaw through frequent dialogues since 2013. When communal zones are already acknowledged, AMAN hopes the villages of Untet, Ayu and other Dayak people can be more independent in managing their natural resources, said Mirza. Untet and Ansok residents are engaged in cultivating 22,040 coffee seedlings. In Sanjan, Ayus village, at least 7,000 coffee seedlings are available. All the seedlings will be planted from March to June this year. In Ansok, coffee plants were first introduced by the Dutch, as evidenced by the many old plants in tembawang. Besides coffee, Ansok women have also learned paddy cultivation in irrigated fields. Previously, said Untet, Ansok people cultivated paddies once a year on farmland. In the fields, paddy production in Ansok is expected to increase so that they no longer need to buy rice. The activity in Tomawankng Ompu is getting more concrete with Ayu encouraging and promoting the involvement of higher educational institutes in research work. She is determined to care for Dayak customs through her medical science studies. In Ansok, Untet is eagerly tending to the flourishing paddies. She is set to join the traditional women in their efforts to preserve Dayak culture. Click, her smart phone sounds and she cannot help but taking a selfie. There has been a dramatic flurry of activity among influential actors in the establishment of the Democratic Party over the past 48 hours, all of it aimed at helping consolidate support behind Joe Biden and defeat the formidable, risky candidacy of Senator Bernie Sanders. On Sunday night, after Pete Buttigieg announced the end of his candidacy, Barack Obama called the former mayor and urged him to consider how best to use his leverage. On Monday, Senator Amy Klobuchar also dropped out, and, along with Buttigieg and former representative Beto ORourke, endorsed Biden in Texas, a very important Super Tuesday state. Though it hasnt yet succeeded, the Democratic establishments effort to stop Sanders has already invited numerous favorable comparisons to the GOP establishments failure to stop Donald Trump from becoming the partys nominee in 2016. The implication of such comparisons is that Democratic bigwigs have managed to clear the races moderate lane and revive Bidens flagging fortunes all by themselves. But thats far from true: While a handful of key endorsements undoubtedly helped Bidens remarkable turnaround, the voters of South Carolina deserve the lions share of the credit. Biden defeated Bernie Sanders by 29 points in the Palmetto State, with neither Buttigieg nor Klobuchar breaking into the double digits. Buttigieg did not drop out and endorse Biden merely because he got a phone call from Obama or because he put the interests of the Democratic Party ahead of his own. The fact that Buttigieg was polling below the 15 percent threshold necessary to win delegates in California, Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, and the rest of the South was surely far more persuasive; when he said that he saw no path forward in the race, it was believable, because he really didnt have a path forward. (The same goes double for Klobuchar, whose standing in the polls was even worse.) In 2016, if Marco Rubio or some other Republican had won South Carolina by 29 points, there would have been a similar cascade of establishment support for him. But Trump beat Rubio in South Carolina by ten points after having won New Hampshire by 20 points and Nevada by 22 points. Story continues Sanders entered Saturday with the knowledge that if he won South Carolina by any margin, the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination would effectively be over: No one would have a realistic chance of stopping him from building up an insurmountable delegate lead on Super Tuesday. The resistance to Sanders going forward would have been even weaker than what Trump faced in the back half of the 2016 primaries. Party leaders would have fallen in line. Sanders failed and now finds himself in a dogfight. Can the party decides thesis be salvaged by crediting prominent Democrats with Bidens victory in South Carolina? Only in part. Representative Jim Clyburn endorsed Biden on February 25. But there was some polling evidence that even before Clyburns endorsement, Biden had rebuilt his sizeable lead in the state. A PPP poll conducted February 2324 showed Biden with a 15-point edge. A Clemson poll conducted February 1725 showed Biden with an 18-point lead. And a Monmouth poll conducted February 2325 showed Biden with a 20-point lead. The results in Nevada on February 22, where Biden finished a distant second behind Sanders, were enough to make it clear to voters that the former vice president was the only Democrat with a chance of stopping Sanders in South Carolina. The approval of Clyburn, the influential 14-term congressman and House majority whip, surely mattered to the final outcome, but the polls suggest that, at best, his weighing in helped turn a big margin of victory into a landslide for Biden. For that, Clyburn deserves ample credit from those opposed to a Sanders nomination, because the size of Bidens margin surely helped fill his dwindling campaign coffers and knock out Buttigieg and Klobuchar, prompting a flood of endorsements from previously undeclared party honchos. (Here, the comparison to Republicans in 2016 holds up: South Carolinas Republican governor at the time, Nikki Haley, tried to stop Trump by endorsing Rubio, but that endorsement only helped shrink a huge Trump lead into a big Trump victory.) In short, party leaders have some influence, but only so much. Voters are not sheep. And when you look at the decision by Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader from Nevada, to withhold his endorsement before the Nevada caucuses but endorse Biden after South Carolina, it is fair to say that Democratic leaders have followed their voters much more than their voters have followed them in 2020. More from National Review Ministers have performed a dramatic U-turn on the future of onshore wind farms and announced that they will free up public cash to help Britain cut greenhouse gases. Onshore wind turbines were blocked from receiving public funds in 2016 after then Prime Minister David Cameron vowed to get rid of the 'unsightly structures'. The measure was criticised as it made it much harder for turbines, the cheapest form of clean energy, to compete with other types of power. A view of turbines at Whitelee Windfarm in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, the UK's largest onshore wind farm But now the Government is under pressure to meet a target to cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions to 'net zero' by 2050 so more turbines will be needed. As a result, the Government has said that onshore wind and solar can take part in low-carbon power auctions where energy contracts are awarded after competitive bids. Energy Secretary Alok Sharma said ending the UK's contribution to the climate crisis 'means making the UK a world leader in renewable energy. 'We are determined to do that in a way that works for everyone, listening to local communities and giving them an effective voice in decisions that affect them.' The U-turn comes just days after the Government indicated it would not appeal against a court ruling blocking a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Alethea Warrington, of climate change charity Possible, said: 'After years of campaigning, today we can finally celebrate the UK's cheapest new energy source, onshore wind, being brought in from the cold.' Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm amongst existing electricity pylons on the Romney Marsh in Kent Killing off funding for wind farms led to a slump in new ones being built. In 2019, 23 new onshore farms were created, with all but one having secured subsidy from before the scheme was closed. This compares to 2014, when 400 onshore wind projects came on stream. In another turnaround, the Government announced a moratorium in fracking in 2019 after Mr Cameron had urged the UK 'to get behind fracking'. The Government will also announce that solar power projects can apply for subsidies. As new spikes in coronavirus cases continue to surface in countries across the globe, the World Health Organisations concerns for one continent in particular continue to grow. Despite only having 15 confirmed cases to date, Africa with a population of 1.2 billion is highlighted by WHO as an area where the coronavirus could rapidly take off due to a lack of adequate health systems in place in some areas. The continent is frantically preparing for an outbreak and planning how to reduce its effects. Testing laboratories are being supplied, quarantine and hospital treatment facilities are being readied for patients, and public health advisories have been issued. There have been eight confirmed cases in Algeria, two in Egypt, one in Tunisia, one in Nigeria, two in Senegal and one in Morocco. Yet only two of those are on a list of 13 countries, nearly a quarter of all countries on the continent, which have been identified by the World Health Organisation as at risk of becoming centres for the disease. Passengers in Ethiopia preparing to fly to the major Chinese hub of Guangzhou in the nation's south. Source: Getty The list has been made by WHO on the basis of volume of traffic between China and weak health surveillance and treatment systems. The countries included on the list are Algeria, Angola, Cote dIvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. It is critical that countries step up their readiness and in particular put in place effective screening mechanisms at airports and other major points of entry to ensure that the first cases are detected quickly, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti said last month. Sub-Saharan Africa now under threat Nigeria on Friday became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to report a confirmed case when an Italian citizen travelling from Milan on a business trip fell ill after arriving at Lagos, Nigeria's largest city with 20 million people. With the case in Nigeria, concern has grown over the virus spreading to countries with weaker health systems. Story continues WHO officials in Africa, where some countries are already battling outbreaks ranging from Ebola to malaria and measles, have warned that the continent's health systems could be overwhelmed. A man wearing a face mask outside Yaba Mainland hospital in Nigeria where an Italian citizen is being treated for coronavirus. Source: AP The new virus, first detected in China, has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,000 deaths. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has hurried to train its 54 member countries in testing for the virus. At the start of February just two African countries had the capability to test; now the number is more than two dozen. Most African airlines with direct flights to China suspended them, and countries activated surveillance and quarantine measures. Regular flights to China continue However, Ethiopia, one of Africa's largest air traffic hubs, has maintained regular flights to China. Ethiopian Airlines said Monday that it has continued to operate 35 flights a week to the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, as well as to Hong Kong. Since January 24 more than 220,000 passengers have entered Ethiopia through the main airport in Addis Ababa and have passed through screenings, according to a statement from Ethiopia's health ministry on Monday. More than 5,400 of those travellers were from countries that have reported COVID-19 cases. Twenty travellers with symptoms were tested for the new virus and all proved to be negative. Health officials are monitoring 875 travellers, including those with a history of travel to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy. A quarantine area set up at Cairo airport last month. There has since been one confirmed case of coronavirus in the country. Source: Getty Many African countries had experience with trying to prevent the spread of the devastating West Africa Ebola outbreak that ended in 2016. Global health experts point to that as a sign of preparedness in this outbreak. The Africa CDC was created in response to the Ebola outbreak, and many countries established public health institutes. With the new virus case announced in Nigeria, Africas most populous country with 190 million people and numerous air links around the continent and beyond, other nations warned of possible spread. Still, the World Health Organisation has said that 80 per cent of people who catch the new virus will only experience mild symptoms. The death rate is about 2 per cent and the disease appears to be most severe in people over 60 with underlying health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. So far there are no confirmed cases of the virus in East Africa, where authorities in recent days have sought to scale up their preparedness efforts as the death toll from the virus has gone up around the world. Regional governments, which rely heavily on trade and business ties with China, are scrambling to take measures that control the spread of the virus but may harm their economies. Uganda fears outbreak is imminent Uganda is monitoring four patients isolated over the weekend after arriving in the East African country. The four, whose nationalities have not been revealed, are in an isolation ward at a hospital near the international airport in Entebbe, about 28 miles south of Kampala, the capital of over 2 million residents, according to Emmanuel Ainebyoona, a spokesman for Uganda's health ministry. More than 6,000 Chinese work in Uganda, many of them employed by Chinese construction firms contracted to put up infrastructure projects such as dams and highways. Others run businesses of their own, including in manufacturing and trade. A spokesman for the Ugandan government agency in charge of roads told the local press over the weekend that the outbreak had slowed down public works as workers are quarantined or remain in China. Uganda's health ministry is urging people to avoid hand-shaking and hugging at all times." The directive is reminiscent of the country's efforts in the past to combat outbreaks of Ebola, a much deadlier virus that has tested health systems in Africa because it requires strong surveillance systems to catch it, the isolation of contacts to contain the spread and cooperation from local communities to adopt prevention measures. Other African countries are taking similar measures. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday ordered that a national isolation and treatment facility be completed within a week. The country's High Court ruled the same day that all 239 passengers who recently arrived on a China Southern Airlines flight should be found and quarantined at a military facility until declared free of the virus. The court also suspended all flights from China for 10 days. South Africa whose government is set to evacuate 151 citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan has said two citizens who had been working on the Princess Diamond cruise ship have the virus and will stay in Japan for treatment. South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases said Monday that it has tested 160 people for the new virus and all have been found negative. Angola announced Monday that it is barring entry to people arriving directly from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria. With AP 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. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should not give "vague" replies on the 5 per cent Muslim quota issue and declare "with courage" that his government will not bring law granting reservation to the minority community. Fadnavis made the remark afterThackeray, during a press conference earlier in the day, said he has not yet received the proposal regarding giving quota to Muslims and that the Shiv Sena-led government is yet to take any decision on it. Thackeray made the comments after Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik recently said in the legislative council that thestate government will provide 5 per cent quota to Muslims in education. Malik, an NCP leader, had also said the state government will ensure that a legislation to this effect is passed soon. The NCP and the Congress, both proponents of Muslim quota, are constituents of the Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Asked about Thackeray's remarks on the issue, Fadnavis said instead of making comments at the press conference, the chief minister should make a statement in the legislature which is currently having its budget session. The Leader of the Opposition in the assembly said that Malik's opinion is the official position of the government as the minister had talked about giving quota in the council. "So, instead of making vague comments in the press conference, the chief minister should say in the council that it is not his view (the one expressed by chief minister). "The chief minister gave vague answers during the press conference, saying the proposal has not come to him. Your minister (Malik) only has said it," Fadnavis told reporters outside the legislature building complex here. The BJP leader maintained there is no provision in the Constitution for religion-based reservation in government jobs or education. "Say with courage that you will not give the quota, that the Constitution doesn't accept quota based on religion. Hence, we (the government) will not bring law granting quota," the former Chief Minister said. Fadnavis claimed that if given within the 50 per cent ceiling set by the Supreme Court, the Muslim quota will affect the existing reservation granted to OBCs. "And if given outside it, it will affect Maratha quota," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gold prices gained further on Tuesday after an Italian origin person was showing symptoms of coronavirus and was kept under observation in Jaipur. This comes after two fresh Covid-19 cases were reported in Delhi and Telangana on Monday. Further six more suspected virus cases have been suspected in Agra, who have been quarantined today. Health officials across the globe have urged to be on high alert about the outbreak of COVID-19 to India, that has a population similar in size to that of China. Internationally, spot gold gained momentum for the second straight session on Tuesday over efforts taken by governments and central banks globally, in a move to cushion the economic fallout from the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak. Over global monetary stimulus, Spot gold climbed 0.5% to $1,597.66 per ounce, after a 0.4% gain on Monday. US gold futures advanced 0.3% to $1,599.10. Tracking yesterday's rally, Gold Futures on MCX rose Rs 217 points or 0.52% to Rs 42,173 per 10 gm. Earlier, the precious metal made a high of 42,290 per 10 gm, rising Rs 335 against the opening of 41,956 today. Yesterday, gold prices rose Rs 783 to the day's high of Rs 42,180 and rallied Rs 589 higher by the closing. In retail market, gold price for 24 karats in Delhi, gained ground on geopolitical tensions and spiked to a record Rs 43,400 per 10 gm. The impact of the deadly coronavirus outbreak has been substantial on the global markets in recent weeks, that has taken 3,056 lives and infected 89,527 people globally in 67 countries. Global markets rose for the second consecutive day over expectations grew for monetary policy easing by major central banks. Gold price gains Rs 783 per 10 gm after 2 Coronavirus cases reported in Delhi, Telangana Share Market LIVE: Sensex rises 580 points, Nifty at 11,300; Vedanta, Tata Steel, JSW Steel top gainers A long-term digital project to produce an edition of the complete works of the leading Arabic poet of his time, Ibn Nubatah al-Mi?r?, who was virtually unknown to a broader public until recently, is being launched this week at the University of Munster. "Our most recent research has shown him to be the best-known poet in Syria and Egypt in the Mamluk period (1250-1518), a period long considered an epoch of decline, but which now turns out to have been a literary heyday", explains Arabic scholar and Leibniz Prize winner Thomas Bauer from the Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics" at the University of Munster. He is leading the long-term project, which is receiving 5.9 million euros over twelve years from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Linked to the project is Bauer's own research in the Cluster of Excellence on the diversity of discourses in the Mamluk period, and on Shiite-Sunni religious conflicts in the 12th century. The editorial project, which will be launched in Munster on Friday, follows on from a seven-year Leibniz Prize project on the long neglected Arabic literature and rhetoric from 1100-1800 (ALEA), an epoch that proved to be one of the great heydays of Arabic literature. The team of researchers discovered an unprecedented diversity of literary forms and ideas, which impacted on and involved all layers of society. According to Bauer, what has been discovered so far about Ibn Nubatah refutes the common image of Islamic cultures, where religion is thought to influence all areas of life, and especially politics. In examining the religious conflicts of the 12th century and thus the prehistory of the works of Ibn Nubatah, Bauer is centrally concerned in his current project at the Cluster of Excellence with the question of whether Ibn Nubatah's somewhat secular approach to the political is an innovation of the Mamluk period, or already existed in previous, and more religiously unsettled, times. "Using digital means to look over the poet's shoulder" Born in Cairo in 1287, where he also died in 1366, Ibn Nubatah spent most of his career in Damascus. He wrote not only 2,000 or more poems, but also 30 other works. While almost all have survived, only a fraction are available in editions. Thus, as Bauer explains: "Scholars wishing to discover the true Ibn Nubatah, and thus the paradigm for the generations of writers who followed him, have so far had to rely on manuscripts". The long-term project will now make it possible to compile reliable editions of all Ibn Nubatah's work that has survived, with the digital version in particular giving interested parties access to these editions. For Bauer, the challenge lies not only in the sheer size of Ibn Nubatah's oeuvre, but also in the fact that he repeatedly rewrote his texts, making the task of documenting the many changes extremely complex. A digital edition is particularly suitable for illuminating the history of the changes, since it "offers the unique opportunity to look over the shoulder of a 14th-century poet at work". According to Bauer, Ibn Nubatah's work is for the most part purely secular, including his eulogy to rulers. "His prose advice to rulers is almost Machiavellian". In his Cluster project on the Shiite-Sunni religious conflicts of the 12th century, Bauer is looking at the most important discourses of power in the period of upheaval from 1150-1200 to examine how Ibn Nubatah's literary predecessors dealt with religion and politics. Bauer examines how far chancery and panegyric texts used criticism of religion against opponents, or how far they drew on religion to propagate their own claims. "How does religious conflict modify the image of power, and how does political conflict influence the mobilization of religion?", asks Bauer. Opening lecture: "A golden age of Arabic studies" The long-term DFG project is entitled "Edition of the complete works of Ibn Nubatah al-Mi?r?", and will be launched at the University of Munster's Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies on Friday, 6 March 2020 at 6 pm. The director of the academy project "Bibliotheca Arabica. Contemporary history of Arabic literature" in Leipzig, Verena Klemm, will give a lecture on "A golden age of Arabic studies". As Bauer explains, the background to the research is "the dominant idea, which originated from Western colonialism and was quickly adopted by Arab elites, that there was an early 'golden age' in Islam, followed by a long period of stagnation and decline until the Islamic Sleeping Beauty was kissed awake by the Western colonial powers in the 19th century". This idea is not only inaccurate, but also has clear political consequences in Arab countries to this day. "For example, the fixation on a 'golden age' makes connecting up with history problematical, and encourages ideological distortions of various kinds". Above all, though, these prejudices obstruct the reception of entire literary epochs, "when some of the most fascinating Arabic literary texts were written. A better understanding of the literature and rhetoric of this period will revolutionize how we perceive Arabic literary history and Islamic cultural history", says Bauer, who was awarded the DFG's Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize in 2013 for his research on Arabic poetry and literature in the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. ### Tavistock gender clinic trial moves ahead in case of patient harmed by gender transition Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Judges have approved the advancement of a trial in a case against the Tavistock gender clinic in London where a 23-year-old woman says she was severely harmed by experimental treatments as part of a gender transition when she was a teenager. The legal action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, the lone gender identity clinic in the nation, comes amid heightened scrutiny about gender identity policies and the use puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and body-altering surgeries, and whether minors are capable of giving informed consent to such experimental practices. According to the Sunday Times, one of the most senior judges on the U.K.'s highest court, Justice Supperstone, said it was plainly arguable that England's first pediatric child gender clinic was not acting lawfully when it referred children to go on hormonal agents meant to halt normal pubertal development. Supperstone granted permission for a full trial in the divisional court before the end of July. Lawyers for Keira Bell, a 23-year-old who underwent a hormonal transition at the clinic when she was a teenager, will argue that indeed children cannot give consent. The opposition, however, maintains that the experimental treatments save the lives of youth who self-identify as the opposite sex. Bell was referred to the Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) when she was 16, and has said that after three appointments she was prescribed puberty blockers, the BBC reported Sunday. She now believes the risks of the drugs were never adequately explained to her and that the process to transition her both chemically and surgically was fast-tracked. "I should have been challenged on the proposals or the claims that I was making for myself," she told the BBC. "And I think that would have made a big difference as well. If I was just challenged on the things I was saying." Bell took the puberty-blocking drugs for a year and then continued down the transition pathway with testosterone, which caused her voice to deepen and facial hair growth. She had her breasts amputated three years ago. Last year she decided to quit taking cross-sex hormones. "Initially, I felt very relieved and happy about things. But I think as the years go on you start to feel less and less enthusiastic or even happy about things," Bell said. "You can continue and dig yourself deeper into this hole or you can choose to come out of it and have the weight lifted off your shoulders." Bell now accepts herself as female and is angry about how she was treated at the gender clinic. "I feel I could say anything to my 16-year-old self and I might not necessarily listen at that time. And that's the point of this case, when you are that young you don't really want to listen," she said. "So I think it's up to these institutions, like the Tavistock, to step in and make children reconsider what they are saying, because it is a life-altering path." When Bell was asked about how important it was for her to transition as a teen, she indicated that the process was gradual as she read more information on the internet about what was involved. Yet upon starting with the experimental drugs, "one step led to another," she said. Defenders of medicalized gender transition routinely insist that puberty-blocking drugs are fully reversible. Rates of gender dysphoria in youth, particularly among girls, have risen astronomically in the U.K. in the past decade. Critics of transgender ideology, especially as it relates to medicalizing young people, often point out that a significant number of youth being transitioned are on the autism spectrum, are gender-nonconforming, or are experiencing same-sex attraction and will likely go on to identify as gay or lesbian if left alone. Gender confusion is often accompanied by other psychiatric comorbidities that can go unexplored or treated by clinicians intent on affirming transgender identities, critics say. Polly Carmichael, who heads the Tavistock clinic, maintains that the facility is welcoming the judicial review and that treating gender dysphoric youth is a complicated matter. "This is a really complex area with strong feelings on all sides. And at its center, the young people we work with they come to us in often really great distress around their sense of themselves," she said. She went on to assert that youth who come to the clinic feel their body does not match their "gender identity." The amorphous term gender identity has no material definition yet is employed by transgender activists and their allies as though it is an innate and immutable trait of their existence. Thus, they insist, their self-declared gender is their most authentic identity which should be recognized in society and on legal documents such as birth certificates. In July, former GIDS staff psychologist Kirsty Enwistle penned an open letter to Carmichael arguing that a culture of evasive deception existed at the clinic and that medical treatments lacked a robust evidence base. Other clinicians with similar concerns have resigned in protest of the facilities practices. The NHS announced in February that it was revisiting its rules around permitting children to take the experimental drugs without parental approval as well as forming a task force of doctors to conduct a formal review of puberty blockers. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale on March 1, 2020 in London, England. WPA Pool 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. 8:47 pm: G-7 countries promise to use policy tools but offer no specific actions to combat coronavirus Officials of the world's largest economies pledged a united front in the battle against the coronavirus scare but offered no specific actions they would take in a statement issued Tuesday morning. "Given the potential impacts of COVID-19 on global growth, we reaffirm our commitment to use all appropriate policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable growth and safeguard against downside risks," the G-7 statement said. Cox 7:50 pm: Iran reports jump in coronavirus cases; supreme leader urges public to wash hands The number of infections from the coronavirus has jumped sharply in Iran, with 2,336 people infected and 77 people dead from the virus, according to Iran's Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi who announced the update on state TV Tuesday, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iranians should follow the recommendations of authorities to prevent the virus spreading. "Don't violate the recommendations and instructions of the responsible authorities in terms of prevention, in terms of keeping hands, face and living environment clean and not infecting these and preventing the infection of these," he said. Ellyatt 6:46 pm: UK government publishes 'battle plan' to tackle spread of coronavirus Britain's government unveiled its plans to tackle the spread of the virus Tuesday, warning that up to a fifth of the workforce could be off sick during a peak period. "Given that the data are still emerging, we are uncertain of the impact of an outbreak on business. In a stretching scenario, it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks. This may vary for individual businesses," the government said. The U.K.'s Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday that in the worst possible scenario, the army is ready to step in. Johnson warned on Monday that there could be a "very significant expansion" of the outbreak among the population. Currently, there are 39 cases of the virus in the U.K. Ellyatt 5:38 pm: Bank of England governor says its role is to help UK through 'an economic shock' Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has said that the central bank's role in the coronavirus outbreak is to help U.K. businesses and households "through an economic shock that could prove large, but will ultimately be temporary." Speaking to the U.K. government's Treasury Committee Tuesday, Carney, who is leaving the role this month, said the central bank is in frequent contact with its international peers, including at the Group of Seven (G-7), Group of Twenty (G-20) and International Monetary Fund. Carney's comments come ahead of a conference call between global financial ministers and central bankers on Tuesday to coordinate their response to the outbreak. The teleconference call will be led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET, CNBC's Steve Liesman reported. Representatives of the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized nations will attend the call. Ellyatt 5:01 pm: Germany's number of coronavirus cases rises The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus has risen in Germany to 188, up from 157 on Monday afternoon, according to the country's RKI health institute. Germany's Health Minister Jens Spahn warned last week of a potential epidemic in the country. Ellyatt 5:00 pm: Beijing, Shanghai step up restrictions on travelers from overseas Two of China's largest cities, and the province of Guangdong that borders Hong Kong and Macau, announced that visitors from countries severely hit by the new coronavirus must quarantine themselves for 14 days upon arrival. These countries include South Korea, Italy and Japan. The requirement applies to both Chinese and non-Chinese residents. Previously, travelers who had not been in mainland China prior to arrival in Beijing did not have to self-quarantine. Cheng 4:00 pm: Ahead of full-year results, BMW CEO advises against pessimism The chief executive officer of BMW does not foresee any large disruptions to its supply chain this year, despite heightened fears about the coronavirus outbreak in the world's largest automarket. "I think China was a very peculiar situation because we had an extended new year celebration. So, a lot of citizens and also our employees stayed away after the festive season but now, dealers are re-opening again (and) our plans are working normally," Oliver Zipse, chief executive of BMW, told CNBC's Annette Weisbach in Munich, Germany on Tuesday. When asked how the coronavirus might impact business in China this year, Zipse replied: "We had some impact in February, we will see some impact in March and then we will see." "I wouldn't be too pessimistic for the whole year yet," he added. BMW is scheduled to publish its full-year earnings on March 18. Meredith 3:35 pm: Malaysia's central bank lowers benchmark interest rate Malaysia's central bank has cut its overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% in light of weakened global economic conditions due to the coronavirus. Bank Negara Malaysia said in a statement that the outbreak will hit economic growth in the country in the first quarter, with tourism-related and manufacturing sectors among the biggest victims. "Although domestic growth is expected to gradually improve in the second half of the year, there are key downside risks, mainly stemming from the evolving nature and prolonged impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and continued weakness in commodity-related sectors," it said. Lee 3:00 pm: Economic growth in the Netherlands set to slow in 2020 Netherlands' gross domestic product growth this year is expected to come in at 1.4% but could fall below that if the coronavirus were to spread more widely and last until the second half of 2020, said the country's main policy advisor. "The economic impact of the coronavirus is highly uncertain," said the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis in a statement. The current economic projections by CPB assumed that the outbreak is contained quickly, with limited impact on the economy. Lee 2:40 pm: Pope Francis reportedly tests negative for coronavirus Pope Francis has tested negative for the new coronavirus, Reuters reported, citing Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. A spokesman from the Vatican had no immediate comment, reported Reuters. The 83-year-old pope on Sunday announced that he would skip a Lenten spiritual retreat with senior Vatican officials near Rome for the first time in his papacy because he was down with a cold. Lee 1:55 pm: Some new cases in China come from outside the country Of Monday's 11 new confirmed cases that were reported outside the epicenter of Hubei province, seven came from travelers returning from Italy to Zhejiang province, according to the local government. In the past week, China has attributed six confirmed virus cases to travelers from overseas. Beijing city and Ningxia autonomous region each reported two confirmed cases from people who returned from Iran. A 35-year-old man traveling back from the U.K. was confirmed in Shenzhen and one man who worked as a waiter in a restaurant in Italy was reported on Sunday. As the virus has spread in South Korea and Europe, local governments within mainland China have stepped up travel restrictions for those returning from overseas. Wu 12:50 pm: G-7 is expected to issue statement on countering virus impact The Group of Seven industrial powers is expected to issue a statement on Tuesday or Wednesday on countering the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, reported Reuters. In the draft statement currently in the works, the G-7 countries will pledge to work together to mitigate the damage to their economies from the fast-spreading epidemic, according to the report, citing an official with knowledge of the deliberations. The draft does not call for new government spending or coordinated interest rates by central banks, but language of the statement is subject to change as it is still under discussion, Reuters reported. The U.S., this year's G-7 chair, said the group's finance ministers and central bank governors will hold a conference call on Tuesday morning to discuss measures to deal with the epidemic and its economic impact. Lee 12:20 pm: Coronavirus outbreak forces China's start-ups to rethink their priorities The coronavirus outbreak is shaking up China's investing industry, as companies shift their business mentalities, while others seek new opportunities. Now, some in the industry say more start-ups are realizing the importance of having more capital on hand, while investors are assessing what trends the virus' disruptions may accelerate. Investors speak generally of canceled meetings and delays in deals as a result of the virus. It's just a slice of the ripple effects the highly contagious disease is having on the Chinese economy. Cheng 11:55 am: Australia's central bank cuts interest rate to a record low Australia's central bank cut its benchmark cash rate by 25 basis points to a record low of 0.5% and warned that the country's economic growth in the first quarter "is likely to be noticeably weaker than earlier expected." "The coronavirus outbreak overseas is having a significant effect on the Australian economy at present, particularly in the education and travel sectors," Philip Lowe, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, said in a statement. Lowe added that it's difficult to predict the extent and duration of the virus impact on the economy, given the evolving situation. But once the outbreak is contained, the Australian economy is expected to improve, he said. Lee 11:30 am: Tencent to extend warranty for Nintendo Switches in China Chinese tech giant Tencent said it will extend by six months the warranty for Nintendo Switches purchased in China before Mar. 31. The company said in a statement that the coronavirus outbreak has hit sales of Nintendo Switches, logistics, promotions and user experience in China. Tencent is a partner of Nintendo for console games sales in China, according to Reuters. Lee 11:10 am: US state Georgia confirms first two coronavirus cases The U.S. state of Georgia has confirmed its first two cases of the coronavirus disease, said Governor Brian Kemp. The two patients are from the same household, state officials said. One of them had traveled to Milan, Italy, they added. Lee 10:15 am: Hong Kong will bring back 533 citizens from Wuhan Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's chief executive, said 533 citizens currently in the mainland Chinese city of Wuhan will return via four charter flights. The flights will return to Hong Kong on Wednesday and Thursday, said Lam, adding that all passengers on the flights will face a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival. Hong Kong has reported 100 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, of which two have died. Lee 9:15 am: South Korea reports jump of 600 new cases New cases in South Korea surged by 600 as of Tuesday morning, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also reported six more deaths, bringing the death toll to 28 fatalities for the country. The total number of cases in the country is now 4,812. Of the new cases, 519 were from the fourth-largest city of Daegu, where most of the country's new cases have been reported. Many cases have been traced back to the secretive religious group called Shincheonji. The mayor of Seoul has sued key leaders of the Shincheonji religious group, "for murder, injury and violation of prevention and management of infectious diseases," according to a translation from NBC News. On Monday, the leader of the group knelt before the nation to ask for forgiveness, bowing twice, according to a Reuters report. Tan 9:00 am: Twitter 'strongly encourages' all employees to work from home Twitter said that starting March 2, it is "strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able." "Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us and the world around us," it wrote in an update. "We are working to make sure internal meetings, all hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation. We recognize that working from home is not ideal for some job functions. For those employees who prefer or need to come into the offices, they will remain open for business," the social media firm said. Working from home for its employees in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea offices will be mandatory, however, it said. Tan 8:00 am: China reports 125 new cases, 31 more deaths New cases in China continued to decline, according to its latest numbers as of March 2, which showed 125 new confirmed cases, and 31 more deaths. The country reported 202 new cases for March 1, and 573 new cases for Feb. 29, according to data from the National Health Commission. All the additional fatalities in the latest update were from the epicenter of Hubei. Of the new cases, 114 were in Hubei. That brings China's total to 80,151 cases, and 2,943 deaths. Tan 7:50 am: WHO says the epidemics spreading outside China are of 'greatest concern' As cases spread across other continents, new cases in China are falling, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing in Geneva. Outside China, the total number of cases topped 8,739 across 61 countries, including 127 deaths, according to WHO data. About 81% of cases outside China are from four countries, he added. "The epidemics in the Republic of Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan are our greatest concern," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Lovelace, Higgins-Dunn All times below are in Eastern time. 6:38 pm: Washington state governor says people 'should start to think about avoiding large events' Washington Governor Jay Inslee said that residents "should start to think about avoiding large events and assemblies" as the coronavirus outbreak in the state worsens. Local health officials are currently not making a request for events to be canceled, Inslee said during a press briefing. "The people should be prepared for that possibility and need to be thinking about it," he added. Earlier in the day, Washington state officials said at least four more patients had died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the U.S. to at least six. Lovelace 6:35 pm: Pence says coronavirus-related travel restrictions may expand Vice President Mike Pence said the administration's decision on whether to expand its travel advisories for Italy and South Korea will be based on how many new cases they report. "The action the president authorized this weekend, raising the travel advisory, the American people should know we're saying you should not travel to certain sections of Italy or South Korea. Those advisories may expand, but we'll allow the caseload in those countries to define that," he said during a White House press briefing. The Trump administration currently recommends Americans refrain from visiting regions of Italy and South Korea impacted by the virus. Lovelace, Breuninger 5:09 pm: Consumers buy up survival foods like dried beans and vitamins CLEVELAND, Ohio One person is under investigation for novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, according to the Ohio Department of Healths daily update for Tuesday. There are currently no confirmed cases in Ohio as of Tuesday afternoon. People considered under investigation are those who are being 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. The number of people who have been tested in the past few weeks and were ruled negative for coronavirus remained at seven on Tuesday, according to ODH. When a person is under investigation in Ohio, a test swab for COVID-19 is sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said ODH spokeswoman Melanie Amato. But that could soon change as test kits become available at select health departments or facilities in Ohio. This means test results could be returned sooner. ODH has begun providing daily updates about any confirmed and potential cases on its website by 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. As persons under investigation are found either positive or negative for COVID-19, these also will be reported on the website. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, ODH will notify the local health department and the public right away, regardless of the posting schedule. We want to be as transparent as possible when it comes to giving the latest information about COVID-19, ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton said in a statement. Ohio stands prepared, and we have taken a very aggressive approach to make sure we are ready if a case does happen in Ohio. There are currently 212 Ohioans who have returned to the United States after having been in China within the past 14 days, health officials said in a release Monday. These numbers are a rough estimate and not to be considered an exhaustive count of all travelers in Ohio. None of these travelers fit the criteria to be considered a person under investigation, and none are showing symptoms, health officials said. The ODH will update this number every Wednesday. These returning travelers were asked to comply with a voluntary 14-day quarantine when they reached their destination in Ohio. Local health departments monitor these travelers while they are in quarantine, health officials said last week. The CDC passed on the names of these travelers to ODH. 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. The World Health Organization reports that COVID-19 has spread to 65 countries. In the United States, there are 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 11 states, with six deaths, the CDC said. There are at least 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, and researchers think the virus may have spread undetected there for weeks. The illness is spreading person-to-person in the state of Washington, Oregon and two places in California, health officials said. At this time, the novel coronavirus is not spreading widely in the United States, and the immediate health risk is low for the general public, the CDC said. Healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients, and travelers returning from places where the illness is spreading, are at an elevated risk of exposure to the virus. 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. Read more coronavirus coverage: Should I cancel my trip? Experts say it depends. Masks not necessary, hand washing is best Berea grad calls for empathy Another Ohioan tested negative for coronavirus; health officials urge caution 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 Facebook, Microsoft, and Google have now cancelled major conferences in the face of the spread of the coronavirus. Apples annual developer conference, WWDC, usually takes place in early Juneand all eyes will now turn to Apple to see how the company will respond. Apple has announced WWDC as late as mid-April in past years, so the company has some time to watch the spread of the virus and reach a final decision. But its becoming clear that were entering a period where international travel and large groups of people in small spaces is seriously counter-indicated. The worldwide spread of a new virus isnt generally something that burns out in a couple of months, which is why its likely that Apple is going to have to find an alternative for an enormous party with thousands of developers (and many key Apple employees) in San Jose. So if WWDC as we know it is unlikely to occur, what happens next? Why the cancellations matter Lets lead with the obvious: Im not a doctor or an epidemiologist. But its clear that this virus is spreading around the world rapidly. As Stratecherys Ben Thompson pointed out this week, while its starting to seem like this virus might not be as fatal as was originally feared, it is highly transmissible and it tends to land an awful lot of people in the hospital with serious symptoms. As a result, perhaps the best reason to cancel conferences is not to stop the spread of the virus, but to slow its spread, because our existing health infrastructure will be under intense pressure, and if a huge spike of patients happens, the hospitals will be overwhelmed. A lot of people are going to get the virus regardless, but the more we can reduce the speed of the spread, the better our health infrastructure can react and take care of patients. What Apple can do If you regularly attend WWDC you may not have noticed, but over the past few years Apple really has transformed the event from one that happened behind closed doors to one that occurs live on the internet. Many or most sessions are live streamed, with archived versions available on the WWDC app for later playback. The session content of WWDC could happen from a few studios at Apple Park, with no need for a large group gathering. Apple Apple makes WWDC presentations available for viewing in the Developer iOS app. In terms of a keynote, Apple has several options. It can invite a small number of guests to a live media event at the Steve Jobs Theaterpossibly with health checks for attendeesand make its major WWDC announcements in the same way it unveils the new iPhone every year. I kind of cant imagine Apple doing a keynote without a live studio audience of some kind, but its possible it could limit the guest list even further, perhaps just to Apple employees. Theyll certainly provide the applause thats required. Whats left of WWDC, however, is the connections. With every session streamed online, the value of coming to San Jose is in making connections with other people. Apple offers lab sessions that allow developers to connect with key Apple engineers. This is a big deal, by far the most important thing that happens at WWDC. For the rest of the year, as a developer you can file bug reports about that issue that is making your app buggy, but at WWDC you can literally sit with the Apple engineer who is in charge of that feature and explain why your app is suffering. I cant tell you how many stories Ive heard from developers about how important it was to make contact with the people inside Apple who affect the fate of their software. Labs will be a tough thing to replicate, but I think Apple needs to try. Perhaps there could be a way to sign up for office hours with Apple employees in certain categories, in which youd get an appointment for a FaceTime call. Perhaps there could be live Q&A sessions where key members of various Apple teams field questions from an online audience of developers. Creating a way for developers to spend time with Apple people without overwhelming them is going to be hard, but its vitally important. Apple When you attend WWDC in person, you can make valuable connections with Apple engineers and other developers. And who knows, maybe this event could lead to some cultural change inside Apple. If the company builds a system that allows developers to get time with Apple employees without making the trek to San Jose, maybe it could be used in other ways to facilitate the roll-out of new technologies and help developers who cant attend pricey conferences get the most out of Apples stuff. Everything else changes WWDC has become the main event on the Apple communitys calendar, a social gathering that includes live podcasts, adjunct conferences, and much more. It will be a shame if we lose all that. And Im not sure anything can replace it. Instead, WWDC will go from feeling like a weeklong gathering of a community to feeling like another Apple media event. The podcasts you listen to will cover it, but from afar. The parties wont happen. But heres the truth: for most people, it wont be any different. Most people in the Apple community dont ever go to WWDC. Sure, theyll miss experiencing it vicariously, but assuming Apple still announces new versions of its operating systems and maybe some exciting new hardware and all the media still covers it with all their energy, well muddle through. Finally, I have to wonder: There have been rumors that Apple will hold a media event in late March to announce a bunch of new products. To me, the big question is if Apple still wants to host a large group of media on the Apple Park at all, while this virus is spreading. Assuming the new products can even be made in time given the disruptions to the supply chain in China, would it be possible that Apple might pull the plug on any media event and just quietly brief some journalists in private and make an announcement via press release, as they did when the 16-inch MacBook Pro was announced last fall? The fact is, Apple can get a spotlight whenever it wants it. It can announce via a live stream from deep inside Apple Park without any members of the press there. It can brief select journalists. Apple announcements will still be breaking news, even if the company needs to adjust the way it makes its announcements. If WWDCs in-person event is cancelled, I will be sad not to see my friends in San Jose. But its not too great a price to pay to help slow the spread of this virus and spare the stress on our medical infrastructure. And Apple will still be able to get its message out, regardless. COVID-19 continues to spread outside China with Italy, South Korea and Iran being the worst-affected countries. The number of new coronavirus cases in China has dropped to its lowest number in six weeks but its spread has continued beyond Chinas borders. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Indonesia are among the most recent countries to detect cases of the disease. In the United States where six people have died from the coronavirus, scientists say a vaccine to combat it is at least a year-and-a-half away. The World Health Organization says containment is still the best policy. Al Jazeeras Victoria Gatenby reports. Journalist Cassandra Fairbanks has revealed an explosive series of communications on the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange between herself and Republican operative Arthur Schwartz. They confirm that the attempted extradition of Assange is a criminal enterprise, aimed at silencing someone who has exposed US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, and to intimidate all opponents of imperialist war. They prove that all methods of doing so are being discussed, including the death penalty. Assange is part-way through a hearing that began last week to decide on his extradition to the US where he faces 175 years in prison on espionage charges. He was imprisoned after being illegally dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he had claimed political asylum, by British police in April 2019. According to Fairbankss leaked conversations, high-level US officials arranged a deal with the Ecuadorian government in 2018 to secure Assanges seizure, ostensibly in return for their taking the death penalty, which the Trump administration clearly wanted, off the table. The deal was organised by President Trumps current national director of intelligence, Richard Grenell, while he was working as US ambassador to Germany. Fairbankss information makes clear that Assanges arrest and extradition were sought under direct instruction from the presidents office. Fairbanks explains that she posted a message supportive of Assange with a chat group of pro-Trump campaigners, including Grenell and Schwartz, on October 30, 2018. Schwartz, with whom she had always been friendly, telephoned her shortly afterward to say she needed to stop supporting WikiLeaks: He was saying that a deal had already been made to go into the embassy, that they were going to arrest Julian. He was saying that I was involved in the Trump social world and that people would understand that I supported Wikileaks before I knew that Julian was a bad guy. But that they wouldnt be very understanding when all these bad things came out about him. Fairbanks described the call as threatening and intimidating. In subsequent text messages via the encrypted service Signal, archived by Fairbanks, Schwartz said to Fairbanks in reference to Assange, I wouldnt get so emotional until you see exactly what that worthless piece of garbage did. Theres a good reason the death penalty was on the table. Fairbanks also confirms that Assanges every conversation in the embassy was recorded by the security firm UC Global and relayed directly to the Trump administration. In January 2019 and again on March 27, she travelled to the Ecuadorian embassy to warn Assange. Suspecting surveillance, they used written notes and white noise to try and keep their conversation private. Despite these precautions, on March 29, 2019, Fairbanks received another call from Schwartz in which he told me that he knew that I had told Assange and that there was a State Department investigation into who leaked me that information. On September 10, 2019, Fairbanks posted a tweet referring to an ABC News report publicly revealing the deal done between the Ecuadorian and US governments to secure Assanges arrest. Anonymous sources told ABC News that Ecuadors ambassador to Germany, Manuel Mejia Dalmau, held an emergency meeting in late 2018 with Grenell, asking whether the US would commit to not employing the death penalty against Assange. Grenell contacted the US Justice Department and apparently received the consent of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, thus allowing him to make a deal with Ecuador. Fairbanks tweeted that Grenell was the one who worked out the deal for Julian Assanges arrest. Shortly afterwards, Schwartz called her to demand she take down the tweet, saying, Ricks role is classified. Someones going to go to jail. Schwartz revealed that Grenell was acting on direct orders from President Donald Trump. Please. Im begging you He [Grenell] is taking orders from the president. Ok? Fairbanks agreed to take down the tweet, revealing her dealings with Schwartz only on February 25. She combines support for Assange with political associations with far-right and fascist individuals, including Trump administration personnel who want him destroyed. Fairbanks was spoken to as a friend by Schwartz, who gave her information not meant for public ears. The Schwartz-Fairbanks communications confirm that the extradition hearing begun last week at Belmarsh Magistrates Court is a show triala fig leaf to cover a political conspiracy between US and British imperialism to silence Assange forever. The verdict is just as surely predetermined behind the scenes as was Ecuadors collusion in his seizure. Given that Assange has committed no crime in publishing information clearly in the public interest, the US extradition request should have been automatically denied. The Anglo-US Extradition Treaty (2007) prohibits extradition if the alleged offence for which extradition is requested is a political offense. The Extradition Act (2003), which incorporates the terms of the treaty into domestic law, prohibits extradition for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing someone for his political opinions, or even in cases where someone might be prejudiced at his trial or punished, detained or restricted in his personal liberty by reason of his political opinions. Extradition hearings proceed because the UK is just as hostile to Assange as the US. Last weekend, journalists Matt Kennard and Mark Curtis revealed that Sajid Javid, who as Conservative government home secretary approved the US extradition request, attended six annual meetings of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), which has close ties to the US intelligence community. He spoke at one event alongside then- National Review editor Jonah Goldberg, who asked in a column published on the AEI website, Why wasnt Assange garrotted in his hotel room years ago? Neo-con ideologue Bill Kristol, who also spoke, wrote a column asking, Why cant we use our various assets to harass, snatch or neutralize Julian Assange and his collaborators, wherever they are? At last weeks extradition hearing, Assanges legal team explained that they would be presenting evidence from an unnamed whistle-blower detailing conversations between UC Global and the CIA about whether there should be more extreme measures contemplated, such as kidnapping or poisoning Julian Assange in the embassy. These discussions included suggesting that the embassy door could be left open to make a kidnapping look like it could have been an accident. The UK authorities have ignored this mountain of evidence of threats to Assanges life because the possibility of a death penalty automatically bars extradition. They know that the promise extended to Ecuador is worthless. If Assange is extradited, he faces either a life sentence or execution. Preventing this demands the mass mobilisation of the working class in Assanges defence. No justice can be expected at the hands of the corrupt British courts. During the four days of proceedings last week, Assange was forced to sit in a bulletproof glass box, without access to his lawyers to properly frame his defence and under constant surveillance by prison officers, and also no doubt by CIA spies in the courtroom. He was handcuffed, strip-searched and heavily medicatedall with the approval of presiding magistrate Vanessa Baraitser. She ruled that Assange must remain in a dock encased in reinforced glass when the extradition hearing resumes in May. To end this pseudo-legal nightmare demands that a struggle be waged throughout the world, with meetings held in every workplace, college and university to demand Assanges freedom and that of the heroic whistleblower Chelsea Manning. Since last spring, workers at Intel who turned on their corporate laptops or wall displays inside the companys more than 1,000 conference rooms have seen a new tagline: One Intel. A plea for unity might seem surprising at a company that has long had a singular mission of making semiconductors. But Intel had a hidden problem, said Robert Swan, its chief executive: Its culture badly needed an overhaul, and its 110,000 employees needed to confront issues more openly. If you have a problem, put it on the table, said Swan, 59, who was promoted to the top job a year ago and has since embarked on a campaign to shake up the Santa Clara company. His efforts remain a work in progress. But the changes some of which lean on the precepts of Andrew Grove, the former Intel CEO who coined the credo Only the paranoid survive are Intels biggest attitude adjustment in decades. For years, Intels near-monopoly in chips allowed it to dictate how and when computer makers improved their products. But Swan is targeting additional markets, which means Intel will need input from customers to succeed in them. They were driving everything, and the world was simply having to follow them, said Robert Burgelman, a management professor at Stanford University, who has written about Intel and for decades taught a class with Grove. Where Bob is doing a great job is to give them some modesty. Intel had begun modifying some procedures before Swan became chief executive, but his emphasis on changing the 51-year-old companys culture has sharply accelerated progress, executives said. The revamp is affecting everything from the designing of chips, which act as the brains of computers, to basic communication between teams. Intel is now developing products with input from multiple groups, something it had not really tried before. To speed product design, Swans lieutenants have set up smaller teams and broken up chips into modular blocks of circuitry. And they have improved collaboration between manufacturing and design engineers, who had been estranged in recent years. They tell us what we need to know, and we tell them what they need to know, said Jim Keller, a senior vice president leading chip design efforts. Thats a big transformation. Swan, who spent nine years at eBay and 15 years at General Electric, joined Intel in 2016 as chief financial officer. He became interim chief executive in June 2018, replacing Brian Krzanich, who stepped down after the disclosure of a past affair with a subordinate. Swan got the job permanently in January 2019. He immediately had a to-do list. Intel had been grappling with slowing growth. More recently, the $237 billion company has been dealing with uncertainty from the coronavirus; China accounted for about 28% of Intels $72 billion in revenue last year. The uncertainty about the virus is what caused stock markets around the world to plunge last week. Intel also had deeply rooted problems reflecting its years of dominance, Swan said. Managers, complacent about competition, battled internally over budgets. Some of them hoarded information, he said. Most significant, a cultural touchstone had turned into a trouble spot. Intel maintained a near-religious reverence for Moores Law, which refers to the co-founder Gordon Moores oft-quoted observation that the number of transistors on a chip can be doubled every two years or so. Yet Intels push to reduce a chips circuit dimensions to 10 nanometers, or billionths of a meter, wasnt achieved until mid-2019 even though the advance had once been expected as early as 2015. The delay exposed Intels overconfidence. Its engineers had promised to pack 2.7 times more transistors in the same space, a risky leap requiring novel production techniques, said Mike Mayberry, Intels chief technology officer. And leaders of chip manufacturing gave top management little data about problems, slowing the search for a solution, Swan said. All of that cost Intel. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or TSMC, and Samsung grabbed the Moores Law lead and began making chips for Intel rivals. Delayed from using the new production process and facing unexpectedly high demand for some products Intel didnt have production capacity to make enough chips for PCs. Swan had to repeatedly apologize for the shortages. The stumbles had a silver lining of sorts: They proved to Intels employees that change was needed. The crises will be among the best things that ever happened to the company, Swan said, adding that dealing with the aftermath was not exactly fun. Intel began making changes. Venkata Renduchintala, an Intel group president who oversees most product design, ordered a three-month timeout in 2018 so engineers could retrace their steps and revise the 10-nanometer production recipe. Renduchintala, who is known as Murthy, also pushed more inclusive ways to design products. One example was Lakefield, the code name for an unusual bundle of semiconductors, created by stacking multiple chips to save space. To conceive it, design teams from different groups around the company pitched in ideas, which broke the rules of how weve ever done a product, Renduchintala said. Intel recruited Keller, an engineer known for stints at Apple and an Intel rival, Advanced Micro Devices, in July 2018 to spearhead other design changes. He set up small teams, instead of the large ones that typically designed most of the chip circuitry from scratch to maximize computing performance. Some of the new teams were directed to develop standard blocks of circuitry that could be reused in different products so engineers could work independently without waiting for others to finish their portions of a chip. That helped reduce the time needed to make and test chip design changes from weeks to days, Keller said. Creating an entire chip design can now be as much as three times faster, he said. Swan kicked the changes into a higher gear in an open letter after he was named chief executive last year. Besides unveiling the One Intel slogan, he exhorted workers to be bolder, to be more attentive to customers and to honor truth and transparency, which was code for being more honest about facing problems and collaborating more. The relationship between Intels chip designers and manufacturing had been particularly strained, Swan said. The manufacturing team, in Oregon, had been slow to share technical details with the designers out of a desire to prevent leaks that could threaten Intels perceived tech lead, current and former executives said. In contrast, TSMC, the Taiwanese rival, regularly shared data about its manufacturing technology with external designers and incorporated their suggestions. To spur similar collaboration, Renduchintala set up a new oversight committee in September 2018 with three executives from the design group and three from manufacturing. Their information flow really picked up after Swan began pushing his cultural goals, executives said. Swans mantras also led Intel managers to analyze competing products more closely, improve relations with partners and speed decision-making, executives said. Sundari Mitra, a vice president who worked at Intel 30 years earlier and returned in 2018, said she had previously encountered bureaucratic traits like too many product review meetings. Taking Swans message to heart, she is cutting those down, while encouraging employees to begin presentations by listing problems rather than what was working well. If executives keep dinging them on what is not happening, which was a tendency in the past, this culture is not going to change, she said. For all the effort, financial benefits of the changes may take years to appear. Yet Swan keeps trying new tactics, including recently linking employee bonuses partly to One Intel improvements measured by employee surveys. We have the smartest people in the world, Swan said. The question remains, he said, How do you get them rowing in the same direction? Don Clark is a New York Times writer. The new Cellvizio platform includes significant improvements and will enable major innovations Regulatory News: Mauna Kea Technologies (Paris:MKEA) (OTCQX:MKEAY) (Euronext: MKEA) inventor of Cellvizio, the multidisciplinary probe- and needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE/nCLE) platform, today announced today that it has obtained 510(k) clearance (K193416) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE marking of the next-generation Cellvizio endomicroscopy platform, built with the company's new proprietary system architecture. This marks the 18th U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance of the Cellvizio pCLE/nCLE platform. The new Cellvizio incorporates breakthrough modular design solutions to facilitate and better integrate endomicroscopy within procedure suites as well as within third-party platforms. The new platform's hardware and software design was built from the ground up to facilitate future developments, including integration of deep learning (artificial intelligence) capabilities for assisted image interpretation. The ergonomic and significantly reduced footprint, integrates easily with laparoscopic, advanced navigation, and robotic systems. This novel platform is also capable of hosting other proprietary endomicroscopic architectures with imaging capabilities at other wavelengths supporting fluorescence-guided surgery and molecular imaging. With a completely redesigned user interface, Cellvizio delivers smart workflows for greater efficiency and usability. The all-new touchscreen and single-handed probe connection provide for easier setup and use. Developed to bring precision imaging to more patients with 9 dedicated Confocal Miniprobes, the new Cellvizio delivers premium imaging capabilities, offering clinicians an efficient high-performing, imaging solution for endoscopy, interventional, and surgical operating suites. "We are proud to announce the FDA clearance and CE marking of our next generation Cellvizio in the USA and in Europe," said Robert L. Gershon, Chief Executive Officer of Mauna Kea Technologies. "The next generation Cellvizio platform will be launched commercially in the coming months and, with its modular and flexible design as well as being AI and molecular imaging ready, will host our future innovations, indications and support partnership developments." About Mauna Kea Technologies Mauna Kea Technologies is a global medical device company focused on eliminating uncertainties related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases thanks to real time in vivo microscopic visualization. The Company's flagship product, Cellvizio, has received clearance/approval in a wide range of applications in more than 40 countries, including the United States, Europe, Japan, and China. For more information on Mauna Kea Technologies, visit www.maunakeatech.com Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Mauna Kea Technologies and its activities. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Mauna Kea Technologies considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the anticipated events contained in such forward-looking statements will occur. Forward- looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties including the risks set forth in the registration document of Mauna Kea Technologies registered by the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des marches financiers (AMF)) on July 12, 2019 under number R.19-0683 and available on the Company's website (www.maunakeatech.com), and to the development of economic situation, financial markets, and the markets in which Mauna Kea Technologies operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to risks unknown to Mauna Kea Technologies or that Mauna Kea Technologies does not consider material at this time. The realization of all or part of these risks could lead to actual results, financial conditions, performances or achievements by Mauna Kea Technologies that differ significantly from the results, financial conditions, performances or achievements expressed in such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or to subscribe for, or a solicitation of an order to purchase or subscribe for, Mauna Kea Technologies shares in any country. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005806/en/ Contacts: United States Mike Piccinino, CFA Westwicke, an ICR Company 443-213-0500 France and Europe NewCap Investor Relations Alexia Faure +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 maunakea@newcap.eu If you are building a properly diversified stock portfolio, the chances are some of your picks will perform badly. But the long term shareholders of China Haisheng Juice Holdings Co., Ltd (HKG:359) have had an unfortunate run in the last three years. Regrettably, they have had to cope with a 57% drop in the share price over that period. And more recent buyers are having a tough time too, with a drop of 21% in the last year. It's down 5.3% in the last seven days. Check out our latest analysis for China Haisheng Juice Holdings There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. 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. China Haisheng Juice Holdings saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 9.4% per year, over the last three years. The share price decline of 24% is actually steeper than the EPS slippage. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past. This increased caution is also evident in the rather low P/E ratio, which is sitting at 9.71. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). SEHK:359 Past and Future Earnings, March 3rd 2020 Dive deeper into China Haisheng Juice Holdings's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of China Haisheng Juice Holdings's earnings, revenue and cash flow. A Different Perspective We regret to report that China Haisheng Juice Holdings shareholders are down 21% for the year. Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 8.5%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 13% 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 China Haisheng Juice Holdings better, we need to consider many other factors. Even so, be aware that China Haisheng Juice Holdings is showing 4 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those shouldn't be ignored... Story continues Of course China Haisheng Juice Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on HK 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. John Owen has been promoted from associate to partner, and attorney Christopher Kendall has joined the firm as a partner. Chapman Spingola, LLP announces that attorney John Owen has been promoted from associate to partner, and attorney Christopher Kendall has joined the firm as a partner. John Owen joined Chapman Spingola in 2013 and has since concentrated his practice in complex commercial and intellectual property litigation. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at a nationally-recognized litigation boutique. John graduated from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. We are proud to announce Johns promotion to partner, said Robert Chapman, co-founder and partner of Chapman Spingola. Over the past several years, he has become a valued member of the team, working with clients on a variety of litigation matters, including several trials and appeals. We look forward to John continuing to build on his recent success. Christopher Kendall has joined the firm as a partner. He joins Chapman Spingola after years of successful commercial, intellectual property, land use, and real estate litigation achieving multimillion dollar results and successfully defending clients. At Chapman Spingola, he will continue to concentrate in these practice areas. Christopher graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign before attending John Marshall Law School, where he is an adjunct professor of law. We are thrilled to have Chris join our team. His depth of experience and success make him a valuable addition to our firm, said Peter Spingola, co-founder and partner of Chapman Spingola. We look forward to Chris helping lead the firm at the partner level by providing smart and creative business advice to our litigation clients and, when necessary, winning in the courtroom. With a national presence, Chapman Spingola attorneys provide sophisticated legal services in the areas of commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, intellectual property transactions, data privacy & information security, and business counseling & transactions. About Chapman Spingola: Founded in 2004, Chapman Spingola provides top-notch legal services expected of the nations largest firms, but with a small-firm attitude and approach. The attorney roster brings best-in-class experience gained from the top law schools, premier large law firms, and serving as in-house counsel. Learn more about the firm at http://www.chapmanspingola.com. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Ten policemen who were killed early Saturday in the simultaneous attack on Sebba central police station and a detachment of the 11th Regiment of the Infantry Commando of Dori were buried on Tuesday in the military cemetery of Seno, the Burkinabe Ministry of Security said US President Donald Trump sought to show his personal engagement in the fight against coronavirus, meeting with drug company executives on Monday to elicit promises of new medicines and announcing hell visit federal health agencies later in the week. At the White House meeting, executives from Gilead Sciences Inc., Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Sanofi, Pfizer Inc. and other manufacturers told Trump they were making rapid progress on vaccines and antivirals to combat the coronavirus, which has infected about 100 people in the country and killed six. The manufacturers said they hope to have antiviral treatments ready within months and vaccines by next year. Gilead Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel ODay told Trump that his company may test a promising antiviral in Washington State, where all six deaths from the virus have occurred. Its a very optimistic meeting. I didnt realize you were that far advanced, Trump said. Get it done. We need it. Vice President Mike Pence said Trump will visit the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, on Tuesday and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta later this week. At a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday evening, Trump promised that were working hard on it and were going to come up with some really great solutions. Were going to reduce the severity of whats happening, the duration of the virus, Trump said. We will bring these therapies to market as rapidly as possible. Airport Screenings Pence said at a briefing for reporters at the White House that South Korea has begun screening all passengers bound for the U.S. from any of their airports for infection. Italy will implement similar screening within 12 hours, Pence said. The exit screening will entail multiple temperature checks in the airports for people before they are boarding, Pence said at a briefing for reporters with federal health officials. The U.S. has restricted travel from China and Iran to prevent infected people from entering the country. Asked if those restrictions would be expanded, Pence said the president was very clear were going to follow the facts and listen to the experts every step of the way. The American people should know that we are saying you should not travel to certain sections of Italy and South Korea, Pence said. Well allow the caseload in those countries to define that guidance is expanded. The Washington deaths have been centered around a nursing home near Seattle in Kirkland, where there are a large number of suspected patients. In total, there are at least 18 cases in the state, with at least 14 in King County and four in Snohomish County. A top US disease expert said the coronavirus is likely becoming a pandemic, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he expects more cases after the state identified its first patient. NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit or the Company) (NYSE: SPR) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and indexed under 20-cv-00077, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired Spirit securities between October 31, 2019 and January 29, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are a shareholder who purchased Spirit securities during the class period, you have until April 10, 2020, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Spirit designs, manufactures, and supplies commercial aero structures in the U.S. and internationally. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Spirit lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; (ii) Spirit did not comply with its established accounting principles related to potential contingent liabilities; and (iii) as a result, Defendants statements about Spirits business, operations and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. On January 30, 2020, before the market opened, the Company issued a press release announcing that Spirit had determined that it did not comply with its accounting procedures and that the Companys Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer had resigned. On this news, Spirits stock price fell $2.56 per share, or 3.78%, to close at $65.08 per share on January 30, 2020. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP rswilloughby@pomlaw.com OTTAWAThe dispute over Coastal GasLink has not been settled. Canadas Crown-Indigenous relations minister acknowledges that. But Carolyn Bennett says the deal offered to Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs this weekend is nonetheless significant: it would recognize their nations land rights over a vast swathe of territory in northwestern British Columbia, and potentially prevent a quarrel like that which has sparked a nationwide solidarity movement from happening again. In return for that offer, which the Wetsuweten have pursued for years, Ottawa asked for nothing, the ministers office confirmed Monday. For 23 years and long before that, the Wetsuweten nation has been wanting to begin to implement their rights and title, Bennett told the Star in a phone interview, referring to the 1997 Supreme Court decision that recognized the Wetsuweten never ceded their traditional territory to the Crown, but ordered a new trial to demonstrate the nations ownership rights over that land. Bennett said the dispute arising over the Coastal GasLink pipeline which is supported by elected band councils in the region but opposed by Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs highlights the need to sort out the Wetsuweten authority system and how the nation exercises jurisdiction over its traditional territory. The decision on Coastal GasLink brought into sharp focus that that hadnt happened, and in terms of where we are going now is ... making sure that never happens again, Bennett said. The nation knows that this is an opportunity to get it right. The government has long said an important element of its reconciliation agenda is the recognition of land rights and title for all Indigenous nations that wish to pursue them. Bennett made clear that the offer is forward-looking and does not impact construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. She also made it clear that while Ottawas offer was unconditional, the government would still like to see the blockades end. If the offer is accepted, the government will recognize Wetsuweten land ownership rights over their 22,000 square-kilometre traditional territory, Bennett said. Then work will begin on implementing how that will work in practice, including how the Wetsuweten will determine their national governance for making decisions on major projects in the future, Bennett said. There is also the potential complication posed by First Nations with overlapping claims to parts of the Wetsuweten traditional territory, according to the B.C. Treaty Commission. Implementation is always complicated, but it is about everybody knowing what are the expectations of one another in terms of this partnership, Bennett said. But even as the proposed land title agreement was hailed as a milestone when it was announced in Smithers, B.C. on Sunday, the more immediate fracas over the 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline that inspired blockades and protests across Canada remains unresolved. Bennetts office reiterated to the Star on Monday that Coastal GasLink has all the permits it needs for construction of the $6.6-billion pipeline, and the company says it is on track to complete the project by 2023. In Quebec, the Wetsuwetens Mohawk allies stood firm south of Montreal as their blockade of Canadian Pacific rail tracks entered its fourth week, but were slated to meet Monday night to discuss their next move. Demonstrators at a second rail blockade in the province, in the Gaspesie, remained in place too, as Montreal police reported they were called to a new blockade on Canadian National tracks through the city. Back in B.C., Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs did not return requests for comment from the Star on Monday. Last week, as Bennett and other federal ministers signalled progress was being made on their long-standing push for direct negotiations, the Wetsuweten chiefs appeared prepared to pull the plug on direct talks over the governments demand that they call on their supporters across Canada to cool down. Hours later, the talks were back on, with Coastal GasLink and the RCMP agreeing to pull back from the disputed construction area in Wetsuweten traditional territory while discussions were being held. The hereditary chiefs had refused to meet with government ministers until they were satisfied the RCMP had withdrawn from their territory and that Coastal GasLink had suspended construction of the pipeline. By Monday, after the proposed deal to recognize Wetsuweten land title was announced, Coastal GasLink was preparing to resume construction in the disputed area. The RCMP also confirmed to the Star that it was starting to patrol the area again. The hereditary chiefs are asking for people to not back down because Coastal GasLink has not stopped working alongside, probably, the RCMP, said Eve Saint, a pipeline opponent who was arrested, then released, at the Gidemten checkpoint in Wetsuweten territory in February. So none of what the hereditary chiefs wanted has been upheld and those are the reasons for the blockade, she said. Saint is the daughter of Chief Woos, the Wetsuweten hereditary chief who represented the community in the four days of talks with Bennett and her B.C. counterpart, Scott Fraser. Saint said she has not spoken to her father since the negotiations, but she looked forward to learning what work was done, since it was clear to her from Wooss public comments Sunday that the chiefs still oppose the Coastal GasLink project. The leaders have said they will take time to discuss the proposal with members at a feast, which is a traditional governance practice according to Wetsuweten law. Saint said organizing the feast will likely take a couple weeks. They have to let community members know, on and off reserve, that this feast is going on, said Saint, who lives in Toronto. Jennifer Wickham, a media co-ordinator with the Gidemten camp where Saint was arrested for opposing the pipeline, said the negotiators were wrong to separate questions of land title from the immediate issue of the Coastal GasLink. With construction and RCMP patrols resuming, Wickham said the community is being forced to make a major decision under an extreme amount of pressure. She welcomed the continuation of solidarity demonstrations across Canada, so long as RCMP patrols and pipeline construction are going on in Wetsuweten territory. More pressure is needed for the RCMP and (Coastal GasLink) to do the right thing, because we know theyre not going to do it willingly, she said. With files from Wanyee Li, Tonda MacCharles and The Canadian Press Gina Shakespeare is a film and television producer from New Zealand. Over the past 15 years, she has produced and directed hundreds of hours of content, including TV commercials, programs, and corporate video for a wide variety of clientele; and has authored 3 short films. She is currently the producer and host of "Declassified," an investigative news program by The Epoch Times. The advance of coronavirus to a remote town more than 200 miles from Portland means the virus is fairly widespread in our community, but not broad enough to start aggressive containment, Oregons top medical officer said Monday. Oregon may now have 300 to 500 Oregonians who are or were unknowingly carrying the coronavirus, Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state health officer and epidemiologist, acknowledged as officials announced the states third presumed coronavirus case. Its not clear how the Umatilla County resident, a casino worker, contracted the disease. Yet the state wont take broad containment measures, such as recommending healthy people stay home, until or unless the number of confirmed cases or deaths dramatically increases, he said. Im not pessimistic and giving up that its going to spread like wildfire, Sidelinger said in an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive. The states identification efforts are now largely focused on testing people suspected of already being sick with coronavirus and monitoring those who may have already been exposed from known sources or who traveled to countries with an outbreak. Sidelinger said he believes such efforts will help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE The monitoring and testing dont fully account for everyone who could already have the virus, however. To date, Oregon has tested only 28 people, with three positive, 17 negative and eight results pending. At some point, the state could attempt to intervene by recommending certain school closures, the cancellation of certain community events or requesting particularly vulnerable populations to stay home, Sidelinger said. But theres no clear threshold for when officials would consider such action, he said. Its really looking at community by community, Sidelinger said, noting that severe restrictions in China limiting the mobility of millions of people did seem to have turned the course of the disease in that country. While we want to keep everyone safe, he said of Oregon, we have to weigh it against (restriction on) the broader population. COVID-19 can spread when someone with an infection is in close contact with another person, or when someone with an infection releases respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Most people with the virus will have mild symptoms and may not need medical attention, but some will require hospitalization. The death rate in China, where the outbreak began, has been about 2%. Oregon essentially has a two-tiered system for identifying coronavirus cases: * People who may be at risk and are under monitoring, but have not been tested. Oregon since Jan. 24 has monitored 327 individuals who do not have symptoms but who may have been exposed through close contact to an infected carrier or who traveled abroad in a country with an outbreak. Of those, 226 people have cleared monitoring without any symptoms. The state currently is monitoring 101 people. They have been asked to stay home for two weeks from the date of possible exposure. People under monitoring are not tested and state officials say its unclear how effective testing would be on someone who has not developed symptoms. Individuals under monitoring, Sidelinger said, are probably the people who are least likely to infect others, given their understanding of the risk and regular health assessments. While there could be a slight risk kind of right as the person develops symptoms, since were checking in with them regularly, we hope to identify them quickly, he said of people who would move from the monitoring phase to investigation. State authorities dont ask family members of a person under monitoring to stay home. Thats because we dont want to unnecessarily burden them by having the entire household stay home, Sidelinger said. * People who are already sick and are under investigation, prompting testing. Individuals move from monitoring to the states investigation category if they become sick with COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, and are referred for testing. Thats what happened in the states second coronavirus case, who was a household contact of the first patient identified Friday. But Oregons system doesnt quantify others in the community who may be infected with coronavirus until they become sick enough to be referred for testing by medical professionals. Oregons first coronavirus case, for example, involved a Lake Oswego school employee who became infected from an unknown source and was eventually hospitalized and diagnosed through coronavirus testing. Oregons third patient, identified Monday, was also infected with coronavirus from an unknown source and didnt become diagnosed until being hospitalized. As it stands, the Oregon Health Authority has about 1,500 coronavirus tests and the capacity to complete about 80 a day. At the current testing rate, Oregon has enough supplies to last months. While its unclear how many Oregonians might already have the virus without knowing it, Sidelinger said a recent analysis estimating infections in Washington is probably similar to the spread in Oregon. Washington reported its first coronavirus case Jan. 20, more than a month before Oregons first identification. The analysis, by a principal research scientist at the Institute for Disease Modeling, found a likely number of 300 to 500 individuals in Washington could be infected or have already recovered, with the high range up to 1,500, according to The New York Times. State officials say they have not completed any modeling and do not yet have plans to model the potential outbreak in Oregon. If modeling is out there and available, we would certainly look at it and take that into consideration as we move forward, the Oregon Health Authority said in an email. Ken Stedman, a biology professor at Portland State University who specializes in non-human viruses, told The Oreognian/OregonLive that more aggressive measures by state officials to recommend isolation are unwarranted given the low number of documented infections and deaths. Personally, I think theyre doing exactly the right thing, he said. The numbers were talking about right now are very, very low. More testing will undoubtedly reveal more cases, he said, which would help officials get a better understanding of the prevalence, the fatality rate, and whether more action is needed. For now, preventing more coronavirus infections will require anyone feeling sick to stay home, said Sidelinger, the state health officer, and for people without any signs of sickness to practice safe habits such as thorough hand-washing. Even so, Sidelinger, in an earlier conference call with reporters, didnt shy away from the growing death toll in Washington or the fact Oregon will almost certainly see positive cases rise. We will likely see additional hospitalizations, he said. And while we have not seen any deaths in Oregon, thats certainly a possibility. -- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt L'atto vandalico che l'aveva imbrattata e stato cancellato grazie al lavoro degli uomini e dai volontari della Protezione Civile delle sedi di Agrigento, che hanno lavorato con il Comune di Realmonte e la Soprintendenza per i Beni Culturali di Agrigento The coronavirus death toll in China climbed to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, while 125 confirmed cases were reported, the lowest since the virus outbreak in the country, Chinese health officials said on Tuesday even as the deadly disease wrecked havoc globally with the total number of deaths crossing 3,000 and infections surging past 89,000. China's National Health Commission, (NHC) said on Tuesday it received reports of 125 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 31 deaths on Monday in the country. According to the World Health Organisation, there are 89,527 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,056 deaths reported globally in 67 countries. In terms of confirmed cases in China, officials said Monday's numbers were the lowest since the country began to report about the coronavirus epidemic, showing signs of stabilising, especially in the Chinese mainland. All the deaths were in Hubei Province and its capital Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, the officials said, adding that of the 125 new confirmed cases reported on Monday, 114 are from Hubei. 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 NHC said the overall confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland had reached 80,151 by the end of Monday. This included 2,943 people who died of the disease so far, 30,004 patients still undergoing treatment and 47,204 patients discharged after recovery, the officials said. In Hubei province, the total confirmed cases climbed to 67,217 and total deaths rose to 2,834, including 2,251 in Wuhan, local health commission said. Wuhan reported 111 confirmed cases and 24 deaths on Monday. A total of 2,410 patients were discharged from hospital after recovery in the province, bringing the total number of patients in the province to 36,167. Among the 25,050 patients in hospitals, 5,407 were still in severe condition and another 1,186 in critical condition, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. All over China, 2,742 people were discharged from hospitals after recovery on Monday, while the number of severe cases decreased by 304 to 6,806. The commission said that 587 people were still suspected to be infected with the virus. By the end of Monday, 100 confirmed cases including two deaths had been reported in Hong Kong, 10 confirmed cases in Macao and 41 in Taiwan, including one death. With the virus spreading at a rapid pace globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus introduced to humans for the first time and it can be contained with the right measures. Noting that knowing and understanding the epidemic is the first step to defeating it, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted on Monday that "we are in unchartered territory with COVID-19. We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission." "It spreads from person to person mainly through the droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes," Ghebreyesus, who visited China in January, said. A 12-member WHO team also visited the virus-hit areas in China and submitted a detailed report. Ghebreyesus said containment of COVID-19 is still feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries right now, though there is no one-size-fits-all approach. "Our message to all countries is: this is not one-way street. We can push this coronavirus back," he said. "Your actions now will determine the course of the COVID-19 outbreak in your country. There's no choice but to act now," he said. WHO has been advising countries to take actions on the "first case, first cluster, first evidence of community transmission." Meanwhile, Ghebreyesus also deplored stigmatizing during the outbreak, which he said is "more dangerous than coronavirus itself." "It is painful to witness the level of stigma we are seeing. We are not angels, we are human beings, but we can do the right thing," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, six people died of the deadly virus in the United States, while over 90 confirmed cases have been reported from the country. Two people tested positive of the disease in India on Monday, including one in the national capital. South Korea reported 29 COVID-19 deaths and 477 more confirmed cases, raising the total number of infections to 4,812. In Japan, the total number of infected cases increased to 980, while 12 people died of the disease. Italy reported a jump in the death toll to 52, with more than 2,036 people infected with the virus. In Iran, the virus has claimed 66 lives, while confirmed cases climbed to more than 1,500 Three people have died of the disease in France, while the confirmed cases increased to 191. After concluding the trial within four days, a local court on Tuesday awarded death sentence to the three men convicted of rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Jharkhands Dumka district last month. The court also slapped a fine of 50,000 on each of them. The incident occurred at a village under Ramgarh police station in Dumka district. The minor victims body was found buried in a field on February 7 -- two days after her uncle, also the main accused, had lured her to visit a local fair with him. Her family members lodged a police complaint when she didnt return home after two days. The accused deserve nothing less than the gallows for committing such a heinous crime on an innocent minor girl. The role of police for quick investigation in the case is also appreciable, said the judge, while sentencing the convicts. The chargesheet was filed on February 26, and the judge concluded the trial in only four working days. Expressing satisfaction over the verdict, the victims grandfather, who was one of the witnesses in the case, told HT, Her uncle has no right to live after committing such a nasty crime. I had appealed to the court to award the maximum punishment to all the accused. Public prosecutor, Ramkinkar Pandey, said the court held the accused, all aged between 19 and 26, guilty under various sections of the India Penal Code such as 302 (murder) and the provisions of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act. Dumka superintendent of police (SP), YS Ramesh said, The prime accused was arrested on February 12 from Mumbai with the help of Thane Police. The other accused were also arrested from Godda district after two days. Their DNA tests were conducted to establish the crime. Defence lawyer, Rajendra Prasad Singh, said, We will move the Jharkhand high court against the judgment. Social activists and lawyers, who turned up at the court on the judgment day, lauded the police and the court for wrapping up the investigation and the trail in double quick time. The verdict is a gift for us ahead of the International Womens Day (on March 8). It sends out a clear message that crime against women and children would not be tolerated, said lawyer, Kiran Tiwari. Recently Ive been having heart palpitations which wake me at night. Most worrying is when my heart misses a beat and I lie there and fear it will stop altogether. Could you shed some light on this? Michael Byrne, Carlisle. This must be unsettling and my suggestion is that further investigation is needed to get to the bottom of the cause, so appropriate treatment can be offered. In your longer letter you explain that you have been advised to call an ambulance if the sensations persist for more than 20 minutes, which is far from reassuring. A resting electrocardiogram (ECG) a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart to check rhythm showed that your heart was normal at the time of the tracing. However, this type of one-off check is limited because it cant exclude coronary heart disease furring up of the arteries, which may cause palpitations. Nor can it tell you anything about the cause of the episodes you have experienced. Michael Byrne, from Carlisle, writes: 'Recently Ive been having heart palpitations which wake me at night' (stock image) Doctors need to capture and identify the rhythm of your heart during one of the episodes, using a 24-hour ambulatory ECG recording, sometimes known as a Holter monitor. At the innocent end of the spectrum are ectopic beats, or extrasystoles, which are normal, but excessive runs may indicate a thyroid problem. Other possibilities include more significant rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation, when the heart beats too rapidly and irregularly. In the meantime, you indicate you have been prescribed statins as your doctor has calculated you have a 33 per cent risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the next decade (given your cholesterol levels). This may or may not relate to the cause of the palpitations, but do accept this advice. Is there any cure for cold sores or any likelihood of one in the near future? I get them intermittently and not only find them embarrassing, but fear passing on the virus responsible to my grandchildren. Bill Adair, by email. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. More than 60 per cent of adults are infected at some point in their lives, and it is transferred by infected oral secretions, such as saliva. Following an infection, the virus establishes itself in local nerve tissue. Once its in you, it is there for ever. In up to 40 per cent of cases, the virus reactivates throughout life, usually as a cold sore. Triggers include exposure to sunshine and minor illnesses such as colds. Other conditions that undermine the immune system can also initiate attacks. Most people have warning symptoms a day or so before the cold sore erupts, with pain, burning or tingling at the site; blistering then occurs, rapidly evolving into an ulcer which crusts. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. More than 60 per cent of adults are infected at some point in their lives, writes DR MARTIN SCURR You are right to be concerned that you could pass it on to others, and the only way to prevent transfer is to avoid skin-to-skin contact when a cold sore is apparent. There is no cure not yet and no vaccine to protect against primary infection. The only treatment is anti-viral drugs, which keep the virus locked in a dormant state. Zovirax (acyclovir) cream, available over the counter, is an effective drug that stops the virus becoming fully active if applied promptly at the start of an episode, the momentum is interrupted and the duration is shortened. There have been trials looking into preventative treatment for those with recurrent attacks. Acyclovir pills, when taken twice daily for up to a year, have been found to help people who experience six or more attacks per year but there are concerns about using antiviral drugs continuously. I am sorry to be the bearer of not very helpful tidings about the possibilities of a cure. In my view . . . Lets ask the public about assisted dying We are at a pivotal moment in the discussion on whether the UK should legalise medically assisted dying. From 2015 to 2019, 233 Brits were forced to go abroad to seek an end to living in pain, and nearly 90 per cent of UK people now favour a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind who are facing profound suffering to opt for a dignified death. The Hippocratic oath, often distilled down to first do no harm, also enshrines a commitment to alleviate suffering. Last year, The Royal College of Physicians adopted a neutral stance. I received a survey on this issue from the British Medical Association last month. But, now that medicine has shifted away from paternalistic decision-making, to involve the public in this question is surely crucial. Gov. Gavin Newsom devoted most of his State of the State address last month to Californias ever-growing crisis of homelessness, outlining a broad new approach and pledging that he will make it work. I dont think homelessness can be solved, he concluded, I know homelessness can be solved. This is our cause. This is our calling. Buried in the speech was a hint as to why hes taking ownership of what many would consider to be an intractable problem. The public has lost patience, he told legislators. You have lost patience and Ive lost patience. Dan Walters: Newsom makes big political wager Gov. Gavin Newsom is staking his political career on solving California's housing and homelessness crises, columnist Dan Walters says. A week before Newsom spoke, a new statewide poll revealed that loss of patience what appears to be a declining level of compassion for those living in squalor on the streets and a rising demand for action, even compulsion. The poll by the USC Price School of Public Policy and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy found that likely California voters appear conflicted about their compassion to help those experiencing homelessness and their desire to keep homeless encampments out of public areas. While Californians still want the homeless to be helped, two-thirds of poll respondents also want their encampments removed from public areas and high-risk fire zones. Newsom and other politicians survive by sensing what voters want and what they will not tolerate and acting accordingly. We may be, therefore, seeing the beginnings of a tougher approach not only clearing encampments from public sidewalks and other high-visibility sites, but perhaps compelling the homeless with mental ailments to undergo therapy. 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. Newsom talked of modifying state and federal policies that essentially did away with compulsory treatment of the mentally ill, calling not only for more comprehensive care but, if necessary, requiring it via conservatorships for those unable to care for themselves. Clearing homeless encampments from public places has been virtually impossible, at least in Western states, because of a 2019 federal appellate court ruling which the Supreme Court refused to review that says local governments cannot prohibit the homeless from camping unless they provide alternative locations. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeal ruling cites the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment and declares that anti-camping laws punish a person for lacking the means to live out the universal and unavoidable consequences of being human. However, in a little-noticed footnote, the court declared, Even where shelter is unavailable, an ordinance prohibiting sitting, lying, or sleeping outside at particular times or in particular locations might well be constitutionally permissible. So, too, might an ordinance barring the obstruction of public rights of way or the erection of certain structures, if such a law is needed to protect the public health, safety and welfare. 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. Relying on that footnote, the city of Sacramentos staff has proposed an ordinance to prohibit the homeless from camping within 25 feet of river levees, hospitals, bridges, fire and police stations, pump stations and other public facilities and it was scheduled for approval at Tuesday nights city council meeting. A staff report cites numerous fires and other hazards associated with homeless camps and declares, The proposed ordinance is an exercise of the citys authority to protect the public health, safety, and welfare as recognized by the 9th Circuit Were it to survive the inevitable legal challenge, Sacramentos ordinance would, in effect, respond to the findings of the USC poll about the publics loss of patience that Newsom also underscored in his address. 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. A district court on Tuesday sentenced former Uttar Pradesh minister Prem Prakash Singh, his wife, son and daughter-in-law besides five others to rigorous imprisonment for various terms ranging from two to five years in a high profile land-grabbing case. The court of judicial magistrate/civil judge senior division, Rudrapur sentenced the former minister to five years in prison. His son Shiv Vardhan Singh and former district government counsel (DGC) Swatantra Bahadur Singh were handed a sentence of three years in prison in the case. The former minister's wife Manju Lata Singh, his daughter-in-law Nidhi Singh, the former DGC's wife Gita Singh and daughter-in-law Shikha Singh were sentenced to two years in prison. Besides them, two witnesses were sentenced to two years in prison. All convicts were let out on bail except the former minister who was sent to jail. The court pronounced the judgment in the case after convicting them of grabbing the land of former DSP Ram Awadh Singh on the basis of forged documents, including a will. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the Centre's response on a PIL challenging the rules regarding re-registration of motor vehicles when they are moved from one state to another. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Talwant Singh issued a notice to the Ministry of Transport, seeking their stand on the plea by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Deepak Bajpai. Bajpai, in his petition, has termed as "bizarre" the rules regarding re-registration of vehicles upon their transfer to another state, as it causes a lot of "inconvenience" to the owners when they try to get the road tax paid in the previous state refunded. The petition has said that vehicle owners have to first pay road tax in the new state and then go back to the previous state with the receipt to get a refund of the road tax paid there. It further said that to get a refund, multiple visits to the road transport office are required and the entire process is "practically impossible" and also "financially draining". Bajpai has sought directions to the ministry to frame a policy on uniform road tax for private vehicles all over India. His petition has also sought a direction to the Centre to create and maintain a unified online database for vehicles registered across India. He has claimed if there is a unified database then when a vehicle of one state is registered in another, road tax paid in the first state would be automatically transferred to the new state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri police have now identified the victim killed in a shooting this past weekend in Westport that also injured four other people. KCPD said one officer fired shots during the incident but did not strike anyone. The victim has been identified as 17-year-old Devin Harris. Treasury Sanctions Individuals Laundering Cryptocurrency for Lazarus Group U.S. Department of the Treasury March 2, 2020 WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today sanctioned two Chinese nationals involved in laundering stolen cryptocurrency from a 2018 cyber intrusion against a cryptocurrency exchange. This cyber intrusion is linked to Lazarus Group, a U.S.-designated North Korean state-sponsored malicious cyber group. Specifically, OFAC is designating , Tian Yinyin (Tian), and , Li Jiadong (Li), for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, a malicious cyber-enabled activity. Tian and Li are also being designated for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Lazarus Group. "The North Korean regime has continued its widespread campaign of extensive cyber-attacks on financial institutions to steal funds," said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "The United States will continue to protect the global financial system by holding accountable those who help North Korea engage in cyber-crime." Tian and Li's Activities The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) trains cyber actors to target and launder stolen funds from financial institutions. Tian and Li received from DPRK-controlled accounts approximately $91 million stolen in an April 2018 hack of a cryptocurrency exchange (referred to hereinafter as "the exchange"), as well as an additional $9.5 million from a hack of another exchange. Tian and Li transferred the currency among addresses they held, obfuscating the origin of the funds. In April 2018, an employee of the exchange unwittingly downloaded DPRK-attributed malware through an email, which gave malicious cyber actors remote access to the exchange and unauthorized access to customers' personal information, such as private keys used to access virtual currency wallets stored on the exchange's servers. Lazarus Group cyber actors used the private keys to steal virtual currencies ($250 million dollar equivalent at date of theft) from this exchange, accounting for nearly half of the DPRK's estimated virtual currency heists that year. Tian ultimately moved the equivalent of more than $34 million of these illicit funds through a newly added bank account linked to his exchange account. Tian also transferred nearly $1.4 million dollars' worth of Bitcoin into prepaid Apple iTunes gift cards, which at certain exchanges can be used for the purchase of additional Bitcoin. Tian and Li are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as amended by E.O. 13757. Additionally, they are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13722. OFAC closely coordinated today's action with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division. Treasury supports the concurrent law enforcement-related actions taken against these and additional individuals and accounts. As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of these individuals 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 designated today may themselves be exposed to designation. Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the individuals designated today could be subject to U.S. correspondent account or payable-through sanctions. North Korea's History of Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities On September 13, 2019, Treasury identified North Korean hacking groups commonly known within global cyber security private industry as "Lazarus Group," "Bluenoroff," and "Andariel" as agencies, instrumentalities, or controlled entities of the Government of North Korea, pursuant to E.O. 13722, based on their relationship to the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), North Korea's primary intelligence agency. Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff, and Andariel are controlled by the U.S.- and United Nations (UN)-designated RGB. North Korea's malicious cyber activity is a key revenue generator for the regime, from the theft of fiat currency at conventional financial institutions to cyber intrusions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges. The August 2019 UN Security Council 1718 Committee Panel of Experts report estimates that North Korea had attempted to steal as much as $2 billion, of which $571 million is attributed to cryptocurrency theft. This revenue allows the North Korean regime to continue to invest in its illicit ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Given the illicit finance risk that cryptocurrency and other digital assets pose, in June 2019 the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) amended its standards to require all countries to regulate and supervise such service providers, including exchangers, and to mitigate against such risks when engaging in cryptocurrency transactions. Virtual asset service providers and traditional institutions should remain vigilant and alert to substantial changes in customers' activities, as their business may be used to facilitate the transfer of stolen proceeds. The United States is particularly concerned about platforms that provide anonymous payment and storage functionality without transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, or customer due diligence, among other obligations. DPRK cyber actors actively target the cryptocurrency community and are known to employ a variety of fake cryptocurrency trading programs that contain malware. In April 2018, the Lazarus Group leveraged previously used malware code from the now defunct cryptocurrency application Celas Trade Pro software both developed and offered by the Lazarus Group registered website called Celas Limited. Creating illegitimate websites and malicious software to conduct phishing attacks against the virtual currency sector is a pattern previously seen from North Korean cyber criminals. DPRK malicious cyber proceeds are often transferred to cryptocurrency exchanges and peer-to-peer marketplaces with negligible customer screening compliance programs, or individual peer-to-peer or over-the-counter traders operating on exchanges that do not screen their customers. Stolen cryptocurrency may be layered using various schemes, traded for fiat currency, deposited in bank accounts, and traded for gift cards. Proceeds from DPRK malicious cyber activities often end up at Chinese financial institutions. Delisting of Two Russian Entities In addition to today's designation, OFAC is delisting two Russian entities, Independent Petroleum Company (IPC) and its subsidiary AO NNK-Primornefteproduct (NNK-P). IPC was originally designated on June 1, 2017 pursuant to E.O. 13722 for operating in the transportation sector in North Korea. IPC shipped over $1 million worth of petroleum products to North Korea. Following this designation, IPC's parent company, Alliance Oil Company (AOC), ceased all export activities and instituted a global compliance program. Treasury recognizes the actions that IPC, NNK-P, and parent company AOC have taken to ensure they do not engage in activity that may benefit North Korea. U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behavior. The United States has made clear that the removal of sanctions is available for persons designated under North Korea-related authorities, who take concrete and meaningful actions to stop enabling North Korea's sanctions circumvention. As a result of today's delisting action, all property and interests in property that had been blocked as a result of IPC and NNK-P's respective designations are unblocked, and all otherwise lawful transactions involving U.S. persons and these two entities are no longer prohibited. Read identifying information related to today's action here. #### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address She's an Emmy Award-winning actress who's best known for her roles in medical drama ER and legal-political drama The Good Wife. And on Monday, Julianna Margulies, 53, and her lawyer husband Keith Lieberthal, 47, showed up to support the Roundabout Theatre's 2020 Gala in New York City. The couple were the epitome of style as they posed for photos together on the red carpet at the event held at The Ziegfeld Ballroom. For a cause: Julianna Margulies, 53, and her lawyer husband Keith Lieberthal, 47, showed up to support the Roundabout Theatre's 2020 Gala in New York City on Monday night Margulies was on trend in a black embellished mini dress with bell sleeves. The actress added black tights and pointed toe black heels and carried a black purse. Lieberthal opted for a stylish black designer suit paired with a white shirt and long black tie. The couple, who tied the knot in November 2007, share a son Kieran, born in 2008. Perfect match: The couple, who have been married since 2007, were stylishly coordinated in their respective black ensembles Looking good: Margulies was on trend in a black embellished mini dress with bell sleeves. The actress added black tights and pointed toe black heels and carried a black purse During the gala actor Alan Cummings was honored with The Jason Robards Award For Excellence In Theatre for his longstanding relationship with Roundabout and his accomplished body of stage work. Fashion designer Michael Kors and his husband Lance Le Pere received the Ovation Award For Philanthropic Excellence. Some of the other high-profile people on hand for the event included Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Jessica Lange, Debra Messing, Claire Danes, Neil Patrick Harris, Hugh Dancy, Carla Gugino, Jane Krakowski, Sara Sampaio, Alex Timbers, Sutton Foster and Michael Zegen. Making her mark: Margulies gained international fame as Nurse Carol Hathaway on the medical drama ER for which she won an Emmy Award Cyndi Lauper was on hand to deliver a special concert performance at the event. All the proceeds from the gala benefit the Roundabout's many programs, which includes Education at Roundabout. Founded in 1965, The Roundabout is the leading non-profit theatre company based in Midtown Manhattan that now operates five theatres, all in Manhattan. During her career in television, Margulies has won a Golden Globe, three Primetime Emmys and eight Screen Actor Guild Awards, which is the second most awarded to a woman behind Julia Louis-Dreyfus. About Rs 1.15 crore worth of "suspicious" US dollars have been seized and six people apprehended by CISF personnel in two instances at the Delhi airport, officials said on Tuesday. In the first case that took place at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Monday, a Dubai-bound passenger was intercepted by the security personnel as he allegedly concealed USD 90,000 in the false bottom of two bags he was carrying. The approximate value of the currency is Rs 65.50 lakh and the passenger was handed over to the Customs authorities by the CISF, they said. In the second incident that was also reported on Monday at the same airport, a group of five passengers travelling to Bangkok were apprehended with USD 70,000 shared between them. The passengers tried to self-offload from their scheduled flight, as they apprehended trouble, but they were intercepted by CISF personnel and the value of the currency recovered from them is estimated to be worth Rs 50 lakh. The five were handed over to the air intelligence unit of the Income-Tax Department present at the IGI, they said. "As the possession of huge foreign currency by the travellers in both the cases was found to be suspicious, the cases were handed over by the CISF personnel to the respective probe agencies," a senior official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Foyle MLA has described as damning statistics which show that Invest NI brought inward investors to Derry City six times while hosting them in Belfast on almost 300 occasions. SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin was speaking after details were published of locations visited by potential inward investors to Northern Ireland hosted by Invest NI. In the 2018/19 year, there were 278 visits (87%) to Belfast, compared to just six (2%) in the Foyle constituency and a meagre two visits in East Derry. Invest NI is Northern Ireland's regional economic development agency. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department for the Economy (DfE). According to its own website its role is to grow the local economy. We do this by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland, it adds. The agency has come in for harsh criticism from Derry representatives in recent weeks after attending a Derry City & Strabane District Council meeting where it was branded Invest Belfast and taken to task for failing to promote the North West to potential investors. Just days later, at a Department for the Economy Committee meeting with Invest NI, DUP MLA Christopher Stalford accused Sinead McLaughlin of engaging in the politics of envy when she insisted that a sub-regional strategy was needed to address disparities across the country. Following the publication of statistics that show almost 90% of Invest NI visits are to Belfast locations, SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin MLA has sought an urgent meeting with Diane Dodds, Economy Minister. The Foyle MLA said: The focus on Belfast from Invest NI will not be a surprise to many, but the statistics released recently are particularly damning, with almost 90% of potential investor visits limited to Belfast. These statistics are only confirmation of what we already know and understand about where investment goes. It is their mantra that they do not promote one place more over another. If Foreign Direct Investors (DFIs) land in Belfast and are not taken anywhere else then it is indicative of only promoting one place. Skills deficit Northern Irelands skills deficit, she says, is closely linked to its geography, with the strongest skills based in and around Belfast whereas areas West of the Bann have some of the highest proportions of adults with no qualifications, analysis of an NI Assembly briefing document has shown. Almost half the adult population of West Tyrone 48% - have no qualifications. Other areas with a high proportion of adults without qualifications at level 1 or above include Mid-Ulster (46%), Fermanagh and South Tyrone (45%), Upper Bann (45%), and Newry and Armagh (45%). The Foyle MLA went on to say that sub-regional targets must be written into law and incentives put in place to ensure that investment is spread across the country. If we keep on doing what we are doing we are going to get the same results, it is fundamentally wrong. People cant keep on using the same old excuses for regional disparities. Northern Irelands skills deficit is closely linked to its geography, with the strongest skills based in and around Belfast while the areas West of the Bann have some of the highest proportions of adults with no qualifications, analysis of official statistics reveals. I have written to Minister Dodds to seek an urgent meeting where I will press for inclusion of sub regional investment targets in the new Economy Strategy. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson asked the Minister for the Economy whether she plans to set targets for Invest NI to ensure future jobs are located in Foyle. Diane Dodds, DUP MLA, said: All targets within the extant Invest NI Business Strategy 2017-2021 are on a regional i.e. Northern Ireland wide basis. Invest NI supports Councils to drive economic development in their area. Each Council has its own Community Plan, with targets for investment and growth. Derry City and Strabane District Council has set a target of 15,100 jobs by 2032. Invest NIs support for businesses in the region will contribute towards this. A former state's attorney convicted of felony tax evasion is now accused of working as a security guard without a license for allegedly handcuffing a man in Rapid City. Ken Orrock, a 51-year-old former Bennett County states attorney, is charged by the Rapid City Attorney's Office with having no security license while working with Black Hills Patrol in December. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Orrock is now serving five years of federal probation and paying back $280,257 in restitution to the IRS after pleading guilty to willful failure to collect and pay over tax at Black Hills Patrol, which he founded in 2010. He failed to pay the $280,257 in taxes between 2011-2015 and spent some of the money on private school tuition, vacations and cruises, according to the factual basis document he signed. Orrock was originally given a sentence of three years of weekends in prison so he could work with Black Hills Patrol to repay the IRS. But the judge had to re-sentence him to probation after realizing it's only legal to sentence someone to weekends in prison for a year. Security companies like Black Hills Patrol must have a merchant security license and each guard must obtain an individual security license, according to chapter 5.52 of the Rapid City Code of Ordinances. Orrock voluntarily gave up his individual security license after pleading guilty to his federal charge in February 2017 and was disbarred from practicing law. His wife took over as the agent of the company that owns Black Hills Patrol in August 2017, according to the Secretary of State's website. "Private security officers can serve as the first line of defense for business security and for organizations hosting special events," according to city spokesman Darrell Shoemaker. "They are not sworn police officers" and can't search people or their property. "In essence, they don't have any more power than a citizen may have," Shoemaker said. "They can detain someone until police arrive, much like a citizen can do in making a 'citizen's arrest'." Citizen's arrests let anyone arrest a suspect for non-petty offenses committed or attempted in front of them, according to South Dakota Codified Law 23A-3-3. People can also arrest suspects for a felony, even if wasn't committed in front of them as long as they have probable cause. Handcuff incident Orrock was allegedly caught acting as a security guard without a license on Dec. 2, 2019, according to a report filed by Rapid City Police Officer Joshua Russell: Russell was dispatched after a property owner reported that a verbally and physically aggressive man was refusing to leave the parking lot outside of a tobacco shop on East North Street. One he arrived at the scene, Russell saw Matt Cone, a Black Hills Patrol guard, and Orrock on top of and handcuffing the man. Orrock then ordered the man who had blood coming from scrapes to his face to "stay there." Cone told Russell that Black Hills Patrol had a no trespass order against the man. After telling the man to leave, Cone said, the man took a step toward him so he put a hand up to prevent the man from approaching him. He said the man twice slapped his hand away and threatened to beat him up. Cone said he then took the man to the ground to handcuff him. The property owner told Russell that she saw the man lunge toward Cone and slap his hand two times. Orrock suggested the man be arrested for simple assault and Russell ended up booking the man into jail on that crime, failure to vacate and for a warrant. The man told Russell that he started to walk away after the woman told him to leave but Cone soon arrived and told him to stay put and wait for police to arrive. He said he continued walking away but Cone twice grabbed his face to keep him from leaving so he slapped Cone's hand away twice. He said Cone then threw him to the ground. He denied taking a fighting stance or threatening Cone. The Pennington County State's Attorney Office only charged the man with criminal trespass, which is punishable by up to one year in jail. The man is out of jail without bond. The report does not mention how Orrock ended up arriving at the scene, if he was in uniform or carrying any weapons. Orrock can't carry a gun or any other weapon, according to his probation conditions. He's also not allowed to break any laws so if he's convicted of his new charge he could have his federal probation revoked and be sentenced to prison or another punishment. Orrock was not arrested that day but was charged on Dec. 13 and ordered to appear in court, records show. He's scheduled to return to court for a 10 a.m. status hearing on April 2. Past controversies Black Hills Patrol has come under scrutiny in the past. In 2015, one of their guards shot and wounded a man who police officers said tried to hit the guard with his car. Orrock refused to share the name of the guard who shot the man. The Rapid City Police Department and Pennington County State's Attorney Office reviewed the case and decided not to press charges against the guard or driver. The city no longer has any contracts with Black Hills Patrol, Shoemaker told the Journal. He said the last payment was in February 2018 for December 2017 patrols at the city's water reclamation facility. The company then came under fire in December 2017 for refusing Police Chief Karl Jegeris' order to paint "SECURITY" on its vehicles so citizens wouldn't confuse them with the police department, something that had been happening. Shoemaker said the City Attorney's Office is not yet commenting on Orrock's new charge. Timothy Rensch, Orrock's lawyer, said it's important to remember the presumption of innocence. A message to Black Hills Patrol asking about Orrock's role with the company was not returned. But it appears he maintains a leadership role since he signed the company's annual report in 2019, according to the Secretary of State's website. The company's voicemail tells callers that they've reached Black Hills Patrol and the "law offices of Kenneth E. Orrock." Orrock is "not accepting any new clients at this time. Existing clients are welcome to leave a message," the voicemail says. It's unclear whether it's legal for disbarred lawyers to say they have a law office, said Andrew Fergel, executive director of the State Bar of South Dakota. He said it may make sense to have such a message during the 30 days when disbarred lawyers are allowed to wrap up their existing work and need to notify clients about their disbarment. "They probably ought to change the message on their voicemail," Fergel said. "Probably the appropriate thing is not to say that there's a law office there." Contact Arielle Zionts at arielle.zionts@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. (Natural News) A patient who was being treated for COVID-19 at a Texas Center for Infectious Disease (TCID) facility ended up wandering through a mall for two hours after she was mistakenly released. In addition to wandering through the mall, officials have confirmed that the patient also went to a local hotel. In a statement given by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, the patient wandered around the mall at around 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CST after they were mistakenly released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most of that time, she sat alone at the food court. In addition to this, the patient also went to a local hotel where she came into contact with at least 3 people. Despite this, officials claimed that the risk factor for spreading the disease was low. Today we learned that the CDC mistakenly released a patient from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease who later returned a positive COVID-19 reading, wrote Nirenberg on Twitter. Today we learned that the CDC mistakenly released a patient from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease who later returned a positive COVID-19 reading. The fact that the CDC allowed the public to be exposed to a patient with a positive COVID-19 reading is unacceptable. Full: pic.twitter.com/hE2xTMETw7 Mayor Ron Nirenberg (@Ron_Nirenberg) March 2, 2020 Patient met the criteria for release When asked why the patient was released from the TCID facility where she was being treated, the CDC stated that the patient had met all the criteria for release. This included two tests for the infection that came up negative. Prior to this, the patient had been confined for 12 hours after returning to the U.S. from a trip to Wuhan, China. However, when the patient returned to the medical facility, a third test came up as weakly positive. As a result, the patient has once again been placed in isolation. According to Texas health officials, all three tests were conducted at the CDCs headquarters in Atlanta. According to the CDC, other facilities have encountered similar situations where test results have alternated between negative and positive. This is the reason why patients need to have two negative tests from specimens taken more than 24 hours apart. However, in this case, the mistakenly released patient had tested negative twice, before a third test came up as positive. (Related: Recovered coronavirus patients in China are testing positive a second time.) To prevent the spread of infection, the CDC has confirmed that local public health officials are now trying to track where exactly the patient went during their release. This includes people the patient may have come into contact with outside the federally ordered quarantine and notifying them of the potential risk. CDC under criticism Mayor Nirenberg has been vocal in criticizing the CDCs handling of the situation. He has since stated that his office would hold the CDC accountable to make sure that the latter releases more information about the patient to the public. I have asked the CDC to do everything in their power to ensure that those who are released pose no risk to the community, stated Mayor Nirenberg. In addition to the mayor, Governor Gregg Abbot has also spoken up about the incident, criticizing the CDC. What happened in San Antonio and what the CDC did is completely unacceptable, stated Abbot during a Monday morning news conference. It appears to be a case of negligence with regard to how this person, who had the coronavirus, could leave TCID and go back into the general population. I think they understand the magnitude of the error they made. In addition to the mistakenly released patient, 120 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship are also in quarantine in San Antonio. These passengers were originally scheduled to be released on Monday. However, Mayor Nirenberg and other officials in San Antonio have now called for a third lab test to be conducted on for the passengers before they are released. Sources include: ABC13.com NBCDFW.com NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, announces that the firm has launched an investigation on behalf of investors that purchased or acquired the securities of Aarons Inc. ("Aarons" or the "Company") (NYSE: AAN). If you purchased Aarons securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Aarons Shareholder Investigation or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]. On February 20, 2020, Aaron's issued a press release announcing the Company's financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2019. Among other results, Aaron's reported that the Company's Progressive segment had reached an agreement in principle with FTC staff regarding the CID from the FTC that Progressive received in July 2018. Aaron's advised investors that "[u]nder the proposed agreement, which requires final approval by FTC Commissioners and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Progressive will make a payment of $175 million and enhance certain compliance-related activities, including monitoring, disclosure and reporting requirements." On this news, Aaron's stock price fell $10.70 per share, or 19.06%, to close at $45.45 per share on February 20, 2020. If you purchased Aarons securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/aaronsinc-aan-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-stock-fraud-258/apply/ contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2020 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information Matthew E. Guarnero Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (877) 779-1414 [email protected] SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP Related Links http://www.bernlieb.com Eight of the men the ninth is a juvenile appeared in court Friday and Saturday following their arrests late last week. The juvenile, whom authorities did not identify, was released to the custody of his parents, according to prosecutors. The others had bonds set that ranged from $2,000 to $225,000. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening ceremony of the Shamkirchay Water Treatment Complex. Head of Shamkir District Executive Authority Alimpasha Mammadov informed the head of state of the works carried out in the facility. Chairman of Azersu Open Joint Stock Company Gorkhmaz Huseynov informed President Ilham Aliyev about the technical and economic indicators of the complex. The head of state launched the Water Treatment Complex. President Ilham Aliyev then met with the facility staff and addressed the meeting. Speech of President Ilham Aliyev - An exceptional role in the establishment of the Shamkirchay Water Treatment Complex has been played by the Shamkirchay Reservoir. If we hadnt invested a lot of money in the implementation of this giant project, there would be major problems with water supply and high-level organization of irrigation work in the region because there was a severe drought last year. Unfortunately, the forecast for this year is not very reassuring either. Therefore, the implementation of these major projects has saved us from big problems. Along with Shamkirchay, the Takhtakorpu reservoir was built. If the Takhtakorpu water reservoir had not been built several years ago, there would have been a shortage of water in Baku last summer. The Takhtakerpu reservoir feeds our main source of drinking water the Jeyranbatan reservoir. Water is collected and simultaneously treated naturally there and then discharged into Jeyranbatan. Therefore, these major infrastructure projects are of great importance and bring huge benefits. Today we are expanding sown areas and providing people with drinking water. The water coming from the Shamkirchay reservoir and treated here will provide a significant part of the cities of Ganja, Samukh and Shamkir. Today, water is mainly supplied to Ganja from Lake Goygol. But at the end of a major water supply project of Ganja in 2022, the city will have a round-the-clock supply of clean drinking water meeting the standards of the World Health Organization, namely from the Shamkirchay reservoir. These projects show again that all our actions are designed to achieve a result. All steps are taken in a timely manner. Both large reservoirs in Azerbaijan are historic projects because they are labor and financially intensive. These projects are very technically complex. I initiated both projects. During their implementation, I repeatedly enquired about the work being done, gave relevant instructions and took part in the opening of both large projects. Today we are providing people with drinking water and will continue to do that. In most cities of our country, including Shamkir, the problem of drinking water has been solved. I am told that the issue of sewage will be resolved in the city by the end of this year. The problem of water in Samukh will be resolved this year. So about three to five cities are not yet provided with clean drinking water, but they will be provided with drinking water in two years at the latest. At the same time, relevant agencies are dealing with the water supply of villages using the treatment facilities both of Azersu and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The problem of water in the city of Baku is being resolved. I am told that 80 percent of the Baku population has a continuous supply of clean drinking water. This process will be continued. Therefore, these projects are of great historic importance. Water is about life, cleanliness, health and development. At the same time, it plays a major role in the development of agriculture. The second phase of the Shamkir water canal is nearing completion, and from now on water will be supplied to 40,000 hectares of land that has not been irrigated so far in Goranboy district alone. This in itself will contribute to the creation of jobs, people will begin to live better, agriculture will develop, productivity will increase and our export opportunities will expand. All these are projects envisaged in the state programs on the socioeconomic development of the regions. Each of them is being successfully implemented. Appropriate steps are being taken to develop Shamkir district. I have given a whole series of instructions and signed orders. Infrastructure projects in Shamkir district are being successfully implemented and gas supply level is at 98 percent. The problem of drinking water has been resolved. The construction of roads continues. After the implementation of the new projects I was informed about today, the percentage of good-quality roads will reach about 80. Today, this figure is at 40 percent. Therefore, there are many more projects to be implemented. The Central District Hospital was opened recently. It is a very nice new building. It is fitted with all the necessary equipment and is an excellent medical institution for 190 patients. Other social facilities are being built, 37 schools have been built and refurbished. So we have a comprehensive approach to this. This also includes steps being taken to create jobs. Large agricultural estates have been set up. These agricultural estates cover thousands of hectares of land and significantly strengthen the agriculture and export potential of Shamkir district. It is no coincidence that exports from Shamkir district to foreign countries amount to tens of millions of dollars and will continue to grow. The potential is great, the land is fertile, there is water, people are hardworking, the infrastructure is available. In a year and a half, a four-lane road will be built to the border with Georgia. After that, both the district and our entire country will go only along the path of development. Such financially intensive social projects require very large funds. Of course, with low water tariffs we will never be able to recover these funds to the state. And there is no such goal either. The goal is to provide people with clean water so that they are healthy, and support agriculture with land reclamation measures. We are achieving this goal. I am sure that the district and our entire country will continue to develop successfully. I express my gratitude to Azersu employees for the work done and wish them continued success. Six Emory University professors and administrators won Fulbright Scholar Awards in 2019-2020, earning Emory the distinction as a top producer nationally for the U.S governments flagship international educational exchange program, according to rankings in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Fulbright Scholar Program was established to create and increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and people of other countries. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Scholar Program has provided more than 390,000 individuals the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to international problems. As one of the few private research institutions on the list of top-producers for Fulbright Scholars, this honor is a great recognition of the global reputation and impact of Emory faculty, says Philip Wainwright, vice provost for global strategy and initiatives. When these six faculty and staff members representing just as many disciplines teach and conduct research abroad, they demonstrate Emorys global reach and the importance of international collaboration in advancing research and enriching our campus and our community. Known as U.S. Fulbright Scholars, here are Emorys most recent grantees. Paul Buchholz, an associate professor of German studies, is studying Relations of desolation: Collectivity in narratives of environmental crisis. His project reconstructs the spectrum of works from small presses and countercultural publications in the 1970s and 1980s that attempted to envision an alternative society in the face of ecological crisis. Ellen Gough, an assistant professor of religion, focuses on the religious traditions of India, particularly Jainism. While studying in India, her project is What makes a Jain not Hindu? Religious identity and the festival calendar. Kelsey Gray, a post-doctoral fellow in the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, is teaching culturally-responsive biology courses at Drepung Loseling Monastic University in India. Her project focus is Culturally responsive science education: Learning from Tibetan Buddhist monastics. Ellie Schainker, the Arthur Blank Family Foundation Associate Professor of History and Jewish Studies, is a historian of modern Jewish history, religion and empire, particularly the experience of Jewish people in the Russian empire. While studying in Israel, her Fulbright project is Rites of empire: Jewish religious reforms in Imperial Russia, 1850-1917. Sheila L. Tefft, a senior lecturer in English, specializes in science writing about health and climate change, composition and multimedia journalism. Her Fulbright studies focus on Communicating climate through multimedia journalism in India. Kelly Yates, the assistant director of Emorys Halle Institute for Global Research, was awarded a Fulbright position in the U.S.-Germany International Education Administrators Program, which creates links with the societal, cultural and higher education systems of other countries. The program will support her work with Halle Institute directing international research collaborations. Students and alumni also recognized These faculty and staff members join nine Emory students and recent alumni named as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for this academic year. The nine students have traveled or will travel to eight counties to conduct individually designed study and research projects or to participate in English teaching programs. Emorys Fulbright recipientsepresent the full breadth of undergraduate engagement in the liberal arts and sciences and business, as well as investment in leadership, service and innovation in the broader Atlanta community, says Megan Friddle, director of Emory Colleges National Scholarships and Fellowships Program. This years group of granteesghlights the exceptional teaching and mentorship in the Spanish and Portuguese program and the strengths of Emorys connections to Brazil through the Halle Institute, Friddle adds. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. Emory now has 37 semi-finalists for the 2020-2021 awards. Those winners will be notified between March and May. Four students selected were for the 2019-2020 research/study grants. Aelekhya Malladi, a Laney Graduate School student, received a Fulbright and an American Institute of Indian Studies fellowship to conduct her dissertation fieldwork in India from July 2019 through July 2020. Her topic is Gender, devotion and authority: Study of an 18th century female poet in South India. Chris Batterman 19C, music and psychology, is traveling to Brazil to examine the operas of Brazilian composer Carlos Gomes and outline the ways that music interfaced with the Brazilian nation-building project, especially around the notions of race and Brazilianness. Ellen Dymit 19C, environmental sciences and biology, is in Norways Varanger peninsula to examine post-release survival of captive-reared Arctic foxes. She will follow her field research with laboratory analyses at the University of Troms, where she will explore the unique ecological consequences of the captive-reared release program. Alexandra Llovet 19C, biology and Spanish/Portuguese, is traveling to Brazil to use archival data and individual narratives that explain how families were affected by Hansens disease, derogatorily known as leprosy, between the 1920s and the 1970s, a period characterized by isolationist public health policy. Students selected for English teaching assistantships in other countries are: Michelle Baltrusitis 19BBA, consulting business and society and Spanish, Colombia 19BBA, consulting business and society and Spanish, Colombia Daniella Gonzalez 19C, neuroscience/behavioral biology and Spanish/Portuguese, Portugal 19C, neuroscience/behavioral biology and Spanish/Portuguese, Portugal Linda Li 19C, biology and English/creative writing, Taiwan 19C, biology and English/creative writing, Taiwan Marissa Pham 19C, human health and sociology, Vietnam 19C, human health and sociology, Vietnam Emma Watson 19C, international studies and Spanish, Spain Five additional undergraduate students and recent graduates who applied through Emory College of Arts and Sciences declined their offers. Nine more were named as alternates. Bigg Boss 2 Malayalam has completed its intermediate mark in the previous week with Jazla and RJ Sooraj bidding goodbye to the show. Also Daya, Reshma Rajan and Alina, who were on a treatment for eye infection had made a come back during the weekend episode. Though slow in the beginning, the reality show gained pace gradually, thanks to the increasing fan following of the contestants. As per the nominations of Bigg Boss, each contestant of the show have to nominate two contestants who they think don't deserve the title. The contestant with more number of votes will be directly nominated for the eviction. Later, the fate of each contestant is written by the public through votes and the one with the least number of votes is evicted from the show. The eviction announcement is done by the host, Mohanlal during weekend episodes. Here is the nomination list and the procedure to save your favourite contestant: Nominations this week Veena Nair Pashanam Shaji Alasandra Sujo Mathew Amritha-Abhirami It is to be noted that Arya and RJ Raghu were also nominated in the ninth week, but had used their immunity cards to make it back into the safe zone. The voting procedure of Bigg Boss 2 Malayalam The user has to install the HotStar App on their respective mobile phones (Available in Android and iOS) Create an account using email id, phone number or social media account Click 'Bigg Boss 2 Malayalam' in the search bar Click on the Vote icon and cast your vote to save your favourite contestant Users have 50 votes each day, which they can either use for a single contestant or can split among the other contestants on the list It is also to be noted that the vote bank closes on Saturday at midnight Also Read: Bigg Boss 2 Malayalam 9th Week Nominations: Dr Rajith Kumar Is Safe This Time! 03.03.2020: Borregaard ASA (Borregaard, OSE ticker: BRG) Reference is made to the stock exchange notice of 28 February 2020 where Borregaard announced the intent to repurchase up to 300,000 of its outstanding common stock. Borregaard has today purchased 29,000 own shares through broker at an average price of NOK 104.27 per share. After this transaction Borregaard holds a total of 146,097 own shares, representing 0.15% of total shares outstanding. Contact: Lotte Kvinlaug, Investor Relations Officer, +47 922 86 909 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Hyderabad: GHMC commissioner Lokesh Kumar faced the wrath of the Telangana High Court yet again on Tuesday, when it was found that the GHMCs Rajendranagar deputy commissioner had provided false information about the number of polluting industries at the Shastripuram Housing Board Colony area. Stating that the GHMC officials were playing hide and seek with the court, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice A. Abhishek Reddy asked several questions and voiced dissatisfaction with the manner in which the authorities had filed affidavits before the court on the matter. The bench summoned GHMC commissioner Lokesh Kumar and Rajendranagar deputy commissioner D. Pradeep Kumar to appear in court on March 11 to answer queries. The bench was dealing with a public interest litigation and several petitions which were filed in 2012 and 2013 on the inaction of the GHMC in relocating the polluting industries to another area from the jurisdiction of the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority area. These cases came before the bench after seven years in January. In that hearing, the deputy commissioner told the court that there were only three industries and the corporaton was trying to relocate them from the Shastripuram area. Ms Pushpinder Kaur, the advocate who has been appointed to assist the court in the case, submitted that the GHMC staff was giving false information and that there were more than 200 polluting industries. With that, the court directed the member secretary of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority to inspect the locality and submit a report. The report by the member secretary stated that there were more than 375 industries in the locality, including at Tatanagar, which is a part of Shastripuram. The bench became infuriated on hearing this on Tuesday and said the GHMC was playing hide and seek with the court. It directed the GHMC commissioner to appear before the court and explain the discrepancies in the affidavit filed by deputy commissioner D. Pradeep Kumar and the one submitted by the member-secretary of the Legal Services Authority. Just last week, the High Court had pulled up the GHMC with regard to the large number of petitions being filed regarding illegal constructions in Hyderabad. The High Court had on February 28 that this could be happening only because GHMC personnel from the senior ranks to the junior levels have developed a thick skin and an obstinate attitude. The court had observed that if the GHMC commissioner, was not implementing the law and had failed to deal with the menace of illegal constructions, why doesnt the government sack him. The Ukrainian side will make the facts of human rights violations on the peninsula public The Ukrainian delegation to the UN initiates a March 6 meeting of the UN Security Council under the Arria formula on the violations of human rights in annexed Crimea. Oleh Nikolenko, the spokesman for the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN, informed about it on his Facebook page. "The UN Security Council meeting under the Arria formula on the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol will take place on Friday. Initiators were Ukraine and partner countries - Estonia, the USA, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium," Nikolenko said. Discussions will begin at 10:00 a.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Kyiv). It is expected that the Ukrainian side will make the facts of human rights violations on the peninsula public. It is worth noting that on December 18, 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that calls on the Russian Federation to stop human rights violations in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. As we reported earlier, the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly took place on February 20. During the 58th plenary meeting, the situation in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine was discussed. In Oklahoma, just like in all other parts of our country, people want a job that gives them purpose, allows them to provide for their family, and creates a chance for a better life. We all have our own idea of what our American Dream looks like and having a job helps us accomplish that goal. Career and Technical Education (CTE) gives students an education for skills-based careers like health sciences, IT, and manufacturing. A traditional 4-year university doesnt work for all people or all skill sets. We should support and encourage all forms of schooling across the board because all education is career education. It isnt limited to the skills learned at a university over four years. Its our responsibility in Congress to create an environment for entrepreneurs to create jobs in their communities and ensure workers have the opportunity to learn skills needed to take those jobs. One of the ways we do that is through funding for CTE. In 2018, there were over 76,000 students in Oklahoma who were enrolled in a CTE program. Last Congress, I worked with my colleagues to help get H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act signed into law. This bill reauthorized the funding for CTE and made important reforms to the program that improve the experience for students. It gives states more flexibility when supporting CTE students in rural areas, increases transparency within the programs, encourages public input, and limits federal intervention. As a small business owner who employs individuals with a Career and Technical Education, I understand firsthand how important CTE is to our communities. From plumbers to cosmetologists and welders to IT techs, CTE is helping people achieve their American Dream. Markwayne Mullin, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, was first elected to serve the people of Oklahomas Second Congressional District in November 2012. He is currently serving his fourth term in office. Mullin and his wife Christie have six children. The Mullin family currently resides in Westville, Oklahoma, on the same family farm where Markwayne was raised. Join the Conversation A 50-year-old woman, sitting in a parked car, was abducted and shot dead by an unidentified man in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday afternoon outside a branch of Bank of Maharashtra at sector 19 in Ulwe node, an official said. Shelghar resident Prabhavati Bhagat was sitting inside the car waiting for her husband who had gone inside the bank, when an unidentified man entered the vehicle, he said. The accused started driving the car towards Wahal village, where he pulled out a revolver and shot her, the official said. The man then parked the vehicle near Tejas Emerald building in sector 23 and fled the scene, he added. The victim's husband came out of the bank and tried contacting her, but failed to reach her, the official said, adding that the car was spotted by some passersby at Wahal village and the police were informed. Bhagat was taken to a private hospital in Belapur, where she was declared dead on arrival, the official said. A case of murder has been registered at NRI police station against the unidentified accused, he said. The police are examining the CCTV footage from near the bank and neighbouring areas to ascertain the accused's identity, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran revealed Tuesday that nearly 10 percent of Iranian lawmakers have been infected with the coronavirus as the deadly epidemic spreads through the country. On Monday, an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died after he was infected with the coronavirus, which has also infected Irans vice president and deputy health minister. The virus has killed at least 77 people in Iran and infected over 2,300 others. Iran has the most fatalities outside of China, where the coronavirus originated, which has over 80,000 confirmed cases and close to 3,000 deaths. The official fatality rate in Iran stands at 5.5 percent, well above the roughly 2 percent death rate reported in China. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the extent of the virus in his country but nevertheless said Tuesday that he is putting Irans armed forces on alert, although he did not specify how the military would help combat the epidemic. This calamity is not that big of a deal, and that there have been bigger ones in the past, Khamenei said, according to the Mehr news agency. I do not want to underestimate this issue of course, but let us not overestimate it either. Iran has so far refused U.S. offers of help to combat the virus, expressing suspicion that the U.S. is trying to break the spirits of Iranians over the epidemic. Last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Iranian government was attempting to cover up the scope of the toll the virus is taking on the population. The United States is deeply concerned by information indicating the Iranian regime may have suppressed vital details about the outbreak in that country, Pompeo said The coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide and has infected more than 90,000. The U.S. currently has 103 cases of people infected with the virus, and six people have died. More from National Review Cutting trees can be costly especially if theyre in town open space. The Board of Selectmen has accepted a $43,000 settlement from property owners and their contractor held responsible for cutting trees on town open space land the third monetary settlement of tree-cutting on open space in eight years. Together the three settlements have brought the town $153,000 most of it flowing into the towns open space fund, with perhaps $30,000 or $35,000 going to legal fees, Conservation Commission chairman James Coyle estimated. The cutting down of trees that have been standing for decades has serious and far reaching repercussions, Coyle said to The Press. Trees serve functions in our ecosystem that no other organism can entirely match. Among other functions they reduce CO2, provide oxygen, moderate temperature, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce erosion. And last but not least, they are beautiful to look at and soothe our souls. First Selectman Rudy Marconi viewed the legal action that led to the settlement as a stand by the town in defense of its open spaces. You cant go on town property and cut trees, Marconi said. You should know where your property lines are. Marconi spoke as the most recent settlement, stemming from tree-cutting in open space off Peaceable Ridge Road, was being considered by the selectmen before their 4-to-0 vote to approve it on Wednesday night, Feb. 19. Denial stated In the settlement agreement the property owners deny any knowledge of the removal of such trees until being notified by the Town of Ridgefield Conservation Commission of an open space violation. Marconi noted that the town had reached settlements in two other cases of tree-cutting in open space one for about $23,000 off Barrack Hill Road and another for $80,000 off North Salem Road. Coyle said there was more than money to the settlement. An integral part of this is the property owners agree to clean up the mess they made, Coyle told the selectmen. But the money is part of it. Well take part of that settlement and do some replanting, Coyle said. He gave The Press the background that led to the agreement. The settlement at Peaceable Ridge Road relates to the cutting down of five large (16- to 24-inch diameter) trees on the towns West Mountain/McManus Section open space, Coyle said. The cut trees were spotted by a Conservation Commission member in the spring of 2019. The property owner had hired a landscape contractor to do some clearing on his property. Unfortunately the contractor did not respect the property boundary and the five trees were on town open space. A Notice of Violation pursuant to the Ridgefield Open Space Use Ordinance Chapter 262 was issued in June 2019 for the unauthorized cutting of trees and placement or dumping of waste materials, including cut trees. Discussion at the selectmens meeting revealed that the contractor was paying $27,500 of the settlement, and the homeowners were paying $15,500. Colye told the selectmen a lot of negotiating went into the agreement. We went around and around and did a little compromising, Coyle told the selectmen. Sufficient? Selectman Sean Connelly asked if the $43,000 was a sufficient amount to discourage similar violations in the future. Someone says Im going to get a really nice view here. Is that enough of a deterrent? he asked. Coyle said the value of the trees cut was assigned in accordance with the latest revision of The Guide for Plant Appraisal, as published by the International Society of Arboriculture, Urbana, Illinois which he described as a manual in its ninth of tenth edition. A lot of factors help determine the trees monetary value. Its a function of the diameter of the trees, the location of the trees, Coyle said. This is a number accepted by the courts, he added. The courts have at times imposed penalties exceeding the value of the trees cut, according to Coyle. Had this violation proceeded to trial, he told The Press, the judge would have been able to apply a penalty of up to five times the value of the trees cut down. In one of the largest settlements to date in Connecticut (a court decision relating to a property in Old Lyme), the judge applied a penalty multiplier of 3.5 to the calculated amount (the State Law allows a judge to apply a penalty multiplier of 1-5). This resulted in damages and court costs of $650,000, he said. Other settlements Coyle described for The Press the two other significant settlements in Ridgefield concerning tree cutting. In 2016 a property owner on North Salem Road cut down five trees on town-owned open space property allegedly to improve his lake views. A nearby homeowner informed the Conservation Commission, the cutting was stopped, and an investigation conducted. The town went to court and reached a settlement in 2017 for $85,000. The tree-cutting on Old Sib Road happened in 2012 and involved the loss of about a dozen trees. This was settled out of court for around $25,000,. Coyle said. The Conservation Commission takes great pride in our vast network of open spaces in Ridgefield, he said. We both maintain those open spaces and enforce our Open Space Use Ordinance to protect them. Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers assures anonymity for tipsters KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In the 38 years that Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers has been a part of the metro community, 655 homicide cases have been solved thanks to anonymous tips. But hundreds more remain unsolved. Given the uptick in murders, authorities are once again touting more cash and secrecy for people brave enough to stand up against local crime. Checkit: Lawyers' body SCAORA Tuesday expressed "deep anguish" at loss of lives and property in the communal violence in north-east Delhi which has claimed at least 42 lives and left over 200 injured and asked its members to contribute generously for compensating and rehabilitating the victims. Expressing solidarity with the riots affected families, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has requested its members and "generously" contribute in its fund which would be used for paying compensation and rehabilitation of the affected families. "SCAORA Executive Committee express deep anguish on the loss of lives and property and offer their condolences to the bereaved families," the resolution issued by SCAORA secretary Joseph Aristotle S said. The bar body also said it has in coordination with District Legal services Authority (DLSA) will facilitate round-the-clock legal assistance for affected persons on the toll free number 1516. The resolution said that members of the bar body has visited the violence affected areas of north-east Delhi on Sunday. The bar body also appealed to agencies including judiciary to take remedial steps for restoring normalcy. "In the light of the ground situation, SCAORA earnestly and sincerely appeals to each stakeholder be it administration, the law enforcement agencies, the judiciary or public-spirited NGOs/individuals to take immediate steps in order to restore normalcy and faith in rule of law," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler have banned all non-essential international and domestic business travel for employees due to the coronavirus outbreak. Ford said Tuesday the increased travel restrictions will be in effect until March 27, while a spokesman for Fiat Chrysler said the company will continue to actively monitor the situation. Ford, according to a company spokesman, will revisit the travel bans regarding the COVID-19 epidemic on a weekly basis. "The health and safety of our employees, dealers, customers, and partners are always Ford's highest priority," the company said in an emailed statement to CNBC. "We have dedicated teams closely monitoring the coronavirus situation in China, including the latest directives and guidance from national and regional authorities, and across our supply chain. We are planning and acting accordingly." Travel exceptions, according to Ford, will require senior leadership approvals and will be limited to instances that are "essential to Ford's operation, can only be completed by physically being present, and don't create an unacceptable health hazard." Ford's previous travel restrictions only involved China, including prohibiting all business travel to, from and within the country. Ford employees who had traveled to Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease, as well as employees outside the country who had traveled to China, were instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their returns. Fiat Chrysler's increased travel restrictions went into effect late-last week, according to a company spokesman. "We have requested that all travel be pre-approved by a member of our leadership team, including both domestic and international trips, and that travel be prioritized to essential needs only," the Italian-American automaker said in an emailed statement Tuesday to CNBC. Fiat Chrysler previously had delayed all business travel to China until further notice. The new restrictions from the Detroit automakers are in-line with some non-auto companies such as Amazon but greater than those of other automakers, including America's largest automaker, General Motors. GM confirmed Monday that it had increased its travel bans to include South Korea, Italy and Japan in addition to China. A company spokesman on Tuesday said any non-domestic trips require the approval of senior leadership, however the company has not banned or limited domestic travel. "We are monitoring the situation closely and periodically updating company guidance regarding travel restrictions," the company said in an emailed statement. New tool aims to expedite military evacuation of civilians during crisis RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- A new computational model could be used to expedite military operations aimed at evacuating civilians during disaster response or humanitarian relief. Researchers at North Carolina State University, with funding from the U.S. Army, designed a new model to help planners and logisticians determine what needs to be where and at what time in order to complete an evacuation as quickly as possible. This includes where vehicles need to be when, and routing alternatives as well as supply requirements by location over time for food, water and shelter. "What sets this tool apart from other models is that it is designed for use in both planning and during operations," said Brandon McConnell, corresponding author of a paper on the new model and a research assistant professor in NC State's Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. "In terms of specificity, we're talking about where a given truck will be at any point in time during an operation." The research, published in the Journal of Defense Analytics and Logistics, focuses on noncombatant evacuation operations in the Republic of Korea; however, it could be used in a wide variety of scenarios. "The tool will need fine-tuning before it can be implemented -- it would benefit from a user-friendly interface, for one thing -- but it highlights the potential that operational models have for helping the military achieve its objectives both in or out of wartime," said Dr. Joseph Myers, mathematical sciences division chief at the Army Research Office, an element of U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory. The Army Research Office funded this research through a short-term innovation research grant that explores proof-of-concept ideas in a nine-month period. The authors said this research will provide military logistics planners with capabilities that are currently lacking in prevalent logistics planning tools. The project lays the mathematical and operations research foundation for the development of a network-based model that captures routing alternatives and characterizes the solutions to conduct capacity planning and resiliency analysis in near-real time. "There is a tremendous amount of complexity associated with the Army's South Korea noncombatant evacuation mission, and that presents a great opportunity for investigation and improvement," said U.S. Army Capt. John Kearby, first author of the paper and a former NC State graduate student. "The goal of this research was, and is, to encourage the development of better and more robust evacuation plans." Kearby is currently a U.S. Military Academy instructor, but previously served in Korea as an engineer company commander. "The existing simulation models are both sophisticated and detailed -- they have been valuable tools for helping us study operations like these," McConnell said. "However, they're not designed to respond to rapidly changing scenarios. The new model can operate in near-real time, making it operationally relevant. After all, even the best plans need at least minor modifications during execution." ### CCDC Army Research Laboratory is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army's corporate research laboratory, ARL discovers, innovates and transitions science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more effective to win our nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the Army Futures Command. This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 Trend: In accordance with the mandate of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the OSCE mission will hold a monitoring on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in Fuzuli district on March 4, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ghennadie Petrica and Simon Tiller. On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring will be conducted by field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Mihail Olaru and Martin Schuster. 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. RANDOLPH State Police found an unlawful gun and a large amount of marijuana and THC products in the car of a man who had a warrant for his arrest out of Rhode Island. Kerwin Cornelius, 27, of Mattapan, was arrested at about 3:30 p.m., Sunday, after a traffic stop on Route 24. He was charged with possession of a firearm without a permit, possession of a loaded firearm, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a permit, possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute and on motor vehicle charges, State Police said. Trooper Kyle Reed pulled over Cornelius near Exit 20 for speeding and realized he had had an extraditable warrant for his arrest, police said. After placing Cornelius in custody, Reed conducted an inventory of his Honda Accord and found a large amount of marijuana and THC products and realized he was not licensed to sell the products. He also located a fully-loaded .40 caliber Taurus handgun in the car, police said. He was held without bail overnight and brought to Quincy District Court on Monday to be arraigned, police said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 16:41:30|Editor: yhy Video Player Close CANBERRA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese national was attacked in South Australia (SA), confirmed Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide on Tuesday. According to the Consulate-General, the Chinese was "beaten and injured innocently" in Adelaide, capital of SA. "The Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide is concerned with the issue and expresses strong condemnation of the violence". In an email interview with Xinhua, South Australia Police said that they were called to a service station after 11:00 p.m. local time on Saturday (Feb. 22), after reports that "a 29-year-old Chinese National was assaulted". "Police attended the scene and located the offender where he was arrested and charged with assault and property damage," police said. "A 24-year-old man from Noarlunga Downs was granted police bail and he will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 30." Daily Mail reported that the victim was a student, who is in Australia to learn historical fencing. According to the report, he was attacked by a racist thug who approached him and ordered him to speak English, before punching him in the face to smash his cheek bone. On a fundraising page created by the student's fencing teacher Mark Holgate, as of Tuesday 6,622 Australian dollars (about 4,334 U.S. dollars) have been raised online, exceeding the 6,000 Australian dollars goal. Holgate said the student had surgery last Wednesday which was a success. "He is still quite uncomfortable, but was looked after well and has been discharged from hospital," Holgate said. Many donors left encouraging messages. "I don't know you but I am very sorry for what happened to you. Get well soon mate," Greg Moran said. "Please know that there are people who support you and loathe racism of any kind," Sulinna Ong said. The Consulate-General warned Chinese citizens in SA to raise their awareness, and in case of emergency or violence, call the police (131444 or 000) or the Consulate-General in Adelaide (08 8268 8806). He denied photographic evidence he sexually abused his ex-girlfriends young daughter and claimed he was the innocent victim of a frame job. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. He denied photographic evidence he sexually abused his ex-girlfriends young daughter and claimed he was the innocent victim of a frame job. But on Friday, a Winnipeg mans bid to escape responsibility came to an end as a judge convicted him of sexual interference and making and distributing child pornography. The 31-year-old man cannot be named to protect the identity of the now eight-year-old victim. His co-accused, the girls 25-year-old mother, has already pleaded guilty to four sexual-assault- and child-pornography-related charges. She is awaiting sentencing. Police arrested the pair in October 2016, after the female accuseds brother reported finding child pornography on an electronic device she had accessed. The couple was separated at the time, and the woman was living with her brother. A subsequent police investigation uncovered 300 pictures on the mans cellphones of the couple allegedly abusing the girl, Facebook and text chats discussing the sexual abuse of children and evidence the man had shared abuse images via a peer-to-peer social media app. At trial last year, the man denied the sex-abuse and child-pornography allegations, alleging his co-accused had access to his electronic devices and knew his passwords. The man claimed a male pictured in photographs abusing the victim was a look-alike hired by his co-accused to frame him. Queens Bench Justice Herbert Rempel rejected both claims Friday, saying the female co-accused did not have the specialized knowledge necessary to hack the mans phones. "Secondly, I am satisfied (she) did not hire a male pedophile to repeatedly sexually abuse (the victim) The Crowns case against (the accused) as the perpetrator is overwhelming," Rempel said. Confronted at trial with nude selfies or pictures showing him abusing the girl, the man refused to identify himself, saying at most "It looks like me." The accused "frequently refused to give unequivocal answers to questions where it was painfully obvious that there could only be one possible answer," Rempel said. "Many of the penis selfies were taken at arms length and it defies belief he could not know who took them." Rempel rejected as "absurd" the mans claim he had no knowledge of several child pornography-related internet searches made on his cellphone, the same cellphone on which he had stored pictures of himself and his co-accused abusing the victim. "It is impossible for me to believe that (the accused) would have been careless as to who might be allowed to access the phone, given all the images he knew it contained," Rempel said. At a related hearing prior to the trial, the female co-accused claimed she only abused her daughter after the male accused threatened her with violence if she didnt participate. She later testified she lied, admitting she was a "willing participant" and wanted to keep the accused happy and preserve their relationship. 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. "At trial, (she) testified that pleasing (the accused) and maintaining a relationship with him eclipsed all other considerations or values, including the well-being of (her daughter)," Rempel said. Court heard the two accused had a volatile, on-again, off-again relationship, with the female accused at one point charging the man with assault. The woman told court she wanted the man to think she would use her knowledge of the sex abuse pictures "as a bargaining chip," and threatened to report the abuse to police if he didnt stop seeing other women. The woman admitted she would not have followed through with the threat, as it would have implicated her as well. The man will be sentenced at a later date. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca Photo credit: Getty Images From Town & Country Everywhere she goes, Adrienne Arsht carries a pocket-size Constitution in her purse. She also has an original copy, which she has gotten signed by every Supreme Court Justice since Sandra Day OConnor (a good friend), as well as by presidents Obama, Clinton, Bush 1 and 2, and Carter, at her home in Washington, DC, where it is protected in an air-tight box supplied by the Library of Congress. Not that she needs a daily reminder to abide by the law. That was instilled in her from birth. Her mother Roxana was the first female judge in Delaware, while her father was a successful corporate lawyer, a career path his daughter would follow, first in New York and then in DC. They were also philanthropists. The things they cared about they funded significantly, Arsht says. They both had a very strong moral core about what they did. In their household, charity wasnt taught or learned, it was simply a fact of life. Photo credit: Slaven Vlasic - Getty Images Arsht also knows how to put her money where her mouth is. In the past 12 years she has given away more than $100 million, beginning with the $30 million she bequeathed to the Miami Performing Arts Center in 2008 to save it from financial ruin. Today the sprawling complex (pictured at the top of this page), designed by Cesar Pelli and now named the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, puts on 300 performances a year in classical music, dance, opera, theater, and jazz, welcoming the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Riccardo Muti, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and Lang Lang. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images In recent years, however, Arsht has shifted her attention to policy and global issues: climate change, immigration, geopolitical instability. She founded the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council long before the world started paying attention to what was going on in the region. Nobody was interested, she says. I went to several think tanks, and they said, Go deal with the arts. Do womens things. Story continues In 2016 she created the Center for Resilience at the Atlantic Council and last year pledged another $25 million, matched by a $30 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, to turn it into the Adrienne ArshtRockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. The organizations goal is to make 1 billion people resilient by 2030, whether by teaching children basic survival skills, working with architects to build structures that can withstand environmental catastrophes, or empowering farmers to develop agricultural solutions to global warming. Its not about whose fault it is but what were going to do about it. Photo credit: Bryan Bedder - Getty Images In just over a decade Arsht has done all of this entirely on her own. Theres no foundation or list of board members. I just write checks, she says. The only person I consult is my accountant, to see if theres enough money. You might call her a badass, which is what Harry Connick Jr. did during a concert at her performing arts center. The moniker stuck, and now its monogrammed on her bags, pillows, books, and, hopefully soon, her license plate. She even has Supreme Court cases to cite, should the DMV try to deny her. This story appears in the March 2020 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW You Might Also Like Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 16:08:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of six Taliban fighters have given up fighting in the western Badghis province and handed over their weapons to local authorities in the provincial capital Qala-e-Naw on Monday, provincial government Spokesman Najmudin Burhani said Tuesday. The former militants under Commander Sharif, who were involved in anti-government activities in Ab Kamari district over the past couple of years, handed over their weapons to police on Monday and vowed to work for achieving peace in the province, the spokesman said. The Taliban outfit, which inked a peace deal with the United States on Feb. 29 to end the war in Afghanistan and facilitate the U.S.-led forces from the country, have yet to make comment. Nadia Essex celebrated the imminent arrival of her son on Sunday at a lavish baby shower with her close friends and family. And the TV personality - whose due date is this Thursday - has admitted she was convinced - and scared - that she'd go into labour during the shower itself, after it happened to her friend, Big Brother winner Josie Gibson. 'I woke up on the morning of my shower with a very active baby,' Nadia told MailOnline. 'Lots of twinges and Braxton Hicks. So I had full on flashbacks to Josie's shower. Oh baby! Nadia Essex celebrated the imminent arrival of her son on Sunday at a lavish baby shower with her close friends and family 'I remembered her waters breaking there and I desperately didnt want that to happen to me too.' 'Luckily he stayed put,' she added of her son, who clearly decided to give his mum at least one more weekend off. Nadia, 38, explained that the shower was last-minute, and that the planning was hindered due to the possibility of being induced. 'It was a lovely day to spend with my nearest and dearest - but we werent sure if I'd have to be induced early as Im measuring big. On Tuesday she took to Instagram and posted a contended snap of herself, captioning it: 'Today I woke up and felt, ok darling, I'm ready!' Rallying round! The TV personality's due date is this Thursday, and admitted she was convinced - and scared - that she'd go into labour during the shower itself Big day! 'I woke up on the morning of my shower with a very active baby,' Nadia told MailOnline [pictured with friends Israel Cassol and Naomi Isted] History (not) repeating: Nadia was worried after her friend Josie Gibson's waters broke at her own shower in 2018 [pictured with baby Reggie last year] 'So once I got the all clear to wait for induction until after my due date we only had five days to organise it. Luckily Saffron at Rizzo PR organised everything and all I had to do was turn up and enjoy the food and [non-alcoholic] bubbles.' Guests in attendance included fashionista Naomi Isted and Israel Cassol - owner of the most expensive collection of Birkin bags in the UK. The expectant mum looked beautiful in a red and white pattered flowing dress with matching heels. She wore a bejeweled hair clip in her chocolate locks and adorned her already-glowing complexion with bronzer and a plummy lip. Expectant mum: Nadia looked beautiful in a red and white pattered flowing dress with matching heels as she tucked into the cake provided by BKRY Glowing: She wore a bejeweled hair clip in her chocolate locks and adorned her already-glowing complexion with bronzer and a plummy lip Nadia said: 'We grazed delicious food, supplied by Graze Life... and we had yummy cake by BKRY' She added: 'The room was full of stunning balloons by Something Special Balloons and gorgeous flowers by Saras Events Flowers' The event - styled by Forever & A Day Events - was held at Unico Gelato & Caffe in Notting Hill and she told OK! Magazine: 'We grazed delicious food, supplied by Graze Life... and we had yummy cake by BKRY. 'The room was full of stunning balloons by Something Special Balloons and gorgeous flowers by Saras Events Flowers. 'When I came home I was happy and exhausted and burst into tears. Full of love and gratitude, scared witless of the next stage but finally feel ready to meet my little boy.' Indeed, on Tuesday she took to Instagram and posted a contended snap of herself, captioning it: 'Today I woke up and felt, ok darling, I'm ready!' The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the coronavirus a global health emergency in recognition that the disease risk no longer is confined to China. United Nations member countries may decide to close their borders, cancel flights, implement special screenings at airports, or take other steps in response to the notice. U.S. health officials earlier this week announced they would fast-trackwork on a coronavirus vaccine, with the goal to have an early-stagetrial within three months. That timeline is consideredoptimistic, and even if the work proceeds apace, a phase 1 trial is still a long way from avaccine ready for mass deployment, the National Institute of Allergy and InfectiousDiseases, an agency within the Department of Health and HumanServices, has emphasized. It could take a year or even longer before any vaccine is released for widespread use. That is likely of little comfort to those in the Chinese city ofWuhan, which is ground zero for the coronavirus outbreak and essentially has been quarantined. As of this week, the virus has killed106 people in mainland China, and it has infected nearly 4,700 peopleworldwide, including in the United States. The Chinese government rapidly constructed a1,000-bed hospital in Wuhan as a way to contain and treat patientssuspected of contracting the virus. Named the Wuhan HuoshenshanHospital, it reportedly is a 25,000-square-meter facility purpose-built to address thisoutbreak. The goal of the Chinese was to have the hospital finishedand operational in just 10 days. A second and even larger facility, the Leishenshan Hospital, also is under construction, and the goal is to have that building finished in just 15 days. Medieval Measures Essentially locking down an entire city or region isnt exactly a newtactic, and it certainly is not effective. When the Black Death spread during the Middle Ages, it was commonplace for port cities tobe closed to ships suspected of coming from infected areas. In the 14th century, Venice was among the first cities to formalize suchmeasures, closing the citys waters to suspected vessels, and evensubjecting travelers and nearly all ships to 30 days of isolation. The period was extended to 40 days, which led to the term quarantine. Sadly, those efforts generally were unsuccessful, and it is unclear if amodern quarantine would have any better success. However, this weekthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Americans toavoid all nonessential travel to China and extended its travel warningfrom Wuhan to the entire country. A D V E R T I S E M E N T The effectiveness of this move currently is being debated, said Mariea Snell, assistant director of Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Maryville University. At this point, the recommendation is that travel be limited, as therisk is considered to not outweigh the benefit at this point, she told TechNewsWorld. Modern air travel exponentially increased the spread of influenza eachyear, based on a study by Chong and Chung, originally conducted in 2012 and updated in 2017. Air travel restrictions should become apriority when flu or other potential pandemic could occur, the researchers recommended. Some companies are heeding such advice. Apple CEO TimCook on Tuesday announced restrictions on employee travel andeven took the drastic measure of shutting down one store in China. The question is whether restricting travel and utilizing quarantinepractices be effective at curbing the spread of infection. Recent studies indicate that it may not be as beneficial asoriginally thought to be, Snell said. We learned a lot from theSARS and Ebola outbreak in this regard. While it may slow it down, itwill not eliminate it, she noted. The best way to prevent the spread ofillness is to wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick, Snell said. Detection Technology Aside from quarantines, efforts to halt the spread of disease include screenings. It has gotten far easier to determine if someone is contagious and carrying an illness through various methods of detection, which can be as simple as taking temperatures and observing individuals for symptoms. A D V E R T I S E M E N T A helpful way that technology can and is being used to stop thespread of illness is the use of public health surveillance data, noted Snell. The effectiveness can be hit or miss, however, largely depending on the virus. In the case of the coronavirus, scientists say that the viral sheddingperiod period when you are contagious can occur up to a weekbefore you start to show symptoms, Snell explained. Given this, using technology to detect infection like fever would notbe very effective at preventing the spread, she noted. This can behelpful during acute illness, but it would not catch all infected people. Predictive Technology Technology isnt just used just to determine if someone is ill, however.Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning now are beingused to predict where an outbreak might occur or even moreimportantly, where it might spread. One such effort is an early-warning system that utilizes artificialintelligence and machine learning, as well as natural language processing, totrack more than 100 infectious diseases, developed by the Canadian firm BlueDot. The program is designed toread from more than 100,000 articles in 65 languages, and the data then iscompiled to determine the potential for the spreading of diseases. Itwas used earlier this month to track the coronavirus and then predictwhere it might spread. Considering the coronavirus is a global disease, AI hasnt done agood job stopping it but a much better job in tracking it, said RogerEntner, principal analyst at Recon Analytics. However, it could take time to refine any AI to be truly successful. AI could certainly help, but its early days for AI yet, and thisvirus is moving faster than it would probably take to set up a good AImodel and train it on the right data set, cautioned Roger Kay, principalanalyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. More important is to execute existing protocols rigorously, liketracing contacts and quarantining and treating infected people, hetold TechNewsWorld. Crowdsourcing Disease Tracking A number of crowdsourcing methods could be effective in tracking the spread of disease. People are also using cellphone data to track population movement andhow they interact, noted Snell. This helps understand or predict where disease may spread so thatscientists and healthcare providers can take a proactive approach,she added. Social media is another promising avenue. Algorithms have been set up to detect certain buzzwords like flu orfood poisoning to detect and track possible large-scale outbreaks,noted Snell. Connected World The ease with which so many people can jet set around the world for businessmeetings, conferences, trade shows, vacation and other occasions also hascontributed to the spread of contagious diseases. Perhaps some of those occasions for travel eventually could transition to virtual reality or augmented reality experiences both to save moneyfor the participants, and to keep big gatherings such as the annual CESor the Davos political gathering from becoming ground zero fora pandemic. Not everyone is sold on that idea, however, and convincing attendees ofthose shows not to mention the exhibitors could be an uphillstruggle. The moment we have to do AR/VR in a response to a pandemic, then weare so deep in trouble not even AR/VR can save us, ReconAnalytics Entner told TechNewsWorld. In the end, there is no substitute for meeting someone in person,shaking their hand and looking them in the eye AR/VR cant do that,he added. Virtual conferences are already happening for cost reasons, of course. The only issue is you cant get people to sit through three days ofcontent on a virtual connection it just doesnt work, observedKay. Networking is an important part of conferences, but if you dont needto do business development, there is no reason not to get the contentin a format like a TED talk, and there are lots of software tools forconferencing at various levels, he added. Much of what one can learn or needs to learn from majorevents or trade shows can be done through technology, maintained Snell. Virtual events or trade shows can deliver the information in a waythat is safe and cost-effective, she noted. We can integrate discussion in an online platform and share thelatest information on products, as well as view presentations from ourhome or office, Snell suggested. Utilization of this technology forevents such as these should be industry standard as we try to navigatethese global health concerns. Advertisement The NHS has hiked the coronavirus outbreak to the highest possible threat level, it was revealed today as 12 more British patients tested positive for the infection. Health chiefs have declared the epidemic a 'level four incident', which grants them emergency powers to take control of local hospitals. Coronavirus was ratcheted up to level four status in January, but this was only confirmed today as the government tried to calm public concern by unveiling a four-pronged strategy to tackle the growing crisis. Meanwhile a member of staff at accountancy firm Deloitte tested positive for the virus after returning from Asia, MailOnline can reveal. The Big Four company's London office on New Street Square, Holborn, is undergoing deep cleaning for fear of contamination and the patient is now in hospital. MailOnline understands that while part of the office space is temporarily closed, staff will be allowed to work from home if they wish. A Deloitte spokesperson said: 'One of the floors in our offices has recently been impacted, with a member of staff being confirmed with Covid-19 after returning from a personal trip to Asia. The member of staff is now in hospital and receiving good care.' Earlier today, the Queen wore long white gloves to carry out an investiture at Buckingham Palace, sparking speculation it was a precautionary measure to protect from the threat of infection, which is more risky for the elderly. It came after 12 more coronavirus cases were diagnosed in the UK today, just moments after the PM unveiled the Government's 'battle plan' to tackle a major outbreak of the killer infection on British soil. In the House of Commons, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that the number of cases had jumped overnight to 51, warning the situation facing the UK is 'increasingly serious' as fears grow of a crisis. The new cases were scattered across London, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Humberside and Kent. Eight caught the virus in Italy the others in Germany, Singapore, Japan and Iran. Mr Johnson published the Government's action plan today and warned that a major outbreak in Britain is now 'highly likely'. It could see police ignore low-level crime if coronavirus takes hold in the UK. Troops could be deployed on the streets, infected patients who are not suffering from complications could be sent home from hospital, and non-urgent NHS operations could be cancelled to free up space in overwhelmed hospitals. The PM also revealed schools could be shut and children allowed to do coursework and sit exams from their home to stop the spread. But he maintained that this would only be worst-case scenario and said schools should not close unless instructed to by Public Health England. At a press conference today, Boris Johnson laid out the Government's 'battle plan' to tackle an outbreak in Britain. The PM also revealed schools could be shut and children allowed to do coursework and sit exams from their home to stop the spread - but he maintained that this would only be worst-case scenario and said schools should not close unless instructed to by Public Health England A member of staff at accountancy firm Deloitte (London office picture) tested positive for the virus after returning from Asia, MailOnline can reveal Deloitte staff received an email earlier informing them that a member of the London office had tested positive for the virus Mark Bellamy (left), headteacher at Hilbre High on the Wirral, Merseyside, (right) ignored Government advice and closed its doors for a deep clean after a parent was revealed to be among the 12 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Britain today Coronavirus fears have gripped the nation. One MailOnline reporter saw a woman wearing a face mask and disposable gloves with a baby strapped to her chest sheltered behind what appears to be a buggy cover on a train to Streatham Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) posted a picture of him washing his hands to his Instagram page today, with the caption: 'I fully understand the publics concerns about the global spread of coronavirus, and it is likely to become more significant in the coming weeks' The Chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty (left), was at the press conference today, as was UK chief scientific office Sir Patrick Vallance (right) The Queen, who has carried out investitures since 1952, has worn gloves for the first time as she handed an MBE to D-Day veteran Harry Billinge today The government's battle plan has been divided into four stages 'Contain', 'delay', 'research' and 'mitigate' A secondary school ignored Government advice and closed its doors for a deep clean after a parent was revealed to be among the new confirmed cases confirmed, who had all flown back from virus-hit countries. The headteacher at Hilbre High on the Wirral, Merseyside, admitted he defied Prime Minister Boris Jonson's orders to stay open unless told otherwise by health officials because he believes the case 'directly impacts his students and staff'. Hilbre's 1,000 pupils were sent home at lunchtime today after it emerged the patient entered the school to pick up their child, a boy, on Monday before later testing positive. The boy does not currently have symptoms but has been told to self-isolate and not return to school for two weeks. Head Mark Bellamy said the school would be disinfected and deep cleaned for two days before reopening on Friday, making it at least the 14th school in Britain to close this week amid the escalating crisis. Meanwhile a travel agent in Norbiton, south London, was shut today after an employee tested positive for the deadly virus, which has infected more than 92,000 people in almost 80 countries. Elsewhere, London's prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama was closed after a teacher tested positive for the killer coronavirus and a secondary school in the Wirral also shut after a parent was infected. And the mother and father of a pupil at St Edmund's School in Hindhead, Surrey, have been confirmed to have the illness. As a result, their child and several other parents have gone into self-isolation but the school remains open. Coronavirus fears have now gripped Britain, with shelves of leading supermarkets emptying at pace and essentials being rationed amid warnings of 'food riots' if the crisis worsens as predicted. Today, the Queen wore gloves at a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony for the first time since she started doing them in 1952, amid warnings about the spread of coronavirus and the deadly danger it poses to the over-80s. In other developments, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates in an emergency move designed to shield the world's largest economy from the impact of the coronavirus as shares have plummeted over pandemic fears. Spain reported its first death from coronavirus in Valencia. Ukraine, Gibraltar and Argentina have been the only two countries to declare their first cases today, after nine countries declared yesterday. The virus is now present in at least 78 countries and territories outside of China. Mr Hancock did not give any details about the new UK cases and the Department of Health has refused MailOnline's request to confirm where they were diagnosed amid mounting fears the virus is spreading in Surrey. The Health and Social Care Secretary told MPs: 'The situation facing the country is increasingly serious. Globally and at home the number of cases continues to rise. As of 9am today, there were 51 confirmed cases in the UK and it's becoming more likely that we'll see widespread transmission here in this country.' Mr Hancock, who conceded the UK might have to cancel the London Marathon next month, added: 'Our approach is to plan for the worst and work for the best.' In other key developments today: A British woman staying at the crisis-hit Tenerife hotel, H10 Costa Adeje Palace, has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. She is the seventh person at the hotel to have caught the infection. Sky News reported she is in hospital but is not sick The Treasury is preparing to find billions of pounds in next week's budget to help firms cope with the financial fallout; Bank of England governor Mark Carney said the international economic response to coronavirus will be 'powerful and timely', and played down fears there will be a worse hit than the 2008 credit crunch; BA, easyJet and Ryanair cancelled hundreds of flights, ruining the plans of thousands of travellers; Disney has scrapped planned press events in London for the launch of its streaming service amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak; Social media has a 'very important role' in stopping the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said; Arsenal's football stars have abandoned traditional pre-match handshakes in favour of fist-bumps - amid growing fears over the coronavirus; Global economic growth could be slashed in half, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development; The public were urged to clean their smartphone screens with alcohol wipes twice a day to help prevent the spread; At least 11 more schools closed after positive coronavirus tests or scares despite Government advice to shut only on the orders of health officials; The NHS 111 helpline reported it was receiving a 70 per cent increase in calls compared with last year; Stores reported seeing a surge in panic buying and experts warned of food riots in a worst-case scenario; As many as five million workers could be left without sick pay if they are forced to stay home; The Health Secretary said the Government had powers to compel patients to self-isolate if they refused to; The World Health Organisation warned that the situation was now 'uncharted territory'; Buckingham Place said an investiture today would go ahead and there were no plans to alter royal itineraries; City firms banned 'hot desking' and large meetings of more than 25 staff. TROOPS ON THE STREET AND POLICE IGNORING LOW-LEVEL CRIME: DRAMATIC CORONAVIRUS BATTLE PLAN IS UNVEILED If police lose 'significant staff' numbers to illness, they would 'concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order'. In a 'stretching scenario', it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks. The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff. The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services. If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings. Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people's homes. Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called 'back to duty'. Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems. Advertisement The Queen appeared today to have worn gloves for the first time at a Buckingham Palace investiture since she started doing them in 1952 amid warnings of the deadly danger coronavirus poses to the over-80s. The 93-year-old's decision to cover her hands came as the Government warned the death rate for people infected is 'significantly ramped up' among the elderly. Her Majesty is known for wearing gloves when she meets members of the public at public events or garden parties but not at investitures where she hands out gongs and knighthoods to her subjects. However, Prince William and Kate didn't wear gloves as they started their three-day trio to Ireland this afternoon and Prince Charles was also gloveless at a Royal College of Music event It comes as Mr Johnson revealed at a press conference the government would take all 'necessary and reasonable steps' to contain the coronavirus, but appealed for the public to keep 'going about our business as usual'. Asked whether he thought the UK still had the 'bulldog spirit' to combat the virus, the premier said: 'I do think that this is a national challenge. 'The potential is there for this to be something that our country has to get through. But I have absolutely no doubt that we have the resources, we have the health service to get through it.' The report stresses the response is still in the 'containment' phase. But experts fear they will have to shift to 'delay' tactics effectively damage limitation within days or weeks amid growing outbreaks across Europe. The 28-page 'action plan' published by the government today was agreed at the first emergency Cobra meeting to be chaired by the PM yesterday. Almost 91,000 cases of coronavirus have been recorded across the world. At least 3,100 people are known to have died Coronavirus fears have gripped Britain, as a pedestrian is pictured wearing a protective facemask while taking a bus in Westminster, London This London Sainsbury's is running out of germ-busting disinfectant, bleach and anti-bacterial wipes Water is also selling out in supermarkets including this Asda in the capital despite coronavirus posing little threat to the country's water supply It states that the 'vast majority' of cases will have only mild-to-moderate effects on individuals, but points out that the virus is highly infectious. THE QUEEN, 93, DONS GLOVES AT AN INVESTITURE FOR FIRST TIME AMID VIRUS CRISIS The Queen appears to have worn gloves for the first time at a Buckingham Palace investiture since she started doing them in 1952 amid warnings about the spread of coronavirus and the deadly danger it poses to the over-80s. The 93-year-old's decision to cover her hands came as the Government warned the death rate for people infected is 'significantly ramped up' among the elderly. Her Majesty is known for wearing gloves when she meets members of the public at public events or garden parties - but not at investitures where she hands out gongs and knighthoods to her subjects. Today it appears she wore them for the first time in her reign as around a mile away in Downing Street Boris Johnson unveiled the Government's 'battle plan' to tackle a major outbreak of the killer infection on British soil. However, Prince William and Kate didn't wear gloves as they started their three-day trio to Ireland this afternoon and Prince Charles was also gloveless at a Royal College of Music event Advertisement 'As it is a new virus, the lack of immunity in the population (and the absence as yet of an effective vaccine) means that Covid 19 has the potential to spread extensively,' the document says. 'The current data seems to show that we are all susceptible to catching this disease, and thus it seems more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected.' 'The potential is there for this to be something that our country has to get through. But I have absolutely no doubt that we have the resources, we have the health service to get through it.' The report stresses the response is still in the 'containment' phase. But experts fear they will have to shift to 'delay' tactics effectively damage limitation within days or weeks amid growing outbreaks across Europe. The 28-page 'action plan' published by the government today was agreed at the first emergency Cobra meeting to be chaired by the PM yesterday. It states that the 'vast majority' of cases will have only mild-to-moderate effects on individuals, but points out that the virus is highly infectious. 'As it is a new virus, the lack of immunity in the population (and the absence as yet of an effective vaccine) means that Covid 19 has the potential to spread extensively,' the document says. 'The current data seems to show that we are all susceptible to catching this disease, and thus it seems more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected.' Speaking in Downing Street today, flanked by chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance, Mr Johnson said the Government's plan was to 'contain, delay, research, mitigate'. 'Let me be absolutely clear that for the overwhelming majority of people who contract the virus this will be a mild disease from which they will speedily and fully recover as we have already seen,' he said. The prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, located in the heart of London, will be closed for up to 14 days as a precaution No10 chief Dominic Cummings (left) and Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right) were in Downing Street today PANIC-BUYING BRITS STRIP SUPERMARKET SHELVES OF PASTA, COUSCOUS AND WATER Shelves in this London Tesco is empty of pasta, pasta sauces, rice and other staples but crisps and chocolate oranges appear to have been left The shelves of British supermarkets are emptying at pace and staples are being rationed as coronavirus stockpiling spiralled out of control today amid warnings of 'food riots' if the crisis worsens. Shortages previously limited to anti-bacterial hand gel and hand soap have spread to cupboard items such as rice, pasta, couscous, Pot Noodles, bottled water, toilet roll and pet food - as well as chilled items including milk, butter and yoghurt. Pharmacy shelves are also emptying of paracetamol, ibuprofen and immune-system boosting tablets such as Berocca as people prepare to fight off the flu-like illness that has claimed hundreds of lives worldwide. Facebook and Twitter is packed with photographs of empty shelves from major supermarkets across the UK where shoppers appear to have thrown empty boxes into the aisles in the mad scramble for items. MailOnline readers have also shared pictures of their well-stocked larders as people prepare for weeks in isolation. One reader said: 'I have been trying for THREE days to buy pasta but I cannot see any as most shops have run out of pasta and pasta sauce'. The scramble for food has also revealed what Britons do not consider essentials despite a China-style shutdown of communities predicted - including some flavours of crisps and confectionery including Terry's Chocolate Orange. Londoner Jasia Warren tweeted: 'Interesting to see what people are stockpiling in my local supermarket. Bare shelves for rice, pasta, handwash, tissues and loo roll. Also interesting to see what people are not stockpiling: polenta, crumpets and get well cards. Their loss is my gain. #stockpiling'. Advertisement 'But I fully understand public concern, your concern, about the global spread of the virus and it is highly likely that we will see a growing number of UK cases and that's why keeping the country safe is the Government's overriding priority, and our plan means we are committed to doing everything possible, based on the advice of our world-leading scientific experts, to prepare for all eventualities.' The plan published today says in the event of mass infections Government 'will aim to minimise the social and economic impact, subject to keeping people safe'. There would be 'population distancing strategies' such as school closures, encouraging greater home working, and reducing the number of large scale gatherings to slow the spread of the disease. Pensioners would be advised to stay away from events such as VE Day commemorations to avoid putting themselves at risk. However, experts say that an infected person is as likely to pass on the virus to 12 people in a pub as in a 70,000 seater stadium. Police 'would concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order' if forces suffer 'a significant loss of officers and staff.' Meanwhile, the armed forces could be called upon to 'backfill' gaps in emergency services and provide other assistance if required. 'The Ministry of Defence has put in place plans to ensure the delivery of its operations in the UK and overseas. There are also well-practiced arrangements for Defence to support to civil authorities if requested,' the document says. The police could be asked to enforce road and building closures, and the Army could be drafted in to enforce lockdowns where necessary. The report also highlights the threat to the NHS, which could come under extreme pressure from a wave of a cases. Under mitigation plans, non-coronavirus patients could be discharged early from hospital to recuperate at home, and routine operations postponed. Recently retired doctors, nurses and other staff could be brought back to help increase capacity. A reasonable 'worst case scenario' would see 80 per cent of the UK population contract the virus, with up to a fifth of employees unable to work in 'peak weeks' predicted to be in three months' time. Scientists are still hoping that if rapid spread can be staved off until the summer warmer weather will help, but are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of avoiding a major outbreak in the UK. It comes as online travel agent Travel Republic today closed its office in London after one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus. The company said its premises on London Road in Norbiton, south London, would be shut to staff while they undergo a deep clean. It added that the patient was receiving medical attention and all staff have been told to ring NHS 111 if they are concerned or feel unwell. Face masks have become an increasingly common sight on the streets of London as concern about coronavirus rises Most of BA's cancellations are for short-haul flights between Heathrow and Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. Pictured: A woman wearing a face mask at Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport Bank of England governor Mark Carney (pictured) said the international economic response to coronavirus will be 'powerful and timely', and played down fears there will be a worse hit than the 2008 credit crunch TWO PATIENTS IN DEVON ARE TREATED 400 MILES AWAY IN NEWCASTLE DESPITE THREE SPECIALIST HOSPITALS BEING CLOSER Two cases in Devon were transferred to the furthest possible hospital some 400 miles away in Newcastle Fears the UK is running out of beds for coronavirus patients were raised today after two cases were transferred 400miles away from their family. Two patients in Devon, a secondary school pupil and his mother, were diagnosed with the killer virus near Torbay on Monday after catching it on holiday in northern Italy. The bizarre decision was made to fly them 390miles to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where they'll be cut off from loved ones and isolated for two weeks. The RVI is one of only four NHS hospitals in England equipped with specialist units capable of dealing with highly contagious illnesses like coronavirus. But questions are being asked as to why the Devon pair weren't taken to three other hospitals in London and Liverpool. It has sparked concerns there are not enough beds left in the country's coronavirus wards and that families with cases could be torn apart. Advertisement A spokeswoman for the company said: 'We can confirm that a member of staff based at our London Road offices in Norbiton received a positive test for the Covid-19 virus yesterday. 'They are now receiving medical attention. As a precaution, we have closed our offices today while a deep clean is undertaken and we receive further advice from the relevant authorities. 'All staff have been notified and encouraged to contact the NHS 111 if they are concerned or feel unwell. 'Our primary concern at this time is the health of our staff, and we're working with the authorities to ensure best practice guidelines are being followed.' A Department of Health spokesperson refused to confirm whether the patient was among the new cases announced in the Commons. Meanwhile, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama cancelled all of its scheduled events until 11 March due to a teacher having the virus. The unidentified man had come into contact with a 'limited number' of students last week, the school admitted in an email to staff and students. Guildhall School of Music and Drama didn't release any more information about the male teacher but he is thought to teach music. He was whisked off for treatment at London's Royal Free Hospital, a specialist NHS centre for infectious diseases. In an email sent to staff and students, the school ranked as one of the world's best performing arts institutes said he is 'recovering well'. According to The Guardian, the note added: 'He was present and teaching in one of the ancillary school buildings on one day last week. 'He came into contact with a limited number of students and we are working closely with those students to ensure that they receive urgent appropriate advice.' Wimbledon College (left), in south-west London, shut its doors yesterday because of the coronavirus. St Mary's Church of England Primary School (right) in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, where a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, was closed for deep cleaning until Wednesday Revealed: Boris Johnson's three-stage 'battle plan', which could see NHS staff called out of retirement and troops deployed on streets. Large scale gatherings such as the London Marathon could also be scrapped The school urged any staff and students who show any coronavirus symptoms, such as a fever or cough, to ring NHS111 and seek medical advice. It added: 'All meetings, performances, workshops, masterclasses and any other on-site school engagements in the next 14 days should be cancelled. 'Staff are encouraged to work remotely during this period and if they are in any doubt of how to do so should contact their line manager.' St Edmund's School in Hindhead, Surrey, today announced that the two parents of one of its pupils had been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The school has not closed but the child and a number of other parents have gone into self-isolation, headteacher Adam Walliker said in a statement. He added: 'The school has been in discussion with, and taken advice from, Public Health England (PHE) who have carried out contact assessments. PHE have advised that at this time there is no action for the school to take. 'Should this situation change, PHE will be working closely with the school and updates will be released to parents. 'The school is also supported with advice from current parent Professor Trudie Lang, who is the Professor of Global Health Research at Oxford University and a current advisor to the Chief Medical Officer and UK government.' Another UK school closed today after a parent of a pupil tested positive for coronavirus. Hilbre High in West Kirby, Wirral, shut at lunchtime after an infected step-parent attended the school yesterday before later testing positive for the illness. Their child, a boy, does not currently have symptoms but will now self-isolate and not return to school for 14 days. Headteacher Mark Bellamy said the school will undertake two days of deep cleaning before reopening on Friday and confirmed the school had not been asked to close by Wirral Council or Public Health England. National advice says schools should not close in response to suspected or confirmed cases of the virus unless directed to do so by Public Health England. Mr Bellamy also said the confirmed case was not connected to a February half term ski trip to Northern Italy taken by a group of Hillbre High students. It comes after Willow Bank Junior School and Willow Bank Infant School in Woodley, Berkshire, both closed yesterday because of coronavirus. A female staff member at the infant school tested positive after catching the illness while on holiday in northern Italy. In an email, the schools told parents they would be shut for 'some days' to allow for a deep clean to be carried out on the premises. St Mary's Primary School in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, also closed after a member of staff there was confirmed to have the virus after a trip to Italy. Wimbledon College, in south-west London, shut its doors yesterday because of the coronavirus. In a letter to parents the headmaster wrote that a member of staff caught the virus while on a trip to northern Italy. Jonathan Mok was left with a swollen eye and a bloodied nose after he was attacked on Oxford Street Mr Mok had been walking along Oxford Street (pictured above) when he was set upon AVOID BANK NOTES, KISSING AND HOT-DESKING Shoppers should pay using contactless cards to avoid catching the coronavirus from a dirty banknote, health experts have said. A spokesman for the World Health Organization said contactless cards could 'reduce the risk of transmission'. Notes change hands hundreds or even thousands of times during circulation and can pick up all manner of dirt and bugs as they're passed around. Experts say the coronavirus could latch onto currency in the same way that it is able to live on hard surfaces like doorknobs, handrails and toilet handles. So using contactless cards which mean someone only has to touch their own card, which is never handled by anyone else could protect them from it spreading. The advice comes as employers have reportedly started to ban hot-desking, when people share desks; and, in France, ministers have told people to stop doing 'la bise', the traditional cheek-kiss greeting. Advertisement Several staff members were asked to self-isolate after coming into contact with the teacher, forcing the school to shut because of 'low staffing numbers'. The Ridgeway School in Farnham, Surrey, which teaches children with severe learning difficulties, has closed for deep cleaning. Three cases have been diagnosed in Surrey already and a Ridgeway member of staff had been in contact with a confirmed patient. In a letter to parents the headteacher said it was shut because of the compromised immune system 'many of' the school's children have. Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Torbay yesterday confirmed a student tested positive for COVID-19. No other details are known. Hundreds of teachers across the country were sent on ski trips to northern Italy, the centre of Europe's coronavirus crisis, over half-term. But thousands of travellers came home from northern Italy before the Government introduced updated guidance, raising fears it would spread to the UK. The Government told holidaymakers and business travellers returning from Italy to self-isolate if they have tell-tale symptoms. And anyone who went to 11 towns locked down to contain the outbreak were told to quarantine themselves, even if they had no symptoms. Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Torbay confirmed a student tested positive for COVID-19, while the second case in Devon is a member of the same family. No other details are known Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Devon has closed after a pupil and one of their relatives were diagnosed with the virus CORONAVIRUS HATE ATTACKS: THUGS FRACTURE FACE OF STUDENT, 22, FROM SINGAPORE A student from Singapore was left with a fractured face after he confronted thugs in London who punched him after they said 'coronavirus' to him. Jonathan Mok had been walking through Oxford Street on February 24 when he passed a group of men. The 23-year-old said one man told him he 'didn't want coronavirus in our country' before kicking him on the ground. Mr Mok suffered fractures and may now need reconstructive surgery after the incident. He has lived in the capital for the last two years and claims he had already suffered racist abuse before the virus. It comes after it was revealed that a woman in Birmingham was attacked after she confronted a man who racially-abused her friend, telling her to 'take your f****** coronavirus back home'. Meera Solanki stood up for Mandy Huang but the man pushed her in the head and she was knocked unconscious, The Independent reported. Another student Wenbin Wu, was also targeted in Kent because of his race. Mr Wu who is studying at university in London, was on a day-trip to Margate in Kent when three teens fake sneezed and shouted 'coronavirus' as he walked past. The 27-year-old, who studies computer science and finance at King's College London, said one tried to pick a fight and followed him and his two companions until he started taking photos and recording them. Advertisement But hundreds of teachers who went to affected regions went into school before the guidance was updated, raising fears for thousands of pupils and staff. Teachers are also known to be at risk because they come into contact with children, who are known to be more susceptible to getting sick. Scientists say because youngsters mingle with lots of strangers they are exposed to bacteria and viruses they've never seen before. Education sources warned last night that students could be forced to sit their exams in the summer holidays, if the crisis in the UK worsens. But their grades could be inflated to compensate for missed lesson time, according to one teacher trying to answer parents' creeping concerns. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty forecast a worst-case scenario in which schools would be closed for 'probably more than two months'. As the summer exam season looms, parents are worried about the knock-on effect of future closures. Exam regulator Ofqual has told institutions to draw up contingency plans to prepare for such closures, but have not yet advised on specific measures. Calvin Robinson, who teaches at Watford Grammar, believes exams could be pushed back to cope with school closures. And he added teachers and pupils would likely have to come in during the summer holidays to sit papers and invigilate. In the event of schools shutting, he told MailOnline: 'I think we will have to postpone exams. 'We can't purely base it on previous coursework, because students weren't warned in advance. Many parents fear closures would jeopardise their child's grades in comparison to institutions which remained open. A woman wears a protective face mask while sitting on a London Underground train today, March 3 Experts say the virus can live on hard surfaces, such as handles or rails, for hours or even days after it leaves the body. A man is pictured on a train in London wearing a face mask today Mr Robinson predicted that, if there were a slump in grades owing to missed lessons in affected schools, these could be inflated. PENSIONERS TOLD TO THINK TWICE ABOUT GOING ON HOLIDAY TO CORONAVIRUS-HIT COUNTRIES WITH 'WEAK' HEALTH SERVICES Pensioners were today warned they should think twice about going on holiday to coronavirus-hit countries with 'very weak' health services. The chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, urged vulnerable individuals to consider the 'practicalities' of where they are travelling. The advice came as Professor Whitty took questions at a press conference alongside Boris Johnson and UK chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance. Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick played down the risk to healthy Britons of going abroad, with the chief scientist pointing out that if coronavirus spreads in the UK it 'doesn't make any sense to say you are at more risk anywhere else than you are here'. But Professor Whitty said there were a few countries where pensioners and the vulnerable should be wary of travelling to. 'If you happen to be in a place with a very weak health service at the peak of their epidemic, weaker than the NHS, that obviously might be more problematic,' he said. 'They might want to think through the practicalities of being in a place that has a health service that is weaker than the NHS.' Professor Whitty stressed that although the elderly are at higher risk from coronavirus, the 'great majority' survive. Advertisement The exam regulator also called for affected students to be given special dispensation in this summer's exams Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Layla Moran MP echoed the view and said exam boards should take into account illnesses. She told MailOnline: 'Exam season is an extremely stressful time for pupils and it is crucial that schools take a compassionate approach. 'This is particularly the case for pupils who miss lessons due to illness. Exam boards must have plans for how they can take into account individual circumstances.' Mr Robinson pointed out that most GCSE and A-Level syllabuses would have already been covered, and doubted that the range of exam questions would be reduced. Online learning tools have been mooted as potential options in the event of school closures. An article in the Times Educational Supplement said Google Classroom could be used to set work for pupils to do at home. But Mr Robinson, a computer science teacher, poured cold water on these proposals and said most schools 'lacked the infrastructure' to execute this. YouTube has been mooted as a teaching tool, with teachers sending links to relevant videos or even creating their own, then setting questions about the material. Both GCSE and A-Levels results day fall in the middle of August, which would also likely be pushed back if exams were postponed. This would pose problems for universities, who typically confirm offers on results day about a month before term begins. It is unclear what would happen for school leavers in this situation, but Mr Robinson said 'universities would have to be flexible'. Last week more than 30 schools closed or sent home pupils who had returned from ski trips in northern Italy. Many of those are reopening. Professor Chris Whitty, has not ruled out closing schools in the event of a major outbreak but said it would not be taken lightly. How the coronavirus outbreak will affect your life: Your 'battle plan' questions answered, including how deadly is it, how can I prevent it spreading, will schools shut and should I staycation this summer? CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIAL GUIDE: ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW TO MINIMISE YOUR RISK OF CATCHING THE ILLNESS Does handwashing really work? Yes. A new study published by the highly-respected Cochrane Database which summarises and interprets numerous studies says that handwashing cuts the chances of contracting a respiratory illness such as coronavirus by 54 per cent the best odds of any deterrent. So wash your hands scrubbing every bit of skin from your wrist downwards at every opportunity for at least 20 seconds (or for however long it takes to sing Happy Birthday in your head twice). Should I use public transport? Only if necessary. If you can work from home rather than commuting, and also minimise shopping trips, you will greatly reduce your infection risk. One recent study in Nottingham found that people who contracted the flu virus in 2011 were nearly six times more likely than others to have travelled by public transport in the five days before developing symptoms. Planes, trains and buses are high-risk environments for easily transmitted viruses and Covid-19 is particularly infectious to spread on to our hands via surfaces such as handrails, seats and handles. If I stay at home, will I be safe? No. Family and friends can easily bring in the virus. To reduce this threat, institute a handwashing rule for everyone as soon as they enter the house. And make sure there is one hand towel for each person. If thats not practicable, wash towels frequently. How should I greet a friend? Kissing somebody on the cheek is, as the French government is warning, a one-way ticket to speeding up viral transmission. As to kissing on the mouth... just say no! According to GP and health commentator Dr Rosemary Leonard, we should stop shaking hands too. Perhaps thats why Germanys interior minister Horst Seehofer waved away Chancellor Angela Merkels hand at a meeting yesterday. The safest way to greet someone is to simply say: Hello. But if thats not enough, recent tests by Aberystwyth University show that fist-bumping transfers only a tenth of the bacteria that a handshake transmits. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer refuses shaking hand with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel during Integration Summit at Prime Ministry building in Berlin, Germany on March 02, 2020 Do I need to change the way I wash my clothes? According to the NHS all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C or 40C with a bleach-based laundry product to prevent microbes spreading. Theres no point adding more detergent, as modern machines are programmed to break up and wash away surplus cleaning agent. Using a dryer on high heat for more than 28 minutes can also kill harmful micro-organisms though you could also hang up your washing outdoors in direct sunlight, which has disinfecting properties. Always remember to wash your hands after handling dirty laundry. Should I stockpile food? There's no need to hoard for a nuclear winter, but it might be wise to have some long-lasting foods in the larder. Ian Mackay, a virologist at the University of Queensland, Australia, has suggested buying cereals, grains, beans, lentils, pasta, tinned fish, vegetables, fruit, oil, dried fruit, nuts, powdered milk and a few sweet treats. This will also cut your number of shopping trips thus reducing your risk of exposure and could be useful in the unlikely event that your town or city is put into lockdown. What if my town is locked down? Health Secretary Matt Hancock has refused to rule out placing British cities on lockdown when residents movements are restricted as is the case in parts of China and northern Italy. Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Government has the power to close schools, shut down public transport and stop mass gatherings to protect the public though it seems unlikely it will be enforced. Will exams be affected? Students should keep on swotting. The exam watchdog Ofqual announced yesterday that schools in England should prepare as usual for the summer exam season. However, the Government will make contingency plans if there is a widespread outbreak. What about school trips? Some overseas trips by schools, colleges and universities are being cancelled already. Even visits to places outside virus-stricken areas are affected, as some institutions are concerned that shepherding youngsters through highly populated zones such as airports may be a risk too far. Check with your school etc for the most up-to-date information. Should older people worry? The evidence so far is that older people (especially those with underlying health issues) who have weaker immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness and death. Children and young adults seem more resilient. According to recent analysis of more than 44,000 cases from China, the death rate was ten times higher in the very elderly compared with the middle-aged. The elderly should be encouraged to limit their outings and social contact and insist that visitors wash their hands upon arrival. So the real question is: how keen are you to go out? Any concert trip, for example, raises the risk of catching winter flu and colds. Its important to factor in the current state of health of your guest and how likely it is theyll be exposed to the virus but ultimately its up to you and them whether you want to risk it. What about prescriptions? Factory shutdowns in China where many vital ingredients for common drugs are made are an issue. Some of the largest pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca and Pfizer have said that the outbreak could affect their supplies. There is some evidence of panic-buying of over-the-counter medicines, though none of these will protect against coronavirus or its worst symptoms. Ocado has reportedly just sold out of Calpol. Should I cancel my ski trip? Keep an eye on the gov.uk website for latest travel advice. If it advises against travel to a certain region and you decide to go, your insurance wont be valid. Nor will insurers pay out if you cancel a holiday to a location that is not deemed high risk. As of last night, there were no warnings about French, Swiss, Italian and Austrian ski resorts although the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to 11 small towns in northern Italy. Advertisement Boris Johnson warned that the UK was facing a 'national challenge' as coronavirus sweeps the globe today as he set out how the UK plans to tackle a potential mass outbreak affecting millions of people. He and the Government's two chief scientific and medical advisers faced the cameras today as Covid-19 continues to sweep the world. While keen to stress that most people will experience only mild symptoms the Government today set out its battle plan to cope with a growing pandemic that is already in Britain. Asked whether the UK still had the 'bulldog spirit' to tackle the virus and accept the emergency measures that could be required, Mr Johnson said: 'I do think that this is a national challenge and I do think that we are faced with something that could be - the potential is there for this to be - something that our country has to get through. 'I have got absolutely no doubt that we have the resources, we have got the health service, we have got the expertise to do it. 'I am very confident the British public understand that. I think the British public can see exactly what the balance of risk is.' He was flanked by England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser to the Government Sir Patrick Vallance today in Downing Street as they set out how they see the situation developing. What's the main message? The main message was for the public to keep calm and carry on - but make sure they wash their hands thoroughly. The Government has a four step plan: Contain - detect early cases and work to prevent it 'taking hold' for as long as possible. Delay - Once the disease is well established, switch to working to slow its spread, minimise cases and contain it before the winter season comes around again. Research - Work to improve diagnosis and treatment including drugs and vaccines. Mitigate - provide the best care for sufferers and support services to minimise the overall impact on the nation. The UK is currently at the Contain stage of this plan, with most of the more intrusive steps that could be taken coming at the Delay and Mitigate stages. When will the plans be implemented? Measures outlined by the Prime Minister and medical and scientific experts today will only be introduced when it is judged they will be most effective. They are concerned that introducing disruptive measures too early would be counterproductive, which is why the main advice at the moment is simply to thoroughly wash your hands. Authorities have made it clear they do not want to disrupt people's lives if it will make little or no difference to the spread of the disease or the NHS's ability to treat people effectively. How long will it last? The current plan is for a 12-week cycle of action to tackle the outbreak. This is the time taken for it to reach a peak of cases before it starts to decline over another 12 weeks. Scientists believe it is unlikely but not impossible that it will be contained before the summer months, when infectious diseases cases usually decline in number. They are trying to slow its advance until then, to allow nature to help fight the battle for them. But as yet they do not know whether this will be the only outbreak or whether it could become endemic - regularly appearing. It sounds alarming that 80 per cent of the population could be infected and one per cent. How likely is it? At the moment scientists are being very cautious with their projections seek more information about the global outbreak. They were at pains today to stress that this is very much a worst-case scenario. Evidence from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak began, suggests Coronavirus is nowhere near that deadly or contagious at the moment. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty stressed: 'Even for the highest risk group, the great majority of people will survive this. 'If you look at the Chinese data, if you take the very oldest people, the great majority survive.' He added: 'If you're talking about the low-risk groups, the rate of mortality is well below 1 per cent.' Who is most at risk of the virus and why? As mentioned above, the elderly are one of the key groups. Prof Whitty said there is a 'significant ramp up' in the death rate of those infected with coronavirus who are over 80 years old. Depending on the advance of the virus, there are plans for specific measures to be taken around care homes to minimise infection risk. Also at high risk are other 'vulnerable' people, those with pre-existing medical conditions that may leave them with a weakened immune system like cancer. He said: 'The exact percentages will depend on a lot of factors - including the health care system you have in place, so I would not expect... the numbers we are seeing in China automatically to read over to the UK.' Can the NHS cope with an outbreak of this size? Prof Whitty said the health services was used to 'flexing' to deal with large-scale outbreaks, and regularly did so for things like the winter flu. Contingency plans are being prepared that would allow retired medics to volunteer to help. Non-essential surgery and other care would also be postponed to allow resources to be used for critical patients. And patients recuperating in hospital face being sent home to convalesce to free up beds. Will towns be put into lockdown? It is looking less and less likely that the UK will replicate the isolation that has been seen in Wuhan. Because the disease is already in the country and would be hard to contain in one place at this stage, medics believe that the social and economic cost of quarantining thousands of people would far outstrip any benefit. Will I get paid if I'm off sick? The Prime Minister said 'all options' would remain under review when asked what he would do to ensure those who are ill do not also suffer hardship. Mr Johnson said: 'On the issue of statutory sick pay and the risks that the workforce could conceivably run in that reasonable worst case scenario, we're going to keep all options under review but we are well aware of the issue.' Should I go on holiday? The vast majority of the public should not alter their travel plans said the chief scientific adviser to the Government Sir Patrick Vallance. 'Once the epidemic is everywhere, then actually restricting travel makes no difference at all,' he said. 'At the moment we are certainly not recommending any change to behaviours in relation to that. 'And if it grows in the UK, then of course it doesn't really make more sense to say that you're at more risk somewhere else than you are here.' A woman wears a face mask in London today, March 3. Scientists say masks are probably not any good at stopping the viruses, which are so tiny they can make it through the material Europe as a whole is on alert for a coronavirus outbreak the numbers of cases are in their hundreds and thousands in France, Germany and Italy. A woman and child are pictured wearing masks in Brussels, Belgium HOW HAS CHINA'S CORONAVIRUS SPREAD OVER TIME? The vast majority of confirmed infections of the Wuhan coronavirus have been diagnosed in China. But more than 80 countries or territories outside of the mainland have also declared infections: December 31: HUBEI PROVINCE (China) January 13: THAILAND January 16: JAPAN January 20: USA, SOUTH KOREA January 21: TAIWAN January 22: MACAU, HONG KONG, January 23: SINGAPORE January 24: FRANCE, NEPAL, VIETNAM January 25: CANADA, AUSTRALIA, MALAYSIA, January 27: GERMANY, CAMBODIA, SRI LANKA January 29: FINLAND, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES January 30: ITALY, PHILIPPINES, INDIA January 31: UK, RUSSIA, SWEDEN, SPAIN February 1: DIAMOND PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP February 4: BELGIUM February 14: EGYPT February 19: IRAN February 21: ISRAEL, LEBANON February 24: KUWAIT, BAHRAIN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, OMAN February 25: AUSTRIA, CROATIA, SWITZERLAND February 26: NORTH MACEDONIA, BRAZIL, GREECE, PAKISTAN, GEORGIA, NORWAY, ROMANIA February 27: ESTONIA, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS, SAN MARINO February 28: NIGERIA, LITHUANIA, BELARUS, NEW ZEALAND, MEXICO, ICELAND February 29: MONACO, ECUADOR, QATAR, AZERBAIJAN March 1: IRELAND, ARMENIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, CZECHIA, LUXEMBOURG March 2: INDONESIA, TUNISIA, JORDAN, ANDORRA, LATVIA, PORTUGAL, SENEGAL, MOROCCO, SAUDI ARABIA March 3: UKRAINE, GIBRALTAR, ARGENTINA, CHILE, LICHTENSTEIN, SAINT BARTHELEMY March 4: POLAND, FAROE ISLANDS Advertisement But people who are in an at-risk group might want to look at where they are going - how prevalent the disease is and the standard of local medical care, in case you become ill. Professor Whitty added: 'If you happen to be in a place with a very weak health service at the peak of their epidemic, weaker than the NHS, that obviously might be more problematic - and this is particularly an issue for people who are older or have pre-existing health conditions.' Are schools going to close down and will I have to take time off work to look after my children? As with the idea of quarantining entire towns and cities, this is not being ruled out but is not a priority. Evidence from China suggests that children are less susceptible to catching the virus and suffer a milder illness if they do contract it, the scientists said. In addition, having thousands of children off school would place additional strain on the NHS as vital staff took time off for childcare. Should I be panic buying in case of being forced to stay at home in quarantine? No., there is no need to do that. Prof Whitty said that there was no evidence that people did panic buy but took 'logical decisions'. 'There is no reason to be doing any panic buying or any sort of keeping large supplies of anything,' he said. 'This is a scientific point the response of the British public to disasters and emergencies is extraordinary outbreaks of altruism.' Sir Patrick said measures would be taken if homes were put under quarantine and appropriate steps taken for places such as care homes. His comments came after Ocado warned that people are placing larger orders than usual and other supermarkets worked up contingency plans. In some places, supermarket and pharmacy shelves have been cleared out of antibacterial gel and other supplies. What about information I see on social media about keeping safe? Matt Hancock the health Secretary, met with social media firms yesterday to discuss ways of combating disinformation and helping share information that could battle it. Why is hand washing the key message? Because it is the easiest way to stop the spread of the virus. Your hands are the part of the body that come into most contact with other people and objects. The disease is spread like the flu and other infections via droplets released in coughs and sneezes, so using a clean tissue or handkerchief and washing your hands thoroughly and regularly helps prevent them being spread around. Taking this simple step also means you are less likely to have to take more drastic action, like avoiding personal contact. The advise is to wash your hands for 20 seconds or more using soap. Mr Johnson told reporters he continues to shake hands with people. He said: 'I am shaking hands, I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were coronavirus patients and I was shaking hands with everybody, you will be pleased to know, and I continue to shake hands. 'People must make up their own minds but I think the scientific evidence is... our judgment is that washing your hands is the crucial thing.' Arsenal stars scrap traditional pre-match handshakes in favour of fist-bumps before FA Cup victory over Portsmouth as football clubs bid to avoid the coronavirus outbreak Arsenal's stars have abandoned traditional pre-match handshakes in favour of fist-bumps - amid growing fears over the coronavirus. Several Gunners' stars were reluctant to make too much contact with players from opponents Portsmouth as they lined up at the start of Monday night's FA Cup match. Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos fist-bumps Portsmouth goalkeeper Alex Bass Gunners goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also opted to avoid handshakes on Monday evening Sokratis prepares for another fist-bump as Joe Willock does the same with a young mascot The Greek defender adopted the same greeting for mascots amid fears over the coronavirus Southampton's players have stopped shaking hands with each other at the club's training base England cricket captain Joe Root has confirmed that his team-mates will fist-bump in Sri Lanka SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A 'VERY IMPORTANT ROLE' IN STOPPING SPREAD OF FAKE CORONAVIRUS NEWS Social media has a 'very important role' in stopping the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus outbreak, the Prime Minister has said. At a press conference in 10 Downing Street outlining the Government's plan to respond to the outbreak, Boris Johnson said social networking platforms had a responsibility to prevent conspiracy theories about the virus spreading online. 'We've all got to be very responsible and the media has a very important role in this, particularly the social media and electronic media of all types,' he said. 'I'm sure that they will want to convey the right messages and convey the right balance of risk.' It comes as experts warn that the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories about the illness online could cause as much damage as the virus itself. They argue that many conspiracy theories arise during moments of crisis in society as a way of trying to make sense of a chaotic situation. People who believe in such theories tend to distrust groups they perceive as powerful - with many theories revolving around the idea of those in power acting to stay in control. As a result, the experts warn that if people do not trust health organisations, they are more likely to ignore medical advice and therefore be more at risk. In response to concerns about misinformation linked to Covid-19, Both Facebook and Twitter have introduced features which link to the official NHS and World Health Organisation websites for accurate advice and information on the outbreak at the top of search results. Google has also implemented a similar scheme for its own search results. Advertisement Instead of a traditional respect handshake, players offered their fists to the League One side. While Arsenal captain David Luiz did elect for a handshake, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez instead closed his fist and bumped it with the Pompey players. Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos also offered the same gesture and even did the same with the young Pompey mascots. Arsenal starlet Joe Willock began shaking hands with the Pompey players but soon switched to fist bumps. The FA said they are not giving any directives in relation to COVID-19 and are following wider government advice. It is currently down to individual clubs's medical departments to suggest any special measures such as fist bumps over handshakes. Further along the south coast, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has banned his players from having selfies and signing autographs with fans over coronavirus fears. Saints' players have also stopped shaking hands with one another at the training ground. A spokesman for the FA said: 'At present we have no special measures in place in relation to the outbreak of coronavirus. 'We are currently following wider government advice and this is not a directive that has come from us.' On Tuesday, England cricket captain Joe Root confirmed his side would adopt a fist-bump policy during their upcoming tour to Sri Lanka. The England XI missed several players through illness during their recent series against South Africa and will be taking no chances on the sub-continent. Root, 29, said: 'After the illnesses that swept through the squad in South Africa, we are well aware of the importance of keeping contact to a minimum. 'We are not shaking hands with each other, using instead the well-established fist bump, and we are washing hands regularly and wiping down surfaces using the anti-bacterial wipes and gels we've been given in our immunity packs.' Coronavirus in Delhi: The coronavirus scare has reached Noida after a person was recently detected with the virus in Delhi. The school, in which the son of the person studies, has observed an unofficial close. Another school in the area has also shut for sanitisation. In the wake of Delhis first COVID-19, i.e Coronavirus, case, a school in Noida, identified as The Shriram Millennium School, has been unofficially closed for few days. Reports said the son of the coronavirus-quarantined person studies in The Shriram Millennium School. Upon his return from Italy, the parent had thrown a birthday party for his son, which was attended by some of his school friends, classmates, teachers and family members. While the patient had earlier complained of uneasiness and had visited a doctor, his condition worsened after the birthday party and was detected with the Coronavirus. To contain the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Health has asked all the people who were present at the birthday party to undergo medical checkups and ensure self-quarantine for 14 days. Additionally, the parents community of the school has decided to refrain from sending their children to school. Although no official statement has been released from the school, the incident has certainly led to a coronavirus scare among parents and students. The patient is currently under quarantine at RML Hospital. Also Read: Coronavirus in India: Italian tourist tests positive in Rajasthan, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan says screening at 21 airports, 12 ports underway Air India official: All crew members of February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight have been asked to stay in isolation at their respective homes for 14 days. A male passenger, who travelled from Vienna to Delhi by this flight, was found to be infected with #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/zs4Q5frA3d ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2020 Government of India: Two more cases of #COVID19 reported, one each from New Delhi & Telangana. Both the patients are stable and being closely monitored. pic.twitter.com/BkrL6qmLUK ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2020 Along with The Shriram Millennium School, the Shiv Nadar School has also been closed from March 4 to March 9 to ensure sanitisation across the campus to counter the spread of the virus. Also Read: Coronavirus in Delhi, Telangana: Health ministry says both patients stable Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on March 3, 2020, said in a statement that 2 positive cases of coronavirus have emerged in Delhi and Telangana. While the person detected in New Delhi had recently travelled to Italy, the person detected in Telangana had been to Dubai. This totals to 5 positive cases of coronavirus in India till now, the other 3 have since recovered. As the virus spreads across the world and not just China, travel restrictions may be further extended to other countries. Currently, the screening of passengers is being conducted at 21 airports, 12 ports and 65 minor ports. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan: As the situation develops, the travel restrictions may be further extended to other countries also. #coronavirus https://t.co/ckUhGjaXYQ ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2020 Also Read: Done with social media! PM Narendra Modi to give up Twitter, Facebook, Instagram on March 8 For all the latest National News, download NewsX App GRANTS PASS, Ore. A Washington man was taken into custody on Monday after investigators say he tried to lure a minor into meeting him at a local motel for sex, according to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS). The agency said that it began investigating 34-year-old Octavo Briones Virrueta of Vancouver, Washington on Tuesday. Detectives were looking into an adult male that reportedly was luring a juvenile through social media. "During the investigation, it was determined Octavio Virrueta from Vancouver Washington invited a juvenile to a local motel in Grants Pass for the purpose of having sexual contact," GPDPS said. Virrueta also exchanged sexual images with the juvenile, the agency said. Detectives found Virrueta at the motel and arrested him on charges of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child I (B Felony) and Luring a Minor (C Felony). Virrueta was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. "Virrueta was in the Rogue Valley for business and does not reside in this area," GPDPS said. "If anyone has further information on this case or has had contact with Virrueta, please contact the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety at (541) 450-6260." CHURCHTON, Md. - A man accused of stabbing a woman with a syringe at a Maryland grocery store will be tested for blood-borne viruses after authorities found syringes in his car filled with semen. District Court Judge John P. McKenna ordered Thomas Byron Stemen, 51, to be tested for HIV and any other identified causative agents of AIDS and hepatitis C, the Captial Gazette reported. A Feb. 18 video from a grocery store in Churchton shows a man following a woman into the cart area and bumping into her. The woman is then seen looking down at her leg as she backs out of the store. The man appears to follow her outside. Stemen was arrested on Feb. 25 after Anne Arundel County police received a tip. Stemen was charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. Authorities said Stemen stabbed the woman in the buttocks with the syringe and attempted to do the same to two others. The woman wasnt identified but police said she received medical treatment. She told news outlets she was put on preventative medications for 30 days. Assistant States Attorney Jason Miller requested the blood test stating the victim may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis C. Stemens attorney Assistant Public Defender Mary Jo Livingston asked McKenna to reject the blood test request stating Stemens medical privacy rights would be violated. McKeena said Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman will have to inform Stemen and the victims of the results. He said the order wouldnt disclose private medical information. Livingston declined to comment on Stemens behalf. Anne Arundel County spokeswoman Sgt. Jacklyn Davis said tests are pending to determine whether the bodily fluid in the syringes belongs to Stemen. Photo credit: Chesnot - Getty Images From Town & Country When something bad happens in the worlda natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or, as now, the possible start of a coronavirus pandemicour instinct is to cocoon. Stock the fridge, batten the proverbial hatches, lay low. And international travel plummets. Such is the case with Coronavirus. China was of course declared an essentially no-go zone a few weeks ago, stamped with a warning level 3 by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But now the warnings have spread, notably to Italy, Iran, and South Korea, which are all now on the list of places that Americans should avoid for nonessential travel. The number of infected in Italy rose between to 1,576 over the weekend, and 34 people there have died as of Sunday night. Denmark, Romania, and Spain have reported infections linked to Italy; 11 towns in Italy's north have been quarantined; and travelers returning to the United States from northern Italy are being told to self-quarantine at home for 14 days. So what about those European ski trips and spring breaks and semesters abroad elsewhere in Europe already planned, booked, and bought? France, the world's most-visited country, had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, and 100 as of Sunday night; in Germany, the number of people infected almost doubled to 129 on Sunday. The UK has 16 (including a just-confirmed case in Ireland), and first cases have been confirmed in the Netherlands, Scotland, and the Czech Republic. To go or not to go? Follow the CDC GuidelinesWhich Say Travel to Europe is Safe "Our bottom line: The CDC has not broadly advised against European travel. That's because for healthy people, there is no reason to cancel trips to places not yet affected by sustained community spread," says Christopher Falkenberg, whose firm, Insite Risk Managment, addresses the safety needs of global corporations, family offices, and private clients. Photo credit: lathuric - Getty Images Dr. Richard Dawood, founder of London's Fleet Street Clinic, has specialized for 35 years in all medical matters related to travel. "Prioritize advice from the CDC," he says. Story continues "In the UK, we have an advisory against travel to northern Italy, and recommendation to stay clear of people returning from there until they have passed through a period of quarantine. But with that one exception, there is no reason right now to avoid European travel. The number of cases in Europe overall, while increasing, is still small. And many of those cases are infections known to have been contracted in China, by people who were evacuated from there. People in Europe are largely not acquiring the virus locally. Today, the risk for you of catching coronavirus in Europe is no greater than the risk of catching it in the United States, where confirmed cases are now rising and testing proceeds; the risk of infection while traveling is no greater than the risk at home." There is no reason right now to avoid European travel. The number of cases in Europe overall, while increasing, is still small. But Keep Your Eye on the Updates Community spread occurs when infections are not acquired abroad, like in China, where the "how" and "where" are understood, but locally and for unknown reasons and in unknown placesthe subway? a movie house? a restaurant? a casual encounter? In northern Italy, the coronavirus has exhibited such sustained community spread, according to the CDC, which is why travel to that region has ground to a slow trickle. (Although the country's foreign minister has pointed out that the towns affected and quarantined, in the Lombardy and the Veneto regions, constitute only 0.1% of towns in Italy.) Research the latest information on your destination and take the CDC's recommendations seriously. "My advice is to stay flexible in your travel plans," says Dawood. Conditions, the facts on the ground, may evolve. Get travel insurance when you book a tripso that you can change or cancel your plans should you need or want to." Jack Ezon, founder of the global travel agency Embark Beyond, is advising his clients who have already booked trips as follows: "For departures scheduled between now and the end of March, we are totally at your disposal. We are happy to cancel, negotiate you out of cancelation penalties, and/or move your trip to another destination where you feel more comfortable for no additional fee." Whatever you dotravel or stay homewash your hands with soap and hot water repeatedly throughout the day, sterilize often with antibacterial products, work on breaking the habit of touching your face (eyes, mouth, nose, anywhere), and forgo handshakes and social kisses. Social niceties aren't worth the risk. Is It Safe to Fly? "Not a single case of coronavirus has yet been linked to air travel," says Dawood. "If there had been, I assure you we would have heard about it. No one thus far has caught the virus during an airplane journey." (As for cruises, the State Department thus far is warning travelers to reconsider only cruises to or within Asia.) If you'd like to exercise an abundance of caution, book a window seat. On average, those in window seats have fewer interactions and moments of exposure with other passengers and crew members. Should You Wear a Mask Just In Case? "No, we don't recommend wearing masks when traveling," says Falkenberg. "People are not likely to use them in a consistently effective way. Masks are like a false security blanket that can make you neglect other ordinary but important measureslike washing hands frequently, social distancing, and also food safety." Photo credit: Poh Kim Yeoh / EyeEm - Getty Images Dr. Daewood agrees. "In the general population, they are not an effective means of protection from any respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. They should be used only by people who show symptoms, to help prevent spread of the disease. And of course they're crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone sick in a close setting, such as a home or a health facility. You can be spooked by images in the news of people in Europe in masks. But the reality on the ground is that this is not Ebola. For many people, including many of Asian descent, wearing masks is part of the culture and has been for a while." Be Prepared For Changes on the Ground. If you do choose to travel, take the following precautions: Inquire with your place of employment whether they will be requiring that you self-quarantine upon your return. This will depend on your destination and should factor into your decision. If you choose to proceed with your trip, pack a surplus of hand disinfectants, tissues, medicines you make take regularly, and other essential items. As noted before, skip the masksunless you are truly trained in how to wear it and how to dispose of it without increasing the risk of infection for yourself and others. If it's a busy time in the office, bring some work with you in case your travel plans get disrupted due to flight cancellations and you have to spend a few extra days away from home. Consider your itinerary carefully. Tourist attractions and other spaces that draw large crowns in affected areas could be closed due to concerns over the coronavirus, as the Louvre museum in Paris was on Sunday. What About European Travel Later this Spring and Summer? For travel already booked for April departures and beyond, travel expert Ezon recommends a wait-and-see approach. "We are negotiating with travel companies around the world, including airlines, to remove cancellation penaltiesso that those who want to cancel or change plans later on will be able to. We believe it is in your best interest to keep the bookings you have. If things get worse, you can cancel later. But if they don't, and the travel flood gates open again, you'll be so happy that you have your flights and hotels secured." Ezon even has some counterintuitive advice: Buy travel now. "With so many people in a panic around the world, prime space on planes and in hotels is suddenly availableand prices have plummeted. We already have some savvy travelers calling us to get spots in Capri, Lake Como, Forte dei Marmi, Puglia, Mykonos, St. Tropeznow, for this summer, and for unheard of prices. It is actually a great time to secure a first-class holidayespecially in Italy. We are not being insensitive or opportunisticit's also a great way to support Italy now. It needs it." Photo credit: Karin Hiselius / EyeEm - Getty Images You Might Also Like Win McNamee/Getty The opinion pieces, the social media fracas, the intra-LGBTQ disagreements over Pete Buttigieg and what he meant as a gay presidential candidate have spanned the months of his history-making run for office, which ended on Sunday night. It has been, simply put, exhausting and not a little depressing, with Buttigiegs candidacy seen in starkly polarized terms: a celebration of progress or an indictment of heteronormativity; a gay man standing on the American national stage, speaking eloquently about his own struggle for self-acceptance; or just another privileged white man able to pass without offering much to LGBTQ people who are not what he is perceived to be. Pete Buttigieg Makes History, and Makes America Face the Meaning of LGBTQ Equalityand Reality of Prejudice Instead of feeling what it wasmomentous, a real moment of gay pride and political change in the 50th anniversary year of the Stonewall RiotsButtigiegs candidacy often felt like a vituperatively disputed LGBTQ cultural flashpoint, a vexed Rubiks Cube of debates around sexuality and identity with no solution, and lots of flushed cheeks and raised voices. To be clear: When an out-gay man running for president is being judged for not being gay enough by other LGBTQ people, that is not a symbol of progress or evolution, but rather an example of one set of barriers of entry being substituted for another. Buttigieg may not be your idea of what a gay man should be, but if in your next breath you are arguing for the power of plural LGBTQ identities, then you are arguing against yourself. Buttigieg is his own person, and a set of LGBTQ identities both unique to himself and shared with others. If you do not accept Pete Buttigieg for who he is, youre not as accepting of diversity as you claim to be. His presidential run is now over, but the Buttigieg Effect will go on. It will ripple outwards. Whether you, as a LGBTQ person, loved or did not love Pete Buttigieg, heand other LGBTQ political history-makers like Danica Roem in Virginiahave changed the playing field for LGBTQ candidates coming after them. Story continues Buttigieg showed it was possible for a LGTBQ candidate to go for the big prize in a convincing fashion, and he showed the breadth of what that candidate could say or door bein that space. As his example encourages other LGBTQ candidates to stand, the diversity of those candidates will increase. Buttigieg is a leader, history-maker, an avatar of changeand as such others will follow him. This is, one hopes, just a political beginning. He was the first openly gay person to win a nominating contest in American history, and on Sunday said he hoped we sent a message to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them as different means that they are somehow destined to be less-than. He is right. The simple fact of Buttigiegs visibility as a gay man is, or was, important. Here was a gay man taking his place on a presidential candidate debate stage (and winning the Iowa caucus) where his sexuality was known and occasionally centrala significant story, but never the whole story. He faced prejudice, and did so by taking on the bigots, and winning, in their own space. Liberal chatterers like to think they are beyond such things as homophobia. But where are their so-over-Pete-being-gay voices as the Trump administration continues to attack LGBTQ people and their rights? Absent. Buttigieg did not just make history on paper; here was a gay man on the presidential campaign trail proud of being a gay man with a much-loved husband, and extremely proud of both (another sad reality this Sunday evening: America will now not have the witty and eloquent Chasten Buttigieg as its First Gentleman). How Buttigieg was proud, what he said about this, and how he said it were the substance of disagreement. Over the last few months, I have variously read he was too calculated, he spoke too robotically, he was too guarded. Why did he leave it so long to come out? Why wasnt he gay in a louder, brighter way? Why did he seem so cloaked in privilege? LGBTQ people in public life tread tightropes, praised, condemned, criticized, and minutely observed. His detractors will never accept Buttigiegs significance. They believe Buttigieg was too white, too (in old-school, linguistic terms) straight-acting, in some way, to really count as a gay man of 2020 making history. The simple rejoinder to this: Buttigieg was gay, and never said anything else. This absurd LGBTQ purity test rang false when you watched how Buttigieg spoke about his sexuality on the campaign trailhonestly, clearly, and in a way no other public figure has done in the political realm. No, Buttigieg is not (if this is what you want) the gay foghorn, reeling off dime-store empowerment slogans. He didnt come out when he was young. He is reticent. He looks nerdy, and sounds even nerdier. His alignment with corporations and the military was understandably alienating to many. His defeating lack of connection with black voters never changed. Did Buttigieg perform in some way people found off-putting? Maybe. But that isnt something unknown to LGBTQ people, particularly when we are in spaces where we are typically not. And all politicians are performers to a large degree; TV especially demands it. More pedestrian-ly, maybe Buttigieg is a stiff person, maybe he is not as ease as you would wish he was. Is he calculating? Maybe. But would that be such an unusual quality in a political power-player? Is it not a prerequisite for the job? Heres what Pete Buttigieg did on a national stage that his many critics have not given him full and proper credit for. He kissed and embraced his husband, and spoke lovingly about his husband too. He talked about faith, a province typically of those who seek to persecute LGBTQ people. He talked about coming out. He told a young LGBTQ person, 9-year-old Zachary Ro, how brave he was to come out. He didnt presume to give Zachary the accepted, syrupy it gets better gay liturgy. He just spoke to him evenly and responsibly, without presumption or being patronizing. An adult gay man shared a stage with a gay kid, and gently tried to advise him as an equal. Passing strength and courage between generations is one of the great LGBTQ acts of love and support. None of this should be radical, for sure. It shouldnt matter, people email me about Buttigieg being gay and being out. Who cares? No, being an out-LGBTQ person running for president shouldnt matter. But still, it does. I wonder if all those people who dont care about Pete Buttigieg being gay are also extremely bothered by the Supreme Court currently considering if it should be OK to fire someone because they are LGBTQ; and soon to consider whether religious freedom can be used as Mike Pence and his ilk would likeas an all-purpose weapon against LGBTQ people wanting to adopt or foster children, and a whole lot more. Inside the Supreme Court Discrimination Cases That Could Change LGBTQ Rights This is why Pete Buttigiegs candidacy matters. Because it is happening in a country not OK with its LGBTQ people, and their presently imperiled equalities and rights. If you are so comfortable with Pete Buttigieg, then LGBTQ Americans could really do with your help fighting the onslaught of bigotry the Trump administration is visiting upon us. Buttigieg faced the kind of homophobia that liberals like to tell themselves has been extinguished. It hasnt. It was there the night of the Iowa caucuses, when a woman was filmed revealing she would not vote for himup until then, her candidate of choicejust because he was gay. It all spewed out predictably: Bible this, sin that. Then came Rush Limbaugh, with a prelude or warning of what would come Buttigiegs way if he made it through the primary fire and became Trumps opponent this November. Limbaugh is a homophobe in the classic vein, tellingly focused (like Erick Erickson) on gay people sexually, what we do to physically express our affection for one another. Limbaugh did a vile bit of gaslighting: Oh, America wouldnt like their president kissing another guy, he said. Then he just let his poison pill marinate in the public square. And there it was, the key to the homophobia the Republicans rely on to destroy candidates like Buttigiegto simply hope voters can be galvanized by discomfort and disgust. Its the oldest way to stoke hatred, and it lies at the roots of all the anti-LGBTQ policies that officials try to inscribe in statute: We dont like what you do in bed. Youre unnatural. Everything said to LGBTQ kids as they try to survive school, as they try to avoid the queer-bashers fists, is what politicians and pundits use to stoke their hatred and perpetuate inequality. That is what Pete Buttigieg faced every day overtly and covertly, that old, confected disgust about same-sex sex, long-baked into the public discourse over LGBTQ people and the laws crafted against us. And still, despite running this gauntlet, Buttigieg wasnt gay enough for some. (Come on, he even got snipe-y with Amy Klobuchar. It was great TV, and pretty darn gay.) Most powerfully perhaps (and again, something he has not been given enough credit for), Buttigieg also spoke about his faith, and not only that he posed his faith and its significance square against the faith that Pence and his evangelical peers invoke when they discriminate against LGBTQ people. Buttigieg made clear his God was just as important as the one the conservative right wing have co-opted as their battering ram against LGBTQ people. My marriage to Chasten has made me a better man. And yes, Mr. Vice President, it has moved me closer to God," Buttigieg said. Speaking for myself, I can tell you that if me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade. And thats the thing I wish the Mike Pences of the world would understand. If youve got a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my creator. Buttigieg over and over again insisted on owning his faith, having pride in his faith, and bravely confronted his opponents on territory they covet as their own. And he did it with wit and mischief, as when Trump had recommended Limbaugh not apologize for what he had said about Buttigieg. The idea of the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Donald Trump lecturing anybody on family valuesI mean, sorry but, one thing about my marriage is its never involved me having to send hush money to a porn star after cheating on my spouse with him or her, Buttigieg said. So they wanna debate family values? Lets debate family values. Im ready. Here again, Buttigieg headed into hostile territorythe family values rhetoric used to hurt LGBTQ people in so many ways for so many years. Buttigieg swiped the flaming torch and simply waved it back in the bigots faces. Here, just as he has done with the issue of faith, Buttigieg said a firm No and reframed their words to mock their hypocrisy but also to show that LGBTQ people have ownership and presence in the family space too. He was doing something exceptionally queer and radical. Buttigiegs career, his presence in the public eye, is far from over, and as this chapter ends he has set a valuable example. In a country currently under the control of a virulently anti-LGBTQ administration, Buttigieg has shown not just that an LGBTQ person can run for president. He has shown that LGBTQ people can occupy spaces that those who discriminate against us have long sought to exclude us from. He has shown that LGBTQ people can do this while kissing their partners, while being out, and while skewering bigotry in such a way that leaves the bigots ammunition-less. Not gay enough? Oh, Pete Buttigieg was way-gay, as his legacy will hopefully show. 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. Two persons died and as many were injured after two cars collided with each other in Kaji Patti area of Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district, police said on Tuesday. The accident took place on the Banda-Tanda national highway on Monday night. The impact of the collision was so huge that one car fell into a gorge and two of the four people in the vehicle died at the spot, police said. "The injured were given first aid at the district hospital and then sent to Lucknow for further treatment," Medical officer of district hospital Dr Pitambar Kannaujia said. The deceased have been identified as Pankaj Vishwakarma (29) and Rajeev Rai (32). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Now Open 3 March 2020 The Gate is a boutique aparthotel opening in Aldgate East, which offers the service and style of a hotel with the privacy of a self-service apartment. Modern travellers' needs and taste in accommodation are changing - people desire more choice than a traditional hotel versus self-catering apartments, and The Gate aims to bridge the gap between the two. The new aparthotel feels like an elevated version of your own home, with full-service amenities and flexible stay periods where guests can stay for one night or up to three months. Situated in Whitechapel, just a one-minute walk from Aldgate East tube station, The Gate is directly influenced by the style and culture of the vibrant London streets it overlooks, connecting guests with its surroundings and the local East London community. With 20 floors and 189 rooms, The Gate offers unparalleled 360 views of The Gherkin, The Shard and Brick Lane appealing to guests no matter the length of their stay. Partners include Maddox Gallery, who have curated the artwork around the hotel including a Banksy in the lobby and Retna, Bradley Theodore and The Connor Brothers pieces displayed in the private members lounge, making the property their new East London Gallery. The healthy-eating trailblazer Maple & Co will be opening its 8th location here, Maple & The Gate cafe, opening to the public on the ground floor including outdoor seating. The renowned New York fragrance brand, Le Labo, supplying in-room bathroom amenities and a boutique gym with Technogym equipment including Peloton bikes, which are also available in apartments by prior arrangement. The heart of The Gate is its communal areas, with different spaces perfect for socialising or conducting business. The stylish members lounge on the fifth floor, is exclusively for hotel guests and features extensive seating for dining, working or just relaxing on comfortable sofas, enjoying the artwork. Service is unobtrusive and guests can help themselves throughout the day to the self-service coffee, water and juice station. With a Banksy in the lobby, Maple & Co cafe and 360 views of the city, London welcomes its latest aparthotel experience programme which includes outdoor yoga classes, BBQs and wine masterclasses for the summer. By night the space is transformed into a relaxed bar with a wine vending machine, beer wall and spectacular lighting creating the perfect spot to enjoy a drink before heading out for dinner. Guests can also order take out and enjoy their meal in the lounge or in the privacy of their own room. Guests checking in for days or weeks can enjoy rooms designed to be modern and functional, but with artistic flourishes to create a distinctly homely feel. There are nine room categories each with a bedroom, fitted kitchen and living area, and some featuring a separate living space with a sofa bed, which is ideal for families. Introductory rates start from 100 including VAT for the studio apartments, offering excellent value. Room types include one and two bed apartments, accessible rooms, interconnecting family rooms and rooms with skyline views. No two rooms are the same with unique art and bespoke upholstery and new mid- century furniture designed in Europe. The combination of personal service and latest technology is showcased in the guest experience, with self-service check-in and guest requests communicated to the hotel team with a tap on their mobile device. If guests need local insights such as a new restaurant to try out, a show to catch or any local hidden gems to discover, the staff - 'Gatekeepers' - are trained to help with any request. Apartments feature: cooking facilities, Hypnos beds, Soundbars with Bluetooth connectivity, Nespresso machines, walk-in showers and rainfall shower heads, washing machines and dishwashers. Attractions within walking distance include the bustling Spitalfields market, St Katharine's Dock and Brick Lane to name a few. The Gate promises to combine a lifestyle hotel with apartment amenities to cater for a modern generation of long and short-term guests providing a Gateway to the capital. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:54:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Five new cases of COVID-19 were detected during the night of Monday in Belgium, bringing the total number of cases to 13, according to a press release issued on Tuesday by the Federal Public Health Service. KU Leuven, a research university in the Dutch-speaking town of Leuven in Flanders, Belgium, tested 243 people during the night of Monday, with five positive for the novel coronavirus. All these patients, two in Flanders, northern Belgium, two in Wallonia, southern Belgium, and one in the capital Brussels, are receiving medical care. The Federal Public Health Service attributed the increase in the number of infections in Belgium to the return of some Belgians from carnival holidays in northern Italy. Medical teams and hygiene inspectors in each region are widening the field of investigation, following up on people who have been in contact with the patients since their return from holidays. Belgium reported its first case of COVID-19 early February, when one of the nine returnees from Wuhan, China tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The Belgian was discharged from the Saint-Pierre hospital in Brussels on Feb. 15 after tests turned negative. Enditem The U.S. Army recently signed a $4 billion deal for another 177 CH-47F transport helicopters. These will cost $22.6 million each and there is an option to add 28 more CH-47Fs to the deal. The first of these new helicopters will arrive in two years. This is a rare multi-year contract, which cuts the price about 16 percent. Congress prefers to allow only deals where the politicians can diddle with contracts on an annual basis. But because this drives up costs, there is pressure to go with the cheaper multi-year contracts and the army managed to get one for its huge CH-47F order. The huge projected cost of developing a new transport helicopter caused the army to decide a decade ago to spend $11.4 billion dollars to refurbish its fleet of existing CH-47 transport helicopters instead. The CH-47 has proved to be a very successful design and none of the proposed replacements was dramatically better than an upgraded CH-47. This upgrade effort will result in a fleet of 513 CH-47F helicopters (including 397 rebuilt CH-47D choppers, 55 new build 47Fs ones, plus some special versions). The CH-47F has been so successful that the army was able to persuade Congress to allow the fleet to be expanded with more new choppers as well. The rebuilt CH-47Ds became CH-47Fs that are good for another twenty years of service. The F model CH-47 has up-to-date digital communications, is easier to maintain, and cheaper to operate. The CH-47F can carry up to 55 troops and has a maximum range of 426 kilometers. Its max speed is 315 kilometers an hour. Typical missions last no more than 2.5 hours. Three years ago the CH-47F helicopter got its first sustained experience in a combat zone and performed well. This was a major factor in getting the money to buy more of them. A company of 20 CH-47Fs arrived in Afghanistan during 2009, and soon found themselves often flying eight missions a day, day after day. The CH-47Fs had a 90 percent availability rate. Although the CH-47F has been flying since 2001, and were first delivered to the army in 2009, it takes sustained use in a combat environment to smoke out the last bugs and maintenance problems. In Afghanistan there were some problems with the flat panel displays, but these were quickly worked out. There were several other minor problems, mostly having to do with all the dust in the environment and the temperature extremes (often below freezing in Winter and over 45 degrees/113 Fahrenheit in Summer). This was tough on the maintainers and manufacturers' reps initially, but after a year maintenance problems were no longer an issue. This is important because in Afghanistan the CH-47 is a critical form of air transportation, including combat assault. Since the 1990s, the U.S. Army had used UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopters for combat assault missions, while the larger CH-47 "Chinook" was used just for moving cargo. But the army found that, in the high altitudes of Afghanistan, the more powerful CH-47 was often the only way to go in the thin mountain air. While doing that the army found that the CH-47 made an excellent assault helicopter. In many ways it was superior to the UH-60, mainly because the CH-47 carries more troops and moves faster and farther. The CH-47F has even more powerful engines and is even more valuable for high altitude assaults. It is the best helicopter for use in Afghanistan, having proved able to deal with the dust and high altitude operations better than other transport choppers. The first CH-47s entered service in 1962, able to carry only five tons. Some 750 saw service in Vietnam and 200 were lost in action. During 1982-94, 500 CH-47s were rebuilt to the CH-47D standard. SOCOM operates 31 MH-47Ds and Es, which have additional navigation gear. These are being upgraded to MH-47F standards and the fleet expanded to 61 helicopters. As a result of all this, the CH-47 will end up serving at least 75 years. The original CH-47F upgrade program and new builds will not be completed until 2018. The new contract will extend production into the 2020s. Jordan Muhammed wanted to be at home, working on homework and preparing for her high schools musical in a couple of weeks. Instead, she was standing outside the Turtle Back Zoo Sunday in frigid temperatures, screaming into a bullhorn. Im here because were in a crisis. Our county, our country, our world is in a climate crisis and this government our government is not acting like it, the high school senior said. About 200 to 300 students and adults gathered behind her Sunday to protest the proposed expansion of the county-owned zoo in West Orange to include an educational amphitheater, which they say will create unnecessary deforestation and displacement of local wildlife from the forest. A week ago, the Essex County Board of Freeholders moved forward with a request for a $4 million state grant to begin construction on the conservation pavilion," complete with lights and video screens to put on educational programming for students, and the capacity to hold 500 people. The expansion would cost the county more than $8 million total, and involve taking out an acre of trees in the neighboring South Mountain Reservation. A new entrance and parking deck for Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. (Courtesy: Essex County) The remainder of the funding for the zoos expansion would come from the countys capital budget, county spokesman Anthony Puglisi said. Now that freeholders have approved the request for the grant, the county needs to put the project out for public bid, Puglisi said. We were mad, we were frustrated," 17-year-old Andrea Rebimbas said after Sundays rally, which she helped organize in opposition to the project. There are other communities that are directly impacted by climate change. This is taxpayers money. The rally was spearheaded by local middle and high school students, as well as the South Mountain Reservation Coalition, an environmental advocacy association comprised of 20 community groups which joined forces last month to amplify environmental concerns. More than 12,000 people have signed a petition aiming to stop expansion at the zoo. But the county says the amphitheater is a necessary addition to the popular zoo. Organizations and groups that visit the zoo expect adequate hands-on learning activities, Puglisi said. Now, programming is only held in the zoos educational center, and its old amphitheater isnt used because its outdated, he said. Schools and organizations that are booking trips to Turtle Back expect a more interactive learning experience than just having children walk along the pathways and read signs about the animals, Puglisi said. The planned 500-seat addition will provide the opportunity to significantly increase the children we currently reach with our educational programming. Coalition members say theyve repeatedly asked county officials to conduct an environmental impact study to discover the projects environmental effects. When asked if an environmental study has been conducted, Puglisi said the county has been in compliance with all state regulations regarding the project. In a letter to the community, a board of freeholders spokesman explained the county would replace the trees thatll be cut down. But environmental advocates have stressed the benefits of conserving the trees, and said new ones which could take decades to grow wont do anything to address current environmental issues. We dont need more buildings, more parking lots, more cafes we need our forests, said coalition member Virginia Lamb, drawing cheers from the crowd Sunday. Puglisi did not say how many trees will be cut down, but said that 540 semi-matured trees will be planted after the projects completion. Hodari, a 17 foot tall giraffe outside the giraffe house door at The African Adventure exhibit at the Turtle Back Zoo opened with 4 giraffes as the head and shoulders above everyone stars at the zoo in West Orange. 5/16/16 (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) NJ Advance Media for NJ.comNJ Advance Media for NJ.com We have been listening to comments and suggestions from the community, Puglisi said. The Turtle Back Zoo opened in 1963 and originally featured only animals found in New Jersey. The zoo nearly closed in the 1990s when it became bogged down by aging animals, outdated equipment and aging rides. But by the end of the 2000s growth had exploded, with 15 major construction projects on the property over a 15-year span, according to a county master plan. Some locals just want the county to leave the zoo alone. Every action we take, no matter how small, needs to be sustainable and if this sounds dramatic, well good, because it is dramatic. The climate crisis is dramatic, Muhammed said. "Please, please, please just listen to us, so I can go home and finish my homework. Jenna Wise may be reached at jwise@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaRWise. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. TORRINGTON Longtime food assistance organization Friendly Hands Food Bank is closing Thursday after more than 30 years. Director Karen Thomas announced Monday that the food bank at 50 King St. would close for good at 4 p.m. March 5. Thomas, who first joined Friendly Hands as a volunteer, became director after the unexpected death of another volunteer, Jessica Scarfo, who died Feb. 10. Scarfo had taken took over management of the food bank after the death of its founder and longtime director, Maureen Mo Hubert, in January. Hubert led the food bank for more than 30 years. Members of the food bank met Monday to make the announcement to the community. Basically, we are out of funds, said Friendly Hands board President Dan Hartnett. For years weve been saying saying we were always low on funding. We lost a grant from the state, totaling about $30,000, a few years ago, and since then weve been even more dependent on donations. On March 5, we will be absolutely out of money. The deaths of Hubert in January and Scarfo in February , as well as the death of board member Hilda Muldoon, also in February, also were factors, Hartnett and Thomas said. Over the last several months, weve experienced tremendous loss, Hartnett said. A lot of people wanted to pull out after losing Mo, and then Jessica and Hilda. .... Its pretty devastating to lose three key people in such a short amount of time. Finding a way to pay the monthly bills for the food bank was an endless challenge, Hartnett said. We do a lot of fundraisers during the year, but they dont always bring in a tremendous amount of money, so we basically live month-to-month, he said. The Friendly Hands board met with Mayor Elinor Carbone last week, Hartnett said, to discuss the organizations dire financial condition. We were also trying to schedule a meeting with FISH this week, he said. After 29 years, with deep and sad regret, we will close. This comes from a unanimous vote of the board of directors, Hartnett said. Its a great loss for TORRINGTON. Deidre DiCara, executive director of FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of Northwestern Connecticut, was dismayed by the news about the food bank. The unexpected closure of Friendly Hands Food Bank is very unfortunate, she said. Please know that the FISH Food Pantry will welcome their food clients, and well do our best to serve our neighbors in need. We will be counting on our greater NWCT community to help us with food donations and financial contributions so that we may purchase food items for those facing hunger. Since it opened in the late 1990s, the food bank has served hundreds of families and individuals with weekly supplies of food. The food bank is not subsidized by any agency and depends on donations from public and private organizations and individuals. In 2016, Hubert said the food bank had run out of money and was going to close. Not long after that announcement, donations provided enough funding to pay the rent and keep the doors open. Hubert said at the time that she wanted to find a long-term donor or endowment to help. Hubert frequently sent appeals for donations, saying the food bank wasnt able to fill its shelves. Friendly Hands Food Bank is currently experiencing an extreme shortage of certain food items. With the summer months upon us and the children out of school we are in desperate need, Hubert wrote in a letter to the editor in June 2019. She wrote many of those letters over the years, and the community always stepped up, Thomas said. The food bank started out of Huberts home before it settled on King Street. When finances were tight, Hubert would often supplement the food banks coffers with her own money. Weve experienced financial difficulties over the last several years, and there have been times when Mo used her own money so that we could continue without interruption, Hartnett said. Weve done that more than once. But the loss of that state funding, with monetary donations slowing, it just got more and more difficult. Our monthly financial obligations exceeded what we were receiving in donations. We were looking at other grants, and we even contacted some of our larger donors to see if we could somehow keep going, but unfortunately, time was not on our side, Hartnett said. If wed been able to go another month, we might have been able to organize more fundraisers, but its hard to do that when theres no money left. According to Thomas and Hartnett, Friendly Hands has served between 300 to 350 clients on a regular basis. Our goal is to work with them and other food banks and organizations, to make sure they have the food they need, Thomas said. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the donors from over the years and tell them, You have made a difference in the community. We are deeply grateful to you all. And thanks to the employees and the volunteers, who have worked so tirelessly over the years, Hartnett said. Its a very sad day for Torrington, but we see no other alternative. Julie Scharnberg, grants and program director for the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, was also concerned and saddened by the closure of Friendly Hands. Its difficult, because I know how much they mean to the community, she said. Weve supported their annual backpack program, providing school supplies to children who need then, and they were very aware of the fact that Litchfield County is an under-served area for food insecurity. Scharnberg said members of the Connecticut Food Bank visit Torrington once a month and meet with representatives from the 20 towns that make up Northwest Connecticut, to discuss that food insecurity and how to help. Friendly Hands was always part of that discussion, she said. Those monthly meetings have resulted in a lot of great connections between people, Scharnberg said. Weve had really productive conversations, and the smaller food pantries in the rural towns have been connected to larger communities. For example, someone will say, I got a huge donation of food, and I dont have the space for it and they could share it with another pantry. Its been very productive. Since hearing the news about Friendly Hands closing, Scharnberg said, There have been a number of conversations with FISH, the Community Soup Kitchen of Torrington and the Salvation Army, she said. Everyone knows what this means. Those people who were served by Friendly Hands still need that food, and we will make sure no one remains unserved. Its something thats very close to everyones heart, because we all know how much Mo put into it. Its a great loss to the community. In 2014, Scharnberg joined the Connecticut Food Bank to conduct a study, Hunger in America: The Face of Hunger in Connecticut, in partnership with Feeding America, the leading domestic hunger-relief organization in the nation. The study noted that 68 percent of people seeking food assistance from the Connecticut Food Bank had to choose between food and medicine, and that people with food insecurity had jobs and families. The statistics have likely increased since that study was conducted 6 years ago, since the demand for food has not changed. Friendly Hands will be open until 4 p.m. Thursday. Were here to assist any clients, for a smooth transiition to other services in town, Thomas said. We encourage all clients to contact the food bank directly at 860-482-3338 to schedule any appointments, Thomas said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, March 4 2020 Indonesia will host another ulema conference to help bolster stability in Afghanistan, which just received a major boost as the United States and representatives of the Taliban movement signed a peace deal in Qatar on the weekend. Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who was in Kabul on Sunday, held meetings with President Ashraf Ghani and a number of Afghan government officials to convey Indonesias support for sustainable peace in the country. The Taliban's political chief, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, signed on Saturday the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad aimed at ending the Afghan war, the hard-line Islamist group said in a statement on Sunday. 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 Sexual sadist Jaymes Todd has launched a high-stakes bid to be released from jail before he is 54, after he brutally raped and murdered Melbourne woman Eurydice Dixon in a public park in 2018. Todd, now 21, was sentenced to life behind bars with a non-parole period of 35 years, for actions Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kaye described in September as "pure and unmitigated evil". He was diagnosed with a sexual sadism disorder while in custody. Jaymes Todd after his arrest. Credit:AAP In the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Todd's legal team argued Justice Kaye's imposition of a life sentence was "manifestly excessive", and said Todd's sentence should be cut because of his young age, guilty plea, "good character", dysfunctional upbringing, remorse, and autism spectrum disorder. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 Trend: Russian authorities decided to restrict entry for Karabakh separatists Masis Mayilyan and Samvel Babayan to Russia for five years, Trend reports on March 3 referring to the Armenian media. This information was disseminated in the evening of March 2, the message said. This information was not officially confirmed or refuted for the media outlets due to the late time. The decision is based on political and, perhaps, legal grounds, the report said. 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. She has been sharing a slew of sexy bikini snaps from her Bahamas holiday. Yet the focus was bizarrely on Kylie Jenner's middle toe on Tuesday, after fans zoomed in on her sultry shots on Tuesday. Despite putting her toned curves on full display in the shots, the 22-year-old reality star was forced to address her feet after her followers pointed out that her middle toe was shorter than the others. Sizzling: She has been sharing a slew of sexy bikini snaps from her Bahamas holiday. Yet the focus was bizarrely on Kylie Jenner's middle toe on Tuesday, after fans zoomed in on her shots Addressing the comments, Kylie explained that a previous injury meant she is unable to properly flex the digit, leaving her with a 'weird a**' toe. Explaining that she once broke the toe on her right foot, Kylie demonstrated how it now appeared shorter when flexed than the corresponding toe on her left foot. Taking to her Instagram Stories, she explained: 'So I broke this middle toe in middle school. There's nothing you can do for a broken toe, so I just had to let it heal how it wanted to heal.' Changing the focus: Despite putting her toned curves on full display in the shots, the 22-year-old reality star was forced to address her feet Speaking out: Kylie Jenner (left with sister Kendall) took to Instagram on Tuesday to defend her 'weird a**' toe' after fans pointed it out on her sexy snaps 'Chilll!' Kylie's sister Kendall was among those to point out Kylie's short toe, which is the result of a previous injury to her foot that has left her unable to properly flex the digit Standing up to show the difference, she continued: 'So when I this [left foot] up they're all normal and like in place. And when I flex this [right foot] up this little guy is like out of place.' Kylie went on to quip: 'By the way I have cute a** feet.' Her sister Kendall was unimpressed with the explanation, sharing a picture of Kylie's feet and writing 'Chilll Kylie Jenner.' In return, Kylie shared a picture of Kendall's feet, and remarked: 'I'm sorry for wuttt.' Ouch: Explaining that she once broke the toe on her right foot, Kylie demonstrated how it now appeared shorter when flexed than the corresponding toe on her left foot Left foot: Kylie showed her normal foot, with no broken toes then showed fans how her injured foot looks strange when flexed, blaming it on a previously broken toe Not impressed! Kylie filmed her toe explanation after noticing her fans reactions to her toes Meanwhile, when not worrying about her bent toes, Kylie has been hanging out with her ex Travis Scott, the father of daughter Stormi, two. But while the former couple have plenty of time for one another, they aren't 'labelling their relationship'. The 22-year-old reality star split from the rapper last year, but has been reportedly getting close to him once again in recent months. Bikini overload: Kylie has been sharing multiple pictures in her swimwear from her Bahamas getaway, where she has been holidaying with Kendall and her daughter Stormi Sister sister: Kylie and Kendall have shared a series of Instagram images together whilst enjoying their fun beach getaway Photo shoot: The sisters posed on steps as they showed off their tanned and toned curves in an array of skimpy swimwear looks A source told People magazine: 'Things are great with Kylie and Travis. They are very happy. Kylie still isn't labelling their relationship. It seems they aren't seeing other people, though.' The news comes after the pair fuelled romance rumours over the weekend, after the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star posted some old photos of her and her former flame at the Houston Rocket's Western Conference Quarterfinals in 2017. She wrote alongside the snaps: 'It's a mood.' London, Feb 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the special guests invited for the centenary celebrations of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka next month because India played an intrinsic role in the country's liberation, according to Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. The envoy said the celebrations on March 17, which coincide with the 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujib -- referred to as "Bangabandhu" or the father of the Bengali Nation -- will kick off a year-long series of events in Bangladesh as well as the UK. "Prime Minister Modi is among the special guests invited to the centenary, which also has intrinsic links with Bangabandhu's homecoming in 1971," Tasneem told PTI in an interview. "The roadmap of that journey is that he first stopped in London, where he was officially recognised as the president of the independent state of Bangladesh and had bilateral meetings at 10 Downing Street. Then he was flown to Delhi, where he held a public gathering with (then Indian prime minister) Indira Gandhi," she recalled. The diplomat traced the active role played by Gandhi at the time alongside the then UK prime minister, Edward Heath, to seek Sheikh Mujib's release from Karachi Jail in Pakistan. "They collectively played a very proactive role in the release of Bangabandhu and to ensure that he was not harmed in any way. So, at the very genesis of Bangladesh, the relationships were clear and the Bangladesh-India ties remain as strong till date, as do the UK-Bangladesh ties," she said. In reference to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which was passed by the Indian Parliament in December last year to grant citizenship rights to persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, the envoy said the implication of the law was "hurtful" to Bangladesh. "The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said it is an internal matter of India but also quite unnecessary. Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh have done very well for themselves, especially in the financial sphere, as they have a particular skill with mathematics and accounts," she said. Amid a recent unrest over the contentious law in Delhi, there have been some calls for Bangladesh to withdraw Modi's invite to the centenary celebrations in Dhaka next month, a demand rejected by the Bangladeshi government. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, March 3 : Four days after the National Investigation Agency made a major breakthrough in the Pulwama terror attack case over a year after the bombing, arresting one person who had sheltered the suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar, the NIA on Tuesday arrested two more people in the case - a father-daughter duo - who had also provided shelter to the bomber, officials said. The NIA also claimed that the video of the suicide bomber was also recorded at their residence and released by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group from Pakistan after the attack. An NIA spokesperson in Delhi said: "Two more persons have been arrested by the agency in the Pulwama terror attack case and they have been identified as Insha Jan, 23, and her father Tariq Ahmed Shah, 50, who works as a tipper driver." The official said that the father-daughter duo have been arrested from Hakripora area in Pulwama for their involvement in the attack. The two were arrested on early Tuesday morning after senior officials of the NIA raided their house on Monday night. A senior NIA official related to the probe told IANS: "The video of Dar, who attacked the CRPF convoy, was recorded at the home of the duo. And the same video was released soon after the Pulwama terror attack by the JeM terrorists from a Pakistani IP address." He said, "The video was shared by them to their handlers in Pakistan." The spokesperson further claimed that during the probe Tariq Ahmed Shah disclosed that his house in Hakripora area was used by Dar, Mohammad Umar Farooq, a Pakistani terrorist and IED maker, Kamran - another Pakistani terrorist (both were later killed in encounters with security forces), Sameer Ahmed Dar, a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist from Pulwama and Mohammad Ismail aka Ibrahim, a Pakistani terrorist. The spokesperson said that Shah facilitated all the terrorists at his house for sheltering and for planning of the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy. He said Jan, daughter of Shah, facilitated the terrorists at their home and provided food and other logistics during their stay on more than 15 occasions for two to four days each time, in their house during the year 2018-2019. "Initial interrogation has revealed that Jan was in constant touch with Farooq and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications," the spokesperson said. The fresh arrests of the two accused brings the total number of arrests in the case to three. The arrests were made on the revelations of Shakir Bashir Magrey, who was arrested by the anti-terror probe agency on February 28. According to senior NIA officials, more arrests will be made in the coming days. Magrey, a resident of Hajibal, Kakapora in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir, is an over ground worker (OGW) of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). According to agency sources, Magrey allegedly provided shelter and other logistical assistance to the Pulwama suicide bomber. He was sent to 15 days' NIA custody by a special NIA court in Jammu & Kashmir on Friday. During interrogation, Magrey revealed that he had harboured Dar and Pakistan-based terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq in his house from late 2018 till the attack in February 2019 and assisted them in the preparation of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). His shop is located near Lethpora bridge, and as advised by Mohammad Umar, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoys on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019, and informed Mohammad Umar and Adil Ahmad Dar about it. Magrey was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting the IED into it in early February, 2019 and was introduced to Adil Ahmad Dar in mid-2018 by Mohammad Umar and he became a full-time OGW of JeM. "During his initial interrogation, he disclosed that on several occasions, he collected and delivered arms, ammunition, cash and explosive material to JeM terrorists, including those involved in the Pulwama attack," the agency had said on February 28. "During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained by NIA to be a Maruti Eeco through forensic examination of the tiny remnants of the car which were found at the spot during extended searches," the agency stated. "This has been corroborated by accused Shakir Bashir Magrey. The explosives used in the attack were determined to be ammonium nitrate, nitro-glycerin and RDX, through forensic investigation," it said. It wasnt until years later that a college friend told me that I should try stand-up, he said. I already had a film degree from Boston University and wasnt sure what I was going to do with my life. Stand-up gave me a creative outlet that didnt have the start-up costs of film making. I could just go up with a microphone and a few stories and I could do something creative. It was very freeing and empowering and exciting. Bogota Colombias Constitutional Court shut down a landmark abortion case on Monday that divided the South American country and offered what experts called an opportunity to set a precedent for the region. For 14 years, Colombian law allowed for abortions under three circumstances: if the mothers life was endangered, if the pregnancy was a product of rape or if the fetus is fatally deformed. A case, brought forward by a hardline anti-abortion rights activist, sought to eliminate those exceptions, but instead offered the court an opening to permit abortions during the first months of pregnancy. On Monday afternoon, the magistrates announced in a 6-3 decision that it would maintain the status quo, a move hailed both as a disappointment and a victory for womens rights activists. The court is missing an opportunity to expand abortion access, said Paula Avila-Guillen, director of Latin America Initiatives for the Womens Equality Center. However, its a verification that were not moving backward. Women in Colombia gesture as they take part in a protest in support of legal and safe abortion as anti-abortion rights protesters rally against the procedure [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters] The case divided the South American country. A February poll by Colombian magazine Semana suggested that nearly 70 percent of the country was opposed to the legalisation of abortion in the first four months of a pregnancy, but abortion rights and anti-abortion rights protests have mounted leading up to Mondays decision. As the court deliberated, protesters on both sides faced off on the street outside the court building. An invisible ideological wall seemed to run along the citys main street, dividing the two groups who screamed at each other. Protesters with green pro-choice bandanas screamed, Yes, yes, yes for abortion, while groups with blue anti-abortion rights bandanas screamed back, Yes, yes, yes, for life. The controversial case was brought to the table by hardline anti-abortion rights lawyer Natalia Bernal in 2019. Bernal asked for a total ban on abortion after a 22-year-old woman in the western Catholic city of Popayan had an abortion at seven months after a psychological assessment noted that she was suffering from severe mental issues like depression as a result of the pregnancy. My theory is that if abortion rights are increased, there will be many more women who are raped because the rapist knows that the State will permit women to get rid of the consequences of the rape, Bernal told local media Red+ in late 2019 without providing any evidence to back up her claim. But instead, the legal challenge put on the table the possibility of legalisation. An anti-abortion rights activist demonstrates against a rally in support of legal and safe abortion outside the Colombian constitutional court, in Bogota, Colombia [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters] The case came after a wave of feminist movements swept across the region. Of the 33 countries that make up Latin America and the Caribbean, only Uruguay, Cuba and Guayana allow for abortion procedures without a woman needing to prove her pregnancy endangers her life or that she was raped. In Argentina, a similar conversation is playing out as congressional legislators are set to consider a bill that would legalise abortion. Despite the shifts, much of the largely Catholic country remains strongly against abortion rights, including Colombian President Ivan Duque who called any move away from the three exceptions very tough. Im pro-life. I believe life starts at conception, he said in February. Legal red tape In 2006, Colombias Constitutional Court overturned an all-out ban on abortion and, on paper, Colombias laws appear more liberal than neighbouring countries. But the legal red tape associated with the laws make access to abortion in many cases virtually impossible, and women seeking abortions are often asked for proof of rape beyond police reports. Other healthcare providers refuse to perform the abortion or create elongated approval processes for women who are often running against time to receive the care, said Cristina Rosero, a lawyer at the Center for Reproductive Rights in Bogota. Were seeing health professionals just putting up illegal obstacles, and theyre not being held accountable for it, Rosero told Al Jazeera. That creates this impunity feeling that lets them not comply with the law because they dont feel there is going to be any consequence. In 13 years, 300 legal complaints have been filed from women who say they were denied a legal abortion, yet only three of those cases ended in sanctions of healthcare providers, according to Womens Link. Demonstrators and activists take part in a rally in support of legal and safe abortion outside the Colombian constitutional court, in Bogota, Colombia [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters] In rural zones of the country also often lack sufficient medical supplies or training to perform such procedures, so such care becomes inaccessible to large swaths of the population. This is about privilege, said Avila-Guillen, who recalled that while growing up in a rural area, friends would have to travel more than 350km (217 miles) by bus to get medical attention in Bogota. An estimated 400,400 abortions are performed each year in Colombia, according to US-based reproductive rights organisation Guttmacher Institute. In 2018, private abortion provider Profamilia said 16,878 legal abortions were performed legally. An anti-abortion rights activist demonstrates against a rally in support of legal and safe abortion outside the Colombian constitutional court, in Bogota, Colombia [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters] Despite that being a massive jump in the number of legal procedures from 2008 when Guttmacher documented 322 legal procedures performed in medical clinics it means the vast majority of abortions performed in the country are still clandestine. Almost 15 percent of maternal deaths across the world are a product of botched clandestine abortions, and women living in rural zones are more likely to experience medical complications than those in cities. While the court decision did little to change the legal status quo in the South American country, Rosero said the case is still an important step for groups to open new challenges to abortion law in the predominately Catholic country because the court refused to acknowledge Bernals challenge. It also, she said, launched a public conversation that is only expected to continue. It opens the doors for advances which havent happened in 14 years, she said. This is a huge step because it means that the public debate is going forward and the people are ready for a conversation. Akshay Kumar has always come forward for the noble causes including providing economical help to India's armed forces. Recently, when our nation was struggling with natural disaster like flood, Akshay made sure to give a huge amount of donation to the relief fund. You will be proud to learn that Akshay has donated Rs 1.5 crore for building home for transgenders, an initiative started by his Laxmmi Bomb director Raghav Lawrence's charitable trust. While thanking Akshay Kumar, Raghav Lawrence wrote on his Facebook page, "Our trust is now entering into its 15th year. We wanted to celebrate this 15th year by initiating a new project for uplifting transgenders by providing shelter for them. Our trust has provided the land and we were looking forward to raise funds for the building, so during 'Laxmmi Bomb' shoot I was talking to Akshay sir about the trust projects and transgender's home, immediately after hearing this without even me asking he told he will donate 1.5 cores for building transgender's home." Wait, What? Is Akshay Kumar Getting Rs 120 Crore For Atrangi Re? "I consider everyone who helps as god, so now Akshay kumar sir is a god for us. I thank him for lending his huge support for this project. Our trust's next vision is to uplift transgenders and provide shelter for them all over India with Akshay Kumar's sir support. I thank him in behalf of all transgenders," added Lawrence. For the uninitiated, Laxmmi Bomb is a remake of 2011's Tamil horror comedy, Kanchana. The film also casts Kiara Advani in the lead role. The film is slated to hit the theatres on May 22, 2020. Is it worth: Getting your groceries delivered. Theres the pileup in Aisle 14B. A harried grocery clerk tries to shelve cans on one side while a couple parks their cart opposite to deeply consider the relative merits of dozens of types of pasta. Theres the fruitless search for an item thats no longer in the same part of the store it was only last week. And then, the awkward attempt to catch the eye of the man in front of me at the checkout who seems blind to the divider I cant reach. Ask me what I dont exactly love about grocery shopping. I dare you. You can hardly walk down a street in Philadelphia without being reminded that Amazons now offering free two-hour grocery delivery, while those who do our own hunting and gathering increasingly share the supermarket aisles with shoppers for Instacart. But only about 6% of us buy our groceries online more than once a month, according to a 2019 report by the management consulting firm Bain & Company. As someone whos picky about both produce and packaging Im talking reusable everything, including those mesh produce bags I hope will save at least one baby dolphin from a stomachful of plastic Id never seriously considered grocery delivery. But do I love the aisle-by-aisle grind of are-we-out-of-olive-oil-already? I do not. Could I trade that for the convenience of a shopping list someone else checks off for me? Maybe I could. The options Amazon. The home of free two-day shipping now offers to deliver groceries to Prime members in two hours or less. What it costs: Prime membership is $119/year or $12.99/month. Free delivery on orders of $35 or more from Amazon Fresh and Amazon-owned Whole Foods, otherwise $4.99. Best for: Those who already have Prime or who shop regularly at Whole Foods. FreshDirect. New York-based online grocer offers next-day delivery in our area. What it costs: Minimum order is $30, delivery fee is $7.99. Skip the per-order fees with DeliveryPass ($79/six months, $129/year). FreshDirect adds fuel surcharge, tied to diesel prices. Best for: Those who dont need same-day delivery and arent looking for products from a particular store. Instacart. Founded by a former supply chain engineer for Amazon, its behind grocery delivery services for a range of stores. For Philadelphians, that means supermarkets like Wegmans, Acme, Aldi, and others, along with Reading Terminal Market and DiBruno Bros. What it costs: Two-hour delivery starts at $3.99 and can be higher at peak times, with a $10 minimum order. Theres also a 5% service fee (not to be confused with a tip). Instacart Express ($99/year or $9.99/month) customers dont pay the delivery fee for orders over $35. Prices may be higher than in stores. Best for: Those who like to shop around. Peapod. One of the earliest players in the online grocery game, its a corporate sibling of Giant supermarkets and offers same- or next-day delivery in the city and some suburbs, but not in any of the South Jersey zip codes I checked. What it costs: Minimum order is $60, for which delivery fee is $7.95, not counting fuel surcharge. Prices may be higher than in Giant stores. Best for: Bigger shopping trips. READ MORE: How Giant competes for your virtual shopping cart. Philly Foodworks. This online farm share program works with farmers and local makers. It offers both local and nonlocal produce at this time of year, and delivers one day a week to the city, suburbs, and South Jersey, with the day depending on your address. You can order a la carte, but theres a range of subscription boxes, too. What it costs: In the city, immediate suburbs, and Jersey, $5 a delivery for orders under $75. In farther suburbs, its $5 for orders under $125. Best for: Those who want to be part of community-supported agriculture but need more flexibility and convenience than some CSAs offer. READ MORE: The Philly-based grocery service you haven't heard of Shipt. Came out on top in a Consumer Reports ranking of grocery delivery services, based on a 2018 survey. Same-day deliveries from Target, CVS, Petco, and in some parts of our area, Acme. What it costs: $99/year or $14/month, $7 delivery fee on orders under $35. Items may be priced higher than in stores. Best for: Target fans. OK, but what are the services like? Opinion #1: Carol McCann, Huntingdon Valley. Service: Instacart A real estate agent and empty-nester, shes buying for herself and her husband, and spreads her business among several stores, with an eye to whats on sale. What she likes: The convenience: I can go to the gym and stand on the treadmill and do a food order. By the time I come home, my food is there, as well as avoiding impulse buys. Youre not seeing a pack of cookies. Youre getting what you need and it comes to your house. What she doesnt: I dont particularly care for the higher prices, but theyre not super-high. Some [shoppers] are better than others. Some will just make replacements that dont even really apply without checking with me first." (But others, she said, will go out of their way to check with the store on an item thats not on the shelf.) Opinion #2: B.J. Harahan, Downingtown. Service: Instacart and FreshDirect Harahan lives with his wife and four children. A few years ago, he said, his wife was having surgery, and he took over the cooking (something hes continued to do because he enjoys it). What he liked: Using a meal-planning app to make his lists and then just ordering what was needed, and the super-friendly Instacart shoppers at Wegmans. Ill still occasionally use Instacart if were really busy, he said. What he didnt: With FreshDirect, there were occasional missing items (for which he was credited after calling), and problems with delivery. They started leaving the boxes of food in my driveway without knocking on the door. It might be hot or it might be raining. He was eventually told by a driver that the reason you have problems with deliveries is that you dont tip." With Instacart, its more expensive. After a while, he decided it wasnt worth it, though he said he might reconsider when his children are older. These days, hes back roaming the supermarket, making it a daddy-daughter experience with his 7-year-old. Shopping for six, its challenging enough just to create an accurate list. But if I can walk around the store, Im more likely to see the things I forgot to write down. Tipping If youre using a service like Instacart or Shipt, youre taking advantage of the gig economy, where everyones supposedly an independent contractor while having only limited control over their earnings, thanks to algorithm-driven compensation. Recommended tip: Each service is different: Instacarts optional tip defaults to 5%, Amazons to 10% or $5, whichever is greater. This doesnt mean you cant tip more say, 10-20% to the person whos thumping (and hauling) those melons for you. READ MORE: Delivery workers say they're squeezed by ever-changing algorithms. Will your shopper judge you if you dont tip? Probably. Reddit posts by Instacart and Shipt shoppers (and former shoppers), suggest that orders that dont include a tip in advance might be passed on by those with more experience. How to do it better Fees and tips can really add up, so if you regularly buy stuff that weighs a lot cases of bottled water, for instance consider having those delivered once a month, along with other nonperishables. Even if youre still at the store once a week, youll be in and out faster. Dont need enough to justify the delivery fee or meet the minimum purchase? Maybe go in with a friend or neighbor. Just be sure you know who ordered what and that theres enough on your credit on your card to cover both. So, worth it or not? Yes, if you can afford it and think not being tempted in the grocery aisle might even save you money. Its easier to justify if you think of the added costs not as part of your food bill, but as just another service that makes your life easier. No, if the thought of someone else choosing your salad fixings makes you crazy, or if worrying about substitutions, packaging, and tipping would outweigh the pleasure of reclaiming some precious free time. The Federal Reserve announced an emergency rate cut Tuesday of half a percentage point in response to the growing economic threat from the novel coronavirus. The move was the first such cut since December 2008, during the financial crisis. It comes amid a volatile patch on Wall Street and amid a steady stream of hectoring from President Donald Trump, who has called for lower rates to stay competitive with policy at other global central banks. "The coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity," the Fed said in a statement. "In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate." At a news conference later, Chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed took action after officials saw the coronavirus was having a material impact on the economic outlook. "The magnitude and persistence of the overall effect on the U.S. economy remain highly uncertain and the situation remains a fluid one," he told reporters. "Against this background, the committee judged that the risks to the U.S. outlook have changed materially. In response, we have eased the stance of monetary policy to provide some more support to the economy." Trump said in a tweet that the cut isn't enough, though Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said "I applaud the Fed on this move." Markets were volatile after the cut announcement and Powell's news conference, spending some time in positive territory before turning sharply lower. The move came the same morning that G7 officials offered unspecified measures to help impacted countries and a day after the International Monetary Fund made a similar commitment. "What it does more than anything else is it improves sentiment and buys time for fiscal authorities to figure out the response to the economic consequences of the virus," said Solita Marcelli, deputy chief investment officer for the Americas at UBS Global Wealth Management. "They need the support of fiscal measures. I don't think alone on its own the [rate cut] is going to be able to uplift the negative economic impact." More cuts could be on the way Wall Street had been looking for rate cuts and is pricing in a small chance that the Fed goes all the way to zero by the end of the year. "The committee obviously decided not to wait for things to deteriorate I think they know as we all should that the headlines over the next few days are likely to be alarming as they pertain to the spread of the virus," said Eric Winograd, senior economist at AllianceBernstein. "The Fed obviously cannot address the virus itself by cutting rates, but they can hope to short circuit the potential for a negative response in financial markets that could make the economic impact of the virus even worse." Winograd said he thinks the Fed could announce an additional cut at its March 17-18 meeting. With the change, the Fed's benchmark funds rate will now be targeted in a range between 1%-1.25%. The Fed had reduced the rate three times in 2019 for a total of 75 basis points. Markets had been widely expecting the U.S. central bank to take some type of action, with anticipation of a 50 basis point cut by the FOMC's March meeting. Goldman Sachs economists over the weekend said the reduction cut that could come before the meeting. In addition to the cut on its benchmark overnight borrowing rate, the Fed also announced a half percentage point cut on the interest it pays on excess bank reserves. The IOER is used as a guardrail for the fed funds rate. In the days prior to the reduction, Fed officials had continued to emphasize the economy's durability in light of the disease scare. Powell said in a statement released during the trading day Friday that the U.S. economy remained "strong" though he recognized the COVID-19 spread as posing "evolving risks" and noted the Fed would "act as appropriate." However, that has come amid doubts over how much a Fed cut could address supply-side damage from a disease spread. The cut "looks rushed to us and not properly considered," said Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at MUFG Union Bank. "Moving between meetings with a bigger than normal interest rate cut looks like Fed officials are panicking as much as stock market investors did last week. They did not need to be so aggressive and the Fed under Powell keeps responding wrongly in our view more to the financial markets than they are to the broader economy." In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Trump lashed out at the Fed to deliver some major monetary easing measures, after the Australian central bank cut rates to record lows. He said Powell had "called it wrong from day one." Church should fully cooperate in fighting coronavirus Lee Man-hee, the 88-year-old founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, held a press conference, Monday, amid growing suspicions surrounding the secretive religious group at the center of the ballooning outbreak of the new coronavirus in South Korea. He apologized to the public for the church's role in spreading the virus, but fell short of answering many questions, including those about the group's alleged ties to politicians. It is obvious that he created more questions than he answered. The moment in the press conference that drew the most attention was when he got on his knees and bowed to apologize to the nation. A gold-colored watch bearing the signature of impeached former President Park Geun-hye engraved on it was visible on his left wrist. This prompted speculation about Lee's possible political connections to the disgraced former President. Reportedly, Lee had long bragged about his friendship with Park to church members. He even bragged that he chose the name for the party that Park created, the Saenuri Party, which is now the United Future Party (UFP). "Shincheonji" and "Saenuri" have the same meaning, "new world." After the press conference, UFP members tried to distance themselves from Lee. Some members said the watch must have been a fake, as Park's office only made silver watches as presents for presidential guests. Others said Lee showed the watch deliberately to seek "protection" from conservative politicians who are still loyal to Park and give a "warning" to others. Lee definitely needs to offer an explanation about the watch because it may remain a source of speculation. If necessary, an investigation should be launched into the church's alleged ties to politicians. It is commonly said that the church's rapid growth would not have been possible without the help of politicians. Notably, the Shincheonji Church has been one of the fastest-growing religious groups here. The church's questionable programs to increase the number of members have indeed unnerved mainstream congregations, leading them to condemn Shincheonji as a cult. Lee looked repentant in his news conference, but a couple of messages he has given to church members since the outbreak of the virus were quite offensive. He blamed "evil" for the rapid spread of the coronavirus in Korea, saying the church will be triumphant after all. The church's serious commitment is indeed in doubt. In the conference, Lee vowed to fully cooperate with the government to combat the virus. However, the church spokesman told reporters after the conference that the church was the victim of a "witch-hunt", because "it is not the church that made the virus." Given that over 80 percent of virus infections in South Korea are now linked to the Shincheonji Church, such an attitude will only deepen public mistrust of the religious group. Hotels and the authorities at tourist sites in Agra have been told to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, an official said on Tuesday. Meanwhile in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh residents who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital. The instructions came a day after an Italian tourist was tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The 69-year-old man was part of a group of 20 tourists, who were in Agra on Sunday. As soon as any information is received, a team of doctors will be dispatched to examine the visitors for symptoms of COVID-19, Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Vats told PTI. "We have issued instructions to all hotels in the city that if any person is coming from Italy, Iran or China, they should inform us," he said, adding that a team of doctors will be dispatched to examine the visitor. He said the authorities at all tourist sites in Agra have been told to "inform the 24-hour control room about visitors from the countries where the coronavirus outbreak has been reported". Asked whether any visitor in Agra has shown symptoms of coronavirus, Vats said, "The group of 19 tourists who had come from Jaipur was staying in Crystal Sarovar, and had arrived day before yesterday (Sunday) at 2 pm. Next morning (Monday) around 8 am, they left for Delhi." "After this, another batch of 18-19 tourists was staying at the Taj Convention Hotel. They have been tested and have not been found symptomatic. The history of the tourists was scanned and symptoms searched. All of them are normal. The second batch was tested on Monday in the afternoon," Vats said. Meanwhile, Lucknow Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Agarwal said, "A person was screened for coronavirus at the Lok Bandhu Hospital here. He came from Saudi Arabia in the morning. He was ill in Saudi Arabia since February 18 and had complained of cough and was facing difficulties in breathing." "He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital. The person is a resident of UP. Blood sample, serum and phlegm have been collected and sent for testing. Prima facie, it does not seem to be a case of coronavirus but we have sent the samples for testing as a precautionary measure," he added. The CMO said there is no need to panic. The Uttar Pradesh government had on January 27 directed officials to set up 10-bed isolation wards in every district hospital and medical college as a precautionary measure to deal with any suspected case of coronavirus. The directive came during a review meeting of the Health Department chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The CM directed that special vigil be maintained at airports and on the Indo-Nepal border. He further instructed Health Department officials to take necessary steps in coordination with the Union Health Ministry. Directions were also issued to spread awareness about the virus and precautionary steps. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BMW unveiled Tuesday a concept version of its upcoming i4, an all-electric four-door Gran Coupe with an estimated EPA range of 270 miles and the ability to produce 530 horsepower, pushing it past its high-performance M3 combustion vehicle. The i4 concept vehicle, which was unveiled online because the Geneva International Motor Show was cancelled due to the coronavirus, is slated to enter production in 2021. BMW has been talking about and teasing what would follow its i3 electric vehicle for awhile now. BMW released some specs on the upcoming i4 at the LA Auto Show back in November. This latest unveiling shows off more of what we can expect the i4 to look like, plus a bit more information on the interior and expected range. The concept has a long wheelbase, fastback roofline and short overhangs, suggesting that the production version will have a similar profile a far cry from the wedge-shaped i3. The front end shows a closed-off grille. BMW says it has given the grille of the concept a purpose beyond just a reminder of its combustion engine past. The grille will be used to house various sensors, according to BMW. Perhaps the most noticeable features, besides the mammoth kidney-shaped grille, is the glass roof and a curved digital display in the interior. bmw i14 inside While it is not clear if the production version will integrate these same features, we can expect that the interior will be more touch-based and have fewer buttons and knobs. It will be interesting to see if BMW sticks to the single-screen design. In the photo below, you'll notice at least one knob located in the console area. bmw i4 inside screen Close followers of BMW's EV plans might remember that the i4 was going to have a range of 600 kilometers, or about 400 miles. But it wasn't clear if that figure, which would push it ahead of the competition, was based on the EPA or European WLTP. EPA estimates tend to be more conservative. BMW is now clarifying the range and has said the EPA estimate will be 270 miles. The i4 will have the fifth-generation BMW eDrive, a platform that features a brand new electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high-voltage battery. This fifth-gen platform will also show up in the iNEXT SUV and the iX3, which is headed for the Chinese market. The 80-kilowatt battery pack in the i4 is flat, according to BMW, and weighs 550 kilograms. For comparison, the battery pack in the Tesla Model 3 weighs 480 kg. The unveiling of the i4 concept builds upon earlier announcements from BMW to push deeper into electrification. In November, BMW announced it would spend more than 10 billion euros ($11.07 billion) on battery cells from Chinese battery cell manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. and Samsung SDI. BMWs original deal with CATL, which was announced in mid-2018, was for 4 billion worth of battery cells. This new contract is from 2020 to 2031, the German automaker said at the time. BMW Group will be the first customer of CATLs battery cell factory that is under construction in Erfurt, Germany. BMW played an active part in establishing CATL in Germany, according to Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for purchasing and supplier network. In an unprecedented intervention, the UN Human Rights chief has moved the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA), drawing a strong condemnation from India on Tuesday that no foreign party has "any locus standi" on matters relating to its sovereignty. The apex court is currently hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended citizenship law and had on December 18 sought the response of the Centre. In its 12-page intervention application, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR) sought to "assist the Court, in examining the compatibility of the CAA with India's Constitution, in light of India's obligations under the international human rights law". The OHCHR welcomed as commendable the "stated purpose of the CAA" to protect "some persons from persecution on religious grounds", but raised the issue of exclusion of various sects of persecuted Muslims. Asked whether the OHCHR can approach the Supreme Court, a government official familiar with the matter said it was for the apex court to take a decision. In response to queries, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that her office has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on the CAA. "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values, he said. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he added. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," he said. The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following persecution over their faith. The country has witnessed protests in the last two months over the new law with the opposition parties and rights groups terming it as violative of founding principles of the Constitution. Rejecting the criticism, the government has been accusing the opposition parties of misleading people on the law for political gains. BJP spokesperson Baijayant Panda slammed the UN body for its move. In a tweet, Panda said the OHCHR has "no shame" in opposing the CAA when it was aimed at providing help to persecuted minorities. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel attacked the Modi government over the move by the OHCHR, saying it is an "unwarranted interference", but it is the Centre that is to be blamed for the "mess". "No doubt that UN's intervening application is a case of unwarranted interference in our matters," Patel said in a tweet. "But who is to blame for this mess? The Government of India for creating a window for such interference by enacting a law which breaches global standards on human rights," the AICC treasurer said. In its application, the OHCHR said, "The CAA can potentially benefit thousands of migrants in an irregular situation, including refugees, who might otherwise face obstacles in obtaining protection from persecution in their countries of origin including through the grant of citizenship. This is a commendable purpose." It added however that there exist "religious minorities in these countries, especially of the Muslim faith, including Ahmadia, Hazara and Shia Muslims whose situations would warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by the CAA". The plea maintained that all migrants regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or immigration status enjoy human rights and are entitled to protection. The OHCHR said the CAA raised important issues with respect to international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees. The CAA also raises other issues "including its compatibility in relation to the right to equality before the law and non discrimination on nationality grounds under India's human rights obligations", the plea said. Referring to several international covenants, it said India has "championed the right to equal protection of the law" and the right to equality before the law. "Without prejudice to the power of States to establish migration policies as a manifestation of their sovereignty, including measures in favour of migrants that may be subject to persecution and other serious human rights violations/ irreparable harm in their countries of origin or previous residence, States must ensure migration governance measures are in accordance with international human rights law, including the right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law ...," it said. The plea urged the top court to take into account the international human rights law, norms and standards, in the proceedings related to CAA and termed it "important" for India and its diverse communities which have been welcomed by the State. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Riteish Deshmukhs recent reveal of his new look from his much-awaited upcoming film Baaghi 3 has created quite a stir on social media. The look has garnered mixed reactions from the audience; however, interestingly, it has taken social media by storm ever since he posted his selfie on Instagram. In his latest avatar, he is sporting platinum blonde hair and many people on social media confused him for DJ Snake, and even called him desi Zayn Malik. Check out his look here: Many people were surprised and thought that DJ Snake was moving around in Mumbai and only later found out that its Reteishs new look for his upcoming movie. While some of the people trolled him on the internet, many celebs such as Kanye West, Zayn Malik, and Justin Bieber have earlier gone platinum blonde. However, we think Reteishs new look is quite different and he is carrying it off well too. For those of you who have no clue why people were confusing him with DJ Snake, here you go- Well, now you know what we were talking about. There have been several memes and jokes on the actors new bold look, and one of the Twitter users called him Sasta DJ Snake. Check out the post here- Twitter Harshit Semwal However, Reteish took it in stride and his savage reply to the troll won hearts online. He wrote, Bhai main sasta nahi hu. Naga Panchami ke din book kar le- main free mein aaoongaa (Bro, I am not cheap. Book me on Naga Panchami, I will come for free) Bhai main Sasta nahin hoon... Nagpanchami ke din book kar le -main Free mein aaoongaa!!!! https://t.co/UwtzRRyffK Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) March 3, 2020 Moments after the 41-year-old actors savage reply, the Twitter user deleted his tweet. Heres what the people have to say about Reteishs befitting reply- Agreed. Epic Reply Santosh Kadapure (@iSantosh__) March 3, 2020 Woah! This is how legend reply. Love u dada Shahaji bhosale (@Shahaji206) March 3, 2020 Indeed. u r so funny Pia (@Piareal3) March 3, 2020 Epic. Epic reply boss Raval Hardik (@hardikdilse4u) March 3, 2020 Lol. Bhai sasta mahnge Ka pata nhi ..lag bade zahar rahe ho mast ek number Abdul Kalim (@AbdulKa11202759) March 3, 2020 We think his new look is dope and so is his sense of humour. Also, maybe this is just the start of a new haircolour trend! What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below. Yahoo Life Videos Gayle King is celebrating a decade on "CBS This Morning" and keeping tradition alive by wearing the same yellow and white dress that she's worn on each anniversary since her start. City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, a former high school teacher who represents parts of northern Manhattan, said that he saw the two cases as completely separate. He cautioned against jumping to any larger conclusion. When you have something like this, theres always concern but I feel its an isolated case that doesnt reflect the environment of Barnard, Mr. Rodriguez said. The stabbing that involved Ms. Jones, according to the police, took place in Rahway, a small town about 20 miles southwest of New York City. According to an affidavit, on Feb. 16, the mother and daughter began arguing at around 7 a.m. about Ms. Joness living situation and going back to school. A second argument broke out in kitchen later that day at around 3 p.m., according to court documents. A man who was in the home during the incident told the authorities he heard the elder Ms. Jones yell that her daughter had cut herself and needed to go to the hospital, according to the affidavit. The struggle continued several minutes later, the man told police, when he heard what sounded like dishes breaking in the kitchen area. The man told investigators that about 20 minutes later he saw the younger Ms. Jones running toward him, yelling, She tried to hurt me, according to court records. After making his way to the kitchen, the man told police he found Inell Jones lying on the kitchen floor, bloodied and with a knife nearby. Twenty minutes went by before he was able to calm down the younger Ms. Jones so they could call the police, according to the court records. Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin signs appointment documents after taking the oath of office in front of the king at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, March 1, 2020. The Malay power play that brought the reformist Pakatan Harapan coalition government to an end after a mere 22 months threatens human rights, democracy and good governance in multi-racial Malaysia. The government that took power on March 1 is dominated by parties that believe in the supremacy of the Malay Muslim majority. Politicians from constituent parties in the new ruling bloc have argued that Pakatan Harapan (the Alliance of Hope) gave the countrys minorities too much power through key cabinet appointments and sought to reverse the privileged position of ethnic Malays, who for decades had benefitted from affirmative action programs and quotas. The government of newly sworn-in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has also placed the conservative Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) into a position of power where it can influence public policy. On Feb. 23, Azmin Ali, a member of the then-ruling Pakatan Harapan bloc, met with Malay political leaders, both in the opposition and from within the government. Not invited was his rival in the Peoples Justice Party (PKR), Anwar Ibrahim, who was chafing to succeed 94-year-old Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister. Azmin Ali reached out to the leaders of the disgraced and corruption-laden United Malays National Organization party, UMNOs Islamist ally PAS, factions of Mahathir and Muhyiddins own Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu), as well as some of the Borneo-based parties that had backed Pakatan Harapan. Mahathir refused to join them, arguing that he would not work with UMNO. Mahathir resigned, putting into play a week of scrambling among contending political factions to cobble a minimum of 112 seats required to form a ruling coalition. Although Mahathir and Anwar agreed to work together in the final days of the crisis, and claimed to have as many as 114 supporters in parliament, the Malaysian King no friend of Mahathir invited Muhyiddin Yassin to form a government. The backdoor power grab disenfranchised the electorate. Pakatan Harapas manifesto had sufficient appeal to dislodge a coalition that had governed for 61 years. Pakatan had a clear electoral mandate, winning 5.5 million votes, or 45 percent of the electorate. Even though UMNO clawed back, winning five by-elections since 2018, Pakatans supporters now have every reason to feel that they lost power through elite backroom dealings. UMNO back in power Muhyiddins Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) government could be very short-lived. If Pakatan commands the at least 112 votes it claims to have, the bloc may move quickly to bring down Muhyiddin through a no-confidence vote. Even if Muhyiddin holds on to power, he will have a razor-thin majority in parliament and will be leading a coalition of defectors from PKR and Bersatu, UMNO, PAS, and bumiputera parties from Sabah and Sarawak. While coalition partners today, these parties are all competing for the votes of Malays, who make up 60 percent of the countrys 31.6 million people. Thats very different than putting together a multi-racial coalition. The parliamentary coup, which installed Muhyiddin as Malaysias eighth prime minister, returned the disgraced and corrupt UMNO to power. It led to the resignation of the respected Tommy Thomas as attorney general. In turn, this could also potentially end the prosecution of former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, who are on trial separately for alleged corruption linked to the embezzlement of billions of U.S. dollars from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. Najib, alone, faces 42 separate counts. The president of UMNO, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, himself is under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and faces 87 counts of corruption, abuse of power, money laundering and breach of public trust. Expectations are that those charges will be dropped if Muhyiddins Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) coalition holds on. In a stunning display of defiance, Zahid failed to show up for his court appearance on Monday. Islamists share power PAS, the Islamist party, is now empowered as a constituent party in the new government. In the one year of its alliance with UMNO, PAS was the ideological driver. With 18 seats, PAS will comprise around 15 percent to 16 percent of the ruling bloc. PAS will make maximalist demands in pushing forward its Islamist agenda. And the party is uncompromising when it comes to its agenda. Do not forget that ahead of the 2018 general election, PAS was willing to jettison its working coalition with the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party and PKR, for the sake of pushing through its hudud bill. Since UMNOs post-election alliance with PAS, it all but jettisoned its albeit diminished former coalition partners, the Malaysian Chinese Association and the Malaysian Indian Congress, which got routed in the 2018 polls and together hold only three seats. UMNO has now adopted a strategy based on Malay supremacy. The days when it made some attempt to protect the rights and privileges of the countrys minorities are over. Leaders of the main Malay-based parties in the new government have blamed Pakatan for giving too much power to the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities by placing members of those communities in positions of authority. In particular, it galled them that Mahathir appointed Tommy Thomas, a non-Muslim, as attorney general, giving him purview over the countrys sharia court system. Likewise, they feared that the DAPs Lim Guan Eng, who held the finance portfolio, would use his position to roll back the subsidies and special privileges that a majority of Malaysians mostly Malays had grown to depend on. A Malay-first coalition augurs very poorly for the countrys minorities. It is clear that religious zealots, such as the televangelist cleric Zakir Naik, will have a much freer hand in calling for policies that will impact religious minorities. The new government, too, has wasted no time in exacting retribution from political opponents, civil society and journalists who, unfettered since the 2018 election, had used their newfound freedoms to unearth corruption and abuse by the former UMNO-led government. Muhyiddins government immediately moved against two prominent civil society leaders, Marina Mahathir and Ambiga Sreenevasan, opening investigations into a public protest they held. Authorities launched a sedition probe into another protest led by lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri. A step backward It is hard to emphasize what a setback the collapse of Pakatan and the sudden rise of Perikatan Nasional promises to be for Malaysia. A government made up of parties that pander to the idea of Malay supremacy will only exacerbate race relations and give Islamists a prominent role in shaping public policy. It brings discredited and corrupt elites back to power, while returning to a period of unaccountability by targeting civil society and the media. Even if Pakatan Harapan is able to fight back and retake the government, the dizzying developments that took place in the six days between Mahathirs resignation and Muhyiddins installation as PM have shown just how fragile and precarious Malaysias democratic gains are. A handful of politicians have shown that self-enrichment, self-preservation, and a quest for power, trump all. Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and the author of Forging Peace in Southeast Asia: Insurgencies, Peace Processes, and Reconciliation. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College or BenarNews. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin David Vujanovic (Agence France-Presse) Tehran, Iran Tue, March 3, 2020 09:04 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067dec79 2 World Iran,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak,health,health-issues Free Cooped up at home for days because of Iran's coronavirus outbreak, Parmis Hashemi was desperate, so her mother took her shopping -- even though they only had one mask between them. Despite their fears of catching the disease, the mother and her 13-year-old daughter were out pounding the unusually quiet streets of downtown Tehran on Monday afternoon as officials announced yet another spike in deaths and infections. Schools have been shut across the country as part of measures aimed at stemming the rapid spread of COVID-19, the virus that has now claimed 66 lives out of more than 1,500 cases in Iran. "It's extremely hard for us but I can't take a taxi or bus to go somewhere even if my feet hurt" from walking, said Parmis' mother Shahpar. "My daughter was depressed at home, so I brought her out shopping to cheer her up," said the 45-year-old housewife. "They [the children] haven't been going to school, and they are scared of the virus," she told AFP. As she spoke, cars and buses flew past at irregular intervals after sling-shooting out of Vanak Square -- one of the capital's biggest intersections where traffic normally snarls at that time of day. Gone too was the pollution that usually shrouds the sprawling city of more than eight million, thanks at least in part to the reduced congestion. That was of little comfort to 39-year-old architect Pejman, who expressed fears about the spread of the novel coronavirus. "The disease has disrupted our lives. We are scared. There are no masks, and no alcohol for disinfection. People need them but cannot find them," he told AFP. 'People are frightened' Businesses are suffering too. Pejman said some of his work colleagues were suspected of having the virus and ordered to stay away at home. "It has had a bad effect on our company. They now test our temperatures every morning before we enter the office," he said. The economic slowdown was tangible on the streets. Shop assistants passed the time by playing games, cleaners meticulously wiped down the doors and windows of empty restaurants, and taxis sat idle on the side of the road waiting for customers. "The streets are empty," Jamshidi said as his taxi driver colleagues shared a meal and engaged in rowdy banter. "It's my job to... take people where they need to go, but nobody is leaving their homes to go anywhere," he told AFP. "If the situation remains like this, we won't have enough money to eat. Yesterday I earned very little and so far today I haven't had any passengers." Hamid Bayot, who owns a juice shop on Vanat Square, said sales were down by 80 percent since the coronavirus outbreak emerged last month. And that is despite steps the business has taken to reassure its customers. "We disinfect everything three times every day. But people are frightened and haven't been buying anything from us," said Bayot. "If the situation remains like this, we'll go bankrupt and we will have to close our shop." In an apparent bid to cure the boredom of youths, state television has been airing light-hearted shows on its typically austere news channel. It has shown blooper home videos in the past few days and on Monday it broadcast a Pink Panther cartoon as well as the trailer of The Revenant, a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. "We have to stay at home and do nothing. We can't see our friends and we are no longer happy," Parmis said grudgingly through the face mask given to her by her mother. New Delhi, March 3 : The Supreme Court Tuesday asked Devas Multimedia to let it know if it is willing to waive the interest component on the arbitral award of $672 million, won at an international tribunal in 2015 against ISRO's Antrix Corporation. A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Indu Malhotra took into consideration the interest component against Antrix Corporation, and said it was incrementing with every passing day. They asked the counsel for Devas to be reasonable on the matter and let it know if it could waive this interest component. The apex court was hearing an appeal against the Delhi High Court 2018 verdict, ruling that the Bengaluru court had jurisdiction to hear the dispute. The bench observed that the interest meter is running very fast, and it does not want this to crush the government firm. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, representing the ISRO, contended before the court that the government has no money to pay Devas Multimedia. He cited the on-going criminal case against some public servants and others following allegations that fraudulent means were adopted to finalise the contract between the two firms. The bench asked the AG that there is arbitral award against Antrix, and it does not matter, whether it is taken up for hearing in Delhi or in Bengaluru. The court also added that the government is incurring huge interest every day. As the AG cited laws on arbitration and insisted Bengaluru court has the jurisdiction, the court said: "Why do not you agree to Delhi?" The bench then asked the AG and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Devas, to let it know by April 15 about their stand on the matter - either Delhi or in Bengaluru - to resolve the dispute. In 2018, the Delhi High Court, in its verdict, had said that Antrix in 2011 moved a plea in the Bengaluru city civil court to restrain Devas from proceeding with the arbitration. Also, Antrix's plea wanted to stop the arbitral tribunal set up by Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) from taking this matter further. As this matter was pending, the International Court of Arbitration in its September 2015 award asked Antrix to pay damages amounting to $672 million (Rs 4,432 crore) to Devas for "unlawfully" terminating the deal in 2011 citing national security reasons. Fallowing cattle-feed farmland simplest way to alleviate western water shortage All over the world, the rate at which humans consume fresh water is now approaching or surpassing the rate at which water sources are being naturally replenished, creating water shortages for people and ecosystems. In the western US, water shortages are becoming more frequent and more severe, and are putting many species of fish inhabiting western rivers at risk--but the scarcity of water is also risking the growth of cities in the region like Los Angeles and Phoenix. An important new study published this week in Nature Sustainability finds that irrigated crop production accounts for 86 percent of all water consumed in the western US--and of all the water used on western farms, by far the largest portion goes to cattle-feed crops such as alfalfa and grass hay. To alleviate the severe shortage of water in the region--especially in the Colorado River basin--the study's authors suggest that rotational fallowing farmland, leaving the land uncultivated for a period of time, could be a simple and affordable means of dramatically reducing water use in the region. Study co-author and principal investigator Ben Ruddell, who is also director of NAU's School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, leads the FEWSION project, a multi-institutional team effort launched in 2016 and funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF), to assess the nation's food, energy and water systems. The broader FEWSION research team contributed the data-intensive maps it has produced of these coupled human-natural systems. NAU assistant research professor Richard Rushforth, the lead data scientist on FEWSION, also co-authored the study. Beef and dairy production depleting water supply The study set out to assess river flow depletion across the US, identify the factors driving this depletion and evaluate options to reduce vulnerability to water shortages. The researchers estimate that two-thirds of the cattle feed being irrigated from western US rivers ends up as beef products, with the remainder going to dairy products. "The groundbreaking maps produced by FEWSION made it possible to link river depletion through the supply chain to irrigated alfalfa and hay and to beef and dairy production, then to urban consumers of beef and dairy in each city and county in the US," Ruddell said. According to the study, the team's findings "led to closer examination of the water use and ecological impacts associated with irrigation of cattle-feed crops. We pinpointed locations where these crops were being grown and modelled their associated depletion of river flow in local sub-watersheds. We then conducted an international supply-chain analysis to identify the locations where cattle-feed crops are transported and where the resulting beef products are consumed, thereby specifically linking end consumers of beef to effects on rivers. We subsequently explored the benefits and consequences of reduced feed-crop production and beef consumption through the lenses of water security, river ecosystem health, food security and agricultural economies." "We're using a lot of water to grow the cows that are the source of our burgers, steaks and milk," Ruddell points out. "In the Colorado River basin, that cattle feed water use is nearly three times greater than all the water used for urban, industrial and electrical power purposes combined." Along with the study's lead author and FEWSION contributor Brian Richter, Ruddell was surprised by some of their findings. "I can hardly believe that such a large fraction of our western water problems are linked to irrigation of cattle feed, or that such a large fraction of our western water problems could be fixed with a single prescription--fallowing. It's rare that science clearly finds a 'silver bullet' that solves such a big problem so well, and so affordably," Ruddell said. "Although the idea for this study of the US food energy and water system was proposed as part of the FEWSION project," he noted, "the roots of the ideas go back decades and involve many of the pioneers of river science and environmental sustainability--including Brian Richter, who is one of the founders of the science of river management for environmental flows. It takes a long time, generous research funding, and a broad team with diverse interdisciplinary skills for synthetic ideas like this to become a reality." Water security will depend on collaboration, choice, policy Scientists from 12 universities worldwide collaborated on the study, including Columbia University, Baylor University, the National University of Singapore, Nanjing Audit University and the University of Twente. Ultimately, they conclude, "Water security and river health in the western US will depend on the willingness of urban and rural water users to collaborate in design of demand-management strategies, the ability of political leaders to secure funding to implement those strategies and the willingness of beef and dairy consumers to reduce their consumption or select products that do not depend on irrigated cattle-feed crops. "My favorite food is cheeseburgers!" Ruddell admitted. "Individual choice, in addition to collective politics and policy, are important here. We need to be willing to pay a little more for more sustainable beef and dairy products, and we must strongly support politicians and policies that are willing to invest in solutions to the western water problem--including infrastructure, environmental flows and smart economic solutions like fallowing. Act with your votes and with your dollars. This is a problem we can afford to solve!" ### FEWSION was funded in 2016 by a grant from the Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems program (#INFEWS ACI-1639529), which is funded by the NSF and the US Department of Agriculture. This story has been published on: 2020-03-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Coronavirus Scare Reaches Noida Schools Over A Party Attended By Delhi Man Who Tested Positive Coronavirus scare has reached Noida, the health authorities have told the building is under treatment and it is getting sanitised. Blood samples of five families have been sent for examination. Read more. Here are the other top news of the day: 364 Women Officers Have Been Inducted Into Indian Army In 2019 And It Is Definitely A Good Move The Indian Army inducted 364 women officers in 2019 which was much more than 819, the tally in 2018, said Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik. Writing to a reply in the Rajya Sabha, he also stated that the Indian Air Force inducted 51 women officers in 2019, while it was 59 in in 2018. Read more. Bihar Teacher Is Suspended For Unchecked Papers. He Has Been Dead For 2 Years Now What could possible go wrong? When it comes to education system in Bihar, a lot. In another strange turn of events, Bihar Education Department has suspended teachers who were not checking answer sheets of intermediate students. What was shocking though was, one of the teachers who was suspended has been dead for two years now. Read more. Coronavirus Death Toll Climbs To 2,943 In China, Infected Cases Witness Surge Globally The coronavirus death toll in China climbed to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, while 125 confirmed cases were reported, the lowest since the virus outbreak in the country, Chinese health officials said on Tuesday even as the deadly disease wrecked havoc globally with the total number of deaths crossing 3,000 and infections surging past 89,000. Read more. Disgusting! Auto Driver Arrested In Mumbai For Masturbating In Front Of Female Passenger A 49-year-old autorickshaw driver has been arrested in Mumbai on charges of masturbating at a female passenger. The alleged incident took place on February 29. She filmed it on her phone and alerted the police through social media. Read more. Supreme Court dismissed Devendra Fadnavis' plea seeking review of its 2019 verdict asking him to face trial for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases against him in his 2014 poll affidavit New Delhi: In a setback to former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Supreme Court dismissed his plea seeking review of its 2019 verdict asking him to face trial for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases against him in his 2014 poll affidavit. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that there is no ground to review the last year's verdict. "We find no ground to interfere in the review petitions. The same are dismissed," said the bench also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose. The order was passed on 18 February but it was uploaded on the apex court website today. While seeking review of the 2019 verdict, Fadnavis had told the court that there was a "clear error" in the apex court's judgement as the law stipulates for disclosure of details about criminal cases only if charges are framed and on conviction. In its 1 October, 2019 judgment, the apex court had set aside a Bombay High Court order which gave a clean chit to Fadnavis and held that he did not deserve to be tried for the alleged offence under the Representation of Peoples Act (RPA). The verdict had come on an appeal by one Satish Ukey, who had challenged the high court's order. The apex court had last year revived a criminal complaint filed against Fadnavis for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases in his 2014 election affidavit and had asked the trial court to consider it afresh. The top court had allowed the appeal by Ukey, who had filed a criminal complaint against Fadnavis before a magisterial court in Nagpur, seeking registration of a case against him under section 125-A of the RP Act. Section 125-A of the RP Act deals with the penalty for "filing false affidavit" and says that if a candidate or his proposer fails to furnish or gives false or conceals any information in his nomination paper on issues like pending criminal cases then the person may be awarded six months' jail term or fine or both. Ukey had initially moved a magisterial court, which had dismissed his complaint against Fadnavis on 7 September, 2015. Later, he moved the sessions court, which remanded the matter to the magisterial court for a "de novo" (afresh) consideration. Aggrieved by the sessions court order, Fadnavis had moved the high court which, on 3 May, 2018, set it aside. Ukey alleged that Fadnavis had failed to disclose the pendency of two criminal cases against him in his election affidavit filed in 2014. The two complaints of alleged cheating and forgery were filed against Fadnavis in 1996 and 1998 but charges were not framed. A student from Singapore was left with a fractured face after he confronted thugs in London who punched him after they said 'coronavirus' to him. Jonathan Mok had been walking through Oxford Street on February 24 when he passed a group of men. The 23-year-old said one man told him he 'didn't want coronavirus in our country' before kicking him on the ground. Mr Mok suffered fractures and may now need reconstructive surgery after the incident. He has lived in the capital for the last two years and claims he had already suffered racist abuse before the virus. Jonathan Mok was left with a swollen eye and a bloodied nose after he was attacked on Oxford Street It comes after it was revealed that a woman in Birmingham was attacked after she confronted a man who racially-abused her friend, telling her to 'take your f****** coronavirus back home'. Meera Solanki stood up for Mandy Huang but the man pushed her in the head and she was knocked unconscious, The Independent reported. Another student Wenbin Wu, was also targeted in Kent because of his race. Mr Wu who is studying at university in London, was on a day-trip to Margate in Kent when three teens fake sneezed and shouted 'coronavirus' as he walked past. PhD student Wenbin Wu, 27, was on a day-trip to Margate when three teens fake sneezed and shouted 'coronavirus' as he walked past The 27-year-old, who studies computer science and finance at King's College London, said one tried to pick a fight and followed him and his two companions until he started taking photos and recording them. He said it was the first time in three years he has spent living in the UK that he felt singled out or abused for his race. After the incident he said he asked the teenager to repeat what he had said to him, but they refused and just laughed. Mr Mok has branded the attackers as 'cowards' and told them to 'grow a pair'. Mr Mok had been walking along Oxford Street (pictured above) when he was set upon Mr Mok detailed the attack in a Facebook post where he shared the incident with his followers He posted to social media last night: 'I walked past a group of young men, when one of them said something to me. I could make out the word 'coronavirus'.' After Mr Mok turned and confronted the group he was set upon. 'All of a sudden, the first punch was swung at my face and took me by surprise. When I was still shocked by the first hit, the guy delivered the second sucker punch. By then, a few passers-by had stopped and one of them tried to reason with them that 4 on 1 was not fair. 'The guy who tried to kick me then said, 'I don't want your coronavirus in my country', before swinging another sucker punch at me, which resulted in my face exploding with blood (from my nose), where the blood was splattered all across the pavement.' Mr Mok added to the end of his post: 'To the group of guys who saw fit to attack me because of my skin colour: here's something for you- I stood up to you because I wasn't afraid, I've faced far more intimidating characters in my life. 'And if you think ganging up on someone who is sizeably smaller than you makes you a big man - it doesn't. It only makes every single one of you a coward who doesn't have the balls to take someone on 1 on 1. Grow a pair.' He also posted images of himself shortly after the attack where his face can be seen to be splattered with blood. In a more recent image, his eye has just about swollen shut and remains badly bruised. Facebook users have wished Mr Mok a speedy recovery following the horrible attack and hope his attackers are brought to justice. Social media users wished Mr Mok a speedy recovery and slammed those who attacked him Danny Kim said: 'Horrible, I hope you recover well and those pieces of s*** get caught and pay the price. I hope they catch the virus for being a******** too.' Julia Ju Hee Kang commented: 'I'm so sorry this happened to you.' Darrick Americano posted: 'A country and its citizens' character truly shows during time of crisis. I hope the people that attacked you are brought to justice.' A spokesman for Met Police said that the 'racially aggravated assault' happened in Oxford Street near Tottenham Court Road station at around 9.15pm on Feb 24. The police said no arrest has been made, but they are currently trying to identify the suspects through inquiries and available closed-circuit television footage. A UCL spokesperson said: 'We are horrified to hear about this unprovoked racially-motivated attack on a member of our community. We thoroughly condemn this attack and are offering our full support to the student at this time. We condemn racism, bullying and harassment of any kind. 'Should any student feel they have been subjected to such behaviour, we would encourage them to report any incident to the police in the first instance and to the university by speaking to a tutor, a member of UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Team, or use our online 'Report + Support' tool, which has an anonymous reporting function. 'Students who are living in UCL-managed accommodation have additional support from a team of Wardens and Student Residence Advisers. UCL also has a range of support services for students including 24/7 counselling services for anyone affected.' "We are excited to bring together our complementary offerings to advance our customers' important work, from discovery to diagnostics," said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "This acquisition provides us with the opportunity to leverage our industry-leading capabilities and R&D expertise to accelerate innovation and address emerging healthcare needs. For shareholders, we expect the transaction to be immediately accretive and to generate significant cost and revenue synergies." QIAGEN is a leading provider of life science and molecular diagnostic solutions and employs approximately 5,100 people at 35 locations in more than 25 countries. The company generated 2019 revenue of $1.53 billion. Its sample preparation technologies are used to extract, isolate and purify DNA, RNA and proteins from a wide range of biological samples. The company's assay technologies are then used to amplify and enrich these biomolecules to make them readily accessible for analysis. In addition, QIAGEN's instruments can be used to automate these workflows, while its bioinformatics systems provide customers with relevant, actionable insights. "Our vision at QIAGEN has always been to make improvements in life possible with our differentiated Sample to Insight molecular testing solutions," said Thierry Bernard, interim chief executive officer of QIAGEN N.V. and senior vice president, head of the molecular diagnostics business area. "This strategic step with Thermo Fisher will enable us to enter a promising new era and will give our employees the opportunity to have an even greater impact. The combination is designed to deliver significant cash value to our shareholders, while enabling us to accelerate the expansion of our solutions to provide customers worldwide with breakthroughs that advance our knowledge about the science of life and improve health outcomes." Casper concluded, "We look forward to welcoming QIAGEN's employees to Thermo Fisher and are excited about the new opportunities we'll have to advance precision medicine through new molecular diagnostics and improved life sciences workflows." Benefits of the Transaction Expands Specialty Diagnostics Portfolio with Attractive Molecular Diagnostics Capabilities, Including Infectious Disease Testing. Thermo Fisher has built leading specialty diagnostics capabilities, including allergy and autoimmunity, transplant diagnostics and clinical oncology testing. QIAGEN has a strong presence in molecular diagnostics with a product portfolio focused on infectious disease and other growth opportunities. The combined company will accelerate the development of higher-specificity, faster and more comprehensive tests that may improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care. Complementary Offering Enhances Unique Value Proposition for Life Sciences Customers. For life sciences researchers, QIAGEN's innovative sample preparation, assay and bioinformatics technologies are complementary to Thermo Fisher's genetic analysis and biosciences capabilities. As an example, with an expanded portfolio, Thermo Fisher will be able to provide research customers with broader capabilities to accelerate discovery and enable scientific breakthroughs. Commercial and Geographic Reach Expand Customer Access. Thermo Fisher will be able to leverage its extensive commercial reach, including its Fisher Scientific customer channels and comprehensive e-commerce platforms, to expand customer access to QIAGEN's product portfolio. Furthermore, given Thermo Fisher's leading presence in high-growth and emerging markets, QIAGEN will be able to further penetrate these regions. Delivers Attractive Financial Benefits through the PPI Business System, Including Proven Integration Approach. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Thermo Fisher's adjusted EPS after close. Thermo Fisher expects to realize total synergies of $200 million by year three following the close, consisting of $150 million of cost synergies and $50 million of adjusted operating income1 benefit from revenue synergies. Financing and Approvals The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, the adoption of certain resolutions relating to the transaction at an Extraordinary General Meeting of QIAGEN's shareholders, and completion of the tender offer. Thermo Fisher has obtained committed bridge financing. Permanent funding is expected to come from cash on hand and the issuance of new debt. The transaction is not subject to any financing condition. Advisors J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Thermo Fisher, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel. For QIAGEN, Goldman Sachs International is serving as lead financial advisor and Barclays Bank PLC is serving as financial advisor, while De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek NV, Linklaters LLP and Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. are serving as legal counsel. Conference Call and Webcast Thermo Fisher will host a conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today to provide more information on this announcement. The webcast and accompanying slides can be accessed in the Investors section of www.thermofisher.com. An audio archive of the call will be available in that section of the website until March 17, 2020. Conference Call Dial-In: Domestic: (877) 680-7924 International: (647) 689-5468 Conference ID: 5953988 Replay Dial-In: Dial-In: (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 Conference ID: 5953988 Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Thermo Fisher uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS and adjusted operating income, which exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs; restructuring and other costs/income; and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted EPS also excludes certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any regularity or predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, benefits from tax credit carryforwards, the impact of significant tax audits or events and the results of discontinued operations. Thermo Fisher excludes the above items because they are outside of the company's normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. Thermo Fisher believes that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of the company's core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the company's performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts. About Thermo Fisher Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $25 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 75,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. About QIAGEN QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare) and Life Sciences (academia, pharma R&D and industrial applications, primarily forensics). As of December 31, 2019, QIAGEN employed approximately 5,100 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com. Forward-looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "seeks," "estimates," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but other statements that are not historical facts may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: the need to develop new products and adapt to significant technological change; implementation of strategies for improving growth; general economic conditions and related uncertainties, including the impact of public health epidemics; dependence on customers' capital spending policies and government funding policies; the effect of economic and political conditions and exchange rate fluctuations; use and protection of intellectual property; the effect of changes in governmental regulations; and the effect of laws and regulations governing government contracts, as well as the possibility that expected benefits related to recent or pending acquisitions, including the proposed transaction, may not materialize as expected; the proposed transaction not being timely completed, if completed at all; regulatory approvals required for the transaction not being timely obtained, if obtained at all, or being obtained subject to conditions; prior to the completion of the transaction, QIAGEN's business experiencing disruptions due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, licensees, other business partners or governmental entities; difficulty retaining key employees; the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the proposed transaction; and the parties being unable to successfully implement integration strategies or to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected time-frames or at all. Additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in Thermo Fisher's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available in the "Investors" section of Thermo Fisher's website, ir.thermofisher.com, under the heading "SEC Filings," and in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents Thermo Fisher files with the SEC, and in QIAGEN's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is on file with the SEC and available in the "Investor Relations" section of QIAGEN's website, corporate.qiagen.com/investor-relations, under the heading "Financial Reports," and in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 6-K and other documents QIAGEN files or furnishes with the SEC. While Thermo Fisher or QIAGEN may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Thermo Fisher and QIAGEN specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if estimates change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing either Thermo Fisher's or QIAGEN's views as of any date subsequent to today. Additional Information and Where to Find it The tender offer referenced herein has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any ordinary shares of QIAGEN or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Thermo Fisher or its acquisition subsidiary will file with the SEC and publish in Germany. The terms and conditions of the tender offer will be published in, and the offer to purchase ordinary shares of QIAGEN will be made only pursuant to, the offer document and related offer materials prepared by Thermo Fisher and its acquisition subsidiary and as approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, "BaFin"). Once the necessary permission from BaFin has been obtained, the offer document and related offer materials will be published in Germany and also filed with the SEC in a tender offer statement on Schedule TO at the time the tender offer is commenced. QIAGEN intends to file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer; in addition, QIAGEN will publish a document combining the recommendation statement pursuant to Sec. 27 of the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz, WpUG) and the position statement (gemotiveerde standpuntbepaling) pursuant to Section 18 and appendix G of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeovers (Besluit Openbare Biedingen). The offer document for the tender offer (in German and in English) containing the detailed terms and conditions of, and other information relating to, the tender offer will, among other things, be published on the internet at https://corporate.thermofisher.com/en/offer.html. Acceptance of the tender offer by shareholders that are resident outside Germany and the United States may be subject to further legal requirements. With respect to the acceptance of the tender offer outside Germany and the United States, no responsibility is assumed for the compliance with such legal requirements applicable in the respective jurisdiction. THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AS WELL AS QIAGEN'S RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SEC. 27 WPUG AND position statement (gemotiveerde standpuntbepaling) pursuant to Section 18 and appendix G of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeovers (Besluit Openbare Biedingen) WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF QIAGEN ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY, AND NOT THIS DOCUMENT, WILL GOVERN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER OFFER, AND BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SUCH PERSONS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR ORDINARY SHARES. The tender offer materials, including the offer to purchase and the related letter of transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, and the solicitation/recommendation statement (when they become available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Thermo Fisher or QIAGEN, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or at QIAGEN's website at www.qiagen.com or by contacting QIAGEN's investor relations department at 240-686-2222 or at Thermo Fisher's website at www.thermofisher.com or by contacting Thermo Fisher's investor relations department at 781-622-1111. In addition, Thermo Fisher's tender offer statement and other documents it will file with the SEC will be available at https://ir.thermofisher.com/investors. Furthermore, copies of the offer document will also be available free of charge at the information agent to be identified in the offer document. 1 Adjusted earnings per share and adjusted operating income are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Thermo Fisher Media Contact Information: Karen Kirkwood Phone: 781-622-1306 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.thermofisher.com QIAGEN Media Contact Information: Dr. Thomas Theuringer Phone: +49 2103 29 11826 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.QIAGEN.com Thermo Fisher Investor Contact Information: Ken Apicerno Phone: 781-622-1294 E-mail: [email protected] QIAGEN Investor Contact Information: John Gilardi Phone: +49 2103 29 11711 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Related Links http://www.thermofisher.com 87 Shares Share Last week, Lais and Yuri, our five-year-old twins, were volunteers at the school of medicine, for students to learn how to examine children. Full disclosure: Volunteers do get a gift card. Therefore, I asked them if they wanted to work and get some money, and I also told them what they would have to do during that afternoon. They both said yes, and they were truly excited about the opportunity. When I saw the request for volunteers, I felt my kids were the perfect candidates because they behave so well in the doctors appointments, that I have seriously considered remodeling my own house to look like a doctors office, with the hope that my children would be cooperative and polite, will listen all the time, and they will always do exactly what they are asked for at home. The long-awaited day had arrived. The three of us were placed in a meeting room. A very experienced physician assistant was leading the session in our room, and she told us that we would receive four rounds of four medical students each time. In between groups, kids could get a snack. The minute the first round of medical students entered the room, my daughter yelled: My mom is a real doctor; you can learn from her too. I gently told her that I was there as a mom, but it was probably too late by then. The medical students asked about my specialty, and when I told them that I was a pediatric surgeon, I could notice that two of them were excited about it. For the following rounds of students, I was introduced as a mom and a pediatric surgeon, and luckily, in all groups, someone was interested in surgery and excited about it. After a quick demonstration of how the physical exam should be done, two medical students stayed with Lais and the physician assistant, and the other two medical students stayed with me and Yuri. I was honestly not expecting to enjoy the experience so much. Watching my kids interact with the medical students was by itself a phenomenal experience as a mom. For the last group, Lais and Yuri were also trying to become teachers and pointing to them where the stethoscope should go and which sound they would hear: the heart, a horse racing, the lungs, my dragon breaths. As a doctor, it re-energized me to see the enthusiasm of the medical students for learning, their good questions, and sincere interest during the entire session. I could not help but notice that medical students look very young, I guess that it is a sign that I am aging because I do feel they are looking younger and younger as years pass by. The sparkle in their eyes for learning something new also did not pass unnoticed; they were learning something that will make them feel more like a doctor, the physical exam. Watching their hands shake a little bit for fear of trying an otoscope in the ears of a child reminded me of my days as a medical student when I learned something new for the first time. As this was happening, in my head, I kept thinking of how in the near future, they will dominate all of that so well, but hopefully, they will preserve the enthusiasm and joy of interacting with a child. I saw in them very good future doctors, and that made me smile. When each group was ready to leave the room, Lais and Yuri gave each of them a high-five and yelled: Good job guys, you all did a fantastic job! And it is true, the medical students did a fantastic job, and I was proud to, in an almost insignificant way, had contributed to their learning on that day. Andrea Bischoff is a colorectal pediatric surgeon and can be reached on Twitter @drspenabischoff. Image credit: Shutterstock.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Do you know a high school junior or senior who is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement? If so, they might be interested in the Grand Rapids Police Departments one-week youth police academy this summer. The police department is now accepting applications for the annual program. To be eligible, students must be a current junior or senior in high school. They need to have a minimum GPA of 2.0, be in good standing at school, be of good moral character, have an acceptable legal history, and be in good physical condition. This summers youth academy will run from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 8, through Friday, June 12. To participate in the program, students must attend a mandatory orientation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at the Grand Rapids Police Department. A parent or legal guardian must attend the meeting as well. Applicants should include their resume, school address and phone number, a school character reference, a written explanation of why they want to attend the academy, a written history of their life, and any employment history information. For more information or to apply for the academy, visit the citys website, here. Read more: A look back at Rosalynn Bliss first term as Grand Rapids mayor Ultimate Frisbee community devastated by fatal car crash Grand Rapids Police Department gets spike in retirements Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Tue, March 3, 2020 08:03 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067da80f 2 World US,health,virus,COVID-19 Free The number of United States deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to six on Monday, all in the state of Washington, officials said, signaling the contagion has taken root in the Pacific Northwest. US Vice President Mike Pence announced a treatment for the disease could be available by summer or early fall, but that a vaccine was farther off. Pence, the administration's pointman for the crisis, also said the government was moving to screen 100 percent of passengers flying in from Italy and South Korea, two serious virus hot zones. Five of the six American fatalities have been from King county, the most populous in Washington state and home to Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people. The sixth victim was from neighboring Snohomish county, officials said. "The risk for all of us of becoming infected will be increasing," said Jeff Duchin, a health officer in King County. "Although most of the cases will be mild or moderate, the infection can cause serious illness and there's a potential for many people to become ill at the same time." The state reported four new cases, three from the same nursing home, taking the total number of US cases to more than 90 about half of which were people repatriated from either China or a virus-stricken cruise ship off Japan. Dow Constantine, the top official in King County, said his office was in talks to purchase a motel in which to place people who required isolation, adding: "We have to move to a new stage in the fight to contain, mitigate and manage this outbreak." Pence told reporters at the White House that treatments "could literally be available by this summer, or early fall." He was likely referring to the drug remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by the pharmaceutical firm Gilead that has already been used to treat one US patient and was moving toward two final stage expansive clinical trials in Asia. There are numerous vaccines and treatments under development, but remdesivir is the closest to market availability. Pence added that US pharmaceutical companies had formed a consortium to work together and share information to develop these drugs. New travel protocols "will ensure that anyone traveling on a direct flight to the United States of America receives multiple screenings at all airports in Italy and South Korea," he said. Italy has had 1,700 cases and South Korea has had 4,000. The United States is also drastically expanding its diagnostic efforts after coming under fire for not testing enough. "The estimates that we're getting from industry right now, by the end of this week close to a million tests will be able to be performed," said Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo warned it was "inevitable" that the virus would spread in the global financial hub after its first confirmed case was detected in a health care worker who had visited Iran. "There is no doubt that there will be more cases. This is New York we're a gateway to the world," Cuomo told reporters. "People are going to test positive, not just one or two or three or five, there will be many who test positive," he added. Cuomo said the 39-year-old woman who tested positive at the weekend had mild symptoms and was recovering in isolation at home. Her husband is however expected to test positive as well. Globally, more than 3,100 people have died as a result of the virus, the vast majority of them in China. More than 90,000 people have been infected, with cases registered in more than 60 countries. Texas loses more than $2,300 per year for every person who doesnt get counted in the U.S. Census, according to a recent study by George Washington University. With stakes in the billions for the once-in-a-decade event, Houston and Harris County officials Monday announced a vigorous joint effort to get an accurate headcount of every person in the region. The Yes! To Census 2020 campaign, fueled by $4 million in county funds and $2 million from the city, includes outreach through community groups, key influencers and public art along with real-time data collection on responses from historically undercounted communities so that outreach workers can be deployed strategically. Census forms will be mailed on March 12 and participants may respond online for the first time, or complete the form in writing or by phone, with assistance available in multiple languages. For those who dont respond, the Census will send out enumerators later this year to attempt door-to-door data collection in some portions of the country, but many people will be missed, Census officials say. The Constitution requires that every person, regardless of age or status, be counted every 10 years, but making that count accurately reflect the population especially in hard-to-reach communities demands a great deal of legwork. Unlike in other populous states like California, which set aside $154 million for its complete count committee, Texas officials failed to approve state funding for grassroots outreach. So city and county officials joined forces to secure resources for education, roads and health insurance and to determine the breadth of the regions political representation in Washington, as the Census is used to determine U.S. House Districts. Experts tracking population growth said Texas stands to gain three or more new seats. On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas leaves Census outreach to cities, counties Texas biggest counties and cities, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin, are shouldering that burden on their own, officials said during a launch event at the Childrens Museum Monday. We are doing everything we can to make sure that folks participate, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. She called Census 2020 a crucial moment to live up to that right that we haveto be counted. Amid heightened tensions for immigrants under the Trump administration, Hidalgo made an impassioned plea, in the Spanish version of her remarks, to prospective participants to set aside any fears about filling out the form. The Census is very safe, I want to make that very clear, that under penalty of prison or fine, nobody can share your personal information from the Census not ICE, the FBI, no organization or federal agency can access your personal information about the Census, she said in Spanish. Margaret Wallace Brown, planning director for the City of Houston, touted Census participation as the most important civic duty, and said the nine-question form is quick and so easy. Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz tried out a little take the Census jingle she said shed been working on, and then turned serious about what is at stake. If we dont get it done right now we have 10 more years that we have to deal with being under-reourced, Evans-Shabazz said. We all want police protection. We all want our potholes fixed. In all, the federal government sends about $60 billion to Texas tied to Census figures, according to an estimate by Harris County officials. The George Washington Institute of Public Policy estimated that even a 1 percent undercount could mean Texas leaves nearly $300 million in federal funding on the table more than any other state. gabrielle.banks@chron.com Kate Middleton and Prince William are getting friendly with the president of Ireland's Bernese mountain dog. The royal couple is currently in the midst of a packed three-day tour that includes visits to the capital of Dublin, County Meath, County Kildare and Galway. Today, the royal couple stopped to see the President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland and his wife Sabina. However, they also spent some time getting to know the presidents dog, Brodand the pics are so sweet. This isnt the first time Brod has been in the presence of British royals. In 2018, he (along with the presidents dog Sioda) met Williams brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their visit to Ireland as newlyweds. Unfortunately, Sioda was unable to greet the duke and duchess this time, due to a paw injury. William and Kate are known animal lovers and are even dog parents to Lupo, an English Cocker Spaniel. Earlier in the day, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped off the plane in Dublin dressed in head-to-toe green in honor of the Emerald Isle, including a floral dress by Alessandra Rich under a Catherine Walker coat. She topped off her look with matching accessoriesa suede clutch from L.K.Bennett, Emmy London Rebecca pumps and a headband, of course. The duke was right alongside her also looking festive in a green tie. If we were meeting the President of Irelands pup, wed dress our best, too. RELATED: Forget Royal Blue, Kate Middleton Is All About Royal Green in Stunning Alessandra Rich Dress Accredo Packaging is better able to meet the demand for its products thanks to a $50 million expansion of its campus in Sugar Land, adding 200,000 square feet to its footprint. The additional space adds 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space at the 32-acre property. The new space now gives Accredo Packaging 550,000 square feet of space to manufacture and store its produced goods. Related: Home Slice Pizza announces expansion to Houston Accredo Packaging is a supplier of flexible packaging solutions for the pre-packaged food and consumer products markets, according to a news release. The new space was designed by Houston-based KDW. The newest expansion is the third since Accredo opened its doors in 2009 at 12682 Cardinal Meadow Drive. KDW managed the design and construction of the original facility and the first two expansions. Related: Nick Lopez Tailoring relocates in Houstons Galleria area With the growth in space, Accredo Packaging has continued to add to its workforce. The company has more than doubled its workforce since 2017. The expansion continues the growing presence of Accredo Packaging in the Sugar Land area as it looks to add 100 new jobs through 2021. According to the company, its packaging solutions can be found in many retail grocers offering a range of products from snack foods and confectionery items to frozen foods and pet treats with a focus on sustainability. Among its other products, the company produces overwraps for paper towels and tissue, and shrink bundle film for bottled water and other beverages. Accredo creates renewably sourced packaging, and was the first to produce a reverse printed and laminated all-recyclable pouch. The company utilizes 100 percent wind-generated electrical power. It is the first flexible packaging plant in the United States granted LEED Silver certification under the USGBC rating system Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Accredo Packaging is part of the API GROUP group of companies, a family-owned and operated enterprise established in 1986. For more information, visit www.accredopackaging.com. rkent@hcnonline.com The governments under the control of a military junta call upon the armed forces to take over security, worrying political activists and targeting opposition using abusive state security forces. by Zulkifli Nazim During his reign as emperor of China, Emperor Wu of Liang (502549 AD) embraced and promoted the golden age of Chinese Buddhism. He came to be seen as the Chinese counterpart of the Indian Buddhist Emperor Asoka the Great. The Most Venerable Bodhidharma, the first Zen patriarch of China, came to visit Emperor Wu around 520 AD. He was a Buddhist Monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China, and regarded as its first Chinese patriarch. According to Chinese legend, he also began the physical training of the monks of Shaolin Monastery that led to the creation of Shaolin Kungfu. The Emperor told Bodhidharma, "I have built numerous temples and given financial support to the monastic community. Please tell me how much merit will I get for these deeds?" Bodhidharma replied, "None whatsoever. You have not done anything out of piety nor out of wanting to do good. Pretending to do good, you only wanted to purchase merit, but remember that merit cannot be purchased." Furious and perplexed, the emperor asked Bodhidharma: "Who are you to tell me such things? I demand to know, who are you?' Bodhidharma replied, "Your Majesty, I don't know." Think, reflect and ponder. We are in a world where democracy is buffeted on many frontsthe rise of populists who often undermine the rule of law, a growing disinterest in democracy promotion from leaders of the world, and the influence of major authoritarian powersarmed forces remain political actors in many countries. The world is going to pot. That bizarre critique, popular with dictators and criminals, has taken hold some rights supporters are stunned by the assault on liberal values that defines our age and most likely undermine freedom of the masses. Recent shifts in public opinion on the militarys role in politics are striking. The traditional authoritarian states seek monopolistic control over political life, a one-party system organized around a strongman or military junta, and direct rule by the executive, sometimes through martial law, with little or no role for the parliament. A military junta is a government led committee of military leaders. The term junta means "meeting" or "committee" and originated in the national and local junta organized by the Spanish resistance to Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808. The term is now used to refer to an authoritarian form of government Traditional dictatorships and totalitarian regimes were often defined by closed, command, or autarkic economies where countries not relying on imports, a state media monopoly with formal censorship, and civil society organizations structured as appendages of the ruling party or state. Especially in military dictatorships, the use of forceincluding military tribunals, curfews, arbitrary arrests, political detentions, and summary execution will become pervasive. Often facing international isolation, traditional dictatorships and totalitarian regimes have a tendency to forge alliances based on common ideologies. Even in regions where the scars left by juntas are still somewhat fresh, the military bulldozes its way in an effort eroding civilian democracy without much pushback or panic. The governments under the control of a military junta call upon the armed forces to take over security, worrying political activists and targeting opposition using abusive state security forces. There are multiple reasons that people in democracies, especially the middle and upper classes, increasingly think that army interventions could be acceptable and that the military could preserve liberal norms or hamper illiberal populists. Disillusionment with democratic government in a number of places has fostered a willingness to consider authoritarian alternatives. Meanwhile, in a world increasingly looking for strongman rule as an alternative to democracy, to solve crises of graft and a lack of political accountability by elected leaders, military men have become more attractive. Consequently, the military retains significant political leverage and total control over internal security. It doubtful that the armed forces would even consult the civilian government before acting. There are arguably few advantages and more disadvantages of military dictatorship governments, with advantages including the possible deposition of a prior, ineffective government and disadvantages including a totalitarian and oppressive government whose authority derives from military power and intimidation rather than democratic choice of the people. A nation's military takes over the government and remains in power due to superior force, is generally not generally considered to be a fair and equitable form of government. Advantages for those living under a military dictatorship are typically few and far between, but those who are in power tend to enjoy advantages such as unquestioned authority, nearly unlimited power, and access to a wider range of resources than are typically offered to citizens within the same nation. Additionally, military dictatorships tend to be ruled by a single individual who has no real accountability. Military dictators tend to lead their countries for a long time, very rarely stepping down voluntarily, meaning that violent struggle is necessary to implement a different style of government. A case in point - the current North Korean government is an example of a military dictatorship; the rulers of this nation have all been of the same family and have carried out oppression and harsh imprisonment against their own people. Majority of politicians, for reasons better known to them, who are hell bent on favouring and supporting oppressive military regimes all over the world, whether male or female, are completely egocentric, trapped inside themselves incapable of empathizing or identifying with others, or love, friendship, affection of tenderness. They are a completely isolated unit, incapable of rapport with anyone. Their responses are entirely visceral and illogical, not cerebral. Their intelligence is a mere tool in the services of their selfish drives and needs; they are incapable of mental passion, mental interaction; they can't relate to anything other than their own physical and personal greed. They are half-dead, unresponsive lumps, incapable of giving or receiving kindness or happiness; consequently, they are at best blobs, indistinct shapeless forms. They are trapped in a twilight zone halfway between humans and apes, and are far worse off than the apes because, unlike the apes, they are capable of a large array of negative feelings - hate, jealousy, contempt, disgust, guilt, shame, doubt, and moreover, they are aware of what they are and what they are not. To call a politician an animal is to flatter him or her. They are machines, walking predators, eaten up with guilt, shame, fears and insecurities; and crying for protection. Completely egocentric, unable to relate, empathize or identify, and are almost invariably guilty of pervasive gross moral negligence all for personal gains and never for the country or its people. The truth is, these very same politicians will join hands to establish a military junta and support a Constitution that will be enacted by the junta so as to deliberately weaken big political parties, notably by introducing a new system of proportional representation for elections. Then there will be a series of laws passed which will further constrict political life. All this will help to ensure that only a chaotic coalition emerges from an election, whenever it is held. The intention is to thwart the alliance of political parties. In the meantime, the absurdly strict rules will be introduced by the junta after seizing power to remain in force. Political gatherings will be limited to a very few people or even banned, making it difficult both to craft policy and gather support. Other regulations dictate when and how party figures can communicate with prospective voters. Politicians whom we have described will be gagged and maimed, literally and metaphorically - they will never be able to complain about anything whatsoever, anymore. PARIS (AP) France requisitioned protective masks and sent tens of thousands of students home from school, deaths in Italy soared and Spain isolated dozens of health workers Tuesday as the new coronavirus spread further into Europe. With the new virus taking firmer hold on the continent, Europe faced many of the same complications seen in Asia weeks ago. The number of virus patients dying in Italy rose to 79 the most of any nation outside of China, where the epidemic first emerged late last year. Flights to Italy, and especially Milan and Venice, were dropped, with the Finnish and Swedish airlines suspending service for at least two weeks. The number of virus cases in Italy jumped to over 2,500. Travelers from northern Italy, along with South Korea and Iran, now face a ban in Singapore. Italy has closed schools in the hard-hit regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna. All student outings have been canceled nationwide. In addition, a handful of schools are closed or under quarantine in Germany and even in Poland, which has no confirmed cases so far. Hoarding was starting to become a problem. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a tweet Tuesday that his government was requisitioning all current and future stocks of protective masks in order to ensure their distribution to virus patients and health workers. The head of the World Health Organization, meanwhile, demanded an end to hoarding of masks, gloves and other medical supplies, which he said has caused a severe and increasing disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment. "We can't stop COVID-19 without protecting our health workers, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Around 120 French schools were ordered to close, most in Brittany and the Oise region north of Paris. Cases of patients with the new COVID-19 virus in France rose to 212, with four deaths. France's education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, told LCI television that more schools could close and confirmed that he had ordered a freeze on all school trips. But he cautioned against rushing to a general shutdown of the education system. It wouldnt make sense to confine everyone at home, to paralyze the country, he said. Story continues Around 100 health workers were being kept under isolation in northern Spain and at least 120 more were being closely watched after at least five doctors and nurses were infected in hospitals, said the Basque health regional minister, Nekane Murga. Health authorities in northern Spain were also speedily hiring new doctors to fend off a possible shortage of health professionals. Spain, which has 150 cases of the virus, on Tuesday reported its first virus death. British authorities laid out plans Tuesday to confront a COVID-19 epidemic, saying the new coronavirus could spread within weeks from a few dozen confirmed cases to millions of infections, with thousands of people in the U.K. at risk of death. Officials hope the most drastic measures won't be needed. Britain may not be able to stop the virus, but it has one vital advantage in fighting it: a head start. The country only has 51 cases so far. In Haugesund, southern Norway, a German cruise ship with 1,200 passengers was blocked for a day while awaiting the results of two passengers tested for the virus, Norwegian broadcaster NRK said. The Aida Aura was supposed to leave Monday but was still in Haugesund on Tuesday afternoon and passengers were being kept on board. The ship's operator later said the two German passengers tested negative and the ship hoped to be underway soon. The Geneva International Motor Show resorted to putting automakers' product unveilings and news conferences online Tuesday after this year's show was canceled. BMW presented its sleek i4 electric concept car at a digital news conference from Munich, while competitors Daimler and Volkswagen held their own online events. At Paris Fashion Week, Chanel's fall collection was streamed online for the many VIPs and fashion editors who stayed away. Some who showed up in person donned CC-branded face masks. Ukraine reported its first confirmed case of the new virus in a man who had recently arrived from Italy, the epicenter of Europe's outbreak. ___ Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak [March 03, 2020] Stone-Goff Partners Announces the Sale of NAS Recruitment Stone-Goff Partners announced today it has sold NAS Recruitment Innovation ("NAS") to M3 USA, a leader in healthcare digital solutions for hospitals, health systems, and physicians. NAS is a leader in recruitment advertising, marketing, and digital services, offering a proprietary technology platform, ACTIVATE, which enhances candidate engagement, maximizes SEO, and offers robust analytics for clients. In 2019, the ACTIVATE platform provided a superior experience to more than 25 million candidates in their job searches. NAS also provides Media Services including employment branding, programmatic buying, social outreach, and digital marketing. The Company is based in Cleveland, Ohio and serves hundreds of clients throughout the U.S. and Canada across a variety of industries, including healthcare and hospitality. In December 2011, Stone-Goff Partners acquired NAS from Interpublic Group (IPG). Under Stone-Goff's ownership, led by CEO Phil Ridolfi and Chief Talent Strategist Matt Adam, NAS has shifted from a traditional media services model to an end-t-end digital offering with the development of the ACTIVATE platform. NAS empowers clients to attract and engage quality talent with proven expertise in technology solutions, media buying, and creative services. "Working with Phil, Matt, and the NAS team as we transformed the company from a legacy business model to a hybrid services, strategy and SAAS-based business model has been an incredible journey. This transaction is a result of the team's hard work, vision and leadership in the recruitment marketing space," said Hannah Stone Craven, co-founder of Stone-Goff Partners. "We are excited about the strategic fit between NAS and M3, and believe the combined company will continue to lead in innovation and performance in the recruitment marketing space." M3 Inc., parent company of M3 USA, operates in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, providing services to healthcare and the life science industries, including market research, medical education, ethical drug promotion, clinical research, job recruitment, and clinic appointment services. Leonis Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to NAS in this transaction. Fredrikson and Byron P.A. served as legal counsel to NAS. About Stone-Goff Partners Stone-Goff Partners is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market founder-owned businesses and corporate carve-outs in the following verticals: Human Capital & Training, Business to Business Services and Consumer Services. Founded in 2010 by Hannah Stone Craven and Laurens Goff, the firm leverages the extensive investment, operational and strategic experience of its principals and its Talent Network to serve as a value-added partner for its portfolio companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005281/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Seulki Lee (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Seoul, South Korea Tue, March 3, 2020 16:38 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067fe2cd 2 World South-Korea,political-party,feminist,women-empowerment,women-in-politics,movement Free South Korea's first feminist party has vowed to push for equal pay and tougher laws to end widespread voyeurism against women as it gears up to contest an upcoming election. Due to be launched on March 8 - International Women's Day - the Women's Party has signed up over 8,000 members, founded as a growing feminism movement has started to emerge in the socially conservative Asian nation. It is hoping to win four of 300 parliamentary seats up for grabs in an April 15 poll although political analysts said it would be a challenge for the fledgling party. "Women's [issues] have been marginalized by other parties and we want to put them at the forefront," Kim Eun-ju, a veteran women's rights activist and one of the party's founders, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation ahead of the launch. "We want to highlight the seriousness of discrimination, violence and inequality against women." Targeting young women, Kim said the party - which will submit a formal registration a day after its launch - would lobby for stronger laws to curb the epidemic of voyeurism or "spycam porn", where victims are filmed urinating or having sex. The epidemic prompted tens of thousands of women to take to the streets in 2018 and laid the foundation for a feminist movement which has since gathered pace in other areas, from abandoning makeup to rejecting marriage. The new party also aimed to close a gender wage gap, which is the highest among advanced countries at 34.1% in 2018 - more than double the average for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. After the last 2016 poll, South Korea had 51 women lawmakers which was the country's highest ever female presentation in parliament at 17%, although this lagged the global average of about 25%. South Korea's first female president, Park Geun-hye, took office in 2013 and served until 2017 when she was ousted over a corruption scandal. "The setting up of the Women's Party is significant but as a minor party it would be fairly difficult to tap into a broader electorate," said Chae Jin-won, a professor in politics at the Kyung Hee University in Seoul. He said it would be "challenging" for the party to win four seats as the electoral system traditionally favors the major parties despite a law reform last year to address the issue. South Korea was ranked 108 out of 153 countries on the World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Gender Gap Index. [March 02, 2020] Bounteous Wins Big at the 2020 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service Bounteous, an insights-driven digital experience agency, today announced a total of seven wins at the 2020 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Created in 2002, the Stevie Awards are the world's premier business awards. The Stevie Awards winners were unveiled February 28 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Bounteous and members of its Client Service and Business Development teams took home honors with two Gold, three Silver, and one Bronze Stevie: Dave Mankowski, Bounteous Chief Growth Officer was awarded a Gold Stevie for Senior Sales Executive of the Year. John Telford, Bounteous SVP of Digital Solutions was awarded a Gold Stevie for Sales Director of the Year . . Noelle Eun, Bounteous Business Development Manager was awarded a Silver Stevie for Sales Operations Professional of the Year . . The Bounteous Client Service and Account Management Team won a Bronze Stevie for Account Management Team of the Year . . Bounteous was recognized with Silver Stevie awards for National Sales Team of the Year, North America, and Field Sales Team of the Year. "While we ultimately deliver value to our customers through digital transformation, these awards help affirm our commitment and success at solving our clients' problems, which begins early on in how we help define and solve problems together," said Dave Mankowski, Bounteous Chief Growth Officer. "Together with our delivery teams, we've been able to drive significant impact for our clients in 2019 and I look forward to seeing where our team continues to go in 2020." Bounteous was also presented with an Honorary Gold Stevie for Sales Process Transformation for driving organizational growth and sales process improvement through adoption of the ValueSelling Framework. Bounteous partners with ValueSelling Associates to focus on the value provided through solving client problems, ultimately leading to meaningful results and return on investment. More than 2,600 nominations from organizations in 8 nations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this year's competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 180 professionals worldwide on seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in more than 90 categories for customer service and contact center achievements; more than 60 categories for sales and business development achievements; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world's top honors for customer service, contact center, business development, and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes eight of the world's leading business awards programs, also including the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards. Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/sales. 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 The Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include HCL Technologies (News - Alert) , Sales Partnerships, Inc., and ValueSelling Associates, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005994/en/ [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] ST. PAUL The Minnesota Secretary of State's website on Tuesday, March 3, temporarily prompted voters seeking information about their presidential primary polling locations on to a progressive website supportive of Democrat Elizabeth Warren. The issue with the webpage came as Minnesotans go to the polls for the state's partisan presidential contests. And Secretary of State Steve Simon on Tuesday said it stemmed from a "serious lapse of judgment" by a staff member who linked the partisan website. Typically users would be sent to Google's nonpartisan Voting Information Project, Simon said in a statement. The link was live for 17 minutes before it was corrected, the secretary of state said. Simon in a statement apologized for the error. "Anyone who knows me knows that I place the highest possible value on the nonpartisanship of this office, and I deeply regret this error," he said. "Every Minnesota voter deserves a voting experience free of partisan influence, and I am committed to providing exactly that." While the link prompted some to access a nonpartisan tool aimed at helping voters figure out where they can vote, others reported that the link sent them to boldprogressives.org after a webpage reporting high traffic to the site said it would send users to an external page. Simon said there was no evidence of hacking or interference. ADVERTISEMENT Republican lawmakers on Tuesday morning were quick to flag the issue and call on Simon to explain how it occurred. Minnesota senators planned a 1 p.m. hearing to ask Simon about the issue but the secretary ultimately didn't attend. And the chair of that committee said she was dissatisfied with the secretary's answer in lieu of an in-person appearance. "It doesn't answer questions," Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, told reporters. "It makes me have more questions." Several lawmakers questioned the decision by a secretary of state staff member to link a partisan webpage and said they'd pursue more answers about the issue. Issues with a digital customs database caused the amassment of vehicles on both sides of the border Novi Yarylovychi checkpoint Open source Novi Yarylovychi entry-exit checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border resumed work after a temporary shutdown. The press office of the State Border Guard of Ukraine reported that on March 3. "Ukraine-Belarus border checkpoint Novi Yarylovychi restored its work completely", the authority says. The problem was gone by 2.55 p.m. Tuesday, the digital database resumed work, and currently, it works as scheduled. The failure occurred at about 1 a.m. March 3. Issues with a digital customs database caused the amassment of vehicles on both sides of the border. Earlier, Ukraine and Hungary discussed opening a new checkpoint on the common border. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijarto stated that after the meeting with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Vice Premier on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. In March, in Budapest, we will hold a bilateral session of the intergovernmental commission on cooperation. We would like to achieve success at these talks in March and agree on the construction of at least one checkpoint at the border, Szijjarto said. Princess Beatrice is still going forth with her wedding. Wedding planning, in general, is stressful but the poor woman has had to plan her nuptials amidst her father being shunned for his connection to Jeffrey Epstein and her cousin Prince Harry dominating all of the attention by announcing that he and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were stepping back from their roles as working royals. The royal family has been in crisis mode for pretty much her entire engagement. Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice | Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Though this has been a stressful time for Beatrice, she will reportedly come out of it with more than one new title. Princess Beatrice will not be a Duchess When Meghan and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge got married to their spouses, they both became duchesses. But a female cannot inherit her fathers title. So while Prince Andrew is the Duke of York, Eugenie and Beatrice will never be the Duchesses of York. Princess Beatrices marriage will give her a new title The royal family announced Princess Beatrices engagement in September of 2019. The Duke and Duchess of York are delighted to announce the engagement of Princess Beatrice to Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the family wrote on their official Instagram. Her Royal Highness and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi became engaged in Italy earlier this month. The wedding will take place in 2020. This photograph was taken by Princess Eugenie in Italy. Princess Beatrice and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi said; We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and cant wait to be married.' After Beatrice marries Edoardo, she will inherit more than just the title of Mrs. Edoardo is the only male descendent taking the family into the next generation, Mozzis father, Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, told The Daily Mail. He is a count his wife will be a countess automatically and any of their children will be counts or nobile donna. What will Princess Beatrice get out of this marriage? Beatrice and Edoardo will inherit the familys ancestral seat, which is an 18th Century villa in northern Italy. The villa, which is an hour from Milan, has nine bedrooms and is situated on four acres. The family only uses it as a summer home so the villa is open for rentals for around 14,700 a week during certain parts of the year. The Mapelli Mozzi family is also a family full of accolades. According to the outlet, the family has eight ambassadors, 15 judges, 29 doctors of law, two bishops, ten abbots, six captains, five doctors, 21 writers and poets, and 59 notaries. In addition to all of that, the count skied for Britain in the 1972 Winter Olympics in Japan. Talk about a family to marry into. Where will the wedding be? Given all that has been going on in the royal family, Princess Beatrices wedding wont have quite as much fanfare as her royal cousins. The nuptials will take place on May 29th at the Chapel Royal. The chapel can only hold 150 guests, compared to Prince Harrys wedding where an estimated 600 people were invited. Chile's capital has been rocked by its worst anti-government violence in weeks after stone-throwing protesters clashed with police in running battles across the city. Demonstrators returned to Santiago's Plaza Italia on Monday to rally against economic inequality and condemn the government of right-wing billionaire president Sebastian Pinera. By nightfall a group of hooded men clashed with riot officers in nearby streets, hurling rocks and firing projectiles with slingshots. Elsewhere in the city protesters built barricades and set them alight before being dispersed by police using tear gas and water cannons. More than 30 people have died since protests began last October with the announcement of a modest hike in metro transport fares. The demonstrations have mushroomed to encompass wider discontent over social and economic woes. Around 23 police officers were injured last week during clashes with rioters at the Vina del Mar music festival west of the capital. Authorities fear a new round of rallies this month with the end of the summer holiday season. Protest organizers have circulated a calendar of demonstrations, including International Women's Day on March 8, and the anniversary of the deaths of two brothers murdered by the former Pinochet dictatorship on March 29. President Donald Trump last week lashed out at MSNBC and CNN for trying to the make the coronavirus look as bad as possible. Trumps supporters in the media told their audiences that news outfits were exaggerating the threat of the coronavirus to hurt his chances for re-election. What nonsense. The coronavirus is a big deal. How the U.S. responds to it deserves in-depth coverage. This was the situation at the end of last week: More than 80,000 coronavirus cases had been confirmed globally the vast majority in China, where the virus struck in late 2019. Nearly 3,000 people worldwide had died from it. Cases in Italy, Iran, South Korea and other countries stoked worries that the virus is continuing to spread and will severely damage economies around the world. That caused the stock market to tumble. As of Saturday, 71 cases were confirmed in the U.S., including a death in Washington state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that many more cases were likely. 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 early last week. Her not if but when statement received wide coverage by the news media. Soon after, Trump posted a tweet that began, Low Ratings Fake News. He went on to say that the MSNBC and CNN cable news channels are doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible. He misspelled coronavirus. To spell and pronounce it correctly, think corona (circle) and virus. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh said the coronavirus, which attacks the respiratory system, is just a common cold. He said members of the media would love for the coronavirus to be the deadly strain that wipes everybody out so they could blame Trump for it. On the Fox News Channel, Sean Hannity lambasted the mob in the media and said news outlets failed to tell the public that the Trump administration has been aggressively responding to the corona outbreak for quite a while. On Fox & Friends, the hosts said prominent Democrats and news organizations were over-playing coronavirus to hurt Trump. They shouldnt make it political, said Ainsley Earhardt. In a briefing at the White House, Trump announced that the governments response to the coronavirus would be coordinated by Vice President Mike Pence and not a public-health expert. Before commenting on the coronavirus publicly, anyone in the federal government must clear it with Pence. I wondered if he would facilitate or block the flow of information about the coronavirus to the news media and then to us. Paul Janensch, of Bridgeport, was a newspaper editor and taught journalism at Quinnipiac University. Email: paul.janensch@quinnipiac.edu. She is rarely seen looking anything but perfectly put together. And Monday was no exception for Lauren Silverman who showed up to the first day of America's Got Talent auditions in LA looking glamorous. The 42-year-old cut a chic figure in dark denim flares and a nude chiffon blouse with a high neck and long sleeves. Stylish: Lauren Silverman showed up to the first day of America's Got Talent auditions in LA on Monday looking glamorous in flared jeans The mum-of-one accessorised with a tasselled nude handbag and boosted her statuesque frame with open toe heels. The brunette beauty looked to be in high spirits for the first day of filming, she wore her locks styled in tousled waves and a pair of gold aviators on her face. She carried a bottle of Fiji water to stay hydrated and sported a collection of gold bangles on her wrist. Gorgeous: The 42-year-old cut a chic figure in dark denim flares and a nude chiffon blouse with a high neck and long sleeves Lauren will be there to show support Simon, who will return to the 15 season of the show as the head judge. The pair have been together since 2013 but have known each other since the early 2000s. They welcomed son, Eric, in 2014. Last Thursday, Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, was confirmed as the newest member of the AGT judging panel. It's back! Lauren will be there to show support for her husband Simon Cowell who will return to the 15 season of AGT as the head judge alongside Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel , Terry Crews and Sofia Vergara In love: The pair have been together since 2013 but have known each other since the early 2000s. They welcomed son, Eric, in 2014 (pictured 2020) The Colombian actress, 47, was snapped heading to her first day on the Pasadena California set wearing her trademark ripped blue jeans and towering beige heels. She paired her cropped denims with a v-neck white top and wore a camel-coloured coat draped over her shoulders. Her long hair was loose and she sported embellished sunglasses. First day: Sofia was confirmed last Thursday as the new judge on America's Got Talent and made her glamorous arrival to the auditions Mishra has been provided with two personal security officers (PSOs) who will remain with him round-the-clock. New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra, accused of instigating riots in northeast Delhi, has been provided with 24x7 security. After assessing the threat perception to his life, the saffron party leader has been provided with Y category security which entitles him to six security personnel round-the-clock to guard him in and outside the city. It is reliably learnt that Mr Mishra had been advised to carry along with him security personnel for his safety after he was attached while protesting outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence way back in 2017, when he himself was an Aam Aadmi Party MLA. At that time, he had outright refused to accept the security cover. But just a few days ago, he himself made a request that he be provided security as he was fearing threat to his life, a senior police officer, requesting anonymity, told this newspaper. Mr Mishra, who joined the BJP last year, tweeted on Sunday (March 1) morning, that he was receiving threats to his life on phone, Whatsapp and email, both from India and abroad. He also tweeted that he does not fear the hate campaign launched against him. Mr Mishra has been provided with two personal security officers (PSOs) who will remain with him round-the-clock. Besides this, there are four more security personnel to ensure his safety. As per the security protocols, one of the PSOs will be armed with an automatic rifle, while the others will be carrying pistols, said a source. As per the Union home ministrys guidelines, security cover is divided into four categories Z-plus (highest level), Z, Y and X. On February 23, Mr Mishra led a gathering in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Maujpur Chowk in the Jafarabad area, after which violence erupted between pro and anti citizenship law groups. Addressing the gathering, Mr Mishra had issued an ultimatum to the police to vacate the roads blocked by anti-CAA protesters in Jafarabad and Bhahanpura areas within three days and warned that he would be back on the streets if no action was taken. The riots in Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Gokalpuri, Khajuri Khas and Bhajanpur in Northeast Delhi have so far left 47 people dead and over 300 injured. WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Sunshine Week, a panel of experts will examine the impacts to freedom of information and expression of a rising tide of frivolous but expensive lawsuits against news organizations and other speakers that are seen as aimed at deterring journalism in the public interest. The moderated conversation, organized by The National Press Club Journalism Institute and the National Press Club's Press Freedom Team, will take place in the National Press Club conference rooms from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Reservations for the free event are required and can be made here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunshine-week-frivolous-lawsuits-and-their-impact-on-journalism-in-the-publics-interest-tickets-98010635449. As many newsrooms across the United States grapple with dwindling revenues leading to declining coverage by newspapers, magazines, and news websites the notable increase in so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation has come at a particularly difficult time for American journalism. These lawsuits are often brought by wealthy, powerful individuals and institutions who may object to news coverage critical of their activities. Plaintiffs who have recently filed SLAPP suits include U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) against McClatchy News, Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax against CBS, and the estate of Michael Jackson against HBO over the documentary 'Leaving Neverland.' In recent years, state legislatures have responded to the growing prevalence of frivolous defamation lawsuits by passing or strengthening anti-SLAPP laws. And more states like Virginia and Maryland could soon follow suit. Discussing this rise of frivolous defamation lawsuits, their impact on newsrooms, and the possibility for reforming state laws to provide heightened protections for journalists and other content creators are: Katie Townsend, legal director at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Jim McLaughlin, deputy general counsel at The Washington Post Michael Schaffer, editor of Washingtonian and former editor of the Washington City Paper when it was sued by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder Max Mishkin (moderator), associate at Ballard Spahr LLP and First Amendment attorney Additional speakers may be added. For more information, email Press Freedom Team Vice Chair Rachel Oswald at [email protected] About NPCJI The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute serves as a beacon for journalism in the public interest. Event details: National Press Club 529 14th Street NW (14th & F Streets) 13th Floor, Conference Rooms Washington, DC 20045 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 6-7:30 p.m. Free, please register in advance Please contact Rachel Oswald with questions, [email protected] SOURCE National Press Club Related Links http://press.org A day after staging a protest against the Centre over Delhi violence, Congress Lok Sabha lawmakers are meeting in Parliament on Tuesday. The Congress is likely to chalk out a strategy to corner Centre in the Lower House in the wake of Delhi violence that has left at least 46 people dead and around 200 people injured. On Monday, the Congress MPs staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament House premises after the Chairs on both Houses rejected their demand for a discussion on Delhi riots. Led by Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress MPs carried banners and placards with slogans like "Shah Must Resign", "Save Our India", "Pradhan Mantri Jawab Do" and also raised the same slogans. On Monday, Opposition created a ruckus in Parliament over the recent violence in the capital. Congress members, who were supported by members of some other parties, came to the well of the House carrying placards and raised slogans against the government and demanded the resignation of Shah. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ended her Democratic presidential campaign on Monday and endorsed rival Joe Biden in an effort to unify moderate voters behind the former vice president's 2020 bid. She appeared with Biden at a rally in Dallas on Monday night, saying that it was time to ``bring dignity and decency back to the White House.'' She said Americans need a president who will represent all America and who understands that ``service is not about self-interest.'' Her voice cracking, Klobuchar said, ``I cannot think of a better way to end my campaign than by joining (Biden's).'' Klobuchar's exit reflects an urgent push among moderates to consolidate behind Biden as a counter to progressive rival Bernie Sanders. Pete Buttigieg ended his campaign on Sunday and will also join Klobuchar and Biden in Dallas later Monday. Klobuchar outlasted several better-known and better-funded Democrats, thanks to a better-than-expected third-place finish in New Hampshire. But she couldn't turn that into success elsewhere, as she struggled to build out a campaign that could compete across the country and had poor showings in the next contests. The three-term senator had one of this cycle's more memorable campaign launches, standing outside in a Minnesota snowstorm last February to tout her ``grit'' and Midwestern sensibilities. Klobuchar argued that her record of getting things done in Washington and winning even in Republican parts of her state would help her win traditionally Democratic heartland states like Wisconsin and Michigan that flipped in 2016 to give Donald Trump the presidency. She was hoping to own the moderate lane of a Democratic field that grew to some two dozen candidates. But that got much tougher when Biden joined the race in April, starting as a front-runner and remaining there. Klobuchar also was quickly overshadowed by Buttigieg, a fellow Midwesterner who shot from being the largely unknown mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to a top contender on a mix of intelligence, strong oratory and youthful optimism. Klobuchar entered the race with low name recognition compared with many of her rivals, a disadvantage she was still citing a year into her campaign. Outside Minnesota, the lawyer and former prosecutor was best known for her questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during a 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Klobuchar asked Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow teenager when both were in high school, if he ever had so much to drink that he didn't remember what happened. Kavanaugh retorted, ``Have you?'' Klobuchar continued, unruffled, and Kavanaugh later apologized to the senator, whose father is recovering from alcoholism. Even before she got into the race, Klobuchar was hit with news stories claiming she mistreated her Senate staff, and she had a higher-than-usual turnover rate in her office. Klobuchar said she is a ``tough boss'' but countered that she has several longtime employees, including the manager of her presidential campaign. She also faced questions over her prosecutor past. In January, The Associated Press published a story about Klobuchar's office in Minneapolis having prosecuted the case of a black teenager accused of the 2002 shooting death of an 11-year-old girl. Klobuchar has cited the story to show her toughness on crime. But an AP/APM Reports investigation uncovered new evidence and myriad inconsistencies, raising questions about whether Myon Burrell was railroaded by police. The issue followed Klobuchar on the campaign trail, with protesters forcing her to cancel a rally in suburban Minneapolis days before Super Tuesday. Klobuchar campaigned on her productivity in Washington, where she led more than 100 bills that were signed into law. And she criticized the more liberal candidates in the field, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Sanders, for running on promises she said they couldn't keep. For the second time in a week, a man has come forward with new claims that he was molested decades ago by a New Orleans-area Catholic priest who was only publicly identified as a suspected child abuser last year. A lawsuit filed Thursday by an unnamed plaintiff in Orleans Parish Civil District Court accused Lawrence Hecker, 87, of fondling a group of boys who were attending St. Joseph School in Gretna in 1968, 10 years after his ordination. The suit against Hecker joins a string of other cases that have been filed against Catholic Church officials in New Orleans following Archbishop Gregory Aymonds disclosure on Nov. 2 of a list of clerics who were the subject of credible allegations of sexually abusing children. Hecker appeared on that list and now joins other still living but defrocked clerics to be confronted by accusers who had not come forward before the release of the roster. According to the new 19-page suit, the plaintiff was in middle school at St. Joseph when Hecker took him and other boys at the school behind the altar at the church. The lawsuit accused Hecker of lining the boys up shoulder-to-shoulder, ordering them to drop their pants and showing them what it was like to get a hernia exam by groping the boys' genitals. Reveal of 57 New Orleans clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse a major step for Catholic officials New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Friday released the names of 57 former clergy members credibly accused of sexually abusing minors t The lawsuit says a separate allegation of child sexual abuse disclosed in 1996 led the church to remove Hecker from ministry in 2002. Prepared by attorneys Soren Gisleson, Jed Cain, John Denenea and Richard Trahant, the lawsuit accuses church officials of failing to protect the plaintiff from harm. It also contends that Catholic leaders for years covered up their knowledge that Hecker had been the subject of credible allegations of child sex abuse; if true, that fact would prevent the church from arguing that the defendant waited too long under the law to file suit. The suit seeks damages from Hecker, the Archdiocese of New Orleans and two insurance companies. In a statement, the plaintiffs legal team said, Our research has revealed that most victims have lived their lives believing that they were the only ones abused by the particular priests who abused them, but once they realize they are not alone, they are empowered to courageously bring these claims. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up These victims do become empowered when they can tell their stories, and finally attempt to control the direction of their lives, rather than being permanently silenced by their abusers and the church. During a brief phone conversation Friday, Hecker said the allegations are not true. He said he was unaware he had been sued until a reporter contacted him. The archdiocese declined comment on the case. Archdiocesan officials have previously said that the insurance coverage cited in the suit is only available for claims over incidents that occurred in more recent years, after the companies were founded. Gisleson, Cain, Denenea and Trahant also represent other clients with similar pending claims. One new local lawsuit they were not involved in was filed April 5. In it, an unnamed plaintiff said he was molested in about 1969 by a now-deceased Jesuit priest named Edward DeRussy, who had been included on a Dec. 7 roster of Jesuits credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. +4 Washington man makes previously undisclosed claims of Jesuit High abuse in 1960s A 64-year-old man from Washington state has come forward with previously undisclosed claims that he was molested by a priest decades ago while Lists like the one issued by Aymond have since been released by various other Louisiana dioceses and religious orders as Catholic leaders try to win back the trust of parishioners disgusted by the long-running clergy abuse crisis. Hecker also appeared on the list released in late January by the Diocese of Baton Rouge, where he served at St. Mary in New Roads. Nearly a year ago, Hecker and other clerics who were defrocked as a result of sex abuse allegations appeared on a list of retired priests for whom the New Orleans archdiocese was collecting money. The archdiocese has said that removal from ministry, or defrocking, is not a full-fledged exile from the church, which is legally obligated to pay priests what they are due under their pension plan if they contributed to it before retiring. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on the sidelines of his official visit, the PMs Office told Armenpress. The Georgian President highly valued the friendly relations of the two countries and stated that the issues and initiatives discussed during todays meetings will give a new impetus to the further development and strengthening of the ties. Nikol Pashinyan said he is happy to meet with Mrs. Zourabichvili during his official visit in Georgia to discuss the prospects of further deepening and developing the relations of the two states. Its a pleasure to once again meet with you. I can state that the Armenian-Georgian relations have recorded a positive development since our first meeting, the Armenian PM said. The Armenian PM and the Georgian President continued discussing several issues of the bilateral agenda. Thereafter, their discussion continued around a luncheon. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 2 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Kazakhstan is to ban Iranian citizens' visits to Kazakhstan amid coronavirus outbreak, Kazakhstans Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tleuberdi said, Trend reports with reference to Kazakh media. The minister reminded that some 480 Kazakh citizens have been evacuated from China, and all means of transportation between Kazakhstan and China have been suspended. Starting from Feb. 3, 2020, issuance of visas to all foreigners in China has also been suspended, Tleuberdi said. He added that Kazakh citizens should refrain from visiting countries with high epidemiologic risk and added that no Kazakh citizen has been infected with coronavirus as of now. 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 has surpassed 3,000. Over 89,000 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 at least 65 countries. --- Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 07:13:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday urged the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to put development issues on top of its agenda, while noting that the inter-governmental nature of the UNGA should not be weakened. "The global implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has entered a critical decade of action. But the progress of implementation is not satisfactory. Therefore, the UNGA should place development issues on top of its agenda, and urge the international community, especially developed countries, to assist developing countries in implementing Agenda 2030," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the general debate of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. "We should never cut back on our attention or investment devoted to developing issues on the pretext of optimizing the agenda of the General Assembly," said the envoy. By Firangiz Aghalarova Alternative energy sources are now becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. These are renewable resources that replace traditional energy sources including oil, natural gas and coal, which, when burned, emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Getting energy from renewable or practically inexhaustible natural resources and phenomena has many advantages. The main ones are environmental friendliness and profitability. Azerbaijan is a country with high renewable energy potential. Its unique nature allows to get energy from wind, sun, water and other sources. Today, Azerbaijan is taking consistent steps to develop alternative energy, and a lot of work in this direction has been done through public investment. However, there are also private companies in the country that specialize in the development of alternative energy sources. One of these is Provitaz, founded by Norwegian Knut-Erlend Rosvold. For the first time, Knut-Erlend arrived in Azerbaijan almost 10 years ago. He received an invitation to participate in the training of the Association for Civil Society Development in Azerbaijan, which was held in Lankaran. He had not planned to linger there. I built my first solar collector in my yard and saw that solar energy in Azerbaijan is very strong. This surprised me very much, because it was very sunny here even in winter. In my country, the sun does not warm in winter, but here I saw that in some areas it is warmer in the street in winter than in a house. I came to Azerbaijan for other purposes, but gradually I had the opportunity to create a place for the production of solar collectors. In partnership with one of the local residents, we have created a company that produces solar panels and other alternative energy technologies, he said in the interview. The Norwegian citizen said that he began to believe in alternative energy after arriving in Azerbaijan, but now he is developing this in his own country as well. Today Provitaz solar panels are manufactured in China, are delivered to Azerbaijan and Norway. Recently, customers from other countries of the world began to contact the company. Provitaz is an international brand that originated in Azerbaijan. I started this business because I saw the potential in Azerbaijan. Therefore, I am very glad that I came to this country. In Norway, this thought would not have occurred to me, Knut-Erlend stated. Provitaz - it's short for Pro Vita Azerbaijan. From Latin, it translates as For the Life of Azerbaijan. The company seeks to promote a better life in Azerbaijan. It creates technologies that benefit people and nature. The company, you might say, has become my life path. It also became a place of work for other people, both local and foreign. Provitaz was founded in 2013, and before that, it can be said, I conducted experiments for myself. I remember our first order for 18 collectors that we installed in Guba. They were very simple, we made them ourselves, but the customer was pleased and I am very grateful to him. After that, we did a lot, installed a huge number of solar panels for the electrical system, water heating, etc. There were many interesting works. One of the last was in Astara, the founder of the company stressed. The specialist emphasized that Azerbaijan is rich in natural resources. He considers that the country should be independent energetically. It owns considerable amount of oil, gas, which is known to the whole world. In addition, there are wind power plants, hydroelectric power stations and, of course, solar power plants: I think that in the future it is necessary to use all sources of alternative energy in the form of a hybrid. For example, if there is no sun, there is wind, water. You do not need to think about only one source of energy. Azerbaijan has a huge potential for solar energy. This is incomparable with the countries of Europe. Here, investing in solar panels provides benefits and you need to use it. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Sasol Limited (Sasol or the Company) (NYSE: SSL) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and indexed under 20-cv-01008, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired Sasol securities between March 10, 2015 and January 13, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are a shareholder who purchased Sasol securities during the class period, you have until April 6, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Sasol was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sasol operates as an integrated chemical and energy company in South Africa. The Company operates through Mining, Exploration and Production International, Energy, Base Chemicals, and Performance Chemicals segments. On October 27, 2014, Sasol announced the construction of a of an $8.1 billion ethane cracker and derivatives complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana, dubbed the Lake Charles Chemicals Project (LCCP). According to the Company, the LCCP includes seven manufacturing units, some of which are in continued development, including the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) facility and Ziegler alcohol, ethoxylates and Guerbet alcohol facilities, among others. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Sasol had conducted insufficient due diligence into, and failed to account for multiple issues with, the LCCP, as well as the true cost of the project; (ii) construction and operation of the LCCP was consequently plagued by control weaknesses, delays, rising costs, and technical issues; (iii) these issues were exacerbated by Sasols top-level management, who engaged in improper and unethical behavior with respect to financial reporting for the LCCP and the projects oversight; (iv) all the foregoing was reasonably likely to render the LCCP significantly more expensive than disclosed and negatively impact the Companys financial results; and (v) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On June 6, 2016, Sasol reported that the expected total capital expenditure for the [LCCP] could increase up to US$11 billion, including site infrastructure and utility improvements; a slower rate of capital resulted in an extended project schedule and contributed to further project cost increases; [t]he expected returns for the project have reduced due to changes in long-term price assumptions and the higher capital estimates; and [t]he increase in the estimated LCCP capital cost and extended schedule will reduce the expected project returns by approximately the same amount as the Companys lower long-term price assumptions. Following these disclosures, Sasols American depositary receipt (ADR) price fell $3.53 per share, or 10.99%, to close at $28.60 per share on June 6, 2016. On May 22, 2019, during pre-market hours, Sasol disclosed that the cost estimate for the LCCP has been revised to a range of $12,6 to $12,9 billion which includes a contingency of $300 million. Sasol cited a $530 million change in the projects cost forecast because of a [c]orrection for duplication of investment allowances of approximately $230 million; a [c]orrection for certain contracts and variation orders managed by Sasol, outside the primary engineering, procurement and construction contract, of approximately $180 million; and forecast improvements that were not expected to be realised and adjustments for potential insurance claims and procurement back-charges of approximately $120 million. Following these disclosures, Sasols ADR price fell $4.50 per share, or 14.93%, to close at $25.64 per share on May 22, 2019. Later, on August 16, 2019, during pre-market hours, Sasol issued a press release disclosing that it was delaying the announcement of its 2019 financial results because of possible LCCP control weaknesses. On this news, Sasols ADR price fell $0.74 per share, or 4.02%, to close at $17.67 per share on August 16, 2019. Then, on October 28, 2019, Sasol disclosed that its review of the LCCP control weaknesses had brought to light errors, omissions, and inaccuracies in the [LCCP] cost estimate, and a number of unethical and improper reporting activities that took place at the highest level of management. Sasol also announced the resignation of, inter alia, its Joint Presidents and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), effective November 1, 2019, and Senior Vice Presidents and others previously in charge of the LCCP. Finally, on January 14, 2020, Sasol issued a press release confirming that on January 13, 2020, the Company experienced an explosion and fire at its LCCP low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit. Sasol stated that [t]he unit was in the final stages of commissioning and startup when the incident occurred and has been shut down and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident, the extent of the damage and resulting impact on the LDPE units [beneficial operation] schedule. Following these disclosures, Sasols ADR price fell $1.70 per share, or 7.84%, over the following two trading days, closing at $19.99 per share on January 15, 2020. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP rswilloughby@pomlaw.com A one-year-old leopard was run over and killed by a speeding truck on National Highway 44 which passes through the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve in Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, a forest department official said on Tuesday. The leopard was crossing the four-lane road near Gandatola village in the reserve's Rukhad buffer zone when a truck, having Bengaluru registration, crushed it on Monday night, PTR in charge superintendent SK Jauhari told PTI. "The driver has been arrested under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act and the truck seized. The leopard was cremated as per protocol," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BANGKOK, March 2 (Reuters) - Thailand has reported one new coronavirus case, bringing the total number of such cases in the country to 43 since January, a senior health official said on Monday. The new case is a 22-year-old Thai woman who works with another Thai patient, a Thai driver for foreign tourists, Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, the permanent secretary of the health ministry, said in a news conference. So far 31 coronavirus patients have recovered and returned home and 11 are still being treated in hospitals. Thailand recorded its first coronavirus fatality on Sunday. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) Thiruvananthapuram, March 3 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday informed the state Assembly that an all-party meeting has been called on March 16 to discuss the Census operations. "National Population Register (NPR) will not happen in Kerala, but Census operations has no relation with NPR. We have made it very clear in the past that neither CAA nor NPR will happen in our state, but with doubts still lingering in the minds of the people, we decided to call an all-party meeting to discuss about the Census operations," he said. Kerala, on December 31, became the first state in the country to pass a resolution in its assembly that the CAA will not be implemented in the state. Coronavirus: The travel industry globally has been hit hard due to the coronavirus spread as countries have restricted movement to areas that have been severely affected. The impact of coronavirus on the travel sector has led to firms halting recruitments and deferring increments of its employees. Bookings for South-East Asia have taken a hit. Travel firms believe that there would be further cancellations as the virus has spread even to Europe, as mentioned in a report in Business Standard. Travel companies are also pausing hiring and cutting down on other expenses. Some are even laying off employees, while some are asking employees to take a salary cut, according to the report. Expedia said it is laying off 3,000 employees globally, starting with Hong Kong and Singapore. Singapore Airlines announced cost-cutting and is implementing a 5-15 per cent salary cut for its employees, as mentioned in the report. Emirates is offering voluntary leave without pay. The head of a travel company told the daily that while there are no immediate cancellations, fresh bookings are being postponed, the report stated. He added that they have no visibility for the April-June period. Sabina Chopra, co-founder of Yatra.com told the daily that the company is anticipating a 12-15 per cent drop in bookings after the government ordered a non-essential travel curb for Italy. Italy is a preferred holiday destination and witnesses a lot of group tours from Indians. A MakeMyTrip spokesperson said that the company has not seen any noticeable dip in domestic bookings but there is a slowdown in outbound travel bookings."Travellers are being extremely cautious in making foreign travel plans," stated the spokesperson. Travel giant Thomas Cook has deferred salary hikes to cut down on their expenses, as mentioned in the report. It informed its employees that the decision has been taken due to unpredictable market conditions. The firm stated in a share buy-back notification that the effect of sluggish demand combined with coronavirus has slowed down demand. The company did not respond to a query by the daily. The International Air Transport Association has estimated a $30-billion revenue loss for airlines. Chinese airlines have taken the biggest hit. South Korea, Italy and Japan are some of the other countries that have witnessed a large number of cases. Also read: Coronavirus updates: Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Delhi, Telangana Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Death toll rises to six in US The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed an application in the Supreme Court over the Citizenship Amendment Act in an unprecedented move strongly criticised by India, which said no foreign party has any locus standi to intervene in its internal matters. India's Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that her office has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on the amended citizenship law, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries. The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," Kumar said. India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values, he said. "It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he said. "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court," he said. When asked whether OHCHR can approach the Supreme Court, an official said it was for the Supreme Court to decide. The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following persecution over their faith. The country has witnessed widespread protests across the country over the CAA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 05:13:09|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close Migrants and refugees are seen behind a wired fence at the borderline between Greece and Turkey near the closed Kastanies border crossing in northeastern Greece, where thousands gathered near the Evros River in an attempt to cross into Greece, on March 2, 2020. Greece on Sunday decided to increase the level of deterrence at its borders to the maximum, as the country is facing a forthcoming increased refugee and migrant influx recently. (Photo by Dimitris Tosidis/Xinhua) MYTILENE, Greece, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Greece has adopted a tougher stance and is treating the migration challenge as a national security issue, Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos said on Monday. The Greek official was referring to thousands of people gathered at the country's land border with Turkey in the past few days and hundreds still crossing the Aegean Sea on dinghies. Greece does not face a refugee crisis, but new arrivals and thousands attempting to enter Europe are illegal migrants, the minister told local radio channel "Proto Thema" (Top Story). Since Monday morning, for the next 24 hours Greek armed forces are conducting exercises using real ammunition across the land border and northeastern Aegean, the Greek Defense Ministry announced. During the weekend, additional police and army units were deployed and Greece formally requested concrete assistance by other EU members to guard Europe's borders. European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) announced on Monday that the executive director of Frontex has agreed to launch a rapid border intervention to assist Greece in dealing with the large numbers of migrants at its external borders, according to an e-mailed press statement. At least 13,000 people have gathered at Evros land border, according to the International Organization for Migration. Greece has prevented 24,203 illegal crossings and a total of 183 persons who crossed the border were arrested from the early hours of last Saturday until Monday afternoon, according to government sources. The numbers included 4,354 persons who were kept off on Monday and 42 detained, mainly originating from Morocco, Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to the same sources. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Evros on Tuesday with European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President David Sassoli, the prime minister's office announced on Monday in an e-mailed press release. Mitsotakis has had a round of telephone calls with many European leaders since Friday to discuss the situation and on Monday he also had a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, his office announced. Also on Monday, Greek Coast Guard officers retrieved the dead body of a child off the island when one of the boats carrying refugees and migrants from Turkish shores capsized. A total of 48 persons were on board the boat, according to an e-mailed press statement, while about 1,000 refugees and migrants have landed on the region's islands since Sunday, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. Delawar Nazari, 48, from Afghanistan, is one of the new arrivals on the island. He reached Lesvos on a boat with his four children and a grandchild and they have spent two nights out in the open in the cold on a beach with about 200 other people with no means, he told Xinhua on Monday. His son-in-law was killed by the Taliban and the family left their home to join his brother in Belgium, he said. They stayed 4 months in Turkey and paid 600 euros (668 U.S. dollars) per person to get on the boat and have been risking their lives to reach Greece, he added. "I want to leave Greece and I want to go to Belgium," he told Xinhua. On Sunday, the Greek government announced that no asylum application will be accepted for at least a month by those illegally entering the country. Nazari and his family will most likely eventually follow thousands of others packed in overflowing reception centers on Lesvos or elsewhere in Greece. Groups of locals on Lesvos have been blocking small harbors and streets across the island since Sunday, obstructing the disembarkation of new arrivals and their transfer to Moria camp, demanding that thousands of people be transferred to the mainland. With a population of about 86,000 people, Lesvos currently hosts about 19,400 people at Moria refugee camp, while the center's capacity is about 2,800, according to official data. Out of the about 90,000 stranded in Greece, more than 42,000 refugees and migrants are currently hosted on five islands in northeastern Aegean, according to data from Greek authorities. Last week, Turkey decided to open its border gates for illegal migrants after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold. Around 1.5 million Syrian refugees, fleeing from the bombardments of Syrian forces in Idlib, have also flooded Turkey's border with Syria. The Turkish government has been repeatedly announcing that it could no longer take the burden of refugees as the country is already hosting over 3.7 million Syrians.(1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 09:02:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HEFEI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Kangmei Chinese medicinal material price index, a barometer of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) material market, rose 0.19 percent to 1,285.17 points Tuesday. Covering more than 500 TCM materials including herbs and minerals from six major markets nationwide, the closely-watched index reflects the overall price trend in the country's TCM material market. It is released daily by Kangmei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, one of China's major TCM companies. The index was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission of China in 2012 to offer more timely and accurate reference for TCM material growers, traders and pharmaceutical companies. Traditional Chinese medicines, often given as oral liquid, granule and pills, typically use the combination of a number of medicinal materials, mostly herbs, to address health problems. Locals have rallied behind a school principal who was embroiled in a parent-teacher row that sparked an ambush on her home and cost her more than $400,000 in legal fees. Tracey Brose, the principal at Tamborine Mountain State High School on the Gold Coast, took legal action against a group of parents over derogatory remarks they made about her in 2016. The extraordinary four-year row began with a social media stoush that escalated when a parent smashed up her home, with Ms Brose's husband forced to pull a knife on the attacker. The feud finally ended on Friday with Ms Brose awarded $6,000 in damages from parents Donna and Miguel Baluskas. Ms Brose was handed nearly $200,000 in out-of-court settlements with a number of other parents, but she was left more than $400,000 down following the legal battle. The Tambourine Mountain community launched a GoFundMe page to help Ms Brose pay off her legal debt after she 'put her entire livelihood on the line' to stand up for Australia's teachers. Scroll down for video Tracey Brose, principal at Tamborine Mountain State High School in Queensland, took legal action against a group of parents over derogatory comments made against her in 2016 'Needless to say, the emotional, physical and financial toll this has placed on Tracey, her husband and children, is unfathomable. This includes an attack on her home when one of the parents involved broke her front door down and terrified her family,' the page reads. 'Tracey has always stated that this was never about the money and only wanted to stand up for what is right and give teachers and other professionals a path forward should they find they are in the same situation.' The four-year stoush began when parents started a petition to encourage the education minister to reinstate Ms Brose following her temporary suspension in 2014. On Facebook, and in the comments section of the petition, some parents wrote defamatory statements about Ms Brose, with one even claiming she was a 'lying, manipulative bully, who gets off by belittling as many people as she can'. A number of parents from Tamborine Mountain, the only state high school in the small community of just 7000, chose to remove the comments. Others had planned to argue their case in court but later settled when Ms Brose asked for $150,000 in damages. But parents Donna and Miguel Baluskas refused to give in, spending four years trying to prove they were the victims. The battle between the parents and principal turned volatile when Mr Baluskas turned up to Ms Brose's home late on the night on May 21, 2018. He demanded she let him inside, but she refused. Mr Baluskas' told them to 'open the door and talk to me or I'll open the door myself'. Shocking footage of the incident shows Mr Baluskas smashing the glass window of Ms Brose's family home as he attempted to force his way inside. Ms Brose's terrified children ran upstairs and barricaded themselves inside a cupboard. His 25-minute attack on the principal's family home only ended when Ms Brose's husband threatened the furious parent with a knife. Balukas has since been convicted of unlawful damage, 60Minutes reported. Ms Brose said the defamation case wasn't about money, but about a judge telling the parents to stop their campaign of abuse. 'I don't need money I don't need damages, I need her to say this is not okay and needs to stop. Because if she doesn't say it needs to stop what then? Next week they get back online and write more stuff? They're bashing at your door again? 'What happens to educators if we can't feel safe doing our jobs?' Mr and Mrs Baluskas have had a vendetta against Ms Brose since their son Harrison was expelled from the school for making a 'silly' comment on a school bus. Donna and Miguel Baluskas refused to give in and spent four years trying to prove they were the victims Mr Baluskas admits things got heated during the initial meeting. He told the deputy principal to 'shut up' and 'stare out the window'. 'I'm here to talk to the head not the a**e.' When they saw comments being made against Ms Bose online, they decided to join in, falsely saying 'shes nothing but an evil nasty horrible person'. 'What she did to our son was evil,' Ms Baluskas said. Screenshots of those comments were sent to Ms Brose by her family members. 'I was devastated. I just sat and sobbed hysterically,' she said. She contacted a lawyer to tell the parents to apologise and remove the defamatory comments or face being sued. Mr and Mrs Baluskas refused to apologise. The couple claim they have lost everything, forking out nearly $1million fighting what they call 'false claims'. 'She's out for revengeance (sic) on anybody that speaks out against her,' Ms Baluskas said. Donna Baluskas (pictured) had a vendetta against Ms Brose since her son Harrison was expelled from the school for making a 'silly' comment on a school bus On Friday, Judge Catherine Muir ruled in favour of Ms Brose and ordered Donna and Miguel Baluskas to pay $3,000 in damages following a four-week trial. Three parents had already settled out of court for a combined $182,500. Judge Muir ordered that each party must pay their own legal costs, ABC reported. 'The damages I have awarded are modest and well below what the plaintiff has sought. 'But I consider them sufficient to vindicate the plaintiff in light of the unique contextual features of social media forums. 'I am satisfied that there is a real risk of further publication of the defamatory comments made by the first and second defendants (Donna and Miguel Baluskas), so I have ordered that they be permanently restrained from making them again.' She said the emotional toll on all those involved has been high. Despite difficulties resulting from the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Vietnams socio-economic situation in February basically remained stable, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The Government's meeting in Hanoi on March 3 At the Governments regular meeting on March 3, the Cabinet leader said thanks to the political systems activeness, drastic and effective actions, and the spirit of fighting the disease is like fighting enemies, COVID-19 prevention and control efforts have reaped encouraging outcomes. He repeated the Governments consistent viewpoint of being ready to sacrifice economic benefits to protect the health of people and visitors to Vietnam. According to the PM, Vietnam has stayed calm and sober in assessing the issue, and it has been ready to respond to every circumstance. The localisation of hotbeds has been carried out in a drastic and timely manner, while the quarantine of Vietnamese citizens and foreigners who travelled through coronavirus-hit areas has proved effective. Thanks to these efforts, the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam has been minimised although the country shares a long border with China, where the epidemic started. So far, there have been only 16 infection cases in Vietnam, and all of them have fully recovered, PM Phuc noted. He lauded the efforts being made by various sectors, especially the military, police and health forces, and localities nationwide, adding that nearly 10,000 people have undergone quarantine and received care from local authorities and military units. Vietnam has recorded no new SARS-CoV-2 infection cases over the last 18 days, he noted. However, as the disease has spread to 67 countries and territories, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the global risk assessment of the infection to very high, it is necessary to take drastic actions to continue disease prevention and control tasks to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in the community, PM Phuc said. The PM pointed out that the outbreak has greatly influenced all major economies around the world. In Vietnam, it has heavily impacted air transport, tourism, services, and especially value chains, leading to an interruption in the supply of input materials. Despite that fact, the socio-economic situation in February basically remained stable, PM Phuc said, noting that the consumer price index (CPI) declined, budget revenue increased, funding for anti-disease work was provided in a timely manner, and agriculture developed stably. He asked Government members to discuss financial banking solutions and other measures to facilitate production and business activities to realise their development targets. At the meeting, the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that many areas fell in the first two months from the same period last year, such as the disbursed and registered FDI capital. Retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue, as well as foreign arrivals in Vietnam, also witnessed slower growth However, there remained many positive points to the socio-economic situation, the ministry said. Macro-economic stability has been maintained, and the February CPI fell 0.17 percent month on month. Meanwhile, exports in the first two months grew 2.4 percent year on year to 36.9 billion USD, and agricultural development has remained stable. More than 17,400 businesses with registered capital of almost 364 trillion VND (15.7 billion USD) were established in the two months, up 9.1 percent and 47.1 percent, respectively. Nearly 12,000 firms also resumed operations, up 17.1 percent./.VNA The significance of the non-observed economy in Vietnam PhD Phung Van Hung, a permanent member of the National Economic Commission talks about the significance of the non-observe economy in the Vietnam's GDP. Food safety regulator FSSAI on Tuesday cautioned against a fake order imposing one-year security fine of Rs 1,200 on food businesses which is being circulated on social media. While clarifying that it has not issued any such order, the food regulator said it is taking legal action about this incident of forgery and spreading a fake order. The FSSAI has also advised food businesses to verify or confirm the veracity of any order released by FSSAI on its official website before making any payment or initiating any other action. A fake notice in the name of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that "an order FNo Std/SP-10/T (Formaldehyde) dated 12.02.2020" in this regard is being circulated on social media and amongst food businesses, the regulator said in a statement. "It is clarified that FSSAI has not issued any such order dated 12.02.2020 related to afine of Rs 1200," FSSAI said. All the food businesses and other stakeholders including State Food Safety Authorities are advised to verify / confirm the veracity of any order released by FSSAI on its official website before making any payment or initiating any other action, it added. "It appears some individuals are trying to cheat food businesses or other stakeholders through these fake orders. Combatting such mischief and fake requires one to be vigilant," FSSAI said. The FSSAI requested to alert the appropriate authorities in the state food safety departments or at FSSAI's regional offices or headquarters at Delhi if anyone comes across such mischief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jackie Aina, 32, is an influencer, mogul, veteran of the armed services, advocate, and prolific vlogger, with over 3.3 million subscribers on YouTube. In her videos, she calls on cosmetics brands to release more inclusive shades for darker skin tones and calls out brands that miss the mark. Her expertise is such that e.l.f. Cosmetics, Sephora, and Too Faced have all partnered with her. In honor of International Womens Day, Aina celebrates the transformative power of sisterhood. I grew up in the 1990s and 2000s. Back then we had supermodels and traditional celebrities, and I was aware of them, but those women werent as diverse as the women in media that we have now. It was difficult for me to relate. For a while, that was fine; I never had the goal of being a public person. I wanted to work behind the scenes. When I was a girl at 9 or 10, I wanted to go to fashion school, learn more about design, and start a fashion line. Even makeup came later; I didnt discover that until I was 19 or 20. Because I was so isolated and there were so few examples for me to follow, I didnt have a clear sense of what I wanted to do with makeup or with social media. But I knew I was ambitious and I knew I wanted to give something back to the world. It was because of social media and YouTube that I realized how important it is for people to be able to see people who look like them; even right when I started a channel, people would tell me how much it meant to them that I was doing this. But I knew I had a lot to learn. I was a working makeup artist and I wanted to take classes to get better, but I couldnt afford that, so I would go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and look at makeup books and magazines. Thats how I started to realize that there were real professionals who worked in this business, and thats how I learned about Pat McGrath. Pat McGrath didnt reinvent the wheel; Pat is the wheel. Now she has her own line, Pat McGrath Labs, but back then she was already trusted and so respected within the industry. The fact that there was a black woman that was the face, that was the head makeup artist at fashion shows and on photo shoots who was defining all these trendsit amazed me. It was such a turning point for me. I cant even put into words what it feels like to see someone who looks like you, has that skin tone, doesnt come from a well-connected background, and makes it. It made me think for the first time that there could be space for me in this business and that I had a chance, not despite who I am but because of it. Story continues As soon as I learned more about her, I knew Pat would be an example for me. But I couldnt have imagined the relationship I would build with her. We met not too long after I started getting serious about the channel, and Pat just made herself available to me. Shes taken me to fashion week in Milan. Ive traveled to Japan with her. When she has opportunities, she thinks, Who else can I include in this? I can text her and be like, Pat, I want to move into this area; I want to start this business, and shell call me back with a plan. Shell put me in touch with all the right people, shell give me advice, shell cheer me on. She supports artists who have small audiences and big ones, who are like her and different from her. She wants to share what she has. That has had a huge effect on me. As black women, were sometimes put into this box. We wear something or pioneer a look, and its considered ghetto. Then a little later, people decide thats a new cool thing, and we dont get the credit. It doesnt come from nowhere. I love the fact that Pat does what she does and no one can tell her whether thats allowed or appropriate. She has this power where its like, Oh, well if Pat did it, then its cool. People admire her because of who she is, as an authentic leader and creative person. To me, thats the goal. And when I look at other black women who are so creative and expressive, thats what I want for them. What womenand black women in particularhave shown me is that if we lift each other up, we all benefit. There are instances where Im like, I can do this, but Im going to bring other people in because I can. Every single time, I realize again that collaboration improves the work. It can be better and more magical with others than I could make it alone. So just think of how incredible and how fierce it would be if women collaborated with each other more, if we saw each other as allies and not as competition. I have never regretted sharing opportunities with other women, and in those times that Ive hesitated, its forced me to think about the misogyny that Ive internalized. When people say women arent cool or that women are passive aggressivethose messages feed this idea that only a handful of women deserve to succeed. And who benefits when women see each other as a threat? And dont work together? The status quo. And men. Working with other women has also reinforced for me how important it is to tell someone what their work means and to encourage them. There are tons of women whose names I want people to know: Sharon Chuter from UOMA Beauty, is one example. She is a fellow Nigerian and her brand is just killing it. I tell her all the time, Girl, youre out here killing it. Naomi Campbell is an icon. And Karen Civil, who knows all about music and hip hopthat woman is a big deal! But supporting other women isnt just about business or mentorship because there are the women that I know most people will never hear about who matter just as much to me as those bigger names. I think all the time about a woman I served with when I was in the U.S. Army. I was going through a divorce and I was at work; I had started the YouTube channel, but I wasnt on social media full-time and I just remember feeling like I was going to crash and burn. A lieutenant found me in the bathroom at March Air Reserve Base, crying my eyes out, mascara running. I was the only girl who wore makeup on base in the whole company. She was obviously superior to me, but she saw me crying and could tell that I was just having a breakdown, just going through it. I had never met this woman before, but she was also black and there werent a lot of us. Plus, she was so far above me in terms of rank. But she saw me just weeping and gave me the words that forever changed my life. She said, Whatever youre going through right now, this is not your final destination. You are more than this. You can make it through this. It was a turning point for me, that this stranger would look at me and know that I was destined for something better than what I was dealing with at the time. It motivated me. For every major moment in my life, a woman has been there, rooting for me. Even if we didnt know each other that well or I felt like I didnt deserve it, someone has seen me and said to me, You can do this. When I think about celebrating other women, thats what I rememberhow each of us can be that person for another woman. Its a responsibility, but its also a privilege. March 8 is International Womens Day. To celebrate, we asked women like Jackie Aina, Cecile Richards, Andrea Mitchell, and more to reflect on how other women have lifted them upmentored them, advised them, represented them, and above all showed them what was possible. Well be sharing their stories here all week. Originally Appeared on Glamour Chahid El Hafed, March 03, 2020 (SPS) - Units of the Saharawi People's Liberation Army thwarted on Sunday an attempt to smuggle an estimated 725 kg of cannabis hashish from the Moroccan-occupied territories of Western Sahara, near the Moroccan military Wall of shame in the Auserd region, according to a source from the Ministry of Defense. "The operation took place thanks to patrols carried out by units of the Saharawi People's Liberation Army based near the wall to protect the liberated Saharawi territories and restore security," the source added. "It is not the first time, says the same source, that the Moroccan regime deliberately tried to flood the region with drugs, despite the vigilance exercised by the Saharawi army units specializing in the fight against crime and drugs. In fact, more than 1,500 kg of cannabis from Morocco were seized last July in the liberated territories of Western Sahara in operations to combat drug trafficking, as well as a machine gun with 1,100 ammunitions and two (2) Kalashnikovs with 200 ammunitions and arrested four (4) drug traffickers aboard a Toyota 4x4 in the region of Rous Timelouza. A few days earlier, the SPLAs units arrested another group of five (5) individuals with 100 kg of cannabis in the region of Gleibat Aguaya. Within the framework of its national and regional responsibilities, the Saharawi State fights daily against the Moroccan systematic plan of drug trafficking through the Moroccan military wall of shame, but the special units are patrolling this wall to combat this crimes.SPS 125/090/TRA Two religious study groups in Indonesias West Sumatra province produced supporters of the Islamic State militant group who departed to Syria and Afghanistan, according to a new report by a think-tank that questions the effectiveness of the Indonesian governments anti-radicalism efforts. The groups, which were established in the cities of Padang and Bukittinggi, expanded their reach through trading and migration networks, direct exposure to radical clerics and movements to new areas, according to the report released by the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC). The West Sumatra study calls into question the wisdom of the Indonesian governments approach of treating radicalism as a problem of insufficient nationalism, curable by indoctrination in the state ideology, Pancasila, IPAC director Sidney Jones said in a statement accompanying the reports weekend release. The problems here were more concrete, she said, referring to a mosque that hosted extremist discussions for more than a decade without any attention from local authorities and deportees from Turkey who returned home without sufficient monitoring. On Tuesday, a national police spokesman and an official at the National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) declined to comment on the IPAC report, titled Learning from Extremists in West Sumatra. Meanwhile, BNPT had identified several provinces as regions in Indonesia most vulnerable to terrorism. West Sumatra is included in the list of 10 provinces prone to terrorism, Irfan Idris, BNPT director for deradicalization, told BenarNews on Tuesday. At the end of 2019, BNPT announced that militants were planning to carry out attacks in West Sumatra. Targets included police stations, government offices and places frequented by tourists, it said. Last July, members of the anti-terrorism police unit Densus 88 arrested a militant suspect named Novendri in Padang for alleged links to the outlawed Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), a network affiliated with IS. Similar starts The 14-page IPAC report said the Padang and Bukittinggi groups were believed to have started as local branches of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), a pro-sharia advocacy group established in West Sumatra in 2005. Their leaders often had divergent views, the report said, pointing out that the Padang group wanted to carry out attacks while the Bukittinggi group was not keen on engaging in violence at home, it said. By 2013, a member of the Bukittinggi group who had become radicalized wanted to join the Islamic State (IS), but ended up in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib with the al-Nusra Front (also known as al-Qaeda in Syria). The report made two points the first that the Indonesian government made little effort to understand the groups ongoing ties to the al-Qaeda network. The second point is that the Bukittinggi group, for the most part, was not interested in violence. They wanted an Islamic state, they wanted to be part of the caliphate and they wanted to fight Islams enemies in Syria. But that does not seem to have translated into a desire to harm anyone in Indonesia, IPAC said. Meanwhile in 2017, a member of the Padang group joined IS in Khorasan, an IS province in Afghanistan, and called on Indonesians to join him, the report said. By December 2018, word was out that IS families were encouraged to move to Khorasan to join the fight. One of the most senior Indonesians in Syria, Abu Walid, began making arrangements and sending money to IS fighters to move with their families to Afghanistan, according to the report. Among other findings, the report concludes that local officials missed several opportunities to work with community leaders to intervene as members of the two groups became attracted to IS and before they left the country. In Bukittinggi, the MMI cells-turned-ISIS supporters met at the al-Jihad Mosque from 2006 to 2017 more than 10 years. In all of that time, surely there was knowledge within local law enforcement of how the discussions there had taken a radical turn, it said using a different acronym for IS. The report said local officials could have encouraged clerics and donors to take over mosque development committees, which would give them more say over which groups would be hosted. Citizens stuck in Syrian camps For months, government officials have wrestled with the question of what to do with nearly with 700 Indonesians many of them women and children who have been confined to camps in the Middle East since ISs last bastion in Iraq and Syria fell last March. In August 2019, IPAC urged Indonesia to begin repatriating its most vulnerable citizens who had joined IS and not let them remain in the camps where they could face intimidation from supporters of the extremist group. Theres no need to wait for an all-encompassing policy to begin to bring back those most at risk, Jones told BenarNews at the time. Last month, the Indonesian government announced it would not repatriate hundreds of citizens who fought for IS in Syria and other countries, but would consider bringing back some of their children on a case-by-case basis. Security Minister Mahfud MD said the decision had been taken to protect the worlds largest Muslim-majority country from the virus of terrorism. An effective rehabilitation, reintegration and monitoring program for deportees, now numbering well over 550, is still lacking in Indonesia, Jones said in releasing the new report. Knowing how deportees have fared even several years after their return could help in the development of programs for future returnees. The reports final paragraph states, much more thought needs to go into the design, implementation and evaluation of these [targeted rehabilitation and reintegration] programs based on a detailed understanding of the backgrounds of the individuals concerned. A thorough appraisal of existing government-funded programs is long overdue. Ukraine tourist pulled from sea after being dragged by current Cozumel, Q.R. A man visiting Cozumel from the Ukraine was pulled from the sea after he was dragged from the coast by strong currents. The incident happened Monday at 6:15 p.m. at Playa San Martin when his swimming companion noticed him struggling in the water. His friend, 32-year-old Alexander Biez Mienbu, was able to successfully pull his drowning travel partner from the sea and onto shore. Reports say the victim, Ben Averhaus, was semi-conscious when he was attended to by on-duty lifeguards who reported the incident to Emergency 911. Police under the command of Deputy Director Jose Luis Perez arrived at the beach and met with Mienbu, who recapped what had happened. Civil Protection Lifeguard personnel were in charge of offering first aid while they waited for paramedics who transferred Averhaus to hospital. Authorities report he remains in stable condition. Big River Industrieshas completed the acquisition of Pine Design Truss and Timber (Pine Design), located in Adelaide, South Australia.This continues the expansion of Big Rivers network to directly supply the Trade segment of the building and construction industry.Pine Design is focused on the residential markets for the supply of building products, with the capability of prefabricated timber wall frames, roof trusses and floor systems.The business also provides a second site in Adelaide for Big River to further expand its position in the commercial and multi-residential segments.Shares in Big River Industrieslast traded at $1.64. The daughter of a Mexican fugitive cartel boss may have to remain in jail after the U.S. Department of Justice appealed a Washington magistrate judge's decision to award her bail. Jessica Johana Oseguera, 33, was arrested last Wednesday inside a D.C. federal courthouse while appearing at a hearing for her brother Ruben 'El Menchito' Oseguera, 30, who was extradited from Mexico on February 20 to face drug charges. The mother of two American-born children was granted a $500,000 bail bond and house arrest after her aunt posted her home as collateral during her hearing on Monday. However, the U.S. government appealed the judge's decision and another hearing is scheduled for Friday. 'Judge (Robin) Meriweather granted the government's motion to stay the order of release and to continue to detain the defendant, pending the District Court's determination of the government's motion for review and appeal of the release order,' a six-page court document indicated. 'The defendant must be held pending trial because the defendant is a serious flight risk and no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure her appearance as required.' Jessica Johana Oseguera, the daughter of Mexican drug lord Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, was granted a $500,000 bail bond by a Washington judge but it has been appealed by the Department of Justice Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes (pictured), the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico's most powerful criminal group. His daughter Jessica Johana Oseguera and son Ruben 'El Menchito' Oseguera are in custody in the United States If found guilty, Oseguera could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the five counts and a $10 million fine. Jessica Johana and El Menchito, who was born in San Francisco, are the oldest children of Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel, considered the most powerful criminal organization in Mexico with a significant presence in the U.S. The DOJ said the woman's two sushi restaurants, a resort, an advertising agency and a tequila were used to mask the cartel's illicit revenues. El Mencho is wanted by both governments in Mexico and the United States. The latter is offering $10 million for information leading to his arrest. He is believed to be hiding in Mexico. Ruben 'El Menchito' Oseguera Gonzalez was extradited from Mexico to the United States on February 20. He was born in San Francisco and is the son of Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes El Mencho is one of the 10 most-wanted men on the FBI's list, and the U.S. Department of Justice is also offering a $10 million reward for his arrest An indictment filed February 13 accused the woman, a dual U.S.-Mexico citizen, of doing business with five business entities, from September 2015 to February 2016, that have been declared off-limits by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control for 'providing material support to the international narcotics trafficking activities' to the cartel, according to a Justice Department statement. Her brother was arrested in Mexico in 2015 and spent several years fighting extradition before he was handed over to U.S. authorities. El Menchito pleaded not guilty to multiple charges relating to conspiracy to distribute narcotics. If convicted, he faces at least 15 years in prison. His trial began last Friday, and he too was denied bail. Federal prosecutor Brett Reynolds told the court at El Menchito's first hearing that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is considered by the United States to be 'one of the largest, most dangerous drug cartels' and that he constituted a 'serious flight risk' and should remain in government custody. HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DeliverLean CEO Scott Harris is bringing his company's health and wellness mission to the City of Miami in partnership with Mayor Francis Suarez. The Miami Moves Healthiest City Campaign, which Harris presented to Mayor Suarez, was launched during Suarez's annual "State of the City" address last month. "It's time to focus on making sure our low-income residents can have low cost, nutritious meals," Suarez announced. "This starts with promoting a healthy lifestyle with top notch nutrition. Providing health and wellness for everyone, in partnership with DeliverLean, we'll be spearheading the Miami Moves Healthiest City Campaign, from our first responders and homeless to our seniors and children. This campaign will focus on providing nutritious meals and health education to our most deserving, needy and vulnerable residents." This program aims to raise Miami's ranking from 38 into the top 20, by reaching the most underserved populations, the elderly, homeless, food-insecure youth and first responders. Lack of nutrition causes a negative domino effect including increased medical costs, return hospital stays and poor performance in schools. This campaign will help to eradicate these issues by providing nutritious meals from DeliverLean, educating these vulnerable groups about making healthy choices, emphasizing buying local and providing healthcare support and tracking from local hospitals. Harris has seen his meal delivery service impact people's lives and health outcomes on a bigger scale yearly, culminating in 2020 with the launch of several health-related endeavors, including the Miami Moves Healthiest City Campaign and DeliverLean CARE, which, in partnership with Humana and CarePlus Health Plans, provides medically-tailored meals to healthcare members at no additional cost. "I approached Mayor Suarez with the idea of addressing the most food insecure groups in Miami with a multi-tiered initiative to feed and educate them," Harris describes. "We created a panel to include local thought leaders and invited organizations like Humana, Baptist Health, FreshPoint, Halpern's, Taste of Redland and the Florida Department of Agriculture." About DeliverLean As one of the nation's largest food manufacturers, DeliverLean's 360-approach to healthy eating spans five divisions: DeliverLean CARE, which, provides medically-tailored meals to healthcare members at no additional cost; GRBNGO, which focuses on wholesale, with partners like Whole Foods, Aramark, Amtrak, Brightline and Cleveland Clinic; Perfect Fuel Meals, a macro-balanced meal plan for athletes; OnJuice, a cold-pressed, organic juice line; and DeliverLean, its signature home delivery model. Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Scott Harris, DeliverLean, produces over five million meals annually out of its 60,000 square foot USDA/FDA-certified kitchen in Hollywood, FL., earning the brand recognition as the 124th fastest growing company, and 8th in Food & Beverage, according to Inc. Magazine (2015). To learn more, visit our websites: www.DeliverLean.com www.GRBNGO.com www.DeliverLeanCare.com SOURCE DeliverLean Related Links www.deliverlean.com FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2019, file photo, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill arrives for a hearing at the state Supreme Court at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. A 60-day law license suspension is being recommended for Hill after allegations that he grabbed the buttocks of state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, and inappropriately touched three other women during a party. The recommendation filed Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, with the state Supreme Court puts the Republican Hill's ability to remain as state government's top lawyer in jeopardy as he must have a law license to hold the position. It wasn't immediately clear how a temporary suspension would affect his status. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File) (Michael Conroy/AP) As Mainers head to the polls on Super Tuesday for the presidential primary, they also will decide another issue: vaccine requirements. A statewide referendum asks if voters want to overturn a new law that eliminates religious and philosophical exemptions for childhood vaccines. Molly Frost of Newcastle wants the new law to stay. Her 11-year old son, Asa, has a compromised immune system. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma at age 5. The cancer has gone in and out of remission, Frost said, relapsing three times. Asa's treatment has included several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and, most recently, a stem cell transplant. He at this point has no immunity against any of the things he was vaccinated for in the past and could get very sick from those diseases were he to catch them, she said. That worries Frost, especially because her family lives in a coastal county where vaccine exemption rates are at least 9% among the states highest rates. She was glad when the Maine legislature passed the law last year intended to protect kids like her son. It aims to boost immunization rates of kids entering school by eliminating nonmedical exemptions. It's not in effect yet, but if opponents have their way Tuesday, it never will be. Asa Frost heads out the door to catch the school bus.(Patty Wight/Maine Public Radio) Its a huge infringement on personal freedoms," said Cara Sacks, co-chair of the group that put the repeal on the ballot. "On medical freedom in particular. The repeal group includes parents like Angie Kenney who want to keep the philosophical exemption for vaccines. Kenney has used the philosophical exemption to refuse immunizations for her kids ever since her older daughter had an adverse reaction after receiving the chickenpox vaccine at 18 months old. She could not crawl," Kenney said. "She couldnt walk. She couldnt even feed herself. And this went on for almost a year. Her daughter was diagnosed with ataxia, a brain injurylisted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a rare adverse event after chickenpox vaccination. Kenney said she received a payment from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Her daughter has recovered and is now a teenager. But Kenney also has a 4-year-old and doesn't think the state should force her to get either girl vaccinated: I am not sacrificing my child for the greater good of the community. Across Maine, though, physicians and health organizations say the new law is needed to protect public health because more and more parents are using exemptions. More than 5% of kindergartners in Maine now have nonmedical exemptions, more than double the national average. That has pushed vaccination rates for many diseases below 95% the critical threshold to achieve herd immunity and avoid spreading a disease to kids with compromised immune systems, like Asa Frost. Pediatrician Dr. Laura Blaisdell said she has daily conversations with parents about vaccines but has felt helpless as she's witnessed immunization rates drop. We have gotten to a point where there are no other solutions, Blaisdell said. Maine has the second-highest rate of pertussis in the country. And Blaisdell said she worries that outbreaks of measles in other states could easily arrive through the millions of tourists who visit each summer. That sort of traffic is exactly the sort of traffic that diseases like measles would just love, she said. More than $1 million has been spent on the referendum battle. The campaign to preserve Maine's new law received its initial support largely from doctors, nurses and health organizations. In the latest campaign filings, the group got a $500,000 boost from pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Merck & Co. The trade organization Biotechnology Innovation Organization, which represents the biotech industry, also contributed $98,000. The campaign to repeal the law, Yes on 1 for Maine, adopted "Reject Big Pharma" as its primary slogan. Much of the early support came from individual donations and chiropractors. More recently, the Organic Consumers Association contributed $50,000. The Minnesota-based group has been criticized for stoking vaccine fears and causing a measles outbreak in the state's Somali community three years ago. The backlash that has erupted over Maine's new law doesn't surprise Alison Buttenheim, an assistant professor of health policy at the University of Pennsylvania who studies vaccine hesitancy and state exemptions. She said when states eliminate entire categories of exemptions, some people perceive that as parental rights being sacrificed for public health. And you sort of wonder, could Maine have taken a different policy step? Maybe making those exemptions harder to get and accomplish the same goal of coverage and disease protection without having to go through a big repeal effort. If the new law is preserved, Maine would join four other states that don't allow any nonmedical exemptions for vaccinations: California, New York, Mississippi and West Virginia. This story is part of NPR's reporting partnership with Maine Public Radio and Kaiser Health News. She never fails to turn heads with her striking ensembles. And Helen Flanagan gave fans the chance to shop her style as she teamed up with Chi Chi London to launch a clothing collection. The Coronation Street actress, 29, looked radiant in the snaps as she modelled an array of items from her edit. Now's your chance! Helen Flanagan gave fans the chance to shop her style as she teamed up with Chi Chi London to launch a clothing collection Helen was a vision of beauty in a baby pink midi dress that clung to her hourglass curves and flared out in a peplum hem. The mother-of-two worked her angles in the garment, whilst her glossy chestnut locks were slicked back in a sleek ponytail that tumbled down one shoulder. Another striking look from the collection saw Helen slip into a navy midi dress that highlighted her tiny waist. Striking: The Coronation Street actress, 29, looked radiant in the snaps as she modelled an array of items from her edit Helen's glossy raven locks were styled in retro Hollywood waves, whilst a bore a slick of scarlet gloss on her plump pout. As part of Helen's collection, which was a range of casual-wear and occasionwear dresses, the soap star created a collection for girls aged 3-12 years old. The perfect mini model for the collection was Helen's four-year-old daughter Matilda, who looked adorable in the snaps. Pretty in pink! Helen was a vision of beauty in a baby pink midi dress that clung to her hourglass curves and flared out in a peplum hem Gorgeous in green: Helen stunned in a satin emerald midi dress that clung to her toned frames Stunning: Another striking look from the collection saw Helen slip into a navy midi dress that highlighted her tiny waist Gorgeous in green: Helen's glossy raven locks were styled in retro Hollywood waves, whilst a bore a slick of scarlet gloss on her plump pout Looking good: The mother-of-two worked her angles in the garment, whilst her glossy chestnut locks were slicked back in a sleek ponytail that tumbled down one shoulder Matilda cuddled up to her mother as they posed for pictures on the shoot. Helen is also mother to daughter Delilah, with fiance Scott Sinclair, with the couple recently postponing their wedding as they don't see the rush to walk down the aisle now they have two kids. Helen insisted the couple 'already feel like we're married' as they've been in a relationship for over ten years. Mini me! As part of Helen's collection, which was a range of casual-wear and occasionwear dresses, the soap star created a collection for girls aged 3-12 years old So sweet: The perfect mini model for the collection was Helen's four-year-old daughter Matilda, who looked adorable in the snaps Adorable: Matilda cuddled up to her mother as they posed for pictures on the shoot Soap actress Helen said she and Scott plan on rescheduling their nuptials to next year as her younger sister Jessica is set to tie the knot next summer. 'Me and Scott have been together for 10 years, since forever,' she explained. 'I know this sounds weird but, because weve got children and have been together for so long, we already feel like were married'. Fancy in frocks: Helen looked incredible as she worked her angles in an array of dresses Blooming lovely! Helen looked sensational in a cream Fifties style dress with a blue floral print Going dotty! Helen also dazzled in a pale print polka dot dress that she dressed down with a pair of white trainers Speaking to The Express at the Military Awards earlier this month, the I'm A Celeb star elaborated: 'We were going to get married this year but my little sister is getting married next summer, so maybe next year. 'I think its just because weve been together for so long, were just a bit lazy about. But, it would be nice to have the same name.' The couple got engaged in May 2018 during a holiday in Disneyland Paris and while Helen has admitted that she didn't see the point in getting married in the past, she's now excited to be tying the knot. Extinct parrot species is being resettled in Brazil. BERLIN, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for this year's World Wildlife Day, today, 52 Spix's Macaw parrots, 49 from the ACTP headquarters in Berlin, 3 from Pairi Daiza in Belgium, will arrive in Brazil - here, they will be prepared for their reintroduction and further life in the wild over the next months. More information on www.act-parrots.org, on www.pressebox.de/newsroom/actp-ev and spixsAreComingHome. This parrot species, which has been considered extinct in the wild for two decades, has been known worldwide since the movie "Rio", in which a Spix's Macaw named "Blu" plays the leading role. The excitement is correspondingly great in Brazil, where the villages of the Caatinga region and Curaca City in the state Bahia in the northeast of the country are preparing to receive the birds. The reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw is part of a larger community program in Caatinga, which was declared a protected area in 2018, to promote biodiversity and organic farming. The approximately 7,500 students in the local schools will be taught about the project and will thus be sensitized to the topic of species conservation and eco-tourism. The animals had fallen victim to decades of poaching and the loss of their natural habitat through cattle breeding and colonisation. Breeding seemed impossible as only a very small number of birds had survived and the genetic pool was too limited. So, the first attempts to breed were unsuccessful. In 2012, the Brazilian federal government agency ICMBio, Institute for the Conservation of Biodiversity, together with several partner organizations established an Action Plan to increase the captive population, protect the habitat and promote the reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw. In 2016, the non-profit organisation ACTP, which has been committed to the protection, conservation and development of threatened parrot populations and their habitats since its foundation in 2006, launched the "Spix Release Project" together with the ICMBio and the support of the Belgian Pairi Daiza Foundation. In 2018, all Spix stocks were therefore brought together at ACTP in Berlin. Under the supervision of a team of experts, a critical number of animals have been bred over the last few years. Fortunately, the captive breeding technology developed by the holders and the artificial insemination program of Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation from Qatar, helped increase the small population of 53 birds in 2000 up to 180 healthy parrots today. From these, the first animals are now to be resettled to their original home. On March 3, 2020, the birds and their accompanying team of veteranians, animal keepers, biologists, members of the Brazilian government and cameramen will fly in a specially chartered aircraft to Petrolina in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, not far from the parrots' new destination: a large breeding and release center near Curaca, in the state of Bahia. It is located on a 45 hectare site in the protected Caatinga area. Here, the parrots will be prepared for their life in the wild. In 2021, the first group of Spix's Macaws will be released into the wild. About ACTP Association for the Conservation of Threatend Parrots (ACTP) is a registered non-profit association. The association was founded in 2006 and has its headquarters in Berlin. It is dedicated to the protection, conservation and development of threatened parrot populations and their habitats. In 2008, the association bred the first Spix's Macaws in Berlin. More information on www.act-parrots.org, on www.pressebox.de/newsroom/actp-ev and spixsAreComingHome. About ICMBio Federal agency, responsible for the conservation programs in Brazil. It is the coordinator of the Spix's Macaw Action Plan and Captive Breeding Program. It is the manager of the Spix's Macaw Wildlife Refugee and Environmental Protected Area. About Pairi Daiza Foundation Pairi Daiza Foundation is a non-profit association, housed by the Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette, Belgium, that aims to manage and protect nature reserves and threatened animals all over the world. In addition to the pedagogical role of showing the wonders of biodiversity and sensitizing visitors, the Pairi Daiza Foundation wants to go further and give back to nature what it has given us. Picture is available at AP Images ( http://www.apimages.com ) Press contacts ACTP: press@act-parrots.eu, +49-(151)-5311-4473 ICMBIO: comunicacao@icmbio.gov.br Pairi Daiza: mathieu.goedefroy@pairidaiza.eu (English), claire.gilissen@pairidaiza.eu (French) TORONTO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Orebodies Inc. (the Company) (TSXV:CORE) is pleased to announce that it has closed the non-brokered private placements (the Financing) that were previously announced on January 10, 2020 and February 13, 2020. The Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of $1,174,000 through the sale of 4,920,000 common shares (the Shares) at a price of $0.10 per Share, 850,000 flow-through common shares (the FT Shares) at a price of $0.12 per FT Share, and 4,000,000 flow-through common shares (the Premium FT Shares) at a price of $0.145 per Premium FT Share. We would like to thank all our shareholders for their continued support, and in particular Northfield Capital Corporation and O3 Mining Inc. for their backing in this financing. We were pleased to raise more than our initial goal and look forward to getting to work on the Hemlo projects, said Fraser Laschinger, Interim CEO & CFO. The proceeds of the Financing will be used for the exploration and advancement of the Companys Hemlo area properties, and for general corporate purposes. All securities to be issued in connection with the Financing will be subject to a hold period expiring on July 4, 2020. The Company paid cash finders fees of $13,140 in connection with the Financing. The Company obtained disinterested shareholder approval on February 26, 2020 for Northfield Capital Corporation and its joint actor, Mr. Robert Cudney, to become a new Control Person of the Company (as such term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange Corporate Finance Manual). Closing of the Financing is conditional upon the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Insiders of the Company, Northfield Capital Corporation together with its joint actor, Mr. Robert Cudney, have, directly or indirectly, subscribed for and acquired direction or control over a total of 5,000,000 common shares under the Financing, increasing their combination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, and control or direction over issued and outstanding common shares of the Company to approximately 24.75%. Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), the private placement of shares to insiders constitutes a related party transaction. The transaction is exempt from the formal valuation requirement in Section 5.4 of MI 61-101, pursuant to the exemption in Subsection 5.5(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, exceeds 25% of the Companys market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The transaction is also exempt from the formal valuation requirement in Subsection 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to the exemption in Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on any of the markets specified therein. This release and a material change report are being filed less than 21 days before the closing date of the Offering. This shorter period is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances as Mr. Cudney's subscription was received less than 21 days before the closing date of the Offering. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Canadian Orebodies Inc. Canadian Orebodies is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with a portfolio of properties in Ontario and Nunavut. Canadian Orebodies is focused on generating shareholder value through the advancement of its two Hemlo area projects: the Pic Project and the North Limb. For more information please contact: Fraser Laschinger, Interim CEO & CFO Canadian Orebodies Inc. (416) 644-1747 http://www.canadianorebodies.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, exploration results, potential mineralization, statements relating to mineral resources, and the Companys plans with respect to the exploration and development of its properties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Canadian Orebodies, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Hindi News National Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal | PM Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Meeting Today Latest News And Updates Over Delhi Violence, Coronavirus - , 2 47 , 200 . , , , , , 47 200 62 , 70 62 8 Neva Holladay is a math teacher in Arcata, California who is passionate about teaching mathematics and helping all her students find equal success in their academics. Below, she helps readers understand how dyslexia affects students in school and discusses when evaluations should be made to determine if the condition is present. EUREKA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Neva Holladay has helped children for years take control of their education, and today empowers their studies as a passionate math teacher in California. Working with a range of students and learning to meet their individual learning needs, she has become an expert on specialized teaching techniques. Here, she explains how children with dyslexia are at a unique disadvantage, but how the condition can help them grow to be strong, resourceful students and individuals. Neva has learning disabilities, including dyslexia. "There are millions of cases of dyslexia in the US each year, proving that it's not a rare condition by any means," says Neva Holladay. "Unfortunately, dyslexia can be a real struggle for students as it impacts their ability to read and communicate with confidence. The challenge lies in discovering the ways each student learns best at an individual level so they can work around dyslexia." Neva Holladay tells us that students with dyslexia are most often faced with challenges in the areas of reading and writing. These difficulties can have a significant impact on a student's academic progress, but it also can affect their social and emotional aspects in life, as well. Being unable to express yourself through language as eloquently as you'd like can often leave lingering feelings of low self-esteem. Although the child may not feel this way, Neva Holladay says symptoms of dyslexia are not at all a reflection of a child's individual intelligence. Unfortunately, it's also not something that they can grow out of, meaning that the sooner they can determine what helps them learn best, the better equipped they'll be for any struggles with the condition throughout their life. Dyslexia appears in children at various ages, but often as soon as they are tasked with reading and writing. School districts can perform evaluations to determine if children have the condition, but usually not until the child in question is at least six-years-old. However, certain schools encourage parents to wait until the child is in third grade to determine if an intervention is actually required. Many doctors simply ask that parents seek out an evaluation as soon as there's an evident gap between reading skills and intelligence level. Neva Holladay says that there are plenty of professional resources today to teach kids with dyslexia how to overcome their condition and learn methods of education that fit their individual needs. Above all, she says that the goal should be to make these children comfortable reading and communicating and to teach them never to doubt their abilities or self-worth. CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 7865519491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578891/Neva-Holladay-Explains-How-Dyslexia-Affects-Student-Learning Soldiers screen visitors at the entrance to the military hospital in Daegu, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap Two more service personnel and a civilian worker for the military tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the military to 31 early Tuesday, the defense ministry said. The newly confirmed COVID-19 cases were an Army officer and an employee of the Air Force stationed in the southeastern city of Daegu as well as a Marine Corps officer in the nearby port city of Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province, according to the ministry. Of the total, 17 are in the Army, 11 in the Air Force, two in the Marine Corps and one in the Navy, the ministry said, adding that 27 of the total are active-duty soldiers. As of midnight Tuesday, South Korea reported 4,812 virus patients, with nearly 75 percent of cases occurring in Daegu. Taken together with cases in North Gyeongsang Province, the figure rises to 90 percent. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Foreign Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Mohamed Siala, has told the 8th Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development that previous experiences have demonstrated the fragility of isolated and unilateral policies in solving the migration issue Dr Mei Zhongming (pictured), 57, was declared dead on Tuesday after contracting the novel coronavirus through his work A doctor in Wuhan who worked side by side with late heroic coronavirus whistle-blower Dr Li Wenliang has also died of the disease after contracting it while fighting the outbreak. Dr Mei Zhongming, 57, was declared dead by Wuhan's Jinyintan Hospital today at noon local time after 'all-out rescue efforts failed', said Wuhan Central Hospital where he worked. Dr Mei worked in the same department as Dr Li, who was punished for sounding the alarm over the coronavirus outbreak before it spread and then died of the infection last month. Dr Mei specialised in treating eye diseases and had worked in the department of ophthalmology at Wuhan Central Hospital since his graduation from university in 1986. 'He was serious and responsible for his work, acted patiently and carefully with his patients and made important contributions to the construction and development of his discipline,' the hospital said today in a statement published through its official account on Weibo, a messaging platform. 'We express sincere condolences to the passing of comrade Mei Zhongming of our hospital and extend deep sympathy to his family,' it added. The hospital did not explain when Dr Mei was diagnosed with the coronavirus. Dr Mei's co-worker Dr Li, 34, died of the coronavirus on February 7 having contracted it from his patients. Li Wenliang, 34, succumbed to the deadly contagion in the early hours of February 7 local time, despite attempts to resuscitate him. The ophthalmologist caught the public's attention after he was reprimanded by police and accused of spreading 'fake news' for warning on social media of 'SARS at a Wuhan seafood market'. His hospital initially denied reports of his death Mourners pay their respect to deceased Chinese doctor Li Wenliang during a vigil ceremony in Hong Kong on February 7. The public have accused Dr Li's hospital of trying to cover up truth Dr Li caught the public's attention after he was reprimanded by police and accused of spreading 'fake news' for warning on social media of 'SARS at a Wuhan seafood market' on December 30. Dr Li's post came two weeks before coronavirus broke out in the city of 14 million which has been locked down since January 23. His death was initially reported by Global Times on the evening of February 6 before the Chinese state newspaper deleted the post. Wuhan Central Hospital then claimed doctors were still trying to revive him. The hospital pronounced his death in the wee hours the next day. He left behind his wife who is pregnant, their five-year-old son and his elderly parents, according to media. The medic's death triggered an outpouring of anger from Chinese people who openly criticised their leaders for clamping down on the news. The picture shows tributes paid by British residents to Dr Li Wenliang outside Kings College in Cambridge on February 26. His death triggered an outpouring of anger from Chinese people A memorial is pictured outside the UCLA campus in Westwood, California on February 15 'How they dared to 'pretend to be resuscitating him'! How they dared to 'control' the public opinions,' one critic wrote on Twitter-like Weibo. 'The god of death wanted him at midnight, but the organisation demanded him live until the early hours,' another person seconded. 'He wasn't allowed to speak. He wasn't even allowed to die,' wrote one user of popular messaging app WeChat. Dr Li's family was paid 90,000 after Beijing ruled his death a 'workplace injury'. Both Dr Mei and Dr Li worked in the department of ophthalmology at Wuhan Central Hospital. A picture released by the hospital shows medical staff attending to coronavirus patient A picture released by Wuhan Central Hospital shows medical staff transferring a patient Medical workers at Wuhan Central Hospital are pictured wearing face shields while working The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement that it promised a thorough investigation into the issues surrounding Dr Li. Outpourings of public grief and fury escalated 11 days later when Dr Liu Zhiming, the head of Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, lost his life to the killer virus. As in Dr Li's case, reports of Dr Liu's death were initially retracted by officials who claimed that he was still being resuscitated. Dr Liu, the head of Wuhan Wuchang Hospital at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, died of the disease at around 11am on February 18 after catching it at work, health officials confirmed Since the outbreak started last December, at least 26 Chinese medical workers who dedicated themselves to fighting the epidemic have died, including 13 of them who died after contracting the disease, according to Chinese news outlet Caixin. Just two days ago, another doctor at the Wuhan Central Hospital died of the infection after being infected at work. Dr Jiang Xueqing, 55, died in the wee hours on Sunday at Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital. While last week a Chinese clinic's deputy head dropped dead after fighting the deadly coronavirus on the front line for 33 days straight. Dr Zhong Jinxing, 32, died of a heart attack in his dorm room in the wee hours of Friday. He left behind his wife and their six-year-old daughter. Italians have been told to stand one metre away from each other in all public spaces in a bid to stop coronavirus from spreading. A woman is pictured wearing a mask on a street of Rome The death toll in Italy, Europe's worst affected country, jumped to 52 yesterday from 34 the day before. The picture shows pedestrians wearing face masks while walking on a street of Rome Originating in Wuhan, the new coronavirus - known as COVID-19 - has killed at least 2,944 people and infected more than 80,100 inside China. The number of new virus cases dropped again in the country on Tuesday, with just 125 new cases after a six-week low of 202 a day earlier. However, outbreaks outside of China have soared in the past week. More than 70 nations are now battling the contagion, with South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran among the worst-affected. Italians have been told to stand one metre away from each other in all public spaces in a bid to stop coronavirus spreading. Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus, after cancelling engagements and largely disappearing from public view last week after falling ill (pictured on Sunday) Face masks have become an increasingly common sight on the streets of London as concern about a potential coronavirus outbreak rises. The picture shows a passenger wearing the protective equipment while using the underground transport system in London on March 2 Globally, the coronavirus has killed at least 3,117 people and infected more than 91,300 The death toll in Italy, Europe's worst affected country, jumped to 52 yesterday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases there climbed to 2,036. The one-metre rule will also apply to pubs, shops and churches and is based on a study of how far saliva droplets can travel when they are released into the air as people talk, according to The Times. Other measures by Italy's health authorities include a ban on public gatherings and school closures in the north. Nearby in France, the latest death was reported in the Oise department northeast of Paris, in the country's most significant cluster. With at least 191 cases, including 47 in the Oise, France is the second-worst affected country in Europe after Italy. The Louvre in Paris shut its doors for a second day yesterday after staff walked out over health risks. Ukraine today became the latest country to record a case of the killer virus. Health officials revealed a man tested positive after catching the deadly infection in Italy and travelling to Chernivtsi via Romania. Globally, the coronavirus has killed at least 3,117 people and infected more than 91,300. The continuing coronavirus spread around the world has brought about a fresh anxiety for travelers. Now that several cases have been reported in Oregon, the anxiety is growing as spring break approaches. While the spread of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has yet to be declared a global pandemic, it has already resulted in quarantines, travel bans and closures at popular tourist destinations. For those with travel on the horizon, the question now is: Should I cancel my trip? Your answer depends on a lot of different factors. Where are you traveling? How is your health? Do you have travel insurance that covers the cancellation? Well dig into the specifics below, and hopefully help you make that tough decision. Travel bans and quarantines notwithstanding, a lot of it comes down to your own personal comfort level. There are always risks inherent in travel. Is the coronavirus one youre willing to face? What countries should you be worried about? As of March 2, there are 68 countries across six continents with confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the CDC. The CDC has issued Level 3 warnings for China, South Korea, Iran and Italy and recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to those countries. Japan has a Level 2 warning, meaning people with chronic medical conditions should avoid traveling there. As the virus continues to spread, however, its not safe to assume that any country will remain immune. Be sure to check CDC updates before any trip. Will travel insurance cover coronavirus-related cancellations? Most travel insurance policies do not cover viral outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics. If you cancel your trip out of fear of contracting COVID-19, youll most likely be out of luck. But there are some exceptions, according to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth. Some policies will cover trips affected by quarantines or CDC-issued travel warnings. Some will also cover medical expenses if you contract the virus while traveling, and might cover cancellations if you contract the virus before traveling. A lot of it comes down to the specific insurance policy and provider. You can see statements about the coronavirus outbreak from travel insurance providers at Squaremouth. The safest bet is to purchase pricier travel insurance policies that allow you to cancel for any reason. The only catch is that you usually need to buy them within two to three weeks after your first payment toward the trip if you made your travel plans months ago, you wont be able to tack travel insurance on now. What about credit card travel insurance? If youve purchased travel insurance through a credit card company, the same basic issues apply. Each policy will vary, so its best to check in with the bank or credit union that you use. Business Insider has helpfully rounded up coronavirus-related statements from the major credit card providers. Are any airlines loosening up their refund policies? Several airlines have already announced changes to cancellations and changed flights due to coronavirus. Last week, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines announced that they both will waive fees for changing and cancelling flights booked between the end of February and mid-March. American Airlines followed suit Sunday, with Delta Air Lines making a similar announcement Monday. The exact details vary from airline to airline, so be sure to check in and read the fine print before making any cancellations or flight changes. You can find links to all announcements made by airlines online at travel booking site Kayak. If you choose to travel, what precautions should you take? Anyone who might be especially at risk (older adults, kids and people with chronic medical conditions) should talk to a doctor before traveling, especially to countries with existing outbreaks of COVID-19. While traveling, the CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick people, and avoiding touching your eyes, mouth or nose without first washing your hands. Its important to wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. Risk of infection on an airplane is actually pretty low, due to the way the air is circulated throughout the cabin, according to the CDC. Cruises pose a higher risk, with more frequent contact between a larger number of people. Regardless, the same precautions apply no matter where you are. Can you cancel lodging reservations for coronavirus? Hotel reservations are among the most refundable travel arrangements. Most chain hotels will offer refunds for cancellations made up to 24 or 48 hours in advance, according to an article on Forbes. Several have also offered to waive cancellation fees for those traveling to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (see an up-to-date list at Business Traveller). If youve booked a place on Airbnb, the cancellation policy will be determined by the property host, and can range widely in terms of flexibility. The same is true of smaller, local hotels and bed and breakfast spots. How are airlines cleaning their planes? Its not clear how every airline is approaching a deep clean of its airplanes, but the few who flew out of the COVID-19 epicenter in China have set a pretty high standard. Qantas, for example, used hospital-grade disinfectant and spent 36 hours cleaning its flights from Wuhan, according to TIME, throwing away all blankets, pillows, headphones and magazines. Crews wiped down every inch of the cabin twice, and replaced all the air filters. Airlines that arent flying to or from China seem to be taking other measures. Delta Air Lines, for example, said it has deployed a fogging technique using a strong disinfectant, and is sanitizing all linens, cutlery and headphones. Alaska Airlines has suspended its warm towel service in first class, and said it is enhancing aircraft cleaning between flights, but hasnt specified beyond that. Subscribe to our Oregon coronavirus newsletter: Email: --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB NoBroker.com, Indias largest peer-to-peer real estate platform has recently launched a multicity campaign to highlight its strength in buy/sell category after having established its leadership in the rental space. Conceptualised and created by BlueBot films, the TVC breaks the perception that NoBroker is just a rental platform by positioning it as a first choice for buying a home. As much as INR 1,20,000 crores is spent as real estate brokerage in India every year. NoBroker enables better matchmaking between prospective buyers and sellers to drive significant savings in terms of time, money, and effort. As per NoBroker.coms latest real estate report, as many as 64% tenants are looking to buy a house in 2020. Launched across the cities- Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi-NCR, the ad campaign targets buyers through multiple mediums. The campaign would be seen across National and Regional GEC, News and Movies. To augment the efficacy, the films are dubbed into respective vernacular languages for regional markets. The campaign would get amplified on digital and social platforms through multiple short format films and creatives. The campaigns hashtag is #BuyBinaBrokerage. Commenting on the latest campaign, Saurabh Garg, co-founder and CBO of Nobroker.com said, " NoBroker helps save over INR 1200 crores in brokerage annually. It sells over 1500 properties a month. We are already leaders in rental category across cities where we are present. This campaign would position us as a leader in the buy/sell space as well." Siva Prasad, Director Marketing at NoBroker.com said, This campaign is designed to break the perception that NoBroker is just a rental platform by positioning it as a first choice for buying a home. We are targeting buyers who are financially smart and appreciate a more autonomous and brokerage-free process of buying a property. NoBroker.com is a one stop shop for home buying and associated needs such as home-loans, legal advice and interiors. In a short span since its launch, NoBroker.com has disrupted the Indian residential and commercial real estate markets through its innovative peer-to-peer approach. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies and AI-assisted tools, the platform eliminates brokers from the property search and discovery value chain to facilitate direct connections between property owners and property seekers. The platform has also introduced several unique features to address information asymmetry and to deliver end-to-end real estate solutions to its customers. The platform has been consistently featured amongst the most disruptive tech start-ups in India. Shelves and shelves of sequestered voting machines, wrapped with yellow caution tape, sitting unrecorded, and unused, at the Fulton County Election Preparation Center in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday November 6, 2018, after 700 voting machines in Fulton County were sequestered due to a lawsuit over paper ballots. Melina Mara | The Washington Post via Getty Images March 3 is Super Tuesday, when voters in 14 states will be making primary election candidate decisions. However, America's election technology has turned out to be a vital issue itself, as many voters worry about the security of the process. The Iowa caucus on Feb. 3 was a significant cause. It took three days for results to be reported from IowaRecorder, an app made by Shadow, and the delays and disarray made some voters suspicious of the overall process. Recognizing the many ways in which an election can be compromised, some companies are working on technological solutions that they say improve security. Eyal Elyashiv, CEO and co-founder of Cynamics, which provides threat detection AI for smart networks and cities, said that tech companies hoping to safeguard the voting process should use artificial intelligence to keep pace with the evolving threats. "There has been an increase in machine-speed attacks across U.S. organizations," he said. "One strategic way to increase the safety of election technology is to apply AI to identify critical cyberthreats in a scalable way. AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions help cities streamline their election processes by identifying, isolating and deleting malicious software files and other cyberattacks in the most efficient way possible." One company hoping to improve the voting process for mobile natives is Voatz, whose CEO and co-founder, Nimit Sawhney, wants people to cast ballots from their Apple, Samsung and Google smartphones. He said that the app uses a combination of facial recognition software, biometrics and cryptography to ensure that each voter can anonymously and securely make their choices. The app has been used by voters in Utah and voters in West Virginia. The Voatz app allows people to cast ballots from smartphones, using a combination of facial recognition software, biometrics, cryptography, and blockchain to ensure that each voter can anonymously and securely make their choices, but a recent MIT study has claimed to find multiple vulnerabilities in the app. Voatz "It allows you as a voter to get verified on your smartphone against the registration database, to vote on your smartphone and to confirm that your selections were counted as cast," Sawhney said. The actual voting happens within the app itself, which employs blockchain technology to store votes securely and make them available to whichever entity is counting them. Voatz also backs up every vote with a paper copy. Voatz flaws alleged in MIT study Not everyone is sold on Voatz. The app was the subject of a recent study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which found what the researchers described as multiple vulnerabilities. The study, conducted by graduate students Michael Specter and James Koppel under the guidance of MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab's principal research scientist Daniel Weitzner, found that someone with remote access could discover a user's vote. It could then be changed via a hacked server. They also said malicious actors could detect the voter's choice and stop their connection, thereby preventing the vote from recording. "When you encrypt something, it protects the contents of what you're sending but not the length," Specter told CNBC. "So if you were choosing between two candidates with different names one long and one short you could actually tell which way someone voted based on the length of the encrypted data." He said that it was also possible to determine a voter's intent by the amount of metadata sent, such as images of the candidate, the URL of the candidate's home page, or just general information about him or her. With that information in hand, a hacker could suppress a vote. Voatz referred CNBC to its official statement on the MIT claims, describing the study as "fundamentally flawed." It said that "the foundation of the research is based on an Android version of the Voatz mobile-voting app that was at least 27 versions old at the time of analysis." Furthermore, the app used in the study "was never connected to the Voatz servers," according to the statement. "This means that they were unable to register, unable to pass the layers of identity checks to impersonate a legitimate voter, unable to receive a legitimate ballot and unable to submit any legitimate votes or change any voter data." The interference in the 2016 election was largely done through social media, not through interference with the polling mechanism. As citizens, we need to hold information sources accountable. Eyal Elyashiv CEO and co-founder of Cynamics While election technology will continue to evolve to meet new threats, Heikki Nousiainen, CTO of the open-source technology company Aiven, said that companies hoping to safeguard the process will always have to split the difference between verifying a vote and protecting the voter's anonymity. He suggested that an open-source model could help achieve this. "Having those implementations open and reviewable by outsiders can gain user trust, knowing that the systems are really designed correctly and doing what the technology claims to do," Nousiainen said. This advice may have greater relevance after Super Tuesday, depending on how smoothly it goes. Many counties in California have changed their voting procedures since 2016, with some rolling out new technology for the very first time. Other states have made their changes as well, such as moving to voting machines with paper trails. In 2019 the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission distributed $425 million to state election offices to strengthen election security. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency was also created when President Donald Trump signed into law the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018. Joe Biden appeared to be surging ahead in the heated Democratic Party's presidential race with the ex-US vice president picking up three key endorsements from former rivals on the eve of the "Super Tuesday" primaries, the most important day in the race for the White House. Senator Amy Klobuchar and former mayor from Indiana Pete Buttigieg not only announced that they were dropping out of the race but also endorsed 77-year-old Biden's bid to challenge President Donald Trump, a Republican, in the November 3 election. Former US congressman Beto O'Rourke, who dropped out of the race last November, also backed Biden. Democratic moderates have been urging party leaders to urgently unite to stop Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, from becoming the party's nominee to take on President Trump. Responding to the barrage of endorsements, Biden said, 'Pete and Amy and Beto backed our campaign now we need you. This is our moment to come together as a party to beat Donald Trump. If you're with us, chip in today to keep our momentum going." "Whether you supported Pete, Amy, Beto, or any other candidate in this race know that there is a home for you in our campaign. I will do everything I can to earn your vote," he tweeted. "The last few days have made one thing very clear: We are building the campaign that will beat Donald Trump," the former US vice president wrote in another tweet. Now Biden's two major rivals are Sanders, 78, who is widely popular among the young Democratic base and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 78, who entered the race early this year. Since Bloomberg is spending millions from his own pocket in the race, he is considered to be a strong contender for the Democratic Party's nomination. The "Super Tuesday", or March 3 presidential primaries, would be held in as many as 15 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. For the Democratic Party, the results of the "Super Tuesday" would allocate 1,357 of the 3,979 pledged delegates for the Democratic National Convention in Wisconsin later this summer, which would select its nominee who would challenge President Trump in the presidential elections in November. Biden, who so far has won only the South Carolina primary, has 54 pledged delegates in his kitty. Sanders has won the primaries in New Hampshire and Nevada and was tied with Buttigieg in the Iowa Caucus. He is leading the pledged delegate count with 58. On Monday, Biden also picked up endorsements from former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Sanders, according to many political analysts, still have an edge in the race given his mass popularity in a state like California which sends 415 pledged delegates. He seems poised for a big victory in California, The Hill newspaper reported. A candidate should have 1,991 delegates to win the party's nomination The Vermont Senator is also ahead in the key State of Texas. But the former vice president tried to overcome this with dozens of key endorsements from across the country. The other candidates still in the race are Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu member of Congress. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed announced to endorse Biden for President. "President Donald Trump has done unspeakable damage to our country, our institutions and the rule of law. Democrats need a candidate who can assemble the largest, most diverse coalition possible to defeat Trump and lead our country following the trauma of Trump's presidency. That candidate is Joe Biden," he said. "We need a that's about decency, a that brings back dignity. ... That's what Joe Biden has been practicing his entire life," Buttigieg said in a joint rally with Biden in Dallas on Monday. Bloomberg in a town hall with Fox claimed that Sanders is not electable. "He's not electable," he said adding that some of Sanders' ideas are "crazy and maintaining that "the public doesn't want that kind of change". "I have said that I would vote for Sanders, but I would not be happy doing it. But I have said I would," Bloomberg said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some Love to Hate Chick-Fil-A The Christian-owned fast-food restaurant, Chick-fil-A, has been targeted repeatedly by activists and government agencies ever since 2012, when CEO Dan Cathy gave a speech in support of traditional, biblical marriage. Though Chick-fil-A restaurants are hugely popular nationwide, airports in New York and Texas have recently banned the chain from their concession areas. Why? LGBTQ activists claim Chick-fil-A violates political correctness. But does Chick-fil-A display hate or discrimination toward any group of people in its hiring or its service? Absolutely not. The companys policy is clear: Chick-fil-A embraces all people, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. But if the companys CEO expresses his support for the biblical model of marriage, activists and government agencies will do everything they can to shut Chick-fil-A down. Salvation Army and FCA Under Fire Organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes have recently come under fire because they are accused of proselytizing and refusing to hire personnel (such as gay rights activists) who are diametrically opposed to their mission. The Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes are evangelistic organizations. Their core mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ, in obedience to the Great Commission. Evangelizing and witnessing are activities protected by the First Amendment under the free speech and freedom of religion clauses. Condemning these Christian organizations for proselytizing is a secularist ploy to make a constitutionally protected activity seem evil and underhanded. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Renneisen/Stringer 'Climate change is going to bring the worst human rights violations of all time' - interview with Andrew Gilmour The recently retired head of human rights at the UN speaks about climate change, Brexit, Scotlands approach to human rights, and his old friend, Boris Johnson Since stepping down as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights in December, Andrew Gilmour has planted over 200 trees. Gilmour, who rose to become the most senior Scot in the UN, has moved back to his family home in Dumfriesshire and is focusing, for the time being, on countering the noticeable decline in wildlife in the area while he puts down his roots. His very localised effort to have a positive impact on the environment fits with a new focus that he hopes will twin his lifelong interests in conservation and human rights. Gilmour plans to dedicate himself to getting climate-change campaigners and human-rights defenders to better work together because, as he sees it, they have the same enemies. I have officially retired from the UN, he says. But Ive not retired in life at all. This task will draw on the three decades of experience Gilmour had at the UN, where he held postings around the world, directing humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts in countries from Serbia to South Sudan, before becoming the head of human rights at the secretary-generals office in 2016. But for the moment, the 55-year-old intends to make the most of his time in his family home in Scotlands rural south-west. He says: Thats actually one of the reasons I wanted to leave the UN. Ive been coming here all my life, but Ive never lived here. Gilmour in his home near Thornhill, Dumfriesshire Gilmour described himself as a young conservationist, obsessed with wildlife, having joined WWF aged 10. On the winding drive to his house, Gilmour jumped on the brakes as a red squirrel darted across the road. Such sightings are, he said, one of the great joys of life. Thats why this place means so much to me. Id be out even in this weather, actually, he says, nodding towards the window, a February snow-storm sweeping over the hills. Newly freed from any political constraints, Gilmour instead spends the afternoon talking to Holyrood about his passions and fears to do with human rights, climate change, Brexit and his old friend, Boris Johnson. Gilmours father, Sir Ian Gilmour, was a Conservative MP as well as an heir to the title Lord of Craigmillar. Politically, Gilmour described his father as the archetypal Tory wet for his liberal voting record. He grew up near London and, like his father, was schooled at Eton and studied at Balliol College, Oxford, alongside a number of prominent peers, including David Cameron and Boris Johnson. Gilmour first got involved with human rights when he joined Amnesty International, aged 16, earnestly taking part in letter-writing campaigns to political prisoners in the Soviet Union and Greece. Gilmour arrived at the bottom rungs of the UN, aged 25, in the very week the Berlin Wall fell. There was a great feeling of optimism in those end-of-history days, he recalls, seeing international cooperation begin to flourish after the stagnation of the Cold War. As bureaucratic and legalistic as the UN can be, Gilmour, not himself a lawyer, feels that human rights are best understood in simple terms. The word dignity means a lot to me, he says. And another constant is just hating bullies. In his whole career, one cause in particular has captured his passion for defending human rights. That always brings me back to the Palestinians, he says. Thats why I have such strong views about that issue. In all his postings around the world, Gilmour says, he has witnessed areas of greater violence and worse deprivation. But Ive never seen a greater injustice and an entire people just being humiliated than in Palestine. I mean, Ive seen an old man at a checkpoint, in front of his grandchildren, having to drop his trousers to show that he hasnt got a suicide bomb, he says. The humiliation of Palestinians is, for Israel, part of the plan, Gilmour thinks. He used his final address to the UN in November 2019 to discuss the appalling situation created in Gaza, highlighting the imbalance of violance inflicted by Israeli forces. Sharing the clip on social media, Gilmour wrote: Yesterday I spoke at the UN on Palestine-Israel and its impact on human rights for what is likely to be the last time. So, I didnt go out of my way to conceal what I really feel about it. In his most recent role at the UN, Gilmour was tasked with reporting on reprisals against human rights defenders (documenting an increase in recent years). He also championed an internal UN initiative called Human Rights Up Front, which was meant as a reaffirmation of the organisations founding principles. Photo credit: United Nations Photo Gilmour was seen as one of the more outspoken senior leaders at the UN. He has called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the noblest document ever written and regards it as essential to use the office to call out abuses. But this is something the current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has come in for harsh criticism over. In February, Foreign Policy magazine published a story that described a culture of legal and political timidity at the very top of the UN. Human Rights Watch has even said that Guterres risks being defined by his silence on human rights. Gilmours farewell email to senior staff was quoted in the Foreign Policy piece. In it, he said that standing up for charter values seemed to have somehow become seen as a bit quaint, even a sign of zealotry and political imbecility. Gilmour denies that he quit out of frustration, but does confirm his view that theres sometimes too much expediency and not enough principle, at the top. I do absolutely get why the current climate is such that the Secretary-General isnt able to speak out...but there are some things, I think, he should speak out about, yes. While the UN has insuperable problems, like the composition of the Security Council, Gilmour is still a believer. There has to be something like the UN, he says. I feel that it is so glaringly obvious that todays problems clearly require a global solution. There is no one country, not even a group of countries like the EU, that can solve them. Gilmour has spoken for years about a global backlash against human rights. He sees the past decade as being a low-point across the world, including in Europe and America. At the root of this backlash, he says, is economic crisis. Austerity. The disastrous policies of Cameron in this country, Gilmour says, pointing to similar measures in Germany and other countries. Austerity policies made people desperate, which is a very human reaction, and populists have been very good at building on this human reaction. That is, to find somebody to blame. Its often immigrants or people of some other minority who are somehow blamed, he says. Americas ruthless persecution of central American asylum seekers and Europes response to Syrian refugees is having a knock-on effect across the world, Gilmour says. Europes one of the group of countries that has been driving forward the human-rights agenda. So, when we Europeans are seen as not actually standing up for human rights, it is regarded as utterly hypocritical or even appearing to give license to abusers, he says. Theresa May said something in her [2017] election campaign that was definitely used. She said and Im not quoting literally but she said that if theres a conflict between human-rights laws and our efforts to fight terrorism, then to hell with human-rights laws. One of the suspected war criminals of Myanmar actually quoted her, saying, if the British Prime Minister is doing this we are fighting the same battle against terrorism, Gilmour says with exasperation. Gilmour has serious misgivings about Brexit. He fears Britain might shirk its leading role in human-rights promotion in this new Global Britain approach, as the UK Government finds its much harder to get trade deals than claimed during the Brexit campaign. Theyre going to say, this is really embarrassing. Were struggling to get any deals apart from with minor countries, he imagines. Then the other countries say, we dont like these clauses about human rights, take them out. And we might do it. That is my fear. I doubt any member of the government has a true understanding of human rights One of the curious things about Gilmour is how he is able to hold such strongly critical views of the Brexit project, and indeed the Johnson government, while maintaining his 40-year friendship with the now Prime Minister. Gilmour recalls, from their college days, how he and Boris Johnson would argue over Israel and Palestine. The disagreements continue. Gilmour described one of the Johnson governments first acts, the stripping out of the Dubs amendment from the Brexit bill, as one of the most despicable things Ive seen. Theres no reason to target the desperate children and refugees, he says. I mean, I dont know what they were thinking. So, what does this say about Johnson does he really care about human rights? Can his government be counted on to prioritise it? No government can be counted on, Gilmour says, tentatively. Boris Johnson, I think, understands some of the key points, he begins. And I know from issues that weve discussed recently that he has, for example, a deep sympathy for the plight of Yemenis who are the victims of our Gulf allies. So, he certainly is not devoid of compassion. But I doubt any member of the government has a true understanding of human rights, he concludes. Photo credit: Scottish Parliament Flickr The Scottish Governments words and policies on human rights, though, have impressed Gilmour. In February 2019, at the UNs New York headquarters, an enthusiastic Gilmour chaired a discussion on human rights with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Sturgeon discussed such topics as the Scottish Governments aspiration to embed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law. But not before broaching an obvious question with the international delegates. Nationalism elsewhere is a deeply unprogressive, illiberal force, particularly in todays world, Gilmour says. [Being there] gave her the opportunity, and she took the opportunity very nicely, to explain how Scottish nationalism isnt like the nationalism that we see elsewhere in Europe, Gilmour says. She basically tried to explain that this nationalism just means we want to run our own affairs. Although not a supporter of the SNP, Gilmour says there are at least three things Sturgeon has said on human rights that he finds very impressive. She wrote that letter [to EU nationals] saying, dont worry, youre welcome and I was very moved by that. He also admired her offer to explore ways to pay for women from Northern Ireland to get access to abortions in Scotland. I thought that showed tremendous solidarity with people in desperate need, Gilmour says, warmly. And Sturgeons apology to LGBT people for centuries of Scottish homophobia, too, moved him. These, he says, are examples of a leader giving a very compassionate response to what [I was] discussing earlier about the need to respect peoples dignity. That is something I find very appealing about where shes taken this, he says. But he does not think that Scotland needs independence to be a leader on human rights. I genuinely believe that it isnt necessary. I want people who believe in independence and people who dont to still feel theres something to be done in order to promote human rights causes, he says. I think that it is not nearly well enough understood that climate change is going to bring the worst human rights violations of all time Looking to the future, the big overarching challenge facing human rights across the globe is impending climate catastrophe, which Gilmour warns could lead to the obliteration of human rights. I think that it is not nearly well enough understood that climate change is going to bring the worst human rights violations of all time, he says, darkly. Comparable to the worst wars, in terms of mass movement of people, unliveable conditions, loss of life, food, education the obliteration of human rights. Gilmour is confident that climate change deniers will soon be voted out of office, although he concedes it might not happen straight away. It might not even happen this year, he says, with the upcoming US election in mind. While the mass displacement of people is a widely discussed feature of climate change, Gilmour fears there could be further crackdowns on human rights when states finally do scramble to respond. At which point, there will be a move to declare states of emergency. And we know from history that states of emergency just lead to the obliteration of human rights; they get put entirely to one side. Building networks and coordinating responses between the two historically separate groups of environmental and human rights activism is to be Gilmours work now. In September, he will take up a fellowship at Oxfords All Souls College, where he will begin looking at how this can most effectively be done. Its a wonder, as someone whose lifes work has focused on the very worst aspects of humanity, that Gilmour can feel any hope for the future. In the last three years, where Ive encountered tremendous human suffering and violations of human rights and spoken to countless victims, its often hard to feel hope, he says. But Im hopeful that the young generation will pick up the human-rights issues with as much energy and enthusiasm as they have done the environmental ones. That does give me some hope. You can now continue to watch your favourite web series while you finish writing that important report on your Chromebook. Google announced new features on Chromebook including support for "picture-in-picture" mode for Netflix for enhanced multitasking experience, the official blog notes. Another important addition to Chromebook is Ambient EQ which makes the screens more adaptive to any context. For instance, if you are working outdoors on a sunny day, it will naturally adjust the white balance and colour temperature to make it easier to work. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People wearing face masks walk on a sidewalk in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2020. A member of a council that advises Iran's supreme leader died Monday after falling sick from the new coronavirus, becoming the first top official to succumb to the illness striking both citizens and leaders of the Islamic Republic. AP A member of a council that advises Iran's supreme leader died Monday from the new coronavirus, becoming the highest-ranking official within the Islamic Republic's Shiite theocracy to be killed by the illness ravaging the country. The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi came as Iran announced the virus had killed at least 66 people among 1,501 confirmed cases. There are now 1,700 cases of the new coronavirus across the Mideast. Of those outside Iran, most link back to the Islamic Republic, which after China has the highest death toll from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus. After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities now say they have plans to potentially mobilize 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. Yet experts still worry Iran's percentage of deaths to infections, now around 4.4%, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be much higher than current figures show. Saudi Arabia and Jordan meanwhile announced their first cases of the virus Monday. Mirmohammadi, 71, died at a north Tehran hospital of the virus, state media said. His mother had reportedly died of the coronavirus in recent days as well. Mirmohammadi, though not particularly well-known to the Iranian public, served as a top official in the presidencies of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ali Khamenei, now the country's supreme leader. The state-run IRNA news agency described Mirmohammadi, whose father also once served on the Expediency Council, as having a close relationship to Khamenei. The Expediency Council advises the supreme leader, as well as settles disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, Iran's constitutional watchdog that also oversees the country's elections. The 45-member Expediency Council, which also includes former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and officials close to Khamenei, last met in February with Mirmohammadi on hand. Mirmohammadi's death makes him the highest-ranking official within Iran's theocracy to be killed by the virus. The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Iran's former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. Those sick 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. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei, himself addressing journalists by teleconference over concerns about the virus, acknowledged the challenges remaining for the Islamic Republic. ''We will have two difficult weeks ahead,'' he said. Health Ministry spokesman Ali Reza Raisi, who gave the new figures for the virus Monday, said that Iran's armed forces and its Basij, the all-volunteer arm of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, stood ready to mobilize 300,000 troops to help combat the virus. Already, Guard vehicles have been spraying disinfectant on streets in major cities. Those troops would help sanitize public areas, as well as running down leads on who infected people had contacted before falling ill, Raisi said. Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, no relation to the health ministry official, acknowledged some people had begun stockpiling medical supplies for profit in the country. He urged prosecutors to show ''no mercy for hoarders.'' ''Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people's lives and it is not ignorable,'' Raisi said. Aid has been reaching Iran, despite international firms worried about conducting business with Tehran after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers and imposed sanctions. Some 7.5 tons of aid from the World Health Organization flew into Iran from the United Arab Emirates. The WHO said a team of experts flew into Tehran Monday evening to help local health workers respond to the outbreak and deliver medical supplies. It added a WHO worker in Iran was sick with the virus as well. Meanwhile, France, Germany and the United Kingdom said they would urgently fly laboratory tests for the virus into Iran, as well as protective body suits and gloves. They also offered close to 5 million euros ($5.5 million) in financial support. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif thanked those donating supplies and said Tehran still needed protective gear, ventilators and test kits. While Iran has closed schools and universities to stop the spread of the virus, major Shiite shrines have remained open despite civilian authorities calling for them to be closed. The holy cities of Mashhad and Qom in particular, both home to shrines, have been hard-hit by the virus. Shiites often touch and kiss shrines as a sign of their faith. Authorities have been cleaning the shrines with disinfectants. Police have arrested one man who posted a video showing himself licking the metal enclosing the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, the most-important Shiite saint buried in the country, according to reports by semiofficial news agencies. In the video, the man said he licked the metal to ''allow others to visit the shrine with peace of mind.'' Meanwhile Monday, the virus outbreak saw itself dragged into the yearslong boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations over a political dispute. A prominent columnist at Dubai's government-owned Al-Bayan newspaper on Twitter falsely called the virus as being a plot by Qatar to hurt the upcoming Expo 2020 world's fair in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Noura al-Moteari later described the tweet as ''satire'' to The Associated Press after it gained widespread attention. The Dubai Media Office similarly described the tweet as being written in a ''cynical style'' while distancing the Arabic-language daily from al-Moteari. ''Noura is a freelance writer and is not an employee of Al-Bayan nor does she represent the publication's views,'' it told the AP. The tweet comes after Qatar expressed disappointment Sunday that nearly all of its Gulf neighbors snubbed invitations to attend the weekend peace signing ceremony between the U.S. and the Taliban. (AP) CLEVELAND, Ohio A Toledo man arrested after authorities said he posted an online statement threatening New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was sentenced Monday to time served for a gun charge. Timothy Ireland, 42, was jailed in August after U.S. Capitol Police received a report that he posted on Facebook that Ocasio-Cortez "should be shot. Cant fire me, my employer would load the gun for me. The statement included a link to a news article about the congresswoman, according to court filings. An agent called Ireland Aug. 2, and he admitted he posted the statement. Ireland said he was proud of the post, that he carried concealed weapons and that he goes hunting. At the time, Ireland had warrants for cases in Florida and Georgia for failing to appear for old criminal cases. Agents from Capitol Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched his home Aug. 8 and found seven rounds of ammunition in two drawers in his kitchen, court records said. He later admitted in a recorded phone call in the Lucas County Jail that he owned the ammunition and pleaded guilty in November to being a felon in possession of ammunition. In addition to sentencing him to time served, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick also placed Ireland on supervised release for three years. Ireland was convicted in 1996 of dealing in stolen property in a court in Sarasota County, Florida, and is barred from having guns as a result. Getty Images En espanol | A new initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice is taking aim at nursing homes that are suspected of delivering grossly substandard care to residents, Attorney General William Barr announced Tuesday. Barr said the focus was on about 30 nursing homes in nine states. These investigations will be led by U.S. Attorney's offices where the facilities are located, a senior official at DOJ said. The facilities were not identified by name, nor were the states made public. "Millions of seniors count on nursing homes to provide them with quality care, and to treat them with dignity and respect when they are most vulnerable, Barr said. Yet, all too often, we have found nursing home owners or operators who put profits over patients, leading to instances of gross abuse and neglect." The National Nursing Home Initiative will enhance efforts to pursue nursing home operators who violate civil and criminal laws. Insufficient staff, food under investigation According to DOJ, prosecutors and investigators considered a number of factors for identifying the most problematic nursing homes. For example, homes that consistently fail to provide adequate nursing staff to care for their residents; fail to adhere to basic protocols of hygiene and infection control; fail to provide their residents with enough food, leaving them emaciated and weak; withhold pain medication; use physical or chemical restraints to restrain or otherwise sedate their residents. Such failures cause residents to suffer in pain and to be exposed to great indignities, the department said in a news release. Care failures cause residents to develop pressure sores down to the bone, to lie in their own waste for hours, to starve because they cannot reach the food on their trays and to remain unwashed for weeks at a time. "This national initiative will bring to justice those owners and operators who have profited at the expense of their residents, Barr said, and help to ensure residents receive the care to which they are entitled." DOJ has targeted nursing homes before The Justice Department has gone after bad nursing homes in the past. In 2012, a Georgia nursing home operator was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after a trial before a judge found his facilities had experienced food shortages bordering on starvation, leaking roofs, few housekeeping supplies, poor sanitary conditions, major staff shortages and safety concerns. CLEVELAND, Ohio - A kit that will enable the state to start testing for coronavirus should arrive in Ohio this week, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said. Acton, speaking to the cleveland.com editorial board Tuesday about what the state is doing to prepare for an inevitable COVID-19 outbreak, separately said Chinese containment efforts to stop the coronavirus dead in its tracks were never expected to keep the virus from spreading outside that country. Rather, containment was expected to just slow the spread of the virus. When the testing kit arrives in Ohio, it will take about two days for the Ohio Department of Healths public health laboratory, which is in eastern Columbus, to calibrate its equipment to ensure the tests accuracy, said Acton, a licensed physician in preventive medicine. The lab is where newborn screenings, and testing for anthrax, rabies and other conditions occur. They have been ready to do the testing, she said. Ohio-based testing Currently, samples from people who may have coronavirus are sent from Ohio to one of two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labs. The CDC typically takes three to five days to return test results, prioritizing testing on the highest-risk cases, Acton said. Medical workers take upper and lower respiratory specimens for testing. Samples are collected from swabs, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage and other methods, said Ohio Department of Health spokeswoman Melanie Amato. It depends on how many we get, and how long that (testing) will take, but we will say probably 24 to 48 hours turnaround, Acton said. Who is responsible for the cost of testing? Insurance companies pay for the testing for some patients, Acton said. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is looking into how it can cover testing for other people across the country. We have funds at ODH, Acton said. There will be no test that does not get done. Containment Acton said that early on in the outbreak, the CDC told U.S. public health officials that containment was an attempt to slow down the progression so we can get more emergency measures in place. Travel bans in China were unprecedented -- and unlikely to work in other parts of the world where people have more freedom of movement. In Ohio, people who have arrived from China are being asked to self-quarantine, and everyone has complied, Acton said. Those measures could work slowing the spread of the virus, which is also believed to be spread by asymptomatic people. But with most pandemics, as the outbreak grows, public health officials will not be able to trace every place where infected people have visited, and track down everyone close to them to stop the virus spread. Eventually, theres a time where its so widespread, were no longer doing that, she said. Were no longer doing contact investigations. Were no longer naming countries (from which people could be at risk) as you watch this progress. Other Ohio government news: Ohio Department of Health to update COVID-19 coronavirus numbers daily Ohio recreational marijuana plan would give tax revenue to criminal justice, local governments Ohio Department of Agriculture accepting applications to grow, process hemp starting Tuesday State clarifies no new coronavirus tests of Ohioans for now Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 14:54:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Zhang Jun (C), China's permanent representative to the UN and the UN Security Council's president this month, speaks during a briefing at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, March 2, 2020. China's UN envoy on Monday underscored his country's progress in the fight against COVID-19 and its efforts to meet the development targets of this year. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China's UN envoy on Monday underscored his country's progress in the fight against COVID-19 and its efforts to meet the development targets of this year. To battle COVID-19, "the most comprehensive, strict and thorough prevention and control measures have been taken" and "the world has witnessed the strong resolve of the Chinese government, the power of a united Chinese nation and the strength of China's system," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN and the UN Security Council's president for March, during a press briefing on the council's work. He also mentioned the touching stories of Chinese medical workers and people from all walks of life who are fighting the epidemic with dedication and sacrifice. "With China's hard efforts, the positive momentum is growing in the work of prevention and control." Zhang said that China will continue to carry out international cooperation in an open, transparent and responsible manner. "COVID-19 is a common challenge facing the entire humanity. China is fighting not just for itself, but also for the world." He said China is highly commended by the UN, the World Health Organization and the international community for the huge sacrifice it has made and the positive results it has achieved. In particular, he noted, China treats its own people and people of other countries in the same way and implements prevention and control measures in an indiscriminate manner. "Guided by the vision of a community of a shared future, China is doing everything possible to contain the epidemic within its borders, and at the same time, following very closely the changing situation in other parts of the world," said Zhang. He also said China is sharing experience with relevant countries and international organizations, and is providing them with necessary assistance, contributing to the joint response to the outbreak and the maintenance of global public health security. Talking about China's development targets amid COVID-19 fears, Zhang said as the world's second largest economy, China is keenly aware of its responsibility and is taking a series of strong measures, including policy support in the fiscal, financial, taxation and industrial fields, to facilitate the public to return to work and enable the resumption of industrial production in an orderly fashion to boost the economy. The Chinese economy enjoys strong resilience, broad domestic markets and a sound industrial foundation, and its positive trend remains unchanged, he said, adding that China will minimize the impact of the outbreak and work hard to meet this year's targets for economic and social development. A SingPost parcel locker station at The Adelphi. (PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE A parcel locker station around five minutes walk from every HDB block: that is the goal of the governments plans to build a nationwide network of 1,000 such stations by the end of 2022. Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Sim Ann, told Parliament on Tuesday (3 March) that the lockers will be located in HDB estates, MRT stations and community centers. They will complement existing commercial locker stations and doorstep deliveries. Users can collect parcels on their way to work or on their way home, any time of the day. Merchants and logistics service providers will also enjoy greater delivery efficiency. This may result in more competitive delivery prices for consumers, said Sim, who was speaking during her ministrys Committee of Supply debate. The 44-year-old noted that while the popularity of e-commerce has led to a steady increase in parcel deliveries, Singapore's urban context and consumers' busy lifestyles mean that doorstep deliveries often lead to missed deliveries. Our postal infrastructure must evolve to offer practical alternatives to doorstep deliveries, so that all logistics service providers and not just SingPost, can overcome this costly challenge, said Sim. She told the House that the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) has received strong support for the plan from major e-commerce marketplaces like Qoo10 and Shopee, and logistics service providers like Qxpress. IMDA will also partner with SingPost to leverage its extensive postal service experience. The nationwide deployment follows the success of the Locker Alliance pilot, which provides an open access delivery network of parcel lockers and collection points in Bukit Panjang and Punggol, as well as eight MRT stations. Sim also gave an update on SingPosts efforts to improve service delivery, following service lapses in 2018 and early 2019. This includes extended delivery hours for peak periods, improved staff remuneration and hiring more postmen. Story continues As a result, consumer complaints fell by about 40 per cent in December 2019, compared with 2018. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Parliament stories COVID-19: Landlords should not 'stinge' on retailers amid downturn - Chan Chun Sing Help for middle-aged workers as Chan Chun Sing urges companies to redesign, re-skill and recruit Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed PCS Edventures!, Inc. (OTC Pink: PCSV) ("the Company"), a Boise, Idaho company that designs and delivers technology-rich products and services for the K-12 market that develop 21st-century skills. CEO of the Company, Todd Hackett, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by commenting on the Company's significant revenue growth over the last few quarters, and asked when they plan to become a reporting company. "We went dark approximately two to three years ago. We focused primarily on getting the business streamlined and on cutting expenses," explained Hackett, adding that the Company achieved its goal of improving their finances. "Last year, we were profitable. We did approximately $4.8 million in revenue," said Hackett, noting that 2020 will be another profitable year for the Company. "We've turned the corner. We now have last year's financials audited, and we are auditing this year's financials," said Hackett. "After two years of audited financials, we will be able to be a reporting company," he shared. Jolly then asked about a $1.8 million contract that the Company recently secured. "It's a contract that we pretty much repeat every year. It's been the same company, but our sales have grown substantially every year for the past seven plus years," said Hackett. "We believe that there is a lot of opportunity going forward with several other states to duplicate this model." "What are some of the current obstacles or potential concerns that you see here in the next two to three quarters as we go into 2020?", asked Jolly. "We're very focused on sales and growth; we keep our products updated on a regular basis so that we can stay current in the marketplace," said Hackett. "We think we're in a good place. We feel that we've turned the corner and we feel good about the company. We think there is a lot of growth ahead of us." To close the interview, Hackett encouraged listeners to check out the Company's current projects. "We are a good company, we're making money. We do have debt in the company, but not a tremendous amount of debt," said Hackett, noting that the Company will reduce their debt significantly in 2020. To hear Todd Hackett's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7520127-pcs-edventures-inc-discusses-their-2020-growth-strategy-with-the-stock-day-podcast Also, to view the video presentation, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4joKpD6VyE&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 PCS Edventures!, Inc. PCS Edventures!, Inc. (PCSV) is a Boise, Idaho company that designs and delivers technology-rich products and services for the K-12 market that develop 21st-century skills. PCS programs emphasize experiential learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). https://www.edventures.com/. 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 Act of 1934; actual results could differ materially from such statements. Contact Investor Contact: Michael Bledsoe 1.800.429.3110, mikeb@edventures.com Investor Relations Website: pcsv.global About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. Stock Day recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. SOURCE: Stock Day Media 602-441-3474 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53086 The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday launched a free daily bus service for pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur in Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor from Golden Temple to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal flagged off the bus on Heritage Street near Golden Temple. Other senior functionaries of the gurdwara body were also present during the launch. READ | Indian Railways' Golden Chariot luxury train to hit the tracks from March 22 The bus will ferry pilgrims from Bhai Gurdas Hall near Golden Temple to the corridor passenger terminal at Dera Baba Nanak every morning and bring the devotees in the evening regularly. The President said, "The service can be availed free of cost." READ | Punjab: SGPC put up notices in Golden Temple reading, 'TikTok is prohibited here' He also added that the people serving langar at Shri Harmandir Sahib have been permitted by the Pakistan Gurwara Committee to perform Kirtan and offer their services across all Gurdwaras in Pakistan. READ | IRCTC Takes Over Operation Of Luxury Train ''Golden Chariot'' The bus driver Sukhmanpreet Singh thanked the opportunity he has been given to serve the pilgrims and devotees. He expressed his gratitude to serve pilgrims who go to Kartarpur along with bringing them back to Amritsar. The body is already running free buses for devotees from Golden Temple to Amritsar bus stand and railway station. READ | Wow! IRCTC to launch Indian Railways first pod hotel at Mumbai Central station by Dec 2020 The Chief also urged governments of both the nations to renounce the condition of passport for the trans-border pilgrimage The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a 4.7-kilometer-long passage that connects Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in India's Gurdaspur and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur. It was formally opened for pilgrims last year in the month of November. Sri Harmandir Sahib is also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple. Although visa-free access to the shrine was a long-pending demand of the Sikhs in India. READ | Madhya Pradesh: Sikh student asked to remove turban for security check at exam Image Credits: ANI We are the last urban county in Texas that is red, as all the other large urban counties in Texas have already turned blue, said Jeremy Bradford, executive director of the Tarrant County GOP. We know we are now ground zero for these races . . . because we are kind of the last defense in keeping Texas red, and that is not something we take lightly. WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. Hot Oven Cookies, the Holyoke-born startup that also recently reopened in downtown Springfield, is coming to Bradley international Airport later this month. Its one of six new dining options, including two new small business kiosks and three refreshed shops, that Bradley plans to open in 2020, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the Connecticut Airport Authority. Other new arrivals include a Starbucks located after the TSA security check; a new Dunkin restaurant featuring the donut chains new branding and expanded menu; La Familia Tacos + Tequila, a full-service restaurant near gate 25; and Carvel Ice Cream. Carvel is one of three new locations, including Jamba Juice smoothies and Auntie Annes pretzels, opening in partnership with the airports new concessionaire, All About Foods Group. Hot Oven Cookies is a quick-service bakery specializing in scratch-made, fresh-baked cookies in whimsical and innovative flavors. Owner Sheila Coon said the target opening date for her location in the airport is March 17. Coon will then have two locations, the airport and downtown Springfield, as she explores expanding to Boston or to Hartfords financial district. She started the business in 2016 with a delivery service based in Holyoke. She added a food truck in 2017 and opened her first storefront in 2018. Bradley International Airport announced new concessions in March 2020. (diagram provided) Bradley drew 7 million passengers in 2019, an increase from 6.7 million in 2018. We are reimagining travel through Bradley International Airport and, in that regard, we have placed a significant focus on taking our concession experience to the next level, Kevin A. Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, said in a news release. The vision to transform our concession program will result in a strategic blend of Bradleys existing favorites, augmented by new, popular national brands and exciting additions of local flair. Together, they will make up the perfect combination of options to enhance the passenger experience, ensuring that everyone loves the journey through Bradley International Airport. Most of the new additions will be located near gates 20 to 30, resulting in a significant expansion of concession offerings in that concourse. The others are opening in the food court area. Hot Oven Cookies is part of a Bradley initiative to bring more locally owned vendors into the airport. Hartford Prints!, a local business offering letterpress stationery, urban streetwear, and locally sourced goods, is one of the new retail additions. Other changes include renovations for the Brooks Brothers and CNBC gift shop and bookstore. Detectives investigating a cold case murder are excavating behind a restaurant and a store in Los Gatos. The dig is taking place in the parking lot shared by Site for Sore Eyes and Gardino's, an Italian restaurant that's been in business since 1993, at 51 N. Santa Cruz Ave. The San Jose Police Department confirmed the dig was related to a cold case homicide but declined to give further detail. Despite the search crossing over into Los Gatos, the town's police said it is not their case. Site for Sore Eyes was closed Monday for the investigation and the search continued into Tuesday morning. A blue canopy over an open hole can be seen, along with what appears to be a crime scene truck. "About 15, 20 people back there and just digging up mud and going through all the forensics and dogs, the whole nine yards," Pete Jillo, owner of Gardinos, told KPIX. ALSO: 'Painful walk down memory lane': Infamous San Francisco killer up for parole for 16th time There are a number of cold case homicides listed on the San Jose Police Department page, some stretching back to the 1970s. There are also more than 25 missing persons cases listed for San Jose in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons database. Katie Dowd is an SFGATE Senior Digital Editor. Contact: katie.dowd@sfgate.com | Twitter: @katiedowd A generic photo of the Rovers Return, the pub in Coronation Street. (ITV) Coronation Street welcomed back Shona Ramsey earlier this week as actress Julia Goulding returned from maternity leave. Julia who has played David Platts wife since 2016 brought her son, Franklin Wolf, along to the Manchester set. She gave birth to the tot just three months ago and fans have been eager to see how Shona would make her return to the cobbles. Shona was shot on Christmas Day by crazed gunman Derek. While Robert Preston lost his life in the dramatic scenes, Shona managed to survive. Shona doesn't remember husband David Platt as she wakes up from her coma in Coronation Street. But her friends and family were horrified to discover that the bullet wound had wiped her recent memory and she had no idea who David or his kids Lily and Max were. She even mistook Max for her own son, Clayton, who stabbed Maxs mum and Davids first wife, Kylie. A heartbroken David was forced to let Shona go to a specialist treatment centre in Leeds. Corrie bosses took to Instagram to announce Julias return to filming. Read more: Derek Jacobi slams Coronation Streets token older actors They posted a clip with the caption: "Guess who was back filming with us this week? We've missed you @juliagoulding #SaturdaySneakPeek #Corrie #BehindTheScenes." Predictably fans went crazy to learn that Shona would soon be making her big comeback. Its not yet known if Shona will return with her memory back in tact or if she and David will still have a long way to go to get their marriage back on track. Shona and David tied the knot last year following Davids stint in prison for his part in stealing 80,000 from his gran, Audrey Roberts. But Shona had no recollection of the big day after her accident, despite David showing her photos from the wedding. Read more: Coronation Streets abuse plot gets 359 complaints Coronation Street continues tomorrow at 7.30pm on ITV. Physical Gold and Silver Are Safe Havens, Futures Are Not Last weeks market activity was another reminder that not all precious metals investments are created equal. Investors worried about a virus outbreak and watching the blood bath on Wall Street rushed to buy coins, rounds, and bars. As one of the largest and most respected U.S. dealers, Money Metals saw the biggest surge of buying activity in years. Clients bought the physical metal as a safe haven, knowing it is scarce, intrinsically valuable and carries no counterparty risk. Meanwhile, the opposite occurred on the COMEX because buying contracts there is anything but safe. For starters, futures contracts for gold and silver are unlimited in supply. We dont care what any COMEX official or sleepy CFTC regulator might say. No one who wants a contract is being turned away regardless of how large the float of paper gold and silver gets relative to the number of actual bars in exchange vaults.A futures contract is not an asset with intrinsic value. It is nothing more than a wager on the price of the metal on a particular future date. There is ultimately a winner and a loser for each wager. And retail investors gambling in futures are the losers a lot more often than not.In contrast to an investment in physical metal, its highly possible to lose everything when trading futures. In fact, lots of people just did.The few speculators lucky enough to have been short the market last week are winners. No doubt they are happy to have made the right call. If they are smart, they will cash out and head for the door.Not only are the odds stacked against them, it is possible to win and still wind up losing. Making the right call is one thing, collecting on the wager is something else.The holders of this paper either dont know or dont care that the contract provides no claim on any actual metal. Traders also arent worried about what happens should the counterparties involved in their contract fail.And, yes, there is more than one counterparty. The company behind the COMEX can collapse. So can the dodgy bullion banks selling hundreds of paper ounces for every ounce they have stored in exchange vaults.Is that likely? Probably not as long as markets are functioning. We certainly wouldnt rule out the possibility the next time a black swan event causes markets to seize or if the mother of all bubbles the global debt bubble finally bursts, and renders banks insolvent.Futures are high risk, but that isnt the worst thing about these markets. Exchanges like the COMEX are essentially a rigged casino. Thats the capper.Speculators walk in and make bets using 10 to 1 leverage. They have to worry about bad luck. They ought to worry even more about the bad bankers taking the other side of their wager then handing them a set of loaded dice.Bullion bankers have lied, swindled, and cheated to win in precious metals futures. This is a fact, not a theory. We now know for certain that multiple banks and many bankers spent the better part of a decade (at least) rigging prices against their own clients.When, by hook or by crook, the losses pile up, many traders get margin calls. They have to decide whether to send more money to stay in their losing bet or close out of the position.There was plenty of forced selling in gold and silver futures last Friday. The high risk, and naive, gamblers betting long there got slaughtered.Gambling in the metals futures markets has about as much in common with an investment in physical gold and silver as a visit to the pari-mutuel window at a mafia run horse track has in common with buying a horse farm.Perhaps more people are figuring this out. We saw plenty of new clients jumping into physical bullion last week.These people were looking for a genuine safe haven outside and away from Wall Street. And they were able to take full advantage of the lower spot prices. They should consider it a gift from the less wise who are still gambling, and losing, on the COMEX. By Clint Siegner MoneyMetals.com Clint Siegner is a Director at Money Metals Exchange, perhaps the nation's fastest-growing dealer of low-premium precious metals coins, rounds, and bars. Siegner, a graduate of Linfield College in Oregon, puts his experience in business management along with his passion for personal liberty, limited government, and honest money into the development of Money Metals' brand and reach. This includes writing extensively on the bullion markets and their intersection with policy and world affairs. 2020 Clint Siegner - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Two Chinese students have pleaded guilty in federal court to entering a Key West Navy base in January to take photographs of defense installations. Jielun Zhang and Yuhao Wang, both 24 and recently students at the University of Michigan admitted to one misdemeanor charge in order to avoid trial, which had been set for Monday. Each faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. The two had cellphones that had cameras, and Zhang had a Nikon digital camera when Navy security caught up with them on Sigsbee Park Annex on Jan. 4. Sigsbee Park Annex is on an island linked to Key West proper by a single road. Sigsbee is one of seven Navy bases spread across Key West and the Lower Keys. Two Chinese students are accused of trespassing onto the base Jan. 4, 2020, to take photos of military installations. Wang and Zhang each took photographs of military and naval infrastructure, according to the documents attached to their guilty pleas. Zhangs Nikon had a photo file that contained images of Sigsbee Park Annex and the Trumbo Point Annex, which is in downtown Key West. Their twin guilty pleas came two weeks after Lyuyou Liao, 27, pleaded guilty to the same charge after police caught him having entered the Navys Truman Annex in downtown Key West on Dec. 26, 2019. Chinese student pleads guilty to taking pictures of Navy base in Key West Sentencing hearings for Wang, Zhang and Liao are all set for May 11 before Chief Judge K. Michael Moore at the U.S. District Court in Key West. Since 2018, four Chinese nationals have been caught taking photos of Navy bases in Key West after sneaking onto the restricted property. Wang and Zhang chose Sigsbee Park Annex, which is on an island called Dredgers Key and is a residential neighborhood for about 500 families, both military and civilian. Sigsbee has a public charter school on its base, where the entrance is off North Roosevelt Boulevard in New Town, between a resort and a hotel. Lax security at Key West base boggles the mind, judge in case of Chinese intruders says After hearing from federal prosecutors that Wang and Zhang simply drove past the guard at the Sigsbee gate in a rented Hyundai Jan. 4, and spent nearly a half hour on the property, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow declared the Navys security practices foolish and lax. Story continues It boggles the mind, Snow said from the bench. Liao got onto the Truman Annex base by walking around a perimeter fence and along some rocks in the seawater. The guard at the Sigsbee entrance is not allowed to leave the post and the other security guard was on another call at the time the students drove onto the base, prosecutors said. Wang and Zhang did stop at the gate Jan. 4, and when asked for military identification they said they had none, police said. The guard told them to make a U-turn, but instead they proceeded onto Sigsbee. Chinese student pleads guilty to taking pictures of Navy base in Key West The fourth Chinese national arrested at the Naval Air Station in Key West was Zhao Qianli in September 2018. Qianli claimed to be a music student from China and was caught by Key West police for trespassing onto the high-security Naval Air Station. Judge Moore gave Qianli, 21, one year in prison. Qianli entered the Truman Annex property by walking past the fence that ends on a beach. That property is also home to the Joint Interagency Task Force South, which conducts missions to stop illicit trafficking. Investigators found photos and videos on Qianlis cellphone as well as on his digital camera that he had taken of government buildings and a Defense Department antenna field on the military base. Key West is home to seven Navy locations, or annexes, which have a combined shoreline of 27 miles. The rollicking, see-saw Democratic presidential primary has swung back and forth for two weeks and Tuesdays mega-primary day could be the most important one yet in the race to take on President Donald Trump. Across 14 state primaries and two caucuses on Super Tuesday, Joe Biden is looking to capitalize on a surge of momentum and major endorsements since Saturdays South Carolina primary. Bernie Sanders wants to prove he can grow his movement, show those endorsements matter little in 21st century politics and reinforce the frontrunner status he earned after rolling through New Hampshire and Nevada in mid-February. Elizabeth Warren is vying to rack up delegates and show shes still a force in this race, while Mike Bloomberg is just starting out, having skipped the four early states and poured hundreds of millions into advertising elsewhere. The first polls close in Vermont and Virginia at 7 p.m. Eastern, while the last polls close in California at 11 p.m. though we may have to wait a week or more for a final tally of the votes out west due to Californias methodical tabulation of absentee ballots. And our team of political reporters is spread across the country tracking the candidates, the key moments and all the news on Super Tuesday. Check back throughout the day as we update this story with news reports, video and photos from the campaign trail. Heres how the major candidates are spending Super Tuesday. 5:30 P.M. (EST) Dark money group drops $868,000 opposing Sanders on Super Tuesday The outside group Big Tent Project Fund has spent an additional $868,000 on digital ads opposing Bernie Sanders, constituting one of the biggest anti-Sanders efforts yet, according to federal elections filings. The nonprofit organization which is commonly known as a dark money group because it is not legally required to disclose its donors said in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday that it spent just under $868,000 on digital ads opposing Sanders in 10 states, all of which are voting today on Super Tuesday. Story continues The group has spent over $4.8 million in the last week and a half, with all of its spending opposing Sanders in Nevada and South Carolina (the last two early-voting states) and on Super Tuesday. Now who is funding these ads? Why are they funding these ads? Well, because we have a corrupt political system, Sanders said about the group at a news conference on Monday. The group is helmed by Jonathan Kott, a former senior aide to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), POLITICO previously reported . Socialist Bernie Sanders is promising the world, but at what cost? 60 trillion dollars in spending and the largest middle class tax hike ever. So what's the true cost? 4 more years of Trump, reads one of the ads from the group, which is currently running on Facebook. - Zach Montellaro 3:21 p.m. (est) in oakland, california Biden projects confidence in California diner pit stop You would be forgiven to think it was anywhere else but California, let alone Oakland. But there was Joe Biden, working a crowded diner off of Jack London Square, hugging patrons, throwing his arms around their shoulders as they embraced the former vice president who has climbed in snap polls ahead of Super Tuesday. A crush of media awaited his visit the travelers, but also dozens of California reporters for whom Biden has been a virtual stranger. Bernie Sanders, who leads in the state, has been everywhere with his massive rallies led by big-name musical openers. Biden, whose next stop is in Los Angeles, has been scarce. But the chance to earn some free media on Election Day in the states largest media markets brought him here. And nobody seemed too upset to see him in the flesh. He ordered a quarter-pie of coconut cream, paid in cash last of the big spenders from the east then roamed the restaurant talking to diners. Asked how he would do in California: Im heading down to SoCal from here and it feels good, I feel good. Were going to do fine. Asked if this is the place that will help him, he said, its the kind of stuff that I like. My hopes are high... I think well do well on Super Tuseday," he continued. "I think well qualify here, well beat the threshold. Asked if early voters would hurt him, I dont know, he admitted. California state Assemblyman Kevin Mulllin was bullish on Biden's chances. He clearly has the momentum, he will exceeed the 15 percent (the threshold to win statewide delegates in California) ..and hes going to win a bunch of delegates across CA. but the VP is uniquely positioned not only to unite the party, but unite and heal the country come fall. Another longtime supporter beamed with pride. State Sen. Steve Glazer, an East Bay Area official who managed campaigns for former Gov. Jerry Brown and was the first state elected to endorse Biden, said early returns will show Bernie Sanders running away with it..but as the night goes on and they count absentees, youll see the trend toward Biden. Biden, Glazer said, as the candidate worked the packed room, connects with people. Hes a regular guy and the best part of him is as a public leader. Hes down with us and connecting with people whereever he goes. Outside, as Biden prepared to leave, a small group of Sanders supporters were protesting Biden. Tim Miller, the former adviser to Jeb Bush, was talking to reporters and surveying the action. On Twitter, moments later, he wrote that hed given his permission to break the (obvious) scoop that I voted in my first Democratic primary today for Joseph Robinette Biden. - Christopher Cadelago and Carla Marinucci 2:19 p.m. James Comey says he's backing Biden for president Former FBI Director James Comey announced that hed voted in his first ever Democratic primary on Tuesday, backing Joe Biden in the race to challenge President Donald Trump in November. Comey, who led the FBI during the Obama administration before being fired by Trump just months into his presidency, said on Twitter he pulled the lever for the party dedicated to restoring values in the White House and indicated he voted for the former vice president he once worked under. Echoing comments from Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who dropped out of the race on the eve of Tuesdays primaries in more than a dozen states and backed Biden, Comey wrote that I agree with @amyklobuchar: We need [a] candidate who cares about all Americans and will restore decency, dignity to the office. He then argued that his vote was based on a belief that Biden is the strongest candidate to defeat Trump: "There is a reason Trump fears @JoeBiden and roots for Bernie. #Biden2020. But that endorsement was met with a chilly reception by at least one Biden staffer. Yes, customer service? I just received a package that I very much did not order. How can I return it, free of charge? Andrew Bates, a communications staffer for Biden and an alum of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, retorted in a tweet. - Caitlin Oprysko 2:05 p.m. Former Obama defense secretary endorses Biden Former Vice President Joe Biden scored a high-profile endorsement Tuesday from another Obama administration cabinet official: Chuck Hagel, a former Defense secretary and Republican senator. Joe Biden is not only a good friend, but hes a man I have admired for many, many years. I worked with him in the Senate, I worked with him when I was secretary of defense, Hagel told CNN. I dont know of a more experienced, better person a more decent person in politics, he continued. Hes smart, he understands, he listens. There is no perfect candidate. But I think Joe Biden, for this time in our country, with the challenges that we have, I think hes the right person. Asked why he opted to support Biden rather than his other former Senate colleague in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, Hagel said that Sanders positions and his issues are just too far left, and predicted that Democrats up and down the ballot will have an issue if he is the candidate. - Quint Forgey 11:53 a.m. Biden team launches Klobuchar ad in Minneapolis Former Vice President Joe Biden's team made quick work of Sen. Amy Klobuchar's endorsement, highlighting the senator's backing in a new television ad airing in Minnesota. The ad is airing in the Minneapolis area, according to the campaign, as voters in Minnesota head to the polls. Minnesota is one of the 14 states voting on Super Tuesday, the single largest day delegate-wise in the entire primary calendar. "It is time to turn back the division and the hate," Klobuchar says in the ad, which uses footage from her appearance at Biden's Monday night rally. "Vote for decency. Vote for dignity. Vote for a heart for our country." The campaign also said Klobuchar cut a radio ad supporting Biden that will also air in the Minneapolis market. - Zach Montellaro 11:25 a.m. in Miami Bloomberg denies hes siphoning votes from Biden Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg insisted on Tuesday that his ongoing presidential campaign would not end up boosting Sen. Bernie Sanders's left-wing campaign by splitting the vote of more moderate Democrats. Im not helping Bernie Sanders. Im trying to help myself, he told POLITICO as he campaigned in Florida. Criticism of Bloomberg has spiked in recent days after the race's two other prominent moderates Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg ended their bids over the last 48 hours and endorsed Joe Biden. Bloomberg, who entered the race late last year when Biden began to flag in the polls, said he planned to stay in the race despite signs of a resurgence from the former vice president. I got in because I thought that I could beat Donald Trump and I thought I could do the job of being president, he said Tuesday. Thats why Im here and thats why I started and thats where were going to wind up in the White House. - Caitlin Oprysko and Marc Caputo 11:20 a.m. in cambridge, Massachusetts School children greet Warren at her polling place, but polls show her behind in Mass. Sen. Elizabeth Warren left her Cambridge home, walked down the street to the place where she has voted for 25 years, and saw her name as a candidate for president Tuesday morning. Hundreds of Warren supporters lined the street as the senator, her husband, Bruce Mann, and their dog Bailey walked down the street to cast their votes in the primary. Polls show Warren trailing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in her home state, piling pressure onto the Massachusetts senator who has not won a state so far in the Democratic contest. Warren supporters crowded the street with signs, chanting "It's time for a woman in the White House" and "She's electable if you vote for her." Elementary schoolers waved to Warren from the windows of the Graham & Parks School, and some threw red and pink confetti from the second story as she approached the building. After she voted, Warren stood in the bed of a pickup truck and thanked her supporters before snapping selfies. Weve been here to vote every time with that spark of hope in our hearts that the vote will matter, that we will build a better country. Thats what this election for me is all about, Warren said. Warren won't stay in her home state to watch the results come in on Tuesday night. She's headed to Michigan, a state which votes March 10, to hold a rally in Detroit. "It was just next on the schedule to get out there and talk to people, I don't think you should read anything special into it," Warren said of her next stop. - Stephanie Murray 11 a.m. Deadly overnight tornadoes disrupt voting in Tennessee At least 19 people died overnight in Tennessee after a line of tornadoes crossed the state, a destructive start to Super Tuesday that is already disrupting primary voting. At a press conference in Nashville Tuesday morning, Gov. Bill Lee said deaths have been reported in four different counties, including two fatalities in Nashville, the state capital. Lee urged area residents to avoid downtown Nashville, where extensive damage was reported, and cautioned that the death toll could grow. Theres a really good possibility that there may be more [deaths], Lee said, because of the number of folks that we know that are missing and havent been reported. Its early yet. Tens of thousands of Tennesseans are still without power, officials said, including polling places where voters were set to cast their ballots. Polls are scheduled to close statewide at 8 p.m. eastern time. Weve actually deployed generators to polling places that are reporting that they dont have power, said Lee, a Republican. So, of course we want people to exercise caution in areas like downtown Nashville where theres damage in the streets and that sort of thing. But we also want folks to exercise their rights to get out there and vote. Its a very important day for that. So, were going to make it possible for as many folks as we can to vote and wherever we find a polling station that theres a problem, were reaching out to correct that. - Steve Shepard 10:29 a.m. 'I just don't think we are the face of the establishment': Klobuchar dismisses criticism of Biden endorsements Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar pushed back Tuesday against suggestions by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders supporters' that senior members of the Democratic establishment are lining up to thwart his ascendant presidential bid. The remarks from the Minnesota senator came after she withdrew from the White House race Monday and joined two other former Democratic presidential candidates former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke in endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign. "You know, I think, first of all, what was cool about last night is you have Mayor Pete and you have Beto O'Rourke, who electrified Texas in his Senate race, and myself," Klobuchar told "CBS This Morning." "And I just don't think we are the face of the establishment," she continued. "I think we're fresh faces in our party." - Quint Forgey 10:23 a.m. in Burlington, Vermont Bernie drives himself to the polls and gladhands voters Bernie Sanders drove himself and his wife, Jane, to his polling place in his home state an unmistakable effort to show that he is a man of the people. Inside, he participated in a bit of retail politics that he usually eschews, shaking hands with voters. He told reporters that you have increased the GDP of Vermont by 16 percent we appreciate it. He added we look forward to doing well today and gave a mini version of his stump speech, saying his campaign is about defeating the most dangerous president in the modern history of our country and creating an economy and a government that works for all, and not just the few." Sanders was asked how he slept the night before. Last nights the first time Ive been home in a very long time, he said. Slept well." - Holly Otterbein 9:17 a.m. Beto: A Biden win could put Texas Dems in control of Congressional map Beto O'Rourke said Tuesday that nominating Joe Biden for president could the key for Democrats trying to redraw Texas's Congressional map for years to come. Listing his three reasons for endorsing the former vice president, O'Rourke asserted that Biden could defeat President Donald Trump in a general election, charged that Biden was best-poised to accomplish Democrats' ambitious policy agenda, and suggested Biden's presence at the top of the ticket could help wrest control of the Texas state legislature from Republicans. "Here in Texas, we are but nine seats from claiming a majority in the state House for the first time in 20 years," O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman, told the hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "And if we do that in a census year, when we redraw the political boundaries in the state, we will no longer have the racist gerrymandering that has made us the lowest voter turnout state in the country," O'Rourke continued. "And we'll be able to start moving forward on things that we care about: Ending gun violence. Expanding Medicaid and access to health care. Making sure that this state leads the way in confronting climate change." - Quint Forgey 12:29 a.m. in Los Angeles Warren warns against Biden's 'Washington insider' endorsements Joe Biden may be surging into Super Tuesday after consolidating the support of his partys moderate wing, but Elizabeth Warren said Monday that his wave of endorsements should be a red flag for voters. No matter how many Washington insiders tell you to support him, nominating a fellow Washington insider will not meet this moment, Warren said at a rally in Los Angeles. Nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country will not meet this moment. And nominating someone who wants to restore the world before Donald Trump, when the status quo has been leaving more and more people behind for decades, is a big risk for our party and for our country. For a sitting senator to paint anyone as a creature of Washington requires a certain pluck. But the presidential primary is quickly narrowing. Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar two of Bidens endorsers abandoned their campaigns earlier than Warrens allies had expected. And after her own dispiriting finishes in the early nominating states, Warren is verging on being left behind. In Los Angeles on Monday, Warrens supporters cheered when said she is looking forward to gaining as many delegates as we can tomorrow, especially from the great state of California. There was no photo line. She left the rally to fly home to Massachusetts to vote in her states primary on Tuesday. - David Siders Look ahead Joe Biden Biden will head to the biggest delegate prize of them all on Tuesday: California, where he is hoping late-breaking votes will limit Sanders delegate gains in the state. Biden was running far behind Sanders in California in polling ahead of the South Carolina primary. And even with his victory in that state and the sea of endorsements that followed from the likes of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar he is unlikely to catch him in California. But a relatively low rate of returns in vote-by-mail ballots in California suggested voters were waiting to make up their minds. That could help Biden pick up delegates, and he made a late add to his schedule a stop in Oakland to increase his footprint in a state where Bidens campaign has been less active than others. Biden will be in Los Angeles in the evening, holding an event at a community center in Baldwin Hills. Most observers now expect Biden, like Sanders, to reach the 15 percent viability threshold necessary to win statewide delegates in California. The question is whether Sanders strength in the state, coupled with Bidens surge, can prevent Warren and Bloomberg from reaching that same threshold, which could divide the states massive delegate haul in a way that nudges everyone further from a delegate majority. -David Siders Mike Bloomberg As Bloomberg makes his primary debut Tuesday, he wont be in California, Texas, his native Massachusetts or any other Super Tuesday state. Hell be in Florida, which has its presidential primary on March 17. Bloomberg is holding events across Miami, Orlando and West Palm Beach, his third campaign stop in the state since he entered the race in late November. Pressure has mounted on him to withdraw as Biden looks to consolidate moderates ahead of an anticipated long delegate slog against Sanders and Warren. Bloombergs team wants to see him finish in one of the top spots in the total delegate count by nights end, but theyve made no commitments about staying in the 2020 race much beyond that that if Bloomberg isnt a clear contender. Bloomberg on Monday night didnt rule out endorsing Biden if it came down to it. He also sounded the alarm on Sanders, calling his policy proposals crazy. Bloomberg starts the day at his Little Havana Field Office in Miami before heading to Orlando over lunch and ending the day with a results-watching party at the Grand Ballroom, Palm Beach Convention Center just a stones throw from Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort. -Chris Cadelago Bernie Sanders Sanders is rolling into Super Tuesday with sky-high expectations. Even after Bidens commanding victory in South Carolina and his rapid consolidation of moderate Democratic leaders in the last 24 hours, Sanders is still the frontrunner and his campaign is still optimistic. Watching the campaign, watching the 10 debates unfold, we believe they have constantly shown that Bernie is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump, and thats still the case. And we think we still are in a very strong position heading into Super Tuesday, Sanders deputy campaign manager, Ari Rabin-Havt, told reporters at a rally in Salt Lake City Monday. Political observers across the spectrum believe Sanders is on track to win California, the biggest delegate prize of the day. His team hopes that and victories and strong finishes in other states will build a delegate lead that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for his rivals to catch up. The Vermont senator is holding a primary night rally in his home city of Burlington. His campaign has not announced any events beyond that. -Holly Otterbein Elizabeth Warren Warren will be taking a red eye flight from Los Angeles where she is taping several TV interviews and delivering a speech to Boston on Monday night so that she can vote in her home state primary Tuesday morning. Her appearance with Jimmy Kimmel aired Monday night, while an interview with Ellen DeGeneres will air on Tuesday during the day. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to supporters during a town hall Thursday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Discovery Green in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) Warren will visit her polling station at Graham & Parks School in Cambridge, Mass., where polls show a close race between her and Sanders, who rallied in the state over the weekend. Sanders aggressive attempts to beat Warren in her home state have frustrated some Warren allies, though the campaign has not said anything and has not predicted victory, either. Still, Warren could be helped by the late dropouts of Klobuchar and Buttigieg. In the late afternoon, Warren will fly to Michigan, where she is slated to hold a big rally in the evening as results come in. Michigan, which votes on March 10, is one of the states the Warren campaign is most focused on after Super Tuesday. The Warren campaign has confidently stated it will accumulate a number of delegates that will keep them in the hunt, though hotly contested Massachusetts is her best chance to win a state. In a memo released a few weeks ago, Warren campaign manager Roger Lau said Warren was "poised" to finish in second place in eight Super Tuesday contests and in the top three in all 14. We will find out if thats true after four largely disappointing results in the primaries and caucuses that took place in February. -Alex Thompson President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he talked with a Taliban leader, days after the US and the Taliban reached an agreement aimed at allowing the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan after more than 18 years. "I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn. "We had a very good talk." A short time earlier, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted: "The President of the United States Trump held a phone conversation" with Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. No other details were disclosed. Acknowledging a military stalemate after nearly two decades of conflict, the United States on Saturday signed a peace agreement with the Taliban. The deal, signed by chief negotiators from the two sides and witnessed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, could see the withdrawal of all American and allied forces in the next 14 months and allow Trump to keep a key campaign pledge to extract the US from "endless wars". But it could also easily unravel, particularly if the Taliban and other factions of Afghan society fail to have successful talks plotting a political way forward for the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MUNICH, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Build38, the global provider of Mobile Application Security made in Germany, closes 2019 at a new high with a total order intake in the single-digit million Euros. As the first full financial year for the company, this gives an encouraging message that its solutions and services are finding the way to market. With existing commercial references in Automotive, Financial Industry, Mobility, and Digital Identity, 2020 is going to be the year for the scaling in those verticals and further growth. To continue supporting that commercial expansion, Build38 was present as an exhibitor at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, taking place on the last week of February. For almost 30 years, RSA Conference has been a driving force behind the world's cybersecurity agenda. The central point where people from around the world gather to share, learn and grow. Build38 welcomed current, and future, customers, partners, and investors at its booth and had breakthrough discussions and showcased beyond the cutting edge in-App protection capabilities, its Mobile Threat Detection and Analytics latest developments. The young company was also featured in Europe last week as one of the 12 startup companies selected for the semi-final for the 4YFN Award competition. As part of the commercial expansion, Build38 has signed agreements for the provision of their solutions and services with several partners, including markets like Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, Austria, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Adding to the existing agreements, the reach of Build38 grows steadily. About Build38 Build38 is a global provider of mobile application protection solutions. Its Trusted Application Kit (T.A.K) solution combines AI-platform and strongest app shielding technology which protects B2B and B2C mobile channels from fraud and reduces your compliance risk exposure. It also enables new use cases and opens the market for new digital business models. Build38 protects applications across various industries including automotive, financial, public transport and health care. Build38 is headquartered in Munich with global offices in Barcelona and Singapore. For further information about Build38 visit www.build38.com Contact: Pedro Hernandez +65 9003 5357 [email protected] SOURCE Build38 Related Links https://build38.com - On March 2, 1966, Kwame Nkrumah arrived in Conakry, Guinea after being invited by Sekou Toure just after the military coup - Dr Kwame Nkrumah was in Peking, present-day Beijing on his way to Hanoi, Vietnam, with plans to end the American war in Vietnam when he was ousted - Nkrumah was deposed in 1966 by the National Liberation Council Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Exactly 54 years ago, on March 2, 1966, Kwame Nkrumah arrived in Conakry, Guinea after being invited by Sekou Toure just after the military coup that illegally deposed his government. Nkrumah was in Peking, present-day Beijing en route to Hanoi, with an agenda to end the American war in Vietnam when news of the coup first reached him. Four African presidents including Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Modibo Keita of Mali, Sekou Toure, Guinea and from Tanzania, Julius Nyerere sent Nkrumah immediate invitations and messages of support. Nkrumah accepted Sekou Toures invitation on the back that Guinea shared Nkrumahs Pan-African objectives. READ ALSO: Brilliant SHS graduate with 7As and no GETFund support 'begs' for help to pay university fees Aside Guinea being closest to Ghana, which would make it easy for Nkrumah to return to carry on his work, he had strong brotherly connections with Sekou Toure. Kwame Nkrumah arrived in Guinea on March 2, 1966, together with his bodyguards and a few civil servants who had remained with him after he was deposed. Toure received Nkrumah as Head of state, gave him a 21-gun salute and conferred on him ''the head of state and secretary-general of the Guinean Democratic Party.'', The title enabled Nkrumah to make a few ceremonial appearances around Conakry and to live in a pleasant villa. The new Ghana government, the National Liberation Council, accused Guinea of keeping notorious tyrants and criminals in Africa. Ghana's new government cut ties with Guinea, announced the immediate closure of Ghanas embassy in conakry and called on the Guinean government to permit the ambassador and staff to leave the country. In other stories, YEN.com.gh previously reported that when rapper Medikal took the stage at MTN Pulse/4 Stye TV Pent Hall Week Celebration at the campus of University of Ghana, he was mainly expected to capture the hearts and imaginations of the crowd with his performances. Until Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie stormed the stage at the event, Medikal did not just captivate the crowd with riveting performances but also gave the students and fans something to talk about. Prior to his performance at the MTN Pulse/4 Stye TV Pent Hall Week Celebration, a wedding invitation card which had the names of rapper Medikal and actress, Fella Makafui surfaced online Friday, February 28, 2020. READ ALSO: Patapaas white girlfriend buys him first-ever BMW car as birthday gift (video) Faces of Ghana: Ghanas 1st Female Police Bemoans High Rate of Police Indiscipline | #Yencomgh Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Australia's largest toilet paper manufacturer is moving into 24-hour production as major supermarket chains ramp up supplies of long-life pantry items over growing fears of a coronavirus-induced supply shortage. Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a rare call to the chief executives of Woolworths and Coles on Tuesday, after community anxiety fuelled reports of panic-buying across the country. Coles and Woolworths said they had briefed both federal and state governments and had begun stockpiling toilet paper, tissues and Panadol and long-life pantry products. Neither supermarket currently has plans to implement buying restrictions for in-demand products. Empty shelves at Port Melbourne Coles once contained toilet paper. Credit:Franziska Glage Kimberly-Clark, which manufactures Kleenex toilet paper in Australia, said it had production lines running 24 hours a day at its South Australian factory to address the increased, short-term demand. He was thrilled to marry KC Osborne on Monday's episode of Married At First Sight. But Drew Brauer has been burned before, having split with his former fiancee just eight weeks before their wedding day. On Tuesday, the 31-year-old explained how the shock breakup made his mental health spiral to a 'dark place'. Burned before: On Tuesday, Married At First Sight's Drew Brauer (pictured) revealed why he split with his former fiancee just weeks before their wedding 'There was nothing bad that happened, she just felt like she didn't want to go through with the wedding at the time,' Drew told news.com.au. He added: 'I was blindsided and very hurt and instead of trying to work stuff out I put my f**k you pants on. My pride was hurt.' As he struggled with his mental health, Drew admitted he 'isolated' himself, rather than reaching out for help. Heartbreak: 'I was blindsided and very hurt and instead of trying to work stuff out I put my f**k you pants on. My pride was hurt,' he said. Pictured with new 'wife' KC Osborne Difficult: The 31-year-old explained how the shock breakup made his mental health spiral to a 'dark place' 'I did all the wrong things. I isolated myself, I didn't tell anyone about what had happened or how I was feeling. I stopped working out. I went downhill very quickly.' Drew eventually rediscovered his passion for music, quitting his job as a FIFO worker to pursue it as a career. He also started volunteering at numerous charities in Cairns, before creating his own mental health charity, Kick On. Tough: As he struggled with his mental health, Drew admitted he 'isolated' himself, rather than reaching out for help Drew said: 'I did all the wrong things. I isolated myself, I didn't tell anyone about what had happened or how I was feeling. I stopped working out. I went downhill very quickly' On the Kick On website, Drew further explains his philosophy: 'I want to help build self-awareness, mental resilience and teach people about the correlation between physical health and mental health. 'To empower the community to make positive changes for themselves, and for their fellow humans to make the world a better and far happier place!' Married At First Sight continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine Gardai conducting a murder investigation into the disappearance of Newbridge woman Deirdre Jacob over two decades ago may have a file ready for the Director of Public Prosecutions on a particular suspect in the next few weeks according to reports. The Irish Examiner has reported that the file will be ready in the next two weeks. On submission to the DPP, it will then decide whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution towards it is understood a well known rapist who is believed to have been working in the area at the time. Last July marked 21st anniversary of the student teachers disappearance from near her home in Roseberry. The familys liaison officer and former sergeant in Newbridge, Seamus Rothwell, confirmed to the Leinster Leader back then that gardai investigations have taken a particular avenue. He said that while the chief suspect in the missing teenagers murder case could not yet be named, gardai are working on the file, which should be ready in the next few months. Every scrap of evidence has to go into that file and then it is up to the DPP to decide if the suspect will be charged or not, he said. We are following up on everything we have on the case and looking at every strand, and if there is somebody somewhere that might have an idea about somebody else who may have been involved then gardai would still like to hear from them. Especially if somebody has something on their mind now is the time to say it.We wont ask the question why it took so long well be very thankful for the information and thrilled to get it. It could well be relevant to the case. Deirdre Jacob was 18 years old when she was last seen 21 years ago on July 28, 1998, outside the family home in Roseberry. Last August, gardai upgraded her case from a missing persons to a murder investigation. The investigation is being overseen by Supt Martin Walker from Kildare Garda Station. Officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations cold case unit and the Serious Crime Review Team are also involved. Since Deirdres disappearance, gardai have followed numerous lines of inquiry and conducted searches for the missing teaching student. However, no arrests have been made over the disappearance. Bristol is the most popular spot for buyers purchasing their first home with the help of a Lifetime Isa in 2019, This is Money can reveal. A total of 380 homes were bought in the city in the South West, according to Skipton Building Society, the first provider to offer the Government-backed savings scheme. The next most popular locations for first-time buyers were Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, all of which saw at least 300 homes purchased using Skipton's Lifetime Isa last year. Bristol harbourside at sunset. The west of England city was the most popular place for first-time buyers using a Lifetime Isa in 2019, and has an average house price of 317,000 Rounding up the top five is the Berkshire town of Reading, which saw 283 homes bought, while both Glasgow and Edinburgh are also among the most popular spots. The average first-time buyer bought a home worth 248,000 and was aged 32, according to Skipton's figures exclusively given to This is Money. This is 32,000 more than the average UK house price, which rose 2.3 per cent year-on-year in February, according to Nationwide Building Society's latest house price index. Some 11,381 first homes were bought with the help of Skipton's Lifetime Isa in 2019, up 215 per cent on the 3,641 purchased in 2018. London does not appear in the top 10. This is in contrast to the Lifetime Isa's predecessor, the Help to Buy Isa, which between December 2015 and June 2019 saw the most homes bought using it located in the London postcodes of Croydon and Waltham Forest. The most popular spots for first-time buyers using the Lifetime Isa to buy a home in 2019. The Lifetime Isa adds a 25% government bonus onto savings of up to 4,000 a year However, despite the exclusion of the capital it is unlikely the most popular locations will come as a great surprise, and indeed some spots have been the most popular for both sets of savers. For example, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham and Edinburgh were all among the 10 most popular postcodes for first-time buyers using the Help to Buy Isa, as was Broxtowe, which is just to the west of Nottingham. Nottingham came in at number nine in Skipton's list, with 206 buyers opting to purchase first homes there. While the Lifetime Isa has been offered by fewer banks and building societies than its predecessor, it has still proven an effective way for first-time buyers to save towards a home. I bought with a Lifetime Isa after two-and-a-half years of saving 27-year-old Emma Carmody bought her first home in Bristol last October Emma Carmody bought her first home with the help of a Lifetime Isa after putting a quarter of her salary away each month for two-and-a-half years. The 27-year-old, who works in HR for retail giant Amazon, moved back to Bristol, where she's from, after renting in Manchester with her boyfriend. While most Skipton customers deposit 4,000 in one go each year in their Lifetime Isa, she said she transferred a proportion of her salary each month, as otherwise she would 'definitely have ended up spending the money'. She said earmarking the savings that way was a 'good way of disciplining myself' and got her into a routine. Though she didn't need to drastically cut back on anything while saving, she said she made sure she had a budget both for her essential living costs as well as a 'fun budget', and then made sure to set aside a set amount towards her house each month. Emma Carmody bought this three-bedroom terraced house in Bristol in October 2019. She told This is Money she planned to spend the weekend painting one of the bedrooms She said she opened a Lifetime Isa with Skipton and began paying into it within months of starting work at Amazon in 2017. She opened it after some advice from her dad, and said the idea of saving towards a first home had been 'ingrained' from a young age by her parents and grandparents. While she ended up buying in Bristol, she said when she was saving towards a house she initially considered buying a flat in Manchester, where she was living at the time, as house prices were cheaper. But she said that as a lot her friends and family were living in Bristol, the news that Amazon, who she has worked for since graduating university, was setting up a site there was almost 'too good to be true'. The three-bedroom terraced house in Bristol she ended up buying for 270,000 in October last year, she admitted, was 'literally the first house I saw. I walked in and I thought it was the one'. She said she looked around five other houses but kept coming back to this first one, came back again to look at it with her parents and then put an offer in at the end of June 2019, picking up the keys three-and-a-half months later. She told This is Money the 'free money' savers can get with the Lifetime Isa made it definitely worth opening, 'even if you only pay in 50', and said it helped her focus on the end goal of buying her first home. The average house price in Bristol was 317,598, according to property website Rightmove. Some 100.6million in government bonuses were handed out to its Lifetime Isa holders last year, according to Skipton's figures. The 248,000 average purchase price is higher than its predecessor. The average price of a property bought with the Help to Buy Isa is 173,580, and nearly a third of all homes bought with the scheme's help have cost between 150,000 and 250,000. Jen Lloyd, savings expert at Skipton, said: 'Lifetime Isa property purchases may be higher than those made with the Help To Buy Isa due to age as the average age at purchase varies by four years, and a number of life changes can occur during that time. 'Lifetime Isa savers may be further down their career paths, so they are likely to earn, and therefore save more. 'Those in their early thirties are statistically more likely to have children, or be in the process of planning a family, which may require a larger property, hence the slightly higher price.' The most popular locations for first-time buyers using the Lifetime Isa Town or city Number of homes bought Bristol 380 Birmingham 358 Manchester 352 Leeds 318 Reading 283 Sheffield 271 Edinburgh 265 Glasgow 244 Nottingham 239 Newcastle 206 Source: Skipton Building Society Why isn't London in the list? The average saver took 560 days, or around 18 months, between opening a Skipton Lifetime Isa and purchasing their first home, with the average balance sitting at 5,619, just over a full year's contributions. David Hollingworth, from mortgage broker London and Country, said: 'It's difficult to be sure whether increased use in London will gradually feed through, as more buyers build up a deposit sufficient to buy in the capital. 'The Lifetime Isa must have been open for at least 12 months to qualify for the bonus so that may contribute to the larger amounts that the Skipton figures are showing and could indicate that further growth in use could yet feed through. 'Additionally, whilst the Help to Buy Isa allowed savings of up to 1,200 in the first month and subsequent deposits of up to 200 a month, the Lifetime Isa enables savers to put away as much as 4,000 a year. David Hollingworth, from mortgage broker London and Country 'That could give more flexibility for savers that are able to put more cash away and therefore allowed for some bigger pots to have accrued sooner. 'The timing of the Help to Buy Isa bonus saw some criticism that it wasn't available as a deposit to be paid at the point of exchange but that should not have presented an insurmountable problem.' The Lifetime Isa pays a 25 per cent bonus on savings of up to 4,000 a year, and can be used to purchase a home worth of up to 450,000 after the account has been open for a year. Savers can make contributions whenever they want but incur a 25 per cent penalty if they try and withdraw money other than for buying their first home or after they turn 60. It was launched in April 2017 and has replaced the Help to Buy Isa, which also paid a 25 per cent government bonus and closed to new applicants at the end of last November. Between 2015 and September 2019 the Government handed out more than 370,000 bonuses worth 358.14million, according to the most recent figures from the taxman. Between July and September 2019, the Government paid out an average bonus of 1,221, with 31,075 Help to Buy Isas used to buy properties. Hollingworth added: 'As there has been some crossover of the Lifetime and Help to Buy Isas it could suggest that aspiring first time buyers have been saving into the product that meets their needs more appropriately. 'With the Help to Buy Isa being the first account available and many likely to find 200 a month more than adequate to meet their saving ability it will be interesting to see if the dynamics shift for the Lifetime Isa over time, and whether those initially able to save bigger amounts may have so far been drawn to the Lifetime Isa, rather than Help to Buy.' While those who hold Lifetime Isas are able to drip feed in savings whenever they want provided they don't pay in more than 4,000 in a tax year, the majority of Skipton customers paid in just once a year and paid in the full 4,000. This suggests savers are only depositing money they know they can afford to put towards a house, so they don't incur a penalty by having to withdraw the money. Lloyd added: 'Our data shows that these large sums are being saved smartly. Most Lifetime Isa savers pay in the 4,000 figure in bulk at the end of the tax year, allowing them to secure the maximum 25 per cent bonus without locking their funds away before they have to. 'They're clearly making a cleverly calculated choice here, as it shows they are aware of the Government penalty for early withdrawal and are taking proactive steps to avoid it'. Overall, 186,832 Lifetime Isas have been opened with the building society since Skipton launched it in June 2017. According to the latest statistics from HMRC, 166,000 Lifetime Isas were opened in the 2017-18 tax year, the first year it was available. Other banks and building societies which offer a cash version include Nottingham Building Society, Moneybox, Newcastle Building Society and Paragon Bank, though for more than a year Skipton was the only provider to offer one, meaning it is likely to hold far more customers than the others mentioned. New Delhi, March 3 : In measures for cluster management of coronavirus, the government is asking the states to identify sites for quarantine facilities and isolation wards including facilities of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, medical colleges and PSUs within their jurisdiction. This was decided at a meeting held by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba through video conference here, with Secretaries of Ministries concerned, and state Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries to review and assess action taken for containment of COVID-19. The meeting comes on a day when the first coronavirus case has been detected in Delhi and a flurry of cases are being reported on a single patient's trial from Delhi to Agra. The guidelines on cluster management of COVID-19 have been communicated to the states two days ago. The operationalisation of the guidelines was emphasised upon and the Chief Secretaries were requested to review the same. The states have been asked to hold coordination meetings with the related Ministries and arrive at a plan on possible quarantine facilities in the States. They have also been asked to augment isolation wards and include facilities of the labour department, armed forces, paramilitary forces, medical colleges and PSUs within their jurisdiction. It was also decided that District Collectors shall now be involved in cluster management in their district. They should hold coordination meetings and ensure that teams at the district, block and village levels are made for cluster management as per the SOPs communicated. The district administration will also hold meetings with hospital associations to identify isolation wards. The Health Ministry is working with FICCI to work out detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for COVID-19 management in private hospitals. It was also informed that apart from the three COVID-19 positive cases from Kerala, who have recovered, three more cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and six have heavy viral load and are awaiting confirmation. All are in isolation and are stable. Also, 24 persons, including 21 Italian tourists and three Indians (bus driver, conductor and tourist guide), who had contact with the Italian national found confirmed as COVID-19 positive in Jaipur, have been shifted to the ITBP facility for testing. Depending on the result, future course of action will be taken, according to an official statement. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With the second case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) now confirmed in New York City, the MTA is stepping up its cleaning efforts in an attempt to curtail the spread of the potentially deadly virus. The agencys mass transit divisions -- New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North -- have significantly ramped up the frequency and intensity of their sanitizing efforts, using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed disinfectants. Starting tonight we have enacted additional cleaning protocols designed to disinfect our stations, trains, buses, and Access-A-Ride vehicles. Working in coordination with the governor and state and federal health authorities, we continue to aggressively monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to ensure our system remains safe," Pat Foye, MTA Chairman and CEO, said late Monday night. Frequently touched station surfaces like turnstiles, handrails and MetroCard vending machines will be disinfected daily, with the agencys full fleet of trains, cars and buses undergoing full sanitization every 72 hours. This includes 472 stations throughout the subway system, 21 stations along Staten Island Railway, 124 stations and terminals along Long Island Rail Road and 101 stations throughout Metro-Norths New York territory, as well as 6,714 New York City Transit subway cars, 64 Staten Island Railway cars, 1,100 Long Island Rail Road and Metro-Norths cars, 5,700 buses and 1,341 dedicated Access-A-Ride vans. While we understand the concerns over the coronavirus, the reality is the risk in New York remains low, said MTA Chief Operating Officer Mario Peloquin. We want our more than 8 million customers and our employees to know that we are taking every precaution to ensure their safety, starting with sanitizing of the entire system. We will continue to keep the public fully informed and we thank our frontline employees for their efforts. The agency has also rolled out new health guidance public service announcements (PSAs) both in stations and on trains and buses. The PSAs will complement existing advisories that have been deployed on 3,600 subway screens, 2,000 bus screens, 550 railroad screens and at 84 subway station street entrances. Customers are advised to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, wash their hands often with soap and water, cover their coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue and remain home if they are sick. The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority as we continue to monitor the coronavirus, said Patrick Warren, MTA chief safety officer. The MTA is enhancing its cleaning regimen across all our operating agencies to ensure the system is safe for everyone. The best defense against COVID-19, according to the National Centers for Disease Control, continues to be good hygiene -- frequent hand washing and self-care. Farfetch to Webcast Capital Markets Day Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry, announced today that it will host a Capital Markets Day in New York on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 8:30am to 2:30pm ET. A live webcast and replay of the event will be available at the Farfetch Investor Relations website at www.farfetchinvestors.com. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is the leading global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashio, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,200 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities; Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers; and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch also invests in innovations such as its Store of the Future augmented retail solution, and develops key technologies, business solutions, and services for the luxury fashion industry. For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005743/en/ Rice University announced Tuesday morning that it is suspending all university-sponsored student travel and spring break trips to foreign countries until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifts travel restrictions related to coronavirus. Sponsored travel for faculty to countries that are listed on the CDCs restricted list have also been suspended, according to a release sent by the universitys crisis management advisory committee. Rice created a travel registry that requires all students, faculty and staff who have gone outside the United States to document their international travel. The response comes as universities across the state and the country prepare campuses for the potential arrival or spread of the contagious virus. The CDC has already issued guidance for higher education institutions to plan, prepare and respond to COVID-19. A Rice university research staff member may have been exposed to the coronavirus while traveling overseas. The person was tested for the virus by Harris County public health authorities who overnighted the sample to the CDC, county health officials said Monday. Those test results are expected by the end of the week. Other Texas colleges have taken similar precautions restricting travel, suspending trips and requiring students and university employees to self-quarantine for two weeks before returning to campus after traveling to restricted countries or regions at risk. The University of St. Thomas in Houston canceled study abroad trips to Argentina and Jamaica, spokeswoman Sandra Soliz said Tuesday. The university will continue to monitor planned destinations for summer studies abroad, she said. A list of new restrictions on student-related foreign travel was issued by the Texas A&M University System on Monday, advising students, faculty, staff and visitors traveling from countries with high-risk levels to self-isolate. The A&M system will provide information and updates on its websites and social media, officials said, and has plans to create an expert medical response team. The University of Houston System has restricted all travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea as of Tuesday. The university system advised anyone considering international travel to monitor the CDCs website and to heed U.S. government warnings as they make travel plans. We will continue to keep our community informed as developments occur. To date, we have not identified any cases at our UH campuses, Vanessa Tilney, chief physician and executive director at UHs Student Health Center, wrote on Monday. However, as coronavirus has become much more prominent in the United States and has begun to spread more rapidly through parts of Europe and Asia, it is incumbent upon all of us to remain aware and vigilant of this potentially serious public health threat. The University of Texas System suspended all university-related undergraduate travel to countries affected by the virus and is now requiring graduate students, faculty and staff to apply for approval for travel to restricted regions. Those who have traveled to countries on the CDCs warning locations for coronavirus must also self-quarantine before returning to campus. The COVID-19 workgroup is continuously preparing to respond to changing events and to mitigate any public health threats to campus, the UT system website states. Students and university employees at Rice who are traveling or have traveled to any country listed with a level 2 or level 3 warning on the CDCs list must self-isolate and stay away from campus for the recommended two weeks once returning to the United States. Level 2 indicates that people should practice enhanced caution, and level 3 discourages all nonessential travel. Seventeen doctoral students, staff and faculty who had direct contact with the Rice researcher are self-quarantined away from campus. The university is working closely with them to ensure their well-being. According to the local health officials, the risk to the Rice campus is low at this time, officials stated in the release. brittany.britto@chron.com Photo credit: Instagram From ELLE The Gossip Girl reboot has found its first five Upper East Siders. One of the chicly-dressed new residents will be played by 15-year-old Whitney Peak. Details about Peak's character are limited. But until we know more about the tea-sipping teen she'll be playing, get to know the latest newcomer to join the Gossip Girl cast. She could be playing a Serena or Blair-esque role in Gossip Girl. Little is known about Peak's role in the upcoming HBO Max series. But Deadline suggests she could be the Serena to Emily Alyn Lind's Blairor vice versa. Peak and Lind will be joined by actors Eli Brown, Johnathan Fernandez, and Jason Gotay in the project. At the time of Peak's casting, no character name or description was provided. But the outlet noted, "The new series is said to have a similar character dynamic to the original, with Peak, Brown and Lind as the leading trio and Fernandez and Gotay as members of the core ensemble." Peak confirmed the news herself, writing on Instagram, "secrets out ... xoxo ." She also stars in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. If Peak looks familiar, you may recognize her as the mysterious Judith Blackwood on Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. In addition to starring in seasons two and three of the supernatural series, Peak has co-starred in Molly's Game, Hallmark's Campfire Kiss, and an episode of iZombie. She hails from Uganda and Canada. Although Gossip Girl firmly takes place in the world of New York City, Peak comes from a much different environment. According to IMDB, the actress was born in Kampala, Uganda and spent much of her childhood growing up in Canada. She'll fit right into the high fashion world of GG. Story continues As for how Peak will fit into the world of Gossip Girl? Look no further than this Instagram post from March 2019, where the actress effortlessly pairs a graphic tee with bright orange joggersall while posing on a pair of Met-esque steps. (Serena and Blair, who?) You Might Also Like By Barani Krishnan Investing.com - Oil prices settled mixed on Tuesday after an emergency rate cut by the Federal Reserve was tempered by uncertainties ahead of an OPEC meeting on production cuts. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. crude benchmark, settled up 43 cents, or 0.9%, at $47.18 per barrel. WTI rose 4.5% on Monday after a 16% drop last week, its biggest weekly fall since mid-December 2008. Tuesdays rebound came after the Federal Reserve cut the key lending rate cut by half a point ahead of its scheduled March 18 meeting. The Fed briefly boosted optimism among investors expecting stimulus for markets battered by the coronavirus epidemic. Brent, the London-traded global benchmark for crude, however, settled down 4 cents, or 0.07%, at $51.86. It rose 4.5% in the previous session. Earlier on Tuesday, WTI and Brent rallied about 4% each before falling back on concerns over what OPEC would decide later in the week. OPECs 13 members open their regular twice-yearly meeting on Thursday before a special session on Friday with 10 producing allies led by Russia, who are collectively known as OPEC+. Saudi Arabia, which dominates the group, is trying to push for an agreement to cut another 1 million barrels per day on top of 2.1 million bpd already agreed in December. Russia, whose cooperation is vital for a cut, hasnt given the nod to the Saudis. Related Articles Gold Hits Mid-$1,600s as Fed Cut, Virus Scare Restore Safe-Haven Shine OPEC, Russia moving closer to big oil cut as coronavirus hits demand Gulf's two largest economies follow Fed rate cuts on coronavirus concerns Workers who self-isolate on a precautionary basis, even if it is in line with advice from the HSE, may not be entitled to be paid, the Workplace Relations Commission has warned. The WRC has posted a guidance notice for employers and employees on coronavirus. Unless covered by an employment contract or an agreed attendance policy, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid while absent from work, it states. This may also be the position where an employee is unable to work because of precautionary measures taken in line with advice from the HSE, it advises. However, in such circumstances, employers and their employees should try to be as flexible as possible in trying to resolve any work issues that arise. The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places a general duty of care on employers to ensure, as far as reasonably practical, the safety, health, and welfare at work of their employees. However, employees also have obligations under the same act to ensure that they do not pose a threat to the safety of others in their workplace. The commission has urged employees to follow the advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health. The WRC also deals with situations where a business can lay off workers if its ability to provide work is impacted. While periods of layoff are unpaid, there are several social welfare payments that employees may potentially be entitled to, it advises. Meanwhile, most of Googles 8,000 staff and contractors in Ireland were told to work from home on Tuesday as a precautionary measure after a staff member in Dublin reported flu-like symptoms There are around 8,000 employees who work in Googles European Union headquarters near Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. Google said that the decision to instruct staff to work from home for the day also tested its ability to continue to perform at full capacity with employees working remotely. Twitter staff across the world are being asked to work from home to in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. The company currently employs almost 200 people in its Dublin office, and 5,000 worldwide. Twitter head of people, Jennifer Christie, said it is strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they are able. Ms Christie said Twitter is operating out of an abundance of caution and dedication to keeping its employees healthy. Working from home will be mandatory for employees based in our Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea offices due in part to government restrictions, she added. AA Roadwatch said that having Google and Twitter staff working from home has had no discernible effect on Dublin traffic as yet. The traffic and travel groups director of consumer affairs, Conor Faughnan, was asked if AA Roadwatch noticed an actual reduction in traffic volumes because of more people working from home. We are not seeing that effect yet, he said. If that effect is there, it is currently at a relatively low level. It appears like business as usual for the great majority of people for the moment. [March 03, 2020] GTIS Partners Maintains Top Spots in GRESB Sustainability Ranking GTIS Partners LP ("GTIS"), a real estate private equity firm headquartered in New York City, with offices in Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Paris and Munich, today announced that the GTIS Brazil Real Estate Fund ("GTIS Brazil Real Estate Fund I") has been recognized as 2019's most sustainable private equity real estate investment fund in South America by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark ("GRESB"). This is the fifth consecutive year the fund has taken the top ranking. GTIS Brazil Real Estate Funds II and III took second and third-place honors, respectively, matching the funds' survey rankings for 2017 and 2018. "ESG is no longer a 'nice to have,' it's a 'need to have,'" said Josh Pristaw, Senior Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets and Co-head of Brazil at GTIS Partners. "In many ways, ESG is the new frontier of investing, both because investors expect it and also because it makes good business sense. For years now, we've pushed ourselves to meet a higher threshold of expectations in our Brazil real estate investing activities by thinking of tomorrow, not just today. To accomplish this, we recalibrated our models to put sustainability criteria at the heart of our investment process. We're delighted that GRESB has recognized us for these efforts and look forward to continuing to 'walk the ESG walk' in the years ahead." Pristaw noted that GTIS is looking to build on its ESG efforts and has put into place detailed plans to focus specifically on the areas of building assessments, data management, and tenant engagement. "For us, ESG is not a theoretical construct, it's both a roadmap and an integral component of our DNA," said Joao Teixeira, Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of the Brazil Office at GTIS Partners. "From the perspective of someone who's 'on the ground' in Brazil, I can see the impact our sustainability efforts are having on both our investment performance and local communities and it makes me very optimistic about the future we're creating today." In an ongoing effort to meet and exceed global ESG standards, the firm has incorporated ESG into its investment committee process as well as the annual employee evaluation process for all offices since 2016. GTIS Partners has been actively investing in Brazil real estate since 2005, and has been participating in the GRESB survey for its Brazil funds since 2012, making it one of the first institutional investors in Brazil to recognize the importance of sustainability and governanc. As one of the largest foreign real estate investors in Brazil, GTIS has committed more than R$6.6 billion of equity to its Brazil platform. ESG Beyond Real Estate Turning to renewables, GTIS is developing a state-of-the-art industrial/logistics center outside Sao Paulo, outfitted with a rooftop solar farm with a projected 2.5-megawatt capacity, estimated to exceed the approximately 1.5 million square foot center's energy needs. The complex will also feature market leading ESG-focused indoor and outdoor amenities with the aim of improving overall health and well-being of employees and tenants. "If we can deliver clean, reliable power to our tenants at a discount to the regulated price while making an attractive incremental return on the investment, that enhances the desirability of our asset for tenants and increases the value of our real estate," said Pristaw. For 2020, the firm is also in the process of migrating five office assets and seven hotel assets to providers of free market renewable energy sources instead of the local utility provider, thereby acquiring nearly 35,000 kWh of annual energy from renewable sources over the next 5-7 years. "GTIS Partners continues to outperform its peers and has once again received the top three rankings in South America in the GRESB 2019 Results," remarked Dan Winters, GRESB's Head of the Americas. "With eight consecutive years of benchmarking their ESG performance, GTIS has proven to be an industry leader making outstanding progress with its sustainability programs and continues to set the bar higher for the sector." The firm began incorporating more of its sustainability playbook to its US business over the last couple of years, particularly for its operating assets. GTIS has set a rigorous ESG process for its U.S. Property Income Fund ("USPIP"), a vehicle that targets durable, long-term dividends with modest leverage. USPIP has been active in the multifamily space, with recent acquisitions of Class A multifamily projects in Dallas and Orlando. GTIS is also investing in US Opportunity Zones, with the mission of stimulating economic development in underserved areas while focusing on sustainability and socio-economics. GTIS is working on developing advanced ESG process around site selection and construction, green certifications, data collection, and technical assessments of these assets. About GTIS Partners GTIS Partners is a global real assets investment firm headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Paris, France and Munich, Germany. GTIS Partners was founded in 2005 and is managed by President Tom Shapiro and Senior Managing Directors Josh Pristaw, Rob Vahradian, Tom Feldstein, Joao Teixeira, and Amy Boyle. GTIS Partners has 89 employees and approximately $4.4 billion of gross assets under management. The firm pursues opportunistic real asset investments through direct equity investment and lending activities. To date, the firm has committed capital to residential, retail, industrial, office, hotel and mixed-use projects in the U.S. and Brazil, and is among the largest real estate private equity companies in Brazil. For more information, please visit www.gtispartners.com. About GRESB Mission-driven and investor-led, GRESB is the environmental, social and governance (ESG) benchmark for real assets. GRESB works in collaboration with the industry to provide standardized and validated ESG data to the capital markets. The 2019 real estate benchmark covered more than 1,000 property companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs), funds, and developers. GRESB's coverage for infrastructure includes 500 infrastructure funds and assets. Combined, GRESB represents USD 4.5 trillion in real asset value. More than 100 institutional investors, with over USD 22 trillion AUM, use GRESB data to monitor their investments, engage with their managers, and make decisions that lead to a more sustainable real asset industry. For more information, please refer to www.GRESB.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005702/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Fed just cut rates inter-meeting for the first time since the terrible, dark days of December 2008, and stocks are selling off. The Dow is down more than 550 points as I write this. The president is already tweeting that "More easing and cutting!" is needed. And frankly, the market agrees. If you're going to do something extraordinary to quell a financial panic--and it's not clear this approached that level yet--you have to do something extraordinary. You have to do "shock and awe." But (a) the Fed's statement Friday signaled an intermeeting cut might be coming, so it lessened the shock value of this morning's move, and (b) markets had priced in 75 basis points of rate cuts at the meeting in two weeks, and the Fed only cut rates by 50 bps today. So, no awe. And that's how you get stocks to throw a temper tantrum. So what's the Fed's next move? Another quarter-point cut at the meeting on March 18? Or not? The benchmark overnight rate which they just cut is now back to just a 1-1.25% range. That means we only have four "normal" quarter-point cuts left until we're back. At. Zero. MUFG's Chris Rupkey may have a point when he said, in reaction to the emergency cut, that "The Fed's reckless move risks taking them out of the picture for good as an institution that can alter the course of the economy." I wrote about the risks of using monetary policy as the primary response to coronavirus yesterday. I simply don't buy the argument that the Fed has to lower rates because the neutral rate has plunged because coronavirus is going to whack U.S. GDP. You know what else could get the neutral rate back up and help prevent a recession? Fiscal stimulus. Like I said yesterday, President Trump should come out with a jam-packed bag of really helpful goodies like a payroll-tax cut, business relief, loan forbearance, you name it. That would actually help companies and citizens cope with any interruptions from coronavirus. Instead, to reiterate, we now have only four rate cuts left until zero. That's a pretty sobering thought. Maybe the Fed could have achieved its goals if it came out with more than the market expected, but then you're talking about what, a full percentage-point rate cut? We're venturing into absurd territory here. Much, much, MUCH more at 1 p.m. See you soon! Kelly P.S. The Exchange is now a podcast! Click to subscribe. Twitter: @KellyCNBC Instagram: @realkellyevans Explained: How police is fighting rumours in riot hit Delhi India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: Acting Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava appealed to people to not spread rumours and disturb communal harmony and peace in the national capital. His remarks came a day after panic gripped residents of several parts of Delhi following false rumours of violence. The police commissioner also said people should verify rumours from the Delhi Police control room. "We are quelling such rumours through social media," Shrivastava said. Delhi violence: Crime branch to probe 47 murder cases Six cases have been registered in connection with rumour mongering and investigation is underway, he said. Distress calls: Delhi police got over 3,000 distress calls from people panicked over riot-related rumours like violence, arson and stone pelting across the national capital, officials said. Around one-fifth of these calls on the emergency 100 and 112 numbers came from Shaheen Bagh in South East Delhi and nearby areas in South Delhi, they said. Panic gripped residents across the national capital on Sunday evening following false rumours of violence but the police denied any incident and appealed for calm, days after riots in northeast Delhi claimed at least 42 lives. Emergency calls: "More than 3,000 emergency calls were received at the police control room (PCR) after rumours related to violence started doing rounds in Delhi on Sunday evening. 413 calls were from South East Delhi and 157 from South Delhi," a senior police officer said. Besides the PCR calls, several people from within Delhi as well as outside called up police officials, including officers, directly to verify information about violence breaking out, the officer added. Quelling the hoax: The rumours prompted senior police officers to come on ground and quell the hoax while also taking to social media to control panic. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation also shut down the entry and exit gates of seven metro stations but did not give any reason. The stations were reopened later. Situation under control, say cops after social media posts fuel rumours of violence in West Delhi "Some unsubstantiated reports of tense situation in SouthEast & West District are being circulated on social media. It is to reiterate that these are all rumours. Don't pay attention to such rumours," the Delhi police tweeted. The police said it was closely monitoring the social media accounts spreading fake news or rumours and action will be taken against them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:28 [IST] You are here: China Companies based in eastern China's Zhejiang Province have been mobilized to donate epidemic prevention materials to help other countries fight against the novel coronavirus. The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation announced Monday that they will collect and donate 1 million masks to Japan. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, said on Twitter-like Weibo that Japanese friends reached out when China was in great shortage, and it's time to return that favor. About 20 days ago, various circles in Japan collected and donated 125,000 protective suits to cities across China. Wenzhou is home to hundreds of thousands of overseas Chinese. An online donation was initiated by the city's entrepreneurs and youth to raise funds for the coronavirus fight in Italy. On Sunday, 2,600 pairs of protective goggles worth 200,000 yuan (about 28,690 U.S. dollars), produced by local companies and donated by the glasses trade association in Wenzhou, were loaded on a plane to Italy's Turin. The Luxor African Film Festival will kick off tomorrow with the Egyptian film Sondouq Al-Donia (Wonder Box) directed by Emad Al-Bahat. The film, which is Al-Bahats third long narrative after almost 13 years since his last film Al-Belyatsho (The Clown, 2007), was commercially released on 19 February. LAFFs regulations allow films that have been recently screened in commercial theatres to be included in its programme, because LAFF believes that this gives the audience in Luxor and Upper Egypt an opportunity to see new Egyptian productions in the absence of theatres in most of Upper Egypts main cities. Sondouq Al-Donia was perhaps inspired by a narrative technique previously used in international films such as the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawas Rashomon, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival 1951, or like the American action film Vantage Point directed by Pete Travis in 2008. Such scripts are structured around one main event with a series of otherwise unrelated sequences revolving back to it regardless of chronology. I this case it is the killing of a villager (Bassem Samra) by a drug dealer at one of the squares of downtown Cairo. The villager was driving his microbus with his son and a few women of his village to attend the moulid of Al-Hussein. Sondouq Al-Donia is made up of titled sequences, each with its own story and protagonists. Search Keywords: Short link: The filmmaker wants to tell a story about those who are living in the glamorous, clamorous capital. So, by choosing downtown at night as the location of the film, he seems to employ the dramatic concept of the unity of time and space to intensify this idea. Starting with the first and main story, Helm (Dream), Al-Bahat puts implausible philosophical-sounding banalities in the mouths of his characters. When the villagers son Ali asks him about their destination, the father answers, Cairo has a thousand gates, you need to have a thousand faces to enter it. And so, while running away from people he owes money, the drug dealer happens to kill the villager while commandeering his vehicle. Ali is buying his father a packet of cigarettes when this happens, so he survives to end up watching the ambulance pick up his fathers body. The filmmaker returns to this incident from different angles, to conclude each story of the film. At the end of the film, Ali is seen walking the streets of downtown Cairo alone.In the meantime the script moves back in time to tell the story of Roba (Farah Youssef), a young model who is cheating on her husband Adam (Khaled Al-Sawy), a poet and novelist, with Hatem (Amr Al-Kady), a casting agent, in hopes of an opportunity in the field of cinema or TV commercials. This story doesnt have much drama in it. It seems the filmmaker intended to tell this story just to show how a man with a slightly authoritarian job can abuse his power to compel a woman to have sex with him. But the script mentions that Hatem was naive person when he came to Cairo from a village with Rawhia (Gihan Khalil), who works as a vegetable seller in Al-Tawfikia Market. The scene doesnt relate much to the flow of the drama in the film, it is simply an attempt at a different perspective on how the city changes people. Later the script reveals Adams plan to obtain a pistol with which to kill Roba, showing how his friend Asfour (Ahmed Kamal), an actor without a job practising to become a circus clown, stops him.But the least convincing story in the film is that of Fatema (Rania Youssef), the secretary of a cardiologist, Khaled (Salah Abdalla). Khaled is arranging to have a secret ufri (unregistered) marriage with her after they finish up at the clinic, but they will spend the night together on the examining table. The scene ends with Khaled stealing the marriage contract to deprive her of any possible rights after having sex with her. Another, related story is that of Morgieha (Alaa Morsy), Asfours mentally challenged friend, who tells Asfour of his love for Fatema. But the scene has no function beyond this exchange.The film ends up being artificial and banal, especially in terms of dialogue, except for one beautifully directed scene with powerful cinematography and acting: the confrontation between Adam and Asfour as the latter tries to prevent him from killing his wife.Al-Bahat uses motifs not only for aesthetic purposes but also to give the film a touch of authenticity: marionette dolls in the pre-credit at the start hinting at a kind of folk-tale, for example. At many points, as a transition between one tragedy and another, Al-Bahat employs street performers walking on broken glass and fire-eating. And, though this is part of the downtown Cairo scene, it seemed that it added to the artificiality of the whole. NASHVILLE - Rescuers searched through shattered Tennessee neighbourhoods for bodies Tuesday, less than a day after tornadoes ripped across Nashville and other parts of the state as families slept. At least 24 people were killed, some in their beds, authorities said. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. NASHVILLE - Rescuers searched through shattered Tennessee neighbourhoods for bodies Tuesday, less than a day after tornadoes ripped across Nashville and other parts of the state as families slept. At least 24 people were killed, some in their beds, authorities said. The twisters that struck in the hours after midnight shredded more than 140 buildings and buried people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. The storms moved so quickly that many people in their path could not flee to safer areas. Debbie Jones, right, wipes tears as she views the damage to East End United Methodist Church after it was heavily damaged by a storm Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) "It hit so fast, a lot of folks didn't have time to take shelter," Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said. "Many of these folks were sleeping." The governor declared an emergency and sent the National Guard to help with search-and-rescue efforts. State emergency officials, who initially reported at least 25 dead, revised the toll to 24 fatalities on Tuesday evening after determining one death counted earlier was not storm-related. An unspecified number of people were missing. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding at least 40 buildings and killing more than 20 people. Early findings by National Weather Service survey teams indicated that the damage in Nashville and Wilson County to the east was inflicted by a tornado of at least EF-3 intensity, the agency said. One twister wrecked homes and businesses across a 10-mile (16 kilometre) stretch of Nashville that included parts of downtown. It smashed more than three dozen buildings, including destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church. Another tornado damaged more than 100 structures along a 2-mile (3.2-kilometre) path of destruction in Putnam County, wiping some homes from their foundations and depositing the wreckage far away. Daybreak revealed landscapes littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, making many city streets and rural roads impassable. More than a dozen polling stations were also damaged, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at alternative sites. Rescue workers free Bill and Shirley Wallace from their home that collapsed, trapping them under rubble after a tornado hit Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Tuesday, March 3 2020 in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP) In Putnam County, 80 miles (some 130 kilometres) east of Nashville, houses and businesses were completely flattened. In one neighbourhood, volunteers found five bodies. Neighbors and sheriffs officers were still looking for two more. Later, authorities imposed an 8 p.m.-8 a.m. curfew in the county and reported one looting arrest. Nashville residents walked around on streets and sidewalks littered with debris, in neighbourhoods where missing walls and roofs left living rooms and kitchens exposed. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. "We are resilient and we're going to rebuild," Nashville Mayor John Cooper said. Sumant Joshi helps to clean up rubble at the East End United Methodist Church after it was heavily damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Joshi is a resident in the area and volunteered to help clean up. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) During Gov. Bill Lee's tour of Putnam County, homeowners dug through debris, trying to salvage any items not destroyed. One young woman held up a clean green blouse while standing on a second floor of a home that had no roof. President Donald Trump spoke with the governor by phone and pledged federal assistance, the White House said. Trump also announced plans to visit the disaster area on Friday. In Nashville, the twister's path was mostly north and east of the heart of downtown, sparing many of the city's biggest tourism draws the honky tonks of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry House, the storied Ryman Auditorium and the convention centre. A man climbs through storm debris Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Instead the storm tore through the largely African American areas of Bordeaux and North Nashville as well as neighbourhoods transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the city's trendiest hotspots, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out longtime residents. "The dogs started barking before the sirens went off. They knew what was coming," said Paula Wade, of East Nashville. "Then we heard the roar ... Something made me just sit straight up in bed, and something came through the window right above my head. If I hadn't moved, I would've gotten a face full of glass." The roof came crashing down on Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay in the bedroom of their one-story brick home in East Nashville. "We couldnt get out," Baldwin said. "And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole." A man looks for items he can salvage from his store Tuesday, March 3, 2020, near Cookeville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. At least 22 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) The roaring wind woke Evan and Carlie Peters, also in East Nashville, but they had no time to reach the relative safety of an interior bathroom. "Within about 10 seconds, the house started shaking," Carlie Peters said. "I jumped on top of the ground. He jumped on top of me. The ceiling landed on top of him. ... were grateful to be alive." With more than a dozen Super Tuesday polling places in Nashville's Davidson County damaged, voters were sent to other locations, some of them with long lines. Election officials in Putnam County advised voters in eight precincts with damaged polling locations to vote at the main election office in Cookeville. Power line towers lie on the ground in a Tuesday, March 3, 2020 aerial photo, near Lebanon, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. At least 22 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Hours later, a judge ruled that some Tennessee polls must extend voting hours after four Democratic presidential candidates sued to keep the polls open, a Democratic party spokeswoman said. Lee said he observed numerous examples of people coming together to help one another. "In the worst of circumstances, the best of people comes out, and that's what we're seeing," he 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. Just as the governor stopped by to tour the devastation in Putnam County, a van of longtime customers at a local eatery who proudly stated they ate there every morning arrived to help clear debris. A road separates properties filled with debris Tuesday, March 3, 2020, near Lebanon, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) In the small town of Baxter, Mike Stephens was awakened when a big tree crashed through the roof of his house. He started cleaning up as soon as the sun rose. He cut up one tree and had help from a neighbour with a backhoe and a man who stopped by with a chainsaw. "Ive only met him once, and he just happened to show up while were out here," Stephens said of his neighbour. "And then this other guy he just happened to stop by. I dont know him." Wayne Stephens, a technician at a local car dealership, had Tuesday off from his job. With no damage to his home, he got in his truck with his chainsaw. Hes not related to Mike Stephens and had never met him. He said he only wanted to help "as much as I can." ___ Associated Press writers Kristin Hall, Jonathan Mattise and Mark Humphrey in Nashville; Adrian Sainz in Memphis; Teresa Walker and Wade Payne in Cookeville; Rebecca Reynolds Yonker in Louisville, Kentucky; and Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this report. 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. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday that Dr. Hahn was referring to tests being produced by an outside manufacturer, Integrated DNA Technologies, which are being sent to a variety of academic, health care and commercial labs around the country" in addition to the public health laboratories that are also receiving them. The process of getting a test kit out and putting it into production is not something that happens literally overnight, in particular when youre talking about a million tests, said Eric Blank, the chief program officer at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, which represents state and local government laboratories nationwide. Its a nice thing to say, and its a simple thing to say, but the reality is we are a couple of weeks away from being able to deploy a million tests through this process. Dr. Hahn repeated the estimate on Tuesday in testimony at a Senate committee hearing. He told Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, that although this is a dynamic process, the federal government was working with private companies to ship about 2,500 test kits to labs by the end of the week. That should give us the capacity, in the hands of laboratories once they validate, to perform up to a million tests, he said at the hearing. The Association of Public Health Laboratories has said that its labs would be able to conduct about 10,000 tests a day when all of its 100 members that can conduct testing are running. Mr. Blank said that labs can run about 100 tests per day. As of Tuesday, he said 54 of those labs were able to do so, with the rest expected to be up and running by the end of the week. Dr. Hahn and White House officials have been trying to address the lag in testing caused by botched test kits that were rolled out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention early last month, and that agencys enforcement of strict testing criteria. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Xiamoi has announced that it would not host any on-ground launch events in March. The company had plans to launch the Redmi Note 9 series in March this year but the confirmed cases of coronavirus in India forced Xiaomi to cancel the events. They issued a statement on their official Twitter handle about the same. "We won't be holding any launch events on-ground through March. While we've been planning for this launch for months, we believe this is an unprecedented yet extremely important step. We are taking this decision with the objective of reducing exposure risk to Coronavirus COVID-19 for our Mi fans, media friends, partners and Xiaomi employees. Reports of community spread are coming in from various parts of the world," Xiaomi wrote in a letter. Xiaomi revealed that they had taken the decision to cancel the on-ground launch events to reduce the exposure risk Coronavirus COVID-19 for the MI fans, its employees and people from the media fraternity. "In certain media reports, there are also instances of asymptomatic carriers, meaning a person could be a carrier of the virus without exhibiting any symptoms of the flu. We are operating out of abundant caution and our dedication to keeping all of you healthy. We're not holding any launch events on the ground in March while we try and understand the situation more and we should have another update regarding future launches by the end of the month. This is an extremely difficult decision for us as we love bringing the latest tech to all of you, but above all we value your safety and good health. For the next Redmi Note launch, please join us online for a live stream launch on our social media and mi.com. We plan to make this online-only launch truly Note-worthy," they added. Just a day ago, Xiaomi had announced that they would unveil the Redmi Note 9 and Note 9 Pro on March 12 but now the smartphones will be launched online on Xiaomi's social media platforms. On a related note, Xiaomi's competitor Realme also had quite a few phone launches in the pipeline. The company had plans to unveil the Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro at an event in Delhi but now they too have called off the ground and event and will launch the products online. CEO Madhav Sheth announced the same on Twitter and wrote, In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give a live speech in a stadium with you watching #realme6series event online. #HealthFirst." Concurs repetat pentru selectarea unei companii sociologice, care sa efectueze un studiu tematic "Barometrul opiniei publice in domeniul schimbarilor climatice" BAY CITY, MI A Bay City woman who won a half-million dollars on a scratch-off lottery ticket now owes nearly $18,000 in restitution for her role in a burglary spree. Stephanie D. Harvell in January pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree home invasion and one count of conspiracy to commit that crime, both 15-year felonies. Harvell in January 2016 won $500,000 on a $5 Hot Ticket scratch-off from the Michigan Lottery. Bay County Circuit Judge Harry P. Gill on Monday, March 2, sentenced Harvell, 29, to two years of probation on the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program, designed for those at risk of failure. Gill also ordered Harvell into long-term residential drug treatment. Harvell is to be held in custody until shes transferred to a treatment facility. The judge gave Harvell credit for 53 days served in jail on one matter and 185 days served in another. He deferred 312 days, meaning Harvell will serve that time if she violates probation. The judge ordered Harvell to pay a total of $17,966.01 in restitution between four recipients. Stephanie Harvell and Mitchell T. Arnswald won $500,000 in the Michigan lottery in 2016. They are now accused in several mid-Michigan burglaries.Michigan Lottery Bureau When she pleaded, Harvell said she burglarized homes in the 800 block Cody Estey Road in Bay Countys Pinconning Township on Aug. 22 and in the 500 block of South Farley Road Merritt Township on Aug. 29. She said she and her husband, Mitchell T. Arnswald, drove to the houses and that he kicked in the residences doors. She took jewelry boxes from bedrooms in both homes, she said. She added she did not know the homes owners. In exchange for Harvells pleas, Bay County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud dismissed a count of possession of burglary tools. He also agreed not to issue charges stemming from five similar burglaries. Authorities have said Harvell and Arnswald are suspects in similar burglaries in Arenac, Midland, Saginaw, and Tuscola counties. Staff at the Midland County Prosecutors Office said they are reviewing matters. In Arenac County, Harvell is charged with two counts of second-degree home invasion. She is facing two counts each of breaking and entering a building with intent and larceny in a building in Tuscola County. She is not facing charges in Saginaw County. In the summer of 2019, a task force comprising detectives from all five counties was formed to investigate a rash of seemingly related burglaries. The afternoon of Aug. 29, after the Merritt Township home was burglarized, investigating deputies found a Ford SUV matching the suspect vehicle description at the Meijer at 595 N. Pine Road in Hampton Township. Deputies staked out the unoccupied SUV until Harvell and Arnswald exited the Meijer, returned to it, and started driving away, Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham has said. Deputies pulled over the SUV and arrested Arnswald and Harvell without incident. In the vehicle, deputies found a safe, a jewelry box, and other items reported stolen from the Merritt Township house. Deputies also found just-purchased crowbars and rubber gloves, Cunningham said. Arnswald, 30, remains charged with two counts second-degree home invasion and single counts conspiracy to commit that crime and possession of burglary tools. He is scheduled to appear for a Cobbs hearing before Judge Gill on March 5. A Cobbs hearing sees a judge outline a likely sentence if a defendant is convicted. Related: Winner of $500K scratch off lottery ticket pleads guilty in Michigan burglaries Couple who won $500,000 lottery, now facing burglary charges, owe thousands in back property taxes Couple who won $500,000 in the Michigan Lottery now accused of burglary spree A man who opened 34 different accounts with Sky Ireland to obtain free 32 inch televisions which he went on to sell online, has been sentenced to 150 hours community service at Dundalk Circuit Court instead of a six month jail term. The court heard Tatula de Profeta (48) with an address at Seatown Place, Dundalk had used the same address and credit card number to set up all of the Sky accounts and claimed he was simply availing of an offer for new customers. The court heard the defendant had opened up 34 accounts with Sky Ireland between April 18th and June seventh 2017 using the companys online portal, through which hed paid a 20 euro deposit for each account. Twenty of them were set up using the same phone number, seven were linked to a second one and seven more to a third mobile phone. A complaint was made to Dundalk Garda Station and a search warrant was obtained. Nine 32 inch LG televisions were recovered along with 11 Sky Q TV boxes, eight Sky Q mini boxes, two dish converters, two signal boosters, 11 remote controls and a laptop, leaving a net loss of two thousand 900 euro. The court heard the 48 year old had advertised the TVs for sale on DoneDeal and Adverts.ie and would get 100 euro each. The defendant a naturalised Irish citizen originally from Angola, who had no previous convictions and has worked as a translator, told gardai he didnt realise it was illegal to open multiple accounts and denied attempting to scam them saying NO they were offering and he saw an opportunity. He said he had problems and his wife was sick and offered to pay back Sky. The case was before the Circuit Court as the district court judge had refused jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the potential value of the loss. The Defence barrister urged the court to see the deception offences as out of character for his client who has a degree in Finance, and who would have difficulty obtaining employment with such a conviction. Judge James McCourt imposed a sentence of 150 hours community service in lieu of a six month jail term, saying I think you made a silly mistake. Thailand is one of the most pictures-que location in the world to travel to. Not everyone can spare time and go travel to this country for exploring its beauty considering the busy lives we lead in today's times. Sometimes, just reading a book about a country can make a person explore its culture. Here are books that will take you to Thailand and back just within a few hours. Also Read | Health Min Harsh Vardhan Confirms 2 More Coronavirus Cases, Issues Fresh Travel Advisory Books about Thailand Bangkok Wakes to Rain The book Bangkok Wakes to Rain is written by Pitchaya Sudbantha. The book features a number of unconnected chapters in Part 1. There are a total of 4 parts and features new characters unrelated to those in earlier ones. Each chapter is set in a different period and the only thing common is the city of Bangkok. Part 4 brings all the characters together to narrate a story Bangkok from its past through its present and into its future. Also Read | Ireland: Locals Use Jet Skis To Travel Down Flooded Road After Storm Jorge, Watch Video The Beach The Beach was written in 2005 by Alex Garland and made into a movie later starting Leonardo DiCaprio.This book revolves around a British backpacker, Richard who is spending his first night in Thailand in a cheap guesthouse on Bangkoks Khao San Road. The plot takes a twist when a guy in the room next to him commits suicide, but before dying he hands Richard a map to a beach in a secret lagoon. The lead goes with a French couple to look for the island given by the location on the map. They find the spot and figure it out to be the paradise of every backpackers fantasy. Also Read | MotoGp Opening Race Of Season In Qatar Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Travel Restrictions Four Reigns Four Reigns is one of the popular books by Kukrit Pramoj and it is considered a classic in Thailand. The book has been adapted into a movie as well as a TV series. This historical novel tells the story of Ploy along with her family during the reign of four Thai kings starting in the early 1800s to the mid-1940s. The book gives a proper insight into the political and social changes that Thailand went through as it opened itself up to the outside world. Also Read | Amid Coronavirus Scare, Donald Trump Announces New Screening Procedures For Travelers Also Read | Salman Khan Has A New Girl In His Camp; Larissa Bonesi Loves Fitness Just As Much As Him Here is a scenario I find all too plausible: President Trump drops his surprisingly laissez-faire approach to coronavirus and shifts authoritarian. He uses the threat of a pandemic to severely restrict international travel to the United States and institutes stringent new limits on U.S. citizens' ability to travel abroad perhaps mandatory medical testing, biometric data collection, or vaccination before you leave; extended interviews with Customs agents to vet the reasons for your trip; or even a near-complete embargo on visits to China and other countries where coronavirus outbreak coincides, in Trump's mind, with an economic threat to America. ("You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," after all, because "it's an opportunity to do things that you think you could not before.") And then, a few years down the line, after the worst of coronavirus has passed, the new rules simply never go away. Civil libertarians like me would raise a fuss, certainly, but we raise lots of fusses about lots of things (TSA, NSA, etc.) to no real end, because once the state claims new power over our lives, it is rarely relinquished. Prevention is always more feasible than reform which is why, as coronavirus spreads, we should have an eye to stopping our freedom of movement from being permanently curtailed. This would not be the first time a crisis has been used to fundamentally change global mobility: Just over a century ago, the passport system we now take for granted did not yet exist. In the decades before the first World War, international travel was generally unhindered. Travel papers had been required in some places in the past, but the Industrial Revolution led to a trend of travel liberalization in the 19th century. A train might cross multiple borders in Europe within a single day, and the logistics of controlling border crossings became overly complicated. Consequently, travelers could typically travel whenever, wherever, and for whatever reason they wanted. Story continues During World War I, the Triple Alliance nations (Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy) began requiring passport use, and both Triple Entente states and neutral countries soon followed suit. After the war, the United Nations' precursor, the League of Nations, was tasked with making "provision to secure and maintain freedom of communications and of transit" for all member states. Thus, in October 1920, the League held the first passport conference in Paris. Its aim, as Speranta Dumitru, a professor of political science at the University of Paris Descartes, explained in a 2016 history of passports, "was to restore the pre-war regime of freedom of movement." That aim was not achieved. Participants agreed transit was "hindered by passport and Customs formalities," as it said in the resolution adopted, and these "difficulties affecting the personal relations between peoples of various countries constitute a serious obstacle to the resumption of normal intercourse and to the economic recovery of the world." But while the resolution made some reforms, Dumitru writes, rather than abolishing passports, it established "a uniform, international passport, issued for a single journey or for a period of two years." The 1920 resolution also expressed hope for further deregulation in the future, but that never happened. Instead, the uniform passport became the basis for the system we've had ever since. Further attempts to return to pre-war travel freedoms also failed, Dumitru documents, in 1924, 1926, 1947, and 1963. Today, the cause of passport abolition has fallen right out of the Overton Window. We've become so accustomed to carrying papers when we travel that the debate has moved on to whether we must carry them all the time. Permanent, serious strictures on our freedom to travel may seem unlikely at the moment. This is the age of tourism, with international arrivals nearly tripling between 1995 and 2018 alone. Air travel demand has been booming. Even with the added bureaucratic limits of passports and visas, modern means of transport allow the average person to travel more often and easily than royalty in eras past. And wouldn't such repressive measures, particularly those affecting U.S. citizens, be widely unpopular? Yes, but what would people do about it? March in the streets? That doesn't have a great track record with this administration. Did the Women's March, the Science March, or any of the other big anti-Trump gatherings actually change any policy? Do we have any reason to think a post-coronavirus March for Tourism would do better? And anyway, passports were once widely unpopular, too. The 1926 passport conference observed that the public desired "a resolution contemplating the abolition of passports at the earliest possible date." It was a desire unmet. Public health experts say travel restrictions and large-scale quarantines are typically ineffective and come with serious drawbacks, though sometimes, depending on the type of disease, targeted quarantines can help contain the spread of infection. Yet as the coronavirus crisis is used to curtail international travel there's already a ban on U.S. entry by foreign nationals who have been in China in the previous two weeks and a mandatory quarantine for U.S. citizens returning from Hubei province we would do well to take care from the outset that measures are as minimal as possible and firmly bounded by expiration dates. Draconian travel restrictions are not an inconceivable outcome here, and, if history is any guide, once done, they won't be easy to undo. More stories from theweek.com 5 scathingly funny cartoons about Trump's coronavirus response Coronavirus czar Mike Pence is now apparently bundling tweets praising his, Trump's coronavirus response Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Trevor Noah mark Joe Biden's big win, cringe at his subsequent gaffes Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Bayhorse Silver Inc. (TSXV: BHS) (the "Company" or "Bayhorse") has received assay results on the Ore-Sorter rejects as part of the extensive metallurgical work on mineralization from the Bayhorse Silver Mine, Oregon, USA. The low silver level of 15 g/t, or 0.42 oz/short ton silver in the rejected material demonstrates the highly selective nature of the Ore-Sorter. The Ore-Sorter has achieved reduction of the as-mined tonnage by up to 90-95% above 8 mm. Everything over 8 mm (0.32 Inch) of the as-mined material goes through the Ore-Sorter, while all mineralized material under 8 mm (0.32 in) by-passes the Ore-Sorter and goes directly to milling. A 35 kg sample of Ore-Sorted material at a crush size of inch minus size, and screened to plus 8 mm, was split, and a 250 g assay sample was taken to establish working grades of the rejected material. Ag g/tonne Ag oz short ton Cu % Zn % Sb % As % Pb% Ore-Sorter Rejects 15.00 0.42 0.047 0.15 0.12 0.011 <0.01 The Company has exposure to gold at both the Bayhorse and Brandywine Projects. Smelter samples that have already been shipped to select smelters for off-take pricing will also be tested for their gold content. Select blasted rock samples at the Bayhorse grading up to 1.667 g/t Au, from the Legend, Big Dog, and Sunshine Zones, were disclosed in the Company's news release BHS2018-06, and again in its news release of August 16, 2018 (BHS2018-23), where the Company reported gold grades of 1.2 g/t from a select grab sample in the Big Dog Zone. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5015/53080_f03241d744900872_006full.jpg (Channel, chip and grab samples are selected samples and are not representative of the mineralization hosted on the property.) At the Company's drill ready Brandywine Gold Project, near Whistler, BC, as disclosed in the Company's news previous news release (see news release, BHS2019), 111 samples of historic 2010 drill core had been kept in secure storage and was re-assayed, with the highest grade reported being 1.52 meters of 20.2 g/t gold. This intercept was located 26 meters (85 ft) NW from the 36.9 g/t gold sample from DP95-14, which was the highest-grade intercept reported from the 1995 drill program (Dunn 2011). This demonstrates a NW strike of the vein and a steep dip to the Northeast. The full results are shown in the below table. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5015/53080_f03241d744900872_007full.jpg The analytical method for silver and gold analysis consists of 1 Assay Ton (AT) samples subjected to fire assay with gravimetric finish. Base metal assays for the samples were subjected to an ICP MS35 element, four acid digestion assay. Bayhorse's CEO, Graeme O'Neill, commented "Over this past week, for the second time in a year, the silver/gold ratio went over 93:1 to 95.5:1, which is an extraordinary event. This imbalance rarely ever happens, and for it to occur twice within a 12-month period, in effect a double top in the ratio, is unheard of. Historically, reversions to the mean often occur rapidly after such events." The silver milling and gravity concentration program at the Bayhorse Mine, conducted by Met-Solve Metallurgical Labs of Langley, BC, was supervised by Consulting Metallurgist, John Fox. The Company is not basing any decision to produce on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and advises there is an increased uncertainty and specific economic and technical risk of failure with any production decision. These risks include, but are not limited to, (i) a drop in price of commodities produced, namely silver, copper, lead and zinc, from the pricing used to make a production decision; (ii) failure of grades of the produced material to fall within the parameters used to make the production decision; (iii) an increase in mining costs due to changes within the mine during development and mining procedures; and (iv) metallurgical recovery changes that cannot be anticipated at the time of production. This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its contents. Dr. Stewart Jackson, P.Geo., a Qualified Person and Consultant to the Company has prepared, supervised the preparation of, and approved the technical content of this press release. On Behalf of the Board, Graeme O'Neill, CEO investors@bayhorsesilver.com 1-866-399-6539 About Bayhorse Silver Inc. Bayhorse Silver Inc. is an exploration and production company with a 100% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine located in Oregon, USA, and an option on the Brandywine, precious metals rich, volcanogenic massive sulphide property located in B.C., Canada. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive mining expertise surrounding exploration and building mines. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53080 Ahead of Super Tuesday, J.K. Hooper-Macedo started a one-man campaign to make hundreds of long-distance cold calls to people across the U.S., hoping to get them to vote for Bernie Sanders. The thing is, he cant even vote. The 30-year-old from Toronto, who is a call-centre rep and part-time busser at a brunch spot in Parkdale is a Canadian citizen, meaning hes ineligible to cast a ballot or make donations. Instead, hes supporting by volunteering his time, which means ringing almost 300 Americans from his Toronto home. But why? Bernies movement is a common expression of humanity, says Hooper-Macedo. Its a message that he hopes one day will cross into Canadian politics. Hooper-Macedo was noticed by the Toronto for Bernie group, an independent group which promotes Americans living in Canada to vote for Sanders. What happened was, I was making calls for Bernie, tweeted about it, Toronto for Bernie saw it and contacted me to tell me about further organizing, Hooper-Macedo said. Ahead of Tuesdays Democratic primary, we interviewed Hooper-Macedo on why he decided to start this independent project to promote #Bernie2020. You cant vote, so why is it important for you to support Bernie Sanders? Its important because Bernies movement is a common expression of humanity its the means by which working class folks might actually get a say in how our society functions, to make it more humane, just, and dignified. Bernie asks if we are willing to fight for someone we dont know millions of Americans living without healthcare certainly fits that definition. And watching corporate interests consolidate against Bernie was really disheartening and then I contacted the campaign and discovered that were not helpless, and its not out of our hands, and theres more of us than them. Do you have any personal connection to those in the U.S.? I have a lot of friends in the U.S. who live in a constant state of precarity, whose parents cant retire, who have to do GoFundMes every time theyre injured, who couldnt leave abusive partners because theyd be homeless. Even here in Canada, corporate rent seeking is making our social safety nets less secure. My wife has an autoimmune disease and Im in and out of therapy, and even with my employer-provided health benefits, we can barely make ends meet. Thats not symptomatic of a healthy society. Are you doing this in hopes that something like this could happen in Canada? I do want to push Canadian politics to the left. The current incarnation of the NDP is about as far right as one should be in polite society, and with the death of reconciliation, the militarization of our police, the ballooning housing crisis, its going to take a massive change to alter these realities. The reverberating effects of a Sanders presidency cant be ignored. Doug Ford is openly worried about it, and I want him to be. The movement doesnt start and end with Sanders the movement is the movement. What are you most passionate about as a volunteer of Toronto for Bernie? As a volunteer, Im passionate about talking to people about their material concerns, their fears for their future, and building solidarity. Solidarity is one of the best feelings in the world. Do you think you connect with Sanders message because youre young? I think young folks and people of colour are a huge part of Bernies base you saw footage of Somali factory workers caucusing for Bernie, all the union workers in Vegas other candidates arent even talking to these folks. That the Bernie campaign is reaching out to these folks, and that his message is one of justice, racial equality, LGBT rights and working class solidarity instead of racial scapegoating and corporate pandering thats how we win. Read more about: Before the night of Nov. 27, 2018, Maria Placey had a daughter who was also her friend, her shopping buddy and her prayer partner. But that was the night that her daughter, pastor Jeannot Plessy, was run over by her own SUV and killed feet away from her children during a botched carjacking in Gentilly. As she sat in the witness box in a New Orleans courtroom Monday, Placey pointed an accusing finger at one of the youths who committed the crime, 18-year-old Jontrell Robinson. My child's life was worth more than a car ride, Placey said. The only way we can visit Jeannot now is to go to the cemetery, which we are going to do when we leave here. You took that right (to see her alive) from us. From bitterness to sorrow to forgiveness, a full range of emotions was on display as Criminal District Court Judge Benedict Willard sentenced the two teenagers who pleaded guilty under agreements with the District Attorneys Office. +2 2 more teens plead guilty in botched carjacking that killed pastor's wife in 2018 Two teenagers admitted Monday to roles in a botched carjacking that killed a pastor's wife in Gentilly in November 2018. More than a dozen of Plessys loved ones sat opposite the two youths and their families, who wrote letters asking for leniency but didnt speak. Robinson, the suspected driver who ran over Plessy, received a 30-year sentence on manslaughter and other counts under the terms of his plea deal. Edwin Cottrell, 19, received a 12-year sentence on manslaughter and other counts. Even for a city hardened to crime, Plessys killing drew widespread shock and anger. Plessy was a pastor known for handing out red beans and rice to homeless people in Washington Square Park. On the evening of her death, she'd gone out on a dinner date with her husband and fellow pastor, David Plessy. Afterward, Jeannot went to pick up their 11-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son in the 2400 block of Prentiss Avenue. Plessys adult daughter from a previous relationship, Nadia Sanchez, lived on the block with her husband, Kristian Sanchez, and they were babysitting the children. As Plessy got out of her SUV, Robinson yanked her to the ground and jumped into the drivers seat of her vehicle, according to prosecutors. Cottrell and and Boavanti Robinson were hovering nearby in a stolen minivan, which the youths had used to deliver Jontrell Robinson to the scene. Plessy screamed and Kristian Sanchez rushed outside to help. Jontrell Robinson switched into reverse and struck the adults. Sanchez suffered brain injuries severe enough to put him in a hospitals intensive care unit, and Plessy was killed. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Days after the crime, detectives traced Robinson and Cottrell to the 7th Ward. Police said Robinson confessed to the killing and to ditching Plessy's vehicle in New Orleans East. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro pointed to the killing as an example of the citys flawed approach to juvenile justice and how crimes like carjackings can quickly turn deadly. After speaking with representatives of Plessys family, prosecutors reached plea agreements with Jontrell Robinson and Cottrell, who pleaded guilty last month. Had he been convicted of murder, Robinson would still have become eligible for parole after serving 25 years because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. Boavanti Robinson, 15, entered a guilty plea last year in Juvenile Court on charges of obstruction of justice and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in connection with the killing. Prosecutors dismissed a charge of manslaughter. He received a two-year sentence, with all but six months of that suspended. Woman killed in Gentilly carjacking patterned her life after and for the Lord, husband says Jeannot Franco Plessy named the church she and her husband founded more than a decade ago. Crossover Christian Fellowship, a Christian outreac Monday's hearing revealed that the agreed-upon sentences drew a mix of reactions from the victim's large, blended family. Placey said that like Robinson, her daughter grew up in difficult circumstances and without a father figure. But despite lost years in her youth, Plessy was never tempted by a life of crime, her mother said. If it were up to her, Placey said, Robinson would stay imprisoned until they take him out of Angola in a body bag. And even then, Id put him back in jail and let him do it again. Placey also laced into Robinsons mother for what she said was failing to raise her children, adding that she hopes the mother feels the never-ending pain that your son has inflicted on me and my family. Yet as he has done since shortly after the death of his wife of 14 years, David Plessy preached forgiveness from the witness stand. Teen confesses to deadly carjacking that killed pastor's wife, implicates 2 others, NOPD says Facing questioning from homicide investigators, a teenager confessed that he stole a pastors wifes car and then fatally injured her by backi He also read a letter from his daughter Grace, who saw her mother lying on the street in Gentilly. Grace also forgave the teens, David Plessy said. Nadia Sanchez said that before she met David Plessy, her mother was in an abusive relationship that left their family scarred. But her mother went on to find a new love, discover God and shelter her younger children from similar struggles until the night of the killing. Sanchez said that days before her mother died, they talked about how meaningless it was to hold onto anger, because it doesnt change a situation. Nevertheless, sometimes she still feels it for Robinsons mother. On these days I have to pray harder for you and your family. I pray through tears sometimes ... telling God how unfair it feels, she said. She then turned to the young men in orange jumpsuits. You are the sons created by God for his purpose, and he will do whatever it takes to show you that," she said. Global financial leaders vowed to ward off a widespread financial crisis threatened by the coronavirus on Tuesday, after the UN health agency said the world has entered "uncharted territory" with the outbreak's rapid spread. The deadly virus has marched well beyond China's borders, spreading across Asia and Europe and into Latin America, Africa and the United States, where the number of deaths rose Monday. More than 90,000 people have been infected and 3,100 killed since the virus first emerged in China's Hubei province late last year. The vast majority of cases have been in China, but South Korea, Italy and Iran have all emerged as hotspots. There are now nine times as many new cases recorded outside China as inside, according to the World Health Organisation. Global bourses have seen dramatic swings over the past week as concerns mount that the outbreak could threaten global growth and drive some countries in to a recession. Leaders from Group of Seven countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- held emergency talks with central bank chiefs Tuesday, vowing to stem the outbreak's impact. "G7 finance ministers are ready to take actions, including fiscal measures where appropriate, to aid in the response to the virus and support the economy during this phase," the group said after the conference call. The US Federal Reserve announced a surprise rate cut Tuesday after the G7 talks -- which did not include specific measures to boost growth -- sending US and European markets surging. The market swings come after the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Monday dropped its global GDP forecast to 2.4 per cent, the lowest rate since the 2008-09 financial crisis. Financial jitters followed a dire warning from the World Health Organization as the virus continued to expand its reach. "We are in uncharted territory," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday. "We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures." Community transmission means infections within a population are not imported from another virus-hit area. Countries across the world have imposed extraordinary measures in a bid to contain the virus, with millions of people across large swathes of China forced into quarantine. Italy has also locked in entire regions, while countries across the world have imposed travel restrictions on visitors from badly hit nations. Sports events, concerts and large gatherings of people have been cancelled or banned from France to Qatar and South Korea as governments scramble to beat back the outbreak. The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it was pushing ahead with plans for the Tokyo Olympics kicking off in July, ensuring it was "fully committed to" the event despite virus fears. The virus has infected at least 230 people across Japan and been linked to five deaths. South Korea remains the biggest infection cluster outside China, confirming 851 new cases on Tuesday, its biggest daily increase. It has clocked a total of more that 5,000 cases, with 28 deaths. "The entire country has entered a war with the infectious disease," South Korean President Moon Jae-in said. By contrast, China reported 125 new cases Tuesday -- its lowest daily increase in six weeks -- with all but 11 infections in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital. The nationwide death toll rose to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, with some 80,000 total cases. As China's cases steady, the US now faces a potential epidemic, with six people dying in the northwestern state of Washington, where officials warned residents the battle against the disease was shifting from containment to mitigation. The White House, which has been accused of downplaying the threat from the virus, struck a bullish tone. Vice President Mike Pence declared that a treatment "could literally be available by this summer, or early fall". In Europe, attention turned to containment in several countries, including Switzerland where all soldiers were confined to their bases after a case of the virus was discovered in their ranks. France, which has more than 200 cases and four deaths, closed dozens of schools on Tuesday in several virus-stricken regions. President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday authorities would requisition all face mask stocks and production in the coming months in response to the outbreak. The announcement was followed by that 2,000 surgical masks were stolen from a hospital in Marseille in France's southeast. The WHO also issued a warning Tuesday that supplies of protective gear to fight virus were "rapidly depleting" around the world. Iran -- which at 77 deaths has the second most fatalities outside China -- saw a further rise in cases Tuesday as it confirmed its emergency services chief was infected. Iran's deputy health minister was diagnosed with the virus last week. UN medical experts arrived in Iran on Monday to help tackle the outbreak after the country was accused of under-reporting deaths. Senegal confirmed a case on Monday -- the second in Sub Saharan Africa after Nigeria -- while Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic all have infections as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Robotics automation veteran Jon Schechter assumes Head of Europe role in new German office BOSTON, March 03, 2020 (RHR), a leader in providing autonomous robotic picking solutions, is pleased to announce the company's global expansion in Europe with the establishment of a sales and business development office in Frankfurt, Germany. With multiple customers and partners based in Europe, RHR's German operation will strengthen the company's business and enable them to further expand their presence as the market grows and their customer base deepens in the region. With broad experience in next-generation fulfillment solutions, Jon Schechter has been named to lead RHR's German office, serving as Head of Europe. Schechter spent 10 years designing robotic fulfillment centers for e-commerce and retail distribution as part of Kiva Systems and Amazon Robotics. His experience with these companies includes the largest swarm deployment in the industry, comprising 1,700 robots and robotic elevators, for which he shares patents. "RightHand has been assessing market opportunities and meeting with prospects and potential partners in Europe for several years now," stated Schechter. "Many European firms already manage their inventory using tote systems that are ready to automate with RightPick, our piece-picking solution. We are very excited to officially expand our operations to better support our current customers and partners there, and I welcome any additional prospects to reach out to me directly." Logistics robot integration and supply chain industry expert Manfred Preiss with more than 30 years experience added, "Robotic piece-picking will have a tremendous impact in warehouses across Europe and I'm thrilled to see RightHand Robotics, as a leader in this space, getting traction in Europe. Their impressive automation solution gives retailers of all types a clear advantage implementing modern order fulfillment strategies to address shifts in consumer behavior, such as rapid growth in mobile commerce and expectations around same day delivery for the widest assortment of products." "Jon's experience at Amazon gives him a unique advantage in developing sales and partnership opportunities for the company," said Larry Chin, Head of Sales of RightHand Robotics. "With his business skills, many retail and e-commerce doors will open for RightHand, which will help firmly establish ourselves, our brand and our product. I'm looking forward to working alongside Jon to drive sales in Europe and further strengthen our foothold." Schechter holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Management Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The announcement is made in conjunction with MODEX 2020 , taking place March 9-12 in Atlanta, Georgia, where RHR will be demonstrating its RightPick solution at booth #9826 in the "Fulfillment and Delivery Solutions" hall. RHR will also be at LogiMAT 2020 , taking place March 10-12 in Stuttgart, Germany, exhibiting by the east entrance in Stand EO45. To schedule a time to meet at either show, visit RHR's events page , or email info@righthandrobotics.com . About RightHand Robotics RightHand Robotics or follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn . Contact details: Eugene Hunt Trevi Communications for RightHand Robotics +1-978-750-0333 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/79f7bc19-bfad-46d8-ad27-06e3b9c6a46a Franklin D. Roosevelts 1933 inaugural address contained a phrase, remembered to this day. In the wake of the Great Depression, he told Americans, So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. Flash forward nearly a hundred years and the American Left is pushing fear as hard as they have ever pushed anything. We have had plenty of scares since the days of FDR, including the overpopulation, acid rain, and Y2K. Some scares have changed names, from global cooling in the 1970s, only to be replaced by global warming, climate change, and now extreme weather. Infectious diseases invoke fear as they are a frequent movie theme, from Andromeda Strain to Contagion. We were told to fear the bird flu, SARS, MERS, and Ebola. Now we are to fear Coronavirus. Every election year seems to have a disease outbreak, as this tweet chronicles. Academic researchers study how these disease outbreaks influence federal elections. Is the Coronavirus outbreak on the eve of an election just a random coincidence? One useful rule of thumb in assessing fear and crisis is to look at those screaming loudest. When the elites who are telling us its a crisis actually act like its a crisis, then it may be worth listening to them. Progressive climate warriors tell us the world will end in (fill in the blank) years, yet they go merrily about their ways, flying in their high carbon footprint private jets, sailing yachts measured in the hundreds of feet, and purchasing multi-million-dollar homes along the ocean coasts. These are the same coasts they say will be under water in (fill in the blank) years due to global warming, polar melting, and rising sea levels. Faced with a virus threat from foreign countries, Democrats still oppose a border wall or a travel ban. Democrats are happy for people to poop in the streets of the cities they run, adding used injection needles to the toxic mess, yet they are worried about an aggressive cold virus. Is the Left fearful over public health or simply pushing fear for political gain? Watch what they do, not what they say. And always follow the money. What has President Trump been up to lately? Trade deals are putting money in the pockets of American workers rather than global elites. Trump is also exposing corruption, as in Ukraine, which allowed the ruling class to amass great wealth via foreign aid and convoluted money laundering schemes, all out of the pockets of American taxpayers. This is what the left really fears exposure and accountability. YouTube screen grab Trump is an existential threat to the global order and their money tree, dutifully watered and fertilized by elites in both parties, from the Bushes and McCains to the Clintons and Obamas. Trump must go, before he puts the final nail in the coffin of these corruptocrats. This is what the left fears, far more than Coronavirus. A viral pandemic was made to order, a real-life science fiction movie. Cable news, from Fox to CNN, report breathlessly about every new case of coronavirus. At the time of this writing, there are 66 cases of coronavirus in the US, with one fatality in Washington. For perspective, over 100 Americans die every day due to automobile accidents. Just under 100 died each day during the 2018-19 flu season, and almost 200 per day died in the previous year, according to the CDC. If you have the misfortune of watching cable news, youll hear that we are on the verge of extinction. And of course, it is President Trumps fault. A New York Times opinion writer calls this Trumpvirus. How clever. I dont recall the smart set at the NY Times or the Washington Post calling the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak Obamavirus or anything similar. That would have been called racist. The financial markets, skittish about supply chains and earnings forecasts, went into freefall, investors losing over $6 trillion as cable news anchors were giddy over the Dow being in the red by triple digits all week. The plunge is based on fear, courtesy of Democrats and the media (sorry to be redundant), not so much on market fundamentals. Sure, supply chains can be interrupted, just as they can from tariffs and trade deals, but those didnt tank the market. Would the media be reacting the same with a President Obama or Clinton dealing with a viral threat? Fat chance. Instead the media would be calm and reasoned, just as President Trump was. Rahm Emmanuel said, Never let a crisis go to waste. Stoking fear takes full advantage of an exaggerated crisis. As to following the money, short sellers made a fortune this past week. Any names come to mind? George Soros made a cool billion in 1992 by shorting the British Pound. I wonder if his fingerprints are anywhere near this weeks market plunge. The mysterious Q group has a special interest in Mr. Soros, including his connections to Ukraine, John McCain, Antifa, and Spygate. So much so that they have a special place picked out for him. Perhaps we may learn how much Mr. Soros made this past week? And who and what organizations and candidates he funds. What a convenient way to replenish dwindling Democrat campaign coffers. And distract from a catastrophic primary campaign which has two bad outcomes nomination of a socialist to run against President Trump, or a Democrat establishment coup to steal the nomination from the socialist, splitting the Democrat party. Trump is riding high in the polls, with his monthly approval up, according to Rasmussen, after the Democrat impeachment face plant. Desperate times call for desperate measures. What could be better than a stew of virus, crisis, and fear, stirred by the hair-on-fire media, driving the stock market down, all in an attempt to prevent President Trumps reelection. But thats all the left has to offer. Their political ideas are garbage, just listen to any Democrat debate. The Democrat House has accomplished nothing this past year other than turning Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler into household names, but not in a good way. Also remember that fear can work in Trumps favor too. During the fear mongering, the President announced he will nominate Rep John Ratcliffe to be Director of National Intelligence. Coronavirus is also the perfect argument to secure the border and limit who can come to the US and from where. Now that Coronavirus is in Mexico, Democrats will have hard time opposing Trumps southern border wall. Coronavirus will eventually pass. Apple CEO Tim Cook is optimistic, "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. I'm very optimistic there." So is the New England Journal of Medicine, saying in an editorial, Covid-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%). Like every past effort to undermine President Trump, Coronavirus fear too will fail, at the same time exposing Democrat and media creating panic to eliminate trillions of dollars of savings of the same Americans whose votes they want. All because they cant accept the 2016 election result. Thats all Democrats have to offer. Fear. Good luck selling that against President Trumps optimism. Remember the best is yet to come. Brian C Joondeph, MD, is a Denver based physician and freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in American Thinker, Daily Caller, Rasmussen Reports, and other publications. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and QuodVerum. Saltwater intrusion will worsen in the Mekong Delta region in March, especially from March 11 to 15, when it will be more severe than the peak recorded in mid-February and in the same period in 2016. A farmer visits his rice field, which suffers from drought and salinity intrusion. Saltwater intrusion will worsen in the Mekong Delta region in March, especially from March 11 to 15 According to Phung Tien Dung, head of the Hydrological Forecasting Department for the Central, Central Highlands and Southern region, salinity intrusion will take a heavy toll on agriculture and residents daily activities during the period. The salinity levels are expected to be less dangerous at the end of March, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Saltwater is forecast to severely intrude into the Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers until the end of April. After that, the salinity levels will reduce gradually. Residents in the region are advised to reserve their fresh water from March 1 to 5 and limit the watering of plants to minimize damage to crops by saltwater from March 6 to 15. Saltwater intrusion with an average salt content of one gram per liter is expected to intrude by 110-130 kilometers into the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers; 65-95 kilometers into the Cua Tieu, Cua Dai and Ham Luong rivers; and 60-65 kilometers into the Co Chien River. Besides this, saltwater with an average salt content of four grams per liter will stretch 87-110 kilometers into the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers, 55-60 kilometers into the Cua Tieu and Cua Dai rivers and up to 78 kilometers into the Ham Luong River. SGT Salinity intrusion in Mekong Delta exceeds record level from 2016 The salinity intrusion level in the Mekong Delta region has exceeded the highest level of the past century, recorded in 2016, according to a report by the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research. Strategic Dreams Strategic Financial Solutions, a leading financial services firm that provides debt relief solutions for people in challenging financial situations, granted 20 Dreams through its Strategic Dreams program at its 1st Quarter Town Hall. Strategic Dreams, which started six years ago, is an initiative designed to give back to Strategics employee-owners and help them to make their dreams come true. "Announcing the dreams is my favorite part of every town hall," said Ryan Sasson, CEO. "Not only seeing the happiness in the Dreamers faces when their dream is granted but witnessing the organization as a whole come together with excitement for the winners is unlike anything else that I have been a part of in my career. All employee-owners are encouraged to submit any dream that they believe will help them in their personal or professional lives. This quarters dreams included a 6-month supply of diapers for 6 new parents, a Sweet 16 birthday party for an employees daughter, an engagement ring, 2 Disney vacations to families that have never been, a car, and deposit payments for 2 first-home buyers. "I am incredibly happy and grateful that Strategic granted my Dream by buying me plane tickets to visit my family after a year of not being together," said Kimberly Mignone, Social Media Specialist. "To say this trip meant everything to me is an understatement and Im so lucky that I get to work for a company that cares so much about its employees and what means the most to them. Strategic is all about helping people and seeing them help their own Strategic Family is awesome. Even though I submitted my Strategic Dream, I never in a million years thought I would be picked, Im honestly still in awe, said Belinda Almo, Negotiations Team Lead. This will get us one step closer to our goal of homeownership and one step closer to providing my children with a home they can live in for the rest of their lives. This will change our lives and I am forever indebted to Strategic Financial Solutions. The generosity that the company shows to its own employee-owners is heartwarming and Im so fortunate to be a part of it. About Strategic Financial Solutions Strategic Financial Solutions is a leading financial services company that provides comprehensive debt relief solutions for people in difficult financial situations. Through its personalized, tailored approach that includes debt consolidation loans and debt resolution programs, Strategic Financial Solutions has successfully resolved more than $1 billion in debt, and funded loans, for over 100,000 clients. Strategic Financial Solutions has been named one of the fastest-growing companies in New York City twice by Crains New York and has been recognized by INC. 500 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Strategic ranked 21st in the Best Companies to Work for in New York State program and is a Certified Great Place to Work. More information can be found at http://stratfs.com. Contact: Gary Foodim Chief Marketing Officer Office: (212) 810-4544 Email: gfoodim@stratfs.com The left-wing national daily criticises the government for leaving rural doctors without protective masks and disinfectants to prevent the virus from spreading. The main pro-government daily condemns social media platforms for spreading panic. While no coronavirus cases had been reported in Hungary by Friday, people have started stocking up food reserves, emptying the shelves in supermarkets. Shops have been able to replenish reserves, but home deliveries have become slower on account of the surge in demand. Prime Minister Orban told National Public Radio on Friday morning that Hungary cannot remain coronavirus-free, but the authorities have the necessary reserves of hospital beds, medicine and equipment to meet an outbreak of the epidemic. In Nepszava, Andras Vas reports that general practitioners in rural areas feel abandoned in the face of the danger of a coronavirus epidemic. They are required to distribute face masks and use disinfectant liquids extensively, but are finding it difficult to obtain the necessary stocks because they have disappeared from the pharmacies. Once doctors are required to use special equipment, Vas writes, there should be a central pool where GPs could turn to for supplies. Magyar Nemzets Levente Sitkei lambasts Facebook and other social media site providers for spreading the coronavirus hysteria. Facebook, he writes is an efficient censor whenever right-wing posts appear on its platforms but does nothing to stop fear-mongering about the coronavirus. Sitkei also accuses opposition politicians of trying to score political points by already criticizing the authorities, while that not a single case of coronavirus-infection has been reported to date. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story Photo credit: Maria Galhazi The new coronavirus appears to now be spreading much more rapidly outside China than within, and airports in hard-hit countries were ramping up screening of travellers. * The number of novel coronavirus cases in the world rose to 92,722, including 3,155 deaths, across 77 countries and territories on Tuesday, according to a report compiled by AFP from official sources * Outside China, a total of 12,571 cases have been recorded around the world since the epidemic began, including 212 deaths..* Mainland China reported 125 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 80,151. The death toll reached 2,943 as of end-Monday, up by 31 from the previous day. * Chinese authorities asked overseas Chinese to reconsider or minimise their travel plans as imported virus cases rise. Guangdong province and Shanghai said they would require travellers from virus-hit countries to be quarantined for two weeks. * Japan has also recorded more than 700 cases aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess moored off Yokohama. * Morocco, Andorra, Armenia, Czech Republic, Iceland, Indonesia and Ukraine confirmed their first cases. * South Korea's president declared war on the coronavirus on Tuesday, ordering additional hospital beds and more face masks to be made available as the number of cases rose by 974, taking total infections to 5,186, while total fatalities rose to 34. * Australia will use a little-known biosecurity law to restrict the movements of people suspected of having the virus, its attorney-general said on Tuesday, as the country's confirmed cases increased to 38. * The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday confirmed 17 new cases of the coronavirus and 9 more deaths due to the outbreak, bringing the total number of cases to 108, including among repatriated citizens. * US President Donald Trump said his administration may cut off travel from the United States to areas with high rates of coronavirus, but said officials were not weighing any restrictions on domestic travel. * Pakistan reported a new coronavirus case, bringing the total to five in the south Asian nation since last week, while neighbour India on Monday reported three more cases, including an Italian national. * Algeria has confirmed three new cases of coronavirus, bringing to eight the total number of people tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said on Tuesday. * Germany's confirmed cases rose to 188 on Tuesday from 157 on Monday afternoon, the Robert Koch Institute said. * Iran one of the worst-hit nations, reported infections rising to 2,336, with 77 deaths, including a senior official and put its armed forces on alert to assist health officials * Saudi Arabia restricted entry for Gulf citizens and residents on Tuesday, state news agency SPA reported. * Kuwait's civil aviation authority said on Tuesday passengers from 10 countries including India, Turkey and Egypt must produce certificates saying they are coronavirus free. * Italian health authorities said they may set up a new quarantine red zone to try to contain the country's coronavirus outbreak after 27 people died over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of dead to 79 and the total number of cases in Europe's worst-hit country cases jumped to 2,502. * French health authorities reported a fourth death on Tuesday, and Health Minister Olivier Veran told parliament that France now has 204 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. * Spain's confirmed cases rose to around 150 on Tuesday from around 120 the day before, a man in the Spanish region of Valencia died, marking the country's first death from the outbreak, a local health official said on Tuesday * The number of confirmed cases in Sweden has risen to 24, from 15 on Monday. * Britain, which has 51 confirmed cases, unveiled a plan on Tuesday that includes possible school closures, home working and cancelling large-scale gatherings. * Argentina Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia confirmed the South American country's first case of the fast-spreading new coronavirus. The patient, a 43-year-old man, arrived in Argentina on March 1 after a two-week trip that included northern Italy. * Senegal's health ministry said a second person who flew to the West African country from France last week tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of cases in sub-Saharan Africa to three. * The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, citing growing concerns about the fast-spreading coronavirus, on Tuesday said they will adopt a "virtual format" for their Spring Meetings instead of convening in person in Washington. The institutions' Spring Meetings, scheduled this year for April 17-19, usually bring some 10,000 government officials, business people, civil society representatives and journalists from across the globe * United Arab Emirates announced on that schools and higher educational institutions will be closed for four weeks starting on Sunday to avoid the spreading of coronavirus, also major concerts and events in have been cancelled or postponed. * Qatar's defence exhibition has been cancelled. Search Keywords: Short link: NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of VMware, Inc. ("VMware " or "the Company") (NYSE: VMW). Investors who purchased VMware securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/vmw. The investigation concerns whether VMware and certain of its officers and/or directors have violated federal securities laws. On February 27, 2019, VMware disclosed a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") investigation into its backlog of unfilled orders. Specifically, VMware advised investors that the SEC requested a series of documents and information related to the Company's backlog and associated accounting and disclosures in December 2019. On this news, VMware's stock price fell $15.11 per share, or 11.14%, to close at $120.52 per share on February 28, 2020. If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation, or purchased VMware shares, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/vmw. You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 212-697-6484. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique. Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients. In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm's expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz 212-697-6484 | [email protected] SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Related Links https://www.bgandg.com/ Four-year KLAS Category Leader in Clinical Decision Support - Care Plans & Order Sets, 'Care Planning' among solutions to be featured PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Elsevier, a global leader in information analytics, specializing in science and health, will showcase its clinical decision support solutions at Booth #1859 at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2020 annual meeting in Orlando, FL, USA, March 10-12, 2020. A key solution being demonstrated will be Elsevier's Care Planning solution, which was named a 2020 Category Leader for the Clinical Decision Support - Care Plans/Order Sets category by KLAS, the research firm which specializes in monitoring and reporting the performance of healthcare vendors. Elsevier, in its most expansive HIMSS presence to date, will host a virtual thought leadership panel, solution demonstrations and networking events to focus on empowering knowledge. The company's virtual thought leadership panel of industry experts, starting at the top of every hour, is about 'The Path to Knowledge Driven Care'. The panel will provide insights on emerging technologies and solutions that make it possible to deliver better and more precise clinical guidance at the point of care. "Through our rich legacy and experience in clinical care, we are able to integrate world-class clinical content at the point of care to better assist healthcare providers," said John Danaher, MD, President, Global Clinical Solutions, Elsevier. "Our award-winning solutions, like Care Planning and ClinicalPath, integrate our trusted evidence-based clinical information to support clinicians, so they can make informed decisions about the care of their patients." In addition to the virtual panel, Elsevier demonstrations and events at HIMSS20 include: New Solutions: Elsevier will demonstrate several new solutions, including 3D4Medical, Veridata and PatientPass. Elsevier will demonstrate several new solutions, including 3D4Medical, Veridata and PatientPass. Interoperability Showcase, Booth 8300-106 : A demonstration of Elsevier's ClinicalPath solution for oncology care, titled ' Linking the Person, Research and Public Health'. The demonstration is jointly presented with nine other companies. Booth 8300-106 A demonstration of Elsevier's ClinicalPath solution for oncology care, titled ' The demonstration is jointly presented with nine other companies. Innovation Live, Booth 8200-99: A four-kiosk booth, hosted by the Elsevier Technology Team, will demonstrate how Elsevier is leveraging next-generation technologies to advance CDS. Kiosk demonstrations will focus on advanced healthcare analytics, healthcare knowledge graphs, machine learning, and healthcare and health data management solutions. Booth 8200-99: A four-kiosk booth, hosted by the Elsevier Technology Team, will demonstrate how Elsevier is leveraging next-generation technologies to advance CDS. Kiosk demonstrations will focus on advanced healthcare analytics, healthcare knowledge graphs, machine learning, and healthcare and health data management solutions. International Symposiums: Sponsored with HIMSS, Elsevier will host three international symposiums for participants from the Middle East , Latin America and Brazil , throughout the event, to showcase their global commitment. Elsevier representatives will be available to discuss how value-based care initiatives can be achieved through CDS and clinical pathways. About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps scientists and clinicians to find new answers, reshape human knowledge, and tackle the most urgent human crises. For 140 years, we have partnered with the research world to curate and verify scientific knowledge. Today, we're committed to bringing that rigor to a new generation of platforms. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, 39,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com Media contact Christopher Capot Global Communications Elsevier +1-917-704-5174 c.capot@elsevier.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/754760/Elsevier_Logo.jpg (Natural News) If ever there was a clearer example of just how worthless Congress has become as a governing entity, we cant think of one. Dont get us wrong, there is no better form of government in the world than American republicanism. But thanks to rampant, out-of-control hyper-partisanship that divides Left and Right in D.C., despite obvious, documented, criminal abuses of a system put in place to keep our country safe, Congress still cant get together to implement some much needed reforms. As The Epoch Times reported, provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) are up for renewal before Congress in the next few weeks. This is the law that created the now-infamous FISA court the federal court established under the 1978 act designed to hear secret evidence from the government and authorize electronic surveillance on threats to national security. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or FISC, as it is known, hears evidence so sensitive that it meets in secret, somewhere in or around Washington, D.C. Its jurists are ordinary federal judges who are cleared to hear top secret evidence. They serve a single seven-year term. The FISA court, you may remember, was used and abused by the Obama administration outright defrauded so as to justify spying on a member of the 2016 Trump campaign, former adviser Carter Page. A report issued recently by the Justice Department inspector general found that at least two of the four surveillance warrants issued to the FBI by the FISA court were improper because they were based on phony evidence the so-called Russia dossier, a compilation of garbage assembled by former British spy Christopher Steele, who, by the way, goes on trial in Britain in May for fabricating the document. The DoJ IG also found a lot more evidence that the Obama-era FBI, under then-Director James Comey, lied repeatedly to the FISC, including withholding exculpatory evidence that would have exonerated Page (and President Trump as well, for that matter). All of this nefarious behavior screams for reform. But, as The Epoch Times notes, Americans can forget about that idea because that can is being booted far, far down the road. Worse, it is Republicans not the Democrats, some of whom were in on Spygate from the outset, who are at loggerheads over reforms: Amid frenzied budget negotiations, an obscure provision in the Nov. 18, 2019 measure to keep the government open also extended FISAs expiration, from the end of 2019 to March 15, 2020. That delay has set up a simmering feud among congressional Republicans. Unbelievably, Attorney General William Barr testified before Congress in February that he would like to see a clean FISA reauthorization which preserves some of the worst parts of the FISA law such as very intrusive, Constitution-melting provisions authorizing the government to vacuum up metadata involving the phone records of people inside and outside the U.S. This comes as Barr is the one who stunned Washington shortly after his confirmation as Jeff Sessions replacement that he is confident the 2016 Trump campaign was clearly spied on. Its also the same Barr who has assigned a U.S. attorney, John Durham, to specifically look into the origins of Spygate and, presumably, make indictments since that initial probe has now become a criminal investigation. But remarkably, while this abuse screams for justice and reforms, Barr claims that they can be implemented via administrative rules instead of changing the law. Thats insane, but in a Washingtonian way. Only an insider believes that new rules inside the FBI and Justice Department will prevent a future James Comey from ignoring them and weaponizing the department and bureau against another presidential candidate he doesnt like. Because what his FBI did to Trump was already against existing rules and regulations, let alone violations of laws against defrauding the FISA court. Now, Trump doesnt have to sign legislation reauthorizing a law that was abused in an attempt to depose him. But he will because most of the FISA act is necessary to help our intelligence community maintain national security. Washingtonian abuses dont get any more outrageous than this. Sources include: RealClearPolitics.com WashingtonTimes.com TheEpochTimes.com TheNationalSentinel.com Women in Ukraine earn 25% less than men, Deputy Social Policy Minister for European Integration Sergiy Nizhynskyi has said. "There remains a high level of gender segregation in the labor market. There are widespread discriminatory attitudes among employers towards women workers both at the level of employment and career growth. This leads to a 25% wage gap and unequal opportunities for getting access to economic resources, as well as differences in the qualitative characteristics of employment and social status of women and men," the press service of the Social Policy Ministry quoted him as saying at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday, on March 2. Nizhynskyi added that it is important to adhere to the Beijing Platform for Action and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in particular, the establishment of an effective system for combating violence and supporting vulnerable women, observing the principle of the best interests of the child. op In the weeks before Boeing halted 737 Max production in January, company executives took a hard look at all the personnel who'd be left with little to do when the last jets rolled out of their Seattle-area factory. The conclusion they came to, though, was surprising: The problem wasn't that there'd be too many mechanics idly milling around for months on end, but rather too few of them. Boeing is stocking up on staff as it tries to anticipate when the 737 Max will be cleared to return to flying. Credit:Bloomberg Sure, there'd be a cost to having them on payroll, but what worried managers more was the thought of not having enough workers around when they finally restart output of the Max. That task will be made more difficult by the need to simultaneously maintain the hundreds of Max jets that Boeing built last year but was forced to keep in storage until airlines can start flying them. So on December 13, Boeing welcomed 115 new mechanics and assembly-line workers to its Pacific Northwest manufacturing hub. Another 122 new employees started January 10, and 143 the week after that, while only 31 machinists left the company that month. All told, union figures show, Boeing has hired about 730 of these workers, a figure that is almost entirely net additions, according to IAM District 751, the company's biggest labor union. The triple threat of drought, bushfires and coronavirus has slashed international tourism, with bookings diving more than 30 per cent in the past 11 weeks. The head of Tourism Australia has told a conference in Melbourne bookings have decreased 35 per cent since December. Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison. Bookings from China have dropped 11 per cent, with the federal government's coronavirus travel ban, which came into effect on February 27, a key contributing factor. Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, told the 2020 Visitor Economy Forum on Tuesday the Australian industry had been booming before 2020 and was on track to double visitor numbers in 10 years. The latest: Super Tuesday results continued to come in overnight with former Vice President Joe Biden racking up wins in southern states and Texas as Bernie Sanders took his home state of Vermont, as well as the biggest prize of the night, California. App users tap here for results Alabama | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | North Carolina | Oklahoma | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Delegate Tracker Here's a state-by-state look at the results from Super Tuesday: Alabama Delegates at stake: 52 Polls closed at 7 p.m. (central time) Update: 10:20 p.m. CT - The presidential primary was not the race expected to take center stage in Alabama. Former Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions was in a crowded Republican primary to try to get his seat back from Sen. Doug Jones. Jones won a special election for the seat after Sessions was named President Donald Trump's attorney general. Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville are set to head to a runoff election for the GOP nomination. Presidential primary: Update 8 p.m. Biden has yet another win on Tuesday, this time in Alabama. Black voters hold sway in the state's Democratic electorate, and Biden and Mike Bloomberg split the endorsements of the state's largest black political coalitions. The Alabama New South Coalition backed Biden, and the Alabama Democratic Conference supported Bloomberg. PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZWxlY3Rpb25zLmFwLm9yZy93aWRnZXRzL2pzL3Jlc2l6ZXIuY2xpZW50Lm1pbi5qcyIgdHlwZT0idGV4dC9qYXZhc2NyaXB0Ij48L3NjcmlwdD48aWZyYW1lIGlkPSJpZnJhbWVfYmYzM2M3Mzk3ZGIzMGRkMjEzZDcwY2YxYTc1MmM1OTAiIHN0eWxlPSJvdmVyZmxvdzogaGlkZGVuOyBtaW4td2lkdGg6IDEwMCU7IGJvcmRlcjogbm9uZTsiIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9lbGVjdGlvbnMuYXAub3JnL3dpZGdldHMvY29udGVudC9iZjMzYzczOTdkYjMwZGQyMTNkNzBjZjFhNzUyYzU5MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iMTAwJSIgZnJhbWVib3JkZXI9IjEiIGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbj0iYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuIiBvbmxvYWQ9ImlGcmFtZVJlc2l6ZSh7fSwgJyNpZnJhbWVfYmYzM2M3Mzk3ZGIzMGRkMjEzZDcwY2YxYTc1MmM1OTAnKTsiPjwvaWZyYW1lPg== Arkansas Delegates at stake: 31 Polls closed at 7:30 p.m. (central time) Update: 8:50 p.m. (central time) Joe Biden has won Arkansas' Democratic presidential primary. The state has 31 delegates at stake. The solidly Republican state has seen intense interest from Democratic presidential hopefuls who have crowding airwaves with ads and lining up endorsements. Arkansas' Republican-held Legislature last year voted to move the state's primary in presidential years from May to March. Biden has also won Minnesota, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Virginia. Bernie Sanders has won Vermont and Colorado. 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 California Delegates at stake: 415 Polls closed at 8 p.m. (pacific time) Update 8 p.m. (pacific time): Bernie Sanders has claimed victory in California, the state with the largest amount of delegates up for grabs. This is a crucial victory for Sanders, who has won just three other Super Tuesday states. Including California, Sanders won Colorado, Utah and his home state of Vermont. As soon as polls closed in California at 8 p.m. Pacific Time, The Associated Press called Sanders the winner of the biggest prize on Super Tuesday. The AP called the state's Democratic presidential primary for the Vermont senator even though no votes from Tuesday had yet been counted. The news agency did so based on results from AP VoteCast, its wide-ranging survey of the American electorate. That election research captures the views of voters on whom they vote for, and why. The VoteCast survey found Sanders with a convincing lead in California, with no path for Mike Bloomberg and Joe Biden to catch up. In part, thats because VoteCast found Sanders with a big lead in early votes mailed in before Tuesdays election. Many of those ballots were cast before Bidens commanding win in South Carolina and before Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the race. That means the trailing candidate would need to make up a lot of ground in the vote cast in person by voters at polling places Tuesday. But VoteCast found that vote, too, also favored Sanders. 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 Colorado Delegates at stake: 67 Polls closed 7 p.m. (mountain time) Update 7 p.m. (mountain time): Bernie Sanders has won the state's primary, showing how much the Democratic Party can attract independents, still the largest voting bloc in a state that's moved further left in recent elections. It was Colorado's first presidential primary in 20 years. Colorado held presidential primaries from 1992 to 2000, then dropped them to save money. In 2016, voters approved reinstating primaries after complaining about the caucus system of thousands of precinct meetings to start choosing presidential candidates. In 2016, Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in the state's Democratic caucuses. 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 Maine Delegates at stake: 24 Polls closed at 8 p.m. (eastern time) Update 2 p.m. Wednesday (eastern time): Former Vice President Joe Biden was declared the winner in Maine, one day after the polls closed in the Pine Tree State. Biden came out with a slim lead, just short of 3,000 votes, ahead of Sanders. The lead flip-flopped several times Tuesday night before Biden was declared the winner. 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 Massachusetts Delegates at stake: 91 Polls closed at 8 p.m. (eastern time) Update 10:50 p.m. ET: Joe Biden has landed a significant win in Massachusetts, breaking past two key competitors who call New England home. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was unable to break through a three-way race in the results that included Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ultimately finished second. Before the results became clear, Warren held a campaign event in Michigan (which holds its primary on March 10) and earlier vowed to press on to a contested convention. But the home turf defeat could increase pressure on Warren to suspend her campaign. 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 Minnesota Delegates at stake: 75 Polls closed at 8 p.m. (central time) Update 8:45 p.m. (central time): Joe Biden has won Minnesota's Democratic presidential primary. Biden's victory came on the heels of a key endorsement from former 2020 candidate Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. senator from Minnesota. There had been a shift in recent days toward Sanders' more progressive vision, but Gopher State voters appear to have voiced their support for Biden, the more moderate candidate. Minnesota is the first northern state Biden secured a victory in on Super Tuesday. 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 North Carolina Delegates at stake: 110 Polls closed at 7:30 p.m. (eastern time) Joe Biden grabbed a second win on Super Tuesday just minutes after several polls closed. After carrying neighboring Virginia, the former vice president took North Carolina. Voters in North Carolina followed South Carolina in picking Biden, the more moderate option of the remaining candidates. There is also a large African American population in North Carolina, a demographic that helped Biden gain momentum out of the South Carolina primary. 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 Oklahoma Delegates at stake: 37 Polls closed at 7 p.m. (central time) Update 8 p.m. CT: Joe Biden has won the Democratic primary in Oklahoma. Thousands of Oklahomans cast their ballots before early voting ended Saturday in Oklahoma, just days before Super Tuesday. Biden was expected to do well in the more conservative Sooner State. It continues his trend of taking the win in more conservative states, including Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. 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 Tennessee Delegates at stake: 64 Due to the tornadoes that devastated parts of the state, polls closed at staggered times. Update 8:30 p.m. (central time): Joe Biden has won Tennessee's Democratic presidential primary. Deadly overnight tornadoes delayed the start of Super Tuesday presidential primary voting in Nashville and another Tennessee county, spurring elections officials to redirect voters from some polling places to alternate locations. In a state where Republicans hold every major elected office, including seven of the nine congressional seats, the Democratic primary voting base has a history of being more moderate than that of other states. Biden has also won Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Virginia. Bernie Sanders has won Vermont and Colorado. 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 Texas Delegates at stake: 228 Most polls closed at 7 p.m. (central time. Polls in El Paso closed one hour later) Update 11 p.m. CT: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden were locked in a tight race in the Texas Democratic presidential primary. Sanders and Biden went back and forth for the lead throughout Tuesday evening. But the race was too close to call even around midnight. Update 1 a.m. CT: In an extremely tight race, Joe Biden has been named the winner of Texas. Texas had the second most delegates up for grab on Super Tuesday, behind California. On Super Tuesday eve, Biden held a rally in Dallas and received endorsements from former Democratic presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar and Beto O'Rourke. Another former rival, Pete Buttigieg, endorsed Biden earlier in the day on Monday. 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 Utah Delegates at stake: 29 Polls closed at 8 p.m. (mountain time) Update 8:30 p.m. (mountain time) Bernie Sanders has won the Utah Democratic presidential primary. It is Sanders' third win of the night. He has already claimed Vermont and Colorado. Sanders previously won Utah in the 2016 presidential Democratic primary. Sanders ran television ads in every Super Tuesday state except Utah. 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 Vermont Delegates at stake: 16 Polls closed at 7 p.m. (eastern time) Bernie Sanders is projected to win his home state of Vermont his first win during Super Tuesday. After claiming victory in both the New Hampshire primary and Nevada caucuses, Sanders was an established favorite to claim a majority of delegates from his home state. In 2016, he claimed 85.6% of the Vermont vote and all available delegates; the next closest Democratic candidate was Hillary Clinton, who earned just 13.5% of the vote.Sanders was one of only three candidates on the ballot who had campaigned in Vermont ahead of the primary. 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 Virginia Delegates at stake: 99 Polls closed at 7 p.m. (eastern time) Joe Biden notched his first major Super Tuesday victory, winning battleground Virginia to start the most pivotal night of the Democratic presidential primary and add to a political comeback that looked unthinkable just last week. Virginia is a traditional swing state that has moved more reliably Democratic in recent years, especially as people living in densely populated communities outside Washington turned their back on President Donald Trump, as many suburban voters have around the country. With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Biden had nearly 658,000 votes, and Sanders had close to 281,000 votes, according to unofficial results with the state elections department. Sen. Elizabeth Warren brought in almost 130,000 votes at that time, and Michael Bloomberg had nearly 116,000 votes. Virginia, which is one of the Super Tuesday states with a large African American Democratic base, was one of the states Bloomberg targeted after skipping the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Bloomberg spent nearly $180 million on television advertising alone in the 14 Super Tuesday states. 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 Delegate Tracker App users tap here for the delegate tracker 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 Amid the unprecedented coronavirus outbreak, Thailand's Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that people arriving from multiple places in Asia, the Middle East and Europe will be forced to self-quarantine by Thai authorities. The minister further said that the authorities have declared Japan, Germany, South Korea, China, Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, France, Singapore, Italy and Iran as 'dangerous communicable disease areas'. Charnvirakul reportedly said that anyone travelling from any one of the nine countries will have to self-quarantine for 14 days 'with no exceptions'. According to international media reports, the recent measures by the Thai authorities also include isolating or quaranting those with a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius or with suspicious coronavirus symptoms. The Thai authorities have also said that travellers who have no fever and show no symptoms will still have to enter self-quarantine for 14 days. Furthermore, the travellers will not be allowed to leave their premises unless special permits from Thai authorities are obtained. READ: Italian Tourist In Jaipur Tests Positive For Coronavirus Thailand's first fatality Thailand has reportedly confirmed its first death in the country due to the novel Coronavirus on March 1. A 35-year-old Thai National contracted COVID-19 due to declining immunity after he suffered from dengue, the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai told Thai media. According to news reports, the patient - a retail worker - was detected with soaring temperature due to dengue fever and incurred multiple organ failure. He was isolated and was being medically treated at a hospital for nearly a month. The health ministry, however, is yet to investigate the role coronavirus played in the fatality. READ: WrestleMania 36 Likely To Be Cancelled After Coronavirus Hits Tampa: Report First detected in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei Province of China, the virus outbreak has now spread across more than 60 countries since December 2019. The total number of confirmed cases within China has reportedly hit 80,152 and more than 90,000 worldwide. According to reports, the death toll in China has also surpassed 2,900 and the National Health Commission also confirmed more than 126 new cases. Leaders around the world have reportedly rolled out bans on gatherings and stricter travel restrictions as the confirmed cases around the globe are increasing day-by-day. The deadly outbreak has disrupted flight demand and several airlines have also suspended or modified services in response. WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus 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. READ: AI Asks Fliers Who Flew With Coronavirus-infected Person To Follow Protocols READ: Coronavirus: Centre Advises Citizens To Refrain From Travelling To Affected Countries Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ben K. C. Laksana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 16:33 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067fe2c9 3 Opinion tolerance,The-Conversation,conservative-Muslims,Youth Free Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim population, is still often promoted as an example of a modern and moderate Islamic democracy. However, various reports have indicated growing levels of Muslim conservatism. Among them is last years Indonesian Muslim Report by research firm Alvara. Based on interviews with 1,567 respondents in 34 provinces, the report suggests the countrys young generation is becoming more conservative. The report indicates that both generation Z (aged between 14 and 21 years old) and young millennial (22-29) respondents dominate within those who identify as puritan & ultra-conservative, accounting for almost 60 percent. Those are significant figures as Indonesias young generation accounts for almost a quarter of the countrys population, or around 63.8 million individuals. While these reports give cause for great concern, the numbers reveal little about how young people navigate daily encounters with religious difference. My research on the everyday lives of Indonesian young people and their religious interactions may help shed light on why they are becoming more conservative. Everyday practices In 2013, I interviewed 20 people between the ages of 16 and 19 from three different high schools in the nations capital, Jakarta: a private, public and a public-run Islamic high school. These three schools use the national curriculum, but the Islamic school has an additional curriculum on Islam. I also conducted focus group discussions with these young people. I found these youth do not simply learn about tolerance from grand concepts taught in class. They also learn from their direct experiences with religious diversity. This is contrary to what the government believes. The government believes a tolerant society comes from decades-long teaching of tolerance from the New Order regime. This teaching forbids debates on religions, races and tribes among its citizens to avoid conflicts. Yet although young people are conditioned to avoid discussing religions in public, my research shows everyday experiences of religious diversity influence their views. One of my respondents, a 16-year-old from an Islamic high school, shared that he came to an understanding about tolerance and how to practice it from his daily experience with non-Muslim friends in his neighborhood. This not only confirms the importance of the everyday experience for learning tolerance, but my interviews also show young people need access to spaces and opportunities that encourage inter-religious relationships in their everyday lives. In the above case, my respondent has access to building amicable, close and daily relationships with his non-Muslim neighbors. But now we see the mushrooming of exclusively Muslim housing complexes such as in Yogyakarta. Read also: Muslims only: Exclusive Islamic housing comes with loss of tolerance These exclusive spaces are the result of a combination of growing conservatism, capitalist interests and the lack of an inclusive vision of the citys spatial planning. This may result in young people having more limited access to others from different religious backgrounds, further generating their conservative views. This does not mean the existence of Muslims-only housing becomes the only factor behind the rising conservatism among youths. But it does suggest its important to understand and acknowledge that day-to-day experiences influence young peoples lives and views. The need for further studies By focusing on young peoples everyday interactions, my research aims to help us understand the social contexts shaping their attitudes and values, including their religious views. Social contexts play a significant role in providing spaces and opportunities for promoting tolerance in the lives of Indonesian youths. An analysis of social, political, economic and cultural structures will give us a bigger picture. This will avoid simplifying the issue by putting the blame on the youth alone. However, this kind of research is still limited. Rising conservatism among Indonesian youth requires a structural analysis of the social and political contexts in which they live. We need to understand the roles of government, educational institutions, media, families and religious leaders in these young peoples lives, as well as how economic inequalities affect their religious views. Thus, the question of why Indonesian youth is becoming more conservative remains open and demands further investigation of their everyday lives. *** Ben K. C. Laksana, Lecturer, International University Liaison Indonesia This article was first published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Pete Buttigieg has dropped out of the race to be the Democratic nominee in the U.S. presidential election. Speaking to supporters Sunday, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, said he had made what he called the "difficult decision" to exit the contest. He did not endorse any of the remaining candidates, but promised to do "everything in my power" to see a Democrat take over the White House in January. Buttigieg was the first openly gay major party presidential candidate. He said he hopes he sent a message to every kid who is "marked as different," showing them they can become a leading presidential candidate "with his husband at his side." Buttigieg finished a disappointing fourth place in Saturday's South Carolina primary, winning no delegates. Thousands of staff at tech giant Google's Dublin headquarters have been told to work from home today as a staff member - who presented with flu-like symptoms - is being tested for the new coronavirus. A spokesperson for the company said the majority of its 8,000-strong Irish workforce - based at its sprawling campus in the Dublin docklands - are to work from home. However, the company insisted the measure is to 'test' the ability of its staff to work remotely. "We continue to take precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of our workforce, and as part of that effort we have asked our Dublin teams to work from home tomorrow," the spokesperson said. A source said the worker in question has not tested positive or negative for the virus at this stage. But "out of an abundance of caution" staff have been told to work from home and to monitor their health. The move affects all of Google staff apart from those based in the firm's data centres in Sandyford and Eastpoint. The so-called 'Work From Home' day is being conducted to test "operational readiness" and ensure the company's "ability to perform at full capacity in case of an extended period", the source said. "This is not the first Google office we have closed for a day or more - we have been doing this for some time now as we prioritise worker safety and manage a dynamic situation," the source added. Meanwhile, Ireland could be struck with clusters of cases of the new coronavirus in the near future with one person infecting another, chief medical officer Tony Holohan warned yesterday. The risk of widespread transmission in Europe within weeks is "moderate to high". He was speaking as the expert group here overseeing the coronavirus crisis meets today to finalise guidelines on mass gatherings which may have implications for the St Patrick's Day Festival going ahead. The current risk of someone catching the virus in the Republic remains low and there remains just one confirmed case - a Dublin school pupil who was infected in northern Italy. Meanwhile, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said the EU's disease prevention agency had raised its assessment of the coronavirus risks in the bloc to high, as the outbreak spread to most EU states. "The ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) announced that the risk level has risen from moderate to high for people in the European Union," she said. Health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said 2,100 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in 18 of the 27 EU states, and 38 EU citizens had now died because of the disease. No further member of the pupils or staff in the Dublin school which has been closed for two weeks have tested positive. The health officials said a close contact is someone who is in proximity for 15 minutes to an infected person who has symptoms of the disease. Government sources said hotels are concerned their staff are at greater risk of contracting the virus because they expect to be in close contact with rugby fans coming from the infected regions of Italy. Many are expected to travel to Dublin despite the match being cancelled as they already have flights and accommodation booked. TORONTO - Bruce Linton is used to people raising an eyebrow at his business decisions. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Bruce Linton addresses the audience at the World Cannabis Congress in Saint John, N.B. on June 18, 2019. Neuro-pharmaceutical company Mind Medicine Inc. began trading on the NEO Exchange today. The company is backed by investor and Dragon's Den star Kevin O'Leary and former Canopy Growth Corp. co-founder Linton sits on its board. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan TORONTO - Bruce Linton is used to people raising an eyebrow at his business decisions. The tycoon, after all, jumped into the world of cannabis long before most when he co-founded Canopy Growth Corp., grew it into one of Canada's largest cannabis firms and then shepherded it through the legalization of the product. After being ousted from Canopy in July, he's been focused on another venture that has attracted some scorn: psychedelics. "These things may cause harm if used incorrectly. They may be perceived wrongly, but...they do something. Now the question is: could they be better tested, delivered and derived?" Linton, a board member of the Toronto-based Mind Medicine Inc., told The Canadian Press. "I thought this is kind of bad public policy still, but it's going to change with science and data. I like those models, so next thing you know, I'm investing money and a lot of time." Mind Med, which claims to be the world's first publicly-traded psychedelic pharmaceutical company, joined the NEO Exchange on Tuesday. The company, backed by an investment from Dragon's Den star Kevin O'Leary, develops medicines derived from psychedelics to address "significant unmet medical needs." The first goal is finding a solution to address the opioid crisis and other forms of addiction, but it's also studying the efficacy of microdosing. Going public, the company says, will give it access to new capital and help it build a pipeline of clinical trials for psychedelic inspired medicines. Linton doesn't like using the term psychedelics to describe the business. He prefers plant-derived neuro medicines for now, but says the industry will likely have to settle on something that doesn't carry the bias or "heavy luggage from prior eras" that psychedelics does. "What we have for the best practical stuff that we can do for people addicted or depressed is called medicine," he said. "The hardest thing is to get the right nomenclature." And that's half the battle. Mind Med also has to change public perception, Linton acknowledges. "People are irrationally negative against something that should actually be turned into a medical platform," he said. He stresses that he's not advocating for psychedelics to be used recreationally, but he believes there's untapped potential in the sector and the chance to help people. Mind Med is working on getting 18-MC, a drug based on the psychedelic substance ibogaine, a Phase 2 Federal Drug Administration clinical trial and is preparing a Phase 2 LSD microdosing clinical trial for adult ADHD. That comes as the globe is seeing more curiosity about the industry. Linton credits some of that attention to a decade's worth of fentanyl deaths, opioid addiction and depression in Canada and abroad. 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. Meanwhile, U.K.-based Compass Pathways Ltd. is studying psilocybin therapy for depression and Toronto-based Field Trip Psychedelics Inc., which bills itself as a "mental wellness" company, is exploring ketamine. It's a very different landscape than when Linton first got involved a decision he made without asking for much input from family and friends. "When I went around and asked everybody if they liked my idea for a cannabis company in 2012, they thought it was a complete idiot over and over again. I didn't really rush to repeat that exercise. I just kind of more or less decided I liked it," he said. "When I put cash in and was supporting it, we were having a lot of problems finding people who thought it was a good idea, so it's changed quite rapidly in terms of perception, which I think is good. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March. 3, 2020. Companies in this story: (TSX: WEED) The convenience retail leader has dramatically expanded its hot and cold beverage menu to all Long Island 7-Eleven stores with the addition of touch-screen machines that brew custom hot coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots in just seconds, as well as taps that dispense cold beverages like cold brew, teas, lemonade and more. Customers can make their cup, their way at the expansive condiment station with various toppings, sprinkles and sweeteners. The store updates also include new ovens for baked-in-store croissants, cookies and pastries, as well as self-serve hot food and roller grill items. As with all proprietary 7-Eleven beverages, the cup size determines the price, not what goes in it whether it's a tall hot cup of Colombian or an iced latte with non-fat milk, an extra shot of espresso and sugar-free hazelnut syrup. Competitive prices are a far cry from typical coffeehouse prices. "We're excited to bring these innovative new platforms to our Long Island customers," said Dave Strachan, 7-Eleven Innovation Implementation Leader. "The expanded beverage assortment, baked-in-store cookies and pastries, self-serve grill and hot food platforms give customers what they're looking for with even more convenience." Here's a do-it-yourself primer on what's new at participating 7-Eleven stores: Espresso machines Customers select their favorite specialty coffee drinks lattes, espressos, cappuccinos, Americanos and more. Options include size, dark espresso roast or medium espresso, whole or skim milk. Serious coffee-drinkers can add a double espresso shot as well. Customers select their favorite specialty coffee drinks lattes, espressos, cappuccinos, Americanos and more. Options include size, dark espresso roast or medium espresso, whole or skim milk. Serious coffee-drinkers can add a double espresso shot as well. Brews on tap Cold brew, nitro, iced teas and lemonade Customers, who prefer their coffee cold or other iced beverages, have lots of choices on tap. Cold brew, nitro, iced teas and lemonade Customers, who prefer their coffee cold or other iced beverages, have lots of choices on tap. Bean-to-cup brewers Touch-screens let customers choose a fresh-brewed cup, hot or iced. Selections include what size cup and either medium or bold intensity coffee beans. Customers know their coffee is fresh because the beans are ground fresh for every cup. Touch-screens let customers choose a fresh-brewed cup, hot or iced. Selections include what size cup and either medium or bold intensity coffee beans. Customers know their coffee is fresh because the beans are ground fresh for every cup. Grab and Go Food Service New self-serve food cases and roller grills enable customers to quickly make their selection, grab-and-go, for ultimate convenience during the busiest times of the day. New self-serve food cases and roller grills enable customers to quickly make their selection, grab-and-go, for ultimate convenience during the busiest times of the day. Bake In Store Fresh Cookies and Pastries Hot and fresh bakery items like cookies and croissants are cooked in-store throughout the day. They bake a great tasting product and the fresh baked aroma fills the store. 7-Eleven will continue to serve its popular flavored and decaf drip coffees from new servers using soft heat to maintain a constant temperature. Hot chocolate, chai tea latte, and other dispensed specialty drinks are also available. The company plans to expand these exciting new coffee and fresh food platforms to more stores around the country this year, with work already beginning in Virginia, Florida and California. About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 70,000 stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards loyalty program, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in 28 participating markets, or rely on 7-Eleven for bill payment services, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. Related Links http://www.7-eleven.com S adiq Khan has demanded that Boris Johnson explain why he was left out from an emergency Government meeting on the coronavirus outbreak. The Prime Minister unveiled his battle plan on Tuesday to tackle the illness sweeping across the globe after chairing a Cobra meeting on Monday. But the London mayor, who has now launched his re-election campaign, hit out at Mr Johnson for excluding him from the meeting that agreed upon a Government strategy for tackling Covid-19. He pointed out that London is served by the UKs biggest airports and a population that swells to more than 10 million with tourists and commuters during the day. Dealing with the coronavirus is more important than party politics and its really important we put aside petty differences and all work together, Mr Khan told reporters after Tuesday's campaign launch in Hackney. I will be looking at what the Governments announcement is, I dont know what they are. It just seems a bit odd for the Government not to include us when it comes to either Cobra or when it comes to planning and preparation. Its for the Government to explain why they want to exclude us. 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 Downing Street declined to comment on why Mr Khan was not included. The governments plan for a worse-case scenario, published following Mondays meeting, includes measures such as instructing police to ignore low-level crime, drafting in the army and warns that up to a fifth of employees could be absent from workplaces. Mr Khan said on Tuesday that he could not currently envisage a need to shut the Tube or discourage the use of public transport, as he examined the action plans of other cities such as New York. Im confident of the advice we are receiving, the advice is (that there is) no reason at all to worry about using the Tube or buses, he told journalists. I dont foresee a situation where we are advising people to not use the Tube or public transport but we review this at each stage. I dont foresee a situation where we do what other cities have done and say dont go to concerts and ban people from confined spaces. Noreen Taylor, prize founder and chair of the Charles Taylor Foundation expressed her admiration, commenting: "Today we celebrated five of the most remarkable writers of our times and their compelling books if there ever was a shortlist that defined every goal we had for the RBC Taylor Prize, this is it. Congratulations to the jury for their wisdom and above all heartiest congratulations to Mark Bourrie for his fascinating treatment of this compelling story. Vijay Parmar, President of RBC PH&N Investment Counsel, added: "I am delighted to congratulate Mark Bourrie for winning the 2020 RBC Taylor Prize Award. This is an outstanding achievement and contribution to Canadian literature. RBC Wealth Management through the RBC Emerging Artists Project is very proud to have partnered with the Charles Taylor Foundation and played a part in elevating and advancing the profile of our country's non-fiction writers both at home and around the world." In its citation of the winning book the jury notes: Readers of Mark Bourrie's Bush Runner might well wonder if Jonathan Swift at his edgiest has been at work. This over-the-top narrative connects Canadian fur traders with three European royal courts, mixes in Indigenous political intrigues and family alliances among the Five Nations and French settlers, and adds Jesuits, cannibalism, and the Great Fire of London. To top it off, there's the impact of the beaver hat and the buffalo on the entire Western world! In Bourrie's telling, the picaresque Pierre Radisson, a humane con artist of heroic stamina and fluid loyalties, was the fulcrum of four centuries of Canadian centrality in the forging of modern Western civilizations. Who knew? About the winner: Journalist/Historian Mark Bourrie has written numerous books including Kill the Messengers: Stephen Harper's Assault on Your Right to Know, a Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of 2015. He has been a staff reporter for the Hamilton Spectator and currently teaches history at Carleton University as well as Canadian Studies at University of Ottawa. The four remaining finalists: Had It Coming: What's Fair in the Age of #MeToo? by Robyn Doolittle (Allen Lane); Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, by Jessica McDiarmid (Doubleday Canada); The Reality Bubble: Blind Spots, Hidden Truths and the Dangerous Illusions that Shape Our World, by Ziya Tong (Allen Lane); The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator, by Timothy C. Winegard (Allen Lane) each received a $5,000 honorarium, a presentation-bound version of their book, and extensive publicity. The jurors for the 2020 RBC Taylor Prize are Margaret Atwood, Coral Ann Howells and Peter Theroux. They read and evaluated over 150 books written by Canadian authors to determine the winner for this, the 20th anniversary awarding of the prestigious prize. Sharing a commitment to emerging Canadian talent, the Charles Taylor Foundation and RBC will also grant the seventh annual RBC Taylor Prize Emerging Writers Award. Shortly after the announcement of the 2020 Prize, Bourrie will name their choice of emerging author to receive this $10,000 award. The RBC Taylor Prize was established in 1998 by the trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation, to commemorate Charles Taylor's pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction, and first awarded in 2000. The Prize has been awarded to the author whose book best combines a superb command of the English language, an elegance of style, and a subtlety of thought and perception. It was expanded in 2014 to include the Emerging Writers Award, and the RBC Taylor Prize Mentorship Program was introduced in 2018. Collectively, over 100 writers have been positively affected by the Prize. After 20 years, the Trustees of the Prize announced the conclusion of the Prize, confident that the RBC Taylor Prize has helped to create long-lasting change for the perception of literary non-fiction in Canada. The trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation are: Vijay Parmar, David Staines, Edward Taylor, Nadina Taylor, and Noreen Taylor. The Prize Manager is Sheila Kay. The presenting sponsor of the 2020 RBC Taylor Prize is RBC Wealth Management. The Prize's media sponsors are The Globe and Mail newspaper, Quill & Quire magazine, Cision, and CIUT-FM; CBC Books is a media partner. Its in-kind sponsors are Ben McNally Books, Event Source, TIFA, and the Omni King Edward Hotel. Our thanks to CNW Group for sponsoring this announcement. To download high-resolution images of the winner and finalists and their book covers please go to: www.rbctaylorprize.ca/2020/rbctp_2020_finalist_covers_and_authors.zip. To download high-resolution images of the trustees and jurors please go to: www.rbctaylorprize.ca/2020/2020_trustees_and_jury.zip. To download high-resolution images of the longlisted authors and their book covers please go to: www.rbctaylorprize.ca/2020/rbctp_2020_longlist_covers_and_authors.zip. Follow the RBC Taylor Prize on Twitter at www.twitter.com/taylorprize and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RBCTaylorPrize SOURCE Charles Taylor Prize For further information: Media contact: Stephen Weir & Associates: Stephen Weir: 416.489.5868 | cell: 416.801.3101 | [email protected]; For general information about the Prize please go to: www.rbctaylorprize.ca Related Links http://www.thecharlestaylorprize.ca/ Coronavirus scare in China has led people to take some precautionary measures. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in India are increasing too- there have been two new confirmed cases of infected people in Delhi and one in Jaipur. Around the world, the number of infected people is nearing 1 lakh; more than 3000 people have been killed because of coronavirus. AP The measures to avoid contracting the virus include being quarantined inside their houses to putting masks on their pets. In a recent case, a man locked his wife inside a bathroom as he feared she had contracted coronavirus. The Lithuanian man locked his wife after she met with a Chinese woman who had arrived from Italy. The wife contacted the police who rushed to the apartment in the capital Vilnius. He said that he locked his wife after consulting on the phone with doctors' on how to avoid infection, Daily Mail reports. Reuters However the woman did not press charges so the man was not arrested. The wife got tested for the virus, just to be sure and the result came out negative.Till now Lithuania has only reported one case of the deadly disease which is sweeping across the globe. The latest countries to be struck by coronavirus are Tunisia, Jordan and Indonesia. All around the globe there have been seventy countries or territories that have now recorded cases. 30 of these reported cases only in the last week. Reuters In a preventive measure in China, people are shaking their legs instead of hands to avoid physical contact in the face of coronavirus scare. A viral video shows men using leg shake to greet each other instead of the handshake. The exact location and time of the video are not known. It was shared on Twitter by user Marina Rudyak. The video shows a masked man coming out of a vehicle - one of his mask wearing friends steps forward to greet him with a handshake. He turns down the gesture and hints at doing a leg shake instead. The man went on to great other men, including the one recording the video with a leg shake. The video was shared with the caption, What to do if you cant shake hands? With the virus spreading rapidly, one can never be too careful. So, while this may look and sound funny, it does make some sense Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday in Lok Sabha responded to a question on existing laws for the protection of journalists. In a written reply, he said that existing laws for the protection of citizens also cover journalists. "The existing laws for the protection of citizens also cover journalists," he said. "Police and Public Order are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and State Governments are responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies," the minister informed the Lok Sabha. He also stated that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain specific data with respect to attacks on journalists. "The Ministry of Home Affairs had also issued an advisory to States and Union Territories on 20th October 2017 specifically on the safety of journalists, requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure the security of media persons," the Minister mentioned. '5 foreign nationals asked to leave India' Nityanand Rai also informed the Lok Sabha that five foreign nationals who participated in anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India. "As per the Bureau of Immigration, 5 foreign nationals who violated visa norms by participating in the anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India," he said. Protests erupted in various parts of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after Parliament gave its nod the Bill. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. READ | No BJP worker can incite violence: Nityanand Rai on JNU attack READ | MHA to draft law specifically to handle lynching cases: MoS Nityanand Rai 'No proposal to merge ITBP and SSB' Nityanand Rai clarified that there is no such proposal of merging ITBP and SSB. "An idea was mooted for considering the possibilities of the merger of ITBP and SSB and informal consultations were held in this regard. However, no such proposal is under consideration, at present," Nityanand Rai said. Presently, ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh covering 3488 km of Indo-China Border and manning Border Outposts on altitudes ranging from 9000' to 18700' in the Western, Middle and Eastern sectors of the Indo-China Border. And the SSB is now spread along the International border across Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. READ | MoS Nityanand Rai says NPR exercise to be carried out from April to September 2020 READ | Centre will make sufficient provisions for jawans guarding borders, says MoS Nityanand Rai (with ANI inputs) By Akbar Mammadov The final presentation of the AgroHackathon 2020 start-up competition was held in Baku, the Agriculture Ministry reported in its official website on March 2. The event took place with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, the organization of Agrarian Science and Innovation Center, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan Industry Corporation, and the sponsorship of the Bakcell company. The event was attended by representatives of the Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, heads of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, government agencies, rectors of higher educational institutions, representatives of subordinate organizations of the Ministry, head of the Microsoft office in Azerbaijan, as well as head of World Bank Office in Azerbaijan. Commencing with the screening of the film about the AgroHackathon 2020, the event proceeded with the speech of Deputy Director of Agrarian Science and Innovation Center Akbar Abbasov on the purpose and essence of the competition. This competition will create a favourable environment for the realization of innovative ideas of agricultural start-up founders on the agricultural sector, said Akbar Abbasov. Talking about events held by INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, Jeyhun Salmanov, Vice-President of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, invited start-up founders to work on long-term projects. He also mentioned that INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center will continuously support the start-up projects. President Ilham Aliyev has declared the development of the agricultural sector as the priority direction, mentioned the Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov. He also said that thanks to consistent measures, the agricultural sector has entered into its new development stage, and its pace of development is continuing. Agricultural reforms implemented by the President envisages the further development of agriculture, and for this purpose, very large support measures are implemented. As a result of the state support, the agricultural sector has experienced a steady growth temp in the last few years The minister also emphasized that the last year, the gross production volume of agricultural products has increased more than seven per cent in comparison with that of the previous year. Talking about significant actions related to innovative solution in all areas, Inam Karimov added that our further main task is effectively to use soil and water resources, provide the protection of the environment. The increase in farmers incomes, and at the same time, the decrease in their costs are also our main goals. Exactly because of these necessities, it is important to apply advanced solutions, innovative methods, modern technologies the minister mentioned. The use of drones, and the establishment of Electron Agriculture Information System that ensures operative and transparent granting of subsidies, making agricultural services accessible for farmers, the use of platforms allowing the collection of accurate agricultural data is only one part of it," said Inam Karimov. At the end of the event, winners of the AgroHacakthon 2020 competition were awarded. The first place was captured by Mathemates team of Baku branch of Moscow State University named after MV Lomonosov, the second was the Origen team of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, the third was the SPD team of the ADA University. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has asked OTT players to set up an adjudicatory body and finalise code of conduct according to media reports (first reported in Mumbai Mirror). The Minister gathered the heads of all the top OTT platforms in the country which included Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar and other major players. While Javadekar stated that they wont censor streaming content themselves, they did invoke the example of China where government led censorship of online content prevails. In the 45 minute meeting, Javadekar proposed that the OTT players set up an adjudicatory body and finalise regulatory Code of Conduct for OTT streaming content. He also proposed the need for a clearer ratings standard as video streaming content is sourced from multiple providers. Last year, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) set up a regulatory body to keep an eye on OTT platforms. The industry body set up a Digital Curated Content Complaints Council which was tasked with resolving the complaints of users. However, not all OTT platforms signed the code. Fallout from a 2019 turf field scandal continues to hang over Holmdel, where a candidate who lost the Nov. 5 election by two votes insists dozens of legitimate mail-in ballots were improperly disqualified on technical grounds while other, fraudulent votes were allowed to stand. Chiung-Lin Cheng Liu, a former Holmdel school board member who had sought to fill an expiring term on the township committee, has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court in Freehold seeking a hearing to review the balloting and reverse the election results by restoring some of the disqualified ballots or tossing out others she insists were cast fraudulently by people who did not actually live in town. The suit requests that, the court, after the hearing, enter an Orderremoving (Prakash) Santhana, a candidate who won the election. Lius Republican running mate was Eric Hinds, an incumbent who lost his bid for re-election after he had been at the center of a scandal over his push for an artificial turf field in town. Despite having the backing of the Monmouth County Republican Committee, Hinds and Liu lost to a pair of independent candidates, Cathy Weber and Prakash Santhana, in an electoral upset that Hinds opponents and Lius lawsuit said had been propelled by the scandal. While Weber was clearly the first-place finisher in the balloting and Hinds was the low vote-getter, the initial election night tally put Santhana ahead of Liu by just two votes, or roughly one tenth of one percent. A subsequent count incorporating mail-in and provisional ballots then flipped the lead to Liu, by three votes, followed by recount requested by Santhana, which gave him back a two-vote lead, which is where the tally remained when Santhana was sworn into a three-year term in January. The last count gave Weber 2,166 votes; Santhana 2,087; Liu 2,085; and Hinds 2,066. Former Mayor Eric Hinds and former Board of Education member Chiung-Lin Cheng Liu of Holmdel ran together for township committee in 2019 with the backing of the Monmouth County Republican Committee. They lost after Hinds was embroiled in a controversy over an aborted turf field project, but Liu is suing for a review of the vote.Holmdel Republican Party As mayor in 2019, Hinds directed work to begin on construction of a $2.1 million artificial turf field without formal approval by the full committee, an effort that resulted in the resignation of of the township administrator and a censure of Hinds by a majority faction of the committee. A lawsuit by Hinds to reverse the censure vote on grounds it was not properly advertised was dismissed by a Superior Court judge last month. Lius lawsuit, which was filed in December and amended last month, notes that on Dec. 5, with Liu up by three votes, the Monmouth County Board of Elections conducted a recheck of voting machines and recount of mail-in and provisional ballots, resulting in a net gain of three votes for Liu and a net gain of eight votes for Santhana, putting him ahead by two votes. The change was the result of various decisions by the board, including the voiding of a provisional ballot for Liu that was ruled an overvote because the voter had not only checked off Lius name, but also wrote her name in the personal choice write-in selection, according to the suit. Despite the fact that the voters intent was clear, the BOE improperly voided this provisional ballot as an overvote, which should have been counted, the suit states. The suit said another ballot, on which boxes for both Hinds and Liu were checked, was only counted as a vote for Hinds, because the voter had also written an X next to Lius name, which was then erroneously interpreted as a cancellation of the vote for Liu, even though, the X placed on the ballot did not obstruct anything. In some cases, the suit says, mail-in ballots were improperly rejected because the voters signature on the ballot did not match the signature on the vote-by-mail application. In one case, the suit said, the application had been signed in 2016, at least three years earlier. Some mail-in ballots were rejected because they were postmarked after the election, even though they had been mailed days before. The suit calls this, a clear error committed by USPS, referring to the United States Postal Service, though the Postal Service is not a defendant in the suit. The defendants include Monmouth County Superintendent of Elections Mary Desarno, the Monmouth County Board of Elections, County Clerk Christine Hanlon, Holmdel Township Clerk Wendy Patrovich, and Santhana. Desarno, Hanlon and Patrovich are named in their official capacities as election officials, and like Lius closest opponent in the race, Santhana, they are not accused of any specific impropriety, an accusation reserved for the board of elections as a body. A lawyer for Hanlon did not respond to requests for comment. Desarno and the Board of Elections, who operate under New Jersey election statutes collectively known as Title 19, are represented by the state Attorney Generals Office, where spokesman Leland Moore declined to comment on the suit. A lawyer for Patrovich, Matthew Moench, also had no comment, other than to say that Patrovich had been named merely as a formality. Santhana said in a phone interview that his campaign had done nothing improper and that he was confident any court review would again put his vote total above Lius. Santhana said he had hired his own lawyer, but he noted that Hanlon, Desarno and the elections board, and Patrovich were being represented by government lawyers paid by the public. I think its baseless, Santhana said of the suit. I also think its frivolous, because its costing the taxpayers of Holmdel and Monmouth County. Holmdel Township Committeeman Prakash Santana, elected in November by a margin of two votes, was named in a lawsuit by an opposing candidate, Chiung-Lin Cheng Liu, seeking to erase his margin in a review of the voting.Holmdel Township Santhanas lawyer, Rajvir Goomer, said the elections board had rejected votes for his client as well as Liu, and he said Santhanas two-vote margin of victory could be even larger if a judge is consistent when restoring or rejecting more votes. You cant just be selective in what votes you want counted, said Goomer, noting that he and his client had filed counter-claims insuring that all votes would be held to the same standards. The suit was amended last month to add the names of eight people it asserts had cast ballots illegally because they were not residents of Holmdel. One of those named was the son of Committeeman Rocco Pascucci, who was among the committee members who voted to censure Hinds over the turf field incident in October and then joined with Weber, Santhana and Mayor Gregory Buontempo in January to approve local laws intended to prevent a similar episode in the future. The committeemans son, who is also named Rocco Pascucci, cast a vote in the election but does not reside in Holmdel, the suit states. Mr. Pascucci has resided in the State of New York for more than six months preceding the election, the suit adds. Therefore, Mr. Pascucci was not eligible to vote in the election. The younger Pascucci did not respond to a request for comment made through his father, though the older Pascucci defended his sons vote. The committeeman, a pediatrician, said his son was a recent medical school graduate who has been serving his hospital residency at Albany Medical Center in the New York State capital. Even so, the father said, his son maintained his legal residence at their familys home in Holmdel. This is his address of record," Pascucci said. "This is where he votes. And this is where he gets notices for jury duty. Asked about suit, Hinds said he would limit his comments to the Pascucci vote, which indicated to him that in at least one case, voter fraud had been committed. He has lived there for a long time, Hinds said. Hes 35 years old. Under no law that Im aware of is he allowed to vote in Holmdel. The amended complaint does not specify out-of-town addresses of voters accused of casting improper votes, nor does it cite evidence supporting the accusations. But Lius lawyer, Richard Sanvenero, said that would all come out during the suits discovery phase. Sanvenero acknowledged his adversarys point that, if the validity of all votes are judged by the same standards, the review being sought could end up increasing Lius margin of defeat rather than erasing it. Its a very real possibility, Sanvernero said. But, he added, the main point of the suit is to see that every proper vote is counted, and the improper ones are not. Were here to make sure that a fair election is happening, he said. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. The industrial wearable devices market is expected to grow by USD 3.44 billion during 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/20200303005402/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Industrial Wearable Devices Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) The growing need to remain connected has led to an increase in demand for more connected products. IoT is one such avenue that captures data from the surrounding stimuli and ensures that various products are connected. IoT and smart products have also created new channels to add business value. One such channel is the creation of industrial wearables. Connected devices such as smart glasses, wrist computers, ring scanners, and wearable scanners are types of common industrial wearables that are used by industrial workers across various end-user industries. Thus, the growth of the global IoT market is a major driver of the global industrial wearable devices 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=IRTNTR40545 As per Technavio, the customization of industrial wearable devices 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. Industrial Wearable Devices Market: Customization of Industrial Wearable Devices A key trend that is expected to pick up during the forecast period is the ability of vendors to customize industrial wearable devices as per the requirements of end-users. Vendors are designing and developing products that focus on utility rather than hardware specifications, which could be standardized across products in the future. For instance, Atheer, a software platform provider, offers customized software for integration with smart glasses. The major customers of Atheer include Epson, and Vuzix. Apart from smart glass manufacturers, other device manufacturers are expected to cater to this trend and offer customized devices based on requirement. "Factors such as the emergence of Industry 4.0, and the augmented use of wearable scanners across industries will have a positive impact on the growth of the industrial wearable devices market value 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 Industrial Wearable Devices Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the industrial wearable devices market by product (wrist computers, ring scanners, smart terminals and smart glasses), application (warehouse management, training and simulation and service and maintenance), end-user (transportation and logistics, retail, manufacturing, healthcare and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America and South America). The North American region led the industrial wearable devices market in 2019, followed by Europe, APAC, South America and MEA. During the forecast period, the North American region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to factors such as the increase in the number of construction activities and the introduction of barcode scanners in warehousing and storage facilities. 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: Product Wrist computers Ring scanners Smart terminals Smart glasses Application Warehouse management Training and simulation Service and maintenance End-user Transportation and logistics Retail Manufacturing Healthcare Others Geographic Segmentation APAC Europe MEA North America South America 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005402/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/ On February 29, a leap day, the United States (US) took a leap of faith by formalising an agreement with the Taliban in Qatars capital Doha, agreeing to terms of withdrawal of Americas 19-year-long war in the country, which cost the lives of over 2,000 US soldiers, and nearly $900 billion. Perhaps not in their wildest dreams had the American leadership over the past two decades expected this photo-op, where US Special Representative for Afghanistan, ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, sat at the same table, in front of the world, and shook hands with the Taliban, agreeing to a gradual withdrawal of US troops and their allies. The details of the agreement between the US and the Taliban are in public for all to see, and it was recognised for some time now that the Taliban went into these negotiations with an upper hand. The Afghan government, from the start, was not part of the negotiations, putting the Afghan peoples representation incidental to their own future. The Taliban had started to pave the way for their own resurrection sensing two main trends, that both the detractors and supporters of the anti-Taliban campaign had reached an exhaustion point. Both camps, while disagreeing with each other, agreed that this was an unwinnable war. However, most discussions on this issue have ranged around what this means for the US, the Taliban and the Afghan people, and rightly so. Nonetheless, South Asia, and the larger West Asian region, will ultimately endure a large part of both the success and failure of this agreement, and an imminent US withdrawal. While a lot would ride on the intra-Afghan dialogue, slated to start on March 10, the agreement says that the Taliban will start these negotiations with Afghan sides, not specifically mentioning the Afghan government. Two days after the deal, the Taliban already seems to be preparing for hostilities against the Afghan armed forces once again. A larger question that now arises is how do other groups, the likes of al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), both of whom having strongholds in Afghanistan, view the said deal? The expected reactions will, in all likelihood, be in the form of packaging of this deal as a victory of the mujahedeen over the US, a narrative that may resonate as a song of a historic triumph for decades to come for Islamist groups and jihadist movements. The Taliban, and its leaders, since its inception in 1994, have had a rich history of supporting al-Qaeda, giving bayats (pledge of allegiance) to its leadership under both Osama bin Laden, and his successor, and current leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. However, the deal signed by the US mentions al-Qaeda only in passing, and has stronger language dedicated to the US starting work towards removing Taliban members from the United Nations sanctions list. Moreover, the Taliban has provided next to no proof of any significant operations or manoeuvres over the past few months of specifically targeting al-Qaeda leaders or infrastructures to showcase its sincerity. The Talibans word, without any quantifiable proof, leads the charge in this deal. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an on-and-off part of al-Qaeda in the Syrian civil war used lines from Osama bin Ladens 2002 Letter to the American people document to eulogies the vision of the late Taliban chief, Mullah Omar. God has promised us victory, and Bush has promised us defeat. Well see which promise is more truthful, Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid, may God have mercy on him said an online release by the group in reaction to the deal, celebrating it as a victory of bin Ladens wisdom and vision. Even through fractures among jihadist groups in Afghanistan and beyond, the reading of the deal and an impending total withdrawal of American forces would be seen as a significant victory for Islamist jihad. Meanwhile, it is possible that dissenters within Taliban in numbers will switch sides to ISIS Khorasan. The effects of the same for the likes of India could be significant. While India attended the US -Taliban deal signing as an observer, and foreign secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, made a sprint to Kabul to meet President Ashraf Ghani, the fact remains that India was a self-designed observer in almost the entire process, choosing to sit in the stands, and having little say in the actual game. On the other hand, Pakistan may come off as a big winner, despite suggestions that an end to the Afghan conflict may see Washington distance itself from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. India may only be adding weight behind the Afghan government, but the Talibans very being comes from within Pakistan, for which Afghanistan is a critical battleground against Indian influence. Much depends on the successful progression of the US-Taliban deal. However, in the short-term, it is the upcoming US presidential elections and President Donald Trumps bid for a second term that will benefit the most. However, as it stands today, it does not seem unfathomable that over the next few years the Taliban may be able to form a government, being back in control of Kabul, and sit in a parliament building built by India and inaugurated by an Indian prime minister. Kabir Taneja is a fellow, Strategic Studies Programme, Observer Research Foundation The views expressed are personal Awards First Grant to The Angel Fund, a Boston-based Nonprofit Supporting ALS Research NORTH READING, Massachusetts, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceLink Inc., a network-based platform company with the world's largest integrated digital supply network for life sciences, today announced the launch of its global Corporate Social Responsibility Program, with focused initiatives around community service, contributions to philanthropic causes through corporate grants, and providing an environment that fosters positive social value for its 570+ employees. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Program, TraceLink has committed to contributing $100,000 annually, awarded to organizations making significant strides in healthcare and STEM education, as well as environmental and community-related issues around the globe. TraceLink's first beneficiary is The Angel Fund, a Boston-based independent non-profit charity dedicated to supporting ALS research at the Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research at UMass Medical School by raising funds through events, grants, and community outreach activities. The $20,000 grant from TraceLink will aid in the Angel Fund's continued mission and commitment to helping aid scientific investigations aimed at finding a cure for ALS. "At TraceLink, we make it our mission every day to make the world safer and healthier through our technology, but know there is always opportunity to do more," said Shabbir Dahod, president and CEO at TraceLink. "Through our corporate social responsibility program, we hope to help in positively influencing and impacting people and patients, such as those impacted by ALS, both here in our own community and on a global scale." "Many people and families around the world have been tremendously affected by ALS and have lost loved ones to this horrific disease," said Rich Kennedy, ALS patient and president of The Angel Fund. "Today's research is more progressive and promising than ever before, and we are very grateful for TraceLink's support. This grant will help us continue our mission, and hopefully find a cure to ensure that no one else has to experience the impact of this illness." TraceLink's Corporate Social Responsibility program also includes an emphasis on employee volunteerism. Employees in all five TraceLink offices (Massachusetts, New York, London, Singapore, and India) will be granted one full work day to volunteer at an organization of their choice, amounting to more than 4,500 hours of employee time to potentially be donated in 2020. Applications for TraceLink Corporate Grant Program are ongoing and can be submitted online. For more information on the program and to submit an application, please visit https://tracelink.com/corporate-social-responsibility. About TraceLink TraceLink is a network-based platform company that leverages its digital supply network and digital network platform to bend the supply chain around the patient. Through its industry-leading digital supply network, the TraceLink Digital Network Platform can enable seamless data sharing and process orchestration across the entire healthcare industry, enabling the creation of a real-time, patient-driven supply network. Leading life science companies, hospitals and retail pharmacies trust TraceLink to deliver complete global connectivity, visibility and traceability of pharmaceuticals, ensuring that every patient gets the medicines they need, when they need them, safely and securely. For more information on TraceLink and our solutions, visit www.tracelink.com. TraceLink is funded by Georgian Partners, Willett Advisors LLC, Vulcan Capital, Goldman Sachs, FirstMark Capital, Volition Capital and F-Prime Capital. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004729/TraceLink_Logo.jpg Apples major supply-chain partner Foxconn has announced that it expects production to go back to its full capacity in China by the end of March. Nonetheless, the company expects a 15% decline in its revenue in the first quarter due to the virus outbreak. Foxconn first extended the lunar New Year Holiday of its factory workers due to the coronavirus outbreak. After that, since the outbreak expanded and Wuhan was shut down, many Foxconn workers were wary of returning to work. This impacted production as Foxconns factories were slow to resume production. Since Foxconn is one of the key suppliers of Apple, the stock of various Apple products has been affected due to the extended shutdown. Apple acknowledged that the iPhone supply was constrained worldwide and it expects it to return to normal only in Q2. Foxconns Chairman Liu Young-Way said that the impact of the virus on its supply chain was not that great. The companys co-operation with suppliers will also provide a cushion against the rise in some component prices. Foxconn factories returning to its full capacity should be good news for Apple as it could allow the company to go ahead and launch the iPhone 9 later this month. Our Take It is still unclear as to how the coronavirus outbreak will impact the launch of the iPhone 12 later this year. Apple engineers tend to travel to China at the beginning of the year to work on new iPhone launches for later this year. However, most companies and countries have imposed a travel ban on their employees due to the virus. This could push back the mass production of the iPhone by a few weeks to a month depending on how long the shut down in China is in place. [Via Reuters Veteran Alliance Party MLA Trevor Lunn has quit the party, saying that an "irreconcilable internal problem" was the reason for his sudden departure. Mr Lunn will remain as an independent MLA in Lagan Valley and said he did not want to "get into a slanging match" following his resignation. The news was confirmed by the Alliance Party, which announced "Trevor Lunn's resignation from the party and intention to remain as an independent MLA". A spokesperson for the party said: "We are sad to learn of Trevor's resignation. "Party leader Naomi Long MLA met Mr Lunn, but the reasons for his resignation remain unclear. "He had said for some time he intended to stand down from politics at the next election. "It is sad he has chosen to end his political career outside the Alliance family. "We recognise his contribution to the party. We wish him well for the future." The MLA has since expressed surprise at the timing of the Alliance statement, but confirmed that he had resigned from the party and would be remaining as an independent MLA. He said: "I'm a bit surprised that they've released it quite so quickly." But he added that the party was "wrong" to say that the reasons for his resignation were "unclear". Mr Lunn, who has been an MLA for almost 13 years, said: "The party can say what it likes," but added: "I don't want to get into a slanging match with them." Mr Lunn said there had been an "irreconcilable internal problem". When asked if there was any dispute on policy or if it was other issues such as constituency or personality clashes, he said there was no policy dispute. Mr Lunn (73) has been MLA for Lagan Valley since 2007 and is a former Mayor of Lisburn. Late last year, he apologised after video footage was posted on social media appearing to show him slapping a dog while on a visit to a dog walking club. Replying to an angry response on social media, he said he was an animal lover and would be mortified if people thought he "struck a dog deliberately". He previously made headlines for backing gay marriage after having voiced his opposition for a period of time. In July 2018, he paid tribute to the NHS after a stay in hospital. Mr Lunn took over the Alliance candidacy for Lagan Valley from Seamus Close, the long-time representative for the area. At the time it was predicted that Alliance would struggle to hold on to the seat, but Mr Lunn's performance saw the new candidate elected fourth out of the six seats available. In the 2017 Assembly election, Mr Lunn received over 6,000 first preference votes, the third highest in Lagan Valley. Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (18) House minority leader Kevin McCarthy compares big tech censorship to China's social score system Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland While speaking at the 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California compared big tech censorship of conservatives to the social score system that the Chinese government uses to persecute political and religious dissidents. McCarthy joined Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Donald Trump Jr. and Amber Athey of Spectator USA in participating in a panel discussion on the right path forward for big tech. The panel comes as conservatives have for years complained about how social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have censored their content or taken negative action against their accounts for voicing political or religious beliefs at odds with far-left and progressive viewpoints. The social media giants have been accused of shadow banning and demonetizing conservatives' accounts as well as censoring posts they deem as hateful. Did you see what recently was leaked by Twitter, what they are going to do next? McCarthy asked. They are going to allow liberal activists to determine whether your [post] is harmful or not. Its like Chinas social scoring. McCarthy was referencing an NBC News report of a leaked Twitter demo suggesting that the platform is experimenting with a new feature that would label tweets from certain politicians or public figures as misinformation. Under one iteration of the system, according to NBC News, Twitter users could earn points and a community badge if they contribute in good faith and act like a good neighbor" as well as "provide critical context to help people understand the information they see." Twitters demo used a McCarthy tweet from last September as an example. [Twitter] took an article I put up from The Federalist. They allowed these liberal activists to say this was harmful and wrong. Do you know why? Because we called out the whistleblower, McCarthy explained. Somehow that was wrong. They are letting these socialist ideas to be able to control what we are doing. That is whats wrong. If they control so much of the market and they say, it is just an algorithm, a human writes the algorithm. By comparison, Chinas social credit system is a high-tech system that tracks citizens social actions and awards points based on whether their actions and beliefs are in line with the communist government. The system utilizes advanced surveillance technology to track citizens behaviors. In fact, religious freedom expert David Curry of Open Doors USA warned in January that China is creating a system of persecution for the future that can be sold to other authoritarian governments such as Iran. Did you know in China that if you are a citizen of China and you want to buy an airline ticket or a train ticket, you can have the money and you could go to the stand and what they say is, Well, lets first look at your social score, McCarthy explained. Everybody has a social score. Its what you said and what the government thinks is right or wrong. Thats what they are training everybody else. That is what they are trying to do on Twitter to us now with what we say [to determine if] it is right or wrong. And, they are letting the liberals decide it, the 55-year-old congressman added. More importantly, Google is now working with the Chinese government. I think Google now does not view itself as an American company. They think they are a company of the world. Hawley, a conservative attorney who was elected to office in 2018, criticized big tech giants for pursuing partnerships with the Chinese government to help it establish its state of extreme surveillance. He said Google was the worst offender. It really speaks to the fact that at heart that these companies have an authoritarian streak, Hawley said. They want to control our speech in this country. They want to control what we say and dont say. In China, thats their whole point of view. Thats what they want to do. Its a natural fit. Trump, the oldest son of the president who has faced his own social media issues over the years, warned that big tech is working with the political left to dictate and manipulate culture. [B]ig tech is more comfortable working with China to allow them, a dictatorial regime, essentially to do whatever it is that they want with [users personal data], Trump said. But in America, they wont give people who want to express their religious freedoms that same platform. It is truly scary. The dichotomy there is almost asinine. The panelists also criticized big tech companies for selling users personal data. Lets put a fine point on what I think we have a right to demand from these big tech companies. That is you ought to be able to say: I want all of my personal information back from Facebook or Google or whoever. And for your kids also, Hawley said. I have two little boys at home. My wife and I think about this every day what are these tech companies [doing] if my kids have toys that connect to the internet or they watch something on TV or they download a program on a tablet. You dont think that Google and Facebook are keeping track of them. I want the right, as a parent, and you deserve the right to say, I want my kids data back. I want it deleted. I want to control it. I want to raise my own kids, not big tech. Hawley added that if people get discriminated against or suppressed unfairly by social media companies they should have the ability to sue. We ought to be able to say, We have rights here, Hawley said. We ought to be able to say, Why are you doing that? Last year, Hawley proposed legislation that would remove the immunity that protects big tech companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google from liability for the content users post on their platforms. Hawleys bill would enable big tech companies to earn immunity if they show through audits that their algorithms and content removal policies are politically neutral. We got to get to a place where we say, Listen, we want to be treated fairly, Hawley said. Conservatives shouldnt be shut out of the marketplace of ideas. We should not be shut down. Live Action should not be taken off of Facebook or censored on Twitter. We got to make sure that we get the fair treatment everybody else does. On Wednesday, a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Google-owned video-sharing platform YouTube can legally censor conservative content because it is not bound by the First Amendment because it is a private forum. U Super Tuesday 2020: What is it and why is it so important in the US presidential election? Larry Sanders, Mr Sanderss brother, who lives in the UK and is the health and social care spokesman for the Green Party, voted in Oxford on Tuesday. Mr Sanders told reporters outside the polling station that he believes his brother is running on very mainstream policies. Fellow Sanders voters chanted and held placards as they joined held placards aloft and chanted as they joined Elizabeth Warren and Mr Bloomberg supporters outside the London voting centre, which was decorated for the occasion with red, white and blue balloons. Sarah Lansberry, 34, said while she is backing Elizabeth Warren, she trusts that any of the Democratic candidates could beat Mr Trump. Ms Lansberry, a Seattle native, said: Theyre all polling great against him so I think theres no qualms there. If youre a Bernie supporter, a Warren supporter, a Biden supporter theyre all going to smash it. I think people are genuinely fed up [of Trump]. Democrats Abroad UK chairwoman Inge Kjemtrup said she can recall the pretty much awful moment she realised Mr Trump had won the presidency in 2016. After that, some people wanted to fold in on themselves, but my impulse was to get active immediately afterwards, she said. Im very hopeful about 2020, I think I kind of have to be. But I also think theres a very, very strong will [to defeat Trump]. The constant financial straits in which the state finds itself must certainly be frustrating to many in the Legislature. There must be a constant search for new sources of revenue without the need for additional taxes on already overburdened taxpayers. A new bill takes a novel approach. Bill A1126 would allow certain state agencies to sell advertisements on agencies websites as pilot program. The bill requires that the advertisements (be) consistent with the business mission of the agency and include a disclaimer indicating that the inclusion of advertisements does not imply endorsement by the state. This practice would certainly raise revenue, but even with a disclaimer the bill still presents certain ethical issues. Imagine if H&R Block purchased a large display ad on the Division of Taxation website. Even with a disclaimer present, a casual observer will easily associate the firm with the mission of that division to the disadvantage of other tax preparation firms. The same applies to an AAA ad on a Department of Transportation page, or a Capital One ad on the Department of Banking page. Maybe a bail bondsman ad on the Department of Corrections page. I applaud the out-of-the-box thinking, but Im afraid new solutions need to be found. Robert Checchio, Dunellen Time to dethrone King Murphy Hanging on my wall is a framed document that reads Honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States. I entered the Army and was discharged from the Army while my family lived in New Jersey. I had always thought that New Jersey was one of the 50 states that make up the Union. Right now I am not so sure. We have a governor who acts like a king. National laws notwithstanding, he has set his own immigration laws, climate protocol, gun control laws, drivers licenses, legal and tuition assistance for unauthorized immigrants and more. He acts like he is the potentate of a small country. Where did this governor get a mandate to do the things he is doing? It is unconscionable that the federal government has to sue New Jersey to obey federal law. The law-abiding, taxpayer citizens of this state must now pay for the arrogance of this governor, who wants to break from the rest of the Union and make New Jersey a sanctuary state. Gov. Phil Murphy should be recalled and sent back to Massachusetts, where all these self-proclaimed elitists emerge. Richard A. Pender, North Brunswick Sanders would be a big mistake for Dems I share columnist Tom Morans fear (Please, Democrats: Not Bernie) that if the Democratic Party nominates Bernie Sanders as its presidential candidate, we are doomed to four more years of the most vile human ever to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Sanders knows that his radical policies of free college for all, the cancellation of all student loan debt (what happens to the lenders?) and free health insurance for all would never have a chance of actually being enacted and if they did pass, they would cost taxpayers dearly, as Moran points out. Thus, Sanders candidacy must be viewed as simply an elderly gentlemans vanity trip, similar to that of Ralph Nader which resulted in the horrible eight years of George W. Bush. Four more years of Donald Trump as president would be an existential threat to our very way of life in this country. The Democrats must exert some common sense and coalesce around a centrist candidate. Bill Gottdenker, Mountainside 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. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 18:15:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 612 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Birmingham, Alabama based accounting firm Warren Averett, LLC is pleased to welcome Jeff Plank, CVA, CEPA, MBA, to the firm's Atlanta office. Plank will join the team as a Principal in the Consulting Division. Warren Averett is one of the largest accounting firms in the Southeastern region, ranking among the top 35 firms in the United States. Those interested in learning more about Warren Averett are welcome to view the company Facebook page.Jeff Plank will bring 15 years of public accounting experience as a business advisor to Warren Averett. Before public accounting, he held senior finance positions in various industries, including banking, telecommunications and technology. Plank's practice areas include business valuation, litigation support, transaction advisory and strategy consulting for midmarket companies. He has expertise in serving numerous industries, including construction and real estate, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, nonprofit, professional services, retail and consumer, technology and life sciences and transportation. Plank is a Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Accredited Mindshop Facilitator.Plank holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He serves as a board member for Community Consulting Teams and the West Point Society of Atlanta. Plank is also actively involved with Bunker Labs and FourBlock, both helping prepare Veterans to achieve their career goals."We are extremely excited to welcome Jeff to the Warren Averett team," says Kim Hartsock, Managing Member of Warren Averett's Atlanta office. "Given his experience and special industry expertise, I am confident he will enhance the value that we offer our clients." Warren Averett's Atlanta office is situated at 6 Concourse Pkwy #600, Concourse Corporate Center 6 Atlanta, GA 30328. Being one of the United States' top 35 accounting firms, and with over 800 employees and 311 CPAs firm-wide, Warren Averett is able to offer depth and experience in a variety of industries to its clients. The company offers multiple services within its six solution groups. These include traditional accounting, corporate advisory, risk, security and technology, HR solutions, finance team support and personal services.In addition to the Birmingham, Alabama office and the office in Atlanta, the firm has offices in Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Cullman, Anniston and Foley, Alabama; Panama City, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Tampa, Florida; and affiliate offices in Houston, Texas and the Cayman Islands.The third-largest practice area in the firm, Warren Averett's Financial Services Practice Group, is made up of professionals who have dedicated their careers to help banks, credit unions, insurance companies, broker-dealers and other financial institutions thrive. By staying ahead of industry trends and technical, regulatory changes, this group of seasoned experts works to ensure financial services institutions can save money and plan for the future while staying compliant."At Warren Averett, we are dedicated to seeing our clients thrive. We are very proud to have the industry and service expertise to help our clients succeed by accomplishing what's important to them. Whether it's audit compliance and tax planning or technology consulting and HR solutions, we have the capacity to help by listening to your needs and offering solution-based ideas." Those who want to learn more about Warren Averett and the various services they provide are welcome to browse the company's website. Additionally, the company encourages interested parties to contact the Atlanta office directly via phone or the contact form on their website. Warren Averett also maintains a presence on Facebook, where the firm frequently posts updates and share blog posts.###For more information about Warren Averett, contact the company here:Warren AverettKaitlyn Ryan205-769-32272500 Acton Road #200 Birmingham, AL 35243SOURCE: Warren Averett Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- The global Pheromones Market covered a value of US$ 1.92 Bn in the year 2017 and is expected to reach US$ 6.21 Bn by 2025. This information was published in a report, titled "Pheromones Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Product Type (Sex Pheromones, Aggregation Pheromones), Function (Mating Disruption, Detection and Monitoring, Mass Trapping), Mode Of Application (Traps, Sprayers, Dispensers), By Crop (Field Crops, Orchard Crops, Vegetables) and Geography Forecast Till 2025." As per the report, the global market for agricultural pheromones is anticipated to exhibit a significant CAGR of 15.86% over the forecast years. A lead analyst said, "Pheromones are chemical molecules which act as a bridge for communication among several insects in the field". He added, "This further helps to grow the crop production in a healthy and an efficient manner." List of the leading players operating in the global Pheromones Market are - Biobest - Syngenta - ISAGRO - Suterra - Provivi - Russell IPM - Bedoukian Research - BioPhero - Pherobank - Laboratorios Agrochem - Troy Biosciences - Exosect - Pacific Biocontrol Corporation To Gain More Insights into the Market with Detailed Table of Content and Figures, Click Here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/agricultural-pheromones-market-100071 Aggregation Pheromones to Emerge as the Dominant Product Type Aggregation pheromones accounts for a major share in the global Pheromones Market. These type of pheromones attract both female and male insects, controlling the insect pests on a large scale. This is one of the primary factors fueling demand for aggregation pheromones. Among crop types, orchard crops are expected to lead and cover a higher value in the global Pheromones Market. These crops offer beneficial results in controlling insect pests by using pheromones. North America to Lead the Global Market Owing to Rising Adoption of Agricultural Pheromones North America is projected to emerge dominant and exhibit higher growth rate in the global Pheromones Market during the forecast period. The rising demand for several fruit and field crops such as pears, apples, peaches, and cotton may create impressive growth opportunities in the global market. In addition to this, increasing awareness about the use of such crops is likely to benefit the Pheromones Market in this region. The market in Asia Pacific is projected to report swift growth in the years to come. This is attributable to the growing use of agricultural pheromones in most of the countries in this region. The rising demand for exporting agricultural products from Brazil and China may increase the usage of agricultural pheromones in upcoming years. Rising Need for Sustainable Agriculture to Bode Well for the Market Sustainable agriculture is the need of the hour. The rising adoption of integrated pest management practices or IPM helps to ensure sustainability, thus driving the market. Another factor fueling the demand for agricultural pheromone chemicals is increasing food consumption in developed and developing countries. In addition to this, advancements in technologies such as remote sensing monitoring, are projected to open new growth opportunities for the Pheromones Market. Request a Sample Copy of the Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/agricultural-pheromones-market-100071 https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/agricultural-pheromones-market-100071 This technology is intended to effectively monitor crops and prevent them from pests. Also, rising awareness about precision agricultural systems is expected to contribute to the growth of agricultural pheromones. Farmers are becoming aware about the adverse effects of biological or chemical pesticides, which in turn, will result in the rising demand for natural alternatives. This is expected to further boost the Pheromones Market in the years to come. Rapid advancements in biotechnology are likely to pave way for new agricultural pheromone products. Product Launches to Strengthen Product Portfolio will Enable Market Gain Traction Between 2014 and 2017, mergers and acquisitions and product launches were the most significant strategies adopted by companies. These strategies were implemented to gain higher access to the Pheromones Market. Now, companies are focusing on developing eco-friendly agricultural pheromone products to gain competitive edge. Some of the leading players operating in the global Pheromones Market are Biobest, Syngenta, ISAGRO, Suterra, Provivi, Inc., Russell IPM, Bedoukian Research, BioPhero, Pherobank, Laboratorios Agrochem, Troy Biosciences, Exosect, and Pacific Biocontrol Corporation. Syngenta launched a meso pheromone called Cidetrak EGVM in Chile in November 2018. This pheromone product helped to control European grapevine moth. Major Table of Content: - Introduction o Research Scope o Market Segmentation o Research Methodology o Definitions and Assumptions - Executive Summary - Market Dynamics o Market Drivers o Market Restraints o Market Opportunities - Key Insights o Overview of Agrochemicals Use Trend For Key Countries o Supply Chain Analysis o Recent Industry Developments - Mergers & Acquisitions and New Product Launches o Agricultural Pheromones Patent Analysis - Global Pheromones Market in Agricultural Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2014-2025 o Key Findings / Summary o Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Type ? Sex Pheromones ? Aggregation Pheromones ? Others o Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Function ? Mating Disruption ? Detection and Monitoring ? Mass Trapping o Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Mode of Application ? Traps ? Sprayers ? Dispensers o Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Crop ? Field Crops ? Orchard Crops ? Vegetables ? Others o Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Geography ? North America ? Europe ? Asia Pacific ? South America ? Middle East & Africa TOC Continued: Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/agricultural-pheromones-market-100071 Donald Trump spoke with the leader of the Taliban on Tuesday, the first disclosed talks between an American leader and a head of the group since the Afghanistan war began shortly after 9/11. The president announced the telephone conversation during another South Lawn gaggle with reporters without saying Hibatullah Akhundzadas name. But he did state clearly that he spoke with the groups leader. I had a very good talk with the leader of the Taliban, Mr Trump said three days after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense, on his behalf, signed what has been described as a peace deal with the group that once governed Afghanistan but was ousted by the US after 9/11 for harboring al-Qaeda. We've agreed there's no violence. We don't want violence, the US commander in chief said before falling back on his preferred verbal crutch when hes unsure how a matter of foreign affairs will play out. We'll see what happens, he said. They're dealing with Afghanistan. But we'll see what happens. That statement appeared to mean senior Afghanistan government and Taliban officials are talking about next steps. The two sides continue to fight despite the peace pact. Mr Trump says the pact calls for drawing down US forces in Afghanistan to several thousands later this year, with a final decision on whether to bring them all out coming sometime next year, likely by April. That means a Democratic American president could be handed that decision. Mr Trump, when questioned at NIH by reporters, declined to say whether it was his first conversation with Mr Akhundzada. Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - With five African countries now confirming at least one case of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) each, the Africa Regional Office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the virus is now "a reality" on the continent Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 19:09:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the progress on the COVID-19 vaccine and anti-body during his visit to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Public health security is a common challenge faced by humanity, and all countries should join hands to cope with it, Xi said, calling on countries to share research data and jointly work out response strategies. BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- As China is fighting a tough war against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored international cooperation in scientific research guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. Public health security is a common challenge faced by humanity, and all countries should join hands to cope with it, said Xi during an inspection in Beijing on Monday, calling on countries to share research data and jointly work out response strategies. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has actively cooperated and exchanged information with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries. According to a WHO-China Joint Mission on the COVID-19, full genome sequences of the new virus were shared with WHO and the international community immediately after the pathogen was identified on Jan. 7. "The epidemic is a devil. We will not let it hide," said Xi when meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Beijing on Jan. 28. Chinese researchers have also been actively sharing their latest study results and participating in international cooperation on diagnosis and effective treatments. After receiving the genome sequence of the virus from China, researchers in the United States were able to map the first 3D atomic-scale structure of a key 2019 novel coronavirus protein, making a breakthrough toward developing vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and diagnostics, according to a study published online in the journal Science in February. "Early data sharing really helps save lives," said Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium at the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Noting that the COVID-19 outbreaks have emerged in many countries, Xi on Monday said it is important to step up communication and exchange with the WHO and carry out scientific research cooperation on source tracing, drugs, vaccines, testing and other fields with other countries, especially those hit hard by the virus. The WHO-China joint mission, consisting of 25 experts from eight countries and the WHO, conducted a nine-day field study trip on COVID-19 last month in China's capital Beijing and several different provinces including Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak. The team made a range of findings on the transmissibility of the virus, the severity of the disease, and the impact of the measures taken. They offered 22 recommendations on COVID-19 control for affected and unaffected countries, the international community as well as the public. The Russian government also sent experts to China to work with their Chinese counterparts on epidemic response. Besides the government level, Chinese academics and the business community have also taken an active part in the international cooperation on COVID-19 scientific research. A team led by renowned Chinese respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan is working with foreign scientists on tracing of the virus source, its transmission routes as well as building of the animal model for experiments, among others. In late February, Jack Ma Foundation announced that it will provide 15 million yuan (around 2.1 million U.S. dollars) to support international cooperation on the development of antiviral drugs or antibodies to fight the epidemic. "To prevail over a disease that threatens all, unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon," Xi wrote in a reply to a letter from Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It looks like Google might soon learn a hard lesson, courtesy of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: Dont mess with Texas. In early September, Texas announced it would head an antitrust initiative against Google, with Paxton at the helm. The probe is now comprised of 50 state attorneys general, all questioning whether Google has engaged in anti-competitive behavior. The investigation plans to focus specifically on whether Google acted in a way that harms either its competitors or its consumers, particularly in the fields of internet search and advertising. Google has been criticized for unfairly controlling the exchanges where digital advertising is bought and sold, and targeting its opposition as a result. In fact, in 2019, an ad-tech company sued Google for blatant and rampant coercive and anti-competitive activities after Google maliciously and artificially (imposed) restrictions on how ads can be supported on its platform. That type of behavior potentially is a threat to consumers everywhere and Paxtons investigation seeks to uncover the tech giants practices. In response, Google has sought to obstruct the process, attempting to outlast the investigations will to continue. But Texas top law enforcement official isnt letting that happen. On Feb. 5, Paxton issued a stern warning to the tech giant: Its effort to delay the ongoing antitrust investigation wont be tolerated. In its most recent delay tactic, Google filed a motion seeking to prevent Texas from using the council of outside consultants. Google clearly wants to slow the investigation to a crawl a tactic the company has used to great effect in its countless battles over intellectual property. For years, the company has used the lengthy appellate system to wear down any resistance to its actions. Paxton knows this tactic has effectively become the companys standard operating procedure to advance its agenda. For example, in 2014, after getting walloped in the federal courts in a copyright battle over Oracles intellectual property, Google used its army of lawyers to extend the litigation process substantially. Rather than agree to the terms of Javas licensing agreement, which it initially asked for, Google merely copied the relevant portions of Java that it needed to create its own mobile operating system. Then Google attempted to claim its copying was both justified and legal. Google has sought to use its superior financial circumstances to buy itself more time and outlast its competition, engaging Oracle in extended litigation. Even after six years, the lawsuit continues to this day, with arguments to be heard in Google v. Oracle at the Supreme Court on March 24. Paxton recognizes that if Google is allowed to start delaying the attorneys generals investigative process for the antitrust probe, it wont stop and he doesnt seem keen to fall into that trap. We dont want to drag (the antitrust investigation) out. We want to get it going, Paxton explained. We dont want the technology to pass us by so that by the time we get to any resolution, it doesnt matter. Our attorney general is well aware of Googles history when it comes to litigation strategy. He well understands both the companys anti-competitive streak, as well as the tactics it utilizes to avoid responsibility. Google v. Oracle may have ultimately reached the Supreme Court after nearly two decades the last stop on the litigation train but Paxton is resolved not to let his investigation go that far. With a little help from our attorney general, Google may soon learn not to mess with Texas. Matt Mackowiak is president of Austin- and Washington, D.C.-based Potomac Strategy Group. ORLANDO, Fla., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For most non-accredited investors, the prospect of investing in a startup company not accessible through an exchange is virtually non-existent. Its traditionally the domain of a wealthy private class. But even if it werent, finding the right startup companies, evaluating their prospects for success, and investing in several of them at once for the purposes of diversification can be an onerous if not monumental endeavor. Addressing these hurdles, Digital Asset Monetary Network, Inc. or DigitalAMN (OTCMKTS: DATI), aims to smooth out the complexities of the startup and investment process as a Public Accelerator-Incubator (PAI)--supporting startup companies and making them accessible to regular non-accredited investors. DigitalAMN is an ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs with investors. Instead of having to work with a broker, investors can use a Federally-regulated online portal to begin investing in a company that is vetted by the very accelerator-incubator company thats supporting its operations. Heres a simplified way to look at it: One of the main challenges facing startup companies is getting access to investor capital. Likewise, one of the main challenges to investors of all classes is finding and evaluating affordable investments in the right startup companies. DigitalAMN, as a Public Accelerator-Incubator (PAI), works between the two: Helping startups increase their potential for success by providing a suite of business consultancy and marketing services along with startup investment capital while linking them to a network of investors; and Providing investors with detailed descriptions and valuations on the startup companies in their portfolio. In short, the PAI platform does more than just match one party to the next, it provides support for both parties, increasing the prospect of a Smart Money startup investment. As DigitalAMN CEO Ajene Watson describes: The PAI does much more than promote opportunities to invest in early-stage, high growth companies. Just about any crowdfunding platform and ICO (Initial Coin Offering) can do that. What the PAI does is promote those opportunities that most crowdfunding platforms and Initial Coin Offerings dont provide access to Smart Money startups. What is a Smart Money startup? It is a startup that didnt just raise money, but...is being supported by specific people. In short, the PAI model provides an extensive range of business support for startup companies and solid valuation models for investors interested in investing directly into these companies. DigitalAMN Makes These Investment Opportunities Widely Accessible to Public Investment The difference between a crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter and DigitalAMN is first and foremost, DigitalAMN provides business and financial support to each client on its platform; secondly its equity crowdfunding model allows investors to own shares of companys stock through Reg. CF or Reg. A+. As part of the JOBS Act, companies can offer to the general public not just accredited investors up to $1M and $50 million in Reg. CF and Reg A+, respectively. As CEO Ajene Watson says, The purpose of this vehicle is to promote equitable opportunities amongst investors of all classes. Everyone should have the ability to make money, at the same time, from the same exact investment opportunity. Is this a tall Order? Heck yes, it is. A Prospect for Investment in Startup Growth On May 9, 2019, DigitalAMN co-founded TruCrowd Services LLC, a Marketing Services Firm, with a focus on marketing Regulation A (Reg. A+) and Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg. CF) endeavors, for issuers looking to leverage the power of the crowd. TruCrowd is one among several Smart Money startups in DigitalAMNs PAI program. As an investment prospect, DigitalAMNs main revenue drivers are as follows: The appreciated value of its portfolio companies; Revenues from consultancies provided to each company; Liquidity events for each private venture; Revenues from the resale and repackaging of the companies products and services; and Revenue share with portfolio companies that contribute to the PAI ecosystem. For early investors interested in the prospect of investing in startups without having to vet each company via DigitalAMNs program, DigitalAMN shares (OTCMKTS: DATI) may serve as an ancillary and diversified opportunity to gain exposure not only to the companies in their portfolio but also to accelerator-incubator itself. As with every emerging investment, there is no guarantee for success in any single company. Hence, investing in DigitalAMN shares might be a more diversified way to potentially benefit from the companys entire portfolio and operation. As DigitalAMNs CEO Ajene Watson says, With the Public Accelerator Incubator, you have an opportunity to get in on the ground level in this and other Smart Money startups to claim your piece of the PAI. We agree that a ground level entry point to a basket of well-supported startups just might be a potentially attractive prospect. And at its current discounted price, the risk investors take also weighs upon the amount of shares they choose for their own personal portfolio allocation. At the very least, its an investment worth considering. About Digital Asset Monetary Network Digital Asset Monetary Network, Inc. (OTCMKTS: DATI) is the first company to utilize the Public Accelerator-Incubator (PAI) model, with the intent to follow the global success of accelerators and incubators around the world, adding niche opportunities to both the microcap and startup communities. As a PAI, Digital Asset Monetary Network will develop and acquire innovations that solve problems through digital platforms and other electronic applications. To learn more about DigitalAMN, visit their site at https://digitalamn.com/ About The Traders Times Report: The Traders Times Report is owned and operated by Emerging Markets Consulting (EMC), a group of investor relations consultants representing years of experience. Our network consists of stock brokers, investment bankers, fund managers, and institutions that actively seek opportunities in the micro and small-cap equity markets. For more informative reports such as this, please sign up at http://www.emergingmarketsllc.com/newsletter.php Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below. EMC has been paid $20,000 by Digital Asset Monetary Network, Inc. for various marketing services including this report. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked-to from this editorial. http://emergingmarketsllc.com/disclaimer.php Both Karnataka and Telangana stepped up efforts to track and bring people associated with a Bengaluru-based techie who tested positive for coronavirus in Hyderabad, making him the fourth confirmed case from south India Hyderabad/Bengaluru: The Telangana and Karnataka governments on Tuesday reviewed their Coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness after a Bengaluru-based man who travelled to Secunderabad tested positive for the infection, making him the fourth confirmed case from south India. Earlier, three positive cases were reported from Kerala but all of them were discharged later from hospitals on recovery. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man, who returned to Kerala from Malaysia on Monday, is under observation at the isolation ward of a government medical college hospital in Ernakulam district. Both Karnataka and Telangana declared that the health condition of the 24-year-old Bengaluru-based software professional had improved and he was stable, even as they stepped up efforts to track and bring people associated with him, including air passengers, under observation. The affected techie has been admitted to an isolation ward in the state-run Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad and is found to have come in contact with 88 people. He was in Dubai last month and worked with people from Hong Kong where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. From Dubai, he had returned to Bengaluru before travelling to Hyderabad in a bus. Budget carrier IndiGo said four of its crew members who were with the virus-infected passenger on a 20 February Dubai-Bengaluru flight were under observation at home since Monday. The condition of the man, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Hyderabad, is stable and the process of tracking people he came in contact with was on, Telangana health minister E Rajender said. "The health condition of the man, who works in Bengaluru as a software professional, has in fact shown improvement since Monday," he said after attending a meeting of a cabinet sub-committee which discussed measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus. Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu convened a meeting of top officials of his department in Bengaluru following information that the affected person had travelled from the city. A Karnataka health department official said all the passengers of the bus he had travelled in and his colleagues have been contacted and were under house-quarantine. Passengers who were with him on the flight from Dubai were also being contacted, even as people who worked with the techie have been asked to work from home. "I appeal to people not to fear or panic. The government, the health and family welfare department and medical education department have taken all precautionary measures," Sriramulu told reporters in Bengaluru. "We have taken precautionary measures at sea ports, airports and also conducting blood and required tests on people and tourists coming from other places," he said. The software engineer had been to Dubai last month on an official visit, where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. According to information received, the IT employee working in Bengaluru had gone to Dubai on 16 February, Sriramulu said. On his return at the airport in Hyderabad, he tested negative for COVID-19, the minister said. He then travelled to Hyderabad after staying in Bengaluru for a couple of days. He had developed fever thereafter, contacted doctors there and tested postive for the infection, Sriramulu said. A total of 23 people who travelled with him and his roommates have been screened and tests are being conducted as a precautionary measure, sources said. There were 92 flats in the apartment in which he was staying and tests and precautionary measures are being taken regarding all of them, the minister added. Medical education minister K Sudhakar said the firm where the virus-affected techie is employed has been informed and it will ask their employees to work from home. In Hyderabad, Health Minister Rajender said the family members of the virus-infected patient were doing fine. Earlier, Kerala had reported three confirmed cases of the virus but all of them were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. Telugu actress-producer Charmme Kaur has recently been criticised for sharing a TikTok video of herself welcoming deadly coronavirus in Delhi and Telangana. The Mass actress, in a TikTok video, laughed and said, "All the best, guys! You know why? Because Coronavirus has reached Delhi and Telangana. That's what I just heard of. Yes, Coronavirus has arrived." After the video went viral social media, netizens started trolling the actress for posting an insensitive video on a sensitive topic. Soon after facing backlash on social media, the iSmart Shankar producer deleted the video. Charmme Kaur realised her mistake and soon apologised on Twitter. In a tweet, Charmme wrote, "I have read all ur comments n I apologise for the video posted .. it was an act of immaturity for a very sensitive topic , n hence shall be carefull in my further reactions as it was of least knowledge to me the rounds it created .." I have read all ur comments n I apologise for the video posted .. it was an act of immaturity for a very sensitive topic , n hence shall be carefull in my further reactions as it was of least knowledge to me the rounds it created .. pic.twitter.com/mXT95O1tFL Charmme Kaur (@Charmmeofficial) March 2, 2020 Coronavirus has hit two major states in India. The government of Delhi and Telangana asked people to be safe from the deadly virus which has killed many people in China and other countries. Coming back to Charmme Kaur, the actress-producer is producing Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday's untitled pan-India project. Directed by Puri Jagannadh, the film is produced by Puri Connects and Dharma Productions. Gov. Charlie Baker speaks about the Covid-19 virus during a press conference Monday streamed by NECN. Officials Explain Steps Being Taken to Address Coronavirus NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Officials say Massachusetts is well positioned at this point at address any expansion in the state of Covid-19, a coronavirus that's killed more than 3,000 worldwide. "Massachusetts remains at low risk and has had only one confirmed case to date so far," said Gov. Charlie Baker in a press briefing in Boston on Monday afternoon. "Our top priority remains the health and safety of our residents." Appearing with Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Monica Bharel and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, the governor said the Department of Public Health has launched a website to apprise the public of news and updates on Covid-19 and the state has been working with the federal government, schools, local boards of health and medical facilities. Baker said he had participated in a conference call Monday with federal officials at the White House along with governors from across the country. "We were briefed on current travel restrictions that are posted on the CDC and Department of Homeland Security websites and provided in update on resources and supplies that are being stockpiled and made available necessary," the governor said. "So far our Department of Public Health has taken several strategic steps to respond to the corona virus and to help the public stay safe and prepare." Sudders said residents can take simple precautions: Thoroughly wash your hands in warm, soapy water often Don't touch your mouth, eyes or face Cover coughs and sneezes Clean frequently touched areas like doorknobs, table, switches and counters with household detergent Stay home if you feel sick Have a preparedness checklist ready Stay informed "We have been engaged in constant planning since January," she said. That's included ongoing talks with the Centers for Disease Control, as well as email messages and conference call updates with local boards of health, hospitals and community health centers, schools and school nurses, laboratories and long-term care physicians. "Communication with the general public is essential," Sudder added, pointing to the DPH fact sheet inserted into 17,000 Berkshire Eagle papers on Saturday and public messaging that would begin on roadway electronic boars and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. The state has reported 608 individuals who may been exposed to the virus of whom 377 have completed a two-week quarantine period and have shown no symptoms. Sudders said the one individual who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 was "recovering well." The outbreak has been traced to Wuhan, China, and has spread to some 60 countries now, including the United States. Six people have now died in Washington state and there are 18 confirmed cases there. Outside of China, from which travel is being restricted, some of the hotspots are now South Korea, Italy and Iran. A Pittsfield family of five who came from a low incidence area of China is currently "self-quarantined" after being cleared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Newton on Monday announced that 22 people, including 19 students, who traveled to Italy have been told not to attend school and asked to isolate themselves. Late Monday, there was the report of a second individual who tested positive after a trip to Italy. Flights from China have been rerouted to 11 airports in the United States. Logan International is not one of those airports but authorities are paying attention to passengers, Bharel said. "At the airport, there is a routine screening that is done to look for any individual who may appear sick or need further assistance and that screening is ongoing," she said. "At this time, the CDC guidance is to be aware. And if you've been to a high risk area and develop symptoms to contact a health-care provider." An incident command structure has been put in place to facilitate information sharing between state leadership, the federal government and local health and community leaders. "Engaging Massachusetts hospitals and health system leadership is a critical piece of our work," said Bharel "And we are providing them with clinical and infection control, prevention guidance and supporting their search planning procedures and protocols, including bed capacity, staffing and supplies." Of critical importance, the state's public health lab was given the green light to begin performing diagnostic testing for the virus. "This is good news for Massachusetts as testing at the state public health lab enables us to speed up obtaining the test results and expedience ongoing testing of any confirmed cases that are recovered," Bharel continued. Officials said there were no plans to cancel events with large numbers of people but Bharel urged individuals who were not feeling well not to attend such events. Baker said he was satisfied with the support the state is getting from the federal government. "The mere fact that they did what they did with respect to China in the first place, and the fact that they put some pretty heavy travel criteria in place for many other countries, it's a pretty clear indication that they're taking this seriously," he said. "And the fact that they're stockpiling many of the items that would be particularly important to first responders and health-care workers and other safety stuff." The governor cautioned that information is changing and officials and medical personnel are adapting to what Sudder described as a "dynamic and evolving situation." Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 02:02:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HELSINKI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said here on Tuesday that Russia appreciates the Finnish policy of not belonging to military alliances and that the Finnish policy line has strengthened the security in the whole area. Lavrov is on a one-day visit in Finland. Talking to media at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto, Lavrov noted that at the end of this year Finland and Russia will observe the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Haavisto said that "dialogue and transparency of measures are important" in regional security. He underlined the importance of continued peaceful cooperation in the Arctic areas. Haavisto also noted it was important that Russia had returned to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Asked at the press conference about the possible increased refugee flow from the Middle East, Lavrov said Russia understands what a serious problem illegal immigration is to the European Union, adding that Russia will not cease its fight against terrorism. Haavisto said it is important that the European Union reacts jointly to the situation. He underlined the importance of reaching a ceasefire, adding that the situation in Syria's Idlib now is totally inhuman. Lavrov also said he briefed Haavisto about the dialogue Russia is carrying on with NATO and about the initiatives Russia had submitted over a year ago. "But we did not get a response to those suggestions," Lavrov said, adding that "our suggestions are still on the table of NATO and we hope common sense would win." The Russian foreign minister also met with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. The president said he had talked with Lavrov about the stability in the Baltic area, arms control and other international issues. Niinisto said on social media that he had a serious discussion with Lavrov about "the Syrian and Idlib situation" as well as the humanitarian suffering it causes. Also on Tuesday, the Russian military rejected statements that Russia and Syria are responsible for a "humanitarian crisis" and "millions" of refugees from the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib. "These statements are biased and completely untrue," said Oleg Zhuravlyov, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria. The Income Tax Department raid at the Durg residence of Soumya Chaurasia, the Deputy Secretary of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has continued for over 20 hours. Senior I-T officials had also questioned Chaurasia's mother last night. The agency had also raided the Bhilai residence of Chaurasia last week. The IT department had earlier conducted raids at 25 premises, including those of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Ajaz Dhebar and senior IAS officers in the state. The state unit of Congress held a protest on Saturday against the ongoing IT raids in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had also alleged that the Central government had ordered the raids to destabilise his government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will unveil the name of the agency's next Mars rover, currently known as Mars 2020, during a live event on NASA Television at 1:30 p.m. EST Thursday, March 5, followed by a media teleconference at 3:30 p.m. about the mission and the naming. In addition to airing live on NASA Television, the event will stream live on Facebook, Ustream, YouTube, Twitter, NASA Television, and the agency's website. The Mars 2020 rover was the subject of a nationwide naming contest in 2019 that drew more than 28,000 essays by K-12 students from every U.S. state and territory. Nearly 4,700 volunteer judges educators, professionals, and space enthusiasts from around the country helped narrow the pool down to 155 semifinalists. A second round of judging selected the nine finalist essays that were open to an online public poll before Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, made the final selection. The live event will include: Thomas Zurbuchen Lori Glaze , director of NASA's Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters , director of NASA's Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters Deanne Bell , founder and CEO of Future Engineers in Burbank, California , founder and CEO of Future Engineers in The student who submitted the winning name and essay Media are also invited to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, at 9:30 a.m. PST to watch the live feed and interview members of the Mars 2020 team. To attend the event at JPL, media must contact Rexana Vizza at [email protected] by 7 p.m. PST Wednesday, March 4. To participate in the post-event media teleconference, media must send their name and affiliation to Vizza by noon PST Thursday. Media and the public can submit questions on social media by using #AskNASA. Participants may also follow the telecon live on YouTube and Ustream and listen to the event at: http://www.nasa.gov/live The naming contest partnership is part of a Space Act Agreement in educational and public outreach efforts between NASA, Battelle of Columbus, Ohio, and Future Engineers. Amazon Web Services is a prize provider for the Mars 2020 naming contest. The Mars 2020 rover currently is at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida being prepared for launch this summer. Kennedy is responsible for launch management. The rover is part of a larger exploration program that includes missions to the Moon to prepare for human missions to the Red Planet. Charged with returning astronauts to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA's Artemis program. For more about NASA's Moon to Mars plans, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov The software engineer from Hyderabad Indias fifth acknowledged case of Covid-19 , who works for a multinational in Bengaluru, went to Dubai on February 15 on an official assignment, where he reportedly worked together with other techies from Hong Kong. After spending five days in Dubai, the techie landed in Bengaluru on February 20. He was already suffering from cold and fever but the screening at the airport did not identify him as someone who may have been infected with the virus. To date, Karnataka has screened around 40,000 passengers who have passed through Kempegowda International airport in Bangalore starting January 20 according to the state Health and Family welfare minister B Sriramulu. After returing to Bangalore, the techie is said to have attended office for a day. About 24 of his colleagues who interacted with him during this period have subsequently been quarantined and are being screened . The software engineer who stays at a apartment complex on Sarjapur road left for Hyderabad on the night of February 21, by a private bus and arrived in the city on February 22 . The Bangalore urban district health and family welfare office visited the apartment complex on March 3 and the flatmate of the engineer, working with US multinational company, Intel, has been quarantined as have inmates of the nearby flats. Telangana health minister Etela Rajender said that soon after coming to Hyderabad, the techie went to Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad, for treatment as an outpatient. The treatment continued till February 27. When there was no respite from the symptoms, he was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on suspicion of Swine Flu on February 27 and was treated as an inpatient in an exclusive ward for three days. He tested negative for Swine Flu, but the symptoms persisted. Suspecting that he might have contracted SARS-Cov-2, doctors at Apollo Hospitals referred him to Gandhi Hospitals on March 1, where he was quarantined immediately. Doctors who conducted tests on him detected a presence of the virus. His blood samples were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, which confirmed this on March 2. He has been undergoing treatment at the exclusive Coronavirus ward. His condition is stable, Gandhi hospital superintendent Dr Sravan said. Following the official announcement , authorities of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation sanitised the entire Mahendra Hills Colony in Secunderabad, where the techies residence is located. . A team of doctors from Gandhi Hospitals went to his residence on Monday night, spoke to his family members to collect the details as to whom he had met in the last 10 days. They also collected the blood samples of family members for testing. The health minister said the department had identified, in all, around 80 people who came in close contact with the techie in the last 10 days. Of them, 27 are passengers who travelled with him in the bus from Bangalore to Hyderabad, and 20 are medical staff at Apollo hospitals, Secunderabad, where he underwent treatment for fever. This also includes members of his extended family. All 80 members have been advised to get admitted in the isolation ward of Gandhi Hospitals and undergo all tests as a precautionary measure, the minister said. The US Justice Department announced on February 26 that the FBI and local law enforcement had arrested four racially motivated violent extremists in cities across the country and charged them with conspiracy. The press release said that the arrests and searches were coordinated by the Department of Justices National Security Division and the U.S. Attorneys Offices in Seattle, Tampa, Houston, and Phoenix. FBI Special Agent in Charge in Seattle, Raymond Duda, announcing the charges a against the members of Atomwaffen Division on February 26 [Photo credit: Ted S. Warren/AP] Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John C. Demers said that the defendants allegedly conspired on the internet to intimidate journalists and activists with whom they disagreed. The four individuals were identified as Cameron Brandon Shea, 24, of Redmond, Washington; Kaleb Cole, 24, of Montgomery, Texas; Taylor Ashley Parker-Dipeppe, 20, of Spring Hill, Florida, and Johnny Roman Garza, 20, of Queen Creek, Arizona. A fifth individual, John Cameron Denton, 26, of Montgomery, Texas, was also arrested and charged by the US Court in the Eastern District of Virginia with conspiracy for his participation in multiple swatting events that occurred between November 2018 and April 2019. The DOJ defines swatting as a harassment tactic that involves deceiving dispatchers into believing that a person or persons are in imminent danger of death or bodily harm and causing the dispatchers to send police and emergency services to an unwitting third partys address. It is significant that although all five men had known direct activities as members or recruiters for the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division (AWD) and Denton is identified as a former leader of the white supremacist group, the DOJ press releases do not use the words fascist or neo-Nazi to describe their politics. Atomwaffen is a German phrase for atomic weapons. As reported previously on the World Socialist Web Site, AWD is a neo-Nazi group with an apocalyptic worldview originally established in the US in 2015. The groups membershipwhich identifies with Adolf Hitler, wears swastikas, espouses anti-Semitism and advocates for race warhas expanded over the past five years, attracting supporters in the UK, Canada and the Baltic States. The complaint against the white supremacists charges the men with a series of criminal activities that are focused primarily on those who are Jewish or journalists of color. Two of the defendants, Cole and Shea, created posters with, Nazi symbols, masked figures with guns and Molotov cocktails, and threatening language. The posters were sent electronically to Atomwaffen members and the coconspirators printed and delivered or mailed the posters to journalists or activists the group was targeting. In Seattle, the posters were mailed to a TV journalist who had reported on the activities of AWD as well as two individuals involved with the Anti-Defamation League. The DOJ release says, In Tampa, the group targeted a journalist, but delivered the poster to the wrong address. In Phoenix, the poster was delivered to a magazine journalist. All of the posters delivered to journalists and others contained the phrases, You have been visited by your local Nazis, and Your actions have consequences. The coordinated activity by AWD to harass their opponentswhich they called Operation Erste Saule (a German phrase meaning first pillar)was monitored closely by the FBI on the organizations chats on the Wire platform. The federal complaint contains extensive transcripts of the exchanges by the AWD members in a private Wire chat group. The complaint says, Based on a review of the groups Wire chats, Cole and Shea were the primary organizers of Operation Erste Saule. In the case of Denton, the DOJ alleges that he conducted three swatting calls that occurred here in the Eastern District of Virginia: a Cabinet official living in Northern Virginia on Jan. 27, 2019; Old Dominion University on Nov. 29, 2018; and Alfred Street Baptist Church on Nov. 3, 2018. According to news reports based on comments from an unnamed source, the Cabinet official is Kirstjen Nielsen, then the secretary of homeland security, who was swatted at her home in January 2019. Denton, who unknowingly discussed his harassment activities with an undercover FBI agent, is said to have used a voice changer when he made swatting calls, and allegedly admitted that he swatted the offices of ProPublica and the investigative journalist. FBI agent Jonathan Myles Lund wrote in an affidavit that Denton said that if he was raided for swatting ProPublica then it would be good for Atomwaffen Division because the swatting would be seen as a top-tier crime. Last fall, Cole was forced to surrender his cache of firearms in Seattle, Washington under the provisions of the states Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). The red flag law enables government agents to seize weapons on the grounds that an individual is posing a serious threat to public safety. Since that time, Coles activity has been surveilled extensively by the FBI. Another aspect of the AWD that has been downplayed by both the corporate media and the DOJ is the presence of these fascists in the US armed forces. The first public announcement of the existence of AWD was made in October 2015 by Branden Russell on an online forum called Iron March that was popular with neo-Nazis. Russell, who was a member of the Florida National Guard, was sentenced in 2018 to five years in prison for stockpiling explosives. China's UN Ambassador has said there is no need to panic over the coronavirus epidemic and that Beijing does not plan to discuss the situation in the Security Council during its Presidency this month. China assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of March and Beijing's UN envoy Zhang Jun told reporters Monday that there was no plan to have a "specific discussion" on COVID-19. "With regard to the Security Council, at this moment, is the general feeling of member states, while we watch closely the situation, especially the new development, we do not need to go panicky about that epidemic," Zhang said during a press conference on the occasion of China assuming Presidency of the Council. According to the Chinese health officials on Monday, as many as 2,912 people have died of the novel coronavirus in the country. Responding to a question on whether China plans to discuss the coronavirus emergency in the Security Council during its presidency of the 15-nation Council, Zhang said the issue of the coronavirus falls within the concept of global public health while the Security Council's primary responsibility is dealing with the geo-political security and peace matters. "So, the public health security issue is not in the scope of the mandate of the Security Council in a narrow concept. But what we do think is important, is that the Security Council will also watch the situation very closely. At this moment, we do not have any plan to have a specific discussion on this issue," Zhang said. He said China's fight against the coronavirus is making huge progress and the situation is becoming stable and getting better. "Faced with such a severe challenge, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping we have taken unprecedented efforts and measures," which have been most comprehensive and strict. He added that while China is working very hard in combating the virus, the country has adopted a very responsible and constructive approach in its cooperation with other countries. "We know that (in) other countries, we do have some new development. We do hope that what we are doing in China or what we have done in China will be able to help other countries," he said. Zhang said he would hope that the whole world would be immune from the fast-spreading virus. "We see progress and new development in China in continuing the spreading of that virus. And meanwhile we also see some new development in other parts of the world, including in this country," he said adding that while countries may adopt different approaches, Beijing will be ready to share information and "good experiences" with other countries to help them deal with the epidemic. "We definitely believe that with the coming of spring, we are not far from the coming of the victory, of the final defeat of COVID-19," he said. China is also focussed on revitalising its economy since the coronavirus has caused a negative impact on the Chinese economy, the envoy said. "Because of the strong resilience, enormous domestic consumption and the domestic market and because of the solid foundation of the Chinese economy, we are very much confident" that Beijing will be able to do realise its economic and social goals, he said. "We do have confidence about the future of the Chinese economy. "We know that it is our responsibility because of China's important role in the global value chain and supply chain. We hope that the restoration of the economic and social order and productivity capability of the Chinese economy will also be able to help other countries to inject a new strength in their efforts in coping with the virus and the epidemic," the envoy said. On whether China is planning to restrict travel from "hot spot" countries like Italy, South Korea or Iran that have seen coronavirus outbreaks to prevent transmission of cases into China, Zhang said while China still needs to do whatever it can in preventing and controlling the spread of the virus. "but I can assure you that China does not adopt a discriminative or a double-standard approach or policy towards any other country. We are very much supportive to the efforts made by other countries like... Italy, Korea. We do have received a lot of assistance from those countries and we are also doing whatever we can help in those countries," he said. He said China has not "distinguished" citizens of other countries from the Chinese and is treating all people on "an equal footing". "We hope that by doing so, we are not causing problems. We are really making our further contribution in the control of this epidemic," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Dont let misguided thinking prevent you from creating change. As philanthropists seek to change the world, many need to get out of their own way. Too often, philanthropists see the change they want to create but prevent themselves from acting on it. And whats worse, most dont even realize theyre doing this. Thats because they suffer from delusional altruism. Delusional doesnt mean crazy. Not at all. It means deceptive, even distractive. And these delusional thoughts slow the process of productive change. This happens to all of us. It happens to ultrahigh net worth donors, wealthy families and celebrity activists. To people leading foundations, family offices and corporate-giving programs. To people donating through donor-advised funds and giving circles. Everyday givers. Individuals and organizations large and small, all over the world. Just like you, these donors genuinely want to make a difference and change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their small corner of it a neighborhood, a cause or a population in need. Perhaps their contribution is targeted to help students graduate from college, to increase access to quality hospice care, to stop human trafficking or to cure breast cancer. These philanthropists dont want a Band-Aid solution. They want transformational change. Lasting change. They want to tackle the problem at its root, so it no longer exists. But this is where delusional altruism often creeps in: Their delusional thoughts prevent them from achieving the impact they seek. Here are just three ways this problematic thinking affects giving: 1. Many philanthropists have a scarcity mentality. Despite access to wealth, they operate with a mindset of scarcity. They believe all of their funding should be given away to help others, so they maintain a spartan operation for their philanthropy. The trouble is, in their altruistic effort to be frugal, they hold back on investment in important things, including strategy development, talent, technology, evaluation and even their own learning. They hold back investment in their grantees, too. They do this by setting arbitrary limits on how much money can be spent on a nonprofits overhead or by offering only one year of funding for a project that requires long-term investment. To give an example: Years ago I worked for a small San Francisco nonprofit. To save money on a fax machine (expensive and novel at the time), staff regularly walked half a mile to borrow one from another organization. How much time and energy we could have saved, and how much more effective we could have been, had we invested in an in-office fax to help us send out our alerts! Philanthropists with a scarcity mentality save money on the wrong things. They hold back investment in themselves and their grantees, preventing everyone from becoming as effective as possible at creating change. 2. Many funders create too many steps. They create bureaucracy or too much red tape. Sometimes they simply introduce too many steps, tasks and activities into their grantmaking. Those extra steps delay reaching their goals. They insist on rigid conformity to rules that hinder decision-making. They call for unnecessary duplication. They adhere to practices that are inefficient, convoluted and inflexible. I know a donor who gives out $5,000 grants to 10 organizations per year. To apply for one of these grants, nonprofits must fill out a lengthy application form, submit three years worth of audited financial statements, obtain letters of recommendation from community leaders, and host the donors onsite for an afternoon. Imagine the time and money each group puts forth just to be eligible for $5,000! Unfortunately, the unnecessary rigor of the requirements created by this funder are far from uncommon. 3. Some funders suffer from Donor Distraction Disorder. Too often, philanthropists dont have clarity on their strategy. They dont know what they want to accomplish or how to get there. While they might be very busy reviewing proposals, making funding decisions and attending philanthropy conferences, they can easily get distracted because they dont know their end goal. Instead of following their North Star, they follow the latest interesting idea from the most recent article they read. Imagine these scenarios: A surprise candidate is president. You decide this changes everything youve worked on in the past few years, and instead you should invest all your time and resources into movement building. Or youve just returned from a global conference where the buzz was about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and you decide you should reorganize your philanthropy around these goals. Now, movements need building, and who can argue with global goals such as zero hunger and reduced inequalities? The problem occurs when you dont already know what you want to accomplish with your philanthropy, and you dont have a plan to get there. When you lack clarity, its easy to get pulled into the latest compelling idea or trend. These are a few examples of several manifestations of delusional altruism. Just one can derail philanthropy, impede impact and zap the joy out of giving. Once aware of the delusion, however, a philanthropist can quickly change. We can turn things around by embracing a mindset of abundance instead of scarcity. We can ask the right questions, which will take us down the right path and increase our speed in philanthropy. We can rapidly formulate and implement our philanthropic strategies. We can become more innovative, agile and adaptive. Combined, the philosophy behind these approaches can make a funder unstoppable. You can alter your philanthropic worldview and create more positive change in peoples lives. Learn more about how to transform giving for transformational impact in my new book Delusional Altruism: Why Philanthropists Fail To Achieve Change and What They Can Do To Transform Giving! It is filled with approaches to defeat any delusion. And pre-order now to get a free webinar, keynote, or private consultation with me! Are you you interested in working with a trusted advisor? I have more than 20 years of experience working with philanthropists, donors, foundation leaders and wealth advisors. A little guidance goes a long way so lets talk. This article was originally written for and published by Forbes. 2020 Kris Putnam-Walkerly. All rights reserved. Permission granted to excerpt or reprint with attribution. About Kris Putnam-Walkerly Im a global philanthropy expert, advisor and award-winning author. I help ultra-high net worth donors, celebrities, foundations and Fortune 500 companies dramatically increase the clarity, speed, impact and joy of their giving. Im the author of Delusional Altruism: Why Philanthropists Fail to Achieve Change And What They Can Do To Transform GivingandConfident Giving: Sage Advice for Funders, was named one of Americas Top 25 Philanthropy Speakers (along with U2s Bono!), I write about philanthropy for Forbes.com, Alliance Magazine, De Dikke Blauwe and am frequently quoted in leading publications such as Bloomberg, NPR and WSJ. Whether you are just getting started in philanthropy, want to refresh your giving strategy, or need to catapult yourself to your desired future, I can help. Lets talk! Call me at +1-800-598-2102 x1, email me at kris@putnam-consulting.com or schedule a call. Pre-Order and Get a FREE Webinar, Keynote, or Private Consultation With Me! Already ranked #1 New Release in Philanthropy & Charity on Amazon, Im so excited to share with you that my next book, Delusional Altruism: Why Philanthropists Fail To Achieve Change and What They Can Do To Transform Givingwill be published on March 24th, but is available for pre-order NOW! Take advantage of some great free bonuses only available until March 22. PREORDER NOW Upcoming Speaking Engagements Am I in your neighborhood? Lets connect by replying to this email! __________________________________________________________________________ Kris is great at making the complex easy to understand, and helps grantmakers shift their thinking to embrace new possibilities and opportunities. LaTida Smith, CEO, Moses Taylor Foundation __________________________________________________________________________ Want to learn more? Visit my website to learn how I help funders, access free resources, and read client testimonials. New Delhi: Shahrukh Khan who pointed a gun at a Delhi Police constable during the riots last week and is now under arrest, after being brought to Delhi on March 3, 2020. (Photo: Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan/IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Shahrukh Khan who pointed a gun at a police constable during riots in Northeast Delhi last week, being brought at the Delhi Police Headquarters after he was nabbed from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh; on March 3, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Shahrukh Khan who pointed a gun at a police constable during riots in Northeast Delhi last week, being brought at the Delhi Police Headquarters after he was nabbed from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh; on March 3, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 3 : Shahrukh Khan -- the gun-toting face of the recent east Delhi riots -- was hiding at a parking lot in Connaught Place after firing a pistol on February 24 when the violence around the CAA was at its peak, police said on Tuesday. To hide from the police, he stayed inside a car for several hours and also slept there. When he was told that the police were busy in handling the situation in the violence-hit areas, he fled to Punjab. Ajit Kumar Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police Crime Branch, revealed this at a press conference at the Police Headquarters. When asked about Shahrukh, Singla said: "Shahrukh Khan is fond of TikTok. He has also released a music album of his own." "The pistol used by Shahrukh Khan is of 7.65 bore, and an illegal weapon. He took the pistol from a worker in his factory two years ago. He used to flaunt the pistol among the people of his locality," Singla said. Later, responding to an IANS query, the police officer said: "Shahrukh had a total of six bullets along with a pistol that day. He fire three rounds on the spot. Two rounds of live cartridges have been recovered. He told the police that another cartridge must have fallen somewhere." The Additional Police Commissioner said: "The pistol, however, has not been recovered yet. Finding the pistol and a missing live cartridge will be the main, and first task of our teams." He said the pistol was made in Munger (Bihar) and despite being illegal, the pistol was of "good quality". Police have found during investigation that Shahrukh Khan runs a socks manufacturing factory in northeast Delhi. How did the accused run away from the parking of Connaught Place? Responding to this, Singla said: "From Punjab, he went to Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. He was getting all information about police looking for him from the TV and newspapers. He left Bareilly as soon as the police reached there." However, the police finally managed to nab him on Tuesday. Police was also asked if Shahrukh had opened fire on February 24 after being provoked by someone? To this, Singla said: "We won't be able to tell anything right now. After a detailed inquiry, things would be clear." No previous criminal record has been found against Shah Rukh yet. However, a case of drug peddling was registered against his father. Police have registered a case against Shahrukh under Section 186/383 and the Arms Act. If necessary, other sections could also be slapped on him. (Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan can be contacted at sanjeev.c@ians.in) The Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday granted bail to businessman, Vikas Sachdev (41), who was convicted to a three-year jail term by a Special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) court in January for molesting a Bollywood actor on board a domestic flight. The actor was a minor at the time of the incident, which occurred on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai in December 2017. A bench of justice Prithviraj Chavan, while hearing Sachdevs plea against the conviction, was informed by advocate Aniket Nikam that the court had erred in concluding that his client intentionally molested the actor. Nikam cited that on the day of the incident, the actor did not lodge any complaint with the crew and was smiling at the time of disembarking from the aircraft. He also informed the court that during the trial, the court did not get the accused identified by the actor. The Pocso court, while convicting Sachdev and sentencing him to a three-year prison term, had suspended the sentence for three months to allow Sachdev to appeal against the conviction in the Bombay HC. The appeal was filed last month. While allowing the appeal, Chavan held that as it would be some time before the appeal was heard by court, Sachdevs sentence was being suspended and he was being granted bail on a personal bond of ~25,000 with two sureties. The court also put a condition that Sachdev would not travel out of Mumbai without informing the Dindoshi sessions court. In response to Nikams submission that the actor had not lodged a complaint with the crew, the court observed, There is no straitjacket formula on how woman would behave or react in such a situation. There is no mathematics. With regards to Nikams claim that it was an inadvertent touch, justice Chavan noted, It is a natural gift, a touch, a look, a male will not understand. However, a female would know the intentions. Coronavirus (Representative image) A day after two new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in India one from Delhi and the other from Telangana Union Health Ministry sources told news agency PTI that an Italian tourist in Jaipur has tested positive for the viral infection. This takes the total number of confirmed cases in India to six so far. According to officials, the first sample collected from the tourist on February 29 had tested negative, but his condition deteriorated and a second sample was collected, which tested positive on March 2. Air India says 'follow protocol' After the Air India crew, who had flown the Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25 were asked to stay in isolation , the national carrier tweeted for the passengers who travelled on the flight to "follow protocol" notified by the Ministry of Health. Prime Minister tweets, says had 'extensive review' on preparedness Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted, stating that there was no need to panic and that he has "reviewed preparedness" on the virus. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," the prime minister tweeted. Hyatt Regency Delhi asks staff to go on self-quarantine Meanwhile, reports also suggest that Hyatt Regency, a five-star hotel in Delhi, has asked its staff, who were present at one of its restaurants where an individual tested positive for coronavirus dined on February 28, to go on self-quarantine for 14 days. "Government authorities recently confirmed that an individual who dined at La Piazza restaurant at Hyatt Regency Delhi on February 28, 2020, has been diagnosed with COVID-19," Hyatt Regency Delhi, Area VP and General Manager Julian Ayers said in a statement. "All colleagues who were present at the restaurant on February 28, 2020, have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Hyatt Regency Delhi has also started to conduct daily temperature checks for all colleagues and contractors when they enter and exit the building," Ayers said. Two private Noida schools cancel classes Two private schools in Noida also cancelled classes earlier on March 3 for the next few days as a precautionary measure after the father of a student tested positive for coronavirus, officials said. The two schools announced their closure in messages sent to the parents. One of the schools, where a student's father tested positive, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6. The Delhi government held an emergency meeting to discuss its preparedness in tackling the virus, news agency ANI reported. Meanwhile, Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra said that apart from the one case in the state, not a single person has been affected by the virus. He said that 88 people who came in contact with the person have been identified and 45 of them are being tested, news agency ANI reported. (With agency inputs) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the CRS-19 Dragon cargo ship filled with NASA supplies for the International Space Station atop its Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch site in Florida ahead of a Dec. 4, 2019 launch. SpaceX will launch the CRS-20 Dragon cargo flight on March 6, 2020. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. SpaceX has fired up the Falcon 9 rocket that will ferry the company's next cargo resupply mission for NASA into space this week. SpaceX conducted a static-fire test on Sunday (March 1) of its Falcon 9 booster at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station here ahead of a planned launch on Friday (March 6). The routine preflight test kicked off the countdown to the final flight of the company's first version of its Dragon cargo capsule. The spacecraft is bound for the International Space Station , carrying with it more than 5,600 lbs. (2,540 kilograms) of cargo, including research experiments and crew supplies. Related: See the evolution of SpaceX's rockets in pictures Around 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) Sunday, the Falcon 9 rocket roared to life, as smoke billowed from its engines during the preflight test. The brief ignition, known as a static-fire test, is a standard part of prelaunch procedures and one of the last major milestones before liftoff. "Falcon 9 static fire complete targeting March 6 launch from Pad 40 in Florida for Dragon's twentieth resupply mission to the Space Station, the final flight of the first version of Dragon," Spacex wrote in a Twitter update shortly after the successful test-firing. Falcon 9 static fire test complete targeting March 6 launch from Pad 40 in Florida for Dragons twentieth resupply mission to the @Space_Station, the final flight of the first version of DragonMarch 1, 2020 See more During the test, the rocket is held down on its pad while its nine first-stage engines are briefly fired. This allows crews to ensure that all systems are working properly and that the rocket is ready to fly. Shortly after the test, SpaceX tweeted that the static-fire test was a success and that the company planned to launch on Friday at 11:50 p.m. EST (0450 GMT on Saturday, March 7). The flight marks SpaceX's fifth mission of the year and the 20th operational Dragon resupply mission to the space station since 2012. The first-stage booster is expected to land back at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station approximately 8 minutes after liftoff. If everything goes according to plan, the supply ship will spend two days trailing the space station before arriving at the orbital outpost early Monday (March 9). The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew in support of our tenth and sixteenth commercial resupply missions this will be the third Dragon to fly on three missions pic.twitter.com/AvqACtjoAoMarch 1, 2020 See more Both the Dragon capsule and its launcher are veteran space fliers: the Falcon 9 previously hoisted the last resupply mission in December 2019 and the Dragon carried cargo for CRS-10 (February 2017) and CRS-16 (December 2018). SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule debuted in 2010 and made its first trip to the space station just two years later, marking the first time a commercial vehicle reached the outpost. With the retirement of the space shuttle program in 2011, NASA and other agencies around the world depended on Russia alone to transport both cargo and crew into space. To end that sole reliance, NASA turned to the private sector, proposing that commercial companies would send cargo and eventually crew into space. The first of those contracts was awarded in 2008, with SpaceX and Northrop Grumman winning the coveted contracts. Through a series of Dragon missions, SpaceX would help ensure the International Space Station was well-stocked. That first contract under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program specified that SpaceX would fly a total of 12 missions, delivering a minimum of 44,000 lbs. (20,000 kg) to the space station. SpaceX was subsequently awarded two contract extensions one in 2015 and one in 2016 bringing the current total number of flights to 20. In 2014, SpaceX was one of two companies that won a highly sought-after NASA contract to develop a spacecraft that would ferry astronauts to and from the station. (Boeing was the other.) SpaceX upgraded its Dragon cargo capsule to fly astronauts. The following year, the company was also awarded a second resupply services contract that would keep the space station stocked through 2024. In 2019, SpaceX launched its first uncrewed Crew Dragon test flight to the space station and aims to launch its first astronauts in May of this year. Following the launch on Friday night, SpaceX plans to land its first-stage booster at its landing site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. If successful, this would mark the 50th booster recovery. Follow Amy Thompson on Twitter @astrogingersnap . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook . Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:45:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close "There is currently a state of undeclared war between Turkey and Syria," said Oytun Orhan, a senior Turkish analyst, adding Thursday's meeting between Erdogan and Putin "will negotiate by means of military force on the table and on the ground." ANKARA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- After suffering its worst casualties in years, Turkey has launched a new major offensive against the Russia-backed Syrian forces in Idlib, but analysts said the spiking Russian-Turkish tensions are expected to ease off through a meeting this week between the leaders of the two countries. Turkey announced on Sunday that it had launched operation "Spring Shield" in northern Syria in order to increase Turkey's involvement in the neighboring country's civil war. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a crucial meeting after the two countries have come to the brink of a direct confrontation in Idlib. "I hope that during our discussions (in Moscow), Putin will take the necessary measures there, such as a cease-fire, and that we will be able to find a solution to this matter," Erdogan told members of his party in Ankara on Monday, raising hopes for a compromise. Experts agreed that Turkey's response to the deaths of over 50 soldiers in Idlib since the start of February is out of the ordinary. "There is currently a state of undeclared war between Turkey and Syria," Oytun Orhan, a senior analyst at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies, told Xinhua. He explained that despite the diverging interests between Turkey and Russia in Idlib, a compromise seems very likely through the meeting. But "they will not stand down and will negotiate by means of military force on the table and on the ground," Orhan added. Pointing to an ongoing "arm wrestling" in northwestern Syria between Ankara and Moscow, and their proxies: the Syrian army and rebels, the expert said both sides will have to give up some of their demands to reach common ground. Observers believed that Turkey's strategy is to annihilate as many Syrian military targets as possible until the Moscow meeting in order to have the upper hand. "Our military will finish the job at hand there, until a new order," a Turkish source close to the government told Xinhua. It is worth noting that the two leaders have been instrumental in the past, especially after the downing of a Russian warplane over Syria by Turkey in 2015, in bridging differences between their nations which are backing opposing sides in Syria. For several years, Moscow and Ankara have been bickering over the Syrian issue despite their growing cooperation in other fields, such as energy, trade and tourism, before the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an airstrike in Idlib last week eventually brought things to the boil. Turkey, which has concerns about its national security with a vast number of displaced Syrians flooding to its borders, has considerably beefed up its military presence in northern Syria in recent weeks, deploying over 9,000 troops. A stand-off between Russia and NATO ally Turkey over Idlib, the last rebel stronghold the Russia-backed Syrian army has been trying to recapture since last December, could have effects far beyond the Syrian theater, so it is necessary for both parties to diffuse it, observers said. Orhan expected that a possible Turkish-Russian compromise could lead to the establishment of a 30-km-deep safe zone in Idlib, including securing the region's main strategic highway. This would determine the fate of up to 3 million refugees who have been trapped in the area and along the borders. Turkey sees a new refugee wave as a threat to its security, as the nation is already hosting some 3.7 million Syrians since the start of the civil war in the neighboring country nine years ago. On Sunday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said it had shot down two Syrian warplanes, adding over 2,200 Syrian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Turkey's onslaught. But it is also time for a reality check for Turkey, argued Serkan Demirtas, a political analyst. "Over 50 Turkish soldiers were killed in less than a month in the wrestling between Ankara and Moscow," he told Xinhua. The policymakers in Ankara somewhat "miscalculated" the situation on the ground, laboring under the impression that Turkey's massive military deployment in Idlib in recent weeks would deter the Russian alliance, Demirtas said. "This region can no longer handle another conflict," the Turkish analyst noted, urging Moscow and Ankara to bridge their differences through diplomacy and compromise. A 31-year-old Lehigh County woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash Monday night, authorities said. Lauren Schrader-Zavatter, of Emmaus, was pronounced dead at 10:08 p.m. Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office said in a news release Tuesday. Schrader-Zavatter was behind the wheel of a vehicle that collided with another vehicle about 8:23 p.m. at Route 145 and Mechanicsville Road in Whitehall Township, according to the coroners office. She died of multiple traumatic injuries resulting from the crash, and her death was ruled an accident, Coroner Eric Minnich says in the release. The crash remained under investigation by the coroners office and Whitehall Township police. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Advertisement Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as families slept early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. At least 22 people were killed, some before they could even get out of bed, authorities said. About 156 people have been hospitalized after first responders pulled them from the rubble of their homes. Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift led celebrity tributes to the residents of Tennessee. Parton shared a video on Twitter, telling Tennesseans: 'You're being thought of and we love you.' Sirens and cellphone alerts sounded, but the twisters that struck in the hours after midnight moved so quickly that many people in their path could not flee to safer areas. 'It hit so fast, a lot of folks didn't have time to take shelter,' Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said. 'Many of these folks were sleeping.' Early findings by National Weather Service (NWS) survey teams indicated that the damage just east of Nashville was inflicted by a tornado of at least EF-3 intensity, the agency said. One twister wrecked homes and businesses across a 10-mile stretch of Nashville that included parts of downtown. It smashed more than three dozen buildings, including destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church. Another tornado damaged more than 100 structures along a two-mile path of destruction in Putnam County, wiping some homes from their foundations and depositing the wreckage far away. The devastation prompted officials to declare a state of emergency. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a level three state of emergency for Tennessee. Daybreak revealed landscapes littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, making many city streets and rural roads impassable. About 43,000 were still without power as of Tuesday afternoon. Schools, courts, transit lines and an airport were closed. More than a dozen polling stations were also damaged, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at alternative sites. Scroll down for video Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as families slept early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. At least 22 people were killed, some before they could even get out of bed, authorities said Residents look over damage in their neighborhood in the Germantown are of Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday A man views damage in an alley behind Woodland Street after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday Workers look over damage in their neighborhood in the Germantown are of Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday Slide me These images show the damage of the East End United Methodist Church after it was struck by a tornado and what it looked like before The storm system wreaked havoc on the John Tune Airport in West Nashville. Photos showed the severe damage of several small planes at the airport 'Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is,' Nashville Mayor John Cooper said at a Tuesday morning news conference. The death toll jumped from seven to 22 on Tuesday, Tennessee Emergency Management Spokeswoman Maggie Hannan said, after police and fire crews spent hours pulling survivors and bodies from wrecked buildings. It's possible the death toll could continue to climb as authorities survey the landscape. Putnam Sheriff Eddie Farris said only 30 per cent of the disaster area had a 'hard check' by mid-day. 'A lot of these homes had basements and were hopeful there are still people down in there,' he said. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also said 'a number of people' are still missing. 'It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state,' Lee said. The governor ordered all non-essential state workers to stay home Tuesday before going up in a helicopter to survey the damage. Lee didn't give a specific count on the unaccounted-for individuals but he did say that 30 rescue workers have suffered injuries while searching for victims. Schools, courts and transit lines were closed, and some damaged polling stations were moved only hours before Super Tuesday voting was set to begin. Residents of the historic Germantown neighborhood walked around in dismay as emergency crews closed off roads. 'In the interest of safety we are asking all non-essential employees in the Nashville area to remain home today and use their best judgment,' Lee said. 'We have activated the State Emergency Operations Center and are engaged with emergency and local officials throughout the affected areas. Please join Maria and me in praying for the victims, their families, and all those tragically affected by this storm.' This small jet suffered less damage then several others around it at the John Tune Airport in West Nashville Some of the planes on the tarmac were severely damaged by the more than 155mph winds that moved through the area The tornadoes left a trail of devastation as it passed through Camden, Cookeville and Mt Juliet. Downtown Nashville was also severely damaged CASUALTIES BY COUNTY FROM THE OVERNIGHT TORNADOES Authorities confirmed the following counties had causalities from Tuesday morning's tornadoes: 17 in Putnam County 2 in Wilson County 2 in Davidson County 1 in Benton County Advertisement President Donald Trump tweeted his support for the state Tuesday morning. 'Prayers for all of those affected by the devastating tornadoes in Tennessee. We will continue to monitor the developments. The Federal Government is with you all of the way during this difficult time.' During his speech at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference on Tuesday, the president said: 'Before I begin I want to send my warm wishes to the great people of Tennessee.' 'I'll be going there Friday. Our hearts are full of sorrow for the lives that were lost,' he added. The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms that stretched from Alabama into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, the twisters path was mostly north and east of the heart of downtown, sparing many of its biggest tourism draws the honky tonks of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry House, the storied Ryman Auditorium, and the convention center. Instead the storm tore through areas transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the citys trendiest neighborhoods, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out longtime residents. 'The dogs started barking before the sirens went off, they knew what was coming,' said Paula Wade, of East Nashville. 'Then we heard the roar ... Something made me just sit straight up in bed, and something came through the window right above my head. If I hadnt moved, I wouldve gotten a face full of glass.' Then she looked across the street and saw the damage at East End United Methodist Church. 'Its this beautiful Richardsonian Romanesque church; the bell tower is gone, the triptych window of Jesus the Good Shepherd that they just restored and put back up a few weeks ago is gone,' she said. Debris covers a car near after a tornado touched down at Donelson Christian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday A resident photographs damage after a tornado touched down on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee The landscape was littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees as people started to survey damage near their homes A man walks through storm debris following a deadly tornado on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee A man makes his way through debris following one of the deadly tornadoes on Tuesday morning in Nashville, Tennessee People are reflected in a mirror of a building destroyed by storms on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee Damaged U-Haul trucks sit on a sidewalk and the street following the deadly tornadoes in Nashville, Tennessee Slide me Workers look over damage outside this Auto Zone in their neighborhood in the Germantown area of Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday. These images show the before and after of the Auto Zone Slide me The building housing The Soda Parlor and Clean Juice in East Nashville's Five Points neighborhood was destroyed in the tornado that hit the city on Tuesday The pool at Vista Germantown apartment complex shows damage after a tornado hit Nashville on Tuesday Wade immediately recalled how a tornado damaged her own St Anns Episcopal church down the street in 1998. 'I had no idea that I still had some PTSD from that other experience so long ago, but the sound of the sirens, that low sound, theres just nothing like it,' she said. 'To look out and see the church, its just heartbreaking. It brings out everything that happened to St Anns.' Tuesday's tornado system was the third to rip threw downtown Nashville. According to the NWS, the previous two twisters occurred in the city in 1933 and 1998. The 'March 3, 2020 Nashville Tornado had a path near but not quite exactly like the tornadoes of April 16, 1998 & March 14, 1933,' the service said. Both the 1998 and 1933 tornadoes hit during the afternoon while Tuesday's occurred just after midnight. On Super Tuesday in February 2008, Nashville residents fell victim to a night time system that caused damage across Middle Tennessee during a tornado outbreak. The roof came crashing down on Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay in bedroom of the one-story brick home they share in East Nashville. 'We couldnt get out,' said Baldwin. 'And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole.' Homes collapsed on some residents, forcing first responders from local police and fire stations to work in the middle of the night to free them Bill and Shirley Wallace were rescued from the rubble of their home shortly after the tornado destroyed their residence Rescue workers were seen freeing the couple from their Barrett Drive home that collapsed on them. Bill Wallace is seen reaching out to rescuers following the tornado Shirley Wallace (being carried by a first responder) was taken to a local hospital for medical attention after she was rescued Also in East Nashville, the roaring wind woke Evan and Carlie Peters, but they had no time to reach the relative safety of an interior bathroom. 'Within about 10 seconds, the house started shaking,' Carlie Peters said. 'I jumped on top of the ground; he jumped on top of me. The ceiling landed on top of him. ... were grateful to be alive.' Rescue workers were seen freeing a couple from their Barrett Drive home that collapsed on them overnight. Bill and Shirley Wallace became trapped under rubble during the tornado. Shirley was taken to a local hospital for medical attention. Experts explain why people don't but should heed weather warnings Oftentimes people do not heed weather warnings despite the release of warnings and alerts days before some of the most unprecedented storms. For example, in March 2019 a total of 23 people were killed in Lee County after a tornado tore through Alabama. That particular storm system was an unprecedented one for an area that had not actually seen anything like it before. In other words, residents were caught off guard when the tornado touched down and became the most violent twister to hit the area in recent memory. Meteorologists release warnings for residents of affected areas to have enough time to gather some belongings and make sure their family members are either ready to evacuate or are properly prepared for the weather system. But sometimes those warnings aren't heeded due to the ways in which people interpret them. Kim Klockow McClain, a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Mesocscale Meteorological Studies explained that some people know that 'even if a region in general is at risk, that doesn't necessarily mean there will be a tornado that hits their house'. She told NPR that some people do what experts call 'confirming the threat'. 'They'll be watching, and maybe they'll go get their children. But they won't necessarily take shelter until things get a little bit closer,' she said. Klockow says meteorologists need to 'experiment with different communication strategies' in order to persuade people to take action when warnings are released. Advertisement Actor Scott Baio tweeted that he was worried about his in-laws who live in Nashville, Tennessee. 'OMG! We haven't been able to make any contact with my in laws or my brother in law. Only Renee's younger sister Brandy, and a cousin. Please pray for our family and the Nashville area,' Baio tweeted early Tuesday morning. Baio later followed that tweet up with another that reads: 'A lot of property loss & damage at Tuckers Crossroads where my in laws live. We JUST heard, by text message, they're alive! 'No power & now the cleanup begins. Thanks for the prayers & kind words. Middle Tennessee needs a lot of prayers for the community right now.' Aerial footage showed buildings and homes that were destroyed when the tornado tore through the Nashville Metro Area. Roofs had been torn off apartment buildings, large trees uprooted and debris littered many sidewalks. Walls were toppled, exposing living rooms and kitchens in damaged homes. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. Terrifying footage showed lightening flashing across the sky and debris strewn across roads as the storm struck. A reported gas leak forced an evacuation of the IMT building in the Germantown community, according to WSMV. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the tornado touched down in the early hours of this morning and warned residents to 'take cover'. The service tweeted: 'Tornado still confirmed on the ground near Hermitage. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO! TAKE COVER NOW IN WILSON COUNTY!!!' Videos emerged on social media showing lightening flashing across the sky and an apartment building gutted by high winds. An apartment complex in Nashville was left heavily damaged and residents in the Germantown area of the city were evacuated from the building after the twister struck. Images showed extensive damage to buildings, mangled wires on downed power lines and structures that are now unrecognizable as the tornado had reduced them to rubble. One photo showed a white vinyl fence that had fallen a car. Another showed the roof and walls gone from a building that still had what appeared to be boxes stacked on shelves. A witnesses of the Nashville tornado said it was a 'rough night in Germantown' as the twister went straight overhead. One video posted online from east Nashville showed what appeared to be a well-defined tornado moving quickly across the city. The whirl of the wind could be heard gusting after the tornado moved out of sight in the clip. Photos showed dozens of people in the street carrying their belongings outside the IMT building not long after the tornado moved through the city. Police released aerial images of what remained after the tornadoes hit Nashville. Some homes were ripped to shreds while others remained intact Damage is seen in an aerial picture after a tornado touched down in eastern Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday A hangar was ripped apart at the John Tune Airport (left) while the roofs of buildings and other structures were torn off (right) A home in Cookeville, Tennessee, was destroyed by high winds from one of several tornadoes that tore through the state overnight Another home was damaged by high winds from one of several tornadoes that tore through the state overnight on Tuesday Crews work to clear roadways of debris caused by one of the tornadoes that tore through the state overnight in Cookeville, Tennessee Slide me People look over buildings destroyed by storms on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee. These images show the before and after of the area that shows several severely damaged businesses Slide me A man walks past storm the Boom Bozz pizza restaurant that was severely damaged during the storms on Tuesday Nashville Fire Department are responding to reports of at least 140 building collapses around the city and warned residents to stay away from downed power lines and storm debris. 'Our community has been impacted significantly,' the Mt Juliet Police Department tweeted early on Tuesday. 'We continue to search for injured. Stay home if you can.' Captain Chandler said in a Facebook video: 'Our community has been greatly impacted by a tornado. 'There are multiple homes damaged and multiple people injured. Our officers are in the early stages of this response and we continue to assess what is happening. John C. Tune Airport, Nashville International's sister airport in West Nashville, 'sustained significant damage due to severe weather', spokeswoman Kim Gerlock said in a statement. According to authorities, before the overnight tornado struck Germantown and East Nashville, it made a direct hit on the airport. Several hangars have been destroyed and power lines are down. Photos showed several small planes that were torn apart by the twister as well as larger jets that suffered damage. Gerlock asked that the public avoid the airport until further notice and that the Airport Authority has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down near downtown Nashville on Tuesday. Pictured is lightening flashing across the sky in the early hours of this morning A house on North Mt Juliet road was destroyed after a tornado ripped through neighborhoods in Mt Juliet, Tennessee on Tuesday Debris scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after the tornado hit Nashville in the early hours Slide me Donelson Christian Academy suffered heavy damage when the deadly tornado plowed through Nashville on Tuesday. These images shows the academy's high school gymnasium Slide me Rubble and debris is seen scattered across the parking lot at Donelson Christian Academy after a deadly tornado plowed through Nashville on Tuesday Slide me The building housing Burger Up in East Nashville's Five Points neighborhood was destroyed in the tornado Damaged vehicles and buildings seen in East Nashville after a tornado hit the city in the early morning hours of Tuesday A resident making her way down Underwood Street in Nashville, Tennessee, amidst downed trees and heavy debris today Mt Juliet Police Department said many homes had been damaged and multiple people had been injured and trapped in buildings by the storm. 'There are multiple homes damaged, multiple people injured, multiple people still trapped. We need your help.' He added: 'There are gas lines that are leaking, power lines that are on the ground, and multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured and trying to get them the help that they need. 'We appreciate your concern, your prayers. Continue to pray for our first responders and those that are injured and we will continue to keep you updated.' Authorities said the two people who were killed in Davidson County were 'struck by debris on McFerrin Street'. 'An adult female victim died at the scene. An adult male victim died after arriving at a local hospital. We are working on confirming their identities,' police said on Twitter. Serious damage was caused in many parts of town including Germantown, where some of the worst damage to homes and businesses were seen. The live music venue Basement East 'sustained significant damage', but all staff working inside weren't injured, the venue said on social media. Residents watching on as emergency crews attend to a tornado damaged apartment building on Jefferson Street in Nashville Slide me A police car in front of the Music City Cleaners that was destroyed in Nashville, Tennessee, early Tuesday morning Slide me The Geist restaurant brick wall collapsed during the tornado that touched down in downtown Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday Slide me A mural on the heavily damaged The Basement East in the East Nashville neighborhood today in Nashville, Tennessee A man walking by a storm damaged pickup truck covered in branches on Underwood Street today in Nashville, Tennessee Several country singers and other celebrities immediately tweeted their support for Nashville. 'The iconic "I Believe In Nashville" murals started popping up after the big flood ten years ago. Its stood as a symbol of resilience and togetherness. We are heartbroken for our community after last nights tragic tornado, but know that together we will rise up and rebuild again!' Tim McGraw wrote. Blake Shelton tweeted: 'Thinking about you #Nashville. Stay strong!!!' Miley Cyrus, who is from Tennessee, shared: 'Thinking about my home and family in Nashville and how fortunate I am that my place and loved ones have remained safe in these deadly tornadoes. My heart is broken for my home state. So much loss and damage. We are #NashvilleStrong and will rebuild together!' Two tornado warnings in Putnam County, east of Nashville, were reported. The NWS said the tornadoes were confirmed on radar. County Mayor Randy Porter told CNN in a Facebook message that Putnam County saw 'several critically injured' people. Metro Nashville Public Schools closed schools on Tuesday because of the tornado damage. Wilson County, just east of metro Nashville closed schools for the rest of the week. The disaster also impacted voting in Tennessee, one of 14 Super Tuesday states. Some polling sites in Nashville were moved, and polls in Davidson and Wilson counties were opening an hour late but still closing at 8pm Eastern, Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced. Vehicles passing by damaged buildings on Jefferson Street after a tornado passed through the area in Nashville, Tennessee A tornado that ripped through Nashville overnight downed power lines and toppled trees in the Donelson area on Tuesday Jeff Roberts of the Elections Commission said in a statement earlier today that information about damage to polling stations is being collected. Any voter in Davidson County whose assigned precinct has been impacted may vote at the Election Commission Offices, the statement said. Meanwhile, heavy rain is expected to impact Gulf Coast states over the next several days. The rains will bring the potential for flash flooding in several southern states, forecasters said. Rainfall on Tuesday is expected to saturate the soil in Alabama, setting the stage for possible flash flooding by mid-week, the NWS said. Up to six inches of rain is possible from this weeks expected rains in Alabama. Isolated severe storms will be possible from east Texas to the Carolinas on Monday, according to the National Storm Prediction Center in Normal, Oklahoma. Northern Mississippi, eastern Arkansas and west Tennessee are among areas where severe storms will be most likely. Spring storms will bring snow from western mountains across the country as the Gulf Coast states get hit with heavy rain . The rains will bring the potential for flash flooding in several southern states, forecasters said. Rainfall on Tuesday is expected to saturate the soil in Alabama, setting the stage for possible flash flooding by mid-week, the NWS said. Up to six inches of rain is possible from this weeks expected rains in Alabama Isolated severe storms will be possible from east Texas to the Carolinas on Monday, according to the National Storm Prediction Center in Normal, Oklahoma Early morning storms also damaged homes and toppled trees in rural central Alabama, where the National Weather Service (NWS) reported winds up to 60mph and issued tornado warnings for at least five counties. In rural Bibb County southwest of Birmingham, seven poll workers were getting ready to open the doors to Super Tuesday voters at the Lawley Senior Activity Center when cellphone alerts began going off with a tornado warning about 6.45am, said volunteer Gwen Thompson. 'Our children were calling too, telling us, "Get in the bathroom!"' she said. 'We all got in the bathroom and were OK, but lots of trees are down.' The storm knocked out electricity, Thompson said, but the precincts two electronic voting machines had battery backups and a few people had cast ballots less than an hour later. 'Weve been voting by flashlight,' Thompson said. Northern and central Georgia could see up to five inches of rain from showers and storms Monday through Thursday, forecaster said. In Mississippi, some flash flooding is expected Tuesday night through Wednesday night, the weather service said. The Sierra Nevada Mountains in California have already been covered in a foot of snow At least four people are dead in Wyoming and dozens injured in a pileup that happened amid blowing snow overnight Over 50 gauges in the south are already above flood level but more could be triggered as south of the Mississippi Valley and south of the Interstate 20 braces for two to five inches of rainfall. But the culmination of days-long rain in the south poses danger for the likes of Houston, New Orleans and the Florida Panhandle by Wednesday. Residents in the south have been warned to look out for hail stones the size of softballs and more potentially deadly tornadoes. Other places have already seen severe weather this week like the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Rockies in Wyoming, which are covered in a foot of snow. At least four people were killed in Wyoming and dozens more injured in a pileup that happened amid blowing snow. The wreck happened in snowy, blustery weather Sunday on Interstate 80 about 180 miles west of Cheyenne. About 30 people were taken to the emergency room at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in the small city of Rawlins. Officials at the 25-bed hospital called in in three extra doctors and set up a temporary patient holding area in a cafeteria. Forecasters predicted snow driven by wind up to 50mph would continue to affect travel until Tuesday. A bill requiring the Nebraska Department of Education to incorporate the Holocaust and other genocides into the state's multicultural education standards gained first-round approval by the Legislature on Tuesday. Introduced last year, Omaha Sen. Sara Howard's bill (LB640) was amended to remove reference to specific genocides other than the Holocaust before it was packaged into an omnibus bill (LB1131) prioritized by the Education Committee. A floor amendment to the bill offered by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers on Tuesday to add "slavery, lynching, and racial massacres in America" to the list of multicultural education requirements drew opposition from the chair of the Education Committee, however. Sen. Mike Groene said he agreed to add Howard's bill to the Education Committee package this year if it removed reference to specific genocides in Armenia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Cambodia. Chambers' proposal to include slavery, lynching and racial massacres in America he specifically discussed the 1919 lynching of Will Brown in Omaha and Emmet Till in Mississippi in 1955, as well as the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, attributing those atrocities and more to racism perpetrated by white mobs was redundant to what is already in state law, Groene said. Nebraska students are required to learn about the history and contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and Natives, the North Platte senator added. Groene asked if the Legislature should consider the history and contributions of other groups like Irish Americans, who he said were discriminated against throughout history. He called Chambers' proposal divisive, even racist toward white Americans, and encouraged senators to vote it down. "I would also entertain, if Sen. Chambers would work with me, to change the language to just say genocide and slavery," Groene said. "That doesn't name any race or nationality or point fingers at anybody," he said. "It's just plain bad human behavior. That's what we need to be teaching our children. Not who did it and how they did it and blame a whole subset of people for something only a few people did." Chambers, who warned senators he would launch a filibuster on the omnibus bill if the Legislature defeated his amendment, said he had not laid blame for slavery at the feet of all white people. "When you make a statement 'birds fly,' that means the birds that can fly, fly," Chambers said. "There are wingless birds that do not fly. If you want to include all birds, you would say 'All birds fly,' and that's when the scientists, the ornithologists would say, 'That's not correct.' "I never said all white people owned slaves, so either (Groene) didn't listen or he's a bare-faced liar," the longtime lawmaker said. The Legislature adopted Chambers' amendment on a 34-3 vote, with Sens. Joni Albrecht, Rob Clements and Groene voting against. Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue said it was time for the Legislature to join others in recognizing the historical and ongoing struggles faced by African Americans in the U.S. "It's never too late to do the right thing," she said. "Anyone can stand up here and say they're not racist. Great. But as a white person, you can never understand what people of color go through." Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt said with the generation that endured the Holocaust disappearing, and with anti-Jewish sentiment on the rise in the U.S., it was important for the next generation of Nebraskans to learn about the dangers of anti-Semitism. "This is a harmless thing we can do to fight against that in Nebraska," she said. Lawmakers later rejected Groene's attempt to strip the changes to the multicultural education requirements from the bill. He suggested the Legislature start over with a new bill to be heard in committee next year, and chided senators for casting votes to avoid being labeled as a racist in the upcoming legislative elections rather than "doing the right thing." The omnibus bill advanced on a 37-0 vote. In addition to Howard's bill, the Education Committee bill includes: * LB1076 from Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz expanding the Community College Gap Assistance Program, which provides funding to low-income students enrolled in high-need fields, to include Nebraska's four tribal colleges. * LB950 from Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil that adds students who qualify for financial help under the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to the qualifiers for the Access College Early scholarship offered by the state. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The grieving mother of three children killed alongside their cousin last month when an alleged drink driver mounted a pavement in Sydneys west has shared a photo of the group of cousins moments before the tragedy. Three of Leila Adallahs six children, Anthony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 8, were killed in the crash in Oatlands on February 1. Their cousin Veronique, 11, was the fourth fatality in the crash. Five of the cousins pose for a photo moments before the crash. Source: Facebook The children alongside several other cousins were taking an evening stroll to buy ice cream when the vehicle allegedly veered from the road and crashed into them. Ms Abdallah took to Facebook just over three weeks after the deaths to share a photo of five of the cousins, smiling together, as they headed out on their final walk. Their last sunset walk on this Earth, she wrote. Saturday, February 1 before God called them back home and said Let the little children come to me and so not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. Forever in our hearts. There has been an outpouring of support for Ms Abdallah and her husband Danny following the tragedy, with her heartbreaking post prompting more comments online. The three Abdallah children killed in the crash. Pictured L-R is Antony, Angelina and Sienna. Source: Nine Leila Abdallah pictured a day after the crash at the scene. Source: AAP Such a beautiful happy carefree photo - so unaware of the carnage and heartbreak ahead, one person wrote. Rest In Peace darling angels, thinking of you always, another said. Thousands attended the funeral of the three siblings at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on February 10. In a statement, their parents described their loss as an unimaginable tragedy. Veronique was laid to rest at her school the following day. Police allege Samuel William Davidson, 29, was behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck the children and that he was three times over the blood alcohol limit. He is facing four counts of manslaughter among other charges and is due to front court in April. 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. ATLANTA, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Simeio Solutions, the global leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) as-a-Service, has been recognized as a Hot Company in the Identity and Access Management Category of the Cyber Defense Magazine Global Awards . With more than 3,000 cyber security companies worldwide, only a small number are recognized as Global Award winners . Now, in its seventh year, the awards showcase companies from around the globe based on analysis and independent judging by certified security professionals. Simeio was recognized for its ground-breaking solutions such as Identity Vault , an identity proofing solution deployed on the cloud. Simeio Identity Vault facilitates easy and secure access to applications while verifying the identity of a user from anywhere, and on any device. It is an honour to receive this award and be recognized for our achievements by an elite group of industry leaders, said Shawn Keve, Chief Revenue Officer at Simeio Solutions. We are living in an era of digital transformation, where users expect seamless and speedy access all with a personal touch. With Identity Vault, we enable this access by verifying that the user is who they say they are, and with the least amount of resistance. With cybercrime heading into the tens of billions of records stolen and potentially trillions of dollars in damages, we are proud to recognize Simeio Solutions as an award-winning innovator that offers a new approach to defeat these criminals, said Pierluigi Paganini, editor-in-chief, Cyber Defense Magazine. About the Cyber Defense Global Awards This is the Cyber Defense Magazine's seventh year of honouring InfoSec innovators from around the globe. With over 3,000 cyber security companies worldwide, only a small number, fewer than 200, are highlighted as Global Awards winners, based upon independent judging and analysis. Youll find winners from all over the Globe including Australia, China, Israel, India, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com and https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com/infosec-awards-2019-winners/?utm_content=102814900&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-678036. About Simeio Solutions Simeio Solutions provides the industrys most complete Identity and Access Management solution delivered as a service and interoperable with leading IAM tools. We protect over 150 million identities globally for enterprises, institutions, and government entities of all sizes. Our platform and services provide the following set of enterprise-grade security and identity capabilities: Access Management and Federation, Access Request, Directory Services, Identity Governance and Administration, Identity Management and Administration, Privileged Access Management, Security & Risk Intelligence, Data Security & Loss Prevention, and Cloud Security. Simeio IDaaSwhich consists of Simeio Identity Orchestrator (IO), Simeio Identity Intelligence Center (IIC), and managed identity servicesbrings together best-in-class processes, professionals, and technologies focused entirely on management and protection of identities and related access controls. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and with Security Operations Centers worldwide, Simeio provides services to Global 2000 companies across all industries, and government entities. For more information, please visit www.simeiosolutions.com . Simeio Solutions Follow Us on Twitter: @Simeio Join our LinkedIn Group: Simeio Solutions Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Simeio Solutions Like Us on Facebook: Simeio Solutions Simeio Solutions Media Contact: Danya Harper info@simeiosolutions.com 770-282-4442 Canadas small businesses are growing increasingly concerned about the impacts of the spreading COVID-19 virus and have urged provincial governments to step in and provide some financial relief. (Getty Images) Canadas small businesses are increasingly concerned about the effect of the spreading COVID-19 virus and have urged provincial governments to step in and provide financial relief. In separate letters addressed to each of Canadas premiers, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) urged provincial governments to consider assisting small businesses that are experiencing economic fallout as a result of the rapid spread of COVID-19. Businesses are already feeling the impacts and might face further challenges brought on by potential community spread of the virus across Canada, the letter said. Some business owners are experiencing supply chain interruptions or delays in receiving shipments from China, leading to unfilled orders and dissatisfied customers... Some businesses are seeing a significant loss in foot traffic as the public becomes more fearful of contamination, resulting in stunted revenues. CFIB called on the provinces as well as other levels of government to consider implementing several initiatives, including providing relief for affected companies similar to what might occur in the event of other natural disasters. CFIB also recommended that the provinces provide relief from penalties and interest for late remittances of taxes and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board payouts, as well as temporarily stop routine audits, a process that is already stressful enough for small business owners. The group urged the government to establish a small business hotline to help those that may have to shut down operations temporarily or permanently and ensure they are transitioned quickly into the EI system. The EI system needs to be prepared for a period of heavier unemployment, the letter said. Plamen Petkov, vice president of Ontario and business resources with CFIB, said in an interview that a key concern among small business so far has been how to deal with employees who have travelled abroad or may have to miss work as a result of the virus. Story continues One of the key vulnerabilities for small businesses is actually losing their employees, Petkov said. If you have six employees and two cannot make it into work, thats a third of your workforce and it becomes very difficult to maintain normal business operations. Petkov said the most vulnerable businesses are those that interact directly with customers, including those in the retail, restaurant, tourism and hospitality sectors. While the economic impact of the virus outbreak on businesses has so far been minimal, Petkov said that companies need to plan for the worst. Brian Kropp, group vice president at research and advisory firm Gartner, said companies should have a contingency plan in place in case 25 per cent of staff are unavailable to work because of COVID-19 a worst-case scenario based on the response during the H1N1 and SARS outbreaks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday morning that the government is open to the idea of helping firms suffering economic damage from a coronavirus outbreak, but did not provide additional details. There will be impacts on Canadian businesses, on entrepreneurs, and we will always look for ways to minimize that impact and perhaps give help where help is needed, he told a televised news conference in Halifax. Petkov said CFIB will be sending a similar letter to the federal government this week. Governments certainly have a role to play here in terms of instilling more stability and certainty in the economy and, where necessary, to provide help that some small businesses may need, Petkov said. With files from Reuters Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android and sign up for the Yahoo Finance Canada Weekly Brief. Rome, March 3 : Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cannot "blackmail" Europe on migration, Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday after Erdogan warned that "millions" of migrants would soon head to the European Union. "There can be no blackmail. We need to dialogue to find solutions," Di Maio said in an interview with Italian daily La Stampa. Turkey said on Friday that migrants could leave for the EU and thousands have since massed at the Greek border, sparking fears of a new influx like that of 2015 when over a million migrants entered Europe. EU leaders have accused Erdogan of using the threat of a new migrant influx to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria. EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue this week at an emergency summit, Di Maio said. "We are working together with other European countries in great unison. There is the will to find a solution rather than creating new problems," he said. Turkey has launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria to try and repel the government's offensive in the country's last rebel-held bastion, an assault that has caused millions of people to flee. LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MinistrySafe, a leading organization that helps ministries meet legal standards of care and reduce the risk of sexual abuse, will lead a "Church Safety Workshop," March 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville in partnership with Philadelphia Insurance Companies and the Kentucky Baptist Convention. MinistrySafe Founder, Gregory Love, is a leading sexual abuse trial attorney and expert in training churches and ministries to prevent child sexual abuse. Love will lead sessions to equip leaders to establish safe-guards in their places of ministry by focusing on topics such as: Common sexual abuse misconceptions Abuser characteristics The 'grooming process' utilized by offenders Common 'grooming behaviors' Peer-to-peer sexual abuse Changes in current legislation Tools and resources for reducing the risk Members of the local press are invited to attend the workshop for free. Please email [email protected] for credentials. On-site interviews will be available upon request. "Churches and ministries will never be accidentally excellent at preventing child sexual abuse," Love said. "We have to understand how the risk of child sexual abuse unfolds in ministry contexts, and then put protective protocols in place. In other words, we cannot reduce a risk we don't understand." Since MinistrySafe's inception, more than 16,000 organizations have trained over one million staff members and volunteers, on six continents in various languages. On average, MinistrySafe trains 25,000-30,000 people each monthlive and online. Contact: Elizabeth Bristow [email protected] SOURCE MinistrySafe By Jeff Lewis TORONTO, March 2 (Reuters) - Miners in Toronto for an annual industry dealmaking event slathered on hand sanitizer and avoided handshakes, while Chile's mines minister doled out masks as coronavirus concerns overshadowed buyout buzz and prompted delegates to scrap some events. The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference (PDAC) has become an outlier as worries over the fast-spreading virus forces cancellation of other major international conferences. But the mood at this year's event is subdued, geologist Richard Risto said between sessions. "It doesn't seem quite as busy." On Monday, the CRU-Cesco World Copper Conference in Chile was canceled due to concerns over travel risks associated with the outbreak. On Sunday, IHS Markit scrapped one of the world's most prestigious gatherings of oil ministers and top executives in Houston later this month. Coronavirus has infected some 85,000 and killed around 3,000 people globally. As of Sunday, Canada had confirmed 24 cases of the illness caused by the new coronavirus, but health officials said the risk to the public remained low. Still, Mongolian officials on Sunday canceled a planned PDAC investor forum and reception, citing increasing global concern about the virus' spread. "The MMHI has decided that it is best to avoid creating a potentially dangerous situation that increases the risk of transmission," an official with the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry said via email, citing Mongolian government policy to combat spreading the virus. A PDAC representative said cancellations from other countries remain low but noted global travel restrictions had forced "several" exhibitors from China to skip this year's event. Organizers said they are in regular consultation with Toronto Public Health and are taking direction from the World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada. PDAC draws more than 20,000 geoscientists, executives and financiers to a sprawling convention center in downtown Toronto. This year, handshakes are being discouraged and large signs posted throughout the convention implore attendees to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands and make use of ubiquitous hand sanitizer. "I don't hang on to hand rails anymore," said Michael Griffiths, president of junior explorer Currie Rose Resources , about the escalators at the convention center. At the Chile pavilion, mines minister Baldo Prokurica gave out anti-bacterial masks with copper woven into the fabric. "Nobody can really give a certain opinion" about how quickly the virus will be contained, he said, speaking before the world copper conference was canceled. (Reporting by Jeff Lewis; Additional reporting by Allison Martell; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Shocking' Chinese Economic Coronavirus Data Hints at Struggles for Small Businesses By VOA News March 02, 2020 As Chinese authorities try to get the country back to work without risking another coronavirus outbreak, new official data show that the manufacturing sector plunged by a wider margin than expected. A private, independent survey manufacturers published Monday showed the steepest decline in China's manufacturing activity in 16 years. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), which gives an independent snapshot of operating conditions in the manufacturing sector, fell last month to 40.3, the lowest reading since the survey began in April 2004. A PMI rating below 50 indicates that the manufacturing economy is declining, while a value above 50 signals manufacturing economic expansion. Last Saturday, China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the widely-watched indicator of the country's economic activity slumped to a record low of 35.7 in February from 50.0 in January. This was the lowest since January 2005, when the index was first released. The previous lowest was 38.8 in November 2008, during the international financial crisis. In addition to the manufacturing data, China's non-manufacturing services sector activity also posted its deepest contraction on record, dropping to 29.6 from 54.1 in January, according to another survey by China's NBS. The surveys provide the first snapshots of the state of the Chinese economy since the coronavirus outbreak in early January. 'Shocking' declines The declines were widely anticipated after the extended Lunar New Year holiday kept factories and offices closed, but the figures were even more severe than many forecasters expected. Analysts polled by Bloomberg and Reuters had expected the February PMI reading to come in between 45.0 and 46.0. A reading below 50 indicates a contraction in sector activity. "It is shocking," Dr. Frank Xie, a business professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken, said of how wrong analysts were in predictiing the severity of the economic blow to Chinese businesses and industries. "It really shows how bad the situation is," he said of the latest reports. Nicholas R. Lardy, an economist at the Brookings Institution who has written numerous articles and books on the Chinese economy, also pointed out that the actual damage could be much worse. "I think the negative effect of the virus on China's economy is going to be much larger than some think," Lardy said. He said that although many businesses have reported reopening, they are operating at a low level of activity because their workers have not returned or they can't get supplies or ship the final output they produce. Small businesses struggle While the coronavirus epidemic has disrupted business for some of the biggest corporations in the world, it is hitting smaller businesses in China particularly hard. A report by the central government supervisory body says 90 percent of state firms are now back in business. China's state assets oversight agency, the State Council's Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, said on Sunday that the 48,000 subsidiaries under the government-owned firms supervised by the oversight agency have reported a 91.7 percent work resumption rate. By contrast, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Zhang Kejian, said last Wednesday that only 30 percent of China's small- and medium-sized enterprises had resumed work. The Chinese Association of Small and Medium Enterprises said Sunday that pace of resumption is very slow, with many factories still not reopened. The newly released PMI index, which comes from a list of questions sent to hundreds of manufacturers, gives details about companies' purchasing activities and supply situations, and shows that small businesses are being hard hit by the virus outbreak. Small- and medium-sized businesses contribute more than 60% of the country's Gross Domestic Product, and they employ more than 80% of China's workers, according to government statistics published last September. Government support A small business owner with the last name Wu in Wenzhou, one of the country's top manufacturing bases, told VOA that his employees have not returned at all. "Without any orders coming in it would be pointless" for my employees come back to work, Wu said. Wu opened his shoe manufacturing business about 15 years ago and it had been doing well until now, he said. He normally has about 30 employees, most of them from other parts of China. He said that he has only ventured out once or twice a week since the lockdown and has not been to his factory at all. "My customers are not able to come to me. Now I can only use apps to handle some orders on Taobao," an Amazon-like online marketplace, he said. A survey of small- and medium-sized businesses conducted by the Chinese Association of Small and Medium Enterprises last week found that over 85% of respondents believe they will run out of cash in less than three months, and about 60% could cover regular payments for only one to two months before running out of cash. Recognizing the threat, the government has pledged support for the country's small- and medium-sized businesses, including a deferral of pension, health and housing payments, and promises to lower rents. The government has also announced delayed schedules for repaying business loans. Health crisis challenges In recent days, China has reported only single-digit new confirmed cases outside Hubei Province. But the government is not ready to declare victory yet. Liang Wannian, a senior official with China's National Health Commission, said last Saturday that "the situation is still very grim. We haven't stopped the epidemic in Wuhan yet." Many analysts agree it is too early to celebrate given the highly contagious nature of the virus and the potential for a new surge in cases when millions of people go back to work in China. "The current situation is still volatile and a resurgence in confirmed cases and deaths is just as likely," said Ross Darrell Feingold, a political risk analyst who advises multinational corporations doing business in China. The government now has a multi-faceted challenge before the restart of operations can reach a scale to prevent a sustained economic slowdown. These challenges include safely transporting sufficient amounts of labor to their place of work, ensuring that the factory floor and worker dormitories have adequate safety protocols, and trying to restart the country's stalled logistics pipeline that moves billions of products from factory floors to retail shops in China and around the world. "Low interest loans, fee waivers, and other such financial incentives for manufacturers won't address these challenges, because the main issue remains a public health crisis that requires a medical solution," Feingold said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address STAFFORD A man wanted for alleged identity theft in Ohio took off during a motor vehicle stop Tuesday morning, nearly hitting law enforcement officers as he fled at a high rate of speed, Connecticut State Police said. At 9:35 a.m., troopers initiated a motor vehicle stop in the area of Route 32 south in Stafford for a seat belt violation, state police said. The agency said the driver of the vehicle was identified as 25-year-old Troy Burgess, of Stafford. It was discovered that Burgess also had a suspended license and a fully extraditable arrest warrant for identity theft in the state of Ohio, state police said. State police said there was also a woman and two small children in the vehicle with Burgess. As troopers and officers from the Stafford Police Department walked up to the vehicle to make contact with him, Burgess allegedly placed the vehicle in reverse in an attempt to flee the scene. Burgess then drove away at an extremely high rate of speed after nearly striking troopers and officers on scene, state police said. The vehicle Burgess was driving was described by state police as a 2009 red Lincoln sedan with damage to the front left bumper area. The vehicle bears Ohio registration HYL2576. Anyone with information about Burgess whereabouts is asked to call Troop C in Tolland at 860-896-3200 or the Stafford Resident State Troopers Office at 860-684-3777. Callers can remain anonymous. A memoir has long been expected from Woody Allen and finally, his publisher, Grand Central Publishing, has announced it will be out next month, on Apr. 7 and its called Apropos of Nothing. Woody Allen | John Minihan/Evening Standard/Getty Images Heres what Woody Allen might decide to discuss in the publication. Allens been shopping his memoir with no takers Although Allens been working on his life story and one would think any number of publishers would be fighting over it, thanks to his sexual scandals and the #MeToo movement, no publisher would even consider touching it. Finally, the 84-year-old filmmaker found a publisher in Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. The company released a statement today. Woody Allen In Every Thing You Always Wanted To Know About Sex * But Were Afraid To Ask | United Artists/Getty Images The book is a comprehensive account of [Woody Allens] life, both personal and professional, and describes his work in films, theater, television, nightclubs, and print. Allen also writes of his relationships with family, friends, and the loves of his life. The publisher further said the Husbands and Wives director will do several interviews in coordination with the publication, and says the book will be published this spring in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, followed by publications in countries around the world. Allens impeccable career and checkered life For years, any number of actors would consider it the goal of their careers to work with the director. He has made some of the twentieth-centurys greatest films including Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Hannah and Her Sisters, Manhattan, and Radio Days. He has worked with highly acclaimed actors including Diane Keaton, Anjelica Huston, Selena Gomez, Sam Waterston, and his most frequent collaborator, his ex-partner, Mia Farrow. Selena Gomez and Woody Allen filming A Rainy Day in New York | James Devaney/GC Images The shadow of sexual abuse allegations against him have tainted his reputation and career. He lost out on an Amazon movie deal because he referred to the #MeToo movement as a witch hunt. One actor who has remained loyal to Allen is Alan Alda, who worked with the director on three of his films and last year declared he would work with him again, despite actors such as Mira Sorvino and Colin Firth saying they never would again. Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston and Woody Allen in a scene from Manhattan Murder Mystery | TriStar/Getty Images He told The Hollywood Reporter, Id work with him again if he wanted me. Im not qualified to judge him. I dont know all the facts. I dont know if hes guilty or innocent. But you can be uncertain thats what I go on. I just dont have enough information to convince me I shouldnt work with him. And hes an enormously talented guy. What will Woody Allen discuss in his memoir? Fans of the Broadway Danny Rose director wonder if Allen will cover, of course, his best movies and the actors hes most enjoyed working with. But what those who have followed his career really hope is that he will offer his side of the story regarding his life and battles with former partner Mia Farrow, his shocking affair and marriage with then-21-year-old Soon-Yi Previn, and the allegations of sexual abuse of his young daughter Dylan Farrow. In 2018, Allen, regarding the latter allegations relating to his behavior towards his daughter, spoke with an Argentine news program, saying, This is something that has been thoroughly looked at 25 years ago by all the authorities and everybody came to the conclusion that it was untrue. Diane Keaton and Woody Allen in the film Annie Hall And that was the end, and Ive gone on with my life. For it to come back now, its a terrible thing to accuse a person of. Im a man with a family and my own children. Everyone wants justice to be done. If there is something like the #MeToo movement now, you root for them. You want them to bring to justice these terrible harassers, these people who do all these terrible things. And I think thats a good thing. 'This was the first ever visit by a President in a re-election year so it sent a strong signal of the priority of the relationship and the desire to continue to strengthen it.' IMAGE: US President Donald J Trump speaks at President Ram Nath Kovind's dinner, February 25, 2020. "This was an instance of the visit itself being a deliverable," Dr Anish Goel, senior fellow with New America and former White House official for South Asia, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih. While President Trump played glowing tribute to Prime Minister 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 your opinion, how is America strategising its relationship with both these countries with traditional animosities? Is the balance tipping towards India? The United States is trying to build as strong a partnership as possible with both countries simultaneously. Each bilateral relationship is important in its own right and that sentiment is being borne out by the desire to strengthen ties with both. Thinking about the balance tipping to one or the other country is no longer applicable when it comes to how the United States approaches its relationships in the region. There is benefit in both partnerships. What about America's need for Pakistan more than ever since Trump is looking at a US draw down of troops before the November election? American troops have already drawn down from over 130,000 in 2010 to only around 10,000 today. During that time, the US-Pakistan relationship has seen both ups and downs. The United States wants Pakistan to play a mature, stabilising, role in Afghanistan that supports its democracy and economic growth. But that approach does not change based on how many troops are in the country. If the United States withdraws all troops, it will continue to work with Pakistan, just as it does now. 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 Trump's arrival? For a famously transactional President, isn't this meagre pickings from a State visit? Presidential visits are always forcing function events to push deals and agreements that are already in the works to completion so that they can be announced during the visit as deliverables. All deliverables are generally completed ahead of time and it was no different in this case. Given that the defense deal was the only strong deliverable for this visit, there is certainly a sense that this was a missed opportunity. But expectations are always high for a presidential visit to India -- does the Trump administration wish that more had been accomplished? I am sure they do. But this is also true for every visit. There are always things that don't make it onto the final list of deliverables. What, in your opinion, are the hidden achievements of this visit -- the two leaders have spoken about cooperation on homeland security without clarifying what this will entail? This was an instance of the visit itself being a deliverable. This was the first ever visit by a President in a re-election year so it sent a strong signal of the priority of the relationship and the desire to continue to strengthen it. The 'hidden' achievements, I think, are there for everyone to see in the strong bonds between the leaders and the people of the two countries. Do you think a security relationship is the bedrock on which the India-US relationship in the 21st century stands? Is this security relationship sturdy enough to withstand a change in occupant at the White House this November? Security issues are of paramount importance in this relationship, both in terms of counter-terrorism and regional security in Asia-Pacific. And the two countries have made impressive strides in cooperation in both areas in the last ten years. This security relationship, as well as the overall bilateral relationship, has already withstood several changes in government on both sides, and I'm sure that will still be the case when the leadership changes again. 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? The gains for this visit are primarily symbolism which is important in this type of relationship. This was also a reaffirmation of the desire of both countries to continue to work together. The joint statement issued by the two leaders doesn't break a lot of new ground. Rather, it reiterates that both sides remain committed to advancing the agenda of cooperation. Given that the last visit by a US president was over five years ago, this is an important achievement in its own right for both sides. Chairman of the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition of Armenia Gegham Gevorgyan today hosted President of the American University of Armenia, Professor Karin Markides and Professor of the College of Business and Economics Karen Sarkavagyan. Greeting the guests, Gegham Gevorgyan stated that the Commission undertook the initiative for conveying new quality and content to cooperation with educational institutions in Armenia last year in order to strengthen the relationship between universities and the labor market and added that the Commission is willing to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with the American University of Armenia as well. The participants of the meeting particularly discussed issues related to the engagement of a data analyst for introduction of a digital platform and other possible directions for development of the cooperation (solutions to problems with economic competition, public awareness and strengthening of public confidence). The government in Telangana on Tuesday allocated Rs 100 crore for tackling the fast-spreading coronavirus to create facilities at hospitals and launch large scale campaign to create awareness about the disease. The decision was announced a day after a 24-year old software engineer from Hyderabad testing positive for coronavirus. It was taken at a high-level meeting of the group of ministers, including health minister Eetala Rajender, urban development minister KT Rama Rao and panchayat raj minister E Dayakar Rao, with chief secretary Somesh Kumar and other heads of nine departments. Briefing the media after the meeting, the health minister said dedicated wards will be set up in all government hospitals in the state, exclusively for treatment of affected patients. More than 3000 beds would be kept ready for admitting patients with symptoms of coronavirus and of which around 300 beds would be for those who test positive for the virus. He said the health department had deployed 24 pulmonologists to cater to the people under observation at various hospitals. An equal number of serving pulmonologists were also been asked to keep ready. A large number of retired doctors were also contacted and their willingness was obtained to serve in case of need. It is a misconception that coronavirus will take away the life of the affected person. More than 80% of the patients can recover without any treatment. Only 3% of the people succumbed to the disease. Deaths on account of coronavirus are far less compared to other viruses we had seen so far, the health minister said. Stating that coronavirus is not air-borne, Rajender said it would only spread through person to person contact. He appealed to all citizens who move in crowds to carry hankerchiefs and use them while sneezing and coughing. It is your responsibility to see that the virus does not spread to others from you, the minister said. Health officials are confident that the virus would not spread because of the more heat and less humidity this summer. We will focus on creating awareness for one week to 10 days. People should not be panicked about, the minister said. The state government also requested the Union health ministry to send masks for wide use among the people and was assured by Union health minister Harsha Vardhan that the will be sent immediately. Popular social activist Sunitha Krishnan, who got admitted to Gandhi Hospital with symptoms of coronavirus on Monday after her return from Bangkok, declared that she was tested negative. Sunitha, who heads anti-trafficking NGO Prajwala, had voluntarily approached government-run Gandhi Hospital and was kept in isolation ward. The test results for coronavirus has just come in, it is negative, what a relief, she tweeted and thanked friends and well-wishers for their prayers and wishes. In the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, health department officials declared that no case of coronavirus has reported in the state so far. Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who held a review meeting on Tuesday, directed officials to take all preventive measures and create awareness about coronavirus. He said officials must ensure isolation wards in district hospitals and that doctors are trained to handle coronavirus with an action plan prepared by experts in the field. In Karnataka, the minister for health and family welfare B Sriramulu said there is state wide alert for ensuring that there is no panic regarding coronavirus. Sriramulu said two specialised laboratories have been opened to examine blood samples of people being screened for the virus. All government and 1690 private hospitals will work to ensure screening, he said. The minister also said that 25 people who worked with the infected software engineer from Hyderabad, who also travelled to Bengaluru, have been quarantined through contact tracing. All of them are under observation and being screened currently, he said. He added that more than 40,000 travellers have been screened at the Kempegowda International Airport since January 20 when the scare started. The district surveillance unit of Karnataka health department has issued a notice to the apartment complex on Sarjapur Road where the techie stayed while he was in Bengaluru. Karnatakas medical education minister K Sudhakar also said everyone, who came in contact with the engineer, has been asked to remain in quarantine and to get tested at the first sign of any cough, fever or cold. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The late Pa Kasunmu 03.03.2020 LISTEN Nollywood has recorded another death following the death of actor Kayode Odumosu, popularly known in the Nigerian movie industry as Pa Kasunmu. Kasunmu died at the age of 76 after battling a brief illness. The Daily Post reports Pa Kasunmu's death was announced by actress Foluke Daramola-Salako on Sunday on her Instagram page. She disclosed that the veteran actor died after a brief illness at a hospital in Abeokuta. The death has since thrown Nollywood into mourning. His death follows recent death in Nollywood, including that of actor Frank Dallace, whose death occurred in hotel. Veteran actor Adebayo Salami has said Pa Kasunmu would be greatly missed in the movie industry and among his colleagues as he was a professional artist. It is a sad one but we have to submit to the will of God, we have been missing Pa Kasumu for a long time since he stopped acting few years ago due to illness. He was a professional artist to the core, nice, respectful and had great regard for the ethics of his profession. My prayer for him is for his soul rest in perfect peace and may God comfort his family, fans and friends, he told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). A young woman with one of the world's most severe cases of Tourette syndrome has used her life experiences to help others as an inspiration public speaker. Queensland woman Bianca Saez, 27, first spoke out about her condition 10 years ago, saying she was unable to live a normal life. She said her life consisted of staying at home, eating food and physically striking herself and her loved ones. Now, Ms Saez has found a partner, has taken better control of her condition, and now has the 'icing on the cake' - a job as a public speaker advising other people how to find employment. 'It's improved my mental health, my motivation, it's just improved my whole life,' she told Nine News. Queensland woman Bianca Saez (pictured) hasn't let her condition, one of the world's worst cases of Tourette's syndrome, stop her from achieving her dream of finding a fulfilling job Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts contacted Ms Saez after seeing her story on television. She said when Ms Seaz enters a room to speak to other people on the job-seeking path they are 'captivated' by her energy and her story. 'I talk about all the barriers I've been through, how I was able to overcome them and was able to get a job,' Ms Saez said. 'I went from just laying on my couch, eating, sleeping, that was all my days would ever be.' Her condition causes her to scream unintentionally, to lash out at her loved ones with uncontrollable slaps and punching and scratching herself. It got so bad when she was 16-years-old she had to spend time in a mental health unit which devastated her and her family. In 2008, Bianca underwent extreme radical brain stimulation surgery, the first of its kind in Australia, which was meant to reset her brain cells to stop her from hitting herself. Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts reached out to Ms Saez (pictured together) and gave her a job at the training agency where she gives speeches to trainees and job seekers In 2008, Bianca underwent a world first radical brain surgery to try and limit the severity of her Tourette's syndrome which she sadi made her 'so grateful' 'I'm so grateful for this,' Bianca told 60 Minutes host Tara Brown at the time. 'I can't believe how much I'm grateful for having this operation because it's changed my whole entire life and I'm so proud of myself for doing it. 'If I wasn't resilient I don't think I would be here right now. I don't think I'd be here at all.' Now living independently, Bianca says she feels more mature and is happy to be able to do the things she couldn't do before. 'It's a very hard illness to live with but I have mastered it,' she said. Bianca has launched a YouTube channel to educate her followers and the community about Tourette's. The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has proposed to name the state-run university and airport here after Dogra kings and passed a resolution for the same in its general house meeting followed by making a recommendation in this regard to the administration of the Union Territory. The historic City Chowk, the commercial hub in old Jammu, was renamed 'Bharat Mata Chowk' while another intersection was named 'Atal Chowk' in memory of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee after passage of a resolution by the general house of the BJP-led JMC. "A resolution was moved in the general house for naming various chowks, roads and institutions in Jammu city," senior BJP leader and Deputy Mayor of JMC, Purnima Sharma, told PTI. In this regard, two proposals to rename Jammu Airport and Jammu University were also passed with full majority, apart from renaming various places in the city, she said. The resolutions have paved the way for renaming the airport as Maharaja Hari Singh Jammu Airport and the local university as the Maharaja Gulab Singh Jammu University. "It has been recommended to the UT administration to name these institutions after Dogra kings," Sharma said. Maharaja Gulab Singh was the founder of the Dogra rule in Jammu and Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh was the last Dogra ruler, who acceded Jammu and Kashmir to India in 1947. Sharma, who moved the resolution for change the name of the city's main intersection point to 'Bharat Mata Chowk', said this place is historic and a witness to major decisions and protests in the past. "Every year people hoist the tricolour on Republic Day and Independence Day at this chowk. There was a popular demand from the public to rename it as Bharat Mata Chowk," Sharma said. The starting point of the circular road near Panjtirthi in the city was named by the JMC as 'Atal Chowk' in the memory of the former prime minister. The Bharatiya Janata Party swept the JMC polls, winning 43 of the 75 wards, after the urban local bodies elections were held in the erstwhile state in four phases from October 8 to 16 in 2018 after a gap of 13 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 05:17:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a ship accident over the weekend in northern Brazil's Amazon River climbed to 13, rescue teams said Monday. The passenger and cargo ship sank on Saturday in the Amazonian state of Amapa after a storm with strong winds and rains knocked over the vessel, which was on a 36-hour trip from the state capital Macapa to Santarem, a town in neighboring Para state. The vessel was 130 kilometers south of Macapa, in a hard-to-reach area, when it turned over. According to the local fire department, the ship had no list of passengers, but between 60 and 70 people are believed to have been on board. Teams have rescued 46 survivors and recovered 13 bodies so far. Brazilian naval personnel and a naval helicopter were expected to join the rescue efforts on Monday, which already involve divers and two helicopters. Press Release March 3, 2020 De Lima airs deep concern over spread of 'Chinese POGO virus' Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has warned that the continued presence of Chinese gambling firms will do more harm than good not only to the economy of the country but also to the moral, social and cultural norms that Filipinos have kept sacred. De Lima said the country's opening to these Chinese gambling firms, also known as Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), signifies not only the Duterte administration's pivot to China but also its transformation into a Chinese satellite "The opening of the Philippines to Chinese POGOs signifies an aspect of this Duterte-sponsored Chinese invasion that erodes our moral, social, and cultural fabric'' she said in her handwritten Dispatch from Crame No. 725. . "The POGOs of China's triads are fast transforming our society into a cesspool of vice and criminality for Chinese citizens," she added, mindful of the increase of crimes involving Chinese nationals in the country, especially among POGO workers. In its recent inquiry, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, exposed a new money-making scheme that allows the entry of Chinese nationals in the country in exchange of PhP 10,000 each. It also unearthed the proliferation of sex dens involving local and foreign women who are being forced into prostitution dens to cater to Chinese nationals working in POGO companies. "As in the case of the Chinese COVID-19 virus, if not more so, we must, in all seriousness and determination, deal with the Chinese POGOs. The POGOs are the virus which will gradually, but definitely kill our communities," De Lima said. "It is about time we face this Chinese threat head-on. Before it is too late," she added According to the lady Senator from Bicol, these POGOs now represent a national threat both to the country's national security and stability as a society. "In so many ways, the Chinese triad POGOs represent a danger more alarming than marauding divisions of the People's Liberation Army because rather than invade us from the outside," she said, "POGOs are corroding our social fabric from the inside, much like how the Chinese COVID-19 virus destroys its host from the inside," she added. De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, had earlier warned that the establishment of what she called as "Pogo Island" in Kawit, Cavite and in other parts of the country could be the beginning of a creeping Chinese invasion. During the 17th Congress, De Lima filed Senate Resolution 751 to investigate the surge of Chinese workers in the Philippines, notably in the POGO industry, which steals the jobs from Filipinos and rakes up the prices of real estate properties in the country. She also asked her Senate colleagues through Senate Resolution 1030 to look into the reported failure of POGO firms to comply with government regulations on foreign workers, notably in paying appropriate personal income taxes. Under SR 1030, De Lima had maintained that the government's failure to register and regulate POGO firms and their workers in the country could lead to serious issues, including those of criminality, national security, and possible abuse of Filipinos by undocumented foreign nationals. New York, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Specialty Tractor market was valued at USD 91.4 Billion in 2018 and is expected to reach USD 132.1 billion by the year 2026, at a CAGR of 4.7% CAGR during the forecast period (from 2019-2026). The growth of agriculture in developing regions is one of the key reasons that are driving the growth of the market. Further, government subsidies for farm mechanization is another crucial factor helping in the growth of the market. Tractors are used in farms to help the farmers in performing chores like construction and load pulling. Agricultural usage dominates the usage segment of tractors. Many manufacturers have specific planting, crops which require special tractor dimensions to operate in the fields, vineyards, or orchards. Though a utility tractor fits some of the desired requirements, there will be modifications required to make the tractor completely fit the given application. Request free sample of this research report at: https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/2537 OEMs are offering and integrating advanced safety features in the market considering the vivid nature of applications of such tractors. For instance, New Holland has started offering an automatic traction control system. The system engages front-wheel drive for optimum braking, traction, and steering, only when needed. This system also monitors operation on hilly surfaces to control loads when moving downhill and engages front-wheel drive for extra traction when going uphill. For the most extreme operations, the front-wheel-drive can be fully engaged to provide maximum traction at all times of operations. Manufacturers are providing remote access to the tractors, which will help monitor critical systems and functions. Machine information and programmed custom alerts can prevent downtime by assisting customers in avoiding equipment failures. John Deeres JDLink, when combined with Remote Display Access, can give their dealer remote access to the machine to troubleshoot potential problems Further key findings from the report suggest- New niche market segment of specialty tractors with power below 30 HP is growing. These tractors have major applications in in vineyards, orchards, , horticulture, fruits, veggies, and sugarcane Specialty tractors made for the applications of orchards or vineyards are witnessing a shift from 30HP 2WD to 22HP 4WD These tractors have major applications in agriculture, and particularly in orchards and vineyards. Narrow type of tractors is usually used in vineyards due to the narrowest rows of wines and less stable surface Low profile tractors are mostly used in orchards due to the mountainous ground or hilly regions. It ensures greater stability than traditional tractors. Low clearance tractors are used for canopied, pergola, or vase cultivation. The compact tractors are used to have better field view and the driving position The small size of the narrow tractors assists farmers to harvest their crop with less damage to vines, fruits, and trees allowing higher yields and a more significant return on their investment Massey Ferguson launched the MF3700 series of specialty tractors. This tractor series is developed for the orchards and vineyard farmers, those requiring stability on slopes. These specialty tractors are majorly designed for high-value farmers requiring tailored features Demand for increased agricultural yield is the prime factor driving the demand for specialty tractor from the agriculture segment. Further, specialty tractors are manufactured by considering the nature of sensitive fruit and vegetable crops and many times farmers have to squeeze between narrow rows of his farm New Holland developed a lower power range - compact specialty tractors. This tractor series is specially developed for orchard, nut and viticulture farmers Manufactures are more focusing on the operators comfort Kubotas M-series specialty tractors offer a touch screen control panel, optional guidance system, and are designed to maximize the operators comfort John Deere has started offering integrated AutoTrac guidance and JDLink applications in their regular product range Narrow range specialty tractors are expected to witness a steady, robust growth owing to their feature of navigating through the narrow path Orchards farmers work under unique circumstances, and they need tractors small enough to go between tight rows, with a low profile to have superior mobility and avoid damaging low-hanging fruit John Deere, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, CNH Industrial NV, Kubota Corporation, AGCO, Same Deutz-Fahr, Kuhn, CLAAS, JCB, MTZ (Minsk) and others are operating in the marketplace Order Now: https://www.reportsanddata.com/checkout-form/2537 For the purpose of this study, Reports and Data have segmented the industry by Type, by Drive, by Application, by Power and by Region: Specialty Tractor by Type (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) Narrow Low Profile High Clearance Specialty Tractor by Drive (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) 2WD 4WD Specialty Tractor by Application (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) Agriculture Orchard Vineyard Others Forestry Construction Others Specialty Tractor by Power (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) < 75 HP >75 HP To identify the key trends in the industry, click on the link below: https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/specialty-tractor-market Specialty Tractor by Region (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) North America US Canada Mexico Europe France Italy Germany UK Spain Benelux Rest of the Europe Asia Pacific Australia New Zealand China India Rest of Asia-Pacific Middle East and Africa Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Browse more similar reports on Automotive and Transportation category by Reports And Data Automotive Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Market - https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/automotive-vehicle-to-everything-v2x-market Automotive Diagnostics Market - https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/global-automotive-diagnostics-market Automotive Metal Stamping Market - https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/automotive-metal-stamping-market About Reports and Data Reports and Data is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries and help clients make a smarter business decision. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a multiple industries including Healthcare, Technology, Chemicals, Power, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware about the latest trends existent in the market. Reports and Data has a strong base of experienced analysts from varied areas of expertise. A self-described white supremacist gang member was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison, four plus years on Friday for the stabbing an Iranian-American man to death in 2015. Craig Matthew Tanber was convicted of second-degree murder for stabbing Shayan Mazroei, 22, to death outside of a bar over Labor Day weekend. The Mercury News reported that Mr Tanber offered a statement prior to his sentencing. To all that have suffered due to this, I deeply apologize, he said. No parent should outlive their child. If I could do one thing today, Id bring your son back to you. I hope this closure starts the healing process to your hearts, he said. Mr Mazroeis mother said that though the trial brought her no relief, she was happy Mr Tanber was going to prison. Its not a relief for me, she said. Im not going to get my son back. [But] society is safer Hes not going to hurt anymore. Though he readily admitted to killing Mr Mazroei, Mr Tanbers defence tried to argue that the murder was in self defence. According to prosecutors, the events leading to Mr Mazroeis death began when Mr Tanbers then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Thornburg, insulted Mr Mazroeis Middle Eastern heritage. Mr Tanbers defence lawyers argue that Mr Mazroei insulted Ms Thornburg when she asked him his name. As the argument escalated, Mr Mazroei and Ms Thornburg walked outside, and Ms Thornburg apparently began spitting on him. Mr Mazroei apparently spit once at Ms Thornburg in response. A bouncer kicked Mr Tanber and Ms Thornburg out of the bar, which enraged Mr Tanber, who then began ranting and shouting racial slurs and saying he wanted to stab someone. Mr Tanber apparently then burst back into the the bar, and shouted at Mr Mazroei, grabbing him and, punching him in the face and stabbing him in the heart. After the stabbing, Mr Tanber fled the scene and was found several days later hiding out in a motel. Ms Thornburg was charged as an accessory to Mr Mazroeis murder and is awaiting trial. She has pleaded not guilty. Story continues Prosecutors chose not to pursue a hate crime charge as they believed there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Mr Tanber was released from prison weeks before killing Mr Mazroei. He was convicted for playing a part in the death of a man who stole money from the ex-girlfriend of another white supremacist gang member. Mr Tanber will have to serve 45 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole. Syrian President Bashar Assad issued an order slating the country's parliamentary elections for April, Assad's press office said on Tuesday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd March, 2020) Syrian President Bashar Assad issued an order slating the country's parliamentary elections for April, Assad's press office said on Tuesday. "President Bashar Assad issued today decree 76 that sets Monday, 13-04-2020, as the date for the election of the People's Council members," the office said in a statement. HBO has ended its more than 10 year tenancy with Titanic Studios, the Belfast, Ireland studio where multiple seasons of Game of Thrones, as well as the now-scrapped Naomi Watts-led prequel pilot, were filmed, a spokesperson for the premium cable channel told TheWrap Tuesday. After the Dan Weiss and David Benioff-created series ended last year and the scrapped prequel pilot finished shooting, there was still an effective agreement between HBO and Titanic Studios that the location would remain vacant until a letter of notification was issued by the pay TV channel to Titanic Quarter, Northern Ireland Screen and others associated with Titanic Studios saying it no longer needed the studio. That letter has now been issued. It is currently unclear where GoT spinoff series House of the Dragon, which was ordered straight to series by HBO in October and is currently in pre-production, will be shot, as the pay TV channel had no comment on that particular point. However, it is now apparent filming will not take place at Titanic Studios, given the end of the tenancy. Also Read: 'The Witcher' Season 2 Adds 'Game of Thrones' Alum Kristofer Hivju, 6 More to Cast NI Screen chief executive Richard Williams told the Belfast Telegraph in a story published Tuesday that he had known early on that Northern Ireland was not a suitable location for filming the 10-episode prequel series. All that is happening is that they have served notice to Titanic Quarter that they would not be holding the studios, Williams told the Telegraph. He also said that NI Screen had asked HBO to issue the letter so that the space could be sold to others. House of the Dragon, co-created by George R.R. Martin and Colony co-creator Ryan Condal, is expected to debut some time in 2022. Also Read: Why HBO Chose 'House of the Dragon' Over Scrapped 'Game of Thrones' Spinoff Starring Naomi Watts They are in-room writing, HBO programming chief Casey Bloys told TheWrap during the Television Critics Association press tour in January. My suspicion is, this is looking a ways out, but my suspicion is it would be on air sometime in 2022. Thats with a big asterisk, but right now, thats what I would say. Story continues House of the Dragon is set in the early days of Westeros and focused on House Targaryen, the family that Emila Clarkes Daenerys belonged to, along with her brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd) and nephew Aegon Targaryen a.k.a. Jon Snow (Kit Harington). The series is based on Martins Fire & Blood book, which details the lineage of the Targaryens, and takes place 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Miguel Sapochnik who directed several fan-favorite episodes of GoT, such as The Long Night, Battle of the Bastards and Hardhome and Condal will serve as co-showrunners on the series and executive produce alongside Martin and Vince Gerardis. Sapochnik will direct the pilot and additional episodes. Read original story HBO Ends Tenancy at Belfast Studio Where Game of Thrones and Its Scrapped Naomi Watts Prequel Was Filmed At TheWrap 3rd March 2020 Runtime 03:55 There's a viral contagion in company updates with authors of company regulatory news statements giving a fevered nod to COVID 19 as reasons not to be cheerful unless you're a Greggs employee. Sarah talks Robert Walters, BigDish, Haydale Graphene, Allergy Therapeutics, Hostelworld and Dominos Pizza. #DOM #HSW #AGY #HAYD #DISH #GRG Emily Ratajkowski was ready for the cold weather in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City when she stepped out on Tuesday. The siren had on a large black leather overcoat with a white sheepskin collar as she talked on her cell phone while walking pasts several cars. This comes after the Vogue model urged her followers to get out and vote on Super Tuesday: 'A Democracy means one person, one vote, not billionaires buying elections,' she said. 'Tomorrow we have the opportunity to restore our democracy and make our country prioritize the interests of its citizens.' Layers: Emily Ratajkowski was ready for the cold weather in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City when she stepped out on Tuesday The Inamorata founder had on long light beige slacks with white sneakers under her unbuttoned coat. Skinny black sunglasses were perched on her nose and she held on to a black purse while wearing a gold watch. Emily kept talking on her cell phone even though she crossed a busy street. Call me! The siren had on a large black leather overcoat with a white sheepskin collar as she talked on her cell phone while walking pasts several cars The star told her followers she already voted early during a Monday Instagram post. 'Tomorrow is Super Tuesday which means 1357 pledged delegates (33.8% of the nationwide total) are up for grabs. 'I voted in California via absentee ballot for @berniesanders! For far too long the political establishment has sacrificed the interests of the people for those of corporations and billionaires. Urban groove: Skinny black sunglasses were perched on her nose and she held on to a black purse while wearing a gold watch 'Thats why we have a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world, an environmental disaster on our hands and millions of people in insurmountable debt whove been denied fundamental human rights like health care and education. 'A Democracy means one person, one vote, not billionaires buying elections. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to restore our democracy and make our country prioritize the interests of its citizens. Go vote!' Also this week she has been posing in her revealing swimwear made by Inamorata. Do it! This comes after the Vogue model urged her followers to get out and vote on Super Tuesday: 'A Democracy means one person, one vote, not billionaires buying elections,' she said. 'Tomorrow we have the opportunity to restore our democracy and make our country prioritize the interests of its citizens' This comes after the Instagram pinup attended the Versace show and hung out with fellow supermodel Bella Hadid in Milan, Italy. The siren looked at ease as she wore her long brown hair down over her shoulders while in a pair of Versace sunglasses that fit her perfectly. For shoes, she chose white leather Nike sneakers. The cover girl was carrying a small cup of coffee and walking her pooch with a red leash. This suit must make interesting tan lines! Also this week she has been posing in her revealing swimwear made by Inamorata She seemed to not be far from the apartment the designer shared with her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard. She was hopping between shows at this season's Milan Fashion Week. Ratajkowski looked sensational as she arrived at the Versace Fall/Winter 2020 show in the Italian fashion capital on Friday afternoon. The model, 28, put on a busty display in a tiny red blazer dress, as she showcased her more than ample assets in the plunging number. Best friends: She was hopping between shows at this season's Milan Fashion Week. Ratajkowski looked sensational as she arrived at the Versace Fall/Winter 2020 show in the Italian fashion capital in late February The thigh-skimming outfit also showcased Emily's tanned and toned legs, while she teamed the dress with a pair of strappy gold heels. Emily carried her essentials in a red leather clutch bag but otherwise kept her accessories to a minimum, simply adding pair of gold hoop earrings. She wore her brunette locks in a loose straight style and highlighted her model features with a bronze pallet of make-up including a slick of lip gloss. Emily was recently in Jamaica on Valentine's Day with her husband, the Uncut Gems producer Bear-McClard. Posed up: And the UCLA graduate also found time to hang out with her pal Bella Hadid They were joined by their pal Josh Ostrovsky and his new influencer second wife Caitlin King. Emily got married in February 2018 after a whirlwind romance and engagement to Sebastian. She made a splash with her surprise courthouse marriage to Sebastian in New York City, wearing a $200 Zara trouser suit. The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill 2020 into law. This followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Security and Special Duties by the committees chairman, Akeem Obadara, who represents Ibadan North-West constituency. The new security outfit will be part of the Western Nigeria Security Network which was launched in January by governors of the six states in the South West region and code-named Operation Amotekun. Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier sent the bill to the Assembly for consideration. One of the objectives of the bill is to create a security network to collaborate with and assist the police and other security agencies in maintaining law and order in the state. Mr Obadara, while presenting the report of the committee at the plenary on Tuesday, said the bill is a product of extensive deliberation by critical stakeholders. Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, in his remarks said the House had fulfilled its fundamental responsibility of making people-oriented laws for the protection of lives and property in the state. He expressed optimism that the bill when signed into law by Mr Makinde would stem the tide of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery in the state. Mr Ogundoyin said: By passing this bill, we have made history and we will be creating big strides towards providing and ensuring that all persons travelling along the highways, major roads, remote areas, hinterland and forest are free to participate in their normal social and economic life without fear or hindrance. One of the major concerns has always been the issue kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and all other forms of criminalities. We believe that this bill will provide the needed security for our people. We can be rest (sic) assured that the implementation will be thorough because we have not passed this bill in vain. You dont need to preach to the converted. We have a governor who is an Amotekun himself and we have not passed the bill in vain, so you can be rest (sic) assured that the law will be accorded speedy assent by the governor. You cant get a perfect law anywhere and if you pass a law and if it becomes problematic tomorrow, then the mechanism of amendment will set in. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:45:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close VIENNA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) daily basket price increased to 51.65 U.S. dollars a barrel on Monday, compared with 50.16 dollars on Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations released on Tuesday. Also known as the OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB), the OPEC basket is a weighted average of oil prices from different OPEC members around the world, and used as an important benchmark for crude oil prices. Currently it averages the oil prices from 14 countries, namely Algeria, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes Polls officially opened Tuesday morning in Massachusetts as registered voters in more than a dozen states prepare to cast their ballots in the Super Tuesday presidential primaries. Fourteen states and one U.S. territory will be hosting nominating contests on March 3, and more than 1,300 delegates are up for grabs. Beyond Massachusetts, other states Democratic presidential primary contenders are vying for include California, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Polls are now open!, the elections division of the Massachusetts secretary of states office tweeted. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is currently viewed as the frontrunner in the once-crowded Democratic primary contest. The self-declared Democratic socialist is neck and neck in the commonwealth with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, according to a recent WBUR poll. The primary field saw several high-profile candidates drop out, including Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who leaves behind a significant number of backers. A Morning Consult poll found roughly a quarter of Buttigieg supporters said they would back Sanders as a second choice. The candidates sudden exits may prove to be a boost for the candidacy of former Vice President Joe Biden, the leading moderate in the race. Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar endorsed Biden on Monday. The former vice president is also coming off of a major primary win in South Carolina on Saturday. Grateful beyond words to have @PeteButtigiegs endorsement, Biden tweeted. A guy of enormous integrity. Someone who has as much moral courage as he has physical courage. Welcome to the team, Mayor Pete. Grateful beyond words to have @PeteButtigiegs endorsement. A guy of enormous integrity. Someone who has as much moral courage as he has physical courage. Welcome to the team, Mayor Pete. pic.twitter.com/nLmO13pYHN Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) March 3, 2020 Biden, Sanders, Warren and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, another Democratic presidential primary contender, are all now competing for votes from Buttigiegs supporters. Registered voters in the commonwealth can find their polling places on Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvins website. Residents can also check to see if they are registered to cast their ballots. Galvin has predicted that up to 1.85 million voters in the state will cast their ballots on Super Tuesday, a number lower than the turnout from the last presidential primaries. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. Thirty-five communities will be holding two elections due to special elections and annual town elections, according to Galvins office. Related Content: It is quite a while since we last heard from Damien Hirst. Like Su Pollard, Martin Amis, Jive Bunny and Norman Lamont, he is a figure from a bygone age. But yesterday he popped up in one of my favourite magazines, The Idler, to talk about life, art and money. He has long been known for i) his self-pity, ii) his talent for publicity and iii) his ability to get others to do the donkey-work. You might have thought that all this earning and spending would have done something to dampen Hirst's self-pity. Not a bit of it. In the Idler, Hirst grumbles that his bankers and accountants 'only love you because they're taking your money' He has now successfully combined all three by going into print to complain about how his employees made his life a misery. 'You start by thinking you'll get one assistant and before you know it, you've got biographers, fire-eaters, f***ing minstrels and lyre players all wandering around', he told his interviewer. 'They're saying they are not being paid enough and they all need assistants... Before you know it, suddenly you've got an overdraft when before you had loads of cash.' Even in his youth, Hirst was a master of delegation. Nearly 30 years ago, he paid a fisherman 6,000 to catch and kill a shark off the coast of Queensland in Australia. It is quite a while since we last heard from Damien Hirst. Like Su Pollard, Martin Amis, Jive Bunny and Norman Lamont, he is a figure from a bygone age. But yesterday he popped up in one of my favourite magazines, The Idler, to talk about life, art and money He then employed someone to stuff the shark, another person to make a container for it, and someone else to place it in the container. At this point, Hirst made his sole contribution to the project. Remembering the arty title he had once scribbled on the top of a school essay, he named the completed work 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living'. The art world swooned. Yes, they thought, this is surely a young man with something to say! In fact, it was very much the sort of wordy, lah-di-dah title Hirst's near-contemporary Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4, might have penned in his desperation to impress his beloved Pandora with his intellectual heft. It meant nothing, but it did the trick: the dead shark was instantly snapped up by the famous advertising mogul Charles Saatchi, who, through a strange coincidence, had also grown wealthy by coining a schoolboyish slogan ('Labour Isn't Working'). In fact, he seems peculiarly tongue-tied whenever it comes to the subject of art. 'What is art?' his biographer, Gordon Burn, asked him on one occasion. 'It's a f***ing poor excuse for life, innit, eh?' he replied. An exhibit from Damien Hirst's 'Beutiful Inside My Head Forever' is pictured above In 2004, Saatchi sold the dead shark to a hedge fund billionaire for roughly $8 million. By now, Hirst had begun employing a small army of servants working for barely more than the minimum wage to mass-produce paintings of coloured spots and splashes which he then sold for a small fortune. Four years later he put 223 new works up for auction at Sotheby's, and left the auction 111 million richer. Across the world, boardrooms that had once been decorated with paintings of their moustachioed Victorian founders were now home to spitty-spotty works by Damien Hirst. Around this time, his manager would tell Damien Hirst: 'You've had another double rollover lottery weekend.' By this, he meant that Hirst had made 30 to 40 million between Friday and Monday. In 2014, he spent a small proportion of his earnings on a 34 million house overlooking Regent's Park that John Nash had built in 1811 for the future King George IV. Hirst diversified into everything from restaurants to wallpaper. At his 2012 retrospective at Tate Modern, the museum store was selling limited-edition plastic skulls painted in household gloss for 36,800. The skull on which they were based, pretentiously titled 'For the Love of God' and encrusted with 8,601 diamonds, was offered for sale at 50 million, though it is not known if they ever found someone rich and foolish enough to pay that price. He has long been known for i) his self-pity, ii) his talent for publicity and iii) his ability to get others to do the donkey-work. He has now successfully combined all three by going into print to complain about how his employees made his life a misery You might have thought that all this earning and spending would have done something to dampen Hirst's self-pity. Not a bit of it. In the Idler, Hirst grumbles that his bankers and accountants 'only love you because they're taking your money'. Well, it's taken a long time for that particular penny to drop! Did he really think they loved him for his charm, his wit, his wisdom, or heaven forbid! his art? In fact, he seems peculiarly tongue-tied whenever it comes to the subject of art. 'What is art?' his biographer, Gordon Burn, asked him on one occasion. 'It's a f***ing poor excuse for life, innit, eh?' he replied. But his inarticulacy has, you will be pleased to learn, done nothing to dent his opinion of himself. 'It's like I'm a Bonnard, a Turner, a Matisse', he told Burn. Or a Jive Bunny, he failed to add. Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel on Monday said the government is aware that the whole world is worried about the coronavirus outbreak, but assured that India remains safe and secure. Speaking at an event, Patel said the government is taking all necessary steps and maintaining vigil at all international airports. "We know the whole world is worried about coronavirus but India is still secure and safe and we are maintaining vigil on all international airports," he said. The deadly virus has killed 2,912 people in China and has, according to a WHO situation report, spread to at least 58 countries as on Monday. Two fresh cases of the novel coronavirus -- one in Delhi and another in Telangana -- were reported in India on Monday, taking the number of people who have tested positive for the respiratory virus in the country to five so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. Three people who were detected positive earlier have now been discharged. Navalny announced Tuesday that authorities not only seized the contents of his bank account, but also those of his son, wife and daughter, Daria, who is studying at Stanford and found out about the problem when she tried to buy breakfast in a cafe. Navalny described those accounts as having been emptied and frozen. Amid concerns over the global spread of the coronavirus, the United Nations has decided to significantly scale back one of the largest annual meetings on gender equality and women empowerment at the world body's headquarters here this month. With the United States reporting six deaths due to COVID-19 and over 90 confirmed cases with one in New York where the global agency in based, the UN Commission on the Status of Women decided to scale back its 64th session (CSW64) to just one day from the originally scheduled March 9-20 session. The annual gathering takes place at the United Nations Headquarters and thousands of representatives from 193 Member States, UN entities, and non-governmental organizations accredited by the United Nations Economic and Social Council from all regions of the world arrive in New York to participate in the session. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 89,527 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,056 deaths reported globally in 67 countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had suggested to the Bureau of the Committee on the Status of Women that they hold a scaled down meeting, limiting participation to New York-based representation in light of the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, and the need to balance the UN's critical work and public health concerns. Following Guterres' recommendation, the Commission debated alternative formats and dates and explored several possibilities for this year's session. The Commission decided its 64th session will convene on March 9 for a procedural meeting that will include opening statements, followed by the adoption of the draft Political Declaration and action on any other draft resolutions. The session will then suspend until further notification. No general debate will take place and all side events planned by Member States and the UN system in conjunction with CSW 64 will be cancelled, it said. When asked at the daily press briefing whether there were any discussions to postpone the annual high-level UN General Assembly session in September due to the Coronavirus, Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN is looking at meetings on a case-by-case" basis. That's why the Secretary-General made the recommendation to the Bureau of the CSW. The situation around COVID-19 is fast evolving. It's very fluid. I think all these questions will be looked at. I am not aware of any substantive discussion to postpone UNGA. Again, we are looking at meetings as they come up on a case-by-case basis, he said, adding that the decision to cancel, postpone or alter any intergovernmental meetings lies with member states. The Secretary-General cannot and did not make the call to postpone or change the upcoming CSW. It was a recommendation that he's made as the administrator of this building in an effort to always balance the need for the UN's critical work to go on, and especially, on issues of gender and the need to protect public health. But, the calendar of meetings is one that is firmly in the hands of member states, Dujarric said. He said that the goal is to make sure that the UN's work goes forward and that people are safe. The UK mission to the UN said in a tweet that CSW without civil society is no CSW at all and it must be ensured that full and inclusive CSW64 discussions take place later this year. On the decision to scale back the CSW session, the International Women's Health Coalition said it supports the decision to prioritize global health and the safety of participants and is heartened to see that Members States are listening and envisioning a resumed CSW later this year.? The outbreak of the Coronavirus forced a difficult choice for the Commission on the Status of Women, Franoise Girard, President of International Women's Health Coalition, said. The global feminist movement has been clear that a one-day, New York-based diplomat only session on March 9 would be inadequate and would shut the voices of women's groups? out of the world's largest annual meeting on gender equality," Girard said. "We are therefore heartened to see that Members States are listening and envisioning a resumed CSW later this year. CSW is too important particularly this year as we celebrate the 25th?anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and work to drive commitments to a new, urgent and bold agenda for gender equality to continue without centering the voices of the feminist movement, she said. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock has released USD 15 million from the Central Emergency Relief Fund to help fund global efforts to contain the virus. This funding has been released to the WHO and to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases and the operation of national labs, among other essential activities. China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said Beijing has heard from the UN Secretariat about the arrangements of various meetings in the United Nations, including that of the forthcoming CSW. Zhang said it is a pity that the UN has to rearrange the meetings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 2 By Ilkin Seyfaddini Trend: The Central Bank of Uzbekistan jointly with commercial banks launched universal standardized service of QR-online payments, Trend reports with reference to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Within this system, trade and service enterprises (business entities) form and register a QR code through commercial banks serving them. Buyers pay for goods and services by scanning the seller's QR-code and entering the purchase amount in the mobile application of the payment service provider, with the funds withdrawn from bank card accounts and electronic wallets linked to the application. Sales and service companies can monitor the receipt of funds online via the QR-online system through the "@onlineqrbot" channel in Telegram via a bank personal account, or via SMS-informing. It is expected that the new service of banks will be in demand by organizations operating in the field of delivery of goods and passengers transportation, as it is considered the most convenient means of accepting payments via QR-code without using terminals. Currently, in the course of QR-online system implementation by commercial banks, more than 3,000 QR-stickers have been provided to trade and service enterprises in Tashkent. --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini Controversial OAP, Daddy Freeze has slammed those who travel miles away just to attend church service. According to Freeze, God is omnipresent and thus there is no need for anyone to travel long distances to worship him. In his words on IG You claim to be worshiping an omnipresent God, yet you have to travel to Ota, or to the Lagos Ibadan expressway every Sunday to worship him. Read Also: Marriage Is Not An Achievement, Endurance Race: Daddy Freeze Its either one of two things; you dont know what omnipresent means, or you need to have your head examined. John 4 New Living Translation [19] Sir, the woman said, you must be a prophet. [20] So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped? [21] Yahushua replied, Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. [23] But the time is comingindeed its here nowwhen true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. [24] For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. The Swiss Army has confined all soldiers to their bases after a case of coronavirus was discovered in the ranks. A man tested positive for COVID-19 Monday as he was preparing to carry out a required military refresher course, the Swiss armed forces said in a statement. In Switzerland the army is organised as a militia, with conscripts carrying out a short initial training and then called back in for several weeks of training each year. The Swiss army has confined all of its soldiers to their bases after one person tested positive for coronavirus while taking part in a training course (file image) During the health screening required before the course, the infected man revealed that he had recently returned from Milan in northern Italy, the statement said. Italy is the European country hardest hit by the outbreak, with more than 2,000 cases confirmed and 52 deaths. Switzerland has confirmed 35 cases of the disease, which have largely spread across the border from Italy. Announcing the lockdown, the Swiss military said the coronavirus patient 'is in stable condition' in hospital. Switzerland has confirmed 35 cases of coronavirus, largely in patients who had travelled to the country from northern Italy - which is at the centre of the European outbreak Coronavirus has now infected more than 90,000 worldwide and killed 3,000, having spread to every continent except Antarctica The three people in his room were immediately quarantined, as were other conscripts who had come in contact with him. The army said it had also decided to limit the movement of on-duty troops to ensure they will be ready to respond quickly if needed. Soldiers can still leave their barracks but have been asked not to leave the military installations unless absolutely necessary, army spokesman Daniel Reist told AFP. In a bid to rein in the spread, Switzerland last Friday suspended all events with more than 1,000 participants until March 15, forcing the cancellation of several large events including the Geneva International Motor Show. The UN's European Geneva headquarters has also closed its doors to visitors and has curbed some activities linked to the Human Rights Council. A worker who was killed at a Coca-Cola plant in Wilsonville last week has been identified, authorities said Tuesday. Brian Willison, a 47-year-old Hillsboro resident, died at the plant after a pallet fell on him about 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Wilsonville Spokesman, which first reported on the death. A representative for the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the agency was involved in an investigation but did not provide further details. We are deeply saddened that a fatality occurred at our Wilsonville facility on Friday," the company said in a statement. We have support available to the family and our employees, and we send our deepest sympathies to all those affected. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the hometown of Brian Willison due to a reporter error. -- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Good Morning, welcome to Information Nigerias Newspaper headlines for today, 3rd March 2020. Here are the major headlines. Coronavirus: Buhari Calls For Calm President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to remain calm following the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country. Recall that on Friday, the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed that an Italian who came to Nigeria tested positive to the virus. SERAP Opposes Foreign Education For Repentant Boko Haram Members Anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has opposed the bill for the creation of an agency for repentant Boko Haram members, which also provides sending them abroad for education. Coronavirus: FG Gives Update On Four Chinese Quarantined In Plateau State The Federal Government has said that there is no new case of the deadly COVID-19 as at March 1st, 2020. This was made known at a press conference on Monday morning in Abuja by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire. Coronavirus: Why We Moved Italian Man From Ogun State To Lagos Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has explained why the Italian man with coronavirus was brought to Lagos after he fell ill in Ogun. Coronavirus: Driver Of Italian Man, 11 Others Under Quarantine Segun Soyoye, industrial director of Larfarge Africa Plc, says they have quarantined 39 persons who had contact with the Italian who tested positive to coronavirus in the country. The driver who brought him to Ewekoro from Lagos is also among those quarantined. Insecurity: You Cannot Compare Nigeria To Nigeria Of 2015 -Buharis Aide Lauretta Onochie, presidential aide on social media has stated that the current insecurity of the country can not be compared to that of 2015 before the current administration came into power. Ondo 2020: I Will Win Primaries Akeredolu Brags Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has bragged that he would pick up his Partys ticket (APC) again when the primary is conducted ahead of the October 10 gubernatorial poll in the state if the process is devoid of shenanigans. Dont Politicize Coronavirus APC Tells Opposition The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has issued a warning to the opposition not to politicise the first case of Coronavirus in the country. According to the ruling party, President Muhammadu Buhari led administration should be commended for acting swiftly to contain the disease. Wike Laments Over Nigerias Inability To Conduct Credible Elections Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has lamented over the inability of Nigeria to conduct a free and fair election. Anthony Joshua Confirms Match With Kubrat Pulev British Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua confirmed on Monday that he will defend his world heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev in London on June 20. Eleven people have been found in a container at a dock in Hull, according to Humberside Police. Border officials and emergency services were rushed out to King George Dock this afternoon following the discovery. Yorkshire Ambulance Service said three people were 'in need of medical treatment' and have been taken to hospital. Associated British Ports said that it was assisting Border Force and police with the incident. Border officials and emergency services were rushed out to King George Dock in Hull this afternoon following the discovery of eleven people in a container Humberside Police said: 'Officers are currently in attendance at King George Dock in Hull after a number of people have been found in a container at the dock. 'Some of those found are in need of medical treatment, although none of those are thought to be in a serious or life-threatening condition.' Some of the individuals found were in need of medical treatment, but none of those are thought to be in a serious or life-threatening condition Border officials and emergency services were rushed out to King George Dock this afternoon following the discovery FRENCH LICK, IN / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / SVB&T Corporation (OTCQX:SVBT), French Lick, IN, the bank holding company of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, announces the retirement of Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Darrell Blocker on March 31, 2020. During his tenure, Darrell also served as Treasurer & CFO of SVB&T Corporation. Darrell graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University and has worked in the banking industry for over 30 years. Prior to joining Springs Valley Bank & Trust, he worked for 14 years at First Federal Savings Bank in Huntington, IN as Senior Vice President and CFO and for 3 years at Tower Financial Bank as Vice President and Controller. In his 15 years at Springs Valley, he has overseen the Finance and Accounting Departments and served as Chair of the ALCO Committee. Since 1989, Darrell has been a member of the Rotary Club. He stood as the Huntington Rotary Club President from 1993 to 1994 and the Jasper Rotary Club President from 2008 to 2009. He has been a member of the Dubois Strong Enterprise Loan Fund Board since 2009. Darrell joined the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA) Financial Management Committee in 2006 in which he helps select presenters for the IBA MEGA Conference each year. For over 20 years, Darrell has been a member of the Financial Managers Society where he served on the Accounting Council (2002-2004) and the Strategic Issues Council (2004-2008). Darrell was elected to FMS Board in 2012 holding the position of Vice Chairman for FMS from 2016 to 2017 and Chairman from 2017 to 2018, with his term expiring in 2019. "I have enjoyed working with Darrell since mid-2008 when I joined Springs Valley Bank & Trust, "said Jamie Shinabarger, President and CEO. "His strategic insights were invaluable as we carefully navigated the troubled waters of 2008-2011 and then transitioned from defense to offense, rebuilding franchise value lost during the Great Recession from 2012 to the present." In honor of Darrell's dedicated service, Springs Valley will host an Open House at the Jasper 1500 Main Street Banking Center on Wednesday, March 25 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm to celebrate Darrell's accomplishments and to wish him well as he enters a new phase in his life. "It has been a privilege to serve the Springs Valley Bank & Trust Co. community and to be a part of the team that has grown the bank substantially while maintaining our family atmosphere. The bank has allowed me and others to passionately serve our community, continually grow in knowledge with training programs, and to be an active member of community and professional organizations such as Dubois Strong, Rotary, Indiana Bankers Association and Financial Managers Society." Darrell and his wife, Jan, currently reside in Jasper with future plans to move to Nashville, TN to be near family. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, is a subsidiary of SVB&T Corporation, headquartered at 8482 West State Road 56, French Lick, Indiana 47432 with administrative offices at 1500 Main Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546. Springs Valley has locations in Dubois, Daviess, Gibson, and Orange Counties, offering full-service bank and financial services. Springs Valley has products and services for all types of families and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, electronic services, online consumer and mortgage applications and a variety of other loan options. In addition, the company has a full-service financial advisory group managed by experienced, talented professionals specializing in estate planning, tax planning and wealth management. Investment Services are also offered by a licensed, professional Springs Valley representative. More information can be found online at www.svbt.bank. The company's stock is traded on the OTCQX trading platform under ticker symbol SVBT (www.otcmarkets.com). Springs Valley Bank is a member of FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender. For more information contact: Dianna Land, Marketing Director, at 812.634.4963 or email at dbland@svbt.com. SOURCE: SVB&T Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578618/Darrell-Blocker-Senior-Executive-Vice-President-Chief-Financial-Officer-will-retire-after-15-years-at-Springs-Valley-Bank-Trust-Company Joanna Lumley was threatened by armed bandits while filming a travel series in Haiti. They abushed the 73-year-old actress while she was driving through a mountain range with her camera crew. The gun-wielding gang told Miss Lumley and her team that they would kill them if they did not hand over their cash. But two of the Absolutely Fabulous star's bodyguards stepped in and she escaped unscathed. Joanna Lumley was threatened by armed bandits while filming a travel series in Haiti. Pictured: Miss Lumley visiting the Citadelle Laferriere in Haiti as part of the show They abushed the 73-year-old actress (pictured at the National Television Awards in January) while she was driving through a mountain range with her camera crew She said the incident had not deterred her from continuing to film the two-part documentary series, Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti, which begins on ITV next Monday. Miss Lumley said: 'Suddenly there was a blockage across the road. They'd put branches down. Luckily, we had two big bodyguards who got out and said: 'Come on guys, clear this away'. And they went: 'No, we want your money or your life.' Sometimes they dig trenches, pour oil in and set fire to it, then come with guns and take your wallets.' Miss Lumley added: 'I'm not an afraid kind of person. If you look timid, people and animals pick it up very fast. 'In Haiti, people are so poor, but if you say, 'Bonjour,' and put your hand out, you've made friends immediately.' The incident is not shown in the programme but Miss Lumley, who has filmed several travel documentaries, said that was not the only drama involved in the filming of the series. She said the crew arrived in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince 'on the day of a riot, so we had to have a police escort to the hotel'. She said the incident had not deterred her from continuing to film the two-part documentary series, Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti, which begins on ITV next Monday. Pictured: Jacmel, Haiti A member of the Haitian police points his gun at people to avoid looting in shops in Delmas, near Port au Prince 'Riots break out like wildfires across the country and if you're in that place, you're stuck. It's a completely broken country. It's totally lawless. You wouldn't leave your hotel at night there.' An ITV spokesman said: 'A full risk assessment was carried out before filming in Haiti and Joanna was accompanied by the appropriate level of security.' The series sees Miss Lumley travel across two of the most enigmatic countries in the Caribbean Cuba and Haiti to explore hidden gems. She kicks off the journey in a classic car in Havana, before embarking on the 1,500-mile trip which is shown in two 60-minute episodes. Pam Poore could have stayed in corporate America for the rest of her working life and been successful. She was at Indianapolis-based USA Funds, which today is known as Strada Education Network and has an office in Washington, D.C., working as a customer relations manager. Poores job was to make sure students and families were satisfied with the loans they had gotten through USA Funds. But there was something else brewing in her life. Her husband James became a McDonalds franchisee 17 years ago. His strengths include thinking more analytically, making calculated decisions. Poore, on the other hand, is a gifted people person, understands how to communicate with others and make sure everyone feels taken care of. So four years ago, Poore decided to make the leap and went through a spousal program to join her husband in the business. They now own four locations between them: three on the northwest side of Indianapolis and one in Whitestown. It wasnt a risky move, Poore said. It was more like a reward, something they could leave for their three children. Their oldest, Trey, is studying marketing at St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, and Poore said she hopes to have him join the family business someday. Poore, 54, attributes success to many things including faith and even fitness (she said nothing else is worth much if youre not healthy enough to enjoy it). But theres also family. Growing up on the east side of Indianapolis in what she later realized was poverty, Poores parents, who never finished high school, constantly stressed the importance of education. Its something shes carried with her today and tells students when she gets an opportunity to speak at schools. For Poore, it was her oldest sister, Mary Bullock, who provided the inspiration and know-how. Bullock is nine years older than Poore there are four sisters in all and Poore watched as her oldest sister defied circumstances and went to Indiana University. Bullock became the one at the summit, pulling the rope for anyone coming behind her. That included Poore, the baby sister, who needed help applying to college, filling out all of the paperwork, things children from more affluent families might take for granted. Poore always had that you have yours, I gotta get mine attitude as the youngest, Bullock said. When I look at her, Bullock said, Im so proud of her and whats shes been able to accomplish. Outside of her own family, Poore understands that as a Black woman who owns a business, shes automatically a role model. They can look at me and say, If she can do it, why cant I? she said. Poore recalled going to career day at Pike High School where many of the McDonalds employees who are still in school attend with her McDonalds shirt on and shocking the students when they found out she doesnt just work at the fast food joint, she owns it. People see the things you do, and they want to ask you questions, she said. They want to know, howd you do it? Poore tells them the same thing every time, the thing her parents told her was the key to everything she ever wanted to accomplish in life: Stay in school, and value your education. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Pam Poore A federal judge dismissed claims from a 44-year-old Alabama Death Row inmate that he was targeted by the state for an early execution date because he did not opt into the states newly approved, but not yet tried, method of execution via nitrogen hypoxia. The judge also dismissed the inmates request for a stay of execution, which is set for Thursday evening. Nathaniel Woods is set to die on Thursday at 6 p.m. at William C. Holman prison in Atmore. Woods asked the federal courts to declare the Alabama Department of Corrections and the states actions as unlawful and unconstitutional," according to a court filing, and for a stay of execution. Monday afternoon, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama Emily Marks dismissed Woods case and ruled in favor of the state. While a death row inmate may challenge the constitutionality of his execution through a civil action, a stay is not available as a matter of right, even if execution is imminent, the judge wrote in her order. Based on the foregoing principles, a stay of execution is not warranted. Despite ongoing litigation in this Court when his execution date was set, Woods waited until February 24, 2020ten days before his scheduled executionto file his motion for a stay of execution. Woods could have requested a stay in the weeks prior... Instead, Woods waited ten additional days after his request to the Alabama Supreme Court was denied, filing his motion to stay the week before his scheduled execution. Woods has not offered, and the Court has not found, a justification for the last-minute nature of his motion. As a result, Woods motion is due to be denied based on its untimeliness alone, the judge ordered. In his petition to the court, Woods claims he was targeted for execution sooner than other inmates for failing to change his method of execution. The filing says the state suppressed vital information and didnt provide Woods time to talk to his attorney about the newly approved method of execution during the June 2018 period inmates had to sign up for the new method. This case is about defendants (the state) forcing death-sentenced inmates to participate in their own executions, suppressing life-altering information from those inmates, and the Attorney Generals unconstitutional abuse of discretion by targeting for execution only those inmates who refused to participate in their own execution process, the petition states. No Alabama inmates have been executed by the new method, and a state protocol for the nitrogen hypoxia executions has not yet been developed. In 2018, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill giving inmates the option to choose execution by nitrogen hypoxia. According to the state, inmates waiting to be executed were allowed to opt in the nitrogen method if they wished, but had to do so within a 30-day period in June 2018. Of the 177 inmates on Alabamas Death Row, more than 50 inmates chose to die by the new method. ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn has previously said the department is working with the AGs Office to develop a protocol for executions by nitrogen hypoxia, but has no timeline on when that protocol might be finalized and ready to implement. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office asked the federal court to dismiss the claim and allow Woods execution via its three-drug lethal injection cocktail to proceed. Woods case Woods was convicted in December 2005 of capital murder for the June 17, 2004 shooting deaths of Birmingham police officers Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisholm III, and Charles R. Bennett while they were serving a warrant at an apartment in Ensley. He also was convicted of attempting to murder Officer Michael Collins. It was the deadliest day in the Birmingham police departments history. The jury recommended by a vote of 10 to 2 that Woods be sentenced to death. The judge followed the jurys recommendation and sent Woods to death row. Woodss co-defendant, Kerry M. Spencer, was also convicted of capital murder and was sentenced to death. He is awaiting an execution date. It was Spencer, not Woods, who shot the officers. Woods convictions and sentence were affirmed by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied to review the case at the time. A later appeal was dismissed in 2010, and again that was affirmed by the appeals court and the Alabama Supreme Court didnt review the case. A 2016 petition for habeas corpus was denied in 2018. The Alabama AGs Office asked the Alabama Supreme Court to set an execution date for Woods in October of last year, and in January the court set March 5 as Woods execution date. In Woods January filing to the federal court, he lists several complaints: First, that the ADOC foisted upon Woods the opportunity to choose nitrogen hypoxia over lethal injection without providing a full protocol or time to consult with his attorneys. The petition also claims the state did not reveal that they might seek execution dates for those choosing lethal injection before those who chose nitrogen hypoxia. Woods claims the ADOCs handling of the nitrogen elections violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, and his attorneys also argue the state committed several offenses during their handling of the nitrogen hypoxia elections during the 30-day period. In the process of forcing Mr. Woods to choose his method of execution, (the state) did not provide Mr. Woods' critical and life-altering information concerning the timing of the method and the manner in which it would be carried out, the petition states. Furthermore, (the states) failure to reveal the protocol that would be utilized for nitrogen hypoxia deprived Mr. Woods of the ability to assess meaningfully between the two methods. As a result of Defendants' conduct, Mr. Woods was deprived of the opportunity to make a voluntary, knowing, and informed decision during the State-created opt-in period, the petition argues. Woods has been targeted for execution sooner than similarly situated death-sentenced prisoners. That targeting is a function of method of execution. In Woods petition to the federal court, his attorney said Woods did not opt into the new method because he did not know that by choosing lethal injection, he would be set for execution faster than those who chose nitrogen hypoxia. What Mr. Woods, and every other death row inmate, did not know was that the State of Alabama would be discriminating against inmates who declined to participate in the executiontargeting them for speedier executions, the petition claims. The states case In a federal court filing, the AGs Office claims that Woods isnt actually trying to elect nitrogen hypoxia, but rather wants more time to decide. The law did not require that a hypoxia protocol actually be in place at the time of the laws enactment, much less that inmates be given a copy of said protocol, the AGs Office said. There will not be a hypoxia protocol in place in Alabama by March 5. As soon as a protocol has been finalized, the ADOC will begin moving for execution dates for those inmates who elected hypoxia. Currently, however, the ADOC has access to the drugs necessary for lethal injection, and there is no reason not to carry out the lawful sentences of inmates who are scheduled to be executed by that method. The state also says there is no state or federal law requiring that inmates be informed of the details of his or her method of execution. While Woods alleges that he was unaware during the election period of studies concerning death by hypoxia, nitrogen hypoxia is not such an exotic concept that an inmate or his counsel could never contemplate what it might entail without a written protocol. Additionally, the AGs office argues that Woods was not forbidden from contacting his attorney during the opt-in period. They claim that if he did not talk about the method with his attorney, that was Woods choice. Woods wanted this Court to make (hypoxia) optional again as to him- but he might still reject it, once again making it unavailable in his case. Woods cannot have it both ways, and his hedging in the present complaint only serves to emphasize that this matter is nothing more than an untimely method-of-execution challenge filed to stop a lawful execution. The state argues that Woods had the same opportunity as all other death row inmates to choose hypoxia, but he did not make that choice like some of the other inmates. As to claims about the ADOC targeting Woods, the state says the department can make no firm predictions as to execution timing because of the continuing attacks by death-penalty abolitionists against the suppliers of the drugs used in lethal injection. Right now, though, the state says it can acquire the lethal injection drugs and there is no reason Woods should not be put to death. Once the nitrogen hypoxia protocol is finalized, the state said it will start seeking execution dates for that class of inmates. Woods has no right to choose the date of his execution, the state claims, but (the state has) every right to see that his sentence is carried out. Think your driver's license is enough to get you through airport security in the United States and onto your domestic flight? Maybe not. Some two-thirds of US state driver's licenses are not compliant with a post-9/11 security law set to go into effect on October 1. Those who are not compliant will not be able to fly if they don't have other forms of "REAL ID-compliant" identification. Concerned about the impact on travel, the head of the US Department of Homeland Security loosened the restrictions this week, allowing the various state agencies to accept identity documents electronically. "Ensuring every state is REAL ID compliant by October is one of the Department's top priorities," said DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, in a press release. "While progress has been made, the real work is still ahead because approximately two-thirds of all licenses are presently not compliant with REAL ID. "Rest assured, our Department will continue to examine other viable options to improve upon this process and continues doing everything it can to inform Americans of the requirement to obtain a REAL ID before the full enforcement deadline later this year." While Wolf says this "pre-submission" of documents will result in a faster application process, it's not clear how much faster it will be. That's because, as Wolf says, "an in-person visit is still required, as is showing up with physical copies of your documents." Starting October 1, travelers must have a "REAL ID-compliant" driver's license, US passport, US military ID or other acceptable identification to fly within the United States. The REAL ID Act, which established minimum security standards for the issuing of state licenses and their production, prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses from states not meeting those minimum standards for certain activities. To get a REAL ID-compliant state driver's license, the DHS requires applicants provide documentation showing their full legal name, their date of birth, their Social Security number, two proofs of address of principal residence and lawful status. States may impose more requirements. No REAL ID, no flying If you can't produce acceptable identification, your US airport's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint will not clear you for flight. The TSA is part of the Department of Homeland Security. That could lead to serious backups at US airports starting October 1. While many states have been issuing compliant documents for years, travelers shouldn't assume their driver's licenses and other documents meet the requirements. For example, Georgia became compliant in 2012 and California became compliant in 2018, but their driver's licenses issued prior to those times in those states are not compliant. Check if your state driver's license or identification card is REAL ID compliant simply by looking for a star in the upper right-hand corner. Some state departments of motor vehicles will confirm REAL ID status online. Still a backlog The Department of Homeland Security reported this week that 48 of 50 states in the US are REAL ID compliant, up from January 2017, when only 26 states were. The two remaining states that haven't started issuing new IDs are Oklahoma and Oregon. Collectively, those 48 states have issued more than 95 million REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and ID cards. While the US Travel Association applauded the government's "pre-submission," decision, "the challenge remains that tens of millions of Americans do not yet possess REAL ID-compliant identification," said Tori Emerson Barnes, USTA executive vice president of public affairs and policy, in a statement. A post 9/11 measure The REAL ID Act's requirement were part of the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Since the act's 2005 passage, the federal government has implemented TSA Pre-Check and other programs that offer more security than REAL ID, said Barnes. That's why the USTA is lobbying federal authorities to accept membership in those programs as a substitute for REAL ID. (DHS hasn't said yes, at least not yet.) US House Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona) and Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Florida) have introduced legislation that would allow the TSA to accept membership in its Pre-Check program as a substitute for REAL ID. Officials at USTA, which represents major airlines, hotels, state and local tourism boards and other travel industry members, worry that their members will lose customers who suddenly can't fly within the US starting October 1, 2020. What qualifies as REAL ID REAL ID-compliant state driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards US passport US passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) US Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Permanent resident card Border crossing card State-issued Enhanced Driver's License Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID HSPD-12 PIV card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation worker identification credential US Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) US Merchant Mariner Credential Check the Department of Homeland Security website for more information. Despite the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, Vietnams foreign trade in the first two months of the year picked up by 2.4% year-on-year to reach US$74 billion as Samsung boosted the exports of its new products. Goods containers at a port in HCMC. Vietnams foreign trade in the first two months of the year picked up by 2.4% year-on-year to US$74 billion - PHOTO: VNA According to the General Statistics Office, in the two-month period, Vietnam exported US$36.9 billion worth of products and spent US$37.1 billion on imports. Thus, the country ran a trade deficit of US$176 million in the period, the local media reported. Major export earners were phones and phone parts, with export revenue of US$6.9 billion; computers, electronic products and accessories, US$5.4 billion; machines, equipment, tools and machine parts, US$3 billion; and footwear, US$2.7 billion. Meanwhile, the export earnings from agricultural products fell significantly against the same period last year, with seafood dropping 17.7%; coffee, 9.8%; vegetables and fruits, 17.4%; cashew nuts, 19.3%; and pepper, 18.8%. The United States remained the largest buyer of Vietnams products in the first two months, with export revenue hitting US$9.8 billion, up 19.6% year-on-year. The European Union came in second with US$5 billion, followed by China with US$4.8 billion and the ASEAN with US$3.5 billion. Vietnam spent US$8.6 billion on computers, electronic products and accessories; US$5.3 billion on machines, equipment, tools and machine parts; and US$2.1 billion on phones and phone parts in the two-month period. China was Vietnams largest exporter with turnover of US$10 billion, down a slight 0.4% over the year-ago period, followed by South Korea with US$8 billion, the ASEAN with US$4.5 billion and Japan with US$2.8 billion. Although the countrys foreign trade in the first two months of this year was higher than that in the same period last year, it was much lower than the figure recorded in the last two months of last year. In November and December last year, Vietnams trade value reached nearly US$89 billion. SGT Will phone exports bounce back as Samsungs production in China slows? Samsung is believed to have great advantages over its rivals as its production base is in Vietnam, not in China, where the Covid-2019 has forced a series of factories to close down. Updated: Well be tracking live results in California when polls close at 11 p.m. ET. But because of all the laws that are designed to make it easier to vote, it is virtually impossible that all the ballots will be counted by Tuesday night. (Heres the sign-up, if you dont already get California Today delivered to your inbox.) Good Super Tuesday morning, at long last. California voters will today help decide a number of issues critical to our democracy including but not limited to the Democratic nominee to become president of the United States and whether the state should be able to borrow $15 billion for public school upgrades. So if youre not one of the more than 3.5 million Californians who have already cast ballots, its time to hit the polls. Or its time to drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at a mailbox. Or to bring your ballot to a drop box. BJP leader N Ramchander Rao on Tuesday slammed Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi for his reaction to Prime Minister Modi's thoughts of "giving up" his social media account and accused the Congress of being responsible for multiple instances of violence throughout the country in the past. "I was surprised by the tweet of Rahul Gandhi over the Prime Minister's tweet, stating the thought to quit social media. It is almost a cruel joke by the Congress party, they should remember who is responsible for the 1984 riots. In fact, that was a genocide unleashed by the Congress party. Hundreds of people died in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar also during Congress rule," Rao told ANI here. "Even in Andhra Pradesh, hundreds of people died due to the internal battle of Congress and their attempt to preach to us now is almost like the devil quoting scriptures. I think Rahul Gandhi should withdraw his statements, the hate is being propagated by Congress, division (in society) and riots are engineered by the Congress party," he added. The President of the BJP unit in Hyderabad further demanded the withdrawal of the tweet by Rahul Gandhi. "I think Rahul Gandhi does not know the history of the country and the Congress party which is responsible for all the evils in the country and BJP is trying to correct those evils. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi should keep away from making such statements," Rao said. Give up hatred, not social media accounts, tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday, reacting to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet about giving up his social media accounts. "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted," Prime Minister Modi had tweeted earlier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) N ikes London headquarters in Soho has been shut down until Thursday at the earliest as disruption from the coronavirus outbreak gathers pace. About 150 employees of the US sportswear giant were told to stay at home after a colleague returned from an overseas trip to one of the worst-hit areas, the Standard understands. The three floors at Film House are undergoing a deep clean but no members of staff have reported feeling unwell or tested positive for the illness. Nike shares the building with several film and television production companies. Reception staff today confirmed Nike employees had been told to stay away, saying the office is closed and no one is there, but other businesses were operating as normal. Three floors at Film House are undergoing a "deep clean" / Google Another Nike office at Doxford Park near Sunderland is also shut. In a statement, Nike said: While we have no information indicating any exposure to employees, out of caution we are conducting a deep cleaning of our offices. The move came after one of the UKs leading drama schools closed for a fortnight after a member of staff tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. 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 The Guildhall School of Music and Drama will be shut for up to 14 days from Monday as a precautionary measure, according to an email seen by The Guardian. In a statement, the City of London Corporation said: The staff and principal are working with students to ensure that they receive appropriate advice. The Guildhall School of Music and Drama / Google The email says the teacher was in contact with a limited number of students and is now recovering in hospital. St Cecilias School in Southfields also said it was shutting for the rest of the week because of two unconfirmed cases of coronavirus in individuals recently returned from Italy. Other premises have also issued advice. Visitors to the London Mithraeum have been asked to stay away if they have recently travelled to a region with a high number of coronavirus cases, according to their website. Twitter is encouraging staff around the world to work from home where possible out of an abundance of caution and care. It has already suspended all non-essential business travel and events and is restricting visitors. 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 confrontation between Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey nearly took a violent turn early Monday morning when her husband pulled a gun on protesters who showed up at her front door. Later, an emotional Lacey said her husband was "profoundly sorry," adding that he had reacted "in fear" because it was just the two of them at home "and we really didn't know what was about to happen." Im front of DA Jackie Laceys house for that community meeting she promised with the @BLMLA crew. Rang her bell to invite her. Her husband pulled a gun, cocked it, pointed it at my chest and said Ill shoot you. I dont care who you are. @WP4BL @RealJusticePAC @shaunking pic.twitter.com/WtazUWSJIC Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) March 2, 2020 In a video posted at 5:54 a.m. by Black Lives Matter L.A. co-founder Melina Abdullah, David Lacey says, "get off of my porch. I will shoot you," as Abdullah asks him to tell his wife that the protesters were there. "We're calling the police right now," he said, before going back inside the house. Protesters can be heard in the background chanting, "Jackie Lacey will go." The LAPD sent officers to the home, but there were no arrests. The incident comes the day before the March 3 primary; Lacey is seeking a third term against two reformist challengers, George Gascon and Rachel Rossi. Abdullah told us that she and two other BLM members knocked on Lacey's door a little after 5:30 am. They had set out chairs on the sidewalk across from her house, although there was no meeting scheduled with the DA. Previous efforts to set up a meeting have foundered; Lacey has offered to meet one-on-one or in small groups, but BLM has insisted on a public meeting. "I thought they'd probably ignore us rather than coming to the door," Abdullah said. "I thought there was an outside chance that she might actually come out, especially it being the day before election day, I thought maybe she would see this as an opportunity." Abdullah said David Lacey pointed the gun at her chest, but she did not file a police report about the incident. Black Lives Matter co-founder Melina Abdullah speaks to reporters following a confrontation at District Attorney Jackie Lacey's home, where Lacey's husband pulled a gun on protesters who rang their doorbell in the early morning hours. (Emily Elena Dugdale/LAist) Black Lives Matter has clashed with Lacey for years; among other things, its members are angry that she's only prosecuted one law enforcement officer for an on-duty shooting of a civilian. BLM stages a weekly protest outside Lacey's office, and a number of activists disrupted the Jan. 29 DA candidates debate. The group demonstrated outside her home once before, in October 2018. Lacey, at times fighting back tears, suggested that the ongoing dispute with BLM contributed to her husband's state of mind Monday morning. "I have received threats, some of them death threats," she told a news conference. "I have been followed, photographed with my family, confronted at an art museum, confronted at fundraisers, even at endorsement interviews, I've had people crash them and videotape them," Lacey said. The DA said her husband "wanted me to say to the protesters, to the person that he showed the gun to ... that he's profoundly sorry, that he meant no one any harm." Lacey said she was unaware that her husband was going to answer the door while holding a gun. "I too am sorry if anybody was harmed," she said. "It's never my intent to harm any protester." The DA's office has turned the investigation of the incident "over to another agency, obviously because I'm involved," Lacey said. At a news conference following Lacey's remarks, Abdullah was unapologetic about her group's tactics. "If public officials won't have meetings, if they won't engage us when we come to their public events, what choice do we have?" she said. "Is a home off-limits to a public official? Absolutely not." A spokesman for Gascon said he has no comment on the incident. Rossi issued a statement in which she said, "whether or not showing up to an elected official's home to ask for a meeting is legal or condoned, we cannot forget how we got here." She blamed Lacey's "refusal to listen" to "marginalized communities." Rossi went on: "As District Attorney, I will never run from the community. And I never thought I'd have to say it, but I will also never threaten to shoot -- or have others threaten to shoot -- community members protesting my actions." YOUR GUIDE TO THE RACES FOR: And fill out your sample ballot through our Voter Game Plan>> UPDATES: 1:45 p.m.: This article was updated with Abdullah's comments from her news conference. A 2014 New York Times bestseller made Gary L. Stewart internationally known as possibly the son of an infamous serial killer. The spotlight will intensify when The Most Dangerous Animal of All airs at 8 p.m. Friday on the FX network. The four-episode documentary, using the same title as the book written by Susan Mustafa, examines how Stewart, who was adopted as an infant, searched for his roots only to conclude that his birth father was Zodiac, who terrorized San Francisco in a killing spree in the 1960s that police never solved. His emotional journey is as much the focus of the documentary as the conclusion itself. The book was a deep dive into me, said Stewart, who is scheduled to appear on ABCs Good Morning America Friday morning to discuss the show. The documentary will be a complete autopsy of Gary Stewart. Book of inspirational stories helps author with her own 'Rock Bottom' When bestselling author Susan Mustafa began working on her most recent book, it put her in touch with a group of people who had experienced di Stewarts story was interesting even without the Zodiac connection. His parents had been a San Francisco Bay-area tabloid sensation. In 1961, Earl Van Best Jr. saw a pretty girl outside an ice cream shop and began seeing her. Best was 27. Judith Chandler was about to turn 14. They eloped, had their marriage annulled, ran off and returned to San Francisco before Best was arrested and charged with child stealing, statutory rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Chandler was pregnant. San Francisco newspapers made the Ice Cream Romance front-page news. It got wilder when Best, out on bail, spirited Chandler out of town and began a life on the run. They were in New Orleans when she gave birth on Feb. 12, 1963. A month later, Best took the baby to Baton Rouge and abandoned him in an apartment stairwell. Both parents were arrested, ended their relationship, and the baby was put up for adoption. Loyd and Leona Stewart adopted the baby and raised him in Baton Rouge. BR mans Zodiac Killer book credible, compelling The Most Dangerous Animal of All: Searching for My Father ... And Finding the Zodiac Killer by Gary L. Stewart with Susan Mustafa. HarperCol Where To Go, What To Eat Each week we'll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Gary Stewart knew he was adopted but had not researched his origins when, in 2002, his birth mother, now named Jude Gilford, contacted him. They met, and Stewart began trying to find Best. He said he believes Best died in Mexico in 1984. But his research turned up evidence that Stewart said he thinks shows Best was Zodiac, who killed at least five Northern California people in 1968-69 and taunted police with cryptic messages and a cipher that, he insisted, contained his identity. He sent messages to newspaper reporter Paul Avery, who was one of the reporters who had covered the Ice Cream Romance. San Francisco police have interviewed and taken DNA samples from Stewart, but have neither confirmed nor ruled out Best as Zodiac, Stewart said. The documentary, which airs in its entirety Saturday with FX on Hulu, began filming in August 2018 and is directed by Kief Davidson. It covers the information Stewart found but focuses on his quest and its toll on him. What he learned about Best could not contrast more starkly than the adoptive life he had experienced. This journey has taken me through the darkest days of my life, darker than a Stewart child being raised in the Stewart household should ever experience, he said. Its going to be a great show. Stewart narrates The Most Dangerous Animal of All as it portrays how he uncovered details about Best, including fingerprints, handwriting analysis and similarities between photos of Best and the composite drawing used in wanted posters in the late 1960s. He also talks about people hes interviewed since the book was published, including Bests high school girlfriend who briefly reconnected with Best in adulthood. She said, I saw pure evil in his eyes. I went home and I locked the door and I told my daughter never answer the phone again, Stewart said. She said, I had a stack of letters over the course of 20 years and I burned them. Although those interested in the Zodiac mystery gravitated to the book, Stewart said he has received more reaction from those like himself who were adopted and have struggled not knowing about their family background. He said his Christian faith has been vital in dealing with what he uncovered. Why is this story important? Do you know how many Gary Stewarts there are out there? he said. Do you know how many peoples lives have been destroyed by closed adoptions in the '40s, '50s and '60s? Do you know that the suicide rate amongst people who were raised in adoptive homes is four times higher than people who were raised by their biological parents? Although adoption is the best thing that ever happened to me, the psychological trauma of the identity crisis that I have lived and continue to live at 57 years old is overwhelming. And Im still here. My testimony about what God has done for me will continue. Om Birla, Speaker Lok Sabha Sending out a stern message, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said members from Opposition and Treasury sides who cross over to the other side during the time of uproar in the House will be suspended for the session. Birla's announcement in the House came a day after some Congress and BJP members pushed and shoved each other in the House as tempers rose over the issue of violence in Delhi. Opposition members sought to raise the issue of Delhi violence as soon as the Speaker decided to take up the Question Hour. Citing earlier discussions among various parties, the Speaker said it was decided that howsover serious the issue is, the same can be raised during the Zero Hour. There should be cooperation among members so that the House can function well. Referring to an all-party meeting, Birla said he is giving a ruling that any member who crosses over to the other side during proceedings would be suspended from attending the House for the remaining session. Such action would be taken against members from Treasury as well as Opposition sides, he said. Opposition members, including from Congress, DMK, TMC and other parties, wanted a discussion on Delhi violence. DMK's T R Baalu said the government is yet to respond on the issue in Parliament while Congress leader in the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded an immediate discussion. Amid the uproar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Opposition can raise the matter during the Zero Hour. Emphasising that "restoration of peace and normalcy" is the topmost priority, Joshi said, "charcha keliye taiyyar hai (we are ready for a discussion)". However, Opposition members were not satisfied and demanded that there should be an immediate discussion. In response, Joshi said the Speaker should decide. Later, Birla also said that placards would not be allowed in the House, triggering protests from the Opposition side. A visibly peeved Speaker wanted to know from the agitating members whether they wanted that placards should be allowed in the House. "Does it work that way?," Birla asked agitating members and amid the ruckus, adjourned the House till noon. As soon as the House convened, many ruling party members shouted 'Vande Mataram'. For some time, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was seen sitting in the front row of the Treasury, next to Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Before proceedings began, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kishan Reddy was seen chatting with Baalu and a few others. After a passenger who travelled by the February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight tested positive for COVID-19, Air India has asked the remaining passengers on the flight to follow the protocol notified by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for prevention of coronavirus spread. "This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding coronavirus," Air India stated. All crew members of the flight have been asked to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days, an Air India official told ANI. "All crew members of the February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight have been asked to stay in isolation at their respective homes for 14 days. A male passenger, who travelled from Vienna to Delhi by this flight, was found to be infected with coronavirus," said the official on Monday. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued detailed guidelines regarding the prevention of the infection and what to do if a person shows signs of COVID-19. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare earlier announced that two cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the country including the one in the capital with a travel history from Italy. The other case has been reported from Telangana. Both the patients are stable and are being closely monitored. Earlier, three cases of COVID-19 were reported in Kerala. All three have now been discharged following treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SANTA ROSA Sonoma County public health officials Monday declared a public health emergency after confirming a second local case of coronavirus. The newest patient is in stable condition in an isolation room at an unidentified local hospital. They had recently returned from a trip on a cruise ship that traveled from San Francisco to Mexico, according to the county health department. A California Department of Public Health test confirmed the positive diagnosis. State and federal health officials are working with hospital staff to identify individuals the patient has contacted in the 10 days since returning from the trip, officials said. Another test is being done to confirm the positive result, officials said. County health officials have declined to say where the two local patients diagnosed with coronavirus are being treated, withholding that information again on Monday. Separately, the private Healdsburg School canceled classes Monday as a precautionary measure after someone in the school community came in contact with a patient diagnosed with the coronavirus, school officials said. The K-8 campus has about 200 students. The school closure is the first in Sonoma County related to coronavirus. The first local case of coronavirus exposure was reported Feb. 25 by Sonoma Countys public health division. The patient had been a passenger on the virus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship and transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Solano County before being taken to a Sonoma County hospital for care. A formal declaration of an emergency, which the Board of Supervisors is slated to affirm, allows the county to request additional resources to prepare for the virus spread. This recent presumptive positive case of COVID-19 is a cause for concern, and the county is declaring these emergencies to activate and deploy its resources to adequately respond to an increase of cases, Sonoma County Public Health Officer Celeste Philip said. She advised people to wash hands, avoid touching their eyes and face and stay home when ill. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Gopika Varrier By Express News Service THRISSUR: Police have arrested an oracle from a Kerala temple following complaints that a woman ended her life after he reportedly remarked before other devotees that she was leading an immoral life. The Anthikkad police in Thrissur district have arrested Sreekanth, the oracle (komaram in Malayalam) of Karanath temple at Manalur, on Tuesday. He allegedly made remarks insulting the mother of two children in the presence of other devotees during the temple rituals held on February 25, the police said. The 32-year-old woman was found hanging at her husband's house the next day. An oracle, regionally known as 'komaram', believed to be the image of god, is considered as the person who takes the message of the deity to the native people. For temple rituals, the komaram is regarded as the mediator between the devotees and the deity. In a complaint filed by the woman's husband, it is alleged that one of their relatives had misbehaved with the woman earlier. The woman had warned the relative of further consequences if he continues it and even shared the same with her husband, who works in the Gulf. "Since he was our family member, we didn't make it a big issue, but my wife had told me about it," said the woman's husband. The woman's brother alleged that the relative influenced Sreekanth, the oracle, to speak against his sister in public as revenge. Sreekanth made insulting comments against the woman and even ordered her to apologize to the deity for leading an amoral life. The woman's brother has testified that his sister lived a happy life with the two kids and her husband. He alleged that the incident was the reason behind the death. Her family had sought a probe into the issue leading the police to make the arrest on Tuesday. Cultural organizations like Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (an organization of artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts based in Kerala) have come out against the incident and urged the devotees not to be swayed by oracles like Sreekanth. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available at 24-hour helpline numbers Maithri - 0484-2540530 and Chaithram: 0484-2361161.) A woman wears a mask while carrying a dog in Wuhan in January. (AP) A charity has claimed it is not possible for dogs to catch the new coronavirus, as the disease continues to spread across the globe. The virus, officially known as Covid-19, has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide so far and infected over 90,000 but only one dog has been diagnosed with it, according to animal welfare charity Blue Cross For Pets. In an update on its website for concerned owners, the charity said the only case of the coronavirus in dogs had occurred in Hong Kong, where a pet had tested weakly positive. Until further tests are carried out, there is no current evidence that pets can be infected with the new coronavirus or be carriers of the virus, the statement said. There is currently a dog in Hong Kong who has tested weakly positive for coronavirus. A woman pushes a stroller with two dogs wearing masks in Shanghai last month. (AP) Though it isnt yet confirmed whether this is environmental contamination through the dogs nose and mouth or whether they have really been infected, which means the situation is still evolving. It is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after stroking your pets for protection against other bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella. Read more: Coronavirus: what rights do you have if you can't work or self-isolate? It comes as the government warned of significant and clearly noticeable pressures on wider society if the outbreak worsens in the UK. Staff absences, school closures, disruption to non-urgent care and cancellation of large-scale events are all possible scenarios if Covid-19 becomes a severe prolonged pandemic. But the governments 27-page battle plan says any future action depends on the course of the disease, which cannot be predicted accurately at this point. The government document says: Action that would be considered could include population distancing strategies (such as school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings) to slow the spread of disease throughout the population, whilst ensuring the countrys ability to continue to run as normally as possible. Story continues The effectiveness of these actions will need to be balanced against their impact on society. Read more: Coronavirus: Boris Johnsons plan would make classrooms unsafe for children The public has been urged to support the UK response by being understanding of the pressures the health and social care systems may be under, and receptive to changes that may be needed to the provision of care to you and your family. People can also help by checking on elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours. The document says: Everyone will face increased pressures at work, as well as potentially their own personal illness or caring responsibilities. Supporting staff welfare will be critical to supporting an extended response. Turkey shot down two Syrian Su-24 fighter jets and struck several bases deep in Syrian government territory, killing hundreds of Syrian forces and destroying armaments, Turkey's Defense Ministry said, calling the attacks retaliation for airstrikes that killed 36 Turkish soldiers on Thursday. Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey has killed 2,200 Syrian troops and destroyed significant amounts of heavy weaponry and armaments since the conflict between Syria and Turkey escalated in the past few days. Danny Makki, a Syrian analyst, put the number of Syrian troops killed in the hundreds. Turkey's offensive appears to have erased or at least stopped Syria's recent push to recapture the last opposition strongholds in Idlib province, The Washington Post reports. "Russia, Syria's most important ally, refrained from intervening on its behalf for the first time since the Idlib fighting first erupted last year, suggesting an unwillingness by Moscow to allow the spiraling confrontation between Turkey and Syria to jeopardize its relationship with Ankara or to escalate into a wider conflict with an important NATO member." The U.S., Turkey's ally, also has troops in eastern Syria. Turkey has repeatedly warned Syria and its allies to stop their march toward the Turkish border, sending waves of refugees into Turkey in what the United Nations has deemed one of the worst humanitarian crises of the nine-year-old Syrian war. Turkey has opened its northern border, allowing refugees to pass on to Europe. In return, Greece sealed its border, trapping hundreds of refugees in a no-man's land. "Over the past few days, Russia has done nothing in the face of an offensive that is rapidly destroying the capabilities of the Syrian army," Makki told the Post. "Russia's central interests in Syria have been secured, whether political or economic, so Russia has nothing to gain by entering into an awkward and bloody confrontation with Turkey, which is a member of NATO." More stories from theweek.com 5 scathingly funny cartoons about Trump's coronavirus response Coronavirus czar Mike Pence is now apparently bundling tweets praising his, Trump's coronavirus response Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke celebrated Biden's big Dallas rally at a Whataburger Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 11 AM on Tuesday. This will be their first meeting after Kejriwal took charge as Delhi's CM for the third time in February. Kejriwal had invited PM Modi for his oath ceremony held on February 16, but the PM could not attend as he was in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi to inaugurate various projects. However, he congratulated Kejriwal on Twitter. "I congratulate Shri Arvind Kejriwal on taking oath as Delhi's CM earlier today. Best wishes to him for a fruitful tenure," the Prime Minster wrote. The Delhi CM had replied saying: "Thank you for the warm wishes sir. I wish you could come today, but I understand you were busy. We must now work together towards making Delhi a city of pride for all Indians." Last week, Kejriwal also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over violence in the northeast region of the national capital.The Amit Shah Kejriwal meeting at Shah's residence lasted 20 minutes. "Meeting with HM Amit Shah was positive and it was decided that all parties will take steps to restore peace," he told reporters after the meeting. "The police are doing their bit and HM has assured that whatever force is needed, will be provided," Kejriwal said. On February 23, communal clashes erupted in Northeast Delhi, in which 47 people have died and 200 suffered injured. The Delhi Police have registered 254 FIRs and arrested 903 people in connection with the violence. Also read: Modi govt confident of achieving tax target, but numbers belie that confidence Also read: Narendra Modi says thinking of giving up Facebook, Twitter; also, YouTube, Instagram [March 03, 2020] HBC Completes Privatization Transaction HBC (TSX: HBC) has successfully completed its plan of arrangement resulting in HBC becoming a private company. Richard Baker, HBC's Governor and Executive Chairman commented, "This is a great outcome for HBC and all of its stakeholders. The continuing shareholder group is resolved to doing what is right for our customers, associates, communities and partners. As current and future generations change the way they live, shop and work, we are committed to transforming HBC to capitalize on these shifts. It will take patient capital and a long-term view to fully unleash HBC's potential at the intersection of real estate and retail." Additionally, Helena Foulkes will step down from her role as CEO effective March 13, 2020. Mr. Baker will take on the CEO role in addition to his current responsibilities. He will be supported by the company's senior leadership team, including the dedicated presidents of each retail business. "The company and I are grateful for Helena's leadership and significant accomplishments over the last two years. Together, we have simplified our company, strengthened retail operations and reinvigorated our focus on the customer. Each of our businesses is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in their unique markets and we are optimistic about this exciting next chapter for our company. Furthermore, we are confident in our go-forward leadership team and our ability to drive HBC forward," concluded Mr. Baker. Ms. Foulkes shared, "I want to thank the entire HBC team for their trust and dedication over the past two years as we worked to transform the company. We made bold moves to streamline the business, modernize our marketing, seize digital opportunities, bolster our senior leadership team and empower each of our retail businesses to excel in the future. I'm proud of the work we have done and how HBC embraced cultural change to prioritize delivering for our customers and creating exceptional experiences." Privatization Transaction Details Under the terms of the plan of arrangement to take HBC private, the company has purchased for cancellation all of its common shares, excluding shares owned by certain continuing shareholders, for cash consideration of $11.00 per common share. The company's common shares are expected to be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange at the close of trading on March 4, 2020. HBC has applied to cease being a reporting issuer in all of the provinces and territories of Canada. Shareholders who held their common shares through a broker or intermediary may contact that broker or intermediary for instructions and assistance in receiving the consideration for such common shares. Sharehoders who held their shares in certificated form are required to complete and sign a letter of transmittal and deliver it, together with their share certificates and the other required documents, to TSX Trust Company. All questions regarding the consideration, including any request for another letter of transmittal, should be directed to the registrar and transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, which can be contacted at 1-866-600-5869 or 416-342-1091 or [email protected]. About HBC HBC is a diversified retailer focused on driving the performance of high-quality stores and their omni-channel platforms and unlocking the value of real estate holdings. Founded in 1670, HBC is the oldest company in North America. HBC's portfolio today includes formats ranging from luxury to premium department stores to off price fashion shopping destinations, with nearly 250 stores and approximately 30,000 employees around the world. HBC's leading businesses across North America include Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson's Bay, and Saks OFF 5TH. HBC also has significant investments in real estate joint ventures. It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in the HBS Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States. In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, expected impacts of the Arrangement and other statements that are not historical facts. Often but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "could", "should", "would", "outlook", "forecast", "anticipate", "foresee", "continue" or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Although HBC believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are by their nature subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking statements, including factors, which are beyond HBC's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause HBC's actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the "Risk Factors" sections of HBC's Annual Information Form dated May 3, 2019 as well as HBC's other public filings, available at www.sedar.com and at www.hbc.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe HBC's expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws, HBC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Required Early Warning Report Information HBC's head office is located at Suite 500, 401 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2Y4. The continuing shareholders and their affiliates and associates have ownership and control over an aggregate of 141,293,618 common shares (100% of the issued and outstanding common shares). All Series A preferred shares have been converted into common shares in connection with the completion of the arrangement. The continuing shareholders intend to cause the common shares to cease to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and HBC has submitted an application to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws and to otherwise terminate HBC's public reporting requirements. Early warning reports will be filed by the continuing shareholders, as applicable, with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities. To obtain copies of the early warning reports, please contact Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher at (212) 355-4449 (Contact: Matthew Sherman / Kelly Sullivan / Annabelle Rinehart / Matthew Gross). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005767/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Ondo state Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has said that there is nothing anyone can do if he decides to give his son a position in his government. Governor Akeredolu said this while speaking at a dinner organised in commemoration of his third anniversary as governor of Ondo State, told those present to work hard towards ensuring he gets reelected. Recounting how his son worked towards his election in 2016, the Ondo State Governor said; When somebody says Baba (Babajide) is this, I just laugh at them. If I wanted to make Baba my chief of staff, he can be; did you do more than him in the campaign? Ask yourself, how many of you did more than Baba in the campaign? How many? The young boy was going everywhere and all of us saw him but we decided not to because he wouldnt want it. My son is satisfied, thats why. If he is not, I will put him somewhere, there is nothing anybody can do. I will put him there, there is nothing you can do. Is he not my son? Is he not from Ondo state? Has he not worked? Governor Akeredolu also praised his wife Betty, saying he couldnt have asked for a better First Lady. He added; Kyiv's District Administrative Court has received an application for provisional remedy in which Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk is the applicant, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov is the defendant, and President Volodymyr Zelensky is the third party, the court's press service has reported. According to the court, the plaintiff requests the court to ban the defendant, until a ruling on the merits is issued, from including in the agenda of a special parliament meeting on March 4, 2020, the question of the resignation of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk and/or the dismissal of any government member. "Among other requirements in the application are to ban the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine from putting to the vote by people's deputies of Ukraine or through the electronic system of the question of the resignation of Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk and/or the dismissal of any member of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as to announce the results of voting of people's deputies by means of the electronic system regarding the resignation of Oleksiy Honcharuk and/or the dismissal of any member of the Cabinet of Ministers," the court said. The issue of whether there are legal grounds to take legal action is being resolved, the court said. Earlier, Servant of the People MP Oleksandr Kachura wrote on his Telegram channel that Zelensky, at a meeting of the Servant of the Party faction, had proposed dismissing Honcharuk and appointing Denys Shmyhal as Ukraine's prime minister. On February 28, Zelensky sent a letter to Razumkov demanding that a special parliament meeting be convened. Razumkov called the meeting for 16:00 on March 4. op Looking for ways to become a more confident cook at home? Our food editors are here to help. Each week, we're shining a spotlight on the exciting things happening in the Martha Stewart test kitchen. Our editors will share their best cooking tips, favorite products, new ideas, and more in our weekly series, Out of the Kitchen. It's always nice when someone makes you a cup of coffee in the morning, but when they travel across the countryand that someone who's making the coffee brings their own beans and hand-grinds themit's bound to be even better. That's just part of the story of Port of Mokha's Mokhtar Alkhanshali's visit to the test kitchen. You might have heard of AlkhanshaliDave Eggers wrote a book about him. He grew up in San Francisco and has become the leading evangelist for coffee from Yemen through the company he founded. His goal is to bring these unique coffees to the U.S. and the world. Not only did Alkhanshali bring his own beans and grind them right before brewing (which makes for fresher flavor), but he also bought an impressive coffee setup: a Stagg kettle to boil water, an electric scale to weigh (measure) the water, and an elegant glass pour over coffee set a friend had gifted him. He made glasses (yes glasses) of Port of Mokha's Al-Durrar for all of us as he shared the story of how he got into coffee and how he is working to share the singular coffees from Yemen, which rivals Ethiopia as the birthplace of coffee. (In fact Mokha or Mocha is a Yemeni port city and not just a coffee drink.) Related: Catch Up on What Happened in the Test Kitchen Last Week Nicole Williams As we held our small glasses of coffee, Alkhanshali advised us to "drink slowly and note the flavors as the coffee cools." He also remarked "how the coffee was light, almost tea-like but packed with flavor." And it was. This brew could not have been further from the typical cup of joe. The coffees that Port of Mokha sells are grown about 2,400 meters above sea level, on spectacular terraces cut into the hillsides. We were all surprised that coffee could be grown that high. Alkhanshali explained that the elevation is important "the higher the coffee grows, the slower it matures, that's why high elevation coffee is so expensive." At these higher elevations, the coffee has to work harder to grow, the beans are smaller and the taste different, something to savor. Alkhanshali says he is "a bridge between two worlds, helping the coffee farmers improve their production process and get a much higher price for their coffee," and he's bringing coffee connoisseurs beans that can be traced back to the earliest coffee cultivars. The beans are micro lots, some from one village, some from one farming family in a certain village. Food editor at large Shira Bocar asked Alkhanshali about his favorite way to make coffee. As it turns out, his travel setup is a take on his favorite; Alkhanshali is a devotee of the pour over, and the pour over in his travel coffee setup is the glass version of the very simple and inexpensive Hario V60. But, he's says, "It's what you like. My mom likes French press. In Yemen they make Turkish-style coffee." The pour over, he explained, is good for lighter body, more floral coffees. Port of Mokha is available at some leading coffee shops, like Blue Bottle, but they also sell direct to consumers so everyone, whether they live in a town with a great coffee shop or not, can try these unique coffees and learn a little about the coffee farmers and the story behind the beans. WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army on Tuesday began increased health screenings for all new soldier recruits arriving at the four basic training centres around the country in order to detect the new coronavirus, a senior commander said. Army Gen. Paul Funk, head of the Armys Training and Doctrine Command, said personnel at the bases spent Monday rehearsing the new screening and learning how to spot symptoms and interview recruits. The enhanced screening will affect as many at 1,000 recruits a week for the Armys active duty, National Guard and Reserve for the near future. That number will grow later this spring and summer as the number of new soldiers entering the service increases. Were using prudent measures to ensure we are screening, Funk told a small groups of reporters at the Pentagon. Under the new process, recruits will be asked a series of questions, including whether they have been to various parts of Asia, if theyve been in contact with anyone who has the virus and whether they have had any of the symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, stomach problems and muscle aches. They also will have their temperature taken. If the soldiers say no to all the questions and dont have a temperature higher than 99.4 degrees, they will be allowed to move enter basic training. If they say yes, exhibit symptoms or have a fever, medical personnel will separate them from the others and move them to heath care facilities on the bases. The four training bases are Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The Marine Corps said it has done some of the same things out of an abundance of caution to preserve the wellness of the force. According to Marine Capt. Christopher Harrison, preliminary screenings have been implemented for incoming recruits at the Marine Corps recruit depots. The Navy said there have been no changes to its screening process yet, and the Air Force had no information on any changes. So far, no Army recruits have tested positive for coronavirus. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Toh Ting Wei (The Straits Times/Asia News Network) Singapore Tue, March 3, 2020 17:06 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206800300 2 News coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,SilkAir,Singapore-Airlines,travel,Japan,Hiroshima Free Singapore Airlines' regional wing, SilkAir, will suspend flights to Japan's Hiroshima on the back of weak demand, which has been made worse by the coronavirus outbreak. SilkAir said on Tuesday that the last flight for MI867 will be from Hiroshima to Singapore on March 26. The flights will be suspended indefinitely. It said it will contact all affected customers and arrange to accommodate them on other flights. Those who need further assistance can contact SIA's Japan reservations office at +81-3-3213-3431 or the 24-hour reservations call centre in Singapore at +65 6223-8888. SilkAir started flying the Singapore-Hiroshima route in October 2017. It had said then that the Japanese city was popular with Singaporeans because of its historical significance, good weather and proximity to various attractions in neighboring cities. The move is the latest one by the Singapore Airlines Group - made up of national carrier SIA, SilkAir and budget arm Scoot - to cut costs as it adjusts to plummeting demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. The group has suspended more than 3,000 flights from February to end-May, accounting for 9.9 percent of the group's scheduled capacity. SIA Group said on Tuesday that it regularly reviews its flight network and will remain nimble in adjusting capacity to demand. It said the group remains committed to the Japanese market and that it currently still flies to six areas in Japan - Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo-Haneda and Tokyo-Narita. Topics : This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Princess Eugenie has shared a throwback picture of her visit to Australia in 2009 as she voices her support to those affected by the bushfires. The royal, 29, shared the picture of her as a teenager visiting Mogo Wildlife Park with her aunt Jane Ferguson in New South Wales. The black and white pictures show her casually dressed in a hoodie, laughing as a meerkat sits on her lap. Another snap captures two ferrets cheekily climbing up her clothes, while a third sees her aunt holding a serval wild cat, and further pictures see the Wildlife Park with smoke in the distance. Princess Eugenie has shared a throwback picture of her visit to Australia in 2009 as she voices her support to those affected by the bushfires The park closed during the tragic bushfires, but has now reopened - after the zoo's staff risked their lives and stayed to fight the fire to save the animals during the fire. And Eugenie shared her support for the sancutary, writing: 'I was lucky enough to go to @mogowildlifepark in 2009 whilst visiting my Aunt in Australia. 'It was such an incredible experience to be with the animals and meet such a dedicated team of people supporting these magnificent creatures. 'Mogo Wildlife Park reopened this past weekend after the devastating bushfires threatened the park and lives of the keepers and animals. The royal, 29, shared the picture of her as a teenager visiting Mogo Wildlife Park with her aunt Jane Ferguson in New South Wales Eugenie shared her support for the sancutary, writing: 'I was lucky enough to go to @mogowildlifepark in 2009 whilst visiting my Aunt in Australi 'Chad Staples, the zoo's director, received a text 'leave now to the east towards the beach and shelter in place', but he and his team chose instead to stay and fight the fire to save the park. 'I'm in awe of how human determination and drive can overcome such terrifying circumstances and I wanted to share this story of hope after what Australia has been through. 'All my thoughts have been and are with all those who are affected by the fires in Australia. @mogowildlifepark @zookeeper_chad'. Another snap captures two ferrets cheekily climbing up her clothes, while a third sees her aunt holding a serval wild cat Further pictures see the Wildlife Park with smoke in the distance as staff stayed to battle the flames Firefighters rejoiced on Monday after announcing that there were no active bushfires burning in New South Wales. It is the first time since July last year that there have been no fires burning in the state. The NSW RFS took to their social media on Monday to announce incredible news after 240 days of fighting bushfires. 'For the first time since early July 2019, there are currently no active bush or grass fires in NSW,' they wrote. During Australia's horror bushfire season at total of 33 people were killed, more than 2,000 of homes were destroyed and at least a billion animals perished. Gardai are investigating a serious assault on a teenager at a Luas stop in Dublin. The incident happened at Glencairn Luas Stop in Leopardstown at approximately 10pm on Monday night. Gardai said a male in his teens was approached by a group of males and during an altercation with one other male, he allegedly received a stab wound. He was taken to St Vincents Hospital by ambulance and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing. Fianna Fail spokesman on Justice and Equality, Jim OCallaghan, has said the incident shows that the issue of knife crime needs to be addressed urgently. Mr OCallaghan said Fianna Fail plans to impose a 12-month sentence for anyone caught carrying a knife in public with intent to cause injury or serious harm to another. He added: I would like to wish the young man a speedy recovery from this violent attack. Green Party TD for Dublin Rathdown Catherine Martin said: The local community are shocked and appalled at this brutal attack and my thoughts are with the victim and his family at this worrying time. I would urge anyone who has any information whatsoever to contact the local gardai. Everyone has a role to play to ensure such barbaric acts never take hold of our community. The fact that it is so rare in our community does not leave room for complacency. We all need to be vigilant and show not just zero tolerance, but our revulsion at knife crime by co-operating fully with the gardai. NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Grand Canyon University student Talesa Jaramillo-Ortiz was excited to be celebrating with like-minded activists at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference here even as she worried about the specter of socialism in this falls elections. Jaramillo-Ortiz said youth support for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary was a very scary moment right now that were fighting. It was a theme repeated throughout the three-day event, where the usual applause for President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to speak here Saturday, fought for time with warnings about the countrys possible left turn. No danger of that among the crowds at the conference who filled the halls at the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center this week. many wearing Make America Great Again hats along with jackets, shirts and more festooned with Trumps name. Outside the main presentation ballroom, conservative media stars like Alex Jones and Sebastian Gorka filled dozens of media booths conducting interview and offering commentary throughout the event. Trumps former White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, greeted supporters and snapped selfies. But overlooking the ballroom entrance was an always-visible red banner stretching from floor to ceiling with the word socialism spelled out in giant white letters. Jaramillo-Ortiz, who is a member of the Turning Point USA chapter at Grand Canyon University, said she has friends who are Sanders supporters and that she worries Sanders could win against Trump because of his impassioned base. I feel that he is the main threat right now to Trump, Jaramillo-Ortiz said of Sanders. His base is so rabid, and its so devoted to Bernie, its akin to Trump in 2016. Sanders, who calls himself a Democratic Socialist, held an 11.1 percentage point lead over former Vice President Joe Biden, his closest competitor in the Democratic presidential field as of Friday, according to an aggregate of national polls by Real Clear Politics. A 2019 survey by YouGov for the anti-communism group Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, showed 70% of American millennials would likely vote for a socialist candidate. Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA a conservative organization with chapters at colleges nationwide said in a CPAC speech Thursday that the growing acceptance of socialism has its roots in college campuses which he called the battleground for the hearts and minds for the next generation. Whatever happens on college campuses, will soon happen in the halls of Congress, Kirk said. They are a harbinger for things to come. Socialism turned up as an element in many of the presentations, from Socialism destroys humanity, to less-obvious topics, like Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Prescott, and his presentation on rare earth minerals as part of The global struggle for resources and the 21st century socialist axis of evil. Gosar echoed Kirks worries that higher education is biased toward socialism, saying the current education system is not presenting both sides. I think once you empower people to have that critical thinking what about me, how do I play this part I dont think they flock to socialism because its never worked, he said. But even fears of a socialist movement couldnt temper the excitement of Trumps supporters, who roared their approval Thursday for Vice President Mike Pence as he ticked off a list of Trumps accomplishments. Pences charge that the Democratic Party had become radical elicited a chorus of boos. Its really astonishing to think that the party of Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy is actually on the verge of nominating an avowed socialist as their partys standard-bearer, Pence said. The socialist scare may be worrying some, but it only drives others to fight harder up to Election Day. Coming to CPAC, Gosar said, is like the calm before the storm. You rally, you gather, you find commonality and then you disperse, he said, and then well get back together again come Nov. 3. Fire company wont cooperate with election Boos to the South Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Company for balking at the free and easy use of its firehouse as a polling place and refusing to explain why. For years, the South Glens Falls firehouse and many other firehouses throughout the area have been used as public polling places, and for years firefighters have been cooperative and shown the public spirit they are known for. Theyre splendid as splendid can be, said Roger Schiera, Republican commissioner for the Saratoga County Board of Elections, about local firefighters. Fire companies throughout the county have not only for many years made their stations available as polling places, as state law requires, but have helped with the setup. The county delivers machines to polling places in the days before an election takes place, and in the next several months, we will have three the presidential primary on April 28, the federal primary on June 23 and the general election on Nov. 3. In previous years, the South Glens Falls company has cooperated with the arrangements, allowing the machines to be delivered a few days beforehand and stowed out of the way of firefighters. The law requires that the fire company cooperate, and its not clear whether the South Glens Falls company intends to do so. But the larger issue is the lack of civic-mindedness and the peremptory high-handedness of the firefighters behavior. Its bizarre that they chose to communicate with Moreau Supervisor Todd Kuznierz on this subject by certified mail twice. Why not pick up the phone or stop by his office to discuss things? The town has been financially helpful to the fire company in the past year and has had a great relationship with the company, Kuznierz said. He, too, expressed bafflement at the companys sudden and unprecedented lack of cooperation. Its always unfortunate when an organization expects to be fully and enthusiastically supported by a community, as the fire company has been, but refuses to respond in kind. The companys leadership should return to old policy of full cooperation with the Board of Elections. County employees save snowmobiler Bravos to four Saratoga County employees of the Department of Public Works Rob Crist, Jeff Gray, Preston Allen Jr. and Aaron Colvin who were honored recently for rescuing a snowmobiler Ed Fitzgerald who went through ice last month on Great Sacandaga Lake. Fitzgerald broke through near Conklingville Dam in Hadley and the thin ice made it impossible for him to get out. A resident of the area heard him yelling for help and called 911. The DPW workers, who were nearby, heard the emergency call and responded. Two of them grabbed a rowboat and managed to get out to Fitzgerald, who had already been in the freezing water for awhile and surely could not have stayed afloat for much longer. The quick action on everyones part to make the 911 call, to respond, to bravely venture out and attempt a rescue deserves our respect and admiration. Trump administration wont extend health care program Boos to the Trump administration for refusing to extend a program that provided money for preventative health care to reduce unnecessary use of hospitals by people on Medicaid. The program, which lasted for five years, was a success, according to Eric Burton, CEO of Adirondack Health Institute, which ran various programs with the funds. Whatever the reason for the decision not to extend the program, its a bad call. Putting money into preventative care, in a way that helps patients and hospitals, is a great way to address some of the failings of our health care system. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is suggesting that the decision is one example, among others, of the Trump administration targeting New York for punishment. We dont know whether that is true, but it does seem suspicious that several Trump administration policy changes have hit hardest states that tend to elect Democrats, like New York, Massachusetts and California. Cuomo ties this decision to an ongoing dispute between New York and the Trump administration over the states Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants living in New York to apply for drivers licenses, on the grounds that its safer to make sure that everyone who is driving is properly licensed and insured. We dont know what the reason is for the federal action, but we do know preventative health care more than pays for itself and funding it is the smart way to go. Storm response was exemplary Bravos to first responders and to public works and utility crews that responded in force and worked long hours over several days to deal with the damage from a widespread, destructive snow and ice storm on Feb. 7. Power was out in many spots throughout the region and stayed out for several days, in some instances. Warren County declared an emergency, setting up warming stations and shelters. After the storm, the temperature fell to below zero. Local emergency responders, from volunteer firefighters to police officers to rescue workers, came out to help county public works crews and nonprofits like the Red Cross. They went door to door in some of the hardest-hit communities to bring supplies and comfort to people who were stranded in their homes by downed trees and often were without power, too. National Grid brought in dozens of extra crews, including crews from Canada, to work on the power lines. Were used to harsh weather and winter power outages in this area, but its always great to see the volunteers and professionals respond when the situation requires it. Dispatcher alerts family to danger Bravos to Lydia Hayes, a Warren County emergency dispatcher, who fielded a call at the height of the ice and snow storm on Feb. 7, and realizing something was wrong, kept the caller on the line for several minutes and alerted firefighters. The caller said alarms had gone off in her house, but she acted confused and said she smelled something. Hayes told the woman and her family to evacuate the home, and when firefighters got there, they found a high level of carbon monoxide inside high enough to have been fatal in the case of prolonged exposure. Swamped with calls that day, Hayes still took her time with this call and likely saved lives because of that. District seeking pension waiver Boos to the Hadley Luzerne school district for seeking a state waiver from pension rules, so it can pay a school resource officer $40,000 a year, exceeding the $35,000 limit for pay received by retired police officers receiving a state pension. Boos also to Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr for saying he will create a new Civil Service title for the resource officers special patrol officer that will make it easier for retirees to get state salary waivers. Rules that allow retirees to earn a $35,000 salary while also getting a full state pension are already generous. The easier it is to get waivers, the harder it will be for taxpayers, because more police officers, paid by taxpayers, will be retiring as soon as theyre eligible for a state pension. Waivers should be difficult to get and granted only in special circumstances. We dont see an emergency need for school resource officers and see no reason why pension waivers should be granted in this situation. Local editorials represent the opinion of the Post-Star editorial board, which consists of Editor Ken Tingley, Projects Editor Will Doolittle, Publisher/Controller/Operations Director Brian Corcoran and citizen representative Chuck Cumming. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Pew Research Center Enters a New Decade NewsBreaks often covers the latest surveys and reports from Pew Research Center , a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Its website has eight topic sections, each of which showcases the latest research, which is collected in reports, fact sheets, or other formats that extrapolate respondents answers to cover the entire U.S. (or other) population. The reports have a summary page that includes the methodology for how the information was collected and a link to download and read the full report. For NewsBreaks previous roundups of Pews research, click here (October 2017), here (March 2018), here (October 2018), here (March 2019), and here (October 2019). The following are some of the latest reports from each section. U.S. Politics A report from Feb. 13, 2020, As Economic Concerns Recede, Environmental Protection Rises on the Publics Policy Agenda, shows that Americans policy priorities have changed recently: For the first time in Pew Research Center surveys dating back nearly two decades, nearly as many Americans say protecting the environment should be a top policy priority (64%) as say this about strengthening the economy (67%). Three years ago, 68% said jobs were a top priority, with 49% saying so today. Defending the U.S. against terrorism has been the top priority overall since 2002, at 74% this year. There is a partisan divide when it comes to climate changevirtually all the increase in the share of Americans saying global climate change should be a top priority has come among Democrats since 2017. This year, Democrats name protecting the environment (85%), reducing healthcare costs (80%), and improving the countrys educational system (80%) as top priorities. Republicans prioritize defense against terrorism (87%), strengthening the economy (74%), and immigration issues (74%). A Feb. 7, 2020, report, Views of Nations Economy Remain Positive, Sharply Divided by Partisanship, finds that Americans views of the nations economy remain more positive than at any point in the past two decades. In addition, more Americans say President Trumps policies have made the economy better (44%) than worse (29%), while 26% say they have not had much effect. As usual, theres a partisan divide: 57% say the economy is excellent or good81% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say so versus 39% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents. Optimism that economic conditions would improve was relatively high during the Obama administration (surveyed in 2012); today, 29% of Americans say conditions will be better, 26% worse, while 45% say they will be about the same as now. In February 2012, 44% expected economic conditions to improve; just 10% said they would get worse, while 42% said they would be about the same as they were then. As Voting Begins, Democrats Are Upbeat About the 2020 Field, Divided in Their Preferences, from Jan. 30, 2020, finds that Democratic voters are highly engaged with the race for their partys nomination, express positive views of the Democratic field and are united in opposition to Donald Trump. The report is based on data from registered voters, with about half of the respondents identifying as Democrats or leaning Democratic. Of those, 44% expect the Democratic nominee to win the presidency, 34% did not express an opinion, and 22% think the current president will be reelected. Here are the percentage breakdowns for support of each candidate who was in the race at the time: Joe Biden (26%), Bernie Sanders (21%), Elizabeth Warren (16%), Pete Buttigieg (7%), and Michael Bloomberg (5%). Media & News On Feb. 19, 2020, Pew released Concern About Influence of Made-Up News on the Election Is Lowest Among Those Paying the Least Attention. It finds that 82% of Americans say they are either very or somewhat concerned about the potential impact of made-up news on the 2020 presidential election. Nearly half (48%) place themselves in the highest category of being very concerned. Concern is highest among people who follow political news most closely, older adults and those who display more knowledge about politics in general. The least concerned are those who dont follow political news closely at all, people with the least knowledge about political affairs and the youngest adults. Respondents knowledge was tested by completing a series of nine questions focused on politics and government. A report from Jan. 24, 2020, U.S. Media Polarization and the 2020 Election: A Nation Divided, looks at where Republicans and Democrats place their trust: in two nearly inverse news media environments. A study from 2014 found that Republicans have grown increasingly alienated from most of the more established sources, while Democrats confidence in them remains stable, and in some cases, has strengthened. For this years study, Pew listed 30 different sources, including network television news, Rush Limbaugh, The New York Times, and the Huffington Post. Republicans distrusted 20 of the 30 sources (three of the trusted ones were Fox News and talk radio programs from Limbaugh and Sean Hannity). Greater portions of Democrats express trust than express distrust in 22 of the 30 sources asked about. Only eight generate more distrust than trustincluding Fox News, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. In addition, none of the 30 sources is trusted by more than 50% of all U.S. adults. Social Trends Most Adults Aware of 2020 Census and Ready to Respond, but Dont Know Key Details, from Feb. 20, 2020, shows that many U.S. adults dont know what the census asks or how to participate. A majority incorrectly believes a citizenship question is on the questionnaire, and only about one-in-five know they will have the option of answering online, although there is a high level of intention to participate. Two-thirds of adults say the census is important; 81% say they or someone in their household will participate. On Jan. 30, 2020, Pew released Women Make Gains in the Workplace Amid a Rising Demand for Skilled Workers. It shares that women [have] been entering the labor force in greater numbers than men since 1980, [and] they have made their presence felt more strongly in jobs with the greatest reliance on negotiation, persuasion, and other social skills, as well as fundamental skills such as critical thinking and writing. Women are in the majority (52%; up from about 40% in 1980) in social and fundamental skills-based jobs, including those in the legal, teaching, and counseling fields. Jobs that rely on analytical skills, including those in accounting and dentistry, have a greater share of women than previously too42%, up from 27% in 1980. A report from Jan. 9, 2020, is Most Americans Say There Is Too Much Economic Inequality in the U.S., but Fewer Than Half Call It a Top Priority. About six-in-ten U.S. adults say theres too much economic inequality in the country these days, and among that group, most say addressing it requires significant changes to the countrys economic system; however, it doesnt actually rank highly on their list of prioritiesonly 40% say reducing inequality should be a top priority for the federal government. Besides a partisan divide (78% of Democrats versus 41% of Republicans say the U.S. has too much economic inequality), opinions across income levels vary: 52% of lower-income Americans think inequality is a top priority, with 39% of those with middle incomes and 36% of those with upper incomes saying the same. And 85% of upper-income adults say that although theres too much inequality, some amount of it is acceptable (the percentages drop to 72% of those with middle incomes and 59% of those with lower incomes). Democrats are more likely to attribute inequality to structural factors, such as the tax and education systems, than Republicans, while Republicans are more likely to blame peoples life choices and the fact that some people work harder than others. Religion What Americans Know About the Holocaust, from Jan. 22, 2020, shows that [m]ost U.S. adults know what the Holocaust was and approximately when it happened, but fewer than half can correctly answer multiple-choice questions about the number of Jews who were murdered or the way Adolf Hitler came to powerbegging the question, Are those who underestimate the death toll simply uninformed, or are they Holocaust deniers ? According to Pews survey, the underestimation doesnt seem to stem from anti-Semitism. That said, respondents who get more questions right also tend to express warmer feelings toward Jews. For example, non-Jews who correctly answer at least three of the four multiple-choice questions about the Holocaust rate Jews at a relatively warm 67 degrees on the [surveys] feeling thermometer, on average. By comparison, non-Jews who correctly answer one question or less (including those who get none right) rate their feelings toward Jews at 58 degrees, on average. In addition, When asked to describe in their own words what the Holocaust was, more than eight-in-ten Americans mention the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people or other related topics, such as concentration or death camps, Hitler, or the Nazis. Seven-in-ten know that the Holocaust happened between 1930 and 1950. And close to two-thirds know that Nazi-created ghettos were parts of a city or town where Jews were forced to live. A separate survey of teens (ages 1317) that used the same multiple-choice questions shows that the teens display lower levels of knowledge about the Holocaust than their elders do. Like the adults, however, teens fare best on the questions about when the Holocaust occurred and what ghettos were. About half or more of teens answer those questions correctly. By comparison, 38% of teens know that approximately 6 million Jews perished in the Holocaust, and just one-third know that Hitler came to power through a democratic process. Internet & Tech A Feb. 21, 2020, report, Many Tech Experts Say Digital Disruption Will Hurt Democracy, is a roundup of responses from technology experts who provided their insights about the potential future effects of peoples use of technology on democracy. Nearly 1,000 innovators, developers, business and policy leaders, researchers, and activists answered the question, Between now and 2030, how will use of technology by citizens, civil society groups and governments affect core aspects of democracy and democratic representation? Will they mostly weaken core aspects of democracy and democratic representation, mostly strengthen core aspects of democracy and democratic representation or not much change in core aspects of democracy and democratic representation? Of the respondents, 49% say mostly weaken, 33% say mostly strengthen, and 18% say no significant change. Pew notes, The logic in some expert answers goes this way: The misuse of digital technology to manipulate and weaponize facts affects peoples trust in institutions and each other. That ebbing of trust affects peoples views about whether democratic processes and institutions designed to empower citizens are working. The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating, from Feb. 6, 2020, shows that 30% of U.S. adults have ever used an online dating platform (up from 11% in 2013)23% of them have gone on a date with someone they first met via online dating, and 12% of them have married or been in a committed relationship with someone they first met through a dating site or app (up from 3% in 2013). Online dating is most popular with younger adults and members of the LGBT+ community: 48% of 1829-year-olds and 55% of LGBT+ adults have ever used an app or site, and about 20% in each group have gotten married or been in a committed relationship with someone thanks to online dating. On a broad level, online dating users are more likely to describe their overall experience using these platforms in positive rather than negative terms. [However, about] seven-in-ten online daters believe it is very common for those who use these platforms to lie to try to appear more desirable. And by a wide margin, Americans who have used a dating site or app in the past year say the experience left them feeling more frustrated (45%) than hopeful (28%). Science As of this writing, Pew hasnt released any 2020-dated reports in the Science section yet. Its most recent one, from Nov. 25, 2019, is U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy. It notes, Majorities of Americans say the federal government is doing too little for key aspects of the environment, from protecting water [68%] or air [67%] quality to reducing the effects of climate change [67%]. And most [77%] believe the United States should focus on developing alternative sources of energy over expansion of fossil fuel sources. A majority of U.S. adults say they are taking at least some specific action in their daily lives to protect the environment, but as usual, there is a partisan divide over the causes of climate change and how government policies should address it. Hispanics Where Latinos Have the Most Eligible Voters in the 2020 Election, from Jan. 31, 2020, shares that 32 million Latinos are projected to be eligible to vote in the presidential election this yearmaking them 13.3% of all eligible voters. (About 60 million Latinos live in the U.S.) As for affiliation, 62% of Latino registered voters are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic party, and 34% are Republicans or lean toward the Republican party. Two-thirds of eligible Latino voters live in five states: California (7.9 million), Texas (5.6 million), Florida (3.1 million), New York (2.0 million), and Arizona (1.2 million). Latinos are the highest percentage of eligible voters in New Mexico, at 43%, and in Maine, 71% of Latinos are eligible to vote, the highest percentage in the country (Tennessee has the lowest percentage, at 33%). A report from Jan. 17, 2020, Latino Democratic Voters Place High Importance on 2020 Presidential Election, finds that 54% of Latino registered voters who are Democrats or Democrat-leaning have a good impression of the Democratic candidates. It really matters who is elected the next president, according to 87% of these voters, and 68% of Latino registered voters disapprove of the current president (23% who approve of him do so strongly). Of Democrat or Democrat-leaning Latino voters, 53% say the Democratic Party has more concern for Latinos than the Republican Party, while 31% say there is no difference between the two parties. Global On Feb. 9, 2020, Pew published NATO Seen Favorably Across Member States. It notes, NATO is generally seen in a positive light across publics within the alliance, despite lingering tensions between the leaders of individual member countries. A median of 53% across 16 member countries surveyed have a favorable view of the organization, with only 27% expressing a negative view. Poland has the highest positive NATO rating, at 82%; its lowest in Turkey, at 21%. (The percentage for the U.S. is 52%.) And in the three nonmember states surveyed, Sweden and Ukraine see the alliance positively (63% and 53%, respectively), but only 16% of Russians say the same. Trump Ratings Remain Low Around Globe, While Views of U.S. Stay Mostly Favorable, from Jan. 8, 2020, shares, As has been the case throughout his presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump receives largely negative reviews from publics around the world. Across [33] countries surveyed by Pew Research Center, a median of 64% say they do not have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs, while just 29% express confidence in the American leader. Disapproval is common in Western Europe, where 75% lack confidence in Trump in Germany, Sweden, France, Spain and the Netherlands. In Mexico, that percentage jumps to 89%. However, six countries have half or more percentages voicing confidence in how he handles world affairs, including Israel (70%) and Ukraine (46%). In 18 nations, those who place themselves on the right side of the ideological spectrum express more confidence in the U.S. president. For example, more than eight-in-ten Israelis on the ideological right have confidence in Trump, compared with just 37% of those on the left. Only 14% of Australians from the left give Trump positive marks, compared with a 55% majority among people from the right. In addition, across the 33 countries, a median of 54% have a favorable opinion of the U.S., and 38% have an unfavorable opinion. A couple drowned while attempting to swim in Khadakwasla canal on Tuesday morning. The two have been identified as Kailas Rejendra Chavan, 38 and Reshma Kailas Chavan, 35, both residents of Kondhwa Dhawade, Uttamnagar. The two live with their four-year-old daughter and the deceased mans mother. One of their phones had a passcode so we could not open it. Their daughter called on it to inform that she had reached her grandmothers after school and that is how we got in touch with the family, said Police Naik Desai of Haveli police station who was among the first to reach the spot where the two were found. The police found their belongings and two, two-wheelers near the dam. Both the vehicles were Honda Dios, one red-black and the other yellow, according to police. One cannot comprehend the sudden depth of the water from where they entered. The flow of the water was also high. As they entered the canal, passersby informed the police control room. Some people also tried to help, but were unable to save them, said Desai. While the man owned an optical shop, the woman was a sangeet visharad qualified singing teacher. They both had been going to the same spot to swim for the past few days, according to the family members. The police were informed around 7:30 am and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) fire station officials were called to retrieve the two bodies from the canal stretch near Nanded Phata. Their bodies were sent to Sassoon General Hospital for post mortem and later handed over to the family. For 45 minutes yesterday afternoon Jeremy Corbyn slouched on Labours front bench gazing at his telephone. What deserved such attention was unclear, but whatever it was it had him transfixed with wide-eyed wonder. It was like watching a Japanese snow monkey marvelling at a tourists iPhone for the first time. Mr Corbyn had come to raise an Urgent Question concerning last weeks resignation of Home Office mandarin Sir Philip Rutnam after he accused Home Secretary Priti Patel of bullying. But he might as well have taken the afternoon off. The Tories are already a chancellor down, here was a chance for Corbyn to make them look mighty silly. Naturally, he flunked it. Mr Corbyn had come to raise an Urgent Question concerning last weeks resignation of Home Office mandarin Sir Philip Rutnam after he accused Home Secretary Priti Patel of bullying He began his speech noisily but this did not last long. He huffed and puffed, but hard as he tried he just couldnt seem to muster the requisite anger. Indeed, he seemed more irritated that the Prime Minister hadnt bothered to show up. Had he known, Corbyn might have ordered someone else to table the question. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove was the man sent to throw a fire blanket over the affair. The Home Secretary ab-sol-ute-ly rejects these allegations, he said, his finger delicately drumming the dispatch box as he delivered another of his masterful nothing to see here turns. She was a superb minister doing a great job. Gove reiterated the need for the Civil Service and the Government to work together, which provoked a sarcastic chuckle from John McDonnell. Just hours later it would emerge that a former aide of Miss Patel had claimed to have attempted suicide after alleged bullying. Back in the Commons, Corbyn had zoned out, wiggling his feet impatiently and toying with his phone. Beside him was Diane Abbott, similarly glum and disengaged. Occasionally, they would converse out of the corners of their mouths like two old dears on Blackpool beach in rolled up-trousers, contemplating when to crack in to the egg sandwiches. On the other side of Corbyn was his education spokesman, Angela Rayner, shouting, jabbing and challenging Gove at every juncture. How Labour could use a leader with some of her energy. Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove responds after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, London, following allegations that Home Secretary Priti Patel has breached the ministerial code From the Government benches there came a steady gush of support for the Home Secretary. Julian Lewis (Con, New Forest E) pondered how Margaret Thatcher might have coped had she been subjected to the same smears and sexism aimed at the current Iron Lady in the Home Office. There were queries as to what actually constitutes bullying these days. Martin Vickers (Con, Cleethorpes) pointed out that its now too often used to describe what were once known as robust exchanges. Gove agreed, citing former Labour chancellor Denis Healey as no shrinking violet in such matters. Others questioned if voters really cared about Westminster spats. Dehenna Davison (Con, Bishop Auckland) said her constituents just wanted to see the Home Offices immigration policy implemented. There was fitting discussion about Labours own record under Corbyn when it came to bullying. Mark Francois (Con, Rayleigh & Wickford) suggested Corbyn remove the plank from his eye after his failure to tackle anti-Semitism within his party. Youre the bully, he shouted. Siobhan Baillie (Con, Stroud) suggested the Government shouldnt be subjected to stones being thrown from the glass homes opposite. But the punchiest intervention came from Tim Loughton (Con, E Worthing and Shoreham) who accused Labour of remaining silent for years under the industrial-scale bullying of John Bercow when he was Speaker, yet the moment allegations arise which involve a strong woman who does not curry favour with their stereotype they go bananas. Suddenly, Corbyns face was momentarily distracted from his telephone. Oh, come on, he groaned. For a moment I thought he might try to attract an intervention from the Speaker. He paused and wrinkled his nose, before thinking better of it and returning to that ruddy telephone screen. Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske claimed Tuesday that further travel restrictions to 'additional countries' would be announced soon The Trump administration plans to implement further travel restrictions to 'additional countries' amid the quickly escalating number of coronavirus cases in the United States, according to a top transportation official. Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske said Tuesday that further restrictions will soon be announced. The countries to be targeted were not identified, with restrictions already in place and airlines suspending services to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. President Trump ruled out any restrictions on domestic travel. Vice President Mike Pence is set to meet with airline executives Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus spread as major airlines such as Delta, United and American Airlines begin to waive change fees to virus hotspots because of traveler concerns. There are now 120 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States and nine deaths, all in Washington state. Health officials believe a quarter of the current coronavirus cases in the United States were transferred through US communities rather than travel. Airlines and the Trump administration are currently in a dispute over sharing information on international travelers. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a rule a few weeks ago as the coronavirus outbreak began to escalate globally, requiring airlines to provide certain information about international traveler. They are still putting pressure for more informative passenger lists to be shared as the deaths in the United States reached nine people on Tuesday. Travelers wear protective mask as they walk through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago Japan Air Lines flight attendants wear masks as they walk through O'Hare International Airport Cases across the world have risen to almost 93,000 and deaths to over 3,100 There are 120 cases of the coronavirus across the United States and nine deaths reported Airlines continue to fight the release of information claiming that a government-run project would provide better results. 'Building a website and developing an app will be the quickest way to obtain verifiable and accurate contact data,' Nick Calio, Airlines for America president, told Politico. Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to meet with airline executives on Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus. The dispute continues as a lack of communication between different agencies and officials became evident on Tuesday. Florida's Department of Health hit out at New York City officials after they learned that a man who tested positive for the virus in Westchester County had recently traveled to Florida through media reports. They are now looking into his travel history. President Trump ruled out any restrictions on domestic travel within the United States Nick Calio, Airlines for America president, pictured left, said the government should build a website to track international passengers while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' spokeswoman Helen Ferre, right, criticized New York authorities for not telling Florida about the new case American travelers are choosing to keep their travel plans in place as coronavirus cases spike Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' spokeswoman Helen Ferre said New York officials were immediately contacted once the news of the man's travel reached them. 'New York state officials did not alert Florida officials,' Ferre said. 'DOH learned of this case when it was reported by the media.' It is not known if the man was showing symptoms when in Florida. Earlier that morning, Florida Senator Rick Scott had asked for the DHS to 'increase screening procedures' at the state's international airports. What countries should you not fly to during the coronavirus outbreak? The U.S. State Department has placed travel restrictions on flights to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea Most commercial airlines have suspended their service to China which remains the hardest hit in the outbreak Travel to Iran is also not advised Delta and American Airlines have suspended service to Milan for several weeks as the Italian city is the capital of the region experiencing the countries worst outbreak Travel to regions is also not advised as the country struggles to control the spread Delta suspended US services to Shanghai and Beijing until April 30 and also reduced its service to Seoul in South Korea Advertisement 'We have to do everything we can to prevent the virus from spreading in our state and that starts with the thorough screening of travelers,' he said in a statement. On Saturday, the United States increased its travel advisory to level four, the country's highest level, and there are currently restrictions in place on travel to China and Iran, as well as regions of Italy, Mongolia and South Korea. Airlines have suspended services to China and to Italy, as passengers avoid travel to areas of high risk. Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday, Pekoske claimed that the coronavirus was 'a top priority for everyone' and that precautions were being taken to protect the TSA's workforce. 'My entire leadership team has worked tirelessly to ensure our workforce is protected and we have followed the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and OSHA. Both the Department and TSA have extensively messaged the workforce to ensure that everyone has the latest information,' Pekoske said. Cancellations on flights to China spiked in the past few weeks as the county initially struggled to contain the outbreak. Of the 3,000 deaths from the virus so far, the majority have been in mainland China. Coronavirus fears have intensified in recent days as the US has recorded its first nine deaths from the disease and 120 cases are now confirmed. All of the deaths took place in Washington state but there is no current information on whether domestic air travel to and from the state will be suspended. On Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence said the travel advisory alert was being raised to 'Level 4 - Do Not Travel' for the Veneto region and Lombardy, of which Milan is the capital, in Italy. The Level 4 warning is the most severe that can be issued. People wear face masks in Times Square New York on March 03, 2020 Passengers wear face masks to protect against the spread of the COVID-19. Airlines are being to waive change fees on travel as a result of the increasing outbreak of the virus A flight crew from Cathay Pacific Airways, wearing protective masks, walk in the international terminal after arriving on a flight from Hong Kong at Los Angeles International Airport The government said the decision was made 'due to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures'. Worldwide, the outbreak that began in Wuhan, China, has sickened at least 92,000 people and killed 3,128. Cases have been reported in at least 60 countries. Over the weekend, Delta and American Airlines suspended flights to Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region which has been hit hard by the Italian virus outbreak, the biggest in Europe. Most commercial airlines including United American and Delta have suspended all flights to and from mainland China. Delta suspended US services to Shanghai and Beijing until April 30 and also reduced its service to Seoul in South Korea. Hawaiian Airlines suspended flights to South Korea but not to China. They are offering a free trip change to passengers flying to China before March 31. Southwest Airlines has not yet suspended or canceled any flights. JetBlue which flies in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, became the first US airline to offer waivers for all travel on Wednesday, announcing it would suspend change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings between February 27 and March 11 this year. It was quickly joined by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Delta announced Monday it would only waive the change fee on international flights for tickets issued this month. Travelers should not expect money back on canceled flights as many travel insurers declared the coronavirus a 'known and foreseeable event' in late January for which they will no offer refunds. It is unclear how may passengers are tempting to change trips. Health officials believe a quarter of the current coronavirus cases in the United States were transferred through US communities rather than travel and have vowed to test a million people by the end of the week. An increase in testing for the coronavirus began shedding light on Monday on how the illness has spread in the United States with the death toll rising to nine and newly confirmed cases in New York, Georgia and New Hampshire pushing the tally to more than 100 across 15 states. Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said he expects community-related cases to grow in the coming weeks. 'My concern is as the next week or two or three go by, we're going to see a lot more community-related cases,' he said. 'That's of great concern.' Passengers wear face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus as they arrive at LAX airport in Los Angeles as airlines continue domestic travel despite growing cases Roughly a quarter of the 120 cases in the US have likely been transmitted through local communities and are not travel-related, according to health officials. The news comes as data reveals American travelers are not yet panicking about travel and have kept their plans in place. According to Skift.com, nearly 90% of U.S. travelers have yet to cancel plans due to the virus. In a straw poll of the U.S. online adult population taken between February 27 and 29, of the 337 Americans questioned, only 12 percent had canceled their plans because of the coronavirus in the past 14 days. These figures were gathered before cases in the United States jumped over 100 and before the nine deaths were reported. Of those who canceled travel, 76 percent had canceled international travel of some kind. Only ten percent of international travel to and from the United States is made by American travelers. When they do travel abroad, U.S. travelers tend to fly to Canada and Mexico where the outbreaks are not extreme. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virus expert Tony Fauci gives Donald Trump a slide show about coronavirus vaccine to PROVE to skeptical president that National Institutes of Health ARE rushing to produce one Dr. Anthony Fauci gave President Trump a slideshow Tuesday to demonstrate how quickly the federal government is working to produce a vaccine for the Coronavirus. The president visited the National Institute of Health for a briefing on the containing the outbreak and Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who is a leading expert on HIV/AIDS, showed Trump a graph on their progress. 'I just want to connect what we've been talking about the past few weeks,' Fauci, 79, told the president. Coronavirus had the shortest time frame when it came to testing a potential vaccine. Dr. Anthony Fauci gave President Trump a slideshow to demonstrate how quickly the federal government is working to produce a vaccine for the coronavirus 'This slide here, remember the time I mentioned that the fastest from the time you get a pathogen you know what it is from the time you get a phase one trial for safety,' Fauci said. Phase one is the first round of testing on humans as Fauci reminded Trump, who has pushed for a vaccine to be quickly developed. 'Remember doesn't mean that is not the vaccine,' he reminded the president. He pointed to the slide, which showed the timetable of the discovery of various infectious diseases to when the first human trials were conducting, demonstrating how quickly officials were moving on the coronavirus outbreak. The slide showed: SARS - 20 months H5N1 influenza - 11 months H1N1 influenza - 4 months Zika - 3.25 months Coronavirus - 2 months 'So that kind of thing is what this place is all about. It's kind of like a SWAT team, of going out and responding to emerging microbes,' Fauci told the president. 'That's fantastic. That's great,' Trump said. The briefing came as the ninth person died of the coronavirus in the United States. All the deaths have been in Washington state. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New York City student is showing signs of coronavirus and is quarantined at home after his lawyer father tested positive for the disease A New York City student whose father tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the state's second confirmed case, is showing symptoms of the disease as the whole family is placed into quarantine. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed a 50-year-old lawyer who works in Manhattan and lives upstate had tested positive Tuesday, a day after a 39-year-old woman who had traveled to Iran was confirmed to be the first case. The man is said to have an underlying respiratory condition, and is in a serious condition. When he was first diagnosed, he was was initially taken to New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville before being transferred to a hospital in Manhattan. Authorities began an intense search on Tuesday to find anybody who the man and his family may have been in contact with as concerns grow for the doctors and nurses who treated him before he was identified with the illness. His son, a student at Yeshiva University on 185th St, is also displaying symptoms of the virus and has been placed into isolation in the family's Westchester home alongside the man's wife and their other son. They are all being tested. A second student at the university has placed themselves into self-isolation as a precaution because of their contact with the patient's law firm, which is believed to be located near Grand Central. The man is reportedly a regular worshiper at Young Israel synagogue in New Rochelle which has since been ordered to halt all services immediately by Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. It is thought he attended services there on February 22 and a funeral and bat mitzvah the the temple on February 23. The man's travel does not include trips to China, and he has not visited any other areas with links to the outbreak, however he has recently traveled to Miami. There are two confirmed cases in the state of Florida, but none in Miami. He is believed to work in Midtown Manhattan near Grand Central where a heavy police presence gathered on Tuesday afternoon. A crowd gathered outside One Grand Central Terminal at around 1.30pm with additional officers requested soon after for an unexplained reason. SAR Academy and SAR High School, an orthodox Jewish High School in the Bronx area of Riverdale was closed as a precaution on Tuesday. One of the man's sons attends the school but is no showing symptoms. A second high school Westchester Day School in Westchester County is also closed. Cuomo said this second confirmed case was no cause for alarm and that community spreading in New York City is inevitable. 'The real issue is how many people will get seriously ill,' Cuomo said. 'How many people, God forbid, could lose their lives.' The man was first admitted to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville on Friday after falling ill. The doctors and nurses who may have treated him are being tracked down and placed into quarantine. Speaking to the press on Tuesday afternoon, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed that health officials are mapping out the close contact the patient and his two sons may have had with other people. The information is expected to be compiled by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning and all those thought to be at risk will be informed. 'City and State disease detectives are working closely to identify close contacts and the appropriate next steps,' he said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: After nine days of hot pursuit, Delhi Police on Tuesday finally arrested Mohammed Shahrukh, the man who was seen pointing a gun at a head constable in Jaffrabad area of northeast Delhi on the second day of the violence that erupted with clashes between pro- and anti-CAA groups on February 23. He was arrested from Shamli district of Uttar Pardesh while he was planning to change his location, said Ajit Kumar Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch. He was produced before a court and remanded in four-day police custody. Shahrukh has been charged under Section 307 (attempt to murder), 186, and 353 of IPC and Arms Act. Further sections may be added during investigation, if needed. We will also investigate who all were in touch with him since February 24 and who helped him in hiding, said the Additional CP.During preliminary interrogation, Shahrukh told us that he had fired in a fit of rage. We are trying to recover the pistol, which he had obtained through a worker from his factory. He has no criminal background, but his father is facing a narcotics and fake currency case, Singla said. Mohammed Shahrukh, accused of using pistol during violence in northeast Delhi arrested by Delhi police at PHQ, New Delhi. (Photo |Parveen Negi, EPS) According to the police, the semi-automatic weapon used by Shahrukh was made in Munger (Bihar). Shahrukh, a college dropout, was seen brandishing a gun on February 24 and even fired in the air before fleeing. The video of the incident had gone viral on social media.He fired three shots in the air We will investigate whether he was part of any conspiracy or was instigated by some organised group, Singla said at a press conference. ALSO READ | Delhi riots: ID card wrangle for daughter to get remains of father who died in violence The police said a team of crime branch officials kept a close watch on Shahrukhs movement and nabbed him when he was approaching a bus stand in Shamli. Shahrukh had been hiding since the incident. He first went to Connaught Place and slept there in a car. Then he went to Jalandhar to take refuge at a friends place and then went to Bareilly. Later, he moved to Shamli. We are yet to discover his car, which he used to flee. We managed to arrest him with the help of technical and manual surveillance, said the officer. After the incident, he was initially in Delhi. He first went to Punjab and then Bareilly. Shahrukh in limelight for wrong reason Shahrukh brandishes a pistol during clashes According to the police, a college dropout Shahrukh aspired to be a model and used to make videos on the social networking app TikTok. He has produced music video, which is yet to be launched. He was a student of BA second year, but dropped out. Currently, he runs a sock manufacturing unit, said Singla. At the Feb. 24 meeting, board members voted 5-0 to lessen the impact of that cost increase to parents. The district will pay $212,000 for an across-the-board subsidy that will hold the increase at $900 from the current $800 otherwise, the new fee could have been $1,112 for next year. The district provides additional fee discounts to siblings who ride the bus, and to families with financial need. Twitter is urging its roughly 5,000 global employees to work from home to lessen the risk of spreading coronavirus. The social media company, headquartered in San Francisco, said Monday the policy was out of an abundance of caution, though offices would remain open. Working from home is mandatory in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea offices, in part because of government restrictions. The policy goes farther than other companies, which along with Twitter have also suspended non-essential travel. Google separately told 8,000 employees at its Dublin, Ireland, office to work from home after a worker showed flu-like symptoms. The coronavirus has been found in 43 cases in California, including 26 in the Bay Area. There are over 89,000 cases in the world and over 3,000 deaths. Twitter said the policy is a big change but the company has already been hiring more remote workers around the world. Last month, CEO Jack Dorsey told investors on a call to discuss company earnings that Twitter would hire more workers outside San Francisco. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Our concentration in San Francisco is not serving us any longer, and we will strive to be a far more distributed workforce, which we will use to improve our execution, he said. The Bay Areas lack of office space and housing has driven rents up and made it harder for growing tech companies to hire, prompting many to expand in other states and countries. Twitter received a payroll tax break to move its office to 1355 Market St. in the Mid-Market area in 2012. It remains in the same building after the tax break expired. In 2016, it listed some office space for sublease. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:35:06|Editor: zh Video Player Close WELLINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand businesses affected by COVID-19 can access immediate government support after two further initiatives were approved, the country's Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said on Tuesday. To help protect jobs, the cabinet agreed to provide an extra 4 million NZ dollars (2.5 million U.S. dollars) to bolster the Regional Business Partners program to help businesses around the country impacted by COVID-19 with practical advice on issues such as payroll and liaising with Inland Revenue on tax payments, Twyford said in a statement. The cabinet also agreed to establish up to 16 rapid response Ministry of Social Development teams to assist with immediate needs such as helping move workers into other employment and referring those in need of further support to other government agencies, he said. This is on top of 11 million NZ dollars (6.9 million U.S. dollars) provided last week to help Tourism NZ boost visitor numbers. The government's economic response to COVID-19 is focused on protecting jobs and supporting impacted workers and businesses, the minister said. In his brief three-month campaign for president, Michael Bloomberg poured nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars into building an advertising and data-mining juggernaut unlike anything the political world had ever seen. But a big part of the strategy hinged on a wildcard named Joe Biden. Mr Biden's resurgence after a dominant victory on Saturday in South Carolina upset that calculation in the critical do-or-die sprint before "Super Tuesday", when Democrats in 14 states vote for the candidate to challenge Republican Donald Trump in November's election. It wasn't supposed to be this way. The billionaire former New York City mayor's strategy was partly based on expectations that Mr Biden would falter in the first four states. Mr Bloomberg, who skipped the early contests, would then become the moderate alternative to frontrunner Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator and self-described democratic socialist. Although Mr Biden underperformed in Iowa and New Hampshire, he did better in Nevada and bounced back in South Carolina on a wave of African-American support to end Mr Sanders's winning streak and establish himself as the race's top-tier moderate Democrat. Meanwhile, Mr Bloomberg's once-ascendant campaign has struggled after he came under fire in debates over past comments criticised as sexist and a policing policy he employed as New York's mayor seen as racially discriminatory. Expand Close Backing Biden: Amy Klobuchar quit the Democrat race last night / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Backing Biden: Amy Klobuchar quit the Democrat race last night He has apologised for the policing policy and for telling "bawdy" jokes. Advisers and people close to the Bloomberg campaign say they are still in the race and rebuff criticism that he's splitting the moderate vote and making it easier for Mr Sanders to win. The campaign's internal polling showed that Mr Bloomberg's supporters have both Mr Biden and Mr Sanders as their second choices, contrary to the perception that he was mostly peeling off Mr Biden's support, one campaign official said. If Mr Bloomberg dropped out, Mr Sanders would be on a stronger path to victory, the official said. Mr Bloomberg has hovered around 15pc in national polls, suggesting he will earn some delegates today. If those polls are correct, he will likely earn fewer delegates than Mr Sanders and Mr Biden. Last night, Amy Klobuchar announced that she was also quitting the race and threw her support behind Joe Biden. Another moderate, Pete Buttigieg, dropped out on Sunday, driven in part by a desire not to hand the nomination to Mr Sanders, and would also back Mr Biden, a top adviser said. All three were due to appear together at a Dallas rally last night in a bid to unite Democratic support behind Mr Biden. Mr Bloomberg, however, has vowed to stay in the race until a candidate wins a majority of delegates needed to clinch the nomination. His campaign has spent heavily on advertising in states that vote today, when a third of the available delegates that help select a Democratic nominee are awarded in a single day. And it's pinning some of its hopes on Virginia, the fourth-biggest state at stake today and a key testing ground for Mr Bloomberg. He made his first campaign visit here last November, and has visited another six times since. Last week, his campaign had hopes he could win or come close. But even that plan is facing new headwinds. After Mr Biden's win in South Carolina, the former vice-president picked up endorsements from former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, the 2016 vice-presidential candidate - underlining how Mr Biden's comeback is drawing establishment Democrats who might have otherwise backed Mr Bloomberg. Dan Blue, a prominent Democrat in the North Carolina State Senate who endorsed Mr Bloomberg last week, said Mr Biden's strong showing in South Carolina reset the race. But he said he still believes that Mr Bloomberg can win by playing the long game and gradually accumulating delegates. "There's no question in my mind that this thing is very fluid and not absolute," he said. (Bloomberg) -- Michael Bloomberg said Monday that he agrees with President Donald Trump pressuring China on trade and talking to North Korea and that a lot of criticisms of Donald Trump are not his policies, its the way hes doing it. Bloomberg said he agreed with Trump cracking down on Chinas theft of intellectual property and other unfair trade practices, but he doesnt like Trumps approach. He said agrees its better to talk to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un than not, even if its not likely to produce results. They will be next super power to rival America and we have to stand up to that, Bloomberg said of China. (Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.) Speaking at a town hall on Fox News on the eve of Super Tuesday -- the first time hell appear on a ballot -- Bloomberg also predicted that the Democrats would face a contested convention because none of the presidential candidates will win a majority of pledged delegates in the remaining primaries. Then it goes to a convention, where theres horse-trading and everybody decides to compromise on doesnt even have to be one of the two leading candidates, it could be somebody that had a smaller number of delegates, Bloomberg said. Polls show Bloomberg is running third or tied for second in most Super Tuesday states. Asked whether that would spark complaints that the nomination would be stolen from the candidate with the most delegates, Bloomberg said if the rules say that you can swap votes or make deals, then you can swap votes and make deals, and if you dont like those rules, dont play. The forum comes as Joe Biden is consolidating support among centrists in opposition to self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders. Later, in an interview with CNN, Bloomberg dismissed the notion that being vice president qualified Biden for the Oval Office. He said being president required managerial experience like his and that legislators like Biden, a senator for 36 years, were not prepared to make sure the changes they promise actually occur. Story continues Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the race Monday and endorsed Biden. Biden has also picked up a number of endorsements since his commanding win Feb. 29 in the South Carolina primary, including former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. At the town hall, Bloomberg repeated his criticism that if Sanders wins the nomination, hed lose to Trump because his ideas are crazy and many voters dont want the political revolution he calls for. Bloomberg called Sanders a very revolutionary kind of guy. Pressed whether hed vote for Sanders or Trump for president, Bloomberg said it would be Sanders but that he would not be happy doing it. Bloomberg bet his campaign on Super Tuesday, skipping the first four nominating contests in February. But his path to the nomination depended on Biden faltering with no clear front-runner, and hes faced increasing calls from Biden supporters and others to consider dropping out to avoid splitting the moderate vote and handing the nomination to Sanders. A defiant Bloomberg, who has spent almost $219 million in advertising in Super Tuesday states and to build a massive ground operation of more than 100 offices, said hes not quitting and remains the best candidate to defeat Trump in November. The town hall was interrupted by protesters who pulled out signs and yelled about Bloombergs positions on gun control, stop-and-frisk policing and non-disclosure agreements with women at his company. They were escorted out of the studio in a chaotic scene that continued with arguments from audience members during the commercial break. (Updates with new comments beginning in the ninth paragraph) To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Niquette in Columbus at mniquette@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Wendy Benjaminson at wbenjaminson@bloomberg.net, Max Berley For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Washington As her rivals head to the exits, Elizabeth Warren is vowing to press on to a contested convention. For Warren, it's either a high-risk strategy born of necessity or a last-gasp bid to persuade supporters in delegate-rich Super Tuesday states to stick with her. Either scenario underscores the perilous position she finds herself in: Warren hasn't won or even challenged for the lead in any of the first four states, and it's unclear where she'll win on Tuesday. Yet her campaign is suddenly flush with cash after standout debate performances, and Warren also hasn't faced the same intense pressure to drop out that felled some of her more moderate rivals, like Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, both of whom plan to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden. Warren campaign manager Roger Lau raised the prospect of a convention fight in a strategy memo on Sunday. He said that internal campaign projections show Warren will win delegates in all 14 Super Tuesday states and that no candidate will likely emerge from the March 3 contests with a path to securing a majority of the delegates. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "Our grassroots campaign is built to compete in every state and territory and ultimately prevail at the national convention in Milwaukee," Lau wrote. Democrats have bristled at the prospect of a contested convention, which would likely pit Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders against a more moderate rival and almost certainly leave the party deeply divided heading into the general election. In a convention fight between Sanders and a more moderate candidate, some Democrats suggest Warren's role would be to emerge as a consensus alternative: liberal enough for Sanders' supporters to back her and tolerable enough for moderates to do so as well. BERLIN, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) entered international film markets for the first time at the 70th Berlinale, organized IP Showcase to promote contents from Taiwan, and vigorously curated Taiwan Cinema Night and the island's Pavilion at the European Film Market. To draw more attention to young Taiwanese talents and their works, TAICCA organized an integrated campaign at the film festival, including TSAI's inspiring lecture on cinematography and featuring stories on Variety as well as Screen about his new film, "Days (Rizi)." The Berlinale ranks among the most highly regarded film festivals, and filmmakers from Taiwan often have their works premiered there since the festival cares about diversity and equality as much as they do. And this year, the Teddy Award, the official queer award at the Berlinale, goes to director Ming Liang TSAI, who shares the award with "the most open, liberal, and tolerant Taiwan." He, in a proud tone, also mentions that Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage last year and wishes for more countries to embrace marriage equality. For two predecessors, "Spider Lilies" by Mei Ling CHOU and "Small Talk" by Huang Hui CHEN, Ming Liang TSAI's "Days (Rizi)", shortlisted for the Golden Bear top, is the third film for Taiwan to win the award. TAICCA selects different contents for different IP markets to maximize exposure and business opportunism. Within a day, more than ten inquiries were about commercial co-operation with "Days (Rizi)," directed by Ming Liang TSAI; "Your Name Engraved Herein," produced by director Yu Ning CHU; "The Teacher," winner of the best supporting actress of last year's Golden Horse. Production companies and film selectors from festivals gather at the Taiwan Pavilion to ask about LGBTQ films, showing works made in a free society are gaining more and more international recognition. TAICCA debuted in the international film market at the Berlinale, integrated Formosa's cultural resources to curate the Taiwan Pavilion, and redesigned the Taiwan Cinema Night from a new angle. The venue of Taiwan Cinema Night, "The Tunnel," is a lounge bar refurnished from an underground platform at the famous Potsdamer Platz, showing TAICCA's endeavor to add a dash of authenticity to international networking. Carlo Chatrian, the Artistic Director of Berlinale, visited the cocktail party and was welcomed by filmmakers and exhibitors from Taiwan. The event balanced avant-garde style with that of raw industrial, which is "charming and Berlin," quoting from one of the guests. To promote Taiwan's film industry, TAICCA brought the three winners of the agency's Original Award to Taiwan IP Showcase in Berlin, broadens international co-operation opportunities, and encourages interdisciplinary crossover. In the future, TAICCA will find the right projects for each exhibition to ensure the best matchmaking result. Moreover, TAICCA also works with Screen to introduce young talents and original content from Taiwan to the world. The 70th Berlinale and European Film Market ended on Feb. 29, 2020. TAICCA's president, Ching Fang HU, said that TAICCA is very happy to open up its international co-operation mechanisms at the Berlinale. Following the film festival, TAICCA will offer an Immersive Content Grant to encourage international joint venture or co-production on XR projects, branding the island as a global center of innovation in immersive content. Photo -https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097615/Crews__Days__Rizi___director_duo_Berlinale_film_s_world_premiere.jpg Photo -https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097614/Crews__Days__Rizi___TAICCA_s_president_Ching_Fang_HU_Taiwan_Cinema.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097613/Ming_Liang_TSAI_s_Lecture__Hand_Sculpted_Cinema_Industrial_Age.jpg Photo -https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097612/Members_award_winning_projects_pitching_potential_partners.jpg The unprecedented move of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights filing a petition in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act has kicked up a row with Vishwa Hindu Parishad raising worse than animals treatment meted out to non-Muslims in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to counter it and Congress blaming Modi government for the mess. The social media evoked mixed reactions with some demanding a huge fine by the Supreme Court on UNHRC for filing this petition, some questioning why the organization did not do in Muslim countries and many finding fault with the central government for the situation to reach to such a pass. VHPs International Working President Alok Kumar expressed that the UNHRC had not yet noticed any human rights violation of minorities in Pakistan & other dictatorial countries, holding that it has no rights to intervene in the sovereign rights and internal affairs of our country. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal was acerbic in his criticism asking why the UNHRC keeps mum when Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists cry for help but suddenly jumps on to threaten Bharat the even we when we allow the victims to live a peaceful life here. The UNHRC, which maintains a shameless silence on worse than animal treatment being meted out to non-Muslims in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, has got in pain over Indian citizenship, Bansal wondered asking the organization to mind its business in these three Muslim countries where the human rights of minorities are persistently in danger. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who is political secretary to interim party chief Sonia Gandhi, while describing the UNHRC petition as unwarranted interference, also put the blame on the doors of Modi dispensation asking but who is to blame for this mess? The Government of India for creating a window for such interference by enacting a law which breaches global standards on human rights. Congress, which has passed a resolution in its apex decision making body CWC against Citizenship Amendment Act, has generally refrained from being prominently seen at anti-CAA protest sites or leading any public agitation on the matter. Latching on the development, the Congress Twitter handle on Tuesday trained guns on the government today the United Nations is seeking answers from us in our court itself. The rigidity of the BJP has created a path to shame for Indians at the international level. The BJP has for long repeatedly targetted Congress for taking the Kashmir issue to the United Nations. Former BJP chief Amit Shah had recently said Nehrus mistake of taking Kashmir issue to the UN was bigger than the Himalayas. Claudia Kilmer has a similar issue in her 66-year old house in Old Town Manassas. When I notice the installed TP roll getting low, I put a brand-new roll (from Costco) on the floor next to the toilet, she wrote. We judiciously pull from both rolls, so by the time the old one is ready to come out of the holder, the new one has been reduced to fit. Not particularly ingenious, and it works. A Mount Kenya University student died after jumping from the seventh floor of the schools Chancellors Tower on Monday afternoon. The fourth-year student who was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Rural Development suffered serious injuries on his legs and head. According to to the Thika West Deputy Police Commander Daniel Kitavi, police responded to the incident but the student succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Police officers rushed to the scene and were able to rescue him but he died while undergoing medication at Thika Level Five Hospital where he had been taken, he said. Kitavi said that the student did not leave behind a suicide note. Preliminary investigations revealed that the student may have been suffering from depression. We were not able to immediately establish the reason behind his cause of action but I think its a kind of depression or stress, added Kitavi. The students body was taken to the General Kago Funeral Home as police continue with investigations. Students who spoke to the press on condition of anonymity revealed that the student had informed them of his intentions but they did not take the threat seriously. It has caught us with a lot of disbelief, we initially thought he was joking only to hear that he had executed his mission, a student said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - HighGold Mining Inc. (TSXV: HIGH) (OTCQB: HGGOF) ("HighGold" or the "Company") announced today that Anne Labelle, BSc., LLB, ICD.D has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to welcome Anne Labelle to the team," commented Director and President & CEO, Darwin Green. "Anne has an impressive resume and adds considerable strength to the Board in the fields of governance, sustainability, and project permitting." Anne Labelle is a geologist and a lawyer, focused on mineral exploration and development for the past 25 years. Ms. Labelle is the President & CEO of Sterling Green Law Corporation, a law firm she founded in 2014. Ms. Labelle was the VP of Legal & Sustainability of Midas Gold Corp. from 2011 to 2018, responsible for managing all aspects of the legal, sustainability and regulatory affairs of Midas Gold Corp., including oversight of legal affairs, and management and direction of the environmental, permitting, regulatory and public affairs aspects of the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, USA. Ms. Labelle serves on the board of Midas Gold Idaho, Inc. the operating entity of the Stibnite Gold Project. Previously, as Manager of Sustainability and Legal Affairs for Capstone Mining Corporation, she led the permitting process for the Minto Mine in the Yukon Territory, Canada. Ms. Labelle was called to the bar in 2006 in British Columbia, and practiced securities law at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP before returning to the mining industry in 2008. Ms. Labelle is a graduate of Carleton University, with a B.Sc. (Honours) in Geology, obtained her law degree at the University of British Columbia, and is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia. She obtained her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2018. Ms Labelle has served on a number of public company boards over the past five years with particular expertise in governance and sustainability. She is currently a director of Fiore Gold Ltd., serving as Chair of the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee as well as the Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee. Issuance of Stock Options The Company also announces the issuance of 1,330,00 stock options with an exercise price of $1.00 per share for the purchase of up to 1,330,000 shares of the Company, expiring March 3, 2025. The stock options are being issued to directors, officers and employees of the Company and are subject to approval by regulatory authorities. About HighGold HighGold is a mineral exploration company focused on high-grade gold projects located in North America. HighGold's flagship asset is the high-grade Johnson Tract Gold (Zn-Cu) Project located in south-central Alaska, USA. The Company also controls a portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp, Ontario, Canada that includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, which is renowned for its high-grade mineralization, and the large Golden Mile and Golden Perimeter properties. HighGold's experienced Board and senior management team, are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration. On Behalf of HighGold Mining Inc. "Darwin Green" President & CEO For further information, please visit the HighGold Mining Inc. website at www.highgoldmining.com, or contact: Darwin Green, President & CEO or Naomi Nemeth, VP Investor Relations Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165 Email: information@highgoldmining.com. Website: www.highgoldmining.com Twitter: @HighgoldMining 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. Forward looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future Johnson Tract exploration, the Company's Canadian gold projects and other future plans, objectives or expectations are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53081 Rachel Lindsay Photo: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images Following a turbulent Bachelor season that has primarily consisted of aspiring tummy-tea saleswomen and sentient T.J. Maxx mugs, former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay, who remains the franchises only black lead after two decades, offered her advice as to how the show can continue to survive and thrive, and it means chopping everything up and selling it for parts. Or, more realistically, doing a complete overhaul of the casting process and selecting a more diverse set of contestants. I honestly dont know how much longer the show can survive in this day and age, just to be honest, because social media spoils so many things, Lindsay told the Associated Press about the franchise. So many people come on, no job, no career, never worked a day in their life because theyre going to build it off of being Instagram famous or any other type of social media that you want to insert in there The girls all look the same way. I think its going to be harder for them to find relationships that work. The show is either going to have to change or its gonna end. Lindsay, who has previously been critical of producers for failing to protect her and labeling her as an angry black female during her season finale, said that she continues to speak out about her frustrations because no other Bachelorette likely will. Im not going to be quiet, she explained. Im probably the only lead that is bold enough to speak out and say something. Its part of my responsibility. My biggest complaint is that the show does not reflect what the real world looks like. I would have women of all ages. Id have women of different shapes, sizes, backgrounds, ethnicities. I would change it completely. And men as well. Lindsay added that the main reason she decided to accept being a Bachelorette lead was because it gave me the opportunity for an audience to see someone whos never had this position in this franchise before. So why am I going to stop now? On Monday evenings Women Tell All Bachelor reunion, Lindsay appeared as a special guest to do a PSA about online bullying and harassment. She read aloud several racist and cruel messages the current slate of contestants have received on social media, many of which implored the women to kill themselves. Im shaking as Im reading this because its shocking, its uncomfortable, Lindsay tearfully said. I know how uncomfortable it is for you to see. Just imagine how uncomfortable it is to get this in your comments and your DMs every day, every week, every month. And thats just a tip of the iceberg. At the segments conclusion, Lindsay pleaded with viewers to stop with the digital harassment, so her efforts arent in vain. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:31:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- For the fiscal year 2019, nominal sales of Beiersdorf Group rose by 5.8 percent to 7.65 billion euros (8.51 billion U.S. dollars), the German consumer goods company announced on Tuesday. At the same time, adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) declined by 0.5 percent to 1.11 billion euros, according to Beiersdorf. Due to an "improved effective tax rate and financial result", adjusted profit after tax however increased by 5.1 percent to 795 million euros, Beiersdorf stated. "We delivered a strong 2019 financial year and high-quality competitive growth," said Stefan De Loecker, chief executive officer (CEO) of Beiersdorf, stressing that the company was "making a decisive contribution to more sustainability." Organic sales of Beiersdorf's consumer business segment "substantially increased" by 4.8 percent. The divestment of Chinese hair care brand SLEK had been balanced by the positive effect on sales through the acquisition of sunscreen brand Coppertone, the company noted. Sales of the company's important brand NIVEA increased by 3 percent. The derma brands EUCERIN and AQUAPHOR achieved a growth rate of 7.5 percent, while the selective cosmetics brand LA PRAIRIE again achieved strong sales growth of 20 percent. For 2020, the company was expecting "stronger headwinds", said De Loecker. Beiersdorf is forecasting lower organic sales at around 3 to 5 percent but expects EBIT and profit after tax margins to remain at last year's level. The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday summoned Iran's Ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest against the remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on social media on the Delhi violence, informed sources said. Terming the events to be India's "internal matter," New Delhi expressed disappointment at the foreign minister's comments, sources added. This comes after Zarif on Monday took to Twitter to condemn the violent clashes in parts of Delhi in which at least 47 people were killed, and urged the Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of all Indians. "Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. The path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law," Zarif tweeted. Violence that erupted in Delhi last week after groups protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and those supporting it indulged in stone-pelting at each other, escalated and spread to other areas in the north East and claimed the lives of 47 people. The Delhi Police have registered 254 FIRs including 41 cases under the Arms Act. As many as 903 people have been either arrested or detained by police. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Loading Allen Cheng, director of the infection prevention unit at Alfred Health in Melbourne, has been examining the spread of coronavirus closely and suspects two possibilities. "One is simply that the small number of cases we see in children mean that they are mainly not getting infected at all," Professor Cheng said. "The other is that they still getting it at the same rate as adults, but they just dont come to hospital very commonly because they have far milder symptoms than adults. These are the things we just don't know yet." There are some infectious diseases such as chicken pox or measles, where the older you are the more severe the illness, Professor Cheng said. "There's the possibility that may be the case with coronavirus," he said. While children experience milder symptoms of the virus, determining whether they are potential "super spreaders" was critical. "It's a really important question because, if children dont really get it at all, then we dont need to go shutting schools," Professor Cheng said. "But if children do get it, and get a milder form of the disease, then measures like closing down schools temporarily may well be on the cards." Kanta Subbarao, the director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, said this happened before in other outbreaks of coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS. Children got infected less and displayed significantly milder symptoms. No children or teenagers died from SARS. Professor Subbarao believes children may be spared from severe disease because they are infected with lower doses of the virus. Another hypothesis is that the virus cannot replicate in children as well as it can in adults. As Australia records its first cases of person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus, Professor Subbaro says we are shifting into new ground. "It's a fascinating observation," Professor Subbarao said. "Unlike the SARS and MERS outbreaks where we could actually wonder if it was lack of exposure, with COVID-19 we know it is not a lack of exposure because of its far-reaching spread, yet we are still seeing less disease in children." Others theories suggest children have healthier lungs because they have not had as much exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution. Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Program at the University of NSW's Kirby Institute, suspects a child's robust immune system means their bodies can fight the virus more quickly than adults. The median age of patients with coronavirus is between 49 and 56. Loading The risk of dying is dramatically higher among patients in their 70s and 80s, most likely because many of those people have pre-existing health issues. "Once you reach the age of 50, something called immunosenescence occurs, which is the gradual declining in function of the immune system and our ability to fight infections," Professor MacIntyre said, adding that underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease also weaken our ability to stave off infections. "It doesn't matter how fit, healthy or strong you are, this happens to everybody. The coronavirus causes a milder illness in younger people who have a stronger immune system and hits older people much harder for that reason." So why do other respiratory illnesses, most notably influenza, peak in babies, young children and the elderly? "I think the answer is that coronavirus' natural tendency is to cause a mild illness, but in elderly people it can be very severe," Professor MacIntyre said. "Whereas influenza's natural tendency is not to cause a mild illness. It can be very severe in every age group." Robert Booy, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Sydney, believes the key to unlocking the mystery rests in our immune system's exposure to coronavirus. Adults are exposed to coronavirus multiple times in their life and some experts speculate their immune system goes into overdrive. "Instead of fighting off the virus, it damages the person by causing a severe pneumonia in both lungs," Professor Booy said. "Whereas it could be the first time a child has been exposed to coronavirus and therefore their immune system has a much milder response." Call for calm: Ryanair shares slumped as it slashed services to Italy Governments should consider extreme measures to keep their economies pumping during the coronavirus outbreak - including extra pay and tax relief for health workers, temporary VAT cuts to keep people spending, and reduced employers' taxes to prevent lay-offs. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned yesterday that the outbreak has plunged the world economy into its worst downturn since the financial crisis. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said it was a "time for calm" yesterday as his airline slashed services to Italy. The airline is cancelling up to 25pc of its flights to Italy - one of its most important markets - between St Patrick's Day and April 8 due to the coronavirus outbreak, despite bookings. The airline said there had been a "significant" increase in the number of no-shows for flights but insisted it did not expect the cancellations to have a material effect on its current financial year, which ends this month. "It is far too early to speculate what impact the Covid-19 outbreak will have on full-year 2021 earnings," it said. Its shares plunged 6pc yesterday to a four-month low. "Our focus at this time is on minimising any risk to our people and our passengers," said Mr O'Leary. "While we are heavily booked over the next two weeks, there has been a notable drop in forward bookings towards the end of March and into early April." Easter falls on April 12 and the holiday is typically one of Ryanair's busiest periods. Meanwhile, the OECD said growth in the world economy will be half what had been expected this year, at just 2.4pc, and the worst growth since 2009. If the outbreak worsens, global growth could drop to as low as 1.5pc this year, the OECD warned. The body, which advises rich countries on policy, said governments and central banks should stimulate demand to avoid an even steeper slump and even a recession. OECD chief economist Laurence Boone told Reuters that governments needed to support health systems with extra pay or tax relief for workers doing overtime, and short-term working schemes for companies struggling with a slump in demand. Governments could give companies further financial relief by cutting social charges, suspending value-added taxes and providing emergency loans for sectors hit particularly hard, such as travel, Ms Boone said. "We don't want to add a financial crisis to the health crisis," she added. Global factory data for February shows the outbreak has already had a dramatic effect, with US and UK manufacturing slower last month, and China suffering its sharpest slowdown ever. Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining 3 March 2020 Vast Resources plc (Vast or the Company) Chiadzwa Community Diamond Project Update Vast Resources plc, the AIM-listed mining company, is pleased to update the market on progress on the anticipated Joint Venture Agreement between the Companys majority owned Katanga Mining Pvt Ltd (a joint venture company between the Company and the Chiadzwa Community Development Trust (CCDT)) and Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Pvt) Ltd (wholly owned by the Government of Zimbabwe) concerning the Chiadzwa Community Diamond Project. The Company has received official communication from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to the effect that all internal processes leading to the conclusion of the Joint Venture are expected to be finalised during the month of March 2020. Further details pertaining to this key process will be communicated to the market as and when they occur. **ENDS** For further information, visit www.vastplc.com or please contact: Vast Resources plc Andrew Prelea (Chief Executive Officer) Andrew Hall www.vastplc.com +44 (0) 1491 615 232 Beaumont Cornish - Financial & Nominated Adviser Roland Cornish James Biddle www.beaumontcornish.com +44 (0) 020 7628 3396 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Broker Richard Morrison Caroline Rowe www.spangel.co.uk +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 Blytheweigh Tim Blythe Megan Ray www.blytheweigh.com +44 (0) 20 7138 3204 The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 (MAR). ABOUT VAST RESOURCES PLC Vast Resources plc, is an AIM listed mining company with mining and exploration interests in Romania and Zimbabwe focused on the rapid advancement of high quality brownfield projects by recommencing production at previously producing mines in Romania and commencement of the joint venture mining agreement on the Chiadzwa Community Concession Block of the Chiadzwa Diamond Fields in Zimbabwe. The Companys portfolio includes an 80% interest in the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Romania, where work is now currently underway towards developing and recommissioning the mine and the Community Concession Block in Chiadzwa, Zimbabwe. Vast Resources owns the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania, which was commissioned in 2015, currently on care and maintenance. Gone are the days when children worried about monsters under their bed at night, now it is the climate crisis outside that is giving them nightmares. A new survey reveals one in five children are having bad dreams about the environmental changes, with 17 percent reporting their concerns are affecting their sleeping and eating habits. The poll also shows 80 percent say the problem was important to them and nearly half do not trust adults to tackle the long-term problems. The study, conducted by BBC Newsround in collaboration with Savanta-ComRes, surveyed 2,000 children in the UK from the ages of eight to 16 in a bid to see just how the younger generation feels about the changes to our planet. Scroll down for video A new survey reveals one in five children are having bad dreams about the environmental changes, with 17 percent reporting their concerns are affecting their sleeping and eating habits. The poll also shows 80 percent say the problem was important to them and nearly half do not trust adults to tackle the long-term problems Over the past year, millions of young people have flooded the streets of cities around the world demanding political leaders take urgent steps to stop climate change, inspired by 17-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The BBC Newsround conducted the new survey to know understand how the young generation feels about the impact climate change could have on their future. The poll found that 73 percent of the participants are in constant worry about the planet's current state, including 22 percent who are 'very worried'. Many adults have noted that the disastrous effects may not become a reality for many years, but it seems our children may be the ones to suffer the consequences. Over the past year, millions of young people have flooded the streets of cities around the world demanding political leaders take urgent steps to stop climate change, inspired by 17-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg (pictured) Almost three in five, about 58 percent, of children are concerned about what climate changes means for their future. And approximately 19 percent shared they are having nightmares about the climate crisis. When questioned about the action being taken by grown-ups to tackle the problem, a large number of children said they feel frustrated about the progress being made. Emma Citron, a consultant clinical child psychologist, said that young people often find it difficult to come to terms with the scale of the problem of climate changes and what often seems like a lack of response shown by governments and world leaders. 'Public figures like David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have helped young people to voice their worries and we have to make sure that we as adults listen to them and ... help them become involved in positive change,' she said in a statement. 'We all need to support them not to feel hopeless but rather to present to them hopeful and balanced messages about their futures and ensure that they get the right professional help if their anxiety is unduly high.' The American Psychological Association has said it was aware of reports of growing 'eco-anxiety' in children, but research was needed to establish how common it was. The poll also shows 80 percent say the issue was important to them and nearly half do not trust adults to tackle the long-term problems. The American Psychological Association has said it was aware of reports of growing 'eco-anxiety' in children, but research was needed to establish how common it was Britain's Oxford Dictionaries recorded a 4,290 percent increase in the term 'eco-anxiety' in 2019, particularly among young people. In September 2019, millions of people including hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren took to the streets in 150 different countries for the largest climate protest in history. Global Strike 4 Climate Change' protesters were photographed in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya, the Solomon Island, Cyprus, Poland, Germany and London and those living in America joined later in the day. The protests were part of a snowballing movement sparked by teenage activist Greta Thunberg's school strikes outside the Swedish parliament. It came ahead of a climate action summit in New York convened by UN secretary general Antonio Guterres to urge countries to up their climate efforts. Much steeper measures are needed across the globe to prevent temperature rises of more than 1.5C (2.7F) or 2C (3.6F) to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Newsround is a BBC news bulletin produced specifically for children which often features reports about climate change. Above, Donald Sutherland's rakish professor in 1978's "Animal House." By John Murawski, RealClearInvestigations March 3, 2020 College officials are trumpeting their new core mission of protecting female students from male student sexual aggressors. But academe is strangely silent in the face of professors or administrators themselves allegedly crossing the line by leering, making lewd comments, groping students or worse. Buried within an influential campus sexual assault survey last year by the Association of American Universities is evidence of hundreds of incidents of inappropriate and potentially criminal behavior by faculty and staff against female students. The information buried in the report raises more questions than it answers and requires further investigation and explanation, said Subodh Chandra, a Cleveland, Ohio, attorney who represents college plaintiffs in sexual misconduct lawsuits. The anonymously conducted survey at 33 elite schools, ranging from Harvard to Ohio State, generated widespread news coverage by reaffirming a controversial statistic -- that one in four college women will be assaulted or raped before they graduate. The surveys results concerning a more obvious power mismatch -- faculty and staff sexual misbehavior toward female students -- were not highlighted. Instead, the information was presented in tables, in a form difficult to decipher by students, parents and others. For example, the survey does not list the number of incidents, but provides the data as percentages such as 0.3% or 0.5% weighted for methodological reasons. RealClearInvestigations contacted many of the schools in the survey to find out how they interpreted the AAU percentages and how theyre responding. Most did not respond or declined comment. The few that did said they did not know how to decode the data to determine the number of incidents or allegations. AAU spokeswoman Jillian Gates said it would be inappropriate to provide the actual numbers of incidents from the survey. Instead, she suggested RCI find independent survey experts to interpret the data. William Kidder: His data crunch indicates several hundred faculty or staff misconduct incidents at 33 universities. One such expert is William Kidder, a University of California Santa Cruz administrator who previously has overseen education anti-discrimination offices established under Title IX. Kidder is also co-author of a 2018 study in the Utah Law Review entitled A Systematic Look at a Serial Problem: Sexual Harassment of Students by University Faculty. Kidders calculation for RCI found that about 33 female students reported that they were non-consensually penetrated by a faculty member or instructor -- that is, possibly raped -- and about 85 said they were non-consensually touched by a faculty member or instructor. Kidder also calculated the numbers for other job classifications researcher, administrator, other staff resulting in what appear to be several hundred misconduct incidents at the 33 universities. The number of actual victims at the 33 participating institutions is almost certainly higher because only 26.1% of women responded to the surveys. And thats not taking into account the thousands of potential misdeeds by faculty and staff against students at all the nations 4,000-plus colleges and universities. Its an under-appreciated issue that warrants its own attention, Kidder said. Its more likely to have greater harmful effects on the student victim because of the abuse by someone in power. The incidents in question non-consensual touching and non-consensual penetration involving physical force or inability to consent correspond to the legal definition of sexual assault or rape in many jurisdictions. The AAUs 433-page Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct is the largest of its kind, with responses from 181,752 students last year, including 110,812 women. (Men also reported sexual misconduct by professors and university staff, but at much lower rates.) The surveys data concerning faculty do not shed any light on whether the incidents involved a tenured professor preying on unsuspecting undergrads; or whether they include a he-said/she-said between two fourth-year medical students who also happened to be graduate school instructors. Some of the non-consensual touching and penetration may have taken place during the same episode of misconduct, and so may not represent separate incidents. The employee could potentially be a serial offender still lurking on campus, but its also possible some of the incidents were reviewed by a Title IX officer and dropped for lack of evidence. We do not know the details behind any incidents or responses and have no way of knowing whether the respondent reported an incident to our Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office, said Jeni Cook, spokeswoman for the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, said by email. We cant speak to the data beyond whats in the report as many of the responses were suppressed for confidentiality reasons. The AAU report appears to confirm what other studies have shown about faculty harassment and misconduct, said Kathryn Holland, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor in psychology and womens and gender studies. Though much remains unclear, because of such concerns as confidentiality, due process, legal exposure and institutional reputation, what is clear is that in the past it has been difficult to sanction tenured professors who enjoy special procedural safeguards against discipline and dismissal, advocates and researchers say. Victims advocates say power disparities can make it nearly impossible for underlings to truly grant consent to professor or university employee in the areas of sex and romance, and that can embolden faculty and other authority figures to take advantage of their younger charges. Many universities bar professors from sexual or amorous relationships with their own students, but a number of institutions are now moving to ban all faculty-undergraduate sexual contact on the theory that such relationships create a hostile educational environment for all students. Challenging a culture indifferent to student/faculty relationships: Women who sued Dartmouth over sexual predation by professors. The school settled last year for $14 million. Efforts are percolating on some campuses to challenge an academic culture that has long been indifferent to student/faculty relationships. Last year, for example, angry students stormed a philosophy professors class at the University of Texas in Austin after they learned he had been disciplined for sexual misconduct, including allegations that he invited students to go skinny-dipping and pose nude in photos, and was back in the classroom teaching undergrads. UT students also staged sit-ins to protest the reinstatement of a pair of professors to teaching duties after they were disciplined for sexual wrongdoing against students, including allegations of an English professor failing to report a consensual relationship with a grad student. The university has responded by forming a sexual misconduct task force and hiring an outside law firm to review its procedures and to look for ways to address protestors concerns. Also last year, Dartmouth agreed to pay $14 million to settle a lawsuit filed by nine current and former students alleging that three professors in the Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences had groped, assaulted and raped female students over a course of years. The University of Illinois, an AAU member that did not participate in the sexual assault survey, has been in the spotlight, especially since a ProPublica and NPR Illinois investigation reported last year on the schools lackluster response to a spate of faculty harassment that included showing up at students homes, inappropriate touching, unwelcome sexual comments and other unwanted attention. The University of Illinois is among the systems weighing a prohibition against consensual sexual relations between faculty and all undergraduates, and graduate students they are supervising. It is also considering requiring all job applicant finalists to agree to the release of any findings of sexual misconduct or harassment against them from current or previous employers. Given such interest in this topic, some say, its all the more surprising that AAU didnt draw attention to its findings, including the estimated 33 women who reported nonconsensual penetration by faculty or instructor. The 33 people who said yes they exist, said KC Johnson, a history professor at Brooklyn College and at the CUNY Graduate Center who co-authored the 2017 investigative book, The Campus Rape Frenzy: The Attack on Due Process at Americas Universities, which looked at abuses against accused males during Title IX sexual misconduct cases. The information has value, and it suggests the AAU wasnt particularly interested in finding out the specifics of it, Johnson said. In theory, this is information that universities would want most because it involves their employees. Instead, the report handles it in such a vague fashion so that its very difficult to get a sense of what precisely happened to them. Jennifer Freyd, victims' advocate: The AAU is fundamentally a lobby organization for a set of elite institutions in the USA it largely exists to protect their interest. AAUs 2019 report is the organizations second campus sexual climate survey, following the initial study in 2015. Critics like KC Johnson say AAU inflates assault statistics by including casual physical contact, such as touching someone through their clothes on a dance floor without getting verbal consent. Johnson and others have said the survey is unscientific because it likely disproportionately attracts students who have experienced sexual misconduct, and almost certainly overrepresents the number of students who experience these problems on campus. Jennifer Freyd, a University of Oregon psychology professor and victims advocate, said she did not know why the faculty/staff misconduct data was not highlighted. You always have to interpret it in light of what that organization exists to do, Freyd said. The AAU is fundamentally a lobby organization for a set of elite institutions in the USA it largely exists to protect their interest. AAU members span Harvard and Yale in the Ivy League, premier destinations such as MIT and Stanford, as well as flagship state schools including Iowa State, Ohio State and the University of Florida. While the survey tells us that the vast majority of sexual misconduct happening on campus is student-on-student, all allegations of sexual misconduct including those against faculty or staff members are promptly investigated and addressed, said an email from the media relations office Georgetown University, the lone non-AAU member that participated in the survey. Detailed information on campus sexual misconduct is notoriously difficult to come by, KC Johnson said. Its not clear how many Title IX sexual misconduct complaints are filed nationwide, how they are resolved, and the relationship of the parties involved. Some universities issue partial information. Yale University, for example, files a semi-annual report in the spring and fall with brief incident descriptions. Last year Yale reported a record 169 complaints lodged in the first six months of the year with Title IX coordinators, the Yale Police Department or the University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct. The number of complaints has been rising steadily and is now quadruple the totals seen in 2011. These reports document complaints by students against other students, faculty and staff, as well as staff-against-staff, faculty-against-faculty complaints, and, one case in which a faculty member complained that an undergraduate student engaged in inappropriate comments of a personal nature. Those cases resulted in terminations, resignations, suspensions, special accommodations, counseling, no-contact agreements and other measures; other complaints couldnt be substantiated. William Beaver, a sociology professor at Robert Morris University, said the awareness of the perils of faculty sexual interest in students is a relatively recent development on campus. I can tell you that I have known people, males in this case, that saw it as a candy store," said Beaver, author of a 2017 study, "Campus sexual assault: What we know and what we don't." But that has been curtailed a bit in the last few years. Luxembourg 03 March 2020 - Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Brs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) announced today the award of a large (1) contract by ConocoPhillips Australia Barossa Pty Ltd to deliver the SURF scope for the Barossa Project (2). The Barossa field is located 300 km offshore Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Subsea 7s scope of work includes project management, engineering, procurement, fabrication, transportation, installation and pre-commissioning of 36 km of flowlines and associated client-supplied risers, umbilicals and subsea structures in water depths between 230 and 270 metres. The offshore work scope is scheduled to occur in 2022 and 2023, using Subsea 7s reel-lay and heavy construction vessels. Andy Woolgar, Vice President Australia and New Zealand for Subsea 7, said: We are delighted to be working on this prestigious project which will utilise the full range of installation and pipelay capabilities that we have in Australia and illustrates how Subsea 7s global technology portfolio allows us to deliver cost-effective solutions to our clients worldwide. Subsea 7 defines a large contract as between USD 300 million and USD 500 million. The Barossa Project is a Joint Venture between ConocoPhillips Australia Barossa Pty Ltd (the Operator) (37.5%), SK E&S Australia Pty Ltd (37.5%) and Santos Offshore Pty Ltd (25%). The development is currently awaiting final investment decision. ******************************************************************************* Subsea 7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry. We create sustainable value by being the industrys partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs. Subsea 7 is listed on the Oslo Bors (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62. ******************************************************************************* Contact for investment community enquiries: Katherine Tonks Head of Investor Relations Tel +44 20 8210 5568 katherine.tonks@subsea7.com www.subsea7.com Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made in this announcement may include forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of words like anticipate, believe, could, estimate, expect, forecast, intend, may, might, plan, predict, project, scheduled, seek, should, will, and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements reflect our current views and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The principal risks and uncertainties which could impact the Group and the factors which could affect the actual results are described but not limited to those in the Risk Management section in the Groups Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements 2018. These factors, and others which are discussed in our public announcements, are among those that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements: actions by regulatory authorities or other third parties; our ability to recover costs on significant projects; the general economic conditions and competition in the markets and businesses in which we operate; our relationship with significant clients; the outcome of legal and administrative proceedings or governmental enquiries; uncertainties inherent in operating internationally; the timely delivery of vessels on order; the impact of laws and regulations; and operating hazards, including spills and environmental damage. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on our future results. Given these factors, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Attachment ALBANY The state Legislature approved a $40 million appropriation late Monday that will help the state combat the new coronavirus, COVID-19, while also giving Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo broad power to respond to the outbreak. The emergency measure passed by a vote of 53-4 in the Senate just before 9:30 p.m. and 120-12 in the Assembly just after midnight Tuesday each after more than an hour of floor debate. A handful of legislators on both sides of the aisle, and in both chambers, feared that the bill ceded too much power to the executive. Cuomo: Second NYS coronavirus case confirmed The legislation, made public hours before the votes, allocates $40 million to help the state bolster staffing and equipment to combat the coronavirus, and gives the governor vast decision-making power in the state's response to the disease. The approval came after the state confirmed its first case of coronavirus: a 39-year-old health care worker from Manhattan. The reaction to the measure's approval was mixed, with some applauding swift action to combat the coronavirus while others condemned the process. Democrats had met behind closed doors for hours on Monday to debate the measure. "We understand the need to act swiftly and secure appropriate funding, but the legislation that is being considered tonight significantly expands the emergency powers of the governor, an act that should never be taken lightly," New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in a statement. "Such a change requires thoughtful consideration and an open and informed debate which has not happened." The bill permits Cuomo to issue directives in response to a disaster an "occurrence or imminent, impending or urgent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property" resulting from a slew of potential crises, including not only disease, but also natural disasters, terrorism activity and infestation, among other issues. The measure permits the Legislature to reconvene and revoke a directive they feel is too broad. "This funding will purchase lifesaving equipment and supplies and ensure health care workers have the training they need to deal with this health crisis," Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said in a statement. "Its important to act expeditiously so New Yorkers can know their government is doing everything it can to combat this potential health crisis." But some legislators took issue with handing over additional power to the executive, especially in a bill passed late at night without public scrutiny. They also voiced concerns about the measure's sunset date: April 30, 2021. Opponents and even some who ultimately voted in favor of the bill questioned why the governor requires 14 months to respond to the coronavirus. Proponents conceded that the date was the result of negotiations with the executive office, which had initially proposed that Cuomo maintain the expanded power until 2022. In the Senate, debate included several heated and at times bizarre exchanges between Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and some Republican senators. Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan, R-Long Island, who voted in favor of the bill, offered several impassioned comments assailing the legislation as a power grab by the governor. In turn, Gianaris accused the minority leader of trying to "play politics and screw around." The four no votes were split equally by party: Sens. Julia Salazar, D-Brooklyn; Gustavo Rivera, D-Bronx; George Borrello; R-Chautauqua County; and Pamela Helming, R-Ontario County. In the Assembly, legislators reconvened just after 10 p.m. and were met immediately with a proposed amendment by Assemblyman Mike Reilly, R-Staten Island. He suggested that the governor meet with legislative leaders in both chambers every 30 days to provide updates about the spending. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, said the amendment was an attempt to delay a bill that the Assembly had discussed all day. After a brief debate, the proposal failed by a vote of 44-78. During floor debate, Assembly members in both parties criticized the legislation as rushed, adding that it may open the door for executive overreach. Many of the critics would end up voting yes. "Ive been involved in this topic for decades," said Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, urging his colleagues to hit pause on the bill. "Ive never seen any governor or health commissioner ask for this kind of expansion of power through all of these various crises." He voted no. At other points, Democrats came to the bill's defense, saying the coronavirus is a disease on the brink of an epidemic in New York that deserves immediate attention. "This is emergency management 101," Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, D-Queens, said. Cuomo had originally announced that he would ask for funding last week but expedited the process on Monday. He signed the bill on Tuesday at a Capitol press conference and defended the bill's wide reach, saying it added upon already-existing executive power to suspend laws and otherwise respond to state emergencies. "Removing an impediment from an agency, it doesnt give you the ability to affirmatively do anything, and in this situation, government has to act," he said. Coronavirus concerns have made their way into schools, hospitals, airports and beyond, and they have now made their debut in the fashion world. Gucci is canceling its Cruise 2021 fashion show that was set to take place in San Francisco on May 18, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A "cruise" collection is another name for a resort collection, sometimes referred to as a holiday or travel collection. The members of the team were almost all former military American, Slovak and Norwegian gruff and full of bravado. I liked them. Pete initially responded to my first Facebook message with Hey Alex, followed by a week of radio silence. When we finally met, he and his colleague Derek asked me briefly about my medical background, and that was that. I figured I would stick around for a week or two and then head back to the States. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. For the next eight months, we trailed Iraqi forces as they pushed deeper into the city. We set up makeshift aid stations in homes, schools and sometimes just on the side of the road. The fighting was relentless. Every time a neighborhood was liberated, we would be inundated with wounded soldiers and civilians; our busiest day brought us more than a hundred casualties. Between working in hospitals back home in Minnesota and the years I spent photographing the conflict in Yemen, I had been exposed to plenty of trauma, but nothing prepared me for a still-conscious young man whose brain matter was scattered across the stretcher or a teenage girl with four broken limbs and crushed pelvis delivered on a door frame, covered in glass. Almost worse than the physical wounds were the screams of anguish for lost parents and children. Amid all of this horror, Pete and I grew close. Intense experiences lead to intense emotions. In him I saw a great leader with a big heart, one who was even more affected than I by the gore we witnessed every day. We became more than each others colleague and confidant. We fell in love quickly and deeply. Our sense of shared mission evolved, too. To treat more patients and run a more organized operation, we founded a new nonprofit, Global Response Management. In June 2017, coalition forces began an assault to retake Mosuls historic Old City. By that point, our team had treated thousands of people. Each death left me deflated, but I was able to compartmentalize my grief and move on. The adrenaline kept me focused. Then, on June 19, the war suddenly became more personal. That afternoon, we received four casualties, all journalists. Samuel Forey, a French reporter I had got to know, appeared on our doorstep first with shrapnel lodged in his face. He and the other journalists were struck by a roadside bomb while reporting from the Old City, on foot. He told us that the others were still pinned down by the fighting. Theyre trapped, he said. Its bad. A day after two new cases of novel coronavirus that included one from Delhi were reported, the Health Ministry on Tuesday said six cases with "high-viral load" were detected during sample testing in Agra and these people have been kept in isolation. The six people had come in contact with a 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday, and they include his family members. According to government sources, the man, who is a resident of Mayur Vihar, had visited them in Agra. The six have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for confirmation. Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, the ministry said in a statement. Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. His other family members have been asked to stay alert and look out for symptoms. One accountant, who came in contact with the man and some of his family members, was also quarantined, they said. India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, one from Delhi and another one from Hyderabad. The government has stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed 2,912 people in China. On Monday, Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma had said that an Italian tourist tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The first sample collected from him on February 29 tested negative but his condition deteriorated, so a second sample was collected which tested positive on Monday, the minister said, adding, "Since there is a variation in the reports, the samples have been sent to the NIV, Pune for testing". India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. The infected person from Delhi had travelled to Italy, while the other patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 infection is from Telangana and had recently travelled to Dubai. Both the patients had self-reported after they developed symptoms. "They tested positive. They are stable and being closely monitored," ministry said on Monday. The government has asked people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The multi-year talks between the United States and the Taliban Islamic movement received its culmination. This Saturday in the Qatari capital Doha, U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar signed an agreement withdraw the US military from Afghanistan, reduce violence in the country, and begin a peace dialogue between the Taliban and the Afghan authorities U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar signed an agreement withdraw the US military from Afghanistan Open source Perhaps the US armed intervention in Afghanistan will end soon, and the Afghans will be on a peaceful development path. Or maybe, on the contrary, the country will be swept by waves of even more severe chaos and violence. There can be no unequivocal opinion. After all, this is Afghanistan, which is not in vain called the cemetery of empires. This October citizens mark 19 years since US forces invaded Afghanistan to search for terrorist Osama bin Laden, fight the al-Qaida terrorist organization and the Taliban which covered it. During this time, about 2 500 American soldiers, more than a thousand fighters of the antiterrorist coalition, including from NATO member countries, about 14 000 Afghan military and police, up to 35 000 Taliban members and militants of other armed groups, as well as at least 10 000 civilians died. Bloody world A key condition for the agreement between Khalilzad and Baradar is the reduction of violence between parties to the conflict. The negotiators decided to abandon the formulation of a ceasefire, since this is almost impossible in Afghanistan, where in every village you can find a Kalashnikov rifle or a grenade. Americans and the Taliban will oversee this condition during the week. If successful, the Taliban will begin negotiations with the Afghan government. If they agree on a lasting peace, they will form a common government. The Taliban and the Americans will create a committee in Doha to coordinate a peaceful settlement. Former opponents agreed to exchange prisoners of war: 5 000 Taliban members will be exchanged for a thousand Afghan security forces soldiers. For a long time, the Americans and the Taliban could not come to a common position on the withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan. The Taliban demanded the immediate withdrawal of the contingent. The US was afraid to do this, since no one could protect Kabul from being captured by the Taliban. Now in Afghanistan there are 12 000 US military and 4 500 military personnel of NATO member countries. Khalilzad and Baradar reached a compromise. US troops will be phased out of Afghanistan over the next 14 months. Within 135 days, 5 000 troops will go home. In exchange, the Taliban leader agreed to sever relations with al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations, stop granting them asylum in Afghanistan. Who benefits from the peace? The peace agreement with the Taliban is beneficial for US President Donald Trump. Back in 2016, he promised his voters to end the endless war in Afghanistan. According to a January poll by the Maryland Institute, most Republicans support a reduction in US contingent. The same goes for Democrats. The withdrawal of 5 000 US troops from Afghanistan will give the impression that Trump did not talk in vain. This will strengthen his ratings on the eve of the presidential election in November this year. The owner of the Oval Office won in impeachment procedure and now wants to deliver a crushing blow to his opponents: Senator Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. If Democratic presidential candidates only promise to end the war in Afghanistan, then Trump is already dealing with this issue. The American president draws on the experience of Richard Nixon, who won the presidential election in 1968, promising to end the Vietnam War with "an honorable peace." According to a recent Gallup poll, Trump's support level rose to 49%. About 94% of Republicans are loyal to the president. Trump is trying to present the agreement with the Taliban as a serious foreign policy victory amid unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement with the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, a failed sanctions policy on Iran and start an arms race with Russia after withdrawing from the agreement on the elimination of intermediate and shorter-range missiles. The Americans managed to beat the Russians, who also tried to break into the peace process in Afghanistan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with representatives of the Taliban in Moscow. The Kremlin managed to win over the government in Kabul. In March 2014, then-President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai recognized Crimea as part of Russia. The Doha agreement can be considered a victory for the Taliban, as they legalized their status in the political process in Afghanistan. The Americans will not stop them from destroying their opponents among other radical Islamists, including the local cell of the Islamic State. One of the participants in the Doha Taliban delegation, Abbas Stakinzai, called the agreement with the United States a victory. Second Vietnam Do not exaggerate the significance of the Doha agreement as a guarantee of peace in Afghanistan. In the American media, the document is already compared with the notorious Paris Peace Agreement of 1973 between the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam and its allies. The agreement also provided for the cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of American troops, the exchange of prisoners of war. The sovereignty of South Vietnam was guaranteed. Nevertheless, in 1975, the Vietnamese communists violated the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty and captured the South Vietnamese capital Saigon, and a year later North Vietnam and South Vietnam merged into one state. No one guarantees that after the withdrawal of the American military, the Taliban will not violate the terms of the agreement in Doha and will not launch an attack on the positions of the Afghan security forces, which level of training leaves much to be desired despite the efforts of NATO instructors. There is a possibility of the restoration of theocratic regime led by the Taliban, which existed in Afghanistan in 1996-2001. Twenty U.S. Republican and Democratic lawmakers sent letters to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and urged them not to take the Taliban as a counterterrorism partner. Retired general Douglas Lute, who consulted presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, believes that if the Americans seriously leave Afghanistan, the Taliban will capture Kabul, as the North Vietnamese took Saigon. Another retired American general, Jack Kane, is confident that the withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan under the current conditions will entail negative consequences. According to the general, thanks to the military presence in Afghanistan, it was possible to restrain the new attacks of al-Qaeda against the United States. According to politically informed insiders of Kane, in case of holding transparent elections in Afghanistan, the Taliban have no chance to win in any of the regions of the country, since the local population does not support Islamists. The general believes that the government of neighboring Pakistan supplies the Taliban with weapons, provides them with shelter, and helps produce explosives for sabotage against the American and Afghan military. Afghan controversy There will be no peace in Afghanistan if the Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar cannot agree on anything with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The Afghan president is unhappy that he was not involved in the negotiation process of the Americans and the Taliban. Ghani did not attend the Doha agreement signing ceremony, but met with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kabul. It is not yet clear how supporters of political Islam and secular politicians will share power. Afghan women already fear infringement of their rights if Islamic law (Sharia) is introduced. Even if the peace dialogue between the Taliban and the Afghan authorities succeeds, the hostilities in Afghanistan may continue for more than one year. Although Baradar promised to stop cooperating with terrorist organizations, they still need to be forced to leave Afghanistan. You cant do this without power. In addition to Al-Qaida and ISIS, 18 terrorist organizations operate in the country. It is unlikely that they will all be ready to lay down their weapons voluntarily. However, the Taliban itself is a heterogeneous movement. Among its participants are both moderate Islamists, ready for peace and compromise, and radicals interested in regaining control of the whole country. The Haqqani Network, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, is associated with the Taliban. After a peace with the Americans, a split can occur among the Taliban. Not all field commanders will abide by the Doha agreement. Many problems The process of peaceful settlement in Afghanistan is hampered by an unfavorable economic situation. More than half of Afghanistans 16 million people live below the poverty line. The economy has stagnated since 2014. The currency has depreciated. The banking sector is poorly developed; almost no one draws up loans. Instability discourages foreign investors despite the lots of mineral resources in Afghanistan. The cost of deposits of gold, iron, copper, aluminum, chromium, sulfur is estimated at more than a trillion dollars. Up to 90% of Afghans live in rural areas. Due to the drought in 2018, wheat production decreased by 24%. Participants in the conflict, who want to lay down their arms and return to civilian life, risk being left out of work. There is a risk that thousands of people will be involved in criminal activity. Illicit drug production and trafficking remains a separate problem. Afghan farmers continue to earn for living by growing poppy, from which opium is produced. Poppy is grown on 263 000 hectares of land. In 2018, the turnover from opium sales in Afghanistan amounted to $ 604 million, and it was over a billion a year earlier. Smuggling and arms trafficking are rampant in the country. On the Afghan black market, you can buy small arms and light weapons for every taste, including Kalashnikov assault rifles at a price of $ 400 to $ 1,500, as well as American M4 and M16 assault rifles. Post-war Afghanistan has a vague future. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on March 3, launched 'Banglar Gorbo Mamata (Bengal's pride Mamata)', a public outreach campaign to connect with over 2.5 crore people and get the party battle-ready for the upcoming civic polls and the 2021 Legislative Assembly election. Over 75,000 party leaders, big and small, and five lakh party cadres would fan out across the state during the 75-day programme that kicked off on March 2 and will conclude on May 10. "The aim of the programme is to further reinvigorate the party's communication and engagement with people at all levels. All leaders and workers should sincerely participate in the campaign," Banerjee said at its launch. According to TMC sources, the campaign is aimed at celebrating the political journey of Banerjee and projecting her as a "fierce protector and guardian" of the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and faternity enshrined in the Constitution. "We will also celebrate her as a passionate proponent and true custodian of Bengal's culture, dignity and pride. It will be a reaffirmation of people faith and trust in her... that she is the leader who is working tirelessly to restore Bengal's past glory and steer it towards a prosperous future," a TMC leader, who preferred not to be identified, said. Like the "Didi Ke Bolo" (tell Didi) campaign, the new programme is also a brainchild of poll strategist Prashant Kishor and his team Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). According to TMC sources, the decision was taken following the "massive" response to the three-phase 'Didi Ke Bolo' initiative, which provided a platform to people to approach Banerjee for redress of their grievances. West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Dilip Ghosh, however, mocked the programme, calling the TMC a "sinking ship". "The TMC is a lost case in Bengal. Only TMC leaders think Mamata is their pride not the people," he said. According to TMC sources, the campaign will help energise the party for the municipal elections and lay the groundwork for the assembly polls. Elections to 107 municipalities and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), to be held this year, are being dubbed as "mini assembly elections". Banerjee had in July last year launched a helpline number and a website as part of an outreach programme suggested by Kishor, whom the party appointed an adviser after Lok Sabha poll reverses. The programme had received encouraging response with more than 10 lakh people recording their grievances in the first month alone, party sources said. The Italian media suspects a whistleblower is behind the bizarre saga surrounding the legality of Ferrari's 2019 engine. Rival teams are reportedly furious that the FIA reached a secret "settlement" following a lengthy investigation into how the power unit works. At best, the story is confusing. "To understand, look outside the FIA," an unnamed team engineer told Italy's Corriere della Sera. Correspondent Giorgio Terruzzi suspects that "confidential technical information" flowed out of Ferrari to the governing FIA. He wrote: "It is known that Toto Wolff is a sworn enemy of Ferrari after the veto that was put on any team boss being promoted to the top of Liberty Media. "Wolff has the character and ambition to try to get what he wants. The FIA statement is ambiguous, of course, but it is necessary to quell a ferocious and even darker conflict." Leo Turrini, another Italian journalist known to be close to Ferrari, wrote on his Quotidiano blog: "Throughout this story, the FIA has acted as if it had information from - to use an English term - a whistleblower. "I am not (spy novel author) John le Carre, but I do not think I am wrong," he added. Many other F1 insiders are predicting that this is just the beginning of what will become a deeper scandal. "The question of whether Ferrari cheated is almost secondary compared to the problem of transparency that this creates," an unnamed F1 team member told Ouest France newspaper. "This is not in line with today's world and the demands for transparency in terms of the governance of society and sport, to which the FIA subscribes in its statutes," another insider added. It is believed several of Ferrari's rivals have asked the FIA for clarification. "While respecting the confidentiality and legality of the agreements, (the FIA) is open to the queries of teams," AFP news agency quotes an FIA official as saying. (GMM) The new coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, has spread to dozens of countries around the world. Below are news updates from March 3. Click here for March 4 updates. Fed Cuts Interest Rates to Battle Virus The Federal Reserve, in a rare emergency step, cut short-term rates by half a percentage point on March 3 to protect the U.S. economy from the growing impact of the global coronavirus outbreak. The half-point cut is the biggest in more than a decade and prompted a jump on the major stock indexes. The fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain strong. However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity, the bank said in a statement. The Committee is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy. US Death Toll Rises to 9 Officials in King County, Washington, on Tuesday confirmed two more deaths and seven more cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Todays results include 2 additional deaths, along with an individual who was previously reported as ill but who has now died. This brings the total number of deaths in King County from COVID-19 to eight, according to King County officials in a statement. A person is also confirmed to have died of COVID-19 in nearby Snohomish County on Monday, meaning that nine people have died in Washington state and the United States at large. Local health officials in Snohomish confirmed two more cases of the virus, reported KIRO7, which reported that staff at the Harborview Medical Center might have been exposed to the mysterious new illness by a man who died at the facility and later tested positive. So far, 27 total cases have been reported in Washington state. Read more here. New York Confirms Second Case In New York, a man in his 50s who lives in a New York City suburb and works at a Manhattan law firm tested positive for the virus, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the state to two, New York officials said. He has severe pneumonia and is hospitalized, officials said. The patient had not traveled to countries hardest hit in the coronavirus outbreak, which began in China in December and is now present in nearly 80 countries and territories, killing more than 3,000 people. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the confirmation of the case was made by the citys public health laboratory on its first day of testing. The public transportation agency in New York, the most densely populated major U.S. city of more than 8 million, said on Twitter it was deploying enhanced sanitizing procedures for stations, train cars, buses, and certain vehicles. Chile, Argentina Record First Cases Chile recorded the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the country, the health ministry said on Tuesday. The patient is a 33-year-old man in the city of Talca, south of Santiago. Neighboring Argentina also confirmed its first case on Tuesday, a 43-year-old man who had traveled to Italy. Spain Reports First Death A man in the Spanish region of Valencia has died from coronavirus, marking the countrys first death from the outbreak, a local health official said on Tuesday. Tests carried out post-mortem showed the man, who died on Feb. 13, was killed by the virus, regional health chief Ana Barcelo told a press conference. News of the death came shortly after Spains Health Ministry announced on its Twitter page that several sporting events would be held behind closed doors, while medical conferences will be canceled in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. Coronavirus Treatments Could Be Ready in Months: Executives Treatments for the new coronavirus could be ready in months, pharmaceutical executives told President Donald Trump at the White House. Regenerons treatment could be produced as soon as August, Lenny Schleifer, the founder and CEO of Regeneron, said. The company uses antibodies, or proteins produced by plasma cells, to counteract diseases. Its using the same technology it used to develop a cure for Ebola. We have 1,000 antibodies that are already sitting in dishes. Were screening them. Were selecting them. We anticipate, if all goes well, 200,000 doses per month can come out of our factory in New York, starting in August, Schleifer told Trump on Monday during a meeting with health officials and pharmaceutical executives. The new treatment will be able to protect those who arent infected from contracting the new virus and treat people who have already been infected. Read more here. Iran Orders Troops to Fight Coronavirus Outbreak as 77 Dead Irans supreme leader put the Islamic Republics armed forces on alert Tuesday to assist health officials in combating the outbreak of the new coronavirusthe deadliest outside of Chinathat authorities say has killed 77 people. Ayatollah Ali Khameneis decision was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Irans upcoming arbor day, showing how concern about the virus now reaches up to the top of the countrys Shiite theocracy. Iranian media reported that 23 members of parliament now had the virus, as did the head of the countrys emergency services. Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin, Khamenei said, who has not worn gloves at past arbor day plantings. After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities said Tuesday they had plans to potentially mobilize 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. It wasnt clear if Khameneis order would set them in motion helping sanitize streets, direct traffic and track possible contacts those ill with the virus had with others, as initially suggested. There are now over 2,530 cases of the new coronavirus across the Mideast. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the Islamic Republic. Yet experts worry Irans percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3 percent, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show. Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Irans leadership to be killed by the virus. State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei. The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Those sick 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. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. G7 to Deploy All Policy Tools to Combat Coronavirus Group of Seven finance officials said on Tuesday they would use all appropriate policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable global growth and safeguard against downside risks posed by the fast-spreading coronavirus. G7 finance ministers were ready to take action, including fiscal measures where appropriate, to aid the response, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters. Central banks would continue to support price stability and economic growth. We reaffirmed our commitment to adopt all appropriate policy steps to protect the economy from downside risks posed by the coronavirus, and that we stand ready to cooperate further on timely and effective measures, Aso said after a G7 call. He was short on specifics and said the desirable policy response would vary from country to country. Asked if all appropriate policy steps would include both monetary and fiscal policies, Aso said: Yes, anything will be included, both monetary and fiscal steps. UK Announces 5 New Cases The UK on Tuesday morning updated its national case total to 40, according to the countrys Department of Health and Social Care. A total of 13,525 people have been tested in the UK, of which 13,485 were confirmed negative and 40 positive, a statement read. Australias Reserve Bank Cuts Interest Rate The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate to a new record low of 0.5 percent. RBA governor Philip Lowe said the easing from 0.75 percent comes ahead of a worse-than-expected near term virus hit to the economy. It is too early to tell how persistent the effects of the coronavirus will be and at what point the global economy will return to an improving path. Policy measures have been announced in several countries, including China, which will help support growth, Lowe said in his address after the banks March board meeting. Belinda Allen of Commonwealth Bank told the Australian Financial Review that she favored other approaches to mitigating potential impacts from the outbreak. A fiscal response would be more appropriate, she said. Read more here. Cases in Australia Increase to 35 Four more cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the Australian state of NSW, bringing the total number of people infected with the virus in the state to 13. NSW Health on Tuesday afternoon said two women in their 60s who returned to Sydney from South Korea and Japan had tested positive. Earlier in the day, the NSW premier announced two more cases: a 39-year-old man who arrived in Sydney from Iran on Feb. 28, and a 53-year-old man who had returned to Sydney from Singapore on Feb. 28. Australia now has a national total of 35, with 1 death and 21 already recovered. Read more here. Georgia Detects 2 More Cases In a press conference late Monday night, Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed that a husband and wife in Atlanta have tested positive for the novel coronavirus after being tested by a local doctor, who sent the samples to the CDC. These cases involve two individuals who reside in the same household. One who recently returned from Italy, Kemp said of the patients in Fulton County, Atlanta. Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey told reporters, We thought it was important that we come today and tell you about this even as our epidemiologists are still investigating and find any potential contacts in the community. The patient who returned from Italy said that they did not feel any effects of the virus until they were back to Atlanta. Toomey said that the couple are both now exhibiting minimal symptoms and are self-isolating at home. We will continue to search for any contacts to ensure that we stop any further spread in the community, Toomey said. The message to the public is still low risk. No local transmission going on and wash your hands and get a flu shot, she added. Jordan, Latvia Detect First Infections The Kingdom of Jordan on Monday reported its first case of novel coronavirus, with the majority of cases tracing back to regions in Italy and Iran that are suffering from localized outbreaks. The Jordanian citizen returned from Italy 16 days ago, and entered quarantine last week after feeling sick. According to the countrys Health Minister Saad Jaber, the male patient is in good condition. His family and a colleague who he came in contact with are in quarantine for 14 days. Jaber added that schools across the kingdom are likely to be shut down if the number of cases reaches 20. Mass gatherings will also be banned. Latvia has also reported its first case of the virus, its Ministry of Health said on Monday, according to LETA news agency. The patient, a female national who lives in Riga, arrived in Latvia on Feb. 29 on the 3:40 p.m. airBaltic flight BT226 that left from Milan, Italy, via Munich with her family. Upon their arrival, they traveled by private car from the airport back home. Health officials have said that her condition is not severe. She and her child, who is also showing symptoms, have been transferred to the Latvian Infectology Center for isolation and monitoring. The rest of her family are quarantined at home. Other passengers on the flight are being asked to call Latvias Disease Control and Prevention Center on precautionary measures after sharing the plane with the infected woman. The flight arrived in Riga at noon local time. US to Increase Healthcare Worker Access to Respirators The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday measures to make more respirators, including certain N95s, available to healthcare workers. In a statement, the FDA said that it has now approved respirators marked for use in industrial settings for use by healthcare professionals responding to patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The FDA and CDCs action to allow a wider range of respirators to be used in healthcare settings will help those on the front lines of this outbreak and their patients, which will keep all Americans safe, said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. President Trump has made it clear that protecting the American people is his top priority, and that includes taking every necessary step to ensure Americas healthcare providers have the tools they need. We will continue pursuing every possible avenue to secure the protective gear needed for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. Another Case Detected in Australia A 10th coronavirus case in the Australian state in Queensland has been confirmed by state health authorities. A 20-year-old male university student from China has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The man, who had traveled to Dubai for at least two weeks before entering Australia, is in a stable condition in isolation in the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. Queensland Health has confirmed he is a student. He was living in the Brisbane suburb of Toowong with a male housemate, who is now being assessed for the disease. A student accommodation business told AAP Chinese students are bypassing the China travel ban by spending two weeks in other countries before entering Australia. Read more here. Natural Protection Strategy Against Viruses Conventional medicine offers very little for the prevention or treatment of most viral illnesses. Natural medicine offers considerably more solutions. Read about natural treatments here. Unusual Animal Behavior in Coronavirus Epicenter: Video People from Hubei province, the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak, have reported sightings of unusual animal behavior in Hubei, such as huge flocks of crows and fish jumping out of water. Elderly Chinese people used to say that crows are carrion-eaters and have the ability to anticipate death, because they can smell the odor of a dying person. That is why in Chinese culture, crows are considered inauspicious and are always linked with death. Click here to watch the video. For updates from March 2, click here. Dr. Charles Bens and AAP contributed to this article. From The Epoch Times ROCHESTER, MI A former Michigan teacher will serve at least four years in prison after pleading no-contest to charges of sexually assaulting high school students and providing one of the students with drugs. Kathryn Houghtaling, 26 at the time, was charged in January 2019 with six counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second-degree. Houghtaling was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Click On Detroit reports that Houghtaling was accused of having sexual relations with two boys, 16 and 17, multiple times at multiple locations. Houghtaling agreed to a no-contest plea deal right before her trial started in January. The maximum sentence for the crimes is 15 years in prison, but it was not expected that she would be sentenced to serve above the minimum of 51 months in prison. Prosecutors added a seventh charge of delivering a controlled substance. The judge said prosecutors have medical evidence supporting that one of the teens ingested Xanax given to him by Houghtaling. Houghtaling was a first-year teacher who taught special education at Rochester High School. She started teaching there in August 2018. Officials say Houghtaling had sex with the boys at an apartment and one time in a car, while other students watched. One of the teens was a student in her class, prosecutors said. China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings Limited (HKG:464) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 15% in the last quarter. But that doesn't change the fact that shareholders have received really good returns over the last five years. It's fair to say most would be happy with 138% the gain in that time. So while it's never fun to see a share price fall, it's important to look at a longer time horizon. Only time will tell if there is still too much optimism currently reflected in the share price. Check out our latest analysis for China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings Because China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. That's because it's hard to be confident a company will be sustainable if revenue growth is negligible, and it never makes a profit. In the last 5 years China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings saw its revenue shrink by 7.5% per year. Given that scenario, we wouldn't have expected the share price to rise 19% per year, but that's what it did. It just goes to show tht the market is forward looking, and it's not always easy to predict the future based on past trends. Still, this situation makes us a little wary of the stock. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). SEHK:464 Income Statement, March 3rd 2020 We're pleased to report that the CEO is remunerated more modestly than most CEOs at similarly capitalized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings's earnings, revenue and cash flow. Story continues What about the Total Shareholder Return (TSR)? Investors should note that there's a difference between China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings's total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price change, which we've covered above. 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. Dividends have been really beneficial for China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings shareholders, and that cash payout contributed to why its TSR of 170%, over the last 5 years, is better than the share price return. A Different Perspective While the broader market lost about 8.5% in the twelve months, China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings shareholders did even worse, losing 11%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 22%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks, for example - China Overseas Nuoxin International Holdings has 4 warning signs (and 2 which shouldn't be ignored) we think you should know about. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on HK 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. A few candidates have dropped out recently most notably Pete Buttigieg, who won the first contest of this primary, in Iowa, just a month ago. How has that changed things going into Tuesdays vote? The short answer: We dont really know! Early voting has been going on for weeks in some of these states, so any votes already cast for Pete Buttigieg wont count. For those who havent voted yet, polling doesnt give us much of an indication that their support might go overwhelmingly to one candidate. When asked about their second choice, Mr. Buttigiegs backers were fairly split among Mr. Biden, Mike Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren, with slightly more going to Mr. Sanders. Are there any states youll be watching in particular? California is the big one, and polls have put that firmly in Sanders territory. Ill be watching California for sure. If Ms. Warren is going to remain competitive, thats where it could happen for her. Also, Texas has a huge delegate haul, so thats really important, too. Mr. Sanders has shown strength with Latino voters, so he could do well there. Where will you be reporting from? Hopefully somewhere with good food? Sadly, Im going to be eating election-night pizza at The New York Timess world headquarters in Manhattan. But were dispatching reporters all over the country. It really is a huge effort to get reporting from so many contests at once. On Politics is The Timess daily politics newsletter, with reporting and analysis of the 2020 elections. Sign up here. Thats it for this briefing. See you next time. Mike Thank you To Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. P.S. Were listening to The Daily. Our latest episode is about Joe Bidens victory in the South Carolina primary. Heres todays Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Tailpipe emissions (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. Times journalists go to great lengths to maintain impartiality inside and outside of the newsroom. Here are some of the ways they do so on dates, in their friend circles and in voting booths. Peter MacKay says the Conservatives will unify the country if given the chance. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Peter MacKay says the Conservatives will unify the country if given the chance. The presumed frontrunner to become the next Conservative Party of Canada leader and leader of the official Opposition MacKay held a rally in Winnipeg Monday night. "We founded this country, our first prime minister ran a rivet of steel from Atlantic Canada all the way to the left coast. We unified this country," he told the crowd of about 200. "Weve done it before, and we will do it again. And by the way, we need to keep that railroad running." Recently, MacKay deleted a tweet praising counter-protesters who had dismantled a blockade on a CN rail line in Edmonton after facing criticism that he was promoting people taking the law into their own hands. He later published a longer message explaining his reasoning. MacKay cited rule of law to applause, referencing rail blockades across the country in support of Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs who oppose a B.C. pipeline. "When we cant move goods across this country, critical items such as medicine, fuel and food, we are failing as a nation," he said. "We are stumbling in the eyes of the world, when we cant have the rule of law prevail over everyone, because theres one law for one Canada, for one people, wherever you live, whatever you do." Unification was the theme of the evening, and campaign organizer and former Winnipeg MP, Shelly Glover, was no different, stressing that she believed MacKay would unify the Conservatives. "Peter MacKay is the person I think will unite this party first and foremost," she said. "Weve seen some issues around the unity of the party after the last leadership its time to unite again. Peter MacKays the guy." Glover said while she typically did not openly campaign for the candidate she would be voting for, she made an exception for MacKay, citing their history of working together. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS MacKay is running along with seven others to succeed Andrew Scheer as federal Tory leader. "I was very close to Peter MacKay when I was a member of Parliament," she said, "In fact, Peter MacKay helped recruit me to run." McKay is running along with seven others to succeed Andrew Scheer as Tory leader. He is the only verified candidate so far meaning hes the only candidate to put down the full $200,000 non-refundable entry fees and collect the 3,000 signatures needed to run. The results of the race will be announced June 27. While MacKay has yet to outline many specific policies, he promised to force a motion of no confidence should he be elected in a fundraising email sent out Sunday. On his official website, MacKay promises to hold an election in October 2020. Fellow candidates Erin OToole and Marilyn Gladu have also promised early elections. Among those in attendance at the rally Monday was Aaron Marshall Clarke, 41. Clarke called himself a "career Conservative" and said he decided to come after finding the event on social media. "To be honest with you, I didnt start voting till I was 35, I could never find a fit, I can honestly say that, proudly say that," he said. "And when I did, Id seen growth within the party." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. When asked what drew him to MacKay, Clarke said MacKay had much to offer, adding "its not about finding fault, its about finding commonalities." "Hes acceptant of other cultures coming to Canada, but within means, his track record as minister of defence, hes a strong speaker." Clarke summed up his support by saying he believed MacKay was the best choice available to Conservatives today. "I feel hes a perfect fit well, nothings perfect but hes definitely the most qualified and most go-to fit for this." malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: malakabas_ 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. New Delhi, March 3 : Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi continued his Twitter attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging him to focus on the coronavirus threat rather than his social media accounts. Addressing the Prime Minister's official twitter account, Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge. Here's how it's done.." The tweet had a video of Singapore Premier Lee Hsien Loong urging his countrymen to bravely face the coronavirus threat. On Monday, Prime Minister Modi had issued a cryptic tweet stating, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you posted". Subsequently, however, Modi clarified in a tweet that "This Women's Day, I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hyderabad: Panic has gripped the city with the first case of Covid-19 being announced. People shared the details on social media and many of them asked those who have cough and cold to self-isolate and not go out of their homes. Those who have been coughing in hospitals are also being told to cover their mouth and not cough all around. The presence of the virus in the state has left the people worried. Already handkerchiefs are being used as masks. Even hand sanitizers have gone off the shelves as people are carrying it with them to wash their hands. The preventive tips were highly searched on internet and there were requests from friends, relatives and family members from other states to be safe. A senior doctor from a private hospital explained, Covid-19 was to come to India and it was only a matter of time. There will be 100 other cases out there but they are still not confirmed. The death rate is only two per cent. Senior citizens and pregnant women have to take be extra careful. Those who suffer from diabetes and hypertension, transplant patients and any other co-morbid conditions have to be careful as there are complications in such cases. Those frequenting hospitals apart from the medical staff like relatives of patients, employees of non-government organisations, insurance and other administration staff of various other departments have to also exercise care as they are going into zones from where infection can spread. The maximum fear is now about suspected cases who are asymptomatic and are travelling without knowing that they carry the virus and have the capability to transmit it. This is the biggest challenge and it can be tackled by ensuring good immunity, proper hand hygiene and cough manners. ISTANBUL Turkeys fourth military operation in Syria in as many years has divided the country along the same political fault lines that have polarized it in recent years, with the governments supporters seeing an urgent threat emerging south of the border and its critics fearing Turkey is sliding deeper into the Syrian quagmire. Fighting in Syrias northwest province of Idlib, the last stretch of territory held by Turkish-backed opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has intensified dramatically as Turkey downs Syrian jets and bombs air defense systems in Operation Spring Shield, launched at the weekend. At least 34 Turkish soldiers were killed Feb. 27 in Idlib in an airstrike blamed on Syria. Turkey wants to halt the Syrian armys advance, which has already forced almost 1 million people to flee to its closed border. The military campaign is accompanied by another effort to placate public anger over the large number of refugees already in Turkey. The government late last week ordered border guards manning its western frontiers to stand down and invited millions of migrants to leave for Greece. The deaths of the soldiers shocked Turkey, marking the most fatalities its army suffered in a single attack since the early 1990s. Taxis formed a huge procession in central Istanbul early on Tuesday, waved flags and blasted their horns to honor the soldiers. Spontaneous marches took place in several cities. Members of Turkeys tiny Jewish community prayed for the dead on Shabbat in Hebrew and Turkish. This is the time for unity, said Oner Yildirim, a security guard in Istanbul. Idlib is right on our border, and if we dont take control, the danger will spread to Turkey. Our states policy is aimed at keeping us safe. Im very sad for our martyrs, but we are all ready to give our lives for the sake of our flag. Deeply nationalistic, most Turks unconditionally support their military, which regularly tops lists of their trusted institutions. But the latest foray into Syria opens a new chapter for an army whose cross-border activities have been limited to pursuing insurgents. Three earlier operations in Syria, greenlit by both Russia and the United States, to fight the Islamic State and a Kurdish militia with links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) had overwhelming public support. Now, Turkish soldiers are openly battling another governments army for the first time since the 1974 Cyprus invasion, and its on behalf of mostly Islamist militants, bringing NATOs second-biggest army and Russia, Assads main backer, to the brink of confrontation. Close to 60 Turkish soldiers have died in Syria since January. A poll from A&G Research showed 65% of Turks want the operation to continue and 63% believe the armed forces are in Idlib to thwart an existential threat emanating from Syria. Seven out of 10 blamed the soldiers deaths on Russia, the survey of 2,225 people conducted between Feb. 29 and March 1 showed. A week before the soldiers were killed, another polling organization found most opposed a new operation. Ozer Sencar of MetroPoll told Al-Monitor that half of the respondents said no and 31% said yes when asked if Turkish troops should be in Idlib. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cast the conflict with Syria as a battle for the soul of his nation. Those asking the question What business does Turkey have in Syria? are actually recommending we surrender to terrorist groups and to an enemy regime, he said. Nine years of war in Syria has forced 3.7 million Syrians into Turkey. Should Idlib fall, millions more will come, he warned. But Turks seem more worried about a sharp economic slowdown. The economy and unemployment are the most important problems Turkey faces, a combined 57% of people surveyed in February by Area Research said. Terrorism ranked first at 11% and Syrian refugees at 9%. The poll showed 50% of voters said they would not vote for Erdogan if an election were held now. With the PKK, the government can point to its past actions to demonstrate the threat it poses. But there are important questions about what the political goals now are in Syria and how they will contribute to Turkeys security, said Burak Bilgehan Ozpek, a professor of international relations at TOBB University in Ankara. If the death toll rises, public support will diminish and resentment will rise, leaving the government in a difficult political position that could evolve into necessitating early elections. Ire over the killing of the soldiers has been directed at various targets, even Syrian refugees. A mob attacked Syrian businesses and homes in the southern town of Elbistan, and a small group of youths punched Syrians in the Black Sea town of Samsun, newspapers said. In Istanbul, protesters shouted Murderer Russia, murderer Putin outside of the Russian Consulate. Others marched on the Ankara homes of Turkish employees of Russian news outlet Sputnik. Police then briefly detained the three journalists, as well as Sputnik Turkiyes chief editor, before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu and demanded their release. Criticism by Turks of the operation has also been muffled after prosecutors opened criminal investigations into social media users. Erdogan has taken care not to vilify President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has cultivated close commercial and diplomatic ties, and on Monday said Turkey has no beef with Russia or Iran, Assads other sponsor. Instead, he has continued to blast traditional allies for failing to stop Assads onslaught and warned Europe will soon contend with millions of refugees. The United States is an especially easy target after years of divergence on Syria policy, including US support for the PKK-affiliated militia in Syria. Just one in five Turks has a favorable view of the United States, according to the Pew Research Centers Global Attitudes Survey. MetroPoll found in January that Russia is the country Turks trust most, Sencar said, though he noted only a plurality of 25% of respondents ranked it first. The United States and others appear eager to capitalize on a potential falling-out with Russia after long fretting Turkey was moving into Moscows orbit, especially with the purchase of a Russian missile system designed to shoot down NATO jets. Western officials, including US special envoy for Syria James Jeffrey, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell are all rushing to Ankara this week to show support. Erdogan heads to Moscow to meet Putin on March 5, where they could agree to reduce hostilities in Idlib, said Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Turkey isnt breaking up with Russia. This feels a bit like a staged fight, [where] Putin has allowed Erdogan a window to destroy Assad targets until their summit and then [an exit] before this becomes a protracted engagement when we can expect Turkish public support to split, Cagaptay told Al-Monitor. The humanitarian crisis at Europes gates serves Russian goals by fanning anti-migrant sentiment and weakening EU solidarity. The blocs response, ranging from reports of Greek authorities using force to turn back refugees to Brussels offering Turkey cash, also reveals the fundamental flaws in the 6 billion euro deal it signed with Turkey in 2016 to stop migration. Erdogans promise to dispatch Syrians to a safe zone galvanized public backing for an October incursion into northeast Syria, and though that zone has not materialized, Turks associate military action with resolving the refugee problem, said political scientist Sezin Oney. Simultaneously opening the borders and launching a military operation is a political tactic. The public is discussing the refugees and not the loss of life in Syria after the initial outrage. Erdogan had been Syrian refugees most ardent defender, helping to contain a public backlash. But the discontent helped cost his party key offices in last years nationwide mayoral elections, and since then he has clamped down on refugees movements. The refugee policy has been a mistake from the outset. Refugees should have been kept along the border; instead, they have spread out across all of Turkey, said Yildirim, a long-time Erdogan supporter. Let Europe worry about them now," he added. A former aide to Home Secretary Priti Patel allegedly took an overdose after being bullied by the minister, it has been claimed. The woman later received a 25,000 payout from the government following the alleged incident in 2015, when Ms Patel was employment minister, the BBC reported. The claim emerged as Ms Patel continues to face allegations that she mistreated staff in her new role as Home Secretary. She has previously denied having mistreated staff. Legal documents seen by the BBC showed that a junior employee at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was said to have taken an overdose of prescription medicine following the alleged incident in 2015. Home Secretary Priti Patel / PA The junior employee brought a complaint of bullying and harassment against the department after being dismissed in October that year, according to the documents seen by the broadcaster. The DWP did not admit liability and the case did not come before a tribunal, the BBC reported. The fresh claim emerged after Boris Johnson ordered an inquiry into allegations that Ms Patel breached the ministerial code following claims of bullying. This follows the resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam on Saturday, in which the formerly senior civil servant made a raft of allegations against her. Labour leadership hopeful Keir Starmer described the latest allegations as "incredibly serious". He tweeted: "I welcome the announcement that the Cabinet Secretary will be holding an inquiry into the Home Secretary's conduct. However, we need assurances that this inquiry will cover Priti Patel's entire career as a minister." Boris Johnson on Monday ordered an inquiry into allegations that Ms Patel has breached the ministerial code following claims of bullying. Michael Gove: PM Has Asked Cabinet Office To 'Establish The Facts' In Priti Patel Case Ms Patel has faced questions over her conduct following the resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam on Saturday, in which the formerly senior civil servant made a raft of allegations against her. Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove announced on Monday afternoon an investigation to "establish the facts" had been launched. Addressing questions from the opposition in the Commons, Mr Gove said: "This government always takes any complaints relating to the ministerial code seriously. "And in line with the process set out in the ministerial code, the Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to establish the facts." A spokeswomen for the Cabinet Office told the Evening Standard: "We do not comment on individual personnel matters." Over the weekend, Sir Philip, who was the most senior official in the Home Office, said he planned to take legal action over claims of constructive dismissal. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said if the serious allegations raised by Sir Philip about the Home Secretarys conduct are true then that would clearly constitute a breach of the ministerial code. He added: Why, without a proper investigation, has the Prime Minister defended the Home Secretary, calling her fantastic and saying he absolutely has confidence in her? Its not enough just to refer this to the Cabinet Office, the Government must now call in an external lawyer, as quite rightly suggested by the union for senior civil servants, the First Division Association. The Arunachal Pradesh government on Tuesday said it will try to revive a project to set up Regional Research Station of the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) at Dirang in West Kameng district. After the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) approved the establishment of the Regional Research Station at Dirang in 2014, the state government allotted 30 acres of land for it, Horticulture Minister Tage Taki informed the Assembly. The horticulture department has no role in executing the project as the CITH is administered and monitored by the ICAR director general, Taki said while responding to a query by BJP MLA Phurpa Tsering. Responding to a supplementary question, Taki said he had written a letter to the ICAR DG for reviving the project. Taki dismissed rumours that the project would be shifted to another place and assured the members to put all his efforts to establish the research station at Dirang and to clear it from the ICAR after April. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Free to Air networks have drawn upon the closure of Australian Associated Press as a reminder of the need for industry reforms. Long-running wires service AAP yesterday announced it would close in June, after 85 years, following shareholders Nine, News Corp Australia, The West Australian and Australian Community Media deciding to pull the plug. Around 180 journalists will be affected by the move. Subediting service Pagemasters will also close in August. Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair said Todays AAP announcement is a sad reminder of the pressures that Australian media businesses currently face. The work of AAP and its journalists was highly valued by Free TV members. This shines a big, bright light on the impact that digital giants Google and Facebook are having on Australias media landscape. In response to the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry, the Government has required that Google and Facebook negotiate bargaining Codes of Conduct to redress the substantial power imbalance between them and Australias media businesses. This also shows the urgency of reform of Australias archaic media regulations. It is simply not sustainable for our media businesses to continue to operate under regulations from the last century in areas such as Australian content quotas and advertising restrictions. Todays sad decision to close AAP only serves to emphasise that there is no time to waste in finalising both the bargaining Code and regulatory reform. The risk of Australians losing their trusted, local news services is real and it is here now. But the MEAA described the move as a gross abandonment of responsibility by its shareholders Australias major media outlets. MEAA Media federal president Marcus Strom said: There are at least 180 editorial jobs at stake making AAP a major media operation. Any decision to abandon AAP will be devastating for our members and AAP staff and we will do all in our power to support them. This decision will also devastate the media industry and the communities it serves. AAPs shareholders must realise the prospect they face should they abandon AAP. Look at the news stories, the photos, the coverage, the quotes and the enormous spectrum of excellent journalism that AAP has supplied over the past 85 years. AAP delivers news, photos and sub-editing services that the major media groups either cannot or will not. Beancounters at the top of media organisations might think they can soldier on without AAP, but the reality is it will leave a huge hole in news coverage. Filling those holes will fall to already overburdened newsroom journalists. Or coverage will simply cease to occur. AAP has also trained generations of journalists and has been an excellent start for many of Australias top journalists. It is reckless and short-sighted of media bosses to jettison this wonderful media institution. To lose AAP is to deny Australians across the nation of essential news and information. MEAA is currently consulting with its members and MEAA House Committee delegates at AAP. Heres an Election Day question is Napa County in for a small turnout or are lots of voters holding onto ballots until the last minute because of the fluid Democratic primary race? Registrar of Voters John Tuteur said on Monday morning that about 20,000 ballots had been received in the all vote-by-mail election. Thats 25 percent of registered voters. Voters who wanted to cast their ballots before Election Day certainly had a chance. About 80,000 ballots arrived in local mailboxes three weeks ago. Statewide, my colleagues and I are a little concerned about the turnout, Tuteur said. Then again, the Democratic primary race may be motivating some voters to turn in their ballots at the eleventh hour. After all, those who voted for Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar or Tom Steyer before Friday saw their candidates drop out in the following days. Tuteur cautioned about waiting too long to drop ballots into a mailbox, however. The postmark has to be by March 3, Election Day, for the ballot to be counted. You better get it in before the afternoon pickup, Tuteur said. Those who want wait to vote until Super Tuesday primary results start being reported from the East Coast have options that avoid using the U.S. Postal Service. They can drop ballots off at county vote centers or drop boxes until 8 p.m. Election Day. Our vote centers are going to be slammed because of what Im expecting as a late wave, Tuteur said. Dont make a race of it, though. Tuteur said the drop boxes will be locked at 8 p.m. sharp. The Democratic primary is hardly the only ballot draw. Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza and Amber Manfree are vying for the 4th District seat. Supervisor Belia Ramos and American City Councilmember Mariam Aboudamous are vying for the 5th District seat. In addition, voters countywide will decide the fate of Measure K, a quarter-cent sales tax for Napa County open space, parks and recreation. They will pick a county treasurer-tax collector and a Superior Court judge. Whatever happens, those 20,000 or so ballots already in by Monday will be the ones that constitute the results released at 8 p.m. Election Day. Go to www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections at that time or after to see the results. Tuteur said that, in all but the close races, those initial results are likely to hold. There is no reason I can see why those 20,000 are any different than hopefully the next 30,000 I get, he said. Statistically, if you dont have a very close race, the odds are they are not going to change. A close race, say one with a margin of less than 100 votes, is another matter. Then a series of updates might be needed before the race can be called. An updated count is to come Friday, Tuteur said. Further updates will come on March 9, 10 and perhaps March 11, until 95 percent of the ballots are counted. That should clear up all but the closest of races. But if a margin is still razor-thin, a result might not be known until Tuteur certifies the election. He has until April 2, but expects to do so the week of March 23. In this age of instant result expectations, certification still takes time. Among other things, Tuteur said the Election Division must take the machine counts from at least two precincts and double-check them against counts done by humans. The candidates, no matter how close it is, understand we go through this process to make sure the results are accurate when we certify, he said. Voters dont have to worry about hackers remotely manipulating election counts, Tuteur said. Hackers would have to break down a door and get to the server to do so. The computers used have no wireless or network connections. Napa County turnout in recent presidential primaries was 44 percent in 2008, 43 percent in 2012 and 60 percent in 2016. We always hope for 100 percent, Tuteur said. An eleventh-hour voting surge will be needed to approach that mark in the present election. You can reach Barry Eberling at 256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com. 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. Last week, just after candidates for the Democratic Party presidential nomination gathered to debate in downtown Charleston, S.C., a rising star of the Republican Party was also talking about the future. We have a lot left to do, Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said at the first annual Women for Women Summit organized by the College of Charleston School of Business. Haley, who spoke after receiving the Woman of Courage Award, didn't announce she will run for president on the Republican ticket in 2024. Seoul, March 3 : South Korea's new coronavirus cases approached 5,200 on Tuesday, with an alarming cluster of infections continuing to swell in the southeastern city of Daegu. President Moon Jae-in declared a "war" on the fast-spreading virus. The 374 new cases, which were identified over the past 16 hours on Tuesday, brought the nation's total number of infections to 5,186, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. So far, 31 people, mostly patients with underlying illnesses, have died in South Korea from the respiratory virus that emerged in China late last year. Daegu, the epicenter of the virus outbreak here, reported three more deaths from the virus on Tuesday. The KCDC said 56.1 per cent of confirmed cases nationwide have been linked to a branch of the Shincheonji religious sect in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city with a population of 2.5 million. The justice ministry said last week that some members of the religious group visited the Chinese city of Wuhan, the global epicenter of the virus. Of the new 600 cases detected on Monday, 520 are in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and 61 are in neighbouring North Gyeongsang Province, according to the KCDC. The total number of cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang stood at 3,601 and 685, respectively. Moon ordered all of the government's organizations to shift to a "24-hour emergency situation room system," citing the need to bolster readiness to handle quarantine and economy-related measures. Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip told reporters that authorities will expand virus tests on ordinary citizens in Daegu as they have completed tests on Shincheonji followers who have shown symptoms. Kim said the top priority of testing in Daegu shifted from Shincheonji followers to ordinary citizens to curb the spread of the virus. According to the central government and Daegu city, about 2,300 confirmed cases in Daegu were tied to Shincheonji. So far, about 11,000 ordinary citizens in Daegu have undergone tests and 1,300 have tested positive for the virus. "There is a need for us to expand tests on ordinary citizens in Daegu because confirmed cases among ordinary citizens are not small," Kim said. The government will set up more isolation facilities in Daegu by early next week to admit some 2,000 virus patients, Kim said. Kim renewed calls for citizens to increase their "social distancing," wash their hands with soap and avoid crowded places, saying, "The first-line of defense depends on people." Kim noted that it is difficult to judge whether the virus is spreading faster to other regions as about 90 percent of confirmed cases have been in Daegu and North Gyeongsang. Virus cases in Busan rose by two to 90, with 31 patients linked to a Christian church in the Dongnae district and another nine patients linked to Shincheonji. The 31 patients of the Oncheon church in Busan are tied to the church's three-day retreat that ended on Feb. 17, officials said. It is still unclear how they were infected with the virus. In the wake of North-East Delhi violence, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs on Tuesday staged a protest holding placards, with messages against the Bharatiya Janata Party, near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Parliament complex. Senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told ANI: "Central government is giving out the message that they are standing with the people who created a riot in the capital. The government is refusing to discuss the riots, they are also refusing a judicial investigation into the matter." "What is the importance of Parliament if we can not discuss serious issues like riots. The Central government is not ready to give answers on serious matters. What message are we giving to the citizens of the country," he added. Earlier in the morning, he said that the Home Minister does not have the moral authority to hold his post. "Home Minister does not have the moral authority to continue on his post. Under his watch, miscreants are firing bullets in broad-daylight, students and teachers have been beaten up on campuses. He has not visited the violence-affected areas neither has he met the victims of the mayhem," Singh said. He also demanded an SIT inquiry on the Delhi violence. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is not happy with the removal of her friend, Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, as head of the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday's major shake-up in the lower chamber. In a statement Tuesday, Duterte-Carpio claimed that the removal of Ungab from his post "was grossly unacceptable." "For HNP (Hugpong ng Pagbabago), the ouster of Ungab was grossly unacceptable as it is disadvantageous to the Duterte administrations reform agenda for the Filipino people and the country," she said in a statement. We fully support Congressman Ungabs work in the congress, she said in a separate interview. Duterte-Carpio previously endorsed Ungab for the speakership last year through HNP, her regional party, after Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano gunned for the post. Duterte-Carpio, however, noted that she does not have any personal knowledge on the alleged coup attempt. The Davao City mayor called Ungab a "good soldier" of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, and also lauded her friend for "doing his job with pride and principle." It was not just Ungab who was booted out from his post. Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador "Doy" Leachon, a known ally of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, was removed Monday from his post as the head of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. Cayetano, who earlier had a rift with the presidential daughter for endorsing Velasco for the speakership last year, held a two-hour caucus with some congressmen on Monday night after the reshuffle. When asked why Ungab and Leachon had to be removed, Cayetano simply claimed that he did not have a good working relationship with the two who were allegedly more interested in "funds and intrigues." "Working relationship din lang. As I said last week, yung hindi kaya na suportahan ako, umalis muna bumalik na lang sila kapag si Velasco na, 'di ba...They are more interested talaga in funds, intrigues, et cetera here rather than getting things done," Cayetano said in an interview with reporters. [Translation: It's really a matter of working relationship. As I said last week, if they cannot support me, they should just return when it's Velasco's term...they are really more interested in funds, intrigues, etcetera here rather than getting things done.] ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap replaced Ungab as the appropriations panel head, while Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo replaced Leachon. Sara the 'kingmaker' Duterte-Carpio was instrumental in the ouster of former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in 2018. Then-Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over his post. Even then, the President warned about his daughter's influence in the past. Be careful with that woman. She can even oust the Speaker. She operated in Davao. Tingnan mo ang nangyari sa Congress, [may] natanggal," Duterte said in a speech. Prior to Monday's scuffle, Velasco posted photos of him and Duterte-Carpio after having a motorcycle ride together. "Happy Womens Month! Shoutout to one of the strongest Women I know.. Mayor Inday Sara. Thank you for the weekend ride Mayor Inday," Velasco wrote in the caption. Velasco already belied the supposed "coup" plan to change the House leadership, claiming that he continues to honor the term-sharing agreement brokered by the President. To prevent the pro-administration coalition in the House from splintering, President Rodrigo Duterte brokered a "15-21" term-sharing deal between Cayetano and Velasco last July. Under the deal, Cayetano is expected to serve for only 15 months and Velasco for the remaining 21 months. Cayetano will only serve as Speaker until October this year. CNN Philippines' Pearl Gajunera contributed to this report. Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump speaks to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he talked with a Taliban leader, days after the U.S. and the Taliban reached an agreement aimed at allowing the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after more than 18 years. I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today, Trump told reporters on the South Lawn. We had a very good talk. A short time earlier, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted: "The President of the United States Trump held a phone conversation" with Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. No other details were disclosed. Acknowledging a military stalemate after nearly two decades of conflict, the United States on Saturday signed a peace agreement with the Taliban. The deal, signed by chief negotiators from the two sides and witnessed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, could see the withdrawal of all American and allied forces in the next 14 months and allow Trump to keep a key campaign pledge to extract the U.S. from endless wars. But it could also easily unravel, particularly if the Taliban and other factions of Afghan society fail to have successful talks plotting a political way forward for the country. On Tuesday, Iran announced that it would temporarily release more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Although the country continues to deny that prisoners have contracted the virus, a spokesman for the judiciary indicated that Zaghari-Ratcliffe would be released on furlough to her family. SAGINAW, MI The assistant chief of a Saginaw County fire department is charged with embezzling from an anti-cancer fundraising benefit. Kyle N. Browne, 43, on Feb. 21 appeared in Saginaw County District Court for arraignment on one count of embezzlement between $200 and $1,000 from a nonprofit or charitable organization. The felony charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000 or three times the amount stolen. Browne is the assistant chief of the Tri-Township Fire District, which is located at 106 W. Spruce St. in St. Charles and services St. Charles, Brant, and Swan Creek townships. According to Michigan State Police Special 1st Lt. David Kaiser, the fire district contacted the MSP on Oct. 16 to request an investigation into missing funds. The funds had been raised during a fundraiser in the name of Deward B. Beeler, who retired from the department in 2017 and died of cancer on Nov. 30 the following year. It came to light when a firemens association looked at invoices of the money that went in and went out and discovered the shortage, Kaiser previously said. We did many, many interviews on this. Chief Pat Harley previously said the fundraiser was held in early January 2019, though court records list the date of the alleged crime as Dec. 1, 2018. It was put on by department staff but was not an official department function, Harley has said. Prosecutors allege Browne kept funds from the nonprofit Tri-Township Firefighters Association. Prior media reports indicate stickers and shirts were sold in Beelers memory, the proceeds to go toward cancer research. Browne was placed on indefinite unpaid suspension from the district once he was charged, said Chief Harley. The chief declined to comment further on the matter. Browne is free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. MLive-The Saginaw News was unable to reach him for comment. Browne is to appear for a preliminary examination at 2:30 p.m. on March 12. Related: MSP investigating after money reported missing from firefighters fundraiser in Saginaw County New Delhi: The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Tuesday (March 2) arrested Shahrukh, the infamous gunman who was caught on camera firing eight rounds of bullets on the police and protesters in northeast Delhis Maujpur area last month. According to reports, the police arrested the gunman, almost eight days after the incident, from Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh today. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police will hold a media briefing on the arrest at 3:30 pm today. According to the police, the family of the accused had also disappeared after the incident. Delhi Police sources told IANS on Monday that many suspicious articles were found in Shahrukh Khan`s house. Inflammable objects were found in polythenes. The police said that after tracking Shahrukh's phone, it came to light that he had gone to Panipat from Delhi's Maujpur. Since then, he had been hiding in different cities of western Uttar Pradesh, including Kairana and Amroha. On March 2, at least 10 teams of Special Cell of Delhi Police had conducted searches in multiple cities of Uttar Pradesh, including Kairana and Shamli in search of the accused. Shahrukh had been on the run ever since the incident that took place on February 24 when he brandished a pistol in front of Delhi Police head constable Deepak Dahia. "The day on which the communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi, I was called for emergency duty from my training centre. Suddenly a man in a maroon colour T-shirt came charging at me and threatened to shoot me. He could have opened fire at me, but I remained calm and did not show my fear." the head constable had told reporters earlier. "He could have fired at me but I showed my stick to him and dared him to do so. I also warned him with the stick. I stayed put in front of him and asked him to put down the gun. It worked and the man retreated firing in the air," he had stated. "It was because of the police training that I gathered guts to confront this man," the cop who stared at death during communal violence added. The communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi resulted in the destruction of property worth crores of rupees and loss of many lives. March 2 Charles B. Barber, 42, of Keysville, Utah was arrested at Elko County Jail on a warrant for three counts of obtaining or using another persons ID for harmful or unlawful purposes, burglary, two counts of possessing ID information for false purposes, and habitual criminal. Bail: $65,000 Kip A. Brower, 56, was arrested on Fifth Street for second-offense driving under the influence, open container of alcohol in vehicle, safety belt shoulder harness assembly, and failure to drive on right half of road. Bail: $2,265 Lea N. Freeman, 31, of Spring Creek was arrested at Elko County Jail for petit larceny. Suzanne V. Gonzalez, 55, of Elko was arrested at Elko County Jail for petit larceny. Amos M. Jackson, 67, of Spring Creek was arrested at 436 Jasper Drive for two counts of domestic battery. Bail: $6,280 Stevie C. Loveridge, 31, of Elko was arrested at Coal Mine Canyon Road and Frontier Avenue on a warrant for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $940 Charles B. Milburn, 39, of Elko was arrested at Coal Mine Canyon Road and Frontier Avenue for driving under the influence, driving without a valid drivers license, operating a vehicle with expired registration or plates, failure to yield, and failure to obey flashing traffic control device. Bail: $1,905 Leilani J. Pino, 56, of Washington, Utah was arrested in Elko District Court on a state prison hold. Elko County Jail felony arrests: The charges above do not imply guilt. Under the law, everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TEL AVIV He did it, again. A surprise win. Once again, you can hear people call him king or magician. The exact final results are still unknown, but what we know indicates that after Israels general election Monday this countrys third in a year Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to remain prime minister for at least a few more years. How did he do it? Heres a relevant story: The third prime minister of Israel, Levi Eshkol, died in February 1969. About a month later, when the days of mourning were over, the top team of the Labor Party convened to discuss who would replace him. As the leaders gathered in the room, a senior party member asked for permission to speak. He turned to Golda Meir and said, Golda, I suggest that you be our prime ministerial candidate. Why her? Because, the party leader said, you have the strongest desire to be prime minister. In the last few months, Mr. Netanyahu proved that he wanted the job more than all other candidates. Facing a trial for corruption (to begin March 17), the fatigue of many voters (hes served as prime minister for more than a decade), two failures last year to form a coalition (in April and September), a formidable opponent (a party headed by three former generals), and a general sense that his era is coming to an end (why else would we go through three elections in one year?), Mr. Netanyahu nonetheless mounted a fierce campaign. He was merciless, vicious, devious. He proved that he can be as divisive and morally corrupt as his opponents complain he is. He proved that he can be as unrelenting and hardworking as his supporters believe he is. He, for now at least, has put an end to the end-of-the-Netanyahu-era chatter. On the way to doing so, Mr. Netanyahu bad-mouthed a former army general whom he had appointed chief of staff his rival, Benny Gantz. He spread rumors and engaged in innuendos about Mr. Gantzs personal life, his sanity and his honesty. At 70 years old, and running for a ninth time, Mr. Netanyahu found the vitality to energize a base that had become lethargic. Many voters looked at his ruthlessness and naked ambition with disgust. And yet half the country looked at the same qualities and made the opposite conclusion: In a dangerous world, this is the kind of leader we want on our side. Pennridge to vote on one textbook; further review on other one GOOD news for Limerick and Clare homeowners battling flooding as ESB has confirmed to the Leader they will be reducing the discharge at Parteen Weir from 400 to 370 cumecs this Tuesday afternoon. It will give hope to those with sandbags surrounding their houses and pumps going 24/7 as they try to keep flood waters at bay. The worst hit areas in County Limerick are Mountshannon Road in Lisnagry, Castleconnell and Montpelier, and over the county bounds, Springfield in Clonlara. Meanwhile, Deputy Willie O'Dea has called on the OPW and Limerick City and County Council to install temporary measures before next winter to mitigate against flooding in Castleconnell and Lisnagry, as the planned permanent flood defences will not be in place for two two three years. "It is only through the sheer determination and effort of the local community in conjunction with the magnificent work of the Defence Forces, working through the night for days on end that flooding of homes in Castleconnell has been prevented on this occasion. "Temporary measures to help mitigate against potential flooding should be put in place now until new permanent flood defence measures for Castleconnell are put in place in two to three years time to ensure that residents in the vicinity of the river never have to endure the kind of stress and hardship that they have had to endure in recent years due to flooding," said Deputy O'Dea. He said he will talk to the new Minister for the OPW when he or she is installed in office about the matter. "We also need the new minister to look at expanding the voluntary relocation scheme. The terms of the scheme as it currently stands are too narrow and it needs to be expanded to give real options to people, who through no fault of their own are faced with regular flooding at their homes. "Another issue that has to be looked at is flood risk insurance. Many people cannot now get insurance cover for flood risk on their homes. A solution will have to be found to resolve this problem," concluded Deputy O'Dea. Giedriius / shutterstock The red squirrel is the UKs only native squirrel species. Unfortunately, they are now a very rare sight across Britain and Ireland, thanks to widespread destruction of their native forests, combined with competition from the larger grey squirrel an invasive species introduced from North America. Its also due to the spread of diseases such as the squirrelpox virus, which causes ulcers and scabs and a painful death. Although grey squirrels carry squirrelpox, they rarely suffer any symptoms. Having been exposed to the disease for a long time, they have developed an acquired immunity where their immune systems have learnt to fight it off. This isnt the case for red squirrels, however, and outbreaks of the virus can kill more than 80% of a population. This leads to small, fragmented groups that have a higher risk of being wiped out. But by studying squirrel DNA, particularly if we can work out what makes grey squirrels and some red squirrels immune to the disease, we might be able to find new ways of helping the reds survive. Since 2016, one of us (Kathryn) has been researching how one isolated group of red squirrels in the town of Formby, Merseyside, has adapted to urban life alongside people. As could be the case for many isolated populations across the UK, this urban population may have genetic inbreeding caused by closely-related individuals mating with each other, which can have knock-on effects on their immune systems. The Formby population has also recently suffered from another devastating outbreak of squirrelpox. However, a scientific tool has given us new hope: genome sequencing. A genome is all the DNA in an organism and when it is sequenced, this gives us a complete list of everything that makes up the DNA in the chromosomes of either an individual or a whole species. A team of scientists involved in the Darwin Tree of Life project recently worked with Kathryn to sequence both red and grey squirrel genomes, using pieces of spleen collected from squirrels from Formby. Story continues We hope that the genomes will help us to understand the genetic basis for the grey squirrels immunity to squirrelpox. More importantly, they may help to explain the resistance found in the small number of red squirrels that have survived previous outbreaks, much like with HIV in humans where a certain combination of genes means that the virus cannot replicate well in some people. The genomes may also assist with captive breeding programmes and reintroductions or translocations in their natural habitats, by helping to establish genetically healthy red squirrel populations. How it works By comparing the genome sequences against a catalogue of known viral proteins, we can identify whether there are any new viral insertions. This is when a virus inserts a copy of its own genome into the DNA of a host cell and becomes inherited, which will therefore change the genome of the host, and this is what we are looking to find. We can then analyse samples collected from individual squirrels, to see whether these viruses are present or not in their genomes. This can also be explored and compared across red squirrel populations and even between different squirrel species. Depending on where the viruses are found in the genome and whether they are active in other words, causing the host cell to make new viruses this may impact the red squirrels immunity and so their susceptibility to diseases. These, or similar, methods have already been used successfully in other species, for example in horses, canines and koalas. They also have the potential to be used in future projects for other endangered species, as new genomes are sequenced. The newly published genome sequences open up numerous exciting research opportunities, including studying population diversity, responses to diseases, and evolutionary changes due to environmental stresses. The findings can hopefully help conservationists to protect the endangered red squirrel and ensure their long-term survival in the UK. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The Conversation Kathryn Fingland worked with the Wellcome Sanger Institute on the red and grey squirrel genome sequencing project. Rachael Tarlinton has received funding for squirrel retrovirus projects from the zebra foundation, for dog retroviruses from the royal society of veterinary surgeons trust and for koalas from the Queensland department of the environment and heritage Adam Blanchard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. On July 1, 1993, Phillip James McKay was on duty in the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories when he was given four packages weighing a little over 3 kilos to analyse. He ran the usual tests on the white powder within for colour and solubility, as well as performing chromatography and spectrometry analysis. Thammanat Prompao spent four years in a Sydney jail in the 1990s after pleading guilty to conspiring to import more than three kilograms of heroin. Credit:Bangkok Post The contents, he determined, were impure heroin hydrochloride, and at 74 per cent purity it amounted to a touch over 2.3kg of heroin. McKay's statement was included in evidence against a Thai national accused of conspiring to import the drugs from Bangkok to Bondi, but he was not called on to testify. He didnt need to. The wife of former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe is publicly hitting back at President Trump for his series of attacks on her husband saying it was a tactic to try to tarnish the Russia probe. Trump has repeatedly inveighed against Andrew and Jill McCabe, though in the case of Jill McCabe he didn't do so by name. As a top FBI official, McCabe worked with former director James Comey and had overseen the bureau's Hillary Clinton email probe and Russia investigation. He also helped engineer the appointment of a special counsel to oversee the Russia investigation. 'He attacks people to make his misdeeds look like they were okay,' Jill McCabe told the Atlantic in a deep look at what it terms Trump's 'War on American Institutions.' President Trump fired former FBI acting director Andrew McCabe, who oversaw the Clinton email and FBI Russia probes, and taunted him and his wife online 'If Andrew was corrupt, then the investigation was corrupt and the investigation was wrong. So they needed to do everything they could to prove Andrew McCabe was corrupt and a liar,' she told the magazine. Trump first went after McCabe in 2016 after report his wife's congressional campaign got major support from Virginia Democratic Party and Terry McAuliffe. Her ill-fated campaign got $700,000 from the state party and from a McAuliffe super PAC though according to the article McCabe took the necessary steps to insulate himself from the physician's campaign. He had informed FBI superiors about it in advance. An inspector general would later issue a stinging report over McCabe's conduct in another matter, blasting him for a leak that 'effectively confirmed the existence' of an investigation of the Clinton Foundation, at a time when McCabe was under fire over handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe. Dr. Jill McCabe spoke out in the Atlantic. Trump blasted her as a 'loser' in private comments to her husband, and ripped her for accepting major help from Hillary Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe during her failed run for Congress The McCabes describe the period as difficult for their family President Trump attacked Andrew McCabe and used his wife's campaign to cast him as conflicted Trump blasted McCabe at the time the Russia probe was underway McCabe helped engineer the appointment of a special counsel to take over the Russia probe Trump brought up the huge contributions from a Clinton ally Trump fired McCabe before his planned retirement, prompting McCabe to sue Before firing Comey, Trump repeatedly peppered him with questions about 'the McCabe thing,' according to Comey's testimony. 'Our days were numbered. It was gradual, but by May we knew it could end really terribly,' Jill McCabe said. The article describes he 'humiliating' position Andrew McCabe was in when Trump in one-on-one meetings brought up his wife's campaign. ''Yeah, that must have been really tough. To lose. To be a loser,' McCabe recounted. Trump repeatedly tweeted about the McCabes, and ended up firing the FBI official right before his scheduled retirement, denying full pension benefits. 'Problem is that the acting head of the FBI & the person in charge of the Hillary investigation, Andrew McCabe, got $700,000 from H for wife!' Trump wrote in July 2017. Trump tweeted in December of that year: 'How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin' James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife's campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?'' Then he tweeted: 'FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?!!!' Samsung Electronics has announced that it is building a $220 million dollar research and development centre in Vietnam aimed at enhancing the companies research capabilities. However, news has surfaced that Samsung had to cancel a ceremony related to the launch of the centre was cancelled, likely due to coronavirus outbreak. The new R&D centre is expected to finish constructions by the end of 2022 and will employ anywhere between 2200 and 3000 people. The main purpose of the plant would be to advance research in areas like artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data and 5G. Samsung is one of Vietnams biggest single foreign investor, with a total of nearly $17 Billion invested. Smartphones and parts produced by Samsung contribute to Vietnams exports that are worth about $51.38 billion. The coronavirus outbreak continue to affect the industry with many plants and industries struggling to ramp up its output. Samsungs Mobile device factory in Gumi, South Korea shutdown last weekend as a one of its workers tested positive with Coronavirus. Vietnam had also recently put up travel restrictions coronavirus-hit areas of South Korea, suspending their visa-free travel temporarily. Source [March 03, 2020] Destinations Career Academies Offer Support to Schools, Families Disrupted by Coronavirus As coronavirus spreads across borders, the career readiness education provider Destinations Career Academies is offering schools, districts and parents essential education resources to help address this issue, including access to technology platforms, state-licensed educators, and standards-aligned curriculum and career-oriented coursework delivered online. "The impact of the middle school and high school years on a student's long term college and career goals cannot be understated, and when schools have to close, students cannot afford to miss out on valuable learning opportunities," said Shaun E. McAlmont, President of Career Learning Solutions at K12 Inc. "Our thoughts are with all who are affected by this virus, here in the U.S. and around the world. Destinations Career Academies stand ready to allow students, educators and families to maintain a consistent learning environment, regardless of personal circumstances or community upheaval." Communities across the world are already facing difficult choices about infrastructure planning and keeping citizens safe. In Hong Kong, schools have closed for two months. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently called for all schools to close until the end of the school year in late March. In February, the first high school in Washington state closed while a staff member was being tested and quarantined for the virus. Destinations Career Academies offer a range of education resources, including district solutions and full and part-time public and private school enrollment. In twenty U.S. states, Destinations Career Academies offer students tuition-free public education options. The interactive and dynamic curriculumis developed with business and industry professionals to provide opportunities for students to explore college and career options while charting their own path to graduation and beyond. With innovative technology, an interactive curriculum, and project-based learning opportunities, students learn the social and professional skills required in a digital, tech-driven economy. For more information visit www.K12.com/coronavirus or call 855-593-7280. About Career Readiness Education Career readiness education (CRE) recognizes that learning is a lifelong journey. It provides students, of every age and background, with skills to enter careers in high-growth, in-demand industries-including information technology, business, health services, and advanced manufacturing. With innovative technology, an interactive curriculum, and project-based learning opportunities, CRE students learn the social skills and professional demands required in a digital, tech-driven economy. K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is a premier provider of career readiness education services and a leader in skills training, technology staffing and talent development. The company provides education for anyone through its Destinations Career Academies (DCAs) and Galvanize. DCAs work in close partnership with key public and private stakeholders to create equity of access to career readiness education for all students, to close the skills gap plaguing businesses, and to position young people to lead America forward. K12 also provides adult learning through its subsidiary Galvanize, a leader in developing capabilities for individuals and corporations in technical fields such as software engineering and data science. More information can be found at K12.com, destinationsacademy.com, jobshadowweek.com, and galvanize.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005331/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Addressing the Prime Minister's official twitter account, Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge. Here's how it's done.." Dear @PMOIndia, Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge. Here's how it's done..#coronavirusindia pic.twitter.com/jLZG5ISjwt Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 3, 2020 The tweet had a video of Singapore Premier Lee Hsien Loong urging his countrymen to bravely face the coronavirus threat. On Monday, Prime Minister Modi had issued a cryptic tweet stating, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you posted". Subsequently, however, Modi clarified in a tweet that "This Women's Day, I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions." Market Street will soon transform into a jazz venue with top musicians taking the stage on the lawn at the center of the shopping and dining destination in The Woodlands. Its a nice park-like setting, organizer Dennis Eichler said. There are places for kids to play. People can bring their lawn chairs, hang out and spend the day. The Jazz Festival, free and open to the public, is scheduled for noon until on 8 p.m. on March 21. The event is part of the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Consortium, a partnership of the 16 community colleges in the Greater Houston area. Its a complete collection, from all the way down in Galveston and Wharton to up here in Conroe, Eichler said. He serves as director of bands at Lone Star College-North Harris and will be bringing three bands to the Jazz Festival -- Gale Force Jazz Ensemble, Hurricane Jazz Orchestra and Bayou Big Band. Eichler explained that the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Consortium has hosted similar concerts for the past dozen years at various venues. This will be the fourth time to bring the event to Market Street. This concert will feature the Consortiums north zone, including Houston Community College with director Woody Witt, and three Lone Star Community College locations -- Montgomery, North Harris, Cy Fair and Kingwood. Bands will bring guest artists into the mix. For example, Kelly Dean will join Eichlers bands at North Harris. Dean is a jazz fundamentals instructor at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). He performs regularly on sax, flute and vocals. Phillip K. Jones II, another noted guest, is scheduled to perform from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up playing at his church and in his schools gospel choir before attending the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He moved to Houston in 2016 and is a multi-instrumentalist, playing drums, piano, organ and bass, performing in various venues around the city. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University, where he teaches jazz piano. Jones is a fourth-generation musician. My late grandmother played organ at church and also jazz, he said. At 11-years old, I got to tour with her overseas. He knew right away that he wanted to perform jazz as well. I loved the sound of it, he said. I always wanted to do it. Jones said his sound is cutting edge, whether he is performing jazz, gospel or R&B. My approach is exciting, he said. We try to do some unbelievable things. We try to give you a really good show. Eichler said that often community members will join in the college bands in their neighborhood. This is a perfect opportunity for folks to come out and support their community colleges, he added. There is an unbelievable collection of great musicians in these ensembles. Theyre hidden gems in our community. Each community college hosts its own concerts throughout the year. There are concerts on every campus, and the majority of them are free and open to the public, Eichler said. Going to the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Consortium Jazz Festival is an ideal way to sample the various bands, Eichler said. Each will have about 45-minutes on the stage. Its going to be a wide-range of musical genres and some very lively music for you to enjoy, he said. Everybody plays different music. Its going to be a fun day for everyone who loves and appreciates jazz. For more information, visit shopatmarketstreet.com. T he sister of murdered MP Jo Cox today said she was extremely proud as the Government unveiled charities around the world that will benefit from a 10 million memorial fund. Kim Leadbeater said it was truly heart-warming that some of the poorest countries would be helped in memory of the former Labour MP for Batley and Spen. Ms Cox was shot and stabbed in the West Yorkshire constituency in the run-up to the EU referendum in June 2016. Right-wing extremist Thomas Mair was jailed for life for her murder. Today the Government revealed that 18 charities have been awarded Jo Cox Memorial Grants, set up with 10 million funding from UK aid. Kim Leadbeater: Its wonderful to see Jos name used in such a positive way around the world / NIGEL HOWARD In an interview with the Standard, Ms Leadbeater described her sister as a humanitarian and added: Its wonderful to see Jos name used in such a positive way around the world. One of the things thats kept us going as a family over the past three-and-a-half years has been all the amazing things that have come out of Jos horrific murder. For us things will never be the same again and we will never get over or understand whats happened but its acts like this that enable us to keep going as a family. The fund, set up by the Department for International Development, will support charities working on themes close to Ms Coxs heart, including empowering women and girls and preventing conflict. Minister Baroness Sugg was today meeting with some of the charities and said: Jo dedicated her life to helping those in need. Its wonderful that as part of Jos legacy, we can work together on these issues close to her heart to make a difference in the world. Projects include giving vulnerable women in Zimbabwe education and training, supporting marginalised women to get involved in local government in Nepal, and preventing identity-based violence in Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. New Delhi, March 3 : Dubai based international airline Emirates has reportedly asked its staff to take unpaid leave for up to a month at a time owing to the fast spreading coronavirus, which has disrupted travel and tourism globally. According to media reports, Emirates Chief Operating Officer Adel al-Redh has said that the airline has more resources than it needs as a result of cutting frequencies or cancelling flights to certain destinations. The group has over 1 lakh employees who might get impacted due to the airlines cancelling flights at multiple destinations, including China, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. In a note on the impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese and global economy, IHS Markit said that the disturbance to industrial production and global trade flows and global logistic networks could be more severe due to a drag caused by the prolonged production shutdowns. If the disease is contained to a large extent to China, it will impact the country the hardest. If it starts to spread outside, the impact could be significantly more severe affecting, in particular, the ASEAN countries (Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.) or Japan, the note said. Contributors had the opportunity to shoot and were advised to visit the range before the fundraiser to complete a background check. A spokesman for Karofskys campaign declined to comment, but Democrats blasted the event. Dan Kellys decision to hold a gun-themed fundraiser just 24 hours after the shooting at Molson Coors is tasteless and disrespectful, said Courtney Beyer, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Wisconsinites want a Supreme Court justice who takes seriously the epidemic of gun violence, not an extremist political activist like Dan Kelly whos been bought off by special interests to stand in the way of meaningful progress on gun safety reform. The Kelly campaign said Democrats are exploiting the Milwaukee mass shooting for political purposes. A newly appointed Honorary Colonel for 3/6 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, is determined to preserve and protect the Battalions military history. A handover parade on February 22 saw Kenneth Brown receive the Battalion Battle Honours - the Queens and Regimental Colours - from former Regimental Colonel, Mayor Tenby Powell. It was strange putting my uniform on again after 11 years, says Kenneth. The former 6 Hauraki Battalion commanding officer (prior to the amalgamation with 3 Battalion) who works as an accountant in Tauranga says he is reigniting his 34 year long territorial military career. The appointment is a culmination of a long career I have had. To be given this opportunity when I thought my career was over, is very nice. Kenneth describes the four-year-appointment as a nice cap to his career which has lasted more than three decades. Tenby took to his public Facebook after the ceremony last weekend, saying the appointment is essentially to provide mentorship to a new Commanding Officer by a past one, while also providing important non-military linkages in support of the Regimen. Kenneth says along with his support duties, he also wants to help keep military history alive in New Zealand. Part of my job is to protect and preserve the history of 3/6 Battalion. It is important to keep these things alive - ANZAC Day, Armistice Day for example. We cant forget that people have died for these things. He is also looking forward to mentoring the younger officers, and being a shoulder to lean on for the current Commanding Officer. At the age of 19, Kenneth joined the army as a private soldier in Rotorua. He says moving up the ranks gave him the motivation to stick with his career choice, and was posted as commanding officer for the 6 Hauraki Battalion in 1999. Kenneth also spent one year in the Middle East before this posting. I was with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation and we were there to observe and report on military incidents in South Lebanon and then spent time patrolling the border between Syria and Israel - up on the Golan Heights. That was a fascinating, good part of my career. Greek troops and riot police remained on high alert on Tuesday along the land border between Greece and Turkey, the main flashpoint in an escalating row between the EU and Ankara over how to deal with a new wave of migrants and refugees, reports Reuters. Some 10,000 migrants have been trying to breach the border since Turkey said last Thursday it would no longer uphold a 2016 accord with the European Union to keep refugees on its territory in return for billions of euros in aid. Greek authorities said the border was quiet on Tuesday, in contrast to the clashes seen over the weekend and into Monday, when police used tear gas against migrants, including women and children, stuck in the no-mans land. Army jeeps patrolled the area, and roads leading to the Evros river which marks the Greek-Turkish border remained shut. Jerusalem, March 3 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are poised to win the largest number of seats in the parliamentary elections, exit polls have showed. According to the exit polls on Israel's TV news channels on Monday, Netanyahu and his right-wing and Jewish ultra-Orthodox ally parties are likely to win 60 seats together, one seat short of the majority needed in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament to form a coalition government, Xinhua reported. The centre-left bloc, headed by former military chief Benny Gantz, gained between 52-54 seats. Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party was projected to win about 37 seats while its main rival, Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party, garnered about 33. The Israeli leader is expected to soon arrive at the Likud's elections headquarters in Tel Aviv to give his victory speech. A Likud spokesman said in a statement that Netanyahu has talked over the phone with leaders of his three ally parties, the pro-settler party of Yemina and the ultra-Orthodox parties of Shas and United Torah Judaism, who "agreed to establish a strong national government for Israel as soon as possible". Israel Katz, head of the Likud's elections headquarters and Israeli foreign minister, told Channel 12 TV news that the exit polls' results showed "a landslide victory". If proved so by the official results, the vote could give Netanyahu a significant boost before the start of his criminal trial set to begin on March 17 over his charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. Official results are expected to be released early Tuesday morning. It is Israel's unprecedented third parliamentary elections in fewer than a year after the two pervious rounds yielded inconclusive results, causing a year-long political stalemate. Technavio has been monitoring the fiber laser market and it is poised to grow by USD 8.33 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 11% 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/20200302005720/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Jenoptik AG, MKS Instruments Inc., NKT Photonics AS, OMRON Corp. and TRUMPF GmbH Co. KG. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Demand for additive manufacturing has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Fiber Laser Market is segmented as below: Application Material Processing Advanced Application Healthcare Others 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=IRTNTR40230 Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our fiber laser market report covers the following areas: Fiber Laser Market Size Fiber Laser Market Trends Fiber Laser Market Industry Analysis This study identifies technological advances in fiber lasers as one of the prime reasons driving the fiber laser market growth during the next few years. Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the fiber laser market, including some of the vendors such as ABB Ltd., Amonics Ltd., Coherent Inc., FANUC Corp., IPG Photonics Corp., Jenoptik AG, MKS Instruments Inc., NKT Photonics AS, OMRON Corp., and TRUMPF GmbH Co. KG. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the fiber laser 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 Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist fiber laser market growth during the next five years Estimation of the fiber laser market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the fiber laser market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of fiber laser market vendors Table of Content PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Preface 2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Value chain analysis Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market outlook Market size and forecast 2019-2024 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION Market segmentation by application Comparison by application Material processing Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Advanced application Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Healthcare Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by application PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Technological advances in fiber lasers Focus on sustainable manufacturing Focus on inorganic growth PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Coherent Inc. FANUC Corp. Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. IPG Photonics Corp. Keopsys Group Lumentum Holdings Inc. Maxphotonics Co. Ltd. nLIGHT Inc. TRUMPF GmbH Co. KG Wuhan Raycus Fiber Laser Technologies Co. Ltd. PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO 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/20200302005720/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/ Lucio Delgado, from Iguala, Guerrero, said he received a letter informing him that he 'failed to successfully pass the reading test' which demonstrated that he lacked 'the educational skills to be considered for naturalization' A blind Mexican man living in Chicago was denied naturalization to become an American citizen because he was unable to read a sentence in English. Lucio Delgado, from Iguala, Guerrero, took to Facebook last week to share a letter he received informing him that he 'failed to successfully pass the reading test' which demonstrated that he lacked 'the educational skills to be considered for naturalization.' The 23-year-old, who is legally blind and uses a white cane to get around, added that he provided evidence to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to show that he was visually impaired. Delgado says that agents who took his case knew that the state of Illinois had not provided him with the resources in order to complete the reading portion of the test. He also suggests that those same agents may have even forgotten to update his file to show that he would be omitted from the reading portion of the test - which would allow his application to be processed a lot faster. Scroll down for video The 23-year-old, who is legally blind and uses a white cane to get around, added that he provided evidence to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to show that he was visually impaired 'In my humble, personal and definitely angry opinion, I believe this immigration system is broken,' he added. 'If the agents that took my case would have advocated for me to be omitted from taking that reading portion of that test, I have given you all a much different and positive news.' Delgado stressed that he would appeal the decision in his initial post, and shared in a follow-up that he had managed to speak with a level 2 agent with the agency. But according to the immigrant, the agent informed him that they could not do anything to help his case. Delgado stressed that he would appeal the decision in his initial post, and shared that he had managed to speak with a level 2 agent with the agency. But according to the immigrant, the agent informed him that they could not do anything to help his case 'So, according to that agent's words, I must fill in an appeal form within a time gap of 30 days after the decision was taken,' he said. 'Oh, and that's not all. I have to pay to appeal my case. 'To top it off, since the agents that took my case only offered verbal statements and not written statements of my omission from the reading portion of the naturalization test, she basically let me know that that might not be enough evidence to support my counter statement.' Delgado felt dejected by the latest update from the agency, adding that he felt like he was 'running out of options.' Delgado is now seeking help from an immigration attorney He is now seeking help from an immigration attorney. 'Over here I was going to get the education I couldn't get In Mexico,' Delgado, who first came to the U.S. six years ago, told CBS Chicago. 'I was going to be someone. I was going to make my family here and there proud.' A doctor's note will be needed to prove that he is blind, something difficult for Delgado as he does not have health insurance. 'To receive such negative news it shattered all of my dreams in one second,' he stated. TEHRAN, Iran - Iran put its armed forces on alert Tuesday to assist health officials in battling the new coronavirus thats killed at least 77 people, an outbreak that has sickened top officials and pushed even its supreme leader into wearing disposable gloves while trying to reassure the nation. Even as government officials sit meters (feet) away from each other at meetings now in an effort to stop its spread, the virus is ravaging both its civilian leadership and its Shiite theocracy. A top emergency official and at least 23 members of parliament reportedly contracted the virus and now suffer from the COVID-19 illness it causes. Others have died. There are now over 2,540 cases of the new virus across the Mideast, with 2,336 in Iran alone. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the Islamic Republic. Experts worry Irans percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3%, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show. Meanwhile, a gloved Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sought to minimize the virus while praising the doctors and nurses combating the outbreak. He urged the nation to pray. This disaster, in our opinion, is not such a big disaster, there have been and there are bigger disasters than this, Khamenei said. Of course I dont want to downplay the issue, but lets not exaggerate it much either. Something has happened, it will exist in the country for a time, which hopefully will be short, and then it will go away. As cases rise exponentially daily, it appears like the virus wont be going away soon. Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. Worldwide, the virus has infected 90,000 people and caused 3,100 deaths. The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Irans leadership to be killed by the virus. State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei. The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Ahmad Tuyserkani, an adviser to Irans judiciary chief, died Monday night from the virus, semiofficial media reported. Those sick 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. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. On Tuesday, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state televisions Young Journalists Club program that 23 members of parliament had the coronavirus. He urged all lawmakers to avoid the public. These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country, which may create a new virus, so we recommend the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now, Mesri said. Members of Irans Supreme Council of Economic Coordination, including President Hassan Rouhani, met Tuesday and sat meters (feet) apart from each other. State media did not comment on the move, nor the fact the meeting appeared attended by fewer officials than normal. Irans state-run IRNA news agency also reported that Pirhossein Koulivand, head of the countrys emergency services, had come down with the new virus. It said he was undergoing treatment. In the last week, Iran offered temporary furloughs to over 54,000 prisoners, nearly a third of all prisoners held in the country, the judiciarys Mizan news agency reported. Thats as activists have raised concerns over the possible spread of the new virus in Irans prisons. Khamenei ordered Irans armed forces to be ready to help health workers, but it wasnt immediately clear what the order entailed. Officials previously said they had plans for 300,000 soldiers and members of the Basij, the all-volunteer force of Irans Revolutionary Guard, to sanitize public areas, direct traffic and trace contacts that sick people had with others. The Guard also has been spraying down streets in major Iranian cities. Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin, Khamenei said at an annual tree-planting ceremony. He had never worn gloves at the ceremony in recent years. However, life has slowed in Irans capital, Tehran, where perfume seller Maedeh Jahangiri simply stood at her stand at an upscale mall with no one to offer samples. People are afraid to touch anything or take anything from us, she said. Everyone is at a loss. Meanwhile on Tuesday, the advocacy group NetBlocks said Wikipedias Farsi-language website appeared to be disrupted in Iran for around 24 hours. NetBlocks described the disruption as being nationwide, saying its technical testing suggests the online encyclopedia is being blocked by the same mechanism used to block Twitter and Facebook. Those social media websites have been banned since Irans disputed 2009 presidential election and Green Movement protests. The disruption ended Tuesday afternoon, without authorities acknowledging it. The Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees the volunteer-edited encyclopedia, saw the site was not accessible for 10 hours in Iran, spokeswoman Chantal De Soto said. She did not elaborate. NetBlocks previously reported internet disruptions affecting Iran in recent days and users across the Islamic Republic have reported problems. The disruption raises fears of Iran potentially shutting off the internet entirely again, as it did for a week during economic protests in November. Iran separately has created its own so-called halal net of government-approved websites. Meanwhile on Tuesday, the Middle Easts largest airline, Emirates, said it had to reduce or ground flights due to the new virus. Because of the slowdown, the government-owned carrier has asked its employees to take paid and even unpaid leave for up to a month at a time. Emirates operates out of Dubai, the worlds busiest for international travel. We have been tested before and Emirates will come out stronger, Chief Operating Officer Adel Al-Redha said. The worlds largest airline trade association, IATA, says Mideast carriers have already lost around $100 million in revenue due to a drop in ticket sales because of disruptions caused by the virus. Also in the United Arab Emirates, the state-run WAM news agency announced late Tuesday that schools and universities would close for four weeks for sanitization beginning Sunday. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai and Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran contributed to this report. Ari Behn, 47, who divorced from Martha in 2017, was father to her three children Marked the first time the couple have been seen together since Ari Behn's death Princess Martha Louises boyfriend Shaman Durek has shared his first photograph with the royal since her ex-husbands suicide on Christmas Day. Durek Verrett, 44, from LA, shared a post on Instagram last night as he posed alongside the princess alongside Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly. The couple have not been photographed together since the death of Ari Behn in December, who was married to Princess Martha for 15 years and shared three daughters together, Maud Angelica, 16, Leah Isadora, 14, and Emma Tallulah, 10. In the snap Durek can be seen beaming as he places an arm around James and Kimberley, while Princess Martha smiles widely while affectionately leaning into the group. Princess Martha Louise's shaman boyfriend Durek Verrett, 44, shared his first photograph with the royal since her ex-husbands suicide in December (pictured, with Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly) The photograph, which Durek shared with his 158,000 followers yesterday, showed the beaming foursome posing together. Posting the snap, Durek commented: 'Spending time with my creative friends and family is the best in the world. 'There is so much power when connecting with visionary souls. So much love in this fun bunch.' He continued: 'Tribe, tag your inspirational friends and tell them thank you. The people who inspire us should always be loved and supported.' Princess Martha's ex-husband and the father of her three children killed himself on Christmas Day last year (the royal pictured with Ari in June 2015) Durek added: 'I love you everyone you are the light of lights.' Princess Martha broke her social media silence by commenting on the post with a small heart emoji. The royal announced her relationship with Shaman Durek in May last year, but an Instagram post suggests they may have been seeing each other from at least February. The last post the mother-of-three shared on social media was a tribute to her former husband in January, in which she wrote about his battle with his mental health. Sharing the snap online, Durek said he loved the group and felt 'so much power connecting' with the 'visionary souls' Princess Martha went on to break her months-long social media silence by commenting a heart emoji on the post Sharing a post with her 150,000 Instagram followers, Martha wrote: 'We are so infinitely sad and sorry for the loss of just you, because you were the girls warm, funny, wise and good dad that they so dearly miss.' Former Norwegian royal Ari had battled against alcoholism and spoke last year about feeling 'terrified' with 'devouring anxiety'. He made headlines in 2017 after accusing disgraced actor Kevin Spacey of groping him under a table. Ari killed himself just a year after admitting he felt like a 'clown' following the divorce from the Norwegian royal. He separated from the fourth in line to the Norwegian throne in 2017, after the pair said they had 'grown apart'. Princess Martha and Durek are believed to have been dating for over a year, publically announcing their relationship in May last year Members of the Norwegian Royal Family led the mourners who turned out to pay their respects at his funeral in January. A solemn Princess Martha Louise was joined by Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Crown Princess Mette-Marit and King Harald at the Olso Cathedral. Ari's eldest daughter Maud Angelica delivered an emotional eulogy to her late father during the course of the service. Princess Martha has not been seen in public since attending the funeral for Ari in January (pictured, with their three daughters Emma Tallulah Behn, Leah Isadora Behn and Maud Angelica Behn at the funeral in January) Princess Martha Louise, and her daughters Emma Tallulah Behn, Leah Isadora Behn and Maud Angelica Behn then proceeded to place flowers on the casket of the Princess' ex-husband. Shaman Durek did not appear to be in attendance at the event but paid tribute to Ari in a post online shortly after the event. Alongside an image of a floating lotus flower, he posted: 'Out of deep respect for Martha and Ari's children, I will not comment on the passing of their father, not now nor later, other than to say I am so incredibly sad for their loss.' Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 (11:50 am) - Score 2,603 The mobile division of Supermarket giant Tesco (Tesco Mobile) has today become the latest operator to launch plans based off the new ultrafast 5G network technology, which is initially available in busy parts of 24 cities across the United Kingdom. Prices start from just 15 per month for a SIM Only plan. Tesco Mobile is based off a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement with O2, which means that their network coverage must follow the roll-out plan of the latter they aim to cover a total of 50 UK towns and cities by summer 2020 (here). Otherwise we note that Tescos 5G plans are a bit different from their existing 4G ones. For example, a 4G SIM Only plan on a 12 month term with 5GB of data, 2000 minutes and 5000 texts costs 10 a month, but the closest match with 5G gives you 5GB of data, 5000 minutes, 5000 texts and costs 15 a month (add 5 for a 30 day term). Likewise you can get 25GB for 15 on 4G. Clearly Tesco arent following the same at no extra cost mould as other operators. Tom Denyard, CEO of Tesco Mobile, said: Today marks an exciting step for Tesco Mobile as we bring the latest technology to our customers. Weve taken the time to be in a position to offer great value tariffs, making 5G accessible to everyone all with the added perks of being part of the Tesco family. Naturally youll need a 5G equipped Smartphone (Tesco has several bundles with these at extra cost) and be within the currently very limited coverage space of related networks in order to benefit from the extra performance. Tesco 5G Pricing Tables Tesco Mobile entry pricing for the latest pay monthly 5G tariffs; Phone Model Data Monthly Payment From Samsung Galaxy A90 5G 5GB 29.99 Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G 5GB 46.99 Samsung Galaxy S20 5G 5GB 38.49 Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G 5GB 44.99 Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G 5GB 52.49 All tariffs come with 5000 minutes and 5000 texts Tesco Mobile entry pricing for the latest SIM only 5G tariffs Contract Length Data Monthly Payment Price 12 5GB 15 12 20GB 20 12 50GB 25 12 100GB 30 All tariffs come with 5000 minutes and 5000 texts Tesco Mobile entry pricing for the latest no-contract SIM 5G tariffs Contract Length Data Monthly Payment Price 1 5GB 20 1 20GB 25 1 50GB 30 1 100GB 35 All tariffs come with 5000 minutes and 5000 texts While the majority of India's visitors head to the tourist-heavy sites like the iconic Golden Triangle, bustling Mumbai, and serene Goa, art and design lovers might want to visit another destination: Kochi. The metropolis of just over two million inhabitants, which also goes by the name of Cochin, is an ancient port city in the southern state of Kerala that grew to prominence as a hub for the spice trade, connecting cultures from China to Israel, then becoming part of the Portuguese and Dutch colonial empires. But lately the cosmopolitan city is perhaps best known for its Kochi-Muziris Biennale, South Asia's largest contemporary art event, which sees more than 500,000 people visit exhibitions by dozens of artists from around the world. Though the next edition of Biennale begins in December 2020 and runs through March, the destination continues to be an art hot spot year-round, making it worthy of a trip at any time. Here are the best things to do, places to eat, and hotels for your stay in Kochi. Lovely portrait of the Santa Cruz Basilica Photo by saiko3p. Image courtesy of Getty Images. Where to Stay Mandalay Hall Image courtesy of Mandalay Hall Hotel. Set in the Jew Town shopping district, concept hotel Mandalay Hall offers contemporary accommodations in a historic setting. The boutique hotel offers just five rooms, or galleries, that feature rotating installations by artists selected by the hotel's curator, Bose Krishnamachari, who is also the president of the Kochi Biennale Foundation. Mandalay Hall is also home to a library, a jewelry shop, a design boutique, and the Aah restaurant. mandalayhall.com Forte Kochi Photo by Gichu Tom. Image courtesy of Forte Kochi. Experience a taste of historic Kochi with a stay at Forte Kochi, a 16th-century heritage house once owned by a wealthy Jewish family. The property has just been restored head to toe during its conversion to a hotel. It has 27 Keralan-meets-colonial-style rooms set around a tranquil pooltheyre delightfully quiet, given the hotels prime location on Princess Street in the historic city center. fortekochi.in Story continues Port Muziris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Image courtesy of Marriott. One of the newest hotels in Kochi, Port Muziris is a breath of contemporary fresh air among its more traditional neighbors, offering guests modern amenities like a rooftop infinity pool and a coffee shop. Located adjacent to the airport, about an hour from historic Fort Kochi, the property is a refuge for art lovers, with 70 custom works by 12 local designers and artists. marriott.com Kumarakom Lake Resort Image courtesy of Kumarakom Lake Resort. Set just over an hour outside of Kochi, this lakeside resort in the Keralan backwaters is worth the drive. Its 80 private villas were built from historic materials salvaged from traditional Keralan houses slated for demolition, offering guests a unique look into local architecture. The property also has a small fleet of houseboats that guests can charter for overnight stays on the scenic lake and its many canals. And dont forget to book an Ayurveda treatment at the spathe region is known for this ancient medicinal practice. kumarakomlakeresort.in Beautiful sunset over the Chinese fishing nets in Cochin johnnychaos What to Do Architecture Walking Tour St. Francis Church in Kochi, Kerala, India Photo by Emad Aljumah. Image courtesy of Getty Images. Kochis multicultural history has produced an eclectic collection of historic architecture, and since the city is so easily navigable, visitors should go on a self-guided architecture walking tour. Visit the historic Mattancherry Palace, a museum housed in a 16th-century structure built by the Portuguese; the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in India, built in 1568; and the 16th-century St. Francis Church, where explorer Vasco da Gama was originally laid to rest (though his tomb remains, his body was sent back to his native Portugal some 14 years after his death). David Hall Gallery and Cafe Set in a 17th-century Dutch bungalow, this gallery and cafe focuses on early-career contemporary artists from around the world, though it also shows local artists and those with ties to the region. On a recent visit, British painter Susan Beaulah, who spends months each year traveling India, was installing a show of Kochi landscapes. The gallery also hosts regular film screenings, lectures, and music performances. davidhall.in Hop-On, Hop-Off Boat Tours of Port Muziris Image courtesy of Stefanie Waldek. One of the largest conservation projects in India, the Muziris Heritage Project seeks to preserve and restore dozens of historic sites across the waterways of northern Kochi, where the ancient city of Muziris once stood. It operates hop-on, hop-off boat tours of a number of the sites, from temples, synagogues, and churches to stately homes to the ruins of old fortresses. muzirisheritage.org Pepper House Photo by Stefanie Waldek. Located in two historic Dutch warehouses (known as godowns) on the waterfront, Pepper House is a 16,000-square-foot hub for the arts in Kochi, offering studio spaces, exhibition halls, a design shop, a library, and a cafe. Though its a main site for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, visitors can catch exhibitions by local artists, pop-up shops by craftspeople, and live performances in the courtyard throughout the year. pepperhouse.in Where to Eat Kashi Art Cafe Photo: Stefanie Waldek Photo by Stefanie Waldek. It seems that everywhere you turn in Kochi theres an art cafe waiting. While they're no longer unique to Kochicafe culture is booming across Indiathe original is the Kashi Art Cafe, which was established in 1997, pre-dating the boom after the first Muziris Biennale in 2012. Art cafes are a thoughtful and easy way for the community to engage with local artists who don't have a massive platform. At Kashi, pass through a small art gallery and you'll find a delightful courtyard eatery where locals and visitors chat over ginger lemonades and coffees among sculptures and greenery. Dont pass up the breakfast or lunch menu if youre hungry, and save room for the sumptuous chocolate cake. kashiartgallery.com Malabar Junction Located in the Malabar House Hotel, a Relais & Chateaux property, Malabar Junction serves up Indian-Mediterranean fusion cuisine in a candlelit poolside setting. Order the tasting menu to sample such dishes as handmade charcoal gnocchi and fish pollichathu, a masala served with the catch of the day and Malabari gandhakasala rice. malabarhouse.com Ginger House Photo by Stefanie Waldek. The laid-back Ginger House restaurant on the Kochi waterfront is much more than just a place to dine on local cuisineits also an antique gallery, a museum, and a hotel. After dining on fresh delicacies like fish stewed in coconut milk and served with spongy appam bread, a local favorite, stay to peruse the collection, which includes a 108-foot-long traditional snake boat. museumhotel.in Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister A K K Srinivas said here on Tuesday there was no impact of the deadly novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state but the health machinery was on full alert to handle the situation. Rapid response teams, comprising a microbiologist, physicians, epidemiologist and paramedical staff, have been kept ready in each district and all precautionary measures put in place. The respective district collectors would be the nodal officers. Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, along with Special Chief Secretary (Health) K S Jawahar Reddy, the Deputy Chief Minister said not a single COVID-19 case was registered in the state. "We have sent blood samples of 11 people for examination in Pune but not one tested positive. More than 263 passengers, who came (by flight) from various foreign countries over the past few days, were screened for the deadly virus," he said. Of the 263, 50 were kept under home quarantine while two were admitted to hospital. Observation of the rest was completed and they were found to be normal, he added. As many as 1,125 people, who arrived over the past few days by ships at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada and Ravva seaports, were also tested but not one case tested positive, he added. The deputy chief minister said 448 isolation ward beds have been kpept ready to handle the virus cases. Referring to reports that 17 passengers from Andhra Pradesh travelled with the virus-hit software professional from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, the deputy chief minister said they were trying to get the details. "If any such passenger is found, we are ready to conduct necessary medical tests. A state-level call centre has also been opened in Vijayawada for assistance and advice on COVID-19," he said. The state was coordinating with the Centre to handle the virus cases, if any, and a team from the state would also be attending a training programme in New Delhi on March 6. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 75-year-old Missouri inmate who insists he did not kill his wife is clinging to hope that Gov. Mike Parson will heed his petition for clemency, despite three decades of unsuccessful legal efforts to secure his freedom. Kathy Middleton died from a gunshot wound in her Blue Springs home on Feb. 20, 1990, and her husband, Ken, was sentenced to life and 200 years for first-degree murder. Middleton, his son and investigators who have studied his case allege corruption and the incompetence of police, defence attorneys and prosecutors landed him in jail and have kept him there. Middleton says he and his wife were arguing the day she died; Kathy had just discovered Ken had an affair, which he said ended two or three years before that day. He says she grabbed a gun that he had been planning to clean and stormed into another room to call the other woman. Middleton says he didnt follow his wife, but he soon heard a gunshot. He realized his wife was dead and frantically called 911. Prosecutors argued Middleton pushed his wife against a wall and shot her. They said he acted strangely after the shooting, feigned illness and told different stories about what had happened. Middleton acknowledges that he didnt tell police about the affair until this year. Middletons supporters believe the gun went off accidentally when Kathy Middleton dropped the gun, or that she tried to grab it as it fell and accidentally pulled the trigger. Cliff Middleton has worked relentlessly to try to prove his fathers innocence, compiling a wealth of legal documents that he and other supporters say point to a laundry list of problems in the case: Blue Springs police inexplicably undressed Kathy Middleton at the scene; no gunshot residue or blood spatter was found on Ken Middleton; the original crime scene photographs didnt turn out; and police messed up an attempt to restage the scene. Medical records support Middletons claim that he suffered from conditions that explain what investigators called his strange behaviour at the home. Perhaps most important is the incomplete testing of gunshot residue on Kathy Middleton. Her right hand was tested and showed no residue, but prosecutors did not produce test results for her left hand. Middletons supporters say she likely would have used her left hand to grab the gun as it fell. One report was changed with whiteout to show tests were done on only one hand and appears to block out a word saying the left hand was tested. A police department employee testified that testing on both hands is standard and couldnt explain why police reported testing only one of the victims hands in Middletons case. In 2004, Middleton turned down an Alford plea, in which the defendant denies guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. I wasnt going to take that plea for something I didnt do, Middleton said in a telephone interview from the Western Missouri Correctional Center. I didnt want people believing I killed my wife, he said. Court records and interviews show Middletons attorney, Bob Duncan, made no opening statement during his trial in 1991. Duncan also failed to interview or call any witnesses, did not have Middleton or his son testify, did not introduce Middletons medical records and was unfamiliar with the prosecutions evidence. The jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting him. It later emerged that Duncan was involved in three capital murder cases at that time, and was under investigation for tax evasion, to which he pleaded guilty in 1992. Before his death in 1997, Duncan provided Middletons new attorneys with affidavits acknowledging his lack of trial preparation. A 1992 appeal hearing granted based on Duncans ineffective counsel lasted less than two hours. His new attorney, Gerald Handley, also called no witnesses and didnt provide evidence to refute the prosecution. A third attorney, Jonathan Laurens, filed an 81-page brief in 2002 outlining why Middleton deserved a new trial, citing sloppy police work, ineffective counsel and unusual actions by prosecuting attorney Pat Peters during the first two legal proceedings. They alleged Peters improperly influenced Blue Springs police, prevented witnesses from testifying at the appeal and had a conflict of interest because his fathers firm was representing Kathy Middletons sisters in a wrongful death lawsuit. Peters died in 2017. Jennifer Brady, a spokeswoman for the Blue Springs Police Department, said recently that no one could comment on the case because so much time has passed. Chuck Gay, of Rogers, Arkansas, a private investigator and retired police detective in Long Beach, California, was one of several expert witnesses who testified at another hearing in 2004. He says the entire case was built on sloppy police work. Hes been in there for 30 years for something he didnt do, Gay said. He was railroaded by incompetent police. Ive studied hundreds of murders and this is the most innocent man Ive ever seen. Robert Tressell, a forensic investigator specializing in crime scene analysis, also testified in 2004. He says his analysis indicates the shooter would have had to have been under the dining room table to shoot Kathy at the angle prosecutors suggested, which he called preposterous. He says he doesnt know if Middleton was guilty but in my opinion, the truth about what happened at that house has not come out. The prosecutors office in Jackson County, where Middleton was convicted, has reviewed the case three times and would do so again if it received new evidence, said Mike Mansur, a spokesman for prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. In May 2005, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Edith Messina, who presided over the first trial, vacated Middletons 1991 conviction. She ruled he had essentially been abandoned by his counsel and ordered a new trial. Six days later, her ruling was appealed, and in June 2006, the appeals court denied a new trial, ruling on procedural grounds and not addressing the evidence and competency of Middletons attorneys. Laurens tried but failed to have the case transferred to the Missouri Supreme Court, essentially ending Middletons legal options and leaving his future in Parsons hands. Parsons spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, said the office wouldnt comment on Middletons request, one of more than 3,500 clemency petitions before him. When your lifes on the line and you know what they done to you, you cant quit, Middleton said. All the documents show it, and that gives me courage to never give up. Details added (first version posted on 16:38) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 2 Trend: The operational headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has decided to suspend educational process and the related activities in all educational institutions across the country, Trend reports on March 2 referring to the headquarters. The urgent proactive measures are being taken to prevent the possible danger of the spread of coronavirus in Azerbaijan, the message said. A decision was made to suspend the educational process and related activities from March 3 through March 9 in all educational institutions across the country (the first school day is scheduled for March 10) to prevent the facts of infection, to increase the effectiveness of measures taken in this sphere, and to intensify medical prophylactic, disinfection and other preventive measures, the message said. During this period, the Ministry of Education and the relevant executive power structures under subordination of which the educational institutions operate are instructed to continue to conduct the preventive and disinfection work, the message said. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Our country is in major turmoil, leaving many people longing for peace. They hope for a kind of live and let live society, all while much of the Church remains silent for fear of rocking the boat too far. What is the outcome of these crazy peace times? Over 50% of the children in America are born out of wedlock! There is a fatherless epidemic in our country so severe that its literally destroying our children and families. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among teens, with a rate thats doubling every few years. Personally, I am not okay with peace at any cost. Let alone this one. This may sound un-Christian but did you know that there was even a time in Jesus ministry when the Prince of Peace Himself said, I did not come to bring peace but a sword? (Matthew 10:34) Id like to propose that Jesus was not a peacekeeper, but a peacemaker. He was not afraid to offend people in order to create true peace. Jesus knew that He was on a mission and He did what His Father told Him to do, which sometimes meant upsetting the crowd. In essence, He used His voice to correct culture and make long-term peace. Perhaps the Body of Christ has traded passivity for a sense of false, temporary peace, relegating the world to turmoil. In doing so, weve allowed our lights to dim under a bushel of fear instead of shining bright as guiding lanterns to a world desperate for truth and clarity. Use your voice Ive said it before and will gladly say it again the Body of Christ is called to change culture for the Kingdom of God. According to MyFaithVotes.org, more than 25 million Christians who are registered to vote do not vote in Presidential Elections, and as many as 65 million Christians do not vote in local elections. I cant think of a more practical way to impact culture than to have a voice in the laws that are shaping the world we live in. Empowered with voting ability, one would think that Christians would celebrate on voting day as an opportunity to tangibly influence and impact our culture. So why the passivity? I mean, why do Christians historically abstain from using their voices when we are quite literally handed an opportunity to influence culture every time a voting season comes around? Perhaps this reflects the Churchs mindset on power and authority they don't believe their vote matters and are influenced by the political spirit that creates profound pressure to make the right decision. This spirit divides and conquers through villainizing candidates, laws, and measures and frames a high stakes black-and-white story about our nation of good vs. evil. The fruit is division, anxiety, and anger. The pressure from this spiritual force can be so strong that it may suppress our ability to see clearly and even go so far as to silence our voices, if we allow it. Id like to propose that much of The Church has lost or forgotten the ability to discern personal convictions from the agenda of the political spirit. But think about it this way: when we choose not to vote, were handing our power over and letting other people make decisions for us. If everyone thought like this, then the very few people who did vote would be controlling ALL policy. That doesnt sound like democracy to me! Voting on hope As Ive dived into the world of government and politics over the last decade, the Holy Spirit has revealed a new mindset to me regarding Gods perspective on politics. Its through this new understanding that Ive been able to see that politicians, for the most part, genuinely desire to do the right thing. They lay down their lives for the things they believe in (whether I agree with those beliefs is another question). However, for the most part, their intentions are not to be power-mongers. This was honestly surprising to me because I generally jumped to thinking that most political agendas were not thought all the way through or I immediately took on a theyre wrong attitude. What Ive learned now is that most government leaders are doing their best with the information they have in order to make some very hard decisions on often very complicated issues. When we can separate our discernment from the political spirit were empowered to vote with a hope-filled attitude. Lets unpack this by drawing from wisdom from the book of Nehemiah. I can see clearly how God deposits hope in the dark places of culture to motivate His people into being agents of change. In chapter 2:17-18 it says: Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, Let us start rebuilding. So they began this good work. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he recognized the problem that the Israelites were living in. He acknowledged the trouble but quickly moved on to say, Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. Nehemiah demonstrated that even in recognizing the realities of dark times, Gods people have been created to shine and become a part of the solution. There is a reason you have been empowered with a vote so that creation itself will be set free from its bondage of decay and brought into glorious freedom (Romans 8:22). Your act of voting is a part of the solution of the sons of God being made manifest through the rebuilding of a government, culture, and economy that reflects Heavens! A call to action God cares greatly about governmental realities, and God is able to lead imperfect people in an extremely troubled world. Hes chosen to use us, His people, to impact and influence those realities! Youve been given liberty and power to affect the race that you and your childrens children have been called to run. Engage in the race! Use your vote to impact your city, your state, and your nation. For more insight on Bethels approach to impacting our city and culture, check out how we address our community needs in this article written by the San Francisco Chronicle or listen to this podcast where I discuss how to impact a city with the Daily Signal. For those in California: You can register and vote anytime between now and March 3rd, 2020. Go to Vote.ca.gov in California to find out where you can register and vote on the same day between now and on Election Day. If you are in Shasta County, head down to the County Clerks office at 1643 Market St and register and vote the same day. If you want to change your vote you can exchange your ballot there as well. If you want to turn in your absentee ballot and track that ballot, go to ShastaVotes.org and you can track your ballot to make sure it safely arrived and has been counted. Advertisement An idyllic beach on a tiny island off the coast of Brazil has been named as the best in the world by Tripadvisor for the second year running. Baia do Sancho, on the island of Fernando de Noronha, claims the top prize in the Travellers' Choice beach awards for 2020. The top-rated beach in the UK is mesmerising Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris in Scotland, which comes 13th in the world. The number one in the U.S. is Siesta Beach in Florida. Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands, meanwhile, comes out on top for Australia. Taking the crown for the best sandy coastline in Europe is the stunning Spiaggia dei Conigli - known for its colony of sea turtles - on the Italian island of Lampedusa in the middle of the Mediterranean. Tripadvisor announces the Travellers' Choice beach awards every year. They are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings gathered over 12 months. Scroll down to see the full list of the top 25 beaches for 2020, according to the review website... 1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil This stunning effort has 8,465 reviews on Tripadvisor, with 91 per cent of them rating it 'excellent'. One traveller said that it is 'simply amazing' 2. Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Tripadvisor says that Grace Bay is a 'perennial Travelers' Choice beaches winner... famous for its long stretch of soft white sand and beautiful blue water'. Just one per cent of reviews for it - out of over 7,000 - rate it 'terrible', with 89 per cent saying it's 'excellent' 3. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba One traveller said of this mesmerising stretch of sand 'you gotta see it to believe it... outstanding' 4. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Sicily 'Wonderful sea, extraordinary glints and... the cherry on the cake - the hatching of turtle eggs!' is one Tripadvisor reviewer's summation of Spiaggia dei Conigli 5. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Arraial do Cabo, Brazil This heavenly beach has an average rating of five out of five. But one traveller warns that if you arrive by car, you'll need to walk down 150 steps to access it 'so travel light' 6. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach is, say travellers, 'a slice of heaven' and has 'amazing reefs teeming with exotic fish' 7. Eagle Beach, Aruba Tripadvisor reviewer BlackdogJenny said of Eagle Beach that it's 'miles of fine white sand with the odd weird tree thrown in' 8. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico 'This is a must visit beach!' enthuses reviewer DizzyDona from New York. 'Smooth white sand on the beach and in the water. Swimming was easy, with no strong tides' 9. Varadero Beach, Cuba Varadero Beach is one of Cuba's big hitters and a favourite for tourists - and no wonder, because it's blessed with beautiful sand and clear, shallow water 10. Kleftiko Beach, Milos, Cyclades, Greece The star attraction here is apparently the enchanting cave system, which it's possible to swim through. Visitors almost unanimously say that arriving by boat is the best option 11. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida This beach has nearly 100 per cent quartz-crystal sand which, says Visit Sarasota, 'is very fine to the touch and is snow-like white in colour'. It adds: 'Due to the crystals, the sand never gets hot under the Florida sun and makes beach time even more enjoyable' 12. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Radhanagar Beach looks sensational in photographs - and is just as good when you're there, it would seem. Reviewers call it 'stunning', 'spectacular' and 'romantic' 13. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, UK Bringing home the beach bacon for the UK is Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris. And this incredible picture sums up why it's regarded as world class very nicely indeed 14. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain This strip of sand is, according to reviewer fluffymonkey from Worcester in the UK, a 'remarkable place... with ridiculously shallow and calm waters' 15. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain San Sebastian is heaven for foodies - and for sunseekers, too. Not least because it is home to the jaw-dropping La Concha Beach 16. Saint Pete Beach, Florida Saint Pete Beach was voted TripAdvisor's No.1 Beach in the U.S and No. 5 in the world in 2012. The site describes it as 'magical' 17. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico Playa Norte can get busy, but go at the right time and it's a wonderful place to be. 'It's as beautiful as everyone says it is,' says reviewer lauriec1667 from West Des Moines in Iowa 18. Maho Beach, Cruz Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands 'Get there early for parking and sea turtles.' That's the advice for visiting jaw-dropping Maho Beach according to Connecticut reviewer 'JKO1111' 19. Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Pristine waters? Check. Palm trees? Check. Stunning white sand? Check. So what are you waiting for? 20. Woolacombe Beach, Devon, UK Britons do like to be beside the seaside - and this is one understandably popular spot for them 21. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece TripAdvisor reviewers aren't alone in raving about this beach. Lonely Planet has this to say: 'Remote Elafonisi is a stunning beach tucked into Cretes southwestern corner, with a swirl of fine pinkish-white sand, turquoise water and gentle dunes' 22. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia Four-mile-long Whitehaven Beach, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, is lauded for being 'untouched'. To get there you'll need to hop on a boat, seaplane or helicopter 23. Cala Mariolu, Baunei, Sardinia, Italy Boats continually arrive at Cala Mariolu to drop tourists off, but the consensus among TripAdvisor reviewers is that the interruptions are worth it... 24. Balos Lagoon, Kissamos, Greece The beach at Balos Lagoon isn't easy to reach - you'll need a 4x4 to negotiate the dirt road that runs to it from Kalyviani village and then it's a three-quarters-of-a-mile walk. But the hard work will be handsomely rewarded. It's a sensational beach 25. Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland Black Sand Beach offers something of an out-of-this-world experience for visitors. One thrilling way to experience the slightly eerie natural wonder is by driving a buggy along it. Tours are available Whether you see the Alamo defenders as heroes or land grabbers, or have come to realize slavery played a central role in the Texas Revolution, theres yet another story long marginalized by history. Its the story of Tejanos. As a public school student, I never learned of the Tejanos and their role in Texas independence. We were certainly taught the myths of the Alamo, mostly through the stories of Bowie, Travis and Crockett and in the portrayal of the Mexican army as an invading force, which it wasnt. Douglass McDonald, CEO of the Alamo Trust, recently wrote a commentary for Texas Scorecard, a publication of Empower Texans, a group linked to the Tea Party that wants Texas to move further right. He declares it the duty of all Texans to remember the sacrifices of the Alamo defenders. Thats exactly whats worrisome about the renovations at the Alamo and the outlook of those leading it: That the end result may not include the full story. This week in Texas history, its altogether better to pull up a couple of entries in the digital Handbook of Texas encyclopedia, or listen to public historian Rudi Rodriguez, who has spent two decades examining the Tejano story and encouraging others to learn about it. This month hell speak to various groups in and around San Antonio about the commission of omission. Its what Rodriguez calls the purposeful exclusion of Tejanos from the states history, despite giving their lives to the independence movement. Unlike immigrants from the American South who came as mercenaries, Tejanos had everything to lose, he says. Rodriguez believes if theres any group that came to the independence effort with legitimacy, it was Tejanos and Tejanas, who were already ranching, farming, building towns and a society in Texas. A seventh-generation Texan, Rodriguez created TexasTejano.com, which provides curriculum guidelines, traveling exhibits and films. Theyve received state and local recognition. Rodriguez describes Tejanos as the states first soldier-settlers and descendants of the first Spanish, Mexican and Native American families. Far removed from Mexico and Spain, they held independent views long before the Alamo. They called themselves Tejanos and Bejarenos, Rodriguez said. They had a way of life, were self-reliant and religious to a fault. They werent new to the fight, either. In 1813, at the Battle of Medina, about 20 miles south of present-day downtown San Antonio, Tejanos lost to the Spanish in the bloodiest battle ever on Texas soil. Bodies were left to rot in the battlefield. At the Alamo, Tejanos entered to defend it, to support combatants or to take refuge. Rodriguez sounds off the roster of those who died: Abamillo, Badillo, Espalier, Esparza, Fuentes, Guerrero, Jimenez, Losoya and Nava. The list of other Tejanos who fought for independence before and after the Alamo is far longer. The whitewashed story of Texas independence doesnt include Tejanas and their children, either. Rodriguez especially cringes when he hears the oft-told story of Susanna Dickinson and her daughter, Angelina. For generations, they were known as the only survivors of the Alamo. But they, in fact, were the only Anglo survivors. Tejanas and their children have largely gone unmentioned, though there were far more of them. Among the children who survived were Enrique, Francisco, Manuel and Maria de Jesus Esparza; Juan and Maria Losoya; and Alejo Perez. Rodriguez says at least 10 Tejanas assisted, fed and nursed Alamo defenders. They were Delores Cervantes, Ana Salazar de Esparza, Petra Gonzales, Concepcion Losoya Charle, Juana Losoya Melton, Gertrudis Navarro, Juana Navarro Alsbury, Victoriana Salinas, Trinidad Saucedo and possibly Andrea Castanon Villanueva. At San Jacinto, where the Mexican army was ultimately defeated, Tejanos may not have yelled out, Remember the Alamo. Rodriguez says their battle cry was instead Dios y Tejas God and Texas. He still hears people respond in surprise at these stories. I wasnt taught that in school, they say. He still hears naysayers. Hes fearful Texans may be learning more about the states post-revolution and less about its 19th century history. But his biggest concern is debunking the states creation myth, so this month, Rodriguez will be fighting that good fight. eayala@express-news.net | @ElaineAyala Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 05:29:42|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Turkey, on March 2, 2020. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that he expects a cease-fire deal in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib during a planned meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) by Burak Akinci ANKARA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- After suffering its worst casualties in years, Turkey has launched a new major offensive against the Russia-backed Syrian forces in Idlib, but analysts said the spiking Russian-Turkish tensions are expected to ease off through a meeting this week between the leaders of the two countries. Turkey announced on Sunday that it had launched operation "Spring Shield" in northern Syria in order to increase Turkey's involvement in the neighboring country's civil war. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a crucial meeting after the two countries have come to the brink of a direct confrontation in Idlib. "I hope that during our discussions (in Moscow), Putin will take the necessary measures there, such as a cease-fire, and that we will be able to find a solution to this matter," Erdogan told members of his party in Ankara on Monday, raising hopes for a compromise. Experts agreed that Turkey's response to the deaths of over 50 soldiers in Idlib since the start of February is out of the ordinary. "There is currently a state of undeclared war between Turkey and Syria," Oytun Orhan, a senior analyst at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies, told Xinhua. He explained that despite the diverging interests between Turkey and Russia in Idlib, a compromise seems very likely through the meeting. But "they will not stand down and will negotiate by means of military force on the table and on the ground," Orhan added. Pointing to an ongoing "arm wrestling" in northwestern Syria between Ankara and Moscow, and their proxies: the Syrian army and rebels, the expert said not sides will have to give up some of their demands to reach common ground. Observers believed that Turkey's strategy is to annihilate as many Syrian military targets as possible until the Moscow meeting in order to have the upper hand. "Our military will finish the job at hand there, until a new order," a Turkish source close to the government told Xinhua. It is worth noting that the two leaders have been instrumental in the past, especially after the downing of a Russian warplane over Syria by Turkey in 2015, in bridging differences between their nations which are backing opposing sides in Syria. For several years, Moscow and Ankara have been bickering over the Syrian issue despite their growing cooperation in other fields, such as energy, trade and tourism, before the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an airstrike in Idlib last week eventually brought things to the boil. Turkey, which has concerns about its national security with a vast number of displaced Syrians flooding to its borders, has considerably beefed up its military presence in northern Syria in recent weeks, deploying over 9,000 troops. A stand-off between Russia and NATO ally Turkey over Idlib, the last rebel stronghold the Russia-backed Syrian army has been trying to recapture since last December, could have effects far beyond the Syrian theater, so it is necessary for both parties to diffuse it, observers said. Orhan expected that a possible Turkish-Russian compromise could lead to the establishment of a 30-km-deep safe zone in Idlib, including securing the region's main strategic highway. This would determine the fate of up to 3 million refugees who have been trapped in the area and along the borders. Turkey sees a new refugee wave as a threat to its security, as the nation is already hosting some 3.7 million Syrians since the start of the civil war in the neighboring country nine years ago. On Sunday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said it had shot down two Syrian warplanes, adding over 2,200 Syrian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Turkey's onslaught. But it is also time for a reality check for Turkey, argued Serkan Demirtas, a political analyst. "Over 50 Turkish soldiers were killed in less than a month in the wrestling between Ankara and Moscow," he told Xinhua. The policymakers in Ankara somewhat "miscalculated" the situation on the ground, laboring under the impression that Turkey's massive military deployment in Idlib in recent weeks would deter the Russian alliance, Demirtas said. "This region can no longer handle another conflict," the Turkish analyst noted, urging Moscow and Ankara to bridge their differences through diplomacy and compromise. TDT | Manama BRAVE Combat Federation, the international Mixed Martial Arts promotion founded by HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Bahrain Olympic Committee President, Royal Guard Special Unit Commander, Founder of KHK MMA, and Captain of Al Khalidya Stables, keeps delivering in its core commitment of offering athletes from all around the world an international platform to achieve greatness and fulfil their potential. The most recent example came from the Philippines, where the longest-reigning World Champion in BRAVE Combat Federation, Stephen The Sniper Loman was honoured by the city government of Baguio City, in recognition of his achievements in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. The commend, presented by city representatives, acknowledges the outstanding accomplishments of Stephen through his career and especially during the year of 2019, in which he successfully defended his world title twice (including once at home at BRAVE CF 22, in the Philippines) and his impact in the Baguio City community, where Loman and his gym Team Lakay are both based. A long-time veteran of BRAVE Combat Federation, being part of the very first card put together by the Bahrain-based promotion, Stephen Loman is the Bantamweight world champion in the fastest-growing MMA organization in the world since November, 2017. Undefeated under the BRAVE CF banner, The Sniper has defended his world title for four times, with triumphs overseas, including Northern Ireland, India, and Bahrain, alongside his home country of the Philippines. With 14 wins in his professional career and only two losses, Loman quickly rose through the rankings and secured a spot among the top Bantamweights in the world, regardless of promotion and affiliation. Coming off a unanimous decision win over Louie Sanoudakis last November, at BRAVE CF 30, Stephen Loman now waits for his next BRAVE Combat Federation challenge, in which he aims to expand his title-reign record. After starting 2020 with its debut in Slovenia, BRAVE Combat Federation is currently preparing the last details for its upcoming show in Brazil. The Bahrain-based promotion will land in the South American country on March 28th for BRAVE 35. The event will be held in the city of Balneario Camboriu and will feature 13 international fights, including the Lightweight title fight between Brazils Cleiton Predator vs Swedens Guram Kutateladze headlining the fight card. CHARLOTTE, N.C. President Trump inserted himself on Monday into the Democratic presidential nomination contest on the eve of its biggest day, belittling the resurgent Joseph R. Biden Jr. as a feebleminded has-been while fanning resentment among supporters of Bernie Sanders. Traveling to one of the larger states holding a Democratic primary on Super Tuesday, Mr. Trump eagerly sought to undercut Mr. Biden at the very moment the former vice president revived his flagging campaign, taunting him for verbal gaffes and memory lapses and portraying him as an old man who even if elected would not govern but instead be committed to a retirement home. As he has for weeks, the president likewise sought to encourage disenchantment on the left by promoting the notion that the Democratic Party establishment was trying to somehow illegitimately take away the nomination from Mr. Sanders. But Mr. Trump did not neglect the rest of the shrinking Democratic field, firing off barbs at the other candidates still in contention and even those who dropped out in the past 48 hours and threw their support to Mr. Biden. The Democrat party has gone crazy, Mr. Trump said to a stadium full of cheering supporters. The president wrapped up his rally not long before Mr. Bidens own election-eve rally in Dallas got underway, and Mr. Trump seemed especially focused on the former vice president as a potential opponent in the fall. 1:04 a.m. Now that Super Tuesday is What Just Happened Wednesday in Texas, heres what we know: Joe Biden had a good night, capped by a Texas victory. MJ Hegar will face someone in a runoff to challenge Sen. John Cornyn. Wesley Hunt lands a convincing win in the 7th Congressional District and heads to a November campaign against Rep. Lizzie Fletcher that looks to be one of the most hard-fought seats in Washington. Fort Bend County Sheriff Tory Nehls looks like hell face GOP mainstay Kathleen Wall for the chance to take on Sri Preston Kulkarni for the other closely-watched Congressional seat in the Houston area. Kulkarni was on track to avoid a runoff. Harris County incumbents will roll into November. Except County Attorney Vince Ryan. Harris County Republicans look likely to have a new leader, as party chairman Paul Simpson trails Keith Nielsen by 1 percent. Nielsen is holding onto 50.5 percent of the vote. The lasting story of the night, thought, might be the long lines people endured just to have their voice heard. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer For complete results and updated election info, go to the AP Texas Election results page. 12:54 a.m. Although it might be remembered for the long lines, Harris County also saw its voter counts surge. Democrats in Houston are bringing it. Four years ago Harris County had 223K voters in the Democratic Presidential Primary. This year? 276K. That is a 24% increase. And votes are still coming in. Jeremy Wallace (@JeremySWallace) March 4, 2020 The numbers were encouraging, but drew a lot of alarm from Democrat officials. We need major improvements across the board: more resources to assist county and state elections officials and increased access to voting," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. "This year will see the highest turnout in Texas history with millions of new voters casting their ballots. We cannot have these long waits happen again in November." 12:50 a.m. The Democrat Senate primary is going to have a lot of math, down to the end. 12:47: It was a very long night for some Houston voters. Five hour waits are going to lead to a lot of questions. 12:43 a.m. State Rep. Harold Dutton doesn't appear to be free until November. .@RepHaroldDutton now in runoff territory in the #HD142 Dem primary w/48% of the vote. @JerryVDavis in 2nd w/24% thanks to his early vote performance. Natasha Ruiz, who never filed a campaign finance report or set up a campaign website, is beating Davis on Election Day. #txlege pic.twitter.com/n0v6066pxm Jasper Scherer (@jaspscherer) March 4, 2020 12:30 a.m. In one of the closest races in the region, it looks like Harris County Republican Party Chairman Paul Simpson will come up short. Harris County Clerk 12:22 a.m. The results are becoming clear and election watchers are starting to call Joe Biden the winner in Texas. Decision Desk HQ projects @JoeBiden Wins The Texas Democratic Presidential Primary pic.twitter.com/ywcVabYsWV Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) March 4, 2020 12:05 am It now looks like a question of whether Joe Biden can hang on and stay ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders, writes Jeremy Wallace. Unofficial results have Biden narrowly ahead of Sanders in Texas, thanks in large part to a dramatic turnabout on election day. During early voting, Sanders held a narrow lead. But on Tuesday, voters in Texas overwhelmingly shifted to Biden. After his weekend victory in South Carolina, Biden was hoping to carry the momentum over to Texas where he held two big rallies on Monday and gained key endorsements, including from former presidential contender Beto ORourke. As of 11:45 p.m., it was clear that Biden had a major reversal of fortunes over the last few days, particularly in Harris County, the states most populous county. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 11:43 p.m. If there is any consolation, Texas is not the only place where polling lines linger. 'This is like gridlock on the 405: Polls have closed, but hundreds still lined up to vote https://t.co/WM9KL1JkmL Shelby Grad (@shelbygrad) March 4, 2020 11:35 p.m. "I can remember when I did not have the right to vote," Nancy Glenn Griesinger said as she waited in line outside a polling site on the Texas Southern University campus. More than 100 Democratic voters were still waiting to cast ballots at 11 p.m. in Houston, turning Super Tuesday into a painful slog for some citizens amid questions about how the County Clerk's office had allocated its voting machines across the county. 11:18 p.m. Joe Biden, at 77, might be the comeback kid. With almost 40 percent of Texas polling stations reporting -- except of course Harris County and Dallas County -- Joe Biden has reclaimed the lead in Texas over Sen. Bernie Sanders. Biden has 31 percent of the vote to Sanders' 27 percent. A win in Texas could add to a very good night for Biden. 11:12 p.m. Audia Jones is not giving up hope that she can take District Attorney Kim Ogg to a runoff. We have so many more numbers that will be coming in tonight, its ridiculous, Jones said, referencing polling locations that still had lines. Were in second place. Were still sitting in a good position where we could actually pull this thing out without a runoff," she said. The math is a serious disadvantage to her at this point. With early voting and 268 of 401 precincts reporting in Harris County, Ogg has 57.6 percent of the vote. 11:07: p.m. It is clear MJ Hegar will make the runoff for the Democrat spot on the November ballot, challenging Texas Sen. John Cornyn. We just don't know who Hegar will face, with about a third of the state's election results reported by the Texas Secretary of State. Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez had a slight edge over longtime state Sen. Royce West and former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, who were essentially tied. 11 p.m. A familiar face to voters is making a return. To every voter who trusted me with your vote, to every volunteer who knocked on doors, to every Texan who donated anything they could - Thank you. Im honored to be your nominee for U.S. Congress in #TX21 Now on to November! https://t.co/tYu8GJiOc4 Wendy Davis (@wendydavis) March 4, 2020 Davis, considered the Democrat's great hope against Gov. Greg Abbott only to fall far short in 2015, will face Rep. Chip Roy in November in what could be a pricey and fierce fight. 10:52 p.m. Even if Sima Ladjevardian can avoid a runoff, she faces a big challenge to unseat Rep. Dan Crenshaw. Ladjevardian led with 47.7 percent of the vote, according to the Harris County District Clerk's preliminary results. She led Navy veteran Elisa Cardnell and Travis Olsen, a lawyer. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 10:46 p.m. Getting to rematch against Rep. Michael McCaul might require a runoff for Mike Siegel. Siegel, the Austin attorney who nearly unseated McCaul in 2018, led a trio of Democrats vying to challenge the longtime Republican congressman in early voting results through the bulk of the district, though he was so far short of the 50-percent threshold needed to clinch the nomination. 10:40 p.m. Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls isn't popular enough outside his county to avoid a runoff, it appears. 10:33 p.m. About 360 Harris County polling locations remained "open," officials told reporter Samantha Ketterer. In #TXGOP #TX22 #TexasPrimary #txlege@SheriffTNehls 44%@WallforTX 19%@PierceBush 14%@GregHillTX 14% Looks like Nehls is not performing well enough in Brazoria & Harris to avoid a runoff & it is almost a certainty Wall will be his May runoff rival. (with all EV & some ED) Mark P. Jones (@MarkPJonesTX) March 4, 2020 Jon Shapley/Staff photographer It doesnt mean people are still in line at all 360 the judges have to do paperwork and finalize other procedures. Another 442 polling locations are closed. The attention remains on the polling locations where there's still a line, such as Texas Southern University. 10:30 p.m. It might be tough to hear, but Texas wasn't the biggest prize tonight. Bernie Sanders just sewed that up. 10:28 p.m. This could be the end of the line for Elizabeth Warren, who at one time had huge momentum but on Tuesday could only come in third in her home state. 10:21 p.m. A tight race for railroad commissioner, according to those tracking the votes closely statewide. 10:13 p.m. Just throwing this out there, but Marianne Williamson is trailing John Delaney in the Harris County presidential voting. Williamson, an author and activist, was born in Houston. Delaney, a former Maryland Congressman, was born in Wood-Ridge, N.J. With about 13 percent of precincts reporting, Delaney had 200 votes. Williamson had 194. 10:10 p.m. Kim Ogg says it is "on to November," claiming victory in the Democrat primary for Harris County district attorney. 10:06 p.m. Looking more likely that a Hunt-Fletcher showdown looms for the CD-7 spot. 9:57 p.m. The line outside the Texas Southern University polling station is moving, but three hours after polls closed people are still casting ballots. 9:49 p.m. With 15 percent of precincts reporting, Texas Democratic presidential primary is shaping up to be Bernie Sanders versus Joe Biden. Sanders has a slight lead with 28.4 percent of the vote, to Biden's 24.2 percent, putting them in a tight contest down the stretch. Not included in the Secretary of State tally, however, are Texas' biggest counties. Neither Harris County nor Dallas County have any votes recorded so far. Biden is leading in Harris County with 28 percent of the vote, to Sanders' 25.8 percent, according to the latest figures from the Harris County Clerk's Office. 9:30 p.m. The race to lead the Harris County Republican Party is razor-thin, according to early results. Challenger Keith Nielsen leads by fewer than 100 votes in a race that's seen nearly 93,000 votes cast. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 9:23 p.m. Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman says despite larger expected numbers, Democrats had the same number of voting machines as the Republican primary. Harris County Clerk "We have whats called shared locations between the parties, and the parties had to agree on that," Trautman told reporter Samantha Ketterer. "If we had had a joint primary, each party could have used the same machines. But since it was a shared location, each party had to have their individual side of their machines and the party had to have the other side of the room for their machines, and each one is programmed just with the partys ballots so they cant be used for the other side." Technical problems also led to delays, especially at Texas Southern University. "Some of those machines actually went down. These are older machines, were talking about 20 year technology here, and I think they really got used hard today, so we did have to replace all the machines there." One possible solution Truatman floated is having the parties share the burden. "The only way to change this is to have a joint primary, and that would be just one line, theres not a line for each party, theres just one line so all the voters can use all the machines," she said. "That would really have expedited this whole thing. Going forward the next primary, I really really hope that we can convince the parties, both parties to go to a joint primary." 9:16 p.m. All signs are pointing to a very long night in Harris County. The primaries are the highest-turnout contest Trautman has overseen since taking office last year. She faces additional pressure to deliver as the states most populous county will have outsized influence on the winner of the Texas primary, a crucial source of delegates for Democratic presidential candidates. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 9:12 p.m. Problems continue at the polling location at Texas Southern University. 9:03 p.m. Michael Bloomberg's disappointing night has him reflecting, sources say. 8:55 p.m. A helpful reminder that some people are still waiting to vote while the results roll in. 8:53 p.m. Harris County District Attorney playing it cautious. 8:52 p.m. It looks like Air Force pilot MJ Hegar is flying to victory in the Democratic Senate primary, trailed by state Sen. Royce West. With early voting results reported in the states five largest counties Harris, Bexar, Travis, Dallas and Tarrant Hegar was in the lead, followed by West in a race almost certain to end in a runoff. The rest of the pack was further behind. The winner will face Sen. John Cornyn, who breezed to victory. 8:46 p.m. Here comes the ballot brigade! 8:43 p.m. There is a chance that the "other" Jerry Garcia could hash the mellow of the one leading the constable's race. Eric Gay, STF / Associated Press 8:28 p.m. There's optimism among Bernie Sanders supporters that he can eke out a victory in Texas, reporter Brittany Britto found. The first mobile ballot boxes are finally here at 8:42 p.m. Plenty more will be coming, but @HarrisVotes anticipates rush hour for their arrival after 9:30 or so. pic.twitter.com/eK1X5MiObz Samantha Ketterer (@sam_kett) March 4, 2020 Sporting a Sanders T-shirt, Bryan LaVergne, co-chair of the Houston Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, rallied the supporters together, referring to what he called promising results this far. LaVergne said the support for Sanders in Texas has shown that state residents are upset with how things are being run in the country and the left movement is gaining power. Who would have thought Texas would go strong for Bernie? LaVergne said. For Texas, its a different shade of red, and a sign of hard work. We worked for years on this kind of stuff, and it only makes me hopeful, because one day, were going to own it, LaVergne said. Were gonna win it at some point. With about 2 percent of precincts statewide reporting, Sanders had 28.7 percent of the vote, leading Joe Biden with 21.8 percent and Michael Bloomberg at 19 percent. Biden, however, is getting some key gains nationally. 8:21 p.m. The trend so far is it is good to be an incumbent in Harris County, as long as you're not County Attorney Vince Ryan. Ryan was trailing in early returns for his re-election bid, falling far behind Christian Menefee, a younger attorney who branded himself as a progressive advocate. Meanwhile, DA Kim Ogg, Precinct One Commisioner Rodney Ellis and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez looked safe. 8:16 p.m. In a crowded Republican race to challenge Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, Wesley Hunt looks to have a commanding lead in early voting. Hunt, who campaigned on his military background and conservative policies, had 61 percent of the vote. Former Bellaire Mayor Cindy Siegel trailed Hunt with 28 percent, followed by four other candidates who came in at 5 percent or less. 8:13 p.m. With early results compiled, the likelihood of Troy Nehls and Kathleen Wall facing off appears likely. Nehls, the Fort Bend County Sheriff, is fending on a long list of challengers with deep ties and deep pockets. Wall, a longtime Republican donor, put at least $1.6 million of her own money into her bid. With Nehls and Wall leading that leaves Pierce Bush looking in from the outside. Bush, who leaned hard into his ties as a member of the Bush political dynasty, was in fourth place. Jill Karnicki, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 7:59 p.m. At the Audia Jones watch party, reporter Brittany Britto said the roughly 40 attendees were eagerly awaiting results. By Jones arrival at 7:50 p.m., the room was buzzing with conversations and supporters wearing A DA for All and Bernie Sanders T-shirts. Jones greeted guests and said she was feeling good despite a 12-hour day greeting people at the polls. Jones said she had yet to see any early voting results. Early returns did not look good for the camp. With only 22 percent of the vote in early results, Jones appeared in an uphill climb to get into a runoff with Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. 7:53 p.m. Though it was hardly a campaign as the incumbent, Donald Trump is leading in Texas for the Republican primary with 94.4 percent of the vote. "Uncommitted" is second at 3.6 percent, according to the Texas Secretary of State website. 7:49 p.m. As polling stations contend with long lines, Harris County District Clerk officials are sending out more machines. Reporter Samantha Ketterer said 68 machines are at or on their way to the following locations: 12 to Houston Community College Southeast, where there are still 350 people in line 14 to Texas Southern University Mario Tama, Staff / Getty Images 6 to Robert Frost Elementary 6 to Ripley House 6 to Acres Homes 6 to Northeast Multiservice 12 to Sunnyside 6 to Fallbrook 7:44 p.m. With 3 percent of results in, the Democratic presidential primary in Texas looks to be a close three-man race. Former VP Joe Biden has a slight lead with 25.6 percent of the vote, according to the Texas Secretary of State website. He's slightly ahead of former New York Mayor with 22.7 percent. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is third with 22.5 percent. Elizabeth Warren, who supporters hoped would surge to a strong-than-expected showing, was at 10 percent. 7:36 p.m. As a lot of observers pivot to the results, the process is still problematic, according to election watchers. The Texas Civil Rights Project, in a release, said reports of "excessively long wait times" is African-American and Latino communities in Harris County are troubling. Mimi Marziani, President of the Texas Civil Rights Project released the following statement: Once again, black and brown voters in Harris County are facing unacceptable wait times in polling locations in their communities. Infuriatingly, we know that some voters have already given up and gone home. Even worse, we know that this is not the first time voters have faced this issue. In fact, a pattern of long lines in communities of color has been a predictable trend in election after election in Harris County. Lines were common at many polling sites. 7:31 p.m. Harris County Republican Party Chairman Paul Simpson is now in a close race as opposed to overseeing one. Lately, the party has made more news for its infighting than its election plans. Texas House candidate Josh Flynn sued the local party after Simpson declared him ineligible for December's House District 138 primary. 7:23 p.m. Meanwhile, in what is likely to be the only reference to this race tonight, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is cruising to a primary win. 7:17 p.m. A race that drew attention for having two Jerry Garcias and for accusations of voter intimidation looks headed for a runoff. Jerry Garcia, the one that stayed in the race, is leading incumbent Chris Diaz in Harris County Pct. 2 constable race. 7:15 p.m. Less threatened is Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis. 7:13 p.m. Though left-leaning groups opted to endorse her challenger, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg is out to a commanding lead. The early vote in #HarrisCounty #TX18 has @JacksonLeeTX18 (aka The Congresswoman) with 81.3% against 6 rivals. A bit surprising that someone (this year 6 someones) runs against her when the outcome is always so predictable. Mark P. Jones (@MarkPJonesTX) March 4, 2020 7:12 p.m. At the county level of the ballot, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan is well behind Christian Menefee in the early voting results. James Nielsen, Staff / Houston Chronicle Menefee outraised Ryan in fundraising, a sign of an uphill fight for an incumbent. 7:05 p.m. See all the Harris County results here for the Democrats. And here for the Republicans 7:02 p.m. MJ Hegar is leading former Houston councilwoman Amanda Edwards in Harris County, with Chris Bell and Royce West trailing. 7:01 p.m. Biden, Sanders and Bloomberg all strong in first round of Harris County results. 7:01 p.m. Analysis of the Democrat primary by former George W. Bush spokesman. Notes that divide is between conservative Dems and more liberal ones. 6:58 p.m. If you are not running from your car right now, you can't vote. Polls are about to close. 6:54 p.m. With six minutes left for folks to get in line, Harris County is talking about having early results fast, but also reminding people wondering about the long Democrat lines that polling machines are fair game. 6:50 p.m. Here's a good look at that TSU line. 6:48 p.m. One of the things to watch is going to be how Harris County handles the huge line at Texas Southern University and lessons learned from the polling location there. Last year the Chronicle's Brittany Britto reported how the Harris County Clerks Office introduced three new early polling locations at the University of Houston, Texas Southern University and Houston Community Colleges West Loop campus in hopes of reaching at least 50,000 more voters, mostly students. The target included 40,000 new voters at UH alone, according to Michael Winn, administrator of elections for the Harris County Clerks office, which oversees elections. . My office proposed a joint primary election, which would have allowed voters to vote on any available machines. This was rejected by the parties, which means both parties have an equal allocation of machines for each polling location. https://t.co/sBQstYIWl0 https://t.co/4EZPvC25Vu Diane Trautman (@dtrautman) March 4, 2020 So who is standing in line and for how long during this heated primary might be one of the issues worth watching. 6:42 p.m. Michael Bloomberg picks up his first delegates. 6:40 p.m. Vanderbilt senior Henry Goldberg makes argument that the youth vote is not quite youthful enough. "Young people, aged 18 and under, comprise approximately a quarter of the United States population today, but we also represent 100 percent of its future. In Texas, children under 18 represent more than a quarter of the population. If elected officials know the worth of young people already, and investment in our youth has proven time and again to be one of the most effective paths to building a strong economy and a strong society, then why are issues affecting children often overlooked?" 6:34 p.m. Lost in a lot of the attention the Democratic primary will get is this very competitive race on the Republican side to replace Rep. Pete Olson. 6:30 p.m. Right when polls closed in the state, Biden is called the winner. 6:27 p.m. Sen. Bernie Sanders wins his home state of Vermont. 6:22 p.m. Unsurprisingly based on early voting and the top of the ticket race, Democrats outnumbered Republicans in the early voting. Steve Helber, STF / Associated Press 6:17 p.m. As election watches await results and the first attempts to analyze the election, here are the key times, all Central time: 6:30: North Caroline polls close Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 7:00: Most Texas polls close, along with Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts and Oklahoma. Early voting totals in Harris County, acc. to @HarrisVotes Democratic: 139,533 Republican: 104,909 Samantha Ketterer (@sam_kett) March 4, 2020 7:30: Arkansas polls close 8:00: Western Texas, Colorado and Minnesota polls close 9:00: Utah polls close 10: California polls close 6:13 p.m. Joe Biden claims the first prize of the night, winning Virginia. 6:09 p.m. It appears locally the 2020 election is going to be defined by the line. Some walked right in and voted, but others in various places needed reading material to pass the time. 5:53 p.m. More than 215,000 votes cast in Harris County with more than an hour to go. Then we wait... 5:51 p.m. Umm, maybe that map isn't a good guide after all. NEW: Long lines, lack of machines frustrate Harris County voters https://t.co/JLfhLOuOVR https://t.co/JDNtn8A2gb St. John Barned-Smith ? (@stjbs) March 3, 2020 5:47 p.m. Strong words from the executive director of Common Cause Texas, Anthony Guiterrez, as the advocacy group watches for issues across the state. Update - over 215,000 votes have been cast on #SuperTuesday in Harris County. Polls remain open until 7PM. Results will be posted on https://t.co/3Esd72POuu. Diane Trautman (@dtrautman) March 3, 2020 I would frankly chalk up most of the issues were seeing today to Texas being a state that doesnt prioritize voting. Problems like the Secretary of State website crashing and the widespread voting technology issues could have been easily avoided if the state allocated resources towards election infrastructure. In a release, Guiterrez said there have been problems with late openings for polling sites in Harris, Bexar, Dallas, Travis and Tarrant counties. Mechanical failures have occurred in Harris, Bexar and Dallas, and some polling location listed on the Texas Secretary of State election page were not open today. 5:36 p.m. A quick reminder of the rules: If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be eligible to vote. If you are in Harris County, find a polling station here. 5:25 p.m. As workers file out, many are expecting those lines at Texas polling locations to swell. 5:16 p.m. A lot of eyes are on Texas, where pundits are closely watching the outcome for Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. 5 p.m. You think long lines are a deterrent to voting? Try casting a ballot after a tornado flattened part of your city. The Tennessean is reporting some polling stations in Nashville will stay open until 10 p.m. after a judge stepped in at the request of the Democratic presidential campaigns. 4:50 p.m. Polls don't close for more than two hours, so don't believe everything you hear. Some are reporting robo-calls aiming to block the vote. Sanders' success in Texas, whatever Biden's rebound, is an expression of a real change that, given the very demographics Democrats have been anticipating for years, will continue to shape the partys electoral fortunes. More, w/ @JoshuaMBlank: https://t.co/9fkyhJnmaE #Tx2020 Jim Henson (@jamesrhenson) March 3, 2020 4:40 p.m. The Harris County Clerks office is still learning to add voting capabilities on area college campuses. Officials confirmed to reporter Samantha Ketterer that a full row of Democratic voting machines went down at Texas Southern University earlier Tuesday. Five of the machines were not working for between 30 and 45 minutes, spokeswoman Rosio Torres said, but another row of machines were operating. Because of the higher numbers of people voting in the Democratic primary, the clerks office also dispatched additional voting machines to TSU, Torres said. 4:30 p.m. The Harris County Clerk's office said as of 2 p.m., more than 120,000 people voted in primary elections across the county. One of the busier sites during the late morning and early afternoon was at Fiesta Mart on Kirby and Old Spanish Trial, reporter Hannah Dellinger wrote. There, 592 people had voted as of 11:30 a.m., according to signs posted at the market. Of those, 34 were Republicans. Shirley Bradford said shes feeling more confident after the last few days. Shes voting for former Vice President Joe Biden, who she says has the necessary experience. People gotta stop sitting at home complaining, she said. Oklahoma City, OK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- Affordable Locksmith OKC is committed to pulling Oklahomans out of locking and unlocking crises unscathed. The company optimizes its resources to deliver a quick response to any residential, commercial, and automobile locksmith situation across OKC and beyond. The call for help is entertained round the clock and the year, including Sundays and holidays. The crews are dispatched to the site at the earnest to bail out the caller, whether he's locked inside a car or locked outside his home at unsocial hours. The technicians provide detailed estimates upfront and execute bespoke solutions quickly and efficiently. That explains why Oklahomans prefer Affordable Locksmith OKC when they need to contact a 24-hour locksmith in OKC. The spokesperson at Affordable Locksmith OKC recently stated, "Locksmith emergencies can endanger life and property, besides being frustrating and uncalled for. Affordable Locksmith OKC is a talented and helpful locksmith that Oklahomans count on to dodge the bullet. We have on board some of the best technicians that know their job and do it professionally. We hire them only after a thorough background screening, as reliability is central to us. Thanks to our streamlined systems, we facilitate an instant service. The technicians reach the client's location within 15 minutes or less after the service request has been placed with our operator." Affordable Locksmith OKC's service offerings are extensive enough to support all needs. For homes, the company provides lock installation, repair and replacement, home security check, expert lock picking, and rekeying and lockout solutions. Locks for windows and garage doors are also installed, repaired and replaced. The commercial offerings are also exhaustive as well, featuring re-keying, high-security lock service, master key service, lock change, gate and ironworks, file cabinet locks, key cutting, and programming. Plus, a full suite of auto locksmith services is provided, including unlocking car and trunk, expert lock picking, broken ignition key removal, car key duplication, transponder key programming, and car lock repair and replacement. On Norman locksmith services, the spokesperson further stated, "Affordable Locksmith OKC takes the guesswork out of how to find a locksmith in Norman Ok. We provide trusted locksmith solutions, 24/7/365 through local technicians trained in the latest techniques and technologies. They visit the client, regardless of his/her location in Norman, in fully equipped vans. Once there, they do the needful swiftly, without sacrificing quality. They implement measures to keep the client's property away from harm's way. We know our technician's skills well enough to offer a 90-days work guarantee. If our solutions fail, we'll redo the job for free." Affordable Locksmith OKC is known to blend quality and prices for the ultimate in customer satisfaction. The price depends on the nature of the job but the company keeps it low, always. Unsurprisingly, Affordable Locksmith OKC earns a significant percentage of repeat and referral business, boasts of A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, over five hundred 5-star reviews on G+, and appreciative feedback on Angie's List, Yelp, and MUL-T-LOCK. About Affordable Locksmith OKC Affordable Locksmith OKC is the leader in the Oklahoma locksmith service industry. The full-scale locksmith company supports residential, commercial, and auto-locking/unlocking needs. Affordable Locksmith OKC attracts a deluge of clients that need a new car key in OKC. By Trend Turkey and Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will expand cooperation in veterinary and phytosanitary, Trend reports referring to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The parties will mutually recognize each other's veterinary and phytosanitary certificates. According to the ministry, the parties will carry out appropriate work in the direction of mutual recognition of certificates issued for the transport of live cattle and livestock products to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as in the opposite direction. Along with all this, measures to expedite the processing and passing of agricultural products from the Azerbaijan-Turkey border crossing point in Diluju province will also be taken. Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) earlier told Trend that acceleration of customs procedures between Azerbaijan and Turkey is envisaged. To this end, both countries will cooperate in the digitalization of foreign trade operations during 2020-2021. As part of this cooperation, the documents required by both countries for conducting foreign trade operations will be placed in a digital database. This in turn will allow checking the documentation before the goods arrive at the customs point, which will significantly reduce the clearance time, the ministry said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The United States will give Zambia a new one-year bilateral grant of $389 million for AIDS relief starting in October after congressional approval, Zambias ministry of health said in a statement. Washingtons grant under the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) follows a meeting on Zambia held last week in Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting reviewed key policies, strategies and activities to be undertaken towards the goal of achieving epidemic control of HIV, the statement said. According to Zambias Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, the meeting marked a milestone in the southern African nations collaboration with donors in enhancing provision of quality healthcare services. Prevalence of HIV among adults, aged 15 to 59, in Zambia is 12.3 percent: 14.9 percent among females and 9.5 percent among males. This corresponds to approximately 980,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 15 to 59 years in Zambia. The US government through PEPFAR is a strategic partner in Zambias National HIV response which has been instrumental in accelerating the nations progress towards attainment of epidemic control of HIV and AIDS by 2020, Chilufya said. In addition to the $389 million, Chilufya said the United States would give Zambia funds specifically for the voluntary male circumcision programs. Although the US has been involved in efforts to address the global AIDS crisis since the mid-1980s, the creation of the PEPFAR in 2003 marked a significant increase in funding and attention to the epidemic. PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in the world; to date, its funding has totaled more than $90 billion, including funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), to which the U.S. government is the largest donor. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday (March 3) said that there is no proposal on Muslim reservation before the state government. Thackeray, who is also the Shiv Sena chief, made the remarks just days after NCP leader and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said that the government will provide five per cent quota to Muslims in education. "No proposal has come to me regarding Muslim reservation. We will check its validity once it comes to us. We have not taken any decision yet on it," Thackeray told the media at Vidhan Bhawan. The Maharashtra CM also advised the BJP to stop misleading the people of the state over the issue. "I also urge those who are creating ruckus on the issue to save your energy to use it when the issue comes up for discussion. The issue has not come up yet. The Shiv Sena has not clarified its position yet. Let us see when the proposal comes up," Thackeray said. "When the issue comes up before the government, we will check the legal validity and take a decision. My stand, as well as that of Shiv Sena, will be decided when the issue comes before us," Thackeray added. The Maharashtra CM also told the media that he going to Ayodhya on March 7. "I have faith and therefore, I am heading (to Ayodhya) to get darshan of Lord Shriram. Wheres the question of politics in having a glimpse of god? Where is politics in it? The doors of god dont get shut just because you formed an alliance with the Congress or some other party. God is god and belongs to everyone. I will go (to Ayodhya)," he said. "Those (from among the alliance partners) who want to come, will come. Gods doors are not closed for anyone. Whenever they want to go, they can go (for seeking darshan). They may come with me (to seek darshan), may go before me or go there after I pay a visit (to the temple)," he added. Commenting on communal violence which erupted in Delhi few days ago, Thackeray said, "Precaution is being taken in Mumbai and Maharashtra to see no such incident takes place. I thank the police and citizens too for being vigilant. They understand who is doing this." Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 03:00:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Zhang Jun (C, front), Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York, Feb. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) China attaches great importance to the work during its presidency and will act responsibly and constructively, China's permanent representative to the UN said. UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China has taken over as president of the UN Security Council for the month of March 2020, pledging to promote solidarity and cooperation in this capacity. In a note to the press on Monday, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China attaches great importance to the work during its presidency and will act responsibly and constructively. "China will make effort to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with all parties to ensure that the council fulfills its responsibility and plays a constructive role in maintaining international peace and security," said Zhang. The Security Council was established by the UN Charter. Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security. The council has 15 members: the five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The council's presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin on his birthday, the PMs Office told Armenpress. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Please accept my sincere congratulations and wishes on your birthday anniversary. I remember warmly our meeting in Almaty which was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust that is typical to our traditional bilateral relations. I hope our constructive and reliable dialogue will continue. I also want to praise the fact that the Armenian-Russian allied cooperation continues strengthening, as well as developing in new directions. I am confident that in this respect we still have a non-utilized potential. This in particular relates to the cooperation within the Eurasian integration space. I wish you good health, happiness, prosperity and new achievements in your responsible state activity, the Armenian PM said in his letter. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Editorial Myanmar Will Benefit From Deeper Ties With India Myanmar President U Win Myint (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. / Myanmar Presidents Office If Myanmar wants to counterbalance China, it will need to develop stronger ties with India, its other giant neighborand the worlds largest democracy. During President U Win Myints recent visit to India, the two countries signed 10 agreements with a focus on socioeconomic development in Myanmar. Myanmar, which shares a land border with northeastern India stretching for some 1,624 kilometers, is geopolitically significant to New Delhis Act East policy, which aims to boost economic integration with Southeast and East Asia. When she visited India for the first time as an opposition figure in 2012, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now Myanmar State Counselor, described the bilateral friendship in personal terms, saying, I feel myself partly a citizen of Indiaa citizen of love and honor. Her father, Myanmar independence hero General Aung San, was a personal friend of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first prime minister. Her mother, Daw Khin Kyi, later served as ambassador to New Delhi. Suu Kyi, who also went to school in India, praised the people of the country, who have given me so much affection, so much warmth with such generosity that I have never felt myself to be far away from India even in the days when I had little contact with you. In 1995, she received the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust award, though she was unable to accept the award in person, as she was not allowed to leave Yangon. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has clearly long viewed India as important, but Myanmars generals also have a keen understanding of the significance of New Delhis role in the regions geopolitical game. Before leaving his powerful position in 2011, former Myanmar dictator Senior General Than Shwe paid two highly publicized overseas visits: to India and China. The twin visits showed that the two nations were equally important to Myanmar. Today, Indias strategy is to engage with Myanmar through five Cs: connectivity, commerce, capacity-building, culture and community. However, the ongoing relationship with India needs to be taken to a more strategic level. India should broaden its scope of friendship with Myanmar by assisting the countrys political transition and economic development, and helping it to build a professional army. To improve physical links between the two countries, India is involved in several infrastructure projects including the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which aims to connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with the Sittwe deep-water port in Rakhine State by sea. New Delhis strategic goal is to create a Special Economic Zone surrounding the Sittwe port, and in so doing, cement Indias footprint in Rakhine and boost its presence in the Bay of Bengal. The Sittwe port is meant to be Indias answer to the Chinese-funded Kyaukphyu port, which is intended to cement Chinas geostrategic footprint in Rakhine. Since he became commander-in-chief of Myanmars armed forces (known as the Tatmadaw), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has visited India several times and worked to deepen relations between the countries armed forces. India and Myanmar signed a defense cooperation agreement in July 2019 during the senior generals visit to the country, and the Myanmar navy purchased a diesel-electric Kilo Class submarine from India. The Myanmar military plans to deploy the submarine in the Andaman Sea for security missions. New Delhi has also agreed to train Myanmar army officers and allow them to study in military academies in India. Insurgent groups are active on both sides of the shared border. But since last year the two countries security forces have cooperated to clamp down on these groups, with Myanmar troops driving insurgents hailing from Nagaland and other states in northeastern India out of their main base in Taga, in Myanmars northern Sagaing Region. Unlike China, which is Indias rival, India does not offer support to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. Despite its encouragement of peace talks between the Myanmar government and the rebels, China and Chinese groups in Yunnan province allegedly back several ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, contributing to instability in the country, including in areas along the Indian border, where the Arakan Army is now active. This sends a message that China seeks a weak and unstable Myanmar so that it can exert control over its southern neighbor. In this sense, New Delhi differs from Beijing. Myanmar people will come to trust India more if New Delhi helps build a stronger and united Myanmar and contributes to making the Tatmadaw a more professional force at this crucial time. In fact, a strong and stable Myanmar should be in the interest of all its neighborsincluding India and China. A weak and unstable Myanmar benefits no one. You may also like these stories: Whats in Store for Myanmar in 2020 and Beyond? Myanmar and India Sign Ten Deals During State Visit A Delhi Neighborhood Divided by a Highway and Now Hatred A number of states are expected to release results Tuesday evening. But experts and election officials in several Western states have urged patience ahead of what could be longer counts. In California, same-day voter registration and the wide availability of mail-in ballots which must be postmarked by Election Day but do not have to reach county election officials until later this week are expected to contribute to delays of several days. Complicated delegate math could mean that the allocation of delegates might not be known for weeks, said Alvarez. With masks have becoming a daily necessity for Chinese people amid the coronavirus outbreak, one of the more unexpected economic victims has been lipstick sales. (Photo/pixabay.com) On Feb. 5, in the first live broadcast by Li Jiaqi, a Chinese male beauty blogger who had gone viral online thanks to his lipstick reviews, there were only three cosmetics among the 19 recommended products: one for eye makeup and two for foundation. There were no traces of lipstick. For ordinary retailers, lipstick has become an even more difficult sell. Many buyers have taken to social media to complain that lipstick is too difficult to sell", while vowing to learn more about eye products, as "only our eyes can be seen when wearing a mask". The requirement to wear masks has had a real impact on women's spending, as makeup on the top half of the face now takes on a more important role. "Mask makeup" became a buzzword in economic news released by Taobao, a major online shopping website in China, on Feb. 20. Through Taobaos live broadcast, 8.2 million people were able to learn the tricks of how to apply mask makeup. Tips included making eye makeup a little stronger than usual so as to highlight the eye look. Since the resumption of work after the Spring Festival, the number of searches for products such as eye-shadow compact and eyebrow pencil rose 290 percent year on year, according to data released by Pinduoduo, an e-commerce platform in China. Furthermore, eye-shadow compacts ranked third in Pinduoduo's list of "top 10 products for white-collar workers after the resumption of work (from Feb. 10 to Feb. 23) ". In an escalation of a war of words amid rising violence before scheduled peace talks between the warring sides, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has called on the Taliban to abandon their sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan before beginning negotiations with his government. When are you going to abandon Pakistan? he asked the Taliban during a speech in the eastern city of Jalalabad on March 3. If you want to talk to us about prisoners and want to have it as a precondition [before talks with the Afghan government], then we too have prerequisites. Ghani was referring to longstanding Afghan and Western claims that view the Taliban as Pakistani proxies with the insurgents leadership and cadres dependent on sanctuaries in the country. His remarks come amid a controversy over the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for some 1,000 Afghan soldiers and government employees currently held by the insurgents before intra-Afghan talks are set to begin on March 10. While the Taliban claim that the release is a done deal stipulated by their agreement with the United States on February 29, Ghani said on March 1 that there is no commitment to releasing 5,000 prisoners," because any prisoner release was "not in the authority of the U.S., it is in the authority of the Afghan government." Ghanis March 3 speech suggested Kabul expects much more than what is outlined in the insurgents agreement with Washington. What is the meaning of jihad after you have accepted to conclude peace with the foreigners? he asked. Killing Afghans is a crime. The Taliban are Afghans, and they should not humiliate other Afghans. But Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman in the Qatari capital, Doha, said they have not met with an Afghan government delegation that reportedly traveled to Doha to hold initial talks about the prisoner release with the Taliban. Before the beginning of the intra-Afghan negotiations our officials in charge of prison affairs are going to meet their counterparts in the Kabul administration so we can free 6,000 prisoners before the talks, he tweeted on March 3. Meanwhile, at least six civilians were killed and 14 injured in 33 attacks across 17 of Afghanistans 34 provinces on March 3, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry. The spike in violence comes after the Taliban ordered its fighters to resume attacks on Afghan forces on March 2 because the weeklong reduction in violence before the February 29 agreement was over. Violence decreased dramatically during the previous week when the Afghan government, the United States, and the Taliban committed to a partial truce. People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus in Seoul, Monday, March 2, 2020. AP Most victims of the novel coronavirus quickly spreading across South Korea were elderly people with preexisting health issues and special care is necessary to reduce further virus-related fatalities, health authorities here said Tuesday. Some 599 new cases of COVID-19 brought the nation's total number of infections here to 4,335, with 28 deaths, as of late Monday, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Six additional deaths were reported in the southeastern city of Daegu, the epicenter of virus outbreak here. The additional deaths reported on Monday were all of people in their age 60's to 80's or of those with preexisting illnesses. Four deaths occurred during treatment at hospitals in Daegu or surrounding North Gyeongsang Province, officials said. Further investigation is under way into the country's 27th and 28th deaths. Moon declares 'war' against coronavirus, puts gov't on 24-hour alert Korea reports 600 new virus cases, total now at 4,812 Korean airports begin coronavirus screenings on US-bound travelers KCDC data showed that the mortality rate of virus patients aged 80 or more was 3.7 percent, compared with an average mortality rate of 0.5 percent. "Those at most risk are people older than 65 years old with preexisting diseases and the mortality rate for them is exceptionally high," KCDC Director-General Jeong Eun-kyeong told reporters. The KCDC said the underlying diseases in 22 cases included cancer, kidney failure and diabetes, and most of the deceased suffered from at least one preexisting disease, sometimes two. The country's third COVID-19-related death of a man in his 40s in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province was the only one involving no underlying health issues, according to the agency. The KCDC said more than 80 percent of coronavirus cases are not severe and can be fully cured. To minimize deaths from the virus, the KCDC revised guidelines to allow critically ill patients to be swiftly treated in so-called negative-pressure rooms at hospitals starting Monday. Thus far, virus patients with mild or moderate symptoms had also been allowed to receive treatment at such facilities, which are designed to prevent infectious diseases from spreading within hospitals. Two treasure hunters discovered $6,000 worth of silver coins on a southern Florida beach that came from the wreckage of a fleet of Spanish ships that sunk there in 1715. Jonah Martinez, a 43-year-old treasure hunter in Port St. Lucie, said he and his friend Cole Smith were combing through Wabasso Beach Friday night with metal detectors when they found 22 rare Spanish coins. The coins came from the wreckage of the Spanish Treasure Fleet that was carrying the riches of the New World from Havana, Cuba back to Spain on July 31, 1715 when it got caught in a hurricane. Eleven of the 12 ships sunk to the sea floor near present-day Vero Beach, Florida and with it immeasurable riches including gold bars, silver coins and jewelry disappeared. 'You dont know what youre going to find. We love to be the guys who find treasure that were lost at sea more than 300 years ago,' Martinez said to CBS12 on the historic find. Treasure hunters Jonah Martinez (above) and Cole Smith found 22 silver Spanish coins on Friday night at Wabasso Beach in south Florida that came from the wreckage of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet that sunk in a vicious hurricane The 22 coins are worth $5,000 to $6,000 today, Martinez said. Friday's haul pictured above 'Our metal detectors were catching target after target. We found 22 beautiful Spanish coins from the 1715 Treasure Ship Wreck that were all hammer-struck,' Martinez said on the historic discovery The 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet sunk near Vero Beach, Florida. Friday's bounty of 22 Spanish coins was discovered in Wabasso Beach, about 10 miles away 'Our metal detectors were catching target after target. We found 22 beautiful Spanish coins from the 1715 Treasure Ship Wreck that were all hammer-struck.' The coins are worth $5,000 to $6,000 today. 'You can lick it and taste the salt water,' Smith said. Martinez said he has combing through the beach for the past 24 years searching for shored up treasure from the notorious 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet. The story of the perished Treasure Fleet is well known in the area and has drawn treasure hunters for decades. Around 1,500 sailors perished in the hurricane but a small number survived on lifeboats. Fourteen million pesos in registered treasure were lost in the maritime disaster, according to the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum. Martinez said he has combing through the beach for the past 24 years searching for shored up treasure from the notorious 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet The treasure bore the characteristic cross design and hammer marks of ancient Spanish coins A Spanish coin pictured next to today's quarter Today much of the treasure that has washed up from the underwater wreck is on display at Mel Fisher's Treasures Museum, which was opened in December 1992 and includes rare finds such as a gold locket, a gold whistle, a gold emerald-decorated cross and gold bars. On July 31, 1715 12 mighty ships carrying silver, gold, and treasure from Havana, Cuba in the New World back to Spain got lost in a hurricane near present-day Vero Beach, Florida. A sketch of one of the boats above Florida law requires recovery permits for individuals who want to explore or recover artifacts on state-owned lands underwater, but not on a public beach. Martinez said he'll keep the goods instead of selling it for money. 'This is our history out here. We are not trying to profit out here, we are just collecting pieces of history. That's cool if you ask me,' he said. 'I dont sell any of our coins,' he said to WPTV. He even says he's won't polish the coins in an effort to preserve the historic galleons. Martinez, who builds custom cars and motorcycles for a living, said he's found around $13million in treasure in his treasure hunting career. He's discovered belt buckles, daggers, cutlery, porcelain, household items and rare noble menswear in his hunts. In 2015, Martinez was part of a group that found more than 300 gold coins from the 1715 wreck, a haul valued at $4.5 million. A group of those treasure hunters are pictured above showing off the gold coins Martinez pictured above with his metal detector near the spot where he found the coins In 2015, Martinez was part of a group that found more than 300 gold coins from the 1715 wreck, a haul valued at $4.5 million, according to Florida Today. He kept some of those items himself, shared some with fellow treasure hunters, and donated other pieces to museums. Queens Jewels LLC, which purchased Mel Fisher's Treasure, has exclusive salvage rights to the Spanish shipwreck. 'A hurricane came and pushed them all onto the reefs of the Treasure Coasts. And that is why we are called the Treasure Coasts because of these shipwrecks,' Nichole Johanson of the Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum said. 'The late 50s is when the coins started turning up on the beaches and salvagers have been salvaging them ever since. Treasure has been found consistently,' she added. A man tries on an air permeable charcoal impregnated suit, combined with a respirator (or gas mask), rubber boots and three layers of gloves during a simulation at the OPCW (The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) headquarters in The Hague, The Netherlands, on April 20, 2017. (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images) FDA Grants Health Care Personnel Access to Industrial Respirators: Public Not To Use Them The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 2 granted a request by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to allow health care personnel to use certain industrial respirators during the COVID-19 outbreak in health care settings. In a news release, the agency said the action would allow certain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators, which are not currently regulated by the FDA, to be used in a health care setting by health care personnel, thereby maximizing the number of respirators available to meet the needs of the U.S. health care system. The FDA concluded that respirators approved by NIOSH, but which dont currently meet the FDAs requirements, may be effective in preventing health care personnel from airborne exposure, including COVID-19. They include certain N95s, a mask which is used widely in the construction industry, and which the CDC says is the most effective when it comes to protecting health care professionals against the disease. At the FDA, weve been working diligently to mitigate any potential shortages in the supply chain, including addressing increased demand and supply challenges associated with personal protective equipment, FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D., said in the news release. It is imperative that we assure health care personnel on the front lines of this outbreak have sufficient supplies of respiratory protective devices. The action comes amid reports that an increasing number of Americans are buying masks while U.S. health care institutions are running short of the personal protective equipment. On Feb. 29, the U.S Surgeon General warned the general public against buying masks as it is putting a strain on supplies for healthcare providers. Seriously peopleSTOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers cant get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk! he wrote on Twitter. The best way to protect yourself and your community is with everyday preventive actions, like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water, to help slow the spread of respiratory illness. Get your Flu Shotfewer flu patients equals more resources for COVID19, he added. In its news release on Monday, the FDA and CDC said that as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread across the globe, growing demands for masks will continue to stress supply chains, and nationwide shortages are anticipated. However, by expanding the use of respirators that are NIOSH approved, but do not currently meet FDA regulatory requirements, the agencys hope to help optimize the availability and use of respirators for health care personnel. The agencys added that the general public should not wear these certain NIOSH-approved respirators to protect against the virus and that there is no health benefit in doing so. It also advised that the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. There are now 71 confirmed and presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in the United States. Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry officials on Monday confirmed the first case of coronavirus infection in the country amid growing fears that a surge in the number of those infected in Iran is threatening the whole region. The Kingdom had been free of the virus for more than three months as it spread from China to 66 countries. But the victim travelled from Iran to the Gulf kingdom through Bahrain, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said. A test confirmed the man was infected with the virus. He is currently in quarantine while all those he has been in contact with are being tested and results were expected soon, the health ministry noted. Almost all those infected in the Middle East have recently traveled to Iran, or have been in contact with someone who has been there. In Iran, the number of those infected rose by 523 to 1,501, and the death toll from the virus rose from 54 to 66, according to Arab News. A team from the Health Organisation arrived in Tehran on Monday with medical supplies, protective equipment for health care workers and laboratory kits to test nearly 100,000 people. Elsewhere in the region, virus cases were reported for the first time in Tunisia and Jordan, and there were 10 new cases in Kuwait, six each in Iraq and Bahrain, four more in Qatar, three in Lebanon, two in Iraq and a second case in Egypt. Worldwide, the virus has infected at least 89,000 people and killed more than 3,000, mostly in China. Outside China, there have been more than 8,800 cases and 130 deaths, with secondary outbreaks in Iran and northern Italy. The first new cases were reported on Monday in Andorra, Armenia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Iceland, and Indonesia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'You should pay attention to the physical health of your brain, by eating well, exercising and sleeping enough' Heres some good news for those of us entering our golden years: in his new book, The Changing Mind, leading neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr Daniel Levitin argues that you can drastically increase your healthy years by looking after your brain and that the idea that your mind will inevitably decline with age is false. In fact, old age is a time of extraordinary and beneficial brain development. Expand Close The Changing Mind / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Changing Mind It is never too late to tilt the balance in our favour, to increase our health span by making important changes to how we approach ageing, he writes. Levitin, the bestselling author of This is Your Brain on Music and The Organised Mind, said when he started writing this new book, he had two specific readers in mind: I was looking for advice that I could give to my own parents who were in their 80s, he says. I realised that a lot of what weve learned hasnt trickled down to the average reader. There are distinct advantages and growth opportunities that come from the later stage of life, says Levitin. To start with, there are the remarkable improvements in mood. Last month a widely-reported study found that the unhappiest time of life is 47.2, and that after middle age, things start to look up. As a trend, older adults become more emotionally stable and more compassionate, says Levitin. The idea is that whereas those in their teens and 20s might be prone to mood swings, those with more experience of life are able to see the bigger picture. Anyone who has noticed an older relative mellowing with age may be right: changes in the older brain tend to make people become more tolerant of others and grateful. Read More These changes can be seen not just in the behaviour of older people, but also in their biology: You dont have the same neurochemistry at age eight or 38 or 68, he says. Dopamine, a chemical associated with drive and pleasure decreases with age while norepinephrine and serotonin remain stable. There are even intellectual improvements to look forward to, says Levitin. Among the enhancements are certain kinds of problem-solving, especially those that require compassion and empathy. The wisdom of older people is real and could be explained by changes in the brain which allows the left and right sides to communicate more freely with each other, allowing you to combine analytical and creative thinking. Even worries about memory loss are overblown, and a lot of them can be explained by other factors. For example, in later life changes in the prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain mean we can get more easily distracted, which impacts on your short-term memory. Youre not forgetting, youre just distracted thinking about something else. There is also age bias in memory testing: a study from 2018 shows that older people with hearing loss perform just as well as younger adults when they were tested in a quiet place. Interestingly, older people perform as well as younger adults when they are tested in the morning, but perform worse after mid-afternoon. Changes in the orbitofrontal cortex, which sits just behind your eyeballs, mean that after 60 your body clock is likely to shift forwards a couple of hours. Of course, many people suffer from extreme memory loss and dementia as they get older. But its not inevitable, says Levitin, and there is plenty we can do to reduce our risk, like eating healthily, not smoking and drinking less alcohol. If you do start to suffer from the symptoms of dementia, dont assume you have it. Check your medications first: the number one cause of confusion and disorientation in older people is side effects from medication. Make sure you let your doctor know what drugs you are taking before starting on a new one so there is no unintended adverse interaction. But despite all this good news, listening to Levitin can be disappointing for anyone hoping for a quiet retirement. Your brain needs to be constantly challenged to stay sharp, he says and his number one piece of advice is dont retire. His own grandfather was pushed out of his job as a radiologist at the age of 65 because he was seen as old and irrelevant. The irony is that...radiologists do better as they age because radiology involves pattern matching, and the more patterns youve matched, the better you are. As a result, he went into a depression and died only two years later at the age of 67. But it was different for Levitins father. He was strongly encouraged to step down from his job in business at 62 so someone younger could have his job. But he refused to let it be the end of his career and got a new job in academia. He is now a professor at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Hes 87 and just signed a four-year extension to his teaching contract, Levitin laughs. You should also pay attention to the physical health of your brain, by eating well, exercising and sleeping enough. It appears that eating less is good for your mind: a hungry brain has to stay sharp to look for food. Levitins point is that you need to keep pushing yourself in old age. He has done it in perhaps a slightly extreme way: I took flying lessons to get my private pilots license. Flying lessons or not, best to at least put the slippers to one side. MANILA, Philippines The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said it has denied entry to 242 foreign nationals suspected of intending to work illegally in the country. In a statement, the BI said the foreigners were intercepted at three terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from February 21 to 28, following the relief from the duty of all terminal heads due to the alleged pastillas bribery scheme. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said 79 were intercepted at NAIA terminal 1, while 33 were barred entry at terminal 2, and 130 at terminal 3. He added that foreign nationals include citizens of Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Chinese. BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. said they noticed attempts by suspected illegal workers to use other ports of entry to come to the Philippines, calling this a cause for concern. Our frontliners will heighten our efforts in screening these aliens. We are in close coordination with our foreign counterparts in ensuring that no aliens with bad records enter the country, he said. But if they are already in the country before we receive information about their crimes, we will immediately send them out, he added. Morente earlier ordered a revamp of immigration personnel at NAIA following allegations that some of them are receiving pay-offs to facilitate the entry of fugitives and offshore gaming operations workers from China. The BI chief vowed to expand the probe on the alleged pastillas scheme following statements from whistle-blower Allison Chiong that the said modus reportedly continued to operate until recently. I have ordered all NAIA heads replaced, and reshuffled all frontline personnel to break any possible collusion among them, this revamp affected around 800 officers, Morente said. We have likewise placed the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit and the Border Control and Investigation Unit under the control and supervision of the Intelligence Division to serve as an external check and balance to monitor airport operations, he added. Morente warned that those proven to be part of the alleged scheme will face both administrative and criminal cases. The post PH Immigration bars entry to 242 suspected illegal workers appeared first on UNTV News. Dr. Rosenkrantz will become just the 13th editor in chief of the 113-year-old 'yellow journal' of radiology in July 2020 Leesburg, VA, March 3, 2020--The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) is pleased to announce that Andrew B. Rosenkrantz, MD of NYU Langone Health has been named the next Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR). Currently, Dr. Rosenkrantz is Assistant Editor for Genitourinary Imaging at AJR, a position he has held since 2014, under longtime AJR Editor in Chief Thomas H. Berquist, MD. Dr. Rosenkrantz will become the 13th Editor in Chief of the 113-year-old "yellow journal"--the foremost resource for practicing physicians and allied health professionals engaged in patient-centered medical imaging--upon Dr. Berquist's retirement in July 2020. According to Dr. Rosenkrantz: "I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve AJR as its next Editor in Chief. The American Journal of Roentgenology is the world's longest continuously-operating radiology journal and has established itself as the leading journal for clinically relevant articles impacting radiologists' daily practice." "The journal will focus on the timely dissemination of practical advances relating to all aspects of the field," he continues, "as well as enhanced engagement of its readers and other members of the AJR community." Recently described by Radiology Business Journal as "one of the most widely published researchers in academic radiology," Andrew Rosenkrantz published his first article in AJR in 2010; he has since authored and co-authored some 60 articles, letter-to-editor replies, and guest editorials for the journal. An AJR reviewer for more than a decade, Dr. Rosenkrantz has received the Top, Outstanding, and two Distinguished Reviewer Awards. Previously, he served as AJR's CME Consulting Editor for Genitourinary Imaging. An ARRS member since 2004, Dr. Rosenkrantz is a recipient of both the 2014 Melvin M. Figley Fellowship in Radiology Journalism and the 2017 Leonard Berlin Scholarship in Medical Professionalism from The Roentgen Fund. Presently, he serves on ARRS' Publications and Practice Improvement Committees, as well as Scientific Program Subcommittees for Genitourinary Imaging, Efficacy, Administration, and Informatics. Dr. Rosenkrantz has spoken or exhibited at every ARRS Annual Meeting for the last eight years. According to ARRS Publications Committee Chair Deborah Baumgarten, MD, MPH: "We are delighted to have chosen Andrew Rosenkrantz as the new Editor in Chief for the American Journal of Roentgenology. It became clear during the selection process that Dr. Rosenkrantz is visionary, dedicated, proactive, and really quite brilliant." "The Publications Committee feels that with Andy's leadership, building on the strong foundation of Thomas Berquist, the AJR can soar," says Dr. Baumgarten. Likewise, Dr. Rosenkrantz adds: "I am honored to have had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Berquist during my time as the ARRS Figley Fellow and to see firsthand his commitment to the quality and rigor of the journal's scientific content. His leadership and vision were central in the journal's growth over the past decade." Andrew B. Rosenkrantz is Professor of Radiology and Urology, Director of Prostate Imaging, Director of Health Policy, and Section Chief of Abdominal Imaging in the department of radiology at NYU's Grossman School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, serving as chief resident and receiving the Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, as well as the Body MRI Fellowship at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fellow of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching. Since joining the faculty at NYU in 2009, Dr. Rosenkrantz's primary research focus has been in prostate MRI, including the optimization and application of MRI for improving targeted prostate biopsy and risk assessment. Editor of the textbook MRI of the Prostate: A Practical Approach, he has authored or co-authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications and has trained and mentored some 40 clinical fellows and 80 students and residents resulting in publication. Having received numerous invitations to speak at various national meetings, Dr. Rosenkrantz's work has been recognized with research awards from the Society of Uroradiology, Society of Abdominal Radiology, and Society of Computed Body Tomography & Magnetic Resonance. In addition to his duties with ARRS and AJR, he serves as Co-chair of the Society of Abdominal Radiology's Prostate Cancer Disease Focus Panel, a member of the American Board of Radiology's Urinary Imaging Core Examination Committee, and Affiliate Senior Research Fellow at the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute. Additionally, he has served on Scientific Program Committees for the Radiological Society of North America and Society of Abdominal Radiology. ### Founded in 1900, the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) is the first and oldest radiological society in North America, dedicated to the advancement of medicine through the profession of radiology and its allied sciences. An international forum for progress in medical imaging since the discovery of the x-ray, ARRS maintains its mission of improving health through a community committed to advancing knowledge and skills with an annual scientific meeting, monthly publication of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), quarterly issues of InPractice magazine, AJR Live Webinars and Podcasts, topical symposia, print and online educational materials, as well as awarding scholarships via The Roentgen Fund. Darrell Hammond is best known for his impressions on Saturday Night Live, but the subject of his latest work is no laughing matter. The comedian is the focus of the documentary Cracked Up, which delves into Hammonds history and struggle with trauma, and the difficulties he found in trying to find effective treatment between misdiagnoses. Hammond appeared in 14 seasons of Saturday Night Live," portraying celebrities such as Sean Connery and Bill Clinton, but struggled behind the scenes from conditions such as flashbacks, self injury and addiction. The film is being screened in central Pennsylvania by the Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County organization. The showing will be at 1 p.m. on April 5 at the Allen Theatre in Annville, and will be followed by a discussion led by the DVI staff. As soon as we saw this film, we immediately set out to bring it to Lebanon County, said Mike Ritter, DVIs public education coordinator, in a press release. It became all-consuming to do a screening in April, since that is Child Abuse Prevention Month. We want people to understand, through watching this film, that severe abuse suffered during childhood has deep, long-lasting impacts. The mind may forget, but the body keeps the score. The event is free and no reservations are required, but donations will be accepted. For more info, visit the official website for the film or the website for Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) Travelers from the Philippines can once again visit South Korea except North Gyeongsang Province, which has seen a spike in the number of novel coronavirus cases, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed Tuesday. The Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the resumption of Filipinos' travel to South Korea, but they have to sign a health declaration form to signify their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in their trip, Panelo said. A health advisory pamphlet shall likewise be handed out to them, he added. Authorities earlier banned all travel to South Korea, except for those who live, study or work there. Meanwhile, the travel ban on foreign nationals arriving from the North Gyeongsang Province remains in effect, according to the official. Panelo also said the task force has agreed not to impose new travel restrictions or lift the ban on mainland China and its special administrative regions Macau and Hong Kong. South Korea has so far recorded the highest COVID-19 cases outside of mainland China, with 4,812 cases and 29 deaths as of March 3. The novel coronavirus is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 89,000 global cases and over 3,100 deaths, CNN reported. More than 70 countries and territories now have confirmed cases of the disease, CNN added. A total of two countries and two territories were covered by the travel restrictions that are meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines. The number of COVID-19 cases in the country remains at three, with one fatality. All of them are Chinese nationals from Wuhan China's city that is at the epicenter of the outbreak. Children who handwrite fluently in their first year of school are likely to be better readers a year later, prompting researchers to urge caution about relying too heavily on technology in the classroom. The Australian study of 154 students followed children from kindergarten to year 1, to see whether fluency in writing letters in kindergarten was linked with being better able to write longer texts in year 1. "It did, and it also predicted their reading abilities," said one of the authors, Anabela Malpique of Murdoch University, whose work was published in the journal Reading and Writing. Children who hand-write fluently in their first year of school are likely to be better readers in year 1. Credit:Louise Kennerley "Our findings are really well aligned with what's coming now in terms of neuro-imaging studies, showing that indeed reading and writing are connected, and especially handwriting via paper and pen," she said. "Reading and writing share the same network in terms of brain development, and this research actually adds more information by saying that handwriting by paper and pen has major advantages when compared with handwriting on a tablet with a stylus." Three masked men allegedly robbed 3.5 lakh from a courier company office in Mohalis Industrial Area- Phase 8 after holding an employee hostage at gunpoint. The men also took away the employees cellphone and dumped it in Sector 91, Mohali. Complainant Danish Khan, 27, a resident of Dasmesh Nagar in Dhakoli, who is the team leader at Delivery Private Limited, said the incident took place when he was waiting for delivery boys to return. Three men, whose faces were covered with mufflers approached me at 8.30 pm saying they wanted to track a shipment, he said In just three minutes, the three men, at gunpoint, made away with 3.50 lakh, which included the cash collection of the day, from the courier company office on Monday night. Apart from the cash, they also took Danishs cellphone that they dumped in Sector 91, Mohali. The police, later, recovered the cellphone. We are scanning CCTV footage of the area to trace the robbers. The cellphone has been recovered and we are trying to trace the vehicle in which the accused had come, said Baljinder Singh Mand, in-charge police post in Industrial area - Phase 8, Mohali. Police have registered a case against unidentified persons under Sections 379 B and 458 of the IPC and Arms Act at the police station in Phase 1, Mohali. Danish told the police he had joined the job about 10 days ago. He said the company office usually closes at about 8 pm depending upon the return of the staff who are out for delivery. On Monday night, he was waiting for them to return when at 8.30 pm three men approached him saying they needed to track a shipment. One of them said his courier package was still undelivered so I went into my cabin to check it through the shipment tracker. As I was checking on the computer, one of them pulled out a gun while another took out the money kept in the drawer and stuffed it in a bag, Danish said. Before leaving, the accused searched the office almirah and even threatened to kill Danish before they left, taking away his cellphone. After the accused left the office, two delivery boys Narinder Yadav and Manoj Kumar arrived at the office and called the police. Police said the accused had come in a Piaggio vehicle which the police traced in the footage of a CCTV. However, when the police checked the registration number of the vehicle, it was found to be fake. Atlanta, GA, March 3, 2020 Breckenridge Insurance Group announced the appointment of Dennis DiCapua as president of its program division, Blue River Underwriters. DiCapua has a demonstrated track record of building increasingly successful program and specialty businesses throughout his 40-year insurance career. DiCapua will work closely over the next few months with outgoing president Stephen J. Kelley, who will retire later this year. Most recently, DiCapua founded a managing general agency, Newport General Agency, that was sold to AmWINS in 2010. He then served as the executive vice president and chief risk officer of the AmWINS Specialty Auto company, where he assisted with the consolidation of newly acquired companies, enhanced carrier and reinsurer relations and launched innovative mobile technology solutions. Prior to this, DiCapua was senior vice president of specialty programs at Clarendon Insurance Group and managed a P&C portfolio of more than $500 million in gross written premium. He spent his early career focused on building the non-standard auto businesses at Reliance National Risk Specialists and American International Group. Were continuing to bring on exceptional talent as we invest in our growth plans for Breckenridge. Dennis is an excellent addition to our leadership team as he is extremely knowledgeable and well-regarded in the industry, stated David A. Jordan, chief executive officer of Breckenridge Insurance Group. Commenting on his appointment, DiCapua shared, The timing for joining Breckenridge couldnt be better. The organization is well-positioned with a solid book of program business, talented team members and strong carrier partners. Well continue to build on our foundation with enhanced coverages, strategic hires, novel new programs and advanced technologies as we see real opportunities in the marketplace. DiCapua has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Johns University School of Risk Management, where he also earned Professional Certificates in Insurance Accounting and Reinsurance. He has a Master of Business Administration and Advanced Certificate in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University. BRECKENRIDGE INSURANCE GROUP, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is an international specialty wholesale insurance broker, program manager, managing general agent (MGA) and insurance services provider. The company offers access to diverse range of commercial insurance and financial services products to businesses and professional services firms in a variety of industries. The company serves independent insurance agents, brokers, and financial institutions nationally by way of Blue River Underwriters, OSC, Breckenridge Insurance Services, Breckenridge Elevation Authorities contract binding group and Southeastern Underwriters, Inc. For more information, please visit WWW.BRECKGRP.COM or call 855.728.8822. CA Insurance License #0G13592 Media Contact: Caren Henry chenry@breckgrp.com 267.961.8252 Topics Insurance Wholesale India on Tuesday summoned Iran's Ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest over the "unwarranted" comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif over communal violence in the national capital. The Iranian envoy was conveyed that Zarif's "selective and tendentious" characterisation of incidents in Delhi are not acceptable, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. In a tweet on Monday, Zarif said Iran condemned the "wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims" and urged Indian authorities to "not let senseless thuggery" prevail. In response to a media query, Kumar said India does not expect such comments from a country like Iran. "The Iranian Ambassador to India Mr Ali Chegeni was summoned and a strong protest was lodged against the unwarranted remarks made by the Iranian foreign minister," he said. "It was conveyed that his selective and tendentious characterisation of recent events in Delhi are not acceptable. We do not expect such comments from a country like Iran," he added. The ties between India and Iran have been on an upswing over the last few years. Notwithstanding US sanctions against Iran, India has been maintaining cordial relationship with Tehran and have been actively involved in development of the strategically located Chabahar port in the Gulf nation. Zarif had visited India in January in the midst of Tehran's escalating tension with the Trump administration over killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Sulemani in a US military strike. "Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail," Zarif tweeted. "Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law," he added. The national capital witnessed horrific violence last week following clashes between supporters and those opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act. According to authorities, at least 42 people were killed in the violence. Massive protests took place across India in the last two months over the new law with the opposition parties and rights groups terming it as violative of founding principles of Indian Constitution. Rejecting the criticism, the government has been accusing the opposition parties of misleading people on the law for political gains. The new law provides for granting citizenship to non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who were victims of religious persecution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A five-year-old girl who prank called police allegedly led officers to her mother's cannabis plants in their garage. The infant is believed to have called police just after midnight on Tuesday before she hung up the phone. Police immediately rushed to the girl's home on Elm Street in Albion Park Rail, on the New South Wales South Coast in order to make a welfare check. But officers allege that the girl's call lead them to finding the crop. A five-year-old girl's prank call to police allegedly led to her mother's cannabis plants being found (stock) 'Officers knocked on the door but couldn't raise the occupants before noticing a light on in the garage,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'Once inside police allegedly discovered 15 hydroponic cannabis plants.' The 30-year-old woman was arrested and is now helping police with their investigation. Officers expect to charge the woman with cultivating a small quantity of a prohibited plant. The plants were seized for forensic examination. 'Police understand the Triple-0 call was a prank made by a five-year-old girl,' the spokeswoman said. Police immediately rushed to the girl's home on Elm Street in Albion Park Rail, on the New South Wales South Coast after she suddenly hung up the phone on them (street pictured) Lake Illawarra Police District Sergeant Peter Northey told the Illawarra Mercury the case was highly unusual. 'In my 18 years of policing, this is the first time that this sort of circumstance has happened, but we're really grateful that it did happen,' he said. He said drug possession is a serious crime and encouraged anyone with information to come forward. LOS ANGELES - New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg suspended his presidential campaign and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was reassessing her candidacy Wednesday as the winnowing process in the Democrats 2020 nomination fight lurched forward after a consequential Super Tuesday. Bloomberg became the third failed Democratic presidential contender to exit the race in three days. Like the others, he endorsed Joe Biden, the big winner on Super Tuesday with victories in 10 of 14 states, and called him the best chance to defeat President Donald Trump in November. Sen. Bernie Sanders lashed back in a Wednesday news conference in Vermont, declaring himself in a neck-and-neck race with Biden, despite the former vice-presidents overwhelming support from the Democratic establishment. What this campaign I think is increasingly about is, Which side are you on? Sanders said. There has never been a campaign in recent history which has taken on the entire political establishment. That is an establishment that is working frantically to try to defeat us. The new sense of urgency from Sanders and his allies came just hours after a resurgent Biden scored victories from Texas to Massachusetts, revitalizing a presidential bid that was teetering on the edge of disaster just days earlier. Sanders seized the biggest prize with a win in California but won just three other states. Warren, Sanders progressive ally, was huddling with advisers on Wednesday to determine if there was a reason to stay in the race after her Super Tuesday wipe-out. She didnt win a single state and finished in third place, after Biden and Sanders, in her own home state of Massachusetts. Sanders confirmed that he spoke with Warren early Wednesday What Sen. Warren told me is she is assessing her campaign, he said. She will make her own decision in her own time. While Warrens future is unclear, Tuesdays round of voting helped clarify that the Democratic Partys presidential field, which featured more than a half-dozen candidates a week ago, had turned into a two-man contest. Both men are expected to begin receiving Secret Service protection, according to Biden campaign chairman, Rep. Cedric Richmond, who said Wednesday that the House Homeland Security Committee has asked the Secret Service to provide protection to all remaining major presidential candidates. Biden and Sanders already have Secret Service code names: Bidens is Celtic and Bernies is Intrepid Bidens campaign is embracing his renewed status as a Democratic front-runner and is going on the offensive against Sanders. Richmond blasted the Vermont senator for suggesting that the Democratic establishment is colluding against the progressives White House bid. Richmond said Biden is earning his votes. I just did not know that African Americans in the South were considered part of the establishment, Richmond said, noting that Bidens overwhelming support among black voters gave him wide delegate gains in Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia, among other states. African American voters, he continued, understand the importance of nominating a person that they know, nominating a person that can win. The Sanders campaign announced Wednesday that it would begin airing three new campaign ads in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Washington, states that hold primaries March 10 and March 17. One of the new ads features archived footage of former President Barack Obama praising Sanders. Its a not-so-subtle attempt by the Vermont senator to undercut Bidens frequently spotlighting his closeness to Obama. Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to call Bidens strong Super Tuesday showing a perfect storm and amplify his long-running argument that the Democratic Party would move to stop Sanders from winning the nomination. The Democrat establishment came together and crushed Bernie Sanders, AGAIN! Trump tweeted. Trump also called Warren selfish for staying in the race because it hurts Bernie badly. Bidens victories were powered by Democratic voters who broke his way just days before casting their ballots a wave of late momentum that scrambled the race in a matter of hours. In some states, the late-deciders made up roughly half of all voters, according to AP VoteCast, surveys of voters in several state primaries. He drew support from a broad coalition of moderates and conservatives, African Americans and voters older than 45. Sanders success proved he could deliver in perhaps the greatest test of his decadeslong political career. His success was built on a base of energized liberals, young people and Latinos. But he was unable to sufficiently widen his appeal to older voters and college graduates who make up a sizable share of Democratic voters, according to AP VoteCast. Bidens strong finish punctuated a dramatic turnaround in the span of just three days when he leveraged a blowout victory in South Carolina to score sweeping victories on Tuesday that transcended geography, class and race. And lest there be any doubt, he cemented his status as the standard-bearer for the Democrats establishment wing. The former vice-president showed strength in the Northeast with victories in Massachusetts and Maine. He won delegate-rich Texas in the Southwest, Minnesota in the upper Midwest and finished on top across the South in Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas in addition to Oklahoma. Sanders opened the night as the undisputed Democratic front-runner and hoped to claim an insurmountable delegate lead. That didnt happen. And while he scored the nights biggest delegate-prize in California, he won just three other states: his home state of Vermont, Utah and Colorado. Biden racked up his victories despite being dramatically outspent and out-staffed. Moderate rival Bloomberg, for example, poured more than $12 million into television advertising in Virginia, while Biden spent less than $200,000. In a statement announcing his departure, Bloomberg vowed to stay engaged in the 2020 election and his ultimate goal to ensure Trump is defeated this fall. Ive always believed that defeating Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. After yesterdays vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden. Biden aides said they didnt immediately know what to expect out of Bloombergs endorsement moving forward. The former New York mayor has committed to turning his massive campaign operation toward the Democrats larger goal of defeating Trump this fall. It was not immediately clear if Bloomberg would use his resources and organization to help Biden in his nominating fight against Sanders. Bidens deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said Biden is thrilled to have Bloombergs support. But she said conversations about what Bloombergs endorsement means in practice are ongoing. With votes still being counted across the country, The Associated Press has allocated 566 delegates to Biden, 501 to Sanders and 61 to Warren. The numbers are expected to shift as new states report their numbers and as some candidates hover around the 15% vote threshold they must hit to earn delegates. The ultimate nominee must claim 1,991 delegates, which is a majority of the 3,979 pledged delegates available this primary season. ___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Will Weissert and Brian Slodysko in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Dr Laura Brown MBA, BSc,PhD, is a Pharmaceutical QA and Training Consultant, Course Director for the MSc in Clinical Research, School of Pharmacy at the University of Cardiff. She has more than 20 years' experience of quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry and has worked for several companies, including GSKs Hoechst Marion Roussel, Farmitalia and Phoenix International. She has a particular expertise in quality assurance including risked based approaches to quality systems, data Integrity and project management in the pharmaceutical industry. She regularly writes on pharmaceutical regulatory issues including The Planning of International Drug Development, in the Clinical Research Manual, Euromed and the Impact of Brexit, RQA Journal 2017. This must-attend course provides a review of recent changes to relevant legislation and guidance and will look at how these developments have been implemented. Topics covered will include the latest update of the EU Clinical Trial Regulation, the final EMA TMF guideline and the further renovation of ICH GCP R2. The programme will also examine inspection findings and common failings in these new areas and how these should be addressed. 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. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Argentina and Chile both said on Tuesday they had confirmed their first cases of new coronavirus in patients who recently returned from travels. A 43-year-old infected Argentine man had returned from Italy while a 33-year-old Chilean man had spent a month in southeast Asia. Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia said the Argentine patient has been in isolation since presenting himself to a private health clinic. "We've identified a first case. It's a patient who came from Italy" but had also traveled around other parts of Europe, said Gonzalez Garcia. The minister, who added that "fortunately the case is not complicated," said Argentina was prepared to tackle the virus. Chile's Health Minister Jaime Manalich said the 33-year-old patient had been taken to hospital in the city of Talca, around 350 kilometers (220 miles) to the south of the capital Santiago. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP Geneva [Switzerland], Mar 4 (ANI): Highlighting the atrocities meted out by the Pakistani military establishment on the Pashtun community, a pavilion was put up at Broken Chair here on Tuesday with messages that read 'Stop Pashtun Genocide', 'Pashtun Against Torture', etc. The pavilion, set up in front of the UN office during the 43rd Human Rights Council session, calls for urgent attention to the Pashtun persecution in Pakistan and it urges the international community to help them and make Pakistan stop this genocide. The Pashtuns, an ethnic group of Pakistan living in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), have been exposed to brutal practices of the Pakistan Army, as many civilians have been killed, tortured and arbitrarily detained by labelling them as terrorists. Imran Khan-led Pakistan government has also arrested journalists and human rights activists. The leading figure of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), freedom fighter Manzoor Pashteen, is one of the victims who was arrested by the Pakistan police on January 27 this year for speaking against the Pakistan Army. However, the government justified his arrest by stating that he was 'disturbing political order in the country'. The extermination efforts of Pakistan against the Pashtuns are still going on. The number of deaths and missing persons is rising every day. If the UN does not take immediate action to stop this genocide, the Pashtuns will be annihilated by Islamabad's harsh policies towards them. (ANI) SpendEdge has been monitoring the global corporate meeting cards market and the market is poised to experience spend growth of more than USD 40 billion between 2018-2023 at a CAGR of over 8% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005473/en/ Read the 130-page research report with TOC and LOE on "The Global Corporate Meeting Cards Market, Pricing Outlook in Geographies that include APAC, North America, South America, and MEA, and insights into best practices to optimize procurement spend." Staging of corporate meetings for product launches is common across the FMCG, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals sectors. However, buyers in these sectors are facing a series of challenges while managing and tracking the expenses done on these meetings. This is creating the urgency for buyers to invest in the corporate meeting cards market to manage and track such incremental meetings and events expenses while acquiring better spend visibility. These cards can also facilitate buyers with better negotiation powers with preferential suppliers by consolidating spend data and reduce payment processing cost. Subscribe to our procurement platform to get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment. The Top Corporate Meeting Cards Suppliers Enlisted in this Report: Of late, the instances of frauds through card payments are on a rise. This has resulted in a significant loss of revenue for buyers as well as suppliers. In the corporate meeting cards market, it becomes a pressing necessity to partner with suppliers who adopt emerging technologies to reduce security risks and prevent fraud. On this note, this report has listed the top corporate meeting cards suppliers, SLA agreement insights, and the selection and negotiation strategies that buyers must undertake to achieve optimal and cost-effective procurement in this market. American Express Banking Corp- It features in the list of corporate meeting cards suppliers who are known to leverage technologies such as big data analytics, AI, and blockchain, which helps them offer improved services to buyers. In 2018, American Express filed for a patent of a blockchain-based proof-of-payment system that would automate proof-of-payments by encrypting payment payload data. Similarly, American Express Banking Corp is also known to have collaborated with a leading technology provider that offers blockchain solutions to enable real-time cross-border B2B payments. The adoption of blockchain technology allows suppliers to gain transparency with respect to domestic as well as cross-border transactions, which helps them in reducing payment frauds. JPMorgan Chase- In the US corporate meeting cards market, suppliers are known to be susceptible to risks related to cyberattacks that can lead to the loss of valuable customer data and revenue. Among the leading financial services providers in this region, JPMorgan Chase is known to increasingly invest in cybersecurity systems within its organizations to protect customer data and reduce payment frauds. HSBC Holdings Plc- Prior to finalizing a contract with this supplier, buyers are advised to assess its reporting and expense tracking capabilities for M&E spend. The selection of service providers should be based on the reporting tools they use and the time interval at which they provide expense tracking reports. Buy 1 report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 reports and get the third for free. Download the free sample of this report on the corporate meeting cards market. Some of the key topics covered in this report are: Corporate meeting cards market spend segmentation by region Corporate meeting cards supply market analysis Regional spend opportunity for corporate meeting cards suppliers Corporate meeting cards suppliers cost structure Total cost of ownership analysis in the corporate meeting cards market Corporate meeting cards pricing models analysis Category management objectives Cost saving opportunities in the corporate meeting cards market Free sample of reports that you may like: Global Retail Analytics Software Market Procurement Intelligence Report Global IT Consulting Industry Procurement Market Intelligence Report About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005473/en/ Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 984 7340 UK: +44 148 459 9299 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us But not all airlines care enough to take this approach. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Mahan Airways continued its flights to China with no mind given to the wellbeing of the Iranian people. Even the regimes state-run media wrote about the continuing flights to China by Mahan Airways, something the company was forced to admit on its Instagram page following public pressure. The IRNA news agency reported on February 9 that the airline made four cargo flights and five passenger flights to China following the ban, but had no scheduled flights to China afterward. (You wont be surprised to learn that they did continue flights after that, even allowing travelers considered high-risk by other airlines to board.) Bahram Parsai, a member of Irans Parliament, told the state-run media about these flights because of factional infighting in the regime. In his comments, Parsai said outright that the reason for the spread of the coronavirus in Iran is the continued flights to China. Parsai said: Unfortunately, by any inexcusable reason, the flights of an Iranian airline to China continued and even the passengers of other countries were displaced with this Iranian airline. The warnings were not taken seriously and the negligence is very clear. The profitseeking of an internal airline or wrong policies of the Aviation Organization and also not taking seriously the World Health Organization warnings was the cause of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran. Considering that no cases were reported from neighboring countries, we can conclude that the virus entered the country through external flights. Iranian Aviation Organization spokesperson Reza Jafarzadeh also said on February 11 that flights to China were continuing, while Mohammad Hossein Ghorbani, Vice President of the parliaments Health and Treatment Commission, said that the airlines had been warned to stop but that the government could not stop private companies. This is a lie because, of course, because the government could use emergency powers to ground all flights to and from China. But they wont because of the IRGC own Mahan. Mahans DirectorGeneral Arabnejad felt so confident about this that he met with the Chinese ambassador to Tehran on February 23 about ongoing cooperation with China Mohammad Eslami, the minister of transportation and metropolitan development, said that Mahan was not responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus in Iran, but it is clear that the fault lies with the IRGC and the regime as a whole who put profit before people. Read More: Head of Qom University of Medical Sciences Goes into Quarantine after Disclosing Iran Corona Statistics Censorship Order Iran: A Coronavirus Worse Than the Coronavirus Amid growing energy demand in the region, the governments in Middle East and North Africa (Mena) are spending heavily on renewable energy sector which is likely to attract $35 billion investments by year-end, said a report released at the Middle East Energy expo in Dubai. The mega Middle East Energy exhibition and probing conference series opened today (March 3) and will be running for the next three days at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Set against the background of an industry in the midst of major disruption and transformation, the show, previously known as Middle East Electricity, has attracted more than 1,100 exhibitors from more than 130 countries. During the event, the industry heavyweights will be demonstrating breakthrough technologies that are changing the entire energy eco-system, with power capacity in the Mena region set for annual 6.4 per cent growth through 2022, said the Energy & Utilities Market Outlook Report 2020, produced by the event organiser Informa Markets. According to experts, the digitalisation and renewables will be at centre of discussions at the Middle East Energy expo. Underlining its reputation at the forefront of energy sector innovation, Middle East Energy will today launch its plenary sessions of the much-anticipated conference series. The conferences opening session - held under the theme Energy in Transition, Connecting the World: Demand, Digitalisation, Diversification will feature energy luminaries Nasser Saidi, Chairman, Clean Energy Business Council (Mena); and Yousif Al Ali, Executive Director, Masdar, and Gauri Singh, Deputy Director General, Irena. These sessions are expected to unearth key insights into future developments in an industry battling with a complex mix of sustainability and conservation needs alongside rising global power demand. This years expanded Middle East Energy knowledge programme also features a dedicated Digitalisation in Energy Conference, which has a focus on digital grids and digital future cities and a conference devoted to Renewables. Visitors to Middle East Energy will find a technology showcase across the events five product sectors of power generation, renewables, transmission and distribution, energy conservation &and managements and digitalisation. "As energy demand continues to rise and renewables play an ever-increasing transformative role, Middle East Energy will once again be at the forefront of driving discussion and setting the agenda to meet global power needs," remarked Claudia Konieczna, the exhibition director at Informa Industrial Group. "The show has once again attracted the major players showcasing the latest breakthroughs while taking a deep-dive into hot industry topics such as digitalisation. With Expo 2020 on the horizon, Middle East Energy will shine the spotlight on many solutions that will be optimised when Dubai welcomes the world again in October," she added.-TradeArabia News Service B akeries chain Greggs cheered surging profits today, but said the storms battering Britain had dampened sales at the start of the year. Pre-tax profits lifted 31% to 108.3 million for the year to December 28, as it enjoyed strong demand for its vegan range of sausage rolls and pastries. But storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge left a sour taste last month, as heavy downpours and flooding dealt a significant blow to this years sales. Greggs was forced to shut 40 shops for five days because it could not supply them with pastries and cakes after its factory in Treforest, South Wales, was flooded. Chief executive Roger Whiteside said the largest weather impact came from fewer shoppers hitting the high streets. Despite the hit, same-store sales were still up 7.5% for the first nine weeks of the year. Whiteside said: We have had three named storms in a row and that has impacted footfall everywhere. People are just not out shopping because the weather has been so awful. The update came as Greggs unveiled record results, as total sales climbed 13.5% to 1.2 billion for last year. The move has been driven by a shift away from being a seller of just cakes and bread towards becoming a food-on-the-go chain that offers fast and healthier meals. The company said it closed 41 shops over the period and opened 138 new stores, lifting its estate to 2050. It plans to roll out another 100 sites this year. To mark the rapid expansion, it dished up a 7 million special bonus to its 25,000 staff in January. Greggs is facing the prospect of escalating costs due to a hike to the National Living Wage and higher pork prices. The company said it would invest 10 million this year to shield customers from price hikes at the tills. The chain said the outlook for 2020 was uncertain due to coronavirus. Whiteside added: Coronavirus is an unknown. We are very confident of the things we can take precautions for that might impact our own network. The issue is, what happens if it becomes more widespread and people stop travelling or going to work. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2020 financial results on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 4:30 PM Eastern time. A press release with first quarter 2020 financial results will be issued at approximately 4:10 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Participants can join the conference by dialing 1-888-317-6003 and will be prompted to enter the code 7717526. International callers can dial 1-412-317-6061 and will be prompted to enter the code 7717526. The call will also be webcast live from the Company's website on the investor relations page at ir.chipotle.com and registration is available at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1894/33385. An archived webcast will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call. ABOUT CHIPOTLE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 2,600 restaurants as of December 31, 2019, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. With more than 83,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells, founder and executive chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM. SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill Related Links www.chipotle.com Pennsylvania now has the ability to test about six people per day for the new coronavirus, and the number will significantly increase by Friday, Dr. Rachel Levine, the state secretary of health, said on Tuesday. Thats a major upgrade from prior to Monday, when testing was done at a federal lab in Atlanta, causing waits of up to about 48 hours for results. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week began providing state health departments with kits enabling them to do their own tests. The federal government also has loosened standards for testing, and now allows tests of people who may have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, or whose doctor believes a test is warranted. That will further increase the volume of testing for the new coronavirus, Levine said. Testing has proved a problem in the national response plan after the first CDC-produced test kits sent to states turned out to be faulty. That meant states including Pennsylvania had to rely on the Atlanta lab to test samples from people with suspected cases of coronavirus. As of this week, tests are being done at the state health departments lab near Philadelphia. The state will still send possible positive test results to the CDC for confirmation. But results will come quicker: Results from samples received early in the day will be returned by the CDC that day, and samples received in the afternoon or evening will be returned by the following morning, Levine said. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Levine said she has no reason to think coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania went undetected because of testing limitations, but she couldnt be certain. Its now believed that happened in some parts of the country, allowing people with the coronavirus to spread it in the community. We really dont know if there has been community spread here, she said. Pennsylvania as of Tuesday had no confirmed cases, although some people the state wont say how many are being monitored for symptoms. Earlier Tuesday, doctors at UPMC, which has hospitals and medical offices across much of the state including the Harrisburg region, said UPMC has encountered no one in need of testing during the two months it has been on the lookout for coronavirus. Federal authorities have also granted emergency permission to perform tests to some hospitals and locally-based commercial labs. Levine said she expects some of those will be capable of testing by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. Levine said the costs of testing will be covered by insurance or the state for those who lack coverage. She said no one who thinks they may be infected should avoid getting tested out of fear of the bill. She said people who think they have symptoms should see their doctor or go to an emergency room. The doctor will consult with the health department about whether a test is warranted. The test involves a nasal swab. People who think they may have symptoms are urged to call ahead to the doctor or ER so steps can be taken to prevent possible spread of coronavirus to other patients or health care workers. The main symptoms include fever and cough. People who are very sick with coronavirus may need to be hospitalized. However, studies involving thousands of people sickened in China indicate about 80 percent of people experienced only minor illness comparable to a bad cold. People who arent very sick might be asked to quarantine themselves at home, according to Levine. Scientists have also concluded some people who are infected experience few or no symptoms, although they are capable of spreading the coronavirus, which is transmitted mostly by way of droplets released during coughs and sneezes. Levine said the state has spent about $200,000 in preparing for the coronavirus, using federal funds. However, she said the state has no outside funding toward the actual response to an outbreak, and Pennsylvania will rely on federal funding to cover a response. The state would channel the federal funds to counties and local responders, she said. She said the state is working on response cost estimates, with the final number depending on things such as how many people wind up needing to be tested, and the duration of any outbreak. She said the risk of someone coming down with the coronavirus in Pennsylvania is quite low at this point. However, she said the situation is rapidly evolving and I dont want to downplay the threat. Heres PennLives full coverage of the coronavirus. Three schools in NCR's Noida shut over coronavirus threat A leading public school in Noida in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi has declared holiday for three days after it was found that the child of a confirmed coronavirus patient is a student of the school. Two neighbouring schools have also reported to have decided to close for three days following the finding. The school authorities apparently have closed the school after it was confirmed that the son of the newly confirmed coronavirus patient in Delhi was a student of the school. Annual examinations have also been postponed till schools reopen, reports said. As per circulars issued by the schools, there will b no classes or exams till 9 March, and the examinations are expected to start after the schools reopen. The schools will issue updates later. The names of the schools have been withheld to avoid panic. Parents would receive official notice from their respective schools. A patient in Delhi was confirmed positive with Coronavirus or COVID 19 yesterday. Allegedly, the son of the infected person was identified as a student of the school in question. It may be noted that only one school in the district has declared holiday. The school has sent out a circular that reads, Due to certain unavoidable circumstances we will be postponing the exams scheduled for today. The new dates will be communicated shortly. The Board exams will continue as normal. The children of classes 7-11 may come for extra classes if they wish. Class 6 and IGCSE classes continue with the study leave. Related | Precautions for State Board, CBSE students ahead of Exams as Kerala declares Coronavirus a 'state disaster' Authorities are expected to visit the school soon to check for infection and also to carry sanitation activities. We are sending a surveillance team to the school and will carry on sanitation activities in school premises. We will also be meeting parents, said Dr Anurag Bhargava, CMO, GB Manager. People are advised to stay calm. Also, with examinations going, it would be advisable to be cautious. Parents are advised to educate their kids about the coronavirus and basic precautions. Any fever, if detected, should be given due medical attention.Basic hygiene should be promoted. Apart from this, all parents are also urged to avoid falling prey to WhatsApp messages giving 'cure' for COVID-19. Basic precaution should be suggested to the students about how the virus spreads. Any new update regarding the same would be provided here. [March 02, 2020] Shareholder Alert: Robbins LLP Announces Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI) Sued for Misleading Shareholders Shareholder rights law firm Robbins LLP announces that a purchaser of Crown Castle International Corp. (News - Alert) (NYSE: CCI) filed a class action complaint against the Company for alleged violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 between February 26, 2018 and February 26, 2020. Crown Castle operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and more than 75,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions. If you suffered a loss as a result of Crown Castle's misconduct, click here. Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI (News - Alert)) Accused of Misleading Shareholders According to the complaint, from February 26, 2018 to November 4, 2019, Crown Castle attested to its accuracy of financial reporting, disclosure of itsinternal control over financial reporting, and disclosure of all fraud in its quarterly and annual reports submitted to the SEC (News - Alert). Beginning in first quarter 2019, Crown Castle touted successive increases in its quarterly net income and increases in adjusted EBITDA, citing "net growth in [its] Towers and Fiber segments." However, on February 26, 2020, Crown Castle revealed that "after consultation with the [SEC's Office of the Chief Accountant], we concluded that our historical practice [for recognizing services revenues] was not acceptable under [Generally Accepted Accounting Principles]." As a result, the Company announced it would restate its financial statements for 2017, 2018, and the first three quarters of 2019, anticipating a decrease of approximately $100 million in net income and adjusted EBITDA for full year 2019 actuals. On this news, the stock price fell $14.38, or almost 9% to close at $148.31 per share. Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI) Shareholders Have Legal Options Contact us to learn more: Leo Kandinov (800) 350-6003 [email protected] Shareholder Information Form Robbins LLP is a nationally recognized leader in shareholder rights law. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits, and has helped its clients realize more than $1 billion of value for themselves and the companies in which they have invested. Click here to receive free alerts from Stock Watch when companies engage in wrongdoing. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302006045/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Burma Myanmars Ruling Party Sacks Media-Friendly Spokesman Former NLD spokesman Dr. Myo Nyunt at Naypyitaw on March 1. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy Naypyitaw The National League for Democracy (NLD) has sacked its popular Dr. Myo Nyunt as spokesman without giving a public explanation, leaving one media representative who is suffering from leukemia and is renowned for avoiding journalists questions. The central executive committee (CEC) met in Naypyitaw on Sunday and Dr. Myo Nyunt told reporters that he had been dismissed. He will remain a member of the CEC. From now on, Dr. Zaw Myint Maung will be the only spokesman for our party, he said without explaining the move. This is the decision made by the CEC and Im not allowed to give the reason. I am no longer authorized to speak. Sayar Zaw Myint Maung will speak in the future, said Dr. Myo Nyunt. The four-hour meeting focused on funding and research, he said when asked if other issues were discussed. Dr. Myo Nyunt has good ties with the media and had a reputation for always taking calls when possible. NLD vice-chairman Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, who is also the chief minister of Mandalay Region, is suffering from leukemia. Party officials said he was recovering after receiving treatment in Bangkok. He has been known as Mr Ask Nothing because he reportedly said, Ask Nothing, to a reporter at an event. Mandalay journalists say he rarely takes questions. Dr. Zaw Myint Maung told reporters: When possible, I attend the CEC meetings and take as much responsibility as I can in the [Mandalay] government. I will be the spokesman regarding the election. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: Wa Army Says Its Willing to Work With Myanmar Govt to Hold Voting in Its Territory Myanmar Military Postpones Armed Forces Day Parade Over Coronavirus By Lee Min-hyung Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance nominated President Cho Yong-il and Vice President Lee Sung-jae as the firm's next co-CEOs, in a bid to seek a breakthrough amid an earnings decline stemming from worsening market conditions. The two nominees are expected to replace incumbent CEO and Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-young if they receive approval at a regular shareholder meeting slated for March 20. "We judged the two executives are qualified to lead the organization as CEOs, and they will take office after the meeting," an official from the firm's CEO recommendation committee said. In 2019, the Hyundai affiliate suffered a major earnings setback by reporting a drop of 30 percent in annual net profit from the previous year. The company was hit hardest by widening loss ratios in its car insurance business. The company expects the dual leadership system to freshen up the corporate atmosphere and help stabilize the weakening profitability. Cho served as president of the company since December. He has handled a wide range of insurance tasks, including sales and operation, since joining the company in 1988. Lee has also spent his entire career at the company since 1986, taking up major posts _ such as heads of overseas business and corporate insurance. He was promoted to vice president in January, 2019. New Delhi, March 3 : To prevent birth defects, health authorities should ensure all women and girls have access to vaccination throughout their lives, as well as good quality antenatal care, said a top World Health Organization (WHO) official on Tuesday. Across WHO's South-East Asia Region which includes India, vaccine against rubella, a disease that can cause several birth defects, is now included in national immunisation programmes. Though all countries in the region provide routine rubella vaccination, the average coverage is 83 per cent, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, said in a statement. "Achieving full coverage will have a substantial impact on the incidence of birth defects caused by congenital rubella syndrome," she said. Every year, eight million children globally are estimated to be born with a birth defect. The most serious defects include heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome. Birth defects are responsible for the death of an estimated 3 lakh newborns annually, 90,000 of them in the South-East Asia Region. The mortality and life-long disability birth defects can disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. Services that provide micronutrient supplementation can help pregnant women nourish their foetus, while healthy lifestyle counselling can help them avoid harmful products such as tobacco and alcohol, Singh said on the occasion of World Birth Defects Day on Tuesday. Second, to detect birth defects, health authorities should ensure all families have access to facilities with adequate screening capacity, the WHO official said. Screening before and during pregnancy, including with ultrasound, is vital to detecting birth defects, including major abnormalities. Neonatal screening can detect common metabolic disorders, in addition to heart defects and other congenital disorders. Early detection is crucial for a child's life-long health and well-being. Third, to treat birth defects, health authorities should ensure all families have access to appropriate services. "Early interventions can be life-changing for children with disorders that put them at risk of physical, intellectual, visual or auditory disabilities, as well as for children with defects that have a functional impact," Singh said. There's a lot of pressure for anyone getting out of the military. Whether they have a family to look after or not, finding that first civilian job is a crucial step. Some job seekers will selectively target their dream jobs. Others will canvass the region, looking for anything to sustain them as they make a transition. One thing is true for every newly minted civilian, however: It feels great to be called in to interview for that job they really want. But before getting carried away with the idea of that job, it's important to take a critical look at the company, its staff and even its offices before committing to it. After all, an interview isn't just for the employer to look at the applicant -- the applicant needs to consider whether the job and the company are right for them. Here are 10 glaring red flags that might be a signal to continue your job hunt. 10. A Vague Job Description Sure, we all read the job listing and tailor our resumes and cover letters to fit (I mean ... we did do that, right?). But when it's time to actually get to the office and meet the person making the hiring decision, one of the questions everyone should ask is about the potential new job function in the context of daily office operations. If the interviewer isn't quite clear about how the position will be expected to contribute to the daily success of the company, there's a good chance the new hire won't know either. It's very difficult to succeed in an environment without leadership, especially when the new guy isn't experienced enough to take up that mantle. Be wary. 9. Negative Reviews Just like products and services, companies are best reviewed through word of mouth. The good news is that these days, employees can review their companies on job search websites. It makes total sense to look at those reviews and then ask the interviewer about some of those criticisms, should the issue arise. If the employer starts offering complaints about the previous person who held the position, listen closely -- whether it's just sour grapes or a legitimate complaint, they shouldn't be telling a new candidate about it. That's a sign of the company culture, and one that may not be healthy. A veteran may have had to put up with toxic leadership at some point in the military, but they don't have to volunteer for it again, especially when the warning signs are there. 8. They Have Trouble Keeping the Job Filled If the position a candidate is vying for has had to be filled every year, that might be a key indicator they will also be looking for work in a year. People don't leave good jobs after one year, and if they do for some reason, their successor doesn't leave the same job after one year. That's what we call "high turnover." Pretty sure this fired employee is stealing office supplies to sell later. A high turnover rate like that means something isn't right with that particular position, be it because of toxic leadership, poor company policies or even overly demanding expectations. It doesn't matter what the reason is: Until the issue is fixed, everyone will be affected by it. 7. They Contact You at Weird Hours Did the interview request come at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning? Did the human resources director or interviewer call with a resume question during dinner on a Wednesday? Are these the times you want to be at your desk? There's nothing wrong with putting in a few extra hours, but maintaining a healthy work-life balance is also important. If the people making the hiring decision are working all the time, then everyone at the company might be too. Holidays, weekends and critical times in your family life could all be on the chopping block. It's important to remember this isn't a military job. Unless workaholism is truly enjoyable for you, there's no need to be deployable to write TPS Reports 24/7. 6. The Hiring Manager Has No Long-Term Goals There's nothing wrong with asking an interviewer about their long-term goals at the company. It's a great way to gauge how they feel about their role in the company and if they feel they have growth potential within it. Think about the time spent working for a company as an investment: Why would anyone invest in something that offers no growth or return? If the hiring manager or HR employee has no growth potential, new hires likely won't either. Even if someone hated being in the U.S. military, there was always room for promotion and self-growth. 5. They Ask You to Trade Salary for 'Opportunity' If an employer tells a potential new hire that the pay for the position is low, but the potential for growth is "exponential" because the company is set to "tip any time now," (or something like that), it's time to take a pause. Unless the job is with a hot, well-funded Silicon Valley startup that is bringing a new technology to market, this is just wishful thinking. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. "Or you can trade it all for what's in this box." (20th Century Fox) A variation on this would be trading salary expectations for the company's stock options. Even private companies had stock options to be exercised in case of going public, but again, consider the company and weigh the risks. You can always buy actual stock later with a good salary. 4. Office Perks Collecting Dust How great was the squadron burger burn? Getting a few hours to relax and get to know the co-workers was a pretty great perk. It's nice to see some employers adopting those kinds of morale-boosting activities, but don't let that blind you to reality. If a business offers a bunch of fun employee "perks" for the office, take a close look at them. If the office Xbox or training gym is actually just sitting around collecting dust, there likely isn't downtime for that sort of thing -- and there never will be. It's not a real perk unless people get to use it. 3. Gathering Too Much Personal Information Too Soon If an employer asks someone about their full name, birthdate and Social Security number, or casually mentions they asked a common connection on LinkedIn about you before anything else, think about heading for the hills. Reaching out to references not listed on a resume or without asking permission is a huge overstep, even if the review is a positive one. Even asking about your marriage status and how many children you have during the first interview is a potential red flag: They may be secretly asking how much time you can dedicate to the job. 2. Asking About Your Previous Salary This is also personal information, but it deserves a special mention because this is something that is totally legal for them to ask for -- and an applicant who is dying for that dream job will likely volunteer it if asked. The truth is that previous salaries are not relevant to their job, which has an entirely different function in a different company with different personnel and its own set of challenges and key performance indicators. Moreover, they're asking the applicant to tip their hand when it comes to salary negotiation. 1. Anyone Stressing They're An 'At-Will' Employer This sounds innocent enough, but it's not. If the hiring manager, HR employee or anyone else interviewing the candidate keeps mentioning their company is an "at-will" employer, it might be time to reconsider this job. "At-will" means "fire at will" -- it's a controversial legal decision that allows employers to fire any employee, any time, for any reason other than the usual illegal reasons like gender, age, race and the like. "We'll keep your resume on file. You'll be hearing from us soon." It doesn't matter whether you do an excellent job for a decade, they want you to know they don't need a reason to fire you. Repeatedly mentioning this in an interview is not the warm fuzzy you want for your first civilian job. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs? Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Indonesia is now planning to build its first spaceport on a tropical island off the coast of easternmost Papua (AFP Photo) Lumajang, Indonesia: With a 3,2,1 blast off, the two-metre-long projectile belches a trail of fire and then soars a few hundred metres before crashing in a heap -- earning a thumbs up from scientists who declared the test a success. It's a very long way from a Mission Control in Houston, but the Southeast Asian archipelago's answer to NASA has big hopes and is now planning to build its first spaceport on a tropical island off the coast of easternmost Papua. "We've got a dream to put our own satellite-launching rocket 200 or 300 km into space within five years," said Lilis Mariani, head of the Rocket Technology Centre at the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space, known as Lapan. Some experts question how realistic that timeline is, and officials acknowledge much will depend on whether Jakarta stumps up the necessary funds. A giant leap Indonesia's space agency is a relative minnow, dwarfed in Asia by counterparts in Japan, China and India. Lapan has had some success with developing research satellite technology, but it wants to make its mark in space flight by sending a homegrown rocket into orbit. Back at the launch site on East Java, Lapan's scientists were gauging the tiny test rocket's speed, movement and other specifications. "It was stable on take off and moved well," said Sri Kilawati, head of the Centre's rocket control programme. "The objective was to study rocket control. They travel at a very high rate of speed so you've got to observe their behaviour," she added. Achieving a real life launch in five years requires a giant leap, conceded Lavi Zuhal, head of aerospace engineering at Indonesia's Bandung Institute of Technology. "Lapan is still far behind in terms of launch technology, although it has been quite successful in developing satellites," he explained, adding: "The engineers at Lapan haven't fully mastered rocket technology yet." Kilawati acknowledged that reaching Indonesia's ambitions for a state-of-the-art launch centre isn't just about technological prowess. "Funding comes from state coffers so it depends a lot on the government's priorities," she said. Still, the East Java rocket test underlined that Indonesia was pushing toward the orbital launch goal, even if a five-year timeline was ambitious. - Leena Pivovarova, analyst at US-based Northern Sky Research "In the grand scheme of rocket development you can think of this as a step in the right direction," said Pivovarova. "This is toward a larger purpose of achieving orbital launch capability." Inspiring the next generation Indonesia's space aspirations began in the early sixties with the creation of Lapan and it was one of the first developing nations to have communications satellites launched into space by the United States, where they were made. It planned to send an astronaut into space with NASA, but the bid was shelved in the wake of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger crash and no other opportunities have come to pass. But now Lapan is talking to its Russian counterpart about sending one of its astronauts on a future mission - though there are few concrete details so far. Indonesia has cooperated on technology with counterparts in the US, Germany, Japan and the Ukraine among others over the years. Two of its homegrown satellites - used in research to mitigate natural disasters - were launched into orbit by India in 2015. But the lack of infrastructure remains a serious problem. In November, Indonesia finally confirmed plans to construct its first spaceport off the coast of Papua, acknowledging that its existing launch site is too risky for large rocket launches because it is too small and in a densely populated area. The new location on the equator is also ideal as it cuts fuel costs and could potentially draw interest from other countries keen to launch satellites, experts said. Getting one of its own citizens into orbit would bolster the nation's space record. "An Indonesian astronaut could boost (its) space profile internationally," said Phil Smith, an analyst at US-based Bryce Space and Technology. He added: "But it would more significantly inspire Indonesian citizens." Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The finance minister for NI has given his backing to match a 105m funding package committed by the British government towards Derrys City Region Deal. At the beginning of February the Derry News reported that Derry City & Strabane District Council expected Stormont to announce 50m of City Deal match funding within weeks. A formal announcement has not yet been made. The council also indicated that negotiations were ongoing with the NI government to secure an additional 55m to match the total UK Government (UKG) package of 105m towards a Derry City and Strabane Region Deal. Now, a Department of Finance spokesperson has said Sinn Fein minister Conor Murphy supports match funding. The spokesperson stated: The Minister will be taking a paper to the Executive seeking its agreement to match funding for City Deals. As the Minister has expressed his support for Match Funding for Inclusive Future Funds this will also be included as a recommendation in the paper. The current package, 50 million for the City Deal and 55m for the new Inclusive Future Fund, aims to boost the economic potential of the city and support a more prosperous and united community. The Derry City and Strabane City Deal investment will help strengthen innovation and the digital potential of the city region and unlock local partner funding. It will be bolstered by a 55m Inclusive Future Fund aimed at bringing greater prosperity and social benefits to the whole of the community. Ulster University will be granted 85m of the 105 already committed. Official council documents indicate it may be given additional funds. UUs 85m will be invested in centres of innovation and excellence in data analytics (CARL) and robotics and automation (CIDRA), the Graduate Entry Medical School (NIGEMS) and Personalised Medicine Centre of Excellence (THRIVE). Foyle Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed Finance Minister Conor Murphys support for Executive funding towards Derrys 105 million City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund. She said: Together, The City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund represent a 105 million investment in the North West which will provide a major and much-needed economic boost to the entire region, helping us to create and sustain well-paying jobs and opportunities. Derrys City Deal was always contingent on the Executive match funding the British Governments contribution, but the Executive must also decide whether to take a similar approach to the Future Fund. Therefore, I very much welcome that Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy has now confirmed in an Assembly answer to me that he supports match-funding both and will shortly be bringing the matter to the Executive. That is another example of the positive approach that Sinn Fein takes to government, helping to deliver investment, regeneration and opportunity where it is needed. Charles A. Dana went wherever he was needed to act as Stantons spy Walt Whitman described Charles A. Dana as a straight, trim-built, prompt, vigorous man, well-dressed with strong brown hair, beard, and mustache, and a quick, watchful eye. He steps alertly by, watching everybodya man of rough, strong intellect, tremendous prejudices, firmly relied on, and excellent intentions. A successful journalist, Dana would have an outsized impact on the Civil War by bringing the qualities ascribed to him by Whitman to further the Union cause, a cause in which he passionately believed. The only previous full-length biography of Dana was written in 1907. Carl Guarneri remedies this void with an empathetic, but not uncritical, biography of the Civil Wars quintessential inside man. In straightforward prose, Guarneri quickly summarizes Danas early years, culminating in his job as managing editor of the New York Tribune. Dana would reclaim his place as an outstanding newspaperman after the war as editor of the New York Sun. After Dana and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton crossed paths, the journalists Civil War legacy began to grow. Stanton concluded that Dana was a man on whose judgments he could rely. Dana became Stantons troubleshooter, beginning with an assignment to report on questionable contracts being issued by Union quartermasters in Cairo, Ill. But Danas service to the nation took a gigantic step forward when Stanton sent him west in 1862 to report to me every day on what you see. Danas target was Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, then in the midst of his campaign to capture Vicksburg, Miss., and split the Confederacy. Washington was rife with unfounded rumors of Grants military incompetence and his occasional public drunkenness. Guarneri leads readers through Danas undisguised infiltration of Grants inner circle. Guarneri maintains, His dispatches kept Stanton and Lincoln informed about Grants movements, explained his plans, and projected confidence in his success. He probably saved Grants career at this critical juncture because he saw Grant as the fighting general the Union desperately needed, and he committed himself to championing his cause with Stanton and Lincoln. After that, Dana showed up wherever the action was hottest. When William Rosecrans got his Army of the Cumberland bottled up in Chattanooga, Tenn., after the Union disaster at Chickamauga in September 1863, Danas reports on the situation helped get Old Rosy relieved and Maj. Gen. George Thomas put in charge. When Lincoln and Stanton needed information on the progress of Grants Overland Campaign, Dana was ready to ride at a moments notice. Guarneri goes so far as to conclude that Dana called the shots as he saw them without fear or remorse, and his dispatches to Stanton and Lincoln hastened the Unions day of vindication. Guarneris insightful analysis and scrupulous research more than justify his conclusion that the Civil War harnessed [Danas] prodigious energy and ambition to the dual cause of preserving the Union and ending slavery. Danas insider role and his unflinching judgments, Guarneri maintains, made him controversial, then and now. Manila: The day-long hostage situation in a shopping mall near the police and military headquarters in Manila came to an end as the suspect freed the hostages and was subdued by the police after he walked out of the building. The standoff had held since yesterday, as a disgruntled former security guard shot at least one person and took about 30 others hostage at a shopping mall in the Philippine capital, officials said. The man, identified by the police as Alchie Paray, a former guard at the Greenhills shopping centre, left the mall in San Juan City in metropolitan Manila with the remaining hostages, who were then secured by police. Several others had managed to escape earlier, police said. Job Title: Account Executive UN, Diplomatic & NGO Segment Organisation: Toyota Duty Station: Namanve, Uganda Reference: TUGA/2020/HR/003 About US: Toyota Uganda is the market leader in Ugandas automotive industry. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Japan and the sole official distributor of brand new Toyota vehicles in Uganda as appointed by Toyota Motor Corporation. Our key business activities include the sale of Toyota motor vehicles, genuine parts and motor vehicle servicing & repair as well as Yamaha motorcycles, Hino trucks and Case tractors. Job Summary: The Account Executive will be responsible for the drive in our business growth, overall relationship management and success in the allocated segment by implementing a strong and sustainable sales strategy for brand new Toyota cars. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Achieve assigned vehicle sales targets and KPIs with specic focus on the assigned segment and their needs Identify, qualify and follow up Sales prospects / opportunities that are generated through leads, cold calling, referrals from existing clients and other channels Negotiate contracts and close agreements to deliver on company set targets Manage the client relationship while servicing as the lead point of contact for any and all matters specic to your account segment including timely provision of solutions and conict resolution Forecast and track key client account metrics (e.g. customer visits, quarterly sales results and annual forecasts) Maintain, at all times, an accurate and reliable customer database with information, amongst others, on your clients eet sizes, vehicle composition, renewal cycles and key contact personnel Leverage on available training to grow into a Sales professional able to give a competent and enthusiastic presentation of all of the Toyota mobility solutions and our unique value proposition to the customer Brand Management: keep a professional image at all times to enhance and grow customer condence in the Toyota Uganda image as the Best in Town Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicants for the Toyota Account Executive jobs should hold Bachelors Degrees in Business Management, Sales, and Marketing or related eld Three years experience in Sales and/or Client Relationship Management with demonstrated ability in consistently exceeding targets Ability to listen, build rapport with customers and qualify their requirements Demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to maximize business opportunities Excellent written and verbal communication skills (candidates will be required to deliver a business pitch to a selected audience) . Tech savvy and passionate about innovations Hold a valid driving license How to Apply: All interested candidates should submit via email a cover letter, detailed CV with scanned copies of academic certicates merged in one document via Email to: hr@toyota.co.ug Deadline: 15th March 2020 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Shah and his daughter were taken to the area police station on Tuesday after the NIA, along with the J&K police and the CRPF, raided their house. Magray, 22, a furniture shop owner and resident of Hajibal village of Pulwamas Kakapora area, was arrested by the NIA last week. (Image: File) SRINAGAR: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday formally arrested a father-daughter duo from Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district for their alleged involvement in the February 14, 2019, terror attack in which more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed. Tariq Ahmed Shah, a resident of Pulwamas Hakripora village, and his 26-year-old daughter Insha Tariq, were arrested after the sensational revelation by an accused, Shakir Bashir Magray, that it was at Shahs house that the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) operatives hatched the conspiracy to carry out the suicide attack. Mr Shah and his daughter were taken to the area police station on Tuesday after the NIA, along with the J&K police and the CRPF, raided their house. After they were questioned briefly and after the fulfilment of legal formalities at the police station, the father-daughter duo was handed over to the NIA for interrogation. Police sources said that Mr Shah and his daughter will be produced before a designated NIA court in Jammu to seek their remand. Magray, 22, a furniture shop owner and resident of Hajibal village of Pulwamas Kakapora area, was arrested by the NIA last week. He is accused of providing shelter and other logistical assistance to Adil Ahmed Dar alias Waqas Commando, an alleged JeM cadre, who on February 14 last year, rammed an explosive laden Maruti Eeco into a bus that was part of a convoy of the CRPF at Lethapora in Pulwama district, killing and maiming security personnel on board. The NIA said that Magray was introduced to Adil Dar in mid 2018 by Pakistani militant Muhammad Umar Farooq after which he became a full-time Over-Ground Worker (OGW) of the JeM. Magray was sent to 15 days NIA custody by a special NIA court in Jammu on Friday. Sources said that during his interrogation Magray reportedly admitted that Adil Dar and Farooq had stayed at his house for several weeks before the terror attack took place. As claimed by sources, Magray not only helped them in fabricating the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) used in the attack, but also conducted reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoys on Srinagar-Jammu highway in January 2019 for them. During his initial interrogation, he disclosed that on several occasions he collected and delivered arms, ammunition, cash and explosive material to JeM terrorists, including those involved in the Pulwama attack, the NIA claimed. Forensic examination of the samples collected from the scene of the attack has revealed that explosives used in it included ammonium nitrate, nitro-glycerine and RDX, sources said. Last week sources in the NIA had said that the agency is inching close to a breakthrough in the Pulwama terror attack. They said that with more arrests made and raids conducted across the Valley over the past couple of weeks, the NIA has accumulated very crucial evidence about when the attack was planned, who were the masterminds and how and who executed it. Sources on Tuesday confirmed that more people are likely to be arrested before the agency comes out with a detailed account of the investigations and moves a designated court with charge-sheets against the accused. Last years unparalleled suicide attack at Lethapora threw up a tough challenge for the security forces engaged in trying to contain the three-decade-old insurgency in J&K. Following the Pulwama attack, they restructured their deployment procedures, bolstered surveillance networks and began to make an all-out effort to improve their strategic intelligence gathering capabilities. The attack also brought a new low in India-Pakistan relations as Indian warplanes crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and dropped bombs at an alleged Jaish base in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Pakistans Kyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the morning hours of February 26 last year. The Pulwama terror attack was initially being investigated by the J&K police along with the CRPF, the Army and other security forces and agencies. However, the case was soon handed over to the NIA by the Union home ministry. The NIA, sources said, found some new and useful clues after taking the custody of Sameer Ahmed Dar, a resident o Pulwamas Kakapora area, recently. Sameer was arrested by the J&K police along with two others on January 31 on the charge of ferrying Pakistani militants to the Valley from Kathua district in Jammu region. He is a cousin of Adil Dar. Three suspected Jaish militants all said to be Pakistani nationals were travelling in a truck being driven by Sameer Dar. They were, however, shot dead by security forces in an encounter at Nagrota along the Jammu-Srinagar highway as they were attempting to enter the Valley after reportedly sneaking into J&K from across the border at Hiranagar, 56-km east of winter capital Jammu. They could suggest steps to reduce crowds like limiting peoples use of subways and buses to travel that is absolutely essential, like going to and from work, or changing train schedules to discourage travel during peak hours. Even in a severe pandemic, the C.D.C. recommends that essential services like public transit continue to operate so that health care workers and other emergency responders can get to work. It is more likely that city officials would try to reduce the use of public transportation by asking businesses to stagger working hours, as happened during the 1918 influenza pandemic, or letting their employees work from home. In other cities around the world, some officials have taken more stringent steps to contain the viruss spread by effectively quarantining entire cities. In China, government officials suspended public transit to and from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. In Italy, officials have set up roadblocks in at least 11 towns in the northern part of the country, which is among the most infected regions, to prevent people from leaving or entering the area. What we saw in Wuhan and elsewhere is really a last resort, Dr. Morse said. At that point theres little else they can do to contain it. Polish and Icelandic Presidents, Andrzej Duda and Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson met in Warsaw on Tuesday to discuss, among others, geothermal energy and relations with Russia. During a joint press conference following bilateral talks, President Duda said Poland has huge deposits of geothermal energy while Iceland is a leader in the use of geothermal energy. "We are also talking with the (Icelandic) president about cooperation in this area, about using Icelandic experience and role models." In the presence of the two presidents a declaration was signed between both countries' education ministries regarding teaching of the Polish language in Iceland. Welcoming the declaration, President Duda noted the very good relations between the two countries and the fact that many local authorities in Iceland provide Polish children and young people with the opportunity to learn Polish. "We want this process to be further developed," said Duda. President Duda pointed out that Poles are the largest minority in Iceland. The make up for 6 percent all residents. According to the president sides also discussed security issues, the situation on NATO's eastern flank and in Ukraine. "I presented to the president how I perceive it and how I perceive Russian policy in this respect," said Duda. President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson noted that the goal of his visit is to stress the importance of Icelandic-Polish relations while talks aimed further strengthening of cooperation. Icelandic President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson and his wife Eliza Jean Reid started their three-day official visit to Poland on Tuesday. (PAP) aa/mf/ Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Speaking at the United Nations in December, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi drew cheers by saying the United States was "still in" the Paris Climate Agreement. Green activists applauded Pelosi's defense of the international climate accord, which President Trump has vowed to exit. They claim remaining in the Paris Agreement will help reduce global emissions. But they're wrong. European leaders have spent years trying and failing to solve the climate crisis with regulation. Whether intentionally or not, U.S. policymakers have mostly avoided top-down solutions, and counterintuitively, the United States now leads the developed world in reducing carbon emissions. Policymakers can learn an important lesson from this comparison. The key to fighting climate change is to unleash the power of the free market, not to embrace every green idea. European countries have not had much success using regulation to fight climate change. Germany recently spent 150 billion euro on an aggressive campaign to lower emissions by mandating across-the-board fossil fuel reductions. In its quest for renewable energy, Germany refused to embrace cleaner-burning fossil fuels like natural gas. Since solar and wind don't generate enough power, Germany must rely on coal the dirtiest fossil fuel to generate 40 percent of its electricity. As a result, Germany is projected to fall short of nearly every national and EU clean energy standard by 2020. Germany's experience is par for the course with bureaucratic climate policies. The United States was criticized for not joining our European allies in signing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, another international plan to reduce emissions. But today the United States is curbing emissions much faster than any country that signed the agreement. That's because instead of banning fossil fuels outright, America embraced its natural gas boom. Thanks to a process called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," we've managed to tap new reserves of natural gas and oil in recent years. In 2015, the United States surpassed Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the world's top producer of natural gas. By 2018, energy companies produced over 60 percent more natural gas than they did two decades earlier. This newfound abundance of natural gas has helped our nation transition away from coal, which emits twice as much carbon dioxide. Thanks to this shift, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have hit 30-year lows even as global emissions have spiked 50 percent. And since 2005, natural gas has done more to reduce power sector dioxide emissions than all renewable energy sources combined, according to the Energy Information Administration. While the rest of the world fumbles with green energy policies, the United States continues to reduce emissions. We don't need regulation to guarantee future success. American firms will continue to combat climate change as long as we let them. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) City College of San Francisco announced Monday that it was chosen as a regional center for free legal services for immigrant students, faculty and staff at the state's community colleges. The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area will begin providing legal services to immigrant students and staff this month at the college's Ocean Avenue campus. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, California Department of Social Services and the Foundation for California Community Colleges chose CCSF as one of 64 host centers after a competitive screening process. "We are proud to stand in solidarity with immigration students, faculty and staff here at CCSF and at community colleges across California," CCSF Chancellor Mark Rocha said. "Our ability to offer these free and confidential legal services will help address a critical need for one of our most vulnerable populations." State officials determined the need to provide legal services to immigrant students and staff as part of the California Community Colleges' Dreamers Project, an effort to audit how community colleges around the state can best serve students living in the country without documentation. In addition to hosting legal services, CCSF offers immigration and citizenship assistance and resources at its CityDREAM Center, which opened last August. Information about the college's legal services for immigrants can be found at ccsf.edu/en/student-services/city-dream/legal-services.html. 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. Assyrian Genocide Resolution Read in Arizona Assembly Arizona State Assembly. Phoenix (AINA) -- The Arizona House of Representatives read resolution HCR 2006, Assyrian Genocide Remembrance Day. The resolution was introduced by Representative Nancy Barto (R) and was co-sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Jermaine (D) and Frank Carroll (R). The Assyrian Genocide Research Center and local Assyrian organizations played a significant role in sponsoring this resolution. There are nearly 15,000 Assyrians living in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Over 20 Assyrian organizations voiced their support from here and abroad. The Turkish Genocide of Assyrians occurred between during World War One, from 1915 and 1918, and killed 750,000 Assyrians (75%), one million Greeks and 1.5 million Armenians. The resolution reads as follows: By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijans State Border Service and Military Prosecutors Office have revealed the weapons and other processions left by the Armenian sabotage group that killed an Azerbaijani border guard during Armenian infiltration attempt on the border Gazakh district on February 24. The investigation revealed 100-bullet ribbon for PK machine gun, one unit of unexploded RQ-42 hand grenade, 66 cartridge-cases of 7.62 mm, food bag of intelligence-diversion group (tinned food, individual water reserve, bakery products) that the enemy used at the time of the armed raid nearby the border point where the incident occurred, and left behind themselves while retreating, the State Border Service and Military Prosecutors Office said in a statement published on March 2. Investigators have determined that the adversarys diversion group sabotaged the ceasefire regime by attacking for the purpose of deliberately killing our military servicemen and occupying the border point, the statement reads. Investigation-operation measures are underway into incident. The joint statement recalls that the Armenian armed forces divisions, located nearby Koti village of the Noyemberyan district, made an attempt of division to the border point of State Border Service in Qushci Ayrim village of Gazakh district at 7:00, 24 February, 2020, using grenade launchers and large-caliber weapons. The attempt of division made by Armenian armed forces was thwarted, and the adversary was forced to retreat suffering serious combat losses, the statement reads. State Border Service and Military Prosecutor emphasizes that a criminal case has been launched into the killing of the State Border Services soldier Ibrahim Valiyev protecting internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. The fallen border guard has been awarded posthumously for the distinguished service in the military. Other border guards involved in thwarting the Armenian infiltration attempt have been awarded with medal, valuable present and honorary degrees with the orders of the chief of State Border Service. Furthermore, it is stated in the joint statement that Armenia has intensified sabotage attempts on the line of contact of the troops. On 1 March, the border points, located nearby Khanliglar and Qushci Ayrim villages of the Gazakh district, of the Gazakh separate border division of the State Border Services Border Troops were intensively shot by the large-caliber weapons, the enemy's fighting positions were silenced by response fire. We inform that taking all necessary measures will be ensured to thwart all provocative actions of the Armenian side in the frontline and punish the guilty persons for every and each of crime committed by bringing them to criminal responsibility, the statement concludes. Earlier, the Azerbaijani State Border Service reported the killing of one and the wounding of another Armenian saboteur during the operation. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the invention of the first working telephone in 1876. Bell was born on March 3, 1847 in Scotlands Edinburgh and later moved to Canada with his family. Bell died on August 2, 1922, aged 75. He did significant work for the deaf community, ensuring that they communicate better and founded the Bell Telephone Company in 1877. On the inventors birth anniversary, here is looking at some of the most interesting facts about him. - Bells mother and wife were both deaf and influenced him to work with principles of acoustics and transmitting sound waves over wires. - He became a voice teacher and worked with his father who developed visible speech, which was a written system of symbols that instructed the deaf to pronounce sounds. - He was named Alexander Bell, the Graham was added on his 11th birthday. Both his father and grandfather were named Alexander. - The telephone saw him engage in one of the longest drawn patent battles in the history of America. After he filed for the patent of the invention, over 600 lawsuits were made against him. - Bell considered the invention of a wireless telephone to be greater than [that of] the telephone. The wireless device knows a photophone transmitted conversations and sounds through beams of light. - Helen Kellers father brought her to Bell, owing to his work for the hearing impaired. Bell then directed them to Anne Sullivan who would teach Helen to write, speak and read Braille. - When Bell was lowered into his grave in 1922, all telephone services in the US and Canada were suspended for a full minute. - The standard unit for the intensity of sound waves was named bel in the 1920s. The decibel, which is one-tenth of a bel, is the most commonly used metric for measuring the magnitude of noise. At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter The workshop focused on the Electronic Records of Sales (EET), aiming to provide information and counselling about issues relevant to local laws and business environment to Vietnamese firms in the Czech Republic. The EET attracts great attention from the Vietnamese community there as the third and fourth phases of this law will be implemented on May 1 and cover more professions like lawyer, accountant, doctor, craftsman and taxi driver. The first and second phases of the EET has been carried out since it came into force on December 1, 2016, applicable to those doing business in the fields of restaurant, hotel, wholesale and retail. Deputy PM Schillerova stressed that the EET helps create a fair business environment and increase budget for the Czech Government. She also appreciated Vietnamese businesses cooperation with her countrys Finance Ministry in the EET enforcement since the law took effect, expressing her belief that they will be able to understand and apply the EET in its third and fourth phases soon. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in the Czech Republic Pham Thanh Long thanked the Czech Government, especially Deputy PM Schillerova, for giving practical support to Vietnamese firms in the country to better adapt to the local business climate. At the workshop, the Deputy PM and experts from the Czech Finance Ministry fielded questions about the EET from Vietnamese people. On this occasion, Schillerova also visited business facilities of Vietnamese people at the SAPA trading centre, where the event was held. The deputy PM noted the association of young Vietnamese entrepreneurs coordinated with the Czech Finance Ministry to provide translations of the EET and videos guiding the law application for Vietnamese firms. She highly valued the awareness and sense of responsibility of the Vietnamese community in her country, 90% of whom are doing business, in learning about and complying with the EET. The rapid spread of the coronavirus outside China has intensified as the total number of infections globally has topped 90,000, and the number of deaths reached more than 3,000. The sudden surge of cases in Italy, Iran, and South Korea have left health officials concerned about the magnitude of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Australia, with 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, yesterday reported its first death related to the contagious disease. The patient, a 78-year-old man, was a passenger of the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in the lab. Credit: NIAID-RML First coronavirus death The patient has been in the intensive care unit at a Perth hospital after he fell ill when he contracted the virus on the ship docked in Yokohama, Japan. Health officials said that the case should not be a cause of panic since it was related to the cruise ship. Overall, the country has 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including the wife of the patient who died. She is in a stable condition and is undergoing treatment. The man who died in the sixth passenger to die from the virus acquired on the Diamond Princess, wherein more than 705 had tested positive for the virus. Further, the government estimates that a greater spread of the illness will start by late April or May, needing to ramp up some of the activities. The health officials fear that the disease will hit Australia at its peak in August, which is the coldest month with the highest levels of flu. The Health Department also reiterated that there is no general risk related to the countrys first death. Family members only talked to the patient through the glass in the isolation room or through phone calls. The health department had tested the man early on when he was on the flight back from the Diamond Princess. He was immediately placed into isolation and had no contacts outside the isolation area. Airplane flight coronavirus fears Health officials urge all passengers who had been on a specific Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Sydney last week to go to the emergency department or see a doctor as soon as possible. The flight, QR908, had a female passenger who later tested positive for the coronavirus. The woman had no symptoms before and during the flight, but about 24 hours of landing, she fell ill. However, it was six days after that the woman sought medical attention. The government is now tracking the passengers of the flight, particularly those sitting near the woman. No longer possible to prevent new cases The chief medical officer of Australia, Brendan Murphy, said it is no longer possible to prevent new cases of the coronavirus from entering the country. He encourages those who are returning from South Korea or Italy, who works as a healthcare worker, or as a residential aged care worker, to refrain from attending their regular work for 14 days, which is the estimated incubation period of the virus. The chief medical officer also said that though there are high transmission rates in South Korea and Japan, the health officials are also concerned about those who are coming from high-risk countries, since the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Europe and other Asian countries. Currently, travel bans are in place to help slow down the spread of the virus. Global coronavirus status The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has spread rapidly in 76 countries, which was reported in five additional countries, including Ireland, Monaco, Ecuador, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Scotland. South Korea has reported the highest number of cases outside China, with the number of infected people reaching 4,335. Italy has more than 2,036 cases, while Iran has nearly 1,501 cases. The number of cases in other countries has also soared with Japan having 274 confirmed cases, followed by France with 191 and Germany with 159, Spain with 120, Singapore with 108, and the USA with 101. The number of deaths also increased with Iran leading with 66 deaths outside China. Of the more than 90,306 cases, an estimated 45,602 have already recovered. Eroding shorelines of the Wedge and Grey communities along the Mid West coast have prompted the state to progress its plan for residents managed retreat. Owners of the approximately 450 off-grid shacks about 30 minutes north of Lancelin have fought off repeated bureaucratic attempts to force them off the land in recent years, but now face another imminent threat: coastal erosion. One shack slipped into the ocean in 2018 and its next-door neighbour was issued with a demolition notice for safety reasons, though the owners reportedly resisted eviction. Now the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has issued a tender for a coastal engineer to help it make tough decisions on the managed retreat of those shacks within metres of the water. CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal legislators, led by former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, walked out of the Punjab assembly here on Tuesday after a heated argument between their leader and state jails minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa over patronising gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. The two leaders had the heated exchange during zero hour. Denying the charge, Randhawa said that it was the weakness of his government and the Punjab Police that Majithia was not put behind bars and was allowed to roam freely. Akali MLAs marched to the well of the House in protest and alleged that they were not being allowed to speak. Congress MLAs also hit out at their own government over the maltreatment of legislators at Punjab Bhawan in Delhi, saying they are denied rooms while the chief secretary has a permanent room allotted to him. They said that other officers get preference over MLAs. Speaker Rana KP Singh said that he will summon the chief secretary on Wednesday and ensure preference to MLAs. State parliamentary affairs minister Brahm Mohindra also assured the members of all help in this issue. Later, Aam Aadmi Party members staged a walkout over their adjournment motion on the 85th amendment in the Constitution not being allowed by the Speaker. One World Trade Center MDC Partners, the Mark Penn-led holding company that is parent to such agencies as Hunter, Allison+Partners and KWT Global, has inked a deal to lease about 200,000 square feet of space in One World Trade Center, according to a report in the New York Post. MDCs new digs will go from the 64th to the 69th floors of the skyscraper. The company says it will move partner firms to the building from their current office spaces in locations throughout midtown Manhattan. Penn told the Post that the move was a key component of our strategy to enhance interagency collaboration. Once MDC moves in, One World Trade Center will be 93 percent leased. Amy Denoon Beach House Public Relations founder and CEO Amy Denoon has sold the agency to its two senior executives, Brittany Hohl and Brittany (Giordano) Savastano. Denoon is moving on to explore new opportunities. The agencys headquarters will remain in Newport Beach, CA, through the third quarter, and the agency says no staff changes are anticipated, aside from new roles developed to accommodate growth. Its satellite teams in Los Angeles and New York remain intact, as well, and Denoon will consult with the new leaderships transition for the next six months. Focusing on the beauty and lifestyle industries, Beach House works with such clients as Bodyography, Alima Pure, Goldfaden MD, Aquis, Maria Nila, H2O+, Face Halo and Salt by Hendrix. Think PR is rebranding as Sequel. In addition to the new agency name, the rebrand features an updated logo, brand identity and website. The agency, led by principals Elaine Drebot-Hutchins and Tracey Manner, will also relaunch its social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Sequels offices in Manhattans Flatiron District have been given a facelift, and its Beverly Hills location has been moved to new quarters that will serve as office, stylist showroom and entertaining space. The agency is now also offering affiliate marketing services, which include onboarding and percentage manipulation, negotiating paid publisher partnerships, and commerce editor entertaining. Global Results Communications is celebrating its 15th anniversary with the launch of its PR 360 program. In addition to a redesigned website, the new program includes a free bi-annual workshop at GRCs Orange County, CA headquarters, intended to familiarize college students with the basic concepts and techniques of the PR industry through lectures, case study presentations, discussions and group exercises. PR 360 will also offer mentorship sessions, with each focused on a specific topic, such as media relations, high-impact writing, campaign development and client relations. There will be a weekly podcast as well, featuring public relations pros in the tech industry. GRC founder and CEO Valerie Christopherson says the PR 360 program is meant to allow people at all stages of their career to take a deep dive into PR and gain a competitive edge. Brusthom Ziamani, pictured, was widely reported as being one of two inmates suspected of carrying out the attack, but police were unable to confirm today if he was one of those who have been arrested Two men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences after a prison guard was 'slashed and stabbed' by an attacker 'wearing a fake suicide vest'. The victim is believed to have been targeted with improvised bladed weapons at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire on January 9 in an assault that left him with injuries to his head and neck. It was widely reported in the days after that 24-year-old Brusthom Ziamani - a Jihadi jailed for plotting to behead a soldier - was one of two inmates suspected of carrying out the attack. Police have now said that two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and preparation of a terrorist act, but a spokeswoman was unable to confirm if one of these was Ziamani. The suspects were detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and remain in police custody in a London police station as enquiries continue. A prison source claimed at the time the duo shouted 'Allahu Akbar' meaning 'God is Great' in the attack, while police said both assailants were 'wearing belts with various items crudely attached'. The two prisoners were subsequently detained by other prison staff, some of whom also suffered injuries. Five members of staff, including the seriously injured officer, were subsequently taken to hospital but had been released by the following day. Five staff members had to be rushed to hospital after the attack at the Cambridgeshire jail, pictured, on January 9 The prison houses more than 400 Category A and B prisoners. They are housed across three wings and include a number of the highest-risk inmates. Almost a year ago, staff at the prison had to receive medical treatment after a fight broke out. Back in 1994 the prisoners tried to escape. Six of which, including IRA member Paul Magee, escaped from a secure unit after smuggling a gun - they were all later recaptured. DALLAS (AP) The Leaning Tower of Dallas, the nearly iconic remnant of a high-rise building implosion gone awry, finally collapsed in a cloud of dust Monday after two weeks of being whacked with a headache ball. The tower collapsed about 3:15 p.m. after a few last whacks with a wrecking ball swung by a high-rise crane. No injuries were reported. University of Abuja The authorities of the University of Abuja have released four students of the university to the National Examinations Council, NECO, for prosecution over forgery. The four suspects, accused of forging NECO results to gain admission into the university, are to be arraigned in court by the nations secondary schools examination body this week. The four students, Vanguard gathered, have since been picked up by the police and were in detention in Minna, Niger State, where the examination body has its headquarters. The suspects said to be indifferent faculties, were alleged to have forged the certificates and used the same in gaining admission into the university. A one-count charge has been preferred against the suspects whose names were given as Effiong Theresa Etim, Solomon Victor, Abdulkabir Mohammad, and Yakubu Joy Adama at the FCT Magistrate Court, Wise 2, in Abuja, by the police. Police prosecutor, Chijioke Chigozie, said about nine students of the university have so far been arrested over the similar offense. He, however, added that they were still under investigation. The arrest followed an ongoing screening exercise embarked upon by NECO on all the higher institutions in Nigeria which led to the arrest of the suspects in October 2019. The examination body said that the move was to overhaul the institutions and its certificate issuance in order to ensure that only credible certificates are issued to the public. This is to send a strong message to students out there using fake NECO certificates, an official of the body said. A charge sheet sighted by Vanguard, Monday, in Abuja, showed that the offense contravened section 364 of the penal code. The one-count charge read: On the 18, October 2019, the registrar of the University of Abuja laid a complaint to the AIG zone 7 headquarters Abuja for investigation. It revealed that you Effiong Theresa Etim with June 2017 NECO SSC no 501569013, Solomon Victor June 2017 NECO SSC no: 10506512111, Abdulkabir Mohammad with June 2012 NECO SSC no: 105016543 and Yakubu Joy Adama with June 2016 NECO SSC no:597472720. That these certificates upon which you gained admission or sought admission into the University of Abuja are forged certificates. You are thereby suspected to have committed the above offense. Even as it was gathered that the case would come up any moment soon for hearing in the court, it was yet to be assigned to any judge. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Huseyn Safarov - Trend: If Armenia completely closes borders with its neighbors, then it will collapse, well-known Russian expert and TV presenter Yevgeny Mikhailov told Trend, commenting on the Armenian authorities' decision not to close the land borders with Iran and Georgia. In this case, it is obvious that Yerevan chooses the lesser of two evils, Mikhailov said. Armenia made such a decision because closing the border with Iran means blocking access to the economic space for its citizens, he added. Regarding the threat of coronavirus, there is no pandemic or any epidemic yet, said the expert. "Specialists are now working at checkpoints in many countries to identify signs of the disease among visitors. So, the specialists with necessary equipment also work at the Baku airport and Russian harbors. The infection cases have been revealed in many countries." Mikhailov noted that if Armenia does not control the epidemiological situation, this will pose a regional threat in terms of the coronavirus spread. "Now the question is only responsibility, in particular of Yerevan. We do not know how seriously Yerevan is ready to fight coronavirus, and this is a matter of concern. But in a situation of economic blockade, Armenia cannot afford to completely close the borders," the expert stressed As for Russia, it is unlikely at the moment to expect that the country stops communication with Yerevan, he added. "However, Moscow can take such drastic measures, if the coronavirus spreads throughout Armenia. Then Russia will be forced to stop the traffic between two countries," concluded Mikhailov. Armenia has not closed the land border with Iran. Earlier, Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said that he also did not consider it necessary to close the border with Georgia. Follow the author on Twitter: @C8NTINENT By Olivia Rose UNLESS the TCI takes swift action to stop the rising number of violent crimes, the countrys tourism sector could suffer greatly, Tourism Minister Hon. Ralph Higgs has said. He was speaking on Government radio programme TCIG Speaks on Radio Turks and Caicos on February 17. "It goes without saying no one wants to go to a destination that has crime, Higgs said, "crime is indiscriminate, it happens where you least expect it and it is a serious threat to tourism. "Tourism and crime dont coexist, so it is important that our people be more cognisant and fully vigilant in supporting law enforcement in rooting out crime. The tourism minister stressed that the rising crime rate has the potential to undo the TCIs coveted prosperity and "peaceful reputation which could spell disaster for its economy. "We must all be aware of some of the ills and concerns we all share and if they continue to go unchallenged, unaddressed we can have some turbulent times ahead. He implored residents throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands to do their bit in the fight against crime. "I want to encourage the communityright across the length and breadth of the country to work with law enforcement. If you see something, say something. "You can give the police all they request, all the state of the art tools but unless the police get some sort of information, some tip, some sort of lead, then it becomes difficult for them to solve crimes. "Obviously, prevention is better but ...trust me if crime continues to take root here the lifestyle that weve all come to enjoy can be under serious threat. The minister reminded residents of their civic responsibility to help keep their communities safe. "I want to say to the people of Turks and Caicos that we do have a good tourism product and its our responsibility, every one of us, to make sure that we do our part to protect it, the environment that is the bedrock of our tourism, to do everything we can to arrest the crime situation here. "Again I make an appeal to people, if you know something, say something. If you see something suspicious report it to a person who can get it to the relevant authorities. "We certainly need to all be proactive in our fight to root out what is apparently beginning to take root in our country sadly. But Im an optimist, I believe well get to the bottom of this. He said substantial investments have been and will continue to be made in the local force and in improving their policing capabilities. "I know my Government is deploying all of the resources, my Government has been very supportive and has made all the resources that the police authority have requested available. The minister also pointed to the damaging effect negative publicity has on a countrys tourism sector. He said: "Social media can be the biggest tool for good and certainly a tool for unintended events, so whatever you do, it goes viral and global and people know of Turks and Caicos. "We have used the internet and social media certainly in the Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism for good but we have many of our people who very eagerly look forward to posting ills about the TCI. "In fact sometimes they fabricate stories. They exaggerate stories to get more followers. So far so good In spite of many challenges the TCIs tourism sector continues to grow by leaps and bounds, according to the minister. "I believe brand Turks and Caicos tourism is unstoppable. The skys the limit for it and we will continue to do well, Higgs said. "Im confident that we will arrest the challenges and threat to our countrys tourism and we will continue to see growth, not only in Providenciales but in all of our family islands. Turning his attention to the strides made in the territorys tourism sector, he said that people from all walks of life continue to flock to the TCI. "More and more persons are coming here and they have been able to discover the secrets of Turks and Caicos and we have been able to make good brand ambassadors of brand TCI. He added: "You may be aware that we have one of the highest repeat visitor factors in the Caribbean and more and more persons go to their respective homes and spread the word of the charm of the TCI "Grace Bay beach, as you know, had been voted the best beach in the world for many, many years and most recently Bambarra Beach made that list of best beaches. He said that recently improvements have been made "in and around Bambarra Beach to allow visitors to explore and experience it. This year more activities will be centred around Middle Caicos and Bambarra Beach, the minister revealed. Higgs said that along with awards for its beaches, the TCI has won several international and regional accolades for outstanding hospitality. "Brand Turks and Caicos sells itself and I want to say a big shout out to everyone who works in the hospitality sector and who makes a contribution. "Truly its their behind the scenes services, in many cases, that really propel the destination. He highlighted the territorys success in the World Travel Awards receiving awards for best beach, most romantic destination and several individual resort and business awards. "Attending the World Travel Awards alongside the best the world has to offer and to go in and have people vote for us as the best destination and the best beach and the most romantic destination speaks volume to the strength of brand TCI, he concluded. Europe is about to be inundated by another massive wave of immigrants. They are coming from Syria via Turkey as the result of Syrian president Assad's assault on the last rebel stronghold of Idlib. The Syrian civil war has evolved into such a mess that it is hard to keep track of the participants. Apart from the Syrian government fighting Syrian rebels, the Russia, Kurds, Turkey, Iran, and outside jihadist groups are involved. Notice the one country that's missing from this mayhem -- the United States. Thank you, President Trump. The Syrian civil war began some seven years ago, resulting in a mass exodus. Turkey has absorbed approximately four million of Syrian refugees along with another two million or so in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. As Assad and his Russian allies prepare for their final blood push into Idlib, projections are that a million or more refugees could come streaming out of Syria and into neighboring Turkey. Frustrated with Europe's lack of support for his actions in Syria, Turkish president Recep Tayip Erdogan has opened Turkish borders, giving the green light for the refugees to stream into Europe. Citing the number of refugees his country has already taken in, Erdogan cuttingly tells Europe to "take your share of the burden." Europeans are in a fix. They will resort to the only thing they know how to do: having conferences like the one scheduled on March 5 between Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and Erdogan, and maybe throw some euros Turkey's way. The prospects of that solving the problem are nil. Since Merkel welcomed immigrants from the Middle East and Africa, Western Europe has failed to show the slightest will to use force to control its borders. This Syrian crisis is bad for Europe, but much worse is yet to come. The populations of Africa and the Middle East are exploding. The post-WWII global order of stability was maintained by the U.S. almost single-handedly holding things together. But now America is out of that business. And this is not just President Trump's doing. There is no sizable political constituency in either the Republican or Democrat party for America to act as the granter of global order anymore. This is not isolationist; it is a practical necessity. In the years to come as the Pax Americana fades, the result will be civil wars, wars for resources, sharp trade disputes, famine, and even pandemics. Disorders of one sort or another will become common. It will be ugly. This is the world returning to its historical norm. People trapped in these situations will be desperate to migrate, just like the Syrians of today. Europe is their destination of choice for many reasons. But there are limits. Eventually, even the Europeans will have to man up if their culture and countries are to survive the immigration flood that's just over the horizon. The number of persons who died of flu in Romania in 2020 reached 51, the National Centre for Supervision and Control of Communicable Diseases of the National Public Health Institute informed on Tuesday. The last two persons who died of influenza were a man aged 83 from the Timis County, confirmed to have had type A influenza, H3 subtype, and a woman aged 83 from the Ilfov County, confirmed to have had type B influenza.The two had preexisting medical conditions and had not been vaccinated against the flu. Helena Foulkes attends the 2018 National Retail Federation Gala at Pier 60 on January 14, 2018 in New York City. Saks Fifth Avenue's parent company is about to lose its CEO, as the high-end department store operator prepares to go private. Hudson's Bay Co. Chief Executive Helena Foulkes is leaving, effective March 13, the company said Tuesday. Executive Chairman Richard Baker will assume the CEO role, in addition to his other responsibilities, the company said. Hudson's Bay shareholders last week approved a deal for an investor group that includes Baker to take the company private. "As current and future generations change the way they live, shop and work, we are committed to transforming HBC to capitalize on these shifts," Baker said in a statement. "It will take patient capital and a long-term view to fully unleash HBC's potential at the intersection of real estate and retail." The company has struggled as traffic at department store chains has fallen, with more consumers shopping online or buying directly from brands. Foulkes, who joined Hudson's Bay in 2018 after her stint at CVS, had focused the business on trying to improve sales at Saks and Hudson's Bay, which is based in Canada. She spearheaded Hudson's Bay sale of Lord & Taylor, Gilt and other European operations. Baker had previously said publicly it would be easier to fix Hudson's Bay's challenges out of public purview. Hudson's Bay said it expects its common shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange at the close of trading on Wednesday. As of Monday evening, the coronavirus Covid-19 had claimed six lives in the United States, all of them in the state of Washington. There were at least 40 cases in the US and the disease is now present in at least 65 countries. In this Feb. 29, 2020 file photo, a paramedic walks out of a tent that was set up in front of the emergency ward of the Cremona hospital, northern Italy. (Claudio Furlan/Lapresse via AP, file) The US deaths come as the virus continues to spread, with the global death toll passing 3,000. The US State Department has raised travel restrictions for Italy and South Korea, where the outbreak has intensified in recent days. At a press briefing Monday, the US governments task force overseeing the federal response to the coronavirus, headed by evolution-denying US Vice President Mike Pence, sought to reassure Americans that their risk from the disease is low. Despite such dubious claims, there is increasing evidence that the US health care system is woefully unprepared to deal with the crisis, and that health care workers on the front lines are at the highest risk of infection and the accompanying dangers. A Chicago physician told the WSWS: The signs and indications are that Covid-19 will begin to quickly impact every community in the United States. I dont think the health care system in the United States is remotely prepared to confront the magnitude of this health crisis. Worse, nurses and doctors will face the full brunt of this as they have in Wuhan. This should be a wakeup call, but the administration is in the business-as-usual mode. The risks facing health care workers are intrinsically bound up with the running down of US hospitals and other health care facilities, the underfunding of public health and the subordination of medical care to the profits of the health care industry. Despite the lessons from Ebola, SARS and other global pandemics, little preparation has been made to combat another new disease whose arrival was inevitable. The threat to the health and well-being of health care workers is linked to the conditions at US hospitals and their ability to handle the influx of patients that could result from an escalation of the coronavirus crisis. In other countries affected by Covid-19, the virus has shown rapid spread in high-density settings, including hospitals. Lawrence Gostin, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, said that if the virus affects the US the way it has other countries, health care facilities could be filled to capacity. Not only will we see many deaths, he told the Los Angeles Times, but well see anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of people infected needing hospitalization. How will America cope with that? National Nurses United (NNU) reports that nurses employed by the University of California met with UC officials four times, and had written repeatedly, beginning on January 28, to notify them about the urgency to prepare for the coronavirus and protect nurses. Janet Napolitanothe same official who recently ordered the firing of striking UC Santa Cruz grad studentsdid nothing. Preliminary results from an NNU survey of registered nurses across the US on hospital preparedness found that only 27 percent report that there is a plan in place to isolate a patient with possible novel coronavirus infection, and 47 percent report that they dont know if there is a plan. Medical experts report that a surge in US cases, which is all but inevitable, would quickly overwhelm hospitals and amplify supply shortages. Hospitals rely on state and federal labs to test for the coronavirus. But the US health care workforce has been decimated over the last decade, with the number of full-time positions in state public health departments declining by about 15 percent between 2010 and 2019, to less than 92,000, according to the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Many US hospitals are already at surge capacity treating patients sick with influenza. Hospitals are ill-equipped to deal with a large influx of coronavirus patients. According to Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, chief clinical officer from Providence St. Joseph Health, a network of hospitals that includes Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, there are only 10 special isolation rooms in the facility that can prevent the virus from escaping and infecting others. Fourteen coronavirus patients have been tested and treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha (UNMC). While the hospital has a total of 42 beds to isolate patients, this will not be enough to treat all severely ill patients if the virus spreads dramatically, UNMCs Shelly Schwelhelm told NPR. Hospitals and other health care facilities are hot spots for Covid-19 and other virulent viruses. The delay in testing for the disease, fueled by incompetence at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that has inhibited testing, has put health care workers at additional risk. Without knowledge that patients are infected, hospital staff are unable to protect themselves. The CDC recommends that all health care staff interacting with infected patients wear gowns, gloves, goggles and masks. But there is no assurance that this level of protection is adequate, given the lack of knowledge about the disease. Even with the current level of patients being treated, there is a potential shortage of protective gear for health care workers, including respirator masks, gowns and gloves. Health care workers have already been placed at risk due to a lack of preparedness. At the University of California, Davis, a patient exposed hundreds of staff after the CDC did not allow her to be tested. Some 124 nurses and other staff were quarantined as a result. US authorities have failed to heed the lessons of the current and prior infectious disease outbreaks. One small study of Covid-19 in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the crisis, found that 41 percent of cases appeared to be hospital-acquired. Many infections in China have been attributed to health care worker fatigue and stress. During the 2014-2016 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, health care workers were between 21 and 32 times more likely to be infected than those in the general adult population, according to WHO. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, Ebola took the lives of a staggering 6-8 percent of these nations health care workers. The failure of US authorities to heed the lessons of such experiences is not due to a lack of understanding. For the US political establishmentand the health care industrya premium is placed not on the health of the population and those on the front lines of providing their care, but on the profits of the health care industry and share values on the stock market. Have you been personally affected by the coronavirus epidemic, or are you a health care worker on the front lines of fighting this disease? If so, the World Socialist Web Site wants to hear your story. DETROIT, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Graphitic Thermal Paper Market By Product Type (Natural Graphite Sheet, Synthetic Graphite Sheet, and Others), By End-User Industry Type (Phone, Laptop & PC, LED Lighting, Automotive Electronics, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of The World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2020-2025. This 197-page comprehensive report, from Stratview Research, on the graphitic thermal paper market, is one of its kind and estimates the current as well as future growth opportunities for the market participants till 2025. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies. Graphitic Thermal Paper Market: Highlights from the Report Over the last fifteen years, most of the electronic devices have gradually become thinner and lighter. Large screen TV, mobile phones, laptops, and tablets have all reduced in size and weight, while performance requirement has increased. This has resulted in an increased device operating temperature. Thermal graphitic sheet protects these devices from heat through quick thermal diffusion. Now, these graphitic thermal papers are being used in batteries to power electric vehicles (EVs). As per Stratview Research, the global graphitic thermal paper market is projected to grow at an attractive rate over the next five years to reach US$ 1.3 billion by 2025. Increasing sales of smartphones supported by the rising trend of smartphone replacements and increasing functions, miniaturization of electronic devices, and increasing production of electric vehicles are the factors that are burgeoning the demand for graphitic thermal papers. On an average, smartphone users are changing device within two years of use. Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/816/graphitic-thermal-paper-market.html Based on the product type, synthetic graphite sheet is likely to remain the largest segment of the market during the forecast period as it offers better thermal conductivity, freedom of design, and is lightweight as compared to other sheets. Based on the end-user industry, the market is classified as phone, laptop & PC, LED lighting, automotive electronics, and others. Phone is likely to remain the most dominant segment, whereas automotive electronics are likely to be the fastest-growing segment of the market during the forecast period. As phones are becoming smaller yet more powerful with every generation, the need for graphitic thermal paper for heat dissipation in these devices is growing tremendously. Register Here for a Free Sample of the 197-Page Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/816/graphitic-thermal-paper-market.html In terms of region, Asia-Pacific is projected to remain the largest as well as the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. China is the growth engine of the Asia-Pacific's graphitic thermal paper market. A significant increase in the demand for phones, laptops & PC, LED lights, and automotive electronics in the region will boost the demand during the forecast period. North America and Europe, the other major markets, are estimated to generate sizeable growth opportunities over the next five years. Key players in the market are Panasonic Corporation, Kaneka Corporation, Tanyuan Technology Development Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Dasen Technology Co., Ltd., and Toyo Tanso Co, Ltd. Execution of mergers & acquisitions and formation of collaboration with OEMs for the joint development of graphitic thermal papers are some of the strategies adopted by the major players to gain competitive edge in the market. Report Features This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis. Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis. Market trend and forecast analysis. Market segment trend and forecast. Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc. Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities. Emerging trends. Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players. Key success factors. This report studies the graphitic thermal paper market and has segmented the market in three ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the three ways in which the market is segmented: Graphitic Thermal Paper Market, By Product Type Natural Graphite Sheet (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Synthetic Graphite Sheet (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Graphitic Thermal Paper Market, By End-Use Industry Type Phone (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Laptop & PC (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) LED Lighting (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Automotive Electronics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Graphitic Thermal Paper Market, By Region North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico ) Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , France , the UK, Italy , and Rest of Europe ) Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , Japan , South Korea , and Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Rest of the World (Sub-Regional Analysis: Latin America , the Middle East , and Others) Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the advanced materials industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Advanced-Materials.html Related premium market reports in the advanced composites industry are: Graphite Electrode Market by Product Type {Ultra-High Power (UHP), High Power (HP), and Regular Power (RP)}, by Application Type {Steel, Silicon Metal, and Aluminum}, and by Region {North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World}; Size, Share, Trend and Forecast: 2019-2024. Graphite Materials Market by Form (Electrode, Block, Powder, Carbon Fiber, Flake, Amorphous, and Vein and Others), by Application Type (Electrode, Refractory, Lubricants, Foundry, Battery, Frictional Products, Parts & Components, and Others), by End Use Industry (Metal, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Photovoltaic, Electricals & Electronics, Industrial, and Others), by Sales Channel (Direct Sales and Distributors), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2019-2024. Isostatic Graphite Market by Application Type (Electrode, High Temperature Applications, Electrical Discharge Machining, Polysilicon Production, Silicon Crystal, Frictional Products, Parts & Components, and Others), by End Use Industry (Metal, Automotive, Photovoltaic, Electricals & Electronics, Industrial, and Others), by Sales Channel (Direct Sales and Distributors), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2019-2024. About Stratview Research Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas. We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies. Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making. For enquiries, please contact: Stratview Research E-mail: sales@stratviewresearch.com Direct: +1-313-307-4176 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660595/Stratview_Research_Logo.jpg IN 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement quietly began using a software tool to recommend whether people arrested over immigration violations should be let go after 48 hours or detained. The softwares algorithm supposedly pored over a variety of risk factors before outputting a decision. A new lawsuit, however, filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union and Bronx Defenders, alleges that the algorithm doesnt really make a decision, at least not one that can result in a detainee being released. Instead, the groups said, its an unconstitutional cudgel thats been rigged to detain virtually everyone ICEs New York Field Office brings in, even when the government itself believes they present a minimal threat to public safety. The federal governments sweeping detention dragnet means that people who pose no flight or safety risk are being jailed as a matter of course in an unlawful trend that is getting worse. The suit, which asks that ICEs Risk Classification Assessment tool be ruled illegal and the affected detainees reassessed by humans, includes damning new data obtained by the NYCLU through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. The data illuminates the extent to which the so-called algorithm has been perverted. Between 2013 and 2017, the FOIA data shows, the algorithm recommended detention without bond for low risk individuals 53 percent of the time, according an analysis by the NYCLU and Bronx Defenders. But from June 2017 shortly after President Donald Trump took office to September 2019, that number exploded to 97 percent. This dramatic drop in the release rate comes at a time when exponentially more people are being arrested in the New York City area and immigration officials have expanded arrests of those not convicted of criminal offenses, says the groups lawsuit. The federal governments sweeping detention dragnet means that people who pose no flight or safety risk are being jailed as a matter of coursein an unlawful trend that is getting worse. Individuals detained under what the lawsuit calls a no-release policy will remain jailed until they can be seen by an immigration judge. People arrested by ICE had no access to information about how they were classified by the algorithm thats why the FOIAs were necessary and most dont have access to lawyers at the time of their detention, Thomas Scott-Railton, a fellow at the Bronx Defenders told The Intercept. The result, he said, is that people are detained for weeks, even months, without having been given the actual justification for their detention and without a real chance to challenge it. THE LAWSUIT ALLEGES that this algorithmic rubber stamp violates both the constitutional guarantee to due process and federal immigration law that calls for individualized determinations about release, rather than blanket denials with a computerized imprimatur. Reached by email, ICE New York spokesperson Rachael Yong Yow told The Intercept, I am not familiar with the lawsuit you reference, but I am not inclined to comment on pending litigation. The risk assessment algorithm is supposed to provide a recommendation to ICE officers who are then meant to make the final decision, but the agencys New York Field Office diverged from the algorithms ruling less than 1 percent of the time since 2017. When detainees are finally seen by a human, non-algorithmic immigration judge, the lawsuit says, approximately 40% of people detained by ICE are granted release on bond. The Trump administrations stepped-up immigration arrests of people without criminal convictions lay bare the perversity of the rigged no-release policy. If the New York Field Office were actually conducting individualized determinations pursuant to its stated criteria, the lawsuit says, the percentage of people released should have actually increased since 2017 because more people arrested qualified for release. The technical reasons for this drastic change are clear. Algorithms are essentially problem-solving formulas that can operate at superhuman speed. ICEs risk assessment algorithm originally functioned by automatically reviewing an immigration detainees personal history, weighing factors like their flight risk and threat to public safety, then spitting out one of four options: detention without bond, detention with the possibility of a release on bond, outright release, or a referral to a human ICE supervisor. In 2018, Reuters reported that Trumps inauguration brought a critical change to the risk assessment tool where the software was edited to simply remove the possibility of a release output. The NYCLUs FOIA data also shows that the option for bond was removed in 2015. In other words, this ostensible problem-solving software was rigged to provide only one solution: detention. Galveston County Jail A former Clear Creek High School teacher has been sentenced to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, authorities said Tuesday. Kenneth John Fontenot of Dickinson was an AP English teacher at the school and had chaperoned students from the Clear Creek ISD on foreign trips not sponsored by the school, the Galveston County district attorneys office said in a news release. To this end, the Russians implement a variety of the most elaborate operations. One of Moscow's most urgent goals at the moment is to secure international legitimization of the occupation of the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula. To this end, the Russians implement (sometimes without concealing it and, more often, through affiliated structures) a variety of the most elaborate operations, Democratic Europe reports. For example, on February 6, 2020, the "Russian Association of Ancient Cities" (within Rostov region of the Russian Federation, Krasnodar area of the Russian Federation, and nine municipalities of the "Republic of Crimea") was set up. The occasion was the anniversary of the founding (2,500 years ago) of the Bosporus Kingdom (which had the capital of Panticapay, now the Crimean city of Kerch). The pretext is the preservation of the archaeological heritage of ancient times. It may seem as an ordinary event of a historical and cultural nature. However, on April 24-25, 2020, during the upcoming 6th Yalta International Economic Forum, set to be held in the annexed Crimea, they plan to set up, based on the already mentioned Russian structure an "International Association of Ancient Cities", to join which Russia has already invited Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, Armenia, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Tunisia. However, culture officials based in Athens, Rome, Sofia, and Ankara must be aware that Kremlin-controlled media around the world will be claiming that "four NATO Allies, three EU member states, and some other countries have crossed out geopolitical confrontation, Western sanctions, artificial restraints, and other barriers, and have finally officially recognized Crimea as part of the Russian Federation, the authors say, naming Russia's effort one of the many "Trojan horses" deployed against Europe. Read alsoUN General Assembly calls on Russia to withdraw military forces from Crimea, Donbas There are also encouraging examples of resistance to such "Trojan Horses" by the European democratic community, the article adds. In March 2019, Belgium's Ministry of Justice registered a non-governmental organization, the International Association "Tavrida" (co-founded by the Moscow-based "International Council of Russian Compatriots" and the Brussels-based "European Russian Community"). The NGO claimed its task was what seemed to be a perfectly acceptable one at first sight to defend the interests of the Crimea population in international instances. However, shortly, the ministry canceled the NGO's registration after its lawyers concluded that, in fact, the organization's activities threaten the country's national interests (one of the arguments was that the NGO was set up in agreement with the Russian Presidential Administration and funded from the Russian state budget). Having found itself being illegitimate, Tavrida has begun to work out options for its re-registration in Austria, Italy, or Switzerland. "Undoubtedly, it would be desirable for them to get into the official registry of any EU state, since this allows NGO representatives to gain access to the sidelines of the European Parliament and have an opportunity to meet with members of the European Commission," the article says. "It is possible that if they fail to re-register in the EU, the said NGO will be renamed but its inner essence will remain unchanged this NGO will perform the function of the Russian Trojan Horse, which will keep waiting for a favorable moment at the gate of the European Fortress." Currently, having seen an unfavorable judgment of the International Maritime Tribunal (Hamburg, May 25, 2019) regarding the Kerch incident, Russia decided to employ Tavrida NGO at the legal front. The Association was instructed to convene in the spring of 2020 the so-called Public Tribunal, during which Russians intend to: convict Kyiv of allegedly breaching with its three naval boats the Russian state maritime border at the end of 2018; condemn the Ukrainian authorities' policy on Crimea, which allegedly led to a humanitarian crisis on the peninsula; deny the facts of Russia's violation of rights and freedoms of Crimean residents and the lack of access to the peninsula of international observers; deny the unprecedented militarization of the peninsula, including the deployment of nuclear tactical weapons; justify a long-standing policy of forcibly imposing Russian citizenship on the peninsula and withdrawing Ukrainian passports; justify the policy of the Russian Federation aimed at artificially altering the demographic structure of Crimea by moving to the region from mainland Russia representatives of other ethnic and social groups (primarily Volga, Urals and Siberian Tatars), as well as Russian military retirees, while forcing out of the peninsula indigenous Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian populations. In general, the main purpose of this staged show, with the participation of bought-up and biased experts, will be to disseminate in the United Europe the belief that the annexation of Crimea was legitimate. "Now it all depends on how adequate the reaction of a democratic Europe will be to this yet another Russian attack they are facing," the authors conclude. WESTPORT TEAM Westport Chairman Harold Bailey Jr. supported a students recent claims of racist behavior at Staples High School, saying other teens have expressed similar complaints over the years. The school environment reflected in the student letter published on Feb. 14 in WestportNow titled Racism at Staples is in sync with the environment described by Westport children of families of color for the past few decades, Bailey said at a Board of Education meeting Monday, while urging the town to prioritize addressing the problem. In her letter, Staples senior Niah Michel claimed minority students faced racism from classmates while administrators did little to address the problem. Although some black people live in Westport, we are always asked if we live in Bridgeport, If this is our real hair, the letter stated. Bailey noted the sentiments in the letter were corroborated in TEAM Westports teen diversity essays and a Staples students recent podcast. Last year, two high schoolers wrote essays about their experience with race in school, with one winner describing racist jokes he endured growing up. From diversity essays, to incidents, to inputs from students and parents over decades, we have a common problem described, which spans race, ethnicity, religion and LGBTQ, Bailey said. That is a problem that we share with our state and the nation. An environment, which enables racial or other slights of this type for any of its students, is wholly unacceptable and certainly antithetical to the values of this town, Bailey continued. Over the last 18 months, TEAM Westport whose acronym stands for Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism has collaborated with the school district on training, curriculum and staffing to prevent potential racial, religious and homophobic transgressions. Bailey also highlighted the work done by Staples Principal Stafford Thomas since being hired in July. Principal Thomas has developed a vision for Staples which, if effectively implemented, will address these issues at the high school level, he said, adding the work has been supported by Interim Superintendent David Abbey and the education board. Abbey said the district views TEAM Westport as partners in moving the district forward with respect to creating an inclusive environment. Toward that end, weve met on a frequent basis to entertain a number of fantastic ideas theyve had, he said. Even though Im only here for a few more months, I look forward to continuing the work. Bailey concluded by requesting the town and school board to prioritize these issues, and that appropriate funding be given to the superintendent to move forward on such efforts. This problem must be addressed effectively and addressed now, since we know it will take some time to solve, Bailey said. It must no longer be explained away or swept under the rug. I do not want to hear from my grandson relating the same stories I heard from my children. dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com Lawmakers and Trump administration officials have been eyeing the global supply chains that deliver drugs and other medical supplies to the United States, wary that the coronavirus might lead to shortages of key supplies. In a hearing in July, experts told the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission that America had a troubling reliance on China for its drug supply but that purchasing from India instead would also have its downsides. Rosemary Gibson, a co-author of China Rx: Exposing the Risks of Americas Dependence on China for Medicine, who testified at that hearing, said India also imported the bulk of the active pharmaceutical ingredients, or A.P.I.s, that it used to manufacture drugs from China. She added that sourcing those raw ingredients for drugs within India would have implications for drug prices. The main reason that India wants to import A.P.I.s from China is because its cheap, said Ms. Gibson, a senior adviser with the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute. If we choose to move from China to India, even if it has the capacity to manufacture its A.P.I.s, it would make it more expensive. Indias exports of the specified drugs are unlikely to be completely stopped, said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which represents most of the countrys large pharmaceutical companies. Its not a ban on export, he said. Its a restriction. What we want to do is monitor the movement of the drugs. Iranian ambassador Ali Chegeni was on Tuesday summoned to the external affairs ministry and a strong protest lodged over foreign minister Javad Zarifs criticism of the communal violence in New Delhi. The Iranian envoy was informed that Zarifs remarks, made in a tweet on Monday, amounted to interference in Indias internal affairs, said people familiar with developments. The Iranian ambassador was summoned and a strong protest lodged at the comments made by foreign minister Zarif on matters internal to India, said a person. ALSO WATCH | Factually inaccurate, misleading: India on OICs comments over Delhi violence External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Chegeni was summoned and a strong protest was lodged against the unwarranted remarks made by the Iranian foreign minister. He added, It was conveyed that his [Zarifs] selective and tendentious characterisation of recent events in Delhi are not acceptable. We do not expect such comments from a country like Iran. The recent sectarian violence in parts of northeast New Delhi claimed more than 40 lives and injured hundreds. There was also widespread destruction of property. The protest against Zarifs remarks was in line with Indias prickly response to criticism of other issues such as the changes in Jammu and Kashmir last year and the controversial citizenship law. In his tweet, Zarif had said that Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. He added, For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Ties between India and Iran have been hit since New Delhi stopped all imports of Iranian crude last June due to the impact of US secondary sanctions. Until then, Iran had been among Indias top three energy suppliers. The two sides have continued to cooperate on the development of the strategic Chabahar port, which is key to Indias plans to access Afghanistan and Central Asian states while bypassing Pakistan. However, the Iranian side has continued to call for work to develop Chabahar and an associated railway link to the Afghan border to be expedited. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to express concern over the violence in New Delhi. Last week, Indias envoy to Indonesia was called in by the foreign ministry to discuss the issue, and the countrys religious affairs ministry too expressed concern at the matter. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday hit out the BJP-led central government over the violence in Delhi, saying the government has kept quiet despite bodies still being recovered from the ruins of the houses. Speaking at a public event, Banerjee said, "Even now bodies are being recovered from the ruins of the houses, but till today the central government has kept quiet. Why so many people were killed in Delhi? Remember, this is Bengal. What happens in Delhi, does not happen in Bengal." "I appeal to you all that if somebody asks for your identity, don't show them. I cast my vote, it's my right. We are not allowing anyone to take away our rights and will never allow them. Remember, like refugees, Rajbanshis (ethnic group) are also citizens of India," she added. At least 47 people have been killed and more than 200 people sustained serious injuries in the communal violence in north-east Delhi last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Both institutions, like a range of other Chicago zoos and museums surveyed for this story, said they are keenly tracking the COVID-19 situation and the guidance that health authorities give. In other countries where the virus has spread rapidly as it is beginning to do in the U.S. authorities have moved to restrict public gatherings in order to limit potential contact and the diseases spread. Three quarters of Americans believe that the Equal Rights Amendment should become part of the U.S. Constitution, a new Associated Press poll shows. And, surprisingly, 72 percent believe the Constitution already guarantees men and women equal rights. They're wrong, it doesn't. But there's a chance it could. The ERA was first introduced by suffragists Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman in 1923. Then, in the 1970s, it started gathering momentum. Amending the Constitution requires ratification by three quarters of the states, which is to say 38 of them. Congress originally set a deadline of 1979 for that to happen, and then extended it to 1982, but the amendment faced opposition from some Conservative women and it did not make either deadline. Things have changed in the #MeToo era, and in an astonishing instance of better-late-than-never, Virginia in January became the 38th state to ratify the ERA. Virginia is not the only latecomer. Nevada ratified it in 2017 and Illinois in 2018. Is it too late? Just because 38 states have now ratified the amendment does not necessarily mean it will become law. For one thing, five of the states that originally ratified the ERA have since voted to revoke their ratification, although it's not at all clear whether they can legally do that. Even if they can't or if they vote again to ratify it -- the revocations all go back to the 1970s -- both the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives and the Republican-controlled Senate would have to vote to extend the deadline. That just might be possible, though. The poll not only showed widespread support for the ERA, it found that about 60 percent of Republicans, as well as almost 90 percent of Democrats support it. THE FACTS: No vaccine is imminent for the coronavirus. A candidate vaccine for the virus causing COVID-19 is approaching first-step safety tests, but federal experts say anything widely usable is probably more than a year away. "We can't rely on a vaccine over the next several months," said Dr Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease chief at the National Institutes of Health. --- TRUMP: "The level of death with Ebola - you know, at the time, it was a virtual 100 per cent. ... There's a very good chance you're not going to die. It's very much the opposite. You're talking about 1 or 2 per cent, whereas in the other case, it was a virtual 100 per cent. Now they have it; they have studied it. They know very much. In fact, we're very close to a vaccine." - news conference Tuesday in New Delhi. THE FACTS: "Close" is not correct. A vaccine has already been developed for Ebola. The FDA approved an Ebola vaccine in December. Even before its US approval, it was being used in Congo to help stem the current outbreak. --- TRUMP, on US coronavirus cases: "We're going down, not up. We're going very substantially down, not up." - news conference Wednesday. THE FACTS: That was false assurance. He was referring to the fact that most of the people he cited as having COVID-19 in the U.S. are getting better. But that is not indicative of the spread or containment of the disease since most victims, by far, recover. Cases in the US are almost certain to increase, his own officials have said repeatedly, and he acknowledged as much on Saturday. --- TRUMP: "Unfortunately, one person passed away overnight. She was a wonderful woman, a medically high-risk patient in her late 50s." - news conference Saturday. THE FACTS: The patient who died of the disease was a man. Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said the CDC mistakenly told Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence that the victim was female. --- TRUMP: "The flu in our country kills from 25,000 people to 69,000 people a year; that was shocking to me. And so far, if you look at what we have with the 15 people, and they are recovering." THE FACTS: His remarks on the coronavirus risks are misleading. Scientists don't know enough about how deadly the new virus actually is, and so far it hasn't infected nearly as many people as the flu. Of the cases cited by Trump, they are not "all recovering." One died and four others are "very ill," he said Saturday. Loading Flu deaths fluctuate depending on which strain is circulating and how well each year's vaccine is working, but Trump's cited range is in the ballpark. Two flu seasons ago, the CDC estimated there were 80,000 US deaths, the highest death toll in at least four decades. This year's flu season isn't as deadly; so far this season, the CDC estimates there have been 16,000 to 41,000 deaths from the flu. As to COVID-19, an illness characterised by fever and coughing and in serious cases shortness of breath or pneumonia, there are now at least 60 cases in the US. In addition to the ones Trump cited, 45 were among groups the US government evacuated and quarantined either from China or the Diamond Princess cruise ship. In the hardest-hit part of China, the death rate from the new coronavirus was between 2 per cent and 4 per cent, while in other parts of China it was 0.7 per cent. In contrast, the death rate from seasonal flu on average is about 0.1 per cent, said Fauci, of the US 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 a global annual death toll in the hundreds of thousands. --- MIKE BLOOMBERG: "There's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing. And he's defunded - he's defunded Centres for Disease Control, CDC, so we don't have the organisation we need. This is a very serious thing." - Democratic presidential debate Tuesday. JOE BIDEN, comparing the Obama-Biden administration with now: "We increased the budget of the CDC. We increased the NIH budget. ... He's wiped all that out. ... He cut the funding for the entire effort." THE FACTS: They're both wrong to say the agencies have seen their money cut. Bloomberg is repeating the false allegation in a new ad that states the US is unprepared for the virus because of "reckless cuts" to the CDC. Trump's budgets have proposed cuts to public health, only to be overruled by Congress, where there's 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. St Patricks Day parades in Ireland should be postponed to stop the spread of the Covid-19, a virologist and leading influenza expert is urging. Prof John Oxford said the Government must take the virus a bit more seriously. Ireland only has one confirmed case of Covid-19 but it is quite likely that the virus is spreading around, he warned. Prof Oxford, who was speaking on RTE radio, said everyone in northern Italy thought everything was fine until there was an explosion of the virus. St Patricks parades all around the country attract lots of visitors from abroad, Prof Oxford noted: If I were in their (the Government) shoes, I would say 'I think we should postpone it. "Its not the end of the world for one year but just dont have it this year. After all, the Chinese postponed the Chinese new year, which is immense and then tried to quarantine 60m people." I would take advantage of the situation youre in that you could prevent a big outbreak by taking these actions and I would go ahead and stop the parades. It would be a very fruitful opportunity for that virus to get a grip on your country and start spreading." Prof Oxford also said he does not support plans for the Cheltenham racing festival to go ahead. We have seen how this virus can move in China and I think we should do everything we can to stop it. I know what politicians are like they dont want to do anything to upset the apple cart but, with infection, you cant just sit around and keep your fingers crossed and hope everything is going to be alright. You just cant do it. He knows that politicians will try to wriggle out of the consequences with all their excuses but he is looking at the situation from a public health point of view which is about protecting the whole community, he said. You cant take chances, he warned. I know St Patricks Day is important but it is not more important than having elderly people dying and it is not more important than getting every hospitals intensive care unit blocked up, which more or less brings a hospital to a halt. Prof Oxford also said the Government should be a little less reticent when giving the public information: "You cant be hesitant in the interest of protecting patient confidentiality. What you dont want is patients dying." The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisations director of industrial relations, Tony Fitzpatrick, said they are happy with preparations made by the HSE to deal with Covid-19. He added that of course, they have concerns about capacity in the hospitals and the availability of critical care beds if the situation develops but said the focus now has to be on containment. Actor Mofe Duncan has opened up on why his marriage to Jessica Kakkad failed. The actor had first taken to his IG to celebrate his new woman on her birthday. He then went on to share another post speaking about falling in love again, and according to him, he has too much of it (love) to give, and because one failed doesnt mean all will fail. A follower then replied, saying the actor looks like one who gives up on his relationship, rather than work on it. @queensusz wrote: How about working on your relationship? You sound as if you are too easy to throw in the towels. Been married for 9 years, there were times when we wanted to give up but we realized that we are two imperfect people. We have kids, we have love and we have to work through it all and come out stronger! Marriage isnt for arrogant and conceited people. Even the tongue and teeth fight at times, there is no perfect union but try to learn to say I m sorry, forgive me, I love you, I miss you, you are the best, I will be better etc but saying that if it fails, you try again! Nah eba you dey soak? And Mofe Duncan responded: @queensusz good point, but you cannot dance with someone who doesnt want to dance, no matter how you try. If you truly happy in your happy after all you say you been through then you a winner, otherwise well the reverse is the case. Manila, Mar 2 (UNI) A gunman took around 30 hostages at a shopping mall in the city of Manila and one person was shot, a government official said on Monday. City Mayor Francis Zamora said a former security guard of the V-Mall, with firearms, held hostage up to 30 employees of the sprawling mall. "We are currently negotiating with the hostage-taker," Xinhua quoted Francis Zamora as saying. Zamora said the gunman shot and injured one person. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, he added. Initial news reports said the attack happened around 1000 hrs local time and is still ongoing. Entry to the mall was sealed and police asked mall-goers to stay away from the mall. UNI XC ASN 1220 The number of infections with corona virus in the Netherlands has been increased to eighteen, must report to the national Institute for public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Monday, eight new infections are identified. you can Follow the latest developments of the virus in our liveblog. For almost all new infections are going to be people who lived in the North of Italy, or the virus is from a family member that has been said in the BOOK. The GOVERNMENT is still investigating the source of the remaining contamination. finally, The infected people are quarantined. The AMBULANCE brings in a card with who they have recently been in contact before. The individuals will then be monitored, and should be, twice a day for their temperature, and passing them on to the health care provider. as for The GOVERNMENT shall communicate to it, where the eight new cases have been found, of late, spokesman Harald Wychel know, in a conversation with NU.nl. do Not link to the Beatrixziekenhuis in the end you can be Sure that none of the patients with a link to the Beatrixziekenhuis in the end, it says Wychel. The hospital has a patient and bezoekersstop, because on Sunday, it appeared that a COVID-a 19-patient's in a week-long stay in the intensive care unit was located. part Of the new patient is known to be a person in Loon op Zand, one-person offices, one in Wood, one of Oss, and a couple in Utrecht, the netherlands. That is, it has been reported by the affected municipalities, and the public health service. the Patient is in a Wood in Germany as The affected person is in the Wood, according to the municipality, it has no link with the previously discovered besmettingsgevallen in the Netherlands. He was the previous week at a trade show in Germany, and then went on to be with his family on a vacation. He and his family are now in the thuisisolatie. some of the Monday, published by the patients at the intensive care unit (icu) of the Maasstad Hospital in Rotterdam-area. The hospital has, therefore, taken the precaution of a opnamestop set up on the system. a Source in three of the cases are not to be The sources of all of the infections have been traced, with the exception of the on Sunday, all of the confirmed cases in Tilburg, the netherlands, Coevorden, the netherlands, and Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, the late Wychel, on behalf of the GOVERNMENT know about it. the Investigation into the origin of these cases, it is a work in progress. By Yasin Ebrahim Investing.com Nio failed to partake in the broad-based rally on Monday after an analyst on Wall Street warned the Chinese electric automaker's recent funding deal could prove short-term relief but longer-term pain should sales weakness continue. Citigroup (NYSE:C) cut its price target on Nio (NYSE:NIO) to neutral from buy and lowered its price target on the stock to $4.30 from $6.80, sending shares down 3%. Nio last week secured a financial lifeline after clinching a funding deal with the city of Hefei in China. But the deal will require the company to invest in building a new headquarters, which could throw the company back into financial trouble if sales dont pick up, Citi warned. "While the deal will ease (near-term) cash flow pressure on Nio, the collaboration will require Nio to spend a portion of the cash injection on the headquarters move, which may put the company under more pressure in case of prolonged sales weakness." Related Articles Wall Street gains as investors buy the dip; stimulus measures in focus U.S. stock short-sellers notch $105 billion week in coronavirus sell-off Honda to cut production at two Japan plants amid parts shortage: Nikkei Locals have allegedly beaten up a journalist and stopped migrants from getting off a boat in Lesbos, a Greek island which has seen an influx in refugees arriving on its shores in recent days. Images show a group of men kicking the reporter on the ground and punching him on top of a ledge. The locals prevented migrants from leaving a dinghy in the port of Thermi in Lesbos, where hundreds of people have arrived on boats since Turkey re-opened its border with Greece last week. Michael Trammer, a photojournalist, has claimed that he was the victim of the attack while reporting on the ongoing migrant crisis on the island. My cameras were thrown in the water, he tweeted after the incident on Sunday. I was beaten and kicked heavily. This lasted a while, he said, sharing an image of his head bandaged up. I am (kinda) ok, he wrote on the same day as the attack. The refugees though are still sitting in the boat. Plastic bottles are [being] thrown at them The Foreign Press Association of Greece said after the assault that certain groups on the island of Lesbos move in an organised manner to intimate and attack journalists covering the flow of refugees and migrants arriving from Turkey. They said: At least two colleagues have already suffered such attacks, resulting in grave injury, pursuits and misappropriation or damage of their equipment. The island has seen more refugees approaching its shore after Turkey announced that it would open its border with Europe and let migrants leave the country. Turkey is already home to over 3 million Syrian refugees, and the country fears that renewed violence in Syrias northwest will see many more crossing over. Crowds gathered at its border with Greece after people heard the crossing points would open, and Greek authorities fired teargas and stun grenades to try and push them back. Police said that at least 1,000 migrants had reached Greeces eastern Aegean islands since Sunday morning, and their arrival has been met with resistance by some residents and authorities. On Sunday, a group of locals gathered as a migrant boat arrived in Lesbos, shouting at those onboard and pushing their dinghy away from the shore for around an hour. Video footage emerged the next day showing Greek coastguards seemingly trying to capsize a boat that had arrived off the shore and hitting the people onboard with sticks. A Syrian child drowned at sea on Monday while trying to reach Lesbos, officials said, marking the first official casualty since Turkey opened its borders last week. It was unclear if the child was on the same boat in the video. Over 20,000 asylum seekers are currently living on Lesbos, many forced to stay in one overcrowded camp, Moria, which was originally intended to accommodate fewer than 3,000 people. Additional reporting by Reuters A parade of establishment Democrats began coalescing around Joe Biden on Monday, an attempt to bolster the former vice president and stall Sen. Bernie Sanders' ascent as voters in 14 states prepared to cast ballots Tuesday, the most consequential day of the presidential nominating contest. On a day with cascading developments that rapidly recast the presidential race, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., dropped out and made plans to join Biden at his rally in Dallas on Monday night. In a visual symbol of Biden's attempts to consolidate the moderates in the party, former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg who dropped out Sunday night, and who had an intensely cold relationship with Klobuchar also scrambled to get to Dallas and endorse Biden. It was the second straight day that moderates, previously paralyzed over whom to endorse, rushed to join Biden's campaign. Harry Reid, a former Senate majority leader from Nevada, endorsed Biden along with other Democrats including Susan Rice, the former national security adviser to President Barack Obama; political activist and actress Alyssa Milano; Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. There are still looming questions about Biden his propensity for gaffes, the moments when he searches for words or, on Monday, his struggle to come up with well-worn phrases in the Declaration of Independence before shouting, "You know . . . the thing!" but his campaign has found unmistakable new momentum it is hoping to carry into the elections Tuesday. Not everyone was playing to his benefit, however. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg both vowed Monday to stay in the race. "I'm in it to win it," Bloomberg said. He has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the primary contest and will appear on ballots for the first time Tuesday. Warren's current plan is to remain an active candidate all the way to the convention, even if she is not accumulating significant numbers of delegates. She believes that will give her some leverage over the party's platform and any other issues that might be at the forefront in Milwaukee. She continued her refrain Monday that her operation is built "for the long haul," and she received an endorsement from Emily's List, which works to elect women in politics. The super PAC supporting her candidacy is now raising money for a big TV buy in states such as Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio, which vote March 17, according to a source familiar with Persist PAC's operations who was not authorized to openly discuss the group's strategy and so spoke on the condition of anonymity. Sanders remains perhaps the most formidable force in the race, finishing in the top two in all four early states and holding a polling advantage in numerous delegate-rich states that will vote Tuesday. He also has a significant financial edge and a grass-roots army that Biden so far has lacked, and he was defiant Monday in the face of the moderate consolidation. "Look, we are taking on the establishment. And I fully understand no great surprise to me that establishment politicians are not going to endorse us," Sanders told reporters in Salt Lake City, just minutes before news broke that Klobuchar was ending her campaign and planning to support Biden. "The establishment will rally around the establishment candidate," he said. "That's the simple reality." President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly tried to offer sideline commentary about the Democratic contest, tweeted with glee: "They are staging a coup against Bernie!" As he left the White House for a rally in North Carolina, he speculated, without evidence, that Biden was offering positions in his administration in return for his primary rivals dropping out and endorsing him. "That's called a quid pro quo, right? Quid. Pro. Quo," Trump said, using a phrase describing the accusations he faced during the impeachment inquiry. (Two of Trump's initial Cabinet members, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and former Energy secretary Rick Perry, ran against the president in 2016 and endorsed him after leaving the race.) What began a year ago as a historically large and diverse Democratic field has quickly narrowed to five remaining contenders. With the two youngest major candidates dropping out, all of the major remaining candidates are septuagenarians. In Tuesday's primaries, 1,357 delegates are up for grabs, nearly a third of the total and the most of any single day in the Democratic primary race. California and Texas are the biggest prizes, but delegate-rich states such as Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Colorado will also vote. Top advisers to the campaigns agree that Sanders is poised to win a big delegate haul, and the main question is whether it will be enough to set him on an insurmountable course toward the nomination. "After watching this campaign unfold, after watching 10 debates, there's no way you can rationally believe that Joe Biden is strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump," said Ari Rabin-Havt, a deputy campaign manager for Sanders. Shortly after Reid announced his endorsement of Biden, Faiz Shakir, who is Sanders' campaign manager and worked for Reid, wrote on Twitter: "Disappointing. I'll forever have respect and love for Senator Reid. But I'm old enough to remember when he thought Biden's ideas were worthy of being put in a fireplace." Biden is hoping that the momentum from his romping South Carolina win, and the party's efforts to consolidate behind him, will be enough to offset his campaign's continuing deficiencies. He is spending the least on ads, has one of the thinnest organizations and saw his candidacy stall at a time when most other campaigns were banking early votes. Biden hopes to win among Southern states that more closely mirror South Carolina, where he won nearly 50% of the vote Saturday, in part because of his giant lead among African American voters. His campaign has since received a large fundraising boost, with $5 million coming Saturday and at least $5 million Sunday all told, more in two days than it raised in all of January. But the money came too late to make a major advertising splash in the Super Tuesday states, and instead Biden was hoping to be carried by momentum and endorsements. "The country is hungry hungry, hungry, hungry to be united. Most Americans, they don't want a promise of a revolution, they want a guarantee of results," Biden said earlier in the day during a campaign stop in Houston. ". . . We need real results, and we need them now. I've done that my whole career." On CBS on Monday morning, Biden said his surge in support occurred in part because candidates down the ballot are wary of running with Sanders as the Democratic standard-bearer. "I think there's an awful lot of people who are running for office who don't want to run with Bernie at the top of the ticket as a self-proclaimed socialist," he said. The party's donor class also began to rally to Biden's side. A handful of key Democratic donors who were raising big checks for Buttigieg or considering publicly endorsing Bloomberg said they were throwing their support to Biden on Monday and were persuading others to do so. On Monday, a longtime Obama donor in Northern California who had given to multiple candidates during the primaries sent emails urging party donors waffling between Bloomberg and Biden to coalesce around Biden. And on Wall Street, Buttigieg donors were calling one another to say Biden was the best alternative, barring a Bloomberg upset Tuesday. One longtime Democratic donor in New York, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations, said there were meetings scheduled with major Wall Street financiers starting Sunday through Wednesday, out of anxiety about Buttigieg's fourth-place finish in South Carolina and anxiety over his chances on Super Tuesday. Klobuchar's early exit means that her home state of Minnesota, which has 75 delegates at stake in its primary, is up for grabs Tuesday. Sanders won the state when it held caucuses in 2016 and had closely trailed Klobuchar in recent polls. He held a rally in Minneapolis on Monday night. Klobuchar's decision came after she finished near the bottom in the South Carolina primary Saturday. The senator had briefly surged in some polls after a strong performance at the Feb. 7 Democratic debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. Her campaign had dubbed the boost "Klomentum" and hoped it would catapult her into the top tier of candidates through the rest of the early-nominating states. Klobuchar finished in third place in the New Hampshire primary, but a disappointing sixth place in the Nevada caucuses and in South Carolina. She had planned an aggressive travel schedule in advance of Super Tuesday but dropped out before she could execute it. - - - The Washington Post's Annie Linskey, Dan Balz, Michael Scherer, Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Amy B Wang and Sean Sullivan contributed to this report. Rights group decries mass sentencing of defendants, who the court says belonged to a local affiliate of the ISIL group. An Egyptian court has sentenced 37 people to death, including one the countrys most high-profile fighters, on terrorism-related charges. The Cairo Criminal Court said on Monday the defendants were charged with belonging to a local affiliate of the ISIL (ISIS) armed group spearheading a rebellion in Egypts Sinai Peninsula. Human rights observers have repeatedly criticised such mass sentencings in Egypt and called on authorities to ensure fair trials. In response to the sentencing, Amnesty International urged the Egyptian authorities to retry the defendants in compliance with international human rights law. There is no doubt that those sentenced to death today have been convicted of serious crimes, including deadly attacks. However, the death penalty can never deliver justice, all the more so when it has been issued after a trial in which dozens of defendants say they were subjected to enforced disappearance and torture, Philip Luther, Amnesty Internationals research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said. We are calling on the Egyptian authorities to retry the defendants in proceedings that comply with international human rights law and fair trial standards, without recourse to the death penalty. Those sentenced were among more than 200 defendants accused of carrying out more than 50 attacks that included killing high-ranking police officers and bombings that targeted the Egyptian capitals police headquarters. The charges include a 2013 assassination attempt on the Egyptian interior minister. Among those sentenced to death was Hisham el-Ashmawi, a former army officer who was captured in Libya in late 2018 by forces loyal to Libyan renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, a close ally of Egypt. A military court had separately sentenced el-Ashmawi to death in November for his participation in various attacks on government targets. For years, Egypt has been taking on armed fighters in the restive northern Sinai area and the vast Western Desert. The court also sentenced 61 defendants to life in prison and 85 others got sentences ranging from five to 15 years. Mondays verdict can be appealed before a higher court. For years, Egypts security forces considered el-Ashmawi one of the countrys most wanted fighters for his intelligence value. Egyptian authorities linked el-Ashmawi, who is in his 40s, to several major attacks, including devastating assaults on security forces near Egypts porous desert border with Libya. A 73-year-old man accused of walking into a Monroe County municipal building and fatally shooting a zoning officer pleaded guilty but mentally ill Monday. A county judge accepted David Greens plea in the November 2018 death of part-time Paradise Township code enforcement officer Michael Tripus in the township municipal building at 5712 Paradise Valley Road. Green, who lives in the Henryville section of the township, did not say Monday why he followed the 65-year-old victim into the municipal building that day and fatally shot him. Tripus had left a notice at Green's property in 2017 but the two men never met or spoke to each other before the murder, according to state police. On the day of the shooting, prosecutors said Green parked at the lot for the building and a short time later Tripus arrived to start his work day as the part-time code enforcement officer. Green followed the victim into the building, and asked a secretary if he could speak to Mike." Within minutes of being shown to Tripus office, Green pulled out a semi-automatic handgun from his coat pocket and shot the victim at close range while he sat at his desk, prosecutors said. The bullet struck the victim in the chest; he died at the scene. The defendant placed the gun on the desk and waited the arrival of the police. Greens defense attorney hired mental health professionals who found him competent to stand trial and not insane. He was, however, found to have delusional disorder of somatic type," the county said. Green was also found with a mild cognitive impairment; some kind of pre-dementia condition." The prosecution plans to seek the maximum sentencing in light of the danger the defendant poses to the community in general, and for the premeditated nature of the victims death. Royal Thai Marines maneuver through a military operations on urban terrain complex as US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft fly overhead during an amphibious beach landing as part of exercise Cobra Gold 2020 at Hat Yao Beach, Sattahip, Thailand, February 28, 2020. US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert During Exercise Cobra Gold 2020, US Marines teamed up with their Thai counterparts to practice amphibious landings. This year's edition of the bilateral exercise featured the US Marine Corps' F-35B's first appearance in Thailand. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. HAT YAO BEACH, Kingdom of Thailand Roaring overhead, a pair of Royal Thai Air force F-16 Fighting Falcons flew over the designated beach as US and Thai forces moved from ship to shore in an integrated beach landing. The Kingdom of Thailand and the United States participated in a bilateral amphibious landing exercise on Hat Yao Beach, Sattahip, Thailand, on Friday, February 28, 2020. The bilateral amphibious landing exercise represents the close alliance shared between the United States and Thailand, their commitment to one another and security of the region. Video: Get to Know King Rama X of Thailand Integrating multiple landing force capabilities, the US and Thai Marines utilized reconnaissance tactics and techniques to survey the beach and supply the landing force with knowledge assurance. The bilateral force penetrated primarily by assault amphibious vehicles, storming Hat Yao Beach side-by-side in coordinated landings. "Cobra Gold is a tremendous opportunity to reinforce the relationship with the Kingdom of Thailand and the Royal Thai forces" said US Army Brig. Gen. Josh Rudd, 25th Infantry Division deputy commanding general-operations. Marines amphibious assault Cobra Gold Thailand US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall "We had some different capabilities this year with the Marine F-35 and its tremendous capabilities and a great opportunity to have it part of this amphibious assault exercise," Rudd said. For its first-ever appearance in Thailand, the US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft provided close air support to the raid force, ensuring total dominance by air, land and sea. Marines amphibious assault Cobra Gold Thailand Story continues US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert In addition to the F-35s, Royal Thai Air Force 103 Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon A/B variant, U.S. MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor, UH-1Y Huey, AH-64 Apache, AH-1Z Viper, UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-53 Super Stallion aircraft provided close air support. Disembarking by landing craft air cushion, or LCAC, the M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, pushed through the beach landing site, another first for the exercise, after designated zones were cleared by the Thai-US force. Marines amphibious assault HIMARS Cobra Gold Thailand US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall The successful execution by the bilateral amassed force strengthened the Kingdom of Thailand and the US commitment to regional security as its relationship solidified in a successful conclusion to the beach landing. "Over the years, the US have introduced new operations, technologies and different weapon systems. The Thai military applied what they have learned through real rehearsals," said Royal Thai Marine Corps Capt. Chayuth Chatlitsorrakul, commanding officer, 1st Infantry Regiment. Marines amphibious assault Cobra Gold Thailand US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert Cobra Gold is an annual exercise in its 39th iteration, which focuses on interoperability of forces and operational readiness. The experience gained during CG20 complements our mutual training interests and the combined ability to respond to crises across a range of military operations. "We are absolutely thrilled to be back in Thailand. This is one of the highlights of our year," said US Marine Corps Col. Robert Brodie, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Marines amphibious assault vehicles Cobra Gold Thailand US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall "Each year we learn and build our partnerships, we gain a better understanding of how our countries come together to provide peace and stability in the region. Our forces are so similar in the way we train and prepare for crisis or conflict that we fit together marvelously." Exercise Cobra Gold 20 is the largest theater security cooperation exercise in the Indo-Pacific region and is an integral part of the US commitment to strengthen engagement in the region. Business Insider All of this has led to predictions including from Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass that the coronavirus could bring about a change in the way the party operates and may compel it to be more transparent and responsive to the population. Some columnists have characterized the epidemic as Chinas Chernobyl moment, a tipping point that precipitates the end of Communist rule akin to the nuclear disaster that hastened the demise of the Soviet Union. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas and Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 18:42 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206804442 1 Business ADB,Masatsugu-Asakawa,Asian-Development-Bank,loan,Indonesia,human-capital,infrastructure Free The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide around US$2.7 billion in loans this year to support Indonesias human capital, infrastructure and green energy development. ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa said the bank planned to provide Indonesia with more loans this year than the $1.7 billion it provided in 2019. The bank plans to provide Indonesia with $500 million for a competitiveness enhancement program and another $500 million for a financial inclusion program this year. This is an increase of $1 billion but it is still a forecast amount, Asakawa said during a news conference in Jakarta on Tuesday after a meeting with President Joko Jokowi Widodo. We want to expand ADBs support for human capital development and infrastructure connectivity. In his inaugural speech at the beginning of his second term, Jokowi announced that his administration would prioritize human capital and infrastructure development. The administrations goal is to set Indonesia on the path to becoming one of the worlds five largest economies by 2045, with a near zero percent poverty rate and an average per person monthly income of Rp 27 million. Read also: Jokowi lays out vision for human capital development in state of nation address After meeting with Jokowi, Asakawa said the bank would focus on providing support in a range of areas including clean energy, higher education and skills development as well as innovative green and blue financing. The ADB has also committed to funding several projects in South Sulawesi including the Mamminasata toll-road project, low-cost apartment developments and a clean water program. The bank plans to finance priority projects of the Indonesian government and the private sector, Asakawa said. We advise [Indonesia] to create a business and investment environment through pro-growth economic and fiscal policy, said Asakawa. It is important to combat [the negative effects] of the trade war between the US and China as well as the coronavirus. Two Indonesians have tested positive for COVID-19, while the government has launched a Rp 10 trillion fiscal stimulus package to support the tourism industry and boost consumer spending to counter the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. Worldwide, more than 90,000 people have been infected with the virus and more than 3,000 have died. Read also: Indonesia announces $742m stimulus to shield economy from virus Asakawa added that the banks proposed Country Partnership Strategy for Indonesia for 2020-2024 would support the governments development priorities and seek to catalyze private sector financing, promote innovation and new technologies. Between 1966 and 2018, the ADB committed $36.68 billion in sovereign and nonsovereign loans, equity investments and guarantees. Furthermore, the ADB provided $460.5 million in technical assistance and $449.98 million in grants to Indonesia. Separately, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the bank had conveyed its commitment to supporting Indonesia in several sectors including in education and investment acceleration. The ADB will provide policy support for several public policies as well as boost activities related to education and infrastructure, Airlangga said at the State Palace. Airlangga said the government had earned the ADBs support by working to transform its economy through the omnibus bills on job creation and taxation. The ADB will provide some sort of training program and financing during the [bills] implementation. The government submitted the controversial omnibus bill on job creation to the House of Representatives on Feb. 12 and aims for deliberations to be concluded within 100 days. The bill is expected to improve ease of doing business in Indonesia and attract investment, thereby increasing job opportunities and boosting economic growth in Southeast Asias largest economy, which cooled to its lowest level in four years at 5.02 percent in 2019. Airlangga told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview that the omnibus bill on job creation could help the government inch closer to its 6 percent economic growth target by attracting Rp 1,200 trillion (US$87 billion) in projected investment within a year, creating 3 million new jobs. LONDON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo is celebrating International Women's Day across its offices and sites worldwide. Celebrations will focus on a series of events and panel discussions linked to the 2020 theme 'each for equal' examining how we can all individually act as allies for gender equality. Each of Diageo's 28,000 employees will be given the opportunity to make an EachForEqual pledge to declare how they will help accelerate gender equality and champion inclusion and diversity in the workplace and beyond. Diageo is also joining the global conversation around International Women's Day, releasing a collection of candid video interviews with female Diageo employees in a variety of roles and locations. In the videos each interviewee shares her inspirational career journey and powerful experiences of contributing to a culture of inclusion, as well as advice to people everywhere on being allies for change. Speaking in the film, Cristina Diezhandino, Scotch Category Director and Managing Director Reserve at Diageo said: "By sharing your achievements others can feel inspired - you could be an example, or you could spark an idea. I find that very powerful." Belinda Brown, Global Audit and Risk Director, Europe & Africa at Diageo said: "Good allies are those people who don't just have good intentions, but who are making a positive impact and taking action." Diageo is releasing a further film today interviewing Matt Der Sarkissian, Head of Commercial Finance at Diageo Australia, who shares his story of working flexibly to balance his responsibilities as a father with his career. The film follows Diageo's announcement, in 2019, that it has launched a new global family leave policy. The policy sets a global minimum standard for paternity leave, and in many markets fully equalises family leave so that everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or birth circumstances, can take six months fully paid family leave. For the second year running Diageo is partnering with Creative Equals to support programmes in London, New York and Mumbai that will help 100 women to return to work in the creative industries following a career break. The London programme will launch this week and run over International Women's Day with 35 women participating. The International Women's Day celebrations build on Diageo's globally recognised work to champion inclusion and diversity. Over the past twelve months, Diageo has been ranked as the top company globally for gender equality by Equileap; as the second most diverse and inclusive workplace by Refinitiv, and recognised in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index. 44% of Diageo's Board and around 40% of Diageo's Executive Committee are women and the business is working towards targets for its global senior leadership team to be 40% female by 2025. Diageo is also committed to supporting women throughout its value chains, from grain to glass. Through women's empowerment programmes, Diageo has supported over 400,000 women through initiatives such as hospitality skills training and supporting female entrepreneurs. Mairead Nayager, Chief HR Officer at Diageo said: "I am proud to see Diageo people around the world celebrate International Women's Day and pledge to be 'Each for Equal'. This pledge is about each and every one of us using our voice and our influence to create change, challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and broaden perceptions. Championing gender equality in the workplace is the right thing to do for our people, our business and society at large." Notes to Editor Embed links for each of the videos: Cristina Diezhandino, Scotch Category Director and Managing Director, Reserve Belinda Brown, GAR Director, Europe & Africa Jane Karuku, Managing Director, Kenya Breweries Ann-Joy Muhoro, Head of Marketing, Beer & Premium Core, EABL Matt Der Sarkissian, Head of Commercial Finance at Diageo Australia About Diageo Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). 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. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1098345/Diageo_Belinda_Brown.jpg For further information please contact: Diageo Diageo Press Office: Press@diageo.com +44 (0) 20 8978 2749 (Alliance News) - 4imprint Group PLC on Tuesday posted higher annual profit, with a particularly sharp revenue rise in North America, and it is on track to meet its USD1 billion revenue target ahead of schedule. Shares in 4imprint were up 11% at 3,030.00 pence in London in morning trading. The FTSE 250-listed marketing firm reported a USD54.0 million pretax profit for its financial year ended December 28, up 22% from USD44.3 million the previous year. This primarily resulted from 4imprint's 17% revenue rise to USD860.8 million from USD738.4 million, with all revenue growth organic. This included 17% revenue growth in North America to USD839.3 million from USD714.6 million, but a 9.6% UK and Ireland revenue decline to USD21.6 million from USD23.9 million. According to Chair Paul Moody, the revenue performance was reflective of the company's "increasing share in a large but still very fragmented market". The company declared a 59.00 cents per share final dividend, taking the annual payout up 20% to 84.00 cents from 70.00 cents. 4imprint aims to achieve USD1 billion of revenue by 2022 and said its 2019 trading momentum has put it in a "good position" to achieve this goal earlier than expected. Moody said: "Trading results in the first two months of 2020 have been in line with the board's expectations. We have a clear strategy and a focused business model geared towards a market opportunity that remains highly attractive. We will continue to invest in the business to underpin further organic revenue growth towards and beyond our target of USD1 billion by 2022. Notwithstanding the fluid situation regarding covid-19, the outlook for 4imprint is positive." He also said 4imprint is "closely monitoring the situation" around the coronavirus outbreak, which started in China and has spread rapidly, but damage to 4imprint "has so far been minimal". This is because, while 60% of its blank stock originates in China, a majority of 4imprint's domestic suppliers had placed orders before the lunar new year holiday, when the outbreak first became widely known. However, persistent production restrictions in China could eventually disrupt the firm's supply chain. "Should the virus become a global pandemic, the potential effect on our business would expand beyond the supply chain," Moody said. By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. UPDATE: Rice University has canceled all university-sponsored international spring break trips and faculty travel because of the coronavirus threat. The college has had travel restrictions in place to China and Korea but has now expanded the reach, according to an alert sent out by Rice this morning. "As a precaution given the fluid global situation, we are also requiring everyone in the Rice community who travels outside the U.S., for any reason, to register their travel" at a university website, the statement said. Monday, March 2, 8:45 p.m. Nasal swabs taken from a Rice University staff member under quarantine following possible exposure to the coronavirus were shipped to a federal laboratory for testing Monday, local health officials said. Houston and Harris County public health officials at a news conference said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should receive the samples Tuesday and have results within 24 to 72 hours. The staff member came in contact with a possible coronavirus case while traveling overseas, Rice officials said. The CDC time frame is based on the amount of volume they have in terms of people being tested across the country, said Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of Harris County Public Health, who added that the risk to the Rice campus is low at this time. There have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Houston and Harris County so far and the only cases in Texas are 11 imported ones, two repatriated from China on a State Department-chartered flight and nine at one point quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. All were transferred to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. On Monday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a local state of disaster and public health emergency in an effort to keep all of the coronavirus evacuees at the base longer rather than discharge any. There are now more than 100 coronavirus cases in the United States and six Americans all in Washington state have died after contracting the virus, health officials said Monday. Globally, the disease has been confirmed in more than 90,000 people and more than 3,000 have died. Rice said in a news release Monday that the school has identified and recommended that 17 people faculty, doctoral students and staff who came in contact with the staff member being tested for the disease self-isolate and follow heightened precautions in locations off the main campus. The university is working closely with them to ensure their well-being, officials said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus fears disrupt Rice University, cancel CERAWeek Rice didnt say where the employee traveled, but noted it was not a country on the CDCs restricted travel list. They said the employee had limited contact with the campus on Feb. 24 and 25 and that Rice public safety officers took immediate action once they learned about the case Saturday. The staff member didnt have direct contact with any undergraduate students and has not been in any residential college or campus classroom since returning to Houston on Feb. 20. Houston and Harris County officials gave no additional details about the case, which became public Sunday when Rice notified the campus community in a news release. The Houston and Harris County health departments, like the state health department, are not reporting suspected cases of the coronavirus, just confirmed cases. The officials acknowledged that there have been previous samples sent to the CDC for testing, all of which have returned negative. They would not give any approximation of the number. Rice said in its news releases that there are no plans to suspend campus activities or classes. But it added that the university is reviewing university-sponsored student trips scheduled for spring break and is expected to make a decision about those trips soon. The latest Rice news comes a day after organizers of CERAWeek by IHS Markit, an oil and gas industry conference set to bring thousands of international visitors to Houston the week of March 9-13, announced they are canceling the week-long event. In response to the virus, RodeoHouston which draws thousands to NRG Park over its three-week run has increased the number of hand sanitizer stations or hand-washing stations throughout rodeo venues. On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas scrambles to prepare for coronavirus outbreak now moving into next phase Texas universities are taking similar precautions, particularly on travel. Texas A&M University System on Monday issued a list of new restrictions on student-related foreign travel, advising students, faculty, staff and visitors traveling from countries with high-risk levels to self-isolate for a two-week period before returning to school or work. The university system stated that it will provide information and updates on its websites and social media, and that it has plans to create an expert medical response team. Prairie View A&M University has canceled and postponed remaining spring break study abroad trips until later in the semester, according to a university spokeswoman. Texas universities previously clamped down on student and faculty travel to China, but a number of them the University of Texas-Austin, Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor University extended restrictions on college-funded travel to include South Korea last week. Staff writer Joey Guerra contributed to this report. todd.ackerman@chron.com brittany.britto@chron.com Rock Church turns 20: Big dreams, Billy Graham and wealthy Christian man Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When I was a kid in the 60s, it seemed that every American had a similar vision as to what the good life looked like: Go to college, get a job with a big company, and then ride that out for the rest of your career until they give you a gold watch, a check and a party. Today, in the digital age, all that has been turned on its head. The new generation of Americans start stuff. We have 27 million entrepreneurs in America right now. That is a staggering number. The entire population of Australia is only 25 million. Going to work for somebody else seems to be on everybodys Plan B or C list, not Plan A. Dreams and creativity are everywhere. That mindset is even shared by Christians who are also very entrepreneurial minded, and it has spiked the number of those starting ministries and churches. This is great news. I would like to offer a little piece of my experience to this new class of American Dreamers. We started the Rock Church 20 years ago. As we celebrate our anniversary, Im reflecting on being a young pastor who had the audacity to ask God to bless my efforts to start a church. Im daily reminded of the fact that the Rock Churchs existence is a miracle of epic proportions. The number of obstacles that came in the way of it becoming a reality could fill a book, from a lack of money, not being granted permits, having to win over city council, waiting on city leadership to decide whether a proposal of a new terminal at the San Diego International Airport would get in the way. It was six and a half long years of obstacle after obstacle to overcome. It was a lot like hacking our way through a jungle. And yet God kept saying, Here, Miles. The church is going to go here. So what do you do when God gives you a vision, breathes life into it and then allows opposing forces to come against you? Pray. Well, thats obvious, you might say. But I am not talking about prayer as a supplement to your hard work. I am talking about hard work as a supplement to prayer. I am suggesting a paradigm shift. Prayer isnt in the chariot. Prayer is the chariot. Many years ago, when the Billy Graham Crusades were starting to gain momentum and people were coming to Christ by the droves, a very wealthy Christian man came to him and said that instead of Billy always asking for donations, that he would bank roll all of his operations so that Billy could spend his time doing what he did best: preach. Billy turned him down. The wealthy man pushed back on Billys seemingly crazy response. Why in the world would he walk away from such an extraordinary offer where he wouldnt have to beg for money anymore? Who wouldnt want that? Billy said that it never failed every time he received a donation in the mail, especially the ones where there was a one, five or ten dollar bill, the sender always wrote, I am praying for you. If he had an underwriter for the crusades, hed lose all those prayers. Billy was essentially saying, Id rather have a buck and a prayer than all the money in the world. Thats the way big dreams come to life. Without the prayers of thousands of people who came alongside me, I believe the Rock Church would never have happened. Perhaps that is why the process went as it did. God was trying to see if we would take Him seriously enough to get on our knees and seek Him with all our might. If you are an entrepreneur, perhaps he is asking that of you. If you are starting up a business, church or ministry that you feel God has led you to, and it seems nearly impossible that it will get off the ground, there is a place you can go where the likelihood of success begins to rise. Its on your knees. Rock Church, with 20,000 weekly attendees across five campuses, will be celebrating 20 years this month. KASTANIES, Greece A child died when a boat full of migrants heading to a Greek island capsized Monday, part of a wave of thousands trying to push through Greeces land and sea borders after Turkey declared the way was open for migrants and refugees to enter Europe. The childs death, reported by the Greek coast guard, was the first since Turkey announced Thursday it was easing restrictions on those wishing to cross to Europe and thousands of migrants began massing at the frontiers with Greece. Greek authorities said they have stopped more than 24,000 attempted illegal crossings at the land border with Turkey since early Saturday, and arrested 183 people. Turkeys announcement marked a stark departure from its previous policy of containing refugees and migrants under an agreement with the European Union. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has demanded more support from Europe in dealing with the fallout from the Syrian war to its south. As European countries rushed to back Greece, Erdogan said Monday that Western leaders were calling him and urging him to reverse the border opening. Its done, the gates are open now. You will have your share of this burden now, he said he told them. Soon the number of people going to the border will be expressed in millions, he said. Greece, which has made clear its borders will remain closed, says it is faced with an organized Turkish campaign to push people through its border. The government has sent army and police reinforcements to its borders and suspended asylum applications. It says it will return those entering the country illegally without registering 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. At one site, Greek police fired tear gas at migrants throwing stones as they tried to push through, while nearby other migrants held white flags, shouting peace, peace, and asking to be let in. One dinghy carrying 48 migrants heading to the island of Lesbos was accompanied by a Turkish patrol vessel, then the migrants deliberately overturned their boat once in Greek waters, the Greek coast guard said. The coast guard said they rescued the migrants, but one boy, believed to be from Syria, was recovered unconscious and efforts to revive him failed. On the Turkish side, an official said its coast guard saved people when their boat was targeted by the Greek coast guard. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Greek coast guard performed maneuvers aimed at sinking the boat as well as firing warning shots and hitting those on board with boat hooks. Costas Kantouris and Elena Becatoros are Associated Press writers. EDMONTONAn Alberta-based humanitarian organization says 13 Canadians who work with the charity and were detained in Ethiopia have received bail. Canadian Humanitarian said Saturday that a group of 10 Canadian volunteers, three Canadians on staff and two Ethiopian staff members were in custody in the African country on allegations they were practising medicine without permission and had dispensed expired medication. The charity has disputed the allegations. With support of Canadian consular officials, Global Affairs Canada and legal representatives on the ground, Canadian Humanitarian can confirm that documentation is currently being processed that will hopefully see the detainees released on bail tomorrow, it said in a statement Tuesday. At that point they will be free to move within the country, but it is uncertain when Ethiopian authorities will allow their return to Canada. James Murphy, a brother-in-law of one of the detainees, said the situation has been distressing for the families. We are focusing all of our efforts on getting our loved ones back to Canada safely and quickly, he said in the statement. The charity added that one of its representatives as well as consular officers have been permitted brief access to the prison and said the detainees have received fair treatment. Edmonton Strathcona MP Heather McPherson, the NDPs international development critic, said she has also been keeping a close eye on the situation. I am incredibly worried, she said in an interview earlier Tuesday. McPherson said she has been receiving regular updates from Global Affairs Canada about the case and heard they had received bail. It does look likely that they will be able to be removed from the prison, which is great news, she said. Global Affairs did not provide additional information Tuesday, but a spokeswoman again said they are fully engaged with Ethiopian officials. Department officials are in contact with local authorities to gather more information, she said, while consular officials are working with the Canadians and their families. Canadian Humanitarian said last week that the groups mission was to provide essential medical care to Ethiopians. While we cannot comment on the specifics of the expiry of the medication, we can with confidence say that all medicine and care offered by our team was safe, said a Feb. 29 statement. Our medical groups are comprised of numerous doctors and medical professionals. The organization is described as a registered charity that has been sending volunteers abroad to provide medical and dental support, along with other humanitarian services, since 2003. McPherson, whos a former executive director of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, said she travelled to Gondar with Canadian Humanitarian in 2012. My experience is that they would understand the need of treating all people with the same level of health care, she said. They are accustomed to working in Ethiopia and they are accustomed to following the letter of whats required. She said the charity follows a code of ethics developed by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation that sets operational standards. McPherson said the detained Canadians included charity founders Dr. Richard Northcott and Deborah Northcott from Medicine Hat, Alta. Some of the others are from Alberta and British Columbia, she said. My first priority is making sure they are safe while they are in Ethiopia, making sure they are receiving as much support as we can give them through consular services and making sure the legal process ... is done in a transparent way, said McPherson. For me, right now, the biggest concern is their welfare and their safety. I want to see these Canadians all these Canadians come home. Read more about: Shares of TVS Motor Company were down 3 per cent to Rs 409 on the BSE on Tuesday, falling 6 per cent in the past two trading days after it reported a 15.4 per cent drop in its total sales at 253,261 units in February 2020. The two and three-wheeler manufacturer had sold a total of 299,353 units in February, 2019. The stock was trading at its lowest level since October 17, 2019. In the past one month, it has underperformed the market by falling 13 per cent in line with auto index, as compared to 4 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. The management said, as planned, the Company is on ... The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officially kicks off Tuesday, March 3. For the next 20 days, residents will descend on Houston's NRG Park to attend the largest livestock show and rodeo in the world. With thousands of visitors each day, the area surrounding RodeoHouston can become chaotic, especially for inexperienced attendees just looking for a place to park. Below are various parking options attendees can choose from. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:02:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Indian government will allow export of onions from March 15, officials said Tuesday. The decision made by the federal ministry of commerce and industry was aimed at helping farmers. At present, the export of onions is banned in India. "Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce has issued a notification in this regard. The notification says that onions, which were in the prohibited category as per the present policy, will be under the category free in the revised policy," reads a government order. "The effect of the notification will be that the export of all varieties of onions has been made free without any condition of Letter Of Credit and Minimum Export Price, with effect from 15th March 2020." India's federal commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said permission of exporting the onions was a step in the direction of farmers' welfare. "This decision will help in increasing the income of farmers," he said. The decision to lift nearly a six-month-old ban on export of onions has been taken as prices are likely to fall sharply due to bumper winter crop. The ban on the export of onions was imposed after the prices of the commodity skyrocketed during the months of November and December last year. A kilogram of onion was priced at around 1.69 U.S. dollars. Onions which form the main ingredient of Indian meal are otherwise sold at around 29 U.S. cents a kilogram. To improve the availability of onions in the domestic market and maintain control on prices, India's federal ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution ministry had approved the import of 120,000 MT of onions through state-owned trading enterprise - Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India (MMTC). Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) Filipino Muslims are about to have a cemetery that is exclusively theirs in the countrys capital after the local government of Manila has signed an ordinance appropriating almost 50 million for its construction. The Manila Muslim Cemetery will cover about 2,400 square meters of land where Manila's deceased Filipino Muslim residents will be buried, the local government said Monday. The Islamic cemetery will be built inside the Manila South Cemetery, according to Ordinance No. 8608. A cultural hall will be also built inside the exclusive burial ground for Filipino Muslims, it added. "It is hereby declared the policy of the City Government of Manila to confer recognition to the Muslim community in Manila with their inherent cultural attributes and customary traditions, especially in terms of caring for the remains of their departed, by defining a burial ground in the South Cemetery and a special body intended to manage [it]," the ordinance read. Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso came up with the idea in July, noting that Filipino Muslims who have passed away have to be transported to burial places in Bulacan, Taguig, or even Mindanao due to the absence of a burial place in Manila. Islam is the second biggest religion in the country after the Roman Catholic (including Catholic Charmismatic), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. More than five percent of Filipinos are Muslims, with majority of them living in the island region of Mindanao. Firefighters rejoiced on Monday after announcing that there were no active bushfires burning in New South Wales. It is the first time since July last year that there have been no fires burning in the state. The NSW RFS took to their social media on Monday to announce incredible news after 240 days of fighting bushfires. 'For the first time since early July 2019, there are currently no active bush or grass fires in NSW,' they wrote. 'That's more than 240 days of fire activity for the state.' Fire crews undertake back burning near Railway Crescent, Belmont, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Thursday, August 22, 2019 The NSW RFS took to Twitter to announce the incredible news that there are no more active bushfires During Australia's horror bushfire season at total of 33 people were killed, more than 2,000 of homes were destroyed and at least a billion animals perished. Blazes destroyed an area of land the size of South Korea over the summer months and firefighters were severely stretched. NSW was the worst affected state, where 25 people tragically lost their lives either trying to defend their homes or fighting the fires. Many volunteers were forced to quit their jobs to fight blazes and nine firefighters were killed. Three were from the US, while the others were Australian. Firefighters Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney. A volunteer firefighter, Samuel McPaul, 28, died when he was battling a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, on December 30. A 'fire tornado' caused his 10-tonne firetruck to roll before he was killed. The end to a hellish bushfire season comes as analysts revealed the shocking impact of climate change on Australian summers. Researchers from the Australian Institute found that summers are lengthening by a month or more while winters are getting shorter. Australia is now experiencing an average of almost 31 more days of summer each year compared to the 1950s. Sydney has extra 28 hot days a year while Melbourne has an extra 38 warmer days compared to the middle of the 20th century. Rural Fire Service volunteers (RFS) and Fire and Rescue NSW officers (FRNSW) contain a small bushfire which closed the Princes Highway south of Ulladulla, Sunday, January 5, 2020 A southerly change is set to hit Sydney on Tuesday with rain expected all week In some regional areas ravaged by bushfires in recent months, such as the New South Wales town of Port Macquarie, residents are now experiencing seven more weeks of typical summer temperatures. 'Temperatures which were considered a regular three-month summer in the 1950s now span from early-to-mid-November all the way to mid-March,' Australia Institute climate and energy program director Richie Merzian said. 'Summers have grown longer even in recent years, with the last five years facing summers twice as long as their winters.' Australia's capital, Canberra, lost 35 winter days while the city of Brisbane, in the country's east, lost 31 cooler days. Australian summers are lengthening by a month or more while winters are getting shorter due to climate change (pictured: Swimmers at Bondi Beach) Rural Fire Service volunteers (RFS), National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and Queensland Rural Bushfire Brigade volunteers back burning at Burrill Lake south of Ulladulla, Sunday, January 5, 2020 There is no proposalon Muslim reservation before Maharashtra government, Chief Minister said here on Tuesday. Thackeray's remarks came days after Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik informed the Legislative Council that the state government will provide five per cent quota to Muslims in education. The NCP minister had also said the state government will ensure that a legislation to this effect is passed soon. "No proposal has come to me regarding Muslim reservation. We will check its validity once it comes to us. We have not taken any decision yet on it," Thackeray told reporters at Vidhan Bhawan in south Mumbai, where the budget session of the state legislature is underway. He also asked the BJP-led opposition to stop making a hue and cry over the issue. "I also urge those who are creating ruckus on the issue to save your energy to use it when the issue comes up for discussion. The issue has not come up yet. The Shiv Sena has not clarified its position yet. Let us see when the proposal comes up," Thackeray said. "When the issue comes upbefore the government, we will check the legal validity and take a decision.My stand as well as that of Shiv Sena will be decided when the issue comes before us," Thackeray said. On his wife Rashmi Thackeray's appointment as editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray said he had to quit the editor's post after the chief ministership "unexpectedly" came to him. "Saamana, Shiv Sena and Thackeray can't be separated. We are one family. With Rashmi becoming editor, there were speculations if the language of the paper will change. I want to tell that the language will remain the same. Editorial responsibility will continue to be handled by Sanjay Raut. "Saamana is Shiv Sena's mouthpiece. The paper will continue to reflect the party's stand and my views. There will beeditorial freedom too," he said. "The sort of language used in Saamana is our paternal language and it will remain the same. Dont say later that Rashmi Thackeray criticised It could be the subject of some peoples interest. But most of the views expressed are mine, that of the Shiv Sena and beyond that, there is also this freedom of the press. Hence, Sanjay Raut has been discharging the editorial duty very well and he willcontinue to do that," he said. The chief minister also said he is going to Ayodhya on March 7 to offer prayers to Lord Ram. "I have faith and therefore, I am heading (to Ayodhya) to get darshan of Lord Shriram. Wheres the question of politics in having a glimpse of god? Where is politics in it? The doors of god dont get shut just because you formed an alliance with the Congress or some other party. God is god and belongs to everyone. I will go (to Ayodhya)," he said. "Those (from among the alliance partners) who want to come, will come. Gods doors are not closed for anyone. Whenever they want to go, they can go (for seeking darshan). They may come with me (to seek darshan), may go before me or go there after I pay a visit (to the temple)," he said. On loan waiver, Thackeray said the government has already started making farmers who took loans of up to Rs two lakh debt free. "We will waive of loans of those whose loan accounts are linked with Aadhar," he said. Authentication of over 10 lakh farmers has been completed, he said. "The MVA government's loan waiver scheme will be implemented within the stipulated time frame. My government will pay attention to see farmers remain happy," he added. "Authentication of 10 lakhfarmers' accounts has been done and transfer of funds has started in 7.5 lakh accounts," he said. The government plans to complete the implementation soon and also start a new loan waiver scheme of over Rs two lakh for farmers and and also an incentive scheme to those who regularly pay their dues, he said. On Delhi violence and precautionary measures being taken to avoid a repeat, Thackeray said, "Precaution is being taken in Mumbai and Maharashtra to see no such incident takes place. I thank the police and citizens too for being vigilant. They understand who is doing this." Asked who was he pointing at, Thackeray said, samjhane walo ko ishara kaafi hai. Ishara nahi kiya to bhi samjhte hai (mere hint is sufficient for those who understand, they will understand even if there is no hint). Why do people climb a dangerous mountain? Thats easy. We know the answer because George Mallory gave it to us in three words in 1923, one year before his life ended on Mount Everest. Why do people cross an ocean in a little sailboat? The answer might also be because its there. But surely there is more to the answer than the idea that a force of nature exists as an irresistible challenge to be conquered by humans. I decided to ask Bernard Moitessier. I had to do this by rereading parts of his classic book The Long Way because he died in 1994. Moitessier secured his place in seafaring history by sailing in the 1968 singlehanded Golden Globe round-the-world race for seven months before abandoning the race and going on for another three months, ending up in Tahiti after sailing 37,455 miles without touching land, so I expected he would have an answer. But he wasnt much help. I got the impression he sailed alone farther than any other human being without stopping because, as a person who seemed to qualify as a mystic, he had a lot to think about, and the lonely sea was a good place to do it. Among his interesting but unhelpful thoughts: I dream of the day when a country of the modern world has an intensely simple president and barefoot ministers. Id ask for citizenship right away. Then I consulted a living adventure sailor by reading a few of the many words written about himself by Webb Chiles. The 77-year-old Chiles has sailed alone around the world a mind-bending six times, most recently in a Moore 24, an ultralight racing boat. Chiles wrote that he braves the ocean alone in small boats because the human race needs a few members who are original experiments destined to explore and expand the edges of human experience. I think this may be a verbose version of because its there. I didnt expect to find the answer in a review copy of a book that crossed my desk the other day, but I did find a clue to what motivated another American sailor who took on epic challenges in a tiny boat. In Marlin Brees Bold Sea Stories, the chapter subtitled Gary Spiess sails across the worlds largest ocean rang a bell. I read Spiess obituary in the New York Times last year. His death from Parkinsons disease at age 79 rated a prominent obit because he had earned a measure of fame by sailing across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans alone in a self-built boat that was only 10 feet long. Bree, a prolific author of sailing tales, was Spiess chronicler and friend. Together they wrote Alone Against the Atlantic, a book so appealing to non-sailing readers it became a best-seller that made Spiess, a modest Minnesotan with a do-it-yourself ethic, enough of a celebrity to merit an invitation for both him and his boat to appear on the Johnny Carson show. I asked Bree what moved an electronics instructor with little offshore sailing experience who lived on the edge of the north woods to attempt to sail across oceans in a homemade boat smaller than any vessel that had ever accomplished it. From his office not far from the garage in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where the boat named Yankee Girl was built, the author said Spiess came out of a different camp. He was at once a brilliant, hands-on problem solver and a very big dreamer. Spiess, a Phi Beta Kappa in college, contrived a boat that could carry everything a detail-obsessed sailor could imagine he needed, including three dozen pairs of shorts and T-shirts and 20 sparkplugs. Deep enough to provide standing headroom, the hull proved capable of carrying 1,500 pounds of supplies. He built the boat with plywood that had been used as shelving by a lumber company and Resorcinol glue, and fitted it with a sloop rig that carried twin headsails not much bigger than beach towels. In June 1979, with hardly anyone noticing, he set sail from Virginia Beach, Virginia, bound for England. Fifty-four days later, a crowd of 10,000 greeted Spiess when he sailed into the harbor at Falmouth. When he returned to the U.S., he was given a parade in Washington, D.C. Two years later, an enormous throng cheered him as a hero again, this time when he arrived at Sydney, Australia, completing another record-setting passage in Yankee Girl, the smallest boat to have crossed the Pacific. This abbreviated telling should not lead anyone to think Spiess had an easy time of it. He endured the panoply of grim hazards of far ocean voyaging, exaggerated by the smallness of his vessel. When he was washed overboard in an Atlantic storm, he wrote, it seemed to be the moment when God finally deserted methe last act in a terrifying series of mishaps which had dogged me from the moment I set out. Bree said Spiess knew he would face frightening moments but managed his fear by trying to be prepared for any need he might encounter. This may help explain the 20 spark plugs, apparently backups for the backups for his boats 4-horsepower, 1-cylinder outboard that needed a single sparkplug to operate. As for all that clothing, Spiess bought 35 sets of shorts and shirts at a Goodwill store, twisted them into tiny shapes and stowed them in plastic jugs. His idea was to wear them until they were dirty, then toss them overboard. Those mundane details are mere curiosities in the narrative recounted in Alone, which is at heart a bracing man-against-the-sea story that stands as an inspiration for dreaming and acting boldly, well told by the man who lived it with the help of Bree, a newspaper editor by profession. One of its readers was Carson, the comedian, who was Brees friend when they were schoolmates in Norfolk, Nebraska. Bree sent Carson a copy, and word soon came that the TV star wanted Spiess and Yankee Girl to be guests on his show. There was much dancing in the offices of the book publisher, Bree said, because an authors appearance on the Carson show could generate 50,000 book sales. Plans were made to transport the boat to the studio in Burbank, California, but then Spiess balked. Neither he nor the boat would go. The publisher was so infuriated he refused to authorize future printings of the book. Spiess confided to Bree that he was afraid Carson would make jokes about his stubby little boat. Thats the kind of guy Gary was, Bree said. That kind of guy was more than a skilled handymen who found satisfaction in figuring out, building and fixing things and assembling a myriad of pieces and parts to do it. He was an achiever who lived to set goals for himself and meet them. He chose surviving the ocean in what he called a nutshell as one of them precisely because the challenge was so daunting. You could say he did it because the ocean was there. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Voltas shares added 4 percent in early trade on March 3 after broking house Citi maintained buy with a target of Rs 794 per share. IMDs March-May forecasts suggest average temperature is expected to be warmer than usual. As per reports, AC companies have taken 3-5% price hike across models, said Citi. Demand environment should enable easy absorption of price hikes, it added. At 09:24 hrs, Voltas was quoting at Rs 687.65, up Rs 24.45, or 3.69 percent on the BSE. The share touched its 52-week high Rs 740.50 and 52-week low Rs 537.00 on 20 February, 2020 and 10 May, 2019, respectively. Currently, it is trading 7.14 percent below its 52-week high and 28.05 percent above its 52-week low. "We are grateful for Harley-Davidson's support and honored to partner with such a legendary brand as we fuel the future of Rolling Project Odyssey," said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael Richardson, WWP vice president of independence services and mental health. "Our goal is to focus warriors on their present to enable the growth of their future. The overall Rolling Project Odyssey experience is designed to encourage warriors to face adversities of the past and accomplish goals together with peers facing similar challenges, just as they did on the battlefield." One of WWP's marquee mental health programs for veterans, Project Odyssey helps warriors manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other combat stress through adventure-based learning that encourages a connection with fellow veterans and nature. In Rolling Project Odyssey, motorcycle riding becomes the catalyst for the program to provide mental health education, which aims to: help warriors manage their invisible wounds, teach them how to enhance their resiliency skills, and empower them to live productive and fulfilling lives. "Rolling Project Odyssey was a life-changing experience for me," said Jonathan Goolsby, an Army veteran who attended a previous Rolling Project Odyssey in Georgia. "The experience has taught me many things that I have been able to implement into my daily life, like finding my center and keeping my cool when things start to get tough." Warriors at Project Odyssey enjoy the camaraderie of engaging with their fellow veterans who have similar interests and experiences. Activities like motorcycle riding and socializing with other veterans provide an opportunity for warriors to connect and expand their support network. In a WWP survey of the wounded warriors it serves, warriors expressed they address their mental health concerns by talking to fellow veterans (41%) and physical activity (30%). A review by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that "veterans with better social support have more positive mental health outcomes, including lower rates of suicidal ideation."i Through Rolling Project Odyssey, veterans also experience the joys of motorcycle riding. A 2019 neurobiological study conducted by a team of three researchers at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and funded by Harley-Davidson concluded that: Riding a motorcycle decreased hormonal biomarkers of stress by 28%. ii Sensory focus was enhanced while riding a motorcycle versus driving a car, an effect also observed in experienced meditators vs non-meditators. iii iv v vi Changes in study participants' brain activity while riding suggested an increase in alertness similar to drinking a cup of coffee.vii viii ix x xi xii "Supporting the military is ingrained in our brand's 117-year legacy, and we take pride in working with organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project so together we can positively impact the lives of those who served," said Jon Bekefy, general manager of brand marketing at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "We support the goals of Rolling Project Odyssey and are excited to share with our country's service men and women the joys of motorcycle riding and the attributes that are synonymous with two wheels community, support, and personal freedom." The first Rolling Project Odyssey of 2020 will take place March 9 -13. The journey will start and finish in Jacksonville, Florida, where WWP headquarters are located, and feature a stop in Daytona for Bike Week, which kicks off riding season in the U.S. each year. Learn more about WWP's Project Odyssey program. 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. iAdams, R. E., T. G. Urosevich, S. N. Hoffman, et al. 2017. Social support, help-seeking, and mental health outcomes among veterans in non-VA facilities: results from the Veterans' Health Study. Military Behavioral Health 5, no. 4:393405. iiAs measured by the concentration ratio of DHEA-S to cortisol iiiAs measured by the mismatch negativity (MMN) the change in the amplitude of evoked auditory responses, to standard versus deviant tones ivBiedermann, B. et al. Meditation and auditory attention: An ERP study of meditators and non-meditators. Int. J. Psychophysiol. 109, 6370 (2016). vSrinivasan, N. & Baijal, S. Concentrative meditation enhances preattentive processing: a mismatch negativity study. Neuroreport 18, 17091712 (2007). viLuo, Y., Wei, J. & Weekes, B. Effects of musical meditation training on auditory mismatch negativity and P300 in normal children. Chin. Med. Sci. J. 14, 7579 (1999). viiAs measured by the commensurate reduction in alpha frequency band power between baseline and riding to caffeine vs placebo viiiBarry, R. J. et al. Caffeine effects on resting-state arousal. Clin. Neurophysiol. 116, 26932700 (2005). ixDimpfel, W., Schober, F. & Spuler, M. The influence of caffeine on human EEG under resting condition and during mental loads. Clin. Investig. 71, 197207 (1993). xAngelakis, E., Lubar, J. F., Stathopoulou, S. & Kounios, J. Peak alpha frequency: an electroencephalographic measure of cognitive preparedness. Clin. Neurophysiol. 115, 887897 (2004). xiReeves, R. R., Struve, F. A., Patrick, G. & Bullen, J. A. Topographic quantitative EEG measures of alpha and theta power changes during caffeine withdrawal: preliminary findings from normal subjects. Clin. Electroencephalogr. 26, 154162 (1995). xiiKaplan, G. B. et al. Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics and psychomotor effects of caffeine in humans. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 37, 693703 (1997). SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project Within minutes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet saying that he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts, scores of netizens urged him not to quit the various social media platforms as 'No Sir' trended on Twitter. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ceremonial welcome of Myanmar President U Win Myint at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo Prime Minister Modi sent the social media buzzing with his tweet, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted." In about an hour, the tweet had been retweeted over 26,000 times, with comments of people pouring in almost every second. Within minutes, '#NoSir', '#NoModiNoTwitter' started trending on Twitter with people's reactions varying from shock to confusion. Several netizens urged him not to quit social media. "People Around The World Love You So Much Modi Ji. You May Take A Short Break From Social Media If You Want But, #NoSir We Requesting You Musn't Leave Social Media (sic)," a user tweeted. "Am Narendra Modi fan. If Modi ji quits - I am off as well," said another user on Twitter. Some netizens even offered explanations over why the prime minister was contemplating giving up his accounts. "No sir.. We know that you are upset with the misuse of social media but we need you," a Twitter user said. It was not just reactions of people that poured in on Twitter, but memes began to appear as well. One meme said, "People on all social media platforms to Modi Ji: 'Jane nahin denge tujhe'" -- with the snapshot of a scene from the popular '3 Idiots' song'. Some netizens were just plain shocked by Modi's tweet. "You inspired us nationalists to be active on social media!...And now you are saying you'll be leaving social media! I'm shocked looking at this tweet! Modi ji, without you, we are nothing on Social Media," a user tweeted. The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media. He has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram. The Twitter handle of the Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers. In September 2019, PM Modi was the third most followed world leader on the microblogging site, behind only US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama. The prime minister was the first Indian to cross the 50-million followers mark on Twitter. By Masatoshi Nagata, KYODO NEWS - Mar 3, 2020 - 14:26 | All, World Salomon Perel, who survived the Holocaust by leading a double life as a Jew and a Nazi, says the tragic history will repeat itself as Germans have not learned enough from the past. In a recent interview with Kyodo News in Tokyo, Perel, 94, described his dilemma during the period as a boy who had diametrically opposite roles, one as victim and one as an assailant. He visited Japan in January for the first time to bring his "messages of peace" on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. [Getty/Kyodo] "Survival was the utmost goal. I had no choice," said Perel, an Israeli author, who escaped from Germany to Poland in 1936 with his family but was later captured by German soldiers. As a means of survival, he masqueraded as an ethnic German. "That was my mother's strong belief that life is more important than religion. I just kept her promise, ignoring my father's order which was completely the opposite." "It was a time when, regardless if you are a high-ranking rabbi or an ordinary villager, everyone was forced to be brought to gas chambers as long as you are a Jew," Perel said. When the German army started attacking Poland, Perel and his brother left their family again to an orphanage facility in a safer region in Poland under the Soviet's influence. But then, war broke out between the Germans and Soviets. Perel escaped but was caught by German soldiers. That was when he declared himself as "ethnic German" to survive. They put him in the school for potential elites, educated to become a model "Aryan" Nazi, and he was under constant threat of having his identity revealed. Perel, who wrote his life story in the autobiography, "I was Hitler Youth Salomon," was a member of Hitlerjugent, or the Hitler Youth education organization of the Nazi Party. His life was depicted in the 1990 film "Europa Europa," adapted from his book. Perel expressed concern that populism and nationalism are growing across the world amid a surge of anti-Semitism just like the times of Adolf Hitler's ascendancy. "In a real sense, Germans have never confronted seriously enough against the past," he said, adding that is why there are "still dumb people supporting dumb politicians." "(German) President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was right when he told the audience in Jerusalem (in January) commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz that Germans have not completely learned lessons from history," Perel said. He went on to say that Germans may be on the same "wrong path we have gone through by electing the nationalists and populists. History can repeat itself." Recently in Germany, hate against refugees and minorities such as Jews and Muslims are growing. Last year, a regional official was killed in Hesse in the first assassination by a far-right extremist of a German politician since the Nazi regime. And in February, people in Hanau, a small city near cosmopolitan Frankfurt, were shocked when a far-right extremist opened fire, killing 10 people in two shisha bars, acting out of racism. "It is because of the far-right party AfD (Alternative for Germany) which promotes xenophobia after the arrival of thousands of Syrian and other refugees to Germany. They misused the situation in a populist means," Perel said. "A similar trend is appearing now. Neo-Nazi groups are doing the same things that happened when I was a kid. Communists were gunned down, socialists were stabbed and unionists were punched. At that time people played down those incidents as aberrations and did not think seriously which led to the rise of Hitler." "In order to achieve peace, I would like to tell my experiences to young students in Japan, that any type of hatred must be avoided and we should talk to other people with love, not hatred," he said. "So the most important secret for solution is to recollect and remember the past," Perel said. Related coverage: Auschwitz museum rebuts Japanese doctor's holocaust denial tweet in 2015 Photo: Contributed Paramjit Bogarh An accused murderer is expected to take a plea deal this week, more than 33 years after he allegedly killed his wife in Vernon. Paramjit Singh Bogarh was arrested and extradited to B.C. from California in May 2018, and charged with the first-degree murder of his wife Saminder Kaur Bogarh on Dec. 31, 1986. He was also charged with conspiracy to commit her murder. Bogarh's eight-week trial was set to begin Monday, but the case was adjourned, after Crown Prosecutor Ann Katrine Saettler said she's had resolution discussions with Bogarh's lawyer. We're anticipating a plea on a new indictment and sentencing at that time, Saettler told Justice Martha Devlin Monday afternoon. The courtroom was packed with the family of those involved, including Bogarh's son, who had flown in from California. The Crown would not say what charge Bogarh plans on pleading guilty to. As I understand it, it's quite a significant change from what was originally presented to me, Justice Devlin noted Monday. Bogarh will be back before the court Thursday morning, when he's expected to plead guilty to the new charge. Defence and Crown will be submitting a joint sentencing submission. Bogarh was denied bail in June 2018, and he's remained in custody since then. In 1986, Bogarh was living in Vernon with his wife Saminder and their two-year-old son after they emigrated from India three years earlier. American extradition documents allege Paramjit and his brother Narinder Bogarh met in Vancouver in December 1986 and hatched a plan to kill Saminder. Narinder flew to Kelowna later that month and stayed in a hotel for three days under a false name, renting a vehicle on the day of Saminder's death. The couple's two year old son was in the family's home when Saminder was killed. He allegedly later told police, Daddy hit mommy with a knife and blood came out. Narinder eventually flew back to India. The extradition documents state that blood found on Saminder's dress matched that of a sibling of Paramjit Bogarh and that "the blood from the scene subsequently matched to blood found in a car rented in Narinder's name." Paramjit Bogarh moved to California soon after Saminder's death, where he remained until his extradition. In a bizarre detail, the documents state that several witnesses told Canadian authorities that in the late 1990s, while running for leadership of a Sikh temple in Alhambra, California, Paramjit Bogarh stood up and admitted that he killed his wife. At the time of Bogarh's arrest, the BC Prosecution Service said they were pursuing Narinder, for charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, but he's believed to still be in India. The extradition documents state RCMP officers interviewed Narinder in India in 1997 and 2000, and he allegedly confessed to killing Saminder, but claimed he acted alone. None of the allegations in the extradition document have been proven in court. How Has Ivanishvili's Fortune Changed Since Last Week - GeorgianJournal Former prime minister Paul Keating has slammed the government for encouraging the ABC to canvass a sale of its inner-city offices, saying it shows "ideological contempt" and is an attempt to "fracture" the public broadcaster. Communications Minister Paul Fletcher wrote to ABC managing director David Anderson on Monday recommending the broadcaster consider reviewing its capital city property portfolio, which includes offices in Sydney's Ultimo and Melbourne's Southbank. Mr Fletcher did not refer to specific property assets in the letter, but government sources who declined to be identified said the Ultimo office in particular was under-used. Paul Keating has criticised the government for putting pressure on the ABC to sell its city real estate. Credit:Peter Braig Mr Keating said the pressure on the ABC to explore these sales represented "nothing other than an attempt by the Liberal and National parties to fracture the ABC at its foundations, in settlement of its ideological contempt for the organisation". "For the first time in its long history, the Ultimo, Sydney and Southbank, Melbourne premises delivered to the ABC a consolidation of workplaces which facilitated cross-platform and cross-divisional facilitation of a kind that was impossible in the old fragmented locational structure," he said in a statement. Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Anand Sharma on Tuesday said that the government should immediately start the discussion on the violence that took place in Delhi in February. Speaking at a press conference, Sharma said, "In Rajya Sabha, opposition parties have urged the chairman and the government to discuss the Delhi riots. We have also given notice regarding the same. In the Delhi riots, many people lost lives and hundreds were injured and thousands have been rendered homeless and there was loss of properties as well." "There is a need for parliament not only to discuss but also fix accountability and that is what parliamentary democracy is all about. The government should give up its rigidity and in the larger interest of democracy and parliament accept the discussion," he said. The Congress leader said, "The session is going on and on the second day the whole country is looking forward to what is happening in parliament. The govt should start the discussion immediately. It is disappointing that the government is shy about having a discussion." "India is our country and slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and the tri-colour have to be held in high respect by all Indians. But they cannot be used by any political party or a private person to incite polarisation, tension and collision in society," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Sudan continues to spend oil revenues in advance and its oil sector continues to lack transparency, according to a UN report that was made public recently. One of the newest countries in the world, South Sudan, broke from Sudan in 2011, taking with it around 350,000 bpd in oil production. But then civil war in South Sudan broke out in 2013 that further complicated oil production. Currently, South Sudan pumps around 180,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and it aims to grow its production in the future. According to a report by the Panel of Experts on South Sudan drafted in November 2019 but made public recently, There has been a continued lack of transparency in the oil sector. The Ministry of Petroleum has not ended the practice of pre-sale financing arrangements for South Sudanese oil, despite the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund. Last year in March, the IMF warned South Sudan to immediately stop contracting expensive and nontransparent oil advances. South Sudan had taken loans from Chinese companies with the promise to repay them with proceeds from future oil revenuesfrom oil it has yet to get out of the ground. The UN report found that the African oil producer continues with the practice to strike pre-sale financing arrangements with little transparency. The Panel was unable to verify the financial liabilities of the Government related to oil advances, cargoes and repayment terms because the Government has not released current data on oil sales or published its marketing report, in accordance with the stipulations in the Agreement on transparency and accountability, the UN report said. South Sudans Ministry of Petroleum published last month a report, saying that it is trying to increase transparency in the countrys oil and gas sector, specifically concerning the financial aspects. All this information is now available, and everyone will have access to it, the ministry said at the end of February. By Tsvetana Paraskova For Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A father-of-three has been jailed for three years after cramming three Vietnamese migrants into a tiny airtight roof box on his car and attempting to smuggle them into the UK. Robert Rooney, 35, stuffed two men and a teenage girl, 15, into the box on top of his Ford Focus in France on October 5, but was stopped by officers at the UK-controlled zone at the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles. Harrowing pictures show the three in the space, which is not much bigger than a suitcase, during the incident which could have had tragic consequences. The people smuggler, from Edmonton, north London, had told Border Force representatives he just had camping stuff in there, claiming he did not know where the keys to open it. The first thing officers saw when they opened the box at a nearby garage shortly before 4pm was a human arm, Canterbury Crown Court in Kent heard. The Irish-born HGV driver was arrested and when quizzed by police, told them: I did know what I was doing, but I will be making no further comment. Prosecutor Bridget Todd said the box was an airtight concealment, adding that there was no attempt to put any ventilation in the box. Should the box have become detached on the motorway, the result would have been catastrophic. She added that Rooney had clearly intended to gain financially, with people smugglers often charging thousands per person to bring them into the UK. It remains unknown if the migrants, who were served with deportation documents, were being brought into the UK to live or be exploited for work. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A new government programme has pledged to plant 18 million trees - the equivalent of 10 trees per person - in Northern Ireland over the next ten years. The Forests for our Future programme is the region's biggest and most ambitious plan to develop its woodland. Forest cover in Northern Ireland currently sits at 8 percent, well behind the UK average of 13 percent. The programme also pledges to increase woodland's contribution to a sustainable, healthy environment and contribute to the UK net zero by 2050 target. The measures were announced by NI's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots. We plant only 200 hectares of woodland per year, instead of the 900 hectares recommended recently by the Committee on Climate Change," he said. "That is why I have launched Forests for our Future - my departments biggest and most ambitious plan to improve and sustain our forests and contribute to economic growth. Regarding land acquisition, the minister said existing publicly owned land, including local government land, has the greatest potential for woodland creation in the short term. "I have written to ministerial colleagues and chief executives of local councils seeking their support and commitment to make public land available for tree planting," Mr Poots explained. "I also plan to establish an Afforestation Forum to develop an action plan for increasing afforestation and I will oversee this work personally. It comes as the National Trust recently revealed plans to plant 20 million trees over the next 10 years. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Atlanta, GA, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ImagineX Consulting, an Atlanta based white glove technology consulting firm, celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Verizon 5G Emory Healthcare Innovation Hub on Friday. This is the nations first 5G healthcare innovation lab and is located inside the firms new Headquarters in Sandy Springs, GA. The well attended partnership event took place at One Glenlake Parkway in Atlanta on Friday, February 28th, 2020. Executives from 11Ten, User Insight, Verizon, Emory and ImagineX Consulting showcased the new collaborative workspace decked out with 5G Ultra-Wideband Service. This technological advancement comes with incredible bandwidth, speed and low latency that will help us to push the boundaries of our transformative solutions for our customers says Vincent Picerno, ImagineX Senior Director. With a large development team on-site, the hub promises continued multi-industry growth and expansion for the firm, as well as strategic partner engagements within the healthcare industry. News of the Innovation Hub comes in tandem with the firms announcement that they have moved their headquarters to Atlanta. Today is just an incredibly exciting day, a proud CEO, Shaun Bank, had to say. To be one of the partners in this ecosystem, and exclusively the development partner for any of the use cases that are coming through this new 5G ecosystem. Were massively excited to be a part of this network of innovation. The partnership is lock and key in terms of its mission. ImagineX consulting provides first to market value with its client centered approach to project engagements; and so goes the leading endeavor for the healthcare industry in its continuous desire to drive value-based care. What an opportunity it is for us to be a part of utilizing our technical and consulting chops to deliver programs that can amount to improving patient experiences, healthcare improvements, as well as the potential of being a part of solutions that can save lives, says Bank. As part of the innovation partnership we are square in the middle of use cases around improving the logistics related to stroke victims; that time savings through our involvement in consultation and development can mean all the difference. Story continues ImagineX Consulting welcomes business leaders and organizations interested in partnership around this new capability and opportunity. To learn more about the firm, visit www.imaginexconsulting.com or contact Brittany Patten at Brittany.patten@imaginexconsulting.com . About ImagineX Consulting ImagineX Consulting is a technology consulting firm whose mission is to deliver value to clients through a unique blend of modern capabilities powered by progressive methods and old-fashioned work ethic. Our modern technology practices specialize in Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Cloud, DevOps, Automation, Data Insights and Technology Consulting. The true exponential power of our capabilities exists at the intersection of these practices. When combined with our pragmatic and adaptive methods, our seasoned consultants deliver unprecedented value to the Digital Enterprise on the cutting edge of today's technology frontier. ImagineX Consulting is currently headquartered in Atlanta, GA with offices in Washington DC, Raleigh, New York, Denver and Toronto. Our Innovation and Development Labs are located in Toronto, Canada and our Cybersecurity Center is located in Tel Aviv, Israel. Contact Information: The first case of Covid-19 has been identified in Northern Ireland. The adult patient had returned from northern Italy, travelling from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said. The individual followed advice in reporting concerns to a GP and self isolated at home whilst awaiting the results of testing. Those most at risk who were in close proximity are being traced and checked, Dr McBride added. Milldam Public Relations President to Participate in Las Vegas Data Center Conference Milldam Public Relations, a full-service public relations firm serving a range of technology sectors including data center, telecommunications and energy, announced today that President and Founder, Adam Waitkunas will be speaking at the Southwest Digital Infrastructure Industry Convention. The event will be held March 4-5 at The Industrial Space in Las Vegas, NV. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005738/en/ Adam Waitkunas, President, Milldam Public Relations (Photo: Business Wire) During the conference, Waitkunas will moderate a panel titled, Building to Meet Demand in The Age of Digital Disruption: How are Providers Adjusting to Rapidly Changing End-User Needs, and What are The Challenges to Delivering New Product Quickly and Effectively. The panel discussion will focus on how data center end-users are changing, the main speed to market challenges and how to overcome them, and the evolution of data center design and construction practices. Joining Waitkunas will be a distinguished panel of digital infrastructure experts including: Barbara Nicholas, COO, Vertex Innovations; Nancy Novak, SVP of Construction, Compass Datacenters and Adam Rogers, Operations Manager, Hensel Phelps. "With digital infrastructure requirements constantly changing, I look forward to exploring strategies and best practices to meet these new demands with my fellow panelists," said Adam Waitkunas, President, Milldam Public Relations. "I hope that attendees will be able to take what they learn and implement them in their own organizations." This month, Milldam Public Relations is celebrating fifteen years of business helping the data center ecosystem gets its message out through a range of publicity tactics. In its fifteen years of business, Milldam Public Relations has helped numerous companies and organizations with media relations and content development. Additionally, the firm has continued to build its practice by adding a White Paper Writing Service and a Data Center Crisis Communications Practice. About Milldam Public Relations Concord, Massachusetts-based Milldam Public Relations is a full-service technology public relations firm that provides competitively priced strategic communications including press releases, white papers, case studies, bylined articles, crisis communications and event management to a diverse array of clients throughout the country. Founded in 2005, Milldam Public Relations has solidified its position as the go-to public relations firm for companies in the critical infrastructure space. Clients include Data Specialties, Inc, Hurricane Electric, Green Revolution (News - Alert) Cooling, and RF Code. For more information on Milldam Public Relations, please go to http://www.milldampr.com or visit the company's Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005738/en/ The kids are doing OK. Theyre pretty resilient. For now, the family prefers gift cards or monetary donations since it will take a while for them to know what furniture or appliances they would need for a new home, Bortz said. If the community does donate material goods prior to that, however, St. Vincent de Paul is providing space for Bortz to store them. The first thing I do (for fire victims) is contact the Red Cross and then they give the family my contact information, St. Vincent de Paul Manager Tricia Pionke said of helping Bortz and other local fire victims including Kassandra Swensen when her Portage house burned down in December. These families are starting over and we want to help them in whatever ways we can. Kelly Ostrand, the branch manager of Portage Summit Credit Union, said visitors to the credit union may donate directly to an account set up for the family, utilize the donation box or the 24/7 night drop outside at 110 Henry Drive. The account name is Bortz Family Fundraiser. I think its just very important for Summit to be involved and supportive of the communities we reside in, Ostrand said. Thats the first thing we do is look to help (families) out in any way we can. The 4,580 guests on board the MSC Meraviglia last week will be paid a full refund due to the disruptive nature of their trip, MSC Cruises said after a coronavirus scare meant the ship was refused permission to dock in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The disappointing decisions by Jamaica and Grand Cayman to bar our ship to allow our passengers to disembark and enjoy their islands was born out of fear, not best medical practice," Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said. The ship was eventually given a clean bill of health after two people on board were found to have seasonal flu by health workers in Cozumel, Mexico. Frustrations boiled over before that, video from February 27 showed, as a brawl broke out. Crew members used pepper spray to quell the unrest. Video here, from John Wintle, shows some passengers in more sanguine humor, with Wintle describing them as happy and healthy as they waited aboard for the all clear. MSC Cruises said passengers were able to spend a full day ashore in Cozumel on February 28 before the ship returned to Miami. The MSC Meraviglia was seen pulling out from the port of Miami on March 1, with a new set of holidaymakers. Credit: John Wintle via Storyful James Cook University researcher Associate Professor Richard Franklin says drownings globally have dropped by half over the last 30 years, with rates reducing in all regions except Oceania. Dr Franklin was the lead author of a world first study in partnership with the Institute of Health Metric and Evaluation and published in the journal BMJ Injury Prevention which found that age standardised mortality rates from unintentional drowning have decreased by 57% between 1990 and 2017. Dr Franklin said the decrease was not uniform across countries and the revised global estimate is now approximately 300,000 drowning deaths per year. He said China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh accounted for half of the drowning deaths and with children bearing the highest burden and overrepresented in the figures. "Approximately 90 per cent of drowning deaths occur in low and middle income countries and are often due to everyday activities such as collecting water, bathing or walking to school. "There is a particular need for us to work with our neighbours in Oceania where there was an 80% increase in drowning, with Papua New Guinea seeing a 93% increase," he said. Dr Franklin has been working with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the US to publish what is the first Global Burden of Disease Report on unintentional drowning. "Drowning is a significant global challenge, described by the World Health Organization as a hidden public health threat, with Australian organisations such as Royal Life Saving leading efforts to build capacity to reduce drowning in low and middle income countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam," he said. Justin Scarr, CEO Royal Life Saving said "Associate Professor Franklin's study is globally significant, brings new focus and energy to an under-resourced health and development issue." Dr Franklin said high rates of drowning in children will shock most Australians, and much more needs to be done by UN bodies WHO, UNICEF, development agencies and donors to support nations in the Indo-Pacific region. Dr Franklin said in Australia there are on average 288 unintentional drowning deaths per annum (Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report). While the good news is the numbers have been reducing, there is a need for more work. ### The research is undertaken as a consortium with co-authors from across the globe. Dr Franklin was supported by a grant from the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia. VANCOUVER - The potential for a worldwide pandemic has kept scientists in Canada at the ready and placed them at the forefront of the global response to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, several prominent researchers say. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. According to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML VANCOUVER - The potential for a worldwide pandemic has kept scientists in Canada at the ready and placed them at the forefront of the global response to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, several prominent researchers say. Dr. Srinivas Murthy was among those experts who gathered at the World Health Organization's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, last month to discuss how to combat the virus. The outbreak of viruses with the potential to become pandemics is going to be "our new reality," said Murthy, a professor at the University of British Columbia's department of pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at the B.C. Children's Hospital. "We just have to start getting used to this in some way (and) also be able to respond aggressively and effectively." Murthy is serving as co-chair of the WHO's clinical research committee for the new virus, which is looking to establish better descriptions of COVID-19 including what causes it, who gets sick and why some individuals might become sicker. The committee is also exploring how to help people recover from the novel coronavirus and establish how to determine whether a patient has recovered. "I think if you were a betting person, you would say there is high risk of this continuing to spread in various parts of the world," said Murthy, adding that it's speculative to say how exactly it might progress. The good news, he said, is that global collaboration has been expedited like never before, and experts have learned a lot since severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, first broke out in 2002. Canada was pivotal in describing SARS, largely because Ontario was hit hard by the virus, said Murthy, but at the time, research that would have helped the response to the outbreak was minimal. After SARS, researchers recognized that coronaviruses could be a problem in the future, said Murthy. "We've learned quite a bit over the past 17 years." The Canadian Institute for Health Research a funding body for health research in the country has been "imperative" in helping to co-ordinate the global response to the new coronavirus as it relates to research priorities, such as the development of a preventative vaccine and therapeutic treatments, he said. Charu Kaushic, the scientific director for the institute's infection and immunity division, said the CIHR was able to put together a "rapid response" to COVID-19, making $6.75 million available for research into the new virus, a number she said will rise significantly when the total amount is announced in the coming days. Kaushic agreed with Murthy that SARS was a catalyst for change in Canada. "Since then, we've learned so many lessons," said Kaushic, who also teaches in the department of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton. "We are much better prepared, both from a public health perspective, but also from a research perspective." Dr. Josef Penninger, who worked at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital during the SARS outbreak, said he is "totally amazed" at the speed with which scientists and some biotech companies have responded to COVID-19. Penninger, the director of UBC's Life Sciences Institute and Canada 150 chair in functional genetics, helped find the pathway through which SARS entered human cells and began to replicate the protein ACE2 which led to the development of a drug that could now help treat COVID-19. "It turns out the new coronavirus uses exactly the same mechanism," to enter cells, he said, adding that the drug, APN01, has already been tested on humans. "We have ample data in humans already showing this protein we made is a therapy. It does exactly as we assumed it should do." But APN01 must still be tested in carefully controlled clinical trials before it is approved, he said. Penninger is part of an international team working with Austrian biotech company Apeiron Biologics, which he co-founded, to conduct a pilot clinical trial in China involving 24 patients with severe cases of COVID-19. The drug has arrived in China, he said, and the trial could start any day now. Half of the patients will receive the drug and half will receive a placebo with the results analyzed by an international panel of exerts, said Penninger, who hopes the drug will move quickly into a larger and definitive trial. "It was all started in Canada," Penninger said. But multiple preventative and therapeutic treatments will be needed for the virus, which could be here to stay, he said. "Hopefully it won't, but there's epidemiologists predicting this virus will stay with us and move around the globe like the flu in the future," he added. Matthias Gotte, chair of the medical microbiology and immunology department at the University of Alberta, has been working with his team to find out how another drug initially developed to treat Ebola might also work against coronaviruses. American biotechnology company Gilead Sciences developed the drug remdesivir as a response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, where it was tested in a clinical trial, said Gotte. Results showed that several other treatments were more effective against Ebola, but testing on monkeys infected with MERS the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus suggested the drug could be effective against coronaviruses, explained Gotte. The first patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States received remdesivir for compassionate use, which allows the use of an unapproved drug to treat a seriously ill patient when no other treatments are available. The patient had been admitted to the intensive care unit and received the drug on the seventh day of illness, and the next day the patient showed a marked improvement and symptoms eventually disappeared altogether, Gotte said. Last week, Gilead Sciences announced two clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of remdesivir in about 1,000 adults diagnosed with COVID-19. The company said the randomized studies will begin this month in countries across Asia and in other countries where COVID-19 has been diagnosed in higher numbers. Gotte said no matter the results of the studies, his team will examine how the drug interacts with the new virus. "Once we know how it works, we can make the drugs better." This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. (Photo : KIM KYUNG-HOON on Reuters) Coronavirus COVID-19 Update: You'll Only Need 40 Minutes to Detect Disease With This New Device! (Photo : Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe) Coronavirus COVID-19 Update: You'll Only Need 40 Minutes to Detect Disease With This New Device! Biomedical engineers from Purdue University in Indiana, US, have recently discovered and created one of the fastest ways possible to detect viruses across the globe like the most evident one, Coronavirus or COVID-19. Unlike other researchers, though, their newly-created medical device can be compared to pregnancy tests that determine status using lines! Fastest way to detect Coronavirus COVID-19 now discovered by engineers? On Monday, Mar. 2, Purdue University released a report explaining their students' newest creation that might be resolved the slow Coronavirus detection is happening around the world. They developed a handheld paper device with glass fiber and cellulose that detects viruses and provides test results for only less than one hour or exactly 40 minutes. The test, though, is still being perfected as of today, but researchers believe that once this device is produced globally, their creation will be a 'game-changer' in the health industry and can be used all over the world. "The difference between minutes and days is huge. Imagine the amount of people you could come in contact with throughout the course of a day waiting for results." said one of the researchers, Dr. Jacqueline C. Linnes. "I hope this is a potential game-changer." As further explained, the paper device can be used in any laboratories or clinics to detect potential Coronavirus strands in a person. How to use this paper device to detect Coronavirus? If you think that this new device can be complicated to operate or use in a lab, think again. Since time is one of the most important factors to look at stopping the wider spread of the disease, Purdue University engineers revealed that using their paper device is just like using a normal pregnancy test. "To know if a sample is positive, a user just looks for a second line to appear next to a control line on the device's paper strip - similar to reading a pregnancy test," said Linnes. "Folding the device automatically completes a multistep process needed for detecting a virus. When the device folds over, a liquid wash and chemical substances called reagents push the assay up a paper strip to make an easily visible detection line." Though the test seemed to be easy, researchers said that this device is still needed millions of fund before manufacturing the device. "This paper device isn't dependent on a particular virus or sequence. To detect COVID-19, we would just need an assay design specific to that sequence, which could come from a nasal or throat swap sample. Just like with MERS-CoV, a user could load the assay with liquid into the paper platform, fold the device and let it run," Linnes said. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Los Angeles, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) will honor Rev. Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, with the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa and welcome him as speaker at the Universitys SoCal Campus Commencement ceremony on June 18th at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach. Recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change, Reverend Boyle has received the California Peace Prize, and in 2011 was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. He has received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the James Beard Foundation and is the best-selling author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship. Reverend Greg Boyle demonstrates an astounding commitment to social activism and human rights advocacy, said TCSPP President Dr. Michele Nealon. His compassion and dedication to improving the lives of others are admirable. His goal to heal those he helps through mental health services aligns completely with the values we hold at The Chicago School. Im delighted that our new graduates will have the opportunity to hear from a man of such empathy and wisdom as they prepare to go out and impact the world. "I am honored to be aligned with the mission of The Chicago School to train people to stand in awe at what the poor have to carry, rather than in judgement at how they carry it, said Reverend Boyle. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program known to date, and has become the blueprint for more than 400 organizations around the globe. Welcoming nearly 9,000 people each year, the organizations Los Angeles headquarters provides vocational training, employment and access to therapy, legal assistance and other important services to gang members and formerly incarcerated women and men who hope to make positive change in their lives. The organizations methods have had a tremendous impact on how society views treatment, intervention and rehabilitation. Twelve percent of mental health degrees in the United States are conferred by The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, one of the largest and most diverse institutions devoted to psychology and related behavioral health services. More than 80% of our students are women and 55% are women of color. This June, The Chicago School SoCal and Online campuses will confer degrees in several areas, including Clinical, Forensic, and Business Psychology, and in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Marriage and Family Therapy. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a non-profit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral health sciences. The institution serves nearly 6,000 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego); Washington, D.C.; New Orleans; and Dallas, as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and New Orleans are accredited by the American Psychological Association. With 30 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is a leader in professional psychology and behavioral health education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. The Chicago School is a proud affiliate of TCS, a non-profit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. Tigard-Tualatin School Board member Ben Bowman has filed to run against Oregon Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, who is currently notching her 24th year in the Senate, in the May primary. That makes Bowman, 28, who would be both the first openly gay man and the youngest person in the Senate, the third Democrat to file to challenge a sitting lawmaker in the 2020 Democratic primary. The others Democratic challengers targeted are Rep. Rob Nosse and Sen. Michael Dembrow, largely over their votes to dial back the runaway costs of Oregons Public Employee Retirement System. Rob Milesnick, who filed to challenge to Dembrow, has since decided not to pursue his campaign, saying its not the right time in his and his familys life for him to do so. The power of incumbency is strong but not invincible, Milesnick noted. Its politically very difficult for many reasons to successfully challenge any incumbent, but especially a long-term incumbent from the same political party in a down-ballot race during a presidential election year, he observed. Bowman, an education advocate who has resigned his job to campaign fulltime ahead of the May 19 primary, brings a slew of endorsements, including from current and former state Democratic Party of Oregon leaders, the mayors of Tigard and Tualatin and community and party leaders of color. Sen. Ginny Burdick, center, has represented her district in Southwest Portland for more than 23 years. Burdick, 72, who as majority leader is the No. 2 leader in the Senate Democratic caucus, first won the seat in 1996 in a competitive race for an open seat. In recent sessions, she has helped lead the way in passing important gun safety legislation. She voted yes on the same package of PERS trims that Dembrow and most Democrats supported. Bowman, who earned his masters degree in education policy from Stanford University, has been endorsed by the Oregon School Employees Association. Voters will not find a better champion for public education and working people than Ben, Lisa Gourley, OSEA president, said in a statement provided by the Bowman campaign. This is one of the most important primary elections in the state, and we are all in. In a statement, Bowman said, Oregon is facing serious challenges: a climate emergency, an addiction and mental health crisis, lack of affordable housing, rising health care costs, and staggering income inequality. With the Trump Administrations total incompetence at the national level, Oregon should be a model for progressive problem solving for the rest of the country. Burdick said she plans to run hard to retain her seat, as she feels she has more work to do, particularly on property tax reform. Oregons property tax system, driven by voter-approved limits, is not based to any significant degree on the market value of property, but rather primarily hinges on a propertys assessed value from the early 1990s. Its so unequal and its starving our local governments, she said. In addition, having served as chair of the judiciary committee, the finance committee, the marijuana committee and in other roles, she is eager to take on that new position on the revenue committee, she said. I grew up in this district and I have represented this district since 97. I feel we still have more work to be done on gun safety, environmental protection and funding our schools. We made a major step with the Student Success Act, and I want to make sure that is implemented effectively. According to state campaign finance disclosures, Burdick has $78,000 on hand in her campaign account and has received substantial donations from bank interests, Big Pharma, AT&T and the Motion Picture Association of America. Bowman has raised just over $1,000 and reports spending just $29 so far. He says he plans to lean on a large grassroots team of volunteers who he said in a statement would knock on the door of every registered Democrat in the district, which spans Tigard and Southwest Portland. About 300 people showed up for his campaign kickoff event this weekend. -- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OregonianPol Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The 63rd Independence Anniversary Celebration of the Republic of Ghana would be hosted by the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday, 6th March. The independence anniversary is being celebrated on the theme: "Consolidating our gains" and the climax would be graced by many dignitaries. According to the mission, among other activities that would be held at the occasion is cocoa trade show to promote Ghanas chiefs agriculture export. The 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebration was graced by Mr. Prince Booi, Acting Director General in the Department of Women Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, as the Guest of Honour, members of the Diplomatic corps, visiting Parliamentarians from Ghana, including First Deputy Speaker, Honourable Joseph Osei-wusu, Minority Chief Whip, Honourable Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, and group CEO of Goil in Ghana, Togbe Adza-Nyi IV, of Aziavi-Ho (known in private life as Mr. Patrick Akorli), Service Providers, Ghanaians and friends of Ghana. Background Independence Day is an official state holiday observed in Ghana and the Ghanaian Diaspora on March 6. The day marks the declaration of independence from the United Kingdom, which saw a Ghanaian, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, become the first Prime Minister of the independent country. Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to attain independence from British colonial rule. They met, dated and got engaged sight unseen on the new Netflix hit taking over the internet, Love is Blind. Now, nearly a year and a half after tying the knot on the bizarre dating show, fan-favorites Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton can finally gush about the series, falling in love and still being happily married. The extremely happy couple packed on the PDA while on a press tour for the show now that the finale has finally aired and they were spotted smooching on the streets of New York on Tuesday. In love: Lauren and Cameron packed on the PDA while on a press tour for Love Is Blind now that the finale has finally aired and they were spotted smooching on the streets of New York on Tuesday Lauren, 32, simply glowed as she stepped out in a silky yellow top with statement sleeves, skinny jeans and matching yellow Sam Edelman pumps. The content creator and business owner topped the look off with a sophisticated plaid duster. She was spotted wrapped up in her husband's arms while they posed for photographers and even got in a few quick kisses. Meanwhile, Cameron, 28, showed off his muscled frame in a tight blue sweater, jeans and brown boots. Happy couple: Now, nearly a year and a half after tying the knot on the bizarre dating show, fan-favorites Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton can finally gush about the series, falling in love and still being happily married The experiment: Love is Blind is a dating reality show of 10-episodes that aired on Netflix in February and it attempted to see if love was truly blind by asked contestants to date and get engaged without seeing each other The scientist flashed his megawatt smile while holding on tightly to his wife now that they can be out in the open. The pair have managed to keep their wedded bliss a secret since taping Love is Blind back in 2018 and they opened up to People Magazine about how difficult that was, especially around the holidays. 'For Christmas, I visited [Cameron's family in] Maine, and it's like I can't even really post pictures of my family because we still have to keep it a secret,' Lauren told the outlet during a Q&A. 'Same with the family dinners that we have with my dad. So many great moments that we've just shared in the past year and a half that we haven't been able to share with the world.' Stunning Lauren, 32, simply glowed as she stepped out in a silky yellow top with statement sleeves, skinny jeans and matching yellow pumps Out in public: The pair have managed to keep their wedded bliss a secret since taping Love is Blind back in 2018 and they opened up this week about how hard it was to stay a secret More to come: On Thursday, Nick and Vanessa Lachey will return to host a reunion special on YouTube The reality star said she had a plan to roll out photos from her last year with Cameron shortly. 'Our relationship has evolved over time, of course, so it will be nice to show that evolution. That's a lot to catch people up on,' Cameron said. The couple first met on the Nick and Vanessa Lachey hosted Netflix series that aimed to answer the question: 'Is love blind?' A set of single men and a set of single women were put on dozens of 'dates' over the course of several days which all took place in individual pods where the two people could converse but not see eachother. 'For Christmas, I visited [Cameron's family in] Maine, and it's like I can't even really post pictures of my family because we still have to keep it a secret,' Lauren told People. 'Same with the family dinners that we have with my dad. So many great moments that we've just shared in the past year and a half that we haven't been able to share with the world.' 'I was skeptical about the show prior to going onto it,' Cameron told People. 'I mean, I was still open to it, and that's really what was asked of us was just to keep an open mind. But you hear about the premise, and you're like, "This is crazy."' Only if you fell in love, proposed and accepted the proposal, could you meet and then be whisked away on a short vacation before moving in together and walking down the aisle mere weeks later. 'I was skeptical about the show prior to going onto it,' Cameron told People. 'I mean, I was still open to it, and that's really what was asked of us was just to keep an open mind. But you hear about the premise, and you're like, "This is crazy."' Lauren concurred, adding: 'Like, no way I'm finding somebody and getting married.' The wacky experiment seemed to work, to some extent, over the course of 10 episodes which saw six couples get engaged (a few other couples also accepted proposals but were not profiled to their wedding by the show.) Success: The wacky experiment seemed to work, to some extent, over the course of 10 episodes which saw six couples get engaged (a few other couples also accepted proposals but were not profiled to their wedding by the show) 'A lot of couples have been reaching out to both of us and just saying, "We can really relate to you all, and we just love seeing you guys together and are rooting for you,"' Cameron said. Fans immediately fell for Lauren and Cameron as they fell for each other in the pods and since the finale, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. 'The fact that we gave the world a happy cry, it's just cool,' Speed quipped. 'To add to that, a lot of couples have been reaching out to both of us and just saying, "We can really relate to you all, and we just love seeing you guys together and are rooting for you,"' Cameron said. Cameron knew without a doubt that Lauren was the one for him, without ever seeing her and he credits the format of the show to helping get him to that level of certainty. 'At a certain point, I had no more doubts about that this was the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with because we were able to delve so deep in our conversations, and in a way that I think neither of us had before,' he said. 'At a certain point, I had no more doubts about that this was the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with because we were able to delve so deep in our conversations, and in a way that I think neither of us had before,' he said. And, while Lauren said yes and accepted the proposal, fans were on eggshells as they watched her waffle with whether or not to say 'I do' when the time came. 'After we had left Mexico and started sharing a space and living together, I found myself kind of fighting myself. The timeline for the marriage I was getting scared. It's legally binding,' she explained. 'I had never been as happy as I have been with Cameron, and I think that scared me because I was so afraid of being disappointed, and I was projecting that onto Cameron. Troubled times: Lauren said she, like many of the couples, had some trouble when they returned from Mexico and moved in together with cameras rolling Not so lucky: A few of the couples who got engaged didn't make it to 'I do' 'I had to really fight through that, and that was tough. Thank God that Cameron, he never wavered throughout everything.' For his part, Cameron seemed nothing but supportive of her roller coaster of emotions and explained that he took a scientific approach to the situation. 'I tried to do this sort of comprehensive assessment of things like, are the family things going to be a problem? Or religious things? Or other social things? I went through that list and there was nothing that was a roadblock for us or nothing that would give me unease,' he divulged. Adding: 'I think it's a testament to the fact that when you find the right person you can just kind of know, and it doesn't take a ton of time to know that.' On Thursday, the six couples will reunite for an epic reunion episode on YouTube, hosted by Nick and Vanessa. Weather forecasts are set to significantly improve as Met Eireann seeks Cabinet permission to join an international forecasting consortium. Cabinet ministers will be asked to sign off on a 6.5m Met Eireann plan to develop a state-of-the-art weather prediction service with Denmark, Holland and Iceland. The States weather agency wants to join forces with the other countries in order to provide more accurate forecasting. The advanced prediction system will allow the Government be more prepared for severe weather events such as storms, flooding and snow. The Cabinet will also be given an update by Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran about the on going flooding severely impacting parts of the country. Read More Mr Moran will tell his colleagues that 80pc of the Governments 1bn budget to prevent flooding has been spent on providing relief to those worst affected. A briefing will also be given to Cabinet ministers on the weather forecasting consortium before they are asked to sign off on the plan. They will be told Met Eireanns participation in the project will greatly improve the capabilities and performance of weather forecasting in Ireland. The will be told the new system will benefit the public, local authorities, emergency services, the aviation industry, the agriculture and marine sectors and coastal communities. Ministers will also be warned that if approval is not granted there is a risk that Met Eireanns reputation will be damaged internationally. The consortium will only go ahead when the governments of all four countries sign off on the project. If there is approval it is expected the new system will be in place by January 2023. There are also plans to expand the coalition at a later date to include Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) is the process of computing vast amount of data to provide forecasts. Expand Close Weather forecasts set to improve as Met Eireann joins international consortium. Photo: Met Eireann / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Weather forecasts set to improve as Met Eireann joins international consortium. Photo: Met Eireann The new system for crunching weather data is complex and Met Eireann does not currently have the technology to process the information. Met Eireann wants to now upgrade their computer systems and share resources with their international partners. The more information they receive from the their counterparts the better they can make their predictions. Meanwhile, Storm Jorge continued to wreak havoc across the country yesterday with many areas still dealing with severe flooding. Approximately 20 to 30mm of rain fell over two days last weekend. The Midlands, Connaught and parts of County Clare were the areas worst affected by the latest in a series of storms to hit Ireland. By IANS LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh now has its share of coronavirus suspects with six cases with high viral load detected in Agra and one in Lucknow, officials said on Tuesday. The suspects in Agra are the ones who have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi which was reported on Monday. The suspect in Lucknow has shown symptoms of the deadly virus and had recently returned from Dubai. All the suspects have been kept in isolation. Their blood samples are being sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for tests. The six suspects in Agra were identified through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network. READ| 40 students of Noida school sent to 28 days isolation as parent tests positive for coronavirus Meanwhile, panic spread in Agra on Monday evening after one of the members of an Italian group of 20 tourists, who arrived here from Jaipur on Sunday night, tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur and was detained there. Though the remaining 19 members of the group left for Delhi early on Monday, the news about one of their members having tested positive for the virus caused considerable concern among tour operators and hoteliers. Agra chief medical officer Mukesh Kumar Vats said that their department received the information on Monday afternoon from the Lucknow office and they immediately alerted all the officials concerned in the tourism industry. According to him, by the time they identified the Italian group, they had left for Delhi by road. "We are trying to locate the tourist operator of that group," he said. Confirming the arrival of the 19 Italians, a senior executive of a well-known hotel chain said the group arrived at their hotel at 2 a.m on Monday and left for Delhi around 8 a.m. He said that before their departure, they had visited the Taj Mahal. Meanwhile, two employees of a local shoe exporter, who returned from Italy recently, were also quarantined in the district hospital after they showed symptoms of fever. In Lucknow, one person suspected of being infected with coronavirus has been admitted to the Lok Bandhu hospital. The patient, identified as Rukhsar Khan, 32, is a resident of Rudauli in Ayodhya district and had recently returned from Dubai where he had gone in search of a job. Medical in charge of the civil hospital, Dr DS Negi, said that the patient has been admitted to the isolation ward and all tests are being carried out to find out the status of his health. Crowds gather to buy discounted masks at a Seoul department store, Monday. Yonhap By Oh Young-jin Hakim Djaballah This is the first part of the interview with Dr. Hakim Djaballah, New York-based virology expert.ED. Dr. Hakim Djaballah, a New York-based virology expert, told The Korea Times Monday that he is seeing the beginning of the tail end of the coronavirus epidemic in Korea. Talking from New York over the phone, the former head of Institut Pasteur Korea forecast that the situation in Daegu, the epicenter of the epidemic in Korea, and its surrounding North Gyeongsang Province would stabilize and be under control in the next couple of weeks. "Daegu is done," he said, meaning the number of new cases will be tapering off in that period and Korea will be "90 percent contained." But this does not mean the country is home free, considering that the remaining 10 percent depends on "hygiene." He predicted Italy might surpass Korea in terms of damage from the epidemic because of Italians' cultural tendency to have physical contact with each other without a heightened sense of this contact's potential for the virus to be transmitted. And while Koreans nowadays wear masks and frequently wash their hands or use hand sanitizers that aid to prevent the virus spreading, this is far from the norm at a time when fears of the potentially deadly virus transmission are not at the fore of public consciousness. "This epidemic is beginning to resemble a bacterial-triggered community-based infection," he said. President Moon Jae-in receives a briefing at a military hospital Thursday regarding, among other issues, preparations against the coronavirus epidemic. Korea Times He found an unfortunate irony in that mass infection among members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus religious sect served as an added incentive to divert all national resources to fighting the epidemic. He said that the government has not stigmatized this cultish sect to avoid the risk of driving thousands of suspected cases among its 200,000 members underground. Members of the sect have undergone tests en masse which has also contributed to a rapid rise in the number of confirmed cases and put the entire nation on alert. The following are his full answers to my questions. ED. Question: What do you think about the efficiency shown by Korea in testing? Some foreign media outlets are praising Korea. Answer: Praise is the easiest thing one can do, when one does not understand the underlying story or problem at hand. It is like watching a movie trailer and praising the director for a fantastic piece of work. I agree with the policy change and with the impressive enhancements in screening and sample testing. The government has rolled out one of the most efficient and organized operations in the world, organized like clockwork and with almost military precision, but at a severe cost to the health of doctors, scientists, and healthcare workers. I am also pleased to learn that the government is helping with the mask distribution, making sure that citizens do not gather unnecessarily to obtain them. The Moon Jae-in government started this enhanced policy a little bit too late, but it is catching up now, which is a very good thing and timely for the country. Now the question we should be asking is why the sudden change? My guess would be that the original protocol of narrow definition of who to test first was not working well, leading the government to change its definition to a much broader scope of screening and testing as many as possible, regardless of symptoms. The government should be commended for this effort, but at the same time, when the outbreak is over and life returns gradually to normal, and as we look back on how it all unfolded, we will realize that the Shincheonji church in Daegu may have played a major and decisive role in the policy change and in saving more Korean lives. I am against discrimination and stigmatization, period. I may well be the only one thinking this way but, inadvertently, the church community raised the threat to red and forced the Moon government to get out there and ramp up testing, self-quarantine, and provide masks. Shincheonji Church of Jesus founder Lee Man-hee listens to his aide during a press conference Monday. Lee apologized for mass outbreaks of the coronavirus epidemic among members of the religious sect and promised to cooperate with health authorities' containment efforts. Korea Times The church has executed one of the most dangerous experiments on community-acquired infections ever, and demonstrated for the first time that this cryptic SARS-CoV2 virus is a multilateral infector with a strong love for communities. The "church experiment" provided some missing links that China and the World Health Organization (WHO) failed to provide. It showed that we are now dealing with hygiene practices leading to community-acquired infections. It is not as much as a case of a bad flu season as was alluded to by others, but rather more like a case of an outbreak of non-hospital based staphylococcus aureus infection but on a much larger scale. I was surprised to see the Wall Street Journal headline "Why a South Korean Church Was the Perfect Petri Dish for Coronavirus." The authors further insinuated that the Moon government had a technologically advanced plan to fight the virus, but the secrecy of the Shincheonji church punched a hole in their defenses. This story goes to show how sometimes ignorance trumps comprehension of the problem at hand and, in a sobering way, the authors also validate the idea that the church may have saved the government from its not so technically advanced plan and acted as a petri dish of sorts. We are pressing on the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to make more testing reagents available to us so that we can expand our testing, said Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. The best way for us to know if theres circulating virus in our communities would be to be able to do more testing." The University College Hospital, Ibadan, currently uses 75 generators to carry out its wide range of medical services, the hospital management has said. The hospitals Chief Medical Director, Jesse Otegbayo, said this on Monday at an event to mark his first anniversary in office, the Punch Newspaper reported. He said the efficiency of the hospital in areas of medical research, training and treatment were challenged by erratic power supply. Mr Otegbayo said power supply was the greatest challenge confronting the medical institution. I would say that the three major challenges we are facing at UCH currently are power, power and light. It may interest you to note that we have almost 75 generators in different locations within the premises. On average, we generate N200m monthly. That should not be looked at in isolation. You will ask how much we spend on diesel, buying and repairing generators and meeting other needs. I want to say this amount is still not enough. Fortunately, we have people of goodwill who make donations to supplement what we are generating. The topmost challenge, for us, is power. This is a hospital environment; you cannot over-emphasise the need for regular power supply. Imagine if a patient is being operated and the power goes off. A lot of things can go wrong. If you ask me, power is number one. Then, number two is power and number three is light. Number four will now be water, he said. READ ALSO: Mr Otegbayo noted that the intention of the management is to provide equipment for the diagnosis of endemic diseases in Nigeria. Our intention is to provide equipment for the diagnosis of diseases that are endemic in Nigeria and to bring back our cardiac program, which has been in lieu for quite a while. We also intend to ensure that the kidney transplant that was done last week becomes sustainable, he said. Toyin Okeowo, who spoke on behalf of the board of trustees of the hospital, recalled that 20 years ago, UCH was the fourth best hospital in the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries. STC a leading service provider in Saudi Arabia, standing out with strong business capabilities and wide coverage, has announced Solutions by STC developed a new partnership with Huaweia leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices to enrich its ICT products and solutions offered to enterprise customers within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MoU was signed between by Omar Alnomany, CEO of Solutions and Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. This agreement sets a milestone for deeper collaboration between Huawei and Solutions by STC. Both parties will leverage their expertise to jointly build the latest innovated solution delivery across the Kingdom. Both parties are confident this will create win-win business models, unlock opportunities, and achieve higher profit on the three strategic industries oil&gas, Healthcare and SME. Omer Alnamani, CEO of Solutions said: Solutions by STC is fully committed to deliver a safe and agile experience to our enterprise customers. Through this strategic collaboration with Huawei, we are looking forward to provide more industries with seamless, secure, and convenient digital solutions. Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, said: The joint effort will contribute to a stronger business service and solutions, where, Huawei, its partners, and stc will all share in the results of success.-- Tradearabia News Service Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president and Jamui MP Chirag Paswan on Tuesday said the party will release its manifesto for the upcoming assembly election on the concluding day of the "Bihar First, Bihari First" Yatra, on April 14 in Patna. "The party has only one goal, to make Bihar number one state and we are preparing 'Bihar First, Bihari First' vision document for that. The yatra will conclude on April 14 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna and the party's manifesto for the assembly elections will be released on the same day," Paswan told reporters here. The first leg of the journey will start from Hajipur in Vaishali. The yatra which was launched on February 21, will travel across different districts of Bihar to culminate at the Gandhi Maidan here on April 14. The party will also release its vision document for the state on April 14. The LJP president also urged other political parties to release their manifestos for the upcoming assembly elections much in advance, so that the elections are not fought on the issues of "Hindu-Muslim" but on the agenda of development. He also appealed the Election Commission of India to ask the parties to release their manifestos in advance and not very close to elections. "Though development has taken place in Bihar under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, more work is required to be done in several fields. There is a dire need to develop the state. There is a lot to be done in every district of Bihar and the vision document will cover every subject like education, health etc. Booth problems will also be included in the manifesto," Chirag Paswan added. He also launched a toll-free number for people to give suggestions to be included in the manifesto. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LNG Limited A private liquefied natural gas firm from Singapore is seeking to buy LNG Limited, an Australian company with principle offices in Houston that hopes to build the Magnolia LNG export terminal in Louisiana and a sister facility in Canada. The tentative $75 million deal requires approval of LNG Limited shareholders, who would receive 13 cents per share. LNG Limited's board of directors recommends that shareholders OK the sale. (Newser) This Land Is Your Land, the folk anthem written by Woody Guthrie in 1940 and sung at political rallies and around campfires for decades, is staying out of the public domain. A federal judge made the ruling in a copyright challenge by a musical group that had to pay $45.50 to a publishing company to make its own recording of the song, the New York Times reports. The case didn't decide the big-picture issues; the judge said there was no dispute to settle because the group had already paid the money and received permission to record the song. After traveling the country by walking, hitchhiking, and hopping trains, and meeting migrating refugees from the Dust Bowl, Guthrie recorded This Land Is Your Land in 1944. The song was partly a response to Kate Smith's popular version of God Bless America, per NPR. Guthrie first called the song God Blessed America for Me. story continues below The song is still half-owned by Woody Guthrie Publications. Guthrie's daughter Nora said in 2016 that the issue is more about control of the anthem than it is money. This way, she said, the family can protect This Land Is Your Land's message of inclusion from being co-opted by politicians or otherwise misused. "Our control of this song has nothing to do with financial gain," she said. "It has to do with protecting it from Donald Trump, protecting it from the Ku Klux Klan, protecting it from all the evil forces out there." The full set of lyrics is here. (Guthrie also wrote lyrics about Donald Trump's father.) New York's second coronavirus case is a 50-year-old resident of Westchester County and a partner at a law firm near Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Business Insider confirmed the identity of the patient, a married father of four with a child who attends SAR Academy High School, a private Jewish school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. SAR closed both its elementary school and its high school on Tuesday. This is the first apparent case of community spread of coronavirus in New York the man didn't travel to China or knowingly interact with anyone who was infected. New York has reported two cases of the virus so far, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday the state's testing capacity was still limited to "a couple of hundred tests per day." 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. The latest coronavirus case in New York City is a 50-year-old lawyer who resides in Westchester County, about 20 miles north of New York City, and is a partner at a firm based in midtown Manhattan, multiple sources confirmed to Business Insider. The office building is in the vicinity of Grand Central Terminal, which sees about 750,000 daily commuters. grand central shutterstock The man's firm represents clients throughout New York City and its surrounding areas. The man had recently returned to New York from a trip to Miami before he was diagnosed. This is the first apparent case of community spread of the coronavirus in New York. The man had not traveled to China and didn't knowingly interact with anyone who was infected with the coronavirus. Representatives from the man's law firm declined to comment. A man who resides in Westchester and works in Manhattan was diagnosed with coronavirus The man lives in New Rochelle, a city in Westchester County, and commutes daily into Manhattan, sources said. In a Tuesday press conference, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he wasn't sure which method of transportation the man took to work. Story continues One of the most common methods of transit from New Rochelle to Manhattan is the Metro-North Railroad, which passes through Grand Central Terminal. The patient was originally admitted to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, New York, then transferred to a New York City hospital, Cuomo said during the press conference. He is in serious condition and has preexisting respiratory problems. The man's temple in New Rochelle, Temple Young Israel, has been ordered to suspend services until further notice, the local ABC news station reported. Congregants who attended services there on February 22 or a funeral or bat mitzvah there on February 23 have been told to self-quarantine until at least March 8. The case has prompted 3 school closures in the Bronx and Westchester The man is a married father of four. Two of his children who have exhibited symptoms are in isolation at home, as is the standard protocol, Gloria Pazmino, a NY1 reporter, wrote on Twitter. One of the children in isolation is a male undergraduate student at Yeshiva University. The university sent a letter to the Yeshiva community on Tuesday saying it was "disinfecting all relevant common areas" and would continue to operate classes as usual. The student had not been seen on campus since February 27, the letter said. Another one of the man's children, who is also under quarantined at home, attends SAR Academy High School, a private Jewish school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. SAR sent out a message on Tuesday morning notifying parents of the coronavirus case and announcing that the school had decided to close both its elementary school and its high school as a "precautionary measure." The two schools are on separate campuses in Riverdale. In a note to parents, an official at the SAR Academy elementary school said the school was coordinating with the New York state and New York City health departments. "We are following their instructions and recommendations," the official said in the email to parents. The school added that it would continue to keep parents updated. As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, parents hadn't received any other information. Two other private Jewish schools in Westchester Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains and Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck closed school on Tuesday. Westchester Torah Academy notified parents of the closure via email and WhatsApp on Tuesday morning after a number of children in the community had already been picked up by the buses for school. "We will be turning the buses around and sending your children back home," school officials wrote in a letter to parents. Following news of the diagnosis, members of the Jewish community in Westchester put out calls on social media for people to pray for the man's recovery. The US has more than 115 cases of the coronavirus across 16 states The US has reported more than 115 cases of the virus across 16 states so far, though in two of those states Nebraska and Texas the infections are among repatriated citizens only. New York's first case was a Manhattan woman who had recently traveled to Iran. On Tuesday, Cuomo said the continued spread of the virus in New York was "inevitable." "Most people who get infected won't even know they have it," he said. A day earlier, Cuomo said the state health department was partnering with local hospitals to expand testing capacity for the virus. Their goal is to conduct 1,000 test per day, he said but the current capacity is still limited. The federal government only recently approved New York to test for the virus on Saturday. "We're at a couple of hundred tests per day, so you prioritize who can be tested," Cuomo said on Tuesday. "You don't have the capacity to test everybody 'just in case.'" Read more: Read the original article on Business Insider Porvair Sciences has introduced Microlute SLE 96-well plates and cartridges to enable you to quickly and easily extract a wide range of acidic, basic and neutral analytes from samples with greater reproducibility. Designed to provide a superior method of liquid extraction, Microlute SLE products use selectively sourced diatomaceous earth (DE) as the solid support to maximize absorption of the aqueous solvent to enable greater and simpler separation and elution of organic analytes from biological samples such as plasma and serum and aqueous solutions. With no inversions, shaking or tedious pipetting required, Microlute SLE overcomes sample handling issues commonly associated with traditional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). As a consequence, using Microlute SLE delivers significantly improved reliability, precision, automation compatibility and efficient clean-up of samples for chromatography without risks of contamination and time-consuming solvent transfers. Microlute SLE is also designed to be lab friendly, using significantly less solvent and glassware compared to liquid-liquid extraction protocols. Incorporating the 'Diatomaceous Earth Sandwich', in which this separating media is uniformly packed between two inert porous filters, the Microlute SLE provides a robust solid system for supported liquid extraction. With liquid extraction applications in forensics, pharmaceutical, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics, Porvair Sciences has written a handy protocol to enable you to use Microlute SLE and get the cleanest samples for downstream chromatography applications. Ken Cuccinelli, acting director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, testifies during House Oversight subcommittee hearing on deportation of critically ill children on Capitol Hill in Washington. Read more WASHINGTON A federal judge ruling that the installment last year of Ken Cuccinelli as head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was unlawful has thrown into flux two directives rolled out in the five months he held that position. It also has the potential to upend more. Cuccinelli was appointed in June 2019 to a newly created position of principal deputy director of USCIS after the resignation of the agencys previous head, Lee Francis Cissna. But Cuccinelli lacked authority to perform that role, wrote U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss in his ruling Sunday. Since November, Cuccinelli also has been serving as acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, another position that did not previously exist. Moss ruling comes in a lawsuit that specifically challenged three of Cuccinellis asylum policies, two of which the judge said were invalid and without legal force or effect because Cuccinellis appointment, itself, was invalid. One of the policies cut in half the time that asylum seekers held in detention at the border had to consult with attorneys about their case. The second policy stopped asylum seekers from seeking continuances that would provide them additional time to prepare for interviews establishing they had credible fear to flee their country of origin. Both policies were implemented in a July directive. The court did not rule on the third policy, regarding the termination of in-person legal training at a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, because there was no apparent written directive making that change. The Department of Homeland Security on Monday said it is reviewing the action. We obviously disagree with the courts decision and will be looking closely at the decision, it said in a statement. While Sundays ruling only affects these two policies in the immediate term, it could deactivate other guidance, directives, policy documents and rules that Cuccinelli signed off by extension, said John Lewis, counsel at Democracy Now, the organization that spearheaded the lawsuit. Very much, this could have broader implications for USCIS, Lewis said, mentioning that ongoing lawsuits, such as the one challenging Cuccinellis public charge rule, cite similar legal objections. He said more legal complaints may not surface. USCIS did not comment on CQ Roll Calls questions regarding the implication of the federal ruling. But employees were sent an email late Sunday with instructions to set aside the July 2 memo in which these two policies were ordered, an agency source told CQ Roll Call. On Monday, Cuccinelli promised a prompt appeal during a Fox News appearance. You can expect to see those reissued and revalidated, he said about the policies Moss suspended Sunday. And thats just a precautionary measure, while the appeal goes forward. But according to experts, those moves also could be challenged in court on similar grounds. It will work until someone else files a lawsuit and a judge says it doesnt work, Theresa Cardinal Brown, immigration and cross-border policy director at the Bipartisan Policy Center, wrote on Twitter. In Sundays ruling, Moss cited an episode from the television sitcom The Office and reasoned that Cuccinelli did not meet the required legal criteria to be deemed a first assistant and take on the mantle at USCIS in accordance with statutory law. There may well be a difference between one who serves as the assistant regional manager and the assistant to the regional manager. But either way, that person is, at best, second in command, he wrote in a footnote. Here, the acting Secretary created a position that is second in command in name only, Moss wrote, arguing that because Cuccinelli was appointed to the principal role on day one, he never actually served in a subordinate capacity to any official at USCIS. Sarah Pierce, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, told CQ Roll Call that if Moss ruling stands, it would force the administration to be a little bit more straightforward about who theyre putting in these positions. With Cuccinelli, they were extremely creative about creating a new position for him and then revising USCIS order of succession so that he would be overseeing the entire organization but the judge didnt buy that, she said. Camila DeChalus contributed to this article. SPRINGFIELD CRRC continues to build rail cars for the Boston-area subway system even as the MBTA has taken some new Orange Line cars out of service to address an undercarriage problem. CRRC spokeswoman Lydia Rivera said Tuesday that the T is handling the issue. CRRC, which built a $95 million factory in Springfield to build cars for the T, isnt involved. This is the third time the T has pulled Springfield-built cars from service to address an issue discovered after the cars were delivered. In September, the T pulled trains from service to install new door bump stops after one door opened partially while the trains were in motion. In December, the trains were also pulled from service after passengers heard an odd noise related to a different undercarriage problem. The T said Tuesday the cars likely will be back in service later this week from this latest trip to the repair facility. The problem is with a part called a bolster, said MBTA spokeswoman Lisa Battiston. A bolster in this case is a steel center beam between the side frames of the bottom truck of each car. It allows the truck thats the undercarriage part with the wheels and motors to rotate as it navigates turns in the track. She said it's not unusual for transit agencies and railroads to pull new vehicles from service as they take delivery and integrate them into regular service with paying customers. "If necessary, trains may be kept out of service for testing and in order to address any possible issues," Battiston said. Ride along on the new MBTA cars made by CRRC Posted by MassLive on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 This move isnt changing the T's schedule of trains on the Orange Line. Rivera said Chinese-owned CRRC has shipped three six-car trains. The most recent, a pair of cars, left Wednesday. CRRC recently began work on cars for the Ts Red Line. In 2014, CRRC received a $566 million contract from the MBTA to build 152 Orange Line cars and 252 Red Line cars in Springfield. In 2016, the state upped the order with another 120 Red Line cars, with production on those set to begin in June 2022 at a cost of $277 million. The state, under then-Gov. Deval Patrick, went without federal money for its subway car order so it could require that they be assembled in Massachusetts. Federal rules prevent states from such requirements if they use federal money. CRRC used the Springfield facility to make its entry into the North American market. In 2017, CRRC got a contract to build 64 subway cars for the Los Angeles metro in a deal that could be worth as much as $647 million. The same year, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ordered 45 double-decker commuter rail cars from CRRC at a cost of $137.5 million. Today, the cost is up slightly to $138 million. SEPTA has an option to purchase 10 more cars. CRRC also opened a factory in Chicago to make cars for that citys transit system. The Springfield plant had 122 production employees in at the start of the year, with plans to hire more. Rail cars come to Springfield as unfinished metal shells built in China. They are shipped by sea to the port of Albany in New York, and then brought by truck over highways to Springfield. Here, workers install all the electronics, interiors, motors and other equipment. More than 60% of the components are U.S. made, in accordance with the CRRC contract. Comment on this story on MassLives Facebook page Willow Creek Germany ends leadership summit early after speaker tests positive for coronavirus Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Willow Creek Germany has ended its leadership summit a day early after a speaker tested positive for coronavirus. The three-day summit opened in Karlsruhe, southwest Germany, on Thursday with talks from Craig Groeschel and Danielle Strickland. It had been due to end on Saturday. Willow Creek said in a statement in German on Twitter that the speaker, who has not been named, "was not at any time present during the summit" and that there was no risk to delegates. Summit organizers said they had become aware of the diagnosis at midday on Friday and taken the decision to end early as a "preventative measure." "We would like to inform you that we have ended the Willow Creek Leadership Summit 2020 in Karlsruhe early," said the announcement. It continued: "This was done for reasons of safety. According to health officials, participants were never in any danger. "Nonetheless, we have decided to end this event as a preventative measure so all participants can get home safely." The statement added that prior to the summit, the speaker had had personal contact with some senior figures, who are now self-isolating as a precaution. The organisation added: "For us, safety is the first priority. That's why we have taken this preventative measure and we wish everyone a safe journey home." Also on Friday, the World Council of Churches said concerns around the coronavirus have prompted it to postpone its next meeting of the central committee, which had been slated for March 18-24, along with the executive committee meeting that was to precede it. The new date for the central committee meeting will be Aug. 18-25, while the executive committee will now be held from June 15-22. "The decision is a prudential one, taking into account all relevant information and assessing the total risks for the participants, the WCC as an organization, the integrity of a meeting of the governing bodies under these circumstances, and for the health of all involved in such a gathering, directly or indirectly," said WCC moderator Dr. Agnes Abuom. This article was originally published at Christian Today Michelle Wolf. Photo: Vulture and Getty Images Michelle Wolf riled up the right wing (and a portion of liberal media) when she hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2018. After that, she got a Netflix series, and most recently, in December of 2019, she released her latest stand-up comedy special, Joke Show (hey, that would be a good name for this podcast!) on Netflix. Since the Correspondents Dinner in particular, Wolf has made a comedic practice of toying with and defying audience expectations. As we put it on this episode, shes more silly than what we think of as really pointed comedians but definitely more pointed than what we think of when we think of silly comedians. For her appearance on the new, improved, and weekly Good One Vultures podcast about jokes and the people who tell them Wolf talks about being told by a fan that otters rape baby seals, how women can be gross, and what cancel culture means to her. You can read some excerpts from the transcript below or listen to the full episode right here. Tune in to Good One every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. On her new post-White House Correspondents Dinner fans: My biggest goal was to convert the people that were coming to see me from the Correspondents Dinner to just fans of my stand-up. Because there was a lot of people that were like, Oh, shes going to yell about how bad Trump is. And Im like, Thats not what I do. Hopefully I was able to hold on to as many of them as I could, just being like, No, no, this is just funny. Im just trying to be funny. A lot of them arent necessarily stand-up fans. My biggest issue with the audiences had been, Ill get a lot of particularly women, white women, that will go Woo! at premises throughout the show in a way where, first of all, I have to be like, Okay, your woo!-ing is stepping on the punchlines. But also, how have you not gotten the pattern yet that Im almost definitely going to undercut it with the punchline? And it comes from a good place. Its one of the worst heckles you can get, because they mean well. Theyre trying to enjoy the show. And by woo!-ing, theyre trying to show you that theyre enjoying the show. And Im like, Stop it! Listen. Stop and listen, and wait for the punchline so youre not woo!-ing at a thing I just debunked, essentially. Its like they know laughing happens at a comedy show. But the part where theyre not laughing, theyre like, What do I do with my hands? Yeah. How do I let her know that Im still on board? Well, wait five seconds. On when audiences go quiet: My biggest thing has been letting there be quiet. For the longest time, it was like, Well, if the audience is quiet, theyll figure out Im not funny. And its like, No, theyre listening. Theyre engaged. Theyre woo!-ing! Hopefully not no more woo!-ing. I think I did it a little bit better in Joke Show, and hopefully I can continue to get better at it, where its like, Let them be quiet. Let them listen to you for a second and trust that theyll stay on board. Because they do. Its just my own insecurities. On being seen as a crazy liberal comedian: You have this idea of who I am because of the Correspondents Dinner. But Im a joke writer. I love jokes. I will write the harshest, best joke I can. I would sacrifice any one of my values for a good joke. Like, Ill flip on an issue if the jokes good enough, yeah. On having a Muppety voice: Some people, when they hear me on podcasts or just talking in normal life, theyre like, Oh, thats not your stage voice. Is that a fake voice you do onstage, then? Im like, No. When you get excited, or youre performing, your voice changes when youre projecting. The idea that they think that the way you talk onstage is the exact same as how you talk in real life, its crazy that, you know, you dont have some sort of modulation in there. And theres definitely times in stand-up where you can tell it goes up and down. But yeah, I get excited, and it gets loud and shrill and crazy. It sounds Muppety. Do you remember doing it early on? Because I imagine when you start stand-up, youre not starting yelling. I realized my voice did it way before I started doing stand-up. When I would get excited about something, Id be like, Oh my God!! And people would be like, Wow, okay. Your voice really goes crazy. So I knew that was part of how it worked. It wasnt ever like I was like, Oh, now my voice needs to get high. There are times I hear back, especially when youre editing the special, and I was listening. I was like, How do people listen to this? This is abrasive! So youre like, Oh, I need to not do it all the time. But its literally not even a conscious choice I make when Im performing. This is just what it is. What cancel culture means to her: Theres people that, quote-unquote, theyre canceled but are still making money and continue about their jobs. But I take it as youre canceled from quote-unquote polite society, where its like once something happens on social media and theyre like This persons bad, it doesnt matter what you do from then on out. People are always gonna be like, No, theyre a bad person. But the social-media world isnt the real world. You know, as much as people on Twitter dont want to believe it, a lot of people have no idea what youre talking about. My one friend has the mom test, where if his mom doesnt know its a story, its not a story. Because shes not on Twitter. But a lot of these people live on Twitter. So its like, Did you see what this person said? And then theyll get canceled on Twitter where all these people are like, They should never work again. And then maybe a news outlet picks it up. Maybe their job was like, Oh, we cant publicly be seen with you. It doesnt mean that youre not going to do things privately. It just means that in the public eye, no ones gonna be able to say, We love this person. Youre kind of a pariah now for a [portion of the social media world]. Like, its not just liberals canceling people who say something offensive. Its also right-wing people canceling people that, I dont know, they think made a smoky-eye joke that made fun of some ladys looks that definitely didnt. [Laughs.] Off the top of my head. NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherre , the NYC-based real estate data and analytics platform, today announced a new data partnership with Infabode, an aggregator and distributor of market-leading global real estate news and research. In this partnership, Cherre will incorporate property and market-centric content into its unified real estate data platform, enabling mutual customers to seamlessly connect the latest industry research and insights with third-party, public, and internal data to support analysis and decision making. Infabode works with content partners to aggregate real estate industry research and insights across global sectors. Infabode's platform features more than 850 content providers that have delivered over 500,000 pages of content to its 22,000+ members. Covering global regions across the UK, Continental Europe, Asia Pacific, South and North America, Infabode's content provides insights and information on any sector that impacts the real estate industry. "Infabode provides quick and effective access to market information, enabling more informed decisions," said Matt Partridge, CEO at Infabode. "Our whole business is built on mutually beneficial partnerships and we look forward to driving increased value to the Cherre platform." Cherre's award-winning data platform uses AI to connect disparate real estate data and establish a single source of truth, empowering users to immediately extract actionable, real-time insights. "Cherre has the only real estate knowledge graph in the world that supports predictive analytics and decision making," said L.D. Salmanson, CEO and Co-Founder of Cherre. "Adding Infabode's industry leading content will provide valuable context around properties and markets under consideration by real estate investors, lenders, and asset managers." About Infabode Infabode is an aggregator and distributor of market-leading global real estate news and research, which is tailored to the needs of each individual/organisation. For the users, it saves time and effort in identifying and gaining access to their required research. For the content providers, including major investment managers, banks and agents, Infabode is a means of efficiently distributing their research and promoting their companies and products to a large global market of users. The platform is free to join and is used by professionals across the world. About Cherre Cherre provides investors, insurers, real estate advisors, and other large enterprises with a platform to collect, resolve, and augment real estate data from hundreds of thousands of public, private, and internal sources. By providing a unique "single source of truth," Cherre empowers customers to evaluate opportunities and trends faster and more accurately, while saving millions of dollars in manual data collection and analytics costs. Cherre launched in 2016 and is located in New York City. Cherre Media Contact Kira Swain kira(at)cherre.com Infabode Media Contact Anna-Maria Kotciuba anna-maria(at)infabode.com SOURCE Cherre Related Links https://www.cherre.com Washington: Since the Democratic Party's presidential nomination contest officially began in Iowa, Bernie Sanders has had a big advantage over his rivals. With Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren's support declining, Sanders has had the bulk of progressive Democrats unified behind him. Meanwhile, moderate voters have been fragmenting their support across several candidates. Now those days are over. The moderate wing of the Democratic Party is rapidly swinging behind former vice-president Joe Biden, united by a common goal: stopping Sanders from winning the party's nomination. WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Conference Institute (ACI) will host a two-day country specific analysis on the most pressing issues affecting financial services and global exporters on RUSSIA, IRAN, CUBA and VENEZUELA economic sanctions enforcement and compliance. Keynote Address from: Andrea Gacki Director Office of Foreign Assets Control U.S. Department of the Treasury David Peyman Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions U.S. Department of State Hear Compliance Best Practices from Senior In-House Speakers from American Express Agricultural Bank of China Bank of America BNP Paribas BNY Mellon Capital One Citi Dover eBay General Motors Generali General Electric Goldman Sachs HSBC IBM Mitsubishi PayPal Rolls Royce Scotiabank Societe Generale Standard Chartered Bank Stripe MUFG TE Connectivity Varian Medical Systems Verizon Weatherford Westinghouse More information about the conference, including full agenda, speaker faculty list, and brochure can be found here www.AmericanConference.com/EconomicSanctionsDC. For best rates use code B00-897-2822457 when registering. A unique organization, American Conference Institute is devoted to providing the business intelligence that senior decision-makers need to respond to challenges both here in the US, and around the world. Staffed by industry specialists, lawyers and other professionals, American Conference Institute operates as a think tank, monitoring trends and developments in all major industry sectors, the law, and public policy, with a view to providing information on the leading edge. Headquartered in New York, ACI has grown to produce more than 100 events each year, attended by thousands of senior delegates from across the world. Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12812995 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE American Conference Institute Related Links https://www.americanconference.com File image: Twitter/@BhimArmyChief Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad on March 2 met Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar, hinting at the formation of a new political alliance in Uttar Pradesh. This comes in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections 2022. "For an alliance, I would say that anything can happen and there are always possibilities in politics In the coming days, we will come forward to stop the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) with a powerful alliance. If we need someones help then we will take their help too," Aazad was quoted by The Indian Express as saying. The Dalit leader has decided to turn Bhim Army an organisation formed with the aim of fighting caste atrocities into a political party that will contest the 2022 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhars party had snapped ties with the ruling BJP in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Aazad, who is popularly known as Ravan, will become a part of the Bhagidaari Sankalp Morcha a front comprising eight political parties SBSP General Secretary Arvind Rajbhar told news agency PTI. "Bhim Army will also be a part of the front and a formal announcement will be made in the next few days. Today's meeting also deliberated on this," Arvind Rajbhar said, adding that the meeting lasted for around half an hour. Invoking Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram, Aazad said, "As far as the politics of Dalits, Muslims and OBCs (other backward castes) is concerned, this is the kind of politics Kanshi Ram ji used to do and it is our responsibility to take it ahead." (With inputs from PTI) The residents of Pabhat village failed to get relief from the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC), which categorically told the residents on Tuesday that the 98 structures falling within the 100 metre radius of the Chandigarh International Airport, which were ordered to be demolished, were constructed after a notification banning the same. The HC bench of justice RS Jha and justice Arun Palli was hearing petitions by the building owners whose houses were ordered to be demolished by high court in August 2019. You say Punjab government is not helping you. .. but even then demolition is not being carried out by them. If government is not with you, some supernatural power is (and saving from demolition), the bench observed adding that despite the four months time given in August 2019, Punjab has only been able to demolish 12 structures so far. These structures came up after March 2011, when the construction in the 100 metre periphery was banned through a notification. The notification was issued under the Works of Defence Act, 1903, asking residents not to carry out fresh construction in the 100 metre area. These structures were identified by a committee headed by Punjab chief secretary and constituted on the directions of the high court. The Air Force had termed the illegal mushrooming of such structures a threat to the airport, which prompted the court to direct demolition. In the plea, the building owners were demanding a stay on demolition arguing that they were not aware of the notification. The court observed that it was a matter of national security and that it cant set aside its own order, and the remedy lies with the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Punjab government and Zirakpur municipal council again resorted to a blame-game over providing security to staff members who had to carry out demolition. While the MCs counsel said that security was not provided, which resulted in delay of implementation of the HC order, the Punjab government counsel said that there was no reason for not providing security. All illegal structures will be demolished. Buildings are inter-connected. We need some time to demolish them. But we will demolish all the buildings, the Punjab government counsel said. A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, published by Oxford University Press, finds improvements in five-year survival rates for all cancers in young adults. For some cancers, however, there has been little improvement since the 1970s. Over the past several decades, treatment of cancer in adolescents and young adults (people between age 15 and 39) has evolved significantly, leading to steady improvements in estimated survival rates. Researchers here found that, among 282,969 five-year young adult cancer survivors, five-year mortality (from five through ten years after diagnosis) from all causes decreased from 8.3% among those diagnosed in 1975-1984 to 5.4% among those diagnosed in 2005-2011. However, for specific cancer types, including colorectal, bone, sarcomas, cervical/uterine, and bladder, there was little improvement in mortality over time. Researchers here found some reduction in late mortality in Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, central nervous system tumors, melanoma, breast cancer, and kidney cancer. Some of the most obvious improvements in mortality over time were observed among young adult survivors of hematologic malignancies and central nervous system tumors, cancer types that are also predominant among children and have therefore been the focus of considerable cancer research in recent decades. Notably, the mortality rate among five-year young adult leukemia survivors dropped from over 25% to less than 5% between patients treated in the late 1970s and early 1980s and those treated more recently. Reductions in mortality over were also pronounced for survivors of lymphomas and central nervous system tumors, cancer types with some of the highest mortality rates. These findings show the impact of new treatments for patients with these cancers. Although improvements in mortality rates have been more dramatic for children and older adults with cancer, findings from these reports indicate that early survival among young adults has improved steadily over the past several decades. Reported five-year survival gains likely reflect, in large part, the impact of advances in therapy for several of the most common cancers in young adults. Researcher quote "It is important that we monitor trends in survival not only among recently diagnosed patients, but also among survivors who are several years beyond their initial cancer diagnosis," said the paper's lead author, Chelsea Anderson. "There have been substantial improvements over the past several decades for five-year survivors, though some cancer types have not shared in these improvements. Survivors of these cancer types may therefore be priority groups for efforts to improve long-term surveillance to reduce late mortality from cancer among adolescents and young adults." ### Direct questions about the study to: Chelsea Anderson American Cancer Society 250 Williams St NW Atlanta, GA, 30303 Chelsea.Anderson@cancer.org To request a copy of the study, please contact: Daniel Luzer daniel.luzer@oup.com Sharing on social media? Find Oxford Journals online at @OxfordJournals [March 03, 2020] J M Smith to sell Pharmacy and Public Sector Business to Francisco Partners SPARTANBURG, S.C., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Francisco Partners, a leading technology-focused growth equity firm, has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Smith Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of J M Smith Corporation, one of the country's oldest enterprises rooted in the community pharmacy industry. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Smith Technologies, a leader in community pharmacy technology, long-term care technology, and public sector software, will remain headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. "The acquisition of Smith Technologies by Francisco Partners provides the investment capital that the company has needed for some time," said Paula Harper Bethea, Executive Chairman of the Board for J M Smith Corporation. "The sale will benefit employees, shareholders and customers alike through this pivotal investment." "The legacy of Smith Technologies is one of market creation. They have led the way over many decads in the pharmacy and public sector. We are committed to continuing its exceptional service to existing customers and excited to invest in expanding both their market share and geographic footprint as an independent entity," said Chris Adams of Francisco Partners. J M Smith Corporation will remain one of the South Carolina upstate's largest corporations and will continue to operate as the parent company for Smith Drug Company, RX Medic and SMS. Upon closing of the transaction, the J M Smith Corporation's board will consider whether to use the sale proceeds for reinvestment in the company, reduction of indebtedness, share repurchases, shareholder dividends or a combination thereof. About J M Smith J M Smith Corporation was founded in 1925 as a single community pharmacy in Asheville, North Carolina. In the decades since, the company has grown to operate business units that supply healthcare and distribution services and technology to pharmacies, institutions, government agencies and businesses across the U.S. About Francisco Partners Francisco Partners is a leading global private equity firm that specializes in investments in technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch 20 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised over $14 billion in committed capital and invested in more than 275 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit: www.franciscopartners.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/j-m-smith-to-sell-pharmacy-and-public-sector-business-to-francisco-partners-301015724.html SOURCE J M Smith Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested a man and his daughter in connection with last year's barbaric terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency's probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that killed 40 CRPF personnel, which had virtually reached a dead end, saw a major breakthrough on Tuesday after the agency arrested a man and his daughter who allegedly were witness to the conspiracy behind the audacious attack. The NIA arrested Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan after investigation led to their house at Hakripora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, where a video was filmed by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, who rammed an explosive-ridden car into the CRPF convoy. The video was released from Pakistan after the attack. A truck driver by profession, Shah disclosed that his house was used by Dar, Mohd Umar Farooq, a Pakistani terrorist and IED-maker, Kamran, another Pakistani terrorist (both were later killed in encounters with security forces), Sameer Ahmed Dar, a Jaish terrorist from Pulwama, and Ismail, alias Ibrahim, alias Adnan, also a Pakistani terrorist. Shah facilitated the terrorists by sheltering them at his house, where they planned the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy and also recorded a video of 'Fidayeen' (suicide bomber) Adil Ahmed Dar which was released by the Jaish-e-Mohammad soon after the Pulwama attack, an NIA spokesman said. Insha Jan (23) also facilitated the terrorists, provided them food and other logistics during their stay at the house on more than 15 occasions, for two-four days each time, during 2018-2019, he said. "Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd Umar Farooq, a Pakistani IED maker, and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications (till he was alive)," the spokesman said. The arrest has brought new life into the case which had virtually reached a dead end, with five people, who were either conspirators or executors of the ghastly attack, being eliminated by the security forces in various encounters. The case had thrown a unique challenge to the NIA, the anti-terror probe agency formed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008, as there was no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack. The first challenge was to establish the owner of the car used by the suicide attacker as there was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like ammonium nitrate, nitro glycerine and RDX, the officials said. But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces was extracted and within no time, the ownership of the vehicle was established from the first to the last owner. After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan claimed in a video that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for forensic examination and the Internet Protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan. Thanks to an under-the-radar bookkeeping change at the Department of Education, hundreds of rural schools across the US are set to lose vital funds. As reported in the New York Times, the department has changed the eligibility criteria for the Rural and Low-Income School Programme, which provides funding for school districts in some of the poorest parts of the country. The change will make it harder for districts to demonstrate their eligibility, meaning hundreds of them will lose tens of thousands of dollars and in some cases much more. Nearly a seventh of the USs public school pupils live in rural school districts, which have long been poor and underfunded. Many depend on the programme to fund everything from anti-bullying initiatives to counselling to language lessons for non-English speakers. To qualify for the programme, school districts must prove that at least 20 per cent of their areas school-age children live in poverty. A US educationist claims to have the answer to failing schools and it lies in literacy Show all 2 1 /2 A US educationist claims to have the answer to failing schools and it lies in literacy A US educationist claims to have the answer to failing schools and it lies in literacy 32411.bin A US educationist claims to have the answer to failing schools and it lies in literacy 32412.bin Officially, they are required to do so using census data, but because the census often leaves out many people living in rural areas, they have in practice been allowed to cite the percentage of their pupils who qualify for free or subsidised meals. The department has now abruptly decided that it will only allow districts to use census data, meaning districts will struggle to account for all children in their local areas who would qualify. A department spokeswoman told the Times that the move is simply a matter of following the law and that Congress can legislate to formally change the criteria, but the move has nonetheless met with condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. Recommended Betsy DeVos grilled on proposal to eliminate Special Olympics funding Even some of those sympathetic to Donald Trump and invested in his re-election are baffled as to why the department would withdraw the money from poor, rural districts, including core parts of the presidents electoral base. Senators including Susan Collins of Maine are now scrambling to put together a fix that will ensure schools can still access the programme. The Department of Education is led by Betsy DeVos, who was one of Mr Trumps most controversial cabinet appointees at the start of his administration. She has drawn fire both for her lack of experience in schools and her past statements advocating a religious agenda for public education. Andhra Pradesh has become the seventh state to distance itself from Centre's controversial policy decisions, the NPR, CAA and the NRC Andhra Pradesh has become the seventh state to distance itself from the controversial National Population Register, days after Telangana indicated that it will pass a resolution against it in the state Assembly. "Some of the questions proposed in the NPR are causing insecurities in the minds of minorities of my state. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central Government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010," Andhra chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy said in a tweet, adding that he will also bring a resolution in the upcoming Assembly session. There are apprehensions among the public that the NPR would lead to the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) in the wake of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which provides for citizenship to Hindus, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis and Buddhists from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India or before 31 December 2014. Reddy's comment is noteworthy as earlier, his party YSRCP had supported the NDA government in passing the CAA in the Parliament. While in Telangana, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) opposed CAA, both Andhra Pradesh parties, YSR Congress Party and main opposition Telugu Desam Party, had supported the legislation and helped getting it passed in Rajya Sabha where NDA does not enjoy majority. Reddy's tweet has also came in the backdrop of his government's recent order, gearing up the administrative machinery for the conduct of the NPR exercise, and Housing Listing and Housing Census as part of Census of India 2021 to be taken up for 45 days between April and September 2020. "In view of a number of apprehensions and doubts being expressed in various quarters with respect to the conduct of NPR exercise, following clarifications are issued to all the District Collectors/ Principal Census Officers in the shape of 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ) for easy dissemination to all concerned," General Administration Department Secretary Shashi Bhushan Kumar said in the order issued on 22 January. He said people are not required to submit any document to the enumerators during the NPR exercise. "Enumerators are just required to record whatever answers are given by the people and not to press for any further answers to any query if they do not intend to give and also not to ask for any document," Kumar said in the order. The GAD Secretary added that all officials involved, from enumerators onwards, "have been/are being trained" to the effect that there was no requirement of submission of any document by the people during the NPR exercise, nor any requirement to insist on answer to any query if people do not intend to answer. The NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. It is being prepared at the local (village/sub-town), subdistrict, district, state and national levels under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. The rules have a provision for fine of up to Rs 1,000 on those violating them. The data for NPR was last collected in 2010 along with the house-listing phase of Census 2011. Updating of this data was done during 2015 by conducting door-to-door survey. While updating the register in 2015, the government asked details like Aadhaar and mobile numbers. This time, information related to driving licence and voter ID card may also be gathered, officials said, adding that PAN card details will not be collected as part of this exercise. For NPR, a usual resident is defined as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more, or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months. The law compulsorily seeks to register every citizen of India and issue a national identity card. With inputs from PTI Purdue University Northwest wants your best two-minute pitch for the next promising business idea for its annual entrepreneurial competition, The Big Sell. Anyone who has an idea for a new business is invited to film a two-minute pitch video of themselves and submit it online at www.pnw.edu/thepnwbigsell by April 3. Purdue Northwest's College of Business and College of Technology organize the annual Big Sell contest for start-up companies. the contest is underwritten by NIPSCO and the Purdue University Northwest Society of Innovators. The top 12 submissions get to pitch their business ideas from 1-4 p.m. on May 2 at the Purdue University Northwest Dworkin Conference Center at 1401 S. U.S. 421 in Westville. The public and a panel of expert judges will pick three winners. The entrepreneurs who make the best pitches take home $10,000 as seed capital to start the business for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third. The cash prizes have more than doubled since last year. Founded in 2011, The Big Sell is open to both Purdue Northwest students and the general public. It's gotten submissions from all across the United States in years past. The coronavirus crisis has hit the airline industry hard. But the silver lining for travellers is that there are some incredible luxury deals to be snapped up. One travel expert told MailOnline Travel that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, for instance, are offering up to 60 per cent off business class tickets from London to the U.S and throwing in a few nights in a hotel for free. And he says that deals like this are almost certainly related to the coronavirus crisis. Travel expert Gilbert Ott told MailOnline Travel that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are offering up to 60 per cent off business class deals from London to the U.S. Pictured is BA's new business class seat Gilbert Ott, who runs the flight tips site God Save The Points, said: 'Business travel is one of the hardest-hit sectors, so one could argue that the luxury deals are even more prevalent. Many companies have imposed travel bans for all non-essential travel, which means up to 50 to 60 seats on every flight that would usually be filled are currently going empty. 'Deals that would typically last 12 hours are lasting days, which never happens. Obviously, there's risk, and everyone must conduct their own risk assessment, but I personally am taking advantage.' Father-of-one Gilbert, who lives between New York and London, reveals on his site that BA is offering deals for around 1,200 per person for round-trip flights from London to America and three or four nights in a hotel. Gilbert Ott, pictured here in BA's A350 business class suite, says that because of the coronavirus crisis 'deals that would typically last 12 hours are lasting days' He writes: 'On any given day, paying 1,200 for business class from London to the USA is a great offer, but when it comes with four nights of hotel included, thats baller. Virgin Atlantic, meanwhile, is offering deals [to the U.S] that give you round trips in flatbeds for lower than premium economy prices, he says. Oneworld is having a crazy sale out of Paris that makes flying business class in just about any month in 2020 cheaper than it can be in economy Gilbert Ott He pointed out that 3,000 for flights alone, for any airline flying from the UK to America, would be pretty standard pricing and that in-between sales, business class is constantly above 2,000 as a minimum. The travel expert also points out that if youre willing to start your British Airways USA trip from Paris there are even better deals to be had. Gilbert describes the prices as insane. For example, BA is offering Paris to the East Coast via London in Club World for around 850-900 all in. He writes: Oneworld is having a crazy sale out of Paris that makes flying business class in just about any month in 2020 cheaper than it can be in economy. A woman wearing a mask to prevent contracting the coronavirus reacts as employees from a disinfection service company sanitize a traditional market in Seoul, Feb. 26, 2020. Reuters South Korea is making all-out efforts to improve the supply of face masks as the country's novel coronavirus situation worsens, but public anger is running high over its hastily orchestrated supply scheme. The country last week approved a plan to limit face mask exports to a maximum of 10 percent of total output and distribute 50 percent through public retail platforms, claiming that this will supply 5 million protective masks to the domestic market daily beginning Thursday. Under the scheme, state-supplied masks are available for purchase at post offices, pharmacies, medical institutions and supermarkets operated by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, better known as Nonghyup here. There is a limit of five face masks per person per purchase. Prices of state-supplied masks are around 1,000 won (US$0.80) to 1,500 won each, about one-fourth the price of masks sold on the market. The move is a major boost for former vice president Biden, following the withdrawal of another moderate, Pete Buttigieg In this file photo taken Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks to a crowd at a town hall in Exeter, New Hampshire. AFP Photo Washington: Amy Klobuchar, a Midwestern moderate, will end her underdog presidential campaign and endorse Joe Biden, her team said Monday, on the eve of the biggest voting day in the Democratic nomination race. The senator is flying to Dallas to join vice president Biden at his rally tonight where she will suspend her campaign and endorse the vice president, a Klobuchar campaign spokesperson told AFP. The move is a major boost for former vice president Biden, following the withdrawal of another moderate, Pete Buttigieg, on Sunday. After a blowout victory in the last primary, Saturday in South Carolina, Biden heads into Super Tuesday with a head of steam as he challenges leftist firebrand Bernie Sanders to see who faces Donald Trump in November's election. Klobuchar, a US senator from the state of Minnesota, had positioned herself as a centrist and pragmatist who has worked across the aisle in Washington and could bring that spirit of unity and cooperation into the Oval Office. Despite a few compelling debate performances, the 59-year-old never registered above single digits in national polling averages and was not expected to deliver a strong showing on Tuesday, when 14 states go to the polls. Her exit leaves two women in the Democratic nomination hunt: Senator Elizabeth Warren, a progressive from Massachusetts, and the anti-war congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii. Warren thanked her friend Klobuchar in a tweet. You've been a champion for working families and women in politics, and I look forward to keeping up that fight by your side, she wrote. Danish English Nrresundby, Denmark, 3 March 2020 Announcement no. 23/2020 Today, 3 March 2020, RTX A/S held an Extraordinary General Meeting at which the following resolutions were adopted based on proposals from the Board of Directors thereby confirming such resolutions adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 23 January 2020 and thus finally adopting the resolutions: Reduction of the companys share capital through annulment of 300,000 treasury shares acquired through share buy-back programmes (item 1). Amendment of the Companys Articles of Association to add an item to the agenda of annual general meetings regarding presentation and approval of the remuneration report (item 2). Authorization to attorney Henrik Mgelmose to inform the Danish Business Authority of the resolutions passed and to make any resulting changes to the Companys Articles of Associations (item 3) Before the share capital reduction is effectuated, the Danish Business Authority will encourage the Companys creditors to file their claims within four weeks, cf. section 192 part 1 of the Danish Companies law. The capital reduction and the resulting change of the Companys Articles of Association will be registered at the Danish Business Authority after the four weeks period. Share capital The share capital amounts to DKK 44,714,190 before the reduction. After the nominal reduction of DKK 1,500,000 equivalent to 300,000 shares at DKK 5, the share capital amounts to DKK 43,214,190 divided in 8,642,838 shares at DKK 5. Yours sincerely PETER THOSTRUP PETER RPKE Chairman President & CEO Questions and further information CEO Peter Rpke, tel: +45 96 32 23 00 Attachment Investigation: Forensic officers at the scene of the fatal stabbing at a farmhouse in Bankhall Road, near Larne, Co Antrim. Photo: Niall Carson/PA A QUIET country lane overlooking a picturesque lough in east Antrim was the scene of a shocking tragedy yesterday morning. Police confirmed that one child had died and another was fighting for their life in hospital after a horrific incident at the isolated farmhouse on Bankhall Road in Magheramorne, which is around a five-minute drive from the village of Ballycarry. The mother of both children was also in hospital receiving treatment for her injuries. Neighbours reported hearing two helicopters, one understood to be the charity air ambulance, landing in a field beside the farm at around 10am before police officers sealed off the scene shortly after. A large police presence was at the scene as forensic officers were seen going in and out of the family home. Police struggled to deal with the level of media interest, with cars strewn all along the lane. Neighbours were shocked to hear of the tragedy that had unfolded, with many keen not to give their names to journalists. However, one neighbour said that when he returned from dropping his granddaughter off at nursery he was confronted by the air ambulance landing. I saw the chopper landing and then a second one arriving. I think it was around 10am and then police came and blocked the road, he said. It is just tragic, that young children are involved. It is just such a sad thing, our house is in shock. Tommy Kernohan, who lives around 200 metres down the road from the farmhouse, said the family had moved in some time over the past year and had been renting the house from the previous people who lived there. It is understood the couple who own the house have moved away from Northern Ireland and have been renting out the home and farm. One woman, who lives close to the farmhouse, said the family keep themselves to themselves, but described seeing two beautiful children walking up and down the lane. You dont expect something like this to happen in a quiet area like this, she said. You normally only read this in the papers. She described the couple as very quiet and said they did not interact with neighbours very much. One person told the Belfast Telegraph the mother of the family was a lovely person. It is just shocking news, she added. You just wouldnt believe it. The mother is thought to be a nurse who works at a local hospital. Neighbours expressed hope that the second child, understood to be around 18 months old, will recover from its injuries. Alliance councillor Danny Donnelly said: Its becoming clear that a very serious incident has taken place in Magheramorne. My thoughts are with the families involved. Im grateful to our emergency services who deal with such distressing cases in a very professional manner. Insisting she understands the pressure of being a star kid, Janhvi Kapoor has said she needs to prove her worth. The actor, who plays the title role in her upcoming film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, has also said that female protagonists need to be normalised. Talking about nepotism, Janhvi told Grazia in an interview, I cant let it bog me down because I know there are people out there who would kill for this opportunity. I understand their feeling of being cheated a little bit. And it wont go away until I prove myself worthy. Talking about playing a lead protagonist, she said, My mom was never considered a conventional heroine. We wouldnt call War a male-centric movie just because it has two male actors. We need to normalise female protagonists, so that it isnt a big deal anymore. Also read: Rishi Kapoor says tareekh pe tareekh as court stays execution of Delhi gang-rape convicts About her mom, late Bollywood star Sridevi, Janhvi had earlier told HT Brunch, Mom was always very, very religious. And I think I have become much more religious since she passed away (Sridevi died on 24 February 2018). I somehow feel closer to her when I do things that were so much part of her. Janhvi wrapped up Gunjan Saxena shoot in December. Sharing pictures from the sets, Janhvi had said in an Instagram post, I feel blessed to have been on this special journey, and through it to find my best friend Sharan Sharma -- like you say its all about the process; and I dont think there will ever be one as pure, honest, adventurous and memorable as this one. Cant wait for you guys to see it. The Kargil Girl is a biopic of Indian Air Force combat pilot Gunjan Saxena, and stars Janhvi in the titular role. Janhvi will be portraying Saxena, who entered the war zone during the 1999 Kargil War. Directed by Sharan Sharma, it will hit the screens on March 13 next year. Follow @htshowbiz for more Aimee Allen who died in a road accident near Pomeroy A woman in her 20s has died and a man was in a critical condition in hospital last night following a crash near Pomeroy in Co Tyrone. The two-vehicle collision on the Pomeroy Road was reported to police at around 2.45pm yesterday afternoon. Its believed Aimee Allen was the driver of a black Vauxhall Vectra car and the injured male is understood to have been a passenger. The 64-year-old male driver of the other vehicle, a blue Seat Exeo, suffered minor injuries. A PSNI inspector said: I am appealing for any witnesses to the collision to please make contact with police. Officers can be reached at Dungannon police station by calling 101, quoting reference 1097 02/03/20. Meanwhile, the funeral of a Portadown woman who died in a weekend crash in Co Cavan will be held tomorrow. A funeral service for Christian worker Joan McAlister (66) will be held in Thomas Street Methodist Church, Portadown, tomorrow at 2pm, followed by a private interment. All non-consensual sex will be regarded as rape, with tougher sentences available to judges. Madrid, Spain Spain is set to toughen legislation against sexual violence in the wake of a notorious alleged gang rape at the world-famous bull-running festival in Pamplona. The left-wing coalition government, comprised of the Socialists (PSOE) and the far-left Unidas Podemos (UP), on Tuesday, approved a draft bill to change the penal code to classify all non-consensual sex as rape. Under Spains current legislation, the perpetrator must have used intimidation or violence against the victim for the offence to be classed as rape. Under the new Sexual Freedom Law, sentences for rape will be increased from between four and 10 years to up to 15 years if there are aggravating factors. Judges will be able to pass tougher sentences if violence or drugs are used to incapacitate the victim, or if she is the wife or a former partner of the rapist. 191125070937173 Under the terms of the legislation, special courts will hear cases involving sexual violence cases. This is already the case with domestic violence cases. After the bills cabinet approval on Tuesday, it must be examined by two state commissions before being voted on by Parliament. It is not expected to become law for at least six months. Wolf-pack The ambitious law was the brainchild of Irene Montero, the minister for equality who is a leading member of UP, and its introduction comes just days before Spain marks International Womens Day on March 8. Calls to reform the criminal law concerning sexual offences have been mounting after a series of high-profile trials, including the so-called Wolf Pack case, in which an 18-year-old woman was gang-raped during the Pamplona bull-running festival in 2016. In 2018, the conviction of five men on the lesser charge of sexual abuse not rape sparked protests across Spain and demands to change the law. Protesters embrace during a demonstration against the release on bail of five men known as the Wolf Pack [File photo: June 22, 2018/Susana Vera/Reuters] The men, known as the Wolf Pack after the name of the WhatsApp group in which they shared a video and images of the attack, had their sentences increased from nine to 15 years in June last year after prosecutors appealed to the Supreme Court. In a separate case in November, five men were cleared of raping a 14-year-old girl, but jailed for the lesser charge of sexual abuse in a case which reignited protests against Spains controversial sex offence laws. Those men, aged 18 to 21, were jailed for between 10 and 12 years, but avoided conviction for the more serious charge of sexual assault or rape because the court ruled that the men did not use violence against the child. The men had taken turns to have sex with the girl after a party in Manresa, about 45 miles north from Barcelona in October 2016. After this case, a survey for La Vanguardia newspaper found 97 percent of respondents wanted tougher laws regarding sexual offences, while 3 percent were content with the current legislation. Maria Alvarez, of the commission for International Womens Day in Spain, said the law change was a first step towards combating sexual violence. This is an important move to change the criminal law, but more must be done in education to teach boys and girls to respect each other, she told Al Jazeera. Courts have also handed down some shameful sentences which have reflected whether women were drinking or what they were wearing. That must stop. However, the law change has prompted criticism from the conservative right in Spain. Cayetana Alvarez de Toledo, spokesman for the conservative Popular Party in the Spanish parliament, said: In reality, are we going to convert sexual relations into a process of interrogation? A no is a no, obviously. But is a silence also a no or a yes? Jorge Buxade, an MEP for the right-wing Vox party, told Al Jazeera: This law discriminates unfairly in favour of women and against men. We want to defend women and men equally from sexual violence. The Bank of England will "take all necessary steps" to support the UK economy from coronavirus fallout, governor Mark Carney said Tuesday, as G7 finance ministers readied a coordinated response. Carney's comments come as global stock markets experience heightened volatility, with the deadly Covid-19 having killed more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000. "The Bank of England's role is to help UK businesses and households manage through an economic shock that could prove large but will ultimately be temporary," Carney told a panel of British lawmakers, two weeks before he steps down as BoE chief. "The bank will take all necessary steps to support the UK economy and financial system, consistent with its statutory responsibilities," Carney said Tuesday. "We are monitoring the situation closely across all our functions and ensuring all necessary contingency plans are in place." Carney added that BoE policymakers had met Monday to "review a range of macroeconomic and financial system scenarios and their implications, and they will continue to meet as needed and will act as appropriate". The outgoing governor added that he was in "continual contact" with his successor Andrew Bailey, who takes over on March 16. Later Tuesday, Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank chiefs hold coronavirus talks amid concerns that the epidemic could imperil the health of the global economy, despite top European officials moving in recent days to calm such fears. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Popstar Kanye West's 6-year-old daughter North West jazzed up the Paris fashion week with an endearing rap item. According to the New York Post, the performance began late in the evening at the Espace Niemeyer. The fashion event saw models walking across the runway donning all sorts of fancy outfits such as puffer coats and crop tops when minutes later, Wests's daughter took to the stage and started dropping verses after verses in her childish and heartwarming voice. The stage debut by the budding rapper was met with cheering and applause, reported New York Post. Kanye who then stepped on the stage wearing a pair of sunglasses, approached his daughter, who he shares with Kim Kardashian, and held her in a warm embrace. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Help India! Saamb Mohan for Twocircles.net It was the spring settling in Indias capital. On February 23, 2020, around 3 pm, a politician appears at Maujpur Chowk, a four-way on Delhis Seelampur. The politician was once an MLA. He went on the record in Delhi assembly, and furiously raised the matter of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi, at the time of their Gujarat regime (the same when a series of fake encounters and Gujarat pogrom surfaced), allegedly using state machinery for snooping over a woman. The woman was rumored to be Narendra Modis girlfriend. The politician was attacking Gujarati duo. And only three BJP legislators were not able to counter the politician related to AAP. Support TwoCircles But on Feb 23, this man was way opposite to his previous lines. He was openly targeting Muslims, who staged a similar protest like that of Shaheen Bagh in the Chandbagh area. He asked Hindus to unite. He threatened in front of a DCP of Delhi police. He said that he wouldnt listen to the police. And he left, and in just a few minutes a mob entered in Delhis several areas. They burnt houses. They pelted stones. They threw Molotov cocktails. They fired shots. Delhi police, who worked under Union Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah, spotted accompanying rioters attacking houses of Muslims. The politician was Kapil Mishra, a AAP turncoat politician who is now in BJP. By the time this story is being written for our readers, officially 45 people have lost their lives. Not just Muslims, several Hindus, and several law officers have lost their lives, their houses, shops, and their loved ones. Such is the case of Mohammad Anwar (58). Anwar used to deal with goats. While violence broke out on February 23, Anwar was in his shop-cum-home at Shiv Vihar, trading as usual. I met his brother Saleem at Mortuary of Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital filled with those who lost their loved ones in Delhi riots. He told the story further. But just after two days, on February 25, around 400-500 men, related to RSS, came to our house. They were not from around our locality. But I could recognize a couple of them. Most of our family members flew the house seeing the tense condition for the last couple of days. But Anwar was there, recalls Saleem. It was between 9-10 am that day. The mob came directly into our house. They torched the house. Some of them looted the goats, several goats were burnt or maybe they set them free. Anwar ran. They fired a bullet in his leg. He immediately fell down. They started beating him. He stood up and tried to walk away. This was Anwars end. They again fired shots at him. And threw him in the fire, said Saleem. Just a small portion Anwars right leg has been left. After several difficulties, Saleem could identify his brother with a footmark. Anwars family does not know when they will get his remains. And also unsure of what to bury. One of his family members said, We have to bury something. If not just the leg, then only a Chadar. However, the list of those who lost their lives in this pogrom also has one more name Prem Singh. Nobody knows how Prem Singh lost his life. Nobody witnessed what happened to him. He was a 27-year-old rickshaw puller. Used to live in the Yamuna Vihar area. He left his home around noon on February 25. He never returned home. I met Prem Singhs family on February 29 outside GTBs mortuary. It was the day when the search of Singhs family ended four days after at the mortuary. They couldnt believe when they saw Prem Singh in the mortuary. Yes. It was Bhaiya, said Savita Devi, the younger sister of Prem Singh. His wife Sunita is 7 months into pregnancy. Also, she has three daughters. And the day Prem vanished, he left home to arrange milk for her daughters. It was all bad out there. People were running with panic. Nobody knew what to do, said Sunita while having her daughter on her shoulder and a hand on her belly. A few hours passed, Prem Singhs family started to worry about him. A few of his family members went out and searched for him. No clue, they returned back. We lodged a missing person complaint next day at Dayalpur police station. Even the police had no clue. Some of our friends in the police asked us to come to GTB hospital. I couldnt understand at first why they were calling us at the mortuary. But soon I got the idea that he could be here. I was praying otherwise. But the mob indeed engulfed him, said her sister Savita Devi. Details of postmortem of Prem Singh is yet unknown, as we are working on the story. But for sure, both Prem Singh and Anwar had one thing in common. Both were killed by a mob. Both families said that they were either saved or supported by the individuals of other religions. Anwars rest of the family was saved by a Hindu neighbor, while Muslim neighbors provided all possible support and help to Prem Singhs family. And the family of both accuse Delhi Police of apathy. How? When Anwars brother Saleem was frantically calling the police the day his brother was attacked, the cops at Karawal Nagar Police Station asked the family to come to the police station and lodge a complaint in person. Saleem said, If we had gone, we too would have been killed by the mob. We told them that we couldnt come. But instead of coming to us with force, they kept pushing to do things their way. Some members of the Prem Singh family also accused Delhi Police of not showing any interest in lodging a missing person report. At first, they said that aa jayega, aa jayega. Kahin chhup gaya hoga. Kahin pareshan hoga, said one family member. But Delhi police has no reply over one or several accusations raised at it during riots. WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper has urged American military commanders overseas not to make any decisions related to the coronavirus that might surprise the White House or run afoul of President Trumps messaging on the growing health challenge, American officials said. Mr. Espers directive, delivered last week during a video teleconference call with combatant commanders around the world, is the latest iteration of Mr. Trumps efforts to manage public fears over the disease, even as it continues to spread around the world. Mr. Trump has said Democrats and the news media are stoking fear about the disease, even calling their concerns a hoax during one rally last week. The president has since tempered his words. Mr. Esper told commanders deployed overseas that they should check in before making decisions related to protecting their troops. The 3 big telcos Singtel, Starhub and M1 have long been a source of angst for Singaporeans, who complain about slow internet and exorbitant excess data usage charges. Then Circles.Life and MyRepublic came along, and now it seems like we have a way out of overpriced mobile data plans! Youd no longer have to commit for 2 years and be obligated to wait for re-contract discounts on your new handset you can just take the money you save on your SIM-only plan, and get yourself a new phone on Lazada. New virtual telcos have also joined the fray since, such as TPG Singapore, redONE, ViViFi, Grid Mobile, Zero 1 and Zero Mobile (yes, theyre different). And most recently and significantly, the Big 3 in Singapore have released really, really competitive SIM-only plans. So how do these different SIM Only Plans compare with each other? Here are the 12 cheapest and how they stack up. 12 cheapest SIM only plans from Singapore telcos under $30 (2020) SIM only plan Monthly fee Data / outgoing talktime / SMS TPG Singapore $0 Unlimited data / voice calls & SMS dont work Circles Life $5 Plan $5 2GB / 50 min / 25 SMS redONE Amazing 8 $8 3GB / 100 min / 10 SMS Zero1 1GB $9.90 (for first 6 months, $13.90 thereafter) Unlimited (actually 1GB) / 200 min / 200 SMS Circles Life Smart Start Plan $18 (port over) 20GB / 100 min (includes incoming) / 25 SMS redONE Amazing 18 $18 6GB / 200 min / 20 SMS Singtel GOMO $20 20GB / 200 min / 200 SMS Grid Mobile $24.90 40GB / 200 min / 200 SMSes (free roaming up to 1GB in Malaysia) StarHub Giga $25 25GB / 1,000 min / 1,000 SMS M1 $25 30GB / 1,000 min / 1,000 SMS redONE Amazing 28 $28 10GB / 300 min / 30 SMSes ViViFi $29.90 40GB / 300 min / 100 SMSes Bonus: Best credit cards for telco bills If you really want to stretch your dollar, you can sign up for recurring telco bill payments on your credit card. There are a few credit cards that award you with rebates for it: Story continues Maybank Family & Friends Card 5% or 8% cash back Maybank logo Maybank Family & Friends Card Apply Now More Details Cash Back Features Up to 8% cash rebate on groceries, dining, transport and petrol spend in Singapore and Malaysia Up to 8% cash rebate on shopping and data communication & online TV streaming 8% or 5% cash rebate with lowered minimum spend of S$800/S$500 per month respectively. Cash rebate cap at S$80 per month Get 0.3% cash rebate on all other spend with no cap on cash rebates See all plan details OCBC365 Credit Card 3% cash back OCBC logo OCBC 365 Credit Card Apply Now More Details Cash Back Features 6% cashback on local and overseas dining, everyday 6% cashback on online food delivery e.g. Deliveroo and Foodpanda Up to 23% fuel savings at Caltex stations 3% cashback on local, overseas and online groceries e.g. Redmart, FairPrice Online and Honestbee 3% cashback on local and overseas private hire rides e.g. Grab, ComfortDelGro, Go-jek 3% cashback on online air, cruise, hotel and tour bookings e.g. Agoda and Airbnb 3% cashback on recurring telco and electricity bills 0.3% cashback on everything else See all plan details UOB Delight Card 3% cash back UOB logo UOB Delight Card Apply Now More Details Cash Back Features 8% or 3% cash rebate at Cold Storage, Market Place, Jasons, Giant, and Guardian. Minimum spend: S$800/S$400 per month respectively 3% cash rebate on ALL contactless transactions and selected recurring bills. Minimum spend: S$400/month Cash rebate cap: S$50/month, no cap on SMART$ earned at SMART$ Merchants. Base rate: 0.3% cashback on spends less than S$400 and on all other spend See all plan details Read more: 7 Best Cashback Cards in Singapore for Recurring Bill Payments Circles Life SIM Only Plans ($5 to $18, top-ups available) Circles Life $5 Plan Circles Life used to have an amazing Flexi Plan that was $0, but unfortunately, as of 5 September 2019, it has since been discontinued (existing users will not be affected). When it was still available, Flexi Plan offered 1GB of data, 30 minutes of talktime, free caller ID And 10 SMS, for $0. Well, thanks for the memories Circles Life. Such a good deal could not have lasted forever. For children and seniors who dont use much data and just want a cheap, low-maintenance card, you can opt for the newer $5 plan instead. For $5, you get 2GB of data, 50 minutes of talktime and 25 SMSes a month. Apparently, according to the telco, 20% of their users use about 2GB or less data per month, so this plan is to serve those in the in-between. Do note that you also have to pay a one-time $18 SIM card fee. We imagine this segment would include senior citizens who are slightly more tech-savvy. Youll need to manage your plan quite actively using the Circles Life app too, so its definitely not for techno-phobes. Perhaps those who only use data for Pokemon GO and forwarding memes? Circles Life Base Plan Smart Start ($18 / $28) Among the younger set, it seems like the more popular Circles plan is the Smart Start Plan, which offers 20GB of data, 100 minutes talktime, and 25 SMSes. 20GB of data is plenty, and for just $18 a month (for new users), its really quite a steal. This is even better than the Singtel GOMO plan ($20 for 20GB) thats got everyone excited lately. But as with most things Circles Life, the focus is squarely on data while traditional mobile phone plan features like talktime and SMSes take a backseat. You get 100 minutes of talktime include incoming calls, which you have virtually NO control over. (A bit kelong right, this Circles Life?) But I guess thats what the free caller ID (and Reject Call button) is for. Also, since you get so much data, its kind of a no-brainer to use Whatsapp calls or FaceTime for everything. Note that the unbeatable rate of $18 is only applicable to people who port in from another telco. Theyre actively looking to acquire users. If youre not porting in, youll have to pay the full price of $28 a month. Also, a $38 registration fee may apply, but you can get this waived at roadshows where theyre a bit more desperate to close the deal. If you want unlimited data, there is a $30 add-on as well (total $58 monthly). Circles Lifes USP is that it is a fully virtual telco, which means that their customer service is 100% online only. Porting your number from any other telco can be done without ever meeting a customer service officer in person. Theyre also known for great customer service. TPG Singapore ($0 unlimited data, but limited phone usage) For some background, TPG is an Australian telco trying to launch their services in Singapore. Since its still in beta, its now offering free SIM cards as part of its trial. If you think that paying nothing for unlimited data is too good to be true, well, youre right. This isnt really a phone plan so much as a backup SIM card for extra data or perhaps a spare device. The data is unlimited, although your usage is capped at 2GB per day which is still crazy, TBH. The one major drawback is that the TPG signal doesnt work underground, so your phone is dead whenever youre on the train (and even in certain parts of buildings). Right now you also can receive SMS OTPs, but thats about it. Its not at all reliable for regular functions like calls and messages, even though TPG claims that you get unlimited talktime and 20 SMSes If you have a dual-SIM mobile phone, the TPG SIM card + Circles Life Flexi Plan make the perfect el cheapo SIM-only combo as youll never have to top up your Circles Life SIM card for data. Zero 1 SIM only plan 1GB to Unlimited ($9.90) Zero 1 is the third virtual telco following Circles Life and Zero Mobile. They launched unlimited plans in March 2018. Apparently, you get 4G speeds on the first GBs that you pay for, and managed SLOW network speeds thereafter How bad are these managed network speeds though? Well, if you just need to play Spotify, read Reddit, or watch Youtube at 240p, the managed network speeds suffice. But using Facebook or Instagram wont be a smooth experience. From $9.90/month (ongoing promotion at $9.90/month), Zero 1s 1GB plan is seriously dirt cheap. (They also have a 3GB one for $29.99 and 9GB one for $39.90, but those are really bo hua so we wont cover them.) We wouldnt recommend the Zero 1 1GB plan for heavy usage, but it should be OK if youre not terribly reliant on your phone as life support. if your usage exceeds the Circles Life Flexi Plan but just a bit, or if you want decent talktime and SMSes without having to go through the hassle of monthly top ups, then this is the next best alternative. Downsides are that there is no app to check your data usage unlike Circles Life and the big 3 telcos, and the customer service is apparently not that great as well. Singtel GOMO cheapest Singtel SIM only plan ($20 for 20GB) For the longest time, Singtels SIM only plans used to be quite overpriced $20 for 5GB and $36.05 for 10GB, for example. Whats more, most of them even required at least 12 months commitment. Pfft. But they must have lost a significant chunk of business to players likes Circles Life, because theyve recently launched a new sub-brand, Singtel GOMO, to win back the hearts and minds of disloyal Singaporean millennials. Fortunately for Singtel shareholders, its pretty awesome. Now, although the marketing for GOMO is a bit try-hard, that shouldnt distract you from the fact that the new price of $20 a month is sooo cheap for a phone plan that covers ALL the bases: 20GB data, 200 minutes talktime, 200 SMSes. Theres even data roaming that covers popular destinations such as Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and South Korea. You can read more about Singtel GOMO in our in-depth review here. Starhub giga cheapest Starhub SIM only plan ($25 for 25GB) Much like its compatriot Singtel, Starhub used to offer rather pricey SIM only plans, starting from $25 for 3GB. Pretty lame, and they knew it, too, which is why they did a big revamp earlier this year to boost it to 13GB instead, with unlimited weekend data. Hooray! But guess what? It only gets better. Shortly after Singtel launched GOMO, Starhub has followed suit with its own giga plan, which costs $25 a month (so, $5 more than GOMO) but gives you 25GB of data, and an insane 1,000 minutes of talktime and 1,000 SMSes. Thats a crapload of talktime, and honestly, I cant think of anyone whod need that much, except maybe for overenthusiastic sales execs. Starhub also has this gimmick where you can roll over unused data from that 25GB to the next month, which is cute, although perhaps it might prompt you to realise youre paying for way too much data. For the full review of Starhubs Giga plan, go here. M1 SIM only plan ($25 for 30GB, unlimited streaming on Spotify) Shortly after Singtel GOMO and Starhub Giga, M1 joined in the fray with its own super-good value SIM only plan. Of course. Props to M1, though, for not bothering to create a new microsite peppered with cringey YAAASes and ~IG story~ references. Instead, theyve gone straight for the jugular by simply decluttering their old, not-very-good mobile plans, and updating their one SIM only offering: Its now $25 a month for 30GB of data, 1,000 minutes talktime, and 1,000 SMSes. By these specs alone, M1 already beats Starhubs Giga, which is the same price for less data. But M1 has gone one step further and also included a couple of great value-adds to spoil us with: Free data on weekends, and unlimited Spotify music streaming. Now, thats how you get millennials attention. See how M1s new SIM only plan stacks up against Singtels and Starhubs here. redONE SIM Only Plans ($8 to $28, free data roaming in Malaysia) Price-wise, redONE seems to pale in comparison with the other players. The redONE Amazing $8 plan only gives you 3GB of data, 100 minutes of talktime and 10 SMSes and the Amazing $18 plan only gives you 6GB, 200 minutes of talktime and 20 SMSes. Their highest tier, which costs $28, offers 10GB of data, 300 minutes of talktime and 30 SMSes. At this price, most other SIM Only plans would already be offering at least 20GB of data or more. But regular Singaporeans are not redONEs key target consumers. Although the local data and talktime arent great, redONE plans come with free data roaming in Malaysia, free unlimited calls to redONE users, including in Malaysia, and no additional charges for calling and texting Malaysian numbers. If you are a Malaysian based in Singapore or you frequently cross the border for cheap shopping or massages in JB every weekend, then redONE plans are worth considering. ViViFi SIM Only Plan ($29.90, shareable with 9 other users) In the comparison table, ViViFi seems to be the most expensive at $29.90. But for that price, you actually get 40GB of data, 300 minutes and 100 SMSes, which is double that of most other plans in the market. That said, Grid Mobile offers something similar for $5 cheaper. The key differentiating factor is that the ViViFi plan is shareable with up to 9 other users. When shared, individual users have to pay $5.35 and will get an additional 2GB each. So for example, you, your husband and your child share a ViViFi plan. You pay the base price of $29.90 and an additional $10.70 to add on 2 users. The total price comes up to $40.60, or $13.53 per person, and 3 of you get to share a total of 44 GB. This arrangement may be suitable for couples with young children or elderly who dont need that much more data. Although, you do have the flexibility to boost the data if you want, too. GridMobile SIM Only plan ($24.90 for 40 GB, free buddy SIM) GridMobile only has 1 plan, which is $24.90 for 40GB, free incoming calls, 200 minutes of outgoing calls and 200 SMSes. The 40GB offer is only limited to the first 1,000 customers. After that, it will likely revert back to its original offering of 20 GB. I think GridMobile is somewhat of a cross between redONE and ViViFi, because with this $24.90 plan, you get a free buddy SIM card (1 year only) that has 1GB of data, free incoming calls, 25 minutes of outgoing talktime, free caller ID and 25 SMSes. So, you can extend the plan to one other person, kinda like ViViFis concept. And you get 1GB data per month for free roaming in Malaysia, like redONE. Theres a whole rewards system going on with GridMobile, so if youre a fan of redeeming rewards at places like Grab, Spotify, Lazada, Zalora, Marche Movenpick and Cathay Cineplexes, you might find GridMobile a good fit. So, which is the best SIM only plan in Singapore? So how do you know which plan to sign up for? Heres a quick guide: If you want it totally free: TPG SIM card (free) If youre a complete cheapskate and have a dual-SIM mobile phone, this $0 combination is pretty damn powerful considering itll cost you next-to-nothing. That said, its only if you dont need the talktime or SMSes, and you wont have a meltdown if your YouTube video stops playing while your train is underground. If you dont need much talktime: Circles Life Base Plan ($18) Circles Life obviously understands the phone-phobic millennial generation. If that describes you to a T, then the lack of talktime and free incoming calls shouldnt bother you. Theres free caller ID so you can always know whos trying to bug you before deliberately missing the call. You should only sign up if youre currently with another telco, though, to take full advantage of their $18 rate for port overs. If you want an all-rounded plan without spending much: Singtel GOMO ($20) Singtels new GOMO plan is your best bet for an all-rounded plan that wont make you feel like youre sacrificing any part of your life just to save a few bucks. At $20 a month, its terrific value. If you need a helluva lot of talktime or data: GridMobile ($24.90), ViViFi ($29.90), Starhub Giga ($25) or M1 ($25) Both Starhub giga and M1 plans offer 25GB of data and 1,000 minutes of talktime, which is A LOT. If youre quite sure youll put those extra minutes or GBs to use, then go for it otherwise, youll just be paying an extra $5 (over Singtels GOMO) for nothing. If you have an unhealthy obsession with your mobile phone, then go for Grid Mobile or ViViFi. Both offer 40GB of data for under $30. What data plan are you using right now and are you satisfied with it? Tell us in the comments! MoneySmart Telegram Channel Singapore Subscribe to MoneySmarts Telegram channel for news delivered to you! Related articles Singtel GOMO vs StarHub giga vs M1 & Other SIM-Only Data Plans in Singapore Cashback From Bill Payments In Singapore Best Cards For Telco, Medical and Utilities Bills 7 Types of Senior Citizen Discounts in Singapore from Groceries to Phone Plans (2019) The post SIM Only Plans - 12 Cheapest Mobile Plans in Singapore (2020) appeared first on the MoneySmart blog. MoneySmart.sg helps you maximize your money. Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest news and articles. Compare and shop for the best deals on Loans, Insurance and Credit Cards on our site now! [March 03, 2020] KLDiscovery Ranks No. 60 on the Inaugural 2020 Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro with Two-Year Revenue Growth of 182% Percent KLDiscovery announced today that it has ranked No. 60 on Inc. magazine's 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 segment-its independent small businesses. "What started locally has become a global organization spanning 20 countries," said Chris Weiler, CEO of KLDiscovery. "The Washington, D.C. metro has contributed to our success in countless ways over the years, and we're grateful for the opportunity to serve the legal and IT communities." 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. "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 even 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). 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 independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as 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. About KLDiscovery KLDiscovery provides technology-enabled services and software to help law firms, corporations, government agencies and consumers solve complex data challenges. The company, with offices in 40+ locations across 20 countries, is a global leader in delivering best-in-class eDiscovery, information governance and data recovery solutions to support the litigation, regulatory compliance, internal investigation and data recovery and management needs of our clients. Serving clients for over 30 years, KLDiscovery offers data collection and forensic investigation, early case assessment, electronic discovery and data processing, application software and data hosting for web-based document reviews, and managed document review services. In addition, through its global Ontrack Data Recovery business, KLDiscovery delivers world-class data recovery, email extraction and restoration, data destruction and tape management. KLDiscovery has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in North America by both Inc. Magazine (Inc. 5000) and Deloitte (News - Alert) (Deloitte's Technology Fast 500) and CEO Chris Weiler was recognized as a 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Additionally, KLDiscovery is a Relativity Certified Partner and maintains ISO/IEC (News - Alert) 27001 Certified data centers around the world. For more information, please email [email protected] or visit www.kldiscovery.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005035/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party emerged as the largest party in the countrys third election in under a year, according to exit polls, but it was unclear whether the embattled Israeli leader could secure a parliamentary majority. Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party on Monday emerged as the largest party in the countrys third election in under a year, according to exit polls, but it was unclear whether the embattled Israeli leader could secure a parliamentary majority as he prepares to go on trial for corruption charges later this month. Exit polls on Israeli TV stations indicated that Likud and its smaller ultra-religious and nationalist allies had captured 59 seats, two short of the majority required to declare victory. His opponents were projected to get a majority of 61 seats. But with his main challenger, the centrist Blue and White party, trailing Likud by several seats and the rest of the opposition fragmented, polls were pointing to a continued paralysis of Israel's political system. Addressing a raucous crowd of thousands of ecstatic supporters at 2:30 am, Netanyahu claimed a giant victory. This is a victory against all the odds because we stood against powerful forces, he said. They already eulogized us. Our opponents said the Netanyahu era is over. He vowed to immediately begin work to form a new coalition and press forward with a hardline agenda that includes annexing large parts of the West Bank a step that would destroy any remaining hopes of establishing a Palestinian state. Despite the wild celebrations, Netanyahu could have difficulties forming a new government. After initially predicting that the prime minister was on the cusp of victory, exit polls projected a tight race that appeared to leave him short of the parliamentary majority he covets. If official results on Tuesday match the exit polls, Netanyahu could go on trial 17 March weakened and stuck in political gridlock. Netanyahu was indicted in November on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes, making him the first sitting prime minister to be charged with a crime. He denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a witch hunt by police, prosecutors and a hostile media. During the campaign, Netanyahu failed in a bid to secure immunity from prosecution. As prime ministers, he could still rally public opposition against prosecutors and judges in the case. He also could seek other avenues to delay or derail the proceedings against him. Aviad Glickman, the legal affairs correspondent for Channel 13 TV, said that if Likud emerges victorious, Netanyahus lawyers will likely seek to delay the trial. He also said there are serious concerns in the legal system that if Netanyahu secures another term, he will try to fire his attorney general, who filed the indictment against him and push for legislation that would allow parliament to strike down Supreme Court rulings it opposes. A Likud victory could also force the court to rule on Netanyahus future. An advocacy group, seeking to oust Netanyahu, earlier this year asked the court to rule whether an indicted parliament member can be designated prime minister and asked to form a new government. The Supreme Court in January declined to rule on the request, saying it was premature. But the issue could come up again if President Reuven Rivlin formally taps Netanyahu to form a new government. After elections, the president is responsible for picking a prime minister and forming a majority coalition. He usually chooses the leader of the largest party, but it's not required, and the decision has been complicated by Netanyahus trial. After Septembers election, both Netanyahu and Gantz, a former military chief, were given opportunities to form coalitions. Both failed. With Likud projected to be the largest party, Netanyahu could again get the first crack at assembling a coalition this time around. According to the exit polls, Netanyahus Likud was projected to win 36 to 37 seats, up from 32 seats in Septembers vote. Gantz's centrist Blue and White party, which ran on a message that the prime minister is unfit to lead because of the serious charges against him, was projected to win 32-34 seats, roughly the same as in September. If the final results hold up, the easiest way out of the impasse would be a unity government between Likud and Blue and White, which together command a solid parliamentary majority. Gantz, however, has ruled out a partnership as long as Netanyahu remains in charge. Netanyahu insists on the remaining prime minister in any unity deal. Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic supporters early Tuesday, Gantz did not concede defeat. This wasn't the outcome that perhaps we would have wanted, he said. Nonetheless, he said the party would not compromise its principles and would wait for final results. Avigdor Lieberman, a former Netanyahu ally turned rival, appeared to once again emerge as the key player in coalition talks. Lieberman has refused to endorse either major candidate, potentially giving him the final say in who controls a parliamentary majority. Lieberman, who opposes Netanyahus alliance with ultra-Orthodox religious parties, has said he will not allow a fourth straight election. A weary-looking Lieberman vowed to stick to his principles and said he would take stock once the final results are in. We won't move a millimetre from what we promised our voters," he said. The election marked another setback for the once-mighty Labor party, which governed the country for its first three decades. The partys alliance was projected to get just six or seven seats, making it one of the smallest factions in parliament. Addressing his supporters, party chairman Amir Peretz accused Gantz of cannibalizing Labor in a hopeless bid to emerge as the largest party. Ayman Odeh, leader of the predominantly Arab Joint List, criticized Gantz for ruling out a partnership with his party. The problem was Blue and Whites racist attitude, Odeh said, accusing Gantz of turning Blue and White into a pale imitation of the right-wing. Noting that the Joint List was projected to capture an impressive 14 seats, Odeh said: We did our part. They failed. The continued deadlock could potentially force the country into another election. Netanyahu, the longest-serving leader in Israeli history, has been a caretaker prime minister for more than a year as a divided country has weathered inconclusive votes in April and September and prolonged political paralysis. After opinion polls repeatedly showed the two rivals deadlocked, or with Gantz holding a slight lead, Likud began to edge ahead over the last two weeks or so. Netanyahu sought to portray himself as a statesman who is uniquely qualified to lead the country through challenging times and boasts important relationships with world leaders, most critically, President Donald Trump. During the campaign, Trump unveiled a Mideast plan that is strongly favourable to Israel in a step that was seen as an election gift to Netanyahu. With his career on the line, Netanyahu campaigned furiously. He took a hard turn to the right in hopes of rallying his nationalist base, promising to expand and annex West Bank settlements. In a campaign marked by ugly smears, Netanyahu's surrogates spread unfounded allegations that Gantz is corrupt, unstable and susceptible to blackmail by Iran. But the candidates seemed to agree on one thing: The country cannot hold another election. The time has come to end the rounds of elections and form a government in Israel," Netanyahu said. The time has come to mend the rifts, the time for reconciliation has come. Among the throngs who showed up at Turkey's Pazarkule border gate looking to cross over to Greece and a new life was Mohammed Riza Ansari, a 31-year-old construction worker. In common with many camped out in the no-man's land on Sunday, Ansari had slept in the open since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkey was opening its western border to Europe in response to refugee pressure from Syria. Like many of them, he wasn't fleeing the Syrian war at all. "I like it here but I can't get by in Turkey anymore, there's no work for me," said Ansari, an Afghan who has been living in central Turkey for seven years. "My parents and siblings were killed in the war in Afghanistan. I have nothing left to lose. So when I heard they opened the doors, I was like, I'm going to give it a shot." Turkey's 3.6 million registered Syrians make up two-thirds of the country's migrant population, yet only a fraction showed up at the western border after Erdogan said they were free to cross. The danger for European Union governments is that the battle raging for the last rebel holdout in Syria unlocks a fresh wave of refugees who pass through Turkey into Europe and turn Erdogan's threats into reality. The present fixation on Turkey's EU frontier may thus be misplaced, and the real risk lie on its southern border with Syria. Given the shifting fortunes on the battlefield and the uncertainty of what's happening at Europe's southeastern borders, change could come rapidly. Should the ongoing military campaign by Syrian President Bashar Assad's Russian-backed forces result in the fall of Idlib, more than 2 million refugees could be on the march - with Turkey pledging not to stand in the way. A major concern in Brussels is that the unfolding crisis on the Greek-Turkish border is just a small taste of what may happen if there is another exodus of refugees from Idlib, according to one EU diplomat. In that case, Erdogan is expected to open the floodgates, triggering a major migration crisis in Greece and across Europe, the diplomat said, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. Turkey and Russia have emerged as the two main powers determining Syria's future after President Donald Trump decided to withdraw American forces from the country. Yet in the absence of European powers, Ankara feels increasingly alone as it faces a growing cost in Syria, where it is fighting Assad's forces. With Russian air power backing Assad, Turkey's army lost at least 36 soldiers in the past week, bringing the death toll to more than 50 in February alone. In response, Turkey's president, who has long complained that Europe hasn't been supportive enough even as Ankara purportedly spent $40 billion on refugees, said he would open the borders for anyone who wants to travel to neighboring Greece and beyond. Only it's not that simple. Erdogan may yet need European support as he gears up for what will likely be a historic meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the future of Syria, set for Thursday. His tactic of threatening European powers with unleashing refugees has been met with anger, in a reminder that Turkey depends on Europe economically and financially and so his hand is not as strong as it may seem. In an unusually blunt statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she could understand Erdogan expecting more from Europe, but that she found it "unacceptable" the president and his government were dealing "over the backs of refugees" rather than with EU leaders. Merkel said she'd have further talks with Turkey on how to "find a balance of support from the EU." "There's a lot of signaling and provocation going on" behind Turkey's decision to open western borders for refugees, according to Emile Hokayem, senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank. He noted the large discrepancy between the still small numbers that have left Turkey and the government's lurid talk of more than 100,000 on the march. We're far from the migration crisis of 2015 in terms of numbers of people on the move. There is a simple reason behind Syrians' unwillingness to take a risky journey through the EU border that Greece forcefully defends: they have a lot to lose after settling in Turkey. Official estimates put the number of Syrians born in neighboring Turkey since their parents were displaced by the nine-year civil war at about half a million. Istanbul today is home to bustling Syrian neighborhoods, where local businesses thrive in part thanks to trade from the Syrian community. Hence Erdogan's decision to open the doors "mostly appeals to irregular migrants from countries like Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, who risk deportation, more so than the Syrian refugees," said Murat Erdogan, a professor at Istanbul's Turkish-German University who studies migration and who is no relation to the president. Back in 2016, Erdogan agreed to stop the flow of migration after an agreement with the EU led by Merkel that included a pledge of 6 billion euros ($6.7 billion) to help alleviate Turkey's fiscal burden from hosting millions of Syrians. That deal brought an abrupt end to the crowds of refugees commonly seen on the country's 2,800 kilometer (1,740 mile) Aegean coast. Erodan on Monday said it was the EU that had failed to meet its obligations, and that Turkey no longer wanted funds the bloc was belatedly offering. "Asylum seekers and refugees are free to leave where they are and choose the country they want to live" under international law, Erdogan said. That stance, if maintained, threatens a return to those scenes of desperation if Idlib falls. Syrians with little to lose, like 71-year-old Mohammed Haboul from Aleppo, are already prepared to try to cross into Greece. He took a 16-hour bus ride from southern Mersin province with his son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren after he heard the border was open. "I like Erdogan, I think he is a good leader, a good Muslim, unlike Bashar al-Assad," said Haboul. "But the problem is that the economy is really bad here and we can barely get by." - - - Bloomberg's Nikos Chrysoloras, Jonathan Stearns, Marc Champion and Ania Nussbaum contributed to this report. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic sent a letter to Interior Minister Vilayat Eyvazov expressing concern over police violence against peaceful gatherings and the dispersal of demonstrators during recent protests in Baku, CoE reported. The Commissioner is concerned about the ban of peaceful protest in the center of Baku, administrative arrests and fines, ill-treatment of journalists covering the protests. Peaceful demonstrators should not be sanctioned for being present and actively participating in the demonstration, and authorities should investigate injuries to demonstrators and journalists. It has also come to my attention that a number of protesters have been arrested prior to a planned demonstration and taken to remote locations by car or bus, sometimes several hundred kilometers away from Baku, thus preventing them from taking part in the protest. In addition, journalists covering the protests were reportedly mistreated by law enforcement officers during the dispersal of protests, she said. However, I am concerned that the latest restrictions imposed by the authorities constitute disproportionate interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly in Azerbaijan. Firstly, I note that the notification procedure provided by the Azerbaijani legislation continues to be interpreted by the authorities as requiring prior permission to hold an assembly, which is not the case. However, in a number of judgments against Azerbaijan, the European Court of Human Rights (the Court) found that the legislation governing public assemblies lacked foreseeability and precision which resulted in banning or dispersal of public assemblies abusively by the authorities. In this regard, I should like to stress that, according to the Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), together with the Venice Commission, prior notification should only be required when its purpose is to enable the state to put in place necessary arrangements to facilitate freedom of assembly and to protect public order, public safety and the rights and freedoms of others. Any such legal provision should require the organiser of an assembly to submit a notice of intent rather than a request for permission. It is also important to ensure that police officers operating in the context of demonstrations receive specialised training both on the negotiated management of assemblies and on the proportionate use of force in this context. In a response letter, Vilayat Eyvazov said that a group of people held protests in front of the CEC, where there is heavy traffic and high population density. The organizers were invited to the police and were told that their actions were illegal. Despite this, on February 16, 120 people gathered in front of the CEC, trying to hold an illegal rally, violating the rights of citizens to rest and normal traffic. Taking into account the continuous complaints to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of citizens living in this zone, police forces were sent to the place. Despite demands to stop the illegal action, organizers ignored the calls. Given this, the police detained the protesters, who were distinguished by special aggressiveness, Eyvazov said. Regarding the facts of violence against journalists, the Minister expresses surprise, saying that there was no violence against journalists at all, on the contrary, some journalists deliberately prevented the police from performing their functions. Further, he noted the legislation of Azerbaijan is much more liberal and humane than the laws of several European countries. The Centre on Tuesday confirmed a fresh case of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection in Jaipur besides keeping six individuals with high viral load on isolation and worked on arrangements to brace itself with the possibility of community spread of the virus that has killed more than 3,000 people across the world. One new case has been confirmed as positive for COVID-19 from Jaipur. The patient is in isolation and is stable, the Union Health Ministry said in a release. The identity of the individual has not officially been disclosed, but sources said he was an Italian tourist who is now in SMS hospital in the pink city. Also read: Agra hotels and tourist spots told to report visitors from Italy, China, Iran As many as 24 persons including 21 Italian tourists and three Indians (bus driver, conductor and tourist guide) who had contact with the Italian national has been shifted to the ITBP quarantine facility at Chhawla for testing. Six members of two families, all residents of Uttar Pradesh's Agra town, were quarantined after they were found to be infected with coronavirus by a Lucknow laboratory. Their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for confirmation. All six were in contact with the Delhi resident who was reported positive for COVID-19. Also read: 25 people from coronavirus-infected Bengaluru techie's office asked to work from home Six cases with high viral load have been detected during sample testing in Agra. These are the ones who have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi. They have been kept in isolation, the ministry said in a statement. Travel ban extends to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan Contact tracing of the persons who have come in contact with these six persons is also simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme network. A UP government official said that during the initial investigation at a Lucknow laboratory all the six were found to be having ''high viral load''. ''Seven other members of the same families were in isolation at their homes,'' he added. The official said that the two families and a relative of theirs had recently visited Italy. They had returned on February 25. The Delhi resident later tested positive for COVID-19. ''We have taken samples of over a dozen more people, who had come into contact with the members of the two families,'' he added. Another man was kept in an isolation ward at a hospital in the state capital after displaying symptoms of infection. The Delhi person who came from Vienna in an Air India flight on Feb 25 hosted a party where the Agra suspects were possibly exposed to the virus. Now the passengers and crew from the flight as well as the staff of the restaurant are being brought under the surveillance net. A resident of Mayur Vihar on the eastern fringe of the national capital, the Delhi person's child studies in a private school in Noida, which has been shut on Monday with Noida health authorities fumigating the school. On Monday, two new COVID-19 cases from Delhi and Telengana were confirmed. The Centre has asked the Army, Navy and Air Force to prepare for quarantine facilities for 2500 suspected cases in coming days. An isolation ward has been readied at Safdarjung hospital, which may open up more such wards in future. Delhi government also announced the creation of isolation facilities at 25 government hospitals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reviewed India's preparedness against the virus. Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID19. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention, he tweeted. BASEL (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Novartis'(NVS) generic drugs unit Sandoz has agreed to pay $195 million to settle criminal charges for fixing prices on generic drugs. The company was charged with rigging bids and fixing prices of more than $500 million worth of generic drugs between 2013-2015, said the department, which has been probing the generic drug industry for three years. 'Sandoz conspired for years with other manufacturers and their executives to raise prices for critical medications, and the Antitrust Division will continue its ongoing investigation to hold both individuals and corporations accountable,' said Makan Delrahim, head of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. Under deferred prosecution agreement, Sandoz has agreed to cooperate fully with the Antitrust Division's ongoing criminal investigation. 'Today's resolution, with one of the largest manufacturers of generic drugs, is a significant step toward ensuring that prices of generic drugs are set by competition, not collusion,' said the Justice Department's antitrust chief, Makan Delrahim, in a statement. 'In reaching today's resolution, we are not only resolving historical issues but also underscoring our commitment to continually improving our compliance and training programs,' Sandoz President Carol Lynch said in a statement. 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. With the copper smelting plant of Vedanta Groups Sterlite Copper in Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu) lying shut for close to two years now (since May 2018), the losses incurred by the company due to the shutdown are estimated to be around $600 million so far. The firm has been incurring losses for six consecutive quarters due to the closure and is now seeing a daily loss of Rs 5 crore, said a company executive. The company has been fighting a prolonged legal battle and is now waiting for the Madras High Courts order on the issue. The factory had been facing protests from ... Seoul's city government has asked prosecutors to press charges, including murder, against the founder of a secretive religious sect for failing to cooperate in containing the spread of the deadly coronavirus. South Korea has seen a surge in the number of infections -- adding more than 4,000 cases in less than two weeks -- with around 60 percent of the national total linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. As officials try to track down and test more than 266,000 people associated with Shincheonji, the entity has been accused of submitting false lists of its members to authorities. The Seoul City government said it had filed a legal complaint to prosecutors against 12 leaders of the sect -- including its founder, Lee Man-hee -- accusing them of homicide, causing harm and violating the Infectious Disease and Control Act. "They did not take any action to encourage its members to actively cooperate with the health authorities to prevent further spread of the COVID-19," the city authorities said in a statement. Seoul mayor Park Won-soon added on his Facebook page: "If they had actively taken early measures, we could have prevented the explosive rise of COVID-19 cases in Daegu and North Gyeongbuk province and the deaths of several people." Under South Korean law prosecutors can make their own decision on whether to act on complaints filed to them, and Yonhap news agency reported that the Seoul City request had been assigned for investigation. Shincheonji declined to comment, saying: "The most important thing for us now is disinfecting and our highest priority is to end the COVID-19 outbreak soon." The outbreak among Shincheonji members began with a 61-year-old woman, who developed a fever on February 10 but attended at least four church services in Daegu -- the country's fourth-largest city and epicentre of its outbreak -- before being diagnosed. The organisation has apologised on behalf of its members who have not answered survey calls but has insisted that it has been fully cooperating with the government to contain the virus. Shincheonji, founded in 1984, proclaims Lee has donned the mantle of Jesus Christ and will take 144,000 people with him to heaven on the day of judgement. But with more church members than available places in heaven, they are said to have to compete for slots and pursue converts. The Investigation Agency's probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that killed 40 CRPF personnel, which had virtually reached a dead end, saw a major breakthrough on Tuesday after the agency arrested a man and his daughter who allegedly were witness to the conspiracy behind the audacious attack. The NIA arrested Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan after investigation led to their house at Hakripora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, where a video was filmed by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, who rammed an explosive-ridden car into the CRPF convoy. The video was released from Pakistan after the attack. A truck driver by profession, Shah disclosed that his house was used by Dar, Mohd Umar Farooq, a Pakistani terrorist and IED-maker, Kamran, another Pakistani terrorist (both were later killed in encounters with security forces), Sameer Ahmed Dar, a Jaish terrorist from Pulwama, and Ismail, alias Ibrahim, alias Adnan, also a Pakistani terrorist. Shah facilitated the terrorists by sheltering them at his house, where they planned the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy and also recorded a video of 'Fidayeen' (suicide bomber) Adil Ahmed Dar which was released by the Jaish-e-Mohammad soon after the Pulwama attack, an NIA spokesman said. Insha Jan (23) also facilitated the terrorists, provided them food and other logistics during their stay at the house on more than 15 occasions, for two-four days each time, during 2018-2019, he said. "Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd Umar Farooq, a Pakistani IED maker, and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications (till he was alive)," the spokesman said. The arrest has brought new life into the case which had virtually reached a dead end, with five people, who were either conspirators or executers of the ghastly attack, being eliminated by the security forces in various encounters. The case had thrown a unique challenge to the NIA, the anti-terror probe agency formed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008, as there was no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack. The first challenge was to establish the owner of the car used by the suicide attacker as there was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like ammonium nitrate, nitro glycerine and RDX, the officials said. But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces was extracted and within no time, the ownership of the vehicle was established -- from the first to the last owner. After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan claimed in a video that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for forensic examination and the Internet Protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan. SPRINGFIELD City Councilor Jesse Lederman has asked state regulators to host here in Springfield at least one of the hearings on the pending purchase of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts by Eversource Energy. Eversource, a company made up of the former Western Massachusetts Electric Co., announced last week its plan to buy Columbia Gas' Massachusetts operations now owned by NiSource for $1.1 billion. The acquisition could bring Columbia Gas operations in Massachusetts under local ownership by the largest energy company in New England, Eversource said. It would also give Eversource a monopoly over both the gas and electric utilities in Springfield and a number of other Massachusetts communities. Both companies have maintenance depots and office operations in Springfield as well. Eversource and NiSource expect to close the transaction by the end of the third quarter of this year. But first the deal needs state and federal approvals, a process that also requires a series of public hearings. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has not yet scheduled those hearings. There are many questions that need to be answered as a result of this proposed sale, Lederman said in a news release. Ratepayers deserve to know how this will impact their service, their rates, our infrastructure, and other programs such as energy efficiency initiatives. Lederman made his request in a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday, also calling for a focus on infrastructure, including ongoing work by Columbia Gas to plug gas leaks and replace leak-prone pipe as a part of a 2017 commitment. We worked hard in 2017 to secure a commitment from Columbia Gas to repair the many leaks that existed throughout the City of Springfield beginning with the largest super emitters, and since then we have worked to hold them accountable to that commitment, said Lederman. Any deal between Eversource and Columbia Gas should include the same commitment. Lederman said more clarity is needed on the future of the proposed Greater Springfield Reliability Project, a proposal Columbia Gas has been pursuing to construct new infrastructure off the Tennessee Gas Pipeline in Longmeadow and route it into Springfield. Will Eversource continue this proposed expansion once they acquire Columbia Gas? Lederman wrote. If so, will they follow the same timeline? Lederman said the city, residents and ratepayers should be made aware of the route and cost of any proposed new infrastructure as soon as possible if the company is to continue pursuing approvals for such an expansion. I will be closely monitoring the process as it develops, Lederman said. News of the pending sale 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. 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 that destroyed a downtown strip club and damaged other buildings. The city reached an $850,000 settlement with NiSource in 2013. NiSource also reached private agreements with individual landowners and businesses. Got a news tip or want to contact The Republican about this story? Email newsdesk@repub.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. New Delhi: Bollywood actress and the quintessential girl-next-door Shraddha Kapoor turned a year older on March 3 and she made sure to make her birthday special in every which way possible. She visited Ashadaan - a charitable organisation which houses special kids, HIV-positive affected patients and senior citizens. Shraddha took to her Instagram and shared pictures, videos from her special visit. In the caption, she wrote: "Thankful, grateful & so blessed to have celebrated my birthday with the beautiful kids and senior citizens of Ashadaan - Missionaries of Charity, Byculla." Ashadaan kids and senior citizens too were elated to meet Shraddha, who spent quality time with them. She even cut her birthday cake and had a hearty laugh with everyone, sharing some memorable moments. On the work front, Shraddha is gearing up for the release of actioner 'Baaghi 3' with Tiger Shroff. The film is directed by Ahmed Khan and is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. It is slated to release on March 6, 2020. MOSCOW - The 11-year-old boy's Moscow bank savings card has a picture of a cute cartoon dog with its tongue hanging out, dark glasses and a yellow hat. He saved more than $400. But when Zakhar Navalny checked Monday, it was all gone. His family was about to find out that when it comes to opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin, children are fair game. Alexei Navalny - Zakhar's father and Russia's main opposition leader - and his Anti-Corruption Foundation are under attack by Russian authorities, which last year designated the group a foreign agent and accused it of money laundering. "Someone took 30,000 rubles that I saved up from my account," Zakhar messaged his father Monday. There was a similar message from his wife. And his daughter. And his mother. Navalny announced Tuesday that authorities not only seized the contents of his bank account but those of his son, wife and daughter, Daria, who is studying at Stanford and found out about the problem when she tried to buy breakfast in a cafe. Navalny described those accounts as having been emptied and frozen. In addition, he said, his parents were informed that their account was blocked, two days before their pensions were due. "This is very unpleasant, frankly speaking," Navalny posted on his website Tuesday. "My parents are elderly people, pensioners. Like anyone, they might get sick. They need to buy medicine and so on, and now what? How shall we pay for housing and utilities?" Navalny says the money-laundering case - which asserts that his foundation survives on "illegally laundered funds of illegal origin" - has no basis. The foundation subsists on donations from supporters, he wrote. "Putin is getting scared and vindictive. He's just frozen all the bank accounts of [Alexei] Navalny, his elderly parents and even his children," tweeted Bill Browder, a prominent Putin critic. Browder spearheaded a campaign that led to the 2012 Global Magnitsky Act, U.S. legislation that sanctions foreign officials involved in human rights abuses. It is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian tax auditor who died in prison after he was jailed for exposing Russian corruption. On Monday, Navalny was informed that billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who has strong ties to the Kremlin, was suing him for unknown reasons. Navalny has been barred from running for election and has frequently been jailed and harassed. The latest actions against the family's bank accounts came on the third anniversary of a scathing YouTube video by Navalny and his team that exposed the wealth of Dmitry Medvedev, then Russia's prime minister. The video showed drone footage of a palatial residence outside Moscow with towers, glass houses, sweeping lawns, a pool, a garage, a small forest, a lake and even a house for ducks. The 49-minute video, viewed more than 33 million times, helped precipitate a sharp decline in Medvedev's popularity and that of his government. Putin dismissed Medvedev and the government in January and named Mikhail Mishustin as prime minister - who was soon fingered in a new YouTube video by Navalny. It alleged that Mishustin's family owned property worth about $50 million, even though the new prime minister has been a civil servant for 22 years. The director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, Ivan Zhdanov, also saw his accounts and those of family members frozen Monday. Zhdanov has been charged with failing to comply with a court order to take down the Medvedev video. Last fall, masked police raided Navalny's offices in 30 locations across Russia. The Investigative Committee, a federal investigations unit that reports to Putin, accused employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation in August of obtaining more than a billion rubles (nearly $16 million) in funding by criminal means, a figure later revised to 75 million rubles, or nearly $1.2 million. On Monday, authorities debited 75 million rubles from Navalny's account, noting that this was the result of a criminal case. Zhdanov's account was also debited. The action comes as Putin faces a crucial moment, with plans for a vote on constitutional changes that analysts see as opening a way for him to retain power after his presidential term ends in 2024. Authorities are sensitive to criticism over the constitutional amendments, apparently fearful that if voter turnout falls short, it could undermine the plebiscite's legitimacy. Putin recently submitted his proposed constitutional amendments to the State Duma, or lower house of parliament. They include a series of conservative measures designed to appeal to traditionalists: references to Russians' faith in God, to Russian unity and to the Russian values passed down through generations from forebears, as well as an amendment stating that marriage exists only between a man and a woman. The amendments will be packaged in one bill, with Russians able to vote yes or no in a nationwide plebiscite next month. Another element includes a bar on ceding any Russian territory, raising doubts on whether disputed lands including Crimea and the Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, could ever be returned to Ukraine and Japan respectively. The amendments would also give Russian law precedence over international law. They would enshrine the constitutional status of the State Council, a body that analysts believe could be used as a vehicle for Putin to wield power after 2024. "Putin is nervous again. He is worrying and stamping his feet," Navalny posted in a blog on his website Tuesday. "People are laughing at his amendments. Nobody is even angry any more." The opposition leader continued: "They can add whatever they like to the constitution. It is clear that with that kind of voting procedure, you might as well stop discussing amendments. The turnout and the results will be falsified 100%. They can add either God or the devil or nuclear forces or even victory in all coming Eurovision contests." On Sunday, the authorities announced the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in New York: a health care worker who had been infected in Iran, where the illness is raging, and began exhibiting symptoms after returning home. But the health care worker had kept herself largely isolated, and the authorities expressed confidence they had the situation under control. But the case announced on Tuesday was far more worrisome. The authorities have little inkling of how the man, a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle but works in Manhattan, had been infected. He had traveled to Miami in February and regularly visited Israel, but had not been to any areas with widespread transmission. Public health authorities were only beginning to tally the number of people he might have exposed to the illness. The man became ill on Feb. 22 and was admitted to a hospital in Westchester on Feb. 27., according to Dr. Demetre C. Daskalakis, the deputy commissioner for disease control at New York Citys Department of Health. The original diagnosis was pneumonia, according to a person who knows the patient well and who spoke on the condition of anonymity. After testing negative for the flu, he was removed from isolation, the person said. Several people visited him. But his health deteriorated, and after several days he was transferred to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. At that point, it was a bit of a medical mystery, the person said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:23:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Some Lebanese members of parliaments (MPs) gathered near the Swiss embassy in Lebanon on Tuesday along with protesters, demanding for the recuperation of money transferred by big local depositors to Switzerland. They gathered ahead of a meeting with Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon Monika Schmutz Kirgoz to submit a petition requesting for the recovery of the money, the National News Agency reported. Meanwhile, protesters called upon authorities to enact necessary laws to recover the money, saying that they count on the Supreme Judicial Council's role in recovering the funds from abroad. Lebanon has been going through a shortage in U.S. dollar caused by economic slowdown, the drop in cash injections from the Lebanese abroad and transfer of money by big depositors to foreign countries. The situation has prompted banks to impose unofficial capital control on all depositors with people standing in lines for hours at banks to withdraw up to 200 U.S. dollars weekly from their bank accounts. We started this site in May 2002, in the shadow of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The war against Islamic terrorism was one of our key themes, and has remained so for nearly 18 years. But over that time, Islamic terrorism has declined. Other issues have come to the fore. We and many others have largely moved on. Still, it seems rather stunning that we have not yet commented on President Trumps announcement of a peace deal with the Taliban. The agreement is intended to pave the way for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, after almost 18 years, which makes it Americas longest war. The Taliban no doubt will violate the deal. The question is whether the U.S. will nevertheless be able to prevent Afghanistan from being a launching pad for terrorist attacks as it was before 9/11, when it housed al Qaeda. Much has changed since 2001, and I am pretty optimistic that we will be able to do so. The fundamental problem with Afghanistan is that the country is hopeless. It was not always so: you probably have seen photos of a modernizing Kabul in the 1960s, for example. But Islamic fundamentalism drove Afghanistan into a dark age. Some years ago my wife and I had dinner with a former Congressman and a high-ranking military officer who had recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan. A few days earlier, he and a similarly high-ranking military colleague had reported to President George W. Bush via a secure video link from Kabul. As they were waiting for the connection to be made, the other officer turned to the man with whom we had dinner and said, Are we going to tell him the truth? The truth being that Afghanistan was unsalvageable. If you want to know about the war in Afghanistan, the best thing you can do is read The Outpost by Jake Tapper. If you think you know Jake from his work on Democratic Party news sites, you are only partly right. The Outpost is a deeply researched and supremely patriotic labor of love by a man who took the trouble to get to know the survivors of the battle that his book documents. I give it the highest recommendation. Way back in 2011, I wrote on this site that it was time to get out of Afghanistan. Enough was enough, I thought, because the Afghans showed little sign of progress. We took a poll of our readers, and a remarkable 74% thought it was time to exit that benighted country. That was nine years ago. The case for getting out of Afghanistan is easy, and maybe it is right. I hesitate, mostly because of the only man I know who is still fighting there. My wife and I taught him in Sunday School when he was a boy. He always wanted to be a soldier. He hunted and knew firearms; he was a downhill ski racer, a skill that came in handy in the Afghan mountains. He served numerous deployments in Afghanistan with various special forces units. Around two years ago, he led a group of Afghan soldiers in clearing a house where Taliban terrorists were believed to be present. Something went wrong. He never knew whether it was an incompetent Afghan soldier or a turncoat who was responsible, but an IED suddenly appeared and detonated. My friend had just enough time to turn his back. Several others were killed. His bodyfortunately the back, not the frontwas laced with hundreds of pieces of shrapnel. He lived, but a piece of metal pierced his heart. He was transported to the U.S. base in Germany for surgery, which was followed by a long period of rehabilitation. Somewhat amazingly, he recovered full physical capacity and has returned to Afghanistan as part of a Delta Force team. He was relieved because, with a team of Americans, he didnt have to worry about the treachery or incompetence that got him wounded. Our friend believes in the Afghan war. He thinks there are dangerous terrorists there, and we need to kill them and keep them under some kind of control. As you can imagine, I take this input seriously. My every instinct is to support the astonishingly brave young men and women who keep us safe around the world. But after 18 years, I think the time has come to bring my friend and his colleagues home. Lets be clear: they didnt fail, they succeeded. Their efforts undoubtedly have prevented more than one repetition of the September 11 attacks, or something similar. But time marches on. I think there is evidence that the worlds Islamic leaders have acted to rein in the extremists. Be that as it may, it is time for Americas longest war to wind down. President Trump pledged to end our countrys endless wars, which I was not on board with at the time. But, as we move through 2020, the time has finally come. It is time to say goodbyea very long goodbye, after 18 yearsto Afghanistan. The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected a claim by UN investigators that Russian airstrikes in Syria amounted to a war crime by indiscriminately targeting civilian areas. The UN Commission of Inquiry on the rights situation in Syria said in its latest report on Monday it had evidence that Russian planes participated in two air strikes in Idlib and in rural Damascus last July and August that killed more than 60 people. The UN report, which covers the period from July 2019 to January 10 this year, said there was evidence to prove Russian planes took part in both attacks, and that since they were not directed at military objectives they amounted to a war crime. We do not agree with such accusations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, raising questions about the objectivity of the report. It is obvious that no commission could have received reliable information on what is happening on the ground, Peskov said. He added: Nothing is said about the attacks by terrorist groups, which makes any judgement issued by this commission one-sided. The UNs Syria commission, set up in 2011 shortly after the civil war began, has repeatedly accused various sides of war crimes and in some cases crimes against humanity. The allegations against Moscow came against the backdrop of a sharp rise in tensions between Turkey and the Russian-backed Syrian military, which is fighting to recapture the last bastion of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad in northern Syria. The escalation has sparked a humanitarian crisis and a political standoff between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is travelling to Russia on Thursday to discuss the conflict. More than 380,000 have been killed in the fighting in Syria since a series of street protests against Assads rule in 2011 disintegrated into a proxy conflict drawing in countries throughout the Middle East. CASEVILLE About 200 people attended a meeting Friday afternoon at the Caseville Fire Hall looking to learn more about what can be done about the high water levels on the Lake Huron shoreline. Representatives from Emergency Services, the Army Corps of Engineers, Michigan State Police, the National Weather Service, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, were on hand to answer peoples questions, explain why the water levels are so high, and how to respond to them. Bryan Tilley of the National Weather Services Southeast Michigan office started off by saying the state of Michigan has gone through its third wettest one-year period, wettest three-year period, and wettest five-year period over the past 124 years, with the later part of 2019 cementing it as the fourth wettest year. Tilley explained that this record wetness brought the water levels around Michigan to record highs, as low pressure systems came across the lakes and the resulting storms have winds that push the water onto the shores. Tilley offered a three-month prediction from the NWS, saying that above normal temperatures are slightly favored. Ten inches of rainfall are predicted over the next few months, with no downward trend to the lake levels in sight. Brian Rudolph, from EGLEs Bay City office, talked about how to protect houses along the lakeshore, with the main factors concerning the geology of the area, such as sand dunes, floodplains, wetlands, and bluffs. He showed several pictures of houses that had fallen into the lakes, and other infrastructure like septic tanks and water lines exposed due to water levels. Rudolph also said EGLE is moving through the process of issuing permits for construction along the lakeshore as fast as possible, saying they have issued 500 such permits in the past month. We prioritize based on the risk to homes, critical infrastructure, health and safety, Rudolph explained when talking about permits. Some advice Rudolph gave about constructing on the lakeshore includes finding a good contractor who understands the area, moving houses further inland, and finding alternatives to simple shoreline protections such as sandbags. Deanna Apps of the Army of Corps on Engineers further talked about the lake levels, saying that all of the Great Lakes are currently experience high levels. She explained that during the spring and summer, when the snow melts and rain falls, that water accumulates in the lake, with the hot temperatures of summer warming up the lake water and causing it to evaporate when it gets colder, thus reducing lake levels during the winter. But because the past few months of winter notably December and January have been warmer than normal, evaporation from the lakes has been reduced, causing lake levels to remain high. Apps also presented data of the Great Lakes levels going back to 1918, which showed consistent low-level and high-level cycles, with the most recent low-level cycle lasting from the '90s through 2013. During the high-level cycle starting in 2014, Lakes Huron and Michigan have hit record high levels for various months, including as recent as January 2020. In the six month forecast Apps provided, the Army Corps expects the record high lake levels to continue. Jeff Yoakam, a liaison between the Army Corps and municipalities, talked about Public Law 84-99, which gives the Army Corps the ability to assist people without a disaster declaration. He also offered advice on how to properly fill sandbags and answered questions about which kinds of materials are appropriate for holding back water. Lt. Tim Ketvirtis of the Michigan State Police talked about how public funding for disasters like shoreline erosion works. There is no funding for individual assistance, Ketvirtis put it. There is funding for public entities to respond to emergencies. Ketvirtis said the MSP is working with EGLE, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Army Corps on various projects addressing the flooding. Randy Miller, the director of Huron Countys emergency services, talked about what the Federal Emergency Management Agency considers disaster areas. Currently, Huron County is not considered a disaster area. FEMA needs a defined beginning and end, Miller said. It doesnt see the rise in lake water as a disaster. We are looking at storms and winds to try and get around that. In terms of individual assistance, FEMA only considers primary residences, not vacation homes. Miller said that everyone in the county would be affected by the flooding as property values of lakeshore houses will go down, which causes their taxable value to go down as well. Lastly, Miller talked about other agencies that can help residents, such as the Red Cross and 211, saying there is never only one way to do things. Miller said the entire meeting was being recorded and will be put online for those unable to attend. India on Tuesday summoned Iran's envoy in the capital to register its protest against Iranian Foreign Minister's scathing comments on the recent communal riots in Delhi over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The recently enacted law, CAA fast tracks citizenship of persecuted religious minorities of three Islamic theocratic countries neighbouring India --Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The CAA triggered widespread violent protests in India, with the opposition calling it discriminatory against Muslims. Last week during US President Donald Trump's first state visit to India, several parts of Delhi, the epicentre of violent protests against the CAA, erupted in communal riots. Over 40 people of both Hindu and Muslim communities were killed along with some security officials too. On Monday, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted: "Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of all Indians and not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law." Official sources said that Iranian envoy to New Delhi, Ali Chegeni was summoned and told that Zarif had commented on the matters "purely internal" to India. The Ministry of External Affairs, last week had urged foreign leaders and institutions to refrain from making irresponsible statements. Incidentally, nationwide protests against rise in fuel prices and for change in the Islamic regime led by the supreme religious leader Ali Khamenei, erupted in Iran last year. Around 2,000 protestors have been killed and over 7,000 arrested by the government in Iran so far. Prosecutors are negotiating a plea agreement with the 50-year-old Warren County man accused of brutally slaying his parents last fall. Todd Warner, of Washington Township, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Frank and Joyanne Warner, whose bodies were found by family Oct. 27 at their Washington Township home. He could face up to life in prison if convicted at trial. Warner pleaded not guilty in November and has been in county jail since his arrest. He appeared Tuesday in state Superior Court in Belvidere for a brief hearing as family watched in the courtroom. Todd Warner awaits his hearing on March 3, 2020, at state Superior Court in Belvidere.Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com No new plea was entered, but Warren County Prosecutor Jim Pfeiffer told lehighvalleylive.com that talks are continuing. He said the state is hopeful to have a resolution by Warners next scheduled hearing, tentatively set for March 27. Warners public defender, Carrolyn Fiorino, declined to comment. After his arrest, Warner allegedly confessed to bludgeoning and stabbing his parents, both 73, at the age-restricted property he shared with them at the Reserve at Hawk Pointe development. They were found dead at the Peregrine Drive home by their daughter. The elder Warners were Bound Brook High School sweethearts and married for 52 years. They owned Frank Anthony Salon in Chester and were set to retire at the end of December. Joyanne and Frank Warner.Facebook photo Warner allegedly took his mothers car and a credit card, using it at Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem. The next day, police pulled him from a blackjack table at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Warner faces 15 total charges: two counts of first-degree murder and 13 for weapons and theft offenses. Todd Warner is escorted from the courtroom after a hearing in state Superior Court in Belvidere on March 3, 2020.Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Netflix, bringing the international streaming service under its regulatory domain. Netflix joins the likes of Showmax, Google, and Apple to become the ninth online distributor to contract with the FPB, ensuring compliance with the Film and Publications Act, and the Classification Guidelines, the FPB said. The FPB said its classification guidelines were aligned with the social norms and values of the South African public, and provide advisories and age ratings that protect vulnerable customers. The signing of this contract is the culmination of a series of discussions on the prioritisation of safe content consumption for our citizens, where materials distributed in the country are accompanied by ratings that prepare the consumer for the type of content they are about to view, said FPB acting CEO Abongile Mashele. This allows parents and caregivers to make informed choices on the content to which their children are exposed. Self-classification system The Film and Publication Amendment Act requires all distributors of films, games, and certain publications to register with the FPB and ensure that their materials are classified prior to reaching consumers. Classified media, such as Netflix shows, will then include an FPB classification triangle, which includes an age rating as well as a consumer advisory (e.g., SV for sexual violence). Mashele said the increasing popularity of online streaming services has galvanised the FPB into ensuring these platforms are held by the same classification standards as other distributors. As a content regulator with its finger on the pulse of the industry, this trend has spurred the FPB on to innovate the way in which we classify content, Mashele said. A self-classification system is one that we find works well for online distributors. We have made great strides in bringing more online platforms onboard. However, we live in ever-changing times, and will in future continue to adapt our operating models to ensure advances in technology and distribution have adequate child and consumer protection mechanisms, Mashele said. The FPB said it would engage Netflix in intensive training on classification guidelines before the streaming service can begin to classify and apply ratings to its own content. The board will also conduct quality assurance on Netflixs self-classified material. The public can rest assured that the films they view on Netflix will be aligned to South African rating standards, the FPB said. Internet censorship and previous disagreements When The Film and Publication Amendment Act (also known as the Internet Censorship Bill) was signed into law on 2 October 2019, the FPB said it was pleased that it would be able to hold international online companies accountable. This will assist in providing regulatory certainty on the mandate of the FPB for distributors of films and games online and on traditional platforms of content distribution, the FPB said. The Bill empowers the FPB by ensuring the Board can take administrative action and issue administrative sanctions against non-compliant distributors. As of October 2019, the FPB had a flat fee for online distributors of R795,000 per year to allow them to self-classify content. Such distributors would need to send their own classifiers to the FPB for training first. This is the same process described by the FPB regarding its agreement with Netflix. The FPBs agreement with Netflix contrasts with a statement made by the international streaming service in October 2017, where Netflix said it did not believe it should pay the FPBs online content licence fee. Netflix said then that it did not believe the FPB had a right to regulate the Internet and the content found on it. Now read: DStv Premium vs Uncapped Fibre and Netflix In light of International Day of Rare Diseases on 29 February, science.lu explains the complexity of these often little-known diseases and presents Luxembourg initiatives. 30 million people in Europe are affected by a rare disease - around 6-8% of the population. Some of these diseases are known to many by name: Huntington's chorea, systemic lupus or Lyme disease. With regard to their origin, their symptoms and their progress, rare diseases have a very wide range. So far, thanks to scientific progress (for example, genetic analysis), around 7000 of these diseases have been identified, and this number is constantly increasing. In this article, science.lu attempts to report on this topic without neglecting how complex and specific the individual diseases are. What counts as a rare disease? One characteristic of a rare disease is its low prevalence among the general population - usually one in 2000 people is affected. They are also known as "orphan diseases", little known and with no precise treatment. This affects around 97% of cases in Europe. Scientific research for a rare disease is difficult and complex to carry out due to the low number of affected patients. The development of special drugs is not economically worthwhile, so the pharmaceutical industry shows little interest in this area. How do rare diseases develop? 80% of rare diseases have a genetic cause, involving one or more genes in the genome. Such a mutation can be hereditary or can occur spontaneously over the course of a person's life. The time of onset of the disease can then be very different: from birth, in childhood or even in adulthood. D. Theisen, a leading figure at the association for rare diseases ALAN - Maladies Rares Luxembourg, said the effects can be very different depending on the gene and the consequences of the organism function can also differ. Lengthy diagnosis and difficult treatment Rare diseases cover a broad spectrum, which can mean a lengthy diagnosis. It is a long-running process that can be exhausting for the patient looking for answers in the face of chronic symptoms that may worsen over time. On average, patients can be looking up to five years of testing before they receive a diagnosis, enduring countless examinations with different specialists before receiving confirmation. As the diseases are so unique, patients often need to stay in specialist centres abroad, which have more experience within the field - another hurdle for those suffering from rare diseases. G. Al Hindy-Crohin, head of the socio-therapeutic department at ALAN - Maladies Rares Luxembourg, described the experience, saying it was not uncommon for patients to stop full-time work to accommodate appointments and therapies. In 95% of cases, a rare disease cannot be treated at all, leaving doctors to find ways to alleviate the symptoms to maintain quality of life. What is the aim of the "Plan National Maladies Rares du Luxembourg"? Better feedback on patients and their needs Following the results of a national study on rare diseases in 2011, the Luxembourg government implemented a national action plan Maladies Rares (PNMR) in May 2018. A number of experts are on board, including those from ALAN. The action plan is led by doctor and microbiologist Jos Even, and composed of representatives from various bodies in Luxembourg who work in the field of rare diseases. D. Theisen explained the focus was on the needs of the patients as a primary goal. First of all, the PNMR ascertains which rare diseases are represented in Luxembourg, affecting an estimated 30,000 people. However, this number is derived solely from the prevalence in Europe. At the same time, working groups, staffed with experts from relevant fields (medicine, psycho-social care, etc.) and representatives of patient associations, deal with proposals for measures aimed at better care and support in medical and administrative terms. These measures cover help in contacting authorities, health insurance companies, and so on. The aim is to ensure that patients and their relatives have adequate access to diagnostic procedures, appropriate medical and psycho-social care and broad-based and equivalent support from the health and long-term care insurance. They should also have the opportunity to develop according to their needs at school, at work and in their personal life. G. Al Hindy-Crohin said that patients often feel very alone and isolated on their difficult path. The project seeks to create a specialist contact point, who would adequately inform, forward and support them. Increased research funding For more than 10 years, the Grand Duchy has invested heavily in biomedical research and promoting so-called personalised medicine. It is expected that this will lead to promising new therapeutic approaches. At a national level, some institutes have been carrying out extensive research on certain rare diseases. One of the pillars of the PNMR is the promotion of research and efforts to make the peculiarities of rare diseases more widely known. It is important that there is public information about it. The issue is also prioritised at European level in the area of public health, making it essential to share knowledge, skills, care and scientific research results on rare diseases, according to G. Al Hindy-Crohin. Author: Constance Lausecker Sesa Sen By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Cracking down on Samsung India for not passing on the benefits of a cut in goods and services tax (GST) on television sets and power banks to consumers, the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) has slapped a penalty of Rs 37.85 lakh on the company. Acting on a complaint filed by one Rahul Sharma through Local Circles, the authority said that the electronics major was fined for not reducing the selling price of 32-inch LED TV 32FH4003 despite a cut in GST rates to 18 per cent from 28 per cent on television sets, effective January 2019, in addition to a fine of Rs 29,736 which was also imposed on the company for not reducing price of power banks. "The prices of the products affected by the rate reduction were not decreased commensurately, hence violating section 171 (1) of the CGST Act 2017," NAA stated in its order dated February 27, a copy of which was reviewed by this publication. Non-transmission of rate cuts to consumers violates Section 171 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, which mandates that any reduction in tax rates on goods and services or benefits of input tax credit should be passed on to customers through reduction in prices. The NAA further said in its order that Samsung India had increased prices for appropriating the tax reduction "with the intention of denying the benefit to consumers". Calling the case arbitrary, Samsung argued that the said TV model was being sold on Amazon.in, a third party marketplace, and Samsung was not the supplier of the TV. Jumbo Distributors Pvt Ltd and EP Electronic Paradise Pvt Ltd were suppliers of the TV sets, according to Samsung. However, in the complaint filed by the applicant, the supplier was Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd and the price of the 32-inch LED TV model remained the same even after January 2019, stated the Director General of Anti-Profiteering. Samsung will have to deposit the amount within three months from the passing of the order, failing which the amount would be recovered by the commissioners concerned of CGST and SGST, said the order dated February 27. By Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska, March 3 (Reuters) - Three big U.S. banks have publicly announced break-ups with Arctic drilling in recent months, reflecting Wall Street's increasing desire to cast itself as environmentally friendly amid a political firestorm in Alaska. Banks and investment managers have been backing away from fossil-fuel development in the face of worsening climate change and pressure from activists, even as the United States has boosted oil and gas production to record levels. Wells Fargo & Co said on Monday that it does not "directly" fund oil and gas projects in the Arctic region, and has not done so since 2018. The bank had hinted at that decision in previous statements about improving business practices but had not mentioned Arctic drilling specifically. The bank's statement followed similar moves announced by JPMorgan Chase & Co last week and Goldman Sachs Group Inc in December. These moves come even as President Donald Trump's administration has reduced environmental protection provisions over the last three years and is moving forward with planned lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The 19-million acre refuge was off-limits to drilling for decades until 2017 legislation that authorized opening it to oil and gas exploration. However, Native groups representing those who live adjacent to ANWR have been fighting its development. Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, which represents Athabascan groups that live in an area spanning the southern edge of ANWR and across the border in Canada, said the campaign to get banks to withhold investment has been going on for two years, and will continue. "We're going to keep going. We're going to keep visiting more banks until the Arctic Refuge is protected for good," she said. Alaskan oil production has dwindled in the last three decades, as the expansion in U.S. drilling in recent years has come from shale plays in Texas, North Dakota and other states. The state currently produces roughly 500,000 bpd of crude oil, down from more than 2 million bpd in 1988, according to U.S. Energy Department figures. Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy's office did not respond to requests for comment, but he has sharply criticized the moves by banks in the past, saying Alaskans shouldn't do business with those institutions. State legislators echoed those comments Monday in the state capital of Juneau. Story continues "Wells Fargo, unlike some of the megabanks such as Goldman Sachs, has extensive business operations in Alaska," said Republican Representative Bart LeBon. "They have an obligation to support the community activities and the business activities of their customers within a marketplace." Most of Alaska's oil production takes place on state land in the central North Slope, west of ANWR. (Reporting by Yereth Rosen in Anchorage, Alaska; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) Father-daughter duo arrested by NIA in connection with Pulwama attack India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: The National Investigation Agency has arrested a father-daughter duo in connection with the Pulwama attack case. The duo were arrested from Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir. The arrested have been identified as Tariq Ahmed and Insha Jan. Shah works as a driver in South Kashmir. It was revealed during the investigation Shah's house was used by Adil Ahmed Dar, the suicide bomber. How a furniture shop owner modified a Maruti Eeco car for the Pulwama attack Tariq Ahmed Shah facilitated all the terrorists at his house for sheltering and for planning of the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy. His house was also used by the above mentioned terrorists for preparing and recording of video of Fidayeen Adil Ahmed Dar, which was released by Jaish-e-Mohammad soon after the Pulwama attack. Accused Insha Jan, facilitated the terrorists at their home and provided food and other logistics during their stay on more than 15 occasions for 2-4 days each time, in their house during the year 2018-2019. Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd. Umar Farooq, Pakistani IED maker and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications. This development comes in the backdrop of the NIA last week arrested an Over Ground Worker (OWG) identified as a Shakir Bashir Magrey, a resident of Kakapora, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Bashir a furniture shop owner is accused of providing shelter to the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar. He is also accused of providing logistics to the bomber. The Pulwama attack had claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. It was in the year 2018 that Bashir was introduced to Dar by a Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Umar Farooq. During his interrogation, he said that on numerous occasions he had collected arms, ammunition and cash and delivered it to those involved in the Pulwama attack. He also said that he had harboured Dar and Farooq in his house from 2018 onwards until the attack that took place in February 2019. He assisted them in the preparation of the Improvised Explosive Devices, he also revealed. His shop is located near Lethpora bridge, and as advised by Mohammad Umar, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019, and informed Mohammad Umar and Adil Ahmad Dar about it. Further, he was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting the IED in it in early February,2019. NIA makes big breakthrough in Pulwama attack case: Man who shielded bomber arrested During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained by NIA to be a Maruti Eeco car through forensic examination of the tiny remnants of the car, which were seized from the spot during extended searches. This has been corroborated by accused Shakir Bashir Magrey. The explosives used in the attack were determined to be Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro- Glycerin and RDX through forensic investigation. Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar through DNA matching with that of his father. Other key terrorists involved in the attack have been found to be Muddasir Ahmad Khan, (JeM's Divisional Commander of South Kashmir killed in an operation by security forces on 11-03-2019) Pakistani terrorists viz. Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, (both killed on 29-03-2019) the owner of the car viz. Sajjad Ahmad Bhat r/o Marhama, Anantnag (killed on 16-06-2019) and Qari Yassir, JeM's Commander for Kashmir (killed on 25-01-2020). Dear Roger, We spend a lot of time in the book of Revelation trying to figure out what it means for our future. We try to figure out the identity of the Antichrist and the meaning of the seals, trumpets and bowls of Gods wrath. However, we seldom have a discussion about what happens to the various nations when Christ returns. Which nations will be cast into the lake of fire? Which ones will enter into the Millennium? What are the criteria that Jesus uses to judge the nations of the world? Sincerely, Heather Dear Heather, Let me answer with three simple observations. First, lets overview the actions of the nations as described in Revelation. Second, we will look at Psalm 2 which is a poetic view of what happens when the nations turn from fighting each other to combining their forces against Jesus at the Battle of Armageddon. Third, we will examine the criteria used by Jesus to determine which nations enter into the kingdom and which nations are burned up in the lake of fire. Photo Credit: GettyImages/dtimiraos 1. The Book Of Revelation Describes Activities of the Nations during the Seven-Year Tribulation The Apostle John starts by telling us that the nations of the world will be under great duress from the plagues of darkness, fire, meteors, and more that God will send, because they have rejected Him. Then, the nations will attempt to hide from the judgment of Jesus (Revelation 6:15). Next, Gods two special evangelists will testify for 1,260 days about Gods abhorrence of sin and more judgment to come. They will perform incredible miracles. But the nations will rejoice when the witnesses are killed and be terrified when they are resurrected three and one-half days later (Revelation 11:2-6). Next, the Apostle John described an angel flying in midair, proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation all around the world (Revelation 14:6). But since the nations still reject God, He will darken the earth once again, and bring searing heat upon them (Revelation 16:1). Then we read that a coalition of nations, likely from Europe, will unite to fight against another nation with over 200 million soldiers stationed east of the Euphrates River. This army will surge towards Armageddon when the Euphrates River is opened for them. Finally, at Armageddon (the ultimate, final battle) the nations will understand that their real enemy is Jesus. They will join forces against Him. Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) When Jesus comes again, (Second Coming), Satan will be imprisoned, so that he no longer can deceive the nations. Photo Credit: GettyImages 2. Psalm 2s Poetic View of the Fight Psalm 2 provides a poetic view of Gods reactions when the nations turn from fighting each other to combine their forces and fight against Jesus. The Poem has four stanzas. First Stanza: David imagines a gathering of the worlds nations gathering to plot the overthrow of God and His Anointed One (Jesus): Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his holy one. Let us break their chains, they say, and throw off their fetters (Psalm 2:1-3) Wicked people (a euphemism for the Nations) feel that Gods rules and laws are too narrow and confining. As the end approaches, we will see more and more nations rejecting Gods values and morals, such as the Ten Commandments and the principled teachings of Jesus Christ. The number of wicked-totalitarian-murderous nations will increase dramatically. Second Stanza: Gods reaction to the gathered nations?! He laughs! The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then, he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, I have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill (Psalm 2:4-6) God observes those at the gathering plotting against Him. He laughs out loud at their foolishness! Then, at a set point in time, God is going to intervene in humankinds apparent freedom and judge them with wrath. Third Stanza: With royal authority, Jesus comes with the power to crush the wicked nations and rule as King over the earth. I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: he said to me, you are my son, today I have become your father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter you will dash them to pieces like broken pottery. (Psalm 2:7-9) The gathering of the nations grows silent as the decree rings forth that Jesus Christ is coming to rule the world. The possessions of the wicked will be transferred to Jesus kingdom, and they will be broken, subservient to Him. Fourth Stanza: David begs for the nations to change their ways. Jesus is coming; however, judgment has not yet arrived. They still have time to repent and make things right with God. Therefore, you kings, be white; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way. For his wrath can flip in a moment. Blessed are all they who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:10-12) Kiss The Son is the Old Testament way of saying, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Photo Credit: GettyImages/dvest 3. The Criteria Jesus Uses to Judge The Nations Jesus criteria are based on a two-fold understanding of his teaching in Matthew 25:31-46. On one level, Jesus is evaluating the actions of individual people; on a deeper level, hes describing his judgment criteria for the nations. Then the King will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then, those he was addressing said, When did we do these things for you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. In other words, God will judge the nations of the world on how well they did, or did not, take care of Jesus brothersthe Jews. Pogroms against the Jews have gone on for millennia (a pogrom is an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group). The Nazis engendered a pogrom against the Jewish people in Germany and murdered at least six million Jews before and during World War II. If the Second Coming occurs during our lifetime, the following nations will certainly be judged for their mistreatment of Israel: Russia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, just to name a few. Britain may well be judged, because of the way they allowed the Arabs incredible military advantages over the Jews, which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Gods people. France and Czechoslovakia may be blessed because of the secret help they gave to Israel during the Israeli wars for independence. I believe that the United States sits on the fence. Weve played politics by refusing to arm the Jews during the wars of independence that cost thousands of Jewish lives. Incidentally, the United States did Israel no favors in the UN talks in 1946-1948. But today, we are allies, supporting Israel against all of their enemies in the Middle East. Unfortunately, that relationship is always at risk, depending on who is in power. Israel has made it quite clear that they have no friends upon whom they can securely depend. Its clear that Israel must look first to their best interests. Throughout history, not one single nation has ever stood beside them, no matter the cost or circumstances. Well, Heather, I hope that I have answered your question well. Love, Roger Photo Credit: GettyImages/artisteer Dr. Roger Barrier retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker, Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his 35-year career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care. His popular book, Listening to the Voice of God, published by Bethany House, is in its second printing and is available in Thai and Portuguese. His latest work is, Got Guts? Get Godly! Pray the Prayer God Guarantees to Answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach It, Teach It, the pastoral teaching site founded with his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier. Editor's Note : This Ask Roger article features insights from Roger's daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbee, a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian. Pastor Roger Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at roger@preachitteachit.org. The first U.S. coronavirus victim has died, prompting President Donald Trump to ask the Americans to avoid general panic. Health officials reveal that the first person to succumbed from COVID-19 is male. The victim does not have any recorded travel history to locations infected by the virus. The victim died in King County, which is the most populated state in Seattle, with about 700,000 people, officials related to AFP. According to reports, Jeff Duchin, public health officer for Seattle and King County said that the person was in his 50s and had health complications, which may have triggered his worsening health condition. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee said,"It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19." He condoled the relatives and families of their loss. This first COVID-19 death in the U.S. has prompted fears of similar epidemics, approving to fund state agencies with the activation of the National Guard should it be needed. At the White House, President Trump stated that this might be a limited case, and the spread of the virus is not so much to worry about. He also remarked that fit individuals will recover from the infection. President Trump made it clear that U.S. is ready to deal with any circumstances. He also praised the media and politicians, telling everyone not to panic. Trump said the victim was "a wonderful woman," but it was found out that he was given the wrong information in an earlier encounter with the press since the victim is male. The first official American death was a health care worker employed in a nursing home. Also read: Coronavirus Airborne? Increased Chances of Infection Possible It is alarming as the states of Oregon, California revealed their cases of coronavirus contagion last week. One thing odd is that these positive carriers have not travelled, or came near any known positive patient. The American Center for Disease Control (CDC) had this to say,"While there is still much to learn about the unfolding situations in California, Oregon and Washington, preliminary information raises the level of concern about the immediate threat for COVID-19 for certain communities in the United States." President Trump mentioned that he will meet with the leaders of big pharma groups on Monday to discuss about finding a cure for the viral contagion so they can eventually develop an anti-viral to cure patients. According to President Trump, the cases of COVID-19 is now at 22 positive infections. Including the patients who returned from abroad, the total is at 70 positive coronavirus infections in the US so far. Alex Aza, the Health Secretary warned that more cases might arise as he met with reporters in the White House. He also added that most victims of the contagion (novel coronavirus), will experience mild to moderate symptoms when infected. All the patients will be treated at home in quarantine, with symptoms that can be cured same as flu, Alex Aza stated. President Trump and his administration officials have announced travel bans from Iran, which is now in the grip of an increasing epidemic. Most Americans were told to avoid hotspots in Italy and South Korea to avoid contracting coronavirus. With the death of the first coronavirus victim in the U.S., America is buckling up to keep the contagion at bay and prevent more cases. Related article: Coronavirus Reinfection Possible, Can Be Fatal a Second Time @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. For the second time since Windows 7 reached the end of support on Jan. 14, a bug is causing trouble for users still clinging to the operating system. The first bug, related to setting a wallpaper image, turned desktops black. This new bug prevents Windows 7 users from shutting down or rebooting their computers. Microsofts Windows 7 support now is limited to eligible paid plans. Only commercial customers paying for extended support get fixes for Windows 7 problems. However, the company relented last month and released a patch to fix the black screen issue. Microsoft has not indicated if it will make another exception and provide a free patch to fix this current Windows 7 bug. The apparent cause of the wallpaper black screen problem was one of the last planned Windows 7 updates. So far the cause of the new problem is unclear. This latest problem generates a popup message on affected users screens that reads, You dont have permission to shut down this computer when they attempt to shut down or reboot. The impact here is that Windows 7 users have a serious inconvenience to work with. This is almost as if Microsoft wants people to upgrade really bad, said Thomas Hatch, CTO of SaltStack. Frankly, the only way to move forward safely with Windows 7 is to upgrade, he told the E-Commerce Times. Workarounds Exist Users on various forums are sharing procedures to remedy this newest Windows 7 problem, but no single suggestion is a cure-all for every shutdown or failure to reboot. Im not finding this to be a threat, especially since there are workarounds. More so, servers are very rarely rebooted or shut down, said Chris Morales, head of security analytics at Vectra. A D V E R T I S E M E N T He can not remember the last time he shut down his laptop other than rebooting it at the last patch update, he told the E-Commerce Times. The latest problem with the Windows 7 issue is just a manual user shutdown failing, Morales said. Ultimately, I see this being fixed fairly quickly. Honestly, I would be surprised otherwise, he added. A speedy fix ultimately may depend on Microsofts willingness to provide another free patch in spite of its decision to offer paid support only. As of this writing, Microsoft has not answered our questions about what is causing the problem or whether the company will provide a free patch to fix it. Or Not so Fast Despite being unsupported, many people still use Windows 7. This could be because they do not trust Windows 10 or they are just tired of updates, suggested Anh Trinh, managing editor of GeekWithLaptop. Since they are using an unsupported OS, Microsoft wont likely care about it and will leave the problem, he told the E-Commerce Times. Even if Microsoft makes an exception and updates this Windows 7 problem, there will be future problems, Trinh warned. Luckily, the bug this time has many workarounds. So, in my opinion, it becomes more of a minor inconvenience rather than an actual problem, he said. You also have to take into accounts that Windows 7 is more prone to cyberattacks, viruses and bugs, thanks to the lack of support and development it gets. Inevitably the best solution is to move on, Trinh noted. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Trial and Error Workarounds One suggestion bouncing around the Internet since the new Windows 7 problem surfaced over the last two days involves creating another admin account if a second one does not already exist. Then log into that account and log back into the default admin account. A normal shut down or reboot should result. Another workaround, which Quick Heal describes in detail here, involves modifying a key entry in the Group Policy Editor. Here is the process: Press Windows+R to open the Run window. Then type: gpedit.msc and press Enter to access the editor window. In the Group Policy Editor window go to: Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options. In that window, search in the right panel for User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode and click on that option. In the new window that opens, select Enable. Now reopen the Run window (Windows+R), type gpupdate /force and press Enter to update all group policies. Restart or shut down your system normally. If you cant turn off after the gpupdate, then kill (that operation) and rerun Explorer.exe from the Run dialog, said Banish Angural, owner of Social Media Fellow. Other Approaches The shutdown/reboot failure ultimately may have only one solution a hard reset. That was the only cure for a number of his firms clients, said Rich Spinelli, principal at Core Technologies. The solution was to do a hard shutdown, restart the PC, go through local admin account away from the active directory Windows domain. Then do a disk check to address any corruption issues that may have been caused by the sudden shutdown, he told the E-Commerce Times. A less successful suggestion, according to some Windows 7 user reports, is to disable Adobe update services. A recent Adobe update is a possible cause of the issue, Angural told the E-Commerce Times. Two other quick fixes that may work are 1) pressing simultaneously the CTL+ALT+DEL keys several times. Then click the red icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen; or 2) log off the current session by pressing Windows+L and then click on the red icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Or run the Group Policy Editor from the command line to force permissions. Of course, you can just pull the plug literally. Unplugging the computer will allow you to reboot. However, it might foul up some of the Windows 7 processes still running. In turn, that could cause file corruption to be discovered when you reboot. While it is not a great band-aid for this problem, many users do not realize that you can shut a computer down by holding down the power button for 5-10 seconds. This will hard power down your system and is not considered the best approach, but it will get the thing shut down, said SaltStacks Hatch. Final Solution Windows 7 is a cybersecurity nightmare on many levels, starting with Microsoft dropping support for Windows 7 last month, according to Luka Arezina, editor-in-chief at DataProt. Assuming the businesses using Windows 7 do not rely heavily on Internet security such as your local hardware store or mom and pop shops in the neighborhood Windows 7 will do the trick. My best tip as a former Windows 7 user is to put the computer to hibernate if it allows for it. Either way, there will be no future updates, so youre not losing much if your PC never shuts down, he told the E-Commerce Times. Keeping it on 24/7 is not ideal either, as it will drain your electric bill and wear down the hardware faster. In the worst-case scenario, at least unplug the monitor or shut down the display if it is a laptop, to keep it from overheating, Arezina recommended. Given the complexity of todays viruses and exploits, he does not recommend using Windows 7 at all, if possible. However, if you are using Windows 7, make sure to have an antivirus program set up, he said. Ideally, Windows 7 users should have antivirus protection installed as a browser add-on as well, since many new exploits target the average Internet user. With active shields, at least you will be protected from any malicious link or browser hijack that you might accidentally stumble upon while browsing the Internet, he explained. Weighing Fixing vs. Upgrading This current Windows 7 bug can have an impact on any number of businesses and individuals with different ranges of severity, Angural suggested. Using an unsupported system is a big problem. Having a bug in it can be a nightmare for the business owners. The extra cost of fixing this bug by a third-party developer can cost a huge amount of money to them, he said. The Windows 7 retirement is a highly visible example of what is happening with many systems and applications all over corporate America. Most businesses operate a variety of applications, all of which reside somewhere on the continuum of development, maintenance and retirement, said Tom DeSot, CIO of Digital Defense. During the latter two stages, patch updates are often required. While some updates can be automatically performed via subscriptions, others require the manual identification and implementation of patches as they become available, he told the E-Commerce Times. This is especially true of retired or end-of-life applications, DeSot said, including those that a company may be transitioning away from but is still using. Two private schools in Noida were shut on Tuesday for next few days and several people, including family members of the Delhi man who tested positive for the virus, quarantined or kept in isolation as authorities stepped up prevention efforts including extending suspension of existing regular and e visas to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan who have not yet entered India. On February 4, India had cancelled the existing visas for Chinese nationals and foreigners who had visited the neighbouring country in the preceding two-week period, following the outbreak of Coronavirus which has now spread to over 60 countries and claimed over 3,100 lives. Over 90,000 have been infected. Officials said the sample of an Italian tourist in Jaipur which was sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune was found to be positive after the first two tests gave contradictory results. The 69-year-old man, part of a group of 20 tourists, is admitted at an isolation ward of the SMS Hospital. With this, six cases of COVID-19 have ben reported in the country so far. As concerns over the spread of the virus mounted after two more persons tested positive on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an extensive review on the preparedness. He urged the people not to panic and instead take basic protective measures. The Civil Aviation Ministry too conducted a meeting with all airports to review and update guidelines. Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar in Delhi, who had travelled to Italy recently, was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. One of the schools in Noida, on outskirts of Delhi, where the Delhi man's son is a primary class student, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6, while the other said it will be closed till Saturday. The board exams are not affected, the messages sent by the schools to the parents made clear. In came to light that the man had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fears that those who attended it including some students and his relatives might be at risk. Samples from five students from the school have been taken to check if anyone has been infected, Noida's Chief Medical Officer Anurag Bhargava said. Fumigation was underway in both the schools and a Health Department team led by Noida's chief medical officer visited the site, an official said. While some family members of the man, an accountant and others who came in contact with him were asked to remain quarantined at their homes in Delhi and Agra, six others from Agra with "high-viral load" have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples sent to NIV, Pune, officials said. Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Hotels and the authorities at tourist sites in Agra have been told to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Vats told PTI. The other patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 infection, a 24-year-old techie, is admitted in Hyderabad and had recently travelled to Dubai and Bengaluru. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said that a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had come in contact with the software engineer. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. All the three have recovered. "It has come to our knowledge that the coronavirus-hit person in Hyderabad had gone from Bengaluru. Therefore, all the members in the house where he had stayed have been identified and are under watch," Sriramulu tweeted on late Monday night. The software engineer had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus, Telangana health minister E Rajender told reporters in Hyderabad. The man reached Bengaluru on February 19-20 and later went to Hyderabad in a bus. He took treatment for fever after coming to Hyderabad and was admitted to a private super speciality hospital in the city. As it did not subside, he came to the state-run Gandhi hospital on Sunday evening, Rajender said. The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, who have not yet entered India, stand suspended in view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease. Visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals, who have not yet entered India, have also been suspended. It also said diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory. "Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to health officials and immigration officials at all ports. "Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry," it said. The ministry said that all previous advisories stand superseded in view of the fresh instructions. It asked all Indian citizens to refrain from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and asked them to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. The government has asked people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," the prime minister said in a tweet. "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," he said while sharing a health ministry post. Meanwhile in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh resident who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Agarwal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Australian school students and staff are banned from taking school-planned overseas trips, Education Minister Sue Ellery has announced. Ms Ellery said the move was designed to reduce the potential exposure of students to the novel coronavirus and applied to all countries except the USA, New Zealand and Canada. Overseas school trips will be banned unless to USA, Canada or New Zealand. Credit:Getty Images The ban would apply to school camps, trips for professional development of staff and courses students might have attended overseas. Both public and private schools were subject to the ban. "Children are great transmitters, so it's about putting in place plans to ensure we try and minimise that sort of transmission," Ms Ellery said. The number of US deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to six on Monday, all in the state of Washington, officials said, signaling the contagion has taken root in the Pacific Northwest. Vice President Mike Pence announced a treatment for the disease could be available by summer or early fall, but that a vaccine was farther off. Pence, the administration's pointman for the crisis, also said the government was moving to screen 100 percent of passengers flying in from Italy and South Korea, two serious virus hot zones. Five of the six American fatalities have been from King county, the most populous in Washington state and home to Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people. The sixth victim was from neighboring Snohomish county, officials said. "The risk for all of us of becoming infected will be increasing," said Jeff Duchin, a health officer in King County. "Although most of the cases will be mild or moderate, the infection can cause serious illness and there's a potential for many people to become ill at the same time." The state reported four new cases, three from the same nursing home, taking the total number of US cases to more than 90 -- about half of which were people repatriated from either China or a virus-stricken cruise ship off Japan. Dow Constantine, the top official in King County, said his office was in talks to purchase a motel in which to place people who required isolation, adding: "We have to move to a new stage in the fight to contain, mitigate and manage this outbreak." Pence told reporters at the White House that treatments "could literally be available by this summer, or early fall." He was likely referring to the drug remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by the pharmaceutical firm Gilead that has already been used to treat one US patient and was moving toward two final stage expansive clinical trials in Asia. There are numerous vaccines and treatments under development, but remdesivir is the closest to market availability. Pence added that US pharmaceutical companies had formed a consortium to work together and share information to develop these drugs. New travel protocols "will ensure that anyone traveling on a direct flight to the United States of America receives multiple screenings at all airports in Italy and South Korea," he said. Italy has had 1,700 cases and South Korea has had 4,000. The United States is also drastically expanding its diagnostic efforts after coming under fire for not testing enough. "The estimates that we're getting from industry right now, by the end of this week close to a million tests will be able to be performed," said Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo warned it was "inevitable" that the virus would spread in the global financial hub after its first confirmed case was detected in a health care worker who had visited Iran. "There is no doubt that there will be more cases. This is New York -- we're a gateway to the world," Cuomo told reporters. "People are going to test positive, not just one or two or three or five, there will be many who test positive," he added. Cuomo said the 39-year-old woman who tested positive at the weekend had mild symptoms and was recovering in isolation at home. Her husband is however expected to test positive as well. Globally, more than 3,100 people have died as a result of the virus, the vast majority of them in China. More than 90,000 people have been infected, with cases registered in more than 60 countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kolkata: Breaking her silence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday described the Delhi riots as a planned state-sponsored genocide orchestrated in the Gujarat model. She slammed the BJP for not apologising for the carnage while launching attack on the saffron party which was missing during the riots in the Capital, days of her meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah last week. Launching her partys new campaign Banglar Gorbo Mamata (Mamata is Bengals Pride) a day after the Aar Noi Annay campaign of the BJP was launched, the Trinamul supremo announced a scheme to provided shelter to those who became homeless in the riots. She said, I think the way people were massacred in Delhi for the last few days is a planned genocide because it was state-sponsored. The Delhi police comes under the Centre. She told the Trinamul workers, Besides the CRPF, the CISF was also there. But all remained inactive. Later it was painted in communal colours. We condemn it. Why hasnt the BJP apologised for the riots till date? They often come here to declare shamelessly to capture Bengal. The BJP has been trying to replicate the Gujarat model of riots across the country including Bengal. It was a single incident that temporarily sowed confusion about TTC fare rules. But online outcry over contradictory messages the TTC posted this weekend about its two-hour transfer policy marks only the latest incident that, along with pushback over annual fare increases, subway service meltdowns, and a crackdown on customers who dont pay, has some transit watchers warning TTC riders frustration with the organization is reaching a breaking point. What blew up is about confusion around (the two-hour transfer), but its clearly about more than that, said Tricia Wood, a professor at York Universitys department of geography. The online uproar began after a series of tweets from rider Pedro Marques regarding the TTCs two-hour fare policy, which is supposed to allow riders unlimited travel during a two-hour period. Marques, a 40-year-old writer and photographer, said he tapped his Presto card at Yorkdale subway station Friday to head to his home at King Street West and Spadina Avenue, but stopped on the way to pick up groceries. When he got back on the 510 Spadina streetcar a fare inspector approached him, scanned his Presto card and told him he had four minutes left. Marques says he understood the remark to mean it had been almost two hours since he first tapped his Presto card, and he would risk a fine if he didnt leave the vehicle or pay again in four minutes. Marques tweeted about his confusion, and employees at the TTCs customer service department responded with a series of contradictory tweets, one of which wrongly suggested riders had to pay again immediately once the two-hour window expired. Hundreds of people responded to the posts, some angrily pointing out the Presto system gives no warning when the two-hour window is about to end, meaning riders would have no clear way of knowing when they needed to pay again. On Sunday, the TTC clarified on Twitter that it had posted incorrect information, and agency policy is that riders can finish their journey once the two-hour period expires. They only have to pay again if they board another vehicle. TTC riders already had reason to be in a bad mood this past weekend on Sunday the agency introduced its latest fare increase, the ninth since 2009. But confusion about the rules also came as the TTC is in the midst of a controversial system-wide ad campaign warning riders of the need to pay their fare, and as the agency plans to deploy dozens more enforcement officers. The set fine for not paying the $3.20 fare is up to $425, several times the penalty for other offences like parking violations. Its bad that they are telling us to obey the rules, and they dont even know what (the rules) are, Marques said. I think people have just had enough. TTC spokesperson Stuart Green called this past weekends episode an unfortunate series of events. This customer had a negative experience that they should not have had. We have apologized for the inconvenience and confusion, he said, adding that Monday morning the agency began issuing extensive reminders to its staff about correct fare policy. Wood, the York professor, said frustration with the TTC appears to be growing. She hypothesized riders resentment has been fuelled by several recent factors, including faulty Presto equipment that can make it difficult for riders to pay, a loophole that has allowed widespread abuse of child fare cards, two subway derailments in the first months of the year, and allegations of misconduct and racial profiling against fare inspectors. But Wood said its the anti-fare evasion campaign that appears to have been the last straw for many. It consists of what she described as aggressive and omnipresent messaging in the form of subway posters, station announcements, and streetcar wraps that carry messages like theres no excuse not to pay your fare. She said shes astonished the TTC didnt precede the ad blitz with a more positive campaign educating riders about the fare rules and how to pay. Have your say It says there is no excuse for not paying your fare. And the reality of course is there are lots of excuses for not paying your fare, including not being certain about the rules, Presto readers not working, or not being able to reach a fare device on a crowded vehicle. The TTC has said the campaign and the additional enforcement officers are necessary. According to a recent internal audit, the agency lost more than $70 million in revenue from fare evasion last year. The city subsidy the TTC receives is much lower than that of other North American transit agencies when measured per rider, which means the organization relies on fare revenue for about two-thirds of its $2-billion operating budget. Frustration with the TTC has led to some deliberate acts of resistance. In one online forum with more than 2,300 members, transit users warn each other of the location of inspectors so that fare dodgers can avoid getting caught. Herman Rosenfeld, a spokesperson for the Free Transit Toronto group that advocates for the abolition of TTC fares, said hes been involved in the free transit movement for about seven years. But its only recently gained traction in Toronto. He said that could partly be down to growing concern about climate change and the need to make transit more accessible. But he argued TTC fare policies many consider unfair coupled with service perceived as unreliable breeds cynicism. People say, why should I pay for this? said Rosenfeld. Councillor Brad Bradford (Ward 19, Beaches-East York), who sits on the TTC board, said criticism the agency faced over its two-hour transfer messaging is valid. But he said the argument that the TTCs anti-fare evasion campaign unduly targets customers is unfair. He asserted that for its part the agency is doing everything it can to ensure the fare collection system functions properly, including the sometimes difficult work of co-ordinating with Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency that owns Presto. He also defended TTC CEO Rick Leary, who has come under scrutiny for eschewing the public-facing approach his predecessor Andy Byford took when responding to crises in favour of a more behind-the-scenes role. I think the TTC needs to do a better job communicating, period, full stop, top to bottom, Bradford said. But I would also acknowledge and say that from my experience Rick is present, he is out there, I see him at the stations, he responds when there are issues by putting boots on the ground and being there himself. Green, the TTC spokesperson, didnt respond directly when asked whether the agencys relationship with riders is at a low point. But he stated that through modest fare increases over the last several years the TTC has been able to provide more frequent and reliable service across all modes, and has fought to secure funding to address the yawning infrastructure repair backlog that leads to service breakdowns. He also noted customer satisfaction surveys have shown steady increases in recent years. However, theres always more we can do, he said. Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr Read more about: Victoria Police have not yet said whether they will lay charges against a pair of Melbourne shopkeepers who fought back against a gunman who tried to rob them. Police said they are still investigating the circumstances around the attempted robbery in Melbourne's northern suburb of Hadfield on Sunday night. Store owner Jackie Chen and his son Jason said they were lucky to be alive after a gunman's firearm allegedly went off as they fought to stop their store being robbed. The moment they fought back against a group of robbers armed with a gun and what appears to be a taser was caught in terrifying camera footage. Four armed thugs allegedly stormed the supermarket on North Street shortly before 9pm on Sunday, according to reports and video of the incident. One of the men, allegedly armed with a gun, demanded money, but the shopkeepers refused. The man with the gun shouted 'Sit down, dont move. You move, I kill you,' Jackie Chen told Nine News. Immediately Mr Chen swung into action, striking the man several times with a large pole. The North Street supermarket in Hadfield, Melbourne, where the attack occurred on Sunday His son Jason, 30, joined the struggle to subdue the attacker when he saw him point a gun at his father's head. The gun allegedly went off in the melee. Jason told Nine News the bullet nearly hit him in the head. 'It was so close ... but we lucky he missed,' he said. The Chens subdued the attacker as three accomplices fled in a vehicle. Video footage of the citizens' arrest shows the man detained on the ground, where he remained until police arrived to arrest him. As the alleged attacker cowered on the ground, video footage showed him being struck several times with a pole. One of the alleged attackers was struck several times as he cowered on the ground The alleged attacker, believed to be aged in his 20s, was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with minor upper body injuries. Jason Chen also went to hospital for stitches to a cut on his arm. A neighbour who lives near the supermarket and who witnessed the aftermath of the attack said the store owners were good people and well respected. The dramatic footage has prompted discussion over what reasonable limit of force can be used to subdue an attacker. The Chens told Nine News they were defending their livelihood and their family, including two young children who were in the back of the store at the time of the attack. Audio of the incident reveals the alleged attacker whimpering that he is dying as he is detained on the ground. 'I'm dying,' the man says. 'I dont care if youre f*****g dying, you f*****g nearly killed me - understand?' the person detaining him shouts. 'You fucking nearly shoot my head - understand?' Leading silk and Victorias former chief magistrate Nick Papas QC said people are entitled to take reasonable steps to protect themselves from an armed attacker - but there were limits. 'We cant talk about this case because we dont know necessarily - but no charges yet,' he told Radio 3AW. The brave shopkeepers kept the alleged attacker pinned until police arrived to arrest the man 'Once youve restrained someone, even if they had a gun, even if they shot at you, there comes a point where you cant keep restraining 'You cant go past restraint and protection of yourself to punishment and retribution, and thats a line that needs to be drawn somewhere.' Daily Mail Australia is not implying that the Chen family used unreasonable force in any way, only that the incident has raised the issue in community discussion. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that nobody has yet been charged over the incident. Police have asked for anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to call them at Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. John Katko and President Donald Trump spoke at a conference of county government officials Tuesday. For about 20 minutes in the morning, Katko spoke in front of almost 2,000 county government officials at the National Association of Counties annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. For Katko, it was the first time he spoke on the same stage as Trump. But it was a coincidence that he was scheduled to speak before the president, organizers said. Katko appeared on stage with Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., to talk about where Democrats and Republicans can find common ground in Congress. The two received polite applause. Trump followed Katko and Murphy on stage to a standing ovation. Members of the nonpartisan association later broke into a partisan chant, shouting, Four more years. Four more years. Now, now, this is not supposed to be a political rally, Trump told the crowd. Its a pretty wild group you have here. Trump was the first president to address the conference since Bill Clinton in 1996. The audience included Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, who is among elected and appointed county officials attending the five-day event at the Washington Hilton Hotel. McMahon said after the speech that he was pleased to hear Trump talk about the federal response to coronavirus during a 45-minute address. Related: Onondaga County will ask schools, day cares to clean, disinfect to guard against coronavirus Katko, R-Camillus, left the conference before Trumps speech and did not meet the president backstage, a spokeswoman said. Until this year, Katko had gone out of his way to distance himself from Trump. He did not endorse or vote for the president in 2016. But in January, Katko said he will support Trumps campaign for a second term. Katko, speaking at the conference Tuesday, said he sometimes finds himself in trouble with Republican leaders because of his willingness to work with Democrats. He talked about his decision in January 2019 to vote for changes to House rules proposed by Democrats. No House member had supported an opposing partys rules at the start of a new Congress in 18 years. I was one of the three Republicans that voted for it, and I got my ass kicked, Katko said. But it was worth it. Katko and Murphy spent about 20 minutes answering questions from moderator Michele Stockwell, a senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank. Murphy co-chairs the Blue Dog caucus of 25 moderate House Democrats. Katko co-chairs the moderate Republican Governance Group. Stockwell asked the House members where they think Democrats and Republicans could work together. Both agreed that Congress should be able to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill to fix the nations roads, highways, airports and pipelines. 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. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who helped create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in Cambridge, Mass., on March 3, 2020. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Constitutionality of Consumer Bureau Challenged Before Supreme Court The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), created in the wake of the 2008 financial crash, is unconstitutional because its director, unlike the typical federal official, isnt accountable to the elected president of the United States who appointed the person, the Supreme Court heard. The high court is expected to render its judgment in the case in coming months, a move that seems certain to enliven the election cycle no matter what it decides. Democrats have long defended the 9-year-old agency, brainchild of presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) from the time when she was a bankruptcy law professor. Then-President Barack Obama signed the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, creating the CFPB, and appointed Warren to take the lead role in establishing it. Former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee spearheaded the legislation, attended the Supreme Court hearing. From the campaign trail, Warren took to Twitter as the court heard oral arguments in the case on March 3: Big banks & their allies will do anything to undermine the @CFPB even ask the Supreme Court today to shut it down. We wont let President Trump gut the consumer agency & let the big banks go back to cheating customers & gambling with our economy. House Democrats even filed a brief with the Supreme Court urging the justices not to take up the case, but the high court went its own way and agreed Oct. 18, 2019, to hear the matter, cited as Seila Law LLC v. CFPB. The CFPB was designed to be free of the influence of the president. Federal law blocks the president from dismissing its director, who has to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, before that persons five-year term lapses, unless the termination is for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The CFPBs unusual funding mechanism also keeps the agency independent. Although it may seek funding from Congress, the agency is excluded from the normal congressional appropriations process, and instead receives most of the money it needs to operate from the Federal Reserve System. Republicans have long accused the agency of overreach. Then-House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, a Texas Republican who has since left Congress, called the CFPB arguably the most powerful, least accountable agency in U.S. history, in a 2017 Wall Street Journal op-ed. CFPB zealots have the power to determine the fairness of virtually every financial transaction in America. The agency defines its own powers and can launch investigations without cause, imposing virtually any fine or remedy, devoid of due process, he wrote. The regulatory web spun by the CFPB can make every provider of financial services guilty until proven innocent, inviting selective enforcement and financial shakedowns. He said the agency embodies James Madisons warning in Federalist No. 47 that the accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. The petitioner, Seila Law, a California-based law firm, had refused to honor CFPBs request for information, called a civil investigative demand, and challenged the entitys structure, claiming it was unconstitutional. The firms attorney, Kannon Shanmugam, told the Supreme Court that the presidents inability to fire the CFPB director at will is a historical oddity in need of correction. The structure of the CFPB is unprecedented and unconstitutional, he said. Never before in American history has Congress given so much executive power to a single individual who does not answer to the president. By significantly limiting the presidents ability to remove the CFPBs director, Congress violated the core presidential prerogatives to exercise the executive power and to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. The Trump administration, represented in court by Solicitor General Noel Francisco, opposes the CFPB in its current iteration but did not ask the court to dissolve it. Francisco told Justice Elena Kagan that the problem with [DoddFranks] for-cause removal restrictions is that they vest executive power in individuals who are not ultimately accountable to the people through their duly elected president. Although it has been the position of Seila Law that the CFPB is unconstitutional, in oral arguments, Shanmugam said it would be a bad idea for the court to rewrite the DoddFrank Act to give the president the power to remove the director. The court should leave to Congress the quintessentially legislative task of deciding how to fix the CFPBs defective structure. When questioning Francisco, Kagan echoed Shanmugam. Why dont we just leave it to the political branches, who actually know about these things? Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg remarked that the for-cause removal provision in the law was a very modest restraint. Because the Trump administration refused to defend the law that created the CFPB, the Supreme Court appointed Paul D. Clement, who served as solicitor general under then-President George W. Bush, to represent the agencys interests. Clement told Justice Samuel Alito that he believed the statute that created the agency is still perfectly constitutional. A Guatemalan journalist who was shot by unknown assailants last week has died of his injuries, a press organization said on Tuesday. Bryan Guerra, who was 25, was attacked on February 27 in the city of Chiquimula, 100 kilometers to the east of the capital Guatemala City. His death was announced by the Sala de Redaccion press collective. After the shooting, Guatemala's journalists' association APG criticized the attorney general and police for not heeding his complaints about receiving death threats. APG demanded action from authorities. Guatemala, one of the world's most violent countries, recorded 4,645 murders in 2019 in a population of 17 million. Almost half of those were linked to gangs and drug cartels, according to official statistics. Many remote parts of the country are lawless, leaving citizens vulnerable to attacks by gangs and drug traffickers. According to the official human rights body, 17 journalists were murdered in Guatemala between 2015 and 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gina Rinehart really showed she was getting with the Millennial best-place-to-work program when she converted a corner of one of her offices into a compound for two cats last year. Cool company: Tim Bloxsome and Gina Rinehart Credit:Shakespeare Staff at the Perth airport offices of her iron ore producer, Roy Hill, can now get some respite during the working day by popping in to play with the cats - if cats are their thing. It appears shes also taken the same out-of-the-box approach to some new staff hires. Our correspondents noted a new face accompanying Rinehart as she disembarked her private jet last year (he was the one carrying the coffee pods). It was former model and barista Tim Bloxsome, now the miners private secretary and most faithful aide. Apart from having been on the books with Chadwick Models and worked on a travel program for the Discovery Channel, Bloxsome moonlighted as a private secretary for Kuwaits wealthy Alghanim family until 2018. Filmmaker Woody Allen's memoir "Apropos of Nothing" will finally be releasing on April this year. Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, will bring out the memoir on April 7, the company said in a statement to Variety. "The book is a comprehensive account of his life, both personal and professional, and describes his work in films, theatre, television, nightclubs, and print," the publishing house said. The book, in which Allen has also written about his relationships with family, friends, and "the loves of his life", will also release in Canada, Italy, France, Germany and Spain, besides the US. It was reported last year that Allen was pitching his memoir to several publishers but but was rebuffed in the wake of the #MeToo movement. The multi-hyphenate director has become a subject of discussion over the resurfacing of the sexual assault allegations levelled against him by his step-daughter Dylan Farrow which caught steam in the wake of the #MeToo uprising. He has repeatedly denied the accusations. Incidentally, Hachette's division Little, Brown and Company published "Catch and Kill", by Allen's estranged son Ronan Farrow in 2019. In the book, Farrow wrote about his reporting during the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of many powerful Hollywood executives. Dylan took to Twitter to slam the company for betraying her brother with their decision to publish Allen's memoir. "Hachette's publishing of Woody Allen's memoir is deeply upsetting to me personally and an utter betrayal of my brother whose brave reporting, capitalised on by Hachette, gave voice to numerous survivors of sexual assault by powerful men. "For the record, I was never contacted by any fact checkers to verify the information in this 'memoir', demonstrating an egregious abdication of Hachette's most basic responsibility," she said in a statement posted on the micro-blogging site. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thai government officials on Tuesday (March 3) raided the home of a woman alleged to have spread coronavirus scare stories. Puttipong Punnakan, the country's Digital Economy and Society minister, along with police swooped on the home of Yupares Ngothirach in the capital Bangkok at around 11am local time. The saleswoman allegedly wrote on February 22 on Twitter that ''40 staff'' near her shop had been infected with the deadly covid-19 coronavirus. Yupares tweeted: ''Oh my god. At the shopping mall near my place, there are 40 staff members who were infected from the coronavirus and they are now quarantined.'' Puttipong Punnakan, the country's Digital Economy and Society minister, with technology crime police officers raided her apartment in the Huai Khwang district. The digital minister Puttipong Punnakan said: "The woman is believed to have posted claiming that there were people at the mall have been infected from the virus. "She will be prosecuted for spreading fake online news according to the legislation." Police officers from Technology Crime Suppression Division said they identified the alleged fake news spreader from her online profile. Officers handed Yupares a warrant to search the house and seized her mobile phone. A spokesman said: "After we have done the footprint identification for several days, we were assured that the account was Yupares. She will be invited to the cyber security office for further investigation." Yupares said she was using the Twitter app and found one tweet related to the infection of the deadly virus nearby her area. She said: "I just wanted to warn my 7,000 followers about the virus. I did not think it was fake news because I just saw some tweets on my feed and shared it." The digital minister said there is another case in Rayong, eastern Thailand, and will be later led to the TCSD office. He added: "The team is also following other cases and we will reach the person soon. We want to recommend everyone was receives news from the internet to check the facts before sharing it. " Alleging that the government was "running away" from debate on the Delhi riots, the Congress on Tuesday said the centre's stand against immediate discussion on the issue was the biggest "vote of no-confidence" in the institution of Parliament. The Congress' attack came after Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the second day Tuesday amid unrelenting demands for an immediate discussion on last week's communal violence in the national capital. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the reason given for not allowing a discussion in Parliament on the Delhi riots was that the debate will be allowed after normalcy is restored. "We have heard it for the last two days. It is a motivated, camouflaged, malicious explanation. The discussion is required because there is no normalcy," he said at a press conference. "We are sad that some regional parties from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have appeared to have swallowed this spurious explantation or may be they are not so innocent," he said. Singhvi said not discussing the Delhi riots would amount to "abdication of parliamentary duty". "This explanation of the government is an insult to Parliament. It is the biggest vote of no-confidence in each MP and in the entire institution of Parliament," he said. "Are our MPs so irresponsible, so inexperienced, so casual, as to cause more provocation, to pour oil over troubled waters, to create more polarisation which is what the government is suggesting?" Singhvi asked. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Opposition's argument is that this is a very serious matter and should be given priority. "Government says we leave it on the speaker, the speaker says debate will happen after things will be normal. Now coming under pressure, they are saying it will be discussed after Holi," Chowdhury said. "Holi with blood is being played and you are talking about (festival of) Holi. They are running away from debate and are scared of debate," Chowdhury said. Asked about the incident in which BJP and opposition members tried to shove each other in Lok Sabha, he said, "the Well belongs to all. We should not go to that side (treasury benches), but Well is for everyone... It is common property." Earlier, Congress' senior spokesperson Anand Sharma said there is a need for Parliament not only to discuss Delhi riots but also to fix accountability as that is exactly what Parliamentary democracy is all about. "The government should give up its obduracy, its rigidity, and in the larger interest of Indian democracy respect the institution of Indian Parliament by accepting discussion on the issue," he said. It is time to send a message to the people in Delhi and citizens across the country that Parliament, irrespective of parties, is collectively concerned and jointly condemns what has happened in the national capital, Sharma said. "Silence of Indian Parliament does not auger well and will be a poor reflection on the largest democracy in this world," he said. Sharma also expressed concern over friendly countries conveying their concerns over the violence in Delhi. "India's Parliament debating and sending a message will be in the country's interest in today's situation," he said. Proceedings of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were disrupted for the second consecutive day on Tuesday amid uproar over the issue of Delhi violence as Opposition members sought an immediate discussion on the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A growing number of countries around the world have been evacuating or planning to evacuate diplomatic staff and citizens from areas hit by the new coronavirus. Following are some countries' evacuation plans, and how they aim to manage the health risk from those who are returning. - Hong Kong arranged four flights to bring back 533 of its residents from the Chinese province of Hubei. The flights are set to return by March 5 and those coming back face a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. - Over 200 Hong Kong residents on the Diamond Princess cruise in Japan had been flown back by Feb. 23 and are spending two weeks in quarantine. Authorities said 70 of the 364 Hong Kong residents on the ship were infected and will remain in Japan along with other citizens who were in close contact with them. - Dependants and some staff were evacuated from the British embassy in Tehran as of March 1 but essential staff will remain. - Some 30 British passengers arrived back home on Feb. 22 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. There were more than 70 British passengers on the cruise liner when cases of Covid-19 started to emerge. - Britain's final evacuation flight from Wuhan, carrying more than 200 people, landed in Britain on Feb. 9. A plane carrying 83 British and 27 European Union nationals from Wuhan landed at the end of January. - Taiwan flew back 19 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Feb. 21. It evacuated 247 of the estimated 500 Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan on Feb. 3. (https://bit.ly/2HOfYtg) - A flight carrying 129 Canadians evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship landed on Feb. 21. All repatriated passengers on the chartered flight had tested negative. There were 256 Canadians on board the ship, of which 47 have tested positive. - Canada, after evacuating 215 people earlier, flew back 185 citizens from Wuhan on Feb. 11. All evacuees were quarantined for two weeks. - More than 150 Australians arrived home on Feb. 20 to begin two weeks of quarantine after finally leaving the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan. - A plane load of New Zealanders, Australians and Pacific Islanders evacuated from Wuhan arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb. 5, officials said. - Kuwait to send a plane to Italy to evacuate citizens. - Qatar to bring back Qatari and Kuwaiti citizens from Iran. - Indonesia has sent a navy ship to bring back 188 of its nationals working as crew aboard the World Dream cruise liner amid coronavirus concerns, a minister and a health ministry official said on Feb 24. - Indonesia's government flew 243 Indonesians from Hubei on Feb. 2 and placed them under quarantine at a military base on an island northwest of Borneo. - In central Ukraine residents protested the arrival of a plane carrying evacuees from Hubei on Feb. 20, despite official assurances there was no danger of infection. In addition to 45 Ukrainians, there were 27 citizens of Argentina on the plane, as well as citizens from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and other countries. - The United States flew back on Feb. 17 over 300 Americans who had been stuck on a cruise ship affected by the coronavirus. They faced two more weeks of quarantine after spending the previous 14 days docked in Japan. - The United States authorized the voluntary departure of its government employees and their family members from Hong Kong on Feb. 11. On Feb. 6, two planes with about 300 passengers, mostly U.S. citizens, took off from Wuhan for the United States. - Nepal on Feb. 16 evacuated 175 of its nationals from Wuhan. - Six South Koreans and one Japanese spouse from the cruise shit flew to South Korea on Feb. 19 on a chartered flight. - South Korea evacuated 147 people on a third chartered flight from Wuhan that arrived on Feb. 12. The country flew 368 people on a charter flight that arrived on Jan. 31. - A second evacuation flight brought back another 174 Singaporeans and their family members from Wuhan to the city state on Feb. 9. - Thirty Filipinos returned to the Philippines on Feb. 9 from Wuhan, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. - The 34 Brazilians evacuated from Wuhan landed in Brazil on Feb. 9. - Uzbekistan evacuated 251 people from China, the state airline said on Feb. 6. - Italy flew back 56 nationals from Wuhan to Rome on Feb. 3. - Saudi Arabia evacuated 10 students from Wuhan, Saudi state television reported on Feb. 2. - Bangladesh evacuated 312 people, mostly students, from the coronavirus epicenter of Wuhan on a special flight on Feb. 1, the foreign minister told media after they were brought back. Search Keywords: Short link: Future Market Insights, Dubai, UAE, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valued at US$ 10 Bn in 2019, cacao beans market will grow at a robust CAGR during the forecast period (2019 2029). Increasing demand for organic ingredients in modern households and foodservice companies present an emerging source of continuous revenues. According to a new study by Future Market Insights (FMI), sales of cacao beans have surpassed traditional offline channels, witnessing a measurable uptick via online channels. Key Research Findings of FMIs Cacao Beans Market Study Owing to high availability, forastero cacao beans will maintain share-wide dominance. On the back of rarity, criollo beans will register significant sales growth during the forecast period. Foodservice industry will generate highest demand for cacao beans. Europe continues to lead the market, with over 47% revenue share. Download sample copy of this report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-11089 Key Growth Drivers Cacao Beans Market Heightening demand from the foodservice sector is driving market growth. Expanding health-conscious consumer population assists the growth of market. String presence of leading cacao grinders and processors in Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and UK will drive growth in the European Union. Increasing application in bakery & confectionary will bolster demand through the end of 2029. Key Impediments Cacao Beans Market Low yield of criollo beans continues to pose a restraint for cacao beans market. Growing interest in artificial cacao flavor production in lab is challenging traditional manufacturers in the market. Explore the complete cacao beans market report with detailed market segmentation, 152 illustrative figures, and 128 data tables spread across 250 pages on https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-11089 Competitive Analysis Cacao Beans Market Market players are consolidating the cacao supply chain through mergers and acquisitions. For instance, Barry Callebaut acquired Russian chocolate producer Inforum in February, 2019. Few prominent producers in the cacao beans market are Cargill Inc., Theobroma B.V., Olam International Limited, Ciranda Inc., Edna Group, Barry Callebaut AG, Dutch Cocoa B.V., Kakao Berlin, Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd., PT. Danora Agro Prima, Nederland SA, Cocoa Processing Company, India Cocoa Pvt Ltd., United Cocoa Processors Inc., BT Cocoa among others. Explore Future Market Insights detailed coverage on, Probiotic Supplements Market - Identify a comprehensive range of insights such as revenue sectors, key growth strategies, and gainful opportunities from this detailed research report. Non GMO Food Products Market - Get detailed competitive landscape of Fire Alarm Systems along with essential growth strategies that impel remunerative growth. Lactose Free Dairy Products Market - Procure elaborate secondary and primary research employed by key industry players to calculate total size of the air quality monitoring equipment market, and stakeholder industry associations. Gain access to Market Ngage , an AI-powered, real-time business intelligence platform that goes beyond the conventional research solutions to solve the complex strategy challenges that organizations face today. About the Report This report offers global, regional, and national level analysis on the latest trends in the industry influencing the overarching performance of cacao beans market. The study provides actionable insights on the cacao beans market on the basis of product type (Forastero, Criollo, Trinitario), end-use applications (food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic & personal care, pet food, household/retail, and HoReCa/Foodservices), distribution channel (B2B and B2C), and across seven key regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and Oceania). About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting services firm, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and take critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Contact Abhishek Budholiya Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates MARKET ACCESS DMCC Initiative For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com For Media Enquiries: press@futuremarketinsights.com Research Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/cacao-beans-market President Donald Trump donated his salary from the final quarter of 2019 to help combat COVID-19, the coronavirus. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted an image of the $100,000 check the president made out to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian could be indicted in an ongoing criminal investigation into a 2010 privatization deal which Armenian law-enforcement autorities say cost the state millions of dollars in losses. DzoraHEK, a medium-sized hydroelectric plant located in Armenias northen Lori province, was sold by former President Serzh Sarkisians government to a private company for 3.6 billion drams ($7.5 million). Citing a police inquiry, Armenias Office of the Prosecutor-General claimed in May last year that the sell-off price was set well below DzoraHEKs market value estimated by a government agency at around 8 billion drams ($16.8 million). It said it has assigned another law-enforcement body, the Special Investigative Service (SIS), to investigate the substantial damage caused to on the state. The SIS announced late on Monday that it now considers Ohanian a suspect in the case because the hydroelectric plant belonged to the Armenian Defense Ministry prior to its privatization. It said that the deal was proposed by the ministry. Ohanian, who served as defense minister from 2008-2016, categorically denied this on Tuesday. He insisted that it was the now defunct Energy Ministry that negotiated with the buyer and proposed the terms of the deal to the government. The privatization process was mainly carried out by the Energy Ministry, Ohanian told reporters. The plant was handed over to the Defense Ministry in 2001 one year after Serzh Sarkisian was appointed as defense minister. He held that post until 2007. Some media outlets suggested in 2010 that the plants new owner, an offshore-registered firm called Dzoraget Hydro, is controlled by Miakel Minasian, Sarkisians son-in-law. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian appeared to link Minasian to the the Soviet-era facility in September. Minasian has not yet commented on that. In 2016, the plant was sold to another company, Energo Invest Holding, which is reportedly owned by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetian. Ohanian is already standing trial, along with former President Robert Kocharian and two other former officials, on coup charges stemming from the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. All four defendants deny the accusations. Only Kocharian is held in detention. Winner of the 2020 Audiobook of the Year Stephen King on audiobooks: "This is the most honorable form of storytelling there is. The Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced 24 Audie Award winners, the premiere award for the audiobook industry, including the prestigious Audiobook of the Year, at last nights 2020 Audie Awards Gala at Guastavinos in New York City. The Audies recognizes outstanding achievement from authors, narrators, publishers, and producers across a wide array of genres and categories. The 2020 Audiobook of the Year was given to The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff, narrated by a full cast with Holter Graham, published by Simon & Schuster Audio. The judges who chose The Only Plane in the Sky as this years Audiobook of the Year based their selection on criteria such as narrative performance and author intent. Judge Emma Straub commented: The narrators were incredible. Judge Adam Silvera noted: It was the most transporting experience. Judge R. Eric Thomas concurred, calling the work an extraordinary achievement, adding, Graff has created a historical document with the deftness of a poet and this production only builds on it, adding a narrative propulsion that never seems exploitative and an emotional depth that's never overwrought. Another evening highlight was the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the APA to Stephen King in recognition for his achievements in the audiobook industry. His son, bestselling author Joe Hill, said in his introduction: Stephen King is the best damn ambassador for audiobooks that anyone could ever wish or hope for. His love for the form goes back decades. I know. I was there. In his acceptance speech, King noted: I listen to my own books the reason why is because you can hear everything you did right and everything you did wrong. This is the most honorable form of storytelling there is. It was a celebratory evening with many memorable moments, hosted by Mo Rocca, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, author, and host of the Mobituaries podcast. Rocca said of audiobooks and The Audies: Part storytelling, part acting, wholly engaging with an unseen audience with your voice, heart and soul all while doing your best not to pop your Ps. I am proud to help celebrate all of tonights nominees. Another notable category winners included Michelle Obamas BECOMING, narrated by the author, for Autobiography/Memoir (Penguin Random House Audio); Douglas Brinkleys AMERICAN MOONSHOT, narrated by Stephen Graybill, for History/Biography (HarperAudio); and Ta-Nehisi Coates THE WATER DANCER, narrated by Joe Morton, for Literary Fiction & Classics (Penguin Random House Audio). Full list of winners below. You can find photos from the event https://mm.gettyimages.com/v2/share/9992e08b-92c2-45c3-bfbf-4a2766fc35e7?page=1&order=asc (Photo credit for all: Sean Zanni for Getty Images) The Turkish government granted jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, 71, access to his family after a seven-month pause. Coming amid Turkeys escalating war against Syrian regime forces in the northwestern province of Idlib, the move has sparked a flurry of speculation on the governments motives. On the face of things, the Turkish government granted permission for Ocalan's brother, Mehmet, to visit him on Imrali, the island prison where the leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has been held since 1999, to allay concerns over his safety. Worries about Ocalan's well-being grew after authorities announced that a Feb. 27 forest fire on the island was now under control. But the governments assurances failed to assuage Kurdish fears that Ocalan was dead. A growing number of Kurds launched protests, mainly in Europe, demanding proof of life. Ocalan was last allowed to see his brother Aug. 7, but the government has repeatedly spurned the demands of Ocalan's lawyers to see their client. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had authorized a visit from Ocalan's lawyers in May 2019, after an eight-year hiatus. The move was seen as a cynical attempt to harness Ocalans help to get the Kurds to vote for his Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate in the Istanbul mayoral redo election in June. Ocalan issued a feeble endorsement via his lawyers, calling on the Kurds to remain neutral in the polls. But the Kurds voted for the opposition in droves, assuring its victory against Erdogans party which some said was a sign that the PKK leaders influence had waned. But past experience has shown that the PKK can always convince its supporters that Ocalans perceived complicity with the state is just another brilliant tactic to outwit Ankara. Giran Ozcan, the Washington representative of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party, whose base is heavily Kurdish, told Al-Monitor, We know that the government has tried to utilize visits to Ocalan for its own ends, and this could be another example of that, in a time when Erdogan and the government has its back to the wall in [the Syrian province of] Idlib and domestically. The forest fire may have been staged to create an excuse for such an opening. Ozcan said it was unlikely, therefore, that the meeting augured a resumption of peace talks between the government and Ocalan and the PKK. The talks collapsed in 2015, in part over Erdogans conviction that his continued grip on power was better assured by ditching the Kurds in favor of nationalists led by his informal coalition partner Devlet Bahceli. But the refusal of the US-backed and PKK-mentored Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) to obey Turkeys demands to join the Sunni rebels fight against president Bashar al-Assad was as big a factor, if not a greater one, many say. Turkey may now be nervous that the YPG will join forces with an enemy bloc comprising Assad, Iran-backed militias and, by extension, Russia, in the ongoing battle in Idlib. So, it may have pressured Ocalan to call on the YPG this time to remain neutral. A PKK source speaking via Telegram from Iraq told Al-Monitor he had reliable information that Turkey was ready to cut a deal with Russia over Idlib, provided it was allowed to hold on to the mainly Kurdish enclave of Afrin. His claim could not be independently verified. Unless it's allowed to regain control of Afrin, which was taken by Turkish forces in 2018 with Moscows blessing, the YPG is unlikely to be interested in getting itself drawn into the conflict, the source added. However, should Erdogan ever conclude that he needs to go back to the Kurds to bolster his drooping poll ratings, he would need to re-engage with Ocalan, Ozcan asserted. Ocalan is still undisputed authority in terms of defining the orientation of Kurdish politics, especially in Turkey and Syria," Ozcan said. "And any right-minded Turkish policy would have to pave the way for Ocalan to resume dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish problem. Aliza Marcus, the author of Blood and Belief, the most authoritative account of the PKK to date, agreed. She told Al-Monitor, More than 20 years since he was captured and imprisoned by Turkey, Ocalans spiritual hold over the PKK remains. He hasnt been able to really communicate with the PKK or with Kurdish supporters in years apart from a brief statement he was allowed to make last year before the Istanbul elections but that hasnt reduced his importance. NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Iroku Inc. dba EA Armament & Surveillance Technologies ("EA Tech USA"), an investment holding company and major shareholder of American Defense Systems (OTC:ADFS), announced on February 26th, 2020, that its board of directors has concluded the buyback of all shares and interest previously held by the Nigerian defense contractor, EA Armament & Surveillance Technologies ("EA Tech Nigeria"). According to the company, all equity and interest that EA Tech Nigeria had in EA Tech USA has been sold to a private venture, EA American Science & Technologies, backed by a small group of New York-based American investors. "The transfer of all equity to American shareholders and the rebranding exercise," according to one company spokesperson, "is meant to properly reflect "the primary goals of ensuring American supremacy in various fields of advanced defense technologies. We are looking forward to promoting ADFS under the umbrella of our new brand 'EA American Science & Technologies' or 'EAAST'; but we will also be seeking joint ventures with other American companies to expand the market reach of ADFS and other American businesses, in geographic areas that are underserved." The next step in this transition plan, according to the executives, is for EAAST to encourage the board of the public company, ADFS, to elect new directors and complete all necessary regulatory compliance by the end of March 2020. Already, in that direction, ADFS has appointed as of March 1st, Mr. Wayne Wright, a career banker, based in New York, as the newest Director since 2014; and the Law Offices of Mr. Mark Pena, Esq., a career securities law firm, based in Florida, as the Company Counsel, as of January 2020. About EAAST: EA American Science & Technologies Inc., a Delaware company, was established in February 2020, to acquire the former Iroku Inc., (dba 'EA Armament & Surveillance Technologies'; or 'EA Tech USA') from EA Tech Nigeria. This acquisition has made EAAST the beneficiary owner of approximately 21% of OTC:ADFS. The new holding company has expressed its intentions to: (a) continue to acquire shares in OTC:ADFS; (b) ensure a strong board of directors and administrative team is established; (c) ensure the highest levels of regulatory compliance at both the ADFS and EAAST levels; and (d) revive the company by diversifying operations to include real estate and other equity holdings, in addition to its traditional defense products and services. About Iroku Inc.: Founded in 2003, Iroku Inc. dba EA American Science & Technologies, invests in and promotes American competitiveness in the global arena of law enforcement, peacekeeping, security and defense technologies. Iroku Inc. maintains a 21% equity stake in American Defense Systems (OTC:ADFS), a US defense contractor that designs and produces reinforced glass and armored vehicles since 2003. Safe Harbor Statement: This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and EAAST undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please visit http://www.eaastechnologies.com SOURCE EA Armament & Surveillance Technologies Related Links http://www.eaastechnologies.com Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan today received the delegation led by the Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe (CoE) Christos Giakoumopoulos. Greeting the guests, Ararat Mirzoyan noted that after their previous meeting Armenia has implemented serious reforms in a number of directions: the process continues, particularly today the National Assembly has been discussing a huge package of judiciary reforms, and these reforms will again become essential steps for the corruption prevention and recuperation and independence of the judicial system. Christos Giakoumopoulos was interested in the ongoing processes over the Constitutional Court and the expecting referendum in the near future, noting that the Council of Europe understands that this is very important for the people of Armenia and will be glad to support them. Ararat Mirzoyan explained in detail the situation and stressed that he strongly believes that this referendum and, in general, the solution to this issue will be a very serious step on the way to further democratization of Armenia. The Speaker of the National Assembly underlined that there cannot be full democracy if the branches of power dont restrain each other, as well as the judicial power cannot be part of democratic system and restrain the other branches, if it is not independent, unbiased, objective and professional, yet there is no such Constitutional Court in Armenia, and the referendum is the best way to make those changes. Health Minister Simon Harris has made clear a letter to a band warning them to self-isolate is not a hoax even though the HSE said it was earlier. The HSE has written to members of an band warning them to self isolate until Sunday March 15 after a case of Coronavirus has been identified in a person who attended a recent practice. When media outlets began reporting on the letter, the HSE said it was not a genuine letter, but Mr Harris has now made clear it is. He said: There is a lot of misinformation out there. The letter in relation to a band practice and being asked to self isolate was not a hoax. It is true, he said. It arises from the contact tracing exercise which was undertaken in relation to the one person in our country who has been diagnosed. It is important to acknowledge that this is a situation which is happening in real time. People acted in good faith responding to a very difficult situation. The letter is true and the precautionary measures have been taken, Mr Harris. People are working flat out, seven days a week in what is a very fast moving story. People are answering questions in good faith and on this occasion that good faith turned out not to be true. That has been now claried by me as minister for health, Mr Harris said. He thanked the media for getting out accurate information on a daily basis. The letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, said the HSE considers that all members of the group who attended the session on Saturday February 29th are being treated as possible contacts of the case and are being asked to limit their public movements. A case of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been identified in a person who attended Band Practice between 6pm and 8pm on Saturday 29th February. As a result, to prevent the possible spread of the infection, all members of this band practice session are being treated as possible contacts of the case, and asked to self-isolate until Sunday March 15th, the HSE letter states. This only applies to members of the under-15 band. It does not apply to members of the other bands [at the same location], the letter adds. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris are to seek Cabinet approval today to establish a special committee to examine the full impact of the Coronavirus on the economy and society. The Irish Examiner has learned that the Taoiseach will chair the new sub-committee. "The Taoiseach and the Minister will now establish a special Cabinet committee to assess the impacts of Covid-19 and oversee the cross Government response. This will be chaired by the Taoiseach, a spokeswoman for Mr Harris said. Band asked to self isolate after contact with Covid-19 patient The HSE has written to members of a band warning them to self isolate until Sunday March 15 after a case of Coronavirus has been identified in a person who attended a recent practice. The letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, said the HSE considers that all members of the group who attended the session on Saturday, February 29 are being treated as possible contacts of the case and are being asked to limit their public movements. A case of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been identified in a person who attended Band Practice between 6pm and 8pm on Saturday 29 February. "As a result, to prevent the possible spread of the infection, all members of this band practice session are being treated as possible contacts of the case, and asked to self-isolate until Sunday March 15, the HSE letter states. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris are to seek Cabinet approval today to establish a special committee to examine the full impact of the Coronavirus on the economy and society. The Irish Examiner has learned that the Taoiseach will chair the new sub-committee. "The Taoiseach and the Minister will now establish a special Cabinet committee to assess the impacts of Covid-19 and oversee the cross Government response. This will be chaired by the Taoiseach, a spokeswoman for Mr Harris said. Mr Harris will also confirm the establishment of a stakeholder event to brief trade unions, employer organisatons, voluntary leaders and a variety of sectors. Mr Harris said he would not be surprised if more confirmed cases of the Coronavirus emerge here in Ireland. He said that the HSE will be given all and any resource needed from Government to deal adequately with the crisis, which has seen one confirmed case here emerge. An individual remains under treatment in a Dublin hospital and his school, Scoil Chatriona in Glasnevin will be closed for 14 days as a result of the diagnosis. Mr Harris, speaking on RTE's Six One News said: We won't be surprised if we see more cases and we've been preparing for that for a number of weeks". He stressed that despite concerns being expressed about the capacity of the health services to cope with a more widespread outbreak, he said resources will be made available. Any extra allocation that is required will be made available by government. The Taoiseach is very clear on that. So too is the Minister for Finance. "It is important to say that when you got to the stage where there were many, many cases in our country, and that's not the stage now, you'd move from what's called the containment stage to the mitigation stage, Mr Harris said. Mr Harris said it is important for people to know that so far we have not had any community transmission in this country. So we've had one imported case where somebody came back from abroad, and we haven't seen community transmission. So we're still in the containment phase, he said. He also said the Opposition are being constantly informed as to developments. Absolutely. I mean, there's huge and I must also point out because we're in an interregnum period where there's obviously government formation talks going on, we're keeping the opposition very well briefed, and I want to thank and acknowledge and the cross party support that everyone's providing this is a real public health issue that we all need to work together on, the minister said. The campaign is represented by attorney Charles Harder, who sued the website Gawker on behalf of pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, winning a $140 million judgment in 2016 that bankrupted the site and led to its sale. Harder also represented Melania Trump in lawsuits against the Daily Mail and a Maryland blogger who asserted that her former modeling agency had acted as an escort service. The first lady settled those suits after the plaintiffs agreed to compensate her. WASHINGTON The historically diverse field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates has winnowed down to 5 after former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and billionaire Tom Steyer all left the race following disappointing performances in the South Carolina primary. With the departure of the 38-year-old Buttigieg the first openly gay candidate to win a state in a major political party's presidential primary the top remaining candidates are all white, heterosexual and over 70 years old. The identities of the remaining candidates may not reflect the core constituencies of a party that prides itself on diversity. But could it derail the Democratic Party's drive to defeat President Donald Trump in November? The 2016 election was a stark reminder to Democrats about the necessity of reconvening the broad coalition of voters that sent Barack Obama to the White House if they want to reclaim the White house. Despite the lack of diversity in the field, Democratic turnout so far has exceeded levels of 2016, but its still behind 2008 when Obama secured the nomination. "Whatever the magic was in 2008, its not been re-created this year in terms of bringing out voters," said Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CNN's Democratic debate on July 31, 2019. Pictured here from left to right are Sen. Kamala Harris (CA), Andrew Yang and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI). Broad representation no longer there At one point, black, Latino, Asian and LGBTQ voters could all point to at least one candidate in the Democratic field with whom they had something in common. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez boasted it was "the most diverse field in American history." But Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris have since suspended their campaigns, as has entrepreneur Andrew Yang, former Obama Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Miramar, Florida, Mayor Wayne Messam. Two of the five remaining candidates are women. But neither has finished better than third in the first four primary contests. And Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is also the sole remaining candidate of color, has yet to win a single delegate. Story continues The 2020 candidates: Who is running for president? An interactive guide Those with delegates under their belts who are still fighting for the nomination do all represent groups that have historically been denied the White House. Sen. Elizabeth Warren would be the first female president. Sen. Bernie Sanders and billionaire Mike Bloomberg are hoping to become the first Jewish president. And Biden would only be the second Catholic president in U.S. history. Former housing secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., talk during the first night of the Democratic presidential debate in Miami on June 26, 2019. In fact, not a single one of the remaining Democratic candidates is a white, Protestant male, three traits that have been shared by every previous president but Kennedy and Obama. Niambi Carter, assistant political professor at Howard University, said she believes the prospect of beating Trump will motivate Democratic voters, including racial and ethnic minorities, to turn out in November even though the diversity of the Democratic field has vanished. "I dont think the loss of that diversity is going to dissuade people," Carter said, arguing that Democratic voters are more energized in 2020 than they were in 2016. "These folks are fired up. Whether your candidate is Bernie Sanders, or Elizabeth Warren or Joe Biden, people care a lot about this race because I think that people are understanding whats at stake. So, sitting on your hands is not going to do because we saw what happened in 2016 when people stayed home. But Carter said for a party that has long relied on minority and women voters, Democrats must do some soul-searching." She said the party might need to change rules that pushed Booker off the debate stage before voting even started and presented challenges for Harris's bid. Black women, for example, have been making the claim that the partys leadership needs to be more reflective of its base, Carter said. I dont know that Tom Perez and others have really done much to move the needle on that. What happened in South Carolina and Nevada The early states have offered a mixed bag of data on voter turnout Among the four early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, 1.12 million people collectively voted this year, 21% more than the 882,948 who turned out in 2016. But its still about 4% less than the 1.17 million people who voted in 2008, despite the populations of those states increasing since then. The lack of racial diversity among the top candidates did not appear to dampen African American voter participation in South Carolina, or Democratic turnout in general. According to the South Carolina secretary of state's office, there were 538,233 votes cast in the contest there on Saturday. In 2008, when Obama had voters "fired up" and "ready to go" as the first viable African American presidential candidate, turnout was 532,151. According to exit polls, black voters cast 55% of the ballots in 2008, and 56% in 2020. While the state's population has increased by more than 12% since 2008, this year's turnout still represents a dramatic increase in voter engagement from 2016. That year, 370,904 votes were cast in the Democratic primary, meaning there was a 43% increase in turnout for this year's primary contest. "Turnout was surprisingly large," said Kirk Randazzo, professor of political science and department chair at the University of South Carolina, referring to both overall turnout in the state and among black voters. "It wasn't quite record-breaking, but we came close." South Carolina's largest turnout increases occurred in suburban, predominantly white areas near Charleston, Columbia and Rock Hill, south of Charlotte, N.C. Nonetheless Randazzo said black voters demonstrated a "tremendous amount of enthusiasm" in the primary, particularly for Biden, who carried the state overwhelmingly. "Really his work as Obama's vice president garnered a tremendous amount of, not just excitement and enthusiasm, but respect for Biden and a belief that he would champion the cause of African American voters. I think that, more than anything else, kind of spurred their turnout rates." Similarly, a lack of diversity among the candidates did not seem to dampen participation in the Nevada caucuses, which was up from 2016. And Latino voter participation was at 17%, according to entrance polls, which found that number was 19% in 2016. "Turnout has been fine in 2020, but its lagging behind that high watermark," said Burden, who serves as the director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Elections Research Center said. "I think it raises the question about what was it about (2008)that turned out so many voters." Burden pointed to the historical significance of 2008 race: Obama seeking to become the first African American president, and Hillary Clinton the first woman president. He also said a two-person race was perhaps more engaging to voters than the current crowded Democratic field. Among the reasons Clinton lost to Trump in 2016 was an inability to reach 2008-level turnout in urban areas that are home to many African American voters. Burden said there isn't enough information yet to say if that could play out again in 2020, noting that apart from Las Vegas none of the first four voting states have urban areas that reflect the type of cities where Democrats need high turnout. That will change come Super Tuesday. "These states are much more diverse and much more populous than the first four, so were beginning to have a look at states that are going to be integral to the electoral math," Burden said. "So maybe we learn different lessons after Tuesday than weve gotten in the first four states." Randazzo said he's not sure the reduced diversity of the field will impact November but said the candidacies of Booker, Castro, Harris and others brought attention to the "systemic issues" that minority candidates face. "I do think that's something that the Democratic Party will have to wrestle with in the long-term," he said. "Or if they don't, they continue to run the risk of being a party that may pay lip-service to issues that minority folks care about but they really don't do anything substantively to move the needle." 2020 candidates on the issues: A voter's guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Tuesday: Democrats are looking to consolidate a broad coalition DUSHANBE -- The sole survivor of a group of attackers who killed four Western cyclists in Tajikistan in 2018 has died in a prison in the capital, Dushanbe. Mansurjon Umarov, chief of the Main Directorate at the Tajik Justice Ministry's Penitentiary Service, told RFE/RL on March 3 that prosecutors were investigating the cause of death of Hussein Abdusamadov, who was serving a life sentence for his role in the killing of the foreign cyclists on the Dushanbe-Danghara highway in July 2018. "Abdusamadov's body has been sent for an autopsy to exclude torture or violence as his cause of death," Umarov said, stressing that Abdusamadov "was a dangerous terrorist." Abdusamadov's relatives confirmed the report, telling RFE/RL that they received his body on March 2. Four cyclists -- an American woman and man, a Dutchman, and a Swiss man -- were killed on July 29, 2018, when attackers plowed their vehicle into the group on a road and then stabbed some of them. Two other foreign cyclists survived the attack, which occurred about 150 kilometers south of Dushanbe. Four suspects in the attack, Zafarjon Safarov, Asomuddin Majidov, Jafariddin Yusupov, and Asliddin Yusupov, were killed by Tajik security forces. Abdusamadov, who was named the group's leader, survived, was found guilty of murder in November 2018. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after it occurred and released a video showing five men -- at least some of whom appeared to resemble those identified by Tajik officials as suspects killed in a confrontation with security forces -- pledging allegiance to the leader of IS. The Tajik government, however, rejected the claim and instead blamed followers of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), a political party that was banned by authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon's government in 2015. The leadership of the IRPT -- which served for several years in the Tajik government -- has denied involvement and called the authorities' claims "shameless and illogical slander." Geneva, March 3 : Up to 20 per cent of the immigrants in the US do not have health insurance, an expert said here during the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Immigrants' barriers to access health care include language, low education, low income, immigration status and lack of health insurance, Xinhua news agency quoted Liliana Osorio, director of the Health Initiative of the Americas at the University of California, as saying on Monday. As a nation of immigrants, 44.7 million immigrants lived in the US in 2018, accounting for 13.7 per cent of America's population, she said. Osorio added that the immigrants, however, have to face policies that limit their access to healthcare and public services. "The health of a country is also the health of its immigrants," she stressed. The expert also expressed concern over the US-Mexico border humanitarian crisis in 2019, saying that throughout the year, 850,000 migrants were apprehended, 70,000 unaccompanied children held in American detention, and 5,500 others forced to be separated from their parents. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday alleged that the tukde-tukde gang had planned to defame the country during US president Donald Trumps visit to India, citing a speech by former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid in connection with the large scale violence that rocked the Capital last week. The partys national IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya, alleged that Khalid had asked people to come out on the streets during Trumps visit to Delhi on February 24. The video of the speech, ostensibly delivered by Khalid on February 17 in Amravati, Maharashtra, was posted by Malviya and other BJP leaders on social media platforms. While addressing a gathering, Khalid is purportedly heard saying in the video: I promise that when Donald Trump will visit India on February 24, we will show how the Indian government is trying to divide the country and tarnish the principles of Mahatma Gandhi... We will come out on streets in huge numbers to tell (the US President) that people of India are fighting to bring everyone together. Will you come out? Malviya alleged that video indicated that the tukde-tukde gang a term the BJP often uses for JNU students and activists alleging that they are unpatriotic was planning a massive protest in Delhi during the Trump visit. Umar Khalid, already facing sedition charges, gave a speech in Amaravati on 17 Feb, where he exhorted a largely Muslim audience to come out on streets in huge numbers when Trump arrives in India on 24th. Was the violence in Delhi planned weeks in advance by the Tukde Tukde gang? Malviya tweeted. Despite repeated efforts, Khalid could not be reached for a comment. However, he rebutted the BJPs comments on social media. I stand guilty of following Mahatma Gandhi. I wonder, do they hate Gandhiji so much that they want to associate him with naked violence. Actually, they dont have a problem with me, they have a problem with Mahatma Gandhi. Their existence reeks of hatred towards the saint of Peace. If they want to arrest me for invoking Gandhi, I will wear it like a badge of honour for the rest of my life, Khalid tweeted. The Delhi Police are pursuing a case against Khalid, former JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar and eight other students, in relation to a February 9, 2016 event at the central university. They have been accused of shouting anti-India slogans and booked for sedition. The Delhi government last week gave the police a sanction to prosecute them in the case. The JNU students have consistently denied all charges, including raising separatist slogans. Founded by the Astra Global Technology Company, the newly launched Astra Tourism Social Network is expected to become a platform connecting citizens around the world through the typical culture of each nation, reported the Voice of Vietnam (VOV). The Astra tourism social network is launched on September 21, 2019. (Photo: vovworld.vn) Each member of the network will be an ambassador to introduce and promote their country, its culture and people. Astra is Vietnam's first tourism social network, helping domestic users connect, interact, share experiences, places, and cuisine, and explore tourism potential at home and abroad. The network has features to connect the global online travel market, share travel experiences and reviews with others, and purchase travel services. Astras highlight is promoting Vietnams image to the world and bringing the world to Vietnam. Whenever a user is in a country, the national flag of that country will appear at the corner of that person's avatar photo," said Astra CEO Nguyen Tiep. "Astra is a social network contributed by users who are rewarded corresponding to the values they have contributed to us. The payout is based on the quality of users articles. The rewards can be redeemed for travel products, vouchers, flight tickets, and movie tickets, he added. One of Astras highlight features is creating a schedule for each trip. At the end of the trip, the schedule is saved and an album of the trip is created. When a holiday maker live-streams the places they visit, the live-stream is supported with light, music, and sound effects. Astra also has features to find friends, invite friends to join your trip, provide a travel guide map, and search for nearby hotels, restaurants, and bars. Outstanding members of the Astra community are automatically honored in the system. Miss World Vietnam 2019 Luong Thuy Linh, the networks ambassador, said: Astra helps the community, especially young travel lovers, who, through the network, can find useful information for their trips, even new fellow-travellers for future journeys. Astra is a catalyst helping people learn about tourist attractions and boost the development of the hospitality industry in Vietnam and the world. Astra users can access quickly and accurately reference information they need on tourist destinations, store and share beautiful moments, and save information about restaurants, hotels and transportation services. Through Astra, users can contact service providers directly, reducing the cost of their trip. They can also feel more secure about purchasing products which have been reviewed by others. I think the network is useful and will be used widely. It will save me time in looking for information, said Lan Huong, an Astra user. In the first year, Astra hopes to attract 1 to 2 million users with a goal of promoting Vietnam, its land and people, to the world, bring the world to Vietnam, and create a community of travel lovers./.VNA A tasty social networking site using artificial intelligence A social network site geared towards lovers of food is proving popular since its launch in Vietnam. This article is part of the Debatable newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday, millions of voters in 14 states and American Samoa headed to the polls in what may prove to be the most important day in the Democratic presidential primary. But what happens if voters remain split among four contenders tomorrow? Its possible perhaps even likely that none of them will win a majority of the 3,979 pledged delegates needed to clinch the nomination on the first ballot. That could trigger a contested convention in July, a potentially chaotic and caustic process that Democrats havent had to undertake since 1952 and that some fear could pave the way to President Trumps re-election. How would a contested convention work, what would it mean for the party, and can it be avoided? Heres what people are saying. ** POSTPONED ** Start From: Thursday 19 March 2020, 11:30AM to Thursday 19 March 2020, 02:30PM Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. ** POSTPONED ** The AGM for March has been postponed to April. In view of this, the March 19th lunch venue has now been changed to The Boathouse, 182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach. Registration at 11.30am, lunch at 12 noon. Members 700 baht. Non-Members/Guests 850 baht. Ladies in the North, a minivan will still be leaving from outside the rear entrance of Tawai Restaurant in Boat Avenue. Amroha Police on Monday seized a vehicle loaded with 703 cartons of illegal liquor worth Rs 27 lakh. Vipin Tada, Amroha superintendent of police, said that cops were checking vehicles near Jalalpur village under the Rajabpur police station area when they stopped a suspicious truck. However, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled from the spot. The liquor was hidden under packets of chips and biscuits. Police also seized a mobile phone, which was found from the vehicle. Police tried to contact the owner of the truck but his phone was switched off. No arrest has been made so far and an investigation is underway in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Elkhart, Indiana--(Newsfile Corp. - March 2, 2020) - ResGreen Group International, Inc. (OTC Pink: RGGI) CEO Parashar (Parsh) Patel, announced today that being the sole office and director of the Company, he has appointed Brian Kistler as a member of the Board of Directors and as Chief Information/compliance Officer for RGGI. Patel commented, "Brian brings vast knowledge and experience in the Financial Industry and OTC marketplace as he has consulted and served with many OTC public companies. I am looking forward to working with him and our future looks bright as we continue developing the cutting-edge technology in the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) industry. With Brian on board, I can now focus totally on my strengths in engineering and automation processes." ABOUT BRIAN KISTLER: Mr. Kistler volunteered and joined the United States Marine Corp where he served successfully as a Military Police/Criminal Investigator. Upon Honorable Discharge he became an Indiana State Police trooper until he began his work in the private sector. He has extensive work history of over Thirty years in the financial services industry, joining securities firm Edward Jones in 1987. Mr. Kistler then joined Linsco/Private Ledger in 1992, an independent broker/dealer firm, where he worked as an independent contractor and in 1994, he was recruited by broker/dealer Hilliard Lyons as area supervisor to develop the northeast area of Indiana. In 1999 Mr. Kistler joined Raymond James & Associates to manage their recently acquired Fort Wayne, Indiana office. Subsequently, he became the manager of nine (9) Raymond James offices in northern Indiana. During his time as manager, the revenues and assets under management grew substantially to over 2 billion dollars as a direct result of Mr. Kistler's ability to recruit, retain and train high quality financial advisers. Mr. Kistler left Raymond James in June 2006 to focus on the development of the Freedom Energy Holdings where he continues to serve as CEO and was responsible for taking it public on the OTC Market. Story continues Mr. Kistler serves as consultant to many public companies, assisting with the preparation and compliance of regulatory filings and corporate governance/compliance. He further is proficient in and has assisted many private startup companies work through the tedious process of becoming a fully reporting public company including the purchase and merger into public companies quoted on the Over the counter marketplace (OTC Markets). He currently serves as consultant, CEO, Director to several public companies guiding them through the public company regulatory requirements. Mr. Kistler is an active Arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for the State of Indiana. ABOUT RESGREEN GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.: (OTC Pink: RGGI) RGGI is using certain Know-how and Intellectual Property (IP) that it possesses to develop components for material handling logistics, certain Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV) and mobile technologies. Current management has years of successful professional engineering experience in the automation industry. The Company remains focused and highly motivated to execute on its business strategy to develop certain Automatic Guided Transports including AGV / AGC and Mobile COBOT. Safe Harbor: This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of ResGreen Group International Inc. with members of its management team as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-statements include fluctuation of operating results, the ability to compete successfully and the ability to complete before-mentioned transactions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results. Contact: ResGreen Group International, Inc. Parashar Patel, President and CEO Tel: 1-586-467-5841 Email: resgreenint@gmail.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52991 In this Monday, March 2, 2020, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a military drill at undisclosed location in North Korea. AP North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw artillery units' firing drills, state media said Tuesday, a day after South Korea said the communist nation fired what appeared to be two ballistic missiles. On Monday, South Korea's military said the North fired two projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea in the first such launches since Pyongyang warned of a "new strategic weapon" and "shocking actual action" at the beginning of the year. After inspecting the long-range artillery sub-units' testing of the multiple rocket launcher system, Kim expressed "great satisfaction" and called for a strong "military readiness posture." "He said that the People's Army should keep full combat-readiness to protect the sky, land and sea of the country from any encroachment, steadily increase its combat capabilities," according to the Korean Central News Agency. At least 185 students were detained by police on Tuesday while they were going to the Ramlila Maidan here to protest against the new citizenship law and the recent communal riots in northeast Delhi. According to police, the protesters were detained from different locations in the national capital and taken to several police stations. Around 200 students had gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday morning in response to a protest call given by the Young India Coordination Committee, which comprises members from various student bodies. Former IAS officer and activist Kannan Gopinathan was also present. However, the police restrained the students from proceeding towards the Ramlila Maidan to participate in the protest march against the Citizenship (Amendment) Law and over the communal violence in the national capital. While many students claimed that hundreds of them were detained from several parts of the city, the police confirmed they had held 185 student protesters. Police said the students did not have permission for the march to Parliament. Former JNU Students' Union president N Sai Balaji, who was leading the march, said, "We had submitted the application for permission on February 27. We were informed on Monday about the permission being rejected. It is last-minute intimation". Later, student groups who arrived at Jantar Mantar raised anti-government slogans and demanded resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah over the recent communal riots in northeast Delhi. Many students carried posters and banners that read: "Peace, Not Riot", "Scrap Sedition Law", "Reject anti-poor, Reject anti-Muslim," "DU for communal harmony", and "Stop police brutality on anti-CAA protestors". The former IAS officer, Gopinathan, said he was happy that there are still people who are not afraid to question the Centre. Anyone who raises questions against the Centre is termed 'anti-national', he said while addressing the gathering. "When students question the government, they are termed as 'tukde-tukde' gang. If activists raise questions, they are termed 'urban naxals'," he said. Balaji criticised the Delhi Police for not arresting BJP leaders for their allegedly provocative slogans. "We are not Hindu or Muslim. We are youngsters of this country who are here to safeguard the constitution of this country," he said "They (Centre) are scared of the youngsters of the country, so they frame us on false charges and the leaders of BJP who raise provocative slogans get a free run," he added. A student claimed the police were detaining the protesters even if they were assembling in small groups. "We don't fear anyone. We need to stand united at this hour and spread the message of peace," said one of the protestors. Another protestor, a student of Lady Sri Ram College, said, "The rules and regulations are made for us. Our only way of expressing our dissent is through protests. What has happened in northeast Delhi is disheartening". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has launched a set of new rules to crack down on perceived 'bad information' on the internet, including sensational headlines, excessive celebrity gossip and sexual innuendo. Officials have also warned internet publishers not to release 'inappropriate commentaries' related to major disasters or accidents in the policy that went into effect amid the coronavirus crisis. Chinese officials already tightened censorship last month after the public took to social media to blast their government's handling of the health crisis. China has warned its online content creators not to publish sensational headlines, excessive celebrity gossip or sexual innuendo. The latest order went into effect on Monday (file photo) The latest order, which went into effect on Monday, comes from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The authority passed the directive on December 15 last year and said it was aiming to create an 'online information content ecosystem'. The official document also blacklists 'vulgar and kitschy' content, graphic pictures as well as articles that would spark geographic discrimination or lead teenagers to commit 'immoral acts'. Additionally, it warns online content publishers not to cross '10 red lines'. They include posts that incite subversion of state power, undermine national unity, instigate terrorist and extremist activities, damage national religious policies, promote cults and defame or deny the spirits of heroes and martyrs. The new regulations, which came amid the coronavirus outbreak, also urged internet publishers not to release 'inappropriate commentaries' related to major disasters. The picture shows volunteers eggs from a truck in front of a residential compound in Wuhan on Monday China is home to the largest online community in the world. As of December, there were around 3.67 million apps available in the country and the number of downloads of social and information software programmes amounted to 116billion times that month, according to CAC. China's coronavirus outbreak has tested the limits of free speech on the country's heavily censored online and social media. A brief window of liberalisation opened during January but was subsequently slammed shut by authorities. While censorship in China has tightened under President Xi Jinping, questions of transparency around the current outbreak are especially sensitive. Beijing's cover-up of the extent of the 2003 SARS epidemic had fuelled suspicion and mistrust and led to official calls for openness this time around. The online buzz about the outbreak flourished, with netizens largely unfettered in criticising local authorities - but not central government leaders - over their handling of the crisis. Li Wenliang, 34, died of the coronavirus on February 7, despite attempts to resuscitate him. The ophthalmologist caught the public's attention after he was reprimanded by police and accused of spreading 'fake news' for warning on social media of 'SARS at a Wuhan seafood market'. The Chinese public voiced fury online over his punishment and subsequent death Mourners pay their respect to deceased Chinese doctor Li Wenliang during a vigil ceremony in Hong Kong on February 7. The public have accused Dr Li's hospital of trying to cover up truth That liberalisation came to end in early February. Censors reportedly shut down WeChat groups and scrubbed social media posts, according to Chinese reporters. Authorities also reprimanded tech firms that gave free rein to online speech. Especially, China's censorship machine was tested when Dr Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who had been reprimanded for issuing an early warning about coronavirus, died of the disease on February 7, triggering widespread outrage as well as mourning. Online media outlets were permitted to report on Dr Li's death, but not the anger it had engendered, and early discussions on social media calling for the Wuhan government to apologise to him later disappeared. Chen Qiushi, a citizen journalist who was sending dispatches from Wuhan over Twitter - which is blocked in China - including images of corpses in the city's hospitals, has been forcibly put under quarantine since February 7, according to his family and a friend managing his account in his absence. Chen Qiushi, a Chinese citizen journalist reporting from Wuhan, has been missing since February 7 after he said he was going to visit a makeshift coronavirus hospital, his friends said Mr Qiushi's mother has also posted a video on social media (pictured) Many Chinese Internet users have turned to black humour or shared images, songs and other art forms in private WeChat groups to express their dismay. One phrase widely shared mocked how many Internet pages and content were now showing 'server not found' or '404'. '404+404+404+404+404=2020,' said the shared post. Originating in Wuhan, the new coronavirus - known as COVID-19 - has killed at least 2,944 people and infected more than 80,100 inside China. Italians have been told to stand one metre away from each other in all public spaces in a bid to stop coronavirus from spreading. A woman is pictured wearing a mask on a street of Rome The death toll in Italy, Europe's worst affected country, jumped to 52 yesterday from 34 the day before. The picture shows pedestrians wearing face masks while walking on a street of Rome The number of new virus cases dropped again in the country on Tuesday, with just 125 new cases after a six-week low of 202 a day earlier. However, outbreaks outside of China have soared in the past week. More than 70 nations are now battling the contagion, with South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran among the worst-affected. Globally, the coronavirus has killed at least 3,128 people and infected more than 92,100. Phuket Immigration smart car helps nab South African caught overstaying, blacklisted for 10 years PHUKET: Officers from Phuket Immigration arrested a South African man in Kathu for overstaying his permit-to-stay for more than a year after receiving a tip-off and checking the mans immigration status using one of two BMW smart cars available. immigration By Tanyaluk Sakoot Tuesday 3 March 2020, 10:05AM One of the new Phuket Immigration BMW smart cars. Photo: Phuket Immigration Col Nareuwat Putthawiro of Phuket Immigration confirmed to The Phuket News that his officers received a tip-off that the South African man, 56-year-old Andre Sean Vermaak, was staying in the country illegally. Acting on the tip-off, officers in an Immigration smart car found Mr Vermaak at the Kathu Waterfall car park on Feb 24, Col Nareuwat explained. The officers scanned his passport and found that he had overstayed by 479 days. He was taken to Kathu Police Station and charged, he said. Mr Vermaak was found guilty of staying in the country illegally and banned from re-entering Thailand for 10 years, Col Nareuwat added. He is now being detained at Phuket Immigration waiting to be deported, which will happen soon, he said. Col Nareuwat praised the new smart cars issued to Phuket Immigration. We have been using them since last year after they were issued to us by Bangkok, he said. These cars are useful for working quickly. For example, they can take fingerprint scans to identify people and they have dash cams and a fast internet connection, he said. We can now go anywhere in Phuket after receiving a tip-off and check peoples immigration status without having to bring them back to the Phuket Immigration office, Col Nareuwat said. Last month, the Bridgeton court system reported more than 50 cases on its docket targeting T.E.H., yet the company has repeatedly failed to appear in court. Just this week, Missouri American Water announced it will turn off the water at four large apartment complexes this month if T.E.H. affiliates dont pay up more than $100,000 in overdue bills. As usual, T.E.H. officials couldnt be reached for comment. Hawley visited T.E.H.s Bridgeport Crossing apartment complex in November and declared the landlord the scummiest of scum a point repeatedly made by this newspaper long before the Republican freshman senator got involved. Yet even his calls for federal investigations failed to get a response from the company. A wedding at mansion descended into chaos when a man allegedly climbed on the bonnet of a car and smashed the windscreen with his bare hands, while another man had his tyres slashed. Police were called to the luxury reception of a wedding worth tens of thousands of dollars at Campbell Point House in Leopold, south-west of Melbourne, over the weekend. Mobile phone footage allegedly showed the moment the man mounted the bonnet of a moving Mercedes van and threw his fist into its windscreen, smashing it. The video showed cameraman running towards the man straddling the bonnet and ordering him to move away from the car. Mobile phone footage allegedly showed the moment a man mounted the bonnet of a moving Mercedes van and threw his fist into its windscreen, smashing it 'You punched the window! You jumped on!' the cameraman yelled. 'No he hit me!' the man on the car replied, pointing at the driver. The cameraman repeatedly yelled at him to 'get off' the vehicle. It is believed the man (pictured) was not part of the wedding gathering, which was attended by 40 people But the man stood his ground, demanding the driver turn the vehicle off. A member of the bridal party called police. 'From the second we arrived, it was clear that things were not right,' he told the Herald Sun. 'In the end my main concern was that the married couple had a good time, and we got out of there.' The car was believed to be carrying the parents of the bride and groom. It is also believed the man was not part of the wedding gathering, which was attended by 40 people. Police told Daily Mail Australia the man fell from the van and was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and no one has been arrested. According to the publication, an unidentified person allegedly slashed the tyres of a man's car at the same wedding. Meg Blackhall, the co-owner of the property, told Daily Mail Australia: 'The matter is with the police and our legal team and the truth will play out through the proper channels.' ST. LOUIS, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, was named a Top Workplace by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the seventh consecutive year. "Being recognized as a top workplace in Atlanta for seven years in a row is a tremendous honor," said Atlanta District Vice President David Bender. "This award is a testament to our employees and their passion for serving customers and powering the new era of distribution." Energage LLC, a leading research and consulting firm, collects employee feedback through an anonymous survey to determine the Top Workplace list. The survey measures organizational health factors relating to workplace culture, such as employee engagement and company leadership. To learn more about Atlanta's Top Workplaces, visit https://www.ajc.com/top-workplaces/. To learn more about career opportunities at Graybar, visit www.graybar.com/careers. Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of nearly 290 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR. Media Contact: Tim Sommer (314) 578-7672 [email protected] Alex Vietor (314) 573-5108 [email protected] SOURCE Graybar Related Links http://www.graybar.com Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, as a courtesy call. The meeting is expected to take place at 11 am in Parliament. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders after Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the Assembly elections last month. The meeting comes a week after the national capital saw its worst riots in more than two decades that so far has claimed 46 lives and left more than 200 people injured. Kejriwal had met Home Minister Amit Shah after winning the elections. Soon after the meeting, the Delhi chief minister took to Twitter and said, Met Honble Home Minister Sh Amit Shah ji. Had a very good and fruitful meeting. Discussed several issues related to Delhi. Both of us agreed that we will work together for development of Delhi. The meeting went on for over 20 minutes at Shahs residence at Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi. This was their first one-on-one meeting ever in a formal setting, an AAP leader said. Shah had led the BJP offensive against Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi Assembly polls. The AAP trounced the BJP in the elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats. Shah later acknowledged that his assessment of the Delhi elections had gone wrong but underscored that the BJP had succeeded in expanding its ideology through the polls, a reference to the increase in the BJPs vote share. Kejriwals courtesy call - he wasnt able to meet Amit Shah when he moved to the Home Ministry after last years national elections - was seen as a concerted effort to work together with the central government for the national capital. Deadly tornadoes knocked out polling places in Tennessee, fears over the coronavirus left some precincts short of election workers and long lines frustrated voters in California and Texas as Super Tuesday sent voters surging to the polls in 14 states. Scattered reports of polling places opening late, machines malfunctioning or voter rolls being down temporarily disrupted voting in some of the states voting Tuesday, but there were no widespread reports of voters being unable to cast a ballot or security breaches. Just hours before polls were set to open in Tennessee, tornadoes tore through parts of the state, killing at least 24. With more than a dozen polling sites in Nashvilles Davidson County damaged, voters were sent to other locations, where some of them encountered long lines. The Tennessee Democratic Party and the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren successfully sued Davidson County election officials and the secretary of states office to extend voting for three hours beyond the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time. Aside from the tornado-ravaged counties in the South, the two biggest Super Tuesday prizes of California and Texas appeared to have most of the voting-related problems. Voter file databases were down or excruciatingly slow in some counties in California and Texas. In Los Angeles County, electronic pollbooks that are connected to the states voter database were operating slowly because of the high number of voters, County Registrar-Recorder spokesman Mike Sanchez said. The county brought in technicians and added devices in some polling places to move lines along. Even so, delays were two hours or longer in some locations. Beverly Hills City Councilman Julian Gold said waiting times there were 2 1/2 to 3 hours. He said he was told the delays were related to voter check-in. Theres a lot of frustration (and) people walk away, he said. I dont know if theyll come back. I hope they do. At a vote center in Silver Lake, near downtown Los Angeles, poll workers said computer network issues slowed the voter check-in process and made some machines unusable. About one-third of the approximately 40 machines were being used, and some had out of order signs taped to them. The resulting line meant it took about an hour for voters to cast their ballot. In Texas, elections officials in the Houston area were sending additional voting machines to polling places after people reported hourslong wait times. A voting-rights group said the problem seemed most acute in heavily black and Latino neighborhoods. Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, described problems with pollbooks around the country as intermittent I.T. issues that had since been resolved. Were not aware of any persistent, long-term issues associated with the election infrastructure of the United States right now, he said. In Minnesota, a poll-finding tool on the secretary of states website was briefly inaccessible on Tuesday. Republicans cried foul when visitors to the site were redirected to a left-leaning website that also supplied polling place information. Secretary of State Steve Simon said a staff member had linked to the partisan site in what he called a serious lapse of judgment. U.S. intelligence chiefs have warned that foreign interference remains a threat for the 2020 election, but the national agency that oversees election security said Tuesday it had not detected any notable uptick in either misinformation by foreign nations or targeted attacks on voting equipment. That doesnt mean Super Tuesday was free of mischief. The Texas Secretary of States Office had reports that voters were receiving robocalls stating incorrectly that Republicans would vote on Tuesday while Democrats and independents would vote on Wednesday. Spokesman Stephen Chang said the office has the number from which the calls were made and has reported them to federal authorities. He said it was unclear who was responsible for the calls, which were made across the state. Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers Committee for Equal Protection Under Law, said her organization filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission about the robocalls. An official with the federal cybersecurity agency said they were aware of the Texas robocalls and were investigating. Fears of the coronavirus temporarily disrupted voting as the day began. In Travis County, Texas, home to Austin, many election workers did not show up, with some citing fears of contracting the virus, according to the county clerks office. The election office said it implemented emergency procedures, with elections staff and other employees filling in as poll workers. Another county, in California, addressed concerns over the coronavirus by sending bottles of hand sanitizer to polling places and asking poll workers to post fliers from the public health department on how to avoid spreading the virus. Jesse Salinas, the chief elections official in Yolo County, just west of Sacramento, said about 10% of poll workers backed out at the last minute, and he pointed to concerns about getting the virus. He said thats about double what is normal for an election, and sent his team scrambling for replacements. We are hoping people remain calm and still participate in the election process, Salinas said. ___ Cassidy reported from Atlanta; Sainz reported from Memphis. ___ Associated Press writers Frank Bajak in Lima, Peru, Jill Bleed in Little Rock, Arkansas, Jake Bleiberg in Dallas, Kate Brumback in Atlanta, Stefanie Dazio and Justin Pritchard in Los Angeles, Ben Fox and Eric Tucker in Washington, D.C., Doug Glass in Minneapolis, Juan Lozano in Houston, Jonathan Mattise in Nashville and Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, and contributed to this report. Gandhinagar, March 3 : Just like Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath enacted laws to make rioters pay for damage to public property, the Gujarat government too on Tuesday announced that rioters will be made to cough up money for damage to public property. "Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has instructed the administration to scrutinize the rioters' property and make assessment so that the damage caused by them to the public property can be recovered," Pradeepsinh Jadeja, the minister of state for home, said in the ongoing budget session of the Gujarat assembly. Jadeja was speaking in the House during the discussion on the recent Khambhat riots, under rule 116 of the Gujarat Assembly, raised by Congress MLAs Imran Khedawala, Gyasuddin Shaikh, Mohammed Peerzada and Mahesh Kumar Rawal. The Minister informed the House that there were a total of 9 FIRs filed in the case and 115 persons were arrested. Cudgels, iron rods, daggers were recovered from the accused. During the violence, the rioters had damaged houses, shops, vehicles and also public property in Akbarpur, Madarnagar, Bhoi Bari, Lal Darvaza, Pirajpura, Bhavsar wad, Prajapati Vas, Tran Darvaja areas of Khambhat. During the riots, 41 members of the public and eight police officials were injured in stone pelting. Jadeja said that the Additional DG (law and order), IG (armed unit), Ahmedabad range IG, Superintendent of Police (SP), Kheda, Superintendent of Police (SP), Ahmedabad rural and SRP commandant as well as SMC were immediately rushed to the affected area, as soon as the news of the riots was received. The Director General of Police (DGP) also visited Khambhat. The Minister said that due to the prompt action by the district administration and the police, the accused were arrested. Standard procedures like area domination, arrest of anti-social elements, flag marches, static deployment, combing and constant patrolling by senior officials brought the situation under control. Akin Abayomi, Lagos state commissioner of health, says some of the persons who boarded the same flight with the Italian who tested pos... Akin Abayomi, Lagos state commissioner of health, says some of the persons who boarded the same flight with the Italian who tested positive to coronavirus in Nigeria gave false information. The patient currently at the Infectious Disease Hosptial in the Yaba area of the state came into Nigeria exactly one week ago. After landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, he checked into a hotel and moved to Ewekoro, Ogun state, the next day. He was said to have complained of fever before being admitted and subsequently tested for the virus. Addressing reporters on the efforts to contain the spread of the disease, Abayomi said those who had contacts with the patient are still being traced. He said the government has intensified its search for all persons that had interaction with the isolated patient. Abayomi said the incident command centre was still investigating possible transmission of the virus, pointing out that the centre had identified all the local contacts that interacted with the patient. There were 159 passengers in the aircraft and six people that came in contact with him at the airport. There are 25 people who came in contact with him at the factory; there were two drivers and an ambulance driver, Abayomi said. We have quarantined those identified so far at our medical facilities and some of them at home. We are calling them twice a day to check if they are okay. If they develop symptoms, we will bring them to our bio-security facility for test. We have identified all of these people except some of the people on the aircraft who have either gone back to Europe and other states. Some of them gave us false information on the phone. We are still trying to find the remaining passengers on that aircraft every day. Our contact list is over 100 persons and this number is increasing every day. Virginia is the first state in the South, and the 20th overall, to prohibit "conversion therapy," the debunked practice of trying to change a young person's sexual orientation or gender identity. "Conversion therapy sends the harmful message that there is something wrong with who you are," Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday. "This discriminatory practice has been widely discredited in studies and can have lasting effects on our youth, putting them at a greater risk of depression and suicide. No one should be made to feel they are not OK the way they are especially not a child. I'm proud to sign this ban into law." Image: Ralph Northam Virginia's measure, HB 386, which takes effect July 1, prohibits health care providers or counselors licensed by the state from subjecting anyone under 18 to the practice. Doing so, according to the bill, will constitute "unprofessional conduct and is grounds for disciplinary action." Conversion therapy, sometimes called "ex-gay therapy" or "reparative therapy," has been condemned by nearly every major health association, including the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, which in November backed a nationwide ban. A 2018 report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law found that nearly 700,000 LGBTQ adults in the U.S. had received conversion therapy at some point in their lives, with about 350,000 of them having undergone the treatment as adolescents. Conversion therapy, which typically takes the form of talk therapy, is associated with an increase in suicidal thoughts, drug abuse and depression among teens. Including Virginia, 20 states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws prohibiting it, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ think tank. California was the first to do so, in 2012. In a report released last year, the Williams Institute estimated that 10,000 LGBTQ youths 13 to 17 had been protected from conversion therapy because of state bans. Story continues Sam Brinton, a survivor of conversion therapy, is the head of advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth in crisis. On Tuesday, Brinton applauded the signing of HB 386. "This bold action will send a message to all LGBTQ young people in the great Commonwealth of Virginia that they are loved and deserve support," Brinton said in a statement. "Conversion therapy has no place in modern society, and as the first of many LGBTQ-affirming bills to reach the desk of Governor Northam, we are happy to sweep conversion therapy into the dustbin of history." While the conversion therapy ban is the first gay rights measure Northam has signed this year, HB 386 is not the only LGBTQ rights bill expected to reach his desk soon. Last month, the General Assembly passed a comprehensive antidiscrimination bill, known as the Virginia Values Act, which would ban LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram At a congressional hearing Tuesday reviewing the U.S. response to the COVID-19 crisis, Washington Sen. Patty Murray expressed strong frustration to federal health officials over what she said was a lack of testing in her home state where at least six people have died. MORE: Coronavirus live updates: Westchester County man who tested positive may be case of 'community spread' Im hearing from people that are sick and want to get tested they do not know where to go, Murray said in her opening statement, speaking to officials from the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. PHOTO: Senator Patty Murray, left, and Senator Lamar Alexander listen during the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on how the U.S. Is Responding to COVID-19, the Novel Coronavirus on March 3, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Jack Gruber-USA Today Network) She said the problem is the same across the country. Its unacceptable that people in my state and nationwide cant even get an answer to whether or not they are infected, Murray, D-Wash., said. Sen. Patty Murray expresses frustrations on U.S. government's coronavirus response. "To put it simply: if someone at the White House or in this administration is actually in charge of responding to the coronavirus, it'd be news to anybody in my state." https://t.co/bSJc5XYEYR pic.twitter.com/1jCzutmUme ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 3, 2020 The Centers for Disease Control has been criticized by other health professionals for initially coming up with a faulty test for the new coronavirus and then for conducting testing too slowly and on too few people. PHOTO: Anne Schuchat of the CDC, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Kadlec of HHS, and FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn appear before a Senate committee, March 3, 2020, in Washington. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Dr. Anne Shucat, the Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health were being grilled, as well as Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn. MORE: Fed cuts interest rates by half a percentage point over coronavirus Story continues Fauci also said he wanted to clarify and confusion over the timeline for possible treatment options and vaccines -- a matter that came up during President Donald Trump's meeting with his COVID-19 task force and pharmaceutical company executives Monday at the White House. Its important to point out that the timelines for each of these are fundamentally different, he said in his opening statement. MORE: As coronavirus spreads in the US, employers gear up for massive work-from-home experiment Fauci said the data from China shows that 80% of individuals recover with no intervention, but that 15-20% need some kind of intervention. We want desperately to have a therapy for these individuals, he said, adding that multiple options are currently being tested in randomized trials. After the hearing, they were scheduled to brief all senators about the situation. As CDC and FDA officials faced repeated questions about the rate of testing and availability of tests, FDA Commissioner Hahn said labs should have the ability to conduct up to a million tests by the end of the week. Our expectation in talking to the company thats scaling this up is that we should have capacity by the end of the week to have kits available to the laboratories to perform about a million tests, he said in response to Sen. Doug Jones, an Alabama Democrat. Put another way, Hahn said that 2,500 test kits should be distributed to labs by the end of the week. Each kit has the ability to conduct 500 tests. PHOTO: Anne Schuchat of the CDC, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Kadlec of HHS, and FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn appear before a Senate committee, March 3, 2020, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP) Schuchat also said the CDC is rapidly supplying public health labs with tests, but emphasized that public health labs only represent a small portion of all the tests run of respiratory samples during flu season and that the majority of people with respiratory symptoms dont get tested. By the end of this week really all the state labs the public health labs should be able to do testing, she said. MORE: What to do if you think you have coronavirus symptoms Fauci also gave some information and recommendations on what to do if you have symptoms and dont know if it could be the new coronavirus or the flu. The definitive test would be to get a test for the flu or a test for the coronavirus, Fauci said, adding later that a flu test would not come up positive for COVID-19. Coronavirus starts off with a fever and a lower respiratory infection, as opposed to an upper respiratory infection that could become lower which is the fluWhen you have lung involvement you can get that with flu but usually its upper respiratory. if youre in the middle of a flu season right now if you have a fever and a cough, obviously if you have a cough it could be a pneumonia you should see a physician. Certainly if youre a person in a risk group, elderly or underlying condition, during a flu season you should see a physician because we do have antivirals for flu and you could be helped by doing that. He added that preventative steps are the same for both so what you can do to protect yourself from the new coronavirus are the same things you can do to protect yourself from the flu. Washington state senator 'frustrated' residents can't get tested for new coronavirus originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Two servicemen injured, another three with combat wounds amid 13 enemy attacks in Donbas Two Ukrainian servicemen were injured and another three received combat wounds amid 13 attacks of the Russia-led armed forces for the past 24 hours, a press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) reported. "On March 2, Russia-led armed forces violated ceasefire 13 times. As a result of the enemy's shell attacks, two Ukrainian servicemen received injuries, three received combat wounds," JFO reported on its official website on Facebook on Tuesday morning. The enemy mounted seven attacks in the area of responsibility of the Skhid (East) task force: near Maryinka and Opytne using grenade launchers of various types, small arms; twice near Krasnohorivka using the barrel artillery of caliber 152 mm two shells and three mines from 120mm mortars, near Avdiyivka using heavy machine guns and small arms, near Novomykhailivka using 120mm caliber mortars, near Lebedynske using manual anti-tank grenade launchers. The enemy mounted six attacks in the area of responsibility of Pivnich (North) task force: near Orikhove, Novotoshkivske and Krymske. "From this day, the Russian occupation forces fired eight mines at the defenders of the village of Shyrokyne using 82 mm mortar, which is in the area of responsibility of the East task force. There are no losses for the current day," the headquarters added. In addition, the press center added that "according to confirmed data, the losses of the Russian occupying forces over the past two days amounted to four people, two people wounded, two military units were destroyed. France's Ambassador, Michele Ramis, launched on Tuesday the Strategy to promote French Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in Romania, opportunity with which she stated that our country is profoundly attached to the cultural phenomenon and expressed the determination of the French side to act in favor of developing cultural economy in the domain of books, cinematography, audiovisual, music and digital media. According to the French diplomat, after the Romania-France season, there is the desire to continue to act by association with Romanian partners, because Romania has an important potential in this regard: festivals, film studios, book fairs.She recalled that the sector of creative industries represents today a huge stake in matter of competitiveness, attractiveness and development for our economies."This sector generates in France a turnover of 91.4 billion euro per year, which represents 2.3 pct of the national economy, having a contribution comparable with that of the agri-food sector and twice as important as the automotive industry. In Romania it brings an income worth 3 billion euro," Michele Ramis showed.According to her, the strategy to promote the French Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in Romania implies creating connections between public and private actors, between authorities and cultural operators - festival directors, various authors, artists, private societies, and patrons."We now define the framework of these collaborations, searching for those interested. Our objective is to bring together the interests, energies, to create connections, maybe a seminar, a meeting. It's important that we noted this fertile ground here and the great potential," Michele Ramis also said.In his turn, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, an internationally recognized French pianist, who presently lives in Los Angeles, but who has affective connections to Romania, the country in which he spent his childhood, stated that he accepted to be the special representative of the French Embassy to promote these industries, given that, unfortunately, Romania is not too promoted in France and in the world from a cultural point of view.During the event, organized by the French Embassy and the French Institute in Romania, the director of the International Theater Festival in Sibiu, Constantin Chiriac, drew attention on the "legislative vacuum" and the "lack of dialogue" in the domain."I hope from all my heart that the new Government give more attention to the 2021-2027 Program and, truly, culture become an engine to attract all the European funds. I am convinced that the gates will open and the Ministry of Culture become a structure that can think up cultural policies, not administration area, because, unfortunately, I am working for 27 yeas on the Sibiu Festival and if I have white hair it's because I worked with 28 Culture ministers to convince them each time that it's important to exist always some support from the state," Chiriac explained.Director and producer Cristian Mungiu expressed hope that in the current political context European funds be attracted to support this domain.The event also saw the participation of the director of the George Enescu International Festival, Mihai Constantinescu, and the director of Radio France International Romania, Cornel Ion, who emphasized the Romanian-French collaboration in the domains that they represent as well as the support of France in the activity of their institutions.AGERPRES By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Works of local artists have been exhibited at Gazelli Art House in London. The exhibition entitled "The New Verge presents the works of Ashraf Murad and Farhad Khalilov, two of Azerbaijans most significant artists of the last century. The event was attended by President of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the UK Yahir Taghizade, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests. Speaking at the opening ceremony, director of Gazelli Art House Mila Askarova stresed the importance of popularizing the art works of Azerbaijani artists in the UK. In his speech, chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union Farhad Khalilov expressed his satisfaction with the holding of the exhibition in London. Although Ashraf Murad and Farhad Khalilov are contemporaries, they have never been exhibited together. Thus the art project aims to finally establish a multi-dimensional conversation between them. As exhibition curator Farah Piriye says, at first glance, it might appear that the two artists are strikingly different. Indeed, both artists had their own separate paths, but "The New Verge" is not merely a juxtaposition of two mastersthese two outstanding Azerbaijani artists are kindred spirits; one matches the other in power, depth, and relationship to the canvas itself. The exhibition will last until April 4. Gazelli Art House is a commercial gallery with a wide range of international artists, presenting a broad and dynamic programme to a diverse audience through global public projects and exhibition spaces in London and Baku. Gazelli Art House was founded in 2003 in Baku, Azerbaijan where it held exhibitions with local artists. Having hosted conceptually interlinked off-site exhibitions across London, founder and director Mila Askarova opened a permanent space on Dover Street, London in March 2012. In 2017, the redesigned gallery space reopened in Baku, with an ambitious annual program showcasing both local and international artists. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- A man convicted of sexually abusing two children in 2012 was sentenced on Monday to 86 years in prison. Maximiano Fonseca, 60, of Springfield faces numerous counts of rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and coercion. There will be no early release for good behavior or programs, according to senior prosecutor Jay Hall of the Lane County District Attorney's Office. Fonseca was also sentenced to a life term of post-prison supervision and would be required to register as a sex offender, but both of these terms only apply after leaving the prison system. RELATED: SPRINGFIELD POLICE ARREST RAPE SUSPECT IN EUGENE In April 2019, Fonseca was arrested as a result of a sexual abuse investigation. They said theyd been looking for Fonseca since March, when they first learned of the allegations. Fonseca was in Mexico at the start of the investigation but had recently returned to Oregon when investigators arrested him. : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday asked Muslims not to fall prey to rumours over CAA, NPR and NRC, saying the AIADMK government always stood by them. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister by several Muslim organisations led by united Jamaat at the airport here, the minority commnity asked Palaniswami to prevail upon the Centre about its apprehension over the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Population Register and National Register of Citizens. Accepting the memorandum, Palanisamy told them there was no need for the Muslim community to fear the CAA and that the AIADMK government always stood by them. Asking them not to fall prey to rumours, he said the state government had already made its stand clear on the issue. The memorandum said there was a fear among the people of the country, particularly the minorities, about the NPR which has "many apprehensive" issues. The members of the Muslim organisations said that since some states were not implementing the NPR, Tamil Nadu government should follow suit and pass a resolution in the state assembly. The memorandum said the community wanted to implement the census as was done in 2010, since seeking the details of parents, information about birth and passport, would lead to "unnecessary problems". The organisations also requested the chief minister to prevail upon the Centre about the apprehension expressed by the community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A doctor and a paramedic from the Emergency Medical Care System (SAMU) of Jalisco stand inside the mobile intensive care medical unit the UTIM, the first in Latin America equipped to transfer people infected with the COVID-19 virus in Guadalajara. AFP Photo Beijing: The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically in China on Tuesday but surged abroad with the US death toll rising to six. Globally, the virus has killed more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 even as a clear shift in the crisis emerges, with nine times as many cases recorded outside China as inside, according to the WHO. China has imposed draconian quarantines and travel restrictions to keep large swathes of the population indoors for weeks, a strategy that appears to have paid off as new cases have been falling this month. While Italy has locked down towns, other countries have stopped short of imposing mass quarantines and instead have discouraged large gatherings, delayed sporting events and banned arrivals from virus-hit nations. South Korea, Iran and Italy have emerged as major COVID-19 hotspots, which is believed to have started at a market that sold wild animals in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. South Korea, the biggest cluster outside China, approached 5,000 cases on Tuesday as 477 new infections were reported, with two more fatalities taking its death toll to 28. "The entire country has entered a war with the infectious disease," South Korean President Moon Jae-in said. China is even importing infections now, with 13 so far, including eight Chinese nationals who had worked at the same restaurant in northern Italy's Lombardy region. "We are in uncharted territory," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday. "We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures." Community transmission means infections within a population are not imported from another virus-hit area. The United States is now facing a potential epidemic, with six people dying in the northwestern state of Washington, where officials warned residents the battle against the disease was shifting from containment to mitigation. "The risk for all of us of becoming infected will be increasing," said Jeff Duchin, a health officer in King County where five of the deaths occurred. The county has more than two million residents and is home to Seattle, a major commercial and transportation hub in the Pacific Northwest region. A prolonged coronavirus pandemic could force emergency services to only respond to critical calls, trigger school closures and restrict the movement of people in Scotland. The UK Government has published a coronavirus action plan in conjunction with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations to provide substantial protection to the public. It details how the devolved Governments will continue to respond to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. The NHS and government are well-prepared to deal with coronavirus (#COVID19). Find out more about the simple steps you can take to help Follow @NHS24 for the latest health adviceLearn more at https://t.co/sP4RdxynRZ pic.twitter.com/Ty3Ihyu4rx Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 2, 2020 A Scotland-specific accompaniment to the UK Governments plan explains restrictions can be placed on the activities of individuals who are known to have the disease, or have been exposed to the disease, and prohibit them from entering or remaining in any place. It states health boards in Scotland can apply for court orders for quarantine and medical examination of those suspected to have coronavirus. Further UK-wide measures being considered include using the military to support civilian roles, banning large-scale gatherings and people being urged to work from home if possible. The action plan also warns if there is a significant loss of emergency service staff due to the outbreak it would require them to try to maintain a level of service that fulfils their critical functions, adding: The police would concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order. Story continues Update on #coronavirus testing As of 2pm today, a total of 915 Scottish tests have concluded: 914 confirmed negative1 positive Read our latest update https://t.co/1ndOEMq3gDHealth advice https://t.co/l7rqArB6QuGuidance for travel https://t.co/4wYN0WcF1R#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/NkNHfYHQuM Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 3, 2020 Latest figures show 915 Scottish coronavirus tests have been completed as of 2pm on Tuesday, an increase of 100 from Monday, with only one confirmed case so far in the country. Investigations into every person the infected coronavirus patient from Tayside has had contact with since returning from outside the UK have now been completed, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman revealed to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reminded the public to regularly wash their hands and follow the Scottish Governments guidance about infection control. If the outbreak worsens and becomes a severe, prolonged pandemic, the report explains how the response will escalate from the contain and delay phases, through to mitigation. During this phase, the pressures on services and wider society may start to become significant and clearly noticeable, it states. Commenting on the reports publication, Ms Sturgeon said: As well as the four nations action plan published today, we have also published tailored guidance for Scotlands unique landscape. The action plan and the detail of our additional resilience arrangements for Scotland set out very clearly what we know so far about coronavirus, the different phases of managing an infection of this nature, what each phase means and the actions that have been or could potentially be taken at each stage. Much of this planning is based on reasonable worst-case scenarios which will be refined as our understanding of the virus develops, but it is vital that we are well equipped to deal with all possibilities as this outbreak grows globally. We will continue to work closely with the UK Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive as part of a co-ordinated response to this virus. Jeane Freeman said the NHS has been planning for further spread of coronavirus since the Covid-19 outbreak in China (Andrew Milligan/PA) Ms Freeman said: Scotland is well equipped to deal with infections of this kind and health boards and social care services plan and prepare for a range of emergencies in order to minimise disruption as far as possible. We have a proven track record of dealing with challenging health issues and follow the highest safety standard possible to protect health and social care staff, patients and the public. The NHS has been specifically preparing for the possibility of further spread of coronavirus since it was first detected in Wuhan and todays planning information outlines the processes and protections in place to ensure a coordinated response to this outbreak. Scotlands chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood said on Monday that between 50% and 80% of the population could eventually become infected, based on modelling from the outbreak in China. Despite the high risk of widespread infection, the report states a minority of people with the virus develop life-threatening symptoms, with pneumonia being the most common. Similar to seasonal flu, elderly people and those with underlying health problems are at most risk of severe symptoms and death, while illness is usually less severe and less common in younger adults and cases even rarer in people under the age of 20. It adds: There has been no obvious sign that pregnant women are more likely to be seriously affected. London: China's top diplomat in Britain has hailed coronavirus whistleblower Li Wenliang as "a hero" who died treating infected patients but said the doctor should not have used social media to raise alarm. Li, an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, was targeted by Chinese police over messages he wrote warning his former medical school classmates about a contagious new virus that caused an illness resembling the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The 34-year-old was reprimanded for what authorities said were "false rumours". His death from the virus sparked an outpouring of grief in China and rare public demands for freedom of speech. Fighting is escalating once more in Yemen, with negotiations seemingly stalled yet again Fighting in Yemen escalated in recent weeks after around six months of abating. Iran-backed Houthi rebels resumed attacking Saudi Arabia while the Saudi-led coalition is increasing its military pressure on the rebels. Earlier this week, the Houthi militia announced that it captured Al-Hazm, capital of the northern province of Al-Jawf. Though Al-Jawf has been mostly controlled by the Houthis, its capital 150 kilometres from the Saudi border had been under government control. According to media outlets close to the Houthis, the rebel militia advance would enable them to surround Marib, the most significant territory in the hands of the government, and also secures supply lines between the capital Sanaa and the Houthi northern stronghold of Saada. Government forces, backed by coalition forces, are going through hard times, especially as the southern reconciliation process which culminated in the Riyadh agreement in November last year is stalled. Optimism last year that the agreement could pave the way to ending the war in Yemen is now dashed with the recent escalation. Just couple of days before reaching a prisoner swap agreement between Houthi rebels and the government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi in Amman, Houthi rebels claimed the downing of a Saudi Tornado fighter that the coalition said crashed with the rebels shooting its pilots who ejected before the crash. This was followed by a coalition air raid on Houthi-held areas. It is not clear if the UN-brokered prisoner swap agreement, signed in mid-February, will materialise. As a Dubai-based Gulf analyst said, implementation of agreements in Yemen is the indicator, not its ceremonial signing. He referred also to the Riyadh agreement between the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Hadis government as an example. Last week, the coalition spokesperson announced that missiles from Yemen targeting Saudi cities were intercepted. Thats another sign of escalation, as these cross-border attacks came to a lull in recent months. There was also strong hope that discreet negotiations between the Saudis and Houthis might lead to an end of the five-year-long war in Yemen. That convergence started after the missile and drone attack on Saudi oil facilities in September that led to a halt of around 50 per cent of Saudi oil production. Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, but it was clearly an Iranian attack. The coalition has always maintained the need for a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen, but the Saudi-exiled Hadi government is not enjoying strong popularity in Yemen. And now with the local Muslim Brotherhood included in that government, that popularity is eroding further. The Houthis are moving closer to Iran, and Tehran is relying more on them to keep its Arab adversaries on their toes, particularly after other Iranian proxies are facing popular protest in Iraq and Lebanon. A London-based Gulf expert notes that, As Iran is being more squeezed, it directs its reaction to softer targets, as they know they cant fight America despite their patriotic rhetoric. He concluded that, using Houthis in Yemen against Saudi Arabia might be cheaper for Iran while costing Gulf countries billions. Theres almost agreement that the defining factor in pacifying the region, and not only Yemen, is American involvement. But its an election year in the United States, where domestic issues prevail on the agenda of all politicians, including Trump. Washington also knows that there are no electioneering gains from ventures in Yemen. In a blog post for the Brookings Institution, Bruce Riedel from the Centre for Middle East Policy wrote about US reluctance to get involved. Yet he indicated that the Trump administrations support for the Saudi position is not changing, though Riyadh is frustrated by what it regards as Washington taking a step back when it comes to the Saudi-Iranian struggle. His conclusion was that America sees the war in Yemen as part of the maximum pressure strategy on Iran, without getting involved militarily. The day an American raid killed Iranian General Qassem Suleimani in Iraq, on 3 January, the Iranian commander in Yemen, Abdul-Reza Shahli, escaped an assassination attempt. That could be seen as a planned double-blow to Iran and to appease Saudi Arabia, rather than indication of increased American involvement in Yemen. However, American commitment to fighting terrorism leaves Yemen unavoidable, especially now, as Emirati forces in the coalition left Yemen completely, where the UAE had played a central role in combating terrorist groups. In January, a US drone strike killed Qassim Al-Rimi, leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen. The escalation of fighting is an opportunity for terrorists, like AQAP and the Islamic State group to resurge in the war-torn country. The inclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islah Party in the internationally recognised government is another catalyst for that resurgence. So, American involvement at least in fighting terrorism in Yemen will probably continue. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Health authorities are sweating on the test results for the housemate of the Brisbane student who contracted the novel coronavirus, with the outcome expected to be known on Wednesday morning. The infected University of Queensland student, a 20-year-old man from China, had spent two weeks in isolation in Dubai before flying to Brisbane and becoming Queensland's seventh coronavirus case. An Indian lift operator stands inside a dedicated lift for people suspected to be infected with the new coronavirus at the Government Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad on Monday, March 2. Credit:AP - Mahesh Kumar A. He remained stable and in isolation at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital on Tuesday night. A UQ spokesperson said the student was understood to have not attended any university classes after arriving in Australia. In early February, Cooper established a coronavirus task force. State health officials are communicating with local health departments, health-care providers and other groups to identify and respond to any cases that might occur in the state and prepare North Carolinians to be ready in the event of more widespread, national transmission. There are no proven treatments for COVID-19. The Associated Press reported that in China, scientists have been testing a combination of HIV drugs against the new virus, as well as an experimental drug named remdesivir that was in development to fight Ebola. In the U.S., the University of Nebraska Medical Center also began testing remdesivir in some Americans who were found to have COVID-19 after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan. Its not clear how quickly such studies will answer whether any of the drugs help. Many patients recover without needing any treatment. The biggest concern is how to help the fraction who become severely ill. As with the flu, individuals with pre-existing health conditions and the elderly are projected to be more susceptible to serious cases of coronavirus. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 02:15:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Keren Setton, Chen Wenxian JERUSALEM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- With the majority of the votes counted in Israel's parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has won the largest number of seats but is still short of securing a majority in parliament. Official results are expected to be released in the coming days. If they match the exit polls, Netanyahu will be one or two seats away from forming a majority coalition in the 120-seat parliament. Netanyahu's main rival, Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, failed to secure a majority either, as his party lost about four seats to Likud. A political newcomer who managed to garner significant support, it seems this time that Gantz will have difficulty in bouncing back from such a blow. "It's clear that Gantz and his center-left bloc has lost the election, but it is unclear whether Netanyahu really wins a victory," said Gideon Rahat, a professor from the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. "We are back to April 2019 (the first elections) with more or less the same results in terms of the party blocs," Rahat explained. But Netanyahu managed to strengthen Likud by increasing the number of the party's seats to at least 36 this time. Exit polls showed the right-wing bloc led by the Likud has secured 59 seats, two short of the majority of the parliament. "It's very clear to see the Israelis are tilted to the right and it's most likely that we're going to have a right-wing government," Ran Bar-Yoshafat, vice director of the Kohelet Policy Forum, told Xinhua. Voter turnout this time was one of the highest in Israeli elections in recent decades, which stood at 71 percent, as the overwhelming majority of the public does not want to see the fourth election in the coming months. "So some people from the left might join the right-wing bloc, or we are going to find some new coalitions that we didn't think of beforehand," Bar-Yoshafat said. In two weeks' time, Netanyahu will make his first court appearance as a defendant indicted for fraud, breach of trust and bribery. His opponents believe that if he leads a new government, he will use his position to circumvent the judicial system. Netanyahu, who has denied any wrongdoing, has also denied that he will try to change legislation in his favor. For Gantz who has vowed not to rely on the Arab votes to secure a majority, his center-left bloc has only about 40 seats without the about 15-seat Joint List of the main Arab-majority parties in Israel. There is always the option of a unity government between the Likud and Blue and White, although it would mean both Gantz and Netanyahu have to break strict election commitments. Netanyahu campaigned for a right-wing government leaning on Orthodox Jewish parties that would implement a hardline agenda and promote a complete annexation of the West Bank. The Blue and White promised their voters that it would lead a secular government without a partner under criminal charges. It is hard to see where the two opponents will meet in the middle. However, when it comes to pressing matters on the agenda, such as the adoption of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for Israelis and Palestinians, there might not be a difference between different coalitions. "Palestinians ... believe Netanyahu and Gantz are two sides of the same coin," said Ameen Abu Warda, a political analyst based in the West Bank city of Nablus. (Xinhua reporters Shang Hao in Jerusalem, Xiong Sihao and Emad Drimly in Gaza also contributed to the story.) The US Department of Homeland Security closed an office in Washington State early Tuesday amid fears that one of its employees may have contracted the coronavirus. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf told a hearing in Congress that the employee had reported feeling unwell in the wake of visiting a relative in the King County, Washington nursing home where four patients have died from the disease. While the employee has not been diagnosed with the virus, the DHS office is being shut for two weeks, Wolf said. "Late last night the department was made aware of a situation involving a DHS employee," he told the House Homeland Security Committee. "The employee did not report to work when they felt ill," Wolf said. "We are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution," he said. The employee had visited the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Washington before the spread of the virus in the facility was known. The worker's family has now "self-quarantined," he said, and other employees were told to work from home to reduce the threat of the spread of the virus. Four elderly patients at Life Care have died in the past week, and two other people in the area have also died. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [March 03, 2020] Turn Up The Heat on Your Future: Arizona Virtual Academy is Open for Enrollment Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA), an online public charter school, is inviting all Arizona families to enroll for 2020-2021 term. AZVA's online program, accredited by Cognia, offers a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education. Students receive support and resources needed to reach their academic goals, and access programs and courses designed to help with career readiness. AZVA is available tuition-free to students. "AZVA provides an educational experience that can really heat up your child's future," says Head of School Dr. Kelly Van Sande. "Our students thrive in this kind of learning environment and take their excellet academic skills with them to the next level." All AZVA students are offered a full course load in the core subjects of math, science, language arts, and history. AZVA also offers student clubs, field trips, social outings, and other activities to foster a sense of school community, including an in-person high school graduation ceremony in the spring. In addition, gifted students in grades 3-9 may be eligible for the Reaching Intellectual Success and Excellence (RISE) Program. RISE students benefit collaborative learning models and are "encouraged to take their learning to a deeper level as they explore their interests, solve problems, and work side by side with other gifted students." Virtual classes are taught by Arizona-licensed teachers who communicate with students and families via phone, chat, and email in addition to the required class-connect sessions. AZVA is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Families are encouraged to attend an in-person information session hosted by the school. For more information on how to enroll, and for a schedule of upcoming events, visit azva.k12.com. About Arizona Virtual Academy Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) is a Cognia-accredited, full-time online public charter school that serves Arizona students in kindergarten through 12th grade. As part of the Arizona public school system, AZVA is tuition-free and gives parents and families the choice to access the curriculum provided by K12, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of K-12 proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information visit azva.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005019/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Joe Bidens decisive Super Tuesday victories have catapulted him from also-ran to the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic presidential nomination, with predictive markets and Wall Street betting on the former vice president to prevail in his effort to outflank Bernie Sanders. After a blowout win in South Carolina over the weekend, Bidens momentum carried him to a string of impressive wins on Tuesdays primary contests. While he lost California, the ex-Senator and VP racked up a string of shutouts across the South including Texas. In fact, traders attributed Wall Streets rally on Wednesday in part to investors breathing a sigh of relief that Sanders fortunes appear to be waning. Real Clear Politics and Smarkets forecast his chances of winning the Democratic nomination at well over 60%, while U.K. betting site Paddy Politics implies a nearly 78% chance Biden will face President Donald Trump in November. With former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg all dropping out and coalescing behind Bidens candidacy, he appears poised to consolidate support among centrist Democrats. Oddsmakers now favor a primary contest that pits the more moderate Biden against the Vermont Senator. A tense night followed for the other candidates as it soon became clear this was a Sanders vs. Biden contest, said Sarbjit Bakhshi, Smarkets head of political markets, on Wednesday. Biden winning Texas cemented an unbelievable resurgence, which started back in South Carolina and has continued until now - leaving him the firm favorite, Bakhshi added. Stocks rally but Trump still favored Traders gather at a post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Stocks are surging in early trading on Wall Street, led by health care stocks after Joe Biden scored a number of Super Tuesday wins. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Tuesdays victories represented a sharp reversal of fortune for Biden, who was all but written off just a week ago as Sanders a self-described Democratic socialist whose aggressive tax-and-spend platform has unsettled Wall Street surged in national polls. Just last week, Smarkets and Paddy Power both had Bidens chances languishing at the low end of the shrinking primary field. On Wednesday, the former VP surged on both platforms and helped feed a rally in key Dow (^DJI) components. Story continues Health insurance stocks like UnitedHealth (UNH), Pfizer (PFE) and Walgreens-Boots Alliance (WBA) spiked on expectations that Bidens less government-centric plan wont radically reshape the sector. Sanders has embraced a Medicare-for-All, which in theory would nationalize most if not all of health care. Health care can be a little bit more volatile as this political season plays out with the ebb and flow of which candidate is considered the frontrunner, TD Ameritrade strategist Shawn Cruz told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday. I think that will intensify as we get closer to the general election, especially if its looking like a little bit of a toss-up of whos going to win, he told On the Move. Regardless, both Smarkets and Paddy Power investors expect Trump to prevail over both Sanders or Biden with the widening coronavirus outbreak not yet denting the presidents fortunes. Trump has a nearly 62% chance to win in November, according to Paddy Power, with Biden seen having a probability of over 36%. In fact, Price told Yahoo Finance that one Paddy Power investor has placed a bet worth $210,000 (165,000) on Trumps victory the sites largest election bet to date. The sites bet on Trump dovetails with a recent investor survey by Deutsche Bank showing a whopping 95% of market participants believing that the president would win a second term. Over 60% of those respondents said it was very likely, according to the bank. Nearly 7 months from the election, it looks like [Trump] should be in good shape based on historical metrics of unemployment and economic growth, Deutsche said barring a large shock from the COVID-19 outbreak, which may yet happen. Yahoo Finances Chelsea Lombardo contributed to this article. Javier David is an editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter: @TeflonGeek Read more: Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Story of Eric True Blood: Oglala Warrior Part One of a series Eric True Blood, Oglala Lakota from Sheridan, Wyoming, does not consider himself a hero. But many other people, such as this writer, do. However, he consents to being a wounded warrior." This is a short version of how a very strong Native warrior not only survived disaster but has gone on to many other successes, an inspiration. In July 2011, while serving in the Army Infantry, True Blood stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan. Sargent True Blood was a platoon leader, responsible for a four-man squad, conducting foot patrols into Afghanistan villages to develop a better rapport with the natives of that country. The old re-purposed Russian land mine did massive damage to his lower body and were it not for the expert medical corps, to whom he gives much credit, True Blood could have easily perished near a lonely village in a far off land. Instead, within a few hours he was rescued and helicoptered to Khandahar, Afghanistan, a military base and with a few hours to a VA Medical hospital in Germany. After three days he was stable enough to be moved to the San Antonio, Texas Military Medical Center along with about 20 others similarly wounded. He clearly remembers those first three weeks, a journey into horror. Eric spent the next year at the Texas medical facility in rehab learning to use a prosthesis which replaced his right leg from the knee down and having a titanium rod surgically interested into the left leg. He will also forever carry shrapnel from the wound. During that time, the Army provided support for his mother, Cheryl Phelps and then wife, Sara to be with him. They were both tremendous, he says of them. When I first saw him there, I nearly collapsed, Cheryl recalls, but of all things, he encouraged me to be strong. The Army was wonderful, providing airfare, motel, food etc. For most soldiers, that would have ended a military career. Not for Eric. And that is when his real journey with heroism began. He was determined to continue soldiering, his life-long ambition. He comes from a long-line of Oglala warriors: descendent of Red Cloud; his grandfather Tom True Blood voluntarily served as a Marine in Korea and his father, Troy True Blood was a Marine in Vietnam, and now Eric who served a total of 12 years, all honorably discharged and highly decorated. And no doubt, many other extended family members have served as well, including his sister Rachael True Blood, a Navy Veteran who literally sailed the world seas. Since high school, Eric had a military career in mind, enlisting in the Marines at 17. Then, his parents would not sign, encouraging him to enjoy a last carefree and youthful summer. However, in October 2002, turning 18, Eric could no longer be held back shipping out for basic training, enlisting for a four-year stint, which turned out to be twelve. His father, Troy encouraged Eric: Dont be a grunt. Get yourself a skill set and trade that will be useful in civilian life, he advised. Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice@gmail.com Copyright permission Native Sun News Today Join the Conversation BEVERLY, Mass., March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATN (ATNI) announced today that its Chief Executive Officer, Michael T. Prior, and Chief Financial Officer, Justin D. Benincasa, are scheduled to speak at the Sidoti & Company Spring 2020 Investor Conference to be held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York on Thursday, March 26th. The presentation will be posted in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://ir.atni.com/. About ATN ATN International, Inc. (ATNI), headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, invests in and operates communications, energy and technology businesses in the United States and internationally, including the Caribbean region and Asia-Pacific, with a particular focus on markets with a need for significant infrastructure investments and improvements. Our operating subsidiaries today primarily provide: (i) advanced wireless and wireline connectivity to residential and business customers, including a range of mobile wireless solutions, high speed internet services, video services and local exchange services, (ii) distributed solar electric power to corporate and government customers and (iii) wholesale communications infrastructure services such as terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport, communications tower facilities, managed mobile networks, and in-building systems. For more information, please visit www.atni.com. BEIRUT Turkeys president on Monday said he hopes to broker a cease-fire in Syria later this week in Moscow when he meets with his Russian counterpart, after growing alarm over direct clashes in northwest Syria between Turkish troops and Syrian forces backed by Russia. The Syrian governments months-long offensive into Idlib province, the last rebel-held area in the country, has sparked one of the wars worst humanitarian crises. Almost one million Syrian civilians have fled north toward the sealed Turkish border. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent thousands of troops into Idlib to support the opposition fighters holed up there, but hasnt been able to stop the government offensive. Erdogan, speaking Monday to a gathering of his ruling party in the Turkish capital, said he hoped to reach a cease-fire deal for Idlib when he meets Vladimir Putin on Thursday to prevent further bloodshed. He did not elaborate. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Thursdays meeting. Direct combat between Turkish and Syrian forces had been rare throughout the nine-year civil war. Russia tipped the balance in Syrian President Bashar Assads favor after it joined the conflict on his side in September 2015. Turkey and Russia have been closely coordinating over the situation in Syria in recent years, even as Turkey continues to heavily back the Syrian opposition. Russia remained largely on the sidelines over the weekend, even as a Turkish-led counter-offensive in Idlib blunted and in some cases reversed Syrian government advances. However, on Monday, Syrian government forces and their allies retook the key northwestern town of Saraqeb, just days after taking it and then losing it again to rebel forces, according to pro-government media and an opposition war monitor. The town lies on the main highway linking Syrias two largest cities, Damascus and Aleppo, making it key to who controls the country. 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. Later Monday, Russia said its military police units deployed to Saraqeb. The move appeared to be an attempt to secure control of the town once and for all. Bassem Mroue is an Associated Press writer. Gucci is the latest fashion brand to take precautions against the spread of coronavirus by cancelling a fashion show. In an announcement made on Monday night, the Italian fashion house cited the ongoing uncertainty prompted by the coronavirus outbreak as the reason for pulling the plug on the annual cruise show. Gucci hosted its Milan Fashion Week show as planned on February 19, but as the death toll from the Covid-19 virus continues to rise, the brand felt it necessary to take this precautionary measure. A decision on the new timing and location of the show will be announced at a later date, once the situation becomes clearer. At this time, our thoughts are with all of those affected around the world, the company said in a statement. Other brands have already cancelled upcoming fashion shows. Giorgio Armani decided to cancel his Milan Fashion Week show at the last minute, instead choosing to live stream it digitally to audiences from behind closed doors. The news follows Pradas recent decision to cancel its cruise show that would have been held on May 21 in Japan. Noah Schnapp is only 15 years old, but he's already a star. As Will Byers, he's been the center of Netflix's smash it Stranger Things for the past four years. Before that, he was getting acting tips from Tom Hanks in 2015's Bridge of Spies. Now comes his first starring movie role, as shepherd Jo Lalande in WWII drama Waiting For Anya. Based on the children's novel by Michael Morurgo, about a teenager who helps smuggle Jewish children safely out of Nazi-occupied France into Spain, Waiting For Anya is obviously a more serious period piece than the Duffer Brothers 1980s suburbia we're used to seeing Schnapp ride his bicycle through. But he's enjoyed having the opportunity to experiment with different roles. "I like changing it up and not sticking to one genre," he says. While in New York City, Schnapp spoke with PAPER about how Stranger Things changed his life, the advice he got from Hanks and surviving the Hollywood fame machine. How did you get into acting? I remember when I was six years old, I took an acting class just for fun. I loved it, I wanted to try something new and I just fell in love with it. I did it for a few years, and the acting teacher told me, "Oh, why don't you try this out professionally? You seem like you could be good at it." So I was like, "Oh, I should definitely try this out. This might be something I'd be interested in to do it professionally." And I talked to my parents and they were a little nervous about it because we had never done anything like this. They had never experienced any acting, anything in that world. It was all something new that we all tried out together, and I got into it. I did a movie here, I did something there, and all of a sudden here I am now. What has changed for you since your career took off? I feel like my whole life has changed at the same time, and it hasn't, too. I still go to school, I'm still a regular kid and I still get to live a normal life, but now I guess I have a career. And now [with] this whole acting thing, I have fans. It's really crazy. I never really would have expected any of it, but I'm just super grateful for it. What's it your experience been like working on Strangers Things? And who do you hang out with the most of the Stranger Things crew? It's been a really special thing. We're all like a family. We're always together so much, and it really feels like a true family. I think I'd say I'm closest with Millie [Bobbie Brown] just because we're the closest in age. A lot of them are a lot older than me, but I mean we're all really close. It's hard not to be close with them when you work together for so long. We were together for months on end. What do you want for your character Will? And what have you learned from playing him? I hope in the next season [Will] might talk to Eleven more about like his experiences in The Upside Down because I know Eleven went through that too, and maybe they can connect with that. I know also Will had a hand on the back of his neck throughout season three, and maybe they could explore what's going on with that. So there's a lot of stuff that they could do. Related | Millie Bobby Brown Responds to Homophobic Memes Got it. Your first on-screen role was with Tom Hanks in Bridge of Spies. What was it like working with him. Did he give you any advice? Yeah. That was my first-ever, really, movie experience. It was definitely so special. I learned everything I know now. He just taught me the basics of this industry, this career and just basic things of where to stand in the light. He's also so grounded and is such a nice person. He kind of became my role model after filming that, just because he's so successful, yet he still has remained grounded and down-to-earth. I just really strive to be like him when I'm older. With your upcoming film Waiting for Anya, what drew you to the movie and your role? This movie is a World War II film, so it's a period piece. It's something I've never done before with this set in World War II and a movie also about this whole topic. I'm Jewish, so it really resonates with me as well. I was just really excited to play a part in it and be a part of it. And the film is in France, which was really exciting. So, it films right where the events happened, so it was really exciting just to really be like immersed in the story. Does this role allow you to show off a different side of yourself as opposed to what people have seen on Stranger Things? Yeah, definitely. I play the main character in this movie, and I get a lot more acting opportunities than in Stranger Things. It's more like an ensemble, and my character [Jo Lalande] is very different. In Stranger Things, [Will is] more introverted, and in this movie he's more courageous and brave and is kind of the hero of the movie, so it was really cool to get to play that kind of character and save the day. What do you want for your career, and where do you see yourself in the next decade? Tom Hanks is my role model, and I really just hope to be like him when I'm older. Just really successful and have a lot of experience in different movies, but still stay grounded and a nice person. What kind of movies do you want to gravitate towards? I like changing it up and not sticking to one genre. I loved playing characters that aren't like me, so anything that's kind of very opposite than me is a lot of fun to play. It's always been my dream to play Spiderman too. Is there anything that intimidates you about Hollywood or fame? Of course. I mean it's still crazy to me now. I never would have expected this life or any of it. It can be overwhelming sometimes, but most of it's honestly very positive, and I have such very nice fans who support me and help me. It's really cool to know that I have supportive fans all around the world and so many people who love this show that I'm lucky to be a part of. What do you look for in a role? I really like playing characters who are very opposite from me because it's fun to explore a new character and something I'd never done before. Obviously, I would rather play a character that has more time on the screen. Do you have any other upcoming film projects following Waiting for Anya? I filmed a movie called Abe a while ago [and] I did an Adam Sandler film in the past summer, which was definitely the change of pace with comedy. That'll be coming out on Halloween. Wow. You're busy. You have millions and millions of Instagram followers, how do you manage having such a crazy social media following? This whole thing is crazy. It's always really hard for me to wrap my head around that so many people follow me and know who I am. But it just feels really good that I have so many supporters. It's really just heartwarming. Sesa Sen By Express News Service NEW DELHI: American beverage maker Coca Cola is betting big on India as a key growth engine for innovations in new products for the Asia-pacific region --- one of the major growth drivers for the company. Having achieved one billion-unit container sales in 2019, the worlds largest beverage company said it now plans to double sales volume in the country in the next five years with an intent to make India its third-largest market globally. The firm, however, has set no time-frame to achieve the global mark. Coca-Cola India became the fifth largest market as it reached the milestone of selling one billion-unit case in 2019 and going further we are bullish on the country as it presents a promising opportunity," James Quincey, chairman and chief executive officer, said. The company took 21 years to achieve this milestone, he added. Recounting the Indian market as super attractive, the 55-year-old Quincey, who took over as CEO three years ago, noted that the company would launch products at lower price points within its existing portfolio as well as outside. Besides, the company is also working on reducing the sugar content in its beverage in three to four years. So far, it has already reduced it in Maaza and Thums Up to below six grams to reach out to the health-conscious consumers. Coca-Cola has made strong value share gains with contribution from both sparkling and non-sparkling offering. The company will look to diversify its portfolio by entering new categories like enchanted hydration, nutritious dilutable and beverage-plus. This strategy is also seen as an effort to fend-off competition from arch-rival Pepsi. It also plans to market Coca-Cola Indias homegrown brand Maaza, globally. In the last 8-10 months, we are, in a systematic manner, reducing the sugar content across brands such as Thums Up and Maaza. We want to bring down the sugar levels to below six grams in the next two years and we have already begun working on this," said T Krishnakumar, President, Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia. Typically, a 330 ml can of Cola contains 35 grams or roughly seven teaspoons of sugar. Krishnakumar also pointed out that the new products are being formulated with low sugar levels as permitted by WHO (World Health Organisation) across sparkling and still beverages and low-calorie versions of existing brands is also increasing. Quincey, meanwhile, noted that the slowdown in India had not impacted sales volume. One quarter up or a bit less is not going to distract us from our long-term investment plan and so we arent overly concerned about it, he said. The company, however, wont be making any further investments in India till 2022. Earlier in 2013, it had said it would invest $ 5 billion and followed that up with another $1.7 billion four years later. Were focused on getting our investment plan that was running through 2022 completed rather than making fresh investment in India, he said. SYRACUSE, N.Y. The state has revoked the medical license of a Syracuse doctor who sent sexually explicit text messages to a teenage girl who used to be his patient. Dr. Mirza Beg, 56, a former pediatric gastroenterologist at Upstate University Hospital, sent multiple texts in 2017 to the 17-year-old, who had been his patient for eight years, according to the state Board for Professional Medical Conduct. In the texts, Beg expressed his love for the patient, discussed alcohol and included memes with sexual images and language, the agency said. Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo is on the verge of committing suicide over the... Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo is on the verge of committing suicide over the certificate forgery allegation against him. The supreme court had sacked David Lyon, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa state a day to his swearing-in. Lyon was declared winner of the election but the supreme court sacked him on the grounds that Degi-Eremienyo, his running mate, presented forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The APC asked the apex court to review its decision sacking Lyon but the court struck out the application. Speaking when he featured on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, Sylva, the APC leader in the state, described the judgment as a matter of life and death. He said he has to constantly check up on Degi-Eremienyo to be sure that the deputy governor-elect has not harmed himself. Degi-Eremienyo had said the courts ruling left him traumatised, adding that he is not guilty of the allegation. Sylva said building ones integrity on a certificate and having it upturned suddenly without a chance to defend ones self is dangerous and could lead to suicide. Anybody that says it is not a matter of life and death doesnt really understand the issue, Sylva said. Im today, dealing with a former deputy governor that is on the verge of committing suicide. Every day I have to call to be sure that he hasnt done anything to himself. If you were here and somebody just said you forged your certificate, you built your life on that integrity and somebodyseven people, five people, all of a sudden bring everything down, that can actually lead to suicide. Youre now stigmatised for life as having forged your certificate. If you have a case in court challenging the authenticity of the certificate of a candidate, that is a different problem, but if you say youre going to establish forgery and you have not heard from the person concerned, then you have not established anything. You havent gone to school or university where this person studied to confirm the veracity of the certificate and from paper evidence, you condemn such a person, its really very sad and for me, it is very dangerous. Forgery is supposed to be a criminal offence and when you have this kind of situation you have to come out and correct the impression. There was no forgery here at all. There were just variants of the name on the certificate and the Supreme Court went ahead to uphold the judgment of a lower court. Sylva also said the apex court seemed to have made a decision against the principles of justice. He argued that the judgment of the lower court which the supreme court upheld sacked only Degi-Eremienyo, not Lyon. We are also saying that the Supreme Court has introduced extraneous things to that judgment. That judgment said that the deputy governor had been disqualified, but that judgment did not disqualify the governorship candidate, he said. Supreme Court went ahead and disqualified the governorship candidate. Where did that come before the court because you dont give what was not asked? Were not saying that the Supreme Court erred, were saying that they overlooked certain things. Lyon had asked Bayelsans not to blame Degi-Eremienyo for his removal. The National Investigation Agency's probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that killed 40 CRPF personnel, which had virtually reached a dead end, saw a major breakthrough on Tuesday after the agency arrested a man and his daughter who allegedly were witness to the conspiracy behind the audacious attack. The NIA arrested Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan after the investigation led to their house at Hakripora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, where a video was filmed by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, who rammed an explosive-ridden car into a CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019. The video was released from Pakistan after the attack. The accused were flown to Jammu and produced before a special court, which remanded them in the NIA's custody for 10 days. A truck driver by profession, Shah disclosed that his house was used by Dar, Mohd Umar Farooq, a Pakistani terrorist and IED-maker, Kamran, another Pakistani terrorist (both were later killed in encounters with security forces), Sameer Ahmed Dar, a Jaish terrorist from Pulwama, and Ismail, alias Ibrahim, alias Adnan, also a Pakistani terrorist. Shah facilitated the terrorists by sheltering them at his house, where they planned the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy and also recorded a video of 'Fidayeen' (suicide bomber) Adil Ahmed Dar which was released by the Jaish-e-Mohammed soon after the Pulwama attack, an NIA spokesman said. Insha Jan (23) also facilitated the terrorists, provided them food and other logistics during their stay at the house on more than 15 occasions, for two-four days each time, during 2018-2019, he said. "Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd Umar Farooq, a Pakistani IED maker, and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications (till he was alive)," the spokesman said. The arrest has brought new life into the case which had virtually reached a dead end, with five people, who were either conspirators or executers of the ghastly attack, being eliminated by the security forces in various encounters. The case had thrown a unique challenge to the NIA, the anti-terror probe agency formed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008, as there was no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack. The first challenge was to establish the ownership of the car used by the suicide attacker as there was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like ammonium nitrate, nitro glycerine and RDX, the officials said. But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces was extracted and within no time, the ownership of the vehicle was established -- from the first to the last owner. After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan claimed in a video that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for a forensic examination and the internet protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:32:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COLOMBO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's National Dengue Control Unit has released Wolbachia injected "aedes aegypti" mosquitoes into the environment to combat the spread of dengue which has so far infected over 10,000 people in the island country, local media reported on Tuesday. In its pilot project launched in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Anura Jayasekera said the Wolbachia, which is a bacteria, was injected into the bodies of the mosquitoes to stop the transmission of the infection to humans. Jayasekera said Wolbachia was found in up to 60 percent of insects but not usually in aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary vector of dengue. "This is a preventive method because it does not require genetic modification, is not toxic and is self-sustaining, making it cost-effective as well," he said. He added that cases of dengue infection have declined steeply in 13 countries including Australia, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam where lab-grown mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia were released. Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said that 10,607 dengue cases were recorded from across the country in January, an increase of 90 percent compared to the same period last year. In 2019, over 99,000 people were sickened by the mosquito-borne virus in Sri Lanka, with the National Dengue Control Unit launching several programs to eradicate mosquito's breeding grounds in the island country. Last year 90 deaths were reported. Enditem The organizers of the Grammy Awards said yesterday they fired their chief executive who previously claimed the nominations are rigged and accused her predecessor of sexually assaulting a female recording artist. Recording Academy CEO and president, Deborah Dugan, was placed on administrative leave in January - just five months after taking the helm as the organization's first female president. Dugan was previously accused of misconduct, including bullying a female senior assistant to the point where the woman took a leave of absence. The board cited an unspecified allegation of misconduct against Dugan by a female member of the Recording Academy, as well as 'consistent management deficiencies and failures' as reasons for her dismissal. The dispute erupted days before the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony on January 28, although the ceremony was not affected. Dugan later filed a counter complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging gender discrimination, unlawful retaliation and unequal pay. Former Recording Academy President and CEO Deborah Dugan during the 62nd Grammy Awards news conference in New York last November President and CEO of MusiCares Neil Portnow speaking onstage at Los Angeles Convention Center in 2012. Dugan accused Portnow of raping a 'foreign' female recording artist and that the Recording Academy knew about it She accused former CEO Neil Portnow of raping a 'foreign' female recording artist and that the Recording Academy knew about it. Dugan also described what she called a 'boys' club mentality' at the Recording Academy, and claimed that conflicts of interest among members unfairly affect Grammy nominations. Interim CEO Harvey Mason Jr said in a statement yesterday: 'After weighing all of the evidence from two independent investigations, the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy voted to terminate Ms Dugan from her role as President/CEO. 'We will initiate a search for a new leader who will leverage the Academys diverse membership and rich history and help us transform it to better serve our members today and into the future.' Dugan raised several issues about the way the organization was run and accused its top lawyers of acting inappropriately and sexually harassing her during a business meeting. Her lawyers said in a statement on Monday that the decision showed the Recording Academy 'will stop at nothing to protect and maintain a culture of misogyny, discrimination, sexual harassment, corruption and conflicts of interest'. Dugan added yesterday that the academy's investigations did not include interviews with her, or address her claims of conflict of interest and voting irregularities. Dugan speaking during the 62nd Grammy Awards nominations at Studio 43 at CBS Broadcast Center in New York Former Recording Academy Neil Portnow (pictured) stepped down from his position after saying female artists needed to 'step up' if they wanted to win She said in a statement: 'While I am disappointed by this latest development, I am not surprised given the Academy's pattern of dealing with whistle-blowers. 'So, instead of trying to reform the corrupt institution from within, I will continue to work to hold accountable those who continue to self-deal, taint the Grammy voting process and discriminate against women and people of color. 'Artists deserve better. To me, this is the real meaning of '''stepping up''.' The Recording Academy denied that the Grammy nominations process was rigged. The academy said it had engaged in some settlement discussions with Dugan but opted to fire her instead, and will begin the search for a new CEO. It's executive committee wrote in a letter to members: 'We could not reward her with a lucrative settlement and thereby set a precedent that behavior like hers has no consequence. 'Our members and employees, and the entire music industry, deserve better than that.' Dugan claimed her ousting was also retaliation for calling out the culture of the academy, saying she learned as CEO that Portnow had left the post over a rape allegation, yet she was still expected to give him a lucrative consulting position. Portnow said Dugan's assertions were 'false and outrageous' and that he had been 'completely exonerated' in an investigation. Fifteen-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys (center) joins Neil Portnow (far left), Ken Ehrlich (second left) Chantal Saucedo (second right) and Jack Sussman (far right) in the unrolling of the Red Carpet last February The academy said on Monday that it had conducted exhaustive investigations of the complaints made by Dugan and those made against her by others, including the academy's Director of Administration Claudine Little, who said Dugan had been abusive and bullying as a boss, which Dugan denied. Tammy Hurt, vice chair of the academy's National Board of Trustees, said in a statement: 'The investigation overwhelmingly confirmed the serious complaints that had been lodged against her by a multitude of academy staff members. 'The damage she has caused this organization is truly heartbreaking.' The female senior assistant Dugan allegedly bullied previously worked for Portnow, who stepped down from CEO after saying female artists need to 'step up' if they want to win. Dugan took over from Neil Portnow, who in 2018 had provoked outrage by telling reporters that female artists and producers needed to 'step up' if they wanted recognition in the music industry. The Recording Academy in December said it would double the number of female voters by 2025 by adding 2,500 more women. Teenage newcomer Billie Eilish was the biggest winner at this year's Grammy Awards, winning five trophies, including album and song of the year and best new artist. When she first took over, Dugan had pledged to bring more diversity to the body, whose members vote on the highest prizes in the music industry. This year's Grammys saw rapper Diddy called out the Grammys for continually snubbing rap and R&B genres and Taylor Swift dropped out of performing just two days before the awards for unspecified reasons. Mellody Hobson to speak at W&Ms 2020 Commencement ceremony Editor's note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the 2020 Commencement ceremony have changed. The Class of 2020 deserves to be celebrated fully, so we will honor graduates in both May and October. On May 16, W&M will host a virtual ceremony for all graduates of the Class of 2020. This years Commencement Weekend will be held on campus October 9-11, 2020. During that weekend, graduates will take part in our most cherished traditions: ringing the Wren Bell, candlelight, the walk across campus, formal exercises in full regalia and the personalized school/departmental ceremonies with faculty. Additional details and related FAQs are available on the Commencement website. Hobson, Donald Patten and Faith Ringgold to receive honorary degrees Mellody Hobson, former chair of DreamWorks Animation and a nationally recognized voice on financial literacy, will speak at William & Marys 2020 Commencement ceremony, slated for 8:30 a.m. May 16 in Zable Stadium. Hobson serves as co-CEO and chair of the board of trustees for Ariel Investments. In 2015, Time Magazine named her one of the worlds 100 Most Influential People. Hobson will receive an honorary degree at the event, along with Donald Patten and Faith Ringgold. Patten, an attorney and longtime friend of the university, previously served as rector of W&M. Ringgold is a renowned artist, performer and writer widely known for her story quilts and childrens books. W&M Chancellor Robert M. Gates 65, L.H.D. 98, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, will also attend the ceremony and offer brief remarks. The event will be part of a weekend of festivities to celebrate the universitys 2020 graduates. Our honorees are game-changers in their disparate fields, whose vision and leadership serve as wonderful inspirations for William & Marys graduates at Commencement, said President Katherine A. Rowe. Mellody Hobson embodies the highest ideals of a William & Mary education: excellence, curiosity and generosity. We cannot wait to hear from her. Donald Patten has remained a dear friend to William & Mary over the decades. We honor his service as W&M rector, as well as his many civic contributions on the Virginia Peninsula and in his legal practice on behalf of public health. For half a century, Faith Ringgold has expanded our understanding of artistic media and artistic traditions creating an extraordinary dialogue between American and European traditions, classic art forms and vernacular experiments. Its a deep pleasure to be honoring an artist whose work I have admired for decades. William & Mary welcomes this trio of game-changers to campus with delight. Mellody Hobson In her current role as co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Hobson is responsible for managing all areas of the company outside of research and portfolio management. As chair of the Board of Trustees, she leads the companys publicly traded mutual funds. Prior to becoming co-CEO, Hobson served as Ariels president for nearly 20 years. Hobson has long shared her knowledge and experience on the national stage, speaking about financial literacy. She has researched minority investing patterns and writes a column for Black Enterprise Magazine. She has also been a contributor on CBS News and for ABCs Good Morning America. Hobson has served on the boards of multiple international businesses and chaired the board of DreamWorks Animation until its sale in 2016. She currently serves as vice chair of the Starbucks Corporation board. She is also a director of JPMorgan Chase and of the video production company Quibi. Throughout her career, Hobson has sought ways to give back to the community. She chairs After School Matters, a nonprofit for teens in Chicago. She is also vice chair of World Business Chicago, co-chair of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a board member of the George Lucas Education Foundation and a board member of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Hobson received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and last year, was awarded the schools highest honor: the Woodrow Wilson Award. Hobson also has honorary degrees from Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, St. Marys College and the University of Southern California. In 2018, the governor of Illinois awarded her the Order of Lincoln the states highest honor. Faith Ringgold The artist Faith Ringgold renowned for her mixed media work in painting, sculpture, fabric and performance is also a writer, teacher and lecturer. She created her first paintings, the American People series, in the 1960s. During the next decade, she traveled to Europe, Nigeria and Ghana to study masks, which have served as her greatest influence. In the 1970s, she also began making soft sculptures and working on a Tibetan art form framed in fabric. Perhaps best known for her exceptional story-quilts, Ringgold began her work in fabric in the 1980s with the quilt, Echoes of Harlem, in collaboration with her mother. She created her first story quilt Whos Afraid of Aunt Jemima? in 1983 as a way to publish her unedited words. Ringgold has published myriad childrens books. Tar Beach has won more than 20 awards, including the Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King award for best-illustrated childrens book. The book is based on a story quilt of the same name, now in the permanent collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. In 2010, HBO created an animated version of Tar Beach, narrated by Natalie Cole. Ringgolds autobiography, We Flew Over the Bridge: The Memoirs of Faith Ringgold, was released in 1995. Ringgold received her undergraduate and masters degrees from the City College of New York. She is a professor emeritus of art at the University of California in San Diego and has received more than 20 honorary degrees. Donald Patten Patten, an attorney with the firm of Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein in Newport News, Virginia, served on William & Marys Board of Visitors from 1999 to 2003 and as its rector from 2001 to 2003. He is an emeritus member of the Business School Foundation. His career in law has spanned more than three decades, and over the past 20 years, he has focused on asbestos product liability litigation. In that role, he has represented individuals injured by asbestos in Virginia and multiple other states, including Ohio, Texas and Mississippi. Patten is a member of several professional organizations and previously served as president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. He received the highest rating awarded by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory for legal competence and was selected by his peers to be included in the 2001-2002 edition of the The Best Lawyers in America. Patten has been highly engaged in the Newport News community, previously serving as chair of the Planning Commission, chair of the Peninsula Airport Commission, a member of the Newport News City Council and vice mayor. He also served on the executive committee of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. He was president of the Christopher Newport University Education Foundation and chair of Mary Immaculate Hospital. He is currently a member of the board of the Peninsula Alliance for Economic Development and the Mariners Museum. He currently serves on the C. E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust Advisory Committee. Patten received his bachelors degree at the University of Richmond and his law degree at the University of Virginia. A five-judge bench headed by Justice N V Ramana, which considered the curative plea in-chamber, also rejected Pawan's application seeking stay on the execution of death sentence which is scheduled for Tuesday. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the curative petition filed by Pawan Gupta, one of the four death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case. "The application for oral hearing is rejected. The application for stay of execution of death sentence is also rejected. The curative petition is dismissed...," the bench, also comprising Justices Arun Mishra, R F Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, said. In his curative plea, Pawan had sought commutation of his death penalty to life imprisonment. He had also sought a stay on the execution of black warrant issued by the trial court for the hanging. The trial court had on February 17 issued fresh date for execution of death warrants for Tuesday at 6 am for the four convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31) -- in the case. The mercy petitions of three convicts -- Mukesh, Vinay and Akshay -- have already been dismissed by the President. The apex court had earlier dismissed separate pleas filed by Mukesh and Vinay challenging the rejection of their mercy petitions by the President. While Akshay has not yet challenged the rejection of his mercy petition, Pawan has not yet filed a mercy plea before the President. On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as ''Nirbhaya'' (fearless), was gang raped and savagely assaulted in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died after a fortnight. Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused. Ram Singh, the sixth accused, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail days after the trial began in the case. The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home. Titular de la PCM, @VicAZeballos, presidio la XXXVI sesion de la Comision de Alto Nivel Anticorrupcion (CAN), que conto con la participacion de sus miembros titulares: @Poder_Judicial_, @FiscaliaPeru, @TC_Peru, @JNJPeru, @MinjusDH_Peru, @AcuerdoNacPeru, @ANGRPERU y @ampeperu. pic.twitter.com/7cOXH5gJZt The following arrests were all made by Edwardsville Police department, in Edwardsville from Feb. 21 through Feb. 27 Tyler Wilke, 27, of Carbondale was charged with driving under the influence on Feb. 21. $100 bond was posted along with the drivers license. Brian Postol, 52, of Glen Carbon was charged with driving under the influence with a BAC of .08 on Feb. 22. $100 bond was posted along with the drivers license. Donna Hale, of Edwardsville was charged with disordering conduct, false report of offense, on Feb. 22. She was given a notice to appear. Anthony Russo, 21, of Edwardsville was charged with disorderly conduct on Feb. 23. $120 bond was posted. Joann McCoy, 60, of Dorsey was charged with retail theft under $300. The arrest occurred at Target in Edwardsville. This is McCoys third retail theft charge since 2017. A $150 bond was posted. Shawna Pitra, 31, of Pocahontas was charged with burglary without causing damage on Feb. 24. The charge is a Class 3 felony and her bond is set at $18,000. Xavier Skees, 19, of Troy was charged with driving under the influence of a drug on Feb. 25. $100 bond was posted along with the drivers license. Ciara Trent, 26, of St. Louis was charged with driving under the influence with a BAC of .08 on Feb. 25. A $300 bond was posted. Luke Prindable, 21, of Caseyville was charged with unlawful possession of hypodermic syringe/needle on Feb. 25. He was released on a $3,000 recognizance. Paige Kirby, 21, of Bethalto was charged with driving under the influence with a BAC of .08 on Feb. 25. $100 bond was posted along with the drivers license. Kyle Best, of Edwardsville was charged with trespass to real property on Feb. 25. The arrest occurred at the Knights of Columbus. Since 2011, Best has been charged twice with battery, twice with assault, six times with various trespass charges and 11 times with disorderly conduct. He was given a notice to appear for his recent Feb. 25 charge. Haily Kirk, 23, of Edwardsville was charged with home invasion and battery on Feb. 27. Kirk knew the homeowner through a previous relationship and entered the home for an unknown reason. A third party female received minor injures from Kirk during the invasion. The charge is a Class X felony in Illinois and she was given a bond of $100,000. During the time frame, the Edwardsville Police Department arrested five individuals who had warrants out for their arrest. During the time frame, the Edwardsville Police Department arrested two individuals driving without a license or with a revoked license. Reporter Tyler Pletsch compiled the information. Two private schools in Noida cancelled classes on Tuesday for the next few days as a precautionary measure over the father of a student testing positive for coronavirus, officials said. The two schools announced their closure in messages sent to the parents. One of the schools, where a student's father tested positive, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6. Earlier in the day, the school said it was postponing internal examinations scheduled for Tuesday due to some "unavoidable circumstances". The board exams are not affected, the messages sent to the parents made clear. The second school said it is suspending classes immediately till March 9 and sanitising its campus. Fumigation was underway at both schools. A Health Department team led by Noida's chief medical officer had visited one of the schools in the morning, an official said. Meanwhile, some family members of the Delhi-based man, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, have been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital for tests after they showed symptoms of the virus, Health Ministry sources said. Some other relatives were asked to remain quarantined at their homes only, the sources added. An accountant working for the man, who lives in Mayur Vihar, was also taken to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital for tests, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Merchant commerce platform Pine Labs on Tuesday said it has appointed Amrish Rau as its chief executive officer. Rau brings fintech, entrepreneurial and corporate experience to his new role as the chief executive officer (CEO) and replaces Vicky Bindra, a statement said. Bindra, after a two-year stint as the CEO, is moving back to San Francisco and will continue to be an advisor to the company supporting strategic initiatives, it added. Rau's startup - Citrus Pay, which was funded by Sequoia India, was acquired by PayU in 2016 in one of the largest fintech acquisitions. He has also served as the managing director for First Data Asia, NCR and Siemens Nixdorf. "I am excited to welcome Amrish to the Pine Labs family. With Amrish's ability to innovate, seek out options with channels and customers we believe Pine Labs can be a true global commerce platform," Pine Labs Executive Chairman Lokvir Kapoor said. Pine Labs has evolved into offering payment acceptance technology, stored value products, in-store consumer credit and other merchant solutions in India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It processes payments of USD 30 billion per year and serves about 1.4 lakh merchants across about 4.5 lakh network points. Its key investors are Sequoia India, Actis Capital, Temasek, PayPal, Sofina and Mastercard. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The bedside clock reads 2:38 a.m. when Penny is jolted awake by the sound of a loud explosion. She rushes outside with her husband. They are drenched in fracking waste water raining down on their house, land and livestock from a nearby ruptured fracking pipeline. The liquid reeks of gasoline. The pipe continues to spray for 2 hours, soaking their yard. Yet there is no timely testing conducted by the state on the soil, the air or familys level of exposure. The Aucoin property (south of Carslbad) is surrounded by seven fracking pads. There are 27 gas flares within 2 miles of their house. After the explosion, WPX Energy told them the yard was too dangerous for animals, so the familys chickens and goat were taken to a shelter. But the family and their dogs are still living at the house. On a teachers salary and with rents soaring in Carlsbad, the family cannot afford to relocate. This story has happened time and time again in fracking hotspots, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Colorado. Companies promise high-paying jobs, money for state and local governments, but too often fail to take responsibility for the long-term consequences of peoples health, water contaminated with toxins, and a landscape littered with abandoned equipment and wells. The Aucoins 11-year-old daughter used to play on her trampoline in the yard after school. One afternoon, a truck barreled by and she was hit in the head by a rock. This was not the first accident. Two years ago, Penny was rear-ended by a tanker truck traveling 45 mph. Route 285 has been re-named the Highway of Death. Penny worries about her familys health. She suffers from frequent pounding headaches. Her son gets nosebleeds. Her husbands throat is routinely so swollen in the morning, he gags on breakfast. Peer-reviewed studies in Pennsylvania show fracking waste has a high level of radioactivity. Dozens of children have been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma and other forms of cancer outside Pittsburgh, where energy companies have drilled more than 3,500 wells. The state is now funding an investigation. In New Mexico, no studies have been conducted on the health and safety impacts of fracking on people, land, air and water. Without data, families can only suffer health consequences in fear and anxiety, with no recourse. New Mexico is turning a blind eye to families living on the front lines of the massive industrial operations popping up everywhere. Lawmakers are happy to use the influx of oil revenue to fund early childhood programs and teacher salaries but fail to take into account the hidden and crippling costs of extraction on our communities. At present, it is families like the Aucoins who are paying the price of oil and gas extraction. Fossil fuel companies reap the profits, while local families suffer health conditions and home property losses. That is only the beginning of the costs being suffered across the country, as the larger impacts of fossil fuel-driven climate change inflict widespread destruction in the form of fires, drought, floods and sea level rise. In the 2021 legislative session, I am asking the governor and lawmakers to: 1. Place a moratorium on new fracking so state agencies can comprehensively study the impacts on health, air, water and land; and 2. Establish a Just Transition fund to retrain oil and gas workers as we diversify our economy off of fossil fuels. As a mother, I am calling on you to make the right decision for our families and our planet. School resource officer DeAndra Warren, 40, has become a fixture at Wynne Public Schools, protecting the halls as a school resource officer. Every morning, Warren, a seven-year member of the Wynne Police Department in Wynne, Arkansas, has started his day with a special prayer. On Feb. 29, that moment was captured on camera by a friend of his daughter's and shared on Facebook. Warren is seen at the school's flagpole bowing his head in prayer for, what he says, the students, the teachers, the custodians, the cafeteria workers, his family and the nation. Warren said he began praying for his students in 2015. Id be on my patrol and just pray as I walk up and down the halls," Warren said. "One moment I just felt the urge to stop at the [flagpole] and start praying at the pole because of what it represents and with so many things that are going on in our nation." PHOTO: Officer DeAndra Warren stands at the flagpole with Wynne Public School students in Wynne, Ark. (Courtesy De'Andria Warren) MORE: Army son surprises mom at high school pep rally after 2 years deployed Warren has three daughters who also attended Wynne Public Schools. His eldest daughter, DeAndria Warren, 21, shared the photo of Warren on Facebook. I felt like I just had to make a post [of Warren], considering the impact that my dad has on all the kids, including the teenagers. Kids come up to me and say, Oh, youre Officer Warrens daughter? We love him! and it brings me so much joy, said DeAndria Warren. Its like Wow, my dad is doing something to make an impact on all these people. PHOTO: Officer DeAndra Warren pictured with his three daughters. (Courtesy De'Andria Warren) Officer Warren can often be seen high-fiving and fist bumping students in the halls. Carl Easley, who has been the Superintendent of Wynne Public Schools for 38 years, said hes known Warren since he was a student at Wynne. Now Warren According to Easley, Warren is in charge of two campuses, the primary school and the junior high school, - protecting roughly 600 kids in each building from Kindergarten through Eighth grade, according to Easley. PHOTO: Officer DeAndra Warren reads to students at Wynne Public Schools in Wynne, Ark. (Courtesy De'Andria Warren) His character is always upbeat. Always pleasant, said Easley on Warren. In the last couple of weeks he has always shared some type of uplifting words with me. Its just part of his personality. Story continues PHOTO: Officer DeAndra Warren plays with students at Wynne Public School in Wynne, Ark. (Courtesy De'Andria Warren) To see kids faces light up when I give them a high five and Im just trying to show them a positive light the positive side of law enforcement, said Warren, who went on to quote the scripture that he said guides him. Chronicles 7:14 says: If my people, which are called by name, humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will heal their land. MORE: Police officer drives man to job interview after pulling him over at traffic stop PHOTO: Office DeAndra Warren pictured with his wife and three daughters. (Courtesy De'Andria Warren) School resource officer seen praying for students at school's flagpole every day originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:02:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China's effort to contain the COVID-19 epidemic has made a big difference, and provides three important lessons for the world, said The Economist magazine. As the novel coronavirus disease is spreading into more countries, what it causes depends "greatly on what governments choose to do, as China shows," The Economist said in a leading article. Before the virus spread much outside China's central Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, China imposed the largest quarantine in history, shutting factories, stopping public transport and instructing people to stay indoors, it noted. "This raised awareness and changed behavior," it commented. "Without it, China would by now have registered many millions of cases and tens of thousands of deaths." Even if many countries can not exactly copy China, "its experience holds three important lessons -- to talk to the public, to slow the transmission of the disease and to prepare health systems for a spike in demand," said the article. "The best time to inform the people about the disease is before the epidemic," it said, adding that even well-meaning attempts to sugarcoat the truth are self-defeating, "because they spread mistrust, rumors and, ultimately, fear." "Now is the moment to persuade the future 80 percent of mild cases to stay at home and not rush to a hospital," it suggested, noting that China's experience indicates that roughly 80 percent of detected cases will be mild. "China's second lesson is that governments can slow the spread of the disease," the article pointed out. "Flattening the spike of the epidemic means that health systems are less overwhelmed, which saves lives." "When countries have few cases, they can follow each one, tracing contacts and isolating them," the article noted. But when the disease is spreading in the community, "governments need to prepare for the moment when they will switch to social distancing, which may include cancelling public events, closing schools, staggering work hours and so on," it suggested. "The third lesson is to prepare health systems for what is to come," said the article. "Hospitals need supplies of gowns, masks, gloves, oxygen and drugs," it noted. "They need a scheme for how to set aside wards and floors for COVID-19 patients, for how to cope if staff fall ill, and for how to choose between patients if they are overwhelmed." Noting that the virus will test both rich and developing countries, the article said that as China has bought governments time to prepare, "they should use it." New Delhi, March 3 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said that all visas issued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, on or before March 3, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those required to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visas from the nearest Indian embassy or consulate, it said. "All regular/e-visas issued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan issued on or before March 03, 2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. They may not enter India from air, land or seaport ICP," the DGCA circular said. It further said that the regular or e-visas issued to all other nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan, on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect, it said. "Diplomats, officials of UN and other international bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restrictions on entry. However, medical screening is compulsory." Passengers arriving directly, or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore must undergo medical screening at port of entry. Though not as common as it once was, pelvic exams on unconscious patients without consent is a practice that a Pa. legislator hopes to ban entirely. Read more Before Kathleen Ackert started her rotations, she was alarmed when she heard tales of medical students practicing pelvic exams on unconscious patients. As a person who plans to spend her career delivering babies, performing surgeries, advocating for women, transgender folks and reproductive rights, it was horrifying to me to hear these stories, said Ackert, now a 25-year-old fourth-year medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. But Ackert was relieved to discover that the practice, which has been reported widely, has faded considerably. During her rotations, Ackert performed dozens of pelvic exams, but she met the patient and obtained informed consent in all but one case. She was asked to assist in a vaginal hysterectomy, but the woman already had been anesthetized. I wavered and said, You know I didnt meet her ahead of time, and I get nervous about doing that because of whats been going on in the media and [Im] nervous that I would be disrespecting someones body, Ackert said. In the end, Ackerts supervisor convinced her that the exam was necessary for the patients care. But her reticence illustrates just how much this aspect of medical training has changed from the days when doing pelvic exams on unconscious women was an accepted part of medical training. Numerous medical groups have declared that explicit patient consent is necessary whenever possible before a pelvic exam. Last March, the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics released a statement recommending that students perform pelvic exams only when the patient provides explicit consent and when the exam is clinically relevant. Some states also have banned the practice if done for educational purposes, not patient care. In Pennsylvania, two female legislators from the Philadelphia area plan to introduce a bill that would require consent, although it would have an exception for exams that are deemed to be within the scope of care. Eleven other states have such laws. We just want to create more awareness and have a more specific consent form for this, said Montgomery County State Sen. Katie Muth, who is co-sponsoring the bill with a fellow Democrat, Sen. Maria Collett, whose district includes Montgomery and Bucks Counties. We dont want secret procedures happening." During pelvic exams, doctors use their fingers to check the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and sometimes rectum for any abnormalities, such as fibroids. The checks are typically done while patients are conscious and consenting, such as during a visit to a gynecologists office. As the insistence on patient consent has grown, so have questions about the need for routine pelvic exams, once an annual ritual for American women of child-bearing age and beyond. In 2016, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found that there isnt enough evidence to justify doing the invasive procedure annually on healthy women who arent pregnant. Some medical training programs teach students pelvic exams with the help of gynecological teaching associates women who teach medical students, nurses and sexual-assault examiners how to conduct comfortable pelvic exams by acting as the patient and giving feedback in real time. Other programs require doctors to describe the pelvic exam and ask for consent from patients while they are awake; others detail it in a consent form that patients sign before surgeries. Both the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania provide patients with a consent form that explains how medical students may participate in their care during surgeries, including a pelvic exam for educational purposes. Medical students conducting the exam at Temple must confirm with their attending that an anesthetized patient has consented, and Penn requires such consent in writing. Respect for all patients is a cornerstone of medical training in the Perelman School of Medicine," a Penn Medicine spokesperson wrote in an email. Thomas Jefferson Universitys Sidney Kimmel Medical College has informed consent policies in place. The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine requires students to abide by the policies of the hospitals" where they are doing their rotations, a spokesperson wrote in an email. An opportunity to build trust Though far less common than they once were, pelvic exams performed without consent may still happen. Elle magazine conducted a survey last spring and found that out of 101 medical students from seven major American medical schools, 92% had performed a pelvic exam on an anesthetized female patient, and 61% reported that they did not have explicit consent when doing so. A now out-of-date survey from 2005 medical students at the University of Oklahoma showed that a majority of respondents had performed pelvic exams on patients under anesthesia for gynecological surgery. Three quarters of respondents believed that patients had not consented to those exams. Though todays students, such as Ackert, learn from the start about the importance of patient consent and open communication, this is a fairly recent change in attitude. In a 2003 survey of 400 Philadelphia medical students by a former University of Pennsylvania medical student, researchers found that after completing ob-gyn training, 24% of students said consent was unimportant. Getting consent, doctors say, usually is not difficult when patients understand fully whats happening with their care, and why. Rachael Polis, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist for Crozer-Keystone Health System, said that she approaches consent as not just a piece of paper, but very much a process." Before a surgery, Polis, who works with residents but not medical students, educates the patient, and often family members, on what the surgery will entail and who is going to be in the operating room. On the day of the procedure, she said, the patient meets the entire care team, including the residents who will be assisting her. Residents and students need this experience, Polis said. Its part of becoming a future physician, learning by practicing. But Ive found that the more you explain, the more you talk about whats happening, the more comfortable patients are. Discussing all of this ahead of time and getting their consent is really important ethically. A 2003 study by Robert Berry, then the ob-gyn residency director at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, found that more than 80% of patients agreed to let a student examine them if they were asked in advance and didnt believe that they were being pressured. Berry also found that patients preferred being asked by nurses instead of doctors. Ackert said that she has learned to obtain patient consent from such teachers as the attending physician who showed patients pictures so they would understand exactly what would be removed during a hysterectomy. This physician also told patients exactly who would be scrubbed in with her during the surgery including usually a resident and a medical student. I have also seen consent done poorly, Ackert said. A doctor shoving a piece of paper in the face of someone and saying, Sign this. Ackert said she wants to be the kind of doctor who knows how to communicate with patients and answer all of their questions. You have the right to know whats happening to your body, Ackert said. Muth, the state senator, is optimistic that health-care providers will support this bill once its introduced. If youre not doing anything wrong, youre not going to be fearful of legislation, she said. Doctors should want to be honest with their patients. Its an opportunity to build trust between patients and health-care providers. Trump expressed his appreciation that Egypt had signed the GERD deal in Washington last week, the Egyptian readout said US President Donald Trump called Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday in order to discuss the latest developments concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian presidency said. Trump expressed his appreciation that Egypt had signed the GERD deal in Washington last week after several rounds of talks sponsored by the US Treasury and the World Bank. According to the statement, Trump said that Egypt has confirmed its good intentions and honest political will in signing the deal, which is considered comprehensive, fair and balanced. The US president added that his administration will continue exerting its efforts and coordinating with Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on this vital file until the signing of the GERD deal. El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for the role of the US administration in sponsoring the talks, stressing that Egypt is prioritising the issue because it is a matter of huge importance to the Egyptian people's interests and their future. Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan were expected to sign a final deal on the mega-dam during the two-day talks that concluded on Friday, but Ethiopia skipped the meetings citing incomplete domestic discussions. Egypt initialed the deal and called on Ethiopia and Sudan to do the same. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday that Washington was disappointed after Ethiopia skipped last week's round. "We have been trying to bring the parties together. They have made enormous progress. We were incredibly disappointed that Ethiopia didn't show up for the last meeting," Mnuchin told a hearing of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. "It is an important issue for the entire region. It is obviously a grave concern, there are safety concerns, there are water concerns," he added Egypt on Sunday accused Addis Ababa of deliberately not attending the last round of talks in Washington last week to hinder the path of negotiations. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Tuesday that Ethiopia's ownership of its GERD does not give it the right to violate legal accords signed willingly. Ethiopia hopes the $4 billion-dam will make it a regional energy hub, but Cairo fears the project will significantly diminish its water supply. Search Keywords: Short link: A 20-year-old border guard found dead in Dilove village in Zakarpattia. The press secretary of Mukachevo Border Guard Detachment Lesya Fedorova announced this, as UA:PBC reported. A military serviceman of the 2000 year of birth was in the sector of Mukachevo Border Guard Detachment during the last month as reinforcement. An ambulance was called to the site as well as the National Police officers. The medical team has pronounced the death of the military serviceman. Preliminary, the version of suicide is considered, Fedorova said. At the same time, the press secretary of the National Police Hanna Dan announced that the criminal proceeding was launch over the death of the young man under the article for intended homicide. Forensic medical examination has to establish the cause of death. As it was reported earlier, on February 27, smugglers made a provocation near the border with Hungary: they broke a fence and threatened the border guards. 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. South Africa: Foreign nationals in Cape Town urged to follow laws Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs Chairperson, Advocate Bongani Bongo, has called for an immediate resolution of the situation involving foreign nationals, who were located outside the Central Methodist Mission Church in Cape Town. It is untenable that the situation continues to persist, despite numerous attempted interventions that have not yielded desirable results. We would like to urge refugees to comply with the laws of the country and with the by-laws of the City of Cape Town, Bongo said. Bongo also called for the full implementation of the City of Cape Town by-laws and the recently attained court order to ensure that the matter is brought to an end. The chairperson said that he considers it unfortunate that the foreign nationals have persisted to undermine the laws of this country, as a way of forcing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to act in a way that is only satisfactory to them, despite information that the UNHCR is unable to assist. Furthermore, the chairperson said Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has informed the committee that he had held numerous interactions with the countries of foreign nationals, saying they are willing to relocate however, these countries are unwilling to assist. The actions of the refugees are even more concerning considering that the xenophobia they refer to is not a factor in Cape Town. South Africa welcomes refugees and asylum seekers, especially in the context of our history, but the pre-condition of any country accepting refugees is that the laws of the receiving country will be respected at all times, Bongo said. While the committee is against the use of force, Bongo noted that it is of the view that adherence to laws will prevent such actions in future. The committee hopes that a reasonable resolution to this standoff can be found, especially for the women and children caught up in this standoff. The committee calls on the refugees to consider reintegrating into the communities they came from before the start of the protest, to enable children to go back to school. Furthermore, each individual must apply through the UNHCR process for further assistance. The committee further calls on all levels of government to work together with the UNHCR and the refugees to find amicable solutions to the challenges the refugees face, the chairperson said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. AID AVAILABLE: The World Bank announced Tuesday that it is making $12 billion available to provide immediate support to low-income countries dealing with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport wear masks Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in SeaTac, Wash. Six of the 18 Western Washington residents with the coronavirus have died as health officials rush to test more suspected cases and communities brace for spread of the disease. All confirmed cases of the virus in Washington are in Snohomish and King counties. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) AID AVAILABLE: The World Bank announced Tuesday that it is making $12 billion available to provide immediate support to low-income countries dealing with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus. World Bank President David Malpass said the money will go to help developing nations strengthen their health systems that are fighting an epidemic that has already spread to more than 60 countries. The point is to move fast, Malpass told reporters. Speed is needed to save lives. Of the $12 billion in support, $8 billion represents new funds and $4 billion is being re-allocated from existing programs, Malpass said. The World Bank funds are designed to help countries detect when the virus crosses their borders and purchase medical equipment to treat any outbreaks. PUBLIC FORUMS: The 189-nation International Monetary Fund and its sister lending organization, the World Bank, announced Tuesday that they will replace their regular spring meetings in Washington with a virtual format in response to the coronavirus. In a joint statement, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass said their decision was being made given growing health concerns related to the virus. The two global lending organizations normally hold an annual spring meeting in Washington, where they both have their headquarters. This years meeting had been scheduled for the week of April 13. The statement said that the agency would fully employ their Information Technology facilities to the fullest to allow member countries to hold essential policy consultations that would have taken place in person. CORPORATE TRAVEL: Due to the coronavirus threat, Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are requiring executive approval for air travel, with few exceptions. In a memo to employees Tuesday, Ford CEO Jim Hackett said the company would ban all but essential travel through March 27. The decision will be reviewed weekly. Fiat Chrysler is telling employees that all travel must be pre-approved by a leadership team member and that travel be prioritized to essential needs only. The restrictions are among the most severe with regard to U.S. corporations. Hackett said in the memo that the decision was based on based on statements by government infectious disease specialists. The memo said exceptions would have to be approved by senior management. They have to be essential to company operations and be tasks that can only be done in if the traveller is physically present. Exceptions also cannot create an unacceptable health risk. They may be granted for something like the start of vehicle manufacturing, according to the memo. We ask that you look out on your calendar at least 90 days and find creative ways to complete work without travelling or having people needlessly come to us, Hackett's memo said, encouraging use of video conferences, telephone conversations and email. On Sunday, Twitter tightened its guidance for employees on travel, but it was not an outright ban. CONFERENCES GOING DARK: Adobe says it has cancelled the in-person version of its eponymous Summit, scheduled for March 29 to April 2 in Las Vegas, due to concerns about COVID-19. More than 20,000 people were expected to attend the conference, which will be held as an "online experience" this year, the company said. The move comes as trade events, conferences and other gatherings are being cancelled or moved online around the world due to fears about the fast-spreading virus. Google, meanwhile, said it is cancelling its annual developers conference, Google I/O, that was to be held starting May 12 in Mountain View, California, due to concerns about coronavirus. The company may consider "other ways to evolve Google I/O," a spokeswoman said, suggesting it could hold digital events. Google has also halted international travel for all employees. TV AND PARKS: NBC parent company Comcast said that because of insurance and the way contracts are written, NBC wont suffer losses if the Olympics are cancelled, but itll miss out on ad-driven profits, which were $250 million for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 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. Comcast also said that the closure of the Universal Studios Japan theme park for two weeks will hurt a key NBCUniversal profit measure by an additional 7% to 9% in the first quarter. The company also had to suspend construction of Universal Studios Beijing, but Comcast CEO Brian Roberts says "we're back working" and expects to open the park on time in May 2021. CAPITALISTS WOODSTOCK: Investor Warren Buffett's company plans to hold its annual meeting on May 2 regardless of the status of the ongoing virus outbreak that began in China. Berkshire Hathaway said in a statement that the size of the meeting, which typically attracts roughly 40,000 people, could change this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, but the company plans to go ahead with the event in Omaha, Nebraska. The scope of the meeting and associated activities may be modified by circumstances at the time, but we have no present plans to do so, Berkshire Hathaway said. The meeting attracts throngs of people who want to listen to Buffett and Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger answer questions over several hours. The meeting itself will again be broadcast online by Yahoo Finance, so investors don't have to travel to hear Buffett's and Munger's answers. Panel that will examine bill to raise legal age of marriage has one woman member out of 31 Woman knows mans intent when he touches her: High Court India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mumbai, Mar 03: A woman may know less but she understands more and knows the intention when a man touches her or even looks at her, the Bombay High Court said while suspending the sentence of a convict in the case of molestation of a former actor. Justice Prithviraj Chavan was hearing an appeal filed by a 41-year-old businessman Vikas Sachdev, convicted for molesting the former actor on board a domestic flight in December 2017. The court on Tuesday admitted Sachdev's appeal and suspended his sentence till the appeal his heard and decided. Actor Tanushree Dutta's lawyer booked in molestation case for using abusive language A sessions court here on January 15, 2020 convicted Sachdev under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with an intent to outrage her modesty) and provisions of theProtection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as the victim was a minor when the incident took place. He was awarded three years' imprisonment in the case. The sessions court had on the same day granted bail to Sachdev and suspended the sentence imposed upon him for a period of three months. On February 20, the businessman filed an appeal before the high court, claiming that the trial court erred in finding him guilty. Sachdev's lawyer Aniket Nikam told the high court on Tuesday that his client has been wrongly convicted and even if his leg had touched the victim, it must have been a mistake and without any intention to harass her. Justice Chavan, however, asked why Sachdev had to keep his leg on the arm rest of the seat ahead of him. "A woman may know less but she understands more. It is a natural gift...touch...look...a man will not understand but a woman knows the intention behind these," the judge said. It is only the victim who can talk about the accused person's mens rea (intention), the judge said, adding the accused will never admit that he touched intentionally. "You (Sachdev) were travelling in business class where you have lot of space, then why keep your leg on someone else's arm rest?" the judge asked. German tourist alleges molestation by 'babas' in Varanasi When Nikam argued that the victim did not complain to the flight crew members and walked out of the flight smiling, the court said there is no formula on how a woman should behave or react to such incidents. "This is not mathematics. There is no straitjacket formula on how a woman would behave or react when faced with such a situation," the court said. Justice Chavan said there will hardly be any woman who has not experienced such incidents in local train and buses. The bench admitted Sachdev's appeal and suspended his sentence till the appeal is heard and disposed of. "There is no scope of the appeal being heard and decided in the near future and since the sentence imposed on the applicant (Sachdev) is short, the sentence stands suspended," the court said. The court directed Sachdev to submit a fresh bail bond of Rs 25,000 and to not leave Mumbai without prior permission from the sessions court. Nikam also argued that there were contradictions between statements given by the victim and other eyewitnesses. "The crew members of the flight had deposed that the accused was sleeping throughout the flight," he argued. The incident took place when the victim, then 17 years old, was travelling by an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai. After landing, the victim narrated the ordeal through a video post on Instagram. Sachdev was subsequently arrested and later released on bail. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 13:52 [IST] Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead in Bellurgan, Co Louth in 2013 Gardai responded to a 999 call at a house used by two men allegedly involved in the murder of Adrian Donohoe four days before the fatal shooting, a court has heard. The emergency call - made in the early hours of the morning - reported three suspicious males at the Louth home around a mile from the Lordship Credit Union where the detective garda was shot dead. Yesterday the Central Criminal Court heard from gardai who responded at around 4.40am on January 21, 2013, but didn't find any intruders. The jury previously heard that Aaron Brady, who denies capital murder, had stayed at the property around the time of the killing, along with another man who the prosecution say was also involved but cannot be identified for legal reasons. Mr Brady (29) is on trial for the murder of Adrian Donohoe (41), who was then a member of An Garda Siochana acting in the course of his duty at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013. The accused, of New Road in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is also charged with the robbery of about 7,000 in cash and cheques from Pat Bellew at the same location on the same date. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Expand Close Aaron Brady has denied murder / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aaron Brady has denied murder Gda Fergal McCarthy said he was on duty in the Louth divisional control room, at Drogheda Garda Station, in the early hours of January 21, 2013. He said he received a call on the emergency line at 4.38am from a man who identified himself and said he lived at an address near Bellurgan in Co Louth. The court heard this man said he spotted three males dressed in black clothing in the yard of the house. Gda McCarthy said he forwarded this call on to the radio control room in Dundalk. Trespasser Gda Damien Welby gave evidence that he was on patrol when he received a call about a possible trespasser and arrived on scene at 4.45am. He told the court he made his way to the property and met two men in the house, which included the person who made the emergency call. Gda Welby agreed with Lorcan Staines SC, prosecuting, that the men said they heard noises and when they looked outside they saw what they believed to be a person wearing all black. This individual was alleged to have been near a container at the rear yard. The court heard that gardai carried out an inspection but noted there was no damage to the lock of the container. He said they checked the grounds and didn't notice signs of footprints or suspicious vehicles parked nearby. Garda Robbie Peelo said he arrived in a separate patrol car a short time before Gda Welby He said he spoke to a male who identified himself and reported seeing a man dressed in black at the rear of the house. They conducted a search of the yard and spent between 10 and 15 minutes there but found nothing suspicious. Gda Peelo also recalled commenting to his colleague at the scene that there were no footprints on the grass at the property when they initiated their search. The witness said it was "clean" and that there was heavy dew on the grass but no footprints. The Central Criminal Court also heard evidence of mobile numbers being attributed to nine people as part of the investigation. Det Gda Colin Compton, of Dundalk Garda Station, gave evidence of attributing three of these phone numbers to Aaron Brady. One of these, linked to his Facebook account, was registered under the name 'Lexi' and had a date of birth given as February 1999 with an address in Armagh. The trial continues. Greek Army detain migrants in the village of Mandra, Evros region, at the Greek-Turkish border on Tuesday. AP Photo Istanbul: The EU dispatched its highest officials to Turkey and Greece on Tuesday amid concern over a fresh migrant crisis and allegations that Ankara was trying to "blackmail" the bloc by opening its borders to thousands of refugees seeking to flee to Europe. Rights groups accused Turkey of using migrants and refugees as bargaining chips by pushing them towards the Greek border, but also slammed Europe for failing to provide greater assistance. Thousands have arrived at the frontier since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last week that it would no longer stop them trying to enter Europe. After fierce clashes with Greek police at the official crossing over the weekend, migrants said they were being dispersed along the narrow Evros river that separates the two countries. Braced against the winter cold, many wandered the fields along the water's edge looking for a safe space to cross. They have faced tear gas and stun grenades from Greek police, while unconfirmed videos appeared to show coastguards beating and shooting near migrants packed on to boats. One Afghan migrant, 21-year-old Sinan Yilmaz, said a friend had managed to reach Greek soil, but was quickly picked up by police. "They took everything: their money, their shoes, and sent them back here. That's why we don't consider it, unless the doors open," he said. ENFIELD An Enfield man faces years in federal prison for allegedly illegally selling dozens of guns he purchased himself, including one used in a Hartford shooting last summer, according to officials. Norman Klosek, 35, of Enfield, pleaded guilty Monday to offenses related to his illegal sale of numerous guns, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham. In the spring of 2019, authorities said, the FBIs Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force started court-authorized wiretaps on a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was allegedly distributing fentanyl and cocaine in and around Hartford. Investigators intercepted communications that revealed Klosek, who had a valid state pistol permit, was acting as a straw purchaser of guns for the target of the investigation who couldnt lawfully buy or have guns based on his criminal history. On April 22, 2019, the target of the investigation picked up Klosek also known as Rich Klosek in Enfield and drove to the Newington Gun Exchange, a licensed gun dealer. There, authorities said, Klosek bought two handguns. During the purchase, Klosek completed and signed an ATF Form 4473 form in which he falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms and was not acquiring the firearms for another person, the news release said. He allegedly also indicated he was not an unlawful user, or addicted to, any controlled substance, authorities said. Klosek then gave the guns to the target of the law enforcement investigation. Later that day, investigators initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle of the target of their investigation and recovered the two guns, officials said. Further investigation indicated that Klosek, who allegedly had an escalating drug addiction, first bought and registered a gun in Connecticut on Nov. 6, 2018. Since then, authorities said, Klosek purchased 45 guns in addition to the two guns he bought on April 22, 2019. Twenty-five of the guns were purchased from March 8 through April 22, 2019. On April 24, 2019, a search of Kloseks residence led investigators to empty gun boxes and receipts for gun purchases, but no actual firearms. Klosek was arrested in Hartford on April 25, 2019. At the time of his arrest, authorities said, Klosek had fentanyl/heroin in his possession. Officials said Klosek admitted he was addicted to drugs and that he had sold or loaned the guns he bought. As of Monday, authorities said, 10 of the 47 guns bought by Klosek have been recovered by law enforcement. One gun was recovered after it was used in a shooting on Aug. 22, 2019, in Hartford, officials said. Klosek pleaded guilty to dealing firearms without a license and making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm. The first charge carries a maximum term of five years in prison while the latter carries a maximum term of 10 years. On June 27, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned a 32-count indictment that charged 15 members and associates of the Los Solidos street gang with various narcotics trafficking and gun possession offenses, officials said. Klosek was released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which was scheduled for May 26. HANNOVER, Germany, March 02, 2020 / B3C newswire / -- Ophthalmic medical device company Implandata Ophthalmic Products GmbH (Implandata) announced that study enrolment of its international ARGOS-SC01 clinical study was completed with the inclusion of the 24th study patient. This first-in-human clinical study is conducted to validate the suprachoroidally placed EYEMATE-SC sensor implant for continual monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP). The lead investigator Prof. Dr. med. Peter Szurman from Eye Sulzbach at Knappschaft Hospital Saar, Germany asserts: The sensor is pleasantly small and easy to implant, so most patients undergoing glaucoma surgery are eligible for such a pressure sensor. This enables glaucoma patients for the first time to monitor their own eye pressure at any time. It will improve the safety for glaucoma patients and significantly reduce the risk of blindness due to glaucoma. While Implandatas already CE marked EYEMATE-IO intraocular sensor implant is intended for use at glaucoma patients undergoing cataract surgery, the EYEMATE-SC device allows implantation at glaucoma patients not indicated for cataract surgery yet, thus complementing Implandatas product offering and expanding the indication of use of the EYEMATE-system. Prof. Dr. med Kaweh Mansouri, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Clinique de Montchoisi Lausanne/Switzerland and CMO of Implandata comments: We are pleased to have completed enrolment of this important study and having excellent outcomes so far in all patients, some of them having had the SC sensor for more than a year. Both safety and performance of the device have exceeded our expectations and we are looking forward to the forthcoming interim results. Study centers of the ARGOS-SC01 clinical study are the Eye Sulzbach at Knappschaft Hospital Saar/Germany, the Ophthalmic Clinic of Ruhr-University Bochum/Germany, the Department of Ophthalmology at University Mainz/Germany the Eye Department of LMU Medical School Munich/Germany and Montchoisi Clinique Lausanne/Switzerland. The study is closely supervised by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board, chaired by Prof. emeritus Gunter Krieglstein, who was the former Director of Department of Ophthalmology of Medical University Cologne/Germany and a worldwide renowned glaucoma expert. Intraocular pressure monitoring is a considerable challenge for glaucoma patients and their ophthalmologists. Current IOP measurement methods require in-office procedures, to be performed by trained medical staff. However, these measurements are obtained just a few times a year, although it is known that the eye pressure is highly dynamic and influenced by many parameter and thus changing throughout the day. In contrast to the sporadic readings obtained in standard clinical practice, the EYEMATE system provides actionable IOP measurements throughout 24 hours and outside the ophthalmologists office, enhancing treatment options and contributing to less progressing vision loss in glaucoma patients. Robert N. Weinreb, M.D., Chair & Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Shiley Eye Institute of University California San Diego/USA and Chair of Implandatas Scientific Advisory Board predicts: Continual measurement of intraocular pressure via the EYEMATE system will transform and individualize the management of glaucoma. In addition, it will enable improved adherence with medication and provide deeper insight about glaucoma. As the EYEMATE system provides direct feedback to the patient in a home setting - information previously unavailable to the patient - therapy adherence is expected to be improved, as it was already observed in earlier studies. Additionally, EYEMATEs remote patient care capabilities will result in more efficient disease management, as number of office visits may be reduced for a considerable number of patients, while the eye doctor attains more and better information about the patients specific situation. About Glaucoma Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease and the leading cause for irreversible vision loss worldwide. Intraocular pressure is the only modifiable risk factor to reduce the peril of vision loss. Reduction and control of eye pressure at glaucoma patients limits the risk of disease progression considerably (1). Close to 80 million patients are affected by the disease globally; because of aging populations the number of patients is expected to increase to 112 million patients by 2040 (2). Thus, Implandata is addressing a pressing need in a further growing market with its products for improved glaucoma care. About Implandata Implandata is a privately held, ISO 13485 certified medical device company, which was founded in 2010 in Hannover/Germany. With the CE marked EYEMATE-IO device, Implandata has developed the world-wide first implantable, permanent IOP for direct measurement and continual monitoring of eye pressure at glaucoma patients. The EYEMATE system is completed by a patient device for automated intraocular pressure data acquisition and real time data-provision to the eye care specialists. Contact Implandata Ophthalmic Products GmbH Max G. Ostermeier Kokenstrasse 5 30159 Hannover T +49 551 2204 2581 F +49 511 2204 2589 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 1 Reduction of intraocular pressure and glaucoma progression: results from the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial; Heijl et al, 2002 2 Global Prevalence of Glaucoma and Projections of Glaucoma Burden through 2040; Tham et al, 2014 Published by B3C newswire and shared through Newronic Establishment of national defense force on biosecurity urged amid COVID-19 outbreak Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/2 19:53:40 A permanent national defense force on biosecurity should be established and led by China's military, as the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) outbreak shows that China is not fully prepared to efficiently deal with a biological disaster or even potential warfare, which can have as great an impact as a conventional regional war, Chinese experts said on Monday. The military, temporarily mobilized and assembled, has already shown its capacity to tackle the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak threat through its efforts, the experts said. Wu Qian, a spokesperson at the Ministry of National Defense, declined to directly comment on the experts' opinions, but he said at a Monday press conference held by the State Council Information Office that the COVID-19 epidemic highlights the importance of biosecurity, and strengthening national biosecurity is a common practice among international society. Military expert Peng Guangqian said in a February article that biological threats are a new type of warfare, which may come from biomutation or a vicious enemy. The threat may not feature a declaration of war or a concrete battlefield and may not distinguish between military and civilian personnel. This epidemic shows China is not fully ready, and that it should have a strategic plan on national biosecurity, like building a national defense force on biosecurity directly led by the Central Military Commission, Peng said. Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that a major infectious disease can have as great an impact on Chinese politics, economy and society as a regional war, as shown in the COVID-19 outbreak, so building a permanent force dedicated to dealing with these potential threats is necessary. China has decided to include biosecurity into its national security system, systematically plan the construction of national biosecurity risk control and management system and comprehensively boost the country's capability to govern national biosecurity in a bid to safeguard public health, ensure national security and safeguard the country's long-term peace and stability, Wu said. China will also draft a biosecurity law at the earliest opportunity and establish a legal and systematic support system to secure national biosecurity, Wu noted. Establishing a dedicated military unit is viable because China's armed forces have shown how capable they are in dealing with COVID-19, and in doing so, have won wide trust and respect among the Chinese people, Wang said. He noted that China had established a military unit focused on public health in 2006 but was not able to develop it into a larger force, however, China could now expand on this previous experience. When no imminent biological threat is present in China, this force can also conduct and participate in humanitarian aid missions in foreign countries and regions, which will not only enhance the force's capabilities, but also boost China's international leadership and participation in global governance, Wang said. Peng told the Global Times on Monday that other flexible solutions like building a dedicated institution or a special unit that is not necessarily a new military branch are also viable, as long as biosecurity is effectively included in China's national security system. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NOTHUMBERLAND Fuel that leaked from a diesel locomotive has caused a lane restriction on three-lane state Route 11 just north of the borough of Northumberland in Point Twp. The leakage occurred Monday on the lead engine of a North Shore Railroad train headed from Northumberland to the Bloomsburg-Berwick area, said spokesperson Loni Metz-Briner. The crew discovered leak, the cause of which has not been determined and the state Department of Environmental Protection was promptly notified she said. The northbound driving lane on Route 11 will be closed until soil remediation work is completed. The track parallels the highway in that area. Until Route 11 is fully reopened, northbound traffic will be directed into middle or turning lane, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. North Shore is one of six shortlines operated in central Pennsylvania by a corporation that also is North Shore. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York Citys public health lab will be able to conduct its own testing for coronavirus today -- several days earlier than previously expected, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Twitter. De Blasio previously said the lab would be able to begin testing for the disease on Friday. This will help us diagnose people in hours instead of days, de Blasio wrote on Twitter. Weve received an important update since this morning. New York Citys public health lab will be able to conduct its own testing for coronavirus later today. This will help us diagnose people in hours instead of days. Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 2, 2020 Previously, samples had to be sent to the Center for Disease Controls lab in Atlanta, which would cause a delay of at least two days. Currently, the city and state are partnering with each other and health care facilities to test for the disease (COVID-19). De Blasio added that the city would be coordinating with the Health Department to deploy an early detection system that would let medical providers pool and share information about suspected cases and symptoms. There is no pre-scripted timeline for this crisis,'' de Blasio said. "It could be with us for months. The best ways to keep yourself healthy are the same steps we urge everyone to take in flu season: Wash your hands often and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Coronavirus: Full coverage on SILive.com The update comes hours after Gov. Andrew Cuomo, de Blasio and leading health officials from across the state briefed the public Monday to urge calm following the states first confirmed case of COVID-19. According to officials, a 39-year-old healthcare worker residing in Manhattan began exhibiting symptoms of the virus after returning from Iran on Tuesday. Officials said the only person she had prolonged contact with was her husband, who is also a health worker, and both are following protocols remaining in her home. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that only those with close contact to someone exhibiting symptoms are at serious risk of contracting the disease. The COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly on a global scale, and in Washington we are starting to see some spread in the community, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of CDCs national immunization and respiratory diseases center, previously said. Therefore, we feel the risk to the public is increasing. As of Monday afternoon, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there are 88,948 confirmed cases globally, with 1,804 new cases within the last 24 hours. There have been 2,915 deaths in China where the virus began and 128 deaths outside the country, the WHO said. It is likely that there are additional cases, health officials said. The CDCs site officially said there are two confirmed deaths in the United States. However, the Washington State Health Department announced an additional four deaths today bringing the death total to six in the U.S. Health officials said the best preventative measures at this time include covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and being sure to frequently and thoroughly wash your hands. Both the governor and mayor said anyone who thinks they may be sick should seek testing. Those in the city who might not have easy access to healthcare should call 311, de Blasio said. He echoed Cuomo urging calm and highlighted how the states and citys approaches have surpassed some in other parts of the world. What has been the advantage here in New York -- weve kind of been the anti-China in this sense -- is to say from the beginning: Its coming here. Its a real thing. Everyone get ready for it, he said. Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray, on Tuesday said a decision on providing reservation in education to Muslims will be taken on the basis of legal validity and that there was no such proposal before him. Thackerays statement adds to the growing list of contentious issues that the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress the coalition partners in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government have been at odds with. Earlier, the three ruling parties have failed to reach a consensus on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). Thackerays statement came a few days after minority affairs minister Nawab Malik, who belongs to the NCP, declared that the state government would provide 5% quota to Muslims in educational institutions. Sena minister Eknath Shinde, too, had indicated that the party was in favour of the decision. However, following criticism by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several other Hindu outfits, Thackeray on Tuesday backtracked. Theres no proposal before the government on providing reservation to Muslims. We will have to check its legal validity. The decision of providing reservation to Maratha community is still in court and we are working to get it approved, he said. He also lashed out at the critics, urging them to conserve their energy when the government takes any such decision. In June 2014, the Congress-NCP government had announced 16% and 5% reservation for Marathas and Muslims, respectively, in education and government jobs. Later, the Bombay high court stayed the government decision, but said that Muslims could be given reservation in education. The BJP government. led by Devendra Fadnavis, which came to power the same year, chose not to continue with the reservation after the ordinance lapsed in December 2014, citing it was not in favour of quota on the basis of religion. The MVA is already facing unease over implementing the CAA, the NRC and the NPR. Thackeray, however, has extended his support to the CAA, assuring that the law doesnt threaten to strip anyones citizenship. In a bid to resolve the issue of implementing the NPR and the NRC, the chief minister has declared setting up a committee comprising senior leaders from all three parties to discuss their concerns. My stand is clear. We have decided to form a committee of senior leaders from all the parties to discuss the issues related to the NRC and the NPR. he said. He also added that he wont allow anyone to strip citizenship of any citizens of my state. The announcement comes over a week after Thackeray in Delhi chose not to oppose the NPR, but had said he would prefer scrutiny. The NPR is proposed along with census 2020. It happened in 2010 as well. Census happens after every 10 years in our country. If there are new columns proposed in the NPR, they will be scrutinised by our government and if there is a problem, we wont take it ahead, Thackeray had said. The issue may not be resolved soon as it was already discussed in a coordination committee meeting held last week. The issues over the CAA and the NPR were also discussed in the meeting, but no consensus was reached. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Faisal Malik Faisal is with the political team and covers state administration and state politics. He also covers NCP. ...view detail The lead architect on the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower cant recall whether he knew there were different fire regulations for high-rise buildings, an inquiry has heard. Bruce Sounes was in charge of the day-to-day management of the redesign of the 24-storey North Kensington block. Giving evidence to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry on Tuesday, the associate at Studio E architects was shown a diagram of different building classifications relating to blocks over 18m tall. Mr Sounes was asked by Kate Grange QC, counsel to the inquiry: Were you aware that there might be different rules that applied to buildings over 18m ... He replied: No, I was aware that they may exist, but I did not refer to [the document] at the time. Recommended Firms in Grenfell Tower inquiry given immunity from prosecution He added: I cant recall if I was aware of that. When asked whether he read the government guidelines on building and fire regulations also known as approved document B during the Grenfell project, Mr Sounes said: I referred to it on occasion but I certainly didnt read it from start to finish. Because its so wide ranging, an architect will find themselves referring to specific sections to try and understand whether they are meeting their requirements. Mr Sounes was also shown a diagram of how fire can spread up the external cladding of a building. When asked whether he saw anything like this during the Grenfell project, he said no. Earlier on Tuesday, the inquiry heard that Studio E has no record of ever signing a contract for the Grenfell project with the local property management company. In his written statement to the inquiry, Mr Sounes, said: From the documents within Studio Es possession I do not know whether the Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organisation (KCTMO) appointment was ever actually signed by Studio E and KCTMO. I cannot specifically recall Studio E signing the documents and nor do we have a completed copy on file. Giving evidence, the architect added: I have no recollection of it being signed and we couldnt locate a copy, but thats not to say it wasnt signed. I cannot remember. I guess I thought maybe it was, but I dont know. The evidence comes after Studio E boss Andrzej Kuszell told the hearings that Mr Sounes had no experience of over cladding residential blocks. However, he had faith that his firm could complete the Grenfell job. Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Campaign group Grenfell United project a message on to the side of a tower block in Newcastle ahead of the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire to highlight the number of blocks that are still covered in flammable cladding, despite the role that it played in the fire PA Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures People release balloons in front of the Grenfell Tower during a vigil to mark the second anniversary of the fire (Peter Summers/Getty Images) Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Downing Street is illuminated green to mark the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire EPA Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Kensington Palace is illuminated green to mark the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire Getty Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Campaign group Grenfell United project a message on to the side of a tower block in Salford ahead of the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire to highlight the number of blocks that are still covered in flammable cladding, despite the role that it played in the fire PA Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Campaign group Grenfell United project a message on to the side of a tower block in by the Grenfell Tower ahead of the second anniversary of the fire to highlight the number of blocks that are still covered in flammable cladding, despite the role that it played in the fire PA Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Cards bearing names of victims of the Grenfell fire are attached to a railing nearby to the tower Getty Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures People obersve a memorial during a vigil to mark the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire Getty Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Campaign group Grenfell United project a message on to the side of a tower block in Salford ahead of the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire to highlight the number of blocks that are still covered in flammable cladding, despite the role that it played in the fire PA Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures The Grenfell Tower is illuminated green to mark the second anniversary of the fire Getty Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Kensington Palace is illuminated green to mark the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire Getty Grenfell fire remembered two years on: In pictures Downing Street is illuminated green to mark the second anniversary of the Grenfell fire EPA Mr Kuszell said on Monday: I believed we had the processes and experience of complex buildings to be able to undertake this commission. It wasnt just my belief, it was clearly the belief of all senior members. We put the project in the hands of one of our most senior and experienced people. I had no reason to believe we wouldnt be able to do it. Mr Kuszell also apologised to survivors of the 2017 fire that killed 72 people, and told them: It really shouldnt have happened. Hindsight now comes into play weve lived two and a half years since the tragedy and doubtless absolutely every one of us would wish to turn the clock back. It really shouldnt have happened, and Im really, really sorry for all of you and everybody else who was involved in the project. The hearings continue. Press Association CONSTI GROUP PLC NOTICE TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2 March 2020 at 8.00 a.m. NOTICE TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF CONSTI GROUP PLC The shareholders of Consti Group Plc are hereby invited to the Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday 6 April 2020 at 1 p.m. at Scandic Marina Congress Centers conference room Fennia I at the address of Katajanokanlaituri 6, FI-00160 Helsinki, Finland. A. MATTERS ON THE AGENDA OF THE GENERAL MEETING The following matters shall be considered at the General Meeting: 1. Opening of the meeting 2. Calling the meeting to order 3. Election of persons to scrutinise the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes 4. Recording the legality of the meeting 5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adoption of the list of votes 6. Presentation of the Financial Statements, including the Consolidated Financial Statements, the report of the Board of Directors and the auditors report for the year 2019 - Review by the CEO. 7. Adoption of the Financial Statements, including the adoption of the Consolidated Financial Statements 8. Resolution on the use of the profit shown in the balance sheet and deciding on the payment of dividends The distributable funds of Consti Group Plc on 31 December 2019 were EUR 52,978,529.78 including retained earnings of EUR 24,925,457.35. The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that a dividend of EUR 0.16 per share shall be paid for the financial year 1 January 31 December 2019. The dividend shall be paid to a shareholder who is registered in the company's register of shareholders, maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd, on the record date for payment, 8 April 2020. The Board of Directors proposes that the dividend be paid on 17 April 2020. 9. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability 10. Handling of the Remuneration Policy for Governing Bodies 11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors Story continues The Board of Directors proposes, upon the proposal by the Nomination Committee, that the annual remuneration of the Board Members elected for the term of office lasting until the Annual General Meeting of 2021 is paid as follows: the Chairman of the Board of Directors is paid EUR 36,000 and members of the Board of Directors are each paid EUR 24,000. In addition, the Nomination Committee proposes that a EUR 500 fee per member per meeting is paid for Board meetings. The travel expenses incurred from participating in the meetings of the Board of Directors are also compensated against an invoice. No separate remuneration is awarded for committee work. 12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors The Nomination Committee proposes to the General Meeting that six (6) members be elected to the Board of Directors. 13. Election of members of the Board of Directors The Nomination Committee proposes to the General Meeting that the following current Board Members be re-elected for the following term of office: Tapio Hakakari, Erkki Norvio, Petri Rignell, Pekka Salokangas and Anne Westersund and that Johan Westermarck be elected as a new member to the Board of Directors. Current Board Member Antti Korkeela has announced that he will not be available for re-election. The Board Member candidates are introduced on Consti Group Plcs website at https://investor.consti.fi. All of the proposed candidates are independent of the company and major shareholders in the company. All nominated persons have given their consent to the position. 14. Resolution on the remuneration of the auditor The Board of Directors proposes that the auditor be paid a remuneration according to a reasonable invoice approved by the company. 15. Election of auditor The Board of Directors proposes that Authorised Public Accounting firm Ernst & Young Oy shall be elected as the Auditor of the Company for the following term of office. Ernst & Young Oy has informed that should it be elected as the Auditor of the Company, Toni Halonen, Authorised Public Accountant will act as the Responsible Auditor. 16. Amendment of the Articles of Association The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the Companys business name be amended to Consti Oyj and that the Company adopt the English language parallel business name Consti Plc. The Board of Directors hereby proposes to amend 1 of the Articles of Association to read as follows: 1 The Companys business name is Consti Oyj and in English Consti Plc. The Company is domiciled in Helsinki. 17. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the acquisition of the Companys own shares The Board of Directors proposes that the General Meeting authorise the Board of Directors to decide on the acquisition of the Companys own shares in one or more tranches as follows: The maximum number of own shares that may be purchased is 580,000 shares, corresponding to approximately seven (7) % of the aggregate number of shares in the company on the date of this notice. Based on the authorisation, own shares may be purchased using only the unrestricted shareholders' equity. Own shares may be acquired at a price formed on the date of purchase in public trading or at a price formed otherwise on the market. The acquisition of own shares may be made otherwise than in proportion to the share ownership of the shareholders (directed acquisition). Shares may be acquired e.g. for the purpose of the Company's share-based incentive systems. The Board of Directors proposes that this authorisation includes the right to decide on how own shares are acquired and on all other matters regarding the acquisition of shares. The authorisation replaces the authorisation granted to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting of 2 April 2019 regarding acquisition of own shares. The authorisation is proposed to be valid until the following Annual General Meeting, however not longer than until 30 June 2021. 18. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and the transfer of special rights entitling to shares The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting authorise the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and on the transfer of special rights entitling to shares referred to in chapter 10, section 1 of the Limited Liability Companies Act, in one or more tranches, either against or without consideration. The number of shares to be issued, including shares transferred under special rights, may not exceed 780,000 shares. The Board of Directors may decide to issue either new shares or to transfer any treasury shares held by the Company. The authorisation entitles the Board of Directors to decide on all terms of the share issue and transfer of special rights entitling to shares, including the right to deviate from the shareholders' pre-emptive right. This authorisation is used e.g. for the Company's share-based incentive systems or for other purposes as decided by the Board of Directors. The authorisation is proposed to include the Board of Directors' right to decide on all other matters related to the issuance of new shares and the transfer of special rights entitling to shares. The authorisation replaces the authorisation granted to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting of 2 April 2019 regarding the right to decide on the share issue and the transfer of special rights entitling to shares. The authorisation is proposed to be valid until the following Annual General Meeting, however not longer than until 30 June 2021. 19. Closing of the Meeting B. DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL MEETING The proposal for the General Meeting's resolution on the distribution of profit and the other proposals on the matters on the agenda of the General Meeting, the Remuneration Policy as well as this notice are available on Consti Group Plc's website at https://investor.consti.fi. The financial statements, annual report and auditor's report will be available on the same website by 13 March 2020, at the latest. The proposals and other documents referred to above are available also at the meeting, and copies of them and this notice will be sent to shareholders upon request. The minutes of the General Meeting will be available on the above-mentioned website on 20 April 2020, at the latest. C. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO THE GENERAL MEETING 1. Shareholders registered in the shareholders register The right to attend to the Shareholders' Meeting is restricted to those shareholders who, on 25 March 2020 (record date of the General Meeting), are recorded as shareholders in the company's shareholders' register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. Shareholders whose shares are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account are registered in the shareholders register of the company. Changes that take place in shareholdings after the record date set for the Shareholders' Meeting will not affect shareholders' right to attend the Shareholders' Meeting or exercise their voting rights. Shareholders wishing to attend the General Meeting shall give prior notice of their attendance to the company by 31 March 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Such notice can be given: a) on Consti Group Plcs website: www.consti.fi b) by telephone on +358 20 770 6903 from Monday to Friday between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.; or c) by regular mail to Consti Group Plc, Annual General Meeting, Hopeatie 2, FI-00440 Helsinki, Finland. Personal data given to Consti Group Plc is used only in connection with the General Meeting and with the processing of related registrations. Shareholders and their representatives or proxies shall be able to prove their identity and/or right to represent the shareholder upon request at the meeting. 2. Holders of nominee registered shares Holders of nominee registered shares have the right to participate in the General Meeting by virtue of such shares based on which he/she on 25 March 2020 (record date of the General Meeting) would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders register of the company held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. In addition, the right to participate in the General Meeting requires that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been registered into the temporary shareholders register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd at the latest by 1 April 2020 at 10.00 a.m. As regards nominee registered shares, this constitutes due registration for the General Meeting. Holders of nominee registered shares are advised to request in good time necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the shareholders' register of the company, the issuing of proxy documents and registration for the General Meeting from their custodian bank. The account operator of the custodian bank shall register the holder of nominee registered shares who wishes to participate in the General Meeting to be temporarily entered into the shareholders register of the company at the latest by the time stated above. 3. Proxy representative and powers of attorney Shareholders may participate in the General Meeting and exercise their rights at the meeting by way of proxy representation. Proxy representatives shall produce a dated power of attorney or otherwise prove in a reliable manner their right to represent the shareholder at the General Meeting. When shareholders participate in the General Meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares at different securities accounts, the shares represented by each proxy representative shall be identified in connection with the registration for the General Meeting. Possible proxy documents are requested to be delivered in originals to Consti Group Plc, Hopeatie 2, FI-00440 Helsinki, Finland, before the last date for registration. 5. Other instructions and information Pursuant to Chapter 5, section 25 of the Limited Liability Companies Act, a shareholder who is present at the General Meeting has the right to request information with respect to the matters to be considered at the meeting. On the date of this notice, 2 March 2020, Consti Group Plc has a total of 7,858,267 shares entitling to an equal number of votes. CONSTI GROUP PLC Board of Directors ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Esa Korkeela, CEO, Consti Group Plc, Tel. +358 40 730 8568 Joni Sorsanen, CFO, Consti Group Plc, Tel. +358 50 443 3045 Distribution: Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Major media www.consti.fi Consti is a leading Finnish company concentrating on renovation and technical services. Consti offers comprehensive renovation and building technology services to housing companies, corporations, investors and the public sector in Finlands growth centres. Company has four business areas: Housing Companies, Corporations, Public Sector and Building Technology. In 2019, Consti Groups net sales amounted to 315 million euro. It employs approximately 1000 professionals in renovation construction and building technology. Consti Group Plc is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The trading code is CONSTI. www.consti.fi Investments in staff, equipment and facilities have resulted in a revitalized local hospital, Bridgeport Hospital officials said about the the 2019 merger with Milford Hospital. About 30 people from the community and hospital staff attended a forum at Milford Hospital Monday, during which those improvements were highlighted. The forum was required by the state Office of Health Strategy as a condition of the acquisition. Gina Calder, administrator of the Milford campus and vice president of Bridgeport Hospital, said one focus was stabilizing Milford Hospital. She said the organization was in financial distress and was experiencing a loss of staff who were seeking opportunities elsewhere. Calder said that once the merger took place the focus was on investing in campus improvements, technology, and staff. She said a full parking lot within a few weeks of the merger reflected additional staff and patients. The word had really already started to get out into the community that this was going to be a revitalized excellence for patient care, said Calder. Technology, renovation, added staff One step in that care improvement is the introduction of Epic electronic medical records, which she said began on Sept. 27, 2019. About 40 percent of all healthcare organizations and 190 million patients use the Epic system. Calder said this allows for continuity of care, such as for a resident who spends part of the year in Florida. She said this also helps make connections between the Milford campus and Bridgeport Hospital. The next phase is standardizing policies, procedures, and equipment. This includes communication involving patient records, management of how medication is dispensed, and how supplies are ordered. Calder said the organization has made investments in the Urgent Care Center at 831 Post Road to grow that location, which officials recognize, as an important front door access to our organization. Also, the renovation of the former maternity wing at 3 East into an age-friendly surgical unit has a planned opening this summer. Calder said the maternity unit had closed several years ago because there was not enough patient volume and there was an insufficient number of physicians still practicing and offering ob-gyn services in the community. She said more than 65 percent of patients receiving care at the Milford campus are older than 65. Calder said the design would have an age-friendly design with large doors, great lighting, and a warm feeling. Bridgeport Hospital spent more than $83 million acquiring Milford Hospital. Anne Diamond, president and chief executive officer of Bridgeport Hospital, said since the merger, an additional $15 million was spent during fiscal year 2019 on infrastructure, equipment, and technology. In fiscal year 2020, an additional of $30 million is being invested. In total, more than 100 new pieces of technology and medical equipment have been purchased, said Diamond. There have also been renovations to public areas and clinical spaces, and money spent on the heating and cooling systems. Almost 100 new staff members are being added to the Milford campus. Diamond said technology is allowing Milford health care providers to work with experts at Bridgeport and Yale New Haven hospitals, rather than moving patients to those hospitals. Diamond said she did not think there was any other hospital in the country that was dedicated to geriatric care in the way that this care is planned for the Milford campus. She said while other facilities may have a geriatric unit, the local plan is training the entire staff in working with the geriatric population. Another focus is enhancing the patient experience, which Diamond said is more than just being nice. This includes communication, family needs and personal needs. The patients experience also has a direct relationship to how well that patient heals, said Diamond. Hillary Harlan, senior managing director for GlassRatner, an independent monitor of the merger, said her role is to monitor compliance of the organization with the agreed settlement, as required by the state OHS. This includes meeting regularly with leaders from Yale New Haven Health Care System, the parent organization, Bridgeport Hospital, and the Milford campus. Harlan stressed her independence, saying she reports to the state OHS, and will be monitoring the hospital for three years with visits two times a year. She said she files reports with the OHS that are available on the state website, including one that was posted on Jan. 6. The website is https://dphconwebportal.ct.gov/Report Turkey shot down a Syrian fighter jet in Syria's Idlib province Tuesday, marking the third such incident in as many days, as steady clashes between the two national armies continued over a Russia-backed Syrian government offensive near the Turkish border. State-run Syrian media said troops shot down a Turkish drone, keeping up a clash in the skies over the northwestern province that has gone on for days and signaled a new stage in the 9-year-old war. Ahead of a much-anticipated summit later this week between the presidents of Turkey and Russia, the two main power brokers in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov again laid the blame for the escalation squarely on Turkey. Russian officials have said they hold Turkey responsible for the collapse of a cease-fire agreement reached in Sochi, Russia in 2018, saying Ankara had not held up its end to rein in militants who continued attacking Syrian and Russian targets. ``The solution to the problem lies in implementing the (Sochi) agreements. They are not being implemented,'' Lavrov said after meeting with his Finnish colleague Pekka Haavisto in Helsinki on Tuesday. He expressed hope that the scheduled Thursday meeting between Russian and Turkish presidents in Moscow will change the situation. Keeping up the pressure on the battlefield, Turkey's military downed a warplane belonging to Syrian government forces _ the third time they have done so since Sunday. The Syrian military said Turkish forces targeted a warplane with a missile as it was carrying out operations against ``terrorist groups'' in the rebel-held Idlib region, causing it to crash northwest of the town of Maaret al-Numan. The fate of the crew was not clear. Turkey has sent thousands of troops into Idlib to support the opposition fighters holed up there, but hasn't been able to roll back the government's advance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he hopes to broker a cease-fire in Syria later this week when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. But the Russian-backed offensive into the country's last rebel-held area has led to increasingly frequent clashes between the Syrian and Turkish armies that have killed dozens on both sides. It has also threatened a collapse in Turkish cooperation with Moscow, a key backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad. A Turkish soldier was killed and another wounded Monday night, Turkey's Defense Ministry said, raising to 55 the number of Turkish losses this month in clashes with Russian-backed Syrian forces. The death toll includes 33 Turkish soldiers killed Thursday in a single airstrike. The government's offensive has also sparked one of the Syrian war's worst humanitarian crises. Almost a million Syrian civilians have fled north toward the sealed Turkish border, overwhelming camps already crowded above capacity. Tensions in Idlib rose following the Syrian strike that killed the 33 Turkish soldiers. Turkey responded with drone attacks and shelling that killed more than 90 Syrian troops and allied gunmen. Outraged by the assault against its forces in Syria, Turkey has opened its western borders for thousands of migrants and refugees wanting to cross into Europe, triggering a rush on the land and sea frontiers with Greece. It is Ankara's latest bid to pressure the European Union to help handle the fallout from the disastrous Syrian war. Turkey, which hosts over 3.5 million Syrian refugees from the war, was an early supporter of the rebels who sought to topple Assad after an uprising against his rule erupted in March 2011. Lavrov said Moscow fully understands the severity of the migrant issue and what it means for the European Union. ``We're engaged in a dialogue with the EU on this issue but we cannot stop fighting terrorism to solve the refugee problem, even though we are constantly being called upon to do so.'' Idlib, home to more than 3 million civilians, is dominated by al-Qaida-linked factions, but Russia and the Syrian government label all opposition to Assad as ``terrorist.'' Meanwhile, the US Representative to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, announced the US would provide an additional $108 million in humanitarian assistance for Syrians in response to the crisis. Craft, who traveled to Turkey's border with Syria, said the funds would provide food, shelter, clothing and other material for people in Syria and the region. ``While money will help address urgent needs, it not the answer,`` Craft said. Search Keywords: Short link: A bill to tackle communal violence, the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, languished in Parliament for nine years between 2005 and 2014 before it was withdrawn by the United Progressive Alliance government which wanted a stronger law. The Union Cabinet did approve one, but the bill, the Prevention of Communal Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2004, never came to the House for paucity of time. Then the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was voted out. Theres been no talk of the law since, either by the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, or the UPA, which is in Opposition something that is significant in light of recent communal riots in Delhi that claimed at least 47 lives. The withdrawn bill had provisions on speedy investigation and trials, and even provided for rehabilitation of victims. On Tuesday, both Houses of Parliament faced protests and repeated disruptions, for the second consecutive day, over the recent riots in Delhi. The Congress, which is in the forefront of the attack against the ruling dispensation over the riots, has demanded home minister Amit Shahs resignation. The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on December 5, 2005, by then home minister Shivraj Patil. It was reviewed by the standing committee on home affairs (then led by Sushma Swaraj), which gave its report in 2006. But the party failed to push for the passage of the bill during the tenure of its two successive governments despite the law being one of Congress s poll promises in 2009 and 2004. On February 5, 2014, replying to a question in the Upper House, then minister of state for home affairs RPN Singh stated, The notices were given for consideration and passing of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on several occasions, last being in February, 2010. However, the bill was not taken up for consideration on these occasions. Singh added: Subsequently, a new bill titled The Prevention of Communal Violence (Access to Justice and Repatriations) Bill, 2014, has been prepared and the same has been approved by the Cabinet. Notices have been given for introduction of said Bill and withdrawal of The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005. The alternative bill was drafted after the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council prepared a draft legislation to tackle communal violence in 2011. The BJP, then the principal opposition party, criticised the government for doing this after the first bill was reviewed by the standing committee. Chaksu Ray of PRS Legislative Research said: The old bill was withdrawn but the then government couldnt introduce the new bill in the Rajya Sabha. The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill not only gave a wider definition to communal violence, but also aimed for speedy investigation, trials, even provided for rehabilitation of victims. It empowered state governments to declare an area as communally disturbed . The bill also provided for stringent punishment and also made officials accountable for such instances. The law also paved the way for setting up a Communal Disturbance Relief and Rehabilitation Fund in every state. The standing committee on home affairs, led by late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, agreed with the need for the law but proposed many changes. It expanded the bills scope to include situations where no death may have occurred, but where many people are grievously hurt. It also suggested that the power to search, detain and seize arms, etc, in communally disturbed areas should be exercised by an officer not below the rank of Inspector of Police. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said such a bill was desperately needed. The Congress government had proposed a bill to tackle communal violence even when times were much calmer and blatant state abuse of the kind we see today was out of question. Imagine how much desperately we need this kind of statutory structure now when the government is relentlessly trying to polarise and divide India. The Congress party is certainly not against constructive amendments to any such law, but nobody in the right frame of mind can question the necessity of a dedicated law to tackle communal violence. BJP parliamentarian Bhupender Yadav hit back at the Congress, saying the opposition party follows the policy of communal politics. He also said the BJP believes in following the rule of law and in peace, unity and harmony. The riots in Delhi were controlled within 40 hours, taking all agencies on board, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A new study from Juniper Research found that the total number of digital banking users will exceed 3.6 billion by 2024, up from 2.4 billion in 2020; a 54% increase. This growth will be driven by the rise of digital-only banks and the ongoing focus on digital transformation by established bank brands. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005659/en/ Juniper Research's Digital Transformation Readiness Index 2020 (Graphic: Business Wire) The new research, Digital Banking: Banking-as-a-Service, Open Banking Digital Transformation 2020-2024, found that digital-only banks have gained market share from traditional banks by offering superior user experiences and tightly focused USPs. The research recommends that established banks must personalise the app experience; using AI-based personal financial management tools to fight back against digital-only bank innovation. For more insights, download the free whitepaper: How Open APIs are Revolutionising Banking Leading Banks Positioned in Juniper Research's Digital Transformation Readiness Index 2020 Banks invested heavily in digital transformation and new offerings in 2019, although the extent of these activities varied considerably. Juniper Research's Digital Transformation in Banking Readiness Index analysed leading Tier 1 banks to evaluate their digital transformation readiness and highlight their respective positioning in their digital innovation roadmaps. It identified the leading group of banks for digital transformation: Bank of America BBVA JPMorgan Chase Bank of America offers extensive digital solutions, including the Erica chatbot, and has had noticeable upticks in digital usage and engagement. BBVA has focused on capitalising on APIs in banking, by offering the BBVA Open Platform, which is a Banking-as-a-Service platform. JPMorgan Chase has experimented with blockchain and is rumoured to be planning a digital-only launch in the UK. Research author Nick Maynard noted: "These banks have executed highly effective digital transitions; however digital transformation is never complete. These banks must now refocus on the new strategies required to retain their digital leadership". The research also noted that traditional banks are launching digital-only brands, such as Bo from UK bank NatWest. The research cautioned that these launches must be differentiated from existing offerings and digital-only competition, in terms of providing a more personalised experience, or they will fail to gain momentum. Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector; providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005659/en/ Contacts: Sam Smith, Press Relations T: +44(0)1256 830002 E: sam.smith@juniperresearch.com DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Heil, part of Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) and Dover (NYSE: DOV), and one of the nation's largest refuse truck body manufacturers, today announced the launch of the Command-SST Automated Side Loader (ASL). The Command-SST incorporates a host of new technologies that enhance safety, operational comfort, productivity and maintenance simplicity. All of these enhancements are the result of extensive customer-driven field research, backed by real-world testing to deliver a product that is simple to operate, especially for operators new to automated collection. Specifically, the Command-SST design includes: New monitor-based guidelines that assist in positioning the arm in the middle of the container, while the driver's eyes remain forward-facing and focused on their surroundings. No more craning the neck to see if the can is lined up correctly. These guidelines are especially valuable to fleets with operators new to automated collection. Innovative Command-SST arm geometry allows for above and below grade can grabs (for snowbanks and ditches) as well as a feature to pick up a cart that has tipped over, helping the operator to stay in the cab for added safety. Significantly reduced arm lubrication points: 6 vs 25+ on other ASLs. All lubrication points are easily accessible from the ground. The arm can be completely swapped out in an hour by two people. No other ASL manufacturer can say that. Increased maintenance simplicity through the reduction of mechanical linkages. (For example, using sophisticated electronics vs. mechanical components that may require adjustment/replacement.) Fuel savings based on proven Odyssey TM hydraulic load-sensing controls, which come standard on the Command-SST. hydraulic load-sensing controls, which come standard on the Command-SST. Can-shake feature that helps to dislodge wet waste that can get stuck in the cart and is accessible with the press of a single button on the Command-SST's joystick. President of Environmental Solutions Group, Pat Carroll, said, "The Command-SST is the culmination of almost a decade of design and innovation, based on customer feedback regarding unfulfilled needs. Our engineers used this data to create a product that truly delivers on customer performance expectations." One of the primary objectives that Heil engineers addressed was the development of an automated side loader that would thrive amid operator and maintenance technician turnover, a problem identified early on in customer interviews. "We knew we had to deliver a side loader that was easier to operate for new drivers and simple to maintain with fewer moving parts," said Carroll. "The Command-SST has far fewer moving parts, 50% less cab shake for added operator comfort and an advanced in-cab monitor system that keeps the operator's eyes forward during cart acquisition and dump functions." Eric Evans, Vice President of Mobile Product Management explained the importance of operator comfort and overall simplicity, both from a driver and a maintenance perspective, as key to addressing personnel shortages in the industry. "We've heard from all of our major customers that both operator and mechanic retention has been a primary concern, especially with the increased complexity of modern garbage trucks. The Command-SST addresses these needs head-on with innovative technologies that both the operator and the maintenance specialists will appreciate." The Command-SST's arm functionality allows operators to grab carts in ditches, snowbanks or even carts that have tipped over, all from the safety of the cab. Additionally, the arm has settings that make it easier to grab cans that are positioned close together. From a maintenance standpoint, the Command-SST arm delivers with far fewer moving parts and greatly reduced lubrication points that are all accessible at ground level. The arm can also be completely swapped out in an hour, something unheard of in the industry. "From a complexity standpoint, Heil engineers delivered with an arm that can be easily swapped out if the arm is damaged," said Carroll. "This means that fleets running Command-SST's will have better operational metrics and a far better return on investment. That's all part of delivering the lowest Total Cost of Collection." The Command-SST is mounted to a Heil Durapack body, which tips the scales at 2,000 lbs. less than other side loaders, which equates to better payloads and increased productivity. With the Odyssey-inspired hydraulic controls, fleet owners can expect fuel savings on par with our industry-leading Front Loader. With the arm mounted to the body, the Command-SST also frees up valuable frame space for next-generation technologies that require additional chassis real estate. For more information regarding the Command-SST from Heil, contact your nearest dealer or point your browser to www.heil.com. About Heil: Established in 1901, Heil is one of the world's premier manufacturers of ultra-durable, high productivity, custom-configured garbage truck bodies with optimized chassis integration and automation solutions that help customers achieve the lowest cost of ownership. Their refuse collection bodies include a wide variety of front loaders, side loaders, and rear loaders. Heil bodies are known throughout the waste industry as being legendary for productivity, long life, ease of maintenance, and operator safety. Heil is a part of the Environmental Solutions Group family of companies serving the waste industry. Heil has a nationwide network of more than 40 dealers in over 60 locations across the United States. They are proud to be a leader in customer service and provide world-class training, and after-the-sale support. For more information about Heil, visit heil.com, the Heil Facebook page or follow Heil on Twitter. About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenue of over $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of approximately 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com . Environmental Solutions Group Contact: Jeffry Swertfeger (423) 648-5257 [email protected] Dover Media Contact: Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications (630) 743-5039 [email protected] Dover Investor Contact: Andrey Galiuk, VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations (630) 743-5131 [email protected] SOURCE Dover Related Links http://www.dovercorporation.com Mumbai, March 3 : Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor used the popular "Tareekh pe tareekh" dialogue from the 1993 film "Damini" to slam the Delhi Court judgment to defer the execution of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. On Monday, a court in Delhi again deferred the execution of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case, which was slated for Tuesday, till further orders. Rishi finds the delay ridiculous, and he took to twitter to express his view with a post. "Nirbhaya case. Tareekh pe tareekh, tareekh pe tareekh, tareekh pe tareekh - 'Damini'. Ridiculous," he tweeted. It may be recalled, "Damini" starring Rishin Kapoor and Sunny Deol with Meenakshi Sheshadri in the title role, was a courtroom drama that is fought out in the aftermath of the rape of a young domestic help by a group of influential boys. Sunny Deol, who fights the case to ensure justice for the dead victim, mouths the "Tareek pe tareek" dialogue in frustration and anger even as the defence manages to bank on one loophole after the other to keep deferring the verdict. In the Nirbhaya case, the four convicts -- Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Kumar Sharma and Akshay Kumar -- were scheduled to be hanged at 6 am on March 3. Pawan Gupta, the last of the four convicts to seek legal remedy or file a mercy petition, had moved a fresh application seeking a stay on the hanging, as his mercy plea is pending before the President after the court dismissed their application seeking stay on hanging earlier on Monday. He filed the mercy petition after his curative petition was rejected by Supreme Court on Monday morning. The case pertains to the gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old girl, christened Nirbhaya bythe media, in the Capital in December 2012. Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused. Ram Singh, the sixth accused, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail days after the trial began in the case. The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The International Narcotics Control Board has commended the sustained efforts engaged by Morocco in its fight against drugs trafficking and consumption, praising the countrys strategy focusing on prevention and treatment of addiction. In its 2019 report, INCB says Moroccos drugs control strategy 2019-2029 includes several measures to monitor and address health consequences related to drug use. This 10-year strategy advocates health-centered approaches to assist persons who abuse drugs. In 2018, Morocco seized more than 45 million tablets of tramadol and nearly 72 tons of cannabis resin, as well as of 252 tons of majoun, a consumable product consisting mostly of cannabis but that can also include other drugs, along with poppy seeds and other foodstuff, adds the document. In June 2019, Moroccan authorities seized 12 tons of cannabis and 800 kg of cannabis resin. Another operation carried out two weeks later led to the seizure of 600 kg of cannabis found in sewage pipes, says the Board, citing the seizure of more than a million MDMA tablets in the North African Kingdom. In its report, INCB, an independent body established by international drug control treaties, focuses on improving prevention and treatment services for young people. The Boards 2019 report calls for the respect of human rights in the elaboration and implementation of drug control policy. It stresses the need of reducing demand for narcotics, curbing supply, focusing efforts on treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation and social reintegration. While demand reduction and supply reduction constitute two fundamental pillars of drug control policy, the Board also encourages the international community to take a balanced approach to countering drug use and dependence through the adoption of measures intended to reduce the associated negative public health consequences. Minister of Medical Education K Sudhakar on Tuesday said that there is no need to panic as appropriate measures have been taken by the state government to tackle a possible Coronavirus outbreak. "I request the media not to spread panic and support the government in dealing with any possible Coronavirus outbreak. With the help of the Centre we have taken all required precautionary measures to deal with any situation," Sudhakar told reporters. Talking about the first confirmed case in Telangana, who had stopped over in Bengaluru, the Minister said, "His flatmates and 23 people who travelled with him from Karnataka are being screened. Both the state (Karnataka and Telangana) government are taking care of them." "Out of the 295 samples collected so far, 240 tested samples tested negative. We are awaiting more results as of now. There are two labs. One in RGICS and another in Bangaluru Medical College where tests are being carried out," he said. On Monday, the first confirmed case of a Novel Coronavirus in Telangana was reported from Hyderabad when a 24-year-old man, who had come in contact with some Hong Kong citizens, while he was in Dubai on February 17, tested positive for the virus. After arriving in Bengaluru on February 20 and travelled to Hyderabad by bus on February 22. Meanwhile, Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender on Sunday said that the state government is on a high alert since the confirmation of one Coronavirus positive case here. The Health Department has also issued an advisory to all educational institutes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) -The Yield Growth Corp. (CSE: BOSS) (OTCQB: BOSQF) (FSE: YG3) subsidiary Flourish Mushroom Labs Inc. announces that it has licensed to Kingdom Brands Inc. the U.S. rights to its mushroom extract manufacturing technology, which is protected by a U.S. provisional patent application (the "Technology"). Flourish Mushroom Labs enters into definitive agreement to license mushroom technology. To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6377/53068_PR_WEB_KIngdomBrands-Closing.jpg The patent application covers the invention of a unique mushroom extract and a method of manufacturing the extract from mushrooms including psilocybe mexicana, and formulations and emulsions containing the mushroom extract. The mushroom extract may be in the form of an aqueous solution, or it may be a freeze or spray dried powder. Yield Growth previously announced on February 13, 2020 that its subsidiary, Flourish Mushroom Labs, had entered into a non binding LOI whereby Kingdom Brands agreed to pay CAD $500,000 to Flourish in exchange for the rights to use and sub-license and further develop the Technology in the United States for use with both medicinal and psychedelic mushrooms. The parties entered into a definitive agreement on February 21, 2020 for the license and the payment of $500,000 through the issuance of stock in Kingdom Brands, which is now complete, and Kingdom has acquired the U.S. rights to the Technology. Kingdom Brands' subsidiary leases a property in California which may be suitable to cultivate medicinal mushrooms and to manufacture mushroom extract. The company plans to position itself in the marketplace to serve the potential demand that may follow the potential legalization of psilocybin. Major strides have been taken towards the decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms in Washington D.C, California, Colorado, Vermont and Oregon. In California, the California Psilocybin Decriminalization Initiative, which envisions the implementation of a comprehensive, state-wide scheme authorizing and regulating the cultivation, processing and distribution of psilocybin mushrooms, has the potential to be on the state ballot in November 2020. Kingdom Brands completed payment of $500,000 to Flourish through the issuance of 5,000,000 shares in exchange for the rights to use and sub-license the Technology in the United States. Yield Growth, through its subsidiaries, currently owns approximately 19% of Kingdom Brands and provides incubation services to Kingdom Brands through an operating agreement. Kingdom Brands has recently signed an engagement letter with a Canadian investment dealer as agent, on a best efforts basis, to an initial public offering (the "IPO") to raise between $2,000,000 and $4,000,000 in Canada and list on a Canadian stock exchange. The completion of the IPO is subject to due diligence, regulatory approval and other conditions. About Flourish Mushroom Labs Inc. Flourish Mushroom Labs aims to legally and safely commercialize psilocybin (magic) mushrooms and improve life by offering high-quality medicinal mushroom infused products. Flourish Mushroom Labs is conducting research into potential therapeutic benefits of compounds found in magic mushrooms. It has filed U.S. patent applications for its extraction technology and for certain therapeutic uses of psilocybin and magic magic mushrooms. Flourish Mushroom Labs is a majority owned subsidiary of The Yield Growth Corp. About The Yield Growth Corp. The Yield Growth Corp. is a health and beauty consumer packaged goods company selling plant-based products. It has over 200 proprietary beauty, wellness, edibles and beverage formulas at various stages of commercialization. Its products are sold through e-commerce worldwide and in retail stores in 3 countries with distribution agreements in place for 12 more countries. It conducts research for plant-based therapeutics and has filed 15 patent applications in what the Global Wellness Institute reports is a $4.2 trillion-dollar global wellness market. It owns the skin care brand Urban Juve, which has been featured in UK Vogue and Elle Canada, and it owns cannabis brands Wright & Well and Jack n Jane. Its majority owned subsidiary Flourish Mushroom Labs is launching a line of medicinal mushroom products and developing intellectual property and assets in the emerging market of psychedelic medicine. The Yield Growth management team has deep experience with global brands including Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Skechers and Aritzia. Yield Growth earns revenue through multiple streams including licensing, services and product sales. For more information about Yield Growth, visit www.yieldgrowth.com or follow @yieldgrowth on Instagram. Visit www.urbanjuve.com and findyourjuve across social platforms to learn, engage and shop. Investor Relations Contacts: Penny White, President & CEO Kristina Pillon, Investor Relations invest@yieldgrowth.com 1-833-514-BOSS 1-833-514-2677 1-833-515-BOSS 1-833-515-2677 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, "forward looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, intellectual property protection, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen. The laws around cultivating, selling and using psychedelic mushrooms would need to change in most jurisdictions in order for the use of psychedelic products to be legal and sale of, and demand for, Urban Juve, Wright & Well, Flourish Mushroom Labs, Jack n Jane and UJ Beverages products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets. Yield Growth cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Yield Growth, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Yield Growth expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53068 Government of Oaxaca continues search for missing fishermen Huamuchil, Oaxaca The government of Oaxaca reports the continued search for two missing fishermen off the coast of Huamuchil after a crew of six went missing last week. State Civil Protection of Oaxaca (CEPCO) says a helicopter was sent out to sea Monday in search of the two remaining crew members, one adult and one minor. Head of the Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil de Oaxaca (CEPCO) Heliodoro Carlos Diaz Escarraga, says an air search for the remaining two fishermen was conducted Monday by the state government without locating the bodies. The two remaining fishermen have been identified as Alvaro T.M. and a minor, Dario G.E., neither of whom have yet to be located. Diaz Escarraga stressed that they have been searching for the last two lost fishermen for five days. On February 27, CEPCO, in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy and municipal authorities, located four of the six missing fishermen through a search operation after they were reported missing the day before. The group of six left the shores of Huamuchil at 7:00 a.m. but failed to return. Diaz Escarraga says their continued objective is to locate the two missing fishermen. ALBANY Is the Capital Region ready for a novel coronavirus outbreak? While public health risk remains low in the region, the first confirmed case in New York and rising case counts across the U.S. has more people wondering whether their communities are prepared in the event of an outbreak. In the Capital Region, health and emergency officials say the answer is a resounding yes. We cant stop the coronavirus now, but we can be ready for it, said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, whose department oversees the countys emergency management plan. There is no reason for undue panic and concern as the general risk remains low. We are certainly taking this seriously and diligently preparing to keep our community safe. County health leaders across the region say they are in communication with state and federal health authorities regarding the illness caused by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and their preparation for it. While health authorities nationwide hoped to contain the virus among those returning from high-risk travel areas and anyone theyd had contact with, reports out of Washington state suggest that community-level spread among people who were unaware they were symptomatic has been occurring for weeks. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced New Yorks first known case Monday, which occurred in a 39-year-old woman who had recently traveled to Iran and limited her exposure once home, but he warned New Yorkers that the likelihood for more cases statewide is high. There is no doubt that there will be more cases where we find people who test positive, Cuomo told reporters. We said early on it was not a question of if, but when. This is New York. We are a gateway to the world. He and local government officials are urging people not to panic, reminding them that New York has dealt with infectious disease outbreaks before and has plans in place to contain and mitigate potential spread. About 80 percent of people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, Cuomo said, and the latest data show its mortality rate (1.4 percent) is far below that of other coronaviruses, such as MERS (34 percent) and SARS (10 percent). Local governments prepare To prepare for a potential outbreak, Capital Region counties have pandemic influenza and emergency preparedness plans, and are coordinating with hospitals, health providers, local health authorities and emergency management directors. County health departments are in charge of quarantining anyone who fits Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for possible exposure which includes asymptomatic individuals who recently traveled to high-risk areas and are notified whenever a health provider recommends a case be sent for testing. Quarantines are voluntary, but counties have the power to mandate them. They last 14 days the suspected incubation period for COVID-19 and individuals are monitored daily for any symptoms. Albany County has placed 29 individuals across 22 households under quarantine since the pandemic began, said county health commissioner Elizabeth Whalen. Four remained sheltered-in-place as of Monday. Most were placed there because of risky travel history, Whalen said. One case that required testing was handled by Albany Medical Center and came back negative, she said. Our nurses are contacting them on a daily basis, she said. We make sure were able to monitor their temperature and symptoms, and what they need in the home to be able to stay away from other individuals in the household. Columbia County Public Health Director Jack Mabb said counties were instructed by the CDC and state Health Department to identify sites in the community where people can be quarantined in the event a home quarantine is not appropriate. The reason that might be is because their home is really small or they only have one bathroom and risk passing the virus on to family, he said. Columbia County has identified several motels where it can put people up, he said. Other counties said Monday they have identified potential sites and are working out logistics, though home quarantine remains the most likely scenario. As of last week, more than 700 people statewide had been placed under voluntary quarantine, according to state health authorities. In the Capital Region, Rensselaer County also reported at least three people under quarantine. Montgomery County Public Health Director Sara Boerenko said her county has worked with state Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Slezak to prepare the necessary legal work if the county has to mandate a shelter-in-place. Our residents are very cooperative and because of the sensitive nature of COVID-19, people are following guidelines, she said in an email statement. She did not respond to a follow-up about whether the county has had any quarantines. Warren County has tested one person for the novel coronavirus but it came back negative, a health official said. Hospitals, first responders prepare Hospitals and first responders are also taking measures to prepare for any outbreak. The state Department of Health requires hospitals to have special rooms available for patients who need to be isolated. The rooms protect health care workers and patients from contracting an airborne infection. Hospitals are also required to have surge capacity plans for any mass-casualty event, said Albany Medical Center spokeswoman Sue Ford. Albany Med routinely reviews how space, supplies and staffing can be used to prepare for expanded capacity, and works with community partners as well as state and local agencies and organizations to prepare for such events, she said. In Albany County, four facilities are equipped to receive suspected COVID-19 patients: Albany Medical Center, Albany Memorial Hospital, St. Peters Hospital and the Albany County jail, the sheriff said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Some hospitals around the nation are experiencing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) gear such as N95 masks, nitrile gloves, eye protection and hand sanitizer but area hospitals report adequate supplies with emergency stockpiles available. Apple said the county has also been checking to make sure EMS, police, patrol, corrections, emergency management, airport, and Family Court officials have adequate protective equipment. At St. Peters Health Partners, which oversees four local hospitals, management is making sure to keep N95 respirators and other equipment in secure locations, said Dr. Alan Sanders, chief medical officer. Theres always a potential that a health care worker might want to grab a box for their family at home, but we put our guard up strongly against that, he said. On Monday, Cuomo advised any hospital experiencing a shortage to contact the state Health Department. The state Legislature was poised to vote Monday night on a $40 million emergency funding request from Cuomo that would enable New York to procure more equipment, and to hire staff to handle any outbreak. Cuomo also announced the state will implement new cleaning protocols at schools and in public transportation systems to help prevent spread. Other measures As they plan for worst-case scenarios, local county health directors are taking a fresh look at social distancing measures they could take, such as closing schools and public gathering places should an outbreak occur or risk spreading. Local directors said they would consult with school leaders and state health and education officials before taking drastic measures on their own. Social distancing through school closures and curtailing public gatherings can be an important tool in mitigating disease spread, said Schenectady County spokeswoman Erin Roberts. However, these decisions also come with social and financial implications that must be considered. Whalen said counties are urging businesses to consider social distancing measures they could take in the event of an outbreak, such as allowing employees to telecommute and encouraging workers to stay home when sick. Individuals can do their own preparation, such as teaching children how to appropriately wash their hands or preparing for the possible eventuality of needing to shelter in place, she said. While there is currently no vaccine for the novel coronavirus, state health officials recommend the following everyday actions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment. National update Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the administrations response to the coronavirus, said Monday there were 43 domestic cases of the coronavirus," and 48 cases from people repatriated to the U.S. from abroad. Twenty-nine of the 43 domestic cases are concentrated in California or Washington state, Pence said. Health and Human Services Department Secretary Alex Azar added that of the 43 domestic cases, 17 are travel-related, while 26 resulted from person-to-person spread. On Monday, four American coronavirus fatalities were reported, bringing the total deaths to six, Pence said. The U.S. has travel advisories recommending Americans do not travel to China, South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran. Those advisories may expand, Pence said. PHOENIX, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AeroGuard Flight Training Center's repair station and its aircraft interiors & maintenance services have both received the FAA Diamond Award of Excellence, the highest honor in the FAA AMT Award Program, for 2019. This is the second year in a row the repair station has accepted the Award and the first for aircraft interiors & maintenance services, a new team formed at AeroGuard in 2018. CEO Joel Davidson, SVP Operations Services Rick Ham, and a few members of the repair station and maintenance staff at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Phoenix, AZ, pose for a photo while presented with two AMT Diamond Awards of Excellence by the FAA. The Award recognizes aircraft maintenance organizations committed to ongoing improvement with effective aviation training programs that surpass the FAA regulatory standards. The Diamond Award, among the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award, is reserved for organizations in which 100% of all mechanics, repairmen and technicians earned an AMT Certificate of Training in 2019. This means that all 40+ AeroGuard maintenance employees completed a minimum of 12 hours of additional training in subject areas like aircraft systems, workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Director of Maintenance, Shawn Rockey, who has been instrumental in the maintenance program's success commented, "The AeroGuard Maintenance team is honored to receive this Award for the second year in a row. Our staff understands the importance of safety, quality and professionalism, and the Award is a testament to their hard work and dedication." Participating in the AMT Awards Program demonstrates AeroGuard's commitment to safety, ensuring all aircraft in the fleet are in exceptional, flight-ready condition, helping students to progress through their training program quickly, safely and efficiently on their way to careers as commercial airline pilots. From AeroGuard CEO Joel Davidson: "Safety is essential to our core values at AeroGuard. We are honored to receive these two prestigious awards from the FAA and will continue to work toward making AeroGuard the safest and highest quality choice for flight training." AeroGuard's accelerated Pilot Pathway Program makes it incredibly important for aircraft to be readily accessible to students as necessary. The around-the-clock maintenance team's relentless contributions have played a significant part in the students' success. Individuals interested in learning more about the AMT Awards Program can visit https://www.faasafety.gov/AMT/pub/employer.aspx. Individuals interested in learning more about starting a career in aviation and enrolling at AeroGuard can visit flyaeroguard.com for additional information. About AeroGuard AeroGuard Flight Training Center is one of the country's most successful flight schools, offering accelerated commercial pilot training to candidates from all over the world. With a commitment to safety and student success, AeroGuard has a proven track record of training airline-ready pilots, with over 1 million flight hours of training experience and graduating over 6,000 cadets. Corporate Headquarters Deer Valley Airport 530 W Deer Valley Road Phoenix, AZ, 85027 https://www.flyaeroguard.com Phone: 800-322-1526 Contact: Kiara Jovicevic 623-580-7919 [email protected] Related Images aeroguards-repair-station-and.jpg AeroGuard's Repair Station and Maintenance Staff CEO Joel Davidson, SVP Operations Services Rick Ham, and a few members of the repair station and maintenance staff at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Phoenix, AZ, pose for a photo while presented with two AMT Diamond Awards of Excellence by the FAA. SOURCE AeroGuard Flight Training Center Related Links https://www.flyaeroguard.com Irrfan Khan has been away from the limelight for a while owing to his battle against cancer. After a gap of more than a year, the actor is making a comeback on the big screen with Homi Adajania's Angrezi Medium. Recently, while speaking with Mumbai Mirror, Irrfan opened up about his fight against the big C. The tabloid quoted him as saying, "It's been a roller-coaster ride, a memorable one. Happy moments were underlined because of the inherent uncertainty. We cried a little and laughed a lot. We became one huge body. You screen out noises ...You are selective about what you want to filter in. I have gone through tremendous anxiety but have somehow managed to control it, then, let go. You are playing hopscotch all the time." The actor said that he made the best of the time by spending it with his sons during that phase. "And the best part is that I have had all the time literally to see them evolve. A crucial time for a teenager, like the younger one. The older one isn't a teenager anymore. What to say about Sutapa (wife)? She is there 24/7. She has evolved in care-giving and if I get to live, I want to live for her. She is the reason for me to keep at it still," he further told the daily. Earlier, before releasing the trailer of Angrezi Medium, Irrfan had shared a video where he had revealed that he won't be a part of the film's promotional activities owing to his ill-health. Irrfan in his video message had said, "This film Angrezi Medium is very special for me. I so truly wanted to promote this film with the same love with which we have made it. But there are some unwanted guests in my body... Whatever happens, I will share it with you all...And with this positivity, we made this film. I hope it will give you something and make you laugh, cry and probably laugh again. Enjoy the trailer and be kind to each other and watch the film. And yes, wait for me." Angrezi Medium stars Irrfan Khan, Radhika Madan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepak Dobriyal, Ranvir Shorey and Dimple Kapadia. The film is slated to hit the theatrical screens on March 13, 2020. Pankaj Tripathi: My Role In Angrezi Medium Is My Guru Dakshina To Irrfan Khan Angrezi Medium Makers Waited For Irrfan Khan For A Year As There Was No Alternative To Him BBC director-general Tony Hall has promised not to abandon older audiences amid fears the corporations attempts to appeal to youngsters will leave them feeling ignored. Writing on this page today, Lord Hall said older Britons are super-users of the broadcasters services and vowed they will always be super-served by it. He said the BBC, which has decided to strip millions of over-75s of their free TV licences, knows the elderly are often the people who value and rely on us most. BBC director-general Tony Hall (pictured) has promised not to abandon older audiences amid fears the corporations attempts to appeal to youngsters will leave them feeling ignored It comes as the BBC battles to stop younger audiences deserting its services in favour of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Spotify. Lord Hall also announced that the corporation is to launch a major initiative, which he called a big listening exercise, aimed at asking the public to tell the broadcaster what they want it to produce. Involving events throughout the country, the exercise is described as one of the most significant pieces of public engagement the BBC has ever undertaken. The peers comments are a response to the criticism the corporation has faced across a range of issues, such as the TV licence reform. Ministers are currently consulting on whether to decriminalise non-payment of the licence, a move which the BBC has said could cost it around 200million a year. The Government has also suggested the charge could be scrapped in 2027, with claims it could be replaced by a subscription service. Writing on this page today, Lord Hall said older Britons are super-users of the broadcasters services and vowed they will always be super-served by it It emerged yesterday that Lord Hall and other senior executives have been called to give evidence to MPs on the Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee about the proposed changes to the licence fee. In his article, Lord Hall welcomes a debate about the BBCs future and funding model, saying it needs to change with the times or will fail its audiences. And he said the BBC will need to make more difficult cuts and more tough choices. His comments come after BBC presenter Carrie Gracie launched a ferocious attack on the broadcasters overpaid bosses on Monday. The former BBC China editor, who has been a leading figure in rows over equal pay, said there were too many managers who were paid too much, adding that she would take them all out. She also revealed that, with 450 jobs being axed in news departments, she is preparing to walk away from the BBC. She said: Im an expensive person, I should go. The BBC decided to strip millions of over-75s of their free TV licences last year (stock image) Lets listen to what you say... and promise to do better Lets have a debate about the BBC. Were always up for it. We are probably the most hotly debated organisation in the country. Thats good. It means we matter. The former culture secretary Nicky Morgan wrote recently that the BBC needs to accept that no change isnt an option. I couldnt agree more. A BBC that doesnt change with the times is a BBC that fails its audiences. And they own the BBC after all. The BBC has always been the first to embrace change. We were perhaps the original disrupter, pioneering the wireless, TV, colour broadcasting, high-definition, the transition to digital with DAB, iPlayer and more. Lets not forget that iPlayer was absolutely groundbreaking. The head of Netflix, Reed Hastings, credits it with blazing the trail for his company, creating a whole new market for video on demand. Lets have a debate about the BBC. Were always up for it. We are probably the most hotly debated organisation in the country, writes TONY HALL I believe British innovation is something to be proud of. Some say if the BBC was that innovative we would have invented Netflix ourselves. The truth is, we did. More than ten years ago, back when Netflix was still delivering DVDs through the front door, the BBC joined forces with other public service broadcasters to set up a British video-on-demand service. It was blocked by the regulators, opening up a gap that Netflix and others were only too happy to exploit. More recently, we were blocked from making planned updates to iPlayer. Audiences told us they wanted straightforward changes, like more box sets and more programmes available for longer. They said this was what they expected, what they demanded as value for the licence fee. The delay while the regulator checked our plans cost us valuable time. Meanwhile our US competitors were free to update their own platforms on a near-weekly basis, with no permission needed. Weve worked hard to modernise our organisation. Driving down efficiencies to industry-leading levels. Cutting jobs and management layers. Streamlining our news operation. Reshaping what we do to meet the needs of todays audiences. We know we have to do more to serve young people in particular. Its an area where we need to be radical and Ill be setting out big plans on this in April when we publish our strategy for the year ahead. But dont let anyone tell you this will come at the expense of older audiences. We know they are often the people who value and rely on us most. They are our super-users and they will always be super-served. Big change at the BBC will need to continue. We will need to go further to switch spending from activities that no longer serve audiences towards those that can serve them better. I believe British innovation is something to be proud of. Some say if the BBC was that innovative we would have invented Netflix ourselves. The truth is, we did, writes TONY HALL We will need to make more difficult cuts and more tough choices. But in looking to change, we must not undermine what makes the BBC such a valued asset for Britain. Today the country faces a broad range of challenges. It is part of the BBCs public service mission to help the nation respond. That means working alongside other institutions and news organisations to keep everyone informed about coronavirus, for example. Not only does the BBC have a responsibility to report the information the public need in a manner that is calm, measured and accurate, we also have a reach and influence that few can match. This reach extends throughout our nations and regions. One of our biggest priorities in recent years has been shifting the organisation away from London, from our 3,500 staff in BBC North to our brand new HQ for BBC Wales. A decade ago, a third of the BBC was based outside the capital. Today its half. The recent floods highlighted what a vital role we play at local level. Our local radio reporters have worked hard to keep communities safe, informed and prepared, even as their own homes were affected. One MP speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester called it public service broadcasting at its very best. Our reach also extends around the world. Today the BBC is used by around 430million people. At a time when Britain is seeking to reshape its international identity, we have an important role to play in carrying the nations voice, values and cultural influence worldwide. The BBC is not a perfect institution. Like everyone else, we can and do make mistakes. But we always strive to be better. And we are always accountable to our audiences, who are quick to highlight our weaknesses but equally quick to praise our strengths. We will talk to the public about what kind of BBC they want as we approach our second century. We will carry out a big listening exercise, with events up and down the country. It will be a chance for audiences to speak to us directly, and tell us what they want us to be. I will set out full plans in the spring, but I want this to be one of the most significant pieces of public engagement the BBC has ever undertaken. I wont tie the hands of my successor, but I want them to have all the insight they need from the people who matter most: the public. So yes, lets have a debate about the BBC. Lets even debate our funding model when the time comes. But lets not put the cart before the horse. Lets first decide what kind of BBC we want for this country, then work out how best to achieve it. I genuinely believe at this important moment, the BBC matters more than ever and can work even harder for the UK at home and abroad. A total 55 persons coming from China were kept under surveillance for 28 days and two were admitted in a hospital in the state since January 15 till the date, the Assam Assembly was informed on Tuesday. Replying to a query by BJP MLA Numal Momin, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika said no person has been found infected with novel Coronavirus in Assam till now. Out of the 55, 46 have completed 28 days of observation period and the remaining are in home quarantine for the incubation period, Hazarika said. He informed the House that two persons with mild symptoms were admitted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and kept in isolation wards, but their sample tested negative. "The Assam government is undertaking all necessary precautions to prevent outbreak of Coronavirus in the state We are prepared to restrict the epidemic if there is any positive case," Hazarika said. He informed that all Deputy Commissioners and senior health officials have been sensitised on the disease. Already 73 gram sabha meetings have been organised in the bordering districts and more are planned. In addition to this medical teams have been deployed at all airports, he said. The Minister said the government is now considering to put medical teams at railway stations also. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) - New concept EV takes Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy to the next level - Concept EV expands Hyundai's concept of Optimistic Futurism with the aim of forging an emotional connection between humans and automobiles SEOUL, South Korea and OFFENBACH, Germany, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company unveiled its new concept EV, "Prophecy", expressing the company's latest design language. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8698951-hyundai-motor-prophecy-concept-ev/ The visionary concept clearly expresses Hyundai's latest design philosophy, Sensuous Sportiness, expanding on the era-defining example set by last year's "45" concept EV that stripped away complexity in favor of clean lines and minimalistic structures. "Prophecy" follows suit with an iconic silhouette of perfect proportions that have been inspired by an aerodynamic design. Leveraging the extended wheelbase and shorter overhang, Hyundai's designers have achieved the Ultimate Automotive Form, thanks to a new EV architecture defined by pristine surfaces and pure volume in combination with aesthetic harmony and functionality. "We have brought to life yet another icon that establishes a new standard for the EV segment as well as pushing Hyundai's design vision to even broader horizons," said SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. "A part of that expansion is what we call Optimistic Futurism, a design concept embodied by 'Prophecy'. With Optimistic Futurism, our aim is to forge an emotional connection between humans and automobiles." Sensuous Sportiness finds its full expression with the "Prophecy" exterior The application of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy is evident in the voluptuous side section, which is like that of a perfectly weathered stone. It is cut by a clean and simple One Curve streamline which extends from front to rear with minimalist restraint. This underlines the timelessness of its design. The dynamic and elegant boat-tail line created by the rear quarter panels appear to propel the form forward even when it is standing still. The "Prophecy" interior realizes the benefits of an EV platform The interior of "Prophecy" underlines the advantages of using the stretched cabin of an EV platform. Instead of a conventional automotive interior, a lifestyle space of refinement and comfort provides customers with a warm welcome. The name "Prophecy" reflects the concept's purpose, as it signifies a bright future for both Hyundai's designs as well as innovative mobility solutions for the EV customers of tomorrow. For more detailed information about Prophecy, please refer to Hyundai Motor's media website: globalpr.hyundai.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 05:54:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank Group announced Tuesday that it is making available an initial package of up to 12 billion U.S. dollars in immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. This new fast track package will help developing countries strengthen health systems, including better access to health services to safeguard people from the epidemic, strengthen disease surveillance, bolster public health interventions, and work with the private sector to reduce the impact on economies. "We are working to provide a fast, flexible response based on developing country needs in dealing with the spread of COVID-19," World Bank Group President David Malpass said in a statement. "This includes emergency financing, policy advice, and technical assistance, building on the World Bank Group's existing instruments and expertise to help countries respond to the crisis," he said. The World Bank Group noted that countries face different levels of risk and vulnerability to COVID-19, and will require different levels of support. Therefore, its support will prioritize the poorest countries and those at high risk with low capacity. "As the spread of COVID-19 and its impact continues to evolve, the World Bank Group will adapt its approach and resources as needed," said the statement, adding that the World Bank Group is actively engaged with international institutions and country authorities to help coordinate the global response. The funding package came one day after the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said in a joint statement that they stand ready to help member countries address the human tragedy and economic challenge posed by COVID-19. Though there are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Louisiana, New Orleans-area public schools are developing plans to confront the growing epidemic. Jefferson Parish public school leaders sent emails to staff and parents late Monday, urging them to take any possible infections seriously and to be vigilant about hygiene. That means carefully washing hands, coughing and sneezing into your elbow and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. The school district is also stepping up its efforts to clean schools, requiring employees to complete online training, updating principals and nurses, limiting out-of-state trips and removing incentives for perfect attendance. "We view these prevention measures as necessary and will continue to monitor this ongoing situation," Jefferson Parish schools Superintendent Cade Brumley said. Orleans Parish school leaders met Tuesday with charter operators. In Orleans' all-charter system, the individual schools are afforded broad autonomy over school closures and other administrative decisions. Among the precautions, NOLA Public Schools asked charters to consider limiting unnecessary travel, especially to international locations based on current state and federal health guidelines. The district also reminded schools to be mindful of any students and faculty who have traveled internationally and follow protocols from the CDC. NOLA Public Schools also informed schools that as a cautionary procedure, any new students seeking enrollment who have traveled from a country on the CDCs risk assessed list wait for the 14-day incubation period to expire before enrolling in school. St. Tammany Parish Public Schools has not sent out a letter to parents, according to spokeswoman Meredith Mendez. But it has posted a blurb on its website that says the district is closely monitoring the situation and taking guidance from the the Louisiana Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a link to the CDC website. Mendez said the school system spent the Mardi Gras break in planning mode and went over information with administrators at a principals meeting Tuesday. The lower grades always incorporate handwashing techniques in normal curriculum, but were asking all out teachers (to do that) and discourage students from sharing food with others, she said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The district is stepping up cleaning of all its schools, increasing the frequency of cleaning in high touch areas like bathrooms and door knobs, Mendez said. School nurses are keeping up with advisories, and the district is monitoring absentee patterns, she said. All teachers receive training on common illness prevention on a yearly basis, she said. A lot of the precautions are what we take anyway because of flu seasons, but weve certainly stepped up because of the guidance weve received from the Louisiana Department of Health and the CDC, she said. Coronavirus will spread to Louisiana, and a task force is ready, John Bel Edwards says Gov. John Bel Edwards has formed a task force of top state officials dedicated to responding to the coronavirus that has begun spreading acros At least one private school in New Orleans was already planning for the potential of distance learning in the case that a Coronavirus outbreak happen at that school. In an email to parents at the end of the Mardi Gras break, Joseph Kreutziger, the head of St. Georges Episcopal School, said his administrative team would be meeting to discuss the plan, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Louisiana Office of Public Health in the unlikely event that the Uptown school needs to close. The plan does not prevent our students from continuing to learn with their teachers in a virtual online environment or through other platforms and means. We will communicate additional details about these plans as is necessary and appropriate, Kreutziger said. He added that the school had thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the campus over the holiday break, and that the maintenance staff would be extra vigilant in their daily sweeps in wiping down and deep cleaning bathrooms, door handles, desks, shared toys and other items and areas susceptible to the spread of illness and viruses. "There are a lot of frustrated doctors and patients and health departments." Frieden said he thought the situation was improving. "The incompetence has really exceeded what anyone would expect with the CDC," said Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard University. "This is not a difficult problem to solve in the world of viruses." 'The incompetence has really exceeded what anyone would expect with the CDC.' Dr Michael Mina, Harvard University In February, the CDC rolled out a three-step diagnostic test kit and distributed hundreds of kits to state and local health laboratories. But the third step in the diagnostic process was flawed, and produced some inconclusive results. A full three-step replacement was promised but never arrived; the agency has not fully explained why, except to say that there was a manufacturing defect. As a result, diagnostic testing was only conducted at the agency's labs in Atlanta, not state and local labs. Getting results took days, and the CDC's criteria for testing were strict among them, the patient must have recently travelled to China or had contact with someone known to be infected. Doctors across the US complained of a bottleneck, both because of the restrictive test criteria and because of the agency's limited testing capacity. The agency said it had the capacity to test about 400 specimens a day. The test criteria were "too stringent, and people aren't getting tested," said Lauren Sauer, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine. "I've heard from so many colleagues that tests were turned down," she added. By the end of last week, as the first cases of possible community transmission began to emerge in California and Washington state, the CDC broadened the number of patients who qualified for testing to include travellers returning from places like South Korea and Italy, and those with symptoms that could not be otherwise explained. Late last week, the Food and Drug Administration broke the logjam, authorising state and local laboratories to do initial testing on their own. The move greatly expanded the nation's testing capacity, as the CDC also said it was shipping out new test kits to the states as well. But final confirmatory tests must still be done at the CDC. By that time, the CDC had tested roughly 500 Americans with suspected infections identified by public health officials in the United States. US President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with the Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Monday. Credit:UPI/Bloomberg Other nations have tested patients by tens of thousands. China has tested millions. "How come the South Koreans can do 10,000 tests a day and we can't?" said Ralph Baric, who studies coronaviruses and emerging diseases at University of North Carolina. "Once you knew you had asymptomatic spread and community spread in China, why is it that the United States of America hasn't created tens of thousands of tests?" Why the agency decided to repair its own coronavirus diagnostic kit is unclear. An alternative test for coronavirus was devised by German researchers in January, about the same time as the CDC's, and quickly adopted by the World Health Organisation for distribution to scores of nations. Loading Had the Food and Drug Administration approved that test, the CDC could simply have distributed it instead of creating a new one from scratch, Mina said. The government could do so even now. "It's just a very American approach to say, 'We're the US, the major US public health lab, and we're going to not follow the leader,'" Mina said. Instead, the agency has devised new testing kits comprising the first two steps in the diagnostic process, but not the third step, which provides final confirmation. State and local laboratories have been instructed to use this abridged version. New kits were released over the past weekend, and more are on the way, Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, said. Loading Certainly the demand for testing is growing. Clinical decisions about caring for a coronavirus patient cannot be made until final positive test results are received. "It seems like we can't get tested," complained Jennifer Knight of Queens, New York, who returned with her partner and a group of friends a week ago on Sunday from Milan, where the virus is spreading. Several members of the group had fallen ill, either in Milan, or since returning, four members of the group said in interviews. Knight has had migraines and a sore throat, but her partner has had a fever and a bad cough as well. Staff at urgent care clinic hospital told her they didn't do coronavirus testing. So did a hospital in Brooklyn. "Whenever we make an attempt to get tested, we're pushed out the door," she said. She and her partner are now largely self-quarantined in her apartment. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, centre, addresses the media alongside Vice-President Mike Pence, right, and Deborah Birx, coronavirus response coordinator, on Monday. Credit:Bloomberg In Rhode Island, Onesimo Almeida, an author and professor at Brown University, had been coughing, sneezing and registering a fever for nearly a week after returning home to Providence from a conference in Portugal. A friend of his who attended had later tested positive for the virus. But when Almeida called the Rhode Island Department of Health and asked to be tested, he was told that he did not fit the criteria to be screened. Local developments in China in 2019 will reflect on its foreign policies in 2020, especially on matters concerning the worlds most powerful countries or blocs of countries the US, Russia and the European Union. The first of the three main developments that took place in China in 2019 was the wave of unrest and demonstrations that erupted in Hong Kong in mid-March. Unrest in China followed the Hong Kong governments bill in February 2019 allowing the extradition of wanted defendants to the central government in Beijing. Although there were practical reasons behind the introduction of this law (the absence of extradition agreements between Hong Kong and foreign parties), the protesters saw it as a precursor to the Beijing governments interference in Hong Kongs independent legal and judicial system in a way that might pave the way to undermining the citys autonomous system and the principle of one country, two systems that governs the relationship between Hong Kong and the Beijing government. Although other protests had earlier erupted in Hong Kong, the movement that started in mid-March last year was the strongest and largest. The Hong Kong government had to withdraw the extradition law as a result, but this did not lead to the end of the protests because the withdrawal of the law was only one of the demands of the protesters. The Hong Kong protests received widespread Western political and media attention, sparking Chinese reservations. Beijing maintains a number of traditional principles in dealing with this type of issue, especially its refusal to allow others to interfere in its domestic affairs and its claims that the protests were a Western plot. There was also the threat of the use of force through the deployment of Chinese military forces near Hong Kongs borders. However, these principles did not mean that the 2019 protests ran any risk of being ignored, given the number of those involved and their willingness to adopt measures such as closing the Hong Kong International Airport in August. The decision to withdraw the law by the Hong Kong government was an indication of the inability of the Chinese state to impose its will in the face of the protests. It also served as an indication of there being a ceiling on the potential use of military force against protesters. This is significant given the Chinese nations sensitivity towards issues related to Chinese sovereignty, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. The second development in China last year was the issue of the Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang province of northwest China during the last quarter of 2019, up to the issuance of a resolution by the European Parliament on 19 December condemning the Uighurs exposure to what the Parliament described as abusive practices by the Chinese government, which has locked up more than 1.8 million Uighur Muslims in concentration camps since April 2017. The resolution called for facilitating the access of international journalists and observers to Xinjiang. More important, however, was the widespread attention on social media in the Arab and Islamic world, which led to a noticeable interest on the part of the Chinese government and its embassies in the Arab and Islamic world in responding to allegations raised about the conditions of the Uighurs and to offer examples of positive Chinese policies towards them. Much like the Hong Kong protests, the Uighurs issue constituted additional pressure on China, not only from the European countries, but also from the public opinion of the Arabs and Muslims (whom China regards as friends). The raising of the issue by the European Parliament was another indication that despite the significant development in relations between the two sides within the framework of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, this has not saved China from being pressured as a result of its treatment of minorities. The third development was the decline in the growth rate of the Chinese economy during 2019 to reach its lowest level for the past three decades, recording six per cent during the third quarter of the year and indicating the possibility of deflationary pressures. This decline cannot be attributed entirely to the repercussions of the trade war with the US. There are also domestic pressures that cannot be ignored, the most prominent of which is the persistence of the problem of over-capacity in a number of important economic sectors, such as iron, steel and cement. These three developments will have an impact on Chinese foreign-policy issues in 2020, including: 1- Chinas continued eagerness to avoid direct confrontation with the US, whether in close proximity to China in the Asia-Pacific region and the South China Sea or in other regions such as the Middle East. An analysis of the Chinese response to the Iran-US crisis may indicate the Chinese approach. China has expressed cooperative tendencies regarding ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, regardless of its actual participation, and it has called on the parties to the crisis to exercise restraint after the escalations that took place during the first week of January 2020 between Iran and the US despite Chinese interests in Iran. This approach is part of a Chinese strategy to protect its increasing influence. 2- Expanding procedures for promoting Chinese soft diplomacy, especially in the Arab and Islamic world, in various forms such as educational missions and the teaching of the Chinese language as a primary measure against similar pressures to those being mobilised by the Uighurs issue in the future. 3- A continued focus on implementing the various elements of the Belt and Road Initiative, in both its land and maritime sectors. It is expected that less weight will be given to the land element of the Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, given the deteriorating security situation. However, Egypt, the East Africa region, southern Europe and the Mediterranean are not expected to be affected in the maritime part of the initiative, given their relative distance from the crisis areas, in addition to the European interest in pushing the initiative and its land and sea components forward. 4- Continued Sino-Russian coordination, especially in the expansion of joint military exercises on the high seas. However, this coordination is not expected to advance to higher levels in the event of further crises in which Russia has been playing a pivotal role, among them the Ukrainian crisis, the Syrian crisis and the Libyan crisis in which Russia seeks to reproduce its role in Syria, according to some analyses. This is because of Chinas keenness to avoid engaging in acute polarisation or direct confrontations with the US. *These articles were first published in the newly released Outlook 2020: Egypts Projections of Regional and Global Issues by the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS). *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: The Archdiocese of San Antonio suggested Tuesday that parishes temporarily change Holy Communion and other practices because of the potential health threat posed by the novel coronavirus. Among the recommendations: Parishes distribute the Communion wafer in the hand rather than on the tongue; Discontinue the distribution of Communion wine at Mass; Remove holy water from fonts at the church doors; and Avoid physical contact. On ExpressNews.com: Diamond Princess evacuees to be released from Lackland, despite local officials efforts to extend their coronavirus quarantine The archdiocese said the recommendations are in response to the declarations of a public health emergency by the city of San Antonio and Bexar County on Monday and advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As it monitors the spread of the coronavirus, the archdiocese noted that health officials describe the risk of exposure to the public as low. Pastors have discretion in following the recommendations, the archdiocese said. It also encouraged people to adopt habits that prevent virus transmission: washing your hands frequently; staying home when ill; not touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; and covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throwing it out. Catholic schools were urged to frequently clean and sanitize classroom tables and surfaces. LINCOLN, Ill. - Three people died Tuesday morning when a small plane crashed and burst into flames on Interstate 55 in central Illinois, state police said. Mindy Carroll of the Illinois State Police said in a statement that all three occupants of the plane were killed in the crash in Lincoln at about 8:49 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board described the aircraft as a single-engine Cessna 172. Authorities have not described what caused the crash. The NTSB said it is investigating. The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and is responding to the scene. The Logan County Coroners office was dispatched to the scene. Police said multiple law enforcement agencies responded and that I-55 would remain closed to traffic for several hours. Lincoln is about 170 miles (270 kilometres) southwest of Chicago. Click here to read the full article. Next month, in London, the doors of various retailers will be thrown open for a handful of workshops: Georg Jensen will bring a master silversmith over from Copenhagen to show how its flatware and accessories are made; Savoir will put those who make its cozy mattresses front and center; and Churchs will reveal how its cobblers repair shoes, demonstrating the footwears superior materials and construction in the process. After soaking up these behind-the-scenes moments, visitors will then consult with independent craftspeople and learn how basket weavers or milliners make their waresand their wayin 2020. Its all part of London Craft Week, a festival in its sixth year. Theres a strong ecosystem for fine art and a gallery sector supporting it, but theres not really the same network for craft, says Jonathan Burton, Craft Weeks managing director. Many who produce extraordinary work struggle to find a market for it. That grind has spurred the creation of many organizations dedicated to preserving heritage crafts, such as Nordic Safeguarding Practices in Scandinavia, the American Craft Council in the US and the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) in the UK. Some have even issued Red Lists, endangered-species-style lineups denoting crafts in danger of dying out in their respective regions. It allows us to shed light on the stories behind each craftthe people, their skills, their livelihoods, says Daniel Carpenter, a research manager at the HCA who oversaw the 2019 edition of its Red List. Despite such concerted efforts, a handful are on the threshold of extinction, with only a few individuals left to carry on their traditions. Here, Robb Report spotlights some of the last remaining artisans we have found in Italy, the UK and China. Their knowledge represents a piece of each regions tangible cultural heritage. At risk of disappearing are not merely beautifully handmade objects but also the tradition that once helped shape a people and history. Story continues More from Robb Report If Rumpelstiltskins trick of spinning straw into gold sounds impressive, try spinning clam spit into a golden textile. For almost 50 years, Chiara Vigo has been making mollusk secretions into sea silk, an ancient textile that was once a favorite of Mesopotamian kings and Roman emperors for its sparkling hue and strong yet lightweight fibers. Every night in May, when the conditions promise to be just right, Vigo free dives in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of SantAntioco, the tiny Italian isle she calls homearound 100 dives all told, or as many as it takes to find enough tufts of solidified clam spit. Vigo is thought to be the last in the world who can spin it into sea silk. Its a tradition practiced by the women in her family for generations, and Vigo, 65, learned the technique from her grandmother. I could never spend too much time in her shop, she says. I liked her world, and I agreed that the craft must be saved, so I refined my knowledge in the field of marine biology. Vigo worked at a local aquaculture plant, an experience that brought her up close and personal with the animal that makes sea silk possible: the Pinna nobilis, which is commonly known as the noble pen shell and can grow four feet tall. The creatures secretions, filaments that it uses to anchor itself to the seabed, are known as byssus, and only a true master can render silk from it. Even then, its an arduous task. After Vigo carefully harvests the byssus without harming the mollusksa 100-dive run will yield about 300 grams of raw materialshe keeps the hairy clumps in freshwater, which is changed every three hours, for 25 days. The knots are then combed out with a brush, a delicate step, as byssus can be up to three times finer than human hair. Then the filaments are twisted on a juniper spindle into silk thread and, from there, soaked with a trade-secret brew of lemon juice and algae. After, they shine like gold, and Vigo weaves it into fabric on a loom. She repeats these steps over and over, as theres typically very little yield per clam: The average noble pen shell will render a mere five centimeters of precious silk. Yet despite the labor involved, Vigo refuses to cash in on her craft. Her grandmother insisted she take a sea oathprohibiting her from selling her workbefore embarking on her first dive. Instead, she gives the silk fabric, considered a good-luck charm, to the studio visitors she deems need it the most. What I have must be safeguarded, she says. I must keep it free from commercialization, just as my grandmother did. Her craft is under threat not only because shes believed to be the last on earth to practice itneither of her two daughters has yet taken up the vocationbut also because its materials are endangered as well. A new pathogen has ravaged the noble pen shells numbers since 2016, landing the clams on the International Union for Conservation of Natures critically endangered list in December. But Vigo is not willing to compromise when it comes to finding the right apprentice. It cannot be entrusted to just anyone looking for work, she says. It requires your entire existence. Vigo isnt the only one struggling to enlist a worthy student. On Italys mainland, another artisan finds the future of his lifes work in doubt. A master goldbeater, Marino Menegazzo has perfected a craft that is exactly as it sounds: He hammers gold ingots into sheets so fine they are a mere five-millionths of a centimeter thick. Hes the last person in Italyand, likely, in all of Europewho still makes gold leaves by hand (and hammer). That reality particularly stings for Menegazzo, 66, as he has always worked in Venice, a city that has a long history of goldbeaters. At one time, in the 17th century, more than 300 worked there, and their handmade leaf filled the citys palaces and mosaics. Menegazzos work can be found in the sinking city, too. Most notably, he hammered the gold for the archangel perched atop St. Marks Campanile. (His commissions are varied; Menegazzos handiwork can just as easily be found in cosmetic face masks and food decor the world over.) Today, his competitors press ingots with machines rather than by hand, a shortcut Menegazzo and his family are not willing to take. My grandfather opened this laboratory in 1926, says his daughter Eleonora, who helps with the packaging and sales. What my father makes, its not like other gold. Here you buy a feeling, a soul. Its not a simple foil. She, her twin sister and her mother are all involved in some part of the business, but they have no interest or experience in goldbeating. Weve tried for many years to find someone who will learn, but its very difficult. You must have strength, coordination, memory and a passion for this work. If you dont love it, you cant do it. Its impossible. Shes not kidding about strength. Making a leaf requires alternating between four heavy hammers, weighing 18, 13, 9 and 7 pounds each. Youll beat the metal for up to two hours (around 30,000 hammerings). At the end of your days labor, youll have just two to four leaves to show for it. And the hammering is just one of the steps in an already tricky process, which includes melting down a 24-karat-gold ingot, reshaping it in a small mold, feeding it through a roller and cutting it into stamp-size squares. Why go through the trouble? As per the Menegazzos, handmade leaf is finer and more resilient than industrial grade. Yet few appreciate the distinction. We havent seen much increased demand over the years, Eleonora laments. But were trying. My father wants to create a machine that can mimic his beating for us. Its this final admission that signals Menegazzos resignation to his handicrafts demise. Its very difficult to learn or revive a craft based on resources alone. On a one-to-one, apprenticeship basis, you have someone to tell you where youre going wrong, says Carpenter. But, understandably, many cant afford to step away from their production and train somebody. Initially, at least, an apprentice is a financial hit. Its a big risk for a small business. Difficult, yes, but not impossible. Thousands of miles away from Menegazzos and Vigos apprentice-less crafts, Beijing-based Zhang Xiaodong has fashioned himself the new master of a once-forgotten art, with only history as his teacher. His medium of choice is dragon-scale bookbinding, an ancient practice that dates to the Tang Dynasty but died out in the 17th century during the Manchu conquest. A work made with this method bears characteristics of both book and scroll: It can be rolled up, but unfurling it reveals bound pages. A sliver of a larger illustration is printed on the far right of each page, and the pages are staggered so that, when laid flat, these scales form the complete image, which can extend 100 feet or more. The books were valued among the elite of a thousand years ago, and Zhang arranges his modern-day works in a sculptural manner for exhibitions. The work blurs the lines between art and book, which I found quite interesting, says Ying Kwok, a curator who selected Zhangs Diamond Sutra for a 2018 show in Hong Kong. We had a demonstrator present it. He wore white gloves and used specific tools designed by the artist to flip the pages so that the intricate content could be fully appreciated. Zhang mastered the technique only after a great deal of research. In particular, he studied at the Forbidden City Palace Museum, which houses one of the last remaining ancient dragon-scale books. The artist pored over the piece before attempting to replicate it, sourcing authentic materials such as rice paper, bamboo and wood. That level of precision is key: When cutting pages, an error of even one-hundredth of a centimeter can lead to misaligned pages. Zhang has made only a handful of dragon-scale books since he began in 2010, owing to the time each requireshis longest, at 1,766 pages, took him four years to complete. When I first heard of dragon-scale bookbinding, I didnt think of it as an ancient method but immediately thought of its future, says Zhang. I felt the arts vibrant energy. Its a resurrection worth celebrating in a broader context as well, as bookbinding is one of the most endangered crafts globally. Once a revered practice, bookbinding by hand has been largely phased out in favor of machines that can churn out volumes much faster and cheaper. As a result, cities are lucky to have even one bookbinding artisan: Abd El-Zaher is the last shop in Cairo, Vo Van Rang is the sole practitioner in Ho Chi Minh City and Henry Bookbinding marks itself the last on Manhattans Lower East Side, once a thriving center of the trade. Humans have been making books by hand for millennia, and its terrifying to imagine that this art might die out during our lifetime, says Hugo Macdonald, who traveled the world speaking with various artisans for Useful/Beautiful, an exhibition on craft that he curated last year at the Harewood House in Leeds, England. Nothing can replicate a book thats been made by hand from scratch. Like Zhang, Pedro da Costa Felgueiras taught himself his all-but-extinct craft. If anything, his mentors tried to un-teach him. When I first told one of my teachers about my lacquers, she said, Give them away. Thats so much work. Nobody wants to use them, Felgueiras recalls. Thankfully, the London-based artist didnt heed his conservation-and-restoration instructors words, instead digging deeper into the world of paint pigments via A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing, from 1668. He then gathered raw pigments for his lacquers and paints to mimic the forgotten recipes used centuries ago. I think I got them because I was pushy, he says with a laugh. I just started experimenting, and it grew from there. I was completely hooked. His products, which are now used in high-end interior restoration, are not easy to make from scratch, though, and some pigments can be tricky to find, even for the enterprising Felgueiras. Only one man remains who stirs blue verditer for him, for instance. (Hes quite old now. I dont know where Im going to get it from when he dies.) Felgueiras grinds these pigments by hand, then adds some oil to make paints, creating colors that are more vibrant and last longer than anything youll find at the hardware store. (He disdainfully refers to modern-day colors as plastic.) Some hues, meanwhile, are lost to history, such as Indian yellow, which was made from urine extracted from cows that were fed exclusively mango leaves, or mummy brown, formulated by grinding up, yes, Egyptian mummies. Ask most craft festivals what the big draw is for artisans and theyll tell you that, other than offering general exposure to the public, the events encourage new collaborations by bringing together independent makers and high-profile brands. Youve got people who have very traditional, very exceptional skills, says London Craft Weeks Burton. We look to see if there are opportunities for them to use those skills in a different context. Theres a might of creative collaborations that come out of it. People meet each other, they start talking. Success stories certainly exist (if not at Craft Week, then via other methods of discovery): Chanel, for instance, purchased Maison Lemarie, one of the last remaining decorative feather houses, in 1996, after years of successful collaboration. In addition, LVMH acquired Les Tanneries Roux, one of the last French workshops specializing in calf hides, in 2012, to bolster its leather offerings. Angraves, a rattan-weaving workshop in Leicestershire, England, follows the saved-from-the-brink narrative. After almost 100 years in the wicker-furniture business, the family-owned company announced it was going under administration (a British version of bankruptcy) in 2010. Of its 35 employees, only 2 remained who knew the traditional techniques. Each had been practicing for more than 40 years. Then a longtime client, Lulu Lytle, a cofounder of furniture manufacturer Soane Britain, came to the rescue. I only realized how hard it was to find these weavers in Britain when I set out to buy an Edwardian rattan sofa, she says. A combination of fear of losing these specialists skills in England forever and, honestly, a need to fulfill client orders was the impetus. So I bought the raw materials and machinery from Angraves administrators and rebuilt the workshop. Now run by Lytle and Soane, Angraves remains the only British rattan workshop, preserving a craft that was intensely popular in England and continental Europe in the 19th century. The scarcity of its practitioners has something to do with the corner-cutting competition. Instead of using genuine rattan and shaping it by hand, larger manufacturers import cheaper material from abroad and bend it with machines. Angraves isnt the only one that has struggled: Erica Larsson is the last rattan weaver in Sweden, and Goh Kiok Seng and his son count themselves the only ones left in Singapore. Creating a single rattan piece can take days, weeks, even months. When the raw palm arrives, it must first be soaked and steamed so that its soft enough to weave. Only once it dries does the material contract and hold its new form. It takes time and experience to understand the material and how it might bend before it breaks. Its rewarding but extremely labor-intensive, says Mick Gregory, one of the veterans. A U-shape sofa that Angraves made measured 34 feet, he recalls, and took two months to complete; a headboard for an American client took a month. What Angraves doesnt have to worry about, however, is apprenticeship. Soane has introduced a mentorship program, which has encouraged new weavers to join up, effectively ensuring that the craft will survive another generation. A robust 14 weavers now staff the workshop. One of our team members came on only two months ago, says Gregory. I work alongside him very closely so that I might pass my knowledge on. The future of his craft depends on it. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Bergen, 3 March 2020) Mowi works with Tidal, Xs ocean health and sustainably team, to test and research new technologies. Over the last three years, Mowi has been researching and testing a new sensing system developed by Tidal at Alphabets X. After an extensive research and development period involving field testing and data collection, the project is now ready for commercial validation and Mowi will roll out the technology to multiple sites across Norway. Tidal has been developing an advanced underwater sensing and software analysis platform that gathers intelligence on real-time growth, weight distribution, feeding control, and automatic lice counting for salmon. Using a combination of new camera technology as well as machine learning and machine perception, Tidals system is able to track and model fish behaviours, environmental conditions, and the health of salmon over time. Mowis vision is to be leading the Blue Revolution. As the biggest salmon farmer in the world we have a special responsibility to engage in the development of technology to improve our competitive advantage and to optimise our farming of healthy and sustainable food from the ocean. Thus, it is very encouraging to work with Tidal to further develop ocean farming technology, said Mowi CEO, Ivan Vindheim. Tidals technology brings multiple capabilities into a single hardware and software platform and provides farmers with real-time information, so that they can confidently manage their daily operations. By employing artificial intelligence to analyse big data, Mowi hopes to understand and respond to long-term trends in fish behaviour and thereby further optimise ocean farming. With a combined vision to fully realise the potential of our seas for sustainable food production, our Research and Development department collaborated with the Tidal team as they developed their underwater sensing and analysis platform. This is the start of a journey towards finding new and innovative uses of technology throughout our value chain in the years to come, said Mowi CTO, yvind Oaland. Tidals mission is to protect the ocean and preserve its ability to support life and help feed humanity, sustainably. Our initial area of focus is on developing technologies that bring greater visibility and understanding of whats happening under the water. We are delighted to be working with Mowi to provide tools that we hope can help Mowi make their operations more sustainable, said Tidals General Manager, Neil Dave. For further information, please contact: yvind Oaland, CTO, +47 957 00 152 Ola Helge Hjetland, Group Communications Director, +47 970 67 932 Photos are available at mowi.com About Mowi ASA Mowi is the worlds leading seafood company and the largest producer of farm-raised salmon in the world. As the first global seafood company with an end-to-end supply chain, Mowi brings supreme quality salmon and other seafood to consumers around the world. With headquarters in Bergen, Norway, Mowi employs approx. 15 000 people in 25 countries worldwide, and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.mowi.com . Health-care workers transport a patient into an ambulance at Life Care Center of Kirkland, Washington. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images A total of 11 people in the U.S. have now lost their lives to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, all but one of them in Washington State. On Thursday, the total of coronavirus cases in California grew to 36, with one death reported in Placer County northeast of Sacramento. As of Wednesday, 15 states had confirmed cases of coronavirus for a total of at least 159 nationally. Health officials in multiple states expect more cases of the virus to soon emerge as state and local COVID-19 testing capacity continues to ramp up. Below are the latest developments on the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. and the response of public-health officials. Pelsoi says Capitol is preparing for potential outbreak In the event of a Washington, D.C. coronavirus outbreak, Capitol Hill staff will be able to work from home, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday. Lawmakers will not have the same luxury, she said: We cant vote from home. Pelosi also confirmed that there are no plans to test visitors to the Capitol or to close public areas. That, she said, is not realistic. Cuomo: There are now 22 confirmed cases in New York New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday afternoon that there are now twice as many coronavirus cases in New York state than previously detected. The doubling of cases from 11 to 22 will not be the end of it, he said. The number will increase because it is math, he said. The more you test, the more positives youll get. Most of the 22 cases are tied to a 50-year-old man in Westchester who has been hospitalized with illness. The other cases are in New York City and Nassau County. UPDATE: NY now has 22 confirmed #Coronavirus cases statewide 11 new positive tests since yesterday. Of the new cases: -8 are in Westchester, all mild or no symptoms -2 are in NYC, both individuals hospitalized -1 is in Nassau County, a 42yo man, also hospitalized Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 5, 2020 Government will fall short of promise to have a million tests available A few days after the Trump administration said a million coronavirus tests will be available by the end of this week, its become clear that the goal will not be met. There wont be a million people to get a test by the end of the week, Florida Senator Rick Scott said Thursday after a briefing from health officials. Its way smaller than that. And still, at this point, its still through public health departments. Bloomberg reports that tests wont even begin once the tests are received by local health departments: Scott and other lawmakers said the government is in the process of sending test kits out and people still need to be trained on how to use them. The entire process could take days or weeks, they said. By the end of the week theyre getting them out to the mail, Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma said. Its going to take time to be able to get them, receive them, re-verify them and then be able to put them into use. A cruise ship is being held off the cost of California until passengers can be tested Passangers on a cruise ship off the coast of San Francisco will not be allowed to leave until health officials can appropriately assess the passengers, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. The Grand Princess is linked to the states first coronavirus death, a 71-year-old man who sailed from San Francisco to Mexico last month. After returning to Mexico, the ship set off for Hawaii with 2,500 passengers, 62 of whom were also on the cruise to Mexico with the man who later died. Now, Newsom said, at least 11 passengers and 11 crew members have developed symptoms. Two more cases confirmed in NYC New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday morning that two more people had tested positive for the coronavirus in the city, bringing the total number of cases to four. More alarmingly, both of the new patients are in the intensive care unit and one is in his 40s, well out of the most dangerous age range for coronavirus. There are two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York City. One new patient is a man in his 40s, and one new patient is a woman in her 80s. Neither patient has a connection to travel nor any of the other local individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 5, 2020 Both are currently hospitalized and in the intensive care unit. City disease detectives are tracing close contacts of both individuals and will ensure they are appropriately isolated and tested immediately. Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 5, 2020 Trump offers bad advice for coronavirus patients For people who suspect they have been exposed to coronavirus, the CDC recommends to restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Trump went a different route in his interview with Sean Hannity, stating that patients with mild cases of coronavirus can get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work. Here is the President of the United States telling the country it's okay to go to work with Coronavirus. I'm not kidding. pic.twitter.com/Tz4kKbyear Matt Rogers (@Politidope) March 5, 2020 Congress is expected to approve $8.3 billion in emergency funding Lawmakers in the House and Senate reached a deal to approve an $8.3 billion emergency aid package to combat the spread of coronavirus, according to the New York Times. Per the Times report: The bipartisan package, which includes nearly $7.8 billion for agencies dealing with the virus and came together after days of rapid negotiations, is substantially larger than what the White House initially proposed in late February. It also authorizes roughly $500 million to allow Medicare providers to administer tele-health services so that more elderly patients, who are at greater risk from the virus, can receive care at home, according to two of the officials. The first confirmed death in California In Placer County northeast of Sacramento, officials announced the first coronavirus death in the state and described the patient as an elderly adult with underlying health conditions. The county health department states that the patient was exposed to the virus while traveling on a Princess cruise ship from San Francisco to Mexico. They tested positive on March 3. The death is the eleventh nationally, and the first to occur outside Washington state. Also on Wednesday, NBC News reported that a medical screener working at Los Angeles International Airport tested positive for coronavirus despite wearing proper protective gear during their shift. New York: 11 confirmed cases confirmed, was community transmission On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced that coronavirus had been confirmed in 11 patients including three family members of a 50-year-old lawyer living in Westchester who was confirmed as the second case in the state on Tuesday. Unlike the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the city, a woman who had recently traveled to Iran, the new patient had no known links to other outbreaks the case in Westchester suggests that the virus has been spreading locally. Cuomo said that the man, who has been hospitalized and remains in serious condition, had an underlying respiratory condition. This is literally like trying to stop air, because somebody sneezes, Cuomo said on Wednesday. Its respiratory and its inevitable that it will continue to spread. The case has already prompted the closure of two schools and a synagogue. SAR Academy in Riverdale, where one of the mans children attends, closed on Tuesday morning. It was not clear whether a student or parent or neither was suspected to have the virus. In any case, the move could have ripple effects across New Yorks vast school system. NEW: SAR Academy on 254th Street in Riverdale is closed due to fear of #Coronavirusnyc exposure pic.twitter.com/TyftumCEQP Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) March 3, 2020 Washington State: 10 people have already died in the largest known U.S. outbreak By Wednesday, state officials had announced the tenth coronavirus death in the state. Three people who died were elderly residents of a 190-bed nursing home near Seattle who had contracted the disease. A fourth person with the virus was reported dead in a nearby county. On Tuesday, officials confirmed that the virus had killed two more residents of the nursing home in Kirkland, who died a week ago. The Seattle area is also dealing with a new area of outbreak: On Wednesday, Facebook confirmed that a contract working at its office in the city was diagnosed with coronavirus. On Sunday, state health officials confirmed the second coronavirus death in the state (and country). Earlier in the day, the state had confirmed two new coronavirus cases, both men in their 60s who were hospitalized in critical condition. Ten of the states 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases lived in King County, near Seattle. As of Monday, six people with the virus were in critical condition. Officials are certain main more cases of COVID-19 will be found in the coming days. According to research published over the weekend, the coronavirus may have been spreading, unchecked, in Washington for as long as six weeks. If thats the case, anywhere from 150 to 1,500 people may have been infected in there, according to models of the likely outbreak: Researcher: If the coronavirus has indeed been spreading undetected in Washington since mid-January, that could mean that anywhere from 150 to 1,500 people may have it, with about 300 to 500 people the most likely range.https://t.co/ODeJccVgdI Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) March 1, 2020 Coronavirus testing is getting easier in the state, however, and on Monday was up to a new capacity of roughly 200 tests per day. Indeed, health officials do not yet know where some of the people contracted the coronavirus, as they had no known links to other outbreaks in the world or anyone infected with COVID-19. That includes a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions who became Americas first coronavirus fatality over the weekend. One of the places the unchecked virus found its way to was Life Care Center, a 190-bed long-term-care facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland. That outbreak has already killed four people a man in his 70s on Sunday, and then three more people on Monday. On Saturday, state officials announced that a resident and employee at the nursing home had both tested positive for the coronavirus, and that another 27 residents and 25 employees at the facility were showing COVID-19 symptoms. A total of 288 people live or work at Life Care Center, where, according to the Seattle Times, staff may have mismanaged this and other previous infections at the facility. Washington State governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in response to the outbreak, and state officials are already considering banning large events in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. In King County, local officials have purchased a motel to use as an isolation center. King County health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin warned on Monday that the states health system may soon be overwhelmed. He expects COVID-19 cases to overtake flu cases in a matter of weeks, at which point authorities will have to focus their resources on the worst outbreaks in the state rather than on individual cases. The first newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state were reported on Friday, including a 15-year-old high-school student in Snohomish County with no known links to any other outbreaks or infected people, and a woman in her 50s who had recently returned from Daegu, South Korea, the epicenter of what has become the second biggest outbreak in the world. The teenager had visited two area health clinics and briefly returned to school before testing positive. The teen has been quarantined at home, and the high school has since become one of many in the state that have been closed for a deep cleaning. Georgia: Two travel-linked cases found Georgia officials announced on Monday night that two residents had tested positive for COVID-19 both from the same household in Atlanta. One of the people had recently returned from Italy, meaning the cases were not the result of community transmission. New Hampshire: A case linked to Italy New Hampshire health officials on Monday announced the states first confirmed case of the coronavirus in a resident of the northwestern part of the state who had recently traveled to Italy. The officials do not believe there was any community transmission of the virus related to the case, and the state epidemiologist stressed that New Hampshires health system was well prepared to respond to the virus. Texas: A quarantine standoff in San Antonio The mayor of San Antonio declared a state of emergency in the city on Monday afternoon in order to block the release of Americans scheduled to leave quarantine at a nearby Army base. This move came after a woman in quarantine, who had twice tested negative for the virus and been released, later tested positive for the coronavirus. In the 12 hours before she was returned to isolation, the woman spent time at a mall and a hotel near the airport though health officials said the chance she transmitted the disease to many people was low. Texas governor Greg Abbott has also worked to block any further release of people from quarantine and demanded that the CDC retest all of them. Florida: Public-health emergency declared after two cases found On Sunday night, Florida governor Ron DeSantis directed the states surgeon general to declare a public-health emergency after two people in the Tampa Bay area tested positive for the coronavirus the first cases reported in the state. Health officials dont yet know how one of the people, a man in his 60s, contracted the disease. The other case is a woman in her 20s who had just returned home from northern Italy, which has had the most reported coronavirus cases in Europe. Florida health officials are working to identify, monitor, and test, if needed, anyone who has come into contact with the two individuals. The good news is that all three of the states public-health laboratories began conducting their own coronavirus tests on Saturday. According to the Miami Herald, that should cut the states wait times for test results down to no more than 28 hours instead of the three to five days it had been taking to get results back from the CDC. As of Monday morning, 23 people have been tested for the coronavirus in the state, and officials are monitoring another 184 people to see if they develop symptoms. New York: A health-care worker returning from Iran knew what to do Governor Andrew Cuomo announced New York States first confirmed coronavirus case on Sunday night. A 39-year-old Manhattan woman who had recently traveled to Iran tested positive for the disease, and health officials expect that her husband, who made the same trip, will also soon test positive. Both are health-care workers, so they took extra precautions to isolate themselves upon returning to New York, where they avoided public transportation and immediately self-quarantined in their apartment. On Monday, Cuomo praised the womans textbook efforts to reduce her exposure to others. The governor said that health officials do not believe she was contagious while she was traveling back to the U.S., but authorities are still contacting the other passengers on her plane as well as the car-service driver the couple hired to drive them home from the airport. Cuomo also announced the launch of new cleaning protocols at schools, transit hubs, and health-care facilities that cater to the elderly or people with weak immune systems. Though Cuomo acknowledged the certainty that more coronavirus cases would soon be confirmed, he and other officials urged calm and boasted about New York Citys health system. We should relax, Cuomo said Monday. Because thats whats dictated by the reality of the situation. As of Sunday, 32 people in New York had been tested for the coronavirus, and more tests are being conducted after two public-health labs in the city and another in Albany have begun testing over the weekend. Rhode Island: Another case linked to Italy A man in his 40s who had recently traveled to Italy has tested positive for the COVID-19, state health officials announced on Sunday. His illness is a presumptive positive case, which means a local public-health laboratory has confirmed he has the virus, but the CDC hasnt yet conducted a second test. The man is being treated in a hospital and his family have self-quarantined at home, while Rhode Island officials work to locate at least 40 people who had come into contact with him. They will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and anyone exhibiting symptoms will be tested, state officials said. The cases link to Italy, where then man traveled last month before returning to the U.S. on February 22, meant it was an explained case and not likely to be part of a larger outbreak in the state. We are not seeing widespread community transmission in Rhode Island, explained the states health department director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott. The general level of risk for Rhode Islanders is low, Governor Gina M. Raimondo said on Sunday. Theres no need for panic. Theres no need to be frightened. Illinois: Not clear how an elderly couple caught the virus A man in his 70s from Cook County, near Chicago, tested positive for the coronavirus, local officials announced on Saturday. They dont yet know how the man was infected. His wife, also in her 70s, has also tested positive, officials said Monday. Both were reportedly in good condition as of Monday. State health officials said they were still working to identify anyone who may have come into contact with the couple. Oregon: Three cases and counting The state reported its third confirmed case of the coronavirus on Monday. The first person confirmed to have the illness, who began feeling symptoms on February 19, works at a school in Clackamas County and may have exposed students and staff there, Oregon Health Authority director Patrick Allen said Friday. Someone who lives with that patient has also tested positive, but has a mild case and is remaining isolated at home. The third infected resident, like the first, is considered a case of community transmission. Neither had any know links to other outbreaks or infected persons, and state officials are still working to determine who else has been exposed to the coronavirus. This post has been updated throughout to include details of additional confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. The February 14, 2019, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) strike on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama, which led to India retaliating with an attack on a terror camp in Balakot later that month and the subsequent dogfight between the air forces of India and Pakistan, was originally set to be carried out in the first week of February. All the preparations were made, the explosives were procured and armed, but weather conditions forced a suspension of the convoy movements, and JeM terrorists had to wait until the next CRPF convoy passed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. This revelation is part of the new information that has been gleaned by sleuths from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) while interrogating Shakir Bashir Magrey, the first person to be arrested last Friday in connection with the deadly terror attack that claimed 40 lives, according to two senior officials who spoke to HT on condition of anonymity. The disclosures made by Shakir Magrey are important as he is the first person to be arrested who knew everything from planning to execution, including arranging the bomb, helping in fitting it and sheltering the bomber, Adeel Ahmad Dar. This also clearly shows how the Pakistan-based terror group was specifically targeting convoys. We will now be able to file a charge sheet in the Pulwama attack, one of the officials said. The bomber who carried out the attack, Adeel Ahmad Dar, was killed in the suicide attack, and the NIA on Tuesday arrested two other people in connection with the case the father-daughter duo of Tariq Ahmad Shah (50) and Insha Jan (23) who allegedly sheltered the JeM terrorists and their local contacts. They will be interrogated over the next few days, the officials cited above said. According to the officials, Magrey has told the NIA interrogators that the attack on a convoy on Jammu-Srinagar highway was first discussed in June 2018, and its actual preparation began in October that year when, upon receiving directions from Pakistan, JeM leadership started collecting the material needed for the operation. They added that a Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Umar Farooq (killed in an encounter in Tral on March 29, 2019, along with IED expert Kamran), was given the responsibility to execute the attack while JeMs area commander Mudassir Khan (killed in Pinglish on March 11, 2019) supervised the overall planning. Out of three volunteers from the Valley who were ready to blow themselves up in the attack, 20-year-old Dar, a resident of Gundibagh village in Pulwama, was found to be most dedicated and motivated towards JeMs ideology, Magrey told the sleuths. Throughout January 2019, 22-year-old Magrey, a resident of Kakapora in Pulwama, monitored the convoys passing through the national highway from his small sawmill located on Lethpora bridge, just 200 metres from the blast site. It was decided that suicide bombing will be carried out at this spot as the highway becomes a little steep from here causing CRPF convoys to reduce their speed. February first week was decided as the time for it, said one official aware of the details of Magreys interrogation. According to Magrey, the officer added, a powerful IED with approximately 50kg of explosive including RDX, ammonium nitrate and nitroglycerin was readied and fitted in a Maruti Eeco car in the first week of February by Umar Farooq, Kamran, Dar and him. Magrey was the one who modified the car for the bomb and changed its number plates. The explosive material was arranged by JeM leaders from Pakistan, while gloves, battery and ammonium powder were ordered off the internet. He says they were waiting for convoys to pass. However, the weather in February was very bad and CRPF cancelled its convoy movement, said a second officer aware of the matter. The first convoy to pass that month was on February 14. Magrey saw the road opening party (ROP) that was being deployed to assist the convoy and they decided to carry out the attack. Magrey drove the car till 500-600 metres of the attack site before handing it over to Dar. Magrey has disclosed the IED was connected with the electrical system of the car and trigger button was put in Adil Dars hand. He (Adil) was asked to first ram the car in CRPF bus and then press the button, which he did, said the second officer. The suicide bomber, Dar, entered the national highway though a by-lane near Latoo Mode, smashing the explosive laden car into the fifth bus among 78 vehicles in the CRPF convoy. The NIA officials said it appears Magrey didnt leave Pulwama after the attack, and continued to work normally in his sawmill. They did not disclose how he was eventually apprehended. One of the officials said the case was cracked by a team led by IG Anil Shukla. The agency worked on technical details of all suspects for over a year. Enough forensic evidence has been gathered, the officer added. The father-daughter duo that NIA arrested on Tuesday allegedly harboured the Pulwama attackers, including Dar, Pakistani terrorists Umar Farooq and Kamran, and two others, JeM member Sameer Ahmed Dar and Pakistani national Mohammad Ismail. Their house in Hakripora village in Pulwama was also used for preparing the final video recording by Dar before the Fidayeen attack, the NIA said in a statement, adding that Jan provided food and other logistics to the terrorists, who stayed for two to four days on several occasions between 2018 and 2019. Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif is awaiting a medical procedure in the UK which restricts his travel, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson has said. The 70-year-old three-time former premier's aides in the UK dismissed the prospect of the Imran Khan-led government seeking Sharif's deportation from the UK government because he was in the country on medical grounds on a visit visa. "Mian Sahib is here on medical grounds and is awaiting a medical procedure," a PML-N UK spokesperson said on Monday. "He is here on a visit visa for medical treatment and wasn't handed over to the UK government," he said, in reference to the deportation claims emanating from Pakistan. Sharif left for London in November last for treatment after the Lahore High Court allowed him to go abroad on medical grounds for four weeks. According to the PML-N UK aides, Sharif is due to undergo a similar medical procedure which resulted in health complications a few years ago. Meanwhile, he is keenly waiting for a "visit by his daughter", Maryam Nawaz, if she is granted bail and allowed to travel abroad. According to Sharif's physician, the top leader of the PML-N is suffering from complex multi-vessel coronary artery disease and substantial ischemic and threatened myocardium for which he is due to undergo surgery. "It is time to bring back the VIP prisoner who is having a lavish stay abroad," Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Special Assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Information, was quoted as saying in Islamabad over the weekend. "The government has decided in principle to write a letter this week to the British government, seeking deportation of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, as he is an absconder not fulfilling the terms and conditions of the bail granted to him on medical grounds," she said. Last week, the Punjab government refused to extend Sharif's bail, declaring that it had found no "legal, moral or medical ground" necessitating an extension in his stay abroad. The Lahore High Court had, in October last year, granted bail to Sharif on medical grounds for four weeks, allowing the Punjab government to extend it further in the light of his medical reports. The Islamabad High Court had also granted bail to Sharif in the Al Azizia Mills corruption case, in which the former prime minister was serving a seven-year jail term, clearing his way to travel abroad for medical treatment. Production of The Amazing Race Australia, hosted by ex-NRL star Beau Ryan, is under threat due to coronavirus fears. A Channel 10 spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday: 'We are seeking advice to determine the international route for the upcoming season of The Amazing Race Australia, ahead of the start of production in June 2020. 'The welfare of cast and crew is of the upmost importance and all necessary measures will be taken to ensure their protection.' Uncertain future: Production of The Amazing Race Australia, hosted by ex-NRL star Beau Ryan (pictured), is under threat due to coronavirus fears Channel 10's first season of The Amazing Race premiered in October 2019, but this year's season will likely be pushed back because of the coronavirus outbreak. Filming is provisionally due to start in June, but producers do not know which countries will be affected by then. Last year's The Amazing Race began filming in South Korea, which currently has 4,335 coronavirus cases and 26 deaths. Times have changed: Last year's season of The Amazing Race began filming in South Korea, which currently has 4,335 coronavirus cases and 26 deaths The current situation: A map of coronavirus-affected countries. Filming for The Amazing Race is provisionally due to start in June, but producers do not know which countries will be affected by then It also stopped by Thailand, which has 43 cases and one death, as well as Vietnam, which has 16 cases. The Amazing Race route for 2020 might also need to steer clear of Europe, where there are outbreaks in multiple countries. In Italy, there are 2,036 cases and 52 deaths, while France has suffered 130 cases and two deaths. Talent welfare: The Amazing Race route for 2020 might need to steer clear of Europe, where there are outbreaks in multiple countries. Pictured: 2019 contestants Sid and Ash But most of the African and South American continents have been largely unaffected by the coronavirus so far, making them a safer bet than Europe, Asia and North America, as of now. Channel 10 resurrected The Amazing Race last year after acquiring the rights from the Seven Network. Last year's season was won by newlyweds Tim and Rod Sattler-Jones. The four early nominating contests might be over, but this week Democrats face a significant turning point in the 2020 presidential race when the candidates are tested on a national scale -- potentially providing more clarity over who in the fractured battle will ultimately face President Donald Trump. With the single biggest day of voting in the campaign taking place on Super Tuesday, the candidates are competing across 15 contests for a treasure chest of delegates, which will be awarded across geographically and racially diverse parts of the country -- and the stakes could not be higher. The presidential hopefuls still in the race are each utilizing their own pathway to score big on Super Tuesday, and while all of them have campaigned in California and Texas, the two most delegate-rich states of the night, not everyone will emerge a winner. With over one-third of pledged delegates up for grabs Tuesday, each of the candidates are hoping to walk away with their version of a win in order to demonstrate they can campaign anywhere. PHOTO: Poll closing times for Super Tuesday, March 3. (AP ) Even so, it remains to be seen if any of the contenders will establish a commanding lead after Tuesday night. Beyond the current front-runner, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the other Democrats are all seeking to shift the contours of the race. On Tuesday, across 14 states -- Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia -- and one territory, American Samoa, 1,344 delegates are up for grabs. MORE: What is Super Tuesday and why is it important? Here's what you need to know Former Vice President Joe Biden enters Tuesday fresh off a resounding win in South Carolinas primary and a slew of nearly 50 endorsements since Saturday from current and former Democratic leaders up and down the ballot, including two of his now-former rivals, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Story continues Biden, too, currently is the leader of the popular vote, and seeks to use the boon to his campaign to overtake his rival Sanders in the delegate race. "Tomorrow, Texas and Minnesota and the rest of Super Tuesday states -- youre gonna have a lot to say about it," Biden said in Dallas on the eve of Super Tuesday, shortly after Buttigieg and Klobuchar formally announced they are backing his campaign. "My message to everyone, every person who's been knocked down, counted out, left behind: This is your campaign. We need you. We want you, and there's a place in this campaign for you. So join us." PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidates, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, talks before a Democratic presidential primary debate, Feb. 25, 2020, in Charleston, S (Matt Rourke/AP) With the moderate former candidates coalescing around his bid, and a two-person race appearing to form, Biden is looking to the southern states with larger African American populations -- such as Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia -- to build on his sudden surge of momentum. "You know, just a few days ago, the pundits declared my campaign dead ... but then along came South Carolina," Biden said in Houston on Monday. "And South Carolina had something to say about it. As I stand here today, because of the minority communities, I am very much alive because of you." For the Biden campaign, running up the score across districts, although perhaps not statewide, could deliver a successful night. MORE: Trump hits campaign trail in NC amid mounting coronavirus threat But Sanders, after a clean win in New Hampshire, a decisive victory in Nevada, and second-place finishes in Iowa and South Carolina gave him the delegate advantage, is aiming to amass an even wider delegate lead to make the case that he is the one to take on Trump in November. "This I believe from the bottom of my heart or I would not be here today or I would not have gotten into this race, I believe that if you want to defeat Donald Trump -- and all Democrats do, most independents do, some Republicans do -- if you want to beat Donald Trump, our campaign is the strongest campaign to defeat Trump," he said in Salt Lake City on Monday. California and Texas have 415 and 228 pledged delegates, respectively, making both states top targets across the board -- and in recent polling, it is Sanders who is leading the field in both. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at a presidential forum at Wallace State Community College, March 1, 2020, in Selma, Ala. (Butch Dill/AP, FILE) And the liberal stalwart is banking on the Golden State for not only a win, but a dominant victory, hoping to emerge from Tuesday with such a wide margin over the field that his campaign has an insurmountable path to the nomination. "Now, let me tell you why we are going to win the Democratic nomination," Sanders told a crowd of more than 15,000 in Los Angeles Sunday night. "Why we're going to win here in California and why we are going to defeat, and defeat badly, Donald Trump, we are going to win because we have the strongest grassroots movement, multi-racial, multi-generational in the history of this country." Sanders is also eyeing Texas to showcase his electability not only in parts of the country where he is expected to win, but battlegrounds where he can tout his appeal ahead of a highly-competitive general election against Trump. Super Tuesday also marks the first appearance of former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg on the ballot. After skipping the first four early states, the billionaire has spent more than half a billion dollars of his own cash blanketing the airwaves since his late start in the race. Across the 14 states that vote on Tuesday, hes spent nearly $174 million, dwarfing his Democratic rivals. Hes also the only candidate who has campaigned in every Super Tuesday state, accomplishing the feat more than a month ago. Now, hes looking for a return on his massive political investment, despite never topping a national poll. And he remains confident of his chances. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard speaks during a campaign event, Feb. 9, 2020, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images, FILE) "Ive won three elections so far and I dont plan on losing now," Bloomberg said in Virginia on Monday. For years, Bloomberg has invested his own money to elect state Democrats and combat gun violence across the state, and he held his first campaign event in Norfolk, back when he entered the race in late November, to tout the ability of the "right Democrat" to turn a battleground state blue. Beyond California, Texas and North Carolina, his key targets for ads and the three biggest delegate prizes of the night, Bloomberg's campaign also singled out Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee as three states where they believe he is competitive in the hopes of racking up delegates across the national map. For Elizabeth Warren, the stakes could not be higher on Tuesday, as both states she claims as home are in play -- Massachusetts, which she has represented in the Senate since 2013, and Oklahoma, where she was born and raised and often invokes on the campaign trail to tell the story of her childhood. But neither state is a lock for her, with Sanders seeking to pick off his progressive rival in her own backyard. Warren, for her part, has been careful not to set any expectations for a win, particularly in the Bay State. "Look, I'm here fighting for every vote I'm just grateful to those folks, always grateful," she said in a CNN town hall Wednesday, not answering definitively when asked if Massachusetts is a "must win" for her. While the Warren campaign might be focusing on raking in delegates "in nearly every state," according to a memo from the campaign, coming out of Tuesday without a single victory could potentially spell trouble in the races ahead. Warren is up against growing pressure to perform well, after one of the most recent drop-outs, Buttigieg, outperformed her in every early state, even scoring the most delegates of all the candidates in first-in-the-nation state of Iowa. But Warren contends that the 2020 primary is "barreling toward another primary along the same lanes as 2016," offering voters only a binary choice between "an insider" and "an outsider." And she believes her campaign offers a different path forward. "Voters deserve a choice of someone with unshakeable values who can also get things done, and bring all kinds of Democrats along with her," she told supporters in Los Angeles Monday night. "Voters deserve a choice of someone who can both do the work to transform our government from the inside and who can bring pressure to bear on government by leading a grassroots movement from the outside." Also still in the race is Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, despite having yet to come close to the required threshold needed to pick up any delegates. But its possible that changes on Super Tuesday, since the one territory holding a contest Tuesday is also her birthplace. Gabbard, the last candidate of color in the race and now the youngest as well, was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa. The territorys caucus will award six delegates on Tuesday. This report was featured in the Tuesday, March 3, 2020, episode of Start Here, ABC News daily news podcast. "Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts. Super Tuesday raises 2020 stakes as candidates face 1st national test originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 03.03.2020 LISTEN The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Hon Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has admonished the youth in Effutu to aim high in life. Addressing a maiden 'Effutu Youth Conference' held in Winneba, under the theme: 'Actualizing The Effutu Dream, the Role of Effutu Youth' he explained the rationale behind the Effutu Dream. "It is having the can-do spirit and mindset that with hardwork and determination, we can achieve our goals," he said. The youthful Afenyo-Markin noted that the Effutu Dream holds the belief that everyone who is created by God is endowed with special abilities to prosper and excel in life. The Effutu lawmaker indicated that with the right and enabling environment, even a beggar on the street can become a billionaire. MP Afenyo-Markin noted that his initiatives do not discriminate against people who are not indigene of Effutu but anyone schooling in the Constituency is entitled to. "The dream is to make sure that persons working and schooling in Effutu have what it takes to compete favourably with their contemporaries anywhere in the world." According to him, the dream is to make sure that Effutu is well positioned to welcome people to invest and do business in the municipality. "The dream is to position Effutu as the best place to live, the best place to work and the best place to visit for tourism and the best place to Invest and to do business in Ghana," he emphasised. The coronavirus patient from Delhi has been identified as a resident of Mayur Vihar. The individual reportedly attended a birthday party on Friday in Noida that was attended by many of his child's friends, their parents and some teachers. Also read: Coronavirus spreads to Agra; six cases suspected The individual was detected positive with coronavirus later on the same day. Ministry of Health personnel are in touch with the individuals who were in contact with the coronavirus patient and they have been asked to stay at home for the next 14 days. The Noida school, Sriram Millennium School, has also been advised to undertake sanitisation. No one else has demonstrated any of the symptoms so far. The individuals have been tested and reports are likely to come in by the end of the day or on Wednesday. Also read: Coronavirus impact: Twitter asks 5,000 employees to work from home On Monday, two cases of COVID19 were detected in Delhi and Telangana. The patients had travelled to Italy and Dubai before they were detected with the virus. "The person from Delhi has a travel history from Italy, while the one from Telangana has a travel history from Dubai," the statement by Ministry of Health mentioned. These were the first confirmed positive coronavirus cases in both Delhi and Telangana. The government had also earlier said that it is closely following the developments in China amid the outbreak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also written to President Xi Jinping and said that India is committed to assist China. The number of cases of coronavirus is on the rise. It has spread to more than 70 countries and infected more than 88,000 people. Italy and Iran have also been severely affected. Around 43 people have lost their lives in Iran - the highest outside China that has lost over 3,000 people to the disease. Also read: Coronavirus updates: Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Delhi, Telangana Also read: Enough masks, equipment available to fight coronavirus menace, Health Minister tells GoM Photo credit: Paintru From House Beautiful Let's say you want to hire an artist to do a custom painting. What are your options? Well, you could peruse local galleries until you find an artist you like, get in touch to see if they accept commissions, and hope that the price is somewhat within your budget. Or you could head to Etsy, where it's easy to see the artists' work and the and pricing is more or less upfrontyou just might have to to sift through a few thousand listings. (145,365, to be exact, if you search for "custom painting.") Sound like a lot of work? It did to San Diego-based J.D. Kameen, who, after returning from a trip to Paris with his wife, Liza, wanted to give her a painting based on one of their travel photos. Daunted by the prospect of ordering a piece through an art gallery, J.D. started reaching out directly to artists on Instagram, where he and Liza had started an account where they featured favorite paintings from different artists around the world. "I ended up connecting with everyone from famous French artists to graduate students in Portugal," says J.D., all of whom had one thing in common: "They were looking for ways to contract out their art outside of galleries, but couldn't keep up with the social media inquiries." Photo credit: House Beautiful/Amy Neunsinger So last August, J.D. and Liza officially launched Paintru, an online platform that lets consumers order custom art from their roster of thousands of artists, with prices ranging from $185 to $655. The process is pretty simple: Upload an inspiration photo, choose your medium (watercolor, oil or acrylic) and size, add any notes describing your desired look, and Paintru will connect you with an artist. Within a few weeks, you'll see a draft of the painting; once you're happy with it, it'll get shipped to you for free. Thanks to a partnership with Framebridge, you can even have it professionally framed. While it's an obvious choice for anyone looking for, say, a watercolor of a family pet or wedding photo, Paintru is also looking to build its business with interior designers. "It gives them the chance to create something really unique for their customers," says Liza, who adds that the company has on-staff design experts who handle requests like matching to specific Pantone colors. "If a decorator want a series of six abstract paintings in a shade of orange that's especially soothing, we can connect them with an artist to do that," she explains. Story continues Next up, Paintru is partnering with Flytographer, an "Airbnb for travel photography", per J.D., that connects travelers with professional photographers at their destination. "We're at a tipping point when it comes to travel imagerypeople are tired of seeing the same pictures over and over," says J.D. "What we want now is something that's imperfect. That's what makes it special." Follow House Beautiful on Instagram. You Might Also Like The Oppo Watch is scheduled to launch on March 6 in China. The watch looks almost identical to the Apple Watch. The Oppo Watch will launch alongside the Oppo Find X2. Oppos upcoming smart watch has been in the news recently for the design and the close likeliness to the Apple Watch. Now we have a confirmed date when the watch is launching. Oppo disclosed the watch will launch alongside the Find X2 on March 6 at an event in China. The smartphone, and the watch was poised to launch earlier this month at the sidelines of MWC Barcelona. But after the tech convention was called off due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Oppo rescheduled the launch date to March 6. The Opopo Watch has been teased a few times before. Earlier in February, Brian Shen, Oppo VP shared an image on Twitter of the watch which looked almost identical to the Apple Watch. Shen said the watch rocks 3D curved glass, a first for a smart watch and called it a game changer. The new photos also revealed the watch will be available in black and gold colour variants. While the overall features of the Oppo Watch are still not available, there are rumours of ECG support, something that only Apple offers in the Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5. In China, this could be a good rival to the Mi Watch, Xiaomis own smart watch that lacks ECG support. Furthermore, another leak showed the Settings page in the watch that showed four options Multifunction Button, Battery, Password and More. These options are nothing surprising. The multifunction button entails the physical button on the body of the watch can be customised according to users preference. The battery option can be used to switch around with different modes to improve battery life. The Oppo Find X2 and the rumoured Find X2 Pro are scheduled to launch on March 6. Rumoured features of the upcoming flagship includes support for 30W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. So it wont be a big surprise if the watch itself comes with support for wireless charging. WOKING, England, March 3 (Reuters) - British carmakers Bentley and McLaren have sought alternatives to existing Chinese suppliers to handle the impact of the coronavirus outbreak which has already halted production at other manufacturing sites around the world. The virus has infected tens of thousands and killed about 3,000 people, the majority in China, confining millions to their homes, disrupting businesses and delaying the reopening of factories after the extended Lunar New Year holiday break. Both Bentley and McLaren said their model production, all of which is in Britain, has not been hit so far with Volkswagen-owned Bentley saying it has secured supply of the 21 basic components such as silicon chips it sources from China until the end of the month. "We've re-sourced them," Chief Executive Adrian Hallmark told Reuters. "We don't see a break in production yet." McLaren Automotive boss Mike Flewitt said the firm was seeking to do the same. "We are developing some alternating sourcing opportunities where we can but we don't have multiple sources for a company this size," he said as the firm unveiled its 765LT model at an event at its Woking headquarters in southern England. (Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Stephen Addison) President Trump stepped up his claims of a Democratic 'coup' against 2020 hopeful Bernie Sanders whose momentum is being blunted by a number of high-profile endorsements of his rival Joe Biden. He also said he would debate 'any of them - very gladly.' 'Well, I think there's no question the establishment - the Democrat establishment - is trying to take it away from Bernie Sanders. There's no question about that in my mind,' Trump said Tuesday outside the White House as voters from 14 states and American Samoa head to the polls for 'Super Tuesday.' President Trump said Tuesday that he believes there's 'no question' the 'Democrat' establishment was trying to take the nomination away from Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders drives away from his Burlington, Vermont polling place after voting on 'Super Tuesday.' He's told President Trump to 'stay out of the Democratic primary.' Trump has not President Trump also told reporters he would debate 'any of them,' referring to the Democratic hopefuls that remain in the 2020 presidential race. 'Very gladly,' he added Trump pointed out that a 'lot's going to be learned tonight' about the strength of the two frontrunners: Sanders and Biden. 'I would have said two, three days ago Biden wasn't looking too good. Now he's looking better,' Trump continued. 'California's a little delayed but by 9, 10 tonight, we'll have some answers.' In fact, California's polls won't close until 11 p.m. EST - so it could be into Wednesday before the results of the Super Tuesday contests paint a clear picture of the strengths of the Democratic hopefuls. 'Whoever it is, I don't care, I really don't care,' Trump also offered. Sanders had already told Trump to leave the Democratic primary alone - after the president floated that the Democrats were running 'a coup' against the Vermont senator. 'President Trump, stay out of the Democratic primary. Why don't you do your job for a change as president. Stop lying. Stop running a corrupt administration. Pay attention to the American people, not just your own political aims,' Sanders said during an interview Monday night on CNN. 'You know what, I really wish that the president of the United States, might kind of spend his time doing his job. Maybe just maybe, he might want to worry about the coronavirus, he might want to worry about the stock market. He might worry about the 500,000 people in this country who are homeless or the massive level of income and wealth inequality that exists,' the senator said. Bernie Sanders told Donald Trump to 'stay out of the Democratic primary' President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea the Democratic primary is rigged against 'Crazy Bernie' Trump has repeatedly floated the idea that the Democratic primary was being rigged against Sanders and in favor of Joe Biden. 'They are staging a coup against Bernie!' Trump tweeted Monday afternoon directly before he emerged from the West Wing to leave for a planned evening rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He elaborated further with the hoard of reporters awaiting his departure on the White House's South Lawn. President Trump floated again on Monday that the Democratic Party was trying to rig the primary against Bernie Sanders pointing to Amy Klobuchar's and Pete Buttigieg's decision to back Joe Biden President Trump tweeted Monday that the Democrats are 'staging a coup' against Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders holds the delegate lead in the Democratic Primary but lost to Joe Biden Saturday in South Carolina 'I think it's rigged against Bernie,' Trump said. Sanders brushed off the moderate candidates joining forces against him in the Democratic primary. 'It is no surprise they do not want me to become president because our administration will transform this country to create an economy and a government that works for all of the people not just the 1 per cent,' he told CNN's Anderson Cooper. 'It will not be the same old same old. But the other reason that I am running is to defeat Donald Trump. And the fact of the matter is if we want to defeat Donald Trump, we're going to need a campaign that has energy and excitement that can speak to working people, young people, people who have given up on the political establishment. All over the country. To defeat Donald Trump, we're going to have the highest voter turnout in the history of this country and I think our campaign is uniquely suited to be able to do that,' the Vermont senator said. Trump, who has dubbed Sanders with the 'crazy' moniker, has argued Sanders would be one of the toughest members of the Democratic field for him to beat. There is some thought out there that the president and his party wants to see Sanders emerge as the Democratic nominee because his liberal political philosophy would drive away voters in the general election. 'I actually think he would be tougher than most of the other candidates because he is like me but I have a much bigger base,' the president said last week during his state visit to India. Trump, in his comments about Sanders on Monday, was pointing to the fact that within 24 hours both Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropped out of the race and would announce their endorsements of Joe Biden Monday night in Dallas, Texas. The president suggested that Biden had dangled administration positions in front of the ex-rivals in order to garner their support. 'Probably they'll say, "Hey, look if I win, I'll put you in the administration,"' Trump said. 'That's called a quid pro quo, right?' the president mused. 'Quid. Pro. Quo.' Trump, himself, had been accused of a quid pro quo when he held up around $400 million in Congressionally authorized military aid to Ukraine as he pressured the country's president to announce an investigation into Biden and the former vice president's son Hunter, who had business dealings in the country. This was the accusation that the House of Representatives made in the first of two articles of impeachment that passed the House in December, making Trump the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. Trump survived a Senate trial last month. Trump has long floated that the Democratic Party has been trying to steal the nomination from Sanders, who currently leads the delegate count. Biden had been looking like a weak frontrunner for weeks as he came in fourth and then fifth place in Iowa and New Hampshire. Meanwhile Sanders received the most votes in Iowa - though Buttigieg bested him with delegates - and came in first place in New Hampshire, with Buttigieg directly behind him. In Nevada, Sanders proved he could win with Latinos, while Biden did better - coming in a distant second place to the democratic socialist. But in South Carolina things changed, with Biden's deep roots in the African-American community paying off, giving him a huge win over Sanders. Since then, Biden has received a flurry of endorsements from moderate Democrats including former Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former California Sen. Barbara Boxer - and then those coming from Buttigieg and Klobuchar and also Beto O'Rourke, another former 2020 contender. A 73-year-old man is being kept in isolation at the Hospital Clinico in Malaga after suffering pneumonia as a direct result of the coronavirus. He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and initial investigations point towards him having contracted the virus from family members who visited him in Malaga from northern Italy. The man, who is a retired doctor, is the first person to have contracted Covid-19 to be hospitalised in Malaga city. He is, however, the seventh known case in Malaga province after two cases in Fuengirola were confirmed on Saturday, in addition to the three in Marbella and one in Fuengirola confirmed on Friday. The three victims in Fuengirola, two men aged 59 and 62 and a 55-year-old woman, recently travelled to Emilia-Romagna (Italy). After presenting symptoms and testing positive, the patients are being monitored at home. Banking congress This is also the case with the three people who contracted the virus in Marbella. SUR has confirmed that the two men who tested positive, aged 42 and 53 respectively, work in the same banking company as the first confirmed patient in Andalucia - a 62-year-old man who was admitted to the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville last Wednesday. He was discharged on Monday and will continue his recovery at home under surveillance. Investigations carried out by the regional Health ministry have tracked down the moment of contagion to a party following a banking congress at a flamenco 'tablao' in Marbella at the end of January, attended by a couple from Shanghai. The bank, which has a branch in Marbella, has been carrying out tests on its employees but no new cases have been detected as yet. The third case in Marbella is of an 81-year-old woman who is related to one of the two aforementioned men, resident in the town. She, like the two men, is being closely monitored at home despite being advised to remain in hospital. Thirteen cases across Andalucia Elsewhere in Andalucia, in Almeria a 28-year-old man is another confirmed case. A resident of Milan, he went to the Hospital Mediterraneo in the city after reporting a fever. Once there, tests for Covid-19 showed positive and he was admitted. Later on Friday night, another two cases were confirmed: that of a doctor from Seville, 58, who had contact with the first victim; and a 25-year-old nurse from Arjonilla (Jaen) who attended someone with coronavirus in a hospital in Torrejon de Ardoz (Madrid). Two more doctors who attended the patient in Seville, 28 and 36, also contracted Covid-19. Their cases were confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The total number of diagnosed cases in Andalucia currently stands at 13. The Regional Ministry of Health has a page devoted to information about coronavirus [in Spanish]. Likewise, a 24-hour hotline is available to those with any doubts or questions (955 54 50 60). In context: 2020 is set to be a big year for PC hardware and gaming, but unfortunately some of the most exciting events for both of these industries have seen some unavoidable disruptions. Due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, many companies have pulled out of large conferences like the annual Game Developers Conference and PAX East -- the former has been canceled entirely. While Nvidia isn't going as far as outright cancellation, it is adopting an alternative approach for its GPU Technology Conference (GTC) this year. In an announcement published today, Nvidia revealed that GTC 2020 will be an online-only event due to COVID-2019 (coronavirus) concerns. Nvidia is currently in talks with speakers who were originally scheduled to talk at GTC, and the company hopes to have those talks published online in the "weeks ahead." Nvidia CEO and founder Jensen Huang will still be delivering his annual keynote via livestream. For viewers at home (and most of us here at TechSpot), the change won't be too significant. Watching the event online is typically a more efficient and affordable way to get any relevant information. The exact time and other details of the online livestream will be announced by Nvidia soon. So, what should you expect to see during GTC? We hope Nvidia reveals its next-gen Ampere-based consumer GPUs, which could have the RTX 3000-series branding. Recent leaks suggest they'll be quite a bit stronger than current RTX 2000-series cards. We'll update you if Nvidia releases any further details about its online GTC plans. If you purchased a conference pass already, Nvidia says it will contact you about a "full refund." Neil bought a book online, shut his laptop down, and whispered, This is much convenient, else it would have taken a couple of hours all the way visiting the book store and get it. Trisha, Neils wife, who was listening to him, responded- Dont shut the laptop, we have much more to buy, even a life insurance policy. Neil, however, was convinced with the online book purchase, was not sure whether to buy an online term insurance plan or an offline one. Seeing him confused, Trisha understood his dilemma and started convincing him how term plan online is beneficial. Here is how she explained- Comparative Analysis The Internet is a tool that allows you to complete your desired task within minimal time. It has enabled the way of getting information related to the product or service you are looking for at just a single click. Taking advantage of this, you can sit on your chair, roll your mouse pointer over several sites, and compare different insurance products. Today, you can get exact quotes of different term life insurance plans that you have shortlisted, and choose the best suitable one. Furthermore, comparative analysis can also be done based on premiums, the sum assured, tenure, and other benefits. Premium Calculators The term plan online is purchased directly through the website, where there is no insurance executive to explain to you how to calculate the premium in person. This is where term insurance premium calculators come into the picture. You can get different quotes for a specific plan by changing the sum assured and the tenure. The calculator analyses the information you have provided and shows the best suitable quote. Traditionally, the agent may feel heckled up if you come up with N number of queries. Agents bring in the limitation of efforts, timings & combinations. While, in online term insurance, dont feel bored even if you check the premium combinations multiple times a day or 24/7. Fraud of Mis-selling of Product Traditionally, buying any life insurance, even if it is a term plan, needs an agent through whom we can understand the nitty-gritty of the plan. However, there might be a few possibilities of misselling the product by the agent/broker, intentionally or unintentionally.Agents may push particular policiesto fulfill their own interests and later retract from any promises made in the past. While buying a term plan online, there is no agent/broker,and you are the decision-maker by analyzing the facts. In such a case, you can buy the product if and only if you are convinced.The insurer cannot deviate from the product features as they are regulated directly by IRDAI, and displayed on the aggregator/insurers websites. Premiums and Sum Assured Term plans online often come with lesser premiums than offline plans. This is beneficial as you get the same sum assured with a comparatively lower cost. Several costs are associated with offline processing such as document handling, paperwork, brokerage charges, etc. term plan online not only comes with the lower premiums but it is the same tax-saving insurance plan that helps you avail benefits under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act of India, 1961. It is often seen that online term insurance plans are 30-70% less expensive than offline policies. Claim Settlement Ratio The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has made it mandatory for all insurance companies to disclose the claim settlement ratio on their website. IRDA also showcases the same data. By determining the claim settlement ratio for different insurers, you can choose the best suitable one for you. Flexibility Term plans online come with greater flexibility, such as you can pay premiums using your credit/debit card or even using netbanking credentials. Not just purchases, but policy renewals are also done online. Here, you dont need to carry a bunch of cash in your pocket. Furthermore, cash outflows from your account can be deferred along with availing several discounts by using credit cards. Similarly, choosing a suitable rider, choosing the premium payment term, and keeping track of all the transactions becomes easier when compared to offline plans. Not just online plans, but term insurance overall comes with greater flexibility of converting into any other life insurance plan without undergoing any medical test. Well, if this is the case, we must get our term life insurance online! said Neil. Trisha continued the sentence, Of course, because, sabse pehle life insurance, that too online! Books and all can come later. Neil nodded and opened his laptop again. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains the many advantages of bundling car insurance with other policies or applying for multi-car insurance plans. For more info and free quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/why-bundle-car-insurance-plans/ When combining multiple policies, the customer gets a series of advantages. Amongst the most important benefits, we include: A considerably reduced amount of paperwork . When dealing with a single contact, the policyholder will have to pay a single bill. Additionally, he will be represented by a single agent for all covered assets. The client may even have to call just a single phone number that will answer to all his needs. Overall, it is less stressful to work with a single company for everything. . When dealing with a single contact, the policyholder will have to pay a single bill. Additionally, he will be represented by a single agent for all covered assets. The client may even have to call just a single phone number that will answer to all his needs. Overall, it is less stressful to work with a single company for everything. Get access to several discounts . Clients who bring more business to the company are usually rewarded. Online forms mention about saving a certain percentage when adding a new vehicle or bundling auto with home insurance. The value of the discount varies by the insurance company, but it can get as high as 20%. . Clients who bring more business to the company are usually rewarded. Online forms mention about saving a certain percentage when adding a new vehicle or bundling auto with home insurance. The value of the discount varies by the insurance company, but it can get as high as 20%. Clients will be notified about the best deals when renewing coverage . Insurance companies want to keep satisfied clients that have multiple assets covered. They will inform the best prices and offers upon renewal. Those offers may include discounts, special policies for newer cars, loyalty bonuses and so on. It is recommended to compare prices before bundling. Drivers should check if they actually save money by bundling policies. If a company offers great prices for car insurance, it does not mean they offer great prices for home insurance. Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. For more information and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ "Before bundling prices, you should get online quotes and see if you actually save money. In many cases, you can save hundreds of dollars." said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing Company Person for contact: Gurgu C Phone Number: (818) 359-3898 Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz Website: https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578742/Cheap-Car-Insurance-2020-Why-Drivers-Should-Bundle-Insurance-Plans [March 03, 2020] IDnow Publishes Regulatory Handbook for FinTechs The "Handbook FinTech Regulations 2020" helps companies in the entire FinTech ecosystem with regulatory issues. MUNICH, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IDnow has published its first handbook for FinTechs: The "Handbook FinTech Regulations 2020 - How to balance customer experience with increasing AML requirements." As an expert in regulatory matters and a leading supplier of Identity-Verification-as-a-Service solutions, IDnow works for more than 250 customers, including numerous FinTechs such as N26, Solaris Bank, Fidor, Wefox and Bitpanda. The regulatory requirements for FinTechs in the field of KYC (Know Your Customer) differ greatly. In addition to geographic differences, there are also numerous industry-specific idiosyncrasies within legal provisions. To give companies in all subsectors and countries an overview, IDnow has published the "Handbook FinTech Regulations 2020." "FinTechs find themselves in a unique situation in terms of regulations," said Alexis Segovia, Head of FinTech Relations at IDnow. "There are different business models across different sectors, but in most cases the same rules apply as for traditional financial institutions. Dedicated legislation for FinTechs does not yet exist. This sometmes makes it complicated." IDnow works with customers in all areas of the FinTech industry and is familiar with the complexities these companies face: "The handbook aims to give companies from the entire FinTech ecosystem an overview of which regulations apply to them and which possibilities of a digital KYC solution can be used in their home and target markets. We at IDnow want to support these companies with our wealth of experience, because we know how complex regulatory requirements are in this specific market," elaborated Alexis Segovia. Since 2014, IDnow has been operating in the European market and is an expert in KYC solutions. With their Identity-Verification-as-a-Service platform, IDnow offers companies from different industries secure and simple solutions for identity verification. Download "Handbook FinTech Regulations 2020" here: https://www.idnow.io/use-cases/what-regulatory-challenges-the-fintech-industry-has-to-face/ About IDnow With their Identity-Verification-as-a-Service (IVaaS) platform, IDnow is committed to making the networked world a safer place. The forgery-proof identity verification offered by IDnow is used in all industries in which companies process customer interactions online that require a maximum level of security. IDnow technology uses artificial intelligence to ensure that an identification document has all security features in order to reliably detect forged documents. It can potentially verify the identities of more than 7 billion customers from 193 different countries in real-time. IDnow covers a wide range of applications in regulated industries in Europe and for entirely new digital business models around the world as well. Through the platform, the identity flow can be adapted on a case-by-case basis to suit regional, legislative and economic requirements. IDnow is supported by the venture capital investors BayBG, Seventure Partner, G+D Ventures, Corsair Capital and Jet A as well as a consortium of renowned business angels. With more than 250 customers, their clientele includes leading international companies in various industries such as Bank of Scotland, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, eventim, Raisin (Weltsparen), Sixt, solarisBank, Telefonica Deutschland, UBS, Western Union and wirecard in addition to FinTechs such as Fidor, N26, smava and wefox. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882614/IDnow_Logo.jpg Press contact: Christina Schwinning [email protected] +49 89 41324 6054 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 'Known entity' When authorities boarded the Elakha it was the culmination of a lengthy investigation by federal police and international authorities. The AFP-led Operation Armour was launched in August 2014 to investigate a conspiracy between six people to import a commercial amount of cocaine by sea. An 18-week trial in the NSW District Court last year found four men guilty of the conspiracy: Thompson, 66, and three associates, removalist Kevin Michael Geraghty, 66, tiler John Majdalawi, 35, and retired electrician Glen James Willcox, 65. The men were connected through terms of imprisonment served in various NSW prisons between 1999 and 2013. Two others, Valentino Fries and David Wren also faced a trial last year but were found not guilty. Inside the 13.3-metre yacht. Credit:NSW Police A mariner, Thompson wasted little time getting back on the water after serving 13 years for a large maritime cocaine importation in 2000. Unbeknownst to the then 59-year-old, he was considered a known entity by New Zealand Customs following his incarceration, meaning the purchase of the vessel in his name did not go unnoticed. New Zealand authorities were soon aware Thompson was planning a journey in the Pacific Ocean while in contact with Australian associates like Geraghty, also a formerly convicted smuggler with whom he had once shared a cell. These two principals already had a significant history for importing drugs, so NZ Customs made contact and we started sharing intel across the Tasman to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together, said AFP Investigations Commander, Northern Command, Andrew Donoghoe. After intercepting a series of cryptic phone calls between them, the AFP confirmed "something was being planned. Investigators conducted more than two years of surveillance over those linked to the conspiracy, led by Geraghty and Thompson. Telephone intercepts and other covert videos, photos and devices were monitored in real-time, revealing the evolving plan to source, obtain and deliver the cocaine to Australia. The final brief of evidence tendered to the court included 5800 individual files. On Friday the court heard the single conspiracy was made up of three separate attempts between January 2014 and February 2017, two of which failed. The cocaine seized on February 2, 2017. Credit:NSW Police The third attempt, while successful in obtaining the drugs, was frustrated at the final hurdle by the intervention of authorities. During a combined sentencing on Friday the four men sat together in the Downing Centre District Court to learn their fate. With the potential to saturate the Australian community, the quantity of the drug and the threat it posed to the community virtually overwhelmed all other factors, Judge Paul Zahra said upon sentencing Geraghty and Thompson to life, with non-parole periods of 25 and 22 years. Majdalawi was sentenced to 27 years, with a non-parole period of 18 years, while Willcox was sentenced to 24 years, with a non-parole period of 16 years. In the first stage of the conspiracy the drugs were to be sourced from a contact of Majdalawis in Turkey. When that fell through, a second attempt was made to source the drugs from another contact of Majdalawis, colloquially described by the group as his Asian connections. John Majdalawi, right, the only one of the four men on bail, arriving at court on Friday. Credit:Kate Geraghty Again, the plan failed and Geraghty facilitated a new arrangement with a contact he had in the United States. Between the conspirators there was talk of Mexicanos, learning how to sail, and bikie gangs moving four hundred kilos of coke a week. Geraghty, who took on a managerial role, would succeed in lining up a commercial quantity of cocaine on credit, telling the conduit in an intercepted phone call that the market in Australia was "just out of control ... were talking super super money. On the Elakha the group installed satellite communications and used encrypted Blackberries, often struggling to operate the technology. They used coordinates to plot their journey around the world applying code words like FJ1 for Fiji, "SA1" for South America. The people we assign to these investigations have to be really tenacious ... were talking 12 to 18 months before you start to establish a picture of what the criminality is," Commander Donoghoe said. Police believe the Elakha was eventually loaded with the drugs by a "mother ship" that it met in the South Pacific Ocean in January. Had their plan succeeded, Geraghty and Willcox would have used a cruising motorboat from St Georges Basin to meet the Elakha at sea and bring the cocaine back to land. They never gave up On the first attempt in August 2014 Thompson set sail from New Zealand to Tahiti and then Fiji, intending to meet a mother ship. However, an unknown issue meant the intended collection did not occur, police said, and the Elakha was forced to return. Plans were quickly launched for their second attempt. Like the first voyage, it would largely be funded by regular cash and Western Union transfers from Majdalawi. The Elakha, which was laden with 1.4 tonnes of cocaine in 2017. Credit:NSW Police By the time Thompson set off in April 2015, he was headed for a location off the coast of Chile, first travelling through the Solomon Islands, Micronesia and Polynesia. The mission failed. Still, the group never gave up, and in April 2016 Willcox embarked on a trip to Vietnam at the request of Geraghty to secure the location details for the final attempt to obtain the drugs at sea. They were already incredibly invested, Commander Donoghoe said. They had purchased the Elakha, fitted it out, done two voyages so each time they had a setback, they just recommitted. They were never going to stop. On Friday Judge Zahra said, despite defence submissions made last year and through the trial, he had found Geraghty and Thompson operated together "at the top of the hierarchy". He said he did not accept earlier submissions by Geraghtys defence that his contact with the Elkaha and those upon it was in fact "virtually non-existent" towards the end of the conspiracy. During the trial last year crown prosecutor Sean Flood told the court the members of the group were effectively behaving like a transport company, putting themselves out there to be available to transport the drugs using the Elakha. [March 03, 2020] Ravenswood awarded contract to support British training exercises in Kenya FREMONT, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Kingdom Ministry of Defense (MOD) has awarded Ravenswood Solutions a five-year contract to provide the British Army with tactical engagement simulation in Kenya (TESIK). In collaboration with Swiss-based laser engagement systems provider RUAG, global logistics provider Agility, and UK-based engineering and technical services corporation QinetiQ, Ravenswood will provide British troops training in Kenya and other locations with instrumentation, weapon simulators, battlefield effects, and instrumented after-action reviews (I-AARs). RUAG's laser-based, live-simulation system (known as Gladiator) will interface with Ravenswood's instrumentation system (known as the Mobile Ground Truth System) to generate high-fidelity exercise dat, track troops and vehicles over a large, remote training area, and produce I-AARs to improve training. TESIK is Ravenswood's first major contract with the UK MOD for turnkey exercise support and instrumentation services. "Team Ravenswood is thrilled to begin building a strong, trust-based partnership with our new client, the UK Ministry of Defense," said Ravenswood CEO Dan Donoghue. "We tailored our best-in-industry capabilities to meet the British Army's training needs, and we are honored that they have put their trust and confidence in us. We look forward to helping the MOD achieve their desired training outcomes, as well as bridging our current capabilities to their future needs." About Ravenswood Solutions Ravenswood Solutions, a subsidiary of SRI International, provides government agencies and commercial clients with technology and services for combat training, test and evaluation of vehicles and equipment, and policy analysis events. Our field-proven packages include high-fidelity instrumentation, advanced global positioning and mapping, realistic training effects, and turnkey support services that are customized for each client. Ravenswood leverages more than 20 years of experience in technology insertion, training support, and sustainment services. This heritage of world-class technology and dedication to customers has made us the leading provider of mobile instrumented training and performance assessment for military ground troops and other security forces, while opening the door for industries such as civil response, logistics, and behavioral research to explore new applications for the technology. * The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Katie Landry Marketing and Communications 949-306-8292 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ravenswood-awarded-contract-to-support-british-training-exercises-in-kenya-301015773.html SOURCE Ravenswood Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] RTHK: Early virus discussions censored, says Toronto Uni China began censoring online discussions on the new coronavirus weeks before officially acknowledging the scope of the disease, according to a report published on Tuesday. Although Chinese authorities did not publicly acknowledge the severity of the virus until January 20, censorship began as early as December 31, said researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab. Even general terms such as "unknown Wuhan pneumonia" and "Wuhan Health Commission" were deemed taboo in the early weeks of the epidemic, said the report. More than 3,100 people have died and over 90,000 have been infected worldwide by the virus. Citizen Lab said its research showed at least one social media platform in China was blocking some virus content three weeks before the government confirmed it was spreading between people. That "strongly suggests that social media companies came under government pressure to censor information at early stages of the outbreak," the report said. In China, it is common for social media companies to scrub content considered politically sensitive, including protests and government criticism. From the end of December to mid-February, Citizen Lab found more than 500 blocked keywords and phrases on WeChat -- which has over one billion active monthly users -- as well as on live-streaming platform YY. Some censored terms referred to information that was later made official, such as the fact that the virus was contagious. The two apps also censored a broad range of keywords, including factual information. For instance, messages that included the words "pneumonia", "disease control and prevention", "virus", and "medical journal" were censored when Citizen Lab tested WeChat on February 14. "What makes this case unique is the potential public health harm blocking this information may have," said Lotus Ruan, researcher at Citizen Lab, commenting on the broad scope of censorship. Doing so can "limit (the) public's ability to be informed and protect themselves," she told AFP. Though the death of a whistle-blowing doctor prompted rare calls for political reform in February, Beijing has doubled down on censorship. In early February, China's cyberspace authority said it would "supervise" the country's largest social media firms on virus-related content. And President Xi Jinping called for even tighter control over online discussion to ensure "positive energy" and social stability. "So far Beijing seems to draw the wrong conclusion from the crisis, that it needs to repress more, not less," said Lokman Tsui, a communications professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The High Court has approved personal insolvency arrangements allowing musician Frank McNamara and his wife barrister Theresa Lowe write off almost 3m from their debts. In a judgement given last year, Mr Justice Denis McDonald said that he was minded to approving Personal Insolvency Arrangements (PIAs) sought by the couple but wanted certain matters, including discrepancies in documents filed by Mr McNamara concerning his inheritance from his late father's estate, clarified. The matters came before the court on several occasions since last August's decision was handed down. This morning, Mr Justice McDonald said he was approving the PIAs, which were opposed by financial fund Tanager DAC which is owed 2.26m by the couple. The judge said he was "proposing to confirm" the coming into effect of the PIAs in respect of Mr McNamara and Ms Lowe, subject to confirmation that the estate of Mr McNamara's late father "be administered and the assets realised within a relatively short period." In his judgment the judge said that "discrepancies have been appropriately explained." The discrepancies were between the contents of a document called Standard Financial Statement (SFS) completed by Mr McNamara at the request of Tanager in January 2016 and the information provided in his Prescribed Financial Statement (PFS) The PFS was completed in support of his application in October 2016 to be allowed enter the personal insolvency process. The PFS stated that Mr McNamara had a half share in his late parent's house worth 500,000 with his sister, and that he derived a monthly rental income of 800 from the property. The SFS stated that his share in the property was 182,000 and that Mr McNamara had no income from rent. The judge said that the approach taken by Mr McNamara, and "more particularly" his Personal Insolvency Practitioner (PIP), in their sworn statements in advance of the hearing of the applications for approval in May 2019 was "unsatisfactory." However, the judge said this unsatisfactory approach should not result in the dismissal of the application. The judge, who adjourned the matter to March 20 next, said he would postpone making the formal order approving the PIAs until the court is informed when it is expected that the assets of Mr McNamara's late father will be realised. The couple were not in court for this morning's judgement. After entering the personal insolvency process in 2016 the couple, represented in court by Keith Farry Bl, had been seeking approval for PIAs to allow them write off approximately 2.9m of their debts, and allow them keep their family home. That debt had been secured against the couple's family home in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, which is valued at 550,000. In addition to Tanager the couple owed money to parties including Bank of Ireland, Banco de Sabadell SA, and to the Revenue Commissioners. Mr McNamara, aged 59, worked as musical director on the Late Late Show for 20 years while Ms Lowe, aged 56, was a TV presenter before qualifying as a barrister. Under the terms of the PIA arrangement, which will see the couple return to solvency, the couple will continue to make payments on their mortgage to Tanager. The PIA is to be funded by monies Mr McNamara will receive in an inheritance from his late fathers estate and also from the sale of five acres in Co. Meath. The proposed PIA will also be funded by lump-sum payment of 100,000 and from 30,000 from a life insurance policy when it matures in seven years. The court also heard that Mr McNamara has obtained some work doing music at funerals, and some of this additional income will go to the creditors. In his decision last August, Mr Justice McDonald noted that if the couple were to become bankrupt Tanager would realise 22 cents in the euro, whereas under the proposed arrangement it would receive 27 cents in the euro. Unsecured creditors would likely recover 3.3 cents in the euro, while under the proposed arrangement they will recover 5 cents in the euro. Tanager had opposed the PIA on various grounds including that the arrangement would unfairly prejudice its interests, and that the PIAs would not allow it to recover the debts due to it to the extent that the couple's means reasonably permit. It further argued that a debtor's requirements under the 2012 Personal Insolvency Act of making a complete and accurate prescribed financial statement had not been satisfied. In the wake of rising cases of novel coronavirus in National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi government on Tuesday reviewed preventive steps and measures taken for management of COVID-19 cases in New Delhi. The state government is readying isolation wards in 25 hospitals for the treatment the suspected cases of a novel coronavirus if detected in Delhi and other places. After a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain assured that government is taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe and isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals. Jain further said that 3.5 lakh N95 masks have been arranged. We have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients, he added. The novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan in December, has since then spread to various cities around the world. On Monday, two more cases of coronavirus were detected in New Delhi and Telangana, taking the overall count to five in the country. The patients had travelled to Italy and Dubai before they were tested positive. By Tuesday evening, a new case was reported from Jaipur, Rajasthan. The patient, an Italian tourist, was tested positive for novel coranavirus, Union health ministry sources said today. Apart from this, two schools have been closed in Noida over the threat of coronavirus. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged people not to panic owing to new coronavirus cases reported from cities across India. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention." The Union Health Ministry also issued a fresh travel advisroy. The government has decided to cancel all visa/eVisa that had been granted to nationals from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan on or before March 3. The central government held an emergency meeting of the Group of Ministers formed to monitor the coronavirus outbreak on Monday. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said that 5,57,431 passengers had been screened at the airports, and 12,431 at the seaports. Passengers are further monitored under community surveillance through IDSP network on a daily basis. Also, 25,738 passengers are under community surveillance of the IDSP network. 15 labs are functional and 19 more will be made operational soon, he added. By Chitranjan Kumar with PTI inputs Also Read: Coronavirus update: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads Also Read: Coronavirus Live Updates: Italian in Jaipur tests positive, number of cases rises to 6 Also Read: Coronavirus impact: Delhi patient visited family in Agra; 6 members quarantined IPL Governing Council chairman Brajesh Patel on Tuesday ruled out any threat to the upcoming cash-rich T20 league due to the novel coronavirus outbreak as of now but said the authorities are keeping a tab on the situation. The IPL begins with a clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29 while the final will take place on 24 May. Asked whether there is any threat to IPL due to coronavirus, Patel said, "There is no threat as of now and we are keeping a tab (on the situation)." BCCI President Sourav Ganguly too ruled out any threat to the IPL or the South Africa series, beginning with the first ODI on March 12 at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. "Nothing in India. Not even discussed it (Coronovirus)'" said Ganguly. Another senior BCCI official said that the South African team was coming as per the schedule for the three-match ODI series. The deadly disease, which has killed over 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 globally, has wrecked havoc on the international calender of various sporting events across the globe and has even put the upcoming Tokyo Olympics under doubt. A few cases of the virus infection have also been reported in India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Working from home will be mandatory for employees at Twitter's South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan offices "In accordance with the advice of medical experts, and as part of that effort, we have asked our Dublin teams to work from home today, a Google spokesperson said. (Photo | Wikimedia Commons) San Francisco: Twitter staff across the world were asked to work from home starting Monday in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly new coronavirus epidemic. At the same time, thousands of staff at Googles European headquarters in Ireland were told to stay away for the day after one employee reported flu-like symptoms. Twitters decision to ask its staff to avoid the office follows requests by governments in virus hotspots. We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if theyre able, Twitter human resources chief Jennifer Christie said in a Monday blog post. Working from home will be mandatory for employees at the companys South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan offices, Christie said. South Korea has recorded nearly 5,000 confirmed COVID-19 infectionsthe largest number outside mainland Chinaalong with 28 deaths. More than half of the cases have been linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious group often described as a cult. Japans government has urged the closure of schools nationwide and employers to give their staff permission to work remotely. Most civil servants in Hong Kong returned to work on Monday after they were asked to work from home for a month. The financial hub has recorded 100 cases of the infection. Twitter had already announced the suspension of non-critical business travel and events last week. Google employees some 8,000 staff and contractors in the Irish capital. In accordance with the advice of medical experts, and as part of that effort, we have asked our Dublin teams to work from home today, a Google spokesperson said. Ireland has one confirmed case of COVID-19 -- a man who returned from northern Italy. Google staff who have been in contact with their colleague with the flu-like symptoms have been told to monitor their health, while the company is using the situation to help test the companys readiness to deal with any outbreak. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A New Mexico open government group is urging Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to veto a bill updating the states collective bargaining laws, saying a provision in the 35-page bill would allow public employees hire dates, salaries and other information to be kept secret. But both the Governors Office and a labor attorney closely involved in crafting the bill say they dont believe thats the case, describing the provision as limited in scope to information provided by public employers to labor unions. In other words, the fact that the information is included in the confidential disclosure to the union does not categorically exempt that same information from disclosure by other means under (the states open records laws), Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said. However, the Foundation for Open Government maintains that if the bill were to be signed into law as written it could deprive New Mexicans of access to public information about how their tax dollars are being spent. The public has a right to know who is working on their behalf, where the employee is working and their salary, FOGs Executive Director Melanie Majors and President Susan Boe wrote Monday in a letter to the governor. The dispute comes as the Democratic governor is considering whether to sign the bill, which passed both the House and Senate during the final days of this years 30-day legislative session. The legislation, House Bill 364, is aimed at revising New Mexicos 2003 Public Employees Bargaining Act by eliminating some of the states 50 or so local labor boards, among other changes. One of those other changes calls for public employers to provide certain information about their employees to union officials in any work site covered by a collective bargaining agreement. That information includes an employees name, telephone number, address, job title and salary level. The same section of the bill also stipulates that public employers should not disclose the information to a third party, notwithstanding any provision contained in the Inspection of Public Records Act. Shane Youtz, an attorney for the New Mexico Federation of Labor who worked on the bill, said that specific language is not aimed at exempting public workers names and salaries from the open records law. We didnt want to create a new statutory right for third parties to get this information, Youtz told the Journal. We werent trying to sneak anything in, he added. That sentiment was echoed by Rep. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, one of the bills sponsors, who said there was no attempt to hide information from the public. But Kip Purcell, an Albuquerque attorney and member of FOGs legal panel, said the bills language could lead to that happening, even if it was not the bill supporters intent. Im very concerned that what the language intends to do and what it in fact does is the opposite of what the bills backers claim, Purcell said. Under New Mexicos open records law, public employees job titles, hire dates and salaries are all considered to be public records, meaning anyone can have access to the information upon request. Most of that information is also posted on the states Sunshine Portal a state-run online database though the names of rank-and-file employees are not listed, per a 2013 court ruling. Meanwhile, this years bill advanced under the dummy bill process, in which a generic bill is revised and brought forward after the bill filing deadline, and drew criticism from some Republican lawmakers for being fast-tracked without enough time for ample scrutiny. Lujan Grisham has until March 11 to act on the bill, and more than 70 other pieces of legislation approved by lawmakers during this years session. Sandoz, a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, has agreed to pay $195 million to avoid trial on charges it conspired to fix prices of generic drugs, US prosecutors announced Monday. The Justice Department last year accused Sandoz along with 19 other drugmakers of colluding to artificially inflate the price of some 100 treatments, ranging from non-steroidal antidepressants to drugs for a wide range of diseases. The price of the treatments multiplied by as much as 10 times, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Connecticut. "The company agreed to pay a $195 million criminal penalty and admitted that its sales affected by the charged conspiracies exceeded $500 million," the Justice Department said in a statement, adding that the misconduct occurred between 2013 and 2015. "Under the deferred prosecution agreement, Sandoz has agreed to cooperate fully" with the ongoing criminal investigation, it said. The Justice Department said one former Sandoz executive, Hector Armando Kellum, had pleaded guilty to unspecified charges stemming from the investigation. Sandoz had rejected the charges at the time, but on Monday issued a statement admitting "misconduct." "We take seriously our compliance with antitrust laws, and in reaching today's resolution, we are not only resolving historical issues but also underscoring our commitment to continually improving our compliance and training programs and evolving our controls," Sandoz President Carol Lynch said. "We are disappointed that this misconduct occurred in the face of our clear antitrust compliance policies and multiple trainings -- and in full contravention of the company's values," she said, adding that "Individuals implicated in the underlying conduct are no longer employed by the company." Sandoz said it was also negotiating with the Justice Department's civil division to resolve "potential related claims," and had put aside $185 million for that. Other drugmakers accused in the complaint were Israel's Teva and US laboratory Mylan. The Justice Department said two other unnamed companies charged in the investigation had reached agreements with prosecutors similar to that accorded to Sandoz, in which prosecution was suspended in exchange for cooperation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference was designed with todays engineers and developers in mind. Our agenda was specifically created to help this growing community design better, more reliable and secure embedded systems and discover new concepts, techniques and tools. Questexs Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference (ETC) #EmbTech20, the largest embedded and IoT gathering in North America, today unveiled details of the second annual event, to be held June 22- 24 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Co-located with the 35th annual Sensors Expo & Conference, ETC features 30+ sessions across four tracks systems design, hardware, software, and advanced technologies: AI, ML & 5G and includes over 100 hours of essential education and training covering topics including AI, connectivity, machine learning, power management, software development tools and strategies, security, and more. ETC brings support to engineers who develop embedded systems and work with both software and hardware by focusing on the development of embedded systems from designing and coding, to debugging and testing systems. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see over 65 of the industrys leading exhibitors, and network with thousands of industry peers and innovators. Registration is now open and Early Bird Rates apply. To register, please visit: embeddedtechconf.com/register. Check out highlights of the 2019 Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference HERE New for 2020: New Hands-on Workshops: New, exclusive one-day intensive workshops in Machine Learning, RUST programming, and Secure Bootloader Design, will offer embedded developers valuable hands-on experience working with both hardware and software and help them acquire the skills they need to stay ahead of the curve. Expanded Programming: This years agenda helps embedded developers stay on top of the latest and emerging trends including 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and new security threats. By putting these trends into perspective, ETC also provides deep insights into coping with some of the most familiar engineering challenges including managing scant memory resources, power management, and how to choose among multiple options in hardware and operating systems. Extended Peer-to-Peer Learning: ETC features even more speakers including key executives from Blackberry QNX, Google, Microchip Technology Inc., and NXP Semiconductors, among others, who will share first-hand experience working with embedded systems and deliver compelling insights on how to successfully manage trade-offs within systems design. More Fun: From live hacks and talking robots, to interactive demonstrations with special effects, this years program includes countless elements that prove that learning--even about some of the most technical topics in engineering--can be fun! Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference was designed with todays engineers and developers in mind, said Karen Field, Director of Content, Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference. Our agenda was specifically created to help this growing community design better, more reliable and secure embedded systems and discover new concepts, techniques and tools to shave development time and increase product performance. Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference is part of the new Sensors, IoT, and Embedded Week, consisting of four co-located events including the Sensors Expo & Conference, Autonomous Technologies Conference, and the inaugural IoT Implementation Forum. Taking place June 22-24, 2020, participants will have unprecedented access to the technical innovations and experts that are driving future design, implementation and disruption. To register for an All-Access Pass to Sensors, IoT, and Embedded Week during Early Bird Rates, click here. Press registration is also available here. About Sensors, IoT, and Embedded Week Sensors, IoT, and Embedded Week is set to take over Silicon Valley with four co-located events that will take place June 22-24, 2020 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. These events will host the largest gathering of design engineers in North America at the flagship 2020 Sensors Expo & Conference, Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference, Autonomous Technologies Conference, and the inaugural IoT Implementation Forum. Collectively, these events will showcase the design, application, and disruption brought on by these new and emerging technologies. About Questex Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here. The Kenyan government has cautioned its citizens against spreading false news and alerts about coronavirus on social media. In a statement on Monday, government spokesman Cyrus Oguna said the Cybercrime Unit and the DCI are tracking individuals who are sharing fake news. It is criminal to spread such malicious and alarmist statements through social and digital channels, he said. Oguna said perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted, risking Ksh5 million fine or a two-year prison sentence in accordance with the Computer and Cyber Crimes Act. These fake and alarmist rumours have been forwarded to the cybercrime unit and DCI for investigation, arrest and prosecution of the authors and this spreading the same, Oguna stated. He noted that official communication on Covid-19 will come from the Cabinet Secretary for Health or the government spokesman or their appointed persons. Oguna reiterated that there is no reported case of Covid-19 in the country. The govt spokesperson spoke after a four-minute audio clip in which a government official announced a confirmed case at Mbagathi Hospital was leaked online Monday. The Ministry of Health clarified that it was recorded during a simulation exercise by its employees in case of an outbreak. The audio being shared was part of a simulation exercise during the crisis communication training on Covid-19 in Machakos county over the weekend, the Ministry said. [March 03, 2020] Aragen Bioscience, Inc. and University of Technology, Sydney Enter Into MoU to Support and Accelerate Biologics R&D in Australia Aragen Bioscience, Inc, a fully owned subsidiary of GVK BIO and a leading large molecule CRO, and University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the top-ranked young university in Australia, are pleased to announce a collaboration to accelerate biologics R&D in Australia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005013/en/ This partnership between UTS and Aragen unites the capabilities, experience, and expertise of two leading organizations to assist the Australian biopharma and biotech industries advance their ideas into medicines. "Under this collaboration, customers can leverage Aragen's proprietary, cutting edge, royalty-free CHO DG-44 expression system for therapeutic antibody production. Downstream clinical development and manufacturing requirements can be met through UTS's Biologics Innovation Facility (BIF), providing the Australian Biopharmaceutical Industry with a seamless solution from Concept through Clinic," said Dr. Axel Schleyer, CEO, Aragen Bioscience. "We are delighted to partner with one of the top Australian institutions - UTS, which has the infrastructure and knowhow to support large molecule clinical development," said Manni Kantipudi, Chairman, Aragen, & Chief Executive Officer, GVK BIO. "The Aragen team is recognized globally for is antibody research, having discovered three Novel Biological Entities (NBEs) that are now commercial. Through this collaboration with UTS, we expect to support the local industry by bringing together knowhow, experience, and world class infrastructure that marries speed, innovation, and costs." UTS Faculty of Science Business Development Manager, Dr Andrew Groth, said: "UTS welcomes the strategic partnership with Aragen to provide comprehensive but affordable cell line and expression technology solutions to Australian research communities and start-ups, to tackle the critical bottleneck during pre- and early-clinical stages of biologics development." About Aragen Aragen Bioscience, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GVK BIO, is a leading contract research organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Aragen Bioscience offers a diverse set of in vitro and in vivo services for the discovery, production, characterization, activity and efficacy assessment and development of biologic and diagnostic products. www.aragenbio.com About UTS and UTS Biologics Innovation Facility UTS is the top-ranked young university in Australia. With a vision to be a leading public university of technology recognized for their global impact. UTS is committed to practical innovation and research that benefits industry and society. The UTS Biologics Innovation Facility (BIF) is an unmatched Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) training, research and scale-up manufacture bioprocessing facility designed to drive opportunities using state of the art equipment and best practice processing techniques. UTS BIF delivers the world's best practice training in bioprocessing through licensing the curriculum from the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) based in Ireland. UTS BIF collaborates with GE Healthcare Life Sciences in facility design and equipment based on pilot-scale single-use technology. https://www.uts.edu.au/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005013/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] She is known for her love of bikinis. And on Monday, model Sahara Ray posted a very cheeky photo of herself clad in a tiny G-string to Instagram. 'No pants on Mondays please,' she captioned the flirty post. If you've got it, flaunt it! Justin Bieber's 'rumoured fling' Sahara Ray raised eyebrows as she posted a cheeky G-string snap to Instagram on Monday In the snap, Sahara showed off her peachy posterior in a G-string and tight white crop top while perched on a bed with her back the camera. She showed off the minimal outfit in another snap posted to her Instagram story, this time giving a front view of her toned abs. The blonde bombshell is no stranger to racy Instagram posts and previously went topless in a two posts from earlier this year. Different perspective: She showed off the minimal outfit in another snap posted to her Instagram story, this time giving a front view of her toned abs Taking to Instagram, Sahara went sans top as she jiggled her ample chest around in front of the camera in January. In another post from that month, the busty Instagram star gallivanted around topless while on in Hawaii, while using the flirty angel wings Instagram filter. The 26-year-old boasts 1.2million Instagram followers and owns her own swimwear brand Sahara Ray Swim that she promotes to her fans. Entrepreneur: The 26-year-old model boasts 1.2million Instagram followers and owns her own swimwear brand Sahara Ray Swim She often poses in her own brand's swimwear for her many racy uploads that keep fans coming back for more. Sahara was famously caught by the paparazzi enjoying a skinny dipping session with Justin Bieber in August, 2016. But Justin has moved on as he has been married to Hailey Baldwin since 2018. From Digital Spy It doesn't come as a surprise to learn that Dark Waters was made by the same team that brought us Spotlight. Both films tell true stories that were covered up, where the party at fault is too big to fail. In Spotlight, it's the Catholic church. Dark Waters takes aim at DuPont, the American chemical company that is as ubiquitous in the States as apple pie. Their crime? Allegedly polluting the air, water, and land in West Virginia, resulting in the poisoning, and in many cases deaths, of the people living near their Parkersburg plant. Digital Spy sat down with Dark Waters' director Todd Haynes, star Mark Ruffalo, and real-life inspiration lawyer Rob Bilott, and our writer had to admit that she hadn't heard about the scandal (despite being an American herself). It became fairly obvious why the movie needed to be made. Photo credit: Focus Features "This has been going on essentially unnoticed. Most people don't realise that this is happening," Bilott said, not hiding his indignation. "They don't realise the scope of the contamination or the seriousness of it, and why we should be worried about and doing something about it." Sometimes, doing something means making a movie. Billot explained: "I was really hoping to find a way to bring this story out to a wider audience and Mark and the folks at Participant were just incredible and being able to do that in a way that I never could." Bilott sells himself short. He is undeniably a real-life superhero: the lawyer who, as the New York Times Magazine said, 'became DuPont's worst nightmare' is brought to the screen by Mark Ruffalo. It isn't the first time Ruffalo has taken on the role of a real-life crusader he starred in Spotlight too but to play Bilott, with the man in the room, was a different challenge. "I would follow him around without him knowing it," Ruffalo admitted. "That was actually the second time we were meeting. I got there a little bit early and he was waiting for me. It was an atrium and he didn't know I was there yet. So he was walking around and I was following him for 10 minutes." Story continues Sewn into Dark Waters story is the meticulous uncovering of the full extent of DuPont's complicity and active participation in not only the cover-up but in the poising itself. As Bilott learns, we learn. It moves steadily on towards the inevitable epiphany. Photo credit: Focus Features "That really was the dramatic challenge," Haynes said. "How to get this complicated story across to the audience in a way that is digestible, that is engrossing, that has dramatic impact." The decision to make the film meticulous in its pacing was informed by Bilott himself, as Haynes described: "It's definitely who he was. But it's the only way a story like this would have come to light." Haynes goes on to describe a particularly infuriating scene, but one not wholly unfamiliar if you've watched a legal drama. "That's why DuPont dumped hundreds of thousands of documents on this guy. They basically dumped their entire internal history about evidencing this malfeasance that went on for decades, thinking that no human being would literally go through it, right?" "Well, they were wrong," Haynes said emphatically. "They met with the wrong guy. And he went through it and he pieced together the backstory. And that's why we have this information today." Ruffalo described Bilott as "humble" and the process of uncovering the story was, for Ruffalo, similarly painstaking: "[Rob is] very demure and very humble. So he doesn't like to be in the spotlight. And so it took a while to get to all the deeper stuff of the story." The deeper stuff is perhaps clearer to an American watching Dark Waters than it would be to someone else. When Bilott takes on a farmer from Parkersburg as a client, he has to explain to his bosses how he even knows the man after all, he works in high-flying Cincinnati, Ohio miles both geographically and existentially from rural West Virginia. Photo credit: The Washington Post - Getty Images As Bilott stumbles around for the explanation a friend of a friend of his grandmother's his boss says something to the effect of 'it's okay to be from West Virginia.' As an American in the audience, it was a wallop of a message in a very small sentence. Haynes explained: "It's rare, I think, for American films to really look at the nuances and the instabilities of class standing and this film really offered that and I love that about the story. "There's a real sense of a lack of status, a lack of security that Rob occupies within the pedigree of the law firm, a very prestigious law firm that he's in, and he does not have an Ivy League degree. And so he's kind of hiding that," Haynes explained. Photo credit: Focus Features Despite this insecurity, Ruffalo was able to tease plenty out. "[Rob] was very generous with his time with me, and his knowledge and his experience, you know, and that was really an important part of the performance." Embodying the indignant rage of Bilott wasn't hard for Ruffalo, already an avid campaigner for environmental issues. He has a clear goal in mind in the wake of Dark Waters' popularity. Photo credit: Focus Features "It would be great to see this whole class of chemicals... regulated, deemed a hazardous substance and basically taken out unless absolutely necessary taken off the market and out of consumers lives. "And then have the companies who did this knowingly doing it, knowingly poisoning us for all these decades pay their fair share. You know, they made a lot of money off of us. They poisoned us without us having any choice in it whatsoever. "And so they should pay," Ruffalo says. "They should take responsibility." Dark Waters is out in cinemas on Friday, February 28 Digital Spy now has a newsletter sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox. Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter accounts. You Might Also Like Peter Ainsworth is the Managing Director of EM Applications and is the author of Universities challenged: funding higher education through a free-market graduate tax. Clashing with the big stories of Rutnams resignation and Boriss baby, the Department of Educations release on Saturday 29th February of its latest research, got little coverage. This new paper purported to help students make more informed choices about higher education and demonstrate the strength and value of the UKs world-class universities. It should be important information, but in reality, it does neither and its significance is in showing that Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister as of 13 February, needs to find her inner Priti Patel and rein in the DofE blob that is stifling reform of the Higher Education Sector. The problems in the Higher Education sector are well known. The ONS has increased the deficit by 12 billion to take account of the fact that about half of what is paid out in student loans will never be repaid. Nearly two in every five graduates five years post-graduation are not in jobs that make use of their education, up from one in three in 2012. Companies report growing skills shortages and students with their cancel culture and no-platforming appear ever less tolerant of differing views, an essential component of a mind open to learning. But the DofE paper addresses none of these issues. Instead, it tries to prove that going to University is a good financial deal for students with the headline: Graduates enjoy 100,000 earnings bonus over lifetime. Even if that headline were accurate, one would have to wonder why that is such a positive. Given each student spends about 50,000 in tuition fees and maintenance, plus another 50,000 in lost earnings over the three years of study, that is a return of 1 per 1 over a c40 year career adjusted for risk and duration that is a very unattractive rate of return. Given the Governments agenda of levelling-up, one would also be inclined to wonder why so much is spent to achieve such a poor rate of return when graduates are in any case the more privileged element in society. Would it not be fairer to share out the student loan subsidies across all 18-year-olds and let them choose the education that suits them? The 100,000 earnings bonus is in any case misleading. The paper admits that, for 20 per cent of students, attending university is a money-losing proposition, so that 100,000 is not a guarantee. And the calculation relies on some questionable assumptions. For example, a big driver of the gain to higher education arises from the fact that a higher proportion of graduates participate in the workforce. But rather than recognise that some people, mainly women, choose, for cultural or personal reasons, never to work outside the home, the study assumes that that decision is a consequence of the fact that they did not attend university rather than the reason that they did not attend university. A better way to establish whether UK Universities really do exhibit strength and value would be to test if universities actually teach something useful. This would be easy to do as progressive firms such as PWC with its Head Start scheme offer a route into the professions without the need for a degree. A comparison of earnings outcomes versus time and educational cost between an accountant who took a degree and one who did not, would clearly establish whether the former had gained anything from their additional years of study. Further, the report accepts that a large part of the financial return to the average student arises out of the loss the government makes on student loans and it notes that medical students have the highest average returns while teachers and nurses have very reliable returns without considering that all of these are government policy decisions. The Government could raise average returns by making loan repayment terms easier (as Theresa May did) or reduce them by demanding more is repaid. They could raise returns by paying NHS doctors more or reduce returns by paying them less. None of this tells us anything about the value add of university nor about how certain future returns might be. Allowing the blob to design studies to generate attractive headlines and not address the real issues will not end well. In the US, our main competitor in higher education, there is a revolution underway. Senator Marco Rubio and others have put forward a bill that will encourage American universities to share in the risk their students face by accepting payment through income share agreements. By aligning interests this approach encourages improvements in courses, in course delivery, and in career support. Purdue University pioneered this approach and now offers courses in 150 majors proof that any subject can be economic to teach this way. Google-funded Lambda School, paid entirely through income share agreements, has just raised a further $100 million to expand its offerings. You dont need to be a super-forecaster to see where this is going. If Michelle Donelan wants to save our HE sector from being Netflixd she needs to get a grip on her department, stop wasting money on self-justification and instruct her team to focus on risk-sharing to remain competitive. Oil rallied on Tuesday morning, along with equity markets after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced an emergency rate cut of 50 basis points. The news sent major indices rallying, with the S&P500 and Dow briefly jumping, before handing in its gains once again. Gold prices also rose on the news. Oil prices already saw some positive action early on Tuesday after OPEC and its partners, on Monday, hinted at additional production cuts to the tune of 1 million bpd. Some of the cartels most prominent members, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been vocal about the need to support crude markets. Saudi Oil Minister Prince Abdulaziz warned the group not to be complacent about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on oil demand, which will result in lower export volumes from the Kingdom to Asian customers in the month of March. While OPEC seems concerned about the demand side, pundits are debating whether the cartel is doing the right thing by making deeper output cuts. Despite the panic and the decline in refinery run rates, it seems that China has seized the opportunity and filled storage tanks at a sharply reduced price in February. S&P Global Platts quotes Bernstein analyst Neil Beveridge as saying that "While there was [a] pronounced 40% drop in oil imports in mid-February [around 4 million b/d], we have seen oil imports rebound since then. Data over the past few days indicates that oil imports are now back at 10 million b/d or 40% above where they were last year,". Beveridge also said that inventory data showed a 20 million-barrel increase since the start of this year. Related: Russias Oil Production Rises Ahead Of OPEC+ Meeting With crude stocks rising sharply then, the main question is when Chinese refiners ramp up activity to absorb this build in inventories. Given the positive developments in other industries; Starbucks is brewing cups of coffee again at 85% of its Chinese coffeeshops, Toyota has restarted production at its Chinese plants, and refiners are expected to follow suit, and resume operations. In the meantime, the eyes of the world are focused on the further spreading of the coronavirus in Asia and Europe. As crude stockpiles in China continue to build, the question is how fast demand for motor fuels and shipping fuels will recover. A slow recovery could cap oil prices, even if OPEC decides to make additional output cuts, while a quick pickup in demand could lead to a strong rally in oil prices, with Middle East and Russian crude blends such as DME/Oman, ESPO and Sokol set to gain the most. OPEC is set to gather in Vienna on Thursday and Friday, limiting their number of delegates to a bare minimum in order to mitigate public health risks. The group also said that media looking to cover the meeting wouldnt be allowed to enter the secretariats premises, but that it would "keep members of the press fully informed of any decisions taken". By Tom Kool of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: After Pawans curative plea was rejected by the apex court, the sessions court first refused to stay the hanging of the four convicts on Tuesday. New Delhi: The four convicts in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case will not be hanged as scheduled on Tuesday. On Monday, soon after one of the four convicts informed a Delhi court that he has moved a mercy petition before President Ramnath Kovind, additional sessions judge Dharmender Rana deferred the execution of all the convicts till further orders. This is the third time that the hanging of the four convicts has been deferred. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected the curative petition of Pawan Gupta, one of the convicts in the case that had shocked the conscience of the nation in December 2012. The curative petition is the last legal recourse for death row convicts. Once curative petition is rejected, the convicts can file a mercy plea before the President. And if the mercy petition is rejected by the President, the convict can challenge it before the apex court. Except Pawan (25), all other convicts Akshay Thakur (31), Vinay Sharma (26) and Mukesh Singh (32) have already exhausted all their legal options. Their mercy petitions were rejected within 72 hours after they approached the President. Even their curative petitions and appeals challenging the rejection of their mercy pleas by the President were quickly disposed off by the apex court. After Pawans curative plea was rejected by the apex court, the sessions court first refused to stay the hanging of the four convicts on Tuesday. It was only after the sessions judge was informed that Pawan had filed his mercy petition before the President that the hanging of the convicts was deferred till further orders. Sessions Judge Rana said death sentence cannot be executed pending disposal of mercy petition of Pawan. He said: Despite stiff resistance from the victims side, I am of the opinion that any condemned convict must not meet his Creator with a grievance in his bosom that the courts of the country have not acted fairly in granting him an opportunity to exhaust his legal remedies. The sessions judge added, As a cumulative effect of the discussion, I am of the opinion that the death sentence cannot be executed pending the disposal of the mercy petition of the convict. It is hereby directed that the execution of death warrants against all the convicts, scheduled for March 3 at 6 AM, is deferred till further orders. Outside the Patiala House courtroom, Nirbhayas mother Asha Devi said, My daughter was savagely raped and thrown on the streets. Her intestines were ripped out. And all these courts are sitting and watching a tamasha No matter what the convicts do. The whole world is watching how justice is being delayed in India. Asha Devis lawyer Seema Kushwaha said, Cant the court understand the manipulation of law? Our system is completely rotten. It takes years to get justice. We have to fix it together. On December 16, 2012, the medical student, who came to be known as Nirbhaya (Fearless), was on her way back from a movie with a friend when she was lured into a bus. She was assaulted, raped and tortured so brutally that she died days later, triggering an unprecedented outpouring of public anger over. Last month, the Central government approached the Supreme Court for a change in laws that it said were skewed in favour of criminals. As the convicts filed petition after petition, timing them carefully to buy some reprieve, Pawan apparently waited till the end to make his move. The hanging of the four convicts has been deferred twice before, on January 22 and February 1. On February 5, the Delhi high court ordered that all four would have a week to exhaust all their legal remedies, including mercy petitions to the President, and said they cannot be hanged separately. On Monday, Judge Rana, while reserving judgment on Pawans fresh plea to stay the execution of death warrant for Tuesday, rapped the convicts lawyer for acting so late in filing the curative and mercy pleas. In the post-lunch hearing, the court pulled up the defence lawyer saying, You are playing with fire, you should be cautious, and added, One wrong move by anybody, and you know the consequences. Delhis Tihar jail authorities, during the hearing, said the ball is in the governments court after filing of the mercy petition, and the judge has no role for now. They said the President will seek a status report from the jail on Pawans mercy plea and, when that happens, it will suo motu stay the execution. Taken together, it is now obvious that a strong opponent to Mr. Sanders has emerged, and it is much harder to see Mr. Sanders claiming an insurmountable delegate lead on Super Tuesday. If so, the big question of one week ago has been answered: The suspense will go on after Super Tuesday. Of course, broader uncertainty about the state of the race remains. The new question is: Just how far can Mr. Biden surge? The fragmentary and not always high-quality post-South Carolina polling data certainly shows Mr. Biden making big gains, whether nationwide or in Virginia. But it remains to be seen whether those gains will be enough for him to pull off a symbolically important win outside the several Southern states where hes favored most likely in Texas, but perhaps in Maine or, less likely, Minnesota or Massachusetts. To accomplish this, Mr. Biden would probably have to pry away support from Mr. Bloomberg, the one other moderate who remains in the race. Super Tuesday is the first test of Mr. Bloombergs support. State polls suggested he was positioned to reach 15 percent in many Southern contests heading into South Carolina. This would cost Mr. Sanders delegates, and therefore keep him farther from the majority of delegates necessary to win without a contested convention. Yet at the same time, if Mr. Bloombergs strength is confined to the South, where Mr. Biden is now poised to do well, Mr. Bloomberg could cost Mr. Biden more delegates than he costs Mr. Sanders. Recent polls of likely Democratic voters in Super Tuesday states give reason to think Mr. Bloombergs voters could break for Mr. Biden. Some of those polls, taken by the survey research company Dynata in collaboration with The Times, and matched to voter file data from L2, suggest that Mr. Bloomberg held nearly three times as much support among voters over age 65, a group skeptical of Mr. Sanders, as he did among voters under 34. In the open primaries across the South, Mr. Bloomberg had 29 percent support among voters who last participated in a Republican primary, suggesting he was positioned to fare well among the sort of college-educated, affluent voters who flipped from Mitt Romney in 2012 to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and powered the Democratic surge across the Sun Belt. The few post-South Carolina polls do not necessarily show a collapse in Mr. Bloombergs support. If it falters, Mr. Biden could be favored to win in Texas. The extent of advanced voting elsewhere makes it harder to imagine a big Biden upset, but Maine, with one of the oldest Democratic electorates in the country, could surprise. Another question concerns Ms. Warren, who could easily breach 15 percent of the vote in many Northern states, especially with the help of a few former supporters of Mr. Buttigieg or Ms. Klobuchar. She could also win her home state, Massachusetts. It is hard to see where she could take her campaign from there, but if she could pull off 15 percent in California, it would probably be just enough to block Mr. Sanders from claiming a majority of delegates on Super Tuesday. Samsung is believed to have great advantages over its rivals as its production base is in Vietnam, not in China, where the Covid-2019 has forced a series of factories to close down. Reports show the sharp decline in phone exports in the last two consecutive years. The General Statistics Office (GSO) reported that $2.6 billion worth of phones and phone accessories were exported in January, down by 22.4 percent compared with the same period last year. The export turnover of phones and phone accessories in 2015-2019 The General Department of Customs (GDC) reported the sharper decrease, 36.5 percent in December 2019 compared with November. The export turnover of $2.86 billion in December means a slight decrease compared with the same period of 2018, The export growth of the products which made the greatest contributions to GDP (25 percent) has been slowing down. According to GDC, in 2019, the export turnover of phones and phone accessories hit $51.38 billion. This was the first time the export turnover of the products exceeded the $50 billion threshold. The products made up 19.45 percent of total export turnover of Vietnam in 2019. According to GDC, in 2019, the export turnover of phones and phone accessories hit $51.38 billion. This was the first time the export turnover of the products exceeded the $50 billion threshold. The products made up 19.45 percent of total export turnover of Vietnam in 2019. However, compared with 2018, the export turnover in 2019 increased by 4.4 percent only, or $2.16 billion. Meanwhile, Vietnams total export turnover in 2019 increased more sharply, by 8.4 percent, or $20.49 billion. 2019 was the second consecutive year that saw the export turnover of phones and phone accessories growing more slowly than other key export products. In 2017, phones and accessories led in terms of growth rate ($45.27 billion, up by 31.9 percent over the year before, or $10.95 billion). In 2018, the export value of the products was $49.08 billion up by 8.4 percent, or $3.81 billion, over 2017. The growth rate was lower than that of textiles and garments ($30.49 billion, up by 16.7 percent, or $4.37 billion). And in 2019, phones and phone accessories fell to the third position in terms of growth rate. Computer, electronics and electronic component exports increased by $6.36 billion, or 21.5 percent, while textile and garment exports increased by 7.8 percent, or $2.37 billion. Phones and phone accessories have amounted to over 20 percent of Vietnams total export turnover in the last few years. Samsung remains the biggest exporter. The worlds largest smartphone manufacturer chose Vietnam to set up its production base with two complexes in the north, which provide 50 percent of the manufacturers total products sold in the world. A representative of Samsung Vietnam told the local press that the manufacturer uses electronic components from many countries, including China, but most components are from Vietnam and South Korea. Samsung halts phone factory due to coronavirus infection A Samsung mobile factory in South Korea has halted operations due to a coronavirus infection, while its Vietnamese facility is said to work at full capacity. Samsung has confirmed one case of coronavirus infection at its mobile device factory in the southeastern city of Gumi, South Korea on February 22. The entire facility has been shut down, colleagues placed in self-quarantine, and the workers floor shut down until Tuesday. "The company has placed colleagues who came in contact with the infected employee in self-quarantine and taken steps to have them tested for possible infection," Samsung said in a news release. Samsung's factory in Gumi accounts for a small portion of its total smartphone production. The facility makes high-end phones, mostly for the domestic market, while the brunt of Samsung's smartphone production takes place in Vietnam and India. Meanwhile, at the launching ceremony of its latest smartphone (Galaxy S20) in Ho Chi Minh City last week, Samsung said that its Galaxy factories in Vietnam were operating at full capacity. The new devices are assembled at factories located in Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh, both near Hanoi, that together ship half of all Galaxy phones worldwide. "Samsung Vietnam's operations are in perfect condition," Nguyen Tri Thong, corporate marketing director at local smartphone unit Samsung Vina Electronics, told Nikkei Asian Review on the sidelines of the event. "We are now running at full capacity. While Samsung said its operations in Vietnam have returned to normal, there are concerns over logistics at the Chinese border as the Korean company's factories source some parts from China. Earlier this month, hundreds of containers of imported products, including parts and materials for electronics, were held up at Huu Nghi in Lang Son province, one of the three busiest checkpoints on the border. VIR Kim Chi FIEs still dominate Vietnams exports Vietnams import and export value has exceeded $400 billion and is moving towards the $500 billion threshold. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 02:22:51|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Britain's Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove arrives at 10 Downing Street to attend an emergency meeting in London, Britain, on March 2, 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee amid rising threat of the novel coronavirus as Britain confirmed four new COVID-19 cases on the same day, bringing its total number of infections to 40. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua) LONDON, March 2 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee amid rising threat of the novel coronavirus as Britain confirmed four new COVID-19 cases on the same day, bringing its total number of infections to 40. During the meeting, a four-stage "battle plan" was agreed by ministers, which lays out in detail the measures that could be used if and when they are needed. At the moment the situation is at the "containment" stage, but this may change depending on scientific advice, said Johnson, noting that the coronavirus outbreak is likely to become more significant in the coming days or weeks. "We have also agreed a plan so that if and when it starts to spread, as I'm afraid it looks likely it will, we are in a position to take the steps necessary to contain the spread of the disease as far as we can, and to protect the most vulnerable," he said. "There now seems little doubt that coronavirus will present a significant challenge for our country. But we are well prepared, and the government and the NHS (National Health Service) will stop at nothing to fight this virus," said Johnson. He emphasised the need for the public to help by hand-washing and cover mouth and nose with a tissue when cough or sneeze. Johnson's government and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will launch a major public information campaign Tuesday, giving details of the four stages of the battle plan. Downing Street also set up a "war room" in the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, which will bring together communications experts from across the government and top experts from the NHS to roll out a public information campaign and respond quickly to cross-cutting issues. Asked about moving up to the next level, Johnson did not go into detail about what measures may be introduced, noting that the most important thing for people to understand is that measures will be guided by scientific advice. "Our job is to protect the public and we have a very good plan to take the steps necessary to stop the spread. We will be guided by scientific advice," said Johnson. Local media reported that if the situation worsens, the government may recall retired doctors and nurses to help treat and nurse COVID-19 patients, cancel large scale events, curb public transport networks, close schools and in a worst case scenario, close major cities. COBRA, or COBR, meetings are named after Britain's Cabinet Office Briefing Room A on Whitehall, gathering ministers, civil servants, the police, intelligence officers and others appropriate to whatever they are looking into in an emergency response. Super Tuesday: 4 things to know about the Democratic Presidential Primaries Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment On Tuesday, several states and one United States territory will be going to the polls to determine the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Known as Super Tuesday, the day is seen as an important test to determine which candidate has enough support to effectively challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November. The once crowded Democratic field has withered down to a few candidates, with three notable figures ending their campaigns over the past week. Here are four important things to know about Super Tuesday 2020. They include which states are voting, the current delegate count, and a possible contested convention. 1 2 3 4 5 Next By Azernews By Ofeliya Afandiyeva Azerbaijan and Georgia have discussed joint projects in the Black Sea, to increase the competitiveness of the common corridor, Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava told local media. We invest heavily in infrastructure of Georgia, including in port and railway infrastructure. Obviously, if the region as a whole uses this corridor, it will cause even greater pressure and development. First of all, it depends on our relations and cooperation with Azerbaijan, the press service of the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development quoted Turnava as saying following the meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of economy Mikayil Jabbarov. At the same time, Turnava noted that very close business ties and friendly relations were established between the two countries, the ministries of economy, which can contribute to the development of joint terminal projects and accelerate completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and others. We are also talking about completely new, stimulating projects related to the Black Sea. It is possible to include relevant private and public structures of Azerbaijan in these projects, which will increase the overall competitiveness of our common corridor, the Georgian minister emphasized. According to the minister, she presented to her Azerbaijani counterpart a new initiative - the project of laying a high-voltage transmission line along the bottom of the Black Sea, which will connect Georgia with the EU energy market. This project, of course, will be of greater importance and commercial attractiveness if it is attended by a region, including Azerbaijan, which today is our reliable partner, supplying electricity in those periods when there is a shortage of electricity in the Georgian market, Turnova underlined. Note that the head of the Georgian Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia during her visit to Azerbaijan attended in the 6th meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor. The Southern Gas Corridor provides for the creation of a pipeline infrastructure for the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe through Georgia and Turkey as part of the Stage 2 development of the Shah Deniz field. Note that Azerbaijan is Georgia`s fourth largest foreign trade partner, with the bilateral trade between the two countries totaling $932.7 million in January-November of 2019, according to the Georgia`s National Statistics Service. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 02, 2020 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 02, 2020 | 04:45 PM | PADUCAH A Paducah man wanted on outstanding warrants was arrested Sunday afternoon after a short foot pursuit. Paducah Police say they went to a hotel on Hinkleville Road Sunday afternoon to arrest 37-year-old Jeffrey C. Crass on three outstanding bench warrants. An officer saw Crass walking outside the hotel and called to him. Crass fled from the officer, running around the hotel and into a fenced-off construction area, where he was caught. According to police, Crass had a syringe in his possession filled with a liquid that he said was methamphetamine. A search of his hotel room lead to the discovery of two more syringes containing a small amount of liquid. Crass was arrested on the three bench warrants and on charges of second-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, and third-degree criminal trespass. He was booked into the McCracken County Jail. Thomas Andrews in custody (Sunnyvale Police Department) A UPS employee was arrested after he sent threatening texts to his employer indicating he was planning a mass shooting at their Silicon Valley workplace. Thomas Andrews, 32, led the local authorities on a pursuit after refusing to pull over, eventually stopping in San Jose after The California Highway Patrol joined the Sunnyvale team. He was booked for multiple offences, including driving under the influence, evading police and various counts of weapons violations according to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. The police then found more than 20,000 rounds of handgun and rifle ammunition, five tactical-style rifles and a shotgun when they searched Mr Andrews' residence. Sunnyvale police Captain Dan Pistor told the Associated Press that his team's swift work helped minimise a situation that could have been very serious. "Initially he indicated he wanted to fight with the officers, but then he surrendered without injury," Mr Pistor said. "I definitely think we avoided a tragedy." Investigators are attempting to found out how Mr Andrews' obtained the firearms at his residence. Mr Pistor told the Associated press that Mr Andrews was upset with his employer but admitted the police were currently unsure as to why. UPS told CNN that they are working with the authorities to help conduct their investigation. Additional reporting by the AP Read more Parkland survivors open up on their struggle in fight for gun control A team of researchers led by the Biology Department at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo has its new study on animal biodiversity patterns on the planet featured in the February 28, 2020 issue of the journal Science. Dr. Matthew Knope, assistant professor of biology, is lead author of "Ecologically diverse clades dominate the oceans via extinction resistance," which demonstrates that animal biodiversity in the modern oceans is best explained by lower extinction rates in animal groups that are ecologically diverse, rather than by higher origination rates, as previously predicted. Co-authors include Andrew M. Bush, University of Connecticut, Luke O. Frishkoff, University of Texas at Arlington, Noel A. Heim, Tufts University, and Jonathan L. Payne, Stanford University. "Animals in the oceans today are more diverse than they have ever been in the history of life on Earth and scientists have long worked to describe how they have come to be that way," Knope said. The study examined approximately 20,000 genera of fossil marine animals across the past 500 million years, and approximately 30,000 genera of living marine animals. "Our findings clearly show that the most ecologically diverse animal groups are also the most dominate animals in terms of numbers of genera in the modern oceans," Knope noted. "Being a member of an ecologically flexible group makes you resistant to extinction, particular during mass extinctions, that primarly impacted ecologically homogenous groups. The oceans we see today are filled with a dizzying array of species in groups like fishes, arthropods, and mollusks, not because they had higher origination rates than groups that are less common, but because they had lower extintion rates over very long intervals of time." Rosemary Gillespie, professor of evolutionary biology at the University of California, Berkeley, who was not involved in the study, explained, "Understanding how biodiversity is structured, both in space and time, has always been a major focus in biology. A significant difficulty in doing so is that current patterns of biodiversity are dictated both by origination and extinction, and while we can infer origination rates through examination of extant biodiversity, elucidating the role of extinction is notoriously difficult. This study represents some of the most detailed and careful analyses of the fossil record to date, showing very clearly the importance of the 'slow and steady' development of lineages through time has been a key factor in dictating which lineages have achieved the highest diversity." Further, Michal Kowalewski, professor of invertebrate paleontology at the University of Florida, who was also not involved with the study, said, "In a clever analysis of massive data derived from the fossil record, Knope and colleagues directly address one of the critical questions of biology, as to why do certain types of animals occupy exceptionally broad spectra of ecological niches. As importantly, the study highlights the truly unique value of paleontological data for assessing core questions of biology and exploring historical roots of the modern biosphere." Knope further explained, "Perhaps the fable of the tortoise and the hare is apt in explaining marine animal diversification: some groups jumped out to an early diversity lead only to be surpassed by other groups that were more ecologically diverse and less evolutionarily volatile, with steady diversification rates and strong resistance to mass extinctions." The entire study is available at: https://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aax6398. ### Princeton Mortgage Our mission is to become one of largest lenders in the country, and working with top loan originators plus opening up branches in popular, steadily growing cities is one way we envision doing so. Princeton Mortgage, a 36-year-old mortgage banker, announced last month the opening of its newest branch servicing the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The office will be managed by John W. Smith and Eric Ringer, who have a combined 34 years of experience in the mortgage industry. This news comes in alignment with Princeton Mortgage achieving recognizable growth in recent months, including record originations and funding in both their Retail and Wholesale channels, along with being acknowledged as one of GrowJo's Fastest Growing Companies in Finance in 2019. In addition, the company is also known for being in the Top 1% in customer satisfaction for mortgage lenders. Their chief goal is to close 50,000 loans every year by 2028. Charlotte is a city is on the rise, being recently listed as the Forbes number 7 best places for business and careers. In addition, financial services is one of the top 5 industries in North Carolina, and in Charlotte as well, making this Southern city a great place for Princeton to grow. Were passionately expanding here at Princeton Mortgage, and this recent branch opening is no different. Bringing on seasoned vets in the industry, like John Smith and Eric Ringer, was the perfect opportunity to delve into the community of Charlotte and show this city what Princeton Mortgage is about. commented Mark Gordon, National Sales Director of Princeton Mortgage. Our mission is to become one of largest lenders in the country, and working with top loan originators plus opening up branches in popular, steadily growing cities is one way we envision doing so. "I'm very excited to join the team at Princeton and see what rockstar moves we can make together" stated John W. Smith, Mortgage Loan Originator of Princeton Mortgage. "I believe Princeton is making all the right moves in a positive, expansive direction, as well as offering amazing customer satisfaction through implementing The Effortless Mortgage. I can't wait to see what's in store for us." The company looks forward to adding many more Loan Originators to the Charlotte office in the months to come. ### Princeton Mortgage Founded in 1983, Princeton Mortgage is a licensed mortgage banker and is backed by a 100+ year old multi-faceted real estate brokerage, investment and insurance company. We are positioned as a well-capitalized banker, ranked in the top 1% for customer satisfaction in the nation, debt free and creating dynamic new opportunities within our industry. Our mission is to help people thrive, and we do that by delivering The Effortless Mortgage. We do what we say were going to do and back it up with The Princeton Promise: if you are unhappy with your experience for any reason, get $1,000 back. No strings attached. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. On March 4, in accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, the OSCE Mission will conduct a planned monitoring of the ceasefire regime on the border of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, in the north-east direction of the Hadrut region, the Artsakh foreign ministry told Armenpress. From the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, the monitoring will be conducted by Field Assistant to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) Mihail Olaru (Moldova) and staff member of the Office of the CiO Personal Representative Martin Schuster (Germany). The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have expressed their readiness to assist in conducting the monitoring and to ensure the security of the OSCE Mission members. The Bihar government will give Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia to next of kin of those dying from snake bite if a claim is made as per the rules, Deputy Chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi informed the state Assembly. Replying to a short notice query by BJP member Sanjay Saravgi during question hour, Modi said there is a provision for giving Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia in the event of death caused by any "wild life animal" and snake comes under the list notified by the Union government. "So any death caused by snake bite will make the deceased's family eligible for getting Rs 5 lakh as ex- gratia", he said. Modi, who also holds Environment, Forest and Climate Change department, said the amount would be made if an application is made in a prescribed format along with the post-mortem report and the FIR. He said that Disaster Management Department makes payment of Rs 5 lakh in the event of death due to snake bite during floods. The minister informed the House that no application claiming the ex-gratia on this count has been made to the regional forest office in the past five years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tornadoes that hit the southern US city of Nashville and surrounding areas have left at least 25 dead and many more missing or homeless, Tennessees governor said on Tuesday. At least 17 of those who died were from Cookeville, which is about 80 miles (129km) east of Nashville, Tennessee. The death toll included children, officials said. The tornadoes hit overnight, levelling streets, smashing glass, ripping off roofs, destroying homes, downing power lines and leaving debris in its wake, prompting Governor Bill Lee to declare a state of emergency. In a news conference earlier on Tuesday, Nashville Mayor John Cooper opened by saying that last night is a reminder of how fragile life is. Across social media, those who witnessed the tornado and its destruction posted videos and photos, relaying harrowing scenes and stories. Schools, courts, roads and the state legislature closed today, and some voters in the area participating in Super Tuesdays primary were redirected to other polling stations after their original locations were damaged. Many voters said they were undeterred. East Nashville isnt letting a tornado stop us from participating in our democracy. Whats your excuse? #nashvillestrong pic.twitter.com/JlcFyLGu01 Lisaynne Will Vote (@Lisaynne) March 3, 2020 Blakeley Galbraith was in her fourth-floor apartment when meteorologists began reporting that tornadoes had touched down elsewhere. We knew severe weather was coming, we just didnt know the extent of it, Galbraith told Al Jazeera by phone. And then, it just hit and got loud and felt like a train hit our building. And thats when we just grabbed all our stuff and got into a closet. Here are more images from our apartment, Vista Germantown, that my friend Annie Pfeifer took. #nashvilletornado pic.twitter.com/QYV1RuvGLi Blakeley (@BlakeleyGal) March 3, 2020 She said the impact did not last long maybe 10 to 15 seconds and then it got really quiet. Galbraith went to the window to survey the damage. Thats when I saw cars just flipped over in our parking lot, she said. When Galbraith stepped out of her apartment into the hallway, water was flooding in. Other people in the building told her it was because the roof had been ripped off. In the end, Galbraith and the other buildings residents were evacuated due to concerns over the gas leaks and infrastructure and walked for a while, keeping their distance from other buildings. They have been told it is not yet safe to return. Im not sure where well live. Im just happy that were OK, she said. #NashvilleStrong Nationally, there has been an outpouring of support and prayers. President Donald Trump addressed those affected over both Twitter and during a speech before the National Association of Counties earlier this morning. He is expected to visit Tennessee later this week. Along with politicians, many celebrities have also come out to show their love for Nashville, the nations epicentre for country music and one of the larger cities in the US. Grammy-award winner Kacey Musgraves tweeted: Me and my fam are safe but many friends arent so lucky Nashville is so tight knit. Im gonna help in any way I can. Me and my fam are safe but many friends arent so lucky. We did live right in one of the worst hit spots a matter of months ago. Its so crazy. Im so nervous to find out who the fatalities are. Nashville is so tight knit. Im gonna help in any way I can. https://t.co/kfzGmtbixI K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) March 3, 2020 East Nashville resident Tara Tenorio referenced the 2010 flood that affected much more territory and killed more than 30 people. It is heartbreaking to see some of the same neighbourhoods now going through this once more, Tenorio told Al Jazeera. Tenorio, who is the chief operations officer of Hands On Nashville, has been glad to see how other Tennesseans have shown up to help their neighbours. Damage is seen in an aerial picture after a tornado touched down in eastern Nashville, Tennessee [Drone Base/Reuters] It really shows that Nashville is as special of a place as we all feel it is on a day-to-day basis, Tenorio said of the hundreds of people who stepped up almost immediately to donate goods and services. It is really only the people of Nashville that are bringing sunshine into this day. It is a very localised disaster, but it is not a small disaster. It is also not the first time the state and surrounding region have been affected by tornadoes on Super Tuesday. In 2008, more than 55 people were killed when tornadoes ripped through Tennessee and surrounding states. A number of polling stations were forced to close early as the severe weather approached the area. DETROIT - An international custody dispute between an Ann Arbor-area mother and a British father is entering a quieter, more private chapter. Christopher Worcester, who sued Andrea Grieb on Dec. 30, 2019 for international child abduction of their 15-month-old son, had his attorney Jennifer Paine pursue an agreement to drop the case Monday, March 2 in Detroit federal court, citing a change of heart. Grieb and her lawyers Russell Brown and Jeanne Hannah agreed, so the former couple will enter private mediation after lawyers deliberated off the record for more than an hour. Mother hires attorney in time to fight to keep son in Washtenaw County Grieb, born a U.S. citizen, lived in London from 2012 to 2018, including a brief time with Worcester when he fathered the child, according to court records. The two broke off their relationship, leading to Grieb relocating and establishing habitual residence" in Michigan. Paine originally petitioned for the childs return to Worcester under Article I of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects International Child Abduction. The article mandates the secure, prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that agreed to abide by the convention, which includes the United States. The two entered a 60-day custody mediation under the terms that Worcester cannot file another Hague lawsuit and cannot interfere with immigration proceedings for Grieb and the child. They also agreed that Grieb will retain custody of the child during mediation and that the custody case will go to Washtenaw County court should mediation fail. The case was delayed last month due to Grieb not receiving notice of the lawsuit until three days before a Feb. 3 federal hearing, where U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland could have ruled in Worcesters favor. She said she first heard of the lawsuit from a reporter. Days from custody hearing, Michigan mother discovers British father seeks return of son Worcester appealed to U.S. federal court after Judge Philip Moor of the Royal Courts of Justice Family Division in London ruled in August 2019 that while Grieb used subterfuge to bring the child to Washtenaw County, his court does not have jurisdiction to return the child to the United Kingdom. Brown and Paine requested the case be sealed, but Cleland instead agreed to have personal identifying information redacted from further court filings. Read more from The Ann Arbor News: Police unions question Ann Arbor chiefs integrity after investigation More than 100 complaints now logged against former University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson Ann Arbor council members welcome police chiefs return, interim administrator Authorities discovered an arsenal of weapons, body armor and more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition Monday inside the Sunnyvale home of a United Parcel Service worker who was arrested after he allegedly threatened to commit a mass shooting, police said. Thomas Andrews, 32, was taken into custody Sunday night by Sunnyvale police and the California Highway Patrol who confronted him about the threats, prompting a car chase that ended with Andrews challenging an officer to a fight. The suspect was sending out group text messaging that he wanted to be a shooter, said Capt. Dan Pistor, of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. It caused his fellow employees to be concerned that he was planning a mass shooting at UPS. The ordeal began at 8 p.m. Sunday when an employee at UPS called the department and told officers that Andrews was sending threatening text messages to his employer. The texts indicated to police that he was planning a mass shooting at the UPS facility in Sunnyvale. Officers were particularly concerned when a records check found that Andrews is the registered owner of four handguns and a rifle. A patrol officer spotted Andrews in his car at 11:15 p.m. near the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Maude Avenue, but he refused to stop. The CHP joined the pursuit when he drove onto southbound Highway 101, eventually stopping near near Bailey Avenue in South San Jose. It wasnt a high speed dangerous pursuit. He was just not stopping. He then gets out of the car and challenged a CHP officer to a fist fight, said Pistor, noting that Andrews was unarmed and the arrest was eventually made without a physical confrontation. Early Monday, public safety officers executed a search warrant on Andrews apartment on the 100 block of Elm Court, in Sunnyvale, where they found five tactical style rifles, a shotgun, three handguns, body armor, more than 20,000 rounds of handgun and rifle ammunition and numerous high capacity magazines. Pistor said several tactical backpacks containing ammunition were staged at the front door of the apartment. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. We are sleeping better now that Mr. Andrews is in custody, especially with all those weapons at his house, Pistor said. It was definitely a scary case. Andrews was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of making criminal threats, evading police, driving under the influence and several weapons violations. The investigation is ongoing, said Pistor, who requested anyone with information about case to call Detective Barron Renzi at (408) 730-7712 or email brenzi@sunnyvale.ca.gov. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @pfimrite LAS VEGAS, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Prime Trust is excited to announce its rebranding campaign as a leading open banking platform that reinforces the company's commitment to leading the market for API-driven solutions. Prime Trust's rebrand fully embraces "open banking" technology-accessible financial infrastructure. Prime Trust accomplishes this by providing robust application programming interfaces (APIs) that enable direct, on-demand, 24/7 access to mission-critical financial services. Prime Trust's solutions are built for fintech innovators building disruptive financial applications and services. It serves as the financial foundation for any type of company including mobile banking apps, exchanges, OTC desks, broker-dealers, real estate syndicators, crowdfunding portals, issuance platforms and others. Prime Trust's infrastructure sits behind the scenes as the financial foundation enabling fintech businesses to create compliant and scalable applications. "Open banking is transforming financial infrastructure before our very eyes," said Scott Purcell, CEO and Chief Trust Officer of Prime Trust. "Fintech companies need a technology-driven financial institution that provides a wide range of open banking capabilities so they can build their businesses with confidence. That's where we come in. Our foundational infrastructure features API-accessible services including payment processing, compliance, account management, escrow, tax reporting, asset custody, and more. We've planned for the open banking revolution for years by offering forward-thinking services and will continue to lead the market." As a member of the American Bankers Association, Prime Trust is a leading financial services provider operating in real estate, fintech, cryptocurrency and many more industries. Most recently, BlockQuake launched their live beta testing using Prime Trust for its regulatory-driven digital asset exchange. Prime Trust also partnered with Signature Bank to give customers access to the commercial bank's Signet platform to fund and settle their accounts in real-time. For more information, visit www.primetrust.com. About Prime Trust Prime Trust is an industry-leading open banking solutions firm that provides financial infrastructure solutions for the digital economy. It powers mobile banking apps, exchanges, OTC desks, portals, platforms, brokers, investment advisors, exchanges, real-estate syndicators, and others with smart API solutions to create world-class financial services at scale. The open-banking solutions provided by Prime Trust include institutional and retail account types including custodial, IRA, trust, and escrow, along with payment processing, AML and KYC compliance, asset custody, transaction technology and tax reporting. For more information, visit www.primetrust.com. Media Contact Tyler Lyon IDPR for Prime Trust (949) 777-2424 [email protected] SOURCE Prime Trust Related Links http://www.primetrust.com Frustrated over Ontarios blue licence plate controversy, Premier Doug Ford is lashing out at the media in their little downtown Toronto bubble. In his first news conference since Jan. 24, Ford exploded Monday when pressed by reporters about the Progressive Conservatives new double-blue plates, which cannot be read in certain light. Youve got to be kidding me, said the premier, who wanted to talk about a deal reached with the Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations toward building a road to the Ring of Fire chromite deposits in the north. Im shocked youre even asking me that ... I know the media wants to pound on little things. Were looking at the big vision, he said at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada trade show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. You guys, the media, want to stick in this little downtown Toronto bubble and start worrying about little things and disrespecting, in my opinion, the First Nations right today when were supposed to be talking about a historic announcement, said Ford. There is more to the world than downtown Toronto. He then told the gathered dignitaries, including Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum and Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse, that people cant believe what I deal with this media here in Toronto. Ford was on hand to discuss the latest steps in a project that dates back to Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty to build an all-season road to access potential mine sites and link remote Indigenous communities. But his government continues to be dogged by the defective licence plates, which were announced as a signature change in last Aprils provincial budget. Revamped versions of the plates should be available from supplier 3M by March 16. Until then, the white licence plates of the previous design will once again be issued. While Government and Consumer Services Minister Lisa Thompson initially criticized the white design as Liberal plates, they originated with the government of Progressive Conservative premier Bill Davis in 1973. The imbroglio has been politically embarrassing to the Tories, and the premier has not concealed his unhappiness. Lets make no mistake about it, I was frustrated, the minister was frustrated, said Ford, in his first public comments on a debacle that began last month when a Kingston police officer tweeted about the visibility issues. Our minister has responded, the vendor has responded. The vendor had an issue. Were correcting it, Ford said. Theres zero expense to the taxpayers. 3M Canada is reportedly absorbing the cost of replacing the defective plates, although the real expense may never be known because the government has signed a nondisclosure agreement. Some 71,000 blue licence plates have been issued since Feb. 1. Motorists who have already received the illegible plates will be contacted by mail with instructions on how to get replacements. Licence plate validation stickers will also be reissued with new plates and any remaining stock of the blue plates will be recycled. Prior to Fords news conference, New Democrat MPP Taras Natyshak (Essex) said theres certainly some embarrassment to the government over the fiasco. The fact that the premier avoids taking any questions (in the legislature) on this is indicative. When the going gets tough for the premier, he gets going out of the building, said Natyshak. Its the old adage if you cant take the heat, you get out of the kitchen. Well, hes not even in the restaurant when it comes to this issue. Its embarrassing for him, he said. Something as simple as issuing licence plates in the province of Ontario something weve done for over 100 years should be pretty simple and they seem to have bungled this file. They cant get anything right. This is just another example. Meanwhile, the Tories announced Monday that the media will be barred from attending Fords $1,250-a-head speech Wednesday night at the partys major fundraising dinner in Toronto. The premier banned reporters last year after the Star revealed lobbyists were selling tickets to the event. Fords Ring of Fire announcement comes after the premier ripped up deals struck between the previous Liberal government and several communities surrounding the Ring of Fire, including Marten Falls and Webequie. In August, the province announced it would pursue new individual agreements with the nine First Nations in the area. NDP northern development critic Michael Mantha says ripping up those deals was a step backwards that has further delayed the project. The region in Northern Ontario holds some of the world's richest deposits of chromite, nickel, copper and platinum valued at anywhere from $30 billion to $60 billion. With files from Canadian Press Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: Taiwanese tech giant and iPhone assembler Foxconn said Tuesday its Chinese factories are operating at 50 percent of seasonal capacity and are expecting to take a hit for the current quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak. Also known by its official name Hon Hai Precision Industry, Foxconn is the world's biggest contract electronics manufacturer and makes Apple's iPhones as well as gadgets for other international brands. Foxconn employs more than one million workers across its vast network of factories in China, where operations have been affected by the deadly COVID-19 outbreak that emerged in central Wuhan before spreading to over 70 countries. The firm's chairman Young Liu told investors that its plants on mainland China are currently operating at "over 50 percent of seasonal demands" and are expected to resume normal seasonal capacity by the end of March. The virus outbreak is having an impact on international supply chains and manufacturing given China's lynchpin role in the global economy. Apple said last month its revenue for the current quarter would be below its forecasts, and that the worldwide iPhone supply "will be temporarily constrained" because of the outbreak in China, where Apple manufactures most of its devices. One of Foxconn's largest facilities in the central city of Zhengzhou is dubbed "iPhone City", where around 60 percent of the devices are assembled according to analysts. Chinese state media Global Times said Tuesday the Zhengzhou plant is short of 50,000 workers, or 22 percent of the plant's capacity. "We are working closely with local government agencies to resume operations in different batches and in an orderly fashion according to the regulations," Liu said. "In the first quarter, there are obvious negative impact year-on-year on our four main product lines due to the grave situation of the outbreak." For consumer and smart electronics, the company forecast 15 percent decreases from the previous quarter and on-year, he added. "For the full year, there will be some minor declines from our previous guidance," he said, without providing figures. Liu was quoted by Bloomberg as saying that Foxconn now projects a sales increase of one to three percent this year, down from a January forecast of three to five percent. Taiwan's Fubon Securities said in a recent research note it expected "a significant impact" on Foxconn's first-quarter sales due to the outbreak. Fobon forecast a 42 percent decrease in sales in the current quarter from the previous three months and a five percent decrease on-year to Tw$999 billion ($33.3 billion). It projected 204 million iPhone shipments for 2020 full year, up just 9 percent on-year, down from its previous forecast of 217.5 million. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 9F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph, becoming ENE and decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 9F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph, becoming ENE and decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40%. WASHINGTON - Lawmakers are finalizing a $7.5 billion emergency bill to fund the governments response to the coronavirus outbreak, even as fear is growing that the rapid spread of the virus is a shock to the economy and will lead to significant disruption in peoples everyday lives. Lawmakers across the spectrum said negotiations are likely to produce a bipartisan deal on Wednesday in hopes of clearing the measure through Congress by weeks end a burst of bipartisan co-operation thats atypical of todays Washington. The $7.5 billion package would triple Trumps request but is expected to enjoy support from both the White House and Trumps GOP allies on Capitol Hill. When it comes to Americans health and safety, there is no reason to be penny-wise and pound-foolish, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. A spokesman for House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said Tuesday night that only modest differences remain and that House is on track to vote on Wednesday. Negotiators had hoped to seal a deal Tuesday but differences over language sought by Democrats to guarantee low prices for a coronavirus vaccine thats being developed with taxpayer funding are holding up the agreement. Republicans say current law is sufficient to deter price gouging and warn that the Democratic language could backfire and delay production by private sector drug companies. Both sides say the issue is unlikely to stall an accord for long. Frustration is palpable among lawmakers reporting widespread fear and impatience among their constituents, especially about a shortage of tests to detect the virus. I wish we were a week earlier on producing these tests. Perhaps thats a valid criticism, said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. I am hearing personally from people across our state who are frustrated. They have been exposed. They are sick. They want to get tested. They have nowhere to go, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., whose state is at the epicenter of the outbreak. This is truly a serious crisis and we cannot respond on the cheap or at the last minute. Worries are growing about the impact on workers earning hourly wages being told to stay home, immigrants who may fear seeking treatment, and the potential rapid spread among homeless people. Widespread school closures are possible as well. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairmen Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said negotiators are very close to agreement and that swift passage of the bill sends a message to the American people that we care and we are going to do everything we can. Schumer boasted that the final figure is far closer to a benchmark he set last week when outlining an $8.5 billion plan. It also contains a provision to restore funds to Department of Health and Human Services programs like energy assistance to low-income households that were cut to pay for the initial federal response. Vice-President Mike Pence, who is co-ordinating the administrations response, visited Capitol Hill with top U.S. health officials in tow to brief both parties on the situation, which health experts warn is going to worsen in coming days and weeks. He got generally positive reviews from fellow Republicans but Democrats said too many of their questions went unanswered. The vice-presidents message was were on top of it, said GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana. But Kennedy said hes been told different information in the various briefings, though this one was much improved. The draft legislation would speed development and production of a coronavirus vaccine, finance preparedness and response efforts by state and local governments, help foreign countries battle the outbreak overseas, and seek to ensure that the vaccine is affordable when ready its ready, which could take a year. Deliberations on the bill are a bipartisan bright spot as Congress seeks to rebound from the bitterness of Trumps impeachment and involves the pragmatic lawmakers on the House and Senate Appropriations panels, which have a track record of bipartisan success despite the partisanship engulfing Washington. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, chairman of the Democratic caucus, said Congress is rushing to pass the supplemental measure because coronavirus is a national emergency that requires an all hands on deck approach. Several House Democrats declined to criticize the Trump administrations handling of the situation. Our goal is to make sure we do not leave Washington this week without an allocation of resources to deal with coronavirus, he said. Everyone needs to rise to the occasion, including the administration. Top congressional leaders are scheduled to meet Wednesday about preparations inside the Capitol to protect lawmakers, staff and visitors, a senior Democratic aide said, though there are no current plans to limit access to the Capitol complex. Democrats relied on health care professionals from their ranks, including Rep. Kim Schrier, a pediatrician whose Washington state has suffered fatalities from the virus. She told people to prepare for school closures and the cancellation of big events and to stock as much as a months worth of food and medicine. We know for sure this disease will spread especially in the beginning urban and suburban areas, and it will get worse before it gets better, Schrier said. Just start planning now. Xiaomi's sub-brand, Black Shark, has just released its new gaming smartphones with tons of cool gaming-centric features. The phones are intended for China first and will later become available to the global market, as per the company's strategies of the past. Black Shark 3 Pro The Pro version offers a couple of extra features on top of the non-Pro version and also has a bigger screen. The Black Shark 3 Pro is built around a massive 7.1-inch QHD+ OLED panel running at 90Hz. It also boasts the world's fastest 270Hz touch-sampling rate as well. It's up to a Snapdragon 865 chipset to drive all those pixels, and it's needless to say that the phone supports 5G connectivity as well. WiFi 6 support is also on the specs sheet. The phone can be coupled with either 8 or 12GB of RAM, but only the 12GB version comes with the latest LPDDR5 memory, the 8GB settles for the LPDDR4X. Storage-wise, there is only one version and it's 256GB. The handset comes with a 64MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture, a 13MP ultrawide unit and a 5MP depth sensor. The selfie camera has a 20MP sensor. And now the best part. The Black Shark 3 Pro comes with a massive 5,000 mAh battery and supports blazing-fast 65W charging. Xiaomi says it can go from flat to 100% in just 38 minutes. And if you are in the middle of a game and need a refuel, you can snap a magnetic charger on the back of the phone that doesn't go quite as fast but 18W would do just fine during a gaming session. After all, you won't have to deal with tangling cables sticking out from the USB-C port. Another advantages of the Pro model is the new pop-up triggers. The touch-sensitive air triggers from the previous version of the phone are replaced with physical pop-up buttons, and Black Shark promises they can last at least 300,000 presses without any issues. Black Shark 3 The vanilla version employs a smaller 6.67-inch screen and lower FHD+ resolution, lacks the pop-up triggers, and offers a smaller 4,720 mAh battery. Another difference is in the storage variants - 8GB/128GB, 12GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB. The rest is pretty much the same. In fact, from a design standpoint, both phones are identical - metal and glass have been used for the build, there are no holes or cutouts on the display on the front and, an improved sandwich-like cooling solution has been implemented with double the heat pipes compared to the previous generation. It's also cool that unlike the Black Shark 2 and 2 Pro, the 3 and the 3 Pro have 3.5mm audio jacks. The vanilla model comes in three colors - Lightning Black, Armor Gray, and Star Silver, while the Pro is offered only in Phantom Black and Armor Gray. Black Shark 3 will go on sale from March 6 starting at CNY 3,499 ($500) for the 8GB/128GB model while the Black Shark 3 Pro's price will be CNY 4,699 ($675) for the base 8GB/256GB configuration and it will be made available from March 17. With the coming of spring, Symphorias programming for the next two weeks blossoms with concerts from its Masterworks, Pops, Spark and Kids series, bringing Central New York audiences diverse delights in orchestral music. William Hagen is the solo violinist for Symphorias March 7 All Italian concert with Music Director Lawrence Loh conducting.Tyler Rye | Provided photo March 7Masterworks William Hagen, 26 and already hailed as a standout among a current flock of extraordinary young violinists, returns to solo with Symphoria March 7 at 7:30 p.m. when Lawrence Loh will conduct the All Italian program. Hagen last appeared with the orchestra in 2018 and says hes been looking forward to a return engagement. This will be my first time performing Paganinis Concerto No. 1 and, while its somewhat daunting, Im really excited to play it with Symphoria, Hagen says. Its over-the-top fun in a way that no other violin concerto is. Its like Italian opera buffa for the violin and orchestra. Niccolo Paganini, a virtuoso violinist himself, created the highly technical solo score in order to showcase his wizardry on the instrument. When early 19th century audiences heard him, they found his ability to execute giant leaps and play at breakneck tempos to be otherworldly. Hagen studied with violin icon Itzhak Perlman at Juilliard School; he will perform on a rare 1732 Stradivari instrument on loan from the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation. He says he expects to feel a lot of emotion and have a lot of fun as he performs, and he hopes it all comes across to listeners. This program opens with the dramatic overture from Verdis La forza del destino, or Fate Conquers All. After intermission, the orchestra will play contemporary Russian-born composer Polina Nazaykinskayas symphonic poem, Fenix, which was premiered last year by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Mendelssohns Symphony No. 4, the Italian Symphony, concludes the program. Maestro Loh will present a pre-concert talk for ticket holders beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Crouse-Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202. March 16Spark Symphoria musicians will appear at Syracuse Stage on Genesee stree March 16 at 7 p.m., with Heather Buchman conducting. Buchman is the Hamilton College director of orchestra and chamber music programs and a frequent Symphoria guest conductor. The Spark audience will hear selections from the chamber music of 18th century contemporaries Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, including the overture to Don Giovani, Salieris Sinfonia in D major, and the first movement of Mozarts Symphony No. 25. What I think is fun about this performance, says Buchman, is that it is a concert about a play about music a dialogue between two art forms. Playwright Peter Shaffer even described Amadeus in musical terms, as a fantasia on the theme of Mozart and Salieri. Many of us are familiar with the story and the music from the 1984 film adaptation, told from the perspective of Salieri. The event is held at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210 Lisa Dondlinger will join Principal Pops Conductor Sean OLoughlin and the musicians from Symphoria for Music from the Movies March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Crouse-Hinds Theater.Provided photo | syracuse.com March 21Pops Symphoria Principal Pops Conductor Sean OLoughlin heads up Movies and the Masters, a multi-media show that features solo violinist Lisa Dondlinger. Classically trained, she is a frequent concert master or solo performer who has appeared on popular shows like The Voice, The Ellen Show, and The Grammys, and with such stars as Beyonce and Lady Gaga. In the Symphoria spotlight, Dondlinger, a former Miss Iowa, will perform music from her CD, Movies and the Masters. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. at the Crouse-Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202. March 21Kids OLoughlin and Dondlinger team up earlier on March 21 for Super-T at 10:30 a.m. at Inspiration Hall, 709 James St. Doors open one hour prior to curtain time, and children can try playing instruments starting at 10 a.m. in the instrument discovery zone. Free snacks will be served beginning at 10 a.m. in the front lobby. Children under 18 attend free with ticketed adult. For tickets and information about all concerts, head to the Symphoria website or call 315-299-5598. Read more After years of writing, Graham Nash still aspires to capture life in a song 2020 spelling bee: Meet 35 of Central NYs best young spellers James Lipton dead: Inside the Actors Studio creator, host dies at 93 A Myanmar health officer checks the temperature of a child entering the Myanmar-China border crossing checkpoint in Muse, northern Shan state, on Jan. 31, 2020. Myanmar heath officials have tested at least 45 people for possible coronavirus infections since January, with none testing positive, according to health officials, amid growing concern that the Southeast Asian nations inadequate health care system will not be able to effectively deal with an outbreak. The five most recent suspected cases two Chinese nationals, one from the Netherlands, and two Burmese tested negative for the virus, called COVID-19, according to a Health Ministry statement issued Monday. One of the two Burmese suspected of having the virus had stayed with a Myanmar migrant in Singapore, who was recently confirmed positive. We placed them under observation after they visited the clinics with fevers, Tun Myint, a doctor at Yangon Region Health Department, told RFA on Tuesday. All five of them are now getting better. The Health Ministry has been observing the conditions of the 45 suspected coronavirus carriers since the beginning of the year, officials said. Kyaw Swar Oo, a physician tracking the spread of the coronavirus, questioned the ability of Myanmars health care system to contain the virus should it break out there. As you all know, the health care in the country is not good, he said. Health care professionals are struggling to provide good care. Everyone from the medical community is concerned about whether we would be able to contain an outbreak in the country. Migrant workers lash out The Myanmar Embassy in China meanwhile says it is helping migrant workers in Chinese factories to return home amid the coronavirus spread, but that workers must present their official documents to local police for processing before they can leave. On Tuesday, the embassy said it had recently transported 154 Myanmar workers from factories in Shandong to the town of Chinshwehaw in Shan state on the China-Myanmar border. It also warned Burmese citizens working in Chinese factories to be mindful of scammers who may try to take advantage of them in their attempts to return home. More than 500 Myanmar migrant workers in Weihai, a coastal city on eastern Chinas Shandong province, informed the embassy via video that their Chinese employers will not let them leave the factories. They conveyed their dissatisfaction with the embassys recent announcement that it had helped workers return home, shouting on the video, The embassy is lying. You all can see we are here. No one can go home. A top official at the Myanmar Embassy in Beijing, who did not want to be named, told RFA that the embassy is working with Chinese authorities to help the workers. As long as diplomats are aware of migrant workers who want to return to Myanmar, they will ask local police for assistance, the official said. Chinese authorities have agreed to assist with the processing of any returnees, the diplomat said, adding that workers will likely have a long wait while Chinese police obtain provincial permits for them to travel the 2,000-mile distance from Shandong to the Myanmar border. Kyaw Khaing Lin, secretary of the Agriculture & Farmer Federation Myanmar (AFFM) in the town of Aunglan in central Myanmars Magway region, said returning home would be problematic for some. Burmese workers are working there illegally, so most of them dont have mobile phones, he said. They also have the language barrier. Therefore, they face difficulties in connecting with authorities and fear they will be arrested. About 150 Myanmar migrants from villages in Aunglan work in factories in China, he said. Ship barred from docking In Myanmar's Yangon region, authorities on Monday canceled the stopover of a tourist cruise ship carrying more than 800 passengers and crew because the vessel had traveled to countries with a high number of confirmed coronavirus cases. Myanmars Ministry of Hotels and Tourism decided to bar the Silver Spirit cruise ship from entering Myanmars maritime territory and docking on Wednesday over concerns about the spread of COVID-19, said the ministrys deputy director general Myint Htwe. We decided to bar this cruise ship in accordance with international procedures because the ship could be carrying virus carriers, he told RFA. We made this decision after we consulted with the Ministry of Health. Operated by Monaco-based Silversea Cruises, the luxury cruise ship carrying more than 800 passengers, mostly from the United Kingdom, planned to dock for four days at the Thilawa Multipurpose International Terminal, about 16 miles south of Yangon. The vessels last stop before reaching Myanmar was in the resort town of Phuket, Thailand. The Southeast Asian country has had 43 confirmed cases of the virus and one death. Thet Lwin Toh, managing director of Myanmar Voyages International Travel Company who arranged the itinerary for the vessels stopover in Myanmar, said his company received a government order on Monday to cancel the arrangements. Its right to bar this ship from docking, as the situation is very complicated now, he said. The Silver Spirit last visited Myanmar in November 2019. Reported by Zarni Htun, Nayrein Kyaw, and Waiyan Moe Myint for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Nayrein Kyaw and Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Azer Ahmadbayli - Trend: Gas is gradually becoming the same strategic commodity as oil with its share in the global energy mix continuously growing. Saudi Arabia, which has been the market leader in oil production and export for decades, decided to adjust its energy policy some time ago, and although oil will remain the dominant income item in the Saudi economy, the Kingdom has made a claim to become one of the leaders in the global gas market as well. The Kingdoms turning to gas is of conscious and multipurpose character. Recently, Saudi national oil company Saudi Aramco has announced regulatory approval for the development of the Jafurah unconventional gas field in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, the largest non-associated gas field in Saudi Arabia to date. Presumably, the field contains about 5.7 trillion cubic meters of gas. With the investment of $110 billion, production is scheduled to begin in early 2024. Jafurah could generate some $8.6 billion a year in income and contribute $20 billion a year to the Kingdoms GDP, local media reports say. According to Amin Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, preparation for the field's development has been going on since 2013. During this time, with the help of well-established US companies, fracking technology was mastered and tested in the Arabian Desert using sea water, which previously seemed unrealistic. If Aramco hits its targets for development of the field, Saudi Arabia would become the worlds third largest gas producer by 2030, Reuters believes. The Kingdom places great hope in the development of the Jafura field and intends to solve a number of strategic tasks. One of them is to turn Saudi Aramco, which until recently did not show much activity outside the Kingdom, into one of the world's leading oil and gas companies. The Chairman of Saudi Aramcos Board of Directors, Yasir Al-Rumayyan openly confirmed this, saying that the development of Jafurah is expected to enhance the companys position in the global energy sector, and help achieve its goal of being the worlds pre-eminent integrated energy and chemicals company. Indeed, in light of the upcoming second stage of Saudi Aramco IPO, the use of cost-effective shale gas production technologies that have so far been successfully applied only by the US will further increase the company's attractiveness to international financial players. Deviation from the traditional model of oil dominance towards the development of gas resources also meets the new Saudi Vision 2030 development concept. The growth of gas production should solve two more strategic tasks: to ensure growing domestic consumption, and to turn the Kingdom into a gas exporter. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest gas consumers. Domestic consumption has been growing every year for at least the past ten years. The ratio between production and consumption in the country is equal to zero. According to BP statistics, in 2018, both indicators were 112.1 bcm. In other words, all the gas produced in the country goes for domestic consumption. Increase in gas production twice as much as it is now from the current 112 bcm/year to 220-230 bcm will allow to solve both tasks. Along with that, it will help the country to free up significant volumes of crude, burned for electricity generation, for export. The fall in oil prices in 2014, presence of powerful and unfriendly gas rivals nearby, as well as the attack on the Saudi oil infrastructure in September last year, which showed a strong vulnerability in the Saudi oil supply system, were additional but considerable factors in favor of diversifying the Kingdom's energy portfolio. A growing number of countries around the world have been evacuating or planning to evacuate diplomatic staff and citizens from areas hit by the new coronavirus. Following are some countries' evacuation plans, and how they aim to manage the health risk from those who are returning. Hong Kong arranged four flights to bring back 533 of its residents from the Chinese province of Hubei. The flights are set to return by 5 March and those coming back face a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Over 200 Hong Kong residents on the Diamond Princess cruise in Japan had been flown back by 23 Feb and are spending two weeks in quarantine. Authorities said 70 of the 364 Hong Kong residents on the ship were infected and will remain in Japan along with other citizens who were in close contact with them. Dependants and some staff were evacuated from the British embassy in Tehran as of March 1 but essential staff will remain. Some 30 British passengers arrived back home on Feb. 22 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. There were more than 70 British passengers on the cruise liner when cases of Covid-19 started to emerge. Britain's final evacuation flight from Wuhan, carrying more than 200 people, landed in Britain on 9 Feb. A plane carrying 83 British and 27 European Union nationals from Wuhan landed at the end of January. Taiwan flew back 19 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Feb. 21. It evacuated 247 of the estimated 500 Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan on Feb. 3. A flight carrying 129 Canadians evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship landed on Feb. 21. All repatriated passengers on the chartered flight had tested negative. There were 256 Canadians on board the ship, of which 47 have tested positive. Canada, after evacuating 215 people earlier, flew back 185 citizens from Wuhan on Feb. 11. All evacuees were quarantined for two weeks. More than 150 Australians arrived home on Feb. 20 to begin two weeks of quarantine after finally leaving the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan. A plane load of New Zealanders, Australians and Pacific Islanders evacuated from Wuhan arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb. 5, officials said. Kuwait to send a plane to Italy to evacuate citizens. Qatar to bring back Qatari and Kuwaiti citizens from Iran. Indonesia has sent a navy ship to bring back 188 of its nationals working as crew aboard the World Dream cruise liner amid coronavirus concerns, a minister and a health ministry official said on Feb 24. Indonesia's government flew 243 Indonesians from Hubei on Feb. 2 and placed them under quarantine at a military base on an island northwest of Borneo. In central Ukraine residents protested the arrival of a plane carrying evacuees from Hubei on Feb. 20, despite official assurances there was no danger of infection. In addition to 45 Ukrainians, there were 27 citizens of Argentina on the plane, as well as citizens from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and other countries. The United States flew back on Feb. 17 over 300 Americans who had been stuck on a cruise ship affected by the coronavirus. They faced two more weeks of quarantine after spending the previous 14 days docked in Japan. The United States authorized the voluntary departure of its government employees and their family members from Hong Kong on Feb. 11. On Feb. 6, two planes with about 300 passengers, mostly U.S. citizens, took off from Wuhan for the United States. Nepal on Feb. 16 evacuated 175 of its nationals from Wuhan. Six South Koreans and one Japanese spouse from the cruise shit flew to South Korea on Feb. 19 on a chartered flight. South Korea evacuated 147 people on a third chartered flight from Wuhan that arrived on Feb. 12. The country flew 368 people on a charter flight that arrived on Jan. 31. A second evacuation flight brought back another 174 Singaporeans and their family members from Wuhan to the city state on Feb. 9. Thirty Filipinos returned to the Philippines on Feb. 9 from Wuhan, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The 34 Brazilians evacuated from Wuhan landed in Brazil on Feb. 9. Uzbekistan evacuated 251 people from China, the state airline said on Feb. 6. Italy flew back 56 nationals from Wuhan to Rome on Feb. 3. Saudi Arabia evacuated 10 students from Wuhan, Saudi state television reported on Feb. 2. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics BASF announced a well-stocked agricultural pipeline with projected peak sales potential of more than $8.35 billion In line with its strategy in agriculture, the company increases focus on connected solutions for farmers to enable balancing agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and the societys needs. BASF will build on its research and development investment for agricultural solutions over recent years with a planned expenditure in 2020 around the prior-year level. In 2019 alone, the company spent 879 million ($979 million)on R&D in the Agricultural Solutions division; representing around 11 per cent of sales for the segment. Agriculture is so central to our lives that it has a powerful impact on everyone. That is why we must address the environmental, climate, and societal challenges that are becoming more pressing every day. At BASF, we are open to all great and new ideas that help us drive sustainable innovation in agriculture and create value to society. Our aim is to find practical solutions that enable higher-yielding and more stress-tolerant crop production, reduce farmings CO 2 footprint, and increase biodiversity, said Vincent Gros, president of BASFs Agricultural Solutions division. We have an outstanding innovation pipeline and invest continually to identify and develop products and solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment. Sharper focus in R&D projects BASFs industry-leading position in sustainable agriculture is based on active R&D portfolio steering and sustainability criteria that are fully integrated into the entire process. Our new strategy has sharpened our innovation focus around specific agricultural crop systems. We are applying all available scientific technologies to develop sustainable solutions that meet long-term economical, ecological, and societal needs, said Peter Eckes, president of Bioscience Research at BASF. Higher yielding and stress-tolerant crops for a lower CO 2 footprint To meet todays farming challenges, BASFs innovation pipeline is focused on new technologies and solutions for four strategic customer segments and their respective crop systems. The companys R&D innovation strength is demonstrated through strong pipeline projects in the crop system that includes wheat, canola (oilseed rape), and sunflower addressing a market valued at around 12 billion ($13.37 billion). In this market, BASF is developing innovative solutions for climate-resilient farming with higher-yielding as well as drought and heat-tolerant crops that require fewer resources such as water and plant protection products. They enable farmers to sustainably increase yields and reduce tillage, thereby minimising erosion and greenhouse gas emissions. BASF focuses on innovative solutions that enable balance between agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and societys needs For example, with regards to seeds & traits, BASFs InVigor pod shatter reduction and clubroot resistant trait technologies for canola will aid in protecting yield potential from clubroot and deliver added flexibility for growers at harvest. Mid-decade, BASF will be introducing LibertyLink yellow-seed canola which can be grown under more challenging conditions and will provide new rotation options for wheat growers in drier areas of North America, where drought and heat stress make regular canola a less viable crop. When it comes to Herbicides, BASF has developed two novel herbicide active ingredients, Luximo and Tirexor t o ensure that farmers around the world continue to have access to effective weed management. From 2020, these will give, among others, wheat farmers new possibilities to manage difficult-to-control grasses and broadleaf weeds. Additionally, BASF is working on further new modes of action to manage herbicide-resistant weeds and allow farming practices that reduce CO 2 footprint, such as no-till farming. In addition, BASF recently launched Revysol , a fungicide active ingredient that meets the highest regulatory standards and offers outstanding biological performance against a range of difficult-to-control pathogens in specialty and row crops. The novel fungicide active ingredients Pavecto , co-developed with Sumitomo Chemical, will provide farmers with a unique tool for resistance management. Additionally, BASF is developing comprehensive innovation portfolios across the entire crop cycles for the companys remaining strategic crop systems. This includes eight active ingredients, as well as unique traits and high-performing seeds in soybean, canola, cotton and vegetables. Digitalisation supports modern agriculture BASF takes a lead in digital farming Growers using BASFs digital products marketed under the xarvio Digital Farming Solutions brand can achieve higher yields with fewer natural resources and crop inputs. With BASFs latest digital outcome-based business model, xarvio HEALTHY FIELDS, farmers benefit from a transparent field- and season-specific crop protection service, reduced workloads through outsourced spray contractors, real-time monitoring, as well as a success guarantee for their fields. Xarvio digital products enable the more precise application of crop protection products, nutrient management, automated buffer zones, and biodiversity monitoring. For BASF, the potential of its innovation pipeline goes beyond the farm: With the e3 Sustainability Cotton Program, the company helps farmers in the US meet downstream customer demand for more traceable and sustainable supply chains in the fashion industry. Collaborating with partners down the value chain, e3 cotton grown with BASFs Fibermax and Stoneville cotton seed can be traced from the farmer to the retailer and shows end consumers that their clothes have been produced in a fair, economically viable, and environmentally responsible way. BASF is the only company providing this level of traceability. This programme has increased demand for fibre meeting e3 standards, creating a higher market price for the grower. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The city says its speed camera program is about public safety, in particular in school zones, and not about generating revenue. Ridiculous. The cameras are a money grab first and foremost. Public safety is at best a distant second. Heres why. Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance If the citys goal is to get drivers to slow down, theyd tell you where the speed cameras are instead of making it a gotcha event Think of your own behavior behind the wheel: If youre driving and see police lights flashing up ahead, what do you do? You slow down. Problem solved. Stepped-up NYPD enforcement, even decoy vehicles, could accomplish this more effectively than a purposely veiled network of speed cameras. And by the way, some people will speed no matter what. So there would still be money coming in. Don't Edit Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance If school safety is the point, why are the cameras operational when school isn't in session? Thanks to a huge expansion of the program last year, speed cameras are now operational from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. each weekday, and remain operational even during school vacations and on days when school is not in session. Thats like posting armed guards to watch over an empty bank. This is proof positive that city officials are just as eager for easy revenue as they purport to be about protecting lives. Don't Edit Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance Speeding is not the main cause of collisions in New York City Go to the NYPD's TrafficStat website and check for yourself. The top causes of collisions citywide are driver distraction/inattention; failure to yield, and following too close. There are other top causes as well, including passing too closely or backing unsafely. Unsafe lane changes. Unsafe speed pops near the top of the list only when it comes to fatality numbers, but is still trumped by driver distraction even in that category. Speed cameras do nothing to address several of the top causes of collisions citywide. But the city will gladly accept the revenue. Don't Edit Hilton Flores/Staten Island Advance The Vision Zero message is clear: No matter the incident, the driver is always at fault Nobody wants to see an accident, particularly in a school zone. But just because a school zone has a high number of accidents doesnt automatically mean that the driver was at fault in each of them. Or that speed was the main contributing factor. But thats the message that speed cameras by definition send: A speeding driver did this. It treats all accidents equally. That's just not realistic. Pedestrians and cyclists can also contribute to accidents through unsafe behavior. Some accidents are simply accidents too. Blame cant be assigned in every incident. But blanketing the city with speed cameras and anti-driver propaganda makes motorists the villains. Don't Edit Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance Speed cameras designed to protect schools arent even placed near schools Thanks to that same program expansion, speed cameras can now be placed within a quarter-mile radius of a school. That gives the city easily abused leeway in placing the cameras. At some camera locations, youd be hard-pressed to detect any school buildings, buses or pupils in the immediate vicinity. The speed camera on Richmond Road near the Staten Island Expressway appears designed to nab people zooming through traffic lights before and after the highway overpass. The city placed a camera at Hannah Street and Bay Street, close to PS 65, even though there already was a unit down the block from the school. The Hannah Street camera appears designed to ping drivers who motor too fast down Bay Street after clearing the gnarly Victory Boulevard intersection. And just who is the camera on Front Street in Stapleton (pictured) meant to protect? Don't Edit Don't Edit Jan Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance The city has shown feet of clay when it comes to managing vehicle safety in school zones Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Vision Zero champion, himself encouraged a gross increase in the number of vehicles around schools by handing out up to 50,000 parking permits to teachers, principals and other city Department of Education employees in 2017. That means more cars converging on school zones looking for ever more scant parking spots every morning, and more leaving at dismissal. Thats more rolling hazards for pupils to avoid. Don't Edit Ryan Lavis/Staten Island Advance The city is now using speed cameras in an attempt to confiscate our personal property There's something even darker at work here than the city just trying to take our money. De Blasio recently signed City Council legislation to impound the vehicles of motorists who rack up a certain number of speed camera or red light camera tickets. This is a dangerous attack on our private-property rights and likely a gross violation of due process protections. Its the kind of stuff that totalitarian governments do in their zeal for total control of all aspects of our lives. Its what happens when socialism sympathizers get their hands on the levers of power. Don't Edit Vincent Barone/Staten Island Advance Remember this Our cars are our freedom. They allow us to explore the world. Otherwise we'd be limited only to the areas that lousy mass transit serves. Or solely to the neighborhoods that we could get to on bikes or by using our own two feet. Don't let them take our cars from us. Don't surrender the world to them. If you saw our video interview with the talented Asieh Namdar of CGTN last week, you know we mentioned SD-WAN as one of the technologies to benefit from telecommuting caused by the CoronaVirus scare. The inherent flexibility SD-WAN provides makes it a perfect complement to the dynamic nature of traffic flows which work-from-home scenarios demand. SD-WAN Expo exhibitor Aryaka saw tremendous interest at the recent event which is part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW in South Florida. The company has been on the leading edge of SD-WAN for over a decade. We just caught up with Dave Ginsburg, VP of Product Solutions Marketing at the show for an exclusive interview where he explained the companys new tagline is the Cloud-First WAN company. Aryaka wants to help companies struggling to deal with the rapid growth of unexpected telecommuting. As a result, they are announcing a limited time offer for their Secure Remote Access solution. Specifically, a free VPN concentrator domain license with new qualifying purchases of the Aryaka SmartSecure Remote Access solution, with the promotion valid until April 30 for both new and existing customers. Shashi Kiran, CMO of Aryaka Most companies offer some type of remote VPN solution, but they were never designed for peak capacity, i.e. to scale for the present situation when nearly all the employees in a region are working remotely. As a result, local VPN servers are getting overloaded with the number of connections and amount of traffic required to support such a large increase in demand, impacting employee productivity, said Shashi Kiran, CMO of Aryaka. Business continuity operations require telecommuters to be productive and served by the best possible application experience. The Aryaka Secure Remote Access Solution delivers a global HOV lane for telecommuters and helps enterprises deal with this situation without significant infrastructure investment or time delays. For those companies already struggling to accommodate the sharp increase in remote VPN access, Aryakas solution can be implementedremotelyin minutes, without any hardware or software requirements. The solution allows remote users to connect to any corporate VPN server in the world, making it easily scalable for customer IT departments, while also giving complete transparency and visibility into the network traffic being carried. Contact the company for details and be sure to tell them Tehrani.com sent you. See the only Tech and SD-WAN vendors that matter at the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW. See 50+ SD-WAN vendors and hundreds more this the largest number of SD-WAN companies anywhere. Join others with $25B+ in IT buying power who plan 2021 budgets! Including 3,500+ resellers! A unique experience with a collocated SD-WAN Expo, AIOps Expo and MSP Expo Come to the Digital Transformation Event! June 22-25, 2021, Miami. Register now. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law Monday sweeping changes to New Mexicos retirement system for police officers, firefighters and public employees a move intended to strengthen the financial health of the states pension plan. The bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 72, will temporarily freeze cost-of-living adjustments for some retirees and require public workers and government agencies to pay more into the system. The changes are intended to better position the Public Employees Retirement Association to withstand an economic downturn. The plan is now about 70% funded, with over $6 billion in unfunded liabilities. The legislation was one of Lujan Grishams priorities for the 2020 session. By paying out more than it was taking in, she said in a written statement, PERA was on a path to eventual bankruptcy. Now weve reversed course, and Im confident New Mexico can keep its promises to current and future retirees. Debate over the bill didnt fall along partisan lines. Retirees turned out in force to object to proposed changes to the calculation of their annual cost-of-living adjustments. But supporters said the changes, while painful, were necessary. Were watching after everyones future and safeguarding the states bond rating, Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, said. Senate Bill 72 was jointly sponsored by Munoz and Rep. Phelps Anderson, R-Roswell. During the session, Anderson told his colleagues that the bill was a unique chance to put PERA on firmer financial footing. Much of the new law is based on recommendations from a task force established by the governor. The path to PERA solvency would never have been accomplished without this bipartisan effort, Anderson said. Under the legislation, most employees and the governments they work for will have to pay more into the system, potentially reducing take-home pay for workers and eating up more government spending. The increases would be phased in over several years, with the employee and employer each putting in an extra 2% of the persons salary. Some of the contribution increases, however, would be rolled back as the health of the pension fund improves. There are also exemptions that allow police and corrections officers and low-paid workers to avoid the increases. The legislation would freeze many retirees cost-of-living adjustments for two years and then move to a profit-sharing model. Annual raises would fluctuate from 0.5% to 3%, depending on investment returns and the financial health of the fund. Most retirees now get a 2% raise each year. The changes cover the PERA system, not a separate retirement plan for teachers and educators. About 50,000 employees are working and paying into the Public Employees Retirement Association. About 40,000 retirees draw pensions through the system. The bill passed the Senate 25-15 and the House 40-28. This years bill represents lawmakers latest attempt to prop up PERA. Most recently, legislators approved a 2013 solvency fix that trimmed retirement benefits for future workers, active employees and covered retirees, while also enacting stricter retirement eligibility guidelines for future hires. That years legislation also included increases in both taxpayer-funded contributions and employee contributions. Lujan Grisham on Monday also signed another retirement measure Senate Bill 111, which is aimed at encouraging some retirees to return to work as substitute teachers and bus drivers and in other education-related jobs. Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, sponsored the legislation. She said retirees are a very important part of our schools. Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd contributed to this article. Shops have seen a surge in panic buying fuelled by the coronavirus crisis - and supermarkets have now drawn up contingency plans to 'feed the nation' in the event of a sudden escalation. With two chains already rationing sales, a former Tesco executive said a major outbreak in Britain would 'quickly lead to empty shelves and food riots'. Ocado has emailed customers to warn it is running out of home delivery slots due to 'exceptionally high demand' and 'particularly large orders'. Waitrose reported 'seeing more demand for... cleaning products and hand sanitisers', and Tesco's website has sold out of hand gel. Lidl said it is 'experiencing a significant increase in demand for durable products and disinfectants'. Sales of hand sanitiser across all supermarkets more than tripled last month after an explosion of cases in Europe caused panic of an outbreak in the UK. These bare shelves in a Boots pharmacy as panic buying over the UK took hold With two chains already rationing sales, a former Tesco executive said a major outbreak in Britain would 'quickly lead to empty shelves and food riots' (file image) Superdrug and Boots has sold out of hand gel and face masks at their stores with emergency orders on their way Lidl has now had to limit its sales of hand sanitisers to two per customer as has Boots. Industry experts insist that supermarkets have contingency plans to cope with a worst-case scenario and, despite the pressure, will ensure food remains on shelves. Under the plans, supermarkets would work alongside suppliers to scale back the variety of available foods and groceries, instead paying attention to maintaining the supply of staple products, the Guardian reported. However, senior food markets analyst Bruno Monteyne, a former Tesco executive, warned: 'If a major [coronavirus] outbreak happens, that will quickly lead to panic buying, empty shelves and food riots.' Ged Futter, a former senior buyer at Asda, said supermarkets were reluctant to admit to shortages for fear of making matters worse (file image) Clean mobile twice a day Phone screens are 'portable petri dishes' and should be disinfected twice a day to stop coronavirus spreading. Scientists claim the virus can live for up to 96 hours on flat surfaces, such as the screen of a smartphone and urged users to invest in alcohol wipes to clean their screens throughout the day. Professor Mark Fielder, a microbiologist at Kingston University, backed the suggestion and said 'don't share your phone around'. Last week Professor Peter Hall from the University of Waterloo in Canada called smartphones a 'portable petri dish, accumulating bacteria and viruses'. Research by Dscout in 2016 found that people tap their phone screen an average of 2,617 times a day. Advertisement Mr Monteyne, who now works for stockbrokers Bernstein, told industry magazine The Grocer: 'Plans are surely being drawn up with suppliers to rationalise product ranges when necessary. The objective isn't to scaremonger... the industry has plans to deal with this. 'Yes, it will be chaotic and expect pictures of empty shelves but the industry will keep the country fed.' The British Retail Consortium's director of food and sustainability, Andrew Opie, insisted: 'Disruption to supply chains has been limited, and the availability of products remains good. Retailers are working closely with their suppliers and monitoring consumer behaviour to anticipate changes in future demand.' Ian Wright, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, added: 'At this stage supply chains have experienced disruption but there is no evidence of significant disruption to food supplies.' However, Ged Futter, a former senior buyer at Asda, said supermarkets were reluctant to admit to shortages for fear of making matters worse. Mr Futter, now director at consultancy firm The Retail Mind, said: 'The last thing retailers will want to talk about is rationing. As soon as you mention rationing it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and the food equivalent of a run on the banks.' Sales of hand sanitiser soared by 255 per cent over February after Italy's coronavirus crisis spilled over into Europe. Liquid soap sales increased 7 per cent and household cleaning products rose by 10 per cent, according to data from Kantar Worldpanel. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: 'Given the media focus around the outbreak of Covid-19 in February, it's unsurprising to see shoppers prudently protecting themselves from illness.' When the Walt Disney Company announced in 2018 that it would leave its longtime home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for a former manufacturing district downtown named Hudson Square, some people may have scratched their heads. That a blue-chip corporation would move to an area between trendy New York neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and TriBeCa, without the cachet of either of them, could have seemed like baffling choice. But in the two years since then, the neighborhood has risen in stature, especially after Google announced that it was opening large offices in three buildings there. Indeed, Hudson Square, which is also home to internet-focused businesses like the eyewear maker Warby Parker, the insurer Oscar Health and the razor vendor Harrys, is emerging as New Yorks latest tech hub. Its all kind of coming together, said Brett Greenberg, an executive managing director of Jack Resnick & Sons, whose 10-story office building in a former JuJuBe candy factory is one of the places where Google will open offices this month. One of just three office tenants, the company is taking 85 percent of the 483,000-square-foot building. Washington, March 3 : Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who have ended their Democratic bids for the White House, endorsed Vice President Joe Biden on the eve of the decisive "Super Tuesday" primaries in 14 US states. Klobuchar ended her campaign on Monday, a day after Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic presidential nominee race, reports Efe news. The decision of the two moderates to drop out changes the configuration of the Democratic primaries just ahead of "Super Tuesday" and has appeared to benefit moderate Biden as he gets ready to face Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, his main rival. The division in the party's moderate field had given rise to fears that Sanders would get enough delegates on Super Tuesday to make his election as a Democratic candidate almost inevitable for the November 3 election against President Donald Trump. Biden received the Buttigieg and Klobuchar's endorsements on Monday night in Texas, the second largest state in the US and which the Vice President's campaign has made a priority after polls showed that Sanders was almost certain to win in California. Buttigieg made an appearance with Biden at a rally in Dallas. "We need a politics that's about decency, a politics that brings back decency," he said at the event. "And that's what Joe Biden has been practicing his entire life." Biden thanked Buttigieg for his support and said he was "absolutely confident, with further exposure of the nation to Pete and all he stands for, all he'll do and all he can do, that there is no limitation on what this man can get done". Buttigieg went from being a virtual unknown to winning the February Iowa caucuses and finishing a close second in New Hampshire, which Sanders won. However, he failed to perform well in the primaries of more racially diverse states, including Nevada and South Carolina. Hours after announcing that she was suspending her campaign, Klobuchar also appeared at Biden's rally in Dallas on Monday night. "I cannot think of a better way to end my campaign than joining his," Klobuchar said. The Senator's decision to drop out of the race was particularly surprising as it came on the eve of primaries in her state, Minnesota, which polls had indicated she would win. Biden has also received the support of former presidential candidate and Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who had said earlier that he had no intention of backing any candidate, according to US media reports. Nevada senator Harry Reid and former astronaut and Arizona Senate candidate Mark Kelly also endorsed Biden on Monday. Meanwhile, Trump accused the Democrats of "staging a coup" against Sanders. "Crazy Bernie's going to be more crazy when he finds out what they're doing," Trump said on Monday during a rally in North Carolina, which also votes on Super Tuesday. In addition to Sanders and Biden, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard remain in the Democratic contest. Super Tuesday has always been a crucial date for either consolidating or destroying campaigns and for helping winnow the field of candidates, but this year it has taken on even greater significance because California is taking part after moving up its primary from June, where it had been scheduled in years past. California will contribute 415 delegates to the Democratic Party's primary process, far more than second-place New York with 274 delegates and third-placed Texas with 228. Besides California and Texas, the states of Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and the territory of American Samoa will all hold their primaries. Sanders is favoured in the polls in at least eight of those states, including California, Texas, Colorado and Utah. Stormonts leaders are set to scale back their St Patricks Day trip to the United States in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The PA news agency understands First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill intend to cancel plans for the New York leg of their itinerary at the start of next week. The DUP leader and Sinn Fein vice president are still anticipated to travel to Washington DC for a series of political meetings in the US capital later in the week. The move is believed to be in response to the unfolding Covid-19 situation, with the leaders intent on limiting their time away from Stormont. What we are doing is planning for all eventualitiesDr Michael McBride The Executive Office has yet to formally confirm the move. A spokesman said: Ministers plan to travel to the United States next week to meet political and business leaders. The precise arrangements will be dependent on their broader ministerial responsibilities including Executive preparations to combat Covid-19. Further details of the visit will be provided in due course. Health officials in Northern Ireland have said routine hospital appointments and surgeries may be postponed if Covid-19 infects large numbers of people. Wards could be set aside and more critical care beds added to the 100 already available. Drive-through screening, establishment of special pods separate from emergency departments and home testing kits may be needed if the virus spreads widely through the community. An NHS statement said: The health and social care system is also planning for the possibility of reduced staffing in hospitals and the community as a result of coronavirus in order to mitigate against these risks. Depending on the pressures in the system in the months ahead, trusts (which provide health services) may have to consider postponing routine elective appointments and surgeries to focus on the immediate demands associated with coronavirus. Dr Michael McBride (Michael McHugh/PA) The aim is to flatten the main community transmission peak and delay it until summer when services are less stretched. Medical staff are in a phase of containment, Northern Irelands chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, said. He added: What we are doing is planning for all eventualities. One person in Northern Ireland has been diagnosed with the condition. Around 99% of people affected will make a full recovery, while 95% will suffer mild to moderate symptoms which will not require hospital treatment, Dr McBride added. That is based on data from the source of the infection in China and those numbers will change as they receive information from European systems more aligned with Northern Irelands. Dr McBride said: There are certain steps that we might want to take at an appropriate time which would delay the impact of the virus. For instance, we could think about steps around social distancing, something around mass gatherings, something around schools, which perhaps could prevent the wider transmission of the virus in the community. It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to #COVID19 affected areas, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions https://t.co/PObUcGlie0#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/opcTh99n2j World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 3, 2020 It could push the peak away into the spring and summer time when we know there is less pressure on our services and actually could pull down the height of the peak and the number of people affected. He said they were planning for grouping patients in designated areas or wards and recalled similar efforts in response to the H5N1 avian flu virus. We have been here before, we have done this before and if need be we will put similar steps in place again. Options for testing include special drive-through areas or special pods to have the test carried out by staff wearing protective equipment. (PA Graphics) Doctors are anxious to ensure potential cases do not show up at GP surgeries or emergency departments and spread the virus further. Alternatives could also include checking in the community, where the procedure goes to the person, or home testing kits. Miriam McCarthy, a director at Northern Irelands Health and Social Care Board, said critical care beds had been prepared. A patient with the virus being treated in a single room will experience negative pressure, where air is sucked back into the room rather than mixing with other areas where some patients may have compromised immune systems. She said: We are working to ensure that we protect the critical care capacity for the sickest people. We have about 100 beds in Northern Ireland for adults and children. We may need every bit of that capacity to deal with people infected by the virus. The city of San Antonio is providing a detailed timeline of where the coronavirus patient who was released from quarantine visited during her 12-hour exposure to the city. The woman, who was part of the original cohort of evacuees from Wuhan, was released Saturday after two tests came back negative. During the time the patient was out in San Antonio, a third test returned with "weakly positive" results and was called back to quarantine at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease. By that time, the patient had come in contact with others and visited North Star Mall. Researchers in Brazil analyzed 12 types of tumor and established a gene expression profile associated with cachexia, a potentially fatal syndrome characterized by severe weight loss and muscle wasting. It is estimated that as many as 80% of advanced-stage cancer patients may develop cachexia, a potentially fatal metabolic syndrome characterized by extreme weight loss and muscle wasting, but scientists do not yet fully understand why it is more frequently associated with certain kinds of tumor than others, or why not all cancer patients develop it. Tumor genetics could provide an answer. Researchers at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil analyzed 12 types of cancer and identified patterns of tumor protein secretion that correlated with the prevalence of cachexia and average weight loss for each type. The study was supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. The principal investigator was Robson Francisco Carvalho, a professor at UNESP's Botucatu Institute of Biosciences (IBB). Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Antioquia's Medical School in Colombia also contributed to the study. The results were published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. According to Carvalho, cachexia is most frequent in patients with pancreatic, esophageal, colorectal, stomach and head-and-neck cancer, and least frequent in patients with breast and prostate cancer. "Cachexia-inducing factors, mainly deriving from cancer, had already been associated with development of the syndrome but it was not yet possible to link them to this variation in its prevalence and severity," he said. "In the case of cancer of the pancreas, for example, which correlates closely with cachexia, we found alterations in the expression of 14 out of 25 genes that encode cachexia-inducing factors. In prostate cancer, which does not, we found no change in the expression of any of these 25 genes." Tumor databases The findings of the study were based on an analysis of clinical and molecular data from two public tumor databases, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. To delineate a specific tumor profile, the researchers used 4,651 samples of 12 types of cancer and compared them with 2,737 samples of normal tissue from the same organs. Every cell or tissue produces a transcriptome, a set of RNA molecules responsible for "transmitting" the information encoded by the genes, and for guiding protein synthesis. "Based on transcriptome analysis we compared the gene expression profiles of the proteins secreted by tumors and normal tissue," Carvalho explained. This initial analysis identified new factors that were specific to each type of tumor and could potentially explain variations in the prevalence and severity of cachexia in cancer. Data on all cellular protein-encoding genes came from the Human Protein Atlas. A total of 2,933 human genes associated with proteostasis have been described to date. After analyzing the genes for their list of proteins, the researchers focused on investigating the genes that encode the 25 growth factors and cytokines known to be cachexia-inducing factors. These include CXCL8, IL1B, LIF, TGFA and IL6, analyzed in a previous study based on blood samples from cachectic patients with pancreatic cancer. "In this manner we identified major correlations between the expression profiles of cachexia-inducing factors specific to each tumor type and the prevalence of the syndrome and average weight loss in patients with these cancers," Carvalho said. In pancreatic cancer, for which the patient survival rate is low, average weight loss is 13.7 kilograms (kg). In prostate cancer, which has a high survival rate, average weight loss is less than 2 kg. "We also identified major correlations between the expression profiles of cachexia-inducing factors for each type of tumor and a worse patient prognosis [lower survival rate]," he noted. Patients with end-stage (refractory) cachexia are expected to survive for less than three months. Biomarkers The genes described in the article have the potential to serve as biomarkers of the risk of developing cachexia, a complex condition whose treatment continues to defy science. "This suggests each type of tumor requires specific treatment against cachexia," Carvalho said. "Knowledge of this profile can help physicians identify patients with an unfavorable prognosis, which influences important decisions about their treatment." The researchers at IBB-UNESP had previously made a key discovery in this connection. "Last year, while analyzing cachexia in cases of lung cancer, we found that the protein IL8 secreted by the tumor can induce muscle cell atrophy," Carvalho said. Conducted in collaboration with the Danish research group and with FAPESP's support, the previous study was published in the journal Cancers. "Our analysis of secreted protein gene expression in the tumors of patients with lung cancer and low muscularity as assessed by computed tomography also identified a set of molecules that can be used for prognosis prediction," he explained. Practical application of this knowledge remains a challenge. "Having identified this set of biomarkers of cachexia with significant prognostic value, we may be able in future to develop a panel for assessment of the expression of these genes in tumor tissue," said Paula Paccielli Freire, who conducted the investigation while researching for a PhD at IBB-UNESP. The researchers are now analyzing the transcriptomes of individual cells in tumors with a high prevalence of cachexia, using a technique known as single-cell RNA sequencing. Transcriptome analysis was possible hitherto only with samples of tumor mass, which contains a complex mixture of various cell types. "With the advance of single-cell RNA sequencing, we're now able to identify exactly which cell secretes which cachexia-inducing factor," Carvalho said. ### About Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at http://www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at http://www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe. As rumours of communal violence gripped parts of Delhi on Sunday evening, resulting in at least 1,880 calls related to rioting being made to the Police Control Room, law enforcement officials in the Capital have circulated detailed instructions on combating and dispelling false information. These include guidelines for station house officers (SHO) at various police stations to quell local fears through loudspeakers and marches, use of social media by senior officers for mass messaging, and a crackdown on those who deliberately cause panic. People directly aware of the matter said on Monday that SHOs across the city have been asked to record short videos and quickly circulate them on the influential WhatsApp groups of their areas to assure citizens that the reports of violence and rioting are not true. These videos are to be shot at the spot where the purported violence is taking place, therefore effectively assuaging the fears of the people. This is to be accompanied by broadcasting messages on loudspeakers, sending out tweets through verified police accounts, and measures to isolate panicked residents from those who are purposely fuelling rumours and trying to incite them. While police arrested 41 persons for spreading rumours on Sunday, officers in the central intelligence agencies said they were trying to identify people behind certain social media accounts that started different trends on Sunday evening, propagating false stories of violence in the Capital. An official, who deals with the cyber intelligence at North Block, said several hash tags were started by people from outside Delhi . At the Cyber Cell headquarters of the Delhi police, a police team is regularly monitoring the trending topics every hour. They are trying to identify the source of many fake tweets or messages that have gone viral. One such person (source) was arrested on Monday, he said, asking not to be named. Delhi Police spokesperson Mandeep Singh Randhawa said that Abhishek Shukla, 24, was arrested from Nihal Vihar area for deliberately circulating rumours by posting details of incidents that did not happen. Shukla, police said, has around 10,000 followers on Twitter, who shared his posts believing them to be true. On Sunday evening, as rumours of rioting in many parts of the city spread across the national Capital, the police control room received at least 1,880 calls between 7pm and 9pm. Many were from concerned citizens, while some were from mischief-makers, who are being identified and detained from across the city, Randhawa said. With rumours spreading quickly on WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook, shopkeepers hurriedly closed their shops in parts of west, south and south-east Delhi on Sunday evening. Many who believed the rumours also came out on the streets and stood together in groups. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation briefly closed the gates of seven Metro stations in west Delhi to prevent miscreants from entering the station premises. There was heavy security across the city with top police officers out on the streets after the rumours gained traction. The rioting across parts of north-east Delhi last week claimed 47 lives, left at least 350 injured and led to destruction of property worth tens of crores. At least 1,000 vehicles were set on fire by the rioters. An investigating officer, who did not wish to be named, said: We checked Shuklas posts and saw that he had posted details of fictitious incidents while claiming to have seen them. When we confronted him about this and checked the claims he made, it was found to be false. We are questioning him about the motive. The other persons who have been arrested from other parts of the city are those who called the police control room and claimed to be eyewitnesses of the riots, giving detailed descriptions of the violence (that did not occur) on Sunday night. One caller from south-east Delhis Madanpur Khadar called the PCR (number 100) claiming that he had seen rioters burning a building outside his house. Another caller said that he had seen two groups fighting outside his house. Our officers visited the spots and checked every call. Majority of them were genuine callers who were frightened on hearing the rumours. The ones detained are those who deliberately caused panic. We are in the process of registering a case against them. They will be arrested, said joint commissioner of police (south) Devesh Srivastava. The Intelligence Bureau, which comes under the ministry of home affairs, is already mandated to monitor the activities on internet that may create law and order problems across the country. However, an IB official pointed out the difficulty in gathering information on troublemakers in real time. If a person is propagating violence through social media, it may take us two to three days to identify the account holder as real time data is not shared by the social media giants, he said. The ministry of home affairs(MHA) did not comment on the rumours in Delhi. G7 ambassadors today intended to meet with Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Riaboshapka to discuss reforming of Prosecutor General's Office. "We look forward to today's meeting of the G7 ambassadors with Prosecutor General Riaboshapka to discuss the significant progress he has made in reforming the Prosecutor General's Office," the U.S. Embassy's press office on Ukraine said on Facebook. New Delhi: After serving for more than a decade as President and CEO of Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks, Rajeev Suri has stepped down, paving the way for Pekka Lundmark to wear his shoes in the global role, the company announced on Monday. Suri indicated earlier to the Nokia Board's board of directors that he was considering stepping down from his role at some point in the future, provided a solid succession plan was in place. "After 25 years at Nokia, I wanted to do something different," said Suri. "Nokia will always be part of me, and I want to thank everyone that I have worked with over the years for helping make Nokia a better place and me a better leader," he said. Nokia's board worked closely with Suri to develop internal candidates and identify external candidates. Currently President and CEO of Fortum, a leading energy company based in Espoo, Finland, Lundmark is expected to start in his new role on September 1, the company said in a statement. "With the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent behind us and the world of 5G in front of us, I am pleased that Pekka has agreed to join Nokia," said Risto Siilasmaa, Nokia Board Chair. "On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to thank Rajeev for his many contributions to Nokia, where he has served with both honor and distinction," Siilasmaa added. Suri will leave his current position on August 31, 2020 and continue to serve as an advisor to the Nokia Board until January 1, 2021. "I look forward to working with him (Lundmark) on a smooth transition and wish him the best success in his new role," said Suri. Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has pledged N200 million to support federal governments effort at containing the spread of Covid-19 (CoronaVirus) in the country. The Chief Executive Officer of ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, said the donation was part of the Foundations cardinal objective. Ms Youssoufou said the foundation had earmarked N124 million to support facilities that would assist prevent, assess and respond to health events at Points of Entry to ensure National Health Security. She said other areas the foundation is supporting include surveillance and epidemiology, where facilities worth N36 million will be provided by the foundation to support governments effort. She said the foundation would also donate N48 million for case management and training of health workers. Ms Youssoufou recalled that the Aliko Dangote Foundation committed about N1 billion to the fight against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Africa. She said the foundation supported Nigerian governments Ebola containment efforts through investments that built resilience and strengthened Nigerias health system in a manner expected to endure beyond Ebola crisis. She said the foundation during the Ebola crisis, supported government through provision of funding for the establishment of the National Ebola Emergency Operations Centre (EEOC) in Yaba, Lagos. She said the foundation provided 12 units of Thermal Cameras across Nigerias International Airports with training for 160 staff of the Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Services, on using cameras. Ms Youssoufou added that the foundation provided World Health Organisation certified Personal Protective Equipment against Ebola, and also donated three million dollars to support Africa Unions intervention against Ebola in West Africa. She said complete logistics support for the returnee volunteers on Ebola intervention across countries ravaged by Ebola was provided by the foundation. Also Speaking, Kathleen Whimp, World Bank, Operations Manager, identified four thematic areas to tackling the spread of COVID-19. Ms Whimp said the areas are: regular communication with the public, contact tracing, training of volunteers and international co-operations. Commenting, Director, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, John Oladejo, said there existed challenges in battling the outbreak. Inadequate isolation centres, contact tracing, training of volunteers, international cooperation, fake news and panic, were some of the challenges facing COVID-19 outbreak in the country, he said. COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan China on December 31, 2019, and has since spread to 64 other countries. Nigeria on February 28 confirmed its first case of COVID-19, making it the third African country to confirm the virus. The virus was brought into the country by an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on February 25 from Milan, Italy for a brief business visit. The index case was confirmed on February 27, and is presently being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos. (NAN) By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - Julian Assange is wanted for crimes that put at risk the lives of people in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan who had helped the West, said a lawyer acting for the United States in its bid to extradite the 48-year-old. Almost a decade since his WikiLeaks website enraged Washington by leaking secret U.S. documents, a clean-shaven Assange appeared before an extradition hearing at London's Woolwich Crown Court to confirm his name and age. Judge Vanessa Baraitser, speaking above chanting of "free free Julian Assange" from his supporters outside, cautioned that anyone causing a disturbance would be removed. She said the chanting would not help Assange's case. The United States' lawyer, James Lewis, told the court that Assange should be extradited to stand trial for crimes including hacking, and for disseminating unredacted material which had put at risk the lives of informants, journalists, dissidents and others in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. The United States asked Britain to extradite Assange last year after he was pulled from the Ecuador embassy in London, where he had spent seven years holed up avoiding extradition to Sweden over sex crime allegations which have since been dropped. Assange has served a sentence in Britain for skipping bail and remains jailed pending the U.S. extradition request. Lewis sought to make clear that Assange was not wanted because he had embarrassed the United States but because he had broken the law and put lives at risk. "I would remind the court that these were individuals who were passing on information from Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran," Lewis said. Hundreds of people across the world had to be warned after the WikiLeaks disclosures and some had to be relocated from their countries, he added. "Some sources identified by WikiLeaks ... subsequently disappeared," he said, although he added U.S. authorities could not prove that was a result of WikiLeaks' action. Story continues Jennifer Robinson, Assange's lawyer, has said his case could lead to criminalising activities crucial to investigative journalists and his work has shed an unprecedented light on how the United States conducted its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We are talking about collateral murder, evidence of war crimes," she said last week. "They are a remarkable resource for those of us seeking to hold governments to account for abuses." HERO OR ENEMY? Assange is wanted by the United States on 18 criminal counts of conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law, and could spend decades in prison if convicted. Lewis said Assange had conspired with Chelsea Manning, then an American soldier known as Bradley Manning, to hack Department of Defense computers. He said the defence was exaggerating when it said Assange might receive a U.S. jail term of 170 years. Dressed in a blue-grey suit, Assange sat in the dock and studied legal papers. A hero to admirers who say he has exposed abuses of power, Assange is cast by critics as a threat to Western security. He says the extradition is politically motivated by those embarrassed by his revelations. In addition to releasing military records, WikiLeaks angered Washington by publishing secret U.S. diplomatic cables that laid bare critical U.S. appraisals of world leaders. Assange made headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified U.S. military video showing a 2007 U.S. helicopter strike in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. Since he fell foul of the United States, he has always feared ending up on trial there. The hearing will not decide if Assange is guilty of any wrongdoing, but whether the extradition request meets the requirements set out under a 2003 UK-U.S. treaty, which critics say is stacked in Washington's favour. The case will get under way before being postponed until May 18, when it will resume again for a further three weeks to allow both sides more time to gather evidence. (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Peter Graff) A 25-year-old man running a fever created a flutter as he went missing briefly from a hospital here where he was sent on arrival from Malaysia after screening for coronavirus but returned on his own and has been admitted to the isolation ward, officials said on Tuesday. His samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology lab in Alappuzha for tests, doctors said. The man had returned from Malaysia on Monday with fever and was referred to the Kalamassery Government Medical College in the wee hours after thermal screening at the international airport here. He was noticed missing from the Out Patient wing of the hospital on Monday night, following which authorities informed the Ernakulam District Collector and the police. The man later returned to hospital and is currently under observation in the isolation ward for Covid 19 patients, district health authorities said. Youth Congress workers staged a protest alleging negligence on the part of the health authorities in handling the case. Last Saturday, a36-year-old man admitted to the medical collegehospital here and tested negative for coronavirus had died due to pneumonia. Kerala had reported the country's first three Coronavirus cases but all the patients had been discharged from hospitals after they recovered and tested negative for the infection, which has claimed over 3,100 lives and affected 90,000 people in more than 60 countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But its virtually certain that sometimes you will buy stocks that fall short of the market average returns. Unfortunately, that's been the case for longer term Tian An China Investments Company Limited (HKG:28) shareholders, since the share price is down 41% in the last three years, falling well short of the market return of around 10.0%. And over the last year the share price fell 31%, so we doubt many shareholders are delighted. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 13% in the last 90 days. See our latest analysis for Tian An China Investments In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During the three years that the share price fell, Tian An China Investments's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 24% each year. In comparison the 16% compound annual share price decline isn't as bad as the EPS drop-off. So the market may not be too worried about the EPS figure, at the moment -- or it may have previously priced some of the drop in. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). SEHK:28 Past and Future Earnings, March 2nd 2020 We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. 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. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Tian An China Investments, it has a TSR of -32% for the last 3 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 While the broader market lost about 8.5% in the twelve months, Tian An China Investments shareholders did even worse, losing 28% (even including dividends) . However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 4.6% 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 Tian An China Investments better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Tian An China Investments , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Tian An China Investments is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on HK 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. Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (25) Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Waymo said it has raised $2.25 billion in new funding adding its first non-Alphabet investors and said it will likely bring in other first-round investors as its self-driving technology moves closer to commercialization. Why it matters: It's a strong signal that these investors believe Waymo the self-driving tech startup from Google parent Alphabet is leading the race to bring automated vehicles to market. But it's also a reminder that the technology is incredibly expensive, and eventually, parent company Alphabet expects Waymo to stand on its own. Details: The round was led by private equity firm Silver Lake, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Mubadala Investment Company, a UAE sovereign wealth fund. Additional investors include Magna International, AutoNation, VC fund Andreessen Horowitz as well as Alphabet. Waymo declined to share its post-money valuation. Between the lines: In a call with reporters, Waymo CEO John Krafcik said the strategic help from its new investors is just as important as their money. Magna, a top auto industry supplier, is already a partner on manufacturing and engineering, helping to integrate Waymo's "driver" into Chrysler Pacifica minivans at a facility in Detroit. The two firms may now collaborate on new sensors, Krafcik said. AutoNation, a large car dealership chain, services and maintains Waymo's fleet of 600 self-driving minivans in Phoenix. Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake, will join Waymo's operating board, along with a representative of the Canadian pension fund. Were deeply aligned with Waymos commitment to making our roads safer, and look forward to working together to help advance and scale the Waymo Driver in the U.S. and beyond," Durban said in a blog post. The big picture: Seeking outside investment for Google's big bets like Waymo is not unexpected, according to Krafcik. "This is really along the evolutionary path we had imagined, that the companies would move in the direction of more independence and autonomy...We're right on path with the Alphabet plan." Alphabet's life-sciences unit, Verily, raised $1 billion from outside investors, led by Silver Lake, in 2019. What's next: Waymo also let slip the commercial name for its new cargo delivery division Waymo Via. It had planned to reveal the name at this week's Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland, which was cancelled due to coronavirus fears. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 11:53 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067e90ee 1 Business jakarta-composite-index,JCI,Indonesia-Stock-Exchange,IDX,bank-indonesia,Financial-Services-Authority,COVID-19,Jokowi Free Indonesian stocks jumped by more than 3 percent on Tuesday morning, reversing deep losses in recent days due to the spread of COVID-19, as market players regain confidence following authorities efforts to calm the market down. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), the main gauge of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), soared 1.31 percent to 5,431.30 when Tuesdays session was opened. The uptrend then continued as the index climbed to 3.09 percent to 5,527.2 at 11:52 p.m. Jakarta time. The benchmark index ended Monday with a deep correction of 1.68 percent, sending it to its lowest level since February 2017. Over the last week, the benchmark stock index has fallen 7.3 percent. Read also: IDX, BI cushion virus-battered financial markets as investors dump Indonesian assets The market players seem to have calmed themselves down from their self-induced panic last week, Jasa Utama Capital equity analyst Chris Apriliony told The Jakarta Post. Thats why the JCI rebounded really high. The government and the central banks effort to maintain the rupiahs stability and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the IDX measures and proposed policies to anchor the stocks helped the index bounce back, he added. Bank Indonesia (BI) announced five measures to stabilize the rupiah on Monday while the bourse halted short-selling transactions to prevent the stock market from falling deeper after President Joko Jokowi Widodo announced Indonesias first two confirmed cases of COVID-19. The OJK previously said to allow companies to buy back their shares without approval from a shareholders meeting. The JCIs bullish movement on Tuesday morning was in line with regional stock market indices. Tokyo increased 0.2 percent, Shanghai jumped 1.36 percent, Hong Kong strengthened by 0.69 percent and Seoul soared 1.83 percent. Read also: BI cuts reserve ratio, frees up $3.2b liquidity in local banks amid market sell-off The consumer sector index led the JCI strengthening on Tuesday morning, recording a jump of 3.54 percent as share prices of consumer stocks at pharmaceutical firm PT Kimia Farma and food manufacturing giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur jumped 9.8 percent and 6.4 percent respectively. Chris said one of the reasons for the sector indexs jump was the publics panic buying on Monday, causing food products and supplies to fly off the supermarket shelves. However, if we look closely, the share prices of several consumer goods stocks have become very cheap due to the rout and prompted investors to buy more of the stocks, he said. Parker: I'm trying to see what customers are seeing. I'm looking for choke points. I'm seeing where lines are forming and where processes aren't moving, and I want to know why. ... Maynard: If you notice something amiss in a process American can control, do you bring it up? Parker: I do, but I can't think of a time when the answer wasn't, "Oh, yes, we're working on it." ... Any CEO will tell you that you may see things and question them, but you have to be very careful doing anything about it. Maynard: Why? Parker: You don't want to change the priority of something that wasn't a priority. You want to be careful not to have people drop what they are doing so they can take care of something you noticed. New Delhi, March 3 : A day after Vistara Chairman Bhaskar Bhat said that it is evaluating bidding for Air India, Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has said that it would be foolish on the part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow Vistara to bid. Swamy in a tweet cited an ongoing case against the company in the Delhi High Court and went on to call Vistara an "illegal airline". "It is ridiculous for Vistara to bid for Air India. Vistara is an illegal airline and there an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court on a PIL filed by me. In that its partner, TATA is under CBI & ED probe. I hope MoCA does not foolishly allow them to participate," Swamy tweeted. Bhat on Monday said that the airline is evaluating to bid for the national carrier Air India. He added no decision has been taken so far and only after the evaluation is complete, the company would decide on bidding in the disinvestment process. The government in January restarted the divestment process of Air India and invited bids for selling 100 per cent of its equity in the state-owned airline, including Air India's 100 per cent shareholding in AI Express Ltd. and 50 per cent in Air India SATS Airport Services Private Ltd. After its unsuccessful bid to sell Air India in 2018, the government this time has decided to offload its entire stake. In 2018, it had offered to sell its 76 per cent stake in the airline. Of the total debt of Rs 60,074 crore as of March 31, 2019, the buyer would be required to absorb Rs 23,286 crore. Children of Eden the musical will play two concert performances this spring, it was announced today. The musical with a newly revised score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John Caird will play at Cadogan Hall on 3 May and feature of cast including Alice Fearn (Come From Away), Karl Queensborough (Hamilton), Adam Pearce (The Prince of Egypt), Sharon Rose (Hamilton), Rob Houchen (The Light in the Piazza) and Tyrone Huntley (Jesus Christ Superstar). They will be joined by a chorus from Guildford School of Acting and children from Stage Box Musical Theatre. Additional casting will be announced in due course. Children of Eden will be directed by Caird, with assistant direction by Houchen and musical direction by Alfonso Casado. The concert will help raise money to support the work of Mustardseed School, which has a mission to provide an inspirational and practical education to young children in Sentema, Uganda. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet. REUTERS/Brandon Wade/File Photo Google is making the premium paid features in its Hangouts Meet video-conferencing features free until September 30, extended from the previous date of July 1, to help businesses and schools keep operating remotely as they're impacted by the coronavirus. Those features include being able to have up to 250 participants per call, live streaming for up to 100,000 viewers within a domain, and the ability to record meetings and save them to Google Drive. "As more employees, educators, and students work remotely in response to the spread of COVID-19, we want to do our part to help them stay connected and productive." Google wrote in a blog post. Zoom, a leading competitor to Google's chat tools, lifted time limits on its free product for users in China and made its product free for schools. Analysts say that cloud software tools that help people stay connected could actually benefit from increased usage due to the coronavirus, as more people work remotely. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Google is giving everybody free access to its advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing features for free until September 30, to help businesses and schools that have been impacted by the coronavirus disease, COVID-19. At the beginning of March, Google said it would make its premium Hangouts Meet features free until July 1. On Tuesday, that was extended to September 30. G Suite also now has over 6 million paying businesses as of March, up from 5 million in February 2019, the company told CNBC on Tuesday. In a blog post, the company said "as more employees, educators, and students work remotely in response to the spread of COVID-19, we want to do our part to help them stay connected and productive." Hangouts is part of Google's G Suite set of productivity tools, alongside Google Docs and Sheets. It also has an education focused version of its product and an enterprise version for large businesses called Hangouts Meet, in an paid enterprise version of G Suite. It's that premium version that will be made free until the end of September. Story continues Those features include being able to have up to 250 participants per call, live streaming for up to 100,000 viewers within a domain, and the ability to record meetings and save them to Google Drive. This comes well after Zoom, a competitor to Google's Hangouts Meet tool, lifted time limits on its free product for users in China and made the product free for schools. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many schools and offices have been closed. Tools like Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Cisco's WebEx are being used to allow classes to continue remotely for students of all ages and grade levels. Zoom, for its part, has seen a tremendous spike in usage, even as it faces scrutiny over its security and privacy practices, going from 10 million daily active users in December to 200 million by the end of March. "We're committed to supporting our users and customers during this challenging time, and are continuing to scale our infrastructure to support greater Hangouts Meet demand, ensuring streamlined, reliable access to the service throughout this period," Google said in a blog post in March. Got a tip? Contact this reporter via email at pzaveri@businessinsider.com or Signal at 925-364-4258. (PR pitches by email only, please.) You can also contact Business Insider securely via SecureDrop. Read the original article on Business Insider Page Content In a very good meeting held on Monday, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs along with senior staff of the Dutch side government met with their French counterparts and the Prefete Sylvie Foucher to discuss the developments surrounding the COVID-19 virus and its presence on the twin nation island. St. Maarten currently has zero, absolutely no suspected nor confirmed cases of COVID-19. A situation like this shows how important it is to have good cooperation between the two sides of the island. Our island is an important hub for the region, with a great amount of international traffic. We have an open border and therefore this issue is a joint issue, which we are addressing in cooperation, said Prime Minister Jacobs. During the last few weeks, our Collective Prevention Services (CPS) Department have been in close contact with its French counterparts to assess preparedness and measures and to exchange protocols. In the meeting held, The Prefete and Prime Minister Jacobs discussed the situation and plans for the coming period. The prefete gave updates on the two patients infected with the virus currently in medical isolation on the French side, wherein it was confirmed that they continue to enjoy good health and show no symptoms. Also exchanged was information on the protocols that are in place in relation to the COVID-19 on both sides of the border. Another subject we discussed relates to the hub function of our island and the international component. This entails the travel restrictions and procedures at our points of entry. Those being our airports, the harbors and ferry terminals. St. Maarten has upped its sanitary practices for all frontline operations at all the ports of entry and schools. The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) will continue to offer guidance in this regard as requested by different frontline operations. Preventative measures are being taken to minimize risks and both parties have agreed to remain in close contact where this is concerned. A situation like this underlines the importance of good cooperation. This cooperation entails contacts and coordination on an operational level in many areas, sometimes daily, as well as strategic cooperation on a political level in our yearly quadripartite meeting. The subject of public health has only recently been added to the agenda of this Q meeting and I am planning to use the experience with this Corona virus and take this to our next Q meeting with the aim to continue this good cooperation, concluded Prime Minister Jacobs. The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), reminds the general population that they should step-up handwashing and cough/sneeze etiquettes in order to prevent getting the coronavirus COVID-19. CPSs influenza-prevention guidance is to practice daily proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using alcohol-based hand rub; and cough/sneeze etiquettes (cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing); and throw away your tissues in the garbage bin; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. In accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) regulations, St. Maarten requests of all citizens and visitors that self-isolation should be the first action that one should take if they suspect that they have been in close contact with someone who has the Coronavirus. Persons with flu-like symptoms (e.g. cough, fever, tiredness) should call their family physician or CPS staff. They should explain what symptoms they have and follow the instructions of the family physician/ambulance staff who will advise them on what steps they should take. For more information, you can call the following emergency numbers of the Collective Prevention Service: 520-4523, 520-1348 or 520-5283. FOLLOW-UP: Listen to the Government Radio station 107.9FM for official information, statements and news updates or visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/coronavirusor and Facebook Page: Government of Sint Maarten. Photo Caption: Head of CPS Eva Lista-de Weever, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, The Prefete Sylvie Foucher, Director of the territorial delegation Brice Daverton & President of the collectivite of St. Martin Daniel Gibbs. New Delhi: Popular television actresses Anita Hassanandani and Nia Sharma, who are presently seen on Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms's supernatural franchise 'Naagin 4', turned up the heat on TikTok with their 'wow' dance. Anita posted the TikTok video on her Instagram account featuring herself with Nia Sharma. The lead actresses sneaked out some time together in-between the shots at the 'Naagin 4' sets. Watch the video: Both the lead stars of the show can be seen dressed in beautiful sarees, letting their hair down on 'Wow You Can Really Dance' song. We are in love with their funny reactions though. The fourth instalment of the superhit show 'Naagin' has fetched great TRPs making it yet another successful season. Before Nia, Mouni Roy, Adaa Khan, Karishma Tanna and Surbhi Jyoti have played pivotal parts in the show. Anita Hassanandani was seen in the previous season of the show as well. Nia Sharma, she was once ranked second in the Top 50 Sexiest Asian Women 2017 list published by British-based Eastern Eye newspaper and was ranked third in 2016 respectively. Watch out at the Oscars on Sunday for Hatidze Muratova. You can't miss her. She will be the only Turkish-Macedonian peasant in the starry audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Until "Honeyland" -- the "non-fiction masterpiece" in which the village beekeeper appears -- won a record three awards at the Sundance film festival, Hatidze lived in a tiny mud and stone house without electricity and running water in the wilds of North Macedonia. Now it has become the first film ever to get Oscar nominations for both best documentary and best foreign language movie, Hatidze has become a full-blown celebrity who gets stopped in the street by Hollywood stars. "Sarah Jessica Parker was very excited to meet her after seeing the film," "Honeyland" producer Atanas Georgiev told AFP. Having lived 56 years quite happily without television, Hatidze wasn't all that aware of "Sex and the City", although she graciously told the star-struck actress's fortune "by reading the coffee grains in bottom of her cup." When Hatidze went for a dress fitting for the Oscars in the North Macedonian capital Skopje, it took "20 minutes for her to walk 200 metres because so many people wanted to have a selfie with her," Georgiev revealed. "People love her. She has become a star. We have no option but to cope with it somehow," said Georgiev, who also edited the film. - Oscar buzz - "Anthropologically, we were not supposed to do this," Georgiev said of Hatidze's Hollywood adventure, fearing she might be seen "as a lion in a cage... But there was big pressure from the public in Macedonia" for her to go to the Oscars. Indeed, the contrast could not be more stark to Hatidze's solitary life in Bekirlija, where she tends her hives of wild bees, only ever taking half the honey so the bees would always have their due. She and her dying, half-blind mother, Nazife, were the last residents of the abandoned mountain village. Life was hard but peaceful in this forgotten corner of the Balkans. That is until their nomadic neighbours, Hussein and Ljutvie Sam, moved in with their unruly herd of children, cows and chickens. The story that unfolds in "Honeyland" is such a perfect parable of our times as we fret over the planet, that the New York Times declared it "the best movie of the year". With eight hungry mouths to feed, Hussein tries his hand at honey. But under pressure to produce more from a local merchant, he breaks Hatidze's golden rule of leaving half for the bees, with disastrous consequences for everyone. Critic A.O. Scott hailed "Honeyland" as "nothing less than a found epic, a real-life environmental allegory and a stinging comedy about the age-old problem of inconsiderate neighbours." Georgiev said it didn't quite fall so easily from the sky. The shoot lasted three years, with co-directors Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov camping in the village with their cameramen until their batteries would run out -- since there was no electricity for miles. Because the crew couldn't understand the old Ottoman Turkish dialect she spoke to her mother, Georgiev did the first rough edit on mute. - Always half for the bees - "We were doing it by instinct, and then as soon as we got the translations the plot was all there. It was amazing," he said. Georgiev realised they had something way beyond a morality tale about capitalism on their hands. The eureka moment was when "Hatidze talked about half the honey being for the bees and half for her. This was the most powerful sentence," he said. "The mother and daughter story is so beautiful and almost mythological, but with the honey, there is conflict, capitalism and consumerism. It really says something important about the world," he added. From the start, Georgiev said they were very aware about their responsibilities to their subjects and the eco-system -- both natural and human -- that they come from. They have since helped set Hatidze up in a new winter home close to her relatives in the "nearest village to civilisation". A "Honeyland" foundation for her, the Sam family and the wider community, is up and running, with internet donors getting some of their wild "bio honey" in the post. Not that Hatidze is a rustic yokel. "She is sharp, very intelligent and speaks four languages from different language groups -- Turkish, Macedonian, Albanian and Vlach (Aromanian)," Georgiev said. Georgiev puts much of the film's phenomenal success down to Hatidze's "wonderful heart". But he thinks there was other magic also at work from her late mother, the "queen bee" of the piece. "I think she put a spell on us all, so that we would look after her daughter when she was gone," he said. Macedonian film producer Atanas Georgiev (L) and co-directors Tamara Kotevska (C) and Ljubomir Stefanov (R) have received two Oscar nominations for their film "Honeyland" Pods set up to test people who think they have coronavirus at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast One of the most formative thinkers of the 1960s was the Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan, who coined the term Global Village. As a media theorist, even before the advent of the internet, it was his view that the world had been shrunk into a Global Village by modern advances in communications and the effects of mass media on human thought and behaviour. If we look at the impact that the non-stop news of the coronavirus is having on the international community as well as our own, then it is clear that McLuhan's prediction of a Global Village has become a living reality. This can be bad and good for humanity. However, it is too early to judge the ultimate outcome of the coronavirus. Its impact on health and welfare may not be as negative as the media starkly predicts. To listen to some alarmist reporting, you could be forgiven for thinking that some media outlets are reporting on the Black Death that wiped out at least a third of Europe's population in the 14th century. To date the virus has been spreading steadily, but not rapidly, throughout the world. Despite the overkill in TV news and social media about the virus, statistically its impact has been limited to about 84,000 people worldwide and those are principally in the Hubei region of China, where the coronavirus originated. The mortality rate is 2% and many of those who have died were elderly people with pre-existing critical health conditions. The reality is that coronavirus is unfortunately advancing right across the globe, but not at a rate that should frighten or panic us These sober figures put a proper perspective on the current scale of this outbreak on the world's population. Absurdly, because the outbreak of the virus took place in China, there has been an irrational wave of anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the world. Some restaurants in Italy and Japan are reported to have refused to serve Chinese people. In Britain and Canada Chinese people have been abused in the street. The Wall Street Journal had an offensive opinion piece headlined: 'China is the real sick man of Asia'. This denigrating headline harkened back to the imperialistic colonisation of China in the 19th century when it was exploited and humiliated by some European powers. This article caused grave insult to the Chinese, resulting in the expulsion of three Wall Street Journal reporters from the country. The confirmation at the end of last week that a woman living here had been diagnosed with coronavirus and was consequently isolated was bad news, but that should not have been unexpected. On foot of that news, a further case of coronavirus has also been diagnosed in the south, making the public feel even more uneasy. But given the frequency and ease of air travel throughout the world it was inevitable that the virus would spread to Ireland. The reality is that coronavirus is unfortunately advancing right across the globe, but not at a rate that should frighten or panic us. Naturally all our sympathies go out to the infected woman, her child and her family at this extremely difficult time for them all. Healthcare is one vital area where close cooperation and coordination of public services on this island should be a top priority But great credit should also be given to this woman for speedily attending her general practitioner and self-isolating at home. Her good sense is a lesson to the public at large and her quick action should be an example to anyone with suspected symptoms. It is fashionable to criticise the health service here and to highlight its failings, but in the main the health service does a top class job and we should have confidence that those dedicated medical professionals, both doctors and nurses, will provide a vigorous defence against the spread of the coronavirus in Northern Ireland. The fact that the virus has been diagnosed both north and south of the border adds to the concerns of the public in both jurisdictions. People are now naturally worried about its spread throughout the whole island. Healthcare is one vital area where close cooperation and coordination of public services on this island should be a top priority. Nor should there be any politics involved in north and south health services jointly managing this imminent danger to the welfare and lives of everyone living on this island. Robin Swann, the former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and now Minister for Health, is an able, enthusiastic and engaging politician who is well capable of dealing with any potential crisis here. The current uncertain and unpredictable situation is a serious challenge for someone so new to the job, but he and his team of public health officials are up to that challenge. He should be afforded full moral and political support by his Executive colleagues and there should be no point-scoring by other politicians if things go wrong. In this vulnerable situation, north-south public health cooperation should be an agreed goal. Sadly, any discussion of consequences is missing both from the E.U.s statement and in Swedens position. It should be impossible to continue normal diplomatic relations with a state that claims ownership of anyone, regardless of nationality. In fact, maintaining relations with a state such as this could hardly be understood as normal in the first place. Governments need to recognize that their relationship to China actively puts their citizens at risk of having all their rights and protections stripped at any moment. If this is not a risk they are prepared to take, what are they prepared to do about it? Until they offer an answer, we must keep asking what their words of condemnation really mean. Over 70 countries have already confirmed cases of a novel coronavirus, covering a large number in China, followed by South Korea, Italy, and Iran. Started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the COVID-19 coronavirus quickly spread through parts of Asia, and now has reached North America, the Middle East, and Europe, in just a matter of three months. As of this writing, there are 91,318 people infected and more than 3,000 confirmed deaths worldwide. With that said, the outbreak raised worldwide anxiety concerning the rapid increase in affected countries, thus, leaving a global run on sales of face masks despite health officials plea to stop 'panic buying' and hoarding. Face Mask Mania Outbreak, but make it fashion! Celebrities were spotted taking no chance and sporting different kinds of face masks amid the virus scare. Host, Steve Harvey, and wife, Marjorie, wore a bedazzled face mask while sitting in a first-class plane. Actress, Kate Hudson, and supermodel, Bella Hadid posted a selfie wearing a surgical mask. Selena Gomez, on the other hand, wore a painter's mask to protect herself from the virus. "Goop" founder, Gwyneth Paltrow warns the public as she posts a photo of herself in black face mask with captions: "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. ." The actress was referring to her 2011 thriller movie "Contagion." Meanwhile, heath organizations urge influencers to avoid wearing masks as they only promote a dangerous myth to the public. "Stop Wearing Masks" With the increasing number of patients and the decreasing number of available surgical grade masks, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only recommends three types of people to use it. First, people showing symptoms of the disease, like common respiratory illness such as cough, fever, and colds. Second are health care workers and lastly, those who are taking care of someone at home who might be infected. Amid the mask-buying frenzy, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, took to his social media to address the public regarding the current situation. In his Twitter account, he posted: "Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing the general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can't get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!" It was also said that wearing masks won't do any good but rather it will make the situation worse. "There's little harm in it, but it's not likely to be very effective in preventing it," Eric Toner, a scientist at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Business Insider. CDC also added that the best way to keep yourself from the virus is not by wearing a surgical mask but rather frequently washing your hands, avoiding touching your face and also by avoiding any contact from a sick patient. READ MORE: Caitlyn Jenner Done Talking About Politics -- Here's Why! Oman will not let in travelers from countries hit by the COVID-19 coronavirus disease even if they go through territories that are clear of the virus, the Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports citing Sputnik. "Visitors to the Sultanate from countries where the disease is prevalent will not be allowed to enter by air, sea or land even if they transit through other countries and have valid visas", it tweeted. The Ministry said this was a precautionary measure against the virus spillover from "some countries", which it did not name. On 24 February, the country's television said, citing the health ministry, that two cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in Oman. China leads the global infection tally despite seeing a slowdown in the pace of reported cases. More than 60 countries have confirmed infections globally, with South Korea, Italy and Iran emerging as virus hotbeds last month. Currently, the global death toll exceeds 3,000 people, with over 90,000 infected. With FAPESP's support, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute and Oxford University in the UK trained a laboratory team to use a low-cost sequencing technology even before the virus arrived in Brazil. Only two days after Latin Americas first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Sao Paulo, the largest Brazilian city, researchers at Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL), the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil and the University of Oxford in the UK have published the complete genome sequence for the virus, which they call severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The report was published on February 28 on Virological.org, a forum for discussion and data sharing used by virologists, epidemiologists and public health specialists. This kind of information helps understand how the virus is spreading around the world, and is useful for the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests. By sequencing the genome, weve come closer to finding out the origin of the epidemic. We know the confirmed cases in Brazil came from Italy, but the Italians dont yet know the origin of the outbreak in Lombardy as they have yet to sequence their samples. They havent identified patient zero and dont know whether he or she came from China directly or via other countries, Ester Sabino, head of USPs Tropical Medicine Institute (IMT), told Agencia FAPESP. According to Sabino, the first Brazilian sequence closely resembles the samples sequenced in Germany on January 28 and differs from the genome sequenced in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic in China. This virus mutates relatively little, once a month on average, so theres no point in sequencing small pieces of the genome. To understand how the virus is spreading and evolving, we have to map the whole genome, she said. The researchers at IAL also sequenced the whole genome of the coronavirus isolated from the second Brazilian patient diagnosed with COVID-19, as the disease is officially called, on February 29. Completed only 24 hours after confirmation of the case in Brazil, the study shows that there are differences between the genomes of the viruses isolated from the first and second patients. The second Brazilian genome is more similar to the genome sequenced in the United Kingdom, and both differ from the Chinese sequences. This suggests the COV-19 epidemic is maturing in Europe in the sense that internal transmission is already occurring in European countries, Sabino said. The ongoing monitoring process, she added, will enable scientists to identify the regions of the viral genome that mutate least, an essential step in developing vaccines and diagnostic tests. If the tests target a region that mutates frequently, the probability of loss of sensitivity will be high, she said. Epidemiological surveillance Sabino and Nuno Faria, a professor at Oxford University, are co-principal investigators of the Brazil-UK Center for Arbovirus Discovery, Diagnosis, Genomics and Epidemiology (CADDE). The project, supported by FAPESP, the UK Medical Research Council and the Newton Fund, aims to conduct real-time epidemiological analysis of arboviruses such as dengue and zika. This project has created a network of researchers dedicated to responding to epidemics and analyzing epidemiological data in real time, Sabino said. The aim is to provide genuine assistance to health services and not just publish information months after the problem occurs. According to Sabino, as soon as China confirmed the first outbreak of COVID-19 in January, the project team mobilized to obtain the resources necessary to sequence the virus as soon as it arrived in Brazil. We began partnering with the IAL team and training researchers to use MinION, a portable, low-cost sequencing technology. We used this methodology to monitor the evolution of zika virus in the Americas, but in that case we were able to trace the origin of the virus and the dissemination route only a year after the epidemic ended. This time the team went into action as soon as the first case was confirmed, Sabino said (read more at: agencia.fapesp.br/25472). The main advantage of real-time epidemic monitoring, she added, is the possibility of identifying exactly where viruses that arrive in Brazil have come from. This information is useful to guide containment actions and help reduce dissemination of the disease. Its a new tool for epidemiological surveillance. So far its been tested only in Africa during the Ebola epidemic, Sabino said. We wanted to publish this second sequence right away to help colleagues in Italy analyze their data. We shared the protocol used by our team with the Italians and put them in touch with the CADDE group in the UK. Breaking down barriers The first case of COVID-19 in Brazil (BR1) was diagnosed by molecular biology on February 26 by the IAL team. The patient was infected in Italy, possibly between February 9 and 21. The viral genome was sequenced by a team led by Claudio Tavares Sacchi, who heads IALs Strategic Laboratory (LEIAL), and Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, a postdoctoral fellow of USPs Medical School (FM-USP) and holder of a scholarship from FAPESP. We were expecting the virus to arrive in Sao Paulo State, and as soon as we had confirmation I got in touch with our partners at IMT-USP. Wed been working with them for months on the use of MinION to monitor dengue, Sacchi told Agencia FAPESP. We were able to break down a few barriers with this study. The university trained teams and transferred technology so that the virus can be sequenced in the right place, which is the center responsible for epidemiological surveillance. Thats how things should be done, Sabino said. Besides IAL and USP, the participants in CADDE include members of the Center for Control of Endemic Diseases (SUCEN) and the Center for Epidemiological Surveillance (CVE), both of which are agencies of the Sao Paulo State Department of Health. Containment plan Since mid-January infectious disease specialist Esper Kallas, a professor at FM-USP, has helped the Sao Paulo State Department of Health develop a care strategy for patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. The Emilio Ribas Institute and FM-USPs general hospital (Hospital das Clinicas) have been designated referral centers for severe cases in the state. Hospital das Clinicas follows an emergency response and disaster containment protocol called HICS [hospital incident command system], which was triggered to care for victims of the school shooting in Suzano [a city in metropolitan Sao Paulo where ten people were killed in 2019] and during the yellow fever epidemic in 2018. Weve now established all the care flows in anticipation of the imminent coronavirus epidemic, Kallas said. A working group has been set up, he added, to discuss protocols for clinical trials to be held with patients diagnosed and treated by the states health system. This strategic planning and rapid publication of the viral genome demonstrate Sao Paulo States capacity to respond with high-quality science and contribute to the understanding of threats to public health, Kallas said. 1. The risk to the American people of the coronavirus remains low. That was Vice President Mike Pence in a briefing tonight. His reassurance contrasted with warnings delivered by other federal officials today, as the virus claimed the lives of three more residents of a Kirkland, Wash., nursing care facility. That brought to six the number of U.S. deaths, all in the state of Washington. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the virus had now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions. The U.S. is radically expanding its testing for the virus, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coming under criticism for the prior pace of testing. The secrecy Illinois lawmakers ratified covers a rapidly expanding industry that generated $39 million in retail sales in the first month alone. The statute allowed about 50 dispensaries, all previously medical sellers, to obtain licenses to sell recreational pot. By May, the state plans to award as many as 75 more recreational store licenses from a field of about 700 applications. By July, the state plans to issue 40 more licenses to growers, 40 to businesses that infuse marijuana into other products and an indefinite number to business that transport weed. A group of fans has petitioned the makers of Daniel Craig's latest James Bond movie "No Time To Die" to delay the release in the wake of coronovirus scare. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries, including the US, Italy and Iran. "No Time To Die", which marks Craig's final outing as the suave Britist spy, is slated for a UK release on April 8 and in North America on April 10. In an open letter posted on MI6-HQ.com, the fan group placed onus on the producers of the film to put the health of the public over everything else. "After enduring three delays in production already, it is by no means easy to say this: the release of 'No Time To Die' should be postponed. With the coronavirus reaching pandemic status, it is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of cancelling publicity events," read the statement. The fan group urged distributors MGM and Universal and producer Eon Productions to push the film's release until summer as well as its world premiere scheduled for March 31 in London. "That brings us to the world premiere for No Time To Die set for March 31st in London. Hundreds of fans and celebrities from around the world will be flying to the UK to attend. "The Royal Albert Hall capacity is above the 5,000 limit that affected countries are banning for public gatherings. Just one person, who may not even show symptoms, could infect the rest of the audience. This is not the type of publicity anyone wants," the letter said. The group said the film is not more "important" than the "well-being of fans around the world, and their families". "Delay the release of 'No Time To Die' until the summer when experts expect the epidemics to have peaked and to be under control. It's just a movie. The health and well-being of fans around the world, and their families, is more important. "We have all waited over 4 years for this film. Another few months will not damage the quality of the film and only help the box-office for Daniel Craig's final hurrah," the letter concluded. "No Time To Die", directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, also features Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux, Jeffrey Wright, Ana De Armas, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, and others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FLINT, MI -- A Flint Community Schools bond proposal before voters this month is the second of its kind in the state since Michigans Proposal A of 1994, according to an education expert. If passed, the $30.62 million in bonds would go directly toward eliminating the deficit of the school district, according to ballot language. It would allow the district to pay off a $22 million loan taken out in 2014 in seven years instead of 18, according to the district. This tax proposal was made possible after Detroit Public Schools faced massive debts and building deficits in 2016, prompting a change in state law. Flint school tax proposals topic of upcoming meeting After Detroit, Flint is the second district to place this bond on local ballots, said David Arsen, Michigan State University professor of education policy and administration. I would say this is a creative measure by the local district to try to balance the books and put itself in a sounder financial situation, but I also think by doing so -- that is to say by asking voters to pay for this outstanding debt -- it lets the state off the hook for things the state really is responsible for, Arsen said. Flint Community Schools recent financial woes are a prime example of how Michigans education finance system fails struggling school districts, he said. In Flint, the city district was hit with a triple whammy, he said, explaining that the city is at a disadvantage in three parts: It has declining enrollment, similar to many post-industrial urban cities, and faces disproportionate special education costs enhanced by the water crisis. The district is also in Genesee County, the lowest taxable value per pupil county of any Michigan intermediate school district, Arsen said. (Genesee County) is at the bottom of counties with the ability to pay at the same time when the need is greatest because of the water crisis, Arson said. This can only be solved by a change in state policy. Change to Proposal A The 2016 law change that makes the Flint schools bond proposal possible eliminated deficit borrowing and taxing restrictions adopted under Proposal A 25 years ago. Bonds called school financing stability bonds can now be placed on voters ballots in Michigan school districts. Michigan voters approved Proposal A in March of 1994, which amended laws around Michigan school financing. Before Proposal A, a district could levy local taxes to help fund facility or operational expenses. After the 1994 law change, districts lost the authority to ask local voters for operating millages, but maintained the ability to ask voters to help fund facilities. Because of Proposal A, Michigan funding for school operations is highly centralized as it is almost exclusively dependent on student count, Arsen said. In this funding system, all the money follows the kids, Arson said. However, funding for facilities is an unusually decentralized system and dependent on local property taxes. Around the same time Proposal A passed, school of choice laws were loosened, which increased the disproportionate numbers of district students attending charter schools or schools that are in outside districts, Arsen said. In districts like Flint, only a fraction of students in the district attend district schools. Michigan school funding becomes especially disproportionate when a district faces rapidly declining enrollment, he said. As students leave, the district looses its centralized operation funding but the facilities left behind are still in the hands of the districts taxpayers. Flint superintendent outlines tax proposals at public meetings There are declining enrollment issues all over Michigan, including many in rural areas, but the most dramatic cases are in Michigans center city districts, Arsen said. State bails out Detroit Public Schools in 2016 The state came up with $617 million for a bailout and restructuring plan for Detroit Public Schools in 2016, Arsen said. Before this, Detroit schools emergency managers cut spending aggressively, closed buildings, contracted out services, increased class sizes and put caps on salaries, he said. They closed buildings on a scale never seen before in the U.S. What they discovered is it didnt balance the books," Arsen said. "The deficit just got bigger. When buildings and resources were cut, students left, he said. What we learned in Detroit is that the problem wasnt the local decision makers, it was the state policy, he said. The state intervened in the Detroit district despite resistance in the state Legislature, coming up with $617 million to help with legacy debt because, if the Detroit district defaulted the state would be on the hook for $2 billion, Arsen said. In the Flint case, my question is: If the state could acknowledge its culpability implicit in assuming that debt in Detroit, why are they not doing it in Flint? If we can clearly see that the states special education policy puts Genesee County and Flint at the hardest disadvantage as far as serving students and a financial disadvantage for the district itself, its a state problem," Arsen said. Why doesnt the state step in and address this before asking the citizens of Flint to tax themselves more to pay for it? Flint Schools mounting costs Flint schools Superintendent Derrick Lopez has said a $5.7 million yearly deficit accumulated by the district over the past five years is due to two things: legacy debt (about $2.1 million per year) and inflated special education costs (about $3.6 million per year). Legacy debt began with a loan taken out by the district after it found itself in a $21.9 million deficit in 2014. It will cost the district $2.1 million a year through 2038, Lopez said at a November 2019 meeting. He said the yearly amount paid on the debt equates to about $450 per student. Lopez has said children with special education needs cost 1.5 to two times more than children without and around 25 percent of Flint schools students have special education needs. Michigan is the stingiest state in the nation when it comes to funding special education, Arsen said. When it comes to covering these inflated costs for special education, federal funding covers about 10 percent and the state covers 30 percent, so around 60 percent must be funded locally. Flint schools objects to special education funding formula In my own view, whats happening in Michigans urban districts is a consequence of poorly designed school funding laws, he said. Read more here: Meeting postponed as Flint school board seeks more options to reduce deficit North side residents speak out as Flint schools consider consolidation options The cavalry isnt coming and Flint schools must make tough decisions, district leader says Flints Eisenhower Elementary School taken off possible closure list Flint school board votes to get bond proposals on March ballot Flint school board votes to send deficit elimination plan to the state That was fast. This time last week, polls showed Bernie Sanders statistically tied with Joe Biden in South Carolina which ironically gave hope to Pete Buttigieg that he might emerge out of a crowded field as the alternative after Biden was humiliated in his firewall state. Instead, Biden crushed Sanders and everyone else in South Carolina, and Buttigieg is now the one suddenly out of the race along with Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer, too. We are clearly in a new phase of the campaign, one that resembles the cornucopia scene in Hunger Games where lets put this delicately in case no one saw the movie a lot of contenders get winnowed out. Were now effectively down to four finalists Biden, Sanders, Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren. Voters today in Virginia and 13 other states will have a lot to say about how they should be ranked. Here are six questions: 1. Will Sanders vote share exceed what he got in those states four years ago? And will it matter? For a supposed front-runner, Sanders has been notably underperforming. In the four states that have voted so far, his share has been below what he got there the last time he ran. In 2016, he took 49.6% in Iowa. This year, he took just 26.1%. In 2016, he took 60.4% in New Hampshire. This year, he took 25.8%. In 2016, he took 47.3% in Nevada. This year he took 40.5%. In 2016, he took 26% in South Carolina. This year he took 19.9%. The only reason Sanders is winning in some places now and regarded as a front-runner is because the field is so divided. Its possible that Sanders runs behind his 2016 percentages tonight and still manages to win more states and more delegates than any other candidate. The challenge for those who dont want a democratic socialist as the party nominee is whether they can unite behind a single candidate in time to stop him. Will voters help that process today or further confuse it? 2. How big a bounce will Biden be able to get out of South Carolina? Endorsements have started to roll in for Biden. Take Virginia as an example: Even before South Carolina, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine endorsed Biden. After the results were in, so did former Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Rep. Bobby Scott of Newport News. After Buttigieg dropped out, Rep. Don Beyer of Alexandria switched his support to Biden. Now, heres the problem for Biden: Many of the Super Tuesday states dont look particularly good for him. Hes way behind in California. Hes also behind in Texas. Hes statistically tied in North Carolina, even though the South is supposed to be where Biden was strongest. In many other states, there hasnt been much polling at all theres been no polling in Tennessee since last summer so we really dont know whats happening. Klobuchar may have endorsed Biden, but her departure likely throws Minnesota to Sanders. Can Biden win enough states and enough delegates today to be able to legitimately claim its a two-person race from here on out? 3. Has Bloomberg peaked? A month ago, it looked like he might win some Super Tuesday states. Now, polling suggests hes declined. His campaign was predicated on Bidens collapse; will Bidens South Carolina revival deflate Bloomberg further? Virginia will be a key test case: Bloomberg has invested heavily in the state (granted, hes invested heavily everywhere); hes made seven trips to the state, most recently to McLean on Saturday. Hes picked up some big-name endorsements, especially from African-American politicians such as Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and Del. Lashrecse Aird of Petersburg. If Bloomberg cant win in Virginia, where can he win? If Bloomberg is fading, its another reminder of why its bad to start late: Theres less time to recover from bad news. Suppose Bloombergs terrible first debate had been last summer and not three weeks ago? It would have been forgotten by now. All the unflattering stories about things hes said in the past? Voters would have more time to process those in relationship to other things. 4. Can Warren win enough delegates to justify staying in the race? Shes in danger of losing her home state tonight the latest polls show Sanders leading in Massachusets although Warren is closing the gap. Realistically, can any candidate continue if they cant win their home state? Politico reports that Warren whos better-funded at the moment than Biden has a plan to carry on to the convention, hoping that Sanders, Biden and Bloomberg deadlock. Thats a long-shot strategy but perhaps the only one available to her at the moment. Can she finish second anywhere outside Massachusetts tonight, and, if so, how strongly? Politico sums up her problem this way: Elizabeth Warren can win debates, but not states. Is there any place going forward where she can actually win? 5. How big will turnout be? Sanders says that Democrats need an unprecedented turnout to defeat Donald Trump. The problem for Sanders is the state thats seen the biggest increase in turnout from 2016 was South Carolina which then went strongly for Biden. Also, a new study by the Knight Foundation suggests that if all non-voters went to the polls, theyd split between Democrats and Republicans so Sanders entire thesis may be wrong. 6. How much will non-Democrats shape the Virginia result? And will we know? Virginia doesnt register voters by party, so the Democratic primary is open to all. A poll by Christopher Newport University found 29% of Republicans were very likely to vote. Really? For whom? Why? Are these unethical saboteurs hoping to vote for whoever they perceive to be the weakest candidate? Or are they disgruntled voters who Buttigieg called future former Republicans? The survey also unearthed this unsurprising but still notable statistic: Independents are lot more moderate than Democratic partisans. For instance, 53% of Democrats said they were in favor or doing away with private health insurance in favor of a government-run system; but 56% of independents want to keep private health insurance: Medicare For All is not a rallying cry for them. The more independents who vote, the better the news for Biden and Bloomberg and not so much for Sanders and Warren. Ironically, Sanders might actually benefit in the primary from a smaller turnout, not a bigger one. Politics is a messy business, but heres the beauty of the whole process: Today, voters get to tell the pundits what they think as opposed to the other way around. The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The United States military has announced plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, adding it is unlikely that violence there will completely disappear. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper spoke Monday about an agreement between the United States and the Taliban in Afghanistan. He told reporters that under the deal, U.S. forces will begin withdrawing from the country within 10 days. U.S. and Taliban representatives signed the deal on Saturday in Doha, Qatar. It is aimed at starting negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government and ending 18 years of fighting. Under the deal, the United States agreed to reduce the number of its troops in the country to 8,600 from 13,000 within 135 days. It also promised to work with U.S. allies to reduce their troop numbers over that period. The United States and the Taliban promised to work toward the release of military combat and political prisoners as a measure to build confidence. The agreement calls for about 5,000 Taliban prisoners to be released in exchange for up to 1,000 Afghan government captives by March 10. In return, the Taliban has promised to enter into talks with the Afghan government and to honor security guarantees and a ceasefire. Dispute over prisoner release But a Taliban representative says his group will not take part in talks with the government until it releases the Taliban fighters. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has rejected that condition. Ghani was not involved in the negotiations between the Taliban and the U.S. government. A spokesman for the militant group, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Taliban was ready for the talks, but waiting for the release of the 5,000 prisoners. If our 5,000 100 or 200 more or less does not matter do not get released, there will be no intra-Afghan talks, he told the Reuters news agency. U.S. officials have said they hope negotiations toward a permanent political settlement and ceasefire can start in soon. Ghani said on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump had not asked for the release of the prisoners. He added that their release should be discussed as part of a comprehensive peace deal. The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah, said that U.S. forces had captured most of the prisoners on the list of 5,000. He said they were being held in Afghan government prisons and that the sick and older prisoners should be freed first. Zabihullah added that a seven-day deal on reducing violence had come to an end. He said, We are receiving reports that people are enjoying the reduction in violence, we dont want to spoil their happiness. But he added that the current calm does not mean that the Taliban is unwilling to restart its militant activities. More violence On Monday, Afghan officials reported that three civilians were killed and 11 were injured in an explosion in the eastern city of Khost. No group has claimed responsibility for the violence. Fighting in Afghanistan has lasted for more than 18 years. It started when U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban from power after U.S. officials found that the group had sheltered al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden and his followers. Bin Laden plotted the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. In recent years, the Taliban has controlled or attacked more territory across the country, but has been unable to hold major Afghan cities. The joint statement said a full withdrawal of all U.S. and coalition forces would take place within 14 months. The withdrawal depends on the security guarantees made by the Taliban. Im Mario Ritter Jr. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted his report for VOA Learning English from reports by Reuters and VOA News. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story combat adj. of or involving a fight between individuals or groups confidence n. a feeling of being sure something will happen as planned intra - prefix between comprehensive adj. complete, taking most things into consideration Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:04:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TALUQAN, Afghanistan, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed and three others were injured as a clash erupted in Eshkamish district of the northern Takhar province on Tuesday, a local police commander Abdul Rashid said. The clash, according to the official, broke out after a group of Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in the Kataqaroq area of the restive district at 04:00 a.m. local time, triggering a gun battle which lasted for 40 minutes. and resultantly two militants were killed. Two militants were killed during the firefight and another three were injured, including two militants and a police officer, the official added. The Taliban militants, according to a local official, captured a police in Chachma area of Bangi district, Takhar province Tuesday morning. The incidents in Takhar, with Taluqan as its capital 245 km north of Kabul, are among the few security happenings that have been reported since the U.S.-Taliban peace deal was signed on Feb. 29 to end the war in Afghanistan and withdraw the U.S. troops from the country. The Taliban militants who are bound under the peace deal to reduce violence under the agreement to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue have not commented. Sydney specialist pathologist Dr Adrian Cachia was on a skiing holiday in Japan with a bunch of other doctors last week when the coronavirus got to him. His nerves, mostly. "My family said, 'Don't go', but it seemed very much confined to China and there were only a handful of cases in Japan when I left Australia", aside from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Cachia grew alarmed when the Japanese government declared its so-called "basic policy" even if you feel unwell, don't go to the hospital unless you have a fever of 37.5 degrees or more sustained for four days. Just stay home. Why? "Because it meant that they had given up on trying to contain the virus and had moved to manage the enormous strain on their health care system," says Cachia, who has 25 years of experience as a pathologist. He points out that more than 80 per cent of people infected will have only mild cases, or show no symptoms at all. "But if that's not you, and you need a ventilator for a few days, there may not be enough to go around if there's a sharp peak in infections." He pulled the plug on his trip and headed home when his roommate developed a cough. But Cachia's concerns didn't end when he set foot in Australia last Thursday, the same day the Morrison government announced that it was activating its pandemic response plan. He worries that Australia is surrendering a big, natural advantage its ability to easily control its borders to prevent infection. He points out that Turkey has banned arrivals not only from China and Iran but also from Italy, South Korea and Iraq. Uber plans to open the entire state of NSW to its ride-sharing service next month, with the company's Australian general manager confident it has more room to grow despite signs of saturation in the local market. The ride-sharing giant will lower its geo-fences across NSW in April, making the Australian state the largest parcel of bordered land completely available to the app in the world. Uber is set to open its platform to all of NSW. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer In literally every square metre of NSW riders will be able to look at the app and if there is a driver in that area, theyll be able to get a trip, general manager Dom Taylor said. NSW is the largest border-to-border that weve done this. BURLINGTON, Vt., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Upstate Elevator Supply Co. is today announcing the company has received an A, the highest grade possible, from the Center for Food Safety (CFS) on its March 2020 Hemp CBD Scorecard . The national nonprofit watchdog's evaluation of companies that sell CBD provides consumers with independent information about how CBD products are produced and processed, allowing them to make more informed decisions in the marketplace. Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Organic Full Spectrum Peppermint CBD MCT Oil CFS evaluated dozens of companies that sell hemp CBD products to compare product policies and practices in the following four categories: (1) Hemp Farming and Organic Certification; (2) Processing; (3) Testing/Auditing; and (4) Transparency. CFS based the scores on factors like: how many products are Certified Organic or made with organic ingredients; which products use GMO ethanol/alcohol versus CO2 during processing; which companies test for the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, such as lead, and microbiological contaminants; and which companies are clearly and openly conveying information about their production practices to consumers. "This is great recognition for Upstate Elevator Supply Co., as we have been committed to truly clean cannabinoid manufacturing since day one," said Dylan Raap, founder and CEO of Upstate Elevator Supply Co. "We hold ourselves to the highest standards for responsible business practices and have made significant investment into our processes and manufacturing facilities to ensure we are making the highest quality, most effective CBD products available anywhere." Today's announcement comes on the heels of Upstate Elevator Supply Co.'s recent USDA organic certification for hemp processing. The certified organic seal guarantees certain safeguards, verified by a third party: no GMOs, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge. The regulations also require annual compliance inspections and provide guidelines for protecting the soil ecology and water quality. The Upstate Elevator team is exhibiting at Natural Products Expo West , the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products trade show, in Anaheim, Calif. from March 3-7. The company is one of only three CBD makers who will be showcased in the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace at the show. If you're attending, please stop by booth H202 to try some of our products and meet our team. About Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Upstate Elevator Supply Co. is a Burlington, Vermont-based CBD company that makes ingestible, beverage, pet, and topical products that elevate your everyday life. With a relentless commitment to quality, efficacy, and customer needs, we operate proudly at the forefront of research and development to create the most effective CBD products available anywhere. Our certified organic and clean cannabinoid products are available for sale at hundreds of retail outlets nationwide, our Burlington flagship store, and online at www.upstateelevator.com . Media Contact Sara Campbell, Telltale for Upstate Elevator Supply Co. [email protected] | 323.348.9633 SOURCE Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Related Links http://www.upstateelevator.com Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Professor Tariq Mansoor has in a letter urged alumni and people of the educational institute to voluntarily contribute to the rehabilitation of the members of affected families in recent incidents of violence in North-East Delhi, said University PRO Omar Saleem Peerzada on Monday. "Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, we will help the sufferers. The Vice-Chancellor has written a letter asking people to come forward to help the people. The VC has sanitized people to help these people in rehabilitation," he said while speaking to media. At least 47 people were killed and around 200 sustained injuries in the North-East Delhi violence last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Marin County school leaders and health experts will hold a community forum Monday on the county's efforts to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19. The forum is 6-7:30 p.m. at the Marin County Office of Education at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave. in San Rafael. Chennai, March 3 : Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu are opposed to the idea of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) taking over the temples in the state, saying "it is equivalent to closing them". Referring to news reports, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S.Ramadoss said it is not known why the Central government wants to hand over the temples managed by the Tamil Nadu government to the ASI. "Handing over temples where people frequent and prayers are held to ASI is equivalent to closing them down," he said, adding Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has not explained the reason for the hand over. "It is nothing but cultural invasion," Ramadoss said. He said once the temples go to the ASI, then there will be lot of restrictions on the devotees and over a period of time devotees will stop visiting those temples. "Once the temples come under ASI, their sanctity will vanish and they would become just a building or an ancient monument," Ramadoss claimed. According to Ramadoss, the ASI has the attitude of trying to bring under its ambit any Indian temple that is popular, citing the taking over of Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu in 2002. Ramadoss said after ASI take over, the manner of poojas changed and the temple was taken back by the state government after a legal case in 2005. Similarly, in 2018, the ASI wrote to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to take over the famed Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple in Andhra Pradesh but later backtracked following opposition. Condemning the Union Minister's statement, DMK President M.K.Stalin said that the temples in the state are under the Tamil Nadu government and there is also an Archaeological Department in the state. Stalin said the Central government's move is cultural imposition, and also condemned the AIADMK government for being silent on the matter. Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- According to the new market research report "Automotive V2X Market by Connectivity (DSRC, and Cellular), Communication (V2V, V2I, V2P, V2G, V2C, and V2D), Vehicle (Passenger Car, and Commercial Vehicle), Propulsion (ICE and EV), Unit, Offering, Technology, and Region - Global Forecast to 2028", published by MarketsandMarkets, The Automotive V2X Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 44.2% to reach USD 12,859 million by 2028 from an estimated USD 689 million in 2020. The demand for safe and connected vehicles, increased EV sales, government regulations to curb emissions, and need to reduce traffic congestion are driving the overall Automotive V2X Market. OEMs, in collaboration with automotive V2X players, have installed V2X in their models, which is expected to drive the growth of the Automotive V2X Market. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Automotive V2X Market" 136 - Tables 50 - Figures 182 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=90013236 OBU is expected to hold the largest share of Automotive V2X Market, by unit The increase in sales of vehicles equipped with V2X is the key factor driving the OBU segment, as every vehicle will be equipped with OBUs for V2X communication. Some of the top players in the Automotive V2X Market offering OBUs are Denso, Cohda Wireless, and Savari, among others. OBUs are the main units used for all communications such as V2V, V2I, and V2P. ICE segment is estimated to be the fastest and largest Automotive V2X Market, by propulsion The growth of the ICE segment is due to the fact that V2X directly helps in improving fuel economy, which further helps reduce pollution. The pollution caused by transportation is a major issue faced across the globe. The optimization of traffic by application of the V2X would enable the reduction of fuel consumption. The number of ICE vehicles equipped with V2X is high, and more vehicles are expected to be launched during the forecast period. This would also drive the ICE V2X market. Request FREE Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=90013236 North America is expected to be the fastest Automotive V2X Market, by region The growth of the North American Automotive V2X Market can be attributed to the high sales of vehicles equipped with V2X, such as Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the region. The presence of top V2X players such as Qualcomm Technologies, Harman International, and Savari would also contribute to the growth of the North American Automotive V2X Market. The Automotive V2X Market is dominated by globally established players such as Robert Bosch GMBH (Germany), Continental AG (Germany), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (US), Autotalks Ltd. (Israel), and Delphi Technologies (UK). In September 2018, Autotalks announced the launch of the V2X solution. The second-generation V2X chipset is the only available solution capable of supporting both DSRC and C-V2X direct communications (PC5 protocol) at the highest security level. In April 2019, Qualcomm Technologies partnered with Audi AG, Ericsson, SWARCO Traffic Systems GmbH, and the University of Kaiserslautern to demonstrate the world's first cross-border C-V2X direct communication in San Diego, California. Browse Related Reports: Connected Car Market by Service (OTA Update, Navigation, Cybersecurity, Multimedia Streaming, Social Media, e-Call, Autopilot, Home Integration, & Others), Form, End Market (OE, Aftermarket), Network, Transponder, Hardware, and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 Connected Car Devices Market by Communication Type (V2V, V2I, V2P), Connectivity Type (DSRC, Cellular Network), Product Type (Das, Telematics), Vehicle Type (PC, LCV & HCV), Electric Vehicle Type (BEV, HEV, PHEV, FCV) and Region - Global Forecast to 2021 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, and 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 Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/automotive-vehicle-to-everything-v2x-market.asp Indonesia has stepped up precautionary measures in Bali and Batam after the country reported its first cases yesterday involving a mother and her daughter. New screening measures ordered along the archipelagos porous borders come on the back of more cross-border transmissions complicated by Southeast Asias flow of travel and migration. Indonesias first cases were linked to an expat in Malaysia while Singapore recently confirmed infections among people who visited Batam. The virus has now reached every inhabited continent. In Singapore, another Filipino national tested positive for COVID-19 who was linked to a previous case. A Japanese national recently stricken by the disease on the island was revealed to be working in the same building as a software company linked to Singapores most recent infections. First Indonesian domestically infected with coronavirus danced with Japanese friend in Jakarta on Feb. 14: Health Minister The COVID-19 disease has hit more than 90,000 people in at least 64 countries, with South Korea, Italy, and Iran topping nations with the biggest outbreaks outside China, followed by Japan, France, Germany, Spain, and Singapore. Here are major COVID-19 updates since yesterday: The leader of a South Korean religious sect where many infections spread has apologized for its role in that nations major outbreak. Seoul reported 600 new cases today, bringing total infections to nearly 5,000. More Hong Kongers will be repatriated from outbreak ground zero in Wuhan, China. More countries including Portugal, Morocco, and Jordan have reported first cases in the past 24 hours. The World Health Organization said it has shipped COVID-19 testing kits to 93 countries. Around 64 countries have reported coronavirus cases as of today. Updates from Coconuts newsrooms in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong: Myanmar Myanmar has canceled its annual Marian celebrations and rejected entry to The Silver Spirit cruise ship that was scheduled to dock in Yangon for four days due to coronavirus concerns. The ship is said to be carrying around 800 people including 483 tourists from 22 different countries. It last stopped in Phuket, Thailand. Story continues Singapore Two more cases reported in Singapore yesterday involving another Filipino domestic worker linked to previous cases and an elderly Singaporean woman who recently visited Jakarta, Indonesia. The Japanese national recently confirmed with the infection works on the same floor as the software company linked to 13 new cases, the health ministry revealed. Total reported infections in Singapore stands at 108, of which, 78 have been discharged from hospitals. Six are in critical condition. COVID-19: Heres every coronavirus infection in Singapore on a map Malaysia Malaysia is investigating whether former ministers have come into contact with a newly infected patient. An employee of Khazanah Nasional, the countrys sovereign wealth fund, is said to be Malaysias 26th patient. The employee had recently traveled to Shanghai, China, and reportedly attended a gathering with former ministers at a Kuala Lumpur hotel on Feb. 27, days before the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed. Indonesias first coronavirus patients came into contact with a Japanese national residing in Malaysia, the formers health minister revealed yesterday. Hong Kong At least 450 Hong Kong residents stranded in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, are set to return to the city on government-chartered planes this week. The city has also canceled its annual bun scrambling competition and reported its 101st case involving the brother of a woman whose dog tested positive for COVID-19. Indonesia Travelers arriving in Indonesias Batam city will face increased surveillance such as temperature scanning after several Singaporeans tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting there. Authorities in Bali is also stepping up precautionary measures by setting up a command post focusing on monitoring and containing the spread of the disease, Tempo reported. Manila An additional 22 Filipinos who were infected on the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship have recovered and are awaiting repatriation, bringing the total number of Filipinos who recovered on the cruise ship to 32. A total of 80 Filipinos were originally confirmed with the infection. Recovered patients to undergo strict monitoring and no longer be quarantined. A health official said they tested negative for the virus twice before being discharged from Japanese hospitals. While no local COVID-19 transmissions have been reported, the Health Department continues to urge the public to avoid events that attract big crowds to minimize the chance of getting infected. Over this payday weekend, mall sale events have been canceled on the advice of the Health Department. We just encourage. We cannot mandate at this point because we still do not have local transmissions, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. Additional reporting Khyne Palumar, Vicky Wong. This article, Singapores Japanese patient worked in same building as infected software company, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 19:26 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068074f7 1 National coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,COVID-19,Sulianti-Saroso-Hospital,quarantine Free The Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI) in Jakarta has quarantined six new patients suspected of having been infected with the novel coronavirus, bringing the number of people being treated for the illness at the hospital to eight including two who earlier tested positive for COVID-19, the disease resulting from the novel coronavirus. "We have isolated six new suspected COVID-19 patients since [Monday] night. Two people, who were referred to us by another hospital, arrived this morning," said RSPI president director Mohammad Syahril, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday Of the four people admitted to quarantine on Monday evening, three were found to have had direct contact with the countrys first two COVID-19 patients a 31-year-old woman and her 64-year-old mother, also referred to as Case 1 and Case 2 respectively who have been quarantined separately in the hospital since Sunday. "The other one is a foreigner who recently visited a foreign country with a coronavirus outbreak," Syahril said, although he refused to name the exact country. All four patients had shown symptoms of coronavirus infection, including fevers, coughs and sore throats, he added. Read also: Indonesia monitors dozens in contact with first two COVID-19 cases in Greater Jakarta The other two patients, who were admitted to the RSPI on Tuesday, had been transferred from another hospital in Jakarta, Syahril said without revealing the name of the initial hospital where the patients had been treated. The RSPI has tested all six patients for COVID-19. The test results will be available [on Wednesday], he added. Indonesia announced its first confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with President Joko Jokowi Widodo saying that Case 1 and Case 2 caught the disease after having been in contact with a Japanese citizen who tested positive in Malaysia on Feb. 27 after visiting Indonesia early last month. Syahril went on to say that the conditions of Case 1 and Case 2 had been improving. They can communicate well, their fever has gone down, their coughs are getting better, they don't experience shortness in breath and they have good appetites as well," he said. The global death toll from COVID-19, a disease caused by a coronavirus first discovered in Wuhan, China, rose to more than 3,100 people on Tuesday. The far-flung virus has infected nearly 90,000 people in more than 60 countries, AFP reported. (nal) Republican defense hawks are sounding the alarm over a peace agreement they say could open the door to a Taliban resurgence, with some privately lobbying the White House to leave a small number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The backroom scramble comes as President Donald Trump spoke with a top-ranking Taliban official by phone on Tuesday a first for a U.S. president and a sign of the extraordinary political risks hes been willing to endure to engineer a campaign-season exit from Americas longest war. One of those risks: an incipient revolt by Republican hawks who are wary of the idea of pulling all U.S. forces out of the war-torn country over the next year, and have been registering their strong doubts about the deal in public statements and private text chains. These people, including both lawmakers and military veterans, are suspicious of the Talibans intentions, and dont trust the militant group to ensure peace after U.S. forces leave. Two former U.S. officials told POLITICO that Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has been urging the White House directly to leave a small presence, made up of U.S. special operations forces and potentially CIA paramilitary officers, on the ground to maintain pressure on the Taliban and continue counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda and the Islamic State. Those ideas would seem to cut against the terms of the agreement signed on Saturday, under which the United States agreed to withdraw all of its forces within 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban agreed not to allow al Qaeda or other groups and individuals to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. Leaving a residual force in Afghanistan is in line with Trumps previous comments, however. Last year, he hinted that he would keep forces on the ground, including high intelligence, to allow the United States to react quickly to any attack on U.S. interests. But terrorism analysts are skeptical that the Taliban intends to follow through on its end of the bargain, and Graham likewise urged caution during a Monday appearance on Fox News. Story continues We have a chance to end this war in Afghanistan smartly and well, said Graham, who is known to have Trumps ear on foreign policy issues. But were going to need a residual U.S. force, a counterterrorism presence for years to come, because I dont trust the Taliban to police al Qaeda and ISIS. After reports emerged that the Taliban had resumed attacks on Afghan forces, Graham tweeted his concerns. Always suspicious of the Taliban when it came to any peace agreement, but cant believe theyre this stupid, Graham tweeted Tuesday. Killing 5 Afghan police officers not only violates the spirit of the alleged peace deal, it violates the letter of the agreement. Asked for comment on Grahams private outreach, a Graham spokesperson, Kevin Bishop, said: Hes been calling for a residual force in Afghanistan since the Bush administration. A National Security Council spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. This is not the first time Graham has tried to sway the president on a key foreign policy issue. In the days after Turkey invaded northeastern Syria, Graham was apoplectic, and said the U.S. decision to abandon Kurdish allies in the area was a stain on Americas honor. Along with retired Army Gen. Jack Keane, another occasional informal Trump adviser, Graham walked the president through a map of Syria, Turkey and Iraq, pointing out that northern Syrias rich oil fields would fall into Irans hands if Trump withdrew all U.S. troops from the country. Trump ultimately backtracked, leaving roughly 800 U.S. troops there officially, to guard the oil fields. Former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane, speaks to activists gathered at the State Department before a march to the White House to call for regime change in Iran, Friday, June 21, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) In recent days, Keane has also appeared on Fox News and spoke to POLITICO about his concerns regarding the Afghan peace deal, which calls for U.S. forces to begin withdrawing immediately from Afghanistan. Under the terms of the agreement, some 5,000 troops will leave within 135 days. What we are being told by people in the Pentagon is that this is a conditions-based withdrawal, but the agreement does not identify those conditions, he told POLITICO, also noting concerns about protection for civil liberties and human rights. Its all aspirational. One Republican member of Congress whos also a military veteran said he had significant misgivings about the agreement. This seems like a pretty crummy deal, he said. If this were an Obama deal, we would be crushing him for it. It feels like a retreat. It feels like a concession. But the member, who asked not to be named, acknowledged that his voters are with Trump he estimated that roughly only 20 percent of his district supports staying. In the House, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) has led the opposition to the deal, but she was only able to round up around two dozen fellow members last week to sign a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressing serious concerns about the agreement. President Trump has taken crucial action to keep our nation safe, including eliminating the worlds most dangerous terrorists and destroying the ISIS caliphate. He knows a bad deal when he sees one, the lawmakers wrote. Other Republican members are tentatively supporting the deal, but are openly skeptical it will actually work. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a veteran of Afghanistan, said he would like to bring up his concerns about the deal with Trump the next time he sees him. Im only nervous about it because the Taliban have never been an honest negotiator when you come to the table with them and as far as I can tell theyve always been allied with al Qaeda even though theyre showing here that theyre not in the agreement, he said. Im going to support it but mainly because it has a window of time that we can put the breaks on it, but Im not ringing the bells or blowing the trumpets on this thing because I do not trust these guys. Former and current officials said discussions last year centered on leaving a residual force in Bagram and the embassy compound consisting of special operations forces and intelligence assets to carry out targeted strikes and maintain awareness of terrorist activity in the country. One course of action called for the CIA to take over more of the mission as conventional troops pulled out. However, that proposal has been largely discarded after the CIA pushed back. Keane also expressed skepticism with the proposed prisoner exchange, an issue that has already threatened to derail the deal. On Monday, the Taliban refused to take part in intra-Afghan talks, one of the conditions of a full withdrawal of U.S. troops, until the Afghan government releases roughly 5,000 Taliban prisoners. Prisoners are normally exchanged after there has been a bonafide peace settlement, Keane said. Republican hawks have been far less polite in private, lambasting the deal in scathing terms. "Frankly, if this was negotiated by Barack Obama, the Republican base would go apeshit, one senior Republican national security aide said. One former Trump administration official acknowledged the widespread skepticism within Republican ranks, but noted that the timing of the pullout allows the president to tout it on the campaign trail as a promise kept. Then its a second-term problem, this person said. He can say the Taliban theyre full of crap. Meridith McGraw contributed to this report. As we count down to the first post-Brexit Budget it is clear the Conservative Party's election manifesto has the potential to boost manufacturing businesses, right across Northern Ireland - should it be implemented in full. We welcome a pledge to increase Research and Development Expenditure Credit from 12% to 13% for larger businesses who have more than 500 employees and 100m turnover. Support is also there for SMEs who can claim up to 33% in R&D tax credits. Currently claims from SMEs account for 82% of Northern Ireland's claims. We could be talking about tens of thousands of pounds in tax benefits which would help companies further invest in growth, sustainability and innovation. With every 1 spent on R&D returning 2.55, support for innovation continues to be a government priority. In addition, a review of the definition of R&D to include areas such as cloud computing and data will be of great interest to our burgeoning tech sector, which currently supports almost 10,000 jobs. These areas don't necessarily scream R&D activity but in many ways the associated costs with them can act as a barrier to innovation. According to the Department for International Trade, Belfast is the number one destination in the world for fintech development as well as a leading city in Europe for new software innovation. There are many areas that can count as qualifying R&D in the tech sector including AI and building future ready cyber security. A total of 75m was paid out to businesses in Northern Ireland in R&D Tax Credits during 2017-18. To put the level of claims into perspective, HMRC figures showed that companies here claimed just 1.7% of the total funds paid out across the UK, representing just 2.7% of all claims. So, if government support for innovation is a priority, why are more businesses not claiming a slice of the millions that have been set aside? In my view, the key reasons are a lack of awareness of the R&D incentive's existence and gaps in understanding of what qualifies as R&D activity. With Brexit opening up new trade routes, R&D Tax Credits will be vital in 2020 for companies preparing for a period of growth outside the EU. Waymo, a Mountain View, California-based autonomous vehicle company, raised initial $2.25 billion in its first external funding round. The round was led by Silver Lake, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and Mubadala Investment Company. Additional investors in this include Magna International, Andreessen Horowitz, and AutoNation, as well as Alphabet. In conjunction with the funding, Egon Durban, Co-CEO, Silver Lake, joined Waymos Operating Board. The company intends to use the funds to expand the team, invest in technology, and operations, all in support of the deployment of the Waymo Driver around the world. Led by John Krafcik, CEO, Waymo started as the Google self-driving car project in 2009, and became an independent self-driving technology company under Alphabet in 2016. The autonomous vehicle company operates a public ride-hailing service, and is scaling its fully driverless experience. The round follows a recent series of major operational and technical milestones. The Waymo Driver has driven more than 20 million miles on public roads across over 25 cities, and over 10 billion miles in simulation. Engineers and technicians at the companys Detroit factory, a factory dedicated to the mass production of L4 autonomous vehicles, have shipped the first vehicles (electric cars and Class 8 trucks) integrated with fifth-generation hardware, with all-new, more compute and more capable sensing. Waymo One, a public self-driving ride-hailing service, serves thousands of customers in Arizona and has already provided thousands of fully driverless rides to riders, in a high-speed mixed usage market area larger than San Francisco. The Waymo Driver is now deployed across a variety of vehicle platforms and business applications, including Waymo Via, which is focused on all forms of goods delivery. FinSMEs 03/03/2020 Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 18:34:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced on Tuesday it will award 200,000 U.S. dollars for discoveries of COVID-19 cure or vaccine. The initiative reflects the organization's awareness of the repercussions of the virus, threatening to become a global pandemic with serious impact on the world socio-economic situation, said the Rabat-based organization in a statement. The statement quoted ICESCO Director General Salim Al-Malik as saying that setting up this award goes in harmony with ICESCO's new vision which highlights the need to adopt applied scientific research as a tool to find appropriate solutions to exigent and challenging issues. ICESCO also called on all governments, international organizations and civil society institutions to assume their roles and intensify their efforts to counter the spread of this dangerous virus. MONTEREY (BCN) The Monterey Police Department announced on Monday the arrest of a Gonzales man suspected of sexually abusing a patient at a senior care center. Monterey police officers arrested 38-year-old nurse assistant Kelven Ferolino after receiving a report Saturday night of a sexual battery against a patient at the Cypress Ridge Care Center at 1501 Skyline Drive. Ferolino was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and elder abuse and is being held at the county jail on $30,000 bail. Monterey police detectives called on members of the public to report information related to the case. Detective Sgt. Aaron Delgado can be reached at (831) 646-3814. Anonymous tipsters can also report information regarding the case at (831) 646-3840. 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. As the world is gripped by fear over the coronavirus crisis, here at soiree HQ we feel compelled to issue our first bold-faced health warning: Until further notice, please cease and desist from the swells time-honored greeting of an air kiss. (Air is typically a misnomer at least one set of lipsticked lips usually lands upon a recipients cheek.) Over in Paris, the government not only closed the entire Louvre Museum but the French health minister urged his countrymen to avoid shaking hands and, sacre bleu, omit that countrys famous double-cheek salutation, la bise. And following a recent round of EssEff fundraisers and parties, we observed that hesitancy to engage in social touch already in play. Some folks politely back away from an incoming pair of lips, demurring they dont wish to spread their own germs. Yet many Bay Area causes still require community support. Its just that the gloves are off. Or rather, on in hazmat-strength fabric. And few are shy in admitting theyre scared crazy about coronavirus and prefer a touch-free zone in crowded rooms. Even the fist bump, that bro casual, skin-to-skin greeting popular among the younger Social Register set, is now frowned upon. A safer bet: Pantomime a dramatic, double-cheek air kiss so long as 4 feet of fresh air space is available between bodies. For now, a warm smile with a hand across your heart can convey a range of cues from hello, goodbye and Ill pretend what you said was hysterically funny to our current social pandemic that gracefully expresses the fear in our hearts: Dont even think of coming near me. Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle Amazing Grace: Lent, the Christian season of penitence and fasting in preparation for the Paschal feast, is upon us. But the Episcopalians recently ripped it up at Grace Cathedral during their Carnivale fundraiser, Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Led by chairwoman Lily Bowles Leo, a cathedral trustee, this beloved party-in-the-pews raised a record-breaking $600K (a total goosed by auctioneer Liam Mayclem) for Graces ministry and community programs that span social justice, education, the arts and yoga. Last year Leo and her mother, longtime Grace supporter Jamie Bowles, co-chaired the fete. But this year Leo had no hesitation flying solo. My mom taught me how to throw a great fundraiser and have fun, said Leo. But she always reminded me to keep in mind youre doing something important for a charity you care about. Carnivale is sold out so well make even more money for the cathedral and promote its mission of inclusion. Designed by Glow Events and Heather Rice, the pews were actually removed as guests roamed Graces gloriously gothic nave and chapels activated with cocktails, art, photo booths and jammin music by Jazz Mafia and the North Beach Brass Band. A delectable McCalls dinner nourished 475 deep-pocketed patrons. And Lily Leo introduced a new element, the Late Night Revelry, a lower-priced ticket that attracted a new, youthful contingent of supporters. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, dean of Grace Cathedral, announced the cathedrals new 2020 theme: Bridges. This year we recognize the 150th anniversary of African American mens suffrage, the 100th anniversary of womens suffrage, the 75th anniversary of the United Nations while looking forward to Novembers elections, said Young. Bridges will open conversations about reconciliation and forming connections with people who are different from us. Bridges were also on the mind of the Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, California bishop of the Episcopal Diocese, who likened Grace Cathedral to San Francisco, the 1936 film-and-song with its famous line: San Francisco/ Open your Golden Gates / Youll let no stranger wait outside your door. That film was about Clark Gable finding his place. Grace Cathedral opened its doors in 1849 and has always been a place of prayer for all people, Andrus enthused. Grace is a place of courage, ingenuity and creativity, a place of welcome. And our doors remain open to every person. Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle 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. Magic bottle: The recent Fanfare Luncheon hosted by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music was so large it was moved from its campus to the nearby Green Room at the Veterans Building. Thats thanks to this years Distinguished Alumni honoree, actress Barbara Eden, beloved star of NBCs I Dream of Jeannie hit 1965 television show. A show, we note, thats never been off the air. Led by co-chairs Lisa Grotts, Mary Poland and Ana Dierkhising, the magical afternoon featured conservatory student musicians and a Foxtail Catering lunch prior to a Q&A between conservatory President David Stull and Eden, a conservatory voice student who grew up in San Francisco. The conservatory placed my voice and taught me to express myself, enthused Eden. They built that skill, showing me how to do my thing. The petite octogenarian, also Miss San Francisco 1951, looks exactly the same as 50-something years ago when she enchanted a NASA-obsessed nation in her hot-pink harem costume. In Los Angeles, a casting director told me I was a very nice little girl but that I wasnt pretty enough to become an entertainer. He pulled out a picture of his daughter and advised me, This is what they want, Eden recalled laughing. Big tits. Eden still has ties with the city: her husband, Jon Eicholtz, is a former architectural engineer with Pankow, the construction company building the conservatorys new 12-story Bowes Center for Performing Arts that will open later this year on Van Ness Avenue with two concert halls and student housing. Its a bit surreal, marveled Ann Girard. Ive never been to a lunch honoring someone I used to dress up as for Halloween. Catherine Bigelow is The San Francisco Chronicles society correspondent. Email: missbigelow@sfgate.com Instagram: @missbigelow New Delhi: The government on Tuesday introduced a bill in Lok Sabha which seeks to protect the interest of small depositors by bringing cooperative banks under the RBI regulations. Introducing the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the bill is the "need of the hour" to avoid a PMC Bank-like crisis in the future. Noting that the happenings at the PMC Bank had "unfortunately" put a lot of small depositors in difficulty, Sitharaman said there were demands that the government should do something about it. The proposed law seeks to enforce banking regulation guidelines of the RBI in cooperative banks while administrative issues will still be guided by the Registrar of Cooperative. The Bill proposes to bring cooperative banks on par with developments in the banking sector through better management and proper regulation of cooperative banks with a view to ensure that affairs of cooperative banks are conducted in a manner that protects the interest of depositors, it said. It further proposes to strengthen cooperative banks by increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital, improving governance and ensuring sound banking through the RBI. "Keeping in view developments in the banking sector and regulation thereof over time, it has become necessary to strengthen provisions of the said Act as applicable to cooperative banks," said the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid din with Sitharaman saying that if the opposition wants to deny the small depositors their rights then "it is a shame". In her Budget speech, Sitharaman had said that to strengthen cooperative banks, amendments would be brought in the Banking Regulation Act for increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital and improving governance and oversight for sound banking through the RBI. The decision assumes significance in the wake of a scam in the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank affecting lakhs of customers who are facing difficulty in withdrawing their money due to restrictions imposed by the RBI. The PMC Bank was found to have given over Rs 6,700 crore loan to a single realty company HDIL through allegedly fraudulent means and also hid the stress from the RBI by creating separate books of accounts. There are 1,540 cooperative banks with a depositor base of 8.60 crore having total savings of about Rs 5 lakh crore. The worlds tropical forests are far-flung places to most people. But they matter to our daily lives more than you think. When left intact they remove astonishing amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They are what scientists call a natural carbon sink, slowing down the rate of climate change. Yet our new research published in the journal Nature today shows that their ability to slow climate change is declining. Our research teams have measured 300,000 individual trees across African and Amazonian forests spanning 30 years, which highlight that the threat from climate change is more severe than we previously thought. Our findings show that back in the 1990s intact tropical forests were absorbing 4.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This has slumped to an estimated 2.5 billion tonnes each year over the last decade. To put these colossal numbers in context, the decline of 2.1 billion tonnes each year is equivalent to five times the annual carbon dioxide emissions of the UK. Tropical forests have been helping us, but that help is starting to wane. These remote forests act as a carbon sink when the amount of carbon gained through tree growth is larger than the amount lost through tree mortality. What is happening today is that tree deaths are rising as a result of periodic droughts and heat-waves. For many decades the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causing climate change increased the rate of tree growth by a process known as carbon fertilisation, but this is increasingly being outweighed by the rising negative climate change impacts causing tree deaths. Today, standing tropical forests are still a major brake on the rate of climate change, and of course, if they are cut down and burnt then all the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere. We need to keep tropical forest standing and to urgently slow climate change if we are to avoid a grim future, where nature turns against us and forests start releasing carbon and accelerating the problem. Stabilising tropical forest carbon stocks means stabilising the climate. To stabilise the climate requires carbon dioxide emissions to go to zero. Fast. We can still emit some carbon, but if we do, then what we emit needs to be removed from the atmosphere, so the result is net zero emissions. The good news is more and more countries are following the UK and legislating for net zero carbon emissions. But far-off targets like net zero in 2050 are easy to make. What the world also needs is near-term strategies including a series of concrete commitments to fund a global transition to clean energy in the lead-up to the UK convening crucial UN climate change talks in Glasgow in November, known as COP26. This will require countries to come together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual support. Africa will be one key region. One surprising finding in our new study is how important the forests of the Congo Basin are. Despite covering a much smaller area than the Amazon they currently absorb almost as much carbon dioxide each year. The African carbon sink is proving to be more resilient to climate change than the Amazon. This week Gabon is chairing the African Group of Climate Change Negotiators, who are clear that Africa needs its forests, as well as a clean energy revolution. And the world needs Africas forests: Gabon, 88% covered by rain forest, absorbs twice as much carbon dioxide than it emits. It is vital that the world comes together at COP26 in Glasgow to agree how to implement and strengthen the Paris Agreement. We need to see emissions declining fast, by almost half by 2030, in order to avoid reaching that feared point where critical carbon sinks become carbon sources and climate change begins to run out of control. Simon Lewis is Professor of Global Change Science at University College London, and Lee White is the government of Gabons Minister for Water, Forests, the Sea and Environment Photo: Sean Thomas A prolific Kelowna offender allegedly fled police, leading to this September 2019 crash. Just hours after being released from custody last September, a Kelowna man allegedly got behind the wheel of a car, fled from police and got in a serious four-vehicle crash on Highway 97 in West Kelowna. John Aronson, who's no stranger to the criminal justice system, will face a judge-alone trial next fall for five charges stemming from a horrific crash on Sept. 23, 2019, just west of the William R. Bennett Bridge that closed Highway 97 for the entire evening. The crash came just hours after he was released from custody, after pleading guilty and getting time served for six charges relating to a high-profile takedown in the Orchard Park Mall parking lot in January 2019. That arrest saw police shoot at Aronson several times, hitting him twice, as he attempted to flee the scene. The arrest came after Aronson had been involved in a road rage incident the day before, where he pepper sprayed another driver. He had been prohibited from driving at the time due to past convictions, and he was charged with 14 counts of driving while disqualified from Jan. 11 to 23, 2019 Despite facing a total of 22 charges, Aronson took a plea deal last September, pleading guilty to six charges while all others were dropped by the Crown. Having remained in custody since his January 2019 arrest, he was sentenced to time served and released on Sept. 23. That same day, Aronson allegedly got behind the wheel of a vehicle, while still prohibited from driving, but was spotted by police while crossing Bennett Bridge. When the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, Aronson allegedly fled west on Highway 97, before colliding with three other vehicles near Boucherie Road. Aronson was seriously injured in the crash. The Independent Investigations Unit investigated the RCMP's actions in the mall takedown, and found the officers behaved appropriately under the circumstances. The IIO is still investigating the RCMP's actions in the September 2019 crash. Aronson was well known to police at the time of his arrest back in January 2019. He had previously been arrested in two high-risk takedowns in Rutland, in connection with a violent break and enter in West Kelowna in 2017. After his first arrest on those charges, he was released on bail, but he quickly stopped attending court. Police found him and made a second high-risk takedown in April 2018. The Crown ended up dropping Aronson's seven charges from the 2017 break and enter in November 2018, after the prosecutor determined the charge assessment standard was no longer met. Aronson's adult record dates back to 2006 in Kelowna, when the then 18-year-old was jailed for 30 days for obstructing an officer and escaping from custody, but he has racked up many more charges since then, with sentences ranging from probation to 60 days in jail. Aronson remains in custody, having yet to apply for bail since his September 2019 arrest. The Cultural Affairs Department on Monday announced an award in the name of late veteran actor Shriram Lagoo. The award 'NatSamrat Shriram Lagoo' will be awarded for significant work in the Marathi theatre. (Photo: ANI) Mumbai: The Cultural Affairs Department on Monday announced an award in the name of late veteran actor Shriram Lagoo. The award 'NatSamrat Shriram Lagoo' will be awarded for significant work in the Marathi theatre. The Cultural Affairs Department presents 12 Awards for significant work in 12 different categories for the significant contribution in cultural field each year. On February 27, 2020, the government of Maharashtra Government finally decided to title the award in the name of the late veteran actor. Shriram Lagoo passed away at a private hospital in Pune on December 17, 2019. The actor who was also an ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeon passed away at the age of 92. Lagoo worked in Hindi and Marathi Cinema, he was also a director and a theatre artist. Shriram has directed over 20 Marathi plays. Lagoo was born on November 16, 1927, in Satara, Bombay Presidency, British India. He was known for his roles in movies including Gharaonda (1977), Gandhi (1982) and Swayamvar (1980). The director also played Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor's father in the blockbuster movie Kishen Kanhaiya. Michigans attorney general is warning residents to watch out for price gouging on in-demand products amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus. In a Tuesday press release, Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office is looking into reports that a west Michigan retailer is selling individual face masks packaged in Ziploc bags for $10 apiece, noting it could be a violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. I will not hesitate to bring the hammer down on any person or business that uses this public health threat to feed their own greed, Nessel said in a statement. So, whether you run a national chain, a local store or are just looking for ways to get rich on eBay, the expectations are the same: follow the law." Michigan residents can report any suspected violations of the Consumer Protection Act online or by calling 877-765-8388. Last week, Nessels office and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also warned con artists are using coronavirus to sell fake products and as a way to steal money and personal information through emails and social media posts. Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan City in the Hubei Province of China. There have been more than 91,000 cases globally, with over 3,000 deaths. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Michigan, but there are at least 10 states reporting cases of the disease, with at least 9 deaths. Person-to-person spread of the virus has occurred in the U.S., with some of those occurring in people with no travel history and no known source of exposure. On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the creation of four task forces to combat the spread of coronavirus and assess the impact it may have on state operations, health care, schools and workplaces. Learn more about the coronavirus at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Read all of MLives coverage at https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus. PREVENTION TIPS Much like how you would try to prevent the flu, you want to stay away from people who are sick and practice good hygiene, says the CDC. The latter means thoroughly washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. Avoid touching your mouth or face unless your hands are clean. Use household cleaners to disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces. Use disinfectant wipes to clean your hands or surfaces such as shopping-cart handles when out in public. READ MORE: Coronavirus Q&A, 15 things to know about COVID-19s spread Related coverage: What Michiganders need to know about coronavirus Gov. Whitmer creates four task forces on coronavirus 6 ways Michigan residents already are impacted by coronavirus Michigan officials warn of scams related to coronavirus CDC officials say coronavirus could happen here and it could be bad Michigans deadliest year: Look back at 1918 flu pandemic By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: A day after senior BJD leader and former minister Sanjay Das Burma was appointed Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board with Cabinet rank, Opposition BJP and Congress on Monday alleged that the Board has turned into a place for the rehabilitation of ruling party leaders. Criticising the state governments ad hocism towards such an important matter, deputy leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Santosh Singh Saluja alleged that the Board has not met for the last 13 years. Though the Deputy Chairman of the Board gets a chamber in the state Secretariat, no file reaches his table. Besides, the one appointed to the post knows nothing about the functioning of the Board, said. Stating that the Board never meets for any discussion, Saluja said it has turned into a rehabilitation centre for defeated BJD leaders. Alleging that the state government has never given importance to the state Planning Board, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said it has become defunct for the last nine months. Mohapatra said the Board has not met since 2007 and the tenure of the last vice-chairperson and members has ended in June, 2019. The Board has no link with state plans, he said and asked why such an important post was vacant for such a long period. However, Planning and Convergence Minister Padmanabha Behera said the government is planning to restructure the Board as per the pattern adopted by NITI Aayog for the formulation of plans. We are working on it and the government will soon go for the restructuring of the Board to make it more vibrant, he said. The state government has appointed senior BJD leaders as chairpersons of the District Planning Committees with the rank of Minister of state. Kolkata, March 3 : Decrying violence at the Delhi residence of senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the West Bengal party unit here on Tuesday demanded upgrade of his security and said it would observe statewide condemnation day on Wednesday against it. "I strongly decry the vandalism of Chowdhury's residence. The cowardly act was perpetrated as a revenge for the way he has raised his voice against the Delhi riots," state Congress chief Somen Mitra said in a statement. Taking a swipe at the Centre, Mitra said the law and order situation in Delhi was such that miscreants could freely attack even the residence of the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha. Referring to Home Minister Amit Shah's speech at a BJP rally, here on Sunday, Mitra said while he was talking of forming the government in Bengal, "he was unable to gave any assurance to the people of the country about the terrifying situation in the national capital". In a tweet, Chowdhury's office said his Delhi residence was "attacked by miscreants around 5.30 pm today (Tuesday). House staff was also thrashed by miscreants". CPI-M politburo member Mohammad Salim also condemned the "cowardly attack on Chowdhury's residence". In a tweet, Salim took a dig at the reported Y+ security provided to BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who allegedly gave a hate speech ahead of Delhi riots. "The man who instigated riots in Delhi has been provided with Y+ security but when the Leader of Opposition demands a discussion over #DelhiRiots, his house is attacked by miscreants," he said. An expensive children's car seat has catastrophically failed a crash test, ejecting a dummy representing a toddler in a way that experts say would have likely been fatal in a real road crash. The tests show the straps of the child restraint releasing on impact in a crash at 56km/h, with the dummy flying head over heels in a mid-air somersault. It is the first time a dummy has been ejected in more than 25 years of such crash tests by the independent non-profit Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP). The $629 Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed the test when the seat was in ISOFIX (a modern alternative to securing a child seat using a seatbelt) forward-facing mode. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Monday that supporters of Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and ex-South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg are welcome to vote for him. Campaigning in Minnesota, Sanders told a rally that hes known Klobuchar for a long time and praised her as one of the hardest workers I know. And as you all know, Petes campaign was an historic campaign and a brave campaign, he said, adding that he was referring to Buttigieg being openly gay. Sanders said he wanted to open the door to supporters of both former rivals. I know that there are political differences but I also know that virtually all of Amys support and Petes support understand that we have got to move toward a government that believes in justice, not greed, he said. A Sanders administration would be based on principles of economic justice, social justice, racial justice, [and] environmental justice, the senator said. So to all of Amys and Petes millions of supporters: the door is open. Come on in! Buttigieg, 38, and Klobuchar, 59, ended their campaigns in recent days. They both traveled to Dallas, Texas on Monday night and announced their endorsements of former Vice President Joe Biden, 78. The former presidential candidates said they felt that Biden is the best person remaining in the field to challenge President Donald Trump. Buttigieg said Biden has a track record of delivering on issues important with his generation, including climate change and gun control, while Klobuchar said Biden could attract independents and some Republicans in addition to getting votes from Democrats. Biden said earlier Monday he promised Buttigieg a position in his administration if he wins the White House. He also called Klobuchar a great talent. Buttigieg and Klobuchar frequently clashed with Sanders, 78, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), 70, during primary debates, part of the friction between two wings of the Democratic party. The divide was especially apparent in the positions on healthcare. Warren and Sanders want Medicare for All, or government-run healthcare, while Buttigieg and Klobucharand Bidenargued for building on Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act. Minnesota was one of over a dozen states slated to vote on Super Tuesday, or March 3. Sanders is vying against Biden, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 78, Warren, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), 38. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), 38, appeared with Sanders, reiterating her endorsement and urging voters to support him. I dont just want us to defeat Trump, I want us to fight for a better future. And I am proud to be here to make sure that you all vote for the person who is going to make sure that we get that better future, she said. From The Epoch Times Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Tuesday said that if the coronavirus outbreak is not contained globally within three months it may lead to a worldwide economic crisis, the impact of which may be felt in the state. "With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the global economy is facing a threat... if the outbreak is not contained within three months, " said Thomas Isaac in Kerala Assembly on Tuesday. He further stated that the tourism industry in the state has already been adversely affected after coronavirus cases were reported in the region. "This season tourists kept away due to coronavirus outbreak. Also, other countries like Iran have been hit by coronavirus. Travel restrictions have been imposed by Saudi Arabia. If Gulf countries are affected, it will have its impact on Kerala as our economy is dependent on NRI remittances, " said Kerala Finance Minister. The Minister further claimed that the state government has been successful in containing the deadly virus while the other countries are struggling. "What an exemplary work Kerala has done!" he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chennai, March 3 : A cat suspected to be infected with coronavirus is at the centre of a controversy as PETA India has demanded the release of the cat which faces deportation from the Chennai port to China, where cats are killed for meat and fur. A stowaway cat, which arrived in a container from China more than 20 days ago, has been held at the Chennai port and is now facing deportation to China -- where it is unlikely to survive -- all because of ignorance over the coronavirus. In response, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's manager of veterinary services, Rashmi Gokhale, fired off a letter to the Chennai port authority stating that it has been scientifically established that cats cannot contract or transmit COVID-19. The American Veterinary Medical Association states on its website, "Multiple international health organisations have indicated that pets and other domestic animals are not considered at risk for contracting COVID-19." The Chennai quarantine facility recommended sending the animal back to his or her suspected country of origin. PETA pointed out that it would be very difficult to establish where the cat embarked the vessel. It said that it is highly unlikely that the animal would have survived the 10 to 20-day journey from China to India without food and water. Ships destined for Chennai from China reportedly dock in Singapore, Colombo, and elsewhere, and containers are opened to offload goods, so the cat could have entered the ship at any of its stopping points. In China, cats are often killed for meat or fur, and it's likely that the animal would be treated cruelly upon arrival, PETA said. PETA India has offered to help the relevant authorities by finding the cat a loving, permanent home in India, which can be done as soon as the necessary quarantine health assessments and vaccinations have been completed. Rod Serling was born in 1924 in Syracuse, New York, but he grew up in Binghamton, where his parents had moved when he was still an infant. From an early age he liked to perform for others and listen to science fiction, suspense, and horror shows on the radio. In time he took up public speaking and writing, becoming the editor of his high school newspaper. But in 1943, with the nation at war, Serling set his college plans aside and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Serling trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, to be a paratrooper in the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division, which was sent to the Pacific Theater in May 1944. Serling first saw combat six months later, when his unit landed in the Philippines to fight as light infantry in the Battle of Leyte. He then was assigned to the 511ths demolition platoon, nicknamed the Death Squad because of its high casualty rate. Serling was wounded but rejoined his regiment in time for its February 3, 1945, landing on Tagatay Ridge for General Douglas MacArthurs march on Manila. Some 17,000 Japanese soldiers were waiting for them. During the next month, as the Americans battled the Japanese block by block, Serling was wounded again. (He would be awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, among other decorations, for his wartime service.) After his discharge from the army in 1946, Serling worked at a rehabilitation hospital as he recovered from his injuries. He then used the GI Bill and his disability benefits to enroll in Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he gravitated to theater, broadcasting, and writing. On graduation he decided to focus on writing for radio and television (hed won an award for a television script he wrote in college), and in 1951, after a stint at a radio station in Cincinnati, he started writing TV dramas as a freelancer, often covering such serious issues as lynching, union organizing, and racism. Then, on October 11, 1956, his Requiem for a Heavyweight aired on the live television show Playhouse 90. Serlings teleplay won a Peabody Awardthe first for an individual script in televisionand helped pave the way for his remarkable career as a screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator. On October 2, 1959, came The Twilight Zone, which would make Serlingits host, narrator, and most prolific writerinstantly recognizable to millions of Americans. The CBS series, which aired for five seasons, would bring Serling three Emmy Awards, though he was twice forced to resuscitate the series after announced cancellations. But in 1964, when CBS again canceled the show, Serling decided to let it go. In 1967 Serling began teaching at Ithaca College, taking students under his wing as he continued to work on his own writing projects until his death from a heart attack in 1975. He was 50 years old. Serlings wartime experiences left him with nightmares and flashbacks that may have pushed him into his chosen profession. I was bitter about everything and at loose ends when I got out of the service, he once recalled. I think I turned to writing to get it off my chest. NEW GUINEA NIGHTMARE Down here there are no Ten Commandments And a man can raise a thirst; Here live the outcasts of Civilization, Lifes Victims at their worst. Down the steaming Guinea coast Live the men that God forgot, Battling the ever present fever, The itch and the tropical rot. Living with the natives, Down in the sweltering zone, Rooting like hogs in a wallow, Ten thousand miles from home. Nobody knows were living, Nobody gives a damn; Back home were soon forgotten We soldiers of Uncle Sam. Drenched with sweat in the evenings We stew in foxholes and dream, Killing ourselves with alkie To dam up memorys stream. At night we lie on our pillows With ills no doctor can cure. Hell no, were not convicts, Just soldiers on a tour. We have but one consolation, And that to you I shall tell, When we die well all go to heaven, Because weve done our hitch in hell. This article appears in the Spring 2020 issue (Vol. 32, No. 3) of MHQThe Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: Poetry | The War Zone Want to have the lavishly illustrated, premium-quality print edition of MHQ delivered directly to you four times a year? Subscribe now at special savings! Mumbai, March 3 : Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has brought together eight leading Bollywood actors, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, for a brief video on Mahatma Gandhi. The black and white video was made by the "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" director to celebrate Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. The over one-minute video begins with a Charkha (spinning wheel), then comes Aamir talking about Gandhi's idea of non-violence. Actress Alia Bhatt reads out the importance of the idea of courage. Salman highlights Gandhi's ideal of service. Actress Kanagana Ranaut focuses on the idea of belief. Actor Ranbir Kapoor speaks on peace. Actress Sonam Kapoor then says: "A human is made of their thoughts, what he thinks, that's what he becomes." Shah Rukh then concludes the star-studded video by talking about faith. It closes with'Vande Mataram'. Conceptualised and directed by Hirani, the video was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Joe Biden is among the dwindling numbers of party centrists who hasnt publicly supported or proposed a plan for federal legalization. As recently as November of 2019 Biden has been quoted as saying, let me tell you, the truth of the matter is theres not nearly been enough evidence acquired as to whether or not it is a gateway drug. Its a debate. Before I legalize it nationally, I want to make sure we know a lot more about the science behind it. Later clarifications by staff have said Biden supports national decriminalization, potential expungement of past convictions, and moving the drug to Schedule 2. Biden has also recently said marijuana should be a misdemeanor. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) A fired security guard will face several criminal charges after he shot a coworker and held dozens hostage in a popular Greenhills mall, police said on Tuesday. Frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearm, and serious illegal detention cases will be filed against Alchie Paray, who held hostage around 55 people inside V-Mall in Greenhills Shopping Complex on Monday. "He's detained in our police station and awaiting inquest proceedings before the fiscal office this morning," San Juan Police Chief Jaime Santos told CNN Philippines. The suspect underwent drug and paraffin test at the Eastern Police District Crime Laboratory. Paray tested negative for drugs, Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas said. Paray armed with a pistol and grenade opened fire at a guard inside the mall at 11:16 a.m. Monday. He kept his hostages, mostly mall employees, inside an administration office in the mall for mpore than nine hours. The standoff ended with the hostages released following the apology and resignation of Paray's bosses. After his surrender, the 40-year-old suspect was allowed to address the media in a press conference-like set-up outside the mall. Paray, who was not bound by handcuffs, aired his gripes for being fired by his security agency before he was tackled and arrested by authorities. The disgruntled former guard was an employee of Safeguard Armor Security Corporation. He said he was fired after going on absence without leave for weeks. But Oscar Hernandez, the general manager of the security company that employed Paray, clarified that the hostage-taker was not fired but was only supposed to be transferred to a different assignment as part of their company's policy of rotating security guards. 03.03.2020 LISTEN The negotiations are open: Britons and Europeans argue about how their relationship will look after 2021. Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament, warns London against exuberance. Now it's all about speed: London and Brussels are in the middle of the brexite transition period. They need to negotiate a free trade agreement by the end of the year and agree on other areas to shape their future relations. If you subtract the time it will take all 27 remaining EU countries to ratify the agreements, it is a tight schedule. And the negotiating partners have not exactly come closer since the brexite on 31 January. On the contrary, at the presentation of the British negotiating mandate last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he would break off talks altogether if no agreement was in sight by the end of June. Instead, he would then want the hard brexite. Most recently, the British car industry also called on the government to conclude a comprehensive free trade agreement. And it remained unclear what leverage London could use to push the negotiations in the desired direction. In Brussels, they look forward to the coming months with a relaxed attitude. Nor does Johnson's announcement to make Great Britain a tax haven for companies shock the Europeans. "Why should we grant you unlimited access to our internal market when at the same time you are trying to outdo us with such competitive advantages," says Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament, in an interview with t-online.de. "We like you, but we are not stupid." Mrs Barley, the negotiations between the EU and Great Britain on the post-brexite era have begun. What do the British and Europeans argue most fiercely about? Katarina Barley: There are three main points of contention. The biggest construction site is trade, because the British side has so far been acting as if it can still gain access to the single market while failing to meet European Union standards. That will not work. There will also be major discussions on fishing rights. This is a side issue, but it is very important for the relationship between the EU and Britain. It is also important for us as an EU how the rights of EU citizens are protected in Britain after the brexite. Is it imperative that agreement be reached on all these issues this year? Definitely in these three areas. Britain must commit to the extent to which it wants to comply with standards in consumer, environmental and health protection. That is absolutely inseparable from the three aspects I have mentioned. There will be no cherry-picking. London must not say: I would like to agree on these things, on others, for example fishing rights, oh, there is still time for that. On the subject of health: what minimum standards must be observed? In the EU, we have very clear guidelines; for example, in the case of meat, we lay down what treatment the animals may or may not have received. Let me give you an example: We are against growth hormones in beef production. If the British now say that we want firstly to apply these hormones ourselves and secondly perhaps import hormone-treated beef from the USA, process it and then export it to the EU - we in the EU cannot allow that. All the requirements for health protection for EU citizens must be met on a 1:1 basis. There are probably dozens of other examples Yes, for example, equipment safety. In Europe we maintain certain standards. These define: We consider these devices to be safe, others not. The manufacturers undergo complex, lengthy and expensive certification procedures. Under no circumstances can we impose these requirements on the British or allow British goods to be less strictly controlled. The British wanted less bureaucracy through the brexite. That has always been the argument against the EU. In fact, they will get more bureaucracy. On Twitter recently a Briton got annoyed about the lengthy border controls at Amsterdam airport. He did not vote for this brexite, he wrote - and earned ridicule. This year it won't be as noticeable yet, because a lot is still being played by the old rules. By 2021 at the latest, however, many Britons will realise what this actually means. In mid-February, the British minister responsible presented new immigration rules. Now only people who can prove a certain minimum salary can immigrate for work. This salary is higher than what a nurse earns in the state health service, but even more so than what is paid in agriculture. British agriculture, like our own, is already having difficulty in finding harvest workers. The British Minister for Agriculture has said that unemployed British people should be trained for this. I look forward to the outcome of this experiment. In Germany, this approach has failed miserably Without the helpers from Eastern Europe, nothing will work. With this law, they will no longer have any immigration of care workers either. So I am very curious about the future of British hospitals - which already have a problem with a lack of staff anyway. All I can say is that we in the EU warmly welcome those nurses who would otherwise have gone to the UK. On Twitter recently a Briton got annoyed about the lengthy border controls at Amsterdam airport. He did not vote for this brexite, he wrote - and earned ridicule. "Absolutely disgusting service at Schiphol airport. 55 minutes we have been stood in the immigration queue. This isnt the Brexit I voted for". This year it won't be as noticeable yet, because a lot is still being played by the old rules. By 2021 at the latest, however, many Britons will realise what this actually means. In mid-February, the British minister responsible presented new immigration rules. Now only people who can prove a certain minimum salary can immigrate for work. This salary is higher than what a nurse earns in the state health service, but even more so than what is paid in agriculture. British agriculture, like our own, is already having difficulty in finding harvest workers. The British Minister for Agriculture has said that unemployed British people should be trained for this. I look forward to the outcome of this experiment. How realistic is it to actually get an agreement in the course of this year? Very difficult. First of all, it is not just these three areas. There is also, for example, the security aspect, such as the exchange of data on terror suspects, but also the mutual execution of arrest warrants. The second is that we do not even have a year! We are now starting negotiations. At the end of the year, ratification is still required. So we have about eight months net. That is so short that it can really only work if, at the end of it, we say that we will leave certain areas as they are, in accordance with European law. Which ones could they be? That is difficult to say. It could happen, especially if the standards are complied with. So far the British have done quite well with consumer protection. As far as worker protection is concerned, things are already getting tighter. At the beginning of the year, the original law stipulated that London would continue to comply with all the employee protection regulations that had been adopted under the EU. Boris Johnson has had this deleted. To say that we continue to comply with the agreements would be a quick fix at many levels. The more the British want to deviate from them, the longer the negotiations will take. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has reshuffled his cabinet. What effect could this have on the negotiations? That remains to be seen. The tendency is clear: Johnson will get rid of anyone who might contradict him. He prefers a streamlined force around him. The influence of Dominic Cummings should not be underestimated. You mean Chief Aide to Boris Johnson. Cummings is a hardcore Brexiteer. In my view, the Cabinet reshuffle serves only this purpose: Johnson wants to get through the hard line that he and Cummings have in mind. If the tight schedule fails, what does that mean for the EU? Then there are two possibilities: Either Johnson deviates from his dogma that he does not want to be associated with the EU beyond 2020. Let me say quite honestly: I could imagine that if only the ratifications are still outstanding and agreement has been reached on the substance. I would be surprised if it were only to fail because of the ratification phase. The other possibility is a hard brexite, one without an agreement. It is no secret that some on the British side want that. It would mean that the clocks on trade and relations with the UK would be set to zero overnight. "There will be no cherry-picking," says Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament, about the brexite negotiations. How great is the fear in the EU of a tax haven on their own doorstep? According to Johnson, the UK will try to gain competitive advantages by offering particularly attractive conditions. Everyone here in Brussels has a clear position on this, from the Council to the Parliament to the Commission: if London wants to go down this road, it will not get privileged access to the internal market. I am not so sure whether it is attractive for a company to be in the British Isles with slightly lower taxes but with no or only very bureaucratic, expensive access to the European internal market of 450 million people. We also have very different tax rates within the EU. Companies are more likely to look for a country within the EU that has low taxes. That sounds like a challenge to Boris Johnson. I'm half British. I want nothing but good for this country. But I don't want them to think we're idiots. Sometimes I think we are. I always say then: why should we give you unlimited access to our internal market when at the same time you are trying to outdo us with such competitive advantages? We like you, but we are not stupid. Francis Tawiah (Duisburg - Germany) THREE mens sheds were crowned joint winners of the Best Participating Shed award in Limerick for the Irish Mens Sheds Associations (IMSA) health and wellbeing programme, Sheds for Life. St Marys Parish based on Nicolas Street, St Patricks based in Rhebogue and Caherdavin & District in Caherdavin Community Centre were all joint winners. The Sheds for Life health and wellbeing programme saw ten sheds across Limerick take part in ten-weeks of health and wellbeing workshops, including suicide prevention, healthy cooking and nutrition and CPR training. The competition for Best Participating Shed in Limerick was tough, and in the end resulted in the three sheds being named joint-winners. Other sheds in Limerick didnt go home empty handed though, with Galbally, Adare, Croom, Abbeyfeale, Glin, Doon, and Mulcair Mens Shed all picking up Certificates of Participation. Speaking on the joint-award, IMSA Volunteer for Limerick City Seamus Scott said: The programme has instilled a new sense of understanding of mens own health and wellbeing. All sheds showed incredible commitment to the programme, so much that you couldnt pick one overall shed, but three. I am very proud of the passion that the St Marys Parish, St Patricks, and Caherdavin & District Mens Shed gave to the Sheds for Life programme and I hope they continue to use the skills and knowledge theyve gained during the programme to improve their health and wellbeing. Also commenting on the Sheds for Life programme, IMSA Health and Wellbeing Manager Edel Byrne said: I would like to congratulate all sheds on their commitment to the Sheds for Life programme, you have all worked extremely hard over the ten-weeks to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. I hope that you will take what you have learned in the programme and use it well into the future to continue to improve your health and wellbeing. The Irish Mens Sheds Association (IMSA) aims to support the development of mens sheds throughout Ireland. He won an army of fans with his popular portrayals of Simon Wicks in EastEnders and Sergeant Nick Rowan in Heartbeat - before stepping back from acting in 2003. And Nick Berry looked unrecognisable as he made a rare public appearance on a dog walk in Epping recently. The star, 56, who made his last television appearance in a 2012 episode of EastEnders at the funeral of his on-screen mother Pat Butcher, cut a casual figure in a lavender sweater, mint green overcoat and white patterned scarf. Heartbeat star: Nick Berry looked unrecognisable as he made a rare public appearance on a dog walk in Epping recently Popular: The star, 56, who made his last television appearance in a 2012 episode of EastEnders ,cut a casual figure in a lavender sweater, mint green overcoat and white patterned scarf Every inch the silver fox, Nick paired his casual look with jeans and tan shoes as he unloaded his dog from the car before heading to a petrol station. In a sighting which will no doubt leave his fans delighted Nick sported silver locks, a beard and a pair of trendy shades. The star had a stellar acting career on British television but stepped away from the screen aged 39 to raise his two sons. After springing to fame as Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1985, Berry left in 1990 and decamped to the Yorkshire Dales for a six year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan, before taking on the role of harbour master Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights. Sighting: Every inch the silver fox, Nick paired his casual look with jeans and tan shoes as he unloaded his dog from the car before heading to a petrol station Stellar: In a sighting which will no doubt leave his fans delighted Nick sported silver locks, a beard and a pair of trendy shades (pictured as Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1987) He reached heartthrob status with hordes of screaming fans besieging the BBC studios where the soap was filmed. There was even a brief pop career too: in 1986 Berry released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year. Save for a stint in the early Noughties filming police drama In Deep alongside Stephen Tompkinson, Berry disappeared from view, turning his back on acting to become a stay-at-home father to his two sons Louis, now 25, and 22-year-old Finley. At one point, he was rumoured to have been offered a 2 million golden-handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late Eighties. Good spirits: The star looked delighted to be spending a relaxed day with his dog Off we go: Nick, who has shunned the spotlight for many years, loaded his dog into the car Relaxed: The actor quit the spotlight in 2003 to be a stay-at-home dad He was said to have amassed an estimated 5 million from his time in the spotlight enough to fund a rambling house in Epping, Essex, and a beach house in Hove. Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011 about his decision to step away from the spotlight, he said: 'I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it. I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven't really missed it. 'While I'd never say never, I'm genuinely happy as I am.' Wow: Nick reached heartthrob status with hordes of screaming fans besieging the BBC studios where EastEnders was filmed (pictured 1985) Beloved: Berry left in 1990 and decamped to the Yorkshire Dales for a six year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan (above with Niamh Cusack) 'The job was great.You're driven everywhere, fed every five minutes and told what to do and where to go. What I struggled with was that the boys were very young and I felt like I was away filming all the time. 'I'd been blessed with these little people and yet I wasn't really there. I realised I wanted to be at home.' Despite his spectacular screen success, east London-born Berry said he wasn't a natural actor. 'I was never that comfortable in the spotlight. Some of the egos you can do without. A lot of actors take themselves so seriously but, by and large, you're getting paid to show off.' Career: There was even a brief pop career too: in 1986 Berry released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year Chinese industrial giant Jingye Group on Tuesday said it would next week finally complete on its takeover of British Steel, including its Dutch operations -- but not its small French unit. The announcement, which will preserve 3,200 jobs out of around 5,000, follows reports that the deal could have fallen through for the former state-owned company that went bankrupt in May amid fierce Chinese competition and Brexit uncertainty. "The completion will take place on 9th March, preserving 3,200 high-skilled jobs," Jingye said in a statement, after warning posts would disappear as part of the takeover that will see it pump 1.2 billion pounds ( USD 1.5 billion, 1.4 billion euros) into the ailing business. Jingye is purchasing British Steel's sprawling steelworks at Scunthorpe, northern England, as well as other UK mills, for an undisclosed amount. The deal "does not include the assets of British Steel France", Jingye said, but this could still be agreed. "The French government has not yet made a judgement on Jingye's proposed acquisition of British Steel France nor, at this stage, indicated when it may be in a position to do so," the Chinese group added, noting that it has agreed to take on the Dutch activities. British Steel has its roots as far back as the Industrial Revolution but took shape in 1967 when the Labour government nationalised the industry, which at the time employed nearly 270,000 people. After privatisation and a massive decline in Britain's steel sector, India's Tata Steel bought the group in 2007 before selling it on to investment fund Greybull Capital. British trade union Unite welcomed Tuesday's announcement. "Unite's members at British Steel will be feeling a sense of relief today that the deal has finally been confirmed," said assistant general secretary Steve Turner. "The lives of the affected workers and their families have effectively been on hold for 10 months since the company went into compulsory liquidation. "Some hard decisions have had to be made in order to ensure the deal went through," Turner added in reference to the jobs lost. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) Local airline Cebu Pacific will reduce its year-round low fares over 70 domestic destinations to support the governments initiative to promote domestic travel amid the international travel bans caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In a statement Wednesday, the airline stated that they will sell tickets for as low as 88 as base fare starting February 19. Flights with reduced fares include those originating from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan), Davao, Iloilo, and Zamboanga. Seats were also increased across flights from Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo and Bacolod; as well as between Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Iloilo. We are one with the government and fellow tourism stakeholders during this challenging time. Through this increase in the supply of seats and fare reductions across our domestic route network, we hope to encourage Philippine residents to travel and explore the country, said Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience Candice Iyog. According to Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jojo Clemente III, the country may lose up to 20 billion if the novel coronavirus extends until March. READ: PH tourism to lose 20-B due to novel coronavirus Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr told CNN Philippines that the government and the private sector are shifting their focus on the local market to cut the losses. The country has recently lifted the temporary travel ban on Taiwan. Meanwhile, overseas Filipino workers were also permitted to go back to their places of employment in Hong Kong, and Macau. (Photo : Pixabay) NASA confirmed that an asteroid as big as a tower will dangerously hit Earth this week. According to the agency's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the asteroid follows a dangerous orbit that is usually known to intersect Earth's course every now and then. The incoming asteroid has been dubbed as 2020 DA4. As indicated in CNEOS's database, this asteroid is presently moving toward Earth at a speed of almost 20,000 miles per hour. CNEOS said the near-earth object measures about 144 feet wide, which makes it barely shorter than the Chicago Water Tower. The asteroid is a member of the Apollo circle of relatives of asteroids. According to NASA, 2020, DA4 follows a wide path around the Sun, which extends between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. From time to time, 2020 DA4 crosses Earth's orbit because it travels around the massive star. ALSO READ: Are Aliens Behind the First US Coronavirus Confirmed Case of Unknown Origin? A Scientist Claim It's Possible! Could it end human civilization? If the asteroid collides with the planet for the duration of one of its near-Earth intersections, it most in all likelihood won't create an impact event on the ground. The asteroid will instead be burned in the atmosphere and create a powerful explosion in the sky. Based on the asteroid's size and current speed, the blast from its airburst ought to be like multiple atomic bombs, although most explosions could be directed in the direction of the Earth's atmosphere. The remaining energy might be sufficient enough to harm structures, shatter home windows, and injure people on the ground. ALSO READ: Is Earth's Doomsday Near? NASA Warns Killer Asteroid May Arrive on Earth in 5 Days When will it cross paths with Earth? The asteroid, at this rate, will go near Earth's path on April 29. As it crosses Earth's course, the asteroid is anticipated to be about 585,000 miles from the planet's center. Hence, the asteroid's distance will only be twice the gap between the Earth and the Moon in the course of its journey. This 2020 DA4 asteroid was first seen on February 27. CNEOS calculated its future near-Earth approaches after studying its trajectory. According to the agency, the asteroid is not predicted to return to Earth's neighborhood until May 31, 2022. ALSO READ: New Neighbor in Town: Earth Acquires a New But Temporary Mini-Moon Says NASA: How Long Will It Stay? One in 50,000 chance of hitting Earth Astronomers estimate such items have a one in 50,000 chance of hitting Earth every 100 years. If 2020 DA4 asteroid would directly hit the planet, the Planetary Society said global devastation and a possible crumble of civilization would happen. Dr. Bruce Betts from the international institution of astronomers said that small asteroids [often hit the Earth] and would dissipate the surroundings and do little damage. Larger asteroids, according to Betts, could cause local destruction. Betts said that Chelyabinsk size asteroids - around 59 feet and a mass of about 9,100 metric tons that hit in 2013 - could create shock waves that shatter windows and cause injuries. He added that Tunguska sized asteroids - which has a size of 157 to 360 feet that hit Siberia in 1908 - could completely destroy a city or create a tsunami. The destructive capacity of space rocks this large was also outlined in a 2018 report published by the United States National Science and Technology Council. ALSO READ: Chinese Space Mission Unveils How The Farside of The Moon Looks Like The National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy wrote: "Objects near and larger than one kilometer can motive damage on a global scale. Asteroids, according to National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy, can trigger earthquakes, tsunamis, and other secondary outcomes that extend far past the immediate impact area. For comparison, the asteroid that is believed to have killed the dinosaurs measured about six miles (10km) across. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Newswire continues to be No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction and a top industry leader thanks to raving reviews on G2 Crowd. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Newswire customers have expressed their feelings about their experience on G2 Crowd by sharing rave reviews about the best-in-class platform and service. For the third year in a row, Newswire is No. 1 in customer satisfaction, according to the highly acclaimed peer-to-peer platform review website G2 Crowd. Customers who have utilized the platform shared their insight on its ease of use and incredible value. Thanks to Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour, Business Technology Companies Found the Right Strategy To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6522/53087_fdbfea7c44843bde_001full.jpg A user who works for an agency in marketing and advertising writes, "Great value for SEO. I love how it gives a lot of domain authority value for my clients. I use this for every new client that we have." The customer service and success Newswire has to offer has been one of the main reasons why customers have switched and committed to the company's services. G2 Crowd has positioned Newswire with a No. 1 rating in customer satisfaction for the third year in a row based on reviews left on the website. Lori B., a writer/press coordinator, said, "The thing I love most about Newswire is the team. They are 100% committed to their craft, which means they will ensure your press goes out when it is perfect. They are flexible; they offer all the services needed to supplement my PR business with just the right amount of 'boom.'" "These reviews are a true testament to the dedication each Newswire team member puts in on a daily basis," said Patrick Santiago, VP of Customer Success at Newswire. "Our customers are our number one priority. As long as we keep listening to their feedback, the team will keep prospering as a leader in the industry." Customers can now transform owned media (press releases) into the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased traffic, greater return on media spend and increased sales. As a result, customers can lower their costs of press releases, increase the value of each release and lower paid-media costs while shortening the journey for the Earned Media Advantage. The journey is designed to empower the Earned Media Advantage by developing a plan that is based on a media communications survey that defines press release content value and distribution. Customers are also provided a media communications calendar, services to set up, operate and manage media databases, media monitoring alerts, statistical analysis, reporting and media room news collection and sharing to ensure Customer Success. Download How the Earned Media Advantage is Transforming Business and discover how to empower your go-to-market strategies with the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased traffic, generate greater return on media and marketing communications spend and increased sales. About Newswire Newswire delivers press release and multimedia distribution software and services (SaaS) that empower the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased traffic, greater return on media and marketing communications spend and the competitive edge. With over a decade of experience, Newswire continues to provide its customers with the ability to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time through the right medium. To learn and experience Newswire, visit http://www.newswire.com. Contact Information Charlie Terenzio Director of Earned Media Strategy Newswire Office: 813-480-3766 Email: charlie@newswire.com Related Images customers-highlight-newswires-best.png Customers Highlight Newswire's Best-in-Class Platform and Performance in Recent G2 Crowd Reviews To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53087 Photo credit: Marina Lystseva - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics Elon Musk says the manned fighter jet dead and will be replaced by drones. Manned fighters aren't dead yet, and modern air combat would thrash proposed drone fighters. Drones may not force the end of manned fighters but instead technologies such as lasers weapons. Last week Elon Musk sat in front of an assemblage of U.S. Air Force officers and declared that the era of the fighter jet, had passed. Musk, interviewed by U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John Thompson at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, said that the future of air warfare belonged to drones and that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would have no chance against a drone fighter. The fighter jet era has passed, Musk said, according to CNBC. Drone warfare is where the future will be. Its not that I want the future to be its just, this is what the future will be. The competitor should be a drone fighter plane thats remote controlled by a human, but with its maneuvers augmented by autonomy. The F-35 would have no chance against it. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2020 Photo credit: Marina Lystseva - Getty Images Musks fighter-killer drone seems to be a remote-controlled fighter, but one whose dogfighting ability is enhanced through the use of autonomy. Thats actually an interesting point: an artificial intelligence might be able to pull together data about two aircraft in a dogfight, from airspeed to weapons loadouts, and then come up with an ideal course of action to shoot down the other aircraft. It could possibly do this faster than a human, the same way supercomputers can calculate possible chess moves faster than a human chessmaster. While the technology doesn't exist at this point, its still possible. The problem is this ignores a fundamental difference between older fighters and fifth-generation stealth fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. For approximately 70 years, air-to-air combat was a mid-air brawl, with planes mixing it up in the skies. The advent of the air-to-air missile was briefly thought to have ended the dogfight, but that was proved wrong during the Vietnam War, and fighter planes built to rely on missiles suffered as a result . Until very recently, dogfighting was the inevitable endgame of opposing fleets of fighter planes. Story continues Photo credit: Dick Swanson - Getty Images The introduction of stealth in the 1980s marked a major change in aerial warfare. Stealth enabled aircraft to stay off enemy radars while at the same time observing the enemy. The U.S. Air Force quickly learned that this bought time for any stealth fighter pilot. In an engagement with non-stealthy enemy jets, stealth gave a fighter pilot time to set up an ambush the enemy couldnt anticipate. The F-22 and F-35 fighters are designed to be assassins, not brawlers. The two fighters are designed to detect enemy aircraft first and then set up a series of ambushes designed to whittle the enemy force down. Typically this will involve fixing the position of enemy forces by fusing together sensor data from different sources, including nearby AWACs-type radar planes and the fighters own radar. Next, F-22 and F-35 pilots will use the fighters speed and agility to gain a superior position over the enemy. Finally, the fighters execute the ambush, launching AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles at targets that dont even know they are there. Both jets would shoot down Musks proposed drone fighter before it entered dogfighting range. Musk could be right about the age of manned fighter jets coming to a closebut it won't be because of drones. Advances in counter-stealth technology erodes a fighter jet's advantage and a proficient laser weapon system would change aerial warfare drastically. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force Lasers have several advantages over traditional guns and missiles. A laser weapon is powered by a fighters onboard electrical system, theoretically giving it an unlimited number of shots. Lasers travel at the speed of light and can inflict damage from miles away, depending on the strength of the beam. Lasers cant be dodged or diverted away from their targets, and they're much easier to aim than guns. The effect of lasers on air warfare, coupled with a reduction in the effectiveness of stealth, could be so profound aerial warfare simply becomes too dangerous for human beings. Elon Musk might be right about the future of fighter pilots, but wrong about why robots will take their place. It wont be because theyre inherently betterit'll be to save the pilot's life. You Might Also Like With 2021 concluded and the 20th anniversary of the ModDB's Mod of the Year Awards wrapped up, we take a stroll down history lane and look back at all the winners over the last two decades. "Many of our neighbors are facing devastation and a long road of clean-up and recovery," said Jeff Porter, U-Haul Company of Nashville president. "Some people may need a secure place to stow their belongings in the coming days. We are able to help by making our facilities available at no cost for one month." U-Haul Company of Nashville has made three stores available to offer the disaster relief assistance program. People seeking more information or needing to arrange 30 days free self-storage should contact the nearest participating facility: U-Haul Moving & Storage of Hillwood Plaza 3741 Annex Ave. Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 356-2550 U-Haul Moving & Storage of Nashville 506 Fesslers Lane Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 736-5231 U-Haul Moving & Storage at Mt Juliet 14535 Lebanon Road Old Hickory, TN 37138 (615) 754-6246 U-Haul stores offer needed supplies to help with storm recovery like boxes, tarps, propane and propane tanks. U-Haul urges customers to ensure their tanks are topped off since propane is good to have in the event of long-term power outages. U-Haul is the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage with more than 22,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to its 30 days free self-storage disaster relief program, U-Haul is proud to be at the forefront of aiding communities in times of need as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is revolutionizing the moving industry through its more convenient, more secure way to pick up and return a truck. Since 2017, U-Haul Live Verify technology has allowed customers to conduct transactions entirely on their smartphones at any hour day or night. There are no membership fees. Create an online account at uhaul.com to start skipping the lines and stop worrying about store hours. About U-Haul Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of 22,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 167,000 trucks, 120,000 trailers and 43,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 697,000 rooms and 60.7 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry, and is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S. Contact: Andrea Batchelor Jeff Lockridge E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 602-263-6981 Website: uhaul.com SOURCE U-Haul Related Links https://www.uhaul.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:47:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- "Given the potential impacts of COVID-19 on global growth, we reaffirm our commitment to use all appropriate policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable growth and safeguard against downside risks," Group of Seven (G7) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors said in a joint statement Tuesday. Bongo superstar Diamond Platnumz looks set for big things this year following a successful music-related business trip to Hollywood. The Tanzanian musician has since hit the studio with legendary American producer Swizz Beatz and his wife Alicia Keys in Los Angeles, USA. ZONE!! ZONE!! with the KING..he makes me feel like am in Tanzania now..I feel like LA is my second home already, Diamond posted to his Instagram alongside pictures of his studio session with Swizz Beats. On top of the highly anticipated collab, Diamond is also set to join the Recording Academy. World Music Manager at the Grammy Academy, Marlon Fuentes, said Diamond will represent the Sound and culture from East Africa. Respect to SIMBA @diamondplatnumz one of the biggest artists in the world by way of Tanzania ??! Hell be joining the @recordingacademy soon to represent the sound and culture of today and tomorrow. The day after we took this photo, he gave an incredible show to a loving audience here in LA. The man is humble for commanding the attention of millions of fans and his work and willingness to collaborate is so real. A day before this he was in the studio with Swizz Beats and @aliciakeys. Wishing him the very best ??? Fuentes said on his Instagram. He also shared a clip of Diamonds performance at Fonda Theatre in LA, writing: EAST AFRICA, STAND UP! #SIMBA aka @diamondplatnumz gave an incredible show tonight straight from the heart and the audience could feel it. ?? He performed a long set up to the last minute the venue would allow, dancing, singing, giving it all for his fans. For an artist used to packing stadiums abroad, this was so legit of him. More pics. Taking on a vigorous hill walk with her husband, or playing with her two lively grandchildren, Rebecca Allison had never felt better. The birth of Nathan, now eight, and Caitlin, six, had given Rebecca a smoker for more than 50 years the incentive she needed to quit her 30-a-day habit four years ago. She felt so well that when her GP asked her if shed like to take a revolutionary blood test that could detect lung cancer years before symptoms appear, she didnt think twice. But two days later, the mother-of-two was called to say she had the disease. I was shocked, says Rebecca, 69, who lives in Glasgow. After sharing a few tears with my husband, Ben, we decided not to tell our kids until we needed to. I vowed to take life one day at a time. Rebecca Allison (left), 69, and Shirley Dolan, 63, were both recipients of a revolutionary blood test that detected their lung cancer It was the start of a two-year roller-coaster of emotions for Rebecca, as the next day an X-ray showed that her lungs were actually clear of the disease. I felt relieved, lucky even, she says. But I kept thinking, why was my blood test positive for cancer? It niggled away at me. Rebecca was one of more than 12,000 smokers to take part in a trial of a test that can detect lung cancer up to four years before tumours show up on scans all from a few drops of blood. Around 47,000 Britons are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, making it the most common form of the disease. And, with 35,300 deaths a year almost 100 a day it kills more people than any other cancer. Most common in smokers, it is usually symptomless in the early stages. As a result, 80 per cent of cases are not picked up until late in the disease, when its harder to treat. Fewer than 5 per cent of patients survive for five years or more if their cancer isnt picked up until it is very advanced, compared with 57 per cent when it is detected early. The new test aims to change this by checking samples of blood for seven antibodies proteins that are made by the immune system to defend the body against the cancer. The new blood test checks samples of blood for seven antibodies proteins that are made by the immune system to defend the body against the cancer (stock image) Crucially, these antibodies are often present when the cancer has just begun to grow and is years away from causing symptoms or showing up in a scan. A lung cancer tumour needs to measure around 8mm to be detected on a scan or X-ray. Rebecca and other trial volunteers had a blood test, called an EarlyCDT-Lung test and if this proved positive, they underwent X-rays and CT scans every six months. Following her positive result, Rebecca, a care-home manager, had three scans all showing her lungs were clear, until the fourth 20 months after the blood test yielded a positive result. I was anxious before each scan, then relieved. But my luck ran out in October 2017 when a 5cm tumour showed up in my upper left lung. I knew I had to deal with it. Rebecca (pictured) underwent keyhole surgery to remove the tumour, but did not need chemotherapy or radiotherapy. She now has scans every six months She broke the news to her children Victoria, 40, and Andrew, 38 just before her operation the following month, determined not to show her concern. I secretly feared I would not live to enjoy Christmas with my family. But the doctors told me the cancer was at an early stage and I had a good chance of coming through it all. Rebecca underwent keyhole surgery to remove the tumour, but did not need chemotherapy or radiotherapy. She now has scans every six months. Ive been lucky. Without the trial, I would be dead. This test is a life saver, she says. Dr Adam Hill prefers to call it a game changer. He is chief executive of Oncimmune, the blood test diagnosis company that developed the EarlyCDT-Lung test, currently used in 24 countries including the U.S. Worldwide tests have shown it can detect lung cancer up to four years before the tumours become visible in scans. Studies show 40 per cent of lung cancers are diagnosed in A&E when patients attend, a common symptom being coughing up blood, explains Dr Hill. Although the EarlyCDT-Lung test checks only for lung cancer, the same technology also underpins a test for liver cancer, launched in 2018. Tests for breast, ovarian and prostate cancers are in development. Of the 60 volunteers in the blood test trial who then went on to develop lung cancer within two years, more than 40 per cent were diagnosed at stage one and two, compared with only 27 per cent in standard clinical practice (stock image) Results of the pinprick blood test are available within four hours and cost less than 200 per person privately. Oncimmune claims it can detect all types of lung cancer at all stages with high accuracy. Rebecca was part of a trial that targeted people aged 50 and over in Scotland, who had smoked more than a packet of cigarettes a day for 20 years or more, as they are statistically more at risk of lung cancer. Of the 60 volunteers in the trial who then went on to develop lung cancer within two years, more than 40 per cent were diagnosed at stage one and two, compared with only 27 per cent in standard clinical practice. There was also a lower death rate in this group. Dr Hill says treating Rebeccas early diagnosis will cost the NHS around 5,000, compared with a bill in excess of 50,000 to treat an advanced lung cancer patient with surgery, drugs and other procedures. And it is so much less traumatic on the patient, as they may not have to go through gruelling chemotherapy or radiotherapy for up to a year afterwards, he says. Dr Hill is now hoping to conduct UK-wide tests, involving as many as 200,000 people with a history of smoking. In the meantime, although the test is used in private hospitals across the UK, it still needs the green light from the Department of Health to be approved for NHS use. Another grateful pioneer of the new test is 63-year-old Shirley Dolan, a mother-of-three from Dundee, the first patient to be tested, diagnosed and cured using the EarlyCDT-Lung test. The former nurse smoked up to 30 cigarettes a day from her teens to just hours before undergoing surgery for lung cancer in March 2014. It was diagnosed when she had the test after her GP suggested it as part of a trial. Shirley had surgery but needed no further treatment I couldnt believe it as I did not have a single symptom, yet an X-ray confirmed I had two tumours in my top right lung, though one was thankfully benign. The cancerous one was between 3cm to 5cm long. Shirley had surgery but needed no further treatment. Ive never touched a cigarette since, she says. Ive been lucky enough to get a second chance at life. Sadly, when Shirley returned to work at the hospital after her operation, she learned that one of her fellow theatre nurses had been diagnosed with lung cancer while she was away and had died. She, too, had not displayed any symptoms, but her lung cancer was already at a late stage when detected. Dr Richard Roope, a senior clinical adviser on the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer for Cancer Research UK, cautiously welcomes the EarlyCDT-Lung test. It has the potential to be exciting, but more research is needed to decide who we should be testing, he says. We are at the beginning of changes in how we look for cancer that will lead to more diagnostic options. The UK has been the sick man of Europe in the lung cancer survival leagues, so any development that can improve detection is a good thing. Before surgery, Rebecca had wrapped her familys Christmas presents as she feared she might not see Christmas Day, but on December 23, 2017, she was given the best gift anyone could receive the all-clear. Thats when I cried, she says. Like many who took part in the trial, she is in all senses breathing easier today. Now, on the eve of Super Tuesday, when Democrats across 15 states and territories will hand out more than a third of the delegates required to claim the nomination, Sanders is in reach of a clear national lead and Biden is racing to catch up Late last year, a group of first-term House Democrats, anxious over the partys fractious presidential race, convened a series of discussions intended to spur unity. Led by Representatives Colin Allred of Texas and Haley Stevens of Michigan, they considered issuing a collective endorsement of one moderate candidate. The group held phone calls with Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg. But the lawmakers could not agree: Some were torn among the options, and others worried about alienating voters at home who backed other contenders, like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. A few issued solo endorsements of Biden, but the grander plan disintegrated. There was not time to reach consensus over one candidate, said Stevens, who eventually endorsed Michael Bloomberg, recalling the fast-moving blur of the lead-up to Iowa. That effort was just one in a series of abandoned or ineffective plans to rally the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, and the leaders and institutions of the political establishment, behind a single formidable contender who could stop the ascent of Sanders, a democratic socialist promising a revolution in government. An attempt to have the powerful Democratic machine in Nevada back Biden, for instance, fizzled when the former vice president finished fifth in New Hampshire. Two outside spending groups formed to target Sanders were unable to inflict damage. Now, on the eve of Super Tuesday, when Democrats across 15 states and territories will hand out more than a third of the delegates required to claim the nomination, Sanders is in reach of a clear national lead and Biden is racing to catch up. In the past few days, moderate Democrats acting with a new sense of urgency have begun a large-scale effort to coalesce around Biden, with Buttigieg leaving the race Sunday and Klobuchar abandoning her campaign Monday. In a sign of the new, if frantic, spirit of unity, the two bitter foes joined together to endorse the former vice president at a rally Monday night in Dallas. But Sanders has become a formidable front-runner. The Vermont senator has put forth a sweeping set of policy prescriptions far more ambitious than anything Biden and other moderates have proposed to address defining concerns for many Democrats, like economic inequality and the soaring cost of health care and higher education. His agenda has galvanised liberal voters yearning for change. Sanders finished atop the first three voting states before trailing Biden in South Carolina, and polls show him ahead in the delegate-rich state of California on Tuesday. He holds significant financial and organisational advantages that he was able to accumulate over a long season of disarray among traditional Democrats. And he has begun to make an increasingly direct case to the rest of the party that his urgent message is the best match for a trying political moment, and that he is the candidate most prepared to do battle with President Donald Trump. Interviews with more than 100 Democratic elected officials, campaign strategists, union leaders and donors revealed a party establishment that spent many months distressed about the implications of nominating Sanders but frozen in a state of anxiety over who would be the best alternative. Many of the most influential officials, organisations and donors in the party remain torn between their concern about Sanders chances in the General Election, their fear of antagonising his supporters, and their belated and often-rueful recognition that he has assembled a political movement with appeal well beyond the youthful, left-wing base he built in 2016. Top Democrats now believe that there are only two realistic paths forward in the presidential race: A dominant victory Tuesday by Sanders that gives him a wide lead in the delegate count, or a battle for delegates over months of primary elections, that might allow Biden to pull ahead or force the nomination to be decided at the convention in Milwaukee in July. The mood of emergency among party leaders has been simmering for months but it only translated into a surge of support for Biden at the very last minute. If we go through 3 March and dont show that we have a nominee who can appeal to a broad swath of our party, were going to be in serious trouble, said Terry McAuliffe, the former Virginia governor and Democratic National Committee chairman, who endorsed Biden over the weekend. Even now, authority figures like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former president Barack Obama have stayed on the sidelines, convinced their intervention would fuel Sanders claims of an insider plot against him. Influential labor groups and advocacy organisations have stayed quiet or supported multiple candidates. The candidates themselves have made fitful or flawed efforts to garner mainstream Democratic support: A number of lawmakers open to endorsing Biden said he did little to reach out to them for most of the campaign, letting weeks or months go by without any contact from him or his aides. A flashy late entrant, Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York City mayor, initially impressed elected officials with an energetic charm offensive and a war-machine campaign operation. But many Democrats developed serious reservations about him after a damaging debate-stage clash with Warren last month. Underdog moderates persisted in pleading with party leaders for help, promising to continue their campaigns even at the risk of playing a spoilers role for Biden or Bloomberg. Last week, only three days before he dropped out of the race, Buttigieg visited the Capitol to seek endorsements and vowed in a private meeting with centrist Democrats that he would not withdraw. It was only after South Carolina, when internal campaign projections were clear that they faced a rout on Super Tuesday, that Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out. And while Sanders has made private overtures toward centrists, his harpoons toward corporate Democrats and the scorched-earth tactics of his supporters have continued to unnerve Democratic leaders. Christine Pelosi, one of the Speakers daughters, last month contacted Sanders advisors to convey her unhappiness that actress Susan Sarandon, who is backing the Vermont senator, had called for the Speakers ouster, according to a Democrat familiar with the conversations. Last Wednesday, the Speaker herself seemed to have Sanders on her mind. That day, she declared in a news conference that Democrats would wholeheartedly support whoever their voters nominated. But in a closed-door session in the Capitol with her leadership team, Pelosi was unmistakably irritated, according to two Democratic officials familiar with the conversation. With Sanders largely ignoring the roster of bills her majority has passed and boasting that only a true progressive can defeat Trump, the Speaker said House Democrats proved in 2018 how to win elections; she cited their legislative accomplishments and dismissed the geniuses on television who claim the party is shifting sharply to the left. Pelosi also invoked her own liberal credentials: In her basement, she noted, she still had old campaign signs supporting progressive causes. Tug of war within the establishment It was not only the national Democratic establishment that declined to unite around Biden or anyone else. Efforts in the states crumbled or proved ineffective: After the muddled results in Iowa and New Hampshire, Bidens campaign hoped to make a strong stand in Nevada, the first diverse state to weigh in on the nomination. Bidens advisors privately projected optimism that they could win endorsements from the most important forces in Nevada politics: Governor Steve Sisolak, a popular moderate; the casino workers union; and Harry Reid, the former Democratic leader in the Senate. But spooked by Bidens debilitating loss in New Hampshire, none of them backed him before the caucuses. Sanders won the state by an overwhelming margin. As in other states, Democratic leaders said there had been limited outreach by Biden. In an interview before the caucuses, Reid said he had not heard from him or his campaign chairman, Steve Ricchetti, in several weeks. Another candidate was more proactive, pursuing Reid and many other Democratic leaders with solicitousness: Bloomberg. Bloomberg visited Capitol Hill and dispatched aides around the country to seek endorsements and outline his plans for the campaign against Trump. His advisors have paraded Democrats through their Times Square headquarters. And even though he was not competing in Nevada, Bloomberg visited Reid and his wife, Landra, at their home outside Las Vegas. By early February, Bloomberg had effectively frozen the support of other moderates, overwhelming voters with advertising and tantalising Democratic power brokers with his vision for the General Election. In an illustration of Bloombergs allure even to maverick Democrats, his advisors reached out to Andrew Yang after he withdrew from the presidential race to offer counsel about a possible campaign for mayor of New York City next year. Yet Bloomberg has not always lived up to the image of a can-do executive he presents in his $500-million advertising campaign. At a private meeting with Democratic governors in Washington, right after the Iowa caucuses, Bloomberg delivered a casual performance that alternately charmed and puzzled several attendees. He spoke vaguely about how he would unite the party and win over progressives, suggesting he could heal wounds by being kind to his critics in public and sending flowers to their wives, according to multiple people present. In an awkward exchange, Bloomberg said he was uncertain why Warren, a Massachusetts senator, was faring poorly in the race; when Governor Kate Brown of Oregon suggested gender could be a factor, Bloomberg said he disagreed. He emerged with no new supporters. Bloomberg still secured a stream of endorsements from prominent Democrats. But his campaign lost a number of defectors because of his disastrous first debate, which dented his polling numbers and emboldened his critics. You cant sell Bloomberg to the country, said Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, a Biden co-chair. Hows he going to build a base with the stuff hes said? Even as the race moved on from their early-state successes, Klobuchar and Buttigieg clung to hope in confounding ways. Buttigieg insisted to donors that if he raised enough money, he could pull off an upset at the convention. Klobuchar was seen as potential contender after her third-place finish in New Hampshire but, always attuned to her press coverage, she spent time in recent days sending personal messages to news media figures complaining about their reporting and boasting of her energetic campaign schedule. Despite their wariness of Sanders, party leaders have hesitated to mount an all-out effort against him. A pair of outside-spending efforts targeting him have struggled to get off the ground: Ad campaigns in Iowa and Nevada by a pro-Israel group failed to halt Sanders advance, and a second group, known as the Big Tent Project, has managed to cobble together only a few million dollars. At a February luncheon for vulnerable lawmakers, Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois, the chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, pressed Democrats not to rule out candidates whom they could feel pressure to support later. Her entreaty came after one vulnerable Democrat, Representative Anthony Brindisi of New York, told his hometown paper he would not support Sanders or Warren. But Bustos is said to be worried about Sanders, and her committee plans to conduct polling in swing districts to see how nominating him might affect House races. To some lawmakers, those implications already seem clear. At a recent meeting with major donors at Washingtons Metropolitan Club, three Democratic women elected in Virginia in 2018 Representatives Elaine Luria, Jennifer Wexton and Abigail Spanberger all said that if Sanders were nominated, their chances of winning reelection would plummet, according to two Democrats who attended. At the same time, Bloomberg has continued stoking a mood of alarm as he bids for, if not the heart, then at least the more calculating head of the Democratic establishment. In a private briefing in Charleston, South Carolina, last week, one of Bloombergs senior advisors, Dan Kanninen, made an extensive presentation detailing the risks of nominating Sanders. Florida is off the map, he said, citing Sanders past praise of some of Fidel Castros programs, according to one person who shared a detailed account of the meeting. In the same session, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC, warned that Sanders had a cultlike following, and claimed Biden was no longer a viable option: This is a choice between Bernie, Mike and Trump, she said. Days later, Biden won South Carolina by nearly 30 points. Sanders race to lose On the eve of Super Tuesday, Sanders still appears to hold an upper hand, with a lead in national polls backed by his muscular fundraising machine and grassroots following. On Sunday, he announced that he had raised $46.5 million in February alone. Given Sanders history of acrimony with the Democratic establishment, some in the party are skeptical that he can be induced to work cooperatively with party leadership. Some of his advisors are eager to signal that he can, though they calculated they would have a better chance after what they are hoping will be a breakthrough on Super Tuesday. Sanders has made efforts toward comity in the past: He met several times last year with more moderate Democrats in Washington, pitching himself as a nominee they could at least tolerate. Meeting with the New Democrat Coalition last year, Sanders conceded that he had no hope of being their first choice, but said that he hoped they could accept him eventually, according to a lawmaker who heard his pitch. Last summer, Sanders dined with another group of House members to make the case that his economic message and outsiders approach would have wide traction in the general election. Bernies argument is, Dont pigeonhole me as just a progressive candidate, said Representative Dan Kildee of Michigan, who attended the dinner. But Sanders has done little over the past month to reassure skeptics within his party, striking a posture of defiance that may have helped accelerate the late movement toward Biden. Most senior Democrats are hoping that Sanders forward march can be slowed, and some have urged Obama to intervene. Obama has shown no inclination to do so, reasoning that he must hang back to preserve his ability to help unify the party at the end of a messy nominating process. Bidens aides see that argument as so much malarkey, and they have conveyed as much to Obamas inner circle, arguing that the former presidents leverage would evaporate once Sanders accrued millions of votes. They have pleaded with Obamas camp to distance him from Bloomberg, who has run saturation-level advertising showing images of himself with the former president. When a poll came out last week showing that many Democratic voters believe Obama is supporting Bloomberg, the Biden campaign shared it with Obamas aides. Party leaders are already preparing for the possibility of a contested convention, and many superdelegates have indicated they are open to selecting a nominee besides Sanders if he collects the most delegates but falls short of a majority. Tom Perez, the DNC chairman, has been clear in conversations with allies that he will abide by the current rules and would not resist an effort by superdelegates to determine the nomination on a second ballot. Referring to the number of delegates needed for a majority, Perez told one Democrat, 1,991 delegates are required, and noted that Sanders is familiar with the guidelines. With the identity of the Democratic standard-bearer unknown, Schumer has begun to ponder ways of uniting the party behind whoever that person might be: The Senate leader is particularly focused on the idea of nominating an African-American woman for vice-president, mulling names like Senator Kamala Harris of California, Stacey Abrams of Georgia and Representative Val Demings of Florida, according to people who have spoken with Schumer. As long as a contested convention remains possible, that could make it even harder for any single candidate to put together a decisive primary coalition. Reid of Nevada said he was hopeful the race would not last until Milwaukee. But if no candidate achieved a delegate majority by the end of primary voting in June, Reid said last month that he was prepared to step in to arrange a deal before the convention in mid-July. In the run-up to his own states caucuses, Reid reached for a conciliatory role and cautioned Democrats not to put pressure on Sanders to tone down anything. Trump, he said then, could be defeated by any of the top Democrats. But nine days after Nevada Democrats voted, and weeks after his intervention could have resurrected Biden and slowed Sanders in the state, Reid had evidently reconsidered: On Monday, he issued a belated endorsement of Biden, calling him the best candidate to defeat Trump and lead our country following the trauma of Trumps presidency. Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns c.2020 The New York Times Company Ukrposhta posts US$24.5 mln in net profit in 2019 against US$25.3 mln in loss year-on-year 14:20, 03.03.20 727 Last year was a turning point for the company, Ukrposhta CEO says. NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fine wine importer Wilson Daniels has announced the launch of Italian luxury brand Biondi-Santi's special edition Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012. The last vintage produced during the remarkable career of Franco Biondi Santi, this unique bottling is dedicated to the legendary winemaker and longtime champion of Italy's global reputation for the advancement of modern viticulture. Franco started working alongside his father Tancredi after World War II, having helped him to build a wall in front of the Riserva cellar to protect the bottles from Nazi soldiers in Montalcino. He became the sole winemaker at Tenuta Greppo following his father's passing in 1970, and served diligently as its guardian of excellence and distinction for more than four decades, identifying the estate's own Sangiovese Grosso clone Brunello Biondi-Santi 11 and naming it for his family. During Franco's tenure, he gained immense respect, both in the producer community and among trade professionals and consumers, for maintaining a style of wine that was true to the vision of Brunello di Montalcino that his ancesters pioneered and that is now considered one of the greatest wines in the world. His grandson Tancredi, the seventh generation of the Biondi Santi family and named for Franco's father, comments, "Experience, to acquire by living and observing the nuances of the vineyards day by day; Specific knowhow, to be able to face all challenges in producing a wine with a distinctive style; Lots of patience, because it is nature which sets the pace for all that we do. These are the principle things that my grandfather taught me to be necessary to produce a wine like Brunello Riserva." Giampiero Bertolini, CEO of Biondi-Santi, continues, "We waited one more year to release the Riserva 2012 to ensure a perfect balance because the presentation of this wine is special to us. For his lifelong commitment to maintaining the excellence and unique style of our Brunello and for his fierce defense of the territory of Montalcino, Franco has played an important role in the history of Biondi-Santi. His is the hand behind 24 of the only 39 Riserva ever produced at Biondi-Santi, and we are immensely proud to dedicate the Riserva 2012 to his life's achievements." The Riserva 2012 was produced with a selection of grapes from the oldest estate vineyards. It was fermented in oak casks using indigenous yeasts, then aged 36 months in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. Neither modern nor ancient, it is a wine in which the 150-year legacy of Tenuta Greppo shines through with a distinctive expression of vibrant freshness and an austere, elegant structure which softens with bottle age. "To be able to launch this vintage is an honor," says Wilson Daniels President Rocco Lombardo. "This unique bottling is a testament to Italian artisanal excellency, and speaks both of the past, honoring one of the greatest Tuscan winemakers of the 20th century, and of the future, as a true representative of the legendary Biondi-Santi longevity. For me, it represents the very essence of our passion for sharing the most outstanding bottles in the world." Retailing at $690, the Riserva is Biondi-Santi's crown jewel. Produced only in the most excellent vintages (just 39 times since 1888), it is the true exception - a wine for collectors and high-end wine lovers that encapsulates Franco Biondi Santi's outstanding achievements in agriculture and oenology. To stay up-to-date on the latest Wilson Daniels news, be sure to follow @wilsondaniels. About Wilson Daniels Founded in 1978, Wilson Daniels is a fully integrated, family-owned marketing and sales company representing a highly selective portfolio of the world's most distinctive wines. Wilson Daniels continues to pursue and elevate the standards of excellence set by founders Win Wilson and Jack Daniels through developing long-term, strategic partnerships with luxury producers that possess profound respect for terroir, and are benchmarks in their region. To learn more about Wilson Daniels, visit www.wilsondaniels.com. Press Contact: Alexandra Schrecengost AVP, Public Relations, Wilson Daniels [email protected] SOURCE Wilson Daniels Related Links http://www.wilsondaniels.com Rasmussen: I have experience, common sense level and I am up to date on the issues. What is the most pressing issue in your community and how would you address it? Elliott: In our community there are a few different situations occurring at this time. The one that most interests me is a combined effort between the City of Evansville and the school district. The discussion is about where to move our current youth center. I am currently attending monthly meetings for the youth center work group. Hammann: The most pressing issue the ECSD faces with regard to our budget remains a stubborn open enrollment deficit. While the district has implemented a wide range of initiatives over the last eight years that has gradually reduced the net student deficit from 50 (representing about $360,000 loss) to 20 (about $144,000 loss), there are still opportunities for the district to improve that statistic. That is the charge of the Open Enrollment Committee. We believe we have identified a number of small changes in practice that could turn the deficit into a surplus. We are working on a presentation for the Board in April. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 05:13:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MUSCAT, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq on Tuesday instructed the government to take measures to set up a "job safety" fund, the Oman News Agency reported. He also asked the government to finance the fund with 10 million Omani riyals (26 million U.S. dollars) at a start for the establishment. According to the royal instructions, a finance system for the fund will be developed through participation of private sector employers and workers. Meanwhile, Sultan Haitham on Tuesday presided over the first cabinet meeting since he took office, as he urged the government to begin working on the future vision "Oman 2040." He also announced that November 18 will continue to be a national day the Sultanate celebrates every year, adding that this year will see the 50th anniversary of the Sultanate. About a year ago, my husband and our two young children and I were in a car accident for which we were found at zero fault. (A car ran a red light and hit us as we were moving through the intersection.) No one was seriously injured: I received a neck injury that still nags me but doesnt prevent me from working or doing activities; my husband had some bruising; one child was too young at the time to register what was happening and was uninjured; my other child was psychologically affected but had no physical injuries. We sought therapy for him, and he has since fully recovered. Our car was completely wrecked, and we received an insurance payout to replace it. At the time, several friends urged us to see a lawyer to make sure we received fair financial compensation for the accident. We live in British Columbia, where every car owner must pay into a public insurance system. We knew that we would receive some insurance money if we did not have a lawyer, but we were told that with one, our payout would be bigger. I was hesitant, but I was ultimately convinced because we didnt know the extent of my neck injury or my childs psychological trauma. It is about a year later now, and my husband has received $20,000 for his claim; I have received $20,000 and my son $25,000 (this is before lawyer fees). Our other son did not receive any money because he was uninjured. I feel appalled about the amount of money that we are taking from the public system, when its clear that we will have no long-term effects. Many of my friends, including my husband, have the view that this is fair compensation, given that this was a very traumatic episode for which we should receive pain-and-suffering compensation. I cant shake the feeling that we are taking advantage of the situation. For more context, my husband and I both have good jobs, and we are not in desperate need of money. Name Withheld This is, if you will excuse my saying so, a very Canadian problem. In your province, British Columbia, you have a public system of auto insurance in addition to a public system of health care that means you dont have to worry about medical expenses. Excessively generous insurance systems? This is a burden most U.S. citizens have been spared. The question of how much compensation for pain and suffering is appropriate has no straightforward answer. Moral theory doesnt fix a monetary value on these things. The right amount is largely a matter of whats customary in comparable cases. Your concern that youve been given too much is admirable, and yet the amounts you mentioned arent wildly higher than the British Columbian average. If the citizens of your province, or their elected representatives, seek to cap such payouts, they can do so. And in fact they have: Lower limits on pain-and-suffering claims for minor injuries took effect last April. In the meantime, you can take consolation in the thought that these sums, though large to you, are tiny compared with the scale of the public insurance system. And youre free to find a well-run charity and to direct some of the damages youve been paid to those whose needs are beyond question. Artist's impression of two white dwarfs in the process of merging. Depending on the combined mass, the system may explode in a thermonuclear supernova, or coalesce into a single heavy white dwarf, as with WDJ0551+4135. CREDIT University of Warwick/Mark Garlick A massive white dwarf star with a bizarre carbon-rich atmosphere could be two white dwarfs merged together according to an international team led by University of Warwick astronomers, and only narrowly avoided destruction. They have discovered an unusual ultra-massive white dwarf around 150 light years from us with an atmospheric composition never seen before, the first time that a merged white dwarf has been identified using its atmospheric composition as a clue. The discovery, published today (2 March) in the journal Nature Astronomy, could raise new questions about the evolution of massive white dwarf stars and on the number of supernovae in our galaxy. This star, named WDJ0551+4135, was identified in a survey of data from the European Space Agency's Gaia telescope. The astronomers followed up with spectroscopy taken using the William Herschel Telescope, focusing on those white dwarfs identified as particularly massive - a feat made possible by the Gaia mission. By breaking down the light emitted by the star, the astronomers were able to identify the chemical composition of its atmosphere and found that it had an unusually high level of carbon present. Lead author Dr Mark Hollands, from the University of Warwick Department of Physics, said: "This star stood out as something we had never seen before. You might expect to see an outer layer of hydrogen, sometimes mixed with helium, or just a mix of helium and carbon. You don't expect to see this combination of hydrogen and carbon at the same time as there should be a thick layer of helium in between that prohibits that. When we looked at it, it didn't make any sense." To solve the puzzle, the astronomers turned detective to uncover the star's true origins. White dwarfs are the remains of stars like our own Sun that have burnt out all their fuel and shed their outer layers. Most are relatively lightweight, around 0.6 times the mass of our Sun, but this one weighs in at 1.14 solar masses, nearly twice the average mass. Despite being heavier than our Sun, it is compacted into two-thirds the diameter of Earth. The age of the white dwarf is also a clue. Older stars orbit the Milky Way faster than younger ones, and this object is moving faster than 99% of the other nearby white dwarfs with the same cooling age, suggesting that this star is older than it looks. Dr Hollands adds: "We have a composition that we can't explain through normal stellar evolution, a mass twice the average for a white dwarf, and a kinematic age older than that inferred from cooling. We're pretty sure of how one star forms one white dwarf and it shouldn't do this. The only way you can explain it is if it was formed through a merger of two white dwarfs." The theory is that when one star in a binary system expands at the end of its life it will envelope its partner, drawing its orbit closer as the first star shrinks. The same will happen when the other star expands. Over billions of years, gravitational wave emission will shrink the orbit further, to the point that the stars merge together. While white dwarf mergers have been predicted to occur, this one would be particularly unusual. Most of the mergers in our galaxy will be between stars with different masses, whereas this merger appears to be between two similarly sized stars. There is also a limit to how big the resulting white dwarf can be: at more than 1.4 solar masses it is thought that it would explode in a supernova though it may be possible for that these explosions can occur at slightly lower masses, so this star is useful in demonstrating how massive a white dwarf can get and still survive. Because the merging process restarts the cooling of the star, it is difficult to determine how old it is. The white dwarf probably merged around 1.3 billion years ago but the two original white dwarfs may have existed for many billions of years prior. It is one of only a handful of merged white dwarfs to be identified so far, and the only one via its composition. Dr Hollands adds: "There aren't that many white dwarfs this massive, although there are more than you would expect to see which implies that some of them were probably formed by mergers. "In the future we may be able to use a technique called asteroseismology to learn about the white dwarf's core composition from its stellar pulsations, which would be an independent method confirming this star formed from a merger. "Maybe the most exciting aspect of this star is that it must have just about failed to explode as a supernova - these gargantuan explosions are really important in mapping the structure of the Universe, as they can be detected out to very large distances. However, there remains much uncertainty about what kind of stellar systems make it to the supernova stage. Strange as it may sound, measuring the properties of this 'failed' supernova, and future look-alikes, is telling us a lot about the pathways to thermonuclear self-annihilation." The research was funded by the European Research Council and the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). * 'An ultra-massive white dwarf with a mixed hydrogen-carbon atmosphere as a likely merger remnant' is published in Nature Astronomy, DOI: 10.1038/s41550-020-1028-0 Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Two dolphins were found dead with similar injuries within one week along Florida's gulf coast, prompting investigators to offer a reward of $54,000 (42,000) for information. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discovered a dead dolphin off Naples in southwest Florida last month. The porpoise had been killed by a bullet or sharp object, investigators said. The same week, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge experts recovered a dolphin along Pensacola Beach in the Florida Panhandle. A bullet was found lodged in the side of the marine mammal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) first offered a $20,000 (15,600) reward last month before raising the amount to $54,000 on Monday in combination with money pledged by animal rights groups. Experts believe the two deaths might have stemmed from humans feeding the animals. When dolphins learn to associate people and boats with food, they can expose themselves to dangerous situations. Tragic photos show beached whales Show all 15 1 /15 Tragic photos show beached whales Tragic photos show beached whales A dead sperm whale lies on Hunstanton beach in Norfolk on 5 February 2016 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Volunteers pour buckets of water over the 80 remaining live pilot whales found stranded on remote Ocean Beach on New Zealand's southern-most Stewart island, 8 January 2003 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Contractors clear away the body of one of the dead 48ft sperm whales that were washed-up on a beach near Gibraltar Point in Skegness, Lincolnshire in 2016 PA Tragic photos show beached whales People pass by a beached whale at the Pointe de la Torche, near Brest in France on 29 November 2011 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A woman touches the tail of a large whale carcass on Wattamola Beach at the Royal National Park in Sydney on 25 September 2018 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Beached humpback whale in California, 2015 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Dead long fin pilot whales at Hamelin Bay on Australia's west coast on 23 March 2009 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A 36ft sperm whale lies dead on the beach at Sutton Bridge, in The Wash, off the Lincolnshire coast, where it became stranded in 2004 PA Tragic photos show beached whales A female fin whale opens its mouth as it lies stranded and alive on the beach at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall on 13 August 2012 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales The lower jaw of a dead sperm whale that stranded itself on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales One of the five sperm whales that were found washed ashore on beaches near Skegness, Lincolnshire over the weekend on 25 January 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Employees at work to skin the remains of a beached 60ft whale on 25 January 2013 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Two long-finned pilot whales are stranded on a beach in the northern French city of Calais on 2 November 2015 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A sperm whale lies dead after becoming stranded on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Crowds gather as a sperm whale lies dead after becoming stranded on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty The NOAA urges people to not feed wild dolphins. It is a crime in the US to harass, hunt or feed wild dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Offences can be punished by up to $100,000 (78,000) in fines and up to one year in prison. Since 2002, at least 29 dolphins have washed up on the southeast US coast with evidence of being shot by guns or arrows, or impaled with objects such as fishing spears. In May 2019, a dolphin was found dead off Captiva Island with a fatal puncture wound to its head. An investigation into that death is still ongoing. Additional reporting by Associated Press Reuters By Steve Stecklow LONDON (Reuters) - Chinas Huawei Technologies, which for years has denied violating American trade sanctions on Iran, produced internal company records in 2010 that show it was directly involved in sending prohibited U.S. computer equipment to Irans largest mobile-phone operator. Two Huawei packing lists, dated December 2010, included computer equipment made by Hewlett-Packard Co and destined for the Iranian carrier, internal Huawei documents reviewed by Reuters show. Another Huawei document, dated two months later, stated: Currently the equipment is delivered to Tehran, and waiting for the custom clearance. The packing lists and other internal documents, reported here for the first time, provide the strongest documentary evidence to date of Huaweis involvement in alleged trade sanctions violations. They could bolster Washingtons multifaceted campaign to check the power of Huawei, the world's leading telecommunications-equipment maker. The United States is trying to persuade allies to avoid using Huawei equipment in their next-generation mobile telecommunications systems, known as 5G. Separately, U.S. authorities are battling Huawei on a legal front. The newly obtained documents involve a multi-million dollar telecommunications project in Iran that figures prominently in an ongoing criminal case Washington has brought against the Chinese company and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. The daughter of Huaweis founder, Meng has been fighting extradition from Canada to the United States since her arrest in Vancouver in December 2018. Huawei and Meng have denied the charges, which involve bank fraud, wire fraud and other allegations. The documents, which arent cited in the criminal case, provide new details about Huaweis role in providing an Iranian telecom carrier with numerous computer servers, switches and other equipment made by HP, as well as software made by other American companies at the time, including Microsoft Corp, Symantec Corp and Novell Inc. A U.S. indictment alleges that Huawei and Meng participated in a fraudulent scheme to obtain prohibited U.S. goods and technology for Huaweis Iran-based business, and move money out of Iran by deceiving Western banks. The indictment accuses Huawei and Meng of surreptitiously using an unofficial subsidiary in Iran called Skycom Tech Co Ltd to obtain the prohibited goods. Huawei could thus attempt to claim ignorance with respect to any illegal act committed by Skycom on behalf of Huawei, including violations of U.S. sanctions laws, the indictment states. Skycom, which Huawei has described as a local business partner in Iran, is named as a defendant. Records in Hong Kong, where Skycom was registered, show the firm was liquidated in June 2017. The newly obtained records reviewed by Reuters show that another Chinese company, Panda International Information Technology Co, which isnt named in the U.S. indictment, was also involved in acquiring hardware and software for the Iranian project. Panda International has longstanding ties to Huawei and is controlled by a Chinese state-owned company. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, it is not appropriate for Huawei to comment at this time, a Huawei spokesman said in response to questions about the newly obtained documents. Huawei is committed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries and regions where we operate, including all export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, U.S., and EU. Chinas foreign ministry said that the United States, without presenting any evidence, has been over-generalizing the concept of national security and abusing its state power to unreasonably suppress specific Chinese firms. It referred questions about the Huawei documents to the company. PACKING LISTS The U.S. indictment cites articles by Reuters in 2012 and 2013 which reported that Skycom had offered in late 2010 to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed HP computer equipment to Mobile Telecommunication Co of Iran. The Iranian mobile provider is variously known as MCI and MCCI. MCIs parent company is Telecommunication Co of Iran. At the time, TCI was controlled by a consortium whose largest stakeholder was a company controlled by the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Another stakeholder was Setad, an organization controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The earlier Reuters reports were based on a partial price list included in a Huawei and Skycom proposal in October 2010 to expand MCIs customer billing system. Huawei had provided MCIs original billing system, which wasnt keeping pace with MCIs growing customer base. The price list was marked with Huaweis logo and stamped SKYCOM IRAN OFFICE. At the time, Huawei said it ultimately never delivered the HP goods to Iran. A Huawei spokesman told Reuters in 2012 that the price list was a bidding document submitted by Skycom and that Huawei has never provided the equipment nor done so through Skycom. But the newly obtained documents - more than 100 additional pages related to the project - show that Huawei was involved in sending at least some of that U.S. equipment to Iran. The documents are variously written in English, Chinese and Farsi. One internal document showed that Huawei was deeply involved in the MCI expansion project. It states that on September 25, 2010, MCI asked Huawei to start the project. The equipment contract was signed, the document states, without providing details. The documents also include a Bill of Quantity Quotation, a 2010 proposal that listed the equipment needed for the project. It was produced by Huawei and includes HP gear, as well as server software made then by Microsoft, Symantec and Novell. The documents also include two packing lists that were dated December 7 and December 13, 2010, with Huaweis logo at the top. The name Huawei also appears in the lists metadata computer information about the documents creation. The packing lists, which include some prohibited HP equipment, provided extensive details of 340 shipping cases, such as weights and sizes, with ultimate destinations in the major Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad. The packing lists include numerous HP servers, switches and disk arrays, as well as Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2000 software. SALE 'PROHIBITED' Reuters did not have access to other transport records, such as customs and delivery forms, specifying which equipment reached MCI. But a later Huawei document stated that equipment for the telecom expansion project had arrived in Iran. MCI did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Hewlett Packard Enterprise said: Our contract terms prohibited the sale of these products to Iran, and required that our partners comply with all applicable export laws and regulations. This remains true today. Microsoft did not answer questions about the legality of shipping its server software to Iran. Symantec, now called NortonLifeLock Inc, declined to comment. The current owner of the Novell software didnt respond to a request for comment. Some of the newly obtained documents suggest Huawei may have used Panda International to purchase hardware and software. The records include a signed equipment contract between MCI and Panda International that included more than $10 million worth of equipment for the billing system project, although it doesnt specify all of the gear. According to the contract, which references an invoice from September 2010, MCI was to pay Panda International through China Construction Banks branch in the city of Shenzhen the location of Huaweis headquarters. Panda International is controlled by China Electronics Corp, a Chinese state-owned tech company. According to Panda Internationals website, Panda has a long and deep history with Huawei that began in 2007. People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Huawei regularly used Panda International to ship equipment to customers in Iran and Syria. Panda International, China Electronics and China Construction Bank did not respond to requests for comment. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce added Panda International to its Entity List - a roster of companies effectively banned from doing business with U.S. firms. The department said Panda International may have attempted to export items to destinations sanctioned by the United States. The documents reviewed by Reuters show that Huawei was involved in the equipment contract between Panda International and MCI. A letter from MCI to Huawei with a handwritten date in July 2011 reported a series of problems with the installation of HP racks and other equipment in Shiraz related to the Panda International contract. Two years later, a joint letter signed by officials from Huawei and MCI in October 2013 confirmed that problems and shortcomings under the equipment contract were resolved by Huawei. (Reporting by Steve Stecklow. Additional reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh in Dubai, Koh Gui Qing in New York, Alexandra Harney in Hong Kong and the Beijing newsroom. Edited by Michael Williams and Peter Hirschberg.) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. SUVA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The 84th Extraordinary Session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child kicked off in Apia, capital of Samoa, on Monday with the participation of the United Nations Committee members, delegates, representatives of human rights organisations as well as member states invited to make presentations. Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said that Samoa presented its sixth periodic report under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 2018 using video conferencing. "These milestone events are consistent with Samoa's commitment to deepen and strengthen the important engagement between treaty parties and the treaty bodies," he said. "The ultimate goal is for deepened and more meaningful engagement to lead to more effective implementation of human rights conventions such as the Committee on the Rights of the Child, so that together we can all deliver on the promise for our children, provided under the Convention." However, he cautioned that the "one-size fits all" approach to addressing human rights would not work, and emphasized that the five-day conference in Samoa should enhance engagement between the Committee and stakeholders. Tuilaepa assured the Committee that his country continues to maintain its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, and made reference to the use of regional and international forums to continue to raise the issue. "We continue to advocate for the importance of ensuring, Samoan, the Blue Pacific and also Small island Developing States (SIDS) perspectives, challenges and opportunities, are clearly articulated and understood," he added. The UN child rights committee meeting was the first time a UN human rights treaty body had held a meeting outside of Geneva or New York. By Trend Turkey will not continue to take care of millions of Syrian refugees for another nine years, despite what Europeans may think, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah. The Europeans think that Turkey will continue to take care of the refugees for another nine years. Such a thing will not happen, Erdogan said during a news conference with visiting Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Turkey has fulfilled all its responsibilities when it comes to Syrian refugees. But the EU has failed to abide by the March 18 declaration and continues to implement double standards, he said in a harsh critique of the bloc. We have already spent $40 billion for refugees so far. We demand the EU take a fair share of the burden. We do not even want the promised 1 billion euros anymore, he added. The Bulgarian prime minister voiced his agreement. I honestly cannot understand why the EU didn't provide the financial support it promised. The crisis can only be solved with common sense and abiding by the requirements of the agreement. One of the core principles of the EU is sharing the burden, Borisov said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz As fears of coronavirus mount locally following news of a second U.S. death and possible contagion in San Antonio, some are calling for officials to cancel a major annual Texas event. More than 19,000 people have signed a petition to have the annual SXSW festival in Austin cancelled amid fears of coronavirus. The petition says holding the event during an outbreak would be "irresponsible" and calls on Gov. Greg Abbott, festival organizers, Austin Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control to cancel the event. The petition, launched on Change.org four days ago by the account Shayla Lee, had more than 19,100 signatures as of Monday morning. It listed a goal of 25,000 signers. SXSW is set to begin March 13, and Austin officials have "no imminent plans to postpone any current events," according to the city's website. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has cancelled his speaking engagement at the festival, and Twitter said in a blog post Sunday that it was suspending all non-critical business travel and events. On Sunday, the CDC announced that a woman released from quarantine in San Antonio later tested positive for the coronavirus. The woman went to a hotel and a major regional mall before she was returned to isolation. False negatives: Coronavirus patient released in San Antonio went to North Star Mall before returning to quarantine San Antonio is located about 80 miles southwest of Austin. Recent tweets from the city and Austin Public Health about the coronavirus garnered dozens of replies exhorting officials to cancel the popular festival. On Change.org, the petition to cancel showed some supporters' reasons for signing. "It's ridiculous we are even considering having this festival!!!" Elizabeth Huffmaster wrote. "No amount of $ to the city is worth infecting our citizens." Many of the comments brought up the clear financial ramifications of cancelling SXSW and encouraged officials to prioritize safety, with some signers pointing to the potential spread of coronavirus as much more financially risky than losses from canceling SXSW. Others said as large companies and prominent speakers pull out of the festival, their ticket becomes less valuable, making a cancellation and refund preferable. The 10-day festival, or collection of festivals, focuses on the tech, film and music industries. Speakers include top minds from those fields and others, and this year is planned to be no different, with big names including Hillary Clinton, Anita Hill, Janelle Monae, Kim Kardashian West and numerous others. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus fears cancel Houston's biggest oil and gas conference A report from SXSW says its 2019 attendance totaled more than 280,000 people, and puts the event's economic impact on Austin at $355.9 million. The number of attendees and the fact that they came from 106 countries, according to SXSW, might have been a source of pride for Austin at another time, but this year it has become a major reason for concern among those asking for the festival to be canceled. Major international conferences that have been canceled over the past week include Facebook's F8 in San Jose, CA., and CERAweek in Houston. On Sunday, the event website issued an update on its attendee safety page asking people to follow World Health Organization safety precautions for coronavirus. "SXSW is working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for a safe event," the update said. "As a result of this dialogue and the recommendations of Austin Public Health, the 2020 event is proceeding with safety as a top priority." STAY INFORMED: Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. A 32-year-old man was arrested for killing his 25-year-old wife, allegedly by crushing her head with a stone. Mohammed Naseem Khalil Ansari is a serial offender, with cases against him in various police stations including Sewri, Andheri, Pydhonie, Kala Chowki, Matunga and Thane railway police station. He was out on bail and suspected his wife, Yasmeen Banu Ansari, of adultery, said the police. Ansari has been charged under section 302 (murder) of the Indian penal code and has been remanded in police custody till March 5. On February 27 at 4pm, Ansari was released on bail from Arthur Road jail, where he had imprisoned following a case of theft. He went to Sewri and at around 4pm, allegedly spotted Yasmeen, a Sewri resident, with another man. According to Sewri police, between midnight and 12:30am on February 28, Ansari murdered Yasmeen by bludgeoning her head in and then fled the scene. Yasmeens body was found in a public toilet along the eastern freeway at Bombay Port Trust (BPT) toll plaza and reported to the police at 12:55am. Rashmi Karandikar, deputy commissioner of police, said a Sewri resident identified Yasmeen and told the police that her husband was a convict. The local informed us that the woman was Yasmeen Banu Ansari whose husband had been recently-released on bail. He also informed us that he [Ansari] doubted her character as she didnt come to meet him while he was in jail or attend any hearings of his case, said Karandikar. Further probe revealed Ansari has 10 cases of robbery and theft against him. The police then started searching for Ansari and informed the railway police at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus as well as Bandra and Kurla terminuses. We scanned footage from about 25 CCTV cameras and found a blurred picture of a man with blood-stained clothes walking. With the help of local intelligence, we identified and caught him near Byculla vegetable market on February 28, said Gajanan Kurade, senior inspector, Sewri police station. He was about to flee to Ajmer to avoid arrest. We arrested him in four hours, said Kiran Mandare, police sub-inspector, Sewri police station. Refugees in Turkey headed towards European frontiers on Friday after an official said the borders had been thrown open, a response to the escalating war in Syria where 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops. Turkeys neighbours Greece and Bulgaria, both European Union member states, vowed not to admit the migrants and reinforced their borders following Ankaras threat to reopen the frontier. It was closed under an accord between Turkey and the European Union that halted the 2015-16 migration crisis when more than a million people crossed into Europe by foot. read more 1 / 9 Migrants walk along fields near the border line to reach Greece as they are pictured near Karpuzlu village of the Turkish border city of Edirne. Refugees in Turkey headed towards European frontiers on Friday after an official said the borders had been thrown open, a response to the escalating war in Syria where 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops, reported Reuters. (Umit Bektas / REUTERS) 2 / 9 A woman carries a luggage on her head as she walks with a child to the Turkeys Pazarkule border crossing with Greeces Kastanies. Moscow and Ankara traded blame over Thursdays strike in northwest Syria, the deadliest attack on Turkish forces in nearly 30 years. The UN Security Council called an emergency meeting to avert open conflict between Russia and NATO member Turkey. (Huseyin Aldemir / REUTERS) 3 / 9 A group of migrants wait on no mans land between Turkey and Greece. Turkeys neighbours, both EU member statesGreece and Bulgaria vowed not to admit the migrants and reinforced their borders following Ankaras threat to reopen the frontier. It was closed under an accord between Turkey and the EU that halted the 2015-16 migration crisis when more than a million people crossed into Europe by foot. (Huseyin Aldemir / REUTERS) 4 / 9 A migrant from Afghanistan demonstrates his hands that were injured in his effort to cross from Turkey into Greece. At the Pazarkule border post with Greece, scores of migrants faced barbed wire fences and smoke grenades. Some stuck in the no-mans land between the two countries tried to return to the Turkish side, only to be turned back by Turkish authorities. (Alexandros Avramidis / REUTERS) 5 / 9 Migrants wait at the Turkeys Pazarkule border crossing. Hamid Muhammed, who carried a young girl, said he was turned away by Greek police. We want the Turkish and European governments to open this gate, he said. (Osman Sadi Temizel / REUTERS) 6 / 9 Migrants cross Meric river as they walk towards the Turkeys Pazarkule border crossing. Inside Syria there was ample evidence of the renewed fighting that has caused perhaps the worst humanitarian crisis of the conflict. A million civilians have been displaced since December inside Syria near the Turkish border in desperate winter conditions. Turkey, already home to 3.7 million Syrian refugees, says it cannot take more. (Marko Djurica / REUTERS) 7 / 9 A dinghy used by migrants to cross part of the Aegean Sea from Turkey is seen on a beach near the village of Skala Sikamias. A young Syrian boy died on Monday after being pulled from the sea when a boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos, Greek officials said, the first reported fatality since Turkey opened its border last week to let migrants reach Europe. (Alkis Konstantinidis / REUTERS) 8 / 9 More than 10,000 migrants, mostly from Syria, other Middle Eastern states and Afghanistan, have reached Turkeys land borders with EU states Greece and Bulgaria since Ankara said last Thursday it would stop keeping them on its territory. (Osman Sadi Temizel / REUTERS) President Erdogan says EU inaction over Syria means he cannot stop migrants heading for Greece. Greek coast guards shot into the sea beside this migrant dinghy and pushed it around with their boats The Turkish president has warned that "millions" of migrants and refugees will soon head towards Europe. Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking after announcing Turkey could no longer enforce a 2016 deal with the EU to prevent migrants entering Europe. Mr Erdogan said Turkey could not cope with a new wave of refugees after an escalation of the Syrian conflict. A young boy died when a boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos on Monday, Greek police said. It was the first reported fatality since Turkey opened its border last week. Meanwhile, a Turkish official accused the Greek authorities of killing a Syrian man who was trying to breach the border on Monday. Athens denied the allegation. An unverified video showed a man on the ground with blood on his neck. Nearly a million Syrians have fled to the Syrian-Turkish border since December, amid heavy fighting in the Idlib region between Turkish-backed rebels and Syrian government forces. Turkey is already hosting 3.7 million Syrian refugees, as well as migrants from other countries such as Afghanistan - but previously stopped them from leaving for Europe. In a televised speech, Mr Erdogan said the EU had provided no help for resettling Syrian refugees in "safe zones" inside Syria. After Turkey opened its doors for migrants to leave its territory for Europe last week, he said, "hundreds of thousands have crossed, soon it will reach millions". The Turkish leader gave no evidence for his figures, while Greece said about 1,000 migrants had reached its eastern Aegean islands from Turkey since Sunday morning. In addition, Greece said it had stopped almost 10,000 migrants from crossing its land border in 24 hours. Some migrants tossed stones and metal bars when stopped, and Greek border guards fired tear gas. What is the 2016 EU-Turkey deal? It was proposed as a solution to the migrant crisis in which almost one million refugees and migrants arrived in the EU in 2015 and thousands died in mass drownings On 20 March 2016 the EU and Turkey made a deal that saw Syrian refugees who arrived on Greek islands sent back to Turkey. In return Turkey received 6bn (5.2bn; $6.7bn) in EU aid for migrants and refugees For every Syrian person removed from Greece to Turkey, another would be resettled from Turkey to the EU The EU agreed to work towards lifting requirements for Turkish citizens by the end of June 2016 After the deal was agreed, the number of migrants arriving in Greece declined sharply Besides Syrians, there are Afghans and West Africans among the migrants at the border. Europe's top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, condemned Greece and Turkey's actions, calling the situation an "unprecedented humanitarian crisis". "Everything must be done to de-escalate violence in the border region, including by ensuring that law enforcement authorities refrain from using excessive force," it said. EU Council President Charles Michel and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will go to the border with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday. "Either we bring these people to a dignified life in their own land, or everyone will get their share of this burden. Now the unilateral sacrifice period is over," Mr Erdogan said. In a statement on Monday, the Greek government said, "Turkey, instead of curbing the traffickers' channels of migrants and refugees, has itself turned into a trafficker." Greece has blocked any new asylum applications for the next month, because of what it calls the "coordinated and massive nature" of illegal migration from Turkey. "This relocation of people has nothing to do with international law regarding the right of asylum, which concerns only individual cases," the statement said. The United Nations Human Rights Council said that Greece had no legal justification for suspending asylum procedures. Frontex says it is examining how best to help Greece with a rapid deployment of EU border guards. Frontex already has nearly 400 personnel in and around the Greek islands, 60 officers in Bulgaria and a smaller contingent in the Evros region, at the Greek-Turkish border. BBC MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The wife of a former MMA fighter facing the death penalty in a double-homicide case in Texas has pleaded guilty to hiding him from authorities. Ginell McDonough, 38, of Muskegon is married to Cedric Joseph Marks, who is s accused of killing a Texas couple in January 2019. She pleaded guilty Jan. 31 to harboring a fugitive whom she knew was wanted for a felony. Following his arrest, Marks, a mixed martial arts fighter, escaped from a prisoner van and was missing for nine hours before his recapture. McDonough admitted to allowing Marks to stay at her home in Muskegon even though she knew he was wanted in Texas. Prosecutors have also alleged that she lied to investigators about what she knew about Marks alleged involvement in the homicides. McDonough, a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army, also was accused of hiding at her Army Reserves office a suitcase containing Marks identification as well as an assault rifle. She is not expected to serve any jail time when she is sentenced Nov. 13. Muskegon County Circuit Judge Annette Smedley has agreed to a sentence of time served and probation, court records show. The defense requested the late sentencing date. Defense Attorney Michael Oakes did not return a phone call seeking comment. Marks and his girlfriend, Maya Maxwell of Muskegon, have been charged in the homicides of Jenna Scott, an ex-girlfriend of his, and her friend, Michael Swearingen. Its believed the couple were killed in Killeen, Texas, and buried in Oklahoma. Indictments against Maxwell and Marks say they caused Swearingens death by strangulation and asphyxiation and also killed Scott by homicidal violence at about the same time. An affidavit for Marks arrest indicates that Maxwell told detectives that Scott and Swearingen were killed by Marks at a home in Killeen to which they had been taken, on Jan. 3, 2019. Maxwell told police she heard sounds of struggles after Marks entered separate rooms where Swearingen and Scott were located, the affidavit states. When he left each of the rooms, the victims were deceased, the affidavit states. Maxwell told detectives that the bodies of Scott and Swearingen were buried in Oklahoma, and police later located them at the spot she had described, the affidavit says. Maxwell also admitted that she was present before and after the deaths of Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingen and was present at the transport and burial of the bodies, the affidavit states. In addition to two counts of capital murder, Maxwell is charged with tampering with evidence. Its alleged she tried to hide Swearingens vehicle after the murders, according to her arrest affidavit Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office, said Marks was at McDonoughs home before he left with Maxwell on Jan. 1 for Texas, and that they returned around Jan. 5. McDonough allegedly let Marks and Maxwell stay in her home from Jan. 5-8. They were arrested Jan. 8 in Grandville. While incarcerated, Maxwell gave birth to a baby whose father is Marks, according to 105.1 FM The Ranch" radio. Marks escaped on Feb. 3 from a private prisoner transport van that was taking him from Kent County to face double-murder charges in Texas. He escaped when the van stopped at a McDonalds restaurant in Conroe, Texas, and was found nine hours later hiding in a trash can. A mixed martial arts fighter who used the nickname Spiderman, Marks reportedly trained at a Muskegon area gym and also taught self-defense classes to women. Read more on MLive: Muskegon woman could face death penalty if convicted of 2 Texas murders Assault rifle allegedly hidden in Army office of wife of Texas double-murder suspect Murder suspect who escaped transport from Grand Rapids captured in Texas Dileep V Kumar By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With two more confirmed COVID-19 cases being reported from New Delhi and Telangana, the state health department has swung into action yet again to tackle the threat posed by the deadly virus. It is learnt that the department will kick-start a vigorous campaign among high-risk groups consisting of elderly persons and those suffering from co-morbid conditions associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal ailment and others. Health Minister KK Shailaja will soon announce the fresh strategy devised by the rapid response team (RRT) at its meeting on Monday. The campaign will focus on Keep yourselves safe and your family safe theme. Special attention will be paid to elderly persons and those with co-morbid conditions. Based on the analysis of mortality data at the international level, most of the fatalities resulting from COVID-19 are either aged persons or those with co-morbid conditions, said a health department official. According to the official, since more people are returning to the state from abroad, including COVID-19 hit regions, extreme vigil is necessary which is possible only with the full support of the people. Minimising close contact is the key to check the transmission of the virus. That means minimising close body contact like avoiding the practice of greeting someone with a kiss or peck on the cheek. Also, mass gatherings should be avoided. Managing cough etiquette and regularly washing hands are also advised, he said. Meanwhile, in view of the upcoming temple festival season, crowd management will become a daunting task for the health department. VANCOUVEROne wrong move by a chess instructor a typo, as it turned out spawned a mess of mistaken identity, forensic phone analysis and allegations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The typo was hidden in the address book belonging to Toni Deline, former president of the British Columbia Chess Federation. Hed entered the phone number of a fellow chess player incorrectly a slip up that set the stage for a series of events that would result in Deline suing a Jewish school for defamation. And despite having his lawsuit dismissed by the B.C. Supreme Court, Deline insists his match with his former employer isnt over yet. It all began in the summer of 2016, when Deline told the Vancouver Talmud Torah, the Jewish school where he worked as a chess instructor, that he could not commit to another year of teaching. Then, on Sept. 21, 2016, he received a text message that shocked him. Im terribly sorry Toni, but I can no longer vouch for the Jewish schooling as I recently converted to the faith of Islam, it read. According to Delines phone, the text was from James Chan, the chess instructor the school had hired to replace him. At this point, Deline already had a negative impression of Chan. He told the Star they had previously gotten into a disagreement about a teaching job at another school. Deline mulled over his next move for a few months before deciding he had no choice but to warn the school. This fateful decision led to a series of events that would culminate with him suing the school, citing claims of defamation and negligence that have now been rejected by the B.C. Supreme Court. In his written decision, released online on Feb. 25, 2020, Justice Geoffrey Gomery details what happened. In January 2017, Deline went to the Vancouver Talmud Torah Association, which had hired Chan to replace Deline as a chess instructor at its school. He showed a staff member the text message. The staff member called Chan to talk about the text message, and during the call, they noticed the discrepancy in the phone numbers. The text had not been sent by Chan after all and the school considered the matter handled. But Deline continued to email the school for months with an offer to find another chess instructor to replace Chan. The school ignored him. By spring, Deline was sending emails using terms such as anti-Jewish text and snake in the grass to refer to Chan, according to court documents. Thats when the head of the school finally replied. We have investigated the concerns raised in your emails, and have determined that to the extent they relate to VTT, they are unfounded. In particular, we are satisfied that James did not send the text message described in your email. From there, things escalated dramatically. According to the judges decision, the school contacted Vancouver police about Deline in April, alleging Deline was mentally ill, paranoid and Islamophobic. Deline believed that the school must have thought he had fabricated the text message why else wouldnt they believe him? and hired a forensic expert to analyze his phone. Amazingly, the expert also failed to notice the one-digit difference in the phone number, according to Deline. So at this point, Deline still didnt know that it was a case of mistaken identity. In September 2017, he mailed a letter to an acquaintance who taught at Vancouver Talmud Torah and said he was planning to sue the school. The next month, the school went to police again, accusing Deline of harassing the teacher. Speaking with the Star on Monday, Deline said he finally learned of his mistake in May 2018, when his lawyer sent the forensic phone report to the schools lawyer, who pointed out the discrepancy the phone number was off by one digit. Deline said that to this day he doesnt know who sent the text. In 2019, Deline sued the school for defamation and negligence defamation because the school had allegedly described him as a paranoid Islamophobe and negligence because the school waited for months before telling him about the phone number discrepancy. How can you not tell someone, said Deline, referring to the discrepancy with the phone number. If they had told him, he said, Then none of it would have happened. The Vancouver Talmud Torah Association did not return the Stars request for comment. Gomery dismissed both of Delines claims. VTT did not owe Mr. Deline a duty to respond to or correct unsolicited communications from him, wrote the judge. Gomery explained that the school had done enough to cover its legal bases. He also quashed Delines argument that the situation is like one of a teacher and their student, where it is not enough to tell the child that theyre wrong, you have to make them understand. Deline was not in a position of a child, wrote Gomery, but rather that of an independent adult. Gomery then dismissed Delines allegation of defamation, explaining that Deline had failed to prove he suffered damages as a result of what the school told police. Deline spent $4,864 hiring the forensic analyst and lawyer, according to court documents. But Gomery said neither expenditure had anything to do with what was said to (Vancouver police). Deline, who once competed in international chess tournaments and captained Vancouvers chess team, told the Star that the ordeal has cost him his reputation in the chess community. I havent gone to anything for a couple of years over this, he said, noting that if he did attend tournaments, all Im going to do is be ridiculed. Reached last week, Chan said he hopes to put the matter behind him. Im just happy that (the school) has less to worry about because I know it was stressful. Deline said he is planning to appeal the courts decision. Read more about: American Jazz Museum's New Executive Director Will Lead Push to Prominence - KC STUDIO Harold Smith: What makes the American Jazz Museum different and a "must see" place for jazz enthusiasts? Rashida Phillips: Certainly, the AJM has a lens on what Kansas City has contributed to the industry and to the music. This being a territory town for folks like Count Basie and such, this was the kitchen, a laboratory for many of those bands. Or, at least, the latest effort to garner a crowd after years of financial mismanagement, taxpayer subsidy and little progress in getting this organization to stand on its own feet. Read more: This webinar will provide valuable information for physicians as it pertains to government enforcement actions. Understanding how to respond and how to prepare will prove to be valuable for any practicing physician. Physicians Reciprocal Insurers (PRI), a New York State medical malpractice insurer, is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar on Government Enforcement Actions: How to Respond and How to Prepare. Presented in partnership with Frier Levitt, a national healthcare law firm, this webinar will provide valuable information for physicians as it pertains to government enforcement actions. Understanding how to respond and how to prepare will prove to be valuable for any practicing physician. The webinar will be hosted by John E. Morrone, Esq., a Partner with the law firm. Mr. Morrone's focus at the practice is on transnational and regulatory healthcare law; in addition to his law degree, Mr. Morrone's background includes a degree in biomedical engineering and an MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Administration. He writes and speaks extensively on healthcare legal matters and is a regular source of information for news outlets on healthcare topics. In this webinar, he will talk extensively about the process of enforcement action with specific discussions on: How to identify current healthcare enforcement activity by the government How to manage visits by investigators, and how to respond to subpoenas and other investigative demands How to prepare and possibly avoid government scrutiny Self-Disclosure what it is and how it can benefit providers This free webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 11, from 2:00 p.m. 3 p.m. EDT. To register for this event please use this Registration Link. For additional information, please contact Katherine E. Guglielmo, Marketing Coordinator at (973) 618-1660, email: kguglielmo@frierlevitt.com. The Club Animalia student organization at Hope College has received the Outstanding Club Award from the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) for the sixth time in eight years. The award honors the club for its community service and outreach programs. It was presented during the associations 2020 Annual Symposium, held on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 28-29, and hosted by the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. Club Animalia works to promote the human-animal bond on campus and throughout the greater Holland area, and to provide services to students in order to increase awareness and stimulate interest in careers related to animal care. Its activities include volunteering with the Harbor Humane Society; organizing, in collaboration with Hopes Counseling and Psychological Services office, a Finals Stress Relief with therapy dogs; presentations with the colleges Middle School Girls STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] Day; the Scouts Veterinary Science Badge Day; and numerous fundraising and charity events. This years award honored in particular the clubs organizing and hosting of a Regional APVMA Symposium this past Saturday, Nov. 16, at Hope. The event was attended by undergraduates and high school students from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Puerto Rico. The club has been advised by Dr. Greg Fraley, professor of biology, and local veterinarian Dr. Susan Fraley from its founding in 2006 through the end of the current school year. The APVMA is a national organization with more 10,000 individual members representing more than 100 pre-veterinary clubs from nearly 100 institutions from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. (Kitco News) -The mining sectors green revolution is getting some important support from the Canadian government. Prime Minster Justin Trudeau announced a new incentive that makes it more affordable for Canadian miners to invest in zero-emission vehicles and automotive equipment. Trudeau spoke at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2020 annual conference on Monday. The Canadian government will extend its zero emission vehicle incentive to include off-road vehicles. The initiative would provide a 100% write-off of the purchase cost of eligible zero-emission vehicles and automotive equipment in the year they are put in use. Under the incentive program, which was launched last year, businesses have been able to claim 100% of the cost of the purchase of on-road passenger vehicles up to a limit of $55,000 per eligible vehicle purchase. In his speech at PDAC 2020, that electrification of fleets in the mining sector will help the government meet its greenhouse gas emissions and is a step towards the nations economy becoming net zero by 2050. Trudeau noted that 10% of greenhouse gas emissions produced in Canada comes from heavy industries. With support from the government, in partnership with industry, Trudeau said that Canada is in a position to be the worlds leader in providing clean metals and minerals to the world. The extended incentive program comes as Canada is caught in a growingly bitter dispute between promoting economic growth and protecting the environment. Trudeau said that the polarizing views on the debate have been unhelpful and have been tearing the country apart. He equated the current debate on environment and economic growth to the debate in the late 80s on free-trade. He explained that the debate nearly 40 years ago was extremely polarized; however, he said that five years after the 1988 elections the government moved forward with NAFTA with the U.S. with very little turmoil. The free trade debate was wrenching us apart, he said. But within five years we recognized that it was essential for the country. We recognize that we need to protect the environment and create good jobs, we just havent reached a consensus on how we do that. Looking at the mining sector, Trudeau said that Canadian miners can now play a leadership role in the current debate. He noted that miners have recognized that good climate policies are good for business. Trudeau noted that Canada already has its first fully electric mine Newmonts new Borden Gold Mine near Chapleau, Ontario. The site has all electric-fleet and reached commercial gold production in October. The enemy opened fire, employing proscribed 152mm artillery systems, 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Russia's hybrid military forces on March 2 mounted 13 attacks on Ukrainian Army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with five Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action. "Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire 13 times on March 2," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on March 3. "Five members of Joint Forces were wounded amid enemy shelling." The enemy opened fire, employing proscribed 152mm artillery systems, 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Read alsoRussian-led forces in Donbas shell residential buildings in Krasnohorivka Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Opytne, Novomykhailivka, Lebedynske, Orikhove, Novotoshkivske, and Krymske. "Since Tuesday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Shyrokyne, using 82mm mortars," the update said. No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops Tuesday morning. It has turned out to be negative and we are happy with the clinical health of the patient and we have since decided to discharge him and follow up on him for the next 21 days to see if he develops any kind of fever or symptoms of Covid-19. Eleven-year-old Gannon Stauch, who went missing from his Colorado Springs home back in January has been pronounced dead by authorities, El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder stated at a news conference, Monday. On January 27, Gannon went missing and the last person who saw him was his step-mother LeticiaStauch who told authorities that he was heading to a friend's house in Colorado Springs. Initial reports categorized Gannon as a runaway before it was upgraded to a missing or endangered person case. During the news conference on Monday, Lt. Mitch Mihalko said that they do not have any reason to believe that Gannon is still alive, as family members including Gannon's mother, Landen Hiott stood directly behind him still overcome with grief. Mihalko also added that their work is only just beginning as they continue the relentless pursuit of justice that Gannon and his family deserve. Until this day, authorities confirm that Gannon's body still has not been found. Read also: Vanessa Bryant Calls For "Harshest Possible Discipline" to Deputies Who Leaked Photos of Kobe's Crash In light of this, Gannon's stepmother Leticia was charged with the boy's murder as authorities continue their search operations for the boy's body. She was arrested on Monday with multiple charges including, child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a body, tampering with physical evidence and first-degree murder of Gannon Stauch. It can be recalled that deputies began their search for Gannon five weeks ago when he was reported missing from his home in Colorado Springs and Leticia told the authorities that the boy ran away from home. According to Agent Dean Phillips of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), all of the evidence point to Gannon's disappearance as a result of foul play. The arrest of Leticia was aired on Fox 21 Colorado Springs but the reporters were left in the dark on what led to her arrest. Gannon's biological mother Landra Hiott said during the conference that this was the worst yet the best news that they have received. It was the worst because of what Gannon had faced, but it was the best since justice will finally be served for her little boy. She also added that Leticia will pay for all the awful things that she did to her son. Shortly after Gannon went missing, KKTV a television station in Colorado Springs aired an interview with Leticia wherein she accused the detectives who questioned her about Gannon's case with violation of her human rights. She said that during the interrogation, she asked to not continue with the interview and get a lawyer but she was denied. She said she was also not allowed to get a drink or even go to the bathroom. She further added that the detectives twisted the things she told them and made her feel uncomfortable. Hence, she asked for an attorney to help her out with understanding their questions. She also claimed that the detectives handcuffed her teenage daughter and held her at gunpoint after a traffic stop. Related news: The US and the Taliban Sign Agreement to End Hostilities After Eighteen Years @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vaccine Tracker: Monitoring the vaccine rollout in San Antonio and Texas Tracking Coronavirus: Maps and graphics track the spread of coronavirus in San Antonio Live Alerts: Get our breaking news email for information as stories develop Timeline of coronavirus in San Antonio January 10 6:30 p.m. | Officials reported 3,002 new cases Sunday by far the most in one day here plus 70 backlogged cases from more than two weeks ago. As San Antonio officials reported a record-breaking number of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations Sunday, state health officials said more vaccine doses are on the way. January 9 2:30 p.m. |The South and West Sides are both getting their own mass vaccination sites. Starting Monday, WellMed will offer 1,500 free vaccinations per day, six days a week. The Moderna vaccine doses will be administered at two locations: The Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Activity Center at 517 S.W. Military Dr. and the Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior One-Stop Center at 8353 Culebra Road. January 8 7:30 p.m |As more alarming news emerges about the U.K. variant of the coronavirus having reached Houston and an even more contagious strain rising in South Africa, officials of Bexar County and San Antonio announced Friday evening in their daily briefing that local COVID-19 cases continued to surge, though none involved the new virus variants. Officials here reported 1,079 new coronavirus cases and five new deaths. January 5 6:30 p.m. | Hospitals in Bexar County were caring for more coronavirus patients than at any other point in the pandemic as the virus continued its winter assault on the San Antonio region Tuesday and broke records for new cases and daily hospital admissions. The San Antonio region added a record 2,152 new cases of the virus. 5:00 p.m. | Houston and its surrounding communities on Tuesday became the latest region to require new emergency restrictions after seven straight days of ballooning coronavirus hospitalizations. 3:00 p.m. | Brooke Army Medical Center is taking on a greater number of trauma patients as University Hospital works to preserve beds for the soaring number of COVID-19 patients in San Antonio. January 4 6:30 p.m. |COVID hospitalizations swelled to 1,259 on Monday just a handful of patients away from the peak of the last surge in mid-July, when 1,267 people were being treated. Were right at that, and probably in all likelihood well exceed it, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said during the daily coronavirus briefing. January 3 4:00 a.m. | Whether San Antonio gets more federal cash to spend on coronavirus-related expenses as its leaders see fit may depend on what happens Tuesday in Georgia. 4:00 a.m. | Nearly a year into the pandemic, even as a more contagious variant of the coronavirus circulates and the death toll rises to previously unimaginable levels, many have lost the discipline if they ever had it to follow the advice of public health experts to socially distance and wear masks. January 2 8:00 p.m. | San Antonios coronavirus numbers continued to climb over the New Years holiday, and officials pounded the increasingly urgent drum beat to avoid large gatherings, wear that mask when in public and stay at home as much as possible. There were 1,298 new cases of coronavirus reported Saturday, bringing the seven-day average to 1,197. So far, 119,355 people in Bexar County have tested positive for the virus. 4: 00 a.m. | Registration now is closed on the website, WeCanDoItSA.com, but people will be able to schedule appointments when more doses of the Moderna vaccine arrive. University Health officials said they dont know when that will be. December 31 8:30 p.m. | University Health will begin large-scale COVID-19 vaccinations for people 65 and older and those 18 and older with chronic health conditions starting Monday at Wonderland of the Americas mall on the Northwest Side, system officials announced late Thursday. December 30 7:10 p.m. | Metro Health reported Wednesday that there were 159 new virus patients in local hospitals, increasing the daily record by two set just the day before. New COVID-19 cases rose Wednesday to 1,323, an increase of 348 over Tuesday. Officials confirmed 17 new deaths in Bexar County. 1:59 p.m. | Final USDA records show the federal government paid CRE8AD8, a San Antonio event planning company, $31.5 million for distributing 506,955 boxes of dairy, meat and produce leaving 250,000 boxes of food that could have been distributed to hungry families undelivered. 1:26 p.m. | Beloved Elephant Man, a fixture at San Antonio Zoo for 47 years, dies of COVID. 1:02 p.m. | State health officials on Monday announced that more Texans may now receive the vaccine. Here is a breakdown of what residents can expect and when. 12:34 p.m. | Ten people at the Alamo Bowl were cited for repeatedly refusing to wear masks or wear masks correctly after receiving warnings. Seven more people were issued warnings or were escorted out of the stadium for violating the mask rules. December 29 6:30 p.m. | The number of coronavirus patients admitted to San Antonio hospitals hit a new daily record Tuesday as Bexar County added more than 2,000 COVID-19 cases within the past two days. 6:00 a.m. | We interviewed Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, to learn more about the vaccines safety. She served on a UT Health working group that examined the safety of the Pfizer vaccine and considered how it should be distributed among front-line health care workers. 4:00 a.m. | Residents and staff will begin to receive COVID-19 vaccinations this week at 64 of Bexar Countys 229 long-term care facilities. December 28 7:00 p.m. | As the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in San Antonio, city officials tried to assure the public they have taken enough steps at the city-owned Alamodome to minimize the risk that the virus will spread at the Valero Alamo Bowl today. 6:30 p.m. | San Antonio hospitals are now treating nearly as many COVID-19 patients as they did at the height of the summer surge, as a wave of coronavirus infections continues to sweep across the city. 4:20 p.m. | Comal County is reducing capacity at businesses and shuttering bars due to an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last seven days. All bars in Comal County must now close. 4:00 a.m. | With the fall semester over, some rural superintendents have eliminated remote learning programs even as the coronavirus pandemic surges. 4:00 a.m. | When Brooke Army Medical Center began vaccinating personnel more than a week ago for the coronavirus, two doctors say that hospital officials didnt inform them through formal military channels or prioritize health care workers who were most likely to come into contact with people positive for the virus. December 24 10:00 a.m. | SeaWorld San Antonio will stay open on weekends this winter instead of closing after the holiday season, as it did in the past in an attempt to recover from the damage COVID-19 inflicted on the theme park this year. 8:00 a.m. | Councilwomen Rebecca Viagran and Jada Andrews-Sullivan join forces to bring holiday cheer to about 200 Southeast Side families, distributing bags full of books, toys and goodies. December 23 2:01 p.m. | A weekend boxing match at the city-owned Alamodome attended by thousands has drawn anger and criticism among San Antonians on social media as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage in the region. 11:13 a.m. |In good times and bad, the arts can be a catalyst for change, a way to understand the world around us or just a much-needed escape. That makes live music, theater and the arts feel essential. But one of the sad realities of this past year, when the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives, was that, in public health terms, they were not. 4:00 a.m. | Some San Antonio church services will be pre-recorded or livestreamed so worshippers can stay home as the coronavirus shows no signs of slowing down. December 22 12:07 p.m. | From Mexican Manhattan downtown to Nosh on Austin Highway, these are some of the places that shuttered in 2020. 12:00 p.m. | Slap bracelets and Six Flags tickets are among the lures chains such as Alamo Drafthouse and EVO are using to get customers out to their theatres Christmas Day to compete with HBO Max. December 21 10:00 a.m. | School districts in Bexar County are at risk of losing a collective $85 million in state funding during the second half of the school year if Texas policymakers dont change their current course. 4:00 a.m. | More than 620,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are headed to Texas this week, with about 35,000 earmarked for hospitals, pharmacies and medical clinics in Bexar County. December 20 8:00 p.m. | San Antonios hospitals continued on a dangerous trajectory Sunday as officials reported the second-highest number of hospitalizations in a 24-hour span since the pandemic began. December 18 6:30 p.m | San Antonios total coronavirus cases went past 100,000 on Friday as hospitalizations and the seven-day rolling average of new cases continued to go in the wrong direction a week before Christmas. 12:34 p.m. | Despite the turmoil due to the pandemic, the National Retail Federation forecasts sales will rise between 3.6 and 5.2 percent in November and December, totaling as much as $766.7 billion. 4:00 a.m. | San Antonio City Council took a first step Thursday toward putting a four-year, $154 million workforce development plan into motion but not without turbulence. December 17 1:49 p.m. | Nearly 1,000 health care workers at Northeast Baptist Hospital were among the first to roll up their sleeves Thursday to take the COVID-19 vaccine. 1:40 p.m. | Hospital workers are entering a critical phase of the pandemic physically, mentally and emotionally depleted. 10:57 a.m. | The Texas governor applauded the arrival of the new coronavirus vaccine, calling it a monumental medical miracle as he sought to boost morale amid some of the pandemics toughest days. 4:00 a.m. | U.S. Army North said Wednesday it was deploying military medical personnel to battle the coronavirus pandemic in the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. December 16 6:30 p.m. | In a worsening surge, coronavirus infections in San Antonio continued to climb on Wednesday to levels approaching the summer peak. Officials reported 1,396 new cases, up 37 from Tuesday. The ongoing surge began in late October but started picking up steam after the Thanksgiving holiday. 1:00 p.m. | The Archbishop of San Antonio has a message for parishioners: We need to be vaccinated. In a letter to parishioners earlier this month, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller attempted to clear up misinformation about the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines as part of a national effort urging Catholics to be vaccinated to protect others. December 15 1:53 p.m. | Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has begun administering its first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. 1:40 p.m. | Nursing professor Dr. Adelita Cantu rolled up her sleeve for the first COVID-19 vaccination administered today at a nonmilitary hospital in San Antonio, a small victory in an uphill battle against the virus that has killed nearly 25,000 Texans and claimed thousands of jobs. 1:31 p.m. | 2,000 families collected free groceries starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the San Antonio Food Banks largest holiday distribution of the year. 10:40 a.m. | Dozens of health care workers lined up in Austin on Tuesday to receive the new coronavirus vaccine, as the country begins one of the most ambitious inoculation campaigns in recent history. December 14 6:45 p.m. | San Antonios latest coronavirus surge is placing increasing strain on area hospitals, where people infected with the virus accounted for nearly one in five of all patients on Monday. COVID-19 hospitalizations on Monday rose to their highest level since early August, with 769 coronavirus patients being treated, a figure that Mayor Ron Nirenberg called a significant increase from the 705 patients reported on Sunday. 5:30 p.m. | Mary Garr, CEO of the nonprofit Family Service Association, will become the citys interim Metro Health Director and will handle the day-to-day operations other than the pandemic response, City Manager Erik Walsh said. That responsibility was previously held by Dr. Sandra Guerra, who was named interim deputy public health director in October. 4:00 p.m. | The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus topped 300,000 Monday just as the country began dispensing COVID-19 shots in a monumental campaign to conquer the outbreak. 1:56 p.m. | San Antonio Food Bank officials say theyre gearing up to help families put food on the table during the holidays, but theyre worried about what will happen next year as the economic effects of COVID-19 persist. 1:53 p.m. | Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus vaccine coming to San Antonio. 11:11 a.m. | The first doses of Pfizers coronavirus vaccine have arrived in San Antonio, according to UT Health San Antonio. UT Health, the citys largest medical school, received nearly 6,000 doses Monday morning. 4:00 a.m. | The pandemic has upended a lot of things in Bexar County, including the administration of justice, but Felony Veterans Treatment Court just graduated its largest class yet 11 felony offenders who got a route out of trouble with treatment programs. 4:00 a.m. | Across Bexar County, tens of thousands of school employees have received pandemic-related bonuses or pay raises, much of it in recent weeks. December 13 7:00 p.m. | One day before the expected arrival of thousands of doses of newly approved coronavirus vaccines, San Antonios hospitals admitted dozens of new coronavirus patients Sunday as the weeks-long surge in daily case numbers continues. 4:00 a.m. | San Antonios first week of doses are expected to arrive as soon as Monday and will be divided among 10 hospitals and Wellness 360, the organization that provides health care to UT Health students, employees and their families. December 12 8:00 p.m. | San Antonio officials reported 992 new coronavirus cases on Saturday as the virus continued its surge, increasing the burden on the regions hospitals. No new deaths were reported, leaving Bexar Countys COVID-19 fatality toll at 1,418. December 11 7:30 p.m. | Coronavirus cases continue to mount in San Antonio and Bexar County, as local officials reported 1,090 newly diagnosed infections and six more deaths Friday. 12:43 p.m. | The Hardberger Park land bridge opens today. Here is what you should know before heading out. December 10 6:48 p.m. | With the post-Thanksgiving surge in full steam, coronavirus cases in San Antonio pushed up to 1,174 on Thursday, a sharp jump of 444 more cases than Wednesday. This brings the seven-day rolling average to 1,063. Just a month ago, the seven-day average a better gauge of the pandemics grip on the community than the daily numbers was 417 cases. 2:08 p.m. | Harlans football team is being quarantined for COVID-19 reasons and will not compete in the upcoming playoffs, according to Northside ISD athletic director Stan Laing. 1:30 p.m. | Texas students will take the states annual standardized test, the STAAR, in the spring, but the state will not issue grades to schools under its annual accountability system. 1:25 p.m. | Texas has shut down football operations due to a substantial outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing and will not play Saturdays regular season finale against Kansas, the school announced Thursday. 1:23 p.m. | U.S. Army North said Wednesday it would deploy 45 more military medical personnel to battle the coronavirus pandemic, this time to Wisconsin. 12:11 p.m. | Teachers and other school staff should be among the first groups to get COVID-19 vaccines, local leaders said in a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott. 6:00 a.m. | In virtually any other year, the completion of the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge would be celebrated with a big to-do. Alas, the new addition to Phil Hardberger Park is opening to the public during a pandemic. So the celebration will have to wait. December 9 7:22 p.m. | Jose Sosa, 39, was the first patient to receive new lungs at University Hospital after his were destroyed by the coronavirus. Sosa said what happened to him is an example of why people need to take the virus seriously. The pandemic, he said, isnt a joke or a hoax. 6:34 p.m. | As the U.S. reported its deadliest seven-day period since the pandemic began, the number of COVID-19 cases in Bexar County eclipsed 90,000 cases Wednesday, a grim milestone amid the pandemics worst surge yet. 12:51 p.m. | XTC Cabaret and the city of San Antonio have sued each other in the wake of the Northeast Side strip club being shut down for allegedly violating coronavirus orders. 12:14 p.m. | Los Texmaniacs frontman doesnt yet have the strength to sing as he recovers from the illness. December 8 6:00 p.m. | Given the spiraling volume of cases, Metro Health officials pressed schools to allow only in-person learning for small pods of no more than six children, special education students, at-risk students and students who dont have the means to participate in virtual learning. Metro Health cannot order school closures a power the state holds. 3:00 p.m. | Local school leaders dont plan to close schools again as they did in the spring, despite calls from teacher unions and a rise in community spread of COVID-19 sharp enough to trigger a new warning from the Metropolitan Health District. 2: 00 p.m. | The first shipments of the highly-anticipated Pfizer COVID vaccine are expected to arrive in Texas early next week, and the first two million or so doses are already spoken for. 2:00 p.m. | The coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted the treatment and health of cancer patients across the globe, researchers said Tuesday at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. December 7 7:00 p.m. | In response to the worsening transmission, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Monday that bars not serving food will be required to close by Thursday night. If the owners want to pursue a food license or a contract with a food vendor, they could be given some leeway on the deadline by state regulators, he said. 1:45 p.m. | While Texas continues to report thousands of students and staff testing positive for COVID-19 each week, several health experts across the state said they believe few of those cases stem from in-class transmission. 12:54 p.m. | Businesses in a handful of Texas cities could begin regularly testing employees for the coronavirus under a new pilot program that the state announced Monday. 10:54 a.m. |The City of San Antonio has issued more than 3,000 warnings and 314 citations for violating the emergency declarations, according to an enforcement report. 4:00 a.m. | The rise in local virus cases has triggered a student exodus from some classrooms, but hasnt slowed a more general movement back to campuses in most of San Antonio. Some school districts have tried to limit the classroom space to kids who really need it but its up to parents, and so far, actual COVID outbreaks at schools have been rare. December 6 9:26 p.m. | San Antonios weeks long surge in coronavirus cases continued Sunday, with officials reporting 1,021 new cases and two new deaths. 4:02 p.m. | For the first time during the regular season, Texas is dealing with a potential COVID-19 outbreak among players and staffers. December 5 7:05 p.m. | The health authority reported 694 new coronavirus cases Saturday a little more than half of the 1,316 cases announced Friday evening pushing the total case count to 85,895. Thats about 4 percent of Bexar Countys total population. The health authority also reported the death of a Hispanic man in his 60s on Saturday. December 4 7:21 p.m.: The coronavirus remains a threat in San Antonio and Bexar County, with 1,316 newly diagnosed cases and four more deaths reported Friday. Additionally, the citys and countys rolling seven-day average for new cases rose to 952. Thats up from 830 on Monday. 4:00 a.m. | A key ally in Mayor Ron Nirenbergs successful bid to win voter approval of his $154 million job training program warned Thursday that plans to hire 63 new city employees to run it would be a huge waste of money and create a bloated bureaucracy. December 3 6:52 p.m. | The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 760 new coronavirus cases Thursday a little more than half of the staggering 1,499 cases reported the day before. The seven-day rolling average decreased slightly to 795 from Wednesdays 802. 1:35 p.m. | The pandemic has been an employment boon for Santas, who now can work virtually from anywhere, and kids get more time with the big guy. 12:52 p.m. | More than 50,000 international college students chose Texas colleges in 2020, but COVID-19 impacted fall enrollment with about 8,000 fewer students than last year. December 2 6:30 p.m. | Coronavirus infections are soaring in San Antonio at levels not seen since the last major surge here, as officials reported 1,499 new cases on Wednesday. 11:59 a.m. | The White House Coronavirus Task Force is urging Texas and other states to conduct aggressive impact testing of everyone under 40 to determine who may have been infected over the Thanksgiving holiday as it warns that the COVID risk to Americans hits a historic high. December 1 6:30 p.m. | The virus spiked in the summer, but has recently shown signs of a new surge coming; in the last week, there were more than 1,000 new cases on each of three days. Tuesday saw a relatively low increase of 452 cases after Mondays high of 1,117. 2:40 p.m. | University Health could be ready to start administering COVID-19 vaccines by mid-December if pharmaceutical companies secure federal emergency authorization in the next two weeks, the health systems president told Bexar County commissioners today. 1:45 p.m. | Trial preparation in the age of pandemic has slowed to a one-at-a-time questioning of prospective jurors by defense attorneys and prosecutors at Bexar Countys center of justice. 1:26 p.m. | Toyotas San Antonio-made pickup trucks continued flying off dealers lots in November, even as Toyotas total sales fell amid economic turmoil stemming from the shapr rise of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. 1:17 p.m. | Some executives in Texas service industry are cutting expenses and pulling back on capital expenditures as COVID-19 cases rise, according to a monthly survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. 6:00 a.m. | Bexar County commissioners will get an update Tuesday on allocations of nearly $80 million in federal coronavirus relief funds, which must be spent or committed by Dec. 30, and take action regarding military veteran services and on garbage collection in an eastern portion of the county that lacks a long-term sanitation solution. 4:00 a.m. | Texas manufacturing industry grew for the sixth consecutive month in November, but the sharp, new spike in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is taking a toll, according to a monthly survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Past months November October September August May and June March and April January and February By Josh Smith SEOUL, March 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department charged two Chinese nationals with laundering more than $100 million in cryptocurrency on behalf of North Korea, in court filings that detail Pyongyang's use of hackers to circumvent sanctions. According to an indictment filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., and unsealed on Monday, the two Chinese allegedly laundered cryptocurrency stolen by North Korean hackers between December 2017 and April 2019, helping to hide the stolen currency from police. These defendants allegedly laundered over a hundred million dollars worth of stolen cryptocurrency to obscure transactions for the benefit of actors based in North Korea, Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said in a statement. In a related civil forfeiture complaint also unsealed on Monday, Justice Department lawyers said they had seized some of the roughly $250 million that they said North Koreans hackers stole from a virtual currency exchange in 2018. Those funds were then laundered through hundreds of automated transactions designed to prevent investigators from tracing the funds, the complaint alleged. At least some of those funds were eventually used to help pay for the infrastructure in North Korea used to launch cyberattacks, according to the documents. The same North Korean hackers were linked to a November 2019 attack on a South Korean virtual exchange that netted the hackers more than $48 million in stolen cryptocurrency. "The hacking of virtual currency exchanges and related money laundering for the benefit of North Korean actors poses a grave threat to the security and integrity of the global financial system," U.S. Attorney Timothy Shea of the District of Columbia, said in the statement. The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke off funding for Pyongyangs nuclear and ballistic missile programs. North Korea has generated an estimated $2 billion for its weapons of mass destruction programs using "widespread and increasingly sophisticated" cyber attacks to steal from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, a confidential United Nations report said last year. Story continues The U.N. experts said North Korea's attacks against cryptocurrency exchanges allowed it "to generate income in ways that are harder to trace and subject to less government oversight and regulation than the traditional banking sector." At the time, North Korea denied those U.N. allegations, calling them a "fabrication" aimed at tarnishing the country's image. The United States last year charged American digital currency expert Virgil Griffith with helping North Korea use cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade U.S. sanctions, after he attended a 2019 North Korean cryptocurrency conference. Prosecutors said he and other conference attendees had discussed how cryptocurrency technology could be used by Pyongyang to launder money and evade sanctions. Griffith's lawyer has rejected the charges. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Michael Perry) DEARBORN, Mich., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Arab and Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC) would like to announce its endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders' campaign for the Presidency. After deliberations between its executive committee, AMPAC believes that Senator Sanders is the best and most qualified candidate for President. Senator Sanders' track record in Congress is a clear indication of his commitment to the working class and all Americans to live a dignified life. Senator Sanders' consistent positions on social and environmental justice, long stand on peace in the Middle East are a few reasons for this endorsement. AMPAC calls on all Americans to vote for Senator Bernie Sanders in their respective Democratic Primary for President. Michigan's Democratic Primary is on Tuesday, March 10th, 2020. You can also vote early at your city Hall through March 9th. For voter registration or to check on application status, visit: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ For media contact, please contact the President of the American Arab and Muslim Political Action Committee, Abdallah Sheik at 708-369-4565 or [email protected] SOURCE American Arab & Muslim Political Action Committee WASHINGTON President Trump spoke on Tuesday with the deputy leader of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in the latest sign of his determination to see that a peace deal signed Saturday with the Afghan insurgent group holds, allowing him to withdraw thousands of American troops in an election year. I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today. We had a good conversation, Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House, slightly inflating Mr. Baradars position. Theyre looking to get this ended and were looking to get this ended, Mr. Trump said later in the day. The relationship is very good that I have with the mullah. Mr. Baradar was the Taliban official who, along with Mr. Trumps envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, signed the peace agreement in Doha, Qatar, to begin the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan and start talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, which was not a party to the agreement. Business owners and residents in Ballybunion are still without a Bank of Ireland service over five-weeks after Storm Brendan caused damage to the local branch office. Customers must make an 18-mile round-trip to Listowel to carry out transactions, which is posing a security risk on top of being a major inconvenience for people. When the branch office initially closed due to storm damage in January, Bank of Ireland told customers it was assessing the works with a view to reopening as soon as possible. In a response to a query from The Kerryman, Bank of Ireland apologised for the inconvenience and said they are continuing to assess the building's viability. The service, which operates on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, has operated for over half a century and many people are concerned for the future of the service. Extra staff have been put in place by the bank in its Listowel branch to help deal with the fallout from the closure of its Ballybunion office.One local resident contacted the bank a week ago to be told it was still 'an ongoing situation' that is being assessed. Padraig Hanrahan, of Ballybunion Health & Leisure Centre, said he also contacted the bank last week. "They haven't given me any indication when they're re-opening, only just that they are still sorting it out," he said. "It's an inconvenience in the sense we have to travel to Listowel instead of having a bank on our doorstep. "There is a danger they could decide to keep it closed. But they have never indicated this." GETTY Disease outbreaks typically result in a surge of email phishing scams, and experts say to stay vigilant. On March 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning that email scammers are taking advantage of the spread of COVID-19 by claiming to be WHO officials in order to gather sensitive information and steal money. A notice on the WHO website said that the organization will never email individuals asking for private information. Beware that criminals use email, websites, phone calls, text messages, and even fax messages for their scams, the website read. The World Health Organization will: Jeff Thomson, a senior intelligence analyst at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), said in an interview that no Canadians are known to have been affected by the COVID-19 phishing scam yet, but isnt surprised that scammers are using the health outbreak as a way to get information and money. The fraudsters are quite good at grabbing stuff, whatevers new and happening in the world that has a public interest or where mass populations can be following this, he said. Thomson said that because these events are known to the public, fraudsters are able to create a story that is more realistic when sending emails. According to 2019 data from the CAFC, phishing scams in Canada rank third in types of scams sent to individuals. In the past year, these types of scams resulted in a loss of nearly $300,000. Stephanie Carvin, a security expert and assistant professor at Carleton University, said in an interview that there was no surprise in the correlation between a spike in phishing email scams and times of panic and concern. Story continues Imagine if [a scammer] pretended to be a doctor and you sent emails [that said] We think youve been in contact with someone with COVID-19, please fill out this form because we need to contact you, Carvin said. The way these scams work, and what makes them impressive is that they try to instigate a sense of panic. She explained that particularly when there is a health outbreak, scammers will capitalize on what people are scared of and will send emails related to a persons fears. The hope is that they click on it to obtain more information. [COVID-19] is in the news, people are scared and you can manipulate them. Its really unfair in scary ways, Carvin said, adding that the fear is what motivates people to give up personal information and private details. Thomson noted that the email phishing scams as a result of major crises came to the forefront shortly after the Hurricane Katrina disaster took place in 2005 in New Orleans. He said that if you get an email that asks you for personal information, do not reply and contact the CAFC to report it. If an email is creating a sense of an urgent situation, there is panic or fear and you need to click on a link that is a good indication of fraud, he said. What were really trying to get people to do is not react. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android and sign up for the Yahoo Finance Canada Weekly Brief. Chinas powerful State Council is introducing measures to help small businesses. Will that indirectly help people like Mr. Battogtokh, whose livelihoods depend on a strong Chinese economy? China will focus first on fixing its domestic economy, so the money will help businesses in China. Many of these private businesses have suffered for more than a year with difficult cash flow situations because of Chinas economic slowdown. Its hard to see how that financial aid will do much to address the situation for people like Mr. Battogtokh. Its the same thing in Thailand, where tour guides say they are thousands of dollars in debt because their Chinese counterparts took off with the deposits paid upfront by Thai tour guides. As the Chicago business owner I spoke with said: Everyone is desperate for money. Thats it for this briefing. See you next time. Melina Thank you To Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. P.S. Were listening to The Daily. Our latest episode is about Super Tuesday. Heres our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Tailpipe emissions (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. The Times received several nominations in the World Press Photo Awards, including Ivor Prickett for his work in Syria and Times videographers for their story on protests in Chile. 'The Shaheen Bagh model of bullets and biryani wont work. The RSS looked at a template that would play to Bengali pride and harp on the states development. Mamatas slogan to defeat the Left Front was 'Bengal awake and arise'. She promised to check the flight of capital from Bengal to far-flung states and usher in a renaissance. The RSS wants the BJP to pitch this line because it feels Mamata hasnt delivered on her promises.' Radhika Ramaseshan reports. IMAGE: Left to right, BJP leader Mukul Roy, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh, Union home minister Amit Shah, national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, national secretary Rahul Sinha during a rally at Shaheed Minar Ground in Kolkata. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo With a little over a year before West Bengal votes to elect its next government, the Bharatiya Janata Party is in the throes of a debate framed on three aspects: Core ideology contra governance, national issues as opposed to regional/local matters, and whether to project a chief ministerial candidate. These deliberations assumed significance after the BJP's debacle in the Delhi assembly polls. The rout was ascribed by some national strategists and thinkers, also involved with West Bengal, to the lack of an optimum blend between ideology and credible governance agenda, the need for local units to be alive and kicking on the streets, and the absence of a CM face. While a dominant section of the BJP's West Bengal unit, swayed by its state president Dilip Ghosh, a former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 'pracharak', demanded to accord precedence to ideology over governance, Delhi influencers advocated giving equal priority to positive governance without undermining the centrality of the citizenship package in the discourse. Detailing the thread running through the ongoing discussions, a source said: As far as the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) is concerned, it is a local issue in West Bengal and not an abstruse ideological intervention. The larger issue, which I feel is relevant, is that when youre trying to upstage a sitting government, you have to go a little beyond negativism, into positive governance. The source cited the examples of Narendra Modis campaigns in the run-up to the 2007 and the 2012 Gujarat elections, which he led as chief minister. In both cases, the last phases were marked by vitriol but the main reason for Modis victories was he could sell his ideas and a good record of governance. Adducing a comparable argument for West Bengal, the source said: The BJP has done Mamata Banerjees (the chief minister) critique up to a point. Her law and order management or the lack of it, her partiality towards Muslims, and so on. But where are the attacks on health and education? A well-rounded poll campaign must take into account these sectors. Mukul Roy, a former political aide of Banerjee and now BJP mover-and-shaker, articulated a slightly different view. The BJP is a national party, so naturally national issues will be punched together with local ones. We have to think of what alternative model we will offer if we come to power. Ghosh, the Medinipur MP who is regarded as an inflexible ideologue, indicated he could be pragmatic when it came to fighting a poll. He said: The BJP rests on an ideology that inspires and motivates our workers. But we also need different strategies, one for winning an election and the other for governance. However, a West Bengal BJP watcher emphasised that in advocating Hindutva and nationalism, the party's approach would have to be nuanced. The Shaheen Bagh model of bullets and biryani wont work. The RSS looked at a template that would play to Bengali pride and harp on the states development. Mamatas slogan to defeat the Left Front was Bengal awake and arise. She promised to check the flight of capital from Bengal to far-flung states and usher in a renaissance. The RSS wants the BJP to pitch this line because it feels Mamata hasnt delivered on her promises." But another school of thought roots for the eye-for-an-eye attitude. Bengal is politically violent, the Trinamool Congresss goons have attacked and killed BJP cadre. So many in the local BJP unit believe Gandhigiri is not the answer. The language and reprisals will have to be "equally aggressive, they said. The problem is the BJPs bhadralok (the urban elite), small as the following is but nonetheless persuasive, squirmed at the brutish brand of politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won its 18 (of 42) parliamentary seats in the rural and quasi rural belt, but could not penetrate the city swath. A state leader said: We have not been able to communicate with the thinking Bengali Hindu. The BJP has the image of a Hindi bhashi (speaking) party. Some leaders speak Bangla with a Hindi accent as though they are probashi (expats). Bengalis are sensitive about these things. Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Subhas Chandra Bose, said: The BJP should talk of governance and corruption instead of Ram temple and the abrogation of Article 370. Bose, who in 2019 lost the South Calcutta seat to the Trinamool Congress by a big margin, pushed for a CAA without the religious tag. If youre following Mahatma Gandhi, remember he said all persecuted persons from the neighbouring country (then East and West Pakistan) should be considered for citizenship, Bose said. As for projecting a CM candidate, opinions were just as partite. When youre taking on a powerful person like Mamata, it will help to have a prominent face like Uma Bharti, who was pitted against Digvijaya Singh (in Madhya Pradesh in 2003), or Vasundhara Raje, who took on Ashok Gehlot (in Rajasthan). Its a question of whos the best, he said. Ghosh rejected the idea, saying: Its a national policy that wherever we are fighting to win, there will be no CM nominee. A group listens to Ian Ashworth discuss wine. Courtesy of Hallie Bradley By Hallie Bradley Vineworks, a casual wine bar in Sangsu, Seoul, is offering excitement and intrigue with its murder mystery events. Owner Ian Ashworth tells guests to expect "A full-blown, character-driven whodunit," where participants arrive "ready to carry out objectives that lead to an eventual unveiling of the murderer." Similar to the board game Clue where players compete to solve a murder, in a Murder Mystery, guests can take on a character by adorning costumes and even accents. In advance, participants are emailed complete character descriptions that include everything from personality traits to style tips before the event begins so they can dress to impress and prepare for the mystery and intrigue. They are also given secret missions they must complete throughout the event which will ultimately assist them in finding the murderer amongst them. "We have plenty of games to choose from," Ashworth continued, "usually themed on times like the 1980s or 1920s, or location like Hawaii or a cruise ship." People who are looking for something different to do with friends or a special event for a birthday party, or even as a team-building exercise would be especially suited for this event, held at Vineworks near Sangsu Station on Seoul Metro Line 6 in the Hongdae area. Vineworks is a venue that hosts wine tastings and explorations and seeks to challenge the stereotypes and myths that wine or tastings are snobby or only for the knowledgeable. "Ultimately, we are for the wine curious, people who drink wine and just want to know how to ask the right questions and feel empowered enough to make the right choices. And by right, I mean a wine that pairs well with the consumer," Ashworth explained. He thinks the wine industry has changed dramatically in the last five years as wines can now be found at competitive rates everywhere from convenience stores to galbi restaurants. "What we are seeing is a decline in the old-school uber-inflated wine bars hawking lies and luxury, and frankly good riddance. Customers are more educated and driven by exploration," Ashworth said of the changing wine scene. Vineworks has been offering the Murder Mystery package since last year, as well as various other events each weekend. It provides the private space, tasty side dishes and foods on theme with the occasion, and lightly paired wines to set the mood for a fun afternoon or evening. "We don't want to just focus on the wine itself but also the social and interactive nature of the drink," Ashworth said. Vineworks also hosts wine-centered and social events throughout the week and welcomes anyone that is wine curious. "Wine is like reading or music; you can never experience everything there's always something new to explore." Speaking of reading, it even has its own monthly book club. On Fridays, the doors open for wine social events from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with country-themed wine buffets and unlimited refills. On Saturdays, the "Grapes of Wrath" events pit two countries head to head with six wines and three grapes in a blind taste test and at the end guests choose the winner. Of course, there really is no winner according to Ashworth as it's all about finding what speaks to you and pairs best to you. This means there are always plenty of surprises and fun to be had as visitors discuss, critique and sip on the wines at hand. For those interested in a bit more of a challenge, there are regionally themed tastings and roast dinners with a wine exploration after and the Bordeaux Club will explore all of the Grand Cru Classes en 1855 wines this year. Visit vineworkskorea.com or fb.com/vineworkskorea for an updated schedule of events to join. Hallie Bradley is a writer based in Seoul and runs the popular site thesoulofseoul.net. Two have been cleared to contest in the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) upcoming parliamentary primaries in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency of the Greater Accra Region. Both candidates, the incumbent Member of Parliament, Sarah Adjoa Sarfo and the High Commissioner to India Mike Oquaye Jnr. were given the green light on Monday by the partys vetting committee. This is the second time the two contestants are facing each other as they contested the same seat in the 2012 NPP primaries. In the 2016 primaries, Adwoa Safo was made to contest unopposed. The constituency chairman of the party in the Dome Kwabenya constituency, Robert Osei Bonsu in a Citi News interview said the vetting process has been peaceful. She [Adwoa Safo] was the first person to be called in front of the panel and a few questions were asked and she was cleared that she could go ahead and contest. And then, Mr. Mike Oquaye, the High Commissioner to India was called in. Same was done and he was also cleared. Normally the contestants have this cordial relationship. It's the supporters who sometimes do argue a little bit but apart from that, everything went on smoothly. Everyone wants their candidate to win so all manner of things have been said but I hope that after all is said and done, we can all put it behind us and move on. After the vetting the balloting was done, Jnr Oquaye picked one and Adwoa Safo picked two, he said. The vetting panel was made up of the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Obiri Boahen and the partys National Womens Organizer, Madam Kate Gyamfuah. NPP Parliamentary Party scheduled for April 25, 2020 The party has already held primaries for constituencies that do not have sitting Members of Parliament. The New Patriotic Party has slated April 25, 2020, to elect the remainder of its Parliamentary candidates. It will also be holding its Presidential Primaries on the same day. ---citinewsroom The scam is being perpetrated by Ukrainian company Milton Group from two floors of an office building in Kyiv, the report claims. A whistleblower has revealed the existence of a 200-employee Ukrainian Bitcoin (BTC) trading scam that netted $70 million in 2019. The whistleblower outed the scam by providing footage and internal company documents to Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, which reported the news on March 1, according to CoinTelegraph. The scam predominantly targets investors based in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom by using fake news articles advertised on Facebook and some mobile game platforms. The stories feature interviews with celebrities who purportedly made a killing by investing in crypto including Gordon Ramsey, Hugh Jackman, and Martin Lewis. The whistleblower claims that the scam is being perpetrated by Ukrainian company Milton Group from two floors of an office building in Kyiv. The offices are kitted with professional telephone and client management systems. After responding to the ads, victims would be contacted by call-center workers promising extraordinary returns from cryptocurrencies, foreign currencies and commodities. Fake account statements detailing profits are used to entice further investment from the scams victims. Read alsoIn Ukraine, cyberpolice operative demanded bribe in cryptocurrency Jacob Keselman, the CEO of Milton Group stated that the allegations against it are "incorrect" in a phone interview with Dagens Nyheter. Keselman describes himself as "the wolf of Kyiv"' on his Instagram profile. The whistleblower claims to have been a part of the scams "retention" team, where he was expected to make 300 calls each day. He was tasked with "squeez[ing] the money" from clients until their "last cent," and was remunerated on a commission basis. The operation reportedly poses under many different business titles, including contacting victims under the guise of offering scam recovery services after they have already been duped. If receptive, victims are encouraged to install software on their computer that allegedly steals their online banking information. The scam also impersonates national tax authorities, posting letters demanding that prospective victims settle fabricated tax debts. The organization reportedly netted $70 million in 2019, and Dagens Nyheter noted that many victims have been duped out of their life savings. Read alsoUkraine's justice system employee caught mining crypto at work media February saw cybersecurity firm ThreatFabric identify several sophisticated Remote Access Trojans (RATs) targeting cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges. The RATs include Cerberus, which targets Coinbase users by stealing 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes for the Google Authenticator app. See The Faces Of Nigerians Arrested In Cambodia For Fraud Four Nigerian men were arrested in Cambodia on Tuesday, 2 March, for alleged online fraud and kidnapping. Deputy Prosecutor Seng Heang and his team in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior searched a condominium ( Zong Ruby) in Sen Sok district, Phnom Penh at 12:20 and arrested the Nigerian nationals. The four men were wanted in connection with a case of kidnapping in Vietnam and have been referred to the Criminal Police Department for further proceedings. Police confiscated 3 passports, 4 laptops, 8 cell phones, one SIM card Number, one yellow metal cord, 15,000 riel and US $ 5, and two bags. We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Yeah, let's just call it now: We're not really going anywhere fast at this point. But someday, we'll be able to roam freely about the world, and it will be just READ THE REST GAUTIER, Mississippi -- For only the fourth time in the citys 34 years of existence, the City of Gautier is looking for a new police chief. Dante Elbin, who has been the Gautier police chief for the past 7+ years, has announced his retirement and will resign from his post effective at the end of the day Friday. His departure will bring to an end nearly 27 years of service with the Gautier Police Department. Ive been given an opportunity with a very reputable, local company in the private sector, one I couldnt pass up, Elbin explained. Elbin, 50, was born into a military family on Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and, after high school, joined the United States Air Force, becoming a law enforcement specialist. After his discharge from the military, he moved to Gautier and began his career in law enforcement there in 1993 as a patrol officer. He worked his way through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant in 1999 and a captain in 2003. His career with Gautier was briefly interrupted in the late 1990s when he spent a year with the Jackson County Sheriffs Office and then a year at the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy. Elbin was named the City of Gautiers third police chief in July 2012 after the retirement of then-chief Edward Williams, who had succeeded the Citys first chief, Allen Johnson. Ive often referred to him as one of the best police chiefs in the state, said Gautier mayor Phil Torjusen. Weve been really blessed to have him. Hes retiring with the city being ranked the ninth safest city in the state. Thats a credit to him and the officers he oversees. Elbin acknowledged the bittersweet nature of his departure. I came in 1993, so these people who have been here are like family, he said. Leaving and going into another work environment, not seeing the faces Ive been seeing all these years, is going to be tough. Torjusen said city manager Paula Yancey will appoint an interim while the city council deliberates over the hiring of a new permanent chief. Whoever is ultimately appointed to the post will be taking over a department on solid footing, Elbin said. That was one of the things that made my decision a little easier, he said, knowing Im leaving a solid foundation for the next generation of leaders in this department to build upon. Ive built on the successes of those who came before my and now Im leaving a legacy for them to build on. Elbin and his wife, Kenna, were married in 1996 and are the parents of two children, Avery and Ayden. Elbins parents, sister and in-laws all reside in Jackson County. In addition to the longtime department employees he has worked with, Elbin also noted the contributions of the many young officers who have worked under his leadership. Ive been here a long time. Im extremely proud of the accomplishments of these young officers," he said. "Weve had a high turnover rate over the years and weve got a lot of young officers on the street, but these young officers are getting the job done. Theyre out there in the community, getting to know their community, and its evident that theyre doing their job because weve been in the top 10 safest cities multiple times. Its because theyre out there working and Im proud of that. Jaipur: The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, on Tuesday confirmed that the 69-year-old Italian tourist, admitted in citys SMS hospital, is suffering from Covid-19 (the disease caused by the Coronavirus). The tourists wife has also tested positive in initial tests and her sample has been sent to NIV, Pune, for confirmation, said Rajasthan chief secretary DB Gupta. The Italian couple was part of a 21-member group, which landed in Delhi on February 21 and visited six districts of the state till February 28. The rest of the group is in Agra. Government officials said the group reached Mandawa in Rajasthans Jhunjhunu district on Februaruy 21 in a bus arranged by a local travel agent. The group stayed in a local hotel in Mandawa, they added. According to them, the group went to Bikaner on February 22, and left for Jaisalmer, the next day. They were in Jaisalmer on February 23 and 24 and before leaving for Jodhpur on February 25. From Jodhpur, they went to Udaipur on Feb 26, where they stayed for two days. On February, 28, the group came to Jaipur, and the 69-year-old man complained of uneasiness and was taken to a local private hospital. Gupta said the Italian tourist complained of breathlessness, after which he was taken to Fortis Hospital and kept overnight. On February 29 around noon, he was shifted to the isolation ward of Ithe nfectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) of SMS Medical College where he was screened for novel coronavirus and H1N1. While in isolation ward, the screening test result of COVID-19 was received at 11pm which was negative. The patient was shifted to H1N1 ICU for observation, said SMS Medical College principal Dr Sudhir Bhandari. On Monday, the result of the second screening test came out positive after which the Italian was shifted back to the isolation wards ICU and his sample was sent to Pune for confirmation. On Tuesday evening, the union health ministry confirmed that the Italian tourist had Covid-19. The patient is in isolation and is stable, the health ministry said in a statement. The tourists wife was tested on Monday, after the husbands positive test, and the initial report came out positive. The chief secretary said all medical colleges in the state have been asked to set up rapid response teams to test and monitor anyone who came in contact with the Italian tourists. The rapid response teams will screen people in Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur and sanitise hotels and other places the tourists visited, he said. Rohit Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary, health department, said the department would send samples of 52 people, who came in contact with the tourist, in Jaipur, to NIV Pune. The 52 include 37 people from SMS Hospital, 11 from Fortis Hospital and four from the hotel where the tourist stayed, he added. All of them have been kept in quarantine. The rest of the Italians were tested in Agra according to Agra district health officer S K Verma who said the tests came negative. They reached Delhi on March 1, and have now been taken to the Indo Tibetan Border Polices quarantine facility in Chawala, Delhi. They are undergoing a second round of testing. Chief Secretary Gupta said five international flights operate out of Rajasthan airports. We have been screening people at our airports since January 28 and have screened 24,458 people on 165 flights since then, he said. New Delhi, March 3 : The Board of Directors of PNB Housing Finance Ltd, at a meeting held on Tuesday, approved raising equity capital aggregating upto Rs 1,700 crore through a qualified institutions placement. PNB Housing Finance said: "In addition, the board also considered it advisable, subsequent to the successful closure of the QIP, to offer Quality Investment Holdings and/or its affiliates/nominees a preferential allotment of equity shares and/or permissible securities (including convertible securities/warrants) of the company in compliance with SEBI ICDR Regulations (Preferential Issue) and other applicable laws." "It is clarified that QIH is not obligated to subscribe in the Preferential Issue at this stage. Should it choose to participate, QD-1 can subscribe to at least such number of Agreed Securities in the Preferential Issue as required to maintain its pre-QIP shareholding in the company," the company said. Crisil had earlier downgraded its rating on long-term debt instruments, bank facilities and fixed deposit programme of PNB Housing Finance worth Rs 4,000 crore to AA/FAA plus from AA plus/FAAA. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and South Korea's KB Financial Group may buy minority stakes in PNB Housing, according the banking and market sources. Carlyle holds 32.22 per cent of PNB Housing Finance through a group company, called Quality Investment Holdings. General Atlantic owns 9.87 per cent. At times of crisis most people will offer up thanks that they are not running the country, and that someone else is prepared to undertake such an unenviable task. For days many of us have been cavilling at Boris Johnson. What has he been doing? Was he really too occupied with his bride-to-be Carrie Symonds and discussing their forthcoming baby to show an interest in coronavirus and the floods? And then, all of a sudden, he bounces onto our television screens looking uncustomarily grave, and brandishing a battle plan which is full of draconian-sounding measures that may have to be taken. Boris Johnson laid out the Government's 'battle plan' to tackle an outbreak in Britain Tuesday The police will ignore low-level crime if the virus spreads. There could be troops on the streets. Firemen may be otherwise occupied. A fifth of the workforce could be put out of action. Danger The Governments 28-page document published yesterday also includes the notion of social distancing. This could mean working from home. Emergency powers may be introduced to close schools or cancel large public events. According to officials in a background briefing to journalists, distancing might also entail not socialising with friends in the pub after work, even after being surrounded by people during the day. Its hard to see how this could be enforced. Until the day before yesterday, Boris Johnson and ministers seemed either rather comatose or a little confused, with not much more to say than that we should wash our hands thoroughly and often. Now they have dramatically put themselves on a war footing, and are bursting with advice and instructions which, in their scope, are probably unprecedented in peacetime. Coronavirus fears have gripped Britain, as a pedestrian is pictured wearing a protective facemask while taking a bus in Westminster, London, and, right, medics in hazmat suits quarantine a family in Hull Have they gone too far? Are they ramping up the panic? Most of us are capable of being fickle. I certainly am. A few days ago, a voice in my brain was complaining that the Government was doing too little. Now it is wondering whether it is doing too much. Hang on, it says. At the latest count there have only been 51 cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom. So far no one has died here. Indeed, it appears to have a relatively low mortality rate compared with other recent epidemics. While the stock market has been crashing and the economy wobbling, dozens, if not hundreds, of people have been dying from ordinary influenza without anyone taking a blind bit of notice. This London Sainsbury's is running out of germ-busting disinfectant, bleach and anti-bacterial wipes Arent we suffering from a collective hysteria? Havent we lost our sense of proportion? And isnt the Government feeding the frenzy with its talk of a battle plan and its panoply of coercive measures that seem more appropriate to wartime? That is what a voice in my brain is asking. All this is getting out of hand, it says. We are in danger of causing more upset to society, and more harm to the economy, by overreacting to the threat of coronavirus than the contagion itself is ever likely to do. And then I ask myself: what else could the Government do? It obviously must have a plan. If any of us were unlucky enough to be running the country, wouldnt we produce something similar in the knowledge that if we did nothing we would be, rightly, pilloried by the Press? The truth is that the Government is damned if it does, and damned if it doesnt. It cant easily win. One can pick holes in some of its proposals. For example, the unenforceable injunction against a drink in the pub after work seems over the top. It seems perverse to discourage us from meeting our chums if we have brushed against strangers while standing on the train, and bumped into all manner of folk at work. That said, most of the ideas unveiled yesterday seem reasonably well thought out, and of course some, or all of them, may never have to be adopted. It is best to be prepared. The Chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty (left), was at the press conference today, as was UK chief scientific office Sir Patrick Vallance (right) For the fact is that we could and I stress could be on the verge of a challenge for which, as a country, we are psychologically not well prepared, having enjoyed decades of peace and plenty during which a pandemic seemed unimaginable. Of course, we must remain calm. Everyone should pay heed to what the PM said yesterday about the vast majority of the people of this country . . . going about our business as usual. The Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the same on BBC radio. Continuing to live our normal lives is, admittedly, a tall order with the Government contemplating introducing emergency powers, and a media blitz in which every new case of coronavirus in countries as far away as South Korea and Australia is reported as though it is happening next door. Hoarding One thing should surely be clear. Remaining serene categorically excludes the widespread panic-buying and stockpiling of items such as lavatory paper and pasta. Such hoarding seems not only idiotic but also shaming in a country once famed for its stoicism. Those who can recall the many privations of the last war will be aghast at such feeble-minded behaviour. Reading between the lines, it seems the Government and its advisers do expect a serious epidemic. If they are right, it will test not just the countrys physical resources but its very mettle. Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted a picture of him washing his hands to his Instagram page with the caption: 'I fully understand the publics concerns about the global spread of coronavirus, and it is likely to become more significant in the coming weeks' Who will look after the elderly, the group most at risk? What will happen to care homes if many of their staff are off sick? Do we have the traditions of neighbourliness to step into the breach? Can the young, so unused to privation, and so accustomed to relative luxury, adapt to harsh conditions? There are questions, too, about Boris Johnson and the Government. They are already fighting a battle to secure satisfactory trade deals with the EU and the United States. Are they capable of coping at the same time with a dire national emergency that could be far more convulsive than the worst tribulations of Brexit? Scourge Mr Johnson was impressive yesterday thank God it wasnt Jeremy Corbyn standing there but questions remain as to whether he has the endurance and concentration of mind to guide us through a really serious crisis. The measures he announced underline the fact that we are in uncharted territory. Both the rulers and the ruled will require a great deal of determination and strength of character to come out the other side. Maybe the Government is wrong. Maybe there will be comparatively few more cases before the worldwide scourge of coronavirus fizzles out as temperatures rise. Half of me thinks this will be the case. What is certain is that if ministers fears turn out to be ill-founded, we should resist the temptation to blame them. No one should say that they were guilty of scare-mongering, or trying to throw their weight around for no good reason. This is not Project Fear. It is Project Prepare For The Worst And Hope For The Best. Lets pray the threat recedes, and that we can get on with living our lives. For if the Government is even half-right, what lies ahead will be an unadulterated nightmare. The coronavirus outbreak continued its relentless spread to other countries with the number of infections and deaths rising, forcing governments worldwide to race against the clock to prevent a pandemic. Global markets staged a recovery on Monday following a sustained selloff last week that was the worst investors have seen since the financial crisis. Yet the COVID-19 outbreak dominated market sentiment, with over 87,000 infected worldwide and more than 3,000 dead. Infections numbers have also been surging in hard-hit areas like Italy, South Korea and Iran. Read more: Coronavirus and travel: What you need to know Over the weekend, the U.S. reported nearly a dozen new cases and the first set of domestic deaths from the disease bringing the countrys total to 6. And in certain areas, the growing sense of alarm has spurred panic buying of consumer staples like sanitizer and face masks. The World Health Organization director general said Monday that Covid-19 outbreak is still not a pandemic, and global health officials believe there is still scope to end the outbreak. Yet within countries where the outbreak is spreading rapidly, the mood is grim compounded by the WHOs own warning on Friday about global risks being on the rise. We are in unchartered territory. We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures, the WHOs Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. President Donald Trump met with drugmakers Monday for what was originally set to be a discussion about drug pricing, to determine the status of treatments and vaccines. Meanwhile, Congress is set to fund an emergency response of as much as $8 billion for the U.S. response of the coronavirus outbreak. Trump, along with the coronavirus task force, told reporters Saturday that the U.S. would impose travel advisories and restrictions on hard hit areas like Iran, South Korea and parts of Italy. He also said the mask maker, industrial giant 3M (MMM), has been instructed to produce 35 million more of the N95 masks monthly. Story continues The global total is nearing 90,000, with the death toll having topped 3000. Recession fears rise While major U.S. benchmarks soared in intraday trading on Monday, Wall Street economists were quickly revising down their expectations for U.S. and worldwide growth and ratcheting up expectations of easing from the Federal Reserve. Amid the outbreak, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development lowered its 2020 global economic growth forecast to 2.4%, from 2.9%, marking the weakest pace of growth since 2009. This week will bring a slew of economic data for investors to chew on, but few of them will actually reflect the virus impact. However, some data already has: Chinas Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) registered at 40.3 for February, its lowest ever reading. Prints below 50 indicate contraction in a sector. Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo, told Yahoo Finance on Monday that chances of a recession were low at the start of the year but have now jumped to 30% because of the virus. It remains to be seen how the outbreak plays out, he added. Separately, key sectors like travel, leisure and entertainment continue to bear the brunt of the virus spread. American Airlines (AAL) continues to be pummeled, trading at its lowest since 2013. United Airlines and Delta are also feeling the pain. Various airlines are waiving change and cancelation fees as uncertainty around travel continues to slow down sales. Very speculative The severity and lethality of the virus remain the biggest wild card, with isolated cases popping up in the Dominican Republic, Nigeria and Brazil that are adding to widespread fears of a pandemic. In places like South Korea, Italy and Iran, the toll continues to mount with no end in sight. It could become a virus that circulates around the world for many years to come, former Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director Tom Frieden said on Monday. China, meanwhile, continues to see a daily decrease in reported cases; yet the epicenter of the outbreak is by far the largest stronghold of all cases and deaths. Harvard University epidimiology professor Marc Lipsitch, who spoke at an event hosted by the universitys medical school, said the number of cases reported is likely an underrepresentation of the outbreak. That is because there are a bulk of cases that have not yet been detected including those that have resulted in deaths. So all those numbers are very speculative and very much in flux, he said. Anjalee Khemlani is a reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter: @AnjKhem Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance Genetically modified foods from America could end up on British supermarket shelves as part of a US trade deal. Ministers yesterday left open lifting the ban on products made from GM crops as their red lines were unveiled for negotiations. In a 184-page document setting out objectives, the Government categorically ruled out the NHS from trade talks. Officials last night refused to rule out ditching the GM ban currently imposed by EU law. Such a move could prove to be a key compromise to secure a deal with the US, where the majority of processed foods contain GM ingredients [File photo] It stated: The NHS will not be on the table. The price the NHS pays for drugs will not be on the table. The services the NHS provides will not be on the table. The NHS is not, and never will be, for sale to the private sector, whether overseas or domestic. However, the negotiating mandate on food standards was more ambiguous. It said: Any agreement will ensure high standards and protections for consumers and workers, and will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards. Officials last night refused to rule out ditching the GM ban currently imposed by EU law. Ministers yesterday left open lifting the ban on products made from GM crops as their red lines were unveiled for negotiations. In a 184-page document setting out objectives, the Government categorically ruled out the NHS from trade talks [File photo] Such a move could prove to be a key compromise to secure a deal with the US, where the majority of processed foods contain GM ingredients. The document was revealed as negotiators yesterday arrived in Brussels to begin work on an EU trade deal. The UK team of 100 officials led by David Frost started the first round of talks with a two-hour meeting with the EUs broker Michel Barnier. They did not shake hands due to coronavirus fears and wore lanyards bearing the Union Flag. A government spokesman said: The UK will engage constructively to reach a Free Trade Agreement which fully respects the UKs political and regulatory autonomy. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss yesterday insisted the UK is willing to walk away from talks with both the US and EU if the Government does not agree with what is offered. She told Sky News: We want a deal with the EU on Canada-style terms, if we have to trade with the EU on Australia-style terms, we will. Likewise with the US we want to get a deal as soon as possible, but were certainly not going to sell out the NHS. Thats a very clear red line. Were not going to allow drugs to cost more on the NHS and were not going to sell out our food safety and animal welfare standards. We will walk away in both cases if it is not a deal that suits the UK because one of the key reasons people voted to leave the EU was to have control over their own rules. The document was revealed as negotiators yesterday arrived in Brussels to begin work on an EU trade deal. The UK team of 100 officials led by David Frost started the first round of talks with a two-hour meeting with the EUs broker Michel Barnier. The pair are pictured together We wont be told what our rules and regulations are by the EU and the US. Ministers have already stated chlorinated chicken will not be imported from the US. The Department for International Trade estimated a trade deal with the US could boost the UK economy by 0.16 per cent over the next 15 years. Miss Truss will today declare Britain is back as she addresses the World Trade Organisation in Geneva after the country last month took back its seat at the table following Brexit. She will say: The UK will, like every other sovereign country, assert its ability to set its own laws and regulations in line with our WTO commitments. A kitten's greedy expression as it sticks its head down a tube to lick a piece of chicken has been caught on film. Footage shows one-year-old cat Simon forcing his head down the cardboard tube and wiggling his nose as he tries to reach the snack. It was filmed by owner Anastasia Sviridova, who set the camera trap at their home in Kansk, Russia, almost 3,000 miles east of Moscow. The video of one-year-old cat Simon reaching for the snack was filmed by Anastasia Sviridova at their home in Kansk, Russia, almost 3,000 miles east of Moscow The clip begins with the green-eyed cat sniffing and breathing heavily as it sticks its head into the tube after smelling the poultry. It then forces its head down the tube before panting and licking the chicken and the camera lens. Suddenly, the cat pulls away, possible after the owner called him off. 'I was just playing with him!', said Ms Sviridova. 'Simon was trying to get a small piece of tasty chicken.' 'Our subscribers also liked it and now this video has millions of views!' Since the clip was shared on social media it has been viewed more than six million times Ms Sviridova's footage has gone viral since it was uploaded to social media, and has received more than six million views. She has also posted a picture of herself and her beloved cat together. The video was filmed on February 9. President Trump on Monday took particularly sharp aim at his Democratic 2020 rival Joe Biden, saying the former vice president will be living in a home if elected president while those around him, radical crazies, lead the country for him. Theyre going to put him into a home and other people are going to be running the country, Trump said at a campaign rally in North Carolina. And theyre going to be super left radical crazies. Trumps comments came the night before Super Tuesday, when 14 states hold primaries. Trump also mocked Bidens frequents verbal gaffes, including the former vice presidents tendency to say the wrong state when speaking at campaign events and Bidens calling Super Tuesday Super Thursday. Tomorrow, voters in states across the nation for Super Tuesday not Super Thursday. Oh, he said Super Thursday! You cant do these things. Can you imagine if I said Super Thursday? I would be over, right? I would be over, Trump said, calling Bidens mistakes a little scary. Hes constantly naming the wrong state, the president said. Once that happens, you might as well leave the state. Trump also reminded rally-goers that Biden recently said 150 million Americans have been killed by gun violence a figure which would constitute nearly half the countrys population. Trumps jabs also come after Bidens anemic campaign received a much-needed boost on Saturday when he won the South Carolina primary. After disappointing finishes in that nominating contest, two candidates dropped out, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Ind. mayor Pete Buttigieg. Biden is currently polling at 21.3 percent nationally. He sits at second place behind Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who leads shrinking group of Democratic 2020 primary contenders at 27.5 percent, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls. More from National Review President Trump says he doesn't have time to undergo a physical, telling reporters on Monday that his hectic schedule is keeping him from getting checked out. "I'm going probably over the next 90 days," Trump said. "I'm so busy I can't do it." Typically, presidential physicals are conducted in the beginning of the year; Trump's last planned physical was in February 2019. At the time, Dr. Sean Conley said Trump was in "very good health overall," but had gained four pounds since February 2018 and was taking a higher dosage of medication used to treat high cholesterol. In November, Trump made an unscheduled trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where the 73-year-old underwent what was later described as an "interim checkup." Conley called the visit "routine" and said it was only kept highly secretive due to "scheduling uncertainties." White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham claimed Trump had a "free weekend" and decided to "begin portions of his routine annual physical exam." Presidents do not normally break their physicals up into segments several months apart. More stories from theweek.com The end of Chris Matthews Was Mike Pence exposed to coronavirus? The 3 most likely Super Tuesday outcomes Five individuals, including two Algerians, were arrested Monday morning in the Moroccan eastern city of Oujda for their alleged involvement in a criminal network of international drug trafficking, National Police (DGSN) said in a statement. The suspects were arrested in several simultaneous operations carried out in the city of Oujda, and neighboring Ahfir, Ain Beni Mathar and Beni Adrar. During the operations, police seized 334 kilograms of cannabis resin concealed in 12 packages. Police also seized six cars and a sum of money which is allegedly the result of international drug trafficking, DGSN said in the statement. Investigations are continuing to determine the possible ramifications of this criminal network, the statement said. In February, police had arrested another Algerian suspect for his involvement in a drug trafficking network in eastern Morocco. On Sunday, police, arrested near the Northeastern city of Nador, a man who was already wanted in Nador, Berkane, and Saidia for drug trafficking. Security services found in the suspects car 75 doses of cocaine and a large amount of money, in both Moroccan dirham and foreign currencies. The search of the suspects house enabled the seizure of 67 doses of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis resin, and a large sum of money. The operations are part of Moroccos approach to combatting drug trafficking across the country. Morocco was one of the countries that seized the most cannabis in 2018, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCP) said in its 2019 report. According to the report, Morocco reported the seizure of nearly 72 tons of cannabis resin, as well as of 252 tons of majoun, a consumable product consisting mostly of cannabis but that can also include other drugs, along with poppy seeds and other foodstuff. In 2019, DGSN said it seized a total of 179,657 tons of cannabis and its derivatives. Police last year also seized hard drugs, including 542,455 kilograms of cocaine, 7,196 kilograms of heroin, and 1,407,451 psychotropic tablets. NAPLES, Fla., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- aboutMYmortgage.com, LLC (AMM) is up for sale in whole or in part. The minimum asking price is five million dollars. If the minimum asking price is met by Monday, June 15, 2020, and the terms are acceptable, the company will be sold to the highest bidder. Why aboutMYmortgage.com, LLC is so valuable: 1. Our intellectual property U.S. Patent No. 8,860,939, titled: 'Method for Mortgage Customer Retention' that remains in effect until October 2027. It provides a unique, proprietary win-win opportunity to increase both mortgage servicers' customer retention and borrower satisfaction. aboutMYmortgage Patent Information 2. Our mortgage company aboutMYmortgage.com, a licensed mortgage broker in Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania and can presently sell mortgage leads in 29 additional states. The aboutMYmortgage.com (AMM) process can generate tens of millions of dollars annually for a company that has web traffic and expertise in converting that web traffic to leads. And it will help mortgage loan servicers save hundreds of millions of dollars annually by increasing their customer retention rates. AMM's mission is to help homeowners make better financing decisions by being the direct gateway to obtain information and guidance from customer retention specialists at their mortgage servicer. aboutMYmortgage.com, LLC launched in June of 2015. We have achieved extremely high brand awareness in the mortgage industry by attending, exhibiting and presenting and industry events and meeting face-to-face with most of the top 50 mortgage loans servicers and other smaller servicers. We have also created strategic relationships with several prominent industry partners. The senior leaders at numerous mortgage servicers are eager to use our patented process to increase customer retention, but we require additional resources to deliver them more customers. Although we have generated some leads in 2019, given the significant costs involved in building up web traffic, we now believe the best course of action is to sell the company to a firm with the resources and expertise to scale up our operations. Because AMM owns a process patent, other companies are not able to replicate what AMM does, and they would benefit from acquiring the rights to our patent and our trademarks. Industry service providers more mature than AMM already have a significantly higher penetration rate with our "target clients," so AMM could be added as an additional service very quickly. For any questions or to make a formal offer; please contact: Tim Allen, CMB Founder of aboutMYmortgage.com, LLC Direct: 239.571.5440 [email protected] SOURCE aboutMYmortgage.com Related Links http://aboutMYmortgage.com Hong Kong: Gov't flights set for Wuhan (To watch the full meet-the-media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Four government chartered flights will depart for Wuhan in batches in the next two days to bring home more than 500 Hong Kong residents stranded in Hubei Province. Ahead of the Executive Council meeting today, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, these citizens will be taken directly to quarantine centres to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Mrs Lam reiterated that the Government had arranged for the chartered flights as soon as was feasible, given the tremendous logistics and public health challenges involved in the operation. We do not feel that we have delayed the return of Hong Kong people stranded in Hubei. As you are aware, even up to this point, Hubei Province - particularly the city of Wuhan - is still under a very challenging situation in terms of the infections and the outbreak, in terms of the cases confirmed. "As far as I understand, even up to this moment, there are still very clear restrictions on exit arrangements and as well as transport arrangements leaving Hubei Province. As soon as the conditions were ready for us to help Hong Kong residents to come back to Hong Kong, we immediately made the arrangements to do so with the support of the Hubei provincial government. I hope we will all realise that the whole of Hubei Province is still struggling and doing all their best in containing this coronavirus. But at the same time, they have set aside manpower and other resources to help us to undertake this very major operation to bring our Hong Kong people back. This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 19.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former vice president Joe Bidens campaign is having a moment and thousands flocked to his rally in Dallas on Monday to experience it with the former vice president. Following an official endorsement from Pete Buttigieg and Beto ORourke, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined the former vice president in Dallas to officially drop out of the race and offer her support. Klobuchar called for unity and urged her supporters to cast their ballots for Biden on Super Tuesday. It is time for Americans to join hands instead of pointing fingers. It is time to turn back the division and the hate and the exclusion and the bitterness, the Minnesota senator said. That is why today I am ending my campaign and endorsing Joe Biden for president. Video: Amy Klobuchar calls for unity as she officially endorses Joe Biden at a campaign rally in Dallas. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/uaeec2xDnw PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 3, 2020 Beto ORourke also made a surprise appearance at the end of Bidens rally, saying he would cast his ballot for the former vice president in Tuesdays Texas primary. Beto ORourke tells thousands in Dallas that he will cast his ballot for Joe Biden in Tuesdays Texas primary. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/psHgmRZVLD PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 3, 2020 Bidens campaign is on fire Since his resounding victory in South Carolina on Saturday, Bidens campaign has been on fire. His poll numbers have gone up and a wave of officials have thrown their support behind his candidacy. But its not just so-called establishment figures that have flocked to Biden. Polling shows that Democratic voters are moving to the former vice president and his crowd in Dallas on Monday night signals that his campaign has real momentum. As Jennifer Epstein of Bloomberg News reported, For the first time since Bidens launch rally in Philadelphia, Im using panorama mode to take a photo of Bidens crowd. And Im still not getting everyone in here. Not to mention what a person familiar with the venue says is thousands more outside. For the first time since Bidens launch rally in Philadelphia, Im using panorama mode to take a photo of Bidens crowd. And Im still not getting everyone in here. Not to mention what a person familiar with the venue says is thousands more outside. pic.twitter.com/NpHsQ1Fp5g Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) March 3, 2020 There is still a long way to go before the Democratic primary race is wrapped up, but the race has been turned upside down over the past 48 hours. What were seeing is the beginning of the Democratic Party coming together to make sure Donald Trump doesnt have a second term in the Oval Office. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter (Alliance News) - Barclays PLC is to face additional calls from shareholders at its annual general meeting in May to phase out its financing of fossil fuel firms that are not aligned with the Paris climate agreement, London-based environmental activist group ShareAction said on Tuesday. Jupiter Asset Management has joined a group of 11 institutional investors in the bank, managing over GBP130 billion, alongside 100 individual shareholders, calling on Barclays to curb its financial provision of some fossil fuels, according to ShareAction. Jupiter has a 1.2% stake in Barclays, ShareAction said. "This month, Amundi SA, Europe's largest asset manager, and Nest, the largest UK pension fund by members, also said they would back the resolution at the AGM on May 7. They join EdenTree, the Church Commissioners, and the Church of England Pensions Board, in asking Barclays to set a transition plan for its lending and underwriting that is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement," ShareAction noted. Since the 2015 Paris Agreement was signed, Barclays has provided in excess of USD85 billion of funds to fossil fuel companies, making it one of their largest backers in sector globally, ShareAction claimed. ShareAction Campaign Manager Jeanne Martin said: "Barclays' top shareholders are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the company's close ties with the fossil fuel industry in times of raging wildfires, sweeping heatwaves and catastrophic floods. We urge Barclays to listen to its shareholders and commit to phasing out support for the fossil fuel industry and utilities that are not aligned with the Paris climate goals. A good first step for the bank would be to stop pouring millions into the coal and tar sands industries, two of the most carbon-intensive sources of energy on earth." Shares in the company closed 3.7% lower at 143.30 pence each in London on Monday. On Monday, activist investor Edward Bramson once again took aim at the Barclays board over an unconnected issue, terming the bank's decision to renominate Chief Executive Jes Staley amid his ties to Jeffrey Epstein as "extremely ill-advised". The Barclays board has previously unanimously recommended Staley for re-election at the bank's annual general meeting, having been judged to have been "sufficiently transparent" about the nature of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. In what is being hailed as a victory for private school teachers, a $2.5 million settlement has been reached between Blyth Academy and a group of teachers who argued they were employees, not contractors, and therefore entitled to vacation pay, overtime and payment for statutory holidays. The settlement of the class-action lawsuit affects between 1,000 and 2,000 teachers who worked at the Toronto-based private school over the four academic years from September 2015 to September 2019. Although the deal was tentatively reached in November, it still requires court approval, which is expected to take place at a hearing before Justice Benjamin Glustein of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday. Stephen Moreau of law firm Cavalluzzo LLP, which represented the teachers in the class action, said his clients are very satisfied with the settlement, which he noted comes without an admission of wrongdoing by Blyth Academy. We think its an excellent settlement that effectively compensates people for the hours that they worked that they were not compensated for and that compensates them for the vacation and holiday pay that they as well were entitled to, he said. Moreau called the case an important victory for teachers working for private schools. Were well aware that other private schools use the contractor model and hopefully the Blyth Academy case serves as a warning to be very careful that youre properly classifying individuals according to their actual legal entitlements, he said. Pat Shaw, president and CEO of Blyth Academy, declined to comment directly but responded in an email statement. Blyth Academy is pleased that this matter has been resolved, and will continue working with our excellent teaching staff in order to provide high quality education to our students, Shaw said. In its statement of defence filed in 2018, Blyth Academy said terms of employment were clearly laid out in the contracts signed by teachers. Moreau noted that as a result of the legal action launched by Karen Walmsley, who taught at the academys Yorkville campus from 2015 to 2017, the school has revised its hiring and workplace practices. As a result of the class action, (Blyth Academy) took a good, hard look at the way they relate to their teachers and what theyve done is they are hiring many more employees than contractors. They also have a new policy in effect to properly compensate people for overtime work, Moreau said. Walmsley, who filed suit in 2018, told the Star in an interview she regarded her job at Blyth as precarious because employees were treated as independent contractors without access to protections under the Employment Standards Act, including the right to a minimum wage, overtime, vacation and paid statutory holidays. I care about justice for every teacher who works there, Walmsley told the Star. She was unavailable for comment on Monday. Tahbit Chowdhury, who taught high school French and math at Blyth, described the settlement as a very positive development. Private schooling is not going to disappear. Private schooling can develop concurrently with public schooling to serve needs that are often being overlooked because of cutbacks in the public sector. There is a correlation between the gutting of education thats happening in the public sector and the growth of private schools, Chowdhury said. This particular development is a learning opportunity for other academies and private schools that are not as forward looking as Blyth. This is actually a really good sign, he added. A lack of oversight of private high schools in Ontario was an issue raised by the provinces auditor general in 2013 and 2015. Private schools that offer credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma are inspected by the Ministry of Education to ensure the instruction meets ministry standards, but those inspections dont cover matters relating to staffing. Teachers who taught at least one course at Blyth Academy may be eligible for compensation and can access documents and get other details at cavalluzzo.com. Individual claims will be paid out on the basis of course load and teaching history. The settlement also includes a $25,000 fund for teachers who worked prior to the 2015 academic term. Moreau praised Blyth for seeking to settle the lawsuit quickly. Were glad Blyth Academy came to the table early and resolved this matter early to spare everyone the time and effort of going much further so that people could see some monies in the shorter, near term, Moreau said. Blyth Academy opened its first school in Ontario in 2002 and has 10 locations, including seven in the GTA. It offers courses from Grade 5 and up, including a university preparation program and boasts an average class size of eight students as well as individual tutoring. Blyth has about 1,200 full-time high school students with annual tuition starting at almost $15,000. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 10:23:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council will hold a debate on peace and security in Africa on March 11, with a special focus on fighting terrorism and extremism. Briefing the press on the council's monthly program of work, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN and president of the council for March, said that Africa is a continent with the greatest potential of development, but it is also confronted with many uncertainties and challenges. "Among them is the threat of terrorism and extremism," he noted. Zhang said he has talked with many African ambassadors and several special envoys of the UN secretary-general posted in Africa, who shared "the same feeling that we are faced (with) a growing threat from terrorism." In this light, the Security Council will arrange a debate on peace and security in Africa, with a special focus on the threat of terrorism and extremism on March 11, he said. "We hope that with that, we are able to hear views from the African Union, from the (UN) Secretariat, from African states, especially in obtaining some practical ideas on how to address this rising threat in the African continent," he said. Moreover, Zhang expressed his hope that through this discussion, the international community will give a bigger role to African regional organizations in tackling this threat. " " Two Nobel Prize winners (and one future winner) were captured in this 1904 photograph: Marie Curie, her husband Pierre Curie and their daughter Irene. AFP via Getty Images When Marie Curie and her husband Pierre won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1903, their older daughter Irene was just 6 years old. Little could they have imagined that not only would Marie go on to win a second Nobel in chemistry in 1911 the first person ever to receive the prize twice but Irene and her husband, Frederic Joliot, would take home their own Nobel in chemistry in 1936. And in 1965, their younger daughter Eve's husband, Henry Labouisse, would accept the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of UNICEF, the humanitarian organization he ran. Here's what you need to know about this family, which holds more Nobel Prizes than any other. Advertisement 1. Marie's Nobel Prizes Were Controversial She was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in France. The first female professor at the Sorbonne. The first woman to win the Nobel Prize. The first person to win more than one Nobel Prize (and to this day, the only woman to win more than once). And the first person to win a Nobel in more than one scientific field. Yet, not everyone thought Marie deserved to share the scientific stage with her male colleagues. In 1903, the Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to Marie and her husband Pierre for their study of radiation, as well as to Henri Becquerel for his observation of spontaneous radiation in uranium. Yet members of the French Academy of Sciences nominated only Pierre and Becquerel for the prize. Marie was included only after Pierre Curie worked to persuade some on the Nobel committee that his wife deserved to share the honor, too. At the awards ceremony, the president of the Swedish Academy downplayed her contributions, quoting the Bible in his speech: "It is not good that man should be alone, I will make a helpmeet for him." Eight years later in 1911, Marie was the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, in recognition of her discovery of radium and polonium and her subsequent research into the nature of these elements. Even then, "there were some who believed that Marie Curie received the second Nobel essentially for the same work and didn't deserve it," says Naomi Pasachoff, author of "Marie Curie and the Science of Radioactivity." Advertisement 2. Pierre Was Marie's Great Love and Greatest Collaborator Marie, who was born Marya Sklodowska in 1867, met Pierre Curie in 1894 when she took a job in Pierre's lab. Pierre, then a 35-year-old physicist studying crystals and magnetism, quickly fell in love with the 27-year-old Marie. The next year, they were married. " " A rare photo of Marie Curie in her laboratory ca. 1905. Bettmann/Getty Images Though Pierre was several years her senior, it was Marie who steered their work into radiation. For her doctoral thesis, she began building on the work of Becquerel and German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen, who had recently discovered X-rays. Marie eventually hypothesized that the mysterious penetrating rays were a property of the element's atoms. Pierre shelved his work with crystals to help Marie further her discoveries. They set out to measure the strength of the rays by adapting an instrument developed by Pierre. Studying an ore containing uranium, Marie noted that it emitted much more radiation than one would expect from the element alone. While investigating the source of the rays, they discovered two new radioactive elements radium and polonium, which Marie named for Poland, the country of her birth. Polonium was 400 times more radioactive than uranium. The pair were deeply devoted to their work and to one another. Yet just three years after they won the Nobel Prize, their collaboration ended tragically when Pierre was run over by a horse-drawn cart. Marie was devastated. "From all accounts Marie loved her husband deeply and was overwhelmed with grief, so much so that she refused to talk about Pierre," says Shelley Emling, author of "Marie Curie and Her Daughters: The Private Lives of Science's First Family" in an email interview. In a biography of Pierre published by Marie in 1923, she wrote, "It is impossible for me to express the profoundness and importance of the crisis brought into my life by the loss of the one who had been my closest companion and best friend. Crushed by the blow, I did not feel able to face the future. I could not forget, however, what my husband used sometimes to say, that, even deprived of him, I ought to continue my work." Advertisement 3. The Nobel Prizes Made Marie a Big Celebrity More than 150 years after her birth, Marie Curie remains one of the most famous female scientists. But even during her life, the reserved Marie was a superstar. "She was a renowned scientist at a time when there were virtually no women in the field," says Pasachoff. "She was a heroine, she was an oddity. In some ways, she was famous for being famous." In 1921, Marie and her two daughters set off across the Atlantic Ocean on their first journey to America, where Marie was mobbed by fans and given a queen's welcome. In New York, Marie was toasted at the Waldorf Astoria, Carnegie Hall, and the American Museum of Natural History, which hosted an exhibit dedicated to her discovery of radium. Universities conferred honorary degrees on her, and President Warren G. Harding held an event in her honor at the White House. "Until that time, her daughters had no idea their mother was famous," says Emling. "Marie was nothing if not humble. But everywhere they went in America they were greeted by throngs of reporters and flashing cameras. People wanted Marie's autograph. The girls were stunned, as was Marie." Advertisement 4. A Teenaged Irene Taught Radiation Courses Marie was determined not to give up her scientific work after her daughter Irene was born in 1897. "But although she was relentless in her scientific pursuits, she also was devoted to her daughters," says Emling. "It's true that she wasn't able to spend an inordinate amount of time with her children which meant Marie's father-in-law and others often cared for them but she did lead by example," Emling adds. "And she was very involved in their upbringing," especially after the death of Pierre. For example, Marie enrolled her girls in a cooperative school in which the parents took turns teaching the children lessons in their areas of expertise. (Marie taught physical sciences.) " " Irene Curie and her husband Frederick Joliot shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1935. The Joliot-Curies were also active in the antifascist movement in France. Bettman/Getty Images As the years went on, Irene took her father's place as Marie's colleague. During World War I, Marie chose a teenaged Irene to assist her in bringing X-rays to the battlefront to treat wounded soldiers. Irene worked alongside her mother running mobile X-ray units in field hospitals and specially outfitted vehicles, which the soldiers dubbed "petites Curies." "Marie felt so confident in her daughter's knowledge and abilities that she had Irene give courses in radiation to soldiers and nurses," says Pasachoff. "This was even before Irene had earned her university degree." Later, Irene became her mother's assistant at the Radium Institute while completing her studies. It's there that Irene met engineer Frederic Joliot, a trainee in Marie's lab, whom she married in 1926. In 1934, the couple made a bombshell discovery when they figured out a way to artificially create radioactive atoms in the lab. It earned them a shared Nobel in chemistry the following year, making Irene and her parents the only mother-daughter and father-daughter pairs ever to receive the prize. Like her mother, Irene died of prolonged exposure to radiation. Advertisement 5. Eve Was the Social Butterfly in the Family "Born seven years apart, Eve and her older sister Irene couldn't have been more different," says Emling. "Irene was quiet and studious, preferring to stay home and read a book to going out and socializing. Eve was, by all accounts, a true beauty who enjoyed a wide circle of friends." " " Eve Curie, a concert pianist and journalist, was also involved in humanitarian work. KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Rather than follow her parents into the sciences, Eve found success as a writer. Perhaps her best-known work was "Madame Curie," a biography of her mother that she wrote after Marie died in 1934. The book became a huge bestseller and earned Eve literary acclaim. Reviewing it in The New York Times, critic Charles Poore called "Madame Curie," a biography that stirs the heart and the mind by a fine counterpoint of sense and sensibility, a great story superbly told." "During World War II, Eve became a foreign correspondent, traveling tens of thousands of miles to wartime fronts that included Iran, Iraq, India, China, Burma and North Africa," says Emling. There, she gathered enough material for a second bestselling book, "Journey Among Warriors." "When Eve arrived for a book tour in the United States where her smiling face graced the cover of Time magazine in February 1940 she was greeted as a celebrity. She gave lectures and had dinner with Eleanor Roosevelt." After the war, Eve turned to humanitarian work. In 1952, she was appointed special adviser to the first secretary general of NATO. In 1954, she married an American diplomat, Henry Richardson Labouisse, who later became the executive director of UNICEF. "Eve travelled to dozens of developing countries on behalf of UNICEF, and her tireless efforts earned her the title of First Lady of UNICEF," says Emling. In 1965, when UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it was Labouisse who accepted the honor on the organization's behalf the fifth person in the Curies' extended family to receive the prize. Eve died in 2007 at the ripe old age of 102. HowStuffWorks may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Now That's Interesting The distinguished scientific tradition of the Curie family still lives on. Helene Langevin-Joliot, the daughter of Irene and Frederic Joliot-Curie, is a well-respected nuclear physicist in France. Helene's husband, Michael Langevin, is also a nuclear physicist, and their son is an astrophysicist. Advertisement Originally Published: Mar 3, 2020 Former mayor of South Bend, Democrat Pete Buttigieg endorsed Joe Biden for the presidency on Monday night, telling a crowd in Dallas that the former Vice President is the right candidate to "bring back dignity to the White House." "When I ran for president we made it clear that the whole idea was about rallying the country together to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for the values that we share," Buttigieg said at a campaign stop. "And that was always a goal that was much bigger than me becoming president and it is in the name of that very same goal that I am delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden for President," CNN quoted him as saying. Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic presidential bid on Sunday following Joe Biden's victory in the South Carolina primary. Buttigieg officially launched his campaign in April with an event in his hometown South Bend, Indiana. He was the first gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates for a major party's nomination. Meanwhile, Buttigieg's endorsement is a boon for the former vice president and comes at the same time when another Democrat candidate and Senator Amy Klobuchar has ended her election campaign and backed Biden. The endorsements represent a coalescing of the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party around Biden and a rejection of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who -- after strong showings in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada -- represents the most significant challenge for Biden. Buttigieg spoke to Biden over the phone after delivering his concession speech, two people familiar with the conversation said. Biden congratulated Buttigieg on his campaign and asked for his endorsement. However, Buttigieg did not make an immediate decision, telling advisers after the call that he wanted to think about it overnight. Obama praised Buttigieg on his campaign and his decision to leave the race, a source told CNN, noting how difficult it is to disappoint supporters and admirers. Former American Barack Obama also told Buttigieg he ran a historic campaign to be proud of. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Photo : KIM KYUNG-HOON on Reuters) Coronavirus: TV Giant Now Introduces Sharp-Made Face Masks Against COVID-19 (Photo : KIM KYUNG-HOON on Reuters) Coronavirus: TV Giant Now Introduces Sharp-Made Face Masks Against COVID-19 Coronavirus or COVID-19 is now spreading like wildfire around the world. This resulted in a lack or shortage of proper medical equipment like face masks that were mainly used to prevent getting the viral disease. Luckily, one of the leading Japanese Electronics company Sharp now announces that they will help on the campaign against COVID-19 by producing their own version of face masks! Sharp TV giant now changes course, sells face mask instead? The face mask is now the most in-demand medical supply that everyone in the world urgently needs amid COVID-19 spread. Due to this, Sharp TV company has finalized the decision to make one of their biggest factories as a face mask manufacturing building-- producing up to 150,000 face masks a day! According to a Japanese local report, Sharp will be the very first company outside the health industry to produce and sell face masks in the market soon. Starting in mid-March, the production will soon begin and expected to reach the markets by the end of this month to help ease the shortage of face masks around the world. As the company begins their production, it announced that it plans to produce a higher number of face masks reaching up to half a million face masks a day and will be made on their 'clean rooms' that was originally designed for making liquid-crystal display panels. Sharp went bankrupt; Now sells face masks against Coronavirus... Is this true? Reports saying that Sharp is now on the bankruptcy stage since the company will soon sell face masks in the market are all false. In fact, according to Forbes, Sharp is still part of the top 500 best companies in the world, being the best employers for Diversity in 2019. Aside from that, the action of Sharp to help against COVID-19 is not at all surprising since their parent company Foxconn Technology Group also created their mask, producing a line that planned to build two million masks per day at the end of Feb. It all boils down to business for Japanese companies Now that Sharp has now announced their face masks line soon in the market, it is now expected for other Japanese companies to follow the same pattern. The Japanese government insists on businesses and industries to help them produce a higher number of necessary medical supplies. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe already said that their country would urgently produce face masks reaching 600 million supply a day as the country recently has reported six deaths and over 250 positive cases of the viral disease. Since Sharp accepted the responsibility of creating anti-COVID-19 face masks, the company is expected to receive 30 million yen or over $250,000 as a subsidy for their efforts. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday summoned Iranian ambassador Ali Chegeni to lodge a protest over Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarifs comments on the Delhi violence.The Iranian Ambassador in Delhi was summoned on Tuesday and a strong protest was lodged over the comments made by Javad Zarif on a matter internal to India, a source said. Zarif on Monday took to Twitter and urged Indian authorities not to let senseless violence take over. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of All Indians and not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law, he had tweeted and also said Iran condemns the organised violence against Indian Muslims. Violence broke out in the national capital on February 24 during US President Donald Trumps two-day visit to India. Over 45 people have died in the clashes that took place in north east Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs last week had asked international leaders and bodies not to make irresponsible comments during sensitive times. The government on Tuesday said the has arrested hundreds of miscreants for their alleged involvement in the recent riots in the capital, while a close watch is being kept on social media platforms to check rumours and unfounded propaganda. The has taken several steps to control the law and order situation in the capital, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha in a written reply. Police officers along with adequate force, including 76 companies (7,600 personnel) of the Central Armed Police Forces, were deployed at vulnerable points, he said. "More than 120 FIRs have been lodged and hundreds of miscreants have been arrested. Investigating Offic ers are collecting CCTV footage and seeking out videos from public to bring the guilty to book. A close watch is being kept on social media platforms which may disseminate rumours and unfounded propaganda," the minister added. Rai said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Penal Code (CrPC) are being imposed in riot-hit areas. Police forces have conducted flag marches in these areas to instill confidence among people. Appeal has been made to people to maintain peace and not to believe rumours. Meetings of local peace committees, resident welfare associations, market welfare associations, civil society groups, representatives of political parties etc have been held in the affected areas, he said. The ever expanding coronavirus is affecting how people will receive Communion in the Catholic Church in Oregon. The Archdiocese of Portland used its Facebook account Monday to post what they called temporary liturgical changes due to health concerns. Those changes include ceasing distribution of the Precious Blood during the Eucharist when parishioners typically drink consecrated wine from a communal chalice. The changes also affect the Sign of Peace, when parishioners generally shake hands. The Facebook post reads: "For those who have wondering, here is a VERY brief summary regarding the recent liturgical changes due to health concerns. Please note these are only temporary. Further to a recent memo to all the bishops of the United States from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) entitled Liturgical Celebrations and Public Health Concerns and after consulting with the Archbishop the Office of Divine Worship now recommends that all parishes cease the distribution of the Precious Blood for the time being and that the Sign of Peace be eliminated or done without the chance of physical contact. Commenters weighed in: Not unexpected. But still sad. Our diocese needs to do this. Next the archdiocese will recommend not tending to the sick for safety reasons'." I understand it to be just the blood/wine. However I will say that it was very spiritual and respectful bowing to others during the sign of Peace rather than shaking hands. The Archdiocese of Portland also posted a video guide on how to receive the Eucharist. CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE Subscribe to our Oregon coronavirus newsletter: Email: Over the weekend, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church canceled its Sunday school programs, and parishioners were advised not to hold hands during the Lords Prayer. The congregation also abstained from distribution of the Precious Blood. Rather than hugging or shaking hands during the rite of peace, the church encouraged congregants to perform a simple bow. The coronavirus has been reported in three Oregon patients, two of them in Washington County and one in eastern Oregon. One has mild symptoms but the Oregon Health Authority has declined to give out the conditions of the other two, who are receiving hospital treatment. The advance of coronavirus to a remote town more than 200 miles from Portland means the virus is fairly widespread in our community, but not broad enough to start aggressive containment, Oregons top medical officer said Monday. -- Tom Hallman Jr; thallman@oregonian.com; 503-221-8224; @thallmanjr Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly told her grandson, Harry, that he is always welcome back as the Prince and his wife Meghan Markle take a formal step back from the royal frontline at the end of this month. During a four-hour-long heart to heart over lunch at Windsor Castle on Sunday, the 93-year-old monarch told the 35-year-old Duke of Sussex that he was a "much loved" member of her family and that he will be welcome back with open arms if he changes his mind in future. She made it very clear to him that he and Meghan are always able to come back if they change their minds and she will welcome them with open arms, a royal source was quoted by The Sun' said. Hopefully the chat cleared the air and the way forward is looking more positive. But she wanted to make certain Harry knew there were limits and the whole set-up is subject to a review after 12 months, the source was quoted as saying. Harry and Meghan, 38, are in the UK completing their final set of formal royal engagement before their exit kicks off a 12-month transition period on March 31. The source explained: The Queen had a lot to talk to Harry about and this was the ideal time for them to both say their piece. Sunday was the first time the Queen has had the chance to talk to Harry on his own and really find out what his plans are. It was a much more relaxed environment and they were both able to speak their mind. Harry is believed to have discreetly walked up from his Frogmore Cottage home near Windsor Castle to meet the Queen over a light lunch and tea. They are believed to have discussed a wide range of things, including Harry and Meghan's nine-month-old baby son Archie. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HARRISBURG The leader of Pennsylvanias system of 14 state-owned universities told lawmakers Tuesday that it is urgent they act to help the schools in the face of sinking enrollment, rising student debt and a lagging commitment of public tax dollars to higher education. The systems chancellor, Dan Greenstein, urged the House Appropriations Committee to approve legislation that would deliver cash and greater authority to the system over how it spends money and administers the schools. Greenstein, in office since 2018, has rejected calls to close struggling schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Several schools are not sustainable without radical transformation, he told the committee Tuesday. But he also warned against shutting down universities when Pennsylvania needs to greatly increase the number of adults with degrees for its economy to keep pace with other states. This is not a time when we should be diminishing educational opportunities, Greenstein said. Pennsylvania has sunk to the bottom rung of states in the level of higher education aid, size of student debt and affordability of its colleges. For this year, the system is seeking $9 million more, or 2%, to help keep tuition flat, in addition to another $20 million that is part of a five-year, $100 million plan to upgrade information technology, roll out online courses and more. The system can make the budget of each university individually self-sustaining within five years, but the schools situation is urgent, and the state must act now, Greenstein said. They will look different, but they will be stable, and delivering the 21st-century education that our state needs, Greenstein said. Greenstein received some applause and some skepticism from members of the Republican majority on the panel. Some members worried that the system schools would compete with their local community colleges. Rep. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland, said dropping enrollment means that state aid per student had actually risen by about 22% in recent years, and questioned whether dropping enrollments reflect a dropping value of a college education. Greenstein countered that dropping enrollment is driven by affordability, and that college degrees drive an economy. The more you learn, the more you earn, he said. The system receives $477 million in state aid, less than it did in the 2006-07 school year. The universities have emerged as a top agenda item for Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. Wolf last month requested a new, $200 million-a-year scholarship program for low- and middle-income state-system students who stay in-state after they graduate. Wolfs proposal serves several purposes: combating growing student debt; attracting more students to state system schools; and keeping more college grads in an aging state that desperately needs them. A major complication of Wolfs plan is the cash source. Wolf is proposing to divert it from 15-year-old subsidies for the horse-racing industry, and the idea faces stiff resistance in the Legislature. Greenstein is in the midst of overhauling the system, working to share administrative resources between universities, avoid duplication in offerings and provide courses more neatly aligned to demand. Enrollment has fallen 20% since 2010 to below 100,000, driven by steep declines of students from families whose annual incomes are below $110,000, according to the system. Greenstein said the enrollment decline is primarily related to affordability. If Pennsylvania funded the universities in line with other states, tuition would be 22% lower, Greenstein said. Had state aid kept pace with inflation, the system would be receiving $670 million from the state, Greenstein said. State aid now makes up less than one-third of the systems budget, down from two-thirds four decades ago. The rest comes from tuition and fees. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand China SCE Group Holdings Limited (HKG:1966). China SCE Group Holdings has a ROE of 15%, based on the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each HK$1 of shareholders' equity it has, the company made HK$0.15 in profit. See our latest analysis for China SCE Group Holdings How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity Or for China SCE Group Holdings: 15% = CN3.8b CN25b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.) Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders' equity is a little more complicated. It is all the money paid into the company from shareholders, plus any earnings retained. The easiest way to calculate shareholders' equity is to subtract the company's total liabilities from the total assets. What Does ROE Mean? Return on Equity measures a company's profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. A higher profit will lead to a higher ROE. So, all else being equal, a high ROE is better than a low one. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does China SCE Group Holdings Have A Good ROE? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, China SCE Group Holdings has a higher ROE than the average (8.5%) in the Real Estate industry. Story continues SEHK:1966 Past Revenue and Net Income, March 2nd 2020 That's what I like to see. We think a high ROE, alone, is usually enough to justify further research into a company. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares. How Does Debt Impact ROE? Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Combining China SCE Group Holdings's Debt And Its 15% Return On Equity It's worth noting the significant use of debt by China SCE Group Holdings, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.76. There's no doubt the ROE is respectable, but it's worth keeping in mind that metric is elevated by the use of debt. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time. But It's Just One Metric Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. The Trump administration has withdrawn the nomination of Elaine McCusker, the chief numbers cruncher at the Defense Department, to become the Pentagon's comptroller in more fallout from the impeachment proceedings and the holdup of military aid to Ukraine. The White House gave no reasons in announcing Monday night that the McCusker nomination had been pulled back from the Senate, but her questioning of the delay in the delivery of military support to Ukraine appeared to be a main factor. Rumors that the McCusker nomination was in trouble had circulated in the Pentagon since the Senate on Feb. 6 acquitted President Donald Trump in the impeachment proceeding. At a Feb. 19 briefing, Jonathan Hoffman, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, sought to deflect the rumors. McCusker was "still the president's nominee," he said, adding, "I've not seen anything additional that would lead me to believe" that her nomination would be withdrawn. Related: White House Dismisses Lt. Col. Vindman After His Testimony in the Trump Impeachment Inquiry Following his impeachment acquittal, Trump has acted against officials who either testified in the House impeachment inquiry hearings or were seen to be disloyal, in his view. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council staffer and Purple Heart recipient who testified under a subpoena, was removed and escorted out of the White House by the Secret Service. His twin brother, Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, an NSC lawyer, was also fired. On Feb. 19, John Rood, the under secretary of defense for policy, resigned at Trump's request, although no reasons were given for his departure. However, Rood last May had certified in a letter to Congress that Ukraine had met all the requirements to receive about $250 million in military aid. The withdrawal of McCusker's nomination amounts to a continuation by Trump of an effort to get rid of top officials in retaliation for his impeachment, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, charged in a statement. "Elaine McCusker is another casualty of the Trump administration's efforts to purge public servants who put country before fealty to the president," Reed said. "The termination of her nomination is collateral damage by a president who has vindictively purged career national security professionals caught up in the impeachment inquiry," he added. "Ms. McCusker is a dedicated civil servant with decades of experience at the Department of Defense." It was unclear whether McCusker would choose to remain at her current post as deputy under secretary of defense, in which she has served as acting comptroller since David Norquist, who had been comptroller, was sworn in last July as deputy defense secretary, the No. 2 post. McCusker is legendary in the Pentagon press corps for her detailed mastery of the intricacies of the byzantine Defense Department budgets past and present, and also her rapid-fire ability to attach real and projected numbers to programs and weapons procurements. She again was the main briefer at the Feb. 10 rollout of the Pentagon's proposed fiscal 2020 budget. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Read more: White House Nominates Nation's 1st African American Military Service Chief Two powerful tornadoes with up to 175 mph winds touched down in Tennessee earlier this week, causing widespread destruction and killing 24 people. The National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday that an EF-4 tornado hit Putnam County while an EF-3 tornado slammed Davidson and Wilson counties. Twenty-four people were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed hours before dawn on Tuesday when the tornadoes slammed across the state. Survey teams had reported damage in East Nashville, Donelson and in Mt. Juliet, about 20 miles east of Nashville, as well as extensive damage in Cookeville, but the weather service had not finalized its assessment. Prison where 'The Green Mile' filmed damaged When Meg Selby and her fiance emerged from their storm cellar, they found their first home mostly destroyed after a tornado ripped through Tennessee. Most of the roof of their Donelson home had been ripped off, the windows were blown out and their belongings had been tossed everywhere. 'It kind of just feels like it's all been taken from you,' Selby said. 'To not really have anything to show for it now is hard, and I, retrospectively, wish I had more pictures.' A day after the state's deadliest tornado day in seven years, the couple and hundreds of people across the state are assessing the damage and trying to locate one person who is still unaccounted for in Putnam County. Selby and her fiance, Mac Warren, were sleeping when the storm alarms on their phones awoke them early Tuesday. They heard tornado sirens outside, so they corralled their dogs and headed to their storm cellar. The couple, whose wedding is set for March 28 and who had just bought their home in September, thought the storm would pass, but the local meteorologist warned the twister was headed their way. 'Listening to her talk about the path ... the tornado was on, it went from being kind of a precautionary thing to living through something very catastrophic,' Selby told CNN. Added Warren, 'It got quiet, and you could hear this sort of slow roar, and it just got gradually louder and louder.' The house started shaking, he said. The temperature dropped. The pressure intensified and his ears popped, he said. 'It was terrifying,' he said. Their wedding venue seems OK, Warren said, so the nuptials will go on as planned, but the couple say they are canceling their honeymoon to Hawaii to focus on making sure they have somewhere to live. Volunteers inspire Titans to donate $1 million Scores of people have come together to help those who lost their homes in the storms. Alex Vaughan said strangers have been picking up debris and helping her family go through the rubble of her East Nashville home. 'I don't think anyone told them to do that. I don't know any of them,' Vaughan told CNN. 'They just showed up and cleaned our greenhouse for us.' Vaughan's home and her flower shop were destroyed when the aluminum roof from a restaurant across the street landed on her home. They hid in the basement seconds before the tornado tore her home. 'I don't think we would have, not all of us, would have survived if we were upstairs,' she said. Inspired by the actions of many residents, the Tennessee Titans announced Wednesday it will donate $1 million to non-profit groups assisting those impacted by the storms. 'We are so encouraged about the amount of charity people have shown in the aftermath of Monday night's tragedy,' Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. 'As leaders in the community, we want to lend our help to this cause of healing and rebuilding. Together we will help our neighbors through this long and difficult process. We are hopeful that others will join us in supporting this effort any way they can.' The NFL Foundation is donating $250,000 and will 'work with local schools to assess needs for football field repair and equipment replacement,' the Titans announced. In Putnam County, which suffered extensive damage, more than 2,500 volunteers helped clean up debris Wednesday, county officials said. At least 5 children among victims The 18 people who were killed in Putnam County were identified Wednesday as authorities continued searching through destroyed structures for survivors. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said five children younger than 13 were among the victims. The dead range from a child between 2 and 3 years old to a 67-year-old woman, the county said. Tornadoes in the Southeast are getting worse As of Wednesday evening, no additional bodies were found in Putnam, Porter said. Davidson County officials also reported finding no more bodies. Kyndel Morgan, 11, lost a classmate in the storm, she told CNN, and two friends are hospitalized. She woke up about 2 a.m. Tuesday and joined her family in rushing to their basement, the girl said. 'We weren't even in the basement for a few seconds and the lights just started flickering and it started hailing,' she said, speaking amid Cookeville's destruction Wednesday morning. 'I was just scared. I was tired and stuff, so I didn't really know what to do. ... I'm just praying for my friends and stuff, and their safety.' Besides Putnam, there were three deaths in Wilson County, two in Davidson County and one in Benton County, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported. The Davidson County deaths came in East Nashville, where a 36-year-old employee of the Attaboy cocktail bar had just left work with his girlfriend, 33, and they were fatally struck by debris early Tuesday, Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said. Power out for thousands, schools closed In East Nashville, residents had only a six-minute warning to get to safety, according to Davidson County. 'I got the warning, and in less than 10 minutes you could just feel the pressure, my ears were popping we all ran downstairs and just huddled together,' Danielle Theophile told CNN affiliate WSMV. 'It went by so fast.' Tuesday was the deadliest tornado day since May 6, 2013, when a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, according to the weather service. The tornadoes were reported several times along a 145-mile stretch of Middle Tennessee -- from Camden, about 80 miles west of Nashville, to the Cookeville area, about 80 miles east of Music City, the weather service said. More than 38,000 customers were without power Wednesday evening, most of them in Davidson county, TEMA said. Crews were having trouble getting to the affected areas because of downed power lines. Classes and all activities at Metro Nashville Public Schools were canceled Wednesday and the schools will remain closed for the rest of the week, the district said. More than a dozen schools don't have power, the district said. 'Nashvillians have experienced a traumatic event and we know it will take time to heal,' said Adrienne Battle, the school district's interim director. 'Closing the rest of the week will allow time for that healing process, allow our staff and students to volunteer in the community, and give our district a chance to prepare our facilities for normal operation starting on Monday.' One school will require a few days of repairs; another, up to several weeks, the district had said. The Volunteer State Those suffering from the damage aren't doing so alone; strangers and neighbors have come together to help each other out. Want to chip in yourself? 'We're called the Volunteer State, and there's a reason for that -- because Tennesseans have a real spirit of generosity and service to one another,' Lee told reporters. 'As governor, now I get to see it happen for real.' Theophile said both her home and her neighbor's home lost their roofs, and her neighbors, an elderly couple, had their roof collapse on them, she said. She worked to dig them out. Michelle Whitten was sleeping when a friend called her to say that she and her three children were in the tornado's path. She grabbed her children and rushed to a closet, she said. 'As soon as we did that, we hear the wind howling as it's over the house and hear something like a train over us. The house started to shake, and windows shattered. We could hear ... loud boom sounds,' she told CNN. 'I've never been so scared in my life!' In East Nashville, a neighbor came to help board up a large window at a Crye-Leike Realtors office that was blown out. 'That's just how East Nashville is. That's one of the reasons we like selling over here and living over here,' said a broker with the office. The storms fell on Super Tuesday, and many of the polling locations were in the storm's path, which required some precincts to extend voting hours. President Donald Trump will visit Nashville to tour the damage Friday, and the federal government will be assisting in recovery efforts, the White House said. Market Expansion Meets High Demand in Europe for EnterWorks Powerful and Flexible Software LONDON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Winshuttle, the leading data management and process automation provider, will announce the European launch of its EnterWorks MDM/PIM software platform at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2020 held in London, EnglandMarch 9-11, 2020. The EnterWorks solution was named in Gartner's 2020 Magic Quadrant for Master Data Management Solutions. Acquired by Winshuttle in 2019, the EnterWorks platform is an advanced evolution of an MDM Data Hub solution comprised of converged support for multi-domain MDM, PIM, and DAM. EnterWorks currently serves a broad variety of product-centered industries including CPG, food, MRO, building construction supplies, office supplies, vehicle and auto, high tech, apparel, and home furnishings and healthcare. The EnterWorks offering enables companies to utilize multi-domain data to empower cohesive experiences across their value chain. EnterWorks continues to accelerate its product roadmap, advancing the core platform and scale towards a vision of converging multi-domain MDM with advanced technologies such as micro-services, machine learning, and artificial intelligence while at the same time enabling the entire solution to be implemented quickly with little to no programming or coding. "Winshuttle is uniquely positioned to bring EnterWorks to the European marketplace and meet high local demand for our powerful and flexible software," said Kerry Young, Vice President and General Manager of the EnterWorks line of business. "Leveraging Winshuttle's significant presence in Europe means that customers who have wanted to engage with EnterWorks will now have strong local support." The Winshuttle customer presentation being held at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2020, March 9-11, 2020, is titled "Multi-Domain MDM in Action" and will feature Marc Alvarez, Vice President, Data Management & Operations for Thomson Reuters. The presentation will review how Thomson Reuters first began their EnterWorks implementation by tackling data quality and governance for product and pricing data. The company then went on to fulfill a vision for cross-domain intelligence with a Multi-Domain approach powered by EnterWorks and focused on product, customer, and employee domains. "Launching EnterWorks Enable in Europe is an opportunity for us to grow our already strong business here, and to give EnterWorks' customers local support in their own languages," said John Pierson, CEO of Winshuttle. "It's exciting to add MDM products and solutions to the growing portfolio of advanced technology services that Winshuttle offers in Europe." About the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit Gartner analysts will provide additional analysis on data and analytics trends at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2020 taking place March 9-11 in London. Follow news and updates from the event on Twitter at GartnerDA or find out more at: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/emea/data-analytics-uk About Winshuttle Winshuttle empowers business teams to make an impact. Winshuttle's enterprise-grade data management and process automation software is designed for people at any skill level, enabling organizations to improve the quality of their strategic data assets and accelerate critical business processes at scale - driving top-line growth and bottom-line results. Learn why over 2500 global brands trust Winshuttle's SAP automation, product information management (PIM), and multi-domain master data management (MDM) solutions to drive their business forward at winshuttle.com. EnterWorks is a Line of Business in the data management company, Winshuttle, which is funded by the well-established Silicon Valley private equity firm, Symphony Technology Group. The EnterWorks Multi-Domain Master Experience Management (MxM) solution enables companies to acquire, master, manage, govern, and transform multi-domain experiences across their value chain into a competitive advantage for organizations of all sizes - from SMBs to global enterprises. Solutions offered include: Master Data Management, Product Information Management, Digital Asset Management, Golden Record Management, Data Stewardship, MDM Workflow & Business Process Enablement, Data Governance, Data Synchronization, Syndication & Integration, Print Automation, and Self-Service Portals. EnterWorks is highly ranked by various research analysts and used by industry leaders such as: Ariens, Big Rock Sports, CPO Commerce, Creative Converting, Darigold, Fender Musical Instruments, Guthy-Renker, Hearth & Home Technologies, HON Furniture, Johnstone Supply, Mary Kay, Mercer, Orgill, Publishers Clearing House, Restoration Hardware, Strategic Market Alliance, HP Hood, and W.B. Mason. For more information please visit www.winshuttle.com and www.enterworks.com. Millions of voters from Maine to California headed to the polls on Super Tuesday, the delegate-rich prize in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination that's shaping up as a contest between two starkly different visions for the party's future as it hurtles toward a November rematch with President Donald Trump. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has energized liberals and young voters, sought to pull away from the rest of the field, while former vice president Joe Biden hoped to ride a wave of momentum and endorsements to cement himself as the standard-bearer for the party's moderate wing. The two men, riding atop a rapidly shrinking Democratic field, have assembled coalitions of disparate demographics and political beliefs, and the day could help shape whether the nomination fight will stretch until the party's convention this summer in Milwaukee. But the 14 coast-to-coast contests seemed certain to provide several other twists and turns, including the first test of billionaire Mike Bloomberg's massive spending in the Democratic race. Bloomberg skipped the first four states, banking on more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations in an unorthodox and untested method of securing support from moderates who may have bailed on Biden before the vice president revived his flagging campaign. The former New York City mayor and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren loomed as spoilers as the candidates jockeyed to cross the voting threshold to secure delegates that could prolong the nominating battle. The Democratic race has shifted dramatically over the past three days as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign. Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns and endorsed Biden. Another former competitor, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, publicly backed Biden while a new wave of mayors, lawmakers and donors said they would support the former vice president. Biden's new supporters fanned out on morning television to praise him Klobuchar on NBC's Today show. O'Rourke on MSNBC's Morning Joe" but another, perhaps more powerful voice was also deployed to support his candidacy: that of former President Barack Obama. Obama has steadfastly declined to offer any endorsement during the primary process, but a super PAC supporting Biden organized calls featuring audio from a past speech in which Obama calls his former vice president a statesman, leader who sees clearly the challenges facing America in a changing world. Amanda Loveday of Unite the Country PAC says the call is running through Tuesday in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Several candidates in the race have run television ads featuring positive sentiments from Obama, although he has endorsed none. A spokeswoman for Obama said the robocall from Biden's super PAC did not amount to an endorsement and the former president's office was not aware that the group planned to use the old audio. Sanders and his closest advisers pushed back against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Biden. Campaigning in Minnesota, Sanders sought to beat back Biden's momentum with a welcoming message to Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters. To all of Amy and Pete's millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in," Sanders said. We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump. And Trump himself, revelling in his role as pundit-in-chief, weigh in on the contest to choose his general election opponent. He followed up a screed at a North Carolina rally the night before in which he delivered broadsides against all of the candidates with tweets Tuesday morning focused on Bloomberg, claiming the billionaire could never recover from his incompetent debate performances." Tuesday is the most anticipated of crossroads in the Democrats' turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat the president. On one side stands Sanders, a 78-year-old democratic socialist who has scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes relying on an energized coalition drawn to his promise to transform the nation's political and economic systems. On the other, Biden, a 77-year-old lifelong politician who was relishing his newfound momentum in a campaign that has struggled at times to excite voters with a message emphasizing a pragmatic approach to governing and modest change. For the former vice president, the wave of new support could not have come at a better time. Just two days earlier, a loss in South Carolina would have effectively killed his candidacy. But 48 hours after a blowout victory, the former vice president stood on stage in Dallas, in the heart of one of Super Tuesday's crown jewels backed by three former rivals and a growing collection of donors, activists and elected officials. Biden entered Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolina's demographic makeup: those with large African-American and white moderate populations. That makes Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia potential Biden victories, even in a splintered field. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Beijing Hospitals Accept Coronavirus Patients Only, Rejecting All Other Patients A patient who is not a coronavirus patient tried to seek treatment in several hospitals in Beijing, but none of these hospitals accepted him. They told his family there are no hospital beds available for new patients. Cameraman: I am taking this video at the Peoples Liberation Army General Hospital. However, this hospital does not accept patients who need to be hospitalized, nor does it provide any treatment. We have also contacted several other hospitals in Beijing, including Chaoyang Hospital, Friendship Hospital, and several military hospitals. All told us the same thing: no hospital beds available. So presently, for this patient who is not a COVID-19 patient, does it mean during this very special period of time, all patients who are not COVID-19 patients wont be able to receive any treatment? Arent they also patients who have the right to receive appropriate treatment? I have called the 12345 City Help Hotline to report the issue, but no one has offered any help. The patient, this person you see, I would say, can only wait to die. Is this still a hospital for the people, a hospital that claims to serve the people? Whats left for us to do? The patient can only wait for his death. There is no other solution. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Yes Bank's potential investors are unsure if the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will permit foreign ownership above 74 percent, CNBC-TV18 reported. The bank had received non-binding expressions of interest (EoIs) from foreign investors such as JC Flowers and Tilden Park Capital Management in February. Interested overseas companies are seeking a preferential issue at a price lower than the formula fixed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which the market regulator may not agreed to, the article quotes a source as saying. The interested foreign entities are working on preferential or rights issue to lower their average price, the report said. Yes Bank has also approached some domestic financial institutions such as State Bank of India (SBI), Axis Bank, HDFC, and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), sources said. Some domestic companies are also interested in investing in Yes Bank but are being watchful, the source added. According to USA Today, a severe storm system made its way through middle Tennessee Monday into Tuesday and overnight, a tornado touched down in Nashville. CNN reports that the twister(s) collapsed more than 40 structures and sent at least 150 in the metro Nashville area to the hospital. Additionally, tens of thousands of people are without power. In a news conference Tuesday morning, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee lamented the loss of lives as a result of the storm. It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state. Four different counties have, as of this morning, had confirmed fatalities, Lee said. -Kayla Koslosky, Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com. A Prayer in the Wake of the Tennessee Tornado Oh Lord, We come to you today with heavy hearts in the wake of the Nashville and Middle Tennessee tornado that has taken lives and caused much injury and destruction. Disasters like this remind us that we live in a fallen world. But you do not leave us to destruction; you are sovereign, and you are present in good times and in bad. You are near to us at all times, even in the midst of uncertainty. Father, we hate that this tornado has taken lives, destroyed homes, and caused many more injuries. It is hard to understand how you will use this tragedy, but even in our confusion and sadness, we can trust you completely. God, we know that you give and you take away and that everything you do is for your glory. You are always working for our good and the salvation of many. Lord only you can bring goodness out of destruction. We struggle to understand how this works, but no matter the circumstance we can depend on you and worship you fully. You are the Author of life, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Savior, and the Redeemer. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our Triune God in One. You have a plan so much greater than we can understand. No matter what happens you are our refuge and our fortress. Your children are safe in your arms, no matter what happens to us in this world. Thank you that even in death your children are saved and they reside with you in Heaven until this world shall pass and be redeemed in full. Lord, today we lift up all those affected by the tornado in Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and surrounding areas. Specifically, we pray for the homes and property damaged in Stanford Estates, Mt. Juliet, Germantown, and East Nashville among other areas. Lord help them pick up the pieces in the aftermath of disaster, surround them with close community; may the church be active in Tennessee with everyone helping those around them as they are able. We pray for the damage done to West Wilson Middle School and Donelson Christian Academy; we pray for people to come together and for repairs to be made quickly so that children can attend school. We pray that these buildings would be safe when the children return. We pray for the many families who lost loved ones, we know of 22 people so far. Lord, we know human life is precious to you; please grant the families peace and comfort knowing you are near to them. We thank you for the rescue of those who were trapped and injured; please grant them healing and peace. Thank you for all the first responders working tirelessly in Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and surrounding areas; please grant them the energy and wisdom needed to carry out their duty efficiently. Thank you that their hearts long to help others and may their good deeds spark compassion in other members of the community to help those in need. We pray for the restoration of homes, businesses, schools, and the repair of at least 40 buildings. We pray for Governor Bill Lee as he leads his community; give him wisdom to lead well, grant him compassion for those he governs, and bless him with steadfast helpers who will work well together to restore the state of Tennessee. Lord we pray for your gospel to be spread even in such a time as this; we pray that people would come to know you as their Savior and Refuge. And we pray for the faith of your children to be strengthened, may they find comfort in the many brothers and sisters praying for them. Holy Spirit we ask that you would raise up workers in Tennessee and across America to help restore all the affected areas. We pray for this restoration and peace in your name Jesus, Amen. 5 Bible Verses to Remember in Times of Disaster The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? - Psalm 18:2,31 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:17-18 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Cor. 1:3-4 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 Sources: ChristianHeadlines.com CNN USAToday Related articles: A Prayer in Times of Natural Disaster Praying through Disasters and Worldwide Crises Photo credit: GettyImages/SeanPavone Liz Auld is the managing editor for Salem Web Network; she edits and writes content across the editorial sites (Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, iBelieve.com, Christianity.com). She has a B.A. in Religious Studies and has taken post-graduate classes in Theology and Global Studies. She enjoys reading books from a variety of genres, trying new recipes, and visiting family. This article is part of our prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray. Prayers from the Bible to Guide Your Prayer Time Types of Prayers We See in the Bible What Is the Prayer of Jabez in the Bible? How to Pray for Your Daily Bread Prayers for Anxiousness Related: Listen to our podcast, Teach Us to Pray with Christina Patterson. You can find all the episodes at LifeAudio.com. Here's Episode 1: More than 17 lakh students from across Maharashtra are expected to appear for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination for class 10 beginning Tuesday. State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education chairperson Shakuntala Kale said on Monday that the SSC exam based on the new syllabus will be organised across nine divisions--Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Konkan, Latur, Aurangabad, Amravati and Kolhapur--during March 3 to 23. A total of 17,65,000 students are expected to appear for the exam. The students should follow only official schedule of the examination that was published by the state board, Kale added. MIDRAND We are counting on you in helping us make Zimbabwe great again, said Zimbabwes number two top diplomats in a passionate appeal to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) on sanctions against his country. Citing the continued untold sorrow and deterioration of the well-being of his countrymen, Dr. David Musabayana, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, told the continental legislators on Monday, 02 March 2020 that they had incurred losses of about US$42 billion over the 18 years that the sanctions have been at play. Between 2002 and 2003, the European Union and the United States of America imposed economic sanctions against the Southern African country over what they referred to as government excesses, including the contentious land reform programme. The country faced with a Gross Domestic Product reduction of US$21 billion has also lost US$18 billion in commercial loans and US$12 billion from financing entities, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Annually since 2001, Zimbabwe also lost US$4.5 billion in bilateral donor support. Take note of our challenges. As Zimbabwe, we call upon you to assist us to lobby the West and the rest of the world to lift the economic sanctions so that we too, can participate in the global economy, Musabayana told MPs on the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution sitting at the PAP headquarters in Midrand, South Africa. Dr Musabayana revealed that despite the change in the political, economic, electoral and legislative affairs of his country in the recent past, the sanctions, he referred to as a violation of Article 41 of UN Charter, continue to bite and also handicap the minerals sector from where the country would have been able to secure much-needed funding for the government to meet its obligations to its citizenry. Article 41 of the UN Charter states that The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations. In the mining sector, we cannot sell directly as we have to go through third parties and yet we have a lot of gold and diamond. We are the second-largest producer of platinum in the world after South Africa and for lithium, the fifth, said Musabayana. Hon. Abderahman Salek (Sahrawi Democratic Republic) said Libya and Sudan have also been victims of similar sanctions, which he, also referred to as illegal. We need to follow up on this matter during the plenary. We need a resolution condemning the suffering in Zimbabwe, he added. Libyas Hon. Salem Gnan said he was full of regret about what is happening to the people of Zimbabwe and questioned the role the African Union (AU) is playing in lifting sanctions imposed against African countries and proposed that as a continent, we could intra trade and overlook dealing with the West. Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo (Uganda) said that there should be mechanisms to appeal to the new Chairperson of the AU, Cyril Rwamaphosa, also President of South Africa over the matter. PAP made interventions in the case of Sudan. Why not for Zimbabwe? he added. African leaders, Hon. Workya Rouamba (Burkina Faso) said, needed the strength to start speaking with one voice on matters that affect the continent. The West always finds ways of putting pressure on African countries, she said. For Hon. Bala Ibn Naallah (Nigeria), the solution to the standoff is blackmail. He said, we need to blackmail those who impose sanctions because they fundamentally affect the livelihood of the citizens in the respective countries. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali (Kenya) cautioned that rhetoric would not help salvage the situation and advised that the land in Zimbabwe be shared between the blacks and whites for harmony like it was done in South Africa. The PAP is scheduled to hold its plenary sittings in May 2020, wherein the request to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe is to be debated by the whole House and a position taken. Zimbabwes former long-serving President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who ruled for 38 years until the better part of 2017 was ousted in a bloodless coup. He died in a Singapore hospital on 6 September 2019, aged 95. Related Soon after the sitcom 'Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah' received an open threat by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Amit Bhatt who plays the character of Champak Chacha in the show, wrote an apology letter to the party's chief Raj Thackeray. A stern demand for an apology was lodged by MNS Chitrapat Sena president Amey Khopkar who objected to the scene in which Bhatt's character said that Hindi is the common language of Mumbai. In the letter, Bhatt wrote that "while portraying a character I perform whatever is demanded by the scriptwriters. I personally respect Marathi language and I am proud of it. I wholeheartedly apologize for the mistake". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Creator and star Stephanie Stern (aka Stefany Stern) constructs big laughs alongside comedian Willie Macc in the new original short form digital comedy series, DOUBLE JACK. Season One will premiere 6 episodes as weekly installments beginning today, March 3rd, on the IGTV channel @DoubleJackSeries with additional digital platforms releasing 24-hours later. Willie Macc and Stephanie Stern in new original series DOUBLE JACK Willie Macc and Stephanie Stern in new original series DOUBLE JACK DOUBLE JACK centers around a countrified female parolee who convinces a construction company to give her a job before realizing she's not the sharpest tool in the box. After bad luck with an "ex" lands Nickel Jacks (Stern) in prison, she gets released onto the big city streets of Los Angeles. Desperate for a job, this down-on-her luck small town Southern gal stumbles into Jack Carter (Macc), the owner of Double Jack Construction Company. A self-made man with a soft-spot for second chances, Jack cautiously agrees to give Nickel the break she needs. But, can this ex-con build a better life or will she be demolished once again? The project also marks a directing debut for Stern. To help her pull the storyline together, she consulted with Emmy Award-winning writer Sandy Krinski. Stern shares, "I wanted to create something that would bring a smile to people's faces and my family would watch. I thought short form comedy would be the easiest for me to manage as my directorial debut and I got a lot of schooling." Stern has been excelling in the Arts for years. After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York, she landed on the ABC daytime drama All My Children, followed by several Off-Off Broadway shows at Theatre For The New City. A children's show took her traveling the country and to South East Asia, before settling in Los Angeles. Stephanie honed her stand-up comedy chops performing at Comic Strip Live, The Comedy Store, Flappers and Garrett Morris' Downtown Comedy Club. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Stephanie took a slight hiatus before forging ahead with new gusto. Today, she continues to build a solid reputation booking roles in television, stage and indie films, most notably on the TV series My Haunted House, and in the horror-thriller, No Solicitors, starring Eric Roberts. Watch 'DOUBLE JACK' now on IGTV: @DoubleJackSeries Or visit the website: DoubleJackSeries.com Instagram: @DoubleJackSeries Twitter: @DblJkSeries For more about STEPHANIE STERN visit: StephanieStern.com Press contact: Tammy Lynn, Spotlight PR 310-867-1952 / [email protected] SOURCE Jiggle the Handle Productions South Africa: NICD warns against Coronavirus stigma The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has warned against stigmatising people infected with Coronavirus. The NICD said despite there being no confirmed case of the virus in South Africa, it has noted the disturbing stigmatisation against people from affected areas which now includes Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Stigma has the potential to drive people to hide their illness to avoid discrimination and further prevent people from seeking healthcare. This can lead to difficulties in identifying and controlling the spread of COVID-19 should it reach our shores, cautioned the NICD. As of 2 March 2020, the NICD tested a total of 160 persons for SARS-CoV-2 of which 109 met the case definition for persons under investigation (PIU). All results have been negative. The NICD is currently the only laboratory performing testing for SARS-CoV-2 and confirmed that South Africa has not had a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. Given that COVID-19 is a new disease, it is understandable that its emergence and possible importation into South Africa may cause confusion, anxiety and fear among the general public; however, viruses do not target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. We urge the public to desist from participating in stereotyping and discriminating against an identifiable group of people, a place, or a nation, said the NICD. The Institute called on anyone who may develop symptoms of the Coronavirus either or during and after recent travel to countries where COVID-19 is known to be circulating to seek medical care early and share information about their travel history with their healthcare providers. Symptoms include respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath. As of 24 February the virus is known to be circulating in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy. The General Public Hotline Number for South Africa is 0800 029 999 and operates on weekdays, Monday to Friday, during 08h00 to 16h00. Global update on Coronavirus While Wuhan City in the Hubei province in China is the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the number of cases in China continues to decline. On Sunday, China reported 206 cases of COVID-19 to WHO, the lowest since the 22 January 2019. Only eight cases were reported outside Hubei province on Sunday. Outside China, a total of 8 739 cases of COVID-19 have been reported to WHO from 61 countries, with 127 deaths. In the last 24 hours there were almost 9 times more cases reported outside China than inside China. The epidemics in the Republic of Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan are our greatest concern, said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a briefing on Coronavirus on Monday. WHO supports Iran response With a 1 501 COVID-19 cases, including 66 deaths, reported in Iran a team of WHO experts landed in Tehran, to support the ongoing response to the Coronavirus. I would also like to inform you that a WHO team arrived in Iran this afternoon to deliver supplies and support the government in the response. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates for his support in making this mission possible, said the WHO Director General. The plane carrying the technical team members contained a shipment of medical supplies and protective equipment to support over 15 000 health care workers, as well as enough laboratory kits enough to test and diagnose nearly 100 000 people. Cases with a travel history to Iran have also been reported from Afghanistan, Canada, Lebanon, Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Volta regional secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress James Gunu has advised agitating youth in the region to stop mounting pressure on the partys flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama to choose his running mate from the Volta region for the December general elections. Reacting to media reports that suggest that some groups have petitioned the party hierarchy to impress it upon the flagbearer to choose his running mate from the region, Mr. Gunu said the move is a way of setting a trap for Mr. Mahama, which is dangerous and uncharacteristic of a social democratic party. Mr. Gunu who is also the former District Chief Executive of Akatsi North said in as much as he respects the views of the group, he believes the call was unnecessary. Article 43 of our partys constitution is clear on the choice of a Vice presidential candidate and so I urge our party folks, especially those who are pushing for the selection of a person from the Volta region to remain calm and afford the flagbearer the opportunity to select a suitable person who will definitely be a Ghanaian irrespective of tribe, religion and gender, he noted. According to the regional secretary, there are very good reasons why the partys constitution is crafted this way. He further urged the groups to have confidence in the flagbearer and remain solidly behind him to select a candidate that would support him to secure massive victory in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections. The regional secretary added that it is necessary that party members prepare to accept and be ready to work with whomever is chosen -irrespective of where he or she hails from, in order to forestall cohesion going into the general elections. In his view, youth groups in the region should rather be concerned with the activities of Western Togoland campaigners, the new voters register and attempts to break the fronts of traditional authority in the region as key factors that could cause high voter apathy in the 2020 elections. All these are well designed and calculated strategies by our opponents to destabilize the NDC in the region, as such, we must remain focused and united to rescue this country from destruction, he added. With barely 9-months to go to the polls, the Mr. Mahama, is yet to announce his running mate though there have been wide reports on the possible choices. ---starrfmonline The Duchess of Sussex's estranged half-brother, Thomas Markle, Jr., is making headlines once again after blaming Meghan Markle for his unemployment and homelessness. In a New Idea interview published on Monday, the 53-year-old American blamed his sister for his situation. Markle Jr. claims to have lost jobs because of the notoriety of being related to the former "Suits" actress, and have been left unable to get a new one. "Being associated with Meghan has nearly destroyed me," Thomas tells the Australian news portal. "I am homeless and could have been under a bridge with a cardboard sign begging for money, but thankfully my mom has taken me in." He is currently living with his mother, Roslyn, at her small apartment in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, Markle Jr. believes that his royal relative should have stepped in to help, saying, "Meghan could have helped me or got someone else at the palace to do so." Meghan's estranged brother also went on to call the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "hypocrites" for accepting paid jobs after leaving behind their royal lives. "With everything going on currently, with them leaving the palace and doing things for money, it makes them hypocrites." For him, he believes it's unfair that he and other family members have been accused of cashing in on their royal connections. "We, the family, have all been blamed for making money, and now they're doing the same thing. The only difference is, we're all broke," he said. He also considers changing his surname to escape it's "curse." His explosive interview comes after admitting that he had alcohol problems in the past. Markle Jr. was arrested on domestic violence charges after threatening his partner with a gun. Meghan and Thomas Jr's opportunistic father, Thomas Markle, Sr, will continue to cash in on paid interviews and paid appearances according to several reports. While speaking with TMZ, the 72-year-old threatened to continue cashing in on the Duchess of Sussex until she and Prince Harry reach out to him. Markle Sr. said that he needs to do whatever he can to look out for himself since the royal couple has been ghosting him for months. "My daughter told me when I reach my senior years, and she'll take care of me. I'm in my senior years now, so it's time to look after daddy." The grandfather, who still hasn't met his 9-month-old grandson Archie Harrison, recently headlined the Channel 5 documentary "Thomas Markle: My Story." According to Meghan's estranged father, Meghan and her husband "owe" him for what he has been through and should be rewarded for it. "At this point, they owe me. The royals owe me. Harry owes me, Meghan owes me. What' I've been through, I should be rewarded for." Thomas Markle Sr. feels like he got dragged into the entire royals and Meghan situation that if he's going to be without his daughter, he needs to do whatever he has to become financially stable. Royal experts believe that Meghan may never forgive and trust her dad ever again. Royal commentator Angela Mollard said that if she were in Meghan's shoes, she'd be suspicious of her father since Markle Sr. once sold out his daughter. There's a big chance that he's going to do the same thing again. READ MORE: REPORT: Coronavirus Fear Forces Meghan Markle to Leave Baby Archie in Canada Turkey deployed swarms of killer drones to strike Russian-backed Syrian government forces, in what a senior official said was a military innovation that demonstrated Ankaras technological prowess on the battlefield. The retaliation for the killing last week of 33 Turkish soldiers by Syrian forces involved an unprecedented number of drones in coordinated action, said the senior official in Turkey with direct knowledge of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Syria policy. It was the first time a country had commanded the air space over such a large area using drone swarms, according to the official. ... NEW Just released footage shows #Turkey destroyed a #Syria Army SA-22 Pantsir S-1 sir defense system deployed inside #Idlib. Thats something only #Israel had been recorded publicly to have done until now.pic.twitter.com/IdEIXq2Lb6 Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) February 28, 2020 The tactic threatens to bring NATO member Turkey into direct confrontation with Russia, adding to strains in relations between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin as they prepare to meet this week in an effort to ease tensions over Syria. The two leaders have worked together to try to end the Syrian civil war, despite backing opposing sides, but have repeatedly stumbled over who should control the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib that borders Turkey. Russia dominates the skies over Syria as part of Putins military support of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, deploying advanced S-400 missile-defence systems to secure the air space while its warplanes aid Syrian forces battling to take the last rebel stronghold in Idlib. Turkish forces back the rebels and Ankara says it fears a fresh exodus of refugees flocking into Turkey if Idlib falls to Assad. Scotching rumours of his death, former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has posted a video titled "Tiger Zinda Hai!!" on Twitter, saying he is awaiting surgery in a Singapore hospital and would be back soon. He said though many of his "well wishers" want him dead, he is alive, awaiting surgery. As compared to past medical issues, the present problem is nothing, he said in the video shot from his hospital bed. He said once the procedure is over, he hopes to return to India at the earliest. There were rumours on some social media platforms on Monday that Singh was dead. Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, has cautioned Nigerians on the use of herbal products to protect themselves ... Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, has cautioned Nigerians on the use of herbal products to protect themselves from Coronavirus (COVID-19). Mamora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Forum on Tuesday that there have been so many claims by some Nigerians that bitter kola can be used to cure coronavirus. He, however, warned Nigerians against using many herbal drugs because none has proven to be effective. It is true that bitter kola has anti-viral properties, but I am not sure how the anti-viral properties affect coronavirus. I have also heard of garlic, lemon, palm wine and even chloroquine We caution against the use of so many herbal drugs because science has a basis and there is a procedural process to laying claims to whatever, he said. Mamora advised Nigerians not to panic, stressing that people should allow themselves to be ruled by facts, not fears. He said that the best prevention is to practice good personal hygiene by washing hands under running tap water with soap or ash, as well as the steady use of hand sanitisers. Speaking on Lassa fever, the minister said that the disease had reduced in the country. There are three functional control centres in Edo, Ebonyi and Ondo. The country has the capacity to manage Lassa fever; more people are recovering from it. He advised Nigerians to practice good hygiene and also cover their foods properly. With proper education, Nigerians will achieve a lot when it comes to diseases management, Mamora added. [March 03, 2020] Reverence Capital Partners Holds Final Close of Fund II at $1.2 Billion Hard Cap Reverence Capital Partners announced the final closing of Reverence Capital Opportunities Fund II, L.P. (the "Fund") at its hard cap of $1.2 billion in capital commitments, exceeding its target of $750 million. The Fund received strong support from a diverse group of institutional investors across North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 2013 by Milton Berlinski, Peter Aberg and Alex Chulack, Reverence Capital Partners ("Reverence") is a private investment firm focused on thematic investing in leading global, middle-market financial services businesses through control and influence-oriented investments. Atlantic-Pacific Capital served as a placement agent on this fundraise. "Reverence is a highly respected firm with deep expertise and prior success within the financial services sector. It was a pleasure collaborating with their team and we are very pleased that institutional investors recognized Reverence's differentiated approach to financial services," commented Raed Elkhatib, President & CEO of Atlantic-Pacific. Milton Berlinski, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Reverence, further stated, "Atlantic-Pacific did a good job in helping to expand our LP base and further raise global awareness of Reverence. We are very pleased and grateful for the support from our highly respected limited prtners." About Reverence Capital Partners (www.reverencecapital.com) Reverence Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on thematic investing in leading global, middle-market financial services businesses through control and influence-oriented investments in five sectors: (1) Depositories and Finance Companies, (2) Asset and Wealth Management, (3) Insurance, (4) Capital Markets and (5) Financial Technology/Payments. The firm was founded in 2013 by Milton Berlinski, Peter Aberg and Alex Chulack, after distinguished careers advising and investing in a broad array of financial services businesses. The Partners collectively bring over 90 years of advisory and investing experience across a wide range of financial services sectors. About Atlantic-Pacific (www.apcap.com) Atlantic-Pacific, Member FINRA and SIPC, is one of the largest privately owned global placement and advisory firms dedicated to raising capital for alternative investments. Since its founding in 1995, the firm has executed more than 110 capital raising assignments aggregating over $75 billion for an extraordinary group of alternative asset managers. Typical mandates include private equity, private credit, real estate and real assets fund placements. Atlantic-Pacific uniquely provides global marketing distribution and project management execution using a focused and customized approach. With experienced professionals located in New York, Stamford, Chicago, Atlanta, London and Hong Kong, Atlantic-Pacific maintains a global network of trusted relationships with influential institutional investors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005998/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Today offered an immediate reminder that while a deal was struck Saturday for the U.S. to begin to leave Afghanistan, peace remains elusive. Driving the news: The Taliban said it had resumed offensive operations against Afghan forces following a "reduction in violence" during negotiations. Three civilians were killed and 11 wounded by a bomb blast in Khost. The Taliban denied responsibility. Gen. Mark Milley acknowledged in a press briefing that "an absolute cessation of violence in Afghanistan ... is probably not going to happen." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he would not abide by a deal to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners, saying the U.S. was "only a facilitator" and couldn't dictate such steps. What they're saying: "This is going to be a long, windy, bumpy road. Thats going to be the nature of this over the next days, weeks and months. ... Were just going to deal with each situation as it arises and make sure we stay focused on the mission. Defense Secretary Mark Esper The big picture: America has wanted out of Afghanistan for at least a decade. The deal signed in Doha could accomplish that. It calls for some 4,000 U.S. troops to pull out "within months" and for a complete exit within 14 months. The Taliban has declared it a victory. The big picture: Since the American invasion in the wake of 9/11, 3,500 U.S. and allied troops have been killed, tens of thousands of Afghans have lost their lives, and the U.S. has spent $2 trillion. Scarlett Moffatt beamed with delight as she launched the forthcoming Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre on Tuesday. The TV presenter, 30, wrapped up warm in the chilly temperatures as she donned a pretty leopard print blouse layered with a cream shearling jacket. Scarlett also teamed her look with a pair of distressed blue jeans and a pair of padded white slip on heels as she posed for snaps. Smile! Scarlett Moffatt beamed with delight as she launched the forthcoming Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre on Tuesday Scarlett opted for a full face of glamorous make-up including a heavy eye look, while wearing her ombre locks in big bouncy curls. The media personality posed in front of a dalmatian-printed black cab with a series of pooches, including a Belgian Shepherd, Dalmatian and a Cocker Spaniel. She was also joined by the West Midlands Police dog unit and a selection of the dogs that they use to help on the job. Glam: The TV presenter, 30, wrapped up warm in the chilly temperatures as she donned a pretty leopard print blouse layered with a cream shearling jacket Cute: Scarlett also teamed her look with a pair of distressed blue jeans and a pair of padded white slip on heels as she posed for snaps Hold on tight! Scarlett opted for a full face of glamorous make-up including a heavy eye look, while wearing her ombre locks in big bouncy curls It comes weeks after Scarlett teased engagement plans with her boyfriend Scott Dobinson during a family getaway to Orlando, Florida. The former Gogglebox star took to Instagram to hint that her police officer beau should propose during a day out to Universal Studios. Scarlett shared a sweet loved-up snap of herself and Scott outside Hogwarts castle at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. On the job! She was also joined by the West Midlands Police dog unit and a selection of the dogs that they use to help on the job Line-up: The media personality posed in front of a dalmatian-printed black cab with a series of pooches, including a Belgian Shepherd, Dalmatian and a Cocker Spaniel She penned on her Instagram Story: 'Imagine being proposed to feeling like real life Hermione! Hint hint ha!! @universalorlando.' (sic) Scarlett went on to share a sweet selfie together during a meal out at STK, they were also joined by her parents, Mark and Betty, and younger sister Ava-Grace. The reality star also posted a picture of herself and Scott in a lift, which she captioned: 'My love @scottdobby,' followed by a heart GIF. Aw! In one sweet snap Scarlett cosied up to a Cocker Spaniel puppy called Biscuit Say cheese! Scarlett leaned in for a selfie with one of the police officers In January, Scarlett and Scott celebrated their one-year anniversary with a romantic getaway to Barcelona, Spain. She penned: 'One official year of being @scottdobby girlfriend. I can safely say the best year of my life. 'Lovely little trip to Barcelona (one to tell the kids one day ha!) next trip is with all the Moffatts (so excited for that especially as sometimes I feel like my family love you more than they love me ha!) 'Its took me to the ripe age of 29 to find the one, so dont panic if youre turning 30 or older and feel like wow I dont have a family yet! Love happens in mysterious ways & at mysterious times #love #anniversary #barcelona.' Engagement? It comes weeks after Scarlett teased engagement plans with her boyfriend Scott Dobinson during a family getaway to Orlando, Florida Walkies! Scarlett took the lead as she walked a Belgian Shepherd and Cocker Spaniel Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - CFN Media (OTCQB: CNFN), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry announces the publication of an article discussing General Cannabis Inc. and its dynamic business strategy. The cannabis industry has shifted its focus from expansion to profitability over the past year. Rather than spending a lot of money to expand into every market, multi-state operators, or MSOs, are starting to pare down their assets and restructure their operations to adapt to the 'new normal' - mature markets where profits are king. Let's take a look at why thinly-spread multi-state operators could have trouble adapting to the 'new normal', as well as two strategies that cannabis companies are using to capitalize on the industry's transformation into a mature market. Watch our exclusive interview with General Cannabis Inc. (OTCQX: CANN) CEO Steve Gutterman where we discuss these industry dynamics and where investors can find opportunities. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f_QWHbIs8U Rapidly Maturing Market Cannabis stocks may have experienced a correction over the past year, but the shakeout appears to be benefiting the survivors. According to MJBizDaily, Colorado cannabis cultivators reported strong prices for wholesale flower, reflecting healthy demand and fewer grows after competition forced out some of the weaker operators. The rise of larger vertically-integrated suppliers has helped stabilize demand by providing dispensaries and manufacturers with a reliable long-term supply. While inefficient businesses have struggled to compete, the survivors have become more efficient and the industry has benefited from stabilized profit margins and less volatility. Click here to download an investor deck and receive corporate updates Investors are seeking out companies that have built sustainable businesses that aren't dependent on unrealistic future growth rates to achieve profitability. They prefer management teams that have experience building profitable companies in mature markets and making selective acquisitions designed to build value over time. Targeting Niche Markets Some MSOs are targeting limited license states as a pathway to near-term profitability. In addition to early control over the market, early license holders have an opportunity to build brand awareness among consumers before later market entrants. They may also realize certain economies of scale that could provide pricing power and/or improved margins. Click here to download an investor deck and receive corporate updates The catch is that picking the right states isn't always easy. In Massachusetts, several companies snapped up licenses, but the state was slow to roll out legalization. Many companies made big investments into licenses early on, but they weren't prepared to wait months for revenue and many have ended up in a tough spot. Other markets have experienced significant growing pains following legalization. For example, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission found that the state was producing twice as much cannabis as people were using last year, leaving more than six year's worth of supply on store shelves and at cultivation facilities - a big problem for upstarts at the time. Making Strategic Buys The focus on profitability has created an opportunity for public companies to make smart acquisitions with their ability to raise capital. While many large companies are being forced to sell off assets at attractive prices to scale down their operations, strategic buyers can find plenty of opportunities to scoop up assets with a high potential return on investment. General Cannabis Inc. (OTCQX:CANN) aims to capitalize on a "second-mover advantage" by cherry-picking assets in mature markets and efficiently allocating capital to produce outsized returns. Rather than taking execution or regulatory risks, the company applies the expertise of its diverse team to find mature opportunities with a far lesser risk profile. General Cannabis' current footprint To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5503/53052_53e1300b3427cada_002full.jpg In recent quarters, the company moved to acquire Halsa Holdings Inc., which has purchase agreements and letters of intent with three retail dispensaries in California. The company also signed a purchase agreement to acquire SevenFive Farms, a cultivation facility in Boulder, Colorado, which could generate $5 million in revenue and $3 million in positive EBITDA. Click here to download an investor deck and receive corporate updates Looking Ahead The cannabis industry is quickly evolving from an expansion story to a profitability story. Investors have a few different options when looking at opportunities in the space, including choosing limited license states and pursuing strategic buyers, and the right option could be a diversified portfolio with exposure to both strategies to mitigate risks. To learn more about General Cannabis Inc. (CANN), sign up to receive the investor presentation and corporate updates. Click here to read the full article: https://www.cannabisfn.com/how-cannabis-companies-are-adapting-to-the-new-normal/ Resources https://seekingalpha.com/article/4317268-cannabis-focus-shifting-from-expansion-to-profitability-debra-borchardt-podcast-transcript https://mjbizdaily.com/prices-for-colorado-wholesale-cannabis-flower-firm-up-in-response-to-fewer-growers-healthy-demand/ General Cannabis Contact: Steve Gutterman CEO sgutterman@generalcann.com CFN Media Contact: Frank Lane President flane@cannabisfn.com About CFN Media CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN) is the owner and operator of CFN Media, the leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the legal cannabis industry. For Visitors and Viewers CFN Media's Cannabis Financial Network (CannabisFN.com) is the destination for savvy investors and business people profiting from the worldwide cannabis industry. Viewers will see breaking news, exclusive content and original programming involving the people, companies and investments shaping the industry. For Cannabis Businesses & Companies CFN Media is a leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the cannabis industry. We help private, pre-public and public cannabis companies in the US and Canada attract capital, investors and media attention. Our powerful digital media and distribution platform conveys a company's message and value proposition directly to accredited and retail investors and national media active in the North American cannabis markets. Since 2013, CFN Media has enabled the world's preeminent cannabis companies to thrive in the capital and public markets. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: https://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/ Disclaimer The above article is sponsored content. CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, have been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53052 At the event (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General in Vladivostok Nguyen Hoang Viet said through the selected photos of the Vietnam News Agency, the exhibition gives visitors an insight into a beautiful Vietnamese country with diligent, creative and hospitable people. Apart from scenic landscapes, visitors could see Vietnams achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, important milestones in the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia, including the Far East region, thereby raising their awareness about the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. Konstantin Loboda, a representative of the Vladivostok administration, said the city plays an important role in developing Russia - Vietnam friendship in the Far East region. He recalled historic milestones in bilateral ties over the past years, including the establishment of twinning relations between Ho Chi Minh city and Vladivostok a decade ago and the erection of President Ho Chi Minh Monument in a square named after him in July 2019. Part of a series of documentary film Two countries, One heart, made by Vietnam Television in early 2020 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, was also screened at the event./. Hyderabad, March 3 : Ryan, the US-based leading global tax services and software provider, on Tuesday announced the opening of its second facility in Hyderabad and plans to have an integrated campus by almost doubling the headcount to 900. "Our operations in Hyderabad have now become the largest globally. It has surpassed our operations in Dallas, Texas, headquarters," Ryan Chairman and CEO G. Brint Ryan said here. Ryan, which invested around $3 million over the last few years to expand its operation in Hyderabad, opened its second facility of 19,000 square feet, located in Salarpuria Sattva Knowledge City. He said the second facility, which can seat an additional 200 employees, will be sufficient to meet the requirements for the next 18 months. It plans to have a larger centralised location in the city to bring together all team members. "We have continued plans to invest in Hyderabad. We have already made significant investment in technology and committed to make additional investments to make sure that our operations here are fully technology-enabled," he said. Hyderabad, which is one of the two major service centres globally, supports all aspects of Ryan's business. "The work our India team performs moved from back-office operations in 2013 to sophisticated high level frontline client service work by 2019," he said. Stating that India operations are critical to the success of Ryan, he said the company expects India to grow as technology hub for Ryan as it accelerates its efforts to enable all business services through technology. Brint Ryan said the large diverse talent pool offered by Hyderabad made the company locate its India centre here. The company, which had a 166-member team in Hyderabad in 2013, increased it to 522 by the end of 2019. With current hiring plans, the headcount is expected to go up to 580 by the end of 2020. Ryan, which is the largest firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes, has 15,000 clients and 2,700 employees in 50 countries. Its revenues for 2019 were just little under $600 million. Its services resulted in estimated $2.5 billion annual tax savings for its clients. Though Ryan does not provide frontline services to Indian clients, he said they were looking at that possibility. A group of Parliamentarians on Tuesday urged senior citizens not to hesitate in exercising their rights while noting that there is a need to create awareness regarding this in the society. MPs Faggan Singh Kulaste, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Satyadev Pachauri were among those who took part in a discussion in association with the Dadi-Dada Foundation to provide a conducive environment to senior citizens. Joshi, 70, who represents the Allahabad constituency in Lok Sabha, said, "There are a lot of opportunities even after retirement. There are re-employment opportunities up to the age of 70 in fields like teaching, administrative services." She said senior citizens must also know their rights and never hesitate in exercising them. Joshi said people can take the help of internet and offices of their elected representatives to know more about the schemes and services meant for them and added that there is a need to create awareness about this in the society. Kulaste, who is also a Minister of state for Steel, said the government is mindful of the concerns of senior citizens and divyang, adding that it is running pension schemes not only for those who retire from government service but also for those in private business. The 60-year-old Parliamentarian from Mandla in Madhya Pradesh also assured of strict action against those who try to deprive senior citizens of their rights. Kanpur Parliamentarian Pachauri, 72, said the government is running numerous schemes for senior citizens in the fields of health and people must avail them. It is very necessary for the general public and elected representatives to create awareness about the schemes meant for them, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) YouTube star Friendlyjordies recently made headlines when he accused Channel Nine of trying to block him from making money off his Married At First Sight recaps. But the vlogger, whose real name is Jordan Shanks, has since claimed the action was most likely due to an automated system, and wasn't the result of a complaint from Nine. Jordan told the Krysti & Bodge radio show that he believes YouTube automatically detected the MAFS footage in his recap and de-monetised his video as a result. Funnyman: YouTube star Friendlyjordies (pictured) recently made headlines when he accused Channel Nine of trying to block him from making money off his Married At First Sight recaps 'Usually when it comes to someone like your CBS-es of the world and your Channel Nine, they kind of just have this automated thing where, if they've sensed there's any footage on it they'll just take [monetisation] off,' he explained. He then warned YouTubers with smaller audiences that using footage from television shows in their recap videos can result in them being deleted altogether. 'If you've got a big audience like me or PewDiePie you can do it,' he said. 'But if you're smaller than that, I think they'll just take it off [YouTube] forever.' Automated: But he has since revealed the demonetisation was most likely due to YouTube's automated system, and wasn't the result of a complaint from Nine. Pictured: Stacey Hampton Last month, Jordan claimed that 'boomers' working at Channel Nine were trying to block him from earning revenue from his MAFS recaps. 'Channel 10 was so nice about our Bachelor recaps... Nine, I don't want to sound condescending, you boomers, but do you not know how the Internet works?' he raged in a YouTube video. 'We're giving you free advertising for your show!' Word of warning: Jordan told the Krysti & Bodge radio show that he believes YouTube automatically detected the MAFS footage in his recap and de-monetised his video as a result At the end of the video, he asked his viewers to like and subscribe so that he could continue making content. Following an outcry from fans and media coverage of the saga, Jordan told Krysti & Bodge his videos have since been re-monetised. Get Up With Krysti & Bodge airs on Hit Mid North Coast 6am to 9am weekdays The Bachelor," featuring airline pilot Peter Weber, is continuing in the aftermath of last weeks Fantasy Suite episode. This week will be the Women Tell All special, in which seventeen of the eliminated contestants return to confront both Peter and each other. Tonights episode may also be the first opportunity fans get for a sneak peak at the newly-announced Bachelorette, Claire Crawley. Here is everything youll need to know to watch a live stream of The Bachelor online without cable as it airs. This week, as with the last three weeks, The Bachelor will air only on Monday at 8 p.m., in its usual time slot on ABC. There will be no additional episode on Wednesday, Mar. 4. How to live stream The Bachelor without cable Whether youre a cord-cutter, or you dont have cable, or even if youre just looking for an easy way to catch up with the series, you can live stream The Bachelor on Hulu Live TV. What time does The Bachelor come on? How long is The Bachelor tonight? The Bachelor is airing the 10th episode of its season 24, the Women Tell All special, at 8 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 2. It will run until 10 p.m., at which point it will be followed by a brand new episode of The Good Doctor." Additionally, there are no new episodes airing this week on Wednesday, Mar. 4. What channel is ABC? You can use the channel finder on your providers website to locate it: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish. How to watch The Bachelor online on-demand If you somehow managed to miss the latest episode of The Bachelor, or even if you just want to binge watch the entire season online (again), you can look for it on Hulu Live TV. What is The Bachelor?' What is all the rage about? According to the ABCs description of The Bachelor on its official website: Airline pilot Peter Weber caught the attention of Bachelorette Hannah Brown and all of America the first night they met, stepping out of the limo and expressing his desire for a co-pilot in life. While Peter seemed sweet at first glance, it became clear this charming man in uniform could bring the heat. The passion between Hannah and Peter was undeniable. After expressing his love to her and spending a memorable night in a windmill together, all of America was left shocked and heartbroken with Hannahs decision to end the relationship. Returning home from Greece, Peter was forced to confront his pain and pick up the pieces of his broken heart. Now, Peter is back to take his search for true love to new heights on the 24th season of ABCs hit romance reality series The Bachelor, premiering in January 2020. Heres a look at a recent scene from The Bachelor in which Peter and Madison discuss what happened in the fantasy suites, courtesy of Bachelor Nations official YouTube channel: What happens on The Bachelor tonight? No spoilers here! If you want to find out what happens on The Bachelor tonight, youll have to watch it on Hulu Live TV. Did Madison leave The Bachelor last week? Who is left on The Bachelor? The most recent lady to depart from The Bachelor was Kelsey Weier two weeks ago. That means that, as of right now, we dont know if it was Hannah Ann Sluss, Madison Prewett, or Victoria Fuller who was sent home in the aftermath of the fantasy suite fiasco. Related stories about The Bachelor Here are some additional stories and articles about The Bachelor, including a look at some of the behind-the-scenes drama and controversies: Peter Weber Admits He Wishes Madison Told Him About Saving Herself for Marriage a Little Bit Sooner Bachelor host Chris Harrison teases that Peter Weber and show producer have an intimate relationship Corinne Olympios and Boxing Legend Jackie Kallen Weigh in On Chad Johnsons Arrest Clare Crawley revealed as the next Bachelorette for 2020 season New Bachelorette lead announced, Twitter reacts Its official! 38-year-old Bachelor alum Clare Crawley is the next Bachelorette star Joseph Rejent may be reached at jrejent@njadvancemedia.com. 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. Those who have seen the show Jamtara on Netflix know that scamming people for money is not a very difficult job. Recently, a hacker gained access to an Indian call centre's (supposedly customer service for a computer repair company) CCTV footage and revealed how the scammers laughed as they fleeced their weeping British victims. According to a Daily Mail report, a cyber vigilante, who goes by the name of 'Jim Browning', went through hundreds of hours of video footage from the office in Gurugram, near Delhi, and listened to 70,000 phone calls. He decided to hack into the CCTV footage of the call centre that scammed people. The BBC accessed the footage that shows a British caller chatting with one of the scammers. The scammer used the name 'Chris Lawson' and claimed he was based in San Jose, California. The caller told the scammers he suffered from depression, and said he felt 'sick' when he was told to hand over 1,295 to have his computer 'fixed'. The caller said, Oh bloody hell, I'll have a heart attack. The scammer said, Hey, why you crying, man? You're a very good man. Why are you crying? Another British called who claimed to have just 90 (Approx Rs 8400) in his bank account was told it would cost 150 to get his machine repaired. He told the scammer, I was going to use the 150 to buy some shopping with today so that's buggered that and all sir. The scam reportedly brought in around 3,12,686 a month. Here's how it operated: Fake pop-up warnings that would appear on computer screens of unsuspecting victims telling them to call 'Microsoft'. But the number provided was a direct contact of the scammers. They asked for four-digit payments to 'repair' the problem. BBC Panorama The call centre's boss, Amit Chauhan, was reportedly filmed laughing as he told his team we don't give a **** about the customers. Jim hacks into peoples camera or accounts only when they try to scam him. Notifications from the scammers popped up on his computer and that is when he decided to take up their case. He reportedly asked the scammer on call with him, if he was from Britain to which the latter replied he was from San Jose. When Jim asked for proof by asking the scammer name of a restaurant in San Jose, the latter fidgeted to look for it on Google. BBC Panorama Jim said that once the fraudsters' base of operations are discovered, they will simply change buildings or numbers and continue as before. Be careful what you say around children, as anyone who has any or works with them knows they hear everything. Lately, much of what they are overhearing is about coronavirus. The talk has been alarming and scary. People wearing masks, the number of infected people flashing on TV screens and talk of quarantine is frightening, USA Today writes in the article How do you talk to children about coronavirus? Stay honest and simple to avoid anxiety. So, how should parents and educators talk about the issue with children without making them anxious and frightened? Most children know what a cold is start there. The common cold is also caused by viruses and this is no different in the way that it's spread from person to person, said child psychiatrist Sarabjit Singh. Talk should focus "on washing hands for at least 20 seconds and coughing into the sleeve, not the hand, and maintaining a 3-foot distance," said Singh, who is executive medical director of behavioral health services at Saint Clare's Health in Morris County, St. Marys General Hospital in Passaic County and Saint Michaels Medical Center in Essex County. While its important not to shut out information or put blinders on, parents need to be media savvy and watch out for information overload. Every time you turn on the TV or go on the Internet things tend to get sensationalized, which creates an alarmist attitude, Singh said. Often this leaves more questions than answers in the minds of kids. The anxious brain will always think of the worst-case scenario. Thats why its important to let children know that just because the virus is dominating news coverage that doesnt mean the problem is getting more severe. News coverage can get repetitive. It doesnt mean there is a catastrophe. Often it just means that there is no new information, said Singh. When listening to the news the approach to take for both adults and kids is to ask: Is there anything new coming out? Keep it simple Dinnertime conversation can include simple questions, like Am I learning anything new today? Am I covering the basics? Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Leave it at that. That should bring some peace, said Singh. Parents should also be mindful of their tone during these conversations. Its not just the tone of media, it is also the tone of adults when approaching the topic. We tend to project our worries onto the kids. Our tone needs to be neutral, but we should not avoid conversations like this, Singh said. Adults should keep calm, too Individuals with preexisting health conditions over 80 years old will need to be more vigilant, but this is not a deadly virus for children, said Dr. Robert Lahita, chairman of medicine at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson. Lahita is currently studying the virus and he said its clear to him that with very young people there is something that is preventing them from getting very sick. In fact there were two newborns infected with the virus who weathered the virus very well, he said. Lahita, though, said he doesn't want to downplay the seriousness of the virus with adults. He didn't mince words when asked about the spread of the virus. "Within the next four months, I see this infection going big. There will be lots of communities that will be infected. There will be churches and schools etc., and I think our hospital, Saint Joes, is going to be very, very busy," Lahita said. As a matter of fact, he said, "all of the hospitals within the state and the City of New York are going to be busy. We are ramping up for this as we speak. As with the cold or influenza, Lahita said individuals will have different results, depending on their immune system. Some people will be asymptomatic," he said, "others will have the common cold and others will have total respiratory failure." He said 80 percent do not get very sick while 14 percent will get "somewhat sick" and 2 percent "will wind up in the hospital. Even though these numbers are scary, its better not to keep children in the dark, Lahita said. Professionals advise against waiting until the virus hits or affects the family before talking to children. That kind of attitude, whether its by caregivers, adults or school systems, always invokes more anxiety, Singh said. It sends the message that adults are keeping secrets. The more people get educated about an issue the better it becomes. Anxiety in its simplest form as a phenomenon is all about uncertainty. The bottom line Dr. Donald Allegra, formerly with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), is now an infectious disease specialist with Saint Clare's Health. The CDC warned people a couple of days ago that it would not be a question of if, but when the virus would start spreading," Allegra said. Theres a lot of panic out there, but we havent had any deaths in the United States so far. The panic out there is kind of misplaced." In the end, this virus acts and spreads much like the common cold, which means you have to be within 6 feet of somebody in order to get it, Allegra said. It is a concern, said Allegra. But we are preparing for it. In the end its going to be much less of a concern than a bad influenza season. Workers produce medical N95 masks at a mask production company in southwest China's Chongqing, March 2, 2020. China's daily output of face masks reached 116 million units as of Saturday, 12 times the figure reported on Feb. 1, as production expansion moves into top gear, official data showed Monday. By the end of February, the daily production capacity of masks in China more than quintupled from Feb. 1 to 110 million units that came in medical and non-medical calibers, the National Development and Reform Commission said. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China's daily output of face masks reached 116 million units as of Saturday, 12 times the figure reported on Feb. 1, as production expansion moves into top gear, official data showed Monday. By the end of February, the daily production capacity of masks in China more than quintupled from Feb. 1 to 110 million units that came in medical and non-medical calibers, the National Development and Reform Commission said. The consistent rise in both capacity and output further narrowed the supply deficit. As of Saturday, the daily output of N95-rated medical masks reached 1.66 million units to ensure medical staff at the forefront of the battle against the novel coronavirus are well-equipped, the commission said. China produces about half of the world's masks with a daily output of 20 million units before the epidemic. The country had to launch massive production expansion to secure supply given the explosive growth in demand. Measures were introduced to prioritize the smooth operation of mask producers and support technological upgrading in the sector, while some firms retooled their production for churning out the much-needed protective gear to bolster the national fight against the coronavirus. In south China's economic powerhouse Guangdong Province, Guangzhou Xingshi Equipments Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of diapers and sanitary napkins, converted one of its lines for fully-automated mask production. With a capacity of assembling 1,000 medical masks per minute, or 1.4 million per day running non-stop, the ultra-fast line is believed to be among the world's fastest, according to local authorities. [March 02, 2020] Singapore's MAS Awards RF Fund Management Registered Fund Management Company Status SINGAPORE, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore's RF Fund Management, a subsidiary of RF International Holdings, has unveiled that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has approved its application for the commencement of business as a Registered Fund Management Company on 3rd February 2020. The announcement of the award paves the way for RF Fund Management to pursue their inaugural US$50 million Private Equity Fund. With a strong focus on the Digital Economy, the fund will support the enhancement of Singapore's value as an international fund management centre under the recently launched MAS Variable Capital Companies (VCC) framework. "Our vision is creating sustainable, cross-border wealth and opportunity for all. Through our Private Equity Fund, we shall deploy our innovative modelling strategy, geared towards high capital appreciation, to identify, curate, and invest in select SMEs and startups. Helping them and our investors realise their full potential in line with the Singapore Budget 2020," said Eric Neo Say Wei, Group Chief Executive of RF International Holdings and Non-Executive Director of RF Fund Management. The Singapore Ministry of Finance (MoF) has set aside S$8.3 billon over the next three years to enable transformation and growth. In addition, another S$300 million has been set aside to support startups in the deep-tech sector alone, through the Government scheme, Startup SG Equity. "What we see from the MoF is that the focus is the future. In 'Redefining the Future' with our aspiration of adopting Blockchain technologies within our fund management operations such as Distributed Ledger Technology and Smart Contracts, we aim to set a benchmark for the industry in Singapore," said Eric. Singapore is home to around 3,800 technology startups. "However, many technology startups run into difficulty when it comes to sourcing strategic investors. We need to get them to that next stage of growth, but it needs to be in a trusted, flexible and sustainable way," added Eric. Leading by example, RF Fund Management's parent company, RF International Holdings, has supported Singapore's digital startup ecosystem, beyond just money and capital. An early investor in iSTOX established and operated by ICHX Tech regulated by MAS, RF International Holdings strategically invested US$3 million on 18th April 2019 and was the third ICHX's external shareholder after Singapore Exchange and Heliconia Capital, a unit of Temasek. "We are involved in each stage of growth. From new acquisitions and market penetration, whether it be China, Japan, Singapore or other ASEAN nations, to advocacy and higher price realization, our unique ecosystem enables select SMEs and startups to get their ideas off the ground through investments, mentorship, and leveraging the digital economy. We invite all like-minded investors to join us in fuelling the growth of these select SMEs and startups," Eric concluded. About RF Fund Management: RF Fund Management, a subsidiary of RF International Holdings, is a Monetary Authority of Singapore Registered Fund Management Company with an institutional conscience, and a duty towards present and future generations. Our ownership ethos puts the institution above the individual, emphasises sustainability, and aligns employee and investors difference to the financial world or the community interests over economic cycles. With an investment leadership team with over 60 years of combined industry experience, we hope to 'Redefine the Future' of the Digital Economy in the Asset Management industry. RF International Holdings is a technologically driven global integrated digital financial group headquartered in Singapore. For more information, visit https://www.rf.com.sg/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/rf-fund-management/ Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200228/2733888-1logo SOURCE RF Fund Management [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - good natured Products Inc. (TSXV: GDNP) (the "Company" or "good natured") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the shareholders of Shepherd Thermoforming & Packaging Inc., ("Shepherd") a leading thermoformer with over 35 years' experience, to acquire 100% of Shepherd and all its real estate assets for CAD$9.5 million in cash (the "Share Purchase"). The assets include machinery, molds and a 42,000 square foot manufacturing facility, all located on 2.31 acres of land in the Greater Toronto Area of Brampton, Ontario. Shepherd designs custom packaging including engineering, mold production and final product manufacturing for both thin gauge and heavy gauge applications. Their customers include several Fortune 500 companies located throughout eastern Canada and the northeast United States. Shepherd operates six different thermoforming lines as well as two CNC machines at its fully integrated design, mold manufacturing, testing and manufacturing facility. "After nearly doubling our revenues in 2019, this transaction marks another significant milestone in the company's growth trajectory. The acquisition enables us to increase our production capacity and expand our plant-based packaging assortment to meet the needs of more customers," said Paul Antoniadis, CEO of good natured. "Whether it be through existing molds available at the Shepherd facility, or the ability for us to expand on the development of custom packaging solutions, one of our largest growth sectors, our production capacity and assortment has now increased significantly." Paul went on to add "the strategic location of Shepherd's facility also provides good natured with a strong and easily accessible entry point into Ontario and eastern Canada, as well as the northeastern United States." Paul concluded by saying, "We're delighted to welcome Mark and Todd Shepherd and the entire Shepherd team to the good natured family. We share a common vision to be leaders in the development and adoption of sustainable, planet-friendly packaging solutions in North America, so the combination of our collective expertise, people and manufacturing capability further positions the Company to execute against this ambition." Shepherd generated average annual revenue of over CAD$5.5 million and average annual adjusted EBITDA of CAD$420,000 in the prior three fiscal years. Completion of the Share Purchase remains subject to financing and a number of customary closing conditions in favor of good natured and TSX Venture Exchange approval. The acquisition is expected to be accretive during the current fiscal year. The Company is completing the final stages of financing required to close the Share Purchase with its financial partners, including Business Development Bank of Canada ("BDC"), under the terms and conditions of its previously announced BDC financing from June 2019. "We are very excited to partner with good natured and continue the legacy of our business that was started in 1984 by our father Barry Shepherd," said Todd Shepherd, President of Shepherd Thermoforming & Packaging Inc. "Our customers are increasingly requesting plant-based alternatives, so joining together with good natured, as we have on several projects over the past four to five years, will accelerate our ability to meet this growing demand." The closing of the transaction is expected to be not later than April 30, 2020. In addition to the $9.5 million payable in cash at closing, the Share Purchase contemplates an earnout payment of $2.25 million may be payable at some point between 42 and 60 months post-closing, upon satisfaction of a condition relating to increase in the value of the real estate purchased as part of the transaction. The Company also intends to redeem the remaining $1.18 million in principal amount of its convertible debentures issued February 2018 at the closing of the transaction. The definitive agreement governing the Share Purchase will be available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com subsequent to closing the transaction in accordance with TSX filing regulations. Acquisition Conference Call To provide more details on the Company's acquisition of Shepherd Thermoforming & Packaging Inc., the Company is pleased to host a live conference call with Paul Antoniadis, Executive Chair & CEO, and Don Holmstrom, Executive Vice President & CFO, on Wednesday, March 4 at 11:30am EST. In addition to discussing the Acquisition, Paul will provide an overview of the Company's acquisition strategy, while Don will talk to the financial aspects of the acquisition and what this means for the Company moving forward. Paul and Don will both be available to answer questions at the end of the call. To ask a question, use the question form on the webcast web page or email invest@goodnatured.ca. Conference call details Date: Wednesday, March 4 Time: 11:30am EST Link: http://www.gowebcasting.com/10526 About good natured Products Inc. good natured is producing and distributing one of North America's widest assortments of better everyday products made from the highest possible percentage of renewable, plant-based materials and no BPAs, phthalates or other chemicals of concern potentially harmful to human health and the environment. By combining cutting-edge renewable material technology and the latest sustainable design features, good natured creates planet-friendly products and packaging that do good for the planet, good for human health and good for business by driving incremental sales, minimizing waste and improving logistics, all bundled up in a fresh and friendly brand. For more information: goodnatured.ca About Shepherd Thermoforming & Packaging Inc. Shepherd Thermoforming is a family owned-and-operated business that has become a placeholder in the North American plastics industry since its inception in 1984. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, Shepherd has grown to become an all-in-one solution for custom thermoforming and vacuum forming needs. Shepherd's 42,000 square foot facility is home to industry leading sales, engineering and production teams. With a commitment to offer complete solutions for all clients, Shepherd applied for and attained SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification to go along with its fully integrated ISO 9001:2015 certificate. This means that Shepherd has the ability to produce custom, food safe clamshells, blister packs and other forms of thermoformed and vacuum formed packages to suit each customer's specific needs. On behalf of the Company: Paul Antoniadis - Chief Executive Officer Contact: 1-604-566-8466 Investor Contact: Jackson Spence Investor Relations Manager 1-877-286-0617 ext. 113 invest@goodnatured.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Information in this news release regarding the expected closing of the Share Purchase, the availability of BDC or other financing for the Share Purchase, redemption of convertible debentures and the payment of the earn-out payment constitutes forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk that the closing conditions for completion of the Share Purchase are not satisfied, including due to lack of financing. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Other than as required under securities laws, we do not undertake to update this information at any particular time. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections regarding, among other things, sales volume and pricing which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. The reader should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53083 Comrade-in-arms of soldier accused of murder gets suspended term for military hazing RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 14:52 03/03/2020 MOSCOW, March 3 (RAPSI) - A garrison military court in Chita, a city in Russias Zabaikalye Territory, passed a 2-year suspended sentence on Ruslan Muratov guilty of military hazing in a regional military unit where soldier Ramil Shamsutdinov had allegedly done the deadly shooting, RAPSI was told in the court on Tuesday. Additionally, Muratov was ordered to pay a 30,000-ruble ($450) fine. Shamsutdinov was earlier recognized as injured party in this case. In late October 2019, the court ordered Shamsutdinov to be placed in detention. The soldier stands charged with murder of two or more people. According to investigators, on October 25, Shamsutdinov shot two officers and six soldiers dead in the military unit where he served. Two other people suffered gunshot wounds. The CISF has provided medical kits containing hand sanitisers, gloves and masks to all its personnel deployed to guard 62 civil airports in the country in view of the coronavirus scare, officials said on Tuesday. They said as the personnel have close physical interaction with the outgoing and incoming passengers by way of frisking and talking to them, it has been ordered that the medical kit be stocked and used at all international and domestic airports under the force's security cover. All the airports have been provided alcohol-based sanitiser bottles, hand gloves and face masks of the normal and N95 variety for use by our personnel, a senior CISF official said. The Central Industrial Security Force is designated as the national civil aviation security force and at present it guards 62 airport terminals in the country, the latest being the Srinagar airport in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. With an Italian tourist in Jaipur being tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, the total number of confirmed cases in India has risen to six, as per Union Health Ministry sources. The government has also stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection, that was first reported in China's Wuhan, which has killed over 3,100 people world-wide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There will be an overhaul at Barcelona this summer with the club looking to maximise the final few of Lionel Messi's extraordinary career. According to Sport, the Catalan club will target two defenders and two forwards in the upcoming window in order to build a new team around their iconic talisman. Barca's desire to do so is borne out of their 2-0 defeat at eternal rivals Real Madrid on Sunday night, where it was established that Messi was too isolated. Tuesday's front cover of Sport reports that Barcelona want four players this summer in order to build a new team around Lionel Messi It comes after the Barca board determined that their talisman was isolated against Real Madrid Sport claim that Nou Camp outfit want to sign a centre back and a right back in defence. At present manager Quique Setien only has three centre-back options in Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti. Meanwhile, at right back the void left by Dani Alves' departure in 2016 is still yet to be filled. In attack, Barca are looking at two types of player. One who can play out wide with the other being a bona-fide No 9 who can rotate with Luis Suarez. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is one player who has been linked with a move to Catalonia. Barca's remit is that these players must be of starting quality rather than squad roles as they look to regain their supremacy on all three fronts. Sport adds that they would also be open to signing a midfielder too, depending on the market. Gerard Pique (left) is just one of three centre backs at Barca - a position they look to bolster Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez (left) has been linked with a summer move to Barcelona The Iranian Resistance reported that the total number of deaths caused by COVID-19 is now 1000, while the Iranian Ministry of Health reports just 54 deaths. The hospitals in Iran are under-equipped and understaffed to deal with the virus, even as hundreds of infected patients are entering hospitals. In a report from Gorgan, in northern Iran, one person reported not being allowed into Sayad Hospital because all the wards were allocated to COVID-19 patients and there were no empty beds. They said the same was true of Army Hospital in Kakh. The person explained that undercover intelligence agents have been deployed to the hospitals to prevent anyone from taking pictures and filming. There are also bans or delays in reporting deaths, like the 12 that died in Sayad Hospital and Panje Azar Hospital last week. Ismaiel Iraji, 48, died on February 19 and his family was banned from announcing his death because of a security issue. Of course, the regime just wanted to bring more people out to the polling stations for Election Day, not that it worked at all. Gholamali Jafarzadeh, the MP for Rasht, spoke to the state-run Asre Iran Website about the conditions in the city, which is the second worst-hit area after Qom. He said that conditions were grave and that Rasht was facing more of a crisis than other cities, with the main hospitals turned over to COVID-19 patients, unable to admit new patients, and still undersupplied. He called the COVID-19 figures announced by the regime a joke and said this cover-up is endangering lives. He said: According to reports from villages, a number of people in Gilans villages who died with COVID-19 symptoms were buried without their cause of death being registered. In an earlier interview, Jafarzadeh also said that the regime was covering up the scope of the outbreak. Ordinary Iranians are unable to access masks, alcohol, and anti-bacterial gel to stop the spread of the virus because the regime is hoarding them and selling them for ten times the price on the black market. While Tehran City Council said the city is facing a severe shortage of disinfectants to clean the metros, taxis, and busses, as well as few masks and gloves for bus and taxi drivers. Read More: Iran: A Coronavirus Worse Than the Coronavirus Coronavirus in Iran; Shocking Speech by Dr. Behrouz Kalidari in Isfahan [March 03, 2020] South Carolina Virtual Charter School Now Accepting Enrollment for the 2020-2021 School Year South Carolina Virtual Charter School (SCVCS)-an AdvancED-accredited and NCAA-approved, full-time public charter school-is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2020-2021 school year. SCVCS offers a tuition-free education to students statewide in kindergarten through 12th grade. SCVCS also offers families an alternative to the traditional brick-and-mortar learning environment. Combining online instruction, a rigorous curriculum and the support of state-certified teachers, SCVCS provides students with the tools and resources they need to succeed. "At SCVCS, we provide a personalized learning experience for every student," says Head of School Dr. Cherry Daniel. "We know that our interactive curriculum and dynamic teachers and staff help students chart their own academic and professional paths." SCVCS students across all grade levels are offered a full course load in the core subjects of English/language arts, math, science, history, art, music and physical education, as well as electives and world languages. SCVCS sponsors national honor societies in the core academic areas. The school also offers career readiness courses in rowing career fields including, but not limited to: healthcare, information technology, computer science, law enforcement, and general management. These courses support high schoolers in pursuing credentials that help them become more readily employable upon graduation. SCVCS teachers facilitate live, interactive online classes, which allow students to enjoy a safe learning environment anywhere with an internet connection. In addition to scheduled classes, teachers regularly communicate with students and families via phone and email in order to ensure they are supported and appropriately challenged. Resources are available to help SCVCS students and families navigate the online and blended learning experience. Many families and students are choosing SCVCS because it provides an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar education. Athletes, advanced learners, and all types of students can balance a full academic load along with extracurricular pursuits or any other specialized needs. SCVCS's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue academic goals in a supportive environment that recognizes their individual learning styles. Throughout the school year, SCVCS hosts field trips and social outings and celebrates graduating seniors with an in-person commencement ceremony in the spring. Virtual clubs and organizations allow students to further explore shared interests together. SCVCS encourages families to attend town hall meetings hosted by the school. To learn more about enrollment and for a schedule of upcoming events, visit scvcs.k12.com or download the K12 enrollment app for iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices. About South Carolina Virtual Charter School South Carolina Virtual Charter School (SCVCS) is a full-time public charter school that serves students in grades K through 12. As part of the South Carolina public school system, SCVCS is tuition-free and gives families the choice to access the engaging curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), one of the nation's preeminent tech-enabled education companies and a premier provider of career readiness education services. For more information about SCVCS, visit scvcs.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005032/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India on Tuesday rolled out GLC Coupe, making it the 10th model from its Pune assembly line. The all new GLC Coupe comes in two variants -- 300d 4Matic diesel and 300 4Matic petrol powered by BS-VI engines -- and are priced at Rs 62.70 lakh, and Rs 63.70 lakh, respectively, (National price, barring Kerala, where there is a higher duty structure now), the company said in a statement. With this, Mercedes-Benz offers the largest SUV portfolio in the luxury car segment with eight models. The GLC 300d Coupe is powered by BS-VI 4-cylinder diesel engine that can race to 0-100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds, while GLC 300 Coupe petrol engine offers a torque of 0-100km/h in just 6.3 seconds. Launching the new car, Martin Schwenk, managing director & chief executive of Mercedes-Benz India expressed that it will further enhance the popularity of the SUV Coupe. Piyush Arora, executive director, operations, said that adding the 10th model to the locally assembly line reiterates the highest level of refinement and implementation of advanced technology and flexible processes that ensure our production quality conforms to the most stringent global standards. "Going forward, we will strive to introduce more locally value added vehicles depending on future market dynamics and growth," he added. The German car major has the largest manufacturing plant among all the luxury carmakers in the country with a 20,000 units per annum capacity. The company entered the country in 1994 and set up Chakan plant in 2009, spread over 100 acres and has invested more than Rs 2,200 crore. Its India portfolio comprises the locally-produced Maybach S 560, S-Class, E-Class long wheelbase, C-Class and the GLA, GLC, long wheelbase GLE, G350d SUVs and GLC Coupe. Mercedes retained its market leadership for the fifth year in a row in 2019, selling 13,786 units, which was down around 12 per cent over 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WEXFORD COUNTY, MI A 20-year-old Michigan man led police on a six-mile foot chase through the snow after he was stopped at a rest area on U.S. 131. Justin David Atkins of Jackson has been charged with one count fleeing and eluding operating while license suspended and several other charges. The incident began around 11 p.m. on Feb. 28 when troopers from the Michigan State Police Cadillac Post stopped Atkins for a vehicle an equipment violation. The vehicle pulled into the Clam Lake Rest Area near M-115 and stopped on the far side of a semi. Atkins then fled on foot and troopers gave chase. The suspect was tracked for approximately six miles through the snow before he was spotted at the Beacon and Bridge gas station on M-115 and arrested. According to police, he had alcohol in his system, a suspended license and no insurance on the vehicle. The subject was lodged in the Wexford County Jail. His bond was set at $10,000. Troopers were assisted by the Wexford County Sheriffs Office and the Cadillac City Police Department. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 07:22:02 Most OECD countries exceed UK's robot density by far Low Skilled Jobs: Do Robots Help the UK After Brexit? automatica Survey Released MESSE MUNICH for automatica Bernhard Krause Tel. (+49 89) 949 - 21484 Email: Bernhard.Krause@messe-muenchen.de econNEWSnetwork Carsten Heer Tel. +49 (0) 40 822 44 284 Email: newsroom@econ-news.com The number of industrial robots installed in the United Kingdom ranks 22nd worldwide with only 91 units per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing Industry International Federation of Robotics reports. At the same time, post-Brexit immigration plans unveiled by the government wants to move away from relying on cheap labour from Europe. The lack of education for working with robots has already been recognized: 65 percent of the UK's working population want these skills promoted as a top priority by policy makers. 68 percent predict, that the use of robots is essential for the competitiveness of the UK's economy. These are results of the automatica trend index 2020. For the study, 1,000 employees have been surveyed representative of the population on behalf of the world's leading trade fair for smart automation and robotics automatica (Munich, June 16-19). Over many years, the UK has attracted workers from other countries, with businesses preferring to hire people rather than invest in automation equipment, says Mike Wilson, Chairman of the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA). After Brexit, businesses have to ensure that they use their workforce effectively - robot automation being an obvious solution. The UK's working population already welcomes robots, to do the dirty, dull and dangerous work: 73 percent want the machines to take monotonous routine jobs off the hands of employees, says Dr. Martin Lechner, study director of automatica's trend index. About 80 percent want robots take on tasks with hazardous materials and carry out work that is harmful to health, like lifting heavy loads. In terms of robot density by region, Europe has the highest level worldwide, says Patrick Schwarzkopf of VDMA - Europe's largest network organization for mechanical engineering. The five countries Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Italy all make the global top-10 regarding robotization, whereas the UK ranks only 22nd. Not good news for the UK, as robot adoption is key for driving productivity growth. automatica trend index 2020 For the 2020 automatica trend index, a total of 7,000 employees were interviewed in 7 countries: US, CN, JP, UK, GER, FR, IT: https://automatica-munich.com/en/newsroom/press-do View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005 Low Skilled Jobs Do Robots Help The UK After BREXIT? automatica trend index surveyed UKs working population what they expect in future Deirdre McCallan fled to the US to start a new life (stock photo) A former nurse who fled to the United States to start a new life after stealing drugs from a Belfast hospital has been jailed for three months. Deirdre McCallan wept as a court heard on Tuesday how she repeatedly raided supplies of Diazepam and then offered the pills to colleagues. The 31-year-old, with a previous address at Park View in Dunmurry, has been at large for nearly two years. She was convicted in her absence in April 2018 - by which time she had moved to America. With an outstanding warrant for her arrest, McCallan returned to Northern Ireland at the weekend to have the case dealt with. Belfast Magistrates' Court was told a total of 118 Diazepam tablets were stolen from the Royal Victoria Hospital in July 2016. A camera installed above a medication cabinet as part of an internal investigation captured footage of McCallan removing boxes on a number of dates. Other members of staff said she had offered some of the stolen haul to them. She also allegedly gave a tablet to one colleague who was off sick at the time. McCallan was found guilty of two counts of theft by an employee, two counts of offering to supply a Class C drug, and a further charge of supplying Diazepam. Following her conviction she was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council last year. It emerged on Tuesday that she is now married and living in Miami, where she works as a nanny. Defence counsel Sean O'Hare said: "Her entire life is now in America." Mr O'Hare confirmed that McCallan accepts full responsibility for offences he said were triggered by an episode in the hospital. She "foolishly" went to the US to make a fresh start, but knew she had to come back to face justice, the barrister added. He also claimed: "This is someone who has perhaps gone through more turmoil in the last couple of years than most people have to go through." But District Judge Peter Magill insisted she deserved no credit for committing the thefts and then travelling overseas to evade responsibility. Imposing three months imprisonment, he told McCallan: "You were in a position of trust as a nurse, you stole Diazepam on more than one occasion, and you offered this to others. "I can only wonder why you were doing that." McCallan, who has booked a flight back to Miami next week, was granted bail pending an appeal against the jail term. Although there is a decline in military tension in Syria, in any case, the overall situation will remain the same, especially on ground, taking into consideration the fact that there are some clashes here and there. This is what Arabologist Sargis Grigoryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am today, adding that the global agenda on Syria is dictated by these events. The government forces are succeeding, and the Turkish officials statements show that the Turkish armed forces are becoming less involved, the Arabologist stated. Based on Grigoryans predictions, during their March 5 meeting, Putin and Erdogan will discuss concrete solutions such as the creation of Turkeys zone of influence in northern Syria which has a length of 900 km and which may include Idlib. Putin and Erdogan might also consider the proposal to weaken the political influence of Kurds in northern Syria and the creation of a 25-30 km deep zone of influence, but they will take US interests into consideration, he emphasized, adding that each of the sides is trying to meet its geopolitical objectives in these processes. As much as other issues, parliamentary democracy in a multi-party federal State will also be on trial. Political acumen, that special quality of mind that can manoeuvre through the intensely competitive ecosystem of elections, will be tested in the next round of elections, covering both the local bodies and the state assemblies. That is to say, Mamata Banerjee, Amit Shah-Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar, Tejaswi Yadav and the other parties, whose capacity is to add value or cut into votes, will need to do more than posturing and repeat themselves about who they are. The next series will be an equally challenging test of political consciousness about the wider implications and greater responsibilities of every voter who chooses to participate. From local body elections up to the state Assembly, every vote will contribute to the larger struggle that is underway, between two ideas of India, between a majoritarian State and an inclusive, secular one; between all citizens equal in all respects and some citizens less equal than the rest. As much as other issues, parliamentary democracy in a multi-party federal State will also be on trial. The one-size-fits-all blueprint of the Bharatiya Janata Party will be tested against the many faceted politics of entrenched regional parties. Different baggages from the past will be shadows that will create discomfort for the leaders, organisations, parties and voters. The BJP, on the contrary, has no qualms about reusing its tested formula, regardless of the consequences of causing public mischief, to draw the line between natural enemies and uneasy allies. In the heart of Kolkata, not some northeastern fringe area as in New Delhi, BJP cadres shouted Desh ki gaddaro ko, goli maaro ko. It was provocative and it was targeted against whoever rose to the bait. By inviting action under the Indian Penal Code, sections 505 and 153A and others too, which the West Bengal government has done against those identified as shouting this slogan, the BJP has made mischief, deliberately and with forethought. Ever since legislating the Citizenship Amendment Act the boundary separating BJP from its foes is more sharply drawn than ever before. The limitations of a one-point strategy majoritarian politics versus Muslim appeasement leave less room for manoeuvrability for the BJP. By that measure, Mamata Banerjee is the enemy; Nitish Kumar is not. In West Bengal, the BJP considers itself the only alternative to the Trinamul Congress. In Bihar, the BJP cannot afford to act tough with Nitish Kumar because it knows that it could lose a great deal if it directly charged the Janata Dal (United). Outsmarted by Nitish Kumar, when he pushed through, with the BJPs support, resolutions against the National Register of Citizens, demanded changes to the National Population Register, and threw in a new demand for a Caste Census in 2021, the BJP knows it has to cut its losses to keep the coalition going. There is an alternative in Bihar and it could win. The simplest reason for the use of the dogwhistle in the heart of Kolkata goli maaro could be BJPs limited understanding of the culture and traditions of politics in West Bengal. It seems to have looked at the maths and come to the conclusion that if the party could gain six plus per cent votes in Delhi, where too, it was the only challenger to the Aam Aadmi Party, by blowing the dogwhistle, the BJP can expect to cover the three plus per cent distance that separates it from the Trinamool Congress in terms of vote share, as the 2019 general election results showed. Against the Trinamul Congress vote of 43.28 per cent in 2019, the BJP garnered a whopping 40.25 per cent, gaining from the total decimation of the Communist Party of India Marxist led Left Front which lost over 16 per cent votes. In 2014, the BJPs vote share was 17 per cent. In 2016, its vote share in the state Assembly elections was 10.2 per cent. In West Bengal, BJP has succeeded in attracting voters, but not all voters are the core support it needs to win without resorting to dangerous and incendiary adventurism. The BJP has used its only narrative, with its variations and additions, to trap Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee to play by the rules of the communal divide game, till now. Reacting to the goli maaro provocation, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of state sponsored, planned genocide in Delhi. After her deafening silence since the riots in the national capital, the ferocity of the attack and the Trinamul Congress accusation in Parliament that the BJP had blood on its hands, is exactly as expected. Anything less would have diminished Mamata Banerjees appeal among Muslim voters on the one hand and Hindu voters who abhor communal politics. The next elections, in Bihar and West Bengal will be flavoured by the larger politics of citizenship and legacy papers. It will impact the local body elections, all 110 municipalities and corporations in West Bengals urban locations, even though such elections tend to be very local, where familiarity about candidates varies the reaction of voters, from contempt to respect. Past local body elections in West Bengal have been bloody; the Trinamul Congress has been pilloried for leading the violence. It has contributed to voter disenchantment with the party, even though Mamata Banerjees personal popularity remains mostly intact. The just released projection of Mamata Banerjee as synonymous with West Bengal is one way of outsmarting the BJP, which does not have a face that can win in West Bengal. But that is not enough. To defend West Bengals culture social and political the political establishment in the state has to find a way of strengthening the habits of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence that was put into place after 1947 by a consensus among political parties. Post-1946-riots-Kolkata established the precedent of political consensus, reflecting the everyday accommodations of communities living in close proximity, with the usual baggage of friction and fellow feeling. As much as the voter, who will have to make a conscious choice in West Bengal to affirm the culture of fraternity, the political leadership of secular parties, especially Mamata Banerjee, comprising around 56 per cent of the votes, will need to find ways of minimising the space available for the BJP. The challenge in the cut-throat competitive politics of West Bengal is going to be very difficult. RENO, Nev., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Diagnostic Labs will soon be heading to a community near you to test for the novel coronavirus Covid-19. It is urgent to be proactively testing the public for the coronavirus to reduce the spread of this outbreak quickly throughout local communities. Nurses will head to senior homes, hospitals, airports, and homes to collect and check tissue samples to be brought back to our Rapid Dx Mobile Diagnostic Labs with test results to local health authorities and patients in under 2 hours. Rapid Dx for Life will be deploying 400 cargo vans equipped with qPCR systems in North America this week to proactively test people for Covid-19. We are capable of testing over 100,000 Covid-19 test samples daily. Media Contact: Richard Moore (775) 319-7800 [email protected] SOURCE Rapid Dx, LLC Related Links www.rapiddxforlife.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 23:50:35|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China strongly opposes and condemns the U.S. State Department's political crackdown on the U.S. offices of the Chinese media out of Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice on shaky ground, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday. The U.S. State Department announced Monday that the U.S. government will cap the number of Chinese citizens permitted to work for the five Chinese media groups that were designated as "foreign missions," effective March 13. "Considering where the China-U.S. relationship now stands, what the United States has done will have serious negative impacts and damage bilateral relations," Zhao told a press briefing. "We urge the United States to immediately change its course and correct its wrongdoings. The Chinese side reserves the right to respond and take further actions." Zhao said Chinese journalists stationed in the United States have been strictly abiding by U.S. laws and regulations and carrying out news reporting under the principle of objectivity, fairness, truthfulness and accuracy. "Their professionalism is well recognized. The U.S. side has no basis and reason to take such an action against Chinese journalists." The U.S. side has escalating the oppression against Chinese journalists from listing the Chinese media as "foreign agents" to designating them as "foreign missions" and now to cap the number of their Chinese employees, which means de-facto "expulsion" in a limited time, Zhao said. "Because of their mounting oppression, Chinese journalists' normal reporting activities, the reputation of the Chinese media and normal people-to-people exchanges between the two sides have been gravely damaged," said Zhao. While priding itself on freedom of press, the United States now disrupts and obstructs the Chinese media doing their job, Zhao said. "Such a two-faced behavior exposed its hypocrisy in so-called freedom of press, nothing short of double standards and bullying." When asked to comment on the U.S. announcement that the purpose of such measures is to seek "reciprocity," Zhao said China has never instituted any caps on the number of offices and employees of U.S. media in China. "It is their own choice to make on how many people they want to send here, not a result of China's restriction." Zhao said the United States had rejected and delayed issuance of visa to Chinese journalists since 2018 to restrict their going to the United States, and at least 21 Chinese journalists have been denied visa since last year. "On top of all that, this time, the United States has decided to 'expel' 60 Chinese employees of these Chinese media in the country, under the pretext of capping their number. Can this be called 'reciprocity'?" According to Zhao, China only has nine media agencies in the United States while there are 29 U.S. media groups in China. He also noted that while the U.S. journalists enjoy multiple entries of China with their visa, the United States has taken discriminatory measures targeting Chinese journalists by issuing single-entry visa, which means Chinese journalists will have to reapply for their visa if they go back to China briefly or even visit their families during their tenure, not to mention the 354 U.S. dollars of their visa fee, which is twice as much as the fee China charges. "Can this be called 'reciprocity'?" Zhao asked. "The United States wants 'reciprocity' with us. Does it also want that with other countries' media?" he continued. Zhao said the U.S. constant request for reciprocity is essentially prejudice, discrimination and aversion against Chinese media. "The United States is guilty of foul play first. We will simply do what we have to do." The Democratic Partys tightening embrace of socialist proposals and politicians is real cause for alarm, especially in a country whose very foundation is liberty. Indeed, the precious freedoms that exist here in America have always set us apart. Just think about how many people still want to come to the United States to have a share in the American dream. That should say a lot about just how precious our freedoms are and why we must never take them for granted. Because of the freedoms secured by brave patriots long ago and preserved time and again for generations, our land is one of endless opportunity where hard work, determination and innovation are rewarded, and the American dream can be achieved regardless of where youve come from. And its because of the underlying foundation of freedom, opportunity and the rule of law. With socialisms popularity dangerously rising, dont be deceived. Our framers trusted free people, free speech and free markets for a reason, and we should continue to do so. In the course of the current presidential campaign, several Democratic presidential candidates have either rolled out or voiced their support for socialist proposals. Even more disconcerting, self-proclaimed socialist Senator Bernie Sanders recently went so far as to offer a measure of praise for communist dictator Fidel Castro of Cuba, yet the regime Castro founded still mistreats and oppresses its own citizens and still associates with other oppressive and corrupt governments. Its worth remembering that many Cubans have embarked on journeys to flee this oppression and live freely in America revealing the true state of their oppressed homeland and the dangers posed by communism. But the Democratic embrace of socialism extends beyond the presidential debate stage. Throughout this Congress, House Democrats have put forward numerous legislative proposals that are alarmingly radical and, quite simply, socialist in nature. Widely talked about are bills like the so-called Medicare for All and Green New Deal, as well as budget busting proposals for free college tuition and universal basic income. While it might be appealing to pursue what sounds like the be all end all with Medicare for All, Democrats promised that less than a decade ago with the so-called Affordable Care Act. Back then, Americans were promised they could keep their doctors, that they could stay on their current plans and that their premiums would go down. None of those things turned out to be true, yet Democrats have pushed for a total government takeover of the industry with their Medicare for All proposal. Aside from its staggering cost, estimated at more than $32 trillion over 10 years, Medicare for All would cause more than 158 million Americans to lose their current coverage. In fact, private health insurance would be completely banned. That means anyone with private, employer-based or union-based health insurance would lose their plans in place of the governments one-size-fits-all coverage. Even if you like your plan, theres no question you really wouldnt be able to keep it. Moreover, the Medicare system, which millions of recipients have paid taxes into for a lifetime, would be flooded by people who have paid little or nothing into the system. When it comes to the Green New Deal, Republican opposition to it does not mean Republicans dont care about the environment. Certainly, there is an abundance of ideas about how we can be better stewards of the earth and good stewards of taxpayer dollars as well. Unfortunately, the Green New Deal is really socialism masking as environmentalism. Even though the plan was presented as the means to save the earth from destruction, only a small part of the plan actually addresses environmental policy. In fact, much of the proposals cost would go toward purely socialist policies like a federal job guarantee and economic security for all who are unable or unwilling to work. Several Democratic presidential candidates have echoed the idea of a universal basic income program, providing a regular, taxpayer-funded paycheck to cover basic living expenses, eliminating the value and necessity of work. At a cost of at least $2.8 trillion annually, such a program would not only demolish the federal budget, but it would also discourage people from working at all. The consequences would be disastrous for the nations economy and job creators who want to hire more not less. America is not a country that thrives because of big government. It thrives because its citizens know that hard work is rewarded, freedom is protected, and individuals can enjoy the fruits of their labor as they see fit. It is that dream of personal freedom and individual property that has defined America as the land of opportunity. It is that opportunity that has and will continue to draw people to our land while making America the envy of the world. Tom Cole, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, is serving his eighth term in Congress as the elected representative of Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District. He is recognized as an advocate for taxpayers and small business, a proponent for a strong national defense and a leader in promoting biomedical research. He is considered the foremost expert in the House on issues dealing with Native Americans and tribal governments. He and his wife, Ellen, have one son, Mason, and reside in Moore, Oklahoma. Join the Conversation Severe weather and tornadoes have impacted several counties in Tennessee, leaving behind multiple deaths and severe damage in Nashville. Governor Bill Lee has declared a state of emergency after the tornadoes ripped through at least three counties, including Davidson, Wilson, and Putnam Counties, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. As of a report from TEMA at 11:21 am CST this morning, the Tennessee Department of Health had 22 confirmed fatalities: 16 fatalities in Putnam County; 3 fatalities in Wilson County; 2 fatalities in Davidson County; 1 fatality in Benton County. Tennessee Department of Health is coordinating with local partners to provide resources. TEMA said the number of injuries is unknown. Four shelters have been opened in the state. At least 73,000 people were without power: Davidson County is reporting approximately 48,000 without power; Wilson County is reporting approximately 17,000 without power; Upper Cumberland (Putnam County and Jackson County) is reporting approximately 8,000 without power The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan (TEMP) with an all-hands response from state emergency officials and activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), TEMA said in a statement this morning. A line of severe storms passed through the state on March 2 and overnight into March 3, causing major damage to buildings, roads, bridges, utilities and businesses in several counties. Tornado damage has been reported throughout West and Middle Tennessee including downtown Nashville. The exact extent of damage is also unknown, TEMA said. Emergency Service Coordinators and liaisons with numerous state and local partners and non-governmental organizations are reporting to the SEOC to coordinate response actions and damage assessments. Due to severe weather, state offices will be closed in the following counties: Davidson, Wilson, Putnam, Carroll, Benton, Fentress, Overton, and Smith. If able, employees should follow AWS procedures to assure the state continues to service its citizens. At this time, only essential personnel should report to duty. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance tweeted that it had set up three mobile claims centers in Nashville and had staff on site responding to claims. Tennessee Insurance Commissioner Hodgen Mainda urged residents to use caution before hiring a contractor for any repair work. We as a state have taken a collaborative approach and combined efforts with other agencies to respond to the storms, tornadoes, that came through, Mainda said in a video on TDCIs Twitter page. Thousands of people have been affected by the tornadoes. This is a developing story Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Tennessee Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh on Tuesday termed the stay on the execution of four convicts in the 2012 Delhi gang-rape and murder case as the "cruellest joke". Speaking to ANI she said, "I can only say that it is the cruellest joke possible, it is totally unacceptable." "Is it a joke on legal system or the victim...womanhood? what is it?" she asked further. Earlier on Monday, a Delhi court stayed the execution of four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case and deferred the matter till further orders. Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana had reserved the order on a petition filed by Pawan Gupta after hearing arguments from all the sides in the matter. The execution of the convicts -- Vinay Sharma, Akshay Singh Thakur, Pawan Gupta and Mukesh Singh -- was earlier scheduled to take place on the morning of March 3. The case pertains to the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, by six people including a juvenile in Delhi. The woman had died at a Singapore hospital a few days later. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 75 years ago, a brutal campaign was fought to end the Japanese occupation of Manila. More than 100,000 civilians died in the violence, which remains engraved forever in the memories of those who took part in what was one of WWII's bloodiest campaigns. DUBLIN, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Fall Protection Equipment Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Fall Protection Market is likely to grow at a CAGR of over 10% during the period 2019-2025. Key Market Insights The analysis of the fall protection market provides sizing and growth opportunities for the period 2020-2025. Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, forecast, and growth drivers in the market. Includes a detailed analysis of growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities. Delivers a complete overview of segments and the regional outlook of the market. Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage. The fall protection market is likely to witness rapid growth on account of a high number of accidents and incidences in construction, oil & gas, mining, and transportation industries. The increase in construction output and the rise in the aging workforce are likely to be other significant factors boosting the adoption of fall protection equipment. Moreover, the growing investment in renewable energies, such as wind and solar, is expected to increase demand for high-end safety equipment for workers that inspect, install, and maintain extensive infrastructures such as windmills, machines, and panels. The construction industry accounts for the highest accidents than in other sectors. The rise in the number of infrastructure projects across the globe, especially in the US, the UAE, and China, is expected to generate awareness and demand for fall protection equipment. In the US, fall accidents are growing at an alarming rate, thereby increasing stringency in regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) work to promote voluntary safety standards at workplaces to ensure employee safety. Government agencies and employee welfare organizations across several countries are making efforts to reduce the number of work-related accidents. Hence, the increase in campaigns and awareness programs will influence employers to install safety equipment, thereby increasing the growth of the fall protection market during the forecast period. Market Dynamics Opportunities & Trends Increased Government Investments Growing Demand for Adventure Sports Growth Enablers Increase in Workplace Injuries Stringent Safety Regulations Growth in Professional Cleaning Industry Growth Restraints Lack of Skilled Labor Use of Substandard Products Fall Protection Market: Segmentation This research report includes a detailed segmentation by product type, end-user and geography. Soft goods comprise harnesses, body belts, lanyards, and ropes. The application of harnesses is high in construction, oil & gas, mining, and energy industries. Harnesses are in demand as they offer high safety and security. They are experiencing a high application in the mining industry. Hence, the expansion of the oil and rig industry in North America is expected to drive the demand for harnesses. Lanyards reduce free fall distance and minimize injury risks. These types of soft goods are durable and flexible, which increases their utilization in construction activities. The demand for lanyards is expected to grow due to the increasing construction activities in the APAC and North American regions. Hard goods consist of anchors, karabiner, rope grabs, and retractable blocks. Anchors are highly capable of supporting intended loads and helping in fall arrest. The application of anchors is mandatory in the mining industry as it can maximize versatility and convenience among workers. The global expansion of the mining industry is likely to bolster the demand for anchors. Rope grabs enable level and inertial locking to prevent the fall and are the preferred options for vertical and horizontal lifeline systems applied in the construction and mining industry. The increasing installation of lifeline systems in the construction and mining industry is expected to drive the growth of rope grabs. Rescue kits prevent the employee from fall accidents. Stringency in occupational safety in the US is driving the demand for rescue kits as they are mandatory for all types of work environments. Hence, the increasing application of rescue kits due to regulatory compliance is expected to increase the revenue of the hard goods segment during the forecast period. The construction industry is the major end-user of the fall protection system as it witnesses the highest incidences of accidents every year. The global construction industry accounts for more than one-third of workplace fatalities annually. The US, the UAE, Canada, Mexico, and China are the key countries for safety equipment in construction sites due to the high number of upcoming construction projects. As oil & gas industries are potentially more hazardous than any other industries, the exposure of physical, chemical, and biological toxins might increase the chance of falls and explosions that demand fall protection equipment. Retractable lifeline systems are widely preferred in the oil & gas industry due to high-security concerns. The growth in public investments and the probability of increased risks in workplaces are likely to trigger the demand for protective equipment. The demand is expected to be significant in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as they are among the leading oil exporters in the world. Volatility in the mining environment is enforcing the adoption of fall safety equipment on a large scale. The demand for harnesses and belts is likely to increase as they are majorly used in the mining industry. The global mining industry is expected to grow at a rate of 3% until 2022. Thus, the demand for rescue kits, lanyards, and belts is likely to surge during the forecast period. Insights by Geography The increasing oil and rig activities in North America is expected to boost the demand for soft goods, access systems, and rescue kits during the forecast period. In the US, strict compliance to stated regulations, including OSHA, is likely to drive the market. Moreover, the increase in commercial construction, which consists of hotels, spas, amusement parks, and recreational facilities, is expected to drive the growth of the market. Increasing infrastructural developments in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Portugal is likely to drive the market in Europe. The construction industry in the European region is expected to generate $2,750 billion by 2023. With the rise in the number of construction projects, risks and hazards associated with employees are also estimated to rise in the coming years, thereby expecting to drive the demand for soft goods such as lanyards, ropes, harness and access systems, and rescue kits during the forecast period. The APAC region will grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The construction industry in APAC, excluding India, is estimated to reach over $5 trillion by 2021. China's construction industry will grow over 4% by 2021 due to the development of several mega infrastructure projects, along with the construction of over 2,900 hotel projects. In the MEA region, the fall protection market is likely to grow due to significant investments in advance technology and infrastructural design. Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait are the major countries in the region, which are likely to invest tremendous growth. Insights by Vendors The fall protection market is fragmented, with a limited number of global players earning significant revenue. The margin of success always lies in the intensity of the differentiation among the products. Factors such as price, warranty, training methods, feasible access to the trainers, and durability of the products are expected to play a vital role in highlighting the major vendors. In price-sensitive countries such as India, there is a threat from the new entrants that offer non-certified equipment at low prices. Hence, global players are facing a significant challenge to establish a diverse market base in the country. Globally, the expansion through mergers and acquisitions is likely to be effective in the fall protection market. The vendors are expected to earn revenue through training, inspection, and services in underpenetrated regions of APAC, MEA, and Latin America. Key Vendors 3M Honeywell MSA Petzl Pure Safety Group Other Vendors SKYLOTEC GmbH Guardian Fall Kee Safety Werner FallTech Cofra FrenchCreek Safe Approach Swelock Asia Heightsafe Hi-Rise Access SafetyLink Malta Dynamics Buckingham Manufacturing Elk River Sellstrom Rigid Lifelines For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ksx51u Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com The number of child refugees brought to the UK through the governments resettlement scheme plummeted by 30 per cent last year. Ministers have now been accused of turning their backs on vulnerable minors facing persecution overseas. Some 278 youngsters were resettled under the Vulnerable Childrens Resettlement (VCR) scheme last year, analysis of official figures shows, down from 395 in 2018. Just 17 minors were granted protection in the last three months of 2019. Meanwhile, thousands of migrants are searching for ways to cross into Europe after Turkey announced it would no longer stop refugees from reaching the continent, prompting Greece to tighten its sea and land borders. A child was killed on Monday when the boat they were aboard capsized off the island of Lesbos, underscoring the dangers faced by those attempting to make the passage west from Turkey. The UK government introduced the VCR scheme in 2016. It committed to resettling up to 3,000 vulnerable children and their families if they had relatives from the Middle East and North Africa by 2020. Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Show all 17 1 /17 Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe NGO members help 15 Afghan refugees, 5 children, 3 women and 7 men, to disembark from a dinghy as it lands ashore the Greek island of Lesbos on 28 February AFP/Getty Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe A group of migrants walk through the Turkish-Greek border in a village near the border city of Edirne, Turkey, on 28 February Reuters Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Migrants from Afghanistan arrive on a dinghy on the Greek island of Lesbos on 28 February Reuters Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Afghan refugees stand on the shore of the Greek island of Lesbos after disembarking a dinght on 28 February AFP/Getty Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe A group of migrants walk through the Turkish-Greek border in a village Bosnakoy near the border city of Edirne, Turkey on 28 February Reuters Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Migrants from Afghanistan arrive in a dinghy at the village of Skala Sikaminias, on the Greek island of Lesbos on 28 February AP Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Afghan refugees stand on the shore of the Greek island of Lesbos after disembarking a dinght on 28 February Reuters Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe A group of migrants walk through the Turkish-Greek border in a village near the border city of Edirne, Turkeythrough the Turkish-Greek border in a village Bosnakoy near the border city of Edirne, Turkey Reuters Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Refugees walk near fences enforcing the Greek border as they try to enter Europe, in Edirne, Turkey on 28 February 2020. the Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Refugees walk near fences enforcing the Greek border as they try to enter Europe, in Edirne, Turkey on 28 February 2020. the Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Refugees walk near fences enforcing the Greek border as they try to enter Europe, in Edirne, Turkey, 28 February 2020. the Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Refugees walk near fences enforcing the Greek border as they try to enter Europe, in Edirne, Turkey, 28 February 2020. the Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Refugees walk near fences enforcing the Greek border as they try to enter Europe, in Edirne, Turkey, 28 February 2020. the Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Greek soldiers patrol behind a border fence as refugees try to enter Europe, from Edirne, Turkey, 28 February 2020. the Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Syrian refugees board a bus as they head to border villages of Edirne province, in Istanbul, Turkey, 28 February 2020. The Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Refugees walk near fences enforcing the Greek border as they try to enter Europe, in Edirne, Turkey, 28 February 2020. The Turkish government announced its decision to no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib, Syria on 27 February. EPA Turkey opens borders to allow refugees to flee to Europe Migrants wait in no-man land between Turkey and Greece, in Pazarkule, Edirne, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. NATO envoys were holding emergency talks Friday at the request of Turkey following the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in northeast Syria, as scores of migrants gathered at Turkey's border with Greece seeking entry into Europe. AP The scheme has so far resettled 1,747 people, and the annual number of individuals resettled has fallen from 688 in 2018 to 489 last year, according to the latest immigration statistics, published last week. This has fuelled concerns about the UKs efforts to protect child refugees, particularly after Conservative MPs voted down a Lords amendment to Boris Johnsons Brexit legislation that would have guaranteed family reunion rights for unaccompanied child refugees after EU withdrawal. Christine Jardine MP, home affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, accused the Conservatives of turning their backs on child refugees, adding: Their failure to live up to their own commitments is shameful. The appalling scenes we are seeing in the Mediterranean, including the tragic death of a child refugee just yesterday, remind us of the need to do all we can to protect children whove been forced to flee their homes and separated from their families. Judith Dennis, policy manager at the Refugee Council, said ministers should make every effort to fulfil targets on the childrens scheme as it has been able to do in other areas of resettlement. This means we must see a strong increase in numbers this year, she said. We are yet to see the government show the true leadership the UK has done in the past and commit to significant resettlement beyond 2021, she said. Until they do this, agencies like ours who help deliver this support are simply are unable to make the best use of our resources, nor properly plan for the refugees of tomorrow. In June 2019, the Home Office announced that from 2020, a new resettlement scheme would be introduced, bringing the VCR scheme, the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (VPR) scheme and the Gateway Protection Programme into a single programme. A Home Office spokesperson said in addition to the VCR resettlements, more than 19,350 refugees have been welcomed in under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, around half of whom were children. They added: We will continue our commitment to supporting refugees under a new global scheme set to start in 2020, giving those fleeing conflict and persecution the opportunity to build a new life in the UK. Former President Trump blasts Sen. Mike Rounds in emailed statement Former President Donald Trump criticized South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds after Rounds said the 2020 election was fair on national television Sunday. Vice President Joe Biden's quick campaign stop at an Oakland diner Tuesday morning drew supporters, a gaggle of news crews and one pretty random celebrity appearance. Biden popped into ButtercuP's Jack London Square location for a quick Super Tuesday meet-and-greet. Also shaking hands and schmoozing was Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, much better known for heroically landing Flight 1549 on the Hudson River than for his political opinions. Guardian reporter Vivian Ho snapped a photo of Sullenberger in the diner before Biden appeared. Capt. Sully's appearance is a bit out of left field, but it's not the Danville pilot's first time showing his support for Biden. He penned an opinion piece in the New York Times last month defending Biden after Lara Trump (President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law) mocked the candidate's stutter. Sullenberger divulged he used to stutter as a child. Mayor Libby Schaaf was also at the Oakland diner, Ho reported, as was Nenna Joiner. Joiner owns Feelmore, a local business that bills itself as the "Best Sex Shop in Oakland and Berkeley." From what it sounds like, that led to a pretty amusing exchange. Biden flew to the Bay Area from Dallas, where he held a rally Monday night. He earned the endorsements of former rivals Sen. Amy Klobuchar, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Beto O'Rourke while in Texas. Biden is hoping to benefit from a consolidation of the moderate vote on Super Tuesday, as 14 states hold primaries. Recent polls show Biden gaining support in California, but Sen. Bernie Sanders is still the most likely candidate to win the state. After a busy day of campaigning, Biden plans to be in Los Angeles as polls close in California Tuesday evening. He'll probably need a piece of ButtercuP pie to fuel him through the day. Alix Martichoux is an SFGATE digital editor. Read her latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com. At least nine civilians have been killed in Idlib in northwestern Syria on March 3 in artillery fire by the Syrian regime. According to international news agency's war monitor, Turkey's fighter-jet downed a Syrian warplane over Idlib and killed its pilot. These attacks have come just a day after the Syrian government said that it is determined to confront the attacks by Turkish forces on its Russia-backed as the tensions between Ankara and Damascus escalate. According to reports, the airstrikes by the Syrian regime were launched in an effort to regain control of a key town from the Turkish forces. Meanwhile, other Russian warplanes carried out several attacks on the frontline of the northwestern province including Fua village. Initial reports have suggested that nine civilians were killed and many others have been left injured. However, in the counter-attack by Turkey, the Syrian pilot was killed. In just three days, it was third such downing by the Turkish forces. Read - Turkey Says Another Soldier Killed By Syrian Shelling 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 - Report: War Crimes Committed By Almost All Sides In Syria 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 - Israel Missile Hits Car In Syria After Sniper Attack Attempt Read - Syrian Troops Retake Key Northwestern Town From Rebel Forces (With agency inputs) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:53:45|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and visiting British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on March 3, 2020. Cavusoglu and Raab discussed on Tuesday the ongoing Turkish operation in the Syrian province of Idlib and the migratory flow to Europe, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ANKARA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and British foreign ministers discussed on Tuesday the ongoing Turkish operation in the Syrian province of Idlib and the migratory flow to Europe, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. During a joint press conference with his visiting British counterpart Dominic Raab in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged Greece and the other EU countries to respect international law in treating refugees. "Greece and the EU countries are trying to escape from their international responsibilities ... We do not have an obligation to forcefully keep anyone in Turkey," Cavusoglu said, referring to the latest migrant flow from Turkey to Greece. His remarks came after several days of clashes at the Turkish-Greek land border where thousands of migrants are desperate to cross to Europe after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country would no longer stop the migrants from going to Europe. "The latest developments in Idlib have further increased the existing migratory pressure on our country and we cannot take a new migratory flow," the Turkish minister noted. For his part, Raab also called on the Syrian government and Russia to take "the first and overriding responsibility for humanitarian suffering." Fighting has escalated in recent days in northwestern Syria, where Turkey has launched a major offensive against the advances of the Russia-backed Syrian forces in the last stronghold of the rebels. ISTANBUL - A reported 130,469 migrants as of Tuesday morning were travelling from Turkey to the border with Greece to try to cross into the EU after Ankara announced it would not stop them, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu wrote on Twitter. The number is 10 times higher than the one provided by Greek authorities and international NGOs. In a file photo from his January 2016 sentencing hearing, James Stuart, a former Deptford police officer who fatally shot a friend, looked back at his supporters in a Woodbury, Gloucester County, courtroom. Read more A New Jersey appeals court on Monday ordered a resentencing hearing for a former Deptford police officer who fatally shot a friend seven years ago. The two-judge panel wrote that James Stuart, 36, should get a new sentencing hearing because the judge at his second trial erred in determining Stuarts sentence. Stuart was off duty when he shot David Compton, 27, of South Philadelphia, in the face on Jan. 5, 2013, while they were in Stuarts Deptford home after a night out at a Sewell bar. He contended the shooting was accidental. But a Gloucester County jury in October 2015 convicted Stuart of one count each of knowingly murdering Compton and aggravated manslaughter. Prosecutors contended that Stuart was reckless in bringing out a gun his blood alcohol content, measured four hours after the shooting, was 0.14% and that as a police officer, Stuart should have known better. Judge Robert Becker sentenced Stuart in January 2016 to 30 years in prison, the minimum required by law. A year later, Superior Courts Appellate Division ordered a new trial, finding errors in instructions given to the jury. A second jury convicted Stuart of the lesser offense of second-degree reckless manslaughter. Judge Christine Allen-Jackson sentenced Stuart in October 2018 to seven years in prison, which was in the middle of the sentencing range. The appellate panel on Monday affirmed Stuarts conviction but said it was sending the case back to the sentencing court because the court had erred in finding that the offense was committed in an especially heinous manner but did not support its finding with any elements related to the shooting. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine recommends adding travel history to the patient evaluation to identify risk for potential exposure to CoVID-19, or coronavirus. Typically, clinicians assess temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure during a physical examination. Adding a fifth "vital sign" could help to prevent spread of geographically-linked emerging infectious diseases, such as CoVID-19. The authors of a commentary from the Division of Infectious Disease and Geographic Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center say that lessons from SARS, MERS, and Ebola suggest that early case identification through ascertaining travel history is critical to protect both patients and those caring from them. In 2014, a patient presented to a Dallas emergency department after returning from Liberia with low grade fever, abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, and headache. The patient had Ebola, but clinicians did not include travel history in the patient's vitals and the diagnosis was missed. In the first six weeks of the current epidemic, the number of cases of CoVID-19 has surpassed those of SARS and MERS, raising questions about strategies to control the spread of infection. Available data specific to CoVID-19 suggest that screening and restricting travelers may have limited impact on containment. The authors argue that patients' vital signs are immediately powerful indicators of how urgently they need care and what path to take. A simple, targeted travel history can help clinicians put symptoms of infection in context and trigger more detailed history, appropriate testing, and rapid implementation of protective measures. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: Trish M. Perl et al. Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases: Should Travel Be the Fifth Vital Sign?, Annals of Internal Medicine (2020). Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine Trish M. Perl et al. Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases: Should Travel Be the Fifth Vital Sign?,(2020). DOI: 10.7326/M20-0643 Amid the ongoing protests in Andhra Pradesh and other parts of India against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Population of Register (NPR), Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday (March 3) said that his government will introduce a resolution against the NPR in the upcoming assembly session. Reddy tweeted that some of the questions proposed in the NPR are making the Muslims in Andhra Pradesh insecure and this is the reason why his government has urged the Centre to revert to the questions which were there in 2010. "Some of the questions proposed in the NPR are causing insecurities in the minds of minorities of my state. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central Government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010," tweeted CM Reddy. Some of the questions proposed in the NPR are causing insecurities in the minds of minorities of my state. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central Government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010. (1/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 3, 2020 "To this effect, we will also introduce a resolution in the upcoming assembly session," he added. To this effect, we will also introduce a resolution in the upcoming assembly session. (2/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 3, 2020 CM Reddy's statement came in the backdrop of his governments recent order, asking to conduct the NPR exercise and Housing Listing and Housing Census as part of Census of India 2021 to be taken up for 45 days between April and September 2020. In view of a number of apprehensions and doubts being expressed in various quarters with respect to the conduct of NPR exercise, following clarifications are issued to all the District Collectors/ Principal Census Officers in the shape of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for easy dissemination to all concerned, General Administration Department Secretary Shashi Bhushan Kumar had said in the order issued on January 22. Enumerators are just required to record whatever answers are given by the people and not to press for any further answers to any query if they do not intend to give and also not to ask for any document, added the order. On February 25, Bihar Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution to implement the National Population NPR in its 2010 form, with an amendment. With a certificate of appreciation signed by the president of the United States, and an Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, two airmen, with eight legs between them, formally retired from duty at Kirtland Air Force Base. The last call for Military Working Dogs Mex and Saxo on Monday, means the dogs can spend the rest of their lives with their fur-ever families Staff Sgt. Tyler Adams, and Staff Sgt. Edwin Argueta-Hernandez, who worked closely with the animals. The two human airmen are being reassigned to other bases and will work with new military working dogs, while their former canine partners will remain at ease in their homes and sleep, eat, fetch, and bark as they please. These are Airmen, just like us, Col. David Miller, commander of the 377th Air Base Wing, told those gathered for the ceremony. Theyre part of our service, part of our DNA. Undeniably, they expertly served their country and theyre committed to the same mission we support and defend. And like us when its time to move on to the next part of their lives, they look forward to their retirements so less waking and more belly rubs and pats on the head. The retirements come after an impressive canine career. Mex, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, began his career at KAFB in May 2013 and over the years has worked with six handlers, including Argueta-Hernandez. Saxo, a nearly 9-year-old German Shepherd, began his career at the base in July 2014 and has worked with five handlers, including Adams. In their combined nearly 13 years of service, the two dogs completed more than 9,700 hours of explosives detection and security patrols. Mex and Saxo cleared several facilities during credible bomb threats at the base and traveled with their handlers across the country providing explosive detection capability for the United States Secret Service and securing the president, vice president and others in high-level leadership, Miller said. They also augmented local law enforcement operations, ensuring several event areas were safe for the thousands of people in attendance. Both dogs are being retired because of health issues with their hips. In addition, Mex recently underwent successful treatment for cancer. It was great working with Mex, said Argueta-Hernandez, who has been reassigned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. I was a new handler when I got here and he was an experienced dog, so it was more of him teaching me than me teaching him. Argueta-Hernandez said he has other dogs in his home, but they dont listen to anything you say and then Id come to work and this dog literally listens to everything you say. Adams, who will be reassigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, said working with Saxo was also his first experience with a military working dog. We came together as a team, and he taught me a lot of things. Saxo is very unique, he added, and well deserving of his retirement. Hes going to get a lot of couch time and toys. HALIFAXPrime Minister Justin Trudeau says provincial health authorities wont be alone in their fight against the novel coronavirus because the federal government will ensure they have the resources to contain and treat cases. The Public Health Agency of Canada has said that Canada is preparing for a pandemic outbreak, though the risk of contracting the illness known as COVID-19 here is still low. That preparation includes increasing lab capacity to test possible cases and making sure provincial hospitals have the surge capacity, supplies and ventilators to treat an influx of potentially contagious patients. Trudeau said Tuesday the federal government has been working closely with the provinces to make sure they have what they need. We recognize that the coronavirus presents a particular and very real challenge to health-care systems across the country and indeed around the world, he said. Were all going to be working together to make sure that the impacts are minimized on Canadians. Trudeau said Canada has been at the table with international partners and the World Health Organization to chart the best way to fight the global spread of the virus. More than 90,000 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed around the world and more than 3,100 people have died. The virus began in China but has spread across the globe and reached at least 70 countries. Our decisions are based on science, our decisions are based on the best recommendations of experts and were going to continue to keep Canadians involved and informed, Trudeau said. He said people should take the same precautions that they do during flu season, such as frequent hand washing, to help keep themselves and their families safe. Health officials have recorded at least 30 cases in Canada so far, with Ontario reporting 20 of those. Trudeau also recognized that some businesses and entrepreneurs may need help if the illness spreads through Canada. He said the government knows how important it is to support small businesses, and perhaps help if it is needed. The prime minister made the comments in Halifax, after announcing funding to help young people find jobs. Ottawa is spending $492 million on more than 270 projects across Canada to help those facing barriers to employment. Read more about: The leader of Irelands Sinn Fein political party, Mary Lou McDonald, posted footage on March 2 in which she said her childrens school had been closed because of the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in Ireland. Irelands Health Service Executive confirmed on Sunday that a person has tested positive for the virus in the east of the country and that a secondary school had been closed for the 14-day incubation period. It was quickly reported that the school was in Dublin. McDonald said she would cancel a number of meetings as a result of her children being at home. This is a worrying time for families and for the staff at the school, McDonald said. Particularly for the family of the person affected, and we wish them a very, very speedy recovery. Credit: Sinn Fein via Storyful The Victorian Nationals and Liberals are taking the states electoral commissioner to court in a bid to open a loophole in new donation laws, which have effectively blocked the Liberals from transferring cash to its Coalition partner. The Victorian Nationals are almost $800,000 out of pocket after a suite of new Victorian donation laws had the unintentional effect of stopping a financial arrangement where the Liberals hand over election funding to the Nationals. The Victorian Electoral Commission reimburses political parties for election costs at the end of each election cycle, paying out $1.75 for each first preference vote in 2018. This rate increased under the new donation laws, to $6.12 per first preference vote in the lower house, and $3.06 for each first preference vote in the upper house. The Liberals and Nationals are fighting the Victorian Election Commission in court over funding Credit:Jesse Marlow The Nationals are currently owed just under $360,000 from the VEC for the partys upper-house entitlement from 2018, and another $440,000 in forward funding from 2019. But the Nationals cant receive the money because it was deposited into the Liberal Partys account, and the new laws cap donations at $4000 in an election term. Bernie Sanderss campaign has been sounding the alarm. The establishment, worried sick about the Vermont socialists early successes, is conspiring to thwart his movement of working people by denying him the nomination. President Trump has echoed this theme. Indeed, his campaign claims, absurdly, that Sanders is the victim of a coup. Its true that establishment Democrats are worried about Sanders being the Democratic nominee. Its also true that socialists are worried that Sanders wont win the nomination. Whats the problem? All factions and ideologies have the right to worry about the other faction or ideology gaining the upper hand. Conspiracies are problematic, but where is the conspiracy to deny Sanders the nomination? Candidates dropping out and supporting Joe Biden isnt a conspiracy. In all sharply contested nominating processes, candidates drop out when it becomes clear they cant win. Usually, they then endorse the rival with whom they have the most affinity and/or the ones they think might offer them a job. Sanders has no God-given right to run against a fractured field of traditional left-liberals. Hes lucky he ran against one for as long as he did. Underlying Sanderss grievance is the claim that, but for establishment shenanigans, he would surely pile up the delegates he needs to be nominated on the first ballot. But the evidence on this is mixed. There have been two primaries so far. Sanders won the first narrowly and was crushed in the second. Caucuses tell us less than primaries about voter preferences because participation is less widespread. Of the two caucuses held so far, Sanders tied for the lead in the first and won the second easily. In national preference polls, Biden led from the beginning of the campaign until recently. Sanders overtook him last month, but Biden has come back and appears to be ahead once again. Sanders has rarely exceeded 30 percent support nationally, and if one adds the support of the two other main far leftists in the race Elizabeth Warren and Tom Steyer that number has never (as far as I can tell) exceeded 50 percent. In short, if Sanders doesnt romp to the nomination, it wont be because of some conspiracy. It will because not enough Democrats want to nominate a socialist, especially an old male socialist who yells a lot. Now, a note of Sanderss claim that his movement is, at root, a crusade of working people. As far as I can tell, Sanderss movement is actually a coalition of the young and the bitter. What is the labor force participation rate among the 20-somethings who give Sanders such a boost? Lower than that of the rest of Democratic voters, I suspect. And what is Sanders saying about the 50 percent or so of Democrats who dont want him to be president? Might not there be workers among them? For that matter, what is Sanders saying about African-American Democrats? In South Carolina, they rejected Sanders, voting overwhelmingly for Biden. Is Sanders writing these people out of the working class? Is he accusing them of false consciousness, the traditional Marxist explanation for the failure of the masses to embrace socialism? Is he being racist? Finally a word about super-delegates. They will comprise about 16 percent of the Democratic delegates this year. However, they will not vote on the first ballot unless the outcome is already clear. Thus, if Sanders has 50 percent-plus-1 support in the first go-round, the establishment cannot use super-delegates to deprive him of the nomination. In any event, there is nothing conspiratorial about having super-delegates. This is the rule. Everyone knows about it. Its also a reasonable rule. If a convention is deadlocked, why shouldnt those with the biggest stake in the party, and those who must worry most about the down-ballot implications of the partys standard bearer, have an extra bit of say? I dont know whether Sanders believes hes the victim of a conspiracy or whether this is simply a case of whining for political advantage. Either way, as I noted above, Sanderss complaint is being echoed by Team Trump. Ill discuss this in another post. San Francisco officials said Monday that the city was moving to further bolster its ability to respond to what increasingly appears to be an imminent local diagnosis of coronavirus. Mayor London Breed, along with health and emergency management officials, said that amid a widening outbreak of the respiratory infection across the globe and a still-rising death toll, San Francisco was now able to test for coronavirus locally, drastically cutting down the time it takes to confirm a potential diagnosis. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Francisco to date. But the number of new cases across the Bay Area has more than quadrupled over the past four days since local laboratories began testing more people for the illness. Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the citys health department, said local testing for coronavirus would allow officials to make a diagnosis in between one and two days. Previously, tests were being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, which could take up to a week to process. For San Francisco, it is not a matter of if, but when, Colfax said. We expect to have confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in San Francisco and are preparing for community spread of the virus. But Colfax stressed there would be no on-demand testing for the virus. Coronavirus screening will be performed only after health care providers, local public health officials and the CDC determine a patient meets specified criteria to warrant a test. In addition to screening people whove traveled to a country with confirmed coronavirus cases, the CDC recently expanded its testing criteria to include people hospitalized with pneumonia who have no clear diagnosis for their symptoms. The efforts announced Monday build on Breeds decision last week to declare a state of emergency for San Francisco, allowing officials to shunt more resources toward outreach efforts and other preparedness measures ahead of a local coronavirus diagnosis. Its important that we dont panic, Breed said. Its important that we get the right information, and that we work with the public to address this situation. We are focused on trying to make sure that we contain any situation that would occur, and that we protect public health thats first and foremost. 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. On top of accelerating the time it takes to confirm a coronavirus diagnosis, city officials said that starting this week, San Francisco would activate 50 additional disaster service workers city employees who help with outreach efforts across the city in multiple languages. Officials are also aiming their outreach toward at-risk residents who are the most susceptible to contracting the virus and potentially dying from it. That includes the elderly, the homeless and people who live in congregate settings, like SRO hotels. The city will begin outreach to city shelters and Navigation Centers this week, Colfax said, as well as providing information to senior living centers and long-term care facilities on how to prepare for a potential diagnosis. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @dominicfracassa EU-UK talks on forging a new relationship between the bloc's former second-biggest economy and the remaining 27 member states are now open. Negotiations are complex. But here are five key questions for Ireland. 1. Ireland will be most exposed if there's "a bad Brexit". What are the key threats? There are three standout issues. First is the Irish Border deal, which as an addendum to the EU-UK divorce deal is part of an international legally binding treaty. Various soundings from London in recent weeks have suggested UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will renege on an inevitable "border in the Irish Sea" to ensure the Irish North-South Border remains invisible after Brexit. EU officials say if the UK weasels out on the Border then these talks on a future relationship face a very poor outlook. That could wreck lucrative Irish-UK trade. The other issues are a so-called "level playing field" and the very tight timeframe for putting all of this together - and of course fisheries. 2. Can you remind us about this 'level playing field'? The EU is the biggest trading bloc in the world and the UK is the world's fifth-biggest economy. So, the EU is insisting Britain stays with the Brussels standards into the future as agreed over the past 47 years of membership. The key issues are respecting labour law and environmental law, and state aid to private industry rules. Brussels argues that it cannot afford to be undercut on these issues. London counters that varying from these rules was a central reason for the Brexit "Leave" vote in June 2016. Mr Johnson argues the UK will not suddenly go for "spiv capitalism" with minimal standards. But the whole point of Brexit was about allowing the UK freedom to set its own standards and do global deals. 3. What will these talks cover? They will span the amount of road the UK has made with the EU since January 1973. Trade talks - in which Irish Commissioner Phil Hogan will play a big role - are central to this phase. But we are also talking about economic co-operation, law enforcement and the courts, education, foreign policy, security and defence, and of course fisheries. It's an enormous package and it's all interlinked. The old mantra holds good: nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. 4. Any other big Irish issue? Fisheries. Irish fishermen get one-third of their income from fish caught in UK waters. It's relatively small stuff economically for Britain, but huge politically. The UK insists Brexit must allow it to control its offshore waters. While the UK waters are important for Irish fishermen, they are even more important for up to seven other member states, including Spain and France. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier says "existing reciprocal access" on fisheries must continue after Brexit. But the UK wants fish dealt with separately. In extremis, Ireland faces a double loss - loss of access to UK waters and more EU fishing boats moving into Irish waters. 5. What timescale are we looking at here? It's abysmal with so much wasted time to date. The 11-month standstill, after the UK left on January 31, expires at the end of December. Mr Johnson again insists the UK will not avail of an EU offer of an extension which could run for a further two years. Talks will continue in Brussels until Thursday and reconvene in London later this month. In all there are 10 big sessions scheduled between now and October. A big part of the staging is to allow EU negotiators to advise the member governments on what is happening. Two big staging posts are EU leaders' summits in June and October. National carrier Air India has asked crew members of its February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight to quarantine themselves for 14 days. The move came after a New Delhi-based resident tested positive for coronavirus. The man travelled on an Air India's Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25. As a result, Air India has told its 10 crew members, including commander and co-pilots, to remain isolated for 14 days at their homes. "The crew members of February 25 Vienna-Delhi flight will remain in isolation for 14 days at their respective homes. If, during this period, they show any symptoms related to novel coronavirus infection, they have to immediately contact doctors," Air India officials told PTI. Also read: Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present On March 2, two fresh cases of COVID-19 were detected in the country- one in Delhi and another in Telangana. Consequently, the central government has decided that passengers arriving from Italy and Iran will now also be screened for coronavirus infection at every Indian airport. Till now, the in-bound passengers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia were being screened. Overall, India has registered six cases of coronavirus. Three cases were detected in Kerala and West Bengal each. Those identified positive in Kerala were recovered, the government said. Air India had carried out an emergency rescue operation in Wuhan on January 31 and February 1. Air India sent its two aircraft to Wuhan consecutively for two days. For this, the airline received Letters of Appreciation by Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Also read: Coronavirus update: 324 Indians evacuated from Wuhan, second Air India flight to leave Delhi The deadly virus was first detected in China in December last year. Now, the virus has spread to more than 70 countries. In China, coronavirus has taken lives over 3,000 people. Whereas in the US, Italy, and South Korea, the death toll stands at six and fifty two, respectively. Also read: Coronavirus updates: Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Delhi, Telangana Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:07:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Since the first novel coronavirus case was reported in February in Kuwait, many Kuwaitis have changed their habits. There are less people in malls, restaurants, and roads. People are wearing gloves and medical masks just for a regular visit to Co-op Societies (grocery stores). While shopping in Adailiya Co-op Society, Aisha Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti resident, told Xinhua that precautionary measures taken by all governmental and private organizations make everyone feel comfortable. As soon as she entered the grocery store, the worker wiped the cart with the sterilizer and handed her plastic gloves for the safety of customers, she added. Meanwhile, Abu Ahmed, one of the customers also in Adailiya Co-op Society, praised the precautions in the Co-op Society and also the availability of all food commodities. "After the Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed the availability of the strategic reserve of food, we were relieved, " he said. In the Avenues mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the Middle East region and one of the most important tourist destinations of Kuwait, which was often visited by thousands of people daily, the number of customers declined recently due to fears of infection with the novel coronavirus. An ice cream vendor at the mall told Xinhua that he had never seen the mall so empty of its customers since he worked here nine years ago. Fear of the coronavirus has made many Kuwaiti women and residents cook at home. Tamader Al-Moftah, a Kuwaiti housewife, said that her children used to have fast food for years, but the fear of infection with the coronavirus made them boycott restaurants. Rana Ahmed, a Jordanian woman who works as a secretary in a Kuwaiti bank, said that she did not use to cook at home because of affordable prices of a variety of food and restaurants in Kuwait. Now the fear of infection forced her to return to kitchen and prepare home dishes, she said. The fear has also forced many Kuwaitis to cancel weddings and diwaniyas (a gathering place for men). Many private companies have taken precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus by providing sterilizers to their employees and heat-measuring devices to ensure that they are free of the virus. However, the spread of the coronavirus seems to have other repercussions in Kuwait, as some markets witnessed a price increase of some imported products. Hashem Al-Fadhli, a local resident, said that he was surprised by the high prices of tablet screens. Usually, changing the screen of a tablet costs 5 Kuwaiti dinars (16.3 U.S. dollars), but he changed it on Monday for 10 dinars. "The seller said that the reason is due to the lack of the Chinese spare parts," he added. The fish market in the Sharq area in Kuwait City was also affected by the increasing prices. Citizen Fahd Al-Azmi said that the prices went up too much at the fish market. "The fish 'Zubaidi' is now sold for 14 dinars per kilo and fish 'Shaem" increased to 3.5 dinars per kilo," he added. Abu Musa, a fish seller at the market, said that the increase came due to the lack of Iranian fish. "The only fish available in the market are Kuwaiti and Pakistani fish, and because the amount of supply is low, prices have risen," he explained. The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Kuwait remains 56 till now. Assistant Undersecretary of Kuwait's Ministry of Health Buthaina Al-Mudhaf said on Tuesday at a press conference that Kuwait did not record new cases during the past 24 hours, adding that all the 56 cases are in a stable condition and recovering. NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Healthcare IT Market 2020-2024 The analyst has been monitoring the global healthcare it market and it is poised to grow by USD 95.98 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. Our reports on global healthcare it market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02911117/?utm_source=PRN The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by rising need for automation across departments.In addition, emergence of ai-enabled emotion recognition technologies is anticipated to boost the growth of the global healthcare it market as well. Market Segmentation The global healthcare it market is segmented as below: Component: o Services o Software o Hardware Geographic Segmentation: o Asia o Europe o North America o ROW Key Trends for global healthcare it market growth This study identifies emergence of ai-enabled emotion recognition technologies as the prime reasons driving the global healthcare it market growth during the next few years. Prominent vendors in global healthcare it market We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the global healthcare it market, including some of the vendors such as Allscripts Healthcare LLC, Cerner Corp., Dell Technologies Inc., General Electric Co., IBM Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, McKesso Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp. and Siemens Healthineers AG . The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02911117/?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 WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Feb. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kane Biotech Inc. (TSX-V:KNE) (the Corporation or Kane Biotech), a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies and products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms, today announced that it has appointed Jean Gauvin, DVM, as its Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), effective immediately. In the newly-created position of CVO, Dr. Gauvin will serve as a liaison between Kane Biotech and industry, guide the Kane Biotech R&D teams Animal Health research and product development, and be the media voice of Kane Biotechs Animal Health business unit. Dr. Gauvin will also serve as a member of Kane Biotechs Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Gauvin has 40 years of experience in veterinary medicine and is the co-founder and co-owner of the DMV Veterinary Centre in Montreal (Lachine), Quebec. He is the Chairman of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations (CVMA) communications advisory group; immediate past President of the Association des Medecins Veterinaire du Quebec en pratique des petits animaux (AMVQ) and past Chairman and member of the AMVQs governance committee. Dr. Gauvin received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Small Animal Dentistry Certificate from the University of Montreal; and his Certificate in Fish Health Management from the University of Georgia. Dr. Gauvin has been involved in veterinary associations, nationally and provincially, since 1984. In 2009, he became the Quebec representative on the CVMA Council, and became a member of the CVMAs National and International Issues Committee the following year. After being elected as an executive member, he became President of the CVMA and chaired the CVMA Summit on Antimicrobial Stewardship in 2014. Dr. Gauvin also has more than 30 years of experience in the field of broadcast (radio, television) and social media, and is currently a veterinary columnist for the Moteur de recherche (Search Engine) radio show that airs on Ici Radio-Canada Premiere. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Gauvin to our executive leadership team, said Marc Edwards, CEO of Kane Biotech. His many years of experience in veterinary medicine, particularly antimicrobial stewardship, will be an invaluable asset to Kane Biotech as we continue to develop and commercialize products that prevent and disperse bacterial biofilms. Joining Kane Biotech provides me with the opportunity to pursue my three passions: animal welfare, antimicrobial stewardship, and the World Organization for Animal Healths concept of One Health, said Dr. Gauvin. I am completely supportive of Kane Biotechs vision of discovering new technologies that will prevent biofilm-related infections in humans and animals, as well as in industrial settings. I believe that my 40 years of experience in veterinary medicine which includes antimicrobial resistance, media and work with veterinary organizations will help Kane Biotech to fulfill this vision. About Kane Biotech Kane Biotech is a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies and products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms. The Corporation has a portfolio of biotechnologies, intellectual property (56 patents and patents pending, trade secrets and trademarks) and products developed by the Corporations own biofilm research expertise and acquired from leading research institutions. StrixNB, DispersinB, Aledex, bluestem, AloSera, coactiv+ and Kane are trademarks of Kane Biotech Inc. The Corporation is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KNE". For more information, please visit www.kanebiotech.com, or contact: Marc Edwards Chief Executive Officer Kane Biotech Inc. +1 (514) 910-6991 medwards@kanebiotech.com Ray Dupuis Chief Financial Officer Kane Biotech Inc. +1 (204) 298-2200 rdupuis@kanebiotech.com Stephen Kilmer Investor Relations +1 (646) 274-3580 skilmer@kanebiotech.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain statements regarding Kane Biotech Inc. that constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities law. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the Companys: (a) financial condition, including lack of significant revenues to date and reliance on equity and other financing; (b) business, including its early stage of development, government regulation, market acceptance for its products, rapid technological change and dependence on key personnel; (c) intellectual property including the ability of the Company to protect its intellectual property and dependence on its strategic partners; and (d) capital structure, including its lack of dividends on its common shares, volatility of the market price of its common shares and public company costs. Further information about these and other risks and uncertainties can be found in the disclosure documents filed by the Company with applicable securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. By PTI NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the detection of fresh coronavirus cases in India, saying he should quit wasting India's time "playing the clown" with his social media accounts when India is facing an emergency. Gandhi's attack came after India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from the national capital. ALSO READ: 40 students of Noida school sent to 28 days isolation as parent tests positive for coronavirus "Dear @PMOIndia, Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Coronavirus challenge," Gandhi tweeted. With the message of "Here's how it's done", Gandhi also tweeted a video of Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong addressing Singaporeans on how to deal with coronavirus. ALSO READ: 'No need to panic' - PM Modi holds extensive review meeting on coronavirus preparedness Gandhi's tweet also took a dig on PM Modi's tweet that he was thinking of giving up his social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube this Sunday. On Tuesday, Modi said on Women's Day he will be handing over his social media accounts to women who inspire and urged people to share stories of such women with him. Earlier, Gandhi said a "true leader" would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the potentially deadly virus on the country and its economy. "There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. "A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy," Gandhi tweeted. He also tagged his February 12 tweet in which he said the coronavirus is an extremely serious threat to "our people and our economy". "My sense is the government is not taking this threat seriously. Timely action is critical," he said. India had reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. Getty No one has ever seen this level of involvement by the Muslim community in a presidential election before. And not just in Michigan, which has long been known for having a large Muslim population active in politics. But even places like Iowa, where Muslim Americans were very active in this years Democratic caucus. And come Tuesday, we may see Muslims tip the balance in Virginias tight Democratic primary given the tremendous spike in Muslim Americans becoming active in politics there since 2016. What caused that surge in Muslim activism? Simple. Donald J. Trump. His open demonization of Muslims during the 2016 election didnt drive Muslims to the shadows. Instead, it drove them to the ballot boxand even on to the ballot. Upshot of Trumps Bigotry: More Muslims Are Getting Elected! Thats especially true in Virginia. For example, this past November, Ghazala Hashmi became the first Muslim woman ever elected to the Virginia state Senate, and Abrar Omeish, 24, made history as the first Muslim elected to the Fairfax County School Board. And earlier in 2019 in a special election, 27-year-old Ibraheem Samirah, a dentist of Palestinian heritage, was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, making him the second Muslim to serve in that chamber along with Delegate Sam Rasoul. As Senator Hashmi remarked, Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric made it abundantly clear to many of us that we need a high level of engagement, whether we are running for office ourselves or helping others to run. Hebah Kassem, a millennial who is an organizing associate at the Progressive Caucus Action Fund, noted that the increased activism by Muslims has made the community keenly aware that collectively they have the potential to make a real difference in this election. That realization has fueled even more Muslim political activism. The numbers back that up. Wa'el Alzayat, the chief executive officer at Emgage, an organization focused on increasing Muslim political engagement, explained in Virginia there are now a record 214,000-plus Muslims registered to vote, with approximately 80 percent living in the densely populated Northern Virginia area near Washington, D.C. Estimates are that Muslims, who have in recent years voted overwhelmingly for Democrats, constitute 11 percent of the total voters in that area. Story continues Alzayat noted that in the 2018 midterm, nearly 70 percent of Muslim voters cast a ballothigher than the state average of 60 percent. Hes confident that this year will also be marked by a high level of engagement by Muslims, especially among younger Muslim voters (18-34) who now represent 30 percent of Virginias Muslim community. So who are the Muslims in Virginia supporting in this Tuesdays primary, a state with the third most delegates in play on Super Tuesday with 99 pledged delegates at stake? The Muslim community may be monotheistic, but we are certainly not monolithicand thats true for politics as well. But clear favorites in Virginia are becoming apparent, with Bernie Sanders leading the way, followed by Liz Warren. While there has been no formal polling of Virginias Muslims, Alzayat shared that his organizations surveys found Sanders to be the favorite. Virginia state legislator Ibraheem Samirah, who endorsed Sanders earlier this week, explained that the Sanders campaign has been canvassing in the Muslim community and at mosques for many months. And Sanders has a connection to the Muslim community dating back to 2016. Hes even affectionately referred to as Amo Bernie (Amo is Arabic for Uncle) as I saw first-hand when he spoke at last summers large Muslim Convention (ISNA) in Houston. Hashmi has endorsed Senator Warren and introduced the Massachusetts senator at a large rally recently held in Arlington, Virginia. She says she has witnessed a great deal of Muslim support on behalf of Warren, both online and at events. While Sanders and Warren appear to be the favorites and have Muslims on their campaign staffs, Mohamed Gula, Emgage's executive director, explained that there are Muslims working on the campaigns of just about every Democratic presidential candidate, including Mike Bloomberg, Pete Buttigiegbefore he withdrew from the contest on Sunday nightand Joe Biden. Never before have we seen this level of activism. Nor have we seen Muslim Americans being so fully embraced by presidential campaigns. The key issues for Muslim Democrats, per Alzayat, match up with the issues of concern of all Americans, starting with affordable health care. But then there are issues unique to the community, such as combatting anti-Muslim bigotry, ending Trumps Muslim ban, and addressing U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East from Syria to Yemen to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. But as Samirah noted, there has been resistance to Muslim American involvement by some establishment Democrats in Virginia, who see the surge of Muslim activism as a threat to their power, i.e., Muslims wanting more leadership positions within the Democratic Party power structure. And others, he noted, oppose changing U.S. policy when it comes to Palestine and Israel, which has caused tension. Samirah, whom some may remember as the state legislator who protested Trumps July speech in the Virginia statehouse telling Trump, "You can't send us back" in response to his call for The Squad to go back to their own country, did share that theres one Democratic presidential candidate who has elicited the most negative reactions: Mike Bloomberg. Thats a direct result of Bloombergs widespread and unconstitutional surveillance of Muslims when he was mayor of New York City, which he shockingly defended during a Thursday night PBS interview by declaring, But the people who flew those airplanes came from the Middle East." You have to wonder if Bloombergs apology for his racist stop-and-frisk policy and simultaneous defense of profiling Muslims is based on his calculation that black and brown voting blocs are powerful while Muslims are not. To be blunt, in past years that assumption about Muslim political activism may have been accurate, but not in 2020, and certainly not in states like Virginia. Despite the criticism of Bloomberg by some, the Muslim Democrats I spoke to repeatedly expressed the same view Ive heard from countless other Democrats: We will support whomever the Democrats nominate. As Samirah said, once the Democratic nominee is chosen, the Muslim community will work overtime for that person in order to defeat Donald Trump. 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. It's easy to match the overall market return by buying an index fund. Active investors aim to buy stocks that vastly outperform the market - but in the process, they risk under-performance. For example, the Bank Of Ireland Group plc (ISE:BIRG) share price is down 41% in the last year. That's disappointing when you consider the market returned 2.0%. We wouldn't rush to judgement on Bank Of Ireland Group because we don't have a long term history to look at. Furthermore, it's down 27% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. We note that the company has reported results fairly recently; and the market is hardly delighted. You can check out the latest numbers in our company report. View our latest analysis for Bank Of Ireland Group While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. Unfortunately Bank Of Ireland Group reported an EPS drop of 38% for the last year. This proportional reduction in earnings per share isn't far from the 41% decrease in the share price. So it seems that the market sentiment has not changed much, despite the weak results. Rather, the share price is remains a similar multiple of the EPS, suggesting the outlook remains the same. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). ISE:BIRG Past and Future Earnings, March 2nd 2020 It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. This free interactive report on Bank Of Ireland Group's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. A Different Perspective Story continues While Bank Of Ireland Group shareholders are down 39% for the year (even including dividends) , the market itself is up 2.0%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. With the stock down 27% over the last three months, the market doesn't seem to believe that the company has solved all its problems. Given the relatively short history of this stock, we'd remain pretty wary until we see some strong business performance. 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 3 warning signs for Bank Of Ireland Group that you should be aware of before investing here. 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 IE 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. ACS WASC Accreditation, as well as our accreditation through MSA-CESS and Cognia, affirms our commitment to offering students the highest quality online learning experiences. VHS Learning, a nonprofit organization helping schools provide their students with robust online and blended learning, today announced that it has been granted accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). ACS WASC provides accreditation to schools primarily in California, Hawaii, Guam, and internationally. VHS Learning also holds accreditation with Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) and Cognia. ACS WASC is one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States and works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the U.S. Department of State. Accreditation is a mark of a high-quality program and is awarded to schools that meet the ACS WASC criteria and have a history and support system indicating future sustainability of the program. VHS Learning was the first national program in the United States to provide supplemental online courses for high school students. The program connects teachers and students from around the world to expand learning opportunities. VHS Learning partners with all types of schools, helping to expand their programs of study and enabling students to explore possible college and career paths. Students choose from more than 220 unique online courses, including 24Advanced Placement (AP) options, core courses, engaging electives, credit recovery, and other learning opportunities. To attain accreditation, VHS Learning participated in a self-study of its capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning and ongoing school improvement. Accreditation is integral to a schools perpetual cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring of student achievement. ACS WASC Accreditation encourages school improvement through a process of continual evaluation of rigorous criteria to support successful student learning and school-wide student goals. ACS WASC Accreditation, as well as our accreditation through MSA-CESS and Cognia, affirms our commitment to offering students the highest quality online learning experiences, said Carol Ribeiro, President & CEO of VHS Learning. Our programs make it possible for students to explore academic options that might not otherwise be available to them. This accreditation helps underscore the value VHS Learning places on continuous improvement, and helps introduce our program to students in new geographic areas who may be searching for more course choices. About VHS Learning VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization with over 20 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), and Cognia (formerly AdvancED). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information, visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ or call 978-897-1900. About ACS WASC VHS Learning is a Supplementary Education Center/Program: Fully Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. For more information on ACS WASC contact: Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges 533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200 Burlingame, CA 94010 or visit http://www.acswasc.org. Update: 03-03-2020 | 14:57:33 Binh Duong province has reached stable growth for many consecutive years. The province has also gained many breakthrough results and absorbed more investment projects in the local process of smart city development, which is seen as a right and effective way. Vigorous growth In the 2016-2019 period, the provinces annual Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate reached 9.5%. The provinces GRDP value was VND192trillion in 2016 and VND250trillion in 2019 with industry-construction and services accounting for 97%, agro-forestry-fisheries 3%. The average GRDP per capita was VND124.2million in 2016 and more than VND146.9million in 2019, 3 times higher than the average level of the whole country. This is a production line of TPR Vietnam Co. in VSIP The provinces economic structure has also gained fast shift steps towards the growth of industry and services. In the 2014-2018 period, the provinces industrial production-construction value achieved the growth of 25%-35% while services saw the growth of 15%-25%. All showed that industrial production-construction have played a main role in the local economic development. One of bright spots in the local economic picture is that Binh Duong has continued being an attractive destination for foreign investors. FDI sector has further played a crucial role in the local economic development. As of now, the whole province has absorbed valid 3,753 FDI projects with total registered capital of US$34.23billion. Most of them focus on manufacturing and processing industry. Many FDI projects in this field with great capital include Sharp Manufacturing Co.Ltd. in the VSIP II-A with total registered capital of US$135million; Nitto Denko Co.Ltd. with US$186.2million; Lacquer Craft Vietnam Co. with US$98.3millionThe manufacturing and processing industry has continued driving the local economy. The province has implemented a program on improving investment attraction for the 2016-2020 period with focus on absorbing the worlds economic corporation. The province has given priority to luring hi-tech industries that are less labor intensive and more environmentally friendly. Moreover, the province has paid special importance to promoting auxiliary industries, taking part in the global value chains. All will be a fever for the province to draw foreign investors, contributing to promoting industrial manufacture in general and economic growth of the whole province in general. Effective way Binh Duong has been listed as one of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)s Smart21 Communities for two consecutive years and is also the first city in Vietnam to become a member of the ICF. Mai Hung Dung, member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice-Chairman of provincial Peoples Committee, Head of the Executive Board of Binh Duong Smart City said that the above events are of great significance for the local integration and sustainable development. Especially, they have affirmed the provinces smart city development as an effective way in line with the global trend, opening up opportunities for cooperation with more than 180 smart cities around the world. They have also helped the province create a breakthrough in FDI attraction and been the foundation for the development of services, hi-tech production in the future towards increasing the value of business and improving the quality of peoples life. The successful organization of the Asian Economic Cooperation Forum (Horasis) 2018 and 2019 has opened up opportunities for the province to promote its image among international partners, improve its management capacity and scientific and technological level; promote economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam, Asia and the world. The Binh Duong World Trade Center has recently became a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). As a member of the WTCA, the province will have many opportunities to promote international cooperation, connecting domestic enterprises with businesses around the world. All will create a momentum for the province on the way of integration and sustainable development, building up a smart city Reported by Phuong Le-Translated by K.T Then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, left, looks on as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks during a campaign rally at University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, on Sept. 28, 2016. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Hillary Clinton Responds to Bernie Sanders on Delegates: Lets Follow the Rules Former First Lady Doubles Down on Past 'Baloney' Comments Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Democrats and 2020 candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to just follow the rules after she was asked about a recent comment he made about delegates. Bernie Sanders said that if he makes it to the convention with the most pledged delegates that he should be the nominee. Thats quite a bit of change in his stance from 2016. Your reaction? asked ABC News Lindsey Davis. Clinton said that Sanders and others should follow the rules of the Democratic Partys convention, which means that superdelegates do not have to vote for the candidate with a plurality of delegates at the end of the primaries. Lets follow the rules. Weve got rules. We had rules last time, and we have rules this time. I think it is always a good idea to follow the rules. Everybody knew when they got into it, Clinton added. Later in the interview, the former first lady said she agreed with comments that she made before the 2020 primary season, calling Sanderss campaign just baloney and I feel so bad people got sucked into it. That was my authentic opinion then, its my authentic opinion now, she told ABC on Tuesday. Democratic presidential candidates former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during a debate at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, on Feb. 4, 2016. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Change is hard. Its not glamorous, it doesnt fit into a soundbite, and yet the people who were elected in 2018 are out there doing the peoples work. I think we ought to be more understanding and realistic on what it takes to get change in this big, complicated, pluralistic democracy of ours. And its not easy, but boy is it ever worth it. I just want to make sure voters know what can be done if they give the White House back to Democrats, she remarked. The Sanders campaign has not responded to a request for comment on Clintons latest statement. But earlier this year, Sanders responded to a similar comment that Clinton had made about his record as a senator for Vermont. Im sorry for what Secretary Clinton had to say. I know she said that nobody likes me, right. I mean, this is not the kind of rhetoric that we need right now when we are trying to bring the Democratic Party together to defeat the most dangerous president in American history, he said during an appearance on CBS News in late January. Sanders said he hasnt spoken to Clinton in some time. What Secretary Clinton did indicateI was glad to hear thisis that she would support the Democratic nominee. And if thats me, I look forward to her support, Sanders remarked. Supreme Court has adjourned hearing of application for a review of its judgement which sacked Emeka Ihedioha as Imo state Governor Emeka Ihedioha and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) approached the apex court, seeking a review of the judgement passed on January 14 which nullified his election and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election. The seven-man panel of justices who presided over the case on Monday March 2, adjourned the case till Tuesday March 3 after Ihediohas counsel, Kanu Agabi pleaded for more time to respond to an application by Uzodinmas legal team. Agabi told newsmen; The matter was adjourned for hearing and just few moments ago we were served with a process and we will have to look at it. If it is convenient for us to come back tomorrow. Uzodinmas counsel, Damian Dodo who also spoke to newsmen, expressed readiness to proceed with the hearing. Dodo said; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed a running tally of the number of people tested for coronavirus in the US. The deletion comes amid questions over the number of people tested in the US, and suggestions that the low number of tests could limit the countries' response to the spread of the disease. "The lack of testing is a scandal," wrote Judd Legum, the journalist who first spotted the change, on Twitter. "This is the coverup." Democrat Congressman Mark Pocan said he had written to Robert R Redfield, director of the CDC, demanding answers over the deletion, calling it inexplicable. "Americans are dying," he wrote. "We deserve to know how many Americans have perished from COVID-19, and we deserve to know how many people have been tested for it. "Knowing that CDC testing is keeping pace with the likely number of cases is imperative to maintaining public trust. With that in mind, when will you return to publicly reporting the total number of deaths and tested persons on your website?" On 1 March, the site showed that 472 people had been tested for the disease by the CDC, with 22 of them confirmed or presumed positive. A day later, the number of people tested had disappeared, and the number of cases had nearly doubled. "Presumed positive" refers to cases where people have been shown to have the disease by state testing but not by the CDC. The CDC's website notes that states are now reporting those cases independently, and that their counts are more current. State officials have complained that the previous requirement that tests were carried out by the CDC in Atlanta was slowing down the official response to the virus. Experts have warned that the slow testing has made it difficult to get a full picture of the spread of the disease. Testing rules are now being relaxed to allow states to carry out their own diagnostics, which will then be confirmed by the CDC. 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 recent days, authorities across the US have rushed to prepare for more cases of the illness, focusing on increasing the number of testing kits. Officials have warned that the number of confirmed cases is likely to spike as more people are tested and found to be affected by the disease. The CDC has allowed states such as New York which has one confirmed case to conduct its own testing. State governor Andrew Cuomo has said he will focus on increasing the number of tests in an attempt to deal with the disease. "I would like to have a goal of 1,000 tests per day capacity within one week because again the more testing the better," Cuomo said at a briefing on Monday. The CDC has been contacted for comment. The Health Ministry said six cases with 'high-viral load' were detected during sample testing in Agra, a day after two new cases of novel coronavirus that included one from Delhi were reported New Delhi: A day after two new cases of novel coronavirus that included one from Delhi were reported, the Health Ministry on Tuesday said six cases with "high-viral load" were detected during sample testing in Agra and these people have been kept in isolation. The six people had come in contact with a 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday, and they include his family members. According to government sources, the man, who is a resident of Mayur Vihar, had visited them in Agra. The six have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for confirmation. Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, the ministry said in a statement. Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. His other family members have been asked to stay alert and look out for symptoms. One accountant, who came in contact with the man and some of his family members, was also quarantined, they said. India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, one from Delhi and another one from Hyderabad. The government has stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed 2,912 people in China. On Monday, Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma had said that an Italian tourist tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The first sample collected from him on 29 February tested negative but his condition deteriorated, so a second sample was collected which tested positive on Monday, the minister said, adding, "Since there is a variation in the reports, the samples have been sent to the NIV, Pune for testing". India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. The infected person from Delhi had travelled to Italy, while the other patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 infection is from Telangana and had recently travelled to Dubai. Both the patients had self-reported after they developed symptoms. "They tested positive. They are stable and being closely monitored," ministry said on Monday. The government has asked people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries. The field hospital set up inside the military school of the 7th Military Region in HCMC's District 12. Photo courtesy of the 7th Military Region newspaper. A field hospital has been readied near Saigon's Tan Son Nhat International Airport to check Vietnamese returning from areas hit by coronavirus. The 1,000-bed hospital is at the military school of the 7th Military Region in District 12 and is 12 km from the airport. Colonel Nguyen Van Hoang, deputy head of the HCMC High Command, said it is the fourth field hospital the city has set up after others in the districts of Cu Chi (300 beds), Nha Be (200) and 7 (100). The establishment of the latest field hospital came after authorities estimated last Saturday that some 7,000 locals will return to southern Vietnam from South Korea. They are among 200,000 Vietnamese living and working in South Korea, where the number of confirmed cases is second only to China. The plan was to send the returning people to the field hospital in District 12 straight from the airport. But it was subsequently decided on Sunday that the HCMC and Hanoi airports will stop receiving flights from South Korea after too many Vietnamese in South Korea returned home, overloading field hospitals in the two cities. Can Tho is now the only airport in southern Vietnam receiving flights from South Korea, and people arriving on them are quarantined locally. Can Tho has so far received more than 1,150 passengers while Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh, which takes over the job for Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, has received more than 900 arrivals from South Korea. For now, the fourth field hospital in HCMC has to wait to admit patients, but it is fully prepared, according to authorities. South Korea has reported 4,812 infection cases so far, mostly in Daegu and nearby North Gyeongsang. As of Monday morning 34 people had died of Covid 19, the disease caused by the virus. Vietnam last week announced to suspend entry for people arriving from all coronavirus-hit epicenters. Those who have to enter Vietnam for state affairs or other special reasons have to complete health declaration procedures and stay in quarantine for 14 days. Citizens of countries stricken by Covid-19 but from cities and provinces free of the epidemic will have to submit a health declaration and follow procedures deemed necessary when entering Vietnam. Vietnam has not detected any new cases since February 13, and all 16 confirmed patients, including two Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese-American, have been discharged from hospitals after quarantining and treatment. As of Tuesday another 75 are suspected to have the virus. None of them are in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, the countrys three biggest cities. The global death toll has risen to 3,125 and the virus has spread to 76 countries and territories. Sudhir Duppati, brings together six global artists for an exhibition, four of whom are from Hyderabad. Hononga is the ongoing first international exhibition curated for the Marlborough Art Society Gallery, New Zealand, by Hyderabad-born artist Sudhir Duppati. Connecting various mediums and artists, Sudhir, the curator of the exhibition and the president of the art society, brings six artists from across the globe to display their works in the exhibition. Whats more, of the six artists, four have roots in Hyderabad. Hononga in Maori means connection, something Sudhir uses in the exhibition to bring together the exotic, diverse, and contemporary through artworks of his friends and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds. Artworks of Fawad Tamkanat (India) and his Australia-based daughter Afza Tamkanat, Ermias Ekube (Sweden), Sreekanth Kurva Bolla (India), Pramod Reddy Gade (India), Kandi Narsimlu (India) and Sudhir aim to introduce the artists and share the cultural experiences through their art. Curating global talent Some of these artists are connected to me as philosopher friends and associates since my teaching tenures while others were classmates, who studied visual arts in college days back in Hyderabad and Baroda, says Sudhir. Sudhir then shares with us that his idea with the exhibition was to bring together a show that is diverse in nature. These artists span across various countries and expressions. This show is also to establish and promote an international perspective of different artist exhibiting their different cultural backgrounds within our New Zealand context. I am planning to take this show to other cities in New Zealand as well. The curator of the exhibition also tells us that he didnt want to curate the show along the lines of any theme. Thats because it would have curtailed their style and creative liberty-all of them have their signature styles and I thought it better to highlight those. Moreover, the response from the preview show was good and very encouraging, he says, adding that some New Zealand-based artists also have come forward with a request to exhibit their works in India as well. Indian stories on a canvas We reached out to Fawad Tamkanat to tell us about his participation in the show. Sudhir is my junior from our JNTU days, so when he approached, I was only happy to participate in the show, he says, then talking about how the show enables him and the others to showcase their works in front of an international audience. For Fawads daughter Afza, it took just one call from Sudhir for her to get on board with her personalised journey of the memory lanes of Hyderabad, her native city. I showcase three artworks two from my usual take on Hyderabads streets and the cultural iconic objects painted with coffee as a medium with layers of monochromatic shades, she shares. Sreekanth Kurva, who is mainly inspired by animals on the street and in the flea market near his Begum Bazaar home in Hyderabad, will display a bit of his native land in New Zealand. Sudhir and I are classmates from our BFA days. Even though he resides in New Zealand, we make it a point to meet every three years, says Sreekanth, who is showcasing his small and medium works in paper collages. Another participating artist, Pramod Reddy Gade, is a trained mural artist and a classmate of Sudhir, who draws his inspiration from Hindu mythology, mainly the Ramayana and Mahabharata. We are told that he has exhibited widely across the globe although this is his first show in New Zealand. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 01:00:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Deputy President David Mabuza on Tuesday warned against lawlessness in carrying out land reform, amid reports of sporadic land grabs in parts of the country. There is no room for chaos and anarchy perpetrated under the guise of land reform, Mabuza said while answering to questions in the National Council of Provinces, or Upper House of Parliament. He voiced concern about reports of sporadic land grabs in various parts around the country. In one recent incident outside Stilfonte in North West Province, hundreds of illegal squatters took claim over private land, sparking fears among white farmers in the area. "Incitement of violence and lawlessness is an antithesis of what we stand for as a constitutional state," said Mabuza. He said the government condemns any incitement to lawlessness, particularly one that results in land grabs, as these are in violation of the laws and the Constitution. "We reiterate our call to the citizens of our country to exercise restraint, and to allow government to implement the necessary policy and constitutional reforms aimed at redressing the imbalances of the past as reflected in skewed and inequitable patterns of land access and ownership," said Mabuza. It cannot be denied that access to land and equitable ownership, remains a fundamental pillar of building a socially inclusive and cohesive society, he said. "For us, the historical injustice of land dispossessions and resultant skewed patterns of its ownership, impose a moral obligation to correct the wrongs of the past by expanding access to land to promote greater economic inclusion and social cohesion," said Mabuza. To achieve this, the government is currently implementing a comprehensive land reform program in a systematic, orderly, and responsible manner consistent with the rule of law, he said. Land grabs disrupt orderly and systematic planning and development, including the provision of requisite infrastructure to support land use decisions, Mabuza said. As part of discouraging incitement to violence and land grabs, it is critical for municipalities to put in place by-laws to regulate processes for dealing with issues of land access and use in areas under their jurisdiction, he said. Where blatant violations, and incitement of violence and land grabs occur, the law will take its course, said Mabuza. "You can rest assured of the capacity of our criminal justice system to enforce compliance, in line with our commitment to the rule of law," he added. Sporadic land grabs occurred while Parliament was facilitating the process to amend the Constitution to pave way for land expropriation without compensation. South Africa's land reform has drawn ire from opponents, who argue that the process will drive away white farmers, threaten food security and negatively impact the economy. The South African government has repeatedly assured that it will pursue the reform without destabilizing the agricultural sector, endangering food security in the country, or undermining economic growth and job creation. Enditem Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) Authorities will look into the possible mistakes committed by security personnel in handling the hours-long hostage-taking incident at a mall in San Juan City. San Juan Police Chief Jaime Santos on Tuesday told CNN Philippines he will meet with the management of V-Mall in Greenhills and its security agency to discuss possible lapses after disgruntled former guard Alchie Paray was able to enter the crowded shopping center with a pistol and grenade. "We will be discussing matters pertaining to security with the Ortigas management and the security agency tasked to man the entire Greenhills in order for us to talk what are the possible lapses made in the security. We have to improve more the security of Greenhills. Let's avoid the repetition of the incident," he said. Paray was able to enter the mall carrying a .45 pistol and a grenade. Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas said the grenade was in his bag together with three star apples. Paray shot Roland Beleta, the security guard on duty at the mall, at 11:16 a.m. Monday. Beleta questioned the presence of Paray, who had been absent without leave for weeks, according to authorities. Paray then rounded up his hostages and kept them captive in the administration office in the mall for more than nine hours. Throughout the hostage crisis, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora was able to converse with the suspect. Onlookers outside V-Mall also took the incident live on their personal Facebook pages. The standoff ended with the hostages released unharmed following the apology and resignation of Paray's bosses. After his surrender, the 40-year-old suspect was allowed to address the media to air his grievances of being fired by his security agency. The suspect, who was not bound by handcuffs, was tackled and arrested by security forces 20-minutes into his speech. Santos clarified Paray was not given a chance to hold a "press conference," rather it was a ruse so authorities can arrest him while his guard is down. Paray was still armed as he addressed the media a setup which Zamora agreed to, trusting that the hostage-taker would not make any abrupt action. Police snipers, however, were already in position just in case Paray attempted to take out his gun. The San Juan police chief said he believes the authorities performed their jobs well given the circumstances. "Personally, there are no lapses committed, but there are things we can polish. We handled it correctly. The mayor activated the crisis management team which he headed himself. We have a negotiator, police officers, team assessing the situation from time to time," he said. He also said there are security actions that could have been executed better, such as how the authorities approached the suspect and the time given to him to address the public. "That situation is very volatile. It involves a lot of hostages and lots of people around. That's a very sensitive decision on our part. And all we have to do is be precise and accurate. We cannot perfect things all at the same time, that's why our crisis management team is very careful in tackling things," he said. Julius Baer Group Ltd. nominates Kathryn Shih and Christian Meissner for election to the Board Zurich, 3 March 2020 - The Board of Directors of Julius Baer Group Ltd. will propose Kathryn Shih and Christian Meissner for election as new independent members of the Board at the Annual General Meeting on 16 April 2020. This follows Paul Man Yiu Chow's decision not to stand for re-election at the AGM in April 2020, as he will shortly be reaching the age limit for Julius Baer Board members, and also forms part of the long-term succession planning. All other current members of the Board of Directors will stand for re-election. Christian Meissner will immediately take up his mandate after the election, while Kathryn Shih will take up her mandate on 1 September 2020. Kathryn Shih (1958) is a citizen of the United Kingdom. She spent 32 years of her career in the financial industry at UBS in Hong Kong. In her last position, she was President Asia Pacific and Member of the Group Executive Board at UBS AG, before she retired at the end of 2018. She brings with her extensive and in-depth knowledge of the wealth management industry, having previously also headed Wealth Management Asia Pacific of the Swiss bank for 14 years. She is currently a Member of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School Advisory Board and Temasek Fellow of the Wealth Management Institute in Singapore. Christian Meissner (1969) is a citizen of Austria. He worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch from July 2010 to February 2019, where he was most recently Head of Global Corporate and Investment Banking. He has more than 30 years of experience, mainly in investment banking, and has worked in various senior management roles for Nomura, Lehman Brothers Ltd. International, and Goldman Sachs International. Romeo Lacher, Chairman of Julius Baer, said: "Paul Chow will leave the Board after five years as an esteemed member. I would like to thank him for his great commitment and the professional judgment he brought to our committee. The board benefited considerably from his expertise and it was a pleasure working with him to carry out the Board's duties." Commenting on the nominees, Romeo Lacher said: "I am very pleased to announce the nomination of Kathryn Shih and Christian Meissner. Both have an excellent reputation in the financial industry and, thanks to their outstanding careers, bring with them remarkable strategic expertise, combined with a deep understanding of the opportunities and risks as well as the regulatory environment of our business. Kathryn's exceptional experience in Asia and Christian's deep understanding in markets will be of particular relevance for us. We highly appreciate their willingness to join the Board of Directors of Julius Baer and we look forward to an excellent cooperation and their valuable contribution." Contacts Media Relations, tel. +41 (0) 58 888 8888 Investor Relations, tel. +41 (0) 58 888 5256 About Julius Baer Julius Baer is the leading Swiss wealth management group and a premium brand in this global sector, with a focus on servicing and advising sophisticated private clients. At the end of 2019, assets under management amounted to CHF 426 billion. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the renowned Swiss private bank with origins dating back to 1890, is the principal operating company of Julius Baer Group Ltd., whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: BAER) and are included in the Swiss Leader Index (SLI), comprising the 30 largest and most liquid Swiss stocks. Julius Baer is present in over 25 countries and more than 60 locations. Headquartered in Zurich, we have offices in key locations including Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mexico City, Milan, Monaco, Montevideo, Moscow, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Singapore and Tokyo. Our client-centric approach, our objective advice based on the Julius Baer open product platform, our solid financial base and our entrepreneurial management culture make us the international reference in wealth management. For more information, visit our website at www.juliusbaer.com The government has banned the importation of used vehicles that are older than 10 years. The government has also placed a total ban on the import of salvaged cars, also known as accident cars. These parameters were specified in the Customs Amendment Bill which was passed earlier on Tuesday. More soon ---citinewsroom Flexible office operator WeWork has dusted off its plans to increase its footprint in the market as it looks at space across the major cities of Melbourne and Sydney. It comes as the office market is in need of independent and flexible sites to accommodate the increasing number of compliance and legal teams which have been outsourced from banks and financial institutions to work through issues related to last year's banking royal commission. WeWork was originally looking at the 20,000 square metre office space being developed by Mirvac at 55 Market Street, Sydney and it has been suggested the property team could be dusting off plans for about 5000 sq m at the site. WeWork's hub at 333 George Street in Sydney is spread over five floors. It comes as the operator hit headlines last year when its founder and chairman Adam Neumann stepped down and the planned public float was canned. It recently appointed former oil executive Kimberly Ross as its new chief financial officer, in another change to the company's leadership team as backer SoftBank Group attempts to turn the company around. The Delhi government is taking all possible steps to deal with novel coronavirus and is trying to get in touch with those who could be infected or were in contact with the infected man. Addressing a press conference, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, said: "COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic". "We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals," Jain said. As many as 3.5-lakh N95 masks are being arranged, the minister said. "We have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients." Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called an urgent meeting with Jain and other top officials on the government's preparations to deal with coronavirus. The move came a day after a man in Delhi was reported to be infected with the virus. "We are trying to get in touch with people who could be infected or were in contact with COVID-19-infected man," Sisodia said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A family on the West Side was awakened by four men in masks pointing guns them at around 1 a.m. Tuesday, San Antonio police said. Police are still searching for the men who they say kicked in the door of the residence near the 5400 block of Wincheap Farm and demanded money. One of the occupants of the home said the four men came into the bedrooms and aimed what he thought were AR-15s and handguns at him and his family. More people than ever before have been arrested for drug driving in North Wales This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Mar 3rd, 2020 More people than ever before have been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in North Wales, five years after a new law was introduced. Since the introduction of the Section 5a legislation in March 2015 North Wales Police have made almost 3,000 arrests. The legislation sets limits at very low levels for eight drugs commonly associated with illegal use, such as cannabis and cocaine. Eight prescription drugs are also included in the law, including diazepam, methadone and morphine. Almost 500 Police Officers and Special Constables have been specially-trained to use the DrugWipe system which allows them to determine in approximately eight minutes, if a motorist has an illegal substance in their body, by using a swab from the drivers mouth. Any drivers who fail the test are taken to police custody where a sample of their blood is taken. The blood is then sent away to be examined and if illegal levels of a drug are found, that motorist faces being prosecuted for drug driving. To raise awareness about drug driving and the potential consequences, North Wales Police have launched a new poster and social media campaign. A Force spokesperson said: A drug drive conviction has consequences beyond a fine or ban. You could lose your job, particularly if you drive for work as your employer will see this on your licence. You may also find it difficult to seek employment in the future. If and when you are legally allowed to drive again, it wont be cheap. Car insurance costs increase significantly after a drug driving conviction. The Institute of Advanced Motorists calculate that a drug drive conviction could cost between 20,000 50,000 as a result of fines, solicitors fees, increase in car insurance and loss of job. Think about it. As with any criminal record, you may even find it hard to enter other countries such as the USA and this can affect life plans to holiday, work or study abroad. Chief Superintendent Neill Anderson, North Wales Police said: The legislation around drug driving has now been in place for five years and we have been very proactive in putting offenders before the court. Sadly drug driving is something that we come across daily on the roads of north Wales with over a 1,000 arrests last year alone. Officers will continue to target those who are driving whilst under the influence of drugs. We will continue to secure convictions and keep our roads safe from those who put their lives, and other innocent road users at risk. We will also continue to act on any intelligence or information provided to us by members of the public in relation to anyone who is believed to be driving under the influence of drugs. To report a motorist suspected of regularly driving under the influence, contact North Wales Police via 101 or via the website. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Kabul: The United States signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents on Saturday that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there. While the agreement paves the way for the United States to gradually pull out of its longest war, many expect that talks to come between the multiple Afghan sides will be far more complicated. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, left, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban group's top political leader sign a peace agreement. Credit: The deal was signed in the Qatari capital Doha by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on hand to witness the ceremony. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper meanwhile travelled to Kabul on a visit that officials and experts said was aimed at reassuring the Afghan government about the United States' commitment to the country. ODESSA -- Reagan Elementary School teacher Loretta Diane Walker will be inducted next month into Texas Institute of Letters for her work as a poet. The Odessa native said she has been writing poetry since she was a child. I absolutely love Dr. Seuss. But we had class assignments where you write poetry for Valentine's cards, she said. I was a closet writer. Walker graduated from Ector High School and then attended some classes at Odessa College before going to Texas Tech University for her Bachelor of Music Education. She got a masters in elementary education at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She also attended the New Jersey writing project in 1999. I was taking a New Jersey writing course, through the school, she said. It's a literature-based program. We're talking about writing. And I answered my questions via portrait. We had to journal, and they were questions we were given. And one of the workshop leaders said, you need to do something with this. ... I would say professionally for about 20 years. She teaches kindergarten through fifth grade music at Reagan Elementary. Walker recently returned to work last month after beating breast cancer for a second time. Her book In This House was about the first time she fought breast cancer while her mother declined with diabetes. She said her mother is a big inspiration for her. Right now, she is experiencing a double-edged sword in life, she said. Some of these awards in the last year or two I have received were written about my mother and shes not here to see them, but it was more about the last collection is about my familys journey with her death, Walker said. We watched her slowly die for nine months. Its not so much about her death but its more about what she taught us. Its about her life. She still influences me today. Walker said that she gets inspiration for her poetry from many different places. She said she writes a lot about West Texas, especially the West Texas sky. I have five collections. Out of the five, my students are included in at least four. I am also a nature poet and write about the celestial. I write about everyday things. The last poem that I had accepted I wrote about an undertaker. Everything is a poem. You can find a poem in anything. Walker said it is always a pleasure and surprise when she wins awards. I will be with people I have read, people that I have on my shelf, people I have admired and people I have looked up to, she said. It is still hard to wrap my brain around it, so to speak, that I will be a part of that group. She said that each award she receives is a gift. This award, along with some others, are dreams that I didnt know how to dream, Walker said. You dream about writing a book, but you dont know how to dream about receiving awards. They were things I didnt know how to dream. New members of the Texas Institute of Letters will be inducted on March 27-29 in Georgetown. She released her book Ode to My Mothers Voice and Other Poems in 2019. Her first reading from her latest published work will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Ellen Noel Art Museum. Walker is a member of the Poetry Society of Texas, the Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Abilene Writers Guild, the National Federation of Poetry Societies, and the Texas Mountain Trail Writers. By Trend The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will provide Italy with security against other gas exporters, Senior Analyst at an independent energy research and consulting firm Rystad Energy Swapnil Babele told Trend. "Italy currently imports majority of its gas from Russia, Algeria followed by Qatar, Libya and Norway. Italy for some time has been planning to diversify its energy sources and be less reliant on Russian gas. It imported ~23 billion cubic meters of Russian gas in 2018, in 2019 it is still one of the biggest buyers after Germany as Turkey decreased its import of Russian gas. Last year Italy increased its gas imports from Libya. However there exists an uncertainty over Libyan gas due to the ongoing civil war, as it can default anytime. Hence additional gas will help stabilize its demand," he said. The analyst noted that Azerbaijani gas through TAP will not only diversify Italys gas sources but will also provide security against other gas exporters. "It will also make Italy a regional gas hub for European countries. It will give leverage to Italy to bargain a better gas price from other suppliers, resulting in a gas competitive market. The 8.8 bcm of additional gas will replace pipeline imports from Algeria which we forecast that will decline towards 2030, but could also replace import from Russia in the short-term as export from Azerbaijan is ramping up," he added. Babele went on to add that Shah Deniz phase 2 field will be providing 10 billion cubic meters of gas via TAP. "The SGC and the increasing availability of LNG will play an important role in diversification going forward. Turkey which has been among the biggest importer of Russian gas in 2018 (~24 Bcm), reduced its import volumes by roughly 34 percent in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to 2018 due to more gas supplies from Azerbaijan and LNG imports." Italy will receive 8.8 billion cubic meters of gas via TAP, with supplies expected by late 2020. TAP project is 92 percent complete as of late January. TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016. Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz T he government has unveiled its battle plan to address the spectre of a coronavirus epidemic hitting the UK. It comes after Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of cabinet ministers and experts on the emergency Cobra committee on Monday morning to confront the Covid-19 outbreak that has swept the globe. Twelve more UK cases have also been announced, bringing the total to 51, while more than 91,000 have become infected worldwide, claiming 3,117 lives. An official 27-page document outlining the raft of measures discussed in the meeting has now been published. How bad could coronavirus get? Experts are battling to stop an epidemic hitting UK shores / AFP via Getty Images Until now weve had rolling updates from the Department of Health and Social Care about the rising tally of coronavirus diagnoses in Britain, but little clarity on really how great a threat we face. The government has sought to spell out exactly that in todays plan, warning that it is more likely than not based on current data that the country will be significantly affected. Based on experience with previous outbreaks, it may be that widespread exposure in the UK is inevitable, the plans warn, adding the illness presents a significant challenge for the entire world. Up to a fifth of the UKs workforce could be off sick at its peak. Who is likely to be affected? Restricting travel in a UK coronavirus epidemic would be pointless, the government's top health advisor said / PA Most of those who get the virus will only experience mild symptoms similar to a cold or flu, but a minority will need hospital care for complications caused by the virus, especially pneumonia. So far the data we have suggest that the risk of severe disease and death increases amongst elderly people and in people with underlying health risk conditions, the document says. Children can also be seriously infected, the plans warn, but the illness is rarer among under-20s. Ministers pointed to an increase in deaths if there is an epidemic in the UK, but did not land on a figure. What measures are in place? Among the drastic actions the government could take are instructing the police to only deal with the most serious crimes and closing the NHS to all but the critically ill, the plans say. Emergency services all have plans in place to fulfil critical functions but the military could be drafted in to maintain public order if large numbers of personnel fall ill. A coronavirus epidemic in the UK could be inevitable, the government warns / PA Other possible measures include drafting volunteers and pensioners into hospitals. Social-distancing restrictions could also be implemented, including school, college and university closures, reducing large-scale gatherings and working from home. The UK also has stockpiles of drugs for the NHS and clinical equipment and clothing for doctors, nurses and surgeons, and a distribution strategy for delivering them. Officials said they were uncertain of the impact of the outbreak for business but said firms could be handed short-term financial help to deal with coronavirus-linked shortfalls. Boris Johnson said there were "long-established plans by which the police will, obviously, keep the public safe but they will prioritise those things that they have to do". The Prime Minister added: "And the army is of course always ready to back-fill as and when, but that is under the reasonable worst-case scenario." But when asked about travel restrictions - which have been widely implemented in China where the outbreak began - Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific advisor to the government, said it would make no difference at all if the virus was everywhere. What will the governments response be? PA The document lists Number 10s reaction to an epidemic in four phases: Containment: Detect early cases, follow up close contacts, and prevent the disease taking hold in this country for as long as is reasonably possible Delay: Slow the spread in this country, if it does take hold, lowering the peak impact and pushing it away from the winter season Research: Better understand the virus and the actions that will lessen its effect on the UK population; innovate responses including diagnostics, drugs and vaccines; use the evidence to inform the development of the most effective models of care Mitigate: Provide the best care possible for people who become ill, support hospitals to maintain essential services and ensure ongoing support for people ill in the community to minimise the overall impact of the disease on society, public services and on the economy. If coronavirus escalates to become a pandemic, the government would launch a mass information campaign with the media and parliament, implement emergency crisis response teams and heighten public health awareness. What is coronavirus? 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 The governments plan, based on discussions with top UK health experts, says coronavirus is best explained as a strand of viruses common worldwide. Some can cause the common cold, others can trigger severe diseases such as Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which saw an outbreak in 2002-03, and can cause lethal pneumonia. The new outbreak, Covid-19, is the latest strand of this virus never seen before in humans. CloudOak signs 60+ partners in NAM in less than two months; expands quickly into Europe and introduces new Plan4Continuity features while creating unparalleled value for MSPs OAKVILLE, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / CloudOak is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip (Phil) Sansom as CloudOak's new Managing Director (MD) EMEA. Phil will start with CloudOak immediately and will assume all channel responsibility for Europe and surrounding regions. Parallel with Phil's appointment, we are also pleased to offer three (3) distinct updates demonstrating Plan4Continuity's early market demand and success. Philip Sansom - new managing Director, CloudOak (EMEA) "I am very excited to join the outstanding team at CloudOak and to lend my experience to the team, at the very beginning of what will no doubt be an incredible rocket ship ride. The feedback that I have received about Plan4Continuity from partners, whom I have known for many years, made the decision to join the team an absolute "no brainer'. I have been involved with several fantastic companies (including Kaseya, IT Glue and Datto) in the 17 years that I have been working in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) space but I have never been more excited about a new startup. Even more so considering the fact that Plan4Continuity will differentiate our partners from all other Managed Service Providers (MSPs). This is exactly what progressive Managed Service Providers (MSP's) are looking for, a competitive advantage. I am 100% persuaded by CloudOak's vision to bring enterprise-class solutions to the SME/SMB market", says Sansom. Since the General Availability release of Plan4Continuity in November 2019, CloudOak has seen exceptional partner demand and has collected great feedback from MSPs globally. As a result of their exceptional growth in North America and the EMEA, they are excited to offer new features to help partners with their own business process automation, compliance and regulation combined with a more MSP-friendly pricing structure. CloudOak's Plan4Continuity has entered the playing field as a one-of-a-kind cloud-based business process automation and continuity tool. It not only makes provision for natural disasters, pandemics, active shooter events, and ransomware attacks but can also automate business processes such as office relocation, facilities management, IT quarterly checks and key staff absence. It is easy to use and quick to set up with template plans such as Active Shooter, COVID-19, Data Breach Response, Fire Evacuation, Ransomware Attack and many more. Being a brand-new solution that has never been offered before, IT service providers can take advantage of the opportunity to offer Plan4Continuity to their client base as a new and innovative business process automation tool that could streamline business operations and save on time, money and resources in the event of a disaster, pandemic or even something as simple as onboarding and exiting employees. It further opens up new and recurring revenue streams for IT service providers globally (including MSPs, CSPs, VARs and IT software and hardware providers) no matter the size of their client base in the SMB and SME space. "I couldn't be more thrilled with and prouder of the addition of Phil Sansom to the team. His resume speaks for itself. Phil's deep history in developing business for early-stage startups who went on to become billion-dollar household names in the Channel is impressive. The fact that our partner community in Europe is equally excited, reinforces that we have made the right decision pursuing Phil and bringing him on board as Managing Director," adds Jeff Collier, CEO and Co-Founder of CloudOak. Plan4Continuity is an absolute gamechanger that have created a very unique opportunity for MSPs everywhere with Plan4Continuity. ChannelPro magazine recently added CloudOak to their "Vendor to Watch" list where Rich Freeman summed it up brilliantly stating that: "The company's newest product turns business continuity planning from a paper-based afterthought to an automated recurring revenue opportunity." "This solution provides clarity and precision when the panic and confusion often associated with disruptive events set in. Our vision is to save one hour of downtime, one business, or one life by taking the confusion of human error out of the equation," Collier concludes. To learn more about Plan4Continuity and about CloudOak, visit http://www.cloudoakchannel.com/business-continuity-planning/ or contact us at partners@cloudooakchannel.com. CONTACT: Troy Cheeseman (Channel, Product & Business Development) 2305 WyeCroft Road Oakville, Ontario, Canada ph: +1 289-952-9248 Email: partners@cloudoakchannel.com About CloudOak (www.cloudoakchannel.com) CloudOak is a TSP & Channel solution provider creating solutions that Protect, Control and Recover any company's data and applications. We source and integrate technology solutions for the channel by implementing the tools of today, designing for the emerging SMB, SME, and MSP of tomorrow. We are proud to offer our services exclusively to Managed Service Providers globally. SOURCE: CloudOak View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578811/CloudOak-Recognizes-Exceptional-Market-Growth-in-Europe-and-North-America-Adds-Philip-Sansom-as-new-Managing-Director-EMEA A major death occurred on General Hospital to kick the week off, but many fans are not convinced. Given a recent interview by the characters actor and general theories about whats going on, it is safe to say that fans shouldnt be upset and the death is fake. Alert: Spoilers are below for General Hospital Maurice Benard as Sonny on General Hospital in 2011 | Patrick Wymore/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Taggert died during Mondays episode Marcus Taggert, who returned to the show after 17 years via original portrayer Real Andrews. was shot on the show late last week. The character was shot after saving his daughter, Trina Robinson, and her friend, Cameron Webber. The teens had been taken by goons affiliated with Cyrus Renault, who has a vendetta in Port Charles, primarily against Taggert and Jordan Ashford. In saving the teens he was shot, and underwent surgery in Mondays episode. He later apparently dies from a blood clot, but it doesnt seem convincing that the character could be gone so soon. His final conversation was with his rival Sonny Corinthos, and he asked him to take care of Trina. The character cant be dead because this isnt a short stint The main reason why we know Taggert isnt dead is that this isnt a short return for the show for Andrews, hes back for a long haul. The actor was also just interviewed by Soap Opera Digest recently and spoke about his future on the show, so surely all of this wouldnt be going on and he is set to be killed. He even spoke candidly about his return and the overwhelmingly positive response from fans. The actor said, I was just blown away by the response. It was really humbling and powerful. I dont walk around and say, Hey, I was Taggert. Im not that guy. Im a big advocate of, as amazing as it was to be Taggert 17 years ago, thats in the past, man. I always say, Lets make history instead of read history. To get that kind of support from people I dont even know was just amazing, seriously. I knew, at that time, I was going to be on the show, but obviously I couldnt say anything. I was like, Oh, man, theyre going to be excited when I come back! Fans also arent convinced Taggert is dead and have theories It doesnt seem necessary to completely break down why Taggert is still alive, because fans have their own theories already. Many think that Sonny is involved in helping him frame his death. I think he is in protective custody with Curtis, Jordan, Laura, and maybe Jason and Sonny protecting him. There is no way GH is dumb enough to bring back Taggert only to kill him off. I think that both Liz & Epiphany helped them too. Both nurses have done that before for others, said one fan. A lot of viewers made it clear that it would just be a bad move in general to bring Andrews back just to have him leave. You better NOT have just killed off Marcus frickin Taggert. You better hope his death was faked or I swear to Lucifer!! We did not just get @realandrews back, just to let him leave again! This BETTER BE A FAKED DEATH, said one person. Another fan added, I think he is in protective custody with Curtis, Jordan, Laura, and maybe Jason and Sonny protecting him. There is no way GH is dumb enough to bring back Taggert only to kill him off. I think that both Liz & Epiphany helped them too. Both nurses have done that before for others. General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Bernie Sanders has rejected accusations he is unable to turn his policies into action, responding to claims he fails to get things done by listing his political achievements for two minutes. During a CNN interview on Monday, presenter Anderson Cooper challenged the veteran Vermont senator to respond to criticism from his Democratic presidential rival Elizabeth Warren. Mr Sanders is a senator who has good ideas but whose 30-year track record shows he consistently calls for things he fails to get done and consistently opposes things he nevertheless fails to stop, Ms Warren said last week during a campaign event in Houston. Mr Sanders said he would respectfully disagree with Senator Warren before launching into a list that he claimed proved her wrong. He pointed to Amazon and Disney raising workers wages after he called for a minimum wage of $15 (12) an hour, a rate that seven US states have also now adopted although some Sanders campaign staffers have complained they earn less. Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters Mr Sanders added he had helped pass the most significant veterans bill of recent history, put $11bn (8.6bn) for community health centres into the Affordable Care Act, and force the US to end its involvement in the war in Yemen. Recommended Follow all the latest polls as US Democrats head into Super Tuesday He suggested his calls for free university tuition had instigated states, cities, counties moving in exactly that direction, and claimed his focus on the climate emergency during the 2016 Democratic primaries had helped put the issue on the map. Mr Sanders said he was proud of his record, which involved year after year passing more roll call amendments than any other member of the House of Representatives. The socialist senator is leading in polls going into Super Tuesday, although there are signs former vice president Joe Biden may be closing the gap following the withdrawal of fellow moderate Pete Buttigieg. America has pledged to give Turkey ammunition and equipment in order to help in the fight against Syrian government forces in Idlib. James Jeffrey, US envoy to Turkey, said Tuesday that Ankara will also receive humanitarian aid and intelligence briefings because it is a NATO ally. David Satterfield, Washington's ambassador in Turkey, added that the US is also reviewing a Turkish request for air defences after the country controversially opted to buy Russian S-400 systems instead of American-made weapons. It comes amid escalating clashes between Turkish forces and Assad's men in Idlib, where a Syrian government plane was shot down on Tuesday. A Turkish F-16 fighter jet (file image) shot down a Syrian government L-39 warplane over the Syrian province of Idlib on Tuesday, Ankara's defence ministry claimed Turkey is attempting to stop a Syrian government attack on Idlib (pictured) which it fears will spark a fresh refugee crisis on its eastern border James Jeffrey, US envoy to Turkey, has promised equipment, ammunition and intelligence to help in Turkey's fight against Assad A Turkish F-16 jet shot down an L-39 plane belonging to Assad's forces, the Turkish military confirmed. Turkey is attempting to stop a Syrian government attack on Idlib amid fears it will spark a fresh refugee crisis on its eastern border. The province is home to some 4million people, almost half of whom have been displaced by fighting elsewhere in Syria and are living in tent cities hard up against Turkey's border. In response, Turkey has opened its western border with Greece - telling European leaders that they must 'accept their share' of refugees caused by the conflict. Fighting between the regime and Turkey has been escalating in recent days, after a Syrian government airstrike hit a Turkish outpost last week, killing 34 troops. On Monday Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar announced an operation against Syrian government forces - dubbed Spring Shield - which he said began last week. He claimed Turkey had destroyed 103 tanks, eight helicopters, a drone, 72 howitzers, rocket launchers and six air defence systems. A further 2,212 members of the Syrian regime forces have also been killed, wounded or captured, Akar claimed. Syria's state news agency confirmed that one of its L-39 warplanes was targeted on Tuesday, but did not say whether it had been shot down Turkey has declared a military operation against Syrian government forces, claiming to have killed, wounded or captured 2,000 troops, shot down three planes and destroyed 100 tanks (pictured, Turkish-backed Syrian rebels) The Syrian Observatory, a UK-based monitor, said 74 Syrian government troops and pro-Damascus fighters had been killed since February 27. Meanwhile the Assad regime said it shot down three Turkish drones used to target its bases and threatened to destroy any aircraft breaching its north-west airspace. 'Any aircraft that violates our airspace will be dealt with as an enemy aircraft that must be brought down,' state news SANA reported citing a military source. The Assad regime has also agreed this afternoon to host a diplomatic mission from parallel Libyan authorities led by strongman Khalifa Haftar, opposed to the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, to confront Turkish 'interference'. Turkey's attacks further muddy the waters of Syria's years-long civil war, which has sucked in a host of regional and western powers. The Assad regime's assault is being backed by Russian air power. Turkey and Russia have struck alliances elsewhere in Syria, but in Idlib find themselves on opposite sides of the frontline. There are fears that the assault could lead to a direct confrontation between the two countries. Turkey is a NATO ally, and can call on other alliance members to come to its defence if it is attacked. Turkey is also attempting to pressure European leaders into the conflict by throwing open its border to hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to reach Europe Idlib is home to some 4million people, almost half of whom have been displaced by fighting elsewhere and are living in tent cities hard up against Turkey's border President Erdogan has said he hopes to broker a cease-fire in Syria later this week when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Turkey is already trying to pressure European powers to come to its aid, announcing last week that border guards will no longer stop migrants from reaching Europe. Erdogan has said that Europe will have to share the burden of some 3.6million refugees who have ended up in his country after fleeing Syria. Turkey has been safeguarding Europe's eastern border since 2016, when Erdogan signed a deal to halt the flow of refugees. But on Monday he told supporters that the deal is now finished, adding: 'The doors are now open. Now, you will have to take your share of the burden.' 'Hundreds of thousands have crossed, soon it will reach millions.' Greek troops and police remained on high alert on Tuesday along the land border with Turkey, which has seen thousands of migrants try to cross in the last few days. A man toasts bread over a fire at a small camp for refugees and migrants on the Turkish shoreline of the Evros River, near the border with Greece A man from Afghanistan rests as children play around him at a small refugee camp on the Turkish shoreline of the Evros River, near the Greek border Syrian kids pose for a photo with boots that were provided by humanitarian workers as they wait to try and cross the border into Greece Greek authorities said the border had been quiet overnight, in contrast to the clashes seen over the weekend and into Monday. Police used tear gas against migrants, including women and children, stuck in the no-man's land. 'There were only a few attempts today (by migrants to cross the border). Let's hope they get the message,' a machine gun-toting army officer told Reuters near the Kastanies border crossing. Army jeeps patrolled the area, and roads leading to the Evros river which marks the Greek-Turkish border remained shut. 'Greece's borders are also Europe's borders,' Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement released ahead of a planned inspection tour of the area later on Tuesday with the heads of the three main EU institutions. The presidents of the executive European Commission, the European Council - which represents national governments - and the European Parliament want to demonstrate their solidarity with Greece. REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceAir, a construction site automation platform powered by drone data, celebrates its 5-year anniversary with more than 250 successful job sites being deployed on across the US and Europe. Reaching this milestone, TraceAir has become an essential platform for grading contractors and home builders, helping them control quality and costs with a growing number of efficient automation solutions. TraceAir's "5 in 5" key achievements include: Launching a fully functional SaaS platform powered by drone data and machine learning. Helping clients on nearly 250 job sites to date. Raising investments from professional VC funds and industry representatives that helps the company to grow and target the most painful industry problems. Joining the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a U.S. organization with more than 220,000 members in the home-building industry. Continuously releasing products and features increasing the speed and quality of site work construction such as Haul Router and Pioneering tool developed together with Independent Construction. "We are celebrating our first big anniversary with great momentum, bringing automation into the construction industry to help companies control quality and costs. TraceAir construction management software improves with every new client and every project. We are extremely grateful to our partners, investors, and clients, who support us on every step of our joint way to seamless and predictable site work of the future," says Dmitry Korolev, CEO at TraceAir. Here are just a few highlights of the products released in 2019: New workflows : automatically detected items, remedial as-builts with drone patches, Haul Router and Pioneering tool, site balance prediction and total volumes moved calculator. : automatically detected items, remedial as-builts with drone patches, Haul Router and Pioneering tool, site balance prediction and total volumes moved calculator. Collaborative tools : Draw&Share tool, Public and Private options for markups, Markup sharing via a link, folder-based Markups storage. : Draw&Share tool, Public and Private options for markups, Markup sharing via a link, folder-based Markups storage. General UX/UI improvements : Office app redesign, mobile UI adjustments, user management, and fast "what if" calculator for quantity takeoffs. : Office app redesign, mobile UI adjustments, user management, and fast "what if" calculator for quantity takeoffs. Drones operations and data handling: automatic TIN-file export, instant publishing for the pre-processed drone data, NAD83-to-WGS84 and assumed-to-WGS84 coordinate converter. About TraceAir TraceAir is a construction management software powered by drone data and AI to help clients complete projects on time and within budget. Unlike other software in the industry, TraceAir puts data analytics in the hands of field managers. The company empowers the largest land developers, home builders, geoengineers, and grading contractors in the U.S., including FivePoint, Independent Construction Co., ENGEO, and others, with efficient construction automation software. For more information, please visit: Website , Blog , and Customer testimonials Media contact: Ksenia Chabanenko [email protected] 650-772-9027 SOURCE TraceAir Technologies John McCains major political consultant and MSNBC contributor, Stephen Schmidt, tells us that for the 2020 election, if the American people have a choice between a democratic socialist and a sociopath, they will choose the sociopath every time. Amazing! That a majority of whites would vote for Trump should not be a surprise since the majority of white voters have voted Republican since Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Rather than a party of civil rights, the Republican Party is the party of voter suppression. The noted political scientist Andrew Hacker in his 1991 book: Two Nations: Back and White, Separate Unequal and Hostile, asserted that the Republican Party is the white peoples party. While it might be true that white Americans might prefer the sociopath over the democratic socialist, the same is not true for Americans of color. Black folks and Latinos know a racist when they see one. The presidents immigration policies and the Muslim bans are racist acts. The vote by blacks against Trump was over 80% and around 70% for both Latinos and Asians. Concretely, Stephen Schmidt is saying is that it does not matter to the majority of white voters that President Donald J. Trump was impeached. It does not matter that he was a co-conspirator with convicted felon Michael Cohen for his hush money payments to the porn star and Playboy model. For these white voters, the fact that he is a pathological liar, having told over 16,000 lies is immaterial. And finally, his general behavior breaks the norms of common decency that many consider unacceptable, or even that of a sociopath, as deemed by a group of 25 psychiatrists, the white majority will vote for him. Schmidt is not alone in pushing the idea that democratic socialist Bernie Sanders cannot win the presidency. It is interesting that these white millionaires are so disturbed that the candidacy of a social Democrat that they are attempting to demonize what it means to be a democratic socialist. They are so disturbed by a serious Bernie Sanders candidacy they are red-baiting him, even though, it is intellectually dishonest to call him a communist. They know better. MSNBCs Morning Joe panel is composed of knowledgeable people. True conservative Joe Scarborough, Donny Deutsch, Willie Geist, Steve Rattner and Mika Brzezinski share with stunning horror that this democratic socialist will win the nomination then lose to the most corrupt president in modern history. If they report the truth, why would their audience do that? Rather than inform the public on what democratic socialism is, they distort his candidacy to point of red-baiting him. They know, or should know, that being a democratic socialist is like the governance in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and other such nations, including Canada. Yet, their opposition to him focuses on his praise of Fidel Castros literacy program. Bernie rejects the dictatorship of authoritarians all, both left and right. These white pundits see the world through the eyes of whites and an unfettered capitalism. They eschew the needs of people of color. Their opposition to the notion of democratic socialism, largely based on their class position and who they work for shapes their opposition. (Note ABCs suspension and reassignment of David Wright because he was secretly recorded stating he was a socialist. This was after 20 years of experience at ABC. He was secretly recorded by James OKeefe of ACORN and Planned Parenthood fame though originally charged with a felony, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. The charges reflect that the ethics of James OKeefe are highly questionable.) It is interesting that most of the black pundits see no threat to the Bernie Sanders candidacy. To the contrary, they see promise in his candidacy. These pundits see something the white pundits do not see the voters. While the socialist boogeyman might spook white pundits from seeing the promise in a Sanders candidacy, the Nevada voters saw something that they liked, he received almost half (47%) of the vote. Using Nevada as an important case, the lesson to be learned is that Bernie Sanders won the vote and every demographic. The voters there have joined Sanders multi-generational, multiracial movement. For him and his followers there is a movement afoot that favors Medicare for All. The momentum for this election is more than beating the sociopath but a movement that seeks transformation of our politics, not management as would be a Bloomberg presidency. The movement seeks transformation not a return to the Obama years that were stymied by Moscow Mitch and the Tea Party Republicans. In this election, Americas future hangs in the balance. Are we to be led by a president who has led a movement to expand the rights and quality of life to working families? Or is America to be led someone who is an authoritarian, ignorant of or indifferent to the rights of those who are not his friends? Robert Newby is professor emeritus in the department of sociology, anthropology and social work at Central Michigan University. He writes a bi-weekly column for the Morning Sun. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: The volume of Kazakhstan wheat exports to Georgia has increased, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture told Trend. As the ministry noted, traditionally, the grain market of Georgia is adjacent, both for Russian and Kazakhstan wheat. "In previous years, Russia had the opportunity to supply wheat to Georgia at a competitive price. In 2018, lower quality and higher export prices for Russian wheat limited the exports to Georgia," the ministry said. Accordingly, the volume of Kazakhstan wheat exports to Georgia has increased. The ministry also said that transportation of Kazakhstan grain to the Georgian is possible by rail through the territory of the Russian Federation and through the Caspian Sea, which either way is through Azerbaijan. "Due to favorable forecasts for the wheat crop of 2019 worldwide, and in the Black Sea region in particular, prices for Russian wheat in 2019-2020 are not expected to be high," the ministry said. As the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan said, in January-August 2019, 48,800 tons of Kazakhstan wheat and 2,000 tons of flour were exported to Georgia. According to representatives of the ministry, delivery time will depend on market conditions and agreements between entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, on Sept. 28, Levan Silagava, Head of the Association of Wheat Groups of Georgia told Trend that according to negotiations with Kazakhstan, the country''s government will subsidize the transportation of wheat to the Georgian market and reduce tariffs, which will allow to get Kazakh wheat at relatively affordable prices. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Ukraine's health ministry on Tuesday confirmed the country's first case of the coronavirus in the western city of Chernivtsi. Deputy health minister Viktor Lyashko told reporters in Kiev that a man exhibiting symptoms of the virus was hospitalised Saturday, three days after returning from holiday in Italy. Lyashko said the man, whose condition was confirmed late Monday, is in a stable condition and that his wife is quarantined in their home. Kiev mayor Vitaliy Klitschko Tuesday announced measures to halt the spread of the virus, saying students would have their temperatures taken at school and public transport would be cleaned with disinfectant. Dozens of people last month protested outside a medical facility in central Ukraine over the government's plans to treat 45 nationals and 27 foreigners from coronavirus-hit China there. Protesters clashed with police and threw stones at returnees over infection fears. Ukraine's health minister joined the evacuees in the facility for two weeks in quarantine to calm the panic and aggression. COVID-19 has spread to more than 70 countries, killing over 3,100 people and causing chaos as governments clamp down on travel and mass gatherings. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP H2020 program will boost transition of European seaports from connected and digital to smart and cognitive Traxens, a company that provides high-value data and services for the supply chain industry, announces today that it is now part of the new European DataPorts project, aimed at creating a data platform for cognitive ports of the future. With a total budget of 6.7M ($7.3M), the three-year project will receive 5.7M ($6.2M) from the European Union. It is coordinated by the Technological Institute of Informatics (ITI) in Spain. Today, only three per cent of container terminals are automated. However, the future of the industry points towards smart ports as the best way to overcome the challenges and demands that arise in the sector. Challenges include optimizing port operations, enhancing the supply chain for operators and carriers, and reducing emissions and waste. DataPorts will take advantage of the huge amount of data generated around modern connected sea ports and the high level of digitalization these ports have so far achieved. Existing digital platforms and tools will be leveraged to establish an industrial data platform where data coming from different stakeholders and external sources can be combined and processed to achieve real value. Today's shippers and related stakeholders are optimizing their supply chains through digital transformation, where real-time data is key. The aim is to expose the smart assets value-added services via the DataPorts' platforms market place. The availability of door-to-door visibility of the transport execution, with applied AI, and the use of blockchain technology will result in easier integration of reliable, trustworthy, private and secure data in different processes. Information will potentially be shared with the whole of the supply chain (in respect of the data governance rules that protect their competitive advantages), offering greater visibility, real-time tracking, waste reduction, higher security and potentially faster border clearance. This European funded project will demonstrate the added value Traxens Smart assets services bring, on a global scale, to the whole ecosystem. Historically, the maritime port infrastructure is relatively complex. A number of agents, including retailers, freight forwarders, carriers, consignees and port authorities, are all involved in port operations. Currently, these agents don't always interact with each other, which leads to stagnant silos of information, meaning the full potential of data cannot be realised. The DataPorts project aims to create a secure data platform that shares information, not only between port agents, but also with other ports. Only those with access permits and contracts can access data sharing and research new Artificial Intelligence and cognitive services. Traxens devices provide global door-to-door visibility and fleet management capability for a variety of logistics units. Tracking and monitoring data is collected via its devices, installed on each of the logistics assets. These devices have different real-time communication facilities (cellular connectivity and IoT mesh networking). A wide range of sensors offer different capabilities, including geolocation and geofencing, temperature and humidity measurements, door open detection and client alerts on the shocks that may occur during transportation. "Even today, when seaports have achieved a mature state in terms of digitalisation, there is a clear gap in taking full advantage of digital data assets," said Santiago Caceres, DataPorts coordinator at ITI. "A secure and trustworthy platform, able to grant data sharing and trading, opens up many business opportunities. Obviously, it also brings a number of challenges, but DataPorts was designed to provide the means and tools to overcome these, paving the way to creating new business models using its results." "Participating in the DataPorts project will give Traxens the opportunity to share data between port actors and demonstrate the effectiveness of its Smart Container technology," said Dr Hanane Becha, Traxens Innovation Standards senior manager. "For that purpose, it is intended that a data market will be created in which all the transport chain companies participate, so that big data solutions can be created. These will improve the integration of data sources, making them easier to use, faster and much more reliable." DataPorts will establish a unique data space for all maritime ports in Europe and contribute to the European Commission's global objective of creating a common European data space. DataPorts relies on the participation of 13 partners from five nations: Spain: ITI (project leader), Everis Spain SL, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Fundacion ValenciaPort, Prodevelop SL France: Traxens Greece: Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation S.A., Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. Germany: University of Duisburg-Essen (Paluno), Fraunhofer-Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST Israel: IBM Israel About Traxens Traxens drives digital transformation in the global supply chain. The company's breakthrough IoT technology, data science expertise, global logistics experience and standards leadership unlock the value of real-time data generated from cargo assets shipped by sea, rail and road. Traxens is trusted by hundreds of global cargo owners, enabling them to reduce door-to-door transport costs, optimize their investments and minimize risk. By partnering with the world's leading shipping lines, rail carriers and smart ports, Traxens helps all members of the global supply chain ecosystem improve decision making, operations and customer service. Traxens is privately held and headquartered in Marseille, France. www.traxens.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005075/en/ Contacts: Geraldine Sauniere Director of Communications Mail: g.sauniere@traxens.com Tel: +33 695 915 899 The Nigerian Police Force, Zone 11, in Osun State on Monday, rejected a petition against PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Alfred Olufemi, over a report that exposed an Islamic cleric, who reportedly raped a 16-year-old girl, in Ede. The police said the petition lacks criminal merit and as such would not entertain it. The petition was filed by Habeebulah Abdulrahman, (popularly known as Al-Edewy), who was accused of raping a female student of his Islamic school. The victim, born in 2003, lost her dad at a young age and stays with her mother in Ede, a town in Osun State. She recently completed her junior secondary education in the town. In his defence, Mr Abdulrahman had said the teenager is his wife and he had the right to have sexual intercourse with her. He was, thereafter, arraigned on a three-count charge of abduction of a young girl to an unknown destination to have carnal knowledge of her and indecent assault by touching. The cleric was granted bail and freed afterwards. Settlement Members of the victims family shared dissenting views on the settlement of the matter. While some believed that an out-of-court settlement is a welcome development, some said the matter should be treated as a criminal case and justice should prevail. The 16-year-old girl later vowed to commit suicide if her family accepted an offer to settle the matter out of court. The proposed settlement included that the accused admit to committing the offence and tender an unreserved apology, which he did. Following this newspapers report, the family and our correspondent continue to face pressure and threats from unknown individuals who warned against further reports on the incident. Petition Not pleased with PREMIUM TIMES continuous reportage on the matter, the cleric wrote to the police and in December 2019, PREMIUM TIMES journalist was contacted by a police officer, identified as Sergeant Adisa . On January 14, Mr Olufemi alongside this reporter honoured the police invitation. He was accused of publishing fake report about the personality of the cleric and was interrogated for about six hours. While in custody, a police officer forced our correspondent to delete pictorial evidence of his colleague writing a statement at their office. However, on Monday when the matter was taken to the office of the AIG, Bashir Makama told the cleric that his petition lacks criminal merit and as such the police cannot entertain it. He advised that if not pleased with his submission, Mr Abdulrahman is free to file a civil suit against PREMIUM TIMES. The OC legal also maintained that the matter is more civil in nature. Meanwhile, Mr Olufemi responded saying, he would be glad to see the cleric challenge PREMIUM TIMES reportage. If he thinks our reports are not true, let him go anywhere, we will be vindicated as witnessed before the police here. Last month, police re-arraigned the cleric on charges of indecent assault punishable under section 358 of the criminal code. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency, Mr. Emmanuel Adotey Allotey has challenged Ghanaians to change their attitudes towards waste management especially littering around to enhance a clean and hygiene environment. According to him, the basics of a clean and hygienic environment revolve around peoples positive behavior and attitudes. He is of a firm belief that it takes the mindset of people to keep their surroundings and environment clean. Mr. Allotey gave the advice on the sideline of a Clean- up exercise organized by the Church of Pentecost (COP) in partnership with NDC Anyaa Sowutuom constituency and other organizations. The four- hour exercise saw members of the COP and members of the NDC cleaning choked gutters, clearing weeds and sweeping along the street of Awoshie, Anyaa market, Fanmilk and Ablekuman. Surprisingly, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party in Anyaa Sowutuom constituency failed to honor the invitation for the cleanup. The campaign forms part of the Church Of Pentecost social responsibility to educate its members and the Ghanaian populace on the dangers of environmental pollution as well as challenge them to become agents of environmental cleanliness. The initiate under the theme: Environmental Care Campaign is being executed as a multi-stakeholders strategy campaign involving policy makers at the national and the local levels, traditional rulers and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to improve the sanitation situation in the country. Furthermore, Mr. Allotey advised the residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of waste on the street and drainages within the constituency. The indiscriminate dumping of waste in the drainage he noted is also responsible for floods and outbreak of diseases. He advised them to make good use of the private waste evacuators popularly known as Bola Cars that renders waste collection services to various homes every week than indiscriminate dumping. The aspiring lawmaker pleaded with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to enforce the sanitation by-laws in their jurisdiction devoid of politicization. When people are disposing of waste indiscriminately, the law must bite irrespective of the culprit political affiliation stressing the need for Assemblies to enforce the sanitation by-laws hence deal with the perpetrators severely. Mr. Allotey who is an astute banker asked the assemblies to supply logistics to enable the residents dispose waste regularly. On his part, the Odorkor Area Head of COP, Apostle Patrick Aseyoro entreated Ghanaians to clean their households, immediate surroundings, as well as at the community level, places of worship, institutions of learning and workplaces among other areas. Coming down heavily on Pakistan for peddling false narrative against Kashmir, members of the European Parliament on Monday stated that the country has become a safe haven for breeding terror outfits on its soil who threaten the peace and stability in the region. Parliamentarians Gianna Gancia and Fulvio Martusciello said that instead of focusing on development, Pakistan has been notoriously known as a safe haven for terror outfits to breed freely, including several anti-social elements that threaten the day to day lives of the local Kashmiris. The discussion in this regard took place at an event titled 'Jammu and Kashmir: Sifting facts from fiction' held at Geneva Press Club on the sidelines of the ongoing 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The discussion also focused on Pakistan's interference in Jammu and Kashmir amid the country's deteriorating human rights record. Other than the members of the European Parliament, the panel saw a participation of experts and media persons, including Syed Tehmeena from The True Voice of Kashmir; Executive Director of South Asia Democratic Forum Paulo Casaca, former member of the European Parliament Nathan Gill, expert on South Asia from European Commission, Brian Toll, president of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP) Sajjad Raja, President of Gilgit Pakistan Studies, Senge Sering and journalist Atika Farooqui. Sering stressed that the abrogation of Article 370 - legislation that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir -- has infused a new lease of life to the region. However, with the fake propaganda, Pakistan is trying to undermine the emancipation process of the region, he stressed. Drawing attention to the misinformed campaign held by the Pakistan establishment on Kashmir, Casaca noted, "Fake propaganda was projected by the country (Pakistan) but fiction should be separated from reality." "Jammu and Kashmir chose to become a part of India and Pakistan illegally invaded it," Gill reiterated similar sentiments. Based on his experience in Kashmir, the Parliamentarian said that Kashmiris do not want a special status; instead their only desire was to become a part of India. However, Pakistan conducted huge propaganda on what's going in Kashmir; Pakistani lobby peddled fake news on Jammu and Kashmir's situation at the European Parliament. "My state, paradise on the earth, lost against a fanatical ideology," Tehmeena remarked with intense sorrow and anger. Insurgencies and terrorism fuelled by the Pakistan establishment have undermined it, she stated. During the discussion, Raja also criticised Pakistan's disruption of peace and stability in Kashmir. "The only way to extricate Kashmir from Pakistan's exploitation is to support the development and become a partner of India's GDP," he noted. Adding to it, Farooqui further explained how Pakistan had initiated a low-cost proxy war to annex Kashmir and "encouraged jihadi movements to separate Kashmir from India." "Pakistani army used terrorism, armed terrorist groups, misguided youth," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As investors wrestle with how to react to a crisis nobody saw coming a couple of months ago, they also have something else to think about which has long been inked into the calendar. Just as the novel coronavirus outbreak causes havoc in financial markets - to the extent that it led to a 0.5 per cent Federal Reserve rate cut today - the race to become President of the United States from 2021 to 2024 is heating up with 'Super Tuesday.' The principle question which could be answered tonight, as a large group of US states vote, is whether the Democrats will choose outsider left-winger Bernie Sanders or centrist establishment figure Joe Biden? Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is hoping to barge his way into the two horse race, funded by his personal fortune, but that looks unlikely with his campaign being very poorly received so far. Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters during a campaign rally in St Paul, Minnesota This matters to investors around the world and not just those in the US, because the American stock market makes up more than half of the global market. It is almost 64 per cent of the MSCI World benchmark index. There are a couple of ways to interpret the state of play. One is to see a strong Super Tuesday for Bernie Sanders as an additional worry for the markets, and a Biden or Bloomberg win as a boost. By American standard's Sanders' policy agenda is very far to the left and stock markets invariably react badly to such politicians gaining power, with the prospect of heavy taxation and burdensome regulation. The caveat to that is the fact the American political system and economy makes it very hard for fundamental change to be pushed through, and the Sanders agenda would likely be significantly tempered down if he took office. The other way to look at it is to say a Sanders nomination would be good news for investors because it raises the chances of Donald Trump securing a second term, given Americans' strong historical aversion to leftist politics. The Trump administration has been unabashed in pushing forward stock market friendly policies, and provided the coronavirus crisis abates, a second term for Trump would likely be well received in the markets. Kenneth J. Taubes, CIO of US Investment at Amundi commented: 'A Sanders win of the nomination would be the most challenging outcome for financial markets, as investors are concerned about the cost of his economic agenda. The healthcare sector is sensitive to the prospects of a populist nomination.' 'A Biden win would be neutral for markets since it would not lead to the implementation of costly policies. In addition, a moderate fiscal expansion with higher infrastructure spending could be positive, but may be offset by a possible expiration of the income tax cuts.' 'The most favourable outcome would be a Bloomberg victory since his agenda focuses on investment in education and vocational training, higher R&D spending and increased investment in rural broadband access.' Donald Trump addresses the crowd at a rally in North Carolina 'From an economic standpoint, the Trump presidency has proved good, with real wages up and tax cuts supporting growth,' Taubes continued. 'However, there has been a growing polarisation of US society. Inequality is at its highest level for more than a century as Trump's policies have mainly benefited the wealthiest. Trump's proposal consists of a continuation of his policies, including an extension of tax cuts.' Christopher Smart, head of the Barings Investment Institute is more sceptical on the significance for investors of who wins the race. 'It's as stark a choice as we have had in a long time, but the macroeconomic outcomes may not be so different.' 'Financial markets have turned nasty, an epidemic has us all on edge and we are staring at a crucial vote in a raucous Democratic primary. But even before we get results from Super Tuesday, it's already clear that the next president will be one of three people: Trump, Sanders or 'Bloomiden.' Former Vice President Joe Biden addresses his supporters in Houston, Texas He added: 'While each represents dramatically different political philosophies, let alone personal styles, their consequences on the near-term outlook for the U.S. economy may be less than meets the eye.' 'In fact, whatever the outcome, investors looking to 2021 can expect a further boost from fiscal policy and possibly an even more dovish Fed'. President Trump has developed a reputation for not being worried about balancing the books and Sanders would be even more free-spending. The issue for investors would be that he would also bring a raft of regulation and changes for US companies. 'Strip away the politically-charged 'socialist' label, which means much less than it seems,' Smart continued. 'Sanders' breathtaking spending proposals add up, by his own math, to roughly $40 trillion over the next decade, which he mostly pays for in a variety of new or higher taxes on profits, wealth and income.' 'His proposals on labor rights, climate and housing alone suggest a large tangle of new rules that will chill corporate investment.' 'The stark fact remains that any President's economic policies are only tangentially related to actual economic outcomes in the near term. Not only do they take time to execute, but they are often overwhelmed by a recession in China or an oil price spike.' Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang (R) receives Koji Yamazaki, Chief of the Self-Defense Forces's Joint Staff in Hanoi, March 2, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Thuy. Japan agreed to provide Vietnam with technologies for building military ships at a meeting between their defense ministry officials on Monday. At a meeting between Koji Yamazaki, Chief of the Self-Defense Forces's Joint Staff, and Deputy Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang in Hanoi, the two countries agreed on several collaborations in future, including shipbuilding and economic manufacturing. They also agreed to strengthen ties between the Vietnamese Army and Japans Ground Self-Defense Force, including more visits by the latters ships and aircraft to Vietnam. Japan will also provide training in diving medicine and rescue and supply medical and rescue equipment to the Vietnamese Navy. Vietnam asked Japan to continue training its experts in military technology, collaborate in developing strategies for its peacekeeping forces, and take in its highly-skilled workers. Japan is the largest market for Vietnamese labor with more than 80,000 going in 2019. Most of them work in seafood and food processing. The Japanese delegation, which is on a visit to Vietnam from March 1 to 4, will also visit the 249 Brigade under the High Command of Combat Engineers and the 147 Brigade under the Naval Command. Students of a government school took part in a rally organised by the ABVP in support of CAA, NRC in Rajnandgaon district of the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh Rajnandgaon: Students of a government school took part in a rally organised by the ABVP last week in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Rajnandgaon district of the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh. The 28 February incident prompted district education authorities to issue show-cause notices to the school principal and Block Education Officer (BEO) and order a probe. The students of the Government High School for Girls in Ambagarh Chowki town, clad in uniform, took part in the pro -CAA-NRC rally organised by the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). After coming to know about the rally, show-cause notices were issued to the school principal and the BEO, seeking their replies. "Further action will be taken accordingly (based on their replies), said HR Som, District Education Officer (DEO). There is a state government directive banning participation of students in such (political) rallies, he said. Under what circumstances the students took part in the rally is being probed, Som said. Meanwhile, the DEO, in a circular to principals of all government schools and BEOs of the district, asked them to ensure students do not take part in any rallies without permission. On 28 February, the students of Government High School for Girls took part in a pro-CAA rally organised by the ABVP which is inappropriate. "It is being directed that students should not be allowed to take part in any rallies without the permission of the school education department or higher authorities," the order said. If any rally is taken out by students without permission of the department or higher authorities, the principal and BEO concerned will face disciplinary action as per the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965, the circular added. The ruling Congress has been opposing implementation of the CAA and the NRC in the state. Turkey's president will no longer stop Syrian refugees from fleeing into Europe. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country's borders with Europe were open Saturday, making good on a longstanding threat to let refugees into the continent as thousands of migrants gathered at the frontier with Greece. - ABC News The first thing to notice is that not all of these refugees are from war-torn Syria. Greek officials arrested 66 migrants Friday, 17 of whom were sentenced to 3.5 years in jail for entering the country illegally. All Afghans, they were are [sic] the first migrants sentenced for illegal entry since 2014. - ABC News But, for the moment, lets assume for arguments sake that most of these refugees are Syrian. Turkey is in an unenviable position. Most ot the Syrian refugees from their civil war have been dumped on Turkey, and Turkey is saddled with a major problem. Turkey ... supported a Syrian refugee population that exceeded 3.6 million people. - PBS FRONTLINE Likewise, Lebanon and Jordan are also hammered with Syrian refugees. If the Palestinians are any indication or precedent, Turkey knows full well that those Syrians may never be welcomed back into Syria, nor assimilated into other Muslim nations, which seem to operate under the presumption that possession is nine-tenths of the law. Any nation stuck with Muslim refugees gets to keep them. These Syrians will become the new Palestinians, and Turkey does not want that. What is happening is an echo of the 1948 war with Israel. Whether one supports Israel as I do or whether one does not, the Sunni Palestinians who fled the area in 1948 [or who were chased out it does not matter for the purposes of this discussion], were not allowed to return to Israel. In the Mideast, demographics is king, and Israel replaced the Arabs with Jewish refugees from Arab countries. Likewise, Syria is presently settling Shia in areas that were formerly under hostile Sunni control, indicating that many Sunni will NOT be allowed back to Syria, even as Israel refused to allow Sunnis back after the Israeli War of Independence, and after 1967. New communities are settling in areas where Sunnis have fled or been forced out as Tehran seeks an arc of control stretching from its borders to Israel - The Guardian In 1948, those Palestinians stranded outside Israel were allowed to fester, and keep the Mideast embroiled for decades. Likewise, Turkey does not want to be permanently saddled with Syrias problem. And the last seven decades of Mideast history has shown that Muslims will not yield on this point. Of course the underlying problem lies with Islam. Shia-Iran supported the Shia-friendly Syrian Alawite regime of Bashar Assad. The Saudis, fearful of Iran, supported extremist-Sunni rebel groups. Iran would love to see a Shia-friendly arc of influence along the Persian Gulf, so that they could dominate the region and destroy Israel. The Shia and the Christians who tended to see the Alawite and Shia as the less of two evils were fearful of intolerant Sunnis. Ultimately, the Syrian civil war exploded because of Iranian interference. Had Iran kept out of it, the Assad regime would have collapsed of its own weight. The Saudis would not have had to support Islamic extremists to counter Iran. Now, Turkey could have stayed out of this as well. They had enough of a military to keep their border sealed, But Turkey chose to butt its nose into the situation, even going so far as to try and work out a military deal with Iran. All of this is thanks to Erdogans desire to re-install a new Turkish-led Caliphate. So Turkey tried to set up a Sunni protectorate in northern Syria. However, Turkeys Sunni sympathies are not compatible with Syrias/Irans Shia sympathies. Ulitmately, Erdogans vision of a Sunni Mideast is not compatible the Tehrans vision of Shia supremacy, and so violence has recently emerged between Syria and Turkey. Syria war: Alarm after 33 Turkish soldiers killed in attack in Idlib - BBC Turkey with a degree of truth behind it blames the West for destablizing Syria; but ignores that Islam is the greater culprit in the disaster. Israel blames Iran for meddling in Syria. And the European Union, as always, is screwing everything up. Now, Erdogran is blaming the EU for not subsidizing Turkey to help support the migrants in Syria. There is a solution to this and it beings with laying the blame on Islam. Muslims seem unable to generate stable societies. They have no ability to compromise, and their societies are always internally in conflict. 1) The West should inform Turkey that Greece will be helped to secure its borders. Make it clear that this is only a defensive border sealing. 2) Inform the Syrians, Turks, and Iranians that the problem is not European imperialism nor Israeli aggression - but Islamic insanity. And make sure to address the issue that Spain was under Islamic imperial occupation for eight centuries, while the Balkans were under occupation for six centuries. So cries of continuing European imperialism which was rather limited and short will ring hollow. 3) Inform these countries that commercial, political, and economic isolation of all three Syria, Turkey, and Iran will be imposed until all three sort this mess out themselves. It is not Europes responsibility to assist until both Iran and Turkey stop pressing for a restoration of competing (Shia vs Sunni) Caliphates. 4) Inform Turkey and Syria Iran, right now, is hopeless that any and all aid will be conditioned on acceptance of Israels right to exist, and naturalization of Palestinians within their borders. Wouldnt that leave Turkey saddled with 3.6 million Syrians? Yes, and arguably, this is not right, either. But Lebanon is overrun with Syrians, too; and is in a more precarious position given Lebanons small and fragile demographics. Just inform the Mideast that if Turkey collides with Iran over which version of a Caliphate is preferable, then Europe will not absorb the overflow. Just isolate all three: Turkey, Iran, and Syria until this mess is sorted out. President Trump understands this technique. He is presently isolating Iran and Lebanon. No money at all to anyone until Turkey and Iran both stop interferring in Syria. No aid to Syria until Assad resigns. This is what the French used to call a Cordon Sanitaire: a quarantine. None of those three regimes are stable, and the costs of isolation would be collapse. Maybe the EU should take a hint from a master of the deal. Image credit: Pixabay public domain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses supporters, as his wife, Sara, looks on, at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 3, 2020. JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images Netanyahu Declares Victory in Israeli Election JERUSALEMPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory on March 3 in Israels third election in less than a year, after television exit polls showed his party was just a seat short of securing a governing majority in parliament. A win for Netanyahu, 70, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, would be testimony to the political durability of Israels longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. It would also pave the way for the right-wing Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex, after the election, Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the regions Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Israels three main TV channels projected in exit polls that Netanyahus rightist Likud and like-minded parties would capture 60 of parliaments 120 seats, just one short of a majority, in the vote on March 2. In an updated exit poll, Israels Channel 13 dropped the figure to 59. During an acrimonious campaign that focused more on character than on policy, right-wing and religious parties had pledged to join a Likud-led coalition government. But if the 60-seat projection holds true, after actual results later on March 3, Netanyahu would still have to enlist allies in coalition negotiations. Netanyahu wrote on Twitter, We won thanks to our belief in our path and thanks to the people of Israel. Netanyahus main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party, stopped short of conceding defeat in his own posting on Twitter, telling supporters he would continue to fight for the right path, for you. The exit polls showed Likud taking between 36 and 37 parliamentary seats to 32 or 33 for Blue and Whitea gap that would make it far harder for Gantz to find a path to putting together a governing coalition. In the previous election, in September, Blue and White edged Likud, taking 33 seats to its rivals 32, but Gantz, like Netanyahu, was unable to put together a ruling coalition. Anshel Pfeffer, who wrote a biography of Netanyahu, said on the website of the left-wing Haaretz newspaper that a victory for the veteran politician would be a stunning comeback for a man who doesnt lie down after a setback. Security First Netanyahu campaigned vigorously on his strongman security-first platform, familiar to Israeli voters over decades, and his loyal base of blue-collar voters has stood firmly behind him throughout, seemingly unfazed by his imminent trial. While we need to wait for the final results, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people, said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive to have brought them security and prosperity, he said. Netanyahus reelection bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust, and fraud over allegations he granted state favors worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favorable press coverage and that he wrongfully received gifts. The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. During the campaign, Gantz termed Netanyahu the defendant, accusing him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial. Netanyahu has portrayed Gantz, 60, as a coward, saying he would need Arab politicians support in parliament to form a government and that they would tie his hands. In the final days of the campaign, opinion polls had forecast further deadlock, although turnout was high, at 71 percent, despite concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. Voters under home-quarantine, such as those who have recently traveled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots, voted at special polling stations while wearing face masks and gloves. By Jeffrey Heller Not exactly a hard day in a coal mine, but the option of a bike-sharing dock in the parking lot offers convenience and would serve many masters including but not limited to those who dont have a bike; those who dont own a rack or a car capable of toting one; those whose bike currently has a flat or bad brakes; and/or families who want to ride together but cant load multiple bikes into or on their vehicle. Google Maps Fisherman on Monday night found a decomposing body in Brays Bayou, according to the Houston Police Department. Officers were dispatched to 5400 Old Spanish Trail around 7:30 p.m. after the fisherman reported their discovery. MG Motor India has announced the sale of 1376 units in February 2020. This includes 158 units of ZS EV. The car was launched at an introductory price of Rs 20.88 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and has already received 3,000 bookings to date outpacing the total number of EV cars sold in India in 2019. Commenting on the sales performance during the month, Rakesh Sidana, Director Sales, MG Motor India, said, The MG ZS EV has received a stupendous response in its debut month, with over 150 units delivered to our customers already. Our customers are delighted with our holistic EV approach, which includes the installation of a home or office charger even before they receive their vehicle. We will continue to focus on furthering the cause of EVs month-on-month and delivering superlative customer delight to our customers. he added. Meanwhile, the unforeseen coronavirus outbreak has severely affected our European and Chinese supply chains, disrupting our production and impacting our sales in February and will continue through March. We are working towards stabilizing the situation and are hopeful that reasonable normalcy will be restored by the end of March, he added. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the company suffered a major blow in terms of sales reflecting a month-on-month decline of 42 percent. MG Motor India currently has 206 centers across India and aims to further strengthen its Network to 250 centers by the end of March 2020. MG HECTOR has emerged as the segment leader in the C-SUV segment, with nearly 20,000 units sold in the last 8 months since its India launch. Bookings for the Hector, have crossed 50,000 units. SOUTH HADLEY A 38-year-old man accused in a second child pornography case in five months was arraigned today in court. Thomas Horton, of South Hadley, was arraigned in Hampshire Superior Court on Monday on three counts of possession of child pornography, subsequent offense and eight counts of dissemination of visual material depicting sexual conduct involving a child, said Mary Carey, spokeswoman for Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. Horton was released on personal recognizance with conditions. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 8, she said. The charges accuse him of possessing photographs and videos of child pornography and sending video files showing abuse over a Google account to another Google account user, Carey said. Horton was out on $10,000 cash or $100,000 personal surety bail on a separate case dating to October that accused him of 20 counts of possession of child pornography, she said. 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. [March 02, 2020] INVESTOR ALERT: Kirby McInerney LLP Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action Lawsuit Against Aaron's Inc. The law firm of Kirby McInerney LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of those who acquired Aaron's Inc. ("Aaron's" or the "Company") (NYSE: AAN) securities during the period from March 2, 2018 through February 19, 2020. Investors have until April 28, 2020 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the Company failed to disclose that: (i) Aaron's had inadequate disclosure controls, procedures, and compliance measures; (ii) consequently, the operations of Aaron's Progressive and AB segments were in violation of the FTC (News - Alert) Act and/or relevant FTC regulations; (iii) consequently, Aaron's earnings from those segments were partially derived from unlawful business practices and were thus unsustainable; and (iv) the full extent of Aaron's liability regarding the FTC's investigation into its Progressive and AB segments, Aaron's noncompliance with the FTC Act, and the likely negative consequences of all the foregoing on the Company's financial results. On July 26, 2018, Aaron's announced thatin July 2018 it had received civil investigative demands ("CIDs") from the FTC requesting the production of documents and answers to written questions to determine whether disclosures related to financial products offered by the Company through its AB and Progressive segments were in violation of the FTC Act. On this news, Aaron's stock price fell $5.38 per share, or 11.0%, to close at $43.47 on July 27, 2018. On February 20, 2020, Aaron's announced that the Company's Progressive segment had reached an agreement in principle with FTC staff regarding the CID from the FTC that Progressive received in July 2018. The proposed agreement would require Progressive to "make a payment of $175 million and enhance certain compliance-related activities, including monitoring, disclosure and reporting requirements." On this news, Aaron's stock price fell $10.70 per share, or 19.1%, to close at $45.45 on February 20, 2020. If you acquired Aaron's securities, have information, or would like to learn more about these claims, please contact Thomas W. Elrod of Kirby McInerney LLP at 212-371-6600, by email at [email protected], or by filling out this contact form, to discuss your rights or interests with respect to these matters without any cost to you. Kirby McInerney LLP is a New York-based plaintiffs' law firm concentrating in securities, antitrust, and whistleblower litigation. The firm's efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling billions of dollars. Additional information about the firm can be found at Kirby McInerney LLP's website: www.kmllp.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/20200302006046/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is on an official visit to Finland, where he will discuss the new coronavirus outbreak and Syrian conflict with his counterpart and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. He will hold detailed talks with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and a separate meeting with the president, Russian state news agency TASS reported. The ministers will "discuss in a traditional, interested and open manner" topical issues on the bilateral and regional agenda, as well as exchange views on international issues, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Finland has six confirmed cases and Russia has two of the new respiratory virus, according to a daily situation report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 2. The Geneva-based health organization reported that nine times as many new infections were recorded outside China, where the virus originated in December, as inside the country over the past 24 hours. Clusters of the disease where the WHO says is the greatest concern continued to increase in South Korea, Italy, Japan, and Iran. Canadian authorities have increased border-screening measures for travelers arriving from Iran, given the growing number of cases linked to that country. Officials in Tehran have reported infections rising to more than 1,500, with 66 deaths, including a senior official. The virus has surfaced for the first time in New York, Moscow, and Berlin, as well as Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Jordan, and Portugal. Pakistan on March 3 reported a new virus case, bringing the total to five in the South Asian country since last week, officials said. Worldwide, more than 3,000 people have died from the illness, and the number of those infected rose to nearly 90,000 in 70 countries on every continent except for Antarctica. "Containment is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries," WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He has described the virus as a "unique" respiratory pathogen capable of community transmission. With reporting by Yle.fi, TASS, Reuters, AP, and CNN Maple Gold receives $400,000 in tax refunds and plans additional Artificial Intelligence Study to enhance predictive modelling at Douay Posted by Publisher Internet Maple Gold Mines Ltd. ?Maple Gold? or the ?Company?) (TSX-V: MGM, OTCQB: MGMLF; Frankfurt: M3G -?? https://www.commodity-tv.com/play/maple-gold-mines-drilling-new-high-grade-extension-531-zone/ ) is pleased to announce that the Company has received a Notice of Assessment from Revenue Quebec (?RQ?) for $399,966 in tax refunds pertaining to qualified 2018 exploration expenditures. The Company has received the first installment of $325,644 from RQ, and expects to receive the balance in the coming weeks. Maple Gold is also planning to complete additional Artificial Intelligence (?AI?) work to update and expand on a previous AI study that was completed at the Douay Project back in 2008. Maple Gold has made significant progress with its in-house modelling efforts over the course of the last 18 months, delivering a new 3D model that incorporates significantly more data than would have been available a decade ago along with updated geological and structural interpretations. The 2008 study was completed by Diagnos Inc., and covered an area of about 50km?, extending about 7km to the NW beyond what is now known as the Resource Area, but without covering the 531 and Main Zones. The dataset used included 67,836 samples from 505 drill-holes, as well as geophysical, lithological, geochemical and alteration data, with a total of 21 variables considered. Maple Gold imported one of the resulting prospectivity maps into the Company?s GIS compilation in order to compare the higher-potential areas defined in this work with those outlined with traditional data layering in GIS. The results of this exercise were fairly compelling, with the historical AI work supporting the potential for additional zones of mineralisation within and beyond what is now the Nika Zone and even stronger indications from the predictive modeling for higher grade gold mineralisation beyond the current conceptual pits, most notably to the NW of the NW Zone, and also outlining a large essentially undrilled target south of the Porphyry Zone (see hatched area in Figure 1 below). Maple Gold?s VP, Exploration, Fred Speidel, commented: ?We view these numerical approaches to target definition as another valuable layer of information that, if adequately supported by key underlying datasets and input from geologists, has the potential to further optimize drill targeting. The previous study did not cover the 531 or Main zones or their extensions, so we are keen to update and expand this work there and incorporate another tool into our targeting efforts.? This updated AI exercise will allow us to apply more powerful algorithms than previously, to expand the area of coverage to include 531 and Main zones that are of particular interest to us given recent drilling and geophysical results there, and also to include some additional concepts recently developed by the current team. ?Furthermore, the South Porphyry target, which overlaps with the 531 SW Target defined earlier, only has two drill holes on its northern edge, where significant syenite was intersected with several (narrow) gold intercepts. We plan to complete an IP survey over this area in order to determine the possible distribution of sulfides, prior to initial drill testing. Qualified Person The scientific and technical data contained in this press release was reviewed and prepared under the supervision of Fred Speidel, M. Sc, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration, of Maple Gold.?Mr. Speidel is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.?Mr. Speidel has verified the data related to the exploration information disclosed in this news release through his direct participation in the work. Click the following link to review the Company?s QA-QC standards and protocols: http://maplegoldmines.com/index.php/en/projects/qa-qc-qp-statement. About Maple Gold Maple Gold is an advanced gold exploration and development company focused on defining a district-scale gold project in one of the world?s premier mining jurisdictions. The Company?s ~355 km? Douay Gold Project is located along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone (55 km of strike) within the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt in northern Quebec, Canada. The Project benefits from excellent infrastructure and has an established gold resource that remains open in multiple directions. For more information please visit www.maplegoldmines.com. ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD. ?Matthew Hornor? 1. Matthew Hornor, President & CEO For Further Information Please Contact: Mr. Joness Lang VP, Corporate Development Cell: 778.686.6836 Email: jlang@maplegoldmines.com In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch 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. Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains ?forward-looking information\ and ?forward-looking statements? (collectively referred to as ?forward-looking statements?) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada, including statements about the prospective? mineral potential of the Porphyry Zone, the potential for significant mineralisation from other drilling in the referenced drill program and the completion of the drill program. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management?s best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company?s expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding timing and completion of the private placement. When used herein, words such as ?anticipate?, ?will?, ?intend? and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain estimates, expectations, analysis and opinions that management believed reasonable at the time they were made or in certain cases, on third party expert opinions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual events, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future events, results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Maple Gold Mines Ltd.?s filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company?s website at www.maplegoldmines.com. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Labour Act to criminalise casualisation of workers in Nigeria. The bill, which seeks to prohibit engagement of casual workers beyond six months, was sponsored by Olawale Raji (APC, Lagos). Leading the debate for the general principles of the bill, Mr Raji said the bill seeks to add a clause to the Act which provides that every worker shall enjoy full employment benefits as a permanent staff after six months of engagement. The lawmaker stated that section 8 of the Act states that every worker in Nigeria engaged or employed and has remained in such employment for a period of not less than six months shall have his engagement regularised by the employer as a full and permanent staff. He said such employer also will be entitled to all accompanying benefits. Any employer who disengages a worker after a period of six months from the date of first engagement without regularising the workers employment shall at the date of disengagement pay to the worker full salary, allowances and entitlements due to a permanent staff for two months provided the worker has not been found liable of any criminal act involving fraud resulting to financial loss to the company, he said The bill recommends a maximum fine of N2 million or imprisonment of two years or both as penalty for individual defaulters. For corporate bodies, Mr Raji said that a fine of maximum of N2 million or imprisonment of two years or both as penalty for each director of the company found to have defaulted. Contributing to the debate, Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi) said casualisation of workers is most common with foreign companies. He added that they come into Nigeria to do what is not done in any other country in the world. He said there is need for the Nigerians citizens to be confident based on the power of the law to protect them from being exploited. He called on his colleagues to support the bill, saying that they should put it on record that the 9th Assembly made the law that protects the Nigerian worker. Also, Egho Idahosa (APC, Lagos) stated that though casual workers are used by employers once in a while to address issues, it should not be permanent. He said that in the case of Nigeria, casualisation is a permanent thing as some top management staff use it to make extra money for themselves. This is inhumanity of man to man and this green chamber is the only institution to correct it; if you do not need a worker, do not employ. You cannot keep a worker and keep him for years and at the end of the day, you throw him out, I think it is wicked, he said. After passing the bill for a second reading, it was referred to the House Committee on Labour and Productivity for further legislative action. WASHINGTON Even as some of President Trumps allies have continued to describe the coronavirus as a mild threat that has been exaggerated by the presidents political enemies, officials leading the charge against the respiratory disease which has so far killed six Americans insisted that they would continue to be guided by science. Were going to follow the facts and listen to the experts every step of the way, Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the White House coronavirus task force, said at a Monday press briefing. In language shorn of politics, he proceeded to describe a burgeoning cluster in Washington state and California, as well as efforts to keep the virus from spreading across the nation. Standing next to him in the White House briefing room were some of the nations top public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Deborah Birx, a top AIDS expert who was recently appointed to the task force. The presidents critics have long branded him as hostile to expertise of the very kind Birx and Fauci possess. Last year, the Union of Concerned Scientists, a progressive group, criticized him for a pervasive pattern of sidelining science in critical decision making, in particular when it came to the consensus about human activity causing climate change. Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a press briefing on the coronavirus Monday at the White House. Standing with him, from left: Robert Redfield, director of the CDC; Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) The president has attempted to project confidence in his administrations public health efforts, but he has sometimes undermined that attempt by talking about the coronavirus in political terms, or seemingly dismissing the severity of the threat. Rush Limbaugh, the pro-Trump radio host with a legacy of offensive remarks, said he had spoken to Trump on Monday morning. Suffering from advanced cancer, Limbaugh was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He starts talking about this hoax, Limbaugh said of his conversation with Trump. He starts talking about this versus the flu and the number of cases and the mortality rate. Hes on top of this. He knows exactly, folks, what they are trying and what theyre doing. He was insistent to me that they are not going to join the panic on the task force or himself personally in reporting this. Story continues Pence has tried to project a measure of reassurance in his remarks to the press in the last several days. That has included praising scientific accomplishment and consensus instead of maligning it. Well follow the facts, the experts and the science, Pence said at a later time in Mondays briefing, speaking specifically about restrictions on Americans traveling to countries with high rates of infection, including Italy and South Korea. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, looks on at Vice President Pences White House press briefing on the coronavirus Wednesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Asked by a reporter during Mondays briefing about how quickly he expected the virus to spread, Pence deviated from Trumps brand of sunny assurance. Let me refer that to the experts, Pence said somberly before ceding the podium. (Those experts expressed confidence in the nations public health system while also making clear that more cases are to be expected in the days and weeks to come.) In his own remarks, Fauci said that Trump and Pence would be visiting the National Institutes of Health, in the Washington suburbs, on Wednesday. A few minutes later, Dr. Robert Redfield, who heads the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the president and vice president would come to the CDCs headquarters in Atlanta on Friday. Pence also announced that the task force would be holding daily press briefings. Get used to seeing us, the vice president said. Were going to bring the experts in. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Authorities in China are using big data gleaned from popular social media apps to step up surveillance of hundreds of millions of people caught up in the coronavirus epidemic. Anyone who visits an office building, shopping mall, or residential compound, or who rides the subway in certain regions of the country not currently on lockdown, could be asked to scan a QR code with their phone and fill in details about their travel history and body temperature. The data is being combined with the nationwide facial recognition and surveillance camera network known as Skynet, and personal details used to log payments via WeChat and other apps, RFA has learned. Zhang Maolin, a resident of Jiujiang city in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangxi, said his region is among those stepping up surveillance of people using their phones. "[My nephew] drove from Jiujiang to Nanchang, which is the provincial capital," Zhang told RFA on Tuesday. "The moment he arrived in Nanchang, he got a phone call from the local police department who told him to stay put." "They arrived soon afterwards and looked at his driving route before letting him go, because it wasn't problematic," Zhang said. "There's a backdoor in Chinese-made cell phones, so it makes no difference that they don't have your password." "And all cell phone users must use base stations, regardless of which kind of phone they have, so there is a backdoor when you are on the move," he said. "They can call up our trajectory when driving." At least 15 provinces and cities with a combined population of over 358 million have announced such "big data" measures this month, Reuters reported. New features introduced In newly launched features by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's Alipay and Tencent Holdings Ltd's WeChat apps, users fill in a questionnaire to obtain a obtain color-based QR code which then acts as guidance at checkpoints as to whether the person should be quarantined or let through. Zhang said similar measures are being implemented in his home county of Lushan, where WeChat data is being used by the authorities to track users' movements. "We have to enter our details into WeChat, which then generates an electronic card for me, which I have to swipe wherever I go," he said. "I have to tap out when I go out and again when I come in." "If I go to the supermarket to buy groceries, it automatically swipes the QR code on my phone," Zhang said. "This is so they can keep track of our daily schedule." Former NetEase employee Cao Yongchang said WeChat isn't the only tech company to collaborate with the ruling Chinese Communist Party on user tracking for "big data epidemic control and prevention." He said the major mobile service providers are believed to be signed up too. "I'm pretty sure that not just WeChat, but China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom are all taking part in this," Cao said. "They track you using your phone's signal, and then local neighborhood officials watch people's movements." Cao said the system had been in place in his hometown for a few days now. "It varies from place to place," he said. "I have a friend who went from Hunan to Guangzhou for work [who told me] that he has to swipe his phone if he wants to enter a residential compound." "They won't let you in until they've plotted your trajectory in the last month," Cao said. Money transfers tracked An inside source who gave only a surnamed Li said WeChat's money transfer feature is also being used to monitor people's movements on a massive scale, as WeChat Payments are often the only form of payment amid concerns over virus transmission. Data about the kinds of purchases users are making is also being used to assess the risk of someone transmitting the coronavirus, Li said. "If you pay with cash, they won't know about it, but they will definitely know if you pay by WeChat," Li said. "The type of product will also be shown." "They will use this data to infer things, and it's more accurate if it targets everyone," he said. "There is a very small margin of error. Big data is so powerful." "I think local government officials are the ones making use of it." Repeated calls to WeChat's parent company Tencent rang unanswered on Tuesday, as did calls to the Cyberspace Administration. Millions return to work The surveillance is being implemented as millions of people return to work after an enforced and extended break after Lunar New Year, as the epidemic tore through central China and began spreading to other regions. Mainland China has reported more than 80,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and nearly 3,000 deaths since the epidemic began. But there are concerns that the increased focus on "stability maintenance" and surveillance will just become the new norm. "Of course governments have the responsibility to protect public health and safety but these measures have to balance other rights as well, including privacy rights," Maya Wang, China senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. "Some of these criteria are very broad, and when you use this criteria and feed it into the app, how accurate are they?" Some running out of money While the rest of China worries about staving off further infections, some 10 million residents are still struggling to get by in worst-hit Wuhan, which remains under transportation lockdown with some people running out of money amid skyrocketing prices. A volunteer in Wuhan who gave only a surname Pan said that while international attention was focused on the frontline medical battle against COVID-19, with aid donations pouring in from across China and around the world, none of that is aimed at the city's ordinary people. "These subsidies don't include money or supplies for ordinary people," Pan said. "I saw a video a couple of days ago saying that the Qingshan district government was handing out two pounds of meat, a bag of rice and 10 pounds of vegetables [per household] for free, but we haven't had anything like that in Qiaokou district yet." Reported by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man, and by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. 'Modi should arrest Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Varma.' 'These leaders were instigating mobs and spreading hatred and they must be thrown in jail.' 'I had seen dreams of a new India under Modi, but now I am disillusioned with him.' IMAGE: A family sits with damaged property after their home was burnt by a mob in the Delhi riots. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Bengali actor-politician Subhadra Mukherjee, who has worked in Bengali films and television, became the first leader to resign from the Bharatiya Janata Party in the aftermath of the Delhi violence. Saying she could not be in the same party with leaders like Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur, Mukherjee quit the BJP on Friday, February 28, when she sent her resignation to state party chief Dilip Ghosh. She said she had joined the BJP in 2013 with a lot of "hopes and optimism", but got disenchanted over the recent developments which showed that the "BJP was moving away from its ideology." Mukherjee said the Delhi violence, which left at least 47 people dead and over 200 injured, was the proverbial last straw. Speaking to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, Mukherjee said she was disillusioned with Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and that the "rule of law was not being respected." Why did you quit the BJP all of a sudden, that too when the party is growing in West Bengal? I am not liking this Hindu-Muslim divide in the country. Every time, religion can't be made into an issue in politics. I also felt hurt about this entire issue surrounding the National Population Register and the National Register of Citizens. The Delhi riots was one more jolt to me and then when the government issued the transfer of Delhi high court judge S Muralidhar overnight, I felt it was time to say goodbye to the BJP. The rule of law is not being respected. What was the first triggering point for you that made you believe that the BJP wasn't doing the right thing? When the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was introduced, I felt good about it as the persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh would be given Indian citizenship. But later on I felt why 135 crore Indians have to undergo a troublesome process (of NPR and then later NRC). I felt it was not good. Moreover, they got religion into it and worse, the hatred that is being spread in the name of the NRC. Kazi Nazrul Islam (the legendary Bengali poet) has written a beautiful poem on the Hindu-Muslim relationship. We feel proud about Rabindranath Tagore's works and today it seems all is lost because of this (the NPR and NRC controversy). But where will Bangladeshi Hindu refugees go if they are being persecuted in Bangladesh? Give them place in India for sure, but there has to be some proper way. The way should not be of that of hatred for Muslims living here in India. Muslims are our brothers and they have stayed here for centuries and you cannot throw them out of our country. When you joined the BJP, what did you have in mind and what inspired you to join the party? Modi's vision of an alternate India. I felt he will give a better vision for West Bengal. He showed us all these dreams that were never fulfilled. But the BJP secured huge numbers in the parliamentary election -- 18 of the 42 seats from West Bengal. Everybody believed in Modi then and I too believed in him. Look at what is happening to the GDP! It is falling so badly. Forget Muslims, you see how Dalits are being treated in our country today. In the Delhi riots, a nine-month-old baby was burnt. Whoever burnt that baby and whichever religion he may belong to, but one thing is sure we as a country are losing our humanity. We are turning into devils and who is spreading this poison in society? Yesterday (March 1), you saw how slogans like 'Goli Maaro Saalon Ko' were openly chanted in Kolkata. These things were unheard of earlier in Kolkata. In my lifetime, I have never seen any party members shouting such slogans with bad intentions. I hope Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrests such people. I have heard that some people have been arrested too. Why didn't you speak to your state party president Dilip Ghosh about these issues rather than just quitting? He has been given a big post and like him others too are holding good posts in the BJP. Who will listen to small-time workers like us? Ordinary people are dying and they are not bothered. Today Delhi is burning, tomorrow our homes can also burn. What steps should Prime Minister Modi have taken during the Delhi riots? Modi promised us a better India, but now he has got religion into it. First, he should arrest these three BJP leaders -- Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Varma. These leaders were instigating mobs and spreading hatred and they must be thrown in jail. Another person who must be thrown in jail is Waris Pathan of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. He said 15 crore Muslims can easily take on 100 crore Hindus. What kind of language is this? Those who speak of violence and hatred are roaming openly and not being arrested. Are you going to join another party now? I am hurt right now after my relation with the BJP is over. I had seen dreams of a new India under Modi, but now I am disillusioned with him. However, I will not quit politics forever. I will keep helping poor people and especially people who don't have paper work to prove their citizenship. Will the CAA issue dent the BJP's popularity in West Bengal? Yes, it will. The common man does not want riots and uncertainties in his life. The Northern Ireland exams body is drawing up plans to manage any potential disruption to GCSE and A-Level assessments as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) said schools and pupils should continue to prepare for 2020 summer exams as normal. In Northern Ireland, GCSE and A-Level exams are to begin on May 4 with the full programme kicking in on May 11. Plans to mitigate for illness include what to do if schools have to close for extended periods or if pupils are ill and cannot sit an exam. A spokeswoman for the CCEA said it was working with counterparts from across the UK on contingency plans to manage any risks and to ensure exams run smoothly. We will update existing guidance to reflect any specific arrangements schools and colleges should put in place, if required, she said. In the meantime, students, schools and colleges should continue to prepare for the summer examinations and assessments as usual. In the UK, exams regulator Ofqual said it was in discussion with the Department for Education about any additional measures that might need to be taken this summer to ensure GCSE and A-level tests run smoothly. In the event of widespread national disruption, such as the closure of schools, government departments would make the relevant announcements. Meanwhile, the government has warned there would be significant and clearly noticeable pressures on wider society if the outbreak worsens in the UK. The number of cases in the UK rose to 51 on Monday, with one confirmed case in Northern Ireland, where 151 tests have been carried out. Almost 14,000 people have been tested across the UK. Staff absences, school closures, disruption to non-urgent care and cancellation of large-scale events are all possible scenarios if Covid-19 becomes a severe prolonged pandemic and is well-established among the UK population, the UK government has said. But the Governments 27-page battle plan says any future action depends on the course of the disease, which cannot be predicted accurately at this point. Up to a fifth of employees could be absent from work in a stretching scenario, according to the document. If significant numbers of police staff are unable to work, forces will concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order. In the health service, roster changes may be necessary which would involve calling leavers and retirees back to duty. The outbreak may lead to a temporary reduction and delay in non-essential care. Camilla and Marc releases ovarian cancer campaign. These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday. How brands can be transparent with their customers As shoppers become more conscious about their consumption, more pressure is being placed on brands to be transparent about their production and sustainability credits. Nevertheless, "radical transparency" is incredibly difficult, as Business of Fashion proved in its latest case study. Veja, Eileen Fisher and others have begun to share their business practices with the public, but Everlane is miles ahead of its competitors, having incorporated "radical transparency" into its business model. However, the brand has still come under fire by people who believe that the only thing "radical" is their marketing, a claim Everlane vehemently deny. {Business of Fashion} At Paris Fashion Week, designers seem to argue: runway shows don't need a theme After Noir Kei Ninomiya's Fall 2020 show at Paris Fashion Week, an email was distributed by the press team of Comme des Garcons (which operates the label) saying that the theme of the collection was no theme. This is refreshing, as these concepts are often used to disguise a weak design idea, Business of Fashion argues. {Business of Fashion} Could the post-Rana Plaza labor and safety reforms be in jeopardy? Since the 2013 Rana Plaza tragedy that killed over 1,100 garment workers, safety and labor reforms have been put into place to improve working conditions and make factories safer. However, a power struggle is unfolding over who controls factory safety in Bangladesh. Local factory owners believe that it's time for international monitoring to end and that the responsibility should be returned to Bangladeshis. Western brands, labor groups and nonprofit supporters, meanwhile, are also fighting for power, wary of negative press or losing hard-earned gains. All this discord is hurting the workers, who fear greatly for their safety. {The New York Times} Camilla and Marc releases ovarian cancer campaign The siblings behind the Australian luxury fashion brand Camilla and Marc have launched a campaign titled, "Ovaries. Talk about them," to drive the conversation around and necessary funding for ovarian cancer. Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman lost their mother to ovarian cancer 26 years ago, and shared in a press release: "The pain of losing my mother so suddenly was devastating and one of the most difficult things I have ever had to encounter. We want to start a powerful conversation now, so that our children and future generations can look forward to a future where deaths from ovarian cancer are a rarity rather than the norm." Camilla and Marc is also releasing two limited-edition T-shirts in collaboration with Perth-based artist Rina Freiberg; proceeds will be donated directly to the Ovarian Cancer Research UNSW Sydney. {Fashionista Inbox} Want more Fashionista? Sign up for our daily newsletter and get us directly in your inbox. A day after a Delhi man tested positive for the new coronavirus, the AAP government said Tuesday it is taking all steps to contain the spread of the virus and earmarked 230 beds in isolation wards being set up at 25 hospitals, as several city schools sent advisories to parents listing precautionary measures. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials and took stock of government preparations to contain the virus. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Delhi government was trying to get in touch with people who could be infected or were in contact with the man infected with the virus. Before reporting himself to RML Hospital authorities and after returning to India from Italy, the man had dined at a restaurant at a five-star hotel on February 28. The hotel said it has asked staff, who were present that day, to go on self-quarantine for 14 days, the disease's estimated incubation period. The hotel said it has enacted elevated precautionary operational protocols as advised by the government. "Government authorities recently confirmed that an individual who dined at La Piazza restaurant at Hyatt Regency Delhi on February 28, 2020, has been diagnosed with COVID-19," Hyatt Regency Delhi, Area VP and General Manager Julian Ayers said in a statement. "All colleagues who were present at the restaurant on February 28, 2020, have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Hyatt Regency Delhi has also started to conduct daily temperature checks for all colleagues and contractors when they enter and exit the building," Ayers said. The Delhi health minister said 3.5 lakh N95 masks were being arranged and the government has 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients. "COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic," Jain told reporters after the meeting, flanked by Sisodia. "We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals. 230 beds have been earmarked for coronavirus patients," he said. Alerted by coronavirus cases being reported in Delhi-NCR, schools in the region have sent out advisories to parents suggesting that they do not send their wards to classes even if they have mild cough or cold. The schools said they may declare holidays if the need arises. Two private schools in Noida cancelled classes on Tuesday for the next few days as a precautionary measure after a student's father (the man from Delhi) tested positive for the virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to belittle Senator Elizabeth Warrens campaign during a campaign visit to Texas. While walking through a neighbourhood with a press gaggle, Mr Bloomberg was asked if a third place finish would be good on Super Tuesday. If theres only 3 candidates, you cant do worse than that, he replied. Well, there is Elizabeth Warren too, the reporter said. I didnt realise shes still in, is she? Mr Bloomberg said. 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 animosity between Ms Warren and Mr Bloomberg has been the most obvious during the primary. Ms Warren called Mr Bloomberg an egomaniac billionaire prior to the Nevada democratic debates. During the debates Ms Warren continued her attacks on Mr Bloomberg, comparing him to President Donald Trump and drawing attention to his use of non-disclosure agreements to silence employees with harassment claims against him. Id like to talk about who were running against: a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians, Ms Warren said during the debate. No, Im not talking about Donald Trump, Im talking about Mayor Bloomberg. Regarding Mr Bloombergs non-disclosure agreements, Ms Warren said during an interview that she had drawn up a release form that would protect Mr Bloomberg from being sued while still releasing the women with claims against him from their NDAs. Ms Warren continued her onslaught against Mr Bloomberg in the days between the Nevada debate and the South Carolina debate. While on stage, she once again grilled Mr Bloomberg on horrible statements that have been attributed to him by individuals inside his company. While describing her experience of losing a job when she was 21 due to a pregnancy, she said she was thankful she didnt have a boss like Mr Bloomberg. At least I didnt have a boss who said to me, Kill it, the way Mayor Bloomberg alleged to have said to one of his pregnant employees, Ms Warren said. Mr Bloomberg immediately denied the event happened. I never said that. And for the record, if she was a teacher in New York City, she would never have had that problem. We treated our teachers the right way, and the unions will tell you exactly that, Mr Bloomberg responded. More recently, Ms Warren went on Jimmy Kimmel Live and was prompted to discuss her dislike for the former New York Mayor further. It seems like you dont like him that much, Mr Kimmel asked the senator. True. But its not personal, its just everything about him, Ms Warren replied. She then once again compared Mr Bloomberg to Mr Trump. Look, here is this guy who makes a bazillion dollars and says, Well that must mean that hes qualified to be president of the United States and then thinks he can run for president when hes got a record of embracing racist policies, when he hides his taxes. Does any of this sound familiar? Ms Warren said. Investing in stocks inevitably means buying into some companies that perform poorly. Long term Luen Thai Holdings Limited (HKG:311) shareholders know that all too well, since the share price is down considerably over three years. Regrettably, they have had to cope with a 64% drop in the share price over that period. And over the last year the share price fell 30%, so we doubt many shareholders are delighted. Unhappily, the share price slid 3.1% in the last week. View our latest analysis for Luen Thai Holdings While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During the unfortunate three years of share price decline, Luen Thai Holdings actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 3.1% per year. This is quite a puzzle, and suggests there might be something temporarily buoying the share price. 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. Looking to other metrics might better explain the share price change. Given the healthiness of the dividend payments, we doubt that they've concerned the market. Revenue has been pretty flat over three years, so that isn't an obvious reason shareholders would sell. A closer look at revenue and profit trends might yield insights. You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). SEHK:311 Income Statement, March 3rd 2020 Take a more thorough look at Luen Thai Holdings's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. 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 incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Luen Thai Holdings, it has a TSR of -58% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective While the broader market lost about 8.5% in the twelve months, Luen Thai Holdings shareholders did even worse, losing 26% (even including dividends) . However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 1.2%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. 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. To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Luen Thai Holdings (including 2 which is can't be ignored) . Of course Luen Thai Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on HK 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens not to panic and to work together as coronavirus outbreak reached different parts of Delhi-NCR and even Agra. The Prime Minister held a review meeting to take stock of preparedness to stop COVID-19. Earlier today, a school in Noida was closed for three days after it was found that children of the man diagnosed with coronavirus in Delhi studied in the school. Another school in the vicinity was also closed. Six other individuals in Agra, who were visited by the 45-year-old patient from Delhi, have been identified by the Health Ministry with "high-viral load" and have been kept in isolation. In a tweet, PM Modi said: "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection." "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he further added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fired a fresh salvo against PM Modi on Twitter, asking him to "quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts", and focus on the rising coronavirus threat in India. He also took potshots at the Prime Minister's decision to give away his social media accounts to women on the occasion of Women's Day. ALSO READ: Coronavirus impact: Delhi patient visited family in Agra; 6 members quarantined ALSO READ: Hyatt Regency in Delhi warns coronavirus patient dined at restaurant ALSO READ: Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present To follow coronavirus updates LIVE, follow BusinessToday.In: 7:30 pm: Italian tourist's wife test positvie for coronavirus Wife of the Italian tourist found to have been infected with coronavirus also tested positive for the virus in Jaipur. Her samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for another test, an official told PTI. This takes the total number of patients tested positive for coronavirus in India to 7. "The wife of the Italian tourist also developed symptoms and samples were collected. The report indicates positive signs of the virus in her. For further confirmation, we are sending her sample to the NIV, Pune," an official of Rajasthan Health Department said. The Italian couple has been kept in isolation at the Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital here. 6:25 pm: 24 people, including 3 Indians and 21 Italians, residing in a South Delhi hotel have been shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp for testing of coronavirus. Their test results are expected to come tomorrow. Government sources: 24 people including 3 Indians and 21 Italian nationals residing in a hotel of South Delhi have been shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp for testing of #Coronavirus. Their test results will come tomorrow. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 6:15 pm: Indian Navy's Milan multilateral naval exercise, scheduled from March 18 in Visakhapatnam, may be cancelled in view of coronavirus outbreak, government sources told ANI. Government has asked Army, Navy and Air Force to be prepared for quarantine facilities for over 2,500 suspected cases in coming days. New dates for the Milan exercise are being worked out. Government sources:Indian Navys Milan multilateral naval exercise planned to be held from March 18 in Visakhapatnam may be cancelled in view of #Coronavirus. Govt has asked Army,Navy&Air Force to be prepared for quarantine facilities for over 2500 suspected cases in coming days. pic.twitter.com/1WDlwRAGUJ ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 6:06 pm: IndiGo alerts co-passengers of Hyderabad patient IndiGo has alerted passengers who took its flight 6E 96 from Dubai to Bangalore on February 20, which also used by the coronavirus patient from Hyderabad. The 4 cabin crew members have been placed on home observation, the airline stated. IndiGo statement: The #Coronavirus affected passenger in Hyderabad travelled on IndiGo flight 6E 96 (Dubai-Bangalore) on Feb 20. All 4 cabin crew who operated this flight have been placed on home observation. We're following all prescribed Airport Health Organization guidelines. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 5:51 pm: Italian tourist in Jaipur tests positive for coronavirus An Italian tourist in Jaipur has tested positive for novel Coranavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to six so far, Union Health Ministry sources said Tuesday. The first sample collected from the tourist on Saturday had tested negative, but his condition deteriorated and a second sample was collected, which tested positive on Monday. "Since there was a variation in the reports, samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for testing," officials said, adding that it had tested positive. 5:36 pm: After a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain assured that government is taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe and isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals. Jain further said that 3.5 lakh N95 masks have been arranged. We have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients, he added. 4:47 pm: Air India warns passengers who flew with patient from Delhi Air India has warned passengers who flew on flight number AI154 from Vienna to Delhi of 25th February 25, 2020 after one of the passengers was tested positive for coronavirus. The national carrier has asked passengers from the flight to follow protocol regarding coronavirus notified by the Health Ministry. "This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus," Air India said in a tweet. Crew members from the abovementioned flight have been asked to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days. #FlyAI : This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus. Kindly visit https://t.co/YR6yHUi4Or. Air India (@airindiain) March 3, 2020 4:42 pm: Iran reports 11 new coronavirus deaths. Death toll reaches 77. 4:38 pm: "Till now not a single person has been affected by coronavirus in the state, except the youth who arrived from Dubai. 88 people have been identified who came in contact with him, 45 of them are being tested. Others will also be tested," Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra. Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra in Hyderabad: Till now not a single person has been affected by #COVID19 in the state, except the youth who arrived from Dubai. 88 people have been identified who came in contact with him,45 of them are being tested,others will also be tested. pic.twitter.com/khv0Gt1rHm ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 4:23 pm: Agra hotels told to report visitors from Italy, Iran, China As the coronavirus scare reached Agra, hotels in the historic city have been asked to report tourists from Italy, Iran or China to the office of chief medical officer, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, an official said on Tuesday. Meanwhile in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh residents who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital. The instructions came a day after an Italian tourist was tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The 69-year-old man was part of a group of 20 tourists, who were in Agra on Sunday. (PTI) 4:09 pm: Coronavirus Update: Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI assess situation Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday conducted a meeting with all airports to review and guide the preparations to prevent the spread of the infection in the country. Civil Aviaiton Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and AAI Chairman Arvind Singh reviewed measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. "Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, MoCA & Shri Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI conducted a video conference with all the airports to review & guide the preparations to take effective steps for preventing the spread of COVID-19," the ministry stated in its tweet. Airports and airlines have been advised to comply with the travel advisory issued for passengers by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), it added. Passengers from 10 countries -- China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia -- are already being screened at Indian airports. Delhi High Court asks Centre to file response on a petition seeking evacuation of Indian students at the earliest to their home country and to ensure the safety of Indian students studying in Iran in wake of spreading of Coronavirus. HC to hear the matter on March 11. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 4:04 pm: Export of pharma ingredients, medicines banned as COVID-19 menace grows The government on Tuesday put export restrictions on 26 pharma ingredients and medicines, including paracetamol, vitamin B1 and B12, amid the coronavirus outbreak in China. With this, export of these active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations requires licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the commerce ministry. Earlier, there were no restrictions on outbound shipments of these products. API is raw material for pharmaceuticals. Restrictions on the exports are important as there would be an increase in demand for these products in the country. The latest announcement assumes significance on account of concerns over coronavirus spreading to many countries. Apart from paracetamol, vitamin B1, B6 and B12, other APIs and formulations over which the export restrictions have been imposed include tinidazole, metronidazole, acyclovir, progesterone, chloramphenicol, ornidazole, formulations made of chloramphenicol, clindamycin salts, neomycin, and paracetamol. (With PTI inputs) 4:02 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is currently holding an emergency meeting over the coronavirus outbreak. 3:58 pm: Coronavirus update: Sensex jumps back after RBI's assurance Snapping its seven-day falling streak, equity benchmark Sensex rallied 480 points on Tuesday after gains in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank and Kotak Bank amid positive cues from global markets. Domestic market sentiment got a was boost after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it was closely monitoring global as well as domestic situation regarding the impact of deadly coronavirus and ready to take necessary action to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets. Global stocks also rallied on hopes of stimulus from policy makers to lessen the impact of coronavirus on their economies ahead of the talks between G7 finance ministers and central bank heads. (PTI) 3:54 pm: Coronavirus news: HC seeks Centre's response on plea to vacate Indian students from Iran Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to file its response on a petition seeking evacuation of Indian students at the earliest to their home country and to ensure the safety of Indian students studying in Iran in wake of spreading of Coronavirus. The High Court will hear the matter next on March 11. Dear @PMOIndia, Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge. Here's how it's done..#coronavirusindia pic.twitter.com/jLZG5ISjwt Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 3, 2020 3: 42 pm: Quit playing clown with social media, focus on coronavirus, Rahul Gandhi tells PM Congress leader Rahul Gandhi rebuked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his decision to give up his social media acccounts and suggested that he turns his attention to the coronavirus menace. In a tweet on Tuesday, Gandhi said: "Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge." There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy. #coronavirusindia https://t.co/SuEvqMFbQd Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 3, 2020 In an earlier tweet, Gandhi said: "There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy." Travel advisory on COVID-19: All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan&S Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan& issued on or before 3 March and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020 3:37 pm: Coronavirus Imapct: RBI monitoring global, domestic financial markets The Reserve Bank of India said that it is keeping an eye on global and domestic financial markets in view of growing volatility due to the coronavirus update. The central bank also assured that it will take adequate measures to "maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability". "Globally, financial markets have been experiencing considerable volatility, with the spread of the coronavirus triggering risk-off sentiments and flights to safe haven. Spillovers to financial markets in India have largely been contained. Growing hopes of coordinated policy action to mitigate a broader fallout to economic activity has boosted market sentiment today. The Reserve Bank of India is monitoring global and domestic developments closely and continuously and stands ready to take appropriate actions to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets, maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability," the RBI said. 3:33 pm: Coronavirus update: Visa restrictions due to COVID-19 All regular (sticker) Visas and e-Visa, including Visa on Arrival for Japan and South Korea, granted to citizens of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, and issued on or before March 3, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 3:00 pm: Coronavirus India: No need to panic, we need to work together, says PM Modi "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," tweeted PM Modi. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he added in a following tweet. {blurb} 2:45 pm: Two schools have been closed in Noida after it was found that children of the man diagnosed with coronavirus in Delhi study one of them. Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that the Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (TSE:USA) President, Darren Blasutti, recently bought CA$100k worth of stock, for CA$3.51 per share. That purchase might not be huge but it did increase their holding by 28%. View our latest analysis for Americas Gold and Silver Americas Gold and Silver Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In fact, the recent purchase by Darren Blasutti was the biggest purchase of Americas Gold and Silver shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That means that even when the share price was higher than CA$3.15 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when an insider has purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. Darren Blasutti was the only individual insider to buy over the year. You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! TSX:USA Recent Insider Trading, March 2nd 2020 Americas Gold and Silver is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership of Americas Gold and Silver Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Insiders own 5.4% of Americas Gold and Silver shares, worth about CA$15m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. Story continues So What Do The Americas Gold and Silver Insider Transactions Indicate? Insider purchases may have been minimal, in the last three months, but there was no selling at all. Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Insiders own shares in Americas Gold and Silver and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. Therefore, you should should definitely take a look at this FREE report showing analyst forecasts for Americas Gold and Silver. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as people slept early Tuesday, shredding at least 140 buildings and killing at least 22 people. Authorities described painstaking efforts to find survivors in piles of rubble and wrecked basements as the death toll climbed. One twister caused severe damage across a 10-mile stretch of downtown Nashville, wrecking businesses and homes and destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church. Another erased homes from their foundations along a two-mile path in Putnam County. Daybreak revealed a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, leaving city streets in gridlock. Schools, courts, transit lines, an airport and the state Capitol were closed. More than a dozen polling stations were damaged, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at alternative sites. Heres a longer clip of the #tornado as it was coming into view. You can clearly see the debris cloud and power flashes as it approaches then passes just north of downtown #Nashville pic.twitter.com/RKXthMd7IG Sam Shamburger (@shamnadoes) March 3, 2020 The death toll jumped to 22 Tuesday as first responders gingerly pulled apart the wreckage, hoping to find people alive in the rubble of their homes. Putnam Sheriff Eddie Farris said only 30% of the disaster area had a hard check by mid-day. A lot of these homes had basements and were hopeful there are still people down in there, he said. Nashville residents walked around in dismay as emergency crews closed off roads. Roofs had been torn off apartment buildings, large trees uprooted and debris littered many sidewalks. Walls were peeled away, exposing living rooms and kitchens in damaged homes. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. "It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state," said Gov. Bill Lee. He ordered nonessential state workers to stay home just before he was set to fly in a helicopter to survey damage. President Donald Trump announced plans to visit the disaster area on Friday. "We send our love and our prayers of the nation to every family that was affected," he said. "We will get there, and we will recover, and we will rebuild, and we will help them." The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms that stretched from Alabama into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, the twister's path was mostly north and east of the heart of downtown, sparing many of its biggest tourism draws the honky tonks of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry House, the storied Ryman Auditorium, and the convention center. Instead the storm tore through areas transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the city's trendiest neighborhoods, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out longtime residents. The roof came crashing down on Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay in bedroom of the one-story brick home they share in East Nashville. "We couldn't get out," said Baldwin. "And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole." NEW VIDEO: The tornado damaged several homes and businesses, including The Basement East, a live music venue and home to one of the city's "I Believe in Nashville" murals. READ MORE: https://t.co/KE6pr2ujuZ || #KMOV #nashvilletornado pic.twitter.com/KO9fLpBWbQ KMOV (@KMOV) March 3, 2020 Also in East Nashville, the roaring wind woke Evan and Carlie Peters, but they had no time to reach the relative safety of an interior bathroom. "Within about 10 seconds, the house started shaking," Carlie Peters said. "I jumped on top of the ground; he jumped on top of me. The ceiling landed on top of him. ... we're grateful to be alive." Metro Nashville police said crews were responding to about 40 building collapses in their area. Putnam authorities said an aerial tour revealed more than 100 structures destroyed or damaged. With more than a dozen Super Tuesday locations in Nashville's Davidson County damaged, voters were sent to other locations, some of them with long lines. Tennessee's Secretary of State delayed opening polls in the disaster area for an hour, but said they would close as scheduled Tuesday night. "Anyone that wants to vote, we want to create an opportunity for you," Davidson County elections administrator Jeff Roberts said. Because poll workers will be navigating through a damaged city to deliver results Tuesday night, he said the tallying may take longer than anticipated. By TRAVIS LOLLER and KIMBERLEE KRUESI, The Associated Press Declaring commitment to 'peace and stability' for Libya, top UN envoy steps down as stress takes its toll 2 March 2020 - After serving more than two years as the UN's Special Representative in charge of finding a way to a lasting peace in war-torn Libya, Ghassan Salame - who also heads up the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) - handed in his resignation on Monday, citing failing health caused by the immense stress of the job. Ghassan Salame tweeted that he had sought "to reunite the Libyans, curb the interference of the outside, and preserve the unity of the country". He pointed out that the Berlin Summit, followed by Security Council resolution 2510, adopted on 12 February, had insisted on the need for a nationwide ceasefire and the enforcement of an arms embargo and seen the launch of a promising new three track process to bring the UN-backed Government and opposition backed by rebel militia, together. But just last week the UN envoy brought representatives of the two warring sides to Geneva for peace talks only to see negotiations break down once again, amidst further major ceasefire breaches. "My health no longer allows this rate of stress", Mr Salame tweeted. "So I asked the Secretary-General to relieve me from my mission, wishing Libya peace and stability". 'Full confidence' of the Secretary-General Following Mr. Salame's announcement, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric briefed reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, saying that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "has always had full confidence in Mr. Salame's work and the great efforts he has made to bring peace to Libya." Mr. Dujarric said the UN chief would be discussing with Mr. Salame the way to ensure a smooth transition "so as not lose any momentum on the gains that have been made". Since the fall of President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been in the throes of ongoing instability and economic collapse, despite its large oil reserves. Thousands have been killed in fighting around the capital since last April, following an offensive by the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by Khalifa Haftar, based in the east, and pro-Government forces. Indiscriminate bombing Meanwhile, over the weekend, Mr. Dujarric issued a statement saying that the Secretary-General strongly condemned the "indiscriminate bombing" of several parts of Tripoli, including residential areas and the airport, 15 miles from the capital's centre. "The Secretary-General emphasizes that civilians must be protected at all times in line with international humanitarian law", the statement spelled out while also echoing the UN chief's call for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and urging that Security Council resolution 2510 be fully implemented. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A student from Singapore studying in the UK says he was attacked by racists, with one saying: I dont want your coronavirus in my country. Jonathan Mok wrote on Facebook that he was set upon by a group of four or five men and a woman as he walked along Oxford Street in London on Monday February 24. Violence erupted after the group passed Mr Mok, a 23-year-old student who has been living in the British capital for two years, and one made a remark about coronavirus. As Mr Mok turned to face them, the man said: Dont you dare look at me, before launching an attack. Writing on Facebook, Mr Mok said: All of a sudden, the first punch was swung at my face and took me by surprise. When I was still shocked by the first hit, the guy delivered the second sucker punch. By then, a few passers-by had stopped and one of them tried to reason with them that four on one was not fair. The attackers friend tried to swing a kick at me as I was explaining to the passer-by that I hadnt done anything at all. I tried to react in self-defence but couldnt do anything substantial because I was still recovering from a broken finger in my master hand. The guy who tried to kick me then said, I dont want your coronavirus in my country, before swinging another sucker punch at me, which resulted in my face exploding with blood (from my nose), where the blood was splattered all across the pavement. The student said he was told he had suffered fractures in his face and may need surgery. He added: Racists constantly find excuses to expound their hatred and in this current backdrop of the coronavirus, theyve found yet another excuse. A handful of racist attacks in the UK apparently spurred by the outbreak of the disease have attracted publicity in recent weeks. Tax consultant Pawat Silawattakun, 24, told the Observer that he was left with a broken nose when he was punched in the face and robbed in Fulham, west London by teenagers who shouted coronavirus. Trainee lawyer Meera Solanki, 29, was punched unconscious after stepping in to defend her friend from a group of men hurling racist abuse about the disease in a Birmingham bar. Britain's National Police Chiefs Council has said levels of hate crime have remained steady in recent weeks and there is no obvious rise linked to coronavirus. A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: Police are investigating a racially aggravated assault in Oxford Street near Tottenham Court Road station at around 9.15pm on Monday, February 24. The victim a 23-year-old man was punched and sustained facial injuries. Enquiries continue to identify the suspects; including an assessment of available CCTV. Supporters say that those who came after Mr. Welch simply lacked the perception and adaptability with which he guided a sprawling conglomerate to extraordinary heights over a two-decade span. Capturing the mood among many modern C.E.O.s, Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan said in a statement: Personally, I always admired him as a mentor, as a friend and even as a fatherly figure. He really set the standard as a C.E.O., not just in his performance running the company and as a legendary leader, but in his deep integrity, big heart and strategic vision. Waymo gets a little help from its friends The autonomous vehicle business owned by Alphabet said yesterday that it had raised $2.25 billion, mostly from outside investors, to help advance its lead in the race for self-driving cars, Dai Wakabayashi of the NYT reports. The round was led by the private equity firm Silver Lake, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Magna International, Andreessen Horowitz and AutoNation. It was the first time outsiders were allowed to invest in Waymo. Alphabet didnt announce the valuation for the round. Alphabet has $120 billion in cash. Why does it need outsiders? Ruth Porat, the Alphabet C.F.O., is keen to rein in spending on the more speculative units spun out of the groups research labs (known as Other Bets in the company hierarchy). That explains the Waymo fund-raising, and last years $1 billion injection into the life sciences company Verily (also involving Silver Lake). In January, the Alphabet C.E.O. Sundar Pichai told Fortune that most of the groups businesses in its Other Bets unit could take outside investment. The speed read Deals Morgan Stanleys $13 billion deal to buy E-Trade specifically excludes the coronavirus as a reason to walk away from the takeover. (Bloomberg Law) The activist shareholder Sherborne Investors called on Barclays board to withdraw its support for the banks C.E.O., Jes Staley, as a director. (NYT) Gilead agreed to buy Forty Seven, a maker of drugs that use the bodys immune system to fight tumors, for $4.9 billion. (Bloomberg) Politics and policy Attorney General Bill Barr has reportedly taken more control of the Justice Departments inquiries into Big Tech, sidelining the departments antitrust chief, Makan Delrahim. (Politico) Already struggling with weak demand for diesel, jet fuel and gasoline, Asian refiners look set to be hit by a deluge of Chinese supply. Fuel tanks have been filling up in Asias biggest economy as the coronavirus pummeled demand. And while refinery run rates have also been cut, the output reductions are unlikely to have been deep enough to offset the lower consumption. Now, as Chinese increasingly return to work, refiners are looking to ramp up exports to free up more storage space. The coronavirus hasnt been fully priced-in as China hasnt been able to export much fuel so far because of logistical constraints, said Sri Paravaikkarasu, director of Asia oil at consultant FGE. Stockpiles have been growing, and diesel and gasoline exports are likely to rise significantly in coming weeks, she said. DOMESTICALLY: Annual U.S. oil production breaks another record Virus-driven disruption of Chinas economy has resulted in an estimated 4 million barrels a day of lost oil demand, the most since the global financial crisis, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. For oil and other energy products, any disruption in demand will be deemed as lost, while lower consumption for other commodities such as steel and aluminum could just be deferred until later, the bank said in a note. While fuel product margins rebounded Friday as crude plumbed new lows, the outlook is still looking shaky. Heres a closer look at the oil-products markets. Jet Fuel Jet fuel has been the hardest-hit oil product as airlines around the world cut flights due to companies and consumers avoiding inessential travel. The premium of jet fuel prices to Brent crude in Singapore has plummeted about 50% this year, and reached a record low of $4.13 a barrel on Thursday. The situation looks likely to worsen as cases and deaths spike in South Korea, Iran and Italy. JBC Energy is forecasting global demand for jet fuel to drop by 3.7% in the first half of 2020 from a year earlier. While Asian refiners have been increasing shipments to Europe and California, the potential gush of Chinese exports doesn't bode well for the near-term outlook. OPEC: Putins Russia to work with OPEC+ but content with oil price Diesel Profits from converting Dubai crude to diesel in Asian refineries have plunged around 40% this year and fell to the lowest in data going back to March 2018 on Thursday. Margins could easily drop further given the extent of the hit to Chinese consumption. Demand for diesel in Asias largest economy, where its used as an industrial and transport fuel, will fall 38% in this quarter from a year earlier, Morgan Stanley said in a note that cited figures from CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute. Chinese exports of diesel likely dropped to 1.4 million to 1.5 million tons in February, from 2.2 million tons in January, according to consultant JLC, highlighting the potential for a sharp uptick this month. Chinas average daily diesel exports in February increased to about 550,000 barrels from 490,000 barrels in January, according to a Feb. 29 note from Vortexa. Thats the highest monthly exports since March 2019, according to the oil analytics firm. Gasoline While Chinese highway traffic has been picking up over the past couple of weeks, gasoline demand is still likely to be 31% lower this quarter that a year earlier, according to the CNPC data cited by Morgan Stanley. The premium of Asia 92-RON gasoline price in Singapore over Brent, which had been holding up better than those for jet fuel and diesel on hopes China wouldnt export large quantities of the fuel due to run cuts, has tumbled over the last week. Its plunged 57% since Feb. 21 to the lowest since June 2019. FUEL FIX: Get our energy news in your inbox each weekday Unplanned outages at refineries in Louisiana and California last month may cushion the blow to Asian refiners. Still, a halving of Chinese gasoline exports in February from January, according to JLC figures, gives an indication of the potential for shipments to increase this month. Naphtha The outlook for naphtha, a feedstock used to produce various types of plastic, is also worsening after it was initially relatively unaffected by the virus due to supply shortages in the Middle East. However, thats changed in the last couple of weeks as petrochemicals producers outside of China have started cutting run rates as stockpiles swell and demand wanes. The first-month Japan naphtha crack spread to Dubai crude plummeted to -$2.46 a barrel on Monday, the lowest in five weeks. FGE sees the overall demand loss for Asian oil products at 2.3 million barrels per day this month, following a 4.5 million barrel-a-day hit in February. One ray of hope for Asian refiners is the spring maintenance season, which may help stem the drop in profits from converting crude to fuels, Paravaikkarasu said. About 1.78 million barrels a day of Asian refining capacity will be offline this month, growing to 3.1 million barrels per in April, she said. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. By PTI NEW DELHI: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will hand over his social media accounts for one day to women who inspire, Congress leader Sushmita Dev suggested to him on Tuesday that he give away the control of the accounts to the Unnao rape victim "who deserves to tell her story". The Congress women wing chief said Prime Minister Modi's promise to hand over his social media accounts to women is "a hollow and superficial attempt to fix his bad image when it comes to women security". On Monday, the prime minister created a buzz by saying he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts. A day later, he explained in another tweet that will be handing over his accounts on such platforms to women "whose life and work inspire us" on March 8, the Women's Day. On social media, Modi also invited people to share the stories of the women who inspire. "One suggestion please give your social media account to the Unnao rape victim who survived many attacks from leaders who are apparently in your party. She is brave and she deserves to tell her story," Dev said. The Unnao victim has accused expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar of raping her three years ago. HOLYOKE Holyoke Medical Center announced Monday that it plans to build a 100-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital on its existing campus. The announcement follows last weeks news that Trinity Health Of New England, parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Providence Behavioral Health, plans to close 74 inpatient psychiatric beds at Providence Hospital in Holyoke as well as Providences outpatient methadone clinic in Springfield. Trinity cited a shortage of psychiatrists and the availability of other methadone clinics in Springfield. Mondays announcement was not related to the Providence Hospital news, said Holyoke Medical Center spokeswoman Rebecca MacGregor. Its just the way the timing worked out, she said. Weve been working on this for more than a year. Holyoke Medical Center said it sees an opportunity to fill a need. Holyoke Medical Center is eager to have conversations at the state level to expand the much-needed behavioral health bed capacity in western Massachusetts, said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, in a news release. This proposal is fully in-line with the Commonwealths goal to increase investment in behavioral health services. Two for-profit partners, Signet Health and developer the Leo Brown Group, are involved in the project. Signet has worked at Holyoke Medical Center since September 2019 managing its existing behavioral health beds and handling the intake process. Holyoke Medical Center said its only now beginning to work with with other stakeholders like the state Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health and Executive Office of Health and Human Services, as well as with the city of Holyoke. McGregor said the new facility will be somewhere on the existing Holyoke Medical Center campus on Beech Street, but the exact location is not determined. The project still needs state and local approvals. If it is approved, construction would take about 18 months, MacGregor said. Holyoke Medical Center didnt release an estimated cost. But it did say the building will meet all the modern requirements including secure outdoor space for recreation. It would have a total of 100 beds. Twenty beds would be moved from the medical centers existing inpatient psychiatry ward, for a net gain of 80. MacGregor said Holyoke Medical Center hasnt yet decided if the facility will have a pediatric unit or how it will divvy up the beds by patient population. HOLYOKE - Holyoke Medical Center has proposed building its own behavioral health inpatient facility. (photo provided) Providence Behavioral Health Hospital is about 2 miles south of Holyoke Medical Center on Route 5. Providence is closing three inpatient mental health units: adult, pediatric and geriatric. Its pediatric unit is the only place in central or Western Massachusetts where young people, from 6 to 17 or 18, can get inpatient psychiatric care. It has a total of 24 beds, but Providence was only operating a dozen of them in recent years. The loss of capacity for troubled youngsters has sparked concerns among other mental health services providers. Separately, Baystate Health has its own plan for a standalone inpatient behavioral health hospital and is evaluating prospective partners. Last year Baystate announced plans for a $30 million, 120-bed hospital at the former Holyoke Geriatric Authority property. But Baystate pulled out after its partner at the time, US HealthVest, started facing scrutiny. Baystate has said it might revisit the Geriatric Authority site, or it might locate elsewhere in consultation with a new partner. Partners with experience running mental health hospitals and the ability to provide financing are critical in projects like this, Baystate said. Baystate Health has 98 inpatient psychiatric beds in Western Massachusetts: 28 at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, 28 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, 22 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield and 20 at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield. Related Content: STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA, CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, ON THE SOCIAL ILLS BROUGHT ABOUT BY POGOS P50 billion in unpaid taxes for 2019. P22.6 billion in cold cash allowed to slip through our borders. 6,678 illegal foreign workers working in licensed POGO outfits. 733 fugitives entered the country in 2019 before being deported. Dozens of women trafficked into prostitution. A real estate bubble is waiting to burst. Government agencies are corrupted by individuals to legitimize the entry of illegal foreign workers . These are some of the negative effects that have been brought to light by the different Senate committees investigating into the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operations. It is clear as daylight how this sector is circumventing our laws and shredding our country's moral fiber. What's worse is that this sector is detrimental to our workforce because it does not create jobs for Filipinos. The problems are staring us right before our eyes. Contrary to popular notion, this sector merely generates 0.04 percent of our country's gross domestic products. It's marginal contribution will not be felt if its operations are stopped. Thus, we reiterate our call to put an end to POGOs immediately. The negative effects clearly outweigh the supposed benefits. Voters in face masks and gloves who have been isolated at home after crossing paths with coronavirus carriers filed through more than a dozen tents across the country on Monday to fill in their ballot slips in a close election contest in which candidates are fighting for every last vote.A medic gives instructions for his vote in a tent set up for people quarantined for Coronavirus to cats their votes in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Image: AP) English French The Store: the new Dassault Aviation online shop Saint-Cloud, 3 March 2020 - Today Dassault Aviation is opening its new online shop: The Store. You can check it out at: www.thestore-dassault-aviation.com This upgraded store, featuring an innovative design, allows aviation buffs in just a few clicks to purchase outstanding items reflecting the image and values of the Dassault Aviation brand. You will find a whole range of dedicated and exclusive products: the famous Remove Before Flight keyrings, patches, apparel, airplane models This completely new line of articles has been specially designed and produced to Dassault Aviation specifications. Welcome to the world of Mirages, Rafales and Falcons! ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION: With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2019, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 7.3 billion. The company has 12,750 employees. dassault-aviation.com PRESS CONTACTS: Corporate Communications Stephane Fort - Tel +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - stephane.fort@dassault-aviation.com Mathieu Durand - Tel +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - mathieu.durand@dassault-aviation.com HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com Attachment Farmers have widely criticised comments by a senior government official for suggesting that Britain does not need its own agricultural industry. Treasury official Dr Tim Leunig is reported to have argued that the food and farming industry was not 'critically important' to the UK's economy, leaked emails obtained by The Mail on Sunday claim. The economic adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer said the UK could follow Singapore's model post-Brexit - 'which is rich without having its own agricultural sector'. He made his suggestions in emails sent recently to the National Food Strategy, a government review of the UK food system which seeks to address the environmental and health problems caused by it. He reportedly wrote: "Food sector isn't critically important to the UK, and ag[riculture] and fish production certainly isn't." NFU President Minette Batters hit back at Dr Leunig by calling his remarks 'completely out of touch'. She told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge: There is a moral imperative for us to be able to produce food in this country. So absolutely we need our farmers, and of course we are the bedrock of the largest manufacturing sector providing all those raw ingredients. Clearly, there is a cold economic case. But you have to look at the wider aspect of all of this: farms are the backbone of rural Britain." She added: "Surely the last thing we want to go to is importing cheaper, raw ingredients produced to lower standards. We export our conscience and our production. Dr Leunig, who is seen as a powerful voice in Whitehall, also suggested that the farming industry should not be given tax breaks. But his comments have been widely rejected by an already concerned industry as the government looks to strike Brexit trade deals with countries such as the US. NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts said that to believe the UK doesn't need a farming industry is 'short sighted'. "In a more uncertain world than weve seen in decades and with an ever growing dominance of long complex supply chains that can easily be disrupted, a solid base of quality, traceable, high integrity food security is vital," he said on Twitter. "Cant ignore the fact also that the country needs farmers to deliver the plethora of other outcomes society needs from us, whether that be carbon sequestration and storage, landscape and habitat protection, flood and water management." Conservative MP Sir John Redwood argued against Dr Leunig's suggestions, saying the UK needs to 'grow more of our own food'. "Bad idea to write off farming. Government agrees we need to cut the food miles and boost UK output, he said. High-profile industry figures and politicians took to social media to vent their frustration and disbelief at the comments. An obviously overpaid gov advisor named tim reckons we dont need British farming, so I best enjoy my British bacon, in bread made from British wheat, & butter from British milk, whilst drinking apple juice made with, yes you guessed it, British apples. Anyway, white rabbits ?? pic.twitter.com/Qwfag1KjuO James Robinson (@JRfromStrickley) March 1, 2020 The only thing @timleunig is quoted as saying in @DailyMailUK and @guardian is that farming is not economically important, which is true. However its vitally important environmentally, socially, culturally and for food security, and thats why it needs to be supported & protected Christopher Price (@RareBreedChris) March 1, 2020 Farmers, the BBC, civil servants, the car industry, global supply chains, anything else government advisers don't think we need? https://t.co/TC8qfb5CW3 David Henig (@DavidHenigUK) February 29, 2020 Foolish from Gov official who says Britain doesn't need farmers! We live on an overpopulated island-food security has never been more important. With our fantastic farmers and fertile soil there is no reason to rely so heavily on imported food. Why we should all Buy British????! Rupert Lowe (@RupertLowe10) March 1, 2020 It comes as Defra Secretary George Eustice recently refused to give a cast-iron guarantee that the UK will not import chlorinated chicken under any trade deal with the US. Speaking at the NFU Conference last week, Minette Batters said any drop in UK food and farming standards would be "insane". [March 03, 2020] Report: Online Payment Fraud Surged More Than 70 Percent in 2019 as Cybercriminals Exploit New Payment and Business Types New Digital Trust & Safety Index shows fraudsters are now mostly using mobile devices to commit payment fraud SAN FRANCISCO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Online payment fraud attempts increased by 73 percent in 2019, according to a new report from Sift . The research, the Digital Trust & Safety Index, details the different ways fraudsters target online businesses, the platforms and payment types they use, the times of year they most frequently strike, and many other patterns discovered through Sifts global data network of more than 400 billion events per year. Additional findings in the report reveal that cybercriminals are using mobile devices more than desktops or laptops to commit payment fraud. In fact, though Windows is the top single operating system for fraudsters, iOS and Android combine to make up more than half of attempted fraudulent transactions. And while, unsurprisingly, the number one most targeted industry vertical in 2019 was physical e-commerce, business services, digital e-commerce, education, and on-demand services all fell within the top ten fraudiest verticals. Other findings of note in the Digital Trust & Safety Index include: New ways to pay, new ways to steal: The most common payment type associated with fraud? Not credit cards. In fact, credit cards were beaten ou by promotions/coupons, cryptocurrency, digital wallets, and even pay with cash options that are popular with some on-demand services. The most common payment type associated with fraud? Not credit cards. In fact, credit cards were beaten ou by promotions/coupons, cryptocurrency, digital wallets, and even pay with cash options that are popular with some on-demand services. Fraudsters swing for the fences: Rather than trying to avoid detection with smaller purchases, fraudsters look for larger scores, with fraudulent order values reaching three times the price of legitimate purchases on average. Rather than trying to avoid detection with smaller purchases, fraudsters look for larger scores, with fraudulent order values reaching three times the price of legitimate purchases on average. Trying to game the system: The largest attempted purchase on Sifts platform in 2019 was for a video game power-up sold on an online marketplace. The attempted payment was $1 million, and though obviously fraudulent, demonstrates some of the new methods bad actors are employing in order to steal from businesses. The largest attempted purchase on Sifts platform in 2019 was for a video game power-up sold on an online marketplace. The attempted payment was $1 million, and though obviously fraudulent, demonstrates some of the new methods bad actors are employing in order to steal from businesses. Summer is the holiday shopping season for fraudsters: Fraudsters dont wait until the winter holidays to kick their scams into high gear. Rather, payment fraud attempts peak during the summer months. Fraudsters dont wait until the winter holidays to kick their scams into high gear. Rather, payment fraud attempts peak during the summer months. Working on the weekend: Saturdays had the highest instances of payment fraud attempts of any day of the week. The Digital Trust & Safety Index delves into many additional trends seen across Sifts platform and highlights the ways in which fraudsters are evolving their methods so that businesses can stay one step ahead of these bad actors. To read the Digital Trust & Safety Index, click here . About Sift: Sift is the leader in Digital Trust & Safety, empowering digital disruptors to Fortune 500 companies to unlock new revenue without risk. Sift dynamically prevents fraud and abuse through industry-leading technology and expertise, an unrivaled global data network of 35 billion events per month, and a commitment to long-term customer partnerships. Global brands such as Twitter, Airbnb, and Twilio rely on Sift to gain competitive advantage in their markets. Visit us at sift.com and follow us on Twitter @GetSift. Media Contact Kristina Lazarakis PAN Communications for Sift [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Philippines has launched an investigation into large-scale smuggling of U.S. dollars and cash in other foreign currencies into the country by suspected syndicates, including a Chinese one, Philippine finance officials said Tuesday. In 2019 alone, an estimated U.S. $370 million were brought into the Philippines by two entities, the Department of Finance said, identifying the syndicates only as the Chinese and Rodriguez groups. The Bureau of Customs was asked to coordinate with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to probe attempts by suspected syndicates to bring in large sums of foreign currency into the country, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in a statement. He said the investigation was prompted by a report from Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero saying syndicates were using travelers to bring in the cash, with corrupt officials at Manilas main international airport abetting the illicit activity. In his report, Guerrero recommended the creation of an inter-agency body to keep tabs on the inflow of foreign currency into the country via the countrys ports of entry, and to recommend measures to deter the use of these funds for illegal activities, the finance department said. Guerrero based his recommendation on the global threat of terrorism, organized crime, money laundering and the possibility that such foreign currencies find their way to such unlawful activities, the statement from finance department quoted the customs commissioner as saying. An initial investigation showed that foreign currencies brought in by the Rodriguez Group amounted to about $200 million, while the Chinese groups funds reached around $167 million, the department said. The order to open an investigation came days after Sen. Richard Gordon, who heads the Philippine Senates powerful Blue Ribbon committee, called for a probe into allegations that the Chinese had been bringing in an inordinate amount of money into the country. Last year, the Chinese Embassy in Manila reported that a huge amount of Chinese funds had been smuggled out of China by criminal syndicates. A conservative estimate shows that gambling-related funds flowing illegally out of China into the Philippines amounts to hundreds of millions of Chinese Yuan every year, the embassy said in a statement on Aug. 8, 2019. There are analysts who believe that part of the illegal gambling funds has flown into local real estate markets and other sectors in the Philippines. Philippine laws on under-declared foreign currencies are not categorical, and sanctions provided are not deterrent enough, unlike in other countries, and there was a need to strengthen them, the finance department said. In the United States, attempts to under-declare or not declare currency is defined as bulk cash smuggling and punishable by laws there. Thus, it is not farfetched that the ease of bringing foreign currency in our territory can be taken advantage of by lawless elements such as terrorists, Guerrero said. The Chinese group, according to the finance department, worked with couriers who traveled almost three times a week and carried about two pieces of luggage each that contain the cash. They escaped detection because they were escorted by corrupt members of the police and military forces, as well as the security group at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, he said. Despite budget pressures, the provincial government remains on track to hire 50 new Crown prosecutors and fill existing vacancies, an Alberta Justice spokesperson says. "We remain committed to hiring 50 new Crown prosecutors and support staff over the coming years," Jonah Mozeson, press secretary to Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer, said in a statement to CBC News on Tuesday. "Existing vacancies are being recruited to, and a recruitment plan is underway for the 50 new positions," Mozeson wrote. "Twenty Crown positions are being added this year." The additional hires will lead to a "fairer, faster and more responsive" justice system, he added. "We continue to look for internal efficiencies to save money on costs that do not affect Crown staffing." Last week's budget included a key objective to hire 50 new Crown prosecutors and support staff over the next three years, at an additional cost of $10 million annually. But the numbers told a different story. The fiscal plan the government unveiled last October said it planned to spend $340 million on Crown prosecution services between 2020 and 2023. The actual budget only makes a $306.7 million commitment, which is nearly 10 per cent less than the amounts promised just months ago. Opposition justice critic Kathleen Ganley, who was justice minister in Rachel Notley's NDP government, said the numbers don't add up. "One of the big plans in [the United Conservative Party] platform was these 50 new prosecutors, but I have no idea how they plan to afford them," Ganley told CBC News. "In last year's budget, you could actually crunch the numbers and by the time they got to 2022/23, the $116 million would have allowed them to have those 50 Crowns. This year is a pretty big change from that." A member of the Alberta Crown Attorneys' Association was equally mystified. "I don't have the answer for you," association vice-president Rosalind Greenwood said. Story continues Greenwood pointed out that in addition to the 50 new Crown prosecutors promised over the next three years, 33 Crown positions across the province are currently unfilled. "So it's actually 83 positions that we're going to need to fill over the next three years," she said. 'There's nothing left to cut' Concerns are also being raised about proposed budget cuts to another integral part of the justice system. The budget introduced last week earmarks $197 million for resolution and court administration services for 2020/21, dropping to $162 million by 2022/23. "Our greatest concern is that over a four-year period, it appears there's an 18-per-cent cut to court services and resolution services," said Jordan Stuffco, president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association. Court services include court clerks. "The last place we need cuts is in the court services," Stuffco said. "They are worked to the bone. There's nothing left to cut. It's down to a bare minimum and we have grave concern about that." Court clerks are represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. AUPE vice-president Susan Slade said more than 100 Edmonton clerks have filed workload appeals. "The clerks are already overworked," Slade said. "There have been numerous grievances filed." Ganley said she is worried that cuts to administration services could lead to further court delays and applications to have charges stayed under the Supreme Court of Canada's Jordan decision, which specifies timelines for hearing a case. "I'm very concerned that we're going to see Jordan matters skyrocketing," Ganley said. "I think the challenge is going to be if you have a judge and two lawyers and all of your participants there, and ultimately you can't run a trial because you have no court clerk, that's going to be a big concern." Crown prosecutor Rosalind Greenwood agreed. "Jordan is always a concern for us," Greenwood said. "If there are resourcing issues that are causing delays, the inevitable result is going to be more Jordan applications at the end of the day." A government website indicates 251 Jordan applications have been filed in Alberta courts between Oct. 25, 2016 and the end of last year. Charges were stayed in 24 cases so far and five applications are pending. 'Modernization and digitization' Mozeson, however, said the courts can continue to function smoothly even as funding is trimmed. "We are finding efficiencies by transforming the justice system through modernization and digitization," he wrote in his statement to CBC, noting that $27 million in capital funding has been set aside to support the digital transformation for court business processes. "Information on these and related initiatives will begin to be available in the coming months. We expect to ensure the same levels of services are provided to Albertans." The overall operating budget for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General remains relatively stable between the 2019/20 forecast and the 2020/21 estimate at $1.45 billion. [March 03, 2020] New web app provides employees with detailed information about their pay GATINEAU, QC, March 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Public Services and Procurement Canada has launched MyGCPay, a new web application that provides employees with a centralized and simplified view of their pay and benefits. The application helps employees better understand their pay and provides them with enough information to identify potential errors before they become more complex pay issues. Federal government employees can also access important documents, such as tax slips and proof of employment; monitor open enquiries and cases with more detail; and view historical information, paycheques, benefit plans, enquiries and Public Service Pay Centre cases dating back to 2016. After a successful pilot and phased implementation of the application, all Government of Canada departments and agencies have been officially on-boarded to MyGCPay. If employees have any issues with MyGCPay or notice an error in their pay or benefit information, they are encouraged to contact the Client Contact Centre. Quote "MyGCPay provides federal employees with the information they need to better understand their pay and benefits. This is another way in which our government is supporting employees and improving public service pay as we continue to work to prevent and resolve pay issues." The Honourable Anita Anand Minister of Public Services and Procurement Quick facts MyGCPay was created by employees for employees. Designed with the user in mind, the application was developed using a five-phase approach: prototype, public opinion research, user-testing, pilot and implementation. It is an example of innovation in action, where an idea was brought to fruition by using readily available open-source software. This helped keep costs at a minimum and deliver results to public servants. In each successive phase, feedback from users was reviewed and improvements were introduced in order to enhance the overall employee experience. Between November 2019 and February 2020 , the application was released to all Governmnt of Canada departments and agencies through a phased implementation. It is now accessible to over 330,000 public servants. and , the application was released to all Governmnt of departments and agencies through a phased implementation. It is now accessible to over 330,000 public servants. First-time users of the application are guided through a tutorial and a series of navigational prompts. If employees need assistance with MyGCPay or want to report a pay issue, they can create an enquiry within the application or call the Client Contact Centre. MyGCPay is internal to federal government employees and accessed through a secure portal. This web application will not replace the human resources and pay tools currently available to employees, such as the Phoenix pay system. Instead, it is a tool that pulls all of the information from existing systems of record to be viewed in one centralized page. pay system. Instead, it is a tool that pulls all of the information from existing systems of record to be viewed in one centralized page. Employees can get more information about the application on the MyGCPay GCpedia page. All questions about the application can be directed to the Client Contact Centre at 1-855-686-4729, where there is a team of agents specifically trained to assist MyGCPay users. Associated links MyGCPay application MyGCPay Client Contact Centre Pay Centre resources Pay, pension and benefits Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Hyderabad, March 3 : Leading social activist Sunitha Krishnan, who was in isolation at a hospital here since Monday for suspected symptoms of coronavirus, has tested negative. She tweeted on Tuesday that results of her test has come negative. "The test results for coronavirus has just come in, it is negative, what a relief," she wrote and thanked friends and well wishers for their prayers and wishes. Sunitha, who heads anti-trafficking NGO Prajwala, had voluntarily approached government-run Gandhi Hospital on Monday after her return from Bangkok as she had mild cough. She was admitted in the isolation ward of the hospital, the nodal centre for dealing with suspected and positive cases of COVID-19. Telangana reported first positive case of COVID-19 on Monday. A 24-year-old techie, who had recently returned from Dubai, is undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital. His condition is stated to be stable. EDMONTONThe Alberta government says it is fully or partially closing 20 provincial parks and will be looking to hand over 164 others to third-party managers. Camping fees are to increase and services, such as setting cross-country ski trails in popular areas west of Calgary, are to be reduced or eliminated. Sites removed from the parks system would have their legal park designations removed and could be open for alternative management, said a government news release. This includes potential park partnerships through sale or transfer to another entity such as a municipality ... Some of the sites could stay open under a public lands management model or revert back to vacant public land. The changes are throughout the province from shutting campsites at Dinosaur Provincial Park in the south to the complete closure of Kehiwin Provincial Park in the northeast. The total amount of land involved is about 16,000 hectares. The government says thats less than one per cent of the provinces parks system, but it isnt clear if that includes the national parks. The United Conservative government says the changes, which it calls optimizing Albertas parks, will save $5 million in the 2020-21 budget. A government spokeswoman has said the changes will allow the province to focus on what it calls high-value areas. Read more about: As the New York state legislative session kicks into high gear, the debate over prescription drug prices is back on the table. Gov. Andrew Cuomo set the stage in December by previewing a proposal to reduce prescription drug costs, including a cap on insulin payments, greater powers to investigate spikes in drug prices and the importation of Canadian drugs. Then, in late December, he vetoed a bill that had the same goal by regulating pharmaceutical benefit managers. But in his budget proposal, Cuomo included a provision that aims to increase transparency of PBMs, which negotiate drug prices on behalf of insurers and employers. The language in the proposal is similar to that of the bill he vetoed in December. Both would require PBMs to register with the state and disclose financial incentives for promoting certain drugs. Cuomo and his Democratic colleagues have the same goal lowering prescription drug costs but they disagreed on the details. Cuomos office did not respond to a request for comment on how the bill he vetoed differs from his new proposal to regulate pharmacy benefit managers. The policy debate in Albany comes amid calls across the country to contain prescription drug prices. Following stories of drug companies raising prescription costs a thousand times over, state and the federal governments are trying to come up with ways to keep prices affordable for patients. It's a matter of life and death, Cuomo said in his State of the State address. Drug costs began to rise in the United States in the late 1990s as monopolies in the prescription drug industry grew. Between 1997 and 2007, drug spending in the United States tripled, according to Health Affairs. Advocates for reform point to cases like Heather Bresch, whose company, Mylan, increased the cost of the EpiPen by 500% in just eight years. Or the Pharma Bro, Martin Shkreli, who raised the price of an AIDS drug 5,000% as CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals. The issue caught the attention of federal lawmakers after Shannon Weston testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in 2016 about the life-saving drug her 1-year-old daughter needed to fight a parasitic infection. The family could not afford the drug after it spiked from $13.50 to $75 a tablet in 2015. While Cuomos budget proposal includes several reforms, lawmakers are pointing to the bill passed by both houses to regulate pharmacy benefit managers that Cuomo vetoed last session. Sponsored by state Sen. Neil Breslin and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, it would have required PBMs to register with the state and obtain a license. PBMs are responsible for the pharmacy benefits management of over 266 million Americans, according to a study conducted by the state Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations. The committee, which is chaired by state Sen. James Skoufis, concluded that PBMs play a major role in the strain on the contemporary healthcare system. State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a co-sponsor of the bill, argued that it would have safeguarded New Yorkers and local pharmacies by helping to rein in PBMs that are recklessly inflating the costs of prescription drugs, adding, The programs make money by charging pharmacies or insurance providers a fee for the service. The process is called spread pricing, which is defined as the difference between the amount PBMs reimburse pharmacies and the amount billed the health plan, according to the Pharmacist Society of the State of New York. The Business Council of New York State opposed the PBMs bill, saying there is no evidence PBMs clients suffer as a result of their practices. PBMs have become the latest easy target for state officials to blame for ever-increasing healthcare costs, The Business Council said in a memo last year. The PBMs bill passed both the state Senate and Assembly in June 2019, then was vetoed by Cuomo in December. I can't guess his motivation (on the veto), said state Sen. Rachel May, another co-sponsor of the bill. He definitely likes to be in control of the agenda. In a statement following the veto, Cuomo said that he appreciated the intent of the bill, but argued that it would be preempted by federal legislation, including the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, and would increase administrative costs, facilitate anticompetitive conduct, and generate scrutiny from federal agencies. In addition, the bill could sweep in plans that are not true PBMs, but rather health benefit funds only, Cuomo added. For those reasons I am constrained to veto this bill. Gottfried, the Assembly sponsor, questioned the reasoning behind the veto. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act is federal legislation that prohibits states from passing any law that relates to any employment benefit plan, Gottfried said. The governor has argued that because our bill tells a PBM how to behave, that therefore we are violating ERISA. That's not a totally wacko thought in that there are a lot of people who believe that. I think it's a completely erroneous line of thought. For example, if I tried to represent an ERISA plan in court, and I wasn't licensed to practice law, New York wouldnt be preempted from saying, If you want to practice law for anybody, you need a license. Cuomos latest budget briefing argues that regulation of these brokers can help control costs, that they have a lack of transparency that shrouds their operations and contribute to potential for collusion or conflicts of interest. His budget proposes requiring PBMs to acquire a license through the state, which may require them to disclose financial incentives for promoting certain drugs. In addition, Cuomo wants to include a three pronged approach to reduce prescription drug prices. First, he wants to cap copayments for insulin at $100 per month. According to the American Diabetes Association, insulin costs have almost tripled over the last two decades. Cuomo also wants to give the state Department of Financial Services the power to investigate and penalize drug companies that raise drug prices without justification. The final component of Cuomos plan is to establish a commission to study the possibility and potential benefits of allowing drug imports from Canada. This is a proposal considered by both Democrats and Republicans, in states across the country. In July 2019, the Trump administration took steps to allow Florida to import drugs from Canada, a process that is currently not legal in the United States. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said of the plan, "New pathways for importation can move us toward a more open and competitive marketplace that supplies American patients with safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs. However, representatives from the Canadian government have signaled concern that American exports will place too much of a burden on their drug manufacturers. Canada is already in the midst of a drug shortage, and opening up their supply to American consumers could cripple their system. "This multipronged approach to tackling a complex problem will hold manufacturers accountable for drug prices that border on price-gouging and explore new ways to access less expensive medicines and bring more competition into the market, Cuomo said. Both May and Rivera say they will support Cuomos prescription drug proposal in the budget, even though they do not think it is aggressive enough. May vowed, Well keep pushing to make it stronger in the budget. With reporting from Zach Williams. THREE Limerick-based companies have agreed settlements with the Revenue totalling almost 2.4m relating to the under-declaration of various taxes. According to the latest List of Tax Defaulters, which was published by the Revenue Commissioners this Tuesday, the single largest settlement was agreed with Galtee Fuels Limited which has a registered address at Barrigone, Askeaton. The solid fuel wholesaler, which is now in liquidation, has agreed a settlement totalling 2,119,874.35 relating to the under-declaration of Corporation Tax, PAYE, PRSI, USC, VAT and Solid Fuel Carbon Tax. The settlement includes 1,026,374 in tax, 377,006 in interest and penalties totalling 716,494.35. However, according to the Revenue, just 5,332 of the settlement had been paid by the company as of December 31, 2019. Separately, a motor vehicle service provider has agreed a settlement totalling 216,024 relating to the under-declaration of PAYE, PRSI, USC and VAT. Clondrinagh Car Repairs Limited of Mount Kennett Place, Henry Street, Limerick has agreed to pay 109,122 in tax, 25,061 in interest and 81,841 in penalties. According the Revenue, the company, which is now in liquidation, had not paid 182,115.01 as of December 31, 2019. The third Limerick-based company which has been included on the latest List of Tax Defaulters is South of Ireland Crushing and Plant Hire Limited which has an address at Laskiltagh, Croom. The company, which rents construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment, has fully paid the settlement totalling 59,663.36 relating to the under-declaration of Corporation Tax, PAYE, PRSI and USC. The settlement included tax of 40,448, interest of 8,849.31 and 10,366.05 in penalties. Read also: Gardai granted court orders to destroy cars Details of Revenue prosecutions finalised before the courts between October and December have also been published. In one case, landlord Daniel Doran of Cluain Arra, Newcastle West was fined 79,759 for not declaring Income Tax and VAT in the amount of 199,398. Separately, publican Mary Cronin was fined 635 over her failure to hold a valid liquor licence relating to The Hogan Stand pub at Meanus, Kilmallock. Five of the eight cases which were finalised before the courts in Limerick during the last quarter of 2019 related to the failure of individuals to lodge Income Tax returns. There was one prosecution and conviction relating to the illegal use of green diesel by a farmer. According to the Revenue Commissioners, fines were imposed by the presiding judge in each case. GRAND RAPIDS -- Students across Grand Rapids recently got a surprise in the mail. On Feb. 28, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority sent out its first round of conditional scholarship award letters for tuition-free college to 982 students set to graduate in the spring. The awards are part of the new Grand Rapids Promise Zone. Students who meet certain requirements are eligible to receive up to 60 credit hours, tuition free, for a degree program or specific vocational, job training, and certification program at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). These scholarships will change the lives of the students of our city, many of whom see college as out of reach. Teresa Weatherall Neal, Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority chairperson, said in a statement. The money isnt in the bank yet for the students that received letters. There are still several steps they need to take to get the scholarships, said Josh Spencer, vice president of Kennari Consulting. Thats the firm which helped create the promise zone development plan. Spencer said that the letters put the students on notice that they qualify for the scholarship if they want to take advantage of it. Theres some requirements that do take some time that can be barriers for students, the biggest one being FASFA, said Kennari. So, we wanted to give the students time to complete that requirement. In order to get the scholarships, students must exhaust other scholarship methods by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. FAFSA is a type of one stop shop for determining if the student can get other types of federal need-based aid: like the federal Pell Grant and other types of grants. However, students do not need to utilize any state or federal loans. RELATED: Everything you need to know about Grand Rapids free college tuition promise Students will also need to successfully graduate from high school in the spring and enroll at Grand Rapids Community College. Right now, the Grand Rapids Promise can only be used at GRCC. GRCC has strong credit programs and highly effective career-focused classes, making us the best choice for Promise Zone students as they plan their post-secondary journey, said GRCC President Bill Pink in a statement. The Michigan Promise Zone zone designation is meant to provide students who graduate from any high school within the designated boundaries - traditional public school, charter or private -- a scholarship to attend at least a two-year community college tuition free and potentially a four-year institution. There are 15 promise zones statewide. Of the 982 conditional scholarships awarded in Grand Rapids, 945 were full scholarships and 37 were partial scholarships. The partial scholarships are for students who were eligible for some of their high school years, but not all. The only restrictions within the scholarship itself are residency and where the student went to school. The recipient must live within the city limits of Grand Rapids and must graduate from one of the eligible 24 traditional public, charter, or parochial high schools. Students that have been enrolled at an eligible high school and living continuously within the city since the start of 11th grade are eligible for a partial scholarship. RELATED: Tuition-free college promise extends to two more schools in Grand Rapids For students that did not receive a conditional scholarship, but think they might be eligible, there is still time to appeal, Kennari said. If a student thinks they qualify, the person to go to is their school principal, he said. The schools have been helping the authority board determine eligibility of students. But if the student still thinks they qualify, they can email promisezone@grcc.edu. "We are finalizing an appeal process currently, Kennari said. So there will be a process for students to appeal their eligibility decisions. More From MLive: MichMash: The overlooked people struggling to find a place to live Ex-offenders struggle to find housing in Grand Rapids hot market A look back at Rosalynn Bliss first term as Grand Rapids mayor Spectrum Health expanding culinary medicine at Downtown Market, launching specialty practice Mumbai Police Crime Branch has arrested a wanted criminal with one country-made pistol and seven live bullets near Matoshree, the residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Bandra (East). According to the police, the accused has been identified as Irshad Khan, who has multiple cases of robbery, theft and murder against him in Mumbai, Thane and Gujarat. Police said they laid a trap to catch Khan after receiving a tip-off that he was planning a robbery in the locality with his associates. "We found one country revolver and seven live rounds from his possession. Following which, he was arrested," police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cobra Gold: Partner nations practice noncombatant evacuation operations By 2nd Lt. Jonathan Coronel March 2, 2020 UTAPAO, Kingdom of Thailand -- Civilians stream through the gates into view of Department of State personnel and military service members welcoming them with clear directions. A military working dog sniffs for hazardous materials, and a bilateral chemical response team stands by to decontaminate evacuees. Led by the Japan Self-Defense Force, the simulated noncombatant evacuation operation proceeds efficiently and smoothly as citizens from the United States, Japan, and Thailand are safely sorted, processed, and prepared for follow-on travel, during a major trilateral evolution as part of exercise Cobra Gold 2020. For exercise Cobra Gold 2020, the United States, Japan, and Thailand co-located their evacuation control centers in the same area to share tactics, techniques, and procedures, and to demonstrate their partnership in addressing potential security challenges together in the Indo-Pacific. According to Maj. Gen. John P. Johnson, deputy commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific, the trilateral nature of the exercise is key. "Noncombatant evacuation operations are a national responsibility, so each nation has to sort out how it wants to do that. The advantage of doing it this way is that it's an effective way to share best practices between our countries," Johnson stated. As the lead in the trilateral exercise, the training was valuable for the Japanese side as well, according to Col. Iwakami, commander of the Central Readiness Regiment with the Japan Self-Defense Force. "Through these exercises, we strengthen our joint employment capabilities, and also improve our cooperation with government agencies," said Iwakami. "Exercises like this strengthen our ties of cooperation and collaboration among U.S Forces and Royal Thai armed Forces." NEOs are conducted when civilians in a foreign country need to be safely evacuated due to a deteriorating security environment. For the exercise, evacuees from each of the three countries proceeded through security provided by U.S. Army soldiers, JSDF service members, and Royal Thai Marines for processing. After a search for hazardous objects by a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit military working dog, evacuees were paired with a military member to shepherd them through the next step of the process. Within the processing area, evacuees were then interviewed by their respective nation's government personnel to verify their identity prior to embarking on military transport. To simulate a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear crisis, a bilateral decontamination team of 31st MEU and Royal Thai Marines conducted a decontamination rehearsal. After identifying hazardous materials on a role player, members of the decontamination team led the simulated victim through a full decontamination process and medical check-up for demonstration purposes. The chance for service members from each nation to conduct this process alongside one another was important in the case of future contingencies, according to Royal Thai Navy Capt. Phollakit Salai. "The training fosters a good relationship between nations and personnel," explained Salai. "It gives us mutual understanding and prepares us for the coordination necessary if a real NEO situation arises in the future." For the exercise, the United States' ECC was run by Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, in tandem with a security element from the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division, as well as Department of State personnel. As the Indo-Pacific's premier crisis-response force, the 31st MEU regularly trains to conduct NEOs in the wake of contingencies. According to CLB-31's commanding officer, integration with the Department of State is a key aspect of this preparation. "We are both a training aid for the State Department and them for us. This is a multinational and joint training opportunity where the State Department has the lead and we support them where necessary," Johnson explained. "This mission is interagency combined arms. We are just one aspect of the combined arms power but they are the lead aspect of it." After being successfully led through the ECC, the 60 U.S. evacuees departed via Air Force C-130 aircraft to complete the exercise. The process, which had over 100 civilian role players from the three countries, took approximately four hours. Exercise Cobra Gold demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States to our long-standing alliance, promotes regional partnerships and advances security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Covid curbs in UP: Government and private employees to work at 50 per cent capacity Night curfew in Andhra Pradesh: Know timings, guidelines, rules; What is allowed, what is not allowed Contacts of confirmed cases don't need to get tested unless identified as high risk: Govt Karnataka Health Minister calls emergency meeting of officials after positive case in Telangana India oi-Mousumi Dash Bengaluru, Mar 03: Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu has called an emergency meeting of officials in Bengaluru on Tuesday, after a positive Coronavirus case in Telangana. He has also said that a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had stayed with the coronavirus-hit techie who is admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad. The first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Telangana was reported from Hyderabad on Monday where a man from Bengaluru, who recently returned from Dubai, tested postive for the virus. Coronavirus Scare: Two new cases confirmed in Delhi and Telangana "It has come to our knowledge that the coronavirus-hit person in Hyderabad had gone from Bengaluru. Therefore, all the members in the house where he had stayed here have been identified and are under watch," Sriramulu tweeted on late Monday night. The minister said he has convened a meeting with the additional chief secretary, commissioner and other senior officials of the health department on Tuesday morning. "Our government has initiated all the measures to prevent the spread of this virus," the minister said. It is learnt that the 24-year-old techie had not contracted it when he was in Bengaluru but all precautionary measures have been taken. The software engineer, who works in Bengaluru, had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus, Telangana health minister E Rajender told reporters in Hyderabad. The man reached Bengaluru on February 19/20 and later went to Hyderabad in a bus. He took treatment for fever after coming to Hyderabad and was admitted to a private super speciality hospital in the city. As it did not subside, he came to the state-run Gandhi hospital on Sunday evening, Rajender said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:53 [IST] Eureka Sacramento San Francisco Precipitation totals for Feb. 2020 Wettest Driest Average Fresno Santa Barbara Los Angeles San Diego Sacramento Precipitation totals for Feb. 2020 Wettest Driest Average San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Precipitation totals for Feb. 2020 Wettest Driest Average Sacramento San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Precipitation totals for Feb. 2020 Wettest Driest Average Sacramento San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Precipitation totals from Feb. 1 to March 1, 2020, are shown relative to average precipitation totals for the same period between 1979 and 2015. Source: Climate Mapper Not a drop of rain fell in downtown San Francisco this February. Or in Big Sur State Park. Or in Paso Robles. February in California was so dry that it is raising concerns that the state, which, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, only fully emerged from drought last March, may be headed for another one. It was the driest February on record, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles. Ordinarily, 90 percent of Californias rain falls during the seven-month period between Oct. 1 and April 30, with half of the states total precipitation falling during December, January and February. The rains that come in February are part of a seasonal pattern that nourishes plants, replenishes reservoirs and, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, restores the snowpack that provides up to 30 percent of the states drinking water. But this February was not just merely a below average month, Dr. Swain said. It was, in a lot of places, a completely dry month, which is truly extraordinary. The lack of snow and rain in February comes after a January that was also drier than average, and a record dry autumn for much of Northern California. A series of storms dumped a considerable amount of snow in late December, raising hopes that this winter might proceed normally. But that now seems less likely. Theres sort of this myth of the miracle March in California, which refers to a couple of specific years in which the winter was extremely dry and then March came along and there was just this unceasing deluge for a few weeks in a row, Dr. Swain said. In those years, the rainfall erased a large part of the water deficit. But this year has been so dry that the state would need record breaking rain and snow in the next few months to make up for the shortfall. The United States Drought Monitor, a joint project by federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Agriculture, releases drought maps weekly. They currently show much of the state as either abnormally dry or in moderate drought. As of March 1, according to the California Department of Water Resources, the states snowpack was 44 percent of normal. In the Southern Sierras, the percentage was only 40 percent. The state had a very dry winter and a dry autumn, too. Eureka Sacramento San Francisco Precipitation totals since Oct. 2019 Wettest Driest Average Fresno Santa Barbara Los Angeles San Diego Sacramento Precipitation totals since Oct. 2019 Wettest Driest Average San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Precipitation totals since Oct. 2019 Wettest Driest Average Sacramento San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Precipitation totals since Oct. 2019 Wettest Driest Average Sacramento San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Precipitation totals from Oct. 1, 2019 to Mar. 1, 2020, are shown relative to average precipitation totals for the same period between 1979 and 2015. Source: Climate Mapper The lack of moisture is coming at a time when the state needs more water, not less. January and February werent just unusually dry, they were also unusually warm. On Feb. 27, for example, the temperature at the Los Angeles International Airport hit 85 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 29 Celsius, breaking a record of 83 degrees Fahrenheit that was set in 1992. In recent weeks there have actually been a number of days with spring or even summer-like temperatures in the 70s and 80s throughout a lot of California, which were daily record high temperatures for a portion of February, Dr. Swain said. The hotter temperatures, which are associated with climate change, dry out soil, making moisture less available to plants and increasing wildfire risk. The state has already seen an uptick in reported fires, according to The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CalFire, which responds to reports of wildfires. Between Jan. 1 and March 1, the agency has responded to 381 of those calls already, Scott McLean, Cal Fires deputy chief of communications, said. Last year over the same time period, it responded to 105 reports. Over the past five years, the average number of wildfire reports during the first two months of the year was 279 calls, putting this year at roughly 35 percent above average. It is too soon to tell what this will mean once summer hits, but this is a group effort by everybody in the state of California to be prepared, Mr. McLean said. The department is educating residents on fire risk, including maintaining space around their properties that firefighters can use to defend against fire, and sending out firefighters to reduce dead brush or overgrown plants that could easily ignite, as well as preparing firefighting equipment. But increasingly, those preparations may need to take the long view. Theres growing evidence that, in a warming world, the states overall levels of precipitation wont decline but the distribution of precipitation will change. That is: the drier years will be drier, and the wetter years will be wetter and the state will need to find ways to cope. Portions of California have experienced both their driest years on record and their wettest years on record in the past 10 years, Dr. Swain said. And California is not the only state in the region facing these sorts of issues. The United States Drought Monitor is also showing that much of Oregon, Washington State and Nevada are also currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions. A special meeting is to be convened this month to discuss the amount of rent arrears owed to Kilkenny County Council by a number of local authority tenants. Local councillors have raised questions over the outstanding money, suggested to be as much as 614,000, according to one member of Kilkennys housing Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) at a meeting last week. The matter was raised at the SPC by Cllr Eugene McGuinness (Ind), who sought the exact figure from housing officials. The officials present did not have this figure, however, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick (FF) said he had asked about it in November, and received a response from the councils head of finance, Martin Prendiville. Cllr Fitzpatrick said he had been told the figure was 614,000. It may have changed, but that is what was written to me, he said. The North Kilkenny councillor said he was hoping that figure had been halved or at least reduced by now, but said the matter was so serious that it warranted a special meeting of the SPC. We give substantial money to the maintenance and repair of houses, he added. I would like to know are there people who are in arrears serious arrears who are getting work done? Adding his voice, Cllr Eugene McGuinness said he was absolutely shocked by the amount outstanding. We were asked to increase the property tax by 15% because of a hole in the finances, he said. I am not surprised there is a hole in the finances when we are working with arrears just shy of three quarters of a million euro. Director of services for housing Mary Mulholland said she believed it was an all-county figure, and she did not know the period of time or number of years to which it referred. She said the topic merited full discussion as a proper agenda item. To get into what that figure means, we do need to get into the detail, she said. Ms Mulholland said that a lot of arrears cases would be in an arrears payment plan. By and large, maintenance and/or transfers are not carried out where there is a serious issue with arrears. However, Cllr Eugene McGuinness disputed this, naming an area at Hebron in the city where he said he saw extensions being built. When you say theres not repairs or other works being done, I beg to differ, he said. Ms Mulholland warned the members the topic was getting into the realm of a lot of detail (as a rule, discussing specific cases is avoided in public meetings). There are policies on rent collection what solution when someone is in long-term arrears, she said. I would be much happier if we had someone here from debt collection to go through this in detail with you.There is no one-size fits all solution. Every local authority in the country will have an issue with arrears or not we all have a procedure for dealing with them. Cllr Andrew McGuinness (FF) also expressed his deep frustration with the financial situation. Its not so long ago we were asked to raise the property tax in Kilkenny to fill a gap of 1.5 million. We put our necks on the block in terms of the budget, he said. That was the county managers proposal she said so herself. We as members accepted her recommendation on that as an emergency measure. The Fianna Fail councillor said debt collection was not one of the things we seem to be very good at. He seconded Cllr Fitzpatricks proposal to hold a special meeting as a priority. Responding, Ms Mulholland said she had to disagree with Cllr McGuinness comment that Kilkenny was not good at debt collection. She said it was a matter of record that Kilkenny County Council was consistently the top performing or near the top-performing local authorities in areas such as rates collection, housing loans and rents. The NOAC performance indicators year on year are clear and evidence-based, she said. Our collection levels are extremely high. That is a fact, not an opinion. Ms Mulholland said the council dealt compassionately with households on a case-by-case basis. If it is the opinion of members that we should change that to zero-tolerance, I am happy to consider that, she said. But a zero-tolerance approach will have a very real impact on tenants. Cllr Denis Hynes (LAB) accused his colleagues of playing politics, and called for a bit of cop-on. Its not fair to play party politics here. We cant afford to have a zero-tolerance approach at the end of the day, he said. The first cases of coronavirus infection were observed in Latvia, Morocco, San Marino, and Saudi Arabia. This was reported by the health authorities of these countries. In Latvia, a woman was diagnosed with coronavirus after she returned from Italy. She arrived with her family in Riga on February 29, by flight BT226 from Munich, where she had come to from Milan. In addition, the Washington Post reported that Morocco's first case of a coronavirus was confirmed on Monday: a Moroccan citizen is living in Italy. She is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Casablanca. According to Il Resto del Carlino, nine confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Republic of San Marino, one of which was fatal. An 88-year-old man died on March 1, in the infectious ward of Inferma Hospital in Rimini. A Saudi man, who had traveled to Iran, the center of the outbreak in the Middle East, has been quarantined after being diagnosed with the infection, the Wall Street Jornal reports. As we reported earlier, On Monday, March 2, the Head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the "moderate" level of risk of coronavirus for the population of the European Union had risen to "high". "In other words, the virus is still spreading," von der Leyen said. Another day, another Kim Kardashian West cultural appropriation controversy. In a double whammy, Kim debuted her new braids at Paris Fashion Week and also posted a flashback to her controversial Fulani braids from last year on Twitter. Predictably, the star drew debate online as users called her blatant in her appropriation as others called the hair beautiful. Kim Kardashian first posted pictures of a shoot with Vanessa Beecroft, in which she wore blonde Fulani braids. She was the subject of controversy not just for wearing the hairstyle in 2018, which is closely tied to the black community, but for calling herself Bo West - a reference to white actress Bo Derek, who wore similar braids in the film 10. Kims father was Armenian-American, while her mother Kris Jenner is Dutch, English, Irish and Scottish. In response, users both criticised and celebrated her for the braids. One wrote, Kim is so rude lmao. How long must she be told about these braids. Another said, She real wack... she posted this and then popped up with braids AGAIN... Does she not get tired of stealing Black women? kim kardashian is relying on Black outrage to keep her relevant and it f**king shows. One wrote on Instagram, Take them braids out you are white sweetie. Kim Kardashian debuting the hairstyle in 2018 on Snapchat (Snapchat/ Kim Kardashian ) / Snapchat/ Kim Kardashian And one also wrote, "She said black history month is over, heres the braids. i-" Some also jokingly suggested that the reality star was blackfishing, calling her their African queen and nubian queen. The Daily Show correspondent Jaboukie White tweeted, does kim kardashians iphone still recognize her when she takes her black off. Other users came to Kims defense, with one writing, The hair looks great on you baby girl... haters are on high. Another wrote, So braids are just for black people?! White people are prohibited of doing braids? Its not like shes taking credit for it. She just wearing it. Its just hairstyle. Her sister, Kylie Jenner, also left a fire emoji in the comments. The backlash and braids didnt stop there, as later in the day she debuted her brand new braids - a hairstyle popular with the African community - at Paris Fashion Week. Kim Kardashian and North in Paris / SplashNews.com She and her daughter with Kanye West, North, were seen wearing matching hairstyles as they attended his show. Kims niece, Penelope Disick (who is white), was also seen wearing the braids. Kim posted pictures just of herself in the braids to Twitter, which she captioned, Yeezy season 8 - a reference to her husbands Paris Fashion Week show. In response, a user wrote, Cultural appropriation season 67. Another tweeted, Things that shouldnt have happened: 1. Yeezy Season 8 IN PARIS. 2. Kim Kardashians BRAIDS! Another wrote not this again, as one questioned, why is kim kardashian wearing braids chile? Again, others came to her defence with one writing, Love the braids! Penelope Disick and Kourtney Kardashian in Paris / SplashNews.com One user posted a screenshot of a Wikipedia article about braiding, which cited a number of different cultures where hair braiding is a part of their tradition. Kims braids were similar to the style of two opening models in Kanye Wests Yeezy F/W 2020 collection, which was presented at Paris Fashion Week and saw their daughter North take to the stage to rap. A model in the Yeezy PFW show / SplashNews.com Previously, Kim addressed the backlash in 2018 and said she was not tone deaf, revealing that she was not trying to disrespect anyones culture by wearing braids. She said, I [do] remember the backlash when I had the blonde hair and that I called them 'Bo Derek braids.' But I obviously know they're called Fulani braids, and I know the origin of where they came from and I'm totally respectful of that. I'm not tone deaf to where I don't get it. I do get it... But in no way am I ever trying to disrespect anyone's culture by wearing braids. Speaking to Bustle, she said that her daughter North - who is half black - wanted Kim to have a matching hairstyle when she wore Fulani braids to the 2019 MTV Movie Awards. Referencing the Fulani braids she wore, she said, I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her. So we braided her hair and then we braided my hair. She continued, But in no way am I ever trying to disrespect anyone's culture by wearing braids. If anything, my daughter was so excited to see me get matching braids with her. [When] we did her hair in these braids, she was so excited. Kim Kardashian at the 2018 MTV Movie Awards / Getty Images Black women have faced discrimination over wearing natural hairstyles in the workplace, with women in the military in the United States banned from wearing twists, dreadlocks, Afros and braids which were labelled unkempt until 2017. In February this year, an 18 year old student named Ruby Williams who was repeatedly sent home from school from the age of 14 for her afro won a 8,500 payout in a hair discrimination case. Dove also released a study in 2019 which revealed that a black woman is 80% more likely to change her natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work, as well as being 50% more likely to be sent home or know of a black woman sent home from the workplace because of her hair. In the US, laws have been introduced to ban hair discrimination relating to hairstyles of a particular race or national origin - with Senator Cory Booker (who recently suspended his presidential campaign) pushing for a federal version of the CROWN Act to fight against discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles associated with people of African descent, including hair that is tightly coiled or tightly curled, locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, and Afros. An animated short called Hair Love, celebrating the relationship between a black father and his daughter through their hair, recently won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film and creator Matthew Cherry raised awareness for the CROWN Act in his acceptance speech alongside Karen Rupert Toliver. The Ghana Red Cross Society has cut the sod for the construction of 100 housing units for disaster victims in the Kassena-Nankana West and Builsa North Districts in the Upper East Region. Torrential rains in October 2019 claimed 19 lives, injured 46 and rendered 26,698 residents homeless. The number consists of 15,431 adults and 11,267 children in all the 15 municipalities and districts in the region. A total of 6,142 houses were affected. Out of the figure, 2,222 houses completely collapsed and 3,920 partially collapsed. Affected residents sought for shelter in schools, area councils and relatives. But the Ghana Red Cross Society, in its bid to provide permanent shelter for some of the displaced residents, has commenced construction of two bedrooms each for 100 displaced residents in Mayoro and Sandema. Speaking to Citi News at a sod-cutting ceremony at Mayoro in the Kassena-Nankana District, President of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Kwame Gyima-Akwafo said, the project is in fulfilment of a pledge made by his outfit to provide some displaced persons with befitting shelter after the disaster. We have made this intervention to alleviate the effect of the October 2019 disaster. We are providing 100 units two-bedroom house for the affected communities, 50 unit two-bedroom houses each for the Builsa North and Kassena-Nankana West districts. We are using the community-based approach, where, aside the Red Cross providing material support, the community will provide the labour component for the completion of the housing project and we expect to complete works by end of April, he said. Some beneficiaries of the project expressed their joy to Citi News. Kwokoga Kajwom said, We are very happy for this shelter that Ghana Red Cross Society is providing for us. During the torrential rains, many of us did not have a place to sleep. We had to seek refuge at schools, area councils and relatives and now that this project is happening we are grateful to the Red Cross. We are happy for the help from the Ghana Red Cross which is building houses for us. Fowls even have shelter to live in let alone humans. It was disastrous that we did not have a place to sleep in after the disaster. It was going to be problematic to put up rooms on our own when we lost everything to the rains but now that the Red Cross is providing us with some shelter, we are very grateful, Togokyere Nabare added. Mr. Akwafo also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service to supply the service with 26 tricycle ambulances to improve maternal health in the region. ---citinewsroom 3 1 of 3 Plymouth Police photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Plymouth Police photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3 PLYMOUTH Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a dog found on the roadside. In October, the dog, named Zero, was found dead on the side of a road. Police said the dog was found wrapped in bedsheets and had numerous scabs. BENGALURU/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India, the worlds main supplier of generic drugs, has restricted the export of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines made from them, including paracetamol, as the coronavirus outbreak plays havoc with supply chains. But the Indian government said there were enough stocks to manufacture formulations for two-to-three months and urged calm. Indian drugmakers rely on China, the source of the virus outbreak, for almost 70% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for their medicines. Industry experts say they are likely to face shortages if the epidemic drags on. "Export of specified APIs and formulations made from these APIs... is hereby 'restricted' with immediate effect and till further orders," the Director General of Foreign Trade said in a statement here on Tuesday, without explaining the extent of the restrictions. The list given by the government, of 26 APIs and their formulations, accounts for 10% of all Indian pharmaceutical exports. Irrespective of the ban, some of these molecules may face shortages for the next couple of months, Dinesh Dua, chairman, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, told Reuters. If coronavirus is not contained, then in that case there could be acute shortages, Dua said. The council falls under the federal commerce ministry. In a statement, the federal government said state authorities had been asked to monitor the production and availability of APIs and formulations to prevent black marketing and hoarding. Separately, the government said on Tuesday it had detected high viral load in six people who had been in contact with a patient who contracted the virus in the capital New Delhi. The patient in New Delhi was being monitored and was stable, the government said. The people have been kept in isolation and their samples are being sent to India's National Institute of Virology for confirmation, the government said in a statement here Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to quell public fears. There is no need to panic, he said in a tweet. Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention, he added. On Monday, India reported three new cases of coronavirus, including an Italian national in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. So far, 24 people - including 21 Italians and three Indians - who had come in contact with the Italian tourist have been moved to a separate facility for testing, Indias health ministry said in a statement. New quarantine facilities and isolation wards were being identified, and procedures drawn up for private hospitals, it said. PUNE Baners traffic woes may soon be resolved, as the traffic police along with with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials held a meeting to discuss the issue on Tuesday. Prakash More, assistant police inspector, traffic, Chatuhsharungi, said, We decided that traffic police and PMC will work together to fix problems like fixing the potholes, levelling the drainage covers, and repairing the cracks in the five-km road at Baner. Besides this road, together we will also repaint the stop lines, and the pedestrian crossings on University road, Range Hills road until Khadki, which will help facilitate decongesting the road during the peak hours, said More. He also added that they have asked PMC to work promptly on the railings and dividers on the Baner road, but they have handed the road to Smart City. The traffic police have insisted on temporary railings to ease the traffic. The traffic police have also identified 13 spots along the Baner road which are pedestrian crossings and can be accident spots. The PMC will send an officer with us to redo the survey again and identify how best we can reduce the accident spots and have a smooth traffic flow with the metro work beginning soon in that area, added More. Two police officers allegedly identified a man charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee by his height, build and gait, the High Court has heard. They claim to have recognised Paul McIntyre as being a masked figure at rioting surrounding the killing in Derry last year, a judge was told. Prosecutors confirmed the identification evidence and clothing similarities forms the basis for suspecting the 52-year-old accused escorted the gunman to the scene of the shooting and then picked up his bullet casings. But defence lawyers insisted the case against McIntrye was speculatively centred on 15 seconds of footage and failed to link him to any role in the killing. Mark Mulholland QC contended: "It does not cross the Rubicon in order to even start to ground a reasonable suspicion of murder." Competing submissions were advanced in an ongoing Public Prosecution Service appeal against McIntyre being granted bail. Ms McKee, 29, was shot as she observed street disorder in the city's Creggan area on April 18. Police came under attack from stones, petrol bombs and other missiles, while vehicles were also hijacked during the unrest said to have been orchestrated by members of the New IRA. McIntrye, with an address at Kinnego Park in Derry, was initially charged with rioting, petrol bomb offences, and the arson of a tipper truck. But last month he was further charged with the journalist's murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and belonging to a proscribed organisation. He remains in custody pending the outcome of the challenge to a magistrate's decision to admit him to bail. The court heard he is allegedly identified by clothing on mobile phone and television footage from the night of the shooting. According to the prosecution case, he is seen throwing and lighting petrol bombs, and emerging from the truck which was then set on fire. When an unidentified gunman emerges later, he allegedly escorts him to the area where the shooting occurred. It was claimed that McIntyre can be seen crouching down and picking up four cartridge cases ejected from the killer's weapon. A forensic report has identified 17 points of reference where clothing McIntrye was seen in earlier in the day is allegedly comparable to that worn by the figure said to have escorted the gunman. Setting out the basis for contending that a prima facie case has been established against McIntyre, Crown lawyer Robin Steer pointed to the report and statements from police. He said: "There are two police officers able to identify this applicant by reason of his height, build and gait from the footage. "That's the footage where we say he is the person we say is masked." Mrs Justice Keegan was also told measurements carried out on a lamppost where a figure went past carrying a crate of petrol bombs allegedly corresponded with McIntyre'e height. However, Mr Mulholland disputed the reliability of the forensic report and questioned whether it can be treated as expert evidence. The barrister also claimed it was impossible to say McIntrye can be seen collecting four bullet casings based on a 15 second clip showing a group of people in the area. In submissions he went on to challenge his client's alleged involvement in the murder as part of a joint venture. "If we are down to the footage showing several people with masks on walking in the vicinity of what is a gunman, and several leaving with the gunman, if that is the basis upon which the prosecution seek to adduce Mr McIntyre as a secondary party, it is highly speculative," counsel argued. Mr Steer confirmed in response that the murder charge is based on the accused's alleged role in bringing the gunman to the scene. "I accept one cannot have a joint enterprise after the event, it's the escorting before the event and the circumstances surrounding that," he added. Adjourning the appeal hearing, Mrs Justice Keegan said: "I will hopefully be able to give a ruling by the end of the week, but there are a few things I need to consider." When the weather forecast predicts a blizzard, Minnesotans swarm grocery stores like locusts to stock up on milk, bread, eggs and other essentials. Frightening predictions about the spreading outbreak of the coronavirus-driven respiratory illness COVID-19 is hitting the "blizzard warning" preparation button for many area shoppers. "We've definitely had an increase in sales of commodity foods, like rice, canned foods and water," said Tim Mowery, assistant general manager of Rochester's Costco discount warehouse store. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota. However, fears spurred by the four deaths in Washington state and the continued spread of the virus around the world has some in Med City worried about what might be coming. For Hunt's Pharmacy & Drugs in Northwest Rochester, the hot item has been face masks. ADVERTISEMENT "A ton of people are coming in for masks ... The first two people in the door this morning were looking for them," said Hunt's owner, Philip Hommerding. "We sold out of many of them last week. We're ordering everything we can get our hands on." Infectious disease experts say face masks won't help prevent people from catching the virus. However, face masks can prevent sick people from spreading the virus. Workers in health care facilities are urged to wear masks to prevent passing along the virus. Overall, the shoppers at Hunt's have not seemed panicked or desperate. "We haven't had any mass hysteria yet," Hommerding said. Rochester's north Target store also saw a shopper surge spurred by COVID-19 fears. "We sold out of a lot over the weekend," one manager said. Shoppers loaded up on cold medicine, hand sanitizer, soap, and more general items, such as garbage bags and paper products. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Sales at stores open at least a year rose 1.5%, in line with expectations. Target has had 11 consecutive quarters of growth at stores opened at least a year. Target said revenue grew to $23.40 billion, from $22.98 billion last year, and lower than the $23.50 billion analysts expected. Excluding items, Target earned $1.69 per share, which was higher than the $1.65 per share analysts were expecting. In the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, net income grew to $834 million, or $1.63 per share, from $799 million, or $1.52 per share, a year earlier. Here's what Target reported compared with what analysts were expecting, based on a survey of analysts by Refinitiv: Target on Tuesday outpaced fourth-quarter earnings expectations, but revenue fell short because of weak sales of toys, electronics and home goods over the holidays. The discount retailer has invested in its stores and expanded its e-commerce business, as many other retailers have struggled and shuttered brick-and-mortar locations. It has launched thriving apparel brands and recently added a new activewear line, All in Motion, and new luggage line, Open Story. Target's comparable digital sales were up by 20% in the fourth quarter. That's lower than the 31% growth it had in the third quarter and in the same period a year earlier. Target said same-day services were a major driver in the fiscal fourth quarter. The retailer offers same-day pickup in store and by drive-up and has same-day delivery of packages through Shipt. The company said those same-day services accounted for more than 80% of its comparable digital sales growth during the period. "The strategic investments we've made over the past several years to elevate the shopping experience, curate our multi-category assortment at scale, and deliver ease and convenience through our fulfillment capabilities are deepening our relationship with our guest," CEO Brian Cornell said in a news release. Target surprised Wall Street in January when it disclosed slower-than-expected holiday sales, but it saw continued strength in apparel, beauty and food and beverage. A company spokesperson said strong sales in those categories meant there were fewer bargains leftover for after-holiday shoppers. That meant higher profits, but fewer sales. In Target's earnings call Tuesday, company leaders said the coronavirus has not had a large impact on its business or its guidance. Cornell said the company formed a team that meets daily to discuss potential factors, such as the rate of workers returning to factories and the state of ports. Cornell said the retailer has seen "aggressive shopping" as people across the U.S. respond to rising coronavirus cases. He said it is increasing inventory to keep up with heightened demand for household essentials and food and beverage. He said the "surge in store traffic" has underscored the importance of brick-and-mortar locations, even as more of its customers shop online. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, Target has called for $1.55 to $1.75 earnings per share and for same-store sales to grow in the low single digits. Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv estimated Target would earn $1.66 per share on revenue of $18.19 billion and same-store sales would grow by 2.7% in the quarter. In fiscal 2020, Target has said earnings per share will range from $6.70 to $7, compared with analysts' estimates of $6.87. It said same-store sales will grow by the low single digits, while analysts said they'll be up by 3.2% Target's shares have gained nearly 50% over the past 12 months, bringing its market value to $55.3 billion. Read full press release here. CNBC's Courtney Reagan contributed to this report. CORRECTION: This article has been updated to show that Wall Street is expecting earnings per share of $1.65. Logistics Specialist, Freetown, Sierra Leone Organization: Unicef Country: Sierra Leone City: Freetown, Sierra Leone Office: UNICEF Freetown Closing date: Tuesday, 10 March 2020 Re-advertisement- Logistics Specialist, NO-3,(candidates that previously applied need not re-apply), Freetown, Sierra Leone, #0005044 (For Sierra Leone Nationals Only) Job no: 530163 Position type: Fixed Term Appointment Location: Sierra Leone Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal School/Unit: Sierra Leone Department/Office: Freetown, Sierra Leone Categories: Supply/Logistics, NO-3 UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. For every child, strength How can you make a difference? 1. Support Strategic planning and organization of supply logistics. 2. Facilitate supply chain service delivery and emergency response. 3. Collaborate with the programmes, logistics service providers in clearing, forwarding and warehouse management. 4. Provide technical, advisory support to government/national systems. JD.doc To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have... An advanced university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelors) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required.*A first level university degree (Bachelors) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical field, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree. Five (5) years of relevant experience at the national and international levels in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical fields is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency experience an advantage. Health supply chain management experience is an advantage. Tags logistics procurement sierra leone supply chain supply chain management warehouse management Fluency in English is required. For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEFs values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. The functional competencies required for this post are... Leading and supervising (II) Formulating strategies and concepts (II) Analyzing (II) Applying technical expertise (II) Planning and Organizing (II) Relating and networking (II) Coping with set-back and pressure (II) View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. Remarks: candidates that previously applied need not re-apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Advertised: Feb 26 2020 Greenwich Standard Time Application close: Mar 10 2020 Greenwich Standard Time Fotis Dulos' lawyer has claimed someone else dropped the bags full of bloody clothes that belonged to his estranged wife Jennifer on his back porch the day she vanished in May and that he only disposed of them later because he panicked. Dulos, 52, killed himself while out on bail awaiting trial for Jennifer's murder last month. He had long denied having anything to do with her death despite DNA evidence linking him to it - like her blood in the car he was driving that day - and the fact that he was seen on surveillance cameras dropping off the bags of bloody clothes. Jennifer vanished in May after taking the couple's five children to school in New Canaan, Connecticut. She and Dulos were in the middle of a contentious divorce and custody battle, and she had written in court documents that she was afraid of him. Fotis Dulos told his lawyer that someone else dropped bloody clothes which belonged to his estranged wife Jennifer (right) on his back porch the night she vanished and that he only disposed of them later because he panicked. Dulos killed himself last month In light of Dulos' suicide, the case against him has been dropped. Dulos' attorney Norm Pattis said on Tuesday that someone else killed Jennifer and that he wanted to clear his late client's name His lawyer, Norm Pattis, however wants to pursue the case to clear his late client's name. He told a judge on Tuesday that someone else killed Jennifer and was trying to frame Dulos. He also spoke for the first time about the trash bags. Dulos, in a suicide note before he gassed himself in his garage, said: 'The state will not rest until I rot in jail. 'My attorney can explain what happened with the bags on Albany Avenue. 'Everything else is a story fabricated by the law enforcement.' He also wrote: 'If you are reading this I am no more. 'I refuse to spend even an hour more in jail for something I had NOTHING to do with. Enough is enough." 'If it takes my head to end this, so be it.' Albany Avenue was one of the locations he and Troconis were seen dropping off the bags. Pattis also claimed that someone else was with Dulos when they discovered the bags on the porch and that he would have testified about it at trial. Pattis, pushing for the trial to move forward even though Dulos is dead, said he believed he would have been found innocent. Michelle Troconis, Dulos' ex-girlfriend at the time, is also facing conspiracy to commit murder charges Dulos gassed himself in his garage. He was pulled out by EMTs and resuscitated then died in the hospital two days later 'It is my hope that someday, somewhere we will get a fact finder to listen to all of the evidence in this case to prove that Mr. Dulos did not murder his wife but was himself a victim of a system that rushed to judgment. 'I believe that had this case been tried that Mr. Dulos would have been found not guilty. 'If Mrs. Dulos is in fact dead, we have reason to believe she met her end at the hands of a third party unrelated to Mr. Dulos and without his knowledge,' he said. Judge Gary White dismissed his request. Troconis is still awaiting trial on conspiracy to commit murder charges as is lawyer, Kent Mawhinney, Dulos' friend. They have both pleaded not guilty. Press Release March 2, 2020 Transcript of the explanation of vote by Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri on Senate Resolution No. 337 Monday March 2, 2020 "I've been In the senate for over six years, and Congress since 1998. There are certain bills, actions, issues that need a conscience vote. On these issues You want to be a statesman, you want to protect the institution you represent. And, particularly I'm proud to be a Senator. I was also proud to be a member of the House of Representatives. And, there are issues that we need to protect these institutions; to assert our right as a co-equal branch of government. And, where we could stand above the fray, ika nga. This is what separates us from local politics. We are voted by 20 million Filipinos. And those who voted for us are from both sides of the camp, opposition or administration, they vote for us So, this here is an issue. This is one of them. When the Senate rejected the US bases in 1991, I was in college. I remember clearly the 12 Senators who voted not to renew the stay of the US bases here. As a UP student, I was very proud of that. I was very proud that we asserted our power over our sovereignty, So these are the times, that we want to protect the institution. I saw them (12 Senators), nainggit ako sa kanila. When you enter the Senate, it is altogether a different story. I've been in the House, my priority were my constituents. When I got to the Senate, your priority, for me, Mr. President, is the Republic, and, all those who had voted for us. I hope walang samaan ng loob pagkaganito. This is a conscience vote. Party lines may be different when we discuss the budget. Obviously, when the President is asking for the budget, we as members of the alliance will support the President on his budget 100 percent. When it comes to tax measures that he is asking, we have delivered on TRAIN. We are now discussing CITIRA after this, so that we can support the President's agenda when it comes to revenue generation measures, tax measures and the budget. So, yun lang po. Sana huwag tayo magka samaan ng loob, dahil ito po, para sa amin, ay para sa institusyon. My vote is not against the President but to protect our institution on future questions that may arise on futu A parliamentary panel on Tuesday suggested lower GST rate for the automobile segment at least till the revival of the sector, and uniform road tax across all states against the backdrop of negative growth in the automobile production since July 2018. A parliamentary panel had examined the Demands for Grants 2020-21 of Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) and tabled its report in Parliament. The automobile industry in India is one of the largest and fastest-growing sector and constitutes 27 per cent of industrial gross domestic product (GDP) and 49 per cent of manufacturing GDP. It provides about 37 million direct and indirect jobs and 15 per cent of total GST collection amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh crore. "But, the committee observes that of late, there is a negative growth in the automobile production since July 2018," said the report. The committee noted that some of the factors that contributed to slowdown are non-availability of credit facility to consumers, stringent rules for loan sanction by banks, rise in price due to the upfront payment of third-party insurance for 5 years, introduction of BS-VI vehicles from April 2020; and higher rate of GST on automobiles and components. Amid slowdown in the sector, the committee, among other things, recommended to either suspend or postpone the upfront payment of insurance for 5 years for the time being and reduction in GST rate to a lower slab "at least till the revival of the auto sector". Further, it made a case for introduction of incentive-based scrappage policy for creating purchase demand for new vehicles, reduction in import duty on lithium-ion cell battery which is used for operating the e-vehicles and levy of uniform road tax across all states. The report said the committee "is pleased to note" that the Delhi-Chandigarh highway has been declared as the first e-vehicle friendly expressway of the country. It desires that other expressways, including Delhi-Jaipur and Mumbai-Pune expressways, may also be made completely e-vehicle friendly soon with charging infrastructure in place at regular and frequent intervals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RTHK: Biden aims to blunt Sanders in Super Tuesday Americans were voting in 14 states on Tuesday with Joe Biden counting on a wave of endorsements by other moderate candidates to help blunt the momentum of leftist frontrunner Bernie Sanders and catapult him atop the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren were also on the ballot as voters from Maine to California trooped to the polls on Super Tuesday to decide who will face Donald Trump in November. "Today's the day!" tweeted Biden, the 77-year-old former vice president who is making his third bid for the White House. "Make sure to get out and vote." After disappointing finishes in the first three contests, Biden revived his flagging campaign with a landslide win in South Carolina on Saturday and is hoping the energy from that victory carries over into Super Tuesday. A total of 1,357 delegates are at stake on Tuesday and Biden needs a good performance to prevent Sanders from taking a potentially insurmountable lead ahead of the next contests. A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to win the nomination at the party convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July. Biden's hopes received a major boost on Monday when he received the endorsements of three of his defeated rivals for the nomination. The Democratic establishment is desperate to unite around a centrist candidate who can triumph over Sanders, who they see as too far to the left to represent the party against Trump. Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, threw his support behind Biden a day after quitting the race himself. "I'm looking for a president who will draw out what is best in each of us," Buttigieg said in Dallas, Texas, with the former vice president at his side. Biden appeared reinvigorated by the support, and he repeatedly flashed his million-watt smile. He emotionally compared Buttigieg to his son Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015. "The fact that he's prepared to help me means a great deal to me," Biden said of Buttigieg. "I don't think I've ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son Beau. "I know that may not mean much to most people but to me it's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman." Biden also delivered a tough message intended to warn voters away from Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist who has called for a "political revolution" in America. "Most Americans don't want the promise of a revolution," Biden said. "They want results. They want a revival of decency, honour and character." Biden took the stage at another rally with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who also endorsed him for president. By endorsing Biden, Klobuchar could deprive Sanders of a large delegate claim in her home state of Minnesota on Tuesday. "What's really important to me is beating Donald Trump," Klobuchar told CBS News on Tuesday. "I think Joe Biden is going to be a great president. "I don't think we should have a socialist heading up our ticket." Biden later introduced Beto O'Rourke, who made a big splash early in the Democratic race but then fizzled out. O'Rourke remains popular in Texas, the state with the largest delegate haul on Tuesday after California. "We need somebody who can beat Donald Trump (and) in Joe Biden we have that man," O'Rourke said, peppering his short speech with Spanish. The trio of endorsements could be political gold for a resurgent Biden. His campaign was on life support after Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, but he is suddenly the main challenger to Sanders on the biggest day of the primary campaign. The former vice president to Barack Obama says his strength with blacks, Hispanics, women and suburbanites will show in the coming contests. Bloomberg, who is competing with Biden for moderate voters, is appearing on the ballot for the first time after skipping the first four contests. He is hoping to make a splash on Super Tuesday with a lavish multi-state ad blitz. "I've won three elections so far. I don't plan to start losing now," the former New York mayor said in Virginia on the eve of Super Tuesday. Flush with money, an extensive organisation, and momentum in the polls, Sanders has focused on multiple states including delegate-rich California, Tuesday's biggest prize. In Utah, he said there was "a massive effort" to stop his campaign. "The corporate establishment is coming together, the political establishment is coming together," he added. "They are really getting nervous." (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The musical concert which has Grammy award-winning roots reggae musical bandSteel Pulseas the headline act will take place this Saturday at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). The organizers of the concert, Charter House, have promised Ghanaians that the concert to be attended by thousands of matured reggae music lovers will be historic. Steel Pulse will share the stage with veteran highlife musician Kojo Antwi and afro pop act SSUE among others who will ensure back-to-back performances all night. Members of Steel Pulse whose music and stage craft have attracted a large following have promised to thrill Ghanaian music fans with an extraordinary performance. They are expected to thrill music fans with their various danceable hit songs such as 'Steppin Out', 'Roller Skates', 'Wild Goose Chase', 'Throne of God', 'Not King James Version', 'Reggae Fever', 'Babylon Makes The Rules' and 'Back To My Roots'. The organisers told BEATWAVES that the rich experience of members of Steel Pulse coupled with their numerous hit songs would be experienced during the show, adding that patrons who would throng the venue to witness the show would be thrilled beyond their expectation. There will be other surprise artistes passing through to perform on the night. Tickets are available in Standard, Premium, VIP and Gold and Deluxe or Super Deluxe tables. They also come with a variety of hospitality offers and can be obtained at www.ticketprogh.com, X-Men and Nallem Stores in malls. ---Daily Guide EDMONTONFacing bleak economic times and a hostile Trudeau government in Ottawa, an Alberta premier decides the time has come for the provincial government to use public money to invest in a struggling oil and gas industry. Is that the Coles Notes version of this past weeks news, as Premier Jason Kenney dealt with the eleventh hour collapse of the Teck Frontier oilsands mine project? Or is it a passage from Albertas history books? Longtime political observers could be forgiven for experiencing some deja vu. It was in 1973 that then-premier Peter Lougheed sparked an economic revolution in his province, partly by setting up the Alberta Energy Company (AEC), allowing public investment in pipelines, the oil and gas industry, coal and petrochemical processing. Almost 50 years later, his modern-day counterpart is considering something similar. Last week, Kenney appeared ready to take his own step toward public investment in oil, saying his government would, in some cases, (be) willing to step forward to ensure that such projects proceed. Invoking the Lougheed era, Kenney said setting up something like the AEC may be necessary again to help boost the oil and gas industry during a time of resistance from environmentalists and low oil prices worldwide. Kenneys comments are being met with skepticism. Experts say the days of lucrative market prices and an oil-friendly public are gone replaced by concerns about barrels of oil selling for a meagre $50 a pop and, more broadly, over climate change. The 1970s saw Lougheed known to many in Alberta as the father of modern oil development and others outside the province as a respected statesman rise to power and begin reshaping the province. Back then, explains University of Calgary business school professor Bob Schulz, companies used to have to go cap in hand to Toronto and hope for start-up money. Lougheed saw the potential in oilsands development and put an end to that through public investment resulting in the robust economy Alberta has today. Had Peter Lougheed not done that, that never would have happened, we wouldnt have had that industry at all. Proposed in 1973, an Edmonton Journal article at the time saluted its creation: Some time next year every man, woman and child in Alberta will have an opportunity to invest in the Alberta Energy Company. During his time in office, Lougheed incorporated the AEC, bought an airline and set up the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority, which set out to develop oilsands technology and make it commercially available. Setting up the AEC was one of the most imaginative government-sponsored resource development policies in Canadian experience, read a 1973 Calgary Herald editorial with a headline that wouldnt be out of place in some Alberta news outlets today: Liberal cowardice. The money would go on to help a company called Syncrude Canada Ltd. expand in oilsands development. Its now one of the worlds largest oil producers. Lougheed came to be remembered as one of Albertas greatest leaders for some of his shrewd economic diversification policies, including public investment in the oilsands. He also set up the provincial heritage trust fund, a savings account for Alberta where royalties from oil development would be stashed. Alberta politicians often invoke his legacy when speaking in public. As evidenced by Kenneys remarks, Lougheed still lives on in the minds of Albertans. Hes seen as famously standing up to Pierre Trudeau, former prime minister and father to Justin Trudeau, during a time where Ottawa was viewed as an enemy putting the financial squeeze on Alberta. Lougheeds name, for many Albertans, hearkens back to a time of Alberta strength within a country that didnt seem to understand it sentiments that still exist. In principle, some experts argue public investment isnt a bad thing but some economists say that the world Lougheed lived in during the 1970s was much different than the one Kenney occupies now, and that betting on oil today is a risky move with money that could be more wisely invested elsewhere. Moshe Lander, an economist at Concordia University in Montreal, called the current Alberta government investing its scarce resources into energy projects a recipe for disaster. Invoking the idea of Peter Lougheed and creating that nostalgia for the days when Alberta was riding high ... thats good politics, but I think the reason for the vagueness (in Kenneys proposal) is because the economics just dont make sense, he said. In the 1970s, the world was goods-based and less services-based, Lander said. Relying on oil from politically turbulent parts of the world such as the Middle East made the choice to invest in oil at home an easier one to make, too. Not to mention the modern-day struggle with emissions, said Lander, which werent even on the worlds radar. Speaking after Teck announced it was pulling its mega project last week, a defiant Kenney pronounced, We will not be stopped. Kenney has laid lay the blame for the projects demise at Ottawas feet, even though the company has said Canada needs to reconcile its climate change goals with its economy. We will not be the only of the major energy producers in the world to choose poverty over prosperity, says Kenney. Whether Kenney can display the kind of economic foresight that Lougheed did remains to be seen, as does the part it will play in this new Alberta premiers legacy. Schulz, who has taught at the University of Calgary with both Lougheed and Kenney in power, says investing in the digital world should be the governments goal, adding that goes a long way for the oil and gas industry, too. The industrial internet of things for oil and gas, he said. Then you can monitor the emissions, you can have targets, you can do data analytics, you can do artificial intelligence, and then once we do it for us, thats exportable. The 21st century is a digital century, said Schulz. Read more about: ALBANY Max Lifchitzs music can be arresting, but it is seldom demanding. The seven works spanning 50 years of his career that were performed on Monday night showed a flair for drama and a taste for knotty counterpoint, but little need to engage in argument or persuasion. The concert took place in the recital hall of the University at Albany, where Lifchitz has been a professor since 1986. The composer was at the keyboard for much of the night, though it was billed as an evening of the Capital Trio, whose members performed solos before finally coming together in the finale. As a sweeping survey of material from so many decades, the program felt personal yet also read as a chronicle of changing times. First, there was Lifchitzs shifting style and language, which is a reflection of larger trends. Things started with a couple of youthful piano suites in a vigorous neoclassical style. Then came modernism as displayed in the violin and cello solos titled Transformations. Each of these contained blizzards of angular lines and countless forays into unconventional performing techniques. Toward the conclusion of the cello piece, the player applied his bow to the instruments supporting pin and it served as fine climax to a long melodic climb. With his ongoing series of works titled Yellow Ribbons, Lifchitz has also mourned national events, starting with the Iranian hostage crisis in the late 70s and continuing with 9/11. Recently came Yellow Ribbons No. 51, a response to the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. As performed by violinist Hilary Walther Cumming with Lifchitz again at the keyboard, the piece was a heated essay some five minutes long. The urgency of the playing and the assault of abrasive textures became overwhelming, too much to take in. And in that sense, it was a brilliant response to a tragedy of incomprehensible madness. More than an evening of ideas, the program also offered pleasures. Leave it to the cellist to steal your heart. In three different solo appearances Solen Dikener took on plenty of thorny and demanding material and delivered it all with conviction and grace. Pianist Ducan Cumming joined his colleagues for the concluding piece, Song of Ourselves, written for a university function a few years ago. Across the sweep of five movements there was the playful and eclectic side of Lifchitz, who enshrined in the lush writing clever quotes of an ancient Greek melody, an American spiritual and the UAlbany Alma Mater. Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy. They pair were reunited in a tearful display of sisterly affection last week. And Love Island twins Jessica and Eve Gale put on a united (and very busty) front during a Manchester shopping spree on Tuesday. Jess, 20, donned a perilously plunging satin dress underneath a fluffy cream overcoat as she linked arm with her beau Ched Uzor, 23, who she met on the ITV2 show. Three's a crowd? Love Island twins Eve and Jessica Gale put on a united (and very busty) front during a Manchester shopping spree on Tuesday, where they were joined by Jess's new beau Ched Uzor Meanwhile, her identical sister Eve flaunted her assets in a cropped leather bodice and matching skintight trousers, resembling Sandy from Grease. Blonde beauty Eve donned a glamorous faux fur jacket and skyscraper heels, while Jess finished off her raunchy look with a pair of rhinestone covered white sandals. Scaffolder Ched cut a casual figure in a monochrome check shirt donned over a black T.shirt, while ripped black skinny jeans and a pair of white trainers completed his ensemble. The Love Island thrupple made their way through the city centre laden with bags from clothing brand I Saw it First. Skimpy: Jess, 20, donned a perilously plunging satin dress underneath a fluffy cream overcoat as she linked arm with her beau Ched Uzor, 23, who she met on the ITV2 show Suffolk native Ched stayed close by the side of his paramour Jess, who he coupled-up with during Love Island's debut Winter series earlier this year. The loved-up couple made it all the way to the final, placing fourth in the overall quest to find love. VIP hostess Eve found herself less lucky in love and was the first contestant to be booted off the island after just a few days of South African sunshine. Glam: Meanwhile, Jess' identical sister Eve flaunted her assets in a cropped leather bodice and matching skintight trousers, resembling Sandy from 1978 film Grease However, Eve appeared in excellent spirits as she joined the Love Island couple for a day out in Manchester, having previously given the relationship her blessing. During the show, Jess admitted she needs her sister's approval before becoming Ched's girlfriend - so Eve made a visit during the friends and family episode. Since the Love Island finale, Jess and Ched have been enjoying getting to know each other off-camera starting with sitting together on their flight back to the UK from the South African resort. Kochi: A Kerala man who performed the role of an oracle during a temple ritual has been arrested on the charge of driving a woman to suicide by shaming her in public. Called Komaram in Malayalam, an oracle acts as mediator between deity and devotee during some temple rituals in Kerala. The pronouncements made by Komarams during such festivals are considered prophetic by devotees. Sreekanth Karanath, a young man who served as an oracle at a temple ritual at Manaloor in Thrissur, was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by the womans husband and brother. Police said a case has been filed under the Indian Penal Code Section 306. During a performance on February 25, the man allegedly shamed the 32-year-old mother of two by accusing her of leading an immoral life. He alleged that the woman has had an illicit relationship and wanted her to make a public confession to the deity. According to the complaint, the incident caused deep mental agony to the woman. The womans family suspect that Sreekanth Karanath was instigated to it by a close relative. Activists of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), anti-superstition organization, visited the womans house on Sunday. Since it is an incident involving faith and rituals, no one was ready to question the man. It is unfortunate that such incidents are happening even now in a state like Kerala. Had somebody questioned or stopped the oracle during the ritual, the womans life could have been saved. Her husband told me that though he tried to console her, she was mentally shattered. Strict action should be taken against the oracle and the one who instigated him, said T Sathyanarayanan, Thrissur district secretary of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat. LUDLOW The Ludlow woman charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after four neglected horses were found on her property told the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that she tried her best to care for the horses but was just overwhelmed by that amount of work needed each day. Officer Christine Allenberg of the MSPCA Law Enforcement Division said that when she first talked with Nancy Golec about her horses at her Alden Street property, Golec began to cry. She said she was very overwhelmed and doing the best she could with the animals, Allenberg wrote in her report. The four horses all showed signs of being underweight and lacking proper care of their hooves and teeth. Two of the horses, were trapped inside their stalls by an accumulation of old hay and manure, had severely overgrown hooves and may be permanently disabled. MSPCA officials have called it one of the worst cases of neglect they have ever seen and estimated the neglect goes back five years. Golec is charged with four counts of animal cruelty. She pleaded not guilty to the charges at her arraignment Feb. 24 in Palmer District Court. She was released on her own recognizance on the condition that she not take possession of or care for any horses or other large animals. She is due back in court on April 29. Golec is employed as a kindergarten teacher at East Street Elementary. She has since been put on leave, according to the school department. She is also the mother of Ludlow Special Police Officer Christian Mendes. Mendes was on duty with the department when MSPCA officers first went the Golecs house. He agreed to contact her on Allenbergs behalf and arrange a meeting at her property. Allenberg in her report notes that Mendes said he knew his mother had four horses but he had not seen them in a long time. Allenberg in her report said that Golec told her she alone had to care for the horses and that when she fell behind in their care, she became too embarrassed to ask anyone for help. She said she was working two jobs to take care of them and was doing the best she could because she loved them, but nobody ever helped her, Allenberg wrote. She expressed remorse for allowing them to deteriorate and did not want anyone to think she is a bad owner. Golec also owns three medium-sized dogs and they appeared to be well cared for. Allenberg found the horses during an unannounced visit to Golecs property Feb. 4. The visit was based on an anonymous call of the Wilbraham animal control officer, who forwarded the call to the MSCPA. Allenberg wrote in her report that no one was home when she stopped in, but she could see at least two horses in stalls as she stood on the property. She thought it was odd that the horses had to lower their heads to look out the opening in the stall. This was the result of a build-up of hay and manure that raised the floor four to five feet, to the point where the head and back of each horse were practically touching the ceiling and rafters. It took hours to dig through the mound to free them. The two horses, Arabian mares named Tia and Shakira, were found to have signs of prolonged neglect. Golec surrendered them to the MSCPA, and they have been transferred to the Nevins Farm and Equine Center, where they are receiving emergency care. Two other horses were kept in a small paddock with a walk-in shelter behind the barn. Those horses, black-and-white paint mares, belonged to Golecs sister, Naomi Recore of South Deerfield. They were found to be in need of care but in overall better condition than the other two. Rencore was allowed to keep them, and they were relocated to another boarding facility on Feb. 17. Recore told Allenberg she had not seen her horses in several months, and that her sister never asked for any help in caring for them. Dr. Bryan G. Parrott of Parrott Equine Associates of Hamilton examined Tia and Shakira and found each showing signs of profound neglect. Their condition is evidence of severe neglect and a general lack of care, he wrote. Based on an examination of their hooves and teeth, he estimated they had not received proper care in five years. Both horses had hooves that were extremely overgrown, making it difficult and painful to walk. X-rays of their feet showed permanent deformation of their feet. Tia had deformations in all four feet, and is almost unable to stand. It is unclear if the horse will ever be able to walk normally or return to a pain-free life, he said. The MSPCA issued an update on Facebook Monday saying Tia and Shakira are making progress in recovery. Video of the two horses showed them galloping around a corral. The ladies have a long list of physical needs that were tending to, but their feet are perhaps the most critical, the organization said. Were working very closely with a highly skilled farrier and our veterinarian to execute a long-term plan for trimming, reshaping and hoof care. Comment on this story on MassLives Facebook page Connecticut attorney Norm Pattis is now involved in the Roger Stone case. According to The National Law Journal, Pattis, of The Pattis & Smith Law Firm, is now representing Mike Cernovich, who last week filed a motion seeking the juror voir dire identification number of the the Roger Stone jurys forewoman and jury questionnaires in the case. Over the years, Pattis has represented clients in high-profile cases, including Fotis Dulos, who was charged in the murder of estranged wife Jennifer Dulos. In recent weeks, Pattis has said sentencing guidelines were abused in the Roger Stone case. Cernovich is asking Judge U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson for permission to sign on to the Stone case as an intervenor so he can see the sealed documents collected by the court during jury selection. That motion focuses on the jurys forewoman, Tomeka Hart who publicly identified herself through social media posts last month and responses she gave on her questionnaire. Cernovich argues in the filing that her public conduct has raised constitutional concerns regarding the fairness of the jury trial in the instant matter. Mr. Cernovich, as a journalist and a concerned citizen, respectfully requests the court to allow him to exercise his right under the First Amendment to investigate [Hart], the motion reads. The federal jury found Stone guilty in November of seven charges of lying to Congress, impeding a congressional investigation and witness tampering. Stone has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison. Stone had requested a new trial, saying the jury had a left-wing bias. The notion that Stones trial was tainted by left-leaning jury members, particularly the forewoman, has been promoted aggressively by President Donald Trump and right-wing media. There has rarely been a juror so tainted as the forewoman in the Roger Stone case. Look at her background. She never revealed her hatred of Trump and Stone. She was totally biased, as is the judge. Roger wasnt even working on my campaign. Miscarriage of justice. Sad to watch! Trump tweeted. The president has also hinted he may pardon his longtime ally. Judge Jackson said a jurors social media posts criticizing Trump did not necessarily mean she was biased against Stone. Jackson specifically criticized Fox News Tucker Carlson for falsely claiming an Obama administration official was placed on Stones jury and that another juror was married to a deep state bureaucrat. The judge also noted that Carlson had accused the forewoman of being an anti-Trump zealot and broadcast her Twitter handle during his program. Jackson allowed Stones lawyer, Seth Ginsberg, to question the forewoman and two other jurors in the case. Ginsberg said the forewoman lied on her jury questionnaire when she denied having opinions on federal law enforcement agencies or special counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The charges against Stone stem from testimony he gave a congressional committee also probing Russian meddling. Ginsberg said the forewoman had written Facebook posts supportive of the Mueller investigation and had also retweeted a CNN contributor who criticized Stones supporters for complaining about his arrest while remaining silent on police shootings of African Americans. If such views had been known, Ginsberg said, the forewoman would have been excused from the jury. Previous reporting by the Associated Press was used in this story. Ten years ago, blogger, content creator, and photographer Jules Villbrandt made two major life decisions. After graduating from the University of Arts in Berlin, she founded the design bloggazine Herz und Blut, and she moved into the apartment that she still lives in today. Its hard to say which choice has been more transformational. Herz und Blut, which is named after a German expression meaning from the heart, produces curated articles, imagery, and eventsand happens to be an official partner site of AD Germany. For the past decade, the brand has been and continues to be Juless creative livelihood, while her apartment has been her home through it all. The place has grown with Jules over the years, and now has a brand-new kitchen to show for it. A room that was once fit for a student has been transformed into a functional yet beautifully delicate space. Here is how Jules created the kitchen of her dreams. Kitchen location: Set in Berlins hyperurban, international Wedding neighborhood, Juless kitchen is located in a historical building constructed in 1902. The before: Before the renovation, it was a classy student kitchen. It was low-budget but also the best place to host kitchen parties. After nine years, it was time for a change. I was ready for something new, says Jules. The inspiration: I love Pinterest and quickly found a picture of my dream kitchen. This was the start of everything. It became clear that I didnt want to have upper cabinets and tiles anymore, Jules explains. Square footage: 8 square meters (which is about 86 square feet) Budget: Jules didnt give herself any parametersshe just started to overhaul. Main ingredients: Counter: Fenix: The counter is made out of Fenix, a really resistant material, Jules says of the indestructible product she chose for the high-use area. Story continues Floors: Prior to the renovation, there was laminate all over, Jules remembers. We kicked it out and restored the old wood floor. Cabinets: Reform Basis Cabinets in Olive Backsplash: KeraBad Brushed Copper Aluminum. Its so funny that I get so many questions about my backsplash. I really wanted to have a copper one, but it was hard to find, and so I went with this aluminum version. I love it, Jules says. Paint: I used just a normal white, but I'm already thinking about trying something new, admits Jules. Appliances: Smeg Refrigerator Lighting: Connox Midgard Modular Wall Lamps Shelving Unit: Kaari Wall Shelf With Desk by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Most insane splurge: The Kaari shelf was always on my wish list and was a real dream-come-true to purchase, says Jules of her priciest item. Sneakiest save: Jules and her dad did most of the renovation work themselves, which saved a significant amount of money. The best part: I dont know where to startI just love everything, says Jules. The kitchen was really a life-changer for me. Every morning, I have a big smile on my face when I enter the room. What Id never do again: I think I would do everything again, Jules says. Theres nothing like having no regrets. Final bill: Jules spent around 12,000 (which is about $13,000). Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest FRIDA IN AMERICA The Creative Awakening of a Great Artist By Celia Stahr Its said that Frida Kahlos status in popular culture resembles a cross between a cult and a brand. At a time when oven mitts stamped with her likeness are found in museum gift shops, and her prosthetic leg is displayed like a saints relic in exhibitions, its hard to imagine Kahlo as an unknown artist at the start of her career. During the Depression, when she began to invent the flamboyant forms of identification with the Indigenous Mexicanidad for which she became famous, one could not have foreseen the current extent of Fridamania our fascination with her carefully constructed personal mythos. (At some point she even changed her birth date from 1907 to 1910, the start of the Mexican Revolution, and elided the e in Frieda to make her name more authentically Mexican.) Its intriguing to encounter an artist in the act of becoming herself, and in Frida in America, Celia Stahr aims to do just that, returning us to Kahlos early days in San Francisco, New York and Detroit in the 1930s, when she and her husband, the artist Diego Rivera, were newlyweds. While Rivera was absorbed in painting large-scale social realist tableaus, Kahlo began fashioning modes of self-presentation in implicit opposition to the capitalist values of their host country, then painting canvases in the same style, marking major steps in her creative awakening. Stahr, who teaches art history at the University of San Francisco, bases her narrative on the diary of Lucienne Bloch, a woman who became Kahlos confidante in the United States, as well as on correspondence between Kahlo and her family back in Mexico, beginning her book with the artists arrival with Rivera in San Francisco in 1930. There, Frida came to see her mixed heritage (she had a German father and a Mexican mother) as a source of distinction and started to develop the image of the mestiza in her appearance and work as an icon of Mexican national identity. She did this first in her dress, emphasizing her outsider status to distinguish herself from Americans, who incurred her ongoing hostility. (Letters to her mother made an exception for San Franciscos Chinese: They too were outsiders, their costumes and festivities simpaticos.) In a work from this period, Portrait of Eva Frederick, Kahlo painted her African-American subject as both an independent New Woman and a New Negro, Stahr writes. Moreover, she had Frederick dress in a Mexican-looking garment, suggesting that Kahlo saw something of herself in her model. INDIANA, Pa., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Commonwealth Bank has been recognized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations (FDIC) Money Smart Success Stories-Winter 2020 edition for having the Impactful Money Smart for Adults Partnership of the Year. First Commonwealth was one of only four institutions nationwide recognized by the FDIC for their work to expand financial education and support healthy banking relationships. First Commonwealth partnered with Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania to provide financial education for participants in Goodwill's Community Reintegration program. This program enables nonviolent offenders to resume their careers and return to the workforce while getting help reintegrating into the community. We appreciate the FDICs recognition of our partnership with Goodwill and our efforts to promote financial literacy, as we fulfill our mission to improve the financial lives of our neighbors and their businesses, remarked First Commonwealth Banks Financial Literacy Program Coordinator, Anna Frank. The timing of this acknowledgement is especially gratifying as it falls during our participation in America Saves Week , Frank added. As of December 2019, First Commonwealth has taught 22 sessions to more than 220 participants in this specific program. More information on the program and First Commonwealth Banks partnership with Goodwill, in addition to other Success Stories, can be found here on the FDICs website. Under the direction of a dedicated Financial Literacy Program Coordinator, First Commonwealth offers financial literacy workshops and participates in national, regional and local financial education initiatives. During 2019, First Commonwealth conducted 716 educational sessions reaching over 15,000 individuals. About First Commonwealth Financial Corporation First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is a financial services company with 147 community banking offices in 28 counties throughout western and central Pennsylvania and throughout Ohio, as well as business banking operations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Canton, Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. The company also operates mortgage offices in Wexford, Pennsylvania, as well as Hudson and Lewis Center, Ohio. First Commonwealth provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management and insurance products and services through its subsidiaries First Commonwealth Bank and First Commonwealth Insurance Agency. For more information about First Commonwealth or to open an account today, please visit www.fcbanking.com . Media Contact: Jonathan Longwill 724-463-6806 JLongwill@fcbanking.com Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting with his health department on Tuesday to prevent a possible outbreak of coronavirus in the national Capital. Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, chief secretary Vijay Kumar Dev and top officials of the health department have been asked to attend the meeting, officials in the chief ministers office told HT. The meeting was called a couple of hours after Kejriwal, in a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussed the spread of coronavirus in Delhi and parts of the national capital region (NCR) among other issues. I also discussed about coronavirus in the meeting with the PM and it was agreed upon that both the Central and the Delhi governments will work together to tackle this deadly disease, Kejriwal said after meeting Modi. Later in the afternoon after reviewing preparedness to fight coronavirus, the PM also tweeted on the issue urging people not to panic. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection, he tweeted. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 Delhi reported its first case of coronavirus on Monday after a person who had visited Italy tested positive for Covid-19. On Tuesday, a private school in neighbouring Noida declared a three-day closure after it was found that the children of the Delhi man diagnosed with novel coronavirus study there. Shortly afterwards, another school in the area announced that it will remain shut till March 9. Along with the Delhi case, one more case of a Hyderabad man infected with coronavirus was reported on Monday, taking the official number of reported infections in the country to five, the first three being reported from Kerala. Though an Italian tourist was also found positive for the virus in Jaipur, the central government did not confirm the development. India has stepped up preparedness to deal with the situation and also intensified medical screening. The government has said all visasregular and e-visaissued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan on or before Tuesday have been suspended. The global death toll from COVID-19 so far has exceeded 3,000, with the virus spreading to more than 60 countries. The virus broke out in Wuhan late last year and has since infected more than 89,000 people, mostly in China, according to a Reuters tally. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sweta Goswami Sweta Goswami writes on urban development, transport, energy and social welfare in Delhi. She prefers to be called a storyteller and has given voice to several human interest stories. She is currently cutting her teeth on multimedia storytelling. ...view detail The Delhi High Court will hear on Friday a plea seeking direction to the authorities to produce two persons who have been allegedly illegally detained by the police during the violence which had erupted in northeast Delhi in relation to the Citizenship (amendment) Act. The habeas corpus petition was listed on Monday before a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and I S Mehta. However, it will be heard on March 6 as the bench was not holding court. A habeas corpus plea requires a person under arrest or illegal detention to be brought before a judge or a court. The plea filed by Firoz Khan, a resident of Karawal Nagar, sought release of his two brothers-- Mohd Sabir and Bhure Khan, who were allegedly detained by the police on the evening of February 24 while they were returning home from their work in a factory. One of the alleged detenu had called on the mobile of a relative to inform that they had been detained and police was taking them to Dayalpur police station, it said. On February 25, Firoz went to Dayalpur police station and met his brothers in the lock up, the plea claimed, adding that despite repeated requests they have not been released yet. It claimed that the petitioner has an apprehension that his brothers could be killed, disappeared or falsely implicated in criminal cases by the police. The plea has arrayed the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lieutenant General and Delhi Police as parties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) ("AJN") is pleased to announce that the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") Minister of Portfolio, The Honourable, Professor Clement Kuete Nyimi Bemuna, has officially verified our Memorandum of Understanding with Societe Miniere de Kilo-Moto SA ('SOKIMO') whereby SOKIMO proposes to convert its rights to direct participation in various gold licences into shares in AJN Resources Inc (AJN) in the DRC. The Honourable Professor Clement Kuete Nyimi Bemuna has also stated that his supervision and support is based on objective assessments and is in accordance with the vision of the President of the DRC, His Excellency, Mr. Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo whereby SOKIMO, a commercial company, is free to reflect on any economic model that can ensure its survival and development through dividend access. The French and English versions of the Official Communication can be found on the subsequent pages. About AJN Resources Inc. AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 75 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful from exploration, to financing, to developing major mines throughout the world with a focus on Africa and especially the DRC. For further information, please contact Investor Relations: Sheena Eckhof Director, Investor Relations sheena@eckhofconsulting.com Visit us at www.ajnresources.com TEL: (778) 218-9638 On Behalf of the Board of Directors Klaus Eckhof CEO and President klauseckhof@monaco.mc OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE For some time, unjustified nervousness has been seen in certain circles, social networks and newspapers about simple statements of intent between Societe Miniere de Kilo-Moto, " SOKIMO", a commercial company which is free to consider any economic model which is capable of ensuring its survival and development through dividend access on the one hand, and AJN, a company listed in Canada, on the other hand. At the current stage, there is no definite commitment, apart from a statement of intentions between the two parties which, in order to be materialized, would require a whole procedure following firstly the approval of the transaction by the Board of Directors, then ratification by the General Meeting, and finally full discharge by the Government represented by the Portfolio Ministry. It is admittedly true that meticulous work is being done by the competent departments in order to list SOKIMO's mining titles and identify the dormant interests. The ZANI KODO gold deposit which is fuelling the debate is the subject of requests from the value-creating partnerships but the State will have the final word pursuant to its permanent sovereignty over its raw materials. On the basis of the above, it is important to stress that the Portfolio Minister, Professor Clement KUETE NYIMI BEMUNA, has been keeping a close eye, since his accession to the head of that Ministry, on compliance with the legal procedures concerning the management of Corporations within the State's Portfolio. He is convinced that his Ministry is ready to play its role of supervision and support for such corporations, basing itself on objective assessment criteria, in accordance with the vision of the Head of State, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. Issued at Kinshasa, on 2 March 2020 Communication Department Of the Portfolio Ministry Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5922/53097_ajn.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53097 Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn told a news conference Monday that health officials should be able to perform nearly 1 million tests for the novel coronavirus by the end of the week. Why it matters: Officials in the U.S. and around the world are scrambling to combat a rise in cases of COVID-19. The estimates that were getting from industry right now, by the end of this week close to 1 million tests will be able to be performed." Stephen Hahn at the news conference Hahn's remarks come as the Trump administration has ordered an independent investigation after a top federal scientist raised concerns about possible contamination in a CDC lab in Atlanta where the government made test kits for the coronavirus, as first reported by Axios. By the numbers: The CDC said in a statement Monday there were 91 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases in the U.S., but this was before more cases were announced in Washington state and Georgia taking the number of infections past 100. What they're saying: Hahn said at the news conference he expected to see a "substantial increase" in the number of tests because of a new policy enabling regulatory flexibility so academic centers and private firms could develop and verify tests for public use quicker "this week, next week and throughout the month." Vice President Mike Pence, who's leading the Trump administration's coronavirus task force, stressed at the news conference that despite the rise of infections in the U.S., the risk of contracting the virus remains low. "We're focused on mitigation of the spread, as well as the treatment of the people affected," Pence said. Go deeper: Lab for coronavirus test kits may have been contaminated [March 03, 2020] Affinity Federal Credit Union Expands Partnership with TCI, Implements DecisionLender 4 Teledata Communications, Inc. (TCI), the provider of DecisionLender 4, a complete consumer loan origination platform, announced today that its long-time customer, Affinity Federal Credit Union (Affinity), is expanding its relationship by upgrading to TCI's DL4 platform. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., the credit union has more than $3.4 billion in assets, 150,000 members and more than 20 branch locations throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Prior to 2014, Affinity's auto indirect lending program relied on manual, paper-based processes which created unfortunate bottlenecks when processing loans. The credit union partnered with TCI to address these challenges, and most recently, upgraded to DL4 for even more automation and configurability features. With DL4, the credit union can underwrite and fund loans in a truly integrated and efficient process. "We have always valued our partnership with TCI," said Nicole Stovall, consumer lending manager at Affinity Federal Credit Union. "TCI is extremely responsive anytime we have questions and their in-depth knowledge of the credit union industry and our unique opertions ensures a smooth implementation. With the full integration of DecisionLender 4 we hope to fund deals quicker, increase our volume and streamline decisions to meet our customer demand." DecisionLender 4 gives Affinity the ability to determine workflow and decide the level of control and automation the credit union prefers. Additionally, Affinity can easily implement and update programs, rules and policies for each loan type - even deploying them the same day, allowing the credit union to quickly both serve its members and make decisions. Bill Nass, president of TCI, said, "Affinity Federal Credit Union is transforming its processes through DecisionLender 4. Our configurable system gives them the power to eliminate manual processes and drive operational effectiveness/competencies. Additionally, after implementation the credit union can expect lowered costs, while closing transactions faster and more accurately. We are grateful Affinity decided to continue our partnership, as we both work to create an integrated and seamless lending experience." About Affinity Federal Credit Union With more than 20 branches across the tri-state area, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly ranking in the top 2% of all credit unions in terms of asset size1. It is a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, visit affinityfcu.com. About Teledata Communications, Inc. Founded in 1982, Teledata Communications, Inc (TCI) is the provider of DecisionLender 4, a consumer loan origination platform (LOS). DecisionLender 4 is completely configurable, cloud-based, supports branch, online lending, indirect auto and merchant lending, deposit account opening and cross sell. The robust decisioning engine is the most versatile on the market, enabling manual or automated workflows. With over 130+ different 3rd party integrations ranging from alternative data sources, to fraud protection, to esignature and more, DecisionLender 4 truly empowers you to do business YOUR WAY! www.tcicredit.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005684/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Four IndiGo crew members, who were on a Dubai-Bengaluru flight on February 20 with a coronavirus-infected Hyderabad resident, have been under home observation since March 2, the airline said on Tuesday. On Monday, a 24-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad, who works in Bengaluru, was found to be the first confirmed case of novel coronavirus from Telangana. The techie had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month, where he is suspected to have contracted the disease. He had returned to Bengaluru on the IndiGo flight of February 20, before travelling to Hyderabad in a bus. "The affected passenger in Hyderabad travelled on IndiGo flight 6E 96 (Dubai-Bangalore) on Feb 20, 2020. Under the guidance of APHO Bangalore all 04 cabin crew who operated this flight have been placed on home observation immediately, w.e.f. Mar 02, 2020," the airline said in a statement. "We are following all the prescribed Airport Health Organization (APHO) guidelines and are taking preventive measures for our crew operating flights to regions affected by coronavirus," the low-cost carrier added. The Union health minister had on Monday also announced that a Delhi resident, who recently travelled to Italy and returned on February 25 through Air India's Vienna-Delhi flight, has tested positive for the virus. Air India's crew members, who were on this flight, have been placed under isolation in their respective homes. The national carrier has also asked the passengers who travelled on February 25 with the Delhi resident to follow the health ministry's protocol regarding the virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service NEW DELHI: With India back on the active Coronavirus map, as two persons tested positive on Monday, the Centre said it will pay more attention to community surveillance for people with travel histories from highly-infected countries, a step experts warned might be not enough. On the last count, the virus had travelled to 72 countries and territories, besides a Japanese cruise ship. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan revealed that two new patients, one in New Delhi and the other in Telangana, caught the deadly bug that has already killed over 3,000 people and infected over 90,000 globally. While the Delhi patient returned from Italy recently, the one in Telangana had been to Dubai. Their condition is said to be stable. The government is now trying to identify and isolate people who came in contact with them. The two new cases are in addition to the three from Kerala earlier. At the moment, passengers from 12 countries are being screened for possible infection at airports and seaports. If a need arises on the basis of scientific evaluation, we could screen travellers from more countries in the days to come, Vardhan said. But officials in the health ministry conceded that the expanding footprint on the virus could make it tougher for India to combat it. ALSO READ | Coronavirus: Washington becomes epicentre of deadly outbreak as death toll rises to six It was still easier till the outbreak was mostly localised in China. But with passengers arriving from countries that are reeling from high number of infections, we are feeling more pressure, a senior ministry official told this newspaper. Going forward, the government wants to increase community surveillance, for which a training module of state officials will be held this week. These officials will then train healthcare personnel at the district level, another official said. However, experts feared these steps might not be adequate. ALSO READ | Coronavirus hits supply of raw materials used in medical instruments Given the fact that the virus has an extended incubation period, its now necessary to take initiatives like testing pneumonia patients without definitive diagnosis in major hospitals, random testing for virus in influenza patients through influenza surveillance programme and equip our hospitals for possible outbreaks, said Dr G Arun Kumar, a senior epidemiologist with Manipal Institute of Virology. Foreign flights Travellers from 12 countries including Nepal, China, Hong Kong, Iran, under watch at 21 airports across the country. ALSO READ | Coronavirus death toll climbs to 2,943 in China, infected cases witness surge globally 5 samples test positive As many as 3,245 samples scanned, out of which five have tested positive for COVID-19 while reports of 23 are awaited right now. Borders under vigil Over 10.24 L people screened in the villages of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim. Grapplers cancel camp Six women grapplers in Olympic weight categories including Vinesh Phogat cancelled Ukraine camp because of coronavirus. Vinesh will now go to Norway. Your browser does not support the audio element. Vietnam-based ecommerce company Leflair has shuttered its office while being alleged to owe US$2 million in liabilities to about 500 suppliers and many customers. Leflair, an online platform that sourced goods from brands and official distributors and resold them to Vietnamese customers, has ceased its local business operations since the beginning of February, according to a notice sent to its suppliers about the closure. Founded in December 2015, Leflair followed the flash-sales model that has proven successful in Europe with Vente-privee.com from France being an instance. The startup offered a wide range of worldwide branded merchandise, from fashion and beauty to home, such as Calvin Klein, Botanist and Moleskin, to Vietnamese consumers at attractive prices. According to the suppliers, Leflair representatives admitted at a meeting with them that the company was subject to a capital crunch and seeking funding from different investors. Particularly, the ecommerce platform owes $2 million in outstanding debts to about 500 merchants while having less than $50,000 in its cash account. The firm has since also tried to offer the suppliers some options to resolve the debts. A supplier for Leflair told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the company promised to pay all the debts and continue its ecommerce platform once it could reach a purchase deal with investors. However, suppliers now feel worried after they found out that Leflairs office in District 10, Ho Chi City, has been closed since Sunday. Its website leflair.vn has also been inoperative with only a message Thank you & See you soon! seen on its front page as of Tuesday morning. The company had previously promised to pay off its debts to suppliers before shutting down the website. Leflair's office in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, has been closed as of March 1, 2020. Photo: J.S. Leflair also allegedly owes salary to its employees and money to its customers, failing to reimburse buyers for recent orders canceled by the company despite having accepted payments for the orders. Hong, a Leflair customer who had paid for three orders worth VND2.2 million ($94.86) made on Leflair, told Tuoi Tre she has so far been unable to contact the company for a refunD. Since its foundation, Leflair has targeted the rising middle class in Vietnam who are willing to pay for premium products. It most recently raised $7 million in series B funding from Belt Road Capital Management and South Korean retailer GS Shop. Leflair had also raised about $5 million from investors including Capital Management Group, AME Ventures, Hong Kong-based Caldera Pacific and, international angel investors. Vietnams e-commerce landscape has seen several instances of companies merging or winding up operations in recent years. Local conglomerate Vingroup and South Koreas Lotte merged their marketplace websites with other units, claiming to pursue a new retail model. While Vingroup merged the Adayroi website with its fintech arm VinID, Lotte blended its marketplace lotte.vn with SpeedL, the online version of its supermarket chain. MobileWorld Group shut down its e-commerce unit Vuivui.com while Thai Central Groups Robins Vietnam closed its online fashion store. Furthermore, Vietnam witnessed a spate of closures including Beyeu, Deca, Lingo, Hotdeal and Muachung back in the 2016-17 period. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 12 countries have seen fatalities from coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak. (Sipa USA) More than 91,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus globally as the illness continues to spread. China has been the worst hit, with more than 80,000 cases reported, the majority of which are in the province of Hubei where the outbreak originated. Cases have been confirmed in more than 60 countries, and every country in Western Europe has been hit. The EU raised the risk level of infection on Monday from moderate to high. China has seen by far the most cases of coronavirus, as well as the most deaths (Sipa USA) More than 3,100 people have died from coronavirus. These are the countries that have seen fatalities from the illness, according to Johns Hopkins University. China China has been worst hit by the outbreak of coronavirus. More than 2,900 people have died in the country, at least 2,800 of which were in Hubei, the province at the epicentre of the epidemic. New infections now appear to be easing in China. On Monday China reported 202 new cases, its lowest daily count since 21 January. Iran Iranian authorities said on Tuesday that 77 people have died, and the country has 2,336 cases of the new coronavirus. Irans supreme leader has ordered the countrys armed forces to assist its health ministry in combating the spread of the virus. According to Iranian media, 23 MPs have contracted the virus. Italy Northern Italy has seen a severe outbreak of coronavirus. The death toll on Monday was 52, and the number of cases passed the 2,000 mark. It is the worst affected country in Europe. The UK government is advising against all but essential travel to the north of Italy and advises travellers returning from there to self-isolate if they show symptoms. Coronavirus has been reported in every continent except Antarctica South Korea Almost 1,000 people have confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Korea, and at least 34 people have died. Speaking on Tuesday, president Moon Jae-in apologised for shortages of face masks and declared war on the illness. He said: "The entire country has entered war against the infectious disease as the crisis in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province has reached the highest point. Story continues Japan At least six people have died of coronavirus in Japan. A spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday that the organisation in confident the Tokyo Olympics will still go ahead in 2020, after speculation the mass event would need to be postponed or cancelled. US More than 100 people in 11 states have been diagnosed with coronavirus, and the death toll rose to six on Tuesday. President Donald Trump and his cabinet met with pharmaceutical executives on Monday to discuss how to speed up the search for a vaccine. France France has seen three deaths from coronavirus. It was the first country in Europe to report a fatality after a Chinese tourist died there in February. The government has cancelled all indoor gatherings involving more than 5,000 people in an effort to contain the spread. Hong Kong Two people have died from coronavirus in Hong Kong. There have been reports of panic buying and shortages of face masks. People wear masks on a subway train in Hong Kong (AP) All transport to mainland China has been suspended, and schools and businesses have been shut down. Australia Australia saw its first death from coronavirus on Saturday, after a man who was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship died from the illness. The 78-year-old died in hospital in Perth. His wife also contracted the virus but is in a stable condition. Philippines The first death from coronavirus outside China was reported in the Philippines in early February. The patient was a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan, the centre where the virus was first detected. Taiwan Taiwan reported a death from coronavirus on 16 February, which was the fifth fatality outside mainland China. Thailand Thailand reported a fatality from coronavirus on Sunday. According to the countrys department of disease control, the 35-year-old man also tested positive for dengue fever. ANKARA, Turkey Turkey shot down a Syrian fighter jet in Syrias Idlib province Tuesday, marking the third such incident in as many days, as steady clashes between the two national armies continued over a Russia-backed Syrian government offensive near the Turkish border. State-run Syrian media said troops shot down a Turkish drone, keeping up a clash in the skies over the northwestern province that has gone on for days and signaled a new stage in the 9-year-old war. Ahead of a much-anticipated summit later this week between the presidents of Turkey and Russia, the two main power brokers in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov again laid the blame for the escalation squarely on Turkey. Russian officials have said they hold Turkey responsible for the collapse of a cease-fire agreement reached in Sochi, Russia, in 2018, saying Ankara had not held up its end to rein in militants who continued attacking Syrian and Russian targets. The solution to the problem lies in implementing the (Sochi) agreements. They are not being implemented, Lavrov said after meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto in Helsinki on Tuesday. He expressed hope that the scheduled Thursday meeting between Russian and Turkish presidents in Moscow will change the situation. Keeping up the pressure on the battlefield, Turkeys military downed a warplane belonging to Syrian government forces the third time they have done so since Sunday. The Syrian military said Turkish forces targeted a warplane with a missile as it was carrying out operations against terrorist groups in the rebel-held Idlib region, causing it to crash northwest of the town of Maaret al-Numan. The fate of the crew was not clear. Turkey has sent thousands of troops into Idlib to support the opposition fighters holed up there, but hasnt been able to roll back the governments advance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he hopes to broker a cease-fire in Syria later this week when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. But the Russian-backed offensive into the countrys last rebel-held area has led to increasingly frequent clashes between the Syrian and Turkish armies that have killed dozens on both sides. It has also threatened a collapse in Turkish cooperation with Moscow, a key backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad. A Turkish soldier was killed and another wounded Monday night, Turkeys Defense Ministry said, raising to 55 the number of Turkish losses this month in clashes with Russian-backed Syrian forces. The death toll includes 33 Turkish soldiers killed Thursday in a single air strike. Suzan Fraser and Albert Aji are Associated Press writers. China's Huawei Technologies, which for years has denied violating American trade sanctions on Iran, produced internal company records in 2010 that show it was directly involved in sending prohibited US computer equipment to Iran's largest mobile-phone operator. Two Huawei packing lists, dated December 2010, included computer equipment made by Hewlett-Packard and destined for the Iranian carrier, internal Huawei documents seen by Reuters show. Another Huawei document, dated two months later, stated: "Currently the equipment is delivered to Tehran, and waiting for the custom clearance". The packing lists and other internal documents provide the strongest documentary evidence to date of Huawei's involvement in alleged trade sanctions violations. They could bolster the US government in Washington's campaign to check the power of Huawei, the world's leading telecoms equipment maker. "Due to ongoing legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment at this time," a Huawei spokesman said. "Huawei is committed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries and regions where we operate, including all export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, US, and EU." The US is trying to persuade allies to avoid using Huawei equipment in 5G mobile systems. Separately, US authorities are battling Huawei on a legal front. The documents involve a multi-million dollar telecommunications project in Iran that figures prominently in an ongoing criminal case Washington has brought against the Chinese company and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou who is the daughter of Huawei's founder. Reuters The Andhra Pradesh high court on Monday evening struck down a government order providing 59.85 per cent reservations to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the local body elections in the state, which are scheduled to be held later this month. A division bench of the high court, comprising chief justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari and judge Nainala Jayasurya, ruled that the total percentage of reservations in the local bodies should not exceed 50 per cent, as per the Supreme Court directions in the past. A government order in November fixed 34% reservations for OBCs, 19.08% for SCs and 6.77% for STs. The order was challenged by B Pratap Reddy through a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed in Supreme Court last month. The SC, in turn, referred the PIL to the Andhra Pradesh high court. The high court directed that the government come out with a fresh pattern of reservations for the weaker sections not exceeding the upper limit of 50 per cent fixed by the top court within a month and take up the election process after four weeks. The court did not agree with the contention of Advocate General S Subrahmanyam that the state government could increase the quota beyond 50 per cent under special circumstances. There are no special circumstances in the state now, the bench observed. State municipal administration minister Botsa Satyanaryana said the government would abide by the high court verdict that reservations should not exceed 50 per cent and would go ahead to complete the election process to the local bodies within a month. He, however, blamed it on the Telugu Desam Party led by N Chandrababu Naidu for the judgment. He alleged that the petitioner was a TDP sympathiser and the opposition did not want increased quota for SCs, STs and OBCs. Naidu has scant respect for social justice and for the uplift of weaker sections. While Jagan had provided 59.85% reservations to the weaker sections in local body elections, Naidu has directed his party leader to file a case to stall the hike in quota, Satyanarayana alleged. TDP spokesman and former MLA Bonda Umamaheshwar Rao said the YSRCP government had deliberately brought in the increased quota for weaker sections only to garner votes, despite knowing that the order would be struck down in the court of law. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Turkey under the Erdogan regime has intensified its traditional revisionist and destabilising policy that it implemented in various forms in the recent historical past. Many states in the greater region realise by now the implication of Turkey in an ongoing and ever escalating revisionist and confrontational policy. Turkeys destabilisation projects manifest themselves with varying degrees of success in a perceived periphery of states over which Ankara aims to project military power or strategic influence. The two Hellenic states, Greece and Cyprus, were and continue to be the primary targets of this revisionist policy that Turkey has pursued initially vis-a-vis Greece and Cyprus since the 1970s. Now, Turkish revisionism has been felt by other states as well, as it has spread over the last decade, affecting to a varying degree in the recent historical past Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Libya and the greater region of the Eastern Mediterranean in general. In Syria, Turkeys destabilising actions have reached a focal turning point. As the Bashar Al-Assad regime is steadily regaining territorial control over the north-western part of the country, restoring Syrian national sovereignty, Turkey attempts to maintain a disruptive presence in the greater region of Idlib with direct military interference inside Syrian territory. Turkish military operations in Syria take advantage of close ties Turkey has developed over recent years with Russia. The cooperation between Turkey and Russia is limited on a tactical level and does not extend on a strategic level, where the conflict of interests between the two actors is now evident with massive losses for Turkish forces. Turkey aims to permanently destabilise Syria and avert the possibility of any Kurdish proto-political structures on its borders. In Libya, Turkey provides continued military and operational support to the Fayez Al-Sarraj government of Tripoli that itself is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the most vicious and dangerous Islamist organisation of modern times. Turkey continues, until recently, the deployment of both military equipment for the crumbling Tripoli regime and Syrian Islamist terrorists that fight against the Libyan National Army. According to reports, the Syrian Islamist fighters deployed by Turkey in Libya amount to 4,700. Concerning other countries of Northern Africa, Turkey is hostile towards Egypt, a hegemonic power in the Arab world, while it also pursues establishing naval or military bases in Algeria and Tunisia, albeit unsuccessfully so far. Turkish interference in Libya took its most aggressive diplomatic form with the signing in late November of the two Memoranda of Understanding between Turkey and Al-Sarraj, prime minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord. The Memorandum of Understanding for the delimitation of maritime zones between Turkey and the Tripoli government, an illegal action from the point of international law, serves Turkish geostrategic ambitions against Greece and Egypt. Specifically, Turkeys main concern is the disruption of the evolving strategic alliance between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus and the extended cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt with the support of the United States in energy and security issues. The existence of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Tripoli regime and its violations of international law forms a threat to the strategic interests of Egypt, as well as Greece and Cyprus. In Egypt, the failure of Turkish interference is evident over the recent period. During the last decade, Turkeys destabilisation plans included extensive support for the regime of the Muslim Brotherhood and for terrorist groups in Sinai (Hamas members and local Islamists) with shipments of guns. Egypts dynamic comeback under President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has diminished Turkish ambitions in the Arab world. Towards neighbouring Greece, Turkey uses migration flows as a strategic weapon in order to destabilise Greece. Turkey uses illegal migration as part of its hybrid warfare against Greece and the European Union. Turkeys strategic use of migration is a form of demographic terrorism aimed directly against Greek sovereignty. Greece, a NATO and EU member, is the only neighbouring state of Turkey in the scenario of a military confrontation that can cause considerable military damage to Turkey due to its considerable air and naval forces and the proximity of major Turkish urban centres to Greeces geopolitical centre, the Aegean Sea. Greece has the 16th strongest air force globally in total fighter and interceptor aircraft fleet strength. Turkeys revisionist policy forms part of an approach that includes specific short-term and mid-term goals all in service of a greater strategic neo-Ottoman vision. Turkey aspires to: - Enhance its regional role in the Eastern Mediterranean and its southern land borders in Western Asia through the use of political, diplomatic and military means. Turkey aspires to obtain hegemonic status throughout the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, although this attempt has failed dramatically and is now in its death throes. - Increase its military presence abroad on an independent basis (ie, outside the legal framework of NATO). This attempt of Turkey includes the use of foreign mercenaries that shall operate in various local fields in countries of interest. This policy has so far been implemented in Syria, where Turkey initially supported the Islamic State and then other radical Islamist groups, in Libya with the transfer and deployment of foreign mercenaries, and in the Sahel region with the indirect support of terrorist groups. In this manner, Turkey aims to create a nexus of military influence that will implement its neo-Ottoman vision, either through direct implication or with a network of proxies. - Project the growing capabilities of its developing defence industry with the corresponding use of exported military equipment manufactured by Turkish companies. - Project the capabilities of its state-owned petroleum company (TPAO) with the use of drilling ships and research vessels. In this manner, Turkey aspires to obtain an economic presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and potentially also in other seas in the future on a cooperation basis. Turkeys revisionist policy against the national interests of many states of the Eastern Mediterranean does not remain unanswered. New regional alliances are being forged gradually in the Eastern Mediterranean on a diplomatic, economic and military levels. On a diplomatic level, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt are working closely together for a considerable period establishing networks of mutual assistance. In the field of energy cooperation, the East Mediterranean Gas Forum has been founded by a network of closely working states in the region. Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and Israel are members of the seven-member East Mediterranean Gas Forum formed in 2019 with the declared aims of creating a regional gas market serving the interests of its members by ensuring supply, optimising resource development, rationalising the cost of infrastructure, offering competitive prices and improving trade relations. On the military level, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus have conducted numerous joint military exercises projecting air and sea power over an extended area and in their respective Exclusive Economic Zones. This military cooperation could be significantly upgraded with the signing of extensive military cooperation memoranda. States of the region also enhance their capabilities individually, not in order to take part in regional antagonisms but to safeguard regional stability and their respective national interests. Egypt has over the last decade successfully overcome the negative consequences of the Islamist takeover by the Muslim Brotherhood with the establishment of the government of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. Egypts growing confidence and her leading role in the greater region is evident in a number of diplomatic initiatives and the strengthening of Egypts position in the Global Firepower Index for 2020, where Egypt occupying ninth place surpassed Turkey. Greece has intensified its diplomatic ties and military cooperation with the major Western sea power, the United States. In January 2020, Greeces parliament ratified the updated Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States for a major expansion of military cooperation, as tension between Greece and Turkey escalates. According to the new agreement, Greek military bases and facilities shall be used for increased joint US-Greece and NATO activities in strategic points of Greek territory (ie, in Alexandroupolis, a port at the border with Turkey that oversees the Dardanelles Straits, and at the Souda Bay US Naval Base on the island of Crete, the most important US base in the Mediterranean Sea). Greece also cooperates closely with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Greece has deployed some of its Patriot defence missiles to Saudi Arabia under a programme involving the US, Britain and France, in order to aid Saudi Arabia to deal with potential Iranian aggression. Cyprus has strengthened its links to both the United States and France which has increased drastically its military and diplomatic presence and initiatives in the Mediterranean. The destabilising actions of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean demonstrate Turkish revisionism and imperial ambitions. Still, they create a counterbalance by a network of states that aims to maintain international security on an inter-state level and the national interests of each state on a national level. In this context, the deepening of military, diplomatic and economic cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt benefits their national interest agenda and their interlinked strategic goals. The writer is lecturer in geopolitics at the University of Athens, Greece. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Warehouse debut menswear collection is here. (Warehouse) Yahoo Lifestyle is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Warehouse is a much-loved high street brand in many womens wardrobe. Even the Duchess of Cambridge has been seen sporting the label, choosing the British brands 39 burgundy jumper for a visit to the Natural History Museum in October 2019. Now the brand has expanded its offering, launching a new mens collection - and its sustainable too. Offering clean, contemporary clothing designed to create a seasonal capsule wardrobe, the 75-piece collection includes spring-ready printed shirts, tapered trousers and tropical swim trunks. The collection also includes affordable staples such as light-wash denim, block-coloured crew neck sweatshirts, T-shirts and utility jackets. Numerous items are eco-friendly, made from 100% organic cotton, recycled viscose and polyamide. And if youre of the thought train that sustainable fashion comes at a premium, youll be pleased to hear that prices for the collection are aligned with the womenswear range, starting at 15 for T-shirts and going up to 220 for coats. Here are some of our favourite picks from the new collection: 5 must-have pieces from Warehouses new menswear collection Denim Jacket | 69 from Warehouse Denim Jacket Short Sleeve Revere Shirt | 36 from Warehouse Short Sleeve Revere Shirt Zip Front Overshirt | 49 from Warehouse Zip Front Overshirt Cropped Chino Trousers | 42 from Warehouse Cropped Chino Trousers Classic Navy T-shirt | 15 from Warehouse Classic Navy T-shirt Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Style UK: The leader of an anti-migrant party was sworn in as prime minister of Slovenia on Tuesday, despite a street protest and warnings that he could push an anti-democratic agenda. Fifty-two MPs out of 90 voted to approve Janez Jansa -- who has led two previous governments but was forced to step down as premier in 2013 over a corruption scandal. "We are not promising miracles but a lot of work and efforts for the common good," the 61-year-old said in his address in parliament earlier on Tuesday. Jansa's Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) is leading a four-party coalition expected to push a harder line on immigration -- mostly from the Middle East and central Asia -- than the previous centre-left government in the Alpine nation of 2 million inhabitants. "It's clear that we will not be adjusting ourselves to a civilisation that does not recognise women's equality, the separation of the state and the Church, the religious freedom and criminalises same-sex partnership," Jansa said. He described these as the "boundaries that will not be crossed". The founder of Modern Centre Party (SMC), Miro Cerar, quit his own party on Monday in protest at its decision to enter a coalition with the SDS. Hundreds also protested against the new government on Friday, while dozens of university professors and academics in an open letter said it "could lead Slovenia into the group of EU states that have been blacklisted for breaching the fundamental principles of democracy". A long-time leader of the anti-migrant SDS and ally of Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Jansa was given a two-year jail sentence for bribery in 2013. The conviction was later overturned by the Constitutional Court, which ordered a retrial -- but that could not take place as too much time had elapsed. The previous centre-left government fell in January when prime minister Marjan Sarec, a 42-year-old former comedian, stepped down amid infighting in his minority five-party coalition. SDS won the most votes in the last election in 2018, but Jansa failed to win over sufficient allies at that time, paving the way for Sarec to become Slovenia's youngest-ever prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the 14th edition of Art Dubai, which was scheduled to be held on March 25-28, has been "postponed" till further notice, organisers announced on Tuesday. In a statement signed by Benedict Floyd, Pablo del Val, and Chloe Vaitsou, the CEO, artistic director, and international director of the fair respectively, a new Dubai-focused programme has been announced in place of the international fair. "In consideration of the ongoing global health implications of the coronavirus, and having consulted with our partners and stakeholders, Art Dubai today announces that the 14th edition of the international art fair, scheduled for 25 - 28th March 2020, will be postponed. "Given the essential role the fair plays in promoting local and regional artists, we have made the decision to stage a programme tailored to the local cultural community instead, including existing fair programme contributors and thought-leaders," the statement read. The 14th edition of Art Dubai was expected to show works from over 100 galleries from across the globe including five Indian galleries -- Vadehra Art Gallery, DAG, Blueprint12, and Nature Morte, all based out of New Delhi, and Experimenter from Kolkata. The severe outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. Originated in China's Wuhan city in December, it has killed nearly 3,000 people in China alone, with total confirmed cases crossing 80,000 as it continues to spread to new countries around the world. The new format is planned to run on the same dates as the fair, and will present events, exhibitions, talks and strands of the existing Art Dubai programme. These will include local and regional gallery presentations, global art forum, residents and campus art Dubai. "The goals and ambitions for this re-configured programme maintain our objective to deliver commercial, institutional and critical engagement with Dubai's art ecosystem - a commitment of support to our local community that we felt an imperative to uphold," organisers said. They added that further details of the programme will be announced in due course. "With Dubai deploying the strictest medical and hygiene protocols, we will welcome international visitors in March, recommending that individuals follow advice from the authorities of their resident countries. "We would also like to express our sincere thanks for all the support and understanding we have received from our partners and friends over the past week. Our thoughts are with everyone globally who has been affected by the virus," the statement said. Art Dubai is the second large-scale international art event to be affected by the virus outbreak. The eighth edition of Hong Kong Art Basel, which was supposed to be held earlier this month, was also called off after Art Basel -- the fair's Basel-based parent organisation -- announced in February that they had "no option but to cancel" the Hong Kong show. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ugly legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is about to get worse now that the actress is preparing to face his ex-husband in the court. One month after the domestic violence case against Depp was re-awakened, Heard is set to break her silence after informing everyone that she will go to London in April 2020 to testify against her ex-husband and his claims. According to the report by the Daily Mail, the "Aquaman" actress will appear in the High Court soon to make a testimony about the incidents when Depp reportedly beat her. The attendance will be considered as their first vis-a-vis legal battle showdown ever since the emergence of the two leaked audios, wherein Heard can be heard admitting that she hurt the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor. Sources close to the actress said that Amber will make sure she will be outing her side wholly as she believes that it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to come out clean. "She will be there to tell the truth. It is her chance, her moment," the source said. However, her testimony soon will cause a risk on her side. The legal battle may put the 5 million divorce settlement she received from Depp in 2017 at risk since she signed a non-disclosure agreement before she received it. However, if she would need to return it, her ex-husband would not receive a penny as she already donated it to charity. The Latest About The Case? Last Wednesday, Depp attended a pre-trial hearing in his libel battle with The Sun newspaper at London's High Court over the publication's article about Depp being abusive toward Heard. The aforementioned article also contained the story on how J.K Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, still chose to hire the "wife-beater Depp" in a "Fantastic Beasts" film despite the on-going case against him. The 56-year-old "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor allegedly sent some unseen 2013 text messages to actor Paul Bettany, one of which stated that he would "burn and drown" his ex-wife. One of the texts also read, "I will f*** her burnt corpse afterward to make sure she is dead." Depp initially filed the defamation lawsuit against the British tabloid in 2018 after he lost his "Pirates of the Caribbean" character, Captain Jack Sparrow. He also made the move to prevent his reputation from being damaged further. Depp's Battle is Fans' Battle, Too! Since the revival of the case in February 2020, the actor's fans never failed to show support toward him. Aside from protesting online by raising the petition, "We want JOHNNY DEPP back as CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW," they also wrote their feelings on Twitter. One fan hilariously said, "Honestly, at this point I'd rather see Johnny Depp play Mera in the next @aquamanmovie than @realamberheard #AmberHeardIsAnAbuser." "The fact that The Sun/Amber Heard wants everything to be PRIVATE and Johnny Depp wants everything to be PUBLIC should be enough for anyone with half a brain cell," another one wrote. The case may be active again now, but they assured Depp that he is not alone in this battle anymore. The Vatican is sending its top two sex crimes investigators to Mexico on a fact-finding and assistance mission as the Catholic hierarchy in the world's second-largest Catholic country begins to reckon with decades of clergy sex abuse and cover-up. Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeo teamed up in 2018 to investigate the Chilean church and its wretched record of protecting pedophile priests a bombshell expose that resulted in every active Chilean bishop offering to resign. Their new mission to Mexico, due to take place March 20-27, was announced Monday. Officials stressed it was not an investigation per se but an assistance mission to help the Mexican church combat abuse. Nevertheless, the Vatican embassy in Mexico City expressly asked victims to come forward to speak with the two prelates, offering victims an email address to send their testimony, a phone number to call and total privacy and confidentiality.It stressed that Scicluna and Bertomeu would be at the disposition of all those who want to share their experiences or to receive direction or assistance. When Scicluna and Bertomeu went to Chile in 2018 to investigate a single old case of cover-up, they were stunned as more than 60 abuse survivors came forward to speak with them about a variety of cases around the country, providing enough testimony and evidence to fill a 2,600-page dossier. Their report was crucial in helping Pope Francis realize he had completely misread the problem of sex abuse and cover-up in the church. The Argentine Jesuit apologized repeatedly and has taken measures in particular to try to ensure more accountability among bishops. Scicluna and Bertomeu will meet with Mexican bishops, the superiors of religious orders in Mexico, as well as any survivors who choose to speak to them. The Mexican bishops conference said it asked for the mission, saying it would benefit children and the most vulnerable in Mexico. We are certain it will help us respond better to these cases, looking for civil and canonical justice under the principle of zero tolerance so that there is no impunity in our church, the bishops said in a statement. The mission comes as the Mexican hierarchy is being forced to reckon with decades of sex abuse and cover-up, admitting recently that it had investigated 271 priests in the last 10 years for sexual abuse. The admission, though, was belated and came as Mexican civil authorities have begun to ratchet up pressure after long deferring to the church, which wields enormous influence in Mexico. But earlier this year, Mexican lawmakers discussed several initiatives including removing the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. Final approval is still pending. In addition, two senators presented a legislative initiative to create an independent investigatory commission into clerical sex abuse in Mexico. Its fate, however, is unclear. The senators belong to the Morena party of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, but there is no timetable for voting and other party lawmakers have spoken out against the proposal. Mexico is the second-largest Catholic country after Brazil, and Vatican officials have long known that the number of abuse cases that were being reported to the Vatican were a fraction of the total. The Mexican church though is powerful and well-entrenched, and victims have long been cowed into silence. They are beginning to come forward, however, none more vocally than Ana Lucia Salazar, a Mexican TV personality who was molested repeatedly as a child by a Legion of Christ priest in Cancun. Her case was covered up for three decades until she went public last year, drawing so much attention to the problem that she forced Mexicos bishops and the Vatican ambassador to denounce the Legion publicly. Scicluna, the Vaticans longtime sex crimes prosecutor, is intimately familiar with the Legion and the mechanisms of power in the Mexican hierarchy: The Maltese archbishop conducted the 2002-2003 investigation into the Legions late founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel, that resulted in him being forced to retire to a life of penance and prayer for having raped and molested his seminarians. The Legion scandal has resurfaced anew recently, with the Salazar case spurring other Legion victims to come forward. Earlier this year, a group of former Legion priests prepared a list of 30 Mexican Legion priests who were accused of abuse and presented it to the Vatican ambassador. The number far exceeded the 33 priests worldwide that the Legion has admitted were abusers. In a statement, the Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the mission was one of technical assistance to help the Mexican church confirm the steps it has already taken in the right direction to provide a correct response to victims of sexual abuse. [March 03, 2020] Hello Alice launches Business for All NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Alice, a free platform that guides business owners through the growth of their company, today announced the launch of Business for All. A nationwide movement led by entrepreneurs, celebrities, business support organizations, and corporate executives, Business for All will provide the opportunity for mentorship and funding to 100,000 small business owners. 93% of business owners are expected to vote in the upcoming election, and Business for All elevates their voices and needs during this critical year. Business for All is addressing the largest barrier to entry entrepreneurs face when starting a small business: access to capital, and the implicit bias in capital decisions that limits opportunities for the New Majority of small business owners. Within the last 10 years, New Majority entrepreneurs have represented over 50% of new businesses started, creating 4.7 million new jobs, yet these owners are largely excluded in funding, receiving only a 2% share of venture capital each year. Only 5.5% of women-owned businesses in the U.S. access capital from banks or other financial institutions compared to 11.4% of male-owned companies. Today marks the launch of a movement encouraging every American to lift up their favorite small business owner and encourage them to apply for a Business for All grant. A series of grants will provide between $10,000 and $50,000 to small business owners, for a total of $200,000, coupled with mentorship opportunities through the Hello Alice platform. Grants will be open to all with a special focus on women, people of color, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, military affiliated business owners, and entrepreneurs with disabilities. Hello Alice has established a grants council to guide the nomination and vetting process with entrepreneur organizations, such as Bunker Labs, digitalundivided, and Reno Keoni Franklin, Emeritus Chairman, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians. Business for All will also encourage entrepreneurs to nominate their own companies. "As entrepreneurs ourselves, my co-founder Elizabeth Gor and I know how valuable it is to have a network of people and resources in your corner when trying to turn a small business dream into reality. All businesses start small, and through Business for All, we will provide 100,000 owners with the opportunity to receive grants and mentorship through Hello Alice. I hope every American thanks their favorite small business by nominating them for the funding and mentorship they deserve," said Founder and CEO of Hello Alice, Carolyn Rodz. All grant applicants will have full access to resources available on helloalice.com , from small business how-to guides and advice to guided live video mentorship and digital support communities. Featured mentors for Business for All include: Kristen Bell, Jean Case, Elizabeth Gore, Rebecca Minkoff, Phyllis Newhouse, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lisa Price, Carolyn Rodz and Zaw Thet. Grant winners and top honorees will also be invited to the inaugural Business for All Summit in late fall 2020, which will host grant winners and applicant honorees for a day of leadership, business mentorship, and networking with fellow entrepreneurs. In addition to providing funding access through the grants program, Business for All will also engage small business owners and policymakers on priority issues critical to small business growth ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Hello Alice will host nonpartisan Business for All listening sessions with small business owners from across the country to inform a letter to both presidential candidates later this year. Hello Alice will also host a roundtable on Capitol Hill with influential policymakers to create an ongoing dialogue around small business needs ahead of the inauguration of the new Congress in January 2021. "I believe we should give every small business owner the tools they need to succeed. Business for All provides a combined voice, grants and mentorship to ensure success for every entrepreneur no matter their background," Kristen Bell, entrepreneur, actress, and advocate. For more information, Business for All Summit details, listening session opportunities, and to apply to or nominate a small business owner for grants and mentorship opportunities, visit business forall.helloalice.com . ABOUT HELLO ALICE Hello Alice is a free, multichannel platform that helps businesses launch and grow. With a community of more than 100,000 companies in all 50 states and across the globe, Hello Alice is building the largest network of owners in the country while tracking data and trends to increase the success rate for entrepreneurs. Our partners include enterprise business services, government agencies, and institutions looking to serve small- and medium-business owners to ensure increased revenues and promote scale. Co-headquartered in Houston and San Francisco, and founded by Carolyn Rodz and Elizabeth Gore, we believe in business for all by providing access to all owners including women, people of color, veterans, and everyone with an entrepreneurial spirit. To learn more, visit www.helloalice.com , as well as Twitter , LinkedIn , and Instagram . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hello-alice-launches-business-for-all-301015508.html SOURCE Hello Alice [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says two foreign nationals suspected to be carrying the coronavirus disease from a high-risk c... Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says two foreign nationals suspected to be carrying the coronavirus disease from a high-risk country in Asia have tested negative. The governor said a series of medical examination at the states bio-security facility conducted on the two patients, who were brought from Ogun state over the weekend, did not show any sign of the infection. He said the condition of the Italian national was improving, adding that the incident command centre was satisfied with the recovery of the infected patient. Sanwo-Olu said the aim of the meeting with the local government stakeholders was to engage them in propagating accurate information on the virus at the grassroots and also to pass on information on how to prevent human-to-human transmission in case of potential outbreak. We have called for this meeting as part of proactive measures we are taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus to our local communities. It is no more news that we are managing a case in Lagos, but the situation does not call for panic, Sanwo-olu was quoted to have said. One of the lessons we learnt during the outbreak of Ebola virus six years ago is that the grassroots was adequately sensitised and prepared. We dont want to record any loss of life to this virus. My administration places premium value on human life, which is the reason we have upgraded facilities at our bio-security centre and Infectious Disease Hospital to stop the spread of the virus. We want every resident of the state to have first-hand information on the virus and how to report any possible case to the authorities. Government is doing its best to stop coronavirus, but government cannot do it alone. It requires collective responsibility of everybody living in Lagos to stop the virus.We want every resident of the state to have first-hand information on the virus and how to report any possible case to the authorities. The governor asked the stakeholders to disseminate the information to members of their respective communities and sensitise them on how to get information from official sources. He said the government would maintain an open line of communication with the public on the progress being made in containing the virus, advising members of the public to disregard any piece of information that did not come from official source. 4 Shares Share An excerpt from The Physician Inventor: The Doctors Handbook to Patenting Medical Devices and Methods. I love my employees, even though I hit one of you with my car. Michael Scott When you are offered a position at a hospital or practice group, you will typically negotiate a salary, productivity bonus, call schedule, retirement contributions, and perhaps even a signing bonus. You may have noticed a non-compete clause in the employment contract and asked about it, but few ever look at the intellectual property provisions, and are later surprised when they see that they have signed away some or all of their rights in an invention. A sample clause may say something like the following: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Any work of authorship or invention created by an employee during the scope of his or her employment with the Hospital shall be considered the property of the Hospital, including any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, or other intellectual property right in such work of authorship or invention. Nip it in the bud Ideally, you want to negotiate intellectual property provisions before they ever become an issue. This may be easier said than done, especially if you are a resident or a fellow. At those points in your career, you may have little to no negotiating power. Still, it is not necessarily a sticking point for most employers. Additionally, if you are bringing previous inventions or ongoing projects into a new employment relationship, have a conversation and be sure to define what you have already done, and what you are bringing with you. Seek express acknowledgment that these projects are excluded from, and unaffected by, your employment contract. Any cloud of ambiguity surrounding ownership will affect the value of your patent portfolio and may scare off potential partners. This is intuitive. You would not purchase a home from a seller if there were lingering questions about who actually owns the property, or whether the current tenants are ever going to leave. Magic language If you are employed, review your employment agreement carefully. Mere mention of intellectual property doesnt necessarily mean bad news. Do not overreact until you have reviewed your agreement with an attorney. A Law School professor said to a graduating class, Three years ago, when asked a legal question, you could answer, in all honesty, I dont know. Now you can say with great authority, It depends.' Does your employment agreement include anything related to patents, intellectual property or inventions? If so, is it valid? Does this bind an invention that was conceived prior to the agreement? What about those conceived after the agreement? The answer of courseit depends. We say it depends because the answer to the question of whether a patent assignment is valid may hinge on one or two words. Attorneys have been known to litigate over lesseven a comma. In Stanford University v. Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., the Supreme Court affirmed that, absent any separate agreement, rights to an invention belong to the inventor. You may want to read the Stanford v. Roche opinion, but that is not necessary for our purposes. Instead, we will use it to illustrate the parsing of contract language. Two agreements were reviewed. In a first agreement, a physician had agreed to assign his right, title and interest in an invention to Stanford. This was a promise to do something in the future, and not an actual conveyance. In a second agreement, he not only agreed that he will assign, but presently stated that he does hereby assign his right, title, and interest. This, the Court found, was an active conveyance, not a mere promise to do something in the future. Some attorneys call this the magic language, and it is something to look for in your employment agreement. This, of course, is not the end of the inquiry, but a way to illustrate how closely the language should be reviewed. Federal law and state law Patents are generally governed by federal law. While this is true, there are few exceptions where state laws become relevant. One of those exceptions is employment contracts, which are typically governed by state law. This means that the same provision in an employment contract may be valid in one state, and invalid in another. That provision may relate to whether an assignment of intellectual property is valid. When there is ambiguity, patent attorneys may seek input from a local employment attorney who knows the laws of a particular state. Moving forward If you have an employment agreement with a provision on intellectual property, have it reviewed by an attorney before you begin applying for patents. A good attorney should be able to give you some clarity. Suppose, however, that your employment agreement has muddied the waters a bit. In that case, you have a few different options, and all of them will come with some risk. First, you may speak with your employer vaguely about your plans and attempt to get a release, or work out some other agreement so that you can pursue your project alone. In some cases, collaboration may provide you with the resources to proceed, and ease a bit of the financial burden. Of course, this may bring undesired attention to you, and may require some diplomacy and care. Second, you may sit on your invention or change your employment. Here, time is working against you and may affect the patentability of your invention. Additionally, its possible that even after the termination of your employment, that your old employer will still claim a right to an invention that was conceived during your employment with them. Third, you can forge ahead without telling your employer. There are no easy answers, but this is the requisite analysis, and it is quite easy to make a mess. If you do intend to pursue an invention while employed, a good rule of thumb is to work on your invention on your own time, in your own house, using your own resources and your own money. You dont want to blur the lines. You want to clearly differentiate between your property and your employers. Peter D. Sleman is an attorney. He is the author of The Physician Inventor: The Doctors Handbook to Patenting Medical Devices and Methods. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Regional gas supplier, the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited has said that it would be resuming exportation of natural gas from Nigeria to other West African countries such as Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The disclosure was made by the company following the successful completion of the cleaning and inspection of its 20 offshore pipeline from Badagry in Nigeria to Takoradi in Ghana, in an effort to offer reliable and improved service to its customers. In a statement released by the WAPCo, it said the internal inspection of the 569 km offshore pipeline was completed on Sunday, February 23, 2020. This is coming a month ahead of the scheduled completion date of March 20, 2020. Upon completion of the offshore inspection, a significant amount of data was successfully gathered during the inspection and it is projected to be analyzed over the next couple of months to further provide critical insights and assurance of the overall integrity of the pipeline to support WAPCos continuous optimal operations, the company said. In Ghana, WAPCo is currently transporting natural gas to its Takoradi Regulating and Metering Station only. Gas transportation to its Tema Regulating and Metering Station will commence after the completion of ongoing expansion works under the Takoradi to Tema Interconnection Project expected to be operational in March 2020, the statement read. With the new development, WAPCo is expected to offer reliable and improved service to its customers in Ghana, Togo, and Benin in their effort to provide greater access to affordable and reliable power for economic growth. Meanwhile, Nigeria Africas leading exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas and the fourth in the world after Qatar, Australia, and Malaysia is ready to capture more LNG market with the concluded Final Investment Decision of the NLNG Train 7. More so, the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said it would commence the construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline by the second quarter of 2020 in order to supply additional natural gas within the country. According to the corporations Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, the pipeline, when fully constructed, would help boost economic activities in the country. The NNPC plans to expand its domestic gas footprint with the delivery of the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) II and the OB3 gas pipeline to connect the East and the West. Kyari said the capacity of the ELPS would be doubled from 1.1 billion standard cubic feet of gas to 2.2 billion scf. Oil and gas resources have remained the major source of revenue that has kept the wheels of the Nigerian economy moving for over five decades. Oil, as we know, has served as a key enabler to the economic transformation of many nations like Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and many other oil resources- dependent nations, Kyari said. Source: Ventures Africa ( NIPC Intelligence) Add CoolSocial badge. Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Uaejobs.pro 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 28 May 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Add a widget like this on your site: click here The total number of people who shared the uaejobs homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the uaejobs homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the uaejobs homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the uaejobs homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if uaejobs has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the uaejobs homepage on Twitter + the total number of uaejobs followers (if uaejobs has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE Jobs in United Arab Emirates | Career Employment Vacancies in United Arab Emirates DESCRIPTION Jobs in United Arab Emirates. Jobs, vacancies, employment and career search in United Arab Emirates. KEYWORDS United Arab Emirates jobs, jobs in United Arab Emirates, jobs, vacancies, employment, career, vacancy, job, accounting, finance, audit, hotel, health, nurse, driver, bank, banking, manager, assistant, clerk, admin, call centre OTHER KEYWORDS full time, date posted, location, posted, time job, type full time job, type full time CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Strict CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English (United States) UTF-8English (United States) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER cloudflare-nginx OPERATIVE SYSTEM The language of uaejobs.pro as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) 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 uaejobs.pro by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Hollywood and politics are two sectors intertwined with each other. Over the years, celebrities have played a major role in national politics and have contributed to influencing the public towards a certain ideology or political issues. As the much anticipated "Super Tuesday" is fast approaching, reality star and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner revealed that she wants to stay out with all the politics. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 70-year-old celebrity said she will be more private with her political insights. "I don't talk politics anymore," Jenner admitted. "I tried the first couple of years [after my transition]. I went back to Washington to make some changes and, to be honest, I just got fed up. I don't even want to get involved anymore." Big Turnaround During the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, Jenner was very vocal about her support for Donald Trump. In fact, America's best-known transgender celebrity also earned a wave of backlash from the public for backing up President Trump. However, throughout his leadership, the longtime Republican renounced that she is ending her support for the controversial leader. It was after the Trump administration was criticized for having a limited definition of gender. Meaning the gender outside male and female would no longer be recognized. In Jenner's op-ed for The Washington Post, she slammed the president and claimed that she "was wrong" about her decision to vote for Trump. "Sadly, I was wrong," Jenner penned the op-ed. "The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president." As a transgender rights advocate, Jenner felt that the government has already ignored the "marginalized and struggling community" of LGBTQ. "My hope in him - in them - was misplaced, and I cannot support anyone who is working against our community," Jenner wrote. "He has made trans people into political pawns as he whips up animus against us in an attempt to energize the most right-wing segment of his party." Though the damage has been done, Jenner explained that she desires to move on and learn from her mistakes. Transgender Rights The reality star turned author used her influence to speak out for transgender rights. Sporting a white blazer, a lavender midi skirt and heels, Jenner took the stage at Women's March in Los Angeles last January as she discussed her desire to change the direction of America towards the female and trans community. "Together as women, trans women, and cis[gender] women, we have the power to influence our communities, our families, our friends, and colleagues, and turn this country around!" Jenner explained to the crowd. Caitlyn also took the opportunity to urge the public for the safety of transgender women of color. This is said to be her first time attending the Women's March LA. Personalities who were also present in the said event were fellow speakers Mira Sorvino, who lashed out at "predators" like Bill Cosby, Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and rapper R. Kelly. Actress Bella Thorne and Amber Heard also made their stand about the rights of women. An Area Court in Pantami area of Gombe metropolis has failed to release on bail two critics of the Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, who were detained on Thursday for allegedly conniving to insult the governor. PREMIUM TIMES has reported how Atiku Boza-Boza and Adamu Babale, social critics and members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, were sent to prison after they were arraigned on a work-free day last week. The arrest and detention of the two politicians echo increasing cases of the muzzling of opposition voices across the country by state governors who often rely on obnoxious laws, as reported by this newspaper. Messrs Boza-Boza and Babale were sent to prison by Abdullahi Abubakar, the presiding judge of Pantami Area Court, after a brief docking on Thursday, at which they had no legal representation. The two were not produced in court on Monday and Tuesday as the judge dilly-dallied on excuses, their lawyer, Habu Abdu told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday evening. He said the two were remanded in prison on the orders of the court following their arraignment on allegations of conspiracy and intentional insult. The police at Pantami Division of the metropolis first arrested and detained Mr Boza-Boza overnight on Wednesday. An associate of Mr Boza-Boza, Adamu Babale, who went to the police station to secure the bail of his fellow party man was also detained. The two were then taken before the Area Court in Pantami in handcuffs on Thursday on charges of conspiring to abuse Mr Yahaya. The police accused the two PDP stalwarts of calling the governor leader of promise breakers according to court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES. The alleged offence, according to the charge sheet, is contrary to Section 96 & 155 of the Penal Code Law. Hurried prosecution The two politicians were docked before the court on Thursday, a day declared as work-free for all courts in the state. A circular dated February 24, 2020, by the states acting chief judge, Muazu Pindiga, had issued a directive on all courts in the state to close down on February 26 and 27. The holiday, according to the circular seen by PREMIUM TIMES, was to enable smooth running of the commissioning exercise of the new Court of Appeal Gombe Division. But despite the holiday, the two men were taken before the court in what the opposition leaders in the state said was a premeditated action. Government writes court At the court on Tuesday, the judge announced the state governments communication to the court indicating interest in the matter. The states ministry of justice said it will take over the prosecution of the case from the police. Gombe state commissioner of justice, Zubairu Umar, confirmed the takeover of the case to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. The new twist contradicts claims by a spokesperson of the Gombe governor, Abdullahi Misilli, who on Sunday denied Mr Yahayas involvement in the case. There is a security implication to the case. We dont want it to be mishandled, Mr Umar said, in justifying the governments interest in the prosecution. This is not the first time critics of state governors would be receiving the short end of the law. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the detained publisher of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo, eventually accessed the bail granted him on February 13. Mr Jalingo was arrested on August 22, 2019, and remained incarcerated till the court in Cross River granted his third request for bail after the journalist had been detained for 174 days. He is facing trial for treason over a report written by the newspaper alleging that Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the state. Advertisements The Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Dhikirullahi Akinropo, has sued the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, for allegedly assaulting him. The suit was filed at an Osun State High Court with the aggrieved monarch demanding N100 million. Mr Akinropo in the writ of summons dated February 27, by his counsel, Soji Oyetayo, also asked for perpetual injunction restraining Mr Akanbi and his agents from committing further assault on him. Apart from the N100 million sought, Mr Akinropo also asked the court to award N1 million against Mr Akanbi as cost of hiring legal service for the action. Six other monarchs from the three local government areas in Iwo, who witnessed the alleged assault, also deposed to affidavits to testify on behalf of the Agbowu against the Oluwo The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Iwo monarch allegedly assaulted his colleague over land dispute in Iwo land at a meeting called by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Bashir Makama, and two state commissioners in Osogbo. Mr Akinropo was later taken to the state hospital for treatment. After public outcry, Mr Akanbi was suspended from attending the Osun State Traditional Rulers Council meeting for six months while the state government is yet to act on the matter. The Agbowu later accused the state government of betrayal saying the two state commissioners who witnessed the assault refused to testify before the Council of Obas. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Kimberly Daniels, a member of our Emerging Fellows program checks the key features of Heartland phenomenon in her second blog post. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the APF or its other members. Eurasias Heartland is a living organism of complex interconnected systems, which shapes the geopolitical environment by which it is itself shaped. It is characterized to some degree by the interaction of demographic, socio-cultural, political, economic, and technological changes that impact the Heartland as a whole. To another degree, it also is characterized by the impact it has on its geopolitical environment. Demographically, the Heartland includes populations in Russia, twelve other Slavic East European countries, three other Caucasus countries, five Central Asian countries, Mongolia, and parts of Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. Over 500 million people strong, the Heartland spans the spectrum of contrasting demographic trends. Low fertility rates, aging populations and workforces, and year-to-year improvements in education are matters of reality in some countries. By contrast, the realities of other countries exist as higher fertility rates, high mortality rates, and a decline in educational achievements. These and other demographic trends impact socio-cultural changes in the Heartland. Socio-culturally, the Heartland is a system of complex diversity. Its spoken languages include Slavic Indo-European dialects, Mongolic, Turkic, Arabic, and native Himalayan dialects. Its religions, those professed and or practiced, are Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Folk Religion, and atheism. Its historical transitions, from social migration patterns to the rise and fall of political empires, have fueled competing cultural preferences for Turkish clannism, Mongolic pastoralism, or Russian nationalism. There are efforts toward increased gender equality in Eastern Europe, and struggles between radicalization and social inclusion among youth in countries such as Afghanistan and Iran. Such complex socio-cultural diversity could be the environmental force that brings together nations to co-create a desirable future, yet impedes the political transformation to a unified Heartland. Politically, the Heartland is shaped by the opposing tug of differing ideologies. On one side is Russia, geographically situated on the continents of Europe and Asia. Neither identifying as belonging solely to one or the other, it culturally identifies with both. Adamantly against Westernization, Russia has pushed for Eurasianism. Its an ideology premised on extending Russias influence and power, while driving world dominance from the West to the East. On the other side are Eastern European countries that support Westernization and opportunities for knowledge sharing, trade, economic growth, etc. Between these ideologies is Turkey, strategically positioned between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Turkey aligns its political or military agenda with Russia when cooperation works to its advantage, yet it also is a bridge to connecting the West and the Middle East. Some Heartland governments are authoritarian and others democratic. From one side to the other and in-between, political ideologies in the Heartland have shaped the competing economic systems of communism and capitalism, with influences of socialism from China. Economically, the Heartland has systems that thrive and others that merely survive. Deposits of hydrocarbon, minerals, coal, oil and natural gas reserves have supported the thriving economies of Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, and others. These countries alone had GDP values worth over five percent of the worlds economy in 2018. The agrarian economies of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan reflect lower GDP values. Not only have they incurred rising amounts of external debt for survival, they also depend on income earned by citizens who work abroad and send money home. In the past, proximity to the old Silk Road trade routes boosted the economies of some Heartland countries. Today, Chinas New Silk Road or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other technological advancements, could help many more nations across the Afro-Eurasian World Island to thrive. Technological change in the Heartlands geopolitical environment is spurring multiple pathways of change. In addition to the BRI, developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, advanced-tech agriculture, and green infrastructure could open up new possibilities. Such possibilities could include new job creation, more international cooperatives, improved trade relations, or increased drug-trafficking. Undoubtedly, these changes will influence a geopolitical environment in a future increasingly characterized by competition among world powers for power, control, or dominance. The Heartland is a living system. It is characterized by the interaction of changes to and the impact it has on its geopolitical environment. These demographic, socio-cultural, political, economic, and technological changes influence increasingly complex system impacts. Likewise, they will impact the Heartlands future, starting with its past. Kimberly Kay Daniels 2020 Former MasterChef judge Matt Preston has dished out the best restaurants in Australia - and the affordable Sydney cafe he enjoys dining at. The renowned food critic has a little black book of all his favourite places to eat after dining at restaurants all over the country. Whether it's fine dining or cheap eats, the cookbook author has shared his go-to restaurants in a column for Delicious so foodies can go wherever he goes. Former MasterChef judge Matt Preston has dished out the best restaurants in Australia After dining at Cafe Paci in Newtown in Sydney's inner west, Preston praised the Finnish-born chef Pasi Petanen for his 'beautifully unique approach to flavour' His favourite meal to order is the $16 chicken-liver paris-brest with onion jam (pictured) Sydney After dining at Cafe Paci in Newtown in Sydney's inner west, Preston praised the Finnish-born chef Pasi Petanen for his 'beautifully unique approach to flavour'. His favourite meals to order included the $16 chicken-liver paris-brest with onion jam and the $24 sourdough pasta with pear and pecorino. 'The choux-pastry bun stuffed with ethereal chicken-liver parfait and the sweet oomph of onion jam arrived looking like it belonged in this new Newtown spot with a French bistro interior,' Preston said. The restaurant critic insisted everyone who turned to him for food recommendations have not been disappointed after dining at Cafe Paci. Whenever he's visiting the city, Preston said he always makes a reservation at five-star hotel Pier One, which is set alongside the Harbour Bridge. There's one restaurant in Brisbane that stands out from the rest - and Preston says he still thinks about the menu today after eating at Arc Dining (pictured) last year Preston said he still dreams about the restaurant's goose prosciutto with persimmon and macadamia cream (pictured) Brisbane There's one restaurant in Brisbane that stands out from the rest - and Preston says he still thinks about the menu today after dining there last year. 'While Alanna Sapwell's riverside Arc Dining was a regular haunt for me last year - her goose prosciutto with persimmon and macadamia cream is something I still dream about,' Preston said. And it's not hard to see why Preston is a huge fan of the restaurant. Alanna, who's the head chef, changes the menu regularly with a focus on sourcing from local farmers and seasonally available ingredients. The restaurant offers high-end dishes including rock oysters, tropical painted crayfish, 'spider' steak with bone marrow and girdle cakes and mirror dory. Preston said his favourite restaurant in Adelaide is the Leigh Street Wine Room (pictured) which offers local wines from Adelaide Hills and food that is 'on point' Preston enjoyed his dining experience at the Melbourne bistro and bar Carlton Wine Room because of its delicious food and impressive wine list (picture of the fried bread with anchovy, ricotta and pickled cucumber, which costs $7 per slice) Adelaide Preston said his favourite restaurant in Adelaide is the Leigh Street Wine Room which offers local wines from Adelaide Hills and food that is 'on point'. He highly recommends ordering the $16 house made buffalo milk curd with honeycomb and the $13 grilled beef tongue with horseradish and green sauce. Melbourne Preston enjoyed his dining experience at the Melbourne bistro and bar Carlton Wine Room because of its delicious food and impressive wine list. 'Don't let the name or the casual feel fool you - the relaxed Carlton Wine Room is one of Melbourne's best places to eat at the moment, and you don't have to push the boat out budget-wise,' he said. The food writer suggested ordering the $25 rigatoni, eggplant ragu with smoked ricotta or the $42 half roast chicken with zucchini escabeche, aioli and green olive. For more restaurant recommendations, check out his list here. The logo of Samsung Electronics is pictured at the company's factory in Tijuana By Khanh Vu HANOI (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics has started building a $220 million research and development center in Vietnam, the South Korean tech giant's local unit said on Monday. But a ground-breaking ceremony, scheduled for this past Saturday, was canceled because of a virus outbreak that led to travel restrictions on South Koreans, Hong Sun, the vice chairman of Korea Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, told Reuters. A Samsung Electronics spokeswoman confirmed the cancellation, but did not provide any other details. Construction of the center in Hanoi will be completed by the end of 2022, Samsung Vietnam said in a statement, adding that the center will employ between 2,200 and 3,000 people. Samsung is the single largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with investments totaling $17 billion, it said. The center as planned would be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and will enhance the company's research capability in such areas as artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data and 5G, it said. The Vietnamese government earlier on Monday announced the commencement of building of the R&D center. Vietnam's exports of smartphones and spare parts, mostly produced by Samsung Electronics, rose 4.4% last year to $51.38 billion, according to government customs data. Vietnam said on Friday it will suspend visa-free travel for South Koreans starting on Saturday, Feb. 29, amid concerns about the coronavirus spreading. Last week, Vietnam banned tourists from coronavirus-hit areas of South Korea. South Korea accounted for a quarter of Vietnam's 18 million tourists last year, the second-biggest group after Chinese visitors. (Reporting by Khanh Vu; Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Tom Hogue) A reward of up to $1,000 will be paid after law enforcement agencies have determined the seriousness of the crime and the usefulness of the information. Justin Lewellyn, 20, of Aurora, was contacted Saturday night in the parking lot of Dr. Johns Lingerie Novelty Boutique. As police spoke with him, a bag of marijuana was allegedly located on the center console. During a search of Lewellyn, police say two pills were located in his pocket. The pills were determined to be hydrocodone. After conducting a standard field sobriety test, police say he showed signs of impairment. In Hall County Court Monday, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, DUI-alcohol, first offense, and possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, first offense. Preliminary hearing set for 11 a.m. April 21. AXT Pty Ltd is pleased to add the Etaluma range of Lumascopes to their life science portfolio. These compact high-resolution inverted microscopes provide live cell imaging capabilities and have been designed to operate inside standard CO 2 incubators. The Etaluma LS720 Lumascope for live cell imaging within an incubator. The Lumascope range of microscopes is designed specifically for the examination and analysis of live cell morphology, viability and growth. Etaluma has designed the Lumascope from the ground up. By starting with the application, they are able to avoid redundant features seen in traditional inverted microscopes and instead focus on a custom design for a specific need. Etalumas range of microscopes represents a new concept in digital fluorescence microscopy, which forms the backbone of life science imaging. Capable of produce high-quality multichannel images of both fixed and live samples, they feature zero pixel shift filters, high-resolution camera sensors and modern LED light sources. With manual or automated options, they accommodate microplates, flasks, dishes, custom labware as well as slides which can be examined in situ inside incubators, biological safety cabinets and other environmentally controlled workstations. Chris Shumate, CEO of Etaluma said: We are excited to be working with the AXT team who have an excellent reputation and footprint in the life science microscopy market. We have every confidence that they will grow our market share in Australia and New Zealand." Etaluma's range of microscopes will make an excellent addition to our product range and support our strategy to bring technologies that enable better live cell imaging to market. Their products are unrivalled on a cost to performance basis. We look forward to showing the capabilities of the Lumascopes to our customers." Richard Trett, AXTs Managing Director Etalumas range of live cell imaging microscopes will complement AXTs existing range of cell biology solutions. The Centre on Tuesday said it was discussing with state governments the preparations for the update of the National Population Register (NPR) from April 1 to September 30. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha that no document will be collected during the exercise, which will be carried out along with the house-listing phase of Census 2021. "The government is in discussion with the states having concerns in regard to the preparation of NPR. The demographic and other particulars of each family and individual are to be updated/collected during the exercise of updation of NPR. No document is to be collected during this exercise," he said replying to a written question. Home Ministry sources said the central government has already started the outreach to allay the apprehensions of states by meeting chief ministers critical of the exercise. Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh are some of the non-BJP ruled states which have apprehensions about the NPR and critical towards the exercise. The NPR data will be collected along with the house-listing phase of the census to be conducted from April 1 to September 30. As part of this outreach, Registrar General and Census Commissioner Vivek Joshi recently met Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and apprised him about the preparations for the census and the NPR. Punjab Assembly has adopted a resolution expressing opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act. Joshi, who will supervise the census and the NPR exercise country-wide, is expected to meet chief ministers of all states critical of the NPR, sources said. Several states, including Kerala, has said they will cooperate with the census exercise but not NPR. Recently, after attending a meeting convened by the registrar general, Rajasthan Chief Secretary D B Gupta said he and the representatives of a few other states raised objections to a few questions to be asked by enumerators to people during the NPR exercise. "We said certain questions in NPR are impractical, like questions related to the birth place of parents. There are many people in the country who even don't know what was their birth place. I don't know what is the purpose of such questions and we have told the meeting to remove such questions," Gupta said. The objective of updating the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic and biometric particulars. The notification for the house-listing phase of census and NPR exercise came recently amid furore over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Home Ministry sources said most of the states have notified provisions related to NPR. The NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. It is being prepared at the local (village/sub-town), subdistrict, district, state and national levels under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. The rules have a provision for fine of up to Rs 1,000 on those violating them. The data for NPR was last collected in 2010 along with the house-listing phase of Census 2011. Updating of this data was done during 2015 by conducting door-to-door survey. While updating the register in 2015, the government asked details like Aadhaar and mobile numbers. This time, information related to driving licence and voter ID card may also be gathered, officials said, adding that PAN card details will not be collected as part of this exercise. For NPR, a usual resident is defined as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more, or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months. The law compulsorily seeks to register every citizen of India and issue a national identity card. Assam has been excluded because the National Register of Citizens exercise has already been conducted in the state. The demographic details of every individual are required for every usual resident: name, relationship to head of household, father's name, mother's name, spouse's name (if married), sex, date of birth, marital status, place of birth, nationality (as declared), present address of usual residence, duration of stay at present address, permanent residential address, occupation, educational qualification. The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 3,941.35 crore for the NPR exercise. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HARTFORD Women die in Connecticut from pregnancy-related issues at a rate less than New York State, but twice that of Massachusetts, and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams joined Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday to call for more support, discussion and action. For the first time in history, women are more likely to die during childbirth than their mothers did, Adams told about 300 health professionals in the Connecticut Convention Center. Maternal mortality rates in this country are way too high. Thats not a world I want to live for my 10-year-old little girl. While the national mortality rate for childbirth is 14.4 per 100,000 population, Connecticuts is 13.2 per 100,000. Massachusetts rate is 6.1 and New York, 21.6. That means youve got a long way to go, Connecticut, said Adams, an anesthesiologist on his second day of public events in Connecticut. He warned that marijuana is the illicit drug most used by pregnant women, and there is increasing evidence of danger. Marijuana is everywhere, he said. Some dispensaries, far too many, are even recommending marijuana for women suffering from morning sickness. Mental health issues that arise after delivery contribute to mortality, as well as heart and hypertension that are more acute in minority communities. Adams said that with even higher rates among ethnic and racial minorities, the need for action is overdue. He quoted U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics that indicate 31 percent of maternal fatalities occur during pregnancies; 36 percent die during the births of children or the week after; and 33 percent die between eight days and the first year after birth. African American women die at a rate three-to-five times that of whites. Whos checking on mom during that time? Adams asked of the last statistic. Nobody. We really need to lean into that space and not forget that a third of these deaths occur after we discharge mom from the hospital. The good news is that 60 percent of maternal deaths are preventable. We can do something about it. Renee D. Coleman-Mitchell, commissioner of the state Department of Health, joined Lamont in announcing a new Gold Ribbon Commission on Maternal Health with the goal of reducing the mortality rate and facilitate maternal health and reducing infant mortality. Maternal and child health is a true indicator of how well our country, our state, our towns and cities are doing, Coleman-Mitchell said. This is the opportunity. The goal will be to bring everyone together and coordinate the efforts in this state. I see these disparities across the state, Lamont said. I think about some of the disparities we have in education. We have too many people still being left behind. This commission is going to be a priority for us. Travel agencies offer 'pastillas' services to Chinese POGO workers - Hontiveros Travel agencies offer manufactured passports, birth certificates, drivers' licenses, as well as provide 'pastillas' services to Chinese nationals entering the Philippines, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros. She also said that the services are being advertised in Mandarin through the messaging app WeChat, primarily to cater to workers in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO industry. "These are criminal acts. These are violations of our laws, and tour agencies are advertising them freely," the senator remarked as she revealed screenshots of said WeChat messages during Monday's Senate hearing on the link of the boom of POGO to prostitution dens in the country. Tour operators allegedly receive a portion of the P8,000 from the P10,000 'service fee' under the pastillas scam, wherein P2,000 goes to the Bureau of Immigration's Immigration Officers, the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit, the Border Control and Intelligence Unit, the Terminal Heads, the Immigration Supervisors, and other airport personnel. "Masyado naman atang useful ang Philippine passport sa mga Chinese nationals na mga tourist kuno. Pati nga ang term na 'pastillas' alam na rin nila, at ang kakapal ng mukha, inaadvertise pa," she said. "This information corroborates with reports that Chinese nationals are using the identities of dead Filipinos," she said. "These Chinese nationals are even assisted by our own corrupt local registry officials", she added. Security threat Hontiveros said that travel agencies also offer to de-list from a blacklist and to release Chinese nationals from the airport should they be barred entry. During the previous hearing, Hontiveros' Senate Committee found that there were VVIPs (Very, Very Important Persons) who seamlessly enter the country for a heftier "service fee." "'Yung mga VVIP daw na ito ay mga may criminal record sa China pero 'pag nagbayad ng mas mahigit pa sa P10,000 na fee, nakakapasok pa rin sila. So no wonder na talamak ang sindikato dito sa bansa ngayon," Hontiveros revealed. "This is a clear threat to our national security and it puts the safety of our women, children, and the entire Filipino people in jeopardy," she concluded. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday regularised 119 refugee colonies in the state and said their inhabitants were Indians and their citizenship "cannot be snatched away". She also asserted they need not obtain citizenship afresh. Lakhs of people, both Hindus and Muslims, had migrated to West Bengal from Pakistan during and after Partition and the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. "They all are citizens. Nobody will be able to snatch away the citizenship of the refugees. There is no need to give them fresh citizenship. You all are citizens of this country... don't be misled by the false statements of the BJP," she told a public meeting here. She said the people have residential address proof, voter card, ration card and don't need the certificate of citizenship given by the BJP. You have seen that all those (refugees) who have come from Bangladesh are all citizens ...They have got citizenship. You don't need to apply for citizenship again. "You have been casting your votes in elections, electing PM and CM, Assembly, Zila Parishad... Now they are saying that you are not citizens. You all are bonafide citizens of this country," she said. Banerjee also asserted she will not let "even a single person" to be driven out of Bengal. "You have an address, ration card, voter card, driving license. There is no need to get this new card of the BJP. Don't worry, you will always find this didi beside you. Your family is my family. I will not let anybody take away the rights of our people," she asserted. The TMC supremo said her government was doing everything for the development of backward sections like Rajbongshi, Kurmi, Kujur and Urdu Alichiki. She also accused the BJP government in Assam of excluding a large number of genuine Bengali, Rajbongshi, and Muslim citizens from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) that seeks to weed out infiltrators, particularly from Bangladesh. Hitting out at the central government over the Delhi violence, the TMC boss said,"Don't forget this is Bengal. What happened in Delhi will never be allowed to happen here. We do not want Bengal to turn into another Delhi or another Uttar Pradesh." The BJP has often accused Banerjee of "Muslim appeasement" and pandering to the interests of the minority community for "vote bank politics". Later, chairing an administrative meeting, Banerjee told officers that her government has decided not to implement the CAA and the NRC or update the National Population Register (NPR). Top state officials like the chief secretary, home secretary and those of North Dinajpur district attended the meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) World Renowned Physician and Successful Entrepreneur in Interventional Cardiology Will Provide Valuable Clinical Insights for Product Research and Development REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biotricity Inc. (OTCQB: BTCY ), a medical diagnostic and consumer healthcare technology company, today announced that world renown cardiologist Dr. John Simpson will serve as Chair of its Scientific & Medical Alliance Board. Dr. Simpson is credited with inventing and commercializing the first over-the-wire balloon catheter used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). This single invention created the field of interventional cardiology as it is known today. He joins an already impressive roster of advisory board members who support Biotricitys research and development with a focus on scientific and clinical excellence. Over the course of his storied medical technology career, Dr. Simpson has founded and successfully exited companies like ACS and DVI (both acquired by Eli Lilly), CVIS (acquired by Boston Scientific), Perclose (sold to Abbott), Lumend (acquired by Cordis), and Fox Hollow (acquired by ev3 which is now part of Medtronic). Dr. Simpson received his PhD in Immunology from the University of Texas, his MD from Duke University, and completed his fellowship in interventional cardiology at Stanford University. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, has published on a wide variety of medical subjects, and has lectured extensively throughout the world. It is with great pleasure that we announce Dr. John Simpsons new position as Chair of our Scientific & Medical Alliance Board, said Dr. Waqaas Al-Siddiq, Biotricity Founder and CEO. Dr. Simpsons extensive expertise in the medical technology sector will provide us with invaluable clinical insights and guidance as we continue to expand our product offerings. To learn more, visit www.biotricity.com or follow on: Twitter: @biotricity_inc Facebook: facebook.com/biotricity/ or LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/biotricity-measuring-vitals Story continues About Biotricity Inc. Biotricity is a modern medical technology company focused on delivering innovative, remote biometric monitoring solutions to the medical and consumer markets, including diagnostic and post-diagnostic solutions for chronic conditions and lifestyle improvement. Biotricitys R&D continues to focus on the preventative healthcare market, with a vision of putting health management into the hands of the individual. The company aims to support the self-management of critical and chronic conditions with the use of innovative solutions to ease the growing burden on the healthcare system. To learn more, visit www.biotricity.com . Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words may, should, would, will, could, scheduled, expect, anticipate, estimate, believe, intend, seek, project, or goal or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the plans, objectives and goals of management for future operations, including plans, objectives or goals relating to the design, development and commercialization of Bioflux or any of the Companys other proposed products or services, (ii) a projection of income (including income/loss), earnings (including earnings/loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) the Company's future financial performance, (iv) the regulatory regime in which the Company operates or intends to operate and (v) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in points (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company's current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the Company's inability to obtain additional financing, the significant length of time and resources associated with the development of its products and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, the Company's inability to expand the Company's business, significant government regulation of medical devices and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, existing or increased competition, results of arbitration and litigation, stock volatility and illiquidity, and the Company's failure to implement the Company's business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. Media Contacts McCoin & Smith Communications Inc. Chris McCoin, Chris@mccoinsmith.com , 508-429-5988 Richard Smith, rick@mccoinsmith.com , 978-433-3304 The government of India has given 100 days to over-the-top platforms to develop a mechanism of some form to regulate their content. This means Netflix, Amazon Prime, Zee5, MX Player, ALTBalaji, Hotstar, Voot, Jio, SonyLIV, and Arre would now have to censor their content according to set guidelines. In a 45-minute meeting held in Delhi, Information, and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar met the heads of nearly all OTT platforms and has demanded them to set up self-governing mechanisms for regulating content. According to Mumbai Mirror, sources claim that Amazon Prime has conveyed their displeasure over the recommendations whereas Netflix, Zee5, Alt Balaji and MX Player have requested for more time to deliberate on the same. As of now only Hotstar, Voot, Jio, SonyLIV, and Arre have signed up with DCCC, which was created by the Internet and Mobile Association (IAMA). IAMA had drafted a code of self-regulation for OTT platforms that clearly restrict them from showcasing any content which is banned by Indian courts, disrespects national emblem, puts forward offensive religious sentiments, promotes violence against the state or features child or adult pornography. Minister Prakash Javadekar's argument for censoring content on OTT platforms is that in India, families sit and consume content together and that's why censorship is needed to make sure correct content is being watched by families. He also cited examples of how China, Singapore, and France governments have put out censorship guidelines that seem to be working well. All in all, we just hope that these censorship guidelines don't ruin the storytelling of any of our favorite shows. Until then, happy streaming! Kaliaganj : , March 3 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a new housing scheme "Snehaloy" for poor people, under which the beneficiaries will receive Rs 1.20 lakh each from the state government to build houses. The scheme is for those economically backward people who don't qualify for the state government's present housing scheme Bangle Awas Yojana. Speaking at a rally here, Banerjee said around 25,000 people would benefit from the scheme. "Around 25,000 people from economically weaker sections had telephoned the chief minister's grievance cell requesting for a house to live in. They are not entitled for our housing scheme Bangle Awas Yojana. "25,000 people have made such requests to Didi (elder sister, as Banerjee is affectionately called). For them, today we are launching a new housing scheme 'Snehaloy'. Under this scheme the beneficiaries will get Rs 1.20 lakh each. We have handed out the cheques and certificates ti a large number of people today," she said. The money would be given in two tranches. The sop comes in the run up to the state-wide civic polls likely to be held next month. The polls are being considered as a semi-final ahead of the all-important state Assembly election in 2021. Cancun, Quintana Roo Sunset World Group joins Mexico in recognizing the great value and importance of women, who are an example of perseverance, strength and intelligence. They are also the axis the family unit, an essential part of society and currently represent almost half of the workforce in Mexico. Over the years, women have demonstrated their abilities and talents by assuming roles for which they were previously not considered fit, successfully doing jobs that were mistakenly believed to be for men only. Sunset World Group is privileged to have valuable women on its team, who make a big difference in the Sunset family with their outstanding work. They are offered equal opportunities, and Sunset takes a stance against any type of violence against women. Sunset World Group is a family-owned Mexican company and a leader in the hospitality industry, offering authentic and unforgettable vacation experiences in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. It was founded more than 30 years ago and has grown to offer six resorts, world-class travel services, amenities and a diverse network of operational and marketing solutions that focus on providing the best vacation experiences for its Members and guests. From cultural excursions to water sports, the Members of Sunset World are never far from their next great adventure. Leading non-medical home care company expands across North America to deliver quality personal and companion care services CINCINNATI, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstLight Home Care, an award-winning provider of non-medical home care, is pleased to announce it is expanding its caregiving services to Canada. Sam Riad, CEO of Comfort of Senior Living, has signed on as a master franchise and will operate as FirstLight Home Care of Canada. Riad currently operates 10 Comfort of Senior Living retirement communities across the Province of Ontario. The master franchise agreement will allow Riad to introduce the FirstLight Home Care brand and deliver the company's non-medical home care services to a brand-new market. "We are thrilled to bring our FirstLight brand to Canada," said Jeff Bevis, CEO and Co-Founder of FirstLight Home Care. "International expansion has always been part of our strategy, and we believe we have found a solid master franchise partner in Sam Riad. He has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the industry, established relationships in the market and the infrastructure for rapid growth. And we share a similar mission, culture and calling to care for aging seniors and other adults in need of extra support." As a notable and award-winning home care company, FirstLight provides exceptional care for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and individuals who are recuperating. FirstLight's national network of franchises is dedicated to the health and well-being of others by delivering compassionate and quality services to individuals in the place they call home. Riad and his team will bring the same culture of care and commitment to quality service to residents in Canada by offering FirstLight's companion and personal caregiving services to adults who need assistance. The partnership is a natural complement to existing demand and future growth in Canada. "We recognized the tremendous success of FirstLight in the U.S and realized how beneficial this model would be to the Canadian market, especially with the recent increasing trend of older adults wishing to stay at home longer," said Riad. "We are passionate about helping individuals in our communities, and FirstLight sets the pace by offering innovative home care services that ensure people in need receive premium care." Canadian CEO Brad Rye will lead the implementation of FirstLight Home Care into Canada. Rye has owned and operated various Homes for Special Care for the past 30 years. He is co-founder and former president of the Ontario Homes for Special Needs Association (OHSNA), representing 500 homes and 5,000 residents across Ontario. Recently working with the Ontario government, Rye assisted in the development and implementation of a resident-focused model of housing and services. FirstLight Home Care of Canada has plans to open six locations immediately across Ontario, with an aggressive vision to establish 150 more locations through expansion and franchise opportunities across Canada. Since opening its first franchise location in 2010, FirstLight Home Care has experienced steady growth and is now serving clients in 220+ locations in more than 30 states throughout the U.S. This is the company's first international expansion to Canada. For more information, call (855) 420-6900 or visit FirstLightHomeCare.com/Canada About FirstLight Home Care FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery, adults with disabilities, veterans, busy families, and anyone 18 and older who needs personal or companion care services. FirstLight Home Care's mission is to deliver exceptional, compassionate care provided by extraordinary people so that all those who are served may age with comfort, dignity and independence in the place they call home. FirstLight is also proud to champion the family caregivers who give countless hours of care to their loved ones every day by providing the resources and support needed to help them maintain balance in their own lives. Visit FirstLightHomeCare.com . MEDIA CONTACTS: Cresta Lewis FirstLight Home Care (513) 341-8243 [email protected] FirstLight Home Care of Canada (855) 420-6900 SOURCE FirstLight Home Care If you want to win in Texas, you've got to win over Whataburger Nation. That might have been the message Beto O'Rourke had for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden when the two took a dinner break at the eatery first in the hearts and minds of Texans. O'Rourke was among three former presidential contenders to endorse the former vice president at a rally in Dallas on Monday night. ELECTION IMPACT: 'Fox & Friends' to broadcast from Midtown restaurant with Super Tuesday results With only one day to pound the pavement before the Super Tuesday primary, Beto took Biden to the one spot in Texas that would give him maximum exposure: Whataburger. "Seeing what this Whataburger thing is about with @BetoORourke!" Biden tweeted as his campaign live-streamed the visit on Twitter. Biden greeted and took photos with customers. Beto even shared his fries with one. HOUSTON CHRONICLE EDITORIAL: We recommend the following candidates in Texas March 3 primaries The two might have been discussing campaign strategy as they waited for their meal. During his endorsement, Biden praised O'Rourke for his close race with Ted Cruz for his Senate seat. Biden promised the country will be hearing more from Beto in the future. Unfortunately, O'Rourke and Whataburger may need to work on their own name recognition beyond the Texas state line. The Reuters news service tweeted a photo of the two with the caption, "In a Texas chicken joint, Biden and onetime rival (Pete) Buttigieg unite to stop Sanders." Ouch. That's sure to ruffle some feathers. 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 New Delhi, March 3 : A hand grenade was found in a village in Haiderpur area of outer Delhi. The hand grenade was first seen by children lying in the water in a canal. The police reached the spot and handed over the grenade to the National Security Guard (NSG). The incident was reported on Monday. According to a district police officer, "Children first told the elders of the village about the suspicious item being found. Those people immediately informed the police. As soon as the police saw that it was a hand grenade, they immediately called the NSG team to the spot." The NSG team then carefully defused the grenade. It is not yet known when and how the hand grenade ended up in the area. Mohammad Izrael, a 55-year-old e-rickshaw driver, took refuge on Delhi's iconic Signature Bridge as he witnessed smoke billowing from a locality which had been run over by rioters. Up in flames was his own house in the Garhi Mendu village, where rioters looted jewellery and other valuables before setting the houses on fire. "When the situation grew tense, I sent my children, including my daughter, who will get married next year, to my brother-in-law's house in Khajuri area. I had asked them to lock me from outside," he said. The rioters broke open the door and started loading the household items -- even things such as TV and fridge -- in a vehicle they had brought, he said. All this while, he was standing on the terrace watching all his savings being stolen, including jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh. "My daughter's jewellery was kept and even my daughters-in-law had kept their jewellery with me for safekeep. All of that was taken away. After the rioters left, I managed to run away and later saw smoke billowing from my house while I stood for the Signature Bridge," he said. Izrael's story finds echo in the tales of despair of several people who have been reduced to the status of being inmates of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) community centre relief camp in Shri Ram Colony from being the residents of the Garhi Mendu village. With their houses looted and burnt during the communal violence in northeast Delhi, three families, who were looking forward to the weddings of their daughters, have been left in deep sorrow as all the jewellery bought over years were stolen in a matter of few seconds. The inmates at the relief camp also said the rioters were all locals and not outsiders. They also said they will only return when authorities assure them of safety. Noor Bano is worried as jewellery worth over Rs 2 lakh was stolen and a bed she had bought for her daughter's wedding had been burnt by rioters at the Garhi Mendu village when the violence erupted in the area. "The violence started on Monday last week but reached our area the next day. The rioters, who were locals, first torched a mosque and then houses next to it. We had kept the jewellery, which was worth lakhs of rupees, in the bed box. We had bought the bed for her marriage. "The items had been kept at a neighbour's house. They broke open the lock, looted the valuables and then torched that room where the valuables were kept," Bano said, as she broke down. Her daughter's wedding was scheduled two years later, but she said that they had been saving for the wedding every year. "Even my married daughter, whose husband is abroad, was staying with us. She has two children. All her things were also stolen. We had gone to check and found that even tawa has been stolen," she said. Bano was also hurt in stone-pelting on February 23 when she stepped out to see the situation. However, unlike others, her documents were saved. "After the new citizenship law was enacted, I had started keeping my documents with me all the time. My documents were saved," she said. Another woman's daughter wedding was fixed for May, but now it will have to be postponed as the rioters stole all the jewellery the family had saved for their daughter's wedding and even the documents. "Everything is gone. Our house has been burnt down and all the valuables taken away. Where will we go now?" she asked. Over 160 homeless residents of the Garhi Mendu village are staying in the relief camp set up by the Delhi government. Mohammad Shafi, from the same village, said he had shifted to a new house a few days before the violence, and everything is burnt now. Shakeel Ahmed and his wife were at home when rioters kicked their door open and dragged him out of home and hit him with lathis. "They told me, 'Yahan se chale jao. Tumhara ghar kabza kar lenge' (leave this place, we will capture your house). They hit me on my head. They poured a chemical on my home and set it afire. My wife, somehow, managed to save the house from being totally gutted by pouring water. We will only return when the officials will guarantee our safety," he said. His wife, Chand Bibi, said, "The attackers were locals from the area. Many of the Hindu families stood as mute spectators when the rioters were going on a rampage. After they left, we spent the night in the house. We were getting phone calls from our relatives but did not take them for the fear of alerting rioters and even turned off the lights. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The synthetic leather market is expected to grow by USD 12.98 billion during 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/20200303005422/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Synthetic Leather Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) There is a high demand for synthetic leather from emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia, primarily due to its application in industries such as apparel, bags, and footwear. The rapid growth of these industries is driven by the rise in disposable income and increase in economic activities in emerging markets such as China. The annual disposable income per capita in China among urban and rural households grew by 46.30% and 55.01%, respectively, between 2013 and 2018. This growth in disposable income is fueling the repeat purchase of fashion products such as apparel, footwear, and bags as well as automotive accessories, including seat covers and steering covers. This will drive the demand for synthetic leather in developing countries. 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=IRTNTR41583 As per Technavio, the technological advances in synthetic leather manufacturing 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. Synthetic Leather Market: Technological Advances in Synthetic Leather Manufacturing Manufacturing processes consume large amounts of water, chemicals, and energy, which leads to high discharge of effluents. Therefore, additional investments are required for wastewater treatment to meet the required standards. To address this issue, BASF SE developed Elastollan, a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) that is used in synthetic leather processing. It can be directly extruded onto the fabric with a non-solvent based technology and speeds up the production process. Similarly, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. offers Susterra propanediol, a plant-based substrate that is used in the manufacture of synthetic leather for different applications. The use of Susterra propanediol in synthetic leather makes products environment friendly and biodegradable. Such technological advances are expected to drive the growth of the market. "Factors such as the increasing adoption of sustainable product manufacturing practices by vendors, and the growing demand for customization will have a positive impact on the growth of the synthetic leather market value 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 Synthetic Leather Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the synthetic leather market by product (PU-based, PVC-based and bio-based), application (footwear industry, furnishing industry, automotive industry, bags industry and other industry), and geographic (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America and South America). The APAC region led the synthetic leather market in 2019, followed by North America, Europe, South America and MEA. During the forecast period, the APAC region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to the rapid growth of industries such as footwear, apparel, automotive, furnishing, and bags which use synthetic leather. 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: Product PU-based PVC-based Bio-based Application Footwear industry Furnishing industry Automotive industry Bags industry Other industry Geographic Segmentation APAC Europe MEA North America South America 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005422/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/ CARMEL, Ind., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- KAR Auction Services Inc. d/b/a KAR Global (NYSE: KAR) announced today it has suspended all employee air travel through March 31, 2020. This temporary precaution is being implemented in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak and is aimed at mitigating the spread of the disease and protecting the safety of the company's 15,000 employees across North America, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. The company emphasized this temporary precaution is being taken proactively, and not in response to any heightened or specific threat of exposure or spread of the virus across its 200 operating locations and communities. "Safety is always one of KAR Global's highest priorities, and this includes protecting the health and wellbeing of our employees, their families and the communities in which we live and work," said Jim Hallett, Chairman and CEO of KAR Global. "While reports on the extent of the outbreak and the severity of infection have been inconsistent, there is no question the virus is capable of impacting large populations and geographies. We're committed to doing whatever we can to help reduce the risk of exposure and any further spread of this virus." The travel restriction includes cancelling KAR's participation in several upcoming industry events as well as in-person customer visits and meetings requiring air travel. The company's operating locations, including their 74 physical auctions, remain open for business and will continue to host commercial and dealer consignment sales as scheduled. Dealers may also continue sourcing and selling inventory through KAR Global's online and mobile marketplaces, including ADESA.com, TradeRev, Simulcast and the more than 40 private label websites the company hosts on behalf of its consignors. "To be absolutely clear, we remain fully operational and open for business," continued Hallett. "But we continue to monitor this evolving situation and will strictly adhere to any federal, state and local measures or mandates. Should any locations become locally impacted, we have contingency and business continuity plans in place to mitigate any disruption to our business. And our online and mobile app marketplaces will continue to provide dealers a digital alternative to attending sales in-person." The company encourages dealers to visit www.KARglobal.com for updates and check www.ADESA.com for any changes to physical auction sales and schedules. KAR Contacts Media Inquiries: Analyst Inquiries: Gene Rodriguez Miller Mike Eliason (317) 343-5243 (317) 249-4559 [email protected] [email protected] About KAR KAR Auction Services Inc. (NYSE: KAR), known as KAR Global, provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. KAR Global's unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services, including the sale of nearly 3.8 million units valued at approximately $40 billion through our auctions. Our integrated physical, online and mobile marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers in more than 80 countries. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, KAR Global has approximately 15,000 employees across the United States, Canada, Mexico, U.K. and Europe. For more information, go to www.KARglobal.com. For the latest KAR Global news, follow us on Twitter @KARspeaks. SOURCE KAR Global Related Links http://www.KARglobal.com Today Brisk and cold with a mix of clouds and sun. There might be a stray flurry or snow shower later in the day, mainly north of the area. Tonight Partly cloudy, breezy, and bitterly cold. Wind chills close to 0 degrees. Tomorrow Mostly sunny and bitterly cold. It will feel like it's in the single digits and low teens. The ambassadors and Ruslan Ryaboshka will discuss the reform process of Ukraine's Office of Prosecutor General Ukraines Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka Open source The Ambassadors of the G7 countries are scheduled to meet with Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshka on March 3 to discuss the reform of the Office of Prosecutor General. We look forward to today's meeting of the G7 Ambassadors with Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka to discuss the significant progress he has made in reforming the Office of Prosecutor General," the US Embassy's press service said on Twitter. As it was reported earlier, Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka fired Viktor Chumak from the post of the chief military prosecutor. The dismissal order was signed on January 2. Chumak was appointed Deputy Prosecutor General. Ryaboshapka appointed former MP Viktor Chumak as Deputy Prosecutor General - the chief military prosecutor in September this year. Related: MH17 case: Four Ukrainian prosecutors join investigation team Patrons of the Lake Geneva Public Library are getting a chance to help determine what the library will look like in the future and the types of programs and amenities it will offer. Library officials plan to renovate the interior of the building, and they are looking for community input to assist with the process. The library board has hired architectural firm FEH Design of Oconomowoc to develop concept plans for the project. The library, 918 W. Main St., will host a design workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 4 in which residents will have an opportunity to present ideas for the type of work they would like done to the library and the types of programs they would like the library to offer. FEH Design representatives then will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. March 4 to discuss some of the ideas that were presented throughout the day. Another design workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 10 in which patrons will be able to provide feedback on proposed design options for the interior renovations. FEH Design officials will conduct a community meeting at 6 p.m. that evening to discuss the different options that have been presented and the estimated costs for the renovations. FEH Design architect Gregg Baum said he hopes many residents attend the design workshops. Our goal in all of this is to look at as many possible ideas as we can, Baum said. If people have ideas, we want to hear about them. The library, which is about 16,000 square feet in size, is owned by the city, which has budgeted about $485,000 in funding for the library this year. The library also is scheduled to receive $234,110 in funding from Waloworth County. The library was constructed in 1954 and was designed by James Dresser, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright. Library officials and FEH Design representatives hosted a kick-off meeting Feb. 25 at City Hall to discuss some of the work that could be done to the library. Patrick Schnell, another architect, said he and other representatives from the company toured the library in December to determine some its infrastructure needs. Schnell said restrooms in the library currently are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He said the restrooms do not have enough space to accommodate wheelchairs. Schnell also recommended that more restrooms be installed, based on the size of the building and the number of people who visit. Schnell said the adult fiction area is not accessible for people with disabilities, either, and some corners in the building are too tight for wheelchairs to navigate. The building is in pretty good shape, he said. Its mostly these accessibility issues that we want to take care of. Baum said some patrons he talked to during his visit suggested that the library include study rooms, outdoor seating areas, a coffee bar, art galleries, a childrens activity area and a larger meeting room. Sarah McConnell of Lake Geneva said she would like the library to have more available parking and possibly a small parking lot. Personally, thats one issue I have, coming to the library, McConnell said. Theres never anywhere to park. Baum said that is an issue that could be addressed with the renovation project. Library director Emily Kornak said she is excited about the improvements that could be done to the library, and she hopes the community becomes involved. Its a great opportunity for the community to express what they would like their library to offer, and shape the future of Lake Genevas library, Kornak said. Schnell said his company will present a report to the library board in mid-April, which will highlight some of the communitys recommendations. They will be able to use that to explain to others what their next steps will be, he said. Kornak said it is too early to determine when the projects will be started or how much they will cost. Right now, we dont know if, how or when, she said. Editor's note: This story was updated on March 3 to reflect the correct meeting start time for the library interior design planning. 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. WASHINGTON - Whom to believe on the coronavirus threat the president saying one thing or the public health officials standing beside him and saying something a little different? President Donald Trumps breezy talk Tuesday of a virus thats got the world aflutter contrasts with the gravity and caution conveyed by federal scientists as Americans look to the government not just for reassurance, but for realism. Public-health leaders are walking a fine line in laying out the facts without angering a president who speaks in rosier tones than they do about a contagion thats infected more than 100 people from coast to coast. No, the scientists say, a vaccine is not just around the corner, although Trump has repeatedly suggested it is. Yes, they say, the U.S. appears to be more prepared than some other countries afflicted or threatened by the virus, but its too early to know how the plans will hold up. No, a cure is not in the offing for an infectious disease for which there is no treatment. For days, Trump has talked up prospects for driving the new coronavirus away in short order. He has reserved some of his strongest words of concern for the economy as the stock market the principal talking point for his reelection effort has zigzagged like a fever chart. He has said a vaccine may be available relatively soon, a treatment sooner and even a cure may be possible. Intent on calming the waters, Trump last week spoke of virus cases in the U.S. going very substantially down, not up, as health officials tracked the numbers actually going up. And he said all initially identified victims were recovering, when at least four were seriously ill. Since then, the disconnect has continued between Trumps aggressive optimism and the measured words of the federal health bureaucracy in sizing up the coronavirus risk. Its got the world aflutter but itll work out, Trump told a meeting of the National Association of Counties on Tuesday. En route to the National Institutes of Health in suburban Maryland, Trump held to his view that the spread of the virus across the U.S. isnt inevitable at all, a stance at odds with that of government scientists. Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, chairman of the Senate health committee, agreed with many Democrats in asserting that the nonpolitical public-health officials are the ones who should be listened to. My advice to the president and the vice-president is let the professionals do the talking, he said. Democrats in Congress say Trump, with his talk about an imminent vaccine and even a cure, is sugar-coating a pill that doesnt exist. It is pretty extraordinary that we have to have our medicine and health professionals counter-messaging the president ... that they have to correct the record. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told a hearing Tuesday. Dr. Tom Frieden, who led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2009 through 2017, said some of the difference in the messaging between Trump, who has no background in science, and the governments medical experts has been in the emphasis or shading. You want the experts giving the expert information, Frieden said in an interview. He said that despite Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence turning themselves into the public face of the outbreak, Trump had the experts speak from the podium both times he held briefings about the virus. Thats really important. Testifying before the Senate on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health made it clear that neither a coronavirus treatment nor a vaccine can be ready quickly. Fauci indicated potential treatments may come before a vaccine. The timelines are fundamentally different, he said. Pharmaceutical company Gilead is testing a potential treatment and Fauci said, Well know in a few months if it works. Based on data from China, Fauci said about 80% of people who get infected do really quite well and recover without any medical treatment. But about 10% to 15% get seriously ill, particularly those in high-risk groups such as the elderly or patients with other medical problems. While a treatment may be identified in a matter of months, Fauci said a vaccine would take at least a year to a year-and-a-half. Testing for a vaccine has to proceed in stages, to make sure its safe to use on people and that it works. Wed be giving this to normal people to prevent infection, so you must be sure, said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Pences visit on Capitol Hill with Fauci and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Tuesday did little to quell concerns from senators of both parties. The vice-presidents message was were on top of it, said Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana. But Kennedy said hes been told conflicting information in various administration briefings, though this one was much improved. Democrats said there were more questions than answers in the latest one. Senators told Pence the administration must provide accurate information to head off confusion and panic, said Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. Said Alexander, the Republican chairman: The more we listen to the head of those agencies, I think the better. Because if the administration talks too much people think that its taking credit. But if the Democrats talk too much theyll think theyre playing politics. The new virus, first detected in China, has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. Officials have found more than 100 cases and six deaths in the U.S. ___ Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Laurie Kellman and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report. New Covid curbs in UP: Government and private employees to work at 50 per cent capacity Night curfew in Andhra Pradesh: Know timings, guidelines, rules; What is allowed, what is not allowed 46 Covid deaths in 5 days in Delhi, 34 patients had comorbidities, 25 aged above 60: Govt data Contacts of confirmed cases don't need to get tested unless identified as high risk: Govt Omicron has clear growth advantage over Delta with highest level of immune escape: INSACOG Coronavirus: NCPs Supriya Sule seeks MEA help for 34 Indians stuck in Iran India oi-PTI Mumbai, Mar 03: NCP leader Supriya Sule has said 34 people from Maharashtra's Kolhapur are stranded in Iran amid the coronavirus scare, and demanded that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ensure their safe return. She also shared names and passport details of the stranded persons on Twitter. "Amidst the Corona Virus Crisis 34 Individuals frm Kolhapur and surrounding regions are stuck in Iran Their Names and Passport details are attached," the Lok Sabha member from Baramati tweeted on Monday. Coronavirus Scare: Two new cases confirmed in Delhi and Telangana "Requesting Hon. @DrSJaishankarJi to help all the Indians who are stuck abroad to return home safely @MEAIndia@meaMADAD@OfficeofUT," she said. The NCP leader on Tuesday thanked Jaishankar "for all the help and prompt replies always @MEAIndia". India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from Delhi, the Union Health Ministry said as the government stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. Earlier, India had reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. Coronavirus: List of international summits that have been cancelled so far due to COVID-19 They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries, including the US, Italy and Iran. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said India has already suspended e-visas/visas issued to Iranian and Chinese nationals over the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in these countries. He said around 1,086 people who returned from Iran in recent times have been recommended for community surveillance. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 12:32 [IST] Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gisela Swaragita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 14:30 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067f61f8 1 World coronavirus,COVID-19,Singapore,outbreak,Wuhan-coronavirus,health-ministry,quarantine,travel Free Singapores Ministry of Health announced on Monday that its latest confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a 68-year-old Singaporean woman who had traveled to Jakarta in mid-February. With the new case in Singapore, the global total of reported cases with a travel history to Indonesia now numbers eight. The patient, identified only as Case 107, had no history of recent travel to China or to Daegu and Cheongdo, the two COVID-19 hot spots in South Korea; however, she had traveled to Jakarta from Feb. 11 to 14. The woman reported onset of symptoms on Feb. 16, and then sought treatment at two general practitioner clinics on Feb. 20, 23 and 25. She presented [COVID-19 symptoms] at Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Feb. 27 and was immediately isolated. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Mar. 1 afternoon, the ministry stated on its website. Read also: Indonesian domestic worker in Singapore recovers from COVID-19 The woman is being treated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Novena. Prior to being admitted to the hospital, she had mostly stayed at home on Bishan Street 13. Novena is the third station south from Bishan Station on the North-South line of the Singapore MRT, but the woman's mode of transportation has not been disclosed. The ministry noted that Case 107 was connected to Case 94, a 64-year-old Singaporean woman who had not traveled recently to China or South Korea, either, but was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Feb. 26. It also said that 30 confirmed cases were still hospitalized in Singapore as of Monday, most in stable or improved condition, while six COVID-19 patients were in critical condition and receiving intensive care. A further 78 patients had fully recovered from the disease and had been discharged. Also on Monday, the Singapore health ministry confirmed three positive COVID-19 cases: two citizens and one Myanmarese resident of Singapore who were diagnosed after visiting Batam in Indonesia. Cases 101, 103 and 104 had traveled together to the city in Riau Islands province from Feb. 21 to 23 and are among the cases linked to a cluster at Wizlearn Technologies, a Singaporean software company. Read also: Coronavirus carrier faces jail in Singapore for lying over movements By Monday, Singapore health authorities had already identified 3,140 close contacts of the three cases, of which 2,805 had been released from quarantine and 335 remain under quarantine. Separately, health authorities in Batam have quarantined 15 local residents identified as close contacts of the three Singapore cases. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Monday that two Indonesians had tested positive for COVID-19, the first two confirmed cases in the country. The patients are a 64-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter who had been in contact with the Japanese national who was diagnosed on Feb. 27 in Malaysia after visiting Indonesia in mid-February. Prior to the four cases in Singapore, four other cases in China, Japan, New Zealand and Malaysia tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after returning from Indonesia. Editor's note: The heading of this article has been corrected. Students of Hanoi University of Technology wear face masks in class as they go back to school after more than a month, March 2, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh. Many high school and college students returned to school Monday in different localities across Vietnam, glad to be back, but carrying Covid-19 fears. His first reaction on hearing that schools would reopen after a prolonged break was worry. Nguyen Khac Dung, a 12th grader at iSchool in the beach town of Nha Trang, felt a little less worried after reaching school, having his temperature checked and receiving a free face mask. The central province of Khanh Hoa, which was declared free of the novel coronavirus on February 26, more than five weeks after its first and only infection was confirmed, has also been receiving many foreign tourists despite complicated developments of the outbreak that has spread to 76 countries and territories and killed more than 3,000. At Dung's school, boards instruct people on preventive measures, hand washing sinks have been equipped with soap and hand sanitizers. "After returning to school, meeting my friends and teachers, I'm glad. Staying at home for a long time had made me sad and put me under a lot of pressure, as I have to prepare many things for the upcoming national high school exam," Dung said. A student of iSchool in Nha Trang has his body temperature checked as he returns to class on March 2, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc. High school seniors in 59 provinces and cities across the country have officially resumed classes after a prolonged break of more than a month, owing to fears over the spread of the coronavirus. The countrys two largest metropolises Hanoi and HCMC, Tien Giang Province in the south and Thai Binh Province in the north are the only four localities in the country to have students at all levels stay away from classes by another week or two. High school students, especially 12th graders, have greater pressure to keep up with their study plans as they will have a high school graduation exam this summer. The exam was held in June in previous years but has been rescheduled for July this year. National high school exams are seen as a seminal event in the country, with success or failure having far-reaching impacts. The exams not only award a high-school certificate, but also decide admissions to universities and colleges. Pham Huu Binh, principal of iSchool, said the school has 39 classrooms and functional rooms, all of which have been sprayed with disinfectant for the past several days in preparation to welcome 571 students back. All students also have their temperature checked before entering their classrooms. The parents of three students showing signs of fever were notified and requested to take them home. However, some parents still dont feel its safe for their children to resume classes. Hoang Thi Ly, deputy director of Khanh Hoa Department of Education and Training, said the province has 22,440 high school students who are supposed to return to their classes. Of these, 884 students are still absent, and schools are trying to contact students and their parents to find out why. In Dong Nai, which neighbors Saigon, more than 1,700 high school students returned to the Tran Bien High School in Bien Hoa Town. Most of them wore face masks and limited talking to each other. Tran Phuong Chi expressed pleasure at meeting her friends after a long break that began as a Lunar New Year holiday in late January. "Fighting the epidemic is still a top priority, but I think high school students know how to protect themselves," she said. In order to limit the crowds, the school has canceled the usual flag-raising ceremony every Monday. In the central city of Da Nang, all high schools had medical staff check students' body temperatures, and instruct them on safety measures including how to wash their hands properly. Nguyen Quang Hung, principal of the Phan Chau Trinh High School, said the school has arranged a special room to isolate students showing symptoms of cough and fever. Mai Tan Linh, deputy director of the city's education department, said top officials had deliberated the issue very carefully before reaching a decision to let students go back to school despite the Covid-19 outbreak becoming more "complicated." "High school students are under a lot of pressure to catch up with study plans that have been interrupted by the long break," Linh said. Eagerly awaited event After a month and a half at home, Le Thi Mai of Thanh Hoa, a province that also reported one infection and is awaiting its epidemic-free declaration, said she had been waiting every day for the announcement that would allow her to go to Hanoi and resume classes. "I wanted to come back to school right after the Lunar New Year holiday, but the school kept extending the holiday because of the epidemic. This morning, I feel a little sleepy, because I have been used to staying up late for the past month," Mai said, speaking through her face mask. Many universities have reopened their doors to welcome thousands of students back. At 7:30 a.m., the campus of Hanoi University of Technology was awash with the red color of uniforms and different face mask colors. Entering the school via its gate on Tran Dai Nghia Street with a black face mask, Hoang Van Trung, a third-year student majoring in electronics and telecommunications, washed his hands with antibacterial water and checked his body temperature with a hand-held device prepared by the school. Seeing the device for the first time, Trung sought help from the security guards on how to use it. His body temperature was a safe 36.5 degrees Celcius. "During the school break, I only read documents sent by teachers. My friends havent returned to Hanoi yet, but I live here. I am still afraid to go to crowded places. I just hung around at home most of the time. "I am very happy to be back at school, but also worried about the coronavirus situation getting complicated as large numbers of people from provinces and cities return to school," Trung said. Ngoc Huong, an engineering student, said: "During the break time, I went to school once a fortnight ago to borrow books. It was empty, with very few staff members, the atmosphere was very boring, very different from today." Huong felt more secure on seeing that the school was well prepared with many panels and posters showing how to prevent an infection. Many checkpoints were manned by volunteers to remind and guide students on washing their hands properly and checking their body temperature before going to class." "Even at home I do not protect myself as carefully as this," she said. At both gates of the Academy of Journalism and Communication on Xuan Thuy and Nguyen Phong Sac Streets, students queued up in long lines on Monday to have their body temperatures checked. Nearly 40,000 students of Vietnam National University-Hanoi also returned to school Monday. The three dormitories of the school opened Sunday with everyone having to undergo health checks. While many college goers have resumed their study, younger students in Hanoi are being allowed to stay home for another week as Hanoi is deemed to be at some risk of Covid-19 infections with many people from South Korea, the worst-hit country by Covid-19 epidemic outside mainland China, arriving over the past days. Meanwhile, HCMC has decided to keep 12th grade students away from school for another week at least and younger students for another fortnight. While Vietnam has recorded no new infections for more than two weeks and the last of its 16 infection cases was discharged from hospital on February 26, the global death toll has topped 3,100. Most of the deaths have happened in China, the epicenter of the outbreak, followed by 66 in Iran, 52 in Italy and 28 in South Korea, and six each in Japan and the U.S. Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images(LONDON) -- Queen Elizabeth has told her grandson Prince Harry that he would always be welcome back as a working royal. The confirmation from Harry's beloved grandmother came during a lunch the pair had at Windsor Castle on Sunday, a royal source confirmed to ABC News. The meeting was a private one between Harry and Queen Elizabeth, away from courtiers and palace staff. The pair talked grandmother to grandson, according to the source. It marked the first time Harry and the queen had met in person since their summit at Sandringham in January with Prince Charles and Prince William at the height of the frenzy surrounding Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan's decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. Under guidelines announced by Buckingham Palace shortly after the summit, Harry and Meghan will retain but no longer use their HRH titles, will no longer represent the queen, will not receive public funds for royal duties and will spend the "majority of their time" in North America. Harry and Meghan's last day as working members of Britain's royal family will be March 31. The couple's office at Buckingham Palace, their headquarters for the past year, will be closed the next day, April 1. Harry is back in the U.K. in his final trip as a working royal. He is finishing his royal engagements and will soon be joined by Meghan. The pair will join Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family at the Commonwealth Day service next Monday, March 9, for their last official event as working royals. Harry and Meghan are currently living in Canada with their son Archie but plan to keep their Frogmore Cottage property as their U.K. home. The home is just a short walk to Windsor Castle and Harry often drops by to see Queen Elizabeth when she is at Windsor Castle and he is at Frogmore Cottage. Harry and the queen's meeting was the first time the pair had met in person since she ruled that Harry and Meghan must drop the word royal from their Sussex Royal branding moving forward. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared to push back against the decision in a blistering statement on their website, SussexRoyal.com. "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," the couple wrote, adding that their "digital channels" will be updated this spring "as they introduce the next exciting phase to you." The couple -- who also seemed to push back on their website against other parts of the separation agreement -- have been traveling to the U.S. as they chart their new path. Harry and Meghan traveled to Miami to attend an event hosted by JPMorgan, where they rubbed shoulders with billionaires and celebrities, and also visited San Francisco and Stanford University for a brainstorm session and meetings with professors and academics as they lay the groundwork for their new nonprofit entity. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. More than 800 appeals have been filed by companies that were denied state permits to grow, sell or distribute medical marijuana in Missouri. As part of the process to launch Missouris new medical marijuana program, the state received 2,266 marijuana business applications filed by at least 700 different groups. It awarded 60 licenses to grow marijuana, 86 to make marijuana-infused products and 192 to open dispensaries. The states Administrative Hearing Commission had received 845 appeals of those denials by Feb. 28, spokeswoman Vicki Hale said. Many of the appeals say the states scoring system for awarding permits was flawed. The state hired Nevada-based Wise Health Solutions to score applications. The company could receive up to $582,061 for its work. Rejected applicants have said Wise assigned different scores for some of the same answers on applications. Applications that were largely identical received substantially different scores, attorneys for NGWMO LLC said in a Jan. 23 filing with the hearing commission. That company is appealing the denial of two cultivation applications. State lawmakers have opened an investigation into the program and plan to hold hearings on it this spring. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has hired three outside lawyers to help the states legal team review all the appeals. The outside lawyers will each be paid up to $49,000 through 2023. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Cannabis Missouri Workers carry the corpse of Rohingya who was suspected to be a member of a robbery gang from the site of a gunfight near a refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, March 2, 2020. Bangladeshi security forces killed eight Rohingya criminal suspects in two gunfights on Monday in Coxs Bazar, authorities said, amid the southeastern districts ongoing struggles with reported lawlessness and violence around sprawling Rohingya refugee camps. The eight suspects were killed hours apart in separate shootouts with officers from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a police official in Teknaf, a sub-district of Coxs Bazar, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Of them, seven were killed in a battle with RAB on a hill in Teknaf on Monday morning while another person died in a gunfight with BGB at dawn, said Prodip Kumar Das, officer in charge at the Teknaf police station. According to a local human rights activist, Mondays killings marked the deadliest day of violence involving suspected Rohingya criminals in Bangladesh. This is the highest number of killings of Rohingya refugees in a single day of gun battles, Nur Khan Liton, the former executive director of Ain O Salish Kendra, a local NGO specializing in human rights, told BenarNews. RAB alleged that seven members of a gang of Rohingya robbers were killed near the Jadimura refugee camp while BGB said that officers killed an alleged Rohingya drug dealer. None of the suspects were identified. The RAB Teknaf Camp company commander said police received a tip that led to them to the gang led by a man identified as Jokir. Sensing our presence, the robbers opened fire on us prompting us to respond. Seven robbers were killed, Lt. Mirza Shahed Mahtab told BenarNews. Prodip said police would conduct another drive in an effort to capture and arrest Jokir and members of the gang. At 11:30 a.m. Monday, RAB had the area of the shooting cordoned off as officers removed the corpses of the suspects. Rohingya refugees watched the police action. I am afraid and could not eat my meal today, Rajuma Begum, a resident of the nearby Salbon Rohingya camp, told BenarNews. I woke up at about 3 a.m. to gunshots. We heard gun shots until 9 a.m., she said. The children were crying. Now peace will prevail in the camp, we hope. Another Rohingya expressed similar sentiment. We are happy to know that the tormentors of Rohingya have been killed. But still there is fear as Jokir, the big fish, was not caught. God knows what he will do to the residents in the camp, Hafez Ahmed told BenarNews. We are used to hear gunshots in the camp every night. We cannot sleep properly and we are still afraid. RAB members killed an alleged member of Jokirs group during a gunfight on Feb. 8. About 1.1 million Rohingya who fled Myanmar are living in refugee camps just across the border in and around Coxs Bazar. Most of them, more than 740,000, have arrived since a brutal military crackdown began in Myanmars Rakhine state in August 2017. Nur Khan, the rights activist, said several gangs of robbers were operating in the district, where human smuggling and cross-border drug trafficking are rife. But it is necessary to analyze how such deadly gunfights happened there. RAB needs to be more careful in arresting robbers and avoiding killings, Khan told BenarNews. Arrests, rather than killings of robber gang members, are more effective for law and justice in the long run. In addition, the government launched anti-narcotics operations across the country beginning on May 4, 2018. Since then, 220 people, including four women, were killed in Coxs Bazar gunfights, according to police officials. Among those killed were 74 Rohingya, including two women. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Balancing its ability to cause chaos in the global oil markets by closing/disrupting the Strait of Hormuz (through which flows around 35 per cent of the worlds oil supplies) with the necessity to keep its own oil exports revenues to Asia rolling in, Iran has moved exceptionally quickly on developing its Bandar-e-Jask port project. Crucially, Jask is not located in the perennially risky Strait of Hormuz but south-southeast in the Gulf of Oman. This offers a relatively risk-free shipping transit route to Irans key markets in the East, especially China and more latterly India, and to markets further south in Africa on a more occasional basis. According to recent comments from Touraj Dehqani, chief executive officer of Irans Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) the company in charge of building the project out, in tandem with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) - the first full phase of crude oil exports from Jask will begin within the next 12 months, with the final build out towards this goal beginning this month. Once fully operational, this project would transfer 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from Iran, particularly in the first stage from the cluster of resource-rich fields in the West Karoun area. In addition, Jask will also be used to move crude oil feedstock supply to petro-refineries and petrochemical plants, with a view to increasing these exports as well to Asia. The current logistical model in the current circumstances is not sustainable, with around 90 per cent of all of Irans oil for export currently loaded at Kharg Island with most of the remaining loads going through terminals on Lavan and Sirri - making it a prime and easy target to cripple Irans economy, a senior source who works closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry told OilPrice.com last week. On the other side of the equation, Iran wants to be able to use the threat or reality if it comes to that of closing the Strait [of Hormuz] for political reasons without also completing destroying its own oil exports revenue stream, he added. On a practical note, even before U.S. sanctions were re-imposed in May 2018, the Kharg terminal was not ideal for use by tankers as the narrowness of the Strait of Hormuz means that they have to travel extremely slowly through it. Related: EV Battery Breakthrough: Twice The Range, Five Minutes To Charge According to the plans currently in play, a US$1.8 billion 1,000 kilometre oil pipeline will connect Guriyeh in the Shoaybiyeh-ye Gharbi Rural District, in Khuzestan Province, to Jask County, in Hormozgan Province. Once the oil is in Jask it will be stored in any of the 20 storage tanks each capable of storing 500,000 barrels of oil, in the first phase (totalling 10 million barrels) for later loading on to very large crude carriers (VLCCs) headed from the Gulf of Oman and into the Arabian Sea and then Indian Ocean. These VLCCs will be accommodated in shipping facilities costing around US$200 million in the first phase, although the plans are to expand capacity to allow for further regular shipping of various oil-adjunct and petrochemical products in particular demand in Asia. According to the Iran source, these include gasoline, gas oil, jet fuel, sulphur, butadiene, ethylene and propylene, and mono-ethylene glycol. The director of projects at Irans National Petrochemical Company, Ali Mohammad Bossaqzadeh, recently said that this part of the Jask project will be run by Bakhtar Petrochemicals Holding, although foreign companies may take part. In fact, according to the Iran source, China has offered to send as many engineers and other professionals required in such a project to Iran for as long as necessary. The intention within 12 months of the end of next year is for Jask to have the capacity to store up to 30 million barrels, with the ability to export two to two-and-a-half million barrels of oil per day eventually if required, taking over from the Kharg facility as and when needed, he told OilPrice.com. Although the initial sponsor of the Jask project sitting President Hassan Rouhani is not constitutionally able to stand for election again next year, OilPrice.com understands that support for the project stretches across all political groupings and has the full backing as well of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) for three key reasons. First, the non-Strait of Hormuz route means that Iran can continue to develop its crude oil business with China, and also India under the radar if necessary for as long as it takes for the U.S. to come back to the negotiating table over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal. Second, it means that a large amount of funding (or goods-for-oil-deal imports) will flow into Iran from both China and Russia, as both have already contributed to the costs of Jask, and both have made it clear that there is more money available. Related: Whats Next For Omani Oil? Finally, having huge oil storage capacity available just a short direct sea journey away from India means that pressure from India and Pakistan is likely to result in the final go-ahead for the construction of the Iran-India oil and gas pipeline or the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline. This would necessitate the stationing of Iranian security personnel read, IRGC on Indian soil or on Pakistani and Indian soil, which is of considerable strategic interest for the IRGC, said the Iran source. It also means that Iran can send oil supplies and anything else it wants in the tankers to the Houthi faction in Yemen to keep a constant threat to the Saudi southern flank, and also to militia groupings in Somalia and Kenya, he underlined. Given the cross-party consensus in Iran for the Jask project, progress has been extremely rapid, with the construction phase of the project having started only in 2018, and then having to overcome various obstacles created by the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions shortly thereafter. A key one was obtaining the necessary supplies of pipes and related engineering, which was achieved by the often-utilised Iranian fallback position of indigenising the required technology and/or calling Moscow and Beijing. Given this, according to PEDECs Dehqani, the full supply of pumps and related equipment to the various sites in and around Jask, will begin within the next few months. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Within days of Malaysias Premier Mahathir Mohamad resigned from his countrys top job, Indian Commerce Ministrys investigation arm DGTR said there would be no need to extend bilateral safeguard duty on imports of certain varieties of palm oil from Malaysia. Last year in August, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) had started a probe into the spike in prices of Refined Bleached Deodorised Palmolein and Refined Bleached Deodorised Palm Oil imported from Malaysia, following a complaint from Solvent Extractors Association of India. On September 4, 2019, the government slapped a 5 per cent safeguard duty for a six-month period, taking the total duty on this variety of palm oil to 50 per cent. This probe was launched before Mahathir was quoted commenting on Indias revocation of special constitutional provisions for Jammu & Kashmir, an issue that led to bitter diplomatic exchanges between India and Malaysia. His comments saw Indian edible oil traders boycotting Malay palm oil and was followed by restrictions on the free import of the oil. Though, India refused to accept that these steps were designed to punish Malaysia for Mahathirs comments, most observers saw the moves as just that. The notification now issued by DGTR said the "Director General does not recommend further extension of bilateral safeguard duty". Officials said the initial safeguard duty had been slapped after preliminary findings but that "final findings lead us to believe there is no need to continue this". The DGTR said "it may not be necessary to impose safeguard duty beyond the current period of 180 days," adding "it is considered that the bilateral safeguard duty imposed" earlier under the terms of a free trade pact "is sufficient in the present circumstances". Imports from Malaysia rose from 6.26 lakh MT in 2016-17 to 25.96 lakh MT in January-June 2019. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry are finishing out their final engagements as senior working members of the British Royal Family. Unfortunately, the transition hasnt been as smooth as everyone had hoped it would be. When the duo first announced their intent to step down as full-time working royals, it shocked Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Prince William. Though the tension seemed to ease in the weeks that followed, things took a turn for the worse when the queen banned the Sussexes from using their Sussex Royal brand after April 1. In a very terse statement following the revelation, the duke and duchess revealed they would no longer be using royal in their branding. However, they made it clear that the royal family couldnt really stop them if they wanted to. Now, it appears that in a slight to the royal family, the Sussexes have decided to leave their young son, Archie Harrison, in Canada while they complete their final royal duties. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles final royal schedule is insanely busy Even if the Sussexes had decided to bring Archie with them to the U.K., they would be spending very little time with their son due to their schedules. Prince Harry is already back in his homeland he recently teamed up with Jon Bon Jovi for the Invictus Games Choir Visit. On March 5, the prince will be joined by the duchess and they will attend the Endeavour Fund Awards together. The awards celebrate members of the Armed Forces Community who were injured or fell ill in service. On March 6, the Duke of Sussex will appear at the official opening of Silverstone Experience with Formula 1 champion, Lewis Hamilton. Then on March 7, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. International Womens Day falls on March 8 and the duchess has something up her sleeve for that. Then, on March 9, the couple will attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey with Queen Elizabeth. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be leaving Archie in Canda Baby Archie has remained in Canada since late last year under the care of the duchess best friend, Jessica Mulroney. According to The Sunday Times, he wont be returning across the pond any time soon. When the Duchess of Sussex returns to the UK from Canada for a final round of engagements with Prince Harry, who arrived last week, she is expected again to leave behind their nine-month-old son, they reported. The Sussexes have made it clear that one of their main reasons for stepping down is to protect Archie from the spotlight and going through the things that Prince Harry went through as a child. Queen Elizabeth is sad she wont be seeing Archie Queen Elizbeth is terribly disappointed she wont be seeing her great-grandson anytime soon. A source told The Sunday Times, She will be very sad to have barely seen Archie and that he will miss out on growing up with his cousins and wider family. Prior to Megxit Kate, Duchess of Cambridge had hoped to spend more time with Archie and the Duchess of Sussex. Hopefully, when all of the Megxit drama dies down, all the royals regardless of status will spend some time together. PARK CITY, Utah, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak Cakes, the natural foods brand known for interrupting sleepy grocery aisles with 100% whole grain flapjack & waffle mixes unveils an extensive lineup of new products across six categories available now at www.kodiakcakes.com, and at major retailers beginning this spring. Flapjacks for All| Kodiak Cakes expands its signature breakfast offerings with two new flapjack & waffle mixes to satisfy increasing demand for new varieties that further transform a once indulgent meal into a healthy option. Kodiak Cakes Plant-Based Classic Flapjack & Waffle Mix (18 oz.) $5.99 SRP Provides clean and long-lasting nourishment through 100% whole grain ingredients and plant-based protein. This just-add-water mix packs in 12 grams of protein per serving. Kodiak Cakes Carb-Conscious Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix (12 oz.) $6 .99 SRP Keep your lower-carb goals on track with 14 grams of protein, no added sugar, and a wholesome mix of flours with only 15 grams of net carbs. Power Waffles Just Got Fluffier Kodiak Cakes unleashes more great taste and nourishment with the release of Thick & Fluffy Power Waffles. Simply pop two waffles in the toaster for a healthy breakfast in minutes. Kodiak Cakes Thick & Fluffy Power Waffles (13.75 oz.) $5.99 SRP These Belgian style toaster waffles come in three delicious flavors: Blueberry, Buttermilk and Vanilla. Each have a fluffy texture and 12 grams of protein per serving. Fuel Your Morning with Oatmeal Kodiak Cakes Oatmeal is crafted to keep you full and fueled on busy days. This frontier staple now comes in three new flavors ready to enjoy in under a minute just add water or milk and microwave. Kodiak Cakes Peaches & Cream Oatmeal Packets (10.58 oz.) $5.50 SRP There's no sweeter start to the morning than the taste of delicious peaches and cream. Each box contains six packets, each packed with 12 grams of protein per serving. Kodiak Cakes Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cup (2.12 oz.) $2.25 SRP It seems only natural to add the sweet taste of mountain blueberries to a warm cup of oatmeal. Each cup boasts 14 grams of protein per serving to help keep you full until lunch. Kodiak Cakes Classic Power Oats Cup (2.12 oz.) $2.25 SRP This classic flavor allows you to customize your morning cup of oatmeal with endless toppings. Each cup delivers wholesome nutrition from 100% whole grain rolled oats and 12 grams of protein per serving. (Healthy) Snacking Made Simple Enjoy Kodiak Cakes new snack selections on the trail, in the car, in the morning, mid-day or late night. These snacks are packed with the nourishment you need and will satisfy even the grizzliest appetites. Kodiak Cakes Protein Balls No-Bake Protein Bite Mix (12.7 oz.) $5.29 SRP This no-bake snack option comes in two delicious flavors: Oat Chocolate Chip and Dark Chocolate. Combine mix, water, honey, and your favorite nut butter and roll into 12 balls. Each prepared box is packed with 10 grams of protein per serving. Kodiak Cakes Protein Packed Crunchy Granola Bars (9.52 oz.) $4.99 SRP ( Available April 2020 ) This on-the-go snack comes in four flavors: Chocolate Chip, Maple & Brown Sugar, Peanut Butter and Oat & Honey. Every box contains six pouches with two crunchy bars per pouch and 10 grams of protein per serving. ( "There is no better way to celebrate 25 years of Kodiak Cakes then unveiling our most diverse product lineup this March," said Joel Clark, Co-Founder and CEO of Kodiak Cakes. "Watching our family-owned business rapidly reach new heights while fueling exploration is a dream come true. We're thrilled to continue to delve into new categories, and further our legacy by making more 'better for you' foods available to families nationwide." Like all Kodiak Cakes products, these new protein packed items taste great and are crafted with 100% whole grain and non-GMO ingredients to fuel any adventure for today's frontier. About Kodiak Cakes Made to nourish adventure on today's frontier, Kodiak Cakes products aim to restore the real food tradition through 100% whole grains and non-GMO ingredients. Nestled among the Wasatch Mountains of Park City, UT, Kodiak Cakes is the result of an heirloom whole wheat flapjack recipe originally sold out of a little red wagon by founder Joel Clark. Today, Kodiak Cakes crafts flapjack and waffle mixes, baking mixes, toaster waffles and flapjacks, and on-the-go cups and snacks. For more information about Kodiak Cakes, please visit www.kodiakcakes.com or follow the adventure on Instagram @KodiakCakes. MEDIA CONTACT: Sarai Goring +1 (212) 829-1111 x190 [email protected] SOURCE Kodiak Cakes Related Links http://www.kodiakcakes.com The head of Irans emergency medical services, Pirhossein Kolivand, has contracted coronavirus, the ILNA news agency reported on Tuesday. Mr Kolivands health is good and there is no need for concern, his office said in a statement. On Tuesday, Irans health ministry said that 77 Iranians had died from the illness so far and 2336 had tested positive for the virus. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also announced on Tuesday via state media that the countrys military was prepared to help health officials in tackling the coronavirus outbreak. Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin, Ayatollah Khamenei said. Iranian authorities say they may mobilise 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to tackle the virus. It is thought they could help to clean streets, direct traffic and possibly trace people who have come into contact with coronavirus patients. Meanwhile, the lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state television on Tuesday that 23 members of parliament have tested positive for the virus, recommending that lawmakers avoid the public. This comes shortly after the death of Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday, the most high-ranking official to die in the country so far. According to Iranian state media, Mr Mirmohammadi was a confidant of Ayatollah Khamenei. The illness has also killed a recently elected member of parliament as well as Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican. Iran has the second highest coronavirus death toll after China. Agencies contributed to this report A mother-of-three who lost the full strength of her voice after an operation on her vocal cords has sued in the High Court. Abigail Barnett Hunt broke down in tears as she told the High Court how she cant shout out if there is a danger to her children and her voice cuts out when she attempts to read a bedtime story. The 40-year-old now has a low, hoarse voice and she said people comment on it all the time. People say were you out last night. Theres no escape, people comment all the time. I dont sound like me. My life has changed in ways I never dreamed of, she told the High Court She added: "It has changed my identity. This is not my voice. My voice is my identity. It took my career away; it has left me on high alert around dangers for my children." The primary school teacher said she was heartbroken when she was not able to return to teaching since the operation four years ago and had to take early retirement two years ago. "That was my passion, teaching. I loved teaching, particularly the infant classes. I have been teaching since I was 22 years old. It wasnt a job to me; it was an absolute privilege," she said. And she told Mr Justice Kevin Cross how as she signed the consent form before her vocal cord surgery four years ago, the surgeon "turned to my husband and said Every mans dream - the quiet wife'." Abigail Barnett Hunt, Ballykeeran Big, Athlone, Co Westmeath, but now living in Dublin has sued head and neck surgeon, Peter Gormley and the Bon Secours Hospital, Galway as a result of an operation carried out by Mr Gormley at the hospital on May 9, 2016 to remove polyps on her vocal cords. It is claimed that Ms Barnett Hunt suffered injury to her vocal cords and loss of tissue leading to substantial impairment of her voice. It is further claimed that scarring has caused loss of tissue and loss of vocal cord pliability and she is left with a breathy and hoarse voice. The court heard that a breach of duty has been admitted in relation to the operation. Her counsel Denis McCullough SC told the court the lesions on Ms Barnett Hunts were found to be benign. Counsel said her vocal cords are unable to meet in the middle to give a natural resonance a voice requires, and Ms Barnett Hunt is unable to get her vocal cords together to get adequate sound. In evidence Ms Barnett Hunt said she had to rest her voice for seven days after the operation. On the seventh day, she said she was shocked when very little sound came out. "I had practically nothing. I got such a fright," she said. 'It has had a massive impact' Her 12-year-old son, she told the court, has to read to the younger children and her youngest - a five-year-old daughter - asks her who is going to fix her voice. My children are voicing for me all the time. It has had a massive impact. My children speak if somebody comes to the door or when the phone rings. I cant project over sound . People cant hear me on the phone. Asked about future surgeries on her vocal cords, Ms Barnett Hunt said she will do "whatever it takes" to get her voice repaired. "I will have whatever surgery it takes to get my voice and my life back," she added. The case before Mr Justice Kevin Cross continues on Wednesday. All five shows in Classic Theatres 2020-21 season feature characters at a crossroads. The theme is we are the choices we make, said Kelly Hilliard Roush, the companys executive and artistic director. We feel its a year where theres a lot of people who dont always feel like one voice can be powerful, but the exciting thing about a democratic society is everyones voice matters and every choice we make in our lives matters. In each of these plays, there are characters and people who have a big choice to make, and they they look at both directions and ask which way am I willing to go? And what does that mean about who I am and who we are as a people? Dates are still being hammered out, but the shows for the 13th season are: Macbeth: As it has the past few years, Classic kicks things off with some Shakespeare, following memorable productions of A Midsummer Nights Dream and Romeo and Juliet. The Scottish play follows the bloody results of Macbeths decision to pursue power at any cost. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley: Classic first staged the sequel to Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice in 2018, and it resonated so much with audiences that it has become a tradition. The tale written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon follows bookish Mary Bennet as she decides whether to take a chance on love during a Christmas visit with her sister Elizabeth and her new husband, Mr. Darcy. An Inspector Calls: J. B. Priestleys classic British murder mystery follows the goings-on when an inspector arrives at a family home to investigate a recent suicide. The play digs into the choices that landed all of the characters where they are. A Dolls House: Part 2: Classic staged Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House to devastating effect in 2017. It is now tackling Lucas Hnaths 2017 sequel, in which the central character returns to the family she left at the end of the first play years later and faces the consequences of that decision. As it happens, the University of the Incarnate Word is staging A Dolls House this fall, so Hilliard Roush will be working with Mark Stringham, who teaches at UIW and has often worked at Classic, to find crossover opportunities. Antigone: Hilliard Roush is digging into a slew of translations of Sophocles classic text, in which the title characters decision to bury the body of her brother, who was left unburied as a punishment, has tragic consequences. Its all about big choices, Hilliard Roush said. What do we do for country, for family, for the gods? And who does that make us in the end? The company has two plays left this season: Our Town, which runs March 20-April 12; and Brighton Beach Memoirs, which runs May 8-31. In addition to the companys season, Jaston Williams will pay his annual visit with a solo show June 4-14, and the Surround Project returns to the space June 5-14 with Gideons Knot. Visit classictheatre.org for more information. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN A teenage boy has been found dead near a Docklands Light Railway station in east London. Police rushed to Atlantis Avenue in Newham at 8.38am today following reports of an unresponsive male near Gallions Reach DLR. The victim, understood to be a 16-year-old boy, was pronounced dead at the scene. He is thought to have suffered a head injury. The death is being treated as suspicious. The victim was found near Gallions Reach DLR station / Google streetview Although formal identification awaits, detectives believe they know who the young man is and have informed his next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course. Officers remain at the scene and enquiries continue.The DLR station reopened at around 6pm. 9.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former congressman Beto ORourke, once seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, will be endorsing Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, according to The New York Times. The report notes that ORourke plans to appear with the former vice president during a rally on Monday night in Dallas. The news comes after former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar both having dropped out over the last 24 hours announced they would be throwing their support behind Biden. Its the latest in a wave of endorsements and support Biden has seen since his victory in South Carolina. More from The New York Times: Former Representative Beto ORourke of Texas, who became a progressive star in his spirited race against Senator Ted Cruz before mounting a less-successful presidential campaign, will endorse Joseph R. Biden Jr. and appear with him in Dallas Monday night, according to two Democratic officials familiar with his plans. Mr. ORourke, who dropped out of the primary last fall, has returned to his native El Paso and largely stayed out of the campaign. But one night before the Texas primary, he will line up with his fellow former candidates, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, in their effort to coalesce behind Mr. Biden and slow the momentum of Bernie Sanders. A growing number of Democrats are uniting behind Biden Following his resounding victory in South Carolina over the weekend, Democrats have been rallying behind Biden ahead of Super Tuesday, when voters in 14 states will cast their ballots. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders continues to have the slight delegate edge and overall advantage heading into Tuesdays contests, particularly in delegate-rich California, but a wave of support has quickly swept over the Biden campaign. On Monday night in Texas, three former opponents Buttigieg, Klobuchar and ORourke will stand with Joe Biden in hopes of quickly uniting the party to defeat Donald Trump in November. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter Credit: Unsplash Early education and support programs for pregnant women and parents with young babies may be the key to combating rising rates of obesity in Australian kids, suggests a study led by the University of Sydney's Clinical Trials Centre. Lead investigator, Professor Lisa Askie, said almost one in four children in Australia are overweight or obese by the time they start school, setting the child on a lifelong trajectory of obesity and poor health. "Our study shows that early intervention from pregnancy up until two years of age not only reduced unhealthy weight gains in the children at age two, but we also saw less TV viewing time and improvements in feeding and breastfeeding practices." Released ahead of World Obesity Day the study, published in Pediatric Obesity, is the first of its kind to focus on very early education for parents prior to birth or within the first few months of the life of their child. "Childhood obesity is a major health issue, particularly among Australia's more disadvantaged populations. There are many different and varied interventions to help, but evidence suggests a child's habits and behaviors form early," said Professor Lisa Askie of the University of Sydney's Clinical Trials Centre and Charles Perkins Centre. "This is the first study of its kind to look at interventions at the pre-birth and early infancy stages." Professor Askie and her team, together with researchers from the University's Charles Perkins Centre, were approached to conduct this study because of their expertise in prospective meta-analysis (PMA). The team is a worldwide leader in PMA, recently publishing "A guide to PMA' in the British Medical Journal. In a PMA, studies are identified for inclusion before the results of the studies related to the PMA research question are known. PMAs are suited to high priority research questions where limited previous evidence exists and where new studies are expected to emerge. Professor Askie and her team used PMA to bring together four Australian and New Zealand trials studying early intervention in a total of over 2,000 children. The trials agreed to collect the same measures of childhood obesity, weight and habits associated with later obesity, so their data could be combined. This led to the creation of the world's largest database on early childhood obesity prevention to date. The combined data show that early interventions lead to a modest weight reduction at two years of age and importantly are also effective in forming positive habits early in childhood in relation to healthy eating and reduced TV time. "The idea is to set children on a positive weight trajectory early-on by forming good habits that can prevent overweight and obesity in later childhood," said Professor Askie. With the world's largest database on early childhood obesity prevention, the PMA team is set to become an international hub for future studies in the field. Next steps While evidence for early intervention is good news for childhood obesity prevention, questions still exist around which interventions work best and the best way to deliver them for different socio-economic groups. Current interventions, such as at-home nurse visits or community health center support groups, are mostly a one-size-fits-all approach. To answer these questions, Professor Askie and her team were recently awarded funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council for a follow-up study that aims to open up the 'black box' of interventions. "Policy makers want population-specific interventions that are going to work. No individual trial can answer these questions, but a collaborative PMA approach can fast track findings by years, by leveraging existing data," said Ph.D. candidate Anna Lene Seidler from the Clinical Trials Centre, who is the lead investigator on this follow-up study. Ms Seidler was co-investigator on the previous study. The study will collect data from more than 25 trials and over 8,500 participants to determine which interventions and delivery types work best for different populations. Data will be collected and analyzed from many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Guatemala, Spain, China, and the Netherlands. Deputy Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood, Professor Kylie Hesketh from Deakin University, said early intervention studies offer the greatest opportunity to reduce obesity in children and improve long term health. "Childhood obesity rates are soaring yet it is one of the most visible and widely neglected public health problems. We need concrete evidence to tackle the problems of convenient but fatty foods, less physical activity and increased screen time among children. "Findings from these Clinical Trial Centre studies will be directly translated in policy and practice, using existing health service channels, to tackle this key problem of our age." Explore further Women with obesity prior to conception are more likely to have children with obesity More information: Lisa M Askie et al. Interventions commenced by early infancy to prevent childhood obesityThe EPOCH Collaboration: An individual participant data prospective metaanalysis of four randomized controlled trials, Pediatric Obesity (2020). Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Lisa M Askie et al. Interventions commenced by early infancy to prevent childhood obesityThe EPOCH Collaboration: An individual participant data prospective metaanalysis of four randomized controlled trials,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12618 Loading Questions have turned to the impact of contamination, and the chances of it happening at a Pathwest lab. Mr Egan has also been asked to clarify Pathwest's contamination minimisation process, and he says the lab is specially built to prevent such events. Ms Barbagallo says the court has heard about some contamination, and asked Mr Egan about their impact on results. Mr Egan says contamination does not necessarily invalidate DNA results. "If you can identify the contaminant then you can consider that when making your controls about the result," he says. "If I contaminate a sample ... I can remove my profile from the sample and potentially deal with the remainder. It doesn't necessary invalidate the result it just means you have to deal with it in a different way." Ultimately, Mr Egan says there were 28 quality issues over 17,000 analyses, over the 25 years of testing. "A sub-category [of quality control issues include] contamination, topographical errors, manual handling errors or issues ... they would have even found genetic abnormalities of some people we didn't realise before they entered the laboratories," he says. "Very broad ranging." According to Mr Egan, this result is comparable with other laboratories doing the same thing, with another similar facility recording quality issues at a rate of about 0.3 per cent to 0.4 per cent for the same time period. The questions have turned to the Karrakatta exhibits, as Ms Barbagallo begins to pick apart the defence's theory regarding cross-contamination. Defence lawyer Paul Yovich has previously argued a sample of a twig taken from Jane Rimmer's body showed the DNA of a female victim of an unrelated crime because her exhibits examined in the lab days before Jane's evidence was tested - meant the same thing could have happened for Mr Edwards. Mr Yovich says Mr Edwards' DNA could have become present in Ciara's fingernails exhibits in a similar way, because his profile was already in the lab due to his rape of a young girl at Karrakatta cemetery years prior. But Mr Egan says based on when the extracts and exhibits were out he could not see "any opportunity there" for those exhibits to contaminate. In a remarkable statement that has gone virtually unreported in the American media, Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, publicly denounced US intelligence agencies for interfering in the presidential contest and attempting to sabotage the campaign of Democratic frontrunner Bernie Sanders. In an opinion column published February 27 by the Hill, Gabbard attacked the article published by the Washington Post on February 21, the eve of the Nevada caucuses, which claimed that Russia was intervening in the US election to support Sanders. She also criticized the decision of billionaire Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, to repeat the anti-Russia slander against Sanders during the February 25 Democratic presidential debate in South Carolina. Gabbard is a military officer in a National Guard medical unit who has been deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and has continuing and close contact with the Pentagon. She is obviously familiar with the machinations of the US military-intelligence apparatus and knows whereof she speaks. Her harsh and uncompromising language is that much more significant. She wrote: Enough is enough. I am calling on all presidential candidates to stop playing these dangerous political games and immediately condemn any interference in our elections by out-of-control intelligence agencies. A news article published last week in the Washington Post, which set off yet another manufactured media firestorm, alleges that the goal of Russia is to trick people into criticizing establishment Democrats. This is a laughably obvious ploy to stifle legitimate criticism and cast aspersions on Americans who are rightly skeptical of the powerful forces exerting control over the primary election process. We are told the aim of Russia is to sow division, but the aim of corporate media and self-serving politicians pushing this narrative is clearly to sow division of their ownby generating baseless suspicion against the Sanders campaign. Its extremely disingenuous for journalists and rival candidates to publicize a news article that merely asserts, without presenting any evidence, that Russia is helping Bernie Sandersbut provides no information as to what that help allegedly consists of. Gabbard continued: If the CIA, FBI or any other intelligence agency is going to tell voters that Russians are interfering in this election to help certain candidatesor simply sow discordthen it needs to immediately provide us with the details of what exactly its alleging. After pointing out that the Democratic Party establishment and the corporate media have had little interest in measures to actually improve election security, such as requiring paper ballots or some other form of permanent record of how people vote, Gabbard demanded: The FBI, CIA or any other intelligence agency should immediately stop smearing presidential candidates with innuendo and vague, evidence-free assertions. That is antithetical to the role those agencies play in a free democracy. The American people cannot have faith in our intelligence agencies if they are pushing an agenda to harm candidates they dislike. As socialists, we do not share Gabbards belief that the intelligence agencies have a positive role to play or that the American people need to have faith in them. As her military career demonstrates, she is a supporter of American imperialism and of the capitalist state. However, her opposition to the dirty tricks campaign against Sanders is entirely legitimate and puts the spotlight on a deeply anti-democratic operation by the military-intelligence apparatus. Gabbard denounces this new McCarthyism and calls on her fellow candidate to rebuff the CIA smears and defend the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. Not a single one of the remaining candidates for the Democratic presidential nominationincluding Sanders himselfhas responded to her appeal. Her statement concludes that the goal of the mainstream corporate media and the warmongering political establishment was either to block Sanders from winning the nomination, or, if he does become the nominee, to force him to engage in inflammatory anti-Russia rhetoric and perpetuate the new Cold War and nuclear arms race, which are existential threats to our country and the world. Despite Gabbards appeal for the Democratic candidates not to be manipulated and forced into a corner by overreaching intelligence agencies, the Democratic Party establishment has been working in lockstep with the intelligence agencies in the anti-Russia campaign against Trump, which began even before election day in 2016, metastasized into the Mueller investigation and then the effort to impeach Trump over his delay in the dispatch of military aid to Ukraine for its war with Russian-backed separatist forces. Her comments are a complete vindication of what the World Socialist Web Site has written about the anti-Russia campaign and impeachment: these were efforts by the Democratic Party, acting as the representative of the military-intelligence apparatus, to block the emergence of genuine left-wing popular opposition to Trump, and to channel popular hostility to this administration in a right-wing and pro-imperialist direction. Gabbard herself was the only House Democrat to abstain on impeachment, although she did not voice any principled grounds for her vote, such as opposition to the intelligence agencies. She has based her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination largely on an appeal to antiwar sentiment, particularly opposing US intervention in Syria. She has also said that if elected, she would drop all charges against Julian Assange and pardon Edward Snowden. These views led to a vicious attack by Hillary Clinton, the defeated Democratic presidential candidate in 2016, who last October called Gabbard a Russian asset, claiming that she was being groomed by Russia to serve as a third-party candidate in 2020 who would take votes away from the Democratic nominee and help re-elect President Trump. Shes the favorite of the Russians, Clinton claimed. Since Clintons attack, the Democratic National Committee has excluded Gabbard from its monthly debates, manipulating the eligibility requirements so that billionaire Michael Bloomberg would qualify even for debates held in states where he was not on the ballot but Gabbard was, such as Nevada and South Carolina. IMC shares can be purchased under the symbol 3MX on the FRA, IMCX on the CSE and IMIMF on the OTC VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / International Mining Corp (CSE:IMCX) (OTC:IMIMF) (FRA:3MX) (the "Company" or "IMC"), is pleased to announce it has received approval and is listed on Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker 3MX. The Company continues to trade on the CSE under the ticker IMCX, and the OTC under the ticker IMIMF. In addition, IMC continues to proceed towards completing the previously announced transaction to purchase 100% of Thane Minerals Inc. The Company anticipates the closing of the transaction will occur on or before March 15, 2020. "Receiving a listing on the Frankfurt Exchange is an important milestone as we continue to expand our investor base and awareness internationally," said CEO, Brian Thurston. "This listing will allow IMC to expand its shareholder base by making itself readily available to European and international investors. Furthermore, the Company will continue its efforts to expand and grow its operations." ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Thurston Chief Executive Officer and President ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP. IMC International Mining Corp. is a junior exploration and development company. It is focused on creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of gold assets, which include the Company's 100% owned Bullard Pass Property in Arizona. IMC continues to evaluate additional properties to add to its portfolio of mining assets. INVESTOR RELATIONS: ir@internationalmining.ca 1 (604) 588-2110 https://imcxmining.com Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding: the completion of the Private Placement, the Company's intention to acquire further mineral properties; the Company's business plans and prospects and the future of the Company's business, the acquisition, exploration and development of its assets; and the ability to create shareholder value. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Private Placement may not complete in the full amount contemplated, or at all, that the Company may not acquire any additional mineral properties, that the Company's plans and prospects will vary from those stated in this news release and that the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release. SOURCE: International Mining Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578750/IMC-International-Mining-Corp-Announces-Listing-on-Frankfurt-Stock-Exchange BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Birmingham, Alabama based accounting firm Warren Averett, LLC is pleased to welcome Jeff Plank, CVA, CEPA, MBA, to the firm's Atlanta office. Plank will join the team as a Principal in the Consulting Division. Warren Averett is one of the largest accounting firms in the Southeastern region, ranking among the top 35 firms in the United States. Those interested in learning more about Warren Averett are welcome to view the company Facebook page. Jeff Plank will bring 15 years of public accounting experience as a business advisor to Warren Averett. Before public accounting, he held senior finance positions in various industries, including banking, telecommunications and technology. Plank's practice areas include business valuation, litigation support, transaction advisory and strategy consulting for midmarket companies. He has expertise in serving numerous industries, including construction and real estate, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, nonprofit, professional services, retail and consumer, technology and life sciences and transportation. Plank is a Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Accredited Mindshop Facilitator. Plank holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He serves as a board member for Community Consulting Teams and the West Point Society of Atlanta. Plank is also actively involved with Bunker Labs and FourBlock, both helping prepare Veterans to achieve their career goals. "We are extremely excited to welcome Jeff to the Warren Averett team," says Kim Hartsock, Managing Member of Warren Averett's Atlanta office. "Given his experience and special industry expertise, I am confident he will enhance the value that we offer our clients." Warren Averett's Atlanta office is situated at 6 Concourse Pkwy #600, Concourse Corporate Center 6 Atlanta, GA 30328. Being one of the United States' top 35 accounting firms, and with over 800 employees and 311 CPAs firm-wide, Warren Averett is able to offer depth and experience in a variety of industries to its clients. The company offers multiple services within its six solution groups. These include traditional accounting, corporate advisory, risk, security and technology, HR solutions, finance team support and personal services. In addition to the Birmingham, Alabama office and the office in Atlanta, the firm has offices in Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Cullman, Anniston and Foley, Alabama; Panama City, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Tampa, Florida; and affiliate offices in Houston, Texas and the Cayman Islands. The third-largest practice area in the firm, Warren Averett's Financial Services Practice Group, is made up of professionals who have dedicated their careers to help banks, credit unions, insurance companies, broker-dealers and other financial institutions thrive. By staying ahead of industry trends and technical, regulatory changes, this group of seasoned experts works to ensure financial services institutions can save money and plan for the future while staying compliant. "At Warren Averett, we are dedicated to seeing our clients thrive. We are very proud to have the industry and service expertise to help our clients succeed by accomplishing what's important to them. Whether it's audit compliance and tax planning or technology consulting and HR solutions, we have the capacity to help by listening to your needs and offering solution-based ideas." Those who want to learn more about Warren Averett and the various services they provide are welcome to browse the company's website. Additionally, the company encourages interested parties to contact the Atlanta office directly via phone or the contact form on their website. Warren Averett also maintains a presence on Facebook, where the firm frequently posts updates and share blog posts. ### For more information about Warren Averett, contact the company here: Warren Averett Kaitlyn Ryan 205-769-3227 Kaitlyn.Ryan@warrenaverett.com 2500 Acton Road #200 Birmingham, AL 35243 SOURCE: Warren Averett View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578834/CPA-Firm-Warren-Averett-Welcomes-New-Consulting-Professional Newly-appointed Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh on Tuesday said maintaining communal harmony in the city was the priority of the police, and no Delhi-like violence will be allowed to happen here. Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer, took over as the top police officer of the city three days ago. "The police are engaging with people to keep the city incident-free and ensure there is no repeat of Delhi violence," he told PTI. At least 42 persons died in communal violence that flared up in the national capital last week. Mumbai was convulsed by terrible communal riots in 1992-93 in the aftermath of the demolition of Babri Masjid. The city has witnessed some huge anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests since December, but they have been remarkably peaceful. "The entire police machinery is ready to tackle any untoward situation. We are also monitoring social media activities," Singh said, adding that stern action will be taken against anti-social elements. "Agitating in a legal and constitutional way is the democratic right of people. We don't have any problem with that, but we will take action against those who violate the law," he said, appealing people to help police to maintain law and order in the country's financial capital. The city police have done a very good job of maintaining communal harmony so far and it will be carried on, Singh said. Referring to the recent agitations in the city (against the CAA), the commissioner said people should take necessary permissions and follow the law while staging protests. Mumbai Police is a "professional and effective police force and we have a very good team," he said, adding that ensuring safety of women, children and senior citizens was the city police's priority. "I will be happy to become a people's police commissioner," Singh said. Talking about the challenge of terrorism, he said it originates from "the neighboring country", and the police will ensure excellent co-ordination with all the security agencies to tackle this threat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The University of California (UC) strike is a political struggle against the Democratic Party and the corporate interests it defends. UC strikers and supporters can hear Socialist Equality Party presidential and vice-presidential candidates Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz speak this week at townhall meetings at UC Berkeley (March 3), UC Los Angeles (March 4), and San Diego (March 5). Read Santa Cruzs previous statement on the UC struggle here. Strikers at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) shut down campus today in response to the firing of what is now over 100 graduate student teaching assistants (TAs). The strike, now entering its fourth week, has spread to UC Davis (UCD) and UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) with solidarity actions, and in some cases, strike votes at most if not all of the 10 UC campuses. As support grows internationally, the UC administration remains intransigent while the trade unions and Democratic Party scramble to contain and dissipate the strike. Students protesting at UC Irvine Statements of support continue to stream in from universities across the US, such as Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Rutgers University, and internationally, from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. The strike's GoFundMe fund has raised more than $230,000 from over 5,100 people. In defiance of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, these wildcat strikers are fighting for a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) of roughly $1,400-1,800 to ensure that they are able to afford housing in some of the most expensive parts of the country. Some 559 UCSC graduate students have pledged not to fill the TA vacancies left by the firings. At UC Santa Cruz, several hundred graduate and undergraduate students blockaded the main road leading to campus with a banner reading, UC-wide solidarity. At UC Santa Barbara, at least several dozen graduate students rallied under the banner, "You're gonna have to fire us too, Janet!", referring to UC President and Obama-era Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Nearly 1,000 attended a demonstration at UC Davis. At UCLA 100-150 rallied, about 200 at UC Irvine, and many at UCSD as well. Medical students at UC San Francisco (UCSF) held a sit-in in solidarity at both of the universitys campuses. Part of the protest at UCLA At UC Berkeley, graduate students held a general assembly and voted on solidarity statements. While there was no vote to strike at the meeting, the mood among Berkeley graduate students is to join the strike as soon as possible. Black Studies graduate students announced a strike this weekend. Campaign teams from the World Socialist Web Site spoke with students at UCSC, UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine. They distributed a statement by Socialist Equality Party Vice Presidential candidate Norissa Santa Cruz calling for the formation of rank-and-file committees to take the conduct of the struggle out of the hands of the pro-capitalist and nationalist unions ... to fight for the broadest mobilization of the working class based on what workers and young people need, not what the big business political parties say is affordable. Students responded warmly to calls to attend SEP election meetings at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD this week. Mohammed, a student at UCSD and one of the organizers of the rally, spoke about how the strike was launched without help from the UAW. This began at UCSC in a strike against the UAW. The UAW, from the international level down to our local, has done a lot to squash rank-and-file movements. You see how all the hope and energy in the beginning of the movement just gets sapped into supporting some obscure labor law. I think a general strike is desperately needed. Workers should see this as an instance where we defied the UC and the union bosses. I dont put faith in elected officials. The UAW just takes our dues to support Democrats. Mohammed The material conditions, the student debt, the lack of housing is making people realize that the way things have been going is not working. People are fed up, and time is running out. The UC is a big business. Theres this conception that we are an ivory tower, but the work really falls on the most disadvantaged. Students must draw the lessons of past struggles. It is no accident that, to wage any struggle against poverty wages, the graduate students had to defy the no-strike pledge imposed by the UAW and UC administration. The corrupt UAW has acted as a labor contractor for decades. Many of its top leaders have been brought down by a massive bribery and corruption scandal, and many have already been convicted for taking millions of dollars in bribes from the auto companies in exchange for concessions. True to form, the grievance filed by the UAW last week against the university is not that it fired the strikers, but that the university proposed negotiating with groups other than the UAW. Every step forward in the strike is a step further away from the UAW, which is trying its hardest to constrain its members to good faith negotiations with the regents. There can be no good faith negotiations with a body whose interests are diametrically opposed to students. Whether it is UC President Janet Napolitano, who brutalized immigrants and coordinated the FBI crackdown on the Occupy protests, or the corrupt war profiteer Richard Blum, husband of Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, the board of regents has no desire to undermine their business interests by paying grad students, adjuncts, and lecturers a livable wage or providing undergraduates an affordable education. Student with homemade sign The graduate students fight for COLA and against victimization is fundamentally a political struggle against Napolitano, the UC Regents and the Democratic Newsom administration. To win, this strike must broaden to workers off as well as on the campuses. For example, 14,000 Northern California Safeway workers recently approved strike action after the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union kept them on the job for more than a year and a half after their last contract expired. UC strikers should issue an appeal to workers across California and beyond to form rank-and-file committees to support their struggle. Workers across California must follow the lead of the UC graduate students and take the initiative into their own hands in an irreconcilable struggle against the Democratic Party and their supporters in the trade unions and pseudoleft organizations. As a starting point, students and workers must reject claims that there is no money in a state with 163 billionaires. There must be full funding for public education, including COLA, an end to police repression on campuses, especially of homeless students, and above all, the rehiring of the victimized UCSC strikers. Congress MLA Baijnath Kushwaha on Tuesday claimed that BJP leaders were offering him Rs 25 crore to lure him ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh. Kushwaha's allegation has come a day after veteran Congress leader and Upper House member Digvijaya Singh accused BJP leaders of offering Rs 25 to 35 crore to Congress MLAs, even as the saffron party rubbished the claims. Singh had alleged that the BJP had offered Rs 5 crore in advance and the remaining amount in part to destabilise the Kamal Nath-led government in the state. Speaking to reporters here after meeting minister Govind Singh, Kushwaha said, "People have been offering me money and I asked them who was giving the money and place where the amount will be delivered," he said. The Congress MLA identified one of the men as Pramod Sharma from Bhind and claimed that he had also noted the name of another man and will reveal it later. Some men said they had been sent by (former chief minister) Shivraji, (Union Minister) Narendra Singh Tomar (BJP chief whip in the state Assembly) Narrotam Mishra, he alleged. Kushwaha claimed he was offered Rs 25 crore or a ministerial berth and Rs 5 crore. "It is not a big deal for me. I will turn down bigger offers and this is my decision. I had nothing, but I was made an MLA. What more do I need? I am with the Congress and I can't be bought at any cost," he said. Meanwhile, state BJP chief spokesman Deepak Vijayvargiya dismissed Kushwaha's claims, terming them as "a bunch of lies". "There is an internal fight going on in the Congress and different factions are spreading a bunch of lies to dwarf each other," he said. Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh wants to get re-elected to the Rajya Sabha and wants to rock Jyotiraditya Scindia's boat as he is also seeking entry to the Upper House, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Military medics arrive at Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 13, 2020. Ordered by the Central Military Commission, 11 transport aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force Thursday sent medics and supplies provided by the armed forces to virus-hit Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. This was the first time for China's domestically developed large transport aircraft Y-20 to take part in non-military action. It was also the first time for the Air Force to send large and medium transport aircraft on active service to carry out urgent air transport tasks on a large scale. (Xinhua/Li Yun) The ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak in China will not affect the Chinese military's combat training and exercises, and the military has comprehensively demonstrated its emergency-response abilities during its fight against the outbreak, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Monday. Senior Colonel Wu Qian said at a news conference in Beijing that the People's Liberation Army has maintained the normal routine and training of troops since the outbreak while it also is playing a big part in epidemic control work. Responding to the call of President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force have deployed more than 4,000 medical personnel to join in epidemic control efforts in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, since Jan 24, according to the ministry. As of Sunday, three medical facilities in Wuhan that are currently under the military's management Huoshenshan Hospital, Taikang Tongji Hospital, and the Guanggu branch of Hubei Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital had treated 3,467 patients in critical condition, and 689 of them had been discharged after recovering, said Major General Chen Jingyuan, head of the Central Military Commission's Logistics Support Department's health bureau. Military medical workers had seen 4,450 patients, of which 1,000 had been discharged after recovering by Sunday, he said, adding that no military medics had been infected by novel coronavirus. Chen said the armed forces have allocated 400,000 medical masks, 8,000 protective suits and other medical equipment to Wuhan. The PLA Air Force has used its transport aircraft to conduct 30 flights to move medics and medical necessities from across the nation to Wuhan. The PLA Central Theater Command now runs a transportation support team of 130 trucks and 260 personnel to help move daily necessities in Wuhan. The team had transported more than 8,500 metric tons of goods and 23,600 medical apparatuses by Sunday, he said. Wu, the spokesman, said the PLA pays equal attention to prevention of the epidemic and the combat training. "Our armed forces have the responsibility to take part in disaster relief, emergency response and rescue missions," he said when asked about some foreign analysts' claims that the contagion is likely to impact the combat readiness of the Chinese military. "Our military's active participation in the fight against the disease will not only comprehensively show the troops' emergency-response ability but also hone their operational skills. It could be seen as a combat exercise." In another development, Wu said many foreign defense departments and militaries have assisted China in helping fight the highly contagious viral disease. By Saturday, several countries such as Pakistan, Belarus and Turkey had used their military transport planes to send medical materials to China, while defense authorities and armed forces in countries including Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore had donated funds and supplies to China. In addition, defense departments or military leaders in countries including the United States, New Zealand, Serbia and Iran have expressed their appreciation and support toward China's counter-epidemic efforts, Wu said. Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chief of Hamas' political bureau, announced during an interview on Al-Aqsa satellite channel Feb. 22 that Egypt sent an invitation to Hamas to visit it to discuss several important issues. Arouri said that Egypt is Hamas second home and underlined the stability of relations between them. This is the first time Egypt invites Hamas to visit since November 2019, when a Hamas delegation headed to Cairo to hold talks about the Palestinian reconciliation, the general elections and ways to alleviate the situation in the Gaza Strip. Relations between the two parties had been frosty following Ismail Haniyehs visit to Iran in January to offer his condolences following the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The visit angered Egypt, because Haniyeh allegedly vowed not to visit Iran when Cairo allowed him to conduct his foreign tour. Iyad al-Qarra, former editor-in-chief of the Gaza-based Felesteen newspaper, told Al-Monitor, Egypts invitation to Hamas indicates that they have overcome the coldness in their relations. Despite their differences over Palestinian and regional developments, Hamas will secure the borders of Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, and Egypt will keep sponsoring relations with Israel. Egypt monitored Hamas behavior and disengagement in the recent Gaza escalation Feb. 23-24 between Israel and Islamic Jihad. This conduct showed how reasonable Hamas is and careful in handling the Gaza affairs alone, despite its urgent need for some parties like Qatar that would offer financial aid to the Gaza Strip while Egypt handles the security portfolio. On Feb. 10, an Egyptian security delegation headed by Ahmed Abdel Khalek, the Egyptian intelligence officer in charge of Cairo's Palestinian portfolio, arrived in Gaza for talks with Hamas about the truce with Israel and to discuss bilateral relations and the security situation on the Egyptian-Palestinian borders. This was the first Egyptian visit to Gaza in 2020, after ties were cut off for months. However, it was notable that Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar did not meet with the Egyptian delegation. But on Feb. 21, Sinwar met with Qatari Ambassador to Palestine Mohammed al-Emadi who offered a grant to the Gaza Strip worth $12 million. The Israeli Walla website reported Feb. 22 that Mossad Director Yossi Cohen and Chief of the Israeli Southern Command in the Israeli army Herzi Halevi visited Qatar in secret in early February and discussed a settlement with Hamas without mentioning Egypt, which raised concerns among Egyptians that it would be deprived of the Gaza file and other rivals, like Qatar, would interfere. Basem Naim, former minister of health in Gazas government and member of the Hamas international relations office, told Al-Monitor, Hamas upcoming visit to Egypt aims to maintain contact between the two parties and preserve their long-standing coordination and cooperation, despite their different views on regional and local developments. The visit will focus on ways to confront [US President Donald Trumps] 'deal of the century,' the Israeli aggression on Gaza and its humanitarian crisis, as well as [economic] incentives and facilitation of movement through the Rafah crossing. Naim added, If Egyptians propose the reconciliation issue, Hamas will welcome all Egyptian efforts to achieve it and turn the rift page, despite the absence of positive indications from Fatah that it is willing to end this dark era. Wissam Afifa, director of Al-Aqsa satellite channel in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Relations between Hamas and Egypt were cold at some point, and this was reflected in a media attack from Egyptian journalists and reduced visits between Gaza and Egypt. The visit of the Egyptian delegation in early February broke the ice, after the deterioration of the situation between Hamas and Israel, and with Cairos desire to prevent a military confrontation ahead of the Israeli elections March 2. He added, The [upcoming] visit will unlikely result in major outcomes, except for renewal of bilateral relations. The parties will also discuss ways to solve the issue of increasing Egyptian taxes on imported products to Gaza, which raised the ire of Gaza traders. Egypts invitation of Hamas after months of absence coincided with the Israeli delegations visit to Qatar, which might indicate that Egypt was annoyed. Egypt might have realized that other parties would rush to fill the void left by its absence in the Gaza Strip. Its invitation for Hamas to visit expresses its conviction that it should cement its presence in Gaza, reconsider its decisions with Hamas and end the boycott, even if forcibly. Osama Amer, a Cairo-based Palestinian writer, told Al-Monitor, Egypts invitation for the Hamas leadership to visit might negate all media talk about their tense relations following Haniyehs visit to Iran. Egypt does not impose its conditions on Hamas in managing its foreign relations. Egypt is strongly present on the security and political arenas regarding the Palestinian cause in Gaza. The geographical location dictates their relations. A man accused of running down two marshals in Connecticut while fleeing from a courthouse on Monday was captured in Chicopee, according to Massachusetts State Police. State police troopers worked through the night to find and apprehend Jose A. Lopez in a room at the Motel 6 on Johnny Cake Hollow Road. He was taken into custody around 5:20 a.m., state police said in a statement. Lopez had been sought since Monday morning, the statement said. "The events that triggered the manhunt began when he appeared on his own recognizance in the Manchester Superior Court for a hearing on a misdemeanor charge. "At some point during the morning, Lopez, possibly fearing he was going to be held, fled the courthouse. Lopez allegedly drove into the two marshals who were chasing him on foot as he was driving. Both marshals were injured, and one was in critical condition, according to state police. Authorities searched multiple possible addresses where Lopez may have been hiding overnight Monday. The 42-year-old man was known to have ties to the Springfield areas, state police said. Lopez was expected to be arraigned later Tuesday in Chicopee District Court as a fugitive from justice, authorities said. Prosecutors will also work to send him to Connecticut. HYDERABAD: The state government is learnt to have unofficially banned the use of Amaravati dateline on press notes released to the media by the Chief Ministers Office (CMO). Significantly, the media communiques issued by the CMO conveying official news are having Tadepally or Velagapudi datelines, instead of Amaravati. It was the regime of former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu that first started using the Amaravati dateline on press notes issued by the Chief Ministers Office. Interestingly, Naidus residence is at Undavalli while Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is residing at Tadepally. Whoever may be the CM, official review meetings of chief ministers are conducted either at the secretariat or at their official residence. Information about Naidus meetings, whether at the Secretariat or his residence, was issued by the then Chief Minister Office with Amaravati dateline, as Amaravati was the capital city of AP. Present Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan too is conducting review meetings at the secretariat or his residence. When the review meeting is held at the CMs residence located at Tadepally, the press note issued by the CMO is using the Tadepally dateline. If the review meeting is conducted at the secretariat situated in Velagapudi, the CMO is mentioning Velagapudi as the dateline. The mention of Amaravati is thus being avoided. Incidentally, the temporary secretariat was constructed by the Naidu regime at Velagapudi. The AP assembly building was also established in Velagapudi. Since then, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government has, in the name of decentralising administration, decided to create three capitals, with Amaravati being the legislative capital. A senior officer of the CMO clarified that they may use Amaravati dateline on press notes related to the assembly, because Amaravati is the legislative capital. He maintained that the CMs residence at Tadepally and secretariat at Velagapudi are not part of the legislative capital Amaravati. GOLDEN, British Columbia, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conservation organization Wolf Awareness is releasing photos they obtained showing government-contracted helicopter staff in trophy hunting-like poses displaying wolves they shot down in Albertas caribou recovery program. The first photo shows a man propping up a dead wolf on his knee, with the weapon laid across the wolfs chest in front of a Bighorn Helicopters Inc. aircraft. The second photo shows a different man holding the head of a dead white wolf so that it faces the camera with him in front of the same aircraft. The photos are said to be a few years old, but aerial gunning of wolves continues in numerous caribou ranges in Alberta as a last-ditch and controversial effort to halt caribou declines. It also has been occurring or is proposed to occur in 11 caribou ranges in British Columbia, another province where Bighorn Helicopters Inc. has been contracted to kill wolves. In Albertas caribou conservation program, ministry staff poison wolves with strychnine and the ministry has incentivized wolf snaring by registered trappers in addition to contracting aerial gunners. The Alberta government has so far refused to indicate where and when the killing is happening this year and sidestepped a Freedom of Information Request filed by Drew Yewchuk at the Public Interest Law Clinic at the University of Calgary requesting 'All records relating to the wolf culling program in Alberta, especially those documents addressing costs. Alberta Environment and Parks response to Mr. Yewchuk indicated that the ministry does not calculate the costs of any of the individual activities, including wolf killing, that are part of Alberta's $4,189,250 Woodland Caribou Budget for 2018/2019. Strychnine has killed a minimum of 250 accidental victims from 12 non-target species in the Grand Cache area since 2005, including at-risk grizzly bears. A government memo from 2012 indicates that trappers reported accidentally killing caribou and grizzly bears when wolf snaring. Press release, photos and contact information available at: https://www.wolfawareness.org/press-releases Contact information: Lisa Dahlseide B.Sc. - Alberta based Conservation Biologist with Wolf Awareness - 587-439-8267 - lisa@wolfawareness.org Hannah Barron - Conservation Director of Wolf Awareness (647) 567-8337 - hannah@wolfawareness.org WEBB, N.Y. -- A 22-year-old ended up in the hospital with a head injury after he crashed his snowmobile into a tree off of Trail 5 in the town of Webb on Friday. Town of Webb police say Connor R. Healey, of Goshen, was unconscious when he was found by first responders after the accident. He was taken to St. Elizabeths Hospital, but has since been transferred to Upstate Medical Center. Police are investigating the incident, and believe speed and alcohol may have been contributing factors. Bobbie Battista, one of the original anchors of CNN Headline News and a veteran of various anchor jobs at CNN over two decades, died on Tuesday in Davenport, Iowa, where she lived. She was 67. A family spokesman said the cause was cervical cancer. After joining Headline News for its launch in 1982, Ms. Battista was promoted in 1988 to the parent Cable News Network, where she anchored coverage of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the gulf war and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. She became a familiar face in American living rooms, anchoring CNN NewsDay, CNN NewsHour, CNN Daybreak and CNN PrimeNews. She was voted best newscaster in Cable Guide magazines annual readers poll in 1986. In 1998, Ms. Battista began a three-year stint as the host of TalkBack Live, an hourlong weekday afternoon program that featured guest newsmakers fielding questions from a studio audience and from viewers participating by phone, fax and the internet. (It was canceled in 2003.) June 13, 1936February 26, 2020 Surrounded by her family, Rita Jo Link passed peacefully on February 26th at her home in Canterbury Inn, Longview. Rita Jo was born on the 13th of June 1936 to Joe and Virginia Thompson in Plainville, Kansas. She was the middle of three sisters. Growing up in Plainville, she graduated from Plainville High School in 1954. Soon after, she met her husband, Jim Link and was married at Sacred Heart Catholic church on May 19th, 1956 in Plainville. They soon started their family with their four children; Pam, Brad, Shelli and Phil. With four young children, they moved to Washington state in 1966. After a few years of Jim working for Rita Jos uncle, Al Toelkes, in Vancouver, Jim and Rita Jo bought Standard Beer Distributing Company in 1970 and moved their family to Longview. They successfully ran Standard beer for 30 years with Rita Jo doing whatever was necessary to make the business successful. She meticulously ran the household, was hostess for many industry events and even delivered beer when the need arose. After the business sold in 2000, Rita Jo turned her focus to St. Annes circle at St. Rose Catholic church, helping provide beautiful altar flower arrangements. Rita Jo made her home the gathering place for all of her family and friends, especially at Christmas, which she made a memorable event for her family year after year. She cherished her role as grandmother to her 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Her husband Jim passed in 2009. Soon after, Rita Jo moved to the Canterbury Inn to start her next chapter. She enjoyed all the freedom and activities that Canterbury offered, making many friends and being a friend to many. Rita Jo was preceded in death by her father and mother, Joe and Virgina Thompson (Toelkes) as well as her husband of 53 years, Jim Link. She is survived by her eldest sister, Monna Lou Johnson of Camas, Wash., and by her baby sister, Sondra Thompson of Vancouver, her four children: Pam and (Rich) Anfinson of Longview, Brad and (Rosalie) Link of Longview, Shelli Whittaker of Boulder, Colo., and Phil and (Melanie) Link of Rathdrum, Idaho. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Summer, Sara Jo, James Richard, Haley Jo, Katie and Sterling and her great grandchildren: Sadie Jo, Iris, Jaxen and Jack. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff, employees, aides and nurses of Canterbury Inn, she loved them all. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Rita Jos name to St. Rose Catholic School or the Progress Center in Longview. Friday March 6th at 11:00 a.m., a celebration of life will be held for Rita Jo at St. Rose Catholic Church in Longview, with a reception to follow. There will be a rosary offered prior to the celebration at 10:30. Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements. Photo: Jeremy Francis An apparent hairline fracture in the crankshaft likely led to a Cessna 172 single-engine planes propeller falling off mid-flight near Victoria, according to a preliminary investigation. Its definitely a problem with that part, theres no two ways about it, said Colin Williamson, board president of the Victoria Flying Club. The question is: Why did it fracture? Potential causes to be examined as part of an investigation overseen by Transport Canada include corrosion, a defect in the design or metal, or a problem that came up during maintenance or work on the engine or its rebuild. Pilot Ryan McCall, 26, was 15 minutes into a flight from the Victoria Flying Club on the morning of Feb. 18 when the propeller fell off, the engine stopped and oil spewed out, covering the windshield. McCall, with his father beside him as a passenger, was forced to make a crash landing in a blueberry patch in Saanich. The plane flipped once and landed upside down after the landing gear got caught on irrigation lines. Father and son walked away without serious injuries. It was purely mechanical were 100 per cent confident it was not his flying skills that caused the problem, said Williamson, who called McCalls safe landing heroic. Williamson said once the cause of the cracking is determined, the flying club will determine what, if any, corrective action needs to be taken. Where the propeller ended up was a mystery until Sunday, when Jeremy Francis came upon it embedded in his grandmothers field. I was thinking: Wheres the rest of the plane? because this is the most important part, said Francis. His grandmother remembered there had been a recent plane crash in the area and got on her computer, and thats when I learned that there were two occupants and everyone was OK. Francis phoned the police and the Victoria Flying Club. They were so excited to actually find it, to find out the exact cause of what brought the plane down. With the go-ahead to remove the more than six-foot sharp blade, he started tugging. I realized it was the complete propeller with the flywheel still attached to it, said Francis. You can tell where it just ripped right off of the propeller shaft and just came flying down and embedded itself over three-quarters of the way into the ground. A 500km band of rain is closing in on Australia's east coast, marking the end of the deadly bushfire season and bringing much-needed relief for drought-stricken farmers. The Bureau of Meteorology warned parts of inland and south-east New South Wales face flash flooding as they're set to be battered by rain from Wednesday. The huge deluge is expected to last 48 hours, but rain is expected for at least the next week. The drenching is good news for drought-stricken areas, which could see more rain in two days than all of last year. A massive 500-kilometre rain bomb is closing in on Australia's east coast The Bureau of Meteorology warned parts of inland and south-east New South Wales face flash flooding as they're set to be battered by rain from Wednesday (stock image) The drenching is good news for drought-stricken areas, which could see more rain than they did all of last year Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said it would be a 'major rain event', news.com.au reported. 'On Wednesday and Thursday, a 500km-wide band of rain will stretch from Alice Springs all the way to Melbourne and Sydney,' he said. 'Our modelling shows the most consistent and widespread rainfall will be straight through the middle of the Murray-Darling Basin. 'This is primarily a soaking rainfall event with isolated thunderstorms with most locations (within the band) seeing extended periods of rainfall.' This week's forecast comes after NSW Rural Fire Service on Monday announced the state was free from bushfires, following a deadly and devastating season. This week's forecast comes after NSW Rural Fire Service on Monday announced the state was free from bushfires, following a deadly and devastating season The bureau's NSW forecaster Stephen Stefanac said: 'Wednesday and Thursday will have the heaviest rainfall around Sydney and many areas can expect 20 to 50 millimetres over the course of two days' 'For the first time since early July 2019, there is currently no active bush or grass fires in NSW,' the RFS said. 'That's more than 240 days of fire activity for the state.' During Australia's horror bushfire season 33 people were killed, more than 2,000 homes were destroyed and at least one-billion animals perished. On Tuesday, NSW RFS welcomed the forecast. 'This time the rain should fall where they need it most,' they wrote on Twitter. 'The forecast from BOM NSW over the next 8 days has possible falls up to 100mm in western NSW. The bureau released a severe weather warning ahead of this week's drenching in NSW and ACT On Tuesday, NSW RFS welcomed the forecast. 'This time the rain should fall where they need it most,' they wrote on Twitter 'The smiles are slowly getting bigger.' The week of rain across NSW comes from ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther, which has formed a powerful low pressure system. 'The remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther will make her way through NSW in coming days bringing welcome heavy rain to many areas who missed out on recent falls,' the bureau said. The bureau's NSW forecaster Stephen Stefanac said: 'Wednesday and Thursday will have the heaviest rainfall around Sydney and many areas can expect 20 to 50 millimetres over the course of two days.' 'The main cause is an ex-tropical cyclone turned into a low pressure system that is moving south-east to Sydney and dragging down tropical moisture into the state.' The rain in Sydney is expected to ease over the weekend. Australian summers have been longer and winters shorter Australian summers are getting longer and winters shorter, analysis of weather data shows. The Australia Institute has studied two decades worth of Bureau of Meteorology data for the nation's cities, comparing it to a benchmark from the mid-twentieth century. The think-tank is calling on the federal government to boost its emissions reduction plan to prevent more climate change related warming. The study found that summer temperatures are continuing for 31 days longer than the benchmark, while winters are 23 days shorter. Australia Institute's climate and energy director Richie Merzian says having more extreme heat events puts the public at risk and hurts the economy. 'The Australian government's current emission reduction targets are aligned with three to four degrees of warming,' he said. 'Which leaves young Australians having ever-lengthening summers with significant consequences.' The federal government has committed to the Paris agreement, which aims for a 26 to 28 per cent reduction on 2005 greenhouse gas emissions levels by 2030. The agreement also includes a pact to achieve net zero emissions in the second half of the century. Labor has committed to net zero emissions by 2050, but hasn't revealed if its 2030 goal would be more ambitious than what the Paris target stipulates. Advertisement Sydney (pictured) will experience 20 to 50 millimitres of rain across Wednesday and Thursday The remaining system from Cyclone Esther triggered heavy rain in the Northern Territory and throughout Queensland. Weatherzone Forecaster Tom Hough told Daily Mail Australia: 'We can see a low pressure trough from this system embedded in Queensland and into northern New South Wales.' 'The ex-Tropical Cyclone Ester is going to move south-east over next few days and bring heavy rainfall across the Northern Territory and western Queensland as well as central and western New South Wales.' Heavy rain will also extend into central and eastern Victoria on Wednesday and Thursday. Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania will be unaffected by the cyclone's remnants but can all expect the odd shower this week. In this Athens police blotter, two men fight after one man allegedly throws a glass at the other man's head, six cases of beer are stolen from Walmart and more. Motorists caught using their mobile phone by new high-tech cameras could escape their fine by challenging the photo in court. Handling a mobile phone while driving is illegal and carries a hefty penalty of five demerit points and a $344 fine in New South Wales. New high-tech cameras were set up in the state on December 1 to catch drivers in the act, capturing clear images of people texting inside their cars. Traffic barrister Nic Angelov told Daily Mail Australia motorists can challenge a fine if they believe the camera is in error, and captured them handling something other than a mobile phone such as a glasses case or hairbrush. If it is not you behind the wheel or you are not actually holding a mobile phone then you can challenge your fine in court. It is up to the prosecution to prove you are guilty The cameras include infra-red flashes and can take pictures of drivers in their cars travelling at high speeds, night or day and in all weather. The three month warning period is over The cameras have so far captured clear images of drivers eating popcorn, reading newspapers and flicking through documents as well as checking their mobile phones even as they drive at speed, Seven News revealed. They use artificial intelligence (AI) to review the images to detect offending drivers, according to the Transport for NSW website. Images that the AI thinks are likely to contain a driver illegally using their mobile phone are checked by a human being before fines are issued. Mr Angelov, who is also a university law lecturer, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that people can challenge their fine in court if they believe it is in error. It is up to the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 'Ultimately it comes down to interpretation of the photograph: is it a mobile phone? Or isn't it?' Mr Angelov said. During the trial period the cameras caught drivers eating. If the camera catches you reaching for a chocolate bar and mistakes it for a mobile phone, you can challenge your fine in court How the cameras work * The high definition cameras have artificial intelligence to capture what's happening behind the wheel * If the AI thinks it's caught you on your mobile phone, the image is reviewed by a human being * If the reviewing officer agrees, you get sent a penalty notice * Drivers or riders caught get a $344 fine and five demerit points off their license * The fine increases to $457 if you are caught in a school zone * In double demerit periods the penalty increases to 10 demerit points * An unrestricted drivers' license only has 13 points and if they are all lost, you lose your license * You can see your photograph online by typing in your infringement number at the Revenue NSW website. Instructions are on the fine * You can challenge any fine if you think it is in error * The first step can be to write a letter asking for review to Revenue NSW * You can also challenge your fine in court although you could suffer more costs if you lose Advertisement If the camera has wrongly captured you reaching for a hairbrush or your glasses case, you can challenge the penalty. Mr Angelov said the first step is to write a letter to Revenue NSW (formerly the SDRO) which processes fines and fees for more than 250 organisations including police, hospitals and local councils. 'You can ask in the first instance for a review,' he said. Although police are not obligated to provide you with evidence for a traffic offence, Mr Angelov said the photograph of you behind the wheel will be available online as it is for other offences such as red light camera offences. 'You can punch in the (fine) details and see it online,' he said. A caller to the Kyle & Jackie O show on radio station KIIS said his friend had been caught by the camera and he had asked for the photo but the authorities refused to send it. Bernard Carlon, Executive Director of the Centre for Road Safety and Maritime Safety, told the caller that was because the person was caught during the three-month trial period when warning letters were issued instead of fines. That grace period has now ended and anyone captured using their mobile while driving since March 1 will be penalised. 'From Sunday with the commencement of issuing fines, its exactly the same as a speed and red light program,' he said. Mr Carlon said you can use your infringement number to look up the image. If it isn't you in the photograph or if you aren't holding a mobile phone then you can appeal. Barrister Nic Angelov, an expert in traffic law, said anyone can challenge a fine if they believe it is in error 'If its not you then you can transfer the fine to the responsible person ... its an owner onus, so it (the fine) goes to the registered owner of the vehicle,' he said. 'You also can appeal if you say look, thats not a phone in my hand, its a makeup case. Theres a review that can be taken then and of course everybody still has the right to actually take their matter to court if they dont want to pay the fine.' NSW is the first state to introduce laws to enable camera-based enforcement of illegal mobile phone use. The fixed and transportable trailer-mounted cameras captured images of drivers eating popcorn, reading newspapers and checking documents as well as checking their mobile phones during the three-month trial, as a video from Seven News revealed. Mr Carlon said the 45 trial cameras had not been operating at red lights catching stationary drivers, but had all been at locations where the speed limit is 70km/h and above. 'About 80 per cent of the fatal crashes involving mobile phones happen on high-speed roads,' he told Kyle & Jackie O. Mr Carlon said the mobile units had a trailer with a solar panel and an arm, making them look like the common lighting towers seen across the road network. Transport for NSW figures reveal 13 people died and 245 were injured in 183 mobile phone crashes since 2012. Of those, 90 crashes occurred in country NSW resulting in 11 deaths and 112 injuries. As a future pope and officials from the Catholic Diocese of Oakland weighed the fate of a convicted child molester priest more than three decades ago, the Rev. Stephen Kiesle took a 5-year-old boy into a closet of a Pinole church and sexually assaulted him, according to a claim filed Monday in Alameda County Superior Court. The boy, now a 39-year-old man living in Del Norte County, sued Kiesle, the diocese and retired Bishop John Cummins, claiming that they knew the priest was a danger to children but allowed him to continue working with children. It has previously been reported that internal church letters found that Cummins had been communicating about Kiesles behavior with then-Vatican official Joseph Ratzinger, who would become Pope Benedict XVI, in 1985, the same year the plaintiff alleges he was assaulted. What makes this case unique is literally everybody in the chain of command knows and yet they allow this guy to go back to the parish, said the plaintiffs attorney John Manly. They put him in his target population. To me, thats not a mistake or reckless, its malicious. It gives you a view into the heart of the Holy Father and the culture of the church, Manly continued. Its a culture that values ordained men and nobody else. The lawsuit was made possible by AB218, which took effect Jan. 1 and provided a three-year window for new claims of childhood sexual assault that otherwise might have passed the statute of limitations. A diocese spokeswoman said Monday the church had not yet been served the lawsuit and it does not comment on pending litigation. Spokeswoman Helen Osman said she would forward a request for comment to Cummins to see if he is capable of providing a response. Bishop Cummins is elderly and lives in a facility providing advanced care, she said. Requests sent to Kiesle and his former attorney were not returned Monday. The plaintiff, who is referred to as John OAK-4 Doe in the lawsuit, did not want to speak for this article, his attorneys said. In 1985, he was 5 and his parents, who were active in the parish, enrolled him in the youth program. Kiesle, who has since been removed from the priesthood, pulled him into a closet and abused him over the course of a year, according to the claim. This abuse, molestation and fondling included but was not limited to: Kiesle secluding the plaintiff at St. Josephs, Kiesle exposing his genitals to the plaintiff and Kiesle forcing the plaintiff to fondle (the priests) genitals, the complaint alleges. This sexual abuse occurred on more than one occasion, and happened on the premises of St. Josephs. The boy has struggled since, said his co-counsel Alex Cunny. Its a struggle when your first sexual experience is at age 5 with a grown man in a closet at church, Cunny said. Its something that affects you the rest of your life. The lawsuit represents one chapter in a dark history involving one of the most notorious Catholic priest abusers in the Bay Area. Kiesle was ordained in 1972. Six years later, he pleaded no contest to lewd conduct for tying up and molesting two boys at Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Union City, where he was a priest and teacher. In 1981, after serving three years of probation, Kiesle asked to be laicized removed from the priesthood. The Oakland diocese supported his request and forwarded it to the Vatican, which must approve defrocking. That was the same year that Ratzinger began heading the Vatican department that disciplined priests. As the two sides went back and forth, Kiesle began volunteering as youth minister at St. Joseph in Pinole. In 1985, Ratzinger wrote a letter to Cummins, in Latin, asking him to consider the good of the Universal Church together with that of the petitioner. 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. Noting Kiesles young age at the time, 38, the future Pope encouraged the Oakland diocese bishop to provide the troubled priest with as much paternal care as possible. Kiesle was eventually defrocked in 1987. In 2002, Kiesle was charged with molesting five children three decades earlier when he was a priest at Santa Paula Church in Fremont. However, the following year, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated portions of a 1994 California law that had extended the statute of limitations for child molestation, and Kiesles charges were dropped. In 2004, Kiesle pleaded no contest to molesting a young girl at his Truckee home in 1995. He was sentenced to six years in prison. Now 73, Kiesle lives in a gated retirement community in Walnut Creek, according to the Megans Law list of registered sex offenders and voter registration records. Melanie Sakoda, a member of SNAP, a Catholic priest abuse survivors group, said Kiesle should never have been allowed to continue with the church after his 1978 conviction. The responsibility for anyone injured at St. Josephs Church ... by Father Stephen Kiesle should rest squarely on the shoulders of the Diocese of Oakland, Sakoda said. It is absolutely despicable to put children in harms way like that. Catholic leaders should not have allowed this man anywhere near boys and girls, but most especially should not have given him the authority to work directly with them. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (Jeld-Wen or the Company) (NYSE: JELD). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Jeld-Wen 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 15, 2018, the Company announced that a jury had returned a verdict against Jeld-Wen in the Companys ongoing litigation with Steves and Sons, Inc. (the Steves Litigation), finding that Jeld-Wens conduct violated U.S. antitrust laws. On August 7, 2018, a veteran industry analyst at J.P. Morgan slashed his estimates for Jeld-Wens earnings in 2018 and 2019 and lowered his price target for Jeld-Wens stock, citing, among other issues, the Steves Litigation. In response to the J.P. Morgan report, Jeld-Wens stock price fell $2.62 per share, or 9.95%, to close at $23.71 per share on August 8, 2018. Then, on October 4, 2018, the judge presiding over the Steves Litigation ruled that Jeld-Wen would be required to divest a facility it had obtained via its acquisition of CraftMaster Manufacturing, Inc. in October 2012. On this disclosure, which prompted several analyst downgrades, Jeld-Wens stock price fell $1.18 per share, or nearly 5%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $22.91 per share on October 9, 2018. Finally, on October 15, 2018, Jeld-Wen announced that the Company expected its third quarter 2018 financial results to include a $76.5 million charge related to the ongoing Steves Litigation. The Company also announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer. On these disclosures, Jeld-Wens stock price fell $4.03 per share, or 18.91%, to close at $17.28 per share on October 16, 2018. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:48:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Both houses of the Indian parliament were adjourned for the second straight day Tuesday amid noisy protests from lawmakers of opposition parties over the communal violence in the capital city, officials said. The opposition members were demanding an immediate discussion on the issue of Delhi violence that left 46 people dead and over 300 injured last week. "Repeated efforts from Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla failed to pacify the protesting lawmakers, following which he announced that house stands adjourned until 12:00. p.m (local time)," an official said. "The business in the house couldn't be resumed and it was adjourned again." The speaker said the discussion on the issue of Delhi violence would take place on March 11 after Holi festival. The opposition members stormed into the Well of the house demanding an immediate discussion. The members were seen throwing leaflets and paper balls at the chair. Also on Monday, the house had witnessed acrimonious scenes with ruling party lawmakers and opposition members pushing and shoving each other. Similar scenes were witnessed in the upper house, locally called Rajya Sabha. No sooner the house began proceedings with junior finance minister started laying the papers, Congress party members created noisy scenes objecting to his alleged hate speech during the Delhi local elections. This prompted heated arguments between the treasury and opposition benches and forced Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the House within minutes. There is a massive opposition against India's controversial new citizenship law known as Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Ever since the law was passed in the Indian parliament, there has been no let-up in the protests. So far, the violence against the law has killed over 70 people across India. Last week the communal violence broke out between pro- and anti-CAA groups in the northeastern part of India's capital city - Delhi. The violence left a trail of damage in the northeastern parts of the city as rioters torched vehicles, vandalised shops and burnt buildings including schools. Many people, especially Muslims, who live in the affected areas took refuge in the shelters set up by the government and relief workers. Delhi Police have come under fierce criticism for its apparent inaction during the violence. Locals alleged their calls to police for help proved futile. WASHINGTON - Joe Bidens surprise victories on Super Tuesday were powered by Democratic voters who broke his way just days before casting their ballots a wave of late momentum that scrambled the race in a matter of hours. The late deciders helped Biden win Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia, among several other states. In some states, they made up roughly half of all voters, according to AP VoteCast surveys of voters in eight state primaries. And the surveys show they lined up behind the former vice-president. In Virginia, where nearly half of the voters waited to make up their minds, Biden won two-thirds of the late deciders. The surveys show the power of a well-timed surge in a race that has been defined by a crowd of candidates and confused voters agonizing over the best challenger to President Donald Trump in November. Bidens big win in South Carolina on Saturday revived his struggling campaign and within 72 hours pushed three of his rivals toward the exit and swung the opinions of voters in distant states. Yet Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders found a way to blunt the impact. By organizing aggressively and banking early votes from his liberal, young and Latino coalition, Sanders won Colorado and California. About 80% of Sanders voters in California said they picked their candidate before the final stretch. Heres a snapshot of Democratic voters in Alabama, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia who they are and how they voted based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast surveys, conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago. BIDENS COMEBACK COALITION The former vice-presidents coalition came into clear focus Tuesday. He did well with moderates and conservatives, voters older than 45 and African Americans. In many states, he enjoyed an advantage among women and college graduates. He ran strong with voters who attend church at least once a month. And he successfully channeled sentimental attachments to former President Barack Obama. About half of North Carolina voters, for example, wanted a president who would restore politics to a pre-Trump era and Biden won the majority of this group. Theres little doubt Bidens ties to black voters were critical to his rebound. Biden cleaned up in Alabama on Tuesday night by winning close to 70% of African Americans, a majority of Democratic voters in that state. Perceptions about electability may also be key to Bidens support. In Minnesota, for example, where Biden benefited from home-state Sen. Amy Klobuchars exit from the race, about 60% of voters said it would be harder for a nominee with strong liberal views to win in the general election. Even in his California loss, there were signs of newfound energy for Biden. Of voters there who picked their candidate in the last three days, Biden had a slight advantage. Biden also flashed some crossover appeal in places that matter. In Virginia, a state likely to be a top battleground in November, Biden won more than half of voters who say they voted in the 2016 Republican primary. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg won close to 20%. STICKING TO SANDERS The Vermont senator is holding on to his coalition of liberal voters, Latinos and voters under 30. In states with sizable populations of each, he fared well. In Virginia and North Carolina, where majorities were older and more likely to identify as moderate, Sanders came up short. Sanders strength with Latinos was clearest in California, where they made up about 30% of the vote. Sanders won close to half of that group in California roughly double Bidens share. Sanders has benefited from a youth movement. In California and Colorado, he won about 60% of voters under 30. His voters there are also somewhat more likely than Bidens to feel as though theyre falling behind financially. He won at least 40% of Texas and Minnesota voters who said that recent economic gains had bypassed them. Aside from their youth, Sanders supporters stand out for their skepticism of most other candidates in the race. At least half of his voters in North Carolina said they would be unhappy with Biden or Bloomberg as the nominee. Majorities of them in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia felt the same. BLOOMBERGS BUST More than $500 million in spending on ads could not buy much love for Bloomberg, who announced Wednesday that he was dropping out of the race and endorsing Biden. Bloomberg fared better among voters older than 65 compared with those younger, and similarly among those who think of themselves as moderate or conservative more so than liberals. But even among these groups, he was edged out by Biden. The former New York mayor was the Democrat voters were least enthusiastic about nominating. More than half of voters in Minnesota, Colorado and Massachusetts his birthplace said they would be dissatisfied if Bloomberg was the Democratic candidate. Roughly half in California, North Carolina and Virginia would also be displeased. By comparison, majorities in each of those states said they would be satisfied if Sanders was the nominee. Only in Alabama and Texas would a majority be satisfied by Bloomberg. LOOKING TOWARD NOVEMBER The Democratic contests do appear to be drawing some potential swing voters. Close to 20% of voters or more said they are waiting to see who wins the nomination before deciding how theyll vote in November. That was true in seven of the eight states AP surveyed. The share was somewhat smaller 15% in Minnesota, a state Trump is trying to flip. Most of this group identified as moderates or conservatives, a sign that they might be open to Trump or consider not voting for any candidate in November. Another closely watched group is suburbanites a constituency that could make up more than half the general election electorate. Sanders and Biden battled it out for those voters on Tuesday, neither jumping ahead with a clear advantage. ____ AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The surveys were conducted for seven days, concluding as polls closed. Trading in Africas free trade area is scheduled to begin on 1 July. This ambitious initiative creates a single market for goods and services and a customs union with free movement of capital and business travelersthe worlds largest given Africas 1.2 billon population and combined GDP of over $2.5 trillion. A recent article by Landry Signe in Foreign Affairs titled How Africa Is Bucking the Isolationist Trend, noted that if the continental trade agreement is successfully implemented, Africa will have a combined consumer and business spending of $6.7 trillion by 2030. The stakes are high. The newly-appointed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary General, Wamkele Mene, and his team must, by necessity, prioritize communication and advocacy. In recent months, decisions have been made at an unprecedented rate, meaning that many member states are yet to fully appreciate the implications of this mammoth project. Hence the need to inform and educate on what it entails. It is imperative that before 1 July 2020, there be strategic engagement with all Ministries of Finance, Trade/Industry and Immigration on the continent to arrive at a common understanding of what lies ahead. Africa has made tremendous strides in information and communication technologies (ICTs) having heavily invested in fibre optics that would be instrumental in developing an effective communications strategy. The AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, should ensure that national budgets have provisions to cushion members from revenue losses from customs duties and other border taxes that will be the first casualties of the free trade area. They should candidly discuss the impending changes in power dynamics by addressing information gaps between policy makers and implementers of policy. It must also be the role of the AfCFTA Secretariat to help facilitate information among Africans to add value to materials produced on the continent. The nascent chocolate manufacturing industry in Kenya, for instance, finds it easier to import cocoa beans from Belgium than from West Africa, the main producer of the commodity. At the highest level, each member state should announce changes to immigration policies on free movement of Africans within the continent. Presidents of Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria publicly announced that no African will require a visa to enter their respective countries. Such proclamations are important quick wins as they avoid reputational risks when member states actions or inactions are contrary to agreements reached at AU summits. Currently Africans do not need visas to enter at least 30 African countries, and there is optimism about the rollout of an African passport as agreed by heads of state and governments in July 2016. A few countries such as South Africa and Ethiopia are, however, hesitant to allow visa-free entry, given expected loss of revenue. There is also the possibility of criminals taking advantage of open borders to export mayhem. To mitigate this challenge, the AU must adopt biometric identity technology. To put intra-continental trade on track from the outset, the issue of origin of goods should be dealt with before the 1 July start date. Rules of origin have always been a problem in many trade agreements and AfCFTA will not be an exception. Minor conflicts around this often lead to enormous losses when non-tariff measures like administrative bottlenecks at border points are used to frustrate partners. Technology should inform the formulation of a comprehensive policy that outlines the application of these rules to limit their violation by member states. A blockchain technology-based electronic certificates of origin (eCOs) was successfully piloted and commercialized in Singapore. The technology issues export documents certifying the country of manufacture or shipment, and instantaneously reports to all interested parties. The digital records cannot be deleted or altered. Several other countries, including Kenya are using the same to modernize the issuance of these trade facilitation processes. Blockchain is immutable and promotes transparency a low hanging fruit that will bolster trust among member countries. There are other medium and long-term imperatives for realising Africas dream: opening of African skies to facilitate cheaper air transport services; building of infrastructure (especially access to affordable broadband) and fighting corruption. In the long-term, focus must be on comprehensive infrastructure such as ports, roads and power supply. These are projects that, if packaged well, could attract investments. Togo, for example, has entered into public private partnership, carried out port reforms, and improved transit to connect with neighbouring landlocked countries, to become a major West Africa maritime hub. One of the greatest risks to the AfCFTA will be over-reliance on aid to finance its activities. If the Agreement is to succeed, Africa must mobilize its own resources to ensure the Secretariats budget, and further build institutions that will guarantee AfCFTAs success. Other risks include diverse non-tariff barriers, and the lack of policy coherence and economic power symmetry between countries. And as 1 July nears, only 28 countries have ratified the agreement. It will require a majority of the 55 AU member states to assent to the Agreement for it to ensure meaningful free movement of goods and services the cornerstone of intra-Africa trade. Although the slow approach by some countries to the ratification of the Agreement could be related to fears of potential revenue loss and of foreign goods flooding domestic markets making it difficult for local industries to compete, mistrust is a key factor. There is always resistance to change, but with a proactive communication and advocacy strategy, using technology to build trusted systems and investment in infrastructure, the AfCFTA Secretariat should succeed in realizing, not just the worlds largest economically and socially integrated block, but Africas Agenda 2063 vision. The writer teaches at the University of Nairobis School of Business https://www.un.org/africarenewal/ Last week, N. Devdas, a deep sea fishing boat owner in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, was happy with his crews effort that managed to get a bounty of six tonnes after almost 25 days of sailing. But the prized catch of soorai (tuna), seerfish, kerai (yellow tuna) and mayil (sailfish) among other varieties, fetched him just 4 lakh against the 7 lakh he had estimated based on the price it had fetched a month ago. Devdas was told by the middlemen, who sell to export firms, that the export market was deeply impacted due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The virus, which originated in Chinas Wuhan, has so far infected 90,000 people and claimed 3000 lives. China accounts for about 20% of Indias 46,589 crore marine products exports market. We dont know how the coronavirus impact will play out or what will happen next, Devdas said. Devdas is one of the thousands dependent on the fisheries industry witnessing a sharp slide in prices due to an apparent dip in the marine products exports market. Everyone is concerned about this (coronavirus) generally so they are trying to get the situation assessed, Elias Sait, Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India said. As a destination and transit point for meat, seafood and other consumables that have a short shelf life, exporters globally have suffered due to the strict enforcement of quarantine in China to contain the spread of the virus and the misinformation that engulfs it. Sait said that ports in China were full and delivery of consignments was taking longer than usual but denies any impact to the business. Right now, the situation is such that even if people ship goods to China, companies there may not take deliveries. While there is loss of orders as such, people are delaying shipments, said Ajay Sahai, director general of Federation of Indian Export Organization. Sahai said fresh food with low shelf life has been particularly affected, adding that marine products fall in such a category. People are generally cautious about food products following the outbreak of coronavirus. Therefore shipments are not taking place. That is happening in India, but not exclusively, as other countries are also affected. Some I believe are sending back products like lobsters back into the sea, he said. The outbreak has even threatened to halve global gross domestic product (GDP) growth, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Pushkar Mukewar, co-CEO, Drip Capital, which offers credit lines to exporters, said the impact of the outbreak on the company has been minimal because it doesnt finance perishable goods. ...But we understand seafood exports from Kerala have been particularly hit hard. We do have clients in frozen foods. We have seen orders getting cancelled. Even orders that have been shipped out are not being picked up. Some of the offices are closed and port clearances are not happening. China has emerged as the second largest buyer of seafood in the last 18-20 months, Mukewar said. Sait says that though there is no impact on exports as yet, the drop in prices could be due to a dipping demand for cuttlefish and squid from the European markets that account for almost 20% of Indian exports, and have also reacted to the outbreak. Of the 1300 marine products exporters, 550 processing facilities that are located across the coastal states and export to China, are mostly from the west coast of India, especially Maharashtra and Gujarat. A Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) spokesperson said categories such as frozen fish, dried and live items have borne the impact. However, he attributed this mainly to dwindling catches and not the virus. The MPEDA says that it expects normalcy to return in a couple of weeks, adding similar situation never experienced before. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two suspected cases of Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have been reported at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research on Tuesday. Two men, both aged 29 years have been quarantined in the isolation ward of the institute, said PGIMER spokesperson Dr Ashok Kumar . Doctors at the institute said that a Sector-50 resident, with a history of travel to Indonesia and Singapore last week with his family, had reported sick at the institute with initial symptoms of COVID-19. Similarly, the second person, a Sector-29 resident, has a travel history to Bali. Doctors said that in both suspected cases, the patients are stable and under constant monitoring. Since Coronavirus was first identified in December last year, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, it has spread across 73 countries and territories, with more than 90,000 cases reported worldwide as of Monday evening. Even as medical workers are furiously battling the disease, 172 deaths have been reported outside mainland China, raising the global death toll to 3,115. Excluding mainland China, the most severe outbreaks are in South Korea (5,186 cases, 29 deaths), Iran (1,501 cases, 66 deaths) and Italy (2,036 cases, 52 deaths). The WHO has warned that in the near future it could classify the incident as a global pandemic. In India, a total of six confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported till now. Three residents of Kerala, all of whom had returned from Wuhan, had tested positive and were put under isolation. They were treated in Kerala hospitals and by February 20, all of them were discharged. On Monday, two fresh cases were reported, with the first being a 45-year old Delhi man who returned from Europe, and the second, a 26-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad who had returned from Dubai. On Tuesday, a 69-year-old Italian tourist admitted to a hospital in Jaipur tested positive for COVID 19. For the two suspected cases in Chandigarh, hospital sources said their blood samples have sent to Delhis All India Institute of Medical Sciences for tests and reports are expected in the next 24 hours. The line of treatment will depend on the reports. Meanwhile, in an advisory, the PGIMER has said that in view of the increased number of suspected and confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country, it is advised that such patients should be managed in a local health care facility designated in their respective state for containment and standard treatment by following isolation precautions for aerosol diseases. The samples for testing may be sent to designated labs in AIIMS, New Delhi. It has further been advised that people should not panic and simple washing of hands with soap and water can curtail the spread of the virus. There is no recommendation for the general public to use a mask. Non-essential travel to countries reporting active cases of COVID 19 should be avoided, reads the advisory. The director health and family welfare, Dr GS Dewan has written to senior superintendent of police(SSP) asking the police department to cooperate and make audio announcements regarding Corona virus at traffic points in Chandigarh, through the public address system. The audio announcements are to be made from March 4 till March 31. The police top brass has given directions to all station house officers (SHO) to ensure public announcements are made at every point regularly starting from tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chandigarhs health administration has said that as many as 31 citizens from the city who have a travel history to affected nations have been quarantined at home. Chandigarhs state surveillance officer, Dr Upendrajeet Singh Gill, said that 31 persons have been home quarantined for 28 days and 5 people will have even completed the period on Wednesday. Among foreign nationals, three have been quarantined in hotels here. A total of 17 foreign nationals were in the city and 14 have left in the last one month, he added. They welcomed their daughter Lyra in September following a whirlwind romance. And Michael Sheen enjoyed an outing with girlfriend Anna Lundberg, and they were the picture of doting parents as they took their little one for a stroll around New York City on Monday. The Good Omens star, 50, and his Swedish actress girlfriend, 25, cut low-key figures as they emerged in casual looks alongside their daughter and her childminder, before enjoying a spot of ice cream. Family outing: Michael Sheen, 50, and his actress girlfriend Anna Lundberg, 25, doted on daughter Lyra as they headed out for ice cream with their nanny in NYC Anna looked stylish in an all-black ensemble that saw her don a sleek biker jacket over a black turtleneck top and a black-and-white floral mini skirt. She boosted her statuesque figure in a pair of black ankle boots and wore a pair of opaque tights to accentuate her slender legs. The blonde beauty pulled her locks back into a messy ponytail, while she used light touches of make-up to highlight her pretty features. Michael, meanwhile, kept things casual in a brown jacket that he teamed with a dark blue top and denim jeans. Yum! The Good Omens star and his girlfriend cut low-key figures as they emerged in casual looks alongside their daughter and her childminder, before enjoying a spot of ice cream Chic: Anna looked stylish in an all-black ensemble that saw her don a sleek biker jacket over a black turtleneck top and a black-and-white floral mini skirt The couple welcomed their daughter on September 23. At the time, the actor's father Meyrick, 80, confirmed the Swedish actress had given birth, and said they were 'thrilled to bits' about the news. Michael's father gushed: 'We are thrilled to bits, over the moon.' Michael shared his own announcement on Twitter days later, with a photo of Lyra and Anna leaving the hospital. The actor wrote: 'Happy to say that at 8:41am on Monday September 23rd our beautiful daughter Lyra was born.' All together: Michael, Anna and their nanny walked side-by-side as the actor pushed baby Lyra along in a buggy Pretty: Anna pulled her blonde locks back into a messy ponytail, while she used light touches of make-up to highlight her pretty features The Good Omens star confirmed he was expecting his first child with Anna last July, just two months after they were initially romantically linked in May following a series of loved-up social media posts. Revealing the happy news on Twitter, Michael told his followers: 'Very happy to let everyone know that my partner Anna and I are expecting a little angel of our own. (Just to be clear, were having a baby!) #nottheantichrist.' (sic) Michael also shares daughter Lily Mo Sheen, 21, with his ex Kate Beckinsale, and previously said parenting is the 'most challenging' job yet he revealed it is a necessary and rewarding role. Cooling off: Despite the fact Spring is yet to arrive, Michael and Anna enjoyed a cold treat Low-key: Michael shielded her eyes in a pair of black shades for the outing He told The Guardian in 2010: 'I think being a parent is the most challenging thing you do. That's why we're here. It's at the heart of what it is to be a human being. 'It's the ultimate experience because it questions everything about who you are. But it's difficult. My job takes me away from my daughter, Lily a lot, so when I am with her the time is really important.' The actor was previously linked to Aisling Bea in April 2018 when the pair attended the Olivier Awards in London, but didn't walk the red carpet together. Michael's ex-girlfriend, American comedian Sarah Silverman, 48, later revealed he had split from Aisling in September 2018. A shopping mall in San Juan, Metro Manila, was locked down on March 2 after reports that a gunman had taken a number of hostages inside. Local police said around 20 people had been taken hostage on the second floor of the mall, according to media reports. One person was reported to have been shot and was being treated in hospital. Authorities at the mall issued a statement, saying: We have confirmed reports of an ongoing incident in Greenhills, involving a hostage taking of some of our employees by a former SASCOR security guard. A fellow security guard was injured, but has already been brought to the hospital. Local media reported that the suspect demanded to speak directly to the media by video call from inside the mall. Credit: Rowena C. Sarip via Storyful Actor Karan Singh Grover has confirmed he will be back soon as Mr Bajaj in Ekta Kapoors popular serial, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, and also suggested that Prernas character may not be dead yet. The shows lead character, Anurag, was seen pushing off his love interest, Prerna, from a terrace in a recent episode. Erica Fernandes plays Prerna while Anurag is essayed by Parth Samanthan. Speaking with Mumbai Mirror in an interview, Karan said, The makers had informed me that Bajaj will be re-entering, but I didnt know when. As long as Mr Bajaj is alive, Prerna will be, too. Before leaving, Mr Bajaj had told her that he will return whenever she needs him. Now, he is back when she is in trouble. He obviously loves her. He also shared that he will sport a different look in the new avatar of Mr Bajaj. It will be the way the character is built. Also, my look is different this time, all thanks to the genius, Ekta, he added. Also read: Sonam Kapoor: You cant just be the poor little rich girl, I have to make harder choices When roped in for the famous role of Mr Bajaj - a grey one in the serial, Karan had told Hindustan Times in an interview, There are more things to do when one plays a grey character. Most heroes are very boring. They are always so righteous and do everything they are supposed to do. With a grey or a negative character, there is a lot more that you can play. There is a lot that you can add to the character that is not you in reality. There is much more that you can do which you cant do in real life. Thats a little bonus. Last week, the shows producer Ekta had told the tabloid, Yes, this will happen (Anurag killing Prerna). Anurag and Prerna are among the most loved pairs from the small screen, but now viewers will see betrayal at its peak. Kasautii Zindagii Kay is a reboot of the hit soap opera of the same name. It originally starred Shweta Tiwari as Prerna and Cezzanne Khan as Anurag in the lead while Ronit Roy essayed the role of Mr Bajaj. It also starred Urvashi Dholakia as Komolika. Follow @htshowbiz for more Have you ever wondered how and where Sipp millionaires invest to keep their money growing? Some 3 per cent of Sipp accounts, as self-invested personal pensions are commonly known, with Interactive Investor (ii), the UK's second-largest investment platform, hold 1million or more in assets. The average age of a Sipp millionaire is 60 and the typical seven-figured portfolio is powered by funds. Over a third (36 per cent) are invested in the asset, 29 per cent in investment trusts, 14 per cent in equities, 11 per cent in cash and 8 per cent in exchange-traded products. When it comes to the most popular funds among Sipp millionaires, Fundsmith Equity comes out on top, ahead of Lindsell Train Global Equity. The remaining funds on the top five selling list are from Vanguard, including one from the popular LifeStrategy range. Some 3 per cent of Sipp accounts with interactive investor hold 1million or more in assets The usual suspects also populate the list of bestselling investment trusts. Scottish Mortgage (LSE:SMT) ranks number one, ahead of Alliance Trust (LSE:ATST) and Finsbury Growth & Income (LSE:FGT). RIT Capital Partners (LSE:RCP) and F&C (LSE:FCIT) complete the top five. Stocks that pay a dividend are generally most popular with Sipp millionaires, with Royal Dutch Shell (LSE:RDSB) on top ahead of Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) and GlaxoSmithKline (LSE:GSK) in second and third positions respectively. Meanwhile, iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS (LSE:ISF) is the most sought-after exchange-traded product. Although pension savings are meant for the long term, ii's Sipp millionaires display an appetite for tweaking their portfolio to accommodate a potential opportunity. Of the 82 per cent who invested in the previous 12 months, 45 per cent do so at least once a month and 23 per cent at least twice a month on average. Moira O'Neill, ii's Head of Personal Finance, said: 'Our most successful customers enjoy investing and looking after their portfolio, so will buy and sell investments when they spot an opportunity. 'What unites them is diversification, spreading their investments across different assets, markets and sectors to ensure that all their eggs are not in one basket. 'The importance of diversification is true to every saver - whether or not you have a seven-figured pension pot. 'The most important thing is to make sure you are comfortable with your level of risk. 'You can also increase the potential upside by considering more adventurous assets for your portfolio, but too much risk can wreck your portfolio. So, a realistic strategy is important. 'Sipp millionaires should beware of exceeding the lifetime pension limit, currently at 1,055,000 which applies to the total of all the private pension.' The lifetime limit Moira continues: 'While the prospect of becoming a Sipp millionaire is a lovely one, the one big danger with saving more than a million pounds in your pension is that you could potentially breach the lifetime allowance - and punitive tax applies if you do. 'Some of our Sipp millionaires were able to take advantage of pension protections that were available in the past, so have higher lifetime limits. For those investors who don't have the same luxury now, you need to be mindful of how much to put into your pension and whether other tax advantageous options, such as VCTs or Isas, might be a good alternative.' Whether a seven-figure pension is elusive or not, Myron Jobson, Personal Finance Campaigner at ii, offers some tips on how to help build a decent pot. Start early The longer you have money in investments, the longer it has to ride out the inevitable bumps in the stock market. The magic of compounding means that your pension can grow further and faster particularly if you keep one eye on your annual costs. Given time, this can grow to a substantial amount and can go a long way to help bankroll life at retirement. The longer you have money in investments, the longer it has to ride out stock market bumps Take enough risk Time and risk are key investment considerations, but time in the market should influence the amount of risk you take on. History shows that you can also increase the potential upside by considering more adventurous assets for your portfolio although it is a strategy that comes with more risk. When investors were forced to buy an annuity, you needed to be more careful about how you approached your retirement date. Now, most investors have far more time on their side and could be investing for 30 years in retirement, significantly increasing the amount of time you have to invest and, potentially, the risk you could take. Claim tax perks Pension contributions are boosted in the form of tax relief. This is particularly true if you are a higher-rate taxpayer. The taxman offers a basic tax relief of 20 per cent on pension contributions, meaning a 100 contribution will only cost you 80, as the government adds the other 20 through the tax relief. The taxpayer can then claim a further 20 of higher-rate relief through their tax returns, turning a 60 pension contribution into 100 after the tax relief has been taken into account. Millions are lost each year because investors don't claim the tax back they are due so higher-rate taxpayers need to take note. Maximise employer contributions A message from the article sponsor Interactive Investor (ii) is the UK's number one flat-fee investment platform, here to help customers achieve financial independence and keep more of their money. Underpinned by a strong focus on delivering great value across its Trading, Isa, Junior isa and Sipp accounts, ii provides access to an extensive choice of markets and currencies, as well as a wealth of impartial ideas, tools and analysis. It means customers can make confident and educated decisions about their investments. And because ii does not charge percentage rates, they will pay the same monthly fee even as their investments, savings and pension pots grow. > Visit ii.co.uk today. Be sure to maximise how much free pension cash might be available to you. Many employers will pay a significant amount into your pension, which could make a huge difference to your pot. For example, if you pay 5,000 into your pension and receive 40 per cent tax relief, the cost to you is 3,000. If your employer matches your contribution, then you get another 5,000. So, you now have an extra 10,000 in your pension which has only cost you 3,000. Even if you are in a company that is part of an auto-enrolment scheme and may not be as generous, it is still worth your while being a member. The auto enrolment minimum is currently 8 per cent of qualifying earnings, of which at least 3 per cent must be paid by the employer, 4 per cent by the employee and 1 per cent is available in government tax relief. However, your employer may offer additional ways to improve the amount you can save, including salary sacrifice pension arrangements where pension contributions are made in lieu of salary. It is worth revisiting your employer's benefits package to gauge your pension entitlements. We're proud to be a part of this dynamic region and honored to be recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies. Pipaya Partners, LLC (Pipaya), a specialty M&A accounting and advisory firm, announced that Inc. magazine ranked Pipaya #193 on its inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the region. This list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the D.C. Metro economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Were proud to be a part of this dynamic region and honored to be recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies. Our success reflects our amazing employees and the outstanding clients we serve, many of which have local ties. Im so proud of our team for their daily commitment to our clients success, said Pipayas founder, Adam Strach. Pipaya celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019 and has experienced significant growth since its founding in 2009, supporting more than 60 transactions totaling $4+ billion in deal value. The companies on this list show stunning rates of growth across all industries in the D.C. metropolitan area. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro, can be found at inc.com/inc5000-series-dc-2020. About Pipaya: Founded in 2009, Pipaya is a specialty M&A accounting and advisory firm focused on serving emerging and middle market companies in the aerospace, defense manufacturing, and government services (ADG) industries. Pipaya provides the technical knowledge and industry expertise to help our clients successfully buy, sell, and grow. For more information visit http://www.pipaya.com. 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. Principals have hit back at Education Minister Sarah Mitchell's plan to curb school autonomy, describing her comments as "unfair" given the high levels of accountability already imposed on schools. On Saturday The Sydney Morning Herald revealed Ms Mitchell was "unhappy" with the way Local Schools, Local Decisions - a reform introduced in 2012 - was working. She said the government would take back control of schools and reduce the power of principals. NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell. Credit:Janie Barrett NSW Primary Principals Association president Phil Seymour told The Sun-Herald he was "disappointed" the minister chose to play out commentary on LSLD in the media, given that professional organisations like his own were happy to discuss improvements to the system. Mr Seymour said principals "did not need any more accountability", since directors ratify principals' school plans, principals report annually to parents and the system, and the school's performance is assessed against an excellence framework each year. What we said was: Theres another way to be pro-Israel, you dont have to support whatever the [Israeli] government does, said Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the group J Street, which formed in 2009 as a devoutly liberal but still pro-Zionist alternative to AIPAC. Younger groups are saying: You dont have to be pro-Israel, you should be pro-human rights, and everyone should have a state. 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 National leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ludovic Orban said on Monday that the joint decision of Parliament's standing bureaus to establish only a schedule for ministers' hearings in committees without setting a date for a plenary vote is a first. "All decisions for all government confidence votes also included a timetable for committee hearings, and a date for a plenary vote. This time, the majority of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in the standing bureaus refused to set a date for the plenary meeting to cast the vote. It is a new way to boycott a constitutional procedure, provided for in the Parliament's joint regulations," Orban told Realitatea Plus private broadcaster.He added that PSD "has no connection with the Constitution, the laws, the regulations, the common sense, or anything that means the normal operation of an institution." It took more than 100 years and 200 attempts, but the sick and heinous act of lynching is finally close to being deemed a federal hate crime in this country. The U.S. House, in a rare bipartisan act, overwhelmingly passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act last week, with just four lawmakers opposed to it. The U.S. Senate, led by its three black members, passed similar legislation last year, and all thats left is President Donald Trumps signature. He has indicated he will give his blessing. Recognizing the brutality of lynching is a long time coming and, quite frankly, America should hold its head in shame it was not done sooner. But now is better than never. I am glad Congress finally found the courage and heart to do the right thing. Now people who engage in what historically was an act of vigilante justice by whites who wanted to keep African Americans in their place can be charged and convicted for a federal hate crime. Punishment is up to life in prison, a fine or both. For decades, an unfair justice system meant that people were never charged in lynching, found innocent by compassionate all-white juries or received light sentences. The brutal punishment was often for unproven crimes, such as looking at a white woman or disrespecting a white person. And while its true that lynching is not common in current times, the legislation sends a strong message that as a country we wont tolerate brutal acts of racism. It shows that we, as a nation, know the difference between right and wrong, even if it took us a while to get there, said Will Schwarz, president of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project, Inc. It at last criminalizes the most virulent weapon of white supremacy. Its a long overdue admission that black Americans have been the targets of a terror campaign for hundreds of years. Some would say it is better to leave this history in the past. That white Americans today shouldnt be responsible for the past transgressions of their ancestors. That it makes them uncomfortable to think about and will rile up tensions between the races. But we dont whitewash the past just to make people comfortable. You cant heal from the past if you dont confront it. America needs to do a better job at looking at itself. We can decry human rights issues in China and womens right issues in the Middle East but brush aside our own issues with treating certain groups badly. It points to some unflattering features of American exceptionalism: denial and arrogance, Schwarz said. We are eager to celebrate our ideals, but reluctant to admit our faults. America has been unwilling to confront our legacy of lynching and its suffocating, corrosive effects. But the passage of this law is a signal that things are beginning to change. Lynchings took place not so long ago, and the legacy of the killings are felt in the injustices many African Americans experience today from mass incarceration to economic inequality. Lets remember the namesake of the legislation was beaten and lynched in 1955, after supposedly whistling at a white woman. Theres plenty of people still alive who can remember that day. Government officials often sanctioned, and even participated in lynchings. Therefore, the government has an obligation to play a role in reconciling the past. In Maryland, it is believed that at least 44 men were lynched between 1865 and 1933. That doesnt count slaves who killed their property at will with no repercussions. These acts were sometimes attended by crowds of people who came to see the show. And the past is not always left in the past. Its not out of the realm of possibility that we could see more lynchings take place again. Just look at the comeback of white nationalist rallies. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: We cannot deny that racism, bigotry and hate still exist in America. We hope the legislation brings more interest in the history of lynching, an issue that is being explored across the country, including at a memorial in Alabama. Maryland recently created the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission to chronicle and spark conversations about the killings in our state. We cant erase the past. But we can acknowledge it and make sure it doesnt happen again. Andrea K. McDaniels is the Baltimore Suns deputy editorial page editor. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Spouse of the Armenian prime minister, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the My Step and City of Smile charitable foundations, Anna Hakobyan, met on March 2 with Senior Director of the Medicine International Council of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Raja Kamal and Head of the Center of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology of Armenia Gevorg Tamamyan, Mrs. Hakobyans Office told Armenpress. At the meeting Mr. Raja Kamal released details from the upcoming conference of the NUS Medicine International Council to take place in Armenia in June, stating that famous doctors and public figures will deliver remarks at the event. He said the cooperation with the Armenian doctors started after the visit of the Armenian PMs wife to the NUS Medicine International Center on July 9, 2019. Raja Kamal said the upcoming conference is the first result of that meeting, but the cooperation with the Armenian side in the field of oncology and hematology will continue. Mr. Kamal was interested in the activity of the City of Smile charitable foundation, adding that the Council can cooperate with the Foundation in scientific research, training and technical upgrading spheres. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan London, March 3 : The UK's Queen Elizabeth II told her grandson Prince Harry, who has decided to quit the royal life with wife Meghan Markle, that he would "always be welcomed back", it was reported on Tuesday. On Sunday at the Windsor Castle, the monarch held a four-hour-long "rift-healing" talks with her grandson ahead of his and Meghan's last official royal engagement next week, the Metro newspaper said in a report. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will join the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Her Majesty, 93, told Harry that he was "much loved and will always be welcomed back". It is understood that Harry requested the lunch meeting and walked almost two miles from his and Meghan's UK home, Frogmore Cottage, to the castle. In a report, The Sun newspaper quoted a royal source as saying that the meeting "cleared the air" between the two and that the Queen '"had a lot to talk to Harry about". It was said to be a "much more relaxed" meeting than their earlier Sandringham summit where they thrashed out the Harry and Meghan's future plans with Prince William and Prince Charles. The Queen "accepts" that Harry's "mind is made up", the source said. In a shocking announcement last month, the couple said they planned to step back from their duties as senior members of the royal family and "transition into a new working model" last month. The Sussexes' new role was agreed after a summit of senior royals was convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss their desire to take a step back and strive for financial independence. It will be reviewed after a 12-month period. A 35-year-old man is being held on $15,000 conditional bail on charges that he forced his way into a Rochester apartment and assaulted two people. Richard Martin Souhrada, whom police said is homeless, was charged in Olmsted County District Court on Monday morning with felony first-degree burglary-assault and two counts of gross misdemeanor fifth-degree assault. At Souhradas first appearance, Judge Jacob Allen set conditional bail at $15,000 and unconditional bail at $30,000. Souhradas next court appearance is scheduled for March 11. Rochester police were called around 8:10 p.m. Sunday to an apartment in the 600 block of 19th Street Northwest, according to Capt. Casey Moilanen. A 66-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman were at home when they heard someone trying to get into their apartment. When the resident opened the door, he found the man, later identified as Souhrada. Souhrada allegedly told the residents that they were being evicted and needed to leave. When the 66-year-old man attempted to shut the door, Souhrada allegedly pushed himself in and assaulted the man. The husband and wife were able to calm Souhrada, who then left the apartment, according to Moilanen. ADVERTISEMENT The 66-year-old man suffered minor injuries. Neighbors reportedly detained the man until police arrived. The Gujarat police have been told to look into the possibility of financial recovery, on the lines of a move by the Uttar Pradesh government, from those involved in recent anti-CAA violence as well as communal riots in Khambat town, the Assembly was informed on Tuesday. Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said instructions on possible recovery of damages from rioters have been given to the police by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The opposition Congress and the ruling BJP engaged in a heated debate in the Assembly on Tuesday on the riots that rocked Khambat in Anand district a week ago, with Delhi's Shaheen Bagh and anti-CAA protests also finding mention. While Congress MLAs claimed they had alerted the local police and even Rupani on the possibility of a riot, the ruling party hit back and accused the opposition party of not remaining neutral when such flare-ups take place. The issue of Khambat riot was raised by Ahmedabad Congress MLA Imran Khedawala as a 'matter of urgent public importance', who claimed 60 houses, a mosque and six shops were set on fire in the town on February 23. Khedawala was, however, subjected to satirical remarks by some BJP MLAs as he spoke in Hindi and not Gujarati. Khedawala claimed Khambhat witnessed three communal riots in a span of 11 months. "Just like Delhi, a survey of riot affected areas should be carried out and compensation should be paid. On the lines of UP government, I want Gujarat government to recover money from the riot accused," said Khedawala. Another Congress MLA from Ahmedabad, Gyasuddin Shaikh, asked the government to pay compensation to riot-affected people. "Imran and I had alerted local police as well as the Gujarat CM about this in January. It is happening because of lack of communication between police and public. There must be a law to curb the menace of hate speeches," Dariyapur MLA Shaikh said. In his reply, minister Jadeja said 115 people had been arrested for the flare-up. "We do not see them as Hindus or Muslims. For us, all of them are anti-social elements. Like you, we do not discriminate between people," Jadeja said. Referring to anti-CAA protests, Jadeja said 'azadi' slogans were raised in Ahmedabad. "Some people (Shaikh and Khedawala) even visited Shaheen Bagh. In Ahmedabad, particularly in Dariyapur, people raise slogans like 'humey chahiye azadi' (we want freedom). It is happening in Shaikh's area. He should stop such activities," said Jadeja. "This is (Prime Minister) Modi's Gujarat. Tell your supreme leaders that the police will take strict action against those who try to incite people in Khambhat, Shahpur or Kalupur (in Ahmedabad)" the minister added. Hitting back, Shaikh said Dariyapur's anti-CAA protest was going on peacefully. "If the protests are disturbing peace, then why have you not filed a single FIR till now? No one can stop us from protesting against CAA and NRC in a peaceful manner," Shaikh asserted. Jadeja told Shaikh it was Congress corporator Shehzad Khan Pathan who was involved in a violent anti-CAA protest in Shah-e-Alam area in December. Referring to stone pelting on a city bus during a protest in Dariyapur, Jadeja said Rupani had asked the police to see if cost of damage can be recovered from the rioters. The Uttar Pradesh government had, earlier, issued notices to "rioters" asking them to pay for damage caused to public and private properties during violent anti-CAA protests in the northern state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A resident of Pulwama and his daughter have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the February 2019 terror attack that killed 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The duo has been identified as Peer Tariq and Insha Tariq. A New Indian Express report quoting NIA sources states that the duo was arrested from Lethpora and flown down to Jammu so that the probing agency can seek their custody. The fresh arrests were made on the basis of information provided by Shakir Bashir Magrey, who was arrested on February 28. The NIA has claimed that said the duo had helped out prime bomber Adil Ahmad Dar, overground worker Magrey, and several other members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group before the attack took place. Magrey, who owns a furniture shop in Kashmir, not only provided shelter to Dar but also provided him with logistical support. He had himself confessed a few days ago that he let Dar and Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq stay in his house. An NIA statement read: He (Magrey) provided shelter and other logistical assistance to the suicide-bomber Adil Ahmad Dar. He was introduced to Adil Ahmad Dar in mid-2018 by a Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Umar Farooq and he became a full-time OGW of JeM. During his initial interrogation, he has disclosed that on several occasions, he collected and delivered arms, ammunition, cash and explosive material to the JeM terrorists, including those involved in Pulwama attack, the NIA statement said. On the day of the fidayeen attack of February 14, 2019, he had got off the explosive-laden vehicle when it was approximately at a distance of 500 metres from the attack site, reported the Hindustan Times. This shows how closely he was involved in planning and execution of attack, added this person. An NIA official has revealed that the equipment required while making bombs -- such as gloves, battery, ammonium powder were ordered via online shopping giant Amazon. Their probe also confirmed the explosives that blew up the car, were Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro-Glycerin, and RDX, and all of these were sourced from Pakistan. [March 03, 2020] Thrive Recognized on CRN's 2020 MSP500 List FOXBOROUGH, Mass., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thrive, a premier provider of NextGen Managed Services, proudly announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Thrive to its 2020 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Security 100 category. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Thrive has been named to this list. 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. These accomplished MSPs work tirelessly to guide their customers and create solutions for complex IT issues. 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. Thrive made strides in the MSP space in 2019, most significantly maked by the expansion of our offices and data centers from the Northeast into the Mid-Atlantic. The consultative approach that Thrive takes with each client means delivering unique and comprehensive NextGen solutions that keep businesses operating at peak efficiency while remaining secure. "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 tear 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." "We're proud that CRN continues to recognize our services. The demand for NextGen Cloud and the security continues to grow rapidly and we're well equipped with the highest levels of security, technical expertise and industry leading customer service for our clients." stated Rob Stephenson, Thrive CEO. The MSP500 list will be featured in the February 2020 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500. About Thrive Thrive is a leading provider of NextGen managed services designed to drive business outcomes through application enablement and optimization. The company's Thrive5 Methodology utilizes a unique combination of its Application Performance Platform and strategic services to ensure each business application takes advantage of technology that enables peak performance, scale, and the highest level of security. For more information, visit thrivenextgen.com Thrive: LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Farrell Director of Corporate Marketing 774.276.1521 | [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thrive-recognized-on-crns-2020-msp500-list-301013572.html SOURCE Thrive [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] JBS Brazil under pressure over supply chain transparency issues Brazillian politicians and environmentalists say JBS, the biggest meat company in the world, has not explained the transparency failure in its meat supply chain, reported The Guardian. According to critics, the lack of information implicates JBS as the company is unable to confirm if it obtains cattle from illegal deforestation activities. Fabiano Contarato, a senator that heads the environment commission, likens this problem to "cattle laundering" and has called for the country's environment and agriculture ministers to attend a hearing in congress to investigate the company. While the Brazilian meat industry does have an issue with supply chain transparency, competitor Marfig had recently released a statement to admit the problem with indirect suppliers and to take action to find a resolution to the issue. On the other hand, JBS, which operates deep in the Amazon, has not answered questions pertaining to whether its beef comes from indirect suppliers. There is also disapproval towards JBS supply chain audits, which said indirect suppliers have no verification system. Investigative reporting work conducted by The Guardian, Reporter Brasil and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that Amazon deforestation is driven by global meat demand, with fires regularly occurring in Amazon beef farming locations. JBS has direct suppliers from Amazon full cycle farms, where cattle are bred from birth to slaughter. The company's monitoring system for direct suppliers covers 28,000 sq miles and 50,000 farms daily. JBS said 8,000 farms have been blocked because of non-compliance. However, indirect suppliers where cattle are birthed, fattened or sold onwards from one farm to other farms and slaughterhouses are not monitored. Holly Gibbs, University of Wisconsin professor of geography and an expert in Amazon cattle supply chains for 10 years said producers commonly sell as both direct and indirect suppliers. 80% of Amazon direct suppliers purchase from other properties, and usually only one property is stringently monitored. Marifig said indirect suppliers account for 53% of the company's cattle purchases. JBS has not disclosed its amount. The Brazil government fined JBS 24.7 million BRL (~US$5.5 million; 1 BRL = US$0.24) for the purchase of 49,000 cattle from illegally deforested locations in Para state, Amazon. - The Guardian >>> Localities focus on fighting Covid-19 at the highest level >>> Vietnam temporarily halts visa exemption for Korean nationals >>> Major airports suspend receiving passenger flights from RoK amid COVID-19 Vietnam ready to cope with new infections The information was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam during a meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, held in Hanoi on March 2. Accordingly, in order to prevent the spread of the disease in the community, the Government of Vietnam has decided to suspend the unilateral exemption of visas for Italian citizens starting from March 3. Earlier, Vietnam decided to halt visa exemption for Korean citizens from 0:00 on February 29, while applying medical isolation to all passengers flying to Vietnam from the Republic of Korea (RoK), or who have passed through the country within 14 days prior to coming to Vietnam. As of this morning, Vietnam has not record any new cases of Covid-19, but the country still has to be ready for any situation as new infection cases may appear in the near future, Deputy PM Dam said. Reports from the Steering Committee showed that there are 115 cases are in medical isolation, while the total number of people whove had close contact with suspected cases and those returning to Vietnam from epidemic areas, who are under health monitoring, stands at 10,089. All 16 of the confirmed cases so far have recovered and were discharged from hospital, including 11 cases from Vinh Phuc Province. No new cases have been reported in the last 20 days. Son Loi Commune, in Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, where six confirmed cases have been reported, has been in isolation for 20 days. Tomorrow morning, Son Loi will be freed from medical isolation according to regulations. At the meeting, health experts affirmed that with the drastic and synchronous participation of the entire political system, Vietnam has done a good job in controlling the disease. However, Deputy PM Dam emphasised that there are new developments, requiring the anti-epidemic tactics to be changed to suit the situation. According to the deputy PM, the source of the virus is not from only China, as before, but also from the RoK, Iran, Italy and more than 60 other countries and territories across the world. Therefore, it is difficult to detect the source of infection, as Vietnam cannot close its door to the world, Dam said, stressing the need to anticipate every situation, carry out necessary measures and stay vigilant in case new infections occur. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (standing) speaks at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Hanoi, March 2, 2020. (Photo: VGP) Whether the source of infection is discovered or not, it is important to quickly quarantine and treat the infected patients and those with close contact to prevent the disease from spreading, he stressed. For Vietnamese people returning from the RoK, the Deputy PM asked for strict concentrated quarantine. Regarding Koreans entering Vietnam, he asked relevant agencies to proactively arrange airports to receive flights from the RoK and apply isolation measures to ensure absolute safety. Against the new development of the disease, the detection is put on top, he said, urging all people and all the agencies and units to participate in the anti-epidemic work and detect suspicious cases for timely medical measures. The Deputy PM also asked the Ministry of Health (MoH) to continue providing professional training and strengthening connectivity and IT application to all health facilities from the commune level upwards to help them understand what to do when there are new cases of infection or suspected infection. Speeding up the development of Covid-19 test kits During the meeting, the Steering Committee listened to a report on the initial results of the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test kit which was developed jointly by the Military Medical University and Viet A Corporation. A representative from the Ministry of Science and Technology said that the test kit is feasible and could be put into production at a capacity of 10,000 test kits a day. Deputy PM Dam requested that the MoH and the Ministry Science and Technology accelerate the development of the test kit for mass production in service of Covid-19 prevention. According to the MoH, as of 14:30 on March 2, the world has recorded 89,212 Covid-19 confirmed cases across 67 countries and territories, with 3,051 resulting in death. In which 80,026 infection cases have been confirmed in mainland China, with 2,913 among them having died from the deadly virus. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 03, 2020 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") announces that that it has entered into a Property Acquisition Agreement with Saville Resources Inc.("Saville") for the purchase of 100% of its mineral property located near Greenwood in southern British Columbia. The property is located close to Ximen's property, 4 km northwest of Greenwood, and consists of 6 mineral claims covering a total of 380.6 hectares. Map showing Greenwood area mineral claims including property acquired from Saville (purple), and properties held by Ximen (red), GGX Gold Corp. (orange) and Golden Dawn Minerals (Yellow) with mill site (star). The Saville property is situated within the highly mineralized Boundary District, which includes the Republic district in northern Washington State and the Greenwood Mining Camp in southern British Columbia. It lies only 9.5 kilometers from the 200 tonne per day Greenwood mill facility of Golden Dawn Minerals Inc. The Saville property covers six BC Minfile occurrences, including the past-producing Morrison mine. The Morrison, classified as a copper and gold skarn, produced 7.15 kilograms of gold, 26.0 kilograms of silver and 10.7 tonnes copper from 2,647 tonnes. Another exciting prospect is the Buckhorn deposit, classified as a Porphyry Cu +/- Mo +/- Au deposit and hosted in the prolific Quesnelia Terrane, where pyrite, chalcopyrite, native copper, malachite and molybdenite mineralization is hosted by a dioritic intrusion. Saville previously reported highlights from rock grab sampling conducted in 2018, including 4.57 g/t Au and 6.70 % Cu, 6.84 % Cu and 4.44 g/t Au, and 7.14 % Cu and 1.23 g/t Au. These results demonstrate an association of elevated gold with high copper values, consistent with models for large copper-gold porphyry and related skarn deposits. Key points of the transaction include: 388,888 Shares Ximen shares paid to Saville; The transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, approved the technical information contained in this News Release. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Christopher R. Anderson" Christopher R. Anderson, President, CEO and Director 604 488-3900 Investor Relations: Sophy Cesar, 604-488-3900, ir@XimenMiningCorp.com About Ximen Mining Corp. Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under a option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has recently acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment. Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578764/Ximen-Acquires-Greenwood-Copper-Gold-Property-from-Saville He was by a woman who caught him taking photos of her 11-year-old daughter He took photos of the breasts, feet and legs of a woman who was bending over On a school excursion he took another 500 undercover photos of young girls On two occasions Otness zoomed in on two nine-year-old girls' genital areas He took hundreds of photos at shopping centres and even at his sons' school Paul Otness, 46, was sentenced to four years' jail with two years non-parole A paedophile used his own children to access schools, playgrounds and shopping centres so he could take covert photos of young girls. Paul Otness, 46, was sentenced to four years' behind bars in Western Australia's District Court on Tuesday. Throughout 2018, Otness took hundreds of photos of unsuspecting girls and women at his sons' school and other public places, The West Australian reported. On two separate occasions Otness zoomed in on two nine-year-old girls' genital areas. He took 89 photos of them and recorded a two-minute video. Otness even volunteered to help on one of his son's school excursions to the zoo to achieve his own perverted desires. Paul Otness, 46, took hundreds of photos at shopping and activity centres, and even at his sons' school, and zoomed in on two nine-year-old girls' genital areas (stock image) While volunteering at his son's school excursion, Paul Otness took 74 photos of the breasts, feet and legs of a woman in her 30s who was bending over to help the kids with their lunches (stock image) He took 74 photos of the breasts, feet and legs of a woman in her 30s who was bending over to help the kids with their lunches. He managed to take the sick photos by hiding his mobile phone behind a clipboard. While on the school trip he took another 500 undercover photos of young girls, teens and women. Otness was eventually caught red-handed by a woman who saw him taking 39 photos of her 11-year-old daughter during the school assembly before reporting him to police. The paedophile father already received a 10-month suspended sentence in 2010 for similar offences. Otness was arrested in December 2018 and police seized his mobile phone. He was released but arrested again in April last year when hundreds of pieces of child exploitation material, as well as pictures of girls and women, were found on his phone. District Court Judge Simon Stone said Otness was a 'manipulative' man who used his own 'children as a tool' for his 'well thought out' plan. 'The children and female adults or adolescents that you recorded were vulnerable,' he said. 'They did not know that you were covertly photographing them. Your actions were deliberate. You used various means to carry out your sinister objective.' He jailed Otness for four years with a non-parole period of two years. With time already served he could walk free in April 2021. It has become evident recently that the interactions between copper and amyloid- neurotoxically impact the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. KAIST researchers have reported a new strategy to alter the neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease by using a rationally designed chemical reagent. This strategy, developed by Professor Mi Hee Lim from the Department of Chemistry, can modify the coordination sphere of copper bound to amyloid-, effectively inhibiting copper's binding to amyloid- and altering its aggregation and toxicity. Their study was featured in PNAS last month. The researchers developed a small molecule that is able to directly interact with the coordination sphere of copper-amyloid-? complexes followed by modifications via either covalent conjugation, oxidation, or both under aerobic conditions. The research team simply utilized copper-dioxygen chemistry to design a chemical reagent. Answering how peptide modifications by a small molecule occur remains very challenging. The system includes transition metals and amyloidogenic proteins and is quite heterogeneous, since they are continuously being changed. It is critical to carefully check the multiple variables such as the presence of dioxygen and the type of transition metal ions and amyloidogenic proteins in order to identify the underlying mechanisms and target specificity of the chemical reagent. The research team employed various biophysical and biochemical methods to determine the mechanisms for modifications on the coordination sphere of copper-A? complexes. Among them, peptide modifications were mainly analyzed using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been applied to verify such peptide modifications by calculating the shift in exact mass. The research team also performed collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the target ion detected by MS to pinpoint which amino acid residue is specifically modified. The CID fragmentizes the amide bond located between the amino acid residues. This fragmental analysis allows us to identify the specific sites of peptide modifications. The copper and amyloid- complexes represent a pathological connection between metal ions and amyloid- in Alzheimer's disease. Recent findings indicate that copper and amyloid- can directly contribute toward neurodegeneration by producing toxic amyloid- oligomers and reactive oxygen species. Professor Lim said, "This study illustrates the first experimental evidence that the 14th histidine residue in copper-amyloid-? complexes can be specifically modified through either covalent conjugation, oxidation, or both. Considering the neurotoxic implications of the interactions between copper and amyloid-, such modifications at the coordination sphere of copper in amyloid-? could effectively alter its properties and toxicity." "This multidisciplinary study with an emphasis on approaches, reactivities, and mechanisms looks forward to opening a new way to develop candidates of anti-neurodegenerative diseases," she added. The National Research Foundation of Korea funded this research. ### -Profile Mi-Hee Lim Professor miheelim@kaist.ac.kr http://sites.google.come/site/miheelimlab Department of Chemistry KAIST -About KAIST KAIST is the first and top science and technology university in Korea. KAIST was established in 1971 by the Korean government to educate scientists and engineers committed to industrialization and economic growth in Korea. Since then, KAIST and its 64,739 graduates have been the gateway to advanced science and technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. KAIST has emerged as one of the most innovative universities with more than 10,000 students enrolled in five colleges and seven schools including 1,039 international students from 90 countries. On the precipice of semi-centennial anniversary in 2021, KAIST continues to strive to make the world better through the pursuit in education, research, entrepreneurship, and globalization. New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi is one of the most followed leaders on social media, including India. He has more than 5 crores 33 lakh followers on Twitter, while he himself follows 2372 people. Similarly, there are 4 crores 47 lakh 33 thousand 955 likes on their page on Facebook. There are 4 crores 46 lakh 10 thousand 232 followers. In addition to this, 30 million people follow PM Narendra Modi on Instagram, while he has 45 lakh 10 thousand subscribers on YouTube. Nepal was engaged in friendship with China, WHO warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering leaving the social media platform. On Monday, he tweeted and said, 'This Sunday I am thinking of leaving social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Will keep you all posted.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given this information by tweeting on his personal Twitter handle @narendramodi and posting it on Facebook page @narendramodi. Irrigation department suffers damage due to ignoring officers, illegal occupation in so many places After this, people started pleading with PM Narendra Modi not to leave social media. #NoSir started trending globally on Twitter. In India too, #NoSir started trending at the top on Twitter, #NarendraModi at number two and #modiji at number three. PM Narendra Modi is one of the most followed leaders on social media, including India. On Monday, when PM Modi talked about leaving social media, along with ordinary citizens, the big leaders of the country have also expressed their reaction. During this, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi took a dig at PM Modi. Rahul Gandhi tweeted PM Modi's post and said, 'Leave hate, not social media accounts.' 58 contracts signed in last 3 financial years for defence equipment procurement People who like PM Modi also pleaded with him not to leave social media. One Twitter user tweeted, 'Dear Modiji, please do not leave social media. I joined Twitter because of you.' A user wrote on Facebook, 'Modi is our Prime Minister, as well as the country's pride.' On social media, along with keeping our opinions on important topics, we also encourage us. If he is on Facebook and Twitter it seems like he is in our midst. All followers have been continuously requesting Modi. Yogi government's another shock to Azam Khan, cancels this recruitment process Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The lower chamber's delegation to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal was tainted by corruption under the leadership of Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador "Doy" Leachon, an ally of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano alleged Tuesday. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund "LRay" Villafuerte, speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, also noted that despite facing an electoral protest against him, Leachon still chose to lead the House's delegation to the tribunal, which goes against the mandate of the constitutional body. Cayetano recently removed Leachon from the tribunal post. "The main reason he was taken out, when [Alan Peter Cayetano] was elected speaker, Congressman Leachon asked for him to be member of HRET and then chairman. What he did not reveal was that he had a case in the HRET," he said. "He was a lawyer, out of delicadeza dapat 'di niya ginawa 'yon (he should not have done that), [that is] conflict of interest," added Villafuerte, Camarines Sur's 2nd District representative. The HRET is the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of House members. The body consists of nine members: three Justices of the Supreme Court and six House members. The senior justice in the tribunal serves as its chairman. "There are already reports reaching the Speaker that there is alleged corruptions in HRET, cash in exchange for favorable decision," Villafuerte said, referring to the House panel in the tribunal. He added that Leachon as leader of the House panel would know about it. Leachon, a stalwart of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, has also been allegedly using his position to sway his colleagues to join the bloc and support Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco in exchange for favorable action on their pending cases. "Mayroon ring nagre-report he is using his position as PDP-Laban member, 'yong mga kaso doon ng non-PDP (members), sabi sumali kayo, or suportahan niyo si Lord Velasco which we feel is wrong. Because si Presidente, the leader of the PDP-Laban, anti-corruption ang crusade niya," Villafuerte said. [Translation: We have also received reports that he is using his position as PDP-Laban member to urge non-PDP-Laban members to join or support Lord Velasco which we feel is wrong. Because the President is the leader of the PDP-Laban, has always led with an anti-corruption crusade.] When asked why such allegations against Leachon were only being bared amid supposed coup threats in the speakership, Villafuerte reasoned that congressmen were waiting for the ousted lawmaker to "be objective and show some delicadeza" on the issue. For his part, Leachon told The Source that the allegations only came out after Villafuerte was grilled for his 6-billion budget insertions. Of the said amount, at least 800 million was supposedly being used for projects in Camarines Sur under the leadership of his son, Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte. "I have a pending case, but let me clarify this one, this is only an afterthought, an added reason, after he was being grilled very hard regarding the budget insertion of more than 6 billion by other members, saka lang niya (Villafuerte) sasabihin 'yong pending case (this is when he will only announce my pending case)," Leachon added. He also alleged that Villafuerte had asked him to fix an electoral protest involving his father Luis Villafuerte. "Pangalawa, sabi mo papalunin ko 'yong tatay mo na may kaso sa akin (sa HRET) laban kay (Vice Mayor Gabriel) Bordado (Secondly, you yourself told me that I should fix a case involving your father against Bordado). Congressman LRay, in front of all Filipino people here, be man enough to tell the truth, I do not engage in a thread of lies, which you have done so many times already," the irked congressman said. Leachon earlier claimed that budget controversies surrounding Villafuerte may have also been the reason why Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab was ousted as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. Ungab and Leachon were removed from their posts on Monday, amid threats surrounding Cayetano's speakership. Both congressmen were known allies of Velasco, Cayetano's successor in a "15-21" term-sharing speakership deal. In a chance interview in the evening, Cayetano only said that he simply did not have a good working relationship with the two, who were allegedly more interested in "funds and intrigues." "If you're going against the majority especially the leadership, it is time for you to go. It's either you resign or you get kicked out. That's what happened," Villafuerte added. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnals derogatory comments against centenarian freedom fighter H S Doreswamy rocked the Karnataka Assembly as it met for the budget session on Monday with the ruling BJP andopposition crossing swords. Opposition parties thronged the well of the House, demanding that they be allowed to raise the matter and forcing repeated adjournments. The ruling BJP opposed attempts by the Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah to raise the issue, without any prior notice. The House also witnessed Chief Minister B SYediyurappa replying to the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the joint sitting of the state legislature, and also the motion getting adopted with voice vote, amid sloganeering by opposition members from the well. Amid the din, eight bills were tabled, including The Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on setting up Raichur University, the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Bill and Karnataka Regulation of Pay and Pension of Teacher in Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2020. Yatnals recent comments against Doreswamy, calling him a fake freedom fighter and Pakistani agent sparked a row, with opposition parties up in arms against him in the last few days. The Congress has even been demanding revocation of his assembly membership. According to Congress leaders, Yatnals comments are in violation of the Constitution as by disrespecting a freedom fighter like Doreswamy, he had disrespected the freedom movement, which is in violation of our fundamental duties. Yatnal has made it clear that there was no question of withdrawing his statements against Doreswamy and evencalled him a mouth piece in favour of the JD(S) and Congress. Several BJP legislators have come out in defence of the Vijayapura city MLA, questioning the Congress and the freedom fighter for their alleged comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Veer Savarkar. As the House met for the day, the first day of the budget session, soon after the obituary reference to departed personalities, Siddaramaiah tried to raise the issue by terming it as a matter of urgent public importance. He said the Speaker can allow him to raise the matter under residual powers that the Chair has. However, the Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, disallowing him, said he would go by the agenda as per which the Chief Ministers reply to the Governors address has been listed and would consider the issue Siddaramaiah was trying to raise only after it was completed. Siddaramaiah, however, continued to raise the issue and alleged that Yatnal has made derogatory remarks against Doreswamy and has even reiterated it. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamyand Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai then asked the Chair as to under which rule Siddaramaiah was raising the issue. Siddaramaiah said Doreswamy is a freedom fighter,which is known to the country and Yatnals derogatorycomments against him were an insult to freedom fighters and the freedom movement of the country. Minister C T Ravi questioned Siddaramaiah andCongress MLAs supporting him, about comments made against the Prime Minister and freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar. Several members from the treasury benches tooobjected to Siddaramaiah trying to raise issues without giving prior notice. In response, Siddaramaiah said the Speaker has certain inherent and residual powers, exercising which he can permit him. He continued to refer to Yatnals comments andthe ruling side again objected to it, leading to heated exchanges. The Speaker intervened and allowed the Chief Minister to reply to the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address and said he would look into the matter raised by Siddaramaiah only after that. Protesting against this, Siddaramaiah led his party members to the well of the House. JD(S) members too followed. Slogans like jai to freedom fighters, save democracy and the Constitution, down British agentsreverberated in the House as Yediyurappa read out his reply to the Governors address. After Yediyurappas reply, the motion of thanks was put to vote and adopted amid sloganeering by the opposition. The Speaker then adjourned the House for 30 minutes. With opposition members continuing to protest from the well when the House met again, the Speaker adjourned the House for lunch, saying he would speak to floor leaders todiscuss how the stalemate could be resolved. The ruckus continued post lunch as Congress leaders trooped into the well of House and raised slogans. Finally, the house was adjourned for the day. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Not all passengers in an airplane are considerate of people travelling with them. Many of us have experienced being on flights with annoying travellers. Be it someone who takes more leg space or reclines the seat too far back without even asking, there are people who lack basic etiquette. One such person ended up costing a man 1,200 (97,000, approx) after reclining her seat and destroying another passenger's laptop. She obviously didn't inform the guy behind her that she'd be reclining her seat all the way back. Twitter The Apple Macbook Pro belonging to Pat Cassidy was crushed by the reclined seat on his flight from Austin to Los Angeles on Delta Airlines. Tweeting an image of the smashed screen, he wrote, So this happened on my flight home...Person in front of me reclined and my MacBook Pro screen got caught in the angle. The person in front then gave her seat and extra push - shredding my screen. @Delta small note for the suggestion box, maybe have a little warning sign or someway to prevent my laptop from being destroyed when the person in front of me reclines their seat. pic.twitter.com/QHmphXiDhH Pat Cassidy (@HardFactorPat) February 26, 2020 Slamming the cabin crew, Pat, who lives in Texas said that they failed to help him. He tweeted, I really appreciate that your flight attendant came over to tell me that the passenger in front of me 'needs to be able to recline' and then asked him 'if he was okay?' as if your seat hadnt just ruined my livelihood. Update: @Delta is giving me the equivalent of a $75 gift card and an explanation that you would give a six year old. Cool. pic.twitter.com/etGLUXOOjs Pat Cassidy (@HardFactorPat) February 29, 2020 After he raised a complaint with the airline Pat claimed that he was just offered a $75 (Approx Rs 5,500) gift card and 7,500 air miles with an apology that reportedly read, I'm sorry your laptop was broken due to another passenger reclining on your seat. It's not fair when one person's behavior affects another person. Pat described this email apology and explanation as the one that would be given to a 'six-year-old. However, the Twitter opinion on the whole incident is divided. One person wrote, Please disable reclining seats! They are a recipe for passenger conflict and property destruction, while another one commented @Delta are you kidding me? This computer is worth over a thousand bucks. Never flying with you guys. If my mac was damaged on your flight, best believe someone will replace it. I am sorry Pat. As a student, this is devastating. Nobody should be allowed to recline on an airplane. It only causes issues. Randall Kanna (@RandallKanna) February 27, 2020 That would earn the recliner a solid knee in the lower back and punching the back of the seat for the entire flight. Seriously you have to recline that bad? Timmy (@timothy_t21) February 27, 2020 Im 63 and had my knees banged by a quickly reclining seat so Im careful to slowly recline but I disagree that travelers should never use functionality provided or ask for permission. Common sense laptop placement wounded have prevented this screen damage. David Morrison (@mr80401) February 29, 2020 i sincerely do not understand why people are unable to gently recline backwards, its not just laptops at risk but knees, drinks on the table, etc.. Bhoka is offline (@boop) February 27, 2020 Isnt it time to ban seat reclining? Steve Cornell (@SteveCornell7) February 27, 2020 I heard that punching the back of his seat works. And does that mean...he has to recline? I've never heard of a medical condition that requires you to recline every seat you sit in. Trop1260 (@trop1260) February 27, 2020 However, there were some who tutored the victim. One said, Maybe don't have a giant laptop on the plane....then tuck the screen into the seat like that. Am I the only one to think this is not the airline's fault? You _tucked_ the screen into the tray storage area. Frankly, it's unsurprising that this would happen. Hisham (@hisham_hm) February 27, 2020 Whatever the case, one cannot deny that the person suffered a huge loss and the airlines should do better than compensate him with $75! The monument was rebuilt at the base of the old monument, which was first constructed in the centre of Kampong Speu in the 1980s. This is the 20th out of 22 monuments rebuilt or upgraded across Cambodia in recognition of the great contributions of Vietnamese and Cambodian soldiers who sacrificed their lives to liberate Cambodia from the genocidal Pol Pot regime. The groundbreaking ceremony saw the presence of Secretary of State at the Cambodia Ministry of Cults and Religion and Standing Vice Chairman cum Secretary General of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland Nhem Valy and Vietnamese military attache Nguyen Thanh Chinh, among other local officials. Addressing the event, Standing Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland Nhem Valy said that after the victory in 1979, Cambodia was liberated and provinces across the country built Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monuments. He said that the Cambodias escape from the genocidal Pol Pot regime was thanks to Vietnamese volunteers and soldiers, adding that Cambodian people are always grateful to the Vietnamese people for their sacrifice for Cambodia. The construction of the new monument is scheduled for completion in 12 months. New Delhi, March 3 : With the threat of COVID-19 looming large, the government has tightened the entry conditions for the nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan with immediate effect. As per the revised travel advisory issued on Tuesday by the Union Health Ministry, new travellers from these countries will have to apply for fresh visas. The revised advisory states, "All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including the Visa on arrival for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before 03.03.2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate." The visa restrictions also apply to all foreign nationals, who have travelled to the Peoples Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India. Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate. While diplomats, officials of the UN and other International bodies, the OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry, they will have to undergo a mandatory medical screening. The passengers of all the international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to Health Officials and Immigration officials at all ports. Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travelling to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:08:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHICAGO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A potential drug target has been identified in a newly mapped protein of the novel coronavirus, a U.S. university said on Monday. The newly mapped protein is called Nsp15. It is conserved among coronaviruses and is essential in their lifecycle and virulence, Andrzej Joachimiak, a professor at the University of Chicago, said in a Northwestern University news release on Monday. After mapping a 3D protein structure of Nsp15 from the novel coronavirus, researchers from several U.S. universities found that drugs that had previously been developed to treat the earlier SARS outbreak could now be developed as effective drugs against COVID-19, as studies published in 2010 on SARS coronavirus revealed that inhibition of Nsp15 can slow viral replication. "The Nsp15 protein has been investigated in SARS as a novel target for new drug development, but that never went very far because the SARS epidemic went away, and all new drug development ended. Some inhibitors were identified but never developed into drugs. The inhibitors that were developed for SARS now could be tested against this protein," said Karla Satchell, professor of microbiology-immunology at the NU. The Nsp15 protein was initially thought to directly participate in viral replication, but more recently, the protein was proposed to help the virus replicate possibly by interfering with the host's immune response, Joachimiak said. Rapid upsurge and proliferation of the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, also raised questions about how this virus could become far more transmissible as compared to the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. "While the SARS-CoV-2 is very similar to the SARS virus that caused epidemics in 2003, new structures shed light on the small, but potentially important differences between the two viruses that contribute to the different patterns in the spread and severity of the diseases they cause," said Adam Godzik, a professor of biomedical sciences in the School of Medicine, the University of California Riverside. The structure of Nsp15 will be released on Wednesday in the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, which operates the U.S. data center for the global protein data bank archive. COVID-19, the dreaded coronavirus that is spreading across the globe and is yet to have a curable medicine, can be contained tracking the pattern of the progression of the disease, the World Health Organisation(WHO) said. In a media briefing on March 2, the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said while China reported 206 cases of COVID-19 to WHO in a day, the lowest since January 22, outside China a total of 8,739 cases have been reported to WHO from 61 countries, with 127 deaths. This is almost nine times higher than new coronavirus cases inside China over the last 24 hours. "The Republic of Korea has now reported more than 4,200 cases and 22 deaths, meaning it has more than half of all cases outside China. "The epidemics in the Republic of Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan are our greatest concern," he said. "Containment of COVID-19 is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries. Our message to all countries is - this is not a one-way street. We can push this virus back. Your actions now will determine the course of the outbreak in your country. There's no choice but to act now," he added. The cases in the Republic of Korea appear to be coming mostly from suspected cases from five known clusters, rather than the community. It indicates that surveillance measures are working and Korea's epidemic can still be contained. "If this was an influenza epidemic, the virus could have had widespread community transmission across the globe by now, and efforts to slow it down or contain it would not have been feasible," he said. Why is WHO still hesitant to declare this as a pandemic? DG Adhanom said of the 88,913 cases reported globally so far, 90 per cent are in China, mostly in one province. Of the 8739 cases reported outside China, 81 per cent are from four countries. Of the other 57 affected countries, 38 have reported 10 cases or less, 19 have reported only one case, and a good number of countries have already contained the virus and have not reported over the last two weeks. More than 130 countries have not detected any cases yet and some just received their first cases yesterday. Some have clusters of cases, with transmission between family members and other close contacts. Some have rapidly expanding epidemics, with signs of community transmission. And some have declining epidemics, and have not reported a case for more than two weeks. Some countries have more than one of these scenarios at the same time. For example, China had community transmission in Wuhan, but relatively small numbers of cases in other provinces. Other countries have a similar pattern. He said WHO will continue to provide evidence-based guidance to help countries and individuals assess and manage their risk, and make decisions, as the scenario differs in different countries. The WHO is advising countries on actions they can take for each of the "three Cs" scenarios - first case, first cluster, first evidence of community transmission", to effectively contain the epidemic. The basic actions in each scenario are the same, but the emphasis changes depending on which scenario a country is in. Also read: Coronavirus update: Who can enter India, who cannot? Also read: Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates: Virus spreads from Delhi to Agra; govt says 'don't panic' BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Yusif Aghayev Trend: The Azerbaijani leading PASHA Insurance company has shown record growth in insurance premiums in January 2020, Trend reports on March 3 referring to a report of the Azerbaijani Central Bank. Over the reporting period, the company collected insurance premiums in the amount of 56.6 million manat ($33.3 million), which is almost half of all premiums collected in the country's market and 10.1 million manat ($5.9 million) more than the company collected in January 2019. Traditionally, the major share of these fees accounts for the agreement on voluntary medical insurance for employees of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), the amount of premiums for which exceeds 35 million manat ($20.6 million). At the same time, a great increase in premiums occurred in other types of insurance. The company is in the stage of intensive development, Chairperson of the board of the company Ulviyya Jabbarova said. As a result of economic reforms which are carried out in the country, the insurance sector is also developing. This affects the financial performance of domestic insurers for January 2020. A steady increase in premiums on all types of insurance - both voluntary and compulsory is observed in the company. The collection of fees related to property insurance, voluntary health insurance, car insurance and many other types has greatly increased, the chairperson said. Moreover, these funds were mainly attracted from clients belonging to the non-oil sector of the economy, which testifies to its steady development. PASHA Insurance company collected insurance premiums worth 46.4 million manat ($27.3 million) in January 2019, 41.2 million manat ($24.2 million) in January 2018, 37.7 million manat ($22.2 million) in January 2017 and 35.2 million manat ($20.7 million) in January 2016. PASHA Insurance company is a recognized leader in the non-life insurance market in Azerbaijan. The authorized capital of the company is 50 million manat ($29.4 million). It renders insurance services on 36 voluntary and compulsory types of insurance for 300,000 corporate and individual clients. As a result of the activity in 2019, the company collected insurance premiums in the amount of 150.2 million manat ($88.3 million) and paid insurance indemnities in the amount of 52.8 million manat (over $31 million), ranking second in the ranking of domestic insurers. Today, 22 insurance companies and one reinsurance company operate in Azerbaijan. (1 USD = 1.7 AZN on March 3) A child died when a boat full of migrants heading to a Greek island capsized Monday, part of a wave of thousands trying to push through Greece's land and sea borders Kastanies: A child died when a boat full of migrants heading to a Greek island capsized Monday, part of a wave of thousands trying to push through Greece's land and sea borders. The child's death was the first since neighboring Turkey announced Thursday it was easing restrictions on those wishing to cross to Europe, and thousands of migrants began massing at the frontiers with Greece. Greek authorities said they had stopped more than 24,000 attempted illegal crossings at the land border with Turkey since early Saturday, and arrested 183 people very few of whom were Syrians. Turkey's announcement marked a dramatic departure from its previous policy of containing refugees and other migrants under an agreement with the European Union. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, has demanded more support from Europe in dealing with the fallout from the Syrian war to its south. As European countries rushed to back Greece, Erdogan said Monday that Western leaders were calling him and urging him to reverse the border opening. Its done, the gates are open now. You will have your share of this burden now," he said he told them. Soon the number of people going to the border will be expressed in millions," he said. Greece, which has made clear its borders will remain closed, says it is faced with an organised Turkish campaign to push people through. The two uneasy NATO allies are historic regional rivals who have come close to war three times in the past half-century, and even before the migration crisis relations were tense over undersea exploitation rights. Greek Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis said Greece faced an organised invasion from a foreign country". Turkey is making use of innocent people in its efforts to destabilise Greece and Europe, he told state ERT TV. The government has sent army and police reinforcements to its borders and suspended asylum applications for a month. It says it will return those entering the country illegally without registering them. On Monday, Greek border guards prevented 4,354 people who attempted to cross the land border with Turkey, either by cutting or climbing the fence or crossing the Evros River running along the frontier, authorities said. At one site, Greek police fired tear gas at migrants throwing stones as they tried to push through, while nearby other migrants held white flags, shouting peace, peace, and asking to be let in. In the 24 hours until Monday morning, 977 people crossing on boats reached Greek islands near the Turkish coast, the coast guard said. One dinghy carrying 48 migrants heading to the island of Lesbos was accompanied by a Turkish patrol vessel while in Turkish waters. The migrants deliberately overturned their boat once in Greek waters, the Greek coast guard said. The coast guard said they rescued the migrants, but one boy, aged around six or seven and believed to be from Syria, was unconscious and efforts to revive him failed. On the Turkish side, an official said its coast guard saved people when their boat was targeted by the Greek coast guard. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, said the Greek coast guard "performed maneuvers aimed at sinking" the boat as well as firing warning shots and hitting those on board with boat hooks. There was no immediate reaction from the Greek side. Under a 2016 deal, Turkey agreed to stem the tide of refugees to Europe in return for more than 6 billion euros in financial aid after more than a million people entered Europe in 2015. Ankara has since accused the EU of failing to honor the agreement. Erdogan has frequently threatened to open the gates unless more international support is provided. Turkey eased its border restrictions amid a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive into Syrias northwestern Idlib province, which has killed dozens of Turkish troops and sent nearly a million additional Syrian civilians fleeing toward Turkeys sealed border. With heavy clashes continuing there Monday, Erdogan said he is hoping to secure a cease-fire during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow set for Thursday. Margaritis Schinas, the EU commissioner for migration, told reporters in Berlin on Monday that "nobody can blackmail and intimidate the European Union," Germany's dpa news agency reported. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it is "understandable" that Erdogan feels overwhelmed by the number of refugees at the Syrian border, and that Russia needs to be pressed on a cease-fire. I understand that the Turkish government and President Erdogan expect more from Europe," Merkel said. But it is "fully unacceptable that that is now being put on the backs of refugees." German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Merkel offered to hold a four-way meeting with Erdogan, Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the crisis in Syria. Seibert said upholding the EU-Turkey deal was in both sides' interests, saying more than 3 billion euros has been released to Turkey so far, along with bilateral funds. The prime minister of Bulgaria, which also shares a land border with Turkey, was heading for talks with Erdogan in Ankara later Monday. Boyko Borissov told reporters they will discuss the migrant issue and measures for de-escalating tensions in Syria. European countries moved to show support for Greece amid the border surge. The EU's border protection agency Frontex said it was rushing extra border guards to the area, at Athens' request. Top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, were to join Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on a visit to the land border Tuesday. Mitsotakis' office said he discussed the situation with U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call Monday. The challenge that Greece is facing right now is a European challenge, von der Leyen said. Apparently to dissuade migrants from approaching, the Greek army announced a 24-hour live-fire exercise for Monday along the land border and on a long arc of Aegean Sea islands. Greek authorities have also accused Turkish border guards of firing tear gas over the border to prevent its guards from stopping migrants. Greek authorities said they arrested 42 migrants who made it into Greece on Monday, most of them from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Morocco. Therose Ngonda, a 40-year-old from Cameroon, made it into Greece by wading across the river. Speaking in the morning, her feet still wet, she said she had been told migrants had 72 hours from Friday to leave Turkey. She got on one of dozens of buses and minibuses ferrying people from Istanbul to the border, among about 2,000 people, including Syrians and families with young children. Ngonda said she was put into the river on the Turkish side of the border. They told me go that way. On Greece's Lesbos island, local anger boiled over, with some residents preventing people, including young children and babies, from disembarking from a dinghy in a small harbor. Elsewhere on the island, they prevented buses from taking new arrivals to Lesbos' massively overcrowded migrant camp of Moria. The new arrivals spent the night on the beach. Human rights organisations deplored the border situation, which Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic described as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis". Urgent action is now needed to prevent the situation from getting even worse, Mijatovic said. The UN refugee agency appealed for calm at the Greek-Turkish border. But it said that while the situation there is of concern, the "humanitarian disaster unfolding in northwest Syria and massive humanitarian needs in Idlib for some 950,000 internally displaced people continues to require urgent action. Q uotas are needed in the City to ensure women secure top executive roles, according to an expert panel. Leading women in business, the arts, politics and the public and voluntary sectors met in six cities worldwide yesterday for the second annual Athena40 Forum. The forum, ahead of International Womens Day on Sunday, discussed making the case on female leadership. The London panel was hosted at the Evening Standards offices, with live feeds to Karachi, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Beirut and Amman, and talks in California and Athens. BBC World presenter Tim Willcox chaired the London event, with economist Vicky Pryce, High Commissioner of Rwanda Yamina Karitanyi, Vicky Booth, CEO of charity Inspiring Girls, author Shamim Sarif, entrepreneur Paola Diana and Global Thinkers Forum founder Elizabeth Filippouli taking part. All panellists argued for quotas. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations informs that on March 3, as of 08:30, some roads are closed and difficult to pass in Armenia. The ministry told Armenpress that the Vardenyats Pass is closed for trailer trucks and is difficult to pass for the other vehicles. Sotk-Karvachar highway is difficult to pass for passenger cars and is closed for trailer trucks. The Georgian side informed that the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles. Drivers are urged to use snow tires. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan When American Airlines president Robert Isom was getting ready to visit Philadelphia last week, his meetings with employees and corporate customers were supposed to focus on airport investments, new routes, and recent improvements in such metrics as on-time departures. And then the fast-moving developments around coronavirus crowded onto the schedule. It changes quickly, Isom said Friday afternoon. We thought wed be talking about a different set of topics when we set this trip up. American is the worlds largest air carrier, serving 600,000 passengers a day, and it is Philadelphia International Airports dominant airline, responsible for about 70% of the traffic. Company executives are also in the midst of negotiating a new 15-year lease with the city, and hope to strike a deal this spring. We stay very close with the U.S. government," Isom said. "We have to find a reliable source of truth with regard to the situation. So whether its the State Department, Health and Human Services, DOT or even DHS [homeland security], were staying very close to identify what it is that we should be paying attention to and how we should adjust our business. So far, American has suspended flights to mainland China and Hong Kong through April 24. On Saturday, the airline announced it would cancel flights to Milan, Italy, out of New York and Miami. American said all the flight suspensions were the result of a reduction in demand. From Philadelphia, American operates seasonal flights to Rome and Venice. Those routes havent been affected by any scheduling changes. Still, a spokesperson said, the airline remains in close coordination with government and health officials as we continue to evaluate based on customer and team member safety and travel demand. American has also made available a host of fee waivers for changes to trips to Italy and South Korea, along with China and Hong Kong. Travelers whove been to China or Iran in the last 14 days are being directed through 11 U.S. airports, and PHL isnt one of them. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operates a standing quarantine station at PHL, the agency is not actively screening for coronavirus there, unless passengers are believed to exhibit symptoms, a spokesperson for American said. Last month, the International Air Transport Association estimated that coronavirus could cost the global airline industry nearly $30 billion in revenue this year. Asia-Pacific airlines would bear the bulk of the loss, while carriers outside the region would lose $1.5 billion in revenue if the fall in demand is limited to markets linked to China, the trade group said. Americans stock has dropped by about 40% since mid-February. It closed at $17.85 on Tuesday, down $1.01 (5.36%). On Friday, Isom had just come from a meeting with travel managers, some of Americans biggest customers. Certainly there is an impact to Asia travel, Isom said. "There is certainly impact to some European cities as well, now, because of some of the things were seeing in Italy. But, he added: As we told the team earlier today, travel is part of the lifeblood of commerce. ... So we know that travel demand will rebound, and we have been through situations in the past, with H1N1 [flu] most recently, and we know how to handle situations like this. Isom also expressed confidence in how Americans operational performance has been getting better, after arguably a difficult summer. Were seeing better results than we ever have in our companys history, at having aircraft ready to go first thing in the morning, and that just translates to performance throughout the rest of the day, he said. The Philadelphia hub had its best January on record for such performance indicators, according to the company: 78.8% of flights departed on time (a one-point improvement from the year prior), 140 fewer mainline and regional flights were canceled (a 55.8% improvement from the previous January), and 135 fewer flights were delayed (a 6.3% improvement). In February, the company said, the hub had its best on-time departure rate of any month on record in Philadelphia. American has extended seasonal travel routes this year from Philadelphia to Lisbon and Prague (both will run from the spring until early January 2021). And it is making more frequent flights to Berlin and Dubrovnik, Croatia, with daily service this summer. The airline is also launching new flights from Philadelphia this summer to Reykjavik, Iceland, and to Morocco, Americans first-ever service to Africa. Isom said American is primed to offer new destinations and recently announced network partnerships with Alaska Airlines, and Brazils GOL, for instance as it nears the final stages of integrating systems from its 2013 merger with US Airways. Having the airline really set to run, as you want it, and to optimize from there," he said, "gives you the flexibility and freedom to go now and make sure that youre serving all the points that customers want to go. File image Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3, said that the communal violence that rocked pockets of north east Delhi last week was discussed during the meeting. It was their first meeting after the Aam Aadmi Party returned to power in the national capital for a third consecutive term. Emerging from the meeting, Kejriwal told reporters that the Delhi Police could have prevented loss of lives in the violence had it remained active and vigilant like the last few days. Large-scale violence in northeast Delhi has left around 42 people dead and 200 injured. "The Delhi Police acted promptly to check rumours in the last few days... I appreciated them," Kejriwal added. "The prime minister also agreed that such violent incidents should not be repeated in Delhi," he said. Responding to a question on hate speeches by BJP leaders, Kejriwal said they did not discuss it specifically. The chief minister also requested Modi to take stern action against those involved in the violence, "no matter how influential he or she is". He also sought the prime minister's help for the development of Delhi. On February 25, Home Minister Amit Shah had discussed the situation with the Delhi chief minister and leaders of various parties. The AAP formed government in Delhi for the third time on the trot after it swept the February 8 elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats. The BJP bagged the rest of the seats. With inputs from PTI A stretcher is moved from an AMR ambulance to the Life Care Center of Kirkland where one associate and one resident were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Feb. 29, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) Lets Help Contain the Coronavirus, Not Weaponize It Commentary Biased reporting, political posturing, and fear-mongering wont help contain the spread of the coronavirus within the United States. Sadly, that is exactly how the Democrats and the liberal media are reacting to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The presidents political opponents have chosen to politicize the virus, accusing the Trump administration of mishandling the deadly outbreak. Lets Call It Trumpvirus, Trump Makes Us Ill, and Trump Is Ignoring the Lessons of 1918 Flu Pandemic That Killed Millions are just some of the irresponsible headlines that have recently appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Numerous liberal commentators and Democrat politicians, including former Vice President Joe Biden, have even accused the administration of silencing Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, one of Americas leading immunologists. Is the White House Starting to Censor Public-Health Officials? MSNBC speculated a few days ago, referring to new rules designed to better coordinate messaging from federal officials. Fauci himself had to debunk that outlandish claim. Remarkably, the mainstream press even managed to distort President Donald Trumps response to these baseless accusationswhen he rightly called out the liberal smear campaign as a hoax, the media dishonestly claimed that he was referring to the coronavirus outbreak itself. Misinformation about the presidents handling of the situation seems to be spreading faster than the virus itself, which does absolutely nothing to help the millions of Americans who are trying to learn the facts about this public health emergency. Lets set the record straight. As Trump explained during his recent press conference, the White House has been closely monitoring the outbreak since the very beginning and has taken preventative measures to ensure that our health care system is prepared for the worst-case scenario. We moved very early, the president said, noting that his decision to implement early travel restrictions in January saved countless American lives. Experts now agree that the decision to move so quickly despite a lot of opposition on that decision was a wise one. It greatly slowed the spread of the virus to the United States. As the virus continued spreading in other parts of the world, Trump took additional action by assigning Vice President Mike Pence to lead the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Under the vice presidents leadership, guided by the advice of our countrys leading medical experts, the task force has quickly developed strategies to combat and contain future possible outbreaks in the United States. Weve taken the most aggressive actions to confront the coronavirus, the president said, pointing out that the United States has experienced far fewer cases than many other countries with smaller populations. Trump also recently announced that travelers from high-risk countries will be subject to new dual screening measuresmedical evaluations will now be performed both prior to their boarding and following their arrival in the United States. He also just met with representatives from some of the worlds largest pharmaceutical companies in an effort to coordinate research and development of a vaccine. Regrettably, these facts are irrelevant to the agenda-driven mainstream press, who are always eager to seize any opportunity to smear Donald Trump. One of the first questions directed at the president during his recent press conference, for example, was about the nonexistent muzzling of Faucinot about the progress the administration has made to keep the country safe from the coronavirus. In a remarkable exchange, Fauciwho was standing behind the presidentstepped up to the microphone to directly dismiss the absurd media narrative himself. I have never been muzzled ever and Ive been doing this since the administration of Ronald Reagan, he told the journalist, adding, That was a real misrepresentation of what happened. Spreading baseless, politically motivated conspiracy theories about the coronavirus wont help curtail this looming pandemic. Americans deserve to know the facts about the ongoing outbreak and what the Trump administration is doing to contain it. The Democrats and the mainstream media have failed us. Jason D. Meister is an advisory board member of Donald J. Trump for President Inc. and managing director of Ackman-Ziff. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Michael Bloomberg criticized his competitor Bernie Sanders for skipping the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committees (AIPAC) annual policy conference and his anti-Israel stance, calling him dead wrong. Bloomberg, who is Jewish, has become increasingly critical of Sanders, who is also Jewish, but has been against Israels policies on Palestine. Sanders has called Israels conservative leader Benjamin Netanyahu a racist and dubbed AIPAC a platform for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security. So do the Palestinian people. I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference. 1/2 Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 23, 2020 Unfortunately, not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference, Bloomberg said at the conference on Monday, according to Bloomberg News. One of them, Senator Sanders, has spent 30 years boycotting this event. And as youve heard by now, he called AIPAC a racist platform. Well, let me tell you, hes dead wrong. This is a gathering of 20,000 Israel supporters of every religious denomination, ethnicity, faith, color, sexual identity, and political party, Bloomberg added. Calling it a racist platform is an attempt to discredit those voices, intimidate people from coming here, and weaken the U.S.-Israel relationship. The reality is AIPAC doesnt fuel hatred. AIPAC works to combat itand the violence that it can produce. And if more elected officials spoke to the people here, theyd understand that. 347 Reform, Conservative and Orthodox pulpit Rabbis to @BernieSanders: As strong supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship and AIPACs role in advancing it, we reject Senator Bernie Sanders outrageous comment accusing AIPAC of fostering bigotry. (1/8) #AIPACProud pic.twitter.com/B2LsYQzA0n AIPAC (@AIPAC) February 26, 2020 Bloomberg went on to clarify that he is in favor of a two-state solution for Jews and Palestinians, he said, but this should be achieved through direct negotiations, because Israel must remain a prosperous, secure, and stable Jewish democracy and because Palestinians deserve dignity, democracy, and opportunity as well. Bloomberg, a former Republican, also in part defended President Donald Trumps decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, acknowledging the latter as Israels official capital. Bloomberg said he would have preferred it if Trump had achieved it through direct negotiations. However, he added, since it has been moved to Jerusalem it should stay there, because thats where it belongs. At the Democratic debate in South Carolina on Tuesday night, moderator Major Garrett of CBS News asked Sanders: If elected, Senator Sanders, you would be Americas first Jewish president. You recently called a very prominent, well-known American Israel lobby a platform for bigotry. What would you say to American Jews who might be concerned youre not, from their perspective, supportive enough of Israel? And specifically, sir, would you move the U.S. Embassy back to Tel Aviv? Sanders said on Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation: I am not anti-Israel. I will do everything I can to protect the independence and the security and the freedom of the Israeli people. But what we need in this country is a foreign policy that not only protects Israel but deals with the suffering of the Palestinian people as well. Now that federal health officials have ironed out initial problems with the test itself and enabled more labs to take part in the hunt for infection, this work of testing and quarantining is the essential second stage. Yet the government has not yet begun to tell Americans where to go for testing, and neither public nor private insurers are changing their rules to buffer people from testing-related charges. Alinta Energy has been accused of pressuring audit giant EY into watering down an internal audit report into how it protects the personal information of its 1.1 million gas and electricity customers. A whistleblower, who released a trove of internal documents to The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and ABCs 7.30, said the early EY draft reports were "negotiated" over many months, and were far blunter and included specific incidents of potential breaches. A joint investigation by The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and ABCs 7.30 reveals that Chinese-owned Alinta Energy may be breaching Australian privacy laws by failing to protect its customers personal information. Credit: The June 2019 EY report said Alinta "may not be adequately protecting personal information" and at times "doesnt meet the requirements of privacy laws". "The original draft reports were rejected by [Alinta] management," the whistleblower said. People wearing masks line up to buy face masks at a department store in Seoul on March 2, 2020. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) South Koreas Cases of Novel Coronavirus Climb Above 5,000 South Korea, hard-hit by the novel coronavirus, now has over 5,000 confirmed cases with at least 29 fatalities. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 600 new cases on March 2 to bring the national tally to 4,812. Then the government announced 374 additional cases as of 4 p.m. local time on March 3, to bring the countrys total cases to 5,186. So far KCDC has not announced details of the 374 new cases. Of the 4,812 confirmed cases, 3,601 cases are in Daegu and 685 cases are in the broader North Gyeongsang province. Daegu, home to about 2.5 million people, is located about 186 miles southeast of the capital Seoul. Outside of North Gyeongsang province, three of the hard-hit regions are Seoul, Gyeonggi province, and the coastal city of Busan, with 98, 94, and 90 known cases of the virus, respectively. Among the 4,812 cases, 2,383 are connected to the Shincheonji Church in Daegu. Many of those cases related to the church 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. KCDC also spoke of age distribution and gender differences among the 4,812 cases, according to local outlet Yonhap News Agency. While the death rate was about 0.6 percent for infected patients, the fatality rate was higher for elders4 percent for people aged between 70 and 79, and 5.4 percent for those older than 80 years old. Women accounted for 62.4 percent of infected patients, while people in their 20s accounted for 29.4 percent of the infected cases, the highest of the different age brackets. Kwon Jun-wook, KCDCs deputy director, said on Tuesday that one infected patient, a follower of the church, traveled to Wuhan before testing positive for the virus late last month, according to Yonhap. Kwon did not provide any other details about the patient or the trip to China. The escalating coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, capital of central Chinas Hubei province, in December 2019. South Korean President Moon Jae-in declared war on the outbreak at a weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The crisis in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province reached its peak and the whole country has entered a war against the infectious disease, said Moon according to Yonhap. Moon added that the outbreak has had a toll on the Korean economy, saying the countrys economic situation is grave. Many Korean soldiers have been infected with the virus. As of early Tuesday, 27 on active duty and four civilian workers in the military have been diagnosed with the virus, Yonhap reported, citing the defense ministry. Among the 31 cases, 17 are in the Army, 11 in the Air Force, two in the Marine Corps, and one in the Navy. Meanwhile, about 7,140 service members are quarantined at their bases. On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed confidence in the Korean authorities in containing the outbreak. Were confident in Italy and South Koreas efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and grateful to our partners for their transparency and tireless work to administer care to those affected by the novel coronavirus, Pompeo wrote in a tweet. NEW DELHI, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Comviva, the global leader in mobility solutions, has announced its divestment of stake in TerraPay, for an undisclosed amount to a consortium of global investors. Prime Ventures and Partech Partners are co-investing in TerraPay, along with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. Apart from acquiring Comviva shares, the investors have further invested $9.6 million in TerraPay to fund the company's expansion. TerraPay, a company incubated by Comviva in 2015, provides Payment Infrastructure Services that help people around the world to transfer money quickly, safely, and affordably. The company does this by enabling payment service providers such as banks, mobile money operators, money transfer operators or other payment providers to instantly connect to each other at a low cost. Since its start in 2015, TerraPay has acquired more than 25 licenses to operate in over 60 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe and is expanding globally. Ambar Sur, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of TerraPay, said: "We believe in our mission to address financial inclusion by making real-time national, regional and global payments accessible to everyone. We are excited by this validation from our marquee investors, and look forward to growing rapidly and reaching most of the world's underserved in the coming years." The new consortium of investors will enable TerraPay to execute its strategy to scale operations as a hub enabling interoperable, real-time, cross-border transactions between telecom and mobile money operators. This will help TerraPay scale its payment infrastructure services to clear and settle international payments faster, enable instant payments across operators' interoperable networks, as well as remove a significant barrier for transfers to mobile money accounts. By enabling the electronic low-cost transfer of funds, the project will garner a greater share of formal remittance payments. Manoranjan Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer, Comviva commented, "We are dedicated to incubate new start-up models as a key part of our Corporate business strategy. We are proud to be part of the progress that TerraPay has made over the last five years. The driving philosophy of all our incubations is to create significant value for our customers, community, shareholders and employees. Through the TerraPay initiative we have demonstrated our ability to successfully incubate and attract marquee investors. The solutions we invest in should create value within the Comviva enterprise, or grow on their own to achieve their product vision; while generating worthwhile value for the shareholders. TerraPay's forward path is in alignment with that underlying purpose." "Market for international money transactions has changed rapidly over the past few years. The evolving regulatory framework constrained the growth of TerraPay and made it imperative to step out of Comviva fold. We have taken a strategic decision to divest TerraPay business and are confident that this change is in the best interest of all the stakeholders. We shall continue to take such strategic initiatives and leverage our start-up factory for fueling future growth," further added Manoranjan Mohapatra. Pieter Welten, a Partner at Prime Ventures said: "We identified TerraPay as an attractive investment opportunity. Led by a strong and experienced management team, TerraPay has a unique market position and strong economic moat comprising of licenses and regulatory approvals, a world-class digital payments platform and global network of partners. Our investment should allow the company to further expand and scale its operations." Paulo de Bolle, IFC's Global Director, Financial Institutions Group, said: "By adding TerraPay to IFC's growing fintech investment portfolio, we are supporting the company to grow and expand, while helping to lower the costs and streamline the process to send money home. Fintechs like TerraPay play a vital role in increasing financial inclusion in emerging markets." "We are excited to join efforts with an outstanding group of investors and a superb team for the next part of TerraPay's journey," said Cyril Collon, General Partner at Partech Africa. "We have been impressed by the cutting-edge platform TerraPay's teams have developed. This platform will play a key role in reaching the interoperability goals necessary for true financial inclusion. The impact for end-customers is already massive in terms of quality of service, reliability and speed." The TerraPay story is a reflection of Comviva's core people philosophy. The company constantly encourages its employees to incubate exciting new ideas, and flame the spirit of leadership and entrepreneurship within them. As a global leader, it is part of Comviva's greater vision to bring in innovative digital experiences across the world. TerraPay has been advised by the FinTech M&A team of specialized investment bank Kempen & Co and Van Doorne, a law firm based in The Netherlands. For further enquiries, please contact: Sundeep Mehta PR & Corporate Communications Contact: +91-124-481-9000 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Comviva Miu Miu has a new young face. Euphoria and The Invisible Man star Storm Reid walked the brand's Fall 2020 show today in Paris, which marks her first-ever appearance on the runway for a fashion brand. In fact, she actually opened the show, a prestigious honor for any runway model. (Could a future campaign spot be in the works?) Reid, 16, wore a crinkled satin orange floor-length dress under a long blue coat while sporting winged eyeliner and a brooch on her hair. Rita Ora also made a surprise appearance on the runway in a navy and red coat, though she's previously walked for brands like DKNY and Moschino. The rest of the looks featured more of the colorful crinkled satin, flowy duster coats, sheer embroidered skirts and padded plaid jackets. Overseen by Miuccia Prada, the brand will continue to be designed by its founder while the Prada label will make its debut under both Raf Simons and Miuccia in September. See, below, for more photos from Miu Miu Fall 2020. The biopolymer lignin is a by-product of papermaking and a promising raw material for manufacturing sustainable plastic materials. However, the quality of this naturally occurring product is not as uniform as that of petroleum-based plastics. An X-ray analysis carried out at DESY reveals for the first time how the internal molecular structure of different lignin products is related to the macroscopic properties of the respective materials. The study, which has been published in the journal Applied Polymer Materials, provides an approach for a systematic understanding of lignin as a raw material to allow for production of lignin-based bioplastics with different properties, depending on the specific application. Lignin is a class of complex organic polymers and responsible for the stability of plants, stiffening them and making them "woody" (i.e. lignification). During paper production, lignin is separated from cellulose. Lignin forms so-called aromatic compounds, which also play a key role in manufacturing synthetic polymers or plastics. "Lignin is the biggest source of naturally occurring aromatic compounds, but until now it has been viewed by the paper industry primarily as a by-product or a fuel," explains Mats Johansson from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, who led the research team. "Millions of tonnes of it are produced every year, providing a steady stream of raw material for new potential products." Some first applications of hard lignin-based plastics (thermosets) already exist. However, their properties often vary and until now it has been difficult to control them specifically. The Swedish team has now shed light on the nanostructure of different fractions of commercially available lignin at DESY's X-ray source PETRA III. "It turns out that there are lignin fractions with larger and smaller domains," reports the principle author Marcus Jawerth, of Stockholm's KTH. "This can offer certain advantages, depending on the particular application: it makes the lignin harder or softer by altering the so-called glass transition temperature at which the biopolymer adopts a viscous state." Among other things, the X-ray analysis revealed that those types of lignin whose central benzene rings are arranged in the shape of a T are particularly stable. "The molecular structure affects the macroscopic mechanical properties," explains DESY's Stephan Roth, who is in charge of the P03 beamline at which the experiments were conducted and who co-authored the paper. "This is the first time this has been characterised." As a natural product, lignin comes in numerous different configurations. Further studies are needed to provide a systematic overview of how different parameters affect the properties of the lignin. "This is very important in order to be able to manufacture materials reproducibly, and in particular to predict their properties," says Roth, who is also a professor at KTH Stockholm. "If you want to use a material industrially, you need to understand its molecular structure and know how this is correlated with the mechanical properties." According to Jawerth, up to two thirds of the lignin produced during the paper production process could be turned into polyesters and serve as a starting material for making plastics. "Along with cellulose and chitin, lignin is one of the most ubiquitous organic compounds on Earth and offers enormous potential for replacing petroleum-based plastics," says the scientist. "It's far too valuable to simply burn it." ### The KTH Stockholm, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, the Swedish research institute RISE and DESY were involved in the research. DESY is one of the world's leading particle accelerator centres and investigates the structure and function of matter - from the interaction of tiny elementary particles and the behaviour of novel nanomaterials and vital biomolecules to the great mysteries of the universe. The particle accelerators and detectors that DESY develops and builds at its locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen are unique research tools. They generate the most intense X-ray radiation in the world, accelerate particles to record energies and open up new windows onto the universe. DESY is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest scientific association, and receives its funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (90 per cent) and the German federal states of Hamburg and Brandenburg (10 per cent). Reference: Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Lignin-based Thermosets; Marcus E. Jawerth, Calvin J. Brett, Cedric Terrier, Per T. Larsson, Martin Lawoko, Stephan V. Roth, Stefan Lundmark & Mats Johansson; Applied Polymer Materials", 2020; DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.9b01007 At the height of rush hour, passengers packed into public transit buses brush shoulders and sway with the roads bumps and turns, often close enough to smell that days lunch on each others breath. Could it be close enough to catch a potentially deadly virus? Thats the question major transportation providers grappled with in the wake of the SARS crisis in 2003, vowing to be prepared the next time a new pathogen threatened to spread on busy, enclosed buses and trains. They say they are prepared. But the Toronto transit union wants to see more action to protect workers on the front lines, as the novel coronavirus continues to spread around the globe. Three new cases were announced Monday in Ontario, bringing the Canadian total to 27. The World Health Organization warned it would soon reach every country, as infections neared 90,000 worldwide, and fears closed museums and cancelled events worldwide. The doors of the Louvre in Paris remained shuttered for the second day in a row. It was only a matter of time, said Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins, until one of the 300,000 passengers taking Torontos regional transportation system every day tested positive for the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19. It happened last week, when a woman returning from Iran took a GO bus from Pearson airport to Richmond Hill, later testing positive. We were prepared for it and we took action that was perhaps not completely called for, Aikins said Monday. Good pandemic planning means youre always doing extra and youre ahead of things. Those actions included taking the bus the patient had ridden temporarily out of service, and disinfecting it with a microbe-killing agent called aegis. The agency alerted the public and reached out to the approximately 35 other passengers who were on the bus so that they can be screened for virus. Its all part of an outbreak plan that the agency developed post-SARS, and kicked into action about six weeks ago when it began stockpiling hand sanitizer and protective equipment, like gloves, in case COVID-19 broke out into the community. The union representing both regional and local transit workers in Toronto, the Amalgamated Transit Union, praised Metrolinx for its handling of the Richmond Hill passenger, but said more needs to be done to reassure their members that its safe to go to work particularly on routes connecting to the airport. I think vehicles servicing the airport should be wiped down after every trip into the airport, ATU International Vice President Manny Sforza said. Because typically three or four days later we could find out someone who tested positive was on the vehicle. Sforza also said it was time to have a discussion about making personal protective equipment available to transit operators such as face masks. I think it would be a responsible approach for everybody to say employees entering the airport should have the option to wear a mask, Sforza said. If someone gets on the bus and sneezes in their direction, theres only so much hand sanitizer is going to accomplish. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends face masks for front- line health-care providers dealing with potential COVID-19 patients, but does not make the same recommendation to members of the public. The agency says the risk to the public of contracting COVID-19 remains low. There are now 18 cases in Ontario, eight in British Columbia, and one in Quebec. They have all been linked to travel to one of the viruss hot zones, or close contact with someone who had recently travelled to one of those countries, said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam on Monday. Canada has identified China (mainland), Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea as affected areas. There have not been any deaths, or any cases of community transmission spread without a travel connection in this country so far. Dr. Eleanor Fish, an infectious disease expert at the University of Toronto who was involved in studying SARS in 2003, said Canada may expect to see more cases of COVID-19, particularly from people who travelled recently from Iran, but said its very, very unlikely that the virus will break out in the general population in Canada. I think the community is highly tuned to anybody who is coughing, sneezing, who looks sick to be alert that they should stay away and maybe, if they develop any symptoms to go to their local general practitioner, Fish said. If theres good health control, as there is in Canada post-SARS, she said, There wont be an outbreak. Fish said its good for the general population to be cautious around sick people in an effort to ensure COVID-19 doesnt break out into the general population. TransLink, the regional transportation authority in B.C., said its closely monitoring the progress of COVID-19 but hasnt made any changes to the way it operates while the risk to the public remains low. Spokesperson Jill Drews said the buses and trains run by TransLinks subsidiaries are regularly disinfected. Aikins said Metrolinx is prepared to deal with more cases of COVID-19 patients on its system, as they arise. Its very difficult to know where this virus is going and how much its going to circulate, she said. Any big organization like ours that has lots of staff and lots of customers so youre vulnerable. She said the agency is doing everything it can to make sure staff remain healthy, and the transportation system keeps moving people where they need to go. With files from Tonda MacCharles and Rob Ferguson Read more about: A Pakistani court on Tuesday dismissed a petition against 'Aurat March' (Women's March) that is scheduled to be held in Lahore on March 8. The Lahore High Court noted that under the Constitution of Pakistan, the march cannot be stopped and ordered police to provide fool-proof security to it. It also observed that the participants of the march should refrain from hate speech and immorality. Petitioner Judicial Activism Council Chairman Azhar Siddique had requested the court to stop the 'Aurat March' and claimed that it was "against the norms of Islam". Saddique alleged that the "vulgar" posters in the last year's march had defamed the country as well as Islam. LHC Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh asked the counsel of the march organisers about how many participants are expected on March 8 show. The court was informed that four to five thousand people including transgenders are expected to take part in the march. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SINGAPORE From Wednesday (4 March) 2359 hours, new visitors with recent travel history to South Korea, Iran and northern Italy within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore, Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the multi-ministry taskforce on COVID-19, said on Tuesday amid the worsening coronavirus outbreak in the three countries. The announcement comes as these countries continue to grapple with a surge in confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in recent days. The three countries are just behind China in the tally of cases. As of Tuesday, South Korea reported over 5,000 COVID-19 cases, including 28 deaths. Daegu and Cheongdo - the worst hit areas - had earlier been designated as special care zones and the South Korean government has raised the nationwide health alert level to the highest level of serious. Meanwhile, the reported cases in Italy rose to over 2,000 as of Tuesday, including 52 deaths. The number of cases in Iran, as of Tuesday, reached more than 1,500 with 66 deaths. Residents in Singapore - Singaporeans and permanent residents - and long-term pass holders with recent travel history to the three countries in the last 14 days will be issued with a Stay-Home Notice (SHN). Those who are served with the SHN have to remain in their place of residence at all times for 14 days after returning to Singapore. MOH on Tuesday also advised Singaporeans to avoid non-essential travel to South Korea, Iran, northern Italy and Japan. As of Tuesday, Japan had more than 250 cases. Speaking to reporters at a media doorstop, Wong said, We have not included Japan in the incoming restrictions because the number of infected cases in Japan at this stage is still lower compared to the other countries. For Japan, we are managing the risk by having an advisory on outgoing trips at this juncture. On 1 February at 2359, a ban on visitors with recent travel to China to enter or transit through Singapore took effect. The ban was expanded from an earlier curb for visitors with travel history to the Chinese province of Hubei within the last 14 days. Story continues Last Tuesday, a ban on visitors with recent travel to Daegu and Cheongdo came into effect. additional reporting by Amir Hussain and Dhany Osman Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore 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 YouTubes efforts to reduce the spread of conspiracy theories on the platform appear to be bearing fruit. Our analysis corroborates that YouTube acted upon its policy and significantly reduced the overall volume of recommended conspiratorial content, three researchers wrote in a study the University of California, Berkeley, released Monday. Because information is spread on YouTube largely through recommendations 70 percent of watched content is recommended content the researchers spent 15 months studying 8 million recommendations from the platforms next-watch algorithm. Starting in April 2019 three months after YouTube announced measures to limit content on the platform that could misinform users in harmful ways the research team found a consistent decrease in conspiratorial recommendations. The decline continued until the beginning of June 2019, when the raw frequency briefly hit a low point of 3 percent, noted researchers Marc Faddoul and Hany Farid of UC Berkeley, and Guillaume Chaslot of the Mozilla Foundation. Raw frequency is the product of the number of times a video is recommended and the probability that each video is conspiratorial, the researchers said. It appears there has been some slippage, though. Since last years low point, conspiratorial recommendations have rebounded steadily, the study notes. They now are 40 percent less common than when YouTube first announced its measures. Further, despite this downtrend over the past year, the overall volume of conspiratorial content recommended from informational channels remains relatively high, the researchers found. Selective Targeting Tribute ought to be paid to YouTube for effectively filtering out some dangerous themes, such as claims that vaccines cause autism, the researchers wrote. Nonetheless, other themes which we showed to be actively promoted by YouTube were described by the FBI as very likely to motivate some domestic extremists to commit criminal, sometime violent activity, they pointed out. A closer look at the data reveals that YouTube is selective in how it applies its harmful content policies, research scientist Faddoul noted. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Some political and religious conspiratorial content hasnt been demoted, while other topics, like the coronavirus, havent had any form of conspiratorial disinformation being promoted, he told TechNewsWorld. Given the superior data, labeling and computational resources available to YouTube, it is technically capable of detecting conspiratorial topics with high accuracy, the study notes. In fact, for certain topics which seem to fall under particularly close scrutiny, recommended videos are effectively stripped from disinformation, it states. It is encouraging to see that YouTube is willing to target specific issues effectively and in a timely fashion. Deciding what to demote is therefore a question of policy more than technology. Maintaining Neutrality YouTubes selectivity stems from all social medias desire to have as little content intervention as possible, Faddoul explained. They want to remain as neutral as possible, he said. They dont want to be criticized as biased, as they often are by conservatives who see a liberal bias in Silicon Valley. There are legal reasons to maintain neutrality. Under federal law, YouTube and other social media outlets are treated as platforms. As such, their legal liability for their content is less than that of a publication with editorial content. The more you start editing and picking what can be promoted and not, the closer you come to effectively becoming an editor, Faddoul observed. The study calls for greater transparency in how YouTube makes its recommendations for users. With two billion monthly active users on YouTube, the design of the recommendation algorithm has more impact on the flow of information than the editorial boards of traditional media, the researchers wrote. The role of the engine is even more crucial, they maintained, when one considers the following: A D V E R T I S E M E N T The increasing use of YouTube as a primary source of information, particularly among youths; The nearly monopolistic position of YouTube on its market; and The ever-growing weaponization of YouTube to spread disinformation and partisan content around the world. And yet the decisions made by the recommendation engine are largely unsupervised and opaque to the public, they pointed out. Algorithm End Run Adding transparency to the recommendation process would add accountability to it, Faddoul contended. These decisions what should be promoted by the recommendation engine and what should not are important. Having a process that is public facing and involving other actors besides YouTube, would improve the process, he said. If you had more transparency, youd have a more informed viewer, remarked Cayce Myers, an assistant professor in the communications department at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Removing the platform protections for social media under the Federal Communications Decency Act of 1996 could promote tougher content policing policies by social media companies, he told TechNewsWorld. A lot of time company policy is driven by liability, Myers explained, so if you change the liability for a third-party site like YouTube, you may see a more aggressive response to cleaning up content. Although transparency is always a good thing, and it could help reduce the spread of harmful content, it poses some problems. Making your algorithms transparent will divulge technology that you dont want your competitors to have access to, said Vincent Raynauld, an assistant professor in the department of communication studies at Emerson College in Boston. Whats more, whenever these platforms adjust their algorithms, content producers are always finding a way to bypass the algorithms or reshape their content in ways to evade their filters, he told TechNewsWorld. Radicalization Tool While YouTubes reduction of conspiratorial recommendations is encouraging, the study noted that it could not make the problem of radicalization go away. YouTube videos reportedly have been used to groom terrorists and swing some conservatives from the right to the far right. In general, radicalization is a more complex problem than what an analysis of default recommendations can scope, for it involves the unique mindset and viewing patterns of a user interacting over time with an opaque multi-layer neural network tasked to pick personalized suggestions from a dynamic and virtually infinite pool of ideas, the study observes. Being exposed to conspiracy content is one aspect of the radicalization process, Raynauld said. In order to be radicalized, you need access to this content to fuel radicalization, but I suspect there are other factors external to YouTube content at play. A Turkish fighter jet downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said, in the third such downing in three days. Syrian state agency SANA said the plane was "targeted", after two others were shot down on Sunday in a Turkish operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the Idlib region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I have read all the books and they had become an important part of my childhood, so seeing this come to life is really a dream come true for me, Lerner said. The Dawoodi Bohra community in association with an NGO has launched an initiative to increase the water storage capacity of five drought-prone villages in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district. The 'Project Rise Water Security' will be undertaken inSawarghat, Chinchghat, Wadner, Jawahar Murzedi and Marthad villages of Yavatmal in Vidarbha, and is expected to benefit over 900 families engaged in agriculture in these villages. "Around 15.4 million litres of water storage capacity will be potentially created in these five villages. We are confident the project will help in improving the livelihood and incomes of farmers," NGO World Vision India's director Sony Thomas said. The project's spokesperson Sadiq Jamaluddin said this is the Dawoodi Bohra community's global philanthropic initiative which strives to provide access to adequate nourishment, water, healthcare and sanitation to people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's health ministry announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus in the past day, bringing the Islamic republic's overall death toll to 77. In all, 2,336 people have been infected, including 835 new cases -- the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the country nearly two weeks ago. "According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have been added" to the overall number of infections, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said in remarks aired live on state television. "Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths, and with this amount we have reached 2,336 new confirmed cases and a total of 77 dead." Iran announced on February 19 its first two deaths from the coronavirus in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies and pilgrims from abroad. It now has the highest death toll for any country outside China, where the virus has killed more than 2,900 people since late December. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading. "The health care guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should be observed," Khamenei, who was wearing gloves as he planted a tree, said on state television. The supreme leader said Iran was being transparent with its figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of trying to conceal them. "The #Coronavirus has affected many countries," he was quoted as saying on his official Twitter account. "Our officials have reported with sincerity and transparency since day one. "However, some countries where the outbreak has been more serious have tried to hide it. "Of course, we ask God to heal the sick in those countries too," he added. Iran on Saturday dismissed a BBC Persian report that the real number of coronavirus deaths in the country was more than 200. The United States and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of concealing information about the outbreak. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guwahati: In what has triggered a fresh controversy, the ruling BJP led alliance government has described the proposed delimitation of assembly and parliament constituencies in Assam as an attempt to protect the political rights of native Assamese by creating more seats in which a majority of voters would be from indigenous groups. The Opposition Congress has registered their strong opposition to the timing of the delimitation process while accusing the ruling BJP of doing it for political reasons. We are opposing this. Why do we need this when we will have census in 2021? Now, the delimitation would be on the basis of the 2011 census and then up to 2016, the number of seats will increase as per the census. Whats the point of doing this now? former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, clarified that the sole purpose of redrawing the boundaries of Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in the state is aimed at protecting the political rights of native Assamese. Though, delimitation of constituency in Assam was overdue since 2001, the BJP led alliance government has been trying to use the process to allay the fears of indigenous Assamese that the Citizenship Amendment Act might turn them into a minority in their own homeland. Of the 126 assembly constituencies, at least 110 should be kept for the indigenous people. We do not want any increase in the number of constituencies... that wont help us, Sarma said. Muslim voters in Assam account for about 37 per cent of the states electorate. In the 2016 elections, 28 Muslim candidates had won. Of them, 14 are from Congress, 13 from AIUDF and one from BJP. Muslims voters also influence election results in six of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies and BJP wants a complete overhaul of demography in these constituencies as well. These six constituencies are Barpeta, Dhubri, Nagaon, Kaliabor, Karimganj and Silchar. Many people think if seats are reserved, then it would provide the desired safeguards to natives. But if a seat is reserved without altering the boundary, then the demography of the voters will remain unchanged. If the voters in a reserved seat happen to be supporters of Badruddin Ajmal (AIUDF chief) then the elected MLA will have to follow Ajmals orders and we are back to square one, the minister said. In Assam politics Badruddin Ajmal and his party All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) have often been symbolised and accused as to be the patron of immigrants from Bangladesh. The Jharkhand government on Tuesday presented the Rs 85,000 crore budget for the financial year 2020-21. Presenting the budget, state finance minister Rameshwar Oraon announced Rs 5000 to Rs 7000 per annum assistance to unemployed graduate and post-graduate youth. Oraon also proposed subsidised lungi dhoti and sari to 57 lakh poor families of the state. The state government also introduced the plan to provide 100 units free electricity and 100 'mohalla clinics' across the state. Moreover, one meal at the price of Rs 5 will be given to poor people under the Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat Yojna (MDBY) to tackle severe poverty in the state. This is the first budget of Hemant Soren-led JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government after winning the state elections in September last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister condemned Seoul as "presumptuous" and "silly" over its response to a weapons drill by Pyongyang, state media reported Tuesday. Kim Yo Jong -- long one of her brother's closest advisers -- was named in January as a first vice-department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party. Her issuing a statement of direct political significance highlights her central role in the North's hierarchy. Seoul's security ministers expressed "strong concern" after Pyongyang fired what the South's military said appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday. The North's state media published pictures Tuesday of Kim Jong Un supervising what it called a "long-range artillery" drill and followed up later with the statement from his sister. It was "strange" to Pyongyang to hear the South's presidential office expressing strong regret and demanding an end to such actions, the official KCNA agency cited her as saying. "It is a presumptuous, silly action," she said. "Such a nonsensical claim and speech of Cheong Wa Dae only amplifies our distrust, hatred and contempt for the entire south." Kim Yo Jong acted as her brother's envoy to the South at the time of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, which ushered in a rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the divided peninsula. She has frequently been pictured alongside him at summits with US President Donald Trump or the South's President Moon Jae-in, but has not previously been named as making a political pronouncement of her own. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asia Bangladesh Police Kill Seven Suspected Rohingya Robbers in Raid Rohingya refugees walk on a road at the Balukhali camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on April 8, 2019. / REUTERS DHAKAPolice in Bangladesh killed seven members of a gang of armed robbers on Monday during a raid on their hideout on a hillside overlooking a camp for Rohingya refugees in the southeast of the country, a police spokesman said. Crime and violence are on the rise in the squalid, sprawling camps around the coastal city of Coxs Bazar, where hundreds of thousands of ethnic Rohingya took shelter in recent years after fleeing persecution in neighboring Myanmar. Police said the gang had been engaged in narcotics and human trafficking, and the three-hour raid was conducted by a special police unit known as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Firearms and a large amount of ammunition have been recovered from the spot, said Sujoy Sarkar, a spokesman for the RAB. He said officers came under fire as they launched the raid, but suffered no casualties. Rights groups have accused Bangladesh police of carrying out extrajudicial killings. At least 50 Rohingya people have been killed in shootouts in Bangladesh since the latest mass influx of Rohingya refugees in August 2017, according to police. Scores of Rohingya have boarded boats in recent months to try to reach Malaysia and Thailand, prompting fears of a fresh wave of people-smuggling by sea. Authorities have begun erecting barbed-wire fences around the camps in a bid to tackle crime, while a plan to relocate refugees to a flood-prone island has been put on hold. You may also like these stories: Pupils Should Stay Home While Japan Schools Closed Over Virus: Govt A Delhi Neighborhood Divided by a Highway and Now Hatred Indonesia Says Lack of Coronavirus Cases a Blessing From God A 20-year-old woman, Opeyemi Abidemi, is currently wallowing in regrets after a fight with a neighbour landed her in police custody. The Lagos state police on Sunday announced that Abidemi was allegedly arrested for killing a 47-year-old woman at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. The suspect, however, claimed that she was not directly responsible for the womans death. According to the report, Abidemi had allegedly beaten up the woman, Abosede Bello, to death during a quarrel. Read Also: Police Arrest Man For Raping Lesbian After Disguising As Gay To Gain Her Trust Afeez Olonade and Femi Olasunde had reported the matter of the dead woman at the Elemoro police station on Friday, February 28, 2020, police say. They alleged that during the scuffle, Bello slumped and was rushed to the Akodo General Hospital, where she died the next day and the suspect was arrested. Abidemi, who has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCIID), Yaba, said she had no intention of killing Bello. She said, I was shocked when I heard the next day that the woman had died. I did not hit her with anything. She just slumped and was rushed to the hospital. I regret ever fighting with her now. See where it has landed me. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said Abidemi would be charged to court at the end of investigation. 2 1 of 2 Courtesy of Lee Greenwood Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Courtesy of Lee Greenwood Show More Show Less Country music legend Lee Greenwood will be playing a free concert at Central Green in LaCenterra on April 18 from 7-9 p.m. Central Green, which is a part of the Willowfork Drainage District, is committed to bringing free, family-friendly events to the community. While there is no cost for admission, Yvonne Arceneaux, director of Central Green, asks concert goers to bring a nonperishable food donation to Katy Christian Ministries. Greenwood is perhaps most famous for his patriotic single, God Bless the USA, but he has more than 30 albums to his name. According to a release from Greenwoods publicist, with seven No.1 songs and 25 charted singles, his hits include: It Turns Me Inside Out, Ring On Her Finger Time on Her Hands, Shes Lyin, I dont Mind the Thorns if Youre the Rose, Dixie Road, Somebodys Gonna Love You, Going Going Gone, You Got A Good Love Comin, Fools Gold, and Mornin Ride. Several genre crossover hits include, Touch and Go Crazy, IOU and the duet with Barbara Mandrell, To Me. An additional duet with Suzie Boggus, Hopelessly Yours, was nominated for a Grammy. The CD American Patriot, recorded & released in 1992. Greenwoods latest CD is: "I Want to be in Your World." He wrote three of the seven songs and plays saxophone on the original track, Here Comes Love There Goes My Heart. He also covered the Michael McDonald/Kenny Loggins ballad, You Can Let Go Now. More than two years ago, a state Superior Court panel overturned the 54- to 109-year prison sentence for Marcus Rutter, who was 16 when robbed, sexually assaulted and murdered an elementary school teacher. On Monday, that same court ruled that a new 54-year-to-life sentence a Lancaster County judge imposed on Rutter is just fine. In an opinion by Senior Judge John L. Musmanno, the state court rejected Rutters claim that the new penalty for the brutal December 2014 slaying of 32-year-old Nicole Mathewson gives him no meaningful chance of ever getting out of prison. Rutters 54- to 109-year sentence was overturned as illegal. The Superior Court found that penalty it violated a state mandate that juvenile killers must be sentenced to at least 35 years to life behind bars. A U.S. Supreme Court edict issued in 2012 prohibits the imposition of automatic life without parole sentences on murderers who are younger than 18 when they kill. The upshot is that Rutters appeals of his sentences gained him nothing. He will be 70 years old if he is paroled after completing his minimum jail term. Musmanno discounted Rutters contentions that his 54-to-life penalty is so manifestly excessive as to constitute too severe a punishment, clearly unreasonable under the circumstances and that county Judge David L. Ashworth didnt give him enough credit for his efforts to reform in prison. The circumstances of Mathewsons killing were that Rutter, now 21, and his adult accomplice Thomas Moore broke into her Lancaster home, tied her up and then spent an hour molesting and torturing her before killing her. Investigators said Mathewson was beaten with a shovel, then dragged through her home before she was tied to a banister and strangled and stabbed. Rutter told police Mathewson was killed because she had seen Moores face. Moore, now 30, also has had no luck appealing his life prison sentence to the state courts. In 2018, Musmannos court rejected Moores contention that his perpetual prison sentence should be voided because he was coerced into pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Shahrukh, who pointed a pistol at a Delhi Police head constable during the riots was arrested from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Police confirmed on Tuesday. Shahrukh had been missing from the national capital after the incident. The Delhi Police had launched a manhunt to nab him. He was nabbed by a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch headed by A.K. Singla. A video of Shahrukh brandishing gun at Delhi Police head constable Deepak Dahia went viral during the communal riots in northeast Delhi. The brave cop Deepak Dahia had told IANS how he controlled the gun toting Shahrukh who threatened to shoot him. "The day on which the communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi, I was called for emergency duty from my training centre. Suddenly a man in maroon colour T-shirt came charging at me and threatened to shoot me. He could have opened fire at me, but I remained calm and did not show my fear. I showed my stick to him and dared him to open fire. I also warned him with the stick. I stayed put in front of him and asked him to put down the gun. It worked and the man retreated firing in the air" the cop had said. Delhi Police had apprehensions that Shahrukh will be in Bareilly as his father has contacts with drug peddlers there. The Delhi Police team is trying to bring Shahrukh to Delhi on transit remand. IANS has learnt that two teams of Delhi Police - Crime Branch and Special Cell, were after Shahrukh, but it was the Crime Branch team headed by Singla which succeeded in arresting him. A man who led police on a wild chase down a Los Angeles freeway during the morning rush hour while driving a hearse with a corpse inside was charged by prosecutors on Monday. James Juarez, 25, is facing felony charges of fleeing a peace officer while driving recklessly and taking a vehicle without consent, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. He was arrested on February 27 after wrecking a black Lincoln Navigator hearse in a crash so big it shut down the 110 Freeway. Yet, the body of a dead woman in a casket in the back of the vehicle remained undisturbed. Juarez could serve a maximum sentence of more than three years in prison if convicted. The crash shut down the 110 Freeway near the Mount Vernon Avenue exit during rush hour This black Lincoln Navigator hearse was wrecked during a police chase on February 27 The hearse was carrying a woman's body that was scheduled to be dropped off the night before Juarez had stolen the SUV, which had the keys in the ignition, the night before from a church, police said. Police said Juarez stole the vehicle at about 8pm the prior night from in front of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in East Pasadena with the keys still in the ignition. Its driver ran into the church to deliver flowers on the way to transporting a womans body to a funeral home in Orange County, according to CBSN Los Angeles. Later that night, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department attempted to reason with the thief on Twitter 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. At 7:43am the next morning, the Los Angeles Police received a tip that Juarez was driving the black hearse. Police conducted a one-minute chase that ended after the Navigator crashed along the southbound 110 Freeway near the Vernon Avenue exit. The Navigator was towed from the accident scene with the corpse still inside. After the wrecked SUV arrived to the tow yard, the casket was eventually removed and placed into a different hearse, which transported it to a mortuary. The sheriff's office took to Twitter again to thank the person who passed along the tip of the stolen black Navigator and condolences to the family of the woman in the casket. '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.' As for Juarez, officials havent confirmed whether he has a lawyer, but prosecutors describe him as a transient. If convicted as charged, Juarez faces a possible maximum sentence of more than three years in state prison, prosecutors said. Article L. 238-8-II of the French commercial Code and article 223-16 of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) general regulation Regulatory News: Corporate name of the issuer: Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE) 21, rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS FRANCE (ISIN code: FR0000124141-VIE) Information closing date Total number of shares forming the share capital Total number of voting rights February 29, 2020 567,266,539 Total number of theoretical voting rights (1): 602,128,427 Total number of voting rights that may be exercised (2): 589,519,462 Inclusion in the Veolia Environnement Articles of Association of a clause requiring a reporting obligation of the declaration of crossing a shareholding threshold, complementary to the one relating to the thresholds provided by the French law and the regulations in force (article 8). (1) Number of theoretical voting rights after taking into account the number of shares with double voting rights as of February 29, 2020 (34,861,888 shares) and the number of treasury shares held as of February 29, 2020 (12,608,965 shares). (2) Number of voting rights that may be exercised number of theoretical voting rights (or total number of voting rights attached to shares) shares without voting rights (number of treasury shares held as of February 29, 2020). Veolia Environnement Siege social/head office: 21, rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS France Adresse postale/Correspondence address: 30, rue Madeleine Vionnet 93300 AUBERVILLIERS France tel.: +33 (0)1 85 57 70 00 Fax: +33 (0)1 71 75 10 45 www.veolia.com A Public Limited Company (Societe Anonyme) with a share capital of 2,836,332,695 euros 403 210 032 RCS PARIS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005855/en/ Contacts: Veolia Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the detection of fresh coronavirus cases in the country, saying he should quit wasting India's time "playing the clown" with his social media accounts when India is facing an emergency. Gandhi's attack came after India reported three new cases of novel coronavirus, including one from the national capital. "Dear @PMOIndia, Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your social media accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge," Gandhi tweeted. With the message of "Here's how it's done", Gandhi also tweeted a video of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressing Singaporeans on how to deal with coronavirus. Gandhi's tweet also took a dig on PM Modi's tweet that he was thinking of giving up his social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube this Sunday. "Government's preparedness to deal with Coronavirus, Dr Singhvi said -- Not at All! Not at All! I just said, our former President has said it earlier and let me tell you that from 12th February, 2020 when he tweeted; today we are on 3rd March, 2020. It is just under one month." On Tuesday, Modi said on Women's Day he will be handing over his social media accounts to women who inspire and urged people to share stories of such women with him. Earlier, Gandhi said a "true leader" would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the potentially deadly virus on the country and its economy. "There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy," Gandhi tweeted. He also tagged his February 12 tweet in which he said coronavirus is an extremely serious threat to "our people and our economy". "My sense is the government is not taking this threat seriously. Timely action is critical," he said. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "We would be very happy with the prime minister and his party if they find time from divisive politics... to attend to coronavirus, if they have the time, we request them with folded hands." India had reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. 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 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Altius Minerals Corp ALS 1.8 C$9.13 42 $287 0.42 0.50 0.48 18.1 19.2 0.35 0.96 1.03 9.5 8.9 -- 1.6% Anglo Pacific Group PLC (UK) APF 1.8 GBP$1.30 181 $303 0.18 0.21 0.21 6.2 6.2 0.20 0.22 0.21 5.8 6.2 14.1 4.6% Franco-Nevada FNV 2.3 US$107.57 189 $20,286 1.17 1.72 2.16 62.5 49.9 2.55 3.25 3.89 33.1 27.7 41.8 1.1% Maverix Metals (CA) MMX 2.1 C$5.33 120 $476 0.04 0.06 0.13 88.8 42.1 0.24 0.21 0.31 24.9 17.1 -- 0.0% Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd OR 2.1 C$11.03 157 $1,293 0.20 0.28 0.31 39.4 36.2 0.53 0.63 0.74 17.5 14.9 46.4 1.6% Royal Gold Inc RGLD 3.2 US$96.47 66 $6,326 1.60 2.03 2.66 47.5 36.3 4.45 4.51 5.32 21.4 18.1 23.3 0.9% Sandstorm Gold Ltd (CA) SAND 2.2 US$5.85 177 $1,038 0.03 0.09 0.12 65.0 47.5 0.24 0.30 0.38 19.5 15.3 28.3 0.0% Wheaton Precious Metals WPM 1.9 US$28.49 447 $12,743 0.48 0.57 0.89 50.3 31.8 1.22 1.16 1.50 24.6 19.0 22.5 1.4% Average 47.2 33.6 19.5 15.9 29.4 Gold Large-Cap Gold Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd AEM 2.2 US$47.53 239 $11,362 0.31 0.96 1.29 49.5 36.8 2.60 3.70 4.41 12.8 10.8 14.6 0.9% Barrick Gold Corp ABX 2.2 US$19.04 1778 $33,977 0.35 0.51 0.71 37.3 26.8 1.51 1.61 2.29 11.8 8.3 11.7 1.1% Kirkland Lake Gold (CA) KL 2.6 US$32.32 210 $6,774 1.36 2.74 2.62 11.8 12.3 2.58 4.38 4.58 7.4 7.1 34.5 0.4% Newcrest Mining Ltd (AU) NCM 3.3 US$17.12 769 $13,281 0.66 0.85 0.99 20.1 17.3 1.90 1.82 1.84 9.4 9.3 10.9 1.1% Newmont Goldcorp NEM 2.0 US$44.63 808 $36,042 1.34 1.32 1.87 33.8 23.8 3.41 3.89 4.68 11.5 9.5 17.5 1.3% Polyus Gold International (UK) PGIL 2.0 RU$8,464.00 134 $17,153 617.74 769.61 823.55 11.0 10.3 589.63 1054.82 998.69 8.0 8.5 -- 2.3% Zijin Mining Group (HK) 2899 1.6 CNY$3.14 25377 $14,243 0.18 0.17 0.21 18.0 14.7 0.44 0.37 0.49 8.5 6.4 23.0 0.0% Average 25.9 20.3 9.9 8.6 18.7 Mid-Cap Gold Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Alamos Gold AGI 2.2 US$5.83 391 $2,281 0.05 0.21 0.25 27.8 23.5 0.55 0.66 0.71 8.8 8.2 13.8 0.7% AngloGold Ashanti Ltd AU 2.8 US$17.74 416 $7,462 0.51 0.91 2.09 19.5 8.5 2.05 2.50 3.59 7.1 4.9 6.0 0.5% B2Gold Corp BTG 1.6 US$4.00 1026 $4,105 0.16 0.23 0.38 17.4 10.5 0.43 0.49 0.69 8.2 5.8 13.1 0.2% Buenaventura (ADR) BVN 2.9 US$11.15 276 $3,188 (0.02) 0.34 0.50 32.6 22.2 1.36 0.58 0.99 19.1 11.3 11.7 0.6% Centamin Egypt (CA) CEE 2.4 US$1.65 1156 $1,920 0.06 0.07 0.11 24.2 14.5 0.19 0.13 0.18 12.7 9.1 4.1 4.8% Centerra Gold (CA) CG 2.3 US$6.33 294 $1,860 0.26 0.71 0.97 8.9 6.5 0.74 1.43 2.05 4.4 3.1 5.5 0.0% Endeavour Mining Corp (CA) EDV 1.8 US$17.69 110 $1,946 0.49 0.60 1.48 29.7 11.9 2.33 2.91 3.89 6.1 4.5 11.4 0.0% Evolution Mining Ltd (AU) EVN 2.6 AUD$4.04 1704 $4,523 0.14 0.16 0.21 25.0 18.9 0.39 0.43 0.50 9.4 8.1 10.2 3.4% Gold Fields Ltd (ADR) GFI 3.0 US$5.93 883 $5,262 0.07 0.20 0.47 29.7 12.5 0.75 1.08 1.39 5.5 4.3 5.7 0.6% Harmony Gold Mining Ltd HAR 2.2 ZAR$55.55 542 $1,947 1.80 4.10 7.33 13.5 7.6 8.56 11.36 16.53 4.9 3.4 7.8 0.0% Kinross Gold Corp KGC 2.5 US$5.02 1254 $6,318 0.10 0.34 0.42 14.8 12.1 0.63 0.97 1.06 5.2 4.7 8.9 0.0% Lundin Gold Inc (CA) LUG 2.2 US$7.76 224 $1,736 (0.12) (0.10) 0.40 -- 19.4 (0.17) (0.10) 0.65 -- 11.9 -- 0.0% Northern Star Resources (AU) NST 2.9 AUD$13.46 740 $6,542 0.30 0.43 0.72 31.1 18.6 0.58 0.80 1.14 16.8 11.8 21.3 1.3% NovaGold Resources Inc NG 2.0 US$7.98 328 $2,612 (0.10) (0.09) (0.08) -- -- -- -- (0.03) -- -- -- 0.0% Polymetal International PLC (UK) POLY 2.4 US$15.31 470 $7,234 1.00 1.16 1.56 13.2 9.8 1.14 1.44 1.97 10.7 7.8 11.8 4.0% Saracen Mineral Holdings (AU) SAR 2.0 AUD$3.77 1103 $2,731 0.10 0.17 0.27 22.6 13.9 0.25 0.32 0.43 11.8 8.8 46.6 0.0% Sibanye Gold Ltd (SA) SGL 1.8 ZAR$44.33 2670 $7,646 (0.01) (0.40) 9.55 -- 4.6 5.31 3.67 12.87 12.1 3.4 11.0 0.0% SSR Mining SSRM 2.0 US$15.83 123 $1,948 0.23 0.81 1.09 19.5 14.6 0.50 1.10 2.16 14.4 7.3 8.4 0.0% Yamana Gold Inc AUY 2.4 US$3.81 950 $3,713 0.12 0.35 0.15 10.9 25.2 0.43 0.55 0.64 6.9 5.9 7.4 0.8% Zhaojin Mining Industry Co Ltd (HK) 1818 2.2 CNY$8.33 3270 $3,899 0.15 0.21 0.33 40.2 25.4 0.53 0.78 1.12 10.8 7.4 21.3 0.5% Average 22.4 14.8 9.7 6.9 12.6 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Small-Cap Gold Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$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$4.53 295 $1,335 0.05 0.37 0.41 12.2 11.1 0.33 0.86 0.87 5.3 5.2 48.0 0.0% Continental Gold Inc (CA) CNL 2.3 US$4.09 214 $877 (0.16) (0.15) 0.13 -- 31.0 (0.07) (0.07) 0.35 -- 11.8 -- 0.0% DRDGold Ltd (ADR) DROOY 5.0 ZAR$10.13 865 $566 0.06 0.50 0.92 20.3 11.0 1.17 1.26 -- 8.0 -- 21.2 0.0% Dundee Precious Metals (CA) DPM 1.9 US$3.92 181 $708 0.16 0.19 0.54 20.6 7.3 0.55 0.55 1.00 7.1 3.9 9.6 0.0% Eldorado Gold Corp EGO 2.8 US$8.66 165 $1,435 (0.17) 0.04 0.84 NM 10.3 0.42 0.93 2.20 9.3 3.9 11.4 0.0% Equinox Gold Corp (CA) EQX 2.2 US$7.26 113 $825 (0.10) 0.17 0.69 43.8 10.5 (0.25) 0.79 1.35 9.3 5.4 -- 0.0% Gold Resource Corp GORO 2.0 US$4.01 66 $264 0.15 0.44 -- 9.2 -- -- -- -- -- 0.7% Gold Road Resources Ltd (AU) GOR 2.3 AUD$1.45 879 $837 (0.02) 0.01 0.09 NM 15.5 (0.02) 0.06 0.15 25.0 10.0 -- 0.0% Golden Star Resources GSS 2.5 US$2.72 161 $283 (0.02) 0.16 0.25 17.0 11.0 (0.09) 0.21 0.68 13.0 4.0 7.3 0.0% Gran Colombia Gold Corp (CA) GCM 2.0 US$4.25 61 $258 0.70 0.90 1.22 4.7 3.5 2.22 1.52 1.46 2.8 2.9 -- 0.0% Great Bear Resources (CA) GBR 1.5 C$6.26 46 $214 (0.13) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Hecla Mining Co HL 3.2 US$2.64 523 $1,381 (0.11) (0.13) 0.01 -- NM 0.22 0.25 0.31 10.6 8.4 7.7 0.3% Highland Gold Mining Ltd (UK) HGM 2.0 US$2.71 364 $991 0.15 0.31 0.32 8.9 8.5 0.37 0.44 0.49 6.2 5.5 7.9 6.1% Hochschild Mining PLC (UK) HOC 2.2 US$2.05 514 $1,057 0.05 0.09 0.13 22.7 15.3 0.36 0.55 0.46 3.7 4.5 3.5 1.8% Iamgold Corp IAG 2.6 US$2.84 468 $1,334 0.06 (0.04) 0.17 -- 16.8 0.41 0.78 0.77 3.6 3.7 3.2 0.0% K92 Mining (CA) KNT 1.4 US$2.49 213 $531 0.07 0.12 0.26 20.7 9.6 0.09 0.22 0.34 11.5 7.4 -- 0.0% Leagold Mining Corp (CA) LMC 2.5 US$2.43 285 $691 0.07 0.13 0.37 19.0 6.6 0.20 0.47 0.65 5.2 3.7 -- 0.0% McEwen Mining Inc. MUX 2.0 US$0.90 363 $326 (0.13) (0.11) (0.01) -- -- 0.00 (0.05) 0.02 -- 45.0 -- 0.3% New Gold Inc NGD 2.8 US$0.77 673 $518 (0.02) (0.08) (0.06) -- -- 0.33 0.43 0.37 1.8 2.1 3.9 0.0% Oceanagold Corp (AU) OGC 2.1 US$1.63 622 $911 0.20 0.05 0.14 32.5 11.9 0.55 0.32 0.38 5.0 4.3 3.8 0.0% Orla Mining Ltd (CA) OLA 2.0 C$2.32 187 $324 (0.17) (0.17) (0.09) -- -- (0.14) (0.12) (0.08) -- -- -- 0.0% Osisko Mining Corp (CA) OSK 1.8 C$2.80 291 $608 (0.18) (0.09) (0.05) -- -- (0.03) (0.07) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Pan African Resources (UK) PAF 1.0 US$0.16 1928 $306 0.01 0.02 0.03 8.5 5.6 0.01 0.03 0.05 5.0 3.5 11.2 1.0% Perseus Mining Ltd (AU) PRU 2.2 AUD$1.04 1168 $794 0.00 0.03 0.05 41.1 18.9 0.10 0.14 0.18 7.2 5.9 96.9 0.0% Petropavlovsk PLC (UK) POG 2.0 US$0.24 3310 $789 0.01 0.02 0.04 14.8 6.2 0.07 0.02 0.03 15.8 7.3 6.8 0.0% Pretium Resources PVG 2.9 US$7.13 185 $1,322 0.54 0.55 0.50 13.0 14.4 1.07 1.21 1.09 5.9 6.5 -- 0.0% Regis Resources Ltd (AU) RRL 2.8 AUD$4.03 508 $1,345 0.33 0.36 0.41 11.2 9.9 0.53 0.57 0.61 7.1 6.6 7.9 3.7% Ramelius Resources Ltd (AU) RMS 1.8 AUD$1.15 658 $497 0.05 0.06 0.10 18.9 11.2 0.23 0.23 0.25 5.0 4.5 9.0 0.8% Resolute Mining Ltd (AU) RSG 2.1 AUD$1.02 1036 $694 0.02 0.19 0.22 5.4 4.5 0.15 0.28 0.33 3.6 3.1 -- 0.0% St Barbara Ltd (AU) SBM 2.3 AUD$2.35 699 $1,079 0.32 0.23 0.25 10.4 9.5 0.52 0.41 0.45 5.7 5.2 5.6 2.9% Sabina Gold & Silver Corp (CA) SBB 2.1 C$1.33 297 $295 (0.03) (0.02) (0.01) -- -- (0.02) (0.01) (0.01) -- -- -- 0.0% Seabridge Gold SA 2.0 C$13.17 63 $624 (0.34) (0.12) (0.08) -- -- (0.16) (6.29) -- -- -- -- 0.0% Semafo (CA) SMF 2.3 US$1.99 334 $665 (0.01) 0.26 0.30 7.7 6.7 0.34 0.77 0.71 2.6 2.8 5.0 0.0% Silver Lake Resources (AU) SLR 2.4 AUD$1.61 880 $928 0.03 0.06 0.10 25.4 16.2 0.14 0.17 0.22 9.3 7.3 19.9 0.0% Silvercrest Metals Inc SILV 1.8 C$8.61 105 $677 (0.07) (0.09) (0.06) -- -- (0.08) (0.08) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Teranga Gold Corp (CA) TGZ 1.3 US$5.17 108 $556 0.17 0.01 0.41 NM 12.7 0.86 0.93 1.08 5.6 4.8 7.0 0.0% Torex Gold Resources (CA) TXG 1.9 US$13.27 85 $1,134 0.23 0.79 0.59 16.8 22.6 2.68 3.51 3.11 3.8 4.3 7.1 0.0% Victoria Gold Corp (CA) VIT 2.0 C$6.96 58 $299 -- 0.98 0.83 7.1 8.4 -- (0.40) 0.18 -- 39.8 -- 0.0% Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd (CA) WDO 2.2 C$8.54 138 $880 0.11 0.34 0.47 25.4 18.4 0.34 0.59 0.62 14.4 13.8 67.4 0.0% West African Resources Ltd (CA) WAF -- AUD$0.26 870 $317 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.04 -- 7.1 -- 0.0% Westgold Resources Ltd (AU) WGX 2.0 AUD$2.03 400 $533 0.02 0.07 0.19 30.5 10.8 0.13 0.31 0.48 6.6 4.2 -- 0.0% Average 17.8 11.9 7.5 7.8 16.9 Select (Gold >US$20MM Mkt Cap) Gold Springs Resource Corp (CA)* GRC 2.0 US$0.09 249 $21 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Lion One Metals Ltd (CA)* LIO 2.0 C$1.45 106 $115 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Minera Alamos Inc (CA) MAI 2.0 C$0.25 407 $74 (0.02) 0.01 0.03 24.5 8.2 0.03 -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Northern Vertex Mining Corp (CA)* NEE 2.0 US$0.16 247 $39 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Paramount Gold Nevada Corp* PZG 1.7 US$0.80 28 $23 (0.26) (0.21) (0.17) -- -- (0.19) (0.16) -- -- -- 0.0% Average 24.5 8.2 *includes research coverage by Scarsdale Equities. Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Silver Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Alexco Resource Corp* AXU 2.3 C$2.01 119 $178 (0.08) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Americas Gold & Silver Corp (CA) USA 1.8 US$2.35 83 $194 (0.25) (0.29) 0.15 -- 15.7 0.21 0.00 0.46 NM 5.1 45.3 0.0% Coeur Mining Corp CDE 3.0 US$4.16 243 $1,011 (0.01) (0.25) 0.07 -- 61.4 0.11 0.42 0.76 9.9 5.5 5.8 0.0% Endeavour Silver Corp EXK 3.2 US$1.60 140 $224 (0.10) (0.36) 0.04 -- 37.6 0.21 (0.02) 0.23 -- 6.9 6.3 0.0% First Majestic Silver Corp AG 2.6 US$7.56 205 $1,550 (0.21) 0.04 0.27 NM 28.2 0.18 0.69 0.49 11.0 15.5 13.8 0.0% Fortuna Silver Mines FSM 2.1 US$2.93 160 $471 0.24 0.17 0.40 17.5 7.4 0.52 0.37 0.75 7.9 3.9 6.5 0.0% Fresnillo (UK) FRES 2.7 US$7.74 737 $5,733 0.46 0.22 0.31 35.7 24.8 1.09 0.86 0.95 9.0 8.1 6.1 2.9% MAG Silver Corp MAG 1.8 US$8.50 87 $735 (0.09) (0.05) 0.30 -- 28.1 (0.05) (0.03) 0.24 -- 34.9 85.6 0.0% New Pacific Metals Corp (CA) NUAG 2.7 C$5.41 147 $596 (0.03) (0.02) (0.02) -- -- (0.02) (0.02) -- -- -- -- 0.0% Pan American Silver PAAS 2.6 US$19.80 210 $4,157 0.39 0.78 0.68 25.4 28.9 1.01 1.49 2.27 13.3 8.7 15.6 0.6% Silvercorp Metals Inc SVM 2.0 US$3.19 172 $550 0.21 0.21 0.21 14.9 15.0 0.40 0.43 0.40 7.4 7.9 -- 0.4% Average 23.3 27.5 9.7 10.7 23.1 *includes research coverage by Scarsdale Equities. Platinum Group Metals African Rainbow Minerals (SA) ARI 2.1 ZAR$136.49 224 $1,974 25.61 29.10 29.64 4.7 4.6 13.97 16.44 18.39 8.3 7.4 29.5 7.1% Anglo American Platinum Ltd (SA) AMS 3.1 ZAR$1,047.34 270 $18,246 28.22 70.61 117.34 14.8 8.9 59.17 107.94 126.51 9.7 8.3 28.5 2.1% Impala Platinum (SA) IMP 2.1 ZAR$124.65 799 $7,162 1.23 11.91 23.96 10.5 5.2 9.05 18.53 28.16 6.7 4.4 35.2 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$111.21 510 $3,662 (0.92) 5.15 13.39 21.6 8.3 3.39 15.79 25.08 7.0 4.4 77.2 0.0% Average 10.4 6.2 6.5 17.5 42.6 Base Metals & Diversified Large-Cap Base Metals Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Anglo American PLC (UK) AAL 2.5 US$22.97 1365 $31,505 2.50 2.70 2.87 8.5 8.0 5.50 5.97 5.86 3.8 3.9 7.0 3.8% Antofagasta PLC (UK) ANTO 2.7 US$9.64 986 $9,552 0.52 0.53 0.49 18.3 19.6 1.33 1.89 1.69 5.1 5.7 8.0 0.9% BHP Billiton Ltd BHP 2.7 US$21.87 5058 $103,608 1.81 1.90 1.94 11.5 11.3 3.45 3.36 3.27 6.5 6.7 7.4 5.3% China Molybdenum Co Ltd (HK) 3993 2.5 CNY$2.61 21599 $11,735 0.22 0.08 0.12 33.1 21.6 0.44 (0.58) 0.30 -- 8.7 48.4 0.0% Freeport McMoran C&G FCX 2.4 US$9.96 1451 $14,452 1.52 0.02 0.36 NM 27.6 2.65 1.02 1.50 9.8 6.6 6.5 1.5% Glencore International PLC (UK) GLEN 2.1 US$2.48 13324 $33,177 0.41 0.18 0.21 13.8 12.0 0.81 0.63 0.64 3.9 3.8 6.6 6.4% Grupo Mexico (MX) GMEXICOB 2.5 US$2.37 7785 $18,427 0.17 0.29 0.24 8.2 10.0 0.22 0.32 0.38 7.3 6.3 7.9 6.1% Hindustan Zinc (IN) HZ 2.6 INR$172.25 4225 $10,158 19.47 17.85 18.81 9.6 9.2 21.39 21.57 23.63 8.0 7.3 5.0 0.0% MMC Norilsk Nickel (RU) GMKN -- RU$5,429.84 158 $48,369 -- 899.94 1210.92 6.0 4.5 -- 689.72 1388.13 7.9 3.9 16.7 7.8% Rio Tinto PLC (UK) RIO 2.8 US$46.25 1618 $79,213 5.12 6.36 5.26 7.3 8.8 6.88 9.15 7.88 5.1 5.9 7.1 2.7% Southern Copper Corp SCCO 2.6 US$33.65 773 $26,013 2.00 2.06 2.20 16.3 15.3 2.89 2.76 3.16 12.2 10.6 14.0 -- Vale SA (ADR) VALE 2.4 BRL$43.93 5284 $52,196 5.27 5.96 7.16 7.4 6.1 9.94 9.44 9.62 4.7 4.6 7.9 2.6% Average 12.7 12.8 6.7 6.2 11.9 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Mid-Cap Base Metals Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Assore Ltd (SA) ASR 2.4 ZAR$173.59 140 $1,566 55.70 56.67 49.08 3.1 3.5 14.60 18.27 27.33 9.5 6.4 5.5 7.7% Aurubis AG (GR) NDA 2.9 EUR$42.74 45 $2,113 5.17 3.23 3.79 13.2 11.3 4.75 5.49 5.65 7.8 7.6 5.5 2.3% Boliden AB (SW) BOL 2.6 SEK$198.40 274 $5,619 26.32 21.15 22.59 9.4 8.8 43.03 34.52 41.97 5.7 4.7 5.9 0.0% Exxaro Resources Ltd (SA) EXX 1.6 ZAR$112.00 359 $2,595 20.57 25.66 27.45 4.4 4.1 (0.17) 15.61 17.59 7.2 6.4 6.9 8.8% First Quantum Minerals (CA) FM 2.2 US$7.41 689 $5,105 0.71 0.36 0.27 20.6 27.8 2.87 1.29 2.51 5.7 3.0 14.5 0.1% Iluka Resources Ltd (AU) ILU 2.9 AUD$8.34 423 $2,315 0.72 0.66 0.74 12.6 11.2 1.49 0.76 1.12 10.9 7.5 -- 1.4% Independence Group NL (AU) IGO 2.7 AUD$5.27 591 $2,045 0.11 0.22 0.33 23.5 15.8 0.59 0.73 0.83 7.2 6.3 18.7 2.2% Ivanhoe Mines Ltd (CA) IVP 2.1 US$2.34 1197 $2,796 0.03 (0.00) (0.04) -- -- (0.02) (0.03) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Jiangxi Copper Co "H" (HK) 358 2.3 CNY$8.20 3463 $5,684 0.70 0.73 0.83 11.2 9.9 2.36 1.75 1.31 4.7 6.3 14.0 2.2% Kazakhmys PLC (UK) KAZ 2.2 US$5.25 472 $2,495 1.18 1.17 0.97 4.5 5.4 1.51 1.04 1.49 5.1 3.5 22.6 1.7% KGHM Polska Miedz (PO) KGH 3.4 PLN$70.54 200 $3,591 8.29 11.01 10.24 6.4 6.9 19.30 20.72 19.15 3.4 3.7 4.7 0.0% Lundin Mining Corp (CA) LUN 2.0 US$5.11 734 $3,756 0.30 0.22 0.44 23.2 11.7 0.65 0.77 1.09 6.6 4.7 7.3 0.0% Mineral Resources Ltd (AU) MIN 2.0 AUD$16.55 188 $2,048 1.15 1.38 1.58 12.0 10.5 1.59 1.38 1.79 12.0 9.3 7.7 3.3% Oz Minerals (AU) OZL 2.5 AUD$9.00 324 $1,916 0.73 0.51 0.30 17.8 29.7 1.45 1.58 1.18 5.7 7.7 7.9 2.2% Sesa Sterlite Ltd (ADR) SSLT 2.4 INR$114.00 3702 $5,890 17.89 15.86 16.95 7.2 6.7 60.18 53.92 49.94 2.1 2.3 3.8 3.8% South32 Ltd (AU) S32 2.3 US$1.45 4900 $7,144 0.22 0.13 0.10 11.2 13.8 0.34 0.30 0.27 4.8 5.3 3.8 2.1% Sumitomo Metal Mining (JP) 5713 2.3 JPY$2,686 291 $7,127 265.40 213.88 243.73 12.6 11.0 438.78 431.14 381.96 6.2 7.0 10.0 1.7% Teck Resources Ltd TCK 2.0 C$13.50 547 $5,553 4.07 2.75 2.04 4.9 6.6 7.62 6.16 5.19 2.2 2.6 3.8 0.9% Vale Indonesia Tbk PT (ID) INCO 2.0 US$0.17 9936 $1,735 0.01 0.01 0.01 28.5 21.2 0.02 0.01 0.03 12.2 5.4 10.8 0.0% 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 12.6 11.8 6.3 5.3 9.0 Small-Cap Base Metals Adriatic Metals PLC (AU) ADT 1.7 GBP$0.63 311 $253 (0.02) 0.01 0.30 58.9 2.1 (0.02) -- -- -- 0.0% Atalaya Mining PLC (UK) ATYM 1.2 EUR$1.87 137 $285 0.25 0.24 0.42 7.7 4.5 0.40 0.17 0.27 11.0 7.1 17.6 0.0% Eramet (FR) ERA 1.7 EUR$29.42 27 $862 1.83 (0.12) 3.73 -- 7.9 16.01 9.44 12.55 3.1 2.3 5.6 -- Ero Copper Corp (CA) ERO 2.4 US$10.74 86 $921 0.03 0.60 1.06 17.9 10.2 0.94 1.46 1.73 7.4 6.2 -- 0.0% Hudbay Minerals HBM 2.3 US$2.44 261 $638 0.40 (0.20) (0.15) -- -- 1.84 1.19 1.11 2.1 2.2 2.8 0.4% Kenmare Resources (UK) KMR 1.8 US$2.83 110 $312 0.46 0.42 0.43 6.8 6.6 0.79 0.48 0.49 5.9 5.7 59.7 1.2% Mitsui Mining & Smelting (JP) 5706 2.3 JPY$2,589 57 $1,354 58.51 116.74 243.86 22.2 10.6 649.22 626.83 772.03 4.1 3.4 6.3 2.4% MMG Ltd (HK) 1208 2.5 US$0.20 8055 $1,643 0.01 (0.01) 0.01 -- 29.6 0.21 0.06 0.14 3.3 1.5 11.7 0.0% Nexa Resources NA NEXA 3.0 US$7.34 133 $978 0.25 (0.03) (0.20) -- -- 2.61 0.93 2.50 7.9 2.9 -- 6.5% Outokumpu (FN) OUT1V 2.7 EUR$3.42 416 $1,564 0.34 (0.20) 0.18 -- 18.6 0.52 0.90 0.68 3.8 5.0 7.9 3.6% PolyMet Mining Corp PLM -- US$0.37 1005 $375 (0.05) (0.02) (0.01) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Sandfire Resources NL (AU) SFR 2.6 AUD$4.26 178 $498 0.72 0.61 0.69 7.0 6.1 1.44 1.47 1.72 2.9 2.5 2.8 3.5% SolGold PLC (UK) SOLG 1.6 US$0.22 1923 $423 (0.01) (0.01) (0.00) -- -- (0.00) 0.00 -- -- -- -- 0.0% Trilogy Metals Inc TMQ 2.2 US$1.51 141 $214 (0.18) (0.20) (0.09) -- -- (0.18) (0.16) -- -- -- 0.0% Turquoise Hill Resources TRQ 3.0 US$0.53 2012 $1,082 0.20 0.14 0.05 3.7 10.6 0.09 0.03 0.00 19.6 NM 6.5 0.0% Volcan Cia Ninera VOLABC1 3.0 US$0.13 4077 $1,956 0.01 (0.02) 0.01 -- 9.9 -- -- -- -- -- 9.5 0.0% Western Areas NL (AU) WSA 2.2 AUD$2.42 274 $435 0.04 0.14 0.25 17.1 9.7 0.32 0.44 0.51 5.5 4.7 7.8 1.0% Average 17.7 10.5 6.4 4.0 12.6 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Consensus Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Aluminum Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Alcoa Inc AA 2.6 US$13.87 186 $2,579 3.58 (0.99) (0.10) -- -- 2.38 3.70 2.60 3.7 5.3 4.8 0.0% Alumina Ltd AWC 3.1 US$1.26 2880 $3,669 0.24 0.11 0.07 11.2 17.1 0.22 0.13 0.09 9.9 14.3 4.9 5.1% Aluminum Corp China Ltd (ADR) ACH 2.4 CNY$1.86 17023 $6,762 0.04 0.07 0.10 25.5 19.0 0.77 0.84 0.85 2.2 2.2 14.1 0.0% Century Aluminum CENX 2.5 US$5.80 89 $517 (0.14) (1.35) 0.37 -- 15.8 (0.79) 0.20 1.06 29.0 5.5 26.2 0.0% United Company Rusal Ltd (HK) 486 2.1 US$0.48 15193 $7,330 0.11 0.08 0.11 6.0 4.6 0.05 0.10 0.08 4.6 5.8 9.9 0.0% Average 14.2 14.1 9.9 6.6 12.0 Iron Ore Cliffs Natural Resources CLF 2.7 US$5.81 271 $1,577 3.71 1.05 0.56 5.5 10.4 1.57 1.98 1.19 2.9 4.9 9.9 2.7% Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (AU) FMG 3.4 US$6.56 3079 $20,384 0.69 1.19 1.09 5.5 6.0 0.96 1.58 1.48 4.2 4.4 5.3 9.4% Kumba Iron Ore Ltd (SA) KIO 3.4 ZAR$280.67 322 $5,840 30.06 50.73 47.62 5.5 5.9 47.32 85.20 62.44 3.3 4.5 4.9 11.2% Labrador Iron Ore Royalty (CA) LIF 2.1 C$19.48 64 $931 2.01 3.27 2.59 6.0 7.5 2.32 3.56 2.67 5.5 7.3 13.2 5.2% Mount Gibson Iron Limited (AU) MGX 3.3 AUD$0.69 1158 $525 0.07 0.11 0.09 6.4 7.6 0.07 0.10 0.14 7.1 4.8 19.5 4.2% Average 5.8 7.5 4.6 5.2 10.6 Fertilizers CF Industries CF 2.6 US$36.86 216 $7,968 1.24 2.31 1.93 16.0 19.1 6.40 6.79 6.13 5.4 6.0 16.8 2.5% Compass Minerals CMP 2.2 US$54.55 34 $1,849 1.93 1.90 3.32 28.7 16.4 5.63 4.71 7.35 11.6 7.4 11.8 4.7% Incitec Pivot Ltd (AU) IPL 2.8 AUD$2.73 1613 $2,893 0.18 0.11 0.17 24.6 15.8 0.36 0.29 0.39 9.5 7.0 9.3 1.4% Intrepid Potash IPI 3.0 US$1.77 132 $234 0.09 0.12 0.13 15.1 13.6 0.49 0.33 0.32 5.4 5.6 -- 0.0% Israel Chemical (IS) ICL 2.4 US$3.74 1280 $4,822 0.37 0.37 0.39 10.1 9.7 0.48 0.77 0.71 4.9 5.3 7.0 3.9% K & S Aktiengesellschaft (GR) SDF 2.7 EUR$7.39 191 $1,556 0.22 0.49 0.58 15.1 12.6 1.61 2.69 2.70 2.7 2.7 8.3 2.0% Mosaic Co MOS 2.4 US$17.03 379 $6,450 2.12 0.19 0.48 89.6 35.6 3.75 2.85 3.21 6.0 5.3 9.6 0.8% Nutrien Ltd NTR 2.2 US$40.43 571 $23,142 2.69 2.17 2.23 18.6 18.1 3.28 6.29 5.26 6.4 7.7 -- 3.7% Sirius Minerals PLC (UK) SXX 2.0 GBP$0.04 7020 $402 (0.00) (0.00) (0.01) -- -- -- (0.00) (0.00) -- -- -- 0.0% Sociedad Quimica Minera (ADR) SQM 3.1 US$27.38 263 $6,350 1.67 1.07 1.22 25.6 22.4 1.99 1.58 1.56 17.3 17.5 9.3 4.6% Yara International ASA (NO) YAR 2.3 US$36.30 272 $9,888 1.68 3.09 3.33 11.7 10.9 2.77 7.00 6.28 5.2 5.8 8.3 4.1% Average 25.5 17.4 7.4 7.0 10.0 Coal Large - Mid Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Adaro Energy TBK (ID) ADRO 2.4 US$0.08 31986 $2,633 0.01 0.01 0.01 5.5 6.2 0.03 0.02 0.02 3.4 3.6 4.5 9.5% Banpu Public Co Ltd (TH) BANPU 3.3 US$0.23 5162 $1,157 0.08 0.01 0.03 26.7 8.8 0.08 0.08 0.05 2.8 4.2 15.0 5.0% China Coal Energy Co (HK) 1898 2.4 CNY$2.26 13259 $6,960 0.34 0.50 0.47 4.5 4.8 1.54 1.56 1.51 1.5 1.5 11.2 2.7% China Shenhua Energy Co (HK) 1088 2.5 CNY$12.12 19890 $43,571 2.22 2.23 2.09 5.4 5.8 4.44 3.98 3.43 3.0 3.5 4.6 6.3% Consol Energy CNX 2.6 US$5.31 187 $991 1.36 0.60 0.35 8.9 15.0 4.13 5.12 3.86 1.0 1.4 6.7 0.0% Whitehaven Coal Ltd (AU) WHC 2.3 AUD$2.00 1026 $1,348 0.54 0.33 0.14 6.1 13.8 0.87 0.60 0.37 3.3 5.4 5.9 5.5% Yancoal Australia Ltd YAL 3.0 AUD$2.97 1320 $2,428 0.69 0.29 0.36 10.2 8.2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 9.0% Yanzhou Coal Mining Co Ltd (HK) 1171 2.8 CNY$5.30 4912 $5,229 1.75 1.83 1.59 2.9 3.3 3.71 3.63 3.36 1.5 1.6 15.9 0.0% Average 8.8 8.3 2.4 3.0 9.1 Small Cap Alliance Resource Partners LP ARLP 2.3 US$6.74 127 $857 2.99 3.07 0.67 2.2 10.1 5.31 1.81 1.90 3.7 3.5 2.4 19.8% Arch Coal Inc ARCH 2.0 US$50.35 15 $762 15.15 12.58 10.61 4.0 4.7 20.26 24.26 22.19 2.1 2.3 -- 2.5% Fushan Int'l Energy Group (HK) 639 2.3 HK$1.51 5302 $1,027 0.21 0.22 0.22 6.8 6.7 0.31 0.32 0.42 4.7 3.6 5.9 10.0% NLC India Ltd (IN) NLCINDIA -- INR$59.95 1387 $1,160 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 8.2 12.4% Natural Resource Partners LP NRP -- US$13.80 12 $169 6.43 5.20 4.12 2.7 3.3 9.19 7.06 5.28 2.0 2.6 3.0 -- New Hope Corp Ltd (AU) NHC 1.8 AUD$1.45 832 $789 0.31 0.28 0.21 5.2 6.8 0.44 0.36 0.34 4.0 4.2 9.9 6.8% PT Tambang Batubara Bukit (ID) PTBA 2.5 IDR$2,240 11521 $1,839 477.00 371.62 324.44 6.0 6.9 746.44 297.65 315.30 7.5 7.1 7.8 15.0% Average 4.5 6.4 4.0 3.9 6.2 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Uranium Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 28-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Cameco Corp CCJ 2.5 C$11.61 396 $3,430 0.53 0.10 (0.03) NM -- 1.68 1.33 0.63 8.7 18.3 7.8 0.7% Denison Mines DNN 2.1 C$0.50 590 $220 (0.04) (0.04) (0.03) -- -- (0.04) (0.05) (0.03) -- -- -- 0.0% Energy Resources Australia (AU) ERA 4.0 AUD$0.15 3691 $364 0.03 0.01 (0.09) 12.5 -- (0.11) (0.19) (0.03) -- -- 11.9 -- Nexgen Energy Ltd (CA) NXE 1.7 C$1.19 356 $316 (0.06) (0.07) (0.08) -- -- (0.02) (0.04) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Uranium Participation Corp (CA) U 2.2 C$3.80 138 $392 (0.03) (0.15) 0.43 -- 8.9 (0.04) (0.06) (0.05) -- -- -- 0.0% Average 8.9 8.7 18.3 9.8 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 (28-Feb-20) Silver ($16.63 / oz) Palladium ($2489 / oz) Platinum ($864 / oz) Aluminum ($0.75 / lb) Cobalt ($14.97 / lb) Copper ($2.53 / lb) Lead ($0.85 / lb) Molybdenum ($10.24 / lb) Nickel ($5.52 / lb) Tin ($7.36 / lb) Zinc ($0.92 / lb) Uranium ($24.70 / lb) Thousands of migrants gathered at Turkey's border with Greece on Sunday (March 1) - seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement. Turkey said on Thursday (February 27) that it would no longer restrain the hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in its territory from reaching Europe after an airstrike on Idlib in neighboring Syria killed 33 Turkish soldiers. That announcement prompted a rush to the borders it shares with EU member Greece from migrants like 20-year-old Syrian Mohammed Ali Bilal. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) 20-YEAR-OLD SYRIAN MIGRANT, MOHAMMED ALI BILAL, SAYING: "We won't give up. We insist on going through, God willing, because we can't live here anymore. We're working for nothing here, everything is pointless. We can't go to school. We can't do anything." The International Organization for Migration put the number of people along the Turkish border at 13,000 and some are already taking at-times perilous journeys to Greece. The Turkish coastguard reportedly rescued some 50 migrants on Sunday after an overcrowded dinghy sank off Turkey's coast. It was heading for the Greek island Lesbos where a Greek police official said hundreds had arrived on Sunday morning. Further north others are wading across a river near Kastanies on the shared border. That Greek town was the site of clashes on Saturday (Feb 29) as riot police used teargas to repel hundreds of people. Greece has said there was an orchestrated attempt to breach its borders, and has accused Turkey of actively guiding migrants. The country, which was the gateway to Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in 2015 and 2016, currently hosts more than 40,000 migrants on the Aegean, living in severely overcrowded camps and filthy conditions. It has vowed to keep a mass influx of migrants out and Greece's Prime Minister has called a national security council meeting. The European Union says it is supporting Greece. A team of WHO experts has landed in Tehran, Iran, to support the ongoing response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the country. The team will work with health authorities and other stakeholders to review ongoing readiness and response efforts, visit designated health facilities, laboratories and points of entry, and provide technical guidance. Overall, the objectives of the mission are to: identify transmission dynamics and at-risk populations; provide guidance on strengthening and scaling up the response to the ongoing outbreak, including agreement on priority control measures; and provide guidance on strengthened readiness for areas not yet affected by the outbreak. As of March 2, 1,501 COVID-19 cases, including 66 deaths, have been reported in the country. According to the health ministry spokesperson, in total, 291 people have already been discharged from hospitals after regaining their health, said a WHO statement. Cases with a travel history to Iran have also been reported from Afghanistan, Canada, Lebanon, Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. The plane carrying the technical team members also contained a shipment of medical supplies and protective equipment to support over 15,000 health care workers, as well as enough laboratory kits enough to test and diagnose nearly 100,000 people. WHO expressed its gratitude to the UAE government for providing the chartered plane that enabled WHO to successfully allow its team and medical supplies to travel to Iran, it said. - TradeArabia News Service Donald Trump focused his attention Tuesday morning on attacking Mike Bloomberg as voters in 14 states and one U.S. territory head to the polls for the single-biggest primary contest day. 'Mini Mike Bloomberg can never recover from his incompetent debate performances,' Trump asserted, making reference to his dismal appearances at the Las Vegas and Charleston debates last month. 'Also, as mayor he was very bad under pressure - a choker!' the president added of the former Republican-turned-independent New York city mayor. Trump also warned two deep-red Super Tuesday southern states of the effects Bloomberg would have on the industries there, claiming he would make jobs in Texas and Oklahoma disappear, and urging voters in those states not to vote for the billionaire. 'Texas & Oklahoma: Mini Mike Bloomberg will kill your drilling, fracking and pipelines. Petroleum based 'anything' is dead. Energy jobs gone. Don't vote for Mini Mike!' Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. Donald Trump went on the attack against Mike Bloomberg Tuesday morning as voters head to the polls in 14 different states to cast their ballots for which Democrat they want to take on the president in November The president insisted that the former New York City mayor won't be able to recover from his dismal performances at the Las Vegas and Charleston debates last month Don't vote for Mini Mike!' Trump asserted, aiming his advice to red states of Texas and Oklahoma The president's attacks come as he prepares to visit the National Institute of Health Tuesday afternoon as the U.S. facing a growing crisis as the coronavirus continues to spread. Before this week there were no deaths in the U.S. from the outbreak, but this week, six people died after contracting the virus all in Washington state. There are only five candidates left in the race as voters head to the polls for Super Tuesday, including Bloomberg, who launched his campaign in mid-November but quickly rose to the No. 3 spot in an average of national polls. Bloomberg was no on the ballot in the first four early primary contest states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina but he is on the ballot in Super Tuesday states. The billionaire has spent hundreds of millions of his own money on television and social media advertisements focusing on increasing name recognition in Super Tuesday states, as he largely ignored campaigning in the first four early primary states. His strategy will be put to the test as results filter in Tuesday night. Trump has dubbed Bloomberg as 'Mini Mike,' in a hit to the billionaire's height of 5ft 7 in. Trump stands at 6ft 3in Bloomberg's campaign told DailyMail.com Monday that they expect the former mayor will perform well in the mass primary election day, suggesting he will stay in the race past Tuesday. Trump quickly latched on to pointing his attacks toward Bloomberg when he entered the race specifically dubbing him 'Mini Mike' as a hit to his height. Bloomberg stands at 5ft 7in, while Trump towers over the former mayor at 6 ft 3in. Both New Yokers and both billionaires, Bloomberg has come under attack from his fellow Democratic candidates for his similarities to Trump. The president focusing on attacking the Deocratic field is juxtaposed by his continued reaction to the coronavirus outbreak, which has been surprisingly underwhelming. There are now more than 100 confirmed cases in the U.S., and the top U.S. expert on infectious diseases, Anthony Fauci, said Monday that it has reached 'pandemic proportions.' Trump is planning a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia this week on top of his trip to NIH later Tuesday. As a reaction to the spreading virus, Trump has continued to downplay it and even claimed Monday that scientists were well on their way to creating a vaccine for coronavirus. Bloomberg has his own criticism of how Trump has responded to the coronavirus outbreak. The candidate spent up to an estimated $3 million on a three-minute ad spot Sunday night on CBS News and NBC News to address the nation on the virus and slam Trump for his reaction. Trump said in a Monday tweet that he was for Bloomberg's candidacy and suggested he would fare well against him a general election He never mentioned Trump by name in the ad. 'At times like this it is the job of the president to reassure the public that he or she is taking all the necessary steps to protect the health and wellbeing of every citizen,' Bloomberg said in the expensive TV spot. 'The public wants to know their leader is trained, informed and respected,' he continued. 'When a problem arises, they want someone in charge who can marshal facts and expertise to confront the problem.' On Monday Trump said he is in favor of Bloomberg's candidacy, suggesting he feels he would fare well against him in a general election. He also claimed the only other people who want him to win are his staff who are 'getting richer' from his campaign. 'The only people in favor of Mini Mike continuing with his hapless campaign are me and his political consultants, who are getting richer and richer by the day!' Trump tweeted Monday morning. Saorview customers are advised that TV frequencies around the country are changing on March 4. Following a decision by the EU, some of the TV broadcast spectrum that is used by Saorview is being reallocated for other purposes. Many customers wont notice anything at all, some will need to take action to ensure their service continues. Many customers won't notice any change. For some a simple rescan or their Saorview box or TV will solve any issues. A small number of customers will need to take further action and should contact Saorview if a channel rescan doesnt work. Saorviews Jim Higgins explained what is happening. Most Saorview customers will experience perfect continuity of service. Some customers will need to do a simple channel rescan, while a small number of customers may need to take further action. We want to support our customers through this EU led frequency change, and our helpline and call centre is primed with the answers our customers need to continue to enjoy Saorview. The important thing is to check if you are affected and to take action now if needed, as our lines will get busy closer to the date. Customers are still able to enjoy service on both the new and old frequencies but after March 4th the old frequency will terminate, he said. Saorview advises people to visit saorview.ie/changes to find out if they are affected and required to take action. If you are unsure whether you are affected or not, go to saorview.ie/changes , call 1890 222 012 / 01 258 3540 or email info@saorview.ie to find out more. "There is no need to hoard goods, including masks. There is no need to be afraid. The government guarantees that we have sufficient goods." "I urge people not to buy goods in bulk or massively," Widodo, known as Jokowi, told reporters on Tuesday. Staff members check students' body temperatures upon their arrival at Jakarta Nanyang School in Serpong on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit:AP Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo warned against hoarding of food and other essential goods after the country's first cases of confirmed coronavirus sparked panic buying at supermarkets. Anxiety over the spread of the deadly virus prompted a run on staple foods, including rice, as well as sugar, coffee and baby formula, according to Adhi Lukman, chairman of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association. Some supermarkets had also run out of water, hand sanitisers and masks, he said. Police had been ordered to crack down on price gouging by retailers looking to take advantage of the panic, Jokowi said. Rani bought alcohol gel to send to her daughter in Jakarta after Indonesia reported two cases of COVID-19. Credit:Getty The comments from the president followed a string of public appearances from ministers through the day aimed at reassuring Indonesians. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto earlier said the country had adequate stockpiles of food to meet any surge in demand caused by the coronavirus. The government has also cleared additional sugar imports to boost supply and curb prices ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan, Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto said. Authorities are also easing rules to expedite imports of raw materials by about 500 reputable shippers and simplifying export procedures to tackle a slump in trade, said Susiwijono Moegiarso, secretary for the coordinating minister for economic affairs. There are a lot of high profile issues on the slate in Connecticut. Were all aware of cannabis legalization and tolls. Behind the scenes there is another issue Ive been working on for three years that receives no media attention the reckless ease of access to birth records. Connecticut General Statute 7-51 states that anyones child, grandchild, spouse, parent, guardian or grandparent can access their birth certificate. This leaves your birth certificate, a document that can easily be used to assume your identity, much more vulnerable than any of your other personal or medical information. In fact, all you need to get a copy of someones Social Security card is a copy of their birth certificate opening to the door to all types of fraud and theft. Even your most basic of medical information is not entrusted to your child, grandchild, spouse, parent or grandparent without written consent. It seems like common sense, but unfortunately, in the state of Connecticut, your cholesterol level or blood pressure is more protected than your birth certificate, and from there, your Social Security number. Not included in this statue is any sort of security or safety clause or any way to revoke this right. This means even if the relative in question has a well-documented history of financial, sexual or violent crimes, there is still nothing you can do under Connecticut law to withdraw their access to your or your childs birth certificate. The whole idea of having a statute this open-ended and open to abuse is completely absurd on its face. So, for the third year in a row, I have been reaching out to various Connecticut legislators, urging them to address this. Unfortunately, Connecticut is way behind. Many states have already tightened their laws, making birth certificates only available to those specifically named on the document. Maine goes as far as to specifically outline on their website the fact that birth certificates are a highly sensitive document that makes identity theft incredibly easy. Unfortunately, for the third year in a row, I am being told by senators and representatives that this is not anywhere on their priority list. Lets be perfectly clear: There are plenty of good reasons that anyone would want to protect their personal information, but you shouldnt need one. It should be a basic right afforded to us by our government. The handling of this situation proves that even small-town politics are not unlike those in Washington. Perception is more important than reality, and doing the right thing is often completely overlooked if there are no political points to score or positive publicity to reap. Ive been told by the head of the Judiciary Committee that this issue is unapproachable because it would be perceived as an attack on grandparents. Ive been given numerous assignments and goals to meet, and heard, We need to hear from others in the community, or we need to do further research. Each time, these goals are exceeded, and the same result occurs. Regardless of how many other concerned citizens write or reach out, Connecticut politicians would rather keep our and our childrens personal information at risk than address an obvious issue. They are so scared of imaginary bad publicity that will never occur, that they cannot bring themselves to do what is obviously the right thing, and what all residents of Connecticut deserve control over their own and their childrens personal information. Ive been advocating for this for three years. Its time for those in power to step up and do the right thing. Matthew Eterginio lives in Bantam. HVAC Apprenticeship Program We want to bring people in, provide them the training and best practices and have those people take care of our customers. When Palm Air was first founded in 2008, their aim was to change the way people in South Florida think about HVAC contractors. From the beginning they have been committed to providing their customers with cleaner, colder, more comfortable air and they understand that the only way they can achieve this is by ensuring their technicians are extremely skilled in servicing HVAC systems and also value building healthy relationships with their customers. With those goals in mind, in 2019 they rolled out their apprenticeship program. The program was designed with 3 main purposes: Ensuring Palm Airs ability to meet staffing requirements Improving staff accountability Providing a space for tech school graduates with little to no field experience to learn and advance with the help of seasoned professionals. It is known that there is a shortage of skilled technicians in the HVAC industry and because of this, the company realized it could potentially affect their ability to provide quality service and their overall growth. At Palm Air, they do things a bit differently and instead of simply focusing on the mechanical equipment alone, they take a whole-home approach. Their ideologies are unique to their company and aren't taught in any tech schools. With the apprenticeship program, they train individuals who are relatively new to the industry and put them in a structured course where they can learn the ins and outs of the industry as well as the processes of Palm Air at the same time. What Is The Apprenticeship Program? The program is split into two main parts. Program A The first part of the program is a 90 day period where candidates are allotted 20-25 hours of part-time work as a parts runner. Candidates will balance being a part-time parts runner with studying and essentially doing a series of coursework and tests. This is a great position to start because the candidates still get a chance to take part in assisting with a job without running into any mishaps. Putting extra effort into learning will always be beneficial in the long-run. Program B Once the candidates have successfully completed program A, they are then moved to program B. This is where they have the opportunity to be paired up with an experienced technician who they will work along with to gain field experience. This is also where the candidates are signed up for an 18 months online course and they also have the option to enroll in FACAA training classes at Palm Beach Community College Campus. Typically, their apprentices start out at $10-$12 per hour and once the program has been successfully completed and theyve been placed, it goes up to $15 per hour. Palm Air understands that their success depends on more than just the quality of their products, which is why they are dedicated to investing in their people. They offer a safe and educational environment for men and women who are fresh out of tech school with zero field experience learning and become the brilliant technicians they were meant to be. The apprenticeship program also gives management the confidence and knowledge that not only will the apprentices be good at what they do, but that theyll be doing it in a way that is specific to Palm Air. Great work should be rewarded with great benefits that go beyond standard compensation. There are many employment opportunities at Palm Air here. RENO, Nev., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary's Gone Crackers a line of gluten free, non-GMO, organic and plant-based snacks announced the continuation of their partnership with California Rice through their strong support of the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation (www.CalRiceWaterbirds.org) to achieve long-standing goals of manufacturing delicious and sustainably sourced crackers. The brand has sourced its rice exclusively from California since 2004, marking their 17th year working together. "A core goal at Mary's Gone Crackers is to consciously and sustainably source all ingredients for our products," said Mary's Gone Crackers Vice President of Sales, Jason Galante. "Our partnership with the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation has allowed us to achieve this goal while maintaining our high standard for quality ingredients." All of the brand's rice, a key ingredient in the Original, Super Seed and REAL Thin crackers, is sourced exclusively from the California Rice Commission. Wildlife conservation programs managed by the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation and the California Rice Commission have effectively transformed hundreds of thousands of acres of rice fields into seasonal wetland habitats for waterbirds to inhabit. "Corporate sustainability has become increasingly critical in this day and age," said Paul Buttner, Executive Director of the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation. "It's companies like Mary's Gone Crackers, that remain committed to sustainable manufacturing practices year after year, that will have a positive and tangible impact on the environment." California Ricelands provide habitat for over 200 species of wildlife, including several of conservation concern. Furthermore, these rice fields support millions of birds that migrate up and down the Pacific Flyway, a migratory corridor extending from the Arctic down to Patagonia. When managed properly, these fields can provide key habitat for a wide variety of species all year long. Mary's Gone Crackers plans to continue sourcing rice and other ingredients sustainably to minimize their ecological footprint. To learn more, visit https://www.marysgonecrackers.com/ or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Mary's Gone Crackers Mary's Gone Crackers is the largest organic and gluten free cracker company in the United States. The company bakes organic, gluten-free, non-GMO crackers in their own dedicated organic and gluten-free bakery in Reno, Nevada. Since its inception, the company has grown at a rapid pace, expanding its offerings while staying true to its promise to use only whole, plant-based ingredients free from wheat, nuts, eggs, and dairy. Products are available at natural, specialty, mainstream grocery and club stores. Mary's Gone Crackers, in business since 2004, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kameda Seika, Japan's largest manufacturer of rice crackers. Media Contact Matt Kovacs (310) 395-5050 [email protected] SOURCE Marys Gone Crackers Related Links https://www.marysgonecrackers.com Manipur: NPSSFW(I) protests against Loktak Inland Waterways Project March 03,2020 | Source: DMF The Government of India in the Ministry of Shipping has approved an Inland Waterways Project in the Loktak lake of Manipur. The lake, a Ramsar site, is the life line of Manipur. It provides livelihood to more than 50,000 fishers and many more in the downstream. The lake is unique. It has the world's only floating national park. The lake is already under severe pressure because of a hydel power plant and Ithai dam. The government did not care to consult the fisher people, let alone taking their consent before sanctioning the project. National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland) demands cancellation of the project. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs organized on Tuesday a briefing session for the diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Bucharest, on the measures taken nationwide to manage and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The measures taken in this regard by the national authorities were presented by the head of the Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, who emphasized the importance of the measures adopted by Romania for controlling and reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection, and that these measures have data and analyses provided by the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control as underlying basis, a release informs.Arafat also stressed that the adopted measures apply both to Romanian citizens and to foreign nationals who arrive in Romania from the coronavirus-striken areas.The senior emergency official highlighted the efforts made to ensure a correct and transparent public communication, reminding that the Romanian authorities are currently releasing two daily briefings, which are accessible both on the websites of the competent institutions (the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and on the sites of Romania's diplomatic missions abroad."The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its openness to a constant dialogue with the diplomatic missions accredited to Bucharest in order to keep them informed about the measures taken by the Romanian authorities, and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts in the process of managing and preventing the European and international spread of COVID-19," the cited release said.On the sidelines of the briefing session, Secretary of State Raed Arafat also met with ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Bucharest, Mihai Gribincea. The talks focused on ways of cooperation and on the assistance Romania can provide with ensuring the protection of Moldovan citizens amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the press release states. AGERPRES Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said that he would form a committee to look into various aspects of the Population Register (NPR). Addressing a press conference, CM Thackeray said: "I will form a committee of leaders from Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to look into the provisions of NPR. We will first study it to make sure that no citizen is hurt by this." Commenting upon the farm loan waiver progress, he said: "In December we had announced farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh. My team is working very hard to implement the same. As everyone says these days that to prove their citizenship, people have to stand in the queue. But I want to tell you that I would not let my farmers stand in queue for loan waivers." CM Thackeray said that the issue of giving a 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in educational institutions in the state has not been discussed with him yet. He said: "The issue of Muslim reservation in educational institutions has not come officially in front of me yet. When this issue will come in front of me, we will see to it. We have not yet cleared our stand on it. Opposition must save their energy for the time when we will actually discuss it." Last week, NCP leader Nawab Malik, who is the Minority Affairs Minister in the Maharashtra government, had announced that a law will be made to give reservation to Muslims in educational institutions in the state. Thackeray also said that he will visit Ayodhya on March 7. When asked whether he will take anyone from NCP and Congress to Ayodhya on March 7, Thackeray said: "There should be no politics over faith. I welcome whoever wants to accompany me to Ayodhya." Commenting on the Delhi violence in which at least 47 people have been killed, the CM said: "People know who is doing this. I want to thank people of Maharashtra they are smart, and not indulging in violence. Anyway, our police are alert." Thackeray refused to comment upon Prime Minister Modi's announcement that may give up his social media accounts, saying: "He is a big brother. I don't want to comment on it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON - Voters in Virginias Democratic primary ranked health care as the most important issue facing the country, well above climate change, the economy, race relations, foreign policy and many other social issues. About a third named health care, an issue that has intensely divided the field of Democratic candidates. Roughly 2 in 10 each had climate change and the economy on their minds, according to a wide-ranging AP VoteCast survey of the Democratic primary electorate in Virginia. Joe Biden was the winner in the state. Heres a snapshot of Democratic voters in Virginia who they are and how they voted based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, a survey of 2,604 voters, conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago. DO THEY WANT A BIG CHANGE? Voters in Virginias Democratic primary were closely divided over whether they want a candidate who would bring fundamental change to Washington or one who would restore the political system to how it was before Donald Trump was elected in 2016. About 6 in 10 voters said they preferred a candidate who will pursue practical, centrist policies to one pursuing bold liberal policies. WHAT ELSE VOTERS WANT Roughly 8 in 10 said it was very important that a nominee can beat Trump and is a strong leader. About 7 in 10 said it was very important that a candidate cares about people like them, while about 6 in 10 said the same of one who has the best policy ideas. Having the right experience and being willing to work across the aisle were considered very significant for a Democratic nominee by about 6 in 10 voters. LATE DECIDERS Nearly half of Democratic primary voters in Virginia say they made up their minds just days before casting their ballots. Biden was aided significantly, with about two-thirds of those voters supporting his candidacy. DIVIDED BY RACE Black voters were far more likely to support Biden than any other candidate. Similar shares of Latino voters backed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Biden. Among white voters, about half supported Biden, while about 2 in 10 went for Sanders and about 1 in 10 each supported Mike Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren. Bloomberg dropped out of the race on Wednesday. DIVIDED BY AGE As in the primary contests so far, young voters in Virginia were behind Sanders. About half of those under 30 supported the Vermont senator. But Biden won about two-thirds of voters ages 45 and older, the majority of voters in the state. LARGELY UNIFIED AGAINST TRUMP A wide majority say they will definitely vote for the Democratic candidate against Trump in the general election. Still, about a quarter say their decision will depend on which Democrat is on the ballot in November. PRIMARY PROCESS SKEPTICISM Voters are skeptical that the Democratic Partys nomination process is fair. Just about 2 in 10 say they are very confident that the process for selecting a presidential nominee is fair. Roughly a third have little to no confidence, while nearly half say they are somewhat confident. DEBATING HEALTH CARE The campaign has featured a contentious debate among candidates over the best way to tackle health care, an issue seen as the most important facing the country by roughly a third of voters. There is majority support for a government-run health care system for all Americans, with nearly 6 in 10 voters saying they are in favour. Roughly 4 in 10 are opposed. But support for a public option, where every American could buy into a government-run insurance plan if they want to, is even higher. More than 8 in 10 are in favour. About half voters are in favour of either proposal, while about a third say they favour a public option but oppose a single-payer system. CLIMATE CHANGE, THE ECONOMY AND OTHER ISSUES Roughly 2 in 10 said climate change is the most important issue facing the nation. A wide majority about 7 in 10 expressed support for a tax on the use of carbon-based fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. About 2 in 10 also called the economy the top issue. But a significant majority described the economic system in this country as unfair. That includes one-quarter who said its very unfair. Small shares of voters considered race relations, immigration, gun policy or abortion most important. ___ AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 2,604 voters in Virginia was conducted for seven days, concluding as polls closed. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish. The survey combines a random sample of registered voters drawn from the state voter file and self-identified registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland woman will spend at least 25 years in prison after she killed a 27-year-old man in a robbery scheme that involved the dating app Plenty of Fish. Shakira Graham, 25, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with a chance at parole after 25 years. A jury on Feb. 28 found her guilty of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and several other felony charges in the death of Meshach Cornwall. Graham, a pastors daughter and mother of two young children, said in a brief statement during Tuesdays hearing that she maintains her innocence. Defense attorney Rufus Sims said they plan appeal the verdict. I want to give condolences to the Meshachs family, Graham said. I didnt go to trial to get away with murder, I went to trail to fight for my innocence, and I will continue to fight for my innocence. Cornwalls mother Jacquelyn Harrington said in a tearful statement that Cornwall was a loving son and friend who loved his job working for a car rental company. He never forgot a birthday, a Christmas, a Mothers Day, Harrington said. My life is filled with sorrow and pain and everlasting yearning for what I can never get back. Graham met Cornwall on the dating app on Dec. 15, 2018. Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Brian Radigan said during the hearing that Graham conned Cornwall into believing they had a relationship. Radigan said she set Cornwall up so she could rob him. Harrington, returning from a trip, found him dead of multiple gunshot wounds at the bottom of her basement stairs. Graham stole several guns, a TV and a 2009 Honda Accord after the shooting, according to prosecutors. U.S. Marshals arrested her Feb. 13, 2019 in Shaker Heights. This was a nonsense, clueless crime that happened for no reason, Radigan said. The irony is, if she wanted the stuff that she stole, he would have just given it to her. Thats the kind of person he was. Grahams father Curnell Graham, a pastor for the last 34 years, said he believes someone else killed Cornwall. I pray for her and I pray for [the Cornwall family], and I pray that the person who committed this act is found, Curnell Graham said. Read more from cleveland.com: Former vice president of Independence insurance company sentenced for bilking former employer Ohio man sentenced on weapons charge after authorities said he threatened AOC on Facebook 92-year-old man attacked, carjacked outside Cleveland church, police say Man arrested in deadly drunken-driving crash in Cleveland, police say By PTI NEW DELHI: Air India has asked passengers who travelled on February 25 with a person who tested positive for coronavirus, to follow Union Health Ministry protocols. The directive comes a day after the Health Ministry announced that a Delhi resident has tested positive for novel coronavirus, and asked the Air India crew who had flown the Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25 on which he was the passenger to stay in isolation at their homes for 14 days. ALSO READ: Coronavirus patient dined at Hyatt Regency in Delhi, hotel asks staff to self-quarantine "This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20," Air India tweeted. "One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus." The Health Ministry said on Tuesday that six cases with "high-viral load" were detected during sample testing in Agra and these people had been kept in isolation. ALSO READ: IndiGo crew members who flew with Hyderabad coronavirus-infected person placed in home observation The six people had come in contact with a 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday, and they include his family members. According to government sources, the man, who is a resident of Mayur Vihar, had visited them in Agra. The six have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for confirmation. A British woman who tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel where hundreds of tourists were placed in quarantine last week had been mixing with other guests for more than a week. Canary Islands authorities say the British holidaymaker was confirmed as a virus patient yesterday and is now in hospital. She becomes the sixth person to be infected at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace, following five Italians including the doctor and his wife who first sparked the scare. Authorities are now trying to work out how the infection could have occurred. Dozens of Britons have already returned to the UK after testing negative. Health chiefs in the Canary Islands confirmed the sixth person to test positive at the Tenerife hotel is a British woman who was mixing with other guests for more than a week. A spokeswoman for the regional health authority admitted the unnamed Brit had not been confined to her room for most of her week-long stay at the hotel, like other guests who were showing no symptoms of the virus and were only ordered to remain in their rooms on the day after the first tourist tested positive. The revelation will be a cause of concern to British tourists who were trapped in the hotel for several days before being allowed to fly home. A British woman has tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel (pictured) where hundreds of tourists were placed in quarantine last week Tourists look through a window of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel, which was placed on lockdown over a virus scare last week A bus carrying British tourists coming from the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel to the airport yesterday afternoon The sixth case was announced yesterday and confirmed by the BBC and Sky News today to be a British holidaymaker. A spokesman for the regional health authority confirmed yesterday evening: 'This latest case is a guest at the hotel who was being monitored but does not belong to the initial group of Italians. 'An investigation is underway to determine the source of the infection. 'As with the other five, this person has been transferred to a hospital to be quarantined. 'The other people who have tested positive remain in a good state of health.' A sixth person has tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel where British holidaymakers have been trapped (a guest gives the thumbs up from the window of the hotel) Regional health chiefs also confirmed 193 people had left the hotel by 6pm local time yesterday. They include locals living on the island and foreign holidaymakers who had tested negative for coronavirus and were showing no symptoms of the virus. British holidaymakers who checked into the H10 Costa Adeje Palace after the first Italians to test positive were taken to hospital, were given permission to start leaving on Thursday. Tour operators Jet2 and Tui both arranged flights for their customers who had tested negative to return home. Passengers on flight LS9010 from Tenerife landed at Manchester last night, and were pictured walking through arrivals wearing face masks. The tourists had expected to be stuck in the resort until March 10 after four guests were found to be infected, but have now been allowed to leave. Britons have been advised to 'self-isolate' in the UK until March 10 anyway, but are not being taken into quarantine in the Wirral - unlike British returnees from China and the Diamond Princess cruise ship. One of the confirmed cases in the UK, a parent at a Buxton primary school in Derbyshire, is known to have contracted the virus in Tenerife. Regional health chiefs said on Sunday that tourists who checked in after February 24 could leave as long as they fulfilled three key conditions which included their home countries 'guaranteeing' their safe return and their continued monitoring. A spokesman on the island said: 'They can leave the hotel and fly home as long as they fulfil these three conditions. 'The conditions are that they must be showing no symptoms of the virus, test negative in an analysis carried out 24 hours earlier, and their home nations must establish their return mechanisms and guarantee the continuity of their treatment once they return.' More than 120 people now have coronavirus in Spain. Madrid is the worst affected area with 29 cases. The Canary Islands president has promised there would no be repeat of the quarantine in the event of a new coronavirus outbreak at another large hotel in the area. It came as Britons cleared of infection were free to leave and landed at Manchester airport last night British holidaymakers who checked into the H10 Costa Adeje Palace after the first Italians to test positive were taken to hospital, were given permission to start leaving last Thursday. Those who were already in the hotel when the Italians were still there, were initially told they must stay till March 9. But on Sunday regional health chiefs said tourists who checked in after February 24 could leave as long as they fulfilled three key conditions which included their home countries 'guaranteeing' their safe return and their continued monitoring. Regional health chiefs confirmed 193 people had left the hotel by early Tuesday afternoon, though it said more departures were planned for later in the day. A spokesman for the Canary Islands' regional health authority confirmed in a statement that all six people who had been staying at the hotel, the British woman and the five Italians, were in 'a good state of health.' It said: 'The last case was confirmed yesterday/on Monday. 'It's a British woman, one of the guests at the hotel in the south of Tenerife, who has been hospitalised and isolated. 'She was and still is showing no signs of any symptoms and tested positive during the periodic tests that were being carried out inside the hotel where restrictive measures were in operation since Monday of last week. 'This person, who did not form part of the initial group of ten Italians where the first cases occurred, checked into the hotel on February 23 and the regional health authority is still investigating her direct and close contacts.' A spokesman said the British woman who had just tested positive had not been in isolation at the hotel because she had been showing none of the symptoms associated with coronavirus. Passengers on flight LS9010 from Tenerife landed at Manchester last night, and were pictured walking through arrivals wearing face masks On Sunday regional health chiefs said tourists who checked in after February 24 could leave as long as they fulfilled three key conditions which included their home countries 'guaranteeing' their safe return and their continued monitoring (arrivals at Manchester airport last night) After a first day of confusion last Tuesday in which guests were ordered to stay in their rooms after the first Italian tested positive, guests without coronavirus symptoms were told they could move freely around the hotel as long as they fulfilled certain conditions like wearing face masks. Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School, claimed at the time the situation at the Tenerife hotel was 'another Diamond Princess in the making'. Canary Islands President Angel Victor Torres confirmed on Tuesday there would no repeat of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace quarantine if authorities faced a similar situation in a local hotel. He defended the lockdown decision last week on the basis that it was in line with the advice of Spain's Ministry of Health at the time. But he added: 'Tourists want to know, if they come to the Canary Islands and coronavirus occurs in the hotel they're staying at, if they're going to be quarantined for 14 days. 'I can tell you that with the experience we've acquired in this case, other decisions would be taken.' Infectious diseases specialist Javier Arranz said last week people who had not been in close contact with those who tested positive for the killer virus and were showing no symptoms, would be allowed to return home if there was a similar scenario in the Balearic Islands. Mr Arranz, who is part of a regional Balearic Islands committee monitoring the coronavirus spread, rejected a major lockdown of British tourists in any coronavirus hotel outbreak in the popular holiday islands in an interview with Majorcan daily newspaper Diario de Mallorca. He said: 'With the co-operation of the hotel management and its employees, we will do detective work to identify which other people the infected person has been in contact with when that person had symptoms of a respiratory disease.' 'Active monitoring of those people who had close contact would be maintained for 14 mandatory days but no-one would be quarantined. 'The people who have not been in close contact with the person who tested positive and are showing no symptoms can lead a normal life and even return home to their own countries.' Fox has reportedly cancelled drama series Almost Family after a former model accused Oscar-winning star Timothy Hutton of raping her nearly four decades ago when she was 14 years old. Sera Johnston, now 50, made the bombshell claim in a Buzzfeed News report published on Monday. Hutton vigorously denies the allegations. Within hours, Fox cancelled the drama series after just one season, an insider told TheWrap. Canadian Johnston said she met Hutton in 1983 while he was in Vancouver filming Iceman, and that she and two friends were invited to the actor's hotel room at the Denman Place Inn. Once in the room, she said Hutton, who was 22 at the time, and one of his friends raped and sexually assaulted her. Johnson didn't take any legal action until 2017, at the height of the #MeToo movement. She said she didn't come forward until then because she didn't think anyone would believe her. She hired a lawyer to seek a $1.5million settlement from Hutton and the parties reached a $135,000 deal, before Johnson backed out because she couldn't stomach the fact that it didn't include an admission that the assault occurred. Actor Timothy Hutton (pictured, left, in May 2019) has been accused of rape by former model Sera Johnston (right) nearly four decades ago when she was 14 years old in 1983 Hutton starred in Fox drama Almost Family, which finished its first season in February. The show was reportedly axed after the allegations were published She went on to file a criminal complaint against Hutton with the Vancouver Police Department in 2018. That investigation is ongoing. Two years later, Johnson said she brought her story to Buzzfeed because she got tired of ignoring the voice in her head that was constantly telling her to let it out. A lawyer for Hutton responded to the new report by saying that the actor had never met Johnston and he 'completely and unequivocally' denies the 'fabricated' accusations. '[Hutton] will not spend one more minute dignifying these allegations as they are patently false and designed only to extort money from him,' the lawyer told Buzzfeed. He said Johnston's story contains 'patently false, scurrilous and defamatory statements' and said there is no evidence to support the 'salacious, heinous, and graphic details of this made-up sexual encounter that supposedly occurred 36 years ago'. Almost Family - which finished its 13-episode first season last month - starred Hutton as a fertility doctor who used his own genetic material to conceive dozens of children. Fox and studio Universal Television declined to comment to TheWrap about whether the cancellation was related to the allegations against Hutton. It had drawn 2.5million viewers according to Nielsen's 'most current' data. The show was already unlikely to be renewed, after failing to receive a back order and being left off the networks midseason schedule, Deadline reported. Johnston said she met Hutton, then 22, while he was in Vancouver filming Iceman, and that she and two friends were invited to the actor's hotel room at the Denman Place Inn. Once in the room, she said Hutton (above in 1983) and one of his friends raped and sexually assaulted her A lawyer for Hutton (pictured in May 2019) responded to a Buzzfeed report detailing Johnston's allegations by saying the actor 'completely and unequivocally' denied them Johnston said she was 14 years old when she and two friends from junior high began chatting with Hutton at a Vancouver restaurant in 1983. Already a working actress at the time, Johnson said spending time with her 'idol' Hutton, who had just won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Ordinary People, and his friends was a dream come true. 'It was like we were entertaining them cute. We were funny, you know what I mean?' Johnston told BuzzFeed, describing how she didn't think twice when Hutton suggested that she and her friends join his crew in his hotel room. It wasn't until they got to the room that Johnston began to feel the situation wasn't as innocent as she'd thought. As Hutton and his friends offered the girls drinks, Johnson took a seat by the TV before the actor sat down next to her. 'He was getting very close to me, like, you know, really kind of sidling up to me, and petting my legs and stuff,' she said. 'I was just, like: "I think this is going to be bad. I was really wrong about this."' Johnston said she was then led into Hutton's bedroom. She claimed he asked her if she'd ever had sex before one of his friends entered the room. She said she repeatedly told the men she wanted to leave, but they ignored her protestations, telling her: 'It'll be okay, it'll be okay. It won't last long, and you'll be fine.' She recalled becoming frozen with fear as the men undressed her 'like a doll' and described what they were going to do to her in an 'almost ritualistic' way. She claimed Hutton told her she would like it and that his friend was going to watch. Johnston said Hutton took his clothes off, got on top of her and thrust himself inside her as she begged: 'Please, don't do this. I can't do it. I can't.' 'It hurt like hell,' she said. 'I mean, it was very painful. God. Yeah, it was extremely painful. Horrible, horrible, absolutely horrible.' She said sometime during the assault Hutton's friend put his erect penis in her mouth, which was filled with train-track braces and rubber bands, as she cried for him to stop. Johnson said Hutton told his friend to stop, but then carried on himself and 'finished raping me'. The alleged assault occurred a couple years after Hutton won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Ordinary People. He is seen accepting the award in 1981 Johnson said the assault occurred at the Denman Place Inn in Vancouver (above in a file photo) To corroborate Johnson's story, Buzzfeed spoke to six people who confirmed that she had told them about the alleged assault over the years. One of those people was one of the two friends who was at the hotel with Johnson on the night when she said it happened. That friend signed an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, backing up her recollections. Another was Johnston's mother, who said that they had considered going to police at the time but feared her daughter would be blackballed from the film industry if she did. Buzzfeed also approached Hutton's lawyers, who tried to halt the publication of the story, the outlet claimed. The lawyers provided a 91-page letter explaining in-depth why Johnson's claims were not credible and accusing her of lying to extort money from Hutton. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Police Department is still investigating her claims, according to Johnston's attorney Neil Chantler. 'Lauren Johnston has great courage coming forward with her story and we are confident the justice system is going to hold the perpetrators to account for their crimes,' Chantler told Buzzfeed. 'The Vancouver Police Department is taking Ms. Johnston's case very seriously and has launched an investigation.' Ankara accuses Brussels of not living up to promises it made in a 2016 deal that almost halted refugee flow to EU. Turkey announced last week it would not block the passage of refugees wishing to head to Europe amid escalating violence in northwestern Syria and the risk of a fresh influx of hundreds of thousands of people from the war-torn country through its southern frontier. The move on Thursday threatens to unravel a deal Turkey signed with the European Union in 2016 to stop arrivals in the bloc in exchange for funds allocated to the handling of the millions of the refugees it hosts, among other benefits. Following the opening of the Turkish side of the border, which came hours after the killing of dozens of Turkish soldiers in Syrian government air raids, dramatic footage showing refugees trying to cross over sea and land into neighbouring Greece an EU member have been widely shared. Turkey had threatened many times in the past to go ahead with such a move, accusing the EU of not fulfilling its promises. We have been calling for a more equitable burden and responsibility-sharing for a long time, Hami Aksoy, the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman, told Al Jazeera. All our efforts contributed significantly to the security of Europe. However, our calls were ignored by the EU and member states. According to the United Nations refugee agency, Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide: close to 4.1 million, including 3.7 million Syrians and nearly 400,000 asylum seekers and refugees of other nationalities. Turkey also controls swaths of land in northern and northwestern Syria following the three operations it carried out in recent years targeting fighters it considers terrorists. Ankara has invested in schemes to redevelop these areas to facilitate voluntary returns for the refugees it hosts. We are the largest refugee-hosting country in the world since 2014, Aksoy said. If we take into account of Syrians in northern Syria, we practically assume the burden of more than nine million Syrians. According to the UN, Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide [Sedat Suna/EPA] EU should keep promises The EU-Turkey refugee deal, which was criticised by rights groups, came after a massive influx of refugees into the EU in 2015 and early 2016, when more than one million people arrived in the bloc by foot or boat. In 2019, that number stood at 123,663, including sea arrivals to Italy, Cyprus and Malta, and both sea and land arrivals to Greece and Spain. The European Commission said last year the number of irregular arrivals of refugees entering Greece had reduced by 97 percent since the implementation of the 2016 deal. At the heart of the 2016 agreement was the so-called one-for-one scheme, whereby Turkey would send a Syrian refugee into the bloc the for each one it accepted back from the Greek islands. The deal also included promises for loosening visa restrictions for Turkish citizens, the re-energising of Ankaras EU accession talks and upgrading of the customs union between the two sides. The Turkish government has argued that Brussels has not held its side of the agreement over these issues, even though it has fully complied itself. The EU also promised to grant six billion euros in two equal tranches to refugee-related projects in Turkey. In a statement to Al Jazeera on Monday, the Turkish foreign ministry said, of the first three billion euro instalment, a total of 2.47 billion euros had been released, with 2.15 billion euros used by organisations tasked with implementing the projects. 200301183607002 Ankara, however, says the EU has been slow in releasing the second part of the aid, noting that only 754 million euros have been released and 77.4 million euros used so far. The EU said that 2.4 billion euros of the total aid had been disbursed as of November 2019. On Sunday, as heavy fighting between Turkish and Syrian forces continued in Syrias Idlib province, where a government offensive has pushed nearly one million people towards the shut Turkish border, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to keep his countrys EU borders open. We will not close those doors Why? Because the European Union should keep its promises, Erdogan said. Addressing Turkeys concerns, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday she understood that Ankara is facing a very big challenge regarding Idlib. Still, for me its unacceptable that he President Erdogan and his government are not expressing this dissatisfaction in a dialogue with us as the European Union, but rather on the back of the refugees, she told reporters. For me, thats not the way to go forward. Tents housing internally displaced people in Atma camp in Idlib [File: Umit Bektas/Reuters] Humanitarian crisis Turkey, the UN and aid groups have warned of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis if the Russia-backed Syrian government offensive on Idlib, the countrys last rebel stronghold, does not stop. Damascus and Moscow say the military operation is aimed at removing terrorists from the region, in line with a 2018 de-escalation agreement reached between Russia, Iran and Turkey. The Hayet Tahrir al-Sham armed group, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that is considered by Russia and Turkey a terrorist organisation, controls a large portion of Idlib. 200301181623591 Aksoy said that if the situation deteriorates in northwestern Syria, the risk of a massive refugee inflow on Turkeys border will further increase. Latest developments in Idlib resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people to our border, Aksoy said. It has further increased the migration pressure on Turkey. In this respect, it is obvious that every country should respect their international obligations, should receive international protection applications of those arriving at their external borders and ensure their access to legal assistance and representation, he said, in an obvious reference to Greece. Following Turkeys EU border move, the Greek government announced it was freezing asylum applications as part of a series of measures aimed to increase deterrence at its eastern frontiers. Refugees and migrants walk in a dirty road heading to the Turkish-Greek border [Dimitris Tosidis/EPA] Conflicting figures On Tuesday, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter that more than 130,000 refugees had left Turkey for Greece. In contrast, Greek authorities argue that 139 people who entered Greece without documents have been arrested since Friday, adding that they stopped thousands of others before entry. 200229093245893 No one can cross the Greek borders. All those attempting illegal entry, are effectively prevented from entering. Numbers cited by Turkish authorities are entirely false and misleading, the Greek foreign ministry said in a recent tweet. The present situation is an active, serious, severe and asymmetrical threat to the national security of the country. These people are being used by Turkey as pawns to exert diplomatic pressure, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on the issue. Meanwhile, a senior Turkish official on Monday shared footage and photos purportedly showing hundreds of refugees passing or attempting to cross the border into Greece. [The] images and video footage cast serious doubt about the data available to the Greek foreign ministry, the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were scheduled to go to the border with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday. Meanwhile, EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner Janez Lenarcic were due in Turkey for a two-day visit. Follow Umut Uras on Twitter: @Um_Uras A prayer meet was held in the city on Tuesday for the people of China where the death toll in the deadly coronavirus disease has reached 2,943. Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Zha Liyou joined the prayer meet as did the spiritual leaders from all religions. An overwhelmed Liyou said he had prayed that the disease be defeated soon. The prayer meet was organised by the Rakshak Foundation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vernon Kay has launched an extraordinary attack on Jack Black, branding the Hollywood star a pig-faced 'c**k' who behaved like an 'absolute d**k' in interviews. The 45-year-old TV personality has revealed that he met and interviewed the Hollywood star, 50, on numerous occasions during his stint on the show T4 in the early 2000s, and found their interactions left a lot to be desired. In an interview published by The Sun, Vernon is quoted as saying: 'I dont know whether hed had a hangover or whether it was because I was either the first or last interview of the day but he was horrible. He was an absolute d**k, an a******e.' Telling: Vernon Kay, right, has launched an extraordinary attack on Jack Black, left, branding the Hollywood star a pig-faced 'c**k' who behaved like an 'absolute d**k' in interviews The Manchester native continued in his rant: 'When youre so rude, arrogant, and pig-faced to a young TV presenter, whos so nervous and trying to hone his skills, and youre so arrogant to dismiss that, its just not on. 'He was just a c**k. I interviewed him three or four times for various films. I interviewed him for Gullivers Travels, for School of Rock, for Shallow Hal and a couple of others and he was just the same every time.' And, according to The Sun, Vernon is hopeful his cutting words capture the attention of Jack, as he added: 'I hope he reads it, and let this be a lesson to Jack Black.' T4: Vernon, pictured with former co-host June Sarpong, has revealed that he interviewed the Hollywood star on numerous occasions during his stint on the show T4 in the early 2000s MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jack Black and Vernon Kay for comment. On a more celebratory note, Vernon's wife of 16 years Tess Daly, 50, recently shared a loved-up snapshot of the pair together to mark a staggering 20 years since they celebrated their first Valentine's Day together. The Strictly Come Dancing host, who shared the image on her Instagram acount, captioned the post: 'Happy 20th Valentines @vernonkay.' Tess and Vernon have been married since 2003, and have two daughters together; Phoebe, 15, and Amber, 10. Stars: Vernon appears to have had more positive interactions with other stars. In January, he shared a snap of himself with actor John Travolta when he travelled to the US 'He was horrible!' Vernon is quoted as saying: 'I dont know whether hed had a hangover... but he was horrible' (pictured presenting T4 in 2002) 'He was just a c***': I interviewed him for Gullivers Travels, for School of Rock (pictured in 2003), for Shallow Hal and he was just the same every time In November, Vernon was forced to clarify his marital status when a fan queried whether he and wife Tess had been 'living separate lives' due to not sharing photos of one another in recent months. Writing underneath a picture of his daughters at the beach, the presenter was quizzed by one of his concerned followers, 'feels like you and @tessdaly are living separate lives. I hope not. Love you guys.' However, the TV star was quick to fire back, insisting their private family pictures didn't need to be in the public domain. Mr and Mrs: Vernon's wife Tess Daly recently proved she's barely aged a day since meeting her husband, after she posted a rare throwback snap from early days of their romance Sweet: The presenter shared the classic snap to mark 20 years since she celebrated her first Valentine's Day with Vernon Vernon wrote: 'Pictures of our family life are all labelled nicely on an iPad or in Apple photo books for us to share, as a family. 'No need to invite the world into our home life, some do, but it's not for us. We are 100 [per cent]. Thanks for asking.' One of his followers replied: 'Good for you. Just because you and Tess are in the public does not mean you can't have a private life. 'Stay strong you two lovely people (not that I know you both!!) But from one human to another stay strong.' Happy: Tess and Vernon have been married since 2003 and have two children; Phoebe, 15, and Amber, 10 (pictured at the National Television Awards in January) The couple have been stronger than ever in recent years after their marriage hit the rocks in 2010, as Vernon made a public apology to his wife after a set of saucy messages to glamour model Rhian Sugden emerged. Vernon promised live on BBC Radio 1 that he would no longer contact Rhian or the four other women he had been caught messaging at the time. It was then revealed the pair had got back in touch in 2015 with Vernon sending hundreds of texts asking to 'reconnect' with the model. Speaking in December 2017, Strictly Come Dancing host Tess told The Times: 'All marriages have their moments. Marriage is a work in progress. Vernon and I are just people, at the end of the day.' 'Great Awokening': CPAC panelist says 'woke' culture is seeking 'salvation from the mob' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland A panelist at the 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference warned Friday that being woke is like seeking salvation from the mob as liberal activists are promoting authoritarianism to push their political agenda. With the theme of CPAC 2020 being America vs. Socialism, several panel discussions throughout the four-day conference focused on the political lefts seeming embrace of socialist-like candidates, attitudes and policy ideals. One panel discussion that took place Friday morning was titled: Socialism & The Great Awokening. The discussion was moderated by the American Conservative Union's Communications Director Ian Walters. Among six participants in the discussion were BlazeTV host Jon Miller, a conservative African American, and Brandon Straka, the founder of the WalkAway Campaign. The campaign encourages liberals to walk away from the divisive tenets endorsed and mandated by the Democratic Party of today." Miller, who penned an op-ed last year arguing that being conservative is the new black, was asked what it means when people talk about being woke. That is a term that was I believe coined by Erykah Badu in 2008, Miller explained. Its a term that means that you are generally aware of how it is to be socially, politically correct. And, you are aware of how to talk to people, and you use the right gender pronouns, and you are accepting, and you are tolerant and you use all these crazy words like Ze and Zir to define people." Miller warned that the mantra of being woke is a way to oppress people who speak normally. It is a way to basically suppress people for living the way they want, Miller said. Conservatives who basically have a more traditional worldview are being oppressed by people who want to control their language, they want to control their ideas. The title of the panel, Miller said, is a play on the Great Awakening, a period of Christian spiritual revival that took place in the American colonies during the 1700s. That was a spiritual revival that gave people a sense of spirituality and gave them a sense of personal sin and the need to be redeemed and salvation from God, Miller explained. Now, its salvation from the mob to the sense that if you say that you love this country, you say that America is the greatest country in the world and say that America was not evil and indecent from its inception, you dont have a voice. If you say you dont believe there is 5 million genders, you dont have a voice. Miller stressed that the Great Awokening is happening with the same kind of fervor that was had during the Great Awakening. I think that in the same way the Great Awakening kind of sparked the revolution, the Great Awokening is going to actually destroy the country, Miller contended. Miller urged conservatives to fight back and reverse all the destruction that these people have done to the country. Straka, a gay former liberal, joined in the discussion. He said that he doesnt think it's an exaggeration to claim that the U.S. is at the crossroads of a possible calamity. This election I think is the most important election, certainly, of my lifetime and possibly in American history, Straka said. We have two candidates who exist on two polar opposites of the spectrum. One is fighting for the traditions of America that have made America a great capitalist, free-market society, Straka said. The other is fighting for a fringe leftist social [agenda]. I am just going to go ahead and assume it is going to be Bernie Sanders. Straka said he created the WalkAway Campaign to encourage people to post on social media their political voice and testimonials about why they are not supporting the Democrat Party. There is no longer any excuse for the liberal media defining the narrative of who you are and what it means to be a Trump supporter or a conservative Republican, Straka said. They can call you a racist. They can call you a bigot. They can call you whatever you want. But it is up to you to use your voice and take the narrative back of what it means to be a Trump supporter and a conservative. Walters explained that some people today will try to shut down a political debate by calling conservatives racist. You can call anyone a racist and then immediately, you dont have to argue with them, Miller said in disgust. You know it is nonsense when they are calling people like me racist. The amount of times I have been called racist, the amount of times I have been called white nationalist, it shows that they are full of it and their arguments are full of holes. They bring nothing to the table. Their war chests are empty, Miller continued. And we are able to at least provide people with the strength to know that we are the majority. We are going to fight to win and we will not be silenced by these thugs, by these communists, by these socialists, who are literally trying to introduce authoritarianism to introduce their vision. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Following an emergency declaration by the city last week in response to the novel coronavirus, San Francisco city leaders announced on Monday they're preparing for possible cases. During a news conference inside City Hall, Mayor London Breed, along with Department of Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax, said the city's health department will begin testing for the virus at city facilities, in order to detect and thwart the virus faster. Because there have been no cases so far in the city of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Mayor Breed urged the public not to become alarmed, but rather to take precautions. "It's important that we don't panic. It's important that we get the right information, and that we work with the public to address this situation," she said. "We don't want anyone to jump to any conclusions or to jump to fear, because we know that fear will make it possible that less likely, people will come forward when symptoms do occur," she said. Colfax said, once the health department begins testing, the department will be able to see test results faster. "Our lab will conduct tests seven days a week, with a one-to-two day turnaround time. Previously, all the testing that was done on San Francisco residents had to be sent to the (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control laboratories in Atlanta, and there was a three-to-seven day turnaround time. But now, we will get answers faster," he said. "Because we are testing more, and more people will get tested more frequently, we are likely to diagnose a case very soon," he said. However, Colfax said, there won't be on-demand testing for residents at this time, as the testing kits from the CDC are limited. For now, if a primary healthcare provider suspects a patient might have the virus, providers will consult the public health department, which will then consult with the CDC before testing can start. The tests will be at no extra cost to the patients, Colfax said. In addition, Colfax said the city is also taking steps to prioritize the health of the city's most vulnerable populations: senior citizens and the homeless. Currently, the health department is reaching out to patients with chronic diseases and complex medical needs, encouraging them to see their physicians now and to make sure they have medication for the next three months, in order to free up the city's healthcare system. Additionally, medical professionals are working with nursing homes to ensure that staff and residents are trained to recognize the symptoms of the coronavirus, in order to provide a rapid response. Colfax also said the health department is working with the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to provide outreach at shelters, Navigation Centers, residential treatment centers and other places. Also starting this week, the city has activated more than 50 additional disaster service workers, which includes analysts, administrative staff, bilingual employees and public information officers, as well as others, all trained in the city's incident command system. The virus has spread considerably fast worldwide since it broke out in Wuhan, China in December. According to the World Health Organization, as of Monday there have been 88,948 cases confirmed globally and 3,043 people have died from the virus. For more information about the coronavirus, residents can visit www.sfdph.org. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A man has been airlifted to safety after spending more than a day trapped in his car in western Queensland floodwaters, as remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Esther threaten to bring further heavy rain and storms to already drenched parts of the state's interior. The Roma-based rescue helicopter flew to the Castlereagh Highway near St George on Tuesday morning, about 500 kilometres west of Brisbane, to help the man aged in his 70s. The rescue comes as the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for parts of Channel Country and the state's north-west. Credit:LifeFlight Rescue A dry section of the highway was found about 500 metres around a bend from the man's car for the pilot to land. "The aeromedical team walked to the water's edge and signalled a safe pathway to the man," LifeFlight said in a statement. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 15:02:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 774 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Patriot Gold Corp. (CSE:PGOL)(OTC:PGOL) Patriot Gold Corp ("Patriot") announced that it has completed Phase I of a three-phase drilling exploration program at the Windy Peak Project in Churchill County, Nevada. The Phase I drilling program commenced in December 2019 and consisted of ten (10) drillholes dispersed throughout the Windy Flats North exploration target area, an area of known anomalous gold occurrence. Historic information indicates that mineralization in the Windy Flats North area is likely associated with a volcanic pipe or vent, as evidenced by volcanic breccia routinely encountered during drilling. This offers a reasonable, if tentative, conceptual deposit model on which to base drilling exploration plans at this time, given the limited amount of existing data and information.Phase I was designed to determine the lateral extent of the mineralization at Windy Flats North by stepping out approximately 300 ft from closely spaced historic drilling results. Of the ten (10) holes drilled, eight (8) encountered gold intercepts greater than or equal to 10 feet with gold grades greater than 0.1 g/t. These intercepts may slightly exaggerate the true thickness of mineralization given the vertical orientation of the holes and moderate dip to the east of the mineralized zone.Significant gold intercepts for Phase I are presented in Table 1. The highest gold grade encountered was 2.58 g/t in PG19-002 between 155 and 160 feet. No significant silver grades were encountered.Table 1. Windy Flats North, Phase I Significant InterceptsDrilling results at Windy Flats North suggest that the mineralization is open to the northeast along strike and down-dip, thins to the north and south, and is closed to the west by intersection with an erosional surface presently overlain by thick overburden. Patriot considers the historic drillhole results validated by the 2019 drilling, and interprets the 2019 drill results as a positive indication of potential mineralization at depth in the northeastern portion of the Windy Flats North target area.About Patriot Gold CorpPatriot is exploring its 100%-owned gold projects in Nevada, which include the Windy Peak gold project, Rainbow Mountain gold project, and Vernal gold project. Patriot owns a 3% royalty in the Moss Mine in Arizona, now in commercial production. Patriot also owns a 2% royalty in the Bruner gold project in Nevada.On Behalf of the Board of PatriotTrevor NewtonPresident, DirectorContact: 702-456-9565Qualified Person:The foregoing technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and verified by Zachary J. Black, Director and a Qualified Person ("QP") for National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects).The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.Disclaimer: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include statements in relation to the timing, cost and other aspects of future plans, objectives or expectations of Patriot Gold Corp. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Patriot's plans include the risk that actual results of current and planned exploration activities will not be consistent with Patriot's expectations; the geology, grade and continuity of any mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; fluctuating metals prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests; availability of capital and financing required to continue Patriot's programs and preparation of geological reports and studies; delays in the preparation of geological reports and studies; general economic, market or business conditions; competition and loss of key employees; regulatory changes and restrictions including in relation to required permits for exploration activities (including drilling permits) and environmental requirements; timeliness of civil government or regulatory approvals; and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Patriot with securities regulators. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Patriot has made numerous assumptions, including that Patriot's future exploration programs will proceed as planned and within budget. Patriot expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. More information is included in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may be accessed through the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov SOURCE: Patriot Gold Corp. Press release Paris La Defense, 3 march 2020 2019 annual results Revenue up 18% and EBITDA up 12% Continued increase in the share of renewables in the energy mix, to 67% ESG performance: entry into the Top 20 of the energy sector, with an 8-point gain in the Vigeo Eiris rating Albioma's Board of Directors, chaired by Frederic Moyne, met on 02 March 2020 and approved the Group's consolidated financial statements for the 2019 financial year. "We are today reporting solid results, with revenues up 18% to 505.7 million and EBITDA up 12% to 182.9 million. These results demonstrate the expertise of our teams and Albioma's long-term robustness thanks to the good performance of our thermal and solar power plants, combined with an excellent operational year for the Group's new biomass facilities in overseas France and Brazil. By the end of 2019, the share of renewable energy in our mix will reach 67%. In line with the objectives set out in the Paris Agreements, our Group will continue its drive for ever more environmentally friendly operations to achieve an energy mix of at least 80% renewable energy by 2023, in particular through the 100% biomass conversion of our thermal power plants in overseas France, already underway in Guadeloupe. The clear improvement in our extra-financial performance was recognised by an 8-point gain in our Vigeo Eiris rating, which places us in the Top 20 of our sector," comments Frederic Moyne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Albioma. Consolidated key figures for 2019 In millions of euros (audited figures) 2019 2018 (reported) Change % Revenue 505.7 428.3 +18% EBITDA 182.9 162.6 +12% Net income 54.2 53.6 +1% Net income, Group share 44.1 44.2 - Up 18%, revenue stood a 505.7 million (19% excluding the effect of fuel prices), thanks to: the contribution of new facilities: Galion 2 in Martinique, the Saint-Pierre combustion turbine in Reunion Island and Esplanada in Brazil, the increase in fixed premiums due to contractual indexation, riders to contracts signed with EDF, consolidation scope effects related to the acquisition of Eneco. Story continues These items offset the contractual reductions in the historical fixed premiums of the Reunion Island power plants. In line with the revenue trend, EBITDA for the year rose by 12% to 182.9 million. Highlights Operations Excellent performance at all facilities Very good operational year for the new installations (Galion 2 in Martinique, combustion turbine in Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island, and Esplanada in Brazil) Development Finalisation of IED works in Guadeloupe and Reunion Island Beginning of conversion works at Albioma Caraibes (Guadeloupe) Construction of 14 MWp of photovoltaic power plants (100 plants including 9 with storage) First network service project winner of the CRE call for tenders in Mayotte France Thermal Biomass Very good availability of the thermal power plants in overseas France and excellent performance of new power plants The availability of the thermal power plants in France stood at 88.2% in 2019 (compared with 87.9% in 2018), impacted by scheduled outages - contractually compensated by EDF - related to the finalisation of IED works on Reunion Island (last unit of Bois-Rouge) and Guadeloupe (Le Moule). For its first year of operation, the 100% bagasse/biomass plant, Galion 2, has an excellent availability rate (91.8%), as does the combustion turbine operating on bioethanol in Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island (92.0%). Total electricity production from the thermal power plants in overseas France is on the rise (2,061 GWh compared with 1,874 GWh in 2018), thanks in particular to the new plants: excluding the effect of commissioning, production is stable compared with 2018. EBITDA for the business is up 11% compared with 2018 (123.6 million). Construction and development of projects The works related to the modernisation investments in existing installations (fume treatment) has been finalised. Annual maintenance outages, during which the Bois-Rouge and Le Moule plants continued the programme of works to make their fume treatment systems compliant with the European Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), were carried out under very good conditions. Works began in 2019 to convert the Albioma Caraibes plant to run exclusively on biomass before the end of 2020. At the Port of Guadeloupe site, the pellet storage dome has now been completed. The work will reduce emissions by more than 265,000 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent (a net decrease of around 87% compared with current coal operation), and will thereby increase the renewable portion of Guadeloupe's energy mix from 20% to 35%. Solar power Significant increase in production and commissioning of new plants Electricity production from the Solar power business amounted to 121 GWh, compared to 92 GWh in 2018. This strong increase is mainly due to the consolidation scope effect, following the acquisition of Eneco's French subsidiary in December 2018, favourable sunshine conditions in mainland France and the production from the installations commissioned, notably on Reunion Island (Port Ouest, 1.3 MWp with storage), Mayotte and Guadeloupe (Sainte Rose, 3.3 MWp with storage). Excluding the scope effect related to the acquisition of Eneco, production is up 5% compared with 2018. EBITDA for the business totalled 36.3 million in 2019, up 21% compared with 2018 (30.1 million). Project development Confirming its position as the leader in solar power in overseas France, the Group has continued to build photovoltaic power plants there and is planning to commission the 1.25 MWp plant with storage at Stade de l'Est on Reunion Island in the near future. Furthermore, Albioma was announced the winner of a 7.4 MW battery power storage project with a capacity of 14.9 MWh during the first call for projects organised by the French energy regulatory commission (Commission de Regulation de l'Energie - CRE) , relating to storage facilities in Mayotte. This innovative project will provide an arbitration service for the grid operator by drawing electricity, especially during periods of strong sunshine, and reinjecting it later, during peak consumption times. The load transfer will provide flexibility to the electricity system and increase the penetration of renewable energies on the Mayotte network and in particular solar power. It is scheduled to begin operating in 2021. Mauritius Excellent performance from the plants Facilities in Mauritius reported 91.8%, compared with 85.4% in 2018. Electricity production grew from 1,084 GWh in 2018 to 1,200 GWh in 2019. EBITDA for the business was 2.6 million (corresponding to the share of net income of equity-accounted companies) in 2019 (compared to 3.1 million in 2018). Brazil Scope effect related to the consolidation of the Esplanada plant and the very good operating performance of the facilities Production in Brazil is up 64% to 391 GWh compared with 238 GWh in 2018. The contribution of Esplanada, acquired on 21 December 2019, largely explains this increase. The two plants Rio Pardo and Codora Energia performed well, supported by higher cane volumes compared with 2018 (3.4 Mtp vs. 2.7 Mtp in 2018). In addition, the approval of the judicial recovery plan of the sugar partner adjacent to our Rio Pardo plant enabled a favourable restructuring of the sugar refinery's balance sheet. EBITDA increased to 10.7 million in 2019 compared with 6.5 million in 2018. Project development Ahead of the initial schedule, the Group's fourth Brazilian unit, Vale do Parana (48 MW installed eventually, 40% owned) is scheduled to be commissioned at the end of the first half of 2020. A strong balance sheet to finance growth Consolidated gross financial debt increased in particular as a result of debt raised to finance projects (IED, biomass conversion, new photovoltaic power plants) and to refinance the solar assets acquired following the acquisition of Eneco's French subsidiary, with new non-recourse project debt. It amounted to 938 million at the end of 2019, as against 846 million at the end of 2018. Projected debt is 834 million (as against 702 million at the end of 2018). The net debt / EBITDA 12 moving month ratio improved to 4.3x at 31 December 2019 (compared with 4.6x at 31 December 2018). The Group's cash and cash equivalents, including security deposits, amounted to 165 million as at 31 December 2019 compared with 98 million as at 31 December 2018.Consolidated net financial debt was 773 million (compared with 747 million at the end of 2018). Dividends The Board of Directors will submit to the Shareholders' Meeting a proposal to distribute a dividend of 0.70 per share, up 8% compared with 2019, with an option for 50% to be paid in new shares. This proposal is part of a dividend growth policy with a distribution target of around 50% of net income (Group share) excluding exceptional items. 2020 objectives For 2020, the Group announced its targets for EBITDA of 200 million to 210 million and net income (Group share) of 48 million to 54 million. Outlook The Group plans to invest between 450 and 650 million over the period 2020-2023 while maintaining a solid financial structure. Next on the agenda: revenue figures for the first quarter of the 2019 financial year, on 27 April 2020 (after trading). About Albioma Contacts An independent renewable energy producer, Albioma is committed to the energy transition thanks to biomass and photovoltaics. Albioma operates in Overseas France, France metropolitan, Mauritius and Brazil. For 25 years, it has developed a unique partnership with the sugar industry to produce renewable energy from bagasse, the fibrous residue of sugar cane. Albioma is the leading producer of photovoltaic energy in Overseas France, where the company builds and operates innovative projects with storage, Albioma has strengthened its position in mainland France. Investor Julien Gauthier +33 (0)1 47 76 67 00 Media Charlotte Neuvy +33 (0)1 47 76 66 65 presse@albioma.com Albioma shares are listed on NYSE EURONEXT PARIS (sub B) and eligible for the deferred settlement service (SRD) and PEA-PME plans (ISIN FR0000060402 ticker: ABIO). The Group is also included in the Gaia-Index, an index for socially responsible midcaps. www.albioma.com Attachment Coronavirus: Delhi govt sets up 230 beds in isolation wards at 25 hospitals India pti-PTI New Delhi, Mar 03: A day after a Delhi man tested positive for the new coronavirus, the AAP government said Tuesday it is taking all steps to contain the spread of the virus and earmarked 230 beds in isolation wards being set up at 25 hospitals, as several city schools sent advisories to parents listing precautionary measures. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials and took stock of government preparations to contain the virus. Kejriwal also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the possible spread of the virus in the national capital. "The rising problem of coronavirus was also discussed in the meeting with the prime minister... The central government and the Delhi government will work together to prevent the outbreak of this deadly disease (COVID-19). We have to work together so that it can be prevented," Kejriwal said. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the city government was trying to get in touch with people who could be infected or were in contact with the man infected with the virus. Before reporting himself to RML Hospital authorities and after returning to India from Italy, the man had dined at a restaurant at a five-star hotel on February 28. The hotel said it has asked staff, who were present that day, to go on self-quarantine for 14 days, the disease's estimated incubation period. The hotel said it has enacted elevated precautionary operational protocols as advised by the government. "Government authorities recently confirmed that an individual who dined at La Piazza restaurant at Hyatt Regency Delhi on February 28, 2020, has been diagnosed with COVID-19," Hyatt Regency Delhi Area VP and General Manager Julian Ayers said in a statement. "All colleagues who were present at the restaurant on February 28, 2020, have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Hyatt Regency Delhi has also started to conduct daily temperature checks for all colleagues and contractors when they enter and exit the building," Ayers said. The Delhi health minister said 3.5 lakh N95 masks were being arranged and the government has 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients. "COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic," Jain told reporters after the meeting, flanked by Sisodia. "We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals. 230 beds have been earmarked for coronavirus patients," he said. Alerted by coronavirus cases being reported in Delhi-NCR, schools in the region have sent out advisories to parents suggesting that they do not send their wards to classes even if they have mild cough or cold. The schools said they may declare holidays if the need arises. Two private schools in Noida cancelled classes on Tuesday for the next few days as a precautionary measure after a student's father (the man from Delhi) tested positive for the virus. The virus has spread to over 60 countries and killed more than 3,100 people since its outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December. Over 90,000 have been infected. The central government has stepped up its effort to screen people at airports for symptoms of coronavirus infection and suspended regular and e-visas to nationals of four affected countries Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - After serving more than two years as the UNs Special Representative in charge of finding a way to a lasting peace in war-torn Libya, Ghassan Salame, who also heads up the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), handed in his resignation on Monday, citing failing health caused by the immense stress of the job MIAMI, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Living Systems ("ILS") and its subsidiary, Florida Community Care ("FCC"), announced today its significant and rapid market expansion to over 10,000 Medicaid members statewide, the vast majority of whom are dually eligible for Medicare. FCC was founded in 2018 and provides integrated long-term care services statewide to Florida's Medicaid enrollees. In addition to long-term care services, FCC's programs integrate social services to address social determinants of health and delivers person-centered care through health benefits and wellness programs. "This milestone in our Plan's growth is a testament to our dedication to those we serve. FCC is committed to providing the highest quality of care to our members and to continuously exceed the status quo in providing exceptional person-centered health and long-term care," said FCC CEO, Nestor Plana. FCC leverages the support and experience of its parent company, ILS. ILS has over two decades of experience delivering care management, provider network services and administrative services to health plan clients across the country. ILS' history and instrumental role in developing long-term care programs in Florida have led to FCC's success as the state's first Long-Term Care Plus PSN. FCC focuses on partnerships with nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home and community-based organizations, and caregivers to enhance its ability to deliver value-based managed long-term care services. "Providing quality person-centered care remains at the top of our agenda. We strive to keep our members in the communities of their choice, support and foster independence and improve health outcomes to achieve a better quality of life for our members," said Josefina Carbonell, President, Florida Community Care. FCC, selected by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) as a Long-Term Care Plus Plan, was recently accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This distinguished accreditation was awarded to FCC for meeting nationally recognized standards set forth by AAAHC for the provision of quality heath and long-term care. About Florida Community Care: Florida Community Care ("FCC") is a Provider Services Network (PSN), contracted to provide Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) and Long-Term Care (LTC) services across the state of Florida, sponsored by FCC and the State of Florida, Agency for Health Care Administration. FCC serves the long-term-care eligible individuals, focusing on preventing unnecessary admissions into institutionalized settings and fostering independence by connecting members to community resources that meet their long-term care needs and addressing social determinants of health. For more information, visit www.fcchealthplan.com. About Independent Living Systems: Independent Living Systems ("ILS") is a health care services company that provides a range of health care management services on behalf of health care plans, health systems, providers, and community-based organizations nationwide. ILS provides member-centric health and support solutions to millions of America's Medicare, Medicaid, Dual Eligible, and Special Needs populations including those requiring Long-Term Services and Supports. For more information, visit www.ilshealthservices.com. Media Contact Mari Netto VP Marketing, ILS [email protected] SOURCE Florida Community Care/Independent Living Systems Related Links http://www.ilshealthservices.com Electricity imports from Russia, Belarus suspended in Ukraine media 09:40, 03.03.20 1896 Traders in January 2020 imported 17.9 million kWh of electricity from Russia and 93 million kWh from Belarus. Bank of England governor Mark Carney has warned of a potentially large economic shock from the coronavirus outbreak. However, he told MPs on the Treasury Select Committee that the impact will ultimately prove to be temporary. The governors comments come as the ministers latest plans revealed that up to a fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick at the peak of a coronavirus epidemic. Across the country, 51 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed while globally, 3,000 people have died from the respiratory disease caused by the virus. Mr Carney said NHS workers, carers and public health officials were on the front line of tackling coronavirus. The Bank of Englands role is to help UK businesses and households manage through an economic shock that could prove large but will ultimately be temporary, he said. Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Show all 16 1 /16 Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A man wearing a protective mask walks past the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A gondolier on the Grand Canal as the sun sets in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A local pulls a trolley as she leaves a street food market in Venice, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. A U.S. government advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to Italy due to the spread of a new virus is the "final blow" to the nation's tourism industry, the head of Italy's hotel federation said Saturday. Venice, which was nearing recovery in the Carnival season following a tourist lull after record flooding in November, saw bookings drop immediately after regional officials canceled the final two days of celebrations this week, unprecedented in modern times. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Locals wait for a mass at the barely empty San Salvador church in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. A coughing Pope Francis told Italy, pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing that he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold. It is the first time in his seven-year papacy that he has missed the spiritual exercises that he initiated early in his pontificate to mark the start of each Lenten season. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks take photographs in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks look at their smartphones as they have a break at the St. Mark's square in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A couple stand at the Rialto bridge during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. Reuters Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty water bus after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists shelter against the rain with umbrellas as they walk in the empty St. Mark's Square during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondolas are parked on a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP The Bank will take all necessary steps to support the UK economy and financial system, consistent with its statutory responsibilities. He added that he has been holding a series of discussions with the chancellor and said the Bank is ensuring all necessary contingency plans are in place. Mr Carney said the financial system was prepared for an economic shock thanks to stress tests regularly carried out on banks balance sheets. The tests simulate a range of potential shocks, including a dramatic economic slowdown in China and Hong Kong. The Chinese economy has been impacted significantly by the virus with factories shut down and planes grounded, delivering a knock-on effect for companies that source goods and materials from China. We dont know whats going to happen, Mr Carney said. Certainly the situation we are entering, the economic situation we are entering because of the virus we didnt run a stress test against that specific situation but we can learn from the stress tests weve been carrying out since 2014 about the resilience of the institutions against that type of risk. Banks have considerable capital and strength with which to support businesses through the shock resulting from coronavirus, the governor said. its not just lending to businesses ... for new investment or expansion, it can be working capital and other very essential aspects for businesses who know that this is a difficult but ultimately temporary situation. Recommended Coronavirus could see fifth of UK workers off sick He added: We would want the banks to be able to use their balance sheets in order to support their customers and, by extension, support the economy. The Bank of England will also look at facilities it can provide to help support lending to small and medium-sized businesses, Mr Carney said. Asked by Labour MP Angela Eagle about the impact of coronavirus on UK workers, including those on zero-hours contracts or working in the gig economy, Mr Carney refused to be drawn. I dont want to lead the government, but these are considerations we all need to take into account, he said. Greggs chief executive Roger Whiteside said on Tuesday that its staff would be paid for their contracted hours if they had to self-isolate because of the virus. Our default position is that we pay contract hours. We dont have any zero contract hours, he told the BBC. Wetherspoons said last week that its 45,000 employees would be paid statutory sick pay if they isolate themselves. Statutory sick pay is 94.25 per week for workers who have been off for more than four days. In an incident with eerie similarities to the plot of Hollywood blockbuster Gone Girl, a man from Kendrapada, Odisha, who served a one-month jail term on charges of killing his wife in 2013, has managed to track the woman and her lover with the help of police after seven long years. Abhaya Sutar, Kendrapada's Chaulia village married Itishree Moharana on February 7, 2013. But after only two moths of marriage she was reported missing from her in-laws' house. Abhaya, who was 27 then, failed to find her and filed a missing-person report with the police on April 20, 2013. Itishree and Rajiv Moharana A month later though, Itishree's father Prahallad Moharana lodged a counter-complaint, alleging that his daughter has been tortured by her husband for dowry and that Abhaya has dumped her body after killing her. This led to Abhaya's arrest. On being released on bail a month later, Abhaya, who suspected Itishree of eloping with someone, began his long search for her. He at last tracked her to to Pipili, where she was living with her lover. Soon police was contacted by Abhaya and other sources, and they soon went to Pipili and detained Itishree and her paramour, Rajiv Lochan Maharana. Both were produced in the court of the sub-divisional judicial magistrate in Kendrapada on Monday. In her statement, Itishree said she had been in an affair with Rajiv before marriage but her parents forced her to wed Abhaya, said Sujit Pradhan, IIC of Patkura police station. After two months of marriage, Itishree had fled with Rajiv to Gujarat and have been living there for seven years, Pradhan added. The couple, who have a son and a daughter, had recently returned to Odisha. Rajiv works as an auto-rickshaw driver in Bhubaneswar. Abhaya was quoted saying, "When police could not locate my wife, I started looking for her. I visited places where I thought she could have gone. On getting information that she was staying with her lover in Pipili, I called police. I am happy that I have been able to prove my innocence after seven years." Appointment 3 March 2020 After serving last year on the Los Angeles HSMAI Chapter social media committee, the HSMAI board was impressed with Towsley's innovative approach to social channels, culminating in her nomination for the vice president of social media. This appointment is a two-year term. Towsley is an experienced hospitality executive with more than 26 years of industry experience and 15 years as a hotel marketing professional with internationally recognized organizations such as Hilton Hotels. Additionally, she has earned several digital marketing certifications including a Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM) through HSMAI, and Certified Internet Marketer (CIM) though the International Marketing Association. She currently manages leisure and group social media campaigns for Clairvoyix's numerous client properties. A legal challenge by three residents of Dublins embassy belt to the constitutionality of fast track planning laws could derail plans for over 16,000 housing units. The litigants, who include billionaire financier Dermot Desmonds wife Pat, are opposed to plans for more than 600 apartments on former RTE land. But their case also has implications for dozens of other proposed large scale housing developments around the country currently being considered by An Bord Pleanala. The High Court action was initiated on Friday by Mrs Desmond, former Irish Sugar managing director Chris Comerford, and businessman John Gleeson, all of whom live on Ailesbury Road in Dublin 4. In a statement issued to the Irish Independent, they said they were challenging the legality of the fast track strategic housing development process introduced by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. This allowed developers submit planning applications for large developments directly to An Bord Pleanala, which usually deals with planning appeals, instead of first having to lodge them with a local authority. The law was introduced as a temporary measure in 2017 to speed up the planning process, with the Government estimating it could shorten by a year the timeframe within which a final decision can be made. However, lawyers for Mrs Desmond, Mr Comerford and Mr Gleeson are set to argue the law is unconstitutional and having a detrimental effect on communities around the country. Their case is against the Housing Minister, Ireland and the Attorney General. If it is successful, there would be major ramifications for efforts to increase Irelands housing stock. There are currently 47 strategic housing development applications, for a total of 15,700 housing units, awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanala between now and June. The list does not yet include the 611 apartments and three townhouses Cairn Homes wants to build on a 3.5 hectare site in Donnybrook bought from RTE in 2017 for 107.5m. An Bord Pleanala gave Cairn Homes the green light last October to submit its plans for the site, but it has yet to do so. In their statement, the litigants said the fast track law operated outside the normal democratic planning governance framework that is subject to checks and balances, transparency and accountability. They said the right of the public to participate in the planning process in any meaningful way, and the right to appeal, had been removed. They claimed the law would not just have a detrimental effect on their homes but also on many communities around the country. The litigants said they were in favour of fully and properly integrated sustainable development, but claimed current housing and planning policy was flawed. Instead of delivering appropriate and sustainable housing for families, first time buyers and downsizers, it favours build to rent schemes and development types that attract investment funds and financial market speculators, the statement said. Cairn Homes declined to comment. The Air Force is reviving the name "Jolly Green Giant" for its newest combat search-and-rescue helicopter, the HH-60W. It's a fitting tribute, not only to the helicopter that saved so many American and allied lives during the Vietnam War, but also to the pararescue jumpers who risked their lives so that others might live. On Feb. 6, 1967, Airman 2nd Class Duane D. Hackney was one of those pararescuemen. While he was in the back of one of the Air Force's original Jolly Green Giants, an unarmed HH-3E, the crew got a call about a downed pilot. The pilot's Cessna O1-F Bird Dog went down near the Mu Gia Pass, deep inside North Vietnam and a key crossing point into Laos for the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Dangerous missions were nothing new for the pararescue crews of the Vietnam War, and for Hackney in particular. He enlisted as a PJ in 1965 and flew his first rescue mission on his third day in Vietnam. On his 10th combat mission, he was seriously wounded, hit in the leg with a .30-caliber round while extracting a wounded Marine. Read: In Vietnam-Era Throwback, New Air Force Rescue Helo Is the 'Jolly Green II' To avoid getting grounded by doctors, he asked one of his fellow PJs to extract the bullet for him. It would not be the last time he looked certain death in the face. In all your life, you will never look this cool. (U.S. Air Force) During his nearly four-year tour in Vietnam, he would fly some 200 rescue missions. Hackney's helicopters were shot down five times. His astonishing record of saving lives would earn him more than 70 medals for bravery, including 28 for valor, 18 Air Medals, a Silver Star, a Purple Heart and an Airman's Medal. The mission at Mu Gia Pass, in the face of withering enemy fire, might not have been anything new for then-Airman Hackney, who was exceptionally accustomed to putting his life on the line for those he would rescue. But for this mission, he would become the first living recipient of the Air Force Cross. Two sorties had already been dispatched in an attempt to rescue the downed pilot, Capt. Lucius Lamar Heiskell, but turned back because of bad weather. As the sun went down that day, two HH-3s, one with Hackney aboard, went out to make one last attempt. Once Heiskell was located, the Jolly opened its doors and Hackney went out to hoist the wounded pilot to the hovering aircraft. According to "Leave No Man Behind: The Saga of Combat Search and Rescue," the wounded pilot hugged Hackney once inside the Jolly and said, "You're beautiful." "Hey, man," replied Hackney, "I'm not the stewardess." Then all hell broke loose. Ground fire erupted from the surrounding area, all directed at the two hovering helicopters. When a 37mm anti-aircraft shell hit his HH-3, Hackney immediately took off his parachute and put it on his patient, with no regard for his own safety. As he went to grab a chute for himself, another 37mm anti-aircraft round blew a fireball through the bird -- and hit the fuel line, blowing Hackney out of the aircraft. He had barely managed to get the new chute around himself before he fell some 200 feet. Somehow, Hackney was able to pull the cord from the unstrapped chute just in time to hit the jungle canopy, where he fell another 80 feet. He finally came to a stop on a ledge. He was severely wounded by shrapnel and covered in burns when he landed. Hackney evaded enemy troops moving in on his location and made his way to the wreckage of his helicopter. He found he was the only survivor. Newly-promoted Airman 1st Class Duane Hackney receives the Air Force Cross. (U.S. Air Force) The other Jolly Green Giant had to leave the area due to the heavy enemy presence. Hackney waited for another aircraft to pass over the site. He finally saw an A-1 Skyraider pass by, so he fired a flare to get its attention. Helicopters were then sent in to pick him up. Hackney spent a total of 26 years in the Air Force and retired in 1991 as a chief master sergeant. He was the most decorated enlisted airman ever to serve. He died in 1993 of a heart attack at age 46. -- 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. (Bloomberg) -- Cyber-adversaries of the U.S. refined their techniques to become more effective at hacking in 2019, according to the cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike Inc. Hackers in countries including China, North Korea, Iran and Russia have improved their techniques in the last year, finding ways to attack that yield more bang for their buck, said Adam Meyers, vice president of intelligence at Crowdstrike, which released an annual review of cyberthreats on Tuesday. For most of those countries, that included an increased focus on targets such as telecommunications, which have far-reaching uses, he said. In addition to telecommunications, hackers based in China targeted the health-care sector in 2019, likely for the purpose of corporate espionage, according to the review. Chinas hackers also targeted government and defense sectors of neighboring countries, as well as Tibetans, Uighurs, and Hong Kong protesters, according to the review. Operations based in North Korea were some of the most active last year, with cyber-attacks in South Korea, India and the financial sector elsewhere, according to the review. Other North Korean hacks targeted the U.S. and Japan and were aimed at gathering intelligence about sanctions and nuclear issues, Crowdstrike said. The report comes after the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Monday on two Chinese nationals allegedly involved in laundering stolen proceeds from a 2018 hack of a cryptocurrency exchange -- an operation linked to a North Korea-backed hacking group. Crowdstrike also cited government-linked hackers in Iran for stepping up cyber-attacks in the U.S., and Russian hackers for targeting Ukraine last year, for the likely purpose of gaining an edge in diplomatic negotiations or on the battlefield. Two countries not normally associated with major cyber capabilities were active last year, Crowdstrike said. Vietnam has developed an economic espionage program while India-linked hackers appeared to target Pakistan. Story continues Criminal hackers also showed increased sophistication in 2019, according to Crowdstrike. Ransomware was a significant threat, with individual attacks holding computer data hostage for prices as high as $12.5 million -- a massive increase over the ransoms seen previously, according to Meyers. There are so many more ransomware actors, and they are going crazy, he said. To contact the reporter on this story: Alyza Sebenius in Washington at asebenius@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew Martin at amartin146@bloomberg.net 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. By running in the election, Tulsi Gabbard continues to make an invaluable contribution: She highlights the power of the military-industrial-Congressional-media complex and its rejection of any candidate willing to challenge it. Gabbards status as a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard, her service in Congress on the House Armed Services Committee, her military deployments to Iraq: all of this is downplayed or dismissed. Meanwhile, Mayor Petes brief stint in Afghanistan is celebrated as the height of military service. Whats the difference between them? Mayor Pete plays ball with big donors and parrots talking points of the Complex Tulsi doesnt. In a recent op-ed for The Hill, Tulsi yet again does America a service by calling out red baiting in Americas elections. Heres how her op-ed begins: Reckless claims by anonymous intelligence officials that Russia is helping Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are deeply irresponsible. So was former New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergs calculated decision Tuesday to repeat this unsubstantiated accusation on the debate stage in South Carolina. Enough is enough. I am calling on all presidential candidates to stop playing these dangerous political games and immediately condemn any interference in our elections by out-of-control intelligence agencies. A news article published last week in The Washington Post, which set off yet another manufactured media firestorm, alleges that the goal of Russia is to trick people into criticizing establishment Democrats. This is a laughably obvious ploy to stifle legitimate criticism and cast aspersions on Americans who are rightly skeptical of the powerful forces exerting control over the primary election process. We are told the aim of Russia is to sow division, but the aim of corporate media and self-serving politicians pushing this narrative is clearly to sow division of their own by generating baseless suspicion against the Sanders campaign. Tulsi is right here and shes right when she says that: The American people have the right to know this information in order to put Russias alleged interference into proper perspective. It is a mystery why the Intelligence Community would want to hide these details from us. Instead it is relying on highly dubious and vague insinuations filtered through its preferred media outlets, which seem designed to create a panic rather than actually inform the public about a genuine threat. All this does is undermine voters trust in our elections, which is what we are constantly told is the goal of Russia. She also accurately notes how the corporate media will do everything they can to turn the general election into a contest of who is going to be tougher on Russia. This tactic is necessary to propagandize the American people into shelling over their hard-earned tax dollars to the Pentagon to fund the highly lucrative nuclear arms race that the military-industrial complex craves. Tulsi Gabbard may not be in the democratic race much longer, but thats not because she lacks guts. Indeed, her willingness to buck the system and her commitment to making the world a less militaristic place make her a notable candidate. Shes been a noble voice crying in a corrupt and self-serving wilderness. Tehran: A member of a council that advises Irans supreme leader died Monday from the new coronavirus, becoming the highest-ranking official within the Islamic Republics Shiite theocracy to be killed by the illness ravaging the country. The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi came as Iran announced the virus had killed at least 66 people among 1,501 confirmed cases. There are now 1,700 cases of the new coronavirus across the Mideast. Of those outside Iran, most link back to the Islamic Republic, which after China has the highest death toll from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus. After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities now say they have plans to potentially mobilize 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. Yet experts still worry Irans percentage of deaths to infections, now around 4.4%, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be much higher than current figures show. Saudi Arabia and Jordan meanwhile announced their first cases of the virus Monday. Mirmohammadi, 71, died at a north Tehran hospital of the virus, state media said. His mother had reportedly died of the coronavirus in recent days as well. Mirmohammadi, though not particularly well-known to the Iranian public, served as a top official in the presidencies of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ali Khamenei, now the countrys supreme leader. The state-run IRNA news agency described Mirmohammadi, whose father also once served on the Expediency Council, as having a close relationship to Khamenei. The Expediency Council advises the supreme leader, as well as settles disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, Irans constitutional watchdog that also oversees the countrys elections. The 45-member Expediency Council, which also includes former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and officials close to Khamenei, last met in February with Mirmohammadi on hand. Mirmohammadis death makes him the highest-ranking official within Irans theocracy to be killed by the virus. The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. Those sick 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. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei, himself addressing journalists by teleconference over concerns about the virus, acknowledged the challenges remaining for the Islamic Republic. We will have two difficult weeks ahead, he said. Health Ministry spokesman Ali Reza Raisi, who gave the new figures for the virus Monday, said that Irans armed forces and its Basij, the all-volunteer arm of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, stood ready to mobilize 300,000 troops to help combat the virus. Already, Guard vehicles have been spraying disinfectant on streets in major cities. Those troops would help sanitize public areas, as well as running down leads on who infected people had contacted before falling ill, Raisi said. Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, no relation to the health ministry official, acknowledged some people had begun stockpiling medical supplies for profit in the country. He urged prosecutors to show no mercy for hoarders. Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with peoples lives and it is not ignorable, Raisi said. KC Osborne and Drew Brauer tied the knot on Monday's episode of Married At First Sight. But fans are already convinced they've split, after the couple's post-wedding Instagram posts raised eyebrows. Less than two hours after saying 'I do', KC and Drew uploaded photos from their nuptials but notably did not tag each other. Telling clue: KC Osborne (left) and Drew Brauer (right) tied the knot on Monday's episode of Married At First Sight, but fans are already convinced they've split KC and Drew, who filmed their wedding in October, were one of two new couples introduced on Monday, alongside Seb Guilhaus and Elizabeth Sobinoff. Not only did they fail to tag each other in their posts, but they did not mention each other by name at all. Instead, they referred to each other as 'wife', 'she', 'hubby', etc. Sharing the love? Less than two hours after saying 'I do', KC and Drew uploaded their wedding photos to Instagram but notably did not tag each other Hmm! Not only did they fail to tag each other in their posts, but they did not mention each other by name at all. Pictured: KC's Instagram captions What went wrong? Neither KC nor Drew commented below each other's posts, which is commonplace when MAFS couples are still together. Pictured: Drew's Instagram captions Furthermore, neither KC nor Drew commented below each other's posts, which is commonplace when MAFS couples are still together. While KC 'liked' her husband's three posts, Drew has not returned the favour as of Tuesday afternoon. They are still following each other on Instagram, but all the MAFS cast members are obliged to do this for contractual reasons. Something to tell us? While KC 'liked' her husband's three posts, Drew has not returned the favour as of Tuesday afternoon KC worked as a professional dancer and actress in Los Angeles for 10 years before returning to Sydney to find true love. The MAFS relationship experts matched KC with 'down-to-earth' Drew, a musician and charity founder from Cairns. Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine Arya Vaidya Pharmacy here has signed an MoU with Central Council for Research In Aryurveda System (CCRAS) to conduct Phase III Multi centric clinical trial on rheumatoid arthritis in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The union government has come forward to fund the first ever such trial on the efficacy of Ayurveda in managing rheumatoid arthritis and the study would be done by AVP Research Foundation in collaboration with CCRAS, Foundation Chairman P R Krishnakumar told reporters on Tuesday. The study was based on a pilot study by AVP in 2003, the outcome of which was published in leading research journals like Annals of Rheumatic Diseases and Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, he said. The Centre has come forward to take this study to the next level as part of positioning Ayurveda as a forefront medical system capable of handling various conditions, including auto-immune disorders, he said. The agreement to pursue the study was signed between Krishnakumar and Dr Shashidhar Doddamani, representing CCRAS here recently, he said. Ayurveda Research Institute for Metabolic Disorders, Bengaluru and Raja Ramdeo Anandilala Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Cancer, Mumbai, will be the clinical sites for the 36 week study on 200 people with fresh cases of the disease, he said. Krishnakumar said the study was designed by world renowned rheumotologist Dr Daniel Furst, currently the Director of Clinical Research at Arthiritis Associtaion of South California, who would also mentor it. The AVP Group has also initiated a clinical trial on the efficacy of Ayurveda on management of diabetes, he said. The study will be executed in Lativa in collaboration with the University of Lativa and be the first of its kind, where efficacy of Ayurveda in the management of Diabetes population outside India, Krishnakumar said. (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 The initial public offering (IPO) of Antony Waste Handling Cell, the municipal solid waste management company, will be launched on March 4. The issue will remain open for three days till March 6. Equity shares are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE. Equirus Capital Private Limited is the sole book-running lead manager to the issue. Here are 10 key things to know before subscribing to the public issue: About the Issue The IPO consists of a fresh issue of up to Rs 35 crore and an offer for sale of up to 57 lakh equity shares by selling shareholders. Leeds (Mauritius) will sell up to 13,90,322 equity shares, Tonbridge (Mauritius) 20,85,502 shares, Cambridge (Mauritius) 7,69,917 shares and Guildford (Mauritius) 14,54,259 shares through offer for sale. The company has fixed a price band at Rs 295-300 per share for the issue. Bids can be made for a minimum lot of 50 equity shares and in multiples of 50 shares thereafter. Issue Size Antony Waste is aimed at raising Rs 203.15 crore - Rs 206 crore at lower and higher end of the price band of Rs 295-300 per share. Issue Objective The company proposed to utilise the net fresh issue proceeds for reduction of the consolidated borrowings by infusing debt in subsidiary - AG Enviro Infra Projects for repayment / prepayment of a portion of their outstanding indebtedness, and general corporate purposes. But it will not receive any proceeds from the offer for sale, which will go to selling shareholders. Company Profile Antony Waste is one of the top five players in the Indian municipal solid waste (MSW) management industry with an established track record of 17 years, providing full spectrum of MSW services which includes solid waste collection, transportation, processing and disposal services across the country, primarily catering to Indian municipalities. The company is among the key players in the landfill construction and management sector with in-house expertise. It is also present in the emerging waste management segment in India which is MSW-based WTE. The company primarily undertakes MSW collection and transportation (C&T) projects, MSW processing projects, and mechanised sweeping projects. Its portfolio of 17 ongoing projects as on January 1, 2020, comprised eleven MSW C&T projects, two MSW processing (including WTE) project and four mechanised sweeping projects. All the 17 ongoing projects have started generating revenue. The company is currently undertaking projects for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the Mangalore Municipal Corporation (MMC), New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). It is also undertaking a project for Jaypee International Sports. As of January 1, 2020, Antony had a fleet of 1,089 vehicles. It procures the components of vehicles mostly from leading international suppliers, such as BUCHER Municipal AG and Compost System GmbH, who have been amongst preferred vendors for over four years. Strengths > It is a leading service provider in MSW management sector with end-to-end capabilities. > It has an established track record of 17 years in executing solid waste projects. > Having undertaken more than 25 projects as of January 1, 2020, of which 17 are ongoing, it has a demonstrated track record as a comprehensive service provider equipped with the resources to handle large-scale projects for municipalities and private players. > It has a de-risked business model with a diverse portfolio of projects. > It has a strong base of modern and well-maintained fleet of vehicles. > It has experienced promoters and management team with strong domain expertise. Strategies > The company intends to capitalise on the growth opportunities in the MSW management sector by continued focus on bidding for MSW projects. > It intends to continue with rational selection of projects and strategically expand geographical footprint. > The company has been moving up the MSW value chain by increasing presence in the emerging waste management areas in India like WTE domain. > It intends to continue to focus on improving project execution and operational efficiencies in order to maintain credentials as well as profit margins. Financials Antony Waste reported a 13.7 percent decline in profit at Rs 34.42 crore for the year ended March 2019 and 2.81 percent fall in FY18 profit at Rs 39.88 crore, while revenue from operations increased 2.7 percent to Rs 283.7 crore in FY19 and 0.13 percent to Rs 276.14 crore in FY18 respectively. Operating numbers remained better than its topline and bottomline. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 9.2 percent to Rs 76.18 crore in FY19 and 7.6 percent to Rs 69.75 crore in FY18 with margin rising 160 bps in FY19 and 176 bps in FY18. For the six-month period ended September 2019, the company reported profit at Rs 37.84 crore on revenue of Rs 218.62 crore. Promoters Jose Jacob Kallarakal, Shiju Jacob Kallarakal and Shiju Antony Kallarakkal are the promoters of the company, who hold 20.41 percent stake, 5.82 percent and 0.14 percent respectively as per draft prospectus. Currently, the promoters together hold 51.10 percent stake in the company. Other promoters are Antony Garages Private Limited and Antony Motors Private Limited which hold 7.82 percent stake each, while Tito Varghese Kallarakkal has 5.65 percent shareholding. Investors The rest 48.9 percent stake is held by investors including Guildford (Mauritius) - 22.83 percent stake, Cambridge (Mauritius) - 12.08 percent, Tonbridge (Mauritius) - 8.15 percent and Leeds (Mauritius) 5.43 percent. Investors Leeds (Mauritius) and Tonbridge (Mauritius) are expected to almost exit the company by selling 13,90,322 equity shares and 20,85,502 shares through this public issue, while Cambridge (Mauritius) will sell 7,69,917 shares and Guildford (Mauritius) 14,54,259 shares through offer for sale. Management Jose Jacob Kallarakal is the Chairman and Managing Director of the company, while Shiju Jacob Kallarakal is the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. Karthikeyan Muthuswamy is the Nominee Director, while Ajit Kumar Jain, Suneet K Maheshwari and Priya Balasubramanian are independent directors on the board. Among others, Tarjindar Singh is the Chief Operating Officer of the company and is also an employee of subsidiary - AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Limited. Harshada Rane is the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of the company. On Tuesday March 25, 1919 a Sydney court fined 19-year-old Eileen Leigh 20 shillings for not wearing her face mask on a tram. Her alternative to paying todays equivalent of an $80 fine was seven days in jail. The NSW government had mandated masks be worn in trains, trams, ferries, lifts and on crowded streets on February 3, just days after it announced the state had been infected by pneumonic influenza, or the Spanish Flu. A group of volunteers prepare to go door-to-door to help people afflicted with Spanish Flu in Brisbane in 1919. From the end of January, NSW began imposing a series of stiff regulations banning public assembly that would eventually extend to theatres, picture shows, churches, schools, dancing halls, skating rinks, billiard saloons and libraries. People with the disease who were not hospitalised were confined to their homes and S.O.S cards were distributed to put in their windows to signal if they needed medical help or food. The Easter Show was cancelled and the borders with Victoria and Queensland were closed. Soon all states would shut their borders to each other, creating chaos and derailing interstate trade. Western Australias blockade was so complete it stopped the mail. Unemployment soared. Australian fintech Airwallex is raising more funds from investors as $27 million remains frozen in Hong Kong bank accounts after the company was involved in alleged fraud. The real-time payments platform was valued at over $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) last year, making it a tech 'unicorn', after it raised $US100 million from high-profile investors DST Global, Sequoia Capital China, Tencent, Hillhouse Capital, Gobi Partners, Horizons Ventures and SquarePeg Capital. Co-founder Lucy Liu confirmed Airwallex was seeking more funds. "We are in the process but I can't give you any more details," she said. Lucy Liu is a co-founder of Australian tech unicorn Airwallex. Credit:Wayne Taylor Ms Liu indicated the startup was likely to be seeking a similar amount to the $100 million it raised in March last year. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO NEWSWIRE SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS TORONTO, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MPX International Corporation (MPX International, MPXI or the Company) (CSE:MPXI; OTCQX:MPXOF) today reports financial results for its first quarter, the three month period ended December 31, 2019. All figures are presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Recent Highlights: Completed definitive agreements to establish high quality, low cost production centre in South Africa Upgraded to the OTCQX Best Market, providing potential for increased exposure to US investors and liquidity MPXI accelerated the acquisition of the remaining 80% interest of ( KAAJENGA Cannabis ) securing an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty free licence to the Medical Cannabis Learning Network (the MCLN ), a turnkey video learning and engagement platform for the cannabis industry, available at http://mpxi.tv ) securing an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty free licence to the Medical Cannabis Learning Network (the ), a turnkey video learning and engagement platform for the cannabis industry, available at Launched its first beleaf CBD retail experience in London and its flagship Holyweed CBD retail store in Geneva, establishing its retail footprint in Europe MPX Australia was awarded a Cannabis Manufacture Licence and Medicinal Cannabis Licence by Australian Office of Drug Control Strengthened senior management team adding Karl Bartolo (GM of Malta) and appointing former British American Tobacco Board Member, Jean-Marc Levy, to its advisory team These milestones are more than a list of accomplishments; they are the actualization of our global strategy to become a premier global cannabis producer. They are also a reflection of the momentum we continue to experience as we further advance each distinct part of our operations to create a successful vertically integrated entity, said W. Scott Boyes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MPXI. From our domestic operations in Canada, to our other operations spanning the globe, we are executing on the initiatives that will drive our sustainable long-term success. MPXI Labs in Nyon, Switzerland provides us with our greatest source of near-term revenue growth, with nearly 90,000 kgs of sun-grown certified organic cannabis harvested in the fall of 2019 and ready for processing, said Mr. Boyes. In Canada, we are also seeing our revenue start to grow, another indicator of how our plans are coming together. While it has only been mere months since we have been able to sell directly into the Canadian market, our increasing sales combined with our ability to leverage the Medical Cannabis Learning Network, and Spartan Wellness, affirms our expectations that these revenue streams in Canada will continue to generate sustainable increases going forward. Mr. Boyes said. Apart from Europe and Canada, we continue to gain traction in our other global operations. That we were able to complete the definitive agreements for our Joint Venture in South Africa firmly establishes our low-cost high-quality production centre for biomass. This biomass will fuel our operations in Malta, our production hub for Salus BioPharma products that will ultimately make their way into the rest of Europe. We have laid the groundwork, navigating multiple regulatory jurisdictions to create unique first mover opportunities, concluded Mr. Boyes. We are seeing the fruition of these results start to percolate in our first quarter results and are excited to continue on the journey as we work to further grow MPXI. Financial Overview The key financial measures indicated below were used by management in evaluating and assessing the performance of MPXIs business for the fiscal first quarter of 2020. A more detailed discussion of these and other metrics, as well as operational events, can be found in the Companys Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) filed on www.sedar.com . Net Revenue For the three months ending December 31, 2019, MPXI reported net revenue of $616,309 (three months ending December 31, 2018: $256,572). Revenue was mainly driven by sales in Spartan and Holyweed. Gross Profit Gross profit before adjustment for the unrealized gain in the fair value of biological assets for the three months ending December 31, 2019 was $551,605 which represents a gross margin of 88.2%. Gross profit after adjustment for the unrealized gain in the fair value of biological assets was $1,416,848 which represents a gross margin of 226.5%. The unrealized gain in fair value of biological assets relates to cannabis plants at the Canveda facility and in Switzerland. Gross profit before adjustment for the unrealized gain in the fair value of biological assets for the three months ending December 31, 2018 was $239,321 which represents a gross margin of 93.3%. Gross profit after adjustment for the unrealized gain in the fair value of biological assets was $525,065 which represents a gross margin of 204.6%. The unrealized gain in fair value of biological assets relates to cannabis plants at the Canveda facility. Operating Expenses General and administrative expenses were $3,863,381 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $815,074 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Overall, the increase in general and administrative costs for the three months ended December 31, 2019, was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits, office and general, consulting fees relating to the integration of Canveda, Spartan, and Holyweed as well as costs associated with the Companys continued growth. Professional fees increased to $845,051 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $317,530 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. This increase in professional fees is due to the change in volume and complexity of accounting and legal services required by the Company driven by acquisitions and growth. These fees include expenses related to audit, advisory, legal work, government and investor relations, consulting and costs associated with the board of directors. As part of the Companys incentive stock option plan, the Company recognized $40,172 of share-based compensation for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $195,682 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The Company granted stock options to employees, consultants, directors and officers of the Company under the Companys stock option plan on February 26, 2019, May 29, 2019, September 19, 2019 and February 11, 2020. Amortization and depreciation expenses increased to $1,453,547 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $91,741 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in amortization and depreciation relates primarily to the intangible and capital assets associated with the Canveda facility along with impact of IFRS 16 regarding treatment of leases. Other income and expenses Other income was $85,707 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to other expenses of $583,883 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Net Loss After Tax Net loss after tax was $4,456,065 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a loss of $1,478,845 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $4,513,936 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a loss of $949,794 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. About MPX International Corporation MPX International Corporation is a multinational diversified cannabis company focused on developing and operating assets across the global cannabis industry with an emphasis on cultivating, manufacturing and marketing products which include cannabinoids as their primary active ingredient. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, MPX Internationals objectives and intentions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in MPX Internationals public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , including its audited annual consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the corresponding annual managements discussion and analysis; and other matters discussed in this news release. Although MPX International believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, MPX International disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please contact: MPX International Corporation W. Scott Boyes, Chairman, President and CEO T: +1-416-840-3725 info@mpxinternationalcorp.com For additional information on MPXI visit our website www.mpxinternationalcorp.com or http://mpxi.tv . Prime Minister Narendra Modi stirred up a storm on social media on Monday when he announced he's considering the possibility of giving up all social media handles. In a tweet from his official Twitter handle, Modi said, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted." This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2020 The tweet, which spread like wildfire across all social media platforms, elicited responses from across the political spectrum. Modi's political rival and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was one of the first people to respond. Gandhi used the opportunity to mock the Prime Minister saying, "Give up hatred, not social media accounts". Give up hatred, not social media accounts. pic.twitter.com/HDymHw2VrB - Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 2, 2020 This maybe for 1. Students as exams are coming up 2. He is genuinely angry with leftists who are using all these platforms to destabilise India's growth story. 3. Both of the above. https://t.co/DkMQ4whdPC - Ashu (@muglikar_) March 2, 2020 My take - Some India based social media platform will be launched and @narendramodi ji would move there, taking along his millions of followers. What do you think? https://t.co/UZftkaG9Eo - Anuradha Goyal (@anuradhagoyal) March 2, 2020 #NoSir Please rethink your decision. It will be difficult for us to express our feelings to you. Only this is the way you are in direct contact with normal citizens. You are like "Shiva of Kailash" who is never deviated nor disturbed. @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/zOY2pxZkfi - karthi Thondamuthur (@karthiabvp) March 2, 2020 Me when @narendramodi ji told he is going to leave social media account.#NoSir pic.twitter.com/bIPMB9hSQZ - Maddy (@Madhavkoolkarni) March 2, 2020 #NoSir Plzzz sir you don't do that. You r one of the best source of my inspiration. We love you sir pic.twitter.com/wfuhOoMWJ5 - Abhishek Singh Sunny (@isinghsunny) March 2, 2020 If PM @narendramodi leaves Twitter ,Facebook, Instagram, YouTube all social media accounts Then i will also leave all social media accounts #IWillAlsoLeaveTwitter#NoModiNoTwitter #PMModi #NarendraModi - Arti pandey (@Artipan45739599) March 2, 2020 Nahi ho paayega. Main khud 3-4 baar try kar chuka hun - Sagar (@sagarcasm) March 2, 2020 Haan aur phir ek account Tik-Tok par bana lo aap..apka udhar bahut scope hai - IRONY MAN (@karanku100) March 2, 2020 Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal to meet PM Modi in Parliament today Californias judiciary, already among the most diverse in the nation, has become even more so under Gov. Gavin Newsom, who appointed a majority of women and nonwhites to the bench in his first year in office, the state Judicial Council reported Monday. It was the 14th straight year of increased diversity for the states courts, the council said. Since taking office in January 2019, Newsom has appointed 16 judges, 11 of them women and nine nonwhite. Newsom has not yet appointed anyone to the state Supreme Court but will have a vacancy to fill when Justice Ming Chin retires on Aug. 31. The courts seven current justices include one African American, one Latino and three Asian Americans; three are women. As of December, the council said, 37.6% of the judges in California were women, compared with 27.1% in 2006. During the same period, white judges declined from 70.1% to 65.6% of the total, while Latinos increased from 6.3% to 10.9%, African Americans from 4.4% to 7%, and Asian Americans from 4.4% to 7.9%. Judges were also asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity, and more than 75% responded, the council said: 1.5% said they were lesbian, 1.9% gay, 0.1% bisexual, 0.1% transgender, 71.8% heterosexual and the rest did not reply. Former Gov. Jerry Brown set new diversity records for the state with his 644 judicial appointments from 2011 to 2019: 44% were women and nearly 40% identified themselves as nonwhite, according to the governors office. Nearly 6% were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In 2018, the Judicial Council said, women made up more than half of Browns nearly 200 judicial appointees, and nonwhites accounted for 41%. 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. During Browns first eight years as governor, from 1975 to 1983, he appointed the nations first openly gay and lesbian judges, and also named the state Supreme Courts first woman, Chief Justice Rose Bird; its first Latino, Cruz Reynoso; and its first two black justices, Wiley Manuel and Allen Broussard. His appointments in his last eight years included the state appeals courts first openly gay and lesbian justices, James Humes and Therese Stewart, both serving in San Francisco. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 10:20:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 875 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MESQUITE, NV / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Cannabis Sativa, Inc. (OTCQB:CBDS) announced today that PrestoDoctor ( https://prestodoctor.com/) has received an award as the top cannabis telemedicine company in Missouri by MOCann BizCon+Expo, being held March 2, 2020-March 3, 2020 in St. Louis, MO. "PrestoDoctor is proud to be recognized as a progressive leader and innovator in the cannabis telemedicine community", said co-founder and COO Rob Tankson. "We deliver over 5 years of experience, compassionate licensed physicians and a world-class patient support team. "PrestoDoctor is anticipating robust demand in the newly-opened Missouri market and we plan to continue to meet the needs of the Missouri cannabis telemedicine community". PrestoDoctor has provided medical recommendations to over 100,000 patients in five states to date. Get your Missouri medical marijuana card online by simply visiting prestodoctor.com , scheduling your secure video chat appointment, and conversing with one of our board-certified doctors. You can jumpstart the process now by scheduling a same day or future appointment.Follow this link to our 10k+ reviews: https://trustspot.io/store/PrestoDoctor to see affirmation of PrestoDoctor's commitment to customer support.PrestoDoctor recently launched a strategic billboard campaign in Missouri. Click here to see if any are on your commute.How to get a Medical Marijuana card in Missouri online through PrestoDoctorGetting a Missouri medical marijuana card is a process that involves speaking with a doctor and filling out some quick online state paperwork. To become a Missouri medical marijuana patient, you can first talk with one of our doctors (100% online via secure video chat) to see if you qualify and we will help you through the application process.Qualifying Conditions:Before you begin the process, it is first important to understand if you have a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card. Here are some conditions that may qualify you for the program:In the professional judgment of a physician, any chronic, debilitating or other medical condition (including, but not limited to, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, Huntington's disease, autism, neuropathies, sickle cell anemia, agitation of Alzheimer's disease, cachexia, and wasting syndrome)A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson's disease, and Tourette's syndromeDebilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress order, if diagnosed by a state licensed psychiatristA chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to physical or psychological dependence, when a physician determines that medical use of marijuana could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medicationCancerEpilepsyGlaucomaIntractable migraines unresponsive to other treatmentHuman immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndromeA terminal illnessDocumentation Needed:When registering with the state after your appointment, you'll need to provide one of the following items to show proof of Missouri residency:Missouri Drivers LicenseMissouri Identification CardCurrent Missouri Motor Vehicle RegistrationRecent Missouri Utility Bill*Some other evidence of residence in Missouri, which may be approved or denied by the director of the Missouri Medical programTalk to our doctors to get your Missouri medical marijuana card online:Simply visit prestodoctor.com to schedule your secure video chat appointment and talk to one of our board-certified doctors to get your medical marijuana recommendation letter. We generally have same-day appointments available, or you can schedule an appointment in the future.After you are approved:PrestoDoctor will send you your Missouri Certification Form to be electronically completed for basic information and your social security number (required by the state for the application, pursuant to 19-CSR 30-95.110 (1)(B)5.)After you complete this form, we will return the completed form to you with the doctor's signature, along with your final instructions on how to register with the Missouri State WebsiteALL PHYSICIAN RECOMMENDATION FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE DOCTOR SIGNATURE.Missouri State Application Fee:Once you have completed the online application, submitted the physician recommendation and all other required documentation, the online application fee must be paid to the Missouri Medical Marijuana Authority for review.Also, be advised that state application fees are separate from PrestoDoctor appointment fees.Standard state application fees are $25Patient Cultivation Fee (optional) is an additional $100Caregiver application fee (optional) is an additional $25Missouri medical marijuana cards are valid for one year.All application fees MUST be paid with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit or debit card. If you do not have a credit or debit card, you must find a retail store that offers prepaid Visa or MasterCard gift cards and purchase one there.Missouri State RecommendationThe state of Missouri does not mail out physical cards out to qualified/registered patients. Once approved by the state, the patient receives an email notification with instructions to log into the registration system to access their digital medical marijuana card. This card can be printed, or saved to their electronic device.When visiting a dispensary, applicants must bring a digital card (either on your device or printed) as well as a form of identification.Curious about appointment pricing? Click here to find the PrestoDoctor evaluation cost for a Missouri m The Government on Tuesday introduced a bill in Lok Sabha which seeks to protect the interest of small depositors by bringing cooperative banks under the RBI regulations. Introducing the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the bill is the "need of the hour" to avoid a PMC Bank-like crisis in the future. Noting that the happenings at the PMC Bank had "unfortunately" put a lot of small depositors in difficulty, Sitharaman said there were demands that the government should do something about it. The proposed law seeks to enforce banking regulation guidelines of the RBI in cooperative banks while administrative issues will still be guided by the Registrar of Cooperative. The Bill proposes to bring cooperative banks on par with developments in the banking sector through better management and proper regulation of cooperative banks with a view to ensure that affairs of cooperative banks are conducted in a manner that protects the interest of depositors, it said. It further proposes to strengthen cooperative banks by increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital, improving governance and ensuring sound banking through the RBI. "Keeping in view developments in the banking sector and regulation thereof overtime, it has become necessary to strengthen provisions of the said Act as applicable to cooperative banks," said the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid din with Sitharaman saying that if the opposition wants to deny the small depositors their rights then "it is a shame". In her Budget speech, Sitharaman had said that to strengthen cooperative banks, amendments would be brought in the Banking Regulation Act for increasing professionalism, enabling access to capital and improving governance and oversight for sound banking through the RBI. The decision assumes significance in the wake of a scam in the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank affecting lakhs of customers who are facing difficulty in withdrawing their money due to restrictions imposed by the RBI. The PMC Bank was found to have given over Rs 6,700 crore loan to a single realty company HDIL through alleged fraudulent means and also hid the stress from the RBI by creating separate books of accounts. There are 1,540 cooperative banks with depositor base of 8.60 crore having total savings of about Rs 5 lakh crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson warned today that the UK was facing a 'national challenge' as he set out how the UK plans to tackle a potential mass coronavirus outbreak affecting millions of people. He and the Government's two chief scientific and medical advisers faced the cameras today as coronavirus continues to sweep the world. While keen to stress that most people will experience only mild symptoms the Government today set out its battle plan to cope with a growing pandemic that is already in Britain. He was flanked by England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser to the Government Sir Patrick Vallance today in Downing Street as they set out how they see the situation developing. What's the main message? Boris Johnson warned that the UK was facing a 'national challenge' as Coronavirus sweeps the globe today as he set out how the UK plans to tackle a potential mass outbreak affecting millions of people The main message was for the public to keep calm and carry on - but make sure they wash their hands thoroughly. The Government has a four step plan: Contain - detect early cases and work to prevent it 'taking hold' for as long as possible. Delay - Once the disease is well established, switch to working to slow its spread, minimise cases and contain it before the winter season comes around again. Research - Work to improve diagnosis and treatment including drugs and vaccines. Mitigate - provide the best care for sufferers and support services to minimise the overall impact on the nation. The UK is currently at the Contain stage of this plan, with most of the more intrusive steps that could be taken coming at the Delay and Mitigate stages. When will the plans be implemented? Mr Johnson was flanked by England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser to the Government Sir Patrick Vallance today in Downing Street Measures outlined by the Prime Minister and medical and scientific experts today will only be introduced when it is judged they will be most effective. They are concerned that introducing disruptive measures too early would be counterproductive, which is why the main advice at the moment is simply to thoroughly wash your hands. Key points in the coronavirus battle plan If police lose 'significant staff' numbers to illness, they would 'concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order'. In a 'stretching scenario', it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks. The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff. The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services. If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings. Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people's homes. Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called 'back to duty'. Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems. Advertisement Authorities have made it clear they do not want to disrupt people's lives if it will make little or no difference to the spread of the disease or the NHS's ability to treat people effectively. How long will it last? The current plan is for a 12-week cycle of action to tackle the outbreak. This is the time taken for it to reach a peak of cases before it starts to decline over another 12 weeks. Scientists believe it is unlikely but not impossible that it will be contained before the summer months, when infectious diseases cases usually decline in number. They are trying to slow its advance until then, to allow nature to help fight the battle for them. But as yet they do not know whether this will be the only outbreak or whether it could become endemic - regularly appearing. It sounds alarming that 80 per cent of the population could be infected and one per cent. How likely is it? At the moment scientists are being very cautious with their projections seek more information about the global outbreak. They were at pains today to stress that this is very much a worst-case scenario. Evidence from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak began, suggests Coronavirus is nowhere near that deadly or contagious at the moment. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty stressed: 'Even for the highest risk group, the great majority of people will survive this. 'If you look at the Chinese data, if you take the very oldest people, the great majority survive.' He added: 'If you're talking about the low-risk groups, the rate of mortality is well below 1 per cent.' Who is most at risk of the virus and why? As mentioned above, the elderly are one of the key groups. Prof Whitty said there is a 'significant ramp up' in the death rate of those infected with coronavirus who are over 80 years old. Boris Johnson says he will keep shaking hands despite coronavirus fears Boris Johnson today said he will keep shaking hands with dignitaries and members of the public despite fears over coronavirus. At a press conference in No10, the PM joked that he needed to shake a lot of hands. And he laughed off suggestions over whether he would risk a diplomatic incident by refusing to carry out the greeting with foreign leaders. 'I continue to shake hands,' he said. 'I think the scientific evidence is... our judgement is washing your hands is the crucial thing.' Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock voiced a similar stance. 'It's not a significant thing,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'So as long as you wash your hands after then that's fine.' Advertisement Depending on the advance of the virus, there are plans for specific measures to be taken around care homes to minimise infection risk. Also at high risk are other 'vulnerable' people, those with pre-existing medical conditions that may leave them with a weakened immune system like cancer. He said: 'The exact percentages will depend on a lot of factors - including the health care system you have in place, so I would not expect... the numbers we are seeing in China automatically to read over to the UK.' Can the NHS cope with an outbreak of this size? Prof Whitty said the health services was used to 'flexing' to deal with large-scale outbreaks, and regularly did so for things like the winter flu. Contingency plans are being prepared that would allow retired medics to volunteer to help. Non-essential surgery and other care would also be postponed to allow resources to be used for critical patients. And patients recuperating in hospital face being sent home to convalesce to free up beds. Will towns be put into lockdown? It is looking less and less likely that the UK will replicate the isolation that has been seen in Wuhan. Because the disease is already in the country and would be hard to contain in one place at this stage, medics believe that the social and economic cost of quarantining thousands of people would far outstrip any benefit. Will I get paid if I'm of sick? The Prime Minister said 'all options' would remain under review when asked what he would do to ensure those who are ill do not also suffer hardship. Mr Johnson said: 'On the issue of statutory sick pay and the risks that the workforce could conceivably run in that reasonable worst case scenario, we're going to keep all options under review but we are well aware of the issue.' Should I go on holiday? The vast majority of the public should not alter their travel plans said the chief scientific adviser to the Government Sir Patrick Vallance. 'Once the epidemic is everywhere, then actually restricting travel makes no difference at all,' he said. 'At the moment we are certainly not recommending any change to behaviours in relation to that. 'And if it grows in the UK, then of course it doesn't really make more sense to say that you're at more risk somewhere else than you are here.' But people who are in an at-risk group might want to look at where they are going - how prevalent the disease is and the standard of local medical care, in case you become ill. Professor Whitty added: 'If you happen to be in a place with a very weak health service at the peak of their epidemic, weaker than the NHS, that obviously might be more problematic - and this is particularly an issue for people who are older or have pre-existing health conditions.' Are schools going to close down and will I have to take time off work to look after my children? As with the idea of quarantining entire towns and cities, this is not being ruled out but is not a priority. Evidence from China suggests that children are less susceptible to catching the virus and suffer a milder illness if they do contract it, the scientists said. In addition, having thousands of children off school would place additional strain on the NHS as vital staff took time off for childcare. Should I be panic buying in case of being forced to stay at home in quarantine? No., there is no need to do that. Prof Whitty said that there was no evidence that people did panic buy but took 'logical decisions'. 'There is no reason to be doing any panic buying or any sort of keeping large supplies of anything,' he said. 'This is a scientific point the response of the British public to disasters and emergencies is extraordinary outbreaks of altruism.' Sir Patrick said measures would be taken if homes were put under quarantine and appropriate steps taken for places such as care homes. His comments came after Ocado warned that people are placing larger orders than usual and other supermarkets worked up contingency plans. In some places, supermarket and pharmacy shelves have been cleared out of antibacterial gel and other supplies. What about information I see on social media about keeping safe? Matt Hancock the health Secretary, met with social media firms yesterday to discuss ways of combating disinformation and helping share information that could battle it. Why is hand washing the key message? Boris Johnson leads the way in washing his hands to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus Because it is the easiest way to stop the spread of the virus. Your hands are the part of the body that come into most contact with other people and objects. The disease is spread like the flu and other infections via droplets released in coughs and sneezes, so using a clean tissue or handkerchief and washing your hands thoroughly and regularly helps prevent them being spread around. Taking this simple step also means you are less likely to have to take more drastic action, like avoiding personal contact. The advise is to wash your hands for 20 seconds or more using soap. Mr Johnson told reporters he continues to shake hands with people. He said: 'I am shaking hands, I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were coronavirus patients and I was shaking hands with everybody, you will be pleased to know, and I continue to shake hands. 'People must make up their own minds but I think the scientific evidence is... our judgment is that washing your hands is the crucial thing.' The flagship of the International Winter School 2020 is the 'Two Capitals' joint course Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) together with the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) launch a joint program of the International Winter School. The educational module, which became the flagship of the winter season 2020, was called 'Two Capitals'. Its participants will have a unique opportunity to study at two top Russian universities within the framework of one module: first in St. Petersburg, and then in Moscow. The program started on January 27 and ended on February 21. The program of the 'Two Capitals' International Winter School maximally takes into account the needs and wishes of present-day students. Its structure resembles a puzzle: combining different components, students can study in detail exactly those disciplines that interest them the most," commented Olga Emelyanova, Head of the Department of International Educational Programs and Academic Mobility SPbPU. The joint program of SPbPU and RUDN is divided into three clusters. First, students will study at Polytechnic University one of the technical courses at their choice: space technology, plasma physics, civil engineering, nuclear power, and many others; after that, they will go to RUDN for a Russian language course. The second cluster will introduce foreign students to the peculiarities of Russian business: they will study the relevant disciplines at both Russian universities. And finally, as part of the third cluster, foreign students of the International Winter School will take the course of Russian language and culture. All three sets of studies provide two-week training at SPbPU and one-week or two-week training at RUDN. An additional bonus for participants of the international winter school will be the opportunity to re-transfer student credits in related disciplines at their universities. So, in the framework of the 'Two Capitals' module, foreign students can receive from 6 to 9 ECTS credits (according to the European system of transfer and accumulation of credit units), which they can use in the learning process. ### This story has been published on: 2020-03-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Kwara state government says it has received N263 million looted in the past administration which was recovered by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This was made known in a statement on Tuesday, by Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the governor. He said EFCC Ilorin zonal head, handed over the cash to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of the state, adding that the total amount of looted funds recovered and handed over to the state government is N374m. Ajakaye added that the total recoveries by the Kwara office of the EFCC in the past one year are in excess of N8bn worth of assets and cash. The EFCC zonal head, while presenting the cash, said the latest recoveries were majorly from the money looted from the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) and local government fund by some former government officials. Read Also: Second EFCC Witness Testifies Against Naira Marley In Cyber Fraud Case These alleged looters siphoned from Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) and 16 local government areas, Sharu said. About five billion naira was allegedly siphoned from KWIRS and shared in the ratio of 30/70 by some notable individuals in the state through their cronies. The mandate given to us to conduct a holistic and all-inclusive cleanup of over two decades barefaced fraud and pen robbery on the good people of the zone is achieved. This is evident from the overwhelming success achieved in terms of convictions and recovery of assets. He noted that the zonal office has secured 48 convictions and recovered at least N8.5bn worth of assets and money. We are quite excited about getting this money. This is a huge amount of money to be released to us at this time. It is mind-boggling that the situation has come to this, Governor bdulRazaq in his response. Anytime arrest is made, some persons would rain abuses on the EFCC and even the state government but the money keeps coming in. Yet they claim nothing was stolen. We thank the EFCC. So far, we have got over N300m and it is a continuous exercise. On our part, we will be judicious in utilising the fund. We will always remember that one day, we will leave this position we are today and we will be made accountable too. That is why we have to be responsible in what we do now. Bengaluru, March 4 : The Karnataka Congress firmly opposed banning protests, demonstrations and rallies at the iconic Town Hall in the city by the civic body, a party official said on Tuesday. "The city civic body's executive council has no right to ban protests, sit-in demonstrations or rallies in front of the Town Hall, which is meant for public use," opposition leader Abdul Wajid told IANS here. Terming the council's February 29 decision unilateral and undemocratic, Wajid said it was wrong by Mayor Goutham Kumar to claim the opposition party had consented to ban on protests by the public. "The BJP-led Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palilke (BBMP) has deftly passed a resolution by voice vote on the ban when our and JD-S corporators were discussing about the garbage menace in the city," claimed Wajid. Calling for withdrawal of the resolution and removal of barricades around the Town Hall, Wajid said the opposition parties would intensify their agitation if the ban was not revoked as every citizen has right to protest at the venue. Built in 1935 by Mysore Maharaja Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar, the all-stone building in neo-classical style has a flight of steps leading to the entrance porch resting on 6 Tuscan columns. It is named after former Bangalore city municipality president K.P. Puttanna Chetty. Massive protests against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA), sit-in demos and rallies by various organisations, including political parties for other causes at the venue led to choc-a-bloc traffic and disrupted social and cultural events inside the Hall, which is owned by the city civic body. The renovated Hall has a huge auditorium with two floors and a capacity to seat about 1,000 people inside its hallowed precincts. The mayor has recommended to the city police commissioner not to give permission to any organisation, group or political party to stage protests, demonstrations or rallies, as the space around the Hall gets blocked and the gathering spills onto the busy road, choking vehicular traffic. Defending the ban, Kumar said the protesters could demonstrate or hold rallies at Freedom Park or Gandhiji's statue in the city centre, which are specified for such events. "The stakeholders can protest at the sprawling Freedom Park are at Gandhiji statue as they have plenty of space for assembling, parking vehicles or staging rallies and prevent traffic snarls at Town Hall," asserted Kumar. Maine is holding its presidential primary on Tuesday, March 3, along with 13 other states also voting on Super Tuesday. In addition, Maine residents will be voting then in a special referendum on a people's veto petition to overturn a new state law that removes religious and philosophical exemptions for vaccination requirements. While only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote on the presidential primary ballot, all registered voters in the state can vote on the referendum. Maine residents can register to vote in person at their town office or city hall and can register on Election Day at their polling place. Presidential primary candidates In the presidential primary for the Republican Party, the only candidate is the current incumbent, President Donald Trump of Palm Beach, Fla. A total of 12 candidates will be listed on the Maine ballot for the Democratic Party, but four of the candidates -- New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, self-help author Marianne Williamson and Andrew Yang, founder of Venture for America -- have now dropped out of the race. The eight candidates who are still running are: former Vice President Joseph Biden of Wilmington, Del.; billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC; former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Peter Buttigieg; Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a combat veteran from Honolulu; Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minneapolis; Vermont Senator Bernard Sanders of Burlington; billionaire, hedge fund manager and philanthropist Thomas Steyer of San Francisco; and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren of Cambridge. For many years Maine used a caucus system to distribute pledged national delegates to the national conventions, but recently the Maine Legislature decided to change Maine to a presidential primary state. However, both Democrats and Republicans are still holding caucuses. Washington County Republicans have been holding their caucuses recently to elect delegates and alternates to the Republican State Convention. Democrats will hold their caucuses on Sunday, March 8. Vaccination question The referendum question asks whether voters want to reject the new state law that would eliminate the ability to claim a religious or philosophical objection as the basis for avoiding the requirement for certain categories of people to be immunized against certain communicable diseases. The following categories of individuals are required by law to be immunized against communicable diseases: students who attend public or private elementary and secondary schools; students who attend any postsecondary school in Maine; employees of nursery schools, but not daycare facilities; and employees of designated health care facilities. The specific diseases for which immunization or proof of immunity is required are diphtheria, chickenpox, measles, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, meningococcal meningitis and tetanus. Individuals are medically exempt from the immunization requirement if they submit a written statement from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant indicating that immunization against one or more of these diseases may be medically inadvisable for that individual. The exemption is up to the provider's professional judgment. The group "Yes on 1 Maine to Reject Big Pharma" seeks to overturn the law by urging a yes vote. Their website states: "Mandates coerce compliance with the rapidly increasing vaccine schedule (currently 69 vaccine doses by the age of 18) using the threat of expulsion from school or termination from employment. With the passage of LD 798, Maine became only the fifth state in the nation to remove religious and philosophical exemptions to vaccination, eliminating parents and employees rights to decide what is injected into their own bodies and the bodies of their children. If Mainers do not comply with the new law and choose to opt out of even one dose of a required vaccine, they face expulsion from all public, private, parochial and online schools (preschool through graduate school) as well as termination from employment." The website also states, "Vaccines are created, manufactured and sold by drug companies. They carry the same risks and side effects as the drugs you see advertised on TV, ranging from swelling at injection site, fever, and rash to encephalopathy, seizures and death. Yet unlike other pharmaceutical products, Big Pharma bears no liability for injuries that occur as a result of vaccines. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is a fund, paid for by taxpayers, that reimburses those seriously injured by vaccines. To date, the NVICP has paid out over $4 billion dollars." Many doctors, nurses and health professionals are urging a no vote, pointing to the need for and safety of vaccines. In a written statement, Dr. Laura Blaisdell and Caitlin Gilmet, cochairs of Maine Families for Vaccines, state, "We have one chance to vote no and prevent the spread of infectious disease in our schools and communities. Question 1 endangers our children. If this measure passes, more of them will get sick from preventable diseases including measles, mumps and whooping cough." They point to all of the major organizations of healthcare professionals in Maine who oppose the ballot question and agree that public school children should be vaccinated against certain diseases. "These preventable illnesses can have devastating effects on children, especially those who are medically vulnerable, and on adults with compromised immune systems," their statement says. "Repealing the vaccination law could have catastrophic effects to health and wellness for infants, children and adults living with complex medical conditions, seniors and pregnant women. No one has the right to put a child at risk -- we must defend the right of every child, and every adult, to be safe from disease." Dr. Deborah Hagler, president of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, writes, "Vaccination is unique within the realm of medical interventions because it not only provides a benefit to the patient who is vaccinated, but also confers a significant public health benefit in terms of community immunity. Similarly, refusal of vaccination not only puts the individual child at risk, but also increases societal risk by decreasing community immunity and adding to a population of unimmunized individuals within which vaccinepreventable disease may spread." 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. A Queensland farmer accused of raping a British backpacker sexually harassed another worker at his rural property. The 50-year-old South Burnett man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault and deceptive recruiting of labour in January and February 2017. A woman told the man's committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday that she had experienced similar behaviour in 2014 while working at his property. She said the man inappropriately touched her and once stripped naked for a massage. "All I wanted to do was work out there, cook and clean, help out on the farm, feed the sheep, feed the chickens (and) put out the washing," she said. Stocks in the news today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus in Tuesday's trading session based on latest developments. NCC Ltd: The company has received one new order for Rs 85 crore in the month of February, 2020, and during the month one order for Rs 1,550 crore pertaining to NBCC, Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi has been reinstated after Delhi High Court Judgment. These orders pertain to Building Division and are received from a Central / State Government agencies and do not include any internal orders, the filing added. Torrent Power: The company informed the exchanges BSE and NSE that Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) has handed over Shil, Mumbra & Kalwa (SMK) sub-divisions under Thane Urban Circle, Maharashtra on March 1. Vinati Organics: The company board has declared an interim dividend of Rs 5 per equity share for FY20. Man Industries: The company informed the bourses BSE and NSE that it has received new export orders worth Rs 450 crore. With this the total unexecuted order book of the company stands at approx. Rs. 2,000 Crores to be executed in 8 to 9 months, the filing added. Indian Oil Corporation: The company board will meet on March 6, 2020 to declare interim dividend. Eicher Motors: The company board will meet on March 11, 2020 to declare interim dividend. Godfrey Phillips: The company board will meet on March 5, 2020 to consider interim dividend. Nutraplus India: The company board will meet on March 05, 2020 to consider and approve and discuss the notice dated 18th February, 2020 received from Saraswat Co-operative Bank Ltd, lender to the company, under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest, 2002. Holidaymakers who had been held in quarantine in a hotel in Tenerife finally arrived back in Northern Ireland last night. They were among dozens of Britons who had been confined to the Costa Adeje Palace hotel and are now self-isolating for 14 days. Guests at the quarantined hotel were flown back to the UK after testing negative for coronavirus, Jet2holidays has confirmed. Holidaymakers at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace had previously been told they would have to remain in quarantine until March 10, after at least four tourists were diagnosed with Covid-19. But travel operator Jet2holidays said yesterday that its customers at the hotel could return to the UK. Meanwhile, Health Minister Robin Swann has said updates on coronavirus in Northern Ireland are to be stepped up following the first confirmed case of the virus in the region. In a statement to the Assembly, he said 150 tests have been carried out so far, with one positive result. The number of cases across the island of Ireland is two, after the Republic's first confirmed case emerged over the weekend. Both patients are believed to have contracted the disease after travelling to northern Italy, where there have been 34 deaths due to coronavirus. The Northern Ireland patient is a female healthcare worker from Belfast, who had flown home from Italy via Dublin. Robin Swann confirmed that all those who were in contact with the woman have been contacted by health officials and been given "appropriate advice". Mr Swann emphasised that those who travelled between Dublin and Belfast should not be concerned. The Public Health Agency has been publishing the number of coronavirus tests carried out on a weekly basis since the outbreak emerged; this will now be increased to twice weekly. Mr Swann said the case in the Republic relates to an affected area of Italy, but is not linked to a school ski trip to the region and authorities do not believe there are any "wider implications for children or schools". "Whilst the situation is no doubt serious, and whilst it is far from certain that it will happen, detailed plans are in place in case of the virus becoming a pandemic. Even with the recent case I would stress that we are very much still in the containment phase," he said. A Regional Virology Lab has been set up in Belfast to test for coronavirus and planning across the civil service has been stepped up to assess readiness across all sectors of government. Meanwhile, First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Health Minister Robin Swann and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride have participated in an emergency Cobra meeting. It follows a weekend conference call with the Taoiseach and Irish Health Minister Simon Harris. Mrs Foster described the meeting as useful. She added: "I am reassured that the procedures and practices that we have in place across the UK are robust and that the system is prepared for a range of scenarios." Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "It is vital that we work together to prevent the spread of the virus, including close cooperation north-south to tackle the issue. We will continue our engagement with Ministers and health professionals in all jurisdictions on this basis." Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "We have been planning for the first case in Northern Ireland and we have robust infection control measures in place which have enabled us to respond immediately. The risk to individuals in Northern Ireland has not changed at this stage." Four new UK cases - among people from Hertfordshire, south Devon and Kent - were announced yesterday. All had travelled recently to Italy, which has the biggest outbreak in Europe. Extra powers for the Government to help control the virus are expected to go through Parliament by the end of the month. They may include asking retired doctors and nurses to return to the NHS, urging people to work from home, closing schools, increasing class sizes and cancelling large public events. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Bangkok, Thailand Tue, March 3, 2020 08:07 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067dcd67 2 Environment Thailand,climate-change,climate,environment,Women,climate-activists,architecture,Kotchakorn-Voraakhom Free Bangkok's future hangs in the balance. Rising sea levels, unchecked development, groundwater extraction, and rapid urban population growth has left millions vulnerable to natural disasters -- scientists warn the city itself may not survive the century. New analysis by the Nestpick 2050 Climate Change City Index says the Thai capital could be hardest hit by global warming. And while it is not alone facing such a threat -- Venice, New Orleans, and Jakarta are predicted to be underwater by 2100 -- it does have a secret weapon in its battle to negate the impact of a hotter planet: renowned architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom who preaches mindful development over mindless construction. "We are talking life and death in this situation," says the 39-year-old who is hoping to bring Bangkok back from the brink, as scientists warn extreme weather -- flooding and droughts -- could ravage the city, leaving as much as 40 percent submerged in the next decade. Kotchakorn says: "I don't want to face it with fear. At this moment we have a chance to make change... We have to do it right now to show the coming generations that this is possible. It is not about sitting and waiting and doing the same thing." No one can accuse the Harvard graduate of resting on her laurels: She made her name showing how the effects of climate change can be mitigated by ensuring the issue is at the heart of city planning. She and her firm Landprocess created the internationally acclaimed Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, an 11-acre (4 hectares) space in central Bangkok, which tilts downward at a three-degree angle, allowing rainwater to flow through the flanking grass and wetlands. This aerial photo taken on February 7, 2020 shows an overview of the Thammasat Urban Farming Green Roof, designed by landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha ) Water that's not absorbed by the plants runs down to a pond at the base of the park, where it can be stored and filtered for use during dry spells or released gradually. In cases of severe flooding, the park can hold up to a million gallons of water. Read also: Can architecture save people from disaster? Global rising star Kotchakorn rails against Bangkok's unchecked development -- more than 10 million live in the metropolis packed with skyscrapers, factories, malls and hotels -- warning that an "addiction to growth" at all costs is jeopardizing its ability to thrive. "We think about how we're going to have more growth in our annual development... What if we shift the orientation from growth to really consider our actions on the environment, listen to the land more," she says. "It doesn't mean I am against development but I want it to be very meaningful, very mindful, and at the right pace -- so we don't actually kill our future." Today her ideas have been embraced at home, and abroad -- she gave an acclaimed TED talk in 2018, and last year TIME Magazine included her in its "100 Next" list of global rising stars. But convincing clients, authorities, and other businesses to see the big environmental picture has not been easy in a mega-city obsessed with economic targets and expansion. Driving change as a woman in a patriarchal society has been an additional challenge, but Kotchakorn insists there is "power" in being different, particularly in an industry dominated by older men offering only "conventional ways of thinking". Many of her ideas were initially dismissed, but she held firm, explaining: "I feel that was based on their fear. But it's not my fear." "Women offer different kinds of judgement, different kinds of attitude towards problems... We have to bring that diversity to the table and create better decisions," she adds. Read also: Bamboo architecture: Bali's Green School inspires a global renaissance Things must change A turning point came in 2011, when Thailand endured its worst floods in half a century, which left more than 800 dead nationwide with hundreds of thousands displaced. Bangkok, built on once-marshy land and surrounded by natural waterways, was hard hit. Then came the World Bank warning that 40 percent of it would be inundated by 2030. It was clear then things needed to change, says Voraakhom, who grew up in the capital and says air quality has deteriorated rapidly, as has food quality and security because of the heavy use of pesticides. In 2018, she created Asia's largest rooftop farm, which mimics the region's famed rice terraces where run-off travels down layers of crops, conserving both water and soil. Winding around the 22,400 square-meter rooftop is a jogging path and a lawn. Later this year she will unveil plans to transform a vast, unused bridge crossing the Chao Phraya river into a park with bicycle lanes, bringing more green space to a place with precious little of it. "If you just do a normal building, it's just going to be the same. It's just another building. But if you create (something new), you actually could touch and change their way of living, their way of eating, their way of understanding of sustainability." Kotchakorn has even greater ambitions for the city she grew up in -- she wants to "reclaim" the more than 1,000 canals that snake through Bangkok that are currently used for sewage. "Canals have so much life, so much potential to be public green space and a skeleton of the whole city," she explains. Hailing her late mother as her inspiration, and her 11-year-old daughter as her motivation, she hopes her work will solve problems for generations to come. She says: "Being a mother is really helping to push me to create hope and solutions for the next generation. You see that the things you build will last after your life." The wife of the Italian tourist, who has been found infected with coronavirus , also tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, Rajasthans states chief secretary DB Gupta said. Her sample is being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for another test, Gupta said. The Italian tourist, including his wife, had come to Jaipur from Udaipur on February 28 along with a group of 20 people and checked into a hotel where he complained of breathlessness and cough. ALSO WATCH | Coronavirus | India update: 6th case in Jaipur; Noida schools being sanitised The first sample from the 69-year-old man was collected on Saturday and had tested negative for coronavirus. After his condition deteriorated, a second sample was taken and it tested positive on Monday. His samples were then sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for further testing and the laboratory on Tuesday confirmed he was infected with coronavirus. The confirmation puts the number of people who have tested positive in the country to six. The patient is in isolation and is stable, the Union health ministry said. After the Italian tourist tested positive for novel coronavirus at a government hospital in Jaipur on Monday, the state health department on Tuesday sent the samples of 52 people, who came in contact with the tourist, to NIV Pune. The 52 include 37 people from SMS Hospital, 11 from Fortis Hospital and four from the hotel where the tourist stayed, the official said. All of them have been kept in quarantine, the official added. India reported two new cases of the deadly coronavirus on Mondayone from Delhi and another one from Hyderabad. The government has stepped up efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus as it advised citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to the worst affected countries, including China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Singapore. It also widened the screening of flyers from several countries at airports among other measures. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON SAN FRANCISCO Many iPhone owners believe Apple purposely slowed down their old devices as it released new ones. Now some of them might be in line for a small payday: Apple has agreed to pay some iPhone owners about $25 each to settle such complaints. Under a proposed settlement disclosed on Friday, Apple agreed to pay up to $500 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of intentionally slowing down certain iPhones years after they were released. The settlement requires a federal judges approval. A decision is expected to take several months. On Monday, an Apple spokeswoman pointed to court documents in which the company denied the allegations and agreed to the settlement to avoid costly litigation. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, fault, liability or damage of any kind, Apple said. (Such language is common in settlements.) In late 2017, customers publicly complained that they believed Apple was engaged in so-called planned obsolescence intentionally slowing its older phones as it released new models. In response, Apple said software on certain older iPhones sometimes reduced their processing power when the battery was low to prevent them from abruptly shutting down. Today we're going to take a look at the well-established Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX). The company's stock received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to US$45.71 at one point, and dropping to the lows of US$37.39. 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 Boston Scientific's current trading price of US$37.39 reflective of the actual value of the large-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Boston Scientifics 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 Boston Scientific What is Boston Scientific worth? Good news, investors! Boston Scientific is still a bargain right now. According to my valuation, the intrinsic value for the stock is $48.19, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. Another thing to keep in mind is that Boston Scientifics share price may be quite stable relative to the rest of the market, as indicated by its low beta. This means that if you believe the current share price should move towards its intrinsic value over time, a low beta could suggest it is not likely to reach that level anytime soon, and once its there, it may be hard to fall back down into an attractive buying range again. What does the future of Boston Scientific look like? NYSE:BSX Past and Future Earnings, March 2nd 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. Though in the case of Boston Scientific, it is expected to deliver a highly negative earnings growth in the next few years, which doesnt help build up its investment thesis. It appears that risk of future uncertainty is high, at least in the near term. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Although BSX is currently undervalued, the adverse prospect of negative growth brings about some degree of risk. I recommend you think about whether you want to increase your portfolio exposure to BSX, or whether diversifying into another stock may be a better move for your total risk and return. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on BSX for some time, but hesitant on making the leap, I recommend you dig deeper into the stock. Given its current undervaluation, now is a great time to make a decision. But keep in mind the risks that come with negative growth prospects in the future. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Boston Scientific. You can find everything you need to know about Boston Scientific in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Boston Scientific, 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. A deadly tornado has swept through Nashville, Tennessee, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. So far, 22 people have been confirmed killed, and multiple injuries are reported with over 150 admitted to hospital. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has declared a level three state of emergency for the state. Governor Bill Lee confirmed that fatalities occurred in Davidson County, which includes Nashville, as well as in Putnam, Benton and Wilson counties. Several people have been reported missing. Homes and businesses have been badly damaged, and tens of thousands are without power around Tennessees capital city. Nashville's fire department said it was responding to reports of approximately 40 structure collapses. Donald Trump announced he will visit the Nashville area on Friday to tour the damage and meet with victims. Its a vicious thing, those tornadoes, Ive seen many of them over a three-year period and Ive gotten to see the results and they are vicious. If youre in their path, bad things happen, the president told a conference of county executives in Washington. We will get there and we will recover and we will rebuild and we will help them. Trump seems likely to stop in the Volunteer State on Friday before visiting Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta to tour the facility and meet with officials working on the federal coronavirus response. Multiple tornadoes are believed to have struck a 145 mile band from Camden, west of Nashville, to Cookeville, east of the city. One tornado touched down very close to downtown Nashville. Our community has been impacted significantly, Mt Juliet Police said at 2am local time. We continue to search for injured. Police advised residents to stay at home and to watch for downed power lines. There are gas lines that are leaking, power lines that are on the ground, and multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured, Mt Juliet Police department said. Community shelters in the city have been set up for people who have been displaced by the tornado. Tennessee is one of 14 US states that will vote on Tuesday to choose a Democratic candidate to challenge Mr Trump for the US presidency in November. WKRN reports that some Super Tuesday polling stations may also have been impacted by the tornado. As many as fifteen polling places will have an alternative location for voters, officials said. Additional reporting by Reuters STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Testing for the novel coronavirus will soon be performed by borough hospitals, it was announced after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the green light for outside labs to test for the virus. All samples are currently being sent to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) lab in Atlanta, and results are not available for multiple days. Dwayne Breining, executive director of laboratory services at Northwell Health, said testing for COVID-19 could begin as soon as this week. The lab will initially have the ability to process 75 to 100 tests per day. Once the lab automates, Breining said, hundreds and eventually thousands of tests per day will be processed within three-to-four hours of receiving samples, with the ability to report results immediately. If the virus continues to spread the ability to have local lab-testing capability is vitally important, Breining said. Northwells Center for Advanced Medicine, which houses the 101,000-square foot Core Lab, is located in Lake Success, New York. A spokesman for Staten Island University Hospital said any samples taken at SIUH will be sent to the Lake Success laboratory. RUMC AWAITING CDC GUIDANCE RUMC said it is waiting on the Centers for Disease Control, however, it has the ability to test patients onsite if given the OK. We are awaiting guidance from the CDC as to whether the coronavirus test will be something we will be able to equip our in-house histology lab to diagnose onsite, or if tests administered at the hospital will need to be sent to a lab offsite, a spokesman for RUMC told the Advance. RUMC opened its state-if-the-art histology lab in March 2019. The spokesman said the hospital is confident that if given the OK from the CDC to conduct testing onsite that the lab is capable of doing so. We want to make sure that either way results are fast, accurate, and in accordance with the recommendations of the CDC, the spokesman said. SIUH, RUMC IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION AS THEY PREPARE FOR POSSIBILITY OF VIRUS RUMC said its in lock step with the CDC, as well as state and city health partners about preparations should a novel coronavirus case be confirmed on Staten Island. The hospital said its closely monitoring all patients and visitors. Isolation rooms are available, should the immediate need arise. We are also in constant contact with our partners at SIUH. The health of all Staten Island is both our highest priority, the RUMC spokesman said. RUMC has adequate supplies, including N95 masks, and appropriate staff protection procedures are in place, he said. This is not something new to us the hospital setting. From Ebola to H1N1 a few years back, planning for those outbreaks has kept us well versed in what we need to do to ensure the safety of our patents, visitors and staff. We constantly drill, identify areas for improvement and immediately address them. The public can rest assured that our hospital and outpatient sites are fully prepared and our procedures are in full compliance with CDC recommendations, the spokesman said. Over the past six weeks, Northwell has invested over $5 million on coronavirus preparation, which includes $2 million for lab testing and supplies. Northwell is well-prepared to manage the challenges posed by the coronavirus, as evidenced by our response to previous infectious disease outbreaks, including our Anthrax response in 2001, SARS in 2003, swine flu in 2009 and Ebola in 2014, said Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling. A spokesman for SIUH said the hospital has taken numerous steps to prepare for the possibility of an infected patient including running drills to ensure ongoing readiness and including COVID-19 surveillance and preparation in daily administrative briefings. For the past month, the health system has had guidelines and procedures in place to identify potential patients as soon as they enter our doors, isolate them appropriately and ensure that our staff utilizes the recommended personal protective equipment, the spokesman said. Our emergency departments can rapidly identify potential patients as soon as they present to our facilities, isolate them appropriately, and render care and our staff are trained in utilizing the recommended personal protective equipment and in isolation techniques, he said. Additionally, Northwells Emergency Operations Center was activated on Feb. 4 and is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and allows quick mobilization of system-wide resources if the need arises. TWO CONFIRMED CASES IN NEW YORK A man who lives north of New York City was hospitalized in serious condition with the coronavirus, the second confirmed case in the state, officials said Tuesday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo told Long Island radio station 103.9 that the unidentified 50-year-old man from Westchester County commuted to work in Manhattan and lives in a home with school-age children. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the man was diagnosed Monday at a city hospital. City and state disease detectives are working closely to identify close contacts and the appropriate next steps, de Blasio said. Cuomo said the man apparently had an underlying respiratory illness and no known travel history to China or other countries on the virus watch list. A 39-year-old health care worker who traveled to Iran became the first confirmed case in New York on Sunday. Officials said the woman has respiratory symptoms, but they are mild. Her husband, who is also a health care professional, is also being tested. -- Associated Press material was used in this report A woman may know less but she understands more and knows the intention when a man touches her or even looks at her, the Bombay High Court said while suspending the sentence of a convict in the case of molestation of a former actor. Justice Prithviraj Chavan was hearing an appeal filed by a 41-year-old businessman Vikas Sachdev, convicted for molesting the former actor on board a domestic flight in December 2017. The court on Tuesday admitted Sachdev's appeal and suspended his sentence till the appeal his heard and decided. A sessions court here on January 15, 2020 convicted Sachdev under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with an intent to outrage her modesty) and provisions of theProtection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as the victim was a minor when the incident took place. He was awarded three years' imprisonment in the case. The sessions court had on the same day granted bail to Sachdev and suspended the sentence imposed upon him for a period of three months. On February 20, the businessman filed an appeal before the high court, claiming that the trial court erred in finding him guilty. Sachdev's lawyer Aniket Nikam told the high court on Tuesday that his client has been wrongly convicted and even if his leg had touched the victim, it must have been a mistake and without any intention to harass her. Justice Chavan, however, asked why Sachdev had to keep his leg on the arm rest of the seat ahead of him. "A woman may know less but she understands more. It is a natural gift...touch...look...a man will not understand but a woman knows the intention behind these," the judge said. It is only the victim who can talk about the accused person's mens rea (intention), the judge said, adding the accused will never admit that he touched intentionally. "You (Sachdev) were travelling in business class where you have lot of space, then why keep your leg on someone else's arm rest?" the judge asked. When Nikam argued that the victim did not complain to the flight crew members and walked out of the flight smiling, the court said there is no formula on how a woman should behave or react to such incidents. "This is not mathematics. There is no straitjacket formula on how a woman would behave or react when faced with such a situation," the court said. Justice Chavan said there will hardly be any woman who has not experienced such incidents in local train and buses. The bench admitted Sachdev's appeal and suspended his sentence till the appeal is heard and disposed of. "There is no scope of the appeal being heard and decided in the near future and since the sentence imposed on the applicant (Sachdev) is short, the sentence stands suspended," the court said. The court directed Sachdev to submit a fresh bail bond of Rs 25,000 and to not leave Mumbai without prior permission from the sessions court. Nikam also argued that there were contradictions between statements given by the victim and other eyewitnesses. "The crew members of the flight had deposed that the accused was sleeping throughout the flight," he argued. The incident took place when the victim, then 17 years old, was travelling by an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai. After landing, the victim narrated the ordeal through a video post on Instagram. Sachdev was subsequently arrested and later released on bail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Troy Whoever chose the name of the city's Police Objective Review Committee seems to have overlooked the fact that its acronym evokes a particularly derogatory slang term for cops an echo that has been incorporated into the City Code for a generation. But that's likely to change next week. The law setting up PORC to review police force operations dates back to 1997 and has survived multiple charter rewrites despite the shorthand name's proximity to "pig," an anti-police slur that goes back at least half a century. Laughter exploded from Police Commissioner Anthony Magnetto when he was asked what Troy police think about the acronym. "It didn't keep people up at night," Magnetto said. "It's not bothering me as an insult," Police Chief Brian Owens said. "We've been called a lot worse things." But it's annoying to some officers, retired and active. Most take it in stride, helped by the fact that PORC hasn't had significant impact, and has only been fitfully functional since its creation. "The whole point of the committee is to improve the police. You don't want the perception of the police to be 'pork,'" said City Council President Carmella Mantello, who called the name derogatory. Pork is the flesh of a pig, hog or swine, according to various dictionary definitions. "Pig" became an insult flung at officers in the 1960s during student demonstrations and race riots. (It also was adopted by feminists around the same time to describe the worst sort of male chauvinists.) "It's those ... hippies," Deputy Police Chief Dan DeWolf said with a smile, adding an expletive of his own. "I feel like it's so old." In October, Mayor Patrick Madden announced during his successful re-election campaign that he would appoint the members of a new police oversight board in consultation with the NAACP's Troy chapter and other leaders. That's when the old name caught the eye of law enforcement. The committee is responsible for monitoring police operations and internal affairs, and hears reports about internal investigations after they are completed. The committee can make recommendations to the mayor about internal affairs investigations, recruitment and training but it can't compel officers or witnesses to testify before it. Police leaders "don't like the review process; to have this name on top of it makes it more annoying," said Richard Lachmann, a sociology professor and pop culture expert at the University at Albany. Mantello introduced a resolution last week to substitute "Board" for "Committee" in the code, making it the Police Objective Review Board, or PORB. The council approved the change unanimously in committee; it goes up for a final vote Thursday. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. This happened after Mantello's father, retired Detective Jim Mantello, urged her to push for the change. He remembers when "pig" was flung around more commonly. The council president's nephew, Officer Nick Laviano, serves as president of the Troy Police Benevolent Association. Laviano said the name change might seem trivial, but it's important to get rid of the connotation. Former Deputy Mayor Jim Conroy said the name's association was never considered when the push was made in the 1990s to put the review board in place. Conroy recalled no hassles and insisted no one intentionally coined PORC as a putdown to cops. "If you're going to be in public service in Troy, you have to have a thick skin," Conroy said. There was a national effort by police to claim "pig" itself as an acronym for "pride," "integrity" and "guts." Some cops even had their own little pig statues. Some Troy historians claim that the city is the source of the word "cop" as the familiar word for police. According to various accounts, including a 1930 Times Union article, the term originated with Amasa Copp, the chief of Troy's night police force in the 1850s. The perhaps apocryphal story was that kids would say, "Here comes Copp" a name that ended up being extended to all police. The word is more likely believed to have originated in London, when constables wore large copper buttons. Forex traders said the Indian rupee which started the day on a positive note witnessed heavy volatility during the session . Mumbai: Falling for the third consecutive session, the rupee on Tuesday slumped 47 paise to 73.23 (provisional) against the US dollar, as investor sentiment remained fragile amid concerns over the impact of coronavirus. Forex traders said the Indian rupee which started the day on a positive note witnessed heavy volatility during the session and finally settled below 73 per US dollar level as uncertainty over coronavirus spooked investors. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 72.50. During the day it saw a high of 72.43 and a low of 73.34 against the American currency. The domestic unit finally settled at 73.23 against the greenback, down 47 paise over its previous closing price. The local unit had settled at 72.76 against the greenback on Monday. This is the third consecutive session of fall for the domestic unit during which it has depreciated by 160 paise. "Rupee fell to the lowest level in a year following an increase in number of reported cases on coronavirus in India. Market participants will be keeping an eye on the expected synchronised move from Central banks and that could trigger a move for the greenback," said Gaurang Somaiyaa, Forex & Bullion Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Somaiyaa further added that the rupee (spot) is expected to quote with a negative bias and in the range of 72.80 and 73.50. CRC is a known provider of contingency logistics and senior advisory services throughout the globe. The addition of the Global Security Division comes on the heels of substantial growth and continued geographic expansion for CRC. "The addition of the Global Security Division was a natural next step for CRC, having successfully executed asset recoveries, personnel evacuations, and multiple security assessments across sub-Saharan Africa. This expansion allows us to provide niche security services to government and commercial clients globally in remote and austere locations," stated Robert Akin, Chief Executive Officer of CRC. Tabb is a recently retired career Senior Executive and Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as a former U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) infantry officer with over three decades of national security and law enforcement experience leading strategic programs, overseeing large budgets, and managing global security solutions. Leveraging Mr. Tabb's global security expertise, the Global Security Division will focus on security and resiliency services. Services offered include person of interest (POI) investigations; physical security consulting; technical countermeasures and counter-surveillance; selective and customized executive protection; threat vulnerability, risk assessments and gap analysis; business operations continuity; and security training. I'm looking forward to leading the Global Security Division at CRC. There is tremendous opportunity for CRC to leverage its global expertise and client base to offer enhanced security services globally," stated Tabb About CRC Crisis Response Company, LLC (CRC) provides security sector reform, contingency logistics, and security solutions to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial customers globally. Contact Information: Crisis Response Company Tad Eckerle (817) 948-2584 [email protected] SOURCE Crisis Response Company Related Links http://www.crc-intl.com/ Posted on: March 3, 2020 1:55 PM [ACNS, by Staff Writer] The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, joined more than 3,000 people on Sunday (1 March) at St Pauls Cathedral in Namirembe for the installation of Stephen Kaziimba as the ninth Archbishop and Primate of the Church of Uganda. Primates from eight other Anglican Communion primates, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby; as were leaders from other Christian Churches. President Museveni told the congregation that the model of unconditional forgiveness through Jesus death and resurrection provided a better hope for Africa than the cycle of revenge that is so much a part of African traditional religion. He spoke of the uniqueness of Christianity through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the hope of resurrection for those who trust in Jesus Christ. In the days prior to the service, the retiring Archbishop of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali joined staff at the provincial secretariat to greet the then-Bishop Stephen on his arrival in Namirembe. During a meeting at the provincial office, Archbishop Stanley presented Bishop Stephen with a Handover Report detailing the state of the Province. Incoming Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba receives a handover report from outgoing Archbishop Stanley Ntagali in the days prior to his installation. Photo: Church of Uganda During the service, there was a legal and ceremonial handover as Archbishop Stanley handed the Provincial Staff to Archbishop Stephen prior to the new archbishop being seated in the Primatial Chair. Music as the service comprised of traditional Anglican hymns alongside spontaneous outbreaks of Tukutendereza the traditional hymn of the East African Revival. Quoting Jeremiah 17.9-10, the newly installed Archbishop laid out the priorities for his term as Archbishop. He called for a full conversion of head, heart, and hands; and committed himself to fulfilling Vision 2025 the Church of Ugandas strategic plan whose mission is to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with Christs commission to make disciples of all nations. When we do this, he said, then I believe we will see our vision fulfilled. We will see the Church of Uganda become a faster growing sustainable Christ-centred church. It's like something out of a horror movie! Residents of a small missouri town found themselves perplexed as more than 1,000 dead birds were found in a nearby field. Andrew Mothershead, an agent with Scott County Conservation, shared on Facebook that the Missouri Department of Conservation was inundated with calls on Monday about the birds. Mothershead and Kevin Brunke, a Natural History Biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, responded to Wakefield Road, west of Sikeston, to investigate the birds. Scroll down for video The Missouri Department of Conservation was inundated with calls on Monday about the birds, seen just west of Sikeston There, the pair found carcasses of four bird types: red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds, grackles and European starlings. 'We also observed many birds showing signs of physical injury in areas of vegetated cover near the roadway,' Mothershead said in the release, adding that more dead birds were found in various neighborhoods in the area. The reports of the dead birds first started on Sunday at around 8 to 9 pm, the agent stated. The reports started around the same time 'a thunderstorm moved through the area.' Reports of the dead birds first started on Sunday at around 8 to 9 pm They started around the same time 'a thunderstorm moved through the area' Mothershead explained in his report that he had contacted the National Weather Station in Paducah and confirmed that the Sikeston area had experienced 'high winds, lightning, and some hail.' Most of the birds found normally travel and roost together in large flocks, according to the agent. 'Based on the condition of the dead birds, the injured birds, location, and weather conditions, Brunke and I believe its reasonable to conclude that the flock spooked during the weather event, and were caught up in high winds or lightning,' Mothershead said. State wildlife officials ask that any citizens who have found bird carcasses on their property to 'collect them with gloves, bag them, and put them in their trash for local pick-up' 'As birds couldnt recover in flight, many fell to the ground and perished or became injured. While rare, birds can fall victim to volatile weather conditions, which is likely the cause of this incident.' The agent shared that some of the birds were collected so that they could be examined by MDC's Wildlife Health unit in Columbia. They ask that any citizens who have found bird carcasses on their property to 'collect them with gloves, bag them, and put them in their trash for local pick-up.' 'This will ensure that the carcasses end up in a landfill,' Mothershead concluded in his release. Two years ago, a heartless mother killed her three-year-old son and threw his body in a river so she could go on holiday. She was jailed. Recently, she filed an appeal in Croatias highest court to have her sentence reduced, but that appeal has been rejected. 33-year-old Chiara Pasic was convicted of the murder of her three-year-old son back in April 2018 and jailed for 33 years. Recently her lawyers launched an appeal after she believed her sentencing was unfair, reports The Sun. Central European News Chiara killed her three-year-old son Denis and threw his body in shallow waters in a harbour in the seafront city of Pula on the tip of Croatias Istrian Peninsula. In 2018, it was reported that Pasic showed no emotion when she was sentenced to 33 years in prison and two years in a psychiatric institution for killing Denis so that she could travel to Macedonia. She had a 15-year-old female 'accomplice' who was sentenced to three years in a youth detention centre in Pozega in eastern Croatia for assisting Pasic. It was the female teen who held a pillow over the toddlers face while the mother restrained his arms and feet. The two then got rid of the body and Pasic called the police to report him as missing. She told the authorities that she last saw him in a nearby childrens park. Central European News The police however suspected the mother and after a few hours of questioning, she confessed to her crime and showed officers where she had dumped the body. While rejecting the appeal recently the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia reportedly said that the defendant showed such cold-blooded planning, persistence and ruthlessness in committing the act that the previous sentence is justified. According to local media, now she cannot appeal against the judgment of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia. In another case of cruelty, a video of an Indiana mother slapping her barely one-year-old son has been going viral. The mother has now been arrested. According to Daily Mail, the woman is 21-year-old Hannah Winch, and in the video, she is hitting the 10-month-old boy who is later seen sprawled face-down on the floor of a home in the Peru area. According to the report, a man believed to be the boys father watches helplessly. Authorities did a welfare check last week around 8:15 pm with the Indiana Department of Child Services and found that the child wasn't injured. It is not known yet who made the call to the cops. Cases like these put parental love in perspective and raises the question if children are actually safe in any kind of environment. On February 17, the Supreme Court of India passed a ruling that will enable women to serve as army commanders. The court also extended permanent service which has only applied to men so far to all women officers. Following the courts ruling, women will now be allowed to command entire military units. However, they will still not be permitted to serve in army combat units, like the infantry or artillery corps. Before the Supreme Court reached its decision, Indias central government opposed women being granted command positions in the army by drawing on age-old gender stereotypes about the physical limitations of women. It also made the incredulous argument that women should not be appointed to top roles such as colonels or brigadiers, because most soldiers are men from rural backgrounds who are not mentally schooled to accept women officers in command. The Supreme Court, however, strongly rebuked the government for its blatant gender bias and ordered it to implement its ruling within the next three months. The top courts move has been lauded by most commentators as a move towards gender equality, with women now being able to get the same opportunities and benefits as their male colleagues, including ranks, promotions and pensions, and being allowed to serve longer tenures. Indeed, the courts strong statements against the gender stereotypes employed by the government come as a welcome relief. Equally, ensuring that women can hold permanent commissions in the army recognises the equal effort and service that they put in. However, to brand this move as feminist would be fallacious at best. While the courts decision creates parity between men and women, it leaves aside deeper questions about the army itself and the forms of masculinity that it creates and supports. Moreover, while promoting a liberal understanding of gender equality, it brushes over the excesses by the armed forces that disproportionately harm women, such as the use of sexual violence to control and subdue certain populations. Militaries as sites of overt hyper-masculinity Militaries across the world help entrench hegemonic masculine notions of aggressiveness, strength and heterosexual prowess in and outside their barracks. Feminist scholar Sandra Whitworth argues that in order to enable conscripts to survive the tough conditions of military life and to be able to kill without guilt, military training focuses on tearing down their old connections and creating new bonds of brotherhood and camaraderie between them based on militarised masculinity. To create these new bonds, militaries construct a racial, sexual, gendered other, attributes of whom the soldier must routinely and emphatically reject. As a result, militaries are masculine, heteronormative spaces devoid of all traces of femininity where the words woman, girl and gay are routinely used as slurs. To then simply add women to this existing patriarchal setup, without challenging the underpinning notions of masculinity, can hardly be seen as gender advancement. In fact, in order to succeed within the army, women are forced to deride their femininity and work harder than men to establish parity in the eyes of their counterparts. They are forced to blend in, while standing out for their exceptional work in order to be taken seriously. Sneha Susan Itty, a Major in the Indian army, explained this in a 2015 interview with the Hindustan Times. The training killed all my femininity, she said. I was serving while I was pregnant and not for a day was I given any relaxation, nor did I ask for it. This superficial approach to gender equality, which defines parity solely based on the opportunity to participate, also fails to address the fallouts of propagating the aggression and sense of entitlement that is central to militarised masculinity, most notable of which is sexual harassment and abuse. Sexual harassment faced by women military officers is a global phenomenon which remains largely unaddressed, and women often face retaliation when they do complain. In 2017, Indias Ministry of Defence revealed that a dozen women officers in the armed forces lodged complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination in the preceding two years. The number is significant given the overall trend of low reporting of sexual harassment generally and the fact that women constitute a minuscule minority in the overwhelmingly male-dominated Indian military. Extensive and rigorous data on the pervasiveness of sexual harassment in the Indian armed forces is not available. However, a relatively small 2015 study, which questioned 450 members of the armed forces on sexual discrimination in their workplace, found that sexual harassment is rampant in the military. Therefore, womens inclusion in the military is just another manoeuvre to camouflage womens subjugation and service as womens liberation. In reality, there are several non-feminist reasons behind the decision to include women (and progressively queer people) in the armed forces, including using the illusion of gender progressiveness within the army to shame populations for their gender inequities, brand them as backward and use this to justify military control. Gender equality for whom? Women officers, celebrating the victory, termed the Supreme Courts decision as one that would uplift women across the country and not just in the armed forces. However, military interventions have had less than desirable impacts on women in the past, especially in terms of the trail of gendered and sexual violence they left in their wake. There are widespread accusations of sexual violence against the Indian armed forces by those groups over whom it maintains strict control. In the 2013 report on her mission to India, for example, the UNs Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo said, [W]omen living in militarised regions, such as Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states, live in a constant state of siege and surveillance, whether in their homes or in public. Information received through both written and oral testimonies highlighted the use of mass rape, allegedly by members of the State security forces, as well as acts of enforced disappearance, killings and acts of torture and ill-treatment, which were used to intimidate and to counteract political opposition and insurgency. Similar allegations of sexual violence have been levelled by male survivors of sexual assault against the Indian army as well. The military and the hyper-masculinity that it promotes also harm women who do not live in areas under military control. A 2004 study revealed that the rates of domestic violence are three to five times higher among military couples than among civilian ones. Catherine Lutz, the author of the study, argues that the military as an institution promotes the idea of heterosexual male supremacy, glorifies power and control or discipline, and suggests that violence is often a necessary means to ones ends. This entrenched feeling permeates behaviour at the domestic level as well, where control and obedience is sought and violence is used as a means to extract obedience. It is apparent that the widespread hyper-masculinity, sexism and sexual violence in which the military is embroiled, will not correct itself through the tokenistic involvement of women or by according them commanding positions. As Noura Erakat notes, the superficial involvement of women in armed forces far from actually advancing gender equality makes the system subjugating us stronger and more difficult to fight. Our historical exclusion makes it [appear] desirable to achieve [inclusion] but thats a lack of imagination. Our historical exclusion should push us to imagine a better system and another world thats possible. A feminist vision, therefore, calls for critical engagement with the institution of armed forces, which goes beyond a liberal imperial notion of gender equality. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The central government on Monday permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services to passengers, according to an official notification. Reacting on this, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that he is "very happy" that airlines have already started acting on that. 'It is entirely a commercial decision' Speaking to news agency ANI outside Parliament, he said, "We had notified the rules on 21st February and I am very happy that airlines have already started acting on that and one of the airlines, in fact, is going to implement it very soon. It is entirely on the airlines to make it complimentary or to charge for providing the service. It is entirely a commercial decision." "The Pilot-in-Command may permit the access of Internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight, through Wi-Fi on board, when a laptop, smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, e-reader or a point of sale device is used in flight mode or aeroplane mode," the notification stated. While taking the delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft at Everett last Friday, Vistara CEO Leslie Thng had told reporters that it would be the first plane in India to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services. No objections from the public received An additional explanation has been added in the new rules saying an aircraft shall be deemed to be in flight when all its external doors are closed following embarkation until the moment when any such door is opened for disembarkation. The government in its latest notification has also mentioned that no objections from the public in respect of the draft rules have been received. READ | Parents take WiFi modem on vacation after 'unappreciative' kids refuse to go In August 2019, the Indian government in the draft of the amendment had also mentioned allowing cellular communication during flights. Furthermore, the Indian telecom regulator had in 2018 recommended that both Internet and mobile communications on board aircraft (MCA) service should be permitted as In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) in the Indian airspace. READ | BIG: Government allows airlines to provide in-flight WiFi services on domestic aircrafts Globally, many airlines are already offering wi-fi for passengers, but they currently have to switch off the facility when they enter the Indian airspace. AirAsia, Air France, British Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic are among 30 airlines that already allow mobile phone use on aircraft. READ | Free WiFi project to continue in India despite winding down of Google 'Station' program READ | JP Nadda attacks CM Kejriwal, says 'Delhi still waiting for WiFi, 15 lakh CCTVs' (With agency inputs) Thousands of Albanians rallied in the capital Tirana on Monday against the country's left-wing government, responding to a call from the president who accuses it of violating the constitution and of links with organized crime. Albanian President Ilir Meta's protest was supported by the opposition, which is calling for fresh elections to resolve the political crisis. Meta accuses Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party government of violating the country's constitution by exceeding its powers, and also of taking his own powers by nominating candidates for the six vacant seats on the nine-person Constitutional Court. In a symbolic gesture, Meta signed a decree annulling a law on the swearing-in ceremony of the Constitutional Court judges, which was recently passed by parliament. The political turmoil comes as the Balkan nation of nearly three million people has been enacting reforms in the hope of getting the go-ahead to launch EU membership talks. On Monday, the European Commission issued a revised progress report on Albania and North Macedonia saying that "both countries have delivered further tangible and sustainable results and therefore the Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia remains valid." The European Council is expected to meet later this month. Since taking the post three years ago, Meta, the former leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration Party, a small left-wing group now in opposition, has always been a vocal opponent of the government. The Socialists, who dominate parliament, have launched impeachment proceedings against Meta - the first in post-communist Albania - stemming from his attempt to cancel last year's municipal elections. The parliament is expected to produce a report this month that is likely to ask for Meta's ouster. At one point during the protest, Meta was seen waving a US Flag. The US Ambassador to Albania Yuri Kim later tweeted her "surprise" that the flag was visible at the protest. "To avoid any confusion, we wish to clarify that while the US supports the right of peaceful protest, we have nothing to do with tonight's 'manifestation'" she tweeted. For the outgoing prime minister, this was "biggest win of my life". As head of government, he is in a stronger position ahead of his corruption trial. With ballots still being counter, Likud and allies have 59 seats, two short of a majority in the Knesset. For Palestinians, annexation and settlements have won. Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel's third general election in less than a year, calling yesterdays outcome the biggest win of my life". In his victory speech, he said we plowed the country from north to south," noting that Israeli citizens trust us because they know that we have brought the best decade in Israeli history." For Netanyahu, this victory is much more. In a few days, 17 March, he is due to go on trial for corruption, and the win could mean his political survival. If this happens, Netanyahu would become Israels longest-serving prime minister with more than ten years as head of the government. Trailing behind the centrist Blue White alliance led by Benny Gantz in the weeks leading up to the vote, the Likud leader made a comeback that surprised analysts and experts. With 70 per cent of ballots counted, the Central Elections Committee gives the Likud 28.7 per cent of the vote, which translates into 37 Knesset seats out of 120: 61 are needed for a majority. The Blue White alliance comes in second with 23.3 per cent for 32-33 seats. Avigdor Liebermans party appears to have won seven seats. With his hard-line right-wing allies, Netanyahu could reach 59 seats, two short of a majority. For the centre-left bloc, the most optimistic estimate is 53 seats, including the Arab parties. Now, everyone is waiting for the official tally, expected by tomorrow morning. As the outgoing prime minister, Netanyahu can benefit from having the largest bloc in Parliament, which gives him the right to form a new government, one that is even more tilted to the right. If this fails, the country can expect another deadlock, the third in the past few months, with more political uncertainty on the horizon. Netanyahu can attribute his electoral victory, if that is the case, to his foreign policy successes, starting with the so-called Agreement of the century, i.e. Donald Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, praised by the Israelis and bluntly rejected by Palestinians and pro-human rights groups. Palestinians are particularly concerned about the Israeli election. The exit polls show that that settlement, occupation and apartheid have won the Israeli elections, tweeted Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), For Erekat, who is an advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the future includes more occupation and conflict with annexation as the next step. Joe Biden. AP Photo/Jessica Hill Former Vice President Joe Biden claimed decisive victory in South Carolina's Democratic primary on Saturday, prompting numerous other presidential candidates to exit the race ahead of Super Tuesday. Some of the former candidates as well as other Democratic heavyweights have now thrown their support behind the former vice president on the eve of the pivotal vote. Here's who endorsed Biden the day before Super Tuesday. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Following a decisive victory in South Carolina's Democratic primary, former Vice President Joe Biden continues to ride on a high on the eve of Super Tuesday. Some former 2020 presidential candidates have now thrown their support behind the former vice president, including former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas; former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana; and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Harry Reid once the most powerful Democrat in the Senate and the former national security adviser Susan Rice also endorsed Biden in a bid to unify the party ahead of a day when roughly a third of Democratic delegates are up for grabs. Here's who endorsed Biden the day before Super Tuesday: Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana pete buttigieg Reuters/Brian C. Frank Buttigieg, who dropped out of the 2020 race on Sunday, threw his support behind Biden on the eve of Super Tuesday. Biden said at a rally that he called Buttigieg after the former mayor dropped out of the race, telling him he needed to still stay engaged even after withdrawing. On Monday, Biden said Buttigieg, who is a military veteran, reminded him of his son Beau, who served in the Army National Guard and died of a brain tumor in 2017. Source: Business Insider Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., pauses during a visit to a campaign office, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Associated Press Klobuchar was one of three women left running for president before she ended her campaign on Monday. She endorsed Biden on the same day in a bid to unify the party's moderates ahead of the pivotal vote on Tuesday. Story continues She also spoke at a rally for Biden in Dallas, saying, "I can't think of a better way to end my campaign than to join his." Source: Business Insider Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas FILE PHOTO: Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks to reporters in the Spin Room after the fourth Democratic U.S. 2020 presidential election debate at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio October 15, 2019. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk/File Photo Reuters O'Rourke, who dropped out of the race in November, expressed support for Biden's campaign, and he appeared at his rally at Texas Southern University in Dallas. O'Rourke and the former vice president went to Whataburger after the rally for a "true Texas experience," where they spoke with guests and dined at the fast-food restaurant. Source: KPRC Former national security adviser Susan Rice susan rice AP/Bebeto Matthews Rice, who also served in the Obama administration with Biden, tweeted her endorsement of Biden on Monday. "There is no one kinder, more empathetic, and caring than Joe Biden," she wrote. "He will lead America with the same deep compassion and decency." Source: Twitter Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Harry Reid Ethan Miller/Getty Images The former longtime US senator from Nevada once the most powerful Democrat in the Senate endorsed Biden. He said the former vice president's character stood "in the starkest contrast to Trump's amorality, corruption, and utter incompetence." "Biden will be a much-needed stabilizing force following Trump's disastrous term, offering a positive and progressive alternative to Trump's dark vision of racism, xenophobia, and policies built on cruelty and exclusion," Reid said in a statement. "I believe Biden is best able to defeat Donald Trump and enact the policies we all care about." Source: USA Today Read the original article on Business Insider For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here. As COVID-19 continues to spread, San Francisco tech company Twitter is asking its more than 5,000 employees around the globe to stay home. Workers in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea have been ordered to work remotely, and employees in other locations, including San Francisco, are encouraged to protect workplaces from the coronavirus strain that originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and is now multiplying around the world. "We are working to make sure internal meetings, all hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation. We recognize that working from home is not ideal for some job functions," a statement from the company read. The company also announced they're "increasing deep cleaning and sanitizing in all spaces, as well as more visual reminders for personal hygiene best practices and pre-packaged, pre-composed, and pre-plated food options." Twitter CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey explained the directive in a series of tweets: "Out of an abundance of caution and care, both @Twitter and @Square are taking significant measures to help lower the probability of spread of #coronavirus #covid19, including strongly encouraging all of our employees globally to work from home if able. Dorsey is also the co-founder of the S.F.-based financial services company Square and its employees are also being encouraged to work remotely. Before taking this step, Twitter banned non-essential business travel and events for its workers and pulled out of the South by Southwest media conference in Austin, Texas. A statement on the new travel policy stated it "will continue until the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control deem it appropriate to step back from pandemic precautionary measures or when a vaccine becomes available." Amy Graff is a digital editor for SFGATE. Email her news tips and photos at agraff@sfgate.com. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: A full list of online coronavirus resources: Where to get your questions answered Live updates: A rundown of coronavirus cases in the Bay Area How to tell if you have a cold, the flu, or coronavirus The worst myths and misinformation about coronavirus Are the elderly at a greater risk for coronavirus complications? US Surgeon General: 'Seriously people - STOP BUYING MASKS' Bay Area company to expand coronavirus drug trials to other companies CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears JetBlue waives all change, cancellation fees on new bookings due to coronavirus Google is already working to bake Android 11 into its desktop Chrome OS platform for some devices, beginning with the Android 11 Developer Preview 1 build. Thats based on Chrome OS source code recently spotted by 9to5Google. The project centers around the name eve-arc-r in the source code. The arc designation is known to be representative of Android Runtime for Chrome. From that, it follows that r is representative of Android 11. Google no longer assigns its mobile OS with treat names such as Oreo or Pie due to alphabetical language barriers. Its gotten rid of the letter designations for the same reason. But Android R would follow the previous version, Android Q, that Android 10 would have been if it had continued that convention. Advertisement Which devices could this point to? Now, the naming convention associated with the project in the Chrome OS source code gives away at least a few details. Namely, the eve in the designation undoubtedly refers back to Googles Pixelbook devices. So the search giant is, at very least, testing the build on that run of Chromebooks. While its hardly surprising that Google would test a new implementation of Android 11 first on its own devices, thats not the only device referred to. The code also points to Hatch and Kukui. Both are effectively already well-known boards. Hatch underpins Chromebooks that have been built on Intels 10th Gen processors. Kukui refers to Chromebooks built on the Mediatek MT8183 processor. That indirectly points to the latest run of devices including Samsungs Galaxy Chromebook for the former codename. Lenovos upcoming detachable, the IdeaPad Duet, falls under the arch of the second codename. Advertisement The implication is that at least these two Chrome OS devices are already undergoing some form of testing with the initial Developer Preview of Android 11. Its more than likely that others will follow suit, built on the same underlying hardware platforms, as the year progresses. Is there a timeline for the rollout of Android 11 to Chrome OS? As noted above, Googles own Pixel-branded devices will almost certainly be among the first that receive Android 11. Thats if Google chooses to officially bump the version on Chrome OS to Android 11, to begin with. Samsungs Galaxy Chromebook and Lenovos IdeaPad Duet seem likely candidates too. As do any other gadgets that happen to be built around the same hardware. That said, this wont necessarily be a quick rollout. As noted with last years bump from Android Nougat to Android Oreo, Chromebooks tend to receive new versions of Android slowly. In fact, it wasnt until around Chrome OS 72 that Android 9 officially started landing on a wider spread of devices. That part of the OS update summarily arrived in batches. Advertisement The same trend is likely to continue if Google does bump Chrome OSs Android implementation to Android 11. More importantly, Android 11 isnt likely to be finalized until much later this year. So it may not be until well into 2021 before that officially starts impacting the majority of Chrome OS users. Conversely, since Google also started working with Android 10 in Chrome OS before abandoning it outright, the company may not ever implement Android 11, to begin with. It isnt immediately clear which features from Android 11 would make their way over to Chromebooks either. bb wrote: I would venture out to say that HKUST is probably a more exciting and stronger program than Cambridge but it has a number of challenges hes that come with it. First is you have to know Chinese, Cantonese to get a job in Hong Kong. Unless you somehow figure out a way to get in as an ex-pat, which has to be only through a personal connection, you will not be able to recruit in Hong Kong. That means you will be going to Singapore or another location for recruiting. Makes it tougher And diminishes the name of the schools brand since you will not be able to recruit on campus. Second, the cost of living in Hong Kong after graduation is very high. During school it should be OK since the campus is in the Clearwater Bay somewhat out of the high cost areas and there is student housing available. On the positive side they have a very strong exchange program with some of the worlds best MBA programs. You could go for a semester to almost anywhere. Kellogg, UCLA, Darden, Europe, Asia. Really anywhere. On the positive side they have a very strong exchange program with some of the worlds best MBA programs. You could go for a semester to almost anywhere. Kellogg, UCLA, Darden, Europe, Asia. Really anywhere. On the other hand Judge has some exciting things about it as well including its old history of the parent University and the widely recognized name around the world. It is not a very strong brand as an MBA program however and does not command a premium in recruiting. Taken into consideration your goal of returning to India eventually, which brand potentially do you feel would be more valuable? My guess however is that 10 years after graduation, you may not be leveraging your MBA brands but rather your personal network at the same time, it never hurts to have extra help. Where do you see yourself after graduation? Would you rather be in Asia or London? Posted from my mobile device Hi, thank you so much for your detailed response!Honestly, both Hong Kong and London seem like exciting prospects to me, in terms of living there post MBA. You're absolutely right about the problems HKUST brings as well, they're essentially what I was worried about, especially the language barrier.I'm leaning a little more towards Cambridge at the moment, because of the University reputation (the B school itself might not command the same respect) as well as the recent situation in HK, and the seemingly bleak economic prospects. In addition to that, Judge seems to have a bigger and more diverse class.The biggest win HKUST seems to have over Judge, as you rightly pointed out, is the amazing exhange opportunity it provides.Do you know what the Job prospects after Judge are like? The Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) has decided to cancel the examination conducted by the board on February 2 for recruitment of lower division clerk, junior secretariat assistant and others. The decision to cancel the examination was taken following a meeting of the APSSB officers which was held at the boards office on Monday, a statement from the boards secretary Santosh Kumar Rai said. Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday had suggested scrapping the examination conducted by the APSSB and announced setting up of an inquiry commission to investigate the alleged irregularities in the examination, apart from the police case which has been registered with the Special Investigation Cell (SIC). The APSSB secretary in the statement said that the board discussed in detail the matter pertaining to examination and after careful consideration of all the facts available, it was decided to cancel the examination. "A new date for the examination would be notified soon. All the candidates who had received admit cards for the examination held on February 2, will be eligible to re-appear for the examination without paying any additional fees," Rai said. The APSSB secretary said that the board has also resolved to ensure transparency and fairness while conducting the future examination so as to ensure that appointments are made purely on merit basis. The APSSB has recently drawn flak from all quarters for its alleged failure to conduct the examination in a fair manner. Following allegations of malpractice, a case under several sections of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act was lodged on February 16 with the SIC of the state police. Accordingly, the SIC, has so far arrested five persons including APSSB under secretary Kapter Ringu and two data entry operators of the board in connection the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A majority of Nigerians who participated in an online poll by PREMIUM TIMES have kicked against a proposed bill to create an agency for the rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram members. This is not surprising as the bill, since its introduction, has triggered outrage and debate from citizens across the country. This is even as many have accused the lawmaker proposing it of supporting insurgents in the country and even sponsoring the attacks. Many fear that releasing the repentant Boko Haram militants into civilian population could be counterproductive as hardened fighters would return to the terror group to commit more atrocities. Poll Over 22,148 voters participated in the poll which was conducted on the PREMIUM TIMES website and on its official Twitter and Facebook pages. The poll lasted for about five days and was conducted in a way that made it impossible for a respondent to vote more than once from the same computer or mobile device. Participants were asked a single question: Does Nigeria need an agency to rehabilitate Boko Haram members? with options of yesand no. On the Facebook poll, over 14,076 (92 per cent) respondents voted against the bill while 1,224 participants (18 per cent) supported it. Similarly, on Twitter, 5,481 participants (91.9 per cent) voted against the idea, while 483 participants (8.1 per cent) supported it. And on the website, 740 respondents (83.7 per cent) voted no and 144 respondents (16.3 per cent) voted no. Bill The bill seeks to create an agency for rehabilitating, de-radicalising, educating and reintegrating the defectors, repentant and detained members of the insurgent group Boko Haram to make them useful members of the society. It is sponsored by former Yobe governor, Ibrahim Gaidam. This legislation comes amidst incessant attacks in the North-east by bandits and suspected Biko Haram members with the most recent being the killing of over 50 people in Kaduna villages. Despite the backlash, Mr Gaidam (Yobe East, APC) has attempted to justify his position why a commission is the best bet to address the unending insurgency. Among other reasons, he said the agency when established will help rehabilitate and reintegrate the defectors, repentant and forcefully conscripted members of the Boko Haram to make them useful members of the society and provide an avenue for reconciliation and promote national security. The agency, he said, would provide an avenue for reconciliation and promote national security and an-open-door and encouragement for other members of the group who are still engaged in the insurgency to abandon the group especially in the face of military pressure. Already, a few lawmakers have condemned the bill describing it as as needless, waste of resources and misplaced priority. This is even as they questioned the nationality of the insurgents. While many have condemned the proposed legislation and accused the sponsor of conniving with insurgents, a few others, however, say the bill is not unconnected to promises made earlier by the federal government. The Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, had in 2017 pledged to ensure the total de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of all ex-Boko Haram members before re-integrating them into the society in line with international best practices. President Muhammadu Buhari also said the Nigerian government is ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard. His words were followed by the handing over 244 Boko Haram suspects, by the Nigerian army whom it said have given up membership of the terrorist group, to the Borno State government. This is even as the army said another 154 ex-Boko Haram fighters had been rehabilitated under the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme and are now set to be reintegrated into the society. Condemnations, reactions Among the groups to have condemned the bill, is the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) which has urged the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to drop the bill noting that the legislation would enable repentant terrorists to receive foreign education. Advertisements This will include accessing funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) and subventions from the government. The group in a statement said the bill erodes justice and makes a mockery of the suffering of victims, and the unspeakable human tragedy, humanitarian crisis and appalling atrocities committed by the Boko Haram terrorist group. By calling Boko Haram members ex-agitators, the Bill mocks the victims of appalling atrocities committed by the terrorist group, and is a blatant affront to victims dignity. Repentant Boko Haram terrorists are not ex-agitators; they are terrorists under Nigerian and international laws. Boko Haram members should not be allowed to enjoy foreign education while over 13 million Nigerian children of school age are roaming our streets, it said. Other Nigerians have taken to social media to kick against the bill. Below are some reactions: Same way they turned repentant hardened criminals to sars and they started killing innocent people. Please please abeg abeg Yummy Yomi (@iamMrDray) February 20, 2020 No insults please President Umaru Yar adu'a gave amnesty to REPENTANT Niger Delta militants. President Goodluck Jonathan gave most of them scholarship to study within and outside Nigeria. Today, most of them are Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers to mention but a few. Ahmed Musa (@generalzango) February 20, 2020 How do you even think of such bill if you dont play a role in the insurgency in the first place. Madness MrPhiltin (@MPhiltin) February 20, 2020 I don't just read headlines, but delve into content of stories. If Borno elders like ex-Gov. @KashimSM, Civilian JTF, and not excluding widows of slained soldiers have kicked against @MBuhari's release of these hardline BH terrorists, why this bill in @DrAhmadLawan's @NGRSenate? pic.twitter.com/uVPtPH3jT3 His Knowledgeable (@HisKnowledgeabl) February 20, 2020 Things are getting clearer by the day, the agenda is becoming more apparent, the Northerners are telling us the Buhari's war against Terrorism is a facade. The Yorubas are probes to be the dumbest on the planet. Papi Chulo (@oluobededom) February 20, 2020 Permit me to say Nigeria is almost finished with this. You put armed robbers behind bars for years, even when they are remorseful ,they dont get this kind of preferential treatment. Now terrorist gets this kind of treatment. Who rehabilitates these people if I may ask? S.M.H Gboy_Fabulouz (@davoe005) February 20, 2020 https://twitter.com/jayhima04/status/1230453646493650944?s=20 In a sane country, the senator sponsoring this Bill would have been placed on close watch as number one Boko Haram suspect! rXLuthorcorp (@ekenestan07) February 21, 2020 I think @NGRSenate should introduce a bill to re-brand yahoo yahoo boys, if Boko Haram can get this kind of treatment in Nigeria then we shouldn't send anyone to jail no matter their crime. BH have raped, stolen, killed, burnt and destroyed our women yet we smile at them. EGO(Egwu Godwin O) (@Egwuogodwin) February 20, 2020 This is indeed unfortunate! Why should the Nigerian Senate be rewarding terrorists? This is one of the reasons why the international community will never consider lending a helping hand to Nigeria. What the Senate is doing is tantamount to self-immolation. Nnamdi Abana (@nnamdiabana_) February 20, 2020 Perpetrators of the Delhi violence should be handed out strictest possible punishment, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first since he took over the post for the third time. "I raised the demand for strictest possible punishment for the perpetrators responsible for the riots in Delhi, irrespective of their party, religion or status," Kejriwal told ANI here. Terming his meeting with the Prime Minister a 'courtesy call' Kejriwal said the duo also discussed the spread of coronavirus. "We (the Centre and Delhi government) should work together to stop the spread of coronavirus and for treating the people who are infected with it," the chief minister said. Later at a press conference, elaborating about the meeting, Kejriwal said that he had praised the state police for the commendable work is done on Sunday (March 1) evening in preventing rumours in various areas of Delhi. "I also said that the same kind of alertness and response should have been shown by the police department on Monday and Tuesday (February 24 and 25) then the loss of lives could have been prevented," Kejriwal said. "I also said to the PM that we must take all necessary steps to ensure that such riots do not take place in Delhi ever again," he added. At least 47 people lost their lives and more than 200 injured in the violence in North-East Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coronavirus in India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised people not to panic and take self-precautions through a tweet. PM also held a preparation review meeting to deal with the virus and save the citizens. Coronavirus in India: In view of the increasing detection of coronavirus aka COVID-19 cases in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting on the preparations to fight the virus on Tuesday, March 3. In a tweet, Prime Minister said different ministries and states have joined hands to tackle the coronavirus. He added that authorities are taking care of everything from screening of tourists arriving in India to provide prompt and proper medication. The Ministry of Health has detected 6 people with coronavirus symptoms during testing in Agra. All the suspects are being monitored by a special team of doctors at Delhis Safdarjung Hospital and their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune to confirm their health status. Reports said all of them came in contact with a 46-year-old patient, a resident of Delhis Mayur Vihar, suffering from coronavirus, whose case was found positive a day ago. The 6 suspects includes his family members too. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 Earlier today, a student was reportedly detected as coronavirus suspect in a school of Nodia, after which, the school authorities cancelled its annual examination. The suspected students parents were tested positive with COVID-19 on Monday. The Ministry of External Affairs has also issued a travel advisory and has temporarily banned arrival from China, the epicenter for coronavirus and 4 other countries (Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan) are affected badly. 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 Diplomats, officials of the United Nations and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and Aircrew from above mentioned countries have been exempted from restriction on entry. However, the medical screening for everyone is compulsory. Earlier on Monday, in a presser, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had informed that screening of tourists have been done at 21 airports, 12 major and 65 minor ports. Sharing the stats, Health Minister added over 5, 57,431 passengers at airports and 12,431 passengers at ports have been tested so far. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App (CNN) Public health experts have consistently warned that the novel coronavirus outbreak presents a unique public health threat to the African continent. The World Health Organization says that only eight countries are ready to deal with the outbreak. Up until recently, most have lacked any diagnostic capability and few countries on the continent have sufficient health systems to deal with severe cases on a large scale. Despite operating multiple direct flights to coronavirus-hit China, there were no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Sub-Saharan Africa until last week. That is when Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), received a phone call in the early hours of the morning from Nigeria, where an Italian traveling on business was rapidly diagnosed and isolated. Nkengasong, a former senior official of the US CDC, and his colleagues have been working on a diagnostics and containment strategy to combat the disease. Nkengasong spoke to CNN about the risk posed by coronavirus to African countries. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity. CNN: Nigeria faced a stiff test and it seems, at this stage, that they passed. What is the danger facing Africa now with the novel coronavirus? Nkengasong: I think there are two dangers facing Africa now -- the first is our ability to detect quickly, and the second is the ability to contain it. Nigeria was able to detect the virus quickly, I would say. The coming days will tell us if the containment strategy is right. The contacts of an individual who tests positive must be isolated and their contacts traced quickly. Why is speed so important in diagnostics? Speed is so important in diagnostics because it allows you to isolate the people that are positive and keep them and monitor them for at least two weeks. If you do not pick up these people early, they will keep on mingling in the population and then they keep transmitting the virus to the population. Before this outbreak, you had to send samples to just two labs from across the continent. What has changed? Just three weeks ago, South Africa and Senegal were the only two countries on the continent that were doing the testing. But we have ramped up training very quickly ... and as we speak today there are over 40 countries that have the ability to detect the virus. Africa is a very diverse place. But why are some countries in Africa very susceptible to this particular disease? Early on -- particularly at the start of this outbreak -- there were certain countries that had direct flights with China. That is Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa. Those were the first countries with high risk, and most of those countries stopped flying to China. But Ethiopian Airlines is still continuing, though they have reduced to two flights a day going to China. Then you have the big countries like Nigeria. They don't have direct flights, but they have many people going from there to China. Then you have countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo -- it is a large country and we have a current Ebola outbreak and conflict there. Countries like the DRC have fragile systems, and they are very, very vulnerable without rapid detection and containment. Some are saying that this virus is relatively mild for most people. But why, particularly in Africa, should people be concerned about the impact that it could have? We have learned a lot by what is happening in China. The first is the spread of the virus, how quickly the virus spreads there. So even if it is mild, it infects so many people, and the mortality rate is at two percent. That is a large number of people. But in Africa, why is that particular type of disease dangerous? It is dangerous for several reasons. Our health systems are not strong enough to provide those respiratory support systems that are required to care for patients that are infected, as we have seen in China. There are very few countries in Africa with those systems in place in their hospitals to care for a large number of patients. They may be able to care for some patients, but not for a large number of patients if they are overwhelmed, like we are seeing in China. So it is clearly important to really stop this virus in its tracks everywhere, but particularly in Africa. If we cannot do that, what is the scenario for health systems? We have to. We don't have a choice, we have to scale our ability to train many people on infection prevention and control, to enhance the screening at our points of entry as quickly as possible to cascade the diagnostics into the country so that our strategy continues to be rapid detection and rapid containment. Because there is no way our health systems will be rapidly improved to be able to cope with a large outbreak, like we are seeing in China. If you see community transmission in countries like Nigeria and other African countries, should borders close? If we are beginning to see community transmission [in which people are infected with the virus in an area, including some who aren't sure how or where they became infected] -- which is the scenario that we truly don't want to see happen -- that will ensure a transmission that becomes very difficult to contain. At that point we can't talk anymore about a containment strategy, we move to a mitigation strategy. What can we do to mitigate the effect on the community? That will require that we start closing down places of mass gathering -- churches, schools, public facilities. And that will have a severe economic and social impact on the continent. That will be the only way to contain that kind of community transmission through social distancing. So, we really hope that the strategy for the continent will continue to be rapid detection and rapid containment. Why have there been so few cases in Africa? Are cases being missed? There is still the possibility that we have cases and they are not being detected. Time will tell as we expand diagnostics. Remember when this outbreak started, we had the Chinese New Year festival going on and many of the Chinese were in China -- so their movement was not coming into Africa. But we don't know what will happen as these many Chinese come back from holidays in Africa. Countries are on their highest alert. They are putting their surveillance and rapid response systems in place. If there are cases, I am sure that they will be catching and reporting. Communication and trust are key to combating outbreaks. How can you do that in the face of social media spreading misinformation? We have seen that clearly for this specific outbreak, the level of misinformation, the level of fear that it has generated. And some of that is fed by social media. We have to admit that we have a crisis on our hands -- a crisis of misinformation and fear. We need to work with all forms of media to combat this. Without that it will become very difficult to win community trust, and we need the community to work very closely with public health experts to win this battle against the coronavirus -- both in preparedness and in the response phase. This story was first published on CNN.com "African countries are at severe risk if outbreaks aren't detected early and contained, says Africa CDC head" Dr Michael McBride (Chief Medical Officer), with Dr Miriam McCarthy ( Director of Commissioning HSCB) and Dr Gerry Waldron (Head of Health Protection) during an update to the media about the Coronavirus in Northern Ireland, at the Public Health Agency Head Quarters in Belfast on Tuesday. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Northern Ireland's chief medical officer has said there is no need to cancel large scale events or mass gatherings as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Dr Michael McBride confirmed during a press briefing that there has been 151 people tested for the virus so far, with only one confirmed positive in Northern Ireland. The medic told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that Northern Ireland was still in the "containment phase" of the virus and that it will take more than a year for a vaccine to be produced. He said that initial data shows 99% of infected patients will make a full recovery while 95% will suffer mild to moderate symptoms which will not require hospital treatment. "Those numbers will change as we get data more relevant to European health care systems, maybe more aligned with ours," Dr McBride said. Northern Ireland has around 100 critical care beds ready as it braces for Covid-19, officials confirmed. Non-urgent services may have to be stood down during a peak of infection which could last months, Dr McBride said. We are working to ensure that we protect the critical care capacity for the sickest people Dr Miriam McCarthy The aim is to "flatten" the peak transmission period and medical staff are in a phase of containing the disease. Dr Miriam McCarthy, a director at the health and social care board, said critical care beds had been readied. In order to prevent the spread a patient with the virus being treated in a single room will experience "negative pressure", where air is instead sucked back into the room rather than it mixing with other patients in hospitals who may have compromised immune systems. However, such facilities can only be used to manage relatively small numbers of admissions. She said: "We are working to ensure that we protect the critical care capacity for the sickest people. "We have about 100 beds in Northern Ireland for adults and children. We may need every bit of that capacity to deal with people infected by the virus." Trusts have in place robust arrangements to test for coronavirus HSCB She said they were trying to expand the number of critical care beds available but most will not need critical care. She said acute care beds were already under pressure. The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) said that all efforts are being made to avoid the spread of infection between people. "All Trusts have in place robust arrangements to test for coronavirus," a HSCB spokesperson added. "Trusts have identified the hospital location and ward areas that will be utilised if a number of people need to be admitted because of coronavirus. This is vital in ensuring that those patients can be appropriately treated. It will also protect other vulnerable hospital patients from the risk of infection. "Detailed attention is being given to ensure staff safety and welfare issues are fully addressed." The Public Health Agency announced last week a female healthcare worker from Belfast had tested positive after returning from northern Italy. She flew home on an Aer Lingus flight via Dublin before travelling by train to Belfast. Expand Close SDLP MLA Justin McNulty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp SDLP MLA Justin McNulty Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has called for the Northern Ireland Executive to step in and cancel all school ski trips to Italy to help stop the spread of the virus. The SDLP health spokesperson said his office has been contacted by a number of parents of pupils in his constituency who are due to travel on school organised ski trips to Italy in the coming weeks. He said school leaders are "crying out" for guidance on what to do. "One principal said she has been in contact with eight different agencies and departments on this issue in recent days. Everyone is passing the buck and offering schools advice that amounts to little more than wash your hands. Or better still, the advice has been its up to you, you make the decision!," the Newry and Armagh MLA said. "This is not acceptable. We need to adopt a whole school, whole family, whole community approach here." Mr McNulty called on the Executive to step in and issue advice to schools to cancel the trips and cover the refunds, saying it would cost less to deal with this rather than a full scale health crisis if the virus spreads. "Its time to get real, be cautious and be sensible," he added. In brief: Penetration tester. Its a unique job title, for sure, but for John Strand, its an accurate description of what he does for a living. Companies and organizations hire ethical hackers like Strand to probe their networks, testing their defenses before nefarious-minded individuals or groups can exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain. Strand usually conducts these tests on his own but as he shared during last weeks RSA Conference in San Francisco, for a 2014 job, he enlisted the help of an accomplice that the target never saw coming: his mother. A South Dakota correctional facility enlisted Strands help to test its digital security but he threw them a curveball by sending his 58-year-old mother Rita to the prison. Posing as a state health inspector complete with phony credentials, she was able to infiltrate the prison without arousing suspicion and plug Rubber Duckies malicious USB drives into computers throughout the facility. The drives beaconed back to Strand and his colleagues, giving them a way into the penitentiarys network. Alarmingly enough, Rita encountered zero resistance. She was even able to get in with her cell phone and was left to roam the prison without an escort. Worse yet, at the conclusion of her inspection, the prison director invited her to his office to discuss how to improve food service practices. She handed over another malicious USB drive with a helpful self-assessment checklist on it really, a malicious Word document that granted Strand access to the boss computer. Prison cybersecurity is crucial for obvious reasons, Strand said. If someone could break into the prison and take over computer systems, it becomes really easy to take someone out of the prison. Even more concerning is the fact that stories like this arent all that uncommon in the pen tester community. David Kennedy, founder of the pen testing firm TrustedSec, told Wired they do similar jobs all the time and rarely get caught. If you claim to be inspectors, auditors, someone of authority, anything is possible, Kennedy added. Masthead credit: Prison by MemoryMan. USB drive by SK Herb. tech2 News Staff Update: There was some confusion about exactly how NavIC is supported on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. Realme has confirmed that while the 865 hardware supports the feature, it will only be activated in April following a software update from Qualcomm. Realmes full statement is as follows: "Realme X50 Pro supports NavIC and will be the first phone in India to come equipped with the NavIC support. The hardware itself supports the technology now and can be used. The smartphone will just require a Qualcomm's software update so that it can be displayed on some applications. Also, our upcoming smartphones will support NavIC." It was just a couple of days ago that Xiaomi India Head, Manu Jain announced that their next Redmi phone will support ISRO's Indias satellite navigation system, almost immediately, arch rival company Realme announced that their smartphone already supports NavIC. As per a tweet by Realme India head Madhav Sheth, Realme's latest smartphone Realme X50 Pro 5G (First impressions) already supports NavIC technology and their upcoming phones will support that as well. He further revealed that they are launching another smartphone on 5 March that will also have this feature. It's just a little bit silly that companies are fighting over ownership of the title of "first phone with NavIC", especially because the new generation of smartphone chipsets all support NavIC by default and it's just a matter of time before the market is flooded with NavIC supporting phones. Yes, our ultimate flagship, #realmeX50Pro features #NavIC & even our upcoming phone will feature it as well. So World's first, World's second, coming in a row, all for India. Plan to talk more on 5th March. See you there with 1500 #realme fans. https://t.co/SXwcu1vYyI Madhav 5G (@MadhavSheth1) February 27, 2020 Why NavIC is a big deal? NavIC Navigation with Indian Constellation is the regional geo-positioning system designed in India by ISRO to provide accurate positioning in India and around the Indian mainland. It is considered to be at par with US-based GPS, Russia's Glonass, and Galileo developed by Europe. Glorious new chapter for tech in #India! Proud to announce that upcoming #Redmi phone will be 1st in world to feature @isro's #NavIC - Nation's own satellite navigation system! Great meeting Dr. K Sivan (Chairman #ISRO) & team to finalize this!#Xiaomi #NavICinXiaomi pic.twitter.com/GcE1EEocmL Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) February 25, 2020 Realme X50 Pro 5G specifications and features Realme X50 Pro 5G features a super AMOLED display with a 90-Hz refresh rate and a pill-shaped hole-punch. The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC. The chipset's onboard Snapdragon X55 LTE modem will ensure that the phone offers dual-mode (NSA+SA) 5G connectivity. For photography, the Realme X50 Pro 5G comes with a quad-camera setup with a 12 MP tele camera, 64 MP primary camera, 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a B&W portrait camera. It can shoot ultra-wide, 4K videos, slo-mo, and ultra-wide-angle selfie videos. The phone offers a real-time selfie bokeh effect in videos. The selfie cam can also allow slo-mo selfie videos. The Realme X50 has a 32 MP wide-angle and an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the front, along with a Nightscape 3.0 with an ultra nightscape mode for low light shooting. The Realme X50 Pro 5G is fuelled by 4,200 mAh battery, which comes with support for 65 W SuperDart fast charging technology. The Realme X50 Pro 5G comes in a 12 GB RAM variant, which is priced at Rs 44,999; an 8GB variant priced at 39,999 and a 6 GB variant that will cost 37,999. The smartphone will sell exclusively on Flipkart. Joe Biden appeared to be surging ahead in the heated Democratic presidential race with the ex-US vice president picking up three key endorsements from former rivals on the eve of the "Super Tuesday" primaries, the most important day in the 2020 White House race. Senator Amy Klobuchar and former mayor from Indiana Pete Buttigieg not only announced that they were dropping out of the race but also endorsed 77-year-old Biden's bid to challenge President Donald Trump, a Republican, in the November 3 election. Former US congressman Beto O'Rourke, who dropped out of the race last November, also backed Biden. Democratic moderates have been urging party leaders to urgently unite to stop Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, from becoming the party's nominee to take on President Trump. Now Biden's two major rivals are Sanders, 78, who is widely popular among the young Democratic base and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 78, who entered the race early this year. Since Bloomberg is spending millions from his own pocket in the race, he is considered to be a strong contender for the Democratic Party's nomination. The "Super Tuesday", or March 3 presidential primaries, would be held in as many as 15 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. For the Democratic Party, the results of the "Super Tuesday" would allocate 1,357 of the 3,979 pledged delegates for the Democratic National Convention in Wisconsin later this summer, which would select its nominee who would challenge President Trump in the presidential elections in November. Biden, who so far has won only the South Carolina primary, has 54 pledged delegates in his kitty. Sanders has won the primaries in New Hampshire and Nevada and was tied with Buttigieg in the Iowa Caucus. He is leading the pledged delegate count with 58. On Monday, Biden also picked up endorsements from former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Sanders, according to many political analysts, still have an edge in the race given his mass popularity in a state like California which sends 415 pledged delegates. He seems poised for a big victory in California, The Hill newspaper reported. A candidate should have 1,991 delegates to win the party's nomination The Vermont Senator is also ahead in the key State of Texas. But the former vice president tried to overcome this with dozens of key endorsements from across the country. The other candidates still in the race are Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu member of Congress. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed announced to endorse Biden for President. "President Donald Trump has done unspeakable damage to our country, our institutions and the rule of law. Democrats need a candidate who can assemble the largest, most diverse coalition possible to defeat Trump and lead our country following the trauma of Trump's presidency. That candidate is Joe Biden," he said. "We need a that's about decency, a that brings back dignity. ... That's what Joe Biden has been practicing his entire life," Buttigieg said in a joint rally with Biden in Dallas on Monday. Bloomberg in a town hall with Fox claimed that Sanders is not electable. "He's not electable," he said adding that some of Sanders' ideas are "crazy and maintaining that "the public doesn't want that kind of change". "I have said that I would vote for Sanders, but I would not be happy doing it. But I have said I would," Bloomberg said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MANILA, Philippines The Philippine government is now preparing to repatriate Filipino workers who were fired from their jobs as a result of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hong Kong, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Tuesday, March 3. In a Twitter post, Locsin said they will prepare for the repatriation of Filipino workers pronto. Deeply disgusted with HK which begged us to let domestic workers return to work, he said. I extracted promise from Chinese ambassador that theyd be given same protection from COVID-19 as HK residents. I shoulda specified from Hongkongers, he added. We'll prepare for their repatriation pronto. Deeply disgusted with HK wch begged us to let domestic workers return to work. I extracted promise from Chinese ambassador that they'd be given same protection from COVID-19 as HK residents. I shoulda specified "from Hongkongers." https://t.co/3Ly1CHCfCm Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 3, 2020 In February, the Philippine government allowed Filipino workers to return to Hong Kong despite travel restrictions imposed on China and its territories hit by the coronavirus outbreak following appeals from Hong Kong and the workers themselves. Locsin said he stood up for China before the vicious West at the ASEAN-COVID-19 meeting last month. I said that I begged my President to let Filipino domestic workers return to their jobs in HK showing my trust in the Chinese city. This I guess is thank you, he said. In a separate tweet, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the Philippine Consulate is now helping 40 displaced Filipino domestic workers transfer to another employer in Hong Kong. Hong Kong immigration law allows Filipino workers to transfer to another employer without leaving the territory. Story continues (1) The PHL Consulate-POLO-OWWA are helping 40 displaced HK OFW domestic workers. 35 of 40 job terminations were by the employer. 16 of 35 such employer terminations due to employers' relocation. HK Immigration Law allows the OFW to transfer to another employer, w/o leaving HK. hans leo j. cacdac (@HansLeoCacdac) March 3, 2020 Cacdac also reported that 35 of 40 cases of job terminations were initiated by the employers, 16 of which were due to the employers relocation. He further stated that 12 of the 35 employer-initiated terminations were due to issues regarding taking rest days. PCG-POLO-OWWA is helping the concerned OFWs to file complaints in relation to a workers right to take days off, he said, adding that they are also assisting Filipino workers with respect to computation or settlement of claims against employers. According to Cacdac, most of the displaced workers due to employers relocation have returned home to await their new job visas. He also assured that OWWA will provide livelihood or employment assistance to displaced Filipino workers who decided to permanently return home. The post PH to bring home Filipinos fired from jobs in Hong Kong DFA appeared first on UNTV News. A woman is suing the federal government over the 2018 death of her father from a wrongful insulin injection at a West Virginia veterans hospital. Melanie Proctor filed the lawsuit Monday against Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie. It details a 'widespread system of failures' at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg that led to the death of her father, former Army Sgt. Felix Kirk McDermott. McDermott's death has been ruled a homicide. Federal prosecutors have said they are probing the deaths of up to 11 patients at the hospital. Lawsuit accuses the VA facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia of 'widespread system of failures' In January, a grand jury had already convened in Clarksburg to consider the evidence presented to prosecutors related to the VA Medical Center. Attorney Tony O'Dell, who represents the estate of a Vietnam veteran, also filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of West Virginia. In all, he represents seven of the veterans who died after receiving wrongful insulin injections. He contends a lone employee serial killer could be responsible for the deaths. WCHS 8 has reported that a former employee at the facility had been labeled a person of interest in the investigation Melanie Proctor, daughter of Felix Kirk McDermott, is suing the VA facility in West Virginia for the wrongful death of her father Proctor's lawsuit said McDermott, 82, was admitted to to the hospital for shortness of breath and concern for food aspiration pneumonia on April 6, 2018. He was placed on antibiotics. He had no medical history of diabetes and there was no order for insulin to be administered to him. On April 9, McDermott was found restless and in pain, and a test revealed he had severe hypoglycemia. He died later that day. The lawsuit said McDermott's body was not referred to a state medical examiner for an autopsy. An autopsy performed more than six months later at an air base in Dover, Delaware, determined McDermott had received an insulin injection and his death was ruled a homicide, the lawsuit said. Former Army Sgt. Felix Kirk McDermott died in 2018 at the VA facility in Clarksburg after receiving an insulin shot he didn't need Melanie Proctor's suit claims her father, Felix McDermott was one of 10 people at the VA facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia who died in 2018 from a wrongful insulin injection Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia where McDermott died Bullets from 21-gun salute at Felix McDermott's funeral outside the VA hospital in Clarksburg Melanie Proctor sits outside of the VA facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia witha photo of her parents Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia got word of medical and criminal investigations in 2018 The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges an unnamed employee who administered the injection was not qualified to be a nursing assistant and that hospital staff failed to take appropriate action to stop the employee from giving the shots. The suit also claims no physicians ordered the insulin injection and the nurse who administered it broke standards of care. Clarksburg VA hospital spokesman Wesley Walls declined comment on the lawsuit. He said the hospital discovered the allegations and 'fired the individual at the center of them.' U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has said the VA inspector general told his office about the opening of a medical and criminal investigation of the hospital in July 2018, after at least nine patients were diagnosed with unexplained low blood sugar. Walls said 'justice is now dependent on the independent IG's investigation.' Proctor's lawsuit said at least four other veterans died at the hospital in the two months following McDermott's death, including two the next day. An attorney representing the family of George Nelson Shaw Sr., an 81-year-old retired member of the Air Force, has said he died at the hospital in April 2018 from a wrongful insulin injection. The VA is the governments second-largest department, responsible for 9 million military veterans. MEADOW | The way-station hamlet of Meadow lost its watering hole and community gathering place when Smokys Bar & Grill went up in flames Sunday afternoon. Its gone, said Andrea Block, who partnered with Shiloh Lorius in the bar and grill in Meadow, which has around a dozen residents and is 12 miles east of Bison on South Dakota Highway 20. Perkins County Sheriff Kelly Serr said a passerby, a member of the Bison Volunteer Fire Department, discovered the fire about 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Volunteer firefighters from Bison, Meadow, Grand River, Prairie City and Lemmon battled the blaze for several hours. "It was a total loss," Serr said Monday. With no community water system in Meadow, firefighters had to haul water from Bison and a rural water system tap three miles away, the sheriff said. It was kind of a chore keeping the pumpers going, Serr said. Block suspects a coal furnace as the possible cause of the fire. The frame building, which featured interior woodwork, tables and benches built by the late Jim Lockert, was constructed in 1902 in the town of Seim, northeast of Meadow. A horse team moved the building to its present site in the early 1950s when the Shadehill Reservoir swallowed Seim, Block said. Block said she and Lorius would have celebrated four years in the business on April 25. Their home, just 75 feet south of the bar, was saved. We put our lives into that place, she said. Its like mourning the loss of a human right now to me. Block thanked all the first responders, which also included the Bison EMS. We are so grateful for them and that nobody got hurt trying to save our business, Block said. Friends are organizing fundraisers to help the couple, including a GoFundMe page and an account set up at Dacotah Bank in Bison. Its unfortunate, Serr said. A young couple trying to do things differently, change things up. I hope they can get back on their feet. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 1 The South Korean government has reportedly announced 374 new confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, causing the total number of those infected to climb to 5,186 in the country. There is a sudden spike in cases as over 1000 confirmed cases were reported in the past 24 hours, confirmed media reports. According to the reports, South Korea is the highest impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak after mainland China. A majority of cases detected in South Korea have emerged in Daegu City in the North Gyeongsang province, the epicentre of the virus outbreak in South Korea. The cases are expected to surge with the ongoing screening of more than 2,60,000 people associated with Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The screening of the Church comes after a 61-year-old female member developed symptoms of the COVID-19 and later travelled to at least four church services across Daegu. The South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited the Daegu area earlier amid the rapid surge in the Coronavirus cases. 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, as per the reports. Read: Scientists Warn Coronavirus Could Become Seasonal Infection Like Flu Read: South Korean President Declares 'war' Against Deadly Coronavirus Several countries sealed border with South Korea Several countries including the Philippines and Hong Kong have scrambled to seal their borders with South Korea as a containment measure to restrict South Korean travellers. According to media reports, John Lee, the security chief for Hong Kong said that Hong Kong has issued a red travel alert, therefore, anyone who resided in South Korea in last fortnight would be denied entry to international finance hub. The Philippines imposed restrictions on travellers from South Korea and barred Filipinos from touring to the East Asian nations amid the outbreak, confirmed media reports. The partial ban was reportedly placed on South Koreas North Gyeongsang, one of the most impacted regions from coronavirus. Read: Manila Announces South Korea Travel Restrictions Read: Philippines Ban Citizens From Travelling To South Korea Amid Coronavirus Outbreak (With Agency Inputs) Leading providers from across the globe unite to revolutionize supply chains beginning to end HAMBURG, Germany and ORLANDO, Fla., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Korber Supply Chain - the global supply chain technology leader from software to material handling automation, today unveils its plans to revolutionize the supply chain industry by combining the technology, services and expertise of some the world's top solution providers. More products, suppliers, distribution channels and ever-rising consumer expectations make supply chains more complex each day. This is heightened by global labor challenges. Technology can help, but often adds complexity - a major issue being end-to-end integration of software and hardware. In a global survey of hundreds of supply chain professionals, Korber found: More than 90% aren't ready to handle supply chain complexities Less than 50% can address more than one supply chain challenge at a time One in three still rely on manual methods for receiving, storing, picking and packing "Your supply chain can make or break your business," said Stephen Gottsche, chief executive officer of Korber Supply Chain Automation. "Korber is dedicated to making your supply chain a strategic differentiator - regardless of location, industry, size or business strategy." Spanning software, automation, voice/vision/mobility, robotics, materials handling equipment, systems integration and consulting, Korber provides a broad range of solutions and more than 30 years' experience evolving supply chains end to end. This is supported by 1,300 in-house experts and nearly 100 partners around the world. "Korber is a partner with both depth and vision," Chad Collins, chief executive officer for Korber Supply Chain Software. "By offering the right solution, at the right time at, any point in the supply chain, we turn complexity into an opportunity - overcoming challenges that arise today or beyond." Formerly Korber Logistics Systems, Korber Supply Chain consists of Aberle, Aberle Software, Cirrus Logistics, The Cohesio Group, Consoveyo, DMLogic, HighJump, inconso, Otimis, Langhammer, Riantics and Voiteq. The companies already have proven success with thousands of companies around the world. The announcement was made at HighJump's annual user conference, Elevate, held March 2-5, 2020 in Orlando. In its 14th year, Elevate brings together more than 800 supply chain professionals from around the globe. Learn more at: https://www.koerber-supplychain.com/ About Korber Supply Chain Your supply chain is the lifeblood of your business. It's also increasingly complex. You're handling more products, from more suppliers, and fulfilling through more channels. Your customers have ever-higher expectations for choice, convenience, speed and of course, price. At the same time, it's harder than ever to recruit people, train them, retain them, and grow their skills. And as these pressures grow, so does the competition. To get ahead and stay ahead, you have to move even faster. Technology can help. But besides the cost, there's implementation, integration, maintenance, upgrades, training without a sound strategy, simply adding technology just adds more complexity. That's why you need more than a vendor you need a global partner with a proven track record of delivering efficiency and a lower cost of ownership today plus the flexibility, agility and innovation to help you realize your strategic roadmap. Today, tomorrow and beyond. That partner is Korber. At Korber Supply Chain, we have a broad range of proven supply chain solutions to fit your size, business strategy, and appetite for growth. A range that goes beyond software to include automation, voice, robotics, materials handling plus the expertise to tie it all together. All backed up with a wealth of experience to help you make smart decisions about what to invest in now, and how to optimize as your needs continue to evolve. We'll help you manage your supply chain as a competitive advantage. A strategic asset. An opportunity to excel. Conquer supply chain complexity with Korber. About Korber Korber AG is the holding company of an international technology group with around 10,000 employees worldwide. The Group unites technologically leading companies with more than 100 production, service and sales locations. Korber combines the advantages of a globally represented organization with the strengths of highly specialized and flexible medium-sized companies that offer their customers solutions, products and services in the Business Areas Korber Digital, Supply Chain, Pharma Systems, Tissue and Tobacco. Contact: Heather K. Smith Director, Corporate Communications & Brand Korber Supply Chain 1-800-328-3271 x 2717 [email protected] SOURCE Korber Supply Chain Related Links https://www.koerber-supplychain.com WASHINGTON Exxon Mobil released its internal policy on methane emissions Tuesday, urging governments to use it as model for industrywide methane regulation. The Trump administration has moved to roll back federal methane regulations, drawing opposition from not only environmental groups but large oil companies, including Texas-based Exxon, who argue it is good policy needed to rein in the widespread flaring of natural gas across U.S. oil and gas fields. "Our industry has developed high-tech advances to curb emissions, and we also hope this framework will be helpful for governments as they develop new regulations, Exxon CEO Darren Woods said. ENERGY LOBBY: Exxon urges EPA to maintain methane rules Among the recommendations by Exxon, which were developed with environmental groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund and the Rocky Mountain Institute, are regulations that would limit the practice of venting natural gas from oil and gas equipment and establish leak detection programs across infrastructure. Through those and other policies, Exxon said, it had reduced methane emissions from its fracking operations by 20 percent since 2016 and was on track to cut those emissions by 15 percent across its entire system. Methane remains a divisive topic within the oil and gas industry, with larger companies such as Exxon, BP and Royal Dutch Shell voluntarily pledging to reduce methane emissions in the decade ahead. U.S. methane emissions have been steadily falling since the 1990s, as oil and gas companies work to minimize losses of natural gas during both oil and gas production through equipment leaks or improperly drilled wells. But considering methanes outsized role in global warming its 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide the Obama administration forced the industry to move faster. Soon after Trump took office, his administration began to try to undo the tougher regulations. Under a recent rule change proposed in August, for example, oil and gas companies would no longer be required to inspect for methane leaks from existing wells, storage tanks, pipelines and other infrastructure. Exxon Mobil, itself, has come under pressure to address climate change even as it pushed the EPA to maintain key elements of the Obama administration policy on methane. The New York Attorney General in 2018 sued the company, alleging that it misled investors about the impact of climate change on its business. Exxon eventually prevailed in a ruling handed down in December. Geneva/Montreal/Nairobi/New York, 3 March 2020 Joining the global celebration of the United Nations World Wildlife Day, representatives of UN Member States, UN System organizations, international and non-governmental organizations, rural communities and youth gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva to mark the day at two high-level events. World Wildlife Day is celebrated this year under the theme 'Sustaining all Life on Earth', highlighting the unique place of wild fauna and flora as essential components of the worlds biodiversity, as well as a key pillar of livelihoods for people, particularly among communities that live close to nature. The events also came as part of what has been dubbed the biodiversity super year. Our planet is currently facing the urgent challenge that is the loss of biodiversity: research by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) says up to a million species could disappear in the coming decades if unsustainable human activity, climate change and habitat degradation are left unchecked. Raising awareness of this alarming trend and driving discussions towards solutions to bend the curve of biodiversity loss through conservation and sustainable use were the goals of this years World Wildlife Day celebrations. In his message for this World Wildlife Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "On this World Wildlife Day, let us remind ourselves of our duty to preserve and sustainably use the vast variety of life on the planet. Let us push for a more caring, thoughtful and sustainable relationship with nature. A world of thriving biodiversity provides the foundation we need to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals of a world of dignity and opportunity for all people on a healthy planet." The Ambassador of India to the United Nations in New York, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, the CITES Secretary-General, the President of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and a representative of rural communities in Colombia provided opening remarks at the event at the UN Headquarters in New York, stressing the significance of the day and of this years theme. A panel of expert speakers that included Permanent Representatives of the UN missions of Costa Rica and Germany, as well as representatives of UNEP, IUCN Sustainable use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi), a youth actvist, engaged in discussions on the challenges that lay ahead in finding the right balance between use of wildlife and the need to conserve biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems. For the fifth year running, one of the World Wildlife Day activities was co-organized with Jackson Wild and featured a film showcase based on the years theme. Attracting nearly 350 entries, the competition saw a wide array of filmmakers with a passion for wildlife bring to the screen some gripping stories centred on biodiversity and the interaction between people and wildlife. Once again, these films will provide a strong tool to mobilize and inspire the public for the cause of conservation and to raise awareness of the threats weighing on our worlds wild fauna and flora. Another artistic highlight was the second international World Wildlife Day youth art contest organised with the support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and which called on school age and youth artists to illustrate the days theme through their art. Winners of both contests were announced during the high-level event at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event in New York City was also graced by a moving musical interlude, courtesy of the UN Chamber Music Society, with a wildlife-themed performance. Earlier that day, representatives of Colombia and Costa Rica spoke at the World Wildlife Day celebrations at the United Nations Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. They joined biodiversity experts from IUCN and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and a representative of the private sector from Swiss luxury group Richemont for an event co-organized by the CITES Secretariat and the Geneva Environment Network. Beyond these two official events, States, organizations and civil society groups celebrated the day through their own events around the world. Photographic competitions in Accra, Ghana; a symposium in Bhopal, India; a forum on crocodile conservation in the Philippines; reforestation days in Nicaragua; giant billboards promoting World Wildlife Day across the United States on billboards; and the lighting of the Empire State Building in New York, all together honoured the day. All in all, people around the world passionate about wildlife and biodiversity joined in on the World Wildlife Day celebrations and took the time to show their appreciation for the value of wild fauna and flora for people, planet and prosperity. Remarks by organizers: Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General: "As we face a biodiversity crisis of such staggering magnitude, we know that, now more than ever, it is imperative that we remind everyone of the immense value of wild fauna and flora for the planet. Human societies and economies rely on biodiversity in fundamental ways. 2020 is the year to reset humanitys relationship with nature and to start the transformative changes for both people and our planet. We believe this years World Wildlife Day will contribute to raising worldwide awareness of just how essential wildlife is for, as well as their livelihoods." Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of CBD: "We can still reverse the trend of biodiversity loss. This year, the world will come together to act for wildlife and bend the curve on biodiversity loss, as Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are expected to adopt an ambitious and transformative post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China. As governments negotiate the post-2020 framework, increasing the sustainability of wildlife use and management is a priority. In doing so, we must take on the challenge of ending unsustainable exploitation of resources, including wildlife and their ecosystems, while preserving the livelihoods of the communities that depend on them." Susan Gardner, Director for Ecosystems for UNEP: "The evidence is clear - human activity is by far the greatest cause of habitat loss and results in loss of wildlife that require those habitats," said Susan Gardner, Director of UNEP's Ecosystems Division. "Sustainable conservation must be based on an appreciation of the interdependency of people and wildlife in order to reimagine a future where the livelihoods of farmers are secured while simultaneously reducing the risks to wild animals that share the land." Midori Paxton, Head of Biodiversity for UNDP: "Wildlife and biodiversity underpin the well-being, safety, and resilience of all societies. One million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. Billions of families and communities who depend on wildlife and nature for food, water, and their livelihoods are also at risk, as are our economies. If were to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must reverse this trend now and put nature at the heart of development. Through World Wildlife Day we are helping raise awareness of the importance of investing in nature and scaling up solutions through a coaltion of public, private sector, and civil society partners." Lisa Samford, Executive Director of Jackson Wild: "It is no longer sufficient to simply raise public awareness about biodiversity loss, media must ignite tangible action to protect and restore our planet and its diverse wildlife. We're extremely proud of the World Wildlife Day Film Showcase winners because these films go beyond amplifying reasons to care and inspiring awe for our fragile, but resilient planet. They empower the radical changes that will be required to save humanity from ourselves." See also: For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact: CITES Secretariat: Francisco Perez, +41 22 917 1447, francisco.perezgonzalez@un.org CBD Secretariat: Johan Hedlund, +1 514 287-6670, johan.hedlund@cbd.int United Nations Environment Programme, Keisha Rukikaire, +254 722 677747, rukikaire@un.org United Nations Development Programme, Sangita Khadka, +212906 5043, sangita.khadka@undp.org Jackson Wild: Abbey Greene, +1 307 200 3286, abbey@jacksonwild.org About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. www.undp.org. About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Read more about UNEPs wildlife campaigns, Wild for Life and Glowing Gone. About the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and entering into force in December 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty for the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. With 196 Parties, the Convention has near universal participation among countries. The Convention seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, including threats from climate change, through scientific assessments, the development of tools, incentives and processes, the transfer of technologies and good practices and the full and active involvement of relevant stakeholders including indigenous and local communities, youth, NGOs, women and the business community. About CITES The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 183 Parties (182 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 36,000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals. About Jackson Wild For 25+ years, Jackson Wild has convened filmmakers, conservationists and innovators who share this urgency of purpose. Media serves to engage public audiences as well as core influencers and policy-makers with important on-the-ground science and conservation efforts to save our planet while the window of opportunity still exists. In the final week of September, filmmakers, conservationists and innovators will gather in the inspiring landscape of Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to deeply engage on the critical issues facing our planet. Its an extraordinary convening where collaboration and innovation thrive, ideas are launched, and strategic partnerships are forged. About the United Nations World Wildlife Day On 20 December 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the worlds wild fauna and flora. The date is the day of the signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. World Wildlife Day has quickly become the most prominent global annual event dedicated to wildlife. It is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the various challenges faced by these species. The day also reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Flash After suffering its worst casualties in years, Turkey has launched a new major offensive against the Russia-backed Syrian forces in Idlib, but analysts said the spiking Russian-Turkish tensions are expected to ease off through a meeting this week between the leaders of the two countries. Turkey announced on Sunday that it had launched operation "Spring Shield" in northern Syria in order to increase Turkey's involvement in the neighboring country's civil war. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a crucial meeting after the two countries have come to the brink of a direct confrontation in Idlib. "I hope that during our discussions (in Moscow), Putin will take the necessary measures there, such as a cease-fire, and that we will be able to find a solution to this matter," Erdogan told members of his party in Ankara on Monday, raising hopes for a compromise. Experts agreed that Turkey's response to the deaths of over 50 soldiers in Idlib since the start of February is out of the ordinary. "There is currently a state of undeclared war between Turkey and Syria," Oytun Orhan, a senior analyst at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies, told Xinhua. He explained that despite the diverging interests between Turkey and Russia in Idlib, a compromise seems very likely through the meeting. But "they will not stand down and will negotiate by means of military force on the table and on the ground," Orhan added. Pointing to an ongoing "arm wrestling" in northwestern Syria between Ankara and Moscow, and their proxies: the Syrian army and rebels, the expert said not sides will have to give up some of their demands to reach common ground. Observers believed that Turkey's strategy is to annihilate as many Syrian military targets as possible until the Moscow meeting in order to have the upper hand. "Our military will finish the job at hand there, until a new order," a Turkish source close to the government told Xinhua. It is worth noting that the two leaders have been instrumental in the past, especially after the downing of a Russian warplane over Syria by Turkey in 2015, in bridging differences between their nations which are backing opposing sides in Syria. For several years, Moscow and Ankara have been bickering over the Syrian issue despite their growing cooperation in other fields, such as energy, trade and tourism, before the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an airstrike in Idlib last week eventually brought things to the boil. Turkey, which has concerns about its national security with a vast number of displaced Syrians flooding to its borders, has considerably beefed up its military presence in northern Syria in recent weeks, deploying over 9,000 troops. A stand-off between Russia and NATO ally Turkey over Idlib, the last rebel stronghold the Russia-backed Syrian army has been trying to recapture since last December, could have effects far beyond the Syrian theater, so it is necessary for both parties to diffuse it, observers said. Orhan expected that a possible Turkish-Russian compromise could lead to the establishment of a 30-km-deep safe zone in Idlib, including securing the region's main strategic highway. This would determine the fate of up to 3 million refugees who have been trapped in the area and along the borders. Turkey sees a new refugee wave as a threat to its security, as the nation is already hosting some 3.7 million Syrians since the start of the civil war in the neighboring country nine years ago. On Sunday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said it had shot down two Syrian warplanes, adding over 2,200 Syrian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Turkey's onslaught. But it is also time for a reality check for Turkey, argued Serkan Demirtas, a political analyst. "Over 50 Turkish soldiers were killed in less than a month in the wrestling between Ankara and Moscow," he told Xinhua. The policymakers in Ankara somewhat "miscalculated" the situation on the ground, laboring under the impression that Turkey's massive military deployment in Idlib in recent weeks would deter the Russian alliance, Demirtas said. "This region can no longer handle another conflict," the Turkish analyst noted, urging Moscow and Ankara to bridge their differences through diplomacy and compromise. Teacher unions have held the province hostage for 50 years, says Premier Doug Ford, who also believes educators are paid fairly but arent delivering good enough results. As provincial negotiators continued a second day of preliminary talks with the public high school teachers union, Ford spoke to reporters at an unrelated event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where he was asked about the ongoing labour strife in education. Weve put a very fair deal to the teachers unions and they keep mocking it, Ford said. But we want a deal that respects the taxpayers, that respects the teachers themselves, and the students to get them back in the classroom. But, he added, we arent going to roll over like weve seen over the last 15 years of billions and billions of dollars, and extra bonuses, signing bonuses, and pizza lunches, and everything else that the previous government gave the teachers. We have to make sure that we balance our budget until we can put more money into the classroom, more money into health care, more money into infrastructure. Thats what we need to do. The government and the four main teacher unions are at an impasse, amid sporadic talks. All unions are involved in job action, including rotating strikes. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, which was last at the negotiating table with the province Dec. 16, was asked to return to talks Sunday by a provincial mediator. It still plans to go ahead with a one-day rotating strike this Thursday, shutting down public high schools including those in the Toronto District School Board. All Catholic and French-board schools will also be closed that day, as those teachers are also holding a one-day walkout. The key issues for high school teachers are larger class sizes and mandatory online learning. The government has passed legislation capping all public sector raises to one per cent a year, which the unions are challenging in court. Meanwhile, the government continued to come under fire for spending almost $1 million on public consultations, which documents obtained by the Star showed overwhelming opposition to bigger classes and e-learning. For over a week, the premier has claimed that parents back his plan for classroom cuts, larger classes, mandatory online learning and conflict with teachers, said NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles. The premier has obviously not read the results of his own consultation. In the legislature, Government House Leader Paul Calandra said we want kids to be in the classroom, and I would hope that the member opposite and the members opposite would join us in getting that result. We think were close. We want a negotiated settlement with our union partners in education, and I hope we can get to that over the coming days. But Ford told reporters the government remains frustrated. You go to the deal, these teachers that have held this province hostage for 50 years, no matter if its Liberal, NDP or PC. And people have had enough. They want their kids back in the classroom. I talked to teachers on the weekendto actual teachers on the weekend, and they said, Im done. I want to get back into the classroom. So theres really, you have to differentiate between the greedy teachers union and the hardworking teachers that want to get back to the classroom, teach our kids. He said the government put a very, very fair deal on the table and we appreciate the work the teachers do. And we pay them very, very fairly on the average $94,000 a year plus, plus, plus plus the best benefits in the entire country, if not the world. The best pension plan, not just probably in the country, but in the world again. We are paying our teachers fairly. But guess what, the results are not coming from the students. He cited low math scores compared to other provinces, and said half of our students are failing Grade 6 math standardized tests. Some 48 per cent of Grade 6 students fail to meet the provincial standard in the tests, which would mean they scored below a B. The 2018 results of international testing by PISA, which tests and compares developed nations, show that while all scores have been on the decline, Ontario remains the a top-performing province in math, and the second-highest behind Quebec. The average Ontario elementary teacher earns about $89,000 a year, not including benefits. High school teachers earn almost $93,000 a year, not including benefits. Read more about: Telangana Health Minister E Rajendra on Tuesday informed that so far not a single person has been affected by COVID-19 in the state, besides the youth who arrived from Dubai. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had on Monday informed that two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported, one each in Delhi and Telangana, taking the total number of positive cases in India to five. "Till now not a single person has been affected by COVID-19 in the state, except the youth who arrived from Dubai. 88 people have been identified who came in contact with him, 45 of them are being tested, others will also be tested," Rajendra told media here. "Rs 100 crore budget is allotted for COVID-19. The health of patient, who came from Dubai, is recovering... Today this virus is not as deadlier that swine flu. The death toll is not more than two-three per cent. Few basic measures can prevent this virus from affecting. People are creating unnecessary panic, people should not panic as many people have been affected and cured. I urge people to not panic," he added. Rajendra further advised that any person who is having a fever or cough must consult a doctor. "Along with public hospitals, private hospitals are also been prepared. Masks will be supplied. School going students, advocates working in courts, etc, wherever there is a huge gathering people must carry their own hand towel. It is for every individual safety. Prevention is important, we are ready to spend any required amount. Helpline number 104 will be accessible for the public from tomorrow. Rs 100 crore budget as a temporary basis are allotted," he said. Rajendra further stated that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has ordered to make arrangements without seeing the money. "We have already made several key decisions in terms of the department," he said and shared details regarding the decision to establish a special hospital for treatment. He said, "patients with the coronary syndrome should be sent to government hospitals for treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following news of a new coronavirus case in Oregon, Governor Kate Brown addressed Oregonians on Monday evening, to update them on how state and federal officials are responding to the spread of the virus. Posted by Governor Kate Brown on Monday, March 2, 2020 She spoke with Oregons U.S. senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, who said they are working to pass emergency public health funding this week. That would send additional funds to Oregon and local public health agencies dealing with the virus in their communities. On a conference call with Vice President Mike Pence and other federal government officials Monday morning, Brown said she learned the federal administration plans to ramp up emergency production of items such as masks and gloves. CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE Meanwhile, she said the Oregon Office of Emergency Management on Monday activated the states emergency coordination center in Salem, which she said would further support state agencies response to the evolving situation. The Oregon Department of Education is working with the Oregon Health Authority to monitor and inform parents about any new cases of coronavirus that might appear in schools. Despite efforts by officials, Brown said strategies individuals use to keep colds and the flu at bay are still the most effective covering coughs, staying home at even slight signs of illness, washing hands and disinfecting surfaces. Oregonians can also call 211 for information or sign up for alerts about the virus online. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 23:53:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NAIROBI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The East African Community (EAC) member states plan to harmonize their pension regulations in order to boost labor mobility across the bloc, an official said on Tuesday. Nzomo Mutuku, CEO of Kenya's Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), told journalists in Nairobi that the EAC Pension Policy, which was approved by the EAC council of ministers, will provide a roadmap to standardize pension rules. EAC member states include Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The retirement benefits regulator said that different countries maintain diverse tax systems for the pension sector, hampering the movement of labor as envisaged by the EAC common market protocol. Mutuku said the region is also working jointly to increase the level of pension coverage among the labor force. He said that Kenya leads in the area of pension coverage with approximately 22 percent of its workforce enrolled in a pension scheme. Mutuku said that the low retirement rate in the EAC is attributed to the large informal sectors that employ the bulk of the region's working population. He said that the trading bloc is prioritizing the expansion of the retirement benefits in order to cater for the growing population of elderly citizens. After three parliamentary elections within the span of a year, and though his right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc did not garner the golden 61 seats needed for an outright majority, it now seems that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will continue occupying his position for a further term. Like the ever-lasting phoenix, Netanyahu offered last night his Likud party one of its greatest-ever victories, amassing four additional Knesset seats. Thus, the right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc is almost within reach of 60 seats. After 90% of the votes counted, the Likud is set to be the largest Knesset faction with 36 seats, far ahead of its top rival Blue and White, left with only 32 seats. Why it matters: Likud leader Netanyahus achievement is all the more significant considering the fact that he is about to stand trial on bribe and corruption charges less than two weeks from today. His victory means public legitimacy for him to continue leading the country while appearing in court. Shortly after election results were published, several petitions were submitted to the high court against Netanyahu being tasked with composing the next government. Still, Israeli law enables the head of state to continue serving while indicted, and so chances are slim that the court would prevent Netanyahu from doing exactly that. Netanyahus Likud received especially high support in the partys bastions in the periphery, amid the weaker socio-economic sectors. Voters there identified with Netanyahus claim of persecution and with his claim that the legal cases against him were fabricated in order to topple him. These sentiments became strongly rooted in Israels southern periphery towns, to the point of overcoming their daily hardship of rocket fire from Gaza. Whats next? Israel woke up this morning to a clearer political reality: The right wing had won; the Likud is now the largest party. Benny Gantz Blue and White and its project to replace Netanyahu have suffered a resounding defeat. Hence, the prospect of a fourth round of elections seems less of an option. With these results, Netanyahu is already engaged in efforts to achieve a majority, trying to convince individual Knesset members from the other side to renegade and join his ranks. He might also try his hand once again at negotiating a unity government while seeking to split Blue and White. Netanyahus success in constituting a solid right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc was the main reason behind his political survival. The bloc closed ranks and remained stable despite attempts by Blue and White to divide it. In the coming days, Netanyahu will keep protecting his bloc. He had already spoken with his allies last night when the first results came in. Know more: Read Ben Caspits piece on Netanyahus political and personal victory with this win, as well as Shlomi Eldars take on the bitter victory of Israels Arab party. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to belittle Senator Elizabeth Warrens campaign during a campaign visit to Texas. While walking through a neighbourhood with a press gaggle, Mr Bloomberg was asked if a third place finish would be good on Super Tuesday. If theres only 3 candidates, you cant do worse than that, he replied. Well, there is Elizabeth Warren too, the reporter said. I didnt realise shes still in, is she? Mr Bloomberg said. Reuters The animosity between Ms Warren and Mr Bloomberg has been the most obvious during the primary. Ms Warren called Mr Bloomberg an egomaniac billionaire prior to the Nevada democratic debates. During the debates Ms Warren continued her attacks on Mr Bloomberg, comparing him to President Donald Trump and drawing attention to his use of non-disclosure agreements to silence employees with harassment claims against him. Id like to talk about who were running against: a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians, Ms Warren said during the debate. No, Im not talking about Donald Trump, Im talking about Mayor Bloomberg. Regarding Mr Bloombergs non-disclosure agreements, Ms Warren said during an interview that she had drawn up a release form that would protect Mr Bloomberg from being sued while still releasing the women with claims against him from their NDAs. Ms Warren continued her onslaught against Mr Bloomberg in the days between the Nevada debate and the South Carolina debate. While on stage, she once again grilled Mr Bloomberg on horrible statements that have been attributed to him by individuals inside his company. While describing her experience of losing a job when she was 21 due to a pregnancy, she said she was thankful she didnt have a boss like Mr Bloomberg. At least I didnt have a boss who said to me, Kill it, the way Mayor Bloomberg alleged to have said to one of his pregnant employees, Ms Warren said. Mr Bloomberg immediately denied the event happened. Story continues I never said that. And for the record, if she was a teacher in New York City, she would never have had that problem. We treated our teachers the right way, and the unions will tell you exactly that, Mr Bloomberg responded. More recently, Ms Warren went on Jimmy Kimmel Live and was prompted to discuss her dislike for the former New York Mayor further. It seems like you dont like him that much, Mr Kimmel asked the senator. True. But its not personal, its just everything about him, Ms Warren replied. She then once again compared Mr Bloomberg to Mr Trump. Look, here is this guy who makes a bazillion dollars and says, Well that must mean that hes qualified to be president of the United States and then thinks he can run for president when hes got a record of embracing racist policies, when he hides his taxes. Does any of this sound familiar? Ms Warren said. 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 (Refiles to show that consortium is led by Advent and Cinven) BERLIN, March 1 (Reuters) - The consortium that won the bid to acquire Thyssenkrupp's elevators division wants to spend billions of euros on expanding the business, a manager at one of three partners said in remarks published on Sunday. "The is no shortage of money for a global expansion," Ranjan Sen, managing partner with private equity firm Advent told the Handelsblatt business daily. "This could by all means amount to single-digit billions." Thyssenkrupp said on Thursday it had agreed to sell its elevators division to a consortium of Advent, Cinven and Germany's RAG foundation for 17.2 billion euros ($18.96 billion). Thyssenkrupp said it would reinvest about 1.25 billion euros to take a stake in the unit. By far the German conglomerate's most profitable business, Thyssenkrupp Elevator is the world's fourth-largest lift manufacturer behind United Technologies Corp's Otis, Switzerland's Schindler and Finnish rival Kone . ($1 = 0.9070 euros) (Reporting by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Andrew Heavens) By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijan is likely to open its next, but first Trade House in Kazakhstan in 2020, president of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev told local media. Reminding the activity of AZPROMO under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy at the press-conference in Baku, he mentioned the promotion of the Made in Azerbaijan brand and forthcoming tasks. He also said that this Trade House will likely to commence operating in Nur Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan. Adding that AZPROMO will participate in the International Exhibition MosBuild-2020 in Moscow between March 31 and April 3, he emphasized that it is also planned to take part in several various exhibitions including China, France, Russia, South Korea and other countries. Export missions will be also organized in the Eastern European, CIS countries, Turkey and other countries," Yusif Abdullayev said. Azerbaijan has already opened several Trade Houses under the Made in Azerbaijan brand in different countries of Europe and Asia. The first Trade House of Azerbaijan was opened in Belarus in 2017. Commencing from this year, several Trade Houses of Azerbaijan started to be open in Latvia, Ukraine, the UAE, China, Russia, Poland, China in 2018 and 2019. In Trade Houses, the permanent exhibition of various types of products made by Azerbaijani companies is operating. These Trade Houses contribute to promote vine and brandy, fruit juices, compotes, mineral waters, vegetable, jams, pickles, canned foods, plant oils, tea, carpet, textile, silk and cosmetic goods, electric equipment, plastic products and others. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz "A family went on a trip to Europe and after returning to India, they showed symptoms of deadly COVID-19. Soon after, the samples of 13 members of the family were taken. Out of them, six have been found positive," the minister said. All six, including two shoe exporters, belonging to Agra, have been shifted to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, he added. The decision was taken after a close relative of the exporters, who too had visited Italy with them, tested positive for COVID-19 in Delhi. They had visited Italy last month. According to health officials, the two exporters, who were brothers, had been kept in the isolation ward in district hospital since Monday after they had developed symptoms of the disease, including high fever and respiratory problems. Their other family members had been advised to "quarantine" themselves at their home and their throat swabs were taken for testing. By Katie Lannan, State House News Service BOSTON Students and teachers rallied at the Statehouse Monday, pushing for the lawmakers who last fall agreed to a $1.5 billion investment in K-12 schools to follow that commitment with new money for higher education. The advocacy day, hosted by the Fund Our Future campaign and the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts, focused on one pair of bills that propose to steer additional state dollars into community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts system (S.741, H.1214), and another pair that would that would create a grant program to cover the full cost of tuition and fees for Massachusetts residents attending state colleges and universities (S.744, H.1221). The Higher Education Committee has until March 20 to report on those four bills. Staff and faculty, many are overworked, underpaid. Were seeing program cuts, budget cuts, and rising tuition and fees and rising student debt, Zac Bears, PHENOMs executive director, told lobby day participants. All of this is wrong, all of this can be stopped, and all of it at least most of it comes from choices that are made in this building and the people who were trying to reach out to. Last November, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a K-12 school funding overhaul with a price tag of $1.5 billion over seven years. The law did not include any sources of new revenue, leaving lawmakers to deliver on its promise in each years annual budget cycle. Baker, in his fiscal 2021 budget (H.2), recommended $355 million in new spending associated with the new school finance law. On the higher education side, hes proposing $1.3 billion total for the Department of Higher Education, University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges, for a 3%, or $33.2 million, increase over this year. PHENOM and Fund Our Future have a total of $125 million in requests for next years budget, including $64 million to fund state college and university operating budgets at levels they say would be sufficient to freeze tuition and fees. State budget writers have projected a slower revenue growth rate 2.8% next year than in previous years. As they craft their versions of next years spending plan, lawmakers in the House and Senate will have a host of priorities to balance as they look to allocate that money. Rep. Natalie Higgins, the sponsor of the House version of the free public higher education bill and a former PHENOM director, told the advocates that their job on Monday was "to make sure everyone in this building understands the value of public higher education, that it is something that we cannot be competing and pitting K-12 and early ed against higher ed." "We need to invest in the whole range of public education in Massachusetts," the Leominster Democrat said. Selena Garcia Rodriguez, a senior at Holyoke High School North, said that as she's been applying to colleges, she's been ruling out schools that won't offer a sufficient amount of aid to meet her financial need. She called the K-12 funding law "an amazing win for education justice." But this puts me in an awkward position, because the way I see it, my education is only important to the state of Massachusetts until I walk across the stage and get my diploma this June, she said. Im just all on my own, and when that large bill comes in August, thats on me. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The alleged ouster plot against House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano came as a surprise to many lawmakers, said a party-list representative. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles on Tuesday said a number of congressmen, himself included, were clueless on the supposed coup. The real score is that most members of the Congress were surprised and still have a big question mark as to what's going on in the House, Nograles told Politics As Usual. But throughout last week I did not receive any calls on coup or anything like that. Last week, Cayetano said Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, who will take his turn as Speaker sometime in November, promised committee leaderships and budget allocations to some lawmakers. Velasco denied the allegations. As Cayetano revealed the supposed plan to oust him, he also warned lawmakers siding with Velasco to leave their posts. The House of Representatives on Monday affirmed the decision to remove two lawmakers from key posts. ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap replaced Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as the appropriations panel head, the first for a party-list lawmaker, while Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo replaced Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador "Doy" Leachon. Cayetano said that the two were removed from their posts for being more interested in "funds and intrigues." READ: 'Grossly unacceptable': Sara Duterte hits ally's removal from House post Just like the rest, Yap was also surprised with his new appointment to a powerful committee, which only came on Monday. Yap said he supported Cayetano when then Speaker Panataleon Alvarez was ousted. Tinanong lang ako ni Speaker [Alan Cayetano] kung pwede sa akin maging [Appropriations] chair, kung okay sa akin yung trabaho. Monday lang, kinausap niya ako ng lunchtime kung pupwede, Yap told Politcs As Usual. [Translation: Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano just asked me if I could be the Appropriations chair, if the position is okay with me. It was just on Monday when he talked to me about it during lunchtime.] He added, So ako naman bilang congressman at binoto ng tao, I should say yes kasi trabaho ito.... Hindi ko na tinanong kung bakit. [Translation: As a congressman and being voted by many, I should say yes because its a job.... I did not bother asking him why he appointed me to the post.] This was not the first time that Cayetano appoinrted Yap to a position by Cayetano. Last January, he was named as caretaker of the lone district of Benguet after Rep. Nestor Fongwan, Sr. died. But Yap said his appointment has nothing to do with the leadership issue. No coup Nograles said the supposed coup plan will not succeed as a number of parties have expressed support for Cayetano and the term-sharing deal. I don't think that there will be a coup. I think three major political parties have already signified their support. You have the Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, as well as the Lakas [CMD], he said. He added that Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan, National Peoples Coalition Party, and the Party-list Coalition will also express their support soon. READ: Term-sharing deal still on: 80 percent of House members still support Cayetano, says ally Nograles said the expressions of support are not a loyalty check, as it is a move to move forward and work together. Quoting Cayetano, Nograles said the term-sharing deal is still on so long as President Rodrigo Duterte approves it. Duterte endorsed Cayetano and Velasco as House Speaker in a term-sharing deal, with Cayetano serving for 15 months, and Velasco, the remaining 21 months. A Kerry man who conned a 74-year-old man living in an isolated Cork home of 300 had another two years added to a recent three-year jail term for a similar crime. Noting extensive previous convictions of a similar nature for Denis OBrien, aged 29, of 2 Hazelwood Drive, Ballyspillane, Killarney, Co Kerry, Judge Sean O Donnabhain said: This man will continue with this kind of behaviour until his time in prison burns him out. Paula McCarthy, defending, said the most recent offence in Dunmanway, Co Cork, was not committed on bail and did not have to carry a consecutive sentence. The judge said: In view of the circumstances, the pattern of offences, and the hurt, it is a necessary sentence. Sergeant Michael Golden said that on April 2, 2019, OBrien called to the isolated house and told the pensioner that his cattle trailer had broken down and he needed 200 to pay for the repair which he would repay later that day. The man gave OBrien 200 and the defendant took another 100 when the pensioner was not looking. None of the money was repaid. OBrien later admitted lying about the trailer and never paying back the money. Last month, Detective Garda John Gleeson said that on September 26, 2019, OBrien called to the home of a 74-year-old woman at Brian Dillon Park in Cork. He stated to her he was a nephew of her neighbour and he was doing work for her and she agreed to sign a cheque for 4,900 (to a mans name, not OBrien). He stole another blank cheque and 600 from her house, testified Det Garda Gleeson. Another man went to the AIB on Patrick St later that day and cashed the 4,900. The defendant returned to the 74-year-old the following day and she went to her local credit union where she withdrew 4,500 and handed it to OBrien. Another man went to the bank and tried to cash the blank cheque which was then filled in but the funds were not in the account to meet this withdrawal. On October 30, he offered to pay her back but said he would be doing so with a 15,000 cheque but that first she would have to pay him 5,000 in cash. Det Garda Gleeson said that the total amount for which the elderly woman was out of pocket was over 10,000, which she had saved to pay for her own funeral. OBrien got five years with the last two years suspended for the first case. For the second case relating to Dunmanway, the judge imposed a consecutive two years, leaving OBrien with a total jail term of five years. Ms McCarthy said the defendant was full of remorse. She said OBrien, a father of five, had a cocaine addiction and mental health issues and was engaging with counselling in prison. The Ukrainian delegation to the UN, with the support of partner countries, initiates the holding of an "Arria-formula" meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, March 6, regarding human rights violations in Russia-occupied Crimea, Spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN Oleg Nikolenko has told Ukrinform. "An 'Arria-formula' meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol will take place on Friday. The initiators are Ukraine and partner countries - Estonia, the United States, Germany, France, Britain, and Belgium," the diplomat said. Discussions will begin at 10:00 local time (17:00 Kyiv time). The participants in the meeting from the Ukrainian side are expected to disclose the facts of human rights violations on the peninsula, inform Security Council members about the measures taken by Ukraine's leadership to protect the population in the occupied territories, as well as efforts aimed at the de-occupation of Crimea. They will also discuss opportunities to deepen interaction between major UN institutions and civil society in order to put an end to human rights restrictions in Crimea by the occupation regime. The Ukrainian side is to be represented by the Ukrainian president's permanent representative to Crimea, the leadership of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and representatives of Ukrainian non-governmental organizations. op Group CEO of UBS since 2011, Ermotti is a Swiss-certified banking expert whose credentials include years spent at UniCredit and Merrill Lynch. He is a graduate of the Advanced Management Programme at the University of Oxford in the UK. Sergio Ermottis wealth of experience and an impressive leadership track record will be important assets for Swiss Re, commented Kielholz. His appointment will ensure a smooth leadership transition when I retire after the AGM (annual general meeting) in 2021, and I look forward to working closely with him until then. The incoming chairman, meanwhile, called Swiss Re a truly inspirational financial institution that is centred around knowledge and risk expertise. Ermotti stated: I look forward to working together with the board and the management team to take the company into the next successful chapter of its history. I am honoured to be following in the footsteps of Walter Kielholz, who over the past decades immensely furthered the development not only of Swiss Re, but the entire Swiss financial center. Kielholz joined Swiss Re in 1989. Luxury car shoppers find award-winning service at Aristocrat Mercedes-Benz. The Best of the Best Award represents the pinnacle of achievement for Mercedes-Benz dealerships. As the German luxury car brand announces its award winners for 2019, Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City is proud to have earned the Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best Silver Laurel Award for its second consecutive year. The Best of the Best Silver Laurel Award is given to only the top performing Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the country. It recognizes that Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City has demonstrated superior performance in various areas, including customer satisfaction, leadership and management, new vehicle sales, certified pre-owned sales and service and parts operation. Only about 20 percent of Mercedes-Benz dealers from across the United States are awarded the Silver Laurel each year. This is not the first time the MB of Kansas City dealership has been recognized for its commitment to seeing drivers in the Kansas City community thrive. On top of its back-to-back Best of the Best Award wins, Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City also received the CarGurus Top Rated Dealer Award for 2019. This award is reserved for dealers that have earned an average rating of 4.74 stars or higher, demonstrating their commitment to providing an excellent customer experience. Potential clients seeking more information about the Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City experience can find additional details on awards, inventory and much more at the dealerships website, https://www.mb-kc.com/. Interested parties can also call the dealerships sales team directly at 816-943-7000. The Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City dealership is located at 13851 Madison Ave., Kansas City, MO. Dr. Anastasia Lin knows first-hand the impact a nationally competitive scholarship and study abroad can have on a student. She received a Fulbright Student Research Scholarship to Taiwan. As assistant vice president for research and engagement at the University of North Georgia (UNG), Lin helps students secure similar scholarships as head of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) office at UNG. "Some students don't know about these scholarships. Some students don't think they can compete for them," she said. "I believe sincerely that many of our students are national scholarship material, and I encourage them to reach for the stars." Her philosophy is working. Since heading the NCS office in 2014, the number of UNG students receiving scholarships has steadily increased. In 2017, UNG scored a record eight Fulbright scholars. "That was a really big accomplishment for us. It was the first time UNG was on the top-producing Fulbright list, and we were second in our category," Lin said. "It was my goal to get UNG on that list and keep it on the list." The associate professor of English has kept that promise and more. In 2020, UNG was named to the top-producing Fulbright list for the third consecutive year. A year earlier, UNG students clinched several highly prestigious awards including a Truman Scholar, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, and American Council on Education Student of the Year. "We are doing pretty well, and we haven't reached our peak yet," she said. "I still want to reach more students. Regardless of whether they succeed, participating in the scholarships process helps students learn valuable, transferable skills that help prepare them for other opportunities including graduate school and elite jobs." For her efforts, Lin received the Presidential Excellence in Engaged Leadership Award, which was presented at one of UNG's annual service awards and retirement events. Lin said NCS assistant director Dr. Victoria Hightower, associate professor of history; Dr. Kathryn Quinto, nationally competitive scholarships adviser for research and engagement; students' mentors; and other faculty members play a crucial role in the process. Lin also credited UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs' vision in starting the office in 2014. "I think I have the best job on campus," Lin said. "I support our best students in telling their story and pursuing things they might not have thought of as possible. Watching our students develop and succeed in scholarships and beyond is truly a gift." On the craps table of this campaign, there's a $500 million chip sitting on "Super Tuesday." The bettor's name is mike - small "m," according to the visual design of his campaign, like he's your modest neighbor from the split-level down the block instead of a titan of media and finance with estates in Bermuda and Southampton. That's Bloomberg. Mayor of New York from 2002 to 2013. Democrat, then Republican, then independent, then Democrat. Purveyor of fancy data terminals. Ninth-richest person in the world. A few months ago Bloomberg saw a moribund field of candidates and thought he could vault his way to the nomination through a delegate grab on Super Tuesday. So now it's mike, responsible presidential candidate, asking for the car keys as the nation stumbles around. Is he trying to save the party, or accidentally sabotaging it? Is "mike" just a proxy for Bloomberg as he tries to buy the presidency? "My first answer to that all the time is: What's the right price to save democracy from Donald Trump?" said Tim O'Brien, a senior adviser to mike, at a Bloomberg house party in McLean, Virginia, Thursday night. There, Northern Virginians sipped Chianti and canned Perrier and whispered about Joe Biden as if he were an uncle in hospice care (this was 48 hours before his defibrillation in South Carolina). They shuddered at the thought of Bernie Sanders, democratic socialist, for his perceived radicalism and dismissed Elizabeth Warren, capitalist reformer, for her vendetta against mike. What's a democracy worth? A year ago, before mike arrived on the scene, Bloomberg pledged a half billion to vanquishing Trump. In Virginia, over the past three years, he spent $3.5 million to help flip the statehouse to Democrats, whose gun-control advocates now speak of him with reverence. So far this year, Bloomberg has spent $50 million to pepper online platforms with advertising. Now, mike is in your Facebook feed. He's in your Google search results. Every time you glance at the television, he's there. The 2020 presidential candidates have spent $26 million on TV ads in Texas alone; 80 percent of that was for mike, according to Advertising Analytics. One ad cost $4.3 million all by itself, and said that mike has "la fuerza para enfrentar a Trump" (the strength to face Trump). He's created an entire economy. mike's campaign officially began 13 weeks ago, but already Bloomberg has spent more on his campaign than the Texas city of Arlington (population: 400,000) has in its annual budget. The least senior members of his staff of 2,000 make $6,000 a month (nearly twice their counterparts' wages on Team Warren and Team Sanders). He has deployed an army of meme makers, enlisted mural artists to transform campaign spaces and hired at least one comedian to secretly punch up his speeches. This past weekend he zoomed to Super Tuesday states in private jets to headline campaign events with free booze and barbecue. He knows money might not buy him love, but maybe it can buy him like. "He's the best person to win," said Rennea Henn, 71, standing in a sea of "I LIKE MIKE" signs at a rally at a former airfield in San Antonio Sunday night. She doesn't like Sanders and that "gimme gimme" mentality she believes he instills in the kids. She would happily vote for Biden, but even after the former vice president's boffo victory in South Carolina, she is concerned about his unevenness. "He said he had four women he wanted to pick for VP, and he couldn't even remember their names," Henn said. Rewind to Friday, when mike hopscotched eastward across Tennessee in private jets: He rallied 1,000 people in downtown Memphis, where a handful of protesters hoisted signs that said "Oligarch," "What is your price?" and "Our Democracy is not for sale." At a distillery in Clarksville, near the Kentucky border, mike corked a barrel of bourbon in front of a friendly crowd, while a couple of dozen protesters outside carried Trump-Pence flags and signs like "Mini Mike take a hike." "I won't talk until the cows come home," mike said inside, pausing for laughter that didn't come. Then: "They told me that would work in Arkansas." (He'd been in Arkansas the previous day.) mike knows he can't land a joke. mike knows that he's not charismatic. mike knows that the New York City Police Department's stop-and-frisk policy got out of control when Bloomberg was mayor, and mike is sorry about that. But he would like you know that he's good in a crisis, that's he a "pragmatic problem-solver," that he can bedevil Trump while consolidating support to defeat him. Bloomberg's millions have helped solve at least one problem, which has to do with mike's age. When 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg suspended his campaign Sunday night - thereby stepping on mike's paid prime-time "address" on the coronavirus - the top of the field got hopelessly geriatric, with Warren as spring chicken at age 70. At 78, mike is older than Biden by nine months, and younger than Sanders by five, but Bloomberg's $500 million investment has bestowed mike with the appearance of vigor, steadiness and omnipresence. It has threatened to render sentimental and obsolete the retail politics of Iowa and New Hampshire. Americans shop online and buy what's on TV, and that's where mike is meeting them. He never looks tired. It has also bought a ground game for the virtual candidate. "We've built the biggest infrastructure that Texas has ever seen," said Ashlea Turner, mike's state director. On the ground in Texas he's got 19 field offices and 180 paid staffers, including Amanda Salas, 33, who grew up conservative, supported John McCain in 2008, Bernie Sanders in 2016, and now has settled in the middle with mike. "I gotta look at what people in my electorate are looking at: solid Democrat but pretty conservative," said Salas, while door-knocking Saturday in a Hispanic neighborhood of San Antonio. The mike campaign has seven full-time staffers in the remote islands of American Samoa, according to CNN, as part of a play to lock down the U.S. territory's six delegates. Tennesseans, who vote Tuesday, are shocked to be lavished with attention by a Democratic candidate at this stage. mike has seven offices in Tennessee, including ones in Jackson and Johnson City, in largely rural areas on either side of the state that rarely see this kind of action from a presidential candidate. Ernest Brooks, a councilman from the city of Jackson in West Tennessee, accepted Bloomberg's apology for stop-and-frisk and praised his economic initiatives for black Americans. "It's been many, many presidential cycles" since a candidate set up an office in his county, said Brooks, a paid surrogate. "Decades." On Friday in Blountville, near the Virginia border, mike spoke in a Trumpian setting: an airplane hangar with a gargantuan American flag behind him. Included in the buffet of pulled pork and casserole were two vats of banana pudding so big that the candidate could've bathed in them. There were a couple MAGA hats in the crowd of 350. A man under one of them was named Craig Widner. "I don't like hardly any of what Mike Bloomberg stands for," said Widner, who owns an insurance business, "but I do respect that he had the guts to show up in East Tennessee for an event that's probably not gonna work out well for him." The main goal was not to win outright but to walk away with delegates, and to be prepared for a brokered national convention in Milwaukee in July. Last week, popular distaste with this strategy manifested in spray paint ("Eat the Rich") on the campaign office in Johnson City, Tenn. "When people make comments that he's buying the election, I'm very put off by that," said regional field organizer Kristi Carr. "Because all I have is awe that a candidate would invest their own money in my home state and my home region that has never had that kind of investment before." Out in Kingsport, mike's sole canvasser Friday was a 16-year-old named Carrson Everett. He's the founder of his high school's club for Democrats (membership: 15) and president of the county's society for young Democrats (membership: five). Carrson was originally for Bernie Sanders, but was turned off by his supporters and liked what he heard at the opening ceremony for mike's office in Johnson City. Carrson can't vote, but he can knock on doors. "I get irritated with Democrats who are not in red areas because I think they feel like, 'Well, I just don't need to do anything,' " he said while canvassing in Kingsport. "And I'm like, 'We are working our butts off out here!' " Speaking of red areas, did you know mike's favorite color is maroon? You would if you'd went to his "women for mike" rally Saturday morning at a hotel ballroom in McLean, Virginia. Bloomberg trivia looped on flat-screen TVs as supporters feasted on croissants, coffee and speared cantaloupe. Arlington, Virginia, resident Twana Barber was undecided until last week, when she was persuaded by mike's work on gun violence and the endorsement of a former mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. As for stop-and-frisk and mike's history of sexist comments, Barber said she is a Christian who believes in forgiveness and second chances. "We've all had a past, and we've all said things that we wish we could take back," said Barber, who works in public relations. "I want to see what he's going to do for us going forward. And sometimes that ugly past makes us better human beings." mike was introduced by a dozen women who have been working for Bloomberg LP for years. He took the stage to U2's "Beautiful Day" and said: "Good morning, women for mike. I am mike for women. Nice to meet you." He talked about getting "it" done, and getting "things" done. He talked about decency, honesty and sanity. He talked about having the resources to defeat Trump. The price of a democracy - whether one intends to save it or merely acquire a controlling interest - cannot be estimated easily. There are some things money can't buy, they say. "I know he's done all these commercials on what he's doing for black businesses and how he's promoted women," said Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-Va., a Biden supporter who has taken potshots at Bloomberg on Twitter, "but that doesn't relieve the angst, especially among younger voters." Enthusiasm. Fervor. Youthful idealism. Bernie Sanders supporters have it, and it's not for sale. One poll of Virginia, which also votes Tuesday, had mike tied for first with Sanders earlier this month; a more recent poll placed him third, with Biden at the top. mike was polling third in Texas, which had the largest population increase of any state in the country from 2018 to 2019. It's diverse, and getting more so: Last year for every new white resident, there were nine new Hispanic residents - a demographic mike has been courting. The state is young and getting younger (median age 34). Each year it inches toward becoming a blue state, and mike thinks he can finally wrest it away from Republicans. In Texas, on the final weekend before Super Tuesday, the campaign decided that San Antonio should be home to one of their biggest pushes in the state. On Saturday morning, marine biologist Paige Newman, 55, showed up to Bloomberg HQ and quickly realized that she was the only person not being paid to be there. This was the first time Newman had ever volunteered for a campaign. She wants Trump out and thinks that mike is the most credible candidate on climate change. His candidacy is not a high-stakes gamble, Newman believes. It's a smart bet. She walked down Coyote Hill Road and Mustang Ridge, in the northeast suburbs of San Antonio, her phone open to mike's canvassing app. In one driveway was a man with a long brown beard, sleeves of tattoos and a shirt that read: "So far this is the oldest I've ever been." Newman approached. "Nope, nope, nope," said Atticus McCoy, 37. America has a rich guy in the White House, he said. "We don't need another." He said he prefers the candidate who believes that billionaires - including Bloomberg, and therefore "mike" - should not exist. "I like Bernie," McCoy told Newman, "but he's never going to win." SAO PAULO, March 2 (Reuters) - Brazil energy company Aes Tiete said on Monday that it had received a merger proposal from energy company Eneva, which is willing to pay a 13.3% premium to buy out Aes Tiete shareholders. Aes Tiete said in a securities filing disclosing the proposal that it has yet to decide whether it will accept it. The merger would also require regulatory scrutiny. (Reporting by Luciano Costa; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Xiaomi official announced the Redmi Note launch on March 12 is canceled, and now Realme followed up with cancellation as well. Just like the Xiaomi subsidiary, this brand also opted to have an event but behind closed doors and it will be live-streamed. This means the Realme 6 is still getting introduced on Thursday, March 5, but we wont be at the event. In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online. #HealthFirst Madhav 5G (@MadhavSheth1) March 3, 2020 The event is still taking place at 12:30 PM at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, but mass gatherings are getting canceled all across the world following suggestions by the World Health Organisation. During the launch, we expect to see Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro, as well as the companys first non-audio wearable. Full statement from Realme India The Realme 6 is expected to have a Helio G90 chipset, 8 GB RAM and Android 10 with Realme UI 1.0 on top. Its Pro sibling should come with a Snapdragon 730G chipset, but we also expect quad cameras on the back, a 90 Hz display and three color options. Source India's rice exports fell 12 percent in January from a year earlier due to weak demand for non-basmati rice from African and Asian countries, government data showed on March 3. India is the world's biggest exporter of rice. Rice exports totalled 908,492 tonnes in January, down from 1.03 million tonnes a year earlier, according to data compiled by the ministry of commerce and industry. Non-basmati rice exports dropped 14 percent from a year earlier to 452,519 tonnes, while basmati rice exports fell 10 percent to 455,973 tonnes, the data showed. Pakistan on Tuesday said it wrote to British authorities seeking the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who flew to London for medical treatment in 2019 after a court granted him indefinite bail on medical grounds. Sharif, a former three times PM, was ousted over corruption allegations in 2017 and was serving a seven years prison term before the Lahore High Court granted him an indefinite bail on medical grounds, after which he flew to Britain for medical treatment. Pakistan cannot seek Sharif's extradition because it has no extradition treaty with Britain, the foreign office said. "A letter to bring back Nawaz Sharif's has been written through foreign office... This letter was a legal formality to bring him back to the country, which has been sent", advisor to prime minister Imran Khan on information and broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said at a press conference. According to the bail terms, Sharif was required to send his medical reports to a medical board set up by the court, which would then determine if his bail could be extended -- but Sharif has sent no such information, Awan said. "The medical board demands his medical report, but he sends letters and certificates, there is a difference in medical report and letters", she said. Sharif's doctor last year claimed that he suffered a minor heart attack and was "fighting for his life" in prison. Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, the leader of the opposition, said in a statement that the Pakistani government "has no legal authority" to write such a letter to Britain. "It is an absolute immoral and irrational act, the government's haste reveals its criminal and malicious intentions," the statement read. Former PM Sharif, 70, known as the "Lion of Punjab", is a political survivor who has repeatedly roared back to the country's top office, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Pakistani politics. A hugely wealthy steel tycoon from Punjab, Pakistan's wealthiest province, Sharif earned a reputation for combativeness during his first two terms as prime minister, from 1990 to 1993 -- when he was sacked, also on corruption charges -- and from 1997 to 1999, when he was deposed by the powerful military. His first two terms were marked by a strong economy and infrastructure growth. However Sharif inherited a country with sagging finances and a stifling energy crisis when he was elected for the third time in 2013. Sharif blamed the security establishment for again targeting him in 2017 when the Supreme Court disqualified him from politics for life over graft allegations, which he denies. He later received a seven-year jail sentence. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who defeated Sharif's party in 2018 general election, has since launched a high-profile and controversial anti-corruption drive that has targeted several leaders of Sharif's party. Families of three men who died in detention centres under mysterious circumstances accuse authorities of cover up. Goalpara, India In October last year, day-wage labourer Duryadhan Das was out looking for work in Sitamari village when his phone rang. He was instructed to come to Guwahati Medical College in the capital of Indias northeastern state of Assam, where his father, 70-year-old Falu Das, had been admitted due to a deteriorating health condition. Five days after the call, on October 24, 2019, Falu would go on to become the 28th inmate of Goalpara detention centre to die under unexplained circumstances. We did not know he was unwell. He had been in the hospital for five days before they contacted us. The Indian government killed my husband, Korbula Das, his wife of 30 years, told Al Jazeera. Falu, a Hindu of Bengali origin, was placed in detention in Goalpara district in July 2017 after failing to prove his citizenship to the quasi-judicial Foreigners Tribunal (FT). There are 100 FTs that decide the citizenship of people suspected of being foreign or doubtful citizens a concept introduced in 1997. More than 1,000 people have been languishing in six detention centres in the state, where immigration has dominated politics since hundreds of thousands of refugees poured into Assam during Bangladeshs liberation war in 1971. The northeastern border state has also had a border police force of more than 4,000 officers since the early 1960s, tasked with detecting and deporting people coming in from neighbouring Bangladesh, branded as foreigners. In August 2019, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) a Supreme Court-monitored bureaucratic citizenship exercise was published, excluding Falu and nearly two million people of Bengali origin. They have essentially been rendered stateless. Send his body to Bangladesh then Falus family refused to accept his body, angry his life had been taken by a bureaucratic exercise that has torn countless families apart. No one should suffer the way my family has suffered. I still do not know how my father died. We don't have the death certificate or a post-mortem report. Ashok, Dulal Paul's son We showed them every valid document in his name and yet, he was declared a foreigner. If he was indeed a foreigner, then his body should be sent to Bangladesh. The Indian government jailed him, believing that belonged to that country, said Bhagu Das, Falus younger son, still seething with anger. My father spent his last two years in jail for failing to establish any relationship to Indian citizens in court. How come they now believe we are family when it is time to cremate him? Death certificate of Falu Das issued by district authorities [Vidya Krishnan/Al Jazeera] Falu left behind a wife and six children, four daughters and two sons, their spouses and children. Eleven of them his wife, two sons, their wives and six grandchildren live together in Sitamari where they are one of the poorer families. Their two small huts near a temple are sparsely furnished some kitchen utensils, plastic chairs, charpoys (rope beds) and their most precious possessions, government documents kept in a worn polythene bag. Duryadhan, 30, carefully pulled out the documents all he has left of their fathers life: a voter identification card, a letter from Falus bank and two letters from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Nalbari, the first informing them of his fathers illness, the second telling them he was dead. Indian state is under obligation, under both Indian and international law, to conduct a transparent inquiry if someone dies in custody. Dr Mohsin Alam Bhat, executive director of the Centre for Public Interest Law Promises of job and housing The days following Falus death were a blur and a media circus, the family recalled. Nalbari district officials and local members of the governing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were pressuring the family to receive Falus body while activists and leaders of the opposition Congress party pulled them the other way advising the family to not accept his body until he was declared an Indian national. Duryadhan said BJP leaders had offered him monetary compensation, jobs and housing in return for his family ending their protest and receiving Falus body. He and his brother were caught between the two forces with no jobs, no savings, no money for funeral expenses, and no citizenship. Only my mother and two elder sisters names are in the final NRC. My brother, two sisters and I are not on the list, Duryadhan told Al Jazeera. More than 1,000 people have been languishing in six detention centres in the state. New detention centres (in picture) are being built [Tawqeer Hussain/Al Jazeera] Nearly five months after his fathers death, none of the BJP promises have materialised, nor has citizenship. Deadly protests erupted in Assam after the national BJP government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on December 11 last year, fast-tracking the naturalisation process for non-Muslims from three neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh. Under the provisions of the CAA, Muslims of Bengali origin, who are among the 1.9 million people left off the NRC, will not be allowed naturalisation a move critics say goes against the countrys secular constitution. But many Assamese have decried the law, saying all immigrants, irrespective of their faith, should be deported. The BJP leaders told us that we did not need to protest for citizenship. When CAA is implemented, our names will be automatically in the list because we are Hindus, Duryadhan said. Death under mysterious circumstances Since last October, three so-called foreigners Dulal Paul, Falu Das, and Nareshwar Koch have died under mysterious circumstances in Assams detention camps. The details of their stories are interchangeable, all are equally disturbing. My father spent his last two years in jail for failing to establish any relationship to Indian citizens in court. Bhagu Das, Falu's younger son All three families told Al Jazeera they were pressured to accept the bodies of their loved ones. In all three cases, the families were not given the medical records clarifying the cause of death. Dulal, 65, died two weeks before Falu, on October 13 last year. His son Ashok narrates an eerily familiar story. He got a call in October and a notice from the top district officer informing the family of Dulals admission to Guwahati Medical College due to his deteriorating health. The 65-year-old had been in Tezpur detention camp since 2017. Dulals family said local politicians coerced them into accepting the body. They offered me a job, the local BJP MLA Ganesh Limbu, offered financial assistance for the family, if we stopped the protest, recalled Ashok. 180620101455019 No one should suffer the way my family has suffered. I still do not know how my father died. We dont have the death certificate or a post-mortem report. I will fight for my fathers right to be declared an Indian [as long as] I am alive, he told Al Jazeera. All of Dulals three sons have been excluded from the NRC list. Local BJP leader Narayan Deka, who was in touch with Falus family, and BJP legislator Ganesh Kumar Limbu, who was in touch with Dulals family, did not respond to emails and phone calls. Similarly, BJP National Spokesperson Nalin Kohli had not responded to emails and phone calls at the time of publication. Soon after it happened, Ashok told Amnesty International that his fathers death was under very suspicious circumstances. I was called by the jail authorities saying that my father was ill and was taken to hospital. I went to Tezpur hospital to find he wasnt there. Then I went to the district jail, where the jailer for the very first time asked me to come and sit inside, Ashok told Amnesty. He told me, dont raise any alarm with the civil society bodies but your fathers health condition had deteriorated very badly so weve sent him to Guwahati, where the government will take care of his hospital expenses. Thats when I got suspicious. When Ashok reached the hospital in Guwahati, he saw his father lying on the floor. There was no one to give him water and no one was attending to him. He told me to take him home or else hell end up dead inside the jail, he told Amnesty. Foreigners Tribunals wreaking havoc Dulals family initially refused to accept the body but after the intervention of the governing party, including the chief ministers office, they held the funeral after 10 days. Rights organisations have criticised authorities on the treatment of people in detention centres. Indian state is under obligation, under both Indian and international law, to conduct a transparent inquiry if someone dies in custody. The government must order a postmortem report and share it with the family, said Dr Mohsin Alam Bhat, executive director of the Centre for Public Interest Law, who was part of a mission from National Human Right Commission (NHRC) that visited the detention camps to review living conditions inside. Persons under detention continue to enjoy the right to life, and dignity, and the right against cruel and inhuman treatment, under the Indian constitution and international human rights law, Dr Mohsin told Al Jazeera. On January 5, Naresh Koch an Indigenous Koch tribe of Assam died in a detention centre in Goalpara. Koch was neither a Muslim of Bengali origin, nor a Bengali Hindu, the two groups widely perceived to belong to the category of people suspected to be undocumented immigrants. He was declared a foreigner despite the fact that he and his ancestors did not have a connection with any foreign country other than the soil of Assam, Abdul Kalam Azad, a human rights researcher who met the family immediately after Kochs death, told Al Jazeera. He was picked up from a shop in 2017 in Kamrup district and it was days before his wife Jini knew where he was. We found out eventually but did not have money to visit him in the prison in Goalpara, she said. Two years later, in December 2019, Jini was told her husband had been admitted to the Guwahati Medical College after his health deteriorated. By the time she reached the hospital, Koch had suffered a stroke, which left him paralysed. She took care of him for the next two weeks with policemen standing guard. 180717090910612 How come the foreigners become Indian, when they are about to die? she asked, sitting in her courtyard in the Bongaigaon village on a January evening. Jinis family has also not received the medical records, post-mortem report, and death certificate explaining the circumstances of Kochs death. In a report titled Designed to Exclude, Amnesty International criticised the Foreigners Tribunals for wreaking havoc in Assam by arbitrarily denying people their citizenship. The report went on to argue that foreign tribunals were a violation of international laws, which maintain that states carry the burden of proving citizenship, as opposed to the current situation in which the onus of proving ones citizenship is on the individual. All three families said they were pressured to cremate their loved ones after initially refusing to receive their bodies. The promises that politicians made to them of jobs, cash and housing however, are yet to be fulfilled. No one followed-through on the promises, they told Al Jazeera. Information about the two confirmed novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases that surfaced in Delhi and Hyderabad came in bits and pieces from people with knowledge of the cases because the health ministry refused to share details pleading patient confidentiality. No one wanted the patients names or addresses, but the government even refused to officially share the age, gender, or the extent and nature of the movement of the two persons after their arrival in India. That is unfortunate because this crucial data may have prompted people who risked catching the infection from the two persons to notify the health department and stay quarantined at home to stop the spread of the infection. One person was a Delhi resident who recently travelled to Italy and the other was a software engineer from Hyderabad who has a travel history from Dubai. In sharp contrast, Singapore has used transparent data sharing and stringent contact tracing as tools to contain confirmed cases to 108 despite the first four Covid-19 cases being reported early on in the epidemic that has its epicentre in Chinas Wuhan. Unlike in South Korea and Japan, there have been no virus-related deaths and 78 people have recovered in the city-state. All information on Covid-19 cases is shared on a live dashboard, which includes the number of confirmed cases, infection growth rate, ICU admissions, and discharged patients. Along with this, the age and gender distribution, areas of cluster outbreaks, date of diagnosis among others, is also shared with the public for realtime tracking of virus behaviour and the infection pattern. Singapore reported its first Covid-19 case on January 29, and limited local transmission began by February 4, when four women who had not travelled to China tested positive. This was followed by half-a-dozen clusters of infections. As soon as limited local transmission was confirmed, Singapores ministry of health swung into action and asked the public to prepare for wider transmission. There is no evidence of widespread community transmission, but despite our best efforts, Singapore could still see extensive community spread, health minister Gan Kim Yong said at a press conference on February 4. Singapore was among the first countries to impose travel restrictions on people who had recently been to China and other affected countries. A Chinese couple who lied about their travel history were fined under the Infectious Diseases Act, and people who lied about breached quarantine have had their residency status and work passes revoked. Singapore has been extremely proactive in screening and containment. There are thermal scanners at very entry and exit gate at Changi airport that offers comprehensive scanning without people having to stop or queue up, like its done in India. Every business office and many large condominiums have thermal scanners, and the government sends masks to RWAs {residents welfare association}. There is concern but no panic..., said Suman Bose, founder of GoFar, a Singapore-based advisory and investment firm. The ministry of health has also activated Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) for patients with respiratory symptoms. People with fever and respiratory symptoms can go to the nearest clinic for subsidised treatment and medicines for as little as Singapore $10 without having to go to a hospital, said Bose, who travelled to India on February 14 and had to queue up for close to an hour to go through the thermal scanner. In case of escalation, the ministry of health has also asked people to be prepared for measures to reduce human interaction, such as cancelling of large events and mass gatherings, suspension of schools, avoidance of non-essential travel and services to stop the virus from spreading from local clusters to the community SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a major embarrassment for Pakistan, Baloch, Sindhi and Pashtun activists gathered in Geneva exposing Pakistan's pitiable track record of safeguarding the interests of minorities. This comes at a time when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been at the forefront commenting about the riots in the national capital. Slogans against Pakistani establishment Several prominent human right activists gathered in Geneva, Switzerland raising slogans against the Pakistani establishment demanding justice. Activists have alleged that Pakistani establishment has illegally detained human rights activist for a month without any charges. Italian origin human rights activist Frencheska said, "Where have you been United Nations. Where are you when everyday Baloch are killed. Women have been tortured. They have been held captive with no information. Where have you been to the United Nations? This has to stop." Read: MASSIVE protests set to rock Pakistan after Pashtun leader's arrest; PTM goes global Azaadi slogans also reverberated outside United Nations drawing the attention of the global community. Activists organised a poster campaign in Geneva to highlight Pakistan's policy of discrimination. Posters read, "Stop discrimination; End Violence". Activists went on sloganeering, "Pakistani minorities want justice. We want justice now." Read: 'Baloch people are thrown off helicopters': Altaf Hussain on Pakistan's barbarism Pashtun leader requests PM Modi In another development, Pashtun leader Mustafa Pashtun requested Indian Prime Minister to intervene and save Pakistani minorities. "We have gathered here to highlight the atrocities meted out by the Pakistani establishment and Pakistani military. The common man has been suffering. We are not Pakistanis. We have been tortured. Pashtuns have been illegally detained by the administration," said Mustafa, adding, "Pakistani Army has been perpetrating all such crimes. They have been supporting the Taliban, Al Qaeda, Haqqani, Masood Azhar. Terrorism is their state policy. If the world is witnessing terrorist acts, it is because of the Pakistani Army." The Pashtun leader requested all global leaders to intervene. Read: Pakistan reports one more coronavirus case, total increases to 5 Read: Pakistani doctor who helped track, kill Osama bin Laden launches hunger strike in prison Among the bills he sponsored are those that sought to ban abortions after a woman has been pregnant for 15 weeks, and another after six weeks. Milkovich was irked when the state attorney general said the laws would not go into effect unless similar laws in Mississippi were upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, the same court that upheld the law on admitting privileges. Multiple Carnival cruise ships are changing course in a bid to avoid destinations where there is a risk of being turned away, according to the cruise line. In an emailed statement, Carnival Cruise Line said there was "no health situation on board" that caused the change, but that the company wants to avoid any possibility of disruption. The DUP MP for Upper Bann, Carla Lockhart, called on elected representatives to stand together in opposition to the event A protest against the imprisonment of two men convicted of the murder of a PSNI officer has been slammed as a " disgraceful" event calculated to "cause hurt and insult". "March for Justice Ireland" has organised the protest for supporters of Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton, who were convicted in 2012 for PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll's killing. Constable Carroll (48) from Banbridge, Co Down, was shot dead after police were lured to a call-out in Craigavon on March 9, 2009. He was the first police officer killed at the hands of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland since the formation of the PSNI in 2001. The Continuity IRA admitted responsibility for the murder. Expand Close Stephen Carroll / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephen Carroll Brendan McConville (42) and 22-year-old John Paul Wootton were later sentenced to 25 and 14 years in jail for the murder, a conviction which was upheld on appeal by the High Court in 2014. The March for Justice Ireland protest is set to take place on Saturday, March 28, in Lurgan, meeting at the war memorial in the town. This event is an obvious attempt by dissident republicans to provoke a reaction from which they can use to feed their campaign of terrorism DUP MP Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said to hold the event less than two miles from the scene of Constable Carroll's murder is a "deliberate attempt to glorify terrorism" and an insult to the slain officer's loved ones. "For the organisers to choose the war memorial in Lurgan to assembly is a further deliberate and calculated attempt to cause hurt and insult," she added. Expand Close Brendan McConville who was jailed for Stephen's murder / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brendan McConville who was jailed for Stephen's murder "The organisers of this disgraceful gathering describe is as being for 'justice'. Justice was served, however, when Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton were found guilty of murder and when their appeal was rejected. "This event is an obvious attempt by dissident republicans to provoke a reaction from which they can use to feed their campaign of terrorism." A poster for the event says the protest is to "highlight the ongoing injustice wrought upon two innocent men, Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton. The Craigavon Two, innocent men in prison for a crime they did not commit." Ms Lockhart said she would ask the PSNI to give an assessment of whether they believe the protest is likely to lead to a breach of the peace. "If it is to proceed, however, then there must be an assurance from the PSNI that it will be policed adequately and particularly that evidence gathering capability will be in place to identify and prosecute anyone involved in a breaking the law," she said. Expand Close John Paul Wootton / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Paul Wootton "Terrorism has always been wrong, whether in past decades or the present day. The continued glorification of those who engage in violence only serves to drag Northern Ireland backwards. "I would hope that all elected representatives within Lurgan can stand together in opposition to this disgraceful event. A Marine Reserve officer was removed from his job last month in what his command called "the best interest of the unit." Lt. Col. Kyle Ditto was relieved of his duties as commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 "due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead his squadron," said Maj. Roger Hollenbeck, a spokesman for Marine Forces Reserve. The refueling squadron is a Reserve unit based in Texas. Brig. Gen. Timothy Adams, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, made the call to relieve Ditto of command. The aircraft wing is dedicated to supporting the Marine Corps' high standards, Hollenbeck said, "especially for those with the increased responsibility of command." "Relieving a leader is never an easy decision, however the commander decided this action was in the best interest of the unit and the Marine Corps," he added. Related: Marine Aviator Fired for Flying Too Low and Too Fast During Ceremony Lt. Col. Bryan Littleton, the unit's former executive officer, is now leading the refueling squadron, Hollenbeck said. Littleton has served with VMGR-234 since January 2019. No additional details about Ditto's relief, which was first reported by Marine Corps Times on Monday, were immediately available. Ditto did not respond to a request for comment through his command about his time leading the squadron or his relief. He has been reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 41s headquarters element, Hollenbeck said. The KC-130 aircraft commander has been in the Marine Corps since 1998. He has served in Iraq, Korea and at sea, according to his career records. Ditto's personal awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, three Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medals and a Humanitarian Service Medal. Editor's note: This story has been updated with details of Ditto's new assignment. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Read more: Captain Warned That Crew Wasn't Ready Before Sub Ran Aground, Investigation Shows Over at Education Next, I recently had the opportunity to review Diane Ravitchs new book, Slaying Goliath. The book is well-timedmarking the end of a decade during which a once-triumphal reform coalition unraveledand provided a useful opportunity to reflect on what happened and what weve learned. Ravitch, of course, first made her name as an influential education historian. I was hugely curious: Given her stance as perhaps the foremost critic of 21st-century reform, how would she make sense of reforms demise? Well, Ravitchs tale turns out be a remarkably simple one. A nefarious cabal of Privatizers sought to destroy public education, only to be beaten back by a plucky Resistance of anti-testers, left-wing nonprofits, and teachers unions. Now, longtime readers know that I agree with Ravitch that contemporary school reform deserves to be harshly critiquedespecially when it comes to favorite Ravitch targets like NCLB, the Common Core, big philanthropy, teacher evaluation, and the obsession with reading and math scores. Yet, with all talk of malicious billionaires, shadowy networks, noble reformers of old, and the plucky Resistance, the tale offered more vitriol than vision. As I put it in the review: It's all a cartoonish muddle, as Bill Gates, the Walton family, Michelle Rhee, Arne Duncan, Democrats for Education Reform, Jeb Bush, Barack Obama, Eli Broad, Betsy DeVos, and their "Corporate Disrupter" allies devote themselves to "cutting taxes, cutting spending on public schools, and turning control of public schools over to private corporations." Why would Obama, Gates, or Bush do this? Ravitch reports that it's because, "They are masters of chaos, which they inflict on other people's children, without a twinge of remorse. . . . They don't like public control. They like to close public schools." If this seems like a case of depicting a vast grab-bag of people and organizations as moustache-twirling villains, you've got the idea. As I read the volume, I was struck by how closely it paralleled the black-and-white caricature offered up in books by the same reformers that Ravitch assails. To take just one example among many, I reviewed former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncans How Schools Work a couple years ago. I noted that his harangue was an exercise in straw men and self-congratulation (much like Ravitchs). I observed: Duncan suffers from the tendency to divide the world into those who are "for the kids" and those who are not. . . . In Duncan's telling, he has spent a career facing off against those who didn't share his commitment to the kids, battling the "vested interests that are resistant to change and absolutely beholden to the status quo." In fact, when I reflect on the past decade, the Ravitchians and the reformers increasingly strike me as mirror images of one another. The two sides embraced similar tropes and shared an inclination to cherry-pick data, wave away complexity, and dismiss critics as anti-child and part of the problem. This reliance on simple-minded moralism proved especially costly for reformers, making it tough for them to recognize missteps or broaden their coalition. Worst of all, I fear that both camps tended to make the same mistake when thinking about educational changeoverstating the import of policy change, by itself, and failing to appreciate the degree to which any consequences depend on execution more than adoption. Along the way, the combatants helped turn promising attempts to rethink the shape of public education into cardboard solutionsthus ensuring that theyd disappoint. Heck, as I observed of Ravitch and Duncan a decade ago, at the height of Race to the Tops early success: When I listen to [Ravitch and Duncan] discuss merit pay, accountability, or charter schooling, I hear the same mistake. . . . [Ravitch] is disappointed because she thought accountability and charter schooling were supposed to make schools better and now condemns them for failing to deliver on that promise. Duncan seems to promise that they will make schools better. They're both missing the central point: These kinds of structural reforms are means, not ends. Nobody should expect them to magically boost learning or improve outcomes. . . . The action is not in the fact of charters, accountability, or merit pay, but in what one does with them. And that's a subject we've given dreadfully short shift for two decades. Rather than focusing on how to ensure that these changes would deliver on their promises, reformers got distracted by the sheer excitement of fighting and tallying wins. They created awards for policy warriors. They eagerly tallied the number of states that adopted the Common Core or new teacher-evaluation systems, and focused relentlessly on scoring more goals. The result was that too much weight got put on winning and not enough on persuasion, workability, or how those wins would be experienced by families and teachers. The last decade in American schooling has much to teach those who seek to improve it. High-profile reforms crashed and burned. A bipartisan reform coalition came apart. How and why this happened is about much more than a clash of good guys and bad guys. Its mostly, I suspect, a story of well-meaning reformers focusing more on statehouses than schoolhouses, with results that proved destructive and ultimately self-defeating. And Im still waiting for the book that explores that. Falling for the third consecutive session, the rupee on Tuesday slumped 47 paise to 73.23 (provisional) against the US dollar, as investor sentiment remained fragile amid concerns over the impact of coronavirus. Forex traders said the Indian rupee which started the day on a positive note witnessed heavy volatility during the session and finally settled below 73 per US dollar level as uncertainty over coronavirus spooked investors. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 72.50. During the day it saw a high of 72.43 and a low of 73.34 against the American currency. The domestic unit finally settled at 73.23 against the greenback, down 47 paise over its previous closing price. The local unit had settled at 72.76 against the greenback on Monday. This is the third consecutive session of fall for the domestic unit during which it has depreciated by 160 paise. "Rupee fell to the lowest level in a year following an increase in number of reported cases on coronavirus in India. Market participants will be keeping an eye on the expected synchronised move from Central banks and that could trigger a move for the greenback," said Gaurang Somaiyaa, Forex & Bullion Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Somaiyaa further added that the rupee (spot) is expected to quote with a negative bias and in the range of 72.80 and 73.50. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart, discussed the latest developments of the coronavirus outbreak over the phone, Szijjarto said. Wang thanked Hungary for the solidarity in the fight against the new virus, for being among the first to send bracing words and protective gear, Szijjarto said. He cited Wang as saying that the number of new infections were now scarce outside Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, and patients recovered by their thousands every day. Szijjarto told the Chinese minister there were still no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Hungary, and expressed his admiration for the Chinese doctors and nurses caring for the infected. Photo courtesy of kormany.hu The parliamentary faction of the Servant of the People party at a meeting on March 3 plans to make a decision on the resignation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk and the entire Cabinet of Ministers. Oleksandr Kachura, a faction member and a deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada committee on the organization of state power, local self-government, regional development and urban planning, wrote this on his Telegram channel. "According to tentative reports, the decision on the resignation of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk and, accordingly, the entire composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will be made at an evening meeting of the faction today [on March 3]," he said. According to Kachura, given the performance of Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka, "there is a high probability that he will leave his post too." Earlier reports said the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada was planning to discuss a possible reshuffle in law enforcement agencies at a meeting on March 3. Riaboshapka and Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine Artem Sytnyk were invited to the meeting. op More than 10,000 refugees massing at the Greek border have once again become pawns in a geopolitical game, as chinks appear in Fortress Europe. Turkey has been accused of weaponising migrants after it opened its land border with Greece on Saturday. The move violates a deal struck with the European Union in 2016, in which Turkey agreed to stem the flow of people to the EU in return for 6bn (5.16bn). On Sunday night, Greek authorities repelled 9,877 people from conflict-ridden countries, such as Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia, as they tried to enter Greece. The deployment of the military to ward off those seeking a better life in Europe resulted in violent clashes involving stun grenades and tear gas in the no-mans land between the Turkish and Greek borders. On Monday, a four-year-old boy drowned when a boat capsized off Lesbos. What does all this mean for Europe? With reports of 10,000 migrants attempting to cross into Greece and Bulgaria, EU leaders will no doubt be growing increasingly uneasy. Not necessarily in response to the refugees themselves but because talk of large numbers of people gathering on the edge of Europe is a boon to the far-right. The prospect of another migrant crisis such as in 2015 is a gift to sensationalist populist propaganda. Already on Monday, not without a hint of smugness, Matteo Salvini, leader of Italys far-right Lega party, tweeted Not long ago, Erdogan threatened to send MILLIONS of immigrants. Madness. Remember?. With local elections in France, and regional elections in Germany and Austria coming up in March, the current crisis risks fueling far-right fires. On Sunday evening, Greece announced it would suspend EU asylum law for a month and send all those entering illegally back to Turkey. Greeces response is not only unsustainable, but is forbidden by EU asylum law. In particular, the measures risk violating the principle of non-refoulement, or the guarantee that no one may be returned to a country where they are likely to face persecution. Tensions are running high; Greeces response, including its accusation that Turkey has become a smuggler itself, is evidence of its desperation. What impact might Turkeys decision to open the border have on EU-Turkey relations? Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has expressed his anger at the EUs perceived failure to keep its side of the bargain and help Turkey cope with the strain of hosting 3.6 million Syrian refugees. Equally, Erdogan is seeking greater European support in northern Syria, where Turkey has launched an operation against Russian and Syrian forces, led by Bashar al-Assad. In a bid to be taken seriously and fed up with what he perceives as the EUs empty promises, Erdogan has targeted one of the blocs sorest points: its borders. Journalist attacked while reporting on refugee crisis in Greece In his last-ditch attempt to capture the EUs attention, has Erdogan burned his bridges? The Turkish president may well have gone too far, prompting EU leaders to lose any appetite for renegotiating a deal with Turkey. Whether Europe will be drawn further into the war in Syria remains to be seen. Likewise, whether this will spark another full-blown crisis, and to what extent this will propel Europes political right, is not certain. Whatever the outcome, however, the humanitarian consequences deserve our attention. Europe has failed to find a humane response to the so-called refugee crisis. The Minniti deals that Italy struck with Libya in 2017 may have reduced the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean by approximately 85 per cent, but there were serious human rights concerns (tens of thousands of vulnerable people were trapped in detention centres in Libya). Now, thousands of desperate people are having their hopes raised, only to be dashed as they come up against violence on the ramparts of Fortress Europe. Hope can be a fragile thing; Turkey may well be struggling, but Erdogan is wrong to leverage refugees in his attempts to twist Europes arm. The international community must condemn the Turkish presidents use of migrants as pawns in his great game of geopolitical chess. Australian agency received US govt support, shows no knowledge of China Two seamstresses are working in a traditional handcraft workshop at Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Fei) A report by an Australian think tank which claims the Chinese central government's "Xinjiang Aid" program forces Uygur people to work at suppliers across China for well-known global brands such as Apple, Nike and Volkswagen is a nefarious campaign that the West has launched to smear China and another "cock and bull story" on Xinjiang's so-called human right issues, said staff from the Chinese suppliers involved and local officials. "This type of report is full of lies. The aid program is a beneficial scheme that helps Uygur people to earn income and learn new skills. Xinjiang workers are recruited in a formal and legal way, some through local personnel departments, and others via human resource agencies. They [the workers] are all voluntary," a local official surnamed Chen in Aksu prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region told the Global Times on Monday. The report issued by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) claims that under the program, 80,000 Uygur workers were forced to work in 27 factories in nine Chinese provinces outside Xinjiang between 2017 and 2019. They are subject to "constant surveillance" and live in "segregated dormitories," the report alleges. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted the claims at Monday's regular press conference. The institute has repeatedly thrown out biased fallacies on issues related to Xinjiang, which is only another step to follow the anti-China forces of the US, aiming to smear and discredit the Chinese government's efforts of anti-terrorism in the Xinjiang region, said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. While extensively citing documents, academic research and even satellite imagery analysis, the report barely includes any conversations with frontline factory workers and bats away the key issue of how the Uygur workers are allegedly compelled to work or how they are surveilled by local officials. A senior employee surnamed Che, of Nike supplier Qingdao Taekwang Shoes Co in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, told the Global Times that there were no extra restrictions placed on their 800 or so Uygur workers, compared with employees from other ethnic groups and other regions. His words give the lie to the ASPI report, which cited a Washington Post article as saying that Uygur workers at the factory are barred from returning home for holidays. The Washington Post article claimed that the movements of the Uygur workers are monitored by local police officers. "The report is definitely slander. Of course they [Uygur workers] can go anywhere they want. Just like the others, the Uygurs sign the same work contracts, which are usually valid for three years, but they can leave anytime they want," Che said. Che said that the Uygur workers came to the factory in Shandong mainly because there are few opportunities in their hometowns, while salaries and employment are much more promising in the coastal city. Some Xinjiang employees could earn more than 2,000 yuan ($287.25) a month, with accommodation and daily meals provided by the employers. An official in Hotan prefecture in Xinjiang told the Global Times on condition of anonymity that Xinjiang officials encourage locals to look for work outside the region to help lift themselves out of poverty. "The employment market in Xinjiang is not big enough," he said. A Qingdao official involved in recruiting Uygur workers, who would speak only on condition of anonymity, told the Global Times on Monday that the local government has striven to protect the rights of Xinjiang migrant workers, such as offering transportation subsidies, ensuring no extra work hours and providing social insurance payment for them. A Chinese NGO held a photo exhibition on Xinjiang at the UN Office in Geneva on Mon. More than 100 pictures and videos depicting a "beautiful, open, confident and richly-endowed Xinjiang that enjoys stable development, solidarity and harmony" were displayed for the visitors. Photo: Fan Lingzhi/GT Statements from some other firms involved show the allegations are groundless. For example, the report claims that Haoyuanpeng Clothing Manufacturing Co, headquartered in East China's Anhui Province, employed Uygur workers at its factory in Anhui. But a spokesperson for the garment maker told the Global Times that it has not recruited any workers from Xinjiang in its Anhui facility. The reason companies outside of Xinjiang commissioned local HR agencies, rather than recruiting themselves in Xinjiang - a point that foreign media has been highlighting - is due to the language barrier and soaring travel costs, according to the Qingdao official. He noted that the labor transfer program is not exclusive to Xinjiang, as it is carried out across China as part of the nation's poverty alleviation efforts, another fact the report fails to recognize. Shen Yi, director of the Research Center for Cyberspace Governance at Fudan University in Shanghai, told the Global Times the ASPI report's citation of a transfer scheme under the auspices of "Xinjiang Aid" is totally wrong, which shows the report writers' ignorance of knowledge involving China and how they want to manipulate the truth into a hostile attack on Chinese government. "The assistance program in Xinjiang, in fact, aims to channel financial support to Xinjiang from other regions of the country and send officials and professionals to work there," Shen said. Nineteen Chinese provinces and municipalities provided more than 18.8 billion yuan (about $2.7 billion) of aid funds to Xinjiang in 2019, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Doubts as to the integrity and credibility of the reports published by ASPI are growing among academics and industry insiders. Some papers published in Australia have revealed that the institute has accepted funding support from the US government and arms dealers for a long time and it has been obsessed in processing and hyping various anti-China agenda, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. It is the "vanguard" of anti-China forces and its academic reputation has been severely questioned, Zhao said. The organization reportedly receives funding from Australia's Department of Defence and foreign governments, including from the US State Department's Global Engagement Center, to carry out studies to the benefits of its sponsors. A local employee makes socks at a factory in Aksu Prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in November. Photo: Li Xuanmin/GT Denial from global companies The ASPI report claims that the 27 factories are in the supply chain of at least 83 global brands, including Nike, Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen. However, a number of the firms named have sought to distance themselves from the report. Volkswagen spokesman Nikolas Thorke told the Global Times on Monday that none of the mentioned firms are currently a direct supplier of Volkswagen. He added that there are and have been no indications of any human rights violations at the automaker's plant in Urumqi, regional capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. When asked to comment on the matter, a spokesperson forFoxconn, a major supplier of Apple, told the Global Times that "there should be no such situation." "We have not seen this report, but we work closely with all our suppliers to ensure our high standards are upheld," an Apple spokesperson was also quoted as saying in a report by a US-based media outlet. Opportunities outside While the report paints an error-riddled picture of Uygur workers forced to leave their hometowns and undertake tedious work thousands kilometers away, the Xinjiang people the Global Times talked with presented a drastically different picture. Some of them said they cherished the opportunity or are eager to work outside Xinjiang, in expectation of more resources for self-development, more job opportunities and a career on the fast track. Dierhati Adili, a 37-year-old Uygur, has been working in Shanghai for more than 10 years. After changing jobs several times, he is now a manager of an internet education company. "I decided to stay after graduating from Fudan University in 2008 because I wanted to work in the internet industry. I don't know if I could have found a similar job if I had returned to Xinjiang. There are so many resources in Shanghai and the business environment is more vibrant," Adili told the Global Times on Monday. A Uygur who asked to be referred to as Jiang, aged 35, has been running a bar in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province for almost 10 years, and married a local resident. He told the Global Times that potential economic benefit is what drove him to Chengdu in the first place. "People were welcoming to me at the very beginning when I couldn't speak their dialect," Jiang said. He said that his bar became popular after he added Xinjiang elements, such as carpets, music and desserts. Analysts said it is not unusual for laborers from Xinjiang to find work in other cities. They are just part of China's massive population of migrant workers. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the campaign for the 2121 elections to the West Bengal Assembly with Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserting that his party will come to power with two-thirds majority in the state. Mr Shahs confidence must have its base in the slogans raised ahead of the rally he addressed in Kolkata where his partymen imported the infamous, criminal war cry of Delhi: goli maro saalon ko (shoot those traitors). Its not long ago that the nation witnessed the impact of the incendiary slogan, introduced by the partys leader in the national capital, Kapil Mishra, directed against the people assembled at Shaheen Bagh on a peaceful protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Mr Mishras voice was not that of a loner: Union minister for state for finance Anurag Thakur and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also made use of the same language with impunity. And what was the result? More than 40 people have lost their lives and hundreds injured in the riots that lasted three days. Thousands have been rendered homeless while institutions including schools will take time to return to its normal ways of functioning. The government has not yet offered a cohesive answer as to why it was not able to anticipate or contain the violence. Its quite depressing that the ruling party at the Centre, which got a decisive mandate in the Lok Sabha elections held hardly a year ago, has chosen to rely on the slogan that brought the national capital into chaos to another state. It has steadily refused to act against such leaders who went on giving provocative speeches; it has chosen to repeat the strategy in a crucial border state to romp home at the hustings instead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi never misses an opportunity to preach to the nation his pet theme: Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He insists on taking everyone along. Even Mr Shah had publicly admitted provocative and divisive slogans may have hurt the partys chances to win the Delhi election. While the sermons go one way, the party and its karyakartas have no qualms in taking an extremely divisive path for a possible go at power in the state which is yet to toe the saffron line. West Bengal also reflects what is rotten with the Opposition ranks. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress have been in the forefront of the protests against the CAA but she sounded evasive when asked if the Union home minister ought to resign over the Delhi riots which were obviously linked to the protests. That Ms Banerjee does not want to be seen on the same page as the rest of the Opposition on such a crucial issue offers little solace to the people who want them to mount a joint movement to force the ruling party to see reason and change course. Between the ruling and Opposition parties, there is little to hope for the nation, if West Bengal is an example. The state government has vowed not to punish home owners living on blocks contaminated by a toxic waste dump on the former Sunshine Landfills site, even though its own legislation says landowners will become legally and financially liable for contamination from July 1. After another day of confusion surrounding the contaminated land in St Albans and Albion, an Andrews government spokesperson, after being questioned by The Age, pledged that "residents who live on the former Sunshine Landfills site will not receive fines or be criminally punished in any way under the new legislation". Alexandra Soto and her son, who live in Denton Avenue in St Albans and have just learnt that their home is on top of toxic waste. Credit:Justin McManus Sweeping changes to the Environment Protection Act, introduced by the Andrews government and aimed at cowboy polluters, are about to put the onus on landowners to clean up contaminated land. Not doing so could be a criminal offence, with fines ranging from $99,000 to $3.3 million. In special circumstances, a criminal conviction could be handed down with a potential prison sentence. Alexandra Soto, who has lived with her son and husband for 18 years at one of the affected properties, said she had never been told by the local council that they might be held responsible for the contamination. A day after two fresh cases of coronavirus were reported in India, the Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday conducted a meeting with all airports to review and guide the preparations to prevent the spread of the infection in the country. "Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, MoCA & Shri Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI conducted a video conference with all the airports to review & guide the preparations to take effective steps for preventing the spread of COVID-19," the ministry stated in its tweet. Airports and airlines have been advised to comply with the travel advisory issued for passengers by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), it added. The Union health ministry on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, one from Delhi and another from Hyderabad. The government has stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed 2,912 people in China. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had said on Monday that all passengers coming from Italy and Iran would undergo thermal screening for novel coronavirus, hours after the government announced the two fresh cases. Passengers from 10 countries -- China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia -- are already being screened at Indian airports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Abiodun KOMOLAFE Rumours are rumours! But, if, indeed, there is any substance or element of truth in the rumoured presidential ... By Abiodun KOMOLAFE Rumours are rumours! But, if, indeed, there is any substance or element of truth in the rumoured presidential ambition of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then, he will have to take some serious steps for it to become a reality. Charity, they say, begins at home! For him to be sellable to the majority of Nigerians, Tinubu must metamorphose into that political leader and presidential candidate with the most intense national outlook, farthest outreach, and most acceptable leadership character! He has to start working on the homogeneity of the Yoruba aspirations for a start. And there is only one thing that can unite the race, which the late MKO Abiola got right! MKO, as he was fondly called, was able to reach out to the people through objective philanthropism; objective, because he has research fellows who did the subtle underground job for him! That the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader is a cheerful giver, who helps a lot, has never been in doubt! However, the notorious truth is that Tinubu funnels lots of money through channels which may not percolate to the nitty gritty of the people as anticipated! Of course, thats an avoidable error! Any distribution mechanism adopted by a campaign organization must be pragmatic, driven and assertive! For affective effects, the core-but-voiceless Yoruba people must be reached, and their burden alleviated. Limitation of reach, the concomitant loss of confidence in government, and frustration of the mass of the people may be veritable reasons why a section of the race seems unimpressed by his philanthropy. To make the job easier for Tinubu, the Southwest has to be one; and behind him. Impliedly, he has to come as the true Asiwaju of Yorubaland by going above all the structures to reach the core of the Yoruba race, reconciling factions, without necessarily relying on his long-known-but-now-not-so-effective approach. Impliedly, the former Lagos State governor needs image makers and people who can do scientific survey explorations that can help him take decisions that will be hard to fault. Yes, Tinubu remains a visionary and master planner who can come out with amazing things. However, he also has to showcase that true leadership quality and assurances he can deliver to the people. On this, he has Lagos State to use as an example. As its Chief Executive for eight years, he didnt construct or commission bridges or stadia while his tenure lasted but he laid the plans for a new Lagos. Today, the Centre of Excellence is a megacity to behold. In 2019, the margin of victory between APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Southwest zone of the country was just 51% of the margin of victory between the former and the latter, incidentally, Nigerias main opposition party, in Jigawa State; and 28% in Katsina State. In 2015, it was much better: 82% and 49% respectively! This goes to show that Tinubu has a lot of work to do, first, in Yorubaland which currently looks like a battleground before going to other zones. For the party to make any meaningful impact in the 2023, APC, to which Tinubu subscribes, must embark on sincere internal cleansing. It must conquer itself from itself in order to accommodate todays realities and dynamics. That the ruling party currently behaves as if it has exclusive rights over Nigeria; and as if it is the only party which has solutions to Nigerias leadership-inflicted problems is no longer news. This is not only troubling, it is also capable of threatening this once-in-a-lifetime dream. Yes, Nigeria might have had leaders who became presidents without home support. However, with a man like Tinubu and what he has done for humanity in and outside the zone, a loss at home will not only demean his status, it will also cast a negative political slur on the collective negotiating capacity of the Yoruba race. The truth of the matter is that all politics is local and political practice in this part of the world is a game for the highest bidder; which, again, boils down to prebendal politics currently threatening Nigerias fledgling democracy. The ruling party must rise above the rumblings and the grumblings currently troubling its Israel, with a view to becoming focused, cohesive and well-integrated. It is then that it can speak with one voice from the Southwest and negotiate with other regions on its choice of candidate. Otherwise, the party will not do well because structural problems and internal frictions within it could ruin everything! For Tinubu himself to make waves, he must also have a firm grip on few of his trusted confidants, or kitchen cabinet. These men of honour must be willing and ready to work for him and in his interest. A system that carelessly empowers wrong hands and cronies who only end up as political liabilities and traitors is not only politically counterproductive, it is also suicidal. Incidentally, those who knew nothing about the struggle, or were even perhaps against the progressives when the struggle for the soul of Nigeria was hot and scorching, have, like a chameleon, worn the garment of the progressives and are now using our hard-earned democracy as identity vehicle to traumatize, even, demonize the real guys. And thats why it can never be real because they were never progressives. All said, Asiwajus rumoured presidential bid, if there is any meat in it, requires tact and diligent planning. It requires ability to do things right and do the right things. It demands being efficient and being effective. In this wise, the Jagaban of Borgu must consider an urgent need for a comprehensive Research Centre that has international standard. Nigerians will no longer tolerate leaders who are bereft of ideas and credible facts; one who cannot marshal relevant information at their disposal. In this digital age, our president can no longer afford to be moving around with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) or those aged, jaded, third-party statistics that have no bearing on current trends. That is why, many a time, the projections of our policies are wrong because they are from a faulty premise. The same reason Nigerias president will have to get to Chatham House in London before making policy pronouncements on Nigeria. Of course, that is why a man, who is going to lose an election tomorrow, will be fantasizing on how he would be inaugurated as president of the country. May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria! *KOMOLAFE writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk) In an attempt to assuage people's fears after a person tested positive for the new coronavirus in Hyderabad, the state government said on Tuesday that it is fully prepared to handle the situation. Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajender said that a budget of Rs 100 crore has been allotted for the same. In addition to the existing three hospitals, two more -- military hospital, TB sanitorium Vikarabad -- have been instructed to set up isolation wards, he said. A team of 15 people from the state health department will travel to Kerala for two days to study the measures taken by the government there. Currently, the state has about 300 beds across isolation wards in three hospitals. The government plans to increase the number of beds to 3000, of which 2000 beds would be brought in from private teaching institutions. Fear gripped the city, after a 24-year-old techie tested positive for the virus and has been kept in the isolation ward in state-run Gandhi hospital. The condition of the patient is stable and is under constant observation. The affected person was working with a Bengaluru-based software company. Last month, he had travelled to Dubai for an official trip where he had worked with colleagues from Hong Kong, which the officials believe could be the reason for contracting the virus. About 88 people, who could have come in contact with the patient, were tracked down by the Telangana government. Of which, 45 of them have already been tested and reports are awaited. The rest 33 of them have also been contacted and tests will be done soon. Were still tracking down more people who could have been in touch with the patient but for now the situation is under control and theres nothing to worry. The high temperature in the state will be helpful in containing the virus, Rajender said on Tuesday. According to the health department, as of Tuesday, about 155 samples were tested and 118 were found negative and reports of about 36 people is awaited. Following a cabinet sub-committee meeting on Tuesday, the health minister said that some teams will work on creating awareness. The administration plans to put up hoardings and ads in public places such as railway stations, bus stations and cinema halls. Hyderabad Metro Rail Department has said that cleaning of metro stations, trains, escalators, hand-rails would be done as part of precautionary measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. The minister had also asked people to wash their hands regularly, maintain hygiene, avoid shaking hands with each other and avoid crowded places. This Sunday in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, Anglicans around the world will be praying for Province de LEglise Anglicane Du Congo the Anglican Church of Congo. Here, the Anglican Communion News Service introduces the Province and suggests items for prayer. The Ugandan evangelist Apolo Kivebulaya established an Anglican presence in Zaire in 1896. The Church reached the Shaba region in 1955, but evangelisation did not progress on a large scale until the 1970s. Following independence, the Church expanded and formed dioceses as part of the Province of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Boa-Zaire. The Province de LEglise Anglicane Du Congo was inaugurated in 1992. The province has 12 dioceses and is led by Archbishop Masimango Katanda. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is suffering from a major Ebola outbreak. According to the World Health Organisation, as of 23 February 2020, the number of total cases of Ebola in the country was 3,444. There have been 2,264 deaths, and 1,167 survivors. Anglican churches have been playing a vital role alongside healthcare agencies in the fight against the disease. In July 2019, Archbishop Masimango said that the main role of the Church was to raise awareness about the reality of the virus and to tackle misinformation. He said: we will encourage all church members to be informed and follow the advice so that they can take care of themselves. In November 2019, Archbishop Masimango was visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The two leaders backed new training for churches that was designed to help them tackle the Ebola epidemic. The training provided an illustrated, practical and Bible-based tool to resource church leaders. Please pray for all those impacted by Ebola, and for the Church as they seek to serve their community as best as they can. Last week, the Anglican Communion News Service reported on an archdeacon who was murdered in the North Kivu region. He was just one of 36 Christians murdered by insurgents in the area that day. The persecution of Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is growing. Please pray for protection and wisdom as Christians seek to stand firm in their beliefs, and share the love of Christ with their communities. Theres nothing worse than sitting around waitingespecially when you're waiting for a seller to respond to your offer on the biggest financial decision of your life. Yeesh, it's excruciating. Unfortunately, waiting comes with the territory when you're buying a house. But how long you have to wait is the bigger question. While theres no official rule on how long a seller can take to get back to you, there is an industry standard that most real estate agents and sellers tend to follow. Whether you just made an offer on a property or plan to in the near future, heres everything you need to know about how long it might take to hear back from the seller. How long can a seller take to respond to a buyers offer? In theory, sellers can take as long as they want before responding. But in practice? Most sellers (or their agents) will usually get back to you within a few days. As a courtesy, the Realtor will notify the buyer's agent when the seller responds regarding an offer, says Benjamin Ross, a Realtor with Mission Real Estate Group. As the sellers agent, "we like to respond within 48 hours, but that also depends on when we get the sellers response. Some agents have even stricter expectations when it comes to response time. Common courtesy dictates that a seller should respond within 24 hours or less, says Karen Parnes, broker and owner of NextHome Your Way. This gives them the time to think about your offer, sleep on it, and respond. While 24 to 48 hours is the standard observed by many professionals in the industry, exceptions happen. Here are some of them. When might it take longer for a seller to respond? There are quite a few reasons why a seller might take longer than usual to respond to your offer. The first is if they received multiple offers. Typically, response time increases if there is more than one offer on the table, says Ross. Sellers may take their time to choose which offer is best for them. Another reason your offer might go unanswered is if its too low. If an offer is far from what a seller expected to receive, many times they wont respond at all, says Parnes. Other times you might not hear back for a completely unrelated reasonsuch as the seller is out of town or on vacation. Consider setting a time limit on your offer If youre concerned about how long a seller might take to respond to your offer, work with your agent to find out if you can set a contractual time limit on it. In some states these offer time limits are used by buyers and sellers to dictate how long the other party can take to respond. Offer time limits are defined in the contract in the state of Georgia, says Katina Asbell, associate broker at Real Living Capital City Realty. The time limit of offer is the period of time the offer is active and open for response, and once its expired, the contract is void and a new offer must be presented. Whether or not your local legislature allows buyers to set time limits, Asbell cautions buyers to be strategic when using them. The time limit can be a critical part of defining a buyer's success in negotiation, she says. If its too short, the seller may feel rushed or annoyed and give a harsh response. If its too long, then the buyer risks a multiple-offer scenario. Tips for a successful negotiation Ultimately, the process of getting an offer accepted is all about being a good negotiatorand for this youll want to work with an experienced real estate agent. The best success I have found in gauging appropriate and amiable timelines is a very open and honest conversation with the seller's agent, says Asbell. Buyers have one chance at a first impression and to set the stage for the remaining negotiation process, and timeline matters greatly in conveying this tone. The post How Long Can a Seller Take To Respond to Your Offer? Here's a Reality Check appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that "millions" of migrants would soon head for Europe, drawing accusations from EU leaders that he is trying to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria. Turkey gave the green light to refugees and migrants on Friday to leave for the European Union and thousands have since massed at the Greek border, triggering fears of an influx like that which poisoned European politics in 2015. German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU". But Turkey, which hosts roughly four million refugees, is trying to hold off another mass influx from Syria -- where government forces backed by Russian air power are advancing into the last rebel stronghold of Idlib. Erdogan further ramped up the pressure late on Monday, saying he had turned down an EU offer of one billion euros (?1.1 billion) in extra aid for migrants, adding to a six-billion-euro deal agreed in 2016. "We don't want this money," Erdogan said at a conference without specifying when the money was offered, or by whom. His office later added that he had spoken to Merkel over the phone and warned once again that Europe must take a "fair share of the burden" of dealing with migrants. He claimed the numbers of migrants at the Greek border -- who include Afghans, Syrian and Iraqis -- were far higher than figures provided by officials and reporters at the scene, saying "hundreds of thousands" were already there. "There will be more. Soon, this number will be expressed in millions." Greece says some 10,000 people were barred from entering the country over the weekend. Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas at the refugees, who responded by lobbing rocks. A video shared by a Turkish official, which could not be independently verified, showed a boat of migrants being shot at and harassed by Greek coastguards. Turkey accused Greek police of killing two migrants after a video was shared of a bloodied Syrian on the border, although Athens rejected this as "fake news". In desperation, many have sought alternative routes and Greek port police said a young boy died when a makeshift boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos. Athens said it would boost patrols and it suspended asylum applications by those entering illegally -- a move denounced by the UN refugee agency as having "no legal basis". The migrant question comes as Turkey has launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria in a bid to push back the regime's offensive. Close to one million people have been forced to flee the Syrian government's assault in the biggest wave of displacement of the nine-year conflict, but they are not being allowed to enter Turkey. Erdogan said he hoped for a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week. Despite being on opposing sides of the conflict, they are keen to avoid direct clashes that would jeopardise their broader trade and defence ties. "I hope that he (Putin) will take the necessary measures there, such as a ceasefire, and that we will find a solution to this affair," Erdogan said in a speech on Monday. The Kremlin said cooperation with Turkey was a top priority. "Our militaries are in constant contact. The main thing is that we now focus on negotiations between Putin and Erdogan," a spokesman said. Turkey backs some rebel groups in Idlib and has observation posts under a 2018 deal with Russia. But the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have made steady progress since December. Tensions between Turkey and Syria reached new heights last week when 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in an air strike blamed on Damascus, its heaviest loss since it first intervened in the conflict. "The airstrikes... were likely committed by the Russian air force, as Syrian fighter jets do not conduct air sorties at night," said Anthony Skinner, of analysts Verisk Maplecroft. "And yet, both Moscow and Ankara have decided to point the finger of blame at al-Assad, reflecting how little appetite there is on either side for more direct confrontation." Turkey retaliated with an operation that saw two Syrian warplanes shot down on Sunday, as well as at least 19 Syrian soldiers killed in drone strikes. Erdogan said on Monday that Syrian losses were "just the beginning" unless it pulled back behind the borders agreed under the 2018 deal. Damascus responded that it was "determined to confront the flagrant Turkish aggression". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Andrew Chung WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday widened the ability of states to use criminal laws against illegal immigrants and other people who do not have work authorization in the United States in a ruling involving identity theft prosecutions in Kansas. The 5-4 ruling, with the court's conservative justices in the majority, overturned a 2017 Kansas Supreme Court decision that had voided the convictions of three restaurant workers for fraudulently using other people's Social Security numbers. In the opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, the high court found that Kansas did not unlawfully encroach on federal authority over immigration policy. The court's four liberal justices disagreed. While a 1986 federal law called the Immigration Reform and Control Act did not explicitly prevent states from pursuing such prosecutions, they said in a dissent written by Justice Stephen Breyer, the law's overall purpose hands the policing of work authorization fraud "to the federal government alone." President Donald Trump's administration backed Kansas in the case. Trump has made his hardline policies toward immigration a centrepiece of his presidency and 2020 re-election campaign. Kansas is one of several conservative states that have sought to crack down on illegal immigrants. In the dissent, Breyer said allowing prosecutions like those pursued by Kansas "opens a colossal loophole" in allowing states to police federal work authorization. Though immigration-related employment fraud is a federal matter, Kansas contended that its prosecutions were not immigration-related and did not conflict with federal immigration law. Kansas had argued that a ruling in favour of the immigrants would undermine its ability to combat the growing problem of identity theft. Immigrant rights groups have said that giving states power to prosecute employment fraud would let them take immigration policy into their own hands. Story continues The three men - Ramiro Garcia, Donaldo Morales and Guadalupe Ochoa-Lara - were not authorized to work in the United States and provided their employers Social Security numbers that were not their own. A Social Security number is used to identify people for employment and tax purposes. People who enter the country illegally do not get assigned Social Security numbers, which are given by the U.S. government to all legal residents. The case focused on the employment verification process under federal immigration law requiring employers, on a form known as the I-9, to attest that an employee is authorized to work. The law also states that the form "may not be used for purposes other than for enforcement of this act." While the federal government has the sole authority to prosecute individuals for providing fraudulent information during the I-9 employment verification process, the state prosecuted the three men for using the same false information on different forms used to withhold wages for tax purposes. In Tuesday's ruling, Alito wrote, "The submission of tax-withholding forms is fundamentally unrelated to the federal employment verification system." The ruling, by giving states some latitude in law enforcement affecting illegal immigrants, could provide ammunition to California in its defence of its so-called sanctuary policies. These policies limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect certain illegal immigrants from deportation. Trump's administration sued California and is appealing to the Supreme Court after losing in a lower court. The justices could act in that case as early as next week. The administration also has sued other states and localities over sanctuary policies. (Reporting by Andrew Chung; Additional reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland man attacked a woman with a crowbar after she kicked him out of her home in the citys Hough neighborhood, records say. Malik Richardson, 49, is charged with felonious assault in the attack on Crawford Road near East 94th Street, according to court records. He is not in custody but a warrant was issued Monday for his arrest. Richardson attacked a 46-year-old woman with a crowbar during the Feb. 25 incident, according to police reports. The woman suffered injuries to her head but refused medical treatment. The woman let Richardson stay with her while his own home was being remodeled. He recently became aggressive toward her, so she told him he needed to leave, a police report says. The two argued outside the home about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25. Richardson called the woman vulgar names and threatened to slap her before he left, the police report says. He returned about 9 p.m. and broke into the home by throwing a heater through a window in the front door. He came inside and struck the woman in the head with a crowbar, the police report says. He also threw the woman to the ground and punched her in the face, the police report says. An upstairs neighbor heard the commotion and came downstairs to find Richardson punching the woman. The neighbor went upstairs to get his gun, but Richardson was gone when he returned. Read more crime stories: Ohio man sentenced on weapons charge after authorities said he threatened AOC on Facebook Victims brother arrested after shooting in Akron Man robs Huntington Bank branch inside Parma Giant Eagle 92-year-old man attacked, carjacked outside Cleveland church, police say Man arrested in deadly drunken-driving crash in Cleveland, police say The Below Deck season 6 crew braced themselves when they learned two small children would be charter guests. They were pleasantly surprised by how well-behaved the children were and welcomed the family back for season 7. Even though the Jasuwan family were firsts for the series, Below Deck Sailing Yacht basically said, hold my beer. The third group of charter guests on the new series brought a one-month-old baby on charter. Although the crew was welcoming, they were curious about having the baby on board. Below Deck Sailing Yacht | Photo courtesy of Bravo When the family decided to go into town, crew members remarked about how wild it was to transfer the child safely nestled in a car seat from the sailing yacht to the tender. First mate Paget Berry even reminded himself as he passed the baby from boat to tender that he wasnt delivering provisions, but instead a human being. While the crew seemed to take having an infant on board in stride, viewers couldnt believe the family brought a newborn on a sailing cruise in Greece. Viewers cant get on board with baby on board Even though the infant was always attended to and stayed safe, viewers were astonished that the family traveled to Greece with a newborn. Paget asked the right question! Is it legal to bring a newborn on a sailing yacht??? Terribly reckless of the parents. Plus the mom had sunglasses on her head, but there was no hat on the baby to protect her!!! one person observed. Others just were stunned that an infant was on board too. Why in the world would you take your 1 month old baby on a sailing yacht?? WTF. Some viewers thought the parents put the child in danger. What kind of a moronic parent takes a one month old on a vacation, let alone on a SAILING YACHT??!! You failed badly as a parent and brought your child into an imminent danger. Since the charter was likely booked when the guest was pregnant, one viewer wondered what the guests were thinking in general. Not only did these people fly from Idaho to Greece with their 1 month old, they decided to take it on a yacht. And not just any yacht, a freaking SAILING yacht. Had they forgotten the due date when they booked this trip? Baby talk prompted a pretty serious discussion When the crew knew a baby was about to arrive, chef Adam Glick and chief stew Jenna MacGillivray ended up having a pretty revealing discussion. Glick shared that he once dated a woman with small children. He played dad for a few months, but shared that he wasnt really into dealing with kids. He asked MacGillivray for her stance on kids, which is when she revealed she was infertile. When I was 17 my appendix burst, and the doctor told me if I ever have trouble conceiving, that it was because I was infertile, she said in a confessional. I actually feel like I would be such a good mom. I love kids so much. But I also have so much satisfaction in my life from other aspects that I just dont see my life going in that direction. Because I accepted it when I was 17. Its the way it is. MacGillivray shared on her Instagram story that she turned to yachting and hasnt looked back. And Ive really been the happiest Ive ever been in the past, I dont know, 10 years. Just accepting my circumstances and growing with it, she said. State-owned on Tuesday got approval from the to acquire debt-laden through an insolvency process and complete around 20,000 pending flats over the next three and half years. In its hearing on Tuesday, the Principal bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT),headed by Acting President B S V Prakash Kumar, gave a go-ahead to the resolution plan of In a significant direction that will help in faster completion of stuck projects of Jaypee Group, the tribunal ordered that the Rs 750 crore deposited by Jaypee Infratech's parent firm Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) with the registry of the Supreme Court would be part of the resolution plan. "Rs 750 crore would be treated as part of the plan," the bench said in its oral order adding the resolution plan is approved with the modification. The written order will be available on Wednesday. The successful resolution of would not only provide a much-needed relief to thousands of distressed homebuyers but also go a long way in reviving the Indian real estate sector, especially the sluggish housing market of Delhi-NCR. went into an insolvency process in August 2017. In December last year, a committee of creditors (CoC) comprising 13 banks and around 21,000 homebuyers, approved the resolution plan of NBCC with 97.36 per cent vote in favour. NBCC's proposal was approved by the lenders in the third round of bidding process to find a buyer for Jaypee Infratech. In its bid, NBCC had proposed to complete over 20,000 pending flats in housing projects launched by Jaypee Infratech in Noida and Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh). Homebuyers' claim amounting to Rs 13,364 crore and lenders' claim worth Rs 9,783 crore were admitted. NBCC offered 1,526 acres of land to lenders under a land-debt swap deal. On Yamuna Expressway, NBCC proposed to transfer the road asset to lenders but before that it would take a loan of around Rs 2,500 crore against toll revenue to fund construction spend. Jaypee Infratech went into insolvency process in August 2017 after the admitted an application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium. Anuj Jain was appointed as an IRP to conduct insolvency process and also manage the affairs of the company. In the first round of insolvency proceedings conducted last year, the Rs 7,350-crore bid of Lakshadweep, part of Suraksha Group, was rejected by lenders. The CoC rejected the bids of Suraksha Realty and NBCC in the the second round held in May-June 2019. The matter reached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and then the apex court. On November 6, 2019, the Supreme Court directed completion of Jaypee Infratech's insolvency process within 90 days and the revised resolution plan to be invited only from NBCC and Suraksha Realty. On December 7, 2019, the CoC decided to put on vote simultaneously the bids of NBCC and Suraksha Realty to acquire the bankrupt realty firm. The voting process started on December 10 and ended on December 16. As many as 13 banks and over 21,000 homebuyers had voting rights in the Committee of Creditors (CoC). Buyers had 57.66 per cent voting rights, fixed deposit holders 0.13 per cent and lenders 42.21 per cent. For a bid to be approved, 66 per cent votes were required. In the voting result, NBCC got the entire 57.66 per cent vote of homebuyers and 0.13 per cent of fixed deposit holders. The public sector firm got 39.57 per cent votes of lenders out of the total 42.21 per cent votes. Suraksha managed to get only 2.12 per cent votes as only fixed deposit holders and two lenders -- Axis Bank and Jammu and Kashmir Bank -- favoured it. New factors have emerged today that make our friendship inseparable. Visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this today during a statement for the media with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, in Tbilisi. "Further development of relations with Georgia is among the most important priorities of our country's foreign policy; I am more than convinced that there are prerequisites for it, Pashinyan noted, in particular. The [Armenian-Georgian] friendship that has come from the annals of centuries, (), provides a solid foundation and fertile ground for our cooperation. New factors have emerged today that make our friendship inseparable (); it is, first and foremost, the shared vision of our two peoples to build a future based on democratic values. The victory of democracy and the establishment of the rule of law have opened new horizons for expanding cooperation between our two countries. [During our talk] we touched upon the need for consistent implementation of promising projects in transport, energy, and other domains. We have come up with a number of cooperation proposals related to high tech, education, and science. My Georgian counterpart and I also touched upon regional security and peace. It is clear that the Armenian-Georgian partnership is one of the most important guarantees for ensuring stability in our region. Turning to regional issues, I would like to express my conviction that the only way to resolve them is peaceful negotiations. I am also sure that every conflict has its own peculiarities. In this respect, I attach great importance to maintaining a balanced position on issues that are sensitive to each other. In the context of traditional Armenian-Georgian fraternal relations, I would like to emphasize the significant contribution that the Georgian Armenians have made. I would like to re-emphasize the importance of regular high-level contacts." Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt, Germany, was shut down temporarily on Monday due to a drone sighting. For nearly two hours, the Frankfurt airport was shut down and various flights were canceled or rerouted. Among the passengers was Armin Laschet, the governor of the western Germany state of North Rhine-Westphalia, reported The Star. Due to a sighting near the airport flight disruptions and cancellations occur at Frankfurt Airport. Please check the status of your flight before traveling to the airport and allow extra time for your journey, the airport said in a statement on Twitter. The Star reported that a pilot spotted the drone near the southern area of the airport around 11:15 a.m., and reported this sighting to the police. Following the respite, the police shut down the airport so that the officers would be able to search in the vicinity in a helicopter. German authorities later on stated in a post on Twitter that the airport was open around 1 p.m. as the investigation continued, according to the news outlet. The Local Germany reported that even though the airport was open, and takeoffs and landings were allowed again, there were still possibilities of delays. Flying drones near takeoff and landing at airports is prohibited but drones have caused flights to be delayed, interrupted, or rerouted before. Frankfurt International Airport has been where most drone sightings near German airports have happened, according to the newspaper. In 2019 alone, 28 drone sightings occurred at the airport. Even as Florida lawmakers consider an expansion of the states voucher and tax-credit scholarship programs, a fierce debate simmers over how participating private schools treat LGBTQ students and families. A small group of lawmakers perennial push to require anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students in the programs gained fresh momentum after a January Orlando Sentinel investigation. The newspaper found 83 participating private schools had written policies barring attendance by LGBTQ students and, in some cases, the children of gay and lesbian couples. It found that 73 other religious schools that accept students through the state programs call being gay or transgender a sin, but that their published policies arent clear about how that view affects admissions or student discipline. The uproar surrounding the countrys largest private school choice programs provides a window into debates that are flaring around the country on respect for religious freedom, protections for student civil rights, and what states should require of private schools that receive public funding. And those conversations are likely to intensify as the Trump administration touts a federal plan for tax-credit scholarships. Florida has six private school choice programsincluding state-funded vouchers and a program that provides dollar-for-dollar tax credits to businesses in exchange for donations to scholarships. Some are aimed at specific populations, like students with disabilities and students whove been bullied in public schools. The largest serves more than 100,000 students from low-income families. Lawmakers are considering a proposal to adjust eligibility requirements and to more than double participation in the 18,000-student Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, which they approved last year. Advocates for LGBTQ Floridians said the Orlando Sentinel investigation revealed the extent of discrimination. Some businesses that had publicly supported gay and transgender rights said they would withdraw their support from one of the tax-credit scholarship programs. But school choice supporters said the issue was overblown. Religious schools have an interest in policies and teachings that align with their faith, they argued, and families who disagree with those policies can seek out other options. Some Republican state lawmakers noted that no complaints had been filed with state officials over discrimination in the programs. Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat who has filed various amendments to school voucher bills to add anti-discrimination protections, rejected that argument. The discrimination has already taken place. It exists in writing, Smith said in an interview with Education Week. Its comparable to saying that lunch counters in the 1950s and 60s that advertised whites only, that the solution to that discrimination was to find a restaurant thats a better fit. Thats absurd. Before a legislative committee approved a bill to expand eligibility for the programs last week, Smith unsuccessfully pushed for two amendments. One would have required a study of how the policies of schools that receive students through the programs address LGBTQ identity and hairstyles like braids and twists that are common among black students. Another amendment would have required participating private schools to publicly post their policies on admissions, discipline, and bullying and to report bullying incidents under the rules that apply to public schools. Appealing to Good Will Representatives for Step Up for Students, the organization that administers tax-credit scholarships, declined an interview request. The organization leaves the choice of schools up to families who receive the scholarships, Public Affairs Manager Patrick Gibbons said in response to emailed questions. State education officials and representatives for Step Up for Students have met with gay rights organizations, Smith, and other lawmakers who support legislative changes. But Step Up for Students is concerned that conversations are difficult given a political atmosphere that grows more toxic and divisive by the second, Gibbons said in an email. Some of the more simplistic solutions that have been suggested would face serious constitutional challenges, he wrote. Seeking progress without understanding those complications is likely to yield unintended consequences to the scholarship program, potentially harming Floridas most disadvantaged students, including LGBTQ students. Those unintended consequences can best be avoided if people of good will, who share deep concern for our most vulnerable students, will thoughtfully consider all the evidence. School choice advocates frequently point to schools like Foundation Academy, a Christian school in Jacksonville that accepts LGBTQ students, including many whove complained of bullying in their former schools. With that approach, some might expect Principal Nadia Hionides to support anti-discrimination requirements, but she told Education Week she thinks the better approach is to change minds through discussions, not legislative mandates. Hionides appeared at the legislative hearing last week alongside high school student Elijah Robinson, who identifies as part of the LGBTQ community but did not use a particular label to describe himself to lawmakers. Robinson, a tax-credit scholarship recipient who frequently appears at school choice events, says he was relentlessly bullied at his former school. Please dont do anything that will result in fewer scholarships because, if that happens, students like me will get hurt not helped, he said. Policymakers around the country have closely watched the conversation in Florida. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, a long-time champion of private school choice programs, has pushed for few restrictions. Because the decision of how to use scholarships is in the hands of parents, schools policies dont amount to government-sanctioned discrimination, private school choice backers argue. DeVos federal proposal calls for $5 billion in tax credits in exchange for contributions to scholarship programs in participating states. That plan would not allow states to exclude schools based on religious affiliation, including religiously or mission-based policies or practices. The Trump administration supported Montana parents who argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that the state violated their religious liberty when it prohibited recipients of state-level tax-credit scholarships from using them at religious schools. It also weighed into a separate lawsuit, arguing that Maryland was wrong to exclude a Christian school from its voucher program after officials found it did not have a state-mandated LGBTQ non-discrimination policy. Public Response Nicole Haagenson, a parent who spoke to the Orlando Sentinel for its stories on the programs, said she was shocked to see both the number of schools with restrictive policies and the public response to the reporting. When Haagenson and her wife, Cari, sought to enroll two of their five children in a Vero Beach Christian school 10 years ago, their applications were rejected because the couple is same-sex. Despite the schools policies, the couple did not expect the news because some of the children had previously attended the school when Cari was married to a man, Haagenson said. I said They cant discriminate; they are accepting public funds. It was so shocking to me that, yeah, they absolutely can, she told Education Week. It had nothing to do with my kids. They did nothing wrong. All we wanted for them was to go get a good education. Since the Orlando Sentinel report, several businesses pledged to end support for one of the tax-credit scholarship programs. The only business with a recent contribution above $1 million, Fifth Third Bank, later reversed course, Gibbon said. Corporate contributions for the tax-credit scholarship program total about $700 million per year, Gibbons said. Haagenson said she doesnt want to take opportunities away from any children, but the public reaction has been meaningful to her family. It made me feel validated that they were responding, she said. The High Court in Nairobi dealt a blow to Sarah Cohen on Monday after it removed DPP Noordin Haji and DCI boss George Kinoti from her succession case. Justice Lydia Achode ruled that the pair have no interest in the Tob Cohen estate. I find that the DPP and DCI cannot be enjoined in the suit because they are not dependents of the deceased, said Justice Achode. Last week, Sarah wrote to the court accusing DPP and DCI of illegally seizing her matrimonial home on Farasi Lane at Mugumoini Close in Lower Kabete. Through lawyer Phillip Murgor, Ms Wairimu said DPP Haji and DCI Kinoti seized the property under the guise of ongoing investigations, alleging that it was a crime scene. Type address separated by commas Your Email: Deep clean: South Korean soldiers in protective gear sanitise a street in front of the city hall in Daegu, south-east of the capital Seoul. Photo: REUTERS Different approaches are being taken across the globe when it comes to transparency and identified cases of the coronavirus. Ethical questions over patient confidentiality, privacy, the public interest and preventing hysteria have been weighed differently in different jurisdictions. The HSE has taken the approach of releasing broad details of identified cases. When a woman with the virus last week travelled to Dublin from Italy and then to Belfast by train from Connolly, none of the specific journey details, such as the flight number and train time, was released. When a case was identified in the Republic at the weekend, it was identified only as a male in the east of the country. Public Health England has issued specific guidelines for cases that are found in an educational setting. "In most cases, closure of the childcare or education setting will be unnecessary but this will be a local decision based on various factors such as establishment size and pupil mixing," according to its website. However, many schools in the UK have been forthcoming with public statements about identified cases and closure times. For example, Willow Bank Infant School, in Woodley, Berkshire, issued a statement after a confirmed case over the weekend that it and a neighbouring school were closing for a deep clean until March 5. In Singapore, a website has been established that shares details like the age, sex and occupation of positive tests. It details where they had travelled, and when they got medical help. Such detail raises the possibility that the patients can be identified. Authorities in Italy, where there has been an explosion of cases, were criticised for their initial handling of the virus and not following protocol. Its Civil Protection Agency named 'patient one' as Mattia, a 38-year-old man and his pregnant wife who tested positive for the virus and was treated in the Sacco hospital in Milan. In the US, the administration's reaction to the spread of the virus has raised questions about whether enough information was being shared with the public. "I have grave concerns about the lack of transparency and unwillingness to allow public health experts to speak freely about what is happening," Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat representative for Connecticut said over the weekend. Canadian authorities have also been criticised, but more information has been issued there compared with here. Yesterday, a student at an identified school, affiliated with the Toronto District Catholic School Board, was confirmed as having the virus. The student's sex and how the virus was contracted was not released, with Toronto Public Health (TPH) citing privacy rules. South Korea has seen the greatest number of cases outside China. Within hours of a 61-year-old woman's positive test on February 18, authorities released a detailed account of her whereabouts and addresses of each location she had visited. The US has imposed a cap on the number of Chinese citizens allowed to work for the five official media outlets in America at any given time, evoking a sharp response from Beijing which said Washington's move amounted to "blatant double standard and hegemonic bullying". Under the new rule announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, the Xinhua Agency, China Radio International, China Global Television Network and China Daily have been asked to reduce their Chinese employees from 160 to 100. They have been asked to comply with the new limits by March 13, a senior State Department official said. The cap applies to the five Chinese state media entities operating in the US that have been designated as foreign missions, recognising that they are effectively controlled by the Chinese government, Pompeo said on Monday. "Unlike foreign media organisations in China, these entities are not independent organisations," Pompeo said and alleged that for years, the Chinese government has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China. The caps go into effect on March 13, but the entities have to provide the State Department the names of the personnel who will be cut by March 6. The Chinese government was notified Monday, according to the officials. "The US government is today instituting a personnel cap on certain PRC-controlled state media entities in the United States - specifically, the five entities that were designated by the US State Department on February 18, 2020, as foreign missions of the People's Republic of China," he said. "This cap limits the number of Chinese citizens permitted to work for these organisations in the United States at any given time," Pompeo said. Reacting to the move by the US State Department, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing and condemns Washington's action. "Out of a Cold War mindset and ideological bias, the US State Department uses groundless reasons to politically oppress Chinese media organisations based in the US," ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing. He said the move exposes "the hypocrisy of the United States' so-called freedom of the press as blatant double standard and hegemonic bullying". He said China reserves the right to react and take further action. Secretary of State Pompeo said the decision to implement this personnel cap is not based on any content produced by the five Chinese entities, nor does it place any restrictions on what the designated entities may publish in the US. "Our goal is reciprocity. As we have done in other areas of the US-China relationship, we seek to establish a long-overdue level playing field. It is our hope that this action will spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach to US and other foreign press in China," he said. Pompeo urged the Chinese government to immediately uphold its international commitments to respect freedom of expression, including for members of the press. Meanwhile, a senior administration official told reporters that there is an assault on free speech inside of China that goes even beyond what it was a decade ago. "According to the Foreign Correspondents Club of China, we've also seen the expulsion of nine foreign journalists from China since 2013. Now, to put that into perspective, even the Soviet Union used expulsions sparingly at the height of the Cold War, as contrasted with Beijing today," the official said. Foreign reporters who have been expelled tend to be reporters who have reported on topics that are critically important to an international audience, the official said. For example, the ruling Chinese Community Party's indoctrination camps and the use of forced labour to export products to US consumers; high-level corruption and the ways that wealth and power are employed by top leaders, sometimes against the interests of American business; how a virus first started spreading. "So it's really no accident also that the expelled foreign journalists are ones who speak Chinese language very well," said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The US has issued 3,000 I-visas to Chinese nationals working in the media space, since 2015. By contrast, US outlets have only about 75 American or other non-Chinese citizens working for them inside of mainland China. Also, the visas that we issue to Chinese propagandists have no duration of stay. They can stay indefinitely on those visas. By contrast, Beijing currently imposes duration of stay on all foreign reporters in China, some as short as 30 days. So, after 30 days, some reporters have to reapply for an extension, the official said. "So one step that we'll be announcing in the near future is establishing limits on duration of stay for People's Republic of China nationals coming to the United States on I-visas, which are the category for representatives of foreign media," the official said. This merely creates some degree of reciprocity for foreign journalists in China who are increasingly getting these shorter and shorter durations of stay based on, frankly, how much Beijing dislikes their reporting, the official noted. Last month, China ordered three foreign correspondents from The Wall Street Journal to leave the country in its harshest move against international media in years. China said it took action against the three journalists because the newspaper did not apologise for a "racially discriminatory" headline it published. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Where to go for cocktail-fuelled nights out, superb salmon tartare and the best of culture in the French capital By Gregory Pruidze Finance consultant Gregory Pruidze, originally from Georgia, moved from Luxembourg to Paris for work in January 2019. Moving from Luxembourg to Paris was quite a change. Going from a small and cosy town to the concrete jungle that is the French capital was both fascinating and a bit intimidating. Even though before Luxembourg I used to live in sizeable cities (Dubai and Tbilisi in Georgia), the Parisian hustle and bustle still struck me. One thing I wish I had been aware of before I moved is how hard it is to find an apartment in Paris. Initially, I rented a flat on a short-term basis in the 9th arrondissement, which cost slightly more than the market rate for longer-term rentals. Living in the 9th arrondissement was much more enjoyable than I could imagine. It is fascinating with beautiful streets and a wide variety of restaurants. I particularly liked brasserie Choron, and advise anyone to go and have lunch or an aperitif in spring on its beautiful terrace. The 9th arrondissement has many charming streets and outdoor eateries You then have the option to head off to Pigalle for a couple of photos in front of Moulin Rouge, before walking around to choose your favourite bar, brasserie or cocktail bar for the rest of the night. I suggest having a couple of cocktails from the huge menu at Dirty Dick and experiencing Parisian tiki culture. The Moulin Rouge is a good spot for a photo opportunity when out on a night on the tiles of Pigalle If you crave a stroll in Montmartre, take a 10-minute walk and you will be on top of the hill at Sacre Coeur. I recommend exploring the other side of the hill; I loved it when I discovered it. The streets are enchanting. Montmartre has plenty of charming streets to discover on foot After some unsuccessful attempts to find a permanent apartment, I started spreading the word in my small Parisian network, which proved to be a successful strategy. Within a few weeks, I found an apartment in the 16th arrondissement. The Eiffel Tower is within 30 minutes walking distance and the Arc de Triomphe within 20 minutes. The 16th is one of the calmest districts in Paris, so if you are looking for a vibrant area full of bars, it will not be your cup of tea. However, it is ideal for those who want a green area. Its proximity to Bois de Boulogne is great for weekend jogging, a walk in the forest or chilling out beside the lake. The Musee Marmottan Monet is around the corner from my apartment. I particularly enjoy the walk on Avenue Victor-Hugo and once I reach the Arc de Triomphe there are plenty of choices of avenue to take on the way back. When it gets warm and sunny you should rush to get a table in the restaurant Le Flandrin on Avenue Henri Martin. Musee Marmottan Monet has many Impressionist works of art If I feel the need to get out from 16th, I hop on bus number 63 going to Boulevard Saint-Germain to have a salmon tartare at Le Hibou in the heart of Odeon. I enjoy the minimalist cocktails prepared by its professional bar staff. Move on to Prescription cocktail club and and enjoy its quality music and chilled ambience. To buy property in Odeon is not cheap be prepared to pay 16,010 per square metre on average. According to the Chambre des Notaires de Paris, it was the most expensive place in Paris in the third quarter of 2019. For anyone looking to go crazy and have long nights out, I recommend the Grands Boulevards area, where you can find many bars open after midnight. If you like techno and house music, go to Rex Club; top notch artists perform there. Rex Club in the Grands Boulevards area is renowned for its techno and house music vibe If you are moving to Paris, I recommend learning some French to help you crash the language barrier. It is not an easy language. I spoke some French before I moved, which helped me to interact with people, but it was not easy because when you go for a beer in a bar you need a good level of French to keep up with the jokes and conversation. People are normally very nice, helpful and respectful, but do not forget if you make eye contact with anyone, to smile and say, Bonjour! Looking for a home in Paris? Check out the FTs Property Listings Have you recently moved to a new city? What are your tips for making the most of living there? We want to hear from you - contact us here Photographs: Alamy; Dreamstime R etail behemoth Tesco today faced a triple-whammy of headaches falling sales, an attack by fraudsters and a court defeat. The supermarkets group failed to follow up a strong Christmas as sales fell 0.8% in the 12 weeks to February and its market share slipped to 27.2% from 27.7% a year earlier, Kantar data showed. By contrast, arch-rival Sainsburys experienced its first sales growth since last October, up a modest 0.3%. Morrisons, Asda and Waitrose saw sales fall while Lidl was the UKs fastest-growing grocer. It experienced an 11.4% rise in revenues, boosted by a surge in sales of Valentines Day-related products. Britains supermarkets are preparing for potential virus-related panic buying. Separately Tesco was forced to apologise to customers after an attack by scammers. The supermarket wrote to 620,000 customers informing them it had become aware of some fraudulent activity on your Clubcard account, which included an attempt to access your Clubcard vouchers. Tesco believes fraudsters accessed the accounts of users using lists of stolen username and password combinations from other sites. It stressed that no customers would lose Clubcard vouchers or points accrued and sent new physical cards to those who use them. A spokeswoman said: We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Tesco has reported itself to the Information Commissioners Office but does not expect a fine as financial details were not exposed. Tesco Bank was fined 16.4 million after a 2016 hack. The European Unions highest court said a system in Hungary that levied a progressive tax on phone companies and retailers, including Vodafone and Tesco, was in line with EU law. The EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg backed the Hungarian system after local courts sought its view. Tesco's case relates to tax paid in 2010-2013 under the Retail Crisis Tax legislation and follows a series of court challenges to the tax. ATLANTA, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Veristor Systems, Inc., a leading provider of transformative business technology solutions, has been awarded an Atlanta Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage , LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. "Our employees are not only the heart and soul of Veristor, but the most valuable factor in our ongoing growth and success," said Ashby Lincoln, President and CEO, Veristor. "Their expertise, collaborative insight and customer-centric approach not only inspires customer loyalty, but a true family culture that both employees and customers want to be a part of. It's an honor to be named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top Workplaces list, once again." "For more than a decade, the Top Workplaces award has helped organizations stand out among their competitors to attract talent," said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. "This differentiation is more important than ever in today's tight labor market. Establishing a continuous conversation with employees so you have a deep understanding of your unique culture is proven to help achieve higher referral rates, lower employee turnover, and double the employee engagement levels. No longer is recognition simply a much-deserved cause for celebration, but it's fast becoming mission-critical to establish a competitive advantage for recruitment and retention." The full list of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2020 Top Workplaces can be viewed at https://www.ajc.com/top-workplaces. For more information on how you can join the award winning team at Veristor, visit: https://veristor.com/about-veristor/careers. About Veristor Systems, Inc. A leading provider of transformative business technology solutions, Veristor helps its customers accelerate the time-to-value for the software, infrastructure and systems they deploy. We do this by harnessing deep expertise in today's most advanced data center, security, networking, hybrid cloud, and big data technologies and guiding businesses to the right solutions for their most pressing challenges. And with a full suite of design, deployment, support, and managed service offerings, we work shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers at every step of their technology journey to make technology truly work for them. IT's just who we are. Learn more at veristor.com. About Energage Energage, a certified B-corporation, offers web-based solutions and advisory services that help organizations recruit and retain the right talent. Home of Top Workplaces research, Energage offers solutions that collect, understand and amplify the voice of the employee, enabling organizations to reduce unwanted turnover, lower recruiting costs and increase retention. Based on more than 13 years of culture research, advanced comparative analytics, and patented algorithms trained on more than 20 million employees at 58,000 companies, Energage has isolated the 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization. For more information, please visit energage.com. SOURCE Veristor Systems, Inc. Related Links http://www.veristor.com Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (19) A report by an Australian think tank has identified 83 global brands whose supply chains in China are employing Uighur Muslims in conditions that could amount to forced labour. Tens of thousands of minority Muslims have been transferred out of Chinas western Xinjiang province and delivered as workers to major factories as part of a government scheme, according to the report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). China has been accused of detaining more than a million Uighurs in Xinjiang as part of what it calls a campaign to tackle Islamist extremism. It initially denied this, before recently saying that all those in the vocational centres had graduated and been given jobs. The ASPI report, based on analysis of government documents and local media reports, said the Uighurs continued to live a harsh, segregated life once they entered the workforce of major factories. More than 80,000 Uighurs had been transferred far from their homes to work in at least 27 factories across nine provinces, it said. There, the workers continued to be subject to surveillance, banned from practising their religion, forced to take part in mandarin language classes and restricted in their travel back to Xinjiang. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uighurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen, the think-tank said in the introduction to its report. ASPI describes itself as an independent think-tank whose core aim is to provide insight for the Australian government on matters of defence, security and strategic policy. The report said a small number of the brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch Co, advised vendors to terminate their relationships with these companies in 2020, and others denied direct contractual relationships with the suppliers. The Chinese government denied violating the rights of its workers, instead describing the report as following along with the US anti-China forces that try to smear China's anti-terrorism measures in Xinjiang. Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, speaking at a regular press briefing on Monday, insisted that the Uighurs who left government facilities in Xinjiang all now live a happy life. The factories listed in the ASPI report included O-Film Technology Co Ltd, which has manufactured cameras for Apple iPhones. According to a local media article citied in the report, it received 700 Uighur labourers as part of a state-sponsored programme in 2017. Apple referred Reuters to an earlier statement that said the company was dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our supply chain is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. We have not seen this report but we work closely with all our suppliers to ensure our high standards are upheld, it said. Telecoms giant Huawei said it has read the report and is looking into the matter. Huawei requires all our suppliers to comply with international labour standards and applicable laws as a condition of doing business with us, a spokesperson said. Nike, which saw one of its largest factories and a supplier of 30 years named in the ASPI report, told Washington Post ahead of its release that we respect human rights in our extended value chain, and always strive to conduct business ethically and responsibly. We are committed to upholding international labour standards globally, Nike spokesperson Sandra Carreon-John said, adding that its suppliers are strictly prohibited from using any type of prison, forced, bonded or indentured labour. Volkswagen said in a statement that none of the companies listed by ASPI is a direct supplier. It said the company holds direct authority in all parts of its business and respects minorities, employee representation and social and labour standards. The other companies mentioned in the introduction to ASPI's report - BMW, Gap Inc, Samsung and Sony Corp did not respond to requests for comment on Monday, nor did O-Film Technology. Additional reporting by Reuters. (Natural News) Increasingly acting just like communist China and its criminal cover-up of coronavirus infections, the CDC has now pulled all coronavirus testing statistics from its coronavirus update web page, effectively invoking an alarming level of testing secrecy at a time when the American public needs transparency and openness. With this move, the United States of America now follows communist China in hiding coronavirus testing while censoring independent media websites that tell the truth. Since the beginning of this outbreak, the CDCs coronavirus page has always shown the number of Americans who have been tested. Weve captured numerous screen shots of those numbers, shown below. But now, the number of Americans tested is nowhere to be found on that page. The CDC is now eliminating important information from its website, clearly as part of an effort to mislead the American people and the media. The same CDC also withheld coronavirus test kits from the entire country for nearly four weeks This action by the CDC is likely the result of the discredited agency being exposed for withholding testing kits from the entire country for nearly four weeks (most of February), allowing the virus to multiply while virtually no testing was being conducted anywhere in the country. We covered that story on Feb. 25th in this Natural News article. Even the mainstream media widely reported that 47 out of 50 states had conducted zero tests for the coronavirus. It was the big, dirty secret that no one was allowed to even mention: America wasnt testing anyone for the coronavirus. Yet the CDC and the White House were declaring America to be among the most ready nations in the world to deal with this exploding global pandemic. How can you deal with the pandemic if you arent even testing anyone for infections? So now we have no idea how many tests are being conducted in America, and the CDC seems intent on deliberately causing the spread of the coronavirus by, for example, releasing infected patients into the public this just happened in San Antonio and it appears to be a deliberate seeding of America with the coronavirus by the CDC itself. Heres what the CDCs coronavirus web page used to look like: But now the number of people tested has been completely removed: So in addition to withholding the diagnostic testing kits from America for nearly four weeks, the CDC is now going to withhold important statistics about the number of people who have been tested. And just like that, America becomes communist China. The only real question is: Did the CDC do this to set up Trump, or did Trump order the CDC to hide the numbers to protect the stock market? At this point, its anyones guess whats really happening in Washington D.C., but the one thing that isnt happening is transparency. And President Trump had better get ahead of this thing pronto, or he will find himself out of job by November. Catch all the latest videos, podcasts, headlines and state-by-state testing stats at Pandemic.news. A 75-year-old missouri inmate who insists he did not kill his wife is clinging to hope that Govenor Mike Parson will heed his petition for clemency, despite three decades of unsuccessful legal efforts to secure his freedom. Kathy Middleton died from a gunshot wound in her Blue Springs home on February 20, 1990, and her husband, Ken, was sentenced to life and 200 years for first-degree murder. His family and some investigators blame his conviction on shoddy investigation work after it was revealed Blue Springs police inexplicably undressed Kathy Middleton at the scene; no gunshot residue or blood spatter was found on Ken Middleton; the original crime scene photographs didn't turn out; and police messed up an attempt to restage the scene. He refused an Alford plea in 2004 that would have seen him walk free after 15 years. 'I wasn't going to take that plea for something I didn't do,' Middleton said in a telephone interview from the Western Missouri Correctional Center. The deal from 15 years ago would mean he denies guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. However he explained: 'I didn't want people believing I killed my wife.' Ken Middleton, 75, has insisted for 30 year s that he didn't kill his wife. He's pictured in an interview last year Kathy Middleton (left and right) died from a gunshot wound in her Blue Springs home on February 20, 1990, and her husband, Ken (left and right), was sentenced to life and 200 years for first-degree murder Middleton says he and his wife were arguing the day she died; Kathy had just discovered Ken had an affair, which he said ended two or three years before that day. He says she grabbed a gun that he had been planning to clean and stormed into another room to call the other woman. Middleton says he didn't follow his wife, but he soon heard a gunshot. He realized his wife was dead and frantically called 911. 'And then I got up to go to the kitchen to get a drink of water and I blacked out. And I cant even remember the gun going off,' Ken previously told KCTV. 'When I come to, she had dropped the gun or whatever happened in the dining room. And I seen her and I just went crazy.' Prosecutors argued Middleton pushed his wife against a wall and shot her. They said he acted strangely after the shooting, feigned illness and told different stories about what had happened. Middleton acknowledges that he didn't tell police about the affair until this year. The other woman is believed to have been someone the victim knew. Ken has said there's 'no way' his wife's wounds were self-inflicted. Middleton's supporters believe the gun went off accidentally when Kathy Middleton dropped the gun, or that she tried to grab it as it fell and accidentally pulled the trigger. 'It was one of the first cases where I felt like the defendant was totally innocent of any charges he had,' forensic investigator Robert Tressell told KCTV last year. He was hired after the trial and commented on the trajectory of the bullet. He is clinging to hope that Missouri Governor Mike Parson (pictured) will grant him clemency Ken refused an Alford plea in 2004 (pictured 2019): 'I wasn't going to take that plea for something I didn't do' 'There is no doubt in my mind that either the weapon hit the dining room table in some fashion to make it go offor as she was holding the weapon she somehow forcibly pulled the trigger.' Tressell, specializing in crime scene analysis, also testified in 2004. He says his analysis indicates the shooter would have had to have been under the dining room table to shoot Kathy at the angle prosecutors suggested, which he called 'preposterous.' He says he doesn't know if Middleton was guilty but 'in my opinion, the truth about what happened at that house has not come out.' Cliff Middleton has worked relentlessly to try to prove his father's innocence, compiling a wealth of legal documents that he and other supporters say point to a laundry list of problems in the case. Middleton, his son and investigators who have studied his case allege corruption and the incompetence of police, defense attorneys and prosecutors landed him in jail and have kept him there. Medical records support Middleton's claim that he suffered from conditions that explain what investigators called his strange behavior at the home. The gun was moved several times at the scene and was pulled apart before any testing took place. Photos in court show dry wall was cut out and the dining room table was not in the restaged scene images. Some people believe the weapon hit the dining room table to make it go off. An illustration recreates the scene Photos in court show dry wall was cut out and the dining room table was not in the restaged scene images One report was changed with whiteout to show tests for gun powder residue were done on only one of Kathy's hands and appears to block out a word saying the left hand was tested Perhaps most important is the incomplete testing of gunshot residue on Kathy Middleton. Her right hand was tested and showed no residue, but prosecutors did not produce test results for her left hand. Middleton's supporters say she likely would have used her left hand to grab the gun as it fell. One report was changed with whiteout to show tests were done on only one hand and appears to block out a word saying the left hand was tested. A police department employee testified that testing on both hands is standard and couldn't explain why police reported testing only one of the victim's hands in Middleton's case. Court records and interviews show Middleton's attorney, Bob Duncan, made no opening statement during his trial in 1991. Duncan also failed to interview or call any witnesses, did not have Middleton or his son testify, did not introduce Middleton's medical records and was unfamiliar with the prosecution's evidence. The jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting him. It later emerged that Duncan was involved in three capital murder cases at that time, and was under investigation for tax evasion, to which he pleaded guilty in 1992. It was the first homicide case for the department in nine years. Before his death in 1997, Duncan provided Middleton's new attorneys with affidavits acknowledging his lack of trial preparation. A 1992 appeal hearing - granted based on Duncan's ineffective counsel - lasted less than two hours. His new attorney, Gerald Handley, also called no witnesses and didn't provide evidence to refute the prosecution. Before his death in 1997, Robert Duncan (left) provided Middleton's new attorneys with affidavits acknowledging his lack of trial preparation. Ken is pictured 1999 A third attorney, Jonathan Laurens, filed an 81-page brief in 2002 outlining why Middleton deserved a new trial, citing sloppy police work, ineffective counsel and unusual actions by prosecuting attorney Pat Peters during the first two legal proceedings. Ken Middleton's battle for clemency February 20, 1990: Kathy Middleton is shot dead during an argument about Ken cheating years ago. 1991: Ken Middleton is convicted of first-degree murder. He gets life and 200 years. 2004: Ken rejects and Alford plea where he doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence for conviction. May 2005: Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Edith Messina, who presided over the first trial, vacates Middleton's 1991 conviction. She ruled he had essentially been abandoned by his counsel and ordered a new trial. Six days later, her ruling was appealed. June 2006: The appeals court denies a new trial, ruling on procedural grounds and not addressing the evidence and competency of Middleton's attorneys. March 2020: Gov Mike Parson won't comment on Middleton's request for clemency, one of more than 3,500 clemency petitions before him. Advertisement They alleged Peters improperly influenced Blue Springs police, prevented witnesses from testifying at the appeal and had a conflict of interest because his father's firm was representing Kathy Middleton's sisters in a wrongful death lawsuit. Peters died in 2017. Jennifer Brady, a spokeswoman for the Blue Springs Police Department, said recently that no one could comment on the case because so much time has passed. Chuck Gay, of Rogers, Arkansas, a private investigator and retired police detective in Long Beach, California, was one of several expert witnesses who testified at another hearing in 2004. He says the entire case was built on sloppy police work. 'He's been in there for 30 years for something he didn't do,' Gay said. 'He was railroaded by incompetent police. I've studied hundreds of murders and this is the most innocent man I've ever seen.' Gay has said if the document about gun residue is held up to light it shows a second hand was indeed tested and that the information should have never been altered. He previously said he had 'never seen anything so poorly prepared by a police department'. The prosecutor's office in Jackson County, where Middleton was convicted, has reviewed the case three times and would do so again if it received new evidence, said Mike Mansur, a spokesman for prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. In May 2005, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Edith Messina, who presided over the first trial, vacated Middleton's 1991 conviction. She ruled he had essentially been abandoned by his counsel and ordered a new trial. Six days later, her ruling was appealed, and in June 2006, the appeals court denied a new trial, ruling on procedural grounds and not addressing the evidence and competency of Middleton's attorneys. After Ken refused the Alford plea deal, the victim's niece said she changed her mind about thinking he killed her aunt. 'You want someone to blame and he was the only one there. He was an easy target,' Michelle Jordan told KCTV last year Laurens tried but failed to have the case transferred to the Missouri Supreme Court, essentially ending Middleton's legal options and leaving his future in Parson's hands. Parson's spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, said the office wouldn't comment on Middleton's request, one of more than 3,500 clemency petitions before him. 'When your life's on the line and you know what they done to you, you can't quit,' Middleton said. 'All the documents show it, and that gives me courage to never give up.' After Ken refused the Alford plea deal, the victim's niece said she changed her mind about thinking he killed her aunt. She said as there were only two people in the home at the time, Ken was an easy target. 'You want someone to blame and he was the only one there. He was an easy target,' Michelle Jordan told KCTV last year. 'I want the truth. Thats it. I dont think thats too much to ask for.' The BJP on Tuesday claimed that one of its legislators was threatened on social media for raising the issue of religious conversion in the state Assembly. Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said the party's MLA from Beawar, Shankar Singh Rawat, had received messages warning him of "dire consequences". "I had raised an issue in the house on February 28, after which I was threatened with dire consequences on social media including Facebook and through SMS's," Rawat said in the house during zero hour. While Rawat sought action against the culprits, Kataria asked the legislator to move a breach of privilege motion in the assembly. Chairperson Rajendra Pareek directed the government to investigate the matter and inform the house. Meanwhile, deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore raised the issue of frequent incidents of gas cylinder blasts and demanded that the government must hold a meeting with the representatives of the gas companies to ensure proper safety arrangements are in place. Referring to an explosion that occurred in Jaipur on Monday which claimed two lives, he said it was not the first incident in the state or the city. "In Jaipur, similar incidents have happened thrice in January and in Sikar, Churu and Bharatpur in February," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Giving back to the community is always our top priority. Vista BMW Coconut Creek will host a special event on March 7, 2020 to celebrate the launch of the all-new 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The new 2 Series Gran Coupe, the first ever for BMW, focuses on providing a sportier alternative for drivers who want extra space and a luxurious interior but dont want to settle for a sedan. Were just as excited about it as everyone else is, said Michael Perrault, General Manager at Vista BMW Coconut Creek. We cant wait for our guests to step into this new 2 Series for the first time! The launch event will begin the partnership with local Fort Lauderdale-based nonprofit Canine Assisted Therapy (CAT). This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need through animal assisted therapy and companionship to people in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice and schools. To aid in their continued charity and raise awareness of their organization, Vista BMW Coconut Creek will donate $10 for every test drive taken during the event to benefit CAT. Guests participating in a test drive will even be able to choose which therapy dog they wish to direct the donation from their test drive. Giving back to the community is always our top priority, continued Perrault. Especially when its such an impactful organization like Canine Assisted Therapy. About Canine Assisted Therapy The organizations mission is to improve the health and well-being of children and adults, as well as achieve specific physical, cognitive, social, or emotional goals through the use of certified pet therapy teams. Canine Assisted Therapy provided over 50 therapy dogs to the Parkland community after the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Pet therapy teams provide over 250 hours a week of therapeutic care in 110 facilities, hospitals and schools in South Florida. Annually, the organization helps 300,000 veterans, trauma victims, children with special needs, cancer patients, seniors, at-risk youth and many others in need. About Vista Motors Vista Motors has a long history of providing South Florida with high quality vehicles and outstanding customer service. As a family-oriented dealership, customers can expect a warm and helpful environment that will immediately distinguish itself from any other car-buying experience. Discover Your Vista today with BMW, Volkswagen and MINI brands at one of two locations in Pompano Beach and Coconut Creek, FL. For more information, go online to http://www.vistamotors.com. This is Highly Recommend, a column dedicated to our very opinionated editors favorite things to eat, drink, and buy. It appeared on the office free table with no explanation. A bottle of sauce with a piece of red velveteen over the top, tied with gold elastic. Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce read the label, beside a storybook-esque illustration of a voluptuous red-headed lady sitting in a field of pink flowers. A blue ribbon denoted the years the sauce was deemed an International Champion and/or a National Award Winner: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. How could I not be intrigued? Upon further investigation (which is to say, posting a question on our office Slack channel), I learned that the bottle came from my colleague Alex Beggs, who had recently attended the 2019 Hot Sauce Expo. There, she saw a lot of braided beards and tasted 47 hot sauces in six hours. I got that sauce from a man in a chicken hat, she tells me, wheeling past my desk in her swivel chair. Its from Peppers.com. If you havent yet graced the fiery wonderland that is Peppers.com, let me fill you in. The homepage is dominated by a striking piece of stock imagery featuring a chile pepper in flames. The enormous online marketplace sells salsas, Bloody Mary mixes, chicken wing sauces, barbecue sauces, and of course, hot sauces. Its the digital baby of the aforementioned chicken-hatted guy, Chip Hearn, who followed in his father Luthers entrepreneurial footsteps by opening a series of ice cream shops in and around Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in the 1970s. Photo by Amy Lombard There are thousands of sauces for sale, and apparently Chip has tried all of them, but only one is advertised on the websites front page. And that is Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce, which Chip makes himself. For all of you aficionados out there, reads the product page, this sauce is also available in a gallon-size bottle. Story continues So back to my desk, where the bottlea regular old 5-ouncer from Beggs expo swag bagsat gathering dust beside my pencil cup and collection of unopened stress-reducing vitamins. There it remained until a couple weeks later, when someone delivered a batch full of burgers and French fries to our office without any ketchup. Lo! Not someone to suffer a naked French fry, I reached for the sauce. And that is when my office life, as I knew it, changed forever. You see, Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce is not your average hot sauce. It has dehydrated tomatoes in it which give ketchup vibes without taking over. Peaches, Vidalia onions, and cane sugar bring sweetness and a healthy dose of vinegar keeps things zesty. It has red chiles and green jalapenos and red cayenne peppers but not too much of any of them, so its never too hot to handle and you neednt sprinkle it sparingly. Putting it on my fries proved a great successlike ketchup, but better. So as the Mondays turned into Tuesdays turned into Thursdays, I kept going. Turkey sandwichyes. Cold pizzamost def. Leftover fried ricea delight. I dont eat scrambled eggs at my desk, but if I did, I am 99.9% certain that it would be a match made in heaven. Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce, you see, is the ideal balance of acid, salt, sugar, and heat. It pairs perfectly with just about anything you throw at it. And in the days of open-plan offices, where storage space is minimal but you cant quite stomach the idea of a sad, dry desk lunch, it is a miracle. It is the go-on-everything desk sauce of my dreams. And I owe it all to a man in a chicken hat. All products featured on Bonappetit.com are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit The Hyatt Regency Delhi on Tuesday said that all the staff present at its La Piazza restaurant on February 28 have been asked to remain in self-quarantine for 14 days. The development comes after government authorities confirmed that the coronavirus patient from Delhi had dined at its restaurant. Earlier in the day, government authorities said that the man who tested positive for the infection had dined at Hyatt Regencys La Piazza restaurant on February 28. Also read: How India must fight coronavirus The restaurant has also started to conduct daily temperature checks for all colleagues and contractors when they enter and exit the building, news agency ANI reported. ALSO WATCH | There is no need to panic: PM Modis message on Coronavirus scare This comes a day after India confirmed two fresh cases of coronavirus infection on Monday. A Delhi resident and a 24-year-old boy from Hyderabad were tested positive for the infection. Earlier today, a school-based in Noida announced that it will remain shut for the next few days as a few of its students attended a birthday party hosted by the coronavirus patient on February 28. We are sanitising the Shriram Millennium School as a precautionary measure. A few students from the school attended a birthday party hosted by the Coronavirus patient from Delhi on February 28. We have called for a parents meeting to spread awareness on the issue so that there is no panic. We are in touch with the school authorities and parents to ensure that all the required precautions are taken by the affected persons, said Dr Anurag Bhargava, chief medical officer, Gautam Budh Nagar. Also read: PM Modi tweets on coronavirus, says no need to panic Another premier school in Noida said it will remain shut until March 9 as a precautionary measure in the wake of the coronavirus scare in the national capital. It has been decided to close Shiv Nadar School until the 9th of March in order to sanitize our spaces and completely remove all scope for the further spread of this virus, read the official statement from Shiv Nadar School, Noida. According to reports, the coronavirus patient from Delhi recently travelled to Italy and was diagnosed for the virus at Delhis RML (Dr Ram Manohar Lohia) Hospital. The Hyderabad patient had a travel history to Dubai, the government said on Monday, adding that both the cases are currently stable. Each year, nearly 33 million people raise a glass in celebration of St. Patricks Day. This year the holiday honoring Irelands famous patron saint falls on a Tuesday. Yes, March 17 is in the middle of the week, which is great news for restaurateurs and bar operators. Each year, nearly 33 million people raise a glass in celebration of St. Patricks Day. This year the holiday honoring Irelands famous patron saint falls on a Tuesday. Yes, March 17 is in the middle of the week, which is great news for restaurateurs and bar operators. According to personal finance website WalletHub, 55% of Americans celebrated the holiday last year. Heres what else it found: In 2019, consumers spent approximately $5.6 billion on St Patricks Day The average spend per person is about $40 More beer is sold on St. Patricks Day than regular days (152.5% more) On the holiday, 81% of people celebrating plan to wear green What can you do to increase holiday traffic and sales at your restaurant? Try these: Put holiday specials on your menu, your take on a shepherds pie, Irish stew, fried Irish cabbage with bacon, and even some soda bread muffins. Break out some green, quick as you can! Each year, the Division Ale House in Chicago offers Green Eggs and Kegs, which translates into breakfast and beer. The eggs are dyed green and served with bacon and a pint of beer. Decorate your restaurant with a St. Patricks Day theme, and get your staff dress up or at least wear green for the holiday, too. Give away inexpensive wearables to unite all your guests in the sporting o the green. Offer craft beers brewed especially for the holiday, and market Irish liquors, lagers and ales. A special holiday cocktail or flavored coffee will be in demand. Create and serve nonalcoholic beverages, like a vanilla-mint shake, matcha-white hot chocolate, or even a lime green punch. These sweet indulgences will put guests in a celebratory mood. Engage guests with games, like a treasure hunt, where they are awarded prizes for finding treasures hidden in the restaurant. Use a shamrock symbol next to menu items you want to move. And since the holiday is celebrated on the 17th, you might want to think about offering a 17% discount to items youd really like to sell. Bring in a live band to rock the Irish music so your patrons can dance the night away. Hold a Spirit of St. Pattys Day contest where guests compete for Best Leprechaun costume or even a Pot of Gold trivia competition, where the winners receive a gift card to your restaurant. Offer some late night, sharable appetizers for a special price. Customers will be ready for them. Most important is to make sure your employees serve alcohol responsibly. Learn more about safe service training solutions with the National Restaurant Associations ServSafe Alcohol program. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Restaurant industry news and trends. Subscribe 2022 Restaurant News Resource The board has given Kennedy seven days to explain his actions on the show, the first for two years. Graham Kennedy with the crown Credit:National Film and Sound Archive Graham Kennedy faces a total ban from all Australian television stations following criticism by the Broadcasting Control Board of the general vulgarity and poor taste of parts of his Monday night program. First published in The Age on March 5, 1975 If the board does not receive an adequate explanation, Kennedy will be removed from the television. Mondays Graham Kennedy Show sparked hundreds of telephone calls from viewers protesting against sexual innuendos uttered by Kennedy. The board viewed a tape of the show in Adelaide last night and sent a telexed message demanding an explanation from Kennedy within seven days to show cause why he should be permitted to continue in television. The boards secretary (Mr B Connolly) said a show cause letter would be hand-delivered to Kennedy at the GTV-9 studios today. In the telex, the board also demanded the withdrawal of one advertisement from future telecasts of the program. NIH-funded project in mice provides insights into why nerves fail to regrow following injury When the spinal cord is injured, the damaged nerve fibers--called axons--are normally incapable of regrowth, leading to permanent loss of function. Considerable research has been done to find ways to promote the regeneration of axons following injury. Results of a study performed in mice and published in Cell Metabolism suggests that increasing energy supply within these injured spinal cord nerves could help promote axon regrowth and restore some motor functions. The study was a collaboration between the National Institutes of Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. "We are the first to show that spinal cord injury results in an energy crisis that is intrinsically linked to the limited ability of damaged axons to regenerate," said Zu-Hang Sheng, Ph.D., senior principal investigator at the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and a co-senior author of the study. Like gasoline for a car engine, the cells of the body use a chemical compound called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for fuel. Much of this ATP is made by cellular power plants called mitochondria. In spinal cord nerves, mitochondria can be found along the axons. When axons are injured, the nearby mitochondria are often damaged as well, impairing ATP production in injured nerves. "Nerve repair requires a significant amount of energy," said Dr. Sheng. "Our hypothesis is that damage to mitochondria following injury severely limits the available ATP, and this energy crisis is what prevents the regrowth and repair of injured axons." Adding to the problem is the fact that, in adult nerves, mitochondria are anchored in place within axons. This forces damaged mitochondria to remain in place while making it difficult to replace them, thus accelerating a local energy crisis in injured axons. The Sheng lab, one of the leading groups studying mitochondrial transport, previously created genetic mice that lack the protein--called Syntaphilin--that tethers mitochondria in axons. In these "knockout mice" the mitochondria are free to move throughout axons. "We proposed that enhancing transport would help remove damaged mitochondria from injured axons and replenish undamaged ones to rescue the energy crisis" said Dr. Sheng. To test whether this has an impact on spinal cord nerve regeneration, the Sheng lab collaborated with Xiao-Ming Xu, M.D., Ph.D. and colleagues from the Indiana University School of Medicine, who are experts in modeling multiple types of spinal cord injury. "Spinal cord injury is devastating, affecting patients, their families, and our society," said Dr. Xu. "Although tremendous progress has been made in our scientific community, no effective treatments are available. There is definitely an urgent need for the development of new strategies for patients with spinal cord injury." When the researchers looked in three injury models in the spinal cord and brain, they observed that Syntaphilin knockout mice had significantly more axon regrowth across the injury site compared to control animals. The newly grown axons also made appropriate connections beyond the injury site. When the researchers looked at whether this regrowth led to functional recovery, they saw some promising improvement in fine motor tasks in mouse forelimbs and fingers. This suggested that increasing mitochondrial transport and thus the available energy to the injury site could be key to repairing damaged nerve fibers. To test the energy crisis model further, mice were given creatine, a bioenergetic compound that enhances the formation of ATP. Both control and knockout mice that were fed creatine showed increased axon regrowth following injury compared to mice fed saline instead. More robust nerve regrowth was seen in the knockout mice that got the creatine. "We were very encouraged by these results," said Dr. Sheng. "The regeneration that we see in our knockout mice is very significant, and these findings support our hypothesis that an energy deficiency is holding back the ability of both central and peripheral nervous systems to repair after injury." Dr. Sheng also points out that these findings, while promising, are limited by the need to genetically manipulate mice. Mice that lack Syntaphilin show long-term effects on regeneration, while creatine alone produces only modest regeneration. Future research is required to develop therapeutic compounds that are more effective in entering the nervous system and increasing energy production for possible treatment of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. ### Reference Han Q. et al. "Restoring cellular energetics promotes axon regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury." Cell Metabolism March 3, 2020. This study was supported by the NINDS Intramural Research Program (ZIA NS003029, ZIA NS002946), NINDS (NS100531, NS103481), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Foundation, and the Mari Hulman George Endowment Funds. Learn More https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Spinal-Cord-Injury-Information-Page https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Spinal-Cord-Injury-Hope-Through-Research https://www.ninds.nih.gov NINDS is the nation's leading funder of research on the brain and nervous system. The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN A man was shot near Whalley Avenue and Hobart Street Monday afternoon, according to police. Capt. Anthony Duff said were responding to a shooting near the intersection just before 5 p.m. China reported an increase Tuesday in cases of the new coronavirus coming from abroad, as the country where the disease first emerged now worries about importing infections. In total there have been 13 confirmed cases of the virus being imported to the mainland -- all in Chinese nationals returning from overseas. More than 3,100 people have died and over 90,000 have been infected worldwide. The vast majority of cases are in China, but South Korea, Italy and Iran have emerged as the countries with the most cases outside the epicentre. Eight Chinese nationals who worked in the same restaurant in Italys northern Lombardy region have tested positive for the virus in eastern Zhejiang province, according to the local government. They flew home to China from Italy last week. There have also been four confirmed cases of infections originating in Iran -- two in Beijing and two in the northern Ningxia region -- and one case in the southern city of Shenzhen in a person who had travelled from Britain via Hong Kong. China has been implementing a series of measures to try and prevent its containment efforts being undone by cases brought into the country. Those arriving in the capital from virus-hit countries -- including South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan -- must self-quarantine for 14 days, the deputy secretary of Beijings government said at a press briefing Tuesday. If their destination is Beijing, everyone should be quarantined no matter whether they are Chinese or foreigners, said the official, Chen Bei. Those with a fixed residence should stay home, he said, while those without anywhere to stay would do concentrated medical observation at a designated hotel. Officials in southern Guangdong province announced Tuesday they would implement similar measures, without confirming specific countries, while state media reported that Shanghai was also introducing the same rule for nations with high numbers of virus cases. Also on Tuesday, officials in Dandong -- which borders North Korea -- announced everyone entering the city from abroad needed to be tested. Hundreds of passengers from South Korea arriving in eastern China last week were placed in isolation after people on two flights were discovered to have fevers. No infections have been confirmed so far. Alvin Clark is a man of few words. Luckily, his accomplishments speak for him. Clark, 81, is the first African African man to become a certified pastry chef. Clark was named a certified executive pastry chef by the American Culinary Federation in 1987, the equivalent of being an admiral in the Navy. Throughout his career, he has fed stars such as Prince and Natalie Cole, served cookies at the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, and worked as executive pastry chef in Levy Restaurant, located in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the Indianapolis Pacers. These accomplishments didnt come without struggle. The long years of training with chefs was nothing compared to his upbringing in Dallas. As a boy, Clark never formally learned to read or write and endured regular abuse from the uncle who helped raise him. Clark took odd jobs in local restaurants, just trying to get by. A chance meeting in 1957 changed Clarks life forever. I didnt get a good schooling, Clark said, so I take advantage of it [the opportunity], and the chef saw something in me that I didnt see in myself. He stuck by me. That chef was Rudy Fisher, whom Clark met in the Baker Hotel in Dallas while working as a busboy when he was 17. For four years, Clark followed Fisher around the country, learning all about different types of dough and learning to bake everything from European cookies to classic American pies. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, Clark said of his training. It gave me something to look forward to and gave me a good work ethic. I was learning something. I aint know I would get this far up the totem pole. Working his way up that totem pole presented many challenges for Clark. Without being able to read or write meant he had to memorize every recipe he used, and when decorating cakes, he copied the words Fisher wrote. Despite the difficulty, memorizing 600 recipes helped Clark achieve his certification. Becoming a certified pastry chef required a lot of training and a lot of moving. Throughout his career, Clark trained and worked in several cities, including Dallas, Wichita, Kansas, and Indianapolis. In each city, he picked up new skills, and hes won several awards at culinary shows in Indianapolis. But its not the awards that make Clark call Indianapolis home. Nodding toward his wife of 46 years, LaVada, Clark said its the family he found in the city that kept him here. Clark met LaVada in 1969 while working as a baker at the Columbia Club. LaVada went in to pick up a cake, and the pair have been together ever since. Clark married LaVada, a single mother of five children, in 1974. With Clarks son, Alvin Clark Jr., they became a family of eight, and the experience was different than anything Clark had ever experienced growing up. Within their blended family, there was an equal amount of give and take. LaVada described her husband as being a great, loving father, and his stepchildren had no problem viewing Clark as a father figure. Two of his stepdaughters, Toni and Millicent, helped Clark learn to read while they were in elementary school. I had good family values that I never had before, he said. It was a good strong unit as a family. While the world may know Clark as a world-class baker, those close to him know him as a loving family man. He is loving and humble, he loves people, and he loves life, Alvin Jr. said. He loves giving and teaching his craft, and he loves sharing it with anyone who will listen, he adds with a laugh. And while Alvin Jr., 61, has a preference for his dads pecan pie recipe, Clark views every recipe, every opportunity to bake, as a learning experience. It didnt matter what I was baking, Clark said. I was proud to learn the recipes. And as humble as Clark is about his certified status, it came as a shock, LaVada said. Going back to my school days, I didnt learn nothing, I wasnt good at school, he said So to achieve all this it means a lot to me. Clark paid it forward by volunteering with nonprofits and 4-H groups to share his baking skills, hoping to inspire a future baker. Its not no easy job, but its a dying art, Clark said of baking. While illness has forced Clark into retirement, a lifetime of baking, sharing his skills and making history as the first African American man to become a certified pastry chef have created a lasting legacy in Indianapolis and around the country. Im so very proud of him and his accomplishments, Alvin Jr. said. And so thankful that God has given me the blessing of making him my father. Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper. Alvin Clark, certified executive pastry chef for Levy Restaurants of Bankers Life Fieldhouse, spoke about his early life when he could not read and the impact literacy has had on his life. Clark was the guest speaker for the 2016 annual Indy Reads Student and Volunteer Recognition Event. (File Photo) JEROME BREWSTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JER Italians have been told to stand one metre away from each other in all public spaces in a bid to stop coronavirus spreading. The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 yesterday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed to 2,036. The one-metre rule will also apply to pubs, shops and churches and is based on a study of how far saliva droplets can travel when they are released into the air as people talk, The Times have reported. Italians have been told to stand one metre away from each other in all public spaces in a bid to stop coronavirus spreading. Pictured: a woman in Rome wears a mask Other measures by Italy's health authorities include a ban on public gatherings and school closures in the north. The three worst-hit regions - Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna - have extended the closure of schools for another week. Ten per cent of virus patients in Italy were in intensive care with respiratory problems, the health chief of the Lombardy region in northern Italy has said. He added that they were almost exclusively over 65 years old and asked all elderly people in the region to leave home as little as possible for the next two weeks. The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 yesterday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed to 2,036. Pictured: people wearing medical face masks in Rome Map showing the total number of cases of the virus worldwide and the number of people that have died so far Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus, after cancelling engagements and largely disappearing from public view last week after falling ill (pictured on Sunday) Giovanni Rezza, the head of the infectious diseases department at the national health institute, said that schools were a key area to keep control of. 'Not because children are vulnerable they don't suffer as much as adults but they can transmit it to parents and grandparents,' he said. The Pope tests negative for coronavirus Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus after he was forced to cancel a series of engagements last week due to illness. The 83-year-old pontiff was given a 'routine' test after falling ill on Ash Wednesday with symptoms of a cold including a cough, fever, chills and sore throat. He was given a swab test as a precaution but the results have come back negative, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. Medics have not said what the Pope is suffering from, but he previously described it as 'a cold'. Francis's last full day of public engagements was on Ash Wednesday, when he appeared ill while taking part in an evening Mass. He was seen coughing, sneezing and appeared tired during the ceremony, before cancelling an engagement the following morning. He then disappeared from public view for the next four days while he recovered. Advertisement He also had a warning for countries like the UK where the virus is starting to spread, saying: 'Be very careful and contain clusters as soon as possible.' Officials in Italy also said it could take up to two weeks to know whether measures including quarantines in 11 northern towns were working. Nearby in France the latest death was reported in the Oise department northeast of Paris, in the country's most significant cluster. With at least 191 cases, including 47 in the Oise, France is the second worst affected country in Europe after Italy. The Louvre in Paris shut its doors for a second day yesterday after staff walked out over health risks. In China, the number of new virus cases dropped again Tuesday, with just 125 new cases after a six-week low of 202 a day earlier. It's still by far the hardest-hit country, with 80,151 cases and 2,943 deaths. The virus has been detected in at least 70 countries with 90,000 cases and 3,100 deaths. The U.S.' count of COVID-19 cases surpassed 100 in 11 states. President Donald Trump and his Cabinet met with pharmaceutical executives Monday to discuss how to speed the search for a vaccine. (@ChaudhryMAli88) German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck Wednesday called on Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and discussed matters of mutual interests PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2020 ) :German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck Wednesday called on Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and discussed matters of mutual interests. Visiting German envoy felicitated the government over successful holding of elections in erstwhile FATA, establishment of peace in tribal areas and bringing them in national mainstream. Deputy Speaker KP Assembly was also present on the occasion. Speaker said that 21 parliamentarians have elected for provincial legislatures from these tribal areas. He said that tribal belt was on the front line in war against terror that damaged all its infrastructure. He said that despite financial hardships an appropriate allocations have been made to improve health, education and roads adding still a lot has to be done for development of merged districts that bear the brunt of war against terrorism. Speaker said that KP assembly desires to take benefit from the experience and legislation process of German parliament and maintained that exchange of delegations would help increasing experience of parliamentarians. Mushtaq Ghani also urged German ambassador to provide assistance to make Abbottabad a mode solar city. He informed German ambassador that Pakistan support peace in Afghanistan as it is in benefit of both neighboring countries. Later, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Mehmood Jan presented gifts and mementos to German ambassador. On March 1, New Yorks statewide ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect. The law, passed by the state legislature in an effort to reduce the usage of plastic bagswhich often ends up in landfills or waterwaysprohibits retailers such as grocery stores from providing customers with plastic carry-out bags. New Yorkers are encouraged to instead bring their own reusable bags, or they can purchase paper alternatives for a mandatory five-cent fee, three cents of which will go to the State Environmental Protection Fund, with the remaining two cents going to the county or city government (fees would be waived for shoppers receiving SNAP or WIC benefits). Businesses can also opt to sell their own multiple-use tote-style bags. Exceptions apply, such as single-use plastic bags used for produce, or bags covering raw meats or made-to-order foods. Dry cleaners and laundry services would be allowed to continue using bags, as would pharmacists handing out prescription drugs. Trash bags and food storage bags would also remain for sale. And carryout bags provided by restaurants wont be covered under the law either. The law isnt without its problems. The states Plastic Bag Task Force found that paper bags actually have a larger carbon footprint than their plastic alternatives, as they require a significant quantity of water to produce as well as increased energy for production and transportation. This means increased costs for New York-area retailers, who also have to contend with future bag shortages, as paper bag manufacturers in 2020 are harder to come by than plastic. Then theres the little-known loophole that thicker plastic bagsover 10 mils thickfall under the states current rubric of reusable, meaning that retailers could, hypothetically, bypass the law by handing out free, thicker versions of the flimsier alternatives normally found at grocery check-out lines. New Yorks bag ban is only the latest episode in an era where issues of sustainability and environmental consciousness have emerged as overarching themes in the headlines. California voters approved a statewide ban of plastic bags in 2016, and similar plastic bag bans have since been enacted in Connecticut, Delaware, Oregon and Vermont. Last year, Maine became the first state to ban the selling or distribution of disposable food containers made of polystyrene, otherwise known as Styrofoam. San Francisco International Airport followed suit by banning the sale of plastic water bottles at its restaurants, convenience stores and vending machines. Since then, Americas focus on sustainability has only increased. The latest Food News Study commissioned by Hunter Public Relations, which surveys Americans on the most memorable food-related news items of the year, discovered that sustainability ranked as the most prevalent issue for the first time in 2019, taking three of the top ten food stories of the year. Opposition among consumers and businesses to the plastic straw bans that popped up across the country, recent laws to end the sale of plastic water bottles and Styrofoam food container bans were the fifth, eighth and ninth most popular food stories in Hunters latest annual study, now in its 17th year. In 2019, we saw three stories related to sustainability in the top ten, Hunter CEO Grace Leong told ODwyers. Thats a remarkable rise in a relatively short time and reflects the fact that Millennials and Gen-Z in particular are becoming more sustainably-minded. Study after study shows that todays consumersparticularly young consumersare more likely to trust and do businesses with companies that support environmental and socially-responsible causes. Research published by NYU Sterns Center for Sustainable Business last year found that 50 percent of growth among all Consumer Packaged Goods between 2013-2018 came from sustainability-marketed products, even though those products represent only 16.6 percent of the total CPG category. A similar Nielsen report discovered that products featuring sustainability claims outperformed competing products in sales by more than three percent in 2018. Finally, a Jan. study by the National Retail Federation discovered that 70 percent of North American shoppers think its important for brands to be eco-friendly, with more than two-thirds (69 percent) willing to pay a premium for recycled products. Because sustainability issues have surged in the national conversation, its no surprise that companies in the food and beverage sector have continued leveraging those messages into branding opportunities in an effort to differentiate themselves from the competition. If the headlines are any indication, we might expect sustainability practices to increase in the coming years, both in response to consumer trends and because they recognize its the right thing to do. Joining the public in their protest against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) resolution to impose ban on staging protests in front of the Town Hall, the opposition Congress and JDS corporators on Tuesday disrupted the BBMP Council forcing the Mayor to adjourn the proceedings. Feeling the heat and walking up off late to the threat, opposition corporators collectively pounced on the ruling BJP to withdraw the controversial resolution. Abdul Wajid, leader of the Opposition in BBMP Council said, It was entirely an undemocratic move and we will intensify our protests. Even though Mayor Goutham Kumar tried to convince the protesting corporators with an explanation from the BBMP Commissioner, the opposition refused to budge and continued with the protests. Gangambike Mallikarjun, Ex-Mayor told DH that they (opposition) were completely kept in dark about the resolution. As we were debating on garbage issue, they silently raised the issue and done away with it. It was only later that we got to know that such a decision has been taken on the council, she revealed. While the BBMP Commissioner states that there have been locations identified for holding protests like Freedom Park and Gandhi Statue, the leaders refused to buy the argument stating that a few places cannot accommodate the multiple voices of protests in a burgeoning city like Bengaluru. The opposition Congress too came under intense public criticism for failing to take on the ruling BJP on the floor of the house. Interestingly, it was the public, civic organisations which picked up the issue and registered their first dissent against the resolution. Had we informed about the decision, we would have stopped it from getting passed. At the end of the proceedings, they silently read out and passed the resolution, Wajid said. He also stated that the decision to impose the ban perhaps manifested from outside the political realm and needs to be explained by the Mayor. The Commission's goal is to preserve, protect, expand, and attract new military missions, assets, and installations. Additionally, the Commission encourages defense-related businesses to expand or relocate to Texas. Mr. Miranda is the co-chair of the El Paso Chamber's Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, co-chair of the 151st Community Veterans Engagement Board, and vice-chair of the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board. Additionally, he is a board member of the El Paso Homeless Coalition Continuum of Care and a member of Disabled American Veterans and the Air Force Sergeants Association. "It is an honor, privilege, and blessing to be appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott as a Commissioner for the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. I am proud to serve our Military and Veteran communities in the great State of Texas," said Mr. Miranda. The Governor-appointed Commission is composed of thirteen members. With backgrounds ranging from retired flag officers and public officials to economic development, public relations, and law professionals, each commissioner possesses a skillset valuable to the TMPC's mission. "We are proud of the many initiatives Ben has put in place here at Endeavors to move our non-profit forward. We know he will continue to do great things while serving on the Texas Military Preparedness Commission," said Chip Fulghum, Endeavors Chief Operating Officer. Endeavors' mission is to provide an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters, or emergencies. In Spring 2021, Endeavors will open its doors to Texas' first of its kind Veteran Wellness Center in San Antonio. Ben served 24 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2017 with the rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant. In the Air Force, he served in various senior executive leadership positions in Law Enforcement, Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, International Military Affairs, and Professional Military Education. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Unified Response, and multiple counter-drug operations in Latin America. The TMPC continues to advocate for Texas' military personnel and facilities while fostering positive relationships at the local, state, and federal levels. ABOUT ENDEAVORS Endeavors, a San Antonio based non-profit, is a longstanding national non-profit agency that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters or emergencies. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through personalized services. For more information, please visit www.endeavors.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Gowen Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] 210-431-6466 x 126 SOURCE Endeavors Related Links http://www.endeavors.org KAMPALA A delegation of senior Tanzania government officials have toured several sugar factories in Uganda to certain the quality of Ugandan sugar. The Tanzania officials, led by Minister of Agriculture Japeth Hasunga, visited Kakira Sugar Ltd, Lugazi Sugar (SCOUL), Kinyara Sugar (Masindi), and Hoima Sugar. According to the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperative, Amelia Kyambadde, who guided the visitors, said it was proved that Uganda produces good sugar and has surplus to supply to the Tanzanian market. The Ministers and Tanzanian Delegation were pleased with good machinery, good production, enough stock and good storage, CSR programme and generation of own power among others in the factories. The visit comes after Tanzania blocked Ugandan sugar on claims that it is of poor quality. However, the sugar was allowed into the country following a meeting between Presidents Yoweri Museveni and John Joseph Pombe Magufuli Uganda is the biggest sugar producer in the EAC with production currently being 550,000tons, consumption at 360,000 tons and 150,000 tons available for export; with Kenya being Ugandas biggest consumer. The purpose of this visit was to effect resolutions of the Presidents, which were to ascertain originality and capacity of sugar production in Uganda and improve the business/trade relations between the two countries. Related On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO Calls To Cancel SXSW Intensify As Facebook, Twitter Pull Out, 30K Sign Petition The pressure to cancel SXSW over coronavirus concerns intensified this week with Twitter and Facebook issuing corporate travel bans including the gathering set to begin on March 11 and run through March 22 in Austin, Texas. Twitter is implementing a mandatory global business travel restriction for our employees, effective immediately. This, unfortunately, includes SXSW, Twitter said in a statement Monday. 30,000 Sign Petition Almost 30,000 have signed a Change.org petition, saying that having an event like this is irresponsible amid an outbreak. Hundreds of thousands flock to Austin for the event each year and its economic impact to the City of Austin was $355.9 million in 2019, according to an analysis by Greyhill Advisors and South by Southwest. Despite the economic impact, some Austin business people are calling on SXSW organizers to cancel. If you bring a half a million people together in Austin, you tremendously increase your chance of an untraceable corona outbreak, said Garrett Wood, President and Founder of GetSales., an Austin startup. SXSW Issues Statement SXSW has said that the conference will continue SXSW is working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for a safe event, the conference said in a statement Monday. As a result of this dialogue and the recommendations of Austin Public Health, the 2020 event is proceeding with safety as a top priority. Cancellations & Corporate Travel Bans At this time, there are a handful of cancellations from participants who were traveling from China and Japan and there have been a few corporate travel bans, according to SXSW. Other than that, the cancellations are on par from past years. We understand that some companies have instituted general corporate travel bans for staff, the statement continued. To our knowledge, only a handful have affected our event programming at this time, and we will update our schedule accordingly. Share on: IRONWOOD, MI A vacant lot in an Upper Peninsula downtown is about to become a year-round community asset with the help of a nearly $1.5 million state grant. The new city square in downtown Ironwood will include an amphitheater, splash pad, ice rink, outdoor fireplace and more. The total project cost is $1,667,027, according to Michigan Economic Development Corporation documents. A rendering of the Ironwood City Square shows a planned outdoor amphitheater for music and theater performances. The square will be a significant green space ideal for community events. It will have extensive landscaping, solar and environmental features, outdoor seating, a location for food trucks, an outdoor fireplace for year-round use, a summer splash pad, a winter ice rink trail and sledding area.Michigan Economic Development Corporation The Michigan Strategic Fund recently awarded a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $1,475,927 for the project to the community in Gogebick County near the Wisconsin border, according to documents. The strategic fund is part of the MEDC. Ironwood will contribute $201,100, about 12 percent of the total cost, from its general fund - the minimum local match is 10 percent. City officials and residents identified the vacant lot as a priority redevelopment site, documents said. The lot is about half of the block bordered by Business US2/West Aurora, South Lowell and South Lawrence streets, and West McLeod Avenue, which is a central location in the downtown, documents said. An aerial rendering of the Ironwood City Square in winter shows that the lot is about half of the block bordered by Business US2/West Aurora, South Lowell and South Lawrence streets, and West McLeod Avenue. The square will be a significant green space ideal for community events. It will have extensive landscaping, solar and environmental features, outdoor seating, a location for food trucks, an outdoor fireplace for year-round use, a summer splash pad, a winter ice rink trail and sledding area, and an amphitheater for music and theater performances.Michigan Economic Development Corporation The project will also represent progress toward the citys goals of investing in downtown placemaking, eliminating blight, and activating public space, documents said. When the project is complete, the square will be a significant green space contributing to the beautification of the downtown. It will be an ideal location for community events with its extensive landscaping, solar and environmental features, outdoor seating, a location for food trucks, an outdoor fireplace for year-round use, a summer splash pad, a winter ice rink trail and sledding area, and an amphitheater for music and theater performances. The project also includes funding for street lighting through the downtown to enhance connectivity and safety. A rendering of the Ironwood City Square shows a planned splash pad and outdoor fireplace. The square will be a significant green space ideal for community events. It will have extensive landscaping, solar and environmental features, outdoor seating, a location for food trucks, a winter ice rink trail and sledding area, and an amphitheater for music and theater performances.Michigan Economic Development Corporation More than 51 percent about 55.5 percent of Ironwood residents are considered low-to-moderate income, which is one of the main qualifications for CDBG eligibility, documents said. However, the project is expected to benefit the entire community. The square will increase year-round recreational and cultural opportunities and contribute to safer and more vibrant pedestrian and economic activity. The city also anticipates the project will spur increased private investment in the downtown. READ MORE: East Jordan gets $2.2M state grant for waterfront project State of Michigan out $2.3M investment after Cherry Growers goes under Northern Michigan University receives $400K state grant for Invent@NMU Govt curbs export of bulk drugs, formulations as COVID-19 threat looms The government has made amendments in the export policy and restricted export of specified APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and formulations made from these APIs in the backdrop of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) threat. A notification issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade, said the restrictions will come into immediate effect and remain until further orders. The notification covers following APIs and formulations made from these APIs: Paracetamol Tinidazole Metronidazole Acyclovir Vitamin B1 Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Progesterone Chloramphenicol Erythromycin Salts Neomycin Clindamycin Salts Ornidazole Indian drugmakers depend heavily on China for APIs, and the virus outbreak has dried up almost 70 per cent of the active pharmaceutical ingredient supplies. Industry experts say they are likely to face shortages if the epidemic drags on. Separately, the government said on Tuesday it had detected high viral load in six people who had been in contact with a patient who contracted the virus in the capital New Delhi. The people have been kept in isolation and their samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation, the government said in a statement. Meanwhile, a high level Group of Ministers (GoM) was constituted to review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness and measures taken regarding management of Novel Coronavirus (renamed by World Health Organization as COVID-19), in the country. Union heath minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said adequate measures are being taken to combat COVID-19 and that people have been advised to take precautions and to report immediately in case of any symptoms. The GoM held its first meeting today, at Nirman Bhawan, and a presentation of the status of the COVID-19 was made. The GoM presented preventive steps and measures taken for management of COVID-19 disease in India. Addressing the media later in the day, on the evolving scenario and the GOM meeting, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that universal screening is being done for the travellers from 12 countries for all the flights from China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, Iran and Italy at the earmarked aero-bridges. He added that the passengers are being screened at 21 airports, 12 major seaports and 65 minor seaports and land crossings particularly bordering Nepal. So far So far, he said, 5, 57,431 passengers have been screened at the airports, and 12,431 at the seaports. Passengers are further monitored under community surveillance through IDSP network on a daily basis. Also, 25,738 passengers are under community surveillance of the IDSP network. 15 labs are functional and 19 more will be made operational soon, he mentioned. Reagents to test up to 25000 samples have been made available. A total of 3,245 samples were sent out for testing, of which 3,217 were found negative, 5 samples tested positive and 23 are under testing. Out of five positive cases, three earlier patients (in Kerala) are already discharged from the hospital and two new positive cases are found, one in New Delhi and one from Telangana with the travel history from Italy and Dubai, respectively. Dr Harsh Vardhan advised Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Singapore, Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy. People coming from Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since 10 February 2020 may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India. We are monitoring the evolving global scenario. Restrictions may be further extended to other countries, as per the situation, he added. He further informed that 112 people including nationals from Myanmar (2), Bangladesh (22), Maldives (2), Chinese (6), South African (1), USA (1) and Madagascar (1) from Wuhan were evacuated and are kept at ITBP camp at Chhawla. The first test of all of them is found to be negative. He added that 124 people are brought back from Japan through Air India flight on 27 February morning including 5 foreign nationals. They have also tested negative and are kept in the Army Facility at Manesar. Dr Harsh Vardhan advised people to take precautions and in case of any symptoms report to nearest public health facility or call at the Health Ministry 24x7 Control Room 011-23978046 or email at ncov2019@gmail.com. Panic over the coronavirus has reached a fever pitch in the wake of officials confirming a ninth death in the U.S., all of which have occurred in Washington state. America is one of more than 70 countries where the virus which causes fever and dry cough has appeared. But with only 108 confirmed cases as of Tuesday, the country remains removed from the major outbreaks in China, South Korea, Iran and Italy. Still, while the number of cases remains low on U.S. soil, reports that the virus may have gone undetected for several weeks in Seattle, Wash., are sparking concerns that a large number of cases in that region may be on the horizon. As of Monday, according to the latest data for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of the 100-plus cases here have been among travelers from abroad. But at least 11 cases were confirmed to be community transmitted cases meaning they were spread on U.S. soil. William Schaffner, PhD, an expert in the division of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, says its important to understand exactly what community spread is, and how it can be prevented. What it means in this particular circumstance is that cases have been identified that have no evident link to an importation from abroad, Schaffner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. The patient didn't come in from abroad and the patient has no known contact with anybody who came from China, for example. And that means they must've picked up the infection from someone else, which means that somehow that virus has been transmitted in their community. Rather than send Americans spiraling, Schaffner says this information should be used to plan for the future. It is prudent for people in their own families and in their work environment to sit down and say, What if the coronavirus was in our community and it was spreading? he says. What if we were asked to do social distancing, which just means, as much as possible, avoid face-to-face contact with others? Story continues Schaffner says to consider how this may impact daily life, including kids education, recreational activities and even religious services. If youre the kind of family that goes to religious services, maybe youll be reverent at home rather than joining the congregation for a few weeks, says Schaffner. Maybe you won't go to the bridge club to play bridge and sit opposite people for three hours. While stocking food and water is likely not necessary at this point, he does recommend making sure anyone who takes daily medicine has a few weeks supply on hand. For anyone who argues that its too soon to make these plans, Schaffner says the fact that theyre not required now is exactly the point. If you sit down when there's no intensity about it, the family can discuss these sorts of things, he says. Now is the time to plan when you have some time and you can do it calmly and get input from the relevant people, whether in your family or in your work or other environments. In terms of actually protecting yourself from the virus, Schaffner like the CDC continues to recommend keeping your hands clean and using an alcohol-based sanitizer. He also suggests trying not to touch your face (advice on that here) and echoes other experts take on surgical masks, which is that they are not effective in the way theyre being used. Simple surgical masks, other than kind of psychological comfort, really provides little if any protection from acquiring an infection, he says. They're not designed for that, and they don't function in that way. If you'd have an illness and you come to healthcare and you were coughing, a mask will be put on you. That will prevent you from giving it to someone else. But having those go out in the community protecting me from getting it? That's not what they're designed for. Whether or not you continue to wear a mask, Schaffner hopes that planning advice will be taken seriously. Thinking a little bit about this allows you to plan, he says. And then if it's suddenly apparent that virus is in your community, you're not going to run around like a chicken with his head cut off. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hengky Ola Sura (The Jakarta Post) Maumere Tue, March 3, 2020 18:51 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206804ac6 1 National dengue-fever,Sikka,sikka-regency,outbreak,East-Nusa-Tenggara,outbreak-in-Indonesia,Aedes-aegypti,mosquito Free Eleven people have died due to dengue fever in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara, while up to 1,057 people have been infected since the beginning of the year, the Sikka Health Agency reported. Sikka Regent Robby Idong declared an Extraordinary Occurrence (KLB) in relation to the dengue outbreak in January. Sikka Health Agency acting head Petrus Herlemus, said the KLB had been extended to March 2020, the third such extension since the KLB was first announced. Petrus also said the medical team in Sikka was now on 24-hour alert to handle incoming dengue patients. The Sikka administration has also requested 10 more doctors from the Health Ministry to help with the outbreak. Benediktus Lukas Raja, a Sikka Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) member, told The Jakarta Post that the Sikka administration had to take more serious steps to handle the outbreak. There had been 11 dengue fever patients [who died]. We ask the administration and our friends at the Health Ministry to be more proactive, Benediktus said. He said the dengue fever response should involve all stakeholders, including the Health Ministry, community health centers (Puskesmas), village heads, subdistrict heads, village heads and community heads. He added that the Health Agency should make a master plan to handle other possible disease outbreaks, such as malaria and filariasis. People working in health care should not think that we have to be sick first to get treatment, instead they should think about how to minimize the number of sick people. There is no point building a luxurious health facility if the number of sick people keeps going up, he said. (gis) RUST A Memoir of Steel and Grit By Eliese Colette Goldbach Everyone who grows up in Cleveland is familiar with the sight of the orange flame that burns over the steel mill in the industrial valley along the Cuyahoga River. In Rust: A Memoir of Steel and Grit, Eliese Colette Goldbach describes working under that flame the flare stack beginning with the day in the spring of 2016 when she pulls into the parking lot and becomes Utility Worker No. 6691. The mill is a vast dystopian landscape, a grisly amusement park, with chimneys jutting up at freakish angles, crumbling concrete, stairways to nowhere, gantry cranes, catwalks and everything, even the workers in their jumpsuits and hard hats, is covered in dust. The noise is thunderous, and the place stinks, too. But the pay is good, and the new recruits are made to feel as if theyd won the lottery. Rust has elements of Tara Westovers Educated, but Goldbachs background is not as extreme. She went to Catholic schools and asked the Blessed Virgin Mary for a sign that she should become a nun. Her father was a conservative and a gun owner but not a fanatic. He ran a pawnshop, and one of the items in the pawnshop that pleased young Eliese most was a toilet seat made of pennies. All this rings true to my own experience, two generations earlier, growing up Catholic on the West Side of Cleveland except the toilet seat. My idea of art was a holographic image of Christ, in a drugstore window, that flickered back and forth between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. There were times, while reading Rust, when I wanted to shout at the author, like a kid at a horror movie, No! Dont open that door! The first time was at her decision to go to graduate school in English, which left her painting houses and living in a dump. It was the struggle to pay off her student loans that prompted her to apply for a job at the steel mill. Goldbach is interested in the chemistry of steelmaking, but she swiftly comes to understand that most steelworkers didnt know how steel was made. Everyone knew the few steps they were personally responsible for. In the breakrooms, the shanties, booths, and pulpits in the mill where the employees could go to warm up or cool off, she listens as the old-timers exchange stories, often about people who were crushed when a coil flipped (finished sheets of steel are rolled into coils) or a forklift toppled. At one point, Goldbach trains in the Hot Dip Galvanizing Line, skimming dross off a vat of molten zinc. If you had the misfortune to fall in and it had happened it could cook you alive. Image I also flinched at her original choice of college: the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. Many memoirs have at their heart a trauma that must be approached obliquely and transformed into a turning point. During her first semester away, Goldbach, drunk and possibly drugged at a party, was raped by two upstanding young men, and everything she did in the aftermath confide in a friend, confess to a priest, report to the institutional authorities had the worst possible outcome. She tells us at the outset that she has a genetic and biological propensity for bipolar disorder, and it is in Steubenville that it emerges. Unhinged, she returns to Cleveland. The ban on demonstrations outside the Town Hall is gradually turning into a political controversy, with the opposition Congress and the JD(S) set to protest the decision in front of the BBMP council on Tuesday. While Congress members were surprisingly silent when BJP corporators moved a resolution for the ban and got it passed in the BBMP council on Saturday, opposition leader Abdul Wajid had later told reporters that he would oppose the decision. The party, however, didnt plan anything until Monday. It may finally get cracking on Tuesday. A statement released by the office of the BBMP opposition leader said that corporators, MLAs, MLCs and MPs from both the Congress and the JD(S) would take part in a massive protest in front of the BBMP council on Tuesday morning. Cases of the novel coronavirus have begun to hit K-12 schools, and its likely more will appear in the coming days as evidence mounts of the diseases spread beyond people who have recently traveled abroad. Schools in states with confirmed cases have begun closing, either to help limit the spread or to test out remote-learning capabilities in the event a longer closure is necessary. Theres still a lot thats unknown about the disease. Children have largely not been severely affected thus far, but scientists have yet to determine to what extent they contribute to the disease spreading to more vulnerable populations. The fatality rate for COVID-19 thus far (between 1 and 2 percent) outstrips the more typical influenza virus (0.1 percent on average), but that might be in part because its difficult to detect the disease in patients who arent exhibiting outward-facing symptoms, said Rachel Orscheln, an associate professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Its easy to imagine panicking at the thought of COVID-19 appearing in your district, but theres plenty of information and resources available to take action. Start by reading the CDCs full list of guidelines for schools . Below are six critical steps K-12 leaders should follow if coronavirus emerges in your communities. 1. Defer to health department protocols. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that schools are not expected to make decisions about dismissal or canceling events on their own, nor to screen students or staff to determine a COVID-19 diagnosis. All of those tasks are the purview of state and local health departments, which have liaisons who will work with school districts as cases arise. When making contact with health department officials, schools should have some data ready to support their initial findings, said Em Stephens, a respiratory disease coordinator for the Virginia Department of Health. See Also Coronavirus and SchoolsCoronavirus and Schools That includes: the total number of students and staff; the number of students and staff who are ill or have been diagnosed with COVID-19; and the number of COVID-19 cases from the same classroom. That last number will help the health department determine whether theres evidence of an outbreak or whether reported illnesses are a reflection of whats happening in the community outside the school, Stephens said. 2. Develop a tentative plan for how school closures will work. While it may be tempting to close schools as a preventative measure at the first sign of outbreak, such a decision could have downstream negative effects, Orscheln says. It disrupts their normal routine, likely causes anxiety in the children, disrupts their educational process, and certainly impacts parents who now need to offer alternative child care which may not be readily available. Particularly when parents serve important community roles like health-care workers, emergency personnel, and firefighters, keeping them on the sidelines may do more harm than good. Once again, health department officials will help schools make decisions about when to close and for how long. Health departments tend to focus on making recommendations for pre-emptive closures when evidence of an outbreak has emerged, in an effort to reduce the number of people who risk being affected, Stephens said. Reactive closures, typically driven by the availability of staff and resources to keep school open, tend to be decided by the schools and district themselves. 3. Monitor absenteeism patterns. An abnormal spike in absences over a short period of time can be an indication that disease of some kind is quickly spreading in the school. Health departments will be particularly interested in finding out how many of those absences appear to be connected to respiratory illnesses like the common cold or the flu, which share symptoms with COVID-19 including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. During this period, the CDC recommends, perfect attendance awards and initiatives should be actively discouraged. 4. Clean routinely. Viruses can live on surfaces for a long time after theyve been touched, Orscheln said. Its important for schools to routinely clean high-touch surfacesthe CDC mentions doorknobs, light switches, and countertops. The American Chemistry Councils Center for Biocide Chemistries has put together a list of products that have been pre-approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in situations like this. 5. Create communications plans. Providing staff, parents, and students with as much information as possible will help prevent misconceptions from taking hold. School districts also need to keep in mind privacy restrictions and the importance of confidentiality when sharing the latest details on the status of people who have the disease, clearing all correspondence with health officials. Virginias health department is working on developing documentation that school districts may be able to use as models rather than having to start from scratch, Stephens said. Any information they put together is always a great resource, she said. 6. Consider limiting big-group gatherings. As COVID-19 spreads, it might be prudent to limit peoples exposure to large groups of people. To that effect, the CDC recommends putting together grab-and-go bagged lunches or meal delivery options for students, rather than having everyone congregate in a cafeteria. The CDC has previously recommended spacing out students desks by at least three feet as a mitigation measure. COMMERZBANK AG (London Branch) - Pre Stabilisation - Commerzbank AG EUR 10yr Hypfe Pre-Stabilisation notice 03 March 2020 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Commerzbank AG tbamil Mortgage Covered Bonds due 11 March 2030 Launched pursuant to the Issuer's MTN Programme Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +49 6913623492) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Commerzbank AG Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: tbc Description: Fixed Rate Mortgage / Hypotheken Pfandbrief due 11 March 2030 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: payment date 10 March 2020; listing Frankfurt, denoms 1k/1k, launched under 40bn MTN programme of the issuer. ISIN: DE000CZ45VS1 Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG Banco Santander DZ Bank Natixis NORD/LB TD Securities Stabilisation period expected to start on: 03March 2020 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Frankfurt, regulated Market In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END The head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union reassured his African counterparts that the lethal coronavirus can be controlled and cured, adding that pent-up consumer demand will unleash momentum to push Chinas economy forward once the epidemic is over. Liu Yuxi made the comments at an emergency ministerial meeting to update African Union Member states on the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic on Feb. 22. While sharing promising data with African leaders, Liu noted that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, with its ability to mobilise institutions to harness all resources to deal with major events, rich experience in handling public health emergencies as well as broad support from the international community including Africa, China is fully confident it will win the battle against the epidemic. Liu also reassured African nations that China will treat both Chinese and foreigners in China equally. In Wuhan, where Chinas COVID-19 outbreak took place, the local government has regularly distributed anti-epidemic supplies to more than 5,000 foreign students and opened a 24-hour hotline. Chinese embassies and consulates in Africa have also asked overseas Chinese to carry out self-quarantine to prevent the spread of the epidemic in Africa, said Liu. To date, Cameroonian student Kem Senou Pavel Daryl has been the first and only African patient to be diagnosed in China. After being cured and discharged from hospital, an emotional Daryl said, The Chinese medical staff are very strong and brave. I dont feel much pain from this illness. We all love China and believe in the Chinese government! The ambassador also called on all nations to assess the epidemic situation in a calm, objective and rational manner. Overreacting and hasty movement of people will add more uncertainties to controlling the spread. We encourage all countries to stay informed and act on the WHO's advice on travel and health, said the ambassador. Liu expressed gratitude to African nations that provided support for Chinas battle against the epidemic, noting that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community under the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind to jointly combat the epidemic. It is believed that once the epidemic is over, pent-up consumer demand will be quickly unleashed and help fuel a robust economic rebound. China will enjoy more sound and sustainable economic development after the epidemic. It is believed that once the epidemic is over, the friendship between China and Africa will be further deepened and the bilateral cooperation in the fields of medicine and health will embrace new opportunities, said the ambassador. African leaders and leaders of international organizations, including Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, and Amira El Fadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Commission, attended the meeting. RTHK: Trump speaks on phone with Taliban leader US President Donald Trump spoke by phone call with the leader of the Taliban, the insurgent group and the US leader said on Tuesday, days after Washington signed a historic deal with the militants. Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he had "a very good talk with the leader of the Taliban," without naming him. The 35-minute call, which the insurgents said took place around 1440 GMT Tuesday, came a day after the militants ended a partial truce and threw into doubt peace talks between Kabul and the militants that are due to begin on March 10, according to the US-Taliban agreement signed Saturday. A transcript of the phone call released by the Taliban quoted fighter-turned-negotiator Mullah Baradar urging Trump to "take determined actions in regards to the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan". Under the terms of the US-Taliban agreement, foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees and a pledge by the insurgents to hold talks with Kabul. But a dispute over a prisoner swap has raised questions about whether the negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban will go ahead. The agreement includes a commitment to exchange 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government in return for 1,000 captives -- something the militants have cited as a prerequisite for talks but which President Ashraf Ghani has refused to do before negotiations start. Baradar called on Trump to "not allow anyone to take actions that violate the terms of the agreement thus embroiling you even further in this prolonged war", according to the Taliban transcript. Apparent differences between the Doha agreement and a joint US-Afghan declaration released in Afghanistan underline the obstacles facing negotiators. The US-Taliban deal committed to the release of prisoners while the Kabul document only required both sides to determine "the feasibility of releasing" captives. Since the deal signing, the Taliban have been publicly claiming "victory" over the US. The Taliban carried out more than a dozen attacks on Afghan army bases since ending the limited truce, officials said on Tuesday, ending a welcome reprieve for ordinary Afghans who have borne the brunt of the deadly violence. Ghani's government last week sent a delegation to Qatar to open "initial contacts" with the insurgents but Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen on Tuesday said the militants would not meet Kabul's representatives except to discuss the release of their captives. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. New Delhi [India], Mar 3 (ANI): The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that five foreign nationals who participated in anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India. "As per the Bureau of Immigration, 5 foreign nationals who violated visa norms by participating in the anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India," Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha. Protests erupted in various parts of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after Parliament gave its nod the Bill. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI) He did it again, big time. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started his third election campaign of the past year with the odds against him, weighed down by an indictment on three serious corruption charges and facing an opposition party led by generals spoiling for a fight and surging with deadly momentum. Between the first elections, in April 2019, and the second round, in September, Netanyahu lost five Knesset seats for his right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc and appeared to be fading into political irrelevance. In recent weeks, however, Netanyahu executed a perfect turnaround, achieving a huge, perhaps unprecedented, personal victory. With 90% of the votes counted, Netanyahus Likud has a four-seat advantage over the opposition Blue and White, although it is unclear whether this will suffice to form a coalition government. TV exit polls and the votes counted give the right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc 59 seats, two short of the required 61-seat Knesset majority, out of 120 Knesset seats. Netanyahu is convinced that unlike the situation in April after the elections, when he failed to form a government despite heading a 60-seat bloc, this time he will succeed in tempting renegades from the center-left bloc onto the victory bandwagon and cull the missing Knesset votes needed to swear in his next government. The other side of the political divide is convinced that this will not happen and is closing ranks to ensure no one jumps ship. The only logical solution is to revert to a previous proposal, rejected at the time by Blue and White, to form a unity government comprised of the Likud and Blue and White. For that to happen, Blue and White Chair Benny Gantz and his partys mangled leadership will have to go back on their firm pledge to voters that they are done doing business with Netanyahu and will not join a government he leads while standing trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Still, violating that pledge appears, for now, their only logical way to break the persistent logjam that has crippled the country for the past year. Netanyahu successfully lit a fire under the dying embers of the Likud, prompting hundreds of thousands of Likud supporters who stayed away last time to return to the ballot box. He wove a tale of personal persecution, waging a powerful campaign replete with an assortment of lies, dirty tricks and smoke and mirrors. In his own voice and with the help of proxies, he engaged in blood libel against his rivals, especially the two former heads of the Israel Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. (res.) Gantz and Lt. Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi. Mobilizing everything he had, and then some, Netanyahu lined up a flock of black swans to land on Blue and White in the final week of the campaign. He engineered the launch of a probe into the bankruptcy of Fifth Dimension, a cyber tech company chaired by Gantz in recent years, and a recording in which Gantzs top strategist, Israel Bachar, was heard calling him a weak candidate and a danger to the state. The mudslinging included dropping below the belt to spread salacious rumors about the generals private life. To Netanyahu, nothing was out of bounds. He also hit the road, traveling the length of the country, thus reversing his slide down the slippery slope and incredibly climbing back to the top. That said, however, all is not settled. As noted, the exit polls give Netanyahu and his right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc 59 seats. The vote count so far tracks with the polling data. If Netanyahu fails to lure deserters from the other side, he will find himself in the same spot that he landed after the April elections, when he also declared a tremendous victory. Once again, the balance of power lies with Avigdor Liberman, the chair of the anti-clerical Yisrael Beitenu, despite his loss of a seat or two compared to the previous elections. As in the past, Liberman again declared on the eve of the March 2 elections that he would not renege on any of his well-known principles and conditions of not joining a government led by Netanyahu or one in which the ultra-Orthodox parties are partners. This is the triangle that Netanyahu will try to square in the days to come. His prospects of success are unclear. Nonetheless, everyone is convinced that a fourth round of elections is not an option. Someone has to blink. The ball is in Netanyahus court. He must decide whether to continue with his new combative, contrary persona who sticks his tongue out at the political left and prefers a radical right-wing government or whether to revert to the Netanyahu of old, who preferred a broad-based government and formed two such coalitions with his center-left rivals Ehud Barak and Yair Lapid. Despite Netanyahus tremendous personal achievement and the legitimacy he received from right-wing voters yet again, one must not forget that in exactly two weeks, on March 17, he will face his judges in Jerusalems District Court as a defendant in a criminal trial. His legal fate will be in the hands of Judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am and Oded Shaham. Netanyahu defeated Blue and White but failed to garner the Knesset majority he needed to provide himself some form of immunity and to push through retroactive legislation the so-called French Law, in reference to the French Sovereign Immunity Law which would have prevented his indictment as an incumbent prime minister, or to plot some other trick to halt the legal proceedings. The train has left the station and is hurtling ahead. He could try to slow it, but he does not have full control of the situation. The possibility that he will run one of the most complex countries in the world while standing for a criminal trial is becoming more probable with the Likuds election boost. An unbelievable scenario, never before seen in Israel, appears about to unfold in the coming months: a powerful, popular prime minister, surrounded by bodyguards, sitting in the defendants chair fighting to prove his innocence. Until a short while ago, no one believed it was possible. Now, it almost certainly is. The opposition is licking its wounds. Gantz, the classic good guy, was a weak candidate unfocused, reluctant to engage and devoid of a killer instinct. If he refuses to join a Netanyahu-led government, he could find himself on the way out. Blue and White is not a democratic party: It does not hold primary elections, and decisions are made by a leadership forum dubbed the cockpit, manned by Gantz, Ashkenazi, Lapid and Moshe Yaalon. To carry out a putsch, forum members would have to agree on an alternative candidate. Ashkenazi, the only senior party member capable of drumming up support in the bastions of the Likud, seems to be the only logical candidate. For him to have a chance, Gantz would have to assume responsibility for the partys failure and step aside. If he refuses, the cockpit members will have to place the gun on his desk. The chances of that happening are slim. While three of the four cockpit members are decorated generals and battle-hardened commanders, they are not political knifers. Gantz, Ashkenazi and Yaalon do not have in their entire body the deadly political instinct that Netanyahu possesses in the tip of his little finger. That is what Gantz is now counting on. That is also what Netanyahu has counted on. Figures released by China on Monday suggest that the tide of the coronavirus epidemic in the nation may be turning. There are now more patients who have recovered from the illness than there are people who are still infected there. According to China Global TV Network, as of Monday, there are at least 44,500 people who have recovered from the virus. By comparison, there about 35,400 existing cases in the county where COVID-19 first appeared. It's a promising sign for China's fight against the disease that emerged there in December, but comes as cases explode in the US, Italy, South Korea and Iran. More people in China have recovered from coronavirus than are currently ill for the first time since the outbreak began in December. Pictured: Staff at Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan pose with Ms Hu (center) who, at age 98, is the oldest patient to recover from coronavirus As of Monday, about 44,500 people in China have recovered from the virus and about 35,000 are currently ill. Pictured: Medical staff at Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan treat a critically ill coronavirus patient, March 1 Worldwide, more than 90,000 patients have been infected with coronavirus and more than 3,000 people have died In Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, the first of 16 hospitals built specifically to handle the swell of coronavirus patients has closed after discharging its last 34 recovered patients, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Cases in the Hubei province, where the virus first emerged in the city of Wuhan, have slowly declined with just 196 new infections reported on Sunday. This is the first time that the province has reported fewer than 200 in a day since January, China's National Health Commission said. 'The rapid rising trend of virus cases in Wuhan has been controlled,' Mi Feng, a spokesman for the National Health Commission, said at a briefing. 'Outbreaks in Hubei outside of Wuhan are curbed and provinces outside of Hubei are showing a positive trend.' Chen Yixin, the Communist Party chief in Wuhan, praised the governments efforts to control the spread of the virus such as canceling Lunar New Year celebrations and banning planes and trains from entering and leaving the city. According to Reuters, the Communist Partys Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission says it expects cases in China to soon fall below 100 per day. In another sign that the country is slowly returning to normal, 18 provinces across China lowered their coronavirus emergency response level over the last week from level I, which is the most serious, to either level II or level III, which are less serious. One of 16 temporary hospitals that opened in Wuhan to treat new infections closed after releasing its last 34 patients. Pictured: Dr Kong Yuefeng (left), a recovered coronavirus patient donates plasma at a clinic in Wuhan, February 18 Just 196 new cases were reported in the Hubei province, where Wuhan is located on Sunday, the first time that fewer 200 in a day were reported since January. Pictured: A staff member at at an exhibition center converted into a hospital in Wuhan checks the temperature of a patient who had mild coronavirus symptoms, February 17 There have been reports of people in Japan falling ill with coronavirus after recovering but none in China, according to Business Insider. Because re-infection appears to be low, the figures suggest that China may over the worst of the outbreak. Worldwide, more than 90,000 patients who have been infected and more than 3,000 people have died. In the US, more than 100 people have fallen ill and six people have died - all in Washington state. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 19:33:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- When talking about the development of intellectual property (IP) in China, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Francis Gurry said "it's a remarkable journey and a remarkable story." Born at the start of reform and opening-up, China's IP cause has taken only decades to accomplish what the western IP system took hundreds of years to develop. While developing and improving its IP system, China has been active in international cooperation to boost global IP governance. ACTIVE IN INT'L COOPERATION Starting from zero at the beginning of its reform and opening-up, China has established a relatively complete IP legal system in line with prevailing international rules, joined almost all major related international treaties, and developed cooperative relations with over 80 countries and international or regional organizations in a relatively short period of time. China has always been a follower, participant and upholder of the international rules of IP, Shen Changyu, commissioner of the National Intellectual Property Administration, told Xinhua in a recent interview. China is an active participant in multilateral and bilateral affairs within the framework of WIPO to promote and improve global IP governance, Shen added. In recent years, international cooperation with China on IP protection has has continuous innovative progress. IP cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has in particular achieved practical results. In 2019, China and the European Union (EU) completed an eight-year negotiation on an agreement to protect geographical indications (GI), which included 275 GI from each of the two sides in the appendix, such as EU's Irish whiskey and traditional Chinese Shaoxing wine. With the ratification of Indonesia on Jan. 28, the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances will take effect for its 30 contracting parties on April 28. The Beijing treaty, adopted by WIPO member states in 2012, fills a gap in the international treaty on the comprehensive protection of performers in audiovisual performance. PROTECTION WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION IP is not only an important strategic resource of a country, but also a booster of technological innovation and a bridge of trade globalization. China is a protector and creator of IP. Statistics show that by the end of 2019, China had led the world in patent and trademark applications for several years running. According to data from the WIPO for 2017 and 2018, China was the second largest applicant for international patent applications submitted through the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and the third largest for trademark registration under the Madrid System. After about 40 years of development, China's IP governance capability is in line with that of the international community and its IP protection has reached the international standard, which is fully recognized by the world, said Shan Xiaoguang, dean of Shanghai International College of IP at Tongji University. In the process of advancing the development of its IP system, China has made great efforts to enhance protection and optimize policies, insisting on providing effective protection without discrimination for both domestic and foreign enterprises. Foreign plaintiffs are able to win and receive injunctions in patent infringement cases brought in China according to the law, Patently-O, a U.S. leading patent law blog, wrote, adding that China's IP protection practice is fair and just. China's effective protection brings huge benefits to foreign IP holders every year. Statistics show that the country paid 34 billion U.S. dollars for IP royalties in 2019. China has strengthened IP protection with an open attitude, making it a magnet for global trade and innovative activities. Global innovative activities occur mostly in metropolitan hotspots in China, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the United States, according to the 2019 edition of WIPO's "World Intellectual Property Report." According to Doing Business 2020, an annual report published by the World Bank, China jumped to 31st in its ranking for ease of doing business and is among the top 10 improvers for a second consecutive year. CHINESE WISDOM Advanced experience accumulated during the rapid growth of the IP cause in China over the past decades has attracted worldwide attention. China places IP at a strategic high level, pays attention to IP protection in all economic fields, and has shown its determination of long-term policy for decades, which set up examples for other countries, said Gurry. Renata Righetti Pelosi, president of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, pointed out two reasons for the rapid development of the IP cause in China. On the one hand, the needs of economic operators in China have increasingly overlapped with those in the world, and the two sides have reached more consensuses on IP protection, Pelosi said. On the other, China has many IP talents with a global vision, who are leading the rapid growth of this sector, she added. Through academic exchanges and personnel training, China is also actively contributing its wisdom to global IP governance and is more confident about joining global IP cooperation. The first batch of students from countries that joined the Belt and Road construction successfully graduated from China with master's degrees in IP in 2018, bringing the knowledge and experience of IP protection they learned from China to the world. As global IP governance is facing new challenges posed by a new phase of development and a new round of scientific and technological revolution has brought great changes to the industry, many industries spawned by new technologies have gone beyond the scope of protection of the original IP system. In the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, countries should learn from each other with a more open and inclusive attitude, said Shan, adding that China has led the world in such technological fields as artificial intelligence, big data and life science, and accumulated valuable experience on IP protection in related industries, which is conducive to solving global challenges. NEW YORK (AP) Longtime MSNBC host Chris Matthews abruptly retired from his Hardball show on Monday, apologizing for making inappropriate comments about women and following a brutal week where he also took heat from supporters of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. His exit came after a weekend of discussions with his bosses, three days after GQ ran a column by a freelance journalist about her own sexist run-in with Matthews in the makeup room before appearing on his show. Matthews opened his program Monday with the announcement, talking in his familiar staccato style, that he was ending his run on the political talk show he started in 1997. After a commercial break, he was replaced in the anchor chair by a shaken Steve Kornacki. This is the last Hardball on MSNBC, and obviously this isnt for lack of interest in politics, Matthews said. He said that "compliments on a womans appearance that some men, including me, might have incorrectly thought were OK were never OK. Not then, and certainly not today, and for making such comments in the past, Im sorry. The 74-year-old Matthews, who underwent prostate surgery last year, worked as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and was top aide to House Speaker Thomas Tip O'Neill before turning to journalism as Washington bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner. He had been talking to MSNBC management about retiring after the election, but he didn't survive until Super Tuesday. He apologized last Monday for likening Sanders' win in the Nevada caucus two nights earlier to the Nazi takeover of France. On Friday's show, he confused the identities of South Carolina Senate candidate Jaime Harrison and Sen. Tim Scott, both black men. And he was criticized for an uncomfortable interview with Warren following the presidential debate, asking if she believed Mike Bloomberg was lying when he denied telling a pregnant female employee of his news company to terminate the pregnancy. Why would she lie?" Warren said. In her first-person story GQ story released Friday, journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews behaved inappropriately toward her when she was a guest on his show in 2016. In the makeup room prior to the show, Matthews looked at her and said why haven't I fallen in love with you yet? she wrote. "When I laughed nervously and said nothing, he followed up to the makeup artist. Keep putting makeup on her, Ill fall in love with her, Bassett wrote. Another time, he stood between me and the mirror and complimented the red dress I was wearing for the segment. You going out tonight? he asked. Bassett said she wrote about the encounter in a 2017 essay but didn't name Matthews because she was afraid of network retaliation, adding, I'm not anymore. It was noticed by outsiders when Matthews didn't appear on MSNBC's coverage of the South Carolina primary on Saturday night. Crew members backstage at Hardball on Monday learned of their boss' exit about an hour and a half before Matthews' statement. There were audible gasps in the green room from guests waiting to go on for the first segment when they listened to the announcement the same time as viewers. Shortly after he made his statement, Matthews left the studio with his wife and family. MSNBC said there will be rotating subs in the time slot before a permanent replacement is named for the host who has been a mainstay of the network's lineup since two years after MSNBC launched. Even before his last week, there was some discontent among Sanders supporters about Matthews' lack of enthusiasm for their candidate, putting the news network that appeals to a liberal audience at odds with a potential liberal presidential nominee. Kornacki, at the end of Monday's show, said he watched the show as a teenager. Chris has plenty of intellect but he also was willing to wear his heart on his sleeve, he said. That's what made him compelling viewing. Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker tweeted that she's writing an angry column about his exit. Chris Matthews is a friend of mine, she wrote. He and I have flirted unabashedly for 20 years. This is an atrocious end to a noble, happy-warrior career. I will continue to be his friend. Realme on Tuesday announced it is calling off the Realme 6 series launch event in New Delhi over the scare of Coronavirus epidemic. Instead, the company will make announcements via an online stream, which will be hosted by Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth. The Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro are scheduled to launch in India on March 5 but the on-ground activities, which were supposed to take place, have been cancelled. Xiaomi's Redmi also made a similar announcement by limiting the Redmi Note 9 series launch event to online only. As soon as the number of patients who tested positive for Coronavirus rose, medical authorities in Delhi issued an advisory that large-scale events that will potentially be held by a mixed crowd be avoided. Both Realme and Redmi have now planned to cancel their physical events and are rather going for online streams for the launch of Realme 6 series and Redmi Note 9 Pro series respectively. In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online. wrote Sheth in a tweet posted on Tuesday. The venue for the event is Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Realme had already begun the sale for the launch event tickets for March 5. Since the event is cancelled now, Realme will most likely refund the ticket money to the buyers. The company is yet to make an official announcement on what will happen to the launch event tickets. The Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro will be important smartphones for the brand as they take over from Realme 5 series that garnered good sales numbers for the brand. Realme will also launch its first fitness wearable, the Realme Band at the same event now shifted to be held online. The Realme Band is one of the many AIoT devices that Realme is planning to launch throughout the year and beyond to create its product ecosystem. It will also announce the release of the Realme Link app that will be the one-stop solution to connect every kind of these devices with phones. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 4 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the Gazakh branch of Azerkhalcha Open Joint-Stock Company. Chairman of the Board of Azerkhalcha OJSC Vidadi Muradov informed President Ilham Aliyev of the conditions created at the enterprise. The Gazakh branch of Azerkhalcha OJSC which occupies an area of more than 1200 square metres will employ 150 weavers. The building features a textile workshop, artist`s room, warehouse, canteen, medical point, sales room and other sections. In a setback to former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Supreme Court has dismissed his plea seeking review of its last year's verdict asking him to face trial for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases against him in his 2014 poll affidavit. In its October 1, 2019 verdict, the apex court had set aside the Bombay High Court order which gave a clean chit to Fadnavis and held that he did not deserve to be tried for the alleged offence under the Representation of Peoples Act (RPA). While rejecting the review petition filed by Fadnavis, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said there was no ground to interfere with the last year verdict. "We find no ground to interfere in the review petitions. The same are dismissed," said the bench, which also comprised justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose. The order dismissing the review plea was passed on February 18 but it was uploaded on the apex court website on Tuesday. The last year verdict of the apex court had come on an appeal by one Satish Ukey, who had challenged the high court's order. While seeking review of the verdict, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Fadnavis, had told the apex court that there was a "clear error" in the judgement as the law stipulates for disclosure of details about criminal cases only if charges are framed and on conviction. The apex court had last year revived a criminal complaint filed against Fadnavis for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases in his 2014 poll affidavit and had asked the trial court to consider it afresh. The top court had allowed the appeal by Ukey, who had filed a criminal complaint against Fadnavis before a magisterial court in Nagpur, seeking registration of a case against him under section 125-A of the RP Act. Section 125-A of the RP Act deals with the penalty for "filing false affidavit" and says that if a candidate or his proposer fails to furnish or gives false or conceals any information in his nomination paper on issues like pending criminal cases then the person may be awarded six months' jail term or fine or both. Ukey had initially moved a magisterial court, which had dismissed his complaint against Fadnavis on September 7, 2015. Later, he moved the sessions court, which remanded the matter to the magisterial court for a "de novo" (afresh) consideration. Aggrieved by the sessions court order, Fadnavis had moved the high court which, on May 3, 2018, set it aside. The two complaints of alleged cheating and forgery were filed against Fadnavis in 1996 and 1998 but charges were not framed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lifetime achievement award winner Judge Judy Sheindlin poses in the press room at the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, Calif., on May 5, 2019. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Judge Judy to End After 25 Years, Host Says Daytime TV staple Judge Judy Sheindlin said her longtime CBS show Judge Judy will be coming to an end after 25 seasons, but added that she will start hosting another program. Ive had a 25-year-long marriage with CBS [Television Distribution, which distributes the show], and its been successful, she said in a Monday appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Next year will be our 25th season, silver anniversary, and CBS sort of felt, I think, they wanted to optimally utilize the repeats of my program, she said. Because now they have 25 years of reruns. So what they decided to do was to sell a couple of years worth of reruns. But Im not tired, so Judy Justice will be coming out a year later. Its not clear whether it will be another syndicated program for another TV network or elsewhere. Sheindlin, 77, said she cant tell you yet when she was questioned on where viewers can watch the program. She also did not elaborate on the premise of the new show. Judge Judy, youll be able to see next yeara full year, all new shows. The following couple of years, you should be able to catch all the reruns that CBS has sold to the stations that are currently carrying Judge Judy, and Judy Justice will be going elsewhere. Isnt that fun? she said. According to Deadline Hollywood, Sheindlin is one of the highest-paid TV personalities, earning about $47 million per year after she signed her current CBS contract in 2015. Forbes noted Judge Judy is the No. 1 syndicated show on television, averaging more than 10 million viewers per day since 2009. Its also been the top courtroom program in the United States since 1996. NOTICE: As of March 12, 2020, this event has been canceled. Dr. Gregory Feiden and University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Joseph Froetschel constructed a device to help measure light pollution of the night sky. Dr. Donna Gessell, Dr. Michael Rifenburg and student Ariana Adams examine how authors use magical realism to encourage readers to view life from a new perspective. And a trio of UNG students and Dr. Efren Velazquez investigated emerging adult behavior and mental health. The three research projects are just a few that will be presented March 13 during the Annual Research Conference (ARC) in the Martha Nesbitt Academic building on UNG's Gainesville. Nearly 100 students and their faculty advisers will participate in the annual event, which showcases research projects from across the different academic disciplines. "The ARC is an important opportunity for student growth," said Dr. Jennifer Mook, associate professor of biology at UNG and interim assistant director of Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. "It provides a resume-building opportunity at no cost to our students. Many use this as a stepping stone to prepare for professional conferences in their field or glean comments to improve and move forward with their research or activity." Dr. Efren Velazquez, assistant professor of psychological science at UNG, said undergraduate research is a key component for students applying to graduate schools. UNG psychology majors Alissa Adams, Carly Burkett and Jordan Loggins worked with him on research and plan to attend graduate school. "When you want to go to graduate school, you need to know how to conduct research and share your information in a professional manner and setting," Velazquez said. "I encouraged my students to get the experience of research outside of the classroom and in an actual conference. The Annual Research Conference is ideal because it is a familiar atmosphere on campus." To participate in ARC, students submitted abstract proposals ranging from research projects to artistic creations for consideration. A committee selected the abstracts, which will presented in a poster,, panel discussion, artistic display or musical performances "Ideally, the proposals are original and creative in scope," Mook said. "Projects should add to the scope of knowledge within their field." Burkett, Adams and Loggins derived their ideas from a broader research study that Velazquez conducts. All three said they enjoyed the research and are looking forward to the ARC. They hope their fellow students will learn from their findings. "I hope students will see the negative outcome related to sexting and their sexual behavior," Adams said. Mook said as students present their posters and findings they improve their communication skills, learn to network with other researchers, and are inspired by new ideas and directions. "Many students gain confidence in their skills by presenting at conferences," Mook said. Students with the best submitted abstract, poster and essay will be recognized with an award at noon March 13. Influx: A man holds his sons as Afghan migrants arrive on a dinghy to Lesbos. Photo: Reuters A child died after being pulled from the sea when a boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos, the first reported fatality since Turkey opened its border last week to let migrants into Europe. Separately, two Turkish security sources said a Syrian migrant had died from injuries after Greek security forces intervened to prevent migrants crossing from Turkey into Greece, but Athens branded the claim "fake news". More than 10,000 migrants, mostly from Syria, other Middle Eastern states and Afghanistan, have reached Turkey's land borders with EU states Greece and Bulgaria since Ankara said last Thursday it would stop keeping them on its territory. Greek and Turkish police fired tear gas into crowds caught between the fences in no-man's land over the weekend. Further south, at least 1,000 migrants have reached Greece's eastern Aegean islands since Sunday morning, Greek police say. The Greek coast guard said the boat which capsized off Lesbos had been escorted there by a Turkish vessel. Expand Close Migrants at the border with Greece. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Migrants at the border with Greece. Photo: Reuters Forty-six people were rescued and two children taken to hospital, one of whom could not be revived. Another dinghy with about 30 Afghans arrived on Lesbos early in the morning, a journalist reported from the island. Thirty-two others were rescued in the seas off Farmakonissi, a small island close to Turkey, the coast guard said. "This is an invasion," Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis told Skai TV yesterday. The latest migrant surge follows Turkey's decision to stop enforcing a 2016 agreement with the European Union whereby it prevented migrants entering the bloc in return for billions of euro in aid. Turkey, already home to 3.7 million Syrian refugees, has another million arriving on its doorstep from a new surge of fighting in northern Syria and says it can't handle any more. Greek officials have accused Turkey of orchestrating a co-ordinated effort to drive migrants across the frontier. One Greek policeman accused Turkish soldiers at the Kastanies border gate of "giving cutters" to migrants to cut holes in the fence to get through. The report could not be independently verified yesterday. Migrants on the Turkish side of the border, some holding white flags, called the Greek soldiers and riot police to open the gates to let them through, saying they had children and women. A Greek government spokesman said a video circulating on social media showing a young man with wounds to the head laid out on the ground near the border was "fake news". Two Turkish security sources said the Syrian man had died of his wounds. "We call upon everyone to use caution when reporting news that furthers Turkish propaganda," spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Twitter. Earlier, Mr Petsas told reporters after a national security meeting in Athens that the migrant surge posed "an active, serious, severe and asymmetrical threat to national security". Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has beefed up border security and warned migrants not to try to cross, will visit the frontier today with European Council head Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria, which also shares a land border with Turkey, was due to hold talks in Ankara yesterday evening with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the migrant crisis. Turkey's decision to open its border threatens to reverse an agreement that halted Western Europe's biggest wave of migration since World War II, the 2015-2016 crisis when 4,000 people drowned in the Aegean Sea and more than a million reached Greece. There are more than 40,000 migrants still living on Greece's Aegean islands in severely overcrowded camps. Mr Erdogan, who has long accused the EU of failing to provide enough support to Turkey over the migrant crisis, took the decision after at least 33 Turkish soldiers sent to Syria to monitor a crumbling ceasefire were killed last week. Ms von der Leyen expressed sympathy with Turkey over the conflict in Syria yesterday but said Ankara deciding to let refugees and migrants through to Europe "cannot be" the answer. "I acknowledge that Turkey is in a difficult situation with regards to the refugees and the migrants. "But what we see now cannot be an answer or solution," she said. Fighting in north-western Syria has displaced a million civilians since December in what the United Nations says could be the worst humanitarian crisis of the nine-year war. When Daniel Kristensen felt the back of the 11,000-pound snow groomer he was driving slide toward the edge of the old logging road he knew he was in trouble. Hes not sure whether he saw the avalanche that struck the machine or he heard it, but the force of the snow hurtling off the mountainside easily tumbled the machine downhill, as if it had been struck by a freight train. It doesnt really matter where youre at if youre in the wrong spot at the wrong time, he said. Snow groomer Kristensen is the president of the Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association. One of the clubs tasks is grooming trails in the Bozeman area. Its a chore Kristensen, a 30-year-old Belgrade resident, has been helping out with since he was 18. Thursday night, Feb. 27, he was working his way up an old logging road in the Gallatin Canyon that climbs out of Storm Castle Creek up and over the divide to Swan Creek. It was about 8 p.m. and he was only about three to five miles from finishing when he encountered a large drift across the road. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) ended her presidential campaign on Monday morning, but hit the trail for former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday night. Klobuchar joined Biden for a rally in Dallas, where she proclaimed that it is "time for Americans to join hands instead of pointing fingers. It is time to turn back the division and the hate and the exclusion and the bitterness, and it is time to work together to lift up those who are left out and to bring people with us instead of shoving them away." In a pointed message to the different wings of the Democratic Party, Klobuchar shared a warning. "If we spend the next four months dividing our party and going at each other, we will spend the next four years watching Donald Trump tear apart this country," she said. Klobuchar explained that she decided to endorse Biden because "he has dedicated his life to fighting for people, not for the rich and powerful but for the mom, for the farmer, for the dreamer, for the builder, for the veteran. He can bring our country together and build that coalition of our fired-up Democratic base and it is fired up as well as independents and moderate Republicans, because we do not want to just eke by a victory. We want to win big, and Joe Biden can do that." More stories from theweek.com Was Mike Pence exposed to coronavirus? The end of Chris Matthews It's 2020 and women are exhausted Vice President Mike Pence shook hands with the classmates of a Florida school boy who may have been exposed to coronavirus through his mother's work at a hospital. Pence was in Sarasota for a campaign event last week when he met students from the Sarasota Military Academy. They met on the tarmac of an airport and he did not visit the school. He had been and gone by the time it was announced that the boy - who was not one of the students he met - had been quarantined along with his mother as a precaution. Pence told reporters at the White House on Tuesday he wasn't concerned. No,' he said at a briefing on the coronavirus when asked about the handshake. 'We use a lot of common sense,' he said, adding that I shake a lot of hands. He did not offer further details on any precautions he took. Neither one of the student nor the mother has tested positive with the virus, but there are fears over the mother's work at Sarasota Doctor's Hospital, where a person has tested positive for coronavirus. In a Facebook post on Monday, the school said: 'One of our students and his mother are currently quarantined as a precautionary measure due to the mother's contact with a patient at Sarasota Doctors Hospital in her professional role. Mike Pence shook hands with 44 kids during a visit to Sarasota last week All of the school's classrooms and common areas are now being disinfected 'Our student and his mother currently are not showing any symptoms and are in good health and spirits. 'We will keep you and your families updated with their status. Please remember to consistently and thoroughly wash your hands.' The school added that it was disinfecting all classrooms and common areas. On Monday, Pence - who shook hands with 44 kids at the school - said he was always mindful of washing his hands. 'I travel across this country all the time. My kids live all over the country. And look, this is a time to use common sense. 'Good time to wash your hands... this time of year thats always a good decision. But as weve said, the risk remains low,' he said. More than 100 people have now been infected with the virus in the US. Six people have died from it and doctors warn it is fast spreading. However they are emphatically reminding the public that the virus' mortality rate is around two percent. Thousands of people die from the common flu every year. The school announced on Monday that the student had been placed in quarantine as a precaution The Senior Health Planning Account Act will help seniors plan and pay for their health care costs, including long-term care expenses, before they hit. Under the Act, seniors will be able to roll over their life insurance sale proceeds, tax-free, into Senior Heath Planning Accounts, which would be dedicated to paying health care costs for themselves and their spouse. The Accounts would be exempt from federal income taxation, similar to existing federal tax programs that encourage younger working Americans to invest in their own health care. Current law already provides that the proceeds from the sale of life insuranceknown as life settlementsare tax-free, but only if the policies are sold after the policy holders are seriously ill, by which time they often no longer own their policies. The Senior Health Care Account Act builds on current law to provide seniors needed flexibility to plan for future expenses. The Senior Health Planning Account Act is expected to result in substantial Medicaid savings because private resources would be used to pay expenses otherwise borne by taxpayers. The Act also is expected to generate substantial tax revenues. "We applaud Representatives Higgins and Steube for creating a way for American seniors to deal with the crushing costs of health care in retirement," said Chris Conway, Chair of LISA's Board of Directors, adding "This is an innovative private sector solution to address the escalating costs of health care burdening not only American seniors, but state and federal Medicaid budgets." "H.R. 5958 will allow millions of seniors to use life insurance assets they already own to help provide for their own health care in retirement," said Michael Freedman, Chair of LISA's Public Policy Council. "Seniors are the only group of Americans who are not eligible for existing tax programs for contributing their own resources to help pay for health care," added Freedman. Life insurance policies are among many families' most valuable assets, with 138 million individual life insurance policies, with a total face amount of over $12 trillion, in force in 2018. Yet fewer than one in ten policies (by face amount) ever pay a death benefit, with over 90 percent ending in a lapse or surrender. In 2018, 7.7 million policies, with an aggregate face amount of $570 billion, lapsed, for which policyowners received nothing. That lapse rate that was 40 percent higher than just five years earlier, and, for retirees, the lapse rate is 25% higher than for policyholders generally. Seniors who sell their life insurance policies receive significantly more than if they terminate their policy back to their insurance company. In a 2017 report, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) stated, "Policyowners who sell their policies receive a lump sum payment that is generally four or more times greater than if they lapsed or surrendered their policy, according to government and university studies." Life settlements are highly regulated by state insurance departments through extensive licensing requirements for buyers and brokers and standards ensuring the strongest senior consumer protections. As more and more seniors are faced with the challenge of how to pay for the increasing costs of health care, including very expensive long-term care, life settlements can help. The NAIC endorsed life settlements as "one option seniors might use to generate resources to pay for their long-term care needs," in a 2017 report focused on private market options for financing long-term care. Bryan Nicholson, LISA's Executive Director, called on Congress to adopt H.R. 5958, stating "The Senior Health Planning Account Act will increase awareness that life insurance policies are an asset that seniors don't have to lapse or surrender back to insurance companies. Life settlement proceeds will provide billions of dollars of living benefits for seniors to use for their own health care." Attachments: Overview of H.R. 5958, the "Senior Health Planning Account Act" Policy Concerns Addressed by H.R. 5958, The "Senior Health Planning Account Act" The Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) is the nation's oldest and largest organization representing participants in the life settlement Industry, with a current membership of more than 70 companies doing business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. LISA's mission is to promote the development, integrity and reputation of the life settlement industry, to advance the highest standards of practice and professional development for the industry, and to educate consumers and advisors about a life settlement as an alternative to lapse or surrender of a life insurance policy. For more information, please visit www.lisa.org. Contact: Bryan Nicholson, LISA Executive Director [email protected] (202) 580-6188 SOURCE Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) Related Links https://www.lisa.org A GRANDMOTHER who stole another womans purse while travelling on a packed bus was fined 200 after she was convicted of theft offences. Noreen OMeara, 63, of Pinewood Avenue, Caherdavin Heights, was prosecuted in relation to an incident which occurred at Ballinacurra Road on board the Bus Eireann-operated 304 service. Sergeant Michelle Leahy told Limerick District Court that while travelling outbound in the direction of Raheen, the complainant realised her purse was missing as it had been taken from her handbag. The incident, she said, happened some time between 4.30pm and 4.45pm on July 26, 2019. Judge Mary Larkin was told the purse contained around 200 in various Euro denominations along with a similar amount of money in foreign currency including US dollars. After a complaint was received, the defendant, who has no previous convictions, was identified as a suspect from footage which was downloaded from the CCTV system on board the bus. She made admissions when questioned about the incident by gardai. Sgt Leahy said the complainant who no longer lives in the jurisdiction has returned to Russia. Efforts to contact her to obtain a victim impact statement had proven unsuccessful, she added. Solicitor Andrew D'Arcy said his client had raised 200 in compensation to cover the loss of the cash and wished to apologise. He said Ms OMearas domestic and financial circumstances are not good and he commented that it is very late in the day for her to be coming before the courts for the first time. By way of explanation he said his client had begun drinking heavily in the months before the theft following a dramatic event which occurred. Noting her reply to gardai when first charged, he said she did not realise there was foreign currency in the purse and that she had thrown it in a bin after stealing the purse. The solicitor added that Ms OMeara believed the purse contained around 30 or 40 in Euro currency and not 200 as outlined by the State. Had she contested the matter, there would have been no reality to the prosecution, he submitted. Judge Larkin rejected the submission and questioned how it could be considered as mitigation. After formally convicting Ms OMeara of the theft charge before the court, she imposed a 200 fine giving her three months to pay. Gardai are to make efforts to contact the woman and will forward her the compensation once they do so. The fight for the Democratic presidential nomination has reached a critical juncture as millions of American voters from Maine to California head to the polls on Super Tuesday. Senator Bernie Sanders, who has energised liberals and younger voters, is seeking to pull away from the rest of the field, while former vice president Joe Biden hopes to ride a wave of momentum and establish himself as the standard-bearer for the partys moderate wing. The Super Tuesday contests in 14 states are also the first test of billionaire Mike Bloombergs massive spending in the Democratic race. He skipped the first four states, banking on more than half a billion dollars (390 million) in advertising and ground operations to establish him as a front-runner for the nomination. The Democratic race has shifted dramatically over the past three days as Mr Biden capitalised on his commanding victory in South Carolina to persuade establishment allies to rally behind his campaign. Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg have both endorsed Mr Biden after abruptly ending their campaigns. Another former competitor, ex-Texas representative Beto ORourke, has publicly backed Mr Biden, while a new wave of mayors, politicians and donors said they would support Barack Obamas former vice president. (PA Graphics) Mr Sanders and his closest advisers have pushed back against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Mr Biden. Campaigning in Minnesota, the senator sought to halt Mr Bidens momentum with a welcoming message to supporters of Ms Klobuchar and Mr Buttigieg. He said: To all of Amy and Petes millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in. We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump. Bernie Sanders has energised liberals and the youth vote (AP) The dramatic developments came at a key crossroads in the Democrats turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat the president. Story continues Yet as a field that once featured more than two dozen candidates shrinks to just five, the choice for primary voters is becoming clearer. On one side stands Mr Biden, a 77-year-old lifelong politician who was relishing his newfound momentum in a campaign that has struggled at times to excite voters with a message emphasising a pragmatic approach to governing and modest change. On the other stands Mr Sanders, a 78-year-old democratic socialist who has scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes, relying on an energised coalition drawn to his promise to transform the nations political and economic systems. Yet the primary is not just a two-man race. Mr Bloomberg, in particular, could create problems for Mr Bidens establishment appeal. The former New York mayor, who will appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday, has invested an unprecedented amount in his presidential bid and racked up many high-profile endorsements of his own. And Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, who has struggled for delegates and momentum over the last month, has vowed to stay in the race until the partys national convention in July. Elizabeth Warren has pledged to stay in the race until the Democratic National Convention in July (AP) During an outdoor rally on Monday night in East Los Angeles, Ms Warren Mr criticised Biden as she told supporters that nominating a Washington insider will not meet this moment, nor will nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country. For Mr Biden, the wave of new support could not have come at a better time. Just two days earlier, a loss in South Carolina would have effectively killed his candidacy. But 48 hours after a massive victory, the former vice president stood on stage in the heart of one of Super Tuesdays crown jewel states backed by three former rivals and a growing collection of donors, activists and elected officials. (PA Graphics) Mr Biden enters Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolinas demographic makeup: those with large African-American and white moderate populations. That makes Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia potential Biden victories, even in a splintered field. Mr Sanders has predicted victory in California, the days largest delegate prize. The state, like delegate-rich Texas, plays to his strengths given their significant factions of liberal whites, large urban areas with younger voters and strong Latino populations. Mr Sanders also enjoys obvious advantages in his home state of Vermont, and in neighbouring Massachusetts, where he is eyeing a knockout blow against progressive rival Ms Warren in her home state. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is appearing on the ballot for the first time (AP) Mr Bloombergs stock is at risk of fading as Mr Biden gains ground. But the billionaire will still be a major factor on Tuesday. The former New York mayor spent much of last week campaigning in a handful of Southern and Western states where his aides say they believe he could notch a win, largely because he is the only candidate who has visited multiple times and pounded the local airwaves with advertisements. He has focused on Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas. Hawaiian representative Tulsi Gabbard also remains in the race. While Tuesdays outcome is uncertain, Mr Bidens team is confident that the trajectory of the race favours them. The vice president has momentum, said Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and Mr Bidens national co-chairman. Youll see that in the Super Tuesday states that look more like South Carolina. Reflecting the growing confidence in the Biden campaign, he added: Were going to win Texas. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 3 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The trade turnover between Turkey and Kazakhstan dropped by $25.8 million in January 2020 compared to the same month of 2019 and exceeded $149.1 million, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend on Mar. 3. In January 2020, Turkey's export to Kazakhstan amounted to $59.7 million, and import from Kazakhstan amounted to $89.3 million. Turkeys foreign trade turnover in January 2020 exceeded $33.9 billion. In January 2020, export from Turkey increased by 6.4 percent compared to January 2019, exceeding $14.7 billion. Turkey's import increased by 18.8 percent in January 2020 compared to the same month of 2019 and exceeded $19.2 billion. In 2019, trade between Turkey and Kazakhstan increased by $68.5 million compared to 2018, exceeding $2.2 billion. Turkish exports to Kazakhstan amounted to $806 million in 2019, and imports from Kazakhstan - $1.4 billion. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu A delegation of Aurangabad First, a citizens' forum, which met Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to demand implementation of the Aurangabad-Ahmednagar- Pune-Dighi Port line on Tuesday claimed the ministry is "positive" but wants the Maharashtra government to bear cost equally. A Central Railway survey is underway for Aurangabad- Ahmednagar line but the group wants it to be extended to Pune and Dighi Port, located on the banks of Rajpuri Creek in Raigad district, some 170 kilometres south of Mumbai. In a press release, Aurangabad First chairperson Mansing Pawar said, "The minister said he was positive about this project. It is a necessity to connect this (Aurangabad- Ahmednagar) to Pune and Dighi Port and the state government should contribute half the amount." He said officials told the delegation electrification of the Aurangabad-Manmad route would be completed by September next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He has been elected mayor of the Russian city of Elista. Former leader of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") Dmitry Trapeznikov has been elected mayor of the Russian city of Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia. The appointment took place at an extraordinary city council meeting on Tuesday, according to Current Time. "At an extraordinary meeting of the Elista city council meeting, Dmitry Trapeznikov, who had served as the head of the Elista administration from September 26, 2019, was elected as the city manager," chairman of the city meeting Nikolai Orzayev said. According to him, Trapeznikov's candidacy was backed by 19 deputies out of 23 who took part in an open vote. Read alsoUkraine says no justification for ex vice-governor of Irkutsk region to "head" occupied Donbas As UNIAN reported earlier, on September 26, 2019, Trapeznikov became acting head of the administration of Elista. Residents opposed the appointment and staged protests, even holding a "public prayer" for Trapeznikov's stepdown. UNIAN memo. Russian citizen Dmitry Trapeznikov moved to Ukraine in 1982. From 2010 to 2012, he worked as deputy chairman of the district council of the Petrivsky district of the city of Donetsk, as well as the so-called "deputy chairman of the DPR Council of Ministers." After the assassination of "DPR" leader Alexander Zakharchenko on August 31, 2018, Trapeznikov became "acting head of the DPR," but on September 7 he was replaced by "chairman of the DPR's People's Council" Denis Pushilin. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 4 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Gazakh District Central Hospital. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Public Health issued a travel notice Tuesday telling Iowans returning from any country with COVID-19 cases to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return. The countries meeting that description include China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea. If they become ill and need to seek medical care, they should call ahead to their doctors office and inform them of their recent travel, said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, an epidemiologist serving as Iowas public health medical director. She asked that employers consider flexible leave policies and tele-working options. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in Iowa but experts expect infections are likely. Iowa public health officials are monitoring five people who recently travelled to China, Pedati said. Testing on three of them has returned negative and results are pending for the other two. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday the state is doing its own COVID-19 testing at a state laboratory in Iowa City. It can return test results in about four hours, she said. State agencies have been making plans and co-ordinating with health care professionals to ensure a quick response to infections. Were still a very low risk here in Iowa but we want to be prepared in case we see that change, Reynolds said. In Armenia, over the past year, the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has declared war on Armenias senior judges. Most recently, Pashinyan has called a popular referendum for April 5 to remove seven of the nine judges on the Constitutional Court, whom he accuses of blocking his reform agenda, World Politics Review writes in the article Armenias Fight Over the Rule of Law Has Echoes Across the Region. The government sees this as a last-ditch measure to clean up a corrupt justice system that Pashinyan inherited from former President Serzh Sargsyan. For the judges, it is an assault by politicians on the rule of law. In an unusual statement last month, the president of the Venice Commission, the Council of Europes venerable advisory body on constitutional law, called on both sides to exercise restraint and to de-escalate this worrying situation in order to ensure the normal operation of the constitution of Armenia. The clash between executive and judicial branches of government is most visible in Armenia, but similar conflicts are unfolding in other post-Soviet states. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine now routinely deliver one prerequisite for a modern democracy, by holding mostly free and fair elections. But another democratic pillarthe rule of law, or the creation of a justice system that citizens can trust to hold the executive branch accountablehas proved much more difficult to achieve. In 2018, Sargsyan sparked massive demonstrations that year when he tried to become prime minister after serving the constitutional limit of two five-year terms as president. Protesters took to the streets in massive numbers to protest, ultimately forcing his resignation. The leader of that revolution, Nikol Pashinyan, became the countrys new prime minister. He has stayed in revolutionary mode after almost two years in office, routinely appealing for support from the street when he encounters obstacles to his reforms. He wrote in a Facebook post announcing the referendum that, On April 5, we will say yes to the Revolution, say yes to Freedom and slam the door on corruption. Since taking office, Pashinyans chief target has been former president Robert Kocharyan, who was in office from 1998 to 2008. On March 1, 2008, Kocharyan ordered the suppression of protests that erupted in Yerevan, the capital, after that years disputed elections. Kocharyan had effectively handed over the presidency to his close associate, Sargsyan. Eight opposition protesters and two policemen died in the ensuing unrest. Those events are a touchstone for Pashinyanhe was a leader of the opposition that day and was later arrested and jailed for 16 months. In 2018, after Pashinyan came to power, Kocharyan was arrested and charged with overthrowing the constitutional order of Armenia for his actions in March 2008. The case put the judiciary right at the center of a clash between the countrys past and present leaders. Last May, a lower court ruled that Kocharyan should be released from pretrial detention on the grounds that, as a former president, he enjoyed immunity from prosecution. Pashinyan publicly denounced the judgement and called on his supporters to block entrances to courthouses in protest. When the Constitutional Court upheld the ruling in favor of Kocharyan in September, the prime minister called the verdict illegal. Pashinyan then went to war with the head of the Constitutional Court, Hrayr Tovmasyan, calling for him to step down. There are undoubtedly questions about the neutrality of Armenias Constitutional Court judges. Tovmasyan and four of his colleagues were appointed under Kocharyan and Sargsyan, while two remain from the era of Armenias first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who was also Pashinyans first political patron. The judges have been blamed for facilitating the constitutional changes by which Sargsyan tried to keep hold of power and which his opponents called an undemocratic power grab. Pashinyans rush to displace the judges, however, has worried many observers, even those who are far from being creatures of the old regime. They include Armenias ombudsman, the Venice Commission, and the progressive opposition party in parliament, Bright Armenia. These critics express concern that, through the April referendum, Pashinyan is only seeking to replace the courts old members with his associates. Vahe Grigoryan, a judge on the court who was nominated by Pashinyan, was also a prominent advocate for the victims of the March 1 crackdown. And Pashinyans new justice minister, 28-year-old Rustam Badasyan, worked with Pashinyan in the past. These same issues are on display far beyond Armenia. Many other post-Communist countries, including members of the European Union, are discovering that developing an independent judiciary is a painful process. Give senior judges too short a tenure and they are vulnerable to political pressure. Let them sit on the bench too long and it becomes almost impossible to dislodge them if they are politically compromised. Neighboring Georgia has had a good democratic record over the past two decades, but judicial reform has always lagged behind other changes. Under the previous regime of President Mikheil Saakashvili, acquittal rates in Georgian courts dropped to virtually zero. The government that succeeded him, led by the Georgian Dream party, now stands accused of politicizing the judiciary for its own purposes. The problem goes beyond the judiciary, too. Across Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, where the politicization of law enforcement has long historical roots, the prosecutor general is frequently an especially controversial figure who is often accused of being a government enforcer. A case in point is Georgias prosecutor general, Irakli Shotadze. He was recently reappointed to the post two years after he had resigned from it over his implication in a scandalincluding allegations of a prosecutorial cover-upinvolving the acquittal of two boys who had been charged with the murder of their schoolmates in 2017. In Ukraine, questions of corruption and competency involving various prosecutors general figured prominently in the controversy that led to the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump. The politicization of the position there is underscored by the reconstructed transcript of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys now notorious July 2019 telephone call with Trump, in which he claimed, Since we have won the absolute majority in our Parliament, the next prosecutor general will be 100 percent my person, my candidate, who will be approved, by the parliament and will start as a new prosecutor in September. Like its neighbor Ukraine, Moldova has been plagued for most of its post-Soviet existence by endemic corruption, exemplified not only by the revelation that $1 billion had been stolen from its banking system in 2015, but also by the governments failure to prosecute the big personalities who were reportedly behind the scheme. Last year, a pro-European reformist, Maia Sandu, became prime minister, leading an unstable coalition with the pro-Russian Socialist Party. She prioritized the need for a strong and independent prosecutor general who could prosecute corrupt politicians, but Sandus coalition partners pushed back on her decisions, ultimately causing the government to fall. If there is are lessons from all of these cases, they are perhaps rather grim: that judicial reform takes time; that it starts from below, with a professional judiciary; and that governments need to be protected from their worst instincts to control the judiciary. In Armenia and elsewhere in the region, the jury is still out on whether the government can yet be trusted to protect the rule of law. INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation of VMware, Inc. (VMW) on Behalf of Investors Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of VMware, Inc. ("VMware" or the "Company") (NYSE: VMW) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. On February 27, 2020, VMware announced that the Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission "requested documents and information related to VMware's backlog and associated accounting and disclosures." On this news, VMware's shareprice fell $15.11, or more than 11%, to close at $120.52 per share on February 28, 2020, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased VMware 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/20200302006020/en/ Last week realme announced an event in India to launch the realme 6 and realme 6 Pro smartphone on March 5th. Today the company has decided to cancel the event due to coronavirus concerns in the country. The company will still offer live stream of the event, in which the CEO Madhav Seth will give live speech at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, Im calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online. #HealthFirst Madhav 5G (@MadhavSheth1) March 3, 2020 The company sold launch event tickets at Rs. 599 starting from February 28th and said that it will include goodies worth Rs. 2500 and complimentary snacks, in addition to entry for the event. realme CEO said that it will offer full refund for the tickets and will also offer a free realme Band for those who bought the tickets. Providing full refund of ticket value. I know how excited you were for #realme6series launch, so as a special gesture will be giving a #realmeBand to every single person who booked a ticket. Details will be sent via mail. Livestream at 12:30PM, 5th March.https://t.co/Xclg5ILkHl pic.twitter.com/BiMmMaawr7 Madhav 5G (@MadhavSheth1) March 3, 2020 Redmi Note 9 series launch event cancelled Redmi has also announced that it will not host any on-ground product launch events in March due to safety concerns, so the Redmi Note 9 series launch has been cancelled, and it will have online-only event on March 12th. Due to recent reports of COVID-19 #CoronaOutbreak, weve decided to not host on-ground product launch events in March due to safety concerns. Wed like to clarify that the upcoming #RedmiNote launch will be live streamed. We urge you to stay safe! #NoMiWithoutYou pic.twitter.com/cXREQOi44F Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) March 3, 2020 WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, a case that will keep health care squarely in front of voters even though a decision won't come until after the 2020 election. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Jan. 27, 2020 photo, the Supreme Court is seen in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, a case that will keep health care squarely in front of voters even though a decision won't come until after the 2020 election. The court said it would hear an appeal by 20 mainly Democratic states of a lower-court ruling that declared part of the statute unconstitutional and cast a cloud over the rest. For the more than 20 million people covered under "Obamacare," nothing changes while the Supreme Court deliberates. The law's subsidized private insurance coverage and Medicaid expansion remain in place while the issues are litigated again. Defenders of the Affordable Care Act argued that the questions raised by the case are too important to let it drag on for months or years in lower courts and that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans erred when it struck down the health law's now toothless requirement that Americans have health insurance. The case will be the third major Supreme Court battle over the law since President Barack Obama signed it nearly 10 years ago, on March 23, 2010. The court has twice upheld the heart of the law, with Chief Justice John Roberts memorably siding with the court's liberals in 2012, amid Obama's reelection campaign. The majority that upheld the law twice remains on the court, Roberts and the four liberal justices. The Trump administration's views on the law have shifted over time, but it has always supported getting rid of provisions that prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against people with existing health ailments. Even as the administration seeks to overturn "Obamacare" in court, President Donald Trump has claimed people with preexisting conditions would still be protected. Neither the White House nor congressional Republicans have specified how. Congressional repeal narrowly failed in 2017, when the Republicans controlled the House and the Senate. Any repeal effort now would be blocked by the Democratic-led House under Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Supreme Court's review of the case guarantees that the fate of the health care law will be in the public's eye as the election approaches, even if the decision doesn't come until 2021. The timing means written briefs from both sides will likely be due in the summer, and arguments could take place in early fall before the election, if the court follows its usual practice of scheduling cases. If that happens, audio snippets from the oral arguments would be available for campaign commercials, said Timothy Jost, a retired law professor for Washington and Lee University in Virginia and a supporter of the ACA. "I think the Democrats will hammer away at the fact that the Trump administration is not defending the law, and basically arguing the whole thing should be invalidated," said Jost. "Theyll focus on issues like pre-existing conditions and 20 million people losing health insurance." Democratic presidential candidates agree on expanding coverage to the 28 million people who remain uninsured, even as they sharply debate how to do that. Former Vice-President Joe Biden and other moderates would build on the ACA, while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to institute a new government health plan to cover all U.S. residents, including those who now have private insurance. "This case is a stark, life-and-death reminder how much is at stake this fall," Biden said in a statement. The Democratic states had asked for a fast-track review with a decision by late June, before the 2020 elections in November. Instead, the justices probably will hear arguments in the fall, with a decision likely in the spring of 2021. Still, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra welcomed the court's decision to take up the appeal. "As Texas and the Trump Administration fight to disrupt our healthcare system and the coverage that millions rely upon, we look forward to making our case in defence of the ACA. American lives depend upon it," Becerra said in a statement. The high court action takes the case out of the hands of a federal district judge in Texas who had previously struck down the entire law. The new case stems from the 2017 passage of tax legislation that left in place the law's requirement that Americans carry health insurance but eliminated the financial penalty for not buying coverage. Congress made no other changes to the law. Texas and other Republican-led states sued, arguing that the elimination of the penalty rendered the law's so-called individual mandate unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor agreed, adding that the mandate was so central to the law that without it the rest of the law must fall, too. While finding the health law's insurance requirement to be unconstitutional, the appeals court made no decision on such popular provisions as protections for people with preexisting conditions, Medicaid expansion and coverage for young adults up to age 26 on their parents' policies. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The 5th Circuit sent the case back to O'Connor to determine whether other parts of the law can be separated from the insurance requirement and thus remain in place. University of Notre Dame law professor Richard Garnett said the high court's decision to "intervene now, and not -- as it could have -- to wait for the case to develop more below, suggests that the justices are skeptical about the challengers' sweeping argument that the entire Act is unconstitutional." Besides expanding insurance coverage, the 900-page law also made many changes to other programs, including Medicare, community health centres and fraud-fighting. Sorting out whether some provisions could remain while others go with the insurance mandate would be a colossal effort. The justices on Monday granted two different appeals, one from the Democratic states and the other from the Republican side, that essentially put all the issues in front of the court, from the insurance mandate to the validity of the entire law if the mandate does not survive. The court took no action on a separate appeal filed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives. ___ Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report. DES MOINES U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst expects a tough re-election challenge but believes she has a strong record bolstered by the fact she will share the ballot with Republican President Donald Trump in November. I think President Trump is going to win Iowa quite handily again, and I hope that helps all of our down-ticket races for all these great Republicans that are running, Ernst said Monday, flanked by supporters who helped her gather nearly 24,000 signatures on nominating petitions to qualify for the June GOP primary. I dont know if thats a record, but Im willing to guess that this is one of the largest number of signatures turned in for a statewide office, said Ernst. She held a brief Statehouse rally before pushing a cart holding the 10 large binders of signatures to the Iowa Secretary of States office one week after the filing period opened. She said the signatures were a sign of her organizations grassroots strength. It just clearly states how excited people are about holding this seat in the U.S. Senate, she said. Ernst, 49, a former military officer and state senator has served as Iowas junior U.S. senator since she defeated Democrat Bruce Braley in 2014. Another Republican, Paul Rieck of Garber, in Clinton County, also has filed to run in the GOP primary but federal records do not show he has disclosed any campaign fundraising. Currently, there are five Democrats officially running in the June 2 primary race for the seat. I am hoping that the Iowa people will give me six more years to continue those efforts and really make a difference for our taxpayers, Ernst said in making her re-election bid official by getting her name on the primary ballot. Ernst won her Senate campaign promising to make em squeal in Washington, and said that theme will continue in 2020 as she battles government waste and abuse she says will be exacerbated by a leftward drift in the opposition Democratic Party. We understand the forces that are pushing against us and what we have seen and you can see it at the top of the ticket in the presidential race we do have radical socialists marching across the state of Iowa and across these great United States, Ernst told supporters. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Music on the Hill kicks off its ninth concert season with Song is a Strong Thing, on Sunday afternoon, March 22, at the WEPCO Parish Hall in Wilton. Featuring the 40-voice Festival Chorus, the professional Chamber Chorus, the new Community Childrens Chorus and the Jubilate Ringers handbell ensemble, the program includes contemporary compositions, including settings of poetry by African-American poets, songs of Africa and African-American spirituals. Guest artist Kwame Henry James will be featured on African drums. Song is a Strong Thing is the last line of the Langston Hughes poem Spirituals and refers to the strength of music and singing as an expression of joy, hope, sorrow and fun. Inspired by the poem, Artistic Director and conductor Ellen Dickinson has programmed a wide variety of music centered around the theme of strength, the power of music and the unbridled joy and hope it brings, according to a news release. The Festival and Chamber Choruses will sing Sorida, an original work by Rosephanye Powell, based on a Zimbabwe greeting; and The Way of Peace, a West African Mandingo wedding processional. Together with the Community Childrens Chorus, they will sing Thula Klizeo, a South African Zulu song by the late Joseph Shabalala, founder of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and Threads of Light: Journey, a tapestry of African-American Spirituals, selected and freely arranged by Dickinson in 2016. The Chamber Chorus will sing a set of South African songs: a stirring arrangement of Great Giddin up Mornin, by Powell; and We Are, by Ysaye Barnwell of the African American a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. The Jubilate Ringers will perform Siyahamba, a South African song; selections with the choruses and a ragtime piano piece arranged for handbells. The concert will also include the world premiere of Dickinsons Song is a Strong Thing, a setting of the poem Spirituals for choruses and handbells. Poet Hughes compared singing to the immutability, power, and force of nature: Rocks and the firm roots of trees... Something strong to put my hands on Song is a strong thing. On Monday, Zhang Jun, Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, said the U.S. should not interfere with the work of Chinese journalists. "We have some differences, but we do not think it is appropriate for the United States to take steps in interfering with the work of journalists coming from China," he said at a news conference to mark China's presidency of the UN Security Council in March. These entities together currently employ about 160 Chinese nationals. Effective March 13, the reductions will bring this number to 100, according to the State Department. Chinese citizens working for other media organizations in the U.S. are not affected by the cap. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday announced a cap on People's Republic of China (PRC) citizens from five Chinese state-owned outlets -- Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network (CGTV), China Radio International, China Daily Distribution Corp., and Hai Tian Development USA, Inc. The Trump administration is limiting the number of Chinese state media personnel allowed to work in the United States, citing Beijing's "long-standing intimidation and harassment of journalists." Foreign Reporters in China The five entities are determined by the U.S. as "explicit propaganda organs of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)" and had been previously designated by the State Department as foreign missions of the Chinese government. "Our goal is reciprocity," Pompeo said in a statement. "As we have done in other areas of the U.S.-China relationship, we seek to establish a long-overdue level playing field. It is our hope that this action will spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach to U.S. and other foreign press in China." A senior State Department official said even after this cap is implemented, the five Chinese state media groups continue to employ more Chinese personnel in the U.S. than foreign reporters at all U.S. media outlets in China, combined. The U.S. has issued 3,000 I-1 visas to Chinese nations working in the United States since 2015, another senior Trump administration official said. "By contrast, U.S. news outlets have only about 75 American or other non-Chinese citizens working for them inside of mainland China." I-1 visas are issued by the U.S. government for representatives of foreign media to work in the United States. The visas that the U.S. issues to Chinese journalists have no duration of stay. In contrast, Beijing currently imposes duration of stay on all foreign reporters in China, some as short as 30 days. After 30 days, some foreign reporters in China have to reapply for an extension. Media Freedoms The U.S. decision comes after the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) published its annual media freedoms report, "Control, Halt, Delete: Reporting in China Under Threat of Expulsion," an in-depth examination of media freedoms in China in 2019. "The U.S. is taking this action in order to clearly communicate the severity of our concerns about the abusive, unfair and non-reciprocal treatment of international press in China," said a senior State Department official Monday. The FCCC report found Chinese authorities have weaponized visas against the foreign press, issuing truncated press credentials to a dozen journalists in 2019, and expelling four correspondents from China since August 2019. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said the FCCC report was "inappropriate," and that China does not recognize the organization. The U.S. announcement Monday also comes after China expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters, a move seen as a punishment for a recent opinion piece published by the U.S. newspaper. Missing Journalists In the past few weeks, Chinese citizen journalists who have been chronicling the coronavirus outbreak and seen as defiant to the Beijing government were said to have "disappeared." On Feb. 28, outspoken Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai and two prominent opposition politicians were charged with illegal assembly over a pro-democracy gathering in 2019. Lai, who has made financial contributions to Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrators, was later released on bail. On Feb. 24, China sentenced book publisher Gui Minhai, a Swedish citizen who disappeared in 2015 and was believed to have been abducted by Chinese agents in Thailand, to 10 years on charges of "providing intelligence" overseas. "We're witnessing an assault on free speech inside of China that goes even beyond what it was a decade ago," a senior Trump administration official said Monday. The five Chinese state media groups' U.S. operations will have to disclose their personnel rosters, as well as hiring and firing decisions, according to the State Department. In addition, they are required to register properties that they rent or own in the U.S. China Daily is an English-language newspaper published by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Hai Tian Development USA distributes the People's Daily, the official newspaper of CCP's Central Committee. U.S. officials have said there is "an awakening" to what they call Chinese propaganda outlets operating on U.S. soil. For example, CGTV, formerly known as China Central Television (CCTV), was once warmly welcomed to the State Department in an event in 2013, but now faces scrutiny as a Chinese foreign agent. At the State Department podium, Ma Jing, then-director general of CCTV, touted CCTV as a bridge between the U.S. and China to promote "knowledge and understanding." CHICO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / AmeraMex International, Inc. (OTCQB:AMMX), a provider of heavy equipment for logistics companies, infrastructure construction and forestry conservation, announced that it has received an order for a $5.6 million crane. The order is for a Liebherr LHM 420 crane and is shipping to a logistics company located in Southern California. The LHM 420, manufactured by German-based Liebherr Group with two facilities in the US, is a mobile harbor crane that raises and lowers loads at up to 394 feet per minute. The crane has a maximum load capacity of 124 tons and handles up to 38 containers per hour with its hybrid drive. Applications of the crane include container handling, scrap handling, bulk handling, heavy lift, and general cargo operations. AmeraMex CEO Lee Hamre commented, "Our customer has seen an increase in business and requires an additional crane that is versatile and can load/unload bulk freight quickly. This is new equipment, which takes longer to ship. Currently, the crane is expected to ship to the customer in September. "This order brings our year-to-date sales to approximately $8.6 million. We still have a hefty backlog of potential orders and expect to have a great first quarter, added Hamre." About AmeraMex International AmeraMex International sells, leases and rents heavy equipment to companies within multiple industries including construction, logistics, mining, and lumber. AmeraMex, with a US and international customer base, has over 30 years of experience in heavy equipment sales and service. Follow AmeraMex on Twitter @ammx_intl and visit the AmeraMex website, www.AMMX.net or www.hamreequipment.com for additional information and equipment videos. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. CONTACT: Investor and Media Relations McCloud Communications, LLC Marty Tullio, Managing Member Office: 949.632.1900 or Marty@McCloudCommunications.com SOURCE: AmeraMex International, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578714/AmeraMex-International-Announces-56-Million-Order A judge has ordered the arrest of a former a Labour party senator accused of stealing from a top private members only club in Dublin. James Heffernan, 40, with an address at Main Street, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, was due to appear at Dublin District Court to face charges in connection with two alleged incidents. He was accused of theft of a coat valued at 80, and a book called Dail Eireann parliamentary debates 1923, valued at 225, at the Stephens Green Club, in Dublin 2 on August 7 last. The former politician also faced Public Order Act charges over an alleged incident at Lincoln Place in Dublin 2 on January 14. Bail had been granted last month and he was due to come back to court today to say how he intended to plead. However, he did not show up and his barrister John Griffin said he had not seen the accused at court. Judge Michael Walsh issued a bench warrant for Mr Heffernans arrest. Last month, Detective Sergeant Eugene McCarthy told the court that when he charged him with the theft offences, Mr Heffernan replied: Theres no hope that jacket was worth 80, tell them Ill swap them a jacket. He had also said Give it back in relation to the book theft. There was CCTV evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that it could be dealt with at district court level and jurisdiction has been accepted. The court heard there was no video evidence of the alleged public order incident. An order for disclosure has been made. On February 4, he was granted legal aid after he furnished the court with a statement of his means. His solicitor Brian Keenan said Mr Heffernan was not working and was on social welfare. The qualified primary school teacher and ex-member of Limerick County Council was elected for Labour to the 24th Seanad in 2011 but lost the party whip the following year when he voted against budget cuts. He joined the Social Democrats in 2015 and was an unsuccessful candidate for the party in the 2016 General Election. Employees of the Bucharest Heavy Machine Works Company Doosan IMGB SA are protesting in front of the Government on Tuesday against the intention of the Korean plant owner to close it and sell the land on which the industrial platform is located. The protesters demand that the Government intervene in order to save the company from closing.The president of the Dreptatea Independent Union, Alexandru Voicu, told AGERPRES on Tuesday that the Korean company intends to demolish the factory and sell the land on which the industrial platform is located."We are organizing this protest because the shareholders of the company have decided to shut it down. We demand that the Government get involved in the shareholding of the company and save it from closing down. [The Government] should buy shares. At the company's headquarters, in the last two to three weeks, we have organized protests every day and we will continue to do so. In the public space we will see what happens after this action. Today there are 300 IMGB employees left and another 100 subcontractors. They are demolishing it. They have a similar factory in Korea, they take there the machinery they can use, they are selling the rest of the equipment at a second-hand price, they are demolishing, selling the iron, tens of thousands of tons of iron, and then they will sell the land - 56 hectares. So, they are tearing it down it. We have submitted complaints at the Ministry of Labor, at the Government, and at the Embassy of South Korea, but so far we have not received any response. We will submit today a complaint with the Government," said the president of the Dreptatea Independent Trade Union, Alexandru Voicu. AGERPRES The government is ready to hold a discussion on Delhi violence in Parliament after Holi, Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday, as the House again witnessed ruckus and repeated adjournments over the issue. The Lok Sabha was finally adjourned for the day after it reconvened at 2 pm as the Opposition demanded immediate discussion on the violence which left 46 people dead and over 200 injured. As the uproar continued, Birla said that no member from the Opposition or treasury benches will cross to the other side during proceedings of the House and if any member does so, he will be suspended for the remaining part of the session. The Speaker also asked the members not to bring placards to the House. The Rajya Sabha or Upper House too witnessed unruly scenes, and the House was adjourned till 3 pm as an unrelenting Opposition pressed with the demand for immediate discussion on the Delhi riots. Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot the told the House that situation is normal in Delhi and government is ready for discussion whenever the Chair decides. But the Opposition accused the government of using diversionary tactic. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad asked the government to clarify and allow the discussion immediately. Ruling and Opposition party members jostled and shoved each other in the Lok Sabha amid furious exchanges in Parliament over the Delhi riots as the budget session resumed after recess on Monday. Three women MPs, two from the BJP and one of Congress, lodged complaints of assault against each other with the Lok Sabha Speaker. Both Houses faced repeated adjournments and no bills could be passed in the ruckus as a result. Twenty three Opposition MPs had demanded adjournment of all other agenda of the day to discuss the Delhi situation as soon as the House proceedings started on Monday. The situation was no different in the Upper House. Both Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held a series of talks with leaders from both sides but the logjam could not be resolved. Despite the risk of losing the money she has paid for airfares and accommodation, Perth mum Lily Pass is about to cancel her trip to Bali and miss out on a treasured holiday with her girlfriends as the coronavirus outbreak puts the brakes on WA's love affair with Bali. Bali, whose biggest markets are Australia and China, has already lost about one-third of its weekly foreign visitors since the travel ban to China was announced, Indonesia Institute president Ross Taylor said. Lily Pass (pictured with her son, 4) said she had been counting the days to her girls' trip. "I'm becoming more concerned about going over [to Bali]," Ms Pass, the 29-year-old mother of a four-year-old boy, said. Ms Pass, whose flight to Denpasar is due to leave on Friday, had planned to stay in the hipster enclave of Canggu with five of her best friends. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is the leading global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,200 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities; Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers; and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch also invests in innovations such as its Store of the Future augmented retail solution, and develops key technologies, business solutions, and services for the luxury fashion industry. 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. After months of assassinations and kidnappings, opposition forces have launched a coordinated attack against multiple targets in Daraa reports Zaman Al Wasl. As Syrian regime forces suffer heavy losses in northwestern Syria, a new battlefront has already come to the surface in southern Darra province, when Syrian opposition fighters on Sunday stormed regime bastions and took troops captive. The western countryside is on fire and a new revolution is erupting, local activists said. Rebels launched surprise attacks on multiple regime bastions in the towns of al-Sanamayn, Sheikh Saad, Sahm al-Joulan and Jilin. In retaliation, the regime army backed by tens of tanks stormed al-Sanamayn town. The revival of armed conflict in southern Syria followed skirmishes in the past few months after calm for over two years followed a Russian-brokered surrender deal. Rebel groups held on to some of their weapons, and local reconciliation committees were left with a degree of autonomy not seen in other areas of Syria. The result was a complex patchwork of localised truces, according to Middle East Eye. Former rebels then started the first rumblings of a low-level insurgency, targeting Syrian army and intelligence officers, reconciliation negotiators and former rebels they deemed to be traitors for working alongside Damascus. Unrest followed soon after the actual conflict ended in Daraa, and has become more of a threat to local stability ever since, Middle East Eye reported. In 2019 alone, there were at least 305 assassination attempts recorded across Daraa province, according to the Daraa Martyrs Documentation office, a local monitoring group. Assassinations and disappearances have targeted all sides in Daraas messy post-conflict politics. 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. Does handwashing really work? Yes. A new study published by the highly-respected Cochrane Database which summarises and interprets numerous studies says that handwashing cuts the chances of contracting a respiratory illness such as coronavirus by 54 per cent the best odds of any deterrent. So wash your hands scrubbing every bit of skin from your wrist downwards at every opportunity for at least 20 seconds (or for however long it takes to sing Happy Birthday in your head twice). Family and friends can easily bring in the virus. To reduce this threat, institute a handwashing rule for everyone as soon as they enter the house. And make sure there is one hand towel for each person Should I use public transport? Only if necessary. If you can work from home rather than commuting, and also minimise shopping trips, you will greatly reduce your infection risk. One recent study in Nottingham found that people who contracted the flu virus in 2011 were nearly six times more likely than others to have travelled by public transport in the five days before developing symptoms. Planes, trains and buses are high-risk environments for easily transmitted viruses and Covid-19 is particularly infectious to spread on to our hands via surfaces such as handrails, seats and handles. Some commuters are turning to extravagant face masks which the World Health Organisation suggests can protect others if you are coughing and spluttering. But if youre more concerned about your own welfare, keep your hands in your pockets whenever possible and try to travel at off-peak times. If you can work from home rather than commuting, and also minimise shopping trips, you will greatly reduce your infection risk If I stay at home, will I be safe? No. Family and friends can easily bring in the virus. To reduce this threat, institute a handwashing rule for everyone as soon as they enter the house. And make sure there is one hand towel for each person. If thats not practicable, wash towels frequently. How should I greet a friend? Kissing somebody on the cheek is, as the French government is warning, a one-way ticket to speeding up viral transmission. As to kissing on the mouth... just say no! According to GP and health commentator Dr Rosemary Leonard, we should stop shaking hands too. Perhaps thats why Germanys interior minister Horst Seehofer waved away Chancellor Angela Merkels hand at a meeting yesterday. The safest way to greet someone is to simply say: Hello. But if thats not enough, recent tests by Aberystwyth University show that fist-bumping transfers only a tenth of the bacteria that a handshake transmits. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer refuses shaking hand with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel during Integration Summit at Prime Ministry building in Berlin, Germany on March 02, 2020 Do I need to change the way I wash my clothes? According to the NHS all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C or 40C with a bleach-based laundry product to prevent microbes spreading. Theres no point adding more detergent, as modern machines are programmed to break up and wash away surplus cleaning agent. Using a dryer on high heat for more than 28 minutes can also kill harmful micro-organisms though you could also hang up your washing outdoors in direct sunlight, which has disinfecting properties. Always remember to wash your hands after handling dirty laundry. Should I stockpile food? There's no need to hoard for a nuclear winter, but it might be wise to have some long-lasting foods in the larder. Ian Mackay, a virologist at the University of Queensland, Australia, has suggested buying cereals, grains, beans, lentils, pasta, tinned fish, vegetables, fruit, oil, dried fruit, nuts, powdered milk and a few sweet treats. This will also cut your number of shopping trips thus reducing your risk of exposure and could be useful in the unlikely event that your town or city is put into lockdown. (If you rely on online supermarket delivery, be sure to order your items well in advance. Online supermarket Ocado is warning that some customers are buying particularly large orders and delivery slots are selling out quicker than expected. A woman with a face mask stands near empty stalls in a supermarket in the Qwartz shopping centre in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, north of Paris, on March 2, 2020. - Supermarket shelves in countries affected by the COVID-19 virus have been emptied of basic necessities, such as pasta and toilet paper, in recent days but there is no shortage so far What if my town is locked down? Health Secretary Matt Hancock has refused to rule out placing British cities on lockdown when residents movements are restricted as is the case in parts of China and northern Italy. Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Government has the power to close schools, shut down public transport and stop mass gatherings to protect the public though it seems unlikely it will be enforced. Will exams be affected? Students should keep on swotting. The exam watchdog Ofqual announced yesterday that schools in England should prepare as usual for the summer exam season. However, the Government will make contingency plans if there is a widespread outbreak. What about school trips? Some overseas trips by schools, colleges and universities are being cancelled already. Even visits to places outside virus-stricken areas are affected, as some institutions are concerned that shepherding youngsters through highly populated zones such as airports may be a risk too far. Check with your school etc for the most up-to-date information. Should older people worry? The evidence so far is that older people (especially those with underlying health issues) who have weaker immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness and death. Children and young adults seem more resilient. According to recent analysis of more than 44,000 cases from China, the death rate was ten times higher in the very elderly compared with the middle-aged. The elderly should be encouraged to limit their outings and social contact and insist that visitors wash their hands upon arrival. So the real question is: how keen are you to go out? Any concert trip, for example, raises the risk of catching winter flu and colds. Its important to factor in the current state of health of your guest and how likely it is theyll be exposed to the virus but ultimately its up to you and them whether you want to risk it. What about prescriptions? Factory shutdowns in China where many vital ingredients for common drugs are made are an issue. Some of the largest pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca and Pfizer have said that the outbreak could affect their supplies. There is some evidence of panic-buying of over-the-counter medicines, though none of these will protect against coronavirus or its worst symptoms. Ocado has reportedly just sold out of Calpol. Can I carry on going to church? The Church of England has said that there is no need to change normal faith practices, such as taking wine from the communal chalice. But the Catholic Church is warning against taking wine from the chalice and advising congregations to accept the communion wafer in their hands rather than have it placed on the tongue. Can you get infected twice? If you get infected and fight off the infection, then your immune system will be primed with antibodies to destroy the virus should you be exposed again. Its like being vaccinated, and should be just as effective. However, there are fears that the virus can lie dormant in the body with minimal symptoms, and then return. This seems to have happened to one Japanese woman whose symptoms re-emerged after she had been declared infection-free. Should I cancel my ski trip? Keep an eye on the gov.uk website for latest travel advice. If it advises against travel to a certain region and you decide to go, your insurance wont be valid. Nor will insurers pay out if you cancel a holiday to a location that is not deemed high risk. As of last night, there were no warnings about French, Swiss, Italian and Austrian ski resorts although the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to 11 small towns in northern Italy. Keep an eye on the gov.uk website for latest travel advice. If it advises against travel to a certain region and you decide to go, your insurance wont be valid Can my dog catch the virus? According to the World Health Organisation, theres no evidence at present that dogs or cats can be infected with coronavirus. But given the virus is believed to have already jumped species once there is speculation that it originated in bats we cannot rule it out from happening again. Always wash your hands with soap and hot water after contact with pets. According to the World Health Organisation, theres no evidence at present that dogs or cats can be infected with coronavirus Any upsides? As counter-intuitive as it may seem, quite possibly. If people heed the new health warnings, adopt rigorous personal hygiene habits and stick to them we may well see a drop in infectious diseases overall. Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner has called for calm after Brisbane's first case of coronavirus was reported on Tuesday morning, saying he would still shake hands when he greeted people. A 20-year-old man from China, a student at the University of Queensland, was diagnosed and remains in a stable condition at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital after flying in from Dubai in late February. Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said he would continue to shake people's hands, as it was part of his job. Credit:Tammy Law "I'm definitely concerned about the economic impact on our universities, on our tourism industry, on small business," Cr Schrinner said. "But having said that, I think it is important not to overstate the risk here, for people to remain calm. A young man of "excellent character" who stabbed his mother's violent, heroin-using ex-boyfriend to death has been sentenced to two years in prison. Mr Justice Michael White said Alexander Whelan introduced a deadly weapon into a row at his home, and used substantial force in inflicting the wounds that killed Bruno Rolandi. Whelan (19) had originally been charged with murdering Mr Rolandi (56) at Green Road, Ballymoran, Edenderry, Co Offaly, on November 19, 2017. Whelan, of Green Road, Edenderry, pleaded guilty when a charge of manslaughter was put to him at the Central Criminal Court in November last year. Explaining the sentence, Mr Justice White said that when knives are introduced into arguments, it is often argued that the subsequent death is accidental. However, he said: "Rarely can the introduction of a deadly weapon be considered anything other than an aggravating factor." On the day of the fatal stabbing, there was an argument between Mary Whelan and Mr Rolandi - and Alexander Whelan intervened but was sent away. He called his brother Victor who arrived home, and the brothers went to the kitchen where they discussed removing Mr Rolandi from the house. Mr Rolandi came into the kitchen and there was a dispute between Victor and Mr Rolandi. Alexander, thinking his brother was under attack, inflicted the fatal wounds, Justice White said. He said Whelan was of previous "excellent character" and had a good record at school. He is not, he said, "disposed to violence". He added: "He is a quiet young boy, not in any way aggressive." He had also pleaded guilty to the offence. However, he also noted that Mr Rolandi had "received a death sentence which was entirely unnecessary". In victim impact statements read out by prosecution counsel Conor Devally SC on behalf of the deceased's family, they said they "strongly disagree" with the description of Mr Rolandi, who they said was a "kind man" and a good father. They said they don't want revenge, but ask for "Irish justice to be done". The judge said the two greatest aggravating factors in the case were the introduction of the knife and the violence of the blows. He said a pathologist's evidence showed beyond doubt that substantial force was used to inflict the wounds on Mr Rolandi, including one knife wound that went to a depth of 23cm, damaged the heart and caused massive bleeding, leading to his death. He said he considered the accused to be in the mid-range for culpability but added that there are "exceptional extenuating circumstances". Mr Justice White said he wanted to note that the accounts given by the accused and his family of what happened to Mr Rolandi were true and accurate. The judge noted that Whelan had apologised "profusely" to the Rolandi family for the hurt he inflicted on them and that there was evidence from various sources that he was not disposed to violence. He said the defence case was that he was acting in defence of his mother and brother, but used excessive force. There was also evidence that Whelan was provoked by the actions of Mr Rolandi. He set a headline sentence of six years' imprisonment but because of the extenuating circumstances he said he would discount that and impose a sentence of two years. He did not see any point in suspending any part of the sentence as Whelan is not a drug user and does not require rehabilitation as he has no history of violence. Whelan's mother Mary broke down in tears as he was led away by prison guards to begin his sentence. Streetlights Across The City Cameras Accessed By Police How Were Locations Selected? (TNS) A few years back, San Diego, Calif., approved a plan to install energy-saving, and money-saving, LED street lights.San Diego was deploying what was billed as the world's largest smart-city platform, powered by thousands of cutting-edge, data-gathering sensors. The plan was to track movements of cars and people, particularly in busy urban areas. Deeper understanding of mobility could follow. Parking and traffic might be eased. Apps could be developed.All that data-gathering required the installation of cameras on what is so far a little more than 3,000 streetlights, covering about 5 percent of the city's public rights-of-way. For the public, that information came as a surprise as did the revelation that police had access to the footage.Many critics didn't trust the system. They feared the existence of a mass surveillance network, which some said could lead to targeting communities of color and potential civil rights abuses. And they've raised questions about where the cameras were installed, how those locations were selected and whose movements are most likely to be recorded.Police officials have said that the cameras are not live monitored, that they are accessed in limited instances. The city said the locations were selected for mobility traffic, pedestrian, parking, bicycle and environmental factors, and that the selection had nothing to do the makeup of the neighborhoods they were in.Theanalyzed demographics in areas where San Diego's smart streetlights are located, including nearly 230 that have been accessed by police since summer 2018.While the streetlight cameras were well distributed among the city's racial and economic populations, the analysis showed a greater proportion of black residents and poor residents live in neighborhoods where smart streetlights have been accessed by police.In an effort to better understand the demographics of the neighborhoods containing smart streetlights, themapped each light and noted which census block group it fell within. Block groups, as opposed to much larger census tracts, are small geographic zones generally with populations between 600 and 3,000 people as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.Data show that more than 946,000 people about two-thirds of San Diego's total population live in a block group where the city has placed a smart streetlight camera.Among the city residents who live near a camera, about 46 percent are white, 25 percent are Hispanic, 18 percent are Asian and 6 percent are black. The remaining 5 percent are Native American, Pacific Islander or another race.San Diego's total population is about 42 percent white, 30 percent Latino, 17 percent Asian, 6 percent black, and 5 percent other races. Considering these totals, white residents are slightly over-represented and Hispanic residents are slightly under-represented in neighborhoods where the smart streetlights are located.Thealso found that the distribution of streetlight cameras matched the city's distribution of household incomes.There's a much denser concentration of camera-equipped streetlights in downtown San Diego than anywhere else in the city. There is a reason for that, according to Erik Caldwell, deputy chief operations officer for the city's Smart and Sustainable Communities division.The cameras are part of a system that uses artificial intelligence to track data. In downtown San Diego, the city wanted granular information about parking and mobility. That meant the cameras needed to be in close proximity to one another, in some cases less than 100 feet apart.There are 12 census block groups in which the city placed more than 50 street lights. All 12 are downtown.There are about 31,000 people living in those areas. Of that number, about 56 percent are white, 23 percent are Latino, 9 percent are Asian, 8 percent are black and 4 percent are other races.San Diego police praise the cameras as a game-changer for investigating serious or violent crimes. In several cases when police accessed the cameras, arrests have followed.Police have credited the cameras with helping them to quickly identify a suspect in a shooting last year that killed one employee and injured two others at an Otay Mesa Church's Chicken restaurant. The cameras helped clear a man under investigation for a downtown homicide, after the footage revealed the killing had happened in self-defense.Through the middle of last month, investigators had accessed the cameras in 246 cases. Sometimes multiple cameras in an area are accessed as part of one case.Based on information provided by police, themapped the approximate locations of all but 22 of those incidents. Police did not disclose information in 19 cases, citing ongoing investigations. Another three sites provided by police listed only a street name, so the location of the incident couldn't be placed in a census block.About 262,000 people live in the areas where police have accessed the streetlight cameras. Of those residents, 9 percent are black, compared with the city's overall black population of 6 percent.Hispanic or Latino residents are also somewhat over-represented in these areas. Thirty-three percent of residents who live in areas with streetlights that have been accessed by police are Latino, compared with the city's Latino population of 30 percent.White people make up about 42 of San Diego's population, and Asians make up 17 percent. In areas where police accessed cameras, about 39 percent of the residents are white and 16 percent are Asian.Other races account for 5 percent of the city's residents. In areas where police accessed a cameras, those other races make up 4 percent.Police have accessed cameras across the city, including many in downtown San Diego. In an area near the convention center, police have accessed cameras 12 times. In an area in downtown's Core-Columbia community, sandwiched between Ash Street and Broadway, investigators have accessed cameras there nine times.These two neighborhoods also see some of the highest violent crime numbers in the city. More than 300 violent crimes, including two homicides, were reported in the Core-Columbia area between 2014 and 2018. In the area near the convention center, more than 600 violent crimes, including nearly 50 rapes and attempted rapes, were committed between 2014 and 2018.Critics of the program say that they are interested in public safety, but argue that a move toward greater public safety shouldn't come at the expense of privacy and civil rights. Pitting those interests against one another other is unreasonable, they argue."No one has ever said that we don't want safer communities. It's the use of this intrusive surveillance technology without proper oversight (that is troubling),"Genevieve Jones-Wright with TRUST SD, a vocal critic of the program, told thelate last year.San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit has said he understands the concern that the cameras could be used to racially profile or otherwise discriminate against people. But he said those fears are unwarranted and stressed that there is no live monitoring of the camera footage."As long as there is not a crime, we are not looking at video," he told thelast year.The chief said police used the cameras "very sparingly, for only the worst type of cases, very violent type of cases, or serious or fatal injury collisions." He said they are used as "a reactive tool, as an investigative tip to lead us in the path of who is responsible for the crime. It actually lets us narrow our focus."Of the 224 cases about which police provided information, most involved serious crimes. The most common crimes to prompt streetlight access: fatal or serious injury collisions, robberies, assaults with deadly weapons and homicides.Through mid-January, San Diego police have accessed cameras during 23 homicide investigations.According to the department's smart streetlight policy, the decision to view the footage is driven by several considerations, including how serious the crime was and how significant the threat to the public."We are looking at incidents that have resulted in a life being lost or placed at significant risk, as well as property crimes with exceptional damages that threaten the safety of our communities," said San Diego police Capt. Jeffrey Jordon.Data show that the types of cases that prompt police to access streetlight footage are similar across communities. In census block groups where people of color make up 51 percent or more of the population and census block groups that were predominately white, police most commonly used streetlights cameras to investigate serious or deadly crimes, from robbery to homicide.Dave Maass, a senior researcher for the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the's findings didn't surprise him and that he has seen trends where surveillance technology has a higher impact on communities of color.He said there are several factors that could explain why police access cameras in some communities more than others. Maybe those communities experience more crime or that residents are less likely to work with police. It could be related to the nexus between crime and poverty.According to thes analysis, of more than 100,000 households located in areas where police had accessed smart streetlights, about 23 percent of homes reported household incomes of less than $30,000 a year. About 18 percent of San Diego households bring in less than $30,000 a year.With the streetlight cameras, Maass said, "the risks could be racial bias, change in service or crimes they solve.""Suddenly it becomes very easy to prosecute jaywalking cases," Maass noted as an extreme example of risks associated with cameras. "If it makes it easier to do one thing than another, police may gravitate toward low hanging fruit."Jordon stressed that the department accesses streetlight sensors usually after a violent crime has been committed. He added that according to the department's crime statistics, 36 percent of violent crime victims are Hispanic and 19 percent are black a larger percentage than their population estimates. Given these statistics, Jordon said it's reasonable to expect a greater proportion of violent crimes investigated through streetlight sensors would involve Hispanic or black residents."Smart Streetlights enhance (the department's) ability to investigate violent crimes, and reduce their traumatic impact in our neighborhoods regardless of race or socio-economic status," Jordon said.Cody Hooven, who heads up the city's Sustainability Department, which oversees the Smart Street Lights program, said in a statement to thethat the decision about where to place street light sensors was came after a joint assessment between the city and GE Current, the company the city is partnering with on the project. (Until April 2019, GE owned Current. It is now owned by a private equity firm, American Industrial Partners.)She said locations were analyzed by their ability to collect data on traffic, parking, bicycle and environmental factors. She said the locations "have a cross-section of activity and had nothing to do the makeup of the neighborhoods they currently serve."Caldwell said one driver of where the sensors were put was the physical condition of the streetlights, and whether they had enough voltage to handle the sensors. That's why none of the smart streetlights are in pedestrian-heavy Balboa Park."That was a great example of very early on saying 'Hey, it would be fantastic to capture pedestrian data as people are moving through the park and getting some really more accurate information more than we have today,'" Caldwell said. "But the voltages were wrong (in Balboa Park's street-light circuits), and that was just not possible."Caldwell said the department "could have done better in the actual selection of locations by seeking input from outside interests."He and others have said repeatedly that San Diego police had no input in the selection of the locations. Police officials were not even aware the cameras existed until April 2018. Caldwell said police officials have told him that had they been asked for input, they would have suggested different locations.The Police Department has penned a policy outlining the situations in which investigators inside the department and outside law enforcement agencies can access the camera footage.In addition to the more than 3,000 smart streetlights already installed around the city, another 1,200 had been slated to be put in later this year. That has since been put on hold, given the community push back.City Council President Georgette Gomez said she has "on multiple occasions expressed serious reservations about the smart streetlights program regarding both the community's concerns about how it's used and its increasing cost."She said she wants the council take up discussion on the streetlight cameras.The city had proposed drafting a policy to govern the streetlights program. But in January, a City Council committee said it wanted to go further. It wanted an ordinance one that would set rules not just for the smart streetlight cameras but other current and future forms of surveillance.The city is working to draft that ordinance. Texas Representative Dan Crenshaw was warmly greeted by a diverse crowd of over 500 people, many wearing insignias of his iconic eyepatch. Five hundred people attended the representative's re-election kickoff party held in the Concrete Cowboy's Houston venue. A photo-taking session also lasted over an hour as the line snaked out and around the well-known bar. Of humble Houston origins, Republican bet Crenshaw eyes re-election in Texas's 2nd Congressional District, which he has been representing since January 2019. Although the eyepatch-clad Crenshaw is unopposed as the Republican's primaries have indicated, he is gearing up for the upcoming general election. He parades Republican ideologies at the forefront of his campaigns, believing in the value of personal responsibility and sustainability in governance while protecting the citizens' inherent rights. This, he claims, are the things Democrats do not do. According to the Representative, Democrats tend to overpromise supposed solutions to everything, despite being unable to follow through - a tactic employed to gain voters. Crenshaw mirrors US President Donald Trump's quip regarding the "radical socialism" of the Democratic party when he spoke about the Price Control Bill that had just passed its reading in Congress. He calls the bill "insane", saying that it is a clear indication of advocating for socialism. The Representative believes that such tactics will be ineffective because of its removal of incentive, independence, and diminishing of human spirit. Socialism, he adds, has been the cause of death several millions of people, along with communism. These ideologies breed desperation and paranoia, driving the desperate few to seek solace in desolate places for a glimpse of freedom. As Crenshaw continues to speak of the Democratic Party, he calls out their desire to call off the Electoral College as an act of tyranny. He believes that it is unfair and unjust to simply disregard the opinions and wants of the 49% all because the 51% has voted so. Crenshaw insists on the effectivity of our current system of governance and legislature as evidenced by the bipartisan legislation. He cited three bills that he was able to have passed despite the Democratic Party having the majority of control within the chamber. His popularity in the region was evidenced by and testified to by Stephanie Salinas, a resident of Texas's Second District. Donning a pair of "Trump" socks, Salinas told The Texan, in an interview, that she gladly showed up and supported Crenshaw because he "kept his promises while vocally supporting His Excellency, Donald Trump." She continued to hail him as an exemplary example for the youth, those in military service, and even those who have already served. But it was not only long-time followers that came to support Rep. Crenshaw: Harold Conard, IT professional, said to have not known Crenshaw until he was featured on Saturday Night Live (SNL). He was allegedly impressed by the candidate's smooth responses to the host's jibes and comments, leading him to follow the Representative on social media platforms and awaiting his speeches. Conard believed that Crenshaw made sense, mirroring what he personally taught his children about individual responsibility. To close on his interview with The Texan following his kickoff, he says that the Democratic Party "does not have a good message" entering the 2020 campaigns, saying that they are lie-selling, crisis fanatics who intent to trick the masses into believing their "solutions" while only causing hysteria in reality. 02.03.2020 LISTEN The Bono Regional wing of the opposition National Democratic Congress have called for the prosecution of the New Patriotic Party's Parliamentary Candidate in the Dormaa West Constituency over an alleged impersonation. Mr Ransford Osei Amponsah, an NPP aspiring Parliamentary Candidate in the Dormaa West Constituency is said to have indulged in forgery in the process of filing his nominations. A petition that was submitted by one Frimpong Martin, an NPP Polling Station Chairman at the Adiemmra-Nzezera of the Asofire Electoral Area accuses the aspiring PC. During the vetting of Mr Ransford Osei Amponsah, the NPP Research Officer of Dormaa West Mr Michael Gyabaah corroborate the claim made by Mr Frimpong Martin. Mr Michael Gyabaah said his further checks at the District Electoral Commission Office shown that the accused person, Mr Ransford Osei Amponsah is not a registered voter. He added that the accused person, per the available information at the Electoral Commission, resulted in using a voter ID which turned out to be that of his brother. The Bono NDC in a statement noted that in view of this and in pursuant to section 134 of Act 29 of the 1960 Criminal Code of Ghana, we demand that, the NPP Regional Vetting Committee which is chaired by the NPP National First Vice Chairperson, Mrs Rita Atalata Asorbayire immediately submits these particulars to the appropriate security agencies to carry out a thorough investigate and prosecute the accused person if he is found culpable of the allegations levelled against him and his accomplices. "Others have been jailed on this same offense of personation and that Mrs Rita Atalata must not sweep this case under the carpet for the obvious reason," the statement emphasised. Below is the full statement: BONO NDC DEMAND FOR THE IMMEDIATE PROSECUTION OF THE ALLEGED DORMAA WEST NPP IMPERSONATOR The Bono Regional Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress has learned with utmost dismay of an alleged petition brought against Mr Ransford Osei Amponsah, an NPP aspiring Parliamentary Candidate for Dormaa West Constituency. According to a written petition by Frimpong Martin, an NPP Polling Station Chairman at Adiemmra which was submitted to the chairman of the NPP Regional Vetting Committee, Mrs Rita Atalata Asorbayire, the petitioner claimed that the accused person, Mr Ransford Osei Amponsah has engaged in forgery and personation and hence must be disqualified at the vetting. The Bono NDC Communication Office is motivated by the inaugural speech by President Akufo-Addo where he admonished us all to be citizens and not spectators. In view of this and persuant to section 134 of Act 29 of the 1960 Criminal Code of Ghana, the NDC is calling on Mrs Rita Atalata Asorbayire, the Chairperson of the NPP Bono Regional Vetting Committee to, immediately handover Mr Ransford Osei Amponsah to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and prosecution if the accused person is found culpable for the offenses leveled against him. The Communication Office will urge Mrs Rita Atalata Asorbayire not to sweep this under the carpet for any political gains as other Ghanaians have been jailed on same account for personation with the latest culprit being Mr Iddrisu Yahaya who was arrested at the Techiman Circuit Court by the orders of Justice Alexander Graham on Wednesday, 5th February, 2020. Issued Charles Akowuah Tuffour Regional Communication Officer Bono Region 0244472659 The Picture is the Regional Communication Officer A t least 19 people have died after tornadoes ripped through homes in central Tennessee. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed the fatalities as authorities search the wreckage for injured people. The initial death toll stood at seven, before the Emergency Management spokeswoman Maggie Hannan later confirmed at least 19 had died. One of the tornadoes touched down in Nashville and caused around 40 buildings around the city to collapse. Around five twisters were reported in three states, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky, according to ABC News. People were advised to stay indoors, at least until daybreak when dangers such as blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees could better be seen and avoided. Nashville Tornado - In pictures 1 /52 Nashville Tornado - In pictures Tornado damage in Nashville AP Damage to planes and property at the John C. Tune Airport after a tornado hit Nashville Reuters Police officers look at the damage along Woodland Street after a tornado hit eastern Nashville Reuters Damage to Amplify Apartments building is seen after a tornado hit eastern Nashville, Tennessee, Reuters AP The owners of Elite Bonding Company salvage what they can after a tornado hit eastern Nashville, Tennessee Reuters Demetrius Wide, Dominique Hammond and her daughter Analise Hammond are seen outside their home in North Nashville following devastating tornadoes Getty Images Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding at least 40 buildings and killing many people AP A man walks through storm debris following a deadly tornado AP Dwight Herald stands in the remains of his home looking at damage AP The destroyed exterior of The Basement East is seen in the East Nashville neighborhood Getty Images Tornado damage in Nashville AP Uprooted trees tree are seen that fell on a house AP Detail view of a family photograph and license plate in debris near an apartment complex Getty Images Tornado damage in Nashville AP A couple siffs through debris after their home was destroyed AP Cookeville residents clean up following the previous nights tornado damage Getty Images Buildings damaged by the storm are seen in the Germantown neighborhood following devastating tornadoes Getty Images Buildings damaged by the storm are seen in the Germantown neighborhood following devastating tornadoes Getty Images Linda Clemons surveys the damage to her home caused by high winds from one of several tornadoes that tore through the state Getty Images Dominique Hammond and her daughter Analise Hammond are seen outside their home in North Nashville following devastating tornadoes Getty Images Buildings damaged by the storm are seen in the Germantown neighborhood following devastating tornadoes Getty Images Deanna and Tony Speck, of Cookeville console one another on the front lawn of what's left of Deanna's parent's house AP Two men look at damage AP Bricks from a collapsed wall of the Geist restaurant litter the ground after a tornado touched down in downtown Nashville AP People stand outside the Basement East music venue in East Nashville after it was destroyed by a tornad AP A car crushed by a tree sits on a street after a tornado touched down AP Debris is scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after a tornado hit Nashville AP Emergency crews work near a damaged business Getty Images General view of a knocked down street sign near a damaged business Getty Images A person stands amid damages caused by a tornado Alex Marshall via Reuters People survey the damage to a building in East Nashville after a tornado hit the city AP General view of damages caused by a tornado in Nashville, Tennessee Alex Marshall via Reuters Residents watch as emergency crews attend to a tornado damaged apartment building Getty Images Cars stop at service lines downed by a tornado Getty Images A man walks by a storm damaged pickup truck Getty Images Emergency crews work near a damaged business Getty Images General view of a mural on heavily damaged The Basement East in the East Nashville neighborhood Getty Images People gather after a tornado in Nashville, Tennessee Alex Marshall via Reuters Schools, courts and transit lines have been closed, and four polling stations were moved only hours before Super Tuesday voting was set to begin. Nashville Mayor John Cooper told the Tennessean: "A tornado skipped across the county. "You do have people at the hospital and frankly there have been fatalities." A tornado reportedly stayed on the ground into Hermitage, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of the city. Other areas reporting extensive damage included Mt. Juliet, downtown Nashville and Germantown. "Our community has been impacted significantly," the Mt. Juliet Police Department tweeted early Tuesday. Multiple homes were damaged and multiple injuries were reported, the department said. "We continue to search for injured. Stay home if you can." John C. Tune Airport, Nashville International's sister airport in West Nashville, "sustained significant damage due to severe weather," spokeswoman Kim Gerlock said Several hangars have been destroyed and power lines are down, she said, adding that there are no reported injuries. Gerlock asked that the public avoid the airport until further notice and that the Airport Authority has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response. A video posted online from east Nashville showed what appeared to be a well-defined tornado moving quickly across the city. Lightning repeatedly flashed while much of the city was in the dark. The whir of the wind could be heard gusting after the tornado moved out of sight. Images on social media showed extensive damage to buildings, mangled wires on downed power lines and structures that are now unrecognizable as the tornado had reduced them to rubble. View of damages caused by a tornado in Nashville, Tennessee / Alex Marshall via Reuters A reported gas leak forced an evacuation of the IMT building in the Germantown community, according to WSMV-TV. Photos showed dozens of people in the street carrying their belongings not long after the tornado moved through the city. The American Red Cross of Tennessee said on its Twitter account that a shelter had been opened for displaced residents downtown at the Nashville Farmers Market, just north of the state capitol. Nashville Electric tweeted that four of its substations were damaged in the tornado. Power outages as of 4 am were affecting more than 44,000 customers, the utility company said. North Korea fires 2 unidentified projectiles: South Iran Press TV Monday, 02 March 2020 7:13 AM The South Korean military says North Korea has fired two unidentified projectiles eastward into the sea. The two missiles were fired from the Wonsan area on North Korea's east coast, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement on Monday. "The military is monitoring for additional launches and maintaining readiness," the statement added. There was no immediate confirmation from the North. The development comes over two months after Pyongyang declared an end to a moratorium on its missile tests. At a party meeting in late December last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that Pyongyang no longer considered itself bound by an agreement with the US because Washington was not upholding its end of the bargain. The North Korean leader also warned hostile countries that his military would demonstrate a "new strategic weapon" in the near future. The North Korean statement came after the US repeatedly refused to relieve any of the sanctions on the North. The United Nations Security Council, the US, South Korea, and other bodies have slapped multiple sets of sanctions on Pyongyang over its weapons programs. International efforts to de-escalate the rising tensions between Pyongyang and Washington resulted in three meetings between Kim and US President Donald Trump, but little tangible progress was made afterwards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Third March is an important day for the World Customs Organization (WCO) as it joins the international community in celebrating the United Nations (UN) World Wildlife Day, reiterating the WCOs continuing support to its close partner and key actor in the protection of biodiversity: the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 2020 is coined as a super year for the environment, with a series of key international meetings focusing on environmental action. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the theme of World Wildlife Day 2020 is Sustaining all life on earth. The UN General Assembly also declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health. Therefore, this year is a unique opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health, and biodiversity in general, is vital to sustaining life on earth, including human well-being. Preserving biodiversity does not only safeguard the environment, it also helps to protect peoples livelihoods and health, while enabling economies to thrive. Such commitment is more relevant than ever, especially following the massive seizures of wildlife goods made by Customs administrations globally throughout 2019, such as the seizure in May, by Mexico Customs of 10.4 tons of shark fins destined for the Philippines, and between April and July alone Singapore Customs seized 37.5 tons of pangolin scales. The UN International expert group on biodiversity estimates that 1 million species of flora and fauna are under threat of extinction in the next few decades, including 23% of bird species, 25% of plant species, 33% of coral reefs, 40% of amphibian species, 10% of insect species, and more than a third of marine mammals. Furthermore, the devastation of the environment has serious consequences on human lives, such as rampant illegal logging, that lead to massive floods and mudslides when storms happen, destroying houses and infrastructure. As part of Customs efforts to contribute to the preservation of global biodiversity, WCO has chosen the following theme for 2020: Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet. In this regard, International Customs Day on 26 January 2020 was dedicated to the contribution of Customs towards a sustainable future where social, economic, health and environmental needs are at the heart of Customs actions. This commitment was reiterated during the recent WCO Enforcement Committee, in Brussels from 24 to 28 February 2020. It is very encouraging to see that Customs administrations globally are increasingly recognizing the seriousness of environmental crimes and are implementing decisive measures in their national strategies to combat these activities. However, we encourage them to take further steps and to play a more prominent role in this fight as a matter of urgency, said WCO Secretary General, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya. The focus on sustainability for all life on earth in 2020 is fully in line with the WCOs annual theme, and Customs officers all over the world are urged to strengthen their efforts in ensuring a sustainable, secure, and inclusive future for all. The WCO will continue to support its 183 Members in their efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking as well as other environment-related crimes, he concluded. Worldwide, Customs is the first point of entry and last point of exit, ensuring that every commodity that enters or leaves a country, including goods in transit, is in compliance with legislations and procedures. Thus, Customs has a key role in ensuring that wildlife is preserved and legal trade is conducted with vigilant controls and using efficient risk profiling techniques. However, Customs alone cannot stop the illegal wildlife trade (IWT). Close partnerships and collaboration between Customs, government agencies and other actors along the supply chain is essential to win this fight. As such, the WCO is a partner of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), which also includes the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Bank. A perfect example of the power of partnerships is Operation Thunderball, a global enforcement operation conducted in June 2019 and co-led by the WCO and INTERPOL, with the support of the CITES Secretariat. This operation was a major success, with over 1,828 seizures and close to 600 suspects identified. The WCO activities conducted under the ICCWC Programme are generously funded by the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The WCO also supports its Members to combat the IWT, notably through the WCO INAMA Project, generously funded by the US Department of State and the German Development Agency (GiZ), providing comprehensive training to targeted Customs administrations, as well as support in implementing CITES regulations and in ensuring the provision of IWT training in their national Customs curricula. Last year, a Customs-led operation, code-named Praesidio, conducted under the auspices of the INAMA Project and in cooperation with INTERPOL, AIRPCOP and the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme, netted impressive seizures throughout Africa and Asia. On 3 March 2020, all WCO Members and Customs partners are called upon to strengthen their dedication to preserving our planet and all its living creatures, as a healthy planet results in a striving human race. NYU Abu Dhabi researchers design new technology for targeted cancer drug delivery Fast facts: Conventional anticancer drugs (chemotherapeutics) suffer from a number of issues, including poor solubility, short blood circulation time, lack of selectivity, and toxicity to healthy tissue. Nanomedicine has the potential to overcome these intrinsic limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Nanomedicine involves the use of nanocarriers, which are typically NYUAD researchers have developed nanocarriers to effectively deliver chemotherapeutics specifically to cancer cells, while minimizing exposure of healthy tissue. Findings have been published in an article, pH-Responsive High Stability Polymeric Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutics, in the journal Communications Biology, and selected by the editors as a research highlight. Abu Dhabi, UAE, -- March 3, 2020: A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi has developed a biocompatible, biodegradable, and economical nanocarrier for safer and more effective delivery of anticancer drugs. Researchers demonstrate that the novel pH-responsive hybrid (i.e. multi-component) nanoparticles can be loaded with a wide range of chemotherapeutics to effectively and specifically target cancer cells, as reported in their paper published on March 3, 2020, in the journal Communications Biology. Conventional chemotherapy drugs work primarily by interfering with DNA replication and mitosis (a type of cell division) in order to induce cell death in rapidly dividing cancer cells, thereby minimizing tumor growth. The limitations of conventional chemotherapy include poor solubility, short blood circulation time, lack of selectivity, toxicity to healthy tissue, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence. Consequently, it becomes necessary to administer high doses of chemotherapeutics to ensure that a sufficient amount reaches the tumor to cause the desired effect in cancer cells. Unfortunately, the high drug doses lead to damage to healthy tissue, resulting in a range of side-effects that include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, decreased resistance to infection, infertility and organ damage. Cancer nanomedicine - the use of nanocarriers to diagnose, track, and treat cancer - has the potential to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapeutics. However, the practical application of many nanocarriers as cancer drug delivery systems is often hampered by a number of issues, including poor circulation stability, inadequate accumulation in target tumor tissue and inefficient uptake and/or transport in target cancer cells. As reported in the paper, pH-Responsive High Stability Polymeric Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutics, NYUAD's Magzoub lab in collaboration with Professor Francisco N. Barrera's lab at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, have developed nanocarriers that that can overcome complications associated with conventional chemotherapeutics as well as current nanocarriers. "We used a simple approach and readily available low-cost materials to prepare biocompatible and biodegradable pH-responsive hybrid nanoparticles for the effective delivery of chemotherapeutics specifically to tumor cells," said Loganathan Palanikumar, a research associate in the Magzoub lab and first author of the study. "Thus, unlike many nanocarriers, which require complex chemistry and costly equipment and materials, our nanoparticles can be easily prepared and used by other researchers, even those with limited resources," added Palanikumar. The nanoparticles consist of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?approved polymer core wrapped with a biocompatible and biodegradable protein shell. The core can be loaded with a wide range of cancer therapeutics. Designed to prolong the blood circulation time, the protein shell also serves to ensure that the nanocarrier remains stable long enough to reach the target location. Finally, the nanocarrier is decorated with a pH-responsive peptide, developed by the Barrera lab, which facilitates the cellular uptake specifically in cancer cells within the acidic environment of solid tumors. Following efficient cellular uptake, the unique conditions within cancer cells degrade the hybrid nanoparticles and release the loaded chemotherapeutic drugs. Palanikumar, along with cancer researchers in the Magzoub lab, Sumaya Al-Hosani and Mona Kalmouni, and Vanessa Nguyen, at the time a graduate student in the Barrera lab, with support from Research Instrumentation Scientists at the Core Technology Platforms at NYUAD, Liaqat Ali and Renu Pasricha, extensively characterized the properties of the nanocarrier in a wide range of cancer cell lines and in tumor-bearing mice. The drug-loaded hybrid nanoparticles showed potent anticancer activity, leading to a substantial reduction in tumor volume and mass and prolonged survival, while exhibiting no adverse effects to healthy tissue. "These novel pH-responsive hybrid nanoparticles are a highly promising cancer drug delivery platform that combines high stability with effective tumor targeting and triggered release of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer cells," said NYUAD Assistant Professor of Biology Mazin Magzoub. ### About NYU Abu Dhabi NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and science campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly-selective liberal arts, engineering and science curriculum with a world center for advanced research and scholarship enabling its students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity's shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi's high-achieving students have come from more than 115 nations and speak over 115 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents. This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Harrisburg police on Saturday raided a home in the 1200 block of Rolleston Street, less than one week after a shootout left 74 shell casings along the same block. A county tactical team forced entry into the home at 1249 Rolleston shortly after 6 a.m., according to court records, and officers found four men upstairs. Police then executed a search warrant that allowed them to look for drugs, guns and money. Police recovered three guns: two had been reported stolen and one had an obliterated serial number, according to court records. Police also found marijuana, a digital scale, four high-capacity magazines for ammunition and two additional magazines. Police charged the four men with drug and weapons charges. They each remain in jail on $1 million bail, which is notably higher than a typical gun and drug case. Detectives are sending the guns to be tested against the shell casings that were found after the daylight shootout Feb. 24. Bullets hit two buildings, including the neighborhood courthouse, and three vehicles, including one occupied by a family with a baby. No one was hurt. Police said they recovered shell casings from two locations along the block between the 1200 block of Rolleston Street and South 18th and Hanover streets. Police also plucked the crumpled bullet from the window frame of the courthouse. Police are still investigating whether the shootout was connected to gang activity. The house that police raided was shot into Oct. 29. No one was hit. After that shooting, police found 37 shell casings at the scene. Three of the men arrested during the search warrant executed Saturday were charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor: receiving stolen property, possession of a gun with an altered serial number, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. They are: Kendrell Tyree Hall, 18, Jalen Aaron Duncan, 19, and Dijuan Antonio Gibson, 19. A fourth man, Deovion Mykel Gibson, 20, was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors: receiving stolen property, possession of a gun with an altered serial number, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia The defendants are scheduled to appear March 17 before Magisterial District Judge Paul Zozos, whose courthouse window at 1300 Rolleston Street was struck by a bullet during the shootout. Zozos told PennLive last week he was in his office when he heard rapid-fire noises. He exited his office to see his staff members hiding on the floor. They told me it was gunshots, Zozos said. They heard something hit the office. Zozos peered outside and it appeared the gunmen were gone. So he walked outside and saw where a bullet was lodged into the lower frame of a window facing Rolleston Street. A clerk had been seated on the other side of that window. The same window was hit in a shooting in previous years, he said. At the corner of Rolleston and Hanover streets, Zozos said there were dozens of shell casings littering the street and they looked like they came from different guns. Security cameras at the courthouse recorded at least part of the shootout. The footage immediately was turned over to police, Zozos said. READ: Harrisburg files lawsuit against financial watchdog agency The attack happened on the Carncaver Road in east Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye An east Belfast home has been targeted in a pipe bomb attack. The device was thrown at the Carncaver Road property at around 9.30pm on Monday which led to a small fire in the living room, police said. The Fire Service attended the scene and put out the fire. No one was inside the home at the time. It is not known if the house is occupied. SDLP Lisnasharragh Councillor Seamas de Faoite condemned the attack and urged anyone with information to contact police. It is deeply disturbing that this kind of attack can happen in our community and put people in harms way," he said. The outcome of this reckless attack could have been fatal. Those behind the planting of this device have nothing to offer our community but fear. These criminals must be faced down. This type of attack is not wanted or welcome in the area." DUP councillor Tommy Sandford said the incident was "disgraceful" and also condemned it. "The neighbours were all very concerned someone may have been inside at the time, so it is a relief no one was injured. But this had the potential to be devastating, children could have been caught up in it. "This is very worrying and I can only condemn it." Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 or information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Colors of Florianopolis - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle If you visit the city, remember that the Brazilians have their own unique mentality. Otherwise, the misdeeds of local residents may seem illogical and inconsistent in some situations. The commitment of jeitinho brasileiro unites all citizens. This is the Brazilian manner of behaving. And "manner" is used in a pejorative sense in this context. This is an unwritten set of attitudes related to life in general. It will be quite difficult for a non-Brazilian to understand these rules. It is quite difficult to clearly formulate the main postulates of jeitinho brasileiro. An easy, calm attitude to life that borders on indifference is at the core here. There are no clear deadlines for the citizen. If there is an opportunity to postpone something for tomorrow, a true Brazilian will postpone it without hesitation. Unpunctuality reaches such a scale that even the deadline for collecting documents from candidates for the post of mayor in Florianopolis is often extended because no one brings the papers on time. Excursion over cultural sights of Florianopolis - 'must visit' points of interest Picturesque architectural buildings, plenty of unique monuments and museums - the choice of interesting places to visit in Florianopolis is really huge. One of the most colorful and Open Everyone is late here. Pizza deliverers, Internet customizers, maids, and bus drivers are always late. Even programs on local television usually start five or ten minutes later than planned. This is annoying at first. However, anyone who lives long enough in the city gradually gets used to this rhythm of life. The same jeitinho brasileiro allows avoiding the consequences of constantly postponing everything. If there is a problem, then it is worth solving it at the lowest cost. Corruption is rampant in Florianopolis. Postponing any action until everything is resolved and there is no need to do anything is an ideal solution for the Brazilian. In general, the vast majority of local residents try not to violate the law much, despite the fact that a bribe is probably the most common solution to all problems in Florianopolis. Local residents try to resolve any conflict in a peaceful way. The Brazilian would prefer the retreat of the manifestation of aggression. However, it is not safe to walk alone through the dark streets of the city. Local criminals often choose foreigners as victims. They consider them to be more wealthy people. Copyright www.orangesmile.com Postponing any action until everything is resolved and there is no need to do anything is an ideal solution for the Brazilian. In general, the vast majority of local residents try not to violate the law much, despite the fact that a bribe is probably the most common solution to all problems in Florianopolis. Local residents try to resolve any conflict in a peaceful way. The Brazilian would prefer the retreat of the manifestation of aggression. However, it is not safe to walk alone through the dark streets of the city. Local criminals often choose foreigners as victims. They consider them to be more wealthy people. Copyright www.orangesmile.com Your active city break in Florianopolis. Attractions, recreation and entertainment - best places to spend your day and night here Relaxing on well-groomed beaches, walks in picturesque places, visiting all kinds of leisure centers - Florianopolis is glad to offer tourists all the conditions for a comfortable pastime. Open Citizens like to communicate. It's absolutely normal to say a few words to a stranger in the checkout line or while waiting for a movie show to start. You should remember that perfect English is not a guarantee of mutual understanding in Florianopolis. The locals speak Spanish. Only those people who are often in contact with tourists speak English. If you have dark brown hair, don't be surprised that the locals will call you blonde. It is interesting that many of the indigenous citizens are blond and blue-eyed despite the spread of stereotypes about Brazilians. If a Brazilian asks "is everything fine?" (Tudo bem?), he counts on the answer "fine" (Tudo), regardless of how you are actually doing. If you are a girl and travel alone, do not be surprised by compliments from men, especially about the shape of your buttocks. It is this part of the body that is the main female beauty in the opinion of local residents. However, few citizens will come and try to get acquainted. This behavior is considered indecent among Brazilians. If one of your friends invites you to visit in Florianopolis, you should not be surprised at the lack of carpets and often even Wallpaper, as well as stories about the incoming housekeeper. Even poor Brazilians hire a person to help with the household here. Best beaches and recreation areas around Florianopolis Florianopolis is the most popular beach resort in Brazil. There are more than forty magnificent beaches available to holidaymakers, some of which have long been a regular venue for Open The vast majority of citizens are Catholics. Christmas is celebrated on a large scale in Florianopolis. El Nico brings gifts here. Each family makes Nacimientos on Christmas Eve. This is a diorama with a Christmas story. Locals also have fun during the carnival and during the pre-Easter week, called Semana Santa. Celebrations on St. Catherine's Day are also large-scale. The Shortcup World Film Festival takes place in the city in June. National and international competitions in the open water swimming, surfing, free-diving and skydiving are held regularly throughout the year here. This guide to traditions and festivals in Florianopolis is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com Marines and 7th Fleet Join to Discuss Naval Integration Navy News Service Story Number: NNS200302-01 Release Date: 3/2/2020 9:14:00 AM From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Leaders and staff from U.S. 7th Fleet and III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) met at sea to discuss naval integration aboard 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). The focus of naval integration is to ensure the Navy and Marine Corps are aligned with the National Defense Strategy, which requires shifting from traditional power projection to meeting the new challenges associated with maintaining a persistent naval forward presence. This was the second time the Marines and Sailors have met since the Commandant of the Marine Corps published his planning guidance and the Chief of Naval Operations published FRAGO 01/2019 both documents seek to bring the two Services closer together. The forum on USS Blue Ridge allowed 7th Fleet and III MEF staff principles to receive guidance from the commander and commanding general and participate in a series of working groups to think through the practical aspects of integration. "We can't integrate for the sake of integrating. Whatever we do has to makes sense and has to make us better," said Lt. Gen. Stacy Clardy, III MEF Commanding General. Through the working groups and the culminating staff exercise, the two staffs identified many ways the Force and the Fleet can be better aligned from concepts and exercises to processes and systems. "We have shown throughout history that the sum is greater than our individual parts. The Navy team is at its best when integrated with the Marine Corps Team," said U.S. 7th Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Bill Merz. 7th Fleet serves with III MEF to execute missions that enable maritime superiority through effective command and control, prosecution of naval fires, operational maneuvers, and maintaining relationships with allies and partners in the region. "Everything we do in the Indo-Pacific area of operations supports the singular goal of promoting security and stability across a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Merz and Clardy. III MEF is a forward-deployed, expeditionary air-ground-logistics team of approximately 27,000 Marines, capable of military operations ranging from major combat operations to humanitarian aid and crisis response. U.S. 7th Fleet provides security alongside allies and partners throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet operates roughly 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Actress Michelle Collins has been on the receiving end of a deluge of support on Twitter after she revealed she'd been 'bullied and vilified' for choosing to privately educate her daughter. The former EastEnders star said she'd been heavily criticised on the social media platform educating daughter Maia, now 23, away from the state school system. The celebrity, 57, told her 191,000 followers that she had been left staggered at the 'nastiness' on Twitter in response to her speaking about why she wanted to pay for Maia's education. Scroll down for video Former EastEnders star Michelle Collins told her 191,000 Twitter followers she'd been 'bullied' after revealing that her daughter Maia, now 23, went to private school as a teenager Collins said that she was shocked at the 'nastiness' of comments directed at her on Twitter after she revealed her daughter Maia, now 23, had enjoyed a paid-for education (Mother and daughter pictured when Maia was a teenager) Paid off! Back in February 2019, Collins revealed that her daughter had graduated from Bristol University with a first class honours degree in history In the UK, a private education at an independent school costs around 14,000, with boarding school around double that cost. Last year Maia, whose late father was Collins' former partner Fabrizio Tassalini, graduated from Bristol University with a First Class honours degree in 2019. After coming under fire for revealing that she paid for Maia's education, Collins tool to Twitter last night, writing: 'I'm sorry I sent my daughter to a private school because thats what worked for me and her at the time. She continued: 'Education is, was very Important to me. Am I now going to be vilified and bullied for it? I can believe the nastiness on twitter and from people I even know!' HOW MUCH DOES A PRIVATE EDUCATION IN THE UK COST? While schools vary in how much they charge, a private education costs on average around 14,000, with boarding school fees around double that at 30,000 Advertisement However, the star was greeted with a rush of love - and plenty of people who agreed with her - after posting. @E20Launderette replied: 'Ignore the nastiness and do not ever let anyone bully you over doing what is best for your child! All bullies are cowards, & the anonymity of the internet emboldens them.' @steveclements25 agreed, writing: 'That is your choice where you send your child to get the best education. Its none of the business, only yours. Sounds like they need educating.' @Threepintsplea3 wrote: 'Good luck to you and your brave and clever lass. Most people would choose to educate their children at the best school available to them and many make substantial sacrifices to do so.' Maia, whose late father was Collins' former partner Fabrizio Tassalini, has followed her mother's footsteps into acting Later, Collins posted a defiant message, saying she would no longer apologise for her choices in life After retweeting lots of posts from parents who say they would or they do pay for their children's education, the actress, who once played Cindy Beale in EastEnders followed up with: 'I am fine honestly. I'm a big girl now I'm a survivor. I dont let them get me down and I am so lucky that there are also a lot of good, decent, supportive people on here too. The actress added: 'I will no longer apologise for my choices in life.' Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Bali Tue, March 3, 2020 16:04 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067fca94 1 National Bali-Airport,Tourist,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,outbreak,outbreak-in-Indonesia,quarantine Free Balinese health authorities have quarantined nine foreign tourists who were on Emirates flight EK450 from Dubai to Bali after it was found that they sat near a New Zealander who later tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). "We traced the passengers sitting behind, next to and in front of the New Zealand patient, Bali Health Agency head Ketut Suarjaya said on Tuesday. They are staying at three different hotels in Bali. He said that all nine people appeared healthy and that the agency had taken samples from them for testing. The agency will keep the tourists under observation for the next 14 days. "We've taken the samples and we asked all [nine tourists] to limit their activities. All of them are foreigners, so we quarantined them in their hotels," he said. Last week, New Zealand reported its first coronavirus case of a female citizen in her 60s who traveled from Tehran, Iran, to Auckland via Bali. The New Zealand resident traveled using Emirates flight EK450 on Feb. 26. The New Zealand Health Ministry through its Twitter account urged passengers who traveled on the same flight to immediately contact authorities if they were concerned. Ketut said his agency was also investigating a report that an Australian resident had tested positive for COVID-19 after flying from Iran to Melbourne via Bali on Friday. "We haven't received the report from Australian authorities. However, we've collected the manifest data, he said. The Bali Port Health Authority has also collected data from health alert cards. (nal) Scientists have identified a sub-atomic particle that could have formed the 'dark matter' in the Universe during the Big Bang Scientists have identified a sub-atomic particle that could have formed the "dark matter" in the Universe during the Big Bang. Up to 80% of the Universe could be dark matter, but despite many decades of study, its physical origin has remained an enigma. While it cannot be seen directly, scientists know it exists because of its interaction via gravity with visible matter like stars and planets. Dark matter is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect or emit light. Now, nuclear physicists at the University of York are putting forward a new candidate for the mysterious matter - a particle they recently discovered called the d-star hexaquark. The particle is composed of six quarks - the fundamental particles that usually combine in trios to make up protons and neutrons. Importantly, the six quarks in a d-star result in a boson particle, which means that when many d-stars are present they can combine together in very different ways to the protons and neutrons. The research group at York suggest that in the conditions shortly after the Big Bang, many d-star hexaquarks could have grouped together as the universe cooled and expanded to form the fifth state of matter - Bose-Einstein condensate. Dr MIkhail Bashkanov and Professor Daniel Watts from the the department of physics at the University of York recently published the first assessment of the viability of this new dark matter candididate. Professor Daniel Watts from the department of physics at the University of York said: "The origin of dark matter in the universe is one of the biggest questions in science and one that, until now, has drawn a blank. Our first calculations indicate that condensates of d-stars are a feasible new candidate for dark matter. This new result is particularly exciting since it doesn't require any concepts that are new to physics." Co-author of the paper, Dr Mikhail Bashkanov from the Department of Physics at the University of York said: "The next step to establish this new dark matter candidate will be to obtain a better understanding of how the d-stars interact - when do they attract and when do they repel each other. "We are leading new measurements to create d-stars inside an atomic nucleus and see if their properties are different to when they are in free space. " ### The researchers will now collaborate with scientists in Germany and the US to test their theory of dark matter and search for d-star hexaquarks in the cosmos. A new possibility for light-quark Dark Matter is published in the Journal of Physics G Letters. The research was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). (Newser) On July 6, 2017, Cosmo DiNardo met with his psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania. Christian Kohler had been treating the 20-year-old since November and had gradually been decreasing the anti-psychotic drugs the Bucks County man took for the bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia that he had only recently been diagnosed with. During that visit, Kohler allegedly took him off his meds entirely. In a lengthy piece for Philadelphia Magazine, Ralph Cipriano juxtaposes that move with what DiNardo was supposedly doing while waiting for his appointment to start: googling Mexico's "Soup Maker Cartel," which was known for dissolving its victims' bodies in acid. DiNardo wasn't just interested in killinghe had killed, just the day before, the first of four murders that made international headlines. story continues below On July 5, Jimi Patrick made a deal with DiNardo to buy $8,000 of pot. Once at the DiNardo family farm in New Hope, Patrick was shot dead and buried in a grave DiNardo dug with a backhoe. July 7 brought another drug-deal ruse; this time, DiNardo and his cousin killed three more young men. Cipriano describes the gruesome next step: DiNardo used gas to "set them on fire in an oil tank that had been converted into a 'pig roaster.' Then he went out for a cheesesteak." Cipriano describes DiNardo's parents as hardworking, successful entrepreneurs whose oldest son had been thought of as the "hottest boy" in town. After a serious May 2016 ATV accident left him with head injuries, he was given anti-depressants that led him to gain 100 pounds; he started becoming violent. His parents say they tried mightily to help him; lawsuits frame them as the enablers who gave him access to the gun, backhoe, and pig roaster. (Read the full story.) TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQB: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America, today announced today that the Company will be presenting at the third annual LD Micro Virtual Conference on Tuesday March 3rd at 1:40pm PST/4:40pm EST. Khiron President Chris Naprawa will present and take questions from investors. The live presentation can be accessed through the following link: https://bit.ly/3ah0HgM For the presenting schedule, please visit: https://www.ldmicro.com/events The conference will be held via webcast and will feature over 40 companies in the small / micro-cap space. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event). In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com for more information. About Khiron Life Sciences Corp. Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated cannabis company in Latin America. Khiron has core operations in Latin America and is fully licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) medical cannabis. The company delivers best in class regulatory compliance, has the first approved set of CBD cosmetic products on shelf in Colombia, and is currently facilitating testing to meet and surpass all license requirements for commercial cannabis derived products. With a focused regional strategy and patient oriented approach, the Company combines global scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, branded product market entrance experience and education to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, depression and anxiety in the Latin American market of over 620 million people. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced executive team, and a knowledgeable Board of Directors that includes former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox. Visit Khiron online at www.khiron.ca and on Instagram @khironlife Cautionary Notes Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. United States Disclaimer This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available 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 press release. Investor Contacts: Chris Naprawa President T: +1 (416) 705-1144 E: cnaprawa@khiron.ca Media Contact: Jon Packer Vice President, Communications T: +1 (416) 543-9179 E: jpacker@khiron.ca SOURCE: Khiron Life Sciences Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578686/Khiron-President-Chris-Naprawa-To-Present-at-2020-LD-Micro-Virtual-Conference The Iranian reaction follows last weeks riots in north-east Delhi that has left several dead. New Delhi: In what will be a great shock for India, Iran has slammed the recent Delhi riots and condemned what it claimed was a wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. Calling itself a friend of India, Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, in a late-night tweet, urged Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of all Indians and not let senseless thuggery prevail, adding that the path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. New Delhi had just recently slammed certain international bodies for their irresponsible comments on the Delhi riots but the reaction of Iran will no doubt cause considerable concern for New Delhi and take it by surprise. Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of all Indians and not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law, The Iranian foreign minister tweeted. Foreign policy observers feel the Iranian comments could be an expression of resentment and anger by Tehran against the recent visit of US President Donald Trump to India and New Delhi laying out the red carpet for President Trump. It could also be seen as a sign of discord at a time when Iran is battling a severe outbreak of Coronavirus that has claimed many lives in the west Asian nation. Reeling under US sanctions, Iran has moved considerably closer to China. But India needs Iran especially for the strategic sea-land access to Afghanistan and central Asia through the Iranian port of Chabahar. The Iranian reaction follows last weeks riots in north-east Delhi that has left several dead. Kelly-Weeder said patients cared for within the public health care system are required to seek help in specific community clinics that are often understaffed. Patients typically queue up hours before the clinics open and may have to return again the next day if health care providers are not able to see them. Its a perfect time to introduce the NP role into both the public and private health care sectors, explained Kelly-Weeder, a family nurse practitioner and associate professor in the Connell Shcool. The first NPs in the U.S. were prepared to take care of individuals who were not able to access care. Loretta Ford was a public health nurse who saw that young children were not getting the care they needed. They were not being immunized or getting preventative care. In response, she developed, along with pediatrician Dr. Henry Silver, the first NP program, training registered nurses to provide primary care to pediatric patients. Today, the majority of NPs in the U.S. are educated as primary care providers and are managing care for individuals with acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Currently in Chile, nurses earn a bachelors degree in nursing (a five-year program) but while graduate programs are available, none of them involve post-baccalaureate advanced practice nursing. Last month, Kelly-Weeder made her fifth visit to Chile, where she taught an intensive session of her course The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse to Chilean nurses who work in a variety of health care settings. She will teach the remainder of this course online for the 17 students. Since 2018, Kelly-Weeder has taught the course three times to approximately 75 students. Leyan attended Kelly-Weeders class two years ago and expressed interest in furthering her education and becoming a nurse practitioner. With financial support from PUC, its hospital, and the Connell School, Leyan enrolled in the Connell School and earned a masters degree in 2019. She passed a national certification exam and returned to Chile as a family nurse practitioner. A second nurse from Chile who Kelly-Weeder also taught, Magdalena Correa Duque, is currently enrolled in the Connell Schools family nurse practitioner program and is expected to graduate in 2021. The parliamentary group of the opposition Parbeszed party will submit a proposal to introduce stricter conditions for the smog alerts in Budapest, politicians of the party said. David Dorosz, Budapest deputy mayor for climate protection and development, said his partys parliamentary group and the city council have started working together for meaningful action against air pollution and have also initiated a meeting of an inter-departmental committee. He noted that Budapests municipal council decided on Wednesday to provide information if the threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for smaller sized particulate matter (PM2.5) is exceeded. Dorosz called air pollution the biggest killer, adding that it causes the deaths of more than 3,000 people in Budapest every year. He said how the proposal is met will be a test of Prime Minister Viktor Orbans green credentials. If the lives and health of Budapest residents are important to Fidesz and the prime minister, heres a chance to support a really green proposal, he said. Timea Szabo, head of the partys parliamentary group, said air pollution was responsible for the deaths of 10,000-15,000 Hungarians every year and the related diseases and deaths cost the countrys health care services 40 billion dollars each year. She said PM2.5 airborne particulates are mainly emitted through the use of the diesel and low-quality fuels, so the partys proposal calls for the smog alert to be extended to the PM2.5 limit value of 25 micrograms per cubic metre of particulate matter set by the WHO. MTI Photo: Szigetvary Zsolt In honor of Women's History Month, Military.com highlights seven female veterans who played large roles in either the history of the U.S. armed forces or later in civilian life. Ranging from the Civil War to the present day and representing all services, these women broke barriers, made a difference, and became role models for all future generations. Bea Arthur Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan in "The Golden Girls." Best known for her roles on the popular television shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls," the late Bea Arthur was also once a truck driver in the Marine Corps. She was one of the first members of the Women's Reserve and, aside from driving military trucks, Arthur was also a typist. She enlisted at the age of 21 in early 1943 under her original name, Bernice Frankel. Appraisals from her her enlistment interviews described her conversation as argumentative and her attitude and manner as over aggressive -- fitting, given the cantankerous characters she would play later in life. In a handwritten note, the Marine interviewer remarked, Officious--but probably a good worker -- if she has her own way! Arthur was stationed at Marine Corps and Navy air stations in Virginia and North Carolina during her career, and was promoted from corporal to sergeant to staff sergeant. She was honorably discharged in September 1945, married a fellow Marine (Private Robert Aurthur) shortly afterwards, and changed her name to Bea Arthur before enrolling in the Dramatic Workshop of the New School in New York in 1947. After a successful Broadway career that included a Tony award, Arthur made a splash as "Cousin Maude" in the classic TV series "All in the Family" in the early '70s, and went on to star in her own sit-com, and cement her celebrity fame and status as a gay icon in the long-running show "Golden Girls." Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody The first woman to serve as a four-star general in both the Army and the U.S. armed forces, Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody joined the Army in 1974, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps in 1975. Her first assignment was as supply platoon leader, 226th Maintenance Company (Forward, Direct Support), 100th Supply and Services Battalion (Direct Support), Fort Sill, Okla. Her biggest impact was as commander of the Army Materiel Command, or AMC, one of the largest commands in the Army, employing more than 69,000 employees across all 50 states and 145 countries. "It was Ann's most recent role, as commander of the AMC, in which she unified global logistics in a way [that has never] been done," said Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno . "She capitalized AMC's fundamental logistics functions to maximize the efficiency and services they provided of supply, maintenance, contact support, research and development, base and installation support, and deployment and distribution. She connected AMC not only to the Army, but ensured the joint force was always ready and supplied as well." "From the very first day that I put my uniform on, right up until this morning, I know there is nothing I would have rather done with my life," she said. "Thank you for helping me make this journey possible." At her retirement ceremony in 2012, Dunwoody said, "Over the last 38 years I have had the opportunity to witness women Soldiers jump out of airplanes, hike 10 miles, lead men and women, even under the toughest circumstances," she said. "And over the last 11 years I've had the honor to serve with many of the 250,000 women who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan on battlefields where there are no clear lines, battlefields where every man and woman had to be a rifleman first. And today, women are in combat, that is just a reality. Thousands of women have been decorated for valor and 146 have given their lives. Today, what was once a band of brothers has truly become a band of brothers and sisters." Grace Murray Hopper Commodore Grace Hopper Known as "Amazing Grace," Commodore Hopper's importance in U.S. naval history is apparent everywhere you turn: a destroyer was named after her (USS Hopper, DDG-70), as was the Cray XE6 "Hopper" supercomputer. As founder of the COBOL programming language, a precursor to many of the software code approaches of today, her work is legendary among computer scientists and mathematicians. In 1943, during World War II, she joined the United States Naval Reserves. She was assigned to the Bureau of Ordinance Computation Project. There she became the third programmer of the world's first large-scale computer called the Mark I. When she saw it, all she could think about was taking it apart and figuring it out. "That was an impressive beast. She was fifty-one feet long, eight feet high, and five feet deep," said Hopper. She mastered the Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III. While trying to repair the Mark I she discovered a moth caught in a relay. She taped the moth in the log book and from that coined the phrase "a bug in the computer". During her career she she mastered the UNIVAC I, the first large-scale electronic computer, and created a program that translated symbolic math codes into machine language. This breakthrough allowed programmers to store codes on magnetic tape and re-call them when they were needed -- essentially the first compiler. In 1966, Hopper retired from the Naval Reserves as a Commander, but was called back to active duty one year later at the Navy's request, to help standardize its computer programs and their languages. She was promoted to Captain in 1973 by Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., Chief of Naval Operations. And in 1977, she was appointed special advisor to Commander, Naval Data Automation Command (NAVDAC), where she stayed until she retired. In 1983, a bill was introduced by Rep. Philip Crane (D-Ill.) who said, "It is time the Navy recognized the outstanding contributions made by this officer recalled from retirement over a decade and a half ago and promote her to the rank of Commodore." Rep. Crane became interested in Hopper after seeing her March 1983 60 Minutes interview. He'd never met Hopper, but after speaking with several people, was convinced she was due the added status of being a flag officer. The bill was approved by the House, and at the age of 76, she was promoted to Commodore by special Presidential appointment. Her rank was elevated to rear admiral in November 1985, making her one of few women admirals in the history of the United States Navy. By the time of her death in 1992, Hopper was renowned as a mentor and a giant in her field, with honoree doctorates from over 30 universities. She was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Eileen Collins Astronaut Eillen Collins As a young child, Eileen Collins loved to sit with her dad in the family car and watch airplanes take off and land. The roar of the powerful engines and the grace of the aircraft as they seemed to float in the air always held excitement and enchantment for the young daughter of Irish immigrants. That love of flying would lead the Air Force colonel to be honored as the first woman to command a space shuttle mission, STS-93, in July of 1999, and place the NASA astronaut into the history books. Colonel Collins joined the Air Force in 1979 and served as a T-38 flight instructor until 1982. From 1983 to 1985 she was a C-141 Starlifter aircraft commander and instructor pilot. She was assistant professor of mathematics and T-41 instructor pilot at the Air Force Academy from 1986 to 1989 and graduated from the Air Force Test Pilot School in 1990. While attending the Test Pilot School, Collins was selected by NASA for the astronaut program and became an astronaut in July 1991. In 1995 Col. Collins became the first woman to pilot a space shuttle and in 1999 she was the first woman shuttle commander. She has over 5,000 hours in 30 different types of aircraft and has spent over 537 hours in space. "I was very excited and happy," said Collins, who applied for both a pilot and mission specialist slot with NASA. "But even though I'll remember that day for the rest of my life, it really didn't sink in until I graduated. I knew that there had never been a woman shuttle pilot before. Now, I'd be the first." After four successful shuttle missions, Collins retired in 2006. "I do miss being in space," she said, "but I flew four times, and all four missions were very busy because you're constantly working and under stress. You have a mission; your boss is the people of the country and you don't want to disappoint the people. Usually toward the end of the mission, you can let your hair down a little bit because the primary mission's done and everything is put away. That was when you could put your face against the glass, stretch out your arms, and you don't even see the ship around you, just the Earth below, and you feel like you're flying over the planet." Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman One of the most celebrated heroines in American history, Harriet Tubman is best known for ushering slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad in the 1850s. But not everyone knows that Tubman, who escaped slavery in 1849, set up a vast espionage ring for the Union during the Civil War. She served as a cook, a nurse, and even a spy for the Union during the Civil War, and also was the first woman in American history to lead a military expedition. In one of her most dramatic and dangerous roles, Tubman helped Colonel James Montgomery plan a raid to free slaves from plantations along the Combahee River in South Carolina. Early on the morning of June 1, 1863, three gunboats carrying several hundred male soldiers along with Harriet Tubman set out on their mission. Tubman had gathered key information from her scouts about the Confederates' positions, and knew where they were hiding along the shore. She also found out they had placed torpedoes -- barrels filled with gunpowder -- in the water. Ultimately, her group freed about 750 slaves -- men, women, children, and babies -- and did not lose one soldier in the attack. Reporting on the raid to Secretary of War Stanton, Brigadier General Rufus Saxton said, This is the only military command in American history wherein a woman, black or white, led the raid, and under whose inspiration. it was originated and conducted. Sadly, Tubman was paid only $200 during her three years of service and was denied a pension for her spy work. Elsie S. Ott Elsie S. Ott During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps pioneered military medical care through the development of air evacuations of wounded personnel. Contributing to this was 2nd Lt. Elsie S. Ott, a flight nurse on the first intercontinental air evacuation flight that demonstrated the potential of air evacuation. Born in 1913 in Smithtown, N.Y, Ott attended Lenox Hill Hospital School of Nursing in New York City after completing high school. After several positions in area hospitals, Ott joined the Army Nurse Corps in September 1941. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant soon after and had assignments to Louisiana and Virginia before being sent to Karachi, India. It was during this assignment that she would participate in the first air evacuation. Originating from Karachi, India, patients were evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Ott was assigned to the flight with only 24 hours' notice. Prior to this she had no flying experience and had never flown before. She gathered blankets, sheets and pillows for the trip, but the only medical equipment available to her was nothing more than a first aid kit. No medical professional screened the patients who were to fly with Ott, and she and a sergeant with a medical background were the only people on board to care for patients. The plane left Karachi with five wounded personnel Jan. 17, 1943. Of those five, two were paralyzed from the waist down, one suffered from tuberculosis, another with glaucoma and the fifth was suffering manic-depressive psychosis. After stops along the way for refueling, the plane reached its destination nearly a week after beginning -- normally a three month trip by ship. Ott knew that her report on the trip would be crucial for further planning, and she immediately sat down to make notes for future flights. Among the suggestions she listed were the need for oxygen, more wound dressing supplies, extra coffee and blankets. She also noted that wearing a skirt was impractical for this kind of duty. Two months later, Ott received the first U.S. Air Medal, the first given to a woman in the U.S. Army, for her role in the evacuation flight. She would later be promoted to captain before being discharged in 1946. Nearly 20 years later in 1965, Ott was selected to christen a new type of air ambulance: the C-9 Nightingale. Sarah Emma Edmonds Sarah Emma Edmonds Union soldiers during the Civil War knew a comrade known as Franklin Flint Thompson, but in reality Thomspon was really a woman -- Sarah Emma Edmonds -- and one of the few females known to have served during the Civil War. Edmonds was born in Canada in 1841, but desperate to escape an abusive father and forced marriage, moved to Flint, Michigan in 1856, where she discovered that life was easier when she dressed as a man. Compelled to join the military out of sense of duty, she enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Infantry as a male field nurse. As "Franklin Flint Thompson" Edmonds participated in several battles the took place during the Maryland Campaign of 1862, which included Second Battles of Manassas and Antietam. As a field nurse she would be dealing with mass casualties, especailly at Antietam which is known as one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. She is also said to have served as a Union spy and infiltrated the Confederate army several times, although there is no official record of it. One of her alleged aliases was as a Southern sympathizer named Charles Mayberry. Another was as a black man named Cuff, for which she disguised herself using wigs and silver nitrate to dye her skin. And yet another was as Bridget O'Shea, an Irish peddler selling soap and apples. Malaria eventually forced Edmonds to give up her military career, since she knew she would be discovered if she went to a military hospital and her being listed as a deserter upon leaving made it impossible for her to return after she recovered. Nevertheless, she still continued serving her new country, again as a nurse, though now as a female one at a hospital for soldiers in Washington, D.C. In 1865, Edmonds published her experiences in the bestselling "Nurse and Spy in the Union Army," and went on to marry and have children. But her heroic contributions to the Civil War were not forgotten and she was awarded an honorable discharge from the military, a government pension, and admittance to the Grand Army of the Republic as its only female member. Related Video: I have been thinking about how I would curate, he said, how I would nurture dancers, what kind of environment I want to create. I have been an avid spectator, watching work not just ballet everywhere, observing companies and directors with great attention. Craig Dunn, the chairman of the board of the Australian Ballet, said in a phone interview that the search had attracted more than 50 international applicants. We wanted someone who had a real cultural affinity with Australia, and with David, we have someone who has spent an important time in his life here, and who really knows, understands and loves the country, he said. Mr. Dunn said the search committee and the board had been impressed by Mr. Hallbergs artistic vision, and that his deep connections to important institutions, choreographers and dancers would be critical for the company. Australia is still a long way from New York and London, so for David to bring that up-to-date knowledge to us is vital, he said. Mr. Hallberg said that he didnt yet want to talk about his programming intentions, but that he had ideas about certain choreographers who havent been seen in Australia. I have many names in my head for those first phone calls, he said. His other major ambition, he said, was to better integrate the ballet company into Australian society and culture. Its partly about education, partly about going to more isolated communities and being involved with other dance and cultural institutions, he said. He added: Come January 2021, it wont be about me anymore; it will be about this institution and its dancers. When the Brooklyn Book Festival, considered the East Coasts largest free literary event, started in 2006, I saw only about 10 literary festivals in the United States, said Liz Koch, the co-producer. Now, there are more than double that, with smaller regional ones that many dont even know about. The best-selling author Sue Miller believes that the number of literary festivals has grown over the last 15 years thanks in part to readers passionate interest. Its extraordinary to amble into the authors room for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at one of these events and glimpse the likes of Joyce Carol Oates, or Jennifer Egan or Edward P. Jones, she said, adding that appearing before readers is also helpful to any writers career. Here are a few festivals that show the diversity of the literary event landscape, each attracting very loyal and growing audiences: United States The Miami Book Fair, the largest and oldest literary festival in the United States, started in 1984. It now attracts more than 250,000 people annually, and will be held Nov. 15 to 22 this year. The multilingual event, with more than 600 authors, highlights the areas Caribbean heritage with panels in English, French, Spanish and Haitian Creole. Almost every genre is represented, including childrens literature and graphic novels (admission is $10). How do you justify pushing for more gun control when you have an armed security detail that is likely equipped with the same firearms and magazines you seek to ban the common citizen from owning? Does your life matter more than mine or my familys or these peoples? a Virginian named Clarke Chitty asked Democratic Party presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg during a recent Fox News town hall. Its an outstanding question. And Bloombergs answer is pretty straightforward: Yes, his life is worth more than yours. Look, I probably get 40 or 50 threats every week, OK, and some of them are real. That just happens when youre the mayor of New York City or youre very wealthy and if youre campaigning for president of the United States, Bloomberg replied. You get lots of threats. So, I have a security detail, I pay for it all myself, and . . . theyre all retired police officers who are very well trained in firearms. In the United States, our rights arent or shouldnt be meted out according to status. But youll notice Bloomberg doesnt really answer the question, anyway. I suspect millions of Americans who arent as famous or rich (very rich, in this case) live in situations in which their property and safety are threatened to the same extent. Not that it matters. Does Bloomberg propose that everyone undergo a government risk assessment before being allowed to practice constitutional rights? Probably, right? More importantly, Clarke Chitty, one suspects, has zero interest in stripping away Bloombergs constitutional right to own a firearm, or to hire professional armed bodyguards to protect him from legitimate threats. The former mayor of New York City, on the other hand, has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in efforts to pass laws and regulations that would leave Americans like Clarke Chitty defenseless. Its this kind of arrogance that brought about District of Columbia v. Heller, the case affirming that the Second Amendment is an individual right. One of the first plaintiffs in that effort, Shelly Parker, was an African-American resident of Washington, D.C., who had gotten fed up with the crime near her Capitol Hill home. She attempted to rally her neighbors to clean up the neighborhood, provoking the ire of local drug dealers, who began vandalizing her property and threatening her life. In the event that someone does get in my home, she explained, I would have no defense, except maybe throw my paper towels at them. It would have been illegal for Parker, neither wealthy nor famous, to obtain a gun to protect herself. She was also in danger. Story continues Or take Otis McDonald, the retired 76-year-old of McDonald v. City of Chicago, a case that affirmed that the right of individual gun ownership extended to the states. By 2010, the neighborhood McDonald had lived in since 1971 had become infested with gangs, drug dealers, and widespread criminality. His home had been broken into on five separate occasions, so he had a legitimate reason to worry about his safety. Someone like Bloomberg might have suggested that Otis keep some paper towels handy, but McDonald wanted a handgun. At the time, Chicago had a handgun ban in place, ensuring that only criminals could own them. I suspect that McDonald was in as much jeopardy as Bloomberg. To top it off, Bloomberg then blatantly lied to the Fox crowd, claiming that the Supreme Court said you can have reasonable restrictions, and the only restrictions which I am in favor of is to prevent us from selling guns to people with psychiatric problems, criminals, or people that are minors, OK? Not really. If Bloomberg had any practical hope of overturning the Second Amendment, he would certainly do it. As it is, Bloomberg bankrolls major anti-gun efforts that go much further policy-wise than keeping guns out of the hands of children and people with serious psychiatric problems both of which are already illegal, and supported by nearly everyone. Bloomberg, the presidential candidate, supports banning assault weapons, the most popular rifles in the country, which account for a sliver of the gun crimes in the country. Bloomberg supports stripping gun companies of immunity in civil lawsuits that would allow activists to hold manufacturers responsible for all criminality a blatant attempt to put them out of business. Bloomberg supports red flag laws, which strip away due process for gun owners. Bloomberg supports raising the age of gun ownership from 18 to 21. Bloomberg supports federal efforts requiring every gun buyer to obtain a permit. Bloomberg wants to create a positon for a federal gun czar to implement all these restrictions on the federal level. In other words, Bloomberg supports every single active effort to restrict gun ownership that exists. Well for you, not him. More from National Review Global Tinnitus Market: Snapshot The global tinnitus market exhibited impressive growth in the recent past as the number of people suffering from tinnitus has been increasingly continuously. Tinnitus is a physical condition that occurs within an ear when there is no external noise mainly considered as a hearing perception. In most of the cases tinnitus occurs due to fluctuation in cochleas nerve activity as the auditory inputs are reduced. There are more than 200 disorders related to tinnitus and are considered as symptoms for tinnitus. Oxidative stress, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, multiple sclerosis, emotional stress, wax increase, traumatic brain injury, nasal allergies, ear infection, and exposure to deafening sound are the main symptoms of tinnitus. Request a Sample Copy of the Tinnitus Market Research Report: https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=131 The incidence of tinnitus has increased significantly over the years. As per recent studies, North America has been witnessing an increasing incidence of this disease. Though numerous people are suffering from this, but there is no cure for this devastating condition. However, with sound therapy, medical counselling, tinnitus retraining therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) its severity level can be decreased. Various research and development initiatives are underway to find cure for this disease. Recently, advanced devices were introduced that can be used as a part of treatment which drive tinnitus market. Recently, at a conference held at the University of Iowa by Aurex International Corp (AIC) a subsidiary unit of ADM Tronics Unlimited, Inc. on their 26th Annual International Conference on Managemanet of the Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Patient, developments done on the Aurex-3 were explained. In addition to this, the CEO of AIC also revealed a non-invasive therapy device that will control and treat tinnitus. Use of therapeutic medical technology that will help to control medical functions through smartphones is expected to improve the process of treating tinnitus. The tinnitus shield is unique in its form as it protects the ear from damaging sounds that may cause tinnitus (ringing in ears). The use of this device can be extremely beneficial for people engaged in military, police, construction workers, musicians and others working in occupation conditional on Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Check Discount at: https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=131 Global Tinnitus Market: Overview Tinnitus is a physical condition characterized by a hearing perception (noise or ringing sensation) within an ear when there is no such external noise. The exact cause of tinnitus is still not known. However, in most of cases, fluctuations in cochleas nerve activity due to reduced auditory input causes tinnitus. Moreover, over 200 different health disorders lead to tinnitus as a symptom, including ear infections, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, multiple sclerosis, oxidative stress, emotional stress, a foreign object or earwax touching the eardrum, wax increase, nasal allergies, traumatic brain injury, and exposure to deafening sounds. Subjective tinnitus and objective tinnitus are the two major types of tinnitus. Subjective tinnitus, ear or head noises perceivable only to the patient, occurs in 99% of all tinnitus patients. Objective tinnitus, ear or head noises audible to patients as well as other people, is quite rare. Tinnitus is considered one of the serious health problems that has a negative impact on a patients quality of life. The burden of tinnitus is gradually increasing worldwide. According to the CDC, around 15% of the population of the U.S., or 50 million people, suffer from some form of tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus is estimated to affect around 20 million people in the country. There is no cure for this uncomfortable and debilitating condition; however, several therapies are available in the market that help to suppress tinnitus. These include medical counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), and sound therapy. Global Tinnitus Market: Key Trends High prevalence of tinnitus and the lack of any approved treatment options drive the development of drugs to treat this condition. The tinnitus treatment market is expected to offer immense opportunity to pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Various research institutes and organizations are focusing on development of drugs to treat tinnitus and remarkable advancements in research related to this condition have been made. For example, in May 2017, Sound Pharmaceuticals was awarded US$ 1.6 Mn by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics to prevent and treat tinnitus caused by antibiotics. Rising investment in the research & development of treatments for tinnitus is expected to lead to the launch of novel drugs in the near future. Several pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting clinical trials of drugs to treat tinnitus. Over 10 clinical studies on drugs for the treatment of tinnitus are currently underway. In January 2017, Auris Medical Holding AG announced resumption of enrollment for TACTT3 phase 3 trial of Keyzilen, its candidate for the treatment of acute inner ear tinnitus. Global Tinnitus Market: Insight into Key Participants Companies in the tinnitus market such as Auris Medical and Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH have their candidate products in pipeline which are expected to be launched in the next few years. Moreover, medical device companies such as Oticon Medical are conducting clinical trials on cochlear implant products. Key players engaged in tinnitus therapeutics development are Auris Medical Holding AG, AudioCure Pharma GmbH, Knopp Biosciences LLC, Merz Pharma GmbH & Co KgaA, and Otonomy, Inc. Request TOC of the Report for more Industry Insights @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=131 As coronavirus spreads across the world, Twitter has asked over 5,000 of its employees to work from home. The San Francisco-based social media giant has said it was operating out of "caution" and utmost dedication to keep its employees healthy. "Beginning today, we are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us - and the world around us," Twitter said. The company is also ensuring that internal meetings and important tasks are optimised for remote participation. The company has, however, clarified those who can't work from home can come to offices. "We recognise that working from home is not ideal for some job functions. For those employees who prefer or need to come into the offices, they will remain open for business," Twitter maintained. Working from home will also be mandatory for employees based in our Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea offices due to government restrictions in these nations. "Our criteria will evolve over time as we get more information, and we will communicate to affected Tweeps as appropriate," Twitter said. Also read: Coronavirus updates: Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Delhi, Telangana The company has also called off its Southwest conference scheduled to be held in Austin, Texas, later this month. Besides, Twitter said it's also an opportunity for the social media giant to work towards the remote and distributed workforce. "While this is a big change for us, we have already been moving towards a more distributed workforce that's increasingly remote. We're a global service and we're committed to enabling anyone, anywhere to work at Twitter," the company has said. Soon after the company's announcement, #webackjack started trending on Twitter, with several employees praising founder and Chief Executive Jack Dorsey for prioritising employees' health. Also read: Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present The coronavirus death toll in China climbed to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, while 125 confirmed cases were reported on Monday, the lowest since the virus outbreak in the country. The deadly disease has wreaked havoc globally with the total number of deaths crossing 3,000 and infections surging past 89,000. Edited by Manoj Sharma Also read: Coronavirus: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads The Delhi High Court has held as not maintainable, a plea by late industrialist KK Modi's wife challenging her son Lalit Modi's move to initiate arbitration proceedings in Singapore over property dispute of the family. The high court said it does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate the anti-arbitration injunction suits filed by Lalit Modi's mother Bina, his sister Charu and brother Samir and they are open to take such pleas before the arbitral tribunal in Singapore. Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said that an anti-arbitration injunction suit does not lie, so the pleas are not maintainable, and dismissed. Bina, Charu and Samir, in two separate suits, contended that there was a trust deed between the family members and the KK Modi family trust matters cannot be settled through arbitration in a foreign country as per Indian laws. They had sought permanent injunction restraining Lalit Modi from prosecuting or continuing with the application for emergency measures and any arbitration proceedings against them. As per the case, the Trust Deed was executed at London by KK Modi as settlor/ managing Trustee and Bina, Lalit, Charu and Samir as Trustees, and in pursuance to oral family settlement recorded between them on the February 10, 2006. KK Modi died on November 2 last year after which the dispute emerged amongst the trustees. Lalit contended that after the demise of his father, in view of lack of unanimity amongst the trustees regarding sale of trust assets, a sale of all assets of the trust has been triggered and distribution to beneficiaries has to occur within one year thereof, the court noted. His mother and the two siblings contended that on a true construction of the trust deed, no such sale has been triggered. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Bina, Charu and Samir Modi, contended that Lalit was a fugitive and also accused of several gross violations of Indian law, including criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy under the IPC and proceedings under Prevention of Money Laundering Act are pending against him. To this, the court said: "A thought occurred to the undersigned (judge), that Lalit may be interested in keeping the proceedings outside the country, to be able to reap benefits of his share in the Trust Fund outside India, to escape the liability from the proceedings already pending in this country against him, and whether this qualifies as a reason for this Court to entertain the suit." The judge further said: "However on a deeper consideration, I am of the view that the Constitution of India, though has vested this court with jurisdiction, while exercising powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to grant relief which law does not entitle a party to or to not grant relief to which a person is entitled to in law, but has not vested this court with such discretion while exercising Ordinary Original Civil Jurisdiction and has vested such powers only in the Supreme Court under Article 142 and this court should thus refrain from acting on such considerations." The court also said there was no merit in the contention of the counsel for Bina and her two children that the procedure followed by International Chamber of Commerce, Singapore (ICC) was repugnant to Arbitration Act. The court said the Arbitration Act is governed by the principle of freedom of the parties and Section 19 thereof expressly provides that the parties are free to agree on the procedure to be followed by the Arbitral Tribunal in conducting the proceedings. "The parties, though in the original Trust Deed provided for arbitration in New Delhi, while re-stating the Trust Deed, consciously changed the same to arbitration of ICC, Singapore. "Considering the status of the parties, who belong to a business family and are well alive to litigations and arbitration of all kinds, it cannot be said that they were not aware of the procedure of ICC. Thus the ground of haste makes waste, cannot be invoked," it said. The court added that a party, after having expressly agreed to a particular state of affairs, cannot raise the argument of 'forum non conveniens' (discretionary power that allows courts to dismiss a case where another court is much better suited to hear the case), which is available only in case of concurrent jurisdiction. The judge mentioned in the 39-page judgement that before commencing hearing on the suits, he had from the senior advocates whether the disputes were not easily resolvable and why should this generation also repeat the mistake of the earlier generation, which has cost the larger family of the parties dearly. However, finding that the parties presently are not in a mood to settle and are ready to litigate, the attempt was not taken further, the court noted. "I however still implore the parties to instead of, settling after litigating for years giving regard to their relationship with each other, attempt amicable settlement even now, to nip this litigation in the bud," the judge said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Monday urged Guinea-Bissaus army to remain neutral in the countrys deepening political struggle. The ECOWAS said it firmly condemned the latest developments in the country, which it was following with great concern. Those developments include the successive investiture of two heads of state outside of legal and constitutional frameworks and the co-existence of two Prime Ministers, ECOWAS said in a statement. Since Friday, the army has moved into several institutions, including ministries and the national assembly, and took control of local radio and television stations. While ex-prime minister and military general Umaro Sissoco Embalo was declared winner of the presidential election by the electoral commission, the ruling party rejected the results and challenged them in the Supreme Court. Last week, Embalo swore himself in as president, while the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which enjoys a majority in parliament, also installed a rival president and prime minister. According to Guineas National Electoral Commission (CNE), 47-year-old Embalo polled 54% of the vote versus 46% for the ruling party candidate Pereira. The next president of the country faces an uphill task to combat widespread poverty and an unstable political system in which the majority party appoints the government but the president can dismiss it. Traffickers also exploit Guinea-Bissaus unpoliced waters and maze of picturesque forested islands to ship South American cocaine destined for Europe. Flash Leaders of foreign political parties and organizations have sent messages to China, speaking positively of the country's achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The messages sent to the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee also said China's measures had won time for the world to combat the disease and led to valuable prevention and control experience from which countries around the world could learn. They said they look forward to working together with China to stem the disease's global spread. In a joint message, Pakistan's National Party President Abdul Malik Baloch and General Secretary Jan Muhammad Buledi paid tribute to the CPC cadres and the Chinese people for the valor and unity demonstrated during the fight against the epidemic. They also condemned some Western media for making false claims about the outbreak. Under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC, China will no doubt defeat its current difficulties and become ever stronger and more united, they added. Secretary-General of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) Roque Silva Samuel said that China has made achievements in epidemic prevention and control, a reflection of the effectiveness of China's measures. Noting that the FRELIMO -- supported by the CPC -- has taken corresponding preventive measures, Samuel said that under Xi's leadership, the Chinese government and people will quickly beat the epidemic and set an example for the world. Secretary General of the Rwanda Patriotic Front Francois Ngarambe said that under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have overcome many challenges, and the outbreak will prove no exception. Ngarambe said he believes that the epidemic will not seriously impact the Chinese economy, and China's long-term sound economic growth remains unchanged. General Secretary of Cape Verde's Movement for Democracy Miguel Monteiro said that as the epidemic continues to spread, some countries are facing increasing risks. The Chinese government has taken strong measures and effectively contained the outbreak, Monteiro said, adding that China's valuable experience is helping other countries across the world. China's response has played an important part in safeguarding global public health security, he added. Slumber Tsogwane, chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party and vice president of Botswana, noted that the epidemic is not just a challenge for China but rather a common challenge for the whole world. Had the outbreak originated in another country, the consequences would have been unimaginable, he said. Tsogwane said that China has been actively sharing information and its experiences with the World Health Organization and other countries, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country. Polish Democratic Left Alliance Vice Chairman Andrzej Szejna said he believes the outbreak will not impede China's path to modernization and the rapid growth of its economy, neither will it hinder cooperation between Poland and China, especially pertaining to the Belt and Road. China's experience in handling the epidemic will prove invaluable to global fights against possible future outbreaks, said the official. Branislav Djordjevic, director of the Institute of International Politics and Economics of Serbia, said the Chinese leadership is dedicated to finding the best solution to safeguarding people's livelihoods and reducing threats brought by the epidemic. China's efforts have earned international acclaim, Djordjevic said, expressing his belief that China will win the battle against the crisis and return to its devotion of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. T here has been "an element of racism" in the British public's treatment towards the Duchess of Sussex, award-winning author Dame Hilary Mantel has claimed. Speaking about the criticism Meghan received following her marriage to Prince Harry, the novelist said: "I hesitate to call her a victim." She added: "But I think there has been an element of racism in the invective against her." The historical writer, who won the Booker Prize for Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, told the BBC: "I think it's more deeply embedded in people's consciousness than any of us are willing to admit." Harry and Meghan are due to step down as senior royals at the end of March. Their last official appearance likely to be on March 9 when they will accompany The Queen in Buckingham Palace for Commonwealth Day. Dame Hilary joins people who have called Meghan's treatment 'racist' / AFP via Getty Images The couple, who married in 2018, have moved to Canada where the duchess lived while filming TV series Suits. They say they plan to split their time between the UK and North America. The former actress has become the target of huge public scrutiny in the past two years and in October last year she sued the Mail On Sunday for publishing a handwritten letter she sent to her estranged father Thomas Markle. Dame Hilary spoke about the royal couple ahead of her book launch for The Mirror and the Light, the third of her trilogy about the life of Henry VIII's advisor Thomas Cromwell. The duke and duchess will step down from roles as senior royals in Marhc / AP Sir Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials author, has previously spoken out about how Meghan has been treated claiming Meghan "is attacked by the British press because she's black". Her husband Harry, who is sixth in line for the throne, has also leapt to Meghan's defence on a number of occasions saying her treatment has "racial undertones". "There's an intense concentration on the bodies of royal women," Dame Hilary said in the interview. "If anyone doubts that, we only have to look at what happens when our royal ladies are pregnant and when they give birth. "They are perceived as public property in the same way that Tudor women were perceived." She said she found the outcome "sad and "objectionable", adding "it is simply turning the individual woman back into a breeder". Samsung has filed for a trademark of the word Bean for what appears to be an ear-worn fitness wearable. The trademark was first spotted by Dutch web magazine LetsGoDigital and, more directly, applies to a listening device. But it also applies to a device that includes software tracking distance, speed, time, changes in heart rate, activity level, and calories burned. The primary purpose of this wearable, however, is described as earphones. So the implication is that Samsung Bean will be wireless earbuds that also track health metrics. Thats if the South Korean company is awarded the trademark. Details are still slim here but not altogether absent Aside from the incorporation of fitness metric tracking, Samsung Bean is described by the trademark as holding several other big features too. Advertisement Not least of all, Samsung is including a sensor for detecting whether or not the earset is on or off. That seems to imply that these earbuds will be able to sense whether the user is wearing them or not. That would allow the headphones to be paused or unpaused depending on whether or not the user has them in their ear. Conversely, while the feature isnt at all new, Samsung could go so far as to turn them off and on entirely. Or to put them into or out of standby using that same sensor. On the software side of things, Samsungs description also indicates that software will provide a fitness guide with the Bean-branded earbuds. That would likely tie into another feature found in prior Samsung headphones. Namely, thats a built-in ability to automatically detect just when the wearer is working out. Advertisement If thats the case, Samsung Bean may be able to detect a workout and then provide not just music and metric tracking. It may also be able to provide full-blown guidance depending on the type of workout detected. Or at least it may be able to provide more general fitness guidance based on the health metrics the earphones are measuring. One aspect not covered by the EUIPO trademark filing is the wearables design. But that may be revealed in the naming convention used. Specifically, Samsung may be looking to use a design that closely resembles the familiar shape of a bean. That would equate to smoother edges and corners than seen in previous designs. Samsung Bean may be more comfortable and easier to put in or take out due to its scaled-back size. Advertisement Is Samsung Bean a direct follow-up to Gear IconX? Samsung Bean appears to be an entirely separate approach to wearable devices from the companys current headphone iteration. Those are Samsungs Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+, which followed on the tech giants Gear IconX earbuds back in 2018. Samsung Galaxy Buds werent necessarily a successor to those earbuds though, although that was the initial expectation. Rather than focusing on fitness, Samsung Galaxy Buds centered around a comfortable design, audio quality, and wireless charging features. Samsungs Gear IconX headphones were decidedly more fitness-focused, with workout detection, an IP67 ingression resistance for dust and water, and 4GB of built-in storage. VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Mining Inc. (Comstock or the Company) (NYSE American: LODE) today provided updates on key components of its strategic objectives, including with Mercury Clean Up LLC (MCU), Tonogold Resources Inc. (Tonogold) and Sierra Springs Opportunity Fund Inc. (SSOF). Strategic Transactions Advancing Value During 2019, the Comstock Board of Directors approved a transformational strategy focused on high-value, cash-generating, precious metal-based activities (the Strategic Focus), including, but not limited to, environmentally friendly and economically enhancing clean mining and processing technologies, precious-metal exploration, resource development, economic feasibility assessments and cash-generating mineral production. The Company has made major advancements with its venture partners, including MCU, Tonogold and SSOF. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3925e997-3bec-47db-a699-48c97f849bd6 Mr. Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman and CEO stated, We have made progress on four major objectives. We just recently returned from the Philippines, where we secured the permits for MCUs first major international mercury remediation project on the Naboc River, and also expanded the scope of the project, adding sand and gravel plans for the lower river. Our joint venture partner, Clean Ore Solutions and MCU will commence final sampling and site preparations for delivery of mercury remediation equipment, planned for the second quarter. Tonogold has also expanded plans for drilling and development during the second quarter. MCUs International Joint Venture Secures Permits Comstock and MCU are collaborating with Oro Industries Inc. (Oro) for the manufacture and global deployment of mercury remediation systems with proprietary mechanical, hydro, electro-chemical and oxidation processes to reclaim, treat and remediate mercury from tailings and industrial effluents. Together with MCUs Philippines-based joint venture partner, Clean Ore Solutions OPC (COS), the parties confirmed last week that nine separate permits have been issued that allow for the commencement of mercury remediation within the 24 kilometer Naboc River, a goldmine rich area of Mount Diwata, in the Davao de Oro region of the Philippines (the Philippines Project). Rich in ores and mines, the area represents a federal and provincial government priority for intensified rehabilitation and mercury clean up, working with the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The joint venture between MCU and COS will be named Clean Mineral Recovery Technologies (CMRT), with the ownership split between COS (60%) and MCU (40%). Testing and staging are expected to commence in March 2020. Oro will commence the manufacture of the mercury remediation systems with planned delivery in July 2020. Only recently, through the Minamata Convention, has there been a global effort to stop the use of mercury in mining. This United Nations priority has united scientists, NGOs, governments and communities against these practices. More recently, actual engineered technologies and solutions through MCU, have begun testing and evaluating mercury remediation solutions from contaminated sites. This year, governments, led by the Philippines and others, are zeroing in on the biggest mercury polluter of all, gold mines, and have begun prohibiting the use of mercury. MCU, partnered with COS, and coupled with Oro and Comstock, has the technology, equipment, and process know-how, to commence the remediation and rehabilitations of these environments and provide one of the most advanced solutions for remediating mercury contamination and eliminating future use of mercury by providing clean solutions. MCU, The Comstock and The Carson River Mercury Superfund Site Comstock has also secured the necessary Nevada permits and approvals for localized mercury remediation efforts. MCU commenced sampling old Comstock waste dumps over the past two weeks. The state-of the-art mercury remediation equipment, specifically, the spiral concentrators, began arriving on site last week, with the remaining system, including the Low-G mercury centrifuges and concentrators, proprietary mechanical, hydro, electro-chemical and oxidation processes, the portable mercury-gold laboratory with assaying equipment and the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) wastewater treatment processor scheduled to arrive this month. MCU is focused on its first domestic (Carson River Mercury Superfund Site) and its first international (Philippines Project) opportunities, as it establishes itself as the global leader in mercury remediation and related services. Comstock has ownership options to acquire 25% of the equity of MCU and other rights that can result in Comstock receiving up to 62.5% of the profits for each mercury remediation opportunity. Separately, the Nevada Division of Environmental ProtectionBureau of Air Pollution Control (NDEP) completed its technical review of the applications submitted by Comstock Processing LLC and issued the entity a new Class II Air Quality Operating Permit. Comstock Processing LLC is the 100% owned, permitted platform, with processing equipment and metallurgical labs, that enable the clean-technology platform, joint ventures and partnerships especially in the area of mercury remediation and reprocessing of residual-leached mineralized materials. Mr. De Gasperis, commented, We are now advancing the mercury remediation globally, and we remain committed to maintaining the permitted platform for processing (Tonogold), remediating (MCU) and developing new clean technologies with our partners. We are pleased with NDEPs technical review and the resulting enhanced Air Quality permit. Our relationships with NDEP and our recognitions for environmental excellence are second to none, as we leverage this platform for clean, cash-generating, economically enhancing mine processing technologies. Comstock Mining LLC and Tonogold Closing Tonogold now has a 50% membership interest in Comstock Mining LLC, the entity that owns the Lucerne mine. The transaction alone is now expected to deliver at least $26 million of tangible value to Comstock (that is, $11.2 million in cash, $7.6 million in FMV of stock when received and over $7.2 million in assumed liabilities). Tonogold also agreed to subsidize over $2 million in annualized savings. Comstock retains a 1.5% NSR royalty on Lucerne. These royalty and lease agreements may deliver an additional $20-$35 million of cash value to Comstock based on Tonogolds ability to successfully implement its final mine plans. Tonogold has paid the Company $100 thousand toward the purchase of Lucerne and $850 thousand toward expense reimbursements during the first quarter of 2020. The remaining $5.175 million in cash owed to the Company represents a secured obligation with payments continuing through June 2020, on the following revised schedule: Payment Due Date Secured Obligation Due March 27, 2020 $1.725 million April 24, 2020 $1.325 million May 22, 2020 $1.425 million June 26, 2020 $0.700 million In addition to the amounts owed above, the Company has received $5.925 million in non-refundable cash payments and $6.10 million in non-refundable Convertible Preferred Stock (CPS) payments, since January 2019. This CPS was valued at $7.64 million, when received, and was subsequently re-valued at $9.19 million at December 31, 2019. The Company has recognized gains totaling $1.55 million, in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31. 2019, for the increases in the fair value of the Tonogold CPS. Once finalized, the transaction is expected to result in a net gain for the Company, in excess of $18 million, most likely during the second quarter. Sierra Springs Opportunity Fund and Non-mining Asset Sales Last year, the U.S. Treasury confirmed that all of Storey County and significant parts of Silver Springs, NV, had been certified as Qualified Opportunity Zones. The Company owns non-mining assets in these locations, including substantial lands and senior water rights in Silver Springs, NV, and the Gold Hill Hotel in Storey County, NV. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76df942f-0267-4c8c-b194-7d0526cf3e8b These two, adjacent qualified opportunity zones are located on growing, high volume, logistical highways, railways and airports, with the State of Nevada investing over $125 million in the new USA Parkway and the four-lane expansion of Highway 50, all converging in Silver Springs, NV. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a19a6833-7617-4f7d-bae6-7a1dda2be422 SSOF was formed to capitalize on the explosive growth of high-tech industries in northern Nevada, and its qualified opportunity zones. During 2019, SSOF raised over $11 million and acquired Silver Springs Regional Airport LLC and an adjacent, 180,000 plus square foot manufacturing complex, both as qualifying opportunity zone businesses. SSOF also secured the rights to thousands of developable acres of land and other assets, including an agreement to purchase Comstocks Silver Springs properties and water rights, all within the immediate proximity of the Tahoe Reno Industrial (TRI) Center. Comstock expects its SSOF ownership, on a fully diluted basis, to be about 9%. The Company has definitive agreements to sell its two properties in Silver Springs, and over 200 acre-feet of senior water rights for just over $10 million and has now received an additional $100 thousand deposit (totaling over $400 thousand escrowed) toward the purchase of these properties. The closing is expected in the first quarter of 2020. Corporate Update The Company has not sold any equity during 2020, and significantly improved its financial position throughout 2019. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.0 million, current assets of $13.3 million and current liabilities of $3.4 million. The Company had total assets of $39.7 million, total current assets of $13.3 million, current liabilities of $3.4 million and net current assets of $9.9 million at December 31, 2019. Total assets increased 38.7% over 2018, and total liabilities decreased 16.4% and the Company reduced its Senior Secured Debenture debt by 44.4% to $4.9 million. The Company expects to extinguish the debt when the sale of the two properties in Silver Springs properties for over $10 million closes during the first quarter of 2020. Net cash provided by investing activities for 2019, was $2.6 million, substantially all from the $5.9 million in non-refundable cash payments for the purchase of Lucerne from Tonogold, offset by $2.4 million used for the purchase of properties, $0.8 million for investment in MCU and $0.3 million for the investment in SSOF. Net cash used in operating activities for 2019, were $2.3 million, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $5.0 million for the prior year. The Company's use of cash in 2019, and 2018, was primarily related to environmental expenditures, exploration, mine claim cost and general and administrative. The decrease primarily resulted from dramatically lower net operating expenses due to reimbursements from Tonogold and lower spending. Effective February 28, 2020, Mr. Juan Carlos Giron informed the Company that he was leaving to pursue other opportunities. Mr. De Gasperis remains the Companys principal financial, accounting and executive officer, as the Company evaluates all organizational opportunities for best positioning the Companys for its growth objectives. Mr. De Gasperis commented, We have significantly increased our total assets to almost $40 million, reduced our debt by almost half, and look forward to monetizing our non-mining assets and eliminate our debt and funding new growth. This is the strongest our balance sheet has been since 2011, with the best opportunities right in front of us. We thank JC for his energy, passion and contributions and wish him the very best success in his future endeavors. The following sequence of pro formas represents additional near-term improvements of Comstocks financial position over the next four months, giving effect to the elimination of debts and other obligations, including the Northern Comstock JV obligations and transitioning to a debt free, NCJV obligation-free, well-funded Company. The Company has not raised equity in 2020, and looks forward to the non-mining asset sales for eliminating debt and funding growth. The Company expects over $5 million in proceeds from Tonogold and $10 million in proceeds from non-mining assets sales, both under existing agreements, for achieving the estimated pro forma results below. (US$ in thousands, except per share data. Non-GAAP) Pro Forma - Unaudited Lucerne Sale (50%) 12/31/2019 Pro Forma Estimate Post Silver Springs Sales 3/31/2020 Pro Forma Estimate Lucerne & Daney Sales (100%) 6/30/2020 Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 1,015 $ 4,500 $ 10,000 Assets Held For Sale and Cash Payments Due Lucerne Properties (1) $ 1,539 $ 1,539 $ -0- Industrial Land & Water (Silver Springs) 2,739 -0- -0- Commercial Land (Downtown Silver Springs) (2) 3,590 -0- -0- Daney Ranch and Gold Hill Hotel 2,625 2,625 478 Total Assets Held For Sale $ 10,493 $ 4,164 $ 478 Cash Obligation Due-From-Tonogold $ 5,275 $ 3,450 $ -0- Tonogold Convertible Preferred Stock (3) 9,195 9,195 9,195 Total Assets Intended for Sale/Monetization $ 24,963 $ 16,809 $ 9,673 Debt and Other Obligations Senior Secured Debenture $ 4,929 $ $ -0- $ -0- Northern Comstock JV 6,590 6,500 -0- Equipment Financing (CAT) 646 565 -0- Total Debt and Other Obligations $ 12,165 $ 7,065 $ -0- Total Common Shares Outstanding(4) 27,236,489 27,236,489 27,236,489 On November 18, 2019, the Company transferred 50% of the membership interest in Comstock Mining LLC, owner of Lucerne, but retained entity control. Represents the acquisition of the non-mining asset (160-acre Downtown Silver Springs) parcel in December 2019, contracted to sell in February, 2020. Represents Convertible Preferred Stock from Tonogold with a stated value of $6,100,000 and a fair-market-value of $9,195,000, as of December 31, 2019. Includes 1,833,332 restricted common shares privately placed in December 2019, for proceeds of $550,000, and rounding for fractional shares. Outlook Our 2020 annual operating expenses are planned at $3.9 million, with approximately $2.0 million of that amount currently being reimbursed from Tonogold resulting in net operating expenses for 2020, of less than $2 million, excluding any discretionary exploration and development expenses that would not occur until assets are sold. During the first and second quarters of 2020, the Company expects to receive an additional $5.2 million in cash from Tonogold toward their purchase of 100% of the membership interest in Comstock Mining LLC, the entity that owns the Lucerne properties. The CPS has a fair market value at December 31, 2019, of $9.2 million, and we plan on monetizing a portion of the CPS during the second half of 2020, depending on price performance and liquidity. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company expects to close on the agreed upon sale of the non-mining assets located in Silver Springs, NV, for total net proceeds of $10.1 million. The agreements were signed in September, with $0.4 million of non-refundable deposits made into escrow. The Company will use the remaining $9.7 million of proceeds to extinguish the entirety of our outstanding Senior Secured Debenture principal and make-whole obligations of approximately $4.9 million, plus accrued interest of $0.1 million. Tonogold is currently planning and permitting a drilling program for the northern exploration targets and expects to begin drilling in the second quarter of 2020. Under the Mineral Exploration and Mining Lease, Tonogold must spend at least $1.0 million per year on exploration with 2020, being the first year of the mineral leases. The Companys 2020 plans also include obtaining the local permits for Dayton in 2019, expanding Daytons current resource with incremental exploration programs that include exploration and definition drilling of targets identified by geophysical surveys, surface mapping, prior drilling and deeper geological interpretations that all lead to publishing an updated, NI 43-101 compliant, mineral resource estimate for the Dayton. MCU plans to commence trial operations in March 2020, on the Comstock, to validate and fine-tune the mercury extraction and remediation process, with the objective of reclaiming and remediating the Companys existing properties within the Carson River Mercury Superfund Site (CRMSS), enhancing their values of, and evaluating the potential economic feasibilities for, these properties and creating new global growth opportunities in mercury remediation by demonstrating MCUs technological and operational effectiveness, efficiency and feasibility. MCU has agreed to and plans to commence reclamation operations in the second quarter 2020, in the Philippines. This represents our first international project for large-scale mercury remediation and environmental reclamations, using MCUs system. Testing and staging are expected to commence in March, 2020, and Oro will commence the manufacture of the mercury remediation systems this month with planned delivery in June and July 2020. About Comstock Mining Inc. Comstock Mining Inc. is a Nevada-based, gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District and is an emerging leader in sustainable, responsible mining that is currently commercializing environment-enhancing, precious-metal-based technologies, products and processes for precious metal recovery. The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003. Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and completed its first phase of production. The Company continues evaluating and acquiring properties inside and outside the district expanding its footprint and exploring all of our existing and prospective opportunities for further exploration, development and mining. The Companys goal is to grow per-share value by commercializing environment-enhancing, precious-metal-based products and processes that generate predictable cash flow (throughput) and increase the long-term enterprise value of our northern Nevada based platform. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, project, plan, should, intend, may, will, would, potential and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: consummation of all pending transactions; project, asset or Company valuations; future industry market conditions; future explorations, acquisitions, investments and asset sales; future performance of and closings under various agreements; future changes in our exploration activities; future estimated mineral resources; future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products; future impacts of land entitlements and uses; future permitting activities and needs therefor; future production capacity and operations; future operating and overhead costs; future capital expenditures and their impact on us; future impacts of operational and management changes (including changes in the board of directors); future changes in business strategies, planning and tactics and impacts of recent or future changes; future employment and contributions of personnel, including consultants; future land sales, investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, operational, tax, financial and restructuring initiatives; the nature and timing of and accounting for restructuring charges and derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; contingencies; future environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; future offerings of equity or debt securities; the possible redemption of debentures and associated costs; future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control and could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC and the following: counterparty risks; capital markets valuation and pricing risks; adverse effects of climate changes or natural disasters; global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our stock issuances and recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to comply with applicable government regulations or law; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting businesses; permitting constraints or delays; decisions regarding business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us or others; the impact of, or the non-performance by parties under agreements relating to, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, asset sales, leases, options and investments to which we may be party; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in production capabilities due to capital constraints; equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, zinc, cyanide, water, diesel fuel and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; adverse effects of terrorism and geopolitical events; potential inability to implement business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies, equipment and raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors or others; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings; potential inability to satisfy debt and lease obligations; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to list our securities on any securities exchange or market; inability to maintain the listing of our securities; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Except as may be required by securities or other law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation with respect to any securities of the Company, the fund or any other issuer. Contact information: Comstock Mining Inc. P.O. Box 1118 Virginia City, NV 89440 ComstockMining.com Corrado De Gasperis Executive Chairman & CEO Tel (775) 847-4755 degasperis@comstockmining.com Zach Spencer Director of External Relations Tel (775) 847-5272 Ext.151 questions@comstockmining.com Chicago-based True Value, which acts as a wholesaler to independently owned stores, expects to get a shipment of respiratory masks this week and will resupply stores that already placed orders. One supplier said it didnt expect to have more for about three months, though True Value is working with other suppliers to restock, she said. In the early 1990s, in response to reports of rape on campus, a group of students at Ohios Antioch College gathered to write a new policy governing sexual conduct. The policy mandated ongoing verbal consent during every stage of a sexual encounter, which was highly unusual at the timeso novel that its implementation ignited an unexpected wave of national scrutiny. As some of the former students involved in the Sexual Offense Prevention Policys creation told The New York Times in 2018, they became a laughingstockto critics, they were trying to take the fun and romance out of sex. In 1993, Saturday Night Live lampooned Antiochs policy in a sketch about a game show called Is It Date Rape? that featured actors role-playing affirmative consent in a stilted, almost robotic fashion. May I elevate the level of sexual intimacy by feeling your buttocks? asked Mike Myers, in character as a member of the Antioch College Date Rape Players. He broke into a grin. On one hand, we've come a long way since then. Policies on college campuses today often resonate more with Antiochs model than with SNL's parody of it. But on the other, sex education is counterproductive or nonexistent in many regions of the U.S., a man accused of sexual assault sits in the White House, and the #MeToo movement has prompted a national crisis around sexual ethics. In response, however, a cohort of teachers and organizations is implementing a more holistic way to teach high school sex education, looking to go beyond putting condoms on bananas. Freud said there are two things that are most important in life: One is work and the other is love, says Richard Weissbourd, faculty director of the Human Development and Psychology masters program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We have huge schools at every level, huge industries, that are focused on preparing people for work. We do almost nothing to prepare them for love. Story continues This new vanguard of educators is trying to do just that. Theyre not just teaching the importance of planning pregnancy or helping students to decipher whether or not they got a "yes" in the moments before clothes start coming off. Instead, theyre emphasizing the importance of healthy relationships and teaching their students strategies to cultivate them. How can you teach consent? Nothing about sex education in the U.S. is straightforward. The way that its taught is incredibly fractured, making it possible for students in neighboring school districts to receive very different information about sex and relationships. But in recent years, consent has become one of the most talked-about sex-ed concepts in high schools around the country. Zoe Peterson, director of the Kinsey Institutes Sexual Assault Research Initiative and an associate professor of counseling and educational psychology at Indiana University, says that in the 20 years shes been studying consent and sexual assault, she has seen a clear movement away from a no means no understanding of consent and toward the affirmative yes means yes model. In the past nine years especially, Peterson has seen interest in her work on consent steadily growa product of the #MeToo movement and, before that, campus sexual assault and a 2011 letter from the Obama administrations Office for Civil Rights emphasizing that sexual harassment and assault interferes with students right to an education free from sex discrimination. As a result, Peterson says, theres been this sudden attention on consent as a possible way to address the problem of sexual assault. Young people know that navigating consent isnt easy, Peterson says, and telling them that a yes or no should make things crystal clear does a disservice to them. While sex is frequently framed as either wanted or unwanted, people might feel ambivalent about having sex at a given time, or they may be waiting to see how an interaction plays out before deciding whether or not they want to have sex. And wanting sex isnt the same thing as agreeing to have sex: Someone might feel aroused but may not agree to have sex at that time, perhaps because they want to get to know their partner better or because theyd be cheating on someone else by doing so. On the flip side, someone might not be entirely in the mood for sex but, for instance, say yes to please their partner. Peterson believes that its important to tease apart the distinction between wanting and agreeing to sex. When the two are taken to be the same thing, someone might look for signs of enjoyment from their partner as proof of consent, when in fact that person hasnt agreed to it. Alternately, if a rape survivor was aroused at any point during the interaction that led to their assault, they might blame themselves, reasoning that they wanted it to some degree and therefore were asking for it. Increasingly, high schools are incorporating consent programming into their classes. In 2015, California became the first state to mandate that schools with sex-ed programs teach consent, following the affirmative yes means yes model. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on sexual and reproductive rights and health, the list of states that require consent to be covered now includes Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. At least six more states have legislation pending. It really took off last year, says Elizabeth Nash, senior state issues manager at the Guttmacher Institute. The idea of putting consent education into sex education hasnt been around that long. I think its been a part of sex education in terms of talking about healthy relationships, but having an explicit definition of consent or explicit requirements around it wasnt a thing until very recently. Because sex education varies dramatically from school to school, theres no one way that consent is taught in U.S. high schools. While funding for sex-education programs is partly allocated on a federal levelthe Trump administrations grant rules have specifically benefited abstinence-only programs, despite evidence that they dont workstates make their own laws about sex-ed requirements. Not all states mandate that students learn about topics like contraception, HIV, and healthy relationships; some dont even stipulate that the information taught be medically accurate. Many states dont require sex education in the first place, leaving that decision up to each school district, which then must contend with the realities of budgets, busy class schedules, and often strenuous input from parents. Ultimately, sex education comes down to the teacher standing at the front of the classroomand their level of training and comfort with the subject. Sex education beyond sex At Urban School, a private high school in San Franciscos Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, health education teacher Shafia Zaloom teaches consent to sophomores as part of a six-week curriculum on human sexuality and personal integrity. The course broadly follows the development of a budding relationship, looking at topics like how to ask someone out on a date, how to engage in what she calls authentic connection, how to build trust over time, and, when theres the potential for sexual exploration, what factors into an individuals sense of readiness and the role of pleasure in sex. (The more standard parts of sex ed, like anatomy, STIs, and contraceptives are also covered throughout, along with gender and sexual identity.) In the final week, students learn how to break up with someone and how to survive a breakup themselves. When it comes to learning about consentnot just what it means and when it can be given, but how to really listen to what a partner is sayingstudents have to cultivate what Zaloom calls the courage to connect, which she believes is fundamental to being able to put information about consent into practice. She tries to impart to them that vulnerability is strength, not weakness. Right now kids are bombarded with a culture thats messaging them very strongly to disconnect and dehumanize sexuality, Zaloom says. And that, she says, gets in the way of our ability to do right by our partners. Zaloom also works as a sex-ed consultant and regularly leads workshops on consent at other schools; after creating a curriculum to be taught in tandem with The Hunting Ground, a 2015 documentary about sexual assault on college campuses, she says she became known as the consent lady. In class, she has students deconstruct real-life scenarios and clips from movies and shows like American Pie, Superbad, Skins, and Sex Education to identify whether they show consensual sex, and discusses how factors like substance use, social power dynamics, and coercive context and language impact consent. Zaloom also likes to use metaphors to get students thinking about consent and the communication that underpins it. Shell ask everyone in the room to think of a bear, and when they begin describing their bears, it becomes clear that everyones bear is unique: There are polar bears, black bears, brown bears, bears sleeping in caves, bears hunting for fish. The point is that when youre getting intimate with someone, its important to take the time to understand what kinds of activities your partner has in mind, because it might be very different from what youre picturing. Reese, a senior at Urban, says that the bear activity upended her understanding of consent. Before sophomore year sex ed, she thought of consent as a binary, but, she says, it was during the bear activity that I realized that consent is this fluid and ever-changing thing thats really dependent on the internal and external circumstances of a given moment. Reese says that the idea of becoming intimate with a partner used to seem like a ladder: Once you engaged in one type of activity, you had to move up to the next rung. She took away from Zalooms class a new sense that having a certain relationship with one person doesnt entitle subsequent partners to the same, nor does it mean you cant dial things back within a relationship. Riley, another senior at Urban, feels that the emphasis Zaloom places on connecting with others has even affected his non-romantic relationships. Hes more attuned to listening to friends and partners, more conscious of his own feelings and theirs. Volunteers are picking up the slack Its perhaps unsurprising that a private school in San Francisco is taking a progressive approach to sex ed, but even in cities and towns with bare-bones sex ed, passionate individuals are filling in the gaps. Dara, a high school senior in Indianapolis, has been teaching sex ed to students at other high schools since her sophomore year, through Planned Parenthoods Teen Council program. A self-described activist, shed gone to reproductive-rights rallies as a freshman and wanted to find a way to volunteer with Planned Parenthood. Daras peer-educator group meets weekly at a local church to learn the lesson content from a Planned Parenthood facilitator, and once a month she goes into schoolsmostly public and charterto teach topics like healthy relationships, reproductive justice, and dating violence. This is often the first time that students are learning about these topics, Dara says: Sex education is not mandatory in Indiana. Leslie Montgomery, the regional education and outreach manager at Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, says that the organization takes pains to present consent as something that is freely given with enthusiasm and that is mutual, reversible, and specificmeaning saying yes to one sexual activity doesnt translate to consent to another act. In Teen Council, Daras class on consent includes a series of activities, including one in which she presents students with cards showing three possible definitions of consenta verbal yes, positive body language, and consent to one thing is not consent to anotherand asks them to stand next to the one that they think is the best description and explain why they chose it. In another, she places three cards that read consent, not consent, and unsure at the front of the room and asks students to categorize a handful of scenarios into one of the three buckets. For example, is the use of affirmative language consent? Yes. If a 19-year-old has sex with a 15-year-old? By law, no. Afterward, they discuss each unique scenario. The question of whether wearing revealing clothing indicates consent is a frequently controversial one, Dara says, particularly among male students. In past classes, students have expressed the feeling that if someone is wearing a skimpy outfit, they know whats going on. Dara will make a counterargument: If youre wearing a bathing suit at a swimming pool, does it mean you want to have sex with everyone there? Or what if they just think the outfit is cute? What really changes students minds is debate with their classmates. Thats the biggest thing that convinces people, Dara says. Other kids will jump in and be like, Shes right. Sometimes I just want to wear short shorts! At her own school, Dara finds the sex-education program deeply lacking. It takes place over two daystwo days out of four yearsand doesnt cover condoms or contraceptives but does include many frightening descriptions of STI symptoms. The very basic facts of sex are covered, Dara says, but abstinence is the bottom line. In Indiana, if sex education is taught in schools, it has to be mentioned and emphasized that sex outside of marriage is unhealthy and likely to cause things like pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, says Montgomery. The other students at Daras school know that she teaches classes through Teen Council, and theyll ask her questions that arent covered in their schools short sex-ed course, like what side effects they can expect from birth-control pills. Dara often winds up giving out the condoms that she receives through Teen Council. Im like a condom dealer at my school, she says. Teen Council educators can lead classes in a group, but at this point Dara usually handles them on her own, with a facilitator in the room to jump in if the students get rowdy or if she forgets to mention something. She gets a little nervous when shes teaching at a school where she knows some of the students and feels more confident facing a room full of strangers. Ultimately, though, because conversations are more comfortable with someone you can relate to, Dara feels that being a teenager works to her advantage as an educator: Theyre listening to me more than if I was ten years older. What She Said Your Gnarliest Questions About Consent, Answered Is making out a sign of consent? Wheres the line between playing hard to get and leave me alone? What about sexpectations in a committed relationship? These questions (and more!) answered. Originally Appeared on GQ Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said new circuit benches of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) were being set up for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, according to a personnel ministry statement. At a function to inaugurate the administrative block of the CAT's principal bench here, Singh expressed concern over the delay in disposal of cases and the same matters being referred to the high courts. "Singh said new members will be appointed shortly and mentioned that the circuit benches being opened for new Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh would be attached to the Chandigarh bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal," it said. After inaugurating the administrative block, a meeting was held in the premises of the tribunal. Thereafter, Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, referred to the origin and functioning of the Central Administrative Tribunal. "He expressed concern over the delay in disposal and the same matters being referred to the high courts," the statement said. The Central Administrative Tribunal has been established for adjudication of disputes and complaints of central government employees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air Force trains with joint, combined forces in rapid airfield damage repair By Airman 1st Class Amir Young, 36th Wing Public Affairs / Published March 02, 2020 ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- "Practice makes perfect." It's the term that is used by many of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen when describing their rapid airfield damage repair, or RADR training. This training exercise was part of exercise Cope North 2020, an annual U.S. Pacific Air Forces joint/combined, trilateral field training exercise held from Feb. 12-28, with participants from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Royal Australian air force. The RADR training tests both aspects of EOD clearing the runway of unexploded ordnance after an attack and is followed by the process of repairing the runway once all ordnance and explosives have been removed. "The beauty of this exercise is that you're not only seeing our 544th (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron) Airmen repairing the runway," said Master Sgt. Neil Gertiser, REDHORSE EOD contingency instructor, "you also get to see partner nations like Japan and Australia taking part and learning new skills as well." The primary focus of Cope North is the coordination of combined air tactics, techniques and procedures, and enhancing security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The number of participants in the exercise is around 2,000 service members. "We use this as a great opportunity to show our partner nations how to execute RADR operations in the hopes that when the time comes for them to repair their own runway in an emergency, they can do it," Gertiser said. The main idea of the EOD exercise is the quick response to an aerial attack from a foreign enemy. "Repetition is how we're going to get good at bouncing back from an attack," said Staff Sgt. Adam Allen, EOD contingency skills instructor. "You keep doing things repetitively until you can do it in your sleep." Practicing these skills with more than one partner nation not only helps sharpen skills but also reveals faster or more efficient ways to get jobs done. "I've learned a lot throughout this exercise," Allen said. "I'm happy to be a part of an operation with this many moving parts. I've gotten the opportunity to see a lot of cutting edge things while sharpening my own skills." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address [March 03, 2020] LiftMaster Adds Video Monitoring to the CAPXL Community Access Management System for Enhanced Security Within Residential Communities OAK BROOK, Ill., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LiftMaster, the leading brand of professionally installed access solutions, introduces video capabilities with the new Connected Access Portal with Video (CAPXLV). The new CAPXLV powered by myQ Business delivers best-in-class video functionality with real time and stored video, and provides simple secure management of residential community spaces for property and community managers. Adding remote video capabilities to entry systems allows building and community managers to enhance security by providing visual confirmation of access events. Designed to save residential community managers time by streamlining management of building and community access points, the CAPXLV with the addition of video offers even more control, security and reliability to both community managers and residents. Using the CAPXLV's remote video monitoring, community managers can receive notifications and view recorded footage of access events via myQ Business Community. Residents can also benefit from CAPXLV's video capabilities by using the Community by myQ App to view and verify their guests' identities before granting them entry to the building or community. "LiftMaster is committed to helping communiy managers provide easy access to residents and their visitors without compromising security," said Erich Struckmeyer, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial, LiftMaster. "By adding video capabilities to the CAPXL we are able to offer a powerful set of benefits to building and community managers, ensuring that they can see who is coming and going, and record entrance events to quickly mitigate potential disputes or security issues. The CAPXLV also allows building and community managers to empower residents to securely manage their visitors using the Community by myQ App, saving time and providing peace of mind that only invited guests are accessing the community." Key ways the CAPXLV integrates video to keep residential communities secure while making access management easier for building and community managers include: Access to a live-stream of any entrance point with a CAPXLV through their myQ Business portal as well as stored 30-second recordings of every access event allowing them to quickly address community safety issues such as use of a suspended code or overuse of an active code. When used in tangent with the Community by myQ App, residents can visually engage with guests, delivery people, and service people who use the CAPXLV, and feel secure about who is being granted access. Powered by myQ Business the CAPXLV keeps data protected and safeguards resident information using cloud-based security. Building and community managers that want video capabilities and already have a working CAPXL unit can get an easy upgrade with the CAPXL USB Camera Kit (CAPXLCAM). The CAPXLV is also is compatible with LiftMaster's full line of gate operators, access control products and software providing solutions designed to meet the needs of any property. The CAPXLV will be showcased at the 2020 International Door Association Expo (IDAExpo 2020) / American Fence Association FENCETECH 2020 booth 3801, in Salt Lake City, Utah from March 2-6 and the 2020 International Security Conference (ISC West) booth 22117, in Las Vegas, Nevada from March 17-20. About LiftMaster LiftMaster is the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, as well as a leading manufacturer of commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, telephone entry systems and related access control products. Driven by the access and security needs of the marketplace, LiftMaster's expansive line of state-of-the-art residential and commercial products are designed to fit any lifestyle or application, providing the latest technology and innovations in safety, security and convenience. More information at LiftMaster.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liftmaster-adds-video-monitoring-to-the-capxl-community-access-management-system-for-enhanced-security-within-residential-communities-301015777.html SOURCE LiftMaster [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] WATCH LIVE: World Premiere of BMW Concept i4 at 2:15 AM ET +VIDEO BMW Group presents alternative for the program at Geneva International Motor Show 2020 at 2:15 AM New York time, 11:15 PM (Monday) Los Angeles time MUNICH - March 3, 2020: Due to the current situation the Geneva International Motor Show 2020 has been cancelled. Instead, the BMW Group will present the program planned for Geneva, including the world premiere of the BMW Concept i4, at a digital press conference with the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Oliver Zipse, in Munich at the originally planned time. At the conclusion of the live event, the press conference will be archived and available for continuous on-demand playback. Amid the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in almost 60 countries in the world, actor Anupam Kher has a suggestion to prevent any kind of infection. In a video shared by him on Twitter, Kher urges his fans to use the Indian way of greeting people with a 'Namaste'. Kher insists that using 'Namaste' is better than a 'Handshake' as it is hygienic and friendly. Many users agreed with Kher's idea and thanked him for the insight. One user said, "I am in Nigeria and who ever I am meeting these days have started saying Namaste instead shaking hands. Good way of being safe as well as keeping our culture of Namaste alive" [sic] In his video Kher says, '...I feel the best way to greet each other is not shake hands, but to go back to the traditional Indian way of greeting to say namaste. Just put your hands together so you don't get infected and don't have any fear of infection...' Pulmonologist Dr. Jalil Parkar busts myths surrounding Coronavirus, advises precautions Watch the video Of late I am being told by lots of people to keep washing hands to prevent any kind of infection. I do that in any case. But also want to suggest the age old Indian way of greeting people called #Namaste. It is hygienic, friendly & centres your energies. Try it. #caronavirus pic.twitter.com/ix7e6S8Abp Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) March 3, 2020 Coronavirus death toll climbs to 2,943 in China, infected cases witness surge globally The coronavirus death toll in China climbed to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, while 125 confirmed cases were reported, the lowest since the virus outbreak in the country, Chinese health officials said on Tuesday even as the deadly disease wrecked havoc globally with the total number of deaths crossing 3,000 and infections surging past 89,000. India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from the national capital, the Union Health Ministry said as the government stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. Karnataka Health Minister calls emergency meeting over Coronavirus case in Telangana (With PTI inputs) The Investigation Agency on Tuesday arrested two more accused in connection with the Pulwama attack case in which around 40 CRPF personnel were killed on February 14 last year. Among those arrested are Tariq Ahmed Shah, 50, resident of Hakripora village, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, and his daughter Insha Jan, 23. Tariq Ahmed Shah works as a Tipper driver in South Kashmir, read a statement from NIA."During initial interrogation, Tariq disclosed that his house at Hakripora, Pulwama was used by Adil Ahmed Dar (Fidayeen), Mohd. Umar Farooq, a Pakistani terrorist and IED maker, Kamran another Pakistani terrorist (both were later killed in encounters with security forces), Sameer Ahmed Dar, a Jaish-e-Mohd terrorist from Pulwama and Mohd. Ismail, a Pakistani terrorist," the statement said. Tariq facilitated all the terrorists at his house for sheltering and for the planning of the attack on the CRPF convoy. His house was also used by the terrorists for preparing and recording of video of Adil Ahmed Dar, which was released by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) soon after the Pulwama attack.Meanwhile, Insha Jan facilitated the terrorists at their home and provided food and other logistics during their stay on more than 15 occasions for two-four days each time, in their house during the year 2018-2019. Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd. Umar Farooq, Pakistani IED maker and was in communication with him over the telephone and other social media applications.Further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested six suspected internet fraudster with a mini coffin in Ibadan, Oyo State. The suspects are Azeez Adebowale, Toyinsola Bolumole, Ifelowo Ololade, Sonuyi Ayodeji, Folarin Olayinka, and Aluko Olawale. They were arrested during a raid by EFCC operatives of Oluyole and Alao-Akala estates in Ibadan. EFCC acting spokesperson, Tony Orilade, in a statement on Tuesday said the operatives recovered from the suspects items including four cars, various brands of sophisticated phones and an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. Mr Orilade said one of the suspects, Mr Adebowale, 38; claimed to be using the coffin as a soap rack to hypnotise his victims. The EFCC has taken huge steps to curb financial crimes and ritual killings in Nigeria, Mr Orilade said. In October 2019, the Commission arrested about 200 suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys. The Ibadan zone of EFCC alone secured 171 convictions,167 of which are cybercrime offenders in 2019. In addition, the EFCC impounded 56 automobiles and 14 houses from the offenders and recovered N211,134,927.26; $136,289; 2000 and 765. READ ALSO: According to the 2017 Africa Cyber Security Report, the continent lost $3.5 billion to cybercrime, out of which Nigerias loss was about $649 million. Why is Modi giving up his social media accounts India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement about giving up the social media drive netizens into a tizzy. The PM tweeted on Monday, " this Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Will keep you posted the PM had also tweeted. Various theories did the rounds following the tweet. Although there was no official explanation, a source tells OneIndia that this may be a warning owing to western bias. However the source did not specify if the PM would actually give up his social media accounts. 'This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts', tweets PM Modi Another source said that Modi is upset with the hatred being fuelled on the social media fuelling the Delhi riots. This has hurt India's image and hence he is upset the source also said. There is also speculation galore that the government may launch a platform, which is not biased against the pro-BJP handles and the Right Wing. However, Modi is known to spring up a surprise and prove everyone wrong. There are some reports that even said that the accounts may be run by women on Sunday as it is International Women's Day. The prime minister is active on social media, especially on Twitter where he has 53.3 million followers. The merger of Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank will result in over 10,000 branches and combined business of Rs 10 lakh crore in the next two-three years. As of December 2019, the total business of Allahabad Bank was around Rs 3.9 lakh crore, whereas that of Indian Bank was close to Rs 4.5 lakh crore. The merged entity will emerge as the seventh-largest public sector bank with a business of Rs 8.08 lakh crore (approx 1.9 times of pre-merged Indian Bank) and will have about 43,000 employees. Allahabad Bank official told Business Standard that they are awaiting for government's notification on the merger and is ready to meet April 1 deadline. The official added that it would take at at least a year to complete the integration of the core banking system (CBS). Post-merger, none of the branches will be closed. However, branches that are at closer proximity will be combined. Under the mega merger plan by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, 10 public sector banks would be consolidated into four. The government's big bang bank reform comprises the amalgamation of Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank; Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank; Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank; and Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank. The consolidation exercise will bring down the number of nationalised public sector banks to 12 from 27 in 2017. The Modi government has given April 1 deadline for the amalgamation of 10 public sector banks into four units. Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates: Virus spreads from Delhi to Agra; govt says 'don't panic' RBI says there's considerable volatility in markets due to coronavirus Such precautions were taken because a dog was diagnosed with coronavirus in Hong Kong Ukraines State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has temporarily banned the importation of pets from China due to the fact that a dog was diagnosed with coronavirus in Hong Kong, the press service of the State Consumer Service reports. "In order to minimize the risks of introduction of the COVID-19 pathogen into the territory of Ukraine, in accordance with Articles 33 and 96 of the Law of Ukraine On Veterinary Medicine, taking into account the recommendations set out in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the State Consumer Service temporarily prohibited the import of pets (dogs, cats, etc.) and wild carnivores from The People's Republic of China to Ukraine," the statement reads. These precautions were taken because the dog was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 disease in Hong Kong (China). As we reported earlier, JSC Ukrainian Postal Service (Ukrposhta) has resumed acceptance of all kinds of export deliveries to China since February 26. "This was made possible through the assistance of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ukraine," the company noted. Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines launched a fare sale this week between California and Hawaii with roundtrip fares plunging to just $198 roundtrip. United and Hawaiian Airlines have also joined in this fare war. Less than $200 roundtrip to Hawaii is an incredible bargain, but you have to jump through some hoops to get it. UPDATE: Originally, you had to book your trip by March 5- but checking on March 10, the $198 fares availability has expanded: they are now available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through mid June To get the deal, you have to travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday in a short, month-long window, April 21-May 20. To snag the lowest $198 fare, you'll have to fly in basic economy Alaska, United or Hawaiian; regular economy fares are $259 roundtrip, still a very good deal. Even if you can't snag the $198 fare due to its restrictions, fares in general during April and May are remarkably cheap less than $300 roundtrip in many cases, so shop around. Don't miss out on a shred of important travel news and deals like this! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly travel alert emails. The deals are good on all three Bay Area airports, as well as Sacramento and other California cities. Southwest only flies to Hawaii from Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego. Find the sale fares here: Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines. Or you can check out all airline Hawaii fares on Skyccanner or Google Flights. And remember, due to all the recent fare sales to Hawaii, the islands are very full of visitors and demand and prices are steep for hotels, Airbnbs, rental cars, meals and activities. 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. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump asserted that his country had done a "great job" in its fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, and said it was now time for other countries to play their part. "We've done a great job in terms of getting rid of terrorists. Now it's up to other countries to get rid of those terrorists," Trump told reporters. Responding to questions, Trump reiterated that the US was pulling out its troops from Afghanistan. "We are getting out. We want to get out. We had good meetings with the ... Tuesday, March 10 - Champion Hurdle Tuesday's showpiece looks to be a very open renewal in the absence of last year's ill-fated winner, Espoir D'Allen, and the 2017 and 2018 winner, Buveur D'Air, who captured the imagination of the British public for so long. In a race won by either Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson in four of the last five years, the Champion Hurdle crown is usually reserved for the powerful yards. Since 2009, only three other trainers have had the winner of the race, including last year's surprise winner, Gavin Cromwell. He broke the hold of Henderson and Mullins, and amazingly, could actually win again this year with DARVER STAR (16/1). Espoir D'Allen was a shock winner last year and Darver Star would be an equally novel name for the winner's enclosure after an unconventional road to the race. He picked up his first win in a handicap hurdle at Wexford in April last year after five unsuccessful trips to the track before that. He was rated 104 in that Wexford race but has had a meteoric rise since then. He's won four times in the intervening period, including a listed race in Limerick last October, but it is his performances in defeat in graded company that catch the eye most of all. After his fourth win on the spin, he went up against Ballymore favourite Envoi Allen at Fairyhouse in December. He was a 20/1 outsider but admirably finished just four lengths behind Envoi Allen and just over two lengths behind the second-placed horse, Abacadabras, one of the market leaders for the Supreme Novice's Hurdle on Tuesday. That was good enough form but may have been written off as a fluke if Darver Star didn't follow it up with something similar. He did just that and probably surpassed that display by running Honeysuckle very close at Leopardstown last month. He was slow enough to get into stride but after the last, he was gaining ground on Henry De Bromhead's star and market principle in the Mare's Hurdle all the way to the line. He was denied by half a length but beat the likes of Petit Mouchoir and Supasundae in the process. Beating those types will do his chances no harm and the slightly extended trip in the Champion Hurdle will see him to good effect, especially if the ground comes up soft to slow a few others down. At 16/1 in places, Darver Star is a brilliant each-way price and would ba fairytale story for his Louth owners. Elsewhere, but at slightly less favourable eachway prices, Cilaos Emery (6/1) has a shout for Willie Mullins. He has been supplemented for the race and would lap it up if it came up very soft. He fell in a chase won by Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown earlier this year but appeared to get a new spark when reverted to hurdles on February 15. He beat Darasso by nine lengths on heavy ground, prompting connections to steer him towards the Champion Hurdle. He too would be suited by a stiff test and may well outlast quite a few up the hill. Wednesday, March 11 - Ballymore Novice's Chase The word 'banker' is thrown around far too often in the lead-up to Cheltenham but ENVOI ALLEN (6/4) is as close to one as you're likely to get heading over from Ireland his year. He's leading the market in the Supreme Novice's Hurdle on Day 1 but trainer Gordon Elliott has made it clear this (Ballymore) is the race he'll tackle. He beat a horse called Nearly Perfect in a point-to-point two years ago, but aptly, he has been absolutely perfect ever since, winning seven straight races to remain unbeaten. The fact that he's won so many races on the bounce is good enough reason to back him here but the manner of the victories is even more telling. He beat Abacadabras easily in December and in his first run in 2020, he eased to victory over Elixer D'Ainay and Longhouse Poet without so much as a reminder from the whip. He is very classy and will enjoy this 2M 5F trip on soft ground. He will be a serious staying chaser in time and that pedigree will give him all he needs to bound up the hill at Cheltenham. 6/4 is a skinny enough price but this horse belongs in every Cheltenham accumulator. Friday, March 13 - Triumph Hurdle You need a turn of foot to win a Triumph Hurdle and based on his last run, Dan Skelton's ALLMANKIND (5/1) fits that bill perfectly. He was a fair performer on the flat last year but has been revitalised over hurdles this term. He won by 37 lengths on his debut over timber at Warwick last November and followed that up with a two and a half-length victory in a Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham later that month. There was even more to like about his nine-length victory over Cerberus at Chepstow over Christmas where he led from start to finish under a confident ride by Harry Skelton. It was reminiscent on Our Conor's runaway victory in the 2013 Triumph when he streaked clear early and just kept the foot down to win by 19 lengths. Allmankind's sectional times were outstanding at Chepstow, especially when you consider the state of the ground. He clearly stays well, as evidenced by that win on heavy ground, and he also has the course form at Cheltenham in the bank. With the ground likely to turn towards the heavy side before Friday at Cheltenham, he could well bounce out and burn off his rivals before halfway. Friday, March 13 - Gold Cup This year gives us an ultra-competitive renewal of the Gold Cup with last year's winner Al Boum Photo returning and challenging for market favouritism with Santini. In a race his trainer reckons he's made for, I'm siding with DELTA WORK (6/1) for Gordon Elliott. He was involved in the race of the festival last year, alongside current favourite Santini and Topofthegame who won't line up here. That was in the RSA Chase where two lengths covered the first three home. Delta Work is a serious operator and has looked the real deal over three miles this year against the big boys. He has twice beaten Punchestown Gold Cup winner and Al Boum Photo conqueror Kemboy, who briefly led the market for this race late last year. Gordon Elliott is very sweet on Delta Work and describes him as "the forgotten horse" because he hasn't captured the public's attention quite like Samcro, Tiger Roll or even current hype horse, Envoi Allen. That is slightly surprising given the fact he has won nine of his 18 racecourse starts. He's only finished outside the front three on two of those occasions. His running style will suit this race with a repeat of his Irish Gold Cup success last month likely to bring him very close. He settled in 5th or 6th that day and jumped well. He seems to switch off and run comfortably in the early part of races before being produced late. If he does hit the lead, it is likely to be after the last when he'll hope to pass his rivals up the hill. Suggestions he didn't stay in the RSA have been firmly put to bed this season. He could be a star in the making for the already star-studded Gordon Elliott yard. 5 horses worth backing at Cheltenham: Darver Star (16/1) - Champion Hurdle (Tuesday) Cilaos Emery (6/1) - Champion Hurdle (Tuesday) Envoi Allen (6/4) - Ballymore Hurdle (Wednesday) Allmankind (5/1) - Triumph Hurdle (Friday) Delta Work (6/1) - Gold Gup (Friday) Join us here at www.offalyexpress.ie throughout Cheltenham for daily tips, news and views from the festival. Card giant Visa has cautioned Australian regulators against rules mandating how retailers process tap-and-go payments, questioning small businesses that claim debit payments processed through global card platforms like Visa necessarily cost more than domestic Eftpos processing. The Reserve Bank of Australia's payments board is currently considering the issue of "least-cost routing", which allows retailers processing tap-and-go payments to elect to direct these through the Eftpos network rather than global systems like Visa and Mastercard, where higher fees may apply. The Reserve Bank of Australia's Payment Systems Board will be considering whether further regulation is needed to give merchants control over tap-and-go fees. Credit:Shutterstock Control over how these payments are processed has been a fiery issue for smaller retailers, with sectors from coffee shops to pubs finding they until recently had to process tap-and-go as credit transactions that often cost more. Banks and providers have started to roll out options to direct these payments through debit rather than credit but Visa has hit out at the suggestion that "merchant choice" options be compulsory. BRUSSELS - Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday told a joint press conference with the presidents of EU institutions, who visited the border between Turkey and Greece where thousands of migrants are stranded after being rejected by Turkey, that ''what happened here over the past few days is painfully obvious to everybody''. ''Turkey, in full violation of the agreement with the EU, has encouraged and assisted in a systematic way tens of thousands of migrants and refugees to enter Greece. He has failed and he will continue to fail if he continues to pursue this strategy''. The current one is ''not a problem of refugees anymore, it is a clear attempt by Turkey to use desperate'' people to ''promote his geopolitical agenda and to distract attention from the horrible situation in Syria. The tens of thousands of people who have tried to enter Greece over the past few days were not coming from Idlib, they have long been in Turkey, safe, and many of them spoke Turkish'', the Greek premier said. Mitsotakis also stressed how in the past the EU was not up to the challenge of dealing with migration, expressing the hope that this instead will be ''a wake up call for Europe''. ''Those who are trying to undermine Europe's unity will be disappointed. We will maintain the line and our unity will be preserved. Turkey is not an enemy and people are not tools to reach an objective. Thanks to Greece for being our shield'', said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a joint press conference at the Greek-Turkish border. ''Greece's concerns are our'' concerns, continued von der Leyen. ''The fact that we are here is a clear declaration of solidarity and support of the EU to Greece'', she continued, describing the situation at the border as ''very tense''. Von der Leyen said she is ready to ''mobilize resources'' to support Athens, announcing financial assistance worth 700 million euros, the activation of a mechanism of civil protection and strengthening EU border agency Frontex. ''We have come here to express support for what you have done with your security services, with your teams and your government over the past few days. The Greek borders are Europe's borders, this is fundamental and must be remembered,'' said the president of the European Council Charles Michel. ''Greece is the EU's shield and guarantees the stability of the entire continent'' and as the rotating presidency of the EU Council ''we have come here to express solidarity to the Greek government as well as to demonstrate our common determination to help Greece give a response to this new potential migration crisis'', said Croatian Premier Andrej Plenkovic. ''The good relations between the EU and Turkey depend on each of us'', he added. ''We will try to find a political and diplomatic solution to ease this situation''. Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central Senator, on Tuesday reacted as Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State vowed not to negotiate with ... Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central Senator, on Tuesday reacted as Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State vowed not to negotiate with bandits. Sani, who was obviously referring to El-Rufai said government should be equipped and ready to fight always if it refuses to negotiate with bandits. Some unidentified gunmen suspected to be bandits had attacked villages in Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State over the weekend. The attack on Kerawa, Rago, Marina, Zariyawa, Hashimawa, Gidan Musa Saidu, and Unguwar Barau villages had led to the death of about 30 people. Following the attack, El-Rufai visited the affected areas and vowed never to negotiate with bandits in the state. Reacting to El-Rufais remark, Sani in a Facebook post wrote: If you choose to negotiate with the Bandits who kill our people,you must be ready to please and appease them everyday;If you choose not to negotiate with the bandits,you must be equipped and ready to fight them every second. Kaliaganj : , March 3 (IANS) Asserting that she won't allow her state to turn into Delhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said all those who came to India from Bangladesh and voted in Indian elections were citizens of the country, and don't need to apply afresh for citizenship. Addressing a rally in this North Dinajpur district town of northern West Bengal, Banerjee said she won't allow "a single person" to be driven out from her state. "Those people who have come to India from Bangladesh are all Indian citizens, they have citizenship. They have been voting in one election after another... electing Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers. "Now, they (BJP and Sangh Parivar) are saying you are not Indian citizens. Don't believe them. There is no need for you to apply for citizenship again," she said. "Mamata Banerjee will not allow even one person to be driven out of Bengal. None of the refugees living in the state will lose their citizenship," she added. Coming down heavily on the Narendra Modi government for its handling of the violence in Delhi, that had left at least 46 people dead and over 200 injured, she said: "I will never allow any repetition of th Delhi happenings in Bengal. One should not forget this is not Delhi, but Bengal. "We won't let Bengal become another Delhi or Uttar Pradesh," she said. Participating in a political programme on Monday in Kolkata, Banerjee had described he Delhi violence as "a planned genocide that was later portrayed as communal riot" and blamed the BJP for the violence. She had also said none of those who raised "goli maaro" slogans in Kolkata on way to attending Union Home Minister Amit Shah's rally on Sunday would be spared. The city police has already arrested four persons for raising the incendiary slogan. OSLO, Norway, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiPlex, the Nordic leader for innovative, secure and sustainable data centres, has published a report summarising numerous data that underline the Nordic answer to overheating data center locations in Europe. Traditional European data center locations considered by hyperscalers and international businesses are under increasing pressure. Shrinking availability of land for fast build and short time to market, constrained power supply and increasing demand for 100% sustainable energy, plus political and regulatory issues are all making Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris less attractive. At the same time global leaders including Google, Facebook and Microsoft are choosing to establish data centers in the Nordic region because of its unique advantages. It is now one of the most attractive regions for data centers with an estimated $7billion of development agreed in 2018 and more in 2019. Today, DigiPlex has published a report to help international businesses understand the benefits of the Nordic region. Ten Reasons to Locate Your Data Center in the Nordics covers areas important to site selection teams including speed to market; availability of power; sustainability credentials; skills and favourable business and political environment. It details how Nordic markets benefit from: Some of the lowest cost power in Europe , at 0.06 Euro per KWh, compared to more than double that ( 15 cents per KWh) in Germany . [i] in , at per KWh, compared to more than double that ( per KWh) in . Plentiful renewable power - not only are Nordic countries net exporters of electricity [ii] , but they lead the way in sustainable energy generation. - not only are Nordic countries net exporters of electricity , but they lead the way in sustainable energy generation. Cool climates , with even southern Nordic cities like Stockholm reporting summer temperatures 10-15C cooler than Paris or London , with even southern Nordic cities like reporting summer temperatures 10-15C cooler than or Ample access to land with planning consent at prices far below the reported around 5 million per acre in London [iii] with planning consent at prices far below the reported around 5 million per acre in Nordic countries are in the top 20 places to do business according to World Banks' Doing Business 2019 [iv] report. The UK is the only representative of DFLAP data center locations to make it into the top 20. according to World Banks' Doing Business 2019 report. The UK is the only representative of DFLAP data center locations to make it into the top 20. Unrivalled `green' credentials not only from Nordic government's commitment to sustainable energy generation, but through innovative heat-reuse schemes. The DigiPlex report also underlines the importance of political stability, low taxation, high quality of life and a skilled workforce as defining features of the Nordic region. With the predicted continued high growth rates of data, the need to invest in facilities that can not only cope with today's loads, but allow rapid expansion to meet tomorrow's, is paramount. The guide highlights the foundations to support this growth in the Nordic region. Byrne Murphy, DigiPlex Founder and Chairman commented; "The traditional decision for hyperscale and international customers coming to Europe has been to locate in one of the five established markets known by their initials as DFLAP. But these markets are overheated, expensive, growth constrained and increasingly falling short on sustainability requirements. With equivalent connectivity, lower costs and much better green credentials, the Nordic markets now represent a real and sustainable alternative to DFLAP. Our guide puts the key data in one place and makes it easy for location teams to make their decisions." The full report can be downloaded here. Connect with DigiPlex [i] https://aleasoft.com/european-electricity-markets-panorama-nordic-countries/ [ii] http://www.worldstopexports.com/electricity-exports-country/ [iii] https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/chapter4-economic-evidence-base-2016.pdf [iv] https://www.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/media/Annual-Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf CONTACT: Elisabeth Lennhede Head of Communications +46703322705 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/digiplex/r/digiplex-report-outlines-nordic-alternative-for-hyperscalers-looking-to-grow-in-europe,c3051362 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/7526/3051362/1204935.pdf DigiPlex Report Outlines Nordic Alternative for Hyperscalers Looking to Grow https://news.cision.com/digiplex/i/byrne-murphy-chairman-digiplex,c2758002 Byrne Murphy Chairman DigiPlex https://news.cision.com/digiplex/i/take-your-data-to-the-power---graph,c2758001 Take your data to the power - graph SOURCE DigiPlex OTTAWA - Canada's telecom regulator won't force mobile service providers to offer customers paper invoices, at least not yet. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Canada's telecom regulator won't force mobile service providers to offer customers paper invoices, at least not yet. But the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is opening a consultation to learn more about whether there's a "market failure" that demands the government step in. A CRTC logo is shown in Montreal, Monday, September 10, 2012. Canada's telecom regulator is set to rule this week on whether mobile service providers should be compelled to offer some or all of their customers paper invoices, at no charge. Two advocacy groups want the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to force Telus-owned Koodo Mobile to reverse its move to electronic billing for all but a select few of its customers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Two advocacy groups wanted the CRTC to force Telus-owned Koodo Mobile to reverse its move to electronic billing for all but a select few of its customers. John Lawford with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, which filed a formal complaint to the CRTC alongside the National Pensioners Federation, said Canadians have a right to receive paper bills at no cost under changes to the Telecommunications Act passed in 2014. Koodo argued that, while the law says telecom companies cannot charge a fee for invoicing, they are not compelled to actually provide paper bills. Since Koodo began switching to electronic bills in early 2015, most other wireless carriers, including Telus, have followed suit. Rogers is planning to do the same as of March 26. As long as companies clearly spell out their invoicing policies to new customers, the CRTC ruled Tuesday, "the offering of paper bills may operate as a competitive incentive, and that one communications service provider's refusal to cater to such a demand can be another provider's opportunity to gain a customer." But, says the ruling, the investigation of this particular complaint was narrow. "The evidence on the record of this proceeding is insufficient for the commission to conclude that the marketplace has failed to meet an economic or social need regarding the provision of paper bills and that commission intervention is warranted, since the evidence related largely to Koodo," it says. So the CRTC is seeking more information about other providers' practices, and whether there's a need for regulations, especially to protect people who might have trouble paying bills online. It's seeking input on both telecom and broadcasting services. Providers will have a month to file information on their invoicing practices. Further examination of the issues will take until the end of May. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. >>> Localities asked to continue quarantining people from coronavirus-hit countries >>> Major airports suspend receiving passenger flights from RoK amid COVID-19 >>> Health declaration required for passengers from Iran and Italy On March 1 (Sunday), a mission from the Ministry of Health (MoH) examined the prevention of Covid-19 at Thai Nguyen Central Hospital in Thai Nguyen Province, as well as in some local industrial parks and medical facilities. As of March 1, there were no recorded cases of people infected with Covid-19 in the northern province. However, Thai Nguyen is in high risk of infection due to the large number of foreigners arriving there. The province has applied medical monitor for 1,065 foreigners (from the Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan), of which 150 people from the epidemic areas (including 86 Koreans), for 14 days. All have normal health. Meanwhile, 181 others crossing the border from Cao Bang Province showed no health abnormalities. Thai Nguyen has formulated appropriated response measures as local medical units have prepared 200 beds and can increase to 1,000 beds to serve treatment and isolation work. Thai Nguyen Central Hospital has established two rapid response teams to be ready to support medical facilities. * On the same day, another mission from the MoH led by Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen inspected the prevention and control of Covid-19 at Can Tho International Airport in Can Tho City, in which Tuyen highly praised efforts by the Mekong Delta citys authorities in the prevention and control of the disease. Tuyen assessed that Can Tho has implemented well medical declaration and quarantine at the airport, as well as dividing people to concentrated areas for classification and isolation under the guidance of the MoH. Currently, flights from the RoK, where the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, will land at Can Tho Airport, Van Don Airport (Quang Ninh) and Phu Cat Airport (Binh Dinh) to help control better the Covid-19 prevention work. As soon as passengers from the RoKs cities with Covid-19 prevalence land at Can Tho, they will be sent to concentrated isolation areas. On Sunday afternoon, three flights from the RoK landed at Can Tho International Airport with more than 600 passengers entering Vietnam. The Hanoi functional force inspect the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic at hotels with foreigners staying in Hoan Kiem District. (Photo: NDO) * On March 1, the MoH said that Covid-19 is a new disease which is difficult to control, so the medical isolation is only deployed at competent medical facilities. Employees working in isolation facilities are equipped with medical knowledge and personal protective equipment and must strictly follow procedures to limit the spread of the disease. Currently, the isolation of people passing through and coming from the epidemic areas into Vietnam has been assigned by the National Steering Committee for Prevention and Combat of Covid-19 to the Ministry of Defence and the medical examination and treatment facilities of the health sector. * Starting from March 1, Hai Phong City has recruited the Centre for National Security and Defence Education (at Hai Phong University) as a concentrated medical isolation place for 500 to 1,000 citizens returning from epidemic areas. * On March 1, the Centre for Disease Control in Thanh Hoa Province said that the results from testing specimens of two local people were negative for Covid-19. There are currently three cases of isolation treatment at three district hospitals in the province. Doctors monitor the health of a person returning home from an epidemic area who is being isolated at Bim Son District General Hospital in Thanh Hoa Province. (Photo: NDO/Mai Luan) * On March 1, at Van Don (Quang Ninh) and Can Tho airports, functional forces received more than 1,000 passengers from the RoK. The reception and isolation for people returning or passing through the Covid-19 epidemic areas was implemented according to regulations. Returned aircrafts from the RoK were parked at separate locations, ensuring no influence on the overall operation of the airports. All flight crews and passengers were inspected and disinfected according to special processes. * According to information from the Vietnam Disease Monitoring System, as of 17:00 on March 1, 86,980 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded across 64 countries and territories in the world, including 2,979 deaths. The number of recorded cases in China stands at 79,824 across 31 provinces and cities, accounting for 91.8% of the total number of cases worldwide (with 2,870 deaths). The number of cases infected in other countries is 7,156 cases. As of March 1, Vietnam has not recorded any new cases for 18 days. The total number of suspected cases under surveillance and isolation is 115, while the total number of people who have had close contact with the suspected cases and those returning home from the epidemic areas under health monitoring is 10,089. The Trump administration estimates that by the end of the week health officials will be able to perform one million coronavirus tests, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Steven Hahn said on Monday. It comes as the US went from reporting its first coronavirus death to six confirmed in Washington in a 48-hour period, as cases there surged to 18. In total, there are now 103 people infected in the US. Health officials had previously warned that cases were bound to increase across the US as more tests were run, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was widely panned for lagging in distributing the tests, many of which turned out to be faulty. In an effort to expand testing, a number of private companies, states and research institutions have been given authorization to make their own tests. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn said that by the end of this week, he expeccted that enough tests will be distributed to screen one million people in the US. But it comes after the sudden uptick in cases in Washington - which had not reported a second case until this weekend - suggested that the virus may have been spreading in communities there for weeks. Vice President Mike Pence (center) confirmed the deaths of six Americans from coronavirus as FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn (not pictured) said one million people could be tested for the virus by week's end Up until now, the US testing capacity was only between 75,000 and 100,00 kits, Dr Hahn said during a Monday press briefing. But on Saturday, officials enacted a new policy clearing the way for non-CDC tests to be made and sent to labs across the country. Validation processes could still take 15 days, however. US health officials have also begun using the flu surveillance system to track coronavirus. Two weeks ago, labs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle started to test patients who had flu-like symptoms but tested negative for flu itself began testing those patients for coronavirus. CDC Director Dr Robert Redfield said that the wider flu surveillance system - consisting of about 140 labs across the US - would be 'activated in the near future' to test even more people for the virus. It comes after the CDC had to re-make a reagent in the test kit after some diagnostics were returning 'inconclusive' results. Meanwhile, it was revealed that a woman confirmed to have coronavirus was not tested for it for for days because she didn't initially fit the CDC's criteria for testing as she had not recently traveled to or been in contact with anyone who had traveled to China. Her eventual diagnosis signalled that the virus might be circulating in the Solano County community already. The CDC is now investigating an issue in the manufacturing process and lab that was making the tests, where one FDA scientist said he saw 'alarming' signs of contamination. More than 100 Americans now have coronavirus and six - all in Washington - have died With more than 100 US labs hamstrung by the flawed tests they'd received, officials in New York last week began developing their own test. Monday, President Trump met with heads of pharmaceutical firms to discuss their production of vaccines, treatments and tests for coronavirus. With wider testing, even more cases of coronavirus are bound to be reported in the US. In fact, Washington state health officials said they predicted coronavirus cases in King County, where the virus is circulating and has infected many residents of a long-term care home, could exceed those of flu in the county. The US coronavirus task force, headed up by Vice President Mike Pence maintained that the risk of coronavirus to any given American remains low. But, 'the risk of exposure to people with possible identified cases can be high,' said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Pence also announced that clinical trials for a vaccine should begin within six weeks and said 'therapeutics could literally be availabe by this summer or early fall.' [March 03, 2020] Arch RoamRight Publishes First Travel Insurance Playbook Travel insurance provider Arch RoamRight has published the Travel Insurance Playbook for 2020, a guide created to provide insights into travel insurance trends and help travel professionals optimize their travel insurance sales strategies. The Travel Insurance Playbook includes proprietary data on travel insurance and its buyers, as well as general travel statistics gained from surveys completed by thousands of travelers across a variety of destinations and travel styles. Travel advisors can also learn about travel trends for 2020, including popular destinations and the sacrifices travelers said they would make for a free trip around the world. "We are very excited to publish our first Travel Insurance Playbook," said Tim Dodge, Vice President of Travel & Accident Marketing at Arch Insurance. "The travel advisor and tour operator community has been invaluable to us in becoming the provider we are today, and we hope this Playbook can help them provide even more value to their clients. We plan to produce this resource annually to present an in-depth look at travel insurance and the state of the market based on our research." With the Travel Insurance Playbook, travel advisors and tour operators can gain an understanding of the travel insurance buyer journey and personas, including demographics and purchase habits. The Playbook also provides statistics and case studies that can help travel advisors and tour operators educate clients on the importance and value proposition of travel insurance. To receive a digital download or to request a printed copy of the Travel Insurance Playbook, visit www.RoamRight.com/playbook. About Arch RoamRight RoamRight (www.RoamRight.com), an Arch Insurance Company brand based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, provides travel insurance to help U.S. residents traveling around the world. RoamRight offers travel insurance plans for leisure, business, student and group travelers taking both domestic and international trips. From trip cancellation to travel medical insurance plans and an award-winning mobile app and website, RoamRight is an industry leader in innovation and technological solutions. In 2019, Arch RoamRight was given the Excellence in Customer Service Award by Business Intelligence Group, and also won the bronze Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year in the American Business Awards. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or their negative or variations or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements involve our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements includes the following: adverse general economic and market conditions; increased competition; pricing and policy term trends; fluctuations in the actions of rating agencies and our ability to maintain and improve our ratings; investment performance; the loss of key personnel; the adequacy of our loss reserves, severity and/or frequency of losses, greater than expected loss ratios and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable natural and man-made catastrophic events; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; changes in regulations and/or tax laws in the United States or elsewhere; our ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures and integrate the businesses we have acquired or may acquire into the existing operations; changes in accounting principles or policies; material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; availability and cost to us of reinsurance to manage our gross and net exposures; the failure of others to meet their obligations to us and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005823/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A grant from the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation (MMCF) will help high school students from two groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the health professions gain experience and enthusiasm for careers in the fields through hands-on science camps and workshops at Hope College this summer. The $25,000 award through the foundations Masonrys B.E.S.T [Build. Enrich. Strengthen. Transform] Community Grant program will provide support for 25 African American and Latinx students from West Michigan to participate in week-long, full-day science camps co-sponsored by the colleges long-running ExploreHope summer program and Center for Diversity and Inclusion. This program will offer an opportunity for students to become more aware of and excited about the vast opportunities available in the health care and other science related fields in ways they realize are within their reach, said Vanessa Greene, who is associate dean of students and director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Hope. Designed as a college preview within ExploreHope, the initiative will run during June and July, with the students participating in academic camps focused on the health professions, neuroscience or environmental studies. The activities will also include presentations each evening about the college experience and the experience of minorities on campus by current college students, educators and a variety of professionals. Participating students will engage in hands-on exploration in health-profession and other science-related disciplines, and receive instruction in the connections between the subjects learned in high school with their application in practice, said Susan Ipri Brown, who is director of ExploreHope and an instructor of engineering at the college. Our goal is also to provide the students with positive role models and effective techniques to help them finish high school with a set of college-ready courses, study skills and motivation to excel in college. ExploreHope College Preview complements the colleges partnership with the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) and six other colleges and universities in Pathways to Careers in Healthcare to reduce racial disparities in health care employment. Announced in June 2018, Pathways to Careers in Healthcare has three overarching goals: that diversity in health care professions will mirror diversity in the community by 2040, to establish a cadre of African American and Latinx health care leaders in West Michigan, and to establish early exposure to advance health care practice careers throughout the K-12 experience. The initiative will work with high schools in the Holland area, Muskegon area and Grand Rapids in the coming months to identify current sophomores and juniors for the program. The students will participate in one of three camps in June or July: Nursing, Health Professions and Human Performance (June 22-26); Invasive Species Research Experience (July 13-17); or Watershed Restoration and Neuroscience (July 20-24). In addition to helping underwrite the camps, the MMCF grant will fully fund the students participation, including not only tuition for the camps but daily transportation to and from the college, and lunch and dinner each day. Hollands Masonic Unity Lodge #191 will also be directly involved in the program, with lodge members who are area professionals providing mentorship through the summer evening programming and two follow-up gatherings during the coming school year. Hope has been presenting summer science camps for children since 1997. Growing from two camps in the first year, the program now annually features about 50 camps featuring a variety of themes for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with approximately 1,000 attending each year. The camps are led by Hope students who are preparing to become K-12 teachers, making the camps a learning experience not only for the children who are attending but for the colleges education students. Greg and Paula Wegner retired from one of the worlds most challenging professions teaching to take a job that is even harder, and that offers no pay. They joined the Peace Corps. The Wegners, longtime residents of Bangor, will fly to Armenia later this month as they begin a two-year mission that will take them far outside of their comfort zone 6,000 miles outside of it, to be precise. Were going to be immersed in a new culture and a new language, said Greg, who taught history and education at UW-La Crosse for 23 years. But the Peace Corps is a two-way street. Were going to learn as much as we can about the people and culture there, and we hope theyll learn about us and our American culture. The Peace Corps, a volunteer program run by the federal government, sends people to all corners of the world to assist with social and economic development in impoverished or disadvantaged communities. Peace Corps volunteers do everything from promote HIV/AIDS prevention, to help farmers manage their crops, to teach children to read and write. The average volunteer is in their late 20s, fresh-faced and just out of college. Greg and Paula came from a different mold. Its a great privilege that, at our age, were in good enough health to do this, said Greg, who will turn 70 during the couples second week overseas. Thats one thing the Peace Corps has been trying to promote: different generations working together. For the first three months, Greg and Paula will attend a sort of Peace Corps boot camp, studying the Armenian language and learning to teach English to foreign students. After that, theyll receive their placements, likely teaching English in one of the many impoverished villages in rural Armenia, which borders Turkey to the west and Iran to the south. Im nervous to be responsible for an entire classroom, said Paula, who was a private violin instructor at Viterbo University. Everything else, Im excited for. For Greg and Paula, who had talked for years about joining the Peace Corps, Armenia is as good a place as any to direct their efforts. The countrys troubled past includes genocide by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, and its uncertain present includes difficulty establishing a strong, stable democracy. Armenias technology, infrastructure and health care lag behind the United States and other more affluent nations, and many of its brightest young people decide to move elsewhere. People here think that they cant do anything about hunger or homelessness or illiteracy or world peace, Paula said. But theyre wrong. Through programs like the Peace Corps, each person can do something to affect all those things. The Wegners have been preparing for months, learning about Armenian history and trying, letter by letter, to pick up the language. Theyve done interviews with the Peace Corps and submitted to, in Gregs words, the most extensive medical exam weve ever been through. A week and a half from their March 14 departure, they have even packed their suitcases. The Wegners predict that they will miss many things about the United States: their family and friends, their church, the food, the ability to speak in English to people they see on the street. There are things to fear about Armenia, as well. Winters there are notoriously brutal, and there is no central heating. The quality of life can be jolting, especially to privileged, pampered Americans. The COVID-19 coronavirus also appears to be moving in, with the country reporting its first confirmed case over the weekend. But Greg and Paula, as long as theyve known each other, have never been afraid of being uncomfortable. On the night of their first date, a bitterly cold night, the heater on Gregs truck blew out. When Greg asked Paula whether she still wanted to go, she said that she did. It was an inauspicious start to their relationship, the couple rumbling toward a restaurant in Gregs frozen truck. But halfway through dinner, Greg realized he was in just the right place, with just the right person. She asked me where my family came from, and I told her they came over from Germany, he said. So I asked her about her family, and she, being a member of the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, said, Oh, weve been here for at least 10,000 years. That, for me, was the clincher. Kyle Farris can be reached at 608-791-8234 or kfarris@lacrossetribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Kyle_A_Farris. Love 7 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dissolution ordered by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa came six months before parliaments term ended. Sri Lankas president dissolved parliament with on Monday and called for new parliamentary elections six months early. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was elected in November, made use of his constitutional powers to dissolve parliament and called for elections on April 25. The constitution gives powers to dissolve Parliament after completing four and a half years of a five-year term. Rajapaksa was elected to office last November but has said he cannot work freely because his powers have been reduced. He has also faced restrictions because the opposition commanded a majority in the 225-member parliament. The new parliament will meet on May 14, the election commission said in a statement. The election campaigning period will include the first anniversary of a series of suicide bombings on Easter Sunday last year that killed more than 250 people in churches and tourist hotels. Rajapaksa rode to power criticising the previous government for serious security and intelligence lapses that preceded the bombings. It was the worst violence in Sri Lanka since the countrys 26-year civil war ended in May 2009. Constitutional changes initiated by Rajapaksas predecessor, Maithripala Sirisena, reduced presidential powers, giving them to the Parliament and independent commissions. The change virtually created two political power centres the president and the prime minister, with the prime minister in charge of parliament and government ministers. Rajapaksas brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, is the prime minister and leads a minority government. Rajapaksa needs two-thirds parliamentary support to pass any changes to the Constitution. Lawmakers in Ukraine on Tuesday said the Parliament is gearing up for a vote to accept the resignation of the nation's prime minister. Members of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party that dominates the parliament said Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk has submitted his letter of resignation. They said the party decided to accept Honcharuk's resignation and replace him with Denys Shmygal in a vote scheduled for Wednesday. There was no immediate comment from Zelenskiy or Honcharuk. Shmygal, who was named deputy prime minister last month, had previously served as head of the regional administration in the western Ivano-Frankivsk region. Honcharuk first offered his resignation in January after he was caught on tape saying Zelenskiy a former sitcom star with no previous political experience knows nothing about the economy. Zelenskiy then called the situation "unpleasant" but asked Honcharuk to stay on the job. It wasn't immediately clear what prompted Honcharuk now to step down. Ukrainian media reports said that a few other Cabinet members could lose their jobs in the shake-up. The Cabinet reshuffle comes as Zelenskiy's approval ratings have dropped significantly since his landslide victory in April's presidential election. Zelenskiy ran on promises to end the war with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and combat the country's endemic corruption. However, clashes in the east have continued and over the past months Zelenskiy also found himself in the middle of the impeachment case against President Donald Trump, who was accused of withholding around USD 400 million in military aid to Ukraine to pressure it to investigate Democratic presidential rival Biden. Trump was impeached in December on two counts by the Democratic-run House, but Republican-run Senate acquitted him on both counts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ER actor Vanessa Marquez' family has expressed outrage after police released body cam footage showing the woman's shocking death without first notifying them. Police in South Pasadena, California, released the video showing an officer responding to a wellness check for Ms Marquez in 2018 before she was fatally shot. In a statement released to The Independent, the family's lawyer said: "Vanessa's family was not informed that video would be published. Vanessa's mother feels it was irresponsible for video to be published without any pre-advisement to her. She is a grieving mother, and the City has never once contacted her to meet with her to explain the circumstances of her daughter's death." "She feels further violated by the way she has been treated and disregarded," the lawyer added. The video in question starts with an officer entering Ms Marquez' home for the wellness check and the woman tells officers she's having a seizure. More follows Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The coronavirus known as COVID-19 is posing global threats that are challenging businesses worldwide, forcing them to put new policies and practices into place to prepare for and communicate with their workforces. One of the most critically impacted sectors is the technology industry. The virus has disrupted global businesses, forcing many tech company workers to cease travel to infected areas. Tech companies associated with major events such as Mobile World Congress, RSA and Googles Las Vegas sales and marketing event most recently felt some consequences. Many companies in affected areas are straining their tech abilities to have large swaths of their labor forces work remotely. Some businesses are taking steps to prep their employees to work from home. For instance, tech industry companies with direct exposure to China felt the effects in the very early stages of the virus appearance there. Disruptions to iPhone supply lines impacted Apple almost immediately. Closings and slowdowns in China had a nearly immediate impact on Microsofts installation of its Windows software on laptops and Surface tablets. The spread of the virus is affecting tech businesses both large and small that rely on supply chains, conference attendance and transportation in general. The coronavirus outbreak is grinding the tech industry down to a crawl, said Michael Bancroft, cohost of Globalive Medias Beyond Innovation on Bloomberg Television. Weve seen industry conferences like MWC Barcelona and F8 called off due to concerns about the virus spreading, and workers are generally being told not to travel, he told the E-Commerce Times. This crawl is forcing tech companies to rely on telepresence tools to host meetings, which often are less effective than face-to-face meetings for closing sales, Bancroft said. Were also seeing the global supply chain for electronic parts significantly disrupted, and companies like Apple have warned their sales results will falter because they cant get access to parts needed to make their devices, he added. Universal Challenges The coronavirus is presenting new challenges for businesses. It is forcing them to put new policies and practices into place to prepare for and communicate with their workforces. A D V E R T I S E M E N T There is no question that the impact of the coronavirus will continue to be felt 100 percent in the tech space in terms of the work cycle, remote work access and the overall workforce, said Liz Miller, principal analyst at Constellation Research. That said, it could be the technology sector that keeps work flowing in this age of the coronavirus, she told the E-Commerce Times. The impact is being felt in ripples as tech companies are canceling massive user group and thought leadership events, seeing both the opportunity to connect with customers and connect with influencers being lost, Miller said. Spawning New Work Ethics The coronavirus is driving a surge in remote work and opportunities to work from home. This introduces new challenges for businesses that are not used to supporting a remote workforce or even doing the majority of their work digitally, suggested Rita Selvaggi, CEO of ActivTrak. One of the most important things is for employees and employers to understand that were all in this together and have to make remote work productive, she told the E-Commerce Times. Tech company or not, the spreading virus is forcing companies to adapt their procedures and use technology to overcome hurdles. For tech-based companies, that probably will mean scrambling for more equipment, suggested Avani Desai, president of Schellman & Company. With the issues already seen with the supply chain, we are having to order laptops and phones by the bulk in preparing what it is going to look like in the next one-to-three months, she told the E-Commerce Times. The use of telecommuting is expected to increase initially where clients are outside of the U.S., but that trend is likely to continue as the virus spreads within the U.S. as well, Desai said. We are having to balance the need of our client visits and the health of our employees, she noted, adding that conferences and required ongoing trainning in large groups is forcing his workers to find other venues such as online training. Viral Changes Abound To better understand the extent to which COVID-19 is impacting business functions, VoIP phone systems firm 88 conducted a survey in partnership with Dynata. The survey asked businesses how they planned on supporting employees as the situation unfolds. The results of the research have not yet been made public, but a summary was provided to the E-Commerce Times. The survey polled 483 American consumers with a full-time job. For some 44 percent of respondents, the coronavirus already has impacted the way they do business. Despite the relatively small number of cases reported in the United States, businesses especially those with an international presence have begun to feel the effects. Fifty-five percent of survey participants have canceled travel plans and 50 percent are having fewer meetings with employees, customers and prospects. Eighty-six percent of respondents said their businesses have established and communicated a plan of action for times of crises. Also, 72 percent have reminded employees of behaviors to avoid, and 52 percent have restricted travel. Companies are increasing their reliance on remote work to keep businesses operational, the survey revealed. For instance, 15 percent of respondents said they already were working remotely as a result of the coronavirus. Another 40 percent were increasing their use of video conferencing. Furthermore, 90 percent of respondents said they were either confident or very confident that they would remain productive if asked to work remotely as a result of a crisis. Technology Traffic Overload Global health concerns created by the coronavirus have led to the largest remote workforce in human history. This is creating massive overloads of Internet traffic, as VPN systems are flooded by tens of millions of employees trying to log in, usually across crowded, long-haul public internet lines, according to Aryaka. The company on Tuesday announced a solution for eliminating VPN overloads. Aryakas Secure Remote Access leverages the companys global private backbone and requires no architecture changes by the customer. Most companies offer some type of remote VPN solution, but they were never designed for peak capacity that is, to scale for the present situation when nearly all the employees in a region are working remotely, said Shashi Kiran, chief marketing officer of Aryaka. As a result, local VPN servers are getting overloaded with the number of connections and amount of traffic required to support such a large increase in demand, impacting employee productivity, he said. The company is offering a free VPN concentrator domain license with new qualifying purchases of the Aryaka SmartSecure Remote Access solution. The promotion is valid until April 30 for both new and existing customers. Tech Ahead, Not So Bad High-tech may be the most prepared industry to adapt and survive as the coronavirus continues to spread, said Alexander Kehoe, operations director of Caveni. The actual labor infrastructure of technology companies can make them the best type of industry during any sort of disruption, like a viral outbreak. Despite the obvious concerns over the waves in the financial market causing short term losses, most tech companies have a very robust remote infrastructure in place, Kehoe told the E-Commerce Times. The vast majority of tech companies top talent is fully capable of working while isolated at home. That serves as a significant advantage over many traditional companies. Some short term turmoil might hit tech companies, but their user base, their employees and their products are relatively insulated from any severe consequences, Kehoe said. For example, Amazon may see gains as people stock up on products. Amazons cloud services probably will not be affected at all. All in all, the tech industry will not see too much in terms of overall impact, Kehoe predicted. Tech Firms Face Brand Threats The coronavirus absolutely will impact the tech industry in three key ways, noted Constellation Researchs Miller. First will be its impact on product. With so much of tech today fueled by global workforces, the coronavirus will mean having to manage production, innovation and sales cycles around a pandemic reaction and the long-term health and productivity management of these global teams. Everything from manufacturing to raw materials will be impacted the question will be how long will our supply chains be disrupted in the near term? And how will we minimize impact to the overarching value chain in the long term? she said. The second point of impact is how people actually work, according to Miller. The impact on manufacturing and on making the things that power technology and electronics is only one part of the situation. The industry is seeing a ripple effect in the necessity to shift work styles away from the physical work space to the virtual. This is not like the financial slowdown that caused skyrocketing gas prices and fares during the 2008 global recession. This is a matter of not getting on planes, not coming into the office, and not gathering on a scale that currently ranges from precaution to outright fear, she explained. In the end, we will settle on a new work culture post-coronavirus-outbreak that normalizes a societal pact where if you are sick no matter what the work culture dictates, you work from home. You might not log off completely, but each individual will bear the corporate culture responsibility of NOT being the super spreader [of the virus], Miller said. The third impact affects tech brands. Right now we are in the throes of event disruptions due to major technology players weighing the risks of hosting events versus cancelling them. The biggest so far was the cancellation of Mobile World Congress. That decision impacted mobile technology players and the entire city of Barcelona as well as the financial fortunes of many businesses in the surrounding region. Now user group and influencer conferences are being canceled due to an abundance of caution. This is as much a brand safety decision as it is a public safety one, demanding that new ways to connect, engage and communicate will come into play, Miller said. For example, do you have a hand-shake-free conference? Do you opt in for smaller, more contained, and more intimate dinners and knowledge exchange scenarios? Is a virtual event going to cut it? While the current conversations are revolving around risk, this will eventually shift to conversations led by brand security and business impact, Miller predicted. Can Tech Save Biz From Cyber Onslaught? As businesses take action to protect employees from the health crisis by ceasing travel and implementing remote working plans, they inadvertently are exposing themselves to mass cyberthreats, warned Morten Brgger, CEO of Wire. The coronavirus will be one of the biggest experiments in remote-working history, he told the E-Commerce Times. Companies need to be prepared for the security implications associated with employees working from various locations, often via unsecured WiFi networks. However, for companies its not just about being prepared for a global pandemic. Its also about readiness for the future, Brgger said. Cybercriminals already are exploiting these weaknesses and launching coronavirus-related phishing scams and cyberattacks. Companies need to set up the right framework to prevent any halt in their business operations lest these issues present damage to the economy at large, he added. It is common for cybercriminals to use high-profile, global news stories in their schemes. The coronavirus outbreak is no different. Cybercriminals are using the fear and vulnerability surrounding the event to scam individuals, Brgger explained. It is likely that coronavirus-related email phishing campaigns will continue. In fact 96 percent of all data breaches start with email phishing. On top of this, companies now are requiring employees to work remotely. This will help avoid contamination and further spread of the coronavirus, but it also means that employees are working outside the bounds of secure company perimeters. What to Do Brgger recommends that all companies tech or otherwise take these steps to ward off cyber intrusions: James Lipton, who died on Monday at the age of 93, made his name conducting in-depth interviews of actors, comedians, filmmakers and others on the long-running series Inside the Actors Studio when it was on Bravo TV. Though Lipton could come off as self-important or sycophantic, and was parodied more than once, theres a reason the show was a hit. He got good stuff. Heres a look at some of his more memorable encounters: Dave Chappelle After abruptly leaving his Comedy Central series Chappelles Show and traveling to Africa in 2005, Dave Chappelle sat down with Lipton for a wide-ranging conversation to discuss, among other things, his thought process leading up to the walkout. I had to make choices, he told Lipton, adding later, I like entertaining. And the higher up I go, for some reason, the less happy I am. Below, you can see clips from the interview, and watch it in full here. Conservative peer Lord Grade is locked in a High Court battle with a former business partner he now accuses of illegal activity, it can be revealed. The former BBC chairman is facing questions over his judgment after teaming with an entrepreneur who allegedly boasted of being jailed and is accused of being party to Ponzi-style schemes. Lord Grade, chairman of the Lords select committee on the impact of the gambling industry, even travelled with the businessman to Macau, one of the worlds gambling hotspots, to convince investors to pump 7.5million into his controversial, loss-making, media company. Conservative peer Lord Grade (pictured at the funeral of Sir Ken Dodd in Liverpool in 2018), is locked in a High Court battle with a former business partner he now accuses of illegal activity Zheng Yongxiong - known as Quentin - and the Duchess of York, pictured together in Windsor in 2017. Lord Grade described Zheng as his partner while attempting to drum up funding in Gate Ventures, which backs West End shows and films. Lord Grade, 76, is chairman of the company and the Duchess of York was a non-executive director until stepping down in December During the 2018 roadshow, he described Zheng Yongxiong, known as Quentin, as his partner while attempting to drum up funding in Gate Ventures, which backs West End shows and films. Lord Grade, 76, is chairman of the company and the Duchess of York was a non-executive director until stepping down in December. Mr Zheng is said to have promised that the Far East roadshows would raise 7.5million, which has not materialised. However he launched court action attempting to place Gate Ventures into administration claiming he was owed 2.5million. Grade is pictured here to the left of Zheng following an investor roadshow in the Far East Lord Grade is pictured (centre) following an investor show in Macau in 2018 The parties will battle it out at a London hearing today. Lord Grade has already reported Mr Zheng to the Governments Serious Fraud Office over the botched fundraising. Documents seen by the Daily Mail that are due to be put forward by Lord Grade and his associates claim that a company associated with Mr Zheng in China is under criminal investigation for alleged illegal public fundraising. Another raid on the Chinese business, which had its operations suspended, was announced by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in November. Documents also suggest that Mr Zheng was named in a criminal judgement in China in 2017 as being a beneficiary of an illegal pyramid selling scheme. Former BBC chairman Lord Grade (pictured in 2018), has said government moves over the BBC 'feel' like an attempt to bully the broadcaster The revelations shine an uncomfortable light on the business dealings of the Tory peer, who regularly claims his full 313-a-day allowance for sitting in the Lords. Some Gate investors claim money running into millions of pounds has been misappropriated by the Gate Ventures board. They accuse Lord Grade and other board members of potentially unlawful transactions. A spokesman for Gate Ventures said that when Mr Zheng offered to raise further funds, he had been vouched for by the companys previous largest shareholder so the board felt it was ok to take him up on his offer. A spokesman for Mr Zheng refused to comment ahead of the court proceedings. New Delhi: Adamant with their demand for an immediate discussion on the Delhi riots, the opposition parties on Tuesday said while the entire world has expressed concern over the riots, Parliament is yet to discuss it and a delay to discuss it would make it appear as anon-issue and a non-event. While in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said that any discussion on the subject would take place only after Holi next week, leading to vociferous protests from Opposition, in Rajya Sabha, deputy chairman Dr Harivansh said that Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu will consult with both the opposition and treasury benches to decide the day the issue would be discussed. However, the opposition parties in the Upper House insisted that when both the treasury and opposition benches are on the same ground that the subject should be discussed, no other business other than a discussion on the Delhi riots should take place on Wednesday. In Lok Sabha, another shoving match ensued like Monday between the treasury and opposition members over the Delhi riots. Hardly any business transacted in both Houses as opposition members kept demanding discussion on the subject and the Houses witnessed multiple adjournments. The government however, moved the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which seeks to strengthen cooperative banks, in the Lok Sabha amidst the din. If we discuss this subject next week then after 10-12 days, it will be a non-issue, no event... the entire world has expressed concern over it..it is still not that late..we should express our condolences with those who died in the riots.... whether we are sitting this side (opposition benches) or that side (treasury benches), we should not run away from our responsibilities, said leader of opposition in the Upper House, Ghulam Nabi Azad. SANTA FE, NM / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Sigma Labs, Inc. (SGLB) ("Sigma Labs"), a leading developer of quality assurance software for the commercial 3D printing industry, has been awarded a contract to implement its PrintRite3D Real-Time Melt Pool Analytics technology at Northwestern University. In collaboration with two university research centers at Northwestern University, Northwestern Initiative on Manufacturing Science and Innovation (NIMSI) and Center for Hierarchical Materials Design (CHiMaD), Sigma Labs will integrate the PrintRite3D system to a DMG Mori LASERTEC12 Selective Laser Melting machine. Researchers at NIMSI have developed computer-integrated systems for innovative manufacturing processes, including subtractive, deformation-based and additive processes. Sigma Labs and Northwestern will collaborate to further validate the performance and capabilities Sigma's technology to identify real-time defect formations during the printing process. The DMG MORI LASERTEC 12 SLM machine, is yet another new platform for Sigma Labs, further proving out PrintRite3D's position as the agnostic in process quality system that can be deployed on all major laser powderbed brands and is setting the standard for third party independent quality assurance monitoring of metal additive manufacturing systems. "We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Northwestern University," said Mark Ruport, Executive Chairman of Sigma Labs. "This type of collaboration is critical if additive manufacturing is to realize its potential and reach full industrialization." At Northwestern, faculty associated with NIMSI and CHiMaD have collaboratively worked on predictive ICME (Integrated Computational Materials Engineering) tools for additive manufacturing to innovate manufacturing processes and to develop new alloys. "Sigma Labs provides us with one critical element in our ICME framework for model validation and for process control. We look forward to our collaboration to bring the science and technology of additive manufacturing to the next level," said Jian Cao, Cardiss Collins Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of NIMSI. Story continues PrintRite3D is Sigma Labs' patented in-process quality assurance software for the commercial 3D metal printing industry, providing real-time melt pool analytics. The software uniquely leverages thermal signatures to monitor the quality of each product part in the production process, layer by layer and in real-time, allowing operators to correct or stop production of a defective part - resulting in reduced error rates and higher yields. The software is currently being evaluated by tier-1 aerospace and OEM partners worldwide. About Northwestern University Northwestern, founded in 1851 and located in Evanston, Chicago, and Qatar, is a comprehensive research university that is deeply interdisciplinary across multiple schools and units. Its 40+ university research centers, such as NIMSI and CHiMaD, cultivate talent, collaboration, and innovation at the intersections of traditional disciplines. Specifically, NIMSI seeks new solutions to meet the ever-increasing demand on rapid manufacturing and hyper-individualized needs. We address the complexity and scalability of manufacturing systems using predictive digital tools across length and time scales. We consider issues related to supply chains, energy use, sustainability, cybersecurity, and economic and employment policy. CHiMaD is a NIST-sponsored center of excellence for advanced materials research focusing on developing the next generation of computational tools, databases, and experimental techniques in order to enable the accelerated design of novel materials and their integration to industry, one of the primary goals of the U.S. Government's Materials Genome Initiative (MGI). For more information, please visit Northwestern at a glance, nimsi.northwestern.edu, and chimed.northwestern.edu. About Sigma Labs Sigma Labs, Inc. (SGLB) is a leading provider of quality assurance software to the commercial 3D printing industry under the PrintRite3D brand. Founded in 2010, Sigma is a software company that specializes in the development and commercialization of real-time computer-aided inspection (CAI) solutions known as PrintRite3D for 3D advanced manufacturing technologies. Sigma Labs' advanced computer-aided software product revolutionizes commercial additive manufacturing, enabling non-destructive quality assurance mid-production, uniquely allowing errors to be corrected in real-time. For more information, please visit www.sigmalabsinc.com. 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 Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "prospects," "outlook," and similar words or expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may," and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. These 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 anticipated results, performance or achievements. The Company disclaims any intention to and undertakes no obligation to, revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, a future event, or otherwise. For additional risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company's forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (including but not limited to the discussion under "Risk Factors" therein) filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019 and which may be viewed at www.sec.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Julia Wakefield Vice President Rubenstein Public Relations 212-805-3021 jwakefield@rubensteinpr.com www.rubensteinpr.com INVESTOR CONTACT: Chris Tyson Managing Director MZ Group - MZ North America 949-491-8235 SGLB@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us SOURCE: Sigma Labs, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/578438/Sigma-Labs-to-Implement-In-Process-Quality-Assurance-IPQAR-at-Northwestern-University Help India! By Musheera Ashraf, TwoCircles.net Kiran Vissa is a social activist based in Hyderabad working at the community level to raise awareness about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). He is currently working with Citizens Against NRC-NPR-CAA, Telangana which is a group of concerned citizens of the state out to inform people about the citizenship laws. Support TwoCircles Kiran has been working with Citizens Against NRC-NPR-CAA for four months now and is focused mainly on organizing Mohalla campaigns to reach out to multiple communities. In our recent interview with the activist, we tried to understand the problems and challenges involved in leading a grassroots movement against the CAA-NRC. How did you start your movement against CAA-NRC? When I came to know about CAA and NRC, my immediate response was to educate my own family and friends about it. Initially, I fasted for 48 hours to encourage dialogues with my own people to show them how CAA-NRC are dividing my country into fragments and I, as a citizen would not accept it. My fasting for a cause instantly drew concerns from my friends and family who realized it matters so much to me and that is how we started full-fledged awareness campaigns. Following the response we got, we started posting about this on Facebook and subsequently messaging our immediate circles asking them to join. What was the response of the people? My position as a social activist is clear among my family and friends so many of them started to empathize by joining dialogues and hearing us out. Through my Facebook page, I started posting information about this Act under the title Dialogue With Friends and soon many like-minded people who could think rationally, came together. Although many opposed me, I am glad that several others at least got convinced that something is definitely wrong with what is going on. How and why did you feel the need to reach out to rural areas? Which areas have you covered till now? When we saw rallies covering large distances, often rural areas among the vicinity, we realized that these people, away from the cities definitely understand something is wrong but due to lack of authentic resources might fall prey to paranoia situations and misconceptions. That is when we came together as People Against CAA-NRC-NPR, Telangana and began visiting mohallas or jhuggis in rural Telangana to educate them about the major threats of this Act. Our mohalla campaigns are usually local people assisting us to gather at one place usually rooftops or community centers where we initiate informative discussions and conversations at the ground level. As of now, we have collectively reached rural vicinities including Padmanagar Basti and Peerzadi Guda. What is the response of people in rural areas? How is CAA-NRC different from other issues? More women are attending the meetings than men. People from both sides (both Hindu and Muslims) have many misconceptions about the law. Normally when an Act or issue is discussed, general consciousness among people is not built but CAA-NRC has become a big public issue and people are equally keen to know about it on a massive scale. What have you been doing to persuade them in a better way? To build a direct connection at the community level, our group has prepared informative pamphlets on NRC-CAA-NPR in both Telugu and English. In these pamphlets, we provide basic questions and answers about the laws. We also included some of the examples from NRC experiences in Assam. We distribute them to build a better understanding. One of the most widely distributed pamphlets is titled Dont Use Citizenship as a Weapon against the Poor, Minorities, Women, Dalit and Adivasis. We also reached out to organizations like Domestic Workers Union and other organizations working for homeless people and we are the first in Telegana to do so. Among the people of rural areas, what matters more the threat to their existence or coming together as a nation? Among Muslims, there is a major perception that they are under threat. But it is not only the self-threat perception. Many people who are not under fear of being excluded are also convinced in coming out because they think that the nation is heading in the wrong direction. Is it getting more difficult to get permission from the state officials to organize protests in Telangana? The politicization of the situation is the main reason that is scaring people. The very first protest in Hyderabad was from our side. We project ourselves as citizens group and not as any political group. But now after the Million March, internal politics is creating a major problem. The Police are reluctant to not permit many of the protests due to this. We are planning to file a case against the Telangana government for not allowing protests because they are basic to freedom of expression. In such a situation when protests are not being allowed, we still manage to call indoor meetings and mohalla campaigns. What is the working strategy of Citizens against NPR-NRC-CAA? Do you think you have been successful so far? As a group, we have divided responsibilities according to the differentiated prowess of the members. Some of our active members include Ms. Asma Zehra, Zahid, and Meera. They are the main speakers at events. However, we want to invite more people to join us. For this, we have now started sending an open invite so anyone who wants to join comes and speaks. We had sought permission for building a human chain and with a lot of struggle, we eventually got permission after assuring the concerned authorities that we have no political inclination. While many parallel forums and individuals are contributing to different causes at their own levels, we are individually focussing on What is the real problem. What is the future of these protests and what are your plans? The main thing is we as a nation are reclaiming the democratic space. I am fasting for peace on March 1st. This is a call for a personal response to the Delhi riots. It is a call to fast for peace and dialogue with friends. You can keep a track of our future protests through https://sites.google.com/view/join-fast-for-peace/home The head of Iran's emergency services has become the highest-ranking official so far to be infected in the country's coronavirus outbreak. Pirhossein Kolivand is the latest official to become a virus patient in an outbreak which has also infected eight per cent of Iran's parliament. It came as Iran announced another 11 deaths today along with 835 new virus patients in the largest single-day increase in cases since the virus reached the country. The latest figures were announced by stand-in deputy health minister Alireza Raisi, after regular minister Iraj Harirchi himself came down with the virus. It brings the official tally in Iran to 2,336 cases and 77 deaths, although there is suspicion that the regime's numbers may be too low. Eight per cent of Iranian parliamentarians have now been infected with coronavirus, officials say, including Motjtaba Zonnouri (seen here, centre, at a session of parliament in 2016) Iranian lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri said today that 23 members of parliament have been infected, according to state TV. There are only 290 members of the legislative body, meaning that 7.9 per cent of them have now come down with the virus. One top official has already been killed by the virus: 72-year-old Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a member of the Expediency Council which advises Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Health minister Harirchi was diagnosed last week after sweating and coughing during a press conference where he played down the scale of the outbreak. Iran's death rate has now fallen to 3.3 per cent, but is still higher than the global figure of around two per cent. The high death rate has previously raised suspicion that the number of patients is greater than the Iranian regime is willing to admit. Supreme leader Khamenei said Iran was being transparent with its figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of trying to conceal them. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured wearing protective gloves today) has said that coronavirus is 'not that big a deal' even though the country's death toll has hit 77 'The coronavirus has affected many countries,' he was quoted as saying on his official Twitter account. 'Our officials have reported with sincerity and transparency since day one. 'However, some countries where the outbreak has been more serious have tried to hide it. 'Of course, we ask God to heal the sick in those countries too,' he added. Khamenei also declared that 'this calamity is not that big of a deal, and there have been bigger ones in the past'. 'I do not want to underestimate this issue of course, but let us not overestimate it either,' he said, according to Mehr news agency. He added that it will affect the country for a while and then be over. Despite this, Khamenei put the Islamic Republic's armed forces on alert today to assist health officials in combating the outbreak. Khamenei has also called on Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading. 'The health care guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should be observed,' said Khamenei, who was seen on state television wearing gloves as he planted a tree. Iran's claims to have the virus under control lost further credibility last week when the deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, was taken into quarantine, just a day after sweating profusely at a press conference (pictured) Iran on Saturday dismissed a report that the real number of coronavirus deaths in the country was more than 200. The United States and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of concealing information about the outbreak. Iran faced anger from its own citizens over an attempted cover-up just last month, after claiming falsely that a passenger jet with dozens of Iranians on board had crashed by accident. The plane was actually shot down by Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the height of Tehran's stand-off with Washington after the death of Qassem Soleimani. Iran is also battling medical shortages which are worsened by U.S. sanctions, with masks and testing kits in short supply. The clerical establishment has refused to stop the holy city of Qom despite the Shi'ite city suffering the brunt of the outbreak and pilgrims spreading the virus across the Middle East. The Fatima Masumeh shrine, which has remained open and is disinfected daily, attracts Shi'ites from across Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Bahrain and other countries. Tuesday, Feb. 25 0850 Report of vandalism on Adams Street. 0914 Police took a report on a fraud case. 0921 A Charter Oak Avenue resident said a loose German shepherd keeps coming onto her property and taking things. The dog took the drip pan from her barbecue and also corners feral cats and barks at them. The caller is concerned about the safety of her young children. 1214 Report of a man slumped over in a car on Library Lane. Police contacted the man, whod taken a nap and overslept his alarm. 1451 Report of a possible drunk driver on Highway 29. Police stopped the car and determined the driver was not drunk. 2003 Report of a suspicious car on Adams Street with several women inside. Another person possibly a man walked up to their window for a few minutes and then walked away. The caller thought the man might have sold something to the women. 2215 Medical aid for a man with a heart problem on Redondo Court. Wednesday, Feb. 260725 Police were asked to check on a man with blood on his face near Main/Charter Oak. 1226 Report of a possible drunk driver swerving and traveling at erratic speeds from Calistoga to St. Helena. 1311 Report of a white truck spilling water near Main/Grayson. Thursday, Feb. 270936 A vehicle was burglarized on Main Street. 1300 Medical aid on Pratt Avenue. 1540 Police were notified of an assault that occurred during an event earlier in the month. One of the guests was shoved by another man and landed on a table. The incident wasnt reported to police at the time, but now the victim fears for his life. Police took a report. 1625 Lift assist on Crinella Drive. 1628 A driver reported that she hit the car behind her while parking on Oak Avenue. There was no major damage, and she left a note on the other car. 2004 A car alarm kept going off on Church Street. 2251 Medical aid for a woman feeling light-headed on Pope Street. Friday, Feb. 281604 Contra Costa County police said they arrested a person for drugs and weapons violations and found checks in the name of a St. Helena resident. They asked St. Helena police to contact the resident to see if he was aware that someone else had his checks. 2241 Report of a suspicious car idling on Crinella Drive. Saturday, Feb. 291128 Report of dogs barking nonstop on Spring Mountain Road. 1227 A woman tripped and fell near Spring/Oak. 1612 Report of a woman with a male toddler holding a please help sign asking for money on Main Street. Police didnt take any action because she wasnt breaking the law. 1751 A caller asked for help retrieving car keys from her dad, who was extremely drunk and refusing to give them up. An officer gave them a ride home. 1823 A girls locker room was vandalized on Hillview Place. 2228 Report of a car accident north of the elm tunnel. Police made an arrest. Sunday, March 10805 Medical aid on San Juan Court. 1435 A Valley View Street home was vandalized for the second weekend in a row. 2004 A woman said shed reported her dog missing on Saturday. Now she sees it in a car parked near Hunt Avenue. Police determined it was a civil matter. 2301 Lift assist for a fall victim on Laguna Seca Court. [March 03, 2020] LendCare Announces Partnership with CFMOTO Canada TORONTO, March 3, 2020 /CNW/ - LendCare Capital, a leading Canadian point-of-sale finance and technology company, announced today that they have signed a partnership agreement with powersports manufacturer, CFMOTO Canada. CFMOTO manufactures leisure vehicles that are distributed in over 70 countries with a vast powersport dealer network across Canada and are a world leader in the production of liquid-cooled engines for quad and side-by-side vehicles. "It was an obvious strategic and collaborative partnership for both companies," said Ali Metel, CEO, LendCare Capital. "By combining the resources and reach of a world-renowned leisure manufacturer with the #1 non-prime powersports lending company in Canada, we will be able to extend specialized financing opportunities to more Canadian consumers." LendCare will provide financing solutions, customized to CFMOTO's Canadian-based dealer network, enabling their customers to finance CFMOTO products, seamlessly at the point-of-sale. "Building relationships with well-established Canadian companies like LendCare, creates new opportunities for both our brand and daler network to capitalize on better serving our Canadian customers," said Rodolphe Arenales, General Manager, CFMOTO Canada. "We are proud to have LendCare as a financing partner and look forward to what our companies will accomplish together." CFMOTO Canada and LendCare bring a wealth of experience in the leisure industry and have spent a combined three decades servicing Canadian businesses and consumers. About LendCare Capital LendCare is a Canadian consumer finance and technology company, which enables over 6000 businesses to increase their revenue by providing full credit spectrum financing at the point-of-sale. For over a decade, LendCare has cleared a path to provide fast, reliable and affordable financing options for the Powersports, Auto, Retail, Home Improvement and Health sectors, while processing over $4 billion in loan applications to date. With a dedicated team of finance experts and well-established partnerships with merchants, top dealerships and brokers, LendCare bridges the gap between credit score and customers living their best life. About CFMOTO Founded in 1989, CFMOTO designs and manufactures recreational sports vehicles. It has an annual production capacity of 800,000 engines and 600,000 vehicles distributed in over 70 countries. SOURCE LendCare [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The much-anticipated rollout of the UNIPASS single window system at the ports could not come off as expected at Elubo in the Western Region as freight forwarders are now being asked to present their names for training on the new system. The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders had warned the government against a major setback in clearing activities at the Elubo and Aflao borders without the necessary training for the relevant stakeholders. President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Edward Akrong, told Citi Business News, the implementation of the new system at Elubo has been put on hold. I got a call from my Chairman in Elubo that they are being asked to submit names for training to begin on TuesdayThe names of freight forwarders, the names of those who are going to operate the system. It is enough to tell you that I was telling you the truth. That nothing of that sort has been done, So, to say this was going to start on March 1 is a no go area. As we speak, they are using the GCNet and West Blue system, he said. The Commissioner of Customs, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd) in an earlier interview with Citi Business News allayed fears over possible judgment debt to be pursued by GCNet and West Blue. Unless it is an express provision in the contract that while this contract is existing, under no circumstances and in most cases in such types of issues, you then have legal arguments to make. You try as much as possible to be equitable and fair to parties. You do not fetter my ability to disengage from something that is inimical to my interest. A directive by the Senior Minister further had indicated that system user materials and audio-video training materials would be dispatched to members of the freight forwarders groups at the points where the system will be rolled out from Sunday, March 1, 2020. For businesses operating at the ports, UNIPASS may interfere with trade facilitation processes as it will add to their cost of operation. For instance, the trade facilitation fee of 0.75% initially set is higher than that of GCNet and West Blue altogether at 0.68%. ---citinewsroom The operator of a central Queensland mine has been charged with breaches of the mining health and safety act after a worker was killed last year. Bradley Hardwick, 47, died on February 20 when a personnel carrier and the grader he was operating crashed into each other about 4.15pm. Bradley Hardwick was killed in a collision between two pieces of machinery at a Queensland coal mine. Anglo American, which operates Moranbah North mine, about 150 kilometres south-west of Mackay, allegedly breached its obligations under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999. A Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy spokesman said the charges were filed in the Clermont Industrial Magistrates Court by the Queensland Resources Safety and Health Regulator. DEFENDER-Europe 20 first APS draw By Sgt. Alleea Oliver March 2, 2020 ZUTENDAAL, Belgium -- In support of DEFENDER-Europe 20, the 405th Army Field Support Battalion-Benelux issued Army Prepositioned Stocks 2 to the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Zutendaal, Belgium, from Feb. 25-27, 2020. DEFENDER-Europe 20 is the deployment of a division-sized, combat-credible force from the United States to Europe, the drawing of APS-2, and the movement of personnel and equipment across the theater to various training areas. During DEFENDER-Europe 20, the largest deployment of U.S.-based forces to Europe for an exercise in the last 25 years, units will draw a total of 13,000 pieces of equipment from four APS-2 sites in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. Out of the four sites, 405th ASFBn-Benelux led the first APS-2 draw of DEFENDER-Europe 20 by issuing over 1,000 pieces of military equipment to U.S.-based Soldiers participating in the exercise. The APS-2 sites are critical elements of the DEFENDER-Europe 20 exercise, a long-planned exercise that will improve relationships, strategic readiness and interoperability between U.S. Forces and their NATO allies and partners. "The logistical operation here is the essence of what the NATO alliance is all about," said U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium Charge d'Affaires Nicholas Berliner. "Allies working together and each bringing unique capabilities to this shared effort that makes everyone one of our countries stronger and more secure." Utilizing the APS-2 sites during DEFENDER-Europe 20 will not only test the U.S. military readiness, it will also enhance the system of NATO allies and partners. "This facility, APS Zutendaal, plays a pivotal role in providing necessary equipment and capabilities to support not only the U.S. military, but all of our NATO allies." said Berliner. "This exercise will test our military's capabilities to train our Soldiers and demonstrate the enduring commitment of the United States to the security of our friend and ally, Belgium, and also to our fellow allies and partners in NATO." Each day of the APS-2 draw, Soldiers assigned to the 553rd CSSB received, inventoried and conducted preventive maintenance checks and services on military equipment such as tactical trucks and trailers, material handling equipment, sustainment equipment and armament support equipment to ensure each piece of equipment was fully mission capable to conduct movement throughout DEFENDER-Europe 20. "This will lay the foundation as we go forward and also lay the foundation for interoperability with our [allies and] partners," said Lt. Col. Torrance Cleveland, 405th AFSBn-Benelux commander. "NATO nations have committed to ensure Defender is a success." In the next few days the U.S. service members and military equipment will move by rail, line-haul or convoys across the European region to participate in various linked exercises. DEFENDER-Europe 20 will conclude with the redeployment of U.S.-based forces and equipment. U.S. service members will clear the training areas, return prepositioned stocks, move to ports and return to home stations, fulfilling the U.S. military's commitment to the NATO agreements. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What began with a student crying in a school hallway allegedly ended with a school board member threatening to stab two 7th-graders with scissors for not answering her questions. Now that school board member, identified as Aileen Gilbert, 69, with the Aliquippa School District, is facing charges in the case, KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh reports. The six misdemeanor and summary charges stem from an incident in early February in which a parents told police Gilbert was taking care of a crying student in the hallway at Aliquippa Junior High School, then went into a classroom to determine what happened. Thats when Gilbert allegedly threatened to stab the two students with a pair of scissors after they wouldnt give her their names. A parent of one of the students brought this account to the attention of local police, who investigated and now have filed charges. We pretty much handle it just like we would anyone else being threatened with harm or anything like that. We are going to investigate it and try to get to the bottom of it, file appropriately charges if necessary, Sgt. Steven Roberts with the Aliquippa Police told KDKA. The joint investigation was conducted by Aliquippa Police and Beaver County detectives. Police couldnt confirm whether or not scissors were actually involved in the incident. Background from the Beaver County Times: Four years ago, Gilbert, a past president of the school board, and a district substitute teacher were charged with failing to report suspected child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, although both charges were dismissed by a county judge early on. The two women were accused of failing to make a Childline report after a sixth-grade pupil showed them a video of another child engaged in sexual behavior. Police said its their understanding that Gilbert, a retired nonprofit director, resigned from her district position following the most recent reported incident in February, but this was not immediately confirmed. READ MORE: Pa. woman whose severed arm was found miles away from fatal hit and run is mourned: Why didnt you stop? Lifetime sex offender accused of sexually assaulting 2 Pa. children being babysat by his mom Pa.s newest Chick-fil-A gets feathers ruffled as customer plows car into building Woman hit, killed by multiple cars on Pa. highway; none stopped, dragging her remains for miles Body found behind CoreLife restaurant is man, 22 House flippers in this Pa. city are pocketing biggest profits in U.S.: study Serial thief preying on Pa. university students: cops Panera Bread in Pa. cited for fly infestation: Uncontrolled pests in a food prep area Woman in BMW crashes into Pa. daycare during nap time; 4 injured, 1 critical Drunk Pa. man exposes himself after police are called to Ruby Tuesdays Pa. judge who called black juror Aunt Jemima made other racial comments, transcripts show Pa. couple accused of locking son, 9, in closet to go out to party: state cops Pa. mom in Cookie Monster costume arrested after ODing in car: cops Singer Harry Styles visits Wawa for a tuna hoagie: OMG! OMG! OMG! Pa. man accused of DUI-by-marijuana in crash that killed his passenger, 28 Pa. college student lives to tell about absolutely terrifying 80-foot fall while hiking: It happened so fast Ukraine's Culture Ministry has unveiled a new television channel that has started broadcasting in Russia-occupied Crimea and parts of the easternmost Donetsk and Luhansk regions that the government in Kyiv doesn't control. Called Dom (Home), the channel started the pilot broadcast on March 1, said Yulia Ostrovska, the acting CEO of public broadcaster UATV. During the presentation in Kyiv, she noted that "54 percent of people in the occupied territories don't have access to Ukrainian television channels and 43 percent can't access Ukrainian websites." One of the channel's goals is the "de-occupation of consciousness" of Ukrainians, Ostrovska added. It was in reference to Russia's takeover of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in early 2014 and subsequent support of pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed more than 13,000 people. However, the channel might not be available to residents of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine due to electronic warfare methods, said Mykyta Poturayev, a member of parliament who took part in delivering the presentation. The channel will get its content from the existing major Ukrainian TV networks, including about 15 percent from the studio that brought current President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fame as an actor and comedian. As such, it will be available to digital, not analogue, TV owners. Anchors on the channels will speak both Ukrainian, the state language, and Russian, the predominant language spoken in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. News also will be delivered in the Ukrainian and Russian languages and cover national and regional news. Poturayev said the editorial policy of Dom will not be to repeat Russian propaganda messages. "Nobody on this channel will talk about 'rebels,' 'civil war,' and will not call Russian tanks 'pink unicorns' who came with love, from Russia with love," he said. The combined 2020 budget for the channel and state-run Ukrinform news agency is 257 million hryvnyas ($10 million). Among the consultants employed at the channel are people from the 112 Ukrayina channel, a TV network affiliated with pro-Russian lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk, whose daughter's godfather is Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to deputy presidential office head Kyrylo Tymoshenko, who also took part in the presentation. With reporting by Ukrayinska pravda and Hromadske (TNS) The criminal investigation into a suspected Feb. 8 hacking attempt on the town computer systems is still ongoing, and work is being done to restore full functionality, Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said.Core functions, including web browsing and email, were back up and running after the town government and schools were without Internet access for about a week during the initial stages of the investigation. Purcaro said there was no unauthorized access to any sensitive information resulting from the incident.Some government functions remain offline, but officials did not want to give specifics, citing the pending criminal investigation.Most Internet functions were temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure while police and hired cybersecurity experts investigated. For that time, officials were without any Internet access, and teachers were unable to use any Internet-based educational tools in classrooms.But police Lt. William Meier said there was minimal impact on town and school functions because officials used workarounds while investigators ensured that no sensitive data was breached and worked to find the root of the issue.Purcaro said cybersecurity measures have run up a total cost of about $150,000 thus far, but the town is only responsible for $10,000 of that cost because its insurance policy has a $10,000 deductible.Purcaro said he could not provide further information because of the ongoing investigation, but he stressed the importance of cybersecurity in town.Our daily life and our local government operations depend on a stable, safe, and resilient cyberspace, he said. For these reasons, the town of Vernon continuously assesses and enhances its information security programs by taking various measures, including mandatory cybersecurity training for staff. Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei has said that coronavirus is 'not that big a deal' even though the country's death toll has hit 77 and one of his senior advisers has died of the disease. Khamenei - pictured today wearing protective gloves - called on Iranians to pray against the virus 'as prayer can solve many problems.' As of today, 77 in the country have died from the virus and there are 2,336 confirmed cases. One of Khamenei's senior advisors Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a member of the Expediency Council which is hand-picked by the Supreme Leader, died aged 71 in a Tehran hospital yesterday after falling sick with the virus. Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei (pictured today wearing protective gloves) has said that coronavirus is 'not that big a deal' even though the country's death toll has hit 77 - including one of his senior advisers 'This calamity is not that big of a deal, and that there have been bigger ones in the past,' Khamenei was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency today. 'I do not want to underestimate this issue of course, but let us not overestimate it either,' he said. He added that it will affect the country for a while and then be over. Despite this, Iran's supreme leader put the Islamic Republic's armed forces on alert today to assist health officials in combating the outbreak. After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities have now said they had plans to potentially mobilize 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's decision was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Iran's upcoming arbor day. Despite the comment saying the virus wasn't a big deal, Iran's supreme leader (pictured) put the Islamic Republic's armed forces on alert today to assist health officials in combating the outbreak Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's decision to put the armed forces on alert was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Iran's upcoming arbor day Iranian media reported that 23 members of parliament now had the virus, as well as the head of the country's emergency services. 'Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin,' Khamenei said, who has not worn gloves at past arbor day plantings. Khamenei also urged citizens to follow the health authorities' instructions and praised their 'honesty' and 'transparency,' saying they have been keeping the public up to date since day one. Khamenei (pictured today) also urged citizens to follow the health authorities' instructions and praised their 'honesty' and 'transparency,' saying they have been keeping the public up to date since day one Mohammad Mirmohammadi (pictured left), a member of the Expediency Council which is hand-picked by the Supreme Leader of Iran, died aged 71 after falling sick with coronavirus. In this picture he is seated alongside two other officials, including Ali Akbar Velayti (centre) Mohammad Mirmohammadi is one of several regime members to have caught the virus, after vice president Masoumeh Ebtekar and visibly struggling health minister Iraj Harirchi were also infected. It comes as the Iranian regime was accused of 'endangering the lives of Iranians and the world' after alarming videos of worshippers licking a shrine emerged online. There are also fears that Iran is covering up the true scale of the crisis, with official figures showing a suspiciously high death rate - suggesting there may be more infections than the regime is willing to admit. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), has claimed that the death toll is as high as 650 - nearly ten times the official count. Experts worry Iran's percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3%, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show. Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. Iran's claims to have the virus under control lost further credibility last week when the deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, was taken into quarantine, just a day after sweating profusely at a press conference (pictured) State media announced Mirmohammadi's death yesterday morning in the virus's most direct blow to the regime so far. The Expediency Council which he sat on advises the Ayatollah and helps to settle disputes between the Supreme Leader and the Iranian parliament. He previously served as the head of the presidency under former Presidents Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ali Khamenei, now the country's supreme leader. Mirmohammadi's mother had died of the coronavirus in recent days as well, Iranian media reported. Those sick also include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar and Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. Today, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state television's Young Journalists Club program that 23 members of parliament had the coronavirus. He urged all lawmakers to avoid the public. 'These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country, which may create a new virus, so we recommend the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now,' Mesri said. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), has claimed that the death toll is as high as 650 - nearly ten times the official count. Pictured: Khamenei during a public engagement today Khamenei (pictured today wearing protective gloves) called on Iranians to pray against the virus 'as prayer can solve many problems' The semiofficial ILNA and Tasnim news agencies in Iran also reported that Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the country's emergency services, had come down with the new illness. They offered no other immediate details. An activist group also said Tuesday that Wikipedia's Farsi-language website appeared to be disrupted in Iran after a close confidant to the supreme leader died of the new coronavirus. The advocacy group NetBlocks linked Mirmohammadi's death to the disruption, though Iranian officials and its state media did not immediately acknowledge it. NetBlocks described the disruption to accessing Farsi Wikipedia as being nationwide, saying its technical testing suggests the online encyclopedia is being blocked by the same mechanism used to block Twitter and Facebook. Those social media websites have been banned since Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election and Green Movement protests. Iranian media reported that 23 members of parliament now had the virus, as well as the head of the country's emergency services. Pictured: Khamenei wearing protective gloves today Some Iranians said they couldn't access Wikipedia's Farsi website since Monday night. Others said they could, including through the site's mobile-friendly pages. 'The new restrictions come as Iran faces a growing crisis following the loss of senior state figures to coronavirus and a spate of criticism and misinformation have spread through social media,' NetBlocks said in its analysis. The Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees the volunteer-edited encyclopedia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NetBlocks previously reported internet disruptions affecting Iran in recent days and users across the Islamic Republic have reported problems. The disruption raises fears of Iran potentially shutting off the internet entirely again, as it did for a week during economic protests in November. Iran separately has created its own so-called 'halal' net of government-approved websites. Meanwhile Tuesday, the Middle East's largest airline, Emirates, said it had to reduce or ground flights due to the new virus. Because of the slowdown, the government-owned carrier has asked its employees to take paid and even unpaid leave for up to a month at a time. Emirates' operates out of Dubai, the world's busiest for international travel. 'We have been tested before and Emirates will come out stronger,' Chief Operating Officer Adel Al-Redha said. The world's largest airline trade association, IATA, says Mideast carriers have already lost around $100 million in revenue due to a drop in ticket sales because of disruptions caused by the virus. C abinet minister Matt Hancock defended Priti Patel over bullying allegations today saying she is robust and determined. The Health Secretary spoke out after Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched an investigation into claims surrounding the Home Secretary. The Home Offices most senior official Sir Philip Rutnam resigned on Saturday, accusing Ms Patel of leading a vicious campaign to oust him and vowing to sue for constructive dismissal. Mr Hancock told the BBC: Priti is robust and determined and that is what you would expect in a home secretary. Ive never seen her be anything other than courteous and professional in all the work that Ive done with her. Home Secretary Priti Patel / REUTERS Asked if he thought she would be cleared of the allegations, he added: Theres a process and Im not going to prejudge that. Former international trade secretary Liam Fox tweeted: I have worked with [Ms Patel] for almost 20 years. In that time I have always known her to be courteous, diligent and fair. The BBC has reported that a former aide received a 25,000 government pay-out after a threatened lawsuit in which the then employment minister Ms Patel was named. Legal correspondence alleges the woman took an overdose of prescription medicine following the alleged incident in 2015. Labour MPs have called for Ms Patel to step down / PA Labour MPs have called for Ms Patel to step down as Home Secretary while bullying allegations are investigated. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott told BBCs Radio 4 Today: We want a genuinely independent inquiry... to restore confidence in the respect that the Government has for civil servants. She said if the allegations are true they would be a breach of the ministerial code and added: You cant have a government thats at war with its civil service. Its just not sustainable. Ms Patel has previously denied mistreating staff and Mr Johnson said he absolutely has confidence in his Home Secretary. Announcing the inquiry, Michael Gove told the Commons: The Home Secretary absolutely rejects those allegations. A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was accused by a woman in her 20s of raping her when she was a child, according to the Chester County District Attorneys Office. Darren Lawrence was arrested Monday on multiple counts of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and related offenses. He served as a trooper from 1982 to 2000. "This is an incredibly disturbing allegation, said District Attorney Deb Ryan. "We will do everything possible to ensure we seek swift justice on behalf of the victim in this case. Child molesters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in Chester County. In a criminal complaint, a 22-year-old woman said Lawrence touched her and kissed her inappropriately on a monthly basis over a three-year period once her mom left him in her care. She said this happened when she was between the ages of nine and 12. She said he raped her, as well as reported Lawrence for taking nude photos of her when she was either 10 or 11 years old. Authorities said Lawrence is now 59-years-old. He resided in Wilmington, Delaware. He was arrested on March 2. His bail was set at $250,000. He was ordered to not have any contact with the woman and was unable to post bond, according to the Chester County District Attorneys Office. Lawrence is currently in Chester County Prison. His preliminary hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. on March 4 at District Court in Kennett Square. Chester County detectives are investigating the case. Anyone with information regarding this or other incidents involving the defendant should contact Chester County Detective James Ciliberto at (610) 344-6866. 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 current crisis surrounding the spread of coronavirus in Iran is a complex and multilayered issue with political, social, health, environmental and economic consequences ranging from questions of how to sustain the economy to the notion of public trust in the governments handling of the process. Yet with Iran already facing massive economic problems due to sanctions, mismanagement and corruption, the question of economic impact of is of particular importance, as this public health calamity threatens to lead to further deterioration of the economy. While there are conflicting statistics about the number of deaths and infections, it is clear that the virus has disrupted the countrys economy. According to official figures, there have been 1,500 verified cases and 66 deaths, but some reports place the numbers much higher. Authorities have closed schools, universities, government offices and also restricted many social events as well as transportation across the country to prevent the spread of the disease. Despite protests from the clergy, government authorities even took the rare step of canceling Friday prayers in Tehran and 20 other cities last week. In the meantime, the Iranian government has deployed its normal toolkit and has established a national committee to manage the outbreak. The committee is managed by Health Minister Saeed Namaki and includes a number of ministers and officials, among them the chief of police, Hossein Ashtari. The composition of the committee indicates that the country expects a wide-ranging set of tasks that will require coordination between authorities. As such, efficient governance will be needed a point of weakness in the country. It is clear that President Hassan Rouhani is also aware of the significance of managing this crisis in restoring some of the lost credibility for his administration. In fact, one of the major impediments in managing the spread of the virus is the low level of trust in the authorities. Hence, many citizens do not cooperate with the relevant institutions. Furthermore, there are disagreements within the political establishment on how to counter the threat of the spreading virus. The first and foremost impact of a public health crisis is the psychological costs caused by the sense of insecurity and disruption. In fact, according to sociologist Majid Rezaian, the negative rumors that have been spread in the society are more damaging than the virus itself. Many citizens are forced to stay at home to prevent a deepening of the calamity. Incidentally, the timing of the crisis also adds to the woes. The weeks prior to the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, on March 21 are full of end-o-the-year activity, spring cleaning and preparation for the festivities etc. As it is likely that the crisis will last beyond March 21, it will certainly have additional negative social and economic repercussions related to New Year traditions. Furthermore, to gauge the economic damage, one needs to understand that about half of the countrys gross domestic product is generated through service sectors. As such, any disruption to the flow of services and subsectors such as transportation will deal a heavy blow to the economy. According to deputy head of the countrys chamber of commerce, every day of total closure of main businesses costs the economy an estimated $164 million. Evidently, the continuation of the situation will lead to further contraction of the economy. News is already emerging of the bankruptcy of many small outlets such as hairdressers, repair shops, etc. Individual service providers such as taxi drivers will also be hit and will face the risk of further economic misery. For now, the solidarity within the society and the prevalence of family and community-based charity is helping small businesses in the absence of a state system that can use its social welfare arm to help those who have been harmed by the crisis. Additional economic damage is caused by the fact that almost all neighboring countries have closed their borders to Iran and have stopped flights to and from the country. This will have lasting economic consequences, especially as exports to immediate neighbors have been one of the backbones of the economy under sanctions. Continued disruption in trade with immediate neighbors is bound to hurt the economy deeply and also undermine the economys foreign exchange balance through the disruption of currency flows to and from neighboring countries. Other negative consequences include the decline in Chinese oil purchases from Iran as well as a collapse of tourism. Domestic, regional and international tourism were among the drivers of generation of new jobs in the economy and it is evident that unemployment will rise as a consequence of the current crisis. The negative consequences of the crisis were also felt on the Tehran Stock Exchange, where the market index fell 3.44% Feb. 29. This trend will probably continue as a large number of well performing companies at the exchange depend on export performance. The free market exchange rate has always been a useful tool to gauge of the sentiment in the business community. While the Iranian rial lost about 19% of its value in the first two weeks of the crisis, it has now rebounded and is trading at about 150,000 rials to the US dollar, about 10% higher than at the outset of the crisis. While the government and the central bank may be able to manage the foreign exchange repercussions of the crisis, it remains to be seen whether they can manage other, more urgent matters. For example, the government should consider using some of its funds to compensate small businesses that are under financial pressure. The core problem remains that the establishment of such a scheme would create a platform for corrupt practices that would further undermine the economy. Another consequence of the current crisis likely will be the deepening of the rift between state and society. Political commentator Abbas Abdi believes that the current situation will have negative consequences for state-society relations. He told Aftab news that restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus create hurdles that could further complicate the containment of the crisis. Like any other calamity, the current public health crisis, will also unleash some new potential in the economy. For example, in light of the circumstances, a number of meetings, educational programs and even trades are being carried out online a phenomenon that could consolidate itself and reduce the negative impact of some damaging processes, such as Tehrans polluting traffic. There is also an unprecedented growth in civil society endeavor, especially health and charity-based activities that could have a lasting impact on the society and by extension the Iranian economy. On March 1, Health Minister Namaki announced the government's resolve to uproot the coronavirus by sending 300,000 equipped teams to all households to test and cure citizens. If successful, such a campaign would certainly restore some of the government's lost credibility. The coronavirus epidemic is an evolving crisis in Iran and it is too early to measure the overall negative impact. Nonetheless, the history of Iran has been shaped by crises, including natural disasters, political upheavals, external pressures and also public health crises, all of which could break the country economically. However, Iran has always bounced back. Leading sociologist Hamid Reza Jalaeipour published a note on Telegram social media saying that the Iranians have always emerged from hopeless situations because of their ability to hope. This seems to be one of those instances where a national resolve will be needed to return the country to a sense of normalcy. One thing they have in common is skepticism about the findings of the intelligence agencies, which they would oversee, that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to aid Mr. Trump. Mr. Ratcliffe has floated the conspiracy theory that the investigation into the meddling was the result of a secret society of folks within the Department of Justice and the FBI trying to prevent Mr. Trumps election. During the recent House impeachment hearings, his shilling for the White House included demands for the investigation of a whistleblower who filed a complaint with the intelligence communitys inspector general about Mr. Trumps attempts to extort political favors from Ukraine. As DNI, Mr. Ratcliffe might order such a probe himself. Jaipur, March 3 : Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Tuesday issued directions for special vigilance across the state, in view of the detection of an Italian tourist who is a suspected coronavirus patient here and said that people who came in contact with him will be screened. Sharma instructed the Rapid Response Team of the Medical Education and Health Department be sent to various places visited by the suspected patient in the state, and ensure screening of all people who have come in contact with him. A 20-member group of Italian tourists had reached Jaipur on February 28 via Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur, and a 69-year-old group member was admitted to a local private hospital the same after he fell ill. He was referred to SMS hospital the next day. While his initial tests for coronavirus were negative, they came out positive on Monday and samples were sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation. Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education and Health, Rohit Kumar Singh further issued an order directing the formation of Rapid Response Team at the level of all medical colleges for the control of coronavirus in the state. These teams include senior professors and epidemiologists from PSM, Medicine, Microbiology and Paediatrician Departments. The Rapid Response teams will inspect the hotels and excursions where the patient stayed in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mandawa (Jhunjhunu) and Jaisalmer and the necessary action shall be carried out as per the protocol. Medical check up will be done for the people who come in contact with him at government institutions in the area. A sample of the persons concerned will be taken for investigation in case of any suspicion. Along with this initiatives, steps shall be taken to disinfect the places of his stay and other places where he visited. All activities will be carried out by the Rapid Response Teams through the Chief Medical and Health Officer by preparing an Epidemic Investigation and Contact Tracing Plan, he added. The volunteers and community staff are preparing fresh vegetables for citizens in the sealed city during the outbreaks of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei,China on 25th February, 2020 Photo by TPG/Getty Images Last month, some residents at the center of the coronavirus outbreak were barred from leaving their neighborhoods. These measures, some of the most restrictive yet, are putting a strain on Wuhan residents. Some Wuhan, China, residents have no access to food in their neighborhoods and are being forced to order groceries in bulk on WeChat with their neighbors so they can have the food delivered to their homes. Smaller communities who don't have enough neighbors in one area are unable to have food delivered to their homes if they cannot meet the minimum order requirement for delivery. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Barred from leaving their neighborhoods, some Wuhan residents can only get food by group ordering groceries with their neighbors through Chinese messaging apps, such as We Chat, so that they can get food delivered to their homes, the AFP reported. Last month, Wuhan public officials passed some of the most restrictive measures since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the city. In January, the city locked down Wuhan, China's 11 million residents and later only allowed residents to leave their compounds once every three days, prompting residents to stockpile food or rely on community volunteers to deliver food to their homes. Photos taken last week depict the severity of the food insecurity in the center of the outbreak where stocks of food are running low. Now, some residents will not be allowed to leave their neighborhoods at all. A composite image showing guards at Wuhan's Hankou Railway Station on January 22 and a man wearing a mask buying groceries in the city on January 23. Xiaolu Chu/Getty Images/Business Insider Although the measure was passed to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the center of the outbreak, it has effectively restricted access to food in some areas. While public officials acknowledged that locking down individual neighborhoods could "bring some inconvenience," it has threatened the livelihood of some Wuhan residents. Following increasingly strict coronavirus measures, demands for group-buying food delivery services have sky-rocketed. For some, organizing group purchases are the only way they can get more food. Story continues Supermarkets and grocery stores have set up group-buying services on the Chinese messaging app WeChat, with chats for buying certain items like meat, vegetables, and milk. More sophisticated shops set up apps within WeChat for Wuhan residents to order food. Residents can purchase quantities of food by weight to order and sent in bulk to grocery to stores. One Wuhan resident named Guo Jing told AFP that group-ordering is the only way she can get food now that she is unable to leave her compound. In her neighborhood, a 14.3-pound set of five vegetables, including potatoes and baby cabbage, cost 50 yuan ($7.11). "You have no way to choose what you like to eat," Guo, 29, told AFP. "You cannot have personal preferences anymore." Some districts have even begun to regulate the group delivery services, prohibiting supermarkets from selling to individuals and forcing communities to buy groceries in bulk. Even if a neighborhood can group order food, some Wuhan residents have complained about the quality and price of the produce delivered. David Dai, a resident who lives on the outskirts of Wuhan, told AFP that onions and tomatoes he and his neighbors ordered arrived rotten. He said they were forced to throw out a third of the food. However, grocery stores and communities are struggling to fill the increasing number of orders have begun to set minimum order requirements for delivery. While one supermarket required a minimum of 30 orders, another store only allowed 1,000 delivery orders per day, the AFP reported. A man who worked at the logistics division of a supermarket said that hiring more staff to deal with demands has been difficult, adding that they are hesitant to hire outsiders who could become infected. These new requirements make it difficult for smaller communities to have food delivered if they cannot meet the minimum order for delivery. "To be honest, there's nothing we can do," Yang Nan, manager of Lao Cun Zhang supermarket, told AFP. According to Yang, the Lao Cun Zhang supermarket only has four vehicles and does not have the staff to deliver smaller orders. For Wuhan residents that are unable to order food in bulk with neighbors and don't have access to food within their area, they are left to rely on what remaining food they have. One Wuhan resident named Pan Hongsheng who lives with his wife and two children said the family has run out of milk powder for their three-year-old. "I still don't know where to buy things once we've finished eating what we have at home," Pan Hongsheng told AFP. "I feel like a refugee." Read the original article on Business Insider It was only a matter of time before smartphone and other electronic shortages from top brands, including Apple and Xiaomi, were seen in India amid supply chain disruptions in China. Many of these companies have production facilities in China, with factory output at half to idle speed because of the Covid-19 outbreak. The Economic Times (ET) says supplies of made in China smartphones and electronics are dwindling at Indian shops. Suppliers told ET that in the last 7-10 days, only 10-20% of the average shipment had been sent to stores. Supply disruptions have mainly hit iPhone X models, due mostly because iPhone XR and 7 are locally manufactured. Suppliers noted that TCL and Xiaomi smartphones and televisions from China are in short supply. Shenzhen-based Realme was another brand that was facing shipment delays to India. ET said shortages of high-tech goods had forced many retailers to stop offering discounts in the last several weeks. There's also reports that some prices of smartphones and TVs rose 10% last month due to manufacturers resourcing components, which has driven up overall costs. "There are supply issues for several brands. There is no clarity when the situation will normalise," said Nilesh Gupta, director at Vijay Sales, a top electronics retailer in Mumbai and New Delhi. "If it doesn't get corrected fast, we may move into a stock-out situation from next month." A Xiaomi India spokesperson told ET that supply chain disruptions in China are expected in early March. "We are working towards balancing the demand in India, which should be met soon," the spokesperson said. Indian retailers have been building inventories of smartphones, television, air conditions, washing machines, and refrigerators since supply constraints developed in China last month. A senior executive of an Apple exclusive store chain warned that supplies would normalize by April because much of the production is being routed to the US and Europe. "Business is down by 50% last week and March is looking bleak," he said The virus has gone global, now affecting South Korea and Japan, two top manufacturing hubs of electronic companies that have had some multinationals idle or close some plants because of the virus outbreak. What's coming down the pipe for the US is much of the same supply constraints seen in India at the moment. Major retailers, such as Target and Walmart, could experience shortages of products starting later this month or in April. Amazon has already warned several products could be "unavailable" in the weeks or months ahead. By Zerohedge.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Winter may not be officially over just yet, but spring arrived early in Starbucks stores in the United States on Tuesday with the launch of three new iced beverages. The trio of drinks includes the Iced Golden Ginger Drink, Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink and Nitro Cold Brew with Salted Honey Cold Foam. The Iced Golden Ginger and the Iced Pineapple Matcha are coconut milk iced drinks inspired by Venice Beach, Los Angeles and the California sun. The new coconut milk beverages have a tropical twist -- featuring flavors like matcha, turmeric, pineapple and ginger. The Iced Golden Drink is described as a sunny beverage that features ginger, pineapple and turmeric flavors, shaken with coconut milk and ice. Its vibrant color and sunny flavors make you think of springtime, said Kris Murray, product specialist for the Starbucks Beverage Research & Development team. The Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink, made with premium matcha green tea with flavors of pineapple and ginger, is shaken with coconut milk and ice. Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink is the perfect blend of pineapple and matcha with a hint of coconut, Murray said. At first sip, you get some of that pineapple flavor complimented by the coconut milk, with matcha and ginger flavors really shining through at the end. The Nitro Cold Brew with Salted Honey Cold Foam was designed to complement the smooth flavors of nitro cold brew, topped with a salted honey cold foam and a stripe of sweet and salty toasted honey. New food and ready-to-drink beverage items are also in stores, along with a cheerful collection of spring merchandise. Starbucks is now offering two new, protein-packed breakfast wraps. The Bacon, Sausage & Egg Wrap includes double-smoked bacon, sausage, cage-free scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and sous vide potatoes wrapped in a flour tortilla. The Southwest Veggie Wrap combines cage-free scrambled eggs, black beans, sous vide potatoes, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, and jalapeno cream cheese wrapped in a salsa tortilla. In January, Starbucks announced its first new beverages of 2020 that are all non-dairy drinks. The Almondmilk Honey Flat White and Coconutmilk Latte are now available at participating Starbucks locations in the United States and Canada. The Almondmilk Honey Latte combines shots of Blonde Espresso with a honey blend and steamed almond milk -- finished with the Flat Whites signature dot of foam, according to Starbucks. The Coconutmilk Latte was created using shots of Starbucks Blonde Espresso combined with steamed coconut milk and finished with a strike of cascara sugar. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Flanked by Vice President Mike Pence (L) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, President Donald Trump leads a meeting with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives in Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington on March 2, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Coronavirus Treatments Could Be Ready in Months: Executives Treatments for the new coronavirus could be ready in months, pharmaceutical executives told President Donald Trump at the White House. Regenerons treatment could be produced as soon as August, Lenny Schleifer, the founder and CEO of Regeneron, said. The company uses antibodies, or proteins produced by plasma cells, to counteract diseases. Its using the same technology it used to develop a cure for Ebola. We have 1,000 antibodies that are already sitting in dishes. Were screening them. Were selecting them. We anticipate, if all goes well, 200,000 doses per month can come out of our factory in New York, starting in August, Schleifer told Trump on Monday during a meeting with health officials and pharmaceutical executives. The new treatment will be able to protect those who arent infected from contracting the new virus and treat people who have already been infected. If you get immunized with one of these vaccines, youre going to make some antibodies to protect you. Were going to already make those antibodies and give them to you so you dont have to go through that whole process. So itll protect you, he explained. People wear face masks at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, on March 2, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) Gilead Sciencess remdesivir medicine could also be available soon, Daniel ODay, CEO of the company, told Trump. The antiviral drug, which is not yet approved for treating anything, has shown efficacy against other coronaviruses in trials. Its being tested on patients with the new virus in trials in the United States, China, and Japan. The two trials in China have 400 patients each and are close to halfway enrolled, ODay said. One is studying severe patients and the other more moderate patients in attempts to pinpoint the best way to treat patients, especially in terms of timing. The trials produce results in 30 days, ODay told Trump. Gilead expects to receive results from the trials in April. And its planning to start another trial in Washington state, the epicenter of the virus in the United States, in the next couple of days. A man blocks the view as a person is taken by a stretcher to a waiting ambulance from a nursing facility where more than 50 people are sick and being tested for COVID-19 in Kirkland, Washington, on Feb. 29, 2020. (Elaine Thompson/AP Photo) Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institutes of Health, said that it would be a few months before officials know if remdesivir is effective in treating the new virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19. If you know by June that its effective, then you just scale up and manufacture it, and youre good to go, he said. Executives from some of the companies working on vaccines also attended the meeting, but vaccines must go through several trials, meaning theyre at least a year away from being available to the public, no matter how fast you go, according to Fauci. The companies represented that are working on vaccines included Moderna, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, CureVac, and Pfizer. GlaxoSmithKline, which was also represented, is working on making sure its technology is available to any company with a highly promising vaccine, Emma Walmsley, the companys CEO, said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday began talks with lawmakers to form a "strong" national coalition government led by him after the exit polls projected majority for his right-wing Likud Party in the country's unprecedented third parliamentary elections. According to the exit polls published shortly after the voting ended on Monday, 70-year-old Netanyahu's Likud Party-led alliance will win 59 seats, just two short of the majority in the 120-member Parliament. Netanyahu had the support of 60 members in the Knesset after the April 9 polls, the first out of the three within a year, but he could not manage to win just one more member to form a government. Israelis voted on Monday for the third time in less than a year to break the deadlock on government formation, with the country's longest-serving premier Netanyahu fighting for his political survival amid indictments on graft charges, which he denies. A beaming Netanyahu said he would meet with the other right-wing and religious parties later on Tuesday to discuss forming a "strong, national government for the state of Israel." He is now seeking a record fifth term, having been in office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009. Likud spokesman Jonathan Urich said that work has begun to convince lawmakers from the center-left bloc to defect and join a Likud-led coalition headed by Netanyahu, Ha'aretz online reported. "This is a night of great victory," Netanyahu said in a victory speech at his party headquarters hours after exit polls showed his Likud had an upper hand. "We won against all odds. They eulogized us, but we prevailed. We made lemons into lemonade. We turned Israel into a superpower, we nurtured new connections with world leaders, including more leaders than you can even imagine in the Arab and Muslim world," he said. "When I say that we will bring peace agreements with more Arab nations, it's not mere words. There are things in the works. This is only the tip of the iceberg," he said, highlighting his claim to lead Israel as the only leader of global stature. Israel's Central Election Committee said it has completed counting almost 97 per cent of the votes polled and the only votes remaining to be counted are the absentee ballots. The absentee ballots include those of the soldiers, prisoners, diplomats posted abroad and other emissaries which will be counted later Tuesday. Votes of those quarantined due to possible exposure to Coronavirus, cast at special polling stations, will be counted in a tent outside the Knesset on Wednesday morning. Counting of these votes is generally a tedious process as they go through cross-checks and their results will be available only on Sunday. As per law, the final results of the polls can be announced until March 9. The Likud Party has solidified its position as the single largest party with a decent lead of 36-32 over closest rival Blue and White party of former Israeli army Chief Benny Gantz. Gantz has refused to accept defeat when he appeared before his party's supporters at their Tel Aviv headquarters but admitted he shared their feeling of disappointment and pain. "This is not the result we wanted and not the result that will put Israel back on the right track," he said. "Netanyahu does not have 61 votes to form a government," he said. "We will consider our path. We respect the word of the voters. We were, are and will remain obligated to the fate of the State of Israel." He also reminded the supporters of Netanyahu's impending trial set to begin on March 17. "Criminal proceedings can only be dealt with in the courtroom, and Netanyahu will stand trial for three severe offenses," he said. Gantz said he would not sit in a government with Netanyahu because of the charges of graft against him. Likud has bagged 29.35 per cent of the votes, equal to around 36 Knesset seats, which could represent the party's strongest showing as Israelis look to end a political deadlock that has left the country without a fully functioning government for over a year. The Blue and White party was trailing with 26.34 per cent votes, representing some 31 seats, which is its poorest showing in the last three attempts. Netanyahu's right-wing allies too have fared well in the polls with ultra-Orthodox Shas party and United Torah Judaism at 10 and 7 seats respectively, while religious right-wing Yamina party got six seats. The current situation brings the right-wing bloc's tally to 59 in the house of 120, just two seat shy of a simple majority. Israeli Arabs led Joint List was looking to win 15 seats, while the Labor-Gesher-Meretz alliance on the Left stood at seven seats as per the latest round of counting. Former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party is likely to win 7 seats, one down from last time. The elections were largely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu who will go on trial later this month for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, but is thought to be seeking support for a legislative mechanism to grant him immunity. "Throughout the campaign, I've spoken about everything we intend to achieve in the coming years applying sovereignty over our homeland in the Jordan valley," Netanyahu said, referring to his controversial campaign promise to annex the territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Crufts will go ahead as planned this year despite coronavirus fears, the Kennel Club has confirmed. Following the governments COBRA meeting on Monday 2 March, the company that organises the annual dog show revealed it had not been advised by Public Health England to cancel the event. A statement published on the Kennel Clubs website reads: We are looking forward to welcoming our exhibitors and visitors as usual. However, this does remain an evolving situation and we will continue to adhere to the best available advice. We must be guided by the facts and most up-to-date medical information and at the moment, advice from Public Health England has not changed the most effective thing people can do to protect themselves is make sure that they wash their hands for 20 seconds or more. The statement referenced how the government has said it is important that people go about their business as usual for the time being. That said, the Kennel Club confirmed that enhanced measures will be in place to protect visitors, exhibitors, clients and staff at Crufts 2020. Everyone should note that the main message from Public Health England is on personal hygiene, therefore staff, exhibitors and visitors are also being encouraged to maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene by employing the Catch It. Bin It. Kill It ethos, the statement continued. Additionally, extra bottles of hand sanitiser will be introduced in toilets and the in-hall catering areas, it added. Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Show all 16 1 /16 Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A man wearing a protective mask walks past the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A gondolier on the Grand Canal as the sun sets in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A local pulls a trolley as she leaves a street food market in Venice, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. A U.S. government advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to Italy due to the spread of a new virus is the "final blow" to the nation's tourism industry, the head of Italy's hotel federation said Saturday. Venice, which was nearing recovery in the Carnival season following a tourist lull after record flooding in November, saw bookings drop immediately after regional officials canceled the final two days of celebrations this week, unprecedented in modern times. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Locals wait for a mass at the barely empty San Salvador church in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. A coughing Pope Francis told Italy, pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing that he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold. It is the first time in his seven-year papacy that he has missed the spiritual exercises that he initiated early in his pontificate to mark the start of each Lenten season. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks take photographs in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks look at their smartphones as they have a break at the St. Mark's square in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A couple stand at the Rialto bridge during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. Reuters Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty water bus after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists shelter against the rain with umbrellas as they walk in the empty St. Mark's Square during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondolas are parked on a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP We continue to monitor the situation with the Department of Health and Defra, and further updates, as and when we have them, will be issued on our official social media channels and website. The number of cases of coronavirus in the UK is currently 51, with more than 92,100 people having contracted the illness globally in at least 71 countries. EMERYVILLE, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Profusa, a digital health company that is pioneering the next generation of personalized medicine, today announced the initiation of a study that will use the Company's minimally invasive injectable biosensor technology, the Lumee Oxygen Platform, as a platform to potentially assist in the early detection of influenza outbreaks. The study is part of a collaboration with RTI International, a nonprofit research institute developing algorithms for illness detection, and research centers including Duke University and Imperial College London. The study, conducted at Imperial College London, will examine how sensors monitoring physiological status, including the Lumee Oxygen Platform which measures tissue oxygen levels, provide potential indicators of human response to infection or exposure to disease in healthy volunteers. The goal of the study is to develop an early identification system to detect not only disease outbreaks, but biological attacks and pandemics up to three weeks earlier than current methods. The results of the study are anticipated to be available in 2021. "This research marks an exciting step forward in the development of game-changing preventive care," said Ben Hwang, chairman and CEO of Profusa. "The Lumee Oxygen Platform can potentially function as a sort of canary in a coal mine for infectious disease, since subtle changes in oxygen at the tissue level may signal trouble and can help clinicians course correct quickly to avoid outbreaks." Changes in oxygen levels and other physiological measures, such as heart rate, as a result of a respiratory infection may assist researchers in the study to develop algorithms that can detect early, pre-symptomatic flu activity more quickly than what is currently possible. Despite the availability of antivirals and vaccines, influenza remains one of the greatest causes of illness and premature death worldwide. Seasonal influenza affects between 10% and 46% of the population each year, with mortality of up to approximately 12 deaths per 100,000 in developed countries.[1] During the 2009 H1N1 virus pandemic, many severe cases occurred in previously healthy young adults. With the entire worldwide population potentially at risk, the prevention and improved management of seasonal and pandemic influenza are of major importance. "The potential significance of this new technology should not be underestimated, and Profusa is proud to be part of a joint effort funded by a DARPA, or Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, award," said Sean Givens, head of government business for Profusa. "This is particularly exciting for Profusa as we look forward to leveraging learnings for future platform applications." Profusa's Lumee Patch, a wireless reader that adheres to the skin and collects and reports tissue oxygen levels sensed by the Lumee Oxygen sensor to a mobile device for real-time data visualization, will be used in the clinical study. The Lumee Patch and software being used in this study received approval as an investigational device from Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK to be used in conjunction with other devices. The injectable Lumee Oxygen sensor and injector Lumee Pen being used in this study are CE Marked for use in the European Union and EEA. The project is part of DARPA's SIGMA+ program in the Defense Sciences Office (DSO). About Profusa Based in Emeryville, Calif., Profusa is a digital health company led by visionary scientific founders, an experienced management team and a world-class board of directors who share the long-term goal of improving health and well-being for patients worldwide. With its long-lasting, injectable and affordable biosensors and its intelligent data platform, Profusa aims to provide people with a personalized biochemical signature rooted in data that clinicians trust and rely upon. These data may allow people to act as an active and educated participant alongside their care team and understand how their choices and decisions impact health and well-being, day-in and day-out. "LUMEE", "PROFUSA" and the PROFUSA logo are registered trademarks of Profusa Inc. in the United States, Canada, European Union, China, Japan, South Korea and Australia. For more information, visit https://profusa.com. About the Lumee Oxygen Platform Profusa's first clinical offering, the Lumee Oxygen Platform, and the next-generation Wireless Lumee Oxygen Platform, which are CE marked for use in the European Union, are indicated for use in patients with potential acute and/or chronic changes in tissue oxygen levels who may benefit from monitoring. The Lumee Oxygen sensor provides continuous and long-term monitoring of the oxygen in subcutaneous tissue. After a single injection, measurement thereafter is obtained non-invasively using an optical reader. In contrast to external pulse oximeters, which measure oxygen bound to the hemoglobin in larger blood vessels, the Lumee Oxygen Platform measures dissolved oxygen at the tissue level in the fluid that bathes cells. About DARPA SIGMA + The DARPA SIGMA+ program aims to expand SIGMA's advance capability to detect illicit radioactive and nuclear materials by developing new sensors and networks that would alert authorities to chemical, biological and explosives threats as well. SIGMA+ calls for the development of highly sensitive detectors and advanced intelligence analytics to detect minute traces of various substances related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats. SIGMA+ will use a common network infrastructure and mobile sensing strategy, a concept that was proven effective in the SIGMA program. The SIGMA+ chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) detection network would be scalable to cover a major metropolitan city and its surrounding region. Planned execution of SIGMA+ will occur in two phases. Phase 1 will focus on developing novel sensors for chemicals, explosives and biological agents while Phase 2 will focus on network development, analytics and integration. Disclaimer Funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The views, opinions and/or findings expressed are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the official views or policies of the Department of Defense or the U.S. government. CONTACT: Sylvia Aranda W2O Pure [email protected] 1 Monto, A. S. Epidemiology of influenza. Vaccine 26 Suppl 4, D45-48 (2008). SOURCE Profusa, Inc. Related Links http://www.profusa.com New Delhi: Taking action against rumour-mongers in south-east district, Delhi Police on Monday registered 10 cases under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and 163 cases under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act. Three cases have also been registered under Section 107/151 of CrPc. At least 50 people have been arrested in connection with the case, said police. Earlier on Monday Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said that as many as six cases were registered and the investigation is in advanced stages in connection with rumour-mongering in the national capital on Sunday evening. Speaking at a press conference, Shrivastava said, "Some anti-nationals and miscreants want to spread rumours to disturb peace in Delhi. We want to tell the citizens of Delhi that whenever they get unconfirmed reports of riots or any disturbance, they must verify such reports from the Central Police Control room for which we are giving an advertisement." The Commissioner also said that the situation is peaceful now in the national capital. "I have also toured the areas of the north-east district of Delhi and found shops were opened, so normalcy is returning fast," he said. When asked about cases registered in Delhi violence, Shrivastava said, "We have registered more than 300 cases and have made arrests too. We are ensuring to arrest those against whom we have evidence."At least 47 people have died and around 200 sustained injuries in the violence that erupted in north-east Delhi last week. Delhi was on the edge once again after rumours of tensions in various pockets spread on Sunday evening. The situation that is crawling towards normalcy once again became tense on Sunday night as false news and information on violence and arson did the rounds. The Delhi Police Control Room had received 1,880 notifications within just 2-3 hours on Sunday night. After investigation, each and every information was found to be false and misleading. The fake notifications on violence were received mainly from different Delhi districts. The highest number of rumours -- 481, was reported to the Western District Police Control Room. Southeastern, Dwarka, Outer and Rohini districts were ranked second, third, fourth and fifth respectively in getting the false news of the violence. A total of 21 people were arrested in northwest Delhi district on charges of spreading false information about riots. Besides, 18 people were arrested on similar charges in the southern district and one person was held in Rohini district. According to Delhi Police Headquarters, the largest number of rumours of rioting in Delhi was reported from the Western District (481). The second largest was South-Western district (413 notifications). While Dwarka District (310), Outer Delhi District (222), Rohini District (168), Southern District (127), North-Western District (54), Central District (35), South-West District (30), Outer North District (22), Eastern District (6), Northern District (6), Shahdara District (4) and North-Eastern District (2) were the others. This partnership expands upon Accutechs growing installation base throughout Europe which includes Ireland, Denmark, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and Scotland. TurunUK and Accutech Security formed an exclusive partnership to design and deliver high-quality wander management security solutions to healthcare facilities throughout the UK. Accutech Security is a leading manufacturer in healthcare security solutions and is actively installed in more than 5,000 facilities worldwide. TurunUK is an experienced healthcare leader of patient safety products and services, headquartered in London and serving the UK market for more than 25 years. The two companies are working together to provide Accutechs security solutions to clients in the UK and beyond. The duo is able to provide expert knowledge, detailed design and ease in implementation through ongoing support of custom security solutions. Weve sold the Stanley product for the last 24+ years, said Pedro Pereira, General Manager at TurunUK. Our new product line this year has included Accutechs LC 1200 and LS 2400 Wander Systems. Not only do our clients like the look and options, but the support from Accutech staff has been outstanding. The Accutech products fit well in our portfolio and aligns with our companys standard of excellence and customer service. Focusing on innovation, easy-to-use solutions and the patient experience are foundational to both Accutech and TurunUK. Working together since January 2020, the partnership has already seen success through the implementation of 20-plus systems. This partnership expands upon Accutechs growing installation base which includes Ireland, Denmark, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, said Chris Konicek, of Accutech. Beyond that we also have installations in Australia, Mexico, Trinidad/Tobago, Philippines, Guam, and Saudi Arabia. TurunUKs healthcare consumers realize all the benefits of a custom designed, integrated security system, installed and serviced by a dedicated, trained, and licensed team. TurunUKs professionals are focused on ensuring the success of solutions through comprehensive research and detailed project requirements. This coupled with Accutech Security products equals unparalleled client results for safety and security of patients/residents. All Accutech systems are manufactured in the U.S., installed and serviced by a vast network of authorized dealers, and backed by the industry's most comprehensive customer support program. Accutechs solutions have allowed us to confidently provide innovative solutions and exceptional customer service to our clients, said Pedro. The Accutech brand is a trusted brand. For an analysis of healthcare systems, security remedies to challenges and custom designed solutions, contact TurunUK and Accutech Security for comprehensive and effective results. About TurunUK TurunUK has earned a reputation as an expert specializing in solutions for fall prevention, patient wandering, infant security and asset tracking since 1995. TurunUK products are designed for caregivers to help enhance care and reduce concern and worry. When used in conjunction with caregiver watchfulness, and programs that include training, risk assessment and evaluation, TurunUK technology solutions help healthcare providers meet the highest standards of safety and quality. About Accutech Security Founded in 1985, Accutech Security is a leading manufacturer of advanced electronic monitoring and security systems, marketed and sold under the Accutech brand. Accutechs specialized, security systems are actively installed in more than 5,000 healthcare facilities across the world. As a leading manufacturer of security systems for over 35 years, Accutech continues to provide innovative, reliable and cost-effective solutions for the safety of babies, patients and residents worldwide. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has announced the opening of a new affordable rental housing project in Saskatoon. The project consists of three semi-detached homes containing a total of six two- and three-bedroom units, located throughout Saskatoon and designed for families with one to three children. The homes are designed for independence and affordability and are fully accessible to individuals with varying degrees of mobility. The project was an initiative of the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, as well as the City of Saskatoon and SaskNative Rentals Inc. (SNR). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory on Monday in Israel's election the third in less than a year - but television exit polls showed he was still short of a governing majority in parliament. A win for Netanyahu, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, would be a testament to the political durability of Israel's longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. Netanyahu's latest re-election bid has been complicated by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud over allegations he granted state favors worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favorable press coverage and that he wrongfully received gifts. The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin on March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. During the campaign, Netanyahu's main challenger Benny Gantz called Netanyahu "the defendant" and has accused him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial. In a speech at his Blue and White party's election headquarters, Gantz stopped short of conceding defeat, saying the election could result in another deadlock. A win for Netanyahu would also pave the way for him to make good on his pledge to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the region's Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Palestinians have rejected the proposal, saying it was killing their dream of establishing a viable state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. The chance of being born on Feb. 29, an extra day that only occurs every four years, is 1 in 1,461. For five Upstate New York families, the odds were in their favor as they each welcomed Leap Day babies, also known as leaplings or leapers." One of the very first babies born in the U.S. on Leap Day 2020 was in Central New York. The Evening Sun announced that seven pound, 20 inch long Josiah was born to parents Joyce and Michael from New Berlin at 12:02 a.m. on Feb. 29. UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital said they hadnt delivered a Leap Day baby in over 20 years, making it that much more special. Leap Day baby Sophia Reily with mom and dad Greg and Stephanie. UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City announced the Leap Day birth of Sophia Reily to parents Greg and Stephanie of Greene. Sophia weighed in at seven pounds, .31 ounces when she arrived at UHS Wilson Medical Center at 10:16 a.m. on Leap Day, Saturday, Feb. 29. Western New York welcomed two new Leap Day babies on Feb. 29. It's been an incredibly special Leap Day for one Fairport family. Welcome to the world, Jackson! Posted by News 8 WROC Rochester on Saturday, February 29, 2020 News10 reported that the Barthelmes family from Fairport celebrated baby Jackson coming into the world around 9:20 in the morning on Feb. 29 at Unity Hospital. Jackson was born on his due date, something his parents didnt think would happen after their first child, Madison, was born late. Congratulations to the Miner family! Kevin and Andrea welcomed their daughter Mackenzie yesterday morning at RGH. Posted by News 8 WROC Rochester on Sunday, March 1, 2020 Less then 10 miles away, at Rochester General Hospital, Kevin and Andrea Miner welcomed their daughter Mackenzie into the world at 9 a.m. on Leap Day, according to News8. Mackenzie arrived four days later than her due date, giving her a birthday on the most unusual calendar day of the year. Welcome to the world Lila Marie! Born Saturday at Samaritan Medical Center and like all leap day babies, she won't see... Posted by 7 News on Monday, March 2, 2020 Fort Drum Major Eric Glassman rushed home from Afghanistan to be with his wife Cathy and witness the birth of their fourth born and first girl, Lila Marie on the morning of Leap Day. March 2nd was her due date. And I was actually hoping not for a leap year baby because I just wanted her to celebrate a birthday every year, Cathy told 7 News. For now, Lilas mom said they will celebrate on Feb. 28 or March 1 until she is old enough to pick when shed like to celebrate it. Do you know of a Leap Day baby born in Upstate New York? Let us know at feedback@nyup.com. Read more Upstate NY college student wows American Idol judges Dont wait: Make a reservation now for that dream Upstate NY fishing trip Get your game on at these 10 arcade bars in Upstate NY Nirbhaya: No condemned convict should meet his creator with a grievance says Delhi court India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: A condemned convict should not meet with his creator with a grievance, a Delhi court that stayed the conviction of Nirbhaya's killers said. The judge said that no condemned convict should meet with his creator with a grievance in his bosom that the courts of this country had not acted fairly in granting him an opportunity to exhaust all his legal remedies. The observations were made while staying the execution until further orders. The hanging was to take place today at 6 am, but had to be put off in the wake of one of the convicts, Pawan Gupta, filing a mercy petition before the President of India. Nirbhaya case: No execution for 4 death-row convicts on March 3, date postponed again Prior to staying the conviction, the court had refused to defer the execution. The court was however subsequently informed that one of the convicts, Gupta had filed a mercy petition, following the rejection of his curative plea by the Supreme Court. The court had earlier told the counsel, " you are playing with fire. You should be cautious." Earlier, a five judge Bench of the Supreme Court rejected the curative plea filed by Pavan Gupta, one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya case. The hanging as per the death warrant issued by the Delhi court is scheduled for tomorrow. In the plea before the trial court, Akshay Singh had said that he has filed a fresh mercy plea before the President and the same is pending. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:08 [IST] Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus, according to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he had no immediate comment on the report, Reuters reported. Earlier, the 83-year old Pope Francis cancelled several events due to him feeling "slightly unwell," the Vatican informed. These reports caused media speculation in the light of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Italy. Last week, the MCM News portal claimed that several people from the Popes inner circle might have contracted coronavirus, which led to quarantine measures being introduced in the Vatican. The Vatican press service dismissed these reports as false. WAYLAND, MI -- Josh Otto, owner of the Wayland Hotel & Bar, is thinking its about time he adds The Big Daddy burger to his actual menu. Right now, the 1.5-pound burger topped with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion and cheese is only on the secret menu, and hes selling more than a few a week. Its a show, he said as the behemoth of a burger was delivered to us as part of our search for Michigans Best Burger. Id describe it more as our challenge burger. Oh, and people are loving it, even though its capable of feeding a family of four. Cost of the three-patty burger is $13.99. The Big Daddy debuted about two years ago as a special on Monday nights only. And since then we just make them when customers ask, but its really helped launch customers into requesting 2 or 3 patties on burgers, Otto said. The Wayland Hotel & Bar was our second stop on Monday, March 2, the first day of our statewide search. RELATED: See first 3 stops on Michigans Best Burger search With a history dating back to the late 1800s, the Wayland Hotel & Bar has been a longtime favorite for residents. But with owner Josh Otto, who took over in 2012, the bar has become more of a destination restaurant than a nightclub. Even though there is a stage for live music its now used for special events and karaoke. Otto has transformed the Wayland Hotel into a burger bar with close to 20 beefy delights on the menu. They sell about 175 burgers on Fridays and Saturdays, and even on Throwback Thursdays when the burgers (and sandwiches) sell for a discount price on a special menu. You can get a 1/2-pound burger for less than $5. His motto: Keep it simple. He gets a 79-21 blend of lean ground beef from GFS and smashes it on his flattop grill, which makes the burgers ooze from from the buns. He doesnt use any seasonings. He uses Eds Breads for most of his buns, which he called the Whopper Bun because it has sesame seeds on it. On our visit we tried 4 burgers and a patty melt. 1. The signature Hotel Burger, which is Ottos version of a Big Mac. It comes with his house-made 1,000 Island dressing. Its fantastic! The Wayland Hotel & Bar in Wayland, Michigan (just south of Grand Rapids) is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. Here is the Hotel Burger with house-made 1,000 Island dressing.John Gonzalez 2. The Olive Burger, which is topped with a messy me olive and mayo mix and darn tasty. The Wayland Hotel & Bar is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. Here is the Olive Burger.John Gonzalez 3. The Classic Hamburger, topped with cheese, pickles, onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard. The Wayland Hotel & Bar is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. Here is the Classic Hamburger.John Gonzalez 4. The Unit 8, Josh Ottos favorite, which comes with creamy cookie butter (yes, cookie butter), bacon, Swiss cheese and garlic aioli mustard on a Pretzel bun. The Wayland Hotel & Bar is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. Here is the Unit 8 burger, which is topped with cookie butter.John Gonzalez 5. The Patty Melt, which is topped with grilled onions, Swiss cheese and the homemade 1,000 Island dressing on a grilled rye bun. The Wayland Hotel & Bar is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. Here is the Patty Melt.John Gonzalez Oh, and lets not forget The Big Daddy. One of the incredible burgers we tried on our stops on Monday March 2 was the Big Daddy Burger at the Wayland Hotel in Wayland. Say hello to the crew the next time you visit. The Wayland Hotel & Bar in Wayland, Michigan (just south of Grand Rapids) is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. Owner Josh Otto is on the far left. His crew includes (L-R): Eileen Snyder, Chrissy Bodenberg, Bev Nelson and Jody Heffner. IF YOU GO The Wayland Hotel & Bar 104 S Main St, Wayland, MI 49348 269-792-2963 Facebook READ MORE: Muskegon, Shelby make list for todays Michigans Best Burger search See first 3 stops on Michigans Best Burger search See our first 12 finalists for Michigans Best Burger Where can you find Michigans Best Burger in Muskegon and the Lakeshore? Our readers are happy to tell you. Passionate pleas roll in for Grand Rapids Best Burger 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 06:10:21|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Albanian citizens holding Albanian national flags shout slogans during a rally in Tirana, Albania, on March 2, 2020. Thousands of people joined here on Monday in an anti-government rally in support of President Ilir Meta, who accused the ruling majority of Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama of violating the country's constitution. (Photo by Arben Celi/Xinhua) TIRANA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people joined here on Monday in an anti-government rally in support of President Ilir Meta, who accused the ruling majority of Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama of violating the country's constitution. Citizens holding Albanian national flags and flowers gathered at the Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard in the capital city Tirana for what the president called the start of "Red and black (the colors of Albanian national flag) spring". Groups of people were holding posters which read "Everyone is equal before the law", "We need a constitution for the people, not the elite" and "We give our life for the freedom". While explaining the reasons for inviting citizens to this rally, Meta said the government is trying to capture the Constitutional Court in Albania at any price. In front of the people, Meta signed a decree annulling a law approved by the parliament on the formation of the Constitutional Court, which according to him is against the constitution. The law allegedly aims to avoid swearing-in the members of this court to the president. The constitution states that "the judge of the Constitutional Court shall take office after taking an oath before the president of the Republic of Albania." Meta warned that he will sign a decree to dissolve the parliament if the government does not reflect and "take seriously" the decree. Earlier the president has declared that the Parliament is illegitimate and should be dissolved since it does not have 140 members. Last year, 55 ruling Socialist majority lawmakers launched an investigation to impeach the president, for alleged serious violation of the constitution by issuing a decree to cancel the scheduled June 30 local elections last year. Meta tried to cancel the local elections, claiming that the elections would be undemocratic due to the center-right opposition parties' refusal to participate in them. TMR Research has published a new report titled, Cannabis Testing Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Growth, and Forecast 2017 2025. The testing of cannabis requires hair analysis, urinalysis, and saliva test, thereby making it a process which consumes much time, unlike alcohol which can be tested using a breath analyser. Cannabis testing makes it possible to determine the extent of use, duration of use, and can distinguish between active exposure and passive exposure. Request a Sample Copy of the Cannabis Testing Market Research Report: https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2135 As cannabis is banned in majority of the places worldwide, the demand for proper cannabis testing is increasing. The use of cannabis is increasing as well as there is a subsequent rise in the number of cases of intoxicated driving. Therefore, it has become extremely important for cannabis testing to take place. It is thus anticipated that the global cannabis testing market will expand at a favourable pace between 2017 and 2025. The use of cannabis is legal across 25 states in the U.S. but for medicine purposes. Other states are also expected to legalize the use of cannabis for medicine reasons and this growing legalization of cannabis is a key driver for the global cannabis testing market. Some of the other factors aiding the growth of this market include growing awareness about the availability of these tests through conferences, workshops, and symposia, rising number of specialized labs for cannabis testing, and growing number of road accidents on account of drug usage. Another important factor which is boosting the testing for cannabis is increasing demand for this testing for international travellers. On the other hand, there are a few factors which are expected to challenge the growth of the global cannabis testing market. These include the high cost of analytical instruments for cannabis and a dearth of skilled professionals. Lack of funding and investments in research and development of proper drug testing laboratories is also affecting the growth of the market. However, the impact of this restraint is declining as companies within the market are expanding their research and striving to develop advanced and sophisticated testing equipment. On the basis of test type, the global cannabis testing market can we segmented into potency testing, terpene profiling, residue solvent screening, pesticide screening, genetic testing, microbial analysis, and heavy metal testing. On the basis of end-user, this market can be segmented into drug manufacturers, laboratories, cultivators, and research institutes. By geography, North America will be the most attractive market for cannabis testing. An increasing number of laboratories which are well equipped for cannabis testing is one of the key factors behind the growth of this market in North America. The legalization of cannabis, rising awareness about the medical use of cannabis, adequate funding, and the presence of various leading players are expected to bolster the growth of the cannabis testing market In North America. Avail the Exclusive Discount on this Report@ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=2135 The players within the global cannabis testing market striving to expand their reach in regions which are yet and wrapped by presenting and creating awareness regarding the usefulness of these tests. These efforts are directed towards gaining new funding. The report profiles some of the prominent players operating within the global cannabis testing market. They are: Shimadzu Corporation, PerkinElmer, Inc., Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., AB SCIEX LLC, Millipore Sigma, Waters Corporation, Restek Corporation, Steep Hill Labs, Inc., LabLynx, Inc.(U.S.), SC Laboratories Inc., PharmLabs, LLC, CannaSafe Analytics, and Digipath Labs, Inc. About TMR Research: TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends. Contact: TMR Research, 3739 Balboa St # 1097, San Francisco, CA 94121 United States Tel: +1-415-520-1050 Website : TMR Research Visit Blog : https://tmrresearchblog.com/ Tamil actor Kamal Haasan on Tuesday appeared before the police for questioning in connection with an accident at the sets of his upcoming film, 'Indian 2', which left three people dead. Assistant director Krishna, art assistant Chandran and Madhu, a production assistant, were killed when a crane came crashing down at the sets of the movie on February 20. The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder was quizzed by the Central Crime Branch, who had summoned the veteran star, police said. Earlier, the film's director Shankar was questioned by the police. The city police had registred a case under different sections of IPC including causing death due to negligence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haiti - Coronavirus : Important meeting at the National Palace Monday, March 2 at the National Palace, as part of the measures taken by the health authorities to deal with a possible introduction and spread of Covid-19 on the national territory, President Jovenel Moise met with the outgoing Prime Minister , Jean Michel Lapin, members of his government, in particular Dr. Marie Greta Roy Clement, the Minister of Public Health, the Director General of Customs and the Director of Immigration, around the measures underway against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in order to share information on the development of the situation and the measures taken by the State to deal with a possible epidemic. Moise stressed the urgency and the need for his administration to act firmly to limit the introduction and spread of the virus and protect the lives of people throughout the national territory. He therefore asked members of the government to be open to all professional sectors and organized groups, public and private, in order to provide effective responses to the Covid-19. Stressing the need to establish a task force with the private sector, the Association of Industries of Haiti, the Economic Forum, banks, media associations, journalists, deans of health faculties, school associations and health professionals, etc... the President of the Republic believes that the Coronavirus is not only the business of the government, but also of all Haitians. The Head of State recalled the importance of the emergency meeting on Sunday (by videoconference) with the heads of government of Caricom https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30165-haiti-flash-first-case-of-covid-19-in-the-dominican-republic.html, around a memorandum of understanding between all the countries of the Caribbean. A conference which notably emphasized cruise tourism activities in the region. Note that in terms of tourist activities, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has already carried out actions in various places in the country, in particular at the Labadee cruise port where more than 700,000 cruise passengers call (2019). Minister Greta Roy, for her part, was reassuring about the arrangements already made. She assured that Haiti followed the protocols of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) as well as that of Caricom and controlled all entrances to the country, airports, ports, as well as the 5 official border posts with the Dominican Republic "At the level of the official points of entry and on all the border region, all the arrangements were taken in order to ensure a rigorous control of the travelers," adding that an evaluation was in progress on other unofficial crossing points. She indicated that measures had also been taken to protect public spaces with a high population density (markets, prisons, schools, universities, etc...) Explaining "institutions are prepared as well as trainers oriented through the departmental directorates. About 200 beds are available in different public and private hospitals. In addition, a monitoring unit has been created. A response and preparation plan is already in place and places equipped for the care of patients." In addition, she informed that a meeting had been held between the Ministry and socio-professional associations in the health field with a view to adapting the PAHO/WHO care protocol, which started from March 3, 2020 with trained staff. Minister Clement also announced the preparation of a training course for journalists from the West Department around the coronavirus. She said that since February 12, laboratory testing has been possible in Haiti, according to the minister, who recalled that the National Public Health Laboratory is already able to carry out tests to detect the coronavirus https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-30015-icihaiti-health-haiti-now-has-the-means-to-detect-the-new-coronavirus-covid-19.html ; adding that nurses have been trained and mobilized as well as a team of drivers, who will be deployed throughout the territory to transport the tests to the laboratory. Finally, she recalled that an emergency telephone number was available (43 43 33 33) pending the availability of another free number to use in the event that a person returns from a country affected by the coronavirus or if a person feels sick or is in contact with a sick person... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30165-haiti-flash-first-case-of-covid-19-in-the-dominican-republic.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30158-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30143-haiti-flash-health-alert-of-the-ministry-of-health-on-the-coronavirus.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30142-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30056-haiti-covid-19-training-of-agents-of-the-national-ambulance-center-at-the-international-airport.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30039-haiti-health-the-caribbean-and-latin-america-trained-in-the-detection-of-covid-19.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-30015-icihaiti-health-haiti-now-has-the-means-to-detect-the-new-coronavirus-covid-19.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30010-haiti-flash-coronavirus-the-number-of-infected-and-deaths-explodes-in-24-hours.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29955-haiti-health-surveillance-measures-are-deployed-in-the-country-s-ports-and-airports.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29950-haiti-flash-the-ministry-asks-the-hospitals-of-the-country-to-prepare-for-the-coronavirus.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-29947-icihaiti-dr-towards-the-establishment-of-a-sanitary-cordon-at-the-border.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29926-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29923-haiti-coronavirus-emergency-meeting-of-caribbean-health-ministers.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29919-haiti-flash-chinese-banned-to-go-out-of-a-plane-to-port-au-prince.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29879-haiti-health-chinese-coronavirus-the-ministry-of-health-is-reassuring.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29858-haiti-flash-chinese-coronavirus-haiti-is-preparing-and-activating-its-alert-system.html HL/ HaitiLibre Nearly 400,000 Philadelphia residents or about a quarter of the citys population are living in poverty. Its not a new problem, but on Tuesday, City Council announced a new plan to address it. The initiatives include providing a basic income to all Philadelphians, a policy that would guarantee cash assistance to households in poverty. While basic income policies are used in other countries, few U.S. cities have tried it. Stockton, Calif., became the first U.S. city to offer universal basic income last year, distributing $500 debit cards to residents who earn less than the citys median annual income, about $46,000. The concept also gained attention when then Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang proposed a nationwide universal basic income policy. Other proposals in Philadelphias poverty action plan include offering rental subsidies and stipends to help residents in job training or education programs. In all, the plan comes with a goal of lifting 100,000 residents out of poverty by 2024, the end of the current City Council term. Call me crazy Im just optimistic this will happen, Council President Darrell L. Clarke said at a news conference announcing the plan. Specifics about the proposals, including its potential cost or when or how legislation would be introduced to enact them, were not part of the report. Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez said the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey had expressed interest in the basic income proposal and would potentially raise money for it. But, she said, We havent worked out all the details. Clarke acknowledged that previous plans to reduce poverty have had minimal impactbut said he would make it a priority as Council considers next years budget. Mayor Jim Kenney on Thursday is scheduled to deliver his proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. Im pleased that this plan and our [administrations] antipoverty agenda share so much in common," Kenney said, "because this is the most pressing issue facing our city. But its not enough that were rowing in the same direction. We need to row faster. Councils plan has the support and involvement of United Way, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and other groups. It calls for a commission designed as a public-private partnership to implement the action plan, a poverty fund to get investments from both the citys coffers and other partners, and a dashboard to track outcomes. Here are some proposals in the report: Authorities at the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) are constantly monitoring the situation and maintaining strict vigil amid the threat posed by the coronavirus disease. "PPT is a cargo handling port. We have taken various steps-installed thermal scanners at our exit point, set up isolation ward, pilots moving to the ships and getting them inside are provided with personal protective equipment," PPT Chairman, Rinkesh Roy told ANI here. He further said that only one ship has two crew arriving from China, and they will be checked at the ship itself after berthing. "Out of 16 ships currently berthed and another 20 waiting at anchorage to enter the port, only one ship has 2 crew who have come from China after January 15. Once that ship gets berthed the CMO and a team of doctors will thermally scan the crew at the ship itself," Roy said. "We are receiving daily health reports from the ship and there is no suspected case. Once we get fitness at berth, then cargo operations for that ship will start. The only restriction we have put in place is that crew of that ship won't be granted shore leaving permission," he added. Coronavirus, which originated from China's Wuhan city, has now spread to more than 50 countries. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak an international health emergency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On Jan. 22, college teacher Li Ke has just returned to his hometown Xianning, a neighboring city of Wuhan, preparing for a family reunion for the upcoming Spring Festival. However, he was due to return to Wuhan to do some work on campus for the first three days of the national holiday. Unexpectedly, that night, Wuhan announced a lockdown of the city from Jan. 23. The teacher, thinking about fulfilling his duty, drove back to Wuhan the next day after the announcement. The decision meant he was trapped in Wuhan away from his family until now, while witnessing the true Wuhan in more than a month. And he didn't allow himself to sit by. To be a volunteer In a WeChat group, Li and his alumni and friends talked about the virus and situation and decided to do something practical to help the city by forming a small volunteer group. They quickly crowd funded nearly 800,000 yuan ($114,440) and bought batches of medical materials including 32,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, 2,000 bottles of medical disinfectant and 3,000 goggles from outside the city, as some friends in the group were businessmen and had channels to arrange acquisition and transportation. Li and other volunteers in Wuhan city took the responsibility to contact doctors and hospitals to distribute the materials according to public requests for help by the hospitals. According to him, they contributed to more than 20 major hospitals and about 40 community clinics. Wuhan was in serious shortage of medical supplies at the beginning of the outbreak and the frontline medical workers were in grave danger, despite the nation's emergency response and donations from all over the country and even the world. "I think, the frontline fight was very cruel and massive, consuming most of the supplies. These medical materials became fast-moving consumer goods." One time, a head nurse of a children's hospital in Wuhan cried over their donation of a batch of protective suits after Li noticed they didn't have enough vital gear for their work. He was touched too. "They have great pressure and danger out there, but now at least they know we care. The ordinary people care about them." The city is 'in order' The teacher heard about the urban rumors about COVID-19 in mid-January. But at that the time, he, like the majority of people in the city, didn't really pay much particular attention. "We just thought it was something with a small probability. Now, it became a black swan. According to Li, many people started to panic when hearing about the lockdown of the city, "It was unprecedented for everyone. This is a mega-city with more than 10 million people, and now it is just in lockdown. There was no explanation about how to deal with transport, logistics, supplies and medical care, so we were nervous." Everything has worked out in the end. Each residential block have a taxi service, supermarkets and grocery stores have the sold-out goods replaced on the shelves the next morning. The city has also built field and shelter hospitals at the fastest pace and set up more quarantine areas in hotels and university dormitories to receive more patients. Everyone calmed down very soon. Unlike most of others who stayed at home for most of the time, Li was constantly out there to distribute the donations to hospitals. He told China.org.cn he would like to use "everything is in order" to describe the scenes he saw. "I frequently went to hospitals, from what I saw, though everyone is on big pressure, they are doing things orderly, like lining up," he said, "In supermarket, it is the same. Everyone is quiet, everything is in order." The daily necessities are secured, though the vegetables sell out fast. They can still buy bags of ordinary disposable masks in supermarkets to protect themselves though the more protective masks like N95 are still hard to get. Iran: Deal with Taliban serves 'illegitimate' US goals Iran Press TV Monday, 02 March 2020 11:17 AM Iran says a recent deal between the United States and the Taliban does not reflect Washington's respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, noting that any such agreement has to be an inclusive one that brings all Afghan sides together. "We do not consider this measure [a sign of] respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty. The Americans took the measure to satisfy their own illegitimate goals. We believe in an all-inclusive agreement with the entirety of the Afghan government," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday. Iran, he said, emphasizes that all courses of action leading to peace in Afghanistan have to feature inter-Afghan consensus and be partaken by all Afghan parties and groupings led by the government. Mousavi said although the Islamic Republic supports any attempt that would contribute to stability and security in Afghanistan, "we are doubtful of America's intentions." "The US's very presence in the region is illegal. They have no right to enter this region and interfere in the regional countries' affairs," the official said. The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of staging a "war on terror" in a move that was followed by the expansion of Washington's military presence and interference across the region. The war toppled the Afghan militant group, but it also turned into the United States' longest conflict in its history, with the Taliban establishing a presence over more than half of the Central Asian country. Washington and the Taliban signed the deal that is allegedly aimed at enabling withdrawal of the American forces in the Qatari capital Friday. US President Donald Trump has dismissed criticism of the deal and vowed to personally meet with leaders of the Afghan group. Trump has said the agreement would allow Washington to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 within months if the Taliban adhered to its conditions. Mousavi said the deal came in the wake of the US's defeat in its invasions across the region that have only prolonged regional instability and warfare. He echoed Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's remarks that the US had signed the deal only to "put make-up" on its regional defeats. The spokesman noted that Iran has conducted some talks with the Taliban in the past in coordination with Kabul and with the group's consent. The discussions, he said, will continue and are not affected in any way by the US-Taliban deal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday said that 120 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence that broke out in Delhi last week. The Minister, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Delhi violence, mentioned that Section 144 of the CrPC which prohibits the assembly of more than four people in an area, has also been imposed in violence-affected areas of the capital. "Police have taken numerous measures to maintain law order in the city. Adequate police personnel have been deployed in the violence-affected areas. Police have conducted flag march in these areas. Social media platforms are being monitored to avoid the spread of rumours," Rai further added. At least 47 people have been killed and more than 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for four days in north-east Delhi last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air Force's operation in Wuhan shows its mobility, capabilities, military official says People's Daily Online (China Daily) 15:28, March 02, 2020 The People's Liberation Army Air Force's large-scale airlift operation and dispatching large- and medium-sized transport aircraft to support Wuhan, Hubei province, showed rapid mobility and long-range delivery capabilities, an official with the Central Military Commission said on Monday. Zhang Tianxiang, an official with the commission's logistics support department, said the Air Force used 12 transport aircraft, including Y-9, IL-76 and Y-20, to carry 1,600 military medics to Wuhan on Feb 13 and 17. The Y-20 has made 10 flights, the first time that this large strategic airlifter domestically developed in China participated in non-war operation since its first flight in 2013, Zhang said. The Air Force sent out its first batch of 450 military medics and medical supplies to Wuhan on Jan 24 from Shanghai, Chongqing, and Xi'an, Shaanxi province, by using three IL-76 transport planes. On Feb 2, eight IL-76 planes carried the second batch of nearly 800 medical staff members to Wuhan from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Lanzhou, Gansu province and Shenyang, Liaoning province. "The Air Force dispatching large- and medium-sized transport planes systematically and in large scale to perform emergency airlift missions tested the Air Force's capabilities in rapid mobility and long-range delivery," he said. Zhang said the PLA has sent military medical support to Hubei by air, railway and road. On Feb 2, 13 and 17, the PLA sent a total number of more than 1,200 military medics and over 100 tons of medical supplies to Wuhan from 22 railway stations across the country by high-speed trains. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Though the children have been approved for intensive in-home care by a nurse, the state is failing to arrange for the care or make sure the services are available, the suit alleges. It wasnt until before Christmas last year that care for C.T. was lined up, and she was able to go home. She never received the level of nursing required, however. She has twice returned to the hospital with severe stomach and breathing tube complications, according to the lawsuit. Her father had to take a job as an on-call maintenance technician and quit his full-time job. He was recently fired for not being able to respond to repair calls because of the lack of nursing care. He is scared shell go back into a facility. C.T. and her family want her to live at home around her own people who know and love her, the lawsuit states. In an email to the Post-Dispatch, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social Services said the department does not comment on pending litigation. Alexandra Salmieri | Staten Island Advance STATEN ISLAND -- The Savo Brothers' plans to develop the former Jesuit retreat Mount Manresa in Fort Wadsworth were denied last week, bringing the project to a halt. Members of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals voted unanimously to deny the LLC that owns the property its application for a waiver to General City Law 36, which regulates whether new constructions can front on unmapped streets. The fate of this property is yet to be determined. Don't Edit Alexandra Salmieri | Staten Island Advance Torn down Aerial views show overgrown trees that stand on the land of Mt. Manresa. The beloved Jesuit retreat was demolished several years ago when the Savo Brothers purchased the bucolic property for $15.5 million. Don't Edit Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein The retreat has been closed since June 1, 2013. The announcement came in a letter from The Rev. David Ciancimino, S.J., provincial of the New York Province of the Society of Jesus. Father Ciancimino said the move was made "in an effort to respond more effectively to contemporary needs." Don't Edit A road that once welcomed retreaters is locked and posted with "no trespassing" signs. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri) Don't Edit Don't Edit View of the harbor from Mt. Manresa. (Courtesy of Art Siegel) The 15-acre Mount Manresa site located at the end of West Fingerboard Road and above the Staten Island Expressway -- was purchased by the Society of Jesuits in 1911, which turned the sprawling grounds into its first retreat house. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Vincent Barone Demolition delayed In 2014, inspectors found airborne asbestos in piping insulation in one of the buildings, forcing the Department of Environmental Protection to issue a stop-work order on the specific site, delaying demolition of the site and requiring the Savo Brothers to find an asbestos abatement company to remove the minerals. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma Pictured is the gazebo that stood in the center of the retreat before being taken down in 2015, along with many other structures on the property. Don't Edit Alexandra Salmieri | Staten Island Advance For now, the land lays barren. However, the developers still have an opportunity to appeal the decision made by members of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri) Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores Efforts to save the retreat Since the controversial sale was announced, many supporters have rallied to save Mt. Manresa from demolition and re-development. A group gathered on Oct. 19, 2013. Don't Edit Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores City Planning is not a friend to the people of Staten Island and has demonstrated an indifference and a disdain for the borough,'' said Borough President James Oddo. "They dont care about the will of people and acted as consultants for high-density development projects. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance A Committee to Save Mount Manresa rally took place on Dec. 4, 2013, at the front gates of the former retreat house in Fort Wadsworth. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Tony Carannante A step back in time A Mount Manresa sign sits at the entrance of the retreat in Fort Wadsworth in 1985. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Tony Carannante Religious and laypersons on retreat join together for a meal in the modern dining room that was located in the main building of Mount Manresa. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance Scenes from the lawn of the main building on the Mount Manresa property. Don't Edit Don't Edit Staten Island Advance/Frank J. Johns Sacred Heart Chapel was completed in 1926 as one of the first structures expressly built for retreats. Don't Edit Courtesy of Weitzman's Photo Shop, Inc. Sacred Heart Chapel followed a country church design with unusual stenciling on the wood beams of the ceiling, reputed to be of (Canadian) French Indian design. As the coronavirus continues to spread across the U.S., hospitals and insurance companies are expecting a swell in visitors to clinics and emergency rooms. But the crisis could provide a bright spot for one sector of the health industry that has struggled to gain widespread acceptance: Telemedicine. Virtual services, like online symptom-checking tools and remote consults with doctors, could keep the so-called "worried well" from flooding hospitals. If the healthiest people don't show up in emergency rooms, that could mean that more resources are available to treat the sickest and most vulnerable patients. Official recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization encourage the use of telemedicine apps. Public companies that offer telemedicine, including Teladoc, have seen their stock surge in the past week, and many private start-ups, from AmericanWell to Plushcare, tell CNBC they are bracing for increased usage. Insurance companies are starting to follow suit. Anthem, one of the largest insurers, is ramping up its telemedicine tool, called LiveHealth Online, with a greater volume of physicians and other health professionals lined up to consult with patients who are concerned about the coronavirus, according to two people who are familiar with the company's plans but not authorized to speak publicly about them. The health insurer is also expanding the availability of its SMS messaging tools for members who want to ask questions, these people said. A spokesperson for Anthem did not respond to a request for comment. United Health Group said it has services already available for members to book virtual consults, including via its free app, but did not comment on whether it's planning to do anything additional related to the coronavirus. Aetna offers video visits through the CVS MinuteClinics, which is a cash-only service. Aetna, which merged with CVS in 2018, also has a telemedicine benefit through Teladoc, which takes most forms of insurance. "Virtual care options such as video visits can be an effective way to evaluate and treat viruses from the comfort of one's home, while minimizing exposure to other potentially contagious viruses," an Aetna spokesperson said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Elnur Baghishov -Trend: Four people died from new coronavirus in Iranian East Azerbaijan province, said Rector of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Mohammad Huseyn Sumi, Trend reports. According to him, in total, 48 coronavirus cases were confirmed in the province. Test results come out gradually and the number of infected people may increase. Rector noted that 20 tests for coronavirus from the last 54 taken showed a positive results. He added that infected people receive treatment in hospitals in Tabriz. The Ministry of Health, Medical and Medical Education of Iran on Monday has confirmed that 1501 people have been infected with the coronavirus, 66 people have died and 291 have recovered. In the 48 hours after former Vice President Joe Biden won a dominant victory in the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, two of his competitors for the party's nomination suspended their campaigns. Both Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg joined Biden in Texas on Monday evening to offer him their endorsements before the state's primary on Tuesday. Those endorsements were important, though the effects are hard to evaluate at the moment. What may be more important are the 33 delegates that Buttigieg and Klobuchar have already won. Buttigieg finished in the top tier in both Iowa and New Hampshire, holding the lead in delegates briefly. Klobuchar parlayed a strong debate performance (largely targeting Buttigieg, incidentally) into a smaller pile in New Hampshire. So what happens to those delegates now? What happens to delegates as candidates withdraw? The best way to answer that question is to look at the rest of the campaign in two parts: before and during the Democratic convention. It's worth quickly reviewing how delegates are allocated. Most states hold primaries in which several different pools of delegates are awarded as follows. (The process for caucuses ends up in the same place but with more cumbersome math.) There are statewide delegates awarded to any candidate who finishes with more than 15 percent of the vote. Those delegates are distributed proportionally to the percent of the vote earned by each candidate crossing that 15 percent threshold. These are pledged delegates, meaning that they are expected to vote for the candidate who won them. There are congressionaldistrict delegates awarded using the same math but within congressional districts. Even if you end up with only 14 percent of the voter statewide, passing 15 percent in a congressional district earns you at least some pledged delegates. There are unpledged delegates who go to the national convention able to vote for any candidate they wish - but they have a say only if there's a second vote that needs to be taken. After 2016, the Democratic Party changed the rules to allow the votes of what's called "superdelegates" to count only after a first round of voting, thereby making it harder for unpledged delegates to decide the nomination. The upshot for our discussion is those candidates pledged to Buttigieg and Klobuchar. Are they still pledged? Josh Putnam is a political scientist who focuses on delegate rules. He both considered the question on his website, Frontloading HQ, and spoke with The Washington Post about what happens. One distinction Putnam draws is that while we generally talk about who won how many delegates in the contests so far, for the most part no one actually has any delegates at this point. Those delegates will be assigned at party conventions later in the year. Instead, candidates have mostly won "delegate slots" - placeholders for delegates to be assigned later. (The "mostly" qualifiers there are a carve-out for some district delegates in New Hampshire who've already been selected.) This is important because, in some cases, those slots will be filled with delegates for only those candidates who are still in the race. In New Hampshire, for example, if Buttigieg is no longer a candidate by the time of the state convention, the three delegates he won by virtue of his statewide vote total would be redistributed among the other candidates still in the race who'd crossed the 15 percent statewide threshold. Since the other two candidates earning statewide delegates in New Hampshire were Klobuchar and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the effect would be that Sanders gets all of those delegates. Except that Buttigieg and Klobuchar haven't dropped out. They've just suspended their campaigns. If you're curious why candidates suspend instead of dropping out, well, this is one reason. "As long as they are still in campaign mode - and they technically and barely still are," Putnam said, "they protect those delegates from being reallocated." So Buttigieg's zombie campaign is still allocated his three delegates in New Hampshire, and Klobuchar gets her two. When we get to the convention, though, those delegates get to play by different rules. Once the convention rolls around, the party will hold a vote among the delegates in attendance to determine the party's nominee. On the first ballot, pledged delegates are expected to vote for the delegates they are there to represent. If there's no majority on the first ballot, another round of voting is held in which unpledged superdelegates (mostly party leaders and elected officials) have a vote and in which delegate pledges are set aside. That "expected to vote for" is important, of course. Pledged delegates are pledged in the same way that teenagers pledge not to smoke: The success of the pledge largely comes down to their willingness to abide by it - and their relationship with the candidates they're meant to represent. Campaigns do their best to make sure that their pledged delegates uphold those pledges. "During the selection process, once delegates at any level, of any type, are selected, the campaigns have the ability to review those candidates that are selected to represent them at the convention," Putnam said. "So, typically, these are pretty loyal people - if you're talking about a well-organized campaign, anyway - that's been involved in this process from the start. And if they're involved at the presidential level, they usually are." In other words, Biden's campaign will work to ensure that its pledged delegates are fervent Biden supporters and not people who might get to the convention and suddenly decide that maybe Sanders is worth a vote. That's useful, too, for any second (or third) round of voting: a die-hard Biden loyalist will probably keep voting for Biden as long as the Biden campaign wants him to. You'll notice that we haven't yet talked about the congressional district delegates representing candidates who've suspended their campaigns. Those delegates and the statewide delegates the candidates protected by suspending their campaigns would go to the convention unpledged - meaning that they can vote for anyone they want on the first ballot. "While both candidates may retain some control over who gets selected," Putnam wrote Monday, "they do not have full control over any delegates selected to represent them." The delegates who are going to the convention on Buttigieg's behalf probably aren't going to be the sorts of loyalists that Biden or Sanders would send, making it somewhat less likely that Buttigieg can effectively wield those delegates in negotiations over the nominee. One of the biggest effects Buttigieg and Klobuchar have over delegates, Putnam argues, is that, by technically staying in the race, they deny the reallocation of their delegates to Sanders. Assuming the convention moves through multiple rounds of voting without a candidate earning a majority of delegates, Buttigieg, Klobuchar and other suspended candidates can encourage their delegates to vote for a particular candidate (Biden, for the first two), but that request is less like a parent insisting a kid stop smoking than it is like a random adult passing by and yelling at teenagers smoking cigarettes in a park. (Just to extend that particular analogy.) The weight is limited. Putnam notes that we're not talking about many delegates here anyway. If the Democratic nomination comes down to a 20-delegate margin between Sanders and Biden, these calculations and the decisions of the delegates themselves become fraught. It's more likely that it will be the unpledged superdelegates who are the determining factor. The party decides, as it were. A pair of oil leaks that opened up last weekend near McKittrick are the latest indications of the challenges facing Chevron as it works to com DULUTH -- For Joel Heller, who is attempting to become a national political delegate for the first time, there's nothing like Super Tuesday. "It's an absolute thrilling day," said Heller, a longtime Democratic-Farmer-Labor activist in Duluth. "For me, who just wants to try to run as a national delegate, its my first step. (Tuesday) evening, Ill find out who wins the state, and which candidates get what delegates in the congressional district." If Tuesday's presidential nomination primary belongs to partisan voters, then the results belong to those such as Heller who carry the voters' messages forward. Candidates who receive 15% or more of the vote statewide are assigned delegates proportional to the field. Those delegates are used to weigh in on their party's presidential choice at national conventions. "Under a primary system, it's just one step along the way," said Cindy Rugeley, University of Minnesota Duluth political science professor, focusing on the Democratic primary. "Any candidate who gets 15% of the vote gets a share of the delegates statewide, divided proportionally. It's not winner-take-all unless only one person gets above 15%." ADVERTISEMENT For Democrats, 75 delegates are up for grabs Tuesday in Minnesota, including five in the Northland's 8th Congressional District. For Republicans, Minnesota sends 39 delegates to the Republican National Convention, including three from each congressional district. Every state gets delegates relative to its population. National parties assign delegate totals, but use different calculus from one another to determine total delegates. California, for instance, has 172 GOP delegates and 415 Democratic delegates. Few people have knocked on as many doors in the past 20 years as Heller. He currently is a supporter of former Vice President Joe Biden, but said he would get behind any moderate Democrat who emerges in the party. Taking his political passions to the national level would be a first. "I have never done this; Ive never run for national delegate," Heller said. "Tomorrow is like a political kid's Christmas." For the DFL in the Duluth region, delegates attend the 8th District DFL convention May 2 at Grand Casino in Hinckley and the DFL State Convention on May 30-31 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. The Democratic National Convention follows in Milwaukee from July 13-16. According to the DFL website, delegates at both district and state conventions "who share the same presidential preference will elect candidates from their group to be national delegates in Milwaukee." That's the prize Heller is going after. The Republican National Convention is Aug. 24-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. There's little doubt President Donald Trump will ease into his party's nomination. A simple majority of the estimated 2,550 nationwide GOP delegates is needed to win the Republican nomination on the first ballot. To date, Trump owns all but a lone Republican delegate, with 144 out of a possible 145. To date on the Democrats' side, Bernie Sanders leads Joe Biden 58-53, with Elizabeth Warren (eight delegates) rounding out delegate-holders still actively campaigning. Democratic delegates will be required to vote in line with their primary allotments during the first round of nomination balloting in Milwaukee, Rugeley said. It will take 1,991 delegates, or half-plus-one of the total delegates, to win the DFL nomination on the first ballot in Milwaukee. ADVERTISEMENT No clear majority winner would elicit a brokered convention. "They say we're going to have a brokered convention every single time, but it hasn't happened before," Rugeley said. She described the possibility that even U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar could come into play despite withdrawing from the presidential race Monday. If Klobuchar achieves 15% of the votes or more Tuesday in Minnesota, she'll have additional delegates to add to the seven she has already for a strong New Hampshire finish. Those delegates are compelled to vote for her in Milwaukee at the national convention. But, they're only bound to her for one round of nomination voting. If no nominee emerges after one round, Klobuchar's delegates become attractive free agents who will be able to move behind one remaining candidate or another. "Theyve got some power," Rugeley said. "There's going to be bargaining for those delegates." Roughly 20 superdelegates from the state a status reserved for heavyweights such as Vice President Walter Mondale and other party leaders with legacy or clout begin to weigh in at the national convention's second round of balloting, too, Rugeley explained. "If it goes to a brokered convention, that's when it gets interesting," Rugeley said. In 1968 and before, Democratic party leaders would simply confab to break stalemates at national convention, Rugeley said. Historic unrest at the 1968 convention in Chicago yielded the present system. In that case, Hubert Humphrey was elevated by the party above Eugene McCarthy. ADVERTISEMENT Rugeley made the point that people seem to conflate the primary with a general election. But it's not the case, she said. She encouraged the notion that a primary is designed for partisan voters who identify wholly with one party or another. Indeed, primary voters in the state will choose a Republican or Democratic ballot Tuesday. The idea that an undecided, independent voter chooses one party or another in a primary, as is required in Minnesota, tends to go against what it means to be independent, Rugeley said. "A primary is not a general election," Rugeley said. "It's not supposed to be about turnout. It's about nominating the right candidate for a party, and its just gotten weird." She was a composer and a pioneering conductor the first woman to lead performances by top orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. And she was one of the most influential music teachers of the 20th century, shaping a roster of composers including Aaron Copland, Quincy Jones, Astor Piazzolla and Virgil Thomson. Now, Nadia Boulanger is posthumously breaking another barrier: This summer she will become the first woman whose work is explored by the three-decade-old Bard Music Festival. Image Nadia Boulanger, the composer and pioneering conductor, will be the focus of the Bard Music Festival. Credit... Centre international Nadia et Lili Boulanger This summers festival, Nadia Boulanger and Her World, will explore the life and legacy of a woman the BBC once called the greatest music teacher who ever lived. A Parisian who lived from 1887 to 1979, Ms. Boulanger was so influential in molding a generation of American composers that one of her students, Mr. Thomson, described her as a onewoman graduate school so powerful and so permeating that legend credits every U.S. town with two things a fiveanddime and a Boulanger pupil. Joe Biden snagged a trio of endorsements from his formal Democratic rivals Monday night in a show of force designed to give the former vice president momentum heading into the critical Super Tuesday contests and stop Bernie Sanders from winning the nomination. Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Beto O'Rourke all gave Biden their blessing, handing the former vice president the aura of a nominee ahead of Tuesday's vote where 14 states with 1,357 delegates are up for grabs. At a rally in Dallas ahead of the Super Tuesday primary contest, Biden was joined on stage by O'Rourke and Klobuchar, and suggested he was already offering them positions in his potential administration. Turning to O'Rourke, he said: 'I'm gonna guarantee you, this is not the last you're seeing of this guy. You're gonna take care of the gun problem with me, you're gonna be the one who leads this effort. I'm counting on you.' O'Rourke had run on a pledge to tighten gun control laws and forcibly seize assault weapons, amid a rise in gun massacres in the US. He told a Democratic primary debate last year: 'Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47'. His campaign collapsed soon after. O'Rourke and Biden were pictured together at a Whataburger in Dallas after he endorsed the former Vice President. Biden appeared to offer O'Rourke a job, saying 'you're gonna take care of the gun problem with me' O'Rourke and Biden visited a Whataburger in Dallas, Texas, after he endorsed the former Vice President Buttigieg got the jump on the endorsements when he joined Biden at the Chicken Scratch restaurant to formally endorse him ahead of Biden's Monday night rally, with the former vice president saying Buttigieg reminded him of his late son Beau Biden. 'I don't think I've ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son, Beau. I know that may not mean much to most people but to me it's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman,' Biden said at the Dallas rally. Buttigieg praised Biden's leadership and his ability to defeat President Trump in his endorsement. 'When I ran for president, we made it clear that the whole idea was about rallying the country together to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for the values that we share,' the former mayor of South Bend said. Pete Buttigieg endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign at Chicken Scratch in Dallas, praising Biden's leadership and ability to beat Donald Trump Amy Klobuchar joined Joe Biden at a rally in Dallas on Monday night to endorse his campaign 'And that was always a goal that was much bigger than me becoming president. And it is in the name of that very same goal that I'm delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden for president,' he said. 'And I do it with great pleasure, knowing just how much we need to do not only to win, which is so very important. And when I say "Win," not just win back the White House but make sure we bring back the vitally important House and Senate and local races with us.' Buttigieg added: 'I'm looking for a leader, I'm looking for a president who will draw out what is best in each of us.' Biden's pickups came after Buttigieg exited the presidential race Sunday and Klobuchar dropped out Monday. Buttigieg endorsed Biden at a stop at a local restaurant in Dallas ahead of the Super Tuesday primary Joe Biden said Buttigieg reminded him of his son Beau, who died in 2015; the two Bidens are seen embracing at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in November when Joe Biden was nominated to be vice presidentf Buttigieg faced criticism for his lack of national experience and Biden noted that if he'd had that, the former vice president would likely be endorsing the former mayor. 'I warned Pete that if I were lucky enough to get the nomination that I would be asking him to join. I would be asking him to be involved in the process because there are a generation of leaders of Pete's age, my son, who have unlimited potential. The only thing that stands in their way is access and opportunity to be able to be known nationally. If he had been around another six years, I wouldn't be standing here. Pete would be standing here. I'd be endorsing Pete. I really mean it,' Biden said. Klobuchar and O'Rourke joined Biden at the Dallas rally Monday evening. Originally some reports had Buttigieg also attending, which would have been a show of unity between him and Klobuchar, who fiercely battled in the primary debates. But instead he endorsed Biden at a solo event with the candidate. Beto O'Rourke endorsed Joe Biden at a rally in Dallas Amy Klobuchar appealed for Democrats to unit behind a candidate How wonderful it is to be standing next to him on a stage when it isn't the debate stage, Klobuchar said of Biden Monday night when she and her husband John joined Joe and Jill Biden at a Dallas rally. Klobuchar appealed for party unity in her remarks. If we spend the next four months dividing our party and going at each other, we will spend the next four years watching Donald Trump tear apart this country, she said. It is up to us, all of us to put our country back together, to heal this country and then to build something even greater. I believe we can do this together, and that is why today I am ending my campaign and endorsing Joe Biden for president!, she noted. Lets go Joe, Lets go Joe, Lets go Joe, the crowd yelled in response. Biden thanked Klobuchar for her support and closed out his rally with a surprise guest, welcoming O'Rourke to the stage. 'Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow, March 3, 2020, I will be casting my ballot for Joe Biden,' O'Rourke told the cheering crowd. 'It's the right thing to do. Let me tell you why. We need somebody who can beat Donald Trump. The man in the White House today poses an existential threat to this country. To democracy. To free and fair elections. And we need somebody who can beat him and in Joe Biden we have that man. We have someone who is the antithesis of Donald Trump. Joe Biden is decent, he's kind, he's caring, he's empathetic,' he said. The show of force and unity will boost Biden's electability argument. Polls show Democratic voters rate a candidate's ability to beat President Donald Trump in November has high on their list of concerns. The back-to-back-to-back endorsements also are a sign that Democrats are joining forces to stop Sanders as many are concerned his liberal policies would turn off voters in the general election, handing Trump a second term. The endorsements came in Texas, which is one of the 14 states that hold its presidential primary on the first Tuesday in March, which is known as Super Tuesday. Texas and California are two of the richest prizes in terms of delegates Tuesday. Sanders, who has a slight lead ahead of Biden in the delegate count, leads in the polls in both states. The endorsements will boost Biden's argument he is the best candidate to beat Donald Trump in November Bernie Sanders told CNN he wasn't surprised moderates were lining up to try and end his candidacy Sanders said he wasn't surprised the moderates were trying to stop his candidacy. 'It is no surprise they do not want me to become president because our administration will transform this country to create an economy and a government that works for all of the people not just the 1 per cent,' the Vermont senator told CNN Monday night. 'It will not be the same old same old. But the other reason that I am running is to defeat Donald Trump. And the fact of the matter is if we want to defeat Donald Trump, we're going to need a campaign that has energy and excitement that can speak to working people, young people, people who have given up on the political establishment. All over the country. To defeat Donald Trump, we're going to have the highest voter turnout in the history of this country and I think our campaign is uniquely suited to be able to do that,' he noted. Sanders held a rally in Klobuchar's home state of Minnesota Monday night as his rivals rallied in Texas. Biden got in a knock at Sanders and Michael Bloomberg at his Dallas event, not mentioning the Vermont senator by naming but referring to the fact Sanders is a longtime Independent who caucused with Democrats and that Bloomberg was once the Republican mayor of New York. The Democrats want a nominee whos a Democrat, a life-long Democrat, a proud Democrat, an Obama-Biden Democrat, he said. Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks after being endorsed by Pete Buttigieg ORourke had started off strong for the Democratic nomination with a cover of Vanity Fair declaring he was born for the contest. But his campaign faded as fast as it rose. He dropped out of the primary last fall, returned to his native El Paso and largely stayed out of the campaign until Monday night. Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota, endorsed as she exited the race. She had momentum coming out of the New Hampshire primary, but couldn't repeat the result in the more diverse states of Nevada and South Carolina who held contests the last two Saturdays. Her announcement comes one day before voters in her home state of Minnesota were to go to the polls as the Super Tuesday contests, when one-third of the delegates needed for the nomination are up for grabs. Klobuchar looked poised to do well in Minnesota and Minnesota only. And Sanders, having the high-profile endorsement of Rep. Ilhan Omar, one of the four members of the so-called squad, could have eaten into Klobuchar's totals in that state. With the blessing of Klobuchar and Buttigieg, Biden appears to be consolidating moderate Democrats to go up against Sanders, a liberal who refers to himself as a democratic-socialist and is technically one of the Senate's two independent lawmakers. Out: Amy Klobuchar becomes the latest to quit the race, meaning there have been three departures in less than 36 hours Two women still standing: Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren and Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard are the youngest two of the five Democratic candidates The optics of both Klobuchar and Buttigieg onstage with Biden will be a real show of unity for the moderate wing of the party after the Minnesota senator and the Indiana mayor had several heated moments on the debate stage. Klobuchar referred to Buttigieg as a 'local official' and a 'cool newcomer,' and suggested that sexism was at play to allow a 38-year-old man with a thin resume to be seriously considered for the White House. Buttigieg, in turn, took advantage of some of Klobuchar's missteps, including when she couldn't recall the name of the president of Mexico. Since winning the South Carolina primary over Sanders on Saturday night, Biden has seen a number of mainstream Democratic politicians endorse his campaign. The first out of the gate was former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who campaigned for Biden in Virginia over the weekend. Sen. Tim Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton's vice presidential pick in 2016, had previously announced his support for Biden and also campaigned for the ex-veep in the commonwealth. Biden picked up former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid Monday as well. Reid declined to endorse a candidate in the run-up to the Nevada caucuses last month. Sanders crushed Biden there by 26.6. points. Still in it: Mike Bloomberg and Bernie Sanders both hit the campaign trail ahead of Super Tuesday. The billionaire former New York mayor was in Manassas, Virginia and the Vermont senator was in Salt Lake City, Utah Ahead of California's vote, Biden snagged former Sen. Barbara Boxer's endorsements too. Klobuchar's exit means that just five Democratic candidates remain: Biden, Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard. While Biden and Sanders look to be in the strongest position to win the nomination, Bloomberg and Warren, who is campaigning in East Los Angeles Monday night, have become wild cards. Bloomberg, worth $55.4 billion, hasn't participated in the first four primaries and so the strength of his campaign, and the hundreds of millions he's poured into it, won't be measurable until the results of 'Super Tuesday' come in. Warren has had two impressive debate showings and outraised Biden in February, receiving $29 million to Biden's $18 million. Sanders earned the most in February, bringing in $45.6 million. Fundraising clearly played into both Buttigieg and Klobuchar's decisions. Klobuchar ended January with just $2.8 million in the bank. However, she raised almost that much - $2.5 million - in the day following her third place finish in the New Hampshire primary. Buttigieg fundraising had been strong through the race, but by the time the Nevada caucuses rolled around, he was pleading for $13 million more to get through Super Tuesday. Both Warren and Sanders will be in their home states on Tuesday, while Biden will be in Los Angeles, California. Gabbard, a congresswoman from Hawaii, hasn't been actively campaigning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said there was no need to panic and urged people to work together, a day after two Indians tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in the country. The Prime Minister also said he had held an extensive review with several ministries and state governments about the level of preparedness to tackle coronavirus. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection, the Prime Minister tweeted. WATCH | There is no need to panic: PM Modis message on Coronavirus scare He also tweeted a photo outlining basic protective measures which need to be taken to stop the infection from spreadingincluding the washing hands frequently and covering mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 Also read: 2 Noida schools shut after parent of a child tests positive for coronavirus India has stepped up preparedness in anticipation of cluster cases after the two fresh cases of the coronavirus, which has been named SARS-Cov-2, with the disease it causes being called Covid-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO). India has also intensified medical screening a day after two more positive cases of coronavirus were reported in the country. The government has said all visasregular and e-visaissued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan on or before Tuesday have been suspended. It also said that the visa suspension for Chinese nationals on or before February 5 will remain in force. The visas of all the other foreign nationals issued on or after February 1, and who are in countries affected by coronavirus, have been suspended. New cases A case of coronavirus was detected in Delhi, the government said on Monday, even as another case in Hyderabad took the number of reported infections in the country to five amid a global alarm over the outbreak that has rapidly spread from China to more than 60 countries and claimed more than 3000 lives. Three people were previously diagnosed in Kerala with the disease, but they have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the infection. A private school in Noida declared a three-day closure after it emerged that the children of the Delhi man, who tested positive for coronavirus, study in the school. Another school in the area also said that it will remain shut till March 9. The person from Delhi recently travelled to Italy, while the patient from Hyderabad has travel history from Dubai, the health and family welfare ministry said. They are stable and being closely monitored, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said. While reports quoted Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma as saying that an Italian tourist was found positive for the virus in Jaipur, the central government did not confirm the development. Quarantine The two patients arrived in India without symptoms a few days ago and interacted unprotected with their families, friends, colleagues and commuters over the past week. The Union health ministry said on Tuesday that six cases with high-viral load were detected during sample testing in Agra and these people have been kept in isolation. The six people had come in contact with the 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday, and they include his family members. The man had visited them in Agra. The six have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for confirmation. The patient in Delhi was shifted to a 50-bed quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night, by when he had no symptoms, according to a person employed at the hospital. Hospital staffers who treated the Delhi patient at RML Hospital have also been quarantined at home for 14 days, according to a person aware of the developments. The private practitioner the Delhi case went to has been contacted and asked not to examine patients and stay under home quarantine for two weeks, another government official said, asking not to be named. He has been asked to report Covid-19-related symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty breathing, the official said. The man in Hyderabad contacted the local Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit when he developed a fever. The list of people he has come into contact with since his return from Dubai is being compiled and these people are being traced within the community. If any of them show symptoms, they will be isolated in a hospital, the rest will be asked to stay vigilant, a ministry official said. Other measures After the Union health ministrys announcement on Monday, the Air India crew that flew the Vienna-Delhi flight on February 25 on which the 45-year-old infected man was a passenger have been asked to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days. While there is currently no known effective antiviral therapy for Covid-19, many ongoing clinical trials are evaluating different therapeutic interventions globally, according to WHO. Following the two fresh cases of coronavirus, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Monday issued an order that said passengers coming from Italy and Iran will also undergo thermal screening at airports. Other than Italy and Iran, India is screening passengers at airports coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. The virus is believed to have infected the first human in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. While there has been no reported community transmission of the infection so far in India, public health experts say localised outbreaks are bound to occur at some point. Doctors should be in hospitals not streets: Kejriwal writes to PM Modi on NEET counselling Punjab elections: You will never have to stage another dharna says Kejriwal Covid-19 cases are rising in Delhi, but no need to panic as hospitalisation low, says Kejriwal No lockdown in Delhi for now but some curbs, says Arvind Kejriwal amid Covid surge Days after taking oath as Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal all set to meet PM Modi today India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Mar 03: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is all set to meet Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday for the first time since Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept the Delhi elections. Kejriwal won the Delhi elections for the third time in a row and came back to power with a huge majority. Today, the Delhi Chief Minister will meet PM Modi while earlier he had met Amit Shah. Kejriwal will visit the PMO Sansad Bhavan at 11 am today. Had a very good and fruitful meeting: Kejriwal after meeting Union HM Amit Shah On February 19, Kejriwal met Union Home Minister Amit Shah after which the AAP chief said both of them had agreed that they will work together for the development of the national capital. The duration of the Shah-Kejriwal meeting at Shah's residence lasted 20 minutes. This meeting between the two leaders was for the first time since Kejriwal took oath as the chief minister of Delhi. Earlier, during the Delhi Assembly elections, PM Modi and Amit Shah had led massive campaigns against AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:20 [IST] Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:54:48|Editor: zh Video Player Close MOGADISHU, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A Somali and U.S. airstrike killed an al-Shabab terrorist and wounded two others in the southern region. The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said on Tuesday the strike targeted al-Shabab militants in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow on Monday evening. "We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of these airstrikes," said Africom, which has trained several light infantry Somali troops known as the Danab seen as key to taking on al-Shabab. The al-Qaida allied extremist group, which has lost control of much of the territory it once held in Somalia, still stages high-profile attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere. Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus after he was forced to cancel a series of engagements last week due to illness. The 83-year-old pontiff was given a 'routine' test after falling ill on Ash Wednesday with symptoms of a cold including a cough, fever, chills and sore throat. He was given a swab test as a precaution but the results have come back negative, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. Francis fell ill as Italy battles a coronavirus outbreak that has sickened more than 2,000 people and killed 52. Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus, after cancelling engagements and largely disappearing from public view last week after falling ill (pictured on Sunday) Fears were raised for the Pope's health after he fell sick amid a coronavirus outbreak in Italy which has sickened more than 2,000 people and killed 52 While Rome had no active cases of coronavirus when Francis fell sick, fears were raised after he was pictured touching hands and kissing faces in St Peter's Square (pictured, Vatican tourists wearing protective masks) While Rome had no active cases at the time of his illness, fears were raised that he could have unknowingly contracted the disease after he was pictured shaking hands and kissing faces in a crowd of well-wishers in St Peter's Square. The fact that doctors saw fit to test him for the illness shows those fears were shared by Vatican staff. Medics have not said what the Pope is suffering from, but he previously described it as 'a cold'. Vatican City has yet to report its first case of coronavirus, but it was revealed on Tuesday that a member of staff has been placed in quarantine over fears they may have contracted the disease. The worker had come into contact with a French priest who has since been hospitalised in Paris, and has been placed in isolation as a precaution. Concerns were raised for the 83-year-old - who is missing part of one lung - after he was seen coughing and sneezing during an Ash Wednesday Mass Francis submitted to a precautionary swab test after developing symptoms including a cough, fever and sore throat, but the results were negative The Vatican has stepped up measures to try and prevent an outbreak - with masks and gloves will be distributed among staff coming into contact with the public. Staff have also been advised to wash their hands thoroughly and avoid people with symptoms, while visitors are being asked to avoid forming dense crowds and to shield their faces when they cough or sneeze. Francis's last full day of public engagements was on Ash Wednesday, when he appeared ill while taking part in an evening Mass. He was seen coughing, sneezing and appeared tired during the ceremony, before cancelling an engagement the following morning. Italy is currently in the grip of a coronavirus outbreak that has sickened more than 2,000 people within the country and spread the disease to most of Europe 52 people have also died from the virus in Italy, as world health authorities warn it has the potential to turn into a pandemic He then disappeared from public view for the next four days while he recovered, before appearing at the window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Sunday to address thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for a noon blessing. During the blessing, he announced he would not be participating in a yearly spiritual retreat for Lent that was due to start this week. Instead, he said he would be following it from his residence in a Vatican guest house. He has been taken ill at a time when Italy is battling a surging outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus. The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed past the 2,000 mark. Italy has become a European hub for the coronavirus outbreak, with more than 2,000 people infected and 52 deaths. Pope Francis, who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus, an Italian newspaper reported on Tuesday, as Italy battles Europes worst outbreak. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the Il Messaggero newspaper. Francis cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy this weekend, after axing all public meetings at the end of last week over the cold. The new coronavirus has spread from China across much of the world, with Italy among the worst affected with more than 2,000 people infected and 52 deaths. The 83-year-old pontiff has been seen coughing and blowing his nose, but the Vatican which on Tuesday also announced it was sending its top two sex crimes investigators to Mexico on a fact-finding and assistance mission quickly shot down speculation that the pope himself had come down with COVID-19. The Messaggero report did not say when Francis had been tested for the disease. Several worshippers wore face masks at Pope Franciss weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday [Remo Casilli/Reuters] At his general audience on Wednesday, he spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, and he coughed during an afternoon Ash Wednesday service in a Rome church. On Thursday, he cancelled a visit to a Rome basilica. The pope usually spends mornings making speeches to groups and meeting heads of state in the Vaticans Apostolic Palace. Unlike previous popes, he chose not to live in its spacious papal apartments and opted for simple quarters in Santa Marta, where he spends the rest of the day mostly working on Church matters. Pope Francis is missing a part of one lung. It was removed when he was in his early 20s in his native Buenos Aires after he suffered from tuberculosis. He also suffers some leg pain due to sciatica, for which he undergoes regular physical therapy and which explains his occasional difficulty climbing steps. But he is in generally good health. Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan was summoned by the Central Crime Branch police in connection with the crane accident at "Indian 2" shooting where three persons were killed and 12 injured at the spot. Three technicians -- Madhu, Chandran and Krishna -- were killed and 12 others injured after the crane fell on them while constructing the sets at the EVP Film City near here on February 19 night. Lead actor Kamal Haasan, female lead Kajal Aggarwal, as well as Director Shankar himself, had a providential escape that night. The police are summoning people who were present at the accident spot for enquiry to ascertain the reason for the accident. They will find out about the safety precautions that were taken and other details. Dallas Rivals no more, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg united behind Joe Biden's presidential bid on Monday as the Democratic Party's moderate wing scrambled to boost the former vice president just hours before voting began across a series of high-stakes Super Tuesday states. The urgency of the moment reflected deep concerns from the Democratic establishment that Bernie Sanders, a polarizing progressive, was positioned to seize a significant delegate lead when 14 states and one U.S. territory vote on Tuesday. Klobuchar suspended her campaign and endorsed Biden Monday, a day after Buttigieg announced his exit. Both Klobuchar and Buttigieg, who had been Biden's chief competition for their party's pool of more moderate voters over the last year, declared their public support for Biden at evening events in Dallas. "I'm looking for a leader, I'm looking for a president, who will draw out what's best in each of us," Buttigieg said alongside Biden. "We have found that leader in vice president, soon-to-be president, Joe Biden." Speaking at a Biden rally later in the night, Klobuchar called for unity: "If we spend the next four months dividing our party and going at each other, we will spend the next four years watching Donald Trump tear apart our country," she said. "We need to unite our party and our country." The dramatic developments came at a crossroads in Democrats' turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat President Donald Trump. Yet as a field that once featured more than two dozen candidates shrinks to just five, the choice for primary voters is becoming more straightforward. On one side stands Biden, a 77-year-old lifelong politician who represents a pragmatic approach to governing that emphasizes bipartisanship and more modest change. On the other stands Sanders, a 78-year-old democratic socialist who demands aggressive liberal shifts that seek to transform the nation's political and economic systems. Yet the primary isn't currently a two-person race. New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who will appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday, has invested more than a half billion dollars into his presidential bid and wracked up many high-profile endorsements of his own. And Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has struggled for delegates and momentum over the past month, has vowed to stay in the race until the party's national convention in July. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. On the eve of Super Tuesday, however, Biden received a significant boost following his resounding victory over the weekend in South Carolina. He posted his best two-day fundraising haul in more than a year, raising roughly $10 million over the past 48 hours. Campaigning in Klobuchar's home state of Minnesota on Monday night, Sanders discouraged the crowd from booing Biden and welcomed his rivals' supporters to join his campaign. "To all of Amy and Pete's millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in," Sanders said. "We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump." Sanders has struggled to win over his colleagues in Congress but earned a high-profile endorsement on Monday from Democracy for America, a national grass-roots organization originally led by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean that boasts thousands of members across the county. The National Organization for Women's political action committee endorsed Warren on Monday. The worst spell of rioting in northeast Delhi by all accounts took place on February 25. That is when police received the most number of distress calls 7,520, or five calls every minute. News18 was on the ground and saw some of that violence unfold first-hand. In the area around Maujpur and Ghonda, shops were being set on fire, stones thrown and people assaulted. A week later, News18 revisited those spots to see what had changed over the last seven days, how people were responding to the riots, and what those who had suffered had to say. In Maujpur and Ghonda, people from the minority community had suffered the most. There were some signs of fear and mistrust at a few places. There was palpable fear among those whose shops and houses had been vandalised and set afire. They were yet to open their shops even as the rest of markets lifted their shutters. There was also mistrust among their neighbouring shop owners who claimed they did not know even the identities of the people who ran the shops that were destroyed. At Maujpur Road a week before (left) and after. (News18) On the Maujpur main road, News18 had counted at least three shops belonging to members of the minority community that were being looted, vandalised and set on fire last Tuesday. One of the stores that was destroyed was a mobile and watch repair centre, flanked by shops that remained untouched. Raju of Shiva Auto Works, who worked at one of those adjacent shops, said he did not personally know the owner of the burnt-down store, but had seen him visit the spot three days ago to take a look at the damage. A few steps ahead, News18 spoke to Jayesh Ram, the owner of a crockery shop. The garment shop next to his, owned by a member of the minority community, was set ablaze. "I don't know who the owner was. I have never spoken to him," said Ram. "It was a garments shop. That's all I know. I have never spoken to the owner," said Ramesh Chand, another shop owner. A fruit vendor said the same thing, but when asked whether those involved in these instances of loot and arson were locals or outsiders, he said, "If you throw a lit matchstick in petrol, it will catch flame." At Yamuna Vihar a week before (left) and after. (News18) No shop owner around could even recall the name of the owner of the garment shop, which some said has been around for years. News18 had also witnessed how a rampaging mob had broken into a bakery owned by a member of the minority community, looted it and set it on fire. The two pan vendors on either side of it said they had never spoken to the bakery owner. "He had come here around two months ago. You see we're busy with work throughout the day. We never got a chance to speak to him," said one of those pan shop vendors. In Gonda on Yamuna Vihar road, News18 had witnessed a mob of about a thousand persons vandalising, looting and burning down at least seven shops. Here, one found stories of hope at some places, where people from the majority community had gone out of their way to save the shops and lives of those from the minority community, some of whom have now returned to their workplaces. One of those shops belonged to Mohd Irfan. The mob had broken into his plywood store, vandalised his front office and burnt some of his supplies. "They would have set all of the plywood on fire as well, only it would have taken a lot of effort to carry the plywood on the main road. We were told the mob was trying to burn the shop entirely, but neighbours stopped them. Otherwise, the entire building could have collapsed because of so much heat and smoke," said Irfan. He said a neighbour had told him that when the rioters found it impractical to burn the wood, they asked someone for a hose so they could water the wood and destroy it. "Unfortunately for the mob, they did not get any help. Our neighbors have expressed sympathy and are trying to help us. There was a Muslim couple who lived nearby. We have heard their Hindu neighbours gave them money to sustain themselves after their house was destroyed." Shadaab with his neighbour Dishant who saved his shop. (News18) Shadaab is the only other member of the minority community, apart from Irfan, who managed to open his shop after the three-day carnage in this part of the national capital. His auto repair shop was saved by his neighbour who stepped in at the right time. "On February 25, I was repairing a car when I heard some commotion from the corner of the road. I finished the work quickly and closed my shop. When I tried to leave for home from that area, I saw a mob throwing stones. Neighbours told me to leave from the safe side. At Gonda Chowk, I saw a mob holding bamboo sticks and rods in their hands. I escaped from alleys and went back home in Brahmpuri," Shadaab said. "In the Brahmpuri area, we decide not to allow any youngsters to assemble (to prevent a backlash). No property has been in our area or any person has faced any trouble. Here, about 11 shops were gutted. My neighbours protected my shop from getting damaged. A disabled man, I wouldnt have been able to do much anyway," he said. The neighbour whom Shadaab gave credit for saving his life's earnings, Dishant said when the mob turned towards the formers shop, he intervened and claimed that it belonged to him. "We saved Shadaabs shops by saying its our shop. There were many young kids among those who tried to damage his shop. They looted many shops in the area. Locals tried to stop them, but the mob was not listening to anybody. Locals even tried to stop them by throwing stones at them. Some of the shops were damaged and looted in the night and we could not do anything," Dishant said. An accurate data of the number of illegal immigrants in the country, including Delhi, is not maintained centrally as they enter India without valid travel documents in a clandestine and surreptitious manner, the Union Home Ministry told Lok Sabha on Tuesday. "Ministry of Home Affairs has issued consolidated instructions regarding deportation/repatriation of foreign nationals to all states and Union Territories vide letters dated April 24, 2014, and July 01, 2019," Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said in response to a written question. He said the ministry has also issued advisories to the state governments/UT administrations regarding identification of illegal immigrants and monitoring through letters dated August 08, 2017 and February 28, 2018. "Detection, detention and deportation after due process of nationality verification of illegal immigrants is an ongoing process under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920. Central Government has been vested with powers under Section 3(2)(e) and 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act, 1946 to detain and deport foreign nationals staying illegally in the country," he said. The minister said Section 5 of The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 empowers the central government to order the removal of any foreigner from India who enters India without passport. "These powers of the Central Government have also been entrusted under Article 258(1) of the Constitution of India to all the State Governments since 1958. Further, under Article 239(1) of the Constitution of India, the Administrators of all the Union Territories including Delhi have also been directed to discharge the functions of the Central Government relating to the aforesaid powers," he said. The minister said an accurate data of the illegal immigrants is not maintained centrally as they enter India without valid travel documents in a clandestine and surreptitious manner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ALPHARETTA, Ga., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Neenah, Inc. (NYSE: NP) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Vectorply Corporation ("Vectorply"), a portfolio company of MSouth Equity Partners, for $155 million in cash. Closing is expected to occur on April 1, and is subject to customary conditions. With annual sales of over $70 million, Vectorply is a leader in the manufacture of high-performance composite materials used in a variety of growing end markets. Vectorply has grown its top line at a high single digit rate over the past five years, with EBITDA margins in the mid-20's. The company is focused in North America, with its customers and supply chain predominantly in the United States, and operates out of one manufacturing facility in the Southeast. "Vectorply is well-known for its product capabilities, utilizing product-enhancing fibers such as carbon, glass and aramid to produce purpose-built, non-woven reinforcement fabrics. The acquisition broadens our technical products platform, adding new capabilities that will further accelerate our ability to grow in existing, as well as new end markets," said John O'Donnell, Chief Executive Officer. "I'm confident that with Julie Schertell's leadership and Vectorply's experienced management team, Neenah will deliver a seamless integration and continue Vectorply's impressive record of profitable growth. Financially, this investment is an attractive use of capital, with a double-digit rate of return, and it will be immediately accretive to our margins and our earnings." Excluding one-time costs, the transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings in year one, with annualized accretion of over $0.25 per share. One-time acquisition and integration costs in 2020 are projected to be less than $2 million. The acquisition is expected to be financed primarily through borrowing currently available against the Company's existing revolving credit facility, along with other funding as necessary. About Neenah, Inc. Neenah is a leading global specialty materials company, focused on premium niche markets that value performance and image. Key products and markets include advanced filtration media, specialized performance substrates used for digital transfer, tape and abrasive backings, labels and other products, and premium printing and packaging papers. The Company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and its products are sold in over 80 countries worldwide from manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom. Additional information can be found at the Company's web site, www.neenah.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"), or in releases made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), all as may be amended from time to time. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the PSLRA and we caution investors that any forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees or indicative of future performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control and could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth under the captions "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and/or "Risk Factors" of our latest Form 10-K filed with the SEC as periodically updated by subsequently filed Form 10-Qs (these securities filings can be located on our website at www.neenah.com). Unless specifically required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of such laws. Contact: Neenah, Inc. Bill McCarthy Vice President-Investor Relations 678-518-3278 SOURCE Neenah, Inc. Related Links http://www.neenah.com Woolpert is sincerely privileged to have the trust and confidence of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to assist them in realizing the U.S. Air Force GeoBase vision of One Base One Map. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) Geospatial Integration Office (GIO) GeoBase team was honored this month with the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) Team of the Year Award. GeoBase is the U.S. Air Force Installation Geospatial Information and Services Program. The team comprises more than 50 geospatial professionals, including 34 from Woolpert. Woolpert also participates in every GeoBase program in the continental United States and has over 60 employees contributing to the GeoBase Program that earned this award. The AFIMSC Team of the Year Award is given to the team that exemplifies teamwork, collaboration and an Air Force enterprise-wide view. Recipients should exhibit an innovative, cross-functional perspective that develops and pursues creative operating concepts while maximizing resources. The team honored also must demonstrate a warfighter ethos, provide combat power, show empowerment and courage, and be a recognized leader in developing novel capabilities and responsiveness. Woolpert is sincerely privileged to have the trust and confidence of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to assist them in realizing the U.S. Air Force GeoBase vision of One Base One Map, said retired USAF Col. Brian Cullis, a senior consultant at Woolpert. More importantly, this award would not have been possible without the daily commitment of Air Force GeoBase government personnel at installations around the world who work so hard to make a difference for the Civil Engineer and Air Force missions through the use of geospatial information technologies. GeoBase was chosen to represent the AFCEC after winning the AFCECs annual Team Award in January. The AFIMSC Team of the Year Award was presented by Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox, AFIMSC commander. About Woolpert Woolpert is committed to a vision to become the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, and one of the best companies in the world. Its a vision weve been fine-tuning for decades. It guides our decisions and investments, provides our clients with optimal solutions and offers our employees unrivaled opportunities. Woolpert is recognized as a Great Place to Work by its employees and is Americas fastest-growing AEG firm. With more than a century of experience, close to 1,000 employees and 30 offices, Woolpert supports public, private, federal, and U.S. military clients nationally and around the globe. For more information, visit woolpert.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. El-Aaiun (Occupied Territories), 1 March 2020 (SPS) - The Moroccan occupation authorities prevented on Friday a delegation consisting of eight deputies from the Spanish Catalan Parliament from conducting a field fact-finding visit on the grave violations of human rights in Western Sahara. The Catalan deputies were detained at the so-called Al-Hassan I airport in the occupied city of El-Aaiun, under the pretext that the elected representatives refuse their visit to the city and that they are not welcomed, to be forced to leave for Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands. The parliamentary delegation was trying to conduct a field visit to support the family and children of Sahrawi political prisoner and human rights activist, Mahfouda Bamba Lefkir, who is in prison in the occupied city of El-Aaiun. The delegation was also trying to hold meetings with Sahrawi human rights organizations in order to get a closer look at the deplorable human rights situation, the suffering of the Sahrawi people, the conditions of detention, the media embargo, and the military cordon imposed on the region for more than four decades. The parliamentary delegation consisted of Ms. Susana Segovia, Mr. Ferran Civit, Mr. Vidal Aragones, Ms. Guadalupe Moreno, Mr. Oriol Puig, Mr. David Minoves, Ms. Gemma Aristoy, and Mr. Toni Royo. (SPS) 062/SPS/T Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa presented the prestigious Prof. C.N.R Rao Bengaluru INDIA Nano Science Award 2020 to Prof. P.S. Anil Kumar, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru for his outstanding contribution to nanotechnology. Bengaluru: A nanotechnology park would be established in Bengaluru on the lines of the IT-BT Park, Karnatakas deputy chief minister and IT minister C N Ashwath Narayan said. Participating in the Bengaluru India Nano 2020 event here, Narayan said the state government is also mulling over a new science and technology policy. The Nano Park proposal is being chalked out with the help of Prof C N R Rao, chairman of the Karnataka Vision Group on Nanotechnology. We expect research centres to be established in Bengaluru to promote the ecosystem for nanotechnology," said Narayan. Prof. C N R Rao will help the state in formulating policy and identifying priority areas to build core competencies and foster research in this advanced discipline. The focus is to make Bengaluru and Karnataka a leader in nanotechnology in collaboration with premier institutes such as the Indian Institute of Science, the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, NCBS and others. Chief minister B S Yediyurappa said the proposed Nano Park would set up in collaboration with the Union government. Establishment of common instrumentation facilities to promote growth in this emerging field will also be considered. Action will be taken for up-skilling and re-skilling the manpower required for this sunrise industry. The chief minister called upon scientists and engineers to come up with innovative nanotechnology-based solutions for food security, energy security, water purification, healthcare, waste management and to combat environmental hazards. Prof. Rao said, Nanotechnology has been making giant strides in the field of healthcare. I feel that there is still a lot of potential to be tapped. I urge our young scientists to conduct more research in the field of healthcare and come out with some great solutions. Bengaluru India Nano acts as a global platform for convergence of research, academe and industry to explore emerging opportunities. Some of the key focus areas of Bengaluru India Nano 2020 will be on nanotech in energy for e-mobility, agriculture, clean water and environment and manufacturing. Around 30 world class speakers from leading industries and organizations, both from India and abroad will address this event. Yediyurappa presented the prestigious Prof. C.N.R Rao Bengaluru India Nano Science Award 2020 to Prof. P S Anil Kumar of the Department of Physics of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru for his outstanding contribution to nanotechnology. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The biopolymer lignin is a by-product of papermaking and a promising raw material for manufacturing sustainable plastic materials. However, the quality of this naturally occurring product is not as uniform as that of petroleum-based plastics. An X-ray analysis carried out at DESY reveals for the first time how the internal molecular structure of different lignin products is related to the macroscopic properties of the respective materials. The study, which has been published in the journal Applied Polymer Materials, provides an approach for a systematic understanding of lignin as a raw material to allow for production of lignin-based bioplastics with different properties, depending on the specific application. Lignin is a class of complex organic polymers and responsible for the stability of plants, stiffening them and making them woody (i.e. lignification). During paper production, lignin is separated from cellulose. Lignin forms so-called aromatic compounds, which also play a key role in manufacturing synthetic polymers or plastics. Lignin is the biggest source of naturally occurring aromatic compounds, but until now it has been viewed by the paper industry primarily as a by-product or a fuel, explains Mats Johansson from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, who led the research team. Millions of tonnes of it are produced every year, providing a steady stream of raw material for new potential products. Some first applications of hard lignin-based plastics (thermosets) already exist. However, their properties often vary and until now it has been difficult to control them specifically. The Swedish team has now shed light on the nanostructure of different fractions of commercially available lignin at DESYs X-ray source PETRA III. It turns out that there are lignin fractions with larger and smaller domains, reports the principle author Marcus Jawerth, of Stockholms KTH. This can offer certain advantages, depending on the particular application: it makes the lignin harder or softer by altering the so-called glass transition temperature at which the biopolymer adopts a viscous state. Among other things, the X-ray analysis revealed that those types of lignin whose central benzene rings are arranged in the shape of a T are particularly stable. The molecular structure affects the macroscopic mechanical properties, explains DESYs Stephan Roth, who is in charge of the P03 beamline at which the experiments were conducted and who co-authored the paper. This is the first time this has been characterised. As a natural product, lignin comes in numerous different configurations. Further studies are needed to provide a systematic overview of how different parameters affect the properties of the lignin. This is very important in order to be able to manufacture materials reproducibly, and in particular to predict their properties, says Roth, who is also a professor at KTH Stockholm. If you want to use a material industrially, you need to understand its molecular structure and know how this is correlated with the mechanical properties. According to Jawerth, up to two thirds of the lignin produced during the paper production process could be turned into polyesters and serve as a starting material for making plastics. Along with cellulose and chitin, lignin is one of the most ubiquitous organic compounds on Earth and offers enormous potential for replacing petroleum-based plastics, says the scientist. Its far too valuable to simply burn it. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive strategic alliance agreement (the "Agreement") with Mineros S.A. ("Mineros") in relation to the Company's Guintar and Niverengo concessions and its Margaritas title application ("GNM Project") in Antioquia District, Colombia. The Agreement supersedes the previously announced letter of intent entered into by the Company and Mineros. Mineros is a Colombian public company engaged in the business of gold mining and listed on the Bogota Stock Exchange. Royal Road currently operates in Nicaragua under a separate exploration strategic alliance formed in September 2017 with Mineros' subsidiary, Hemco Nicaragua S.A. The Agreement contains the following basic terms: Mineros agree to pay to Royal Road the sum of USD $1 million on execution of the Agreement The parties agree that, upon making such payment, they will operate the GNP Project on a joint venture basis with Royal Road as operator Mineros has the option (the " First Option ") to acquire a 25% interest in the GNM Project by providing Royal Road with USD $1 million for the exploration of the GNM Project ") to acquire a 25% interest in the GNM Project by providing Royal Road with USD $1 million for the exploration of the GNM Project If Mineros exercises the First Option, Mineros has the option (the " Second Option ") to acquire an additional 25% interest in the GNM Project by providing Royal Road with a total of USD $1.5 million in additional funding for the GNP Project and thereafter, Royal Road and Mineros would each hold a 50% interest in the GNP Project Company ") to acquire an additional 25% interest in the GNM Project by providing Royal Road with a total of USD $1.5 million in additional funding for the GNP Project and thereafter, Royal Road and Mineros would each hold a 50% interest in the GNP Project Company Mineros and Royal Road will agree to an initial exploration program and budget for the exploration of the GNM Project and; prior to any exercise of the Second Option, the parties will agree to a second program and budget for the further exploration of the GNM Project At any time after Mineros has acquired a 25% interest and if at such time Mineros elect not to exercise the Second Option, Mineros may elect to cause all titles and the rights to title applications with respect to a designated project area to be transferred to a newly formed special purpose company (the " Project Company "), initially to be owned as to 75% by Royal Road and as to 25% by Mineros "), initially to be owned as to 75% by Royal Road and as to 25% by Mineros If Mineros elect to exercise the Second Option and after Mineros has acquired a 50% interest, the titles and the rights to title applications with respect to a designated project area will be transferred to a Project Company to be owned as to 50% by Royal Road and as to 50% by Mineros. Thenceforth the parties would jointly-fund the operations of the GNP Project in accordance with the parties' respective interests, which would be subject to dilution under a standard formula The Board of the Project Company will be comprised of directors who represent the parties and the number of such directors will reflect proportionately each party's interest from time to time, provided that if a party's interest reduces to less than 25%, it will not be entitled to any representation on the Board If a party's interest is diluted to below 15%, such interest will convert to a 1.5% net smelter royalty Royal Road will be operator of the exploration of the GNM Project for so long as it maintains not less than a 50% ownership interest in the GNM Project "We are pleased to have finalized the definitive agreement for our strategic alliance with Mineros in Colombia. The GNM project is a worthy objective and hosts what management believe is tangible potential for a significant gold discovery. This agreement expands on and aims to replicate our already close and successful relationship with Mineros in Nicaragua." said Tim Coughlin, Royal Road's President and CEO. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The information in this news release was approved by Dr. Tim Coughlin, BSc (Geology), MSc (Exploration and Mining), PhD (Structural Geology), FAusIMM, President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Road Minerals Limited and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Cautionary statement: This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") including statements relating to the joint venture and those describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, or with respect to the letter of intent and the Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, those related to the Strategic Alliance, the Company and the Company's exploration plans. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Strategic Alliance and the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and, in part, on information provided to the Company by Anglo Ashanti and its affiliates (previous title holders at GNM), and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. For further information please contact: Dr. Timothy Coughlin President and Chief Executive Officer USA-Canada toll free 1800 6389205 +44 (0)1534 887166 +44 (0)7797 742800 info@royalroadminerals.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53053 Having worked with Romacorp for the past eight years and counting, Im dedicated to the growth and success of the brand, its talented team and worldwide customers, and I look forward to taking on this new leadership role. Romacorp, Inc., the parent company of Tony Romas, proudly appoints new talent and executives to its leadership team, including the promotion of brand-veteran, John Brisco, to president & CEO. This announcement sets the foundation for the next phase of growth for Romacorp, as it looks to expand its restaurant portfolio and dining offerings. Romacorp is best known for its globally-recognized restaurant brand, Tony Romas, which is a full-service, family-friendly dining destination that serves World-Famous Baby Back Ribs and beloved menu classics, such as premier burgers, steaks and seafood. This year, Romacorp plans to unveil a new concept that is fast-casual, providing the same quality ingredients and fresh preparations in an authentic quick-service space for guests on-the-go. Having worked with Romacorp for the past eight years and counting, Im dedicated to the growth and success of the brand, its talented team and worldwide customers, and I look forward to taking on this new leadership role, said John Brisco, new president & CEO of Romacorp. Romacorp will continue to build its leadership capacity and has plans for unveiling new and exciting dining experiences for customers this year. Today, Romacorp announces its leadership team, including the following recent appointments and internal promotions: John Brisco President & CEO / Board of Directors Formerly the President of Global Franchise for Romacorp, Brisco has recently been promoted to president & CEO and is one of two new board members for the company. John is an industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant realm, previously serving as president of international development for Ruby Tuesday, president of international franchise for Sbarros, and vice president of international development for TGI Fridays. Alan Rosen Board of Directors Rosen joins Romacorps new board members team with more than three generations worth of knowledge in the restaurant industry. Graduating from Cornell Universitys School of Hotel Administration, Alan has grown his profile from director of marketing for Juniors Restaurants and Bakery to becoming a co-owner of the company, alongside his brother. Alan has helped grow a small, local Brooklyn bakery into an internationally renowned bakery, selling world-famous cheesecake. Dan Cronk Executive Vice President, Legal Administration Cronk was named executive vice president, legal & administration, as of November 2019, and was recently appointed as a director of Roma Systems, Inc. and Roma Franchise Corporation in January 2020. Cronk has worked with the Romacorp brand since 2016, serving in various positions including special counsel, general counsel and secretary. He also engages in the private practice of law (Law Offices of Daniel T. Cronk, PLLC) in Lucas, Texas. Ramon Bourgeois Senior Vice President, Global Franchise Bourgeois is a restaurant industry veteran with more than 25 years of industry experience. Recently, he was named senior vice president, global franchise of Roma Franchise Corporation, Romacorp, Inc. and Roma Systems, Inc. as of November 2019, and was appointed a director of Roma Systems, Inc. and Roma Franchise Corporation in January 2020. Having worked for Romacorp for five years, Bourgeois has also held previous titles such as vice president and regional vice president for the brand. Prior to that, Bourgeois was the director of operations for areas USA. Darren Gino Vice President, Information Technology & Marketing Gino was appointed vice president, information technology & marketing of Romacorp, Inc., Roma Franchise Corporation and Roma Systems, Inc. as of December 2019. Before that, Mr. Gino was the director of information technology for Romacorp from January 2016 until November 2019. Before working with Romacorp, Gino was a project leader and project manager for Darden Restaurants for more than nine years. Nina Bishop Vice President, Accounting & Human Resources Bishop was appointed vice president, accounting & human resources of Romacorp, Inc., Roma Franchise Corporation and Roma Systems, Inc. as of December 2019. Before that, she was the director of accounting for Romacorp for three years. Previously, Ms. Bishop was the controller for NMA Accounting LLC from September 2008 until August 2016. About Romacorp, Inc. Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Romas restaurants, the worlds largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has more than 135 restaurant locations in more than 25 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Romas restaurant opened 46 years ago in North Miami, Florida. For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Romas, visit http://www.tonyromas.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 06:33:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Ayman Odeh (C), leader of the Arab-Israeli party Joint List, speaks at Joint List election campaign headquarters in the northern Arab city of Shefa-Amr, Israel, March 2, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won the largest number of seats in the parliamentary elections, but apparently fell short of a majority needed to form a government, exit polls showed Monday. (Gil Eliyahu/JINI via Xinhua) by Keren Setton JERUSALEM, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a solid victory in the parliamentary elections held on Monday. "Thank you," he tweeted minutes after the exit polls were published. With 37 seats in the exit polls, the Likud took the lead against its main rival Blue and White party led by political new-comer Benny Gantz. However, in order to form a government, Netanyahu needs a 61-seat majority of the 120 seats in the parliament. Exit polls showed he is one seat shy of this, leading the right-wing bloc with 60 seats. Any shift in the official results, expected in the coming days, has the potential of changing the picture completely. "This shows the Israeli society is largely right-wing and that Blue and White did not succeed in creating an alternative," said Eran Vigoda-Gadot, a professor of political science and governance at the University of Haifa. "Gantz did not successfully position himself as counter-weight to a very dominant Netanyahu," he added. It was the third general election held in Israel within one year, after two previous ones yielded inconclusive results, causing a year-long political stalemate. "The right wing in Israel rallied and came to the polls because they felt it was all or nothing," Vigoda-Gadot told Xinhua. Voter turnout was unexpectedly high, in contrast with the projected voter fatigue as Israelis headed to the polls for the third time. According to the Central Elections Committee, it was the highest turnout numbers in Israel since 1999. As Israel's longest serving prime minister, Netanyahu's last few years in office have been marred by scandal and alleged corruption. In two weeks' time, he will make his first court appearance as a defendant indicted for fraud, breach of trust and bribery. Netanyahu's opponents say he wants to use his service as prime minister to avoid a conviction in the courts as he may find other legal ways to circumvent the courts if secures a majority in the parliament. It is worth noting that although it is still unclear whether Netanyahu will be able to seize the majority, chances for another election seem slim. "There will not be a fourth election, as Netanyahu will probably be able to find one person to form a government," said Jonathan Rynhold, a professor with the political science department at the Bar Ilan University. Still hanging in the balance is Avigdor Lieberman, the kingmaker who has not committed his seats to any side, as exit polls show he gained 6-8 seats. Once Netanyahu's ally and a staunch right-winger, Lieberman has taken a turn to the center by saying he refuses to sit with Jewish Orthodox parties that are Netanyahu's main allies. Official final results are expected to be released early Tuesday morning, before President Reuven Rivlin will choose a candidate for prime minister according to the number of recommendations from the party leaders. This is usually bestowed upon the head of the largest party who has six weeks to form a coalition. If the candidate is unsuccessful, another candidate will have 28 days to attempt to form a government. Should that fail, Israel will head to elections once again. Highlights: Total consideration paid was $1,150,000 , comprised of $575,000 in cash and issuing 337,619 common shares at a deemed price of $1.70 per share (subject to a 4-month hold and additional re-sale restrictions); , comprised of in cash and issuing 337,619 common shares at a deemed price of per share (subject to a 4-month hold and additional re-sale restrictions); GoldMining has engaged a qualified person to complete a technical report and current resource estimate for the Project based on significant historic exploration, which includes 70,234 m of drilling; and of drilling; and GoldMining's project portfolio expands to 16 properties in 5 countries. VANCOUVER, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - GoldMining Inc. (the "Company" or "GoldMining") (TSX: GOLD;OTCQX: GLDLF) is pleased to announce the completion of its previously announced indirect acquisition of the Almaden Gold Project (the "Almaden Project"), located in west-central Idaho, from Sailfish Royalty Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary. The total purchase price under the transaction was $1,150,000, which was satisfied by the Company paying $575,0000 in cash and issuing 337,619 GoldMining shares at a deemed price of $1.70 per share. The shares issued under the transaction are subject to a four month and one day hold period and certain additional ongoing resale restrictions pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The Company has engaged an independent qualified person to complete a technical report and current resource estimate for the Almaden Project. The qualified person will review and verify historic sampling and results, examine the cut-off grade with reference to today's metal prices, and update the historical resource estimate on the Almaden Project completed by Western Standard Metals Ltd. in 2009. The Project The Almaden Project covers approximately 1,724 Ha and is located approximately 140 km by road north of Boise and approximately 24 km east of Weiser in Washington County, Idaho. The Almaden Project is one of several low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits related to the Northern Nevada Rift that includes Hecla Mining Company's Hollister and Midas Mines in northern Nevada, and Integra Resources Corp.'s Delamar and Florida Canyon projects in southwest Idaho. Gold mineralization at the Almaden Project is hosted in sinter and silicified (opal) sedimentary rocks of the Miocene Payette Formation that are underlain by chalcedonic veins and stockworks that form a near surface, relatively flat lying deposit. Gold mineralization is associated with intense silicification and argillic alteration that measures approximately 1,900 m long by 500 m wide by 150 m thick. For further information regarding the transaction and the Almaden Project, please refer to the Company's news release dated February 24, 2020. Qualified Person Paulo Pereira, President of GoldMining, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Pereira holds a Bachelors degree in Geology from Universidade do Amazonas in Brazil, is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. About GoldMining Inc. GoldMining is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of gold assets in the Americas. Through its disciplined acquisition strategy, GoldMining now controls a diversified portfolio of resource-stage gold and gold-copper projects in Canada, U.S.A., Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Additionally, GoldMining owns a 75% interest in the Rea Uranium Project, located in the Western Athabasca Basin of Alberta, Canada. Forward-looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of GoldMining with respect to its business and future events, including expectations and future plans respecting the Project. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the markets in which GoldMining operates, including that historical exploration results will be confirmed. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drill results and other exploration data, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with GoldMinings expectations, accidents, equipment breakdowns, title and permitting matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in operations, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on its projects, and that GoldMining may not be able to confirm historical exploration results or complete an updated resource estimate for the Project. These risks, as well as others, including those set forth in GoldMinings filings with Canadian securities regulators, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward looking information, will prove to be accurate. GoldMining does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. SOURCE GoldMining Inc. Related Links www.goldmining.com Ishna Jan, the 23 year old lady who provided food and logistics to Pulwama bomber India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: Days after making a crucial breakthrough in the Pulwama attack case, the National Investigation Agency has arrested a father daughter duo. The NIA has identified the lady as Ishna Jan, 23. The NIA alleges that the house that belongs to her father Tariq Ahmed Shah was used by the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmed Dar. Accused Insha Jan, facilitated the terrorists at their home and provided food and other logistics during their stay on more than 15 occasions for 2-4 days each time, in their house during the year 2018-2019. Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd. Umar Farooq, Pakistani IED maker and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications. Father-daughter duo arrested by NIA in connection with Pulwama attack Tariq Ahmed Shah facilitated all the terrorists at his house for sheltering and for planning of the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy. His house was also used by the above mentioned terrorists for preparing and recording of video of Fidayeen Adil Ahmed Dar, which was released by Jaish-e-Mohammad soon after the Pulwama attack. This development comes in the backdrop of the NIA last week arrested an Over Ground Worker (OWG) identified as a Shakir Bashir Magrey, a resident of Kakapora, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Bashir a furniture shop owner is accused of providing shelter to the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar. He is also accused of providing logistics to the bomber. The Pulwama attack had claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. It was in the year 2018 that Bashir was introduced to Dar by a Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Umar Farooq. During his interrogation, he said that on numerous occasions he had collected arms, ammunition and cash and delivered it to those involved in the Pulwama attack. He also said that he had harboured Dar and Farooq in his house from 2018 onwards until the attack that took place in February 2019. He assisted them in the preparation of the Improvised Explosive Devices, he also revealed. His shop is located near Lethpora bridge, and as advised by Mohammad Umar, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019, and informed Mohammad Umar and Adil Ahmad Dar about it. Further, he was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting the IED in it in early February,2019. During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained by NIA to be a Maruti Eeco car through forensic examination of the tiny remnants of the car, which were seized from the spot during extended searches. This has been corroborated by accused Shakir Bashir Magrey. The explosives used in the attack were determined to be Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro- Glycerin and RDX through forensic investigation. Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar through DNA matching with that of his father. How a furniture shop owner modified a Maruti Eeco car for the Pulwama attack Other key terrorists involved in the attack have been found to be Muddasir Ahmad Khan, (JeM's Divisional Commander of South Kashmir killed in an operation by security forces on 11-03-2019) Pakistani terrorists viz. Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, (both killed on 29-03-2019) the owner of the car viz. Sajjad Ahmad Bhat r/o Marhama, Anantnag (killed on 16-06-2019) and Qari Yassir, JeM's Commander for Kashmir (killed on 25-01-2020). For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 16:15 [IST] Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday visited riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of relief operations. According to an official, Sisodia interacted with residents of Shiv Vihar and other areas in northeast Delhi, where communal violence broke out over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act last week. Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam also visited Gangavihar and directed officials to speed up the process of releasing compensation. Earlier in the day, paramilitary forces conducted flag marches and damage assessment teams scoured the violence-hit areas. Police have been holding meetings with locals in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad. Schools in the area will remain closed till March 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Exploratory Development planned for Nascent Monoclonal Antibody, Pritumumab, in Coronavirus. SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Nascent Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: NBIO), today announced its intention to begin research on a possible treatment for patients infected with the Coronavirus. An article in The Journal of Biological Medicine (Yu et al. Journal of Biomedical Science (2016) 23:14 DOI 10.1186/s12929-016-0234-7) specifically mentioned cell surface vimentin as a potential target in the treatment of conditions related to the Coronavirus. Nascent founder and Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Mark Glassy, commented that, "We have known for some time that the receptor for Nascent's lead asset, Pritumumab, is associated with several viruses, but this supportive article, as well as many other more recent publications, reinvigorated our attention to a possible treatment for those afflicted with the recent strain of Coronavirus. It is not a stretch to hold hope it might also be effective for treating patients infected with the new COVID-19 strain." "Our plan is to test the ability of Pritumumab to interfere with the virus' binding to its target cells, thus ameliorating - and possibly eliminating - the potential deadly effects. Nascent is committed to changing patient expectations in this debilitating disease and exploring Pritumumab's ability to fight Covid-19, further optimizing this promising drug's potential." said Dr. Glassy. About Nascent Biotech Inc Nascent Biotech, Inc is a clinical-stage biotech company engaged in the development of monoclonal antibodies to be used in the treatment of various cancers. Its products are not commercially available. For further information please visit our website www.nascentbiotech.com. Safe Harbor: Statements in this press release about our future expectations constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, Nascent Biotech Inc's ability to target the medical professionals; Nascent Biotech Inc's ability to raise capital; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Nascent Biotech Inc's Form 10, filed on May 2, 2015, and future subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. CONTACT: Lowell Holden CFO Nascent Biotech, Inc 6330 Nancy Ridge Dr Suite 105 San Diego CA 92121 (612) 961-5656 Lowell.holden@nascentbiotech.com SOURCE: Nascent Biotech Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578832/Nascent-Biotech-Investigation-Drug-Product-Pritumumab-to-be-Studied-as-a-Potential-Therapeutic-agent-against-Coronavirus-Covid-19 Hotels and tourists sites in Agra have been instructed to inform the office of the Chief Medical Officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, an official said on Tuesday. As soon as any information is received, a team of doctors will be dispatched to examine the visitors for symptoms of COVID-19, Chief Medical Officer of Agra Dr Mukesh Vats told PTI. "We have issued instructions to all hotels in the city that if any person is coming from Italy, Iran or China, they should inform us. As soon as the hotel informs us, a team of doctors goes to the hotel, and examines them for symptoms of coronavirus. All the tourists sites have been told to inform the 24-hour control about visitors from countries where coronavirus outbreak has been reported," Vats said. Asked whether symptoms of coronavirus have been found in any visitor in Agra, he said, "The group of 19 tourists who had come from Jaipur were staying in Crystal Sarovar, and had arrived day before yesterday (Sunday) at 2.00 pm. Next (Monday) morning at around 8.00 am, they left for Delhi." "After this, another batch of 18-19 tourists were staying at the Taj Convention Hotel. They have been tested and have not been found symptomatic. The history of the tourists was scanned, and symptoms searched. All of them are normal. The second batch was tested yesterday in the afternoon," Vats said. The Uttar Pradesh government had on January 27 directed officials to set up 10-bed isolation wards in every district hospital and medical college of the state as a precautionary measure to deal with any suspected case of coronavirus. The directive came during a review meeting of the Health Department chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The CM directed that special vigil be maintained at airports and on the Indo-Nepal border. He further instructed Health Department officials to take necessary steps in coordination with the Union Health Ministry. Directions were also issued to spread awareness about the virus and precautionary steps. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A map shows the sharp decline in emissions over China between early January and late February as parts of the country went on lockdown in an attempt to contain the COVID-19 coronavirus. The new coronavirus' impact on China is so stark that it can be seen from space as a dramatic drop in air pollution, according to data from U.S. and European satellites. Orbital instruments designed to monitor air quality picked up a substantial drop in concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution since January. NO2 is a harmful substance emitted by gas vehicles, power plants and other machines that burn fossil fuels. The decline is likely related to an economic slowdown and travel restrictions in China since the virus became widespread, according to a statement from NASA Earth Observatory. "This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event," Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, said in the statement. Related: Live updates on COVID-19 A NASA Earth Observatory image, visible at the top of this article, shows an astonishing decline in NO2 between January and the start of February. Liu said that there have been other incidents that led to measurable NO2 decreases, including the 2008 economic recession. But none have been so intense or happened so quickly. She also noted that there's often a noticeable drop-off around this time as China celebrates the Lunar New Year, but that it's never before been so stark. "This year, the reduction rate is more significant than in past years and it has lasted longer," she said. "I am not surprised because many cities nationwide have taken measures to minimize spread of the virus." The Chinese government has closed business and restricted travel between cities. Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began, has been the subject of especially harsh measures. The impact of those measures is reflected in local pollution levels; a map of the city shows an astonishing drop in NO2 levels between Jan. 1 and Feb. 25. Another map shows the sharp decline in emissions over Wuhan, the city that was the epicenter of the viral outbreak. (Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory) As the virus continues to spread worldwide and governments continue to take measures to fight it, such second-order impacts could show up around the globe. Originally published on Live Science. By Michael T. Bedard From the first settlers who came to our shores,...men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung," President Jimmy Carter said in creating a national Womens History Week in 1980. Seven years later, Congress declared as March Womens History Month, whose 2020 observance coincides with the centennial of womens suffrage. A bill in the New Jersey state Legislature, in commemoration, cites a local leader of that movement. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, D-Burlington, it reads in part: Alice Paul, a womens rights activist and suffragist, is a significant historical and civil rights figure who was born in Moorestown, N.J.; she was a driving force behind the attainment of womens suffrage and ... equality for women, [and] is worthy of recognition in ... National Statuary Hall, which is in the U.S. Capitol building, and administered by the Library of Congress. Similarly, the state Senate passed an emergency measure on Feb. 10 supporting a Paul statue. The passage date was meant to parallel New Jerseys February 9, 1920, ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the vote in elections. Since the Assembly measure, A1119, has not been acted upon yet, ask your representatives to ensure its enactment before the Aug. 26, 2020, womens suffrage centennial date. This would support a current drive to replace one of the two New Jersey figures in Statuary Hall, Civil War Gen. Phillip Kearny, with a statue of Alice Paul. Harriet Tubmans image was to be placed on the $20 bill this year. The previous presidential administration chose the anti-slavery Underground Railroad conductor for this honor; the current administration is delaying her tribute indefinitely. An image of Burlington County native Paul, who authored a 1923 equal-rights amendment, had been considered for the $10 bill. In some ways, it appears that gender equality is nearing. A record number of females were elected to Congress in 2018. Yet, Afghanistan and America were tied at 76th place 23.6% in the percentage of women in 193 national legislatures in 2019. Female presence is even lower in National Statuary Hall where only ten sculptures of historical figures two from each state are of women. Florida, Arkansas and Nebraska have approved changes to raise that number. Quaker reformer Paul would be the 14th woman, if New Jersey authorizes her statue. As a male instructor of womens history, I say that American Herstory deserves daily recognition. I am always looking for ways to teach She, The People outside my classroom and beyond my campus. Beyond New Jersey, it is fitting and proper that we honor women in a variety of ways. Putting a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt in the Capitol would represent New York State, and all Greatest Generation females. She could stand for the Rosie the Riveters and the women in uniform during World War II. Their service should be recognized to complement Gen. Dwight Eisenhowers statue that honors the men who served. Sculpting Mrs. Roosevelt in her Red Cross uniform could connect the primary author of the Declaration of Human Rights with the Angel of the Battlefield, Civil War caregiver Clara Barton. Barton, who is closely identified with her work in New Jersey, pioneered the path traveled by World War II nurses, Black and White. The story of the upper-class, presidential wife Roosevelt would parallel that of the middle-class, single Barton. Massachusetts, where the American Red Cross founder was born in 1821, would do well to replace Puritan John Winthrops statue Bartons. Statuary Hall is one place to memorialize our heroines; coins are another. Putting the late computer scientist, math Ph.D. and Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, who helped create the COBOL computer language, on the reverse side of a commemorative quarter would promote a female STEM role model. Likewise, placing Judith Resnik on the back of the John F. Kennedy half-dollar designed locally at the Philadelphia Mint would acknowledge religious diversity. The Jewish astronaut who gave her life aboard the Challenger shuttle in 1986 would join on the coin the Catholic president who inspired the 1969 moon landing. Wrote Abigail Adams to John at the Continental Congress: "Remember the ladies. We, the people of the United States, should do that every day. If Alice Pauls statue replaces Gen. Kearnys in Statuary Hall, the general would hardly fade away. The Hudson County town that bears his name, along with a statue of him riding a horse in Arlington National Cemetery, will remain. The generals Capitol Hill memorial could be returned and honorably displayed in Kearny. Michael T. Bedard writes from Mount Ephraim. He teaches African American, U.S. and womens history at the Community College of Philadelphia, and holds a master of public policy and history degree from Rutgers University. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Pastor Adeboye and Foluke Adeboye The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has been praised by his wife, Foluke as he turns 78 years old today. His wife of 52 years, Foluke, took to her IG page to wish him a happy birthday with very kind words. She wrote My dear Boye, you are wonderful, unique, handsome, strong and amazing. Growing old with you takes the sting out of old age. You have brought vast amounts of joy into my life and blessed me in too many ways to count. You have been every thing to me, a friend, a confident, a defender, a prayer partner, a lover. I have no complaints about life with you. Im grateful to God for your 78 years on earth so far and Im happy to have been a part of it. I pray that you are blessed with all the desires of your heart. Happy Birthday my love. #EAA78 SAGINAW, MI A Saginaw woman is heading to prison for running over and killing her cousin. Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III on Monday, March 2, sentenced 42-year-old Akeshia L. Bell to 18 months to 15 years in the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections. Trice gave Bell credit for 76 days already served in the county jail. A jury in November found Bell guilty of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death. The charge was the lesser option of a second-degree murder count, for which the jury did not find Bell guilty. The conviction stems from the death of Cortney L. Shawn Noel, Bells 43-year-old cousin. In a January preliminary examination, Catherine Johnson Noels girlfriend testified she, Noel, and Bell went to a Buena Vista Township bar in the early morning hours of Nov. 3, 2018. The three were drinking and Bell became intoxicated, with the trio then returning to Johnsons house in the area of Janes and South 28th streets, she testified. Noel ended up having a tantrum and lay on the ground, then sat upright in the road, Johnson testified in January. Bell got into her Chevrolet Traverse and drove into the street, striking Noel, Johnson said. Bell turned the Traverse around, came back, exited her vehicle, and touched Noel, telling him to get up, Johnson testified. Bell then gave Johnson a cellphone, which Johnson used to call for help. Noel died of blunt force trauma. Investigators later determined Bells blood alcohol content had been 0.23 percent. In Michigan, a person is legally intoxicated when their blood alcohol content reaches 0.08. Related: Jury convicts woman of causing cousins death in drunken-driving crash Woman testifies she watched as boyfriend was fatally run over by his cousin ANN ARBOR, MI - Members of Ann Arbors police oversight commission forcefully protested what they called a lack of transparency in last months investigation into Police Chief Michael Cox during Monday nights City Council meeting. While former City Administrator Howard Lazarus reinstated Cox after a three-week administrative leave, the immediate fallout includes questions into the investigative process, as well as police department pushback against Cox. Read More: Police unions question Ann Arbor chiefs integrity after investigation The council meeting kicked off with a presentation from Rev. Mashod Evans, a member of the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission and senior pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Evans called the handling of the investigation disheartening. All aspects of it have caused considerable upheaval and concern to people working and living in this wonderful city, Evans said. It is clear that the series of events have harmed many people at some level. As we move forward, we call upon all parties, including ourselves and community members, to take thoughtful and constructive actions to repair the harm that have been done by these events. Cox was placed on administrative leave Feb. 7 over allegations he created a hostile work environment and wielded undue influence on investigations into officers improperly voiding parking tickets. On Monday, both Ann Arbor police unions voiced a lack of confidence in Coxs integrity and leadership ability after the investigation findings became public. Evans pointed out that the commissions effectiveness was diminished, as it was unable to fulfill its oversight duties due to a lack of involvement during the investigation. Should we have been involved in the overview of procedures used to investigate these actions?" Evans asked. "Should we have been involved in any action that came... as a result of that investigation? These questions remain unanswered. The reasons for Coxs leave remained a mystery to the general public for weeks as the investigation was conducted. Evans said the gap in transparency was filled with racialized speculation. Commission Chair Lisa Jackson expressed similar sentiments during Coxs leave, lamenting what she called weaponized speculation against Coxs character. Read more: Police oversight commission laments weaponized speculation over Ann Arbor police chiefs leave ICPOC became a public forum where people could express their grave concerns about a process that is perceived as racialized, Evans said. We have been a landing point for people with serious misgivings about the repeated lack of transparency on the part of city government. Read more: City Council, oversight commission in the dark on Ann Arbor police chiefs leave Lazarus and Cox have disagreed on the nature of the administrative leave and the timing of the disclosure of the allegations against the chief. Cox and his attorney Nick Roumel have said the chief wasnt notified of the accusations against him until nearly two weeks after he was placed on leave. Lazarus disputes that, saying he told the chief on Feb. 7 why he was placing him on administrative leave. He said he raised specific concerns made by employees during a meeting. The oversight commission wasnt informed of the allegations into Cox until Tuesday, Feb. 24, 17 days after Lazarus placed Cox on administrative leave. Lori Saginaw, a past chair of the police oversight commission chair, said reactions to Coxs leave have reflected tensions over inclusiveness" in the city. During my time on the (commission), I came face to face with the two Ann Arbors, she said. The inclusive one, which includes my zip code where I have lived for 46 years, and the other Ann Arbor. Could the oversight commission be a step to bringing those two together? ... That was my hope. It has not come easily, because of how power and privilege hold onto power and privilege. Council Members Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, and Jane Lumm, I-2nd Ward, who serve as the City Council liaisons to the commission, both expressed appreciation for Evans and Saginaws powerful and valuable insight. After public commentary, City Council voted unanimously to accept the results of the investigation, Coxs response to it and the conditions under which Cox was ordered to return to work. Read more: Ann Arbor police chief to return to work, with conditions and lingering disagreements Mayor Christopher Taylor read a statement welcoming Cox back while also praising the police officers that voiced concerns about Coxs alleged intrusion into internal investigations. In the end, I continue to be proud of our police department up and down the line, he said. With respect to our chief, I have renewed gratitude for his thoughtfulness and sincerity and his deep commitment to community. I also have great admiration for command staff. These men and women came forward at substantial professional risk to ensure that the system worked, to ensure that the internal investigation was on the level, to ensure their workplace was free from retaliation. They couldve looked the other way, but they didnt. Read more: Ann Arbor police chief to return to work, with conditions and lingering disagreements Ann Arbor city administrator fired in 7-4 council vote Results of Ann Arbor police chief investigation to be discussed Friday Chandigarh, March 3 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said he has asked Advocate General Atul Nanda to examine in detail the high court order with respect to constructions in the catchment of eco-sensitive Sukhna Lake here. In an informal interaction with the media here, the Chief Minister said his government had received a copy of the judgment and the Advocate General would examine the order and make his recommendations. The state government, said Amarinder Singh, would take whatever decisions, legislative or judicial, needed to resolve the issue. "We stand by the people and will do everything to protect their interests," he said, in response to a question. Recognising the Sukhna Lake as a legal entity, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday ordered demolition of all unauthorised structures in the catchment area around it within three months, while imposing a fine of Rs 100 crore on both Punjab and Haryana. A Chemical Reaction Remembering the Days: A UofSC Podcast Episode 3 When Professor Richard Brumby asked his chemistry students in 1850 to attend extra lectures, you'd have thought by their agitated reaction that he had asked them to jump off of a cliff. What resulted was a mob scene, a textbook bonfire and suspension of nearly the entire junior class of students at South Carolina College. Show notes Learn more about student riots and rebellions at South Carolina by signing up for one of South Caroliniana Librarys monthly Historic Horseshoe Walking Tours, where youll also find out about the founding and construction of South Carolina College, and about early student life on campus. Transcript A chemical reaction Old Fossil, he said, Go!, but it was no use you know! Old Fossil, he said, Go!, but it was no use you know! Its the sound of a college campus protest Old Fossil, he said, Go!, but it was no use you know! or at least how we imagine the students at South Carolina College might have sounded one hundred seventy years ago when they got angry with a chemistry professor. The Junior Class, swore at last: Be damned if they would go! Im Chris Horn, your host for Remembering the Days, where we amble across the Horseshoe and take a stroll down more than 200 years of memory lane at the University of South Carolina. If youve listened to other episodes of this show, you already know that the student body here in the first half of the 19th century was a lively group. And in 1850, there was an incident one of several that occurred back then that demonstrated just how excitable the students could become. Heres the scoop: Richard Brumby was a chemistry professor at South Carolina College, the precursor of todays university. In the history books about the college, it seems that Brumby was one of the most unpopular faculty members. The students nicknamed him Old Fossil, and if they had had RateMyProfessor.com back then, its certain they would have labeled Brumby and his chemistry class as Awful. In the late spring of 1850, Professor Brumby had been sick for a few days and missed several classes. He wanted to get the junior students caught up on the material and so he had what he thought was a modest proposal. A religion professor was traveling for a few days and since all of the junior students were enrolled in that professors course as well, Brumby directed the students to come back to his chemistry class at the appointed time for the religion lecture. That way Brumby could double up on the chemistry lectures and get everyone caught up. Sounds reasonable enough. But the students werent having any of it. Heres Elizabeth West, our resident historian and the Universitys Archivist. West: The junior class actually organized, there was a meeting with President Preston who attempted to defuse the situation. The students claimed that Professor Brumby did not have the legal right to force them to attend his class during another professors time periods. And so they were at an impasse... Whoa, wait the professor didnt have the legal right to make them attend extra classes? Well, OK. So then what? West: The students did have a very violent reaction. This was the junior class of the school, and so they decided they would burn their chemistry textbooks in protest. President Preston made an attempt to calm the situation but he actually had to give up and leave because the students were so upset. It was a rather frightening situation. William Preston, himself an 1812 graduate of South Carolina College, was the president of the institution at that time, and he described what happened following the faculty meeting at which the students declared their refusal to attend Brumbys extra class sessions. We had hardly adjourned, before I saw the Chemical Text Books, which the members of the junior class had devoted as a solemn sacrifice to the flames. The junior class is entirely broken up. West: President Preston was trying to defuse the situation but his appeals fell on deaf ears and so he ultimately left the scene and eventually the students dispersed on their own but the result was pretty much the entire junior class was suspended. Wow, your professor asks you to attend extra lectures for a few days. You refuse and then get suspended, so you burn your textbooks in protest. I know this guy Brumby wasnt the most lovable of professors, but it still seems like a disproportionate response from the students. I was curious to find out what would happen if students were to do the same thing today. So I talked to Alisa Liggett, the executive director of student conduct at the University of South Carolina. For the past 22 years shes been working with students who sometimes havent made the most mature decisions. She says the 1850 Brumby incident with the textbook burning, if all of that happened today probably no one would get suspended, but the students would likely end up on her doorstep in the Office of Student Conduct. Liggett: If its your own book, today, you can burn it as much as you want to. It comes down to if its your own property, who are you really hurting and whether or not it affects the university. You could absolutely get suspended for starting a fire, but usually if its in an open space and it can be contained were gonna talk about how to address it in a more adult way first. For as long as colleges and college students have existed, college students havent always chosen wisely their courses of action. The good news is that the folks here in the Office of Student Conduct understand that everyone is human and, unless a student has done something really bad, theyre probably going to get a second chance. Liggett: This may come as a surprise to people but we really want to be student advocates You have to have as big a heart as your head. So the next time an old fossil asks you to do a little extra work, try not to blow a fuse. As our university motto says, learning humanizes character and, hopefully, it discourages making bonfires with textbooks. This episode is sponsored by the South Caroliniana Library and its monthly Historic Horseshoe Walking Tours. Learn about the founding and construction of South Carolina College, and about early student life on campus including rebellions and riots. The reenacted voice of President Preston was masterfully orated by Thom Harman, and the cacaphonous caterwauling of an 1850 student mob was provided by Peter Schmolze and Kohl Friery. Script consulting by Joshua Burrack. Im Chris Horn see you next time on Remembering the Days, a production of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at the University of South Carolina. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about The Bombay High Court, on Tuesday, suspended the sentence of a 41-year-old senior executive who was earlier convicted by a sessions court in Mumbai for allegedly molesting a minor actor inside a flight in December 2017. The convicted man, Vikas Sachdeva, had approached the High Court against the conviction. The court admitted Sachdeva's appeal and suspended his sentence till the appeal is heard and decided. The court granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs 25000 with two solvent sureties. The court also said he cannot leave Mumbai without the permission of the Dindoshi Sessions court. In January, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment under relevant section of the POCSO for sexual assault with a fine of Rs 25000 and to one year imprisonment under section 354 of the IPC (criminal force to woman with an intent to outrage her modesty). The trial court had granted him bail to allow an appeal. The counsel of Sachdeva told the court that there is no independent evidence to support the case of the victim and that her deposition cannot be relied upon and it has many additions and omissions. The court, while hearing the appeal, also observed that women have a natural gift of understanding the intention behind a man's touch. Justice Prithviraj Chavan stated, "The man will never admit that he did it intentionally. Only the victim can understand and talk about the intention behind his touch." The incident had created a public outrage after the actor put out a video on her social media account alleging that the middle aged man who was seated behind her inside a Vistara flight had moved his foot up and down her back throughout the journey when she was half asleep. Sachdeva had however stated that he was returning home after attending a funeral and was tired and asleep during the journey and the touch was merely an accident. They were seated inside a Vistara flight travelling from Delhi to Mumbai. Sachdeva also claimed that he apologised to the actor for accidentally and unintentionally touching her before deboarding when the actor yelled at him minutes before the flight landed in Mumbai. Three witnesses out of seven which included a passenger and two cabin crew members had told the trial court that Sachdeva was asleep throughout the flight. Although the actor had deposed during trial court proceedings, she had not completed the procedure of identification of the accused in the court. Sachdeva was arrested by the Mumbai police immediately after the incident after a huge public outcry. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times Arvind Kejriwal discusses Delhi violence with PM Modi, demands action against guilty Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a courtesy call after his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won Assembly elections in the national capital. Read more SGPC starts free bus service for Kartarpur pilgrims from Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday launched a free daily bus service for pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur in Pakistan through the corridor from Golden Temple here to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. Read more PM Modi stings Manmohan Singh for Bharat Mata ki Jai barb Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday delivered a sharp rejoinder to ex-PM Manmohan Singh who had recently expressed concern at the slogan of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Read more Tripura CM jabs Rahul Gandhi after comment on PM quitting social media post Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi after the latter criticised PM Modis tweet on quitting social media. Read more Per capita income of Noida residents more than people of Delhi: Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that people living in Noida have greater per capita income as opposed those living in the national capital. Read more India vs New Zealand: Their bowling was more suited to conditions - Sanjay Manjrekar names two bowlers who would have made a bigger impact The Indian seam bowlers were expected to great things in New Zealand, especially when the conditions were skewed so much in their favour. Read more Irrfan on wife Sutapas role in his fight against cancer: If I get to live, I want to live for her Bollywood actor Irrfan has been away from public eye for most of the past two years ever since he was diagnosed with cancer. Read more WhatsApp to get dark theme soon WhatsApp users have been waiting for the company to roll out the dark theme on its app and web-based interface for almost a year now. Read more Alexander Graham Bells Birth Anniversary: Facts you should know about him Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the invention of the first working telephone in 1876. Read more Woman thinks she has poop stains all over her. Its not what it look like A woman was left baffled when she woke up to find a brown substance smeared all over her hair, face, and bed. Horrified, she texted her partner to ask why she woke up with poop all over her and they replied. Read more CBSE Class 12 students in Lucknow found History question paper to be easy and most of the students said they could complete the paper well on time. Overall the students found the long answer questions were easy and one markers were tough. The paper was not very lengthy but students struggled in answering one marks questions as those required in depth knowledge of entire NCERT syllabus, students said. Siddhi Suryavanshi, a student of GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow said Source based questions were easy. Long answer questions were short of content, but paper was not lengthy and we could complete it in time. According to Taroma paper was easy if one has studied the NCERT syllabus in depth. As per Shazeb, the one markers were more difficult to answer as they required detailed knowledge of each chapter and covered the length and breadth of NCERT syllabus. Another student of GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow, Aishanya also found one markers tricky and also picture based question was tough. The students of DPS Jankipuram, Lucknow were satisfied with the question paper. Aishwarya Seth, a student of DPS said: The paper was not too tough and as per the syllabus. I expect to score well. Aliza Siddiqui, student said: The paper was according to the prescribed pattern and as per the NCERT book. I hope to score good marks. Yet another student, Sanskar Agnihotri: The paper was not as difficult as I was expecting. I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but now Im confident of scoring well. Odisha Josika Panda of Kedriya Vidyalaya no. 1, Bhubaneswar said, The questions were pretty good especially the 3 marks and 8 marks questions . Most of the questions were direct. I found the time little short because this year we have a new pattern of question that is 20 questions of 1 mark each and students have to read line by line of NCERT book and its not cakewalk for all the students as we have 3 books covering three periods i.e., Ancient , Medieval and Modern. In one mark question we had picture identification, identification of sayings of great personalities and other dates and names of people . The paper was in its medium difficulty level. While nothing was asked out of the syllabus, the paper was a bit of lengthy. While my set (set 3) was quite easier, others were quite harder. The short answer type questions were ambiguous and it took time to interpret the questions. Since MCQ is a new inclusion this year it was a hard attempt for us.Overall the paper was average and a well attempt, said Bidisha Maharana of Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 BBSR (1st shift) CHANDIGARH Madhusheel Sharma, a student at a government model school at Chandigarh said, It was an easy exam. I got Set A to attempt. I was able to complete around 7-8 minutes before the exam was over. In fact, I took out some time for revision as well. Guminder Gill, a teacher at government model senior secondary school sector 16 said, The question paper was fairly simple, there was nothing unexpected in it. It was easy, many students were able to complete it in time. Some could find the question paper somewhat lengthy but all were able to complete the exams. When asked about the tricky questions, Gill replied that Certain questions in MCQ format were confusing. One such question pertained to the census in the colonial time and another one was on Harappan civilization. He added, Almost all sets had the same level of difficulty, just numbering of the questions is different, rest the level of difficulty was the same. Rajesh Kumar, a student who appeared at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16 said, The paper was very easy, most on the questions were expected. I had studied the sample paper so it made it very easy for me to score. Sheena Sharma, another student added, I am happy with my paper. It was a scoring one. (With inputs from Rajeev Mullick in Lucknow, Debabrata Mohanty from Bhubaneshwar and Srishti Jaswal from Chandigarh) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Arpit Vasavada's gritty 139 propelled Saurashtra to set a challenging 327-run target for Gujarat on the fourth day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final here on Tuesday. Chintan Gaja' fiery spell had brought Gujarat back into contention on the third day, but Vasavada's seventh first-class hundred, and the third this season, swung the momentum in favour of the hosts. Courtesy his ton and handy contributions from Chetan Sakariya (45), Chirag Jani (51) and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (21), Saurashtra recovered from a dismal 15 for five to post 274 in their second innings. They had a 52-run lead and hence the target set was 327. When stumps were drawn, Gujarat were seven for one with opener Priyank Panchal (0) back in the hut. Earlier, resuming the day at 66 for five, Sakariya and Vasavada were going strong before their 90-run sixth wicket stand was broken by a horrible mix-up between the two, which resulted in the former's dismissal. The hosts lost their sixth wicket on 105. Jani then joined Vasavada and played the perfect second-fiddle as the hosts took lunch at 155 for six. Saurashtra's overall lead had by then passed the 200-run mark. Post lunch, Vasavada and Jani kept frustrating the Gujarat bowlers. It was Gaja again, who provided the crucial break-through for the visitors by dismissing Jani in the 84th over. The new ball did the trick for Gaja, as he bowled in the good length area and Jani's outside edge flew to Samit Gohel in the second slip. Vasavasa and Jani added 109 runs for the seventh wicket. Gaja took his seventh wicket when he removed Prerak Mankad (1) at the stroke of tea, which Saurashtra took at 222-8. After Jadeja fell, Vasavada upped the ante but perished in the process. In his 139-run innings, he blasted 16 fours and a six. Considering that it's a worn-out pitch, it would be a tough ask for Parthiv Patel-led side to chase the target on the final day. The winner of this game will clash with Bengal, who made to the summit clash after defeating Karnataka. Brief Scores: Saurashtra 304 and 274 (Arpit Vasavada 139, Chirag Jani 51; Chintan Gaja 7/71) v/s Gujarat 252 and 7/1. Gujarat need 320 runs to win. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pro-life Fashion Brand partners with the Largest Christian University to share the Culture of Life message Gallup recently released its annual public opinion poll on abortion, and the results are in. This poll shows younger generations seem to be getting more pro-life. Generation Z and Millennials were more likely to call for Roe v. Wades overturn than older survey respondents. Our youth are growing up looking at photos of their brother or sisters 12 week ultrasound in 4-D on the fridge at home. They know that their mom is carrying a child and not a blob of tissues. They understand that the death of 60 million innocent children since Roe V. Wade is the largest Human Rights issue in the history of the world. Stated COL1972 President Carla DAddesi. Carla DAddesi and her Gen Z daughters started the one and only pro-life fashion brand to build the Gen-Z and Millenial Life Tribe and have a voice for life in the fashion arena. Their fashion brand, COL1972, gives back 100% of their profits to pro-life organizations. The brand launched in January 2019 for Sanctity of Life month. The brand has had great opportunities to share their prolife message nationally and internationally. Most recently, COL1972 co-founder Carla DAddesi was invited to Liberty University to speak to 15,000 students about the importance of protecting all life and countering the fashion world for good. She also spoke in more intimate settings with the fashion & business schools. It is exciting to partner with the largest Christian University. I love sharing the vision of our small fashion company that has BIG plans for life. The students were extremely receptive to the concept of using their purchasing power intentionally to give back to the prolife movement. Said Carla. Another survey found that young adults have been trending more anti-abortion over the past decade. And 47% of young respondents, many of whom identified as pro-choice, admitted in a Marist poll that abortion is more likely to do harm to a womans life than good. President Trump has stated that the youth of America are the backbone of the pro-life movement. This years March for Life was heavily attended by high school and college aged kids. Young people bring conviction and enthusiasm to the movement, and that passion is changing the culture. The U.S. abortion rate is at the lowest its ever been, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as the pro-life movement grows, that number will, God willing, continue to fall. COL1972 Fashion brand is proud to be leading for life and doing their part in the fashion arena. The fashion brand may be coming to share their brand on a mission at a college or high school near you. What are you waiting for? Join the life celebration @COL1972official on all social media and COL1972.com. JOIN OUR LIFE TRIBE Culture of Life 1972 is inspired by LIFE! We are a squad, a posse, a tribe, a community. We are thinkers and doers. We are creative and adventuresome. We are generous and strong. We are blessed and bold. We are prayer warriors and faith-igniters who are united by the belief that every life has priceless value and great purpose. Everyone is welcome! Join us! Angrezi Medium Star Irrfan Talks About Wife Sutapa; Says If I Get To Live, I Want To Live For Her The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested a man and his daughter in connection with last year's barbaric terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a paramilitary bus in Pulwama, officials said. The duo, identified as Peer Tariq and his daughter Insha, were flown to Jammu to seek their custody, officials said here. The NIA has taken over the case to probe the conspiracy behind the February 14, 2019 incident, in which Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar rammed his car into a CRPF convoy, killing 40 personnel. The last video of Adil, which was released by the Jaish-e-Mohammed from Pakistan after the terror attack, was filmed at their residence at Hadkipora in Pulwama of south Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gender role, according to Wikipedia, " is a social role encompassing a range of behaviors considered acceptable, appropriate or desirable for people, based on their biological or perceived sex ". Thus, gender role is basically distinguishable between notion of masculinity and femininity, subject to variations. The variations take form of contemporary cultures modifying gendered expectations to their whims. There is ongoing debate as to what extent gender roles and their variations are biologically determined or otherwise socially constructed. Gender role emphasizes socio-environmental impact of historical and cultural influences of a society in bequeathing social norms, values and beliefs among a people. It thus conduces social role theory which proposes social structure as underlying force which distinguishes genders into sex-differentiated behaviors, emanating principle of division of labor. Thus, there are male compatible traits and tasks such as valor, dominance, aggression and labor; and female compatible traits and tasks such as tenderness, compassion, submission and nurturing. In addition, gender role thrives on an age-long, hereditary traditional practice of patriarchy which pre-supposes male dominance in gender-based roles. However, there is an emergent contemporary socio-biological evolutionary theory to support patriarchal principle. Socio-biological theorists such as Alfred Russell w, Steven Goldberg (author of Inevitability of Patriarchy) posit that patriarchy arises as a result of "inherent biology more than social conditioning". This ideology subsumes Common Law family ordinance of "coverture" and is, however, compatible with Islamic Shariah dictates of male supremacy which is adduced to by the Islamic Scripture {Holy Qur'an Chapter 4, Verse 34} "men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one (man) more (strength) than the other (woman), and because they (the former) support them (the latter) from their (livelihood) means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard". An evolutionary socio-biological theory of patriarchy, Bateman Principle propounded by Alfred Russell Wallace, sees womenfolk as a social resource (offspring production) over which men folk compete. The former before succumbing to the latter undergoes selective pressure in considering his economic potentiality in order to safeguard her well being and her offspring's. This in turn spurs men folk to undergo economic pressure by competing for scarce economic resource. A classic case of gender role is gender stereotype. This is a widely accepted judgment or "bias" about a person or group in accordance with certain characteristic traits such as personality traits, domestic behaviors, occupations, physical appearances etc. Gender stereotypes reinforce archetypal traits of gender based roles which are connoted by terminologies such as hyper-masculinity and hyper-femininity. The latter denotes exaggeration of stereotyped behaviors typical of feminine such as passiveness, naivety, gracefulness; the former denotes exaggeration of stereotyped behaviors typical of masculine such as aggression, ambitiousness, insensitivity. Socio-constructionist theory (of gender role) is a modern-day postulation which reinforces gender identity as counter-measure of gender role. This theory asserts gender roles are created by individuals (actions) within a social system, rather than having inherent nature of their own. Gender identity, according to Yogyakarta principles drafted by International Legal Scholars (2006)," refers to each person's deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with sex assigned at birth, including the person's sense of the body and other expressions of gender". This (gender identity) can either be cis-gender or trans-gender. The former identifies with cultural and conventional gender roles; the latter does not identify with cultural and conventional gender roles. Trans-gender identity, otherwise referred to as gender-queer is having gender identity which aligns with elements of both male and female and spurs atypical gender roles (unconventional behavioral actions) by individuals presenting with such attributes. This is possible because human beings are susceptible to social change and acceptance. It is, however recognized that gender-queer individuals might have a transformed perception of gender identity which is only short-lived (gender-fluid). Emanating from trans-gender identity syndrome, arose feminine activism, commonly referred to as feminism. A classic off-shoot of feminism, of all times, is women's suffrage activism which is a right movement of a woman to vote and to run for office. In broad terms, it is used for economic and political reform movement, without restrictions and qualifications such as property ownership, tax payments or marital status. It sprang up as a protestation movement to discrimination against social rights of women, especially political participation. Hitherto, women were not accorded political right of participation in decision making process of policies affecting their lives. Historically, the movement was first undertaken by two French women in the names of Antoine Condorcet and Olympe de Gouges in the late eighteenth century (1780s-1790s) as an advocacy for participation of French women in elections. Subsequent to this, women's suffrage movement came into global limelight through collaborative efforts of two frontline American women who were advocates of women's rights in the names of Elizabeth Stanton and Susan Anthony. By their efforts, they organized Conventions, initially on regional scale, dedicated to liberation of status of women. The first of which was called Seneca Falls Convention (1848) which was attended by 300 delegates and from which resolutions were taken. Later, it metamorphosed into national outlook National Women's Rights Convention with wider participation of delegates. At this point in time, women were still subject to the Normans' legal doctrine of coverture which binds a woman in marriage to her husband and the former was regarded to a "minor". At the height of their movement, the duo organized Women's Loyal National League (1863) which collected up to 400,000 signatures on slavery abolition. Similarly, they collaborated with yet another women's rights advocate by name Lucy Stone and then formed a joint organization, National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) in 1890. These two movements served as a formidable avenue for American White women to present a common front of advocacy for woman suffrage right and other discriminations against women. Classic examples of such discriminations were disruption of National Women's Rights Convention in 1852 and the dishonorable conduct meted out to female American delegates to world anti-slavery convention held in Central London, who were refused seating right. This thus led to subsequent formation of international organizations to coordinate affairs of women suffrage movement such as International Council of Women (1888) and International Woman Suffrage Alliance (1904). Ideologically, women suffrage movement evolved as two distinct ideologies: liberal and radical. Liberal suffrage movement ideology centered on evolutionary political system in effecting constitutional and amendments toward recognition of participation of women in political decisions. Foremost advocates of this ideology were Elizabeth Stanton and co who proclaimed a Declaration of Sentiments, Grievances and Resolutions in 1848 at Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. Radical suffrage movement ideology emerged as relentless advocacy for immediate governmental implementation of political right of womenfolk. A foremost advocate of this ideology was Emmeline Pankhurst who was founder of the militant organization Women's Social and Political Union (1903) which had as it's movement slogan, Deeds not Words. Emanating from the socio-political movement of these amazons, came resultant effects or outcomes in terms of recognition of women's suffrage by various independent colonies and countries. Historically, it is recorded that recognition of woman suffrage came in phases of restrictive and full implementation. The restrictive implementation came by way of conditional recognition of right of women to participate in political affairs such as property possession, tax payment or matrimonial status as pre-conditions for right of voting or running for office. The first recorded "self governing" colonies granting restrictive implementation of woman suffrage were the Isle of Man (1881) and Wyoming Territory (1869. The full implementation came by removal of all barriers and conditions to equal participation of women and men in political circles. The first recorded British colonies granting full implementation to woman suffrage were New Zealand (1893) and South Australia (1894) which later transformed to Federation of Australia in 1902.Subsequently, this right was recognized by the United Kingdom (1918); United States of America Nineteenth Amendment Bill (1920); France (1944); Greece (1952); Switzerland (1971). On the international scene, advocacy for woman suffrage was launched into international lime-light by United Nations. In 1948, Human Rights Commission of the body under chairmanship of Eleanor Roosevelt adopted a universal declaration of human rights which has under Article 21 (1) "everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives". Similarly, in 1979, a multi-lateral adoption of universal suffrage was signed into by countries around the world under aegis of the United Nations known as Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The most conspicuous impact, in terms of resultant benefit of woman suffrage, is political emancipation of womenfolk such as franchise right and other constitutional roles. Thus, womenfolk can vote alongside men folk counterparts and can occupy offices. In fact, womenfolk have been widely criticized to either wipe out voting power of men folk by out-voting them or double it (in cases of married women). In common cases, pioneer woman suffrage advocates usually mobilized their franchise rights into bloc votes to push for progressive feminine related social policies such as Divorce Act, Child Welfare Act, Family Allowances Act, Equal Pay Act, Women's Parliamentary Rights Act etc. The foregoing is a clear testimony to the fact that woman suffrage movement is ideologically based as opposed to partisan politics practice. It is very instructive to buttress this historically proven manifestation that woman suffrage movement leaned most to progressive ideology for advancement of women's rights rather than party affiliations. One fundamental distinctive characteristic of early and latter day advocacy for women's rights could be seen in the antithetic ideology between the two: the former favors progressive policies and the latter party politics. In the early advocacy of woman suffrage movement, it was formed to use "franchise to create purer, more moral maternal common wealth". As a matter of empirical evidence, global ascendancy of womenfolk to top-most politico-economic levels in terms of sitting at "corridors of power" {political offices and board rooms) is infinitesimally inconsequential at "2% and 10%" respectively {Wikipedia}. Another study paints a more graphic picture of family earnings and spending analogy by revealing that men earn 61.5% of all global incomes but spend 25% on domestic spending; women earn 38.5% of all global incomes but spend 75% of domestic spending. In fact, the study shows much of their spending is on themselves, aside family welfare. What this suggests is that there is contemporary misplacement of women's liberalization struggle from ideology to individual identity. This is convincingly evidential in contemporary partisan politics which gives "equal rights" to both man and woman. This is climaxed in the Beijing Declaration of Affirmative Action for Women in 1985. By this, women have become more vociferous and audacious in the struggle for power, oblivion of what to do with power. In my continent of Africa, this is a most difficult problem we are contending with, of women aspiring to political offices without adequate preparations and requisite qualifications. All they aspire are official designation and perks of offices. This is especially true of so-called First Ladies in Africa whose only legacy are phantom pet projects purportedly meant for social welfare with no consequential resultant effects. For instance, successive First Lady pet projects in Nigeria such as Family Support Program, Better Life for Rural Women, Future Assured Project thrive on media propaganda and just cater for a handful of beneficiaries without wide-spread impact. This similar trend of uneventful performance in office with respect to gender related politics focused on womenfolk is witnessed in dedicated ministries such as Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. It only exists as a governmental ministry without palpable value and effect. In a recent media reportage {coverage} that featured the substantive Minster, Sarah Paulen, she could be seen and heard clamoring for more allocation of funds for proper functioning of her ministry. The latest on African soil with respect to beneficiaries of political "equal rights" advocacy could be seen in the North-Central region of Nigeria, precisely Kwara State. The Governor, Abdurrahman Abdurazak recently appointed up to 56% female commissioners who have just been sworn in. As a resident and citizen of Kwara State, I have not seen any appreciable impact of this woman dominated cabinet and I doubt to see such. This writing will close by reiterating to our women-folk that progressive social policies lie at the root of woman suffrage movement which they freely enjoy today rather than pomp and pageantry. But if they can not impact meaningfully for the betterment of society, they better retreat and maintain their traditional gender role of morally catering to family life positive values. Sherif Jimoh wrote from Kwara State The country is preparing for an economic slowdown from the impacts of the coronavirus and amid a fast-evolving situation authorities may ramp up measures to battle the virus if more people fall ill. Nonetheless, the government is as of yet not advising that this month's St Patrick's Day parades or other large public events be cancelled. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe warned Cabinet colleagues that Ireland is sensitive to external economic conditions. While it is too early to say exactly how the economy would be hit, Mr Donohoe told ministers that a global slowdown in growth is likely to have negative consequences for the Irish growth, the labour market and public finances, government sources confirmed. Mr Donohoe will discuss the greater impact of the virus with EU counterparts today. The government will also draw up estimates for any slowdown when it updates the EU on budgetary plans next month. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said a slowdown in global growth would most likely be a blip, a slowdown in growth that would rebound or bounce back. He said any impacts on Ireland's economy would depend on what happened in China as that country made up 10% of global trade and 20% of the world's GDP. But he also outlined how health authorities could alter policies in the days ahead if more people fall ill. But there is a moderate to high risk of more cases. A small percentage of those people may get very sick. "But it is important to bear in mind that at this stage we only have one confirmed case in Ireland and that case was an imported case. So the actions that you see taking place in other countries, are not necessary in Ireland at this stage. So there will be no panic but there will also be no complacency. Coronavirus: 'Fast evolving situation' will be reviewed on day-to-day basis, Varadkar says Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the policy of containment with the spread of coronavirus may change to one of mitigation in the weeks ahead. Following a Cabinet meeting, he said it is a fast evolving situation and it will be reviewed on a day-by-day basis. Minister for Education Joe McHugh with Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar with Minister for Health Simon Harris talking to the media in Government Buildings about the Covid-19 coronavirus. Picture: RollingNews.ie However, ministers have agreed that large public gatherings, including this month's St Patrick's Day parade, should not be cancelled. Ministers today were also briefed about the economic impacts of the virus and its spread around the globe. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told colleagues at the meeting that the spread of coronavirus could impact on economic growth. However, this would be a "blip" and the economy would "bounce back". Education Minister Joe McHugh said health authorities are liaising with schools and that guidance has been issued to them about what to do in the event of any suspected cases of the virus. A special Cabinet sub-committee on the virus will meet next Monday to again assess developments. Mr Varadkar stressed that there has only been one infection here. But he admitted that a policy of containment may develop in the coming weeks to mitigation if patients need to be treated. He also said that guidelines and criteria for mass gatherings are being considered. When asked about the St Patrick's Day parade on March 17, he said the government is currently not advising anyone to cancel gatherings. A minimum of 5,000 koalas are estimated to have perished, representing 12% of the NSW population Up to two-thirds of the population lost due to drought, bushfires and man-made causes over the last three generations 5.1 million hectares has been burned in NSW, over 18 million hectares across Australia One-third of the combined NSW North Coast & South East Queensland bioregions have burned. Period of analysis: 15 weeks, 1 October 2019 to 10 January 2020 , with a further addendum soon to follow through 10 February to , with a further addendum soon to follow through 10 February Climate change and resulting bushfires pose an immediate, ongoing and significant threat of extinction to the NSW koala population A global call for action: Seeking emergency uplisting from Vulnerable to Endangered classification of NSW koalas The report quantifies the impacts of recent fire events on koalas in the context of broader population trends across NSW over the past three generations of koalas.ii Nearly 5,000 koalas are estimated to have perished in this time, nearly 12% of the population.iii This estimate is deliberately conservative and real losses are likely to be higher.iv Up to 66% of the population has been lost over the past three generations.v A further Addendum to be submitted with the report will cover the time period 10 January to 10 February and final numbers are expected to be even more dire. The report concludes that there is an immediate, ongoing and significant threat of extinction to the NSW koala population, making it eligible for a provisional listing as Endangered on an emergency basis under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.vi 5.1 million hectares (12.6 million acres) have burned across NSW; over 18 million hectares (44.5 acres) across the country. This is equivalent to the size of England and Wales. Not yet taken into account in are the many hundreds of thousands of hectares of otherwise unburnt koala habitat that has previously been rendered unsuitable through water stress and loss of food sources associated with the drought. With climate change and high frequency fire only likely to increase, there are significant challenges for the longer-term survival, and for many populations the chances of recovery are unlikely. Seven of Australia's combined bioregions were impacted by the fires, with the combined 'NSW North Coast & South East Queensland' bioregions collectively having 29% of their entire land surface burned. The fires have severely impacted many Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS).vii Alongside legal consultation from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) on the tools available to increase protection for koalas in NSW, IFAW has submitted a nomination to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, co-signed by Friends of the Koala, Humane Society International (HSI) and Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. "Koalas were already living on the brink before these fires, with populations declining in many areas due to excessive land clearing, disease and roadkill and local extinctions already known to have occurred. This disaster and the ongoing nature of the threats could push koalas over the edge," says Josey Sharrad, IFAW Wildlife Campaigner. "This is a koala emergency. Koalas must be immediately up listed to Endangered on an emergency basis and a moratorium on all harmful activities impacting koalas enforced to allow surviving populations some breathing space while their capacity to recover is further assessed." Citizens around the world can make a difference today by heading to ifaw.org and asking the New South Wales Environment Minister, Matt Kean, to up-list NSW's koalas from Vulnerable to Endangered on an emergency basis. About The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) ifaw.org The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations, and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. Press Contacts: Australia United States Stacey Hedman Rodger Correa Acting Communications Manager US Communications Director m: +61 0460 624 418 m: +1 202 834 6637 e: [email protected] e: [email protected] i A Review of the Conservation Status of NSW Populations of the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) leading up to an including part of the 2019/20 Fire Event. ii Conducted by examining historical koala records and then through explicit data overlays of the fire-grounds as burned over a 15-week period from 1 October 2019 to 10 January 2020. iii Baseline estimate of NSW population is based on recently published studies using a process of expert elicitation to derive population estimates for relevant Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) areas within NSW (Adam Hosking et al 2016 updated by Rennison & Fisher in 2019). Total population size was calculated as 54,284. The greater proportion (approx. 65%) of the estimated NSW koala population collectively occurred within the NSW North Coast, South Brigalow & Nandewar bioregions, with the South East Queensland bioregion not specifically accounted for. Instead of a focus on numbers per se the review focuses on estimated proportional changes brought about by recent fire events whilst also giving consideration to changes over preceding generations, in order to place the results in the appropriate International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) legislative context. iv A conservative mortality estimate of 70% was used. v Several ARKS were data deficient meaning it was not possible to make reliable estimates of population trends in these areas. If as a worst case scenario, these ARKS are no longer functional in terms of supporting resident koala populations, this has the potential to increase overall population decline that has taken place by an additional 37.43%. Based on this consideration, the report concludes that the NSW koala population has declined by at least 31.45% (lower bound) to as high as 65.95% (upper bound) over the three most recent koala generations, inclusive of the fire events up until 10 January 2020. vi In NSW the koala is currently listed as a Vulnerable species in Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Koalas are not currently listed as an Endangered species in Part 2 of Schedule 1, nor are they a Critically Endangered species in Part 1 of Schedule 1. Therefore this species is eligible for provisional listing as Endangered on an emergency basis, conditional to satisfying the requirements of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 as being subject to an immediate, ongoing and significant threat of extinction in the foreseeable future. The emergency listing would last for two years while the species is assessed under the usual listing process in Part 4 Division 3, to determine whether it ought to be listed as endangered or critically endangered. vii A total of 48 ARKS were identified across NSW as part of the NSW Government's Saving Our Species (SoS) Iconic Koala Initiative. Approximately 5% of NSW is within an ARKS and these areas are consequently considered to be the current best estimate for the location of the majority of koala source populations. This initial process identified what appears to be the functional extinction of koalas from within the 'Murray-Darling Depression' and 'Mulga Lands' bioregions, as well as substantive declines from the 'South East Corner', 'Brigalow Belt South & Nandewar' and 'Cobar Peneplain & Riverina' bioregions. SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare Related Links http://www.ifaw.org Many credible news organisations have had to shut down or downsize in the face of free content, while their place is taken over by fake news Sydney: Australias only national newswire will be shuttered after 85 years of operation, with around 180 staff told Tuesday their jobs will end in June. Staff gathered on the newsroom floor at Australian Associated Press headquarters in Sydney were told a drop-off in subscribers in the face of free online content meant the company was no longer viable. This decisions been made with very heavy hearts. Its been made on an economic and financial basis, chief executive Bruce Davidson said following the announcement. The newswire will close at the end of June while its subediting business Pagemasters is set to close at the end of August. The decision to close the wire needs approval from its owners Nine, News Corp Australia, The West Australian and Australian Community Media. The announcement prompted concern about whether there would still be adequate scrutiny of democratic institutions. All news outlets have relied on AAPs network of local and international journalists to provide stories from areas where their own correspondents couldnt go, from the courts to parliament and everywhere in between, said Alexandra Wake a journalism expert at RMIT University. Originally founded by media baron Keith Murdoch in 1935, AAP became a central source of news for major outlets in Australia and overseas. The unprecedented impact of digital platforms, such as Facebook and Google, taking content and distributing it for free had forced its closure, the company said in a statement. Ten LSU students are remaining off campus after returning from trips abroad. Most of the students recently visited Italy for various academic programs, university spokesman Ernie Ballard said. Doctors from across Louisiana have called the Office of Public Health hotline frequently since the coronavirus outbreak, which was first discovered in Wuhan, China. The virus has infected more than 92,000 people and claimed more than 3,100 lives worldwide. LSU has already canceled a spring trip to China and has brought back 10 students on exchange programs in Italy back to the state. Those students will self-isolate for 14-days, said Ballard. In an interview Tuesday, LSUs interim President Thomas Galligan said school leaders now meet daily about the coronavirus and will likely cancel all study abroad programs to level three countries, which currently include China, South Korea, Iran and Italy for the spring and summer. 'EBR has experience in emergency situations': Health officials prepared for coronavirus cases Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome addressed the public Tuesday morning to discuss how Louisiana health officials are preparing for the stat Senate President Ahmad Lawan says Nigerian leaders need prayers to perform their duties. The Senate President said this on Monday while speaking at a mass held for the late Ignatius Longjan, senator representing Plateau south who died in Abuja at aged 75. Lawan said Nigeria needs prayer because we need to have a very peaceful, secured and safe country. We need prayers as a country and as a people. We cannot ask for this at a better place. We need to have a very peaceful, secured and safe country, he said in a statement issued by Ezrel Tabiowo, his media aide. Read Also: PDP Declares 7-Day Prayers, Fasting To Restore Ihediohas Mandate Prayers can do a lot of things. Prayers can make leaders perform. So, Nigerian leaders need prayers so that we remain focused on ensuring that we discharge our obligations and mandates to create the kind of country that all of us desire. We may see things we dont want to see today, but the power of prayers can change so many things for the better. We shouldnt despair. It is sad we are going through this, but we can overcome it. May Almighty God help us overcome our tribulations. Sweden has nine new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Tuesday, taking the total to 24, the country's Public Health Agency said. In the majority of confirmed cases in Sweden, the infection can be traced to Italy, Swedish radio reported. On Monday, the health authority raised its assessment of the risk of a widespread outbreak in Sweden to "moderate" from "low", and the risk of imported cases and of Swedish citizens being infected abroad to "very high" from "high". Swedish-Danish airline SAS on Tuesday suspended flights to the north of Italy, Europe's worst-affected country, after saying demand had slumped to the region. Sweden reported its first confirmed case on Jan. 31. For some time, Chris Matthews has been a voice of occasional sanity on MSNBC, thanks to his old-fashioned blue-collar Democrat roots. However, it's also been apparent for some time that, after more than 21 years of fronting Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC, Matthews is no longer in sync with MSNBC's more woke values. Still, it was a surprise when, on Monday, Matthews opened the show by quitting...and then walked out during the commercial break, leaving his co-hosts almost speechless. Matthews was always an odd fit at MSNBC. An old-fashioned Kennedy Democrat who used to work as a police officer with the Capitol Police in D.C., he got his start in politics working as a speechwriter in the Carter administration before moving on to be chief of staff to Tip O'Neill. In the early 2000s, he surprised people when he said, "I'm more conservative than people think I am...I voted for George W. in 2000." Still, Matthews was all in for Barack Obama, predicting in 2004 that Obama would be president. In 2008, Matthews famously said that when he heard Obama speak, "I felt this thrill going up my leg." Unfortunately, like other Democrats, especially those of the older generation, Matthews had a habit of denigrating women. In 2011, a study claimed he showed misogyny toward Hillary Clinton. (Or maybe he just acknowledged what became obvious in 2016, which was that she was a horrendous candidate.) In 2017, word broke that, in 1999, CNBC (his former employer) settled a sexual harassment claim on his behalf. But that was before #MeToo, so...whatever. The walls started to close in on Matthews in February, when he said it was dangerous that Bernie Sanders seemed so enamored of Fidel Castro. "I believe if Castro and the reds had won the Cold War, there would have been executions in Central Park and I might have been one of the ones getting executed and certain other people would be there cheering." The last straw came after Bernie started winning primaries, when Matthews referenced France's fall to the Nazis in 1940 as a metaphor describing the way in which Bernie Sanders had completely destroyed the Democrat primary field. Matthews clearly wasn't calling Bernie a Nazi. He was just trying to say Bernie's victory was complete and that, as to the other candidates, "it's over." The woke mob, however, was "awokened." Woke mobsters demanded that Matthews be fired. Things got worse when political journalist Laura Bassett got in on the act. In 2017, she had written an essay about her own #MeToo experience with "a famous broadcast journalist" who had dared to flirt with her. (The monster!) Bassett was so overcome by his remarks that it "undermined my ability to do my job well." (It's questionable whether someone so emotionally fragile and so anxious to jump on a victim bandwagon can ever do anything well, but that's a philosophical question for another day.) With Matthews now a woke mob target, though, Bassett found the courage to name names: it was Matthews! On Monday, recognizing the handwriting on the wall, Matthews quit, but, to give him credit, he did it with style. In the first minutes of his show, he made a short announcement. "I'm retiring. This is the last Hardball at MSNBC." He explained that he loved the work and his audience, but "after conversation with MSNBC, I decided that tonight will be my last Hardball." He claimed that the "younger generation is ready to take the reins." He also apologized for making comments that offended people like Bassett. Then, when the show went to commercial, Matthews walked off the set, leaving behind a shaken Steve Kornacki: And here's the shot when the commercial break ended and the camera cut to a stunned Steve Kornacki, who was obviously not prepared for Chris Matthews' announcement, nor to fill in the hour of airtime when #Hardball would usually run. pic.twitter.com/idqhwvi3rl Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) March 3, 2020 Matthews was correct that the young people are in charge now. Despite the fact that older guys like Matthews had a hard time breaking old habits when it came to women in the workplace and may have gone far beyond clumsy flirtation the reality is that having a younger generation isn't always a blessing. It was, after all, the young generation that spearheaded Mao's deadly Cultural Revolution. But no matter how vicious the new generation is, they'll never have Matthews' wacky elan. He was truly one of a kind, right down to the way he quit his longtime billet at MSNBC. [March 02, 2020] Kinsta Hires Tax and Finance Industry Veteran R. D. David Young as Chief Financial Officer LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinsta Inc., a premium managed WordPress hosting provider, announced today the appointment of R. D. David Young as Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel ("CFO & GC"), effective March 2, 2020. David holds Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from Villanova University, as well as a bachelor's degree in accounting. He brings more than 23 years of professional experience in the legal and finance fields to his new role at Kinsta. As CFO & GC, David will advise the board on corporate structuring, oversee finance and accounting operations, and ensure global tax compliance. During his career, David has specialized in taxation, international transactions, finance, and management consulting while serving in professional roles at Ernst & Young, Pepper Hamilton, Raytheon, KPMG, and in his own private consulting practice. In addition, David has served as an adjunct professor of international tax in the Masters of Science in Taxation program at Northeastern University. Mark Gavalda, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "David brings the experience and vision needed to properly structure Kinsta for growth as our customer base continues to expand all around the world. "David is someone we've worked with as outside tax counsel for well over a year, and we're thrilled that he's agreed to join our company in an official capacity. He's a respected attorney, deeply knowledgeable about international transactions, and his addition to our company demonstrates our commitment to building a fundamentally sound and sustainable business." Commenting on his new role, David stated, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to add nearly a quarter-century of multinational business experience t the very talented team at Kinsta as we grow in support of our clients around the world." Kinsta co-founder and former CFO Tom Zsomborgi will become Kinsta's Chief Business Officer and continue to bring his years of industry experience to bear on Kinsta's product and marketing initiatives. About Kinsta Inc. Kinsta is one of the fastest-growing WordPress hosting providers in the industry and was the first to be powered by Google Cloud Platform. They utilize GCP's lightning-fast "premium tier" network, and users can choose from 21+ data centers. Kinsta hosts all types of sites, from small blogs to large scale Fortune 500 customers. Kinsta's auto-scaling and container technologies allow for complete isolation of resources, ensuring your business stays online during traffic surges. They pride themselves on consistently being one of the first to release the latest software, such as PHP 7.4. Review Signal (an independent hosting review site) awarded them "top tier" performance five years in a row. Kinsta offers 24/7 support 365 days a year from their team of expert engineers. They are developer-friendly, offering support for complex installations such as Bedrock, reverse-proxy configurations, with tools such as SSH and WP-CLI on all plans. For more information about Kinsta and their WordPress hosting solution, visit kinsta.com or email [email protected]. Related Images kinsta-cfo-r-d-david-young.jpg Kinsta CFO R. D. David Young Related Links Kinsta website About Kinsta View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kinsta-hires-tax-and-finance-industry-veteran-r-d-david-young-as-chief-financial-officer-301014668.html SOURCE Kinsta Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Another year, another round of state funding cuts for nearly 200 New Jersey school districts. Gov. Phil Murphys latest school funding plan takes a collective $155 million from 194 districts the state thinks receive too much funding. And the cuts are getting deeper. More than 25 districts will lose at least $1 million as the state shifts aid to districts considered underfunded, according to the states school funding formula. Districts losing money have experienced changes, such as declining enrollment or a growing tax base, that mean they need less funding, according to the state. But the explanation brings little solace to districts that have approved union contracts and made long-term spending plans based on the funding they thought they would receive. Here are the 10 districts that would lose the most, ranked by the largest dollar decrease, followed by the largest percentage decrease. Dollar losers 10. Howell: -$2.8 million Proposed aid: $28.2 million Percentage decrease: 9% 9. Neptune Township: -$2.9 million Proposed aid: $27 million Percentage decrease: 9.7% 8. Jackson: -$3.5 million Proposed aid: $43 million Percentage decrease: 7.5% 7. Old Bridge: -$3.9 million Proposed aid: $38.3 million Percentage decrease: -9.2% 6. Brick: -$4.2 million Proposed aid: $27.2 million Percentage decrease: 13.3% 5. Pemberton: -$4.6 million Proposed aid: $73.5 million Percentage decrease: 5.9% 4. Asbury Park: -$5.2 million Proposed aid: $44.6 million Percentage decrease: 10.4% 3. Toms River Regional: -$5.3 million Proposed aid: $57.9 million Percentage decrease: 8.4% 2. Freehold Regional: -$5.8 million Proposed aid: $40.7 million Percentage decrease: 12.4% 1. Jersey City: -$55.3 million Proposed aid: $324.4 million Percentage decrease: 14.6% New Jersey is reducing state funding for 194 school districts.EJA Percentage losers 10. Logan: -15.9% Proposed aid: $4 million Dollar decrease: $748,846 9. Great Meadows Regional: -16.3% Proposed aid: $4.3 million Dollar decrease: $837,393 8. North Warren Regional: -16.9% Proposed aid: $3.7 million Dollar decrease: $746,081 7. Ocean: -17.1% Proposed aid: $4.9 million Dollar decrease: $1 million 6. Dennis: -17.5% Proposed aid: $4.3 million Dollar decrease: $910,510 5. Hopatcong: -17.7% Proposed aid: $7.9 million Dollar decrease: $1.7 million 4. Stillwater: -17.7% Proposed aid: $1.3 million Dollar decrease: $273,829 3. Knowlton: -18.4% Proposed aid: $1 million Dollar decrease: $226,190 2. Weymouth: -19.5% Proposed aid: $1.6 million Dollar decrease: $394,130 1. Seaside Heights: -22.3% Proposed aid: $830,171 Dollar decrease: $237,594 Note: Lists do not include non-operating school districts. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. 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. UN Commissioner for Human Rights files application with Indian top court to join plea challenging the controversial law. New Delhi, India India has defended its controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an internal issue after the United Nations rights body approached the countrys top court challenging the legislation. On Monday, UN Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHRC) Michelle Bachelet informed India that her office has filed an application urging the Supreme Court to make the UN body a third party in a petition filed by a former civil servant against the law. Our permanent mission in Geneva was informed yesterday [Monday] evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that her office had filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court of India in respect to the 2019 CAA, Indias Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement on Tuesday. The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi [rights] on issues pertaining to Indias sovereignty, said Kumar. The CAA makes it easier for religious minorities from three neighbouring Muslim-majority countries who came to India before 2015 to get Indian citizenship but not if they are Muslim. Coupled with the ongoing National Population Register (NPR) and a proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), Indias Muslims, who form nearly 15 percent of the countrys 1.3 billion population, fear the steps are aimed at marginalising them. KS Dhatwalia, Principal Director General of Indias Press Information Bureau, however, said that NPR was a planned and scheduled process that started in 2010. I would like to inform you that National Population Register, as an exercise, is coupled with the process of decadal census and was introduced by the Congress led United Progressive Alliance government under the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The current updating of NPR is a planned and scheduled process, he said in a letter to Al Jazeera. The NPR is a list of residents in the country both citizens and non-citizens while NRC is the list of citizens. Though the government has denied any links between NPR and the contentious NRC, critics fear the data collected for the NPR may be laying the foundation for deciding citizenship. Opposition leaders as well as some allies of the ruling party have expressed apprehension after the government introduced new clauses in the NPR exercise that requires furnishing of new documents such as date and place of birth of parents. Critics say millions of Indians will find it difficult to furnish date of birth certificates. Nearly a dozen Indian states have said they wont implement NPR in the current form, demanding that it should be implemented in its 2010 form. Nearly 140 petitions have been filed by Muslim groups, opposition parties and activists, who say the law violates Indias secular constitution. The Supreme Court is due to hear the pleas next week. Academic and legal expert Faizan Mustafa told Al Jazeera the Supreme Court may end up hearing the UNHRC application. As a UN member, we are bound by our pledge under Article 56 of the UN charter to uphold fundamental freedoms of all people. We cannot discriminate on the basis of religion, he said, adding that the UNHRC move may damage Indias reputation. Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 2, 2020 The UNHRC application also came as India on Tuesday summoned the Iranian envoy in New Delhi over tweets by Irans Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, condemning the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. Kumar said a strong protest was lodged against the unwarranted remarks by Tehran, adding that they were not acceptable. UN application after Delhi violence Since the passage of the CAA on December 11, hundreds of thousands of people across India, led mainly by Muslims and students, have been protesting against the legislation. So far, the violence against the law has killed more than 75 people across the country. Last week, in the worst communal violence in decades in the national capital, at least 47 people were killed and more than a 100 wounded as groups chanting Hindu nationalist slogans torched mosques and dozens of Muslim houses. Many Muslims abandoned their homes in the areas hit by the violence and took refuge in shelters set up by voluntary relief workers or moved to their relatives houses. The violence took place after a series of hate speeches were made by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, some of whom warned Muslims to wind down peaceful sit-ins or face consequences. Videos shared on social media showed Delhi Police officials forcing injured Muslim men to sing the national anthem, and in some cases, smashing CCTV cameras in violence-affected areas. Unfazed by criticism, Indias Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month said his government stands by its CAA decision despite all the pressure. Chinese enterprises participating in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have been widely praised for overcoming tough conditions caused by the novel coronavirus epidemic and making steady progress in BRI related projects. While the outbreak forced many local companies in Cambodia to shut down, the wastewater treatment sub-project in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, has not been suspended, said an employee who works at the projects construction site. The precautionary measures taken by Beijing Urban Construction Group Co., Ltd. (BUCG), the company behind the project, have been reassuring, said the employee, disclosing that BUCG provided face masks, protective materials, and safety education for every worker at the site. BUCGs efforts to keep the projects construction going on as normal while at the same time ensuring the safety of personnel amid the epidemic has shown that Chinese enterprises have a sense of responsibility, noted a female local staff member in charge of government relations for the project. I believe China will defeat the epidemic. The Chinese side has injected confidence into the project through practical action, she said. Chinese companies have overcome many difficulties in the construction of the project, making an important contribution to infrastructure construction in Siem Reap, said an official with the Department of Public Works and Transport in Siem Reap province. According to the projects contract, the construction company has the right to stop work and claim compensation from the owner in the event of an epidemic. But considering the importance of the project and urgent need to treat wastewater in Siem Reap, the Chinese side decided to continue construction and even promised to complete the project ahead of schedule, disclosed the official, who is also an executive in the management team of the projects owner. The novel coronavirus epidemic has created major challenges for construction, as some workers involved in the project who returned to China for the Spring Festival holiday were unable to return on time, and goods and materials purchased from domestic suppliers in China could not be transported to Cambodia because of the epidemic. As part of its effort to continue making progress in the project, BUCG quickly recruited and trained local workers, and found substitute sources in Cambodia for materials that the project ran short of, in a bid to minimize the impact of the epidemic. On Feb.23, the extension to Sri Lankas Southern Expressway was officially opened to traffic, with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attending the projects ribbon cutting ceremony. The extension to the Southern Expressway is 96 kilometers in length, linking capital Colombo and several other cities in the country, including Matara, Galle, and Hambantota. The expressway extension also shortens the time required to drive from two major ports in the country to its two major airports from five hours to two hours, significantly boosting the main transportation network, logistics, and tourism sector of Sri Lanka. In fact, after the outbreak, a local administrative assistant of the Sri Lankan branch of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, one of the projects Chinese contractors, was initially a little worried, as the project was near completion and there were concerns about whether the schedule would be affected by the epidemic. However, quick response measures taken by the company gave effective reassurances to everyone involved in the project. Posters were quickly put up on notice boards at the construction site, sharing information on the novel coronavirus and ways to protect against it, such as disinfecting office areas and vehicles used in the project, asking workers to wear masks, requesting that returned personnel stay under quarantine in separate rooms, and having peoples body temperatures taken twice a day. Work has not been affected by the epidemic, according to an environment engineer at the project, who added that Chinese companies have also actively cooperated with local health authorities, invited health and epidemic prevention personnel to promote knowledge on prevention and control of the epidemic on site, and collected information on hospitals that can receive suspected cases of novel coronavirus infection. As well as dispelling worries and doubts about the epidemic, the measures also ensured progress in the project, said the engineer. Chinese companies did their best to reduce the negative impact of the epidemic on the project and ensured that the expressway extension was opened to traffic on schedule, said an official with the Road Development Authority of Sri Lanka, who was also a representative of the owner of the project. Chinese companies have shown a sense of responsibility and strong ability to mobilize, the official noted. Beyond Meat head Ethan Brown on Monday reaffirmed the company's mission to expand its manufacturing capabilities to Asia, despite potential headwinds associated with the novel coronavirus outbreak that has disturbed global commerce. "Right now is a moment in time for us. It's an opportunity for hyper growth, so I'm looking very seriously to Asia," the chief executive and president said in a sit-down interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer on "Mad Money." "I made a commitment that we're going to be producing in Asia by the end of this year. We'll do that regardless of, I think, of this health epidemic occurring right now." Beyond Meat wants to open production facilities in Asia in 2020 in an effort to penetrate the market in China, which has the world's second-largest economy. The company already sells its faux-meat products in Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. What Beyond Meat sees in China is an opportunity to take advantage of a market that has opened up, given that the African swine fever has depleted the country's pork supply, which more than doubled pork prices near the end of 2019. China represents a golden opportunity to sell plant-based pork products for Beyond Meat. "I came out of the fuel-cell industry. If there had been a disruption to the internal combustion engine manufacturing infrastructure where 25% disappeared overnight, we'd be going bananas trying to leapfrog and put hydrogen or electric drive technology in its place," Brown said. "That's our opportunity right now. We have to be active in China, regardless of what's going on" with the novel virus epidemic. Outside of the Asian region, Beyond Meat expects to have a new European production facility in partnership with Zandbergen World's Finest Meat up and running by the end of March, Brown added. The Netherlands plant will be the company's first outside of the U.S. Brown, who founded the plant-based meat producer, which markets the Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage, a little over a decade ago, compared the company's growth to that of Amazon's in the early days. Beyond Meat is sacrificing near-term profits to reinvest in growth, he explained. "I am very similar to what Amazon did in terms of reinvesting and continuing to grow," he said. In its fourth-quarter earnings report Thursday, Beyond Meat beat sales estimates $98.5 million versus $81.2 million but missed earnings estimates. The company reported losses of 1 cent per share when analysts were seeking a profit of 1 cent per share, according to FactSet. Revenue at the meat substitutes company more than tripled in the three-month period from the year prior, though the stock sold off on the quarterly results. The decline coincided with the coronavirus-induced market sell-off. The stock plummeted another 15% on Friday. "This is a time of hyper growth. I've ruled out nothing. We're looking at potentially acquisitions in the supply chain or adjacencies," Brown said. "We are doing everything we can right now to grab as much market share as we possibly can. That's the right focus for our business." Beyond Meat shares surged more than 7% to $96.10 in Monday's session. The stock is nearly 139 points off its all-time closing high in July. Iranian gov't confirms 23 lawmakers tested positive Iranian authorities said Monday 66 people have died of COVID-19, with a total of 1,501 confirmed cases. At least 23 Iranian members of parliament have tested positive for coronavirus, an official said Tuesday. ADVISER OF IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER HAS DIED ON MONDAY "As of now, 23 members of parliament were tested positive," Parliament Deputy Speaker Abdul Reza Misri said in a statement. He said that meetings between lawmakers and citizens were suspended due to health concerns. The global death toll from coronavirus has crossed 3,000. The World Health Organization, which already declared the outbreak an international health emergency, updated the global risk level to very high. Dubai's ruler is challenging a London court decision to publish judgments relating to a legal battle with his estranged wife over their children's welfare, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday. Britain's highest court said it had received "an application for permission to appeal" from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum in the case. "This application arises out of proceedings relating to the welfare of two children, principally the arrangements for contact with their father," the court said in a statement. "Their parents are the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and his former wife. The issue that the Supreme Court is asked to decide is whether two judgments given by the president of the Family Division (of the High Court) in those proceedings should be published." The application will be heard by three judges. No date was given for the hearing. Sheikh Mohammed, 70, applied to the High Court for the summary return to Dubai of his two children with Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, who is the half-sister of Jordan's King Abdullah II. She applied for them to be made wards of the court and one of the children to be made subject to a forced marriage protection order. Princess Haya, an Olympic equestrian competitor who is reportedly Sheikh Mohammed's sixth wife, applied for a separate non-molestation order for herself. A forced marriage protection order can be used to help someone who is being forced into marriage or who has been subjected to one, according to the British government. They can be sought by the person in question, a relevant third party or anyone else with the permission of the court. The orders can stop a person from being taken out of Britain for a marriage to which they have not consented. Three judges at the Court of Appeal last week dismissed Sheikh Mohammed's claim that judge Andrew McFarlane should not publish two rulings in the case, which was heard in private. McFarlane presides over the family division of the High Court of England and Wales. Appeal court judge Nicholas Underhill said Princess Haya and several media organisations opposed a further challenge to the decision to the Supreme Court by the sheikh, who is the founder of the successful Godolphin horse racing stable. But he gave him until Tuesday to apply for permission to take the appeal to Britain's apex court. Underhill said the appeal "raises questions both about what is in the best interests of the children and about how to balance that, if necessary, against the right of the press to report matters of public interest". Reporting restrictions on McFarlane's rulings remain in place until the Supreme Court gives its judgment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations on Tuesday appealed for nearly USD 900 million to help hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees and vulnerable host communities in Bangladesh this year. The UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration and other partners launched a joint appeal for USD 877 million (789 million euros). The money would go "to respond to the needs of approximately 855,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and over 444,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in the communities generously hosting them," they said in a statement. The requested funds would go to cover vital services like food, shelter and sanitation, as well as healthcare, education and protection services, it said. Bangladesh and Myanmar have already signed a repatriation deal to send back some Rohingya to their homeland -- but safety fears mean very few have agreed to return. Bangladesh's Deputy Foreign Minister Shahriar Alam told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that his country expected the international community to push harder to ensure movement on the deal. "We expect the UN member countries to do more and work closely and to do everything possible to put pressure on Myanmar to take their citizens back in a manner...that is safe, voluntary and dignified," he said. The Myanmar military launched a ferocious crackdown against the country's Rohingya Muslim population in 2017, which UN investigators called genocide, driving around 740,000 into neighbouring Bangladesh. Thousands are suspected to have been killed in the crackdown and refugees brought widespread reports of rape and arson in Rakhine state by Myanmar's military and local Buddhist militias. The military denies nearly all wrongdoing and insists its operations were justified in order to root out Rohingya insurgents. The UN pointed out that this year marks the third year of exile for most Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. One issue blocking returns is a lack of clarity around whether the long stateless Rohingya could be provided full Myanmar citizenship. "More important than anything else is clarity on the path to citizenship," Grandi told reporters in Geneva. "There needs to be clarity in the minds of the refugees of what that means in order for them not to be discriminated and to get eventually full integration in their own country, in their own society," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [March 02, 2020] Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024 | Demand for Additive Manufacturing to Boost Growth | Technavio Technavio has been monitoring the fiber laser market and it is poised to grow by USD 8.33 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 11% 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/20200302005720/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Jenoptik AG, MKS Instruments (News - Alert) Inc., NKT Photonics AS, OMRON Corp. and TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Demand for additive manufacturing has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Fiber Laser Market is segmented as below: Application Material Processing Advanced Application Healthcare Others 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=IRTNTR40230 Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our fiber laser market report covers the following areas: Fiber Laser Market Size Fiber Laser Market Trends Fiber Laser Market Industry Analysis This study identifies technological advances in fiber lasers as one of the prime reasons driving the fiber laser market growth during the next few years. Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the fiber laser market, including some of the vendors such as ABB Ltd., Amonics Ltd., Coherent Inc., FANUC Corp., IPG Photonics (News - Alert) Corp., Jenoptik AG, MKS Instruments Inc., NKT Photonics AS, OMRON Corp., and TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the fiber laser 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 Fiber Laser Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist fiber laser market growth during the next five years Estimation of the fiber laser market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the fiber laser market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of fiber laser market vendors Table of Content PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Preface 2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Value chain analysis Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market outlook Market size and forecast 2019-2024 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION Market segmentation by application Comparison by application Material processing - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Advanced application - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Others - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by application PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Technological advances in fiber lasers Focus on sustainable manufacturing Focus on inorganic growth PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Coherent Inc. FANUC Corp. Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. IPG Photonics Corp. Keopsys Group Lumentum Holdings Inc. Maxphotonics Co. Ltd. nLIGHT Inc. TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG Wuhan Raycus Fiber Laser Technologies Co. Ltd. PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO 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/20200302005720/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 1. Adding travel history to patient evaluation could help to prevent spread of coronavirus Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M20-0643 URL goes live when the embargo lifts A commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine recommends adding travel history to the patient evaluation to identify risk for potential exposure to CoVID-19, or coronavirus. Typically, clinicians assess temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure during a physical examination. Adding a fifth "vital sign" could help to prevent spread of geographically-linked emerging infectious diseases, such as CoVID-19. The authors of a commentary from the Division of Infectious Disease and Geographic Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center say that lessons from SARS, MERS, and Ebola suggest that early case identification through ascertaining travel history is critical to protect both patients and those caring from them. In 2014, a patient presented to a Dallas emergency department after returning from Liberia with low grade fever, abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, and headache. The patient had Ebola, but clinicians did not include travel history in the patient's vitals and the diagnosis was missed. In the first 6 weeks of the current epidemic, the number of cases of CoVID-19 has surpassed those of SARS and MERS, raising questions about strategies to control the spread of infection. Available data specific to CoVID-19 suggest that screening and restricting travelers may have limited impact on containment. The authors argue that patients' vital signs are immediately powerful indicators of how urgently they need care and what path to take. A simple, targeted travel history can help clinicians put symptoms of infection in context and trigger more detailed history, appropriate testing, and rapid implementation of protective measures. Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To reach the lead author, Trish M. Perl, MD, MSc, please contact Remecka Owens at remekca.owens@utsouthwestern.edu. 2. Pharmacotherapy ineffective for treating cannabis use disorder Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-1105 URL goes live when the embargo lifts Available evidence suggests that several drug classes, including cannabinoids and SSRIs, are ineffective for treating cannabis use disorder. Findings from a systematic review are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, from 2002 to 2014, the prevalence of daily cannabis use in the United States nearly doubled. The potency of readily available cannabis has also increased, while public perception of cannabis harms has decreased. With increased use among the general population and a high prevalence of cannabis use disorder among current cannabis users, an urgent need exists for more research to identify effective pharmacologic treatments. Researchers from VA Portland Health Care System reviewed published research to ascertain the benefits and risks of pharmacotherapies for the treatment of cannabis use disorder. Across 26 trials, the evidence was largely insufficient to determine whether medication could help treat cannabis use disorder. The researchers found low- to moderate-strength evidence that buspirone, cannabinoids, and SSRIs were ineffective for decreasing cannabis use or improving abstinence. Evidence was insufficient to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of all other drug classes. The researchers noted that overall, the evidence base was limited because small number of studies investigating most drug classes, small sample sizes, nearly universal high attrition rates, and other methodological flaws in nearly half the trials included in the review. They conclude that more research in this area is urgently needed. Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. Questions regarding this research should be directed to Dan Herrigstad at Daniel.Herrigstad@va.gov. 3. Flu vaccine may not decrease hospitalization or mortality among elderly persons Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-3075 URL goes live when the embargo lifts Influenza vaccination rates increase sharply at age 65 with no matching decrease in hospitalizations and mortality rates in this population. These findings suggest that current vaccination strategies prioritizing elderly persons may not be as effective as previously thought. Findings from an observational study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Many Western European countries focus influenza vaccination efforts on high-risk groups, such as elderly persons, because they bear much of the burden of influenza-related morbidity and mortality. In contrast, epidemiologic models suggest that vaccinating children - a group likely to transmit influenza - may protect high-risk groups more than vaccinating the high-risk groups themselves. Deciding between the two strategies depends on the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in reducing hospitalizations and mortality among elderly persons. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Clemson University used an objective observational research design called regression discontinuity (pretest-posttest program-comparison) to determine the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in reducing hospitalizations and mortality among elderly persons. They studied data from patient surveys and administrative records for adults aged 55 to 75 years residing in England and Wales from 2000 to 2014. They found that while turning 65 was associated with a statistically and clinically significant increase in rate of seasonal influenza vaccination, no evidence indicated that vaccination reduced hospitalizations or mortality among elderly persons. The estimates were precise enough to rule out results from many previous studies. These findings suggest that vaccination programs focusing on elderly patients may require supplemental strategies to effectively reduce morbidity and mortality in this population. Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To speak with the lead author, Michael L. Anderson, PhD, please contact Julie Gipple julie_gipple@berkeley.edu. 4. Severe fatty liver disease a potential complication of checkpoint inhibitors Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/L19-0635 URL goes live when the embargo lifts Clinicians identified a rare but serious potential adverse event associated with the use of the immune checkpoint inhibitor, nivolumab. Severe fatty liver disease with high blood triglyceride levels may occur, even in patients with normal body weight taking this medication. Findings from a case report are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Giving patients checkpoint inhibitors, which are antibodies directed against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and similar proteins, has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, especially malignant melanoma. However, this therapy is known to cause many serious but treatable immune-related adverse events. Recently, clinicians from the University of Tubingen and the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Germany detected a yet unknown cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a lean woman being treated with nivolumab for skin cancer. The authors believe the immune checkpoint blockade therapy may have triggered inflammation of her subcutaneous fat. The researchers report the case of a 45-year-old woman with malignant melanoma, a skin cancer, effectively treated with the nivolumab. Towards the end of treatment the patient had very high levels of lipids, a newly developed diabetes, and a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This was completely unexpected, particularly because the patient had lost 31 kg of body weight. Tissue biopsy of her subcutaneous fat and magnetic resonance imaging showed acquired lipodystrophy with a severe form of inflammation of her fat, which may have been triggered by the function of the checkpoint inhibitor. Intensive treatment with pioglitazone resulted in her liver fat, liver enzymes, and lipid levels returning to almost normal values. Clinicians treating patients with checkpoint inhibitors should be aware of this newly-identified adverse event. Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To speak with the lead author, Norbert Stefan, MD, please contact him at norbert.stefan@med.uni-tuebingen.de. https://twitter.com/AnnalsofIM?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Also new in this issue In the Clinic: Managing Patients with Fibromyalgia Matthew J. Bair, MD, MS; Erin E. Krebs, MD, MPH In the Clinic Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-3262 ### TORONTO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liz Stuart, President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, has issued the following statement on the status of contract negotiations with the Ford government. Catholic teachers across Ontario have been unequivocal in our commitment to protect Ontarios world-renowned publicly funded education system. The Ford government has already reduced classroom spending, and we know what the long-term consequences of their plans will be. As a result of OECTAs bad faith bargaining complaint at the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the public consultation documents the government refused to disclose were finally revealed, and confirmed that Ontarians reject the Ford governments destructive education agenda. As the last line of defence against these cuts, our Association is planning a province-wide full withdrawal of services on Thursday, March 5. However, as we have said all along, our priority remains to negotiate a fair agreement at the bargaining table. To this end, OECTA informed the mediator that we would be willing to resume negotiations on Wednesday, March 4, and to continue to bargain on Thursday and Friday if the discussions were productive. Despite constantly claiming they are available 24/7, and their priority is to keep students in class, the government has yet to accept our offer. Catholic teachers are fed up with this governments games and spin. While our preference has always been to keep details of negotiations at the bargaining table, the repeated misrepresentations by Premier Ford, Minister Lecce, and other members of this government are undermining the bargaining process. It is time to set the record straight. I can only speak for our Association, which exclusively represents elementary and secondary teachers in publicly funded Catholic schools. But for us, the pathway to a deal has been clear for months. Since well before Christmas, the OECTA Provincial Bargaining Team has informed the government that while we strongly object to their unconstitutional wage restraint legislation, and retain our fundamental right to challenge it through the courts, we are prepared to accept the salary they have offered at the bargaining table, in order to bring stability and certainty into our schools for our students and parents. Furthermore, we will work within the funding amount for health benefits the government has proposed at our table as recently as last week. In return, we have called on the government to do what they have always claimed they want to do, which is to put money back into classrooms. This means Premier Ford must move away from his plan to increase class sizes, cut thousands of teaching positions, and eliminate tens of thousands of course options. He must move away from his plan to remove funding for supports for vulnerable students. And he must move away from his reckless scheme for mandatory e-learning, for which the government has absolutely no plans for implementation or how to support student success. In short, the government must reverse their cuts to publicly funded education, and restore teacher staffing to the same level as in 2018-19. The bottom line is that despite the governments rhetoric, negotiations could have been concluded long before Catholic teachers were forced to take any strike action. Instead, the Ford government has chosen to insult teachers and education workers, and distract and confuse the public, all the while insisting that any agreement must include the permanent removal of resources from classrooms. Never again should we hear from Premier Ford or any member of his government about how they are focused on reaching agreements that benefit students. Their claims that they are investing in publicly funded education are simply not true. Time and again they have been given the opportunity to do the right thing, and time and again they have refused. The public sees through the Ford governments agenda, and they support what teachers and education workers are trying to accomplish at the bargaining table. While the government tries to balance their budget on the backs of students, Catholic teachers are making the necessary sacrifices to protect our publicly funded education system over the long term. OECTA once again calls on the government to show they are serious about investing in students, by accepting our fair, reasonable framework, and coming to the bargaining table to work with us to bring an end to these negotiations. - 30 - OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontarios publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12. President Donald Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence (L) and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, speaks during a meeting with pharmaceutical executives to discuss developing a coronavirus vaccine, in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 2, 2020. (Reuters/Leah Millis) Coronavirus Outbreak Shows Importance of Bringing Manufacturing Back to America: Trump President Donald Trump said the COVID-19 outbreak highlights the importance of bringing back to the United States previously offshored supply chains for drugs and gear that we need so badly to fight the spread of the virus. The Trump administrations Coronavirus Task Force met with representatives of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies at the White House on March 3. Trump said steps were already being taken to mitigate the public health risks of reliance on other countries for key drugs and equipment. The coronavirus shows the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America so that we are producing, at home, the medicines and equipment and everything else that we need to protect the publics health, Trump said. That process has already started. We want to make certain things at home. We want to be doing our manufacturing at home. Its not only done in China; its done in many other places, including Ireland, and a lot of places make our different drugs and things that we need so badly, Trump said. At the meeting, pharmaceutical executives told Trump that treatmentsthough not yet vaccinesfor COVID-19 could be ready in months. One treatment, according to Lenny Schleifer, CEO of Regeneron, would reportedly not only treat people who have been infected, but also protect those who have not contracted COVID-19, by supplying them with premade antibodies that vaccines normally produce. If you get immunized with one of these vaccines, youre going to make some antibodies to protect you, Schleifer said. Were going to already make those antibodies and give them to you, so you dont have to go through that whole process. So itll protect you. If all goes well, 200,000 doses per month can come out of our factory in New York, starting in August. A vaccine, according to a top U.S. health official, is still up to 18 months away. A vaccine that you make and start testing in a year is not a vaccine that is deployable, said Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, according to Reuters. So hes asking the question when is it going to be deployable. And that is going to be the earliest, a year to a year and a half, no matter how fast you go. Giant Wake-Up Call Rosemary Gibson, a senior adviser at the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, told The Epoch Times previously that reliance on other countries for life-saving medicines makes the United States vulnerable. This is a giant wake-up call, she said, adding that the coronavirus-related supply-chain disruption has made this vulnerability hit home. During a testimony in July 2019 at a hearing by the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission, Gibson provided details of the depletion of some of Americas pharmaceutical industrial base. The U.S. can no longer make generic antibiotics. Because the U.S. has allowed the industrial base to wither, the U.S. cannot produce generic antibiotics for childrens ear infections, strep throat, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sexually-transmitted diseases, Lyme disease, superbugs and other infections that are threats to human life. We cannot make the generic antibiotics for anthrax exposure, she told lawmakers. The U.S. can no longer make penicillin, Gibson said in her testimony (pdf). The last U.S. penicillin fermentation plant closed in 2004. Industry data reveal that Chinese companies formed a cartel, colluded to sell product on the global market at below market price, and drove all U.S., European, and Indian producers out of business. Once they gained dominant global market share, prices increased. The nations health security is in jeopardy. Besides drug shortage risks, supply chain disruption has resulted in shortages of personal protective equipment, such as N95 masks. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar told Congress on Feb. 25 that the United States has a stockpile of about 30 million N95 masks, but might need as many as 300 million during the outbreak. Ive been preaching the same message since 2007, Mike Bowen, the founder of the Secure Mask Supply Association, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. For fourteen years, Ive warned about Americas foreign-controlled mask supply. Bowen has warned that an epidemic in China would disrupt supplies of masks, and if the outbreak turned into a global pandemic, this would seriously limit the response capability in countries like the United States. Would mask or respirator use by the general public be recommended in such a scenario today even with scientific evidence to support their use? he wrote. With limited U.S. supply, regardless of the science, the answer is certainly a resounding no. A Cover Your Cough campaign will be the only defense. During an interagency call on Feb. 26, officials from HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discussed the possibility of invoking the Defense Production Act for the manufacture of personal protective equipment that can be worn to prevent infection, according to a DHS official. Such equipment can include masks, gloves, and bodysuits. A Devastating Indictment Trade expert Alan Tonelson praised the Trump administrations efforts to reshore key manufacturing capacity. A U.S. economy heavily reliant on vital medicines and their ingredients from an increasingly hostile and secretive China is a devastating indictment of pre-Trump national security and public health policy, Tonelson told The Epoch Times in an email. But the purely economic effects shouldnt be overlooked either, as globalist leaders also encouraged the buildup of China as a huge global manufacturing hub, and thereby exposed Americans to the risk of shortages and other supply chain risks in a wide variety of critical products. The White House is also expected to meet this week with top executives from U.S. airlines and the cruise industry over the impact of the virus to their businesses, two people briefed on the matter said. The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has ticked up in recent days, with 96 confirmed cases and six deaths in Washington state, where a cluster of cases is centered in a nursing home near Seattle. Public health officials have urged common-sense steps to prevent contracting and spreading the virus, such as frequent hand washing and staying home when sick. Reuters contributed to this report. Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to address Nigerians over the recently confirmed case of Coronavirus. Naija News reports that the Federal Ministry of Health had on Friday confirmed the first case of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lagos, Nigerias commercial city. The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed the case in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2020, saying that the case involves an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and just returned from Milan, Italy on the 25th of February 2020. This online news platform understands that the statement said the Italian was confirmed to be positive by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). While many had expected an address from Buhari, he, in a press statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Sunday, asked Nigerians not to panic. The statement further urged Nigerians to observe safety and precautionary measures instead of getting panicked and raising undue alarm as the government had everything under control. He urges Nigerians not to panic about the news of this first case of Covid-19 in our country, as undue alarm would do us more harm than good. Reacting in a post on his Twitter page on Monday, Femi Fani-Kayode said Buhari would have addressed Nigerians if cows were affected by the Coronavirus. He wrote: If cows had been the ones affected by #coronavirus &were dying all over the world Buhari would have done a national broadcast by now & told us that what we are facing is the greatest tragedy in world history. Which type of leader puts the lives of cows before that of human beings? Three more people have died of the new coronavirus in Washington, King County health officials announced Tuesday, and seven more people have tested positive for the illness. A total of 21 people have been diagnosed with the illness in King County, and eight of them have died. Most of the people who died were residents of the LifeCare nursing facility in Kirkland, east of Seattle. Another six people have tested positive for the disease in Snohomish County, where one person has died. Washington has seen a total of 27 confirmed cases of the illness and nine deaths. Another 231 people are being monitored by the state health department. This is a very fluid, fast-moving situation as we aggressively respond to this outbreak, said Jeff Duchin, health officer for Seattle and King County. People with suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19 should reach out to their healthcare provider. As public health professionals, we really appreciate clinicians on the front lines of patient care and they are critical to this response. Two of the deaths announced on Tuesday occurred nearly a week ago on Feb. 26. A woman in her 80s, who was never hospitalized, died at her family home. A man in his 50s died at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Both were residents of the LifeCare facility. There were few details offered on the third person who died, other than that they had been previously diagnosed with the disease. The other new cases reported Tuesday were: A female in her 40s who worked at LifeCare. She was never hospitalized and is recovering at home. A female in her 60s who had a family member with a confirmed case of COVID-19. She has not been hospitalized. A male in his 70s who was a frequent visitor of LifeCare. His hospitalization status is currently unknown. A male in his 20s with unknown exposure. He has been hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah. Another male in his 20s with unknown exposure. He has been hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah. Clark County, just across the river from Portland, is currently awaiting coronavirus test results for eight people. Officials in North Carolina announced their first presumptive case of coronavirus on Tuesday. The infected person had visited the LifeCare facility in Washington before traveling home to North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. Some residents have expressed concern over a lack of testing options, said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. Researchers believe that the virus may have been circulating in Washington for up to six weeks, undetected. The people across my state are really scared. Im hearing from people who are sick, who want to get tested and dont know where to go, she said. Its unacceptable that people in my state cant even get an answer as to whether or not they are infected. Washingtons announcement comes as Oregon works to contain coronavirus within its borders. The state has three presumptive cases of the virustwo in the Portland metro area and a third in Umatilla County. Health officials have said that hundreds of people in Oregon may be infected with the virus. Public health officials in both states, and from the federal government, have said the best protection against the virus is to thoroughly and frequently wash your hands and to stay home if you feel ill. CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE The Associated Press contributed to this report. -- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale Subscribe to our Oregon coronavirus newsletter: The trial will start as planned on March 9, the court said. People showing symptoms of the coronavirus who recently travelled to areas where the illness has spread should not attend hearings in the MH17 airline crash trial starting next week in the Netherlands, officials said. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew. Four suspects, three Russians and a Ukrainian, are set to go on trial in absentia on March 9, Reuters said. Read alsoCBS News: MH17 prosecutor says Russians "haven't been helpful at all" The trial will start as planned on Monday, the court said. "The Dutch judiciary has taken the necessary precautions to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus," a statement said. "However, we advise people who have been to risk areas and are showing flu symptoms or a fever to stay at home." The National Institute for Public Health, known by its Dutch acronym RIVM, said on Tuesday, March 3, six more people had tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, taking the total in the Netherlands to 24. Hundreds of relatives of the victims and journalists have registered to attend the hearings at a special high-security courtroom near Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. The proceedings will be broadcast by video stream. The ruling and opposition members locked horns in the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday on handing over of the sensational murder of two Youth Congress activists in Kasaragod district last year to the CBI. While the opposition Congress-led UDF accused the Left government of trying to derail the probe to protect the CPI-M activists accused in the case, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made it clear that the government had decided to file an appeal as it was not in favour of the single bench's decision to hand over the case to the investigating agency. His statement in the Assembly comes a day after the central agency had accused the state police of not handing over relevant documents for the probe. "The prosecution has taken appropriate action with regard to the case and the government has been extending all help. In the High Court verdict, many observations have been made against which the government has filed the appeal," Vijayan told the house while replying to a notice for an adjournment motion by the UDF, seeking a debate on the issue. The Chief Minister also justified bringing lawyers from Delhi to argue against handing over the case to CBI, saying "it is not a new practise". Vijayan's remark that the issue was not of any "immediate importance" to be discussed in the Assembly created ruckus as opposition members were on their legs in protest. The House also witnessed heated exchanges over some objectionable terms allegedly used by Industries Minister E P Jayarajan during the proceedings. "We are not satisfied with the single bench verdict handing over the case to the CBI. We have all the right to go for an appeal against it. The division bench of the High Court has posted the case for order," Vijayan said. Meanwhile, Shafi Parambil (Congress) alleged that the government and Chief Minister were trying to derail the probe and thus protect the accused, who were CPI(M) party workers. The police was not handing over the case diary and other relevant documents to the CBI as part of this plan, he alleged and hit out at the government for spending a huge amount from the state exchequer to "protect" culprits involved in the shocking crime. After the Chief Minister's reply, the Speaker P Sreeramakrushnan declined leave for the motion, prompting the opposition members to stage a walkout in the House. Two Youth Congress workers, Kripesh (20) and Sharth Lal (24), were hacked to death, allegedly by CPI(M) workers, at Periya in Kasaragod district last year. The central agency mentioned about the alleged non- cooperation by the crime branch wing of state police in the status report of the probe submitted by the CBI Investigation Officer before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here. Observing serious lapses in the police investigation, the court last September handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation after dismissing the charge sheet filed by the crime branch. The parents of the victims had moved the court seeking a CBI probe, saying police investigation was not on the right track. The state government had challenged the single bench order for conducting a CBI probe, but a division bench declined to stay it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service BENGALURU: A 26-year-old television actress has filed a rape and cheating case against a man who claimed to be a film producer. The woman had filed a private complaint with the court, which then directed the Amruthahalli police to register an FIR. According to the complaint, the woman was acting in serials. In 2013, the accused, Sangameshwar Patil (44), a resident of Shapur Nagar in Hyderabad, contacted her over the phone and became close to her on the pretext of offering a role in a movie. In 2013 September, he asked her to come to Hyderabad as there was an opportunity for the role of a heroine. When she went there, he picked her up in a car and took her to a hotel. After drinking a juice, she fell unconscious and when she regained consciousness, she found herself naked and realised that Patil had raped her. When she confronted him, he had tried to pacify her. He had not contacted her for a long time after the incident but called her again in 2014. He asked her to come and meet him in Goa. When she refused, he allegedly threatened that he had her nude photos and videos and that he would upload them to the internet if she did not meet him. Scared by this, she went to Goa, where he allegedly sexually harassed her. There, the complainant asked him to marry her and he had given consent for the same. Even after this, she had gone to Mumbai for a photoshoot and even there he allegedly harassed her again, the police said. The complainant has stated that he was already married and had two children when she checked his e-mail. When she questioned him about it, he allegedly threatened that he will get her murdered by supari killers. A few days later, the wife of the accused contacted her and asked her to come to Hyderabad and they could sort out the issue. When she went there, the couple allegedly filed a false criminal case against her, the police added. Amruthahalli police have registered an FIR against Patil and are on the lookout for the accused. Asserting that peace, harmony and unity are prerequisites for the country's development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP MPs to take lead in ensuring amity in society with their words, mind and deeds, remarks that come amid criticism of his government by the Opposition over Delhi riots. Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi also took a dig at Congress leader Manmohan Singh, saying the former prime minister finds a "bad smell" even in a slogan like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and looks at it with suspicion. At a recent event, Singh had said the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' was being misused to construct a "militant and purely emotional" idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens. Seizing on Singh's remarks, Modi said in the closed-door meeting that similar controversies were created over 'Vande Mataram' during the freedom struggle and singing it was considered a "gunah" (crime) with many people choosing to leave the meetings of the Congress when it was played, sources said quoting the prime minister. "It is unfortunate and sad that 70 years after independence, raising a slogan like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' is being depicted as a crime... It is unfortunate that a person who held the post of prime minister is saying so," Modi said, adding that every patriot will be pained with this. He said several forces are working to destabilise the country and called upon party leaders to work more vigorously for it. He added that political interests are supreme for some parties while national interest is of utmost importance to the saffron organisation. A fight is going on between those wedded to national interest and people preferring party interest over it, he stated, asserting that the country is supreme for the BJP and 'vikas' is its mantra, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters after the meeting. "Vikas (development) is our mantra and peace, harmony and unity are prerequisites for the country's development. We should not merely speak about it but take lead in ensuring peace, harmony and unity," the prime minister said. Emphasising on his slogan of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas and sabka vishwash' (With all, development for all and trust of all), Modi invoked the Sanskrit words of "manasa, vaacha, karmana" to ask party leaders to work for the country's development with their mind, words and action. His call for peace, harmony and unity comes at a time when opposition parties have accused some BJP leaders of making hate speeches which, they alleged, provoked riots in the national capital. The opposition has also sought to corner the Modi government in Parliament over the issue. At least 42 persons have died in the communal violence in the national capital. Keeping 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' on their minds, they should work for the country's development which, Modi told BJP leaders, is supreme. In the meeting, Modi also highlighted the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Kendra, which sells medicines at subsidised rates, and said he would interact with those running over 6,300 such centres and their beneficiaries on March 7. Top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and its president J P Nadda, were in the meeting. A booklet, which carried Modi's speeches in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on discussions on the President's address to a joint sitting of Parliament on January 31, was also distributed to all BJP MPs. Brought out by BJP parliamentary party secretary Balasubrahmanyam Kamarsu, the booklet has been given to the MPs so that they could use its key points for political debates and discussion, the sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rescuers searched through shattered Tennessee neighborhoods for bodies Tuesday, less than a day after tornadoes ripped across Nashville and other parts of the state as families slept. At least 25 people were killed, some in their beds, authorities said. The twisters that struck in the hours after midnight shredded more than 140 buildings and buried people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. The storms moved so quickly that many people in their path could not flee to safer areas. "It hit so fast, a lot of folks didn't have time to take shelter," Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said. Many of these folks were sleeping. The governor declared an emergency and sent the National Guard to the county to help with search-and-rescue efforts. See also: Strong storms possible in parts of Alabama Early findings by National Weather Service survey teams indicated that the damage in Nashville and Wilson County to the east was inflicted by a tornado of at least EF-3 intensity, the agency said. One twister wrecked homes and businesses across a 10-mile (16 kilometer) stretch of Nashville that included parts of downtown. It smashed more than three dozen buildings, including destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church. Another tornado damaged more than 100 structures along a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) path of destruction in Putnam County, wiping some homes from their foundations and depositing the wreckage far away. Daybreak revealed landscapes littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, making many city streets and rural roads impassable. Schools, courts, transit lines and an airport were closed. More than a dozen polling stations were also damaged, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at alternative sites. The death toll climbed steadily as first responders gingerly pulled apart wreckage. Sheriff Eddie Farris said only 30 percent of the Putnam County disaster area had received a hard check by midday. A lot of these homes had basements, and we're hopeful there are still people down in there, he said. In Putnam County, 80 miles (128 kilometers) east of Nashville, trees, vehicles and other loose, heavy items had completely flattened houses and businesses. A van of longtime customers at a local eatery who proudly stated they ate there every morning arrived to help clear debris just as Gov. Bill Lee stopped by to tour the devastation. See also: Photos, videos of Nashville storm damage In one neighborhood, volunteers had found five bodies by Tuesday afternoon. Neighbors and sheriffs officers were still looking for two more. Nashville residents walked around on streets and sidewalks littered with debris, in neighborhoods where missing walls and roofs left living rooms and kitchens exposed. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state, said Lee, who ordered nonessential state workers to stay home and then boarded a helicopter to survey the damage. During the governor's tour of Putnam County, homeowners dug through debris, trying to salvage any items not destroyed. One young woman held up a clean green blouse while standing on a second floor of a home that had no roof. The Red Cross set up a shelter with 50 cots at a church in nearby Cookeville for those left homeless by the storm who had nowhere else to stay, said Anita Murrell, who helps manage Red Cross disaster response volunteers in Tennessee. See also: How you can help victims President Donald Trump spoke with the governor by phone and pledged federal assistance, the White House said. Trump also announced plans to visit the disaster area on Friday. "We send our love and our prayers of the nation to every family that was affected," Trump said. We will get there, and we will recover, and we will rebuild, and we will help them. The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms that stretched from Alabama into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, the twister's path was mostly north and east of the heart of downtown, sparing many of the city's biggest tourism draws the honky tonks of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry House, the storied Ryman Auditorium and the convention center. Instead the storm tore through the largely African American areas of Bordeaux and North Nashville as well as neighborhoods transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the city's trendiest hotspots, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out longtime residents. The dogs started barking before the sirens went off. They knew what was coming," said Paula Wade, of East Nashville. "Then we heard the roar ... Something made me just sit straight up in bed, and something came through the window right above my head. If I hadn't moved, I would've gotten a face full of glass. Then she looked across the street and saw the damage at East End United Methodist Church. It's this beautiful Richardsonian Romanesque church. The bell tower is gone, the triptych window of Jesus the good shepherd that they just restored and put back up a few weeks ago is gone, she said. The roof came crashing down on Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay in the bedroom of their one-story brick home in East Nashville. We couldnt get out, Baldwin said. And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole." The roaring wind woke Evan and Carlie Peters, also in East Nashville, but they had no time to reach the relative safety of an interior bathroom. Within about 10 seconds, the house started shaking," Carlie Peters said. I jumped on top of the ground. He jumped on top of me. The ceiling landed on top of him. ... were grateful to be alive. With more than a dozen Super Tuesday polling places in Nashville's Davidson County damaged, voters were sent to other locations, some of them with long lines. Election officials in Putnam County advised voters in eight precincts with damaged polling locations to vote at the main election office in Cookeville. None of us are yelling at each other, so thats good, said Ryan Rayburn of Nashville, who waited about 90 minutes to vote at the Cleveland Park Community Center, where people were sent after their regular precincts were closed due to storm damage. Damage to the power grid left more than 44,000 customers in the dark. The weather also damaged gas lines, water mains and cellphone towers, making the rescue and recovery efforts much more difficult, authorities said. Schools were closed in Nashville and beyond as families who were suddenly homeless tried to figure out their next steps. Hundreds of people went to a Red Cross shelter at the Nashville Farmers Market, just north of the state Capitol, but a power outage there forced them to move again to the Centennial Sportsplex. The weather also reduced much of the interior of the long-closed Tennessee State Prison in Nashville to huge piles of bricks, the state Department of Corrections said in a tweet. The prison formed the set of The Green Mile and other films. TORONTO, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. (CellCube or the Company) (CSE:CUBE), wishes to provide an update on the sale of Enerox GmbH (Enerox) as well as an update on the Companys audited financial statements. The sale of Enerox to a consortium of investors, as previously reported, is progressing but more time and due diligence is required by the investors. There can be no assurance the investors will complete the transaction, but they continue to fund the ongoing working capital requirements of Enerox, as per the Initial Share Purchase Agreement signed in December 19, 2019. The Company continues to work closely with the investors in hopes of finalizing a transaction in the near future. The June 30, 2019 Audit is progressing towards completion. The main issue with the delay has been the finalization of the Purchase Price Allocations of the 2018 acquisitions of both Enerox and Enercube. The Company is optimistic that the audit can be completed in the next couple of months. If and when the audit has been finalized, the required 2020 quarterly statements, including the management discussion and analysis reports, will also need to be completed. Once these items have been completed, the Company can apply for the lifting of the Cease Trade Order. About CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. CellCube is a Canadian public company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (symbol CUBE), the OTCBB (symbol CECBF), and the Frankfurt Exchange (Symbol 01X, WKN A2JMGP) focused on the fast-growing energy storage industry which is driven by the large increase in demand for renewable energy. For further information please contact: CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. Brett Whalen, Interim CEO and Chairman Email: info@cellcubeenergystorage.com www.cellcubeenergystorage.com (Support Free Thought) - Poplar Bluff, MO There are so many cases each week of police officers getting caught with child porn or sexually assaulting children that TFTP cannot report on all of them. However, the following case out of Missouri is so disconcerting that we felt it was necessary to make a point. Child predators often seek out positions of authority which allow them to carry out their sick desires while garnering the trust of those around them. Poplar Bluff police officer Brandon Michael Hopper was one of these predators. Last week, the 39-year-old was charged with the unclassified felony of first-degree sexual trafficking of a child, the Class B felony of first-degree promoting child pornography and two Class D felonies of possession of child pornography by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor. Hopper was a ten year veteran of the department who had requested and received the position as a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Poplar Bluff Middle School last year. The school district welcomed this child predator to protect young children with open arms, because, after all, his badge made him a pillar of the community. Investigators reportedly received a cyber tip that Hopper was engaged in the transfer of child pornography and looked into the claims. What they found was utterly sickening. After his arrest, Poplar Bluff Police Department stated: The information indicated one of our officers was possibly sharing child pornography. As this involves one of our own employees, we are respectfully requesting the DDCC (Drug and Crime Control Division) handle the investigation. The Poplar Bluff Police Department is cooperating fully with the on-going investigation regarding a now-former employee of its force. The investigation led to the arrest of Amber Longhibler, 28, who was also arrested on Wednesday. She was charged with sexual trafficking of a child, promoting child pornography and four counts of possession of child pornography, according to KFVS. In an interview which took place inside Longhiblers home, investigators said she admitted to taking pictures of a nude 11-year-old girl. Longhibler stated she took the photos at Hoppers request, and sent them to him over the internet, according to KFVS. When investigators searched both cell phones, they reported they found this conversation between the two: Hopper asked Longhilber to: send me some [childs name] pics to trade, obviously no face pics. Longhilber replied: Ill send you what I have. Longhilber then sent two close up photos of a prepubescent female childs privates. According to investigators, when questioned, Hopper admitted to having the images on his phone. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Controls Digital Forensics Investigative and Criminal Investigative Unit examined the school cops phone, they found other disturbing images and videos as well, including a video of an adult male and a four-year-old girl, and a video of an adult male and a 10-year-old girl. We have been advised that charges have been filed against a law enforcement officer employed by the Poplar Bluff Police Department, who was recently assigned in our school system, said Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Scott Dill. We are cooperating fully with state law enforcement agencies as they conduct their investigation into this matter. As a district, Dill said, school officials remain committed to the safety of every student entrusted to our care. If you have any information about this incident, I urge you to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Since his job at the school was relatively new, hopefully he wasnt yet able to harm any children he was tasked with protecting. However, because he was so brazen about receiving the child porn in the first place, it is likely that this was not his first offense. It should also be pointed out that the stories in the local media all referred to Hopper as a former officer arrested for child trafficking and child porn. This tactic is likely used to imply that the crimes were not committed by an actual current cop. However, he was not fired from the department until after he admitted to the crimes and was arrested. It is shameful indeed that blue privilege reaches so deepeven when involving those who prey on children. The Taliban said Monday they were resuming offensive operations against Afghan security forces, ending the partial truce that preceded the signing of a deal between the insurgents and Washington. The declaration comes only a day after President Ashraf Ghani said he would continue the partial truce at least until talks between Afghan officials and the Taliban kick-off, supposedly on March 10. It ran for one week ahead of the signing of the historic accord in Doha on Saturday, and continued over the weekend. "The reduction in violence... has ended now and our operations will continue as normal," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP. "As per the (US-Taliban) agreement, our mujahideen will not attack foreign forces but our operations will continue against the Kabul administration forces." Fawad Aman, deputy spokesman for the defence ministry said the government was "checking to see if (the truce) had ended". "We have not had any reports of any big attacks in the country yet", he added. Since the deal signing on Saturday, the Taliban have been publicly celebrating their "victory" over the US. Under the terms of the deal, foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees and a pledge by the insurgents to hold talks with the Kabul government. The dramatic fall in attacks due to last week's partial truce between the Taliban, US and Afghan forces offered Afghans a rare opportunity to go about their daily lives without fear of violence. Ghani warned the insurgents Monday that he was not committed to a key clause in the Doha deal involving the release of thousands of Taliban prisoners. To combat spread of the coronavirus, the MTA is going above and beyond cleaning and disinfecting its stations and trains, according to Patrick Foye. Train cars and buses will be cleaned daily with the MTAs full fleet being cleaned every 72 hours, said Foye, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. New York has two confirmed cases of coronavirus, one of them a man from Westchester County. Though he has been identified as a commuter, Foye said it is not known if he commuted on Metro-North. So far, Connecticut has no confirmed cases of coronavirus. As of Tuesday afternoon, Metro-North has disinfected 60 percent of its rolling stock, 63 of its stations, Foye said, calling it a Substantial increase in the frequency and intensity in disinfecting. Foye said ridership has not changed since late December when the coronavirus abbreviated as COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China. Though he said he has no hard ridership numbers yet, right now we believe its unchanged. There does not appear to be any increase in bridge and tunnel crossings, Foye said. Metro-North operates New Haven Line service for New York and Connecticut. The New Haven Line was used by 40.4 million people in 2016, according to the MTA. It also operates the Harlem Line, which serves New York and western Fairfield County. Maine Township High School District 207 said that while no cases of the disease connected to its schools have been reported, the district is taking a proactive approach by encouraging staff and students to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with anyone who is sick, and stay home if they are feeling unwell. A DCP of Thane police's crime branch will probe the complaint of rape against former BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Tuesday. The case was earlier being probed by the Palghar district police. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Thane crime branch will probe the case now, Deshmukh told the Legislative Assembly here. A corporator of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation had alleged that she was raped by Mehta. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tourists wearing facemasks in Milan (PA) Since the coronavirus outbreak began late last year, several myths and conspiracy theories have begun swirling online. Often shared widely on social media, many promote bizarre and ineffective treatment methods they claim can cure the disease. While some even speculate that coronavirus may have been created by the Chinese government. The virus has so far been detected in at least 70 countries with 90,000 cases and 3,100 deaths. Here are some of the most widely shared fallacies about the outbreak, according to AFP Factcheck. 1. China created the virus in a lab Several theories circulated online have suggested the disease may have been created as a biological weapon by the Chinese government. But the Russian ministry of health and a team of 27 health experts from outside of China later refuted the claims. The health experts said in a statement in The Lancet: We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. Face masks sold out in Portland, Oregon (Sipa USA) 2. The virus was caused by 5G According to fact-checking website FullFact, one conspiracy theory suggests that a 5G mobile network may have caused the coronavirus outbreak by damaging peoples immune systems. The city of Wuhan in China, the centre of the new coronavirus outbreak, has a 5G network - but scientists have found no link between the new coronavirus and 5G. Public Health England has previously said there is no convincing evidence that 5G adversely affects peoples health. 3. A runny nose isnt a symptom Multiple posted on social media suggested that a runny nose and sputum secretion are not symptoms of coronavirus. The posts claim the disease presents itself as a dry cough without runny nose. Medical authorities in China, the US and the World Health Organization (WHO), however, have listed both as possible signs of the disease. 4. Vitamin D protects against coronavirus Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts claim vitamin D can help reduce the risk of infection. Story continues While vitamin D from sunlight can help boost the immune system, taking supplements cannot help protect against coronavirus. Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Center at Thailands Chulalongkorn University, said: Statements that claim Vitamin D can prevent coronavirus or other viral infections are not true. 5. Anti-malaria drugs have cured thousands A Nigerian newspaper published an article which claimed that 12,552 patients in China had been cured by anti-malarials. The China National Center for Biotechnology Development confirmed the drug has a certain curative effect on the novel coronavirus but did not say it cured 12,552 patients. The drug has reportedly only been used in clinical trials with over 100 patients. 6. Black people are less susceptible Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that a Cameroonian man living in China was cured of the novel coronavirus because he has black skin. A Cameroonian student was successfully treated for the illness, but doctors claim there is no scientific evidence to suggest black people have a better chance of fighting the virus. Ethnicity and genetics have no influence on recovery from the virus, and black people dont have more antibodies than white people, Professor Amadou Alpha Sall, director of the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, told AFP. 7. Dettol products can kill Covid-19 Images published on Facebook appear to show Dettol cleaning products being used to eradicate the risk of coronavirus. While Dettol products can be used to cure other strains of coronavirus which are more closely related to the common cold, they may not work on the Covid-19 strain. FullFact reports that Dettol says it has not tested its products on the new virus since it is not yet available for commercial testing. 8. China euthanised over 20,000 patients A fake article circulated on social media claimed the Chinese government sought approval from the countrys Supreme Court to have 20,000 patients killed to stop coronavirus spreading. The Chinas Supreme Peoples Court has never held a hearing on such a case and the websites which shared the article have frequently been accused of spreading fake news. A man wearing a mask at a restaurant in China (AP) 9. Drinking water can prevent coronavirus Facebook posts shared thousands of times in various countries claim that drinking water can prevent coronavirus. Many posts present the information as health bulletins from the officials in Canada or the Philippines. However, authorities have issued no such advice. 10. Chinese spies stole the disease from Canada Websites and social media users claim that the new coronavirus discovered in the city of Wuhan may have been created in Canada and stolen by Chinese spies. Kyle Bass, a US hedge fund manager, falsely claimed on Twitter that a Chinese spy team sent pathogens to the Wuhan facility in a post that was retweeted 12,000 times. However, the Canadian health and federal police officials say it has no factual basis. 11. Heat can kill the virus Misleading posts appearing in several places online claim that drinking warm water and going under the sunlight are effective preventive practices. One post also states that coronavirus is not heat resistant and can be killed in high temperatures. But there is so far no conclusive evidence to suggest that sunlight kills the virus or that the virus would be less infectious in rising temperatures - according to the World Health Organization. Everything you needed to know about investing in precious metals Gold. Silver. Platinum. Palladium. Precious metals mined from the bowels of the earth, refined and valued for their unique characteristics. Since the beginning of civilization itself, humanity has long held an obsession with what is known colloquially as bling. Nowadays rather than adorning ourselves with beads and seashells, weve turned to precious metal. If one things for certain, its that investors have always turned to precious metals in times of economic uncertainty. Whether its their tangible presence as hard assets or long history as a safe haven, precious metals are a great investment. However, investing in precious metals isnt just about snapping up bars of gold or silver easily. You have to check the future silver price predictions on Currency.com, to make sure your investment is well timed. Theres plenty of research youll need to do before making it big. Fortunately, were here to help and weve put together a comprehensive guide that shows you everything you wanted to know about investing in precious metals. 1. Do your homework first Just like any other investment, youll need to do your own research before jumping in with both feet. While it sounds simple enough, investing in precious metals such as gold and silver isnt as easy as it sounds. Youll have to contend with global price fluctuations and shifting demand. While precious metals are indeed a safe haven investment, this doesnt exempt them from becoming a loss-making investment. All too often, amateur investors are drawn in by the perception that gold is a foolproof investment that guarantees returns. Rather than falling into that trap, do your own market research by studying trends and global economic conditions. For example, it is a widely known fact that during times of economic turmoil, investors often short the US dollar in favor of gold-based assets. Hence a fall in the USD usually signifies a rise in the price of precious metals. Also, always conduct business with a reputable dealer as there are plenty of unscrupulous brokers looking to sell you worthless or overpriced assets. 2. Know what precious metals are on the market Typically, when one thinks of precious metals, its easy to assume that gold is the only type of metal worth investing in. On the contrary there are plenty of different precious metals to choose from. From platinum and silver to palladium, dealers usually have a variety of metals in their inventory that come in the form of either coins or bars. Given the high prices usually commanded by gold bullion, you may even opt for something more affordable such as silver or platinum. Often overshadowed by gold, platinum is one of the most commonly used metals in the world and has been found in industries as diverse as weapons manufacturing and dentistry. Don't buy into the hype that gold is the only precious metal worth investing in, with so many alternatives available, there's no harm starting small. 3. Learn how to invest in precious metals Now that youve learnt how to recognize the variety of precious metals available, its now time to actually get investing. The simplest and most straightforward way to build your portfolio is through actually buying said precious metals. You can choose between purchasing jewelry or investment-grade bullion such as coins or bars. Jewelry is able to serve as both a decorative item and an investment. Alongside this, jewelry made from precious metals are usually more affordable than bullion. Unfortunately, jewelry may not be as widely accepted as bullion which can make liquidation tricky. Besides investment-grade bullion and jewelry, you could also opt for purchasing shares in companies that mine precious metals. While you wont be able to purchase any precious metals physically, shares are significantly more liquid and stand a better chance of appreciating in value. However, as is commonplace on the share market, there is an element of risk involved when purchasing shares which means that youll need to be extra careful. So, there we have it, a list of everything youll need to know about investing in precious metals. Given the uncertainty of the near future, precious metals are sure to be a great investment. By Sumeet Manhas 2020 Copyright Sumeet Manhas - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. AJA Video Systems has announced that it is pulling out of the upcoming annual NAB Show in Las Vegas in April due to worries over the Coronavirus. AJA traditionally has a heavy presence at the kit show occupying sizeable stand space. AJA put out the following statement: It is with a heavy heart that AJA is withdrawing from the NAB 2020 show in Las Vegas due to the risks from the Coronavirus. We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our employees and partners worldwide. While we will miss gathering with our friends and colleagues from around the world, AJA remains fully committed to transitioning all of our planned NAB events (product announcements and demos, channel partner meeting and press conference) to web-based video conferences. We have exciting product news to share, and we look forward to bringing those products to market as planned. AJA is a community-based company with a majority of our staff, product development and manufacturing located in Grass Valley, California and in light of the risks presented by Covid-19, having a physical presence at NAB posed too great of a risk. Share this story Haryana's main opposition Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP-JJP government of harassing the Brahmin community by "snatching" their ownership rights of donated lands. The matter was raised in the State Assembly by party MLA Kuldeep Vats, who was supported by former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is the Leader of Opposition and other legislators. Vats, who staged a walkout from the House and later held a protest outside the Assembly, condemned the alleged conspiracy being carried out against the Brahmin community by the Haryana government. Vats said that the Congress-led state government had bestowed ownership rights of donated land to people of Brahmin community by enacting a law in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha after which as many as 37,836 'Dholidars' and 3,838 'Bhondedars' respectively became owners of more than 14,187 acres and 5,000 acres of land. The Congress leader alleged that the BJP-JJP government has been trying to evict the Brahmin community from their land and snatching away the entitlements of about 50,000 Brahmin families. The previous Congress government in the state had enacted a law in 2011 aimed at vesting property rights of land to Dholidars -- people from the Brahmin community who got this land as gift from landowners nearly a century ago -- for a token compensation of Rs 500 per acre. Notably, the BJP government in 2018 had amended the law barring property rights of panchayat land to Dholidars. The Congress is opposing the amendment. Intervening in the issue, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala informed the state Assembly that as much as 1245 acres of panchayat land was donated to Dholidars. The Haryana government has maintained that only private land can be donated to Dholidars. Dushyant, who also holds the revenue and panchayat department portfolios, challenged Hooda to seek a probe into the donation of panchayat land. "If you demand, the government is ready to order an inquiry into the matter," said Chautala in the House. However, Hooda kept insisting that the government should not take back the land donated to Dholidars. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was due to arrive in Ankara today, part of a diplomatic effort to defuse a crisis brewing on the Turkish-Greek border that could result in a repeat of the mass influx of migrants in 2015 that triggered a sharp populist backlash across Europe. A senior Western official who briefed Al-Monitor on the EUs deliberations said, Theres an intense effort by the EU Commission and the EU Presidential Council to see what can be done and put something together by the end of the week that would basically stabilize the Turkish-European relationship without resolving the struggles in Syria that actually I dont see how Europe could do. Early signs bode ill for a breakthrough. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had spurned an EU offer of one billion euros in extra aid for migrants in Turkey. We dont want this money, he said today. No one has the right to mock Turkeys dignity. Erdogan warned that millions of migrants would soon head to Europe because the EU had failed to honor a 2016 agreement whereby the bloc pledged six billion euros to support the nearly four million refugees currently living in Turkey. Erdogan said Turkey has spent 40 billion dollars on the refugees so far. Turkey began lifting controls on migrants exiting for the EU after a deadly Feb. 27 airstrike on Turkish forces in Syrias Idlib that killed at least 34 Turkish soldiers. The Turkish Defense Ministry announced that its military had downed a Syrian L-49 warplane over the province, where Turkey is battling on the side of Sunni rebel forces seeking to repel a recent Russian-backed offensive. Its the third Syrian warplane to have been downed by Turkey since launching its Operation Peace Shield on Feb. 28. At least a million civilians fleeing regime attacks that have targeted schools and hospitals in Idlib remain massed on Turkeys border, where they are surviving in miserable conditions. Turkey says it cannot take them. UN officials describe their plight as the gravest humanitarian catastrophe to have struck Syria since the start of the civil conflict in 2011. At the same time, around 13,000 migrants, mainly Afghans, have flocked to Turkeys Pazarkule border crossing with Greece, where Greek border guards have violently prevented them from getting through. Turkeys Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced on Twitter today that the number of migrants who had reached Greece via Turkeys border province of Edirne had reached 130,469. The figures are believed to be inflated and the Greek authorities have labeled them dangerous misinformation. Whats the idea behind that? the official briefing Al-Monitor asked. Just to tell that story to a Turkish audience or to increase the push factor toward migrants to make their way to the border, or a combination of both? Its still not clear. Either way, the official noted, Erdogan has very powerful leverage if he decides to use it even more ruthlessly than hes done so far. Numbers do matter. Should the number of migrants on the border swell to the levels claimed by Soylu, it may well prove impossible to staunch their flow. Its a big concern that the Bulgarians have, the official said. Erdogans rebuttal of the EUs financial offer followed a meeting in Ankara on Monday with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who likely relayed the EU offer. Borissov told reporters after the talks that he had urged Erdogan to take part in a trilateral summit Friday in Sofia with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, but that Erdogan had refused. Erdogan's rejection, Borissov said, was based on reports that Greece had shot two migrants dead at the border yesterday. Greece dismissed the report as "fake news. The more likely reason is that Erdogan may be pushing for more money from the EU. He is probably desperate for money. Money is the easiest thing that the EU can offer. Its much easier than getting involved in Syria militarily, said the Western official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely. It remains unclear how much more the EU is willing to part with and what it will take for Erdogan to back down. The official acknowledged, It's quite clear that not every element of the March 2016 agreement has been implemented. It had an element of sending immigrants back from the Greek isles to Turkey. It only happened in a small number of cases. The official continued, There was an element of direct resettlement from Turkey to the EU, which has also been lagging. As you know, theres also been the whole question of visa-free travel in return for reforms of Turkish anti-terror laws [used to quash dissent], and that has been stuck right from the beginning. One of the biggest snags, the official added, is Ankaras demands that the money be disbursed directly to Turkey. There is a pretty clear refutation from the EU Commission's side that says this money needs to be programmed for specific projects and a lot of it has been disbursed, if not all of it. But theres never been a question of paying the money directly into the Turkish budget, as Erdogan suggests you should. Meanwhile, the EU has been internally debating what kind of support should follow once the six billion euro tranche expires. That has been controversial over the past two months and well see what the current dynamic will do to that discussion within the EU, the Western diplomat said. There is a recognition that if you think there is little that you do to help change the situation for the better within Syria, then helping Turkey to cope with the consequences is the right thing to do after all. But blackmailing is not the best way of calling for help. Turkeys economy is looking ever more fragile despite revived growth propelled by controversial stimulus measures, and it is sapping Erdogans popularity. The lira plunged to its lowest level in more than a year following the Feb. 27 carnage. The airstrikes are widely believed to have been carried out by Russia, though Ankara and Moscow publicly blame Assad in a face-saving fudge. Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow March 5 to push for an immediate cease-fire in Idlib. The Western official said, He realizes how bad his negotiating position vis-a-vis the Russian president really is. Now he is turning back to Europe and does it in his own peculiar way by threatening to use migrants and refugees as an instrument of pressure. Turkey has also turned to its NATO ally, the United States, which has until now rebuffed its demands for military support, including for Patriot missile batteries to be deployed on the Syrian border. But Jim Jeffrey, the administrations envoy for Syria engagement, told reporters during a tour of Turkeys Syrian border today that the United States would provide ammunition for Turkish forces. Turkey is a NATO ally. Much of the military uses American equipment. We will make sure that equipment is ready and usable, Jeffrey told reporters without providing further details. Craft, the US ambassador to the UN who traveled with Jeffrey to the border to show American solidarity with the people of Syria, announced $108 million in additional humanitarian assistance. Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Ankara, has been waging a concerted campaign to pull Turkey away from Russia. He has pushed for a no-fly zone over Idlib, as first reported by Al-Monitors Jack Detsch. Current US Ambassador David Satterfield, who accompanied Jeffrey, remained noncommittal on the subject, saying Washington was examining the Turkish request for air defense systems. Yet, even as Jeffrey landed in Turkey yesterday, Secretary of Defense Mike Esper ruled out any retaliatory strikes against Russia in support of Turkey. Turkey has plenty of ammunition, defense experts say. The rising number of coronavirus cases in the Bay Area has generated high demand for hand sanitizer in Napa. As of Monday, a host of stores were out of products like sanitizer gels, wipes and sprays. Shoppers perusing relevant aisles at Napas Walmart commented aloud on the emptiness of shelves that had once stocked items like Clorox wipes, Purell and GermX hand sanitizers. Those shelves had been full before this week, according to one Walmart employee who did not give her name. Customers have been asking specifically about hand wipes and hand sanitizers, she said; now only the dregs of surface sanitizing wipes remained. Those products were also out of stock at the two Napa Targets on Monday; both had sold out of their stock over the weekend, likely following the news that there had been a case of community spread in neighboring Solano County, employees said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website says the disease is not currently spreading widely in the United States. The organizations website notes that the immediate risk to the general American public is considered low. The website does describe the situation on the West Coast in California, Oregon, and Washington as unfolding, and notes that reported regional cases could raise the concern about the immediate threat of coronavirus in those respective communities. On Monday, there were 26 cases of coronavirus in the nine Bay Area counties confirmed by the CDC. A second case had been confirmed in Sonoma County, where officials said they would declare a state of emergency Monday. The World Health Organization as of Monday had not declared the virus a pandemic, citing the fact that 90 percent of cases have been in China. Napa County Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio said at the end of January the county was working closely with the CDC among other area health organizations to monitor the spread of the disease. Napa County Public Health recommended residents continue with simple daily precautions, like washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. The CDCs website lists alcohol-based hand sanitizers as a secondary alternative to hand washing. It wasnt just Napas chain stores that were out of the product. Browns Valley Market General Manager Scott Timmer said the store had run out of hand sanitizers on Saturday. Browns Valley Market stocks only enough sanitizer to fill their shelves, he said, and with no back supply, the store ran out especially quickly. Weve bumped up our ordering and are supposed to receive a shipment tomorrow, he said Monday, adding the orders arrival would depend on warehouse stock from suppliers. The store usually receives a shipment every week or every two weeks. A Target employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that customers had regularly asked after sanitizers and other supplies while in check-out lines. The store had been out since last weekend, the employee said, adding that they had heard the Vallejo Target had also been out of stock since early Saturday. One Napa Whole Foods customer said Monday she and her husband would soon be traveling to Mexico and that shed come to purchase sanitization supplies for the airplane. She did not give her name, citing concern over leaving her home empty for the week. Ultimately, she was able to purchase sanitizing wipes and a small bottle of gel from Whole Foods, which had a dwindling number of wipes and bottles left. Lolas Market on Old Sonoma Road also had a small supply of sanitizers left on its shelves Monday. An employee said she had noticed an uptick in demand for sanitizers as well as over-the-counter medicines, like cough syrup. Other counties in the Bay Area have reported high demand for items like canned goods and toilet paper as residents stock up on nonperishable food items and other necessities in preparation for possible quarantines. Some 43 cases of the virus have been confirmed by the CDC within California (20 were passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were subsequently evacuated to military bases). You can reach Sarah Klearman at (707) 256-2213 or sklearman@napanews.com. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. [March 03, 2020] Calling All Louisiana Students ... Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy Now Accepting Enrollment for the 2020-2021 School Year Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA), a public charter school, is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2020-2021 school year. LAVCA offers a tuition-free education to students statewide in kindergarten through 12th grade. LAVCA also offers families an alternative to the traditional brick-and-mortar learning environment. Combining online instruction, a rigorous curriculum and the support of state-certified teachers, LAVCA provides a personalized learning experience for every student. "At LAVCA, we are dedicated to creating an environment in which kids come to class because they are passionate about learning," said LAVCA Head of School Danielle Scott-Johnson. "We strive to give students the chance to grow and the opportunity to explore their academic and personal interests. It's really an education for anyone." LAVCA students across all grade levels are offered a full course load in the core subjects of English/language arts, math, science, history, art, music and physicl education, as well as electives and world languages. LAVCA teachers facilitate live, interactive online classes, which allow students to enjoy a safe learning environment anywhere with an internet connection. In addition to scheduled classes, teachers regularly communicate with students and families via phone and email in order to ensure they are supported and appropriately challenged. Resources are available to help LAVCA students and families navigate the online and blended learning experience. Many families and students are choosing online school because it provides an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar education. Athletes, advanced learners, and all types of students can balance a full academic load along with extracurricular pursuits or any other specialized needs. LAVCA's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue academic goals in a supportive environment that recognizes their individual learning styles. Throughout the school year, LAVCA hosts field trips and social outings and celebrates graduating seniors with an in-person commencement ceremony in the spring. Virtual clubs and organizations allow students to further explore shared interests together. Families are encouraged to attend an online or in-person information session hosted by the school. To learn more about enrollment or for a schedule of information sessions visit lavca.k12.com, or download the K12 enrollment app for iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices. About Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA) is a full-time public school that serves students in grades K through 12. LAVCA is available tuition-free to Louisiana students through a contractual relationship between K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), one of the nation's preeminent tech-enabled education companies and a premier provider of career readiness education services, and Community School for Apprenticeship Learning Inc. (CSAL). Founded in 1997, CSAL is a not-for-profit with a mission to provide students with real-world experiences by giving them access to alternative forms of instruction. For more information about LAVCA, visit lavca.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005034/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Suman Haripriya, a BJP MLA from Assam, has said that cow dung and urine can help in curing coronavirus. The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has now spread to different parts of the world with three new cases being confirmed in India. "Cow urine and dung are known to have medicinal values and cancer cures using them are being discovered. An ayurvedic hospital in Gujarat makes cancer patients live with the cows in the same room, a cow dung pack is also applied on their bodies and panchamrit using cow urine is given to them. I have got proof myself of a cancer patient getting cured. I think using cow dung and urine to make the coronavirus cure would prove beneficial," said Haripriya. The MLA said this during the first day of the budget session of the Assam assembly while raising concern over cattle smuggling to Bangladesh. Later, outside the house, Haripriya said, "The world is looking up to India to give the cure for coronavirus. India has discovered something or the other. So, cow dung and urine can be used to get the cure. Cow dung and urines are used in yagnas because there is something scientific about it." Haripriya was elected to the Assam state assembly from the Hajo constituency in 2016. Haripriya is the daughter of former Union Minister Bijoya Chakravorty. Also Read: Coronavirus impact: Delhi patient visited family in Agra; 6 members quarantined Also Read: Coronavirus update: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads LOS ANGELES Study-abroad student Margaret Zheng was vacationing in Taiwan when she learned she had seven days to return to the United States, abandoning her studies in China, because of safety concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Panicked, the 22-year-old Arizona State University senior in biomedicine reached out to friends and family to decide whether to risk returning to China to gather her belongings, or return to the U.S. without them. Program officials discouraged her from returning for her things, so Zheng flew home to Arizona on Feb. 5. Two days later, she signed a document stating there is no guarantee of recovering her belongings. Zheng and two other students in the ASU Chinese Language Flagship program students interviewed by Cronkite News said they have not received their belongings or reimbursements for their unplanned flights home. Four Flagship students in Nanjing were affected. Overall, eight ASU students studying in China have returned home. ASU students in the Flagship program in Nanjing were told Jan. 29 to leave China due to an increased risk from the novel coronavirus, which had been discovered the month before, according to university officials. Program faculty and staff were not evacuated because they are from Nanjing University, according to the students. Nanjing, with a population of roughly 8.3 million, is 550 miles east of the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of COVID-19. The virus, with 80,980 confirmed cases in 50 countries, has killed 2,762 people globally according to the Feb. 26 World Health Organization report. Flagship is one of many ASU study abroad programs, including summer programs, that were canceled amid safety concerns about the coronavirus. Most ASU students studying in China returned home earlier this month. Flagship did not respond to requests for an interview. Students enrolled in the Flagship program typically complete it within five years, four years taking classes at the respective state university and one capstone year in China. In the capstone year, students spend one semester, from September to January, taking Mandarin classes in Nanjing and the second semester interning in Mandarin for a company within their chosen field. Before beginning the second semester, Zheng said, the program offers a break during the Chinese New Year, which typically draws the largest crowds of the year. However, with the spread of COVID-19, things were much different this year. During the busiest time in China, it felt like the whole country was empty, she said. Usually during the New Year, you would go house hopping and say blessings to relatives but this year, no one was allowed to visit friends or family. Everyone is confined to their homes, and I feel like the country has come to a standstill. Zheng was in Taiwan meeting with a friend when she received the Jan. 29 email from ASU. The news from our program to evacuate immediately came as an extreme shock, especially since none of us had our things back in Nanjing packed, she said. Everything I have is still in my apartment in Nanjing unpacked, and were not entirely sure when or if we are going to get those things back. Flagship staff started to warn the students in early January to wash their hands and wear face masks as the respiratory virus spread in Wuhan, student Kylie Kennelly said. By the end of January, Flagship students traveling on break were advised against returning to mainland China until the end of February, but airlines began canceling flights to and from China. The stress of leaving China immediately and the cancelation of the Flagship program left Kennelly worried about her future. I personally didnt feel scared of getting the virus, the business senior said. I was worried about how it was going to affect my future plans. It was anxiety inducing because every day we got different news. Kennelly said she had dreamed of going to China and completing this program since she was 14 and, although the program did not go according to plan, she is grateful for the experience. When I did come back to the States, I realized it wasnt the best thing to bring up that I just came back from China because it elicits a bit of a fearful reaction from the community, Kennelly said. But, in spite of everything, Im glad I was able to participate in Flagship for the time that I did. Another ASU student, Edward Witte, a political science senior, said he was disappointed because ASU is one of only 21 schools that offered the Flagship program. Within one weeks time, all of my plans changed, he said. That has been the most difficult thing to deal with. As concern about the virus grew in China, security increased drastically from the typical security personnel and X-rays for bags in Nanjing, he said. After the news broke about the virus, it was starting to ramp up and they had people in full hazmat suits who would take your temperature, Witte said. It seemed like it was more difficult to get on the subway than it was to get back to the United States. The students still are expected to take a proficiency test for a business level certificate, although they will not be completing their spring semester, Witte said. Because theres going to be four or five months less of language training, I know that myself and some of the other students are concerned we will not be able to meet the threshold for full certification, which is the goal of the program, he said. In a huge blow to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Supreme Court has rejected his review petition that wanted the top court to cancel criminal proceedings against him for failure to disclose two pending criminal cases against him in an election affidavit. We find no ground to interfere in the review petitions. The same are dismissed, a three-judge bench of the top court comprising justices Arun Mishra, Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose has ruled in the one-line verdict delivered. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader had challenged the 2019 verdict of the Supreme Court that declined to interfere with the criminal proceedings against him for the affidavit filed for the 2014 elections. Before the judges concluded oral arguments, senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi who represented the former Maharashtra chief minister had pleaded with the top court to revisit their verdict. This will seal my fate. It is an important question as it affects Article 21, Rohatgi had told the bench. Bombay High Court lawyer Satish Ukey had set the case in motion back in 2014 when he filed a complaint alleging that Fadnavis failed to disclose details of two criminal cases pending against him in his election affidavit and demanded that he should be prosecuted. The two cases against Fadnavis pertained to alleged cheating and forgery that had been filed in 1996 and 1998, respectively, Satish Ukey did not get far. First the Sessions Court in May 2016, and later the Bombay High Court in May 2016 ruled that there was no need to prosecute Fadnavis under section 125A of the Representation of People Act that deals with the penalty for filing false affidavit. But Ukey did not give up and approached the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench led by then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi set aside the Bombay high court clean chit in September 2019, holding that the two verdicts were not legally tenable. The trial court was told to resume the case against Fadnavis who was Maharashtra chief minister when the verdict was delivered. By PTI COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday asked Muslims not to fall prey to rumours over CAA, NPR and NRC, saying the AIADMK government always stood by them. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister by several Muslim organisations led by united Jamaat at the airport here, the minority commnity asked Palaniswami to prevail upon the Centre about its apprehension over the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Population Register and National Register of Citizens. Accepting the memorandum, Palanisamy told them there was no need for the Muslim community to fear the CAA and that the AIADMK government always stood by them. Asking them not to fall prey to rumours, he said the state government had already made its stand clear on the issue. The memorandum said there was a fear among the people of the country, particularly the minorities, about the NPR which has "many apprehensive" issues. The members of the Muslim organisations said that since some states were not implementing the NPR, Tamil Nadu government should follow suit and pass a resolution in the state assembly. The memorandum said the community wanted to implement the census as was done in 2010, since seeking the details of parents, information about birth and passport, would lead to "unnecessary problems". The organisations also requested the chief minister to prevail upon the Centre about the apprehension expressed by the community. The first PSA, which was shared during the holiday season, shows what can happen if a house is left unlocked while the residents are away. Though the depiction of a teen putting on the homeowners clothes and settling down in front of the TV with a pizza is comedic, the message, delivered at the end by Park Ridge Police Officer Carlos Panizo, is a bit more serious, recommending that homeowners lock their doors, keep a light on, and call 911 to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood. You might not know what it stands for, but youve probably seen the acronym AFSCME from time to time. Its a pretty big deal in the world of labor. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is the largest trade union for public employees in the country. One of the people responsible for giving AFSCME the standing it enjoys today is William Bill Lucy, who served at different times as the unions president, associate director of legislation and community affairs, and international secretary and treasurer over a 40-year span. In that time, he helped the union grow from 200,000 to 1.4 million members in 3,500 local chapters around the country. He joined the union in 1956 and retired as secretary and treasurer in 2010. In 1968, three years after being elected president, Lucy supported Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the mostly Black sanitation and other service workers in Memphis who were on strike to demand better wages and benefits. In a 2019 Black History Month special from NBC Bay Area, Lucy said he wanted to help organize workers in Memphis because he recognized the conditions they were unhappy with were prevalent all across the country. The themes of jobs and freedom were critical issues that needed addressed, he said in a video. The organizers of the march were talking about how this could really catalyze a lot of other activities across the country. Lucy, who is credited with the I am a man slogan that became popular with Memphis strikers, continued his work in the city even after Kings assassination in April of that year. His work in expanding AFSCME and assisting Dr. King and sanitation workers in Memphis would be plenty enough to hang a hat on at the end of a long career, but its only one of many ways Lucy has fought for common people throughout his life. In 1972, Lucy co-founded the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and served as its president. After the release of Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned by the South African apartheid government for nearly 30 years, Lucy helped lead a fundraising effort to bring Mandela on a tour of the United States. Lucy also traveled to South Africa as part of an American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) delegation to monitor the first post-apartheid elections. He was there when Mandela was elected as the countrys first Black president. Lucy went on to serve as executive council for AFL-CIO in the mid-1990s and served as vice president for several of the organizations departments. Lucy was also elected as the first African American president of Public Services International, which is the worlds largest union federation. He oversaw 10 million union members from more than 100 nations. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Bill Lucy Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 20:30 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20680a5e9 1 City Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,COVID-19,Jokowi,Terawan-Agus-Putranto,Joko-Widodo,coronavirus Free The management of Des Indes Hotel in Central Jakarta has confirmed that an Indonesian patient who tested positive for coronavirus visited the hotel's Paloma Bistro last month, where she reportedly encountered a Japanese woman who was later diagnosed with COVID-19 in Malaysia. Darmawiharto, the hotel's manager, said on Tuesday that the 31-year-old woman, also known as Case 1, and the female Japanese citizen were not staying at the hotel, but they had come to Paloma Bistro on Feb. 15 at about 8 p.m. to attend a routinely held "Latin Dance" event. He added that approximately 30 people had joined the event that night. "Unfortunately we don't have any detailed information about the visitors as it was an open event that anyone could come to. Besides, they are not our regular hotel guests," Darmawiharto said in a press conference on Tuesday. The Japanese woman, 41, was Malaysia's 24th coronavirus patient who, according to the Malaysian Health Ministry, tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 27 after traveling from Japan in January and to Indonesia in early February. Case 1 and her 64-year-old mother, known as Case 2, had been in contact with the Japanese citizen before the two Indonesians tested positive for coronavirus, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Monday. Read also: Jakarta bar Amigos visited by COVID-19 patient suspends operation amid virus fears The two patients are currently in an isolation ward at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Suroso) in Jakarta. On Feb. 14, Case 1 and the Japanese woman had also reportedly visited Amigos Bar and Cantina in Kemang, South Jakarta, where the two danced together, according to Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto's account. Darmawiharto went on to say that three Des Indes Hotel's staff members who were on duty in Paloma Bistro at the time when the event took place had all passed the 14-day coronavirus incubation period and had also taken part in medical checks supervised by health authorities. "The three have shown no signs of illness. [...] All of our staff are healthy" he said, adding that all 63 hotel staff members were in good condition and no one had taken sick leave since the event. "We would like to confirm that our hotel is a safe place. We do regular cleaning just like any other hotel, and we have also prepared preventive and precautionary measures against the virus by providing face masks and hand sanitizer in public spaces around the hotel," Darmawiharto said. He added that the hotel was still operating as usual. (trn) A man charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee allegedly escorted the gunman to the scene of the shooting and picked up his bullet casings, the High Court has heard. Seventeen points of reference on clothing worn by Paul McIntrye (52) links him to the killing carried out amid rioting in Londonderry last year, it was claimed. Details emerged as the Public Prosecution Service mounted an appeal against McIntyre being granted bail. Ms McKee (29) was shot as she observed street disorder in the city's Creggan area on April 18. Police had come under attack by stones, petrol bombs and other missiles, while vehicles were also hijacked during the unrest said to have been orchestrated by members of the New IRA. McIntrye, with an address at Kinnego Park in Derry, was initially charged with rioting, petrol bomb offences and the arson of a tipper truck. But last month he was further charged with the journalist's murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and belonging to a proscribed organisation. Challenging a magistrates court decision to grant bail, Crown lawyer Robin Steer claimed McIntyre can be identified by clothing on mobile phone and television footage on the night of the shooting. Counsel submitted that the accused is seen throwing and lighting petrol bombs, and emerging from the truck which was then set on fire. Later in the footage an unidentified gunman emerges, with McIntyre allegedly identified escorting him to the area where the shooting occurred. Mr Steer said: "The gunman fires a number of shots, and the prosecution say this applicant is crouching down directly behind him, picking up four cartridge cases which have been ejected from the gun." Referring to a report produced by a forensic company as part of the investigation, he told the court it has "identified 17 points of reference in his (McIntyre's) clothing". The court was told 16 PSNI officers pointed out the accused at an earlier stage in the evening, when he was unmasked but wearing the same clothing. During the hearing details emerged of an alleged conversation in which he was challenged about dissident republican political party Saoradh the day after Ms McKee's death. According to a statement provided as part of the case, McIntyre replied: "It wasn't me, it was one of member's sons." Mr Steer claimed this was a reference to the gunman. Opposing bail, the barrister contended that McIntyre was part of a joint venture in the killing. "The prosecution say this person is a member of a terrorist organisation, he's a member of the New IRA," he said. Concerns were raised about the potential risk of interference with witnesses. Mrs Justice Keegan was told graffiti has appeared in the Creggan warning that "any RUC touts will be executed". Defence counsel Mark Mulholland QC insisted, however, that McIntyre must be released. Mr Mulholland argued that no prima facie case has been established on the charge of murder, adding that his client had already secured High Court bail on the other alleged offences. Mr Mulholland also challenged the admissibility of the forensic report, stressing that another court case has already ruled that a similar comparative analysis of clothing cannot be treated as expert evidence. The appeal hearing at the High Court continues. In a veiled dig at the Congress, BJP MLA from Hisar Kamal Gupta on Tuesday said "those who love Italy do not know about RSS". His remarks come a day after senior Congress leader Raghuvir Singh Kadian made a mention of the RSS in the Haryana Assembly to take a swipe at the BJP-led government in the state alleging that it was the Sangh which was pulling the strings. Gupta was participating in the general discussion on the budget estimates for the year 2020-21, which were presented by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who also holds the finance department, in the House on Friday. "Those who love Italy talk about RSS. But they do not know anything about RSS," he said in an apparent reference to the Italian origin of Congress party president Sonia Gandhi. As soon as the BJP MLA said "those who love Italy...", Congress members stood up and lodged a strong protest. Unfazed by the protest, Gupta kept up his attack on the Congress benches and said, "What do they know about RSS? RSS is our mother, we are proud that we are its sons. The Sangh has played a key role in nation building." "Our prime minister and chief minister are from the RSS background," said Gupta in the House, as BJP members thumped the benches and raised "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogans. As din prevailed for a while, Speaker Gian Chand Gupta urged both the ruling and opposition benches to maintain decorum of the House. Meanwhile, taking part in the Budget discussion, Indian National Lok Dal's (INLD) lone member Abhay Singh Chautala took objection to the fact that only two ministers were present in the House when he was speaking. He claimed that the government was not serious about what opposition members had to say. Chautala also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-Jannayak Janta Party coalition government over mounting debts. "This budget disappoints all," he said and expressed concern over "falling standard of education" in the state, adding 40,000 teachers posts were lying vacant. "This government talks about 75 per cent reservation for the local youth in private sector jobs, but does not spell out the steps it intends to take to deal with over 27 per cent unemployment rate," the INLD leader said. During his speech, Chautala got support from Congress members, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Aftab Ahmed, who said the senior legislator's seat should be among the front rows of the opposition benches and not at the back. Later, the INLD leader told reporters outside the assembly, "It does not matter to me if they (ruling BJP) have given me a seat at the back, but at least they should allow me to speak freely in the House." Taking part in the budget discussion, Congress MLA from Dabwali, Amit Sihag said drug issue was a major concern in his constituency and the government should make adequate allocations for opening de-addiction centres and for other necessary steps that need to be taken to deal with the issue. He also said the government should declare Dabwali-Sirsa as agro-backward zone. BJP MLA from Panipat, Pramod Vij sought Rs 500 crore- package for the textile industry in Panipat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pune, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global smart elevators market size is projected to reach USD 39.78 billion by 2026. The increasing use of concepts such as the IoT and AI will have a positive impact on the growth of the market in the coming years. According to a published report, titled Smart Elevator Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Setup (New Deployment, Modernization and Maintenance), By Installation (Low & Mid Rise and High Rise), By Carriage (Passenger and Freight), By Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026, the market was worth USD 16.23 billion in 2018 and will exhibit a CAGR of 12.0% during the forecast period, 2019-2026. Smart elevators possess the ability to operate in an efficient manner, with regard to the total energy as well as costs associated with them. The properties of smart elevators such as low energy consumption and faster operations will have a positive impact on the growth of the market in the coming years. The presence of several large scale companies, coupled with their efforts to develop newer products, will contribute to the growing demand for the product across the world. The increasing use of concepts such as the IoT and AI have opened up a huge potential for the companies operating in this market. To gain more insights into the market with detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/smart-elevator-market-102369 The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global smart elevators market. It highlights the latest product launches and labels major innovations in the market. In addition to this, it states the impact of these products on the growth of the market. The competitive landscape has been discussed in detail and predictions are made with respect to leading companies and products in the coming years. Forecast values have been provided for the market for the period of 2019-2026. The factual figures have been obtained through trusted sources. Moreover, these predictions are made on the basis of extensive research analysis methods, coupled with the opinions of experienced market research professionals. Increasing Number of Company Mergers and Acquisitions Will Aid Market Growth The report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years. Among all factors, the increasing number of company mergers and acquisitions has made the highest impact on the growth of the market. In May 2019, Prescient announced a collaboration with KONE to develop a flly automated smart building. The company plans to launch this product in North America. Prescients collaboration with Kone will not only help the company grow but will also have a positive impact on the growth of the overall market in the coming years. Request a Sample Copy: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/smart-elevator-market-102369 North America Holds Highest Smart Elevators Market Share; Presence of Several Large Scale Companies Will Aid Growth The market is segmented on the basis of regional demographics into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Among all regions, the market in North America currently holds a dominant market share, owing to the presence of several large scale companies in several countries across this region. As of 2018, the market in North America was worth USD 5.76 billion and this value is projected to increase further in the coming years. besides North America, the market in Europe and Asia Pacific will witness considerable growth driven by the increasing efforts to produce cost-effective products. List of the leading companies that are operating in the global smart elevators market are: KONE CORPORATION (Headquarter: Finland) Otis Elevator Company (Headquarter: USA) Schindler (Headquarter: Switzerland) thyssenkrupp Elevator Technology (Headquarter: - Germany) Hitachi Ltd. (Headquarter: - Japan) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Headquarter: - Japan) Bosch Security Systems (Headquarter: - United States) Fujitec Co. Ltd. (Headquarter: - Hikone) Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation (Headquarter: - Japan) Industry Developments: December, 2018: - KONE completed the acquisition of Eltec Elevator Ltd. with a bid to establishing formidable stand in the market. Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/smart-elevator-market-102369 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 Global Smart Elevators Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Sizing Estimations and Forecasts By Setup (Value) New Deployment Modernization Maintenance Market Sizing Estimations and Forecasts By Installation (Value) Low & Mid Rise High Rise Market Sizing Estimations and Forecasts By Carriage (Value) Passenger Freight Market Sizing Estimations and Forecasts By Application (Value) Residential Commercial Industrial Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Geography (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Latin America Continued..!!! Request for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/smart-elevator-market-102369 (Have a Look at Reports Trending in Machinery & Equipment Industry) Browse Related Reports: Elevator and Escalator Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Product Type (Elevator, Escalator and Moving Walk Ways), By Service (Maintenance & Repair, New Installation, Modernization), By Technology (Electric lifts, Hydraulic lifts, Escalators), By End User (Residential, Commercial, Institutional, Infrastructure) and Geography Forecast till 2025 IoT in Elevator Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Components (Hardware, Software, Services), By Application (Predictive Maintenance & Remote Monitoring), By End User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial) and Geography Forecast till 2025 Service Robotics Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Personal Robots and Professional Robots), By Application (Domestic and Industrial/ Commercial) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Semiconductor Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Components (Memory Devices, Logic Devices, Analog IC, MPU, Discrete Power Devices, MCU, Sensors and Others), By Application (Networking & Communications, Data Processing, Industrial, Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Government) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Equipment Type (Front-end Equipment, Back-end Equipment), By Dimension (2D, 2.5D, 3D), By Application (Semiconductor Fabrication Plant/Foundry, Semiconductor Electronics Manufacturing, Test Home) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Modular Chiller Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Air-cooled modular chiller, Water-cooled modular chiller), By Application (Industrial, Commercial, Residential) and Regional Forecasts, 2019-2026 Construction Equipment Rental Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Equipment Type (Earthmoving Equipment, Material Handling Equipment, Concrete & Road Building Equipment, and Others), By Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Automatic Labelling Machine Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Self Adhesive/Pressure Sensitive, Shrink Sleeves and Glue Based), By Configuration (Stand Alone and Integrated), By Industry (Food & Beverage, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Goods and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Gantry Industrial Robots Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (1-Axis, 2-Axis, 3-Axis, 4-Axis, & Others), By Application (Handling, Palletizing, Welding & Others), By Industry (Packaging, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, Semiconductors & Electronics, Heavy Engineering Machinery, Aerospace & Railway, & Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Machine Tools Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Technology (Conventional, CNC tools), By Product (Metal Cutting Tools, Metal Forming Tools), By Application (Automotive, General Machinery, Precision Machinery, Transport Machinery, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Modular Construction Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Permanent Modular Construction, Relocatable Modular Construction), By Application (Commercial, Healthcare, Education & Institutions, Hospitality, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Facility Management Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Service Type (Hard Services, Soft Services, and Others Services), By Industry (Healthcare, Government, Education, Military & Defense, Real Estate and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 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 About us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We therefore offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. 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/smart-elevator-market-9628 Advertisement Dr. Anthony Fauci gave Donald Trump a slideshow Tuesday to demonstrate how quickly the federal government is working to produce a vaccine for the coronavirus - after a sharp exchange Monday in which the president said he wanted it in a 'couple of months.' The president visited the National Institute of Health for a briefing on the containing the outbreak and Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who is a leading expert on HIV/AIDS, showed Trump a graph on their progress. 'I just want to connect what we've been talking about the past few weeks,' Fauci, 79, told the president. Fauci then had an aide pull up a slide that outlined how long it took officials to respond to the Coronavirus compared to other infectious diseases. Coronavirus had the shortest time frame when it came to testing a potential vaccine. Dr. Anthony Fauci gave President Trump a slideshow to demonstrate how quickly the federal government is working to produce a vaccine for the coronavirus UPresident Donald Trump listens to Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during a briefing on the coronavirus Dr. Fauci gave President Trump the slideshow to show how fast work is progressing on the coronavirus 'This slide here, remember the time I mentioned that the fastest from the time you get a pathogen you know what it is from the time you get a phase one trial for safety,' Fauci said. Phase one is the first round of testing on humans as Fauci reminded Trump, who has pushed for a vaccine to be quickly developed. 'Remember doesn't mean that is not the vaccine,' he reminded the president. He pointed to the slide, which showed the timetable of the discovery of various infectious diseases to when the first human trials were conducting, demonstrating how quickly officials were moving on the coronavirus outbreak. The slide showed: SARS - 20 months; H5N1 influenza - 11 months; H1N1 influenza - 4 months; Zika - 3.25 months; Coronavirus - 2 months 'So that kind of thing is what this place is all about. It's kind of like a SWAT team, of going out and responding to emerging microbes,' Fauci told the president. 'That's fantastic. That's great,' Trump said. President Trump said officials were doing a 'great' job on responding to the outbreak National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Tony Fauci speaks to President Donald Trump during a tour of the National Institutes of Health's Vaccine Research Center President Donald Trump is followed by Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar as they return to the White House from a coronavirus briefing The briefing came as the ninth person died of the coronavirus in the United States. All the deaths have been in Washington state. President Trump and Dr. Fauci had sparred on Monday during a meeting with pharmaceutical executives as Trump pushed the group to develop a vaccine to the coronavirus within 'a couple of months.' The executives, however, warned the president that a vaccine to deploy in a large scale public way would take a year to a year and a half even as they emphasized all are at various points in the testing stage, with some saying they could be at the human testing stage in a few months. Trump latched on to that human testing number only to have Fauci put the brakes on his hopes for a quick solution. 'Like I've been telling you, a year to a year and a half,' Dr. Fauci said. President Trump shrugged him off. 'I like the sound of a couple of months better,' he said. 'I've heard, very quick numbers, a matter of months. Pretty much a year would be an outside number. So I think that's not a bad,' he added of the time table for a vaccine. 'When is it going to be deployable,' Fauci reminded him. 'That is going to be at the earliest a year to a year and a half, no matter how fast you go.' Fauci has stayed consistent in that message with the president. He and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar returned to the White House with President Trump after the NIH briefing Tuesday. The three men spoke to the press on the South Lawn after they exited Marine One. 'They reported some really important news to the president,' Azar announced. 'That yesterday the Food and Drug Administration authorized the entry of that vaccine into phase 1 safety clinical trials.' Fauci stepped in to give that announcement some context. 'Very soon, we'll be sticking the first person with the vaccine but I want to caution everybody that's only the first stage of the development of the vaccine,' he said. 'Safety is very important and you really need to know that it actually works,' he noted, adding 'the whole process is going to take a 1, 1 1/2 years at least.' Fauci has balanced his role of informing the public with appeasing the president's desire for a rapid result. You should never destroy your own credibility. And you don't want to go to war with a president, Fauci told Politico in an interview Friday. But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure you continue to tell the truth. An increase in testing for the coronavirus began shedding light on how the illness has spread in the U.S. with newly confirmed cases in New York, Georgia, Florida and New Hampshire pushing the tally to more than 100 across 15 states. Fauci has said he expects community-related cases to grow in the coming weeks. 'My concern is as the next week or two or three go by, we're going to see a lot more community-related cases,' he said. 'That's of great concern.' Roughly a quarter of the 113 cases in the US have likely been transmitted through local communities and are not travel-related, according to health officials. The coronavirus death toll in the US rose to six on Monday and there are now more than 100 confirmed cases across multiple states. Five of the six deaths - all of which occurred in Washington state - have been linked to a Seattle senior living facility (pictured above) Increase in testing for the coronavirus began shedding light on Monday on how the illness has spread in the United States Death toll has risen to seven and newly confirmed cases pushed the tally to more than 100 across 15 states The seventh death occurred in Washington state last week but test results were only confirmed on Tuesday Health officials expect to test more than one million people within the next week Georgia and New Hampshire have both reported its first cases with all being linked to recent travel to Italy New York announced its second confirmed case on Tuesday and Florida declared a public health emergency as it confirmed its first three cases Some schools across the country have closed for disinfection and officials in Washington state are buying a hotel to be used as a hospital for isolated patients Officials have said a vaccine may not be ready for at least a year, despite Trump pushing for one in the next few months Despite this, the latest cases detected in both Georgia and New Hampshire on Monday - both firsts for each state - have been linked to travel in Italy. The two cases in Georgia involve people from the same Atlanta household, including a man who recently returned from Italy. The New Hampshire case involved a hospital worker who also recently returned from a trip to Italy. New York announced on Tuesday its second confirmed case in a man in Westchester County. Florida also revealed it had detected its third case after a woman whose sister had previously been diagnosed was found to have contracted the disease. The total number of cases in the US includes people who tested positive after returning from travel to outbreak areas in other parts of the world, their close contacts and infections that appear to be from community spread - people who did not travel or have known contact with other infected people. Dr Fauci said community spread made it almost impossible to predict how many cases there will be. 'The very fact that you have community spread the source of these infections are not entirely known. People are cropping up with infections and you can't trace where they got it,' Dr Fauci said. State and local authorities have been stepping up testing for the illness following a debacle with faulty kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that officials say delayed results. In response to the faulty tests, the Food and Drug Administration over the weekend allowed state and local labs to develop their own tests for coronavirus. It will see an increase in tests being carried out, according to FDA Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn, who said he expects more than 1 million people to be tested within the next week. The CDC recently broadened its guidelines for who should be tested for the new virus to include people with symptoms but without a travel history to virus hot zones. More testing will bring more confirmed cases, experts said, but they cautioned that does not mean the virus is gaining speed. Instead, the testing is likely to reveal a picture of the virus' spread that was previously invisible. It comes after Dr Fauci told NBC News that the disease had likely reached 'pandemic proportions'. 'We're dealing with an evolving situation. We're dealing with clearly an emerging infectious disease that has now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions,' Dr Fauci said. 'If you look at, you know, by multiple definitions of what a pandemic is, the fact is this is multiple sustained transmissions of a highly infectious agent in multiple regions of the globe. 'When you have a brand new virus, in which no one has had any experience before, that kind of gives the virus an open roadway to spread. 'If you look at the people who have just come to the attention of the health authorities, that's 2 to 2.5 percent... But even if it goes down to 1 percent, that's still very, very serious.' T esco has apologised to customers and reported itself to the Information Commissioners Office after scammers targeted its online shoppers. The supermarket wrote to 620,000 customers informing them it had become aware of some fraudulent activity on your Clubcard account, which included an attempt to access your Clubcard vouchers. The retail giant believes fraudsters accessed the accounts of users using lists of stolen username and password combinations from other sites and tried to redeem vouchers amassed by shoppers. Tesco stressed that no customers would lose Clubcard vouchers or points accrued and sent new physical cards to those who use them. The retailer has reported the incident to the ICO but does not expect to pay a fine as customers financial details were not exposed. Sources close to the company pointed out the group of 620,000 represented just 3% of Clubcards 19 million members. Although Tescos systems were not compromised it is a shot across the bows of the group. Its Tesco Bank arm was fined 16.4 million in 2018 after a 2016 cyber attack saw criminals steal over 2 million from 34 accounts. A Tesco spokeswoman said: "Our internal systems picked this up quickly and we immediately took steps to protect our customers and restrict access to their accounts. At no point was any customers financial data accessed. We believe that someone has stolen password/username combinations from other website(s) and used them to try to access Tesco sites - where customers used the same username and password. We have asked customers affected to reset their passwords and are contacting customers whose Clubcard vouchers may have been affected to let them know that we will replace these vouchers and issue new Clubcards, as a precaution. Up until January this year Northern Ireland was operating in a political vacuum that was detrimental for the business community and for everyone in society. No political system is perfect, and the restoration of the Assembly is not the answer to all our problems, but it is certainly widely held that we are better off with a devolved government than no government at all. At SSE Renewables, we are committed to working with the institutions to help develop and deliver policies which deliver a sustainable and prosperous future. No policy area is more vital in this regard than energy and the consultation on a future energy policy for Northern Ireland is a hugely welcome and timely development. Northern Ireland has an enviable track record on renewable energy, evidenced by the fact that the region exceeded its existing renewable energy target, achieving a high of 44% wind on the energy system by 2019. At a UK level, the Government is working towards 'Net Zero' by 2050 and our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland have a target of 70% energy from renewables by 2030. These are ambitious but vital targets and they present great challenges right across project development lifecycles, for government, policy makers, and industry. And now hopefully in Northern Ireland, as we embark on defining a new future energy policy for the region, we will see the same ambition to drive the change we need so that we play our part in supporting the UK's wider 'Net Zero' target. That's why we welcome the call for evidence on the NI Energy Strategy which is currently open for submissions. We hope this strategy, when finalised and agreed, will bring clarity to the energy policy environment in Northern Ireland, and encourage industry to bring forward more renewable energy investments here. All of that can be progressed now that we have a local minister in place to take the necessary decisions. It may just be that all the pieces we need to elevate the position of Northern Ireland on the global energy stage are now falling into place. At SSE Renewables we have a track record which enables us to comment with a degree of authority on this important topic. Through our parent company SSE plc we have invested more than 500m in the Northern Ireland economy over the last two decades and we already generate over 140MW of renewable energy at our wind farms in counties Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh, including energy from Northern Ireland's largest wind farm, Slieve Kirk. And we are currently awaiting a planning decision on what would become Northern Ireland's biggest wind farm, once built, at Doraville in Co Tyrone. We firmly believe Doraville wind farm will help deliver similar benefits for the region while also making a meaningful contribution on behalf of Northern Ireland to the UK's net zero carbon goal by 2050. Locally, the Doraville project would yield approximately 500,000 in community fund benefits each year and over 1.5m in rates. We have also committed to fund a 1m tourism fund and will work with local families to support energy efficiency actions in local homes. This local impact is important to us. We always want to work in partnership with the communities where we harness green energy and of course the national and global impact is increasingly prominent. We all know the awareness of, and support for, climate action has never been higher, particularly among our younger people who have been inspired by Greta Thunberg. In Northern Ireland we may be relatively small in size but we can lead by example, set a high bar and then exceed our own ambition. The global direction of travel is now set. Either we choose to lead the way or we get left behind. Key benchmark indices firmed up once again in early afternoon trade. The Nifty traded slightly above the 11,200 mark. At 12:24 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 187.51 points or 0.49% at 38,331.53. The Nifty 50 index was up 80 points or 0.72% at 11,212.75. In broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.83% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.43%. The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 968 shares rose and 1150 shares fell. A total of 148 shares were unchanged. In Nifty 50 index, the market breadth remained positive with 43 stocks advancing and 7 stocks declining. Derivatives: The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, rose 2.66% to 25.8750. The Nifty slipped into backwardation in the futures markets. The Nifty February 2020 futures were trading at 11,174.65, a discount of 19.35 points compared with the spot at 11,194. Backwardation is when the spot price of an underlying asset is higher than prices trading in the futures market. On the options front, the Nifty option chain for 26 March 2020 expiry showed maximum call open interest (OI) of 25.18 lakh contracts at the 12,000 strike price. Maximum call writing was witnessed at 11,300 strike price, which added 5.17 lakh contracts. Maximum put OI of 24.12 lakh contracts was seen at 11,000 strike price. Put writing was observed at 11,200 strike price which added 4.68 lakh contracts. The F&O contracts for March expire on 26 March 2020. Stocks in Spotlight: Pfizer surged 4.6% to Rs 4454.90 after the company's US-based parent, Pfizer Inc, on Monday said it identified some antiviral compounds with potential as coronavirus treatments. Pfizer Inc's chief scientific officer Mikael Dolsten participated in a meeting with other pharmaceutical companies about various ways to develop vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19 held at the White House. Newgen Software Technologies gained 2.93% to Rs 196.95 after the company secured a patent for a system and method for automatic quality assessment of digital documents. The patent is valid for 20 years until 24 March 2030. This invention is related to making digital versions from scanned documents. It automatically compares and checks the similarity between the digital copy and the scanned copy, thereby ascertaining the quality of the digital document and deciding whether the original document needs to be digitized again. Wabco India on Tuesday said that the company has made changes in its production schedule on back of weak demand. The company said four of its plants will be operational for four days a week during March 2020. As per the changes, Ambattur plant (Tamil Nadu), Panthnagar plant (Uttarakhand), Lucknow plant (Uttar Pradesh), Jamshedpur plant (Jharkhand) will work for four days a week during March 2020 with Fridays being considered as leave. Shares of Wabco India were trading 0.41% higher at Rs 6738.75. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asia Bibi says imprisonment was a 'trial sent by God,' refused to renounce her faith Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment During a trip to France to promote her new book, Christian mother Asia Bibi opened up about how prayer and Scripture sustained her throughout a decade of imprisonment over allegations that she insulted Islam and its prophet. Bibi, whose real name is Aasiya Noreen, spoke with several news outlets last week and shed more light on what was going through her mind and dreams as she endured what she called a trial sent by God. When a human being is tested, the desire to succeed, to overcome the trial, is extremely strong, Bibi was translated as saying during an interview with the Catholic news website Aleteia. I knew that prayer would help me in this sense and many signs encouraged me to pray. The farmworker from Sheikhupura was accused of blasphemy by Muslim laborers in 2009 and imprisoned. She maintained her innocence but was eventually convicted. Since blasphemy is a crime that is punishable by death or life imprisonment in Pakistan, Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging in 2010. Bibi, who has five children, explained that one night in prison she had a dream about a priest who made her recite verses from the Bible. When I opened my eyes, I remember being amazed that I no longer saw him, Bibi said through a translator. I thought that maybe God was sending me a sign that I should try to learn those verses which would help sustain me. So thats what I did. I read the Gospels very regularly. Bibi told Aleteia that the phrase The Lord is your refuge kept coming back to her. Over and over again, it was the first psalm I came across, Bibi explained. She didnt specify which psalm she was referencing. However, Psalm 46 states: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Additionally, Psalm 91 reads: I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, Bibi explained that she always believed that one day she would be released no matter how hard imprisonment was for her. I cried so much, Bibi recalled. I kept crying for a week. I kept thinking, what is happening to me? Bibi shared that her childrens future was very badly affected by her imprisonment because they could no longer go to school. At the time of her imprisonment, two of her children were in the early stages of education. But for Bibi and her family, God eventually delivered her freedom. After much international pressure, Pakistans Supreme Court acquitted her in October 2018 and she finally fled to Canada with her husband and two daughters in May 2019. It was so strange after I met my husband and kids after so long. I couldnt understand my emotions, she told the BBC. When I hugged my children, I cried. I kept thinking about their childhood. I cant forget their childhood. When the past comes to mind, I can see my little daughters crying. That bit of past I havent been able to forget. The family arrived in Canada last May. Bibi and her family were given a one-year stay in the North American country. The family has since lived in an apartment in an undisclosed location. Bibi met with French President Emmanuel Macron last Friday. Bibi told reporters that Macron invited her to live in France. However, Bibi still needs time to decide on whether she will apply for asylum in the European country. "I have received the invitation from the president and the French Republic, and I'm honored," Bibi said. Bibis new memoir Enfin libre! (Finally Free) was co-written by French journalist Anne-Isabelle Tollet, who was among the first to advocate for Bibis release. In the book, Bibi recounts the abuse and torment she suffered at the hands of guards. Bibi told the BBC that she was told by guards during her imprisonment that she could be released if she renounced her faith in Christ. But I said, No, I will live my sentence, with my faith, Bibi was quoted as saying. Bibi called on the Pakistani government to reform the countrys blasphemy laws and carry out proper investigations when accusations are made. Innocents shouldnt be punished for no reason, Bibi said. People in prisons who are innocent should be freed. Pakistan ranks as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. Pakistan is also labeled by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern over issues of religious freedom. While Bibi has been freed from prison, there are dozens of other citizens of Pakistan imprisoned on blasphemy charges. According to Pakistani human rights activist Shaan Taseer, there are as many as 200 people imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan with over 40 on death row. In her interview with Aleteia, Bibi called for the Pakistani government to release Christian woman Shagufta Kausar. Kausar, along with her husband, was accused of sending blasphemous text messages even though neither of them can write. The couple was sentenced to death in 2014. She has my full support, and if my story and testimony can help her, I would be very happy, Bibi said. But I know theyre in good hands: Saif-ul-Malook, the same lawyer who helped me, is defending them. Beyond Shagufta, all those who are still in detention today need to be helped. Id like the world to unite behind this cause to obtain their release, whether they belong to minorities or to the majority, Bibi continued. All must be heard! Thats my fight today. I believe that the anti-blasphemy law must be reformed. Thats what I wish to dedicate my life to from now on. Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) announced Monday night he is voting for former Vice President Joe Biden, and wants other Democrats in the state to join him. O'Rourke made his endorsement at a Biden rally in Dallas. "We need somebody who can beat Donald Trump," he said. "The man in the White House today poses an existential threat to this country, to our democracy, to free and fair elections." Biden can defeat Trump, O'Rourke continued, because he is "the antithesis of Donald Trump. Joe Biden is decent, he's kind, he's caring, he's empathetic." In Biden, Democrats have a candidate who can "re-establish the moral authority of the United States," O'Rourke declared. "We need somebody who will fight for democracy here and abroad, because democracy is under attack here and abroad. We need Joe Biden." O'Rourke dropped out of the Democratic presidential race last fall. He was the third former candidate to announce support of Biden on Monday night, following former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). More stories from theweek.com Was Mike Pence exposed to coronavirus? The end of Chris Matthews It's 2020 and women are exhausted Recently the intelligence community made clear it will be a player in the 2020 presidential election. No one should be surprised. On February 13, the House Intelligence Committee held a meeting at which intel officials briefed lawmakers on foreign efforts to influence U.S. elections. By several accounts, the officials told the committee that Russia is working to re-elect President Trump. A number of Republican committee members were deeply skeptical. What the officials said was classified, so they cannot discuss it publicly, but in conversations later, GOP lawmakers made it clear that the intel officials did not have the evidence to support their assertion. How should reporting take place? one member said later. You would say, We believe X is true based on A, B, C and D. When that doesnt happen, its very suspect. If youre going to make an accusation like that, you darn well better be ready to answer questions and have evidence to support it, said another member. When pressed, the member added, officials gave very vague and unsatisfying answers. The Republicans objection was not to the idea that Russia is trying to interfere in a U.S. election. That is an accepted fact. The problem was the assessment that Russia is specifically trying to help re-elect Trump. That claim, so incendiary in the 2016 election, was unsupported by the evidence, they said. As they left the meeting, Republicans agreed that the news would leak soon. It almost seemed to be why Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the committee chairman and impeachment leader, had called the meeting in the first place. No one was surprised when, a week later, The New York Times published a story headlined Lawmakers Are Warned That Russia Is Meddling to Re-elect Trump. The news quickly became another one of those bombshell reports that consume hours of talk on cable TV. Democrats, who were also barred by law from revealing classified information, were nevertheless happy to play along. For example, not long after the story broke, Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, an Intelligence Committee member, appeared on CNN. I cant talk about what happened in a classified setting, Himes said. But ... you dont need an intelligence briefing to think about what Vladimir Putin might want. Would he want a return to sort of conventional, much more confrontational policy with respect to Russia? Or might he want a president who will criticize everybody on the planet except Vladimir Putin? Himess point was clear: I cant talk about it, but of course Putin is working to re-elect Trump. The problem was, intel officials did not have the evidence to make that assertion. And almost as soon as the story broke, officials with knowledge of the meeting suggested that the headlines were wrong. On Sunday, CNN reported that Pierson had apparently overstated the Putin-wants-Trump story. And then there were the circumstances of the briefing. The intelligence community works for the president. Yet officials chose to brief Chairman Schiffs House Intelligence Committee on this extraordinarily consequential finding before telling the president. Whatever the motive, spilling the beans in a room with dozens of people present intel officials brought a lot of staff with them increased the chances of precisely the type of leak that occurred. The whole thing hit the White House by surprise. I have not seen that analysis, national security adviser Robert OBrien told ABC Sunday, referring to the Putin-wants-Trump assessment. Ive been with the leaders of the Intelligence Committee. They dont have it. So if theres some lower-level people at [Office of the Director of National Intelligence] that came in and gave this analysis to the House look, Id like to see it. But I havent seen it. Later, just to make matters more difficult, there were leaks that Russia is also trying to help elect Bernie Sanders. The leak left many experts baffled except to the extent that, with the Trump leak, it seemed to target the intelligence communitys two least-favorite candidates. There were lots of reports that President Trump was angry after the news broke. And why shouldnt he be angry? Way back in January 2017, when Trump was president-elect and protesting that the intelligence community was out to get him, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer famously said, You take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday of getting back at you. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 by Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see Disclose and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information. If you are hoping to see as much of the world as possible, then you are going to want to include as many interesting destinations on your list as possible. There is a lot to consider here, but one that is becoming an increasingly popular tourist spot is Saudi Arabia. Whether or not you have considered travelling to Saudi Arabia before, the fact is that it is a diversely beautiful, fascinating country with an interesting culture and history, and plenty going for it generally. Lets take a look at some of the main things that you should aim to see if you are keen on visiting this incredible part of the world. The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center Mosque Although the name might not make it sound picturesque, this is actually one of the most fascinating religious sites anywhere in the world, let alone merely in Saudi Arabia. The KAPSARC Mosque is not your traditional kind of mosque, and thats what makes it so interesting to look at and visit. It is an incredibly modern and interesting place of worship, with a striking skyscraper-like building which would not be out of place in the skylines of New York or London. And yet it is still a deeply religious place, speaking to the religious nature of the people. Its definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the city of Riyadh. The Saudi Cup If you are hoping to take in a sporting event while in Saudi Arabia, then there is really nowhere better to look than the Saudi Cup, which is one of the worlds top horse racing events anywhere. It has been going for a while, but its main selling point this year is that it is now officially the race with the richest horse race prize fund ever at an incredible $20 million. For that reason, it is likely to draw both a lot of attention from around the world, and also some very interesting people, and you might find yourself rubbing shoulders with some well-known celebrities too. Hurry to get your ticket, however they are going fast, and before you know it, it might well be sold out. Historic Badr This is a town in Al Madinah, located around 130km from the city of Medina. The main reason to visit this town is for an historical journey: it was the site of the famous Battle of Badr that occurred in 624CE, a battle that took place between the Polytheists and the Muslims. Although it is an ancient battleground, it is also incredibly beautiful, and if you want to get a taste of what the countryside of Saudi Arabia can really be like in its full glory, then this is somewhere that you will want to consider. National Museum Of Saudi Arabia Perhaps you are someone who likes to experience a lot of the culture of a place when you go travelling. If so, one of the best ways to do that is to go and visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, located in the famous city of Riyadh. There, you will find a range of fascinating artefacts to look at, and you can learn a great deal about the culture and history of the place in that one building alone. Whats more, you will find that the building itself and the surrounding area are absolutely stunning too, so all in all it makes for a fantastic day out. Jeddah They say that the city of Jeddah is caught between two worlds. On the one hand, it is the historic gate to Mecca that millions of pilgrims have been to for religious purposes. On the other, it is also a very busy commercial centre these days. The way in which these two aspects of the place jostle together is pretty interesting, and it makes for an especially intriguing place to look around. You will probably find that you have never been anywhere quite like it, and it is one of the few places in Saudi Arabia that you can easily and safely walk around all day. It has a wide array of beautiful buildings and other sights that you will be happy to cross off your list, and all in all it really is one of the major hidden gems of this amazing country. If you manage to see and do even a couple of these things, you are going to find that you have seen plenty of this amazing country. It really is a unique place to be. Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said a decision on providing reservation in education to Muslims will be taken on the basis of legal validity and that there was no such proposal before him. Thackerays statement adds to the list of issues the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress the three parties comprising the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government are having differences on. The three ruling parties are yet to reach a consensus on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Population Register (NPR). The Sena chiefs statement came a few days after the states minority affairs minister Nawab Malik, who is from the NCP, declared that the state government will provide 5% quota to Muslims in educational institutions. Sena minister Eknath Shinde, too, had indicated that Sena was in favour of the decision. However, following criticism by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several Hindu outfits, Thackeray said, Theres no proposal before the government on providing reservation to Muslims. We will have to check its legal validity. The decision of providing reservation to Maratha community is still in court and we are working to get it approved, added the chief minister. He also lashed out at critics, telling them not to waste energy now and to keep it when the government will take any such decision. The Congress-NCP government had in June 2014 announced 16% reservation for Marathas and 5% for Muslims in education and government jobs. Later, the HC stayed the government decision, but said that Muslims could be given reservation in education. The BJP-led government that came to power the same year chose not to continue with the reservation after the ordinance lapsed in December 2014, saying it was not in favour of quota on the basis of religion. The MVA is already facing unease over implementing CAA and NPR. Ignoring objections raised by the allies, Thackeray has extended his support to CAA, saying that it will not strip anyones citizenship. Meanwhile, to resolve the issue of implementing CAA and NPR, Thackeray has now declared setting up a committee comprising senior leaders from all three parties to discuss concerns. My stand is clear. We have decided to form a committee of senior leaders from all the parties to discuss the issues related to NRC [National Register of Citizens] and NPR. the chief minister said, adding, I will not allow anyone to strip citizenship of any citizens of my state. The announcement has come more than a week after Thackeray in Delhi had not opposed NPR, but said they would prefer scrutiny. NPR is proposed along with the census. It happened in 2010 too. Census happens after every 10 years in our country. If there are new columns proposed in the NPR, they will be scrutinised by our government and if it seems problematic we wont take it ahead, Thackeray has said. The issue may not be resolved soon as it was already discussed in a coordination committee meeting held last week. The issues over CAA and NPR were also discussed in a meeting, but they could not reach a consensus. A closed-door meeting was held at Varsha, official residence of the chief minister, on February 22, between Thackeray, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, state NCP president Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took a dig at the government for the differences within on Muslim reservation. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke in different language over the reservation to the Muslim community. The difference of opinion between a minister and head of the ministerial council is surprising, he said, while speaking to media. Fadnavis said that if the Muslims are given reservation, as announced by Malik, it will affect reservation given to Marathas. Former finance minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said his party will back Sena. He said that his party was of the view that reservation cannot be offered on the basis of religion. Sena is talking about the constitutional provision and their stand is absolutely correct. Our three-decade-old alliance with the Sena was on the basis of common ideology. But the Sena should not come under pressure from the Congress and NCP over Muslim quota. If the situation rises, we will support the government within the limits of this subject, he said, outside Vidhan Bhavan. Malik, who is also Mumbais NCP unit chief, denied having any differences with Sena on the issue. We are yet to place the proposal before the cabinet after taking a legal opinion from law and judiciary department. It is a fact that there is no proposal before the cabinet at present. There is no difference within the government on the issue, he said. Political expert Pratap Aasbe said that with the statement it appears that the chief minister wants to see the pros and cons of the decision before reaching to a conclusion. The three parties had differences of opinion before forming the government, but now they are resolving them by holding discussions, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rave band Little Big will represent Russia at the Eurovision song contest to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in May, Russias Channel One TV reported. "We have never thought we could have a chance to present Russian at the Eurovision but once we have it we will do our best. And then - come what may," Prusikin told Channel One. Little Big will perform on the first day of the Eurovision semifinals on May 12. Provincial governments in China have imposed a 14-day quarantine period on people arriving from outside of the country, and in one instance locals boarded up the doors of a Korean neighbor. According to Korean residents in China, the man had recently returned to his home in Hefei, Anhui Province after visiting Korea. When his neighbors found out they used wooden planks to nail his door shut. Photos of the incident spread on social media. It is unclear why the mob barricaded him in but spared another Korean expat who had also just returned to Hefei. There have been other reported incidents where Chinese people placed paper seals on neighbors' doors to make sure they comply with self-quarantine. Other vigilantes have kept guard over the homes of suspected carriers, while some neighborhoods have installed alarms that go off when the doors of such homes are opened. The Korean victim called a coworker for help and the planks have apparently been removed. At one apartment in Shanghai with a large number of Korean residents, tenants have been issued with color-coded entry passes to differentiate between foreigners and locals. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that "millions" of migrants would soon head for Europe, drawing accusations from EU leaders that he is trying to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria. Turkey gave the green light to refugees and migrants on Friday to leave for the European Union and thousands have since massed at the Greek border, triggering fears of an influx like that which poisoned European politics in 2015. German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU". But Turkey, which hosts roughly four million refugees, is trying to hold off another mass influx from Syria -- where government forces backed by Russian air power are advancing into the last rebel stronghold of Idlib. Erdogan further ramped up the pressure late on Monday, saying he had turned down an EU offer of one billion euros (A1.1 billion) in extra aid for migrants, adding to a six-billion-euro deal agreed in 2016. "We don't want this money," Erdogan said at a news conference without specifying when the money was offered, or by whom. His office later added that he had spoken to Merkel over the phone and warned once again that Europe must take a "fair share of the burden" of dealing with migrants. He claimed the numbers of migrants at the Greek border -- who include Afghans, Syrian and Iraqis -- were far higher than figures provided by officials and reporters at the scene, saying "hundreds of thousands" were already there. "There will be more. Soon, this number will be expressed in millions." Greece says some 10,000 people were barred from entering the country over the weekend. Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas at the refugees, who responded by lobbing rocks. A video shared by a Turkish official, which could not be independently verified, showed a boat of migrants being shot at and harassed by Greek coastguards. Turkey accused Greek police of killing two migrants after a video was shared of a bloodied Syrian on the border, although Athens rejected this as "fake news". In desperation, many have sought alternative routes and Greek port police said a young boy died when a makeshift boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos. Athens said it would boost patrols and it suspended asylum applications by those entering illegally -- a move denounced by the UN refugee agency as having "no legal basis". - Ceasefire in Idlib? - The migrant question comes as Turkey has launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria in a bid to push back the regime's offensive. Close to one million people have been forced to flee the Syrian government's assault in the biggest wave of displacement of the nine-year conflict, but they are not being allowed to enter Turkey. Erdogan said he hoped for a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week. Despite being on opposing sides of the conflict, they are keen to avoid direct clashes that would jeopardise their broader trade and defence ties. "I hope that he (Putin) will take the necessary measures there, such as a ceasefire, and that we will find a solution to this affair," Erdogan said in a speech on Monday. The Kremlin said cooperation with Turkey was a top priority. "Our militaries are in constant contact. The main thing is that we now focus on negotiations between Putin and Erdogan," a spokesman said. Turkey backs some rebel groups in Idlib and has observation posts under a 2018 deal with Russia. But the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have made steady progress since December. Tensions between Turkey and Syria reached new heights last week when 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in an air strike blamed on Damascus, its heaviest loss since it first intervened in the conflict. "The airstrikes... were likely committed by the Russian air force, as Syrian fighter jets do not conduct air sorties at night," said Anthony Skinner, of analysts Verisk Maplecroft. "And yet, both Moscow and Ankara have decided to point the finger of blame at al-Assad, reflecting how little appetite there is on either side for more direct confrontation." Turkey retaliated with an operation that saw two Syrian warplanes shot down on Sunday, as well as at least 19 Syrian soldiers killed in drone strikes. Erdogan said on Monday that Syrian losses were "just the beginning" unless it pulled back behind the borders agreed under the 2018 deal. Damascus responded that it was "determined to confront the flagrant Turkish aggression". It's 8pm, Saturday March 7, and the buzz inside The Grand Arena at the Accra International Conference Centre is already fever high. A night of magical promise, the venue, about to host perhaps, what can be described as one of the biggest concerts to be staged in Ghana this year for a mature audience, is all lighted up in hues of blues and reds, and the Patch Bay Band is already dishing out a session that's titillating many a feet among the teeming guests! Surely, you must not be left out of this razzmatazz of a night that features the world class international band, Steel Pulse, who will distill some of their iconic tunes, alongside our own international export, 'Mr Musicman', Kojo Antwi! So, you've seen Kojo perform several times, you say, what will be new? We caught up with Kojo at rehearsals and put this question to him. The man's sheer enthusiasm to perform doesn't seem to have waned since the 1980s! "For me," he suddenly became immersed, after a few ice breakers, "every platform I get to play on, is as important as the last one. I don't take it for granted, no. I see each show I play at, each stage I perform on, as an opportunity to share my sermon with my fans, so this one too is as absolutely important as the last show I did!" That felt intense, even though he was smiling now. Of course, if you've ever seen Kojo on stage, you'll know no two shows he performs are the same. There's always something different, something special for his audience. A grand entrance, the selection and sequence of songs, his whole aura, even the way he wears his very meticulously wrapped dreads, are a delight to behold. This is something that has become synonymous with the man all these nearly 40 years since he has been entertaining us! Time was when he held us spellbound with his most anticipated and sold out Dec 24 concerts. Those were the days! How we looked forward to them. One night you knew was guaranteed to be magical. And he never disappointed. Sharing the same show with them again is still a big deal to Kojo. "Of course, I deem it an honour to once again share the stage with the class act that is Steel Pulse. You know, this is the group whose music expanded the scope of reggae, and I am always glad to get the chance share the stage with them, any time." Now, not only Kojo will kick the night into action. Have you heard of Ssue? The latest stage sensation who has in her very short spurt onto the music scene, performed on the same stage with some of the greatest artists including Salif Keita, Bona and Dela Botri! The firebrand goddess will work the stage to get the audience stimulated a bit before we get into a crescendo with Kojo, and then the main act. Did I mention that there will be a dance area! There will be. No reggae concert is a through and through sit down affair, and this will be no exception. Come prepared to dance! The Grand Arena is also set to make this experience a very memorable one for its patrons, it will go down as one of the biggest indoor concerts so far in the year. It is designed to give patrons the nostalgic feeling which can be shared together as a group or an individual. For companies looking to reward or give its deserving employees a break from work, for school year groups looking to reminisce, for friends looking to hang out, for families looking to spend quality time together, this is the perfect indoor nostalgic experience for the matured persons. With its table and theater seating, red carpet experience, the whole ambiance is assured of top notch VIP experience. GOLD table for 5 people which comes with soft drinks, juice, snacks, water, white/red wine is going for GHC5,000 and SUPER DELUX table going for GHC7000 for 7 people. VIP section which also comes with refreshments is going for GHC500 cedis, PREMIUM for GHC300 and STANDARD for GHC200. A joyous occasion celebrating 25 years of Joy FM and 20 years of Charterhouse, this event comes off on Independence day weekend, March 7, at the fully air conditioned Grand Arena which is located inside the Accra International Conference Centre. The event is supported by Labadi Beach Hotel, KNET and South Africa Wines. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Cement demand in Vietnam falls 37% in January ICR Newsroom By 03 March 2020 Demand for cement in Vietnam in January 2020 saw a 37 per cent YoY decline to 2,879,347t, according to the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA). Domestic sales by VICEM fell 43 per cent YoY to 903,383t while its associates saw a 36 per cent YoY drop to 756,964t. Sales of other cement producers decreased 32 per cent to 1,210,000t in the same period. In addition, there was a reduction in export sales by 23 per cent to 2,049,402t when compared with January 2019. MoM the drop was 44 per cent. Of this total, cement sales were 38 per cent down to 979,568t while clinker sales slipped one per cent to 1,069,834t. In terms of production, VICEM produced 1,290,296t in January while its associated plants reported an output of 1,361,496t. Other cement production facilities added 1,890,000t to the countrys total cement production of 4,541,792t. VNCA expects cement production to rise to 4,839,075t in February, including 1,695,000t by VICEM, 944,075t by VICEM associates and 2,200,000t by other cement plants. Published under With Coronavirus hitting the high-ranking levels of the Iranian government, the recent victim has been the advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a council member that advises Iran's supreme leader passed away on Monday after being infected with the deadly Coronavirus. The Iranian state radio confirmed the death of the 71-year-old advisor to Ali Khamenei, who is among the senior-most leaders in Iran who contracted the virus. Last week, a member of the Iranian Parliament succumbed to the sickness. Iranian vice president Masoumeh Ebtekar and the head of Iran's Coronavirus task force Iraj Harirchi, are among the seven top officials who have reportedly been tested positive for the deadly virus. READ| Iran Minister coughs, wipes sweat amid Coronavirus briefing, hours prior to his diagnosis The revelation of the Iranian vice president's illness throws Iran into perturbation, as she attended a cabinet meeting just a day before the detection of Coronavirus, thus putting the other members of the regime at risk, including the 80-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran. Last week, even Harirchi was seen evidently discomforted and perspiring, hours before he was diagnosed for Coronavirus. Now in quarantine, the Iranian Minister addressed a press brief in a room full of reporters and even gave a television interview to an Iranian news channel. Iran has reported nearly 1,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country, however, the numbers have been contested by international media and the global community, who accused the regime of downplaying the health crisis. The virus that has now affected over 80,000 people worldwide is now spreading in parts of Europe and the Middle East. Coronavirus in Iran After being accused of cover-up in the Coronavirus outbreak, the Iranian government led by Hassan Rouhani has now pledged to be transparent with its figures including the death toll. Iran's government's spokesperson, Ali Rabiei, made the statement standing next to the Iranian deputy health minister. "We pledge to be transparent about the reporting of figures," said Rabiei. The pledge was made after an Iranian lawmaker accused the government of hiding the full extent of the coronavirus outbreak in Qom, which has now reported 50 deaths from the deadly virus. According to semi-official news agency ISNA, Ahmad Amiriabadi Farahani, an official from the holy city of Qom, accused Irans Health Minister of lying about the outbreak. Amid the Coronavirus outbreak in Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that New Delhi was collaborating with Tehran to set up a screening process for the evacuation of Indian citizens stuck in the country. "Working on the issue of Indians in Iran anxious to return due to Coronavirus. I have seen many tweets in this regard. We are collaborating with the Iranian authorities to set up a screening process for the return of Indians," tweeted Jaishankar. READ| Iran: Khamenei accuses foreign media of using coronavirus to discourage voters A coordination panel comprising senior leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra will look into various aspects of the National Population Register (NPR), Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said in Mumbai on Tuesday. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray addresses the media in Mumbai on March 3, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo. Addressing the media in Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, where the budget session of the state legislature is underway, Thackeray said, "Responsible leaders of the three parties will be part of it (coordination committee on NPR)." "I won't let anyone snatch the rights of any citizens of Maharashtra. I am very clear on this," he said, when asked about differences in the ruling alliance over the implementation of NPR in the state. On his wife Rashmi Thackeray's appointment as editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray said he had to quit the editor's post after the chief ministership "unexpectedly" came to him. "Saamana, Shiv Sena and Thackeray can't be separated. We are one family. With Rashmi becoming editor, there was speculation if the language of the paper will change. I want to tell that the language will remain the same. Editorial responsibility will continue to be handled by Sanjay Raut. "Saamana is Shiv Sena's mouthpiece. The paper will continue to reflect the party's stand and my views. There will be editorial freedom too," he said. "The sort of language used in Saamana is our paternal language and it will remain the same. Dont say later that Rashmi Thackeray criticised Uddhav Thackeray. It could be the subject of some peoples interest. But most of the views expressed are mine, that of the Shiv Sena and beyond that, there is also this freedom of the press. Hence, Sanjay Raut has been discharging the editorial duty very well and he will continue to do that," he said. The chief minister also said he is going to Ayodhya on March 7 to offer prayers to Lord Ram. "I have faith and therefore, I am heading (to Ayodhya) for a darshan of Lord Shriram. Wheres the question of politics in having a glimpse of god? Where is politics in it? The doors of god dont get shut just because you formed an alliance with the Congress or some other party. God is god and belongs to everyone. I will go (to Ayodhya)," he said. "Those (from among the alliance partners) who want to come, will come. Gods doors are not closed for anyone. Whenever they want to go, they can go (for seeking darshan). They may come with me (to seek darshan), may go before me or go there after I pay a visit (to the temple)," he said. On loan waiver to farmers, Thackeray said the government has already started making farmers who took loans of up to Rs 2 lakh debt free. "We will waive off loans of those whose loan accounts are linked with Aadhar," he said. Authentication of over 10 lakh farmers has been completed, he said. "The MVA government's loan waiver scheme will be implemented within the stipulated time frame. My government will pay attention to see farmers remain happy," he added. "Authentication of 10 lakh farmers' accounts has been done and transfer of funds has started in 7.5 lakh accounts," he said. The government plans to complete the implementation soon and also start a new loan waiver scheme of over Rs 2 lakh for farmers and and also an incentive scheme to those who regularly pay their dues, he said. On Delhi violence and precautionary measures being taken to avoid a repeat, Thackeray said, "Precaution is being taken in Mumbai and Maharashtra to see no such incident takes place. I thank the police and citizens too for being vigilant. They understand who is doing this." Asked who he was pointing at, Thackeray said, Samajhne walo ko ishara kaafi hai. Ishara nahi kiya toh bhi samajhte hai (mere hint is sufficient for those who understand, they will understand even if there is no hint)." Barsana : , March 3 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the Yamuna river would soon be made clean and pollution-free like the holy Ganges. Adityanath's car hit a wall while he was returning from the Ladliji temple of Radha Rani, atop the Barsana hill in Mathura district. There was minor damage to the vehicle. Adityanath was headed for a function at Radha Bihari Inter College. The road to the Barsana temple where Laddoo Holi function had been organised passes through narrow lanes. The Chief Minister was then transferred to another car. Speaking at a public meeting, he said his government had done a lot for the Braj region. The Chief Minister said the Yamuna river would soon be like the Ganges, clean and pollution-free. Theyll use the closure to refresh the menu and change up the space a bit to give it a little more Chicago feel. Though Watters said the Chicago taproom is profitable, it is the least profitable of Ballast Points six locations, the other five of which are in California (with another soon to be announced). New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday (March 3) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament. "Perpetrators of the Delhi violence should be handed out strictest possible punishment," the Delhi CM said after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first since he took over the post for the third time. This is their first meeting since Kejriwal took over as the Delhi CM for the third time. The meeting started in the Prime Minister's room in the Parliament premises at 11 am and came a day after Delhi Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal met PM and briefed him about the situation on Delhi riots. Speaking about his meeting with the Prime Minister, Kejriwal stated, "I told him that whoever is found guilty for Delhi violence should be given strictest punishment. Also, we discussed that we have to work together against Coronavirus." "Delhi Police acted in a swift manner to control the situation when rumours were spread on Sunday night. Had the police acted with the same efficiency on Monday and Tuesday last week when riots were confined in a district, so many lives could have been saved," he said. Later at a press conference, elaborating about the meeting, Kejriwal said that he had praised the state police for the commendable work is done on Sunday (March 1) evening in preventing rumours in various areas of Delhi. "I also said that the same kind of alertness and response should have been shown by the police department on Monday and Tuesday (February 24 and 25) then the loss of lives could have been prevented," Kejriwal said. "I also said to the PM that we must take all necessary steps to ensure that such riots do not take place in Delhi ever again," he added. At least 47 people have lost their lives and more than 350 injured in the violence in northeast Delhi. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Nana Patole on Tuesday told state Higher and Technical Minister Uday Samant to ensure that the autonomy of universities is protected and there is no interference in their day-to-day affairs. The chair's comments came after BJP MLA Ashish Shelar alleged that Samant's OSD (officer on special duty) had written to vice-chancellors of universities seeking some information, which amounted to violation of their autonomy. Letters from the OSD to university vice-chancellors amounted to violation of their autonomy and interference in their day-to-day affairs, Shelar claimed. The BJP leader raised the issue in the Assembly through an adjournment notice. While Patole rejected the notice, he allowed Shelar to speak, stating that the issue was important. Universities are autonomous and come under the governor's jurisdiction, the BJP MLA said. "Such interference is a cause for concern since it violates the jurisdiction," he added. Patole said the minister should ensure such things do not happen. Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Samant said the government is working towards improving facilities for students at universities in the state. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) seeks reports regarding funds for universities and budgetary provisions to be made, he said. The letters were sent from his office to vice- chancellors to collect a comprehensive information from universities, Samant said. Citing an example, the minister said the government had allocated Rs one crore for Elphistone College (in Mumbai) last year, but it is yet to get details from the college about how the funds were utilised. Samant said information was sought from all universities, as the budget session is on and he needed to respond to questions from members of the Legislature. The Centre protects the autonomy of universities but the government has financial control over them and information was sought only in that regard, he clarified. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A growing number of children are being affected by eco-anxiety concern about ecological disasters new research suggests. In order to find out more about how children feel about climate change, BBC Newsround conducted a survey of 2,000 eight to 16-year-olds. The poll showed that young people are feeling frustrated and anxious about the state of the planet with 80 per cent saying the problem of climate change was important to them, and more than a third saying it was very important. Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) added that they were worried about the state of the planet right now, including 22 per cent who say they were very worried. Recommended How to feel less anxious about the coronavirus When asked about their futures, almost three in five (58 per cent) children said that they are concerned about the impact that climate change will have on their lives, with many admitting these worries often come out in unusual ways. Nearly one in five (19 per cent) of the children surveyed admitted to having a bad dream about the climate crisis, while 17 per cent said they have had their sleeping and eating habits affected by their concerns. When questioned about the action being taken by grown-ups to tackle the problem, a large number of children said they feel frustrated about the progress being made. More than half (59 per cent) of participants said they don't think their voices are being heard on climate change, while nearly two thirds (64 per cent) don't believe people in power are listening to them enough when they do talk about it. Whats more, 41 per cent said they don't trust adults to tackle the challenges that climate change presents. Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Show all 50 1 /50 Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Youth Strike for Climate: London protest in photos Angela Christofilou/The Independent Emma Citron, a consultant clinical child psychologist, said that young people often find it difficult to come to terms with the scale of the problem of climate changes and what often seems like a lack of response shown by governments and world leaders. Public figures like David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have helped young people to voice their worries and we have to make sure that we as adults listen to them and empower them by giving talks at school and in their communities to help them become involved in positive change, Citron said. "We all need to support them not to feel hopeless but rather to present to them hopeful and balanced messages about their futures and ensure that they get the right professional help if their anxiety is unduly high." Speaking of the results of the survey, Paul Plunkett, editor at BBC Newsround, said it is clear that children are passionate about protecting the planet. The climate strikes in 2019 showed their determination to make their voices heard on environmental issues, Plunkett said, The question the survey raises for parents and adults is how to show young people that, as a society, we are committed to addressing the challenges raised by climate change, because this survey suggests that at the moment - they aren't convinced we are. In 2019, Caroline Hickman, a leading psychotherapist from the University of Bath, issued a warning of rising levels of eco-anxiety among young people. Based on her research talking to children about their feelings about climate change, Hickman argued that young voices pressing for urgent change could act as a rallying cry to politicians around the world. Talking to children about climate change gives a fresh perspective on the absurdity of doing so little about the climate emergency and also highlights for young people the troubling disconnect between what politicians say and what they do, she explained, adding that children bear the emotional burden of climate change much more courageously than adults. We owe it to them to share it, she continued. We all need to do more to listen to young people when they talk about climate change. Through their experiences well all learn more about how we should take responsibility for the mess, apologise and start to act. RTHK: US cuts visas for Chinese state media The United States on Monday slashed by nearly half the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work for their state-run media in the United States, vowing reciprocity as Beijing restricts foreign press. The move comes two weeks after China expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters, although the United States said its decision was based on levelling numbers between the countries rather than retaliating over content. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that China has "imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China." "We urge the Chinese government to immediately uphold its international commitments to respect freedom of expression, including for members of the press," he said in a statement. A State Department official said that five media outlets, which last month were reclassified by the United States as foreign missions, would be allowed to employ a maximum 100 Chinese nationals as of March 13, down from around 160 now. The United States is not explicitly expelling the 60 staff members, who in theory can seek employment elsewhere, although most are expected to be obliged to leave the country. China on February 19 threw out three reporters from The Wall Street Journal two US nationals and an Australian over what it deemed a racist headline on an opinion piece in its harshest move against international media in years. Chinese citizens who work for other media outlets in the United States are not affected, the official said, and state-run media outlets will not be barred from hiring employees of other nationalities. Last year the United States issued 425 journalist visas to Chinese citizens, including family members, according to official data. The organisation most affected by the order will be the state news agency Xinhua, which will be allowed to keep 59 Chinese staff in the United States, according to a State Department official The China Global Television Network will be permitted 30 nationals. China Daily can have nine Chinese employees and China Radio International will be permitted two. The fifth organisation is the US distributor of the official People's Daily which is not believed to employ Chinese nationals. In reclassifying the five outlets under foreign missions last month, the State Department required them to seek permission to buy property and also to provide lists of their staffs, including the growing number of Americans they employ. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. (Alliance News) - Oncology consultants Physiomics PLC on Tuesday reported a slightly widened interim loss, despite revenue edging higher. In the six months to December 31, revenue rose 5.9% to GBP343,000 from GBP324,000 a year prior. Pretax loss widened year-on-year to GBP118,000 from GBP113,000. The company received no research grants during the period, meaning total income was down 7.8% to GBP343,000 from GBP372,000. Physiomics said: "The second half revenues for the last two financial years have significantly exceeded those of the first half and the board expects this trend to continue in the current financial year. Notably, in the last financial year, the majority of the company's grant income was recognised in the first half whereas in the current financial year, any grant income received would start to be recognised in the second half." The company also said it has been awarded two further contracts with biopharma firm Bicycle Therapeutics PLC. The firm had previously worked with Bicycle on BT1718, a programme sponsored by the charity Cancer Research UK. Physiomics said: "Physiomics' role related to the analysis of clinical data from this trial. "Separately, Physiomics also worked with Bicycle on the mathematical modelling of interactions between tumour and Bicycle compounds in an immune-oncology setting, which at the time of its announcement was the fourth project conducted by Physiomics in the immune-oncology space." The contracts announced on Tuesday builds on previous work between the two firms, and will involve the analysis of a "number of Bicycle compounds". Both projects are set to be completed in the next six months. Physiomics shares were 4.6% higher at 2.30 pence each in London on Tuesday morning. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Click here to read the full article. Donald Trump tweeted about The Hunt in August 2019; the next day, Universal canceled the September release. Director Craig Zobel knew the concept was ludicrous liberal gun nuts hunt conservative rednecks for sport but he also believed that it would be seen for what it was: a satire designed to skewer both ends of the political spectrum. However, the release came as the country reeled with the tragedies of mass shootings in California, Texas, and Ohio, creating a perfect time for Trump to pluck some Fox News talking points and declare an impending liberal fantasy engineered by Hollywood to inflame and cause chaos. As usual, the leader of the free world had no idea what he was talking about. I felt like it had been colossally misunderstood, Zobel said, months later. My first instinct to make sure people would see the movie. More from IndieWire That proved tricky. Zobel said there was a point when The Hunt could have been shelved permanently, even as rival distributors approached Universal about the potential to acquire it. I liked this movie, I was proud of it, and wanted people to see it, Zobel said. It became something that had even less to do with the movie business in a weird way and more about the culture of making a movie for a big corporation. They have different needs than I do as a filmmaker. The Hunt will finally hit theaters March 13, with a campaign that leans into its controversial past. The trailer says it all: The Most Talked About Movie of the Year Is One Nobodys Seen Yet. Truth in advertising never felt more real. And yet, for those of us who have seen The Hunt, nothing about the discourse surrounding it should come as a surprise. A nimble, energetic update to The Most Dangerous Game, the movie resurrects the grotesque thrills of Hostel by way of the acerbic social commentary of Get Out, yielding the most incendiary form of escapism produced on the studio dime since that button-pushing crossover hit. Story continues The script, co-written by Nick Cuse and Watchmen showrunner Damon Lindelof, mocks the lunacy of right-wing conspiracy theories and the extremist rage of politically correct liberals, and the result is one gruesome punchline after another about a country that has decimated its middle ground. Partisanship has gotten to a certain place where it feels like everybody is picking one side to be on, Zobel said. I feel like we have all done that culturally. Politics is not even the conversation anymore. In fact, The Hunt envisions a world in which political inclinations have devolved into tribalistic acts of war. From its opening minutes, a group of kidnapped southerners dodge bullets and mines across a mysterious countryside. As the body count rises, the small of set of survivors realize theyve been drugged and dropped into Manorgate, an internet conspiracy theory made real. The lefty killers treasure the opportunity to win their debates: Climate change is real, says one man, pulling the trigger. Two gun-wielding geriatrics debate whether its appropriate to use the term black people or African Americans, and a right-winger expresses delight as he envisions recounting his experience to Sean Hannity. Finally, The Hunt settles on a survivor with no apparent political agenda. Thats Crystal, played by Betty Gilpin as a no-nonsense woman whose stern commitment to overcoming every new assault makes her look a lot saner than everyone else. Crystal epitomizes the perils of a moderate America as she transforms into a one-woman Rambo and faces a grisly showdown with the Manorgate overlord played by Hillary Swank. Shes a person who has been plunked into this thing who doesnt have big stakes in the conversation, Zobel said. You know, a lot of people dont think about politics all day. To me, it was important that that voice was a part of the conversation. Zobels own voice has been marginalized in stories about The Hunt controversy. When initial reports surrounding the movies release first broke in Variety and The New York Times, only producer Jason Blum and Lindelof (who shares a producing credit) weighed in. When The Hunt was first canceled, Zobel provided a written statement to Variety expressing a desire to entertain and unify, not enrage and divide. These days, he remains diplomatic in the way he discusses his relationship with the studio, but the frustration keeps sneaking in. Its my movie, and I definitely feel some ownership over it, he said. I think we made something cool, and was constantly trying to remind everybody that it wouldnt break the world for it to exist. Zobels passion means he tends to take public scrutiny in personal terms. He contended with a microcosm of The Hunt backlash with his 2012 thriller Compliance, a dizzying look at the real-life experiences of a Kentucky restaurant manager (a pre-Handmaids Tale Ann Dowd) tricked by a demented prank caller into administering a strip-search on one of her employees. But while that movie instigated contentious Q&As at Sundance and beyond, Zobel said working in the bubble of smaller-scale productions left him and his peers blindsided by The Hunt fallout. A lot of people were not prepared to deal with how loud it got, and how fast, he said. I was constantly making a case for what I thought the plan of action would be. I was also trying to work with all of the different stakeholders. Meanwhile, he contended with a media narrative spiraling out of control and death threats on Twitter. He disputed reports, including one in IndieWire, that The Hunt performed poorly at test screenings. We did some right before everything blew up, he said. We had just done two back to back in one night. It tested really well. People laughed at it, they were excited by it. Thats why this was so surprising later. Zobel said the most frustrating aspect of summer mayhem was that he couldnt correct the record. The film became something that it never was, he said. These kind of things became truth. The Hunt never became a liability for Universal on the level of The Interview, the 2014 Seth Rogen comedy on North Korea that led hackers to virtually destroy Sony Pictures from the inside out. Nevertheless, both cases reveal what can happen when satire becomes so astute that its intentions spill off the screen and into real life. The Hunt also illustrates this phenomena in its plot, and though it would be a spoiler to explain exactly why, the movies narrative arc turns on what can happen when fake news inspires the real deal. To that end, the hysteria surrounding the release of The Hunt registers as accidental marketing, a means of piercing through the noise of our dense media culture. Zobel acknowledged that The Hunt plays with blunt caricatures to make its point. I felt that it was inherent in the premise, he said. To make a movie about people misunderstanding what the other side believes, and assuming the worst of people, just doesnt work in a wildly humanistic Dardenne brothers movie. You have to use more satirical story language to make that work. You have to have these archetypes. However, he insisted that he and the movies screenwriters engineered The Hunt with bipartisanship in mind. That greatly informs my relationship to this movie, he said. After directing the lyrical post-apocalyptic drama Z for Zachariah in 2015, Zobel made inroads with television gigs, including American Gods and The Leftovers, where he worked with Cuse and Lindelof. When Damon and Nick first called me, they like, Hey, what if we made something that was literally palatable to multiple groups? Zobel recalled. I said, Yeah, that sounds like the hardest movie to do. Lets try. I didnt want it to be washed out. Theres a way to make a movie that doesnt hold any politics in it that everyone can enjoy. If The Hunt solely reflected the sensibilities of the guy who made an understated, minimalist chamber piece like Z for Zachariah, it might look like a random tangent. However, Zobel has been developing a blend of edgy and perceptive cultural insight in his other works. (Of note: He co-founded the Flash animation Homestar Runner while in college.) Along with his fellow North Carolina School of the Arts classmates David Gordon Green, Jody Hill, and Danny McBride, Zobels work careens through a range of genres and tones while attempting remarkable inquiries into American identity. His 2007 debut Great World of Sound plays like an unusual blend of Arthur Miller and Sacha Baron Cohen, as it follows two salesmen drawn into a song-sharking scheme and uses hidden cameras as they trick a range of unsuspecting targets. Compliance also pulls from real life: The scenario is so unnerving and unbelievable that many viewers will struggle to accept it as a true story and thereby prove the dynamic that created the circumstances in the first place. After The Hunt, Zobel has come around to the big picture. Prior to all this stuff happening, I wouldve pushed back and said, I just tell stories, Zobel said. Now I cant deny that this movie is on a continuum of questions. But this isnt a giant psychological treatise on partisanship. Thats not what we need right now that would turn people off. What we need is for everybody to calm down, laugh, just have fun. The Hunt does that, at least for audiences willing to engage with its wavelength. Zobel said that, until The Hunt became a liability, he found himself largely satisfied with his first bonafide studio project. I am not just paying lip service when I say that making this movie was incredibly easy to work with a studio on, he said. On an independent film, sometimes you have to interact with some investment group to see if they can get you some of the money. I didnt have to do that with the studio. They appreciated me. Well, until last summer, anyway. The parts about it that have been hard is that the studio has a lot of stakeholders, and the movie got canceled, he said, and chuckled. Until then, it was awesome. Zobel is currently shooting the miniseries Mare of Eastwood with Kate Winslet, and hasnt had time to fully process the last eight months of mayhem. Im still in the end of all this and not one hundred percent sure what my takeaway is, he said. Then he paused, and found it: I would say that I am more acutely aware of the appetite for risk not being incredibly viable in certain scenarios, he said. Usually Id think everybody talking about the movie would be a great thing. But here it was enough to get the movie canceled. That is just literally the way it works when dealing with a bigger corporation. So I guess Ive learned that. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Rajnath Singh recalls how he managed to curtail the spread of Naxalism in UP 1,000 and counting: 25 Hindu girls are forcibly being converted to Islam monthly in Pakistan Citizenship Act 'internal matter', says India as UN body files intervention application in SC India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Mar 03: The UN human rights body has moved the Supreme Court in connection with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), triggering a sharp reply from New Delhi saying that no foreign party has any standing on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty The plea asks the court to make the UNHRC a party in the case against the CAA that is being heard by the top court. Reportedly, India's permanent mission in Geneva was informed on Monday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, about the intervention application. 'Turkey should not interfere in internal affairs': India rejects Erdogan's comments on Kashmir "The CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty," said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. "We are clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of our constitutional values. It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India," he added. "We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position would be vindicated by the Supreme Court," he further said. The United Nations had expressed its concern over a law that was "fundamentally discriminatory in nature". A spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said the amendments to a 1955 law would "have a discriminatory effect on people's access to nationality". The CAA has sparked widespread protests across the country, with Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area becoming the epicentre of all protests. The law says non-Muslim minorities from Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan can become citizens if they fled religious persecution and entered India before December 31, 2014. [March 03, 2020] The Digital Scent Market was valued at USD 16.70 million in 2019, and is expected to reach USD 29.88 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 10.50%, during the period of 2020-2025 NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Scent Market was valued at USD 16.70 million in 2019, and is expected to reach USD 29.88 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 10.50%, during the period of 2020-2025. Digital scent technology provides the user with the benefit of getting to smell the product before buying it online. For instance, a California-based company, Digiscents Inc. has created a small device called the iSmell, which has its driver and can be connected through a personal computer via serial ports. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05826218/?utm_source=PRN - Developments in virtual reality, augment the expansion of the digital scents market. Virtual reality enhances the features of the computers by introducing new concepts such as Digi smell, which is a combination of hardware and software. The hardware part produces the odor, and the software part helps in generating specific signals for specific smells. - Odor pollution has become a sensitive issue in many parts of the world, with many severe instances reported by different countries in the world. The latest was from Malaysia in July 2019, when the authorities in Malaysia had to dispatch several teams to comb Batang Kali, which was considered to be the source of foul smell which spread through the region. - The factors responsible for the growth of the market are increasing applications and adoption of the digital scent technology (particularly e-noses) in the healthcare and the military and defense sectors. - Digital scent technology can also be applied in retail warehouses to prepare the workers to handle the consequences of machinery failure. For instance, in 2018, almost two dozens Amazon warehouse employees were hospitalized after a robot punctured a can of bear repellent. Deploying the technology in these situations could prevent severe damage, provided they are equipped with necessary precautionary devices. - However, the high initial costs and the lack of awareness are expected to hinder the market growth. The high cost of electronic nose and delays between successive smell tastes are some restraints faced by the digital scent technology market. For instance, digital scent technology used in the field of defense and clinical diagnosis is comparatively expensive, and therefore, it acts as a barrier for further expansion of the market. The unpredictability of airflow is another major factor that hinders the transmission of digitalized smell, and thus restricts its usage. Key Market Trends Healthcare Sector Expected to Witness Significant Growth - Healthcare sector is expected to witness significant growth for the digital scent market due to the rising implementation of e-nose applications for clinical diagnosis. An e-nose is capable of providing useful information through the analysis of the volatile organic copounds in body fluids, such as exhaled breath, urine, and blood, which could cause an increased adoption of this technology in the healthcare industry. - The need for cost-effective detection devices is increasing at an alarming rate, considering the increasing cases of chronic diseases. For instance, according to the National Cancer Institute, the number of new cancer cases per year is expected to rise to 23.6 million by 2030, in the United States alone, up from an estimated 1,735,350 new cases of cancer in 2018. - Furthermore, according to new research published in the leading cancer journal, Annals of Oncology, researchers at the Radboud University Medical Center developed an electronic nose that detects chemicals in the breath of lung cancer patients and can identify, with 85% accuracy, the patients who will or will not respond to immunotherapy. The e-nose sensors developed by these researchers reportedly respond to the complete mixture of VOCs in the exhaled breath. - Leakages in the pharmaceutical products, such as sachets/closures, can lead to product contamination, which has been evident, especially across the United States . In June 2019 , the US FDA published a warning letter to a US pharmaceutical manufacturers for concerns regarding leaking product containers in three batches. Instances like these provide an opportunity for e-nose manufacturers to solve gas/odor analysis challenges, while contributing to the market growth. - In the near future, development and use of application-specific hybrid systems, consisting of the combination of non-specific sensors together with specific sensors or other devices, capable of both producing a response to the odor as a whole, and coupled with technological advancements to rise costs, might boost the growth of the market. North America to Account for a Major Share - North America is expected to witness a significant market share for the digital scent technology market owing to an established infrastructure that makes use of various technological advancements. - The established healthcare industry in the region is boosting the market growth. Emphasis of the US government on healthcare and special initiatives, like the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (Obamacare) are also favoring the market in this region. Electronic noses are being developed extensively in this region for the healthcare industry to sniff out cancers. - Similarly, the defense and military sector in the region is very well established, with defense spending in the United States growing at a significant rate. The country has the biggest military defense budget, which is estimated to be around USD 611 billion . - The recent applications of digital scent technologies have come through advancements in sensor design, material improvements, software innovations, and progress in microcircuitry design and systems integration. - The developing infrastructure in the region, coupled with the rising adoption of technological advancements across various industries to better the business model, is set to boost the growth of the overall digital scent market. Competitive Landscape The digital scent market is neither fragmented nor consolidated. Ongoing research and technological advancements are expected to be the key trends in the market. The companies are adopting various strategies to expand their customer base and mark their presence in the market. Some of the key players are Alpha MOS SA, Electronic Sensor Technology Inc.,Plasmion GmbH, Odotech Inc., The eNose Company,AIRSENSE Analytics GmbH, among others. - Sep 2019 - Comon Invent BV was working toward the We-nose project of the Port of Rotterdam , to improve air quality monitoring in the port of Rotterdam area. The company, along with other companies, is testing the possibility of automatic source recognition. 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/p05826218/?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/the-digital-scent-market-was-valued-at-usd-16-70-million-in-2019--and-is-expected-to-reach-usd-29-88-million-by-2025--registering-a-cagr-of-10-50-during-the-period-of-2020-2025--301015129.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] AKRON, Ohio Officials have released the identity of a 58-year-old man who was beaten to death early Sunday morning in an apartment in West Akron. A news release from the Summit County Medical Examiners office says Theophilus Augustus Jones III died of strangulation and blunt force injuries to the head and neck. His death has been ruled a homicide. James Miller, 51, of Akron, has been charged with murder in connection with Jones IIIs death, Akron Municipal Court records show. Police and paramedics responded around 6:15 a.m. Sunday after someone called 911 about a medical emergency at an apartment on the 1900 block McTaggart Drive, near Vernon Odom Boulevard and Interstate 77, according to police. They found an injured Jones III, who died at the scene, officials say. Miller, who also lives at the McTaggart Road address, was in the apartment when officers arrived, according to police. Investigators say Miller and the victim were arguing and fighting, and Miller bludgeoned the victim to death. Miller is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment Tuesday morning, court records show. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: Man robs Huntington Bank branch inside Parma Giant Eagle 92-year-old man attacked, carjacked outside Cleveland church, police say Man arrested in deadly drunken-driving crash in Cleveland, police say She slipped through the cracks: Family says Cleveland woman dismembered and set on fire was a poet who struggled with schizophrenia Video shows SUV slam into gas pumps, truck at GetGo in Painesville Township Euclid man arrested, charged in connection with catalytic converter thefts from Wickliffe impound lot WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez on Tuesday lashed into Bernie Sanders for skipping a gathering of pro-Israel activists and criticizing them instead. Sanders a front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, announced last month that he would boycott the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committees Washington conference, saying on Twitter that it provides a platform for leaders who express bigotry. Menendez, who has yet to endorse a presidential candidate following Cory Bookers withdrawal in January, said nothing could be further from the truth. Make no mistake: You will never see Bob Menendez speaking to an organization that foments bigotry in any form, he said to loud applause. I am always honored to stand on this stage. This organization does not foment hatred or support bigotry. On the contrary, this organization has worked painstakingly for years to bring people together. And in a comment clearly directed at Sanders, though not by name, the New Jersey Democrat said: If anyone from any political party thinks otherwise, they should take the time to come themselves instead of castigating from afar. Sanders, who is Jewish, is currently leading in polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, and his criticism of AIPAC was referenced repeatedly during the conference of 18,000 people here that ended Tuesday. The Sanders campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Both Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., cited Sanders as Republicans continued their effort to try to make Israel a wedge issue and attract Jewish voters who support Democratic candidates because they agree with them on other issues such as social programs, abortion rights and immigration. Jewish voters supported Democratic candidates by 79 percent to 17 percent in the 2018 midterms, according to network exit polls reported by CNN. Booker, who spoke at the AIPAC conference Monday, blasted efforts to break up the bipartisan consensus for supporting Israel. Menendez, an annual speaker at AIPACs conference as the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for gun legislation as way to help stem attacks against the Jewish community. He invoked the shootings in Jersey City, where three people were gunned down in a kosher supermarket, as well as those that took place at synagogues in Poway, California, and Pittsburgh. Some things can be done to disarm hate and to stem the tide of gun violence we have grown so weary of, something I will not stop fighting for until we pass common sense gun safety reform into law, Menendez said. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enstar Group Limited (ESGR) announced today that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has entered into an adverse development cover reinsurance agreement with Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited. In the transaction, Enstars subsidiary will reinsure losses incurred on or prior to December 31, 2019 on a diversified mix of property, liability and specialty lines across the U.S., U.K and Europe for a premium of $770 million. Enstar will provide $770 million of cover in excess of a $3.805 billion retention, and an additional $250 million of cover in excess above $4.815 billion. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of various other closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020. 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 approximately 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 . Cautionary Statement This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Enstar and its management team. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. In particular, Enstar may not be able to complete the proposed transaction on the terms summarized above or other acceptable terms, or at all, due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the failure to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals or to satisfy other closing conditions. Important risk factors regarding Enstar can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in Enstar's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, Enstar undertakes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statements or publicly announce any updates or revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, except as required by law. Contact: Guy Bowker Telephone: +1 (441) 292-3645 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Psychologists have a key role to play in addressing climate change and treating the mental health effects that arise from changes to the planet's weather patterns, according to a resolution adopted by the American Psychological Association. "The natural disasters that we are experiencing are associated with a number of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression," said APA President Sandra L. Shullman, Ph.D. "As experts in human behavior, psychologists must be in the forefront of devising strategies to change the actionsby individuals, corporations and governmentsthat lead to climate change." The resolution, which was passed by APA's Council of Representatives on Feb. 29, reaffirms the organization's 2011 policy on the issue and commits the organization to working with other scientific, professional, policy and community organizations in the U.S. and around the world. The resolution notes that recent research on the psychological dimensions of climate changeincluding research on beliefs, attitudes and communications about climate change and studies of behavioral change related to energy use and conservationcan guide new actions to mitigate and promote human adaptation to climate change. "Building on such work, APA can further address the climate change crisis by promoting and sponsoring advances in research, interventions, services, education and training, public policy and advocacy, group and community organization, and other domains in which psychologists work," the resolution states. "All areas of psychology have valuable knowledge and experience to contribute to this effort." The resolution also calls for APA's president to create a task force of leading experts to review APA's past and current activities related to climate change and recommend goals and strategies that will have an impact on the climate change crisis. APA has long focused on the role psychology can play in addressing climate change. Earlier this year, APA released the results of a public opinion poll that probed the reasons why people do and don't change their behaviors in response to climate change. In 2019, APA joined leaders representing psychological associations from more than 40 countries to sign a proclamation and resolution agreeing to apply psychological science to combat climate change and the negative impact it is having on vulnerable populations worldwide. The organization has also worked with ecoAmerica on two reports, in 2014 and 2017, looking at the likely effects of climate change on mental health and well-being. Explore further Majority of US adults believe climate change is most important issue today There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse. So, the natural question for Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. See our latest analysis for Core Lithium Does Core Lithium Have A Long Cash Runway? A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. In December 2019, Core Lithium had AU$4.0m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$4.2m over the trailing twelve months. Therefore, from December 2019 it had roughly 11 months of cash runway. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years. ASX:CXO Historical Debt, March 3rd 2020 How Is Core Lithium's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? While Core Lithium did record statutory revenue of AU$15k over the last year, it didn't have any revenue from operations. That means we consider it a pre-revenue business, and we will focus our growth analysis on cash burn, for now. The 56% reduction in its cash burn over the last twelve months could be interpreted as a sign that management are worried about running out of cash. Core Lithium makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth. Story continues How Hard Would It Be For Core Lithium To Raise More Cash For Growth? While we're comforted by the recent reduction evident from our analysis of Core Lithium's cash burn, it is still worth considering how easily the company could raise more funds, if it wanted to accelerate spending to drive growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash to drive growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations. Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$29m, Core Lithium's AU$4.2m in cash burn equates to about 15% of its market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution. How Risky Is Core Lithium's Cash Burn Situation? Even though its cash runway makes us a little nervous, we are compelled to mention that we thought Core Lithium's cash burn reduction was relatively promising. Even though we don't think it has a problem with its cash burn, the analysis we've done in this article does suggest that shareholders should give some careful thought to the potential cost of raising more money in the future. For us, it's always important to consider risks around cash burn rates. But investors should look at a whole range of factors when researching a new stock. For example, it could be interesting to see how much the Core Lithium CEO receives in total remuneration. Of course Core Lithium may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying. 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. An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with vehicle burglaries at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans last week. New Orleans police said Tuesday morning that MaLeik Ahmad Hundley was identified as "one of four perpetrators who committed several vehicle burglaries" last Friday at the seminary. Hundley has been booked into Orleans Parish Prison on 38 counts of simple burglary and 40 counts of criminal damage to property, among other counts, NOPD said. An archdiocese spokesperson said last week that a total of 41 cars were broken into on the campus. Anyone with any additional information is asked to call NOPD at at 504-658-6020. The Haryana Assembly on Tuesday passed eight Bills, some of them after detailed discussion with opposition Congress members raising queries. Among the Bills which were passed included the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Haryana Amendment Bill, 2020) which was introduced by Women and Child Development Minister Kamlesh Dhanda. It was passed unanimously by the House. The Bill seeks to amend Section 3 (I) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. As per the Bill, "The Apex Court reached a conclusion that the best solution has been found by the State of Karnataka the State Legislature of Karnataka (in 2016) has inserted sub-section (1A) in Section 3 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 thereby declaring that henceforth every child marriage that is solemnized is void. "Meaning thereby any marital relationship between a man and a girl aged between 15 to 18 years shall be void and it will make sexual intercourse as an offence defined as rape in POCSO Act." The Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, was also passed by the Assembly after a brief discussion. As per the private universities amendment bill, O P Jindal Global University, Sonipat, a private university, had submitted application before the Union HRD Ministry to declare it as an institution of eminence deemed to be university, Education Minister Kanwar Pal informed the House. Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal sought to know from Education Minister, who introduced the Bill, why the private university wanted to change its present status to "deemed to be university". Some other Congress party members too joined the discussion before the Bill was passed. Kanwar Pal told them that the request to declare the varsity as "an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University" had come from the private university. Under the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006, in case a state private university is recommended for selection as an Institution of Eminence, it has to submit an undertaking from respective state government that the state government will introduce an appropriate legislation in the State Legislature for withdrawal of private university status before declaring them as Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, the House was informed. The House also passed the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2020. As per the Bill, the licenses granted under the provision of the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act of 1975 are renewed for a period of five years. However, it has been observed that different licensed colonies may be at different stages of development/construction and accordingly may not require fixed license renewal period of five years for completion of the colony. The amendment would now allow license renewal period ranging from 1 to 5 years as per requirement. The Assembly also passed the Haryana Group 'D' Employees (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2020. The House was informed that the Haryana Group 'D' employees (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2018, wad enacted with an object of providing common service, minimum age, common minimum qualifications, transparent selection criteria along with some weightage for socioeconomic status, experience and doing away with practice of interviews for recruitment to various Group 'D' posts. However, the state has faced some difficulties while interpreting and implementing the provisions of the Act of 2018 and in order to mitigate these difficulties, it became necessary to make certain amendments in the Act, the House was further informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 14:56:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich (L) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador to Chile Xu Bu in Santiago, Chile, March 2, 2020. A team of Chilean health experts is set to visit China to learn the Asian country's experience in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich told media after meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Chile Xu Bu on Monday . (Photo by Jorge Villegas/Xinhua) SANTIAGO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A team of Chilean health experts is set to visit China to learn the Asian country's experience in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, a top official said Monday. "President Sebastian Pinera proposed, with a lot of interest on our part, the possibility of a delegation of (health) professionals going to this great country that is China, to learn what they have done and how they have educated the population," Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich told media after meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Chile Xu Bu. "China's situation is extraordinarily important, because the measures they have applied -- mainly measures of public health, community awareness and controlling contact -- are working," said Manalich. According to the minister, the Chilean team will include two doctors, a nurse and a statistician. So far, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chile. Still, the government has issued an alert and installed various prevention mechanisms. The cancellation of the ITB tourist fair in Berlin because of fears over the coronavirus is a major blow to the Balearics. Hundreds of members of the local tourist industry travel were due to travel to Berlin led by the President of the Balearic government Francina Armengol. Yesterday, the local ministry for tourism decided to still head to Berlin for talks with the German tourist trade. But, obviously it wont be the same. The German tourist market is vital to the Balearics and there is some concern locally about the state of this key market especially as a result of increased competition from resorts in the eastern Mediterranean which are cheaper. The Balearic government and the tourist industry were hoping to receive reassurances that all was well but the cancellation of the fair has hit these plans hard. The tourist tax and the new booze rulings have not been too well received in Germany. The local government were hoping for a series of high level meetings with tour operators to discuss their new laws. Also, the coronavirus has affected the travel industry and there is concern locally that it could have a negative impact on the holiday season. These are worrying times for the Balearic tourist industry. There were already reports that hotels would be opening later this year because of a fall in bookings. At the end of the day there is little the tourist industry can do, just wait on developments and hope that all will be alright in the end. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FSE: TH8) ("TransCanna" or the "Company") announces on March 3, 2020 the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors issued a unanimous (5-0) vote of approval for Lyfted Farm, Inc. ("Lyfted Farms") a subsidiary of TransCanna, Conditional Use Permit and Development Agreement for the Operation of the Daly Avenue Facility in South Modesto. The Daly facility is a 196,000 square foot industrial facility equipped for large scale cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution. This facility will be operated by Lyfted Farms in addition to its Cultivation, Nursery and Distribution facilities in North Modesto which were also unanimously approved by the County Board in January 2019. To initiate operations at the Daly Avenue facility Lyfted Farms will need approval from California for its State licenses, those applications are currently in process. "This is a tremendous step forward for TransCanna!" said Steve Giblin, President and CEO. "Licensing the Daly facility will enable the company to accelerate revenues by expanding distribution, manufacturing and cultivation. We are now well on our way to achieving our strategic plan." "Everyone in the cannabis space in California knows about the Daly building and the effect it will have on the industry," said Bob Blink, President of Lyfted Farms. "When we open Daly, we will be doing business with most recognized and in demand consumer brands. It will reinforce our position as an industry leader." About TransCanna Holdings Inc. TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a California based, Canadian listed, company building Cannabis focused brands for the California lifestyle, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com or email the Company at info@transcanna.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors Steve Giblin President 604-207-5548 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53107 MILAN The coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy has so overwhelmed the public health system that officials are taking extraordinary measures to care for the sick, seeking to bring doctors out of retirement and accelerate graduation dates for nursing students. The region of Lombardy has been the epicenter of Italys outbreak, registering the first positive test of the northern cluster and now counting 984 of Italys 1,694 cases. Most alarmingly, 10% of Lombardys doctors and nurses are out of commission, because they tested positive for the virus and are in quarantine, said the regions top health official, Giulio Gallera. With officials saying they expect Italys numbers to continue rising for at least another week, until containment measures begin to take effect, the health care emergency in Lombardy has reached a crisis point. Hospitals in hard-hit Lodi and Cremona were so besieged at times last week, with more sick people arriving than could be accepted, that they closed their emergency rooms and new patients were taken elsewhere. Effectively some of the hospitals in Lombardy are under a stress that is much heavier than what this area can support and has trained for for years, to face this type of emergency, Dr. Massimo Galli, head of infectious disease at Milans Sacco Hospital, told Sky TG24. This epidemic is on a scale that is larger than anyone could have thought, imagined or prevented. Lombardys regional government has asked the central government to reactivate retired doctors and nurses and get them back on the payroll. In addition, nursing students who were due to take their final exams next month are now expected to graduate in the coming days so they can be immediately put to work, Gallera said. Well take anyone: old, young. We need personnel, especially qualified doctors, Gallera said. Private hospitals in Lombardy have offered up beds in intensive care units and more than a dozen doctors from the private sector have agreed to work in public hospitals to ease the crisis, regional president Attilio Fontana said. Regional authorities have asked Lombardys hospitals to reduce by 70% their planned or elective surgeries, to free up ICU beds for virus patients. Underscoring the emergency, Fontana himself has been in quarantine for several days after one of his top aides tested positive for the virus. A second member of the regional government tested positive Monday, forcing the entire regional government to undergo testing. Fontana has been working and sleeping in his office, appearing at each days virus briefing via video. Lombardy and Veneto have been two of the hardest-hit regions in Italy, registering most of Italys 34 deaths, and over the weekend the United States issued a travel advisory warning American citizens against visiting. Nicole Winfield and Colleen Barry are Associated Press writers. Former CNN host Bobbie Battista died Tuesday, aged 67, after a four-year battle with cervical cancer, a spokesperson for her family confirmed. Her husband John Brimelow described her as the 'consummate trooper' who was 'thoughtful for all the others in her life'. Battista was one of the original CNN headline anchors when the network launched in 1981. Some of the major events she covered included the Challenger space shuttle explosion, the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan and the Gulf War. She died in Davenport, Iowa. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Battista was one of the original CNN headline anchors when the network launched in 1981 She presented 'TalkBack Live' the first TV news show to feature a live audience 'Bobbie was the consummate trooper in her struggle with cancer, she was courageous and fearless in her battle and thoughtful for all the others in her life even as she fought through the pain,' Battista's husband John Brimelow said in a statement on Tuesday. 'My dear partner of 25 years of marriage has cut her earthly bonds and is now in peace.' Battista had one step daughter through her marriage to Brimelow. She was previously married to James M. Battista but the marriage ended in divorce in 1975. The news of her death was first reported by executive producer of CNN Political David Gelles who mentioned her long history with the network. 'Battista was one of the original CNN Headline News anchors when the network launched in 1981,' he wrote Twitter. 'She anchored several news programs on CNN including 'TalkBack Live.' 'Talkback' was the first news program to be filmed before a live audience and to feature public participation alongside newsmakers. Battista was at the helm of the show for three years from 1998. 'Wherever I traveled around the world, people asked about Bobbie Battista, especially soldiers stationed overseas,' Charles Hoff, CNN's former deputy managing editor, told the New York Times. 'She was CNN.' Before joining CNN in 1981, she worked as an anchor and producer in North Carolina Former CNN host Bobbie Battista died Tuesday, aged 67, after a years-long cancer battle Born Barbara Ann Nusser in New Jersey on July 23, 1952, Battista studied in Northwestern University before beginning her journalistic career. She earned a bachelors degree in radio, television and film production. Before joining CNN in 1981, she worked as an anchor and producer at Action News 5 for WRAL-TV, Raleigh, North Carolina. She began her TV journalism career with WRAL-TV in 1976. There she produced the morning news report and produced a variety of programming across sports, public affairs and children's TV. She first became an anchor in 1977. In 1981, Battista won a George Foster Peabody Award for a five-station documentary named 'Fed Up with Fear'. She was a member of the Women in Communications and Sigma Delta Chi and had been a guest lecturer at several universities and conventions. In 2001, she spoke about her distinguished career so far and highlighted some of the hardest and some of the best moments she had experienced. 'Whether the Challenger explosion, the assassination attack on Reagan, the Gulf War, certainly this terrorist attack. Those were memorable from the anchor desk,' Battista said. 'As far as TalkBack, we've had some serious shows, and some fun shows. If I had to pick, I'd say I liked Free for All Fridays the best.' No major terror attack took place in the hinterland of the country during the last three years, except a grenade attack in Amritsar in November 2018, the Home Ministry informed on Tuesday. Jammu and Kashmir reported over 1,500 terror incidents during the period, it said. The grenade attack in Amritsar took place at a prayer hall in Adliwal village on November 18, 2018, wherein three persons were killed, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said. "As per available information, the involvement of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) has come to notice in this incident. The Punjab Police has arrested three persons involved in this attack," he said. The data presented by the minister in response to a question also showed that 1,550 terror incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir between 2017 and 2019 and 251 security personnel, 118 civilians and 627 terrorists were killed during the period. Reddy said terrorism is largely sponsored from across the border as Pakistan's snooping and espionage agency ISI has close links with terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen and it provides them safe havens, material support, finance and other logistics to carry out terrorist activities in India. "No major terror attack took place in the hinterland of the country during the last three years, except a grenade attack in... Amritsar, wherein three persons were killed," he said. On a question about undertrial terrorists, the minister said the data is maintained by the state governments since 'Public Order', 'Police' and 'Prison' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. At the central government level, he said, the cases relating to terrorist acts are investigated by the Investigation Agency (NIA). The Investigation Agency Act, 2008, provides for constitution of special courts, registered by the NIA, where such cases are heard on day-to-day basis and get precedence over other cases. "Accordingly, 49 courts all over India have been designated as Special NIA Courts for speedy disposal of cases relating to all accused arrested by NIA in terror cases," Reddy said. He said financial assistance is given to victims of terror attacks. The state government initially gives financial relief to the civilian victim or next of kin of victim, which is Rs 5 lakh in case of death or permanent incapacitation, and then seeks reimbursement of the expenditure from the Centre. "Apart from it, the concerned State Governments also provide assistance to the victims as per their policy," he added. Reddy said a total reimbursement of Rs 4.30 crore has been issued in fiscal years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. "The ex-gratia/compensation is paid to the families of security personnel as per the extant guidelines of CAPFs/Army/State Governments and under the 'Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme' for the State Police/Security Personnel/civilian victims," he said. The recent weather has left ground across the country saturated, with cattle indoors and slurry tanks at capacity. Flooding has impacted many farmers, mainly in the west, with conditions on a par with those of 2016. But, as the country continues to batten down the hatches, and with more bad weather on this way this week, the pressure on farmers begins to mount as contractor fees rise this year and knackeries' fees look set to increase too. It seems farmers will once again be the ones to absorb the costs as others have to add to their prices just to survive. But what to do? Rising costs for farmers are one thing, but when they happen as farm-gate prices remain stagnant, it is sure to cause some to question their future in the sector over the coming weeks and months. Add to this the proposed cuts to CAP that would see farmers' direct payments diminish, and it all adds up to a bleak outlook for 2020. Under no circumstances could we allow a situation similar to our British neighbours, who seem determined to leave farmers in the lurch. Now, more than ever, farmers here need actual support from government to ensure their future. Unfortunately, it seems that while the government's claim to hold farming and those working in the sector in high regard, too many farmers are working at a loss - and expecting them to take more costs on board will do little except push more to the wire. Now is the time for action to support the sector and for those in power to ensure that farmers are paid prices that support a viable living. Other countries have started, with Spain and France banning retailers selling fruit, vegetables and meat at below the cost of production. A similar move is needed here. (Natural News) A 61-year-old religious woman whom the media is now referring to as a Korean typhoid Mary has reportedly exposed thousands of fellow doomsday worshippers in South Korea to the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19). The woman in question had apparently prayed with nearly 2,000 others at the Shincheonji Church in Daegu where she attends end of days services while infected with the novel disease, which led to upwards of 1,300 of them developing symptoms. According to reports, among these 1,300 people with symptoms, 87.5 percent were later confirmed to have become infected because of exposure to the woman. And amazingly, among the remaining 600 who did not show symptoms, a shocking 70 percent of them were also confirmed to have contracted the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19). What made this case so much worse was that this person spent a considerable amount of time in a very crowded area, stated Kim Chang-yup, a professor of health policy at Seoul National University in South Korea, following the publishing of an in-depth report about this bizarre situation by Bloomberg. Theres growing fear and resentment among the people right now. In total, 1,551 people out of the 1,900 who are official members of the Shincheonji Church ended up testing positive for the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19), which means the disease had an 81 percent infection rate, in this case. In the past, the Shincheonji Church had held a number of religious gatherings in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) outbreak. Listen below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, unpacks the ugly truth about how the coming coronavirus vaccine will likely be far more dangerous than the disease itself: Did the 61-year-old woman at Shincheonji Church intentionally infect others with the novel coronavirus? While some have suggested that certain members of the Shincheonji Church may have intentionally spread the disease to other congregants, seeing as how their focus centers around the end of days, news reports are clear that this remains an unsubstantiated rumor. At the same time, the leader of the Shincheonji Church is a self-proclaimed prophet who says he was sent directly by Jesus Christ to perform a special mission on earth. Either way, the rapidity with which the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) spread among this particular congregation is noteworthy because it shows just how quickly thousands of people can become infected, including a sizable number without noticeable symptoms. In short, expect similar results assuming reports of purposeful infection are false at similar places of worship around the world, warns Zero Hedge. Not long after news about this outbreak went global, the leader of the Shincheonji Church issued a public apology. Lee Man-hee got down on his knees and bowed at a recent news conference, emphasizing that this was not intentional. Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected, hes quoted as saying. We put our utmost efforts, but were unable to prevent it all. Prosecutors in South Korea, where the vast majority of the infected congregants live, have asked that Lee be investigated on possible charges of gross negligence. Of all the known cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in the southern city of Daegu, 73 percent have been linked to the Shincheonji Church. We were worried about releasing this information because of the safety of our members, added church spokesman Kim Shin-chang about the institutions reluctance to publicly release the names of its members much like how the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been caught hiding important Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) statistics. Lee, it turns out, actually believes that he himself is the second coming of Jesus Christ, and self-identifies as the promised pastor mentioned in the Holy Bible who will take the 144,000 elect with him to heaven. For more related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19), be sure to check out Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com BBC.com NaturalNews.com When is a lack of transparency on a contagious virus ever good for us? It's a question which dominated much of the fallout from the confirmation of the first case of the coronavirus in the Republic in recent days. The decision by the Department of Health not to release the name of the secondary school on Sunday where one of its pupils tested positive, leading to its closure for two weeks, sparked outrage on social media. The sketchy details from the Department of Health merely said a male - not spelling out if it was a student or member of staff - had been found to have picked up the virus on a trip to northern Italy. The school was in the east of the country. It did not take long for the name of the school to be posted on Twitter by parents who had received a letter earlier in the day from the HSE informing them of the case involving an individual, the closure, and need to restrict the movements of pupils. This same social media posting was also quickly followed by local political representatives. But there was fake news circulating on social media too. Parents across the capital and beyond were plunged into confusion, wondering if it was their school and speculating about others. The Department of Health said the full details could not be released in the interests of privacy. There is a good rationale for limiting public information, but despite a veritable army of press officers in the Department of Health and HSE, the message was poorly communicated. The strongest reasoning for not releasing information which might identify the people involved is the fear it will drive the virus underground. The war against this virus will not be won unless people in at-risk categories who develop symptoms come forward and be tested. This not only allows for prompt care of the patient, but it minimises spread of the virus. The worst scenario is where someone who has the symptoms does not seek medical help and spreads the virus, allowing it to get a grip which is difficult to control. If they feel they may be at the centre of a media spotlight they may just choose to stay quiet but end up infecting others. They may feel stigmatised and this can breed fear. The advice is simple: if you develop symptoms after recently returning from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four areas in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont), phone your GP. We may have just one case in the Republic so far, but we want to avoid a public health emergency. How this message is communicated to an anxious public, who have reason to question the transparency of the HSE in the wake of scandals like CervicalCheck, demands good anticipation and an absence of pomposity. It's not the fault of frontline Department of Health staff who are in the thick of fighting this virus, but it is the job of press officers who should appreciate the diverse ways the public get their information these days. Too often it is left to responsible journalists to provide the safety net to ensure well-founded facts about the virus are delivered. There will be more cases of the coronavirus here and if the same protocol of limited information is followed then there will be another public backlash. This virus has instilled a public fear which has to be appreciated by everyone in the health service, many of whom have the knowledge and training which may remove them from grasping the legitimate concerns people have. There could be a case for loosening some of the restrictions on parts of the information around future cases of the virus, allowing for the fact that quick decisions may have to be made in a fast evolving emergency. Iran says doubts US intentions in offering coronavirus aid Iran Press TV Monday, 02 March 2020 10:18 AM Iran says it does not count on the United States for help in its battle against the coronavirus because it does not trust Washington's alleged offer of assistance. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the US was willing to help the Iranians with the problem, adding "all they have to do is ask," just after he authorized the expansion of travel restrictions against Iran. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Monday, "We have had doubts and continue to have doubts about the intentions of Americans. If they had good intentions, they would not have publicized the aid first in the media with propagandist aims." The United States, which has had no diplomatic ties with Iran since 1980, pulled out of a landmark nuclear deal with the country and reimposed crippling sanctions in 2018. US Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday detailed Trump's heightened travel bans against Iranians in a press conference from the White House. "First, the president authorized action today to add additional travel restrictions on Iran. Iran is already under a travel ban, but we're are expanding existing travel restrictions to include any foreign national who has visited Iran within the last 14 days," Pence said. Ali Ahmadi, a resident in Tehran, said the US has already made it difficult for Iranians, including its scientists, to travel there. "Now that the virus has appeared, we expect nothing less from America," he said, expressing widespread frustration with US policies on Iran. Mousavi said, "We monitor the Americans' positions. We have already seen how much they acted against Iran and our capabilities and toward weakening the people, and those actions still continue." "We doubt the intentions of Americans, and do not count on these aids and are not ready to receive verbal aid either," he added. The US State Department said Friday it had formally told Iran of the United States' willingness to assist in unspecified ways through a message sent via Switzerland, which represents US interests in Tehran. Mousavi touched on a Swiss channel announced in December to bring food and medicine to Iran, saying the US government has even been stonewalling efforts to have it up and running. The spokesman said most of Iran's needs to contain the coranavirus and treat patients exist in the country, but that its friends have also announced their readiness to help the Islamic Republic. "Turkey, China and the Red Cross have helped us. Some countries in the region have also said they are ready to cooperate," he said. Mousavi, however, reserved his special thanks for China. "The Chinese government has fully stood by the Iranian people and sent several medical shipments to Iran." China also sent a scientific team for research on finding a vaccine for the coronavirus and to transfer their latest findings to their Iranian peers, he added. "This is a good example of international cooperation. If all fulfill their obligations with this seriousness and goodwill, we will definitely have a better world," Mousavi said. The virus that emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year has so far claimed more than 3,000 people worldwide. In Iran, it has claimed 66 lives and infected 1,501 others, 291 of whom have recovered. Iranian medical officials have assured that the country will contain the outbreak, noting that the condition of most of the patients diagnosed with the virus have improved. The country has mobilized all its resources to confront the disease, with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran's regular Army being the latest to join the campaign Sunday. Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has ordered his ministry's medical arms to start mass-producing liquid disinfectants and protective masks in large quantities. Mousavi said Iran was exercising control on its borders and has reduced the number of entries as well as the number of visas issued for foreign nationals. Certain Persian-language media outlets based outside Iran, however, are unnerving the public through spreading alarmist news, he complained. Mousavi appealed to Iranians to maintain their high spirit and help contain the malaise so that these outlets cannot take advantage of the situation. Several television channels, chiefly based in Europe, broadcast programs in Persian with the funding of British and Saudi governments as well as former Iranian monarchists. Some of their broadcasts have been aimed at disrupting Iran's financial market and stoking riots across the country. Last week, BBC Persian Television claimed that the coronavirus had killed more than 200 people in Iran. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A 13-year-old old boy who was abandoned by his adoptive parents two years ago has found his forever home after he was legally adopted by his foster father. When Tony Mutabazi was 11 years old, the couple who had adopted him seven years prior left him at a hospital and never returned. After caring for Tony for the past couple of years, Peter Mutabazi, a foster parent from Charlotte, North Carolina, officially became his dad on November 12. 'He's the nicest, smartest kid I've ever had,' Peter told Good Morning America. 'From day one, he's always called me "dad." He truly meant it and he looks up to me. He's proud to show me at school and say, "Hey, he's my dad." That's something that I love about him.' Father and son: Peter Mutabazi, a foster parent from Charlotte, North Carolina, has legally adopted 13-year-old Tony Mutabazi after caring for him for two years Looking sharp: The father and son were both decked out in blazers when Tony's adoption was made official in a Charlotte courthouse on November 12 Happy day: The father and son were joined by their family and friends at the courthouse, and photographer Cole Trotter captured the heartwarming moment Tony was two years old when he was first placed in foster care and there are no details about his birth parents. He was four years old when a couple from Oklahoma adopted him, only to terminate their parental rights nearly a decade later. The boy's life changed forever when Jessica Ward, a foster care worker with Angels Foster Family Network in Edmond, Oklahoma, called Peter on January 16, 2018, and asked him to take Tony for the weekend. Peter told DailyMail.com that Tony arrived at his home at 3 a.m., and when he brought him to his room, he saw a toy on the floor and politely asked if he could play with it. 'It just warmed my heart that he asked, and he called me sir,' the dad recalled. He said he was also struck by Tony's desire to call him 'dad' from the get-go, explaining that the other children he has fostered only referred to him a dad when they were with their friends from school. Heartbreak: When Tony was 11 years old, the Oklahoma couple who had adopted him seven years prior left him at a hospital and never returned Meant to be: Peter said he knew he was going to adopt Tony as soon as he heard his backstory After he took Tony in, he learned that his foster care worker was looking for a group home to put him in because his adoptive parents had terminated their rights. 'Right then, I knew I am going to adopt this kid,' he said. The foster father said he was brought to tears when he heard that the people who raised Tony had just left him at a hospital and never returned. 'I thought, "Who would do that?"' he told Good Morning America. 'Once I knew the parents' rights were signed off and he had nowhere to go, I [knew] I had to take him.' 'I had the room, the resources, so I had no reason to let him go,' he added. 'For what someone did for me I wanted to do something for someone else.' Peter, who grew up in Uganda, faced similar struggles when he was around Tony's age. He ran away from his abusive home when he was just 10 years old and got through school with the help of a parental figure. Amazing: Peter, who was born in Uganda, also became a U.S. citizen in November, just a few weeks after he adopted Tony Giving back: Peter ran away from his abusive home when he was just 10 years old and found a parental figure who helped him get through school before he moved to the U.S. Giving back: The foster dad works with World Vision United States, a global Christian humanitarian organization that helps children in need He eventually moved to the U.S. and started working World Vision United States, a global Christian humanitarian organization that helps children in need. 'I thought I would be married with children at 30,' he told WSOC-TV in November. 'At 35, I thought, "Wait, I can spend my life looking and I can also maybe be doing something." 'The lady looked at me and said, "Hey, have you ever thought about being a foster dad?" I thought, "Wait, wait a minute. Well, I'm a single guy not sure I qualify."' Peter did qualify, and over the course of two years, he has fostered 12 children, including Tony. The father and son were joined by his family and friends when Tony's adoption was made official in a Charlotte courthouse this past fall. Love: Peter and Tony have matching shirts that say 'Families Don't Have to Match' Proud: Peter's Instagram page is filled with photos that show him playing video games and reading with his son. The proud dad said Tony has read 450 books since he has been with him Officially a teenager: Peter celebrated Tony's milestone 13th birthday with cake in May The heartwarming moment was captured by photographer Cole Trotter, and pictures from the day show the father and son decked out in blazers with Tony looking extra sharp in a maroon bow tie. Peter said his relationship with Tony hasn't changed since his adoption aside from the fact that they now share the same last name. He explained that it's 'really neat' to go to his son's school and see his surname on Tony's work. 'There is a kid I love and we share the same name,' he said. 'It's been probably the only difference.' Peter also became a U.S. citizen in November, just a few weeks after he adopted Tony. He proudly shared photos of himself and his new son waving an American flag at the courthouse. 'Today I became an American Citizen: Im proud, thankful, grateful and hopeful! A dad and U.S citizen in just two weeks cant describe in words the joy in my heart and house after a long long journey,' he wrote on Instagram. Meant to be: Peter said Tony has always called him 'dad,' which warmed his heart So sweet: 'Of all the joys that parenting has brought to my life a hug from my son is at the top of the list,' Peter captioned this image Growing family: Peter said he and Tony will be welcoming a new foster child in the near future Peter's page is filled with photos that show him playing video games and goofing around with his son. In one sweet snapshot, they're wearing matching T-shirts that say 'Families Don't Have to Match.' He told DailyMail.com that Tony likes to watch movies, saying he doesn't think his previous family allowed him to watch TV or even play sports. Peter is a runner, and when he is doing a workout, Tony likes to bike. The teen is also an avid reader. 'Since I've had him, he's read 450 books,' the proud dad said. 'Sometimes, before he goes to bed, I have to remove the books because he'll wake up and read the books.' 'I could go to any bookstore and read or work and he'll have a book and read for hours with no movement,' he added. 'That truly has been special.' Peter told Good Morning America that he will continue to be a foster parent, and he and his son will be welcoming a new foster child in the near future. Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- General Yamazaki Koji, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of Japan Self-Defense Forces, met with General Ngo Xuan Lich, Vietnamese Minister of National Defense, in Hanoi on Monday, as part of his ongoing visit to Vietnam from March 1 to 4. Society -- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said on Monday that the isolation period of Son Loi Commune in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, which was previously considered the epicenter of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, will end soon. -- Houses were damaged and trees uprooted after a hailstorm swept over Yen Bai City, the capital of the namesake northern province, on Monday evening. -- A man, allegedly high on drugs, has been arrested after he threatened people with an axe along a street and inside a shop in Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday evening. -- Authorities in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum confirmed on Monday they had apprehended 13 people for destroying a local forest and stealing approximately 26 cubic meters of timber. -- Saltwater intrusion is forecast to peak from March 7 to 15 in the Mekong Delta, threatening about 80,000 hectares of fruit trees and worsening water scarcity in the region, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. -- The administration in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday imposed a VND2.5 million (US$107) fine upon a 49-year-old man for buying 780 kilograms of used face masks and attempting to sell them to a plastic-making facility. Business -- National carrier Vietnam Airlines announced on Monday it will stop operating flights between South Korea and Vietnam from March 5 over COVID-19 concerns. World News -- Nearly 90,200 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus and 3,092 killed globally as of Tuesday morning, according to the South China Morning Post. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! CarePoint Health laid off 45 employees at its corporate office in Downtown Jersey City on Tuesday as the healthcare network scrambles to stay in business amid negotiations to sell two of its hospitals. CarePoint Health spokesman Eric Bloom confirmed the layoffs were occurring Tuesday and noted the company has been exploring every option to allow Christ Hospital in Jersey City and its other facilities to continue to operate. Unfortunately, we are at the point today where we must, with great regret, lay off 45 of our employees of about 200 staff. This step is necessary given the current uncertainty, and to ensure the hospital provides access to essential services while we figure out its future, Bloom said. We thank all of the dedicated people who were part of our family for all their contributions in making this a high-quality facility. CarePoint Health and RWJBarnabas Health announced in October that the latter would purchase both Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center. Bayonne Medical Center, the third of CarePoints three Hudson County hospitals, was not part of the proposed deal. But negotiations between the two networks broke down in early February, leading local elected officials, including Mayor Steve Fulop, to attempt to broker a deal. The two companies were reportedly tens of millions of dollars apart on a potential deal. The state Department of Health has also dispatched a financial monitor to Christ Hospital after Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli found the facility is in financial distress and at risk of further financial deterioration." Frank Troy, who serves as the states monitor, declined to comment on CarePoints finances. The Department of Health continues to monitor CarePoints financial status and continues to be concerned about the future viability of Christ hospital, DOH Director of Communications Donna Leusner said. DOH commends the staff of Christ hospital who continue to make their patients health their number one priority during this time of transition. CarePoint Health is also less than a year removed from a state Commission of Investigation report that found the for-profit healthcare network extracted $157 million from its hospitals between 2013 and 2016 through management companies that had no staff and new operating expenses. The business practice is legal, but the reports findings led to three new laws being passed to improve hospital financial transparency. In a last-minute bid to unite the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg on Monday threw their support behind a presidential campaign rival, Joe Biden, giving him an extraordinary boost before the Super Tuesday primaries Dallas: In a last-minute bid to unite the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg on Monday threw their support behind a presidential campaign rival, Joe Biden, giving him an extraordinary boost before the Super Tuesday primaries that promised to test his strength against the liberal front-runner, Senator Bernie Sanders. Even by the standards of the tumultuous 2020 campaign, the dual endorsement from Klobuchar and Buttigieg and their plan to join Biden at a rally in Dallas on Monday night was remarkable. Rarely, if ever, have opponents joined forces so dramatically and swiftly, as Klobuchar and Buttigieg went from campaigning at full tilt in the South Carolina primary Saturday to teaming up on a political rescue mission for a former competitor, Biden, whom they had once regarded as a spent force. Klobuchar, who sought to appeal to the same moderate voters as Biden and Buttigieg, and focused her campaign on calling the Democratic Partys attention to Midwestern states like her native Minnesota, withdrew from the race Monday afternoon after intensive conversations with her aides following Bidens thumping victory in South Carolina. Rather than delivering a traditional concession speech, Klobuchar told associates she wanted to leverage her exit to help Biden and headed directly for the joint rally. For the three moderates, as well as for Sanders and other remaining candidates, the crucial question hanging over the fast-moving events was whether any of it would make a difference in Tuesdays primaries across 15 states and territories, including the critical battlegrounds of California and Texas. Millions of voters are expected to go to the polls, but many states have had early voting underway; more than 2.3 million Democratic and independent ballots have already been processed in California. Sanders has significant head starts in many of the Super Tuesday states and beyond: His popularity has risen in recent weeks, and so has Democratic voters estimation of his electability in a race with President Donald Trump. The Vermont senator has a muscular national grassroots organisation, backed by the most fearsome online fundraising machine in Democratic politics one that collected more than $46 million last month, far outdistancing every other candidate in the race. Sanders signalled on Monday that he was ready for a fight against Biden, and perhaps a long one, if neither man can achieve a decisive early advantage in a nomination fight that still includes Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire former mayor of New York City. Sanders advisors have long believed that he would have an advantage in a two-person contest against Biden, because of the strength of Sanders economic platform and message of shaking up the political system. And Sanders supporters are unlikely to be impressed by movement toward Biden among traditional Democratic power brokers, who many Sanders voters already regard as having colluded in an unseemly way to block his candidacy in 2016. There is some risk to party leaders that anything perceived as a conspiracy against Sanders could anger his base and deepen existing fissures on the Left. As news emerged of the shift of centrist support toward Biden, Sanders projected confidence and defiance, dismissing it as a phenomenon of establishment politicians supporting one another. On Twitter, Sanders posted a video criticising Biden for having supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, linking him to unpopular Republicans like former president George W Bush and former vice-president Dick Cheney. I do not believe we will defeat Trump with a candidate like Biden who supported the Iraq War, Sanders wrote. That Klobuchar and Buttigieg decided to align against Sanders reflected their assessments of him as a general election candidate: Both have warned he could lose to Trump, skeptical that his liberal policy agenda would win him broad support in battleground regions like their Midwestern base. But the one-two punch also involved their own political interests, since leaving the race spared Buttigieg and Klobuchar the possibility of a wilting finish on Tuesday. Klobuchars exit came a day after Buttigiegs, though he did not immediately issue an endorsement as she did. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, won the Iowa caucuses barely a month ago by the narrowest of margins and finished a close second to Sanders in New Hampshire. Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar failed to find a substantial constituency in the larger and more diverse states that have only now begun to hold primary elections. Klobuchar spoke briefly on Sunday with Biden at the commemoration of the civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, but they did not discuss the possibility that she would end her campaign, a person briefed on the conversation said. And Klobuchar made her final decision on Monday morning without speaking again with Biden. It is not uncommon for former presidential rivals to endorse each other later in an election season: The vanquished John Edwards helped Barack Obama conquer Hillary Clinton in 2008, for instance, and in the 2016 Republican primaries, Trump earned a crucial seal of approval from an adversary he had handily trounced, Chris Christie. In that 2016 race, some Republican leaders wanted other candidates to drop out early and unite behind one stop-Trump contender; that never happened, as Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, Governor John Kasich of Ohio and Ben Carson all competed on Super Tuesday that year against Trump, who came out ahead in states and delegates. Together, the moves by Klobuchar and Buttigieg who nursed their own bitter rivalry for much of the primary campaign amounted to an urgent and perhaps desperate effort to strengthen Biden in the first nationalised day of voting in the Democratic nomination contest. Super Tuesday includes the largest states in the country, California and Texas, and a number of important general election swing states, including Virginia, North Carolina and Klobuchars own Minnesota. Biden is trying to turn a wave of sudden momentum, achieved in South Carolina, into a wider breakthrough in the Democratic race, having slumped badly over the last few months after embarrassing setbacks in the first three primary and caucus states. Even with his former opponents energetic help, Biden is by no means certain to run strong enough Tuesday to slow Sanders ascent or narrow the race to a one-on-one contest. Ari Rabin-Havt, Sanders deputy campaign manager, told reporters Monday that the campaign was untroubled by the recent developments and that it did not intend to change its strategy. The campaign announced over the weekend that it was starting a new wave of advertising in states that vote on Super Tuesday or later, including big battlegrounds like Florida, Michigan and Arizona. Watching the campaign, watching the 10 debates unfold, we believe they have constantly shown that Bernie is the strongest candidate to defeat Trump, and thats still the case, Rabin-Havt said. And we think we still are in a very strong position heading into Super Tuesday. There were a few signs of frustration from Sanders camp, most significantly when Harry Reid, a former Senate majority leader from Nevada, issued an endorsement of Biden. The announcement prompted a tart reaction from Faiz Shakir, Sanders campaign manager and a former aide to Reid, who tweeted that it was disappointing. Ill forever have respect and love for Reid, Shakir said. But Im old enough to remember when he thought Bidens ideas were worthy of being put in a fireplace. Democratic officials say that Reid has been helpful in rallying support behind Biden, and has quietly talked to a handful of the now-former candidates. In a telephone interview Monday night, Reid acknowledged speaking with Klobuchar earlier in the day, before she dropped out. And while he insisted she was already planning to withdraw from the race when they talked, Reid acknowledged he has been working behind the scenes. I do my best, he said. We need less confusion about who were all for. So far, Sanders has made few concessions, or even gestures of conciliation, toward the Democratic Party establishment he is aiming to displace, and if Biden does manage to slow or halt his ascent Tuesday, it could be seen in part as a function of just how little Sanders has done to assuage moderates anxiety about his campaign. After a triumphant win in the Nevada caucuses late last month, Sanders delivered a victory speech in Texas that sounded like a plea for unity. But he then spent much of the next week defending his own provocative pronouncements, including his past praise for the Cuban government, and making a doomed attempt to undercut Biden in his stronghold of South Carolina. And he spent valuable time campaigning in Warrens Massachusetts and Klobuchars Minnesota to try to beat them on their home turf a gamble that could have unpredictable consequences, given Klobuchars decision to leave the race. Warren has shown no sign of yielding to Sanders, and Monday she collected an endorsement from Emilys List, the national Democratic womens group. Her campaign has laid out a plan to amass delegates, state by state, until the nomination is decided at a contested convention a risky strategy, and one that could significantly complicate Sanders hopes of building a rock-solid coalition of support on the Left. Over the weekend, Klobuchars political allies were split about whether she should press on, with some arguing that she should compete through Tuesday because she would probably carry Minnesota and deny Sanders the opportunity to harvest a large number of delegates there. In her own internal polling, Klobuchar held a 13-point lead over Sanders, who was in second place with a narrow lead over Biden, according to a copy of the poll reviewed by The Times. But after Biden bested Sanders in South Carolina by nearly 29 percentage points and outdistancing Klobuchar and Buttigieg by an even more towering margin Klobuchar began to deliberate with her advisors about whether it made sense to continue in the race even until Tuesday, according to people familiar with the conversations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The decision caught some of her staff by surprise, coming even as members of her team were in the process of buying airtime for future television ads. At a Salt Lake City rally on Monday morning, Klobuchar betrayed no indication that she was about to end her candidacy. With her abrupt withdrawal, Klobuchar believes there is at least some chance that Minnesota could tip toward Biden. On a phone call with her staff, she said she was proud of having run a happy, happy campaign. Klobuchar said on the call that she had to consider what is best for our country right now, explaining that had led her to support Biden. Alexander Burns, Jonathan Martin and Nick Corasaniti c.2020 The New York Times Company March 3 (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc said Tuesday it will temporarily suspend all remaining flights to South Korea through April 24 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The largest U.S. carrier said it is suspending operations to and from Seoul, South Korea and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), effective Wednesday. American previously cut other flights to South Korea. (Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Franklin Paul) An investigation is to be launched into whether prosecutors were right to press ahead with Caroline Flack's 'show trial' following her death. The Love Island host killed herself on February 15 just one day after she found out the Crown Prosecution Service was pursuing the court case against her. There will now be 'a post-case review panel conducted by a deputy chief crown prosecutor' to determine whether it should have pursued the case, a freedom of information request has revealed. It follows criticism over the CPS's handling of the case, including from Flack's boyfriend Lewis Burton who said he 'never supported' a prosecution. Caroline Flack pictured leaving Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in North London in December 2019 The decision follows criticism over the CPS's handling of the case, including from Flack's boyfriend Lewis Burton (pictured together) who said he 'never supported' a prosecution A spokesman for the CPS told the Mirror: 'The review will look at the general CPS handling of the case and, obviously, the decisions behind charging is part of that.' In the days after her death Flack's management team described her as 'vulnerable' and criticised the CPS for pushing ahead with the case despite her boyfriend Lewis Burton saying he did not want to press charges. He had said she hit him with a lamp at her former home in Islington in December and as part of her bail conditions the pair were banned from contacting each other. But he later spoke out in defence of Flack, saying she has become the subject of a 'witch hunt' following her arrest. A member of Flack's management team said the CPS should 'look at themselves' and how they pursued a trial 'without merit' which resulted in 'significant distress to Caroline'. The saga surrounding her court case saw her 'step down' from hosting Love Island. Friends of the presenter, who was paid a 1.2million salary for Love Island, said she had been terrified of her impending court date. 'She was on her own. She couldn't take it anymore. Her family are devastated,' one friend told The Mirror. Another added: 'Caroline couldn't bear the thought of going through the court case. She felt her career would never recover from this - and she felt humiliated in front of the world. In the end she just couldn't see a way out. She didn't know how to fix herself.' The Love Island host (pictured) killed herself on February 15 just one day after she found out the Crown Prosecution Service was pursuing the court case against her Flack's friends were said to be furious that the CPS pursued the presenter's prosecution despite Burton making it clear he did not want the case to go to trial as there had been no serious injury. Her management criticised the CPS in a statement. Francis Ridley, of Money Talent Management, said: 'We are devastated at the loss of our client and friend Caroline Flack. 'The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events. 'The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest. And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline. Our thoughts are with Caroline's family at this time. 'An immensely talented young woman who was at the top of her game professionally and loved by television viewers across the country. In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.' The CPS told MailOnline in a statement at the time: 'Our deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Caroline Flack. Given the tragic circumstances, we will not comment on the specifics of this case at this stage.' For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. BOONVILLE, N.Y. -- Just two months after a fire destroyed a section of Boonville's Main Street, two of the 6 businesses are now in new homes. H&R Block, Adirondack Computer Service and Repair, and Evergreen Hills Music (Same Owner) all under one roof. Paul Slegatis owns both the computer repair shop as well as the music shop, and owes the community a great deal of gratitude for their support. "Part of the reason I had this stuff is part of the go fund me Boonville thing. It was fantastic and I appreciate what the people of Boonville as well as the businesses did to make sure all the apartment dwellers and business dwellers got a little bit. Actually it was a lot of something. Around 3500 dollars each," said Slegatis. Right next door to Paul, once again, is H&R block run by Wanda Calhoun. "He was right next door to us, so we are once again neighbors. So I was just glad to see him stay. I'm hoping all the businesses can come back," said Calhoun. Calhoun said that she was lucky to have found a place so quickly. With tax season in full swing, she said that Boonville's 800 customers were relying on them. "That's all I thought of is that its tax season and we need a way to service our clients. How many clients? In the Boonville area, about 800," said Calhoun. Both shops remain less than a block away from the fire scene. Paul Slegatis said he walks by his former shop every day. "Every day I go down Main Street and I see my door still standing there, I can tell you it does hurt a little bit. But the reality is we need to look forward, we need to move on. But to me, its about rebuilding and not dwelling on the fact that we had a loss." State fire continues to investigate the cause of the fire. GENEVAUnited Nations investigators said Monday that Russia had committed war crimes in Syria by carrying out indiscriminate airstrikes on civilian targets in 2019, condemning tactics they said the Syrian government and its allies were still using in the northwest province of Idlib. Investigators also said that Syrian rebels allied with Turkey had carried out war crimes during the invasion of Kurdish areas in northern Syria, and that al-Qaida-linked rebels had inflicted scores of civilian casualties in rocket attacks on government-held areas. Their accusations were made in the latest report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the Geneva-based panel that has been monitoring the nearly decade-old conflict in Syria. Investigators said Russian aircraft had carried out a double tap attack on a market last July 22, killing at least 43 civilians, and an airstrike on a camp for displaced civilians in August that killed at least 20 people. In both airstrikes, the Russian Air Force did not direct the attacks at a specific military objective, amounting to the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas, the three-person panel said, citing eyewitness accounts, video footage and intercepted communications with pilots conducting the strikes. The findings of the commission, which will present its report to the UN Human Rights Council next week, provided an authoritative and independent assessment of Russian conduct in the Syria conflict that corroborated reporting by human rights groups and media, including The New York Times. There was no immediate Russian response to the commissions findings. Russia has repeatedly denied accusations that its forces have indiscriminately attacked civilians. The report focused on events between July and January, but members of the panel made clear they believe pro-government forces have continued to commit war crimes in the offensive underway in northwestern Syria, which has driven nearly 1 million people from homes toward the Turkish border of Idlib. The panel said the offensive had been punctuated by intensive bombardment inflicting unprecedented levels of suffering and pain. Besides attacks on civilian targets, which are protected under international law, the commission also observed a crime of intentionally terrorizing the population in order to force civilians to move. Read more about: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday presented a Rs 95,650-crore budget, without any new tax proposals, for fiscal 2020-21 in the Legislative Assembly here. Among other things, he announced a new scheme, 'Rajiv Gandhi Kisaan Nyay Yojana', to provide good returns to farmers for agricultural produce with a provision of Rs 5,100 crore. "With the spirit of 'Gadhbo Nava Chhattisgarh (building a new Chhattisgarh), the budget is primarily focused on nutrition, betterment and extension of health services and productive use of the youth's energy to develop them as a powerful resource," said Baghel, who holds finance portfolio. The budget also embodies the objective 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah' (Let everyone be happy and healthy), he said. "The Central Government had given special exemption to purchase paddy at support price along with bonus distribution to the previous government. But this year the state could not get this exemption from the Centre," Baghel said. "Therefore, to ensure appropriate benefit to the 'Annadata' (provider of food), the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana will be launched," he said. The benefit of the scheme will also be extended retrospectively for 2019-20, he added. Under the 'Krishak Jeevan Jyoti Yojana', a provision of Rs 2,300 crore has been made for free power supply to agri-pumps upto five Horse Power capacity, he said. As many as 1176 biogas plants would be set up under the Gobar Dhan Yojana for which a provision of Rs 450 crore has been made, he said. 'Gurukul Vidyalaya' (residential school) will be set up in Giraudhpuri, the birthplace of spiritual leader Baba Guru Ghasidas, the chief minister announced. Laboratories for the Internet of Things and robotics will be set up at three engineering colleges and five polytechnics in the state. Tuition fees of students from Chhattisgarh who make it to IITs, IIMs and All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be borne by the state government, and on graduation they will be directly recruited in government and semi-government institutions, Baghel said. To check cyber crime, cyber police stations will be established under the limits of every Inspector General of Police range. A Jail Reform Commission will be set up for improving the state's prison, the CM added. An arbitration centre was proposed to be set up at the High Court at Bilaspur and all civil district courts. A provision of Rs 7.20 crore has been made for automated Air Traffic Control (ATC) towers at Jagdalpur, Ambikapur and Bilaspur airports, while Rs 1 crore is earmarked for construction of air strip at Baikunthpur, Korea district. 'Shahid Smarak' (martyrs' memorial) will be built in Nawa Raipur Atal Nagar in the memory of Congress leaders and security personnel killed in the May 2013 Jhiram Valley naxal attack, Baghel announced. Overall, the budget for 2020-21 earmarks 38 per cent funds for the social sector, 40 percent for the economic sector and 22 percent for the general service sector, he said. Estimated gross expenditure for 2020-21 is Rs 1,02,907 crore. The net expenditure, after deducting repayment of debt and recoveries, is estimated at Rs 95,650 crore. Revenue expenditure is estimated at 81,400 crore and capital expenditure at 13,814 crore, 14.44 percent of the total expenditure, the CM said. Total revenue receipts for year 2020-21 are estimated at Rs 83,831 crore. The state is estimated to have surplus revenue of Rs 2,431 crore, as in previous years. Fiscal deficit (which factors in debt repayment liability) is estimated to be Rs 11,518 crore, which is 3.18 percent of the state's estimated gross domestic product (GDP) for 2020-21, little above the prescribed limit of 3 percent, Baghel said. Total receipts for 2020-21 are estimated Rs 96,091 crore against estimated expenditure of Rs 95,650 crore. Budget deficit is estimated to be 3,522 crore by the end of 2020-21, including estimated budget deficit of Rs 3,963 crore for 2019-20, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apex healthcare industry body NATHEALTH on Tuesday called for a unified response to deal with the cascading impact of coronavirus. The government has initiated a number of critical measures and built up necessary reserves based on planned contingencies for critical medical supplies to reduce cascading effects of coronavirus impact on human lives, it said in a statement. "Private sector players will be happy to collaborate with the government to augment the diagnostics/ treatment capacity as was done in 2009 when H1N1 had started spreading incessantly," NATHEALTH President H Sudarshan Ballal said. Though the disease is more infectious than the regular flu, it seems less fatal than some of the other epidemics the country has faced, he added. NATHEALTH has also asked the government to include the private sector in contingency planning to potential scenarios at both central and state levels in India. It also asked the government to consider creating a strategic pool of private sector hospitals, diagnostic labs, protective equipment supply, medicines and frontline workers and to demarcate their roles in different contingency scenarios. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DoT to seek details of AGR calculation from telcos this week The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will, this week, issue fresh notices to telecom companies seeking details of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) calculations as it has found discrepancies in the amount paid by the telcos and the sum sought by the government. "We have so far received Rs 24000 crore from the companies, which is way less than the amount that we had arrived at. They will have to explain it to us as to how they arrived at their numbers," a senior DoT official said. Read More Here India ... By Trend Belarus is interested in a long-term contract on buying Azerbaijani oil. Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas made the statement as he met with President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev on 2 March, Trend reports citing BelTA. Sergei Rumas said: Belarus is interested in signing a long-term contract on deliveries of Azerbaijani oil. We intend to have this oil refined by Mozyr Oil Refinery using the Odessa-Brody-Mozyr oil pipeline. I believe such cooperation will be interesting for SOCAR company as well. The head of government reminded that Belarus and SOCAR have a long history of cooperation on the oil market. Belarus bought oil from SOCAR in 2011 and 2016. The Azerbaijani side buys Belarusian oil products. Sergei Rumas went on saying: It is no secret that Belarus is working on diversifying oil deliveries. We used to buy all the oil from the Russian Federation up till now. But the price for oil for Belarus will reach the standard market level by 2024 due to the ongoing tax maneuver. Certainly, Belarus' energy security cannot be ensured without alternative oil deliveries these days. This is why we would like to find reliable partners to sign long-term contracts with. Practice demonstrates that SOCAR can be such a reliable partner. The prime minister noted that the Belarusian side does not rule out oil import from the Russian Federation. We are not going to completely rule out oil delivery from Russia at present. We just have to diversify oil import up to a certain level, he explained. Apart from that, SOCAR specialists are now performing construction and installation operations at Mozyr Oil Refinery. I would like to say with satisfaction that we hear very positive feedback from the management of Belneftekhim and Mozyr Oil Refinery. Your specialists are doing this complicated work very well, Sergei Rumas said. In his words, taking into account SOCAR's vast experience in the sphere of civil engineering and work at Mozyr Oil Refinery the Belarusian side is interested in the involvement of highly qualified workforce of the Azerbaijani company in construction as part of other major investment projects in Belarus. The head of government said he hopes that today's meeting will be another step towards stronger bilateral relations in oil industry between SOCAR and Belneftekhim. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Igor Lyashenko, who is entrusted with overseeing oil industry affairs, and Chairman of the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim Andrei Rybakov were also present at the meeting. BelTA reported earlier that SOCAR intends to dispatch the first tanker carrying about 85,000 tonnes of oil for Belarus from the Turkish port of Ceyhan on 5-6 March. The second tanker with about 85,000 tonnes of oil is supposed to depart from the Georgian port of Supsa approximately on 20 March. As much as 160,000 tonnes of Russian oil bought for Belarusian oil refineries via traders without paying a premium is supposed to be delivered to the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda in March. In addition to that, six Russian companies, including SAFMAR Group and five companies Belarus has not worked with yet, will deliver oil to Belarus in March without a premium. In particular, SAFMAR Group will ship 300,000 tonnes of oil while UDS Oil will deliver 50,000 tonnes. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Igor Lyashenko told BelTA that this year Belarusian oil refineries have been getting about 1 million tonnes of oil per month for processing. The same volume is expected in March. On 1 January Russia suspended oil deliveries to Belarus because the sides had failed to come to an agreement about the price. First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Dmitry Krutoi was quoted as saying that Belarus believes it is economically inadvisable and pointless to pay the same amounts of premium to Russian companies. Representatives of the government also stated that all possible options for alternative deliveries were being looked into. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz New Delhi: India on Tuesday summoned Iranian ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest with him over the comments made by Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif over the current bout of violence in Delhi. Official sources said the Iranian envoy was told that Zarif commented on a matter that is purely internal to India. In a tweet on Monday, Zarif said, "Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims." Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 2, 2020 "The Iranian Ambassador in Delhi was summoned on Tuesday and a strong protest was lodged over the comments made by Zarif on the matter internal to India," a source said. The owners of a care home in Berkshire appeared in court today over the death of a 93-year-old woman who suffered severe burns in a bath. Frances Norris suffered severe burns in a bath at the Birdsgrove Nursing Home in Bracknell, Berkshire on February 5, 2015 and died three days later. Manager Elisabeth West, 45, director Sheth Jeebun, 58, and carer Noel Maida, 48, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with contravening a health and safety regulation. The care home owners, Aster Healthcare, face charges of corporate manslaughter and breaching a health and safety regulation. Manager Elisabeth West, 45, (pictured) is charged with contravening a health and safety regulation. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today Eran Cutliffe, prosecuting, said: 'The corporate manslaughter charge can only be dealt with at the crown court. The remaining matters are intrinsically linked so they should all be tried together.' Maia Cohen-Lask, defending, said: 'We simply haven't had enough time to get through the charges. It's a complicated, serious case. 'In respect of Ms West it is a single health and safety issue.' West, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, faces a single charge alleging 'being an employee of Aster Healthcare Limited, while at work as the manager of Birdsgrove Nursing Home, failed to take reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by her acts or omissions at work, namely the residents of Birdsgrove Nursing Home, including Frances Norris.' Jeebun, of Weybridge, Surrey, faces a charge alleging that 'being a Director of Aster Healthcare Limited, a body corporate that committed an offence of failing to ensure, so far as reasonable practicable, that persons not in its employment, including Frances Norris, were not exposed to risks to their health and safety namely the risks of injury from hot water in contravention of section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety Act 1974.' Frances Norris suffered severe burns in a bath at the Birdsgrove Nursing Home in Bracknell, Berkshire (pictured) on February 5, 2015 and died three days later Maida, of Fairey Avenue, Hillingdon, west London, faces a charge alleging that being an employee of Aster Healthcare Limited, while at work as a carer of Birdsgrove Nursing Home, failed to take reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by her acts or omissions at work, namely the residents of Birdsgrove Nursing Home, including Frances Norris.' Aster Healthcare faces a charge that it 'caused the death of Frances Norris by a gross breach of that duty by the way in which its activities were managed and organised in that it failed to adequately the failings in hot water system'. The second charge alleges Aster 'failed to conduct its undertaking namely the operation of Birdsgove Nursing Home in such a way as to ensure so far as was reasonable practicable that persons not in its employment including Frances Norris were not exposed to risks to their health and safety namely risks of injury from hot water'. West, Jeebun and Maida, along with Aster Healthcare, will now face a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on March 31. Error. Page cannot be displayed. Please contact your service provider for more details. (26) Activist Sunitha Krishnan landed at the Hyderabad airport in the wee hours of Monday, March 2, from Bangkok, where she had gone to address some parliamentarians. On her return, she experienced mild cough and felt slightly feverish. She was advised at the airport that she should go and self-report at a designated government hospital for suspected coronavirus infection. Krishnan did just that and reported to the Gandhi Hospital in the city. Once here, she was quickly moved to an isolation ward. She remained there for the whole day, tweeting, with two pieces of information at her disposal - test results of her samples her would be out in another 48 hours, and if positive, she may have to stay put at the isolation ward for another 21 days. But then, it is a precautionary measure and there is fairly good chance that she may not have contracted coronavirus, her symptoms being just common flu. Her tweets during the day, convey what she has experienced and also in a sense, her keen desire to ward off rumours. Sample this: "Can I make it very, very clear that I am admitted in the isolation ward of Gandhi Hospital for suspected coronavirus infection as I have just come back from Bangkok with a mild cough. The tests have been done & we are awaiting the results. Any other news is fake!!!" Can I make it very very clear that I am admitted in the isolation ward of Gandhi Hospital for suspected coronavirus infection as I have just come back from Bangkok with a mild cough. The tests have been done & we are awaiting the results. Any other news is fake!!! sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) March 2, 2020 Before that, waiting for test samples to be collected, she tweeted: "So going to enjoy hospitality at Gandhi Hospital for two days as admitted in the isolation ward suspected coronavirus. They have not started the tests yet (1.30 hrs since I arrived). I believe the results make take 48hrs. At this pace, I have a feeling I am might be here sometime." So going to enjoy hospitality at Gandhi Hospital for two days as admitted in the isolation ward suspected coronavirus. They have not started the tests yet( 1.30 hrs since I arrived).I believe the results make take 48hrs. At this pace, I have a feeling I am might be here sometime sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) March 2, 2020 In a tweet addressed to the Telanaga CMO, Krishnan wrote: "The display for coronavirus desk is prominent everywhere. But the urgency to ensure immediate response looks less than the desired level." Just returned back this morning from a official cum personal visit to Bangkok with mild cough.Rushed to Gandhi Hospital to report.The display for coronavirus desk is prominent everywhere.But the urgency to ensure immediate response looks less than the desired level @TelanganaCMO sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) March 2, 2020 Krishnan is the founder Prajwala, which works to end sex slavery and sex crimes and give affected women and their children a life of dignity and a way to assimilate back into the society. Prajwalaa, which translates to 'eternal fire', was set up by Krishnan in Hyderabad in 1996. 21 Italian tourists, three Indian tour operators sent to ITBP quarantine centre in capital. Tourist wear protective masks in wake of the deadly novel coronavirus at Taj Mahal in Agra on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: A day after a Delhi man was found positive for the deadly coronavirus, six of his family members, whom he met in Agra, have been quarantined. They have also been kept in isolation at Delhis Safdarjung hospital. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called an urgent meeting with state health minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials to check on governments preparations to tackle coronavirus. In neighbouring Noida, two private schools cancelled classes for the next few days as a precautionary measure after the father of a student tested positive for coronavirus. The Delhi government, meanwhile, is taking all possible steps to deal with the novel coronavirus and is trying to get in touch with those who could be infected or were in contact with the infected man. Addressing a press conference, Mr Jain, flanked by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, said: COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic. We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals. As many as 3.5 lakh N95 masks have been arranged. We have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients. The two schools announced their closure in messages sent to parents, a day after the Union health ministry reported two fresh cases of coronavirus one of them in Delhi. One of the schools, where the Delhi-based mans son is a primary class student, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6. He had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fear that the students who attended it might be at risk. Earlier in the day, the school said it was postponing internal examinations scheduled for Tuesday due to some unavoidable circumstances. The board exams are not affected, the messages sent to the parents made clear. The second school said it is suspending classes from now to March 9 and sanitising its campus. Fumigation was underway at both schools. A health department team led by Noidas chief medical officer visited one of the schools on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, some family members of the coronavirus infected Delhi-based man were shifted to Safdarjung hospital for tests after they showed symptoms of the virus. Some other relatives were asked to remain quarantined at their homes. Meanwhile, twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators have been sent to an ITBP quarantine facility in Delhi on Tuesday for suspected coronavirus exposure, official sources said. Health ministry sources said these foreigners, 13 women and eight men, were in the same group of which an Italian and his wife have tested positive in Rajasthan capital Jaipur. His (Italian in Jaipur) condition is stable, a source said. A missile fired by Syrian regime forces on the city of Idlib Tuesday killed nine civilians, among them five children, a war monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a surface-to-surface missile crashed into a residential neighbourhood of the rebel-controlled city. Search Keywords: Short link: Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch two new cars in the entry-level segment, both of which would be priced under Rs 5 lakh. One of the cars would be an 800cc, while the other would be powered by a 1-litre engine. Maruti Suzuki is planning these launches at a time when competition is easing in the entry-level segment. Maruti Suzuki Managing Director Kenichi Ayukawa confirmed that the company was working on an 800cc car among multiple models, as mentioned in a report in The Economic Times. The local unit of the company in the country currently sells the Alto with an 800cc engine and the Celerio with a 1-litre option. The 1-litre engine compact car, code-named YNC is likely to replace Celerio. The new 800cc car, code-named Y0M is expected to be launched by the festive season of 2021. Maruti Suzuki is also likely to decide on the future of Alto closer to the 2021 launch of the 800cc car. Another 800 cc that became one of the company's most popular offerings was Maruti 800 that was launched in 1983 and discontinued in 2014. Over 2.66 million units of the Maruti 800 were sold in India during its course. Ayukawa told the daily that developing a small car is not a cheap affair considering they have to comply with the new safety and emission regulations. These measures spike the cost by 10 per cent on entry level and make it challenging, he said. "We have to still find a solution on the same," he said. Maruti Suzuki's competitors Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors have given up on building products for the entry-level space. They believe that increased costs would make the entry-level cars non-viable. While the mini-car segment has shrunk from 25 per cent in 2010 to less than 8 per cent, Maruti Suzuki feels it will remain sizeable. It believes that mini cars are a stepping stone for the millions who aspire to graduate from two-wheelers to four-wheelers. Due to the 10-15 per cent increase in entry-level car prices in the last 12-18 months, the mini car market shrank to over 40 per cent to 2.45 lakh units. The report mentioned that Maruti Suzuki wants to ensure that the products remain affordable even in the new regulatory regime. It also aims to keep its market share of over 50 per cent. Also read: Maruti Suzuki launches S-CNG variant of BS6-compliant WagonR at Rs 5.25 lakh Also read: Maruti Suzuki launches new Vitara Brezza with petrol engine at Rs 7.34-11.4 lakh THE Torch Players are back in action with their Spring offering and take to the boards at The Belltable next Tuesday with the Neil Simon play Lost in Yonkers. This is our 46th consecutive Spring play, explains Dan Mooney, PRO and actor. It tells the story of two young men displaced from their home into their cantankerous grandmothers house in Yonkers, New York during the outbreak of World War II. The play, Dan added, showcase two young newcomers to the Torchs ranks. Gary OHanlon and Adam Stapleton take on the challenging roles of Jay and Arty who struggle to adapt to their new surroundings and the quirky family with whom they have almost no relationship, he explains. The two young actors have cut their teeth in theatre with Expressive Arts and join some of the companys stalwarts Joanne OBrien, Peter Hayes, Dan Mooney, Mary Jones as well as Brid Hartnett in the role of Grandma Kurnitz. Its a great mix of youth and experience to have in the cast, says company director Maurice OSullivan of the seven strong group of actors. The play is one of the great classics of American theatre. Neil Simons personal favourite play from his repertoire. Its challenging too. Theres a lot of comedy but theres plenty of drama in it, and thats the challenge for me and for the actors, to be able to deliver those laughs as well as hit the dramatic moments that are the heart of the show. Actor Joanne OBrien is also very excited about the show. Its great to get to perform classics like this, and its great to be able to bring them to a Limerick stage. Tickets for the show are available through Lime Tree website or at the Belltable Theatre. The play runs every night from Tuesday, March 10 to Saturday, March 14. It was his older brother, Miguel Lopez, 27, who spearheaded the movement for his release from immigration detention. When Jesus Alberto Lopez known as Beto to his family and friends called his brother in May 2019 to tell him he had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Marshalltown, Iowa, Miguel Lopez assured him that he would do everything in his power to bring him home to their parents and sister. Vancouver, British Columbia, March 03, 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 (UVS), today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Julie Myers Wood as an advisory member to its Board. Julie has more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Her regulatory and enforcement experience includes serving as defense counsel, federal prosecutor, compliance consultant and investigator, said Patrick Imbasciani, Draganfly COO. It will be a privilege working with her as we scale our secure government and public safety offerings. Julie Myers Wood was appointed by President Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Previously, Ms. Wood served as Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce, the Chief of Staff to the Criminal Division at the United States Department of Justice and as a Special Assistant to the President. Ms. Wood is currently the CEO for Guidepost Solutions LLC, a leading investigative and compliance consulting firm where she leads a global team of investigators, experienced security and technology consultants, and compliance and monitoring experts across a multitude of industries including government and public service agencies. We welcome Julie as an advisor to our Board of Directors. Her unparalleled experience across industries will be invaluable as we work towards further developing our drone innovations for military and government contracts, said Cameron Chell, Draganfly CEO. Draganfly has built its market presence by continually innovating and delivering industry firsts related to detection, defending and delivering solutions to enterprise and government. I am honored to join a company that has built such a solid foundation for innovation within a number of public sectors, said Ms. Wood. Ms. Wood is a graduate of Baylor University and Cornell Law School. Draganfly Board of Directors appointed Former White House Chief of Staff and US Secretary of Transportation Andrew H. Card as Director of the company in November 2019. About Draganfly Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY; OTCQB: DFLYF; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge, 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 and UVS 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: 1-306-955-9907 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, 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. Within the framework of Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities plans to preserve the Upper Egyptian Dendera Temple complex and develop the area around it into an open-air museum, three crypts and the rooftop of the temple in the Qena governorate have been opened to the public after restoration. The cleaning of the temples decorated walls from bird deposits and smoke traces has been also carried out. The Temple of Hathor at Dendera contains a number of small crypts on its eastern, southern, and western sides. These are thought to have served as warehouses or treasuries for ritual furnishings, sacred and ceremonial equipment, and the divine images used in celebrating various feasts and holidays. The crypts are small, and it is unlikely that they served as the locations for formal rituals. Mustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the newly opened crypts consisted of three of the 12 found beneath the temple and were originally used by ancient Egyptian priests for ritual practices and to store priceless objects. They can be accessed only through small openings and have low ceilings and walls decorated with ancient Egyptian scenes. Only one of the crypts has previously been open to the public. Within the framework of the conservation project, restorers have cleaned and consolidated the walls of three of the crypts as well as the walls of the temple as a whole. The rooftop of the temple has also not been previously accessible to visitors, but after restoration visitors can enjoy for the first time the panoramic view of Qena from the top of the building. Waziri said that the temple conservation project had originally started in 2005, but had stopped in 2011 and then resumed in 2017. In collaboration with a French archaeological mission, blocks, stelae and statues uncovered in the area and left in situ since their initial discovery have been restored and put on newly fabricated mounts in the open-air area of the temple. The displays include artefacts from the areas store galleries. Newly fabricated blocks have been placed in the open courtyard at the entrance of the temple, where a collection of statues of ancient Egyptian deities has been installed. Among these are statues of the goddess Hathor, the god Bes, and the falcon god Nekhbet Waawet. The Dendera Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples, is built mainly of sandstone, and it was uncovered in the mid-19th century by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. In its present form, the Temple of Dendera is largely Ptolemaic and Roman, its reconstruction having taken place under the Greek Ptolemies, the last dynasty of ancient Egypt (305-30 BCE), and completed some 185 years later under the Roman emperor Tiberius. In dedicating a temple to Hathor, the Ptolemies honoured one of Egypts most popular deities. Under Greek and Roman rule, Egyptian temples continued to have mammisi (birth houses), and the surviving mammisi at Dendera was reconstructed by the Roman emperor Augustus near the ruins of the one built by the Pharaoh Nectanebo and is adorned with reliefs added by the Roman emperor Trajan relating to the birth of the god Horus. It was converted into a church in the fifth century CE, and a Christian basilica was built in the area between it and the original birth house of Nectanebo. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: KIRKSVILLE, Mo., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare is a massive industry, and those who are on the proverbial front line are some of the most praised members in society. There is a hidden face in the healthcare world that makes almost all of what the amazing doctors and nurses do even possible, and they're called healthcare administrators. These people are in charge of managing all different types of medical facilities from hospitals to nursing homes, health department clinics, rehabilitation centers, and more. To be a healthcare administrator, most employers will require a master's degree. Like many other degrees in this field, you can earn that degree online. OnlineCollegePlan recently created a ranking of those healthcare administration programs that are available online. The article is called the Top 30 Online Masters Degrees in Healthcare Administration, and you can read it here: https://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/rankings/top-online-masters-degrees-healthcare-administration/ This ranking features thirty schools all over the country that offer graduate-level programs in healthcare administration, and you can take these programs from anywhere in the country, as they are all available at a distance. Schools in this ranking were scored based on their reputation, cost, graduation rates, and the student-to-faculty ratio. Each MHA has something different to offer, which is all laid out in the description of each school. If you'd rather see a condensed version of this informative article, the school list can be found below. These are the featured schools presented in ascending order: 1. A. T. Still University (Kirksville, MO) 2. University of Denver (Denver, CO) 3. Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC) 4. Concordia University - Irvine (Irvine, CA) 5. Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY) 6. Regis University (Denver, CO) 7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine (Standish, ME) 8. Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA) 9. Saint Joseph's University (Philadelphia, PA) 10. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) 11. Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Mount Vernon, OH) 12. University of Scranton (Scranton, PA) 13. Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK) 14. Colorado State University-Global (Greenwood Village, CO) 15. Mississippi College (Clinton, MI) 16. University of Saint Francis (Joliet, IL) 17. Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) 18. University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) 19. Clarkson College (Omaha, NE) 20. Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA) 21. Ohio University (Athens, OH) 22. University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS) 23. Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI) 24. Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA) 25. University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL) 26. Robert Morris University (Moon Township, PA) 27. Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) 28. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) 29. University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) 30. Purdue University (Indianapolis, IN) OnlineCollegePlan offers many other resources for students interested in attending college online, such as their Ultimate Guide to Online College at the link below. https://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/online-colleges/ Allison Barnes, Research Editor http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/ [email protected] 864-245-0751 SOURCE OnlineCollegePlan A deaf man in Hanoi has opened free courses to help disabled people after achieving a successful career. Nguyen Thai Thanh (second from the left) and his employees and students Nguyen Thai Thanh was born in 1991 in Bac Giang Province. Even though he is deaf, he has succeeded opened a hair salon in Hanoi with deaf employees. When customers arrived, they will be given a piece of paper to write their orders. Sometimes, it takes only a few minutes to communicate with the customers and other times, the whole page is filled with conversations. When Thanh works, other students will stand next to him to learn via sign language. Thanh was deaf since birth and graduated from Nhan Chinh School for the Deaf and Mute. He has learned many jobs like cooking and sewing but none suits him until he fell in love with hairdressing and wanted to help others learn a skill to feed themselves. His salon has three employees, all of them are deaf. Thanh said he understood the challenges for disabled people when learning hairdressing so he wanted to create the best learning environment as possible for other deaf people. Customer writes orders after entering the salon Thanh has had many achievements and his customers include Miss World Vietnam 2019 Duong Thuy Linh. On the walls of the salon are certificates Thanh achieved and reviews and thank-you notes from students and customers. Those are the source of happiness and motivation for him. Dinh Thi Thu Ha, a customer at the salon, said, "I was introduced to this salon by a friend. I was curious too after knowing that the salon belongs to a deaf man. I got a lot of compliments after getting my hair done there so I also recommended this salon to my family." Thanh also participates in a lot of charity activities such as free haircuts for disadvantaged people. Dtinews One man's trash becomes disabled designers' treasure In a small 20-square-metre workshop, more than 10 disabled people of different ages painstakingly focus on their work collaging scraps of silk cloth to create paintings and postcards. Employee of Playa del Carmens PlayaParq dies after being shot Playa del Carmen, Q.R. An employee of PlayaParq, the Playa del Carmen parking meter company, died in hospital Monday after being shot by subjects in a passing vehicle. The shooting was called in to Emergency 911 by neighbors along 70th Avenue on the night of March 1 at 10:25 p.m. after the employee, who was still in uniform, was shot while off duty. He was rushed to the General Hospital of Playa del Carmen but died Monday. In a statement, PlayaParq identified the deceased as 43-year-old Javier Alejandro Perez, an employee of the company. They report that Alejandro Perez had just finished his shift at 10:00 p.m and was on his way home when the shooting took place. He was rushed to hospital around 10:30 p.m. and was pronounced at 1:10 a.m. Monday. Diego Gracidas, representative of PlayaParq pointed out that the shooting happened one day after a public altercation between taxi drivers and parking meter employees along 10th Avenue when police were called to sort out a dispute that involved nearly 30 taxi drivers who arrived after four of their fellow drivers had their vehicles immoblizied for parking along the yellow strip. Public Security Police and Traffic and Tourism Police arrived around 3:32 p.m. to intervene in the confrontation between the taxi drivers and the parking meter employees after numerous public calls were placed requesting police intervene due to the brawl. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The euro declined against its major counterparts during the early European trading session on Tuesday, as odds of a European Central Bank rate cut grew after President Christine Lagarde said that the central bank is prepared to take measures to protect the economy from the coronavirus outbreak. Lagarde's statement came after central bank chiefs of the U.S. and Japan pledged to act to support their economies from the impact of coronavirus. 'The coronavirus outbreak is a fast developing situation, which creates risks for the economic outlook and the functioning of financial markets,' ECB chief Christine Lagarde said in a statement. 'We stand ready to take appropriate and targeted measures as necessary and commensurate with the underlying risks.' Markets are pricing in a rate cut next week when the ECB meets in Frankfurt. The euro dropped to 1.0638 against the franc and 1.1100 against the greenback, from its early highs of 1.0688 and 1.1156, respectively. The euro is seen finding support around 1.04 against the franc and 1.09 against the greenback. The euro edged down to 0.8682 against the pound, after rising to 0.8739 at 5:30 pm ET. If the euro falls further, it is likely to test support around the 0.85 region. Having risen to a 5-day high of 120.95 at 6:45 pm ET, the euro reversed direction and weakened to 119.82 versus the yen. The euro is poised to challenge support around the 118.00 mark. Data from the Cabinet Office showed that Japan's consumer confidence fell in February. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the consumer confidence index decreased to 38.4 in February from 39.1 in January and December. Economists had expected a score of 38.3. The single currency ticked down to 1.7724 against the kiwi and 1.6939 against the aussie, off its early highs of 1.7824 and 1.7102, respectively. Next key support for the euro is likely seen around 1.75 against the kiwi and 1.60 against the aussie. Eurozone flash CPI for February and PPI and jobless rate for January are scheduled for release shortly. At 2:50 pm ET, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester will deliver a speech about the economic outlook and monetary policy at the Society of Professional Economists Annual Dinner, in London. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de She works hard to maintain her physique, hitting the gym several times a week. And Christine McGuinness showcased her tanned and toned physique in a racy Instagram snap, which she posted on Monday. The Real Housewives of Cheshire star, 31, slipped into a sheer black bustier and stockings to pose seductively on a windowsill holding a red stem rose. Roses are red... Christine McGuinness, 31, slipped into a sheer black bustier and stockings to pose seductively for an Instagram snap on Monday Christine highlighted her ample cleavage in the negligee which comprised of a floral lace bra with double strap detailing on the bust and sheer panelling across her tiny midriff. She amped up the glamour with Louboutin heels and wore her blonde locks in tumbling curls which cascaded over her shoulders. Christine seductively captioned the post: 'Treat me right, hold me tight, Ill keep you up all through the night'. Glamour: Christine also share a slew of throwback snaps of herself looking toned in a plaid co-ord from a recent trip to Athens, Greece Christine also share a slew of throwback snaps from a recent trip to Athens, Greece. The Real Housewives of Cheshire star cut a glamorous figure as she posed on a rooftop area in a green and white plaid crop top and matching flared trousers. The TV personality displayed her taut midriff while she added height to her frame with white, open-toed heels. Dazzling: The Real Housewives of Cheshire star cut a glamorous figure as she posed on a rooftop area in the green and white crop top and matching flared trousers Sensational: Christine shared a further look at her outfit with restroom snaps uploaded to her Instagram stories The star appeared to be enjoying her trip away with a group of gal pals as she shared another photo of herself along two friends, captioning it: 'Girls trip'. The trip comes after Christine emotionally revealed she has no one to talk to after she discovered that her youngest daughter, Felicity, three, has autism three years after her twins, six, were diagnosed. In a candid new interview, the star also spoke about her marriage to presenter Paddy McGuinness, 46, and how there's 'no time' for them as a couple. Party: The star appeared to be enjoying her trip away with a group of gal pals as she shared another photo of herself along two friends, captioning it: 'Girls trip' Christine admitted that her 'heart breaks for all her children' but that Felicity and twins - Penelope and Leo, inspire her every day. The model also revealed that Paddy found Felicity's autism hard after he previously admitted that he is 'never happy in himself' since their twins were diagnosed. Speaking to OK! Magazine, Christine said it was 'heartbreaking' but clarified that it didn't mean Paddy wasn't happy with her or the children. She explained: 'There's no time for us as a couple, no quality time, no date nights. Not even time to have a laugh together. 'We're full-time carers and the kids come before everything. But we have to stay strong as a unit for our kids.' An Italian tourist in Jaipur tested positive for novel Coranavirus on Tuesday, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to six so far. The 69-year-old tourists wife is also suspected to be have been infected with the virus and her samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for another test, said an official from the Union Health Ministry. The couple has been kept in isolation at Jaipurs Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They have now recovered. Twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators, who were in the same group as the couple, have been sent to an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) quarantine facility in Delhi for suspected exposure, said official sources. Meanwhile, two private schools in Noida were shut on Tuesday for the next few days after the father of one of their students tested positive for Coronavirus. Several people, including his family members, were quarantined or kept in isolation as authorities stepped up prevention efforts, including suspending existing regular and e-visas to nationals of four other affected countries. These include Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan. As concerns over the spread of the virus mounted after two more persons tested positive on Monday one in Delhi and another in Telangana -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an extensive review on the preparedness. He also urged the people not to panic and instead take basic protective measures. Amid the scare in Delhi-NCR, the demand for surgical and N95 masks increased manifold in Noida, with some people claiming they were being sold at rates much higher than the actual cost. The World Health Organization warned that protective gear such as masks and goggles used by health workers fighting the new coronavirus were running out, warning against hoarding and misuse. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials and took stock of government preparations to contain the virus. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the city government was trying to get in touch with people who could be infected or were in contact with the man infected with the virus. Jain said 3.5 lakh N95 masks were being arranged and the government has ordered 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients. COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic," he said. "We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards are being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals. 230 beds have been earmarked for coronavirus patients." Travel history under scanner Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar in Delhi, who had travelled to Italy recently and tested positive on Monday, was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. One of the schools in Noida where the Delhi man's son is a primary class student said it will remain shut from March 4-6, while the other said it will be closed till Saturday. The board exams are not affected, the messages sent by the schools to the parents made clear. It came to light that the man had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fears that those who attended it including some students and his relatives might be at risk. Noida Chief Medical Officer Anurag Bhargava said samples from six people from the city, including three children, have been taken to check if anyone has been infected. Fumigation was underway in both schools and a Health Department team led by Bhargava visited the site. Six other persons from Agra in Uttar Pradesh with high-viral load have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples sent to NIV. In a statement, the Health Ministry said contact tracing of those who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network. The Uttar Pradesh government said two Agra residents, who had come in contact with the Delhi man, were found exhibiting symptoms of Coronavirus. As many as 23 contacts were identified, and report of 13 persons were obtained. Of these six persons are suspected to be infected by the virus, and the samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune. All the six suspected patients have been admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, it said. Hotels and authorities at tourist sites in Agra have been told to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for the infection, said Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Vats. The other patient who tested positive on Monday, a 24-year-old software engineer, is admitted in Hyderabad and had recently travelled to Dubai and Bengaluru. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had come in contact with the techie. Four IndiGo crew members, who were on the Dubai-Bengaluru flight on February 20 with the engineer, have also been placed under home observation since Monday. Telangana Health Minister E Rajender said the engineer had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. An Army officer later on Tuesday was admitted to the isolation ward of a military hospital at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh for suspected exposure to the coronavirus after returning from Iran. The country is facing one of the worst outbreaks in the world, with 77 people reported dead so far. In all, 2,336 people have been infected in Iran since the COVID-19 outbreak. An Indian couple, working in a Singaporean cargo ship, was also admitted to a hospital in Odisha after the man developed mild fever on its arrival at Paradip port from China. Six people are also quarantined in Mumbai and Pune for possible infection, said the health department of the Maharashtra government. Visas cancelled The Union Health Ministry said all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, who have not yet entered India, stand suspended. On February 4, India had cancelled the existing visas for Chinese nationals and foreigners who had visited the neighbouring country in the preceding two-week period, following the outbreak of Coronavirus which has now spread to over 60 countries and claimed over 3,100 lives. Over 90,000 have been infected. Visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals, who have not yet entered India, have also been suspended. The ministry said diplomats, officials of the United Nations and other international bodies, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory. The ministry asked all Indian citizens to refrain from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and asked them to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked airlines and airports to take specific measures, such as providing protective gears like surgical masks and gloves to crew members and passengers and having multiple hand sanitising points in terminals. It also said that airports and airlines must ensure that each aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy is subjected to disinfection process before the boarding begins for the next flight on the plane. States step up vigil The southern states of Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala on Tuesday stepped up vigil, especially at airports, bus stops and railway stations. Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said the state government has decided to be more vigilant. Although no ban can be imposed on foreigners participating in the annual 'Attukal Pongala' festival, one of the largest religious congregations of women, to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on March 9, the health team would visit and examine those participating, she said. The Andhra Pradesh government said there was no impact of the deadly virus in the state but the health machinery was on full alert to handle the situation. The Indian Navy has also postponed a multi-nation mega naval exercise Milan 2020, which was scheduled to be held off the coast of Visakhapatnam, as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus infection. (With inputs from agencies) A study led by the University of Southampton, funded by Cancer Research UK, has shown a new drug originally developed to tackle the scarring of organ tissue could help to significantly improve the success rate of cancer immunotherapy treatment. Scientists have shown in mouse cancers, that GKT137831 (Setanaxib) can help break down the barrier which makes many cancerous tumours resistant to immunotherapy drugs. GKT137831 is a drug currently undergoing clinical trials for treatment of organ fibrosis. The teams findings are published in the journal Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Immunotherapy treatment harnesses the power of the bodys own immune system to fight cancer. Its success depends on killer lymphocytes penetrating into a tumour to combat malignant cells. However, most patients fail to respond, often because the lymphocytes are blocked at the edge of the tumour, preventing their attack. The scientists behind this latest study believe they have found why this happens and identified a way to overcome it potentially improving immunotherapy treatment for many patients with different types of cancer. The team found that normal cells called cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are hijacked by cancer cells to protect them from immune attack. Fibroblasts are healthy cells that normally maintain the structure of tissues, but when they are corrupted by cancer cells, they become CAFs and shield tumours from lymphocyte attack and stop immunotherapy from working effectively. A significant proportion of many solid cancers are CAF-rich and associated with poor survival, including more than 50 percent of cases of head and neck, esophageal, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Previously, the group had identified that CAF formation depends on an enzyme called NOX4. In this study, they found that blocking NOX4 in mouse cancers, either genetically or with the drug GKT137831, could prevent and reverse CAF formation, allowing lymphocytes to infiltrate tumours and kill cancer cells*. Combining immunotherapies with GKT137831 was effective in treating tumours that were previously resistant, significantly improving survival**. The findings could form the basis for making cancers respond better to existing immunotherapy drugs and demonstrate the potential for greatly improved clinical outcomes in a significant number of cancers. Cancer Research UK is currently funding the Southampton scientists to see if this approach improves immunotherapy in breast cancer. Study author Professor Gareth Thomas, of the University of Southamptons Centre for Cancer Immunology, comments: Immunotherapy for cancer has been a very exciting development, but still doesnt work in most patients. Our results suggest that in many cases, treatment resistance is caused by CAF, and we think this can be overcome by targeting NOX4. GKT137831 hasnt yet been tested on cancer patients, but we hope may give immunotherapy drugs a much better chance of fighting cancer cells effectively; this technique could hugely improve the success rate of cancer immunotherapy. Liz Allaway, from Cancer Research UK says: Immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment that boosts the power of the bodys immune system against cancer, but unfortunately it doesnt work for everyone. This exciting study showed that a drug, currently being tested for the treatment of another disease could make tumours in the lab more sensitive to immunotherapy. The next step would be to see if the drug has the same effect in people, which would open up immunotherapy as a treatment option for more people with cancer. Ongoing work with Cancer Research UK will now investigate how best to progress these findings. University of Southampton A sum of Rs 1.51 lakh crore out of Maharashtra's total annual income of Rs 4 lakh crore is spent on salaries of staff and pensions, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar told the Legislative Council on Tuesday. He also said there was no reason for the state to revert to the old pension scheme. "The Central and state governments in 2005 took a considerate decision to shift to the National Pension Scheme and there is no reason to go back to the old pension scheme. We will continue with the new pension scheme," he said. "Maharashtra already has an annual burden of paying Rs 1.51 lakh in salaries and pensions to 24 lakh people. The total income, including borrowings, is Rs 4 lakh crore. If we revert to the old pension scheme, in the future, we will end up only paying salaries and will have no funds for any other work," he added. Giving a break-up of the 24 lakh people in the salary and pension fold, Pawar said there are 5.50 lakh state employees, nine lakh semi-state government employees, 7.50 lakh people under the old pension scheme and two lakh under the new pension scheme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MANILA, Philippines Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa on Tuesday defended the move of authorities to allow the hostage-taker to speak to the media during the hostage-taking situation inside Greenhills Mall in San Juan City on Monday. Gamboa said there was a tactical reason behind their decision and called on critics to respect it. The reason behind there is tactical. Alam ninyo probably very open tayo, you must understand in some aspect of police operation, we cannot divulge everything, he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame. The hostage-taker, a disgruntled former security guard of the mall, captured dozens of people at gun point when he forced his way into the mall. After hours of negotiations with authorities, he released his hostages in exchange for a chance to speak to reporters without handcuffs to air his grievances for almost 20 minutes. He was also toting a pistol on his waist while talking to the media. During his press conference, he complained about the irregularities in the mall management and his dismissal from the job without due process. He was later arrested after five cops tackled him to the ground. The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) criticized the authorities move to give air time to the hostage taker while still armed. Una, medyo hindi tayo convinced doon sa sinasabi nga ng PNP, number one doon sa itong pag-allow na magpresscon yung hostage taker na hindi natin alam kung ano yung dala-dala niya. Hindi alam ng public na nandoon kung ano yung gamit na nasa katawan niya, Kath Cortez, a member of NUJP national board of directorate, told UNTV News in a phone interview. According to San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who was also present during the negotiations, allowing the hostage taker to have a presser was part of the agreement to coax him to set his captives free. Zamora also said that he assured the hostage-takers safety if he surrenders. Story continues Marami kasing mga discussions kanina, maraming mga points of negotiation, pero sabi ko I will assure him in fact nung kausap ko na siya sa telepono ay kumalma na siya ang gusto niya lang talaga makalabas ng ligtas, he said. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major General Debold Sinas, for his part, said granting the hostage-takers demand for a time with media was a judgment call they made to prevent the escalation of the crisis. Sinas said the mall managements alleged poor treatment of him and his fellow security guards prompted him to plan the hostage taking, and airing his grievances is one way to have an early and peaceful resolution to the situation. The NCRPO chief likewise said snipers were also on standby to take out the hostage taker should he pull out the gun that authorities knew was tucked on his waist. Its judgement call between one person versus 40. Could you just imagine if we keep on insisting na huwag dalhin yon, hindi siya lalabas. So, its a judgement call. Im confident that my snipers could take, para sa kaniya, head shot, he said. Amid the criticism, authorities said that what is important is the crisis was resolved and all hostages were safe. They also apologized for any lapses during the hostage-taking situation. Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said the PNP handled the situation well as the primary consideration was the safety of all hostages. We will conduct an after-incident review and assess the actions of the involved PNP units to find out how their performance could be further improved, he told reporters on Tuesday. RRD (with details from Correspondents Dante Amento and Asher Cadapan Jr.) The post PNP chief, San Juan mayor defend tactical reason behind hostage takers presser appeared first on UNTV News. New Delhi, March 3 : Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted on Tuesday that the government is ready to debate on the Delhi violence on March 11, a day after Holi. Reasoning the choice of the date, Prasad told the media: "It should be our common effort to ensure amity, understanding and peace in Delhi. Peace has returned to Delhi today. Normalcy is also returning." He added that the government's priority was to ensure that Holi could be "celebrated" in an atmosphere of "brotherhood". Suggesting that it was best to defer any debate on the sensitive issue that cost 46 lives so far, till Holi got over, Prasad said that the offer was extended to the opposition by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and senior ministers like Narendra Tomar and Arjun Ram Meghwal, besides himself. The Lok Sabha was adjourned multiple times on Monday and Tuesday after the opposition demanded to discuss the riots that started on February 23 and lasted at least three days. Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tried to reach a consensus for smooth operation of the House. On Monday, ruckus broke out in the lower House when both Congress and the BJP came face to face which was followed by minor shoving as well. It all started when Congress members came over to the treasury benches as BJP's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Sanjay Jaiswal was speaking in the House. Soon, BJP members like Ramesh Bidhuri came to Jaiswal's rescue. Later, Congress MP Ramya Haridas complained to the Lok Sabha Speaker against BJP MP Jaskaur Meena, while BJP's Dausa representative too complained against the Congress. A group of women members of Parliaments too met Om Birla to raise the issue of alleged attack on Meena and its Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje. Calling it a "perverse desire to vitiate the proceedings", she asked for the expulsion of the Congress MP. On Monday, the opposition demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation for the handling of the Delhi violence. Canna World Expo April 4th & 11th, 2020 CANNA WORLD EXPO IS IMMUNE TO CORONAVIRUS As world business trade shows are disrupted by the coronavirus, CANNA WORLD EXPO charges ahead with a symposium of twenty-two industry expert speakers by uniting cannabis with Information Technology (IT). CANNA WORLD EXPO will broadcast its April 4th and April 11th symposium live, online from four continents (Asia, Europe, North America, South America) with enterprise-class presentation software. CANNA WORLD EXPO organizers and speakers hold more than 433,000 direct contacts in fifteen countries. The global cannabis industry is estimated to reach more than $100 billion by 2030. CANNA WORLD EXPOs mission is educating consumers and business professionals on global advances in cannabis including elimination of contamination (heavy metals, mold, pathogens), bio absorption, health, science, research, agriculture, laboratory analysis, manufacturing, legal, information technology (IT), and more. The CANNA WORLD EXPO April Symposium, hosted by Trinity Global Enterprises, LLC, is powered by Virtual Summit Services provided by AEvent and addresses: World Agriculture Contamination from Pathogenic Mold Analyzed in Popular Brands of Coconut Substrates Water vs. Oil Bio Absorption Scientific Breakthrough Certificates of Analysis (COAs), an Industry Standard for Contamination Prevention Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Going Beyond THC and CBD with CBG and CBN Consumer-Driven Research and the Oral Health Digestive Brain Correlation CANNA WORLD EXPO Presenters Include: Marvin Washington, Super Bowl Champion Mats Tverin, Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Antoine Chevalier, PhD Brain Research, Concussion Therapy Cannabis & Coffee Chef Bryan-David Scotts Live Cooking Demonstrations Leslie Bocskor, Executive Chairman of Electrum Partners The Plant Dr. Happy Plant Guy Dino Changanaqui, Organic Agriculture Industry Expert Rob Doc Rob Streisfeld, NMD & Formulator Dr. Ted Emanuel, Naturopathic Physician Specializing in Digestive Disorders George Anastassov, MD, DDS, MBA, Oral Health Expert Ashley Couch, Esq. David Joseph, Helen Golda Joseph, MA, PhD Jade Health Consumer Research Software Judy Mikovits, PhD, Renowned Biochemist & Microbiology Researcher Charles Vest, Hemp CBD Pioneer Secure Wi-Fi, Mobile Phones & Laptop PCs, Sound Wi-Fi & Mantra Broadcasting Kron Burgundy, Celebrity Stand-Up Comedy Emcee Ask an Expert Moderated Panel Interviews by: The Cannabis Reporter & Eva Silva Media Sean Donahoe, Founder & CEO, Vetinati Capital Jessica Chandler, Entrepreneur of the Year Denise Mahaffey, Hemp CBD PR & Media Pioneer Registration: https://cannaworldexpo.com/register Sponsor: https://cannaworldexpo.com/sponsor About CANNA WORLD EXPO Hosted by Trinity Global Enterprises, LLC headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, CANNA WORLD EXPO is an online business information resource that assembles global industry leaders three times annually. For details visit https://CANNAWORLDEXPO.com Public health officials in Clark County, Washington, are testing eight people for possible infection for the new coronavirus, authorities said Tuesday. The rapid spread of the virus in the Pacific Northwest has already led to at least 18 cases in Washington, where six people have died from the illness. Three people have been presumptively diagnosed with the disease in Oregon and hundreds more may have contracted the disease, officials told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Seven of the tests in Clark County were sent out Monday, said Marissa Armstrong, a spokeswoman for the county health department, and results were expected by Wednesday. An additional specimen was sent for testing on Tuesday. All the tests were being conducted at the Washington State Public Health Lab in Shoreline, Washington. None of the people tested in Clark County had recent travel to places affected by coronavirus or known exposure to others with the disease, according to The Columbian, which first reported on the pending tests. CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE Five of the specimens were from patients at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, The Columbian reported, and Lawrence Neville, the hospitals chief medical officer, said his facility was well-prepared. We stand ready to serve the community no matter how this develops, Neville told The Columbian. Weve been preparing for about five weeks. Subscribe to our Oregon coronavirus newsletter: Email: -- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. After a two-week quarantine, they will undergo repeat tests. All Ukrainians who are crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship placed in quarantine off Yokohama port near Tokyo, Japan, over the China novel coronavirus have left the vessel and are now in a two-week quarantine in a Japanese hospital. "The transfer of the Diamond Princess crew members who tested negative for the coronavirus was over on March 1, 2020. These individuals have been placed in quarantine for two weeks, after which, if they repeatedly test negative, they will be able to leave Japan," Director of the Consular Service Department of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Serhiy Pohoreltsev said in a comment for UNIAN. Read alsoFirst Covid-19 coronavirus case reported in Ukraine (Updated) He recalled that 21 citizens of Ukraine were left on board the liner, since earlier four Ukrainians had signs of coronavirus infection and had been hospitalized. However, according to Pohoreltsev, three Ukrainian citizens from this ship who were diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus continue staying in hospital in Tokyo. "Our fellow citizens' condition is satisfactory now," the diplomat added. He recalled that the fourth Ukrainian citizen who had already received the necessary treatment was discharged from hospital on February 27 and is now in one of the local hotels. As UNIAN reported, after a person on board the ship tested positive for the COVID-19, the Diamond Princess liner was quarantined for two weeks on February 4 under a Japanese Health Ministry order. Doctors examined passengers and the crew. On board the ship there were 3,700 people from 56 countries, including 25 citizens of Ukraine (all are crew members). While the ship was in quarantine, at least 700 people tested positive for the coronavirus. Currently, Japan has confirmed 10 deaths from the coronavirus. As of February 27, the four Ukrainian crew members who tested positive for the COVID-19 were hospitalized in Tokyo. One Ukrainian from the Diamond Princess was discharged from hospital later. The government of Laos has established a committee of local and foreign experts to inspect the safety of the nations dams, an official said Tuesday, as it forges ahead with plans to supply regional power despite several catastrophic accidents in recent years. The government has set up an inspection committee to examine small, medium and large dams, an official with the Ministry of Energy and Mines told RFAs Lao Service, speaking on condition of anonymity. So far, [the committee has] inspected some small dams. The committee includes officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and advisors to the Lao government. French large-dam expert Anton Schleis leads the committee which, as of Tuesday, had inspected 13 small dams and found the construction of one to be substandard, the official said. The committee has recommended that local authorities improve the construction of the 104-megawatt (MW) Nam Chien Dam in Xieng Khouang provinces Khoun district, he said. There are currently 39 operational dams in Laos, as well as 24 dams under construction and 291 in the planning stage or undergoing feasibility studies. The committee plans to inspect all 39 of the countrys operational dams by year-end, according to the official, before proceeding with examinations of the other projects. Landlocked Laos has worked to position itself as one of Southeast Asias top electricity exporters by aggressively damming the Mekong River and its many tributaries. The official Vientiane Times reported that Laos expects to generate about 20,000MW of electricity from 2020-30, which will be in excess of domestic demand, with surplus available for export to countries in the region, citing the Ministry of Energy and Mines. During this period, the Thai government expects to import about 9,000MW of electricity from Laos, Cambodia about 6,000MW, Vietnam about 5,000MW, Myanmar about 300MW, and Malaysia about 300MW, the Times said. Laos exported electricity valued at just over U.S. $1 million in 2019, according to the Import and Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Disastrous impact But while hydropower infrastructure has proved a boon for the government of the impoverished nation, the push to harness the countrys waterways has had a disastrous impact on society and the environment. In some cases, dams that have not been properly vetted have collapsed, resulting in fatalities and widespread damage. On July 23, 2018 water poured over a saddle dam at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy (PNPC) hydropower project following heavy rains, inundating 12 villages and killing at least 40 people in southern Laos Champassak and Attapeu provinces. Laos Ministry of Energy and Mines blamed the collapse of the auxiliary dam, which displaced about 7,000 people, on substandard construction, prompting calls by Lao officials for the projects main developerSouth Koreas SK Engineering and Constructionto be held accountable. Speaking to RFA about the decision to inspect the countrys dams on Tuesday, a community development worker urged the government to learn from past experiences. In the last two or three years, several dams have broken, said the development worker, who declined to be named. The government hasnt cared enough about dam safety and the materials used in construction, they said, adding that officials are more likely to blame climate change for the accidents. A villager who lives below Nam Gnieb Dam in Borikhamxay province said communities like his face serious risks if the government allows developers to cut corners. According to international standards, for safety of the people downstream, all dams must be up to [construction] code and incorporate a good emergency warning system. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. While out walking in a park in the Canadian town of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Bryan Thompson noticed a curious sight. Thompson spotted a fellow walker out with his dog, but rather than being led across the soft blanket of snow on a leash, the dog was lying in a red wooden wagon swaddled in blankets with a comfy pillow. Thompson observed the scene in Dartmouths Shubie Park, marveled at the dog walkers ingenious contraption, and took photos of the pair on their wintery walk through the snow. Photo courtesy of Bryan Thompson On Dec. 20, 2019, Thompson shared his photos on Facebook and praised the kindly dog owner for his awesome heart. I dont know this man, and I hope he wont mind this post, Thompson began. This guy with an awesome heart was walking his dog through Shubie Park in Dartmouth, as you can see, in a wagon. Rather than simply observing from afar, Thompson was compelled to approach the dog owner and strike up a conversation. Thompson learned that the swaddled pup in the little red wagon had a progressive neurodegenerative disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS for short, rendering her effectively paralyzed and unable to walk unassisted. I dont know this man, and I hope he wont mind this post. This guy with an awesome heart was walking his dog through Posted by Bryan Thompson on Friday, December 20, 2019 He told me she has ALS, Thompson explained, she was all bundled up and was happy for extra love. I told him he was a great person for doing that, because I know there are many who wouldnt. He just said that she would do the same for him and kept trucking, Thompson recalled, sharing the dog owners modest response. It is unknown whether the dog had been suffering from ALS for long. In the face of compromised mobility, however, the dogs kindly owner did not admit defeat. Instead, a red wooden wagon and a bundle of blankets became the solution to keeping his paralyzed pet engaged with the world around her. Photo courtesy of Bryan Thompson Its hard to type this without tearing up, Thompsons Facebook post continued, pleading to his followers, I hope you can share this, especially everyone who shares the lost animal posts; this guy deserves a huge dog kiss for his love of his dog. Thompsons moving anecdote and photo montage quickly went viral, being shared over 49,000 times to date. ALS affects nerve cells in thehuman or caninepatients brain and spinal cord, as per The ALS Association. As motor neuron connections gradually degenerate, the patients brain loses the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, sometimes leading to an inability to walk altogether. As the condition worsens over time, it can drastically impede the patients quality of life. Photo courtesy of Bryan Thompson Medical research into treatment for canines with paralytic diseases, however, may herald hope for the future. It may also have a significant impact upon the way human patients with ALS are treated. According to ALS News Today, an innovative gene-silencing therapy intended for human patients was tried on dogs with degenerative myelopathy, a fatal motor neuron condition similar to ALS, at Tufts University in 2017. The lead author of the study, Dominik Faissler of Tufts Universitys Cummings School for Veterinary Medicine, described the research as doing something for dogs that at the same time contributes to human medicine. In the meantime, the ingenious red-wooden-wagon remedy is certainly giving one paralyzed pup the ability to enjoy the myriad joys of the great outdoors in spite of her disability. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc Bengaluru mayor Gautam Kumar on Tuesday said that the decision to ban protests in front of Town Hall was made by the council and not only by him. "The decision to ban the protest in front of the Town Hall was made by the entire council and not only my decision. Also, the things which are approved by the councillor are also read by the ruling party leaders," Bengaluru mayor told ANI. "Still it is the discretion of the Commissioner to take a call after the council also. As of now, we have banned any protests in front of Town Hall," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leaders staged a protest against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Mayor Gautam Kumar and BJP at Council BBMP building against the decision. "If people will start protesting, it will badly affect the traffic of the city," said Kumar, while commenting on the protest. If they want to talk about the matter, let us have a healthy discussion. I don't have a problem with and I don't think the ruling party has a problem too," he added. On Sunday, pro-Kannada activist and former MLA Vatal Nagraj staged a protest in front of Sir KP Puttanna Chetty Town Hall (Bangalore Town Hall) against the decision taken by Bengaluru mayor. Talking to reporters, Nagraj had said: "He does not know the history of the Town Hall. It is a historic building and protests can be staged there." "Mayor's decision is against Bengaluru's tradition and culture, that's why we are condemning it and are protesting against this decision. We will not allow Mayor's programs in Bengaluru and he will be shown black flags", he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 03:05:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TUNIS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A Tunisian security expert said on Monday that his country stands in solidarity with China and its people who are fighting against COVID-19. "Despite the negative effects of COVID-19 on the Chinese economy, this country is certainly ready to overcome the shock wave since it has proved its capacity to face greater challenges in the past," Badra Gaaloul, president of Tunisia's International Centre for Strategic, Security and Military Studies, told Xinhua. As a strategic expert in military security, Gaaloul believes that China is in a strong position to win the battle against COVID-19. "China will prove to everyone that it is able to defend itself ... whose (daily) cases of recovery continue to far exceed those of infection or death," she said. China has also effectively mobilized its human and financial potentials to help many other countries affected by the epidemic, Gaaloul noted. "This illustrates the nobility of the spirit at the height of Chinese power," the Tunisian expert concluded. Enditem Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. WATERLOO The final phase of a more than $30 million reconstruction of University Avenue is nearly ready to begin. Waterloo City Council members approved construction bids Monday for the third phase of the project, which is rebuilding and reshaping the three-mile long roadway from the west city limits at Midway Drive to U.S. Highway 63 downtown. Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck appeared to be the lowest bidder on the last phase of project at nearly $14.4 million, narrowly outbidding K. Cunningham Construction Co. of Cedar Falls. PCI is the contractor on the other phases of the project, including an $8.7 million first phase from Greenhill Road to just east of Ansborough Avenue and the $8.4 million second phase from Midway to Greenhill. Council members are expected to award the contract at a future meeting. The bid was higher than the AECOM engineering firms $13.6 million estimate, but the first two phases on the project came in below estimates. The final phase is expected to begin this spring and take two construction seasons for completion. It will rebuild University from just east of Ansborough Avenue to U.S. 63, reducing the roadway from six to four lanes, adding a roundabout intersection at Fletcher Avenue and installing a trail, sidewalk and decorative features. The third phase also includes work on the Greenhill Road bridge, replaces an old railroad bridge over the Sergeant Road recreational trail with a box culvert, and adds a trailhead on the south side of the road. PCI has mostly completed the first phase of the University project and is planning to finish phase two by the fall. The bulk of the work is being funded with a $28 million payment from the Iowa Department of Transportation when it transferred jurisdiction of University Avenue to the city. Some $3 million related to water mains under the road is coming from the Waterloo Water Works. The city received a $750,000 grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association to pay for some of the enhancements designed to make the corridor appealing to motorists. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Trump Administration Says Strategic Stockpile of Ventilators Ready to Treat Coronavirus While the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 1 urged countries to stockpile respiratory ventilators, a major treatment option available for COVID-19 infection, the Trump administration said the United States has a stockpile to deal with the crisis. In the U.S., we are fortunate to have a Strategic National Stockpile which has maintained a ventilator stockpile since 2001. Additional ventilators were already scheduled to be delivered to SNS this year, a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told The Epoch Times on March 2. In a statement (pdf), the WHO provided guidance to clinically manage those with severe infections and asked countries to implement proven critical care interventions such as lung protective ventilation. Oxygen therapy is the major treatment intervention for patients with severe COVID-19. All countries should work to optimize the availability of pulse oximeters and medical oxygen systems, the U.N. agency said. As the week began, the coronavirus death count in the United States reached six, and more than 100 cases of the disease have been reported. A spokesperson from the Washington State Department of Health Joint Information Center said many hospitals in the state are equipped to accept patients with infectious disease. The reason some COVID-19 cases were sent to Spokane last month is because that hospital is one of 10 in the nation with a highly specialized setup, the spokesperson said. New York reported its first case of the infection on March 2, and Jill Montag, a spokesperson of the State Department of Health, told The Epoch Times that the state is prepared to deal with the crisis. The New York State Department maintains a medical stockpile for medical counter measures and durable medical equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and antivirals, she said. Tests for the coronavirus could be carried out on up to a million people by the end of week, the FDA said on March 2. Cases of the virus have now been reported in 12 statesthe majority of them in California and Washington state. The California Department of Public Health gave no specific information on the availability of ventilators at the time of this report. President Donald Trump and his Coronavirus Task Force met with some of the biggest and the most prestigious pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies in the world in the Cabinet Room on March 2, to discuss the acceleration of the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatment for the infection. The president and his task force said in a statement that theyre working to expedite the longer process of developing a vaccine and are also quickly developing therapies to help people recover. Its likely that therapies will be available before a vaccine is actually ready, and well seek to bring all effective treatments to market as soon as possible, Trump said. He said the coronavirus highlights the importance of manufacturing domestically what the United States needs to protect public health. The White House Coronavirus Task Force had a telephone conference call with 53 governors on March 2, and the president is scheduled to visit the National Institute of Health and the CDC on March 3. CNN contributed to this report. When the severely bruised body of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma was fished out from a drain in Chand Bagh area last Wednesday, nobody expected it to be the first of many to follow. Since then, till Tuesday, ten more bodies have been recovered from the drains across the violence-hit North East Delhi. BCCL On Sunday alone, police recovered four bodies, two from the Bhagirath drain. Another body was recovered from a drain near the Gokalpuri police station and a fourth body was pulled out from a drain in Shiv Vihar. PTI Police, however, have not confirmed whether the latest recovery was linked to the riots. The bodies have been shifted to GTB Hospital for post-mortem. The nature of injuries are not clear. None of the recovered bodies have been identified so far, said a senior police officer. Except for Ankit Sharma, so far only two of the bodies, which were decomposed beyond recognition have been identified. Two bodies recovered from the Bhagirathi Vihar drain have been identified as brothers Aamir and Hashim. BCCL Police and hospital authorities have recommended a DNA test as the last resort to identify the rest of the bodies. With many still complaining that their family members have been missing since the violence broke out, there is a looming fear that 11 bodies may not be the final count that the network of drains are holding. According to locals, the drains many have more bodies in them, which they say won't flow away as they are filled with garbage. The almost-black coloured water and the stench from it also make it difficult to look for the missing in the drains. BCCL According to reports, 47 people have died so far in violence in Delhi. The Delhi Police crime branch will investigate 47 murder cases that were filed after violence rocked the national capital. So far nearly 1,300 people have been arrested or detained in connection with last week's communal violence. Police have been conducting flag marches and holding meetings with locals in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad to ease the situation. BCCL A large number of properties have been damaged. Frenzied mobs had torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel. There has been no fresh violence since the last five days and heavy deployment of security personnel continues in the riot-hit areas. BCCL As the violence subsided, many who were forced to leave their homes have sought help from police and other authorities to go back and check on their houses. A large number of such families sheltering in Old Mustafabad now want to return to their houses to check for damages or loss. An air fryer cob loaf recipe has taken the internet by storm after an Australian mum revealed it requires just six basic ingredients. The home cook, who posted the steps to Facebook, mixed sour cream, French onion soup, cream cheese, frozen spinach and cheese. She then spooned the entire mixture into the loaf and put it in the microwave for one minute before placing it in a $69 Kmart 3-in-1 Air Fryer for an additional five on 180. A home cook has shared her simple recipe for cob loaf (pictured) and it takes just six minutes to make To make the cob loaf, the woman used Kmart's $69 Air Fryer (pictured) The woman explained that heating the mixture before placing it in the air fryer made the cooking process much faster. 'I heated the mixture in the microwave so it was only the bread that needed toasting [in the air fryer],' she wrote on Facebook. She continued: 'I also put the pieces of bread in the grill but chucked them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes when I took the cob loaf out.' But this woman isn't the only one who has impressed the internet with a thrifty recipe as a home cook recently prepared miniature shepherd's pies in her Kmart air fryer. The woman posted on Facebook, where she revealed her simple recipe for the mini shepherd's pies. 'We made a heap of the pies for dinner tonight,' Kirsty wrote on Facebook. How to make cob loaf in a Kmart air fryer Ingredients: - 300g sour cream - 250g cream cheese - Half a packet of trench onion soup - 250g frozen spinach - Small handful of cheese Method: 1. Mixed it all together in a bowl and put in microwave for one to two minutes 2. Spoon mixture entire mixture into the loaf 3. Then place it in the air fryer for around five minutes at 180 Advertisement Another mother also recently prepared miniature shepherd's pies in her Kmart air fryer - and the delicious dinner only requires a few simple steps to put together (pictured) 'My seven-year-old who loves normal shepherd's pie initially screwed up his nose and said "I'm not eating that". We always tell our kids to try new things first and he promptly ate three, and is hoping to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.' To make the mini shepherd's pies, Kirsty said she first of all made the 'mince mix and mashed potato as normal'. 'I spooned the mix into the taco boats, and then popped them in the Air Fryer for 10 minutes,' Kirsty said. 'The boats came out slightly crunchy and nicely brown on top, they were so yum. The shepherd's pies were such a hit in Kirsty's household that even her fussy seven-year-old child loved them (pictured) 'I already have plans of trying other toppings and fillings,' she continued. A packet of mini tortillas from Woolworths will set you back $4.80, while grated cheese can be added to the top of the mash to make the pies even tastier. When she shared her recipe online, people were quick to congratulate Kirsty's meal idea saying it looks 'delicious'. 'Thank you for the dinner idea. A hit in this household. Even the picky four year old loved it,' one mum posted. Others suggested their own variations on the recipe. Others suggested their own variations on the recipe (pictured) including mini macaroni cheese with bacon and quiches Mac and cheese boats with bacon bits on top would be amazing,' one person posted. 'I do salmon with a cream/egg mixture and cheese on top,' another added. Others said mini lasagne and quiches make perfect lunchbox meals. 'I've made a giant batch of the filling in the slow cooker and freezer it in portions for quick dinners,' one woman posted. 'All I will have to do is scoop into boats and top with mash and cheese and cook in air fryer for six minutes on busy weeknights. 3dfoto/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- Top officials from the State Department, Department of Justice, Homeland Security Department, the FBI and U.S. Cyber Command issued an unusual joint warning on Monday to countries or other foreign actors that might try to interfere in the nation's Super Tuesday primaries: Stay out or face "sharp consequences." "We continue to work with all 50 states, U.S. territories, local officials, political parties and private sector partners to keep elections free from foreign interference," they said in the statement. "Americans must also remain aware that foreign actors continue to try to influence public sentiment and shape voter perceptions. They spread false information and propaganda about political processes and candidates on social media in hopes to cause confusion and create doubt in our system. We remain alert and ready to respond to any efforts to disrupt the 2020 elections. We continue to make it clear to foreign actors that any effort to undermine our democratic processes will be met with sharp consequences," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray, U.S. Cyber Command Commander and National Security Agency Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Christopher Krebs, said. In conversations with secretary of state offices and other state elections officials with the 14 Super Tuesday states, most expressed high confidence in the security of their elections systems and their ability to guard against any potential attempts to interfere. Meanwhile, cyber experts ABC News spoke with are calling for increased vigilance among both voters and elections officials. "We're in for a wild ride," Michael Hamilton the former CIO of the city of Seattle and current founder of cyber security company CI Security Hamilton continued that it might not be the voting systems themselves that are compromised, but the technology used to tabulate the vote. "So the tablets are being used for voting, the tablets are being used by precinct volunteers to activate systems into pulling the tally of the votes," Hamilton said. He noted that that elderly precinct volunteers often aren't up on all the latest technology and introducing more into the voting systems could cause problems. Officials in Alabama say they're prepared for Super Tuesday. "We remain confident that our local election officials are as prepared as they can be. They've instructed their poll workers and their election officials as to what needs to be done and everything is in places they're ready to move ahead for the election next Tuesday," Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said. Elections happen on a local level. The federal government provides support and helps the states conduct and run elections. Officials in Oklahoma said they are using a multi-tiered approach. "Oklahoma has an intricate, multi-layer election security system in place. We work closely with multiple agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department of Homeland Security, State Cyber Command, the FBI, and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management," Misha Mohr the Public Information Officer Oklahoma State Election Board told ABC News. In neighboring Texas, the state with the most delegates at stake, officials say all systems are a go ahead of the primary in their state. "Texas voters can rest assured ahead of Tuesday's primary election that our office, as well as those of local and county elections officials, are committed to working hand in hand to ensure smooth elections as well as the integrity of our electoral process," Stephen Chang, the spokesman from the Texas Secretary of States office told ABC News in a statement. Officials in several states have told ABC News they have assigned staffers to keep a close watch specifically on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and alert the company as well as the news media in the event they see something suspect. Specifically, they're worried about social media posts that have incorrect information on poll closing times or erroneous location changes, things that could specifically affect voter behavior on the day of the vote. A former DHS official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity told ABC News, said that on a federal level, during the 2018 midterms, the strategy of the cyber arm of DHS, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), was to try to inform the public what was going on as much as possible and trying to "build some resilience in the public around the idea of disinformation." This former official said that they wanted to make sure that DHS was concerned with election management systems, and secretary of state websites provide valuable information for people ahead of going to the polls. Another concern is the social media misinformation that the U.S. saw in 2016 and, according to one expert, it is still prevalent. "I think that clearly, foreign actors are trying to influence or impact our elections. I think our elections are critical to our foundation, our Constitution, and that every attempt should be made not just, two days before they before, Super Tuesday, but this should be an ongoing effort is to look at how do we better protect our the infrastructure that supports our right to vote as well as how do we do a better job of helping to improve the security of all the campaigns," Craig Harber, a former National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command officer told ABC News. Harber is now in private consulting for Fidelis. Harber said it is a whole of government approach to securing the elections, pointing to the fact that U.S Cyber Command is involved in securing the elections, scanning for any time of malicious interference. The greatest concern in these primaries, according to both state and federal elections officials, is the spread of disinformation on social media -- influence campaigns geared at confusing or dividing the public like we saw from the Russians' sweeping effort in 2016. "One of the things they're going to be obviously, essentially trying to do, is influence perceptions, again, through social media," Harber said. "After 2016, security has been revamped, and is the number one concern for every election officer out there," Daniel Mahoney, deputy director of the of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center, told ABC News. "It's really been brought to the forefront. And I can tell you, every election officer I've talked to, is taking it extremely seriously." He said that, because of the information sharing that goes on between fusion centers, if malicious activity is detected in one voting state, it will get shared and communicated throughout the country. "Fusion centers tomorrow and all the election officers that we've spoken to are all in a state of readiness. And if something if something is to happen, we're going to be aware of it on a national level and we're going to address it on a national level," Mahoney said. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Saudi Arabia has reportedly confirmed its first case of the COVID-19 infection, health ministry confirmed to a state-run agency. The citizen that contracted the disease entered the Gulf country from Iran via Bahrain and did not confirm his travel itinerary at the border checkpoint, confirmed agency report. Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia said reportedly said that the patient was isolated from the premises with immediate effect. It said that citizens who interacted with the confirmed case were quarantined along with him. Their samples were in the laboratory with pending test results, it added. Jordan and Tunisia were among other countries that detected primary cases of COVID-19 recently. Czech Republic, Scotland, and the Dominican Republic also reported their first cases of coronavirus as the malignant pathogen spread to at least 60 countries across the globe. Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Czech Republic Confirms Five Cases Of Epidemic Read: Coronavirus: Centre Advises Citizens To Refrain From Travelling To Affected Countries Saudi man's condition being monitored According to the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry dispatched an infection control team to examine the citizen and collect his samples from the lab in accordance with the framework of ongoing precautionary measures. The samples exhibited the contagion of COVID-19. It was then established that the Saudi man had acquired the disease, the agency quoted the health ministry as saying. The man was under medical supervision at a hospital and his condition was being monitored, agency cited health officials. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Bahrain, two more tested positive to coronavirus as of March 2. The patients were identified as a Bahraini woman and a Saudi man both of whom entered the nation on non-direct flights from Iran carrying the disease confirmed a media report. Bahrain has put its recent cases toll at 49. Saudi Arabia has reportedly ramped up the containment efforts in addition to the ban on the foreign nationals arriving for Umrah Pilgrimage. It also imposed restrictions on the Gulf Arab citizens touring Mecca and Medina, including prohibitions on tourists from at least 25 states. A media report revealed that custodian of two holy mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz was contacted over the telephone by King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who extended full support to the kingdoms preventive measures. Read: AI Asks Fliers Who Flew With Coronavirus-infected Person To Follow Protocols Read: Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI Hold Meeting To Review Coronavirus Situation Officials in a central Georgia county say they will pay to test water wells for coal ash contamination. Monroe County Manager Jim Hedges tells WGXA-TV that the county will pay $10,000 to test about 55 private wells across the county. The tests come after environmental group Altamaha Riverkeeper tested wells of residents around Juliette and found chemicals they say indicate contamination from the coal ash pond at Georgia Power Co.s Plant Scherer. Georgia Power, a unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co., says its own testing of wells around the coal-fired power plant show no contamination above federal or state limits. The company plans to extract water from the coal ash, cap the pond in place and monitor it for future contamination. Juliette residents came to the state capitol last week to lobby for a bill that would require Georgia Power to dig up the coal ash and bury it in a lined landfill. Hedges said the results should come back within 7 to 10 days. Residents are also lobbying to be connected to a water system, but county officials said that could cost $20 million and take two years to complete. Beyond the county testing, Duke University Professor Avner Vengosh, who studies coal ash contamination, is scheduled to visit Monroe County to study 10 to 12 private wells within 2 miles of Plant Scherer. The county will pay travel costs for Vengosh and Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Georgia Pollution New Delhi: Tata Group Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata on Friday called for focus and investment in education and the well-being of millions of Indian youth, who will drive the country's future to ensure the goal of $5 trillion economy by 2024. In his address at an event commemorating the 50th year of the Population Foundation of India, he said: "There is no doubt that the future of India will be driven by the young population of more than 370 million people. "If we are to meet our commitments to achieve population stabilisation and contribute to the national aspirations of $5 trillion economy by 2024, we must focus and invest in the young citizens of the future." Ratan Tata also stressed the need to create employment opportunities for the youth as well as address the issue of gender discrimination that denies women equal opportunities in every sphere. On the occasion, he felicitated Rani Bang and Abhay Bang with the first J.R.D. Tata Award for Excellence in Public Service, instituted to mark the PFI's golden anniversary and honouring an individual's contribution to promoting social justice, gender equality, women's empowerment and well-being of the society. The Bangs, known for introducing the successful Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) model to reduce maternal and child mortality in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli and pioneering several initiatives for the youth and adolescents in the state, dedicated the award to the people of Gadchiroli. "We also dedicate this award to our co-workers who inspire and enable our work," Rani Bang said. Outlining their vision for public health in India, Abhay Bang said: "The Indian word for health is 'Swa-stha', which is being self-reliant. Hence, our vision is 'Aarogya-Swaraj' which means that people's health must remain in their hands." PFI Executive Director Poonam Muttreja said that the organisation -- founded in 1970 by a group of industrialists led by J.R.D. Tata and Bharat Ram to support and promote gender-sensitive and people-friendly population, health and development programmes and policies -- is committed to giving youth knowledge and resources to help them make the right choices about their health and well-being, thereby ensuring that they become a powerful driving force of change. The celebrations premiered Feroz Abbas Khan's highly acclaimed new romantic musical "Raunaq & Jassi", based on Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet". Photo: The Canadian Press British Columbia Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry addresses the media during a news conference at the BC Centre of Disease Control in Vancouver B.C, Tuesday, January 28, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says British Columbia is monitoring the deaths of six people from novel coronavirus in Washington state and there is no evidence of widespread transmission of the virus. Henry says the six deaths are connected to two counties in the Seattle area. She says that leads her to believe an uncontrolled spread is not underway. Henry says Canadians who have recently travelled across the border into Washington state do not need to contact public health officials unless they feel sick. But she advises Canadians to postpone any travel if they have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and muscle aches. She says travellers returning to B.C. from international trips can expect extra screening by Canadian Border Services officials who will be asking about their health. "There is not widespread community transmission in Washington state and certainly there is not here in B.C., and we're confident of that," Henry said Monday at a news conference. "My colleagues in Washington state are working very hard to try and track down everybody who's been in contact with people who've been affected in the United States." Henry says B.C. currently has eight confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, with four cases recovered and the others in isolation at home. She says travellers returning to B.C. from Iran will now face increased questions at customs and immigration points at airports about their health. Last month, a B.C. woman in her 30s who travelled to Iran was diagnosed with novel coronavirus shortly after her return to Canada. Health Minister Adrian Dix said Premier John Horgan and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee spoke Monday by telephone about the coronavirus, each pledging support for the neighbouring jurisdictions. Two stars merged to form massive white dwarf A massive white dwarf star with a bizarre carbon-rich atmosphere could be two white dwarfs merged together according to an international team led by University of Warwick astronomers, and only narrowly avoided destruction. They have discovered an unusual ultra-massive white dwarf around 150 light years from us with an atmospheric composition never seen before, the first time that a merged white dwarf has been identified using its atmospheric composition as a clue. The discovery, published today (2 March) in the journal Nature Astronomy, could raise new questions about the evolution of massive white dwarf stars and on the number of supernovae in our galaxy. This star, named WDJ0551+4135, was identified in a survey of data from the European Space Agency's Gaia telescope. The astronomers followed up with spectroscopy taken using the William Herschel Telescope, focusing on those white dwarfs identified as particularly massive - a feat made possible by the Gaia mission. By breaking down the light emitted by the star, the astronomers were able to identify the chemical composition of its atmosphere and found that it had an unusually high level of carbon present. Lead author Dr Mark Hollands, from the University of Warwick Department of Physics, said: "This star stood out as something we had never seen before. You might expect to see an outer layer of hydrogen, sometimes mixed with helium, or just a mix of helium and carbon. You don't expect to see this combination of hydrogen and carbon at the same time as there should be a thick layer of helium in between that prohibits that. When we looked at it, it didn't make any sense." To solve the puzzle, the astronomers turned detective to uncover the star's true origins. White dwarfs are the remains of stars like our own Sun that have burnt out all their fuel and shed their outer layers. Most are relatively lightweight, around 0.6 times the mass of our Sun, but this one weighs in at 1.14 solar masses, nearly twice the average mass. Despite being heavier than our Sun, it is compacted into two-thirds the diameter of Earth. The age of the white dwarf is also a clue. Older stars orbit the Milky Way faster than younger ones, and this object is moving faster than 99% of the other nearby white dwarfs with the same cooling age, suggesting that this star is older than it looks. Dr Hollands adds: "We have a composition that we can't explain through normal stellar evolution, a mass twice the average for a white dwarf, and a kinematic age older than that inferred from cooling. We're pretty sure of how one star forms one white dwarf and it shouldn't do this. The only way you can explain it is if it was formed through a merger of two white dwarfs." The theory is that when one star in a binary system expands at the end of its life it will envelope its partner, drawing its orbit closer as the first star shrinks. The same will happen when the other star expands. Over billions of years, gravitational wave emission will shrink the orbit further, to the point that the stars merge together. While white dwarf mergers have been predicted to occur, this one would be particularly unusual. Most of the mergers in our galaxy will be between stars with different masses, whereas this merger appears to be between two similarly sized stars. There is also a limit to how big the resulting white dwarf can be: at more than 1.4 solar masses it is thought that it would explode in a supernova though it may be possible for that these explosions can occur at slightly lower masses, so this star is useful in demonstrating how massive a white dwarf can get and still survive. Because the merging process restarts the cooling of the star, it is difficult to determine how old it is. The white dwarf probably merged around 1.3 billion years ago but the two original white dwarfs may have existed for many billions of years prior. It is one of only a handful of merged white dwarfs to be identified so far, and the only one via its composition. Dr Hollands adds: "There aren't that many white dwarfs this massive, although there are more than you would expect to see which implies that some of them were probably formed by mergers. "In the future we may be able to use a technique called asteroseismology to learn about the white dwarf's core composition from its stellar pulsations, which would be an independent method confirming this star formed from a merger. "Maybe the most exciting aspect of this star is that it must have just about failed to explode as a supernova - these gargantuan explosions are really important in mapping the structure of the Universe, as they can be detected out to very large distances. However, there remains much uncertainty about what kind of stellar systems make it to the supernova stage. Strange as it may sound, measuring the properties of this 'failed' supernova, and future look-alikes, is telling us a lot about the pathways to thermonuclear self-annihilation." ### The research was funded by the European Research Council and the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). * 'An ultra-massive white dwarf with a mixed hydrogen-carbon atmosphere as a likely merger remnant' is published in Nature Astronomy, DOI: 10.1038/s41550-020-1028-0 Notes to editors: For interviews or a copy of the paper contact: Peter Thorley Media Relations Manager (Warwick Medical School and Department of Physics) | Press & Media Relations | University of Warwick Email: peter.thorley@warwick.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)24 761 50868 Based on observations made with the William Herschel Telescope operated on the island of La Palma by the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC). The ING is funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC-UKRI) of the United Kingdom, the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) of the Netherlands, and the IAC in Spain. IAC's contribution to ING is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. This story has been published on: 2020-03-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The University of Texas at Austin will implement and modify several misconduct policies after months of discussions and student activism over concerns that the college wasnt transparent about sexual misconduct violations or proactive enough about protecting students. In a letter to the university community Monday, UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves said the university will streamline existing resources to survivors and fire any faculty or staff member found guilty of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking or interpersonal violence. And if an employee isnt terminated because of mitigating factors, the university will make public the circumstances of the misconduct while maintaining the privacy of survivors. Sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence will not be accepted at the University of Texas at Austin. If a faculty or staff member commits these acts, the consequences will be clear, Fenves wrote. All of the recommendations recently made by Husch Blackwell, a Kansas City-based law firm the university hired to analyze its policies, would be implemented, he said. The new amendments are designed to better support survivors, provide clear disciplinary guidelines and improve communication with the campus community, he added. Scott Schneider, a partner at Husch Blackwell, said during a press conference Monday that it was unusual and rather unique for names of UT employees in violation of policy to be available by public record. He cited SB 212 for that. I havent done a survey of all the public records laws in every state in the country, but there are things here from a public records request perspective that folks are entitled to that you dont have elsewhere, Schneider said. Per the firms recommendations, the university will also further clarify its policies on sexual misconduct and sex discrimination, require mandatory training for university employees, improve timelines for sex discrimination investigation resolutions, and consult experts to establish a restorative justice program and offer alternative resolution options and processes for sex discrimination matters. UT will also create an office where students impacted by sex discrimination can access trained staff and confidential personnel who can provide support and information to resources. On HoustonChronicle.com: UT students say report on employee sexual misconduct falls short, demand more transparency Tasnim Islam, a sophomore member of the student-led Coalition Against Sexual Misconduct and the universitys Misconduct Working Group, said she was overwhelmed when she read the presidents letter. When first saw it, I almost cried because I was so happy that all of our (work) that we put into this was actually worth something, that we had tangible, historical change happen at UT, Islam said. While Fenves thanked the Misconduct Working Group, Islam said she was disappointed that he didnt also credit student activists who have been protesting, doing the research and working toward change for years. It was kind of frustrating to see that all the demands and recommendations [from] the lawyers were the same things student activists were advocating for, she said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Abusers have got to go. UT students push for tougher sex misconduct penalties The universitys decision to revise the sexual misconduct policy was sparked after weeks of protests last fall. Students were angry because faculty members who had violated sexual misconduct policies were disciplined but allowed to continue teaching classes. Protesters called for the open publication of the names of professors who have violated the sexual misconduct policy. And a student-led petition circulated in December listed demands including a reformative justice program and additional training for UT employees. In January, the university published a report revealing that 17 employees three professors and 14 staffers engaged in misconduct over a 26-month period. The misconduct included unwelcome physical contact, comments of a sexual nature, stalking and failure to report consensual relations with a student or subordinate employee. Nine of the employees were either fired or forced out. On HoustonChronicle.com: Nine UT employees ousted over sexual misconducts The process isnt over for UT, officials said. The law firm, which met with members of the university community help to inform its review of policies, stated that it will make another series of recommendations related to process and policy in the coming weeks. Islam said she hopes future recommendations will include more structural changes that will allow all reporting on sex discrimination and the recommended options to be centralized. The hope is that the new policies arent just a bunch of buzzwords and that the right employees are being hired and trained to implement them, she said. Austin-based staff writer Savana Dunning contributed to this report. brittany.britto@chron.com The new leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Lawan Abubakar, otherwise called Ba Lawan, is moving rapidly to consolidate his position, by executing five Shura council members (the supreme leadership council of the terrorist group) including the erstwhile leader of the group Abu Abdullahi Umar Al Barnawi, also called Ba Idrisa, authoritative sources familiar with developments around the group said Sunday in Diffa and Maiduguri. It is by far the most bloody and extensive move in the history of the group to behead its leadership crop in one fell swoop researchers and reporters on the Media and Terrorism collaborative project of Premium Times and HumAngle Media Foundation learnt at the weekend, an indication that the regime of Ba Lawan may be paved with blood and pain. After an early February coup that led to the overthrow of Ba Idrisa, the new leadership detained him together with four members of the Shura who constituted his kitchen cabinet, sources said. The precise date of the execution is still in contention, but multiple sources familiar with the development said the killing of Ba Idrisa, along with Mohammad Bashir, Mustapha Jere, Ali Abdullahi, and the notorious Baba Mayinta, believed to be the power valve and key behind the throne under the Idrisa dispensation, definitely triggered the mutiny of Wednesday 26th February into Thursday, 27th February by Ba Idrisa loyalists. It is unclear whether the scheme was to create a smokescreen in a process of working to an answer by swiftly ordering their summary execution but a rank of fighting troops loyal to the executed leaders instigated a rebellion against the new leaders, invading the secluded island that serves as one of their main sanctuaries, hoping to free the five men and plot their escape, our usually multiple sources embedded in the conflicts state, said, claiming there was originally no intention to execute the leaders. However, in the gun exchange that ensued before dawn on Thursday, February 27, some high-profile leaders became collateral casualties, with Mustapha Krimima, the notable power-behind-the-throne and kingmaker in ISWAP escaping fatality by the whiskers and Abu Musab, a former leader, dethroned in March 2019 and son of late Mohammed Yusuf, founder of Boko Haram, believed to have been shot. As at this reporting time, our sources had no confirmation whether he survived or was killed. Evidence that the Ba Idrisa faction continue to have significant influence in the group was the forced admission by the Ba Lawan new leadership to address restive loyalists of the five slain leaders that they had been executed because they attempted to escape to the land of Kufr, to lead a faction, that planned to undermine the group. Besmirching Ba Idrisa to advantage, at any rate, is not a particularly difficult task, attentive watchers of ISWAP who point to his relatively liberal disposition tend to agree. The justification for his overthrow, therefore, was merely sold as his gradual drift toward apostasy, his lax admittance for ideological dilution in group rank, as when in cases where in the past he took no action against communities shielding anti-ISWAP elements or people thought to be spying on ISWAP for government forces. READ ALSO: Traditionally, such power consolidation schema in the rank of the insurgency often heralds a short to medium period of unprecedented violence when the new leadership tries to define its identity, but inside sources and watchers of the recent ISWAP evolution are saying, in the current situation, a far-reaching purge, with its potential for substantial damage to the internal cohesion within the group as well as possible prolonged leadership instability should be expected. No question about it, the fighting ranks within ISWAP has become divided, and with division within the larger group deepening, a major unrest will likely manifest in the coming weeks, sources knowledgeable about the conflict strongly believe. The job of the Ba Lawan leadership then is inevitably well cut out for it. Will it produce the skills and resources to reconcile the violent agitation within the group, with the alternative being an untidy splinter into multiple armed gangs fiercely fighting for control of the space within the economically juicy Lake Chad region? With the current setback for the discreetly clerical tones in the insurgency, to the more brutal, hard-lined combatants, the current programme at consolidating power and wielding the disparate micro terror groups together, inside ISWAP sources believe the region will likely transit to a new season of more ruthless and vicious armed campaign across communities and highways. Moreover, windows of possible negotiations for abducted individuals will likely be more rigid and uncompromising henceforth. This news analysis is a partnership between the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and the Humangle Media Foundation under the mediaand terrorism programme. Empty shelves in a Boots chemist after the retailer ran out of hand sanitiser. (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) Supermarket sales of hand sanitiser have soared 255% year-on-year as coronavirus fears deepen in the UK, according to new figures. Data from market research firm Kantar suggests consumers have been stocking up on the product as the covid-19 virus has spread around the globe and dominated headlines in recent weeks. It means consumers bought two-and-a-half times as many bottles of hand sanitiser last month as in February 2019. Sales of other kinds of liquid soap are also up by 7% compared to a year ago, while household cleaning product sales rose by 10%. Given the media focus around the outbreak of COVID-19 in February, its unsurprising to see shoppers prudently protecting themselves from illness, said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar. The figures also show overall supermarket sales rising at the fastest rate since last November, up 0.7% over the past 12 weeks. But Sainsburys was the only one of the Big Four largest supermarkets to increase sales year-on-year, with discounters Aldi and Lidl and online retailer Ocado growing fastest. Read more: Stocks jump ahead of emergency G7 coronavirus call Some Boots stores have resorted to rationing hand sanitiser because of high demand as the number of UK cases has risen to at least 40. A sign in some of its pharmacies reads: Hand sanitisers are currently limited to two per customer. Help us to support as many people as possible to keep their hands clean this winter." Demand for face masks in the UK has also risen risen in recent weeks, despite doubts over their effectiveness in protecting individuals from the virus. The National Pharmacy Association has noted a considerable increase in demand at some pharmacies, including Chinese tourists buying masks for their return to China. Health secretary Matt Hancock sought to reassure the public this week that the number of UK cases remained relatively small, and the symptoms relatively mild for most people who catch the virus. SHOWS: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (MARCH 3, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPORTER ASKING: "The last week, the last month, we've seen the coronavirus all over the world, in Europe. IOC already said something about it, that it's disturbing for the Olympics. UEFA has been, well, downplaying it a little bit. What are the worries of it for you, and is it different because this tournament will be played in so many different countries?" 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UEFA GENERAL SECRETARY THEODORE THEODORIDIS SAYING: "From our side, we are addressing the situation already by making contact the the World Health Organisation and with the different governments as well. Don't forget that we have ongoing matches, we have to deal with it in a case by case, we acknowledge the situation, we do not want to over-react, but, as I told you, we have created a lot of contact. Also, as we said earlier, yesterday, we had a meeting with the European leagues in order to create a co-ordination group to face the situation and to find the best possible solution. Our calendar is already congested, and postponement of matches is quite challenging where the matches should be played, so working together is where we will find the solution, so we do not want to over-react, we are aware of the situation, and we have established contacts and co-ordination groups to deal with it." 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPORTER ASKING UEFA PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER CEFERIN: "A clear case today that Steve Clarke, the Scotland manager is not coming because of concerns over the coronavirus. When it reaches that sort of level, how much of a concern is it now becoming to the organisation and indeed the future tournament?" UEFA PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER CEFERIN: "Look, we - we even don't know how many concerns we have when we organise a big competition, and we organise now a competition in 12 countries. We have security concerns, we have political instability concerns, especially in 12 countries, and one of the concerns is also that virus. We are dealing with it and we are confident that we can deal with it." Story continues 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPORTER ASKING: "If the Euros were disrupted as the result of this virus, would you consider moving games to different cities, would you consider moving games to different countries if necessary?" UEFA GENERAL SECRETARY THEODORE THEODORIDIS SAYING: "We do not want to start speculating at this stage. We would like to deal with it seriously, case by case, involving the different stakeholders, as we said governments, and the other leagues, the clubs, and take our decisions case by case. We do not want to start speculating about what will happen in three or four months time." UEFA PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER CEFERIN: "Let's try to be optimistic, let's don't just think about the dark scenarios, it's time for that later." 5. WIDE VIEW OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPORTER ASKING: "Mr Ceferin, I wonder if you have a deadline in mind when you feel like you need to make a decision on the Euros with coronavirus?" UEFA PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER CEFERIN: "No." STORY: UEFA has set up a working group with the European Leagues association to handle any fixture fall-out caused by coronavirus related postponements. With Euro 2020 qualifying playoffs pencilled in for later this month, as well as knock-out rounds in the Champions League and Europa League, UEFA admit it will be tough to reschedule games. "We met with the European Leagues yesterday to create a coordination group to face the situation and find the best possible solutions," said UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis at UEFA's congress on Tuesday. "From our side we are addressing the situation by making contact with the WHO (World Health Organisation) and different governments. We don't want to over-react but have a line of contact," he said. "The calendar is congested and it is difficult to find space, working together is where we will find solutions," he said. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added that "we are confident that we can deal with it". UEFA's flagship competition, Euro 2020, will be held from June in 12 cities across Europe but for the moment Theodoridis says the organisation is focused on the March games. "We have been working on different scenarios. The Euros start in June. We have matches coming in next weeks. We don't want to share further details. The more urgent matters are coming in next two weeks. But there are plans for everything," he said. The Swiss league (SFL) has been put on hold until at least March 23 because of the coronavirus outbreak after the clubs rejected the possibility of playing matches behind closed doors. Switzerland, which has had at least two dozen confirmed cases, introduced a ban on Friday on events expected to draw 1,000 people or more until March 15 in an effort to combat the coronavirus. In response, the Swiss League called off all matches in the top two divisions and Saturday and Sunday and it has now extended the ban to the international break at the end of March. The UEFA congress went ahead, with delegates from across the continent, without any major impact from the virus although Scotland manager Steve Clarke was not attending the Nations League draw, to be held later on Tuesday, as his association view it as an "unnecessary risk". (Production: Mike Brock) Bernie Sanders' women 'rape fantasy' essay, naked children comments resurface ahead of Super Tuesday Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Senator Bernie Sanders' past writings about women's rape fantasies and child sexuality are coming under increased scrutiny again as he and Democratic candidates vie for the 2020 presidential nomination. The Vermont senator is an Independent and self-avowed Democratic Socialist who caucuses with Democrats and is the current frontrunner for the party's nomination. In 1972, Sanders wrote an essay titled "Man and Woman" in the alternative newspaper Vermont Freeman in which he said that when a woman is having sex with a man she "fantasizes being raped by three men simultaneously," The Washington Free Beacon noted. Sanders also wrote, quoting various studies, that cancer could be caused by psychological factors including unresolved anger toward ones mother, where hostility is buried behind a facade of pleasantness and not having many orgasms. Sexual adjustment seemed to be very poor in those with cancer of the cervix, he wrote, citing research published in a journal called Psychosomatic Medicine. That essay resurfaced in a 2015 Mother Jones profile as he was seeking the 2016 presidential nomination. Sanders also claimed that not having sex would lead to breast cancer. "The manner in which you bring up your daughter with regard to sexual attitudes may very well determine whether or not she will develop breast cancer, among other things," Sanders wrote in an essay headlined "Cancer, Disease and Society" in 1969, ABC News reported, noting that Sanders' beliefs about the lack of sex causing cancers in women "continued well into the 1980s." Commenting on the Sanders' writings, Tim O'Brien, an adviser to former New York City mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, called the Vermont senator "loopy" and "loony." "Bernie has all of this loopy stuff in his background, saying things like women get cancer from having too [few] orgasms, or toddlers should run around naked and touch each other's genitals to insulate themselves from porn," the Bloomberg adviser said in a CNN interview this week. "Why has this stuff not been more surfaced? He's written about women's rape fantasies. That hasn't been surfaced. That's the loony side of Bernie." O'Brien's reference to toddlers refers to an essay Sanders wrote in 1969 in which he criticized the state of Vermont for reprimanding a mother who permitted her child to run around naked at the beach. "Now, if children go around naked, they are liable to see each others sexual organs, and maybe even touch them," Sanders wrote. "Terrible thing! If we [raise] children up like this it will probably ruin the whole pornography business, not to mention the large segment of the general economy which makes its money by playing on peoples sexual frustrations." The South Carolina primary on Saturday is expected to be a pivotal point in the race. Fourteen states will hold their primaries on Tuesday. The Democratic Convention is scheduled for mid-July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While being accused of being slow to detect the first case, Italian health authorities then took decisive action, locking down 50,000 people and testing thousands in an effort to contain the viruss spread. Health officials say they hope to see those measures having an effect toward the end of the week. But Rezza said restrictions on movements and gatherings could be extended beyond the initial two weeks, to better assess whether they are working, while the containment area could be expanded. There were 24 people killed early Tuesday as a tornado swept across Middle Tennessee, including touching down in East Nashville, where two died. They were identified as Michael Dolfini, 36, and his girlfriend, Albree Sexton, 33. They had just left Attaboy Lounge, where Mr. Dolfini worked, when they were struck by debris on McFerrin Avenue. There were 18 deaths and 75 injured in Putnam County east of Nashville. The tornado came through around 2 a.m. between Cookeville and Baxter. There were no injuries or significant damages at Tennessee Tech at Cookeville, but classes were called off Tuesday and Wednesday, when there will be a Day of Service. Three died in Wilson County and one in Benton County west of Nashville. There were numerous homes and buildings heavily damaged and many thousands without power. The Basement East nightclub in East Nashville was destroyed. Earlier, a benefit concert for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders had been held there. Nashville emergency responders initially said they were dealing with some 40 building collapses. Urban search teams were going through downed buildings looking for storm victims. Most of the heavy damage in Nashville was downtown and East Nashville and the Five Points neighborhood. Several schools in Davidson County and Wilson County had significant damage. Vanderbilt University reported that it suffered no damage. The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, made it through the storm unscathed. It opened at noon. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said, "Nashville is hurting, and our community has been devastated. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. Be sure to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need, and let's come together as a community once more. Together, we will get through this and come out stronger." He said all non-essential city offices were closed for the day. State trial courts were also closed. Mayor Cooper urged residents to stay off the streets. The deadly storm came as Nashville residents were preparing to vote on Super Tuesday. One notice said the precinct at Hadley Park would be open for voting, but not as a storm shelter. However, a number of other precincts were affected. Nashville Police were also going into the impacted neighborhoods, including officers in cars, on bicycle and on foot. At daybreak, there were 47,800 Nashville customers without power. About half were in the Hermitage area. Sections of I-40 were closed initially, but later re-opened. Governor Bill Lee announced that only essential state personnel report to work for Tuesday, March 3rd. If able, employees should follow Alternative Workplace Solutions (AWS) procedures to assure the state continues to service its citizens. He said, "In the interest of safety we are asking all non-essential employees in the Nashville area to remain home today and use their best judgment. We have activated the State Emergency Operations Center and are engaged with emergency and local officials throughout the affected areas. Please join Maria and me in praying for the victims, their families, and all those tragically affected by this storm." Senator Lamar Alexander said, Our hearts go out to the Tennessee families who were hurt by the severe tornadoes last night in Middle Tennessee and Benton County. Senator Blackburn and I are going to do everything we can to work with Governor Lee, mayors and others to make sure that federal assistance is available. Senator Marsha Blackburn said, We've been in touch with mayors from Benton to Putnam County this morning. We are concerned about what is happening in those counties. We know the need for resources for cleanup are going to be paramount, and we really are prayerful for all of these families who have been so adversely impacted and for the loss of life. Just know that we're going to continue to be in touch with the congressional delegation, with the governor's office and with the leadership team there to be certain that needs are met. An image from CCTV footage released by the police showing a man using a syringe-like object on February 25. Metropolitan Police A Middle Eastern restaurant near the famous London department store Harrods has been hit three times by people throwing a foul-smelling substance at it, according to the police. Dozens of people were evacuated on the first occasion, while the second incident saw numerous people vomiting and taken to the hospital. Surveillance footage released by the police of the third incident shows a man using a syringe-like object to spray a substance at the front of the restaurant. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A Middle Eastern restaurant in an upscale part of London has been hit three times in a few months with a foul-smelling liquid that has caused vomiting and resulted in dozens of people being evacuated. Footage of the latest incident, released by London's Metropolitan Police, shows a man spraying the front of the restaurant on February 25 with an object that looks like a syringe. The family-run business is located on Knightsbridge's Brompton Road, near the famed department store Harrods. The business is in "great distress" over the attacks, according to the police, which declined to name the restaurant. The substance, which has a "very strong, foul scent," was also used in two prior attacks, according to the police. While they are still verifying what was used in the latest attack, the police believe it to be a form of food preservative. The restaurant, which has not been identified by the police, is not far from London's famous department store Harrods. BBA Photography/Shutterstock The first incident took place October 30, when the fire service was called to reports of a chemical smell coming from the basement bathroom of the restaurant. The police have released images of men they are seeking over the incident. That time, chemical analysis found traces of a mild acid, which they said had a pH of 2, similar in strength to lemon juice. But 15 staff members and 27 others were evacuated as a precaution, the fire service said. Story continues Then, on February 19, an unidentified smell was again reported as coming from the basement, according to the fire service. The police said the substance caused vomiting and nausea in several people, who were taken to the hospital, though "no serious harm" was done, according to the investigating officer Detective Constable Danielle Sapsford. An image from CCTV footage released by the police showing a person they would like to speak with in connection to a "foul" substance being thrown at a London restaurant on February 19. Metropolitan Police Sapsford said in a statement that while the police hadn't decided on a motive, the attacks must have been deliberate. "This has caused great distress to the owner and we want to bring this to an end," she said. "The most recent incident took place on a day when the owners expected the restaurant to be very busy." She also said: "At this time, we cannot say if we are looking for one, two, or more suspects, so are exploring a number of possibilities around this." The police released images of two men they would like to speak with in connection to the first incident on October 30. Metropolitan Police Read the original article on Insider The central government on Tuesday asked National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and state governments to ensure adequate supply of APIs and formulations at affordable prices in the market. It also issued instructions to NPPA, DCGI and state governments to prevent black marketing, illegal hoarding, artificial shortages of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations in the country. NPPA has also written to chief secretaries of states with copies to principal secretaries (health) and state drug controllers urging them to closely monitor the production and availability of APIs and formulations to prevent the black marketing and hoarding in their states or UTs, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) said in a statement. The pharma pricing regulator has also asked states to ensure that there is no violation of provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, with regard to compliance of ceiling prices/ permissible increase in prices of scheduled/ non-scheduled formulations respectively, it added. DoP had earlier constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Eswara Reddy, joint drugs controller at CDSCO, to address the issues of drug security in the country amid the coronavirus outbreak in China, the statement said. The committee, in its report, has mentioned that the current stock-in-hand of the APIs may be sufficient for 2-3 months to make formulations. It also said there is no need to panic as far as drug security is concerned. "As per the latest available information, most of the Chinese companies manufacturing pharmaceutical ingredients (excluding those in Hubei province) have now resumed operations partially and expected to resume fully by end of March. There are no restrictions on the export of APIs from China," the statement said. The Chinese companies are willing to export to India, however, the logistics sector has not yet resumed operations fully, it added. The government on Tuesday restricted exports of 26 pharma ingredients and medicines, including paracetamol, vitamin B1 and B12, amid the coronavirus outbreak in China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Turkish fighter jet Tuesday downed a Syrian regime warplane in the northwestern Idlib province and the pilot was killed, a monitoring group said. It was the third such downing in three days amid escalating fighting between Turkish forces and Syria's Russian- and Iranian-backed regime. A missile fired by Syrian regime forces on the city of Idlib, meanwhile, killed nine civilians in the province of the same name that is Syria's last opposition bastion. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces have since December battled to retake the jihadist-dominated stronghold, where Ankara backs some rebel groups. The deadly offensive has caused almost a million people to flee their homes and shelters, and triggered a direct Turkish military intervention last week. A Turkish F-16 downed the regime plane over Idlib province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor and a source at the Turkish defence ministry said. The Britain-based monitor said it was not clear if the pilot was killed during the downing or afterwards by opposition fighters, and that his body was mutilated. Syrian state agency SANA quoted a military source as confirming one of its planes was downed, after two others suffered the same fate on Sunday. "One of our warplanes carrying out a mission in southern Idlib... was hit by a missile fired by Turkish regime forces, leading to its downing," the source said. The Turkish ministry said the regime plane was a L-39. Also on Tuesday, a surface-to-surface missile fired by regime forces hit an Idlib residential neighbourhood, killing nine civilians including five children, the Observatory said. That brings the civilian death toll since December to more than 470, according to the monitor. Damascus meanwhile also claimed it had downed a Turkish drone near the town of Saraqeb, two days after it said it had hit three other unmanned aerial vehicles. The Turkish operation comes after an air strike on Thursday blamed on Damascus killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the region. The Observatory says Turkish bombardment -- mostly drone strikes -- has killed 119 regime soldiers and 20 allied fighters since. On Sunday, Damascus closed its air space over northwest Syria and threatening to shoot down any "enemy" aircraft violating it. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions since it began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Natural News) Late last year, the Global Health Security Index was released depicting which countries are most and least prepared for a serious disease epidemic. And hilariously, the United States ranked as among the most prepared, despite the fact that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has since been shown to be entirely ill-equipped to handle the arrival of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19). This assessment of global health security across 195 countries looked at preparedness levels by honing in on what tools countries have in place to deal with serious disease outbreaks. Each country was then ranked on a scale of zero to 100 where 100 represents the highest level of preparedness. Based on this analytical model, the U.S. ranked as the most prepared nation in the world with an 83.5 out of 100, while the United Kingdom ranked second at 77.9 out of 100. Third in line was The Netherlands at 75.6 out of 100, followed by a handful of other developed nations such as Australia, Canada, Sweden, France and Finland. Communist China ranked well down the list at 51st place, with a score of 48.2 out of 100. And rounding out the bottom of the list is North Korea in 193rd place with a score of 17.5 out of 100; Somalia at 194th place with a score of 16.6 out of 100; and finally, Equatorial Guinea in 195th place with a score of 16.2 out of 100. One thing that becomes immediately noticeable from the indexs heat map showing where all the countries of the world rank is that Africa is highly vulnerable to a serious outbreak. This was already seen with the Ebola crisis that ravaged much of West Africa back in 2014, killing more than 10,000 people. Listen below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about how the CDC is staging the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) as a trap to take out President Trump in the leadup to the 2020 presidential election: While only three cases of novel coronavirus have been reported in Africa, some worry that an outbreak could still occur Thus far, there have only been three reported cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in Africa. But because the continent is said to have some of the weakest countries when it comes to disease preparedness and prevention efforts, it could be that its only a matter of time before the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) takes root there. How well a country is prepared is relatively unimportant, wrote on Zero Hedge commenter about these findings. What is of critical importance is how a country manages the epidemic and consequences once it has arrived. If a country has all the resources and systems and yet manages poorly then resources and systems are for naught and go to waste, this same commenter added. If a country has shortages that develop and yet manages and adapts then thats significant. Good management on the fly may make the difference. Much like the U.S., some African countries have evacuated their own students from China and brought them back for safekeeping. At the same time, many others have been hesitant to take such precautionary measures because theyre worried about igniting an outbreak at home. Students from South Africa had been among those who were not being evacuated by their government, which is why they created a Change.org petition that garnered a total of about 720 signatures on it. So far, nine African countries have evacuated students from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) outbreak. These include Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritius, Mauritania, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tunisia. To keep up with the latest news about the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19), be sure to visit Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com QZ.com U.S. headquartered Ryan, a global tax services and software provider on Tuesday announced the opening of its second facility in Hyderabad. Ryan has invested aroundUSD threemillion over the last few years to expand its operation in the city. The second facility of 19,000 square feet, located in Salarpuria Sattva Knowledge City here, would support its accelerated growth plans in India, a Ryan release said. "This expansion reflects the outstanding contributions that our India team has on Ryans strong financial performance. We have experienced remarkable growth around the world, and our Indian team members continue to be a valuable asset to the success of our firm," Ryan Chairman and CEO G Brint Ryan was quoted as saying in the release. Ryan's India business operations provide global support with data processing,market research, asset recovery, software development,human resource analytics,competitive intelligence, robotic process automation and business process management, the release said. Ryan started its India operations in 2013 at The Ascendas V Park and has grown to more than 500 tax services specialists in Hyderabad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defying Congress, the Trump administration refused to publicly release US intel on the killing of Saudi journalist. Washington, DC Two members of the United States Congress said on Tuesday they will push for the public release of a new US intelligence report on the 2018 murder of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Tom Malinowski, both Democrats, joined by Khashoggis fiance Cengiz Hatice, held a news conference on Tuesday to announce plans to force release the US report. Partially responding to a law passed by Congress, the Trump administration delivered a classified version of what US intelligence agencies know about the murder of Khashoggi to Congress on February 20. The law stipulates that publicly, in an unclassified way, you would identify those who carried out, those who participated in, those who ordered this murder or were otherwise complicit in, or responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi, Wyden said. A provision attached to an annual defence bill, requires a public report from the US intelligence agencies identifying who carried out the Khashoggi murder and who ordered or was otherwise complicit in his killing. The law left no ambiguity. The law was very specific about what needs to be public, Wyden said. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post newspaper, was assassinated in October 2018 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. According to individuals who have seen the US intelligence, intelligence agencies concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a hand in directing the hit squad in Khashoggis murder a conclusion Saudi officials rejected. Khashoggi was lured out of the United States by the government of Saudi Arabia with the purpose of murdering and silencing him, said Representative Malinowski. This was not just a horrific human rights violation. It was an act of extreme arrogance by the government of Saudi Arabia to think they could get away with murdering somebody who had sought and received shelter in the United States, Malinowski said. Wyden said he now is invoking procedures within the Senate Intelligence Committee providing for congressional release of the information. A Senate vote would likely be required. Its been 518 days Hatice Cengiz, the fiance of Khashoggi, joined Wyden and Malinowski at the news conference. It has been 518 days we have been denied the truth. It has been 518 days we have been denied justice, Cengiz said. I am here today to support Senator Wydens calls for public release of the DNI report and any other related intelligence so we know the answer to some of our critical questions, she added. There is no reason to keep the DNI report secret. There is no reason to hide the truth. Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of slain Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, attends a news conference calling for the Trump administration to release details about his killing [Saul Loeb/AFP] In a February 20 letter to leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee, the top US intelligence agency declined to provide an unclassified version of the report citing protection of sources and methods as a rationale. This is a total and complete cover-up, Wyden said. A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of International Intelligence (ODNI) said the office will continue to be responsive to questions from Congress, including providing classified briefings, reports and information to meet the needs of its oversight committees. The spokesperson added: The Intelligence Community has a legal and moral obligation to protect classified information and ensure sources and methods are not jeopardised. Members of Congress are continuing to debate and reassess the US relationship with Saudi Arabia amid increased military tensions with Iran and the war in Yemen. Not going away US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Riyadh on February 20, the same day the classified report was sent to Congress. Pompeo was there for meetings with Saudi leaders including bin Salman and a review of US troop deployments at the Prince Sultan Air Base to help Saudi Arabia defend against the threat of missile attacks from Iran. Asked by reporters travelling with him about the Khashoggi murder, Pompeo said, the Saudis share our strategic objectives. They are an important ally and partner, and we continue at the same time to make clear to them our expectations with respect to a broad range of human rights issues, Pompeo said, without specifically addressing Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the annual G-20 economic cooperation summit of developed nations in Riyadh in November. The Khashoggi murder and the continuing campaign of repression of Saudi dissidents and journalists will be a focus of criticism by outside groups. Were not going away, Malinowski said. Wyden and Malinowski were supported in their call for the release of the US report by human rights advocacy groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, PEN America and the Project on Middle East Democracy. Description GIS 03 March, 2020: There is no better consecration for those engaged in the teaching service than to establish a community of practice, of mutual support and of peer interaction. Thus, it is along these lines that a project for the setting up of an Academy of Teachers is in the pipeline. The Academy will be one that will facilitate peer-exchange and sharing of good practices. The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, made this annocement, today, at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC), in Bell Village. She was speaking at the launching of a series of workshops aimed at improving the pedagogical skills of Educators in the field of science and encouraging them adopt an inquiry-based approach while teaching science at primary and secondary school levels. On that occasion, the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture on the theme Ethics in Science Education was delivered by Mr Michael J. Reiss, Professor of Science Education at UCL Institute of Education, University College London. According to the VPM, we often gloss over the fact that Educators are active learners in their own right and that, in that capacity, they tend to question themselves, assess their own classroom work and delivery and engage in critical reflection in relation to their science teaching practice. Experience shows that, as teachers work in this inquiry-based way, their understanding about effective science pedagogy changes, she indicated. More specifically, it enables them to recognise how their thinking not only influences their professional practice but ultimately also shapes the quality of their students learning, she added. The Minister also expressed the wish for Educators to become active advocates and champions for the cause of Science and Technology among both their peers and students. Indeed, she stated, Mauritius, while moving up the value chain in well-established sectors, is also tapping into new sectors such as biotechnology, blue economy, artificial intelligence, fintech, and blockchain. The predominance of science as a lever in these domains cannot be minimised, she emphasised. The Memorial Lecture focused on how the aims of science education have broadened over the years. During the lecture, Professor Reiss also spoke about the objectives of teaching ethics in science classes which are to enhance students sensitivity, knowledge and judgement and make the learner a better person. Speaking about how ethics is undertaken, Professor Reiss stated that one can be most confident about the validity of an ethical conclusion if three criteria are met. These according to him are: if the arguments that lead to the particular conclusion are reasoned with internal consistency; if the arguments are conducted within one or more well-established ethical frameworks; and, if there exists among relevantly interested parties a significant degree of consensus, arising from a process of genuine debate. An Army officer was admitted to the isolation ward of a military hospital at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday for suspected exposure to the coronavirus after returning from Iran, a health official said here. The 32-year-old officer returned on February 25 from Tehran, Iran's capital, and was admitted to hospital after he complained of sore throat, said Dr Santosh Sisodia, district in-charge of Integrated Disease Surveillance Program. "His condition is fine. He has been kept under medical observation in an isolation ward. His blood and swab samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing," Sisodia added. Iran announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus on Monday, taking the death toll in that country to 77. In all, 2,336 people have been infected in Iran since the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, a 27-year-old woman, who was studying in Italy and admitted to Indore's state-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital for the past two days for suspected exposure to COVID-19 virus tested negative, an official said. "She had attended a party in Italy a few days ago and a person who was present there later tested positive for the virus. It scared her and she returned to Indore on Saturday," the official said. Italy, Europe's worst-affected country with around 1,700 coronavirus infections, said that deaths, as of Monday, stood at 52. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online courses for pupils begin By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-03-03 10:03 Online education for elementary and secondary school students began on Monday, March 2. The education program covers 1.435 million students across Shanghai. It offers video courses for different grades in different time periods. The videos are choreographed by a professional panel under the citys education commission, including over 1,000 teachers and a technical support team of 200 staffers. As of March 2, the teaching materials have been given out smoothly. Nearly 1.4 million students have received paper textbooks while the others have downloaded soft copies. Besides video courses, there are intervals for the flag-raising ceremony, eye protection exercises and morning exercises. However, online education still cannot take the place of classroom teaching, either for teachers or students, said Lu Jing, director of the Municipal Education Commission. Once the semester officially begins, schools will assess the results of students online learning, to see whether there is a necessity for extra remedial teaching. A man walking by portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mao in Shanghai on February 10. Reuters China has rolled out a new law effectively barring internet users in the country from posting negative content about the country online. The Provisions on the Governance of the Online Information Content Ecosystem took effect Sunday. It was first announced in December. "Illegal" online posts now include "dissemination of rumors," "disrupting economic or social order," and anything "destroying national unity." The China Law Translate project described the conditions as "distressingly vague and easily abused." The new law could now be used to suppress news about the novel coronavirus. China has already censored details about the outbreak while arresting and disappearing multiple whistleblowers. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. China has enacted a new law that effectively allows people to post only "positive" content about the country on the internet. The Provisions on the Governance of the Online Information Content Ecosystem, which was announced December 15, came into effect Sunday amid dissent over the novel coronavirus outbreak. The law is designed to "create a positive online ecosystem" and "preserve national security and the public interest," the government document said. Xi inspecting the novel coronavirus prevention and control work at Anhuali Community in Beijing on February 10. Xinhua via REUTERS The law splits online content into three groups: "encouraged," "negative," and "illegal," according to an unofficial translation by Jeremy Daum, who runs the China Law Translate project. Though the new law contains conditions borrowed from existing national security laws, it also contains new conditions that Daum described as "distressingly vague and easily abused." According to the new law: Illegal content includes the "dissemination of rumors," "disrupting economic or social order," "subverting the national regime," and "destroying national unity." Negative content includes "sensationalizing headlines" and any "other content with a negative impact to the online information ecosystem." Encouraged content includes "spreading and explaining Party doctrine," "spreading economic and social achievement" and "other positive and wholesome content." Story continues It also bars people from spreading rumors and "insulting, threatening, and doxxing people," according to Abacus News, a tech website run by the South China Morning Post. Chinese citizens criticized the new law on social media, and a hashtag relating to the law was viewed more than 3 million times on Monday alone, The Guardian reported. "In the future there will be only good news, and no bad news," one person said, according to the newspaper. "They only want us to see what they want us to see, and hear what they want us to hear," another said. "This is basically the internet version of social policing." A poster simulating facial-recognition software at a security conference in Beijing in October 2018. Thomas Peter/Reuters China's government and tech companies have long been known to distort data and enforce strict censorship on what its citizens can see, and the new law comes as China scrambles to suppress criticism amid a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak. Criticism about the Chinese government is rare to see on social media, as critical posts are often quickly removed and banned, and the people behind them censured. At least five prominent medical experts or journalists including the whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang have been disappeared, arrested, or silenced after speaking out about the outbreak. Li died of the coronavirus, and Chinese citizens marked his death by calling for an end to censorship with three viral hashtags: "The Wuhan government owes Li Wenliang an apology," "I want freedom of speech," and "We want freedom of speech." All these messages were eventually censored from social media sites like Weibo. The Reuters China correspondent Cate Cadell tweeted that several people she had spoken with reported being tracked by Chinese authorities for posting information about sick relatives or friends on social media. Doctors treating patients infected by the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, on February 24. STR/AFP via Getty Images Over the course of one week in January there were 250 cases of people being punished for posting critical content about China's coronavirus response, the US-based advocacy group Chinese Human Rights Defenders reported. In February, a number of virtual-private-network operators also said China was attempting to disrupt their access in the country, according to the Financial Times. Using a VPN in China allows people to access websites like Facebook and Twitter that are blocked by the government. China's internet censorship also extends beyond government criticism. Authorities have in recent weeks also banned some feminist and LGBT content online, The Guardian said. Read the original article on Business Insider Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks during a Fox News town hall in Manassas, Va., on March 2, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Bloomberg Says Only Sure Path to Victory Is via Contested Convention Billionaire presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg said his only path to the Democratic nomination is through a brokered convention, and he acknowledged that he may not win any states in the consequential elections on Super Tuesday. I dont know whether youre gonna win any, Bloomberg told reporters at a field office in Miami in response to a question about which of the 14 states voting on March 3 he expected to win. You dont have to win states, you have to win delegates, the former New York City mayor added, predicting that no one candidate will get a majority of delegates. Then you go to a convention, and well see what happens, Bloomberg said. Asked if he wanted a contested convention, Bloomberg said, I dont think that I can win any other way. Bloomberg has poured more than $500 million into his campaign since joining the race in late November 2019. He appeared on the ballot for the first time in the presidential race on Super Tuesday. Despite the massive investment, Bloomberg polled in third and fourth place in key Super Tuesday states, including California and Texas. Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) led the polling in six out of eight of the most populous states where voters headed to the polls on March 3. Former Vice President Joe Biden emerged as the chief challenger to Sanders ahead of Super Tuesday after winning the South Carolina primary and securing the endorsements from Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), both of whom dropped out of the race after the contest in South Carolina. Another former competitor, former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke, publicly backed Biden, while a new wave of mayors, lawmakers, and donors also said they would support the former vice president. Biden has argued in favor of a contested convention, which would occur if no Democratic candidate emerged from the primary elections with a majority of delegates. Sanders has opposed the idea, arguing that the candidate with the most delegates should receive the partys nomination. Sanders and his closest advisers pushed back against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Biden. Campaigning in Minnesota, Sanders sought to beat back Bidens momentum with a welcoming message to Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters. To all of Amy and Petes millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in, Sanders said. We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump. More than one-third of all of the delegates for the convention will be allocated based on the results from the March 3 primary elections. Polls suggested Sanders would secure the most delegates, and it remained to be seen how Biden and Bloomberg would fare. Bloomberg skipped the first four states, banking on more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations in an unorthodox and untested method of securing support from moderates who may have bailed on Biden before the former vice president revived his flagging campaign. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ROSEBURG, Ore. -- School districts and universities in our area are trying to prepare students and staff for a possible coronavirus outbreak. KEZI 9 News spoke with officials from Roseburg Public Schools, Eugene 4J School District, Springfield Public Schools, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. RELATED: OREGON SEES THIRD CORONAVIRUS CASE Many of the schools are enforcing daily deep cleans throughout their facilities. They also said theyre urging everyone to wash their hands consistently and stay home if theyre sick. Officials said theyve sent out letters to parents, students and staff that detail current cases, how their schools are preparing and how people should prepare individually. They will keep students and staff updated as more information becomes available. Recently, state health officials have identified a third presumptive case of novel coronavirus in Oregon. The person is an adult resident of Umatilla County. Officials said they are in a hospital in Walla Walla, Washington. RESOURCES & INFORMATION Elizabeth Preston in The New York Times: Are humans the only animals that caucus? As the early 2020 presidential election season suggests, there are probably more natural and efficient ways to make a group choice. But were certainly not the only animals on Earth that vote. Were not even the only primates that primary. Any animal living in a group needs to make decisions as a group, too. Even when they dont agree with their companions, animals rely on one another for protection or help finding food. So they have to find ways to reach consensus about what the group should do next, or where it should live. While they may not conduct continent-spanning electoral contests like this coming Super Tuesday, species ranging from primates all the way to insects have methods for finding agreement that are surprisingly democratic. As meerkats start each day, they emerge from their burrows into the sunlight, then begin searching for food. Each meerkat forages for itself, digging in the dirt for bugs and other morsels, but they travel in loose groups, each animal up to about 30 feet from its neighbors, says Marta Manser, an animal-behavior scientist at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Nonetheless, the meerkats move as one unit, drifting across the desert while they search and munch. The meerkats call to one another as they travel. One of their sounds is a gentle mew that researchers have called a move call. It seems to mean, Im about ready to move on from this dirt patch. Whos with me? In a 2010 study, Dr. Manser and her colleagues studied move calls in a dozen meerkat groups living in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Groups ranged from six to 19 individuals. But the scientists found that only about three group members had to mew before the whole party decided to move along. The group didnt change direction, but it would double its speed to reach better foraging grounds. Biologists call this phenomenon when animals change their behavior in response to a critical mass of their peers doing something a quorum response. Dr. Manser thinks quorum responses show up in human decision making, too. More here. Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said that the government wants to hold discussions on Delhi violence in Parliament on March 11, a day after Holi. "Our government wants that parliamentary proceedings take place and that there should be free and fair discussions in the House. We want a discussion on the Delhi violence. The government has itself given the date of March 11 for a discussion on the issue," Prasad told reporters here. "When there is a discussion on such matters then the temperatures also rise at times. That is the reason why we are holding a discussion on Delhi violence just a day after Holi on March 11. By that time the situation in Delhi will also normalise," he added. He further accused the opposition of practicing double standards on the manner of the passage of Bills in Parliament. "Parliament runs by consensus. There is a hue and cry that why are laws being passed amidst ruckus in the House. I want to remind the members of the Congress and UPA that many laws were passed amidst ruckus in Parliament during the UPA regime. So they should not give us lessons on morality," he said. "Parliament is not only a place for debate but it is also the place for amity and understanding in the country. The opposition's attitude is very distressing," he added. The senior BJP leader elaborated on the reasons for the government's insistence on passing the 'Vivaad se Vishwas' Bill in the Parliament. "The reason why we are passing 'Vivaad se Vishwas' Bill whose deadline is March 31, is urgent for the country. By March 31, all disputes pending in various income tax courts and tribunals are to be resolved by paying only the principal and waiver of penalty and interest. 4,80,000 cases are pending in various courts and tribunals. Rs 9 lakh crore of public money is involved," he said. Earlier, Parliament was adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid ruckus as opposition members demanded an immediate discussion on Delhi violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hudson hoped it would be brought up in this weeks committee meeting, but it was not. Its frustrating that the bill stalled in the Senate due to absent committee members, Hudson said. Its yet another good example of why we need a longer legislative session to conduct the business of the commonwealth. As is, well have to wait another year to move this measure which had plenty of support from both lawmakers and leading advocacy groups like the Virginia Municipal League. A 38-year-old photo journalist was allegedly stabbed to death and another injured by a man over a financial dispute in Mulugu district in Telangana, police said on Tuesday. Bommineni Sunil Reddy, a senior photo journalist and treasurer of Warangal press club, and his friend, a money lender, were attacked by the owner of a bakery in Pasra village on Monday night, when they had gone to recover the outstanding dues from him. While they were discussing the repayment, an argument broke out between them and the bakery owner suddenly stabbed Reddy and his friend with a kitchen knife. Following information, police reached the spot and shifted them to a government hospital. While Reddy was declared brought dead, the money lender was said to be in a critical state, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone , a leading national commercial real estate lending, investment, and advisory company, has provided a $12,075,000 Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS) loan to refinance a 36-unit multifamily property in Chicago, IL. The transaction was originated by Clint Darby in Greystones Chicago office with 925 Chicago Investment Partners LLC. The $12.1 million Fannie Mae Near Stabilization loan carries a 10-year term with a 30-year amortization, with the first four years of interest-only payments. This permanent loan represents an exit from construction financing. Located in the River West neighborhood of Chicago, Germain House is a mixed-use property with ground-floor retail and loft-style units. The building was converted from commercial office-use to residential in 2018, including new amenities for residents such as a fitness center, clubhouse, pool, bike room, and rooftop deck. Our clients were able to repurpose this vintage commercial building into a collection of highly desirable, unique market-rate units - a great addition to the River West area, said Mr. Darby. We are thrilled to have provided the permanent financing solution as the project becomes stabilized, and congratulate them on a job well done. We look forward to working with them on future projects. This development project was a labor of love for us, and we are thrilled with the outcome for long-term financing, and for Greystones guidance along the way, said Ted Thilman, Principal, Rockwell Property Co. About Greystone Greystone is a real estate lending, investment, and advisory company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors. Our range of services includes commercial lending across a variety of platforms such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CMBS, FHA, USDA, bridge and proprietary loan products. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Company LLC, Greystone Funding Company LLC and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greyco.com . Pa. Secretary of Health Rachel Levine briefs the media on the new coronavirus, COVID-19. Read more Capitol Notebook by Spotlight PA provides updates on important news and notes from the halls of power in Harrisburg. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Update, March 4: The Pa. Department of Health announced Wednesday that the state now has the capability to test 25 samples a day. HARRISBURG Pennsylvanias state lab now has the ability to test for the new coronavirus, Health Secretary Rachel Levine said Tuesday. Currently, the Exton facility is able to process just six tests a day. We are hoping to be able to conduct more tests a day by the end of [the] week," a Department of Health spokesperson said. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, but the department had over the past month sent samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. The state lab is testing samples as we speak, Levine told reporters Tuesday. The ability to test at the state lab is extremely important, she added. The lab can return results on the same day if a sample is received in the morning. Commercial labs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will also be able to test samples. Because of previously limited testing, Levine said the department doesnt know if theres been community spread" in Pennsylvania. Well not be surprised if we have a positive test, she said. Levine declined to say how many people are being monitored in Pennsylvania. As of Tuesday afternoon, six people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, while the number of confirmed cases exceeded 100. Worldwide, there are more than 90,000 reported cases, according to the World Health Organization, and upwards of 3,000 deaths. The state has spent roughly $200,000 so far responding to the virus, Levine said. If a person in Pennsylvania believes they may have COVID-19, Levine said they should contact their healthcare provider. That provider, in turn, will call the departments command center to discuss the case with an epidemiologist and determine if testing is appropriate. Testing for COVID-19 is not a rapid test like the one health providers use to diagnose strep throat. This will be a sample that will be collected by healthcare practitioners and then sent to the lab for testing," she said. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and can appear two to 14 days after initial exposure. Older adults and people with underlying health issues like chronic cardiac disease or other conditions that might weaken the immune system are most at risk for serious complications from a COVID-19 infection, according to the CDC. Health officials are recommending people regularly wash their hands and avoid touching their faces. Spotlight PA receives funding from nonprofit institutions and readers like you who are committed to investigative journalism that gets results. Give a gift today at spotlightpa.org/donate. W.Va. governor signs law requiring doctors to help babies born alive after abortion Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill Monday that requires abortionists and doctors to provide medical care for babies who survive an abortion. At a ceremonial event held at the Governors Reception Room in Charleston, Justice signed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act into law. In a statement released Monday, Justice referred to the legislation, which passed the Senate and House with overwhelming support, as an absolute no-brainer as far as Im concerned. Ive said for a long time, even back before I took office as governor, that I would support measures like this because every human life born or unborn is precious and truly a gift from God, he said. Its unbelievable that we even have to go through this process for something that seems like its just common sense. But at the same time, we should be really proud that were defending the lives of our most vulnerable. To God above, that baby is worth it. West Virginians for Life President Wanda Franz celebrated the news, telling LifeNews.com that she was thankful for the passage of the bill. This new law puts teeth in our state legal system to make it possible to report and prosecute these cases. The people of West Virginia want these infants to be protected, she stated. The measure was not without its critics, among them being Dr. Jen Villavicencio of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, an organization that has advocated for abortion on demand and abortion for minors without parental consent. Villavicencio told the Register-Herald Reporter in January that she was concerned about how the legislation would be enforced if enacted. I'm worried about how it's going to be interpreted and what's going to happen if someone delivers a very early pre-term infant, said Villavicencio. There's no chance of resuscitation, but is somebody going to say that maybe there was? Even though scientifically that's not the case? Last year, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a similar bill in his state, arguing that the legislation was not needed given preexisting law. Its important to protect the lives of all children, and laws already exist to protect newborn babies, Cooper said at the time. Instead of passing unnecessary legislation for political purposes we need to move on from divisive social issues and focus on the needs of North Carolina families: education, health care and good-paying jobs. A teenager was also fatally shot over the weekend. Malachi Lukes was soon to turn 14 and had recently visited New York City in a surprise trip with his family. He was shot when someone opened fire on a group in an alley off the 600 block of S Street NW. Another teenager was also struck. The spread of coronavirus in Iran did not affect the probe, the minister says. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko has said at a joint press conference with his Sweden counterpart Ann Linde that an Iranian delegation will arrive in Ukraine soon, which will "bring news" on the probe into the downing of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight PS752 in Iran on January 8, 2020. "We've discussed with the minister [the probe into the downing of a Ukrainian plane], as we are in this group of five countries whose citizens, unfortunately, died in the crash. We've also discussed how we are moving forward [in the investigation," he said on March 2. According to Prystaiko, his Canadian counterpart Francois-Philippe Champagne will pay an official visit to Ukraine in a few days. The two will have a telephone conversation with their British and Afghan colleagues during which they will discuss progress in the investigation. Read alsoUkraine works on three "classified theories" about why Iran downed Ukrainian plane NSDC The minister added that the spread of coronavirus in Iran had not affected the probe. "Coronavirus did not affect this work. We have an embassy there and contacts with the Iranian side. In the near future, we expect a large delegation from Iran, which will bring the news that we are all looking forward to hear... I think that in a couple of days we will be able to tell in more detail how the investigation is going on, in particular, the work with the black boxes and with regard to compensation," he said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of January 8. It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians. There were also 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each. There were no survivors. On January 11, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a "human error" and that those responsible would be held accountable. On February 2, intercepted communications between Tehran Airport's air traffic control tower and the second pilot of Iran's Aseman Airlines flight at the time of the crash of flight PS752 were released by TSN.Tyzhden. Tehran blamed the Ukrainian authorities for leaking what it described as confidential evidence, and said it would no longer share investigation materials with Ukraine. On February 14, the Iranian Foreign Minister said Iran did not plan to hand the black boxes over but it would not decrypt their data without the participation of the parties concerned. Shahrukh Pathan, whose video of confronting a policeman while brandishing a gun at him during violence at northeast Delhi's Maujpur last week went viral, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) AK Singhla said Pathan (23) fled to Punjab after his video was widely circulated on social media and shown on channels. Later, he hid at a friend's house in Shamli, he added. Based on information received and extensive discreet inquiries conducted in different parts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the police zeroed in on the area around Shamli and Kairana, Singhla said. On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, police received information that Pathan would be coming to Shamli bus stand between 10 am and 12 noon to meet someone, he said. A trap was laid and he was arrested, the officer added. "He (Shahrukh) was planning to flee Shamli but was nabbed and later brought to Delhi," Singhla said. "We are trying to recover the pistol used by him during the violence. He was fond of buying pistols. He had procured a 7.65 mm pistol and ammunition about two years ago from one of his (factory) labourers," he said. "The good quality semi-automatic pistol (that Pathan used during the northeast Delhi violence) was bought from Munger in Bihar," he added. Singhla said Pathan had gone to the protest alone. He had five bullets but two of them fell. He fired the remaining three. "He will be produced in court and taken into police remand," the officer said. During interrogation, Pathan told police that he opened fire in a fit of rage as stone pelting was going on, he added. In the viral video, Pathan, a resident of northeast Delhi's Ghonda, could be seen pointing his pistol at the policeman on the Jaffrabad-Maujpur road on February 24. According to police, he threatened the policeman, Deepak Dahiya, before fleeing. Police are also trying to trace his family members, who are absconding, Singhla said. A college dropout, Pathan was interested in bodybuilding and modelling. He used to make TikTok videos. He owns a shop and a socks manufacturing factory in Ghonda, he added. After the incident, he was initially roaming in Delhi. He left after his video went viral and was shown on channels, Singhla said. He first went to Punjab. Then he hid in Bareilly before moving to a friend's place in Shamli, he said. Efforts are being made to recover his weapon. He is being interrogated about his role in the riots and that of others known to him, he added. No criminal background of Pathan has been found so far. His father was found involved in a narcotics case, the police said. They said investigation is underway to ascertain if he is associated with any gang or part of any conspiracy. The vehicle used by the accused to flee Delhi has also not been recovered yet, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/03/2020 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. : The Women Tell All kicked off with Peter Weber 's Final 3 Rose Ceremony in which Madison Prewett reluctantly accepted a rose and he eliminated Victoria Fuller during Monday night's Season 24 broadcast on ABC."I'm just sad. I was just hoping to find love. Isn't that what anyone's hoping for?" Victoria said in her final words with tears in her eyes."I think the conversation he had with Madison changed everything that he felt with me. The fact that someone can sway his opinion with an ultimatum? I mean, it sucks. I just don't want him to regret any decisions he's made."As fans saw in last week's episode, Madison pulled Peter aside before they traveled to Australia to tell him she'd have a hard time continuing the process if he chose to sleep with another woman during his round of overnight Fantasy Suite dates.And then during Madison's Fantasy Suite date with Peter, she admitted she probably wouldn't be able to accept an engagement if he had chosen to have sex with either Hannah Ann Sluss or Victoria -- or the both of them -- before their date.Peter tearfully confessed he had, in fact, been "intimate," and so Madison cut their date short and left Peter alone at their Fantasy Suite location in the Gold Coast.The episode began with Hannah Ann and Victoria getting ready for the Rose Ceremony in which Peter was going to determine his Final 2 bachelorettes."Getting a rose means I'm one step closer to forever with him and I. Peter's love is very pure. I see something in him that I've never seen in anyone else before, and I would be happy if I get to be with him for the rest of my life because he does make me the happiest I've ever been, and I'm in love with him," Victoria told the cameras.Hannah Ann was hoping to dive deeper into her relationship with Peter by meeting his parents."How I feel for Peter is truly so strong. He has redefined what love means to me," Hannah Ann said in a confessional.But Peter was still reeling over the conversation he had with Madison Prewett that "went horribly." Peter explained to host Chris Harrison that he wasn't sure whether Madison was going to be able to continue this journey with him."I get her frustration and I get her anger and her pain with me, and I hate that I'm doing that to her. Maybe I didn't go about this the right way. I don't know," Peter told Chris."This could be it right now. I've never gone into a Rose Ceremony before having no idea what's going to happen."Peter admitted he could see all three women being his future wife. He said Hannah Ann has one of the most beautiful hearts he's ever seen and he could "100 percent see a life with her."But Peter could also see a forever with Victoria, saying their Fantasy Suite date went perfectly. He said what they had was real, but his conversation with Madison was still weighing heavily on him.Peter said he would be heartbroken if Madison chose to leave him and quit the show.Hannah Ann and Victoria were the only two women standing at the Final Rose Ceremony, and Peter appeared completely distraught. He had tears in his eyes and stared at the ground with his hands in his pockets.Victoria could tell Madison had "messed with his head a little bit," and so she hoped the bachelorette wouldn't show up.However, Madison did in fact arrive late to the Rose Ceremony, and she told Chris that she wasn't feeling great and the Fantasy Suite week definitely didn't go as planned."I was falling in love with him, and then last night happened. And now I don't really know," Madison admitted to Chris.When Peter saw Madison standing next to Hannah Ann and Victoria, he looked relieved and as if he was trying to contain his happiness.But when the Rose Ceremony began, Peter could barely speak and he was all choked up. He said the idea of hurting one of his Final 3 women was "destroying" him.With shaking hands and tears in his eyes, Peter handed out a rose to Hannah Ann and then Madison.Madison hesitated for a minute and then reluctantly accepted Peter's rose."Madison, will you accept this rose?" Peter asked."Yeah," Madison whispered."You sure?" Peter asked."Yeah," Madison replied with no more enthusiasm in her voice.Peter therefore eliminated Victoria.When he spoke to her before she left, Peter said everything they had was so real and he had been falling in love with her."I just know that my heart is further along with the two other girls," Peter told Victoria.Victoria admitted she felt "stupid," but Peter begged her not to feel that way. Instead of hearing what Peter had to say, she shut him up and said quietly, "I get it," and, "It is what it is."Once Victoria was gone, Madison gave a toast with Peter and Hannah Ann saying, "Here's to seeing if love can conquer all. Cheers."Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Saving girls in schools on the Northern Peninsula from embarrassment is the motivation behind a new initiative from the area's women's centre to offer free period products to those in need. "I guess you could say we're kinda being proactive," says Terri Lynn Hamlyn, executive director of the NorPen Status of Women Council in Port Saunders. "If a student came to school and didn't have any on them, or maybe a student came to school and don't have any or can't afford to have any, we will supply the school with these items." Hamlyn said she talked to schools in their area that agreed to partner with them to supply feminine hygiene products "in case a student may be in need." Working with communities They started Feb. 24 with a "Tampon Tuesday" drive in conjunction with the United Way, and will continue to collect items to pass on to students. By putting the products in bathrooms, Hamlyn said students will be able to take what they need to "save them a bit of embarrassment," from having to ask school staff for tampons or pads. Submitted by Terri Lynn Hamlyn Although they didn't do an assessment to find out if there is actually a need, Hamlyn said she knows from her time at school that young women are often caught without the necessities. Canada removed the tax on feminine hygiene products nearly five years ago, but Hamlyn said the cost of the necessities is still a challenge for many. She said it's estimated that Canadian women spend roughly $6,000 on menstrual hygiene products in their lifetimes, and the costs are "out of reach" for low-income women and families, homeless women, or those living on social assistance. "This would make a huge difference. It would ease the financial burden. It would ease the idea of not having it with them in the schools, so it would save the embarrassment," said Hamlyn. Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador Per a latest report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), annual electricity generation from wind energy in the nation exceeded hydroelectric generation for the first time in 2019. Impressively, this announcement was in line with EIAs prediction around middle of last year. Notably, the ISE Global Wind Energy Index has returned a solid 31.9% in 2019 compared with S&P 500 Indexs 30.3% return. This should encourage investors interested in renewable energy to turn their focus toward wind stocks, in particular. Factors Boosting Wind Energy The extension in Production Tax Credit (PTC), which drove wind capacity additions, has been one of the key growth catalysts for wind generation, over the past decade. Moreover, in July 2019, the U.S. Senate introduced two bills to extend the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind energy. While such government support is crucial for expansion of an industry, a steady decline in input cost also tends to bolster growth. To this end, it is imperative to mention the fact that the price index for wind turbines has gradually decreased over the last decade, reaching $0.7 million per megawatt in the second half of 2019 from $1.58 million in 2008. Such price drop for U.S. wind turbines has been largely due to competition between manufacturers. Other factors such as growth in turbine heights and improved capacity factors have also lowered levelized costs of wind energy. Significant investment in wind power generation has also bolstered capacity additions in this industry. Per a report published by BloombergNEF, the United States hit a record $55.5 billion in renewable energy investments in 2019, reflecting annual growth of 28%, with wind and solar leading the way. All these factors enabled annual wind generation in the United States to total 300 million megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2019, exceeding hydroelectric generation by 26 million MWh. Looking Ahead This pace of wind capacity additions is expected to continue, with the industry aiming to invest $62 billion in new projects over the next few years, per an estimate provided by the American Wind Energy Association. This would allow wind energy to achieve 20% of the nations electricity mix in 2030. Story continues Consequently, wind is predicted to remain the largest renewable energy generator in the country in the foreseeable future. Stocks in Focus Keeping in mind the aforementioned discussion, we have zeroed in four stocks that investors might want to keep a tab on as they are significant players in the U.S. wind industry. Siemens AG SIEGY provides highly reliable and cost-efficient wind turbines. Currently more than 35,000 megawatts of wind power is installed with its turbines. In offshore wind power, Siemens broke the record for the worlds largest offshore wind power plants, presently held by the 630 MW London Array project. The company also occupies a leading position within onshore wind power. It was awarded the worlds largest single onshore order to date, a 1,050 MW order from MidAmerican Energy, for a series of onshore wind power plants in Iowa. General Electric Companys GE renewable energy unit is one of the world's leading wind turbine suppliers, with over 42,000 units installed across the globe. The companys onshore Wind turbine installed base was approximately 45,000 units as of Dec 31, 2019. In offshore wind, it introduced Haliade X-12MW prototype, the most powerful offshore wind turbine in the world. NextEra Energy NEE is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from wind and sun based on 2019 MWh produced on a net generation basis. The company added approximately 1,125 MW of new generating capacity and repowered wind generating capacity totaling 1,091 MW in the United States in 2019. Vestas Wind Systems VWDRY designs, manufactures, installs and services wind turbines across the globe. It has more than 113 GW of wind turbines in 81 countries. Vestas joint venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHYVF), MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/S provides a leading product platform and global footprint and aims to become a market leader in offshore wind power. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. Theyre also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>> 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 General Electric Company (GE) : Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Vestas Wind Systems AS (VWDRY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Siemens AG (SIEGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research OTTAWA - Dr. Ellen Wiebe has helped 260 intolerably suffering Canadians end their lives over the past four years, including a few who likely would have lived up to another decade on their own. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Dr. Ellen Wiebe sits for a photograph during a break while attending a conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday December 4, 2015. Vancouver doctor Ellen Wiebe has helped 260 intolerably suffering Canadians to end their lives over the past four years, a few of whom likely would have survived up to another 10 years before dying naturally. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck OTTAWA - Dr. Ellen Wiebe has helped 260 intolerably suffering Canadians end their lives over the past four years, including a few who likely would have lived up to another decade on their own. The current federal law, passed in 2016, allows medical assistance in dying only for individuals whose natural death is "reasonably foreseeable" an ambiguous term that some doctors initially interpreted to mean a person must have only six months left to live. Then came the pivotal 2017 ruling in the case of a 77-year-old Ontario woman, known only as A.B., who suffered from severe osteoarthritis but had been denied medical assistance in dying because natural death was not imminent. Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell said natural death does not have to be imminent, within a specific timeframe or the result of a terminal disease giving reassurance to doctors who feared criminal charges if they interpreted the term too loosely. Using actuarial tables, Wiebe calculated that A.B. could have survived another 10 years, which became the timeframe the Vancouver physician has used ever since when she assesses a person's eligibility for an assisted death. But now, some experts are worried the Trudeau government has revived uncertainty over reasonable foreseeability with proposed amendments to the law introduced last week. Under Bill C-7, people whose natural death is not deemed reasonably foreseeable would no longer be prohibited from receiving medical help to end their suffering a restriction that was struck down as unconstitutional by a Quebec court last fall. The revised law would still use the notion of reasonable foreseeability to impose a number of eligibility requirements on those who are not near death that wouldn't apply to those who are. Some experts say they became alarmed when Justice Minister David Lametti, during opening debate on the bill last Wednesday, offered his view that reasonable foreseeability means a death that is expected "in the relatively near-term" or "over a relatively short period of time." "A person's natural death is not reasonably foreseeable just because they are diagnosed with a condition that will eventually cause their death many years or decades into the future," he told the House of Commons. "In practice, we know that practitioners are more comfortable prognosticating when death is expected on shorter timeframes." Jocelyn Downie, a professor of law and medicine at Dalhousie University, said Lametti was advocating for an interpretation narrower than what is used by physicians across the country. "I'm frankly shocked," she said. Dr. Stefanie Green, president of the Canadian Association of MAiD (medical assistance in dying) Assessors and Providers, said Lametti's definition "would roll back access." Lametti was not available for an interview but in an email statement his office said the definition has not changed in the proposed update to the law. "By retaining the same language in Bill C-7 practitioners will be using a standard that is already familiar to them as a means to determine which safeguards to apply." While "not crystal clear," Green found the clarification "reassuring." But Grace Pastine, a lawyer with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, said her group is "very concerned" about Lametti's messaging and what it could mean for Julia Lamb. Lamb suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative disease that has confined her to a wheelchair and left her needing almost round-the-clock care. Not yet 30 years old, Lamb could live for decades as her condition deteriorates. On her behalf, the BCCLA launched a court challenge to the reasonably foreseeable death requirement. However, it adjourned the case last fall after the federal government submitted a written expert medical opinion that concluded Lamb does qualify for an assisted death. Madeline Li, head of the assisted dying program at Toronto's University Health Network, wrote that if Lamb indicated her intention to refuse treatment for recurrent pneumonia, that would make her death reasonably foreseeable. Li also noted that interpretation of reasonable foreseeability has evolved to the point that some clinicians are comfortable "extending prognostic timeframes out to many years." Pastine said if Lametti's definition were to become the norm, Lamb's natural death might no longer be considered reasonably foreseeable. She said that could mean "a significant restriction" of Lamb's rights, as well as those of other Canadians "suffering unbearably with no end in sight" from degenerative diseases. Under C-7, those not deemed to be reasonably close to death would face a minimum 90-day assessment period, among other conditions not required for those who are near death. Forcing Lamb to endure "90 days of intolerable suffering" before getting an assisted death "is cruel and it raises serious constitutional concerns," Pastine said. "Julia deserves to have the option of a painless and compassionate dying process if her suffering becomes intolerable. Unfortunately, she now finds herself in the position of not knowing whether she has more or fewer rights under Bill C-7 and contemplating whether she must continue with her lawsuit in order to vindicate her rights." For her part, Wiebe said she is "thrilled" with the bill, which she believes will make access to assisted dying easier for most people. She also said she considers Lametti's views irrelevant and that they won't change her calculation that natural death up to 10 years down the road counts as reasonably foreseeable. Still, Wiebe acknowledged not all medical practitioners may be quite so comfortable ignoring the justice minister's view. "I realize it may cause problems for some people who will feel very nervous about it and it may interfere with access because of that, and that would be sad." This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The 35-year-old man from Taiwan, who was kept under observation in the isolation ward of SVR Ruia government general hospital in Vijayawada, was tested negative for coronavirus by the hospital officials. The Taiwan national, Chen Shih Shun, was staying in Chittoor district for the past 10 days. He had come to repair machines at a private company in Palamaneru. ALSO READ | Three new coronavirus cases in India; 80 people who came in contact being tracked Shun visited the hospital on Saturday evening complaining of cough and sore throat. After observing the symptoms, the doctors kept him under observation at the special isolation ward in Ruia Hospital. Samples were collected from him and have been sent for tests to determine whether he has been infected with the coronavirus. ALSO READ: Coronavirus cases in South Korea approach 5,000 as death toll reaches 28 'We have received the reports from the Gandhi hospital in neighbouring Telangana. The reports were negative and the Taiwanese would be discharged from the hospital today,' Ruia hospital superintendent Dr NV Ramanaiah said. Meanwhile, a 24-year-old from Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam district, who returned from South Korea on Friday was admitted to the isolation ward in Chest Hospital on suspicion of coronavirus. He too was discharged from the hospital on Monday after testing negative for coronavirus. So far, two Indians - one in Delhi and another in Hyderabad - and an Italian tourist visiting Rajasthan have tested positive for the virus on Monday. An Alabama man is facing a sodomy charge in Randolph County, Missouri decades after he allegedly molested a young family member. Marvin Lorenson, 75, of Foley, Alabama, was charged Feb. 19 with sodomy involving a victim under 14 years old, a class B felony. The alleged crimes happened in the 1980s and early 1990s, according to court documents. The alleged victim told investigators that from when she was approximately 6 to 13 years old, Lorenson, a family member, who lived in Cairo at the time, had molested her on many occasions. Lorenson had lived in Cairo as recently as 2018, but he is a current resident of Alabama, said Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Luntsford. Lorenson could not remember all the times he allegedly touched the victim and did not offer many details when interviewed by Baldwin County, Alabama, authorities, according to court documents. Lorenson was arrested by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in Alabama on Feb. 19 after charges were filed in Randolph County. He was booked in the Randolph County Jail on Sunday and his bond was set at $100,000 cash only. An arraignment was held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The alleged victim has made contact with law enforcement multiple times over the last several months, but it is unknown whether she had met with law enforcement previously about the allegations, Lunstford said. No prior charges related to the allegations had been filed against Lorenson, but there is not a statue of limitations on the alleged crimes, she said. "To the best of my knowledge charges were not filed in the 1980's and 1990's when the crimes are alleged to have occurred," Luntsford wrote in a email. "Due to the age of the case, I decided to limit the number of charges I filed at this time. Once I have all the reports I may review and reconsider charges." 2020 Moberly Monitor-Index, Mo. Visit Moberly Monitor-Index, Mo. at www.moberlymonitor.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Metro Manila (CNN, Philippines, March 3) A Quezon City court has ordered the transfer of former Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame to a regular jail facility. Branch 95 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in a February 26 order released on Tuesday granted state prosecutors' motion for Parojinog to be placed under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, just like any other detainee. READ: Court urged to transfer Parojinog to BJMP jail to end 'special treatment' The court agreed that Parojinog should be jailed at the BJMP-Detention Facilities Special Intensive Care Area in Bicutan, Taguig City. "Verily, this Court does not find any necessity for the continued detention of accused Parojinog in a custodial facility, unless there is a clear showing that the same poses existing serious threats and/or that BJMP-SICA does not have adequate resources to sustain the detention of high-risk detention prisoners, such as accused Parojinog," said Presiding Judge Edgardo Bellosillo. Bellosillo, however, disputed the allegation of the prosecution that Parojinog's stay in Camp Crame reeks of "special treatment." Two branches of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 95 and Branch 228 are handling Parojinog's illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms cases. The PNP earlier said that Branch 95 granted Parojinog's one-day medical furlough on November 12, 2018 a move questioned by Branch 228. Judge Mitushealla Manzanero-Casino of Branch 228 asked the jail warden of the Custodial Center to explain why Parojinog was allowed to leave her detention cell in November last year without the court's knowledge. PNP Spokesperson Bernard Banac said it was ordered by Branch 95. He said the same court also allowed Parojinog to visit her younger brother, Reynaldo, Jr., in Camp Bagong Diwa on December 23, 2019. The furlough was granted despite the objection of state prosecutors, who said there was no valid ground for her to enjoy a Christmas leave. The prosecutors stressed it was tantamount to giving her preferential treatment. The Parojinog siblings have been detained since 2017 on drug charges and illegal possession of firearms. Reynaldo, Jr. was sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2019. The Parojinog patriarch, Reynaldo Sr., was Ozamiz City mayor when he and 14 other people were killed in a police operation in the Misamis Occidental city in 2017. Police have tagged the Parojinog family as the source of illegal drugs in the city, with President Rodrigo Duterte tagging Nova Parojinog and her father as among the narco-politicians operating in Mindanao. CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Former first lady Barbara Bush lived until the ripe age of 92 and in her nine plus decades, she learned quite a bit, and was generous enough to share her wisdom with friends and family. Those helpful insights have been compiled for a new book, Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go a Long Way), which includes 'the best advice First Lady Barbara Bush offered her family, staff, and close friends.' 'After all,' Bush had previously remarked, 'I have survived six children, 17 grandchildren, six wars, a book by Kitty Kelly, two presidents, two governors, big Election Day wins and big Election Day losses, and 61 years of marriage to a husband who keeps jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. 'So, it's just possible that along the way I've learned a thing or two.' Below, find some of Bush's best tips and personal philosophies from the book, which is on sale today. A life well lived: Friends and family of former first lady Barbara Bush (pictured in 2000) have shared the best advice and insights she shared with them over her lifetime 1. 'If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: "Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."' Bush would know, since she always had lots of children running around. These were compiled for a new book: Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go a Long Way) She had six kids of her own: Former President George W. Bush, 73; former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, 67; businessman Neil Bush, 65; businessman Marvin Bush, 63; author Dorothy Bush Koch, 60; and the late Pauline Robinson Bush, who died of leukemia at age three. Her surviving five children gave her a whopping 17 grandkids, including twins and former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and her namesake Barbara Bush Coyne, both 38. There's also Jeb's kids George Prescott, 43; Noelle Lucila, 42; and Jeb Jr., 36; Neil's kids Lauren Bush Lauren, 35; Pierce Bush, 33; Ashley Bush LeFevre, 31; Elizabeth, 30; and Pace, 27; Marvin's kids Charles Walker Bush, 30; and Marshall Bush, 33; and finally Dorothy's kids Sam LeBlond, 36; Ellie LeBlond Sosa, 34; Robert Koch, 27; and Gigi Koch, 24. According to the book, she said having so many teenagers in the house taught her a lot, including the bit about aspirin. 'Be careful of criticizing their clothes,' she advised other parents and grandparents of teens. 'What they change into could be righter and shorter than what you made them take off. Public eye: Barbara served as first lady while her husband, President George H.W. Bush, was in the White House (pictured together in 2002) 2. 'Don't complain and don't explain.' Today reports that this advice was given to Bush's director of scheduling at the White House, Ann Brock. Brock had made a mistake and was explaining what went wrong when the first lady gave her this advice and then hung up. She said the advice is good because it's 'simple' and 'direct,' and people don't like hearing long-winded explanations of why something went wrong. 3. 'Treat everyone equally, don't look down on anyone, use your voices for good, read all the great books.' Though this is actually several pieces of advice in one, Barbara's granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager clearly had a lot of her grandmother's wisdom to share. The reading advice, in particular, tracks with Bush's main cause as first lady: promoting literacy. In fact, her family is promoting that legacy with this new book, with all proceeds used for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Family first: She always stressed the importance of family something her five living children attest to (pictured in 1959) 4. Stay current. 'My grandmother was one of the first people I knew to get a BlackBerry, then a Kindle, then an iPhone, and eventually even an Instagram account featuring her beloved [Maltipoos] Bibi and Mini as her profile picture,' recalled granddaughter Lauren Bush Lauren. 'And one summer when the Fitbit trend was at its height and she was well into her late eighties and not walking as much as she once did, she would wear it around her ankle to get extra "steps" when she rode her giant adult tricycle around the Point in Maine.' Lauren also said her grandma taught her to be patient, to be loyal, and not to say 'um,' 'yeah,' or 'like.' 5. 'Don't brag. Don't toot your own horn too loud. Don't talk like a big shot.' 'She taught me not to take myself seriously,' said her son Jeb. 'God help you if she ever caught you acting arrogant. You would get that Barbara Bush look and then you would be hit with her very quick and sharp with that would put you in your place. 'Even today, when I am speaking to an audience, I feel her looming behind me whispering.' Former President George W. Bush added: 'She can spot a phony before most. She deflated the pompous and the arrogant.' Her granddaughter Noelle got the lesson too, recalling: 'I learned to be humble with others. She mentioned this before dropping me off in a limousine at elementary school.' Staying grounded: She taught her children not to brag and to be humble (pictured circa 1967) Dynasty: One of her children, George W. Bush (left), grew up to be president, while another, Jeb Bush (second from left), was Governor of Florida 6. 'Live your life with love as your guiding principle keep your family and close friends close.' Bush's granddaughter Ellie LeBlond Sosa, said that her grandmother didn't lecture, but led by example. Ellie, who is the daughter of Doro Bush Koch and William LeBlond, added that the example she set was to value family and friends. 'Still today, we support each other no matter what, cry with each other, laugh A LOT, and most importantly, we love each and every single person in our large, sometimes wacky family. And that is all due in large part to Ganny and her example of love.' God help you if she ever caught you acting arrogant Jeb Bush Another granddaughter, Ashley Bush, said her grandma taught her something similar. 'Cherish your human connections your relationships with family and friends,' she wrote. 'No matter how extraordinary the events of her life were, she was always focused on the people around her. 7. 'When talking to a person over the age of 70, stop with, "You look great." Dont ask them, "How are you?" And dont let them bore you with their ailments when yours are so much more interesting!' This witty bit of wisdom is practical, but also highlights the former first lady's sense of humor. Passing it on: Several of her 17 grandchildren also shared things they learned from their grandma 'Cherish your human connections your relationships with family and friends,' her granddaughter Ashley Bush remembers her saying 8. Never buy expensive lipstick when you can get something similar for less at drugstore. This Barbara-ism comes from a review by Jacksonville.com, which reports that the former first lady said you could buy a 'nearly identical' lipstick for half the price at a drugstore. Crack a book! Granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager said her grandma always stressed the importance of reading While the Bushes had plenty of money their peak net worth was reportedly $26.3 million Barbara clearly valued frugality. She even famously wore fake pearls and $29 shoes to her husband's inaugural ball (in addition to a designer dress, of course). 9. 'Dont lend your car to anyone you gave birth to or to their offspring.' It's unclear if there was a specific incident that set off this particular pearl of wisdom. 10. Be yourself. Her son Marvin remembered the time, when she was little, that she dyed her hair copper 'so that she could appear younger than her premature gray hair suggested.' 'I think she looked in the mirror and saw and didn't see a reflection that made her happy,' he recalled. Without saying a word, she had her hair back to gray a few weeks later. Denis Brunetti, president of Ericsson Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos Vietnam is driving 4G and future 5G capabilities, recognising that 4G/5G mobile broadband networks are the critical national infrastructure and innovation platform supporting the enablement of Industry 4.0 and industry digitalisation across a wide range of industries. In fact, Resolution No.52-NQ/TW, released in 2019 by the Politburo, relates to the accelerated adoption of Industry 4.0 for the digital transformation of Vietnam and is a great initiative that clearly highlights the strategic and visionary focus of the Vietnamese government and Party leaders towards achieving sustainable GDP growth in the years to come. It aims to ensure that a significant proportion of GDP is progressively attributed to the digital economy 20 per cent of GDP by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2030. The resolution also aims to ensure 100 per cent of communes have access to broadband internet capabilities by 2025, and 4G and 5G mobile broadband infrastructure will play a pivotal role in fast tracking the achievement of this important goal. As a trusted and long term strategic partner in Vietnams ICT industry, Ericsson is committed to working alongside Vietnams leading mobile service providers, such as Viettel, VNPT, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile, to expand 4G network coverage and capacity whilst also jointly preparing for the commercial introduction of 5G through a series of technical and commercial trials. Indeed, success in the digital age, fuelled by data and enabled by Industry 4.0, AI, and 4G/5G Internet of Things (IoT) is as much about forging trusted cross-industry and government ecosystem collaborations as it is about technology. As an example, Ericsson has been supporting mobile service providers in Vietnam with 5G technical trials since 2019, leveraging our 5G technology leadership, Industry 4.0 and IoT strategic partnerships, coupled with our expansive 4G installed base, which can seamlessly and efficiently upgrade to 5G capabilities when required. The journey towards Industry 4.0 We see digital transformation taking place both in developing and developed economies around the globe. 5G, with its exponentially faster data speeds, high reliability, and low latency, is set to become the single most significant contributor to digitalising and transforming the manufacturing and production sector. This is especially beneficial for emerging economies like Vietnam which has experienced rapid industrialisation over the past three decades, and is one of the preferred manufacturing hubs for multinational companies in Southeast Asia. This is also particularly important given the manufacturing sector contributed over 16 per cent to Vietnams GDP in 2019. With todays business and product lifecycles becoming shorter and margins under increased pressure, manufacturers are increasingly exploring innovations in processes to gain competitiveness and much-needed efficiency and profitability. Here, 5G networks, driven by cellular IoT, will be the key to enhancing and enabling advances in manufacturing. Given Vietnams desire to increase labour productivity growth rates by 7 per cent per annum by 2025, we encourage mobile service providers to accelerate the expansion and upgrade of existing 4G networks supported by additional spectrums, whilst continuing to embrace the early commercial launch of 5G within the 2020 timeframe. Ericssons partnerships The manufacturing industry is evolving fast and industry leaders are looking to have increased flexibility in the production, automation, and assembly processes while also reducing personnel safety risks. Automotive 5G manufacturing production is now a reality for German electric microcar company e.GO Mobile AG at its Aachen complex, enabled by 5G connectivity from Ericsson and Vodafone Germany. Ericsson is also teaming up with Telefonica Germany to enable 5G car production via a private 5G network for Mercedes-Benz at the companys Sindelfingen plant in southern Germany. The 5G network will enable Mercedes-Benz to boost flexibility, production precision, and efficiency as industry digitalisation becomes a reality in car production. In Vietnam, Ericsson is also partnering with ABB to assist it in establishing a state-of-the-art smart manufacturing showcase facility in Vietnam by 2021. 5Gs role in Industry 4.0 Ericssons 5G Business Potential report highlights that mobile service providers around the world stand to gain an additional $700 billion in revenue opportunities by 2030 from industry digitalisation. 5G has superior capabilities such as low latency, high bandwidth, data speeds, spectral efficiency, and reliability, which can in turn support a variety of Industry 4.0 use cases in the manufacturing environment. As the technology proliferates, early movers stand to benefit by gaining the right experience and creating new use cases of relevance to their business. Ericssons commitment In May last year, Ericsson partnered with Vietnams leading telecommunications company, Viettel, to make the first 5G call in Vietnam, aligning the country with other early adopter 5G global markets, such as Australia, USA, Japan, and South Korea. This was a highly strategic milestone for Vietnam as 5G is the critical national infrastructure and enabling innovation platform for Industry 4.0. Ericsson has since partnered with other mobile service providers in Vietnam, such as VNPT and MobiFone, to conduct 5G trials that aim to further advance Vietnams ambitions towards the accelerated adoption of Industry 4.0 and in support of startups, promoting innovation-based entrepreneurship. Focusing on science, technology, and innovation, and embracing the accelerated adoption of Industry 4.0 through 4G NB-IoT and 5G capabilities, Vietnam is well on its way to creating a digital ecosystem that will attract high-tech foreign direct investment and drive the next wave of inclusive and environmentally-sustainable socio-economic development across the nation. Photo: DriveBC Coquihalla Summit - N Hwy 5, about 7 km north of Zopkios Brake Check, looking north. Spring may be on the way but Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Coquihalla Highway - Hope to Merritt. According to Environment Canada snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected Tuesday as a strong Pacific cold front is expected to bring heavy snow to the route tonight. Snow is expected to develop near the summit late Tuesday afternoon and then the snow level lowers to near 400 metres tonight as the front crosses the region. Total snowfall accumulations of up to 20 cm are expected by Wednesday morning. Travellers are advised to check Castanet traffic cameras and DriveBC for the latest on highway travel conditions. Joe Biden now holds a lead in Texas. It's only 2 points over Bernie Sanders, but a Biden win in Texas was viewed as unlikely as best. If Biden wins Texas, that's the upset of Super Tuesday. There are still votes to be counted in the Lone Star State. Ronnie Southwick Torrent Power rose 1.70% to Rs 314.40 after Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company has handed over Shil, Mumbra and Kalwa (SMK) divisions and its operations to the company on 1 March 2020. On 3 January 2020, Torrent Power had won franchisee for distribution of electricity in Shil, Mumbra & Kalwa (SMK) sub-divisions under Thane Urban Circle, Maharashtra. Torrent Power's consolidated net profit rose 77% to Rs 419.39 crore on a 5.4% decline in net sales to Rs 3,079 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. Torrent Power is an integrated utility engaged in the business of power generation, transmission and distribution with operations in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It is also engaged in the business of cables manufacturing with operations in the state of Gujarat. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Kim Hyun-bin KT was considering partnering with Hong Kong's largest telecom company HKT to expand its fifth-generation (5G) network business, industry officials said, Tuesday. The country's dominant fixed-line operator said it was in talks with HKT to export its in-house 360 degree omnidirectional camera dubbed "Real 360," capable of live-streaming video chat services from all angles. KT CEO Nominee Koo Hyun-mo A Fox News political analyst has been caught in an apparently embarrassing situation after a webpage screenshot he shared on Twitter revealed a browser tab for a Sexy Vixen Vinyl Brit Hume, a conservative political commentator, posted the image of an election betting odds website on Tuesday morning while commenting on the state of the Democratic presidential primary. However, he apparently forgot to crop his browser tabs out of the image and in doing so revealed some seemingly unrelated internet activity. In between tabs for an online banking service and a website on coronavirus was a webpage entitled Sexy Vixen Vinyl. Although only Mr Hume can know exactly what he was looking at, a number of political commentators have noted that searching for the term leads to a lingerie set made from vinyl called Sexy Vixen Vinyl Set. 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 Fox News analyst has now deleted the tweet and replaced it with a version which crops the image so the tabs are no longer visible. He has not yet acknowledged the deleted post on his Twitter account. Oh man, Brit straight up played himself, Greg Pinelo, a Democratic strategist, said in reference to the post. Brit Hume shared a screenshot on Twitter which included a tab for a website called 'Sexy Vixen Vinyl' (Twitter) The incident was similar to a previous mishap involving Texas senator Ted Cruz, when his official account liked a two-minute pornographic video on Twitter in 2017. Recommended How Trump was influenced by Fox News and pals before pardoning spree Although the account did not share the video, liking the post made it visible to millions of people on a section of his profile. Mr Cruz insisted the like was a mistake as he attempted to make light of the incident. This is not how I envisioned waking up this morning, the Republican senator said. Senior political analyst Brit Hume appears on Fox News in December 2019 (Fox News) Although I will say that if I had known that this would trend so quickly, perhaps we should have posted something like this back during the Indiana primary. Scott Dudelson/Getty ImagesThe surviving original Lovin' Spoonful members -- John Sebastian, Joe Butler and Steve Boone -- performed together for the first time since their 2000 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at a star-studded charity tribute concert held Saturday in Glendale, California. Billboard reports that the three musicians began the show with acoustic renditions of three of their songs -- "Coffee Blues," "Lovin' You" and "Full Measure" -- and that Sebastian spent most of the concert on stage accompanying the various other performers. Later in the show, the Lovin' Spoonful members took the stage to perform "Summer in the City," "Jug Band Music" and, as a final number with the show's entire cast, "Do You Believe in Magic?" You can check out some fan-shot video highlights from the concert on YouTube. As previously reported, the show was the latest in a series of themed tribute concerts organized in recent years by The Wild Honey Orchestra -- a rotating collective of Los Angeles-area musicians -- to raise money for the Autism Think Tank charity. "When I realized the scope of this project, I was just so impressed with the effort," Sebastian told Billboard. "I guess their first question was, 'Would you come and play harmonica on 'Night Owl Blues'? I said, 'Well, sure, but I know a lot of these songs.' And they say, 'Oh, you mean you'd like to play?' And I said, 'Damn right, I'd play!'" Among the evening's many other guest performers were The Monkees' Micky Dolenz, Susan Cowsill, Marshall Crenshaw, Carnie Wilson, former Ikette Claudia Lennear, Dave Alvin, Iain Matthews, Dramarama's John Easdale and actor/musician Bill Mumy. Founding Cars guitarist Elliot Easton, meanwhile, played as part of The Wild Honey Orchestra. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Appointment 3 March 2020 The Inn at Penn, A Hilton Hotel has announced the appointment of Dale Johnson as director of operations of the 248-room property. Prior to joining the hotel, Johnson was the general manager of the 169-room DoubleTree by Hilton Campbell - Pruneyard Plaza in California. Johnson is a seasoned hospitality veteran with more than 13 years of experience with Hilton. Prior to his previous role in California, he served as the director of operations at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston - Downtown and the assistant general manager of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Memphis. Throughout his career with Hilton, Johnson has been instrumental in enhancing the guest experience, deploying new sales strategies and increasing guest satisfaction scores. He holds a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he will be firing close allies at the Bureau of Immigration in the wake of bribery and corruption issues that surfaced in Senate hearings. Duterte said he will fire fraternity brothers and people who have supported him since his mayoralty run in 1988. It grieves me to do it. It makes me sad, Duterte said. The President said he will finalize a list of people he will dismiss from the agency. Duterte earlier ordered the relief of all Immigration staff and officials involved in the so-called pastillas bribery scheme, which supposedly allowed Chinese nationals easy entry into the country for a fee. The Bureau of Immigration also reassigned some 800 personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following revelations at the Senate. Nineteen Immigration officers are also facing administrative cases and may also face criminal charges after a fact-finding committee completes its report by the second week of March. Despite scandals at the bureau, Duterte has vouched for Immigration chief Jaime Morente, a former police chief in his hometown of Davao City. Chetana Belagere By Express News Service BENGALURU: Coronavirus scare has begun to affect the healthcare sector both in terms of critical medicines and the supply of raw materials being used for commonly used medical devices like digital thermometers, nebulisers, blood pressure monitors and glucometers. Manufacturers and distributors in India are worried as the key raw materials for these instruments, especially electronic parts are manufactured in China. Meanwhile, the importers and manufacturers are unhappy as the government has not procured or created a stock of these items in the country which can anytime see a crisis like China or other South Asian countries. Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) forum coordinator Rajiv Nath told TNIE, India needs to urgently create a stockpile of essential drugs and critical medical devices for disaster management. We are holding a meeting towards the same today with Director General Health, he said. Meanwhile, dependency of Indian pharma on China for raw materials is exposed in this scenario. Almost 85% of Active Pharma Ingredients are imported from China with the bulk of it coming from areas around Hubei and Zhejiang provinces. Small manufacturers are going to suffer more since they do not typically have much in inventory with low raw material availability and price increase affecting them significantly, Sanjay Jha, Director, ColMed said. While AiMeD said that most of the manufacturers who are complaining of losses or raw materials becoming an issue are mainly importers who are only packaging the product and not really manufacturing any part of it. According to Rajiv Nath, genuine players in market in terms of medical devices have second players like Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Europe who can supply the raw materials. It is difficult for the pseudo manuifacturers to shift from Chinese companies to others and hence this noise is being heard, he explained. Three weeks back when the AiMed heard about complaints related to thermometers disappearing from shelves and acute shortage of raw materials they did a check and found that most of them were pseudo manufacturers. Ray of hope for India With the number of coronavirus cases rising, various countries are ready to purchase the material for prices as high as three times the actual cost. Major demand is for infrared thermometers which is coming from several countries. Tarun Arora, Director of Infinity Mediquip, says, It is 3-4 times the earlier rate of D800-900 for infrared thermometers. Opportunity for Make in India The coronavirus outbreak in China provides an opportunity for India to expand exports, said AiMeD coordinator Rajiv Nath. A meeting is being held in Delhi on Tuesday to ensure that Indias trade relations with other countries are given a boost and the country should be seen as second in the world in terms of manufacturing. Iraq was thrown into political turmoil on Sunday evening, as prime minister-designate Mohamed Tawfik Allawi quitted bid to form a new government after blaming the countrys ruling factions for hampering much-needed political reforms. Allawis attempt at forming a new government broke down after Iraqs parliament failed to meet twice to endorse him for the post of prime minister despite a looming constitutional deadline and a deepening political crisis. Allawis move could exacerbate Iraqs political limbo and make the countrys political future even more uncertain amid unprecedented demonstrations that have left hundreds of protesters killed and thousands more injured. In a televised speech, Allawi accused unnamed political parties that are sunk deep in corruption and confessionalism of blocking his efforts to form a new government. I have tried by all possible means to save our country from slipping into the unknown and to end the current crisis, but I have encountered issues that are unrelated to the interests of the homeland, the prime minister in-waiting said. Unfortunately, some parties have been negotiating only to secure their own narrow interests and in disregard of the blood of the martyrs who have fallen in the squares in demonstrations for change, he said. Allawi said he had refused to give into demands for concessions and pressure from certain political groups which are looking only at their vested interests. He urged the protesters to continue with the demonstrations so that your sacrifices will not be in vain. Iraqi President Barham Salih began Monday consultations with the parliaments political blocs and parties in order to choose a new candidate for the prime ministers post. Salih nominated Allawi to replace former prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who resigned in November after pressure from the street and from Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the Iraqi Shias highest religious authority. As Allawis remarks were broadcast on television, two rockets landed inside the Green Zone in Baghdad close to the United States Embassy, a sign of the precarious situation prevailing in Iraq. Salih nominated Allawi as a compromise candidate for the post of prime minister after the countrys ruling factions had failed to find a candidate for two months, leaving the country largely leaderless amid mass street protests and at a time of increasing instability. Iraq has been rocked by widespread anti-government protests for nearly six months, with violence and anger steadily escalating against corruption, nepotism and government mismanagement. What started in October as protests for jobs, better public services and security ended as a political storm over the countrys flawed political system and the catastrophic ineptitude of its leaders. The mass street protests in Baghdad and across the Shia-dominated south of Iraq have continued despite a violent crackdown by the security forces and their allied Shia militias. They have grown into a broader national anti-establishment uprising challenging the countrys entrenched Shia political elite. The nomination of the political outsider Allawi as the new prime minister was an attempt by the Shia ruling factions to outmanoeuvre one of the key demands of the protesters for a prime minister and a government made up of independents who had not served in previous cabinets. Upon his nomination, Allawi vowed to begin a new era in Iraqs political order and to re-establish trust between the public and the government, lost by the failures of the countrys entrenched political elite. Allawi expressed his support for the protesters demands and pledged to form a cabinet of independents, cracking down on corruption and reforming the government he was set to lead. Yet, the protesters, who have been calling for sweeping reforms and a non-partisan government, immediately rejected Allawis nomination and accused the countrys ruling class of trying to maintain the status quo. Allawis proposed government came apart after mutinous power play by Iraqs opposing political factions and the leaders of the countrys religious communities and ethnicities, underlining the dysfunctional political system established after the US-led invasion of the country in 2003. Under this system, Iraqs multiple sects and ethnicities share power. Political groups representing the Shia majority were given the key executive post of prime minister, while the Sunni Arab parties hold the post of speaker of the parliament, and the Kurds hold the presidency. All the countrys communities also have the right to nominate their own representatives to become ministers and senior officials in the federal government, diplomatic corps, judiciary and the security forces on a quota-based system. The current government crisis has worsened Iraqs three-way demographic divide and created a situation of deep political, sectarian and ethnic polarisation and more sub-divisions within the communal split. While the main Shia groups that traditionally nominate the prime minister threw their weight behind Allawi, other Shia factions refused to endorse Allawi for the post. Their dissent was evident in parliament when nearly one third of the Shia members failed to attend the special session to vote on Allawis government on Sunday. Their absence denied the parliament a quorum and the Shia blocs their majority vote. It was not clear what had triggered the dissent, but various internecine power struggles seem to have motivated some Shia parties and politicians to stay away from the parliamentary session. Many Shia groups had feared that the appointment of Allawi, who was backed by powerful cleric Muqtada Al-Sadrs Saaroun bloc and pro-Iran factions in the parliament, would help the two groups to rise further in Iraqs political system. However, whatever the reason, the mass defection from voting or abstention demonstrated a sharp divide within the Shia ranks and the effects of political heterogeneity in individual MPs voting behaviour. The countrys Sunni and Kurdish political groups, which are imbued with enormous powers during a government crisis, also have their motivations for blocking the formation of a new government due to certain interests and concerns. Political leaders from both communities have claimed that a lack of consultation with them over Allawis nomination and his plans to have non-partisan ministers in the cabinet was the main reason for their rejection of his endorsement. But a hidden policy agenda, a perennial feature of public policymaking in Iraq, could be spotted in the Kurdish and Sunni leaders endeavours to stall Allawis nomination. The Kurdish political leadership had put its weight behind Abdul-Mahdi and had stood against the protesters demands for political reforms, including rewriting Iraqs constitution. In addition, the Kurdish leadership wants to maximise the political gains the Iraqi Kurds have made since the downfall of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and exploit the countrys political turmoil to push their independence agenda forward. For the Iraqi Sunnis, who have long complained about exclusion and marginalisation by the countrys Shia-led government, the current crisis could provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the community to be more pro-active in the decision-making process. In a country beset by political turmoil and security challenges, outmanoeuvring opponents to achieve political gains by playing zero-sum games is very dangerous and could be a recipe for disaster. Without an elected government or a functional parliament and with missed deadlines and the manipulation of the constitution, Iraq has entered a power vacuum that risks driving the country into an abyss. On Monday, Abdul-Mahdi, Iraqs caretaker prime minister, said he would begin a period of voluntary absence and would no longer carry out most of his official duties after the parliament failed to approve Allawi. The move is highly controversial because it will leave the country without a constitutionally elected government and deepen the political crisis in a country that is religiously and ethnically divided and overwhelmed by non-state armed groups and unruly militias. After months of street protests and political bickering, Iraqs government crisis will now most likely undermine its political system. The collapse of this already fragile political system could also plunge the country into a renewed period of chaos and uncertainty. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: [March 03, 2020] Rakuten and Vodafone Invest in AST & Science's Space Venture to Reach More People, Devices and Places with Mobile Coverage TOKYO and LONDON, and MIDLAND, Texas, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten and Vodafone have become the lead investors in a venture to extend mobile coverage to more people and devices across the planet, using the first mobile broadband network that will be broadcast from space. Branded SpaceMobile, the low-Earth-orbit (LEO), low-latency satellite network from AST & Science will be the first in the world to connect directly to standard smartphones. The company holds an extensive patent and IP portfolio for its ground and space technologies. "SpaceMobile will be particularly transformative to the growing US$1 trillion annual global mobile market because it will eliminate the coverage gaps faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers moving in and out of connectivity every day. It will also help the world's most under-served communities to access the latest mobile services much sooner than predicted, helping more people to access the digital economy," said Abel Avellan, AST & Science chairman and CEO. AST & Science will initially offer 4G services to partner networks globally, with 5G delivered in the future. The SpaceMobile network will enable seamless roaming to and from terrestrial cellular networks at comparable data rates without any need for specialized satellite hardware. In addition to its investment in AST & Science, Vodafone has agreed to a strategic partnership and will contribute technical, operational and regulatory expertise in support of the global deployment of SpaceMobile. Nick Read, CEO, Vodafone Group, said, "At Vodafone we want to ensure everyone benefits from a digital society that no-one is left behind. We believe SpaceMobile is uniquely placed to provide universal mobile coverage, further enhancing our leading network across Europe and Africa - especially in rural areas and during a natural or humanitarian disaster - for customers on their existing smartphones." Japan and a global solution provider to markets around the world. Rakuten's strategic investment with AST & Science has the potential to support our efforts to connect users across Japan through mobile innovation, expanding national coverage from metropolitan to remote areas and bolstering the network in times of natural disaster." AST & Science successfully tested its SpaceMobile technology aboard the BlueWalker 1 satellite, launched in April 2019, and has been further validating the technology following that initial flight. The new investment brings the total capital raised by AST & Science to US$128 million, including the early investments from Cisneros and founder Abel Avellan. Barclays served as financial advisor to the company. About AST & Science AST & Science is building the first, and only, broadband cellular network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our team of engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. Learn more at www.ast-science.com. About Rakuten Rakuten, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to approximately 1.4 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has over 20,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/. About Vodafone Group Vodafone Group is one of the world's leading telecoms and technology service providers. We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets. Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 24 countries, partners with mobile networks in 42 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets. As of 31 December 2019, Vodafone Group had approximately 625 million mobile customers, 27 million fixed broadband customers and 22 million TV customers, including all of the customers in Vodafone's joint ventures and associates. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rakuten-and-vodafone-invest-in-ast--sciences-space-venture-to-reach--more-people-devices-and-places-with-mobile-coverage-301013177.html SOURCE AST & Science [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the CBI to probe the allegations that Tamil Nadu-based firecracker manufacturers have been using 'Barium Nitrate' in production of 'green crackers' despite its order banning the harmful chemical. A bench, comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, said it had specifically banned the use of barium nitrate in the production of green crackers and the violation needed to be probed. It also directed six manufacturers from Shivakasi in Tamil Nadu to show cause as to why they should not be proceeded for contempt of court. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for three children, alleged that the manufacturers have been violating the court's order prohibiting the use of the chemical. The bench asked the CBI to submit a report and posted the matter for hearing after eight weeks. The apex court had earlier asked the Centre to file a response to the objections raised against the use of chemical components like barium nitrate and potassium nitrate in the formulation of green crackers'. The court had in October, 2018 explained that only green crackers without barium salt would allowed to be manufactured in the country. The court had said it wanted every consignment of the material used in manufacturing green fire crackers to be tested for quality control as the issue pertains to public health. Taking note of the status report prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), it had directed that a quality control mechanism be set up in each manufacturing unit of green fire crackers and such units be monitored by officials from the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO). It had also asked Sankarnarayanan, appearing for the PIL petitioners, to file a contempt plea when he alleged that despite the apex court's order, tonnes of fire-crackers were blown up in Delhi and NCR. Earlier, the apex court had directed the Centre to approve the composition of green crackers after it is formulated by PESO, a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, so as to enable their manufacturing. It had allowed the firecracker manufacturers to apply for approvals from the concerned authorities after PESO approves the new formulation of fireworks. The top court had said that after PESO finalises the new formulation of fireworks, an approval of Union of India should also be taken so that manufacturing can start. Prior to this, the apex court had banned the manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or 'laris') saying that they cause "huge air, noise and solid waste problems". It had said the noise and smoke emission limits of the crackers will have to be approved by PESO. To curb pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the court had directed the Centre, the Delhi government and state governments of NCR to permit community-bursting of fire-crackers for Diwali and other festivals, wherever it could be done. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WestBeef, a modern beef cattle feedlot in the Wheatbelt region is for sale by expressions of interest. It is registered for 7,500 standard cattle units with over 900ha of farming country located at Burakin near Lake Moore, 250km north-east of Perth. Colliers Internationals Jesse Manuel and Greg OMeara have been appointed to sell WestBeef. WestBeef has been operating as a custom feeding operation, currently holding around 7,000 head on feed. Jesse Manuel, Colliers International Director of Agribusiness said the facility also can offer other livestock logistics services. He said, in addition to cattle finishing WestBeef can also be utilised as a quarantine depot and spelling facility, with these two important service offerings providing additional revenue opportunities." As a result of the highs in red meat prices in recent years, an increase in the production and marketing of branded beef products and the national dry conditions result in lower grass feed volumes, demand for lot feeding is currently strong," Mr Manuel concluded. Rawdon Briggs, Colliers Internationals Head of Agribusiness Transactions, said through his teams work in the feedlot sector, there had been a noticeable trend towards custom feeding facilities, largely driven be beef producers seeking a finishing system to ensure they can provide a consistent product to the market year-round. Custom feeding has also allowed feedlot operators to de-risk their businesses by removing the need to fund the purchase of cattle on feed." While demand has been improving, buyers remain focused on quality assets within strategic locations to fodder sources and/or their preferred source of cattle, and in this regard, WestBeef is well-placed, He concluded. The property is for sale by expressions of interest closing March 19 2020. Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng said Monday that there were no new cases of COVID-19 in light of increasing public concern and apprehension over the Cambodian governments response to the viral outbreak. At a press conference on Monday, representatives from the Health Ministry, World Health Organization in Cambodia and Pasteur Institute in Cambodia restated that Cambodia had one single confirmed case of COVID-19. These representatives added that the laboratory tests were based on internationally used procedures. There shouldnt be any suspicion over the transparency of this institution [Pasteur Institute], and on our healthcare system as well. said Mam Bunheng. There is no reason for us to hide [information], he added. Skepticism on social media has increased among Cambodians as Cambodia continues to maintain that there has been only one confirmed case of the viral outbreak, despite other countries performing thousands of tests to find positive cases. Cambodian social media users have made unsubstantiated claims about people having COVID-19. For example, a photo of a fainted person made the rounds of Facebook last week, provoking questions about whether that person had COVID-19. Health Ministry spokesperson Or Vandine called these reports as fake news and said the ministry would not react to them. She added that autopsies would be conducted on suspected cases only if the person had travelled to a COVID-19 reporting country or had exhibited symptoms. The novel coronavirus has spread to around 70 countries, with South Korea and Iran showing recent and significant increases in positive cases. More than 3,000 people have died from the virus, around 2,900 of them from within mainland China. There are upwards of 90,000 positive cases across the world as of March 3. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for individuals and families to ensure personal hygiene as a preventive measure, even going as far as to label those spreading fake news as terrorists. However, Cambodians VOA Khmer spoke to on Tuesday remain concerned and are still in the dark about the viral outbreak. Hang Maly, 60, and Theam Channa, 45, chatted with each other in Phnom Penh while surfing Facebook outside a store and said they learned of the novel coronavirus from social media. Ive heard about it [COVID-19], but I dont understand what it is. I dont know where it really comes from, said Hang Maly. Despite the governments assurances, Hang Maly remained skeptical of the number of reported cases in Cambodia. I doubt it. I dont believe we dont have it. I think we may have it, Maly added. Outside Phnom Penh International Airport, Ky Pheak, a 31-year-old fruit vendor, said he had heard about basic hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus. But, the increase in face mask sales, he said, had resulted in an increase in its cost and he now found himself priced out. I heard the recommendation to use a hand sanitizer to wash the hands, but I cant afford to buy it, he said. Even a mask has become more expensive, [around $1] per mask. he said. He too felt it was likely the government would want to keep new cases under wraps. Even if there were [cases], I think they wouldnt let us know, they wouldnt let us hear this kind of news. Ky Pheak said. Experts at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recently released research questioning the number of reported cases in Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia. Epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch told VOA News last month that it was not very likely that Cambodia had only one reported case, with the research taking into account the average number of airline passengers flying from Wuhan to other cities around the world. Prime Minister Hun Sen in an overt show of support to close ally China has refused to restrict flights and tourist arrivals from mainland China, or even from other countries witnessing significant increase in COVID-19 cases. Pich Sokna, a food vendor at a factory in Phnom Penhs Russey Keo district, said people she knew were worried about COVID-19, even though they knew little about the viral disease. When I look at [the news] from my phone, I cant sleep, she said. Now, I don't look at it anymore, only my daughter reports about it to me. On Monday, Health Minister Mam Bunheng also outlined measures to add another testing laboratory at the National Institute of Public Health. He said Cambodia will continue to learn from Chinas experience on how to treat COVID-19 patients. The Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University and a leading pharmacist, Prof. Peace Chinedu-Babalola has urged the federal government to take precautionary measures to steer coronavirus away from Nigeria. The first female professor of Pharmacy at the University of Ibadan warned that it could cost the federal government at least $2 billion (about N700 billion) to evolve any new medicine that would cure the virus. Also Read: FG Releases N386m For Coronavirus Prevention She made this disclosure in an interview with THISDAY in Abeokuta after receiving the Kwame Nkruma Award for Scientific Excellence at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She commended the government for releasing N386m for prevention of Coronavirus, however, she expressed that it is insufficient. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged Iranians to support the government in its battle against an outbreak of the coronavirus as the death toll rose to 77, the highest outside of China. "Don't violate the recommendations and instructions of the responsible authorities in terms of prevention, in terms of keeping hands, face, and living environment clean and not infecting these and preventing the infection of these," he said in a March 3 broadcast on state television. After the broadcast, the Islamic republic announced that Khamenei had put the countrys armed forces on alert to help the Health Ministry combat the outbreak. Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said 2,336 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Iran. "Based on the latest statistics that have been compiled, there have been an additional 835 definite new infections. Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths," he told state TV. The outbreak has reached the upper echelons of Irans leadership, adding to fears that officials were slow to react to the virus amid accusations of a cover-up. Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi died in a Tehran hospital of the virus, making the close confidant of Khamenei the highest-ranking official in the country to perish from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. The virus earlier killed lawmaker Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican. Among other officials who are infected are Vice President Masumeh Ebtekar and Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. In all, 23 members of Irans parliament have tested positive for the virus, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri said on state television on March 3. The head of Iran's emergency medical services, Pirhossein Kolivand, has also been infected, a spokesman for the services told AFP. Globally there have been more than 90,000 confirmations of infections of the coronavirus, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. Almost 3,000 people have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began. Across the Middle East, more than 1,150 cases of the virus have been documented, most of which link back to Iran, prompting a wave of aid and pledges of more. Six World Health Organization (WHO) employees arrived in Tehran on March 2 along with 7.5 tons of medical gear, including protective gloves, face masks, and respirators. Germany, France, and Britain have said they will shuttle medical supplies to Tehran. Ukraine, meanwhile, has confirmed its first case of coronavirus after a male who recently traveled to Italy tested positive. Deputy Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said on March 3 that the unidentified man arrived home in the southwestern city of Chernivtsi from a trip abroad and was subsequently diagnosed as having the coronavirus. Two Ukrainian nationals tested positive for the virus, but they were passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and not in the country. A plethora of positive government and community attributes continue to thrive in Porter County. Many solid fiscal steps taken by the Porter County Board of Commissioners are no exception, particularly when analyzing reforms to county government employees' health insurance. Careful planning and negotiating by the commissioners has led to more than $5 million in taxpayer savings in about five years, just in terms of government employee health insurance coverage. Much of it ties directly to a two-year contract commissioners forged with Franciscan in 2018, providing insured employees and their covered dependents free access to primary care at Franciscan clinics in Valparaiso and Portage at a cost of about $62 per employee per year to the county. As part of the deal, county employees receive free routine medical care and free prescriptions from a list of 150 commonly prescribed medications. And taxpayers have won big on the deal. In its first year, the county saw nearly 60% usage of the clinic associated with the plan, which county attorney Scott McClure describes as the break-even point. 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Super Tuesday might tell us which of the four remaining candidates is likely to become Donald Trumps opponent. Im not counting Tulsi Gabbard, given that she has yet to register a single percentage point in popular support. Call me crazy, but the last time I looked, having zero support precludes you from beating Donald Trump. Of the four, one bought his way to this point and he did so with as little contact with actual voters as possible. Then theres Bernie Sanders, who never stopped campaigning since he lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016. His followers are increasingly certain that only Bernie can solve all our problems. For the record, they are not the only people using this approach. However, Bernie is one of the two most likely to be the Democratic Partys nominee. Therefore, Im focusing my attention on him. I heard the savior argument before, and not just from Bernie supporters and Trump but also from far right and far left demagogues in several countries on multiple continents. I didnt buy it before and I wont buy it now. That doesnt make me corporate, it doesnt say a thing about my views on policies. It speaks only to my opposition to demagoguery. This brings me to Elizabeth Warren, who doesnt have a realistic chance of being the nominee. As much as I may believe she better represents the possibility of achieving a progressive agenda without revolution, this is not her time. It looks like other former contenders are choosing to unite with Joe Biden. Some people see this as a corporate conspiracy. I see it as a desire to put forward the candidate most likely to win over the most diverse groups of American voters. Still, Bernie Sanders supporters are numerous enough to matter and anyone who has been paying attention recognizes that. However, (and this is where the bros start tweeting insults at me) they are no more entitled to impose their views and ideology on others than anyone else. Their opinions and experiences are no more (and no less) valid than anyone elses. Perhaps there are some people who, as Michael Moore suggested, are afraid of Sanders and therefore backing Biden. I know thats not the case with all Bidens supporters because I actually bother to listen to them. Some people like Sanders and his ideas. But they want unity, not revolution. Some people dont want socialism, and dont see a difference between democratic socialism and socialism as such. There are some people who are put off by Bernies supporters who are under the mistaken belief that being obnoxious wins votes. I understand their concerns after encounters with the more militant Bernie supporters. Those supporters think revolution is far more entertaining than democratic processes and yeah, we can just rebuild the country after it has been torn apart. That was tried that in the former Yugoslavia and in the former Soviet Union. The idea of revolution as a political tactic comes straight out of Karl Marxs Communist Manifesto a document I studied in detail and rejected for too many reasons to get into here. One important reason is the fact that revolution tends to lead to violence, even if that wasnt the intent, and rebuilding a country doesnt necessarily mean the end product will be any better than what you started with. In the meantime, future generations are pretty much guaranteed a lifetime of poverty and oppression. This observation doesnt mean the answer is carrying on with business as usual. There are many of us who know that and whole heartedly embrace progressive ideas. However, embracing ideas that would, for example, guarantee everyone a living wage and assure that every wealthy person and corporation pays their share of taxes does not automatically mean being a Bernie bros doormat. One can be all for a version of Medicare for all and yet recognize the odds are highly against congressional support. It would be stupid not to wonder what that means, especially now that the Supreme Court could rule that the gutted version of the ACA is unconstitutional. In short, the all-or-nothing approach advocated by some of Bernies supporters could mean leaving future generations with the same corporate health care plan that made Obamacare necessary. I dont believe in political saviors who come riding in on their horses, declaring that they will make our problems disappear. None of us has all the answers. No theory is perfect. It took me a life time of learning and experiencing it to recognize that while nothing is perfect, there are some ideas that are worse than others. Its why Ill still insist on considering all candidates and their ideas before choosing one. Its also why I refuse to allow anyone to bully or intimidate me, no matter how right they believe they are or how right I may believe their ideas or arguments are. Either one accepts that all humans were created equal or one doesnt. If you accept that all humans were created equal, it means you respect other peoples right to form their own opinions. No one owes you or your hero leader complete subordination. I say this as a woman who was raped as a teenager. That was the day I learned how vicious and primal power is. I say it as a Holocaust survivors daughter who saw first-hand the scars that any ideological extreme leaves on the lives of survivors and on their subsequent generations. I dont have a preferred candidate. I do have preferred ideas and preferred tactics. Unfortunately, no one fits my criteria perfectly. Odds are that many of us have a similar quandary. So were left with two options. Either we trust and accept the will of the majority of voters and caucus participants, or we get four more years of Trump. Of the remaining candidates, none is my idea of perfect, but every one of them is better than four more years of Trump. I hope we choose wisely and that those who are doing everything in their ability to antagonize people who happen to oppose their chosen one, will realize how short-sighted it is to alienate people who might be won over to their side. In the end, thats what weve got to go up against a brainwashed army of maga automatons using voter intimidation, bullying and hate speech to impose their will on others. The only advice I have is dont give up your own voice to support a presidential candidate. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 13:10:42|Editor: zyl Video Player Close HO CHI MINH CITY, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A truck crashed into a container truck in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City in the early morning of Tuesday, killing three local people and injuring one. The collision on national road No. 1 in the city's District 12 killed three people and seriously wounded another in the rice-carrying truck, Vietnam News Agency quoted the municipal traffic police as reporting. The deaths included a 39-year-old driver and his 58-year-old father, both from southern Tien Giang province, as well as the driver's assistant, local online newspaper Thanh Nien (Young People) reported. In the first two months of this year, Vietnam recorded 2,368 traffic accidents which claimed 1,125 lives, seriously injured 689 people and lightly wounded 1,092 others, posting respective year-on-year decreases of 16.1 percent, 17 percent, 15 percent and 19.4 percent, according to the country's General Statistics Office. In 2019, a total of 17,626 traffic accidents killed 7,624 people, severely injured 13,624 people and lightly hurt 8,528 others in Vietnam. Both chambers of Congress are in Washington, D.C. this week and CUNA will be engaged with a number of hearings covering credit union priorities. Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021 will be the subject of several hearings. On Wednesday, the House Appropriations subcommittee on financial services and general government (FSGG) will conduct a hearing on its legislation. FSGG bills contain appropriations for several important credit union funds, including the Treasurys Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, NCUAs Community Development Revolving Loan Program, and the Small Business Administrations 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Other hearings CUNA will be engaged with this week include: TORONTO, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: OSP, OSP.PR.A) Brompton Oil Split Corp. (the Fund) announces a pro-rata redemption of class A shares will be required (the Class A Shares) to maintain an equal number of preferred shares (the Preferred Shares) and Class A Shares outstanding. In connection with the extension of the Funds term for an additional three years, holders of both Class A Shares and Preferred Shares had a special retraction right. Preferred shareholders retracted 2,416,132 more shares than Class A shareholders. As a result, unless Preferred Shares are withdrawn from the retraction, the Fund will be required to redeem 2,416,132 Class A Shares on a pro-rata basis pursuant to the Funds constating documents which is a reduction of approximately 75.269% of each Class A shareholders holdings. Each Class A shareholder of record on March 31, 2020 will receive a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) the net asset value per unit (each unit consisting of 1 Class A Share and 1 Preferred Share) minus the sum of $10.00 plus any accrued and unpaid distributions on a Preferred Share, and (ii) nil. The redemption payment will be made on or before April 15, 2020. The Fund invests in a portfolio of equity securities of large capitalization North American oil and gas issuers, primarily focused on those with significant exposure to oil. About Brompton Funds Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with approximately $2 billion in assets under management. Bromptons investment solutions include TSX closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Bromptons investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com . You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell shares of the investment funds on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an exchange). If the shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying shares of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this news release and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Fund, to the future outlook of the Fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as may, will, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, predict, potential, continue or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. French officials have closed about 120 schools in areas that have reported the largest numbers of coronavirus infections, and more could be shuttered in the coming days, Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said Tuesday. Both primary and secondary schools have been shut in the Oise department north of Paris, where the main cluster of French cases has emerged, and where two people who have died of the virus lived. Officials have reported 191 coronavirus cases in France so far, and three deaths. The Oise closures are affecting about 35,000 pupils, Blanquer told LCI television, while an additional 9,000 have been told to stay home in the Morbihan department of Brittany on the Atlantic coast. One class of some 20 students has been suspended in Montreuil, a suburb just east of Paris, after a pupil tested positive for the virus, Blanquer said. The Oise schools will remain closed until further notice, while Morbihan authorities have ordered doors shut until at least March 14. "These figures are evolving quickly," Blanquer said, adding: "There could be similar measures taken in the coming days" at other schools. Authorities have already halted all class trips outside the country, and prohibited any gatherings of more than 5,000 people in enclosed spaces. Schools are increasing stocks of soap for washing hands, but Blanquer said there were no plans to order a nationwide school shutdown, for now. "It wouldn't make sense to confine everyone, to paralyse the country, it would be counter-productive," he said. President Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to visit the health ministry's crisis management centre on Tuesday, has called off several events this week as France scrambles to contain the outbreak. Contagion fears have led to shortages of sanitising hand gels and facemasks, with suppliers racing to replenish stocks even though much of the production is in China, where authorities have closed thousands of factories after the coronavirus emerged there in December. Demand for thermometers has also soared, with one French producer, STIL, relaunching production at its factory south of Paris for the first time in 15 years after having moved manufacturing to Chinese partners. "We can't do without China completely, but with this coronavirus the balance could shift for French companies to not be completely reliant" on Chinese producers, STIL's president Gerard Lux told AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:29:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Tuesday, relinquishing early gains on Wall Street's rally, as the mood turned risk averse on concerns that the Group of Seven countries may not put forward a detailed, collaborative response to limiting the global economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 261.35 points, or 1.22 percent, from Monday to close the day at 21,082.73. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 20.75 points, or 1.36 percent, to finish at 1,505.12. Securities house, farm and fishery and machinery-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that "millions" of migrants would soon head for Europe, drawing accusations from EU leaders that he is trying to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria. Turkey gave the green light to refugees and migrants on Friday to leave for the European Union and thousands have since massed at the Greek border, triggering fears of an influx like that which poisoned European politics in 2015. German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU". But Turkey, which hosts roughly four million refugees, is trying to hold off another mass influx from Syria where government forces backed by Russian air power are advancing into the last rebel stronghold of Idlib. Erdogan further ramped up the pressure late on Monday, saying he had turned down an EU offer of one billion euros (1.1 billion) in extra aid for migrants, adding to a six-billion-euro deal agreed in 2016. "We don't want this money," Erdogan said at a news conference without specifying when the money was offered, or by whom. His office later added that he had spoken to Merkel over the phone and warned once again that Europe must take a "fair share of the burden" of dealing with migrants. He claimed the numbers of migrants at the Greek border who include Afghans, Syrian and Iraqis were far higher than figures provided by officials and reporters at the scene, saying "hundreds of thousands" were already there. "There will be more. Soon, this number will be expressed in millions," he added. Top EU officials to visit border Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, was due to visit Greeces land border with Turkey on Tuesday, accompanied by European Council head Charles Michel and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Story continues Greece says some 10,000 people were barred from entering the country over the weekend. Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas at the refugees, who responded by lobbing rocks. A video shared by a Turkish official, which could not be independently verified, showed a boat of migrants being shot at and harassed by Greek coastguards. Turkey accused Greek police of killing two migrants after a video was shared of a bloodied Syrian on the border, although Athens rejected this as "fake news". In desperation, many have sought alternative routes and Greek port police said a young boy died when a makeshift boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos. Athens said it would boost patrols and it suspended asylum applications by those entering illegally a move denounced by the UN refugee agency as having "no legal basis". The emergency at Greeces border comes as Turkey has launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria in a bid to push back the regime's offensive against countrys the last rebel-held bastion. Close to one million people have been forced to flee the Syrian government's assault in the biggest wave of displacement of the nine-year conflict, but they are not being allowed to enter Turkey. Erdogan said he hoped for a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week. (FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS) By Trend Iran's foreign ministry has suspended visa issuance for some countries over the Coronavirus spread, to limit the spread of the disease, Trend reports via the ministry's message. Unfortunately, we have coronavirus outbreak in Iran, but the government and the nation are struggling to combat this disease, the ministry's spokesman Abbas Mousavi said at morning news conference. Mousavi went on to talk about the Foreign Ministry's efforts to prevent the coronavirus outbreak. The Foreign Ministry has been active since the beginning of the crisis, and has participated in all the meetings related to this issue," Mousavi said. We immediately set up a Special Committee at the Ministry of foreign affairs, and independently took some measures, including consular and flights issues, said Mousavi. He also pointed out to some outside media outlets that claim Iran was the source of the virus spread in the first place. Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 1,500 people have been infected, 66 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. The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is crying foul over the Donald Trump administrations refusal to publicly disclose a list of every Saudi official complicit in the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And one senator Ron Wyden of Oregon is about to turn to a little-used mechanism on the Intelligence Committee to force the US intelligence community to declassify the list, which could implicate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Trump administrations silence on this has just been deafening, particularly because the administration is ignoring a law duly passed by the Congress and signed into law by the president of the United States, Wyden told reporters standing beside Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggis fiancee. Why it matters: Trump signed a national defense bill into law in December that required the US intelligence community to submit an unclassified report to Congress listing every Saudi official involved in the Khashoggi murder. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) delivered the report list last week but classified the entire report. Although the law required the Trump administration to submit an unclassified list, ODNI argued that publicizing it would jeopardize sources and methods. The report is highly relevant to the debate that we need to be having in this country about our relationship with Saudi Arabia, and that is a debate that needs to take place with public input, said Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., who oversaw the State Departments human rights bureau under the Barack Obama administration. You can name somebody, you can say you were responsible for this crime, without revealing the methods that they have used to determine that responsibility. So, thats not an excuse, and they know it. A United Nations report found credible evidence that the crown prince was involved in the journalists murder. The CIA has reportedly reached a similar assessment. Bipartisan pushback: Wyden also revealed that Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and top Democrat Mark Warner, D-Va., sent a letter to Acting Director of Intelligence Richard Grenell on Monday urging him to declassify the list. House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., sent a similar letter to Grenell last week upon receiving the classified report. Whats next: The Senate has never gone all the way through with the mechanism Wyden intends to use to force declassification. The Oregon senator is nonetheless optimistic that he can flip enough Republicans on the Intelligence Committee to vote for declassification, which would open up a five-day window for Trump to personally object. If Trump objects, the full Senate would debate declassifying the report. The first thing I will do is talk to all the Republicans with their quotes in my hands about how the Saudis should be held accountable, said Wyden. Know more: Congressional correspondent Bryant Harris will keep you up to speed with Capitol Hills efforts to hold the Saudis accountable. Read his report on Cengiz attending Trumps State of the Union last month to keep the spotlight on her fiances murder. And check out his inside story detailing how the White House intervened to remove Malinowskis veto-proof Saudi sanctions language from last years defense bill. New Delhi: The Special Cell of Delhi police has arrested a top criminal gang that includes Delhi's most wanted gangster Jitender Mann a.k.a Gogi, and Kuldeep Mann, a.k.a. Fajja from Gurugram. Gogi was carrying a reward of Rs 4 lakh on his head in Delhi and another Rs 2.5 lakh in Haryana for the infamous Harshita Dahiya murder case. He was last arrested in 2016 but had fled from police custody within three months. The Special Cell has also arrested three of his main aids --- Kuldeep Mann, Rohit, and Kapil. Kuldeep was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh in Delhi, while Rohit was carrying a Rs 2 lakh reward in Delhi and another Rs 1 lakh in Haryana. The police also recovered a total of 6 imported pistols, including 3 Zigana and 3 Star, along with a cache of ammunition from their possession. A further investigation is under progress. Spring is getting closer, March 19 cant come soon enough, right? If you are like me, Im ready for some green grass and little birds chirping. Its a great time to enjoy books with kids. Everyday moments that you spend with your children really do matter. The library can help you to get your child off to a good start. The library offers a great place to visit. I see babies and toddlers with loving caregivers every day in our Baby Zone and Discovery Center. Ive been assisting with our Baby Lapsit Programs at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and we have some amazing littles we just love. Its fun watching them learn and grow. They might not be very vocal yet but they make some amazing eye contact. We know they are taking everything in. Its fun building relationships with our patrons and it makes me so happy to see moms, dads, grandparents, childcare providers, etc. bring their children in. They also check out books and use the library. Nearly 1,300 people have been arrested or detained so far in connection with last week's communal violence in northeast Delhi where 98 percent of the students appeared for board exams in the affected areas New Delhi: Nearly 1,300 people have been arrested or detained so far in connection with last week's communal violence in northeast Delhi where 98 percent of the students appeared for board exams in the affected areas on Monday amid tight security. Authorities maintained that the situation remained calm in the area with no fresh violence for past five days, even as police arrested 40 people across the national capital for allegedly spreading false rumours of violence that had triggered panic in the city on Sunday night. Police have been conducting flag marches and holding meetings with locals in Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad which witnessed a deadly communal violence over the amended citizenship law last week. "The Delhi Police has registered 369 FIRs and arrested or detained 1,284 persons in connection with the northeast Delhi violence," an official said. The police, however, did not reveal any information about those held, sparking demand by political parties and activists that they make public details of these people as per law. On Monday, around 98 percent attendance was recorded in the board exams held in violence-hit areas, said the CBSE which had earlier postponed class 10 and 12 exams in northeast Delhi and parts of east Delhi till February 29 in the wake of the riots. According to an official, out of 2,888 students, 2,837 appeared for the physics and music papers. Like Priya, a Class XII student who is a resident of Maujpur, many students said their preparations were affected due to the violence. "I had prepared for the exam but I didn't get sufficient time for revision due to the riot situation. I could not sleep or focus because there was so much fear in the locality," she said after her Physics exam. Another student, Mohammad Aahil, said, "We had to leave our home in Karawal Nagar for Ghaziabad after the situation there turned tense. I didn't have my books and somehow studied using internet." The schools are closed in the area till 7 March. The Board had on Sunday said any further delay may hamper chances of students in securing admission to professional courses like medical and engineering, though it is ready to conduct fresh exams for students who are not able to appear. Authorities maintained that the death toll remained at 47 in the communal clashes, even as five bodies were fished out from drains in northeast Delhi on Sunday and kept at RML Hospital. According to a hospital official, the exact cause of death will be ascertained only after postmortem examination. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Environment Minister Gopal visited riot-affected areas to take stock of the situation and interacted with locals. "We all should prioritise bringing back peace and tranquillity to restore normalcy," Baijal said during his visit and directed police to continue deployment and take effective measures to counter rumour mongers. Rai visited a relief camp set up by the Delhi government at Mustafabad which has a capacity to accommodate 1,000 people. The AAP government has set up nine relief camps for the victims in parts of northeast Delhi. "We will set up more relief camps in other affected areas too if needed," Rai said. The minister said he has come to know that some "innocent" persons have also been picked up by police. "Their relatives are running here and there in hospitals and police stations looking for them. We expect that this issue may be sorted out immediately. We want the guilty must be caught and punished at the same time the innocent should be spared," he said. At the relief camps set up by the Delhi government, affected people who have lost their documents in the carnage fear that it could create hindrances in getting compensation. Imran, who did not share his second name, said he had taken shelter at the camp in Al-Hind hospital in Mustafabad after rioters attacked his residence in Shiv Vihar - one of the worst hit areas. "They torched our house and our documents like voter-identification card, Aadhar and PAN card, were also destroyed. The Delhi government has announced ex-gratia but without documents we are unsure about how to go about it," he said. An official said so far around 25 people have been given compensation, while they have received around 400 applications. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people to provide details of the needy for a quick response from government agencies. "We are working 24/7 to make sure relief efforts reach all in need. If u know of anyone who is in need, use #DelhiRelief to reach us. Pl do mention exact address/contact details so that we can reach him. We will ensure a quick response from our agencies (sic)," he tweeted. Kejriwal also announced honorarium to Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma who died in the communal riots. His family member will also get a government job, he said. "Ankit Sharma was a brave officer. He was brutally murdered in the riots. The country is proud of him. The Delhi government has decided that his family will be given an honorarium of Rs 1 crore, and a job to one person of his family. May his soul rest in peace," he tweeted. Sharma's body was fished out of a drain in Chand Bagh area last week. Scores of people in the affected areas have been spending their nights in the dark, with damaged power lines still dangling precariously outside their houses. Damaged electricity metres remain unrepaired and people complain that no help has reached them yet. Sujeet Tomar, 28, a resident of Mustafabad, and his family returned to their house six days after violence rocked the area but wondered how will they spend the night without power. "Most of the people, including Hindus and Muslims, in our lane have fled. Almost all the houses are locked. I and my family spent six days at my uncle's house. We returned just now.... Though my house did not suffer any damage but there's no power supply I wonder how will we stay here?" he said. The BSF on Monday handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to its jawan Mohammed Anees after his house was vandalised and burnt by rioters. The border guarding force has also pledged to re-build the house of the jawan and hand it over to him as a 'wedding gift', as he is scheduled to get married soon, a Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said. Delhi police said they have arrested 40 people in connection with riot-related rumours on Sunday evening, when the department received 1,880 distress calls from panic-stricken people. The maximum 481 calls to police control room (PCR) came from West Delhi, 413 from South East Delhi, 310 from Dwarka and 127 from South Delhi, while only two distress calls were made from North East Delhi, the area where the riots broke out last week, the police said in a statement. The 40 arrested people have been booked under various sections including for breach of peace and tranquility (Sec 107/151 of CrPC). Delhi Assembly's committee for peace and harmony in its first meeting on Monday decided to widely publicise that peddling fake news can invite a three-year sentence to the offenders. Anyone spreading messages that cause enmity or hatred between two communities or retweeting and posting it on Facebook can land in jail for three years, said chairman of the committee and AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj. The committee will launch a phone number and email for people to send screenshots of such messages for further action by the committee, Bhardwaj said. He said whistleblowers helping to curb such messages will be rewarded with Rs 10,000 if their complaint leads to registration of a case. Meanwhile, human rights activists on Monday denounced the central and Delhi governments alleging they failed to provide any medical or legal help to violence-affected people in northeast Delhi. CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat has written to acting city Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava demanding that the names of those arrested in connection with the violence in northeast Delhi be made public. A similar demand was made on Sunday by rights activists who said that it is mandated by law that police stations display the names of those arrested with their addresses. Meanwhile, officials continue to monitor the virus movement, assess people locally who might be at high risk, identify those who might need further evaluation or testing, share updates with staff and partners, and respond to inquiries from schools, residents and other organizations and work with them as needed for guidance and education, according to the release. BISHKEK -- Former lawmaker Kanybek Osmonaliev, one of the organizers of a March 2 mass rally in Bishkek that turned violent, has been detained by the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) on suspicion of attempting to seize power. The UKMK said on March 3 that Osmonaliev and a second, unidentified person were placed in pretrial detention, but have yet to be officially charged. The Interior Ministry said the same day that police had detained 166 people during clashes with protesters at the rally in Bishkek's central Ala-Too square, four of whom remain in custody while their roles in organizing the violent rally are investigated. It was not clear if Osmonaliev and the person detained by the UKMK were among the four still detained by the police. According to the ministry, 24 police officers were injured in the clashes with hundreds of demonstrators demanding the immediate release from prison of Kyrgyz politician Sadyr Japarov. The Health Ministry said on March 3 that one police officer was hospitalized with a concussion and a strained neck. The clashes broke out after police started dispersing the rally, as it had run past the 5 p.m. limit granted in the demonstration permit. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to drive hundreds of protesters out of the square, where they were also demanding that the government resign and calling for constitutional amendments. The demonstrators responded by hurling rocks at security forces, damaging cars and businesses in the area. Former lawmaker Japarov was sentenced to 11 1/2 years in prison after a court in Bishkek convicted him of taking a government official hostage during 2013 protests around the Kumtor gold mine by demonstrators demanding that the mine be nationalized. Japarov has rejected the charges as politically motivated. In April 2019, the Supreme Court cut Japarov's sentence by 18 months. In November 2019, Japarov officially asked President Sooronbai Jeenbekov for clemency. He is still waiting for an answer to his request. The former Lebanese culture minister says he can no longer remain in position because of health reasons. The UN envoy for Libya has resigned citing health reasons after nearly three years in the post. Appointed in July 2017, Ghassan Salame had recently been mediating three-tiered talks between Libyas warring sides on economic, political and military tracks. In a tweet on Monday, Salame cited the level of stress as a reason behind his intention to step down as the UNs envoy for the war-wracked country. For two years, I tried to re-unite Libyans and restrain foreign interference but for health reasons I can no longer continue with this level of stress, wrote Salame. Therefore I asked the [UN] secretary-general to relieve me of my duties. Libya, a major oil producer, was plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, who led the country for more than 40 years. The inability of successive governments to demobilise and reintegrate fighters that helped remove Gaddafi compromised reconstruction efforts in the war-torn country. In April 2019, Khalifa Haftar, a renegade military commander based out of eastern Libya, launched an assault on the capital, Tripoli, where the countrys internationally recognised government sits. Lack of support A UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, confirmed that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres received Salames resignation. The secretary-general has always had full confidence in Salames work and the great efforts he has made to bring peace to Libya, Dujarric said. [Guterres] will be discussing with Salame the way to ensure a smooth transition so as not to lose any momentum on the gains that have been made. Salame, a former culture minister in his native Lebanon and an international relations professor, had time and again regretted a lack of cooperation on the part of the international community, especially countries that support one or the other of Libyas warring sides. Did I get the kind of support needed? Salame mused on Friday. My answer is no. I need much more support. An international summit was organised in Berlin in January with hopes of cementing a fragile truce brokered by Turkey and Russia, who support rival camps in the war. That conference came after Turkey began deploying troops to Libya including rebel fighters from Syria and amid reports Russian mercenaries were assisting Haftars forces outside Tripoli. A final communique declared that the dozen countries participating in the meeting pledged to end the flow of weapons and armed personnel to Libya But that promise was broken almost as soon as the document was signed, with media reports the next day indicating the United Arab Emirates, a key Haftar supporter, was flying in military equipment to Haftars forces in eastern Libya. If you look at things objectively, he hasnt been able to achieve much in terms of improving their [Libyans] situation but I dont think that would be a useful approach, to blame him exclusively for Libyas problems, said Emadeddin Badi, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute. This is a man who, if you compare him with previous envoys, understood Libya more and made more efforts. Unfortunately, he came at a critical juncture where a lot of foreign actors, even European states, were deploying policies that were counterproductive in terms of what he was aiming to do. iPhone owners could be in for a payout from Apple after the company settled a case over its intentional slowing down of handsets. The decision comes after Apple admitted in 2017 that it was intentionally reducing the performance of some older iPhones. It was doing so to ensure that they would not unexpectedly shut down, it said, but the admission led to a flurry of criticism over the fact that users were not informed. It has since rolled out a range of attempts to make that better, including a feature that will alert users when they are subject to the performance throttling and the option to turn it off. Now the company has agreed to pay up to $500 million to settle the claims. Apple and lawyers representing affected customers agreed to the deal as the fallout from the feature continues. As well as changing features in the software, the admission also led to Apple offering discounted battery replacements at $29, but many people claimed they had already spent hundreds of dollars to buy new phones because Apple didn't reveal the cause of the problem. If they had known they could just buy new batteries, they might not have bought new phones, some consumers in the case said. 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 Apple did not admit wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, the company will pay $310 million to $500 million, including about $93 million to lawyers representing consumers. Recommended Apple plans for new iPhone could be hit by coronavirus IPhone users who were named in the class-action lawsuit will get up to $3,500 each. The rest of the settlement money will be distributed to owners of iPhone 6, 6S, 7 and SE models who meet eligibility requirements related to the operating system they had running. They must file claims to get the award. If too many people file, the $25 amount could shrink. A federal judge in San Jose, California, still needs to approve the settlement. Additional reporting by agencies The regions strong Catholic traditions have led to some of the worlds most restrictive laws, but movements demanding greater reproductive rights and more protection for women have spread from country to country, building upon each other. If the court had legalized abortion, it would have made Colombia the largest and most influential country in Latin America to permit the practice. The case before the court had been brought by Natalia Bernal, a Colombian law professor who lives in France and who argued that abortion amounts to a form of torture and violates the rights of women and unborn children. But instead, Judge Linares, based on his proposed ruling that was widely reported in the Colombian press, wanted to use the case as an opportunity to push for legalizing the procedure for any woman during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. In the end, a majority of the court said it could not rule on the case before it, calling Ms. Bernals petition one of substantial ineptitude and saying she had not presented sufficient arguments to merit reconsidering the courts past decisions. Three judges, including Judge Linares, voted against the decision not to rule, and wrote dissenting opinions in favor of legalizing abortion. The courts action leaves the door open for judges to consider legalization or a complete ban in the future. And activists on both sides said they would not give up. Well keeping fighting, said Liliana Nunez, 40, a doctor who opposes abortion and was protesting outside the courthouse on Monday. Posted on Monday, March 02, 2020 Students and faculty from the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources brought home a number of awards from the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society (TCTWS) state meeting in February. Alex Meza, a junior from Mission, received first place in photography in the Humor Category. The plant identification team placed second as a team with Kye Johnston, a senior from Victoria, placing second in the individual score competition. Plant team identification members include seniors Kye Johnston from Victoria, Julio Cesar Menchaca from La Grulla and Nathan Young from Corpus Christi; juniors Alejandro Bazaldua from Harlingen, Micayla Pearson from La Vernia and Cheyenne Ruiz from San Antonio; and sophomore Shaelyn Rainey from Stephenville. Graduate students from the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at A&M-Kingsville brought home a number of awards. Megan Granger, a masters student from Spring Branch, earned the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Granger also took first place in the graduate poster competition and Austin Killam, a masters student from Missouri City, placed third. In the Cottam Graduate Presentations, A&M-Kingsville earned second and third place awards. Alexandria DiMaggio, a masters student from Pettus, placed second. Placing third was doctoral student Jason Lombardi from Nutley, New Jersey. The Graduate National Wildlife Turkey Federation scholarship was awarded to Nicole Traub, a doctoral student from Trinity. Faculty members also received major awards. Shyla Rabe and contributors earned the Outstanding Electronic Media award. Dr. Leonard Brennan, Professor and C.C. Charlie Winn Endowed Chair for Quail Research, Avian Ecology and Upland Game Birds, Dr. Bart Ballard, Professor and C. Berdon and Rolanette Lawrence Endowed Chair in Waterfowl Research, and Dr. William Kuvlesky, Professor in Wildlife Science, earned the Outstanding Book award for their book entitled The Upland and Webless Migratory Game Birds of Texas. A group of faculty also won an award for their popular article Using Genetic Tools to Guide Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in Texas Mule Deer. Those faculty include Dr. Randy DeYoung, Professor and Research Scientist; Dr. Timothy Fulbright, Regents Professor and Endowed Meadows Professor in Semiarid Land Ecology, Wildlife Habitat Management; Dr. Humberto Perotto-Baldivieso, Assistant Professor and Research Scientist; and Dr. David Hewitt, Professor and Leroy G. Denman Jr. Endowed Executive Director of Wildlife Research. Dr. Mike Tewes received the Educator of the Year award and the award for Outstanding Technical Publication for Conservation Status of the Endangered Ocelot in the United States A 35-year perspective. About Dr. Mike Tewes Dr. Michael Tewes grew up in Odem, 35 miles north of Kingsville. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees in wildlife science from Texas A&M University and his doctorate in wildlife resources from University of Idaho. He began working with ocelots during the first year of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in 1981. In 2007, he was named a Regents Professor, the highest honor for a professor in the Texas A&M University System. The next year, Tewes became the first holder of the Frank D. Yturria Endowed Chair in Wild Cat Studies. During his time studying wild cats, Tewes has worked with ocelots, bobcats and mountain lions in Texas; ocelots, jaguarundi in Mexico; clouded leopards, golden cats, marbled cats and leopard cats in Thailand; leopard in Africa; and viverrids in Taiwan. About the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society The Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society was formed in 1965 and conforms to the bylaws, policies, code of ethics, objectives, and position statements of The Wildlife Society. Chapter efforts are designed to involve resource professionals and stimulate involvement by all concerned individuals. The TCTWS strives to become the acknowledged source of scientific information and expertise concerning wildlife biology and management in Texas. The TCTWS participates in a global society in which the conservation of wildlife is a common goal. Wildlife resource decisions are made after consideration of relevant scientific information, in consultation with wildlife professionals, and with the support of an informed and caring citizenry. -TAMUK- Nearly three dozen Iranian government officials and members of parliament are infected and a senior adviser to the supreme leader has died. The Health Ministry has proposed sending 300,000 militia members door-to-door on a desperate mission to sanitize homes. The top prosecutor has warned that anyone hoarding face masks and other public health equipment risks the death penalty. Irans leaders confidently predicted just two weeks ago that the coronavirus contagion ravaging China would not be a problem in their country. They even bragged of exporting face masks to their Chinese trading partners. Now Iran is battered by coronavirus infections that have killed 77 people, among the most outside of China, officials said Tuesday. But instead of receiving government help, overwhelmed doctors and nurses say they have been warned by security forces to keep quiet. And some officials say Tehrans hierarchy is understating the true extent of the outbreak probably, experts contend, because it will be viewed as a failure that enemies will exploit. External Article 3 March 2020 As the coronavirus enters its third full month affecting the globe, the tourism industry is able to more precisely quantify the scale of its financial impact. European commissioner for Internal Markets Thierry Breton on Monday told a French television station that the estimated financial toll of the virus on the tourism industry in Europe amounts to roughly 1 billion ($1.1 billion) per month. This takes into account the roughly two million lost hotel nights reported by European Union member states in January and February. The reports follows news over the weekend that one of the biggest tourist draws on the continent the Louvre in Paris was closed. NEW YORK - U.S. prosecutors said Tuesday that Honduras president met a drug trafficker around 2013 and took $25,000 in exchange for protecting the trafficker from law enforcement. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York issued a statement referring to President Juan Orlando Hernandez only as a high-ranking Honduran official or as CC-4, a co-conspirator. But in court documents, it identified CC-4 as president of Honduras and brother of former congressman Juan Antonio Hernandez Alvarado, who was convicted on drug charges last year. In previous filing, U.S. prosecutors have described CC-4 as the winner of the 2013 presidential elections. It was not clear if the alleged incident involving the trafficker occurred before or after federal congressman Juan Orlando Hernandez won the 2013 presidential election. He took office in January 2014. He has not been charged and did not immediately comment on the allegations, but he has repeatedly denied earlier allegations of connections to traffickers. U.S. prosecutors arrested Geovanny Daniel Fuentes Ramires at Miami International Airport on Sunday on charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. and related weapons charges. They say Fuentes met with Juan Orlando Hernandez on several occasions and spoke of a cocaine laboratory that Fuentes was running near Puerto Cortes on the Atlantic coast. Juan Orlando Hernandez expressed interest in access to the lab because it was so close to the port, according to court documents, which did not explain why he was interested. The documents say Juan Orlando Hernandez and Fuentes agreed to facilitate the use of Honduran armed forces personnel as security for Fuentes drug-trafficking activities. It also said that Hernandez instructed Fuentes that his brother, Hernandez Alvarado, was managing drug-trafficking activities in Honduras and that Fuentes should report directly to Hernandez Alvarado for purposes of drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in the statement that Fuentes Ramirez paved the way for unimpeded shipment of multi-ton loads of cocaine by bribing police and a high-ranking Honduran politician, and reporting directly to Tony Hernandez, another co-conspirator in the scheme and himself a former Honduran congressman. Its not the first time U.S. prosecutors have linked President Hernandez to the drug trade. Last August, prosecutors said he had used $1.5 million from drug traffickers to help win the presidency in 2013. During his brothers trial in New York last year, prosecutors repeatedly suggested President Hernandez had benefited from the drug traffickers financial support. His brother is scheduled to be sentenced in April. Hernandez won re-election in 2017 in elections plagued with irregularities. Yet Hernandez has maintained the support of the Trump administration, which has pressured Honduras to slow the flow of migrants out of the country. The U.S. government plans to soon begin sending asylum-seekers from other countries to Honduras. During a January visit to Honduras, acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said, Honduras is a valued and proven partner to the United States in managing migration and promoting security and prosperity in Central America. A new post that of a vice-premier for law enforcement may be created in Ukraine's government. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's key figures in the security cabinet have shortlisted three candidates for the post of Ukraine's defense ministry to replace the incumbent minister, Andriy Zagorodnyuk, who is reportedly facing dismissal. The online publication ZN.UA cites its sources, according to which Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak insists that retired Lieutenant General of the Armed Forces Andriy Taran be appointed defense minister. He retired from active service in 2016. In 2015, Taran represented Ukraine in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) in Donbas and was a member of the Trilateral Contact Group's security subgroup in Minsk. Read alsoHoncharuk, Yermak meet in Kyiv restaurant amid rumors of PM's imminent sacking (Photo, video) Chief of the SBU Security Service Ivan Bakanov and the then head of the committee on national security and defense in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukrainian parliament, of the eighth convocation, Serhiy Pashynsky are lobbying for Andriy Senchenko's appointment. He is a Member of Parliament of three convocations. Together with Pashynsky and the incumbent Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, he was a member of the Batkivshchyna parliamentary faction. In 2019, he quit Yulia Tymoshenko's Batkivshchyna Party. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov offers Zelensky Mykhailo Koval's candidacy. Colonel General Koval once headed the Defense Ministry for a while he was acting Defense Minister in Arseniy Yatsenyuk's government from March 23, 2014, to July 3, 2014. In addition, according to ZN.UA, a new post that of a vice-premier for law enforcement may be created in Ukraine's government. Avakov is seen a proper candidate while combining his incumbent post of the country's interior minister. Under Ukraine's Constitution, both the defense minister and foreign minister shall be appointed by the president, but their resignation should be authorized by the parliament. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov on February 28 announced that lawmakers would gather for a special meeting on Wednesday, March 4. It is to start at 16:00 Kyiv time. Several bills are on the agenda of the meeting, the President's Office said. They will also consider the issue of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as look into how the Interior Ministry, the SBU Security Service, the State Bureau of Investigation, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General's Office counteract corruption and strengthen the rule of law in the country. Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday said it has launched a new three year course - Diploma in Mechanical Engineering with specialisation in tool and die design at its Centre of Excellence at Government Polytechnic, Manesar. The course at the Maruti Suzuki Training Academy will be conducted in collaboration with Haryana State Board of Technical Education (HSBTE) and, is approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the company said in a statement. Maruti Suzuki India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Haryana government to this effect, it added. Commenting on the development, company Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said,"Maruti Suzuki believes in preparing a talent pool for automobile manufacturing. The diploma course in Tool and Die Design is another such initiative." The course will enhance employability prospects of local youth, he added. "It will also help us create a talent pool for specific areas like tool and die shops so that such technical functions are performed smoothly," Ayukawa said. The company said the specialised course is spread over three years comprising six semesters. Total 26 subjects with minor and major projects will be imparted based on the HSBTE guidelines. The fee for the course is Rs 4,500 for each student for a year (two semesters). MSIL will make a one-time capital investment of Rs 80 lakh towards procurement, installation and commissioning of machinery required for the course, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Class 12 Sikh student was allegedly forced to remove his turban during a security check before appearing for an exam at a school in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district. The state government has launched a probe into the matter and the woman teacher, who asked the student to remove his turban, has been removed from the examination duty, an official said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday when the student was appearing for an examination at a centre set up at the Government Girls School in Dhamnod, about 55 km from the district headquarters. The student, while talking to reporters after the incident, alleged that during the checking, a teacher asked him to remove his turban. He, however, refused to do and contacted the centre in-charge, who also asked him to follow the rules. Later, his turban was removed and checked and he was then allowed to appear in the examination, the student said. When asked about it, state Tribal Welfare Development's deputy commissioner Brajesh Pandey said the matter was being inquired. "After getting information, the teacher in question has been removed from the examination duty. We are further investigating the matter," Pandey said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 05:45:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chilean President Sebastian Pinera reacts as he speaks at the La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago, Chile, March 3, 2020. Chilean health authorities on Tuesday announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the country. The case involves a 33-year-old man in the city of Talca in central Chile's Maule region who recently traveled extensively through Asia and returned via Europe, according to the Institute of Public Health (ISP). (Agencia Uno/Handout via Xinhua) SANTIAGO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Chilean health authorities on Tuesday announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the country. The case involves a 33-year-old man in the city of Talca in central Chile's Maule region who recently traveled extensively through Asia and returned via Europe, according to the Institute of Public Health (ISP). The patient "was traveling for an extended period of time, almost a month, in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Spain and then returned to Chile," Alfredo Donoso, head of the Talca Hospital, told reporters. "He returned Feb. 25 and on March 1 began to have respiratory symptoms," said Donoso, adding the proper steps were taken to treat the patient after he tested positive for COVID-19. As the coronavirus and its COVID-19 disease spread, Insurance professionals going to industry conferences over the next few weeks and months could find themselves having their temperature taken at the door and being told not to shake hands with fellow attendees. They will also be encouraged to wash their hands frequently. Other than that, its mostly business-as-usual for insurance conference planners, thus far. Insurance Journal checked in with organizers of various global and national conferences and found that while they are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely, none of the organizations has cancelled a conference. [Editors Note: The day after this story was published, Insurance Journal learned of one insurance conference cancellation, or conversion. Insurance data analytics and risk modeling firm Verisk has converted its Cyber and Casualty Seminar scheduled for March 10 in New York City from an in-person to a free virtual event out of an abundance of caution over the global spread of the novel coronavirus. Learn more. Also, a major insurance claims industry conference scheduled to start Sunday, March 8 was cancelled. The event was scheduled for the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C. The Property Liability Research Bureau (PLRB) called off its 2020 Claims Conference on Saturday at 10 p.m., the night before registration was to begin, after the American Conservative Union reported on Saturday that an attendee at its recent Conservative Political Action Conference at the hotel had tested positive for the virus. Learn more.] Upcoming Insurance Event Cancellations: WSIA, Cannabis, CFA The organizations are emphasizing that registrants who are ill should not travel, while working with the managers of their hosting venues to sanitize their meeting spaces and provide convenient hand washing facilities. From RIMS to Insurance Innovators, WCRI to NAMIC to NAIC, the meetings are on. A key influence on the thinking of some organizers to forge ahead with their plans: they do not have many, if any, registrants from areas hard hit by the virus. MarketforceLive, creators of the Insurance Innovators series of conferences including Claims 2020 and Fraud 2020 in London on March 11 and USA 2020 in Nashville March 30-31, has decided to move ahead as scheduled but with limitations on registrants from China. Currently, its advisory said, we do not have any delegates from China registered to attend our events in Europe or the USA and we currently do not expect any delegates from China to register in the coming months. We will not permit entry to any delegates from Hubei or Wuhan provinces, the specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy as designated by the Italian government and parts of South Korea. Furthermore, travellers from China would need to show proof that they have been outside of China for 14 days prior to the event before being allowed to attend. Michael Brode of the Property Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB) said his organization is well-prepared for its annual Claims Conference and Insurance Expo on March 8-11 in Washington, D.C. PLRB always has contingency plans. Big meetings get canceled from time to time due to weather events also known as acts of god. PLRB works with the host cities, hotels, and convention centers when these things happen. PLRB is prepared to adapt at a moments notice, Brode told Insurance Journal. Parametric Insurance for Hotel Cancellations Organizers of events called off because of the coronavirus are likely to miss out on insurance payouts because typical policies do not cover epidemic outbreaks. Hotels hit by cancellations may fare better. A new type of insurance launched by Lloyds of London just last year offers hotels compensation when revenue per available room drops below a certain level because of factors they could not predict or control. Learn more. Bode said PLRBs audience is mostly domestic and it does not have a significant number of international participants from countries with significant outbreaks. PLRB said on Wednesday it has seen about 10% of registrants cancel. MarketforceLive is taking precautions further than the others. All attendees will be temperature checked upon entry to a MarketforceLive event, anyone registering a temperature above 37.5C will not be admitted to the event, according to the company. Furthermore, forget the self-serve buffets at an Insurance Innovations event. All food will be served by venue staff to stop cross contamination at buffets. Registration will be conducted by MarketforceLive staff to avoid multiple people using the same touchscreen devices. Also, all of its events have adopted a no-handshake policy until further notice. The thinking on handshakes is similar at the Workers Compensation Research Institute, which is meeting in Boston this week. WCRI said the conference hotel is reinforcing recommended measures on appropriate sanitation standards and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and local health authorities. While the risk remains low at this time, WCRI encourages a handshake-free meeting, its memo to attendees adds. RIMS 2020, which is among the industrys largest meetings and draws a global audience, is scheduled to go an as planned for Denver in early May, according to a statement from the risk management group. The safety and well-being of our attendees is a priority. We are taking the potential impact of COVID-19 virus very seriously and are working with local agencies and partners to ensure that we deliver a safe and productive environment, RIMS said. Crista Hassett, vice president of event operations for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, said her organization is continuing its current event schedule without interruption. That said, we are following coronavirus updates to address the safety and well-being of attendees at all future events, she added. We realize that the situation may change in the coming days and weeks and we will reevaluate as needed. Among NAMICs upcoming meetings are a Commercial Lines Seminar this week in Chicago and a CEO Roundtables event on March 22-24 in Orlando. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners said it currently does not believe the immediate risk of COVID-19 warrants any change in its meeting plans However, we are actively monitoring the situation on a day to day basis, with the safety and security of our attendees in mind, the organization told Insurance Journal. NAICs upcoming conferences include its Spring Meeting on March 21-24 in Phoenix and its International Forum on May 4-5 in Washington, D.C. Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway announced it is proceeding with its May 2 annual shareholders meeting in Omaha, which attracts as many as 40,000 people from around the world, as planned no matter what happens. It posted this notice on its website: The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held on May 2, 2020 irrespective of conditions at that time. The scope of the meeting and associated activities may be modified by circumstances at the time, but we have no present plans to do so. While insurance professionals may not feel the effects of the virus in their convention plans, some may come to feel its effects elsewhere. Fitch Ratings says that while the coronavirus outbreak is not expected to have a big impact on insurers, event cancellation is one area where they may have losses. There have been a number of cancelations of large events in other industries and regions hit by the coronavirus. Last month a major telecoms conference Mobile World Congress in Barcelona was canceled and more recently two major energy conferences in the Middle East were postponed. A conference on the world economy scheduled for Italy later this month with Pope Francis has been rescheduled for November. Facebook pulled the plug on its March 9 global marketing summit in San Francisco and yesterday it pulled out of next weeks South by Southwest (SXSW) music and tech festival in Austin. Related: Topics COVID-19 Washington China Training Development AKRON, Ohio A man was arrested Sunday after he reportedly struck his brother with a firearm and then shot him in the leg, according to police. Romello Jackson, 22, of Akron, is charged with felonious assault, domestic violence, carrying a concealed weapon, receiving stolen property, and criminal trespassing. Police say Jackson has admitted to the shooting. Officers were called to the 1200 block of Virginia Avenue in the Firestone Park neighborhood at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday. There they found the 29-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his leg. Police say the victim and Jackson got into an argument and Jackson first hit the victim on the head with a revolver, then shot him. Jackson had run from the home before police arrived, but officers tracked him down to the area of Rosemary Boulevard near Chesapeake Drive. Police say Jackson tried to run from officers but was caught after a short chase. A firearm reported stolen from Lorain County was found on Jackson, police say. Jackson is being held in the Summit County Jail. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: Akron man, woman suspects in armed robbery of North Canton Burger King Medical examiner identifies victim of beating death in Akron Man robs Huntington Bank branch inside Parma Giant Eagle 92-year-old man attacked, carjacked outside Cleveland church, police say Man arrested in deadly drunken-driving crash in Cleveland, police say She slipped through the cracks: Family says Cleveland woman dismembered and set on fire was a poet who struggled with schizophrenia Video shows SUV slam into gas pumps, truck at GetGo in Painesville Township Maurice Iwu, former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission and professor of pharmacognosy got the assurances of two Nig... Maurice Iwu, former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission and professor of pharmacognosy got the assurances of two Nigerian ministers on Monday to support his team on their drug project for Wuhan coronavirus. Based on evaluation, his research effort may be boosted with a N36m grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Iwu told the ministers that the purpose of his visit was to formally brief him on his teams efforts toward finding a treatment for the Wuhan Coronavirus. He disclosed that the lead drug discovery project included the chemical isolation and characterisation of naturally occurring compounds and subjecting them to a bioassays for the identification of potentially useful-drug-led molecules. He said the approach was the use of a network of eminent scientists and leading laboratories to target particular disease, especially neglected tropical, emergent and orphan diseases. He also said those included leishmaniasis, Ebola virus, Dengue fever virus, chikungunya virus, corona virus and tacaribe virus among others. He said he came to ask for assistance from Nigerians on the project. Both Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology and Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for health pledged support. Onu said his Ministry would give all the support it could to Prof. Maurice Iwu and his team, working under his Bioresources Development Group, of which he is the chairman. The minister said that some time ago, the ministry had given a charge to Nigerian scientists knowing they were capable to provide solutions to COVID-19. Onu said he had tasked them on finding solutions to problems, whether regional or international, and that such problems should not always be left for other people from foreign nations to solve. That is why we said that within the resources available to the ministry we are ready to make available N36 million to any scientist who can help us. The minister further said that the money was to support any genuine Nigerian scientist with possible treatment for either Lassa fever or COVID-19. Onu also said that the ministry was very happy that Prof. Iwu had come to it with the compound he isolated about five years ago. He further said that he was happy that Iwu had already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. on this project as regards his patents. Onu called on the Nigeria Academy of Science to come and assist in the project. He noted that there was a committee set up with the best mind in this area and he believed the committee was ready to start work. He expressed happiness and optimism that the compound would be readily available to it for certification. He said after being advised by the committee the ministry would be ready to give all the support. According to the minister, Nigeria has the largest concentration of black people in the world, the largest economy in Africa, the largest population in Africa and the largest market. But we believe we have one of the most intelligent people in the world, hence we should also be able to make contributions, he said. Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Health, who was present during the visit, thanked Prof. Iwu and his team for coming up with the identification of the potential treatment agent for coronavirus. We must start from somewhere and it is important for us to appreciate that if Nigeria must grow, if Nigeria must develop, it is Nigerians that will develop Nigeria, he said. He said that the Federal Ministry of Health would partner and collaborate with Iwu on the project. A 22-year-old man was sentenced in a Florida federal court on Monday to more than five years in federal prison after he was found guilty of cyberstalking victims of the Parkland school massacre. Brandon Fleury, 22, had been convicted in October of using Instagram accounts named after the suspected shooter, Nikolas Cruz, and serial killer Ted Bundy, to harass the families of students killed in the 2018 massacre. The shooting on February 14, 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, left 17 people killed and 17 people injured. Brandon Fleury, 22, was sentenced in a Florida federal court on Monday to more than five years in prison after he was found guilty of cyberstalking victims of the Parkland school massacre Fleury had been convicted in October of using Instagram accounts named after the suspected shooter, Nikolas Cruz. The school shooting suspect, pictured during a 2019 hearing at the Broward Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, is scheduled to go on trial later this year A portrait of mass murderer Ted Bundy, who was responsible for a string of murders in Washington state, Utah, and Florida in the 1970s. Fleury also was convincted of using Instagram accounts named after the serial killer It was the deadliest high school shooting in US history. Despite having autism, prosecutors say Fleury knew what his 'activities were doing.' The prosecution had pushed for the maximum sentence of 20 years. US District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz rejected the request in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Monday. Trial evidence showed that between December 2018 and January 2019, Fleury used several Instagram accounts to threaten and harass the victims' families. In some messages, he claimed kinship with and even impersonated Cruz. In others, he invoked the names of serial killers such as Bundy. 'I killed your loved ones hahaha,' one message said. 'Did you like my Valentines gift? I killed your friends,' said another. A memorial is seen set up outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after the one-year anniversary of the February 18, 2018 shooting, the worst to have erupted at a high school in US history The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, left left 17 people killed and 17 people injured. Law enforcement officers are pictured outside the school on the on one year anniversary of the tragedy One of his user names was 'nikolas.cruz.killed.your.sister,' court records show. Under the user name, he wrote the family members of one victim, saying, 'Hahaha she had her whole life ahead of her and I STOLE IT FROM HER,' according to court documents. The father of victim Alex Schachter, Max Schachter, was also targeted. The school safety advocate who had expressed interest in running for Florida's governor, received a message from @nikolasthemurderer on New Year's Eve about how his son 'will never play music again'. The taunts were traced to an IP address in Santa Ana, where Fleury lives with his father and brother. 'The victims lived in constant fear that the individual bombarding them' with the messages would follow in Cruzs footsteps, Assistant US Attorney Ajay Alexander said in court papers. 'The victims deserve justice. They deserve to live in peace and with the belief that they are safe and secure.' On Fleury's electronic devices, authorities also found thousands of saved images of Bundy, images of the targeted victims and screenshots of the messages that he had sent the victims. Fleury under the user name @nik.taunts_ wrote about the weapon Cruz used, 'I stole your sister's future, buddy, with the power of my AR-15' Fleury also had posted on social media under the name @teddykillspeople, in a reference to serial killer Ted Bundy From @nikolasthemurderer on New Year's Eve, the father of Parkland victim Alex Schachter was targeted with cruel words about how his son 'will never play music again' 'The danger that Fleury poses is clear and if given the opportunity, there is a real danger that he will attempt to follow in the footsteps of the very mass murderers and serial killers that he idolizes,' Alexander said. There was ample testimony at Fleury's trial that he is autistic, although several mental health experts said he did understand right from wrong. Yet his attorney, Sabrina Puglisi, said she had hoped the judge would give greater weight to his mental issues in imposing a sentence. 'I think that its a high sentence given Brandons background and other similarly situated cases, but I believe that the judge felt the need to have the sentence send a message to others that are out there on the internet doing this bad behavior,' Puglisi said. Meanwhile, Cruz, 21, faces the death penalty if convicted in the Parkland shooting. His lawyers have said he would plead guilty in exchange for a life prison sentence, but prosecutors have rejected the offer. Cruz's trial is expected to begin sometime later this year. It took three decades and multiple visits across the length and breadth of India for celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita to conclude that it is impossible to define the "incredible and elaborate" Indian cuisine. According to the Australia-based Sri Lankan chef, the food in India changes "every five steps around the country", thanks to the distinct gastronomical cultures of different regions. "There is just no definition for Indian cuisine. People would tell me that Sri Lankan food was just like Indian food, and I would ask what they thought Indian food was. They have no idea what Indian cuisine actually is. It is not just 'butter chicken' or 'rogan josh'," the chef says. Kuruvita has been travelling to India since the 1980s, and during his most recent visit, he whipped up some native Sri Lankan delicacies, particularly sea food, as part of "Table Stories", a dining concept by FoodInk Expeditions and Roseate Hotels and Resorts. The elaborate spread featured some of the chef's signature dishes including the snapper curry with tamarind chutney, "Ambulthial" (Sri Lankan sour dry fish curry), Pol Sambhal (coconut based dish with Maldive fish), accompanied by village bread, curd and treacle. Having made several trips to India in the past, it is no surprise that Kuruvita has a list of favourite Indian treats. "Vada pav" and frankie from the streets of Mumbai top the charts. A big fan of street food, the chef not just relishes the myriad flavours that the lanes of India have to offer, but also enjoys watching the local vendors deftly whip up one item after another, which he says, is no less than a "spectacle". "The street food is so damn good. Like, up in the north getting to see 'puris' being stuffed and garnished with chat masala and tamarind chutney ... that is the stuff. "You just have to tell the shopkeeper what you want and he will make it so well. And if you see them, they are actually carrying the whole kitchen on their shoulders. This whole thing is amazing and so real," says the chef who owns two restaurants, one each in Australia and the Fiji Islands. Between the two restaurants, he serves an array of sea-food delicacies like smoked ocean trout; prawns in black pepper and curry leaf sauce; seared tuna with sweet crackling pork; poached prawn with pineapple, coconut, and coriander; roast scallops with spiced pickled cabbage and more. He also has several vegetarian specialties like cashew nut curry, crispy eggplant, that come with a range of salads inspired by Asian flavours like a vegetable salad prepared in Thai sauce 'nam jim', and Bengali salad. Other treats that the chef specialises in include Sri Lankan style fish cakes, and cardamom ice-cream blocks. Cooking professionally since the age of 15, Kuruvita owes his career to his grandmother, who first kindled his interest in the culinary arts, and whose recipes he still holds on to. He says that till date, when he cooks he feels that his grandmother is sitting next to him with a stick in her hand waiting to charge at him at the smallest of the mistakes. "The egg curry that I made here (for Table Stories) is exactly how my grandmother used to make it. The sauce she made brimmed with spices and flavours and that is a recipe that I carry with me, no matter where I go in the world," he says. It is, perhaps, this fondness for tradition why he treads so cautiously on the path of experimentation, as far as recipes are concerned. Notwithstanding his praise for the new crop of chefs who are "pushing the boundaries" in the gastronomical space, he says that it should be ensured that the innovation does not come at the cost of "tradition, roots, tastes and flavour". Table Stories, a gourmet pop-up experience, aims to brings world-renowned chefs together to tell their stories in food. Other chefs expected to be featured in Table Stories include prominent names like former Master Chef India judge Kunal Kapoor, Michelin star chef Atul Kochhar, and star of Netflix's "Chef's Table" and owner of London-based 'Darjeeling Express' Asma Khan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kaydence was last seen in 2016, but police did not start searching for her until last year her family expressed their concern to a guidance counsellor at the local school in Chinchilla, regional Queensland Human skeletal remains have been found by detectives investigating the disappearance of toddler Kaydence Mills four years ago. A crime scene has been established at Chinchilla Weir, about 300km west of Brisbane. The discovery follows the arrests of a Chinchilla couple who have been charged with one count each of murder, interfering with a corpse and torture. Sinitta Dawita, 28, and her fiance Tane Desatge, 40, are accused of murdering her daughter Kaydence Dawita Mills. The arrests were made last weekend and both appeared in the Dalby Magistrates Court on Monday. Dawita and Desatge were remanded in custody for a committal mention on June 30 in the same court. The remains are undergoing forensic testing. Kaydence was last seen in 2016, but police did not start searching for her until last year after members of her family expressed their concern to a guidance counsellor at the local school in Chinchilla, regional Queensland. The charges come after police moved their search to the banks of the Condamine River on Sunday. Desatge is not the toddler's father but was in a relationship with Dawita at the time of the alleged murder. Sinitta Dawita (left), 28, and her fiance Tane Desatge, 40, are accused of murdering her daughter Kaydence Dawita Mills (right) Police also searched a Chinchilla home, where they excavated the backyard. 'Investigators are searching the property and speaking to a number of persons who may be able to assist with the investigation,' a police spokesman said. Some of Kaydence's family members described her to the Courier Mail as a 'beautiful little girl' who walked with a limp. Kaydence was the middle sibling of five children. 'There's a little girl and she's missing and we don't know what's happened to her,' the family member previously told the Daily Mercury. 'It needs to be brought out of the dark because it's been hidden in the dark for too long.' Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times Not acceptable: India rejects Iranian ministers criticism of north-east Delhi violence Iranian ambassador Ali Chegeni was on Tuesday summoned to the external affairs ministry and a strong protest lodged over foreign minister Javad Zarifs criticism of the communal violence in New Delhi. Read more What happened in Delhi will never happen in Bengal: Mamata continues attack on BJP West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee continued to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government on Tuesday, targeting them for the riots in Delhi and the controversy around the amended citizenship act. Read more Over 20 Italian nationals undergo coronavirus screening at ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla A day after India confirmed two more positive cases of coronavirus, 24 Italian nationals have been taken to the Indo Tibetan Border Polices quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi for coronavirus screening. Read more Father-daughter duo arrested in Pulwama attack probe; NIA says harboured bomber The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Pulwama resident and his daughter in connection with last years suicide-bombing terror strike on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy, in which 40 troopers were killed. Read more Chinese doctors intense 21 days at coronavirus clinic treating over 200 patients For Dr. Fan Hong, the 21 days as the head of one of the first frontline fever clinics set up to screen Covid-19 patients at outbreak ground zero Wuhan were the most intense three weeks in her 32-year career. Read more India vs New Zealand: Bowlers knew how to trap him - Kapil Dev names batsman whose performance hurt visitors most in Test series Legendary India captain Kapil Dev singled out middle-order maestro Ajinkya Rahane as the player whose performance hurt visitors the most in the recently-concluded Test series against New Zealand. Read more Devi movie review: Kajols 13-minute film is the finest piece of cinema youll watch today In Devi, Kajol, Shruti Haasan and Neha Dhupia lead a spirited group of women as they present a nuanced portrayal of sisterhood and sexual violence. Read more Someone turned a rotary phone into a Google Home Mini smartspeaker and the result is just amazing! Have you ever seen a smart speaker in the shape of a rotary phone, the ones that were used in the pre-smartphone era? Probably, not as there are no smart speakers in the market that look like another device. But that doesnt mean you cant engineer one yourself! Read more How this Ironwoman challenged herself to run 113 km in 7 hours 50 minutes On 16th February 2020, I finished my first Ironman 70.3. For the uninitiated, this entails a 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycling, and 21.1 km run. Read more CHICO, Calif. - Chico State and the Association for Women in Business are hosting their 2nd annual Women in Business Summit on March 7. On Saturday, the event is hoping to provide networking opportunities and educational sessions led by successful businesswomen from across the country. Tickets are $15 and provide breakfast and lunch. You will also be able to listen to speakers touch on personal branding, salary negotiation, women in entrepreneurship, financial management and more. Also at the event will be a career fair to provide opportunities to those who are open to being in the business world. This year's keynote speaker is Apple's Lauren Gruwell. For tickets, CLICK HERE. GRAND RAPIDS -- The John Ball Zoo is saying no to plastic bottles. The zoo announced that beginning this season they will no longer sell plastic beverage bottles. Instead, the zoo plans to offer canned beverages and boxed water. The reality is that plastic bottles, single use plastics are not good for the environment. Its been well documented, said Michael Lomonaco, chief development and community engagement officer for John Ball Zoo. As a conservation based zoo, we have a responsibility to both educate as well as take appropriate action to demonstrate our values. The zoo plans to offer the Holland-based Boxed Water is Better brand water instead of plastic bottled water. The boxes the water is contained in are made of paper and 100-percent recyclable. We hope this partnership and the zoos sustainability efforts will create ripple effects within our community," said Daryn Kuipers, CEO of Boxed Water is Better. "And ultimately get people to think differently about how they consume and purchase products. This isnt the first change the zoo has made in an effort to be more environmentally friendly. Two years ago, it got rid of plastic straws in favor of compostable paper ones. It also eliminated plastic cutlery, switching to compostable forks, spoons, knives, cups and napkins. Zoo officials estimate that the switch to compostable straws alone has saved over 8,000 plastic straws a year from going to landfills. The zoo thinks the move away from plastic bottles will save 37,134 bottles in one year. Thats based on the zoos projections of plastic bottles bought in the past at the zoo, Lomonaco said. Single use plastics, we know, are not good for the environment, whether recycled or not, he said. The reality is that both boxed water and aluminium cans provide a huge improvement. Theyre not perfect solutions, but they are definitely better. John Ball Zoo and Boxed Water will also be hosting a social media campaign. For each person that posts a picture on social media with their Boxed Water and #BetterPlanet, Boxed Water will plant two trees. Lomonaco said this campaign has the potential to result in thousands of new trees. Conservation and sustainability are not spectator sports, Lomonaco said. We want the over 500,000 guests that come to the zoo every year to hopefully take action. The John Ball Zoo, located at 1300 W. Fulton St., opens for the 2020 season on Friday, April 3. More From MLive: MichMash: The overlooked people struggling to find a place to live Ex-offenders struggle to find housing in Grand Rapids hot market Landlord uses prison experience in providing housing for ex-offenders Shahrukh Pathan, whose picture of pointing a gun at a policeman during the communal riots in Northeast Delhi went viral, was on Tuesday arrested by Delhi Police from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, even as many people who fled the violence were yet to return to their homes in the affected areas. Authorities said the situation has been peaceful for the last six days. According to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, 79 houses and 327 shops were completely gutted in arson during the violence last week. Besides this, 168 houses suffered substantial and 40 minor damage due to arson, Sisodia said, citing figures available till Monday evening following a survey by officials. On Tuesday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said that over 98 per cent attendance was recorded in the class 12 board exam held in violence-affected northeast Delhi. Although the official death toll still stands at 42, five bodies, suspected to be riot causalities and recovered from drains in Shiv Vihar and other violence-hit areas, have been kept at RML Hospital. One of the five has been identified as Ali Aftab (21), a native of Bijnore in Uttar Pradesh. 18-year-old Aqib, who had suffered a serious head injury in the violence in Bhajanpura when he went out to purchase clothes for his sister's wedding, died during treatment at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, his family claimed on Tuesday. "He was operated upon by the doctors at the GTB hospital but could not be saved. He died around 7 pm on Monday," said the distraught father who was standing outside the mortuary waiting for Aqib's body. Briefing reporters on the arrest of Shahrukh Pathan, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) AK Singhla said, "He (Shahrukh) was planning to flee from Shamli but was nabbed and later brought to Delhi." "We are trying to recover the pistol used by him during the violence. The pistol used was of good quality. He fired three rounds. He had gone alone in the protest," Singhla said. In a video that went viral last week, Shahrukh (23) could be seen pointing his country-made pistol at the policeman on the Jaffrabad-Maujpur road on February 24 and also firing several rounds. Police are trying to trace Shahrukh's family members, who are absconding. A college dropout, Shahrukh was interested in modelling and used to make Tik Tok videos. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the situation in the riot-hit areas. Kejriwal said he has requested the prime minister that those responsible for the violence - irrespective of party affiliation - "should not be spared". It was the first meeting of Kejriwal with Modi after the Aam Aadmi Party returned to power in the national capital for the third consecutive term. After the meeting, Kejriwal appreciated the Delhi Police for being proactive in controlling the situation when rumours were being spread on Sunday night. "Delhi police acted in a swift manner to control the situation when rumours were spread on Sunday night. Had the police acted with the same efficiency on Monday and Tuesday last week when riots were confined in a district, so many lives could have been saved," he told reporters. Police have been conducting flag marches and holding meetings with locals in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad, which witnessed a deadly communal violence over the amended citizenship law last week. A Delhi Assembly panel also issued a WhatsApp number and an email ID where people can file complaints about hate message being spread on social media over the communal violence in northeast Delhi. Talking to reporters, Aam Aadmi Party legislator Saurabh Bharadwaj, chairman of the Committee on Peace and Harmony of Delhi Assembly, said if people find hate messages on social media, they could complain at WhatsApp number 8950000946 and email ID dvscommittee@delhi.gov.in. A team of apex child rights body NCPCR on Tuesday visited relief camps in violence-hit areas of northeast Delhi to assess the condition of children staying there. Amid heavy police presence and anxious parents waiting at school gates, 98.33 per cent of students appeared for their history exam in the riot-hit areas on Tuesday hoping for "better things" to be written in the national capital's history than communal violence. "I will always remember how the situation was in Delhi when I wrote my class 12 exams," said a 16-year-old student of Zakir Hussain Memorial School in Jaffrabad. "The history we learn for exams seems to be irrelevant to me, when the history that is being created now is terrible. I hope for a better history to be written in Delhi and the country, not the one that talks of violence and riots," said the student, who did not wish to be identified. Meanwhile, in northeast Delhi, several residents and shopkeepers removed nameplates and billboards from their houses and shops to hide their identify fearing that they may be targeted. A number of dark, narrow lanes deep inside Shiv Vihar, among the worst-hit areas, are empty. Similarly, many Hindu families in the area that borders Mustafabad have fled after locking their homes, while some among them took down or scrubbed their nameplates in a bid to hide their identity. Deepak Rajora, 32, fled to his relative's home in Ghaziabad when violence started on February 24. "But before running away, I took down the nameplate bearing the name of my father," he said. "A few others in our lane did the same thing," Rajora said. "Houses in one corner of our lane have been completely gutted by the fire." In Burari, which is not far from the riot-affected northeast Delhi, Aqrab Saeed's furniture shop too has no board now. Many residents sheltered at safer places have sought help from police and other authorities to go back and check on their houses. "We left on February 24 when mobs started violence and arson in Shiv Vihar, leaving everything, including important documents and money behind. Now, we need to go back and check if everything is safe or not," a Shiv Vihar resident present at a helpdesk said. Help has trickled in for those living in heavily-guarded riot-hit areas, with people carrying sacks of ration and milk cans in their vehicles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Representative image At a South India-based engineering college chain, the final placements are on in full swing. However, a more pressing issue at hand for the management is to ensure all students are screened for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Students with symptoms of fever, cold/cough and sudden respiratory problems have been told to contact government hospitals for tests. This step was taken after an Italian exchange student returned home after complaining of an illness. "We have postponed the placement process because getting students screened is an urgent need," the deputy director of the educational body told Moneycontrol, adding that the name of the institute should be kept anonymous to prevent panic. Two more institutes, based in Maharashtra and Telangana, have also asked their students to get screened. They too requested their names to be not disclosed. Though there is no mandate yet from the Centre, educational institutes in India with a high number of exchange students from places like China, Italy, Iran and South Korea are nudging suspected students to get tested. 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 It is estimated that 45,000 international students study in higher education institutes across India. South East Asian countries are said to account a large chunk of the students. Three fresh cases of COVID-19 have been reported in India, two being Indians and one an Italian tourist. A school in Noida has been shut for sanitising the building premises. The government said that six cases with high viral load have been detected during sample testing in Agra. Students from international institutes are studying in India either as part of an educational exchange or as full-time students. The health ministry has said that visas granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan (issued before March 3) and who have not yet entered India, stands suspended with immediate effect. The travel ban on Chinese nationals continue. However, the bigger problem is with students and tourists who are already in India. "In public spaces like colleges, there is a higher tendency for the virus to spread. Hence, precautionary measures are being taken including advising students from certain markets to stay in their home country as also screening those in India," said the dean of a Maharashtra based management school. Sources told Moneycontrol engineering, medical and management schools having international students through exchange programmes are te ones conducting tests. Each state has an assigned laboratory which will test COVID-19 cases. These tests are done free of cost. Senegals government has confirmed the countrys first coronavirus case, the second in sub-Saharan Africa. The patient is a French national who arrived in Dakar, the capital, on February 26, 2020, the Health Minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr told reporters Monday at a briefing broadcast on Facebook. The man sought help two days later after suffering from fever, headache and a sore throat, and is being kept under quarantine at the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Center of the Fann Hospital in Dakar, the minister said. Prior to his arrival, the man spent time in Nimes in southern France and at a ski resort in the Alps over a two-week period, Sarr said. He has been living in Senegal with his wife and two children for more than two years. To date, there has been no major concerns about the patients condition, said Sarr. The mans family is being monitored by the authorities, Marie Khemesse Ngom Ndiaye, director-general at the health ministry, said by phone. Nigeria reported sub-Saharan Africas first confirmed case of coronavirus on February 28, 2020 after an Italian citizen tested positive for the disease. The man, who works for a vendor that provides services to cement maker Lafarge Africa Plc, arrived in Lagos from Milan on February 25, 2020. Officials including African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat have voiced concern that health systems on the continent may be ill-equipped to deal with an epidemic of the virus. Senegalese authorities have requested a passenger list from the flight that the patient took, said Ngone Ngom, a spokeswoman for Sarr. The man travelled from Paris on the national carrier, Air Senegal, Associated Press reported, without saying where it got the information. A Senegalese delegation that had attended the Paris International Agriculture Show and returned to Dakar is also being monitored, the government said. One other suspected case, a Gambian national who arrived in Dakar over the weekend with high fever, has tested negative for the coronavirus, Ndiaye said. The government is following the World Health Organizations protocols to contain the disease and asked the population to be calm and strictly respect the recommended prevention measures, said Sarr. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video SBI Cards's mega IPO was subscribed 39 per cent on Day 1, riding on its parentage. The public offer was subscribed 38.87 per cent on the first day of the bidding process on Monday. The price band for the issue was fixed at Rs 750-755 and the minimum amount one can invest by subscribing to a lot of 19 shares is Rs 14,345. SBI Cards IPO received 3.91 crore bids compared to the issue size of 10.02 crore shares. Total 2.73 crore bids were received at a cut off price of Rs 755 per share. The IPO will close on March 5. The issue received bids for 3,94,54,830 shares compared with the issue size of 10,02,79,411 shares, representing 38.87 per cent of the issue. The company has already raised Rs 2,769 crore from 74 anchor investors, including 12 mutual funds. According to the company, SBI Card IPO saw record 8.52 lakh applications on the first day. The retail portion was subscribed 62 per cent, while the portion allotted for SBI shareholders saw a subscription of 69 per cent. The biggest strength of the company is the SBI's parentage, whose brand is highly trusted. The credit card-to-debit card ratio stands at 3.7 per cent for SBI Card compared with 45 per cent for HDFC Bank, 28 per cent for Axis Bank and 18 per cent for ICICI Bank, which suggests scope for SBI Card mining SBI customers. SBI Card has higher NPAs at 2.5-2.6 per cent against an industry average of 1 per cent. It will keep credit cost for SBI Card at an elevated level of 0.4 per cent, Prabhudas Lilladher said. SBI Cards and Payment Services - the credit card arm of the country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) - aims to raise around Rs 10,350 crore through the IPO, including new shares worth Rs 500 crore and an offer for sale of 13.05 crore shares. Dublin, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers Market by Application (Evaporator, Condenser, And Economizer), End-use Industry (HVACR, chemical, food & beverage, power, heavy industries, and others), and Region - Global Forecast to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The BPHEs market size was USD 750 million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 1,120 million by 2024, at a CAGR of 7.0% between 2019 and 2024. Growth of the global construction sector and increasing demand for HVACR systems are driving the overall BPHEs market. The market is driven by various factors, such as increasing demand for HVACR systems from the construction industry, technological developments in the BPHEs, along with rapid industrialization in emerging countries. However, BPHEs are not demountable, which is restraining the growth of the market. HVACR industry is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. BPHEs provide efficient solutions for various applications in HVACR systems. The most common application is heat transfer between the refrigerant and water or brine solution. HVACR systems are used to economize the use of energy in the construction industry. The rapid growth in the global construction industry has a positive impact on the HVACR industry. This drives the use of BPHEs in the HVACR industry. APAC is expected to register the highest growth during the forecast period. APAC is expected to register the highest growth during the forecast period due to the increasing population and urbanization. The increasing developments in the construction, HVACR, and chemical industries in emerging countries of the region are providing huge growth opportunities for the BPHEs market. The key players in this market are Alfa Laval (Sweden), Kelvion (Germany), SWEP (Sweden), Danfoss (Denmark), Xylem (US), API Heat Transfer (US), Chart Industries (US), Hisaka Works (Japan), Kaori (Taiwan), Paul Mueller Company (US), Baode Heat Exchanger (China), Barriquand Group (France), Boyd Corporation (US), Diversified Heat Transfer (US), Funke (Germany), HRS Heat Exchangers (UK), HYDAC (Germany), Onda (Italy), Secespol (Poland), and Weil-McLain (US). Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 1.1 Objectives of the Study 1.2 Market Definition 1.3 Market Scope 1.3.1 Market Segmentation 1.3.2 Regions Covered 1.3.3 Years Considered for the Study 1.4 Currency 1.5 Stakeholders 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Research Data 2.1.1 Secondary Data 2.1.1.1 Key Data From Secondary Sources 2.1.2 Primary Data 2.1.2.1 Key Data From Primary Sources 2.1.2.2 Key Industry Insights 2.1.2.3 Breakdown of Primary Interviews 2.2 Market Size Estimation 2.2.1 Bottom-Up Approach 2.2.2 Top-Down Approach 2.3 Data Triangulation 2.3.1 BPHEs Market Analysis Through Primary Interviews 2.4 Limitations 2.5 Assumptions 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the BPHEs Market 4.2 BPHEs Market, By End-Use Industry 4.3 BPHEs Market, By Region 4.4 APAC BPHEs Market, By End-Use Industry and Country 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Growth of Global Construction Sector and Increasing Use of HVACr Systems in the Sector 5.2.1.2 Technological Developments 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 BPHEs are Not Demountable 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Rapid Industrialization in Emerging Economies 5.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers 5.3.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.3.3 Threat of New Entrants 5.3.4 Threat of Substitutes 5.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry 6 BPHEs Market, By Application 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Evaporator 6.3 Condenser 6.4 Economizer 7 BPHEs Market, By End-Use Industry 7.1 Introduction 7.2 HVACr 7.2.1 Increase in Construction Activities Driving the Demand for BPHEs in HVACr Industry 7.3 Chemical 7.3.1 Increasing Demand for Chemicals Expected to Drive the Demand for BPHEs 7.4 Food & Beverage 7.4.1 Growing Population Expected to Drive the Food & Beverage Industry 7.5 Power 7.5.1 Need for Efficient Cooling During Power Generation Process to Fuel Demand for BPHEs 7.6 Heavy Industries 7.6.1 Increased Production Efficiency and Maximized Heat Recovery to Fuel the BPHEs Demand 7.7 Others 8 BPHEs Market, By Region 8.1 Introduction 8.2 APAC 8.2.1 China 8.2.1.1 Presence of Large Construction, Chemical, and Food & Beverage Sectors Fueling Consumption of BPHEs 8.2.2 India 8.2.2.1 India is Fastest-Growing Market for BPHEs, Globally 8.2.3 Japan 8.2.3.1 Growth of Construction, Pharmaceutical, and Food & Beverage Industries is Driving the Market 8.2.4 South Korea 8.2.4.1 Economic Growth of the Country Driving the Market 8.2.5 Rest of APAC 8.3 North America 8.3.1 US 8.3.1.1 Rise in Infrastructure Development Activities Boosting the Market 8.3.2 Canada 8.3.2.1 Recovery of the Country's Economy Favorable for Market Growth 8.3.3 Mexico 8.3.3.1 Growing Industrial Sector Turning Mexico Into A Lucrative Market for BPHEs 8.4 Europe 8.4.1 Germany 8.4.1.1 Presence of Strong Industrial Base Driving the BPHEs Market in Germany 8.4.2 France 8.4.2.1 Development in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sectors Likely to Propel the Use of BPHEs 8.4.3 Italy 8.4.3.1 Construction Industry to Fuel the Italian BPHEs Market 8.4.4 Russia 8.4.4.1 Recovery of the Economy is Triggering Growth of Various Industries 8.4.5 UK 8.4.5.1 Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries are the Major Contributors to the Country's Economy 8.4.6 Turkey 8.4.6.1 Turkey to Register the Fastest Growth Rate During the Forecast Period 8.4.7 Spain 8.4.7.1 Government Investing to Facilitate Growth of Various Manufacturing Industries 8.4.8 Rest of Europe 8.5 Middle East & Africa 8.5.1 Saudi Arabia 8.5.1.1 Increasing Investments in Infrastructure Expected to Spur the Demand for BPHEs 8.5.2 South Africa 8.5.2.1 Increasing Foreign Investment in Various Industries Supporting the Market Growth 8.5.3 Rest of Middle East & Africa 8.6 South America 8.6.1 Brazil 8.6.1.1 Brazil Emerging as A Lucrative Market for BPHEs With Growing Industrial Sector 8.6.2 Argentina 8.6.2.1 Recovering Economy of the Country is Expected to Help the Market Growth 8.6.3 Rest of South America 9 Competitive Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Competitive Leadership Mapping, 2018 9.2.1 Visionary Leaders 9.2.2 Innovators 9.2.3 Dynamic Differentiators 9.2.4 Emerging Players 9.2.5 Strength of Product Portfolio 9.2.6 Business Strategy Excellence 9.3 Ranking of Key Players 9.4 Competitive Scenario 9.4.1 New Product Launch 9.4.2 Acquisition 9.4.3 Expansion 10 Company Profiles 10.1 Alfa Laval 10.1.1 Business Overview 10.1.2 Products Offered 10.1.3 Recent Developments 10.1.4 SWOT Analysis 10.1.5 Current Focus and Strategies 10.1.6 Threat From Competition 10.2 Kelvion 10.2.1 Business Overview 10.2.2 Products Offered 10.2.3 Recent Developments 10.2.4 SWOT Analysis 10.2.5 Current Focus and Strategies 10.2.6 Threat From Competition 10.3 SWEP 10.3.1 Business Overview 10.3.2 Products Offered 10.3.3 Recent Developments 10.3.4 SWOT Analysis 10.3.5 Current Focus and Strategies 10.3.6 Threat From Competition 10.4 Danfoss 10.4.1 Business Overview 10.4.2 Products Offered 10.4.3 Recent Developments 10.4.4 SWOT Analysis 10.4.5 Current Focus and Strategies 10.4.6 Threat From Competition 10.5 Xylem 10.5.1 Business Overview 10.5.2 Products Offered 10.5.3 SWOT Analysis 10.5.4 Current Focus and Strategies 10.5.5 Threat From Competition 10.6 API Heat Transfer 10.6.1 Business Overview 10.6.2 Products Offered 10.6.3 Author's View 10.7 Chart Industries 10.7.1 Business Overview 10.7.2 Products Offered 10.7.3 Author's View 10.8 Hisaka Works 10.8.1 Business Overview 10.8.2 Products Offered 10.8.3 Author's View 10.9 Kaori 10.9.1 Business Overview 10.9.2 Products Offered 10.9.3 Recent Developments 10.9.4 Author's View 10.10 Paul Mueller Company 10.10.1 Business Overview 10.10.2 Products Offered 10.10.3 Author's View 10.11 Other Companies 10.11.1 Baode Heat Exchanger 10.11.2 Barriquand Group 10.11.3 Boyd Corporation 10.11.4 Diversified Heat Transfer 10.11.5 Funke 10.11.6 HRS Heat Exchangers 10.11.7 HYDAC 10.11.8 Onda 10.11.9 Secespol 10.11.10 Weil-Mclain For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/a4hz3q Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. According to the LB Nagar police, Mr Pradeep, who hailed from Devarakonda in Nalgonda district, was working as a software engineer with IBM and living in his own house. Hyderabad: Reportedly distressed over his poor financial position, a 36-year-old techie working at IBM poisoned his wife and two children before consuming poison himself at his house in LB Nagar. The deceased were identified as Kotra Pradeep (36), his wife Swati (28), son Kalyan Krishna (six) and Jaya Krishna (18 months). The deaths were discovered on Monday, two days after they occurred. The incident was reported from Hasthinapuram in LB Nagar. According to the LB Nagar police, Mr Pradeep, who hailed from Devarakonda in Nalgonda district, was working as a software engineer with IBM and living in his own house. On Monday morning, Satish, deceased Swatis younger brother, visited their home after he failed to contact either his sister or brother-in-law on phone. He knocked on the door for more than two hours. When he did not get any response, he grew suspicious and informed the police, who broke open the door and found all four family members dead. A dairy containing a suicide note and pesticide bottles were recovered from the house. Bodies found decomposed at home Mr Pradeeps body was found on a mat on the ground, in front of his mothers framed photograph. The bodies of Swati and Jaya Krishna were found lying on the bed, while baby Kalyan Krishna body was on the ground on another mat. The bodies were sent to the Osmania General Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The police said that Pradeep was struggling with debt and going through financial crisis. He said in the note that he had made some wrong choices in attempting to clear debts accrued when constructing a house and in starting his company. Police said that as per Pradeeps note he did not want his children and wife to become a burden on his father, who lives in Nalgonda. So, he took the extreme step of poisoning the trio before taking his own life. Police teams recovered ragi porridge and potato curry, which they suspect were laced with pesticides. Early investigations revealed that neighbours had seen the family alive on Saturday afternoon, after Kalyan Krishna returned from school. He was still in his school uniform and a target board was on the bed, indicating that the children had been playing. A friend of Pradeeps had called him at noon, but the latters voice seemed tense. But he did not reveal anything to his friend, said V. Ashok Reddy, inspector, LB Nagar police. He said that Swathi and two children were killed on Saturday afternoon on, while Pradeep killed himself later the same day. The bodies were in a decomposed condition and the doctor opined that the Pradeep killed himself hours after his family. Pradeep has been charged with the murder of his family, and a case of suspicious death has been registered. The sister of disgraced businessman, Salim Mehajer, has announced she's expecting her second baby in a heartwarming Instagram post. Kat Sakalaki who already has a son, called Abraham, with her husband Ibraham shared the news on Monday. The couple's second baby is due in September. 'Weve been keeping a secret...September 2020 #babynumber2,' Mrs Sakalaki wrote. Kat Sakalaki who already has a son, called Abraham, with her husband Ibraham shared the news on Monday. The couple's second baby is due September Abraham was seen grinning along with an ultrasound photo that was attached to a blackboard that had the words 'Big Brother' written on it. Mrs Sakalaki's brother, a former Auburn Councillor, was released from jail in May last year after he was convicted of fraud. The former Deputy Mayor first shot to notoriety in 2015 when he shut down a whole Sydney street with for his wedding to Aysha Learmonth. Residents launched a petition to get him sacked from the council and he was fined $220. Kat and Ibraham Sakalaki (pictured together) already have a son Abraham and will have another child in the family in September Mehajer was jailed in June 2018 after he was convicted of electoral fraud after rigging the election to put him on Auburn City Council - where he later became Deputy Mayor. After 11 months behind bars, Mehajer walked free in May, 2019. He was declared bankrupt in March, 2018, after one of his companies failed to pay a debt of over $200,000 to its creditors. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the hearing on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying there was a need to take into account the "international human rights law, norms and standards" in the proceedings. The plea, filed on behalf of Michelle Bachelet Jeria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has sought to intervene as an amicus curiae (third party) in the matter by virtue of mandate to protect and promote human rights and to conduct necessary advocacy in that regard. The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) welcomed the "stated purpose of the CAA" to protect "some persons from persecution on religious grounds", but raised the issue of exclusion of various sects of persecuted Muslims under the law. "The CAA can potentially benefit thousands of migrants in an irregular situation, including refugees, who might otherwise face obstacles in obtaining protection from persecution in their countries of origin including through the grant of citizenship. This is a commendable purpose," the plea said. It added however that there exist "religious minorities in these countries, especially of the Muslim faith, including Ahmadia, Hazara and Shia Muslims whose situations would warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by the CAA". The apex court had on December 18 last year sought response of the Centre on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of CAA. The OHCHR said the CAA raised important issues with respect to international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees. The CAA also raises other issues "including its compatibility in relation to the right to equality before the law and non discrimination on nationality grounds under India's human rights obligations", the plea said. Referring to several international covenants, it said India has "championed the right to equal protection of the law" and the right to equality before the law. "Without prejudice to the power of States to establish migration policies as a manifestation of their sovereignty, including measures in favour of migrants that may be subject to persecution and other serious human rights violations/ irreparable harm in their countries of origin or previous residence, States must ensure migration governance measures are in accordance with international human rights law, including the right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law ...," it said. It said the UN body seeks to "assist the Court, in examining the compatibility of the CAA with India's Constitution, in light of India's obligations under the international human rights law". The plea urged the top court to take into account the international human rights law, norms and standards, in the proceedings related to CAA and termed it "important" for India and its diverse communities which have been welcomed by the State. Referring to the 2011 census, the plea said India has a population of 5.87 million migrants from outside the country out of which over 50 per cent of them came from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. "Of those migrants, 6,600 were from Afghanistan, 2.3 million were from Bangladesh and 707,000 were from Pakistan. The 2011 census found that out of the 5.87 million migrants from outside the country, 475,910 had arrived in India between five and nine years prior to 2011," it said. "It is unclear from these figures, whether the migrants are irregular migrants, or what proportion of the migrants are of a religion not prescribed as benefitting from the provisions in the CAA. There are no reliable figures regarding actual migration to India, particularly in respect of irregular migration," it said. The plea said that all migrants regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or immigration status enjoy human rights and are entitled to protection. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New technical partnership between Inspirata and Augmentiqs brings real-time insights and digital case-sharing functionality directly within the pathologist's microscope via augmented reality. Los Angeles, California, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer informatics and digital pathology provider Inspirata announced today a new technical partnership with Augmentiqs, a leading provider of augmented reality (AR) in healthcare. The main goals of this partnership are to reduce histology case turnaround times and provide a means for laboratories to extract maximum value from digitizing their processes. This exciting collaboration also introduces an innovative new solution for executing case work in which the pathologist can utilize AR to draw directly into the traditional microscope critical case information and case-sharing functionality originating in Inspirata's Dynamyx digital pathology solution. AR in healthcare is projected to become a $76-billion business by 2030. Coupling it with intelligent digital pathology workflow software is one of the key use cases that drive these projections. "While digitization represents countless opportunities for improvements in patient care, concluding that analog is bad and digital is good in addressing the question of how laboratories should modernize is both far too simplistic and hugely unhelpful," outlines Mark Lloyd Inspirata EVP and Founder. "What impressed us about Augmentiqs is that they saw the prospect of reimagining the role of the microscope in the modern histopathology laboratory. By successfully integrating the traditional microscope into a laboratory's digital strategy, we can now allow our customers to leverage their investments in analog toolsets. The typical cash-strapped, high-throughput lab can now take advantage of intuitive and real-time delivery of rich data and important contextual information derived from digitization." The Dynamyx-Augmentiqs integration enables pathologist end-users to save images and meta data from across the entire microscope workflow directly into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). An additional benefit is the ability to annotate slides while storing images back in the Dynamyx Evidence Tray. For complex cases requiring a second opinion, pathologists can also leverage Dynamyx's telepathology functionality to collaborate on cases with others. Augmentiqs is the latest in a succession of innovative laboratory or diagnostic providers to become an approved Inspirata digital pathology partner. "Possessing an open-architected digital pathology solution predicated on principles of interoperability, we are in the very fortunate position of being able to work proactively and quickly with relevant technology providers touching the histology workflow when we see a fit," says Andrew Chomos, SVP, General Manager of Digital Pathology at Inspirata. "Given Augmentiqs' tremendously novel use of AR and the myriad ways in which it can be immediately applied to maximize the ROI from going digital, we are delighted to welcome that team as approved Inspirata partners and look forward to collaborating with them in support of our customers." "Bridging digital pathology within the microscope is core to the vision of Augmentiqs," says Gabe Siegel, Augmentiqs CEO. "The partnership with Inspirata stems from our shared passion to see digital pathology genuinely help clinicians. Combining our technologies is a thrilling prospect for the future of pathology." Inspirata, located at booth 916, and Augmentiqs, located at booth 238, are set to exhibit at USCAP in Los Angeles from March 2 - March 4. In addition to demonstrating its Dynamyx digital pathology workflow solution, Inspirata will also be presenting two poster sessions on March 3 from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM in West Exhibit Hall A. Poster 225 - Inter-Observer Variation in Image Quality Scoring Poster 240 - Large Scale Deployment of Whole Slide Imaging for Anatomical Pathology Workflow Improvement and Primary Diagnosis and Consult Reviews About Inspirata, Inc. Inspirata, Inc. helps patients fighting cancer-and the clinicians they trust-to make every moment matter. Our comprehensive cancer informatics solutions bring disparate data together throughout the entire cancer care journey to drive informed decisions that improve survivorship. Inspirata has assembled the most advanced and proven technologies to address the complex challenges of delivering cancer care and conducting ground-breaking research. We combine leading digital pathology solutions with automated cancer registry solutions, comprehensive cancer informatics and advanced patient engagement tools to bring users the broadest oncology informatics platform available globally. For more information, please visit www.inspirata.com or contact info@inspirata.com. For further information about Inspirata, please contact: Emil Mladenov, Vice President of Corporate and Digital Marketing at Inspirata Tel: +1 813-467-7616 | E-mail: emladenov@inspirata.com| Web: www.inspirata.com About Augmentiqs Augmentiqs is a microscopy-centric approach to digital pathology, providing pathologists a stream-lined and cost-efficient method for realizing clinical and workflow enhancements. By connecting the microscope to the computer, Augmentiqs supports and strengthens the advantages of the microscope for workflow and primary diagnosis, while improving efficiency with the introduction of pathology software applications. By functioning as a platform for real-time software deployment and informatics within the microscope, Augmentiqs allows pathologists immediate access to imaging, analytical software, telepathology, LIMS integration and other digital pathology applications. For more information about Augmentiqs, please visit www.augmentiqs.comor contact sales@augmentiqs.com. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Moving to America from another country is a daunting process. "It's something that is relatively complex and not a lot of people understand," said Rev. Susan Brouillette. However, she is ready to help as Lafayette Urban Ministry's Immigration Clinic Director. Brouillette is one of 12 local female leaders being honored in the YWCA Salute to Women class of 2020. "We help people with their applications for permanent residence, naturalization, we do other types of humanitarian applications and we walk them through the whole process," she said. The Benton County native learned how to do all this under a notable U.S. Senator "I worked for Senator Lugar and I was his immigration specialist for about 15 years," she said. And she brought her skills back here to Lafayette, helping immigrants from Tippecanoe and surrounding counties with affordable services. "It's my estimate that (Greater Lafayette) is the fourth or fifth largest area for immigrants in the state," she said. She said they are drawn here because of job opportunities and quality of life for their families. "We always think about what our past was in terms of people who settle the united states and I think they represent them," she said. She said being honored by the YWCA highlights a strong community partnership that is raising Greater Lafayette up. "We have a great relationship with the Y already, especially through the domestic violence program and so that makes it a special honor for me," she said. Click here to learn more about the LUM Immigration Clinic and how they can help you. Haga clic aqui para obtener mas informacion sobre la Clinica de Inmigracion LUM y como pueden ayudarlo. United Nations Special Representative to Libya Ghassan Salame stepped down from the responsibility citing immense stress due to the nature of the job. The UN envoy, who also heads the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), took to Twitter saying he tried to re-unite Libyans and curb foreign interference for two years but can no longer continue with the level of stress. "Therefore I asked the (UN) secretary-general to relieve me of my duties," tweeted Salame. Libyan has been facing a political and humanitarian crisis after the self-styled Libyan National Army, headed by Khalifa Haftar, launched a battle against the Tripolis UN-recognised government. Thousands of Tripoli residents have been displaced due to the shelling that started earlier this year targeting the outskirts of the Libyan capital. Both parties came to a truce agreement on January 12 which marked reduction of hostilities in Tripoli, providing a much-needed respite to civilians. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Haftar was continuing attacks with all his resources even after the ceasefire agreement. Read: UN Envoy Says Libya Truce Nearly Broke Down Amid Fighting 'Continued blatant violations' United Nations also said that several countries continued providing advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, violating the arms embargo agreed during an international conference in Berlin. The UNSMIL, in a statement, expressed regret for the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo committed during the conference on January 19. Over the last ten days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters, said UNSMIL. Read: UN: Rival Libyan Politicians Meet For Peace Talks In Geneva UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, in a statement, said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the indiscriminate bombing of several parts of Tripoli, including residential areas and the airport, 15 miles from the capitals centre. The Secretary-General calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, recalls the recently adopted Security Council resolution 2510 (2020) and urges its implementation, the statement read. Read: UN: Libya's Warring Sides Agree To Lasting Cease-fire Deal Read: Council Of Europe Urges Italy To Halt Cooperation With Libya The Tema Metropolitan Director of the National Commission for Civic Education NCCE Mr. Isaac Kojo Antwi has called on the District Assemblies across the country to enforce laws to curtail the indiscriminate display of posters and banners on public structures, he said such activities contribute to the insanity challenges facing the country. Mr Antwi made these calls during an exclusive interview with our reporter in Tema. Ghanas major towns and cities have a display of posters and banners of all kinds and sizes on public structures, buildings, walls, trees, and stationary objects. Unfortunately, if no one goes to remove them, they are left there till the wind or the rains remove them. The culprits of these activities are mostly business people, group of persons and individuals who display obituaries, church events, business advertisements and others. Political parties are also not left out as they place their posters and banners all over public places and on anything stationary. These posters are notably found at overpass, underpass, junctions, markets, school buildings, public buildings, walls, trees, abandoned vehicles and others. One will find stationary structures displayed with large and small posters, while banners are often hanged in between poles or in between tress. Political campaign seasons make the situation worse. The challenge is, the posters and banners are often left there till they get torn or pilled off, littering the environment. The wind blows them around and sometimes, they are washed into gutters by the rains. The gutters get choked because some posters and banners cannot dissolve in water. The situation is not different in other major towns and cities across the country. Another notable challenge is that Posters erode paintings on walls, degrading the beauty of the structures. Additionally, the torn materials make the environment un-kept. The Tema Metropolitan Director of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Mr. Isaac Kwame Antwi during the interview urged persons who display posters and banners on structures, to remove them and ensure they properly dispose them off after the events are over. Mr Isaac Kwame Antwi added that there is no bye- Law to regulate people who display posters on walls and those that hung banners at public places. Ghana is battling with challenges of plastic waste, indiscriminate littering, choked gutters that contribute to flooding during the rainy season. Unfortunately, the menace caused by Posters and banners have either been ignored by the district assemblies or they have not given it critical attention. The district assemblies therefore, as a matter of necessity need to put up measures and enforce by- laws to regulate the indiscriminate display of posters and banners in public. As the population increases, there is a high probability that more posters and banners will be utilized either by individuals or group of people, which comes with its associated challenges to the environment. The district assemblies therefore, need to check the public display of these materials to enhance the beauty of the towns and cities of Ghana, this, in the long run, will add- up to improving Ghanas sanitation condition and also, goes to support a clean Ghana that the President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo envisions. Mercy Nimo - Tema Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who has been convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent listing of his bail plea, contending that he is ill and lost a lot of weight since his imprisonment. The apex court agreed to list the matter for tomorrow. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde asked if the bail application was filed with an affidavit containing all the health details. Senior lawyer and former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Vikas Singh, appearing for Sajjan Kumar, told the court that his client was ill adding that his health was not improving. Sajjan Kumar, 74, in his bail application contended that he has been in jail since December 2018 and has lost 8-10 kilograms since then. The top court had earlier this month declined Kumar's plea seeking interim bail and had scheduled the matter for hearing after the Holi vacation. Kumar, who is the main accused in a case relating to the killing of five members of a family in Raj Nagar during the 1984 riots, was convicted on December 17, 2018 by a Delhi court and was awarded a life term. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bank of Aland Plc Notice to convene general meeting March 3, 2020, 4.45 p.m. Correction: Bank of Aland Plc: Notice to convene the Annual General Meeting The Notice to Bank of Alands Annual General Meeting 2020 contains an incorrect nomination in the paragraph 16. Election of auditors. Incorrect sentence: The Board of Directors proposes the re-election of Marcus Totterman and Mari Suomela, Authorised Public Accountants (KHT) as auditors for a term of office that shall run until the end of the next AGM. Corrected sentence: The Board of Directors proposes the re-election of Marcus Totterman, Authorised Public Accountant (KHT) as auditor for a term of office that shall run until the end of the next AGM. Below the corrected release: Notice to convene the Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given to the shareholders of the Bank of Aland Plc (Alandsbanken Abp) of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held at 3.00 p.m. Finnish time on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at the Alandica Kultur & Kongress auditorium, Strandgatan 29, Mariehamn, Aland, Finland. The reception of persons who have registered to participate in the Meeting and the distribution of voting tickets will commence at 2.00 p.m. on the above date. A. Matters on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting 1. Opening of the Meeting 2. Calling the Meeting to order 3. Election of persons to check the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes 4. Verification of the legality of the Meeting 5. Verification of attendance at the Meeting and adoption of the voting list 6. Presentation of the financial statements, the Report of the Directors and the Auditors Report for 2019 Managing Directors review. 7. Adoption of the financial statements 8. Decision on allocation of the profit shown in the balance sheet and dividend distribution The Board of Directors proposes that a dividend of EUR 0.80 per share plus an anniversary dividend of EUR 0.20 per share shall be paid for the accounting period January 1 December 31, 2019, that the record date for dividend payment shall be Monday, April 6, 2020 and that the payment date shall be Wednesday, April 15, 2020. 9. Decision on granting discharge from liability to the members of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director 10. Compensation policy 11. Decision on the number of members on the Board of Directors It is proposed that the number of Board members shall be set at six. 12. Decision on fees for the members of the Board The Board of Directors proposes an unchanged annual fee for its Chairman (EUR 30,000), the Deputy Chairman (EUR 28,000) and each other Board member (EUR 26,000). The Board also proposes an unchanged fee per meeting attended for the Chairman (EUR 1,000) and for each other Board member (EUR 750). It shall be noted that the fee per meeting for Board members attendance at meetings of the committees appointed by the Board is EUR 750 per Board member and EUR 1,000 for the committee Chairman. 13. Election of Board members The Board proposes the re-election of Board members Asa Ceder, Anders A Karlsson, Nils Lampi, Christoffer Taxell, Ulrika Valassi and Anders Wiklof for a term of office that will run until the end of the next AGM. All the persons proposed have agreed to being elected. 14. Decision on the auditors fees The Board of Directors proposes that the auditors fees be paid as invoiced. 15. Decision on the number of auditors The Board of Directors proposes that the number of auditors shall be unchanged, that is, three auditors and one deputy auditor. 16. Election of auditors The Board of Directors proposes the re-election of Marcus Totterman, Authorised Public Accountant (KHT) as auditor for a term of office that shall run until the end of the next AGM. The Board proposes the election of Fredrik Westerholm and Jessica Bjorkgren, Authorised Public Accountants (KTH) as new auditors for a term of office that shall run until the end of the next AGM. The Board further proposes the re-election of KPMG Oy Ab as deputy auditor for a term of office that shall run until the end of the next AGM. 17. Closing of the Meeting B. General Meeting documents The above-mentioned proposals by the Board of Directors, this notice convening the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other documents that shall be available as provided by the Finnish Companies Act are found on the website of the Bank of Aland Plc, www.alandsbanken.fi in Swedish and Finnish. The Boards proposal and the accounting documents are also available at the Companys head office and at the AGM. Copies of these documents and of this notice convening the AGM will be sent to shareholders upon request. The minutes of the Meeting will be available for viewing on the Companys website no later than April 10, 2020 in Swedish. C. Instruction for participants in the Annual General Meeting 1. Right to participate and registration Shareholders who were listed on March 23, 2020 (the record date for the AGM) in the Companys shareholder register, which is maintained by Euroclear Finland Ab, are entitled to participate in the Meeting. A shareholder whose shares are registered in his or her Finnish personal book-entry securities account is listed in the Companys shareholder register. Shareholders wishing to participate in the AGM must register no later than 12 noon on Monday, March 30, 2020. They may register for the AGM: a) via the internet at the address www.alandsbanken.fi/bolagsstamma; b) by telephone at +358 18 29 011; c) by fax at +358 18 291 228 or d) by letter addressed to Bank of Aland Plc, PB 3, AX-22101 Mariehamn, Aland, Finland. When registering, please state the shareholders name, personal identity code or business ID number and the name of any assistant or authorised representative and the representatives personal identity code. These personal data will be used only for purposes attributable to the AGM and for processing of registrations related to this. If needed, the shareholder and his/her authorised representative must be able to prove their identity and/or authorisation at the Meeting venue. 2. Authorised representatives and powers of attorney Shareholders may participate in the AGM and exercise their rights at the Meeting through authorised representatives. A shareholders authorised representative must show a dated power of attorney or otherwise prove in a reliable manner that he or she is authorised to represent the shareholder. If a shareholder is represented at the Meeting by more than one authorised representatives, who represent a shareholder with shares in different book-entry securities accounts, at the time of registration the shareholder must state on the basis of which shares each authorised representative is representing the shareholder. Any original powers of attorney should be sent to the Bank of Aland Plc, PB 3, AX-22101 Mariehamn, Aland, Finland and be in the possession of the Company before the expiration of the registration period. Please label the envelope Annual General Meeting or AGM. Alternatively, a copy of the power of attorney may be sent by e-mail to bolagsstamma@alandsbanken.fi, in which case the original power of attorney shall be shown at the AGM. 3. Holders of nominee-registered shares A holder of nominee-registered shares is entitled to participate in the AGM on the basis of the shares he or she would be entitled to list on March 23, 2020 in the Shareholder Register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ab. Participation also requires that on the basis of these shares, no later than 10.00 a.m. on March 30, 2020 the shareholder has been listed in the temporary shareholder register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ab. In the case of nominee-registered shares, this shall be counted as registration for the AGM. Registration shall be carried out by the asset managers account administrator no later than the above-mentioned date. A holder of nominee-registered shares is urged to request instructions well in advance from his or her asset manager regarding entry into the temporary shareholder register, issuance of powers of attorney and registration for the AGM. 4. Other instructions and information Shareholders who attend the Meeting are entitled to ask questions concerning matters being dealt with at the Meeting, pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Companies Act. On the date of this Notice convening the Annual General Meeting, the number of shares in the Bank of Aland Plc totals 6,476,138 Series A shares, which represent 129,522,760 votes and 9,075,360 Series B shares, which represent 9,075,360 votes, or 15,551,498 shares and 138,598,120 votes in all. Each Series A share has 20 votes at the Meeting and each Series B share has one vote, but subject to the limitation on voting rights stipulated in the Articles of Association, Section 7. Mariehamn, February 28, 2020 Board of Directors UPDATE: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in Michigan in response to confirmed cases of coronavirus The global pharmaceutical manufacturing company Pfizer has identified compounds that could potentially be used in a treatment for the coronavirus. The company completed a preliminary assessment of certain antiviral compounds that inhibited the replication of coronaviruses similar to the one causing COVID-19 in cultured cells, according to a statement from the company. COVID-19 has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan City in the Hubei Province of China. There have been more than 91,000 cases globally, with over 3,000 deaths. Pfizer is engaging with a third party to screen these compounds under an accelerated timeline and currently expects to have the results back by the end of March. Depending on the test results, the company could move forward on developing an antiviral treatment, according to the statement. The company cautions that toxicology studies would be needed before any clinical development. If its successful, Pfizer estimated the treatment could be tested by the end of 2020. An antiviral treatment is preventative and is not the same as a vaccine. Coronavirus vaccines could be ready in 18 months, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press conference last month. There are at least 10 states reporting cases of the disease, with at least 2 deaths. Person-to-person spread of the virus has occurred in the U.S., with some of those occurring in people with no travel history and no known source of exposure. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Michigan, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created four task forces to combat the spread of coronavirus and assess the impact it may have on state operations, health care, schools and workplaces. The potential coronavirus treatment announcement came after Pfizers Chief Scientific Officer Mikael Dolstens visit at the White House on Monday. Dolsten was part of meeting with other pharmaceutical companies discussing ways to develop vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19. At Pfizer, we believe the best approach to address COVID-19 is to bring together the resources and know-how from across the pharmaceutical industry to rapidly develop and deliver vaccines and therapeutics, Dolsten said. We are happy to volunteer our expertise and resources to aid the development and delivery of possible solutions. Pfizers Portage site is a primary global supplier of sterile injectable, liquids and semi-solid medicines, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, producing more than 150 products, according to its website. In 2018, the companys historic $465 million investment expanded the campus to a two-story, 400,000-square-foot modular sterile processing facility on Portage Road. Also on MLive: Gov. Whitmer creates four task forces on coronavirus Coronavirus Q&A, 15 things to know about COVID-19s spread 6 ways Michigan residents are already impacted by coronavirus Grand Rapids Community College cancels Italy trip amid coronavirus fears Western Michigan student gets out of China but is feeling quarantined at home F iona Bruce has said she was briefed about actor Laurence Fox ahead of his controversial appearance on Question Time. Former Lewis star Fox made headlines in January after arguing with audience member over the media's treatment of the Duchess of Sussex. Appearing on the BBC debate show, he accused university lecturer Rachel Boyle of racism for branding him a white privileged male. Bruce, the Question Time host since January 2019, said she had been briefed about what Fox may say on the show. Fiona Bruce said she had been briefed about what Laurence Fox might say on Question Time (BBC/Richard Lewisohn) / Richard Lewisohn/BBC She told the Radio Times: "I had a briefing about Laurence, and what he might say, but the thing about Question Time is that it's entirely unpredictable, so people will get into arguments." Addressing the general atmosphere on her show, Bruce said: "Well, it's a lot calmer than last year. "There was a level of anger and toxicity that this year, so far, is absent." Laurence Fox made headlines in January after arguing with Question Time audience member over the media's treatment of Meghan Markle / BBC Bruce said she had been surprised by the level of national vitriol reflected on Question Time when she took over from long-standing host David Dimbleby. She said: "I'm all for a passionate debate, and sometimes things can be heated, which is fine, up to a point. "As long as we remember that we are human beings. I feel very strongly about that. "I hadn't anticipated that I would spend so much of my time last year saying: 'We don't talk to each other like this'." Bruce also said there were similarities between Question Time and Antiques Roadshow, which she has hosted for over a decade. "Antiques Roadshow is public service," she said. "It reflects the nation back to itself, as does Question Time. And as with Question Time it's not reflecting central London. Mumbai, March 3 : The body of an Indian woman -- who died suddenly on January 24 -- will be finally brought to Mumbai for her last rites, 40 days after her death, according to information available here on Tuesday. Bharatiya Janata Party state vice-president Kirit Somaiya, quoting Indian Embassy in Beijing, said that the Indian Ambassador Arvind Kumar had informed that the mortal remains of (Mrs) Rita Rajinder Mehra have been handed over by Babaoshan Funeral Home to a cargo agent at Beijing Airport early on Tuesday. The coffin will be flow by an Etihad flight EY-889 from Beijing to Abu Dhabi and then onto to Mumbai by Etihad flight EY-208 on Wednesday afternoon. The family has said the funeral ceremony is expected to be performed on Wednesday night around 9 p.m. at the Santacruz Crematorium, said Somaiya. Her son, a dentist based in Bandra, Dr. Puneet Mehra said he and his mother were travelling by an Air China Melbourne-Beijing-Mumbai flight on January 24. However, nearly nine hours into the flight, his mother went to the toilet but failed to return, and the flight crew was alerted. The toilet door was opened to find Rita Meha lying unconscious on the seat and all efforts to revive her failed. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Zhengzhou Airport but the passenger could not survive and had died by then. While Puneet Mehra returned to Mumbai on February 7, his mother's body was kept at a morgue in a Zhengzhou hospital. In view of the severe restrictions on domestic travel in China after the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus then, the body continued to remain in the hospital morgue even as Mehra made frantic efforts to get it to Mumbai for the funeral ceremonies. After a 40-day long wait for the shattered family, Rita Mehra's body is now expected to reach the city on Wednesday for the final rites and cremation. BJP MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo alleged two women Congress parliamentarians assaulted her during ruckus in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. New Delhi: BJP MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo alleged two women Congress parliamentarians assaulted her during ruckus in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. She said she has also lodged a formal complaint with Speaker Om Birla and with her letter has submitted the dispensary's prescription. "I have been in Parliament for a long time. I had never seen such unruly behaviour," she told reporters outside the Parliament building. In her letter, Sangeeta has alleged the two Congress MPs scratched her elbow and she was about to fall when they allegedly pushed her. "This is not how Parliamentary democracy works," she said. Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for a second day Tuesday as BJP and Opposition members tried to shove each other amid unrelenting demands from the opposition for an immediate discussion on Delhi violence. The Speaker said the discussion would take place on 11 March after the Holi festival, but opposition members stormed the Well demanding an immediate discussion. The House was adjourned for the entire day after the lunch. A glamour model has revealed how she made 10,000 in a single month by selling racy bikini pictures and worn swimwear to 'fans' online. Apollonia Llewellyn, 20, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, bolstered the money she earns as a glamour model and influencer by signing up to OnlyFans - an online subscription service where content creators provide exclusive material to their subscribers, or 'fans'. Apollonia, who was bullied at school for being 'fat and ugly', charges subscribers between 5 and 200 for direct messages and provocative swimwear shots, and even sells previously worn shoes, leggings and bikinis. Apollonia Llewellyn (pictured in one of the snaps posted to her OnlyFans page), 20, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, pockets 25 every time someone subscribes With her earnings Appollonia has paid for 12 jet-setting breaks in as many months including to New York, Copenhagen and Santorini (pictured in a bikini at the pool) Supported by glazier boyfriend Billy Mole (pictured), 21, Apollonia set up an account on November 7, 2019 and hasn't looked back Fans also pay her random 'tips' of up to 400 in exchange for messages. Apollonia, who has the support of her boyfriend Billy Mole, 21, said it adds to the 40,000-a-year she makes from her work as a glamour model and influencer. She said: 'My experience on it has been life-changing since I went on there. I've always had a good income but this has completely changed it. 'I've sold loads of things on there, people have bought bikinis, latex leggings, worn shoes.' The curvy size 6-8 model pockets between 5 and 200 for every swimwear and lingerie-clad snap bought and every message sent and received Enterprising Apollonia (pictured with a hot chocolate) tops up her cash flow by flogging merchandise including calendars and previously-worn bikinis and shoes The blonde beauty, who was once bullied for being 'fat and ugly', is taking home 10,000 a month in addition to the 40,000 she already earns as a model (pictured sunbathing) Apollonia said she was initially hesitant to join the site as she thought she'd have to post nude content, which she does not do. Supported by her glazier boyfriend, Apollonia set up an account on 7 November and by the end of the month she had earned 10,000. She revealed she has spent 6,000 on her family alone in the lead up to Christmas. She revealed she has spent 6,000 on her family alone in the month between joining the website on November 7, 2019 and Christmas (pictured in a photoshoot) The model uses her ample assets to make money from men who want to buy her used clothing and chat to her online Apollonia said she was initially hesitant to join the site as she thought she'd have to post nude content, which she does not do (pictured in red lingerie) What fan-funded holidays has Apollonia booked for 2020? January - Barcelona February - Alicante March - Copenhagen April - Palmanova (Spain) May - Dublin June - Santorini and Portugal July - Spain August - Germany October/November - New York December - Greece Advertisement She continued: 'I get to do way more things and buy nice things for my family. My boyfriend and I are also saving for a house and I've saved 8,000 so far.' In addition to making cash from selling snaps, personal items and chatting with fans, Apollonia also rakes in extra cash from fans who send hefty tips. Apollonia continued: 'When a fan talks to you they can also send tips, I get them a lot. Last week someone sent 500 to my bank. 'Another guy gave me 400 and said he gets a buzz out of giving me cash, like a fetish, it's honestly just crazy.' Now Apollonia is putting the money towards travelling and has already booked 12 holidays over 12 months. She added: 'This year I want to go on 12 holidays in 12 months - I've already been on holiday once a month so far.' When a make-up artist friend revealed she made cash by flogging tutorials through the site Apollonia decided to give it a go In addition to making cash from selling snaps, personal items and chatting with fans, Apollonia also rakes in extra cash from fans who send hefty tips New Delhi: A fresh western disturbance is likely to cause severe weather conditions such as thunderstorms, rainfall and snowfall in many parts of northern India between Thursday and Saturday, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday. There is also forecast for lightning and hailstorm in parts of northern plains. IMD scientists said the western disturbance is an active one, which will bring widespread snowfall in the hills and rains in plains and is likely to reduce maximum temperature marginally for the next two to three days. A western disturbance is said to be active when it brings widespread snowfall to hills and rainfall to plains. A fresh western disturbance is seen as a cyclonic circulation over Iran and neighbourhood at mid-tropospheric levels. This is likely to form an induced cyclonic circulation over south-western Rajasthan and adjoining Pakistan at lower tropospheric levels by Wednesday. High moisture feeding from the Arabian Sea is also likely over northwestern parts of the country at lower and mid-tropospheric levels on Thursday and Friday, IMDs bulletin said. Widespread rainfall or snowfall is most likely over Western Himalayan regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds are likely to lash Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UP, northern Rajasthan and a few places over Punjab and Haryana. Due to the confluence of westerly winds and moist, low-level easterly winds from the Arabian Sea over east and central India, rainfall is also forecast over Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and the northeastern states between Wednesday and Friday. The impact of the western disturbance will be felt across both northern and eastern parts of the country, said M Mohapatra, director-general of IMD. Besides western disturbance, there is also an induced cyclonic circulation over western Rajasthan and moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea. Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh will experience snowfall and Punjab will receive rainfall from Wednesday evening. On Thursday and Friday, the rest of north India, including Delhi-NCR and western UP, will experience moderate rainfall. Some places will receive hail storms as well. This western disturbance is more intense than the one which crossed last Saturday. The temperature is also likely to fall for a few days, said Kuldeep Shrivastava, head, regional weather forecasting centre. Another western disturbance may affect the region around March 11 and 12, but its too early to forecast, he added. Northwestern parts of the country were affected by nine western disturbances in February and 10 in January. Usually, two to three monthly western disturbances occur during January and February every year. DS Pai, senior scientist at IMD Pune, had explained the reasons behind the abnormal spike in western disturbances, whose impact is being felt in the northwestern parts of the country. The extra-tropical flow regime has come down towards the south. This may be because of natural variability. The other reason is that westerly winds are weaker than normal leading to development of more troughs over north-western parts of the country. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In his book, Living the Secular Life, professor/atheist evangelist Phil Zuckerman claims that a variety of political and sociological factors are putting an end to religion in America. Zuckerman asserts its not the influence of Richard Dawkins or the intolerant mocking of Bill Maher that are swaying people away from God, but instead he thinks there are five cultural winds that are blowing individuals out of the religious ranks and into the secular fold. Lets hear what he has to say. The Political Divide Zuckermans first point is that the rise of various religious-political groups that tightly coupled themselves with the Republican party in the 1980s has only served to alienate a lot of left-leaning or politically moderate Americans from Christianity. Sociologists Michael Hout and Claude Fischer have published compelling research indicating that much of the growth of 'nones' in America is largely attributable to a reaction against this increased, overt mixing of Christianity and conservative politics." The Catholic Scandal Second on Zuckermans list is the impact that has resulted from the sexual misconduct of various priests and the apparent cover-up of the incidents that occurred within the Catholic churchs government. The effect, says Zuckerman, has been quite noticeable with various polls showing serious declines in the Catholic ranks. The Spiritual Leadership of Women A third catalyst for reduced religious interest in America cited by Zuckerman is more women working outside the home. Zuckerman references Callum Brown as being the first to recognize this interesting correlation: when more and more women work outside the home, their religious involvement as well as that of their families tends to diminish. Brown argues that it has been women who have historically kept their children and husbands interested and involved in religion. The Normalizing of Homosexuality Fourth in Zuckermans group is the growing acceptance of homosexuality as a moral sexual practice. Because the legitimization of homosexuality is typically fought by the religious, Zuckerman says that religion is viewed as intolerant and seen as an enemy to fairness and equality. The Internet Atheist Lastly, Zuckerman lists the Internet as a chief ally in atheisms education and evangelism of new converts. For example, says Zuckerman, in her ongoing research on nonbelieving clergy, Linda LaScola has found that many pastors and ministers who have lost their faith in God cite their time spent on the Internet as a factor in their emergent atheism. True or False? So how do we as Christians respond to these claims by Zuckerman as well as his overall thesis about religion dying in America? In my opinion, supplying a worthwhile answer requires more than simply working through each item, so Id like to provide my feedback by replying to Zuckermans key points in a cursory fashion, but then quickly move on to address from a general perspective and a Biblical standpoint whats really being asserted behind the scenes. Lets begin with the explicit positions Zuckerman highlights. Is he right? In my opinion, Id say both yes and no. Yes, there are some instrumental-cause impacts from the items he lists, but no, they arent the sledgehammers he makes them out to be. I believe hes correct in pointing out that mixing religion and politics has never been a good idea, especially when theocratic governments such those that are on the landscape today are the end result. True, also, is the charge that when those who belong to a religion (especially its leadership) act contrary to the moral teachings of that religion, and their actions go so far as to violate a societys laws, that the negative result can be people disassociating themselves from that faith. In addition, many pastors will tell you how disappointed they have been with the failure of Christian men to step up and assume their rightful place of spiritual leadership in the home. Also, studies done by Christian researchers such as Kinnamann[1] have validated that a top negative cited in polls about Christians is their stance on homosexuality being an immoral lifestyle. Regarding the Internet, there are two things worth calling out. Does the Web provide a far-reaching pulpit for atheistic teachings? Of course. But it provides the same thing for religion as well. Second, just because atheistic teaching is on the Internet doesnt mean its correct and/or properly educating the simple-minded religionist as Zuckerman implies. For example, a local pastor I know came partially unglued by reading a variety of atheistic websites devoted to the fallacious pagan Christ teachings.[2] Once I and others schooled him on the historical and philosophical inaccuracies of those teachings, he came back stronger than ever and instructed his congregation on the truths he learned from the experience. The Story Behind the Story Behind these points is the real case Zuckerman is presenting, which is more important to discuss in my opinion. Zuckermans tone is one of victory where he proclaims that belief in God is cratering while the acceptance of atheism is skyrocketing. He goes beyond the formal definitions of secularism[3] and instead uses the supposed momentum behind the term to cheerlead the demise of religion in total. Not so fast. Despite what Zuckerman is attempting to portray, there is a distinction between a person no longer identifying with a particular denomination or faith and becoming an atheist. Even the studies on the Nones point out the difference between asserting nothing supernatural exists and saying you dont belong to an organized religion. Ill also cry foul on a typical dig that atheists like Zuckerman make on those who believe in God. Discussing how human beings may not as a whole have an innate religious instinct, he writes, So while the author Nicholas Wade writes of a faith instinct, we can certainly argue that there is also a doubt instinct or a reason instinct that is just as persistent and inherent to our nature.[4] Im happy to agree that humankind is naturally curious, that thinking about what one believes is an excellent activity in which to engage, and that agnosticism is a perfectly rational position to assume. But please, can we stop saying that belief in God is unreasonable? Such tired, invalid, and snide assertions have been refuted time and again by the lives of very reasonable and brilliant human beings who embrace theism, Christian apologists such as William Lane Craig and others, and even those of different faiths, including some very honest atheists. Enough already? A Biblical View Lets for a moment say Zuckerman is 100% correct and the numbers actually show that religion[5] is on a downhill slide headed for near extinction. Lets pretend to ignore facts like the meteoric rise of Christianity in places like China and grant Zuckerman his arguments in full. So what? If the world should reach the point where 99.9% of its inhabitants are atheists and only 0.1% believe in God and God exists then the 0.1% are the only ones who stand in the truth. I think we can all agree that truth isnt determined by popularity contests, isnt affected by majority rules, and is immune to personal preference and the current direction cultural winds are blowing. If atheism is true, we all need to be atheists, and if Christianity is correct, then Zuckerman and his brethren need to bow their knee to Christ. The fact is, eternity is an awfully long time to be wrong, so we all need to get a right handle in this area something that Paul makes very clear when he writes, if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . .If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. (1 Cor. 15:14, 19). Next, lets remember that the efficient cause behind the ranks of Christianity swelling or shrinking has nothing to do with whether women work outside the home or if some people are feeling politically marginalized. God is not sitting in Heaven wringing his hands in worry over any supposed decline in those who believe in Him despite His best efforts to woo them. Hes already told us that few are those on the narrow road (Matt. 7:14). The Bible is also clear that God is sovereign over all our lives, determines everything that happens, including whether a nation like America rises or falls: At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it (Jer.18:7, 9). Perhaps America will go the way of past nations and fall away from God. But even if such a thing happens, God will still call to Himself all those who belong to Him and keep them in the faith just as Jesus said: No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:44). Sadly, as Pascal noted, people rarely arrive at their worldview because of facts and truth, but most times people embrace a belief system because they find it attractive. Those who switch sides because of the cultural points Zuckerman notes prove Pascal to be right. Its my hope that instead of behaving like that, people everywhere will make a commitment to believe something only because its true, thoroughly investigate the person of Jesus Christ, and make themselves an internal promise to go where the truth leads. History has proven time and again that when people do this and leave their presuppositions at the door, the result is another Christ follower. As to the future of Christianity in America and everywhere else, I think my feelings on the matter are best summed up by a portion of Michael OBriens song, And the Story Goes On: There's hope for the future There's hope for the lost There's always a soldier to carry the cross 'Cause the story is true And the story is changing this world And the story goes on [1] See his work, e.g. Unchristian. [2] See: http://www.slideshare.net/schumacr/isnt-jesus-just-a-copy-of-pagan-gods-presentation for a PowerPoint presentation that covers the key arguments against Jesus being nothing but a conglomeration of various pagan god myths. [3] Which, in its simple definition, involves the distinct separation of government and religion and the belief that all faiths have equal protection in the eyes of the law. For more, see: http://www.secularism.org.uk/what-is-secularism.html. [4] Emphasis mine. [5] Some Christians will say that Christianity is not a religion, but instead is something else (e.g. a relationship, etc.) While the term religion only occurs four times in Scripture (Acts 25:19, 26:5; Col. 2:23; James 1:26-27), the Greek word for it threskeia simply means the expression of devotion and worship to a transcendent being. Each time it is used in Scripture, the context is one where an external practice of such devotion, acts, etc., are involved. Four deaths announced Monday and two others this weekend all occurred in Washington state, the center of the nations most serious outbreak. Eight of the states 18 cases, as well as four of the deaths, are linked to the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Wash., and at least 50 other residents and staff members have reported coronavirus-like symptoms. King County leaders declared a state of emergency, and health officials said they are trying to figure out how far the outbreak has expanded into surrounding counties. [March 03, 2020] The GLOBAL HEALTHCARE CLOUD COMPUTING MARKET is expected to grow by USD 25.54 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 23% during the forecast period NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Healthcare Cloud Computing Market 2020-2024 The analyst has been monitoring the global healthcare cloud computing market and it is poised to grow by USD 25.54 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 23% during the forecast period. Our reports on global healthcare cloud computing market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02779355/?utm_source=PRN The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by integrated service offering for healthcare industry.In addition, development of hyper-converged infrastructure is anticipated to boost the growth of the global healthcare cloud computing market as well. Market Segmentation The global healthcare cloud computing market is segmented as below: Product: o SaaS o IaaS o PaaS North America o APAC o Europe o South America o MEA Key Trends for global healthcare cloud computing market growth This study identifies development of hyper-converged infrastructure as the prime reasons driving the global healthcare cloud computing market growth during the next few years. Prominent vendors in global healthcare cloud computing market We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the global healthcare cloud computing market, including some of the vendors such as Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., Amazon Web Services Inc., athenahealth Inc., Carestream Health Inc., General Electric Co., IBM Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com Inc. and Siemens Healthineers AG . The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02779355/?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/the-global-healthcare-cloud-computing-market-is-expected-to-grow-by-usd-25-54-bn-during-2020-2024--progressing-at-a-cagr-of-23-during-the-forecast-period-301015290.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. Hollywood star Jamie Foxx has expressed interest in coming to Ghana as part of the Beyond The Return programme. Beyond The Return is an initiative by the government of Ghana which involves Ghanaians engaging in mutually beneficial trade, investment and cultural cooperation with the African Diaspora. It is a follow-up from the 2019 Year of Return programme, which is to encourage people from the Diaspora to visit Ghana and connect with their origin. The objective is to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the time when the first 20 West African slaves were brought to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which subsequently became part of the United States of America, thereby initiating one of the most unfortunate and barbaric episodes of human history the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. A lot of Hollywood stars like TI, Samuel L Jackson, Michael Jai White, Boris Kodjoe and a lot others have since visited Ghana as part of the initiative. Jamie Foxx wants to come to Ghana with his family to be part of the celebration. The 52-year-old actor made this known in a video of him hanging out with Ghanaian delegation to the 51st NAACP Image Awards in LA, California, USA. In the video with UK-based Ghanaian talk show host Dentaa and others, he indicated that he was supposed to have come to Ghana earlier for a fashion event but he couldnt. I am coming, he said. But I am bringing my family too. So I want everybody to come, he added in the video which was shared on the Beyond The Return Instagram page. In another video, he was captured learning how to greet and respond to greetings in Twi, one of the languages spoken in Ghana. Jamies promise to Ghana follows that of Wesley Snipes, who announced earlier that he would be coming to Ghana soon. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video More than 20 people were killed and dozens of buildings were destroyed when tornadoes and strong storms ripped through Tennessee late Monday night and into early Tuesday morning. Storm surveys will be conducted Tuesday to determine the strength of the tornadoes, AccuWeather said, though it's already clear in some areas that the damage is devastating. The tornado that tore through parts of Nashville touched down shortly before 1 a.m. local time, knocking power for more than 47,000 customers in the Nashville metro area and leaving at least 48 structures collapsed, according to city officials. "It is heartbreaking," Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said at a Tuesday morning press conference. We have had loss of life all across the state. Four different counties, as of this morning, had confirmed fatalities. More: Mapping the toll of Tuesday's storms and tornadoes in Nashville Surreal damage in a Nashville neighborhood. If your family needs a safe place to go after last night's storms, the @RedCrossTN is on hand to help: https://t.co/4MW2vZnVOx. pic.twitter.com/YzNUTgUW8U Governor Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) March 3, 2020 Lee described Tuesday as a day of assessment. Weve really just begun to realize the extent of physical damage. We know that there may be even more fatalities as the day unfolds," he said. "There are missing persons, theres search and rescue teams right now underway. Some of Nashville's iconic attractions were affected as well. Popular concert venue Basement East was destroyed, though a large sign on the outside of the building that reads "I believe in Nashville" symbolically still stands. "There are businesses in Five Points that basically dont exist anymore," Precinct Commander David Imhof said of a popular cultural hub in East Nashville. Story continues Here is a jarring look at the destruction Tennessee is facing. How to help or get help: Community Foundation, Hands on Nashville, United Way and Red Cross Tennessee tornadoes: Here's what we know Meg Selby and Mac Warren survey the damage to their home in Stanford Estates after a tornado touched down Tuesday, March 3, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. A car in Nashville is covered with debris after a tornado touched down Tuesday in Tennessee. The scene in Stanford Estates after a deadly tornado touched down Tuesday. The back of a home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is covered with debris after Tuesday's tornado. Rescue workers free Bill and Shirley Wallace from their home that collapsed on them, trapping them under rubble. Shirley was taken for medical attention after the tornado ripped through neighborhoods in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Bill Wallace reaches out to rescue workers who freed him from the home that collapsed on him and his wife, Shirley. A rescue worker carries Shirley Wallace from her home that collapsed on her. She was taken for medical attention. Buddy Johnson looks for his car keys in his bedroom after a tornado destroyed his Nashville home on Tuesday. The Tuesday morning tornado left Nashville homes in shambles. Ann Hooven surveys the damage at her Nashville home after a tornado ripped through Tuesday morning. Residents walk out from their neighborhood after a tornado destroyed several homes overnight. Caroline Hooven surveys the damage at her grandmothers Nashville home. Tsan Lozano reacts after being rescued from her Nashville home that was damaged by a tornado. A tornado left houses extensively damaged in East Nashville. An East Nashville home is shown the morning after devastating storms roared through the area. Pedestrians walk by damaged homes in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Debris is strewn in front of West Wilson Middle School in Mount Juliet after Tuesday's tornado. Mac Warren holds his engagement photo in front of a damaged home in Nashville. A Stanford Estates home was destroyed by Tuesday's tornado. A truck rests in a Stanford Estates pool in Nashville. People stand outside the Basement East music venue in East Nashville after it was destroyed by a tornado. The Basement East music venue was destroyed Tuesday, but a sign that reads "I believe in Nashville" symbolically still stands. The building housing Burger Up in East Nashville's Five Points neighborhood was destroyed in the tornado. Rubble and debris was scattered across the parking lot at Donelson Christian Academy after Tuesday's deadly tornado. Follow USA TODAY's Jay Cannon on Twitter: @JayTCannon Contributing: The Nashville Tennessean Tornado fallout: President Trump to tour tornado damage in Tennessee on Friday Fatal tornadoes delay Super Tuesday voting in parts of Tennessee: Live election updates This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nashville tornado: Striking photos show damage in Tennessee, rescues As the coronavirus spreads globally, Russia announced its first case in its capital city. An individual who recently returned from Italy tested positive for the illness on March 1, about a week after coming back from a ski trip in the countrys north. On February 27 he went to a local hospital reporting symptoms and was then transferred to an infectious disease unit in Moscow. The government is facing criticism for its handling of the case, as the man was initially placed in an open ward with other patients and only moved to isolation after a third test indicated he had contracted COVID-19. Fellow passengers on his return flight to Russia have now been placed in at-home quarantine. In an indication of widespread fears over the virus, one such woman told the newspaper Gazeta.ru that the emergency medical personnel who came to her home to announce the quarantine described themselves as dead men. Two Iranians traveling to Beijing and transiting via Moscows airport have also now tested positive for COVID-19. Moscow schools are closing swimming pools and large-scale events. As of Monday, twenty-four people in Moscow were hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Other states in the former Soviet Union are also reporting new cases, including Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The latter has now shuttered its schools and universities. In Ukraine, where a far-right government installed by the United States and Europe has ruled since 2014, violence erupted outside a sanatorium where Ukrainians from Wuhan, China were under quarantine. Protesters demanded they be driven out of the country. Twenty-five Ukrainians from the Diamond Princess cruise have refused to return to their country out of fear for their lives. Over 700 passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise had been infected with COVID-19, and four have died so far. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the situation in Russia is entirely under control. The country has already had a handful of cases among Chinese visitors and Russians returning from the Diamond Princess. All either recovered and have been released or remain in quarantine. The Kremlin has responded to the spreading virus by closing borders, restricting travel, and promoting anti-Asian chauvinism. In February, Moscow sealed its 2,600-mile crossing with China. It has now placed restrictions on Chinese, Iranian, and South Koreans nationals entering the country. The government recently recommended that tour operators halt trips to these areas, as well as Italy. Train service between Moscow and Nice, France has been suspended. Russia is in the process of deporting 88 foreign nationals accused of violating quarantine rules, which were uncovered by tracking their movements with facial-recognition software. News reports state that Moscow public transportation authorities are detaining individuals who appear to be Chinese, demanding their travel documents, alerting higher-ups, and even performing on-the-spot health checks. The only basis for doing so is individuals appearance. Russian citizens are being caught up in the profiling, as many Russians are ethnic minorities with an outwardly Asian appearance. Last week, Moscow police conducted raids on apartments, dormitories, and hotels where Chinese people were thought to be living. The citys mayor described the move as unpleasant but necessary. In Yekaterinburg, a major industrial city in western Siberia, Cossack vigilante groups are patrolling neighborhoods where many Chinese people reside and instructing those with coughs to go to the hospital and making others wear face masks. These police-based measures have nothing to do with protecting ordinary people. Rather, they are aimed at channeling fear and social discontent into what the government perceives as the safe harbors of racism and Russian chauvinism, and away from criticism of itself and the countrys wealthy, who will spare no expense on themselves should they fall ill. For the masses of ordinary Russians, the coronavirus threat is hugely amplified by the deplorable state of the countrys public health system and the toll taken by decades of low wages, unemployment, deindustrialization, poverty, and diseases of despair, such as alcoholism. In a staggering report released just days ago, the federal governments own auditing agency found that nearly 33 percent of Russias medical facilities for children lack a central water supply, 40 percent have no central heating, 52 percent have no hot water, 35 percent have no sewer systems, and 47 percent have no access for the physically disabled. Of the thousands of facilities investigated, 14 percent are physically dangerous. Outside of the major cities, there are not enough pediatricians and hospitals cannot provide even basic comfort to sick children. A health system in such a state cannot treat the sick, much less prevent the spread of coronavirus. If large numbers of ill people begin pouring into such facilities, these dilapidated and under-resourced hospitals will become an accelerant for the spread of infection. As a result of a combination of western sanctions and failed import-substitution policies, there is a severe shortage of medicines in Russia, including HIV drugs, which have been experimentally used to treat coronavirus in China and elsewhere. Furthermore, thirty years of the restoration of capitalism has hammered away at the health of Russias people. Life expectancy overall stands at just 70 years, with significant differences between men and women, the former of which are not expected to live beyond the age of 65. Alcohol consumption is among the highest in the world. Sixty percent of men and twenty-two percent of women smoke, making them particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections. On a per capita basis, Russians only trail behind Belarus in terms of cigarette consumption. The country ranks ninth in the world in terms of deaths by cardiovascular disease. An overriding concern of the Russian government, like that of the United States and other leading countries, is the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the wealth of the ruling class. The Kremlins minister of economic development declared last week that the virus has led to the depreciation of the ruble and a fall in the stock market. Trade with China is dropping by one billion rubles a day. The price of oil, a major source of revenue for the government, is also down. In his remarks insisting that everything is under control, President Putin claimed that the countrys reserve funds are sizable enough to withstand a significant global downturn. On March 2, the Russian ministry of finance sought once again to provide assurances by insisting that the government was fully capable of preventing the spread of infection and managing its economic fallout. Julia Walentin and Dina Oetterli spent their layover in Singapore drinking. Without enough food or rest, though, Walentin ended up with a terrible hangover. By asking a steward for medicine to help with her headache, Walentin sparked fears that she had contracted coronavirus while vacationing in Cambodia. After that, Walentin was told to wear a mask and lie down. Other flight passengers were moved at least one row away from the women and Walentin underwent temperature checks every 30 minutes during the "horrendous" 14-hour flight, she told the Sun. Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, the friends were whisked away and quarantined for 14 days. They passed their time drinking Coronas, Walentin's Instagram Stories showed. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Julia Walentin (L) and her friend, Dina, enjoy some Corona beers after Walentin's hangover sparked coronavirus fears and landed them in quarantine. Julia Walentin/Instagram Heading home from a Cambodian holiday, Julia Walentin and her friend, Dina Oetterli, spent their layover in Singapore barely eating, drinking too much alcohol, and not getting enough sleep. The trifecta ensured that the 26-year-old was in bad shape on February 26 when the duo arrived at the Singapore Changi Airport for their flight to Heathrow Airport, Walentin told the Sun. "We had a really heavy night of drinking," she said. "We were up until 2 a.m. I had been throwing up in the hotel because I hadn't eaten and just had way too much [to drink]". Walentin continued: "We had to be at the airport at 6 a.m., so we both had hardly any sleep and I felt so hungover. Just traveling to the airport was bad enough." Originally from Sweden but currently living in South London, Walentin asked a Singapore Airlines flight attendant for some acetaminophen to alleviate her alcohol-induced headache. Her request triggered a coronavirus maelstrom. "I asked a steward if they had any paracetamol and maybe somewhere to lie down, thinking they might put me in business class, and they asked me if I felt unwell," Walentin told the Sun. 'It was horrendous on a 14-hour flight' Story continues Despite assuring the crew members that she and her friend were merely "tired and hungover," all the flight's passengers were moved one row away from them and Walentin was told to wear a mask and lie down, she shared on Instagram Stories. Her temperature was also checked every 30 minutes. Walentin told Insider that she had a fever of 104 Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), much to her surprise. That was part of why the crew was so cautious. A doctor told her later that it could have been a reaction to a tattoo that she had got two days prior to the end of her vacation. Meanwhile, Oetterli was being grilled about the places the pair had visited as well as their symptoms, Walentin told the Sun. Crew members informed Walentin that doctors at Heathrow had been notified of her condition and were expecting their arrival. "It was horrendous on a 14-hour flight it felt more like 40," she said. "It was such a panic." Walentin, Oetterli and everyone on the plane were required to fill out health questionnaires and share information about where they were traveling from and any symptoms they had experienced. The women "just wanted to go home," Walentin said, but there was no escaping protocol which the cabin crew was following "very seriously." Airline passengers 'thought I had coronavirus' "I was so embarrassed," she told the Sun. "Everyone was annoyed that they had been held up on the plane. They knew it was because of me. People were putting on double masks around me because they thought I had coronavirus." Upon touching down in Heathrow, Walentin and Oetterli were the last to be allowed off the flight and they were escorted by doctors and first responders in hazmat suits, she said on Instagram. The pair was then transported to a quarantine facility on a bus that they had to themselves, and their explanations of simply being hungover once again fell on deaf ears. "The doctor asked me if I could self-isolate at home but I said I lived with others so they said I couldn't go back," Walentin recalled. "They took us to a place near the airport that looked like it was under construction with scaffolding on the outside." Once quarantined, the women were ordered to keep their room's blinds shut and not tell their "family and friends too much." They were asked to only say that they were "fine and would be home soon," Walentin recalled. Quarantined with Corona The facility that Walentin didn't know much else about resembled "a ghost town," she said, with medics clad in "spacesuits." "We felt like we were in 'The Walking Dead,'" she said. Walentin and Oetterli picked a novel way to kill time while under quarantine for five days. "We ordered room service with Corona to drink," she said. Walentin shared a series of Instagram Stories, and one noted that her housemates vacated their apartment so she was able to return home where she and Oetterli were left in isolation. When asked about her reaction to this incident, Walentin told Insider, "I'm happy that it has made a lot of people laugh in [an] otherwise very serious situation." Business Insider Burma Police Arrest Chinese Suspects at Myanmar Beach over Thailand Murder Two Chinese men arrested in Ngwe Saung Beach. / The Irrawaddy Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region Police have arrested two Chinese fugitives wanted by the Thai authorities in connection with a murder in Kamphaeng Phet, central Thailand. A black suitcase containing the body of a 30-year-old Chinese man was found floating in Thailands Ping River in the Muang district of Kamphaeng Phet on Feb. 25, according to the Bangkok Post. The two were arrested in Ngwe Saung beach in Ayeyarwady Region on Monday. They were renting a boat to travel to Gwa in Rakhine State. Acting on a tipoff from residents, we were able to arrest the duo while they were renting a boat to travel to Gwa. As they didnt commit any offenses in Myanmar, we will hand over them to the Thai police, Lieutenant Colonel Tun Shwe of Ayeyarwady Region police told The Irrawaddy. Four Chinese suspects fled to Myanmar and the other two are still at large, according to the police. According to the Thai media, the investigation began after a dead body of a Chinese citizen was allegedly found in one of several bags thrown by the four into a river in Kamphaeng Phet last month. As police were looking for the other bags, the four escaped to Myanmar through the Thai border town of Mae Sot to Myawaddy, Thai news agencies reported. The two Chinese men said they arrived in Thailand on Feb. 25. They then left for Myawaddy where they stayed for three days. They visited Yangon and reached Ngwe Saung beach on March 1. The Thai police contacted Myawaddy police after the four Chinese suspects entered Karen State. The two suspects have been sent from Pathein to Myawaddy. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: Families of Myanmar Migrant Workers on Death Row Submit Pardon Appeal to Thai King Govt Aiding Effort to Seek Pardons for 2 Myanmar Workers on Death Row in Thailand: Minister A Trump supporter at his North Carolina rally questioned the legitimacy of the deadly coronavirus and said it doesn't exist. At President Donald Trump's rally in Charlotte ahead of Super Tuesday, NBC reporter Monica Alba took to the bustling crowd of ardent Republicans to ask them their thoughts on coronavirus. At the previous Trump rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, one Trump supporter called the coronavirus a 'nothing burger.' So far, the coronavirus has killed 3,000 people and infected at least 90,000 people worldwide. The United States confirmed six coronavirus-related deaths in King County, Washington, this weekend. There are at least 91 cases of Americans sick with the virus across the country. .@realDonaldTrump has a rally in North Carolina tonight before voters hit the polls tomorrow on Super Tuesday. WATCH: @albamonica met one supporter who doesn't believe #coronavirus exists. Watch NOW: https://t.co/U4UZMHn7bF pic.twitter.com/2YBGEbDy2S NBC News NOW (@NBCNewsNow) March 3, 2020 A Trump supporter (right) attending the president's North Carolina rally Monday night said she does not believe coronavirus is real One woman told Alba that she does not believe coronavirus is real or that it was the reason two patients died in Washington. 'I don't trust anything that Democrats do or say,' the woman said, rationalizing that coronavirus is simply a liberal-based hoax. Alba points out that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, as well as bipartisan agencies and lawmakers on both sides have recognized the validity of COVID-19. Still, she did not sway from her opinion. A second woman revealed she isn't at all worried about the coronavirus because she is divinely protected. 'We're under protection,' the woman told Alba reassuringly. 'We're under protection from Psalms 91 and God is out protector.' She added that she's happy with Trump's response thus far and blames the media for supposedly inflating the situation. 'I'm very pleased without president's response so far. I think the media made it a larger thing than what it should be and I think they're trying to incite fear and panic in the public,' she said. One man said that he does believe coronavirus is credible and that actions must be taken to ensure it's overcome. He said: 'I believe this is a valid virus that's spreading around the world and we've got to do something to protect ourselves.' The man also admitted that while he did not feel comfortable being in the crowd of 9,000 rally attendees, he arrived to show support for Trump. On Monday, President Trump (pictured) told reporters that it is 'very safe' for people to attend rallies amid the coronavirus outbreak The man may have been confident in attending the rally in part by Trump's assertion that attending rallies was 'very safe' at this time. Since the coronavirus popped up in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, in late December, health officials have been scrambling to put a lid on its rapid spread and determine what caused the sudden outbreak. While the source of coronavirus is still being determined, lawmakers like Republican Sen. Cotton are pushing conspiracy theories despite repeated rebukes from officials. On Fox News, Cotton suggested coronavirus originated from a a biological warfare laboratory in Wuhan. 'This virus did not originate in the Wuhan market,' Cotton said, referring to a belief that it may have spawned from a live animal market. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton has accused China of lying and refusing to hand over all the information they have about the origins of the coronavirus outbreak as he suggested it could be linked to a laboratory Members of the medical team spray disinfectant to sanitize outdoor place of Imam Reza's holy shrine, following the coronavirus outbreak, in Mashhad, Iran 'We don't know where it originated and we have to get to the bottom of that.' He acknowledged there was no evidence of links between the lab and the outbreak but Cotton went on to reference the close proximity of the market. 'We also know that just a few miles away from that food market is China's only biosafety level 4 super laboratory that researches human infectious diseases,' he said. 'Now, we don't have evidence that this disease originated there, but because of China's duplicity and dishonesty from the beginning, we need to at least ask the question to see what the evidence says. 'And China right now is not giving any evidence on that question at all.' Cotton took to Twitter on Sunday to address claims he was peddling conspiracy theories by linking the lab and outbreak. He listed several hypotheses about the coronavirus outbreak, including natural, deliberate and scientific causes Cotton also accused China of lying about the outbreak. 'The situation is very grave in part because... China was lying from the beginning, and they're still lying today.' Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai called out Cotton for trying to draw a connection between coronavirus and a laboratory. Tiankai told CBS' Face the Nation: 'I think it's true that a lot is still unknown and our scientists, Chinese scientists, American scientists, scientists of other countries, are doing their best to learn more about the virus, but it's very harmful, it's very dangerous, to stir up suspicion, rumors and spread them among the people.' 'For one thing, this will create panic. There are all kinds of speculation and rumors... How can we believe all these crazy things?' Cotton later went on Twitter to share several hypothesis on how coronavirus began, including bad science, natural and deliberate release as reasons. California Congress candidate Joanna Wright also shared an unsubstantiated claim that the coronavirus is a man made creation. 'The Corona virus is a man made virus created in a Wuhan laboratory. Ask [Bill Gates] who financed it,' she wrote on Twitter. Joanne Wright suggested the coronavirus is a man made virus created in a Wuhan, China, laboratory This is in reference to another Tweet where she said: 'Doesnt [BillGates] finance research at the Wuhan lab where the Corona virus was being created? Isnt [George Soros] a good friend of Gates? Isnt it always when Hillary Clinton tweets that fire and brimstone hits us? Check Gates Foundation and Clinton Foundation for stock sells.' In the U.S., health officials in Washington state announced on Monday that four people had died in the Seattle area in addition to the two other patients in that same area who died over the weekend. Five of the six deaths have been linked to the LifeCare long-term aged care facility in Kirkland in King County. The coronavirus death toll in the U.S. has now climbed to six. Five of the six deaths have been linked to the LifeCare (above) long-term aged care facility in Kirkland just outside Seattle in Washington state This includes a man in his 70s who was a resident of the LifeCare long-term care facility in Kirkland and had coronavirus had died the day before. On Saturday, the department had reported the first death of a coronavirus patient in the United States, a man in his 50s who was living in Kirkland - the same city where the nursing home is located. Eight of the 18 confirmed coronavirus cases in Washington state have been residents or workers at LifeCare. The sixth victim was from nearby Snohomish county. Officials say at least four of the six people who have died were elderly and/or had underlying health conditions. News of the additional deaths came after Dr Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC News on Monday that the disease had likely reached 'pandemic proportions' as 100 cases were confirmed across the U.S. About 50 residents and workers are being tested - several confirmed - and there is fear the virus will spread to anyone who visited the building. 'We're dealing with an evolving situation. We're dealing with clearly an emerging infectious disease that has now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions,' Dr Fauci said. 'If you look at multiple definitions of what a pandemic is... multiple sustained transmissions of of a highly infectious agent in multiple regions of the globe.' Dr Fauci went on to say the U.S. might need to consider social mitigation, including closing down schools and not allowing events where large crowds are in confined spaces. 'We're not ready for it right now but we need to be at least thinking about the possibility,' he said in the interview that will air in full on NBC Nightly News on Monday. Trump and members of his Cabinet later met with Dr Fauci and executives of 10 pharmaceutical companies at the White House on Monday afternoon to learn ways to speed the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. During the meeting Trump reportedly said he had been told a vaccine would be completed in three to four months but Dr Fauci later confirmed that any vaccine would not be ready to hand out for at least a year. Dr Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned that the coronavirus has likely reached 'pandemic proportions'. He is pictured above flanked by Donald Trump and Mike Pence at the White House on Saturday It comes after a New York doctor warned coronavirus cases in the U.S. will surge into the thousands by next week and the former head of the FDA claimed three critical weeks were lost in containing the spread of the virus due to faulty test kits given out by the government. Health officials have been scrambling to get their own coronavirus testing kits up and running after getting stuck with faulty tests from the federal government that they said left them unable to diagnose people quickly. State and local authorities are now also stepping up testing for the illness as the number of new cases grew to 100across the U.S. on Monday, with new infections announced in California, Florida, Illinois, Rhode Island, New York and Washington state. New York confirmed its first coronavirus case on Sunday as a female healthcare worker in her 30s who returned from Iran last week and is now being quarantined in her Manhattan home. Florida late Sunday declared a public health emergency as it confirmed its first two cases, while Rhode Island announced its two cases - two people who had returned from a school trip to Italy - had prompted the closure of a school so it could be sanitized. Dr Matt McCarthy, who is a staff physician at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, has claimed he doesn't have the tools to properly care for patients because of the lack of coronavirus tests being made available to hospitals. He told CNBC's Squawk Box on Monday that the bungled test distribution was a 'national scandal' and claimed New York had only been able to properly carry out 32 tests so far. 'We hear it's coming very soon but I'm here to tell you that at one of the busiest hospitals in the country, I don't have it at my finger tips. I still have to call the department of health, I still have to make my case and plead to test people,' he said. 'This is not good. We know that there are (91) cases in the United States. There are going to hundreds by middle week, there's going to be thousands by next week. This is a testing issue.' He said the infectious disease team at his hospital, one of the busiest in the country, was equipped to deal with the outbreak but were crippled by the lack of diagnostic tests being made available by the government. 'Keep in mind in New York state the person who tested positive is only the 32nd test we've done in this state. That is a national scandal,' he said. 'They're testing 10,000 a day in some countries and we can't get this off the ground. 'I'm a practitioner on the firing line and I don't have the tools to properly care for patients today.' Parliaments Budget Session has resumed and will last a month. Usually, this phase is extremely productive in terms of deliberation and discussion, debate and legislation, and for the conclusion of the budgetary exercise. Unless there are exigencies, the government and the Opposition, and of course the Chair, approach the session with sobriety and purpose. This year may be different. The primary reason will, no doubt, be the aftermath of the pogrom on the streets of Delhi. After the carnage, the government has a lot to answer for. However, two days into the session, it seems that the ruling party has decided not to allow Parliament to function. Another reason, almost surreptitious, is that a radical process for rewriting the rules of the Rajya Sabha has begun. This will have serious implications for Parliament and our democracy. The story began in 2018. In that year, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, M Venkaiah Naidu, constituted a committee of two retired civil servants to look into the rules, and suggest possible amendments. The suggestions of the two-person committee have been placed before the General Purposes Committee (GPC) of the Rajya Sabha. Recently, a meeting of the GPC was called for this purpose. The GPC usually consists of leaders of all parties and groups in the Rajya Sabha. This specific GPC meeting, however, did not have representation from the Nationalist Congress Party, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Communist Party of India. The chairman, thankfully, gave his assurance that these parties would be represented in future GPC meetings. As a member representing the Trinamool Congress, the third largest party in Parliament, I am conscious that reforms to the rules of the Rajya Sabha cannot be brought about in a hurry. These rules were written by our Constitution framers after much thought. Amendments, too, require serious analysis and discussion. The two-member committee of ex-bureaucrats had several rounds of consultations. I expect the GPC, too, will meet on several occasions. After the GPC concludes discussions, its report will be forwarded to the Committee of Rules in the Rajya Sabha. Eighty percent of the members of the Committee of Rules belong to the ruling dispensation. It will then offer its view. The final report, shaped by the Committee of Rules, will be laid on the floor of the House, and put to vote. This is the process. What is the content of the reforms? The government is advocating changes to make the House more orderly, its conduct smoother, and disruptions less frequent. On paper, these sound unexceptionable. In reality, are they an attempt to silence the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha? Are they an attempt to defang the Opposition from asking hard questions and holding the government accountable in Parliament? The late Arun Jaitley, a distinguished member of the Rajya Sabha, advocated the right to disrupt, calling it a legitimate tactic for the Opposition to expose the government through parliamentary instruments available at its command in case parliamentary accountability is subverted and a debate is intended to be used merely to put a lid on parliamentary accountability. He said this in August 2012. The following month, his colleague, the late Sushma Swaraj, another stalwart of Parliament, said, Not allowing Parliament to function is also a form of democracy like any other form. What Jaitley and Swaraj were suggesting was that parliamentary discussion and debate were not just a function of time but also of quality of discourse. Parliamentary proceedings cannot be measured in minutes and hours. They have to be measured in terms of the quality of subjects. How many issues raised by the Opposition are allowed for discussion by the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government in the first place? In 2012, the BJP scuttled an entire session of Parliament demanding a discussion on the coal scandal. Today, the ruling dispensation wants to make such protests and such legitimate parliamentary activism impossible. They want to deny the Opposition opportunities and want to protect the government from interrogation even though it had itself availed such opportunities when in Opposition. Let me cite another example. Parliamentary strategy is usually decoded by parties before the session starts, whereas tactics have to be made on the floor of the House by the leaders of the parties. A crucial tool available to members of the Rajya Sabha is Rule 267. This allows Opposition members of Parliament (MPs) to highlight an important issue, by suspending all other business for the day by taking up the hot subject for discussion. I came to the Rajya Sabha in 2011. One of the members of the Opposition at that time is now a high-profile minister. He was known to use Rule 267 notices very effectively. Within a year, we joked and called him the king of 267. What is the status of Rule 267 now? It has been virtually abolished. The last instance of admission of a notice under Rule 267 was in November 2016. Since then, members have repeatedly raised demands for admission of notices under Rule 267, but, always, absolutely always, such demands have been rejected. Rushing to the well of the House is another useful parliamentary tactic. It is used by members to intervene effectively, especially when denied the right to other tools. Moving to the well of the House and using Rule 267 are well-established practices of the Rajya Sabha, used throughout parliamentary history by members of all political backgrounds. Any attempt to curb or remove such instruments is not just a violation of long-standing parliamentary conventions but fundamentally anti-democratic. Neither is it necessary for the rules of the two Houses to mirror each other. The Constitution envisions distinct roles and functions for the two Houses of Parliament. The rules have to support their independent character. The GPC has to preserve the unique character of the Rajya Sabha by enshrining provisions independent from the Lok Sabha. As Dr S Radhakrishnan, speaking as the first chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said, There are functions which a revising chamber can fulfil fruitfully. Parliament is not only a legislative but a deliberative body. The onus is on the GPC to balance the freedom of expression of MPs while ensuring the smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha. We must reject any changes in the rules that attempt to abridge freedom of expression of members and the rights conferred on them by the Constitution. The GPC cannot use the process of changing rules to manacle and muzzle the Opposition. Derek OBrien is Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party Leader in Rajya Sabha The views expressed are personal VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 3rd, 2020 / Saville Resources Inc. (TSXV:SRE)(FSE:S0J) (the "Company" or "Saville") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Ximen Mining Corp. (XIM) for the sale of its 100% owned mineral property in southern British Columbia. The Bud Property consists of 6 mineral claims covering a total of 380.6 hectares. The Bud Property is located approximately four kilometres northwest of Greenwood, B.C., and is two km southwest of Ximen Mining Corp.'s Gold Drop property under option by GGX Gold Corp., where diamond drilling on the COD vein intersected high-grade mineralization, including 129 grams per tonne gold and 1,154 g/t silver over 7.28-metre core length and 107.5 g/t gold and 880 g/t silver over 6.90-metre core length (see GGX Gold news releases dated Jan. 11 and Jan. 18, 2019). Details of this transaction will be: 388,888 shares of Ximen Mining Corp. to be issued to Saville Resources Inc. upon closing of agreement. This Transaction is subject to TSX Venture approvals. About Saville Resources Inc. The Company's principal asset is the Niobium Claim Group Property, situated within the central Labrador Trough, Quebec, and currently under Earn-In Agreement from Commerce Resources Corp. for up to a 75% interest. The Property consists of 26 contiguous mineral claims, encompassing an area of approximately 1,223 hectares, and is considered highly prospective for niobium and tantalum. The Property includes portions of the high-priority, and drill ready Miranna Target where prior boulder sampling in the area has returned 5.9% Nb2O5 and 1,220 ppm Ta2O5, as well as the Northwest and Southeast areas (Mallard Prospect) where drilling has returned wide intercepts of mineralization, including 0.61% Nb2O5 over 12.0 m (EC08-008) and 1.36% Nb2O5 over 4.5 m, within a larger interval of 0.80% Nb2O5 over 31.5 m (EC19-174A), respectively. On Behalf of the Board of Directors SAVILLE RESOURCES INC. "Mike Hodge" Mike Hodge President Tel: 604.681.1568 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include that the work has extended the strike length of the high-grade niobium mineralization by approximately 60 m, and that this work will provide the foundation for advancements towards an initial mineral resource estimate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. SOURCE: Saville Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578736/Saville-Resources-Inc-Announces-Sale-of-Its-100-Owned-Bud-Property-in-Greenwood-BC My brother is not perfect, but then again, none of us are, the family of 33-year-old Ariel Roman wrote on a GoFundMe page they have set up. He has had some ups and downs in his life, but he has the kindest selfless heart youll ever find in this world. Family is everything to him. He loves to make people laugh. He dislikes injustice, and he is the kind of person who will step in and break up a fight or defend someone else, even if they are a stranger. China cant just ignore its role in the virus getting out and out of control. This is not merely an unhappy accident that could perhaps as easily have happened in London or New York. Everybody knows it. China knows it. Chinas admittedly delayed response has been impressive, organised and apparently working . The delay, however, let the virus spread around the world. Pandemic or not , it is a major embarrassment for China. Infecting and killing citizens around the world because of your own inaction is more than embarrassing. Its not the sort of thing one can laugh off. There is a deep personal cost to every family who loses a loved one. You just dont forget that granny died unexpectedly because of a bug from China. What does the coronavirus mean for Xi Jinping ? People all over the world are looking at the health issues associated with Covid-19 but what about the political fallout in China? If the international impact doesnt rattle anyone in China, the domestic one might. It takes something fairly spooky to get a government to put cities with millions of people into lockdown. Imagine our government doing that to Melbourne and Sydney. Its a fair bet that when a government is spooked, so are the people. China now has millions of citizens living in fear for their lives and those of their families. The internet tells us that people have resorted to throwing loved pets from apartment block balconies for fear they might carry the virus. Its understandable that with such a sudden and virulent outbreak, health resources are unable to cope. But if its your mother or brother who cant be tested because there arent enough kits or cant get a bed, youre not looking for reasoned argument. Youre looking for someone to blame. Disinfecting the streets at night is like a sci-fi movie, except the people in Wuhan are living in it. Everybody in Hubei knows something went badly wrong. China carries a bitter burden of past humiliations. Not only is this nasty tale a further humiliation, its one perpetrated by their own. Sacking a few senior officials is one way to point blame away from the central government. There are two problems with that response. It's probably seen by locals as nowhere near proportional to the heartache and inconvenience being inflicted on millions of their own. More importantly, they may think that a good share of the blame lies elsewhere. Nobody likes to see people scapegoated. Those who do it to others make themselves look weak. It appears to some as though Xi Jinping is the strong man, there for as long as he wants. A latter-day Chairman Mao. I wouldnt be so confident. Sure, a peoples revolt where some leaders are strung up by their ankles like Mussolini or after a cursory trial shot like the Ceausescus doesnt seem likely. US-Taliban deal is like Pakeezah movie: Jaishankar India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: The US-Taliban peace deal signed on Saturday has been compared to the movie Pakeezah, by Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar. He said that it was not a surprise. While stating that the situation was being closely watched, Jaishankar said in a way it was not a surprise. Everybody knew it and it was being talked about for so long. It was like finally seeing Pakeezah after 17 trailers. The issue for is that at the moment the US is talking in terms of thinning down its presence and providing support to the government in Kabul. How that plays out time will tell, he also said. Explained: Why Afghan women fear the US-Taliban peace deal India will wait and see how this plays out. Real negotiations will start now and then we will have to see many of the assumptions that we had. We need to see if the Taliban joins the democratic set up or will the democratic setup adjust to the Taliban, Jaishankar also said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 11:04 [IST] VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:BLLG; FSE:7BL; OTCQB:BLAGF) provides additional technical information regarding the mineral projects of Metal Mountain Resources Inc. ("Metal Mountain"). The Company previously announced on February 27 that it had entered into a binding letter agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Metal Mountain, a private British Columbia company. Metal Mountain holds a 50.84% interest in Gavin Mines Inc. ("Gavin Mines"), which in turn holds a 100% interest in the Dome Mountain Mine located near the town of Smithers in northwest British Columbia. Blue Lagoon also has a binding letter of intent with AGC Investments Inc. ("AGC"), a private company which holds a 27.44% interest in Gavin Mines, whereby Blue Lagoon may acquire AGC's interest on closing of the acquisition of Metal Mountain. With the acquisition of Metal Mountain's 50.84% interest and AGC's 27.44% interest, Blue Lagoon will hold a total of 78.28% interest in the Dome Mountain Mine. Additionally, Metal Mountain also holds a 100% interest in the Big Onion Property, a porphyry copper project located 16 kilometres east of the town of Smithers and consists of 13 contiguous mineral claims comprising a total area of 4,493 hectares. The company will provide additional information on the Big Onion project in subsequent news releases. DOME MOUNTAIN PROJECT INFO & HISTORICAL ESTIMATES The Dome Mountain Project is the subject of a NI 43-101 technical report entitled Technical Report on the Dome Mountain Gold-Silver Project dated April 2010, prepared by Gary Giroux, P. Eng., Giroux Consultants Ltd. for Gavin Mines. The technical report provides the following historical resource estimate for the Boulder Vein System based on 285 surface diamond drill holes and 37 underground diamond drill holes (the "2010 Historical Resource Estimate"): Historical Indicated Resource within the Mineralized Veins Au Cut-off (g/t) Tonnes > Cut-off (tonnes) Grade>Cut-off Contained Metal Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (ozs) Ag (ozs) 4.00 143,000 14.76 72.83 67,900 334,800 5.00 138,000 15.10 73.93 67,000 328,000 6.00 133,000 15.46 75.36 66,100 322,200 Historical Inferred Resource within the Mineralized Veins Au Cut-off (g/t) Tonnes > Cut-off (tonnes) Grade>Cut-off Contained Metal Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (ozs) Ag (ozs) 4.00 173,000 12.43 57.03 69,100 317,200 5.00 154,000 13.42 60.63 66,500 300,200 6.00 137,000 14.43 64.49 63,500 284,000 This resource occurs principally above the 1290 level and has been adjusted to remove the volumes previously mined. The 2010 Historical Resource Estimate is considered historical in nature by the Company, is provided for background information purposes only, and is not a current resource estimate due to significant additional exploration work conducted subsequent to the date of the report. A qualified person (as defined in NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Subsequent to the 2010 Historical Resource Estimate, Gavin Mines conducted 7,210 meters of infill drilling in 2016 to upgrade the inferred resource. Four new veins were discovered within the Boulder Vein System during the 2016 drill program. The 2016 drilling program added 330 meters of strike length to the Boulder Vein which remains open along strike to the west and at depth. Gavin Mines engaged Roughstock Mining Services LLC of Bozeman, MT to prepare a non-43-101 resource estimate for the Boulder Vein system for internal use, based on the additional data from the 2016 drill program, as follows (the "2016 Historical Resource Estimate"): Historical Dome Mountain Mine Indicated Resource at 3.42 g/t Cut-off (undiluted) as at December 30, 2017 Tonnes Grade (g/t) Grams Ounces Boulder Vein 164,735 12.76 2,102,654 67,601 Boulder East Vein 8,736 22.22 194,137 6,241 TOTAL 173,471 13.24 2,296,791 73,843 Historical Dome Mountain Mine Inferred Resource at 3.42 g/t Cut-off (undiluted) as at December 30, 3017 Tonnes Grade (g/t) Grams Ounces Boulder Vein 171,611 8.96 1,538,017 49,448 Boulder East Vein 166,852 8.17 1,362,590 43,808 Argillite Vein 75,486 12.97 979,050 31,477 Boulder HW Vein 46,079 7.62 351,222 11,292 TOTAL 480,028 9.20 4,230,879 136,025 Blue Lagoon does not consider the 2016 Historical Resource Estimate to be a current resource as defined in NI 43-101. While Blue Lagoon believes the information to be generally reliable, Blue Lagoon has conducted only preliminary technical due diligence on the Dome Mountain Mine, and has not conducted the work necessary to independently verify the resource estimate, and specifically has not conducted a comprehensive review of the drill sample data used in the estimate, or other analysis necessary to confirm the cut-off grade and other factors used in calculating the resource, including the method of calculation of the resource. Readers should not treat the 2016 Historical Resource Estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical estimate is a non-NI 43-101 estimate, and as such was not prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 and does not use the categories or procedures required by CIM Best Practice Guidelines for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves or CIM definitions for mineral resources. MILLING AGREEMENT In March 2017, Gavin Mines entered into a toll milling agreement with Nicola Mining Inc. to provide for offsite milling and concentrating. Dome Mountain ore will be trucked and processed at this offsite mill owned by Nicola Mining Inc. located in Merritt, B.C. which has a capacity of processing 250 tonnes per day. Mill recoveries are based on a scoping level metallurgical program which was conducted on muck samples from the Dome Mountain Mine in 2010 and a test run of 6,690 tonnes of material that was run through the Nicola mill in 2016 at a grade of 8.75 gram/ton, with a 95.2% gold recovery. THE DOME MOUNTAIN MINE The Dome Mountain Mine includes a past-producing mine on tenures consisting of 42 contiguous mining claims and one mining lease totaling 10,970 hectares, located approximately 38 kilometers east of the town of Smithers in northwest British Columbia. The Dome Mountain area has a long history of exploration that resulted in the discovery of numerous gold-bearing quartz-carbonate veins. Gold mineralization was first located on the property in the late 1800s and considerable surface and underground work was done in 1923-24. Resumption of exploration in the 1980s led to the discovery of the Boulder Vein system in 1985. Underground mining was initiated in August 1991 by Timmins Nickel Inc. and its joint venture partner, Habsburg Resources Inc. and ceased in May 1993. During this period 43,900 tonnes at an average grade of 12.0 grams per tonne gold were reportedly mined from shrinkage stopes accessed from trackless drift developments on the 1290 and 1370 levels. Expenditures on the mine by past operators, including Gavin Mines, Timmins and Noranda, have totaled in excess of $68 million, $28 Million of which was spent by Gavin in the past 12 years. Mine permitting and significant infrastructure construction and underground development was completed on the mine between 2010 and 2012, including about 75% of the planned underground development necessary for commencing production from the site. The Dome Mountain Project holds a Mining Permit and Environmental Management Act Permit (EMA) providing for up to 75,000 tonnes annually. The infrastructure and underground development completed during that period includes: Mine dry/office building Electrocoagulation water treatment plant Water and sewer for all surface facilities Pipelines system for mine water Mechanics shop Electrical work into the mine Fuel storage and distribution system Major earthwork projects completed Underground development The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was prepared and reviewed by William Cronk, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101 and a consultant to the Company. For further information, please contact: Rana Vig President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: 604-218-4766 Email: rana@ranavig.com The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (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 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 the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include results of exploration activities may not show quality and quantity necessary for further exploration and exploitation of minerals deposits, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, permitting and other approvals, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. SOURCE: Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578745/Blue-Lagoon-Provides-Update-on-Transaction-With-Metal-Mountain-Resources-Inc Former Vice President Joe Biden used Houston as a backdrop on Monday as he tries to drive his newfound momentum into Super Tuesday when Texas and 13 other states will cast a potentially decisive blow in the race for the White House. Biden dominated in South Carolinas presidential primary on Saturday and brought his reinvigorated campaign to Texas for a final pitch. Look, we did it. We won in South Carolina, Biden said to a roar of hundreds of supporters at Texas Southern University. And God willing, we will win in Texas tomorrow. Biden, who has long honed his image as a fighter for the underdog, acknowledged that just a few days ago many were counting him out. My message to everyone who has been knocked down, counted out, left behind: This is your campaign, he said. Bidens rally at TSU came amid a flood of endorsements that rolled into his campaign from Democrats around the state and nation as other candidates dropped out of the race. Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out on Sunday and, just before Biden took the stage, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar pulled out. Both are expected to endorse Biden at a rally in Dallas later on Monday. Know the candidates: Houston Chronicle 2020 primary election voter guide; San Antonio Express-News 2020 primary election voter guide But Biden hardly has a clear path to the nomination. Polls in Texas show he is locked in a tight battle with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Biden didnt mention Sanders by name, but alluded to him when he told the crowd the party needs a Democratic nominee who is actually a Democrat. That is a reference to Sanders, who describes himself as a democratic socialist. The decision Democrats make tomorrow and the next few weeks will determine what we stand for, what we believe and where we're going to go, Biden said. Bidens Texas visit was just a week after Sanders held four rallies in Texas, including one in San Antonio and another in Houston. Speaking at the University of Houston, Sanders declared that the nation needs big structural change to fight for the working class by providing health care to everyone and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In San Antonio, Sanders drew a crowd of 3,000 supporters as he vowed to win the Democratic primary. The president gets upset very easily, so dont tell him that were going to beat him here in Texas, he said. Those visits were part of a wild final week in Democratic politics in Texas. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigned in San Antonio on Thursday, then in Houston on Saturday. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg was in Houston on Thursday and San Antonio on Sunday. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The attention precedes a dramatic Super Tuesday. Texas offers winning candidates a share of 228 pledged delegates. A big night for Sanders could make him unstoppable for the Democratic nomination. But if Biden wins outright, hed have even more momentum following his big weekend. Nevertheless, Texas is a challenge for Biden because of Bloomberg, who has zeroed in on the state as a key part of his strategy to win the nomination. Bloomberg skipped the first four early voting states, and instead has invested heavily in Texas, where hes spent millions more on television than any of his rivals. In Virginia on Monday for a campaign event, Bloomberg spoke shortly after Klobuchar quit the race, according to the Washington Post. He said he had spoken to both Klobuchar and Buttigieg. I thought both of them behaved themselves, is a nice way to phrase it, but they represented their country and their states very well, he said. And I feel sorry for them, but Im in it to win it. Bloomberg has visited Texas more than any other candidate since the start of the year. That has allowed Bloomberg to pick up key endorsements, including that of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has become one of Bloombergs most important surrogates. Warren on Monday traveled to Los Angeles to make a final pitch to California voters. She also released a detailed plan on how she would deal with the coronavirus, and a plan for farmworkers rights. For decades, agricultural labor has been intentionally excluded from basic labor laws. ... This exclusion was justified with explicitly racist reasons, one of the many ways in which Americans of color were excluded from the opportunities that built Americas white middle class, Warren says in her plan, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. She was scheduled for a rally in East Los Angeles on Monday night. In his appearance at TSU, Biden credited the voters of South Carolina particularly black voters with changing his fortunes as a presidential candidate. I am very much alive because of you, he said. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was at the rally on Monday with Texas State Sens. John Whitmire and Carol Alvarado, two of Bidens newest Houston-area endorsements. Biden didnt hesitate to pitch himself as the candidate who is best positioned to carry on former President Barack Obamas legacy. We need to build on a coalition and legacy of the most successful president in any of our lifetimes: Barack Obama, Biden said in pledging to build on Obamacare and not scrap it. Embattled UK Home Secretary Priti Patel was hit with a fresh allegation related to her ministerial role in the past on Tuesday as it emerged that her former aide received a 25,000 pounds payout from the government in 2015 after claiming she was bullied by the then employment minister. The Indian-origin minister, who is under pressure to quit as home secretary since the resignation of her top civil servant amid allegations of bullying, denies the allegations and received the backing of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as being a "fantastic" minister. According to legal documents seen by the BBC, an unnamed junior employee in the Department of Work and Pension (DWP), brought a formal complaint of bullying and harassment against the department, including Patel as the employment minister at the time, after being dismissed from her role in October 2015. The DWP did not admit liability and the case did not come before any employment tribunal but the staff member alleges she was told the decision to dismiss her was not made on performance grounds but because Patel did not "like [her] face", according to comments attributed to her line manager and a colleague. The female staff member allegedly took an overdose of prescription medication in the office and later took a further overdose at home, in what is described as an attempt to kill herself and was rushed to hospital where she spent the night in resuscitation, according to the documents. A source close to Patel has told the BBC that she is "unaware of any complaint being made". The latest allegation comes after Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove told the House of Commons on Monday that, under the ministerial code of conduct, an inquiry has been launched to establish the facts but spoke vehemently in Patel's defence. The Prime Minister has expressed his full confidence in her and having worked closely with the Home Secretary over a number of years, I have the highest regard for her she is a superb minister doing a great job, he said. But the Opposition has mounted pressure on the government to widen the scope of the inquiry and also demanded Patel step down while it is conduct. "We want a genuinely independent inquiry. A lawyer-led inquiry and something that can be seen to be independent, said Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary. "I'm afraid it would be better if she stepped down. We are calling on her to step down whilst the inquiry goes on," she said. The latest set of allegations will add further pressure after Sir Philip Rutnam, Permanent Secretary in the UK Home Office, resigned with an explosive television statement saying he will take the government to court over his unfair exit. I have received allegations that her [Patel] conduct has included shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands, behaviour that created fear and needed some bravery to call out, he had claimed. A spokesperson for the UK government said "All ministers are subject to the ministerial code. We do not comment on individual personnel matters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) She tied the knot with husband Chris Hughes in 2008. Yet Amanda Holden was back in a bridal gown on Tuesday as she shared a stunning snapshot modelling a wedding dress. The presenter, 49, took to Instagram with a cryptic shot, in which she teased a music career, before showing off her flexibility in another sassy snap. Striking: Amanda Holden was back in a bridal gown on Tuesday as she shared a stunning snapshot modelling a wedding dress Amanda hinted that she'd been working on some music as she captioned her glamorous shot: 'Another exciting day! Album on the way #BTS'. Back in July, Amanda - who famed for her roles in West End musicals - confirmed that she's signed a music deal with record label Virgin EMI. She wrote alongside the photo: 'Bloody thrilled to confirm I have signed an amazing record deal with @VirginEMI -It has been a lifetimes dream!!!!! Just cannot wait to get started....' Not bad: Amanda showed off her flexibility earlier in the morning as she finished her latest shift on Heart Radio Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday, the mother-of-two showed off her flexibility as she finished her shift on Heart Radio. The presenter, who co-hosts the station's Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston, made her way to work on Tuesday morning in a chic all black ensemble. Kicking one leg in the air, Amanda struck a sassy pose after planting one stiletto-heeled foot on the wall. Stylish: Amanda looked typically elegant in a black leather skirt and matching sweater emblazoned with the single word Femme Amanda looked typically elegant in a black leather skirt and matching sweater emblazoned with the single word Femme as she made her latest appearance at the central London station. She drew further attention to her features by opting for deft touches of make-up, selected from a soft colour palette, while her hair was casually styled with a simple side parting. Making her way onto Leicester Square later that day, the presenter added to her look with a chic double breasted winter coat. Finishing touch: Making her way onto Leicester Square later that day, the presenter added to her look with a chic double breasted winter coat Her latest appearance comes after she was trolled for advising people how to cope with coronavirus, despite having no medical background. In light of the news that COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has infected 89,240 people globally and caused 3,058 deaths, Amanda accused the public of falling foul to 'hysteria'. Addressing her 1.9 million Twitter followers, she claimed the media was making the virus seem more dangerous than it is - but got her facts wrong. Chic: To complete her sombre hued outfit Amanda boosted her height in black court shoes and opted to go without a handbag Love: Last week, Amanda had been presenting a Leap Year Proposals special in the Heart Radio studio with co-host Jamie Theakston, which saw five couples pop the question Amanda penned: 'The current mortality rate for the Corona virus is 2% which is roughly equivalent to a common flu virus. The 24 hr incessant mainstream media has a lot to answer for creating such hysteria. 'Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your nose eyes and ears. [heart]' She was correct on the current mortality average for coronavirus. Slammed: The actress has recently been trolled for advising people how to cope with coronavirus, despite having no medical background It is considered by the World Health Organisation to be approximately 2 per cent, but is fluctuating as more data comes in. However, the mortality rate for seasonal flu is lower. In the US, data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a mortality rate closer to 0.1 per cent in a standard flu season in America over the past decade. Irresponsible? Amanda's followers were quick to pick apart her tweet, claiming the statistics were wrong and it was 'irresponsible' to downplay the effects the virus could have Ukraine's health ministry on Tuesday confirmed the country's first case of the coronavirus in the western city of Chernivtsi. Deputy health minister Viktor Lyashko told reporters in Kiev that a man exhibiting symptoms of the virus was hospitalised Saturday, three days after returning from holiday in Italy. Lyashko said the man, whose condition was confirmed late Monday, is in a stable condition and that his wife is quarantined in their home. Kiev mayor Vitaliy Klitschko Tuesday announced measures to halt the spread of the virus, saying students would have their temperatures taken at school and public transport would be cleaned with disinfectant. Dozens of people last month protested outside a medical facility in central Ukraine over the government's plans to treat 45 nationals and 27 foreigners from coronavirus-hit China there. Protesters clashed with police and threw stones at returnees over infection fears. Ukraine's health minister joined the evacuees in the facility for two weeks in quarantine to calm the panic and aggression. COVID-19 has spread to more than 70 countries, killing over 3,100 people and causing chaos as governments clamp down on travel and mass gatherings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. restricted employee travel to Italy and South Korea, after recently instating a similar policy for China, as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. We have instituted specific travel restrictions in a few countries including China, South Korea, and Italy, the company told employees in a memo that outlines its latest response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Employees are only allowed to travel to those regions for business-critical reasons and must get approval from a company vice president, Apple told staff in messages viewed by Bloomberg News. The memo sent Monday evening also outlined the companys procedures for handling the outbreak, including the encouragement of virtual meetings. There are many ways to continue to manage our ongoing meetings and activities through calls and video, Apple said in the email to workers. If you do have travel planned, we suggest you work with your managers to consider delaying or canceling business travel which could be postponed or managed through virtual meetings. Apple also said deep cleaning protocols are our top priority and are in effect across its stores, offices and employee shuttles. It has since put hand sanitizer stations at the front of its stores as well. The companys memo also said that any employee who is sick, in particular, anyone who has a fever or severe cough, should take sick leave until they have fully recovered. It also is encouraging workers to wash their hands, not touch their faces and cover their coughs. Apple previously cut employee travel to China, the epicenter of the virus, and was forced to close all 42 of its local stores and offices. The companys offices and more than half of its stores in the country have since re-opened. Read more: Apple Outlook Cut Renews Questions About China Over-Reliance The move to cut travel to Italy and South Korea comes after the number of virus cases in those countries rapidly increased. Apple has one store in South Korea and 17 in Italy, but none of those stores have closed, according to a review of Apples retail website. Story continues On Friday, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said the Cupertino, California-based company has suppliers and business operations in Korea and Italy. Its very important to see what happens there, he said. Apple has uniquely been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak due to the majority of its supply chain being based in China. Foxconn, its main product assembler, said this week that its factories are operating at about half of their seasonal capacity. To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Gurman in Los Angeles at mgurman1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Alistair Barr, Molly Schuetz 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 Selectmen on Monday opted not to extend the use of CORI checks. Lanesborough Finalizes Police Chief Description Town Manager Kelli Robbins goes through job description for the chief of police. The new description extends the residency requirements to outside of Lanesborough. LANESBOROUGH, Mass. The Selectmen unanimously approved the final draft of the job description for the soon to be vacant police chief position. Chief Timothy Sorrell will be retiring this summer after almost six years in the post. Town Manager Kelli Robbins has been fine tuning the details since Sorrell informed the board in January that he would be retiring. The residency requirement is the only major change to the document: The police chief will no longer be required to live in Lanesborough. "Fifteen miles within two years," Robbins answered when asked by Chairman John Goerlach how the residency requirement had changed. Anyone accepting the position would have two years to secure residency either in Lanesborough or within 15 miles of the town's border. The distance limit would include towns such as Lenox to the south, Williamstown to the north, and Windsor to the east. "We're hoping to draw from a wider pool [of candidates]," Robbins said regarding the change to the residency requirement. Last week's meeting touched on the possibility of requiring Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks for all boards and committees. CORI checks are most commonly performed for employees working with children or the elderly or in a position of fiscal responsibility but are becoming common practice in some towns for all employees. The background check covers most criminal cases from Massachusetts state courts but does not cover out of state or federal cases. "We already have it in our CORI check policy ... it does say that volunteers, everyone can be subject to CORI checks. It's just a matter of whether or not you want to CORI check everyone," Robbins said. She ran through a list of departments that are already subject to checks and it included the Recreation Department, the Fire Department, and everyone who receives a paycheck from the town among others. The board felt the current practice was sufficient and did not endorse blanket CORI checks. "Seems like it's pretty well covered already. We already have a policy, it's in there if we need to enforce it by any means," said Selectman Henry Sayers. The scheduled joint meeting between the Selectmen and the Finance Committee scheduled for Monday night at Lanesborough Elementary was postponed. They were set to hear from Mount Greylock School District Superintendent Kimberley Grady regarding next year's budget proposal. The meeting will now be held in the Community Room at Town Hall on Wednesday, March 4, at 4:45 p.m. There will be a School Committee meeting on Monday, March 23, at Mount Greylock Regional School to possibly fill the seat recently vacated by Dan Caplinger. Caplinger was elected to a four-year term representing Williamstown in November 2018 but announced his resignation on Feb. 21. The interim member will be picked by the combined select boards of Williamstown and Lanesborough and the School Committee. The remaining two years of the term will be on the ballot this November. The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held prior to the joint meeting with the School Committee on Monday, March 23, at 4:30 at Town Hall. B BC presenter Carrie Gracie has said that she is ready to quit the corporation after two years of fighting for equal pay. Im nearing the end of my rope at the BBC because Ive done what Ive needed to. Ive fought the fight... Ive helped row the boat to shore, Gracie said at an event in Soho last night. Im kind of done, so I can actually start thinking about leaving. She went on: Theyve announced 450 job losses in news, Im an expensive person I should go. Gracie laid into BBC bosses, saying they were overcompensated. Too many managers ... are paid too much the foot soldiers are paid too little she said, adding: The managers get in the way, take them all out. She went on: The meetings you see in W1A, the truth is weirder than the fiction, all those people sit around having meetings... doing nothing useful for a lot of the time. Gracie was speaking at a Media Society event at the Groucho Club, hosted by Phil Harding. She hit the headlines in 2018 after she resigned as the BBCs China Editor when it was revealed that she earned half as much as supposed equivalent North America editor Jon Sopel. She then returned to London to work as a presenter. Gracie revealed she received a 361,000 payout from the corporation, which she donated to the gender equality charity the Fawcett Society. Rows about the gender pay gap have rumbled on for nearly three years, with presenter Samira Ahmed winning an employment tribunal last month. Weeks later, the BBC announced it was shedding 450 jobs in news in an 80 million savings drive. Unless the BBC [improves pay equality] it will die and it will rightly die frankly, because its essential to show respect for your workforce Gracie, who has worked for the BBC for more than 30 years, said. She added that it was tiring to be constantly fighting for parity. I dont want to be rigid in warrior mode, its a very exhausting place being in fight mode all the time. A Dawn chorus The parents of Dawn Sturgess, the innocent woman killed by novichok in Salisbury in 2018, have thanked author Tony Bassett for dedicating his new novel featuring Russian spies to the memory of their daughter. Bassett has dedicated The Lazarus Charter, published by Conrad Press, to Sturgess and Alexander Litvinenko, who were both killed by substances brought in by foreign agents. Commenting on how Sturgess unwittingly picked up a poison-laced perfume bottle, Bassett told The Londoner: It could have been anyone, couldnt it? Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) Heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson is a trusting soul. I let two Jehovahs Witnesses into my apartment today, she said yesterday, who I automatically thought were drug testers because they opened with, Bet you werent expecting us. -- As the NHS considers ways to combat the coronavirus, will the outbreak provide dubious openings for retired medics? Doctor and writer Phil Hammond deadpans: The Government is going to ask retired GPs to help out in a coronavirus pandemic. Those over 80, in which the mortality rate is highest, will be particularly attracted to this job opportunity. Not the kind of jobs boom anyone wanted. Parasite director at Tildas big night Bong Joon-ho (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Tilda Swinton was the recipient of a BFI fellowship as the toast of Hollywood gathered at the Rosewood Hotel for a dinner in her honour. Fellowship and BFI are two of my favourite words... Swinton told the audience. I share [the award] entirely with my beloved filmmaking playmates, living and departed. Playmates assembled included the Oscar-winning director Wes Anderson, who has cast Swinton in his last four films. Two further Academy Award-winners, costume designer Sandy Powell and Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, made the dinner, as did Kylie Minogue, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and Yorkes partner, the Italian actor Dajana Roncione. Meanwhile, at Fortnum & Mason, Rob Brydon stopped by for Turn The Tables, an evening in aid of Cancer Research UK. The actor, who stars in a new series of comedy travel series The Trip alongside Steve Coogan, was joined at the event by Elizabeth Hurley. SW1A Jeremy Corbyn has revealed why he and Arsenal fullback Hector Bellerin rankled Piers Morgan in 2017. Hector Bellerin was a nice guy, very interesting, Gunners fan Corbyn explains, but the GMB broadcaster kept interrupting our conversation and asking about [Arsene] Wenger. So we transferred our conversation into Spanish. Fellow Arsenal fan Morgan, Corbyn told the Islington Gazette, became extremely annoyed and then tweeted about it. Well, if you will interrupt... -- Jeremy Hunt says he has a very sweet tooth. Surrounded by cakes at a Lords event yesterday, the ex-health secretary whimpered: I always give up sweet things for Lent so this is a little bit painful. -- Spotting a pop-up shop in Parliament recently, we asked what the bestsellers were. Mints came top, but the hottest property of the day was a set of wooden cutlery. Remedies for bad breath and wooden spoons? How apt. Resourceful Jenny has got virus covered Jenny Eclair (Danny Martindale/Getty Images) Jenny Eclair wonders whether an unexpected substitute could help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The writer, who is secretly stockpiling food but only collecting Cup-A-Soup, as well as Valium, explained: I cant find any facemasks, so Im considering using sanitary towels. She joked to an audience at the Romantic Novelists Awards in St Pauls last night: We are from a generation where sanitary towels came with loops, absolutely perfect for looping around the ears... so its not a bad idea. Quote of the day Fiona Bruce (Ian Gavan/Getty Images) 'In the American version, people actually faint to the ground' After paying the mortgage for the family of fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is planning a 19-story climb in downtown Worcester to honor and celebrate all of Massachusetts first responders, the organization said. On Sunday, May 3, the foundation, which was established in the memory of Stephen Siller -- a New York City firefighter who died on 9/11 after running three miles in 60 pounds of firefighter gear through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers -- will hold a climb at Worcesters Mercantile Center, a 19-story building downtown. The climb will honor the states firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and military heroes, the non-profit organization wrote in a statement. Competitors, some in full firefighter gear, will compete by racing up the 19 stories to the top, the foundation said. On Nov. 13, Lt. Menard and fellow firefighters rushed into a burning three-decker home at 7 Stockholm St. After pushing another firefighter out a window to save him from the growing flames, Menard did not make it out of the four-alarm fire alive. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation stepped in to pay the mortgage for Menards widow, Tina, and the couples three children. Every day, brave men and women like Lt. Menard are putting their lives on the line, rushing into harms way in order to keep the rest of us safe, said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. It is clear that the people of Massachusetts and the people of America recognize and respect that. Because of their generous donations, we are able to provide some peace of mind to Lt. Menards wife and children, just in time for the holidays. We cannot replace what they have lost, but they will never have to worry about their home again. The upcoming Worcester climb has already received a $30,000 donation from the New England GMC dealers association, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation said. Tunnel to Towers has held more than 70 stair climb and 5K events to support veterans, Gold Star families and fallen first responder families with young children. The Worcester climb starts at 7:30 a.m. Anyone who wants to participate can register online. In addition to paying off the mortgage for the Menard family, Tunnel to Towers in 2018 paid the mortgage for the family of fallen Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna. Related Content: AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday launched a free daily bus service for pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur in Pakistan through the corridor from Golden Temple here to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal flagged off the bus on Heritage Street near Golden Temple in the presence of senior functionaries of the gurdwara body. He said the bus will be ferrying pilgrims from Bhai Gurdas Hall near Golden Temple to the corridor passenger terminal at Dera Baba Nanak every morning and bringing them back in the evening daily. Dera Baba Nanak is a border town linked to Kartarpur, the last resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, through the corridor opened on November 9 last year. A visa-free access to the shrine was a long-pending demand of the Sikhs in India. The gurdwara body is already running free buses for devotees from Golden Temple to Amritsar bus stand and railway station. Longowal said the SGPC is committed to facilitating the pilgrims visiting the Kartarpur gurdwara in every respect. He said that the gurdwara body will start sending ragis (gurbani exponents) to the Kartarpur gurdwara as the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has allowed it. Harassment of pilgrims by the police and other agencies on the pretext of questioning is unfortunate. This practice is in line of doubting the people of Punjab. The Punjab government should stop it, he said. The SGPC chief also urged the governments of both countries to waive the condition of passport for the trans-border pilgrimage. Austria May Pull Out Of European Financial Transactions Tax Talks by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 03 March 2020 On February 19, 2020, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz issued a statement to say that he remains "committed" to the introduction of a financial transactions tax at European Union level along the same lines as that proposed by the German Government last month, despite opposition from within the EU, notably from Austria. "This is an important step towards fair taxation of financial transactions and more tax justice," said a summary of Scholz's remarks on the Finance Ministry's website. "There are already good examples of this in many European countries, including those with large stock exchanges." Scholz's statement followed the approval by the Federal Cabinet in its weekly meeting of the basic state pension, which is to be partly financed by German revenues from the FTT, which the Government anticipates will be around EUR1.5bn (USD1.6bn) per year. The German proposal, which was presented to EU finance ministers last month as a way of breaking an ongoing deadlock on the scope and rates of an EU FTT, is based on France's financial transactions tax. Under this model, a tax of 0.2 percent would be imposed on the purchase of shares in domestically listed companies with a market capitalization in excess of EUR1bn. The tax would also apply to depositary receipts issued domestically and abroad and which are backed by shares in these companies. Initial share offerings would be excluded from the FTT. The German Government argues that a tax of this type would be borne mostly by large institutional investors. However, Austria has warned that these proposals would disproportionately affect small retail investors, and Finance Minister Gernot Blumel recently reiterated his Government's opposition to the German plan. "The original goal was to stop unethical financial speculation after the economic and financial crisis. In the end, the submitted proposal would only affect the real economy and small investors. The speculators would get away again," Blumel said in an interview with Handelsblatt. "We should go back to the original proposal from the EU Commission. The aim is to record and tax high-frequency trading, derivatives transactions, and intraday trading. We absolutely support that. We urgently need a new proposal," Blumel added, warning that Austria would leave the discussions if there was no change in approach to the issue. As initially proposed by the European Commission in 2011, the FTT was to be imposed on all transactions in financial instruments, with the exchange of shares and bonds taxed at a rate of 0.1 percent and derivative contracts at a rate of 0.01 percent. However, member states failed to reach an agreement on the technical details of the draft directive. Besides Austria and Germany, eight other member states are taking part in the negotiations towards an EU FTT, including Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. These countries are participating in the initiative under the EU's enhanced cooperation mechanism, which allows smaller groups of member states to proceed with EU legislation when unanimity on a proposal cannot be achieved. However, a minimum of nine member states are required to take draft legislation forward on the basis of enhanced cooperation. Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. has teamed up with the Kenyan artist Kapnea for Mars Anthem--an anthem for neighbouring red planet. This year is a great year for Mars exploration as Mars comes close to Earth's orbit in summer 2020. As NASA plans to launch Mars 2020, a Mars rover mission on July 17 2020, Abhay K. has collaborated with Kapnea to bring out a Mars Anthem to inspire the younger generation to pay attention to the wonders waiting to be explored on the red planet. The music video of the Mars Anthem has been made by Mishree Yadav of Nepal. Speaking about his Mars anthem, Abhay K said--"Mars is the new centre of space exploration where a man is likely to land soon. I wanted to write an anthem with the perspective of a Martian, the way a Martian would feel about his planet, brag about it to us Earthlings. For example, the lyrics of the Mars Anthem include these lines--"Earth's twin in the Milky Way. Similar seasons, length of the day/Channels, valleys, dykes and dunes/ dry ice, dust devils, two moons/ Vallis Marineris, Olympus Mons/ Highest mountains, deepest canyons..." "A Mars Anthem will bring Mars to the thoughts and imagination of a common man."-he added. Apart from NASA's Mars 2020, in the summer of 2020, the EU and Russia plan to send a joint mission to Mars as well. China and the UAE are also preparing to send their first Mars missions. Abhay K. has penned Earth Anthem and Moon Anthem earlier. Earth Anthem has been translated into over 50 languages and is widely used to celebrate Earth Day and World Day while the Moon Anthem was telecast live on major Indian TV channels hours before the landing of Chandrayan-II on the moon. India's own Mars Orbiter Mission-II is scheduled to be launched in 2022. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A civil servant allegedly attempted to kill herself after being shouted at by Priti Patel and later received a 25,000 payout from the government on a no liability basis, it has been claimed. The woman was shouted at, told to get lost and dismissed from her job in the ministers private office because Ms Patel doesnt like your face, according to legal correspondence seen by the BBC. The incident allegedly took place in October 2015, when the home secretary now embroiled in fresh bullying allegations which she has denied was employment minister, it was reported. The woman took an overdose of prescription medicines and had to be taken home by her husband, where she attempted to kill herself, the legal correspondence said. A complaint was brought for unfair dismissal, harassment, victimisation and discrimination, but did not reach a tribunal because the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) settled the case for 25,000 in April 2017, without admission of liability, the BBC said. By that time, Ms Patel had been promoted to international development secretary a post she was sacked from later that year, before Boris Johnson revived her career. The case has come to light after the shock weekend resignation of the Home Offices top civil servant, who accused Ms Patel of lying about a vicious campaign orchestrated against him and creating a climate of fear in her department. Philip Rutnam plans to take his case for constructive dismissal to an employment tribunal, which could call the home secretary, as well as Dominic Cummings and Mr Johnson, as witnesses. And those allegations are now being investigated by the Cabinet Secretary as possible breaches of the ministerial code, plunging Ms Patels career into jeopardy again. Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty According to the documents seen by the BBC, the unnamed civil servant in the earlier case was used to being shouted at, but the incident in question took place without warning or apparent provocation. After being informed Ms Patel had removed her from her role, the woman took the overdose, returned to her office and lay her head on the desk, the BBC reported. She was then taken home by her husband, where she attempted to take her life again and was then off work for a lengthy period of time. When the 25,000 settlement was reached, the DWP did not accept liability, the BBC said. Ms Patel has been asked to respond to the allegations. Sources close to the home secretary have previously said she was not aware of any complaint while she was at the DWP. Meanwhile, the prime minister continued to stand by his home secretary, even after the Cabinet Secretarys inquiry was announced. I think that Priti is doing an outstanding job and the Home Office is a tough beat everybody knows that and theres a huge programme that she has to put forward, Mr Johnson said. He added he had absolutely every confidence in her, before adding: I also have massive confidence and faith in our top civil servants. They are a wonderful group of people. None of us could do our jobs. None of us politicians, elected politicians, could do our jobs without their brilliance of mind and their impartiality. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can contact a Samaritan for confidential support on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org Illegal Aliens Cant Appeal Deportation Orders to Courts, Trump Administration Tells Supreme Court WASHINGTONThe Trump administration told the Supreme Court that a foreigner who entered the country unlawfully and was thrice denied asylum during administrative proceedings doesnt have the legal right to challenge an expedited removal order in the courts. If the government loses the appeal in the case, known as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) v. Thuraissigiam, the flow of illegal aliens and would-be asylees to the United States could accelerate at a time when the Trump administration has been trying to curb the flow of such people into the country. In ruling on the case, the Supreme Court could clarify what, if any, due process rights aliens stopped at the border possess. In a friend-of-the-court brief, the Immigration Law Reform Institute says such detained aliens dont possess any rights beyond what the INA [Immigration and Nationality Act] provides. The case goes back to 2017, when Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam, an ethnic Tamil, a group that has been persecuted in Sri Lanka, was arrested 25 yards north of the U.S.Mexico border in San Ysidro, California, after entering the country unlawfully. His case was processed under the expedited removal system instead of the slower-moving traditional removal system. While trying to demonstrate he had a credible fear of persecution in his homeland, Thuraissigiam claimed he had been detained and beaten in 2007 by Sri Lankan army officers for supporting a Tamil political candidate and that in 2014, government officials kidnapped and tortured him. A U.S. asylum officer, a supervisory asylum officer, and an immigration judge all rejected his refugee claim, and the file was sent to DHS for the mans deportation. He brought an application in court seeking release from detention. U.S. District Court Judge Anthony J. Battaglia of the Southern District of California denied Thuraissigiams appeal, stating that he lacked subject matter jurisdiction under federal law. At the urging of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reversed the district court ruling, finding the claimant was entitled to challenge his detention in federal court. Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler told the Supreme Court during oral arguments March 2 that the appeals court was wrong, because federal law gives Thuraissigiam no right to go to court after going through the governments administrative process. Congress has repeatedly said that an alien seeking admission is entitled only to the procedures Congress has provided, Kneedler said. When an immigration official rules that an individual alien is excludable, then that finding constitutes due process, for purposes of the Constitution, and that expedited removal order establishes the governments right to detain him. Justice Sonia Sotomayor challenged Kneedlers explanation of the law. Its one thing when an alien comes and has no protected ground to stay here. Theres no legal right to stay. And so expedited proceedings are okay because they have no right to be here. But when someones seeking asylum, they have a statutory right to stay if they meet the elements of the statute. Justice Brett Kavanaugh posed a question to ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt. You are saying a non-citizen who arrives at a port of entry, has never been in the United States, not lawfully admitted to the United States, nonetheless has a right under the U.S. Constitution to judicial review of the executives decision to say theyre not admissible? The answer is yes, Gelernt said. Justice Stephen Breyer told Kneedler that centuries ago when habeas corpus, which governs whether a persons detention is lawful, was developed, The king wanted to see if his officers were following the law. Now they may have a lot of discretion and so forth, but here we have a statute which says: Judge, you cannot determine whether the officer has followed the law. All you can determine is whether he issued an order saying keep him in jail or send him wherever or whatever. If that is the case, habeas rights would seem fairly seriously undermined by the INA, Breyer said. Kneedler said the Supreme Court has held for more than a hundred years that the determination of whether a person comes within the scope of the INA, may be committed entirely to an executive officer. If judicial review were to be added on top of the administrative processes prescribed by the INA, it would really bog down the system. And we think Congresss judgment that that is not constitutionally required is entitled to great respect, Kneedler told Chief Justice John Roberts. Aliya Feroe remembers the doctor who sent her to another doctor after learning she identified as queer. The doctor who would not treat her was a woman who specializes in womens health. For Rhi Ledgerwood, it was a doctor advising about things like pregnancy prevention. Ledgerwood was designated female at birth but now identifies as transgender and does not have sex with men. Transgender people have a gender identity different from that designated at birth. For Tim Keyes, it is when doctors thought he was sexually active with women. But he had no interest in having sex with women. When he was 17 years old, Keyes announced that he was gay. Ask any LGBTQ patient about their experiences with doctor visits and chances are they will have an unpleasant story to tell. The term LGBTQ is short for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. When doctors think all of their patients are heterosexual, those who identify in other ways can feel ignored. They also are less likely to seek medical care. This can lead to health problems including high rates of depression, suicidal behavior, alcohol and drug use and ineffective health screenings. That information comes from LGBTQ advocates in the United States. But changes are coming to the medical field, these advocates say. Reaching out to LGBTQ individuals For example, the American Medical Association, or AMA, promised in November to push for a federal ban on conversion therapy. The treatment attempts to turn members of the LGBTQ community into heterosexuals. In addition, U.S. medical schools are expanding education on LBGTQ health issues. And some schools are pushing to have more LGBTQ medical students. Research shows that patients often get better care when treated by doctors who are more like them. Feroe, Keyes and Ledgerwood are part of that movement. They are all studying for careers in medicine. Feroe is a third-year medical student at Harvard University in Massachusetts. She told The Associated Press that LGBTQ doctors should be treated like other members of the medical community. She also thinks LGBTQ patients should get the same quality of care other patients get. Increasing LGBTQ student enrollment in medical schools and training in LGBTQ health issues can help reach those goals, advocates say. Exact numbers of these medical students and doctors are unknown. In 2018, the AMA added sexual and gender identity to the information members could choose to include on their profiles. Of the 15,000 doctors and students who have volunteered that information so far, about four percent identify as LGBTQ. Changes at Harvard In autumn of 2019, Harvards entering class of medical students was 15 percent LGBTQ, a high rate that is no accident. Harvard asks students if they want to be identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. An answer is not required, but the choice sends a message that youre wanted, said Jessica Halem. She works with LGBTQ students at the medical school. We know that doctors need to look like and be a part of the communities they serve, Halem said. We have gay Muslim students, lesbians from China; students who are survivors of conversion therapy, she said. They are now out and very proud gay people and they are healing those wounds. In the beginning, Aliya Feroe planned to present herself as heterosexual in medical school. She feared that making the truth known would cause patients to dislike her and make her feel different from the other students. But Harvard has an active LGBTQ student group and teachers who ask students what their chosen pronoun is. It also has classes dealing with LGBTQ medical care. During a recent visit to one of Harvards sister hospitals, Feroe was happy to see some patients there with their same-sex partners. She said doctors who were training her smoothly asked about peoples lives and were at-ease when learning patients were queer. All are important steps, Feroe says, toward offering non-judgmental patient-centered care. The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that while most schools offer LGBTQ courses, half reported three or fewer classes, group discussions or other learning activities. And a study of medical students published in March 2019 found a serious lack of knowledge on LGBTQ health issues. Carl Streed was the lead writer of a report on the study. He is a doctor and an associate professor at Boston Universitys medical school. Streed said that a bad experience with a doctor 15 years ago when he was sick made him want to join the medical field. When he told the doctor he was gay, the doctor became very unfriendly and then suggested HIV testing, left the room and never came back. Streed was a young student at the time. Testing elsewhere showed he did not have the virus, but no one suggested tests for infections more common among college students. And he never found out what his sickness was. Streed said doctors personal beliefs should not affect their quality of care and kindness toward patients. Tim Keyes started attending Stanford Universitys medical school in 2015. Back then, LGBTQ health issues were only discussed in one unrequired class that had low enrollment. But now expanded coursework is part of the required study program. Two years ago, Keyes was among six students at four universities who created the Medical Student Pride Alliance. The group now operates at 31 universities across the United States. Its aim is to get more LGBTQ students into medical schools, push for more informed coursework and improve LGBTQ medical care. Im Jill Robbins. And Im Alice Bryant. Lindsey Tanner reported this story for the Associated Press. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Quiz - US Medical Schools Increase LGBTQ Students, Doctor Training Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story queer adj. of or relating to a sexual or gender identity that is different from traditional ideas of sexuality and gender gender n. the state of being male, female or something else designate v. to call something or someone by a particular name or title heterosexual n. someone who finds members of the opposite sex to be sexually appealing screening n. health tests to look for sicknesses or diseases before you have symptoms enrollment n. the number of people registered at a school, or for a class or program profile n. a brief written description that provides information about someone or something out v. to publicize or make public the sexual identity of someone pronoun n. one of the words (such as he/him, she/her or they) that can be used in place or a noun or noun phrase; the way people like to be identified based on their gender identity HIV n. the virus that causes AIDS Vernon, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 2, 2020) - True Leaf Brands Inc. (CSE: MJ) (OTCQX: TRLFF) (FSE: TLA) ("True Leaf" or the "Company") today announced its operating and financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019. Q3 2020 and Recent Highlights True Leaf Pet Reported revenues from global sales totaling $491,040 (CAD). Secured several new listings with PetSmart Canada (petsmart.ca), expanding the Company's product line in 140 stores and online. The expanded range of hemp supplements and oil of oregano pet care products will arrive on store shelves this month. Secured distribution with Quebec-based pet retailer Mondou (mondou.com) to list the Company's full product lines in their 66 stores across the province. Signed an agreement with Jerry Wilson & Associates to act as manufacturers' representatives in the western U.S., including the lucrative California pet care market. The firm has an affiliate relationship with George Brent & Associates, offering additional support for the Canadian marketplace. Showcased the Company's expanded pet care product lines at the 2020 Global Pet Expo, the world's largest pet industry tradeshow, held annually in Orlando, Florida. "This year True Leaf Pet celebrates its fifth anniversary. In five short years, we have launched more than 40 products and built a retail distribution network of thousands of stores across North America and Europe," said Chief Executive Officer Darcy Bomford. "We continue to receive an impressive response to our expanded range of plant-focused pet care products and build upon our core business in the specialty pet channel. Going forward, we have a positive outlook for the year ahead as the global market for cannabis and natural pet care products continues to grow exponentially." True Leaf Cannabis On November 22, 2019, secured three licenses from Health Canada to cultivate, process and sell medical cannabis for the Company's 18,000 square foot True Leaf Campus facility in Lumby, British Columbia. The Company plans to leverage its formulation experience to offer cannabis oils and capsules with specific CBD, THC, and terpene profiles that offer anxiety and anti-inflammatory support for people. Development of these cannabis products is underway with the support of white-label suppliers, providing the Company an efficient route to market. Bomford continued, "In this quarter True Leaf Cannabis became a Licensed Producer which was a long-awaited landmark event for our Company. Our team's formulation and product development experience allows us to leverage our processing license and launch cannabis-focused products into the 'Cannabis 2.0' market quickly and cost-effectively." The Company has been actively seeking capital or a joint venture partner to invest and participate under their cannabis licenses. In addition, the Company is considering a potential sale or lease of its True Leaf Campus facility in order to monetize their investment in the licenses. Bomford added, "Over the past few months we've seen the first-hand effects of the 'capital crunch' in the equity markets and have been working hard to implement significant cost-saving measures. This includes restructuring our core team, streamlining operations, and reducing Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses. Our main objective is to give our shareholders a return on the True Leaf Cannabis division, extend our runway, and achieve profitability as soon as possible." Selected Quarterly Results of Operations (Expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated) Three Months Ended Description December 31, 2019 $ September 30, 2019 $ Revenues 491,040 706,752 Total operating expenditures (2,175,877) (2,242,125) Loss and comprehensive loss for period (2,010,308) (1,889,107) Basic and diluted Loss per share (0.02) (0.02) For further information, please refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for Fiscal Third Quarter 2020, published on the Company's website at ir.trueleaf.com. About True Leaf True Leaf Brands Inc. is a wellness company for both people and their pets. True Leaf Cannabis, a division of True Leaf Brands Inc., is a Licensed Producer and owns True Leaf Campus, an 18,000 square foot facility located on a 40-acre site zoned for the cultivation, processing, and sale of cannabis in Lumby, British Columbia. True Leaf Pet, a division of True Leaf Brands Inc., is a global pet care company offering plant-focused wellness products that improve the quality of life for companion animals. The company is guided by its mission to "Return the Love" which was inspired by the unconditional love that pets give us every day. www.trueleaf.com Investor Contact: Darcy Bomford Chief Executive Officer Darcy@trueleaf.com O: 778-475-5323 x201 Media Contact: Paul Sullivan Director, Public Relations Paul@trueleaf.com O: 604-685-4742 M: 604-603-7358 Follow True Leaf Twitter: @trueleafpet Facebook: True Leaf Pet Instagram: @trueleafpet Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and management may make additional forward-looking statements in response to your questions. Such written and oral disclosures are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and True Leaf hereby claims such safe harbour protection for all forward-looking statements. True Leaf believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions; however, True Leaf's actual results and performance and the value of its securities could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to the impact of many factors summarized in the "Risk Factors" section of True Leaf's Offering Circular Form 1-A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities and other discussions of risk factors contained in True Leaf's periodic filings or supplements to the offering circular. True Leaf's Offering Circular Form 1-A can be found at ir.trueleaf.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. True Leaf undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such information for any reason after the date of this presentation unless required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53037 Lucy Prebble the British playwright and writer for TV series including Succession won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize on Monday for A Very Expensive Poison, an acclaimed play about a Russian assassination on British soil. The Blackburn Prize, worth $25,000, is one of the most prominent awards for female playwrights. Previous winners have included Lynn Nottages Sweat and, last year, Jackie Sibblies Drurys Fairview. Prebbles play, which premiered at the Old Vic in London last year, is about the 2006 killing in London of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy, who drank green tea laced with polonium. The play follows Litvinenko as he investigates his own death, and his wife Marinas quest for justice. Critics praised the play for its inventiveness, as much as its political drive. It included songs, puppets, and even an offstage President Vladimir V. Putin trying to direct the action and divert the audiences attention from the killing. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, A public interest litigation (PIL) was on Tuesday filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the announcement made by Delhi government to grant compensation to the victims of the communal violence in north-east Delhi. The petition, filed by BJP leader Nand Kishore Garg through advocate Shashank Deo, stated that the perpetrator of the riots must be denied compensation and must not be treated as victims. The High Court is likely to hear tomorrow the public suit, which seeks directions to strike down the order of compensation to all victims riot as being unreasonable and arbitrary. The plea said that it is emphatically underlined that the perpetrator of the riots must be denied the compensation and they must not be treated as victims. Deo sought directions to Delhi government for laying down comprehensive and exhaustive guidelines in respect of width and length of space of government advertisement of notifying the announcement to prevent the misuse of public money which can be published like other government notifications. He also requested to issue directions to re-notify the fresh announcement and notification by incorporating mandatory conditions of identification of the real victims of riots before releasing the compensation amount. The petition sought regulation of ex-gratia compensation amount which should be proportionate to the loss of life and social standing to deceased and direction to restore, rehabilitate, re-construction of damaged educational institution and religious places irrespective of the communities in time-bound manner, so that forthcoming academic session may not be hampered on account of recent unfortunate incidents of Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had last week announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives, Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the minors who died, and Rs 25,000 to those whose houses were burnt down in Delhi violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A paedophile couple have copped a record jail sentence after being convicted of drugging their own children and forcing them to take part in 'swinger' sex sessions. The 41-year-old mother of the children and their 47-year-old stepfather were sentenced to 28 and 26 years respectively in the longest jail sentences ever handed down in Western Australia for child sex crimes. The couple, who can't be named to protect the identity of their children, recorded their children being abused in a swingers sex group. SD cards with footage of their abuse were found in a home in Perth in January 2018. Recordings showed the woman's daughter being repeatedly abused by the couple and other men. A 41-year-old mother (pictured) was sentenced to 28 years in jail for various child sex crimes The ABC reported the young girl revealed to police that her younger brother was also abused by her mother and her partner, and that they were drugged with a 'stupefying substance' believed to be methylamphetamine before being abused. The children were abused for four years from when the girl was five and her brother was three-years-old. The District Court heard the girl was first abused after she had a nightmare and rushed to her mother's bedroom in fear. She told the court via video link that she was abused on her seventh birthday by her mother, her partner and two men after her stepfather said he 'had a surprise for her.' The mother was a prostitute who worked out of the family home, while the stepfather confessed he molested his two daughters from a previous relationship when they were aged between four and seven. Judge Bruce Goetze was scathing of the pair. Police raid one of six properties (pictured) during Taskforce Mirzam into the child sexual abuse in March 2018 after the SD cards with recordings were found 'She (the daughter) was wholly corrupted into accepting this horrendous conduct as being normal. It is not. It is depraved and perverted,' he said. The children's mother will be eligible for parole after 26 years, and the stepfather after 24. West Australian police launched Taskforce Mirzam into the child sexual abuse in March 2018 after the SD cards with recordings were found. Officers searched six properties they believed were linked with swinging parties in Perth. Tracy Coulter was previously arrested in relation to the child sex ring in December 2019 after pleading guilty to assaulting the girl in group sessions involving up to four adults, including her mother and stepfather. The 58-year-old was sentenced to 21 years in jail, which was later reduced to 17 years. A cyber-security consultant is among several parties who have secured an order for access to documents put before the High Court concerning an alleged data breach at Independent News & Media in 2014. The application by Derek Mizak and others for an order to be provided with the documents was not opposed by lawyers for INM or the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) when it came before High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly. In an affidavit, Mr Mizak said the documents were sought solely for the purpose of aiding him in his full co-operation with the investigation by inspectors appointed to INM and his involvement in the proceedings in relation to the data issue. He also needed the materials to ensure he is on an "equal footing" with other parties who have secured the materials. The order applies only to material concerning the alleged data interrogation which has been, or will be, put before the High Court as part of proceedings by the ODCE which lead to the September 2018 appointment of inspectors to INM to investigate four matters, including the alleged data breach. The ODCE had applied for inspectors following his offices year-long investigation into matters raised in protected disclosures made in 2016 and 2017 by former INM CEO Robert Pitt and former INM Chief Financial Officer Ryan Preston. The ODCE raised concerns about issues including an alleged data breach involving data being exported from the jurisdiction and interrogated by third parties in what then INM Chairman Leslie Buckley, who stepped down in March 2018, has said was a cost-cutting exercise called Operation Quantum. Mr Justice Kelly found the ODCE had met certain criteria under Section 748 of the Companies Act 2014 for the appointment of inspectors. Granting the documents access order today to Paul McGarry SC, for the applicants, the judge observed that other parties - including persons suing over the alleged data interrogation - were previously permitted access to the material. The terms governing that access, including limitations on use of the documents, apply to the latest applicants. Mr McGarry made the application on behalf of Mr Mizak, John Henry, Keith Duggan, Shane Henry, DMZ IT Ltd, Specialist Security Services Ltd, Reconaissance Group Ltd and Resilient Defence Ltd. Mr Mizak is a Dublin-based cyber security consultant and a shareholder of DMZ IT Ltd. Dublin-based Resilient Defence is a subsidiary of Reconnaisance Group whose chief executive is Shane Henry whose father is John Henry, also a security consultant. Mr Duggan is chief operating officer with Reconaissance. In his affidavit, Mr Mizak, with an address in Sandyford, Dublin, said he is an interested party to a court order of September 4, 2018 appointing investigators to INM. He was making the affidavit on his own behalf and with the express consent of the other applicants, also parties to the ongoing investigation. The High Court had appointed Sean Gillane SC and Richard Fleck CBE to investigate INM in respect of four different matters including the data interrogation issue and his involvement, and that of the other parties to this application, was limited to the data interrogation issue. Because the circumstances giving rise to that involvement are subject of an ongoing investigation, he did not believe it would be appropriate to discuss any matters relevant to that investigation unless they pertained to this application, he said. He first became aware of the INM proceedings arising from the large amount of publicity it was given and had not previously sought access to the documents as he believed the matter arose from corporate governance concerns within INM and was not relevant to him. It has subsequently become clear his involvement, and involvement of the other parties to this application, has become of relevance to the inspectors investigation, he said. He and his solicitors have to date fully co-operated and actively engaged with the investigators and intend to continue to do so. He believed he and the other applicants remain the only individuals co-operating with the investigation who are not in possession of the materials at issue and this placed him at "a clear disadvantage" in terms of his ongoing involvement. LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE IS APRIL 28, 2020 NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of those who acquired Aarons Inc. (Aarons or the Company) (NYSE: AAN) securities during the period from March 2, 2018 through February 19, 2020, inclusive (Class Period). All investors who purchased shares of Aarons Inc. and incurred losses are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action or join the case on our website, www.whafh.com. If you have incurred losses in the shares of Aarons Inc., you may, no later than April 28, 2020, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights as an investor in the shares of Aarons Inc. Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE On July 26, 2018, Aarons announced that in July 2018 it had received civil investigative demands (CIDs) from the FTC requesting the production of documents and answers to written questions to determine whether disclosures related to financial products offered by the Company through its AB and Progressive segments were in violation of the FTC Act. On this news, Aarons stock price fell $5.38 per share, or 11.0%, to close at $43.47 on July 27, 2018. On February 20, 2020, Aarons announced that the Companys Progressive segment had reached an agreement in principle with FTC staff regarding the CID from the FTC that Progressive received in July 2018. The proposed agreement would require Progressive to make a payment of $175 million and enhance certain compliance-related activities, including monitoring, disclosure and reporting requirements. On this news, Aarons stock price fell $10.70 per share, or 19.1%, to close at $45.45 on February 20, 2020. Wolf Haldenstein has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Kevin Cooper, Esq. Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: gstone@whafh.com , kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The second half of budget session resumed with fireworks in both houses of Parliament over the violence in northeast Delhi. The Opposition is likely to continue its protest over the Delhi riots until the Union government agrees to a discussion on the issue. Watch all the action in both houses LIVE here. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:40:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GUIYANG, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has officially cast off poverty. On Tuesday, authorities announced to have lifted the county of Zheng'an in southwest China's Guizhou Province out of poverty. The county is under the jurisdiction of the city of Zunyi, where the CPC conducted its early revolutionary activities. The announcement means that more than eight million people in the entire city of Zunyi have officially bid farewell to poverty. Zunyi was at the forefront of China's battle against poverty. The city had eight counties in poverty previously. Zunyi once served as a revolutionary base for the CPC. In January 1935, an enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee took place in Zunyi during the Long March. The meeting focused on rectifying the left-leaning errors in military and organizational affairs and established the correct leadership of the new Central Committee, as represented by Mao Zedong. The Zunyi Meeting is regarded as a crucial turning point of the Long March, leading to the ultimate success of the Chinese revolution. Since then, Zunyi has become a sacred place for generations of CPC members, and the footprints of the Red Army are forever imprinted on the city's culture and spirit. New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary party meeting is underway in the Parliament Library Building where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also present. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh and Union Minister Smriti Irani are also in attendance at the meeting. The second half of Parliament's Budget Session that resumed on Monday (March 2) saw adjournments in both houses of Parliament over the violence in North-East Delhi in which at least 47 people have died and around 200 sustained injuries. The Vietnam Association of Securities Businesses (VASB) may propose market regulators reduce trading taxes for investors, according to general secretary Nguyen Thanh Ky. Trading taxes for investors are expected to cut with an aim to encourage investors to increase their activity amid domestic and global adverse impacts. The move aims to encourage investors to increase their activity on the Vietnamese securities market amid the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the global economy, Ky told Dau tu Chung khoan (Securities Investment) newspaper. The VASB will suggest Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh stock exchanges cut trading fees for brokerage firms, then the companies will consider doing the same for investors, he said. The association will also propose the National Assembly consider tax cuts for the securities sector so the market may flourish in 2020, he said. The targets set for the securities sector in 2020 may not be achieved if no measures are carried out, Ky said. According to Bao Viet Securities Co.s general director Nhu Dinh Hoa, the Government should think about a tax cut and tax free policy for investors. Such a policy is a support of the Government for investors amid the volatility of the global market and economy, he said. The policy will encourage investors to stay with the Vietnamese market and become more professional, he added. Solutions to improve the quality and efficiency of the Vietnamese securities market must be done in 2020, especially those that were issued years ago but have remained undone, he said. Investors and companies expect market regulators will receive and process their ideas in a better manner, Hoa said. The biggest challenge for the securities market and investors is margin lending interest, according to business insiders. Investors will suffer more if the market keeps going down as their assets become cheaper than their initial purchasing prices while they still have to pay to keep their portfolios active, they said. The current market condition is pretty harsh and it would be difficult for companies to increase the number of new active investors, they said, adding many active investors have closed their accounts while some others are waiting for more signals to close theirs. Administration, foreign limit Besides taxes, improving administrative procedures is one of the key issues that has weighed on the local market, according to Nguyen Hoang Hai, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Financial Investors (VAFI). A slow-moving administration will hamper the chance of success for companies, even kill many of them, especially those in the real estate sector, he said. Amid the existing difficulties, the Government needs to put administrative reform on top, really cares and supports the business community with its utmost enthusiasm and passion so that local companies and local market can develop, Hai said. Foreign investors should also be allowed to increase their ownership in local public companies, he suggested. If local firms are able to raise more foreign capital, they can reduce their dependence on the banking sector and the capital cost in the economy will get lower, he said. In 2020, the market is expecting the Governments large-scale divestment from State-owned enterprises. If the cases are done successfully, more foreign investors will appear in Viet Nam and provide the Government a new flow of cash to invest in infrastructure projects, he said. Some SOEs being enlisted for divestment in 2020 include the Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex), the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and national carrier Vietnam Airlines. VNS As coronavirus fears persist, stock market volatility seen continuing As the coronavirus is going global, the local stock market is forecast to experience continued volatility next week, according to securities firms. Famous cotton breeder and Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Prof. Dr Muhammad Iqbal had a meeting with leader Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Jahangir Khan Tareen to discuss factors responsible for cotton failure and measures taken for cotton revival BAHAWALPUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Mar, 2020 ) :Famous cotton breeder and Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Prof. Dr Muhammad Iqbal had a meeting with leader Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Jahangir Khan Tareen to discuss factors responsible for cotton failure and measures taken for cotton revival. Jahangir Tareen said that the government will give subsidy on the PB-ropes for the control of pink boll-worm as per the direction of Prime minister Imran Khan. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal proposed that subsidy may be provided on chemicals used for the management and control of white-fly. Innovated new cotton genotype fit under high population was also discussed and Jahangir Khan Tareen appreciated this type of variety which can bring green revolution in Pakistan. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet on calling social media quits is likely to make way for similar indigenous platforms. The national co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch Ashwani Mahajan said that an indigenous social media platform has been long pending demand. The RSS think-tank has raised the issue several times with the government and now with PMs tweet, the organisation anticipates some good news. On Monday, PM Modi tweeted saying, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted (SIC). Following this Mahajan said, For quite sometime, @swadeshimanch and RSS think tanks have been suggesting to launch an Indian social media platform like Facebook &YouTube. @anandmahindra has also tweeted in the past about starting an Indian social media platform too (SIC). Mahajan added, "We have been demanding an indigenous social media platform because the popular ones pose a security threat. They have access to data and information of everything which is detrimental to security of the country. We have had controversies around data theft. The matter needs urgent attention. "This is not conducive. With growth in GDP there should be increase in taxation too. Facebook and many other social media platforms endorse here but the billing happens in US, Mahajan said. Further, Mahajan, said, "Going indigenous is not rocket science. China has its own model why can't we?" PM Modi has, however, revealed he will hand over his social media accounts to women whose work and life inspire us on March 8, ending the frenzied speculation he triggered on Monday night. This Women's Day, I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions. Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs, Modi said. However, the RSS think-tank has yet not ruled out hopes for an indigenous social media platform. GOTHENBURG, Sweden, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard Twomey, President and CEO of Molnlycke, will after six years leave the organisation. "Richard has with his deep knowledge and experience within the medical technology industry developed Molnlycke into an even stronger company in its field. During his time the company has made significant progress, especially in emerging markets. It has also made big strides in innovation and the establishment of solid clinical evidence and health economics related to our products. Going forward, the strategy remains the same as we are now speeding up the execution phase", says Chairman Gunnar Brock. "I am proud that I have been able to contribute to the success of Molnlycke. The company has a solid foundation with a strong product portfolio, very dedicated employees and an owner committed to long term investment in the business", says Richard Twomey. The search for a new President and CEO is underway and Richard will maintain his current position until he has assisted in the introduction and hand over to his successor. For further information, please contact: Jenny Johansson Corporate Communications +46-739-41-29-23 jenny.johansson@molnlycke.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/molnlycke/r/ceo-richard-twomey-leaves-molnlycke,c3050888 The following files are available for download: By PTI NEW DELHI: Several BJP woman MPs on Monday urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take the strongest action, including expulsion, against four Congress members, accusing them of "misbehaving" during the opposition's protest against Delhi violence in the house. The BJP, official sources said, is considering moving a resolution for suspending four Congress members from the House. BJP and Congress members pushed and shoved each other in Lok Sabha as several opposition MPs walked into the area of the treasury benches while protesting over the issue of violence in Delhi and demanding the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. The House proceedings were adjourned for the day due to the ruckus. Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi met the Speaker later over the development. Union minister Smriti Irani, who was joined by several woman MPs of the ruling party, slammed these Congress members as "goonda elements" and told reporters that their conduct reflected "desperation of the Gandhi family". The BJP MPs were jostled and misbehaved with by them, she added. The opposition party, in turn, accused the government of tearing democracy to "shreds" by not allowing a discussion on the Delhi violence. A Congress member also filed a complaint against a BJP lawmaker for "misbehaving" with her. In their complaint to the Speaker, the BJP MPs accused the Congress members of having a "perverse desire" to vitiate the proceedings in the House and said they were "jostled" by some opposition lawmakers. "Please expel such a member immediately," it said. ALSO READ | Clashes in Lok Sabha: Congress says government not allowing debate, alleges assault on dalit woman MP Irani told reporters that tribal MP Jaskaur Meena and another BJP lawmaker Shobha Karandlaje were among those who were misbehaved with. "For the past two to three sessions, the goonda elements of the Congress have been disrupting proceedings of Lok Sabha." "One could never imagine that the desperation of the Gandhi khandan (family) would come to such a pass that they would use their MPs, especially female MPs, to misbehave, physically jostle and create literally an atmosphere where their goonda raj was visible to the entire nation," the Union minister said. She expressed the hope that the Congress' efforts to disrupt proceedings of the House with "violent methods" will be met by the strongest possible action from the Speaker. Irani said a woman member of the Congress "nudged" a Dalit BJP MP in order to "provoke" him. Earlier, as soon as Lok Sabha met at 2 pm, opposition members started raising slogans from the Well against the government. They later went into the area of treasury benches carrying a black banner, which demanded Shah's resignation, as Birla took up the listed business. This led to a scuffle, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house till 3 pm. Thereafter, the Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice till 4 pm amid continuing ruckus before being adjourned for the day. FRONT PAGE An article on Saturday about the coronavirus and the Zuoling neighborhood of Wuhan, China, misattributed a quote by a local resident. It was Deng Zhian who said, Weve lost confidence. Nobody in the neighborhood took charge, not Zhang Jin, another resident. An article on Monday about an Interior Department official who has pressed scientists to include misleading climate language in their work misstated the month when President Trump signed a memo relaxing regulations that have limited the flow of water to irrigate farms in Californias Central Valley. It was February, not March. INTERNATIONAL An article on Monday about a possible return to dangerous factory conditions in Bangladesh despite efforts to strengthen safety rules after the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster misstated the legal obligations for members of the Ready Made Garments Sustainability Council. The strictures will not be legally binding. It also misspelled the given name of the chief executive of Nirapon. He is Moushumi Khan, not Moushoumi Khan. NATIONAL An article on Monday about the lessons Michael R. Bloomberg is learning during his presidential campaign misstated Mr. Bloombergs age. He is 78, not 77. By Saeed Azhar and Davide Barbuscia DUBAI (Reuters) - NMC Health said it would ask for an informal debt standstill to stabilise the UAE-based hospital operator's finances as it confirmed on Monday that Moelis would advise it in talks with banks. NMC shares have lost more than half of their value since December when U.S. based short-seller Muddy Waters questioned its financial statements. London-listed NMC said in a statement on Monday it was "asking for continued support and an informal standstill in relation to existing facilities from its lenders to achieve an immediate stabilisation of the group's financing." It also said it had hired PwC as an operational adviser to assist on liquidity management and operational measures, while Allen & Overy has been hired as a legal adviser. Reuters reported on Sunday, citing sources, that NMC, which was founded in the mid-1970s and became the largest private healthcare company in the United Arab Emirates, had hired Moelis to advise on a debt restructuring. One NMC lenders told Reuters that Moelis is expected to meet its banks this week to discuss the way forward on its debt. Moelis, whose appointment comes after lenders were blindsided by sudden changes at NMC's top management, has not responded to a Reuters request for a comment. NMC last week removed Chief Executive Prasanth Manghat with immediate effect and granted its finance chief extended sick leave. "There is a squeeze on their (NMC's) ability to generate cash," the NMC lender told Reuters. INQUIRY Britain's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Feb. 27 it would investigate the finances of NMC, whose shares were suspended on the London Stock Exchange last week. A separate review of NMC's finances is being led by former FBI boss Louis Freeh. NMC also said on Monday that its key shareholders, former co-chair B R Shetty, former vice-chairman Khaleefa Butti Omair Yousif Ahmed al-Muhairi and Saeed Mohamed Butti Mohamed Khalfan al-Qebaisi, own a combined stake of less than 30% its shares. Story continues This had triggered a change of provision for NMC's debt facilities as its principal shareholders cease to own more than 30% of stake in the company, affecting a $2 billion loan facility and certain other facilities, it added. Loan commitments that are yet to be utilised are cancelled and outstanding debt becomes due if requested by an individual lender, NMC said. In 2018 NMC raised a $2 billion loan from a consortium of banks including Citi, JPMorgan and Standard Chartered, sources told Reuters at the time. That loan included the refinancing of an existing facility of more than $1 billion and a bridge loan. First Abu Dhabi Bank and HSBC are also lenders to the company, sources told Reuters on Sunday. NMC's debt as well as its shares have lost value, with a spike in yields on $400 million in sukuk, or Islamic bonds, issued by NMC in 2018 and due in 2023 last week to almost 25% from a yield of around 4% before the Muddy Waters report. The paper gained in value after the Moelis appointment, "but it's still quite distressed," a fund manager said. Credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service downgraded NMC's corporate family rating to Caa1, from Ba2. "The recent removal of the CEO, absence of the CFO and suspension of a member of the treasury team points to significant weaknesses in terms of oversight, financial management and operational controls," it said, adding it will subsequently remove all ratings. (Reporting by Saeed Azhar and Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Alexander Smith) Stock Market News Crude Oil - OPEC ministers to meet in Vienna to face coronavirus threat to oil demand 03-03-2020 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 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. Little Rock, Arkansas-based Stephens Insurance LLC (Stephens Insurance), an affiliate of independent financial services firm Stephens Inc., has agreed to divest a substantial portion of its personal lines business to Davis & Haynes Insurance Inc. (Davis & Haynes). Davis & Haynes was established by former Stephens Insurance members Gene Davis, Ben Haynes and Doug Lowe. Haynes, Lowe and the account management team that will be joining Davis & Haynes largely managed the personal lines business being divested. The Davis & Haynes team has 130 years of combined insurance industry experience. Stephens Insurance President and Chief Executive Officer Miles Stephens said in a media release that Stephens Insurance will concentrate on building momentum in our Commercial Lines business. Both companies are committed to providing a smooth transition for policyholders, partners, employees and other stakeholders. It is anticipated that all current Stephens Insurance personal lines clients will retain their policies with no change in coverage. Stephens Insurance currently has more than 170 associates throughout Stephens Insurances network of offices in Fayetteville, Ark.; Dallas; Jackson, Miss.; Houston; and Birmingham, Ala.. Source: Stephens Insurance [March 02, 2020] Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024 | Advent of Next-generation Network Security Solutions to Boost Growth | Technavio Technavio has been monitoring the network security firewall market and it is poised to grow by USD 2.17 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 12% 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/20200302005769/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Huawei (News - Alert) Investment & Holding Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Juniper Networks Inc., Palo Alto Networks Inc. and SAP SE. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Advent of next-generation network security solutions has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Network Security Firewall Market is segmented as below: Deployment On-premises Cloud-based 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=IRTNTR40238 Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our network security firewall market report covers the following areas: Network Security Firewall Market size Network Security Firewall Market Trends Network Security Firewall Market Industry Analysis This study identifies growing demand for SMS firewalls as one of the prime reasons driving the network security firewall market growth during the next few years. Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the network security firewall market, including some of the vendors such as Huawei Investment & Holding Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Juniper Networks Inc., Palo Alto (News - Alert) Networks Inc. and SAP SE. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the network security firewall 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 Network Security Firewall Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist network security firewall market growth during the next five years Estimation of the network security firewall market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the network security firewall market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of network security firewall market vendors Table of Content PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Preface 2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Value chain analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market Outlook PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DEPLOYMENT Market segmentation by deployment Comparison by deployment On-premises - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by deployment PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Emergence of product launches Strategic partnerships and acquisitions among vendors Growing demand for SMS firewalls PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Cisco Systems (News - Alert), Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. Fortinet Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. Huawei Investment & Holding Co. Ltd. International Business Machines Corp. Juniper Networks (News - Alert) Inc. Palo Alto Networks Inc. SAP SE PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO 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/20200302005769/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A child was among 10 suspected illegal migrants from Africa who were found in a container at a Hull port, the Home Office has said. The group of seven men, two women and the child are believed to be Eritrean nationals who arrived at King George Dock from Zeebrugge in the unaccompanied container. The women and one man were taken to hospital for medical assessment and the remaining seven were checked over at the scene following the discovery on Tuesday morning. Humberside Police said none of the group was thought to be in a serious or life-threatening condition. A Home Office spokesman said: A group of 10 suspected illegal migrants were found in a container at Hull port on Tuesday 3 March. The group consisted of seven men, two women and a minor. All 10 who presented themselves as Eritrean nationals had arrived at the port from Zeebrugge in an unaccompanied hard-sided container. Both women and one man have been taken to hospital for medical assessment. The adults will be questioned by Home Office officials and the minor will be transferred to the care of social services. All the cases will be dealt with according to the immigration rules. A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the discovery at 11.33am. She said: We sent two rapid response vehicles, three emergency ambulances, two doctors and our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene. WHITEHALL A former Washington County high school principal has been charged with official misconduct for changing students' answers on the Regents exams following an investigation by State Police, authorities have confirmed to the Post Star in Glens Falls. Whitehall Central School District officials contacted the state Education Department in January after teachers noticed a similar pattern of changes to answers on students' tests, Superintendent Patrick M. Dee told the Times Union. An investigation indicated that the district's 7-12 principal Jeff Keller had altered the exams as well as the district's grade book, students' transcripts, and attendance reports. Because of the severity of the allegations, the matter was referred to State Police. Keller was placed on leave on Jan. 27. He was terminated at a Feb. 28 Board of Education meeting, but will be on payroll until the end of the March, according to district officials. John Godfrey has been named interim principal of the junior and senior high school as the district conducts a search for Keller's replacement. District staff members are tracking the changes in the school's data management system and are working to correct students' grades and attendance records. As for the Regents exams, state Education Officials will hand-grade the exams based on answers that had been crossed out, according to Dee. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Authorities told the Post Star that Keller admitted to improving some grades to help "less fortunate" students graduate, but the misdemeanor charge suggests that Keller could have benefited by remaining employed by the school and eventually receiving tenure. The district attracted scrutiny for its administration of Regents exams in 2016 after English test scores for grades seven and eight were invalidated by the state because school officials improperly photocopied the test booklets. However, the 2016 incident was a mistake while Keller's conduct appears to have been deliberate, according to Dee. "The most important thing for me is that the rogue actions of one person shouldn't overshadow all of the amazing things that our teaching staff have done with our students," Dee said. "Right now all our teachers are frustrated because this brings a lot of negativity to the district." Senator Shehu Sani has shared his opinion on controversy sourrounding the Italian man quarantined for coronavirus in Nigeria. He says he hopes the Italian man with Coronavirus in Nigeria isnt a spirit. Because the federal government has refused to share the name or photo of the sick man. According to Senator Sani, if it was a Nigerian that had the disease in Italy, the Italian government would have shared every available detail of the man. You agree with him? Read his tweet below; Numerous police officers and cadaver dogs descended on a small California town to search for a body belonging to a victim from a decades-old homicide believed to be buried underneath one of the buildings there. Police felt that the tip about the body's location was credible enough to begin digging near the rear of the Los Gatos store located on North Santa Cruz Avenue on Monday. 'About 15, 20 people back there and just digging up mud and going through all the forensics and dogs, the whole nine yards,' Pete Jillo, owner of Gardino's Restorante Italiano, explained to KPIX. Scroll down for video Police felt that the tip about the body's location was credible enough to begin digging near the rear of the Los Gatos store on Monday Jillo's restaurant is located right next door to where the authorities have been digging. Site for Sore Eyes, the store where police are working, was closed at the time investigators came. It opened well after the homicide and has nothing to do with the investigation, authority sources revealed. Pete Jillo, owner of Gardino's Restorante Italiano, has had his eatery next to the site for 27 years Site for Sore Eyes, the store where police are working, was closed at the time investigators came Jillo has had his eatery for 27 years and the location of the potential crime would be over his parking lot. 'I would never imagine a body next door, that's crazy,' he said. 'I'm shocked by it, to be honest with you, it was tough for business, I couldn't park, I had to park a few blocks and the restaurant customers couldn't really park.' Folks in the area are troubled by the news. Police believe the incident took place at what is now Jillo's parking lot 'It's troubling because you kind of wonder how they picked that spot and why,' said Los Gatos resident Debra Chin. 'You have to imagine, did they have connections or was it somehow related to some other construction that was going on?' No details surrounding the homicide will be released until the body or evidence of remains are found. 'I think the family deserves some peace and resolution, and if they can find a body and put that to rest then that would give the family a great deal of satisfaction,' Chin said. The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday informed the State Election Commission that it is ready to conduct elections to rural and urban local bodies by implementing the 50 per cent quota as per the directions of the High Court. The state government has requested the SEC to complete the poll process within a month. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a video conference with district Collectors and other top officials, said they were prepared to conduct the elections to gram panchayats, mandal and zilla parishads as well as municipalities and municipal corporations. The High Court struck down a government order that provided for 59.85 per cent reservation in seats in local bodies for SCs, STs and BCs and directed the government to stick to the 50 per cent quota as stipulated by the Supreme Court. "We will go ahead with 50 per cent quota as per the High Court directive. We have accordingly asked the SEC to conduct the elections," Municipal administration minister Botsa Satyanarayana told reporters. Earlier, the Chief Minister told the video conference that an ordinance was recently promulgated amending the AP Panchayat Raj Act to usher in reforms in the elections to local bodies by essentially reducing the influence of money and liquor. As per the amendments to the Act, anyone found guilty of distributing liquor and cash in rural local bodies election would face disqualification. Besides, they could face a jail term of three years. This would be applicable in the case of elections to urban local bodies as well. "Take the elections as a challenge and be firm in conducting the elections in a foolproof manner. The Superintendents of Police will be responsible for curbing the influence of money and liquor during the elections," the Chief Minister said. He wanted an App developed, similar to the one brought in by the Election Commission of India during general elections, to alert police and election officials on any violations. He asked the officials to utilize the services of 'Police Mitra' and 'Mahila Mitras', besides the village volunteers for effective conduct of the elections to local bodies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, March 3 : The Supreme Court Advocates on-Record Association (SCAORA) on Tuesday expressed deep anguish at the loss of lives and property in the recent spurt of communal violence in northeast Delhi, claiming more than 40 lives and left more than 200 injured. "SCAORA's Executive Committee express deep anguish on the loss of lives and property and offer their condolences to the bereaved families," said the resolution issued by SCAORA secretary Joseph Aristotle. The lawyers' body has asked its members to contribute generously for compensating and rehabilitating the victims and families, which suffered during the violence. SCAORA, expressing solidarity with the riots affected families, requested its members and "generously" contribute in its centralised fund. These funds would be further utilised in compensating violence affected people and also in the rehabilitation of the affected families. The bar body also said it will coordinate with District Legal services Authority (DLSA) to provide round-the-clock legal assistance for the victims of the violence through toll free number 1516. "In the light of the ground situation, SCAORA earnestly and sincerely appeals to each stakeholder, be it administration, the law enforcement agencies, the judiciary or public-spirited NGOs/individuals to take immediate steps in order to restore normalcy and faith in rule of law,"said the lawyers' body in a statement. The resolution was developed after the members of the bar body visited the violence affected areas of north-east Delhi on Sunday. The lawyers' body also appealed to various agencies concerned including the judiciary to take steps to restoring normalcy, which would help instilling people's faith in rule of law. Peter Cattaneos first encounter with a British military wives choir was hearing one of them sing Sweet Child of Mine on the radio. The Guns N' Roses anthem took on an entirely different meaning sung in harmony by women; he remembers how moving it was. But for the women involved, as he discovered in the course of making his new film Military Wives, singing together was transformative. With their husbands deployed in Afghanistan, choral singing gave them a night out every week, a support group and the cathartic joy of singing their hearts out. It could even provide respite from the dread of that knock on the door. Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan star in Military Wives. The film he eventually made springs from the same wishing well as other British dramedies about cheerful amateurs getting together and making good: think Brassed Off, Calendar Girls and Cattaneos own 1997 hit, The Full Monty. In his fictionalised version of their story, the choir is the joint invention of two very different women. Laid-back Lisa (Catastrophes Sharon Horgan) is lumbered with the job of devising entertainment for women on the army base because shes married to the regimental sergeant-major. Colonels wife Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas, on cracking comic form) simply assumes a leadership position. Like the wives of vicars, the women have duties to match their husbands responsibilities. There are immediate conflicts, of both the class and personal varieties. Lisa sees the new project as a weekly singalong. Snobbish Kate calls it a choir from day one and commands everyone to sing scales. Cattaneo said he felt he was already on a winner when the cast came together to read the script and Scott Thomas brought the house down with a triple-forte rendition of Morning Has Broken. You think of her, in her public persona, as a quintessential stiff-upper-lip Brit, he says. That worked for the role; we make the same assumption about Kate. Of course, she is a lot more quirky and funny when you actually meet her. And complex." As is Kate. Behind their comic stand-offs, each character has her own sad story: we learn that Kates brittle poise is a cover for grief over her dead son, that easy-going Lisas teenage daughter is a timebomb who goes off whenever she walks through the front door. A young woman who married her school sweetheart just before he left for Helmand province is the one who gets that fateful knock. We laugh, we cry, we sing along with ABBA. The thing about this sort of Britcom is that you know exactly where its going but getting there is as jolly as a hayride. A third Northern California health care worker tested positive for the new coronavirus Monday, exacerbating concerns among already-worried nurses and staffers that hospitals need to better protect workers on the front lines of the growing public health crisis. All three health care workers, who are self-quarantining at home, are employees at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, which initially treated the first known case of community spread in the United States a Solano County woman who had neither traveled to countries where the virus is spreading, nor been in contact with a known coronavirus patient. The patient was later taken to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento after her condition worsened at the Vacaville hospital. VacaValley sent about 100 health care workers home to self-quarantine, and UC Davis sent home about two dozen. None of the UC Davis workers who were exposed to the patient has tested positive, Sacramento County health officials said Monday, though they are still awaiting test results for a few. Were extremely concerned about the safety of health care workers and patients theyre caring for, said Sal Rosselli of the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Im concerned most hospitals and nursing employers are behind the curve, theyre not on top of this. The VacaValley Hospital employees who tested positive for the virus are self-isolating in their homes in Alameda, Solano and Placer counties. The Placer county individual is showing mild symptoms; public health officials declined to specify the severity of symptoms for the other two, but neither are serious enough to be hospitalized. Over the weekend, a health care worker at a Seattle nursing home was hospitalized after contracting the virus. Unions representing nurses, radiologists, respiratory therapists and other health care workers say they are worried about what they describe as a lack of clear communication from administrators on how to handle suspected coronavirus patients including what protective gear to wear and how to use it properly, and what steps should be taken to admit and isolate a patient if one were to come to the hospital. I feel uneasy and frustrated, said Jenny Managhebi, a clinical nurse at UC Davis Medical Center who did not personally treat the coronavirus patient. There seems to be a lack of communication about if we were to get a patient, what that looks like. We dont know where to start, where they go, what unit, what staff members are involved. Maybe at the highest level, they have a plan, but a nurse wouldnt know what it is, Managhebi said. I feel like if somebody put out a statement like, Hey if this situation presents itself, this is the plan, that would make everyone feel better. Managhebi said its been more difficult for workers to obtain N95 respirator masks, one of the protective items that federal authorities say health workers should wear when coming in contact with a suspected coronavirus patient. She said that under normal circumstances when treating patients with infectious disease such as tuberculosis and measles, staffers are able to obtain N95 masks from supply closets in every hospital unit, but when she was at work last week, staff did not have access to the masks. She said staff is being told they can use whats known as a PAPR a hooded respirator that filters out contaminated air. But, she said, not everyone has received training recently on how to use them. A spokeswoman for UC Davis Health said it has clear policies and regular trainings for staff on how to treat patients with infectious diseases including coronavirus. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes We regularly handle patients with infectious diseases and we have robust infection control protocols in place to handle such illnesses, including novel coronavirus, UC Davis spokeswoman Tricia Tomiyoshi-Marsom said in a statement. She said that the medical center does not have a shortage of protective equipment, and that it revisited our storage of (protective personal equipment), specifically masks, after some instances of theft, so they are now kept more securely, but are still available for appropriate use. VacaValley Hospital managed to return to normal staffing levels by backfilling the roughly 100 positions with health care workers from temp agencies, part-time workers picking up more shifts, and reassigning people within the organization, said Steve Huddleston, vice president of public affairs for NorthBay Healthcare, which oversees the hospital. But the strain on the health care workforce will probably worsen now that more coronavirus tests have become available and state labs are processing them more quickly which will likely mean more positive results in communities where the spread had not previously been tracked. At some point, well get everyone cleared and back to work, then well be prepared for the public, Huddleston said. What happens when all the folks in the community who we dont even know about yet start to come down with symptoms and begin to overwhelm the health care system in total? You can see that happening in Washington state now hospitals having a shortage of workers so they have to reduce services and close because of the workforce shortage. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho A Kuwaiti trader wearing a protective mask follows the market at the Boursa Kuwait stock exchange in Kuwait City on 1 March. (Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP via Getty) The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Monday slashed its forecasts for economic growth in 2020, warning that the spread of coronavirus is the biggest threat to the global economy since the 2008 financial crisis. The OECD now expects the worlds economy to grow by just 2.4% in 2020. That would represent the slowest annual GDP growth since 2012 and compares with a forecast of 2.9% made in November. Even in the best-case scenario of limited outbreaks in countries outside China, a sharp slowdown in world growth is expected in the first half of 2020 as supply chains and commodities are hit, tourism drops and confidence falters, the OECD said in its interim report. In a worst-case scenario where coronavirus spreads widely Asia, Europe, and North America, growth would half to just 1.5% in 2020. Read more: Europes economy braces for coronavirus hit as market panic grips The OECD said the spread of coronavirus presents the global economy with its greatest danger since the financial crisis. The virus risks giving a further blow to a global economy that was already weakened by trade and political tensions, said OECD chief economist Laurence Boone. The spread of deadly COVID-19 provoked the closure of factories across China and activity shrank at the fastest rate on record in February, according to data released over the weekend. The OECD now expects Chinas economy grow by just 4.9% this year, compared to 6% in 2019. The recent spread of COVID-19 to Europe and North America has led to speculation about similar shutdowns and travel restrictions beyond China. Credit Suisse said on Monday that if Europe copied Chinas measures, GDP could shrink by 4% in one quarter. Read more: Twitter, Amazon, Nike and more take emergency coronavirus precautions Even if economic disruption remains largely limited to China, knock-on effects are already hitting other economies. The factory slowdown has disrupted global supply chains for giants like Apple and a decline in Chinese tourism has hit the luxury sector. The spread of the novel coronavirus has hit global tourism more broadly. Story continues Last week, $6tn was wiped off global stock markets amid fears about the economic fallout from the COVID-19 epidemic. The OECD on Monday downgraded growth forecasts for every member nation, bar Saudi Arabia which was left unchanged. Read more: Why stock markets are panicking about coronavirus Boone called for governments around the world to introduce extraordinary measures to support businesses, including tax relief for tourism businesses, flexible working regimes to preserve jobs, and extra liquidity support for banks. Governments need to act immediately to contain the epidemic, support the health care system, protect people, shore up demand and provide a financial lifeline to households and businesses that are most affected, Boone said. The Bank of Japan on Monday pledged to support the countrys economy, while Italys government announced a 3.7bn (3.2bn, $4bn) stimulus package over the weekend aimed at combating the effects of COVID-19. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Finance UK By Trend In accordance with the mandate of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the OSCE mission will hold a monitoring on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in Fuzuli district on March 4, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ghennadie Petrica and Simon Tiller. On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring will be conducted by field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Mihail Olaru and Martin Schuster. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 23:26:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party gained 36 seats in Monday's parliamentary elections, becoming once again the largest party, the Central Elections Committee said Tuesday after 97 percent of the votes have been counted. Figures by the Committee, which oversees the elections, showed Netanyahu's main rival, Benny Gantz and his centrist Blue and White party, garnered 32 seats. The Likud and its allies, a bloc of a pro-settler party and two Jewish ultra-Orthodox parties, won 59 seats, according to the latest count. The results mean that Netanyahu is two seats short of the needed votes to form a majority coalition in Israel's 120-seat parliament. Netanyahu already claimed victory late on Monday night, after exit polls indicated a firm majority by his right-wing party over Blue and White. With only two seats away from securing the majority, the Likud has launched campaign to convince lawmakers with parties of the center-left bloc to "cross the lines" and join independently a future Likud-led right-wing coalition. "There are talks with several lawmakers with parties from the other political bloc and they had understood that Gantz could not form a government," Likud spokesman Jonatan Urich told Channel 13 TV news. "We have talked with between four and six lawmakers," Urich added. He estimated that the Likud will recruit the lawmakers needed to secure a majority "very soon" and will announce a new coalition. Gantz, Israel's former military chief, has not conceded defeat yet. Early on Tuesday morning, he pledged to press ahead and called on his supporters to wait for the final results, suggesting Blue and White might be part of a unity government. Netanyahu is facing a criminal trial scheduled to begin on March 17, in which he is indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Should Netanyahu establish a new government, he will become the first incumbent prime minister under a criminal trial in the history of Israel. GLASGOW (dpa-AFX) - Aggreko plc (AGK.L) on Tuesday reported full year 2019 profit before tax of 199 million pounds, up 9 percent from 182 million pounds last year. Earnings per share grew 3 percent to 50.7 pence from 49.2 pence in the prior year. On an underlying basis, profit before tax rose increased 13 percent and earnings per share rose 6 percent from last year. Group revenue for the year declined 8 percent to 1.61 billion pounds from 1.76 billion pounds in the previous year, with Rental Solutions up 1 percent, Power Solutions Industrial up 3 percent and Power Solutions Utility down 33 percent. Underlying Group revenue decreased 1 percent on the prior year, and was in line with the prior year excluding the 2018 Winter Olympics as well as early design and project management revenue for Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The company's board is proposing a final dividend of 18.27 pence, representing an increase of 3 percent from last year. This will result in a 2 percent increase in the full year dividend to 27.65 pence from 27.12 pence per ordinary share in 2018. Looking ahead, Aggreko said it is monitoring closely the development and potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak, both in terms of the Tokyo Olympics and the Group more widely. At this point, however, the company currently expects to deliver results in-line with expectations for 2020. 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. For a better experience on our website and avoid any trouble, we strongly recommand to activate Javascript ( click here ). Hello and welcome to Journal des Palaces You are a communication or the PR manager? Click here You are an applicant? Check out our questions and answers here ! Jamestown. Ghana. The underground railroad. For years, New Jersey has made it a priority to teach students how these sites played a role in the slave trade. Now, educators will have a chance to experience those very places where essential chapters in American history were made. The state Department of Education last week announced the Amistad Journey, a $75,000 program designed to send teachers to key locations on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade route. The initiative will be funded by the states largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association. Some things are simply too important to be experienced only in the pages of textbooks, said NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty. "To change the way we teach children, we must change the way we see history. The program will begin this summer with 15-20 educators visiting sites in the United States, including Jamestown and locations in New Jersey that were part of the underground railroad. Next summer, a larger group of 20-30 educators will go to Ghana to tour historic sites related to the slave trade and visit schools and other cultural centers. Teachers will apply for the program through the Department of Education. Knowledge of the past and how it shapes the present is a necessary part of building a better future," said Steve Swetsky, NJEAs executive director. Every step forward matters in the journey toward justice. Nearly 20 years ago, the state passed a law calling on all schools to incorporate African-American history into their social studies curriculum. That law also created the Amistad Commission, a board charged with ensuring that African-American history, contributions and experiences are adequately taught in the states classrooms. The state and NJEA hope the new program will enhance that curriculum and make it easier for teachers to connect students to the past. It helps them tap into feelings and emotions: to empathize with the millions of Africans who were kidnapped from their villages and brought to the United States many never able to return to their homeland, said state Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. 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. Extremist group Sanatan Sanstha had sought Rs 10 crore in damages from author Dhirendra K Jha and publishers Juggernaut Books in a 2018 suit, claiming the book 'Shadow Armies' contained material that was defamatory to their organisation. A Goa court dismissed a civil defamation suit filed by the Sanatan Sanstha against Juggernaut Books and author Dhirendra K Jha, for the book Shadow Armies: Fringe Organisations and Foot Soldiers of Hindutva (2017). The Sanstha had sought Rs 10 crore in damages from Jha and publishers Juggernaut, in a 2018 suit, claiming Shadow Armies contained material that was defamatory to their organisation. The court of Civil Judge, Senior Division and JMFC, Ponda, Goa dismissed the charges after a hearing on 15 February this year. In a statement released by Juggernaut, Jha was quoted as saying, "I feel a sense of relief and vindication. Persons who feel deeply uncomfortable by my research and my work attempted to silence me by alleging defamation and unleashing a punishing process on me and my publisher. But truth is a defence against defamation and, in this case, justice and the truth have thankfully prevailed." A veteran political journalist, Jha spent a substantial part of 2015 and 2016 studying eight Hindu right-wing organisations across India for their connections with the BJP, and wrote about his findings in Shadow Armies. In an excerpt from the book, republished by Firstpost, Jha noted of the commencement point of his project: "The beginnings of this project lie in the Karnataka governments announcement in July 2015 of the link that existed in the murders of the rationalists MM Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar. The country was in a ferment. Writers and artists were returning their state awards in droves, protesting the inaction of the government. Who had triggered this churning? Sanatan Sanstha, the organisation accused of having commissioned these killings, seemed the obvious first chapter in my journey." The complete excerpt can be accessed here. Juggernaut Books' publisher Chiki Sarkar, and CEO Simran Khara, also released a joint statement that read: "At our core we believe that books, authors and ideas must be defended against attempts to silence, censor, ban and injunct. It can be intimidating to face multi-million-dollar lawsuits but in this instance at least the courts have really come through for us and we are overjoyed by the judgment." The Sanatan Sanstha was set up in 1999 by hypnotherapist Dr Jayant Balaji Athavale and his wife Dr Kunda Athavale, ostensibly to "propagate spirituality". In the two decades since its inception, it has been linked with a number of extremist Hindutva acts, including planting explosives, and the murders of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi, Gauri Lankesh and Govind Pansare. When Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari was named by the African Union as its first anti-corruption champion in Africa in 2018, he called on member states to invest in institutions to entrench transparency and accountability. But the recent push by many lawmakers from his AllProgressives Congress (APC) party to grant themselves immunity from prosecution for corruption would seem to leave Mr Buharis national commitment to tackling corruption in tatters and fatally undermined. The bill, known as Bill for an Act to Alter Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Extend Immunity to Cover Presiding Officers of Legislative Institutions, has passed the second reading at the House of Representatives. It seeks to amend Section 308 of the constitution to extend immunity to all the principal officers at the countrys National Assembly and the houses of assembly of the states while in office. Briefly, Section 308 provides that: no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors during their period of office. The proposed amendment to Section 308 to cover the lawmakers would mean that any criminal or civil action for crime of corruption or other egregious crimes they commit while in office would be stayed until the expiration of their tenure. The bill first appeared in parliament in 2016 but the lawmakers then backtracked after a public outcry over the move. In effect, the bill will protect lawmakers from legal consequences for corruption, exacerbate the impunity that prevails in Nigerias political circles and worsen the countrys ranking in Transparency Internationals Corruption Perception Index. And this would have a negative effect on the human rights of Nigerians. Since the return of democracy in 1999, several politiciansincluding governors with allegations of corruption against them have sought to hide out in the National Assembly. The proposed bill will now make them almost untouchable once they swear their oath of office as lawmakers. Some lawmakers, including the sponsor of the bill, Odebunmi Olusegun of Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere federal constituency (APC, Oyo), and at least two members of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP)Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) and Nkem-Abonta Uzoma (PDP, Abia) believe that the bill will protect them from blackmail while in office; that fear is misplaced. The lawmakers are already covered by parliamentary immunity under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018, which means they are immune from civil or criminal proceedings for anything they say in parliament. This is a privilege developed to ensure open and fearless debate in Parliament and is similar to the situation of lawmakers in the US and UK, where members of Parliament cannot be sued for defamation for statements made in Parliament, which Nigerian politicians frequently cite as best practices. However, this Act doesnt shield lawmakers from prosecution for crime of corruption or other egregious crimes. The proposed amendment to Section 308 would now extend the immunity provided under the Act to shield lawmakers from criminal and civil proceedings, far beyond existing Parliamentary privileges and immunities. The push for immunity for lawmakers ignores the history and legacy of corruption in Nigeria and its impact on human rights. Its also at odds with Nigerias international commitments as a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth. There is no legal justification to provide immunity to lawmakers beyond the privileges they already enjoy, as to do so would be antithetical to the fundamental principle that all persons are equal before the law, and to Nigerias voluntary obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption, which in article 30(2) requires states parties to limit immunity from investigation, prosecution or adjudication of corruption offences. Similarly, the Commonwealth Working Group on the Recovery and Repatriation of Assets of Illicit Origin has stated that Heads of State/Government, ministers and other public officials should not have immunity from prosecution for alleged criminal activity. Lawmakers also argue that if the president, his deputy, state governors and their deputies can enjoy immunity, there is no reason why they should not also enjoy immunity. But its difficult to see how granting immunity to lawmakers will aid the fight against grand corruption in the country. The lawmakers levelling up strategy is in fact counter-productive, as section 308 of the Constitution is already shown to impede disproportionately the conduct of inquiries, prosecutions and the sentencing of the persons it covers, and thereby contributing to the prevailing impunity of politicians for corruption. Lawmakers immunity from prosecution for corruption would fuel perceptions that those charged with the responsibility to make laws for the country are seeking to use their position to stay one step ahead of the law. Rather than trying to level up with the executiveat both the federal and state levelsmembers of the House of Representatives should push to exclude section 308 or limit its application to cases of corruption and other similar crimes that have an impact on human rights. Doing this will prompt real change in the countrys political culture and help to improve the lawmakers image with Nigerians. If the bill is passed, it will constrain the ability of Mr Buharis government to fight corruption, as it will mean that lawmakers will see expanded opportunities to line their pockets and divert scant public resources through, for example, the so-called Constituency Projects and with no fear of facing prosecution while they remain in office. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) already found in a recent report that Nigerian federal lawmakers use the Constituency Projects as a conduit for pocketing public funds. This will deny justice to Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses caused by corruption. All human rights can be restricted by corruption, be they economic, social, cultural, civil, or political rights. Opening the door to impunity threatens the rights of all people in Nigeria. The higher levels of corruption, the lesser degree of human rights protection. For example, corruption in the management of public resources and public services denies people their right to education, health and other rights. Criminal prosecution represents the best hope for holding lawmakers to account for corruption, since Nigerian laws do not currently allow people to pursue cases in civil or human rights action against corrupt politicians. If lawmakers want to protect themselves from politically motivated charges, they should pass laws to reform and improve the countrys criminal justice system. This will ensure that due process is always observed in corruption cases, including those that involve lawmakers, and that the executive does not use its anti-corruption fight as a tool for political expediency. Whether the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila will use his leadership position to ensure that the bill is dropped, remains to be seen. President Muhammadu Buharis job of tackling corruption is already complicated enough without immunity for lawmakers. He now must publicly condemn and reject the bill, if he is to be able to deliver on his anti-corruption promises to Nigerians. Its time for Mr Buharis government to comply in law and in practice with Nigerias international obligations and commitments. But if the bill will go ahead, its up to the public to put pressure on the lawmakers to drop the bill and stop the impunity. That means people being constantly on their guard against corruption and to ensure that the public interest is protected in any constitutional amendment. Otherwise, Nigerias lawmakers will be able to cloak corruption behind the shield of immunity. That will allow them to do as they please and restrict access to justice for victims of corruption, with devastating consequences for human rights and the public interest. Kolawole Olaniyan, author of Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa, is legal adviser at Amnesty Internationals International Secretariat, London. Members of the governing All Basotho Convention party want him gone and have nominated a successor. Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane is under renewed pressure to resign after appearing in court over the alleged murder of his estranged wife, Lipolelo Thabane. Members of his party and the opposition want Thabane to step down before his planned retirement in July. They say his departure will end the political instability that has crippled Lesotho as it struggles with widespread poverty and unemployment. Al Jazeeras Fahmida Miller reports from the capital, Maseru. Super Tuesday is confidently being anticipated to be part of the contest for the 2020 presidential nomination. However, there aren't any primary candidates for the Democratic presidential election yet who have taken a lead significantly and remarkably in the delegate race in America's first primary battles. There is about 40% of the population from the states California and Texas who are having primaries on the third of March will be voting on Super Tuesday. The following states will all be voting on March 3 and the numbers of pledged delegates who will be available in each state: Alabama will have a total of 52 pledged and bestowed delegates on a relative basis, and are holding an open primary. The State American Samoa has a total of six awarded delegates through the results of the open political meeting they hold. Just like Alabama, Arkansas will also be holding an open primary but will only be awarding 31 delegates on a relative basis. The state of California and Colorado will have 415 and 67 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will only be allowing Democrats and voters from independent parties to cast a ballot. Colorado has a total of 67 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will also only allow the Democrats and voters from independent parties to cast a ballot. The people who belong to the Democrats Abroad will have 13 bestowed delegates be holding an open primary and will only be allowing U.S. citizens living abroad to cast a ballot. The state Maine will have a total of 24 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will only be allowing the Democrats to participate in the election. The state of Massachusetts has 91 pledged and bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will only be allowing the Democrats and members of the independent parties will be allowed to participate. Minnesota has 75 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will not require voters to reveal party associations. The state of North Carolina has as much as 110 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will only allow Democrats and members of the independent parties to cast a vote. Oklahoma has 37 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will also only allow Democrats and members of the independent parties to cast a vote. The state of Tenessee has a total of 64 bestowed delegates and will be not requiring voters to reveal party associations. Texas has as much as 228 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will also be not requiring voters to reveal their party associations. The state of Utah has only 29 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and just like Tenessee and other states with an open primary, Utah will be allowing voters to abstain. The state of Vermont has only a total of 16 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will also not demand voters to reveal their party associations. Lastly, the state of Virginia has 99 bestowed delegates on a relative basis and will not require citizens to reveal their party affiliates. Armenia and Georgia have deep cultural, political, economic, and historical ties. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this today during his meeting in Georgia with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. "We have been living side by side for millennia, and I think it's time to think about developing this region togetherif not for the next millennia, at least for the next centuries," he added, in particular. Our understanding of relations with Georgia is strategic. We view our relations with Georgia on a completely different plane. Another factor strengthening our relations has emerged; it is the clear devotion of our peoples to democracy and the vision for democratic development." Pashinyan noted that over the past 1.5 years, they have succeeded in achieving a new quality and level of cooperation with Georgia. The Armenian PM also stated that they are succeeding in implementing all the agreements with very clear steps. And Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia added that Armenia and Georgia are working on a daily basis, at the level of governments, to further deepen the Armenian-Georgian friendly relations. "We live in a complex region, and realize that stability in the region is the inevitable basis for the development of our countries," he added, in particular. "First, we must take care of the peace of our countries, then the new economic, political, cultural, and all the issues that are touched upon." Also, Gakharia expressed a conviction that the peace, development, and prospects of Armenia and Georgia are linked to integration into the Euro-Atlantic region, and is convinced that Armenia also seeks to integrate into Europe within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. "I am convinced that we are striving to further deepen the friendship between Armenia and Georgia," Giorgi Gakharia stressed. Giant Food Stores on 116 Township Line Rd, in Havertown, Pa., has put up a sign letting customers know that theyre out of stock on hand sanitizer on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Read more People are panicked about coronavirus. And Purell seems to be one coping method. Most local retailers have run out of the hand sanitizer, as well as store brands that contain essentially the same active ingredient (at least 60% alcohol). And for the privilege on Amazon, you can hand over more than $100 for a Purell two-pack of eight-ounce packages. (Pre-coronavirus price was less than $10.) The surge in buying comes even as experts say washing with regular soap and water is just as good, and maybe even better. Purell hand sanitizer shortages at local grocers, department stores, and pharmacies will continue in the short run, but the Ohio manufacturer of the product says its working to resupply stores soon, though the firm would not commit to a timetable. GOJO, which makes Purell, says its Akron facilities are working round the clock to make more of the alcohol-based hand sanitizer, snapped up by consumers and businesses amid mounting concerns over the spread of COVID-19 and recommendations by health officials to increase the frequency of hand-washing to combat the spread of the virus. Underneath the corporate lingo, the message from GOJO was all (clean) hands on deck. We have a surge preparedness team that runs in the background all the time, who have been fully activated and are coordinating our response to the increase in demand, said Samantha Williams, corporate communications senior director. The company could not provide an estimate as to when resupply could reach normal levels, and spokespeople for CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid were also unable to pinpoint when Purell would return. Supplies can be found here and there the Walgreens at 63rd and Vine had a few store-brand bottles left, but most nearby pharmacies and grocers were sold out. The new Golden Farms supermarket at 67th and Haverford sold its last bottle Monday, and the manager was hopeful of having more by the end of the week. Will Knight, manager of the CVS at 49th and Market, said he expects a shipment on Wednesday. He has trouble keeping it in stock, same with surgical masks, a problem intensified by the fact that an often single buyer will purchase large quantities of hard-to-find items. CVS said a policy limiting the size of customer purchases, once supplies return, is under review. Other chains said no such policies were currently being considered. . Signs on the shelves at the Giant supermarket at the Quarry Center on Township Line Road, Delaware County, told customers Monday that hand sanitizer was sold out. Manager Kevin OHara wasnt sure when hed get more. Overall business has been brisk in recent days, and workers Tuesday were busy restocking, but OHara said traffic is at snow event levels. Folks also want sanitizing wipes. We just had a shipment in last night. As fast as it comes in, it goes right out, OHara said. Customers are purchasing canned goods and basic items that can sustain them if they need to be at home for a while. The store was well-stocked with most items, and resupply has not been a problem. We get a shipment in every night, he said. Although the spread of COVID-19 might be expected to increase demand for fever medication and products that deal with flulike symptoms associated with the virus, most local stores were well stocked with those items. Adobe Analytics reported earlier this week that the December-to-January demand for hand sanitizers jumped more than 1,000%. Nielsen reported sanitizer sales in the United States were up 73% in the four weeks ended Feb. 22. Amazon.com reportedly indicated it would start to push back against price gouging. Demand for Purell products has surged even though the CDC, FDA, and many experts say washing properly with soap and water (vigorously for at least 20 seconds) is just as effective, if not more so. In fact, the FDA just this year, Jan. 17, sent a letter to GOJO stipulating the agency was not aware of any adequate and well-controlled studies demonstrating that killing or decreasing the number of bacteria or viruses on the skin by a certain magnitude produces a corresponding clinical reduction in the infection or disease caused by such bacteria or virus. The FDA asked GOJO to back away from claims that Purell was effective in killing Ebola, MRSA, VRE, norovirus, and flu. The CDC says washing hands with soap and water can be more effective than Purell. Soap and water can dislodge more of the dirt and grime that can serve as a stubborn host for viruses, not to mention other microbes that contribute to disease. Most area stores had ample supplies of Lysol and Clorox products that clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces where microbes could linger. Lysol claims to kill 99.9% of germs on contact, including strains of human coronavirus. There has been no specific test to demonstrate that Lysol or Clorox can kill COVID-19, but they have been effective against similar emerging viruses, and on that basis the Environmental Protection Agency has permitted manufacturers to describe their products as effective. Local stores have plenty of toilet paper, a commodity that has become temporarily scarce in Japan during the coronavirus scare, fueled by panic buying and social media misinformation, despite repeated assurances from Japanese toilet-paper manufacturers that their ability to make toilet paper is undiminished and unthreatened by the virus. Any toilet-paper shortage will be temporary, officials said. In the meantime, hand-washing is even more urgent. You can also make your own hand sanitizer with two parts rubbing alcohol and one part aloe vera gel. Mix them in an empty soap dispenser bottle and youre good to go. Both ingredients are in ample supply. Prince William has joked about unwittingly spreading the coronavirus while meeting well-wishers during his Irish tour. William poked fun at himself after he questioned a paramedic about whether he thought coverage of the illness was being a little hyped up in the media. His comments came as it emerged the royal and his wife, who are on a three-day visit to Ireland, are taking advice on the coronavirus threat, but will continue meeting people as usual. William talked about the infection as he chatted to emergency workers at a reception hosted by Britains Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett in the Gravity Bar at Dublins Guinness Storehouse. He asked Joe Mooney, an advance paramedic with the National Ambulance Service: I bet everyones like Ive got coronavirus, Im dying, and youre like no, youve just got a cough. Does it seem quite dramatic about coronavirus at the moment? Is it being a little bit hyped up do you think in the media? Later he grimaced with mock horror as he said: By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus, Sorry. Were keeping an eye on that, so do tell us if we need to stop. The couple shook hands with dozens of people on the first day of their tour and are expected to continue to do so, based on advice they are being given. William and Kate enjoyed a pint of Guinness at the Storehouse with the duke toasting his hosts, raising his pint and saying slainte. Catherine and I are delighted to be here tonight and are both very grateful to Robin for his generous words, he said. Ireland is a country that we have both heard so much about, so we are really excited to be here with you to see it first-hand for ourselves. In coming to the Guinness Storehouse, we are retracing the footsteps of my grandmother, who was shown how to pour the perfect pint here in 2011. Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you it is not often that I find myself following the Queen to a pub. But I am looking forward to testing for myself the theory that Guinness tastes even better in Ireland than overseas. The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences has gone in this twelfth edition to Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard and Peter Shor for their 'outstanding contributions to the field of quantum computation and communication' The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences has gone in this twelfth edition to Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard and Peter Shor for their "outstanding contributions to the field of quantum computation and communication," said the committee in its citation. Bennett and Brassard, a chemical physicist and computer scientist respectively, invented quantum cryptography in the 1980s to ensure the physical inviolability of data communications. The importance of their work became apparent ten years later, when mathematician Peter Shor discovered that a hypothetical quantum computer would render effectively useless the conventional cryptography systems underpinning the privacy and security of today's Internet communications. In other words, when a true quantum computer is eventually built, quantum cryptography will be the only means to keep communications secure. The award committee, chaired by Nobel Physics laureate Theodor Hansch with quantum physicist Ignacio Cirac acting as its secretary, remarked on the leap forward in quantum technologies witnessed in these last few years, an advance which draws heavily on the new laureates' pioneering contributions. Their work, says the committee, "spans multiple disciplines and brings together concepts from mathematics, physics and computer science. Their ideas are playing a key role in the development of quantum technologies for communication and computation." The invention of quantum cryptography Quantum cryptography emerged in the realm of basic science, but in a few decades has produced a whole new technology that is now commercially available and tipped as a rising market. When Bennett, at IBM Research for over forty years, and Brassard, Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information Science at the University of Montreal, began working together in 1979, there was not the least hint of this future scenario. Quantum physics and computer science were separate, even distant fields, and any work on the linkages between them was confined to the fringes of established research. Yet by 1984, Bennett and Brassard had come up with an intriguing result: a cryptographic system which, as the committee describes it, "allows encoding and transmitting messages using the laws of quantum physics in a way that makes them unreadable to eavesdroppers, even if they had quantum computational resources." To create quantum cryptography, Bennett and Brassard made use of one of those strange phenomena of the quantum world: superposition, which, in simplified terms, makes it possible for a single particle to be in two or more places at once. Quantum theory holds that this dual state is lost as soon as somebody observes the particle, which will then appear in one position or the other. And if the same particle was in the midst of being transmitted, any attempted hack would collapse the superposition, alerting the interlocutors that same instant. Bennett and Brassard's protocol, known as BB84 after its inventors and year of publication, is today generally acknowledged as the first practical application of the science of quantum information. "Quantum information is a kind of information that is disturbed by observation and cannot be copied," explained Bennett on the phone yesterday after hearing of the award. "Gilles Brassard and I realized that it could be used for the practical purpose of sending messages, in such a way that the sender and receiver could tell immediately whether anyone had listened to the message en route. And that, in essence, is quantum key distribution or quantum cryptography." The importance of BB84 was not immediately recognized by the scientific community. The cryptographic protocols now in use, which underpin the security of all our Internet communications and transactions, are based on the existence of mathematical problems that computers cannot solve, and in the mid-1980s there was nothing to suggest that this might one day change. However ten years later change it did, thanks to the work of Peter Shor. The algorithm that challenged classical cryptography Shor, Professor of Applied Mathematics at MIT, discovered that the supposedly intractable problem on which standard cryptography was based, the prime factorization of large numbers -i.e. the decomposition of a large number into its prime factors - would be within the scope of a hypothetical quantum computer. As the citation states, "Shor discovered that quantum computers could factorize integers much faster than any supercomputer, therefore compromising the security of conventional cryptographic schemes." Shor's algorithm, so named for its author, is now one of the quantum algorithms that comprise the fast developing language to be spoken by tomorrow's quantum computers. "When Shor discovered that if you could build a quantum computer", explains Bennett, "it would defeat certain cryptographic systems in widespread use, that stimulated a lot more research, because the cryptographers wanted to find more secure systems that were harder to break. And at the same time other people wanted to build a better quantum computer to see what it could be used for besides code breaking." In phone conversation, Gilles Brassard also recalled this time in his career: "We created the BB84 system ten years before Peter Shor discovered that quantum computers, if they could be built, would completely undermine the cryptographic infrastructure that protects Internet communications. The importance of our work became much more evident after Shor destroyed everything else. It's sort of funny, because in 1984 quantum theory led to the most secure confidentiality possible in inter-machine transmission. And ten years later the same quantum theory challenged all the cryptographic systems invented, except for ours!" Bennett and Brassard would go on working closely together for several decades. Both have also collaborated with Shor, who explains his own contribution as follows: "Current cryptographic systems depend on the difficulty of factoring numbers. If you could factor numbers quickly, you could break all the codes of today's systems. What I showed is that a quantum computer could factor large numbers fairly quickly. Of course nobody has actually built a big enough quantum computer to factor those numbers yet, and it will probably be years or decades before they do." Shortly after devising his algorithm, Shor made another landmark contribution, known as quantum error correction; "an essential requirement," in the words of the committee. "for enabling and scaling quantum computations." By their very nature, quantum computers are exposed to a large volume of noise, causing numerous errors. Before Shor's finding, it was not believed theoretically possible to isolate quantum computers to such an extent that errors could be eradicated. So Shor, in essence, gave hope to the field and propelled it forward. "Everyone thought that you couldn't correct errors on quantum computers," recalls Shore, "because as soon as you try to measure a quantum system you disturb it. In other words, if you try to measure the error so as to correct it, you disturb it and computation is interrupted. My algorithm showed that you can isolate and fix the error and still preserve the computation". The promise of a rising technology Quantum cryptography is right now one of the most advanced branches of quantum technology, with several companies up and running in Europe and the United States. In China a quantum communication terrestrial system known as Backbone has been laid between Beijing and Shanghai is already being used for commercial applications, and in 2016 the country launched an experimental satellite link with Europe. The laureates, however, view the development of quantum computation as essentially a long-term prospect, unlikely to immediately fulfill the expectations stoked by the prototypes of leading tech firms. As Bennett reflects, "I really welcome the number of smart people working in this field, because back in the days when there were only half a dozen of us it didn't progress. But I think people are too eager to know what it's going to be used for right away, especially considering that quantum information is very delicate. It requires very precise hardware resistant to error and well insulated from environmental influences. These are tough engineering problems. Not necessary impossible, but they are hard and will take years to achieve." That said, they have no doubts about the future potential of quantum computers. For Brassard, "the 19th century was the era of steam power, the 20th century was the era of information, and the 21st century will go down in history as the quantum age, the age in which quantum technologies dominate all the changes occurring in society, in a way we cannot yet foresee." Shor, meantime, believes that "it will be 5 or 10 years before a quantum computer can do anything approaching useful." With time, however, he is convinced that these machines will deliver revolutionary applications, in biomedicine, for instance: "At the moment, it takes enormous amounts of computer time to simulate the behavior of molecules, but quantum computers could achieve that, and help design new drugs." ### Bio notes Charles H. Bennett (New York, United States, 1943) graduated with a BA in Chemistry from Brandeis University (Waltham, Massachusetts, United States) in 1964 then went on to complete a PhD in Chemical Physics at Harvard in 1971. The following year he joined IBM Research, where he remains to this day. From 1984 to 1986 he was a Visiting Professor in the Computer Science Department at Boston University, and from 1986 to 1987 a Visiting Scientist at the MIT Computer Science Lab. His publications have a Google Scholar citation count of over 78,000. An IBM Fellow since 1995, he is also a member of the American Physical Society and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Gilles Brassard (Montreal, Canada, 1955) graduated in Computer Science from the University of Montreal in 1972, and in 1979 earned a PhD in Theoretical Computer Science from Cornell University. In 1988, he joined the faculty at the University of Montreal, where he is currently Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information Science. Among other distinctions, he holds honorary doctorates from ETH Zurich, the University of Ottawa and Universita della Svizzera italiana. He is founder and Scientific Director of the Institut Transdisciplinaire d'Information Quantique and a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cryptology. Peter Shor (New York, United States, 1959) completed a BA in Mathematics at California Institute of Technology in 1981 then went on to obtain a PhD in 1985 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After a year as a postdoc at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley, he joined AT&T Bell Laboratories, where he remained for ten years, then moved to AT&T Shannon Labs from 1996 to 2003. In this last year he became Henry Adams Morss and Henry Adams Morss Jr. Professor of Applied Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also chairs the Applied Mathematics Committee. In a research career of almost 40 years, he has had more than 170 papers published in specialist journals. Basic Sciences committee and evaluation support panel The committee in this category was chaired by Theodor Hansch, Director of the Division of Laser Spectroscopy at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (Germany), and the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Physics, with Ignacio Cirac, Director of the Theory Division at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (Germany) acting as secretary. Remaining members were Emmanuel Candes, the Barnum-Simons Chair in Mathematics and Statistics at Stanford University (United States); Nigel Hitchin, Emeritus Savilian Professor of Geometry at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom); Hongkun Park, Mark Hyman Jr. Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics at Harvard University (United States); Martin Quack, Head of the Molecular Kinetics and Spectroscopy Group at ETH Zurich (Switzerland); and Sandip Tiwari, Charles N. Mellowes Professor in Engineering at Cornell University (United States). The evaluation support panel of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) was coordinated by M. Victoria Moreno, Deputy Vice President for Scientific and Technical Areas, and formed by: Carmen Garcia Garcia, Deputy Coordinator of the MATERIA Global Area and research professor at the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC); Berta Gomez-Lor Perez, scientific researcher at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM); Jose Luis de Miguel Anton, tenured scientist at the Institute of Optics "Daza de Valdes" (IO); Carlos Prieto de Castro, Coordinator of the MATERIA Global Area and research professor at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM); and German Sierra Rodero, research professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT). About the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards The BBVA Foundation centers its activity on the promotion of world-class scientific research and cultural creation, and the encouragement of talent. The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards, established in 2008, recognize and reward contributions of singular impact in diverse fields of science, technology, social sciences and the humanities that have demonstrably expanded the frontiers of the known world, opening up new paradigms and knowledge fields. Their eight categories are reflective of the knowledge map of the 21st century, encompassing basic research in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Biology and Biomedicine, Information and Communication Technologies, Humanities and Social Sciences, Economics, Finance and Management, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Climate Change, and, within the arts, the supremely creative realm of music. The BBVA Foundation is aided in the evaluation process by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the country's premier public research organization. The Foundation and CSIC jointly appoint the evaluation support panels charged with undertaking an initial assessment of the candidates proposed by numerous institutions across the world and drawing up a reasoned shortlist for the consideration of the award committees. CSIC is also responsible for designating the chair of each committee, formed by eminent authorities in the subject area. A tourist wears a surgical face mask as she walks past a red telephone box in central London on March 2, 2020. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images) Fed Cuts Interest Rates to Battle Virus: Coronavirus Updates From March 3 The new coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, has spread to dozens of countries around the world. Below are news updates from March 3. Click here for March 4 updates. Fed Cuts Interest Rates to Battle Virus The Federal Reserve, in a rare emergency step, cut short-term rates by half a percentage point on March 3 to protect the U.S. economy from the growing impact of the global coronavirus outbreak. The half-point cut is the biggest in more than a decade and prompted a jump on the major stock indexes. The fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain strong. However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity, the bank said in a statement. The Committee is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy. US Death Toll Rises to 9 Officials in King County, Washington, on Tuesday confirmed two more deaths and seven more cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Todays results include 2 additional deaths, along with an individual who was previously reported as ill but who has now died. This brings the total number of deaths in King County from COVID-19 to eight, according to King County officials in a statement. A person is also confirmed to have died of COVID-19 in nearby Snohomish County on Monday, meaning that nine people have died in Washington state and the United States at large. Local health officials in Snohomish confirmed two more cases of the virus, reported KIRO7, which reported that staff at the Harborview Medical Center might have been exposed to the mysterious new illness by a man who died at the facility and later tested positive. So far, 27 total cases have been reported in Washington state. Read more here. New York Confirms Second Case In New York, a man in his 50s who lives in a New York City suburb and works at a Manhattan law firm tested positive for the virus, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the state to two, New York officials said. He has severe pneumonia and is hospitalized, officials said. The patient had not traveled to countries hardest hit in the coronavirus outbreak, which began in China in December and is now present in nearly 80 countries and territories, killing more than 3,000 people. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the confirmation of the case was made by the citys public health laboratory on its first day of testing. The public transportation agency in New York, the most densely populated major U.S. city of more than 8 million, said on Twitter it was deploying enhanced sanitizing procedures for stations, train cars, buses, and certain vehicles. Chile, Argentina Record First Cases Chile recorded the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the country, the health ministry said on Tuesday. The patient is a 33-year-old man in the city of Talca, south of Santiago. Neighboring Argentina also confirmed its first case on Tuesday, a 43-year-old man who had traveled to Italy. Spain Reports First Death A man in the Spanish region of Valencia has died from coronavirus, marking the countrys first death from the outbreak, a local health official said on Tuesday. Tests carried out post-mortem showed the man, who died on Feb. 13, was killed by the virus, regional health chief Ana Barcelo told a press conference. News of the death came shortly after Spains Health Ministry announced on its Twitter page that several sporting events would be held behind closed doors, while medical conferences will be canceled in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. Coronavirus Treatments Could Be Ready in Months: Executives Treatments for the new coronavirus could be ready in months, pharmaceutical executives told President Donald Trump at the White House. Regenerons treatment could be produced as soon as August, Lenny Schleifer, the founder and CEO of Regeneron, said. The company uses antibodies, or proteins produced by plasma cells, to counteract diseases. Its using the same technology it used to develop a cure for Ebola. We have 1,000 antibodies that are already sitting in dishes. Were screening them. Were selecting them. We anticipate, if all goes well, 200,000 doses per month can come out of our factory in New York, starting in August, Schleifer told Trump on Monday during a meeting with health officials and pharmaceutical executives. The new treatment will be able to protect those who arent infected from contracting the new virus and treat people who have already been infected. Read more here. Flanked by Vice President Mike Pence (L) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, President Donald Trump leads a meeting with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington on March 2, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Iran Orders Troops to Fight Coronavirus Outbreak as 77 Dead Irans supreme leader put the Islamic Republics armed forces on alert Tuesday to assist health officials in combating the outbreak of the new coronavirusthe deadliest outside of Chinathat authorities say has killed 77 people. Ayatollah Ali Khameneis decision was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Irans upcoming arbor day, showing how concern about the virus now reaches up to the top of the countrys Shiite theocracy. Iranian media reported that 23 members of parliament now had the virus, as did the head of the countrys emergency services. Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin, Khamenei said, who has not worn gloves at past arbor day plantings. After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities said Tuesday they had plans to potentially mobilize 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. It wasnt clear if Khameneis order would set them in motion helping sanitize streets, direct traffic and track possible contacts those ill with the virus had with others, as initially suggested. There are now over 2,530 cases of the new coronavirus across the Mideast. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the Islamic Republic. Yet experts worry Irans percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3 percent, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show. Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Irans leadership to be killed by the virus. State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei. The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Those sick 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. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. A medic treats a patient infected with coronavirus, at a hospital in Tehran, Iran on March 1, 2020. (Ali Shirband/Mizan News Agency via AP) G7 to Deploy All Policy Tools to Combat Coronavirus Group of Seven finance officials said on Tuesday they would use all appropriate policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable global growth and safeguard against downside risks posed by the fast-spreading coronavirus. G7 finance ministers were ready to take action, including fiscal measures where appropriate, to aid the response, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters. Central banks would continue to support price stability and economic growth. We reaffirmed our commitment to adopt all appropriate policy steps to protect the economy from downside risks posed by the coronavirus, and that we stand ready to cooperate further on timely and effective measures, Aso said after a G7 call. He was short on specifics and said the desirable policy response would vary from country to country. Asked if all appropriate policy steps would include both monetary and fiscal policies, Aso said: Yes, anything will be included, both monetary and fiscal steps. A security guard takes the temperature of people as they arrive for work at an office building in Beijing, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, China on March 3, 2020. (Thomas Peter/Reuters) UK Announces 5 New Cases The UK on Tuesday morning updated its national case total to 40, according to the countrys Department of Health and Social Care. Forty people have now tested positive. Another 13,485 have tested negative. Australias Reserve Bank Cuts Interest Rate The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate to a new record low of 0.5 percent. RBA governor Philip Lowe said the easing from 0.75 percent comes ahead of a worse-than-expected near term virus hit to the economy. It is too early to tell how persistent the effects of the coronavirus will be and at what point the global economy will return to an improving path. Policy measures have been announced in several countries, including China, which will help support growth, Lowe said in his address after the banks March board meeting. Belinda Allen of Commonwealth Bank told the Australian Financial Review that she favored other approaches to mitigating potential impacts from the outbreak. A fiscal response would be more appropriate, she said. Read more here. Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Canberra, Australia on March 3, 2020. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Cases in Australia Increase to 35 Four more cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the Australian state of NSW, bringing the total number of people infected with the virus in the state to 13. NSW Health on Tuesday afternoon said two women in their 60s who returned to Sydney from South Korea and Japan had tested positive. Earlier in the day, the NSW premier announced two more cases: a 39-year-old man who arrived in Sydney from Iran on Feb. 28, and a 53-year-old man who had returned to Sydney from Singapore on Feb. 28. Australia now has a national total of 35, with 1 death and 21 already recovered. Read more here. Georgia Detects 2 Cases In a press conference late Monday night, Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed that a husband and wife in Atlanta have tested positive for the novel coronavirus after being tested by a local doctor, who sent the samples to the CDC. These cases involve two individuals who reside in the same household. One who recently returned from Italy, Kemp said of the patients in Fulton County, Atlanta. Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey told reporters, We thought it was important that we come today and tell you about this even as our epidemiologists are still investigating and find any potential contacts in the community. The patient who returned from Italy said that they did not feel any effects of the virus until they were back in Atlanta. Toomey said that the couple are both now exhibiting minimal symptoms and are self-isolating at home. We will continue to search for any contacts to ensure that we stop any further spread in the community, Toomey said. The message to the public is still low risk. No local transmission going on and wash your hands and get a flu shot, she added. Jordan, Latvia Detect First Infections The Kingdom of Jordan on Monday reported its first case of COVID-19, with the majority of cases tracing back to regions in Italy and Iran that are suffering from localized outbreaks. The Jordanian citizen returned from Italy 16 days ago and entered quarantine last week after feeling sick. According to the countrys Health Minister Saad Jaber, the male patient is in good condition. His family and a colleague who he came in contact with are in quarantine for 14 days. Jaber added that schools across the kingdom are likely to be shut down if the number of cases reaches 20. Mass gatherings will also be banned. Latvia has also reported its first case of the virus, its Ministry of Health said on Monday, according to LETA news agency. The patient, a female national who lives in Riga, arrived in Latvia on Feb. 29 on the 3:40 p.m. airBaltic flight BT226 that left from Milan, Italy, via Munich with her family. Upon their arrival, they traveled by private car from the airport back home. Health officials have said that her condition is not severe. She and her child, who is also showing symptoms, have been transferred to the Latvian Infectology Centeriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii for isolation and monitoring. The rest of her family are quarantined at home. Other passengers on the flight are being asked to call Latvias Disease Control and Prevention Center on precautionary measures after sharing the plane with the infected woman. The flight arrived in Riga at noon local time. In this illustration dated February 26, 2020, a man displays a protective N-95 face mask and goggles, at an office in Washington. (Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images) US to Increase Healthcare Worker Access to Respirators The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday measures to make more respirators, including certain N95s, available to healthcare workers. In a statement, the FDA said that it has now approved respirators marked for use in industrial settings for use by healthcare professionals responding to patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The FDA and CDCs action to allow a wider range of respirators to be used in healthcare settings will help those on the front lines of this outbreak and their patients, which will keep all Americans safe, said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. President Trump has made it clear that protecting the American people is his top priority, and that includes taking every necessary step to ensure Americas healthcare providers have the tools they need. We will continue pursuing every possible avenue to secure the protective gear needed for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. Another Case Detected in Australia A 10th coronavirus case in the Australian state in Queensland has been confirmed by state health authorities. A 20-year-old male university student from China has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The man, who had traveled to Dubai for at least two weeks before entering Australia, is in a stable condition in isolation in the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. Queensland Health has confirmed he is a student. He was living in the Brisbane suburb of Toowong with a male housemate, who is now being assessed for the disease. A student accommodation business told AAP Chinese students are bypassing the China travel ban by spending two weeks in other countries before entering Australia. Read more here. Natural Protection Strategy Against Viruses Conventional medicine offers very little for the prevention or treatment of most viral illnesses. Natural medicine offers considerably more solutions. Read about natural treatments here. Unusual Animal Behavior in Coronavirus Epicenter: Video People from Hubei province, the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak, have reported sightings of unusual animal behavior in Hubei, such as huge flocks of crows and fish jumping out of water. Elderly Chinese people used to say that crows are carrion-eaters and have the ability to anticipate death, because they can smell the odor of a dying person. That is why in Chinese culture, crows are considered inauspicious and are always linked with death. Click here to watch the video. For updates from March 2, click here. Zachary Stieber, Melanie Sun, the Associated Press, Reuters, Dr. Charles Bens, and AAP contributed to this article. The conflict in Yemen has been framed mainly in international media as a humanitarian issue, with intervention needed to prevent civilian starvation, as an unfortunate by-product of the war. Nonetheless since the Houthi power grab in 2015 which sparked intervention from neighbouring Saudi Arabia supported by Gulf ally the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 100,000 people are estimated to have been killed, including more than 12,000 civilians, as well as an estimated 85,000 dead as a result of the famine. Two recent initiatives concerned with alleged war crimes in Yemen are of note. In the United Kingdom, a law firm has filed a complaint against UAE officials. It will be up to the courts to decide if indeed there is sufficient evidence to arrest political and military heads if they visit London, Washington or Ankara. Meanwhile in The Hague, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) is trying for a prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) of the heads of European arms manufacturers. Where do weapons come from? The ICC route is tortuous because as a treaty organisation, unless the United Nations Security Council steps in, only crimes in member states and those committed by their nationals can come under its aegis. Many of the article 15 declarations when NGOs and lawyers send communications to ask the court to investigate turn into nothing because of these geographically tight restrictions. At the end of last year, the ECCHR along with several partner organizations Mwatana for Human Rights from Yemen, and other international groups tried to find a way around the simple fact that neither Yemen nor Saudi Arabia nor UAE are members of the court. They are calling on the ICC to investigate whether European arms companies and European government ministers and officials, through authorizing and exporting arms, to the military coalition led by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, have committed war crimes. This is a new avenue says Miriam Saage-Maa, head of ECCHRs Business and Human Rights program. In their communication to the ICC the ECCHR and their partners ask the Office of the Prosecutor to investigate 26 incidents of airstrikes on residential buildings, schools, hospitals, a museum and world heritage sites which would be war crimes because they are intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and against buildings dedicated to education, art, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected. Saage-Maa points out that to commit war crimes, usually you need weapons, so the question is where do those weapons come from. Lessons from Nuremberg Since this is a war characterised by massive bombing campaigns, they have targeted companies involved in the production of Eurofighter Typhoon military aircrafts, the Tornado and Mirage aircraft, and refueling planes, as well as the subsequent exports of spare parts and maintenance to keep these aircrafts operational during the course of the conflict. Specifically: Airbus Defence and Space S.A. (Spain), Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (Germany), BAE Systems Plc. (UK), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), and Dassault Aviation S.A. (France). If you are providing the means for warfare and potentially also for the commission of war crimes, could that not be framed as aiding and abetting, as giving assistance to the main perpetrator of the crime? asks Saage-Maa. Then the question [for aiding and abetting] is: what is a substantial contribution to those crimes? To answer that they have looked beyond ICC jurisprudence, back, for example, to the Nuremberg trials. Tara van Ho, who lectures on business and human rights at Essex University, rates the chance of success of this aiding and abetting approach relatively high, based on her work on such precedents. There were several successful criminal prosecutions of business leaders at the Nuremberg trials, she says, who were prosecuted for a wide range of activities, including pillaging, using slave labour from the concentration camps, and the production of chemicals used to carry out the Holocaust. She points out that some of the prosecutions resulted in convictions but others did not, depending on whether the business leaders had a real choice as to whether they participated. Where the business leaders were legally required to act in a way and where they faced severe punishment for non-compliance they were not convicted. Where they were not required to act in a certain way where they took advantage of the law or of the Nazi regime then they were convicted for their participation in those crimes. EUROPES DIRTY HANDS WITH MIRIAM SAAGE-MAA Listen to the podcast proposed by Janet H. Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg on their blog Asymmetrical Haircuts, partner of Justice Info. The precedents in The Netherlands She suggests that this is significant in the context of any attempted prosecution on Yemen because the businesses that are selling weapons to Saudi Arabia are not required to do so; they are supplying these weapons because they are prioritizing the short-term business gain from those sales. This suggests that they cannot rely on the surface legality of a sale or on Saudi Arabias position as a recognized government to justify their actions. They would need to show that they didnt have reason to know or believe that their weapons would be used to commit war crimes. These organizations hope that this might strip away the standard corporate executive defence of political and legal neutrality. However, Van Ho says thats a hard defence to muster. She points to recent prosecutions of business leaders by Dutch courts. Frans van Anraat was convicted for selling mustard gas components to Saddam Husseins regime in Iraq and Guus Kouwenhoven was convicted for smuggling weapons and aiding and abetting war crimes during the Liberian civil war in the 1990s. They were successful because the prosecution could show that the two business leaders supplied the chemicals or weapons with the knowledge of how they would be used, stresses Van Ho. And even though Van Anraat sold components that were not prohibited by international or domestic Dutch law, the Court found he sold them with the knowledge that they would be used to make mustard gas and that was sufficient to convict him of complicity to commit war crimes. Before the ICC, a high burden of proof Saage-Maa sees parallels with current heads of European arms companies: They are in the business of selling arms. And that means they a lot of times have very close ties to the governments theyre selling the arms too. And they are actually well informed about all the conflicts ongoing in this world. If youre doing business with the Congo for 25 years, obviously you know whats going on there. But they just dont consider it their responsibility to care. I think thats something we really want to change. Van Ho agrees that prosecutors will need to show that the individual leader was engaged in specific conduct involving that sale and that they did so with knowledge that [the buyer] was going to use the weapons to commit war crimes. The International Criminal Court statute has comparatively high standards for aiding and abetting, and that is something weve been wrestling with, posits Saage-Maa. You need to be showing or ask yourself : Has there been a substantial contribution to the commission of the main crime? That is a high burden of proof, but Van Ho says its not insurmountable. A complex choice for the European Union If the ICC wants to be credible, argues Saage-Maa, and if those countries that are supported the court want to be credible, they must be willing to apply the standards of the International Criminal Court also to citizens of their countries. There cannot be double standards in international criminal law. So, you know, you may go after the war criminals all over the world, but you must be also looking at the responsibility of Western actors. Gulf specialist Patrick de Vries describes a complex balancing act for foreign policy decision-makers in the European Union, where countries are continuing to conduct arms sales to Saudi Arabia on the one hand, while continuing to highlight the humanitarian situation. He sets these concerns against the bigger picture of geo-political manoeuvring in the Gulf from players such as Russia, China and the U.S. putting their national interests first, and against Riyadh and Abu Dhabis concern to both counter radical Islam, a regional Iranian threat and to shore up their own economic future and political stability. It is therefore not surprising that allegations of aiding and abetting war crimes in the Yemen war have not been high on European capitals agendas. Hyderabad, March 3 : Out of 88 persons who came into contact with the techie tested positive for COVID-19, as many as 45 were admitted to government-run Gandhi Hospital here, Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajender said on Tuesday. He said samples from these people were collected and the results were awaited. The authorities have identified 85 people who came into contact with the techie. They will be kept in isolation for 14 days. "The remaining people will also be brought to the hospital and subjected to the coronavirus test," he said. Those brought to hospital and screened include the techie's family members, those who travelled with him in the bus from Bengaluru to Hyderabad and the staff at a private hospital where he was treated for few days before he approached the Gandhi Hospital. Rajender said the condition of the techie was stable and had improved since Monday. The man, hailing from Hyderabad and working for a Bengaluru-based IT firm, is suspected to have picked up virus in Dubai, where he came in contact with some company representatives from Hong Kong. After returning from Dubai, he spent two days in Bengaluru, meeting company employees and others. After reaching Hyderabad by bus, he approached a private hospital with fever and flu-like symptoms. He continued his treatment as an outpatient for five days and was subsequently admitted there. As there was no improvement in his condition, he came to Gandhi Hospital on March 1. His samples were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune and they tested positive for COVID-19. A day after the state posted first COVID-19 positive case, the authorities swung into action to beef up the preparatory mechanism. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao announced Rs 100 crore for necessary infrastructure and other measures to contain the spread of coronavirus. A three-member ministerial committee held a meeting with top officials to review the situation and discuss necessary measures to deal with any situation. The Health Minister told reporters after the meeting that over 3,000 beds would be ready for isolation of patients with suspected symptoms of coronavirus while 250 to 300 beds would be arranged for treatment of positive cases, if necessary. The beds would be arranged at the Military Hospital, Chest Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, Fever Hospital and Vikarabad Hospital, all government-run facilities. In addition to these hospitals, the infrastructure at private medical colleges in and around Hyderabad would also be used. The Health Department has deployed 24 pulmonologists to cater to the people under observation at various hospitals. An equal number of serving pulmonologists are kept stand-by. A large number of retired doctors were also contacted and their willingness was obtained to serve in case of need. The Minister said he spoke to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan over phone and requested him to make the masks available to the state. The meeting also decided to take up awareness campaign on large scale to allay fears and clear the myths about coronavirus. The minister said there was no need for panic. He appealed to people not to believe rumours or false information about coronavirus. He pointed out that the mortality rate of coronavirus is only 3 per cent, which is far less compared to other viruses like swine flu and SARS. He, however, called up on people to take the precautions while going into public places. He said they should use kerchiefs while sneezing and coughing. He hoped that the state would not witness high incidence of coronavirus as there would be less chances of the virus surviving due to increasing temperature. Chinese health authorities on Tuesday said 31 new deaths were reported across the mainland until Monday midnight, pushing the toll to 2943 dead in the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. At least 125 new cases were also reported of the disease with the total infection number soaring to 80,151, the national health commission (NHC) said on Tuesday. Globally, the escalating epidemic has now killed more than 3,000 people and sickened more than 89,000 with the vast majority of cases in China. While the number of new cases recorded daily in China has now declined daily for days, the pathogen continues spreading fast in South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy, prompting increased travel warnings and restrictions. Cases have been discovered in more than 70 countries. Most of the 125 new cases 114 in China were reported from the epicentre of the central Chinese province of Hubei and its locked down capital, Wuhan, where the first case of this new strain of coronavirus was first discovered late last year. The Hubei province reported 114 new cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia on Mar 2, with 31 new deaths and 2,410 cases of recovery. The total number of infections in the province climbed to 67,217 with 36,167 recovered and 2,834 dead, the NHC said. While the epidemic situation is showing signs of improvement in China, hundreds of millions of people across the country continue to face some form restrictions on their movements, part of an unprecedented effort to isolate the pathogen and prevent human-to-human transmission. Scientists in China and elsewhere are continuing to grapple with the new strain of the virus. Authorities in Hefei, in eastern Chinas Anhui province, reported a case on Monday who showed no symptoms, forcing 177 people to be put into quarantine. The man, surnamed Xu 43, is a worker in a local plastic products company. He was reported by a local hospital, according to the Hefei health commissions website. Test results of the 177 close contacts have turned out to be negative so far. The results on another 269 workers in the same factory where Xu works are also negative, the NHC was quoted as saying by the state media. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that the spread of Covid-19 in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan has become the greatest concern. South Korea has so far reported more than 4,200 cases and 22 deaths, meaning it has more than half of all cases outside China, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing. In Italy, the death toll has risen to 52, with 1,835 cases confirmed until Monday. In Japan, as of Monday, the number of confirmed cases had risen to more than 960, with over 700 of them coming from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in the port city of Yokohama. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Six men were arrested on Tuesday for attempting to steal mail from a mailbox outside of the Newtonville post office, according to WBZ-TV. Newton Police Lt. Bruce Apotheker said the men are accused of attaching an object with a sticky substance on it on a string in an effort to fish the mail from the mailbox. The suspects are from the Boston area and New York, and their ages range from 18 to 22, WBZ-TV reports. Mail fishing, as its called, has been a big problem in Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Boston-area police departments have been working with the Postal Service to investigate between 15 to 20 mail theft in the region, according to the Boston Globe. Gina Rinehart really showed she was getting with the millennial best-place-to-work program when she converted a corner of her Roy Hill office into a cat compound last year. Gina Rinehart and Tim Bloxsome. Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit: Staff at the Perth airport offices of the iron ore producer, Roy Hill, can now get some respite during the working day by popping into the converted corner office to play with the cats if cats are their thing. Now the billionaire appears to have taken a similar out-of-the-box approach to new hires. Our correspondents noted a new face accompanying Rinehart as she disembarked her private jet last year (carrying the coffee pods). It was former model and barista Tim Bloxsome, now the miner's private secretary and faithful aide. Apart from having been on the books with Chadwick Models and working on a travel program for Discovery Channel, Bloxsome moonlighted as a private secretary for Kuwait's minted Alghanim family until 2018. BEIRUT - Nine civilians, including five children, died on Tuesday morning in Idlib, the war-torn center of the northwestern Syrian region at the center of the conflict between Turkey and the Syrian government backed by Russia, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports. According to the monitoring group, a rocket fired by Syrian air forces hit a road in the city center, opening a crater, with shrapnel striking buildings overlooking the street. The NGO published images of the area after the raid. The observatory also reported that over the last few hours a Turkish soldier was killed in the region and three others were wounded. Turkish soldiers have been killed in artillery raids carried out in the district of Taftanaz by Syrian government forces in the city of Saraqib. The NGO, which is based in the UK but has an extensive network of sources on the ground, also confirmed that a Syrian military jet was downed in the district of Jisr ash Shughur. The aircraft was downed south of Idlib in an area currently controlled by Syrian government forces. The downing of the L-39 fighter jet was claimed by the Turkish army, according to Ankara's defense ministry. No information was provided on crew members. Over the past 24 hours of the operation against Assad's government forces, launched on February 27 after the murder of 34 Turkish soldiers in Idlib, which is called 'Spring shield', the Turkish army has claimed to have 'neutralized' (killed or wounded) a reported 327 enemy soldiers, Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said. Akar also said that the total has risen to at least 2,884. Also over the past 24 hours Ankara claims to have destroyed a plane, a drone, six tanks, five howitzers and two Syrian antiaircraft systems. TORRINGTON The Torrington Area Health District said Monday that it is actively monitoring the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak and participating in state and federal teleconferences to ensure the agency is up to date on the latest state Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidance. Federal, state, and local public health officials have been working diligently to prepare local communities, Director of Health Robert Rubbo said in a statement. Information and guidance changes frequently. As with any epidemic, it is wise to be as prepared as possible, both on a community level and on a personal level. The health district is working with local partners to prepare on a community level, Rubbo said. The TAHD is in the process of meeting with local chief elected officials, emergency management directors, School systems, hospitals, ems, and other key community partners to update them on the status of COVID-19 and what they can do to prepare their communities. According to the statement from the health department, public health officials continue to discover more about this new virus. https://www.ctinsider.com/ctpost/item/Coronavirus-Updates-95020.php This includes: - Person-to-person spread of the virus is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 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 their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. This is very similar to how the common cold and influenza are spread. - People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic. Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms. How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily in China and other countries. Preventative actions the public can take to help stop the spread of viruses, including COVID-19 and influenza, which is currently widespread throughout Connecticut: Wash your hands frequently. Wash for 20 seconds with soap and water. Be sure to wash your hands when returning home from public places. If you do not have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based (at least 60 percent) hand sanitizer. Use enough sanitizer to thoroughly cover your hands and rub until dry. Also: Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands; get plenty of rest; try to eat healthful foods; avoid being around sick persons; stay home if you are sick; children should stay home from school or daycare if they are ill; covers cough and sneezes with a tissue and discard the tissue properly and wash your hands. The health department also recommends that, if you or household members are sick, frequently disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as door knobs and handles, faucet handles, remote controls, and tabletops. The general public can take these action to prepare in the event of a potential outbreak in your community: Have a plan in place for childcare in the event schools or daycare facilities are closed; have a plan for taking care of sick family members, and this includes having necessary supplies on hand and planning the best way to keep the sick person(s) separate from the healthy persons; ff your employer will allow you to work from home, be sure to have everything in place to make that possible. If you are considering traveling abroad, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov for their most current guidance. The health district said anyone who becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 should call ahead before going to a healthcare providers office, so they can take steps to minimize exposure to other individuals; stay home except to get medical care; separate from others in your household; wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently and use paper towels to dry hands, not shared towels. Also, wear a face mask when around other people, such as sharing a room or vehicle and before entering a healthcare providers office; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer; avoid sharing household items like cups, eating utensils, and towels. General public important links: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/infographic-symptoms.jpg https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html Members of the Greek army detain migrants in the village of Mandra, Evros region, at the Greek-Turkish border (AP) Greece has claimed a video apparently showing a dead Syrian refugee on its border is fake news. Footage showing a group of men carrying a young man with wounds to his head through the woods near the Turkish border town Enez has emerged online. A Syrian migrant was reported by Reuters as dying from injuries after Greek security forces moved to prevent Syrian migrants crossing the countrys border with Turkey. Its report was based on two Turkish security sources. But Greek deputy minister and government spokesman Stelios Petsas denied the claims, dismissing it as Turkish propaganda. Greece and Turkey have historically poor relations. Video showing fatality on Greek-Turkish border is fake news. We call upon everyone to use caution when reporting news that furthers Turkish propaganda. #fakenews #fakeTurkishPropaganda Stelios Petsas (@SteliosPetsas) March 2, 2020 He also insisted that Greek forces had not opened fire on migrants attempting to enter Greece. No shots have been fired by Greek border forces against any individuals attempting to enter Greece illegally. The contrary amounts to no more than gross and deliberate misinformation: Fake News.#fakenews #fakeTurkishPropaganda Stelios Petsas (@SteliosPetsas) March 2, 2020 Reuters reported that it spoke to one of the men who can be heard speaking in the video of the migrant, and said he gave a detailed account of the incident which matched that given by two Turkish officials. Story continues A boy has died after a boat full of migrants headed to a Greek island capsized, it has also been reported. The claims and counter-claims come as a video emerged of the Greek coastguard apparently attempting to capsize a boat of refugees. The coastguard vessel passes extremely close to the boat, making contact at one point, while men on board that and another vessel use poles to hit at the refugees boat. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said millions will attempt to cross into Europe (SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Greek border forces stopped 4,354 people attempting to cross over land on Monday, while 10,000 have attempted to cross. It came after Turkey eased restrictions on people wanting to reach Europe, leading to fears of a new migrant crisis similar to what was seen in the middle of the last decade. Turkey currently hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees and has demanded more support from Europe as it handles the fallout from the Syrian war on its border. On Monday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said European leaders had contacted him to ask for the decision to ease restrictions to be reversed. Its done, the gates are open now. You will have your share of this burden now, he said he told them, adding that there will be millions attempting to cross into Europe. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Amy Hart was seen for the first time since her former 'half-boyfriend' Curtis Pritchard and Maura Higgins announced their split. The Love Island star, 27, appeared to brush off their break-up as she filmed scenes for Celebs Go Dating alongside co-star Olivia Bentley at Soho's Scarlett Green Restaurant on Tuesday evening. Despite being left heartbroken by the dancer's decision to call it quits during last year's edition of ITV2 dating series, the ex-flight attendant wishes them 'all the best' as a source told MailOnline: 'Breakups are hard, and she hopes theyre both okay.' Night on the town: Amy Hart (L) filmed scenes for Celebs Go Dating alongside co-star Olivia Bentley (R) at Soho's Scarlett Green Restaurant on Tuesday evening Cutting a chic figure, the reality star caught the eye in a satin red mini-dress, which was embellished with floral prints throughout. The occasional Loose Women panellist added height to her frame in a pair of gold ankle-strap heels, and carried her essentials in a patterned handbag. Despite her leggy display, the blonde managed to wrap up against the chilly climes in a black fluffy coat, which served as her chic outerwear. Amy wore her shoulder-length tresses in a straight fashion, and complemented her natural beauty with neutral-toned make-up. Break-up: The Love Island star, 27, was seen for the first time since her former 'half-boyfriend' Curtis Pritchard and Maura Higgins announced their split (pictured in July) 'She hopes they're both okay': Despite being left heartbroken by the dancer's decision to call it quits last year, the ex-flight attendant wishes them 'all the best' (pictured with Dean Gaffney) Standing out: Cutting a chic figure, the reality star caught the eye in a satin red mini-dress, which was embellished with floral prints throughout Made In Chelsea's Olivia, 24, also flashed a glimpse of her lean legs in a tiny black skirt, which she styled with a long-sleeved top, a smart blazer and knee-high boots. Former British Airways employee Amy rose to fame for her brief romance with the ballroom pro, which came to a crashing halt during her time in Casa Amor. Following her premature departure from the series, the hunk, 24, embarked on a relationship with former grid girl Maura, 29. Amy recently said Curtis' behaviour triggered her anxiety, which led to a welfare officer getting into bed with her while she cried in the villa, following their break-up. Working it: Made In Chelsea's Olivia, 24, also flashed a glimpse of her lean legs in a tiny black skirt, which she styled with a long-sleeved top, a smart blazer and knee-high boots Co-stars: James Lock (L) and Josh Ritchie (R) joined the ladies on set at the eatery in central London Ready for romance: The group posed for snaps as they continued their quest for love Here come the boys: James, Dean and Josh appeared in great spirits as they strolled along the streets of the English capital What's going on here? James and Olivia linked arms as they left the restaurant following filming Close: The pals put up a cosy display as the TOWIE star wrapped his arms around the socialite Reflecting on their split, she told heat: 'The welfare girl came in every single lunchtime apart from one day a week to check how much water we were having, how much we'd eaten and how we were. 'And when it all went t*ts up for me and I was lying in bed crying at lunchtime, she would get into bed with me and just stroke my head and talk to me and now I speak to her on the phone twice a week to check how I am. 'I felt like wasn't in control of the rest of my life - I was convinced I was going to get sacked, so food was my control thing.' On Monday, MailOnline exclusively revealed Maura and Curtis' split, eight months after meeting on Love Island. A source told us: 'It's going to be a tough time for Maura. She really tried to make things work with Curtis but unfortunately they've gone their separate ways. Exes: Former British Airways employee Amy rose to fame for her brief romance with the ballroom pro, which came to a crashing halt during her time in Casa Amor (pictured) Happier times: Following her premature departure from the series, the hunk, 24, embarked on a relationship with former grid girl Maura, 29 (pictured in September) 'Most of her family and close friends are in Ireland, which will make this even more difficult for her.' A representative for Maura confirmed the news to MailOnline. The Dancing on Ice star took to her Instagram stories on Monday evening to explain it had been a joint decision for the pair to part ways. She said: 'Curtis and I have made the decision to separate. We enjoyed a great experience from our time in the villa and want to thank everyone for supporting our relationship. 'There is no easy way to get through a break up and no bad feeling on either side. We tried to make it work but it wasn't to be, and I wish Curtis nothing but the best for the future,' followed by a broken heart emoji.' Just hours after announcing their break-up, Maura reportedly confronted her former partner over claims he cheated on her with another dancer. The Irish beauty feared the worst after being tagged in a tweet that claimed Curtis had been 'hugging and kissing' Amber Pierson, 20, who is performing on his Strictly brother AJ's live tour. A tweet from an anonymous account alleged that they had seen the Stoke-on-Trent native with fellow dancer Amber at Freedom Bar in London's Soho on Saturday, as Maura enjoyed a separate night out at a different club. Curtis denied any wrongdoing after being questioned by Maura but sources say it was the final straw for the couple, who confirmed their split on Monday. An insider told MailOnline: 'Maura and Curtis hadn't been right since the night of the National Television Awards. 'I was in bed crying at lunchtime': Amy recently said Curtis' behaviour triggered her anxiety, which led to a welfare officer getting into bed with her while she cried in the villa 'First it was a video of Curtis looking close to a girl on New Year's Eve, which was published the same day as Maura's first live performance on Dancing on Ice. Then their fallout at the NTAs. 'But the tip of the iceberg for Maura was having to confront Curtis over a tweet which said he kissed Amber, who he performs with on tour. It seemed to be following a pattern. 'After their separate nights out on Saturday, Maura tried to text Curtis but he didn't reply. He called her instead and said it wasn't true. 'It wasn't enough for Maura so they came to a mutual decision to end their relationship. 'In the weeks leading up to their breakup they had hardly seen each other, with Curtis on tour and Maura performing on Dancing On Ice. But she has been so upset since, this is her normal life and she did truly love Curtis.' An anonymous Twitter user claimed he saw Curtis kissing Amber, who is believed to have a boyfriend, at Freedom Bar in a tweet posted at 2am on Sunday. The same account has since liked several tweets in reference to the couple's split. Cheating claims: Just hours after announcing their break-up, Maura reportedly confronted her former partner over claims he cheated on her with another dancer, Amber Pierson (pictured) FireKing OCP is the #1 designer and manufacturer of fireproof, impact-resistant, and secure document and data storage systems. The company's products provide the highest level of protection from fire, explosion, impact, theft, and water and are used to comply with regulations and protect critical documents, records, backup storage media, and other items in the medical, financial services, legal, education, municipal, government, and other sectors. Gary Weisman, President of FireKing OCP, said, "BGL did an exceptional job understanding our business and identifying a strong partner in Champlain Capital to support the future growth of our business and brand." Andrew K. Petryk, BGL's Head of Industrials, said, "FireKing's OCP Division enjoys a leadership position in a very unique market, and we expect the company to accelerate its growth trajectory." About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown Gibbons Lang & Company is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, capital markets, financial restructurings, valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Related Links http://www.bglco.com The schools two-count lawsuit contends the $1 sale law amounts to taking property without just compensation in violation of the Indiana constitution. In the second count, it maintains its a violation of the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that the party's protest will continue until the Speaker will allow them to discuss BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yathnal's recent comments on freedom fighter HS Doreswamy. "Our protest in the well of state assembly will continue until Speaker allows us to discuss about Basanagouda Patil Yatnal," Siddaramaiah said. Congress MLAs staged a protest in the Karnataka Assembly and entered the well demanding BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yathnal's apology for his 'Pakistani agent' remark. Earlier, Congress leaders on February 26 staged a protest on the same issue in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Vidhana Soudha. Yathnal, on February 25, called Doreswamy a fake freedom fighter and a Pakistani agent while addressing the media. His comments triggered a controversy drawing sharp remarks from Congress and other parties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad: The condition of the 24-year-old man who was admitted to the Gandhi General Hospital (GGH) in the city on Monday after testing positive for coronavirus infection was stable, health minister Etela Rajendar said on Tuesday. In fact, his condition has improved since Monday, Mr Rajender said. The minister, while addressing a press conference, said that a total of 88 persons who had come into contact with the patient during his travel from Bengaluru to the city, and subsequently, have been contacted and advised to visit the Gandhi Hospital for Covid-19 tests. Of these, 45 persons have already reported to the GGH, including 20 personnel from Apollo Hospitals in Secunderabad. The rest would also be coming in soon for the tests, he said. Replying to a question, he said though the Central government guidelines do not mandate a test for those not displaying any symptoms, the state government was not taking any chances and had decided to go ahead and conduct tests. He said that a team of health officials would soon visit Kerala, which had previously successfully controlled the spread of the Nipah virus and turned around the health of three Covid-19 patients last month. We will learn from their experience and study how they did it, he said. The government has made extensive arrangements for any eventuality, he said, elaborating further that till Tuesday, it had arranged for a total of 3,000 beds in both government hospitals and teaching hospitals run by private managements across the state. We have decided to add the government hospital in Vikarabad to the plan for creating more beds in isolation wards. We have been in touch with retired medical professors and other doctors as well as nursing staff who have expressed willingness to return to work if the need arises if there were more cases of the disease, he said. The Chief Minister has released `100 crore for emergency expenses to control the disease. There is absolutely no need for any panic or fear about the disease. People should remain calm, Rajendar said. The minister said according to studies, 81 per cent of all Covid-19 cases are mild and resemble a common cold. Fourteen per cent of all those admitted for treatment the worldover have been cured and just three per cent from had resulted in fatalities, he added. papyrus card Bridesmaid proposal cards, engagement ring-embellished wrapping paper, anniversary love letters. If youre distraught about the closing of Papyrus, in a way, the brand lives on. National stationery retailer Paper Source just scooped up 30 of the now-shuttered Papyrus stores around the country, so the act of thoughtfully picking out a card in a sea of aisles lives on. According to the Chicago Tribune, Paper Source purchased all the leases for the Papyrus stores from a Delaware bankruptcy court for $575,000. Just last month, Papyruss ownership filed for bankruptcy protection and closed its 254 locations. The umbrella company of Papyrus was American Greetings, a heritage stationery brand under Schurman Fine Papers. A press release to The Knot confirms the rebranding of the closed Papyrus stores will take place over the course of the next two months, with the first of its new locations opening in March. This means Paper Source will have close to 165 stores in its growing portfolio, including nine, former Papyrus locations in New York City alone. Like Papyrus, we believe in embracing lifes moments, Paper Source CEO Winnie Park said in the release. We want to honor that mission while also bringing the best of Paper Source to customers who value our mix of product and experience. Paper Source is a 36-year-old company that hasnt shuttered any of its stores since it was founded close to four decades ago. In fact, the company has seen continual year-over-year growth even as technology continues to evolve how customers interact with paper goods. Over 1,000 makers and creatives help Paper Source sell 10 million cards every year, which is surprisingly a 24 percent growth since 2015. The companys wrapping paper bundles, party supplies and other cute gift items have also helped boost Paper Sources business, in addition to stationery, over the last five years. We have created an experience that focuses on unique products and services you cant find anywhere else, Park added. Our stores are a respitewe are a happy place where you can discover new products and we are a destination for creating something personal. We try to make it fun for anyone who walks through the doors. Story continues Of course, if youre more of an online shopping person, there are other ways to pick out the stationery of your dreams beyond in-store experiences. Both stationers (and some of the brightest pros), along with online retailers such as Elli, Minted and Shutterfly, cover all of your wedding-related events in this space. Check out our wedding invitation checklist and ultimately, do what makes you happy. Related Articles Iran releases Christian convert from prison, persecution watchdog reports Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An Iranian Christian convert who was arrested during an anti-government protest in Tehran last month has been released on bail from the Qarchak women's prison, which is located in a barren desert east of Tehran and seen as the most dangerous prison in Iran. The 21-year-old Christian convert, Fatemeh Mohammadi, who prefers to go by the name Mary since her spiritual conversion, was released on a $2,250 bail days before her court hearing Monday, the U.S.-based Christian persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported. For nearly a month after her arrest on Jan. 12, little to nothing was known about her whereabouts. There were reports about her being tortured and beaten during her time in Qarchak Prison. The news of her release on bail is a welcomed break from the uncertainty in her case to date, the group said. Mohammadi was detained near Azadi Square in Tehran, where protests occurred after the Iranian military shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, killing 176 people. Although several people were arrested in connection with protests that took place in multiple cities, it was not clear whether she was participating in any of the protests. She was charged with disturbing the public order and for participating in an illegal rally. Mohammadi published a series of tweets on the day she was arrested, saying that the Iranian people faced soft repression in Iran as the regime creates false beliefs through selective coverage of the news, according to Article 18, a U.K.-based watchdog group that promotes religious freedom and tolerance for Christians in Iran. Mohammadi reportedly used hashtags in her tweets that translate to English as hard-pressed and suppression is the norm. She reportedly accused the regime of spreading lies that are bigger and more repetitive make them more believable. Mohammadi was previously detained by authorities in the Islamic Republic under different pretexts. In 2017, she was arrested during a raid on an underground house church meeting and later sentenced to six months in prison. Mohammadi served her time in the womens ward of Irans notorious Evin prison. She wrote an open letter to Irans Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi last May accusing him of targeting Christians and violating the constitution. In her letter, she also questioned why Christian converts in Iran must refrain from talking about their faith while Muslims are free to discuss their faith in public settings. In June 2018, Mohammadi wrote another open letter detailing the mistreatment she suffered while in prison, accusing interrogators of pressuring her to admit to having illicit sexual relations even though she hadnt. She even said interrogators even asked her to make up a story about sexual relations that they could enjoy. Last December, Mohammadi took to social media to complain after she was deemed ineligible to take classes at Azad University and not given a reason why. Her rejection came as other religious minorities had also been denied equal access to education in Iran. Last July, Mohammadi was arrested again for improperly wearing her hijab. She was arrested while trying to report that she had been assaulted. She was detained for hours and released with a warning. Iran has for years been designated by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for religious freedom violations. Last December, nine Christians, who were arrested in January and February 2019, were sentenced to a combined total of 45 years in prison by Irans Revolutionary Court. In Iran, it is illegal for a Muslim to convert to Christianity. Iran ranks as the ninth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. At least 169 Christians were arrested in Iran during the organizations 2019 reporting period Nov. 1, 2018, to Oct. 31, 2019. London: America's top public health agency has told US citizens they should not travel to any part of Italy, in a fresh blow to the country's struggling economy that will also be interpreted as a lack of confidence in efforts to stop coronavirus from spreading across Europe. The number of confirmed cases in Italy rose overnight from 821 to 1128. Eight more people died from the illness, bringing the death toll to 29 in what is the worst COVID-19 cluster outside Asia. Germany had no infections five days ago but the number has now exceeded 60, with many cases linked to people who had been travelling through Italy's affected northern regions. The French government announced it would ban indoor gatherings of 5000 or more people and said 73 patients were being treated for coronavirus. Overall, 14 countries have reported cases with obvious connections to the Italian outbreak. High-level and extended Armenian-Georgian talks were held today in Georgia. "The democratic development of our countries, the peace of the region; this is the basis for the economic development of our countries, our peoples, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said, in particular, in his opening remarks. "I am glad that you also agree that all conflicts in the region should be resolved peacefully." Gakharia also noted that they welcome Armenia's cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership of the European Union (EU). "The democratic development of our countries is the foundation of our security and economic development," the Georgian Prime Minister added. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, for his part, emphasized that there is a huge untapped potential in the relations between the two countries, and full use of that potential is an important part of their agenda. According to the Armenian Prime Minister, the two countries have many opportunities to bring their economic cooperation to a new level. "In my view, if people perceive Armenia and Georgia as a territory that has democratic commonalities, the investment appeal of our two countries will be much greater," he added. "In my opinion, we have a common view on our security." Pashinyan stressed that Armenia welcomes Georgia's position that all conflicts should be resolved exclusively through peaceful means. We derive from the assumption that the conflicts in our region are not at all similar to each other (...). We look at every conflict in its peculiarities. Nikol Pashinyan also touched upon Armenia's membership in the EEU, noting: "In our opinion, Armenia's membership in the EEU and the fact that Georgia has signed a free trade agreement with the EU also creates very serious opportunities." Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Monday for the fast development of effective vaccine and treatment drugs for the novel coronavirus during an inspection tour of two major institutions currently researching COVID-19. Technology is the major way to conquer the battle against the epidemic, President Xi pointed out as he learned about the progress on a potential vaccine and treatment options. "We need to command more core technologies with our own intellectual property," he stressed. The coronavirus, first discovered in central China's Hubei Province last December, has infected nearly 90,000 people worldwide, over 80,100 of whom in China. There is currently no vaccine for the new coronavirus, although several are ready for tests. The military as a major force in the COVID-19 battle Since the outbreak, the Academy of Military Medical Sciences has firmly adhered to the instructions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission, President Xi noted, praising their hard work during this time. This fully shows that our military is loyal to the Party and the people, he said. Since early February, China has sent out over 10,000 military medics to the front lines of Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic. Authorities confirmed on Monday that no military personnel has been infected so far. Xi urged military medics, the major force in the battle, to develop effective vaccine, medicines and fast testing kits as soon as possible. Monitoring network for major outbreaks needed President Xi ordered the establishment of a monitoring network for major epidemics and stressed its importance in preventing public health crises for a country as populous as China. He also called for coordination between front-line medics and researchers elsewhere. "There are two main task fronts in this battle," he said, "one is disease prevention on the front-line, another is research and medical supply." Research into drugs and medical devices should happen along with clinical treatment as the priority is to save more patients, President Xi pointed out in a later symposium with Science and Technology Ministry officials at Tsinghua University. Source of COVID-19 needs to be identified The Chinese president stressed that the source of the pneumonia-like disease needs to be traced by utilizing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analysis to improve accuracy and efficiency during the curing process. Scientists found earlier that bats are most likely the natural host for COVID-19, and pangolins the intermediate host. Both animals could be found in Hubei's Huanan Seafood Market, where the virus is believed to have originated from. The consumption of wild animals must be abstained, President Xi noted. Just days ago, China's top legislature had approved a decision to outlaw the trade of wild animals in direct response to the outbreak. Mental health at this time needs to be taken seriously Many mental health problems may arise during this time and we need to take that into serious consideration, President Xi said. Chinese authorities have advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible, and the coronavirus epicenter Wuhan remains under lockdown. We need to encourage a civilized, healthy and environmental-friendly lifestyle, the president said. This is a challenge for us human beings as a whole, and it needs joint efforts from across the world, Xi noted. He also pledged to strengthen communication with the international community. They described the whole thing as just harassment, which I thought was kind of a cop-out, she said. The show could have confronted its own issues; its been criticized for being too white and for not doing enough to vet contestants with offensive tweets. They didnt do that. They placed all of the blame on the fans. ISTANBUL - The Turkish army has downed an L-39 jet of the Syrian government air force as part of the ongoing conflict in Idlib, the Turkish defense ministry said Tuesday. According to military sources quoted by local media, the aircraft was downed south-west of the contested area of Sarakeb with a missile fired from a jet flying over Turkish air space close to the border. The downing of a jet of Bashar al Assad's forces was confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Two Syrian government jets were also downed on Sunday. The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described the Supreme Courts review ... The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described the Supreme Courts review of its earlier decision of the Imo State governorship judgement as not unexpected. The APC National Chairman, who spoke to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday evening at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, explained that the earlier action of the court in the Bayelsa State similar review had provided an indication to what should be expected in the Imo matter. Oshiomhole, who expressed delight in the outcome of the review the Imo governorship judgement, noted that the review was just consistent with the Supreme Courts body language in similar matters that had come up in recent times. He, however lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for thinking it could get anything different from the decision of the Supreme Court, pointing out that its candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, failed to get required votes and spread in the election. I think its refreshing and quite predictable in the sense that from the attitude of the Supreme Court last week on Bayelsa that nothing was wrong with the candidate, the lower court did not disqualify the candidate, the issue of the candiate was not before the Supreme Court and yet the Supreme Court made a decision which we thought that benefited from in the words of Mr. Olanikpekun, some human corrections and the court says no whatever they have done was final. If that is the tradition of the court, unless they want to be changing it every other day I do nothing what has happened today was strange. If that is the tradition of the court, unless they want to be changing it every other day I do nothing what has happened today was strange. We know that Ihedioha did not have the required number and that is a fact that nobody has ever disputed. How anybody thought he can impose someone who did not meet the spread is only known to PDP because, they specialize in rigging and they see rigging as their birth right. And that is why they could have the guts to be protesting in front of foreign embassies as if Nigeria is a colony under the supervision of some foreign powers. So I think what the Supreme Court has done today is just to reaffirm that they are supreme and whatever they did the last time was on the basis of what was before them. They did not make mistakes, there are no gaps, no ambiguity and therefore there was no basis to reproach them to sit on the appeal in their own judgement. I think they are just being consistent with the position they took in previous cases. Of course as a party chairman, APC members and indeed all democrats and all those who believe in the rule of law, who believe that as imperfect as the Supreme Court can be, they remain Supreme. We are happy and we thank God that the whole litigation process has come to an end. Because like Justice Amina Augie said in that judgement that there has to be an end to litigation, and I cannot agree less so that the people of Imo state can relax, seat back and work with their governor and that all hands are on deck to fill up the gaps so that Imo people will witness sustainable growth and development, he said. T he Natural History Museum is in discussion with the Zambian government about the potential return of a historic human skull. The Broken Hill Skull was dug up by mine workers in 1921 and is believed to be as much as 300,000 years old. Described by the museum as the finest known example of its kind, it is thought to belong to an ancestor of modern day humans and provides vital evidence backing up Charles Darwins theory of evolution. A museum spokesman said the skull was donated to its collection by the mining company shortly after its discovery. She said it was on free display meaning it could be seen by around five million visitors from around the world every year. She said: In June 2018 the fossil was discussed at the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation. The outcome of the UNESCO discussion was agreement that Zambia and the UK would pursue bilateral discussion." The museum looks forward and is committed to constructive participation in this dialogue and has made approaches to the Zambian authorities to agree the initial agenda and process for this discussion. Demands for the restitution of exhibits is one of the major issues facing London museums. The Horniman Museum recently announced it would consult Nigerian Londoners about what to do with its collection of Benin Bronzes looted from the modern day African country during the 19th century. NEW YORK New York leaders sought to calm jittery nerves Monday after the city recorded its first confirmed case of the new coronavirus, saying the disease while dangerous is a manageable threat. The state is increasing its testing capacity and telling people to expect the smell of bleach from cleaning in public areas, including subways, all while underscoring that the diagnosed woman's symptoms are so mild that she can recover at home, not in a hospital. "In this situation, the facts defeat fear. Because the reality is reassuring. It is deep-breath time," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. The 39-year-old health care worker who tested positive wasn't believed to have been contagious when she returned Tuesday from a trip to Iran, a new seat of the outbreak, Cuomo said at a news conference with health officials and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The woman took a car service from the airport to her home in Manhattan and secluded herself immediately, officials said. Still, officials will contact people who were on her flight and the driver who brought her home, Cuomo said. The woman began showing symptoms Saturday and arranged to be tested that day, Demetre Daskalakis, a deputy New York City health commissioner, said at a second briefing the mayor led later in the day. The woman has respiratory symptoms, but they are mild, officials said. Her husband, who is also a health care professional, is also being tested. Results aren't back yet, but Cuomo said officials are assuming he also has the virus and he has also been isolated at home. Officials had said for weeks they anticipated the virus would surface eventually in the nation's biggest city. Still, the development brought questions about the potential for sickness to spread quickly in a city of close quarters from apartment living to subway riding and officials sought to tamp down fears. "We want New Yorkers to go about their everyday lives use the subway, take the bus, etc.," city Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said, explaining that COVID-19 "is not an illness that can be easily spread through casual contact." The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the virus is thought to spread mainly via respiratory droplets among "close contacts" such as coming directly into contact with the droplets or certain other bodily fluids from a patient, or being within about 6 feet (2 meters) of a patient for "a prolonged period." More than 80,000 cases of COVID-19 have occurred worldwide since the virus emerged in China. About 3,000 people have died. The illness is characterized by fever and coughing and, in serious cases, shortness of breath or pneumonia. De Blasio said he was confident residents would go about their regular lives. "New Yorkers do not scare easily," he said. At the same time, he and other officials stressed that people who develop suspicious symptoms should get health care right away, and they urged everyone to take such precautions as hand washing and covering coughs or sneezes. And officials said they expect to see more cases in the city at some point. De Blasio said New York City would be deploying an "early detection system" that would let medical providers pool and share information about suspected cases and symptoms. New York's state lab began testing for the virus only over the weekend, but Cuomo said he has set a goal of being able to do 1,000 tests per day within a week. The city's lab began tests Monday. "Our challenge now is to test as many people as you can. You are not going to eliminate the spread, but you can limit the spread," Cuomo said. With the new cleaning protocols for public transportation and schools, Cuomo said people shouldn't be alarmed if they smell bleach. "It's not bad cologne or perfume; it is bleach," Cuomo said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Farmers face higher contractor bills this year, with guided prices due to rise by 5pc across the board. Rising insurance premiums and increased labour costs are being cited by the Farm Contractors of Ireland (FCI) as the reasons behind the price hikes. And it has warned that contractors cannot act as "unofficial bankers" to farmers in the form of long-term, extended credit on contracting bills. Some contractors are still chasing outstanding debt from 2019 and the FCI is encouraging its members to charge interest on overdue accounts. And while the FCI is quoting a 5pc rise in charges across the board, a spokesperson said silage rates have increased by larger amounts following detailed consultations with members and advice from their financial advisors. The FCI estimates that level of long-term debt owed to contractors is in excess of 60m. Guide prices for contractors for 2020 include: * Baling, wrapping and stacking at 11-12/bale excluding the cost of plastic; * Silage harvesting at 130/ac into the pit, up from 115/ac last year; * Muck spreading starting at 50/hr and slurry spreading starting at 45/hr * Hedge cutting rising from 47/hour to 50-55/hour, * Tractor hire up from 45/hour to 50-52/hr. All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT at 13.5pc. Commenting on the new charges, one Cork-based contractor and FCI member said it could be difficult to secure some of the rates being quoted. But he added that price increases were necessary in light of rising labour, machinery parts, fuel and insurance costs for contractors. "Labour and machinery parts are gone incredibly expensive," he said. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are finishing up some royal engagements before their official royal exit, something that the dukes friend says is emotional for Harry. As he prepares to leave the royal family with Meghan and son Archie, Prince Harry has a final round of engagements that, according to his friend, are bittersweet. Prince Harry | Andrew Milligan-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghans last engagement is quickly approaching With the Sussexes due to quit their royal duties, there are a few lingering engagements on the calendar as they wrap things up. Prince Harry returned to the United Kingdom to attend a summit for his eco-friendly travel protect, then headed to a studio with Jon Bon Jovi to record a single for charity. Their last official engagement will be attending the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9th, where they will reunite with Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. All eyes will be on the former Fab Four, since so many rumors about tension and feuding swirled after the Sussexes announced they were leaving the royal family. Prince Harry is reportedly emotional about his engagements As hes set to close this chapter of his life, its not surprising to hear that Prince Harry is emotional as he finishes out the remaining calendar engagements. Its an emotional time for him in many ways, one of Prince Harrys friends shared with Vanity Fair. I think in many ways its bittersweet. His friend continued: Hes always wanted to have a regular life and to get away from the spotlight, and thats what hes doing, but it basically means walking away from his family. Harrys a loving loyal guy so that will be very hard for him. Prince Harry insisted on dropping his prince title While attending the summit for his Travalyst travel venture, Prince Harry wanted those at the event just to call him Harry. Former Labor advisor Ayesha Hazarika said as she announced him: 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. When I was introduced to him I was a bit worried about what I should say, what were the right things, and he was no, very relaxed, and just [said] Harry, just call me Harry. And thats very much the spirit of how he wanted it [at] the event today, Hazarika told Daily Mail. Hazarika explained that Harry was not making a big deal about it, noting, That just to say look, I want to move away from that pomp and circumstance and Im here as someone who is very passionate about this topic. He doesnt need a title. He is such a global figure now, he is recognizable all around the world, Hazarika added. People know what he and his wife stand for, the causes they are passionate about. I think this is probably a nod to the future. Prince Harry noted in an Instagram post from the summit: We are a coalition of partners with a shared goal to transform the future of tourism and travel for everyone to give people access to better information and ensure the future development of tourism positively supports the destinations that the industry relies on, and that their communities depend on. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 04:56:37|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Peter Handstein, founder and CEO of Hape Group, poses for a photo at the company's booth at the 2020 North American International Toy Fair in New York, the United States, on Feb. 25, 2020. China's manufacturing industry has the superiority of infrastructure and technological knowledge, which is attractive to global investors, founder and CEO of Hape Group Peter Handstein said in a recent interview with Xinhua. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) by Xinhua writers Luo Jingjing, Yang Shilong NEW YORK, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China's manufacturing industry has the superiority of infrastructure and technological knowledge, which is attractive to global investors, a veteran of the toy industry has said. "China over the last 20 years built very strong infrastructure. I cannot see any country around the world who can match up with that. Especially when you talk about the toy industry. Whatever spare part I need for my products, I find a supplier (there)," said Peter Handstein, founder and CEO of Hape Group, told Xinhua at the 2020 North American International Toy Fair in New York City. Hape is one of the world's largest producers of toys made from sustainable materials. Having witnessed and experienced the burgeoning and maturity of China's manufacturing sector, he attributed China's manufacturing superiority partly to the country's success in having trained massive, experienced, well-educated labor force with specific techniques to provide products "at a very accessible price," which "no country can compete with." Handstein believes that although there is nothing wrong with the willingness to localize production, but once a country loses relevant techniques, knowledge and experiences, it will be "very challenging" for investors and entrepreneurs to bring back the industry and production lines. China has become very competitive in terms of technology-driven production, he said. "For the toy industry and talking about technology in production, I cannot find another country where we have that." Being one of the beneficiaries of the development of China's manufacturing industry, the toy group expects to share its value of education through products and communication to Chinese customers amid fierce market competition. "We plan to open some physical experience centers in China where children can go and use our product to play," said Handstein. "I think the retail have to change to benefit the customers, we need to give them a reason to come to our places." Handstein established Hape Group over three decades ago in a rural town in central Germany and expanded the business to Ningbo, a port city of East China's Zhejiang province, in 1995, featuring ecological-friendly innovative educational wooden and bamboo toys. "Sustainability from day one has been a big principle of Hape," he said. The company has tried to turn various sustainable materials, including wood, bamboo, rice-based plastic and sugarcane plastic, into toys. "Sustainability in material is a very important part in Hape," added Handstein. CLEVELAND, Ohio The one-state-at-a-time approach to the 2020 Democratic presidential primary is officially over. On Tuesday, 14 states (plus American Samoa) will vote for the first multi-state primary day this cycle, offering the first concrete look into the broad appeal of the remaining candidates. The primary has very rapidly developed into a mostly two-candidate race between Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Vice President Joe Biden. A week ago, Sanders was the clear favorite with resounding victories in New Hampshire and Nevada. But Bidens once-stagnant campaign somehow found life in South Carolina. Establishment support has also coalesced around Biden heavily since Saturday. Both former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota dropped out and backed Biden. The campaign rolled out a slew of other endorsements from around the country, including Warrensville Heights U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge. David Niven, political science professor at the University of Cincinnati, said whether Biden is able to keep up that momentum is the biggest question for Super Tuesday. The race has changed so dramatically in 36 hours, Niven said. Candidates are dropping like flies. Endorsements are coming in the door like the Biden team expected them to on day one. It really is all on the table Tuesday. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is still hanging on, though a poor showing on Tuesday could be the final blow to her candidacy. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg plus his formidable personal wealth remains a wildcard in the equation. Tuesday will be the first time he appears on the ballot after foregoing Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina in favor of blanketing Super Tuesday states with hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising. It looks like its coming down to Sanders, Biden and what does Bloomberg do, said Tom Sutton, Baldwin Wallace University political science department chair. On the Bloomberg side, hes got a tough situation given his two debate performances, but on the other hand, were going to see what that $500 million he spent in advertising is going to get him. The South The biggest question following Bidens resurgence is if he holds the Southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, where 621 of the 1,344 Super Tuesday delegates will come from. Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginias Center for Politics, said Bidens hopes rely largely on keeping his support in the South together. Things have looked brighter for Biden in the South over the last several days, Kondik said. South Carolina is a great indicator for that, not necessarily because South Carolina impacts other states though it might but because South Carolina maybe reveals voting patterns in other parts of the South. He looks super strong with African Americans and held up fine with white voters in South Carolina. I think the goal for Biden is to sweep the South. The limited polling data in Southern states generally has Biden on top though some states havent been polled since last summer. Online bookmakers consider Biden the heavy favorite in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee. The odds are closer in Arkansas and Oklahoma, with Biden still the favorite. Predictive markets are also tilting heavily in Bidens favor in those states. A jogger passes an early voting site in San Antonio, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Early primary voting for began Tuesday for Texas and Arkansas ahead of Super Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AP The two major caveats are Texas and its 228 delegates and Virginia with its 99. Biden was leading in polls in Texas for the better part of a year. But Sanders surpassed him around the time of the New Hampshire primary. Sanders has since climbed to a higher polling average than Biden ever had. Both oddsmakers and predictive markets are giving the edge to Sanders in Texas, but with Klobuchar and Buttigieg dropping out, it may give Biden the edge he needs to win statewide. Virginia is one of the few states where the polling doesnt roughly match with the predictive markets and betting sites. Oddsmakers are giving the edge to Biden, but FiveThirtyEights polling average has Sanders in a slight lead. The Northeast Sanders seems poised to do well in Maine, Massachusetts and his home state of Vermont, worth 131 delegates. His lead is so large that betting sites are only offering Sanders or the field. Thats a pretty bad sign for Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who was hoping to rebound following a strong debate performance before the Nevada caucuses. Losing your home state is never good for your candidacy and probably wont inspire confidence in voters in other parts of the country. Colorado, Minnesota and Utah Klobuchar was looking strong in her home state of Minnesota, worth 75 delegates. But her somewhat surprising announcement Monday that she was dropping out of the presidential race to back Biden makes Sanders the next man up in polling in the state. Sanders was already positioned to do well there. He won the state in 2016, so a repeat wouldnt come as much of a surprise. Colorado and Utah, worth a combined 96 delegates, look firmly in Sanders corner as well. California The big prize for the Democrats on Super Tuesday is California and its 415 delegates. Sanders has polled much better than the rest of the candidates since the end of January. Thats an important date. While most of the votes will likely come in on Tuesday itself, the early voting period in California started the day after the Iowa caucuses. The state will be a significant test of the Sanders campaigns organizing and its ability to stack the votes to make any Biden rebound moot. Beyond Super Tuesday Barring an absolute landslide on Super Tuesday by either Biden or Sanders, this race is continuing on through at least March. While that may mean a lack of clarity in the Democratic primary, it does offer Ohio Democrats an opportunity. I think this race could really well come down to the Midwest, Kondik said. We havent heard a lot from the Midwest yet. Specifically Michigan on March 10 and Ohio and Illinois on March 17. Read more cleveland.com politics coverage: Ballot measure changing term limits for Ohio lawmakers clears state panel amid criticism from Senate president Ohio Ballot Board splits voter access amendment into four issues, dealing blow to ACLU-backed campaign New, renewed Ohio concealed-firearms permits dropped sharply in 2019 Ohio AG Dave Yost to ask U.S. Supreme Court to keep part of Obamacare intact CLEVELAND, Ohio Two weeks before the primary elections in Ohio, a federal appeals court said that elections officials in the state do not have to provide absentee ballots to jail inmates arrested after a deadline to request a ballot. A three-judge panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal on Tuesday reversed a ruling made in November by a federal judge in Columbus, who said the state and county boards of elections must make accommodations for certain inmates. The rulings applied to people jailed near the deadline to request an absentee ballot prior to Election Day. Under Ohio law, people who cant go to their polling place because they are ill or in jail have until noon on the Saturday before Election Day to request an absentee ballot. But state law allows people hospitalized, or parents whose child is hospitalized, after the deadline due to an unforeseen emergency to request an absentee ballot by 3 p.m. on the Tuesday of the election. Plaintiffs attorneys, whose expert estimated that about 1,000 inmates were affected and unable to vote in each of the last four federal general elections, said there shouldnt be a difference between hospitalized voters and people arrested around the time of the deadline. The Columbus judge, Michael Watson Jr., agreed. But the 6th Circuit panel wrote in their opinion that requiring election workers to deliver absentee ballots would serve as an undue burden to thinly-stretched staffs during an already-hectic time period. This is especially true in rural counties where there are as few as two employees for a board of election, the opinion says. Delivering absentee ballots to hospitals requires some planning, but getting into a jail to do the same task which includes locating the inmate and going through security would take up too much time, the opinion says. That Ohio can accommodate hospital-confined electors late requests does not establish that election boards can do the same for jail-confined electors, the panel said in an opinion authored by U.S. Circuit Judge John Nalbandian. Ohio law prohibits people from voting while they are serving time for a felony conviction, though people in jail awaiting trial or serving time for a misdemeanor conviction still have the right to vote. The inmates were represented by the Campaign Legal Center, Demos and the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center. Campaign Legal Center trial litigation Director Mark Gaber said in a statement that the appeals court has downplayed the significance of the problem, which disproportionately hurts voters of color and low-income voters. By looking down on voters that have been arrested even though they havent been convicted of a crime this court has created a second class of citizens, Gaber continued. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose spokeswoman Maggie Sheehan said in a statement that todays ruling rightly upholds Ohios law as the General Assembly intended and gives our county boards of elections an added degree of predictability for elections administration. Tommy Ray Mays II and Quinton Nelson Sr. sued on Election Day 2018 for access to an absentee ballot. Both men had planned to vote that day but were in a Dayton jail on misdemeanor charges. Watson ordered elections officials in Montgomery County to deliver absentee ballots and applications to the two men, wait there until both men filled them out and take them back to the elections board. The underlying lawsuit said Mays and Nelson were just two of many inmates who were disenfranchised because of their arrests near the deadline to request an absentee ballot. A court filing from the mens lawyers, who sought and were later granted class-action status, estimated that nearly 3,700 eligible voters were booked into jails in Ohio between the Friday and Monday prior to Election Day 2018. Watson wrote that hospitalized persons are not more worthy of additional voting privileges under our Constitution than jail-confined persons, and offering greater access to the ballot simply because the legislature values the formers votes over the latters is exactly what the Equal Protection clause forbids. The 6th Circuit judges, however, said people arrested during that time period should have taken advantage of the chance to either vote early or request an absentee ballot. Ohio voters can cast their ballots in person 28 days before any Election Day and can also request an absentee ballot up to 10 months prior. There are easily several reasons why an elector may be unable to vote in person on Election Day but Plaintiffs could have avoided all that uncertainty by taking advantage of the opportunities Ohio provides to vote early, the opinion states. In this regard, the Plaintiffs are no more burdened than any other elector. Read more: Early voting historically is used little in Ohio primaries Ohioans behind bars must get more time to request election ballots, federal judge rules Two Ohio voters jailed after deadline to request absentee ballots can vote, federal judge rules The Fellowship of Gospel Music Ministers of Nigeria (FOGMMON), Abuja Chapter, has elected a new chairman. Reuben Okala, veteran broadcaster and former NTA reporter, emerged winner in the keenly contested election held in Abuja. He defeated two other contestants to become the new chairman of the Abuja chapter of the body of all Gospel Musicians in Nigeria. Speaking at the occasion, the National President of FOGMMON, Asu Ekiye, urged the new executive led by Reuben Okala to ensure unity of all Gospel Musicians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mr Ekiye, who affirmed his optimism in the Reuben Okala-led exco, stated that they will perform excellently, after having proven themselves in other duties given them before now by the Fellowship. Mr Ekiye, therefore, called on the federal government to support gospel musicians in their quest to impact spirituality and morality in the society. For his part, Mr Okala, in his acceptance speech stated categorically that FOGMMON will soon outshine Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). He, therefore, called on Gospel musicians, especially members of FOGMMON to support the new exco in its quest to advance the course of gospel music in Nigeria. NAN reports that the Fellowship of Gospel Music Ministers of Nigeria (FOGMMON) is currently in 23 states of the Federation, Europe, America as well as South Africa. (NAN) The "Biosimilars" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. A two-day seminar on the overview of biosimilars and how they differ from the original biological product. With some of the world's best-known biologics continuing to face patent expiration in the coming years, the biosimilar market is set for continued growth. This seminar will provide you with a global overview of biosimilars and how they differ from the original biological product. The programme will discuss the unique considerations of biosimilars as compared with small-molecule generics. Our expert trainer will cover the regulatory pathways and challenges for both the EU and US for biosimilars, and explore the key dossier requirements for biotech products compared to pharma products. Strategies for development of biosimilar products will also be discussed and you will be introduced to key biological requirements and the concept of totality for biological review. Benefits of attending: Discuss global considerations and definitions of biotech/biosimilar products global considerations and definitions of biotech/biosimilar products Gain an invaluable overview of the regulatory pathways for biosimilars in the EU and US an invaluable overview of the regulatory pathways for biosimilars in the EU and US Understand the key Module 3 dossier requirements for biotech products versus pharmaceutical products the key Module 3 dossier requirements for biotech products versus pharmaceutical products Learn how to develop effective strategies for the development of biosimilar products Agenda: Global considerations and definitions of biotech/biosimilar products What is a biologic and legal definitions What makes biological molecules different to small molecules? Product equals the process what does this mean? What is a biosimilar the layman versus the legal definition Review small molecule versus biotech Registration of biosimilars EMA/FDA attitude towards biosimilars, safety/efficacy/quality, clinical and non-clinical evaluation, PK/PD study, immunogenicity, extrapolation, PV, prescription information Regulatory procedures for approval in the EU and US Regulators/company perspectives on interchangeability and switching Potential strategic impact on development for interchangeability claim Understanding the key dossier requirements for biotech products versus pharma products Module 3 Comparability versus similarity data How to decide if further clinical studies are required What further testing is required? Type and design of studies indication studies, multiple indications, bridging studies, biomarkers, PK limits, safety Non-clinical considerations How to address immunogenicity and how to use the information Clinical considerations A detailed review of Module 3 sections for CTD 3.2.S and 3.2.P Understand QbD for biotech products Review of Modules 4 and 5 EU/US examples of clinical and non-clinical developments Key concepts of clinical comparability and totality of similarity Analysing the regulations and impact on the following procedures Marketing applications Clinical trial applications Review procedures Developing effective strategies/understanding for review and development of biosimilar products Similarity versus comparability Further considerations IP Perceptions Market entry Cost/time Project management Speakers: Andrew Willis Consultant Independent Andrew Willis is an independent consultant providing expert advice and training on global regulatory solutions and pharmaceutical development. Previously, he worked for Catalent Pharma Solutions as VP Regulatory Affairs Consulting Services. Catalent is the world's leading contract manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceuticals, and he was head of a team of internal and external regulatory affairs consultants. He qualified as a Chemist from the University of Glamorgan, after which he furthered his understanding of pharmaceutical development, working as a research chemist with Parke Davis. He has 10 years manufacturing and analytical experience prior to entering regulatory affairs as a Senior Executive Officer with responsibility for submission of European MAAs and project management of development programs. He currently has a total of 28 years pharmaceutical experience with extensive knowledge in the development and manufacture of sterile, solid oral, inhalation, topical and biotech pharmaceutical products. These experiences have allowed knowledge of many Biotech products requirements with experiences of growth hormones and multiple cancer treatments, including development and clinical registration of the first genetically modified live bacterium for such treatment. He has extensive experience of major European and US regulatory projects, in the clinical and marketing authorisation stages, and has significant experience in coordinating and managing meetings with European and US Health Authorities. Specific experience includes the project management of a large MAA requiring full clinical data, followed by Mutual Recognition of the application in all of the European Concerned Member States. The project recorded successful outcomes in all major markets (26 countries) and was viewed as highly successful by the client, meeting very stringent project timings. For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kstjc1 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005915/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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:03:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday has issued a set of new measures for foreign visitors and Thais returning to Thailand from high-risk areas of the COVID-19 outbreak. Visitors from these high-risk areas will be subject to a 14-day self quarantine, even if they are cleared of the disease, unless they have permission from health officials. Foreign visitors are required to show Thai authorities, upon arrival, evidence of the place where officials can locate them during the 14-day quarantine period. Those who have flu-like symptoms upon their arrival, such as a body temperature exceeding 37.5 degrees, a runny nose, sore throat or breathing difficulties, will be sent to state hospitals for further testing, treatment or quarantine, depending on the seriousness of the illness. Foreign visitors who cannot provide details of their stay in Thailand, immigration officers are authorized to send them back home, or to allow them entry subject to 14-days of self-quarantine. Foreign visitors or Thai returnees from the high-risk areas are required to file a daily report on their health with designated health officials during the quarantine period and, if they become unwell or suspect they may be sick, they must inform health officials within three hours so that they can undergo further testing, receive treatment or be isolated. The countries, defined by Thailand as "high risk", are Japan, South Korea, Germany, China, France, Singapore, Italy and Iran, and the two territories are China's Macao and Hong Kong. NEW YORK, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation Week Network s first MRO Australasia will be held March 11-12 at the Sofitel Brisbane Central in Brisbane, Australia. This event will analyze and investigate the MRO landscape in this fast developing region and provide a forum for airlines, MROs, suppliers, OEMs, regulators, lessors, and industry experts to converge to explore and define the aviation maintenance industry. Australia is a rapidly growing aviation hub and the MRO industry is booming in the region, said Lydia Janow, Managing Director, Events, Aviation Week Network. We are excited to bring our MRO conference to the region and to have the Queensland Government as our Host. Our events are recognized as the premier industry conferences and exhibitions and the response for MRO Australasia has been tremendous. Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queenslands aviation and aerospace industries are a crucial part of the state economy. With our highly skilled workforce and abundance of expertise, we have developed some of the worlds most sophisticated technology, facilities, and research and training programs which attract global leaders in civil and defence aviation, the Premier said. It is an honour for Queensland to host the inaugural MRO Australasia event. The Australasian fleet represented 10% of the Asian-Pacific fleet in 2019, and 3% of the global fleet, generating $1.9 billion in MRO demand, according to Commercial Aviation Fleet and MRO Forecast by Aviation Week Network. The current Australasia fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft is scheduled to receive more than 200 firm orders over the next 10 years. More than 300 industry leaders will attend the two-day conference and sold-out showcase exhibition, which will be the leading destination for suppliers to meet key decision makers and for buyers to learn about, test and purchase new MRO solutions and services. This event will cover maintenance, repair and overhaul for all fixed wing aircraft, business, general and regional aviation and rotorcraft. The Queensland Government is serving as the Host Sponsor and Qantas Airlines is the Official Airline Partner. Sapphire Sponsors are: Airbus , AJW, Boeing , Fokker , HEICO , Heston MRO , Lufthansa-Technik , Med-Craft, Inc., Ottobock , and StandardAero . See here for a full list of sponsors. The event will feature Meet the Buyers , a signature speed networking session, providing a platform for suppliers to meet with airline buyers, face to face, in pre-arranged 10-minute meetings slots. MRO Australasia will also feature a tour of the Qantas Engineering Base Maintenance facilities. The conference speakers include: MRO Australasia starts on Tuesday, March 10 with a welcome reception hosted by Heston MRO. The event is from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 with a reception that evening hosted by Boeing. The conference on Thursday, March 12 starts at 9 a.m. to 12 noon and is followed by a networking luncheon. See here to register. ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Networks portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising is helping our customers succeed. Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC. ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the worlds leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com . 010 - Rainer Koch elected to Executive Committee; Noel Le Graet elected to FIFA Council The 44th Ordinary UEFA Congress was held today in Amsterdam and took the following decisions: The UEFA annual report 2018/19 was approved The 2018/19 financial statements and the budget for the 2020/21 financial year were approved Rainer Koch (Germany) was elected to the UEFA Executive Committee for a one-year term Noel Le Graet (France) was elected to the FIFA Council for a three-year term Several statutory amendments were approved and will enter into force on 1 July 2020 The composition of the UEFA Organs for the Administration of Justice was ratified The composition of the UEFA Governance and Compliance Committee was ratified The next UEFA Congress will take place in Minsk, Belarus on 2 March 2021. PCCNA Unanimously Elects Canadian Denominational Leader as President NEWS PROVIDED BYMarch 3, 2020LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2020 / Standard Newswire / -- Rev. David Wells, General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, has been elected to serve as President of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) at its 2020 Annual Meeting. Rev. Wells will assume leadership on May 1, 2020. Outgoing President Jeff Farmer will continue to help lead the Next-Gen Cohort of 30 emerging leaders, appointed by member denominations and organizations.Rev. Wells has served as the Vice-Chair of the Pentecostal World Fellowship and on the executive boards of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship and the PCCNA. He served on the board of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada from 19992013 and served as chair of that board from 20072013. He completed his undergraduate studies in theology at Vanguard College in Edmonton, Alberta, and has a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Briercrest Seminary, Saskatchewan. In May 2013, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by McMaster Divinity College. In April 2014, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Briercrest College and Seminary, and in July 2017 an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Pentecostal Bible and Leadership Institute, Malawi.In other business, the PCCNA also appointed Rev. Kay Horner as Executive Director, effective March 1, 2020, and Rev. Lydia Thomas as Secretary on the Executive Committee. Horner serves as Executive Director of Awakening America Alliance and The Helper Connection. Rev. Thomas is the Assistant Presiding Elder for the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God. Rev. Thomas is also the pastor of End Times Outreach Center located in inner-city Chicago. She has been in ministry for more than 30 years and has served as pastor for 11 years."We're poised for a new decade of demonstrating unity in the power of the Spirit with the election of Rev. Wells. He has diligently served in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada as General Superintendent for the last 12 years," said PCCNA Chairperson Alton Garrison. "Rev. Horner brings more than 20 years of administrative experience serving in executive positions, and Rev. Thomas's unique combination of being a denominational leader and pastor will be an asset to the PCCNA Executive Committee."The PCCNA represents 40 million Christians through its member denominations and organizations serving in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. For more information, go to PCCNA.org SOURCE Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North AmericaCONTACT: Leilani Haywood, 816-332-0720, communication@pccna.org Related Links March 03 : Team Sooryavanshi Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty, support the punishment for Nirbhaya Case Convicts. The trailer of the most awaited film Sooryavanshi starring Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh and Katrina Kaif got released yesterday and it has received great praise from the audience. Watch the full video During the trailer launch, the cast and the director Rohit Shetty was asked about their reaction on Nirbhaya Case convicts execution to which all of them agreed to the Court's decision of hanging the convicts. Ajay Devgn said, "These criminals should be hanged 100 percent for committing such brutal crime." Rohit Shetty, Akshay Kumar and the other cast members also agreed for the same in tandem. The trailer of the film has broken the record of most viewed Bollywood Trailer in 24 hours with 42.7 million views. Audience is keen to watch Sooryavanshi, Singham and Simbaa all together at the same time on the silver screen. Meanwhile, Delhi Court has postponed the date of execution of four convicts of Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case which was supposed to happen on 3rd March, 2020. The settlement of a class action lawsuit accusing Apple of slowing down older iPhones as a means to promote sales of fast new models, will cost the company up to a half-billion dollars, reports CNN Business. Documents released on Friday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California indicate the proposed settlement agreement will require Apple to pay $25, per affected device, to owners of certain iPhone models, says CNN Business. Thats a minimum total of $310 million and a maximum of $500 million. The documents also noted that the number of claims filed, as well as any additional legal fees and expenses approved by the court, could increase or decrease the amount each user receives, reports CNN. Apple has not yet announced how eligible users can file a claim. Who is eligible to file settlement claims? U.S. iPhone users who owned an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus or SE device bought before December 21, 2017 can file settlement claims, according to the CNN Business report. Subject to approval by a judge on April 3, the settlement agreement will finalize a more than two-year-old legal battle during which Apple tried to ease a global backlash, says CNN Business. In December, 2017, the company admitted to using software updates to slow down older iPhones. CNN Business reports the company said the slowdown was aimed at addressing issues with older lithium-ion batteries that would make the phones suddenly shut down to protect their components. An apology ensued, and Apple offered its customers a replacement battery for $79, later reducing the cost to $29 in January 2018. Apples CEO, Tim Cook, admitted a year later that revenue for 2018 was partly hit by significantly reduced pricing for iPhone battery replacements, quotes CNN Business. CNN Business said that Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Read more: The feds are illegally intercepting everybodys emails, lawyer claims. U.S. court says he didnt prove it Woman hit, killed by multiple cars on Pa. highway; none stopped, dragging her remains for miles Pennsylvania to stock more than 3 million trout for the 2020 trout fishing season Four Texas A&M University experts hosted a public forum Monday evening at Rudder Forum on the A&M campus and shared analysis of the spreading coronavirus strain. The panelists urged the use of routine best-health practices and continued attention to information about the virus. They also stressed that residents not panic as the local risk remains low. Six people in the United States have died from the illness that the World Health Organization named COVID-19. The Associated Press reported Monday evening that the worldwide death toll from COVID-19 is now just over 3,000, and that the number of those infected is approximately 89,000 people in 70 countries. The new coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China. Gerald Parker, director of the Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy Program within the Bush School of Government and Public Service, said the number of U.S. cases jumped from 22 late last week to approximately 100 as of Monday evening. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said that the global threat is high, and has been for some time, Parker said. Election Commission not in favour of funding state polls India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is not in favour of state funding of elections as it will not be able to prohibit or check candidates' own expenditure over and above provided for by states, the Lok Sabha was informed. In a written reply, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said the ECI's view is that for addressing the real issues, there have to be radical changes in the provisions regarding receipts of funds by political parties and the manner in which such funds are spent by them so as to provide for complete transparency in the matter. "The Election Commission has informed the Government that it is not in favour of State Funding as it will not be able to prohibit or check candidates own expenditure or expenditure by others over and above that which is provided for by the state," the minister said. Thakur further said that in order to discourage cash transactions and bring in transparency in the sources of funding of political parties, the government has amended the Income Tax Act and limited anonymous cash donations to Rs 2,000. The government introduced the 'Electoral Bond Scheme 2018' to establish a transparent political funding system in the country with well established audit trail. In another reply, he said the number of assessees filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) has consistently increased during each of the last three years as well as in the current year. As per the data provided by him, the total number of e-returns (excluding revised returns) were 5.18 crore in assessment year 2016-17 and 6.35 crore during Assessment Year (up to Feb 15, 2020). The belated returns of AY 2019-20 can be submitted up to March 31, 2020, therefore, this number will increase further, the minister said. Thakur said the Income Tax Department has implemented the Non-Filers Monitoring System (NMS) which assimilates and analyses in-house information as well as transactional data received from third parties to identify such persons/entities who have undertaken high value financial transactions but have not filed their returns. The number of non-filers with potential tax liabilities identified in the last three assessment years were 33 lakh, 38.81 lakh and 15.58 lakh. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:14 [IST] A university has come into criticism after it rebranded its International Women's Day to include trans women. Leicester University's student union has renamed its celebration as International Womxn's Day, in reference to what it called a 'more inclusive spelling of "women"'. However the name change has been branded 'insulting' by some who claimed it was a disservice to suffragettes who fought for female equality during the 20th century. It comes after the student body elected trans woman Dan Orr to the position of women's officer, a role that requires her to speak out on issues such as sexism. One student said her appointment had left her 'very upset' but that she felt unable to speak out publicly through fear of reprisals from the university. She told The Times: 'I am sure Dan Orr will try her best, but she has not grown up with the same prejudices that face girls and women [and] the stereotypes they have had to deal with that are related to the female body. 'I know she will have had her own prejudices to deal with but they are not the same.' She added that she found the rebranding of International Women's Day as 'insulting', adding: 'To change the name belittles everything women have had to fight for.' A poster displayed on the Leicester University's student union website shows the celebration branded as 'International Womxn's Day' In her election manifesto, Ms Orr said: 'Feminism is nothing without women of colour, migrant, disabled, queer, trans, black and sex working women. 'As a trans woman I have been lucky to work with and be supported by some deeply compassionate women activists and I want to extend the same support to women who are often excluded from certain types of feminism.' In addition to a women's officer, the students' union also has an LGBT+ officer and a trans and non-binary officer. Haiti - Education : Results of the Permanent Bac for 7 departments (2019-2020) Monday the Ministry of National Education made public the results of the permanent bac of February of the 2019-2020 academic year, for the departments of South and North-West, i.e. 7 departments so far : Nippes, South-East, Center, North, Artibonite, South and North-West according to the figures communicated by the Departmental Office of State Examinations (BUNEXE): Nippes : Traditional secondary: Success rate 34.94% or 109 candidates admitted out of 312 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 70.95% or 105 candidates admitted out of 148 participants. Southeast : Traditional secondary: Success rate 20.84% or 89 candidates admitted out of 19 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 73.68% or 14 candidates admitted out of 19 participants. Center : Traditional secondary: Success rate 49.79% or 473 candidates admitted out of 950 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 71.43% or 10 candidates admitted out of 14 participants. North : Traditional secondary: Success rate 26.19% or 182 candidates admitted out of 695 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 8.76% or 60 candidates admitted out of 685 participants. Artibonite : Traditional secondary: Success rate 31.5% or 436 candidates admitted out of 1,384 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 19.67% or 47 candidates admitted out of 239 participants. South : Traditional secondary: Success rate 27.69% or 260 candidates admitted out of 939 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 26.33% or 158 candidates admitted out of 600 participants. North West : Traditional secondary: Success rate 12.34% or 66 candidates admitted out of 535 participants. Secondary renovated: Success rate 6.67% or 10 candidates admitted out of 150 participants. The Ministry indicates that the results of the other departments will be published shortly. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30157-haiti-education-results-of-the-permanent-bac-for-5-departments-2019-2020.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30135-haiti-flash-results-of-the-permanent-bac-for-3-departments.html HL/ HaitiLibre A former NASA engineer and two YouTubers have teamed up to drop a car 150ft onto 'the world's strongest' trampoline. Scientist Mark Rober spent six months planning the stunt which ended up involving a two-tonne steel trampoline with a mat made of Kevlar and 144 garage door springs. In a video of the drop the white vehicle is seen quickly falling and hitting the super-sized creation with a loud thud - but it remarkably stays majorly intact. Scroll down for video Former NASA engineer Mark Rober and the two Australian YouTubers behind channel How Ridiculous drop a car from 150ft onto a two-tonne steel trampoline in a new stunt The car bounces off the Kevlar mat (pictured) and crashes into some of the 144 garage door springs during the impressive drop When the car is dropped from 150ft (44m) it hits the mat slightly off centre and bounces once. As it comes down the second time the car spins and knocks into the side of the super-sized trampoline, causing the vehicle to spin and fall off the side. Despite the intense test of the vehicle's durability it manages to land wheels down and just inches away from a perimeter fence. The main shell of the car is also mostly intact, with it having lost its bumper and a metal plate under the vehicle as well as having its front lights smashed. The YouTubers (pictured How Ridiculous) cannot stop smiling as they watch the stunt go well The YouTuber's then inspect the trampoline to see if there was any damage done by their incredible stunt. They find that one of the garage door clips has bent but overall their creation has survived for the next challenge - a boat. While they're stood underneath the trampoline one of the YouTubers says: 'This is where it deforms and won't go back to its original shape [the garage door springs]. 'We've got a few of them that did that. Oh look at this [the Kevlar net]! It's bent this. That's one inch steel man. The car must have come down and hit this.' Everyone is very impressed with the stunt, which must have been reassuring for Mr Rober who before the car fell said: 'This is legitimately the most nervous I've ever beem in 10 years of making videos.' Mr Rober, who worked on the Curiosity Rover while at NASA and now runs his own YouTube channel, became involved in the project after How Ridiculous issued a challenge in one of their videos. The car flips over its nose (pictured) and manages to land on its wheels after hitting the ground The car spins before landing wheels down after the drop which took six months to plan Back in September 2019 the two Australian YouTubers, who are based in Perth, filmed themselves dropping a 90kg atlas stone from a height, but this destroyed the trampoline. They then sent out a request to Mr Rober to join them in trying to come up with a way to make a stronger, bigger trampoline for dropping heavy items. He then started brainstorming ideas with his 'buddy Josh' with them 'doing some math and running the plan through CAD and a dynamic analysis'. Mr Rober explains: 'Eventually we settled on a design and sent the build plans to one of their buddies who lives near the tower. And then a few months later all there was left to do was walk to Australia and check in with the guys.' Mr Rober (pictured) worked on the Curiosity Rover while an engineer at NASA and now runs his own YouTube channel The video then shows the group looking at the project's progress in the workshop and Mr Rober picks up the Kevlar mat. He explains: 'The mat is made from Kevlar, which is the same stuff bullet proof vests are made from, and the only way to cut it to the right shape was an angle grinder.' As for the other materials, Mr Rober says: 'The garage door springs can support about 450 pounds a piece and we have about 144 of them.' It took the group seven hours to put the trampoline together on site, with them working through the night to get it built. In the newest video Mr Rober also explains why he's enjoyed being part of this project so much, telling viewers that it's been great to use skills from his job. As well as working at NASA Mr Rober says that until six months ago he worked for four years in Apple's special projects group. During this time he used computer programs such as CAD to work out how things will happen before they're done - key skills for the car drop project. For the newest video the men decided to record 10 drops from items including a bowling ball, watermelon, the car and a boat. CRANSTON, R.I. On a gray, bone-chilling morning, 18 men in a medium-security prison walked into an empty lunchroom and sat at stainless steel-topped tables, placing both hands palms down, as if they were about to receive a manicure. Over the next few minutes, they received the anti-addiction medication buprenorphine under their tongues, administered by a nurse and double-checked by guards with military precision. Then they were strip-searched before returning to their cells. This half-hour routine happens every day, part of a program developed at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections to ensure that the clear strips of buprenorphine the inmates need to maintain recovery and stay focused on rehabilitation arent diverted to black markets inside or outside the prison. Nationwide, two-thirds of the countrys 2.3 million inmates are addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. But only a small fraction of those who need treatment behind bars receive it. The vast majority of the nations nearly 2,000 state and federal prisons and 3,100 county and municipal jails do not offer addiction treatment that includes any of the three medications methadone, buprenorphine and Vivitrol approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thats changing, albeit slowly. An estimated 120 jails in 32 states and prison systems in 10 states now offer evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction, triple the number in 2018. Rhode Island started providing medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, for opioid addiction in its unified prison and jail system in 2016. And with the help of Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo and a $2 million annual budget, it is doing more than any other state to ensure that all inmates who need addiction treatment have an opportunity to receive the best care available. That means offering all inmates with an opioid addiction, whether they were previously in treatment or not, a choice of one of the three FDA-approved medications, plus counseling. Research shows that MAT is at least twice as effective as abstinence-based treatment that does not include medications. In most lockups, people who are using heroin, fentanyl or painkillers when they enter are forced into painful withdrawal. The simple detox or cold turkey methods, even combined with motivational classes, fail 90% of the time, said Dr. Jody Rich, an addiction researcher at Brown University who studies Rhode Islands correctional treatment program. Even as more jails and prisons offer MAT, many limit the programs to people who received the medications before they were incarcerated. And few places offer a choice of all three drugs. In many cases, thats because state and local governments say they cant afford it. But advocates for prisoners argue that the failure to provide treatment to all inmates who need it also stems from a lack of concern for inmates welfare and a lack of understanding about the effectiveness of the medications. Addiction physician R. Corey Waller of consulting firm Health Management Associates works with prisons and jails in several states. He says corrections officials often incorrectly believe that inmates who have detoxed after entering prison dont need to take medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to control their cravings and prevent relapse, because theyre in a controlled environment with scant access to drugs. But prisons arent the sterile environment people think they are, he said. The pressures to use drugs inside are even greater than they are outside. On the outside, you can escape pressures, go to your aunts house or something. But when youre in a jail or prison, if you try to ignore the inmate in your yard who wants to sell you drugs, youre at risk for physical harm. Rhode Islands MAT program is unique: It includes all three medications, which are offered not only to those on treatment medication when they enter, but also to inmates who enter prison as active users of heroin or other opioids to ease their withdrawal and get them into treatment. The program also offers inmates who have detoxed during incarceration the opportunity to start any of the three medications before discharge, with appointments set up for continued treatment on the outside. Research at Brown University shows that the states one-of-a-kind program has dramatically reduced overdose deaths after inmates are released. The number of recently incarcerated people who died from overdose dropped by two-thirds from 26 in the first half of 2016 before the program started to just nine in the first half of 2017, after the programs implementation. And if you ask those who have graduated from the program, theyll tell you it changed their lives. Its a whole new world, said Lloyd Baker, 58, comparing his life now with just a year ago when, he said, he spent every waking moment either using heroin or chasing it. Baker left the Rhode Island Department of Corrections medium-security mens prison in 2017 with a prescription for buprenorphine and an appointment with a treatment center. It was all set up for me, he said, and it worked for about a month and a half. But when a friend who had just received a cash windfall asked Baker to help him spend the money on heroin, Baker binged for more than a year, until overdosing twice in one day. Thats when he decided to return to the kind of treatment hed received during his 18-month stay at Cranston, he recalled. They told me during treatment that relapse happens. But its not the end, Baker said. They said theyd take me back with open arms and they did. These days, Baker attends a class three nights a week at an addiction recovery center here that he says feels like home. And he spends a lot of time walking his tiny white dog, Zippy, around his neighborhood. Half my friends are in graveyards, he said, because when they got out of prison, they used what they did before they got in and now theyre gone. I was one of the lucky ones. Research shows that inmates with an opioid addiction who leave lockups without a medication to ease cravings and block the euphoric effects of opioids are at extremely high risk to die of an overdose within days of their release. Thats because unless treated with medications, incarcerated people with addictions continue to crave drugs even though they have little access to them. At the same time, their tolerance drops, making it possible for a small dose of drugs to be lethal. Christine Vestal is a Tribune News Service writer. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:55:18|Editor: zh Video Player Close HANOI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam attracted foreign investment of nearly 6.5 billion U.S. dollars in the first two months of this year, seeing a year-on-year decline of 23.6 percent, according to its Foreign Investment Agency on Tuesday. Specifically, Vietnam licensed 500 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with total registered capital of 5 billion U.S. dollars, down 2.7 percent in the project number but up 104.7 percent in capital. Meanwhile, the country saw 151 operational FDI projects raise their capital by 638.1 million U.S. dollars, down 25.4 percent in capital. Between January and February, foreign investors also spent 827.3 million U.S. dollars buying shares or contributing capital to Vietnamese firms, decreasing 84 percent on-year. Among the fresh FDI of 5 billion U.S. dollars in the two-month period, 79.9 percent were poured into the electricity, gas and air-conditioner production and distribution sector; 16 percent into the processing and manufacturing sector; and 4.1 percent into remaining sectors, according to the agency. Among 38 countries and regions which had investment projects licensed in Vietnam in the first two months of this year, Singapore was Vietnam's largest investor with registered capital of over 4.1 billion U.S. dollars, followed by the Chinese mainland with 418.5 million U.S. dollars, and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with 167.1 million U.S. dollars, said the agency. SoftBank-backed ride-hailing firm Ola is planning to go public in the next few years and it is aiming to do it in the India market, confirmed Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal. He said the focus of the firm has always been on building sustainable, self-sufficient, profitable and long-term institutions. Our India business is in a strong position, we are doing the same in other countries also. The next logical step is for us to list in the public markets; we are an Indian domicile, unlike some of our peers, so we list in India, said Aggarwal during the MEA-PIC ... March 1, 2020 Release Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist's Meeting With Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic 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 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the Pentagon. The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the strong and historic relationship between the United States and Serbia, opportunities for future partnership and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Western Balkans. The Deputy Secretary noted Serbia's role in international peacekeeping operations, encouraged training partnerships in the EUCOM area of operations, and highlighted the U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) as an important mechanism for regional coordination and cooperation. He also stressed the Department's encouragement for Serbia to build on the momentum created through the efforts of Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell. Serbia and Kosovo 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/2099682/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sets out 'battle plan' to try to contain spread of coronavirus FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street in London, Britain By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Britain unveiled its "battle plan" to tackle the spread of coronavirus on Tuesday, warning that as many as a fifth of employees could be off work at the peak of the outbreak. The United Kingdom has so far confirmed 51 cases of the virus, also known as COVID-19, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was "highly likely" the country would see a growing number of cases. The government's plan includes possible school closures, home working and cancelling large-scale gatherings to slow the spread of the outbreak. Businesses could be given extra time to pay their taxes if they are facing short-term, cash flow issues. "This is a national challenge ... I think we'll get through it in very good shape," Johnson told a news conference alongside England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and the government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance. The government said its strategy was aimed at delaying the peak of the outbreak until the summer when the health service is under less seasonal pressure. This would also allow more time for the possible development of vaccines. Options include discouraging unnecessary travel as part of what it called a "social distancing" strategy, delaying non-urgent healthcare, and drafting in retired healthworkers. If staff shortages impact emergency services such as the police, they will focus on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order. Johnson said the army was also ready to provide back-up if needed. If the outbreak worsens, the government said it would move from seeking containment and delay, to mitigating its impact. 'NOW IS THE TIME TO GET ORGANISED' Health experts welcomed the plan. "The key priority is to slow this (outbreak's) growth as much as possible," said Tom Solomon, an infections specialist at Liverpool University. "Even if large numbers of people will be affected, the National Health Service can cope much better if this number is spread out over many months, rather than over a few weeks." Story continues Devi Sridhar, a professor of global public health at Edinburgh University, added: "The more time we have to prepare and the quicker we can respond to COVID-19, the more effective containment could be...Therefore now is the time to get organised, get educated, and get working." The government will launch a public information campaign later this week, conducted from a "war room" in the Cabinet Office, setting out steps people can take to limit the infection's spread, such as regular hand washing. Johnson's office said it would also publish legislation in the coming weeks to give the government powers necessary to tackle the outbreak. Whitty said it was unlikely Britain would need to lock down individual cities, but all options would be open. Finance minister Rishi Sunak has asked officials to draw up "further measures to support the public health response, businesses and the economy as needed" and will give an update when he presents his first budget to parliament on March 11. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said policymakers around the world were working on a "powerful and timely" response to the economic hit from coronavirus, which first surfaced in China and has spread to 77 countries. "It is reasonable to expect a response that reflects a combination of fiscal measures and central bank initiative." (Additional reporting by Kate Holton, Michael Holden, William James and Kate Kelland; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The title above from a recent article stood out as a glanced through the morning news. It said, Texas is home to one of the largest evangelical populations in the country, most of which traditionally votes Republican. But some current and former members of the evangelical community have turned to the Democrats, espousing more progressive beliefs. Just getting back from Texas where I had the privilege of meeting James Robison and Pastor Jack Graham, and many other fine Texans, I wanted to chime in and remind all of us about some important truths that can be found in past articles. (My interview with James Robison can be viewed here.) 1. Progessive doesnt always mean progress. The church today finds itself in an interesting spot. On one hand, we are commanded to love all people who struggle with sin. On the other hand, we cannot affirm sin nor turn a blind eye to the unrepentant practice of sin by those who claim to be Christs followers. We care so much for others that our desire for them is to have a relationship with God via repentance, but in return, we are labeled haters and homophobes. What irony. Those who love are called haters, and those filled with hate are called tolerant. Liberals are mainstream, while those who support the tenets of Scripture are called mean-spirited fundamentalists. Up is down and down is up. Right is wrong and wrong is right. We make decisions based on not offending others, never stopping to ask if God is offended by our position. Folks, this is not progression; its digression. Many who plan to vote democrat also embrace liberal theology. Doesnt anyone else see a connection? 2. We arent voting for a person; we are voting for principles. The Bible says dont murder innocent children (abortion). It also says that we should work hard if we can (no socialism). It also says that the government is to guard the nation, securing borders and fighting terrorism (see Romans 13). The Bible adds that we should have conservative judges who are honest and that we should bring Gods Word into all areas of life. And on and on it goes. Many of President Trumps staff are doing all this and more. How a person, let alone a Christian, can overlook these things is a mystery to me. We have a politician actually doing what he said he would do. His past is not perfect, but he is guiding America in the right direction. He is surrounded by many godly men and women, and many governmental agencies are now hosting Bible studies. Sex-traffickers are being prosecuted at a very high rate, and religious freedoms are being secured. Just ask the underground church in China and Iraq how important religious freedom is lest you take it for granted. 3. The majority of the media cannot be trusted. The majority of news outlets spin everything (yes, everything) to put President Trump in a bad light. Apparently it's his fault for the Coronavirus as well as all global catastrophes. Their hatred for him trumps the truth. Their agenda is simple and clear: remove him from office at any cost! And I hope you realize this: they are really coming after you, me, and our Christian values. Most critics dont care what the facts are. Their hatred for the president overshadows their desperate need for humility. Let this sink in: innocent children are being protected, godly counsel is surrounding President Trump, terror is being restrained, good judges are being selected, socialism is being resisted, families are being encouraged via employment (black employment is at an all-time high), prayer is being brought back in schools, Gods wisdom is being sought, and on and on it goes. So again, we are not following a man, we are revitalizing a movement a movement back to God. Im more concerned with our nations national character than I am with the presidents personal character. At the time of this writing, it is said that we live in the greatest country in the world, but the success we cherish is not the result of chance. Many early Americans, including most of the Founders, understood that in order for a nation to thrive and prosper, Gods Word must provide the basis for the government and the welfare of society. Im not suggesting a theocracy, nor were the Founders, but I am suggesting a return to Judeo-Christian values. Just as water rapidly eroded the banks of the mighty Colorado River and created a vast Grand Canyon, Americas current belief system (relativism) has eroded her foundation and created a moral void. As the moral and cultural war rages between our shores, the need to be awakened from our spiritual slumber has never been greater. Who we are in our personal lives will reflect who we are as a nation. This battle is for the very soul of our nation. Its our choice stand or fall. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to gain majority in the unprecedented third parliamentary elections in the country with the exit polls projecting him to win 59 seats, just two short of the majority in the 120-member Parliament, according to media reports on Tuesday. Israelis voted on Monday for the third time in less than a year to break the deadlock on government formation, with the country's longest serving premier Netanyahu, 70, fighting for his political survival amid indictments on graft charges. The final voter turnout in the polls was 71 per cent, up from 69.8 per cent in the last elections held in September, which were called after Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz -- leader of the Blue and White alliance -- were unable to put together majority coalitions. The exit polls were published shortly after the voting ended. However, the official results which were scheduled to be declared on Tuesday have been delayed due to new procedures enacted for this election, as well as the issue of counting ballots of voters under quarantine for coronavirus, the Harretz newspaper reported. Final vote tallies are expected by Wednesday, it said. Likud party is leading with 36 seats, while Gantz earned 29 seats after 31 per cent of votes were counted at 6:40 AM (Israeli time) on Tuesday, the report said. The Joint List is currently the third largest party with 12 seats, closely followed by United Torah Judaism and Shas, each with 11. Yamina has eight seats, Labor-Gesher-Meretz seven, and Yisrael Beiteinu has six, it said. The initial exit polls had predicted 60 seats for Netanyahu, while the new prediction of 59 seats leaves him two short of a majority in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), The Jerusalem Post reported. The numbers are expected to change as the votes of soldiers, who tend to lean to the right, have not yet been counted and the Joint List tends to go down a seat when the soldiers' votes are added, it said. Meanwhile, Netanyahu spoke to the heads of the parties in his camp immediately after the exit polls were announced, the Jerusalem Post said in its report. Sources in Likud said he would even try to form a government before his criminal trial begins on March 17. Netanyahu, who has been the premier for a total of more than 13 years, faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three cases. Israel has always had a coalition government and never seen a single party rule since its independence. The religious parties, themselves a divided lot but definitely on the Right side of the political spectrum, have always been a part of the coalition governments except one led by Ariel Sharon. The voter turnout in the latest elections is the highest since the 1999 elections when incumbent Netanyahu lost to Ehud Barak in a direct contest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ghana is considering buying out the debts of independent power producers (IPPs) as a step toward restructuring contracts and reducing its power bill, according to people familiar with the matter. West Africa's second-biggest economy currently pays as much as US$500 million per year for power it doesn't consume and is in talks to end the practice. Deals that obliged the government to pay for power regardless of whether or not the supplies were needed have left the country with almost double the generation capacity it required to meet peak demand of 2,700 megawatts. The government wants to take over the companies' loans from financial institutions through the state-owned Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund at less onerous repayment terms, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter was private. The government is also talking with multilateral lenders such as the African Development Bank and International Finance Corp. to join as investors, said the people. Cheaper finance would lower the producers' costs and in return, the government would demand that it only paid for power it needed, said the people. Seriously Consider While negotiators for the government and power producers remained in talks about the proposal, most of the companies would consider it seriously, said the people. The plan would also allow Ghana to retain its generation capacity and save on future infrastructure expenses, the people added. A spokesperson at the Finance Ministry, Deputy Minister of Energy, William Aidoo and Reginald Okai, the Chief Financial Officer of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund would not immediately comment when contacted by phone. Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said earlier this month that the country would use as much as a billion dollars of the proceeds of a recent three billion dollars Eurobond sale to restructure Ghana's deals with independent power producers. Power sector liabilities added GH5.1 billion (US$954 million) or 1.5% of gross domestic product to Ghana's debt in 2019. The yield on Ghana's 2027 dollar bonds that it issued February 11 rose by six basis points on Tuesday to 6.13% at 3:06 p.m. in London. Bloomberg Chevron Corp. plans as much as $80 billion in dividends and share buybacks over the next five years, boosting distributions by as much as 20 per cent compared with the most recent pace of payouts as the U.S. oil giant tries to reassure investors. Mike Wirth, who took over as chief executive officer little more than two years ago, promised shareholders a mix of cost-cutting and production growth centred in the prolific Permian basin in Texas and New Mexico to offer attractive financial returns even as customers and policy-makers demand lower-carbon fuels. Returning cash to shareholders is our number one priority, Wirth said. This doesnt rely on higher oil prices. It relies on self-help to greater cost efficiency, continued capital discipline and effective portfolio management. The target, unveiled by Chevron ahead of its investor meeting in New York on Tuesday, is illustrative of the high-wire balancing act facing Big Oil. The industrys largest companies are being asked to reinvest in future production, reward shareholders, and, at the same time, work through an energy transition that may spell the end of fossil fuel growth within a decade. To meet these challenges, Wirth is investing in Permian Basin shale, cutting expenses and holding back on megaprojects while making small bets on clean-fuel technologies. San Ramon, California-based Chevron said in a statement it will save two billion by cost cutting and margin improvements while holding annual capital spending to no more than 10 per cent above current levels. Chevrons return targets look well supported by the balance sheet, RBC analyst Biraj Borkhataria said in a note to clients. The presentation looks more like evolution than revolution, and continues the prior mantra around lower for longer capex, and a steady uptick in Permian performance. The measures should boost cash flows, and raise returns on capital to more than 10 per cent by 2024, up from seven per cent at the end of last year, Chevron said. That addresses a key concern for many investors Chevrons returns have languished in recent years, far below where they stood a decade earlier. Exxon Mobil Corp. has seen a similar deterioration. With a strategy of emphasizing cash returned to investors over production growth, Chevron is following the path laid down in recent years by another U.S. rival, ConocoPhillips. It recognizes that the world doesnt need ever-increasing amounts of oil and that shareholders need to be paid above the market average for owning fossil fuel producers. Chevrons new target of shareholder distributions suggests a significant increase from what the American oil giant has been doing until recently. Last year, Chevron returned $13 billion in dividends and buybacks, equivalent to $65 billion if repeated over a five-year period. The new goal of $75 billion to $80 billion in returns is equivalent to about 45 per cent of its current market value. To the general portfolio managers out there, if youre looking for cash, Chevron is the place to be, chief financial officer Pierre Breber said at the presentation. Chevrons shares were up 3.5 per cent at $96.59 at 8:48 a.m. in pre-market trading in New York. Through Monday, they had declined 20 per cent, almost mirroring the fall in Brent crude and showing that investors are not giving the oil giant much benefit for its refineries and chemical operations that usually cushion the impact of low prices. NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a federal securities class action has been filed on behalf of investors in 500.com Limited (500.com or the Company) (NYSE:WBAI) who purchased American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of 500.com from April 27, 2018 through December 31, 2019, inclusive (Class Period). All investors who purchased American Depositary Receipts of 500.com Limited and incurred losses are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. ## Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook. ## CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE On December 31, 2019, 500.com issued a press release announcing that the Company's Board of Directors (the Board) has formed a Special Investigation Committee (SIC) to internally investigate alleged illegal money transfers and the role played by consultants following the arrest of one consultant (also a former director of the Company's subsidiary in Japan) and two former consultants by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. 500.com further disclosed the resignation of Xudong Chen as Chairman of the Companys Board, effective December 30, 2019, and that the Board has accepted the request from Mr. Zhengming Pan, Director and Chief Executive Officer, to temporarily step aside from his positions, effective December 30, 2019, until the conclusion of the SICs investigation in order to ensure a thorough and fair investigation. On this news, 500.coms ADR price fell $1.08 per share, to close at $7.52 per share on January 2, 2020, the following trading day. Wolf Haldenstein has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Kevin Cooper, Esq. Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: gstone@whafh.com , kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Haiti - Humanitarian : Appeal of funds of $253M to aid 2.1 million Haitians On Monday, the Government and the humanitarian community in Haiti jointly launched an international appeal for the mobilization of $253 million to meet the humanitarian needs of 2.1 million Haitians through the updated version of the Response Plan Humanitarian 2019-2020. This plan, initially launched at the time when Haiti had just experienced a serious political, economic and social crisis, has been updated to respond to a significant increase in the number of people in need, which increased from 2.6 million in 2019 to 4,6 million in 2020 (more than 90 %). This increase is explained by the serious serious deterioration of the humanitarian situation closely linked to the crisis, but also by an improvement in the calculation methodology and greater availability of data. Among the people concerned, 2.1 million will be targeted as part of the strategy of this response plan. In 2020, the response plan strategy will focus most of the efforts on the basic needs of vulnerable people (food, nutrition, water, shelter) and access to basic services (including health and education); protection (including victims of gender violence and children) as well as the elimination of diseases with epidemic potential. This plan, the fruit of close collaboration between the various humanitarian partners and their government counterparts, is launched jointly by the national authorities, with the participation of the Minister of Planning, representatives of the various key ministries in humanitarian action, the entire humanitarian community working in Haiti (United Nations agencies, national and international NGOs), as well as donors and representatives of the Member States. "The Humanitarian Response Plan that we are launching today is proof that the Government and Humanitarian Agencies are driven by the same deep conviction : that of an effective and efficient implementation of humanitarian aid in Haiti. It is imperative, in this context of recurrent crises, to meet this challenge by stopping to assess humanitarian aid only on the basis of what it has made it possible, but also on its performance in the prevention and protection dimension of lives; strengthening the coordination of humanitarian actions in order to reach the most vulnerable sections of the population and facilitate the achievement of recovery and sustainable development objectives," said Jean Roudy Aly, Minister of Planning a.i. Bruno Lemarquis, Humanitarian Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Haiti, called for a strong mobilization in support of the humanitarian response plan "Today, through this Plan, humanitarian actors renew their commitment to work to save lives, alleviate suffering and preserve the dignity of the most vulnerable households and to strengthen their resilience. At the same time, and in all coherence, it is essential to also renew our commitment in favor of structuring development actions to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks that populations face." The updated Humanitarian Response Plan covers the period until the end of 2020 with the possibility of reviewing the needs expressed if necessary during this period. Download the Humanitarian Response Plan (PDF in French) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/2020_haiti_hrp_revise_complet_fr.pdf HL/ HaitiLibre WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) West Lafayette Community School Corporation will not be getting free feminine hygiene product dispensers in its schools. This decision comes after city leaders approved offering free products in the majority of West Lafayette city bathrooms. The schools already offer free products through the nurse's office and Superintendent Rocky Killion said this process has worked well for students. He doesn't think the machines are necessary for the population they serve. We're dealing with children so our population is much different than dealing with adults, said Killion. Our registered nurses are very discrete and they work with families and children and that's the process that we use because we're under umbrella." West Lafayette Intermediate School Principal Margaret Psarros agrees. She said teachers and nurses have a well-working system. We've taught our teachers don't ask a lot of questions if their student is asking to go to the nurse, said Psarros. They can go down to the nurse and they have a variety of options there that they could use, that way the child feels comfortable. West Lafayette leaders say their decision in providing free menstrual products in city bathrooms is a step in the right direction. An insurer whose policy covers the actual cash value of a property may deduct for depreciation of labor costs when it calculates the amount of the loss, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled. The court noted that the question of whether to depreciate for labor when determining the actual cash value has been addressed by courts in several states, and the answer has varied depending on the facts and the specific statutes. In North Carolina, the high court held in a published decision Friday, the term actual cash value in unambiguous and includes depreciation of labor. The policy language provides no justification for differentiating between labor and materials when calculating depreciation, and to do so makes little sense, the Supreme Court said in an opinion written by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. The value of a house is determined by considering it as a fully assembled whole, not as the simple sum of its material components. In North Carolina and other states, homeowners can buy a policy that covers the actual cash value or the replacement cost value of their home. The actual cash value pays only what it would take to repair or replace damage after depreciation, while a replacement cost value policy would pay what it takes to restore the home with materials of similar kind at current prices. The policy that Thomas Accardi bought Hartford Underwriters Insurance Co. for his house in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina included an endorsement that limited coverage for windstorm or hail losses to the roof to actual cash value. After the roof of Accardis house was damaged in a hailstorm, and adjuster estimated that the home suffered $10,287.28 in damages. The insurer deducted $500 for the policys deductible and an additional $3,042.92 for deprecation of both labor and materials. That resulted in a net payment of $6,743.36 for Accardis claim. Accardi filed a lawsuit, arguing that the policy was ambiguous and that The Hartford should have deducted depreciation for only material costs, not labor and materials. Accardis attorney attempted to certify the civil complaint as a class action on behalf of all policyholders who had filed claims against The Hartford but where paid amounts that included a depreciation for labor costs. The case was referred to the North Carolina Business Court, which is a specialized forum that hears disputes involving corporate and commercial law. The Business Court found that The Hartfords policy actually wasnt very complicated. The court determined that the term actual cash value as stated in the endorsement was unambiguous because the policy did not distinguish between depreciation of labor and depreciation of material costs. The Business Court said it does not make logical sense to separate the cost of labor from that of physical materials when evaluating the depreciation of a house or its component parts. Other state courts have found ambiguity in similar disputes. U.S. District Court Judge William H. Steele found that a State Farm Fire and Casualty policy was ambiguous because it was not clear whether actual cash value included depreciation for material costs only, or both labor and materials. A Pennsylvania state appellate court, on the other hand, found there was nothing ambiguous about a State Farm policy that allowed the insurer to deduct depreciation of labor costs from its damage payment. Some disputes over actual cash value have dragged on for years. In Arkansas, State Farm has asked the Western District of Arkansas to approve a settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed against in in 2014. A hearing on whether to approve the settlement has been scheduled for June 1. State Farm noted in a briefing filed with the appellate court that the state legislature has since amended the statute that the plaintiffs in the class-action suit has used to argue that depreciation for labor cost cannot be deducted. The carrier told the court it was agreeing to the settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of further litigation and because the plaintiffs had narrowed the size of the class. The North Carolina Supreme Court found that state law clear supported Hartford Underwriters in its dispute with Accardi. To conclude that labor is not depreciable in this case would impose liability upon the company which it did not assume, and provide a benefit to plaintiff for which he did not pay,' the court said, citing a finding in another case. Classic Brands Flies Toward Efficiency with Centric SMB Centric SMB does everything that we need it to do. It will help us with productivity in our day-to-day work and we will be able to continue to grow with it, and it will be able to grow with us. Classic Brands, the designer, manufacturer and distributor of wild bird feeders and birding products, has selected Centric Softwares Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution for emerging brands, Centric SMB. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, footwear, outdoor, luxury and consumer goods companies to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals. Based in Denver, Colorado and founded in 2010, Classic Brands has several lines of feeders and related birding supplies. They are an enthusiastic group of dedicated wild bird aficionados who employ innovative engineering and extensive field-testing on their products, which can be found on the shelves of many major retailers. Classic Brands has been growing rapidly in terms of sales and breadth. Their existing project management system was reaching its limits. They required a solution to manage their increasing number of product lines, speed up their development process and create workflow efficiencies. Lindsey Nifong, marketing director of Classic Brands says, We thought the system we were utilizing was sufficient, but we got to a point where it was not. We needed to find something else to support goals of expanding our product line and eCommerce. Of the vendors we evaluated, Centric was best aligned with how we conduct our everyday business and with how we do our product development, Nifong says. We were looking for our product team to have their own management tool. We wanted something that is streamlined, that creates efficiencies, and can manage all the products that we have. An opportunity to have a conversation with another Denver-based Centric customer in the consumer / hard goods industry informed Classic Brands rigorous selection process. It was really great to get their perspective on how they utilized Centric, Nifong says. Classic Brands decided to implement Centric SMB, a cloud-based PLM solution tailored for small to medium businesses. Available on a subscription basis (SaaS), Centric SMB is designed to speed product development, optimize product costs and increase brand responsiveness. With access to the same proven technologies and industry know-how as big players, emerging brands set the foundation for future growth. Nifong explains, Centric SMB does everything that we need it to do. It will help us with productivity in our day-to-day work and we will be able to continue to grow with it, and it will be able to grow with us. We are very pleased that Classic Brands has selected Centric SMB, says Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software. Classic Brands is a leader in a specialized and important environmental space, bringing joy to bird enthusiasts near and far. We are excited to be working with them as they continue on their growth trajectory. Learn more about Consumer Goods PLM Request a Demo CLASSIC BRANDS (http://www.classicbrands.net) Classic Brands is a group of dedicated wild bird enthusiasts that want to help you Make a World of Difference. We have just the right feeders for your wild bird sanctuary. No matter where you livea suburban oasis, a backyard deck or sprawling open countrywe can help you attract the most birds. Our company is different because we design feeders that are based on consumer feedback and surveys, countless hours of field testing, and innovative product engineering. We design and manufacture with an unparalleled passion for what is best for the birds and for our customers. In this world of constant demands and crazy pace, we want to help you reconnect with nature and feed your soul with something thats also Making a World of Difference for the birds. So do something good for yourself, your family, your friends, and the environment. Just Feed Birds. [March 03, 2020] Stay the Course: Arkansas Virtual Academy Now Enrolling for the 2020-2021 School Year Students are invited to explore different career paths at Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA), which is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Through the school's Destinations Career Academy, students can pair a solid academic foundation with hands-on learning experiences in growing career fields like information technology (IT), business, agriculture, cybersecurity, computer science, and more. Select paths also offer an industry-recognized certification that students can work toward. Some of these certifications include Microsoft (News - Alert), Adobe, OSHA, and ACT WorkKeys. Whether their path leads them directly into the workplace, to the military, or to higher education, career readiness provides students with the skills they need to get there. "At ARVA, we help cultivate curiosity and encourage students to reach beyond their comfort zones," said ARVA Head of School Amy Johnson. "Teachers and staff work tirelessly to spark the joy of learning-an experience we knw will follow students well after high school." In addition to career readiness courses, ARVA students have access to a robust curriculum and attend live virtual classes taught by state-licensed teachers. Students are offered a full course load in the core subjects of math, science, English language arts, history, art and music, as well as a host of electives including world languages. Teachers regularly communicate with students and their families via email, phone and during one-on-one meetings. "ARVA gives me the kind of work I never knew I needed," said ARVA student Caylie Sipes. "It's challenged me in a good way, and I appreciate the program for that. I honestly feel that I'm not only more prepared for handling a future job, but also better at communicating with others." An online and blended public charter school, ARVA is available tuition-free to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who reside anywhere in the state. Many families and students choose ARVA because it provides an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar education. Athletes, advanced learners, and students seeking a bullying-free environment can balance a full academic course load along with extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. Outside of the classroom, ARVA offers online student clubs and in-person activities such as field trips, community service opportunities and social gatherings, including an annual graduation ceremony for seniors. Students and families are encouraged to attend an online or in-person information session hosted by the school. More information on ARVA, how to enroll, and a schedule of upcoming events can be found at arva.k12.com. About Arkansas Virtual Academy Arkansas Virtual Academy is a full-time public charter school serving students in grades K through 12. As part of the Arkansas public school system, ARVA is tuition-free and gives families the choice to access the engaging curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), one of the nation's preeminent tech-enabled education companies and a premier provider of career readiness education services. For more information about ARVA, visit arva.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005031/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A Nigerian lady identified as Oluchi Chioma has been arrested for fraud by the Indian police. The 38-year-old woman was accused of duping a 21-year-old man from south Mumbai, while posing as an executive of an international pharmaceutical firm. Oluchi who is allegedly involved in 8 cases of fraud in the country, met her waterloo after sending a message to one Prakash Devasis father on November 6, 2019. The Nigerian lady allegedly offers her victims business deals for the procurement of herbal products, before swindling them of their money. Indian Express newspaper reported that the suspect went by the name Mark Nana when she reached out to Devasis father, claiming that an international company was looking for an exporter of a herbal product in India. A police officer who confirmed the arrest said; The complainant was asked to buy the raw material from particular companies in Assam and Rajasthan. These companies were conduits of the accused and were part of the fraud Devasi bought two litres of the product from a company at Rs 5 lakh. Later, an executive visited their office and said the quality tests were positive, offering to buy the product at double the previous rate. However, he said the company would need double the amount of the herbal product. Later, the complainant approached another company in Rajasthan, which he was informed of by the accused, and made an advance payment of Rs 5.8 lakh for 10 litres of the product. However, he then encountered another victim who was duped using a similar modus operandi and approached VP Road police station to lodge a complaint. The police registered a case under the relevant sections of cheating and began searching for the suspects using call data records. As the number was switched off, we located her with the help of a courier service that had delivered the herbal products at the complainants address. Oluchi was arrested in Navi Mumbai on February 27 when she met with a representative of the courier company to receive the herbal products. She was arraigned in court the following day, after which she was remanded in police custody till March 3. The 20-year old medical student under isolation at the Thrissur government general hospital never thought that she would be the one, when she saw television news channels flashing the news of first coronavirus positive case in India being confirmed in Kerala on January 30. "I was at the hospital watching television channels when the news of the first coronavirus positive case in India being confirmed in Kerala broke. But I never thought that I would be the one as hundreds were under surveillance. But as news update came that the infected person was a girl under isolation at Thrissur general hospital, I was almost confirmed that it was me. Soon doctors also confirmed. Immediately I contacted those who traveled with me from China to India and asked them to be cautious," the girl who has been declared coronavirus-free now told DH over phone. Once doctors told her that she was the one infected, instead of getting upset over her plight, the medical student stood up to the situation. She rang up around 20 of her friends and collegemates who traveled along with her from China to India and asked them to undergo tests for coronavirus. Being a medical student herself, she was very well aware of the disease, especially its low mortality rate. "I was quite healthy and was not having any other diseases and hence, I was sure that I will come out of it. I also made my family confident," said the girl who is a native of Thrissur district in central Kerala. After being discharged from hospital on February 20, she remained under home quarantine till March 1. The medical student feels that there was no social stigma towards her for being a coronavirus survivor. "Most of my relatives and friends came to visit me after I am fully recovered from the virus. But to avoid more public attention, I prefer not to reveal my identity for the time being,"she said. Resumed study from hospital bed While all the colleges in China are shut indefinitely owing to coronavirus infection, many colleges have already commenced online classes so that courses do not get lagged. "From February 15 onwards, our college started online classes and I started attending it even from hospital bed. Many who are under home or hospital isolation for coronavirus suspicion were also attending the online interactive classes," said the girl who is a third-year student of the six-year medical course in China. She said that once China is declared free from coronavirus and colleges re-open, she would return without any hesitation. After completing the studies, she wants to practice in her home state only. Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- 7 Days 7 Nights has its core objective in bridging the gap between event organizers and attendees by providing them with a platform that brings them together. For the event organizer, the website is a channel for branding and marketing the event while resolving the problem of ticket selling. On the other hand, for party seekers, 7 Days 7 Nights is the ultimate platform to discover the biggest events and instantly purchase the required tickets. Speaking about the competitive edge that they give to event organizers, the company's spokesperson remarked, "As a website that attracts huge traffic and has a loyal following by revelers across the nation, we give you direct touch with a big market base. The best part is that over the years, we have catered to a diverse range of customers, and no event is beyond our reach. We have equally adopted the latest technology that is tailored for the industry, and you can always count on us for smooth experiences. Most importantly, we have top of the line marketing tools, which make it easier to give your event the needed publicity." One of the best places to party is at the XL Nightlife Elizabeth in NJ, which is renowned for hosting some of the most significant events for the mature crowd. 7 Days 7 Nights understands the demand by revelers after an upscale night affair and gives them timely updates on all events going down in the ballroom. In collaboration with Philinthebrunch, the site offered tickets to the biggest event in 2019 'Hard Bottoms and High Heels.' The strategic role that 7 Days 7 Nights played saw the event get sold out and garner excellent ratings for the Xl Nightlife Ballroom In Elizabeth New Jersey. Talking about the many upcoming events with ongoing bookings, the company's spokesperson said, "The extensive network we have built over the years has seen us become the number one portal to find the hottest events across the USA. We currently have hundreds of events scheduled to occur in the coming days, weeks, or months in some of the most exclusive destinations. As a reveler, we have made it easy to find the right event as we have a quick search button for this function. All you have to do is search for a particular category of events, choose your location, and date before narrowing down on one that suits your demands." Revelers who want to attend Taj II Lounge and Event Space events now have 7 Days 7 Nights as a reliable partner for availing tickets to the ever-happening venue. One of the biggest parties to be hosted at the venue that clients can currently reserve tickets for is the Hip Hop Vs. Caribbean Day Party. This event is going down on the 15th of March and is a special night with a strict dress code as it targets the premier crowd. 7 Days 7 Nights offers the tickets through a partnership with City Elite Group, who are the event organizers. About 7 Days 7 Nights 7 Days 7 Nights is opening up a whole new world of never-ending parties by providing the modern reveler with a platform where they can book tickets for the biggest parties in different states such as the New Orleans party boat. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yantoultra Ngui (Bloomberg) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tue, March 3, 2020 12:31 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067eb318 2 SE Asia Malaysia,Prime-Minister,Muhyiddin-Yassin,politics Free Malaysias new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has pledged to fight corruption and strengthen governance, saying he is no traitor but stepped in to save the country from political turmoil. I know there are those who are angry with me, he said last night in his first televised address to the nation as prime minister. As expected, there are parties who called me a traitor. Listen carefully, Im not a traitor. Muhyiddin, 72, was named prime minister on Saturday by the countrys monarch after a weeklong struggle for power following Mahathir Mohamads sudden resignation amid bickering in his former coalition. The new ruling alliance consists of defectors like Muhyiddin who aligned with the Barisan Nasional coalition that lost power in 2018 after running the country for six decades. Mahathir had said he felt betrayed by Muhyiddin, until recently his right-hand man, and seeks an urgent confidence vote in parliament to show he has the numbers to form a government. The political uncertainty, combined with a global equity selloff, sent Malaysian stocks tumbling to an eight-year low on Monday. I do not crave the Prime Minister post, Muhyiddin said. I only stepped forward to save the situation when both candidates for Prime Minister did not get majority support, he said, referring to Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim who were in the running. Muhyiddin also pledged to continue with the previous governments Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, a move to push for equitable development and to elevate living standards. For a start, I promise to appoint cabinet ministers from among those who are clean, have integrity, and capable, he said. My government will also give priority to efforts to improve integrity and good governance. Two women with local ties returned to The Bachelor" on Monday for the Women Tell All special. Tammy Ly, a 24-year-old house flipper from Syracuse, appeared with other contestants from pilot Peter Webers season to discuss all the drama, including Tammys clashes with Mykenna Dorn and Kelsey Weier. Tammy famously accused Kelsey, a former Miss Iowa USA, of being emotionally unstable and allegedly mixing alcohol with pills, and said Mykenna, a fashion blogger from Canada, was only doing the show for her brand." I was coming from a place of concern, Tammy told Kelsey, best known for champagnegate, when another contestant opened her special bottle of champagne and a second bottle of bubbly erupted in her face. Kelsey admitted drinking on the show but denied having problems with alcoholism, substance abuse or mental health issues, and told Tammy it wasnt her place to criticize. It is my business, Tammy insisted. We are all swapping saliva with the same guy. Kelsey, who made it to the final four before being eliminated, got an extended moment in the spotlight when former The Bachelor contestant Ashley Iaconetti, a Syracuse University alumna, made a surprise appearance. Kelsey and Ashley I., who competed for Prince Farming Chris Soules heart and later married Bachelor in Paradise co-star Jared Haibon, both had reputations for frequently crying on the ABC dating show. This is my girl, Ashley said. Like, I feel her so hard. Way to go for standing up to the emotional shamers out there. The cameras then showed Tammy, who made a face suggesting she was offended at possibly being considered an emotional shamer. Tammy Ly, 24, of Syracuse, makes a face after Syracuse University alumna Ashley Iaconetti praises Ly's rival Kelsey Weier for standing up to "emotional shamers." All three women were contestants on ABC's "The Bachelor." Ashley said afterwards that she suspected ABC edited the show to make it look like worse than it was. Haha, I think that was edited to make it look like she reacted to me in that way, Ashley wrote on Twitter Monday night. I met her after the show and she was very kind! Haha I think that was edited to make it look like she reacted to me in that way. I met her after the show and she was very kind! https://t.co/OmmCYfFrFH Ashley Iaconetti (@ashleyiaco) March 3, 2020 Ashley also surprised Kelsey with a gift: A giant bottle of champagne, so no one else would steal it. Tammy also rehashed her beef with Mykenna, who she accused of sounding rehearsed and dancing like a buffoon to get more followers online. I dont owe an apology to you, Mykenna, Tammy said. Every time the camera was on you, youd always spread your legs How dare you! Mykenna shouted. Host Chris Harrison struggled to keep the peace, but by the end of the episode everyone was laughing as Pilot Pete made an appearance and the cast got to see this seasons blooper real. Peter spilled wine all over his pants in one clip, and fell while trying to do Tom Cruises dance scene from Risky Business" in another. The ladies also showed a united front when former The Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay made an appearance to talk about bullying and online abuse. Rachel read hateful messages that contestants had received over, prompting tears and shocked faces from several women. Tammy, a 2013 Liverpool High School alumnus who works as a licensed real estate agent in Syracuse, said she had received messages sent to her work email that told her how I should go kill myself. Tammy was an early fan favorite thanks to her funny one-liners and priceless facial expressions, but was eliminated after making the top 10 amid her drama with other contestants. ABC has not responded to requests for an interview, a possible sign she could be headed for the spinoff show Bachelor in Paradise next. The Bachelor finale airs next Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC. You can also watch it on Hulu + Live. See more photos of Tammy on The Bachelor below: 24 Syracuse woman on 'The Bachelor' 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. Ask Meg Ventrudo to say a few words about The Tibetan Museum and shell describe the cultural institution as The most magical place on Staten Island. And its all for good reason. Read on and well explain! Intrigued by the vintage treasures of which its comprised, the museums executive director recounts: From the moment I assumed the title of executive director back in 2004, Ive been amazed by the artistic treasures it holds. The Jacques Marchais Gallery Art of India and Art of Tibet located on 52nd Street near Madison Avenue. Marchais used the gallery to acquire her collection. The best pieces were the basis for the Museum's collection. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance Since its founding in 1945, the museum has preserved and exhibited its collection of Tibetan and Himalayan artifacts, travelled its collection all over the world, hosted many Buddhist dignitaries, and welcomed visitors from the world over. The museum is the first and only museum of its kind in the US solely dedicated to the art and culture of Tibet and the Himalayas. Meg explains its an extreme pleasure to welcome visitors from near and far, and to host Tibetan monks and spiritual leaders at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art its official name. I know we are carrying out Jacques vision, especially when Tibetan and Nepalese visitors tell us that the museum reminds them of home,'" says she. Jacques Marchais seated in the Museum on Opening Day. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance This year the museum is commemorating 75 years of preserving and exhibiting Tibetan art with a year-long series of events and exhibitions beginning with a celebratory gala Friday, March 13 at the Richmond County Country Club. The honorees for the evening are: Kym Smith, Barnett Shepherd, Dr. Pankaj Patel and the Richmond County Savings Foundation. A LITTLE ABOUT THE HONOREES Barnett ShepherdStaten Island Advance Brought up in Greenville, Mi., Barnett has been a resident of Staten Island since 1972. Before relocating he taught art history at the University of Florida at Gainesville and in 1970 he earned a masters degree in art history from Indiana University. Barnett founded the Preservation League of Staten Island during the 1970s in order to raise awareness about the importance of saving historic buildings, and served as the organizations first president. He served as executive director of the organization from 2012 until 2017 and as the executive director and CEO of the Staten Island Historical Society from 1981 to 2000 and in 2017 as interim executive director. Barnett is the author of a number of scholarly articles and four books about Staten Island history, including Sailors Snug Harbor, 1801-1976 (1979) Tottenville: The Town the Oyster Built (2009); co-author with Lois Mosley of Sandy Ground Memories (2003); and Staten Island Scenery: Paintings, Prints, Drawings and Photographs, 1679-1900 (2013). He lives in the historic Judge Jacob Tysen House, owned by the Staten Island Historical Society located in the Snug Harbor Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kym SmithStaten Island Advance Kym Smith is a long-time supporter of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. Her contributions to the museum have supported the collections, exhibitions, and building projects and have leveraged additional support for the work of the museum. Shes a supporter of several non-profits including Community Health Action of Staten Island, Special Olympics, Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen in NYC, and the Hetrick Martin Institute, a NYC based non-profit organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ youth. An accomplished equestrian and pony breeder based in Middleburg, Va., Kym is a supporter of the United States Hunter/Jumper Association. Dr. Pankaj PatelStaten Island Advance Dr. Pankaj Patel was a member of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Arts Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2008. He and his wife Jill, also a former board member, are longtime friends and supporters of the museum. Hes the former Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Richmond University Medical Center and served as acting chief medical officer at the time of his retirement in 2017. Dr. Patel was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya, a coastal city in Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean. His grandfather, Dahyabhai Patel, emigrated to Kenya from British-ruled India in 1918. Dr. Patel earned his college degree from the University of Mumbai and went on to the University of Mysore in Southern India for medical school. He immigrated to the United States in July, 1980, spending a year in Florida taking exams for graduate medical training and the following year made his way north to the former St. Vincents Medical Center in West Brighton. He started as a full-time residency and moved up through the ranks and by the year 2002, he was named training director. In 2008, he was appointed chairman of the department and In 2016 was named acting chief medical officer. His community involvement includes Board Service to Carmel Richmond Health Care & Rehabilitation Centers Advisory Board (2004-present), Meals on Wheels (2007 to the present), and the Sisters of Charity Housing Development Corporation Board (2019-present). Dr. Patel and his wife are noted for their philanthropy and volunteerism, including serving on several boards. Dr. Patel has one daughter, who is an attorney in Florida. The Richmond County Savings Foundation legacy began in 1998 when the Richmond County Savings Bank created the Foundation to share the success of the bank with the communities that supported the bank throughout its history. Since that time, the foundation has served to continue the banks long-established role as a proactive community partner. Through its 22 funding years, the Foundations legacy has expanded as projects and programs funded by the Foundation now crisscross Staten Island and beyond. Today, the foundations giving programs bridge several communities as it proudly supports people, places and programs in its RCSF neighborhoods. Since 1998, the Richmond County Savings Foundation has committed nearly $68 million in funding and partnered with hundreds of organizations whose programs and services advance educational opportunity, enrich cultural development and strengthen health and human services in an effort to ensure their stability for future generations. EARLY HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM An item from the Tibetan collection. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance Jacques Marchais was a remarkable American woman, actress, art dealer, and patron of the arts. Born in Ohio in 1887, she was a child elocutionist performing in peoples homes, reciting poetry and singing songs. Her acting career took her from Chicago, then Boston, and then to New York where she became part of a circle of avant garde performers, writers, and thinkers. She married Harry Klauber and by 1919 the couple relocated to Lighthouse Hill. After her marriage to Klauber, she opened the doors to The Jacques Marchais Gallery Art of India and Art of Tibet, a stately art gallery on Madison Avenue and East 51st Street. The works in the gallery would form the basis of the Museums collection. Jacques passed in the year 1948. THE COLLECTION On object of art at the Tibetan Museum. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance Throughout her lifetime she amassed a collection of more than 2,000 artifacts, sculptures, ritual objects, thangkas, textiles, and photographs. In addition, Marchais collected over 1,000 books about Tibet, Asia, and world religions, and used her own color-coded binding system to catalogue her books. In addition to rotating exhibitions at the Museums Lighthouse Avenue location, items from the museums collection have been exhibited at The Wellcome Collection museum and library based in London, The Rubin Museum of Art, Drexel University in Philadelphia, The Francis Lehman Loeb Museum at Vassar College, the Staten Island Museum, the Newhouse Gallery, Tsechen Kunchab Ling Monastery in Walden, N.Y., The Volkerkunde Museum at the University of Zurich, and the Mingei International Museum in California. In 1996, the Museum published the catalogue Treasures of Tibetan Art by Barbara Lipton and Nima Dorjee Ragnubs, which remains a noted work on Tibetan art. BUILDING THE MUSEUM Joseph Primiano, an Italian stone mason from New Dorp built the museum. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance In 1933, Jacques Marchais and Harry Klauber attended the Chicago Worlds Fair where they visited the Bendix Lama Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Jehol. The Temple was a gift to the fair from Vincent Bendix, and was an exact replica of the original Chinese Lama Temple built in 1767 and was constructed from 28,000 hand carved pieces shipped to Chicago for assembly and decoration. Marchais also purchased artifacts from this exposition at the conclusion of the fair. Perhaps it was that visit that inspired Marchais to create a setting that was reminiscent of the mountaintop monasteries of the Himalayas. The shed porch of the museum. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance With the help of a local Italian stone mason, Joseph Primiano, Marchais designed two Tibetan Style buildings that were designed to resemble a Himalayan mountain monastery. The Museum is listed on both the New York State Register and the National Register of Historic Places and its the oldest example of Himalayan architecture in the United States. DALAI LAMA AND OTHER VISITORS As one of the earliest centers of Tibetan Buddhism in the United States, many Buddhist monks and high ranking lamas have visited the Museum throughout its history. In 1955 Geshe Wangyal immigrated to the US and was the first Tibetan Buddhist monk to establish a dharma center in the West. He was a frequent visitor to the museum during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1976, the museum was visited by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, spiritual head of the Kagyu lineage of Buddhism. The Dalai Lama visited the Museum in 1991 and consecrated the collection. Upon visiting the Museum, the Dalai Lama remarked, I feel that I see part of a Tibetan antique collection, ancient Tibetan things. I find that the idea for setting up this kind of museum as early as the early 1900s was quite remarkable. In recent years, the museum has been visited by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin Dorje Lopen Rinpoche of Bhutan, Ven. Thupten Ngodrup, the Medium of the Chief State Oracle of Tibet, and the Sakya Trichen. CONTINUING MARCHAIS VISION Seventy-five years after the Museums founding, the Museum continues to preserve and exhibit the collection of Tibetan Buddhist art. Its received donations of collections from the Estate of Walter and Caroline Meuly, and from Philip Trimble, the US Ambassador to Nepal 1980-82. Jacques Marchais Gallery Art of India and Art of Tibet located on 52nd Street near Madison Avenue. Marchais used the gallery to acquire her collection. The best pieces were the basis for the Museum's collection. (Courtesy/The Tibetan Museum)Staten Island Advance And while Jacques Marchais never visited Tibet, the museum conducts trips to Buddhist and Himalayan countries each fall. Public programs include lectures, films, performances by Tibetan dancers, and programs related to the Tibetan traditions of meditation. Tickets to 75th Anniversary Gala are priced at $150 per person. For additional information or to reserve email events@tibetanmuseum.org, visit their website at www.tibetanmuseum.org, contact Meg Ventrudo at mventrudo@tibetanmuseum.org or phone 718 987-3500. New Delhi, March : Union Minister Babul Supriyo on Tuesday took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet, after the latter took a jibe at Modi and suggested that Modi should "give up hatred, not social media." In retaliation to Rahul Gandhi's advice to Modi, Supriyo advised Gandhi to use the normal data packs in order to save money. It all started after Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter, saying: "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted." The former Congress president responded by saying that the Prime Minister should "give up hatred, not social media". Responding to Rahul Gandhi's comment, Supriyo teased the Congress leader for his regular international trips and wrote, "Bhai.. when you tweet from your holidays abroad, your network provider charges at least 4 times more for Data Usage.. But 10 days/15 days International Roaming packs are available.. try availing that in your next trip.. For your short stays in India, you may use normal Data Packs." Earlier also, the BJP targeted Rahul Gandhi for his "frequent" foreign visits. They also questioned who footed the bills for Gandhi's frequent visits abroad, including air tickets, staying in five-star hotels and other such expenses. About this data Sources: State and local health agencies (cases, deaths); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (tests, hospitalizations). The seven-day average is the average of the most recent seven days of data. Currently hospitalized is the most recent number of patients with Covid-19 reported by hospitals in the state for the four days prior. Dips and spikes could be due to inconsistent reporting by hospitals. Hospitalization numbers early in the pandemic are undercounts due to incomplete reporting by hospitals to the federal government. Tests represent the number of individual P.C.R. viral test specimens tested by laboratories and state health departments and reported to the federal government by the 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Hospitalizations and tests are counted based on dates assigned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and are subject to historical revisions. Cases and deaths data are assigned to dates based on when figures are publicly reported. For case and death seven-day averages, if there are days within that range with no data reported, the period is extended to older days until at least seven days of data are included. Data from days following non-reporting days is averaged over that day and the non-reporting days that precede it. When calculating rolling averages, these days representing multiple day's worth of data are always included together, which means that in instances of irregularly timed reporting, the seven-day average may be an average over more than seven days. Certain days with anomalous total case or death reports are excluded from the average or have a portion of their cases and deaths which correspond to data backlogs removed from the average calculation. For the U.S. national case and death count averages, the average is the sum of the average number of cases and deaths in all states and territories each day. This average may not match the average when calculated from the U.S. case and death total in order to account for irregularly timed case and death reports at the state level. As supermarkets sell out of toilet paper and hand sanitiser amid a global panic over the deadly coronavirus one Australian mother has shared the stockpiling techniques she uses for her family of three. The woman, from New South Wales, shared images of her neatly organised laundry room to social media, which she has filled with hundreds of grocery items to ensure she never runs out of food. There is every variety of bean imaginable, peas, pasta sauces, pickles, Dorito chips, as well as hundreds of cleaning products for use in the shower and around the house. The woman, who is based in New South Wales, shared images of her neatly organised laundry room filled with groceries to social media There is every assortment of bean imaginable, peas, pasta sauces, pickles, Dorito chips, as well as hundreds of cleaning products for use in the shower and on the house Professor's advice: Do not 'panic buy' groceries but do shop 'smart' Professor Ian Mackay, an infectious disease specialist from the University of Queensland, said to be 'smart' with what you buy rather than 'panic buying'. 'We can get in a bit of stock, foods, dried foods, dried fruits, some medicines - if you have any prescriptions it's good to get those filled now,' he told the ABC. 'Just ahead of time, in case there are any disruptions to shelf stock or shelf supply - things like truck drivers getting sick. 'We can be a little bit ahead of that curve and we've still got plenty of time because the virus isn't spreading widely here yet.' Prof Mary-Louise McLaws, an infection control expert, told the Guardian that stockpiling more than a couple of weeks' worth of food is unnecessary. 'Telling people to stock up on months' worth of food and to expect the worst is not helpful, and I'm actually very impressed with our health department and government commitment to this potential pandemic,' she said. Advertisement She has plenty of Pepsi, bottled water, juices, cans of soft drink and toilet paper as well as breakfast spread, hot chocolate, soy sauce and coconut milk. Every item has a place on the Bunnings $35 storage devices she has set up to contain the produce so she can very easily reach for whatever she needs. Some suggested the surplus of groceries was a result of the increasing coronavirus panic sweeping the nation, but the mother said she simply enjoys purchasing the products her family uses when they are on special. Every item has a place on the Bunnings $35 storage devices she has set up to contain the produce so she can very easily reach for whatever she needs When asked how she got started, the Aussie woman said she decided to take discounted items seriously five years ago after going through a period of time where she 'couldn't afford to feed the family' What are the best tricks for stockpiling? * Only buy items that are half price or less. * If they are cheap buy as many as six of the same product at a time. * When placing them on a shelf ensure the best before label is in order of when they go off. * don't buy perishables unless you know you'll be able to eat them. * Cans are easy to stockpile, as is toilet paper and soft drink. Advertisement When asked how she got started, the woman said she decided to take discounted items seriously five years ago after going through a period of time where she 'couldn't afford to feed the family'. 'There have been lots of learning curves. I only ever buy half price or less for items to stockpile. I wouldn't stockpile perishables unless you are positive you will use them,' she said. Most months she will only have to purchase additional meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy for her family, because otherwise they rely on the stockpile. Most months she will only have to purchase additional meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy for her family, because otherwise they rely on the stockpile She shifts the things that have a closer best before date to the front of the piles so these items are used first, although most items will last upwards of a year. If she spots something for half price she's inclined to buy as many as six of that item at a time, which builds up over time. Ultimately the savings are 'huge' and well worth the effort of keeping her laundry room organised. Ultimately the savings are 'huge' and well worth the effort of keeping her laundry room organised 'Impressive! You've done an amazing job and probably saved yourself hundreds if not thousands,' one woman comments under the photos. 'This is my dream. I aim to never pay full price so I shop around and sometimes drive hours to get the right bargain,' said another. A third added: 'This is like having a corner store in your house'. https://www.aish.com/h/purim/t/dt/The-Seventh-of-Adar-Haman-and-the-Death-of-Moses.html A deep analysis into the connection between Purim, Moses and the Oral Law. Haman will forever be remembered as the first person in history who would plot to kill all of the Jews - men, women and children, from young to old. In the month of Nissan, Haman cast purim, lots, as part of his effort to choose the most auspicious time to carry out the mission. The lottery pointed to a date in the month of Adar, a full eleven months later. Rather than being disappointed over the delay, our rabbis tell us that Haman was overjoyed. His lottery fell in the very month in which Moses, the great leader of the Jewish people, had died. Moses died on the seventh of Adar. Haman saw this as a sign that he would succeed. Birth Negating Death But Haman was oblivious to one very relevant fact: Moses hadnt only died on the seventh of Adar; it was also the day of his birth. Our rabbis explain that Moses' birth was sufficient to atone and counteract for his death. 1 #Moses hadnt only died on the seventh of Adar; it was also the day of his birth. What is the significance of this? At first glance, the focus on Moses is difficult to understand. Why would the month of his death matter to Haman? Further, it appears that there was truth to Hamans premonition. The month of Moses' death should have been a bad time for the Jewish people. And most puzzling, how does Moses' birth in Adar counter his death in Adar? One would logically expect the opposite to be true. Doesnt death conclude the life that the birth brought on? There is clearly a deeper meaning to the significance of Moses' birth and death in Adar. A closer look leads us to an explanation that does far more than explain a cryptic comment of the rabbis. It reveals a key principle that remains as true today as it did in Persia some 2,500 years ago. The Meaning of Moses Moses was far more than a charismatic leader who led the Jewish people from servitude to freedom. We received the Torah through Moses to the point that it is even called Toras Moshe the Torah of Moses. Moses embodied all of the Jewish people. The Medrash relates that Rebbi Yehuda Hanasi, the sage who compiled the Mishna, once delivered a lecture during which the students began to doze. To wake them up, he challenged them with an opaque statement: There was a single woman in Egypt who had 600,000 children in a single birth. And who was she? Yocheved, Moses' mother. 2 The number 600,000 is associated with the number of the entire Jewish nation and Moses was that child the person who included every Jew. Indeed, after the sin of the golden calf, God proposed to rebuild the entire nation from Moses who included everyone. Moses represents our link to God's revelation at Sinai. Then, we stood as a unified nation like a single person with one heart. Attacking When We Are Vulnerable Haman knew this well. He understood how our national unity and strength was linked to our bond with the Torah of Moses. Haman was a descendant of Amalek, the first nation to ever wage war against the Jews. They attacked us in the desert after we left Egypt with the goal of weakening our link to Torah. The battle took in Refidim and our rabbis reveal that the name of the place alludes to rafu yedeihem min haTorah, the Jewish peoples softening their grip on Torah. #Haman understood that we are vulnerable when we lose our connection to Moses and our unified bond to the Torah. Haman understood that we are vulnerable when we lose our connection to Moses and our unified bond to the Torah. The calculated formulation of Hamans successful petition to Achashveirosh for permission to annihilate us shows just how well he appreciated this. Our rabbis reveal the subtle implications in Hamans accusatory words. Haman suggested that we were a scattered and divided nation, having lost the unified state of a nation which was like one person of a single heart that we had attained at Sinai. He suggested that we had fallen asleep in that we no longer performed the statues of the King i.e. the King of Kings. Hamans efforts succeeded and he received permission to kill us. That decree attests to the fact that there was painful truth in Hamans words. A Dark Point in Our History The historical context of the story of Purim is no coincidence and Haman was acutely aware of it. The nation that Haman had sought to kill had been freshly exiled and scattered across the civilized world. Mordechai himself was among those cast out from Jerusalem. We lost our kingdom and our sovereignty and we found ourselves as unwanted guests in a strange land. While this eventually became our default state over the centuries that followed, at that time the notion of exile was very new to us. As a nation, we did not know what would happen next. Could it be that our bond with God had ended? Indeed, at the advent of exile, Jewish elders challenged the prophet Yechezkel with this very question. When a master casts out his servant, when a man divorces his wife, do they still have any obligation to one another? #The bond between God and the Jewish people is unbreakable no matter what happens. Yechezkels answer was unequivocal: the bond between God and the Jewish people is unbreakable no matter what happens. But we hadnt yet experienced just how it would work in the dark context of exile. How would be saved? Forging a New Bond Herein lies the secret of Moses' birth and death a secret which Haman did not know. We had indeed lost one level of connection to the unbroken chain that linked us to Mount Sinai. But something else a phenomenon far more subtle became part of our national identity. To appreciate it, it is helpful for us to focus on a particular incident in the aftermath of Moses' death. The Talmud teaches that during the mourning period following Moses' death, some 1,700 laws that Moses had taught were immediately forgotten. But all was not lost. An individual named Osniel ben Kenaz was able to restore them by deriving each law through his meticulous analysis of what was known. 3 This story reveals far more than a historical detail about the aftermath of Moses' passing. It is a paradigm for Jewish history and the different means through which we relate to Moses' Torah. While Moses lived, Torah was accessible directly through him. The clarity of his level of prophecy was unmatched by any Jewish prophet. Moses could resolve every ambiguity and answer every question. When Moses died, although prophecy would continue to exist for hundreds of years, Moses' singular clarity was lost. On account of that loss, there arose a need for us to delve within ourselves, to ponder all the things we could remember, in our effort to understand Torah. While at first it appeared that the forgotten laws would be lost forever, we soon learned that we could still access Moses' Torah albeit through a new means. Rather than relying solely on prophetic revelation, we understood that Torah study would require introspection and effort that would enable us to arrive at Torah by looking deeper into our own understanding. It was a new and more subtle way through which we would connect to Torah. Our discovery of this new connection was born only through Moses' death. Although none of our prophets ever reached Moses' level, in the years that followed, prophecy remained in the world and it was still possible for us to connect to Torah through some level of Divine revelation. The destruction of the first Temple, however, marked the sunset of the prophetic era. Once we went into exile authority over Jewish law passed to a body of rabbis known as the Anshei Knesses HaGedola, the Men of the Great Assembly, in which Mordechai was a member. While the Anshei Knesses HaGedola included several prophets among its original numbers, they would all die out at the beginning of the second Temple and the basis of Torah scholarship had moved toward intellectual analysis and looking deep into ourselves as a means to connect to Torah. Torah moved to the more subtle realm that Osniel ben Kenaz had begun; it was still very much with us but required closer analysis and deeper thought to notice its patterns. The story of Purim took place exactly at the crossroads of this transformation in Torah. In confronting Yechezekel, the elders essential asked whether we were still bound during an era when our direct connection to the Torah Moses revealed to us at Sinai was lost and the Temple which represented the unbroken transmission lay in ruins. Their challenge essentially asserted that we nationally experienced Moses' death and they questioned the future relationship to Torah. Yechezkels unequivocal answer revealed that we were still bound. One thing, however, had changed. In exile, we would need to connect to Torah through a different means rather than through one which abounded with prophecy and the open miracles that characterized the second Temple. The incredible key to understanding the new and subtle connection lies in Moses' death. Then, we discovered that although Moses was no longer with us in the physical sense, his Torah remained very much alive with us. We discovered that, like Osniel ben Kenaz, we needed to look deeper into ourselves and what we know and that when we do, we can rediscover everything. We realized that our bond with God had never been broken. Instead, it simply manifested in a different way. Born Again Herein lies the incredible secret in how Moses' birth atoned for his death. In a sense, Moses never died. In fact, what at first appeared to us as Moses' death turned out to be Moses' rebirth. It was specifically following, and because of, Moses' death that we discovered a deeper connection to Torah. It would later manifest in form that continues until this day: Torah Shebaal Peh, the Oral Law. Torah Shebaal Peh also emanates from revelation at Sinai. However, in lieu of continued prophetic revelation, it develops through the hearts and minds of the Jewish people. On some level, Moses is never dead to us; his Torah lives on through our toil in the Oral Law. The Torah tells us that no human would ever know the location of Moses' grave. This is more than a prediction of what archaeologists would discover at some future point. It reveals that on some level, Moses is never dead to us; his Torah lives on through our toil in the Oral Law. The fantastic message of our rabbis is now clear. The birth that atoned for Moses' death was Moses' death itself. While in the natural world, death is the ultimate reversal of birth, in Moses' case the opposite was true. Through his death, Moses and all he represents was reborn. It brought out the full force of the Oral Law, giving the Jewish people a clear avenue to access the same truth. What Haman Didnt Know Haman appreciated that after the Temple was destroyed the Jewish people had entered into a dark era. It was a national state akin to Moses' death and when his lots fell on the Adar, the month of Moses' death, Haman saw that as a sign that his view was confirmed. What Haman did not know was that Moses' death itself brought about the birth of a new era in Torah and Jewish history. In fact, the very threat of genocide through Hamans decree fostered a new national birth. In their interpretation of the Book of Esther, our rabbis emphasize how on Purim, we reaccepted Torah in a different way. In so doing, we affirmed our everlasting bond with God, regardless of whether or not we were are on land or whether we experience revealed miracles. Moses' death spawned a new birth in Torah during which we discovered a new way to maintain our connection with revelation at Sinai. In the same way, the looming prospect of our own death on Purim incredibly brought about our own rebirth. When we were saved, we realized that even though the Temple had been destroyed, we could still maintain our bond with Torah. It was then that we reaccepted Torah and from the depth of exile were reborn into a new dimension of national existence. Haman saw only Moses' death; he was blind to our national rebirth, one that he himself helped bring about. Haman saw only Moses' death; he perceived only the end of a golden era in our history. He was blind to our national rebirth, one that Haman himself helped bring about. A closer look reveals that this idea lies at the root of our salvation on Purim. No plagues descended upon our enemies, no sea split, and no obvious miracles made the Persian headlines. Instead, something more fantastic happened: God saved us through a series seemingly unrelated events, political developments, rises and falls from power, and coincidences that transpired over a period of several years. While a superficial review of the story shows only natural events and human action, a contemplation of the facts on an inner level from the very type of perspective that enables us to access the Oral Law makes it clear that it was all a miracle. And we didnt just embrace the miracle. We realized that while one era of our history had ended, another had just begun. This new perspective remains with us through the present day. We havent yet witnessed the return of revealed miracles or prophecy. And while the guise of our enemies shifts frequently, we still find ourselves under constant threat. We need to appreciate nonetheless that the story of our survival is always miraculous. The Torah of Moses' rebirth lasts forever and against all odds, in yeshivas, classrooms, and households across the globe, we continue to flourish and reveal new depths in our eternal law. LOS ANGELES, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OG DNA Genetics (DNA or the Company), a globally recognized leading cannabis brand, today announced a licensing agreement (the Agreement) with PurePenn LLC (PurePenn), a leading cultivator and producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis capsules, concentrates, tinctures, flower and oils for the Pennsylvania market. The Agreement will grant PurePenn license to the DNA brand, access to its proprietary award-winning genetics, and standardized operating procedures for their cultivation at the PurePenn cultivation facility in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. PurePenns high-tech facility will be comprised of approximately 125,000 square feet of indoor cultivation and production upon completion of its ongoing expansion efforts. By partnering with PurePenn, we ensure a mutually beneficial relationship built on the foundation of commitment to quality and best practices, said Don Morris, Co-Founder of DNA. Each time we explore a potential licensing agreement, we look for the best possible partner in each market PurePenn is that partner for Pennsylvania. Dedicated to cutting-edge innovation using the latest technology, highly trained and experienced scientists and operators, and the strictest safety standards, PurePenn's mission is to create the best marijuana-based medicine in Pennsylvania for patients in need. For more than 15 years, genetics developed by DNA have won more than 200 awards in all categories at the most prestigious cannabis events around the world, making DNA the global standard in breeding and growing truly best-in-class strains. These awards include the High Times Top 10 Strain of the Year, which was inducted into The High Times seedbank hall of fame in 2009, the High Times 100 list of the most influential people in the industry and the High Times Trailer Blazers Award, for contributions made towards uniting the fields of entrepreneurship, politics and medicine. We are very excited by the opportunity to partner with DNA Genetics, commented Gabe Perlow, CEO of PurePenn. With our rapidly expanding cultivation facility, combined with their award-winning genetics and procedures, we will continue to provide patients in Pennsylvania with the highest-quality and most sought-after medicine possible. About OG DNA Genetics Inc. DNA was rooted in Los Angeles and founded in Amsterdam in 2004 by Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni. Over the last decade, the Company has built and curated a seasoned genetic library and developed proven standard operating procedures for genetic selection, breeding, and cultivation. In a world that is increasingly opening up to commercial cannabis activity, DNA is positioned to become the first, truly geographically-diversified company with multiple partnerships with top-licensed producers and brands that have built their companies and global presence utilizing the Powered by DNA model. For more information, please visit www.dnagenetics.com About PurePenn LLC PurePenn is a premier grower and processor of medical marijuana licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health composed of Pennsylvania business leaders and healthcare experts deeply committed to patient quality of life, job creation, and social impact on the communities it serves. PurePenn also produces products in Pennsylvania under the internationally renowned medical marijuana brand, Moxie, whose products have received repeated acclaim for consistently providing safe and effective treatments for patients. Rooted in community and social good, our goal is to consistently produce medical marijuana products at its facility in McKeesport that exceeds the states, communitys, employees and patients' expectations. Please visit our website at www.purepenn.com For further information please contact: Rezwan Khan, Vice President, Global Corporate Development Rezwan@dnagenetics.com General Secretary of the Progressive People's Party [PPP], Murtala Mohammed, believes certain actions, especially vigilante justice by members of the public are as a result of their lack of faith in the security agencies. To him, youth of Sogakope deliberately blocked the road leading to the main Sogakope Bridge after the death of their Assemblyman, Marcus Mawutor Adzahli because they believed findings about the case will not be a true reflection of what actually happened. They [Sogakope South Electoral Area youth] took laws into their hands and blocked roads because they have seen almost every investigated case, particularly ones associated with death not ending well to the satisfaction of families who have lost their loved ones, even though I dont side with their actions, he stated. Rioting & Military Intervention Some rioting youth in Sogakope in the South Tongu District of the Volta region, on Monday, blocked the main Accra-Aflao road, burnt car tyres and attacked the District Police Station over the alleged murder of the Assemblyman of Sogakope South Electoral Area. The deceased, Mr Marcus Mawutor Adzahli, alias Mac Greenline, was allegedly shot dead midnight at his residence on Sunday by some eight unknown assailants with his wife sustaining knife wounds. The youth, in protest of the incident, accusing the police of laxity, blocked the road, burnt tyres, threw stones and later besieged the District Police station in an attempt to burn it down. The District Police Commander and a few police officers fired warning shots to disperse the crowd. Despite having retreated, they continued throwing stones into the Police yard and offices and damaged the windscreen of some vehicles. An hour later, the militry was called in to clear the road and help the police contain the situation. Unprofessional Police Officers Speaking on UTVs Adekye Nsroma newspaper discussion programme, the PPP communicator bemoaned the unprofessional nature of some security officers to seek justice for the downtrodden. I dont know why cases of this nature stall, the main reason why some individuals take laws into their hands to seek justice is because of that.....there are no tangible reasons why cases are not investigated to the root...I believe the police are not doing enough in this regard," Murtala added. Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/ 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 As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kapil Mishra, who has been accused of delivering hate speeches that allegedly triggered communal riots in north-east Delhi on February 24, has collected over Rs 72 lakh through crowdfunding to help Hindu victims. On March 1, Mishra had tweeted an appeal with a link to an online crowdfunding website CrowdKash, to help the riot victims. The fundraising page titled Help The Hindu Families Who Are The Victims of Delhi Riots, suggests that the goal of this campaign is to identify families who are massively impacted due to the riots and help them with monetary assistance. However, the fundraising is seemingly not for all affected families. We believe that this would act as a short term relief for these underprivileged Hindu families who have been impacted by the riots, the page further reads. In the about the campaigner section, it says that the campaign is being managed by a group of Dharmics under the leadership of Kapil Mishra ji. The funds will be transferred to the impacted family accounts directly. Regular updates will be provided and will be managed with full transparency, the page mentions. According to the crowdfunding website, a total of 3,972 backers have donated Rs 72,02,046 as of 10.30 am on March 3. The highest amounts the campaign has received is Rs 1,11,111, followed by Rs 1,01,000. The names of around 3,972 backers have been published on the website and includes five people who have donated Rs 1 lakh or more. The fundraising will continue for 11 more days, the website suggests. At least 47 people were killed and over 200 injured in the communal violence that broke out in north-east Delhi on February 24 after clashes between groups supporting and opposing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) spiralled out of control. Multiple patients and staff at Ryde Hospital have been quarantined after coming into contact with a doctor diagnosed with COVID-19 as the number of cases in NSW jumps to 13, and more are expected overnight. Hospital emergency departments across the state are bracing for a deluge of patients, with health authorities predicting coronavirus outbreaks will converge with an early and severe flu season. Patients and staff at Ryde Hospital have been quarantined after coming into contact with a doctor diagnosed with COVID-19. Credit:Google Maps Four more cases of coronavirus were diagnosed in NSW on Tuesday in what Health Minister Brad Hazzard described as "quite an escalation". All four cases were in people who recently flew from coronavirus hotspots overseas: A 39-year-old man from Iran, a 53-year-old man from Singapore and two women aged in their 60s from Japan and South Korea. Yeah, first Tom Steyer dropped out, then Pete Buttigieg ended his historic run as the first openly robot candidate and we all know once a gay guy sets a trend, white women arent going to be far behind. So Klobuchar dropped out, too. TREVOR NOAH Pete Buttigieg ended his historic campaign as the first openly gay candidate and then endorsed Joe Biden. Yeah. Pete said the hardest thing Ive ever had to do was come out as a Biden supporter. The biggest challenge? Telling his parents. CONAN OBRIEN Buttigieg said he was ending his campaign to, quote, Help bring the party and our country together. Yeah, with that kind of attitude, its clear he wasnt presidential material. JIMMY FALLON Come back in four years, said a bouncer who carded him at a bar. SETH MEYERS So I guess we learned to pronounce Buttigieg for nothing. JIMMY KIMMEL And one of the two billionaires in the race, Tom Steyer the poor one Tom Steyer dropped out to spend more time explaining who he is to his family. JIMMY KIMMEL For every vote he got before dropping out, former presidential candidate Tom Steyer spent $3,300 per vote. Yeah. Yeah, Bernie Sanders said thats obscene. Mike Bloomberg said thats a pretty good deal reasonable. CONAN OBRIEN Steyer may have sensed the end was near because the night before, he really cut loose at a rally, where he joined rapper Juvenile onstage for his hit, Back That Azz Up. A white billionaire dancing with Juvenile to a song about butts the 2020 campaign is officially a Mad Lib. STEPHEN COLBERT Decades later, many of the most sophisticated players in the anti-abortion movement have not let go of this idea. Their efforts have created a dramatic disconnect between the arguments that will be made in the Supreme Court this week and those made for the abortion bans that dominated state legislative sessions. (Louisiana itself was among the states to pass a heartbeat bill.) Those who back the bans articulate what virtually all abortion opponents want the criminalization of abortion and recognition of a right to life from the moment of fertilization. But the advocates behind the June Medical case believe that neither the Supreme Court nor the American public would back an absolute ban, at least not any time soon. Nor do they think that the court will take up a case involving these heartbeat bills, which have been repeatedly struck down by lower courts. What does this disconnect tell us? First, abortion bans may have distracted us from the real threat to Roe v. Wade. After all, the Casey case identified an important government interest in protecting fetal life throughout pregnancy but still saved abortion rights in the name of equality for women. Savvy abortion foes believe the fastest way to undercut that ruling is to show that abortion makes women anything but equal. In the face of failure in the Supreme Court, skepticism from the medical establishment and resistance from grass-roots activists, leading anti-abortion groups have stuck to their guns. In June Medical Services v. Russo, we may start to see whether they made a smart bet. But the disconnect between state bans and Supreme Court strategy also tells us that a reckoning may be coming. To be sure, in states with large anti-abortion majorities (and gerrymandered legislatures), heartbeat bans seem smart a way to rally voters and take a shot at Roe v. Wade. But nationally (and in more divided states), the bans do not land the same way. President Trump pleaded with state lawmakers to include exceptions for rape and incest. Abortion opponents at the national level have focused on later abortions or on killings they claim take place after failed abortion attempts. These politicians recognize what polls suggest: While public opinion on the subject is extremely messy, most Americans hardly seem ready for the criminalization of all or most abortions, much less the punishment of doctors or even pregnant people. If Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, there would be no guarantee that support for abortion bans would grow. Decades ago, reproductive rights activists found out that a sweeping judicial decision doesnt always translate into success in national politics or even to lasting success in the court. Abortion opponents should be the last to ignore that history. But after Roe v. Wade is gone, the anti-abortion movement may learn their lesson the hard way. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-04 02:16:21|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty (L) and UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance arrive at Downing Street to attend a press conference on the government's coronavirus action plan in London, Britain, March 3, 2020. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua) LONDON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday set out the government's action plan to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the number of infections reached 51 across the country. Launched during a press conference at Downing Street, the new plan sets out how Britain will take all necessary and reasonable steps to tackle the outbreak. The plan has four strands. Containing the virus, delaying its spread, researching its origins and cure, and finally mitigating the impact should the virus becomes more widespread. "That is, contain, delay, research, mitigate," Johnson told reporters, noting that Britain is currently at the "containment" stage. "The plan does not set out what the government will do, it sets out the steps we could take at the right time along the basis of the scientific advice," said Johnson. Admitting that Britain is facing a national challenge, Johnson said he is "very confident that Britain will get through it in good shape," urging people to carry on as normal in their daily lives. The National Health Service (NHS) is well equipped and prepared for the outbreak. "We will make sure the NHS gets all the support it needs to continue their brilliant response to the virus so far," said the prime minister. Commenting on public concern about the global spread of the virus, Johnson said "it is highly likely that we will see a growing number of UK cases. And that's why keeping the country safe is the government's overriding priority." "And our plan means we're committed to doing everything possible based on the advice of our world leading scientific experts to prepare for all eventualities," he said. Meanwhile, Johnson also congratulated the Chinese authorities on the speedy sharing of the novel coronavirus outbreak information. "I congratulate the Chinese authorities on the speed with which they posted the news of the outbreak that has serious international implications," Johnson told reporters. The prime minister said Britain continues to have a global coordination on fighting against the virus. Johnson hosted the press conference alongside Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance. Whitty, for his part, said the Chinese authorities have "very helpfully" laid out valuable information such as mortality rate related to the virus. South Belfast companies supported by Invest NI have been responsible for creating 4,150 new jobs over the last few years, according to figures. The economic development agency provided a breakdown of jobs created by the businesses it supports on a constituency basis in response to an Assembly question from Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton. Companies supported by Invest NI created a total of 20,342 jobs across Northern Ireland's 18 constituencies. South Belfast, including the city centre, had the highest proportion. At the other end of the scale was North Down firms on 167 jobs. Foyle had 778 and West Tyrone 516. Overall, 65% of the jobs created were outside Belfast. Figures covering 2011 to 2017, meanwhile, indicated there were 40,611 roles created, of which 13,655 were in Belfast. Mr Middleton said: "While I welcome the 778 jobs created in Foyle, I am concerned that the number accounts for just under 6% of the total outside Belfast. I do plan to meet Invest NI in the near future to discuss that there does seem to be an issue in terms of attracting investment to the north-west." When Belfast does well, other places do well too, but we do need to see more investment in the north-west DUP MLA Gary Middleton Recent major investments in the area include the opening of a major factory by US equipment giant Terex in Campsie as part of a 12m investment. But Mr Middleton said more growth was still necessary and the region also needed to address high levels of unemployment and economic inactivity. "We are the second largest city, so why are we accounting for less than 6% of the total jobs created outside Belfast?" he asked. "When Belfast does well, other places do well too, but we do need to see more investment in the north-west." Invest NI said that some of the regions where job creation had been low, such as North Down, had fewer businesses for it to support in the first place. "Our support is available to businesses regardless of their location and we have offices right across Northern Ireland actively engaging with companies," a spokeswoman added. "It is, however, the business's choice when it creates jobs and whether it seeks our support to help it." The spokeswoman said the agency did not offer "direct support to an area, have a bias to any area, or, as has been inferred, discriminate against any one area". She added that recent statistics indicated that almost three-quarters of offers were made to firms outside Belfast. "According to the most recent data, 74% of our offers were made to companies outside Belfast and 67% of jobs created were also outside Belfast," she said. US President Donald Trump had a phone call with Taliban fighter-turned-negotiator Mullah Baradar, the insurgent group said late Tuesday, days after Washington signed a historic deal with the militants. "The President of the United States... held a phone call with the Political Deputy of the Islamic Emirate, the respected Mullah Baradar Akhund," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted. The call came a day after the Taliban ended a partial truce and threw into doubt peace talks between Kabul and the insurgents that are due to begin on March 10. Under the terms of the agreement signed on Saturday in Doha, foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees and a pledge by the insurgents to hold talks with Kabul. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syrian government forces battled to recapture a strategic rebel-held town in Idlib province yesterday as a Turkish official said Ankara would continue to strike at President Bashar al-Assad's troops after escalating its military operations at the weekend. Syrian state television broadcast live footage from inside Saraqeb, on the country's main north-south highway, and said it was under government control. Rebels denied the report, saying they still held the town despite heavy shelling. Saraqeb has already changed hands twice in less than a month, reflecting its importance both as a gateway to the government-controlled northern city of Aleppo and to the rebel-held Idlib city to the west. Rebels said Turkish drones had been striking Syrian army positions on the Saraqeb frontline, hitting at least two rocket launchers. Turkey, which has backed rebels fighting Mr Assad for much of Syria's nine-year conflict, has stepped up its intervention in recent days in response to the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in Idlib. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkish forces had destroyed eight helicopters, scores of tanks and five air defence systems. "All (Syrian) attacks have been retaliated by the Turkish armed forces in the heaviest manner without hesitation and will continue to be retaliated," he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, whose support for Mr Assad turned the tide of the war five years ago, are due to meet in Russia on Thursday to seek agreement on Idlib. Turkey has insisted it seeks no conflict with Moscow, but its barrage of strikes on the Russian-backed forces around Idlib have raised the risk of a direct confrontation. "A solution is expected to emerge from the talks but attacks and attempts which the (Syrian) regime carries out in this period will not go unanswered," a senior Turkish security official said. Backed by Turkish shelling and drone strikes, rebels say they have now retaken several villages they lost last week in the government offensive. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora revealed Tuesday that Greenhills hostage-taker Alchie Paray refused a 1-million settlement from his former employers to end the hostage crisis, stressing that he only wanted his grievances to be aired. "Hindi pera ang kailangan niya. Ang kailangan niya marinig lang 'yong hinaing. Napakasimple," Zamora said in a press briefing. [Translation: He doesn't need money. He only wants his grievances to be heard. It's that simple.] Zamora explained that he and the police granted Paray's demand to speak to the media about his concerns regarding alleged abuses committed against him by his former employer, Safeguard Armor Security Corporation, as this was his "biggest" ask. "What was he complaining from the start? He was never listened to. Hindi siya pinapakinggan nino man. Minamaliit siya. Kung sa puntong 'yon, hindi pa natin ibibigay sa kanya ang napakasimpleng hiling niya na makapagsalita, baka pinasabog na niya 'yong lugar," the mayor said. [Translation: What was he complaining from the start? He was never listened to. No one was listening to him. He was being belittled. At that point, if we don't give in to his very simple demand for him to talk, then maybe he would have blown up the place.] Paray agreed to free his 55 hostages from the second floor of VMall if he will be allowed to address the media and if authorities can guarantee his safety once he faces the scores of police and SWAT members waiting for his surrender, Zamora said. But he added that they were preparing for the worst because Paray faced the public armed with a pistol. He said he was even wearing a bulletproof vest in case of any eventuality. Mayroong mga sniper na nakapwesto noong lumabas ang hostage taker. Siniguro naming hindi siya makakabunot ng baril. That was a strategy. When the police felt it was time, doon siya tinake down, Zamora told CNN Philippines. [Translation: Snipers were in position. We made sure he wont be able to pull out his gun. That was our strategy. When the police felt it was the right time, thats when they tackled him.] He added, So 'yong fear niya nawala agad because tumupad kami sa usapan, akala niya hindi ako tutupad. Doon pa lang, psychologically disarmed na siya. [Translation: His fear went away when he saw we held our end of the bargain. By earning his trust, we have already disarmed him psychologically.] Philippine National Police Chief General Archie Gamboa supported the move of Zamora and police on the scene. The reason behind it (press conference) is tactical. Generally, I am satisfied because nobody died, which is the most important thing, Gamboa said. Although pleased, Gamboa said a lot has to be discussed, such as crowd control and the aspect of Facebook Live, when it comes to negotiating with suspects. Maraming (There are a lot of) comments like crowd control, people allowed to take FB Live. These are protocols the PNP should have a closer look at, he said. READ: Police to review possible lapses in handling hostage incident The hostage drama unfolded live on many screens almost as soon as Paray shot a former coworker a few minutes past 11 on Monday morning, injuring him. Onlookers posted the live event on their personal Facebook pages even the official Facebook pages of San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and the Metro Manila police showed the event in real-time. It was also on these mediums where Paray can be seen tackled and arrested by authorities midway through his 20-minute speech. Zamora said the call to go live on Facebook was part of the ploy to make Paray see that the authorities are keeping their word. The San Juan mayor served as the lead negotiator during the nine-hour hostage drama. He said he took on the challenge after being assigned by Metro Manila Police Chief Debold Sinas, seeing the hostage-taker was responding positively to the politician. The first choice for negotiator fell through after he turned out to be from his security agency. The second option was Colonel Orlando Yebra the chief negotiator in the infamous 2010 Manila bus hostage crisis but the mayor said the police deployment clearly agitated Paray. The two communicated via video calls. Frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, and serious illegal detention cases will be filed against Paray. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of the medical college in Aligarh Muslim University has decided to donate Rs 25 lakh for victims of the communal violence in Delhi. Junior doctors and senior resident doctors of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College have decided to contribute at least one day's salary for all riot victims irrespective of their community. RDA president Mohammad Hamza said the money would be distributed through the finance officer of the university for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people. Hamza said this was time for all peace-loving citizens to join hands in this "hour of the grave humanitarian crisis in the capital of our country". Meanwhile, former AMU students' union president Salman Imtiaz urged all sections of the society to help in the restoration of peace and all riot victims through whatever means available to them. "We have to fight for peace till our last breath," Imtiaz said in a statement. AMU teachers' association secretary Najmul Islam said the communal violence in Delhi had shaken the confidence of the people in the law enforcement machinery, and the alleged failure of the police in controlling the riots was a cause of grave concern. He said reports indicating that the police deliberately allowed such sectarian violence to continue was "shameful" to say the least. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, companies from Porsche to BMW were set to unveil new models and concepts that would breathe new life into the automotive landscape that is, until coronavirus forced the hand of the organizers and the event was canceled three days before opening to the media this week. International motoring powerhouses have been left scrambling, but at least one new release not only took the cancelation in stride, but thrived: the all-new Morgan Motor Company Plus Four. The redesigned roadster, which was officially unveiled Tuesday, was already slated to be a big moment for the proudly obsolete British brand. As Morgan notes in the press release, the model was first launched all the way back in 1950, and while the appearance of the Plus Four has remained virtually unchanged it still looks like it could star in the car-chase scene in The Great Gatsby a closer look reveals that 97% of its parts are all new. Some superfans wondered if Morgan would lose its charm after a redesign. Other insiders wondered why Morgan even bothers anymore. And then there are the auto juggernauts who dont even register the goings-on of a manufacturer that puts out fewer than 1,000 vehicles a year. After today, that might just change. In the wake of Genevas cancelation, Morgan called an audible and put their 1930s-style roadster in contention for most revolutionary release of 2020. Instead of simply shooting out a press release or doing some sort of disappointingly modern digital unveiling, Morgan took their show car which was already in Geneva gassed it up and road-tripped it back Malvern, Worcestershire, where the marque was founded and remains based to this day. Oh, and in case you were wondering where our show car is, it's about to be unloaded in Geneva and driven back to the UK to make sure it gets here in time. Keep an eye out on our social channels for more!#GIMS2020 #GenevaToMalvern #RoadTrip Morgan Motor Company (@morganmotor) February 29, 2020 Morgan only has about 25K Twitter followers, so chances are you missed their real-time updates from the road, but we learned a few things about the model (and what it takes to be a Morgan owner). First off, for those who were disappointed in the automatic-only Plus Six, the new Plus Four has the option for either an eight-speed auto with paddle shifting or a six-speed manual, which was the one on display. As for space, the back can fit two overnight bags and six bottles of wine (which we assume they picked up in France). Lastly and most importantly, the snack of choice for Plus Four drivers is, uh, gummy frogs. In an era when automotive unveilings feel more like iPhone releases and guys bemoan the absence of dynamic car design before racing over to the dealership to pick up a baked-potato-looking-ass SUV for the family, Morgan is happy to say to hell with sensibility and convention. Is the Plus Four practical? No! Is it advisable to drive a show car across multiple countries while live tweeting without planning ahead? Not a chance! But now all the drivers they passed on the way are Googling to find out if theres a new season of Downton Abbey coming out, and drivers who never considered themselves old-fashioned might just consider picking up the most classic new car on the market. Latvian English AS VALMIERAS STIKLA SKIEDA (Registration No. 4000 3031 676, legal address: Cempu iela 13, Valmiera, LV-4201) (hereinafter, the Company) would like to announce that P-D VALMIERA GLASS USA Corp. (hereinafter, the US Subsidiary) has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement (hereinafter, the APA) with Saint-Gobain Adfors America, Inc. to sell substantially all Assets of its Phase I and Phase II operations in Dublin, Georgia, USA, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the APA. The total cash purchase price is Seventeen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD 17,500,000), plus additional consideration as set forth in the APA. The APA is still subject to approval of Bankruptcy Court overseeing the US Subsidiarys Bankruptcy Case (Case No. 19-59440-pwb). The Company already announced, that due to significant unexpected losses during the extended start-up phase of US Subsidiary Phase II operations, the US Subsidiary was forced to stop its Phase II Fiberglass furnace operation effective immediately on June 17th at 2.30 pm EDT. In addition, the US Subsidiary filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia on June 17, 2020. Please see the announcement here. More information concerning the Chapter 11 case may be obtained here. The US Subsidiary continues to operate its Phase I Needle Mat division in the ordinary course of business. The Company will provide further updates about significant developments as they occur in the Chapter 11 case of its US Subsidiary. Additional information: AS VALMIERAS STIKLA SKIEDRA Tel.: +371 6420 2216 E-mail: latvia@valmiera-glass.com www.valmiera-glass.com Colorado Springs City Council deadlocked Monday over the appointment of Stephannie Fortune to fill Councilman Richard Skorman's seat on the board. Who among the 7 finalists should be appointed? You voted: Woody Guthrie originally wrote "This Land Is Your Land" as a kind of screed against the exploitations of private property ownership. When he submitted the song for copyright, Guthrie allegedly wrote that it was, "Copyrighted in U.S., under Seal of Copyright # 154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ourn, cause we don't give a dern. Publish it. Write it. Sing it. Swing to it. Yodel it. We wrote it, that's all we wanted to do." Although the copyright should have expired in 1973, the actual ownership of the rights has long been contested. More recently, the lawyers who successfully returned "Happy Birthday" and "We Shall Overcome" into the the Public Domain tried to take a similar approach to win back "This Land Is Your Land" for the people. Unfortunately, it didn't go as well. From The New York Times: In the case, a young musical group called Satorii sued the song's publishers, Ludlow Music and the Richmond Organization, after paying $45.50 for a license to release a cover version of "This Land Is Your Land," which Guthrie wrote in 1940. In their complaint filed by the same lawyers behind the "Happy Birthday" and "We Shall Overcome" suits the group used a detailed timeline of decades-old paperwork and Guthrie's own hand-decorated songbooks to argue that Guthrie had essentially forfeited his copyright to the song decades ago by failing to renew it properly. [] On Friday, Judge P. Kevin Castel of Federal District Court in Manhattan [] ruled that there was no legal dispute for him to adjudicate: Satorii had already paid the license fee, and in exchange, the publisher had agreed to let Satorii do what it wanted with the song. The judge dismissed the case. This is a disappointing result, particularly because the judge didn't make much of a ruling either way he essentially threw it out on a technicality, because the plaintiffs tried to cooperate in order to employ the same strategy they had successfully used in similar cases. Woody Guthrie's daughter, Nora, remains a joint owner of the song rights through Woody Guthrie Publications, despite her father's obvious wishes. "Our control of this song has nothing to do with financial gain," she argued in 2016. "It has to do with protecting it from Donald Trump, protecting it from the Ku Klux Klan, protecting it from all the evil forces out there." It's a nice sentiment, I guess, but it's also a frustrating one. (To her credit, she did let Billy Bragg and Wilco create the fantastic Mermaid Avenue Sessions from her father's archives, which is pretty great.) I'd be curious to know if noted Libertarian Arlo Guthrie agrees with this sister on this issue. 'This Land Is Your Land' Is Still Private Property, Court Rules [Ben Sisario / New York Times] Top image via Public Domain Luxembourg 3 March 2020 - Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Brs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of a substantial(1) contract by Murphy Exploration and Production Company - USA for the subsea installation services related to the Samurai, Khaleesi, and Mormont developments tying back to the Kings Quay semi-submersible. The Kings Quay host facility is approximately 175 miles south of New Orleans in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. This contract covers the tie back of seven subsea wells to the Kings Quay host facility. The project scope includes engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning of all subsea equipment including PLETs, PLEMs, umbilicals and distribution hardware, production and export flowlines and jumpers, as well as the wet tow in the Gulf of Mexico to the fields and mooring system installation of the semi-submersible FPS. Project management and engineering will commence immediately at Subsea 7s offices in Houston, Texas. Fabrication of the flowlines and risers will take place at Subsea 7s spoolbase in Ingleside, Texas, with offshore operations occurring in 2021. Craig Broussard, Vice President for Subsea 7 US, said, We are honoured that Murphy has selected Subsea 7 for this key EPCI SURF and mooring project. Subsea 7 and Murphy have built a strong, collaborative working relationship over the years through the proficient execution of projects performed on budget and on schedule. This effective working relationship has set the stage for a best-in-class project delivery of one of the largest subsea development projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Subsea 7 will provide a single point contract for the SURF and mooring work scopes on this project, which allows for improved management of the interface risk. (1) Subsea 7 defines a substantial contract as between USD 150 million and USD 300 million. ******************************************************************************* Subsea 7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industrys partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs. Subsea 7 is listed on the Oslo Bors (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62. ******************************************************************************* Contact for investment community enquiries: Katherine Tonks Investor Relations Director Tel +44 20 8210 5568 Katherine.Tonks@subsea7.com www.subsea7.com Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made in this announcement may include forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of words like anticipate, believe, could, estimate, expect, forecast, intend, may, might, plan, predict, project, scheduled, seek, should, will, and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements reflect our current views and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The principal risks and uncertainties which could impact the Group and the factors which could affect the actual results are described but not limited to those in the Risk Management section in the Groups Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements 2018. These factors, and others which are discussed in our public announcements, are among those that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements: actions by regulatory authorities or other third parties; our ability to recover costs on significant projects; the general economic conditions and competition in the markets and businesses in which we operate; our relationship with significant clients; the outcome of legal and administrative proceedings or governmental enquiries; uncertainties inherent in operating internationally; the timely delivery of vessels on order; the impact of laws and regulations; and operating hazards, including spills and environmental damage. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on our future results. Given these factors, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Attachment Hours after the Delhi Police arrested Shahrukh, the gunman who was caught on camera firing at least three rounds of bullets on the protesters in northeast Delhis Maujpur area on February 25, Ajit Kumar Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police said on Tuesday (March 3) that Shahrukh opened fire during protests in a fit of rage. ACP Singla added that the police is trying to recover the pistol used by Shahrukh for firing. According to ACP Singla, Shahrukh has no criminal background but his father has a narcotics and fake currency case against him. Addressing a press conference, ACP Singla said that after opening fire in Maujpur Shahrukh was in Delhi for few days then he went to Punjab. He was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli when he was trying to move from there. ACP Singla said that Shahrukh will now be produced and the police will seek his custody for further investigation. Shahrukh is a residence of Delhi's Jaffarabad and the pistol which he had used for firing was made in Bihar's Munger. "Shahrukh has been charged under section 307 (attempt to murder), 186, and 353 of IPC and Arms Act. Further sections will be added during the course of investigation if needed. We will try to get his maximum possible remand," said ACP Singla. According to the police, the family of the accused had also disappeared after the incident. Delhi Police sources told IANS on Monday that many suspicious articles were found in Shahrukh Khan`s house. Inflammable objects were found in polythenes. The police said that after tracking Shahrukh's phone, it came to light that he had gone to Panipat from Delhi's Maujpur. Since then, he had been hiding in different cities of western Uttar Pradesh, including Kairana and Amroha. Shahrukh had been on the run ever since he opened fire on the protesters and brandished a pistol in front of Delhi Police head constable Deepak Dahia. "The day on which the communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi, I was called for emergency duty from my training centre. Suddenly a man in a maroon colour T-shirt came charging at me and threatened to shoot me. He could have opened fire at me, but I remained calm and did not show my fear." the head constable had told reporters earlier. Red panda population genomics confirms two phylogenetic species and different evolutionary histories The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is an endangered mammal endemic to the Himalaya and Hengduan Mountains, and its distribution spans China, Myanmar, Bhutan, India and Nepal. Prior to 1902, all red pandas were classified as one species. However, in 1902, scientists established two subspecies, based on their morphological differences: the Himalayan subspecies (A. f. fulgens) and the Chinese subspecies (A. f. styani). More recent research on their morphological differences and geographical distribution, however, led the taxonomist Colin Groves to reclassify the two subspecies as two distinct species: the Himalayan red panda (A. fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (A. styani). Despite this change, the evolutionary histories of Himalayan and Chinese red pandas have remained unclear and controversy has persisted about whether they should be classified as two distinct species or not. In order to help clarify these questions, a research team led by Prof. WEI Fuwen from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, used population genomics methods to analyze the genome resequencing data of 65 wild red pandas (including both Himalayan and Chinese red pandas) from seven geographical populations; mitochondrial genomes of 49 red pandas; and Y chromosome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from 49 male individuals. All results from these three types of markers found substantial genetic divergence between the two species, and no sharing was found for the haplotypes of mitochondrial genome and Y chromosome SNPs. These findings clearly support Groves' classification of red pandas into two phylogenetic species. Further analysis also found that the Yalu Zangbu River, rather than the Nujiang River, is most likely the geographical boundary between the two species. This explains previous observations that the discriminating morphological characteristics were inconsistent with their geographical distributions. Furthermore, the research team reconstructed the demographic and divergence histories of the two species based on the genome resequencing data. The results revealed clearly different demographic histories for the two species: The Chinese red panda had experienced two population bottlenecks and one large population expansion, whereas the Himalayan red panda had experienced three bottlenecks and one very small expansion. These two species started to diverge after the serious population bottleneck caused by the Penultimate Glaciation (0.3 to 0.13 Mya). In contrast to the Chinese red panda, the Himalayan red panda has less genetic diversity, higher linkage disequilibrium and a higher genetic load, thus highlighting the urgency of protecting this endangered species. These findings have important conservation implications for wild red panda conservation, pedigree construction and interbreeding avoidance for captive red pandas. ### The study, entitled "Genomic evidence for two phylogenetic species and long-term population bottlenecks in red pandas," was published online in Science Advances on Feb. 27. This study was supported by the grants from Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, and etc. This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday there was no need to hand over the probe into the cases of murders of two Youth Congress workers to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Youth Congress workers Kripesh and Sharath Lal were hacked to death allegedly by a group of CPI(M) workers in Periya of Kasargode district in last February. Both Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had distanced from the murders, most of the arrested were active workers of the party. Kerala High Court had handed over the case to the central probe agency but the order was later stayed by its division bench. Pinarayi Vijayan reasoned that the investigation in the case was heading in the right direction and there was no need to engage another agency now. The state assembly witnessed uproarious scene over the issue and opposition Congress alleged that industry minister EP Jayarajan had used unparliamentary words during the ruckus. Assembly Speaker Sivaramakrishanan pacified the opposition and said such words wont go in the records of the House. The CM also described opposition charges as non-sense and unsubstantiated. The issue unfolded after Congress member Shafi Parambhil moved an adjournment notice, saying the government was planning to shield the accused in the case and scared to hand over the probe to CBI. He said the government was paying lakhs of rupees of the taxpayers to engage senior advocates to protect the killers. He said many party leaders were involved in the brutal killings and the government wants to protect them. Why you are scared if there is no blood in your hands? Ramesh Chennithala, opposition leader, asked while intervening in the discussion. Replying to the motion, an angry Pinarayi Vijayan said the government was well within its right to go in for an appeal and said Parambhils observation was nonsense. The government is not supposed to answer to any nonsense uttered by some members, he said, inviting a bout of protests from the opposition benches. Both opposition and treasury members then rushed to the well of the House but an intervention by the Speaker averted a further showdown. Congress leader VD Satheesan later said that minister Jayarajan used derogatory words against opposition members. Last week, a senior leader of the CPI(M) had made a controversial remark about the murders as he compared the killers to Lord Krishna. Lord had annihilated his own uncle Kamsa and many other evil people but he was not known as the killer, N Balakrishnan, district leader, had said justifying the killings. The Supreme Court on March 3 dismissed Devendra Fadnavis' plea, seeking a review of its earlier order which had directed the former chief minister to face trial for allegedly not disclosing pending criminal cases against him. The case was first registered in 2014 when Bombay High Court lawyer Satish Ukey filed a complaint alleging that Fadnavis had failed to disclose details of two criminal cases pending against him in his election affidavit. These two cases pertained to alleged cheating and forgery which had been filed in 1996 and 1998, respectively. The Sessions Court and later the Bombay High Court in May 2016 had ruled that there was no need to prosecute Fadnavis under section 125A of the Representation of People Act, which deals with penalty for filing false election affidavits. A three-judge bench led by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi had set aside the High Court ruling in September 2019, saying it was not legally tenable. The trial court was told to resume the case against Fadnavis who was then Maharashtra chief minister. (This is a developing story. To be updated) https://www.aish.com/h/purim/t/Why-Harry-S-Truman-Recognized-the-State-of-Israel.html Like Eddie Jacobson, God is calling on each of us, saying there is something only we can do. Our Sages asked a strange question in the Talmud: Where do we find a hint in the Torah to the Book of Esther? The Talmud (Chullin 39b) answers with the words, vanochi haster astir panai, I will hide my face on that day. God's most fearful warning had always been that there would come a time when there would be hester panim, the concealed face of God, when it would look as if, God forbid, He has stopped communicating with us. That is how the Sages found a hint of Esther. We know that Esther is one of the only two books in Tanach which dont contain the name of God, the other one being The Song of Songs. But where The Song of Songs is a book about God's love for us, Esther is a fearful book because it records the moment when it was resolved to destroy, to slay, and to exterminate all Jews, young and old, children and women, in a single day, when the first warrant for genocide against the Jewish people was issued. Purim is the only festival in the Jewish year set entirely in Exile. Every other festival is either based on an event that happened in Israel or on the journey toward Israel. Purim alone is set in the place of hester panim, when we are out of Israel and where it is harder to feel the presence of God. Yet there is one line in the Megillat Esther that cuts through me like a knife and represents the most powerful statement in Judaism I know that God has not abandoned us. Wherever we are, God is asking us to realize why He put us here, with these gifts, at this time, with these dangers, in this place. Towards the end of the fourth chapter, we find Esther telling her uncle Mordechai about all the problems there might be in interceding with King Achashverosh regarding the fate of the Jewish people. Mordechai listens and then responds to her with the famous words, If you are silent and you do nothing at this time somebody else will save the Jewish people. But who knows, was it not for just this moment that you became a Queen, with access to King Achashverosh in the royal palace? This, for me, is the ultimate statement of hashgacha pratit, Divine providence, that wherever we are, God is asking us to realize why He put us here, with these gifts, at this time, with these dangers, in this place. Hashgacha pratit is our fundamental belief that God never abandons us, that He puts us here with something to do. Even in the worst hiding of God, if you listen hard enough, you can hear Him calling to us as individuals, saying Was is not for this very challenge that you are here in this place at this time? That is the essence of the first word of the third book of Torah Vayikra, "And God called". When you look in a Torah you will notice the word is written with a very small Aleph at the end. Commenting on this, Rashi draws a distinction between the phrases Vayikra el Moshe, And He [God] called to Moses and Vayikar el Bilam And He [God] appeared to Bilam. The Hebrew language, says Rashi, has two words that sound the same, but are in fact completely different, even opposite, mikra and mikreh. Mikreh is used to describe something that happens accidentally, that involves no Divine providence. Mikra, on the other hand, is used to describe a calling from God, specific to you with a particular task involved. Why, then, is the Aleph a letter which makes no sound written small? To teach us that sometimes it can be very hard to hear God's call. It might even be a silent call. In Hebrew, this is a known as kol demama daka, a voice you can only hear if you are listening. Even in the worst times of darkness, God is always calling on us to do something. One of my great heroes was a man called Victor Frankl. He was a psychotherapist actually working with university students in Vienna and was taken to Auschwitz during the Second World War. There never was in all history greater time of God being hidden than in the Holocaust. Yet Victor Frankl was a man of faith, and he knew God was calling on him to do something even there, even at the gates of Hell itself. Frankl asked himself, what does God want of me, a psychotherapist, in the middle of Auschwitz? He asked himself, what does God want of me, a psychotherapist, in the middle of Auschwitz? He came to the answer, God wants me to give my fellow prisoners, my fellow Jews, a will to live, because only if they have that will, will they have the strength to survive. So he went around to each prisoner that he thought was about to fall into despair, and gave them a role in life, one they had yet to fulfil. This sense of renewed purpose helped force these men, women and children to stay alive, survive Auschwitz, be liberated and then go and do their calling. That is what Victor Frankl heard, even in Auschwitz, a Vayikra, a call, with a tiny Aleph. Eddie Jacobson and Harry S. Truman There is another story of a man named Eddie Jacobson. Eddie was an ordinary Jewish guy from the Lower East Side of New York. When Eddie was a child, his parents moved to Kansas City and there he met a child his own age. Soon they became close school friends, did military service together during the First World War, and decided that when the war was over they would go into business together. They set up a clothing store in Kansas City, but the business was not a great success and soon they drifted apart. Eddie Jacobson went on being a travelling salesman selling clothes. His friend, Harry S. Truman, took a slightly different route and landed up as president of the United States. The State Department advised the president not to support the creation of the state of Israel. But one man got through to him. In 1947-48, the Jews of the world needed the support of the United States of America for the state of Israel to be proclaimed and recognized. The State Department was against it and advised the president not to support the creation of the state of Israel. Jews and Jewish organizations tried their utmost to see the president in the White House, and every single attempt was refused. Even the leader of the Zionist movement, Chaim Weizmann, the man who would become the first president of the State of Israel, was refused a meeting. As time became desperate, somebody remembered that Harry S. Truman had a childhood friend called Eddie Jacobson. So they reached out to Eddie and asked if he could get the president of the United States to meet with Chaim Weizmann. Eddie phoned up President Truman and said he had to come and see him. Trumans officials tried to block the meeting, but Truman said, This is my old friend, Eddie, from school, Eddie, from the Army, Eddie, from our shop together! How can I not see this man? When Eddie arrived at the White House, Truman said, Eddie, you can talk to me about anything, except Israel. Okay, said Eddie and he stood in the Oval Office, in front of the president of the United States, and began to cry. Eddie, why are you crying? asked the president. Eddie pointed to a marble statue in the room and said. Who is that, Harry? Thats my hero, Andrew Jackson, Truman replied. You really admire this man? asked Eddie. Yes. And he had an influence over you? Yes said Truman. Then, said Eddie, I have a hero. His name is Chaim Weizmann. Harry, for my sake, see this man. Harry looked at Eddie and he knew that he couldnt say no to his old friend. That is how Chaim Weizmann got to see president Harry S. Truman, and that is how America voted in favor of the creation of the State of Israel. If they had not voted, Israel would not have been brought into being. Whats more, Harry S. Truman made the United States the first country in the world to recognize this State when David Ben Gurion pronounced it. I dont know how God writes the script of history, but if it can happen to Eddie Jacobson it can happen to any one of us. "Who knows, was it not for just this moment that you became a Queen, with access to the royal palace? God is calling on each of us, saying there is a reason why we are here, because He has something for us to do, something that only we can do. We can hear God's voice even when He appears hidden, even when the call, Vayikra, is written with a very small Aleph that you can hardly see and hardly hear. Did Esther know that one day, the entire future of the Jewish people will rest with her? We never know when an act of ours will have consequences. Did Esther, growing up with Mordechai, know that one day, the entire future of the Jewish people will rest with her? You never know what significance one friendship or one little moment might have for you and for somebody else that might just change the world. We must always ask ourselves, what does God want of me in this place, at this time? Because there is always something God wants of us, and we dont have to be anyone special to have a sacred task. We can just be a Jewish woman called Esther, or a Jewish man called Eddie, and yet, somehow or another, our acts might have consequences that we cannot even begin to imagine. Even though you may feel sometimes that this is a world and an age in which there is hester panim, where you look for God and you cant find him, He is still saying to us Was it not for this moment that I placed you here on Earth? When God calls, may each of us have the courage to say to "Hineini, here I am, God, tell me what to do and I will do it." May we go out into the world, walking tall as Jews, walking unafraid as Jews, and may we be true to our faith and a blessing to others regardless of their faith. May we hear the call of God and answer it. May we all bring blessing to the world. Chag Purim Sameach! Continuing its aggressive expansion in the GCC, Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the soft opening of Swiss-Belinn Muscat in Oman, marking the groups debut in the country. Defined by youthful and fresh vibes, Swiss-Belinn Muscat is a contemporary three-star hotel. Boasting 128 well-appointed rooms, the property enjoys an outstanding location within a 10 minute radius of the Muscat International Airport, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Gavin M. Faull, chairman and president of Swiss-Belhotel International, said: Oman is an exceptional destination and we are thrilled to debut in the sultanate with a unique property like Swiss-Belinn Muscat. The addition of this hotel to our diverse and distinctive global portfolio demonstrates that we are on track to continue our success in the Middle East. We are extremely thankful to our partners for the trust and opportunity extended to us and look forward to a rewarding journey together. Laurent A. Voivenel, senior vice president, operations and development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said: We are delighted to announce the opening of Swiss-Belinn Muscat at this exciting time when the market is in need of more mid-scale hotels. Being the closest hotel to the airport as well as having the citys prime attractions at its doorstep, it is the ideal address for business and leisure travellers. As part of our growth strategy in the GCC we are eager to expand our presence in new and existing markets and we are confident that Swiss-Belinn Muscat will become a preferred address for visitors to Oman offering a unique brand experience at an affordable price point. Elaborating on the accommodation options, Paul Uglesic, general manager for Swiss-Belinn Muscat, stated: The accommodation choices at the Swiss-Belinn Muscat include Superior Rooms, Superior Seaview Rooms, Premium Rooms, Suites and Family Rooms as well as a specially appointed room for the disabled. All rooms and suites are superbly equipped with an array of amenities and comforts along with free high-speed wi-fi internet access. The trendy interiors provide all the essentials with up-to-date technology for the new generation of travellers. The dining facilities at the Swiss-Belinn Muscat are equally impressive and designed to suit the lifestyle of todays busy travellers in a relaxed ambience. Guests can enjoy local and international dishes in a casual atmosphere at the Swiss-Cafe all-day-dining restaurant. Catering to intimate meetings and workshops is a boardroom as well as a co-working space ideal for nomadic workers. - TradeArabia News Service Apparel giant's new warehouse will boast 500-kw solar system Rahway, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Spectacular Solar, Inc. (OTC Pink: SPSO), is pleased to announce that the company has completed a deal to install a $1 million, 500-kilowatt solar package for the clothing magnate Ten West Apparel. Providing service and goods for over 40 years to 50,000 retail stores, the family-owned Ten West will now be housing their inventory in a new warehouse in Somerset. Ten West Apparel features primarily men's and boy's clothing and their showroom is located in the heart of New York City on 33rd Street. "I know I have used the 'win-win-win' scenario before but it is so relevant in each of these contracts we sign," said Spectacular Solar CEO Doug Heck. "The Gadeh family saves money helping their bottom line, the environment gets another boost of clean energy and of course, our shareholders benefit as our bottom line increases." While Heck has a certain appreciation for each project that is signed, the deal with Ten West Apparel has a special meaning, as this is a company that was built from the ground up and there are plenty of similarities in the two companies' business models. "They have stuck to their business model and have grown an amazing company by providing competitive pricing, great customer service and their executive team plans as well as any group I have ever seen," Heck said. "I know our business model works today, will work tomorrow and beyond and I hope I can look back in 40 years and see that I laid the foundation for something really special." For more information: please visit http://www.spectacularsolar.com and please follow us on Twitter: @SPECTACULARSOL1 Investor Relations/Media Contact: Gregg Boehmer: laynemichaelpr@gmail.com Wyndham Hotel Project Video:https://youtu.be/BPLKjgdFaOw About Spectacular Solar, Inc.: Spectacular Solar is a diversified company involved in solar system installations, investment fund management, and roofing contracting through its subsidiaries. Spectacular Solar designs and installs state-of-the-art solar conversions for home and business owners. Star Power Services is a bonded and licensed roofing contracting company with expertise in new roof installation, repairs, and maintenance. The Solar Energy Investors Fund contributes to the ongoing insurance expenses directly associated with installation of solar systems. In return, the fund receives a share of tax benefits and ongoing revenue generated from electricity sales. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance. These statements reflect the company's current expectations and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company doesn't undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results, expressed or implied, in this or other company statements will not be realized. Readers are cautioned that these statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, the acceptance of our products, lack of revenue growth, failure to realize profitability, inability to raise capital and market conditions that negatively affect the market price of our common stock. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53048 The widow of a South African farmer who was murdered last year has been accused of forging his will to benefit from his winery, reports say. Stefan Smit, 62, was shot dead by masked gunmen at his home in Stellenbosch last June. His wife Zurenha survived the attack and family members claim she 'fabricated' her husband's will to make herself the beneficiary of his 300-year-old Louiesenhof wine estate. According to The Times, Mr Smit's daughter Martine has filed court papers describing her stepmother Zurenha as a 'person of interest' to police. However, it is not suggested that 54-year-old Zurenha was involved in her husband's death. Murder victim: Stefan Smit (pictured), 62, was shot dead by masked gunmen at his home in Stellenbosch in the heart of South Africa's wine country last June Mr Smit's amended will was reportedly found inside a copy of the Bible at his home in the heart of South Africa's wine country. The document purports to supersede an earlier will, and makes Zurenha the beneficiary of the wine estate as well as other cash investments. The farmer's daughter Martine has reportedly claimed in court documents that the will was unusual because her father's advisers had not been consulted about it. South African media has also reported her claims. Martine Smit, 24, says that insurers have not yet paid out on Mr Smit's life insurance policy because police are still investigating his death. Allegations: Stefan Smit's wife Zurenha (pictured) is accused of forging her husband's will She claims that an earlier will, dated December 2018 and found in Mr Smit's safe, is his genuine testament. The amended will found in the Bible was a 'fraud, not signed by my father', she reportedly claims, citing evidence from a police laboratory report. One of her siblings supports her claim, as do Mr Smit's former financial advisers, it is reported. Zurenha has not yet made any public comment on the allegations. Before his death, Mr Smit's farm had been targeted by 'settlers' who put up more than a hundred shacks at the back of his estate. However, there have been no arrests in the murder investigation and the motive for Mr Smit's killing remains unclear. He was killed when four men entered his vineyard through an unlocked back door and shot him dead. His wife and a family friend survived. Police said at the time that they did not yet know whether Mr Smit's death was connected to the land dispute or whether he was killed in a random attack. The Louiesenhof wine estate was part of a farm called Koopmanskloof which had belonged to the family since 1896 and been in operation since at least 1701. In dispute: Family members claim Mr Smit's wife 'fabricated' her husband's will to make herself the beneficiary of his 300-year-old Louiesenhof wine estate (pictured) Violence against white farmers is a highly sensitive subject in South Africa. Lobby groups for white farmers accuse the ruling African National Congress of failing to do enough to stop attacks on farms. Killings of farmers have been taking place for more than 20 years, although experts say that farms are sometimes targeted because of their remote location and that white landowners are not necessarily singled out. The ANC is committed to redistributing land to South Africa' black majority to correct the injustices of apartheid. Critics condemn the policy as 'land grabs', and proposals to take control of white-owned land without compensation have added to the controversy. Donald Trump waded into the row in 2017 when he declared that his administration would be looking into the 'large-scale killing of farmers'. South Africa's government said at the time that Trump's intervention 'only seeks to divide our nation and remind us of our colonial past'. Recruitment consultancy Robert Walters has reported pre-tax profits of 47.4 million, down 6 per cent on a constant currency basis after multiple geopolitical disruptions affected its business. The London-listed firm saw gross profit (net fee income) rise 3 per cent last year though on the back of strong performances in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. But it says growth was subdued by Brexit, political demonstrations in Hong Kong and France, and trade tensions between the USA and China. Protests in Hong Kong over an extradition bill impacted on Robert Walters's 2019 revenues Revenue in its home UK market decreased by 9 per cent to 514million, with Robert Walters blaming uncertainty arising from Brexit and the December general election. Large-scale protests in Hong Kong over a controversial extradition bill also 'significantly impacted' the firm, though the gilet jaunes demonstrations did not prevent its French market registering double-digit growth in both net fee income and operating profit. Co-founder Robert Walters says the Covid-19 outbreak is creating uncertainty in the global recruitment sector Shares fell 10.4 per cent after the update. Total revenue fell slightly to 1.22billion, largely due to a downturn in its UK business. Robert Walters also says its British market was hit by its Resource Solutions firm experiencing a 'challenging' year due to clients suspending new hires. Its British division was the only market to experience a decline in net fee income as well, dropping by 9million to 98.4million. The Asia Pacific region rose by 10.5million by contrast, with net fee income in New Zealand jumping 15 per cent. Operating profit expanded by 7 per cent in that territory meanwhile, with Malaysia and Vietnam experiencing rises of 100 per cent and 64 per cent respectively. CEO and founder Robert Walters warned that the Covid-19 outbreak is creating uncertainty in the global recruitment sector though and that this will likely affect its profits this year. Nigel Frith, senior market analyst at asktraders.com said: 'The past year has been an unusually challenging year for Robert Walters. 'Global economic uncertainties stemming from Brexit, the US-China trade dispute, Hong Kong protests meant firms put the brakes on hiring, hitting international recruitment firm Robert Walters bottom line. 'And the troubles dont stop there. Robert Walters has joined the growing list of firms warning over the impact of coronavirus on its business, with full-year 2020 profit likely to take a hit. 'With the full impact of the coronavirus outbreak still unknown, Robert Walters, like many other firms are still unable to draw a line under the full hit of the deadly virus on the business. Shares in Robert Walters fell 5.85 per cent today to 499p. The opening of a new year and a new decade will witness an increase in mobile malware and cybercriminals groups exploiting mobile devices and known threat groups using new attack methods and tools. These and more are the key predictions of Kaspersky for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. 2020 APAC Threat Predictions: Secure mobile devices better, improve threat intel against new techniques from APT groups Derived from the observations and findings collated by the global cybersecurity companys Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) last year combined with industry and technology trends, the predictions aim to provide guidance and insights for the cybersecurity industry and relevant stakeholders in APAC. More mobile threats As the number of users moving to mobile platforms from regular PCs is still growing in the region, the number of threat actors going into this space follows. A number of different Android and iOS 0-days were reported in 2019, like the watering hole spyware discovered on iOS which can get hold of confidential data like iMessage photos and GPS location. The interest in compromising mobile platforms with persistence is ever-growing, which is why Kaspersky expects to see more threats when mobile exploits become a commodity and the price for it goes down. Mobile users in the Asia Pacific remain vulnerable to social-engineering which is up to this time one of the most common attack vectors. Common users are often tricked by online scams, automated dialers, sextortion attempts, and free online services offering free streaming video, which often come with hidden in-browser cryptocurrency miner, says Vitaly Kamluk, Director for Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. New techniques and new platforms from known threat actors In 2019, Kaspersky researchers have seen Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) actors active in this region taking on new techniques and approaches such as using steganography by Ocean Lotus or Developing malware in Nim programming language by Zebrocy or using malicious LNK files by HoneyMyte. Researchers have also seen Ocean Lotus with their new iOS malware in 2019. This threat actor has been actively adopting new techniques, which are aimed to complicate malware analysis. More attacks targeting countries involved in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Kaspersky also saw last year at least a few threat actors targeting countries in the region involved in BRI '' such as Ocean Lotus, Lucky Mouse, and HoneyMyte and with more advancements in different aspects of this initiative, its likely to see more attacks motivated by it. BRI is a programme which aims to connect China to the world. Announced in 2019, the project aims to link the country to three continents --- Asia, Africa, and Europe --- through interlinked land and maritime networks. The end goal is to ramp up trade and economic growth and to boost regional integration. Supply chain attacks remain one of the largest threats Last year, researchers from Kaspersky have also discovered and announced a breach of several software supply chain companies in Asia. Threat actor known as ShadowPad/ShadowHammer is believed to be responsible for this sort of attack. It is also worth noting that a survey conducted by Kaspersky showed that successful supply chain attacks can cost as much as $2.57m on average. Given that this group has been active in the past several years doing similar attacks on a lower scale, we expect this actor to continue, and also other groups to move into this segment. Kaspersky expects to see more reports of software supply chain companies being compromised. Olympic Games in Japan It has almost become a tradition to run politically motivated attacks during the Olympic Games. With high political tension in many regions of the world, we shall expect one or even several independent attacks to happen during the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. With its developed countries at the forefront of 5G technology and Industry 4.0 and its emerging economies with hyper-online and highly mobile and young population, Asia Pacific is definitely at the centre of the new technologies and trends that will define the new decade. These truths combined with the geopolitical structure of the region will definitely shape its landscape in the region. Organizations and individuals can use our predictions to guide them better in their decision-making especially when it comes to boosting their cybersecurity habits and culture, comments Stephan Neumeier, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. Domestic abuse 'tormentors' will be forced to take lie detector tests when they are freed from jail under tough new laws announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel. In a hard-hitting article for the Mail, the Home Secretary says 'tormentors' who inflict appalling cruelty on their other halves will face longer behind bars. Police and the courts will be given tougher powers to ensure domestic abuse suspects stay away from partners and family members they are accused of tormenting - even if there is insufficient evidence to charge them. Thugs who beat up their partners will have to take lie detector tests when they leave prison in a bid to prevent them re-offending. Vowing to introduce measures to put victims' first, Mrs Patel says she is 'utterly unapologetic' at getting tougher with culprits who destroy lives. She says her pledge to put 20,000 extra police officers on the streets will help bring more perpetrators to justice. In a hard-hitting article for the Mail, the Home Secretary says 'tormentors' who inflict appalling cruelty on their other halves will face longer behind bars The Home Office has also revealed that the government was considering how it could curb use of the defence of rough sex in murder cases. The defence was most recently highlighted during the trial of the killer of the British backpacker Grace Millane in New Zealand. The killer's defence counsel argued that Ms Millane, from Essex, died accidentally partly due to BDSM practices and sexual passion going too far. Mrs Patel spoke out ahead of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill being brought back to the Commons, a move celebrated by campaigners as a major breakthrough. The scourge of domestic abuse hit the headlines again last month when the Duchess of Cornwall said it was one of Britain's most shameful secrets. During a charity reception at Clarence House, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, revealed she had friends who have been victims of violence and coercive control. Two women a week are killed through domestic violence. Research shows 30 per cent of women - about five million - and 16 per cent of men, or 2.5million, experience domestic abuse. The problem costs a staggering 66billion a year. Writing below, Mrs Patel describes her horror at hearing 'too many heart-rending stories' of women - and men - who have suffered at the hands of their partner. She said 'chilling testimonies' from those who had been victim to such abuses had 'strengthened' her resolve. She said: 'We will ensure the most serious violent and sexual offenders spend longer behind bars. 'I am utterly unapologetic about getting tough on the worst criminals. 'I will not stop until levels of confidence in our criminal justice system improve and wraps its arms around victims.' She added: 'Victims need to know we are on their side, because in some cases, their very lives depend on it.' Under the most eye-catching Home Office proposal, measures introduced in 2015 to tackle the problem, which ban abusive partners from going near their home for up to 28 days, will be extended. Renamed as Domestic Violence Protection Orders, there will, in the future, be no time limit - as long as a judge agrees. For the first time, suspects face being banned from drinking alcohol and could be fitted with electronic tags to ensure they comply with strict conditions, such as exclusion zones. Perpetrators could be compelled to attend courses in a bid to change their behaviour, such as parenting classes, mental health assessments or drug treatment programmes. Family members and third parties can make applications for orders to the authorities. Flouting an order is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison. The Bill will also introduce a new statutory definition of domestic abuse which, for the first time, includes a reference to 'economic' abuse. This would cover circumstances where bullies abuse their partners by denying them access to basic resources such as food, clothing and transportation. And abusers will be banned from cross-examining their victims in family courts - sparing them additional trauma. The Bill will also introduce a new statutory definition of domestic abuse which, for the first time, includes a reference to 'economic' abuse Victims could also be given the same status in court as those who have suffered modern slavery or sex offences, meaning they could give their evidence from behind a screen, via video link or by prerecording it. The Bill will also give better protection to those fleeing violence by placing a new legal duty on councils to provide secure homes for them and their children. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland said: 'This Bill will bolster our response to domestic abuse on every level - strengthening protections for victims, whilst ensuring perpetrators feel the full force of the law. 'From giving courts greater powers through new prevention orders, to barring abusers from cross-examining their victim in the family courts, we are delivering a justice system more resilient than ever to tackle this horrific crime.' Minister for Safeguarding, Victoria Atkins said: 'Too many people have to live in fear of abuse - whether it be physical, emotional or economic - from those who should make them feel safe and loved.' 'This Bill will provide support to the victims and survivors of this horrendous crime so that they can go some way to feeling safe again.' Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: 'This Bill offers the government a real opportunity to transform the response to domestic abuse in this country, but key to its success will be meeting this duty with adequate funding, so that no woman or child is ever turned away when seeking safety. 'Refuge will continue to work with the government to strengthen the bill as it progresses into law, and to ensure it best protects the survivors whose very lives depend on it.' The scale of domestic abuse is a national scandal I must and will restore victims' faith in our justice system, says Home Secretary PRITI PATEL By Priti Patel for the Daily Mail The scale of domestic abuse is a national scandal. In England and Wales, two women a week die at the hands of their current or ex-partner. We as a Government are determined to improve our country's response to this horrific and hidden crime. Throughout my political career, I have worked to improve the rights of victims from sponsoring a Private Member's Bill in Parliament to give victims of crime more rights and access to better services, to my time as Chair of the APPG for victims and Witnesses of Crime. I've heard too many heart-rending stories of women and some men too who have suffered at the hands of their partner; the very people they are meant to trust. I've met the brave victims who have endured violent beatings or had their every move tracked by a controlling partner through a mobile phone app. The chilling testimonies I have heard only strengthened my resolve. Now, as Home Secretary, one of my priorities is to restore victims' confidence in our justice system. That is why this new Government will today reintroduce the Domestic Abuse Bill to Parliament. For the first time, this Bill will create a legal definition that recognises the many ways domestic abuse manifests itself. Tougher Domestic Abuse Protection Orders will allow the police and courts to step in to stop violence by imposing restrictions on perpetrators. And I am boosting the capacity of our outstanding police to investigate and prevent these terrible crimes by recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers. Victims must not feel trapped in the vicious cycle of abuse so, through this Bill, local authorities in England will also be subject to a new legal duty to provide support in refuges or other safe accommodation. All too often vulnerable victims are scared to provide vital evidence for fear that their abuser will be free to come after them or their family. This is simply unacceptable. Victims should be able to trust that the justice system is on their side - and not that of their tormentor. That's why this Bill will also provide special support for victims in court including banning cross-examination by their abusers. Alongside this Bill, we will ensure the most serious violent and sexual offenders spend longer behind bars. I am utterly unapologetic about getting tough on the worst criminals. I will not stop until levels of confidence in our criminal justice system improve and wraps its arms around victims. This issue transcends party politics and I look forward to continuing to work with MPs from all parties on this desperately needed Bill. Victims need to know we are on their side, because in some cases, their very lives depend on it. Shillong: Almost a week after a violent incident in Meghalayas East Khasi Hills district claimed a life and triggered tension in the eastern part of the state, authorities on Tuesday convened a peace meeting that was attended by different stakeholders, including heads of religious and social organisations. The meeting was chaired by state home minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, who expressed desire to see the return of peace and normalcy to the capital city and other affected areas. On February 28, Khasi Students Union (KSU) member, Lurshai Hynniewta, was attacked by a mob at Ichamati while attending a protest rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) that also demanded implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya. He succumbed to his injuries at Sohra, sparking a series of violent incidents in the area and parts of Shillong. Two more persons have died in the violence since last Saturday, but police are yet to ascertain if the incidents are a fallout of the attack in Ichamati. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the attack in Ichamati. A special bulletin issued by Meghalaya Police late on Tuesday evening said no incidents were reported across the state on Tuesday. Situation in the state is normal and close watch is being maintained, it said, adding additional Rapid Action Force (RAF) troops were expected to arrive in Shillong soon. The situation in Shillong and adjoining areas continued to be tense on Tuesday --- the fourth day since curfew was imposed. The local administration said curfew will remain in force from 9 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on Wednesday. An official of the Union home ministry said in New Delhi that night curfew was continuing as a precautionary measure. Rymbui expressed gratitude to the various organisations for suggestions on the matter and their desire to restore normalcy. He said the meeting welcomed the governments intent to find a solution to the demand for the ILP and also sought a pro-active role by it in pursuing a resolution on the issue, which was passed by the state assembly, with the Union government. It was suggested other existing laws that can protect the state should be strengthened, he added. With the next three months being a crucial period for students and youth, who will appear in different examinations and job recruitment tests, Rymbui said that the government would guard against any unwarranted trouble or disturbance. No one should take the law into their own hands. If there are people who take the law into their own hands, the law is there to deal with such people, he warned. The government is looking into addressing the various issues as per the process of law. The peace meeting was attended by East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner, Matsiewdor War Nongbri, senior police officials, representatives of the church, Central Puja Committee, Seng Khasi, Sein Raij, Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions, Federation of Shillong Hotels, Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum and members of the Assamese, Sikh, Sindhi, Jain, Bihari, Marwari, Malayalee, Buddhist and Muslim communities. Police has registered a criminal case against the Facebook page Ka Sur u Paidbah and an user with the name Khasi Paka for posting that people who oppose CAA and demand ILP will be arrested. Reuters KIRKLAND, WashingtonLast Thursday, before the 2019 novel coronavirus had taken hold in the U.S., Colleen Mallory visited her mother at the Life Care Center here. She noticed her moms roommate appeared to be very sick with a respiratory infection. I didnt think anything of it, Mallory told The Daily Beast this week. I sat in the room with my mom. When she returned to the nursing home on Monday, Mallory said, she managed to convince workers there to let her in. She found her mom no longer had a roommate. She was gone, she said. The halls were all empty except for a few employees. There were caution signs on almost every single door. U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Spike Again as Officials Slam CDC Employees of the nursing home told Mallory, as she left, that she should not return in order to keep the coronavirus from spreading into the community, she said. Im sure its out in the community now," Mallory said. Im not concerned about getting it myself. Im healthy. But Im concerned for my mom about getting the disease, and also getting the care that she needs. The new coronavirus that emerged from Wuhan, China, has infected roughly 90,000 people worldwide, killing 3,000. Nine of those deaths have been in the U.S., all in Washington state, and at least five of them linked to Life Care. A total of 27 cases had been confirmed across Washington, with most confirmed infections located in Kirkland and other communities around Seattle. We expect the number of cases will increase in the coming days and weeks, Jeffrey Duchin, health officer for King County and Seattle, said during a press conference Monday. The risk for all of us will be increasing." His recommendations for everyone: more hand-washing and less face-touching. For most people who contract COVID-19, the infection is likely to cause only mild or moderate symptoms and should not require hospitalization. However, it can become very serious for the elderly and for those with chronic diseases. In that sense, Life Care represents one of the worst-case scenarios in the eyes of public health experts. Story continues Its going to be a disaster, Charlene Harrington, an expert on nursing homes at the University of California, San Francisco, told the Associated Press. COVID-19 is especially likely to fester anywhere a large number of vulnerable people are gathered. I think thats what were seeing in Washington State, David Gifford, chief medical officer of the American Health Care Association, said during a separate press conference on Monday. Anyone infected while inside a nursing home could expose others in the local community should they venture outside, and reports that firefighters who responded to the facility had flu-like symptoms raised the specter of a wider outbreak in the area. A King County public health spokesperson told The Daily Beast officials were working to identify close contacts of the confirmed cases at the facility, which may include family members, co-workers and emergency responders. To help keep the case count from climbing in Kirkland and elsewhere, Gifford recommended that current nursing home residents refrain from leaving facilities, and employees and visitors with any symptoms refrain from entering. He also noted that all nursing homes should have emergency preparedness and infection control plans in place, and that those should be more than adequate for a viral pandemic. Along with placing a hold on admissions, the Life Care Center of Kirkland is currently forbidding any visitors inside the facility, according to a statement from Ellie Basham, the centers executive director. Current residents and associates continue to be monitored closely, specifically for an elevated temperature, cough, and/or shortness of breath, she wrote. Any resident displaying these symptoms is placed in isolation. Associates are screened prior to beginning work and upon leaving. She added that the facility was also following infection control recommendations, including proper hand-washing techniques and wearing masks, gowns, and gloves when caring for any symptomatic patients. A woman disinfects her hands as she leaves the Life Care Center of Kirkland. Jason Redmon/AFP via Getty Approximately 2.2 million people live in long-term care facilities across the U.S. One of the bigger players is Brookdale Senior Living, which owns and operates more than 800 senior living communities and retirement communities, including several in Washington State. Brookdale was acting with an abundance of caution, reinforcing our policies and procedures for contagious illnesses such as influenza with staff, Heather Hunter, a spokesperson, said in a statement. Their efforts include providing reminders about washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and staying home when sick, she said. We have a corporate emergency response team in place to provide support to the local teams, especially in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19, added Hunter. If a confirmed case were to occur, she wrote, they would follow the guidelines of the CDC recommendations for confirmed cases in health care settings; those guidelines include steps to minimize chances for exposure, adhering to personal protection protocols, and managing visitor access. Outside the Kirkland facility on Monday afternoon, the street was flooded with television crewsa couple of reporters wearing face masksand a steady rain. Jennifer Palau, 49, of Redmond, Washington, was walking her dog, Stella, through the commotion. She had dressed the animal in a pink raincoat, but neither she nor Stella were wearing a face mask. Shes not very concerned. We are both not concerned, Palau told The Daily Beast. However, she did note that the outbreak will be keeping her two children home from school on Tuesday. Officials have closed their middle schoolpart of the Northshore districtin response to the outbreak, she said, one of several closures in the area. Less than half a mile away, Jeffrey Rojas, 24, tended the cash register and coffee bar at Starbucks. His dark hair was tied up in a bun, his hands covered by latex gloves. I dont usually wear these, he explained. Knowing how fast this can spread, I was worried, Roja told The Daily Beast. Now Im expecting it. But you can only do what you can do. For him, that means washing his hands all the time and using a five-gallon jug of hand sanitizer to protect both himself and his customers. Across the street from the Life Care Center, Judy Ramsdell said she failed to find any face masks or hand sanitizer on the shelves of local stores, but did manage to purchase a bottle of Clorox bleach to help keep her surroundings sanitized. At 75, Ramsdell is of similar age to some of her nursing home neighbors who have fallen ill. Im healthy. Unfortunately, some of those people are not so lucky, said Ramsdell, nodding to the facility. My concern is for the people over therethe workers and patients and families who want to visit. Im sad to see this happen to them. 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 legal regulator received around 25 complaints a week about the conduct of lawyers after it took control of disciplinary matters for solicitors and barristers last October. Accusations of inadequate standards of service and misconduct were the most common complaints received by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA). One-in-ten complaints related to overcharging. Wills and probate, litigation, conveyancing and family law featured among the areas of law where complaints were made. The figures were revealed in the LSRAs annual report for 2019, published today. The LSRA had been expecting an early spike in complaints and that is exactly what we have experienced, said its chief executive Brian Doherty. The authority took over the handling of new complaints previously dealt with by the Law Society, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, and the Barristers' Professional Conduct Tribunal on October 7. According to the report, during the following twelve weeks the LSRAs complaints and resolutions unit received a total of 304 complaints. Some 301 of these related to solicitors and three relating to barristers. Mr Doherty said it was still too early to point to a particular trend. But he said allegations of poor communication between lawyers and their clients was emerging as a strong feature across almost all complaints. Regular and timely communication with clients appears to be a key lesson for practitioners in preventing and settling complaints before they escalate, he said. According to the annual report, a total of 141 complaints alleged inadequate standards of services, with 134 alleging misconduct and 29 relating to alleged overcharging. The complaints and resolutions unit received 954 phone calls and emails requesting information or complaint forms. Nine complaints involved issues relating to alleged criminal activity, with the majority related to allegations made against what is suspected to be a bogus law firm. These were referred to An Garda Siochana. Mr Doherty said the LSRA was still in the very early days of its independent complaints handling regime. But he said it was already heartening to see consumers and legal practitioners engaging in a positive way with the new statutory provisions which, in some instances, allow for early and informal resolution of complaints. The report also revealed the level of interest in a new business model for solicitors, which it is hoped will increase competition in the legal services market. Last November, the LSRA introduced a new legal framework that authorises partnerships of solicitors to operate as limited liability partnerships (LLPs). This new model is intended to put Ireland on a par with other jurisdictions, reduce professional indemnity insurance costs, and consequently lower costs for consumers. By the end of 2019 some 88 valid applications for LLP authorisation were submitted by legal firms, and 28 authorisations were issued by the LSRA. The report also outlined how the authority is now maintaining a public register of barristers. It described this as an important tool so members of the public can be assured that the barrister working on their behalf is lawfully entitled to do so. There were 2,735 barristers on the LSRAs roll of practising barristers at the end of 2019. (Natural News) As news about new cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in Washington state send shockwaves across the nation, a scientist there is now claiming that the disease had probably been spreading for at least six weeks prior to their detection. According to Dr. Trevor Bedford, who works in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Washington, there could actually be a few hundred cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in Washington state that have yet to be detected, and that this is occurring amid an already substantial outbreak here on American soil. As of Sunday afternoon, there are at least 74 confirmed cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in the United States, the majority of them having been detected on the West Coast. There are also several new confirmed cases in Illinois and Rhode Island, with Illinois reporting its third presumptive case of novel coronavirus pending official confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Washington state, the official number of Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) cases has reached eight, with two men in the 60s, both with underlying health conditions, being reported in critical condition. One is being held at Valley Medical Center in Renton, while the other is at Virginia Mason. Since none of the three new people confirmed to have the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in Washington had traveled out of the country recently, Dr. Bedford believes that this is indicative of community spread within the United States. This strongly suggests that there has been cryptic transmission in Washington State for the past 6 weeks, Dr. Bedford tweeted the other day in conjunction with the release of a study he conducted on the matter. Listen below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, interviews a bioweapons whistleblower who was blacklisted for exposing death science programs like the one that appears to underpin the deadly Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) pandemic: Washington state is already in the throes of a substantial outbreak of novel coronavirus In Dr. Bedfords assessment, the second reported case of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in the U.S. is on the same evolutionary tree as the first known cases. The same is true of the first and second known cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) specifically in Washington state, with the second case having likely contracted the disease from the first case. Dr. Bedford also found that the first and second cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in Washington state were both in the Snohomish County area of the state, which he demarcated with a probability value of 0.3. Anything less than 0.5, its important to note, is considered to be statistically significant and rules out the chance that the findings might be random. Its possible that this genetic similarity is a coincidence and these are separate introductions, Dr. Bedford admitted. However, I believe this is highly unlikely. The WA1 case had a variant at site 18060. This variant is only present in 2/59 viruses from China. Id assess the p-value for this coincidence at 2/59=0.03 and so is statistically significant, he added. Additionally, these two cases are geographically proximal, both residing in Snohomish County. Dr. Bedford believes that a substantial outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) has already arrived in Washington state, which means that its only a matter of time before this outbreak spreads to nearby states. He and his team are planning to release the results of new analyses theyre performing in the coming days. Commenting on his research, other scientists have been quick to suggest that most people who contract the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) will likely experience minimal symptoms, if any at all. Be sure to check out the all-new Pandemic.news for more breaking news about the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19). Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NaturalNews.com Photo: The Canadian Press The potential for a worldwide pandemic has kept scientists in Canada at the ready and placed them at the forefront of the global response to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, several prominent researchers say. Dr. Srinivas Murthy was among those experts who gathered at the World Health Organization's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, last month to discuss how to combat the virus. The outbreak of viruses with the potential to become pandemics is going to be "our new reality," said Murthy, a professor at the University of British Columbia's department of pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at the B.C. Children's Hospital. "We just have to start getting used to this in some way (and) also be able to respond aggressively and effectively." Murthy is serving as co-chair of the WHO's clinical research committee for the new virus, which is looking to establish better descriptions of COVID-19 including what causes it, who gets sick and why some individuals might become sicker. The committee is also exploring how to help people recover from the novel coronavirus and establish how to determine whether a patient has recovered. "I think if you were a betting person, you would say there is high risk of this continuing to spread in various parts of the world," said Murthy, adding that it's speculative to say how exactly it might progress. The good news, he said, is that global collaboration has been expedited like never before, and experts have learned a lot since severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, first broke out in 2002. Canada was pivotal in describing SARS, largely because Ontario was hit hard by the virus, said Murthy, but at the time, research that would have helped the response to the outbreak was minimal. After SARS, researchers recognized that coronaviruses could be a problem in the future, said Murthy. "We've learned quite a bit over the past 17 years." The Canadian Institute for Health Research a funding body for health research in the country has been "imperative" in helping to co-ordinate the global response to the new coronavirus as it relates to research priorities, such as the development of a preventative vaccine and therapeutic treatments, he said. Charu Kaushic, the scientific director for the institute's infection and immunity division, said the CIHR was able to put together a "rapid response" to COVID-19, making $6.75 million available for research into the new virus, a number she said will rise significantly when the total amount is announced in the coming days. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The recent successful surgery and treatment of 3-year-old Iraqi Yazidi Arzinda in Yerevan inspire the organizers to continue this initiative. The initiative of organizing the surgery and treatment of Iraqi Yazidi children in Armenia belongs to Member of Parliament Rustam Bakoyan. The lawmaker told Armenpress that with this initiative they want to make this program continuous. As you know the first Yazidi child transported from Iraq to Armenia underwent a surgery in the Yerevans Nork-Marash medical center. Currently Arzinda is recovering. We are waiting for the second and third children. The doctors of the medical center are already aware of the health condition of the second child, and currently we are solving the issue of the documents in order to organize the childs transportation, the MP said. The initiative was born when Rustam Bakoyan visited Iraq after elected as lawmaker. As he says, while becoming a member of Parliament he was thinking of being useful to the Yazidi people who not only live in Armenia but also around the world. In particular to help the Yazidis of Sinjar who faced genocide in 2014. During his visit to Iraq the Armenian MP examined the problems, met with the Speaker of Parliament and the government representatives. After getting acquainted with the situation in Sinjar I understood that assistance is needed in the healthcare sector. In particular, to provide medical aid to the Yazidi refugees. Upon my arrival to Armenia I met with Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan, firstly we discussed the issue of sending doctors to Iraq. The minister approved this idea. We were taking concrete actions on this path, but, unfortunately, the developments in the domestic political situation of Iraq led to killings of hundreds of citizens, so there was a concern. Thus, our initiative on this part stopped, he said. But the MP says he needed to take some action, therefore he came up with a new proposal to organize the transportation of children to from Iraq to Armenia and conduct their surgery, treatment here. This time as well Minister Torosyan approved the initiative and expressed readiness to support. Nork-Marash medical center also joined the initiative. The funding of the initiative is carried out thanks to 2019 Aurora Prize laureate Mirza Dinnayi and his Luftbrucke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq) organization. Here I want to state that the cost of the surgery in Armenia is quite low, is almost half. If a similar surgery was organized in Europe, it would cost higher, he said, adding that the doctors in Armenia do everything to organize the surgery of kids at the highest level. Those children are selected who do not have an opportunity to undergo a surgery in Iraq and have the most difficult health problems. Those children are selected who need an urgent surgery. The MP said it there are cases conditioned by other diseases and it wouldnt be possible to treat them in Iraq, he is again ready to assist and transport the patient to Yerevan. I can state that the Yazidi community-state cooperation is already established. This initiative, the assistance of Armenian specialists received great reactions within the Yazidi community. Let me add that many people and organizations apply for providing assistance, MP Rustam Bakoyan said, adding that they are open to cooperation. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan "With the appointment of Bill Hazelton as Chubb's Head of North America Claims, Stephen's experience in supporting this business over the last decade makes him an ideal fit for this role," said Matt Merna, Senior Vice President, Chubb Group Division President, Chubb North America Major Accounts. "The needs of our clients in this area are very complex, and Stephen's understanding of the issues affecting our clients, combined with his underwriting background, will help ensure we continue to provide them with the most robust solutions to meet their specific needs." Prior to this expanded role, Mr. Buonpane served as Executive Vice President, Major Accounts Construction. He will remain based in New York and report to Mr. Merna. He received his Master of Business Administration from New York University's Stern School of Business, with specializations in economics and global business management. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Delaware. Craig Richardson, Chubb's Executive Vice President of Major Accounts Environmental, and Joseph Fobert, the company's Executive Vice President of Major Accounts Excess Casualty will continue to oversee those lines of business, reporting to Mr. Merna. 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 . SOURCE Chubb Related Links https://www.chubb.com/us-en Cbus Property and retail landlord Scentre are only months away from commencing the transformation of the former David Jones menswear store in Sydney into a $300 million, luxury retail, office and residential landmark. The two will get the keys for the 77 Market Street site in May, after which, under the scheme, Cbus will develop six floors of prime interconnected office space and 101 high-end apartments covering 22 floors. It will kick off the redevelopment of the eastern end of the city where City Tatts is undertaking a new hotel on its existing club in Pitt Street and the new nearby Metro rail project. Charter Hall will also look at revamping its office tower at 201 Elizabeth Street. The redevelopment of the former David Jones menswear store in Sydney. Credit:fjmt architects Scentre will develop the former department store into luxury retail that will also be connected and complement its Westfield Sydney mall over the road. David Jones is moving its menswear and famed food hall into the adjacent flagship store in Elizabeth Street. KAMPALA The United Nations Women has barred the delegate from Uganda that was scheduled to attend the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women due to the outbreak of coronavirus across the globe. The cancellation was revealed by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga who informed Parliament that the global body has decided to hold a one-day event on March 9 so delegations in New York can adopt a draft political declaration commemorating the 25th anniversary of the U.N. conference in Beijing that adopted a wide-ranging plan to achieve equality for women. Due to the situation of coronavirus, the United Nations has cancelled the meeting on status of women which happens every year in New York, so for this year, we shall be represented by our permanent representative there, all countries have been advised not to travel, said Speaker Kadaga. The meeting had been scheduled for 9th- 20th of March and during her communication during todays plenary sitting, the Speaker said that Uganda will be represented by its permanent representatives in New York as all countries have been advised not to travel. Information from UN Women indicates that the conference was scheduled to discuss issues pertaining promoting equality and womens empowerment. The deadly coronavirus was first reported in January from Wuhan-China and has so far affected more than 60 nations with more than 3,000 deaths mostly in China and in Africa; Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal have each reported cases although all these were brought to the continent by foreigners. Uganda which has had a history of deadly viruses like ebola is on high alert, with 500 cases of people having been quarantined by the Ministry of Health. In her communication, the Speaker also announced that The Uganda Red Cross Society Bill that has been under consideration in the Committee of Gender, Labour and Social Development, has been referred to the committee of Presidential Affairs after realizing that there were some contents of the bill which fell across different ministries. Related (Alliance News) - President Energy PLC on Tuesday said work on a connecting gas pipeline between its Puesto Prado and Las Bases facilities in the Rio Negro province of Argentina has completed on time and on budget. The new 16 kilometre pipeline section, along with associated infrastructure, is now in operation, allowing more gas to flow through the company's total 70 kilometre pipeline to market. No incidents occurred during the construction, which cost around USD5 million and is to be funded using President's current cash flows. Moreover, the company said net gas production at its Estancia Vieja field, also in Rio Negro, is being ramped up with gas flowing to market at a higher volume than any time before at the field, thanks to the new pipeline. When the ramp-up completes, likely in the next few days, another gas production volume announcement will be made. Current projections for the increased gas production match previously announced estimates of around 1,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day. With installation of a larger scale compressor, and opening up of more Estancia Vieja shut-in wells expected in the second quarter of the year, group production is set to rise by another 800 boepd to give total gas production, on or near the end of the first half, of about 2,000 boepd from President's Neuquen basin assets. This would give aggregate oil and gas production net to President of 4,000 boepd, excluding upcoming drill results in Argentina in the second half. So far, the coronavirus outbreak in China, which quickly spread elsewhere, has not altered gas prices in Argentina "in any way". President's gas is sold for domestic consumption in Argentina. Chait Peter Levine said: "The story of the first half of 2020 is all about gas. The necessary base infrastructure in Rio Negro is now in place and it is a tribute to, and reflective of, the depth of management and employees of our Argentina operations that this has been effected safely, on time and on budget. "President is now a much more balanced energy company from a year ago as we continue our strategy of growth both organically and by way of appropriate value enhancing acquisitions. "We move on to planning our 2020 drilling campaign and will provide further information on this in due course." Shares in President Energy were up 1.5% at 3.40 pence in London on Tuesday. By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. They have 30 years between them but that does not seem to upset the couple. Nicolas Cage, 56, looked happy as he held hands with his new girlfriend Riko Shibata, 26, in New York City on Tuesday. The lovebirds were heading to the Museum Of Natural History. They have been dating for at least two months. Decades apart: They have 30 years between them but that does not seem to upset the couple. Nicolas Cage, 56, looked happy as he held hands with his new girlfriend Riko Shibata, 26, in New York City on Tuesday. The lovebirds were heading to the Museum Of Natural History Action star Cage - best known for Con Air, Face/Off and National Treasure - had on a wild snakeskin jacket over a white shirt. He added what appeared to be snakeskin print black slacks and black boots. The father to Weston Coppola Cage, 29, and Kal-El Coppola Cage, 14, added black sunglasses and sported a goatee. Reptilian: Action star Cage - best known for Con Air, Face/Off and National Treasure - had on a wild snakeskin jacket over a white shirt His woman: His lady love, who is three years younger than his eldest son, looked chic. She had on a black coat with a white fur collar that did not appear to be faux His lady love, who is three years younger than his eldest son, looked chic. She had on a black coat with a white fur collar that did not appear to be faux. The petite lady added a white top and black slacks with black boots, matching her new love. She added a brown Michael Kors purse with a gold chain and a beige beanie hat that said West Side Story on the side. Urban chic: The petite lady added a white top and black slacks with black boots, matching her new love. She added a brown Michael Kors purse with a gold chain and a beige beanie hat Checking his profile? The movie star looked glued to his cell phone at one point Playing it safe: The couple wee also seen on Tuesday using hand sanitizer amid the Coronavirus outbreak Hand in hand: The actor held onto his lady love by the hand Last week the two were seen landing at JFK together. She had on the same coat. Before that they were seen holding hands at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, on February 8. The two were seen walking side by side outside the tent by the beach as they were escorted into the event. Once inside, they sat close to each other. This comes just nine months after he finalized his divorce from his fourth wife Erika Koike. Hand in hand: Cage was seen holding hands with his lady at Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California Close: Once inside the event, Nic and his lady were seen sitting side by side at a table together The former couple were granted the divorce three months after their wedding, which they tried to annul after four days, after Nicolas claimed he was 'too drunk' to marry. TMZ state that according to court records, the judge in Clark County, NV granted their divorce on Friday, May 31, 2019. Nicolas had claimed the union was based on fraud, because Erika didn't disclose her criminal history and her relationship with another person. The ex: This comes just nine months after he finalized his divorce from his fourth wife Erika Koike. Seen in May 2018 There appeared to be problems with the union almost immediately and hours after the wedding, which took place on March 23, they were seen fighting outside the Bellagio hotel. Erika later opposed Nick's hope to annul their marriage and made a claim for spousal support. TMZ claims that Nicolas was unable to get the annulment but managed to get a quick divorce and it's unclear if Erika was granted the spousal support she wanted. Erika claims that her reputation has been damaged by Cage and she's lost out on career opportunities. Cage was married to Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley from 2002 until 2004. KEY WEST, Fla. - Two Chinese men pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally taking photographs at a Florida Navy base. Court records show Jielun Zhang and Yuhao Wang, both 24, pleaded guilty in federal court in Key West to a single count of illegally photographing a U.S. defence installation. They could get up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Sentencing is set for May 11. An FBI affidavit says Wang and Zhang drove up to a Key West Naval Air Station annex entrance on Jan. 4 and were told by a security officer they could not enter the property without military identification. But the FBI says the two drove onto the base anyway and started taking pictures before they were stopped and arrested. Since 2018, four Chinese nationals have been caught taking pictures of portions of Key West military bases. One of them, Lyuyou Liao, 27, pleaded guilty in February to taking photos of the Navys Truman Annex in downtown Key West on Dec. 26. He also faces up to a year in prison and fines when sentenced in May. It takes a lot of ego to run for president. Yet several Democrats in the race, such as Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Mike Bloomberg, and Tom Steyer, have positioned themselves as pragmatic realists running to get things done rather than checking a box on a grandiose bucket list. Several have now proven their pragmatism by dropping out of the race. After four early primaries, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer have now quit, concluding theres no plausible chance of winning. All three could have continued, at least for a little while. Buttigieg had funding for several more weeks of campaigning. Klobuchar could have at least stayed in through the March 3 Super Tuesday contests, which probably would have given her a win in her home state of Minnesota. Steyer is (or was) a self-funding billionaire who has already spent money on TV ads beyond his quit date. Quitting before Super Tuesday was a rational thing for each of them to do. It raises the odds that Joe Biden, now the strongest representative of the moderate wing each of them claimed to represent, will wrestle the nomination from leftist Bernie Sanders. Sanders has become the frontrunner not because hes winning all the votes. Moderates are getting considerably more votes than Sanders and the like-minded Elizabeth Warren. But moderates have been splitting a majority of the Democratic vote among several candidates, leaving Sanders with a plurality. Had the three dropouts stayed in through Super Tuesday, it would have been harder still for Biden to consolidate the moderate vote. Its also served the self-interest of the three dropouts to quit while it might still benefit Biden. Buttigieg and Klobuchar will now reportedly endorse the former vice president, beginning the sort of consolidation process party stalwarts have been pleading for. That will put the also-rans in Bidens good graces should he become the nominee, and win. Cabinet posts may await. Klobuchar is qualified to be attorney general. Buttigieg, a 38-year-old whiz kid, could gain needed experience as secretary of housing, labor or homeland security. Story continues 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, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Big questions remain about the pragmatic sensibilities of two other candidates who can still affect the race: Mike Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren. Bloomberg casts himself as a drama-free businessman who solves problems with reason and data. Will he address his own presidential candidacy the same way? If he does, he has to assess the likelihood that he is now the largest barrier preventing Biden from beating Sanders. Biden and Bloomberg both oppose Sanders revolutionary agenda, saying they want to solve problems rather than upend government and society. Theyre chasing the same voters, and if Bloomberg can start hitting the 15% threshold required to win delegates, hell be taking them directly from Biden, continuing the split among moderates hoping to beat Sanders. Elizabeth Warren is a different story. Shes much closer to Sanders than to the moderates on policy, and she and Sanders are also chasing many of the same voters. Yet Warren is now the only woman left in the field, and shes an intelligent, skilled campaigner. Polls suggest she could lose her own home state of Massachusetts to Sanders on Super Tuesday, which might sound the bell on her campaign. She may still win some Super Tuesday delegates, however, and she probably has enough funding to keep going. She could stay in to participate in the two remaining debates and hope for the best. Theres one other prominent Democrat who could make a move that tilts the race: Sen. Kamala Harris, who ended her presidential run last December. Harris is influential in her home state of California, and an endorsement of either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders could win delegates in the crucial state. If she picks a candidate, it would be more meaningful before the March 3 California primary than after. Many Democrats want to see a Biden-Harris ticket, and Harris would probably raise her own running-mate odds if she declared for Biden while it still mattered. That would be the pragmatic way to go, anyway. Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Encrypted communication available. Click here to get Ricks stories by email. Read more: Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 16:11:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- An aide in charge of policy for former Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of violating Japan's election law amid an election payments scandal involving Kawai's wife, Anri, a ruling party lawmaker. Hiroshima district prosecutors arrested former policy secretary Shinsuke Takaya, 43, as well as Hiroshi Tatemichi, 54, a second secretary to Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and upper house member Anri Kawai, as well as Yugo Waki, 71, a senior official of Anri Kawai's campaign team. Prosecutors suspect the three of paying Anri Kawai's campaign staff double the legal limit during her campaign for the upper house last year. The three aides are suspected of paying a total of 2.04 million yen (18,900 U.S. dollars) to 14 campaign staffers, with the alleged payments being made between July 19-23 last year. The payments were made during an upper house election in the Hiroshima constituency and the campaigners are believed to have been paid double the daily allowance payment limit of 15,000 yen (138 U.S. dollars) in violation of the public office election law. The overly high payments could be considered a form of bribery, sources close to the investigation have said. Anri Kawai won an upper house seat for the first time in the election last July. Katsuyuki Kawai, 56, is a veteran lower house lawmaker representing a constituency in Hiroshima Prefecture. Prosecutors searched the office of the couple in their constituency and their home and have questioned the three aides as well as the campaign staff. Sources close to the matter said that Tatemichi during previous questioning of his own volition admitted making the illegal payments. Tatemichi during voluntary questioning told prosecutors that he was involved in providing daily allowance payments of 30,000 yen to women, known as "election warblers" who are driven around in small vans with megaphones enigmatically promoting their candidates, sources close to the matter said. Following the Shukan Bunshun weekly magazine first reporting about the scandal, then Justice Minister Kawai resigned last October. The pair, however, have both said they will not step down as lawmakers or LDP members. Chevron Corp. plans as much as $80 billion in dividends and share buybacks over the next five years, boosting distributions by 20 percent compared with the most recent pace of payouts as the U.S. oil giant ramps up production and returns from the Permian Basin. Mike Wirth, who took over as chief executive officer little more than two years ago, promised shareholders a mix of cost-cutting and measured production growth to offer attractive financial returns even as customers and policymakers demand lower-carbon fuels. Production from the Permian in Texas and New Mexico will double over the next five years and eventually account for a third of its global output. The targets, unveiled by Chevron at its investor meeting in New York on Tuesday, are illustrative of the high-wire balancing act facing Big Oil. The industrys largest companies are being asked to reinvest in future production, reward shareholders, and, at the same time, work through an energy transition that may spell the end of fossil fuel growth within a decade. Chevrons projected investor returns look well supported by the balance sheet, RBC analyst Biraj Borkhataria said in a note to clients. The presentation looks more like evolution than revolution, and continues the prior mantra around lower for longer capex, and a steady uptick in Permian performance. REACTING TO OUTBREAK: Chevron sends London traders home on coronavirus concern Chevron said it will save $2 billion by cost cutting and margin improvements while holding annual capital spending to no more than 10% above current levels. Returns on capital will increase to more than 10 percent by 2024, up a third from current levels. Returning cash to shareholders is our number one priority, Wirth said. This doesnt rely on higher oil prices. It relies on self-help to greater cost efficiency, continued capital discipline and effective portfolio management. Chevrons returns have languished in recent years, far below where they stood a decade earlier. Exxon Mobil Corp. has seen a similar deterioration. The Permian will be a key driver of Chevrons plan to improve performance, offering more than 20 percent profit for each dollar invested, said Jay Johnson, head up upstream. Production will flatten out at 1.2 million barrels a day by the mid-2020s with capital spending of about $4.5 billion a year. The Permian targets show faith in a basin in which many operators are struggling to generate cash after taking on big debts during the past decade. Chevron believes its unaffected by those challenges, with a superior land position inherited from its merger with Texaco Inc. in 2001 and the financial firepower to out-muscle smaller rivals through troughs in oil and gas prices. With a strategy of emphasizing cash returned to investors over production growth, Chevron is following the path laid in recent years by another U.S. rival, ConocoPhillips. It recognizes that the world doesnt need ever-increasing amounts of oil and that shareholders need to be rewarded for owning fossil fuel producers. At HoustonChronicle.com: Facing tumbling profits, Exxon and Chevron focus on Permian Chevrons new target of shareholder distributions suggests a significant increase from what the American oil giant has been doing until recently. Last year, Chevron returned $13 billion in dividends and buybacks, equivalent to $65 billion if repeated over a five-year period. The new goal of $75 billion to $80 billion in returns is equivalent to about 45 percent of its current market value. To the general portfolio managers out there, if youre looking for cash, Chevron is the place to be, Chief Financial Officer Pierre Breber said at the presentation. Chevrons shares rose 0.3 percent at $96.86 at 10:11 a.m. in New York. Brent crude rose 1.8 percent to $52.81 a barrel. Chevron has declined 20 percent this year, almost mirroring the fall in Brent and showing that investors are not giving the oil giant much benefit for its refineries and chemical operations that usually cushion the impact of low prices. Are humans the only animals that caucus? As the early 2020 presidential election season suggests, there are probably more natural and efficient ways to make a group choice. But were certainly not the only animals on Earth that vote. Were not even the only primates that primary. Any animal living in a group needs to make decisions as a group, too. Even when they dont agree with their companions, animals rely on one another for protection or help finding food. So they have to find ways to reach consensus about what the group should do next, or where it should live. While they may not conduct continent-spanning electoral contests like Super Tuesday, species ranging from primates all the way to insects have methods for finding agreement that are surprisingly democratic. Meerkats As meerkats start each day, they emerge from their burrows into the sunlight, then begin searching for food. Each meerkat forages for itself, digging in the dirt for bugs and other morsels, but they travel in loose groups, each animal up to about 30 feet from its neighbors, says Marta Manser, an animal-behavior scientist at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Nonetheless, the meerkats move as one unit, drifting across the desert while they search and munch. The meerkats call to one another as they travel. One of their sounds is a gentle mew that researchers refer to as a move call. It seems to mean, Im about ready to move on from this dirt patch. Whos with me? In a 2010 study, Manser and her colleagues studied move calls in a dozen meerkat groups living in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Groups ranged from six to 19 individuals. But the scientists found that only about three group members had to mew before the whole party decided to move along. The group didnt change direction, but it would double its speed to reach better foraging grounds. Biologists call this phenomenon when animals change their behavior in response to a critical mass of their peers doing something a quorum response. Manser thinks quorum responses show up in human decision-making, too. If youre in a group and somebody says, Lets go for a pizza, and nobody joins in, nothings going to happen, she said. But if the pizza craver is joined by a couple of friends, their argument becomes much more convincing. In another set of experiments, Manser and a co-author found that it didnt matter whether meerkats making move calls were dominant or subordinate within the group. Rather, she said, It depends on how determined an individual appears. She thinks this also has a human parallel. Even if you dont have the rank, she said, as long as you pretend you know what youre doing, the group will follow. Honeybees In the spring, you may discover a swarm of bees dangling from a tree branch like a dangerous bunch of grapes. These insects are in the middle of a tough real estate decision. When a honeybee colony splits in two, a queen and several thousand workers fly away from a hive together. The swarm finds someplace to pause for hours or days while a few hundred scouts fan out to search for a new home. When a scout finds a promising hole or hollow, she inspects it thoroughly. Then she flies back to the swarm, still buzzing on its tree branch. Walking on the swarms surface, she does a waggling, repetitive dance that tells the other bees about the site she found its quality, direction and how far away it is. More scouts return to the swarm and do their own dances. Gradually, some of the scouts become persuaded by others, and switch their choreography to match. Once every scout agrees, the swarm flies off to its new home. In his 2010 book Honeybee Democracy, Thomas D. Seeley, a Cornell University biologist, writes that we can learn a lesson from the bees: Even in a group composed of friendly individuals with common interests, conflict can be a useful element in a decision-making process. African Wild Dogs Like pet dogs, African wild dogs spend some of their time enthusiastically socializing and some of it lazing around. Members of a pack jump up and greet one another in high-energy rituals called rallies. After a rally, the dogs may move off together to start a hunt or they may go back to resting. In a 2017 study, researchers discovered that the decision to hunt or stay seems to be democratic. To cast a vote for hunting, the dogs sneeze. The more sneezes there were during a rally, the more likely the dogs were to begin hunting afterward. If a dominant dog had gotten the rally started, the pack was easier to persuade just three sneezes might do the trick. But if a subordinate dog started the rally, it took a minimum of 10 sneezes to prompt a hunt. The researchers note that dogs might actually cast their votes via some other, hidden signal. The sneezes could help the animals clear out their noses and get ready to sniff for prey. Either way, the wild dogs end their achoo-ing with a decision they all agree on. Baboons Primates, our closest relatives, have provided lots of material for researchers studying how groups make decisions. Scientists have seen gibbons following female leaders, mountain gorillas grunting when theyre ready to move and capuchins trilling to one another. Sometimes the process is more subtle. A group may move across the landscape as a unit without any obvious signals from individuals about where theyd like to go next. To figure out how wild olive baboons manage this, the authors of a 2015 paper put GPS collars on 25 members of one troop in Kenya. They monitored the monkeys every step for two weeks. Then they studied the movements of each individual baboon in numerous combinations to see who was pulling the group in new directions. The data showed that any baboon might start moving away from the others as if to draw them on a new course male or female, dominant or subordinate. When multiple baboons moved in the same direction, others were even more likely to come along. When there was disagreement, with trailblazing baboons moving in totally different directions, others would eventually follow the majority. But if two would-be leaders were tugging in directions less than 90 degrees apart, followers would compromise on a middle path. No matter what, the whole group ended up together. Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin, an animal-behavior researcher at the University of Konstanz in Germany who led the baboon study, points out that unlike in human groups, among baboons no one authority tallies up votes and announces the result. The outcome emerges naturally. But the same kind of subtle consensus-building can be part of our voting process, too. For instance, we might influence one anothers decisions on who to vote for in the lead-up to an election, before any ballots are cast, she said. Rock Ants Like honeybees, ants often face important decisions about relocating their colonies. Rock ants, which live in stony crevices throughout Europe, use a caucuslike method to choose a new home. Some rock ant scouts seem to be always on the lookout for better homes, writes Nigel Franks, an emeritus professor at the University of Bristol in England. These scouts investigate the quality of potential new nest sites. If enough scouts find themselves at the same site, theyll reach the minimum number needed to relocate the colony. They can also try to build such a quorum by going back to the original nest and recruiting other ants to follow them to the new site. They lead these ants one at a time, a follower tapping a leader with her antennae to stay on course. Either way, once a critical number of ants have gathered at one new site, the colonys decision is official. The ants arent quite patient enough to let the electoral process take its course, though. They bring over the rest of the colony by simply picking up their sisters and hauling them to their new home. The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected a claim by UN investigators that Russian airstrikes in Syria amounted to a war crime by indiscriminately targeting civilian areas. The UN Commission of Inquiry on the rights situation in Syria said in its latest report on Monday it had evidence that Russian planes participated in two air strikes in Idlib and in rural Damascus last July and August that killed more than 60 people. The UN report, which covers the period from July 2019 to January 10 this year, said there was evidence to prove Russian planes took part in both attacks, and that since they were not directed at military objectives they amounted to a "war crime". "We do not agree with such accusations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, raising questions about the objectivity of the report. "It is obvious that no commission could have received reliable information on what is happening on the ground," Peskov said. He added: "Nothing is said about the attacks by terrorist groups, which makes any judgement issued by this commission one-sided." The UN's Syria commission, set up in 2011 shortly after the civil war began, has repeatedly accused various sides of war crimes and in some cases crimes against humanity. The allegations against Moscow came against the backdrop of a sharp rise in tensions between Turkey and the Russian-backed Syrian military, which is fighting to recapture the last bastion of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad in northern Syria. The escalation has sparked a humanitarian crisis and a political standoff between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is travelling to Russia on Thursday to discuss the conflict. More than 380,000 have been killed in the fighting in Syria since a series of street protests against Assad's rule in 2011 disintegrated into a proxy conflict drawing in countries throughout the Middle East. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, March 3 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday submitted before a Delhi court a written statement in a defamation case filed against him and the Caravan magazine by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval's son Vivek Doval. Vivek Doval had filed a criminal defamation case against Ramesh and Editor-in-Chief Paresh Nath and reporter Kaushal Shroff from the Caravan magazine for damaging his reputation. On Tuesday, Ramesh submitted a written statement under 313 of the CrPC (examination of accused) to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vishal Pahuja. The court then posted the matter to April 9 for recording defence evidence. The Caravan article had allegedly claimed that Vivek Doval ran a hedge fund whose promoters were of dubious antecedents. Vivek had earlier told the court, "The article creates inference that Vivek Doval and family are involved in illegal activities such as money laundering, round tripping of capital, violating financial regulation and connections to foreign royal families." The court had granted bail to the accused Congress leader in May last year. CNY Jazz teams up with the Society for New Music to present The Broken Reed Saxophone Quartet at Jazz Central on Friday March 13th at 7:30 pm. Admission is $20 and $10 with valid student I.D. Tickets are on sale now at www.cnyjazzz.org or by calling Jazz Central at 315-479-5299. Charley Gerard is a saxophonist, author and composer. He is a 2019 recipient of the prestigious New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America with the generous support of the Doris Duke Foundation. His grant-funded piece Those Who Were will be performed at the concert. A student of the legendary jazz composer Jimmy Giuffre, he founded the Broken Reed Saxophone Quartet in 2002. The current group is composed of Charley on alto sax, Jenny Hill on soprano sax, Justin Flynn on tenor sax, and Dimitri Moderbacher on baritone sax. An element of humor will leaven the evenings proceedings, with the inclusion of a piece called Music for Colluders, with vocals including Presidential tweets. Other repertoire will sport an international flair, in styles evoking New Orleans, Cuba, and other exotic locations, from their recent Those Who Were recording. This will be a wild and crazy kickoff to our spring Live at Jazz Central offerings, according to Larry Luttinger, host of the event. Charley is known for his offbeat and fearless sense of humor. This will be an extremely high quality evening, and extremely entertaining as well. Seating is limited in the cozy 63-seat theater at Jazz Central. If You Go Who: Charley Gerards Broken Reed Saxophone Quartet What: Those Who Were concert Where: Jazz Central, 441 E. Washington St. Syracuse NY When: Friday March 13 at 7:30 pm Cost: $20, $10 with student ID at www.cnyjazz.org or call 315-479-5299 OnePlus today announced worlds first 5G-powered interactive snowball fight, which will take place starting 9th March 2020 for more than 70 consecutive hours in Finland. The experience will allow anyone from around the world to control the OnePlus Snowbots in a live snowball fight. OnePlus says that this will demonstrate the true 5G potential and how this can change the way people interact with smartphones, OnePlus developed custom-made snowball-firing robots: Snowbots. The Snowbots will be operated through OnePlus devices with a 5G network, brought to the remote Lapland region by Finnish operator Elisa, allowing thousands of community members from across the globe to experience a seamless and lag-free offline-to-online gaming experience like never seen before. The OnePlus Snowbot Battle, hosted in Ruka-Kuusamo area, Lapland, Finland, will start on 9th March 2020 at 12:00pm GMT with a special Human vs. Robots event, that will see a selected number of people join in teams to play against the 5G-powered Snowbots operated by users from all across the world. From the evening 9 March to 12 March, the Snowbot Battle will run 24 hours a day, allowing everyone to join a team in the ultimate snowball fight. With the spirit of bringing its community together to experience this unique event, OnePlus will host a special community contest on its social channels to select a few lucky users who will have the opportunity to travel to Lapland and join the OnePlus Snowbot Battle in person. You can head to oneplus.com/snowbots to know more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTu5fJiO_gY Despite Coronavirus Outbreak, Universities of Washington and Oregon are Operating Normally Although multiple school districts in both states of Washington and Oregon have announced their closure due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, the Universities of Washington and Oregon say they will continue normal operations. In Washington, the state Department of Health had announced two COVID-19 cases on Feb. 28. One of those diagnosed was a teenage boy who attends a high school in Mill Creek, about 22 miles north of Seattle. The school was promptly closed through this Monday to disinfect the building and buses. Another Seattle-area high school is also closed out of an abundance of caution after a student and parent, reported flu-like symptoms and were self-quarantined. A Change.org petition was created on Sunday night, urging the University of Washington (UW) to close its Seattle campus to prevent the spreading of this virus. The petition received more than 7,500 supporting signatures within 15 hours. Many infected individuals may spread the virus without their knowledge, the petition posted by a UW campus community member reads, Many students may be infected and may bring this virus into school and other public spaces. Despite the petition, the UW administration updated the coronavirus information page on its website, saying that the school will continue to maintain normal operations. There are currently no plans to cancel or any class or campus event, due to the low risk to the UW community, according to the website. The information page also says that the school will never fully close because UW hosts numerous health care and research facilities that are critical to the virus-fighting effort. However, the school is prepared to suspend some operations and events, move classes online, and entirely suspend all classes, depending on how the situation develops. In an email to colleagues, UWs Provost Mark A. Richards and Vice Provost Philip J. Reid said that the school is monitoring the situation and has concluded that since the number of people in Washington with confirmed infection is low, instructional changes should be minimal. Instructors are encouraged to continue the normal course of instruction, two UW administrators wrote in an email to colleagues, obtained by Seattle Times. This is an evolving situation, both in Washington and globally, so circumstances could change rapidly. Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Oregon, health officials announced on Feb. 28 that they have identified a presumptive case of COVID-19 with no known origin. The patient is a female employee of an elementary school in a suburb of Portland. That school would be closed until Mar. 5 for deep cleaning. In response, the University of Oregon (UO) reminded the entire community to take the CDC-recommended precautions. But both of UOs campuses in Eugene and Portland will operate under normal schedules, at least for now. Wheres the best place to eat at in Birmingham? Its a question weve been asked countless times. Typically, our answer is it depends. Because with so many diverse options in our city, from a fried chicken sandwich brined in sweet tea to an expertly prepared bowl of spicy miso ramen, it really does depend on what youre looking for. But for Birmingham magazines first-ever Restaurants Issue, we decided to give up the ruse, and definitively name our 10 favorite places to eat in the city. Theyre not all necessarily the oldest, or the most expensive, or even the most decorated, but theyve all got that it factor that keeps us coming back for more. These are the 10 best restaurants (in no particular order) in Birmingham right now. Automatic Seafood and Oysters is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 1. Automatic Seafood And Oysters Upon walking up to Automatic Seafood and Oysters, you might think youve been transported to a lazy beach town. Striped awnings adorn a bright white building; waiting diners lounge on Adirondack chairs on a grassy lawn. Automatic, the work of Alabama chef Adam Evans, was the most anticipated restaurant opening of 2019luckily, it more than lived up to the hype. Loosely inspired by Evans previously place of employment, The Optimist in Atlanta, this restaurant embraces the immense bounty of the Gulf Coast. But dont let its distinction as a seafood restaurant limit your expectations of the place. There are no fried combo platters or mounted marlins on the wall. Although the atmosphere at Automatic is decidedly coastal, nothing about it is trite. The large dining room features hanging wicker light fixtures, navy trimmed booths, and a curving bar showcasing a mountain of raw oysters on ice. Like a yacht club without the stuffiness, the restaurant is classic and eleganttwo adjectives that also can be used to describe its food. What Evans does best is elevate familiar dishes with techniques and flavors that impress even the most critical of diners. His signature quickly became the Duck Fat Poached Fish, which lends a layer of richness to firm fishes like swordfish and amberjack (the fish of choice varies with whats available). Even the blackened fish option with garlic crab butter has been given such care and precision that it stands out beyond its description. As far as starters go, the Octopus a la Plancha is one of the best dishes on the menu. Incredibly tender and expertly grilled, a single tentacle is spice rubbed with harissa and served alongside cooling yogurt and a bright herb salad. Of course, oysters from the raw bar are a necessity while dining at Automatic. Selected from gulf, east, or west, a variety of bivalves satisfy a refined palate with preferences in brine, salinity, and creaminess. With a commitment to showcasing the best of the Gulf Coast paired with his expert culinary skills, Evans has brought something unique to Birminghamand there was no question it would make our best restaurants list. Who to Know: Adam Evans (chef/owner) and Suzanne Humphries (designer/owner/wife to Evans) The Vibe: An elegant yet laid-back seafood restaurant with coastal appeal What to Order: Octopus a la Plancha, Duck Fat Poached Fish Hot Tip: Automatic occasionally features a lobster rollone of the few you can find in Birmingham. 2824 5th Ave. S. Trattoria Zaza is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 2. Trattoria Zaza If you think the best pasta youll ever eat has to come from a fine-dining restaurant, think again. The line of people winding throughout (and sometimes out the door) of Trattoria Zaza instantly signifies that this fast-casual restaurant knows what its doing when it comes to Italian. Opened in 2009, Trattoria Zaza (formerly Trattoria Centrale) has been a downtown breakfast and lunch staple for more than a decade. Last year, it closed for five months to do a massive overhaul renovation and much-needed expansion of the space. When it reopened in late summer, there were new menu items alongside all the old favorites, as well as a major increase in hours for dinner and brunch service. The formerly dim restaurant now is bright and airy with high ceilings and a greenish-teal color scheme. But, back to the food. Trattoria slings slices of al taglio pizza and piles plates high with pasta. An open kitchen allows diners to watch the kitchen staff pull massive pans of the Roman-style pizzas of the day from the oven. Pizzas run the gamut from three-cheese to unique veggie combos (think okra and corn in the summer) to meat-forward. And the pastaoh, the pastatrumps any fine-dining pasta with its carefully thought-out flavors and $7 price point. Lunch pastas include a spicy Penne allArrabbiata and a devilishly rich Fettuccine with Garlic-Pecorino Cream (in the summer, opt to add seasonal vegetables to this one). Daily special pastas keep things interesting. Dinner entrees change seasonally and are more robust, with dishes like orecchiette pasta tossed with spicy lamb sausage and gnocchi with pancetta. And Trattoria is still, of course, fueling the downtown breakfast crowd. Stop in and grab a homemade scone or frittata of the daywe promise the food is more than worth the wait in line. Who to Know: Bryan Stanfield and Erica Schmidt (owners) The Vibe: Chic fast-casual Italian cafe What to Order: Fettuccine with Garlic-Pecorino Cream, Porkalicious Pizza (Fridays), Tiramisu Hot Tip: Zaza does a daily pizza happy hour from 5 p.m.6 p.m. that includes two slices, a salad, and a bottle or can of beer, all for $10. 207 20th St. N. Johnny's is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 3. Johnnys Its 11 a.m. on a Thursday, and on 18th Street in Homewood, theres a line snaking from a second-story tenant down a set of stairs, spilling onto the sidewalk below. Moms with their toddlers, retired couples, and groups of co-workers all have come for Johnnys. Sometimes called a meat-and-three, other times a Greek-and-three, the brainchild of Southern-Greek chef Tim Hontzas wears both titles well. And on the subject of titles, wed be remiss not to mention Hontzas distinction as a three-time James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef South. When Hontzas opened the restaurant in 2012, it was the culmination of his familys long history in the restaurant industry. His Greek grandfather (and the restaurants namesake) Johnny Hontzopolous immigrated to New Orleans in 1921 before moving to Mississippi where he opened three successful restaurants. The family also owns famed downtown meat-and-three Nikis West. At Johnnys, Hontzas does things a bit differently while staying true to the time-honored traditions of the Southern meat-and-three. For example, theres no steam table line for guests to walk through; instead a chalkboard wall lists the days specials, where Southern dishes like fried catfish and hamburger steak peacefully coexist with Greek specialties like keftedes (Greek meatballs) and souvlaki. Theres even a nod to Hontzas Mississippi delta and creole background in dishes like grilled Conecuh sausage with red beans and rice and fried chicken livers. The same is true for the three side of the menu, where perfectly crisped fried green tomatoes and creamy macaroni and cheese play nicely with a slow-braised spinach and chickpea blend. With classic Southern dishes elevated via a chefs touch, this is the place that will finally prove the irreplicable value of Southern cuisine to your snooty out-of-town relative. Who to Know: Tim Hontzas (chef/owner) The Vibe: Laid-back lunch spot serving elevated meat-and-three options What to Order: Keftedes, Chicken Pot Pie, Spinach with Chickpeas, Cornbread Hot Tip: Everything on the menu (minus the sliced bread) is made from scratch. 2902 18th St. S., Suite 200 OvenBird is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants in 2020. Photo by Cary Norton. 4. OvenBird When OvenBird first came on the scene, people were fixated on one item: the Beef Fat Candle. This tiny tealight of rendered fat arrives at your table flaming and floating in a bath of sofrito. Albeit small, it packs a punch of flavor into its maybe five bites worthand it lit a fire of intrigue in Birmingham diners. But if its the candle that brought them in, its chef Chris Hastings other dishes that kept bringing them back. Hastings Spanish and South American-inspired restaurant cooks only over live fire, which means there are plenty of charred, grilled, toasted, and roasted items on the menu. But OvenBird is to be credited with one other especially important feat: successfully helping Birmingham embrace a small-plates restaurant. Divided into seven sections by type of food, the menu takes diners on a culinary journey that allows them to try a lot, taste a little, and expand their horizons. Items like Snapper Throats and seasonal Paella run the more familiar side, while dishes such as Bone Marrow, Bacalao (salted fish), and Seafood Fideos introduce far-reaching cuisine. Three or four dishes are recommended per person, so OvenBird is best enjoyed with a large groupyou might just find yourself ordering one of everything. With this new way of dining, and a seemingly foreign palate, OvenBird proved that Birmingham is ready for a more advanced dining scene. Who to Know: Chris Hastings (chef/owner) and Idie Hastings (owner/wife to Hastings) The Vibe: Warm and intimate with Spanish and South-American cuisine; great outdoor area What to Order: Beef Fat Candle, Bone Marrow, Deviled Eggs Hot Tip: OvenBird does brunch during the Pepper Place outdoor market season. 2810 3rd Ave. S. The Essential is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 5. The Essential If theres one person paving the way for female chefs and restaurateurs in Birmingham, its Kristen Farmer Hall. Owner and pastry chef at The Essential and the newly opened Bandit Patisserie, Hall has made a name for herself through her perfect pastries and thoughtful cuisine conceptualized with chef and business partner Victor King. Halls story is inspiring: a passion for baking led to a career that began with dropping bags of pastries on neighbors front stoops. When The Essential opened on Morris Avenue in 2018 (after growing out of a previous iteration known as Feast & Forest), Hall established herself as one of the top chefs in townand one of just a few female restaurateurs in Birmingham. The cafe is open for all three meals each day (except Sundays, which are brunch only), offering a breakfast menu in the mornings and a combined lunch and dinner menu from 11 a.m. onwards. With European cafe vibes, The Essential is not a large restaurant, yet it finds room for a banquette running the length of the dining room, several tables, a full-service bar/coffee bar, and an open window to the kitchen. A covered patio with French bistro chairs allows room for a few more tables when the weather is nice. But the restaurant is not small out of necessityon any given day, youll find nearly every table to be full, and diners often are found milling around Morris Avenues cobblestone streets as they wait to be seated. You can start and end each meal with what Hall is known for. Her savory pastries and breads dominate the appetizers, found in items like the Mushroom Toast (a creamy, umami-ridden delight on sourdough bread) and the Chicken Liver Mousse with buttermilk sage crackers. For the main course, Kings handmade pastas shine in dishes like rigatoni with chorizo cream and spaghetti with lemon butter, almonds, and Parmesan. A pastry is a necessity for dessertwhether its an Insta-famous pop tart or an apple turnover with salted caramel ice cream. With Halls growing arsenal of restaurants, shes showing that women do have a place in Birminghams food scene. Who to Know: Kristen Farmer Hall (owner/pastry chef) and Victor King (owner/chef) The Vibe: European-style cafe serving globally inspired New American food What to Order: Housemade pastas, Half Chicken Piri Piri, croissant Hot Tip: Hall makes homemade brioche buns for the sandwiches on the menu. 2018 Morris Ave. Highlands Bar & Grill is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 6. Highlands Bar & Grill Ask any local where you absolutely must eat in Birmingham, and nine times out of 10, their list will begin with Highlands Bar & Grill. Theres a reason the restaurant was a finalist for the James Beard Foundations coveted Best Restaurant award for 10 years straight, finally taking home the big win at the 2018 ceremony. And that reason has a lot to do with Highlands decorated chef/owner and Alabama prodigal son Frank Stitt, whos aptly nicknamed the Father of Southern Gourmet. Anchoring a corner of Five Points South, the first glimpse of the 1920s, ivy-covered, Mediterranean building hints that whats in store is something truly special. Inside, the cozy French-inspired dining room buzzes with vest-clad waiters tending to guests as if each were a personal VIP. With a background highly influenced by eating off his mothers family farm in Cullman, and now his own farm called Paradise Farm, Chef Stitts menu works from the ground upmeaning ingredients come first, then Stitt creates a menu based off what the produce inspires. Entree options introduce guests to meats that are less familiar but decidedly Southern. Pheasant Two Ways, Veal Tenderloin & Sweetbreads, and Venison with celery root puree, carrot, and pomegranate all feature meats native to the region and sourced locally. Finishings of sauce poivrade, soubise, or au jus give the farm-to-table dishes the traditional French flair for which Highlands is known. A huge part of Stitts genius is making the ordinary extraordinary. Take the Soft Scrambled Farm Eggs starter thats elevated to the stuff of legends with the addition of umami-packed winter black truffles, salty lardons, and garlic croutons from housemade bread. Then theres the ever-present Stone Ground Baked Grits appetizer, a melt-in-your-mouth mound of creamy grits surrounded by an angelic halo of white wine, sherry, heavy cream, and Parmesan. The recipes for Stitts most popular dishes have been shared countless times over the years via local and national publications (New York Times included), but theres no substitute for experiencing the magic that is Highlands Bar & Grill firsthand. Who to Know: Frank Stitt (chef/owner) and Pardis Stitt (owner/front-of-house operator/wife to Frank) The Vibe: Southern food with a hint of French sophistication in a white-tablecloth atmosphere What to Order: Stone Ground Baked Grits, Coconut-Pecan Cake Hot Tip: The restaurant features an extensive wine menu of far-flung bottles hand-picked by Stitt. Let the highly knowledgeable servers recommend something based on your food selections. 2011 11th Ave. S. SAW's Soul Kitchen is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 7. SAWs Soul Kitchen SAWs Soul Kitchen is proof that if you can do one thing exceptionally well, you dont need much else. For instance, the entirety of the restaurant consists of just six tables, an ordering counter, and a tiny kitchen. The magic happens out back, where pitmasters smoke meats to succulent, fall-apart perfection. SAWs is best known for its pulled pork and smoked chicken (with Alabama white sauce) that you can get as a plate, on a sandwich, or stuffed into a giant potato. But where SAWs Soul Kitchen excels over its counterparts (there are three other locations in the SAWs family) is in its specialty dishes and experimental daily specials. Helmed by chef Brandon Cain, Soul Kitchen puts a subtle chefs touch on a downhome barbecue restaurant. The Pork and Greens is the perfect medley of Southern favorites: creamy cheese grits, tender collard greens, pulled pork bathed in a sweet-tangy sauce, and crunchy fried onions. Its a balance of textures and flavors that only a chef could dream up. It became so popular that the restaurant now offers a Chicken and Greens option. Cains know-how also can be seen in dishes like the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwich (with a large and juicy tea-brined chicken breast) and the Smoked Wings that are slow-smoked, fried to order, and topped with both red and white barbecue sauce. Although it doesnt look like muchand youll be eating off Styrofoam plates and using blue industrial paper towels as napkinsSAWs is evidence that there is no correlation between good food and a fancy atmosphere. Who to Know: Mike Wilson (owner) and Brandon Cain (chef/owner) The Vibe: No-frills barbecue restaurant with limited seating What to Order: Pork and Greens, Chicken with White Sauce Hot Tip: The Colonel is a recurring special that adds pimento cheese and white sauce to the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwich. 215 41st St. S. Blue Pacific is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 8. Blue Pacific In the summer of 2015, our editor published an article titled I ate Thai food from a gas station in Hoover and lived to tell the tale. Almost five years later, that gas station is no longer a gas station (sometime during Blue Pacifics record-breaking rise from obscurity to fame, owner Sam Aroon decided to gut the Hoover Food Mart convenience store to make room for more tables). What was once a quick-rising cult classic is now one of the citys most respected restaurants for authentic Thai cuisine. Yes, its cliche, but do yourself a favor and order the Pad Thai. Blue Pacifics version successfully expels any ill feelings toward the dish as a result of overly sweet bastardizations served at Americanized Thai restaurants. The transcendent and defining flavor in Blue Pacifics Pad Thai is wok hei, which translates to breath of a wok. The unmistakable and almost impossible to recreate charred aroma adds a level of depth that makes Asian stir-fry noodles so irresistible. Blue Pacific is one of the very few places in town that achieves wok hei. In this case, its rarity is a sign of its worth. And theres plenty more to explore on the menu including curries (red, green, yellow, panang, masaman), dry stir-frys, the crispy rice laap dish, and outrageously crunchy chicken wings laden with fish sauce. Though technically you can no longer say youre eating the best Thai food in town out of a gas station, vestiges of Blue Pacifics humble roots, including the still-stocked glass door beverage coolers and the unchanged Hoover Food Mart signage, remind diners that when it comes to Birminghams food scene, its best not to judge a book by its cover. Who to Know: Sam Aroon (owner) The Vibe: Bare-bones eatery for authentic Thai in a former convenience store What to Order: Chicken Wings, Pad Thai, Pad Ka Tem-Prik Thai (sauteed meat with garlic sauce) Hot Tip: Blue Pacific offers a different special each day of the week. We recommend Tuesday or Thursday for the beef or pork noodle soup, respectively. 3219 Lorna Rd. Cayo Coco is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants in 2020. 9. Cayo Coco Cayo Coco may be the newest branch on the Birmingham restaurant family tree, but what it lacks in age and experience, it more than makes up for in character and flavor. The restaurant and rum bar aims to introduce guests to the fantastical era of 1940s Cuba, often considered the pinnacle of Cuban culture for art, food, and drink. To transport guests to their version of refined tropical paradise, owner Andrew Collins (of Collins Bar) and managing partner Josh Schaff had to be intentional. Alabama-grown palm trees reside on the outdoor patio. A teal bar boasts thoughtful details like a light installation made from woven baskets and brass accent tables. Follow the hallway into a small dining room that seats little more than 30 guests at a time. On one side of the room, palm-print, laser-cut brass overlays a backlit distressed teal wall; on the other, a bright orange banquette adds a pop of color to the moody atmosphere. The intimate setting contributes to the best-kept secret feel. What Chef Haller Magee does with a small menu of Latin-inspired, Southern-infused eats contributes to the best meal in Birmingham distinction. The balance achieved in the Grilled Octopus appetizer is noteworthy. A savory basil-garlic marinade and the smoky char of a good sear bring out the sweet, tender qualities of well-prepared octopus. More balance is present in the dishes bitter-sweet-sour accompaniments of summer squash and grilled radicchio drizzled with lemon vinaigrette. Find a true taste of the tropics in the Pescado en Salsa de Coco, roasted Gulf fish (often red snapper) served on a bed of black beans and rice, with a slightly-sweet mango salsa. Be sure to dip bits of the flaky fish in the pool of enriched coconut sauce circling the plate. Pair a daiquiri with your meal, but dont expect a sticky-sweet nectar to flavor your cocktail. Instead, white rum, Persian and key limes, and pure cane sugar combine for a refreshing drink. And since its a rum bar, the rum cake with coconut ice cream and rum-poached pineapple is a must. With plans for additional late-night and bar bites soon, were looking forward to even more of Chef Magees unique interpretations. Who to Know: Andrew Collins (owner), Josh Schaff (managing partner/ bartender), Haller Magee (chef) The Vibe: A cooler glimpse at Old World Havana with trendy, understated tropical finishes and Caribbean cuisine What to Order: Grilled Octopus, Mofongo Balls, Lamb Shank Hot Tip: If youve got a group (or an unusually healthy appetite), inquire about the Tomahawk Steak speciala 3-pound monstrosity that some are calling the best steak in town. 2015 1st Ave. N. Shu Shop is one of Birmingham magazine's 10 Best Restaurants 2020. 10. Shu Shop Few indulgences are as divinely satisfying as slurping up a steaming bowl of ramen at midnight. But were not talking about tiny flavor packets in your pajamas at homethough previously your kitchen might have been your only option given the early-to-bed nature of Birmingham's dining scene. Lucky for us, Shu Shop arrived on the scene in 2017the savior we never knew we needed in the form of a late-night izakaya and ramen-ya. The concept for the hip Theatre District spot is simple and born out of necessity. Owners Adeeba Khan (front of house) and Jason Templin (chef) first met at Sakura, a now-closed Japanese restaurant in Five Points. Khan had dreams of opening a bar and Templin a ramen house. The two united their visions and Shu Shop was born. The narrow restaurant functions as a pick-your-poison hangout. Socialize at the drawn-out bar, or tuck into a dark booth with your bowl and snacks of choice. The Spicy Miso Ramen offers a complex broth made of multiple miso pastes, as well as fermented bean paste, housemade chili paste, ginger, garlic, cayenne, and onion. Templins braised and smoked chasu pork gives meat-lovers something to bite into, and the medley of toppings that includes buttery shiitakes, crispy hot and sour Brussels sprouts, and the luscious custard-like yolk of an ajitama egg (seasoned and soft-boiled) send this dish over the edge. In Shu Shops case, its philosophy is also the moral of the story: You just cant mess with perfection. Or as we say down South, if it aint broke, dont fix it. Who to Know: Adeeba Khan (owner/front of house) and Jason Templin (owner/chef) The Vibe: Cool downtown hideaway for high-quality Japanese eats with sake What to Order: Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen Hot Tip: If youre a heat seeker, order a spice bomb to add to your ramen. But word to the wise: Add the bomb sparingly. The blend of Thai, American, and Mexican chilis contributed to the dish being named one of our 8 spiciest dishes in Birmingham in August 2018. 1830 3rd Ave. N. This story appears in Birmingham magazines March 2020 issue. Subscribe today! KATHMANDU, Nepal - Nepals popular communist prime minister is in the hospital awaiting his second kidney transplant after months of illness. Khadga Prasad Oli, 69, was admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu on Monday night. He said in a video message to citizens the surgery will be done on Wednesday. Local media say a relative is donating a kidney to Oli. Nepals laws require a donor and recipient to be related and for no monetary transaction to be involved. Oli has long suffered from kidney illness and has made several trips to India and Thailand for treatment. He underwent his first kidney transplant in 2007 in New Delhi. Oli became prime minister in 2018 after the Communist alliance swept parliamentary elections. He was prime minister in 2015 also and has been elected to parliament four times. Vice president Mike Pence called the risk of Americans contracting the coronavirus low even as the number of cases inside the United States has grown to 91 and deaths to six. There are 43 cases in which individuals contracted the virus domestically, with 29 of those victims in a "cluster" split between California and Washington State, Mr Pence said during a White House briefing as Donald Trump headed for a re-election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr Pence led a briefing in the White House briefing room, a rarity for him, and quickly took a different approach than Mr Trump. When asked how quickly the virus might spread inside the United States, the vice president deferred to public health experts who joined him to brief reporters. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who did not give a direct answer. Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Show all 16 1 /16 Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A man wearing a protective mask walks past the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A gondolier on the Grand Canal as the sun sets in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A local pulls a trolley as she leaves a street food market in Venice, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. A U.S. government advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to Italy due to the spread of a new virus is the "final blow" to the nation's tourism industry, the head of Italy's hotel federation said Saturday. Venice, which was nearing recovery in the Carnival season following a tourist lull after record flooding in November, saw bookings drop immediately after regional officials canceled the final two days of celebrations this week, unprecedented in modern times. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Locals wait for a mass at the barely empty San Salvador church in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. A coughing Pope Francis told Italy, pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing that he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold. It is the first time in his seven-year papacy that he has missed the spiritual exercises that he initiated early in his pontificate to mark the start of each Lenten season. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks take photographs in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks look at their smartphones as they have a break at the St. Mark's square in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A couple stand at the Rialto bridge during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. Reuters Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty water bus after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists shelter against the rain with umbrellas as they walk in the empty St. Mark's Square during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondolas are parked on a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP "We know there will be more cases," Mr Pence said. "Now we're focused on mitigation of the spread and treatment of those affected." The VP reiterated that Americans should not travel to certain areas of countries like Italy or South Korea, which have been hit hard by the virus. He said that within 12 hours, airports across South Korea and Italy will screen all travellers for coronavirus, and said US travel restrictions may expand. "We'll listen to the experts. ... And I know the president will make the decisions with regard to travel restrictions," Mr Pence said. The Delhi house of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, was attacked by some unidentified miscreants on Tuesday (March 3). Sources told Zee Media that the attackers also thrashed some staff of Chowdhury, who is a Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal's Berhampore. It is learnt that the attackers also managed to run away with some important files from Chowdhury's office. The Lok Sabha MP was not present in his home when the attack took place but his daughter was present inside the home. According to Chowdhury, he has never faced such attacks in the past and he was in Parliament when the miscreants attacked his home. The Congress MP rushed to his home after receiving a call. Delhi Police is probing the incident but they are yet to make any official comment in this regard. Chowdhury said that he is unaware whether there is any CCTV camera in the vicinity or not or else the CCTV camera would have helped the police in nabbing the attackers. Some sources said that a person named Rakesh Narwal had come to meet Chowdhury at his residence in Humayan Road but the Congress MP was not at home at that time and that's why Narwal thrashed some staff of Chowdhury. The staff at Chowdhury's residence immediately called the police and the person was apprehended. Delhi Police is yet to comment on this incident. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images Officials at the Democratic National Committee have begun to plan for the possibility that their July convention in Milwaukee may be scuttled or dramatically upended because of the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus, multiple sources tell The Daily Beast. Discussions over what to do if coronavirus makes it difficult, if not impossible, for delegates and the public to come to the convention have been mostly informal up until this week. But two top Democrats said they expected far more serious planning to begin in haste as infections and deaths accumulate and experts warn the virus will spread in the United States and, potentially, seriously disrupt travel and commerce. On Monday, state party chairs raised concerns on a conference call with DNC officials that party functions, including the election of delegates to the national convention, could be disrupted or delayed because of coronavirus fears. It is serious. The question for state chairs is, look, we all have to put on conventions coming up. Most of the delegates to the national convention are elected at [state] conventions. What happens if state parties have to cancel these events where delegates are elected? said Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. If things continue to evolve, It could dramatically alter the contest and severely hamper Democrats as we try to unify our party. The Surreal Scene Inside Americas Coronavirus Hot Zone Martin told The Daily Beast Democrats were already seeing ripple effects of the coronavirus in their operations. The Washington State Democratic Party, he said, was cancelling a big fundraising dinner they had scheduled for this Saturday because of the virus spread in the state, where it has killed at least six and infected 18. The Washington State Democratic Party did not return a request for comment. The national party has not yet taken such measures. But in a statement to The Daily Beast, Joe Solmonese, CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee, said contingency plans were being entertained for Milwaukee. Story continues Ensuring the safety of convention attendees and local residents isand will always remainour top priority, said Solmonese. Every convention necessitates developing a number of contingency plans to provide for a variety of scenarios. As we prepare to welcome Americans to Milwaukee this summer, the convention team will remain in constant communication with the local, state, and federal authorities responsible for protecting public health and security. We will continue to monitor this developing situation closely and follow the guidance of the CDC and state and local health officials in the days and weeks ahead. Convention planning is a laborious process, involving months, if not years, of preparation. It also represents a massive infusion of people into urban areas, and then into packed venues. In 2016, an estimated 50,000 people came to Philadelphia to partake in and witness the nomination of Hillary Clinton. Similar numbers are anticipated for Milwaukee when Democrats are set to gather from July 13 through 16. But as coronavirus has spread and travel restrictions seem likely to be intensified, top officials are wondering whether attendees will or should make it. The result could be a convention that is not just sparsely attended but one where the act of formally nominating a presidential candidate is thrown into disorder. Such a scenario could be especially chaotic if no one candidate enters Milwaukee with a majority of delegates and those same delegates are forced to stay away from the convention site. According to several top officials, the DNCs charter and bylaws leave little ambiguity when it comes to the requirement that delegates be physically on site in order to cast their votes. Under Section 11, it states that Voting by proxy shall not be permitted at the National Convention. Voting by proxy shall otherwise be permitted in Democratic Party affairs only as provided in the Bylaws of the Democratic Party. Among the topics being discussed by DNC officials now is what to do about the rules if delegates cannot get to Milwaukee, are spooked into not attending, or are being advised to avoid going entirely. The actual solution, officials say, is not all that complicated: The convention, by way of its Standing Committee on Rules, can change the bylaws to make it so that proxy voting ormore likelyremote voting is allowable. If there is an emergency like this and there is broad consensus, Simon Rosenberg, a longtime Democratic official who previously ran for DNC Chair, told The Daily Beast. Yes, the rules can be easily changed. These things are very flexible. The issue, then, is how to build such a system into the nomination process. One official said they expected discussions in the coming days and weeks to center around whether there would be software fixes that the committee could adopt that would allow for remote voting for delegates. So far this cycle, the party has had slightly less than confidence-boosting results when it comes to the use of software to count votes. 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. SAN FRANCISCO, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA), a leading medical genetics company, today announced that Sean George, co founder and chief executive officer of Invitae, will present at Oppenheimer's 30th Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern in New York City. The live webcast of both the presentation and the breakout session may be accessed by visiting the investors section of the company's website at ir.invitae.com . A replay of the webcasts will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation and breakout session. About Invitae Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) is a leading medical genetics company, whose mission is to bring comprehensive genetic information into mainstream medicine to improve healthcare for billions of people. Invitae's goal is to aggregate the world's genetic tests into a single service with higher quality, faster turnaround time, and lower prices. For more information, visit the company's website at invitae.com. Contact: Laura D'Angelo [email protected] (628) 213-3369 SOURCE Invitae Corporation Related Links http://invitae.com 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. Healthcare has come a long way thanks to human endeavour but even occasional human errors can have disastrous consequences. A misdiagnosis can mean undergoing unnecessary treatment; a misread scan can mean a patient is wrongly given the all-clear. Potentially life-altering or even life-ending mistakes can be made, even by excellent doctors. So the news earlier this year that computer programs can detect breast tumours better than doctors was hailed as a huge advance by researchers. The study, published in the journal Nature, compared the results of mammograms analysed by doctors with the same images read by a machine that had been taught to identify tumours. Healthcare has come a long way thanks to human endeavour but even occasional human errors can have disastrous consequences (stock image) When the computer was asked to read images from nearly 29,000 women, the number of missed cancers known as false negatives fell by 2.7 per cent compared with when a single doctor reviewed the scans, while the number of mammograms incorrectly diagnosed as abnormal (known as false positives) decreased by 1.2 per cent. The machine was as good as two doctors working together the current system for reviewing mammograms. With thousands of women a year misdiagnosed in the UK, any improvement in the reading of scans would be welcome and with an estimated shortage of more than 1,000 radiologists (doctors who interpret scans), using technology to do the work of two doctors could free up much-needed time for other tasks. This is a huge advance in the potential for early cancer detection, said study author Dr Mozziyar Etemadi, an assistant professor of anaesthesiology at Northwestern University in Chicago. However, more research is needed to work out how such a system could be introduced, he added. Artificial intelligence (AI) like this advanced computer software which not only carries out tasks but learns from the results is hailed by some as a panacea for the NHS, which is strained by increasing patient numbers and stalling recruitment and retention of doctors and nurses. Last year, the Government announced a 250million AI laboratory that will bring together research to find solutions to common healthcare challenges. The idea is that AI can take some of the workload so that doctors can spend more time with patients, says Sarah Deeny, assistant director of data analytics at the independent charity The Health Foundation. It does look promising, and not just in the field of breast cancer diagnosis. Research shows AI could revolutionise diagnostic testing, predict the most effective treatments and improve how hospitals are run. Another project by the UK tech company Brainomix, backed by pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim, uses AI to interpret brain scans of people with a suspected stroke. The Brainomix program analyses CT brain scans in one minute (stock image) For example, it is helping NHS Blood and Transplant predict how much blood hospitals will need on any given day, resulting in 50 per cent less waste. A trial, published last year in Nature, showed AI was better than specialist doctors at spotting lung cancer; it also boosted detection of the cancer by 5 per cent, while cutting the number of people falsely diagnosed by 11 per cent. It can also identify skin cancers with the same accuracy as doctors, and was as good as humans at diagnosing more than 50 eye conditions in another study. AI has also been developed to diagnose atrial fibrillation an irregular heartbeat. And last year, University College Hospital in London came up with an algorithm to flag up patients most likely to skip appointments. Using records from 22,000 MRI scan appointments, the program identified 90 per cent of patients who would not attend, who could then be targeted with reminders. Almost eight million appointments were missed in 2017/18, according to NHS figures, each costing the NHS around 120. Addressing the problem could save almost 1 billion equivalent to 257,000 hip replacements. Another project by the UK tech company Brainomix, backed by pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim, uses AI to interpret brain scans of people with a suspected stroke a blockage in the blood supply to the brain. By correctly identifying where the blockage is and the extent of the damage, patients can be given clot-busting drugs within the crucial four-and-a-half hour timeframe, or surgery to restore blood flow to the brain, to give them the best chance of recovery. Currently, reading by doctors of these scans is inconsistent, according to Dr George Harston, the companys chief medical officer. Problems do get missed, particularly if a less experienced doctor is looking at the scan or it is a non-specialist hospital. The Brainomix program analyses CT brain scans in one minute. This stroke technology has already been adopted in 20 NHS hospitals, but in most cases, AI is not yet widely used in the day-to-day running of the NHS. We are beginning to see the benefits of AI in some healthcare contexts, such as reading scans, says Dr Rebecca Rosen, a GP in south London and fellow at the think tank the Nuffield Trust. The key thing which makes artificial intelligence just that intelligent is it can learn from the information it receives. But this creates its own challenges. AI is driven by the data that is fed into it from which it learns, says Hugh Whittall, director of another think tank, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which specialises in the ethical and social aspects of health policy. Last year, University College Hospital in London (pictured) came up with an algorithm to flag up patients most likely to skip appointments If you only have access to data from a certain population, is that serving all patients? We know from facial recognition programs, for example, that AI is not as good at recognising the faces of darker-skinned people, probably because they are under-represented in the data used to develop the program, and that bias is reinforced by the learning the AI does, making errors more likely. There are also concerns about protecting the patient data needed to train these robots. In 2017, the Royal Free Hospital in London was criticised for sharing 1.6 million patient data records including information on mental health history and abortions with Googles AI division, DeepMind, for a trial to monitor and diagnose acute kidney damage. The Information Commission ruled the hospital had not done enough to protect patients data. So, is there a danger that we are solving one problem with AI, but creating another? After all, AI is costly and makes mistakes, too. Because of the human nature of healthcare, patients want conversations with real doctors, so AI is most likely to be part of the technology that helps with diagnosis and supports decision-making rather than taking over diagnosis, says Mr Whittall. Sarah Deeny agrees, saying it is most likely to be helpful for less high-risk, backroom tasks such as making best use of operating theatre time so theatres dont stand idle, or filing normal blood test results in patient records. You dont want it to result in unnecessary extra tests and clinician time, she says. For example, some smartphones can now carry out pulse checks for an irregular heartbeat. However, if this technology were used by the public, healthy people could be told they have an irregular pulse when they dont. This could result in unnecessary additional testing or treatment, and anxiety for patients. Will a highly anxious, risk-averse patient or, indeed, any patient ever be reassured by a computer diagnosis? The role of the doctor is not just to diagnose but to reassure and [guide] patients through their diagnosis and treatment. But its important not to overlook alternative ways of solving health problems possibly even more effectively, adds Mr Whittall. There can be a tendency with new technology to find things for it to solve, he says. Take malaria, for example. In our search for drugs and vaccines, there is a danger we overlook bed nets which can prevent malaria. There are still many unknowns about AI, so it is important that we dont push this technology through too quickly. [March 03, 2020] Postmedia Turbocharges News Websites Postmedia Network Inc. ("Postmedia") announced that its news websites are all set for upgrades, delivering better experiences for audiences and greater performance for advertisers beginning today with the Windsor Star. "More than just a website refresh, Postmedia is adopting an entirely new platform of technologies that bring outstanding user experiences and expanded offerings for advertisers," said Mary Anne Lavallee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Postmedia. "Extensive beta testing has shaped the new experience and data proves that users love the new platform with its super-fast load times and improved discoverability." Product teams have completely rebuilt what's under the hood, with new technologies that were born out of the needs of newsrooms for best-in-class performance and designed to maximize browsing speed. Faster and more convenient than ever, these changes will allow for audiences to consume and engage with their favourite news and information and easily find the content they crave, on desktop, tablet or mobile. Beta testing of the new site began a year ago and in that time the site has seen a significant improvement in audience engagement including time spent up by 75% highlighting the effect of a 79% decrease in page load times. Over the coming months, all of Postmedia's daily newspaper sites will be migrating to the all-new user experience with improved performance and a fresh, modern look. Site by site rollouts are expected to be completed by late spring. Cross-device commenting Prioritized video Discoverability widgets Accessibility compliance - following AODA guidelines - including mouse-free navigation International privacy standards - GDPR and CCPA compliant New features for advertisers include: Additional ad slots on home page and long-form content Improved performance due to viewability Rich Interscroller The initiative is being supported by an integrated advertising campaign produced in-house by Postmedia's marketing team. Visit www.windsorstar.com to experience the new site. For more information about advertising and partnership opportunities visit www.postmediasolutions.com. About Postmedia Network Inc. Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC (News - Alert).A, PNC.B), is a Canadian newsmedia company representing more than 140 brands across multiple print, online, and mobile platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offers advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences. For more information, visit www.postmedia.com or www.postmediasolutions.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005619/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Vistara looking to bid for ailing Air India, says chairman Bhaskar Bhatt Tata SIA Airlines Limited, operating full-service airline, Vistara, is planning to bid for ailing national carrier Air India, after the government decided to sell its entire stake in the airline, reports citing Vistara chairman Bhaskar Bhat as saying on Monday. Gurgaon-based Vistara, with its hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport, is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore International Airlines. Reports said Vistara is evaluating the national carrier and is likely to submit its bid this week. "Which entity in India will not be interested to evaluate buying Air India. We need to do a long evaluation as Vistara is in itself in long journey," Bhat said when asked about Vistara's interest in bidding for the national carrier. Bhat, who was speaking on the sidelines of an event where the airline unveiled its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, however, said it is yet to take a final decision. "Whoever acquires Air India, whether it's us or anyone else, will have to follow government timeline," Bhat added. The government, last month, invited offers from investors for the stake sale, after an earlier turnaround plan and an effort to sell a controlling stake in the national carrier failed. The government since decided to sell its entire stake in Air India, so as to make the sale attractive for investors. However, Air India, with its huge debt burden turned out to be not attractive enough despite its commercial value. While most Indian airline companies fail to have necessary resources for such acquisitions, foreign airlines may find it less attractive because of the law that prevents them from acquiring more than 49 per cent equity stake in an Indian carrier. Tatas were the original owners of Air India, before it was nationalised in 1950s. The Tata Group currently operates full service carrier Vistara, besides AirAsia India, which is a joint venture with AirAsia Berhad of Malaysia. Vistara is polanning to start long-haul international flights during the first quarter of fiscal 2020-21 (April-June), and will take delivery of four Boeing 787 before the end of the year. The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft in February, and plans to add three more such aircraft in March, May, and June-July. Chairman Bhaskar Bhat said the airline is looking at various destinations like Paris, Moscow, Frankfurt and London for its international operations. "But which of this we will start, we don't know yet," Bhat added. Vistara's chief executive officer Leslie Thng, however, said that the airline will definitely fly to London, 'the jewel of European destinations' soon. "Whether it (London) is our first (long haul) destination or not, we will (definitely) deploy 787-9 to London sometime," Thng said. " We will have four Boeing 787-9 planes by the end of the year. We are currently applying for permits to different countries, " Leslie Thng said adding that Vistara's first long haul international flights will be to countries where the airline has existing code share with airlines. Vistara currently has code share agreement with Lufthansa, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, United Airlines and Japan Airlines. Code sharing allows an airline to book its passengers on partner carriers and provide seamless travel to destinations where it has no presence. The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Cord Meier-Klodt, on Monday evening said that the departure of some of the members of the German community from the communist Romania meant a trauma for them, with many of the people who had to deal with this difficult process of leaving their country still missing their native places. "Try to picture a minority who lived here for 800 years, a minority that became very attached to its territory, a minority that resisted against the aggression of Tartars, Turks and others, having the fortified churches as a symbol (....) and a minority that was the first ethnic group having declared its loyalty to the Romanian modern state in January 1919, only one month after the Great National Assembly. And also, as we well know it, a minority that, after all the ordeals that we have mentioned, had to flee the country overnight, fortunately not in its entirety, but in a large number," said the German diplomat, at the launch of the book "Five Romanian Germans," by Marilena Rotaru, held in the lobby of the Romanian Athenaeum.He emphasized that, despite the trauma they suffered, these people felt the longing for their native places even more."It cannot be but a trauma and it was a trauma and a painful inner fight in the hearts of those who left and those who remained, a fight that, fortunately, and I am entitled to say this, has become easier in the past couple of years. This is a positive sign. However, during this long and very difficult process, there have been people who were longing for their birthplaces and, it seems, they even felt the longing stronger and stronger," said Cord Meier-Klodt.Speaking about Marilena Rotaru's book, the German Ambassador said the author approaches "the personal and very special side" of those interviewed, who share their longing for their mother country Romania, which they left during the communist regime.Speaking at the launching of the book, alongside the author, were the head of the Vremea Publishing house, Silvia Colfescu, and the general manager of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic in Bucharest, Andrei-Radu Dimitriu.The book is part of the prestigious collection of the Vremea publishing house "Facts, Ideas, Documents, "Five Romanian Germans" being a book of dialogues made by Marilena Rotaru with five Germans who left Romania and consider themselves, despite the ordeals they went through, exiled Romanians: painter Friedrich von Bomches, sculptor Ingo Glass, painter and scenographer Ion Sigismund Ipser, culture philosopher Walter Biemel and economy expert Wilfried H. Lang. WASHINGTON - Scientists at the Environmental Working Group and Indiana University have for the first time conducted a review of 26 fluorinated chemicals, or PFAS, and found that all display at least one characteristic of known human carcinogens. The study, published today in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that the most well-studied PFAS compounds - PFOA, formerly used by DuPont to make Teflon, and PFOS, formerly an ingredient in 3M's Scotchgard - exhibit up to five key carcinogenic characteristics. "Our research has shown that PFAS impact biological functions linked to an increased risk of cancer," says Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., EWG toxicologist and the primary author of the new study. "This is worrisome, given that all Americans are exposed to PFAS mixtures on a daily basis, from contamination in water, food and everyday products." Americans are exposed to hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals, many of which can build up in the body over time. Changes in the body, such as hormonal dysregulation and weakened immune system, increase cancer risk, and PFAS chemicals cause many such changes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PFOA as a possible human carcinogen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says both PFOS and the PFOA replacement chemical GenX show evidence of carcinogenicity. "Data from animal and epidemiological studies point to human health risks for PFAS, especially an elevated risk of cancer," said Lisa Kamendulis, an associate professor at Indiana University and one of the authors of the study. PFAS chemicals never break down in the environment and can stay in the human body for many years. According to the new study, some so-called short-chain and replacement PFAS, touted by the chemical industry as safer alternatives to long-chain PFAS, exhibited the same key characteristics as the toxic chemicals they were designed to replace. "We should focus on preventing cancer by preventing human exposure to potential carcinogens," said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president for science investigations at EWG. "Cancer causes staggering costs to society, and compelling evidence tells us that exposures to toxic chemicals in the environment are a significant risk factor." In the C8 Health Project, which studied more than 70,000 people who lived or worked in the mid-Ohio Valley, where drinking water was contaminated with PFOA, elevated PFOA levels in the body were associated with greater risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and kidney, testicular, prostate and ovarian cancers. In January, laboratory tests commissioned by EWG found the toxic PFAS chemicals in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities. Some of the highest PFAS levels detected were in samples from major metropolitan areas, including Miami, Philadelphia, New Orleans and the northern New Jersey suburbs of New York City. Drawing on results from those tests and new academic research that found PFAS widespread in rainwater, EWG scientists believe PFAS is likely detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in all that use surface water. EWG's tests also found chemicals from the PFAS family that are not commonly tested for in drinking water. EWG's tap water samples, collected from May to December 2019, were analyzed for the presence of 30 different PFAS compounds by an accredited independent laboratory. That's five times as many chemicals as were tested for, from 2014 to 2015, in an EPA-mandated program that grossly underreported the true extent of contamination. On average, six or seven different PFAS chemicals were detected in samples. In addition to elevated risk of cancer, exposure to PFAS chemicals is also linked to other serious health concerns, including reproductive and developmental harms, and reduced effectiveness of vaccines. Independent scientific studies have recommended a safe level for PFAS in drinking water of 1 part per trillion, a standard that is endorsed by EWG. ### The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The osseointegration implants market is being positively influenced by the increasing volume of dental implant surgeries and trauma incidents, rising prevalence of spinal cord injuries (SCIs), growing funds for research, and improved reimbursement support for surgeries. It generated a revenue of $ 9.9 billion in 2017 and is expected to advance at a 4.0% CAGR during the forecast period (20182023). Osseointegration implants are used for the treatment of hearing loss, tooth loss, and amputees. Osteoblasts and supporting tissue migrate to the pore in which the implant is placed. Rise in new product launches in the osseointegration implants market is another trend. Companies are unveiling new and innovative products to increase their portfolio and geographical presence. For instance, the OKTAGON implant system developed by DRS International GmbH was launched by Henry Schein Inc. in September 2017 with exclusive distribution rights in the UK Similarly, OPRA Implant System Platform G was launched by Integrum AB in January 2017. It is used for transfemoral patients to simplify surgical procedures and improve the mechanical performance of the system. Download Report Sample at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/osseointegration-implants-market/report-sample As compared to dental clinics and ambulatory surgical clinics, the consumption of osseointegration implants in spinal fusion surgeries in hospitals is the highest. Since, hospitals are where these injuries are treated most extensively, these are the largest category in the end user segment of the osseointegration implants market. A revenue share of 66.4% was held by the hospital category in 2017, and it is expected to grow to 67.8% by 2023. The largest contributor to the osseointegration implants market in 2017 in the region segment was North America. A United Nations publication, "An Aging World 2017", mentioned that the aged population (60 years and above) in the region is expected to grow to 28.0% of total by 2050 from 22.0% in 2017. Hence, it is clear that the North American market is being driven by the increasing aged population, along with the rising volume of amputations and surging prevalence of spinal disorders. Therefore, the market for osseointegration implants is slated to advance in the forecast period, as the incidence of SCIs and the number of amputations are witnessing an increase. The Berlinale ranks among the most highly regarded film festivals, and filmmakers from Taiwan often have their works premiered there since the festival cares about diversity and equality as much as they do. And this year, the Teddy Award, the official queer award at the Berlinale, goes to director Ming Liang TSAI, who shares the award with "the most open, liberal, and tolerant Taiwan." He, in a proud tone, also mentions that Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage last year and wishes for more countries to embrace marriage equality. For two predecessors, "Spider Lilies" by Mei Ling CHOU and "Small Talk" by Huang Hui CHEN, Ming Liang TSAI's "Days (Rizi)", shortlisted for the Golden Bear top, is the third film for Taiwan to win the award. TAICCA selects different contents for different IP markets to maximize exposure and business opportunism. Within a day, more than ten inquiries were about commercial co-operation with "Days (Rizi)," directed by Ming Liang TSAI; "Your Name Engraved Herein," produced by director Yu Ning CHU; "The Teacher," winner of the best supporting actress of last year's Golden Horse. Production companies and film selectors from festivals gather at the Taiwan Pavilion to ask about LGBTQ films, showing works made in a free society are gaining more and more international recognition. TAICCA debuted in the international film market at the Berlinale, integrated Formosa's cultural resources to curate the Taiwan Pavilion, and redesigned the Taiwan Cinema Night from a new angle. The venue of Taiwan Cinema Night, "The Tunnel," is a lounge bar refurnished from an underground platform at the famous Potsdamer Platz, showing TAICCA's endeavor to add a dash of authenticity to international networking. Carlo Chatrian, the Artistic Director of Berlinale, visited the cocktail party and was welcomed by filmmakers and exhibitors from Taiwan. The event balanced avant-garde style with that of raw industrial, which is "charming and Berlin," quoting from one of the guests. To promote Taiwan's film industry, TAICCA brought the three winners of the agency's Original Award to Taiwan IP Showcase in Berlin, broadens international co-operation opportunities, and encourages interdisciplinary crossover. In the future, TAICCA will find the right projects for each exhibition to ensure the best matchmaking result. Moreover, TAICCA also works with Screen to introduce young talents and original content from Taiwan to the world. The 70th Berlinale and European Film Market ended on Feb. 29, 2020. TAICCA's president, Ching Fang HU, said that TAICCA is very happy to open up its international co-operation mechanisms at the Berlinale. Following the film festival, TAICCA will offer an Immersive Content Grant to encourage international joint venture or co-production on XR projects, branding the island as a global center of innovation in immersive content. SOURCE Taiwan Creative Content Agency Modi's tweet puts a stop to all speculation following his post on Monday that he was thinking of giving up his social media accounts. New Delhi: Ending speculation over his tweet that he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he will be handing over his accounts on such platforms to women who inspire. "This Women's Day (8 March), I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions. "Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs," he tweeted. This Women's Day, I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions. Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs. pic.twitter.com/CnuvmFAKEu Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 His tweet puts a stop to all speculation following his post on Monday that he was thinking of giving up his social media accounts. Prime Minister Modi sent the social media buzzing with his tweet on Monday, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted." While some wondered whether his quitting had anything to do with the menace of fake news others guessed that India might launch China-type indigenous social media platforms. In about an hour, the tweet was retweeted over 26,000 times. The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media with 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram. The Twitter handle of Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers. In September 2019, Modi was the third-most followed world leader on the microblogging site, behind only US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama. The Prime Minister was the first Indian to cross the 50-million followers mark on Twitter. BOZEMAN -- Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Environmental Biology, a pair of Montana State University researchers are setting out to prove caddisflies are more than fish food. "They play other really important roles, like processing nutrients, influencing streambed flow regimes and providing habitat for other things living in the streambed, like microbes or other invertebrates," said Lindsey Albertson, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology in the College of Letters and Science at MSU. Albertson and collaborator Geoffrey Poole, a professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture, were awarded the $1.17 million NSF grant in January. The grant will provide three years of funding for their research into how these aquatic insects influence the streams in which they live. "This is an excellent example of inter-department and inter-college collaboration to further our understanding of aquatic ecosystems," said Diane Debinski, ecology department head at MSU. The collaboration began after Poole attended a presentation given by Albertson as a means to introduce himself to a new colleague who, although from a different college on campus, also specializes in aquatic ecology. Albertson was talking about net-spinning caddisflies and how their activity binds together stream-bed sediment. Caddisfly larvae spin and tend silk nets, not unlike spider webs. These caddisfly webs, however, are in water and catch tiny organic particles rather than insects. They aren't big -- usually a half inch or less -- but a square meter of streambed may be home to hundreds or thousands of such nets. The little nets were fascinating for Poole. With a background studying groundwater hydrology, his mind immediately went to how they would change the streamflow. "That's changing the way water moves in the system," he remembers thinking. "It has to be." Albertson, who had been researching the insects in terms of how their nets influence sediment movement and habitat creation for other organisms, hadn't measured their effect on the water's flow in the stream bed. When Poole approached her about working together, Albertson was thrilled at the chance. "If these net-spinning caddisflies are influencing flow, then they should be influencing the streambed community," Albertson said. "That got me really excited, because I'm a community ecologist." The pair set out to collect preliminary data to support their hypothesis -- that the tiny nets created by larvae could influence the water flowing through them -- working for two years with graduate student Michael MacDonald to demonstrate that caddisfly nets were able to slow the flow of water within the sediment and are therefore likely to have other influences on the system. With the grant, approved by the NSF in January, Albertson and Poole are seeking to understand how nutrients and organic matter are processed within a stream and the associated role of the caddisflies in that system. Caddisfly nets create a completely novel habitat for microbes within the stream sediments and boost the overall prevalence of the microbes, Poole explained. The increase in microbial biomass then affects the rate at which nutrients and organic matter enter the streambed, the amount of time they spend there and the capacity of the stream to process them. According to Albertson, caddisflies remain in their net-building aquatic larval stage for 10 to 11 months, then quickly transition through the pupal stage to emerge from the water as an adult caddisfly. The entire life cycle is about a year. Mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies are often used to monitor stream quality in an index named for their scientific family names: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Tricoptera, or EPT. An abundance of these insects is an indicator that the stream is healthy. "The flipside of that is our research is actually suggesting the EPT, or at least the caddisflies, actually influence water quality," Poole said. "It's not just a one-way relationship. It's not just that the water quality influences the community, it's that the community then feeds back and influences the water quality." The research will take place both in a lab and in field sites. In the lab, water will circle continuously around a device known as an annular flume, which mimics water moving over a stream bed. The researchers can add the caddisfly larvae collected at area stream sites to the controlled system to measure changes in flow in different situations. They will then test the same ideas in the field within enclosures on Cherry Creek west of Bozeman. The work will combine the two researchers' skill sets. Poole is a veteran researcher who often works in computer modeling of stream networks. Albertson's work with macroinvertebrates and their place within freshwater ecosystems often takes her into the field. "You think about those ideas you wish you could pursue or you wish you had all the skills to accomplish, but most scientists don't have everything and that's why working with someone who has that complementary skill set can be really, really fruitful," Albertson said. ### As the debate over tighter gun control regulations heats up in Minnesota, a movement among gun rights advocates to designate Second Amendment sanctuary counties is gaining momentum across the state. Five northwestern Minnesota county boards Clearwater, Marshall, Red Lake, Roseau and Wadena have voted to declare their county as a Second Amendment "sanctuary," or otherwise dedicated to defending gun rights. Similar efforts have surfaced in at least two dozen other counties, with some expected to vote in coming weeks. The resolutions are similar, with language saying local resources will not be used to enforce laws believed to infringe on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Legal experts say the resolutions are symbolic because counties cant choose not to enforce certain state laws. But in an election year, they are mobilizing rural voters who view gun rights as a critical voting issue. "I think this is clearly what's driving this concern, among especially people in greater Minnesota, that they need to take some kind of action for protecting what they perceive to be threats to their gun rights," said David Schultz, a professor of political science and law at the University of Minnesota and Hamline University. ADVERTISEMENT Pushback Second Amendment resolutions began in Illinois in response to proposed gun measures, then spread rapidly in other states including Virginia and Colorado. More than 400 communities nationally have now adopted them. Its "a pushback to the metro-centric vision for creating additional barriers, additional hurdles for gun owners to jump through in order to exercise their rights without actually having any effect on public safety," said Rob Doar, political director for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. Those proposals include expanded background checks and red flag laws that let family members or law enforcement petition a judge to temporarily remove guns from someone deemed a risk to themselves or others. The DFL-led Minnesota House passed both measures last week, although they are all but certain to fail in the Republican-controlled Senate. Polls show most Americans support red flag laws , also known as extreme risk protection orders. But they spark fierce opposition from advocates of gun rights who see them as government overreach. The debate is on the ground now in Crow Wing County. Michael Starry of Ironton, who is helping organize an effort to declare Crow Wing a Second Amendment "dedicated" county, sees red flag laws as an attack on constitutional rights. "They come and take your personal property, and then you have to spend thousands of dollars and countless man hours proving your innocence for a charge filed by somebody you never get to know," Starry said. In Mille Lacs County, Josh Bretzman, who grew up with family traditions of hunting and sport shooting, launched a Facebook group to press county leaders for a Second Amendment sanctuary designation. It quickly grew to more than 1,700 members. ADVERTISEMENT "They want to stop criminals, and Im OK with that," said Bretzman, who said hes been following the debate in Minnesota and nationally over tighter gun restrictions. "But criminals acquire these firearms illegally. Its not stopping them. Its hindering us, the people who are stand-up citizens in the community." He said he got involved after "some buddies and I were talking, and then instead of talking, we decided to act." Legal limits The idea for the resolutions was inspired by so-called sanctuary cities that have limited their cooperation with federal enforcement of certain immigration laws. But whether a county can simply decide it's not going to enforce a state law seems unlikely. Schultz, the U of M law professor, said the resolutions are legally meaningless, because states have broad authority over local governments. "If the focus of declaring yourself to be a sanctuary county is to try to insulate yourself against state gun regulation, that will largely fail," Schultz said. Jim Hofer was the only Wadena County commissioner to vote against that countys Second Amendment resolution. He said regardless of his views on gun control, "I just believed that asking a county to ignore whatever laws are passed at the state and federal level violated my oath of office." At Bills Gun Shop and Range last week in Baxter, Minn., Wadena County residents David and Diane Johnston were practicing shooting the handguns they own for self-defense. While he opposed new gun regulations "It's a foot in the door for, take away your rights." David Johnston said the Second Amendment already guarantees those rights, and he doesn't think a sanctuary resolution should be needed. ADVERTISEMENT The Minnesota County Attorneys Association is expected in the next few weeks to take a position on the Second Amendment resolutions. Regardless of how that group sees them, some advocates say the measures send an important message to St. Paul that Minnesotans outside the Twin Cities metro area are fed up with efforts to restrict guns. "As more and more counties get on board with this, you're showing at the state level that the citizens of this state don't want these gun laws," said Seth Borg of Isle, Minn., who supports the Mille Lacs County resolution. "They don't want the infringements on our rights." This story originally appeared at: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/03/02/second-amendment-sanctuary-movement-gets-some-traction-in-rural-minnesota of story Questions or requests? Contact MPR News editor Meg Martin at newspartners@mpr.org 2019 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that Bulgaria has agreed with Russia's Gazprom on a 40% price cut for natural gas in a new contract. "Our new contract with Gazprom on the price for natural gas the largest contraction among all the countries that are in negotiations it exceeds 40%," he said on his Facebook page. The negotiations have been long and difficult and were helped by the European Commission, head of state-owned gas company Bulgargaz Nikolai Pavlov said. The new price will be valid as of August. Bulgaria imports 2.9 billion cubic metres per year from Russia under a long term contract valid through 2022. Deputy director of energy policy of the Institute of Energy and Finances, Alexey Belogoriev, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the discount for Bulgaria is one of the consequences of Gazproms settlement agreement with the European Commission on Antitrust Investigation, signed in May 2018. Gazproms losses from such a change in the pricing scheme in Bulgaria will not be significant. "But Gazprom suffers loses in all national European markets, which will lead to a significant decrease in revenue this year . But if it does not reduce prices, Gazprom will simply lose its sales markets," Alexey Belogoryev said. MOUNT PROSPECT, IL, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Executive Committee is pleased to announce that Lemrey Al Carter, MS, PharmD, RPh, will become the Associations executive director/secretary effective May 16, 2020, during the Associations 116th Annual Meeting. He will succeed Carmen A. Catizone, MS, RPh, DPh, the fourth NABP executive director, who is retiring from NABP in December 2020 after serving the Association for 35 years. Prior to joining NABP, Dr Carter served as the divisional vice president of pharmacy operations and professional affairs for Walgreens. In this position, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations and pharmacy regulatory oversight of more than 9,200 pharmacies in the United States as well as oversight, management, and execution of all commercial, Medicare Parts B and D, and state Medicaid plans. In addition, Dr Carter is serving his second term as a member of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation State Board of Pharmacy. NABP is excited to welcome Dr Carter as the next executive director/secretary, says NABP Chairperson Susan Ksiazek, RPh, DPh. His commitment to community, excellence, and innovation will foster responsible stewardship of the Associations resources. Dr Carter will lead with passion and integrity as he serves NABPs membership and works tirelessly to support our shared mission of protecting public health. "I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead NABP and will continue to be an unyielding advocate for the protection of public health while preserving the long-standing success of NABP," says Carter. Reporting to the NABP Executive Committee, Dr Carters responsibilities as executive director/secretary will include leadership of the Association, budget oversight and development, and strategic planning and analysis. In addition, he will collaborate with professional organizations and stakeholders at the state and federal levels to advance public health protection. Story continues In addition to serving on the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy, Dr Carter was appointed by the Illinois House of Representatives to serve two terms on the Illinois Collaborative Pharmaceutical Task Force. He is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Deans Task Force on Community-Based Pharmacy Practice and has served on numerous task forces and committees for pharmacy organizations, including NABP. Dr Carter earned his master of science degree from the University of Florida and his doctor of pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, College of Pharmacy. NABP is the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its state member boards and jurisdictions for the purpose of protecting the public health. Visit nabp.pharmacy to learn more. - 30 - Larissa Doucette National Association of Boards of Pharmacy 847/391-4405 help@nabp.pharmacy The BJP on Tuesday said it would back the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government if the NCP and Congress tried to pressurise the Sena to grant Muslim quota by pulling out. The NCP and Congress have said the government will provide five per cent quota to Muslims in education. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the Sena, however, said on Tuesday that the proposal for Muslim quota had not come to him, and when it comes, its validity will be examined. Senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar told reporters that his party was of the view that reservation cannot be offered on the basis of religion. "The stand the Shiv Sena has taken is right, they are talking about the Constitution. The Constitution does not provide for reservation based on religion," the former state finance minister said. "What is the crime of Sikhs and Christians if reservation is to be given (only to Muslims) on the basis of religion?" he asked. The Union government has already carved out a 10 per cent quota for the economically backward classes which covers Muslims and Christians too, the BJP leader said. "I think Uddhav-ji has taken a very good stand. Our alliance with the Sena was based on ideology. The Sena should not worry if the Congress and NCP are pressurising it on the issue," he said. "Even if they leave the government, we will support the government within the limits of this subject," Mungantiwar added. Minority Affairs Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik had stated in the Legislative Council last week that the government will provide five per cent quota to Muslims by enacting a law. On Tuesday, Thackeray said he had not yet received any proposal in this regard, and the government will examine its validity once the proposal reached him. However, his cabinet colleague and state Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat said his party was committed to giving reservation to Muslims, and the co-ordination committee of the coalition government will discuss the issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The full court in all their divine regalia assembled in the Hall of Justice where towering walls of sacred glyphs soared to the ceiling far above, a shimmering golden sea of human dreams. Osiris presided on his golden throne. To his right sat Isis on her throne and to his left sat Horus on his. Thoth, the Scribe of the Gods, sat cross-legged a short distance away, the Book of All open on his lap. Ranged along either side of the great hall were rows of chairs, gilded in the purest gold, awaiting those destined for salvation. Since time immemorial, said Osiris, commencing the proceedings, it has been determined that the souls of humankind shall follow their bodies like a shadow through their days upon the earth, then pass beyond, across the threshold of death, bearing their deeds and intentions embossed on their naked shrouds. After great deliberation, it has been determined that this is the hour of truth and, thus, the court shall now convene for a lengthy journey. Osiris then nodded to the young Horus who announced in a sonorous boom: King Mena! In Naguib Mahfouzs novel, Before the Throne (1983), all the rulers of Egypt, from Mina to President Anwar Al-Sadat, were summoned before the great court to recount their deeds. The novel is long, intentionally so, because it covers millennia in the relationship between Egypts rulers and their subjects and between Egypt and its neighbours. Egyptian history has brought rulers to account for 5,000 years. The Osirian faith prevailed during 3,000 years of this history, Christianity for several centuries and then Islam for the many centuries since the Arab Muslim conquest. But the court was not interested in a rulers religion but rather in the fact that he was an Egyptian who lived his whole life in Egypt and dedicated himself faithfully and courageously to protecting the Egyptian people and their welfare. The ancient Egyptian faith had the magnanimity to accept diversity in the religions that accepted monotheism and were grounded in nobility of conscience. If the verdicts passed on the pharaohs of the Old, Middle and Late Pharaonic kingdoms harked back to Osirian laws, since Muqawqis came to Egypt the judgements were based on the recommendations handed down by an imagined court of a later faith. The court could issue three types of verdicts: the ruler could be granted immortality and join the court, he could be pronounced guilty and condemned to a hellish afterlife, or he could be sent to the tomb of the inconsequentials. Many rulers were admitted to the ranks of the immortals. Either their accounts of their glories and services to the country and its people spoke for themselves, or Isis intervened, citing the testimony of one of her children and pleading sympathy for the ordeal the ruler endured in his struggle to do what was right. Naturally, she had no mercy for those who rebelled and betrayed her trust. After Sadat is admitted to the immortals in Before the Throne, Isis addresses them: Let each of you pray to his god to bestow on Egypt the wisdom and strength to remain an eternal beacon of guidance and beauty, after which all allowed to remain in the great hall bowed their heads in prayer. The novel bears all the hallmarks of Naguib Mahfouzs art. But were not here to discuss the craft of this Nobel laureate or literature in general, but rather the political element in this work and, specifically, politicians in power. Its subject is the Egyptian state from antiquity to modern times. At the moment of the trial of Sadat, it brings all Egyptian leaders into the court, whether known for their might, their justice or their advocacy of integrity. Naturally, Mina, Tutankhamen and Ramses II are present. So too are Saad Zaghloul and Mustafa Al-Nahhas. Gamal Abdel-Nasser defends his place among the immortals and expresses his dismay at what came after him. This is not the only Mahfouz novel that draws comparisons between Egypts rulers. In Qushtumur (The Coffeehouse), coffeehouse denizens have their say and Akhenaten, Dweller in the Truth speaks of relations between power and the people, a subject that is given a different treatment in Children of Gebalawi and Harafish where power turns more concrete or metaphysical. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak had been in power for some time when Before the Throne appeared in bookstores. He would leave power three decades later, in 2011. Those 30 years placed him alongside Ramses II and Mohamed Ali in terms of longevity as head-of-state, but he is the only Egyptian leader to endure nine years of actual trials after leaving power. Mubarak had many honourable virtues, not least the military ones. He was a model Egyptian soldier: courageous, capable, patriotic, self-sacrificing. He served in active combat, as a pilot in 1956, 1967 and 1968-1970, and as an air force commander in the October 1973 War. After that, Sadat chose him from among all other military commanders to serve as his vice president, during which period he trained in diplomacy, politics and political sagacity. While Mubarak, after coming to power, remained committed to implementing the peace agreements with Israel, he refused to give the Israelis room for evasion. When Taba came under contention, he did not hesitate to fight the complex and critical arbitration battle to the end. He won. Not a single centimetre of Egyptian territory remained under occupation. But Mubarak did not eliminate war as a political option. His courageous decision to participate in the war to liberate Kuwait reflected a transformation in Egyptian relations with the Gulf states. Not only had Egypt proven itself a reliable partner in war, it had acquired the diplomatic clout to serve as a mediator in the Khufous crisis between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This was consistent with an important tenet in Egyptian strategy: Egyptian-Gulf relations needed to be strong in the face of regional and international challenges. As Mubarak stands before the throne he will also be able to offer abundant evidence of infrastructural development in a country in which infrastructure had deteriorated to the point of near collapse during the two decades since the June 1967, when development ground to a halt. Most likely, he will also explain his economic policies which, after a period of wavering, settled on the need for economic structural reform, which included shifting the geo-economic keel outward from the eternal Nile through the deserts to the shores of the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Naturally, he had his flaws. He hesitated too long before resolving on reform and, when he did, he was perhaps too cautious, which left many gaps in the economy. These were exploited by money management firms and the Muslim Brotherhood who ran them as they leveraged themselves back into politics behind the facade of the Wafd Party or the Labour Party. All this created a brew in which terrorism could and did rear its head. However, Mubarak ultimately prevailed in the round of the 1990s, making it possible to set Egypt on course to serious reform. The revolution came anyway, and now historians will have their say. But there is no doubt that Mubarak was true to his word, an Egyptian to the core, and a patriot devoted to serving his nation and its people. May he rest in peace. The writer is chairman of the board, CEO and director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Halifax, Canada - February 25, 2020 - A CN rail diesel locomotive sits idle in the Fairview Cove station. Canadian National railway says its trains are back up and running, and employees are returning to work as the anti-pipeline protests that brought part of its network to a virtual standstill appear to have largely disappeared. CN said in a statement Tuesday that it started to call back most of the approximately 450 employees that it temporarily laid off last month in response to the anti-pipeline blockades. Canadas largest railway said there have not been any significant illegal blockades on its network over the past four days. While we are keeping a close watch on our network for any further disruptions, we are mobilizing our employees to be ready to implement a focused and methodical recovery plan for our eastern network, CNs chief executive JJ Ruest said in a statement. However, he noted that the recovery process will still take several weeks as the company returns trains to service and catches up on a backlog of shipments across a wide range of industries. CN said more than 1,400 trains including Via Rails passenger trains that operate on CN tracks were delayed or cancelled as a result of the blockades, which began in early February and continued for several weeks. In western Canada, for the last two weeks, we have been well on our way to recovering, Ruest said. While we are aware that there is still work ahead of us, export grain, imported containerized goods, coal, potash, energy products and other commodities are moving to markets. We are rebalancing our assets to service customer sites for loading. Demonstrators set up blockades across the country in solidarity with opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wetsuweten First Nation in northwestern British Columbia. The blockades had brought some freight and passenger rail traffic to a standstill, particularly in parts of Ontario. Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and senior government ministers reached a proposed arrangement Sunday. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said last month that nearly a quarter of its members had reported being negatively affected by the blockades, losing an average of $60,000. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android and sign up for the Yahoo Finance Canada Weekly Brief. The TMC is setting up a fund to aid victims of "genocide" across the country, TMC MP Derek O'Brien said on Tuesday, noting that Rs 10 lakh has already been committed to its corpus. Addressing a press briefing, O'Brien termed the Delhi violence "genocide" and said that the party wanted the issue to be discussed in Parliament and also demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into it. "West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is setting up a benevolent fund for genocide victims. The AITC benevolent fund will be used outside Bengal and it already has a commitment of Rs 10 lakh," said the MP. He said that Rs 5 lakh has been committed from the royalty of the books written by the chief minister and the remaining Rs 5 lakh will be contributed by the party MPs, with a minimum contribution of Rs 10,000 from each. "The violence in Delhi is genocide and it was a planned murder. This is the government which doesn't want to answer hard questions in Parliament. "You have blood on your hands. Come to Parliament and answer the questions rather than using your fingers to play with keyboard," he said on the government's "silence" on the Delhi violence in Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over the past decade thousands of young families have flocked to Byford, drawn to the suburban outpost by cheap land on big blocks in new estates slapped on old hobby farms. But the promise of an idyllic life has turned to a financial nightmare for one in 20 homeowners as house prices continue to erode from the highs of 2014 and lock up any chance of refinancing. WA has seven postcodes in the top 10 list for worst rates of mortgage arrears in the country. Credit:Rob Homer For the past few quarters, Byford has consistently appeared in Australia's top 10 worst postcodes for mortgage arrears the technical term for late mortgage payments. In the December 2019 quarter, it topped the list. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: An international class exhibition dedicated to the air conditioning industry was recently held at IEML, Greater Noida. The exhibition called ACREX is now identified as Indias exhibition on HVAC&R and has evolved to become the largest in South Asia. At the exhibition there was participation from the USA, Germany, Europe, Turkey, Korea and many more countries. The organiser, ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers), hosts the exhibition annually while rotating between three cities. During the event, high powered conferences and workshops were held wherein domain experts disseminated knowledge on product, technology, engineering and services in the industry. The idea was to consistently promote best practices prevalent in the industry with attention to energy conservation, efficiency and environmental protection. The exhibition was not only a huge success, but it also drew the attention of the public as more than 12,000 visitors attended the exhibition over three days. In this edition of ACREX, emphasis was on Government of Indias India Cooling Action Plan and on improving air quality. In this regard, the theme of the exhibition was Shuddh Vaayu, Deergh Aayu which was beautifully manifested in a Live Experience tent outside the main pavilion. Vikram Murthy, President of ISHRAE said, In addition to bringing together more than 300 exhibitors, ACREX 2020 also put together a string of workshops and technical seminars that further enhanced the knowledge base for the visitors on the innovations in HVAC&R industry. All participants had access to high-quality workshops and seminars on topics that are related to the current trends and practices of the HVAC&R industry. The Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), was founded in 1981 at New Delhi by a group of eminent HVAC&R professionals. ISHRAE today has more than 28,000 HVAC&R professionals and Student-members. ISHRAE operates from 43 Chapters and sub Chapters spread all over India, with HQ in Delhi. It is led by a team of elected officers, who are members of the Society, working on a voluntary basis, and collectively called the Board of Governors. Health QR code now available to expats By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-03-03 10:07 Expats in Shanghai are now allowed to apply for a health QR code, to record their current situation during the epidemic. The health code, also known as Suishenma QR Code, has been rolled out to allow citizens to travel freely or force them to self-quarantine for the containment of the novel coronavirus. People from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan of China and foreign countries can get their QR codes through a mini-program on Alipay or the Suishenban app after completing real-name authentication on Alipay. People from Hong Kong and Macao of China can also get their QR codes by directly registering as real name users on the Suishenban app. According to Zhu Zongyao, an official from the Shanghai Big Data Center, the Suishenban app will be empowered with more application scenarios, to provide more information and convenience for its users. The health code system is supported by data from the health commission, public security and transportation authorities, as well as communications, airline and railway companies. In the future, the upgraded version of the code will serve as a certificate for entry into residential areas, office buildings, factory sites, technology parks and administration service centers at all levels as well as all public spaces, replacing extra paperwork, said Zhu. (Photos/Kankanews.com) US Slashes Staff Numbers at Chinese State Media Organizations 2020-03-02 -- Washington on Monday ordered several U.S.-based media organizations run by the Chinese government to cut their staff numbers, hitting out at Beijing's "long-standing intimidation and harassment of journalists." U.S. based employees of China's Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International and China Daily Distribution Corp., which last month were designated foreign agents by the State Department, will need to be reduced from 160 to just 100 by March 13, official said. The move was in direct response to Beijing's treatment of journalists, which was highlighted in an annual report released by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) on Monday. The report found that 82 percent of members who responded to its survey had experienced interference, harassment or violence while reporting in China, while 44 percent said digital and physical surveillance concerns had affected their ability to carry out reporting activities, including contacting sources and doing interviews. Forty-four percent said their Chinese colleagues had experienced harassment at least once during 2019, while 51 percent said they were obstructed by police or other officials while trying to do their jobs. The report said it had built up "a detailed picture of sustained attacks by the Chinese state on the foreign press, a worsening reality that should be cause for global concern." "As China reaches new heights of economic influence, it has shown a growing willingness to use its considerable state power to suppress factual reporting that does not fit with the global image it seeks to present," the report said. "For the second consecutive year, not a single correspondent said conditions improved," it said. 'Visas as weapons' Citing the expulsion from China of three Wall Street Journal reporters last month, the FCCC said Chinese authorities are now "using visas as weapons against the foreign press," either refusing to renew work visas as in the case of the Journal's Chun Han Wong in August, or issuing "severely truncated visas" to resident journalists. It said since President Xi Jinping took power in 2013, China has forced nine foreign journalists to leave the country, either through outright expulsion or non-renewal of visas. "Twenty-two percent of respondents faced difficulty renewing their credentials, up from 13 percent the year before," the report found. "Almost all of them believed this was related to their reporting." Meanwhile, Chinese employees at international media organizations continued to face intensifying intimidation and harassment, including being detained, interrogated and threatened, the FCCC found. China's ever-expanding surveillance network, which employs facial recognition technology and physical monitoring, as well as evidence of the hacking of e-mail and encrypted messaging apps is making journalists' jobs harder still, it said. "For years, the government of the People's Republic of China has imposed increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment, and intimidation against American and other foreign journalists operating in China," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement announcing the staffing cuts to Chinese media organizations. Reciprocity sought One U.S. official told Reuters: "We've been imploring the Chinese for years and years now to improve their treatment of journalists in China. So, this is not linked to any one particular incident." The U.S. official said it was hoped that the restrictions on Chinese media organizations would "spur Beijing to adopt a more fair and reciprocal approach." "If in fact they decide to take this in a further negative direction however of course...all options would be on the table. I can't tell you what in particular we would do, but we'd sit down review the circumstances and then consider all of our options," said the official in comments reported by Reuters. While the U.S. isn't expelling any individuals, some of the staff members may be forced to leave due to the fact that their visas depend on their ability to work in the U.S. The move drew criticism from the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), however, which called on Washington to immediately suspend the plan. "China and the United States need to pull back from this dangerous cycle of tit-for-tat retaliation that threatens the free flow of information in both countries--especially during a global health crisis," CPJ Asia program coordinator Steven Butler said in a statement on the group's website. "As a democracy with a strong constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press, the U.S. in particular must show leadership in the area of press freedom, rather than adopting Beijing's authoritarian tactics," Butler said. China is the world's worst jailer of journalists, with at least 48 journalists behind bars at the end of 2019, the CPJ said. Reported by RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. 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 March 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 Nowadays the increasing cases of crime remain a sensation for all. The case which has recently come up is from Hyderabad where a case has been registered against an Arab Sheikh living in Bahrain at Chandrayangutta Police Station. In this case, Fatima Unnisa, a resident of Amberpet, has accused Sheikh of bargaining and raping her sister. In this case, Fatima said, 'On February 25, a man named Mohammad Saber came to her and said,' He has got a customer to buy a house, who has called him to discuss his house. ' Gorakhpur man commits suicide on railway track, suicide note revealed this In this case, Fatima along with her younger sister Rafat Unnisa went to Mohammad Saber and after that Mohammad Saber introduced Fatima to an old man named Ibrahim Shukurulla. According to the information received, Ibrahim proposed marriage to Fatima instead of buying a house, and at the same time, Fatima refused. Ibrahim asked Fatima's younger sister Rafat to marry, but Rafat also flatly refused. After this, at 9.30 pm Fatima noticed that her sister Rafat was missing from the house and she asked the family but no one knew. Dispute in two groups over dance Fatima felt that Rafat must have gone to her in-laws' house to meet her son, but later she could not find it, then she searched everywhere and asked her brother. Fatima's brother gave an address where she went and found Rafat there. When he questioned Rafat, it came to know that Saber sold Rafat to Ibrahim. After that Rafat told that Ibrahim had forced and made relations with her many times during these days. He also stained her feet with a cigarette. In this case, the police now say that 'Ibrahim has been taken into custody, he will be produced in court on Tuesday. Saber and his wife are absconding, an attempt is being made to arrest them as well. He was also accused in such a case earlier. Posco Act will be imposed if required. Husband beats and gives triple talaq to pregnant wife [March 03, 2020] Infoblox Enhances NIOS Capabilities for Cloud Automation and Next Level Network Management Infoblox Inc., the leader in Secure Cloud-Managed Network Services, today announced new updates to its Network Identity Operating System (NIOS) platform, adding the ability to monitor NIOS via the cloud-based BloxOne platform, as well as improving performance and simplifying network monitoring for NIOS users. This latest update enables organizations to deploy robust, manageable and cost-effective DNS, DHCP and IP address management (DDI) services to networks of any size, while providing a bridge to innovative, cloud-based networking services and IT management solutions. New cloud-based technologies are transforming the environment in which businesses operate. The proliferation of private clouds and hybrid-clouds is making network administration more complex and network security more difficult. NIOS 8.5 answers this challenge by helping customers bridge to cloud-based network services and by delivering enterprise-grade DDI services to evolving cloud and hybrid environments. NIOS 8.5 now includes NIOS Grid Connector, which provides visibility of NIOS/Infoblox (News - Alert) Grid data on the BloxOne Cloud Service portal, allowing network administrators to monitor both BloxOne DDI-the industry's first cloud managed DDI solution for branch offices and remote locations-and NIOS from a single pane of glass. NIOS 8.5 also adds support for Nutanix Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV), complementing existing support for VMware, Hyper-V and OpenStack Platform, as well as Google Cloud Platform Amazon Web Services and Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure. And by leveraging Infoblox Network Insight, NIOS 8.5 discovers Meraki SD-WAN devices on a network, unifies IPAM visibility and facilitates the adoption of SD-WAN architectures for remote and branch office connectivity. "Network and IT management is moving to the cloud in the same way that storage and computing has done in recent years," said Kanaiya Vasani, Executive Vice President, Products and Corporate Development at Infoblox. "NIOS 8.5 provides our customers with a bridge to the cloud, empowering IT managers to leverage the cloud to monitor their NIOS appliances through Infoblox's BloxOne Cloud Service portal." "Furthermore, with NIOS 8.5, Infoblox provides the most comprehensive solution for hybrid and multi-cloud businesses," he continued. "This gives our customers IPAM visibility and automation of IP address and DNS record management workflows for more cloud platforms than anyone else." To learn more about the NIOS platform, and the new features added in NIOS 8.5, visit: https://www.infoblox.com/products/nios8/ Or read our solution note here: https://www.infoblox.com/wp-content/uploads/infoblox-solution-note-nios-8.pdf About Infoblox Infoblox delivers the next level network experience with its Secure Cloud-Managed Network Services. As the pioneer in providing the world's most reliable, secure and automated networks, we are relentless in our pursuit of next level network simplicity. A recognized industry leader, Infoblox has more than 50 percent market share in the DDI networking market comprised of 8,000 customers, including 350 of the Fortune 500. Learn more at https://www.infoblox.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005335/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Aurangabad divisional deputy commissioner has set up a committee to probe complaints of over-expenditure by Beed district officials during preparations for the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls last year. One of the complainants alleged that around Rs nine crore was spent on setting up pandals for the training sessions of election officials. A committee comprising six officials will probe into four complaints over the issue and submit a report by March 17, an official said on Monday. Aurangabad divisional deputy commissioner Varsha Thakur-Ghuge in an official letter said complaints were received from the Bhrashtachar Nirmulan Samiti Marathwada, activist Anna Hazare-led Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, an anonymous person and a complaint was sent to the chief election officer in Mumbai. The complaint submitted by Bhrashtachar Nirmulan Samiti Marathwada president Sadek Babamia Inamdar on January 8 was probed and a report was submitted on February 3, the letter stated. However, the allegation will be investigated again along with the other complaints, it said. A lot of money was spent in the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections, advocate Ajit Deshmukh of the Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan said. At least Rs nine crore was spent on pandals for training election staffers, Rs 55 lakh on stationery, Rs 1.45 crore on food and Rs 50 to 60 lakh on banner and photocopies, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Photo: CTV News Dr. Bonnie Henry UPDATE: 4:45 p.m. Shortly after the B.C. government announced the discovery of the ninth case of COVID-19 in B.C., health officials have have now confirmed three more cases in the province. Two of the latest three cases are people who've recently returned from a trip to Iran, bringing the total in the province to 12. B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says none of the recently discovered patients appear to be suffering severe symptoms, or need hospitalization. ORIGINAL: noon British Columbia has confirmed its ninth case of COVID-19 in a man who returned from Iran last week. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says the man in his 50s began to feel ill after he returned home to the Fraser Health region, which is near Vancouver. He is in isolation at home and Henry says his family and close contacts are being monitored. Ontario reported two more cases of the novel coronavirus today, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in Canada to 30. Henry says the province is actively testing those at risk and more than 1,000 tests have been done. She says all cases in B.C. have been successfully managed at home and no one has been severely ill. For Homeland fans hoping for a worthy finale in this eighth season, the first three episodes had to be encouraging. The final installment began in February with CIA operatives concerned Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) had given up assets to Russian intelligence. Even after Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) brought Carrie back to Afghanistan to assist in peace talks, those suspicions stayed alive at the Kabul CIA station. However, with Saul advancing the U.S. mission, Carries invaluable help granted her a temporary pass on that front. But subsequent meetings with Yevgeny (Costa Ronin) led Carrie herself to doubt what shed said when in captivity. (Her memory left her sometime after going off her medication.) Meanwhile, Sauls handshake deal with the Taliban looked anything but rock-solid. In episode four (titled Chalk One Up), President Warner (Beau Bridges) comes to Afghanistan to announce the deal and meet an unsung hero of the accord (Carrie). But as in all things Homeland, it doesnt go smoothly at all. Carrie insists on paying her debt to Samira Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in HOMELAND, Chalk One Up | Sifeddine Elamine/SHOWTIME. Whatever Carrie did or didnt say in Russian prisons, shes still acting like a dedicated agent in the field in Afghanistan. An occasion came up when Samira, who helped deliver the dirt of Afghani Vice President Gulom (and thus close the peace deal), nearly gets kidnapped by her dead husbands brother. Though Carrie is traveling in a decoy motorcade, she orders the driver to head straight to Samiras house to lend a hand after getting a distress call. Once there, viewers get vintage Carrie Mathison. With gun drawn, she ambushes the group trying to take Samira away. Soon enough, shes in Carries custody. However, over at the presidential palace, Saul gets a distress signal of his own from a military commander. Though he and various dignitaries (including Gulom) had just watched Warner and the Afghani president announce the peace deal, theres a serious problem. Checking in on the 2 presidents aboard the chopper Beau Bridges as President Warner and Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in HOMELAND, Chalk One Up | Warrick Page/SHOWTIME. If youre a fan of Homeland, you know something bad is coming when you hear certain strains of music on the soundtrack. And viewers heard it when Warner told Carrie he was flying to a combat post to announce the peace deal. JSOC signed off on it? she asked. (Indeed, they had.) After shes rescued Samira, Carrie and her traveling companions get recalled to the CIA station. As Saul has learned by then, the helicopter carrying Warner and the Afghan president has gone missing. (Two presidents, Saul says with horror.) At that point, everyone is on pins and needles as they try to locate the aircraft. When they do get a visual, its the worst possible one: a chopper down. But it gets worse when the trailing chopper engages with fighters on the ground. Before the credits roll, everyone watches as a rocket-propelled grenade down the chopper in a ball of smoke. And the video transmission went with it, offering the perfect opportunity for Episode Four to fade to black. Whoever believed peace in Afghanistan was possible didnt see this coming. Also see: Homeland Season 8 Episode 3 Recap: Let the Back-Stabbing Begin Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The Integrated Bar of the Philippines has partnered with the Philippine National Police to share information and prioritize cases of violence against lawyers, as more legal practitioners are killed in the line of duty. IBP national president Domingo Egon Cayosa signed a memorandum of understanding with PNP Chief Archie Gamboa on Monday to collaborate and prevent attacks on lawyers, following a string of killings in recent months. Gamboa is also a lawyer, making him a member of the Philippine Bar. The IBP, which is the national organization for Filipino lawyers, said more than 40 practitioners have been killed in the last three years under the Duterte administration. Just last week, the IBP reported that Atty. Bayani Dalangin was shot to death inside his office in Cabanatuan City. Atty. Fredric Santos, the head of the Bureau of Corrections' legal division, also died in an ambush last February afted he decided to testify in the Senate on the alleged "freedom for sale" scheme inside the New Bilibid Prison. Apart from the dangers posed on the life of lawyers, prosecutors, and court magistrates, the PNP and IBP said violence towards these professionals "seriously undermine the rule of law" and "erode the trust and confidence of citizens in the justice system." Under the deal, the PNP and IBP would share information and maintain direct communication in order to "preempt, avoid, or reduce" violence against legal practitioners. The PNP also agreed to give "preferential attention" and to fast-track the investigation, arrest, and the punishment of those harassing legal practitioners. The police force also promised the immediate release of firearms registration and permit to carry guns for lawyers. In turn, the IBP committed to provide a reward fund in order to encourage witnesses to speak up in pursuit of the suspects for an attack. The group also committed to provide legal assistance to policemen "unjustly harassed" in their line of work, as well as conduct lectures and trainings for police officers. A. Philip Randolphs legacy was cemented as a part of the Big 6, a group of African American leaders who organized the 1963 March on Washington. However, Randolphs activism began decades earlier in New York, where he started a movement that advanced the rights of Black workers throughout the country. After moving to Harlem from his native Florida in 1911, Randolph was drawn to the labor movement, and in 1917 created The Messenger, a magazine that urged Black workers to unionize in fields outside of the war movement, his way of publicly denouncing Americas involvement in the First World War. Randolphs next move was a 1920 campaign for the role of New York state comptroller. Despite an unsuccessful bid as a socialist candidate, he secured 202,000 votes, proving a Black candidate could get political support. Starting in 1925, Randolph led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a union created to get the Pullman Company to sign contracts with them. After a 12-year fight, the Pullman Company signed a contract with the labor union in 1937, leading to decreased working hours and increased wages. In addition, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was the first African American-led labor union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor. Randolph remained a fierce advocate for union workers throughout the rest of his life. By the time he retired as leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1968, Randolph had organized marches, won an executive order from President Harry S. Truman and was elected a vice president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to advocate for the rights of workers. Randolph believed fighting for the rights of workers was fighting for the rights of anyone struggling to get by. The labor movement traditionally has been the only haven for the dispossessed, the despised, the neglected, the downtrodden and the poor, he said in 1966 while presenting the Freedom Budget at a convention for the AFL-CIO. The budget plan called for $185 billion to be allocated over a decade to eliminate poverty in the United States. While the plan was unsuccessful in Congress, it helped shape the policies of many labor unions throughout the country. Randolph died in 1979 at the age of 90, after more than 50 years fighting for the advancement of African Americans and the working class. Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper. A. Philip Randolph HARRISBURG A midlevel appeals court decision issued last summer that allowed some victims of childhood sexual abuse a way to pursue lawsuits despite time limits will be reviewed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the justices announced Monday. The high court granted a request to hear the case that was made by the defendants, three priests and the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese. Superior Court ruled in June that Renee Rice could pursue claims that church officials silence about a priest who she says molested her amounted to fraudulent concealment. The Rice case has since been cited by other litigants in the past eight months to support their own claims, Rices lawyer, Richard Serbin, said Monday. Of course Im disappointed that theyre taking the appeal. But I understand the reason why, Serbin said in a phone interview. Because issues were decided which theres not much case law on. And therefore, while I think the Superior Court decision is sound and will be upheld, the Supreme Court may very well want to put its stamp on it. Because were talking about a lot of cases. A diocesan spokesman declined comment, and a phone message was left for Eric Anderson, who represents the defendants the diocese, the late Bishop Joseph Adamec, the executor of the estate of the late Bishop James Hogan, and the Rev. Charles F. Bodziak. The justices agreed to consider whether the Superior Court decision improperly did away with the statute of limitations and a discovery rule for civil actions, and whether the lower court also mistakenly let plaintiffs sue for civil conspiracy as a secondary reason for a lawsuit when too much time has elapsed to pursue the primary reason. The other grounds for taking the case, the Supreme Court order said, was whether the lower court wrongly established that a fiduciary, in this case, the church and church officials, owed a never-ending duty to speak after the end of the relationship, thereby eliminating a plaintiffs duty to exercise due diligence and conduct a reasonable investigation. The Pennsylvania Legislature in November passed a number of changes related to future abuse giving prosecutors more time to pursue cases and victims more time to sue. As for prior abuse that occurred too long ago for lawsuits, Republicans in the state Senate blocked legislation to set up a two-year window for otherwise time-barred lawsuits, instead starting the lengthy process of amending the state constitution to allow the lawsuit window. The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they are sexual assault victims unless they want to be identified, and Serbin said Rice does. Rice claims Bodziak, identified as the subject of allegation in a 2016 grand jury report into sexual abuse of children by priests in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, abused her while a parish priest at St. Leos Church in Altoona some 40 years ago. Bodziak has denied her claims. The lawsuit was dismissed by a county judge in 2017 because of the statute of limitations. Rices lawsuit claims the bishops and diocese knew or should have known Bodziak molested girls when they assigned him to St. Leos. The priest asked her parents whether Rice could clean his home, where he molested her between ages 9 and 14, ending in 1981, her lawsuit claims. She also claims abuse took place in the choir loft, Bodziaks car and a cemetery. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 NBCC's proposal was approved by the lenders in the third round of bidding process to find a buyer for Jaypee Infratech. New Delhi: State-owned NBCC on Tuesday got approval from the NCLT to acquire debt-laden Jaypee Infratech through an insolvency process and complete around 20,000 pending flats over the next three and half years. In its hearing on Tuesday, the principal bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), headed by Acting President BSV Prakash Kumar, gave a go-ahead to the resolution plan of National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC). In a significant direction that will help NBCC in faster completion of stuck projects of Jaypee Group, the tribunal ordered that the Rs 750 crore deposited by Jaypee Infratech's parent firm Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) with the registry of the Supreme Court would be part of the resolution plan. "Rs 750 crore would be treated as part of the plan," the bench said in its oral order adding the resolution plan is approved with the modification. The written order will be available on Wednesday. The successful resolution of Jaypee Infratech would not only provide a much-needed relief to thousands of distressed homebuyers but also go a long way in reviving the Indian real estate sector, especially the sluggish housing market of Delhi-NCR. Jaypee Infratech went into an insolvency process in August 2017. In December last year, a committee of creditors (CoC) comprising 13 banks and around 21,000 homebuyers, approved the resolution plan of NBCC with 97.36 percent vote in favour. NBCC's proposal was approved by the lenders in the third round of bidding process to find a buyer for Jaypee Infratech. In its bid, NBCC had proposed to complete over 20,000 pending flats in housing projects launched by Jaypee Infratech in Noida and Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh). Homebuyers' claim amounting to Rs 13,364 crore and lenders' claim worth Rs 9,783 crore were admitted. NBCC offered 1,526 acres of land to lenders under a land-debt swap deal. On Yamuna Expressway, NBCC proposed to transfer the road asset to lenders but before that it would take a loan of around Rs 2,500 crore against toll revenue to fund construction spend. Jaypee Infratech went into insolvency process in August 2017 after the NCLT admitted an application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium. Anuj Jain was appointed as an IRP to conduct insolvency process and also manage the affairs of the company. In the first round of insolvency proceedings conducted last year, the Rs 7,350-crore bid of Lakshadweep, part of Suraksha Group, was rejected by lenders. The CoC rejected the bids of Suraksha Realty and NBCC in the the second round held in May-June 2019. The matter reached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and then the apex court. On November 6, 2019, the Supreme Court directed completion of Jaypee Infratech's insolvency process within 90 days and the revised resolution plan to be invited only from NBCC and Suraksha Realty. On December 7, 2019, the CoC decided to put on vote simultaneously the bids of NBCC and Suraksha Realty to acquire the bankrupt realty firm. The voting process started on December 10 and ended on December 16. As many as 13 banks and over 21,000 homebuyers had voting rights in the Committee of Creditors (CoC). Buyers had 57.66 percent voting rights, fixed deposit holders 0.13 percent and lenders 42.21 percent. For a bid to be approved, 66 percent votes were required. In the voting result, NBCC got the entire 57.66 percent vote of homebuyers and 0.13 percent of fixed deposit holders. The public sector firm got 39.57 percent votes of lenders out of the total 42.21 percent votes. Suraksha managed to get only 2.12 percent votes as only fixed deposit holders and two lenders Axis Bank and Jammu and Kashmir Bank favoured it. Regional and international powers like Turkey and Russia are likely to try to exploit the reduced foreign weight of the European Union in order to achieve their aims Multiple local challenges have cast shadows on the European Unions foreign policies recently, including: 1- Crises of the democratic model that have increased against the backdrop of the European elites losing their credibility and the crisis of the welfare state in Europe. The weight and influence of the traditional political parties in most European countries has diminished, despite their remaining at the forefront of the political scene. Perhaps the most important exception to this rule is the British Conservative Party, which has reinvented itself under the leadership of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the political parties in Spain. But the populist rights share of the vote is still rising, even if it is unable to form a majority in most Western European countries. The only exception here is Italy and some Eastern European countries where the populist right has also become a ruling pillar of certain governments. The rise of the Greens in a number of Western European countries, including France and Germany, has been noticeable, and their popularity has increased among the youth, begging the question of the relationship between the environment and todays political actors. Europe is also witnessing polarisation between the regions and the major cities benefiting from globalisation, and this has been prominent in the protests and strikes taking place in France. The vast majority of European cities also now suffer from a high number of homeless people and increasing poverty. Integrating and respecting the culture of Islamic minorities in Europe varies between embracing a multicultural approach and adopting an approach that foregrounds integration into the prevailing culture and attempts to reconcile these minorities into the mainstream. There is also some pessimism in European public opinion, which understands that the international weight of Europe is declining and fears the consequences of the current technological revolutions and their impacts on unemployment, increases in the cost of healthcare for the elderly, migration, demographic and urban change, and the threat of terrorism. 2- Escalating security and defence challenges. As regional crises related to Europe have revealed, the US support for Europe is no longer guaranteed. European economic weapons are weaker than their US counterparts, as has been shown in the present crisis over the sanctions against Iran, and the countries that benefit from European aid may turn against their conditions. Perhaps the crisis over Ukraine and Crimea in 2014 constituted a turning point in the Europeans awareness of their weight within the global system, leading them to intensify efforts to build a joint military force. However, Germanys performance has been less than expected, and debates are ongoing about the possibility of building a European defence force, the future of NATO, and methods of cooperation between European countries in defence policies. In addition, Europe faces the threat of jihadist penetration into Libya, the Sahel and Sahara regions and West Africa. Although there is a French military presence in Africa, there is discussion about its effectiveness in combating terrorism. This debate will heat up if the US announces its intention to withdraw its forces from West Africa, where they have been providing solid support for French operations, and for this reason France has been calling on other European countries to provide more support for its operations in Africa. The case is not much different in the east, whether in the Eastern Mediterranean where Turkey has been harassing Greece and Cyprus, while continuing to waive the issue of the release of migrants, or in the Black Sea, where the Russian military presence is increasing. The Crimea and Ukraine crisis also continues, amid weak prospects for its resolution. At the same time, there is no European consensus on defence priorities, creating disagreements in the European position on the US and Russia. The Eastern European countries will try to urge Washington not to withdraw its forces from Eastern Europe, and the number of American troops deployed in Poland has increased. Likewise, the Europeans have not been able to agree on a single approach towards Russia, some seeing a hostile stance as unwise as it could increase the chances of a Russian rapprochement with China, and others underestimating Russia as a threat. Still others think that dialogue is the best means to dissolve the Russian threat. Regarding Turkey, the country has been adopting a rough policy towards European interests, and it may become a threat to Europe. Ankara has benefited from its military capabilities, geographical location and the relative decline of US hegemony, allowing it a margin of movement to develop economic relations and military cooperation with Europe and raising the cost of possible sanctions against Europe itself. The Turkish position reinforces Ankaras control of the keys to migrant and jihadist flows in and out of the region, and Ankaras intervention in Libya is a new card on the table. Turkeys influence among Turkish communities in Europe and on Muslim Brotherhood networks will also be important, but its weak point is the multiplicity of fronts on which it is operating, exceeding Turkeys capabilities. The actions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vis-a-vis Russia and Turkeys relations with it raise questions about the countrys remaining in the NATO military command if it continues on the same path. 3- The challenge of secession and exiting the European Union. The UKs intention to resolve the Brexit crisis has been the most important development on the internal European level, but the country will remain subject to the rules of the European single market and customs union until a trade agreement is reached. The problem is that Johnson has promised UK voters that he will reach an agreement of this sort before the end of 2020, or that he will leave the European Union without an agreement, but the time limit appears to be very short. Perhaps Brexit will raise questions about the secession of Northern Ireland and Scotland from the United Kingdom. Some other European countries may also witness the danger of secession in some of regions of their own, particularly Spain. Although it is difficult to foresee the future of European foreign policy, in the light of these challenges and the US presidential elections later in 2020 it seems likely that regional and international parties will try to exploit them to achieve gains, among them Russia and Turkey. Several possibilities can be put forward: 1- The prospects for resolving the Ukraine crisis are weak, because it is inconceivable that Russian President Vladimir Putin will reconsider his position on this issue. Putin is expected to exercise pressure against Belarus as well, and the European countries will not be willing to provoke him when it comes to this issue. 2- It will be difficult for the UK to reach a Brexit deal with the European Union by the end of 2020. It is also unlikely that it will leave without an agreement, so it seems that the most practical alternative would be for Johnson to abandon his promise to leave without sealing a deal unless the two parties have reached an agreement before the end of 2020. 3- There are possibilities of early elections in Italy, given the fragility of the ruling coalition government. These will be related to the results of the local elections in Italy to be held in the first third of 2020. 4- The rough policy of Russia and Turkey towards Europe is expected to continue, but it is unclear whether Europe will impose sanctions against Turkey or make concessions to it in order to keep it securely in NATO. *These articles were first published in the newly released Outlook 2020: Egypts Projections of Regional and Global Issues by the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS). *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: A British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran could be released on furlough this week after serving four years in prison. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, could leave Evin jail either today or tomorrow according to Labour MP Tulip Siddiq. It comes just days after Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband Richard Ratcliffe said he feared his wife had developed a 'cold' due to worsening conditions at the prison in Tehran amid reports the coronavirus has spread through the jail. Ms Siddiq this morning said she hoped Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe would no longer be used as a bargaining chip by the British and Iranian government. The Iranian ambassador to the UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, tweeted this morning that 'one of the prisoners with security charge will be granted a furlough today or tomorrow to join family'. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who suffers from unexplained collapses to irregular heartbeats, has a cold, a 'severe' sore throat and wakes up shivering Evin jail (pictured above) is said to have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak and there are fears surrounding Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release Hampstead and Kilburn's Tulip Siddiq aid she hoped Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe would no longer be used as a bargaining chip by the British and Iranian government He also later deleted a tweet that named Ms Zaghair-Ratcliffe specifically. In a tweet Ms Siddiq said: 'News from Iranian Ambassador that my constituent Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be released on furlough today or tomorrow from prison in Iran. If this is true, Nazanin would welcome leaving Evin jail, but we've been here before'. She then added: 'If this furlough happens, the British government have an obligation to make it permanent, and not let her be used as a bargaining chip in the weeks to come. I remain concerned that Nazanin has told her family that she has still not been tested for coronavirus. #FreeNazanin'. Iran has nearly 1,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country with over 200 people having died from the disease. There are concerns that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe may have contracted it in prison. Mother's love: Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen reunited with her daughter Gabriella after being released on furlough for three days in August last year Richard Ratcliffe and the couples daughter Gabriella. Ratcliffe has intensified his calls on the British Government to secure his wife's release Furlough is when a prisoner is granted leave from prison for a few days before returning to jail. If Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe is granted furlough she could be escorted or un-escorted, however if escorted, the prisoner often has to pay the security costs. In August 2018 she was given a three release and was able to see her daughter. In a statement Ms Siddiq added: 'If you leave British citizens in harm's way for long enough, they will come to harm. The Government has important choices to make over Nazanin's case in the coming months. They must do everything possible to secure her permanent release, including resolving the debt that Britain owes to Iran. 'Nazanin's life hangs in the balance. The UK Government can and must act quickly to keep her safe.' Ms Siqqiq today tweeted that Ms Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe could be granted leave from the prison in Iran Hamid Baeidinejad tweeted that one prisoner would be given leave either today or tomorrow On Friday Mr Ratcliffe said he was concerned about the health of his wife who already suffers from from unexplained collapses to irregular heartbeats. Sources suggest that she already has coronavirus but warned authorities are likely to supress this information and may deny her tests to prove whether she has it. Another inmate is believed to have died from the virus and at least four others are said to have it. Writing for the i newspaper last week, Mr Ratcliffe said: 'On Monday we heard reports of cases, on Tuesday of a ward evacuated as a quarantine area. 'By Wednesday there were rumours of prisoners losing their life, as there had been in other prisons across the country. The tweet above was later deleted by Mr Baeidinejad, it states Ms Zaghari Ratcliffe's release 'By Thursday, the judiciary was announcing plans to send eligible prisoners home temporarily. 'From far away it is hard to assess the risk calmly in Nazanin's case knowing we are not being told the truth is not the same as knowing what the truth is.' Ms 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. An FCO spokesperson said: 'We are urgently seeking information from the Iranian authorities on reports that coronavirus is spreading in Evin prison. We call on the Iranian government to immediately allow health professionals into Evin prison to assess the situation of British-Iranian dual nationals there.' Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK's Director said they hoped the reports of the coronavirus in the Iranian jail were untrue, but said it should be a wake-up call. 'This should be a wake-up call to the Iranian authorities to finally - and unconditionally - release Nazanin, a prisoner of conscience who shouldn't even be behind bars at all. 'Nazanin's health has already suffered because of her mistreatment in prison, where she has previously been denied vital medical care. From numerous past cases, we know the Iranian authorities will sometimes use the denial of medical treatment as an extra layer of punishment for prisoners of conscience, so there are already heightened fears for Nazanin. 'The risk of coronavirus infecting prisoners in Iran adds urgency to the need to improve conditions of detention. Prisoners are usually held in overcrowded, unsanitary and poorly-ventilated conditions. This, combined with the denial of adequate medical care, often exacerbates prisoners' pre-existing medical problems or contributes to new ones, sometimes causing irreparable damage to their health. 'Though it remains unconfirmed, the slightest possibility of prisoners being exposed to the coronavirus in Evin Prison is a chilling prospect for Nazanin and other prisoners, including jailed human rights defenders.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 07:47:42|Editor: ZD Video Player Close ROME, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Italy's economy emerged from 2019 healthier than expected, based on data released Monday by the country's National Institute of Statistics (Istat), but economists said the country was bracing for tough economic news this year. The Istat reported Monday that the country's economy grew 0.3 percent in 2019 as a whole. That figure is higher than what economists estimated. The figure was also higher than the government's final growth estimate of 0.1 percent for 2019, and the 0.2-percent preliminary estimate from the national statistics institute in January. Monday's data from the Instat also showed that the government deficit for the year was 1.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), lower than the 2.2 percent deficit-to-GDP ratio in 2018 and the 2.4-percent in 2017. The last time the government deficit saw such low level was in 2007. Overall, government debt was 134.8 percent of gross domestic product at the end of 2019, the same as the previous year. The figure for 2019 was below the government's target of 135.7 percent for the year. But despite the encouraging news for 2019 as a whole, economic growth is expected to take a hit because of the impacts of the novel coronavirus this year. Italy has more than 1,800 confirmed cases of the virus as of Monday. And fears for further spread further have caused the closure of factories and other businesses in the northern part of the country and sparked a wave of tourist cancellations. Italy's full-year economic figures for 2019 are the first to be entirely tallied before the arrival of the coronavirus. "Given the context, the full-year data for 2019 are a positive development," Massimo Baldini, a professor of economic science at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, told Xinhua. "But it won't be enough for the economy to survive the blows from coronavirus. We don't know yet how big the economic problems will be, but it will be significant." Officially, the government's economic growth target for 2020 remains 0.6 percent, but most economists say that figure is probably already out of reach just two months into the year. The government's official deficit-to-GDP ratio is 2.2 percent, which may also be brushed aside to allow for increased spending to soften the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. On Sunday, the government announced a 3.4 billion-euro (3.8 billion-U.S.-dollar) stimulus package to help mitigate the impacts of the virus. "The government won't recalculate its economic targets for 2020 until April, but I think the changes will have to be significant," Hildebrandt and Ferrar chief economist Javier Noriega said in an interview, adding "In the next few weeks, we'll learn by how much." Tanner Curtis and After a month focused on caucuses, primaries and debates in four states, the Democratic campaign is moving on. Super Tuesday, when 15 states and territories vote, presents a whole new map that could shake up the narrative of the race. Senator Bernie Sanders is currently leading in the delegate count and in the polls, but former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. can claim the most recent primary win. Senator Elizabeth Warren is pushing ahead despite recent defeats. Pete Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar ended their campaigns and Michael R. Bloomberg has yet to appear on a ballot. New York Times photographers have followed the candidates every step of the way. Here is what they saw over the last month. San Antonio sidestepped a legal battle when food truck owners complained about government harassment in 2015. Rigged rules favored brick-and-mortar restaurants at the expense of entrepreneurs such as Rafael Lopez and Regino Soriano, but the city changed its ordinance rather than test it in court. El Paso took the same approach in 2011, providing immediate relief but leaving open an important question under the Texas Constitution: Can the government use its power to pick winners and losers in the marketplace? Now, a tiny charity will force the issue on South Padre Island, where local officials have dug in for a long fight with statewide implications. The case will go far beyond the food industry, affecting Texas entrepreneurs of all types who face economic protectionism. Erica Lerma, the young mother at the center of the conflict, did not come looking for trouble when she applied for a food truck permit on behalf of SurfVive, a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy living in the resort community. SurfVive just wanted a way to advance its mission by selling smoothies, coffee and vegetable bowls, but City Hall saw a threat not to consumers but to politically connected brick-and-mortar restaurant owners who feared new competition. Though South Padre Island recently had lifted its food truck ban, it did so only after allowing local restaurant owners to write the replacement ordinance. The city created an official Food Truck Planning Committee populated with local restaurant owners but not a single food truck entrepreneur. The result was a food truck law written by food truck competitors, with a large side of economic protectionism. Predictably, the hometown favorites did everything they could to turn Queen Isabella Causeway into a bridge to nowhere for their potential rivals on wheels. They limited available permits to 12, established a $500 per month operation fee and defined narrow vending zones. As an extra hurdle, the government decided that no food truck permit could be issued unless a local restaurant owner signed off in support. Lerma had no chance when she visited City Hall in 2018. Initially she was stifled by the permit cap. Later, the city rejected the application because it lacked the signature of a local restaurant owner. After months of hassle, SurfVive and other food truck owners partnered with the Institute for Justice, the same nonprofit law firm that sued San Antonio and El Paso. The problem in all three cases is the same: Using public power for private gain comes at the expense of others, especially outsiders who threaten to disrupt the status quo. Judge Arturo Nelson, the Cameron County Court jurist in the SurfVive case, describes economic protectionism as being hometowned. That was his assessment Jan. 8 after hearing about the citys no-show at its deposition and its cozy relationship with local restaurateurs. The question becomes, do they have a right to protect their own businesses and try to limit whats available to everybody else? Or do the food trucks have the constitutional right to be able to apply and compete along with everybody else? You know, instead of being hometowned, he said. Because, essentially, theyre being hometowned. Bending the levers of government power to pick winners and losers not only hurts entrepreneurs and consumers, it also violates the Texas Constitution. Every Texan deserves the opportunity to earn a living free from unreasonable government interference. Lerma and SurfVive ask for nothing more. Arif Panju is managing attorney at the Institute for Justice in Austin. Daryl James is an Institute for Justice writer in Arlington, Va. MIAMI, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- eMerge Americas, the premier technology event connecting the Americas, has announced the 2020 Hackathon, powered by Wyncode Academy and Wyntalent, will be anchored in a special initiative for social innovation benefiting the South Florida community. For a second year in a row, Ford Motor Company, Ultimate Software, and GE have returned as supporting sponsors to unite for the special hackathon scheduled for March 28, 2020. "We believe that if we work together to harness the creative horsepower of some of the brightest developers in our city, we can solve the social challenges affecting our community," said Johanna Mikkola, cofounder of Wyncode Academy. "We are thrilled to be partnering with eMerge Americas once again." This year, CNC, a Miami-based nonprofit organization that provides human services for underserved communities within the Miami-Dade area, was chosen as the nonprofit who will benefit from the Hackathon. The theme of this year's Hackathon, Mobilizing Miami for Social Impact, was selected to target efficient solutions using mobility that can directly support CNC's programs. First formed in 1972, CNC was established to research and address the needs of Cuban refugees settling in the U.S. Today, CNC has expanded to provide outcome-oriented programs to all underserved communities within four pillars of service: early childhood education, youth programs geared for job placement, refugee employment services, and financial education services. "Mobility and connectivity directly impact the economic expansion of our community. We are thrilled to work with these partners to further our mission to build bridges amongst the diverse communities within Miami-Dade," said Gabriela Musiet, President & CEO of CNC. Participating developers and designers are accepted after a stringent selection process to ensure the caliber of these innovative solutions. The chosen teams will be tasked with building a unique solution within twelve hours using mobility to solve a challenge for one of CNC's service pillars that drives social impact in the South Florida community. The team behind the winning project will be awarded $10,000 cash in prize money. Furthermore, CNC will be awarded a $25K grant toward the purchase of a vehicle in order to implement the mobility solution created at the Hackathon on behalf of Ford Motor Company. The Hackathon is the first of a series of events that kicks off the eMerge Americas conference, held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Developers interested in participating in the Hackathon may submit applications to participate at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emerge-americas-hackathon-2020-tickets-94895028585 For more information or to register to attend the eMerge Americas 2020 conference, visit www.emergeamericas.com . About eMerge Americas eMerge Americas is the premier technology event connecting the Americas held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with corporate business executives, government leaders, and entrepreneurs, eMerge Americas is transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas. In 2019, eMerge Americas attracted over 16,000 attendees and more than 400 participating companies from over 40 countries. eMerge Americas serves as a catalyst in order to foster innovation and investment in South Florida and Latin America. The eMerge Americas founding partners include: Medina Capital, A Rod Corporation, Greenberg Traurig, Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County, and the Miami Herald. The upcoming eMerge Americas conference is scheduled for March 30-31, 2020. For more information about eMerge Americas, please visit: www.emergeamericas.com . About Wyncode Academy Wyncode Academy is the premier accelerated learning destination in South Florida. Wyncode currently offers in-person courses for Full Stack Web Development, User Experience & User Interface (UX/UI) Design, Front End Web Development, and Digital Marketing in Wynwood, Miami, Florida. Wyncode also has the ability to create custom cohorts and corporate training programs in addition to our newest venture Wyntalent, a consulting service for mid and senior-level dev talent. Wyncode is proud to be licensed by the Florida Department of Education, for more information visit their website. SOURCE eMerge Americas Related Links www.emergeamericas.com This patent describes an important improvement to the ever-expanding world of IoT technology. We are very pleased that the inventor of this cutting edge technology continues to see the value of her important contribution. Blackbird Technologies has settled a patent infringement lawsuit related to programmable wireless communications devices. In August 2014, M2M Solutions, LLC initiated a patent infringement action against Telit Wireless Solutions Inc. (Telit) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (14-cv-1103). The patent at issue is U.S. Patent No. 8,648,717 (the 717 patent), entitled Programmable Communicator. The 717 patent relates to an innovative machine-to-machine module that controls communication between two or more machines. These machine-to-machine communications encompass a variety of applications in which one machine is able to remotely monitor a second machine in a relatively autonomous fashion. In June 2017, Blackbird Technologies acquired the 717 patent and was joined as a plaintiff to the action. The parties settled the case in January 2020. Wendy Verlander, President and CEO of Blackbird Technologies, said, This patent describes an important improvement to the ever-expanding world of IoT technology. It is prevalent in fields such as automated meter reading, asset tracking and fleet management, industrial automation and controls, and the remote control of certain consumer devices and appliances. We are very pleased that the inventor of this cutting edge technology continues to see the value of her important contribution. About Blackbird Technologies Blackbird Technologies provides a unique opportunity for individual inventors and small companies to realize the value of their patents. By using in-house expertise, rather than expensive law firms, Blackbird Technologies is able to litigate at reduced costs and achieve results that equal or exceed what a law firm would recover. This company creates efficiencies that make it possible for individual inventors and small companies to see the end game realizing the true value of their patents. The government should protect children aged under 14 from the citizenship-stripping powers of Australias national security legislation because it could leave them stateless, a new submission from international NGO Save the Children argues. Anyone over 14 can lose their citizenship under legislation being proposed by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, but the rights of younger would be undermined if their guardian or parent had their citizenship revoked, Save the Childrens deputy chief executive, Mat Tinkler, said. Jarah and Layla, two of the children of an Australian mother living in the al-Hawl camp in Syria in November. Credit:Majid Abdulrahman Walika for Sesame Seed Films There are 47 children - including 34 infants - living in the squalid al-Hawl camp in Syria after their mothers were caught by Kurdish authorities along with the last remnants of the Islamic State a year ago. Several of the 20 women have already lost their Australian citizenship because the government says they also hold citizenship of another country. The Department of Home Affairs says children do not automatically lose their citizenship if their parent does. But Mr Tinkler said the legislation had a lack of information ... on the steps that the Minister must take to prevent statelessness, particularly of children. North Korea fired two presumed short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Monday after a lull of over three months. The provocation came just a day after President Moon Jae-in proposed helping the North with the fight against coronavirus in a speech marking the 101st anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement. "We detected two short-range projectiles fired from near Wonsan into the northeastern East Sea around 12:37 p.m. Monday," a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said. "We presume they were ballistic missiles." They were fired 20 seconds apart and flew about 240 km at an altitude of 35 km. On Tuesday, state media said leader Kim Jong-un "oversaw artillery units' firing drills." Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, a senior police official being prosecuted for his alleged role in the destabilization plot has once again insisted that he is innocent of the charges proffered against him. He told the Kaneshie District Court on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, that he is being prosecuted for speaking his mind on a Whatsapp group. ACP Agordzo said he made a candid opinion on the dangers of political vigilantism in the Whatsapp group known as Take Action Ghana (TAG), which was widely shared. The top police official said he gave the opinion prior to the Awayaso West Wuogon by-election violence. During the final committal process on Tuesday, Dr. Agordzo told the court that he only acted as a citizen and not a spectator. He insisted that his comments were situated within the context of happenings in the country. He told the court that he was surprised that despite the abundance of evidence about his innocence on the TAG WhatsApp platform, the prosecution has charged him with abetment. Background ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo was on several occasions denied bail by the High Court after his arrest over his alleged involvement and contribution to the Take Action Ghana group which the State claims had devised a detailed plot to destabilize the county. He was charged with abetment to commit crime namely treason felony and was on remand in police custody. He was however granted bail on January 23, 2020. Using junior officers to prosecute me humiliating ACP Agordzo in court also accused some police officials of wanting to humiliate him. He said the decision to make officers of a lower rank to investigate and prosecute him is only meant to frustrate him. According to ACP Agordzo, since the inception of the case, he has raised issues with the treatment but nothing has been done about it. ACP Agordzo told the court that the attention of the then Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Danquah who had jurisdiction of the case was drawn to the matter by the Inspector General of Police but she refused to make the correction. ---citinewsroom L abour deputy leadership hopeful Dawn Butler today said MPs who left the party should be welcomed back. The shadow minister for women and equalities told the Standard she would like to see MPs such as Dame Louise Ellman, who quit the party over anti-Semitism, return to Labour. Dame Louise, a member for 55 years, was among MPs who quit the party last year citing anti-Semitism and Jeremy Corbyns leadership. Ms Butler said: She always said she would never join another party and would like to come back to the Labour Party. Asked about others, such as former Labour MP Luciana Berger, who co-founded The Independent Group for Change before joining the Liberal Democrats, Ms Butler said: It has to be within party rules. But if people want to come back to the party that is something to be welcomed of course. Dawn Butler / PA Under Labour rules anyone who joins or supports another political organisation cannot be a member. Applications for readmission are decided by the National Executive Committee, usually after a minimum of five years. The Brent Central MP made the comments after a meeting with Labour members in a cafe in Camberwell. She has been holding grassroots meetings with members around the country and making her case as a unity candidate. TODO: define component type apester She added: Hopefully when I become deputy leader well have citizens assemblies where we can discuss areas that might need a policy change or something that we are considering. Asked what set her apart from rivals, including frontrunner Angela Rayner and Scotlands only Labour MP, Ian Murray, she said she was the only candidate to have served as a minister. In fact, theres very few people in Parliament that have served in a Labour government now. Im almost like the last woman standing. The decision is likely to deepen concerns about whether the Trump administration is singling out officials seen as playing a role unfavorable to the president in matters related to his impeachment. It follows the departure last month of John Rood, a top policy official who likewise was a leading figure in the Pentagons response to the delay of security aid to Ukraine, an issue that became central to the impeachment proceedings against President Trump. 'Sahran' is now in stores after having huge success during its pre-order period, where it was trending on social media for days Related Egyptian Megastar Amr Diab in album launch concert in Cairo Egyptian pop superstar Amr Diab gave a big concert Saturday at Al-Manara Centre in New Cairo celebrating the 2020 launch of his album 'Sahran'. The event, which was postponed for one night due to the death of former president Hosni Mubarak, saw thousands of enthusiastic spectators singing along with their favorite pop star. Diab is an exceptional success who topped the Arab charts for almost four decades and has collaborated with many of the top lyricists, composers and producers of the pop scene. The 16-song typical Diab album, produced by Nay, had huge success during its pre-order period, trending on social media even before its release on various audio platforms. 'Sahran', officially in stores starting Sunday 1 March, sees Diab collaborating with various arrangers like Tarek Madkour, Nader Hamdy, Osama El-Hindy and Ramy Samir, working with renowned composers like Amr Mostafa and Aziz El-Shafei. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: A Turkish drone strike killed 19 regime troops on Sunday, marking a further escalation in violence between Turkey and the regime writes Zaman al-Wasl. Turkish drone strikes in northern Idleb province killed 19 regime soldiers on Sunday, a war monitor reported, as tensions soared between Damascus and Ankara. The 19 died when a military convoy was hit in the Jabal al-Zawiya area and a base near Maarat al-Numan city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Turkish-backed forces captured seven towns in Jabal al-Zawiya on Sunday, taking advantage of Turkish drones and smart missiles that paved the way for their advance. The report came hours after Turkey shot down two Syrian warplanes, in an escalating offensive against the Damascus regime in the countrys northwestern province of Idleb. Following weeks of violence in and around Idleb, Turkey confirmed the launch of a full-scale military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces after 34 Turkish soldiers died last week in an airstrike blamed on Damascus. Tensions have intensified between rebel backer Turkey and the regimes main ally Moscow, but Ankara has insisted it does not want to clash directly with Russian forces. Turkey has 12 observation posts established in rebel-held Idleb following a 2018 deal between Ankara and Moscow signed in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. But the regime recently has pressed ahead with an assault, killing hundreds of civilians and forcing a million to flee from their homes in the region. Rebel-supporter Turkey and Damascus ally Russia previously worked closely to prevent a regime offensive in Idleb despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war. On Saturday, Erdogan called on Russia to get out of our way in Idleb and leave Turkey face to face with the regime in Idleb. The latest developments have strained relations between Ankara and Moscow but the Kremlin hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold talks in Moscow on Mar. 5 or Mar. 6, 2020, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday, Interfax news agency reported. 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. DUBLIN and TORONTO, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Avectas, a cell engineering technology business, and CCRM, a leader in developing and commercializing cell and gene therapies, today announced they have entered into a collaboration to accelerate the translation of Avectas' non-viral cell engineering platform (Solupore) into the clinic. Cell and gene therapies offer the potential to dramatically transform the treatment of diseases, including cancer, for millions of patients worldwide. However, a global viral vector shortfall could halt progress in the industry as very few CDMOs have the capabilities required to manufacture vectors that can deliver molecules to cells. Avectas developed Solupore to address an urgent need for an efficient, non-viral cell engineering solution to facilitate therapeutic development in the areas of immuno-oncology and gene editing. Solupore is designed for use with mRNA, DNA, and proteins, including gene editing tools such as CRISPR. It achieves excellent engineering efficiencies for delivery of these payloads to primary T cells and NK cells for immuno-oncology and gene editing applications. Speaking today, Dr. Michael Maguire, CEO of Avectas, said: "We are delighted to partner with CCRM to leverage their deep experience in cell manufacturing processes to support the translation of our Solupore platform towards clinical applications." He continued: "Combining Avectas' novel cell engineering platform and CCRM's experience in the development of manufacturing processes for cell therapies will accelerate the transfer of the Solupore technology to our development partners." Dr. Michael May, President and CEO of CCRM, said: "This collaboration demonstrates exactly how CCRM is able to support partners and the broader industry. It is evident there is a real need for a non-viral delivery platform to enable the manufacture of these lifesaving cellular therapies and we are eager to receive the Solupore platform and support the Avectas team in bringing this innovative platform to the clinic." About Avectas Avectas is a cell engineering technology business developing a unique delivery platform to enable the ex-vivo manufacture of our partners' gene modified cell therapy products, which will retain high in-vivo functionality. Our vision is to be a leading non-viral cell engineering technology provider, integrated into manufacturing processes for multiple autologous and allogeneic therapies, commercialized through development and license agreements. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: www.avectas.com. About CCRM CCRM, a Canadian not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and leading academic and industry partners, supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, strategic investors and entrepreneurs, CCRM accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and marketable products for patients, with specialized teams, funding, and infrastructure. CCRM is the commercialization partner of the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the University of Toronto's Medicine by Design. CCRM is hosted by the University of Toronto. Visit us at www.ccrm.ca. Related Links https://www.avectas.com SOURCE Avectas; CCRM YEREVAN. Zhoghovurd daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: About a month ago, investigators urged Liana Karapetyan, the director of Yerevans Children's Home SNCO, an accused in the illegal adoption case, to tell something important about the case, in exchange promising to release her. Liana Karapetyan's son, Davit Sahakyan, gave this information to Zhoghovurd daily. As it is known, on November 22, 2019, the NSS [National Security Service] had issued a statement according to which, it uncovered numerous cases of child adoption by foreigners in gross violation of the RA legislation. And in the illegal adoption case, charges are brought against obstetrician-gynecologist Razmik Abrahamyan, director of Yerevans Children's Home SNCO Liana Karapetyan, and Arshak Jerjeryan, and on February 28, accused Liana Karapetyan was released on a 6mn [dram] bail. And, behold, Karapetyan's son passed on interesting details to Zhoghovurd daily. During the interrogation, one of the investigators said to my mother: Mrs. Karapetyan, we have phone recordings where you are happy to hear about the news of the decision to adopt a child. Can you imagine? These people don't even know that adopting a child is in the best interest of the child. My mother said, in surprise: Yes, of course I'm happy." F ancy a city break? Eurostar has announced a huge sale, with ticket prices slashed to as little as 29. Be sure to act quickly, though, as the sale is due to end on 11 March. The rail service is offering tickets from London to Paris, Brussels, Lille, and Callais for as little as 29. You can also head to Amsterdam or Rotterdam for just 35, or Bruges, Antwerp, or Ghent for 39. If you prefer to travel more luxuriously, a 70 premier ticket will buy you more leg room, complimentary magazines and extra refreshments. Who could say no to that? The sale tickets are valid on routes between 23 March and 7 June 2020. The sale will run until March 11th 2020 / PA For further information and availability, just head to the Eurostar website. Will Eurostar travel be affected by coronavirus? Eurostar service has so far remained unaffected by coronavirus outbreaks, as the FCO have not yet placed any restrictions on travelling to France, Belgium or the Netherlands. There have been instances of coronavirus in these countries, however, and Eurostar say that they are monitoring the situation. You can find a dedicated page on their website for monitoring travel disruptions due to the outbreak, although their routes are unlikely to change unless the FCO revise their European travel advice. Have any other travel companies made cancellations? Both Ryanair and British Airways have announced that hundreds of flights will be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Both airlines cited a notable "drop in demand" as the reason behind their cancellations, with Ryanair cutting its timetable by 25% and British Airways calling off over 400 flights. Most of the cancelled flights were short-haul journeys between the UK and Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. TORONTO - Ontario's economic development minister has announced he is leading a mining mission to Peru and Ecuador. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Ontario's economic development minister has announced he is leading a mining mission to Peru and Ecuador. 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. Vic Fedeli says the trip will focus on mining manufacturing and equipment and will expose Ontario businesses to new markets. He says Peru and Ecuador represent "an abundance of untapped potential" for Ontario suppliers to the mining industry. During Fedeli's April 13-17 trip he is expected to meet with government officials and corporate executives in the mining sector. Business delegates on the mission are set to attend an international trade fair for heavy construction and mining machinery in Ecuador, as well as meet with local businesses. The government says mining in Ontario supports 26,000 direct jobs, and about 50,000 indirect jobs associated with mineral manufacturing and processing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 3, 2020. DOJ Says Hundreds Charged in Schemes to Defraud Seniors Federal prosecutors have charged hundreds of defendants from around the globe in connection with fraud schemes that largely targeted senior citizens and caused over $1 billion in losses, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced. Speaking at the Elder Justice Summit in Florida on March 3, Attorney General William Barr said the enforcement actions are part of what the department calls the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. He said that more than 400 defendants charged in this years action far surpasses the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last years sweep. As people live longer, fraud directed against the elderly has become an increasingly serious problem, Barr said. In fact, it has been mushrooming in recent years. More than a quarter of the enforcement actions as part of the sweep have been prosecuted by the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort established in 2019 aimed at identifying and pursuing cases of elder fraud, the department said. The strike force is made up of U.S. attorneys, FBI agents, postal inspectors, and other law enforcement personnel. During the event, Barr made the prevention of transnational elder fraud one of the DOJs four top priorities. He also announced new departmental initiatives to protect older Americans, including starting a national hotline aimed at providing services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud and establishing a national nursing home initiative that would coordinate and enhance civil and criminal actions to pursue allegations of elder abuse at nursing homes. Over the past few years, the department has uncovered horrifying examples of certain nursing facilities, where seniors are being mistreated, undernourished, and neglected, Barr said. These incidents are extremely unsettling, and I will not get too graphic. The department said, for example, some of the problematic nursing homes have consistently failed to provide adequate nursing staff to care for residents and have also failed to adhere to basic protocols of hygiene and infection control. Some facilities have also failed to provide residents with enough food to eat, leading them to become emaciated and weak. Moreover, the department added that some of these facilities also force some elderly residents who cannot leave to live in filthy and dangerous conditions where there are leaks in the roofs, mold is found growing, and rodents found living in residents rooms. The DOJ will partner with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of its initiative to pursue such nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents, the attorney general said. He added that the effort has already begun investigations of about 30 individual nursing facilities in nine states. Mark my words: The initiative will bring to justice those owners and operators who put profits before patients, and it will help to ensure that the residents receive the care to which they are entitled, Barr said. Joining the attorney general at the Florida event was White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway, and Joe Grogan, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council. Both White House aides reiterated President Donald Trumps commitment to protecting older Americans from predatory behavior that targets seniors financially, physically, and emotionally. Conway listed several steps the Trump administration is taking to achieve its promise, including providing an additional $7.2 million in funding to help support the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, and increasing penalties against offenders of elder fraud. President Trump and his entire administration is committed to protecting elders from the criminal enterprises that increasingly are on the dark web, the open web, and also overseas, hiding beneath many layers, online and offline, Conway said. Theyre difficult to detect and difficult to bring to justice, but that will not stop us from seeking justice and compensation to make sure our seniors are not victim any longer to these types of criminal enterprises. In the past several months, the DOJ announced enforcement actions against individuals or companies that had allegedly engaged in or facilitated predatory behavior that has harmed older Americans. In December, the department took action to stop over 600 money mules from assisting in fraud schemes that steal money from victims and forward the proceeds to perpetrators overseas. It said that the mule activity, which spanned over 85 federal districts, mainly victimized senior citizens. The actions addressed a variety of elder fraud schemes, including grandparent scams, romance scams, and lottery and sweepstakes scams, the department said. Similarly, in January, the department announced that it had taken action against multiple telecommunication carriers for allegedly facilitating hundreds of millions of robocalls that led to significant financial losses to elderly and vulnerable victims across the country. Victims would receive calls falsely threatening them with different types of catastrophic government actions, such as the termination of social security benefits, arrest for alleged tax fraud, as well as deportation for supposed failure to fill out immigration forms correctly. These calls, the officials said, are designed to scare the victims into paying large amounts of money to the scammers to avoid fraudulent government actions. The National Elder Fraud Hotlines toll-free number is 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). The nominations for the Critics Choice Film Award is finally out. The complete actor Mammootty has grabbed an unexceptional achievement of being nominated in two different languages for the Best Actor category. He is nominated for his performance in Peranbu (Tamil) and Unda (Malayalam). In Peranbu, the actor essayed the role of Amudhavan, a single father of a girl with muscular health conditions. Whereas in Unda, he played the role of Sub-inspector Manikandan who leads a nine-man police unit. The actor will compete with Asif Ali, Nivin Pauly, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Soubin Shahir in the Malayalam Best Actor category. While in Tamil, it will be a race with Dhanush, Vijay Sethupathi, Karthi and SJ Suryah. Interestingly, Mammootty is the only non-Tamil actor to get nominated in the category. Critics Choice Film Award is known for honoring talents from Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Bengali film industries. On a related note, last year, the 66th National Film Awards jury was widely slammed by Mammootty fans as he did not receive the best actor award for Peranbu. Later, jury head Rahul Rawail had taken to social media to clarify the matter. He said that the film was rejected from the regional panel before it came to the central panel. Earlier, the veteran actor was bestowed with three National Film Awards (1999-Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar, 1994-Vidheyan and Ponthan Mada, 1989- Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukal), thirteen Filmfare Awards and eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards. He was also honored with Padma Shri in 1998 by the govt of India. Mammootty's One: The New Star-Studded Poster Goes Viral! The Irish economy will undergo a major shock in coming weeks as the consequences on Covid-19 unfold. Being a small but open economy Ireland is plugged into developments across the globe so it should be no surprise that an external jolt of this type will be keenly felt. Stockmarkets are lead indicators for the economy and the brutal sell-off in equities over the past few weeks is all you need to know. The velocity of the stockmarket decline will be reflected in the speed at which economic activity contracts but that too may be an insight into how we recover from this. Rolling headlines about shutdowns and travel restrictions will be the way news relating to Covid-19 unfolds in days and weeks to come. This will spook a lot of investors and economists and there is only one way in which this sharp reaction can be brought to a shuddering halt. Imagine the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced it was approving a cure for Covid-19. Even though that cure would not be available around the world for months it would trigger a violent upward move in financial markets. That is because nothing undermines equity markets more than uncertainty and fear. A cure would help outline a pathway to make sick people well and provide a vaccine against this virus. Only then can the economy normalise. Over the past weekend, America became fully invested in Covid-19. Any perusal of past global crises shows that when the US is mobilised it can bring enormous resources to bear. Moreover, it is clear that politicians of all hues in the US are understanding the real threats this virus pose for their economy. Hence, expect a flurry of activity and spending as America brings its best minds together to tackle this challenge. A number of US pharmaceutical companies are working intensely to address Covid-19 but one Gilead is much more advanced than all the rest. Its drug Remdesivir has already proven its credentials in Ebola, SARs and MERs, all of whom have common originating factors with Covid-19. Its drug is in widespread testing across China and the US over the past number of weeks with up to 1,000 patients. Guidance suggests these trials will take until late April to conclude but we can only imagine the speed at which US authorities will support an acceleration of that process. Other drug companies are working on solutions around the world but Remdesivir could be the silver bullet. A severe shock to the global economy will lead to major disruption and loss of earnings but if a drug solution can be found this impact will be contained possibly to two quarters or six months. That will hammer profits for 2020 but share prices are not measures of one years profits. Instead, they stretch over a decade or more. Past crises, including 9/11 and the global financial crisis felt as bad as Covid-19 while they were happening. Yet, these were the times when long-term investors should stay committed to investing in high-quality companies. Businesses with competitive cost bases and strong balance sheets will survive this major challenge and come out the other side of it stronger as their weaker competitors struggle and fail amid falling demand. While debating this serious virus it is worth noting over 81,000 people have died from the flu since January 1. In the same period over 225,000 people have died in car accidents. Just over 3,000 have died from Covid-19. It is right authorities take action to control this outbreak but equally it is worth noting the global economy is managing other major health issues that get limited media headlines. A sharp negative economic impact from Covid-19 will not undermine the world as we know it but expect choppy waters ahead. Joe Gill is director of origination and corporate broking with Goodbody Stockbrokers. His views are personal. The hospital said the case is suspected, but not confirmed. If a lab test confirms the hospitals suspicions, it would be the fifth case of the virus in Illinois. On Monday, the third and fourth cases were reported: A husband and wife in their 70s have been tested for coronavirus as well. The man is being treated at Northwest Community Hospital and his wife was under quarantine at home, officials said. A total of 96 hotels of various classifications are expected to open in Oman by 2020-2021, thanks to a massive growth in the sultanate's tourism sector over the last five years, a report said. The income of hotel establishments has increased from RO190 million ($492.1 million) in 2013 to RO260 million ($673.4 million) in 2019. This is due to the increase in the investments in the hotel establishment of the sultanate, which has resulted in the number of hotel rooms going up from 13,603 in 2013 to 25,408 in 2019, said a report in Times of Oman. The number of the tourists coming to the sultanate reached 3.5 million last year, it said. The statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicate that the total revenue of three- to five-star hotels during 2019 reached around RO230 million ($595.7 million), whereas the number of the guests of these hotels reached 1.8 million, the report said. The statistics also showed that the total number of tourists who arrived through cruise ships until the end of December last year were 283,000. Most of them were Germans (111,000 visitors), followed by British (27,023 visitors). They are followed by Italians, Spanish and Americans. The number of the tourists coming from the Gulf countries during 2019 reached 1.4 million. They are followed by Indians (437,000 visitors), Germans (176,000 visitors), British (157,000 visitors), and Yemenis (120,000 visitors). It is expected that the number of rooms in various hotel establishments would increase to meet the requirements of the growing number of tourists coming to the sultanate, the report said. The total number of hotel establishments expected to open during 2020-2022 will reach 135 with 7,401 rooms. The total number of licenses given for hotel establishments during 2019 reached 94, which would provide 3,694 rooms. The total number of licenses given to tourism companies, including those of travel and tourism and tourist transport, reached 1,723 by the end of 2019. BAGHDAD In the months since massive anti-government protests began across Shiite-dominant southern and central Iraq in October, Iraqi politicians have been meeting in small groups in the capital late into the night, hashing out new strategies and alliances. Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, who had been designated to become prime minister, put together a list of ministers in late February, voting on which was initially to be held Feb. 27. The vote was postponed several times before he withdrew from forming a government early March 2. Caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi had said in mid-February that he would quit his post if no prime minister had been approved by March 2. Allawi had been backed by strong Shiite factions in the parliament, some linked to armed groups incorporated into government forces. Sunni and Kurdish factions, as well as some Shiite politicians, have long disagreed with the nomination. On Feb. 27, the Sunni alliance under parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi said it would not be supporting Allawi. Why did Allawi fail? Some of the answers may come from an interview conducted by Al-Monitor with Mohammed al-Darraji, a Shiite member of parliament who previously lived in the UK, at his Baghdad home during a Feb. 23 late-night meeting with Sunni member of parliament Muthana al-Samarraie. Darraji, who holds dual nationality and was formerly a minister elected with the Sadrist bloc, stressed that he did not recommend that [Shiite parties] make the same mistake as they did when they voted for foreign forces to get out of Iraq without Sunni or Kurdish participation Jan. 5. During the Feb. 23 meeting, the two legislators discussed small political teams they set up to focus on specific objectives and exactly how issues with armed groups should be addressed. Darraji said that Allawi is a very good guy but I dont think he will be able to handle issues related to the Shiite-led Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and that two-thirds of Sunnis do not accept him. Allawi isnt capable of understanding the situation, the Shiite legislator said, since he just came back a month before. He spent [much of] his life in London. He came twice to be a minister, about one year each [time], and then he just resigned. Protestors have for months demanded an overhaul of the political class and elimination of the muhassassa system, by which main leadership positions are divided on the basis of religious sect. While agreeing with some of the protesters demands, Darraji cautioned that those demonstrating in the streets do not represent all Iraqis and that a major blow had been struck to the countrys economy and industrial interests by the prolonged uncertainty and instability generated by the protesters' actions. Meanwhile, powerful, thousands-strong Shiite-led armed groups both those receiving government salaries as part of the PMU and others more closely linked to Iran have accused the protests of being an attempt to divide the Shiite community directed by external actors. Darraji said his team had set itself three objectives: to manage the risks of the current crisis, to explain and reshape the Shiite relationship with international and regional stakeholders, i.e., define Shiite discourse and open national dialogue with non-Shiite political forces as the new Shiite leadership generation. He said the protests and recent events had further exacerbated relations with the international community and led to a deterioration of the image of the Iraqi Shiite community in a crescendo that peaked in late December and early January. Darraji said the Shiite team members included member of parliament Adnan al-Zurfi, former Interior Minister Qassim al-Araji, former Popular Mobilization Units spokesman Ahmed al-Asaadi, and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani who was briefly nominated for prime in December but rejected by powerful Shiite cleric and firebrand Muqtada al-Sadr as well as protesters. The Sunni part of the team working closely with them, Darraji said, is led by Salahuddin province native Samarraie. His family is from Samarra, a place of pilgrimage for Shiite Muslims that is guarded by Sadrs Saraya al-Salam but inhabited mainly by Sunnis. Samarraie told Al-Monitor that though he was close to Anbar province native Halbusi, Sunni leaders neglected the situation in Salahuddin and that, compared with Anbar, the province had received very little in reconstruction funds due to officials failing to carry out their duties, despite Salahuddin natives sacrificing a great deal for security issues. Samarraie said his team includes six members of parliament from Ninevah province and two from Anbar. Salahuddin province has long differed from Anbar in its stance toward the Shiite-led PMU, which has been accused of fewer abuses in Salahuddin. Many local PMU in Salahuddin also received support from Iran during the fight against the Islamic State, while some of those in Anbar received training and support from the international coalition. Protesters, especially in the south, often refer to armed groups as parties as many of the Shiite militias have taken on more power through their political branches. The demonstrators also express fear of the militias, which are believed to have been behind the killing of protesters, activists and journalists. However, members of armed groups need to feel safe to put down their guns, Samarraie stressed. Everyone depends on the power of weapons to solve problems now, he said, and a new generation [of political leaders] needs to be brought in. Darraji said that only by involving armed groups more fully in politics could Iraq get them to stop ruling by fear. He added that some groups such as Kataib Hezbollah have no interest in getting involved in politics and that this must be addressed. Meanwhile, in a Feb. 24 interview, Sadr reportedly said that had political leaders not been afraid of the protesters, Allawi's reform government would not have been proposed and there would not have been "a new elections law in 40 years, maybe 400 years. The parliament passed a new elections law in December, although it has not been ratified. But Darraji claimed that Sadr had backed Allawi to be prime minister because he is very weak and can be controlled. Darraji also pointed out that Sadr had threatened to seize the Green Zone if Allawi's government was not approved. Two town halls have been forced to take down flags marking International Women's Day after campaigners called them a 'hostile transphobic dog whistle'. The flags bore the slogan 'Woman, noun, adult female' echoing a campaign created by feminist blogger Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull. Ms Keen-Minshull crowdfunded a campaign bearing the slogan on a billboard in Liverpool back in 2018 and was accused of hostility to transwomen for suggesting that women don't have penises. The flag (pictured) bore the slogan 'Woman, noun, adult female' echoing a campaign created by feminist blogger Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (right, during her 2018 campaign) Today it emerged that flags bearing the Oxford English Dictionary definition of a woman were taken down in Merseyside outside Bootle and Southport town halls as councils found themselves embroiled in the row. It came after GP Adrian Harrop yesterday tweeted Sefton Council to raise his concerns surrounding the flags. Who is Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull? Ms Keen-Minshull is a feminist who does not believe that trans women are women. She illustrated this point in 2018 by erecting a billboard in Liverpool defining 'woman', complete with the Oxford English Dictionary definition. It read 'woman - noun - adult human female' but was deemed transphobic and removed. Since the outcry, she has repeated her conviction that you cannot change sex 'in any meaningful sense'. She argues that transgender women being legally recognised as women impeaches the rights and freedom of people born female. Her concerns include the potential violation of female-only spaces such as toilets, changing rooms, prisons and women's shelters for rape and domestic abuse victims. Detractors say that by denying that trans women are women and should be treated as such, she is engaging in hatred towards trans people. Advertisement The activist from Liverpool tweeted: 'Hi @seftoncouncil the flag you're flying at the moment is a hostile transphobic dog whistle, recognised as a symbol and brand of one of Britain's most outspoken and visible trans-antagonists, and the leader of a transphobic hate group. 'Furthermore, the branding used has no official connection or relationship with that of the @womensday organisation, and I imagine that this introduces some significant, as well as potentially actionable issues re: damage to their public reputation. #IWD2020.' Sefton Councillor Leo Evans replied: 'I have made a request to the Chief Executive of @seftoncouncil immediately requesting that this is removed. @seftoncouncil is and should be an diverse and inclusionary Council, not one that seeks to exclude anyone.' A spokesman for the council said: 'We were asked to support International Women's Day by flying a flag above Bootle and Southport Town Halls which we did so with effect from Monday, March 2. 'However we have since been made aware of a potential issue regarding the messaging on the flag and have taken them down. 'Sefton Council is a local authority with a proud history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights across the borough, having previously been awarded the NAVAJO LGBTQ Quality Mark for our work and we continue to support all members of our communities.' Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull started Standing for Women as a pressure group which maintains that only people born as women can be called women. The 46-year-old's campaign was halted when the billboard display company Primesight received accusations that she was transphobic. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday began talks with lawmakers to form a coalition government led by him after the exit polls projected majority for his Likud Party in the country's unprecedented third parliamentary elections. According to the exit polls published shortly after the voting ended on Monday, 70-year-old Netanyahu's right-wing party will win 59 seats, just two short of the majority in the 120-member Parliament. Israelis voted on Monday for the third time in less than a year to break the deadlock on government formation, with the country's longest serving premier Netanyahu fighting for his political survival amid indictments on graft charges. Likud spokesman Jonathan Urich said that work has begun to convince lawmakers from the center-left bloc to defect and join a Likud-led coalition headed by Netanyahu, Ha'aretz online reported. "This is a night of great victory," Netanyahu said in a victory speech at his party headquarters hours after exit polls were declared. "We won against all odds. They eulogized us, but we prevailed. We made lemons into lemonade. We turned Israel into a superpower, we nurtured new connections with world leaders, including more leaders than you can even imagine in the Arab and Muslim world," he said. "When I say that we will bring peace agreements with more Arab nations, it's not mere words. There are things in the works. This is only the tip of the iceberg," he said, highlighting his claim to lead Israel as the only leader of global stature. With some 81 per cent of ballots tallied on Tuesday, the Likud Party has solidified its position as the single largest party with a decent lead of 36-31 over closest rival Blue and White party of former Israeli army Chief Benny Gantz. Likud has bagged 29.64 per cent of the votes, equal to around 36 Knesset (Israeli Parliament) seats, which could represent the party's strongest showing as Israelis look to end a political deadlock that has left the country without a fully functioning government for over a year. The Blue and White party was trailing with 25.8 per cent votes, representing some 31 seats, which is its poorest showing in the last three attempts. Netanyahu's right-wing allies too have fared in the polls with ultra-Orthodox Shas party and United Torah Judaism at 10 and 8 seats respectively, while religious right-wing Yamina party was at six seats. The current situation brings the right-wing bloc's tally to 60 in the house of 120, just one seat shy of a simple majority. Israeli Arabs led Joint List was looking to win 15 seats, while the Labor-Gesher-Meretz alliance on the Left stood at seven seats as per the latest round of counting. The numbers are likely to shift further as more votes are counted going by past trend. There is also a dispute over who would tally ballots cast by voters in quarantine at special voting booths set up to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party is likely to win 7 seats, one down from last time. The votes of soldiers and diplomats stationed abroad will be counted at the end, which normally in the past has shown a shift of one to two seats. The elections were largely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu who will go on trial later this month for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, but is thought to be seeking support for a legislative mechanism to grant him immunity. "Throughout the campaign, I've spoken about everything we intend to achieve in the coming years applying sovereignty over our homeland in the Jordan valley," Netanyahu said, referring to his controversial campaign promise to annex the territory. "Earlier, I spoke with all the right-wing faction leaders, our natural partners. After I get some sleep, we'll start forming a broad national government," he emphasised. Expressing disappointment, but not conceding defeat, Gantz addressed his supporters in Tel Aviv asking to wait for the final results. "I understand the feeling of disappointment," Gantz said, adding, "We will not give up on our principles and our path." He thanked thousands of activists and supporters for their support through "the nastiest election campaign in Israel's history," asserting that "the State of Israel needs to heal, it needs unity, and reconciliation. We will continue to serve the public". He also reminded supporters of Netanyahu's impending trial set to begin on March 17. "Criminal proceedings can only be dealt with in the courtroom, and Netanyahu will stand trial for three severe offenses," he said. "I'm not afraid of a long journey," he said, stressing, "I'm not afraid at all." Gantz said that he would not sit in a government with Netanyahu because of the charges of graft against him. (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 (Agence France-Presse) Sydney, Australia Tue, March 3, 2020 07:05 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067d839b 2 World China,Uighur,Global,brands,Australia,research,forced-labors Free Top global brands such as Apple, BMW and Sony have been accused of getting supplies from factories using the forced labor, an explosive allegation that could reverberate in boardrooms across the world. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute said the Chinese government has transferred 80,000 or more Uighurs out of camps in Xinjiang and into factories across the country. "Uighurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors," the think tank said. "Some factories across China are using forced Uighur labor under a state-sponsored labor transfer scheme that is tainting the global supply chain." The brands, it added, included Adidas, Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Puma, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen. "Companies using forced Uighur labor in their supply chains could find themselves in breach of laws which prohibit the importation of goods made with forced labor or mandate disclosure of forced labor supply chain risks," the report said. Such firms "should conduct immediate and thorough human rights due diligence on their factory labor in China, including robust and independent social audits and inspections." 'Indirect suppliers' When asked about the report Volkswagen spokesman Nikolas Thorke said: "We are committed to our responsibility in all areas of our business where we hold direct authority." "None of the mentioned supplier companies are currently a direct supplier of Volkswagen," he added. Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler likewise said none of the companies mentioned were "direct suppliers". Huawei said it requires all its suppliers to comply with international standards as well as applicable laws, adding it has seen the report and is looking into the matter. BMW said it "cannot comment regarding the content" of the report, but told AFP it does a survey for sustainability standards of direct suppliers in its allocation process. It also poses questions, including those on human rights and working conditions in its purchasing conditions, and direct suppliers are "required to implement our policies with their own suppliers". Apple referred AFP to an earlier statement, which said the firm was "dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our supply chain is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve." German sportsgear maker Adidas said it had instructed suppliers last year "not to source products or yarn from the Xinjiang region". Rival Puma said it was aware of the controversy and had "raised this issue with partners" tasked with monitoring fabric suppliers further down the supply chain. Crackdown China's foreign ministry slammed the ASPI report as having "no factual basis", and accused the institute of attempting to "smear China's efforts to oppose terrorism and fight extremism in Xinjiang." The Xinjiang measures have "achieved good results" and "all participants undergoing anti-extremism education have graduated and achieved stable employment," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijiang said at a regular press briefing. An estimated one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been held in internment camps in Xinjiang. After initially denying their existence, Beijing cast the facilities as "vocational education centers" where "students" learn Mandarin and job skills in an effort to steer them away from religious extremism, terrorism and separatism. Rights groups and witnesses accuse China of forcibly trying to draw Uighurs away from their Islamic customs and integrate them into the majority Han culture. Officially, the Chinese government says it is transferring "surplus" Xinjiang labor to other regions in the name of poverty alleviation. According to official news agency Xinhua, more than 25,000 workers from Xinjiang were slated to be transferred "inland" in 2019. Two concerns: The COVID-19 infection rate and the amount of time a person is asymptomatic Indian Country Today The words Dean Seneca used took on a sense of urgency after the recent damaging news from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. I want to make sure that I stated that Tribes are not prepared for the coronavirus, he texted Indian Country Today a day after an initial interview. The day before that he was more cautious, saying, I don't think that we are as prepared as we should be. What changed? Two reasons: The infection rate and the amount of time a person is asymptomatic. The first example of this was the Diamond Princess cruise ship incident where one passenger aboard, and one who left early, tested positive for COVID-19. A two-week quarantine resulted in 45 of the passengers who were then infected. These passengers left the cruise ship to go home on buses, subways, airlines, taxis, rideshares, or private vehicles. Now we know that people will have this virus, not show symptoms and still be able to transmit the virus, he said. That is scary. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation temporarily closed the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on March 2, 2020, after an employee at the facility in Pendleton, Oregon. tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus Usually viruses are contagious at the peak, he said. For example, in the first two days youre slowing getting sick and on the third day, youre at a height of an infection. People you come into contact with can get sick. Its for sure. But this person carrying this virus can walk around from day one to day seven and show no symptoms. I can easily transfer that virus over to you, Seneca said. And that's, that's very unique with this virus, compared to other similar infectious disease flu like agents. Seneca, who is the executive director of Seneca Scientific Solutions, brings more than 18 years working in the CDCs Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support and he has been on the frontlines of fighting epidemics like polio in Ethiopia and Ebola. He was a first responder to the h1n1 influenza virus. The Seneca tribal citizen also carries a masters in public health from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Seneca has a deep knowledge and experience with epidemics and he is concerned about Indian Countrys preparedness. He said, the tribal epidemiology centers don't have the capacity to do good surveillance for the tribes regarding this. Seneca used to work for the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center. We don't have links with our tribal health departments and/or state health departments in order to share data or real-time incidence, prevalence and any kind of mortality data or information related to this. Our systems are just not in place in order to do good active surveillance. Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center advises that unless you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of an individual that... Posted by Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation on Monday, March 2, 2020 According to the World Health Organization, a public health surveillance is where health officials can keep continuously and systematically collect, analyze and interpret the data that is needed to plan, implement, and evaluate public health practices. This can include early warning systems for public health emergencies, documentation of the impact of intervening and track progress, and monitor the epidemiology of the public health emergency that will help public health policy and strategies. With 574 federally-recognized tribes, 12 epidemiology centers, a severely underfunded Indian Health Service, more than 320 reservations, and 5.2 million American Indian and Alaska Native people, there is a significant opportunity for imperfection and chaos when it comes to public health emergencies. Kevin English, DrPH and director of the Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center in the Albuquerque area, serves 27 tribal nations in New Mexico and Colorado. English said the center doesnt have access to the data at the state health department that would allow them to track the virus in real time. However, the tribe can request it from the state and the center is simply the liaison to make sure the community receives the data. States do typically share AI/AN data with us at the county level, which we can then utilize to identify hotspots, target outreach efforts, and monitor over time, English said. This type of data sharing may vary by state and [tribal epidemiology center]. The center is currently educating tribal leadership, tribal members, and health care providers about COVID-19 using CDC educational materials. In an abundance of caution, Wildhorse Resort & Casino will close immediately to complete a thorough and deep cleaning as... Posted by Wildhorse Resort & Casino on Monday, March 2, 2020 So is the case up north where Oregon saw its third presumptive positive case of the virus. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation confirmed the case to be an employee at the tribes casino. Victoria Warren-Mears, director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, that serves Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Washington has already seen six deaths as a result of COVID-19. She feels that tribes in her state are ready for the virus. What I can tell you is that the tribes do have preparedness planning. Anytime there's something new that comes up though there's definitely some feeling out of what strategies are the best for tribes and for just the general population to deal with that, she said. And so I think in general, tribes are fairly well prepared. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation was prepared. And it was also great timing. Chuck Sams, a spokesperson for the tribe, said the tribe had been on a conference call on Friday and Saturday with the CDC, the Oregon Health Authority, all the counties, and nine tribes. They wanted to lay out potential scenarios and establish an emergency management team. Before those calls, the tribe had an approved public health emergency plan for epidemics and and pandemics from 2018. They also had an agreement with their local clinic with support from their county. And the plan paid off this morning, he said. Weve been able to do table top exercises to prepare for it. The tribe received a call from Governor Kate Brown about the case of COVID-19 at 7 a.m. Monday and the person was an employee of the tribes casino. By 12 p.m. their Nixyaawii Community School, head start, daycare and senior center were closed as well as the Wildhorse Resort and Casino. Community events on the Umatilla Reservation were cancelled for the week. Officials on the Navajo Nation take part in a COVID-19 Preparedness Team meeting in Window Rock, Arizona, on February 27, 2020. Photo: Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President The Navajo Nation also took the initiative on Thursday when the President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer established the tribal nations COVID-19 preparedness team. The preparedness team consists of the Office of the President and Vice President, Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, Navajo Nation Division of Social Services, Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management, Department of Dine Education, Navajo Nation Division of Community Development, U.S. Indian Health Service, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education. Nez wants to bring in the community health representatives so they can educate the elders they visit and coordinate with hospitals and clinics. Nez and Navajo Department of Health Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim talked on one of their tribal radio stations, KTNN, to give updates and prevention tips. Were bringing these entities together to ensure that we are communicating and coordinating efforts to educate the public. There are no cases of the coronavirus on the Navajo Nation, but this is a very serious health concern, and its vital that we continue to provide information with everyone, including students, elderly, and community members, President Nez said. A map of tribal epidemiology centers in Indian Country. Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and California Tribal Epidemiology Centers have been disseminating information to their tribes within their states. California is also contingency planning and developing scenario-based exercises for their tribal health clinics. The Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center sends out COVID-19 documents from the CDC and daily key points to the tribal health directors. The Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center is working with their tribal, state, and federal partners to distribute information to the community and health care providers. We have also been working to support cross-sector collaborations and alignment with these partners to ensure a coordinated and proactive response, said Director PJ Beaudry. Weekly updates are being sent out to tribal health clinic directors from the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center. Education and emergency planning activities are happening at their center. It serves 34 tribes, three service units and four Indian health programs in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Chicago. Medical epidemiologist and director of the center German Gonzalez said they requested participation in calls and activities with three different state health departments. We have requested feedback from our tribes to address their needs, Gonzalez wrote in an email. At the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority in Tacoma, Washington, Dr. Walter Hollow, Sioux and Assiniboine, said theyre ready. So our clinic is taking the stance it's not if the virus is going to reach our doorstep, it's when, he said. They have a room to quarantine the infected patient away from the regular patients in the clinic. And if we determine that there's a strong likelihood that they have it, we'll take them from that world to one of the facilities nearby that is designed for quarantine, he said. Now all of this is in an attempt to continue to contain the virus, but as you're probably aware there's, unfortunately, increasing evidence that the virus is already spread out into the community. And so, we probably need to move from containment to treatment and minimizing the spread. Theyre prepared for that, too. They have had the plan in place for over a decade and made modifications and updates to it over the years. The CTUIR Nixyaawii Education Center will remained closed on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. There will be no classes for the... Posted by Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation on Monday, March 2, 2020 Dr. Hollow is also president of the Association of American Indian Physicians. Theyre planning to talk about it at their monthly board meeting next week. Little was known about COVID-19 at their last meeting so they didnt talk about it. Our mission is to help Indian Country respond to the health needs of the community so we will do anything that we can to support other organizations and tribal communities, as they need this on flop, he said. Economic impact Abigail Echo-Hawk, Pawnee, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute and chief research officer for the Seattle Indian Health Board says this will hit the country's economy and Indian Country's. "So we're possibly going to see economic impact, particularly as employees who either think that they have symptoms or diagnosed with coronavirus will not be able to come in and work," she said. "We need anybody who has symptoms to stay home. That's one of the things that's the public health concern too is making sure that people do have symptoms, they do need to stay home. So we need to ensure that they have the ability to do that." In addition, she says we have to "think about the impact that has on the economic level" for all tribal and non-tribal enterprises that are exposed to the general public. The resources needed to tackle this epidemic Seneca said tribes need the resources to tackle this epidemic threat head on. The other is that our health care systems are really not in place nor do we have experts, as physicians and nurses that know or are familiar with this kind of foreign virus, he said. I just wanted to make it clear that we are not ready for this. We really are not ready for it now. Echo-Hawk stressed the need for Indian Country to be represented as funding streams are increased. "As these emergency coronavirus virus is going on, we don't know what those funding mechanisms look like right now. But it is very likely they will emerge as people work to ensure that we can do whatever we can to control the spread of the virus, Echo-Hawk said while at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: March 2, 2020 Contact: Chuck Sams, (541) 215-9666 Presumptive Coronavirus... Posted by Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation on Monday, March 2, 2020 She emphasized that when the funding mechanisms do roll out, they need to ensure that there are the words and there is funding directed toward tribal entities including the urban Indian health programs because the tribes are going to need any kind of, you know, if there's opportunities for subsidies around economics that may have been precautions and other things going into the programs to ensure we have the correct medial supply and medical personnel. The National Council of Urban Indian Health sent a letter to Congress on Feb. 28, urging them to honor the trust responsibility to urban Indians. When passing emergency funding, the organization asked to include Urban Indian Organizations to prevent and treat COVID-19. They also requested at the very least $94 million for emergency funding and health education/promotion for urban Indian organizations. Francys Crevier, executive director of the organization, said in a Mar. 2 press release, As Congress moves forward on its consideration of funding for the Coronavirus-Covid 19, NCUIH would like to ensure that funds are available to our 41 urban Indian organizations. The U.S. government cannot allow UIO patients to die during a Covid 19 outbreak due to unavailability of critical services. UIOs operate on such low funding margins that interruptions in daily operations (including those leading to funding shortfalls) have dire effects and have been forced to close entirely. Urban Indian organizations receive their funding from one source: Indian Health Service. The entity only has one budget line for urban Indian health for the 41 urban Indian organizations in 22 states. According to the 2010 Census, approximately 70 percent of the American Indian and Alaska Native population resides in urban areas. PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Urges Congress to Include Urban Indians in any Efforts to Address Coronavirus - https://t.co/bCwnRo3zLd NCUIH (@NCUIH_Official) March 2, 2020 Theres already a known shortage of physicians in the Indian health system. Hollow agrees and says to an extent that this crisis could have an additional impact. So if there's a tribe that only has 50 percent staffing, obviously they're gonna struggle more than the tribe that is fully stacked, he said. Okay, yes, it could have an impact, but it would vary by tribe and location. He advises the tribes with the shortage of resources to start a planning committee to discuss the various ways they can meet the onslaught if the coronavirus enters their communities. He said theyre going to want to focus on containing the virus or moving on to treatment in isolation. That would be up to each tribe. And of course the tribes that are run by the Indian Health Service, they're going to have access to an epidemiologist, which will be very helpful, Dr. Hollow said. Contracting tribes usually don't have access to an epidemiology person unless they work closely with the health department in their county. Thats the challenge of the separate 12 tribal epidemiology centers across the country serving different tribes in different states. Theres no shared database. Unfortunately, yes there's probably no one place that's a clearinghouse for what kind of data, each epi-center has access to, said Warren-Mears. I wish there was but at this point in time we all have different kinds of access based on our partnerships with our states that we serve and, and, or the states that we're located in and the tribes we serve. Exercising tribal sovereignty Seneca says tribes have additional tools that could be used. It's really the tribes responsibility to exercise its public health authority, he said. It shouldn't have to wait for the Indian Health Service or the Centers for Disease Control to make active measures that this virus is in their community, or not. The CDC is the public health authority for the United States. An example of a tribe exercising their public health authority is not letting anybody within its borders if the virus is prevalent and outside the tribal communities. Another instance is if the federal government or Indian Health Service was to isolate a tribe or block a road, the tribe has a right to intervene and say, We need this road for our resources and services, Seneca said. The road cant be blocked. Figure out the roles and responsibilities of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, surrounding counties and cities, especially when theres not a strong emergency infrastructure. What I'm saying is that before the federal government puts any kind of public health restrictions or exercise in public health authority, it needs to consult with tribes on a government to government basis, he said. Let's say there is a pandemic and it does hit the United States, that does hit with the severity as it is in other countries. This will be the big issue for Indian Country. Where does public health authority lie and what is our sovereign right to exercise tribal sovereignty? Seneca encourages tribes to take on the responsibility rather than relying on outside entities like local, state, and the federal governments. We are the ones that hold our destiny," he said. We need to make sure that tribal communities do our best and have the resources to build our own emergency preparedness and response efforts. Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, Dine, is the Washington editor for Indian Country Today based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter @jourdanbb . Email: jbennett-begaye@indiancountrytoday.com Note: This story was written and reported by Quindrea Yazzie. It originally appeared on Indian Country Today on March 3, 2020. Join the Conversation The letter offered prevention tips from health authorities, and Polyak also wrote, If you experience concerning symptoms, such as a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing contact your health care provider immediately for advice. Also, if you or anyone in your family has traveled to or from mainland China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea within the past month, we ask that you contact the school nurse. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and health minister Satyendra Jain said on Tuesday that the Delhi government has designated 25 hospitals for the treatment of coronavirus, which has infected a person from the national capital. We have made elaborate arrangements to tackle coronavirus. Ram manohar Lohia (RML) and Safdarjung are the designated nodal hospitals in the city. Apart from these, 25 other hospitals - 19 government and six private - have been designated to treat coronavirus patients, said Jain. Sisodia said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was informed about the one positive case in Delhi. In 25 hospitals, there are isolation wards too, said Sisodia. ALSO WATCH | There is no need to panic: PM Modis message on Coronavirus scare The Deputy Chief Minister also asked people to take care of basic hygiene to prevent the spread of this flu-like disease. We have to take care of personal hygiene and develop a habit of washing our hands frequently, said Sisodia. Only one confirmed case has been reported in Delhi, so there is no need to panic, said Sisodia. Earlier, Kejriwal had called an emergency meeting with the health department to prevent a possible outbreak of coronavirus in the national capital. The call for the meeting came hours after Kejriwal in a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the spread of coronavirus in Delhi and parts of the national capital region (NCR). I also discussed about coronavirus in the meeting with the PM and it was agreed upon that both the central and the Delhi governments will work together to tackle this deadly disease, Kejriwal said after meeting Modi. The PM also tweeted minutes urging people not to panic after reviewing preparedness to fight coronavirus. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection, he tweeted. So far, the virus has spread to nearly 60 countries and infected more than 85,000 people. Delhi reported its first case of coronavirus on Monday after a person who had visited Italy tested positive for Covid-19. On Tuesday, panic gripped parents of a private school in Noida, which has now declared a three-day closure, after it emerged that the children of the Delhi man diagnosed infected by the novel Coronavirus study in the school. Shortly after, another school in the area announced that it will remain shut till March 9. On Monday, March 02, RTE aired the first episode of their new programme The Test, a series produced by Oddboy Media for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which follows the highs and lows of doing the driving test in Ireland. The series follows a number of learner drivers from around the country and the program is shown over a 6 week time slot. There will be plenty of Longford eyes watching next weeks programme, as Hynes/Quinn Driving School - which services the Shannonside region - were chosen to take part in the programme on the back of a meeting held in October last year. It has been thirty two years since I founded the driving school. Founder Noel Quinn explained. I started with a small, old car, a Toyota Carina. Hynes/Quinn Driving school, which has a total staff county of 25 and a team of instructors covering areas such as Longford, Cavan, Athlone, Castlebar, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dublin and Navan, offers a wide variety of services and they thought it would be a little different if they put a candidate forward for the rigid truck driving test. The team at Hynes/Quinn driving school were originally contacted by Oddboy Media to find out if they would be interested in taking part in the show. Once they had enthusiastically agreed, all that needed to be found was a learner driver. Following interviews with a series of interested parties, one lucky driving hopeful was chosen. Noel stated: Oddboy Media contacted us based upon a recommendation from the RSA, as we are a very well respected school. We believe we are the only driving school in Ireland that offers lessons in both plant machinery, trucks and basically every vehicle, all in the one driving school. Because of this and because of our well established reputation, RTE in conjunction with the RSA contacted us through Oddboy Media and asked would we participate in a programme in the interest of road safety. Also read: Longford Acorn Project receives 500 donation from staff at Aldi Longford Step forward one of the new students of Hynes/Quinn driving school Ms Anna Heslin-Corrigan, who is originally from Longford but now living in Drumlish. Anna is also known for her prowess with baked goods, however, it will be her driving talents on show on Monday, March 09. Anna, who was a complete beginner to life behind the wheel of a truck, started in the plant machine yard and hit the road from there, taking in twelve lessons altogether! Noel stated: We would like to thank Anna for all her hard work. Doing the driving test in a Rigid with the cameras pointing at you is no mean feat. She got on very well. Hynesquinn driving school and Drumlish resident Anna will appear in the second episode of 'The Test', which will be aired on March 09, at 7:30pm. For further information on HynesQuinn driving school visit www.hynesquinn.com/ Also read: Longford community projects invited to explore social finance opportunities with CFI Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 00:23:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the progress on the vaccine, anti-body, medicine and fast testing kit research and application during his visit to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2020. Xi on Monday inspected the scientific research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as well as the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in his visit to two institutes in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed coordinately advancing the scientific research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to provide support for winning the battle against the epidemic. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his visit to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing. During his visit, Xi learned about the progress of research and application of the vaccines, anti-bodies, medicines and fast testing kits. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere gratitude and greetings to frontline science and technology personnel. SCIENCE AS MOST POWERFUL WEAPON "Science and technology are the most powerful weapon in humanity's battle against diseases," Xi said. "Mankind can not defeat a major disaster or epidemic without scientific development and technological innovation." Xi said the COVID-19 research must be taken as a major and pressing task, calling for accelerating its progress and overcoming major difficulties in epidemic prevention and control at an earlier date. On Monday afternoon, Xi first went to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, where he heard a report on the academy's COVID-19 scientific research and inspected a contingency medicine research lab for major epidemic outbreaks. Xi stressed the pivotal role of science and technology in curing more patients, reducing mortality and eventually defeating the epidemic. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the academy's contingency scientific research efforts have delivered positive results, he said. Xi urged prompt efforts to develop safe and effective vaccines, drugs and testing kits to help fight the virus. He also called for more core technologies with own intellectual property rights and strong products after the tough battle against the coronavirus. While inspecting the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University, Xi noted coordination between the frontline battle against the epidemic and scientific research and material production. He called for accelerating the development of new-type testing kits, antibody medicines, vaccines, and diagnosis and treatment plans. Xi also required efforts to reinforce the national surveillance network for major epidemics, improve the legal and regulatory system, promote the research of cutting-edge technologies and cultivate top-notch professionals to raise the country's ability to respond to major public health emergencies. SAVING LIVES MOST PRESSING TASK Chairing a symposium at Tsinghua University, Xi heard reports and gave an important speech. He noted the progress made by the country's scientific and technological front in just over a month, saying it has provided forceful support to epidemic prevention and control. At the moment, winning the people's war against the epidemic still requires hard work, Xi said, stressing more efforts to seek solutions through science. "Saving the lives of more patients is the most pressing and important task," he continued. Xi stressed linking the research on medicines and medical equipment with clinical treatment as well as giving priority to the clinical application of scientific research achievements. Treatment should combine traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, more effective drugs be applied and new treatment methods explored to prevent patients with mild symptoms from becoming severely ill, he said. Advanced treatments using convalescent plasma, stem cells and monoclonal antibodies should also be applied to treat severe and critically ill patients, he added. On vaccine, Xi said it is vital to epidemic prevention and control, with its safety the top priority. He called for speeding up the vaccine research and development while closely tracking the progress of related research overseas. Xi urged early clinical trial and application of vaccines, as well as linking research and development with industrial-chain production. He also required building a national reserve system for vaccines. Xi stressed the importance of coordinating research on virus source tracing and transmission routes and evaluating whether some suspected animals are intermediate hosts. Xi pointed out that new technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data, should be applied to epidemiological investigation and virus source tracing to figure out where the virus comes from and how it will develop. Xi also underscored psychological intervention to help patients recover. DOUBLE DOWN ON KEY, CORE TECHNOLOGIES Bio-security should be included in the overall national security as an important part, Xi said, calling for strengthening the system and capacity building of epidemic prevention and control and scientific research on public health. Xi called for improving the epidemic warning and forecast systems to gather information in a timely manner and quickly take response measures. He emphasized concentrating nationwide resources to double down on key and core technology research and urged breakthroughs in developing high-end medical equipment to accelerate fixing the country's "weak link" in this sector. Xi also emphasized resolutely eradicating the bad habit of eating wild animals to promote a civilized, healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Public health security is a common challenge faced by humanity, and all countries should join hands to cope with it, Xi said. Noting that the COVID-19 outbreaks have emerged in many countries, Xi said it is important to step up communication and exchange with the World Health Organization and carry out scientific research cooperation on source tracing, drugs, vaccines, testing and other fields with other countries, especially those hit hard by the virus. Xi called on countries to share research data and jointly work out response strategies to contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Istanbul, March 2, 2020 Turkish authorities should allow journalists to cover refugee movements and other important events of public interest without fear that they will be detained or imprisoned, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 29, Turkish gendarme detained at least four journalists in the countrys western Edirne province, who were covering refugees moving through the country from Syria: reporters Idris Saylgan and Naci Kaya from the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, and reporter Rawin Sterk and camera operator Mehmet Sirin Akgun from the Iraqi-Kurdish outlet Rudaw, according to reports from Rudaw and the Mezopotamya News Agency. Officers accused the journalists of filming in a forbidden zone, according to those reports. Today, as journalists in Edirne covered further refugee movements in the area, police detained freelance photographer Bradley Secker, a U.K. national, and released him at about 11 p.m., after he gave a statement to authorities, according to a series of tweets from the Media and Law Studies Association, a local press freedom group. Also in Edirne, freelance reporter Tuba Demir tweeted at 2:47 p.m. today that she was being taken into custody. At about 10 p.m., she resumed tweeting, and said that she believed at least 20 journalists had been detained in Edirne. As Turkish authorities crack down on journalists covering refugees in the country, they are revealing how little they care for the freedom of the press, said Gulnoza Said, CPJs Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in New York. Authorities must immediately release journalists who remain in detention and drop any charges against them, and allow reporters to work freely. Authorities released Kaya today without charge, according to a report by the Mezopotamya News Agency. An Edirne court ordered Saylgan to be sent to prison pending trial for an alleged parole violation, according to that report. In January 2019, Saylgan had been found guilty of membership of a terrorist organization and disseminating propaganda, and was released under judicial control and with a foreign travel ban, according to news reports. Sterk and Akgun remain in custody, and authorities have requested to examine their phones, cameras, and computers, according to news reports. CPJ could not determine if charges have been filed against them Also on February 29, police in Istanbul arrested Alptekin Dursunoglu, chief editor for the news website Yakn Dogu Haber, regarding his social media posts about Turkeys ongoing conflict in Syria, which authorities alleged were inciting the public into animosity and hatred and sent him to prison pending trial, according to news reports. He is being held in the Silivri Prison, according to those reports. The same day, police arrested three unidentified employees of the Russian-government funded outlet Sputnik in Ankara, and arrested the outlets chief Turkey editor, Mahir Boztepe, in Istanbul, according to a report by the outlet. The arrests occurred after a group of protesters in Ankara attempted to break into the employees homes there; when the employees contacted the police to file a criminal complaint, police detained them and also ordered Boztepes detention in Istanbul, Sputnik reported. The four Sputnik staffers were released the following day with no charges brought against them, according to that report. When police arrested Boztepe, officers also searched Sputniks Istanbul office and copied journalists hard drives, the outlet reported. Turkeys Ministry of Interior did not immediately respond to CPJs emailed request for comment. East Khasi Hills District's Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri said that State Home Minister will chair a meeting with community leaders and eminent personalities on Tuesday in order help restore peace between Khasi Students' Union and non-tribal population residing in the area. Talking to ANI, Nongbri said: "State Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui will chair a peace meeting at 3 pm today. Leaders of various communities and eminent personalities have been invited for the meeting." "The district administration has been concerned about what has happened in the last few days in the district. Last week, we held several meetings with senior officials and other stakeholders," she added. Yesterday, the District Magistrate of East Khasi District has announced a curfew in Shillong and its adjoining areas for twelve hours after violent clashes between the two groups. A curfew was also imposed in Shillong on February 28 and 29 due to the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jacob Batten will always remember October 30 the day he not only received awards from his college, but was also a guest at a royal reception, hosted by the Prime Minister. It was a pinch yourself moment for the 17-year-old who had a troubled family life but thrived when he was given a home by a local caregiver. The Whangaparaoa College student received the Academic Councillors award, as well as the Year 12 Deans award in recognition of his academic achievements and contribution to the school, which includes starting two support groups. Jacob is also active in youth work outside the school, both with CYC Trust and as secretary of the National Youth Council of Voice of Young and Care Experienced (VOYCE). Along with other VOYCE representatives, Jacob was invited to a royal reception at Auckland Museum with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry and Megan Markle) and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. A total of 100 representatives of youth organisations attended the reception. Jacob says that the event was an eye opener from the amazing food to the engaging and heartfelt speeches given by Prince Harry and Jacinda Ardern. Their speeches thanked us for all the contributions that we have made in the community, Jacob says. Prince Harry talked about the importance of youth mental health support. I felt blessed it felt as though he was talking directly to me, which was a bit surreal, having only seen him on TV before. He shook hands with Megan Markle, who came around to meet the various groups. VOYCE is relatively new on the scene, having started around seven months ago. It was put together by Government to ensure that people who are, or have been, in care have their voices heard. Jacob has been the secretary since the organisation started. Previously there wasnt an organisation of young people, only for them, he says. Its been great, because I feel I am being listened to, as someone who has been in care and we have given feedback on Bills that are before parliament that affect us. Jacob and his two younger brothers went into care in 2015. Since their parents separated in 2014, they had been living with their father and Jacob says that environment was not a safe or healthy one. Dad wasnt responsible and was involved in drugs and alcohol. My education was being jeopardized because I couldnt focus on that when I was effectively being the parent to my brothers. CYFs (now Oranga Tamariki) took us out of that environment for our safety, but it was a shock because I was taken from school without any warning, which was the safest way to do it. I had no time to process it. Jacob and his brothers went into the care of a local woman, which was supposed to be transitional, for 10 days. The stability that this home provided enabled Jacob to thrive, and three years later it is still his home. Its been amazing to be in a loving stable home and know Im going to be fed and cared for. I used to be very shy and closed off, but slowly it became clear that what had been going on in my family wasnt normal. From then on, I took every opportunity to do as well as I could. Jacob says he loves school and will continue his studies, with a focus on social studies subjects, next year. After that he hopes to become a youth worker. I may go into politics one day, but thats all a long way off, he says. Autopilot, Super Cruise and Drive Pilot are different names given to the technology that automates steering and braking in a growing number of vehicles, but none of it can safely "pilot" cars without regular human intervention. These systems and the potential for consumers to misunderstand and misuse them are putting pressure on regulators everywhere to overhaul safety testing and consumer rating systems that have not kept up with the pace of deployment of new semi-automated driving technology. That may be especially true in the United States, where the National Transportation Safety Board chided regulators this week for lagging their European counterparts in efforts to ensure consumer and road safety. The acting head of the US vehicle safety regulator said on Wednesday that his agency would make changes this year to a testing program that assigns safety grades to new and future vehicles. "Were raising the bar for safety technologies in our new vehicles," said acting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief James Owens. NHTSA in December 2015 issued proposed rulemaking for testing procedures that would be similar to more comprehensive testing done by European regulators. No rules have been put forward since then, however, and Owens' comments came a day after the NTSB sharply criticized NHTSA for its hands-off approach to overseeing semi-automated driving technology. The NTSB, an independent US Government agency, also compared NHTSA's testing and ratings unfavorably to consumer safety systems put in place by European agencies. Surveys have shown that consumers overestimate the capabilities of semi-automated systems, as automakers race to deliver on the promise of truly driverless cars. Safety advocates also criticize manufacturers for using misleading terms to market those systems, including Autopilot, Pro Pilot Assist, and Traffic Jam Pilot. European regulators have been expanding their rules and ratings to evaluate new technology such as automatic braking and lane-keeping, while US regulators have done little to change their traditional "five stars" crash test grading system. European safety ratings assess all advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) currently available and regulators have passed some laws on the technology. In 2018, European Union regulators required the installation of acoustic and visual warning signals for lane-keeping systems every 15 seconds if drivers take their hands off the wheel. As a result, Tesla had to issue a software update to its Autopilot system in the EU. A regulatory body is currently working on rules for more advanced hands-off systems that can control braking, acceleration and lane changes at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Under draft EU rules, carmakers among other things need to show how the system safely hands control back to the driver, how the car monitors the road and how it reacts in emergency situations. Pressure on automakers in Europe also comes from non-binding performance ratings by Europe's New Car Assessment Program, known in the industry as Euro NCAP. Euro NCAP began rating automatic braking systems in 2014. It is testing the performance of advanced cruise control, lane-centring systems and blind-spot detection since 2018 and beginning in May will also grade how well a car's system is keeping the driver engaged. The group is a non-governmental body but funded by some EU countries and also receives money from national motor clubs and insurers. Matthew Avery, a Euro NCAP board member, said the group was sharing testing methods with NHTSA and the NTSB on a regular basis. As regulation moves slowly, Euro NCAP plays a crucial role in holding carmakers accountable, Avery said. "The manufacturers initially scream blue murder and say our targets are impossible to achieve, but then one of them does it and everyone follows," he said. Carmakers in the United States are allowed to self-certify that their vehicles comply with existing rules, said University of South Carolina law professor Bryant Walker Smith, who focuses on automated driving. But there are currently no rules for ADAS. NHTSA also publishes an annual New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which evaluates the crashworthiness of a vehicle and outlines what semi-automated features a car comes with. But the agency does not assess the safety of those systems despite nearly all modern cars being equipped with some features like automatic emergency braking. PASCAGOULA, Mississippi A Jackson County judge has sentenced a former St. Martin school bus driver to prison for assaulting a disabled student in 2015. Circuit Court Judge Robert Krebs reviewed more than 20 letters of support and heard pleas for leniency before he sentenced Antioinette Jane Toni Raymond on Friday to a year behind bars on a misdemeanor charge of simple assault and three months for contributing to the delinquency, abuse or neglect of a minor, The Sun Herald reported. Krebs suspended some of the sentence, leaving Raymond with three months to serve and $1,000 in fines, the newspaper reported. She is to begin serving the sentence April 1. A video that the childs family provided to the Sun Herald showed Raymond threatening to send the St. Martin Middle School student to jail, choke her, put soap in her mouth and even kill her if she didnt shut up and sit still. The disabled girls grandfather, Thomas Pearce, said he had hoped to see Raymond serve more time behind bars. He told the judge what happened to his granddaughter affected everyone in his family. He said the girls mother became so distraught after learning that Raymond and a teacher, also indicted in the case, were facing only misdemeanor charges that she began using drugs, overdosed at a casino and died. I dont have a job and my mother doesnt have a job because I have to stay home to take care of her (the child), he said. The video speaks for itself. She (Raymond) has affected a lot of people, not only my children but the other children on the bus. They are scared to death. They thought she was going to do to the same to them. Krebs reviewed video footage of the assault by Raymond and co-defendant, former teacher Kerri Anne Nettles. The difference between the two defendants, he said, is that once Nettles told Raymond there was a camera on the bus recording them, Nettles stopped assaulting the girl but Raymond continued. At the same time, Krebs said, there is no evil in Ms. Raymonds heart." Raymond said she never received any training to work with special needs children, though Nettles had. Just before her sentencing, Raymond took responsibility for her actions though she asked for understanding and leniency. She said she wanted to apologize to the child. Since she is not here, I have to say sorry to her family and to you. I was under a bad spot in my life at that time. It was like I was just going through the motions of living. I am not a monster. I had a bad time. Two people spoke Friday on Raymonds behalf, including a former student who said she was good to him, and DIberville Mayor Rusty Quave, who asked for leniency. He said he had seen Raymond helping students and stopping at his store to treat the kids to ice cream or other items. Nettle received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine for her role in the assault. CHICAGO - Justice Charles E. Freeman, the first African American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, died on Monday, according to a statement from the states high court. He was 86. Current Chief Justice Anne M. Burke heralded Freeman as someone with a sharp legal mind who broke down barriers throughout his life. Justice Freeman was ... a trailblazer, she said in the statement announcing Freemans death. She added: He was a gentleman and a truly gracious individual. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. The statement didnt include a cause death. Freeman, who was also the first African American to become chief justice on the court, won election to the open seat in 1990 by defeating Republican candidate Robert Chapman Buckley with 62% of the vote. Freeman retired in 2018. While a Cook County circuit judge from 1976 to 1986, Freeman was the first African American to swear in a Chicago mayor. It was Harold Washington, who became the citys first black mayor in 1983. Once asked about the significance of his becoming the first black chief justice in Illinois, Freeman said it would not influence his assessment of the law, according to the Mondays statement. Im an African American who now has become chief judge, he said. Im not an African American chief justice. I have no different perception on what course I would take because of my heritage. Colleagues described Freeman as always prepared for oral arguments and judicial conferences. As chief justice, he upgraded an educational program for judges and pushed for the creation of a special committee to study the death penalty and propose reforms. In 1994, Freeman wrote the courts majority opinion overturning the conviction of Rolando Cruz, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico. Freeman asserted the jury heard improper evidence and wasnt allowed to hear testimony that could have helped Cruzs defence. Brian Dugan later admitted to Nicaricos murder and was sentenced to death. Dugans sentence was later commuted to life in prison after Illinois abolished capital punishment in 2011. Freeman was born in Richmond, Virginia, on Dec. 12, 1933, a descendant of slaves who secured their freedom before the Civil War. As an undergrad, he studied at Virginia Union University and got his law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1962. Burke described Freeman as a devoted family man, saying Freeman told her how his wife of more than 50 years, Marylee, would slip a love note into his suitcase every time he travelled to Springfield. I knew then that they had one of those storybook romances everlasting, Burke said. The supreme court statement says Freeman is survived by his son, Kevin Freeman, two grandchildren and a brother in Virginia. When she woke up on the floor, Dukes kicked her again in the ribs, charges say. When her cellphone fell out of her pocket, she dialed 9-1, before Dukes grabbed it, threw, then smashed it, documents state. He told her to wash her face, before shoving her on the bed and raping her, charges allege. The woman said she lost consciousness during the assault, records state. Two new cases of COVID-19 in India, including one in New Delhi India has confirmed two new cases of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 on Monday. This brings the total number of cases in the country to five. The three patients in India, all three students from Kerala, who earlier tested positive for the virus have recovered and been discharged. The two new cases - one in Delhi and one in Telangana - are stable and being monitored closely, as per a Union Health Ministry press release. The patient from Delhi had a travel history to Italy, which is grappling with a COVID-19 outbreak with over 1600 confirmed cases and 34 deaths as of Sunday. The patient from Telangana had a travel history to Dubai, according to the Health Ministry. The Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also chaired an inter-ministerial meeting involving the Aviation, Shipping and Home Ministries to review preparedness for a COVID-19 outbreak on Monday. India has also announced that it will now screen passengers coming from 12 countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, Iran and Italy with screenings taking place in 21 airports, 12 major seaports and 65 minor ports. The three patients in India, all three students from Kerala, who earlier tested positive for the virus have recovered and been discharged. Holgate signs new deal at Everton Tuesday, 3 March, 2020 The 23-year-old signed a new five-year deal today, a big boost for the Blues following speculation that clubs like Manchester City were eyeing a summer move for him. Holgate has been in sparkling form this season after returning from a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion and he cited the forward progress at Goodison Park and the desire for silverware among the reasons why he has committed his future to Everton. "The direction the club is going, it is a great club to be at and I am really excited about it," Holgate said. "We want to move to the next step and push for bigger and better things. "I want to win things - and winning some silverware is where I see us." Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer About these ads A private school in Noida postponed examinations on Tuesday after the father of a student tested positive for coronavirus, officials said. In a communication to the parents sent early Tuesday morning, the school said it was postponing the examinations due to "unavoidable circumstances" but the board examination would continue. A Health Department team led by Chief Medical Officer, Noida, reached the school around 11.45 am to inspect the situation, District Magistrate B N Singh told PTI. Meanwhile, some family members of the Delhi-based man, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, have been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital for tests after they showed symptoms of the virus, Health Ministry sources said. Some other relatives were asked to stay quarantined at their houses only, the sources added. One of the accountants working for the man, who lives in Mayur Vihar, and some of his relatives have also been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital for tests, they said. Contact tracing for the virus was underway, the sources added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Updated March 10, 2020 to reflect Canadas chief medical health officer advising against travelling on cruises. Travellers are increasingly hesitant to confirm vacation plans amid fears of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Others may be tempted to take advantage of cheaper plane tickets. But you should make well-informed decisions before sliding over your credit card and hopping on a plane or boat. Heres some questions to help you make your decision: 1. Which countries have active travel health notices? Keep checking the government of Canada website for the latest travel advisories. Ottawa has issued alerts warning Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to China, Iran and northern Italy. There are also lower-level advisories for other countries affected by COVID-19: Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. 2. What shape am I in? You may want to rethink your plans if you have a chronic illness or suppressed immune system, as you could be more susceptible to contracting the virus and are at a higher risk for complications. The federal government recommends visiting a travel health clinic at least six weeks before heading out. 3. Can Ottawa help me when Im abroad? If you are going to be travelling, or are currently travelling, you can use the Registration of Canadians Abroad. Through registration, you will enable Canadian government officials to contact you should there be changes or updates to the travel advice and advisories for the country for which you have registered. 4. Should I buy cancellation insurance? A few credit cards have cancellation insurance so be sure to check what your card offers. It your card doesnt offer cancellation insurance, you might want to consider buying it. The Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada says you should reach out to your insurance company immediately if the federal government recommends you avoid all travel or all non-essential travel to your destination. Most cancellation or interruption policies will have you covered under such advisories. Beyond this, an interruption to your trip, such as being quarantined, would also be a covered risk under most plans. It is important to note that the insurance must be booked prior to travelling and prior to any such travel advisory being issued by the Canadian government, association executive director Will McAleer said in a statement to the Star. If your destination falls outside such advisories, you probably wont be covered unless youve signed up for additional cancel for any reason coverage under your plan, which can provide you reimbursement regardless of the reason you had to cancel. This comes at a premium cost, and customers should always check with their insurance providers before upgrading, McAleer said. While most . . . policies would cover such a scenario, its important to keep in mind that they typically do not reimburse the full amount. 5. Is it safe for the elderly to travel? The Ontario Ministry of Health says those with weakened immune systems are more at risk of contracting the virus should they come in contact with it. That includes older people and those with chronic diseases (like diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease, for instance). 6. What is the risk of getting COVID-19 on a plane? According to the CDC, because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on airplanes. Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, travellers should try to avoid contact with sick passengers and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contain 60 to 95 per cent alcohol. 7. Is it safe to go on a cruise? On March 9, federal authorities warned Canadians should avoid all cruise ship travel as the ships have proven to be effective incubators for the spread of the virus. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canadas chief public health officer, said cruise ship vacations represent a risk no longer worth taking. Cruise ships have passengers from around the world who may be arriving from areas with known or unknown spread of the novel coronavirus, Tam said, adding that the virus can spread quickly on board due to close contact between passengers. 8. What other precautions should I take if Im travelling? Avoid contact with dead or live animals, such as pigs, chickens, ducks or wild birds. Stay away from raw or undercooked meat, farms or live animal markets where animals are slaughtered and avoid anything that may have been in contact with these animals. Also, make sure to follow the travel health notices issued by the federal government to see what precautions are being recommended to travellers to countries with outbreaks. March 3, 2020 Correction: This story has been updated from a previously published version to fix the headline which had the wrong number of questions, updates that theres an avoid non-essential travel advisory to northern Italy and other minor edits. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 07:21:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council will hold a debate on multilateralism with the attendance of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 19 during the presidency of China. Briefing the press on the monthly program of work on Monday, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN and president of the council for March, said the rise of unilateralism has shaken the international order, shaken the rule of international law and shaken the central role played by the UN. "So while commemorating the 75 anniversary of the UN, we do need to work even harder to preserve multilateralism," he stressed, adding that multilateralism creates a platform for the world to tackle all the challenges it faces, and it creates a better environment for the UN to play its role. With regard to the debate, he said the meeting will focus on seeking a political settlement of disputes, and Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, and International Court of Justice President Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf have been invited to speak at the debate. "On that occasion, all member states are invited to address that event. We do hope that through that event, we can reaffirm our strong support to multilateralism, and we'll further strengthen our efforts in promoting political settlement of dispute," Zhang said. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (FSE: 4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned German subsidiary, Vektor Pharma TF GmbH ("Vektor"), will be commencing several research and development programs related to infectious disease. These programs include in-vitro study of thin film delivery of cannabigerol (CBG) and quercetin for potential anti-bacterial and anti-viral treatments, respectively, as well as the development of point-of-care sensor-film infectious disease detection products. Vektor is a narcotics manufacturer, importer, and research enterprise located in the Upper Swabia region of the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The company is an expert in the design, testing and manufacture of thin film drug delivery systems, including transdermal patches and sub-lingual (oral) strips. Vektor also holds a number of valid licences for import, handling and manufacturing of narcotics pursuant to EU GMP certification and other governing regulations. Vektor is permitted to develop and manufacture novel vaccine products for research and development purposes. XPhyto's current product development programs are focused on precision dosing of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) using Vektor's proprietary thin-film sub-lingual (oral) strip technology. Targeted medical conditions include serious disorders such as epilepsy and appetite regulation. Based on Vektor's deep understanding of thin-film drug delivery systems, its current THC and CBD-focused clinical programs, and anticipated future demand for anti-viral therapeutics, XPhyto has initiated a CBG and quercetin-focused research and development program, starting with in-vitro delivery studies at its lab in Germany. Notably, CBG and quercetin, both natural compounds, have demonstrated anti-microbial properties in peer reviewed academic research. Pending successful results, the Company will evaluate clinical opportunities for further development. "In light of the pending global coronavirus disease pandemic and anticipated long-term growing demand for novel anti-viral and anti-microbial treatments, XPhyto is moving forward with an infectious disease-related research and development program," said Hugh Rogers, CEO of XPhyto. "XPhyto's thin-film drug delivery system is a platform technology capable of delivering various active therapeutic compounds for a broad range of medical conditions, including infectious disease." Oral thin film drug delivery, which includes the treatment of infectious disease, is a rapidly growing segment of the global healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Transparency Market Research estimates that the global market for thin film drug manufacturing will be worth US$15.984 billion by 2024 and rising at a solid 9.0% CAGR between 2019 and 2024. XPhyto is investigating the use of enzyme-targeted sensor-film technology for the real-time detection of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The goal is development of a low-cost, point-of-care, rapid detection test using senor-film technology. About XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. XPhyto is a next-generation cannabis company focused on formulation, clinical validation, and European imports, distribution and sales. XPhyto's 100% owned subsidiary, Vektor Pharma TF GmbH, a German narcotics manufacturer, importer and researcher has expertise in the design, testing and manufacture of thin film drug delivery systems, particularly transdermal patches and sub-lingual (oral) strips. Vektor also holds a number of narcotics licences issued by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), including import and manufacturing permits, as well as EU GMP lab certification. XPhyto's 100% owned German subsidiary, Bunker Pflanzenextrakte GmbH, has been granted a unique German cannabis cultivation and extraction licence for scientific purposes by BfArM. Bunker has two exclusive R&D collaboration agreements with the Technical University of Munich, chair of beverage and brewing technology and Faculty of Chemistry. XPhyto is pursuing additional opportunities in Europe including commercial cannabis cultivation, processing, manufacturing, import, and distribution. In Canada, two exclusive 5-year engagements with the Faculty of Pharmacy at a major Canadian university provide certified extraction, isolation, and formulation facilities, drug research and development expertise, as well as commercial analytical testing capability. XPhyto signed a supply, import and distribution agreement for cannabis oils and isolates with one of the largest, highest quality, and lowest cost cannabis cultivators in the world. For further information, please contact: Hugh Rogers CEO & Director +1.780.818.6422 info@xphyto.com www.xphyto.com Wolfgang Probst Director +49 8331 9948 122 info@bunker-ppd.de www.xphyto.com Forward looking statements This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "develop", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "propose" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and in this release include the statement regarding the Company's goal of building an industry leading medical cannabis company Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Company may not succeed in developing any cannabis-infused products; that the sale of any products may not be a viable business; that the Company may be unable to scale its business; product liability risks; frequent changes to cannabis regulations in Europe, Canada and elsewhere; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; competition; international risks; and other risks beyond the Company's control. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts 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/53069 Thought Machine, a London, UK-based cloud native core banking technology company, raised $83m in Series B funding. The round was led by Draper Esprit with participation from existing investors Lloyds Banking Group, IQ Capital, Backed and Playfair Capital. The company intends to use the funds to continue investment in its core engineering capability and to expand into Asia Pacific. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur and former Google engineer Paul Taylor, Thought Machine has built Vault, a cloud built core banking solution, which is enabling established and challenger banks to compete and deliver high levels of scalability, resilience and security. The company, which serves Lloyds Banking Group, Standard Chartered, SEB and Atom Bank, among other clients, las year announced a major expansion in Asia Pacific with the opening of Thought Machine Singapore, which covers sales and marketing, and a dedicated professional services function to oversee the delivery of deployments of Vault into banks in the region. The company plans to launch in Australia and Japan and in North America later in 2020. Thought Machine currently has a team of more than 300. FinSMEs 03/03/2020 Mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney speaks during the Annual Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Read more How much money would it take to solve Philadelphias most pressing problems? Thats not an easy question, in part because not all problems respond to money, but also, the problems of this city are big and complex. Poverty, opioids, gun violence leading to homicides are among the biggest. For the sake of argument, lets say we had a billion dollars to throw at these problems. Surely, if that amount of money didnt solve these problems, it would at least make a dent, right? Based on recent history, the sad fact is it wouldnt. The city has increased spending by $1 billion most of that in the last four years. Homicides have increased. Neither poverty nor overdose deaths have seen significant decline. When Mayor Jim Kenney delivers his budget address to City Council Thursday, he will undoubtedly be touting some of the investments the city has made, primarily in education, and will point to an increase in revenues to the city, primarily through property taxes and the soda tax. Last week, reports from both the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) and the controllers office released reports that raise red flags on some of the citys spending trends. Two areas of particular concern: salaries and overtime. The city has hired more than 900 employees since Fiscal Year 2017. At the same time, overtime spending has increased, from $168 million in FY17 to $181 million in FY19. According to the controllers report, the city spends about $8K per employee on overtime. Staffing is supposed to reduce overtime costs. Its baffling that this hiring spree which is also a big driver in future pension obligations has not reduced overtime. When the recession hit in 2008, the city had to make drastic cuts from its $3.68 billion budget. Some argue that this current spending matched, it must be noted, by increased revenues is more a matter of restoring city government to pre-recession levels. The problem is that before the recession hit, the bloated city payroll and the size of government was a concern, and "streamlining was the byword. We havent heard that word uttered for years. The city isnt spending money it doesnt have. Tax revenues are up. And the city has made a big commitment to invest more money in the schools. That, and putting money in reserve funds, only accounts for a portion of the spending, though. Cities across the country have seen increases in spending, so its not necessarily that Philadelphia is being reckless. But ours is a city with a history of economic turmoil which led to the creation of PICA to begin with and an already high tax base. The bottom line: We should expect tangible results from this spending. In fact, in a survey of resident satisfaction the city conducted last year, the majority (67%) ranked city services as "fair or poor; 31% ranked them as good to excellent. If the investments the city is making are not strategically designed to make the city safer, more prosperous, and less lethal, then whats the point? We are monitoring the situation closely, and are reviewing current practices, policies and procedures to be certain we are following the guidance set forth by governmental health authorities. Additionally, we are increasing efforts to educate and remind students of proper personal hygiene measures used to reduce the spread of germs and to increase opportunities for hand washing throughout the school day, according to the statement. Mumbai, March 3 : The Mumbai Police have booked NCP MLC Vidya Chavan and four of her family members in an alleged case of harassment, assault and cruelty to her daughter-in-law. However, Chavan on Tuesday denied all the charges levelled against the family and accused the daughter-in-law of extra-marital affairs, demanding money and other acts of omission. Besides Chavan, her husband Abhijeet, their two sons Anand and wife Sheetal, and Ajit (the complainant-victim's husband) have been booked by the Vile Parle Police under Indian Penal Code Sec. 498-A, 354, 323, 504, 506, 34 based on the victim's complaint filed on January 16. No arrests have been made so far and further investigations are on, while the Chavan family was summoned and their statements recorded, said an official. NCP national spokesperson and Minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday rejected allegations that the party was trying to shield its senior leader and MLC, and asserted that the law would take its course. The complainant-victim has contended that Anand Chavan used to make lewd gestures and his wife Sheetal mentally harassed her when she lived with them at their home in Vile Parle. The victim said that the problems started when she recently delivered a premature female child which died later. The Chavans allegedly wanted a male child since the couple already has a 7-year old daughter. Among other things, Vidya Chavan and her family rubbished all the allegations by the victim, claimed she was not interested in living with her husband and her in-laws, and they are now taking care of the minor daughter. Chavan told mediapersons on Tuesday that her engineer son Ajit has sought divorce by mutual consent after 10 years of marriage, but his wife lodged the police complaint. The MLC added that one day when her daughter-in-law's WhatsApp stopped working and when Ajit got it repaired and checked her messages, he discovered that she was having extra-marital affairs with four men. Later, Ajit revealed everything about his wife's alleged cheating to his family and his in-laws on December 7, and later even cancelled their plans to go to Denmark. Chavan claimed that when confronted by her own family, the complainant had reportedly confessed to the affairs. Onward director Dan Scanlon wanted to expand the role of Pixars first LGBT+ character, thanks to the genius of actor Lena Waithe. Emmy-winner Waithe, who is best known for her work on sitcom Master of None as well as writing this years Queen & Slim, voices cyclops police officer Specter in the new animated adventure. She appears in just one scene, but makes a clear reference to her girlfriend making her the studios first openly gay character. Disney has been criticised in the past for vanishingly brief LGBT+ moments in movies including Beauty and the Beast and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but Scanlon says he wished there had been more room for Waithes character. Read more: Waithe says Queen & Slim is still an anomaly in Hollywood After we recorded her, we wished we had expanded [the role], he tells Yahoo Movies UK. Lena Waithe is not only a great actress but a great writer and she improvises and was just such a joy to work with. Lena Waithe voices Pixar's first openly LGBT+ character in 'Onward'. (Credit: Pixar) We thought: 'oh man, I want to do a movie with her again'. I think it's a wonderful embarrassment of riches that we have a cast of people who, even in doing small parts, bring them to life and elevate them and keep you wanting more. Read more: Onward didnt always have fantasy setting Producer Kori Rae says that she hopes Specter will be the first of many diverse characters in upcoming Pixar movies. She says: We really wanted to make sure that the world of Onward was representative of our world and all that it entails. So I hope we'll see more [representation]. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt voice the lead characters in 'Onward'. (Credit: Pixar) Pixar movies have previously contained hints of LGBT+ characters, with audiences apparently spotting same-sex couples in Finding Dory and Toy Story 4. Dory director Andrew Stanton did not confirm whether the characters in his movie were gay, telling USA Today: "They can be whatever you want them to be. There's no right or wrong answer." Read more: Batwoman show debuts first openly gay superhero Waithe shared the news of her characters sexual orientation with her 841,000 Instagram followers this week, along with a rainbow emoji. Story continues Onward follows elf siblings Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) as they travel on a quest to complete a spell that will revive their father for 24 hours. The story has personal resonance for Scanlon, who was inspired when he heard an audio recording of his own father, who died when he and his brother were young. Read more: Star Wars same-sex kiss cut in Singapore I think it, in some ways, made it easier to make the movie because I had a touchstone, he says. I had something that I believed in, something that felt true to me and something that I had questions and fears about. I think those are always good when you're making a film, to have those rich, dramatic things bopping around in your head. At Pixar, oftentimes, [stories] do come from a personal place and I hope that's why they connect with other people and are lasting. 'Onward'. (Credit: Pixar) The films cast also includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez and Ali Wong. Its not the only Pixar film due to arrive in cinemas this year, with Pete Docters Soul set to be released this summer. Read more: Pixar unveils Soul trailer Rae says she believes theres a little rivalry between the teams behind the two movies, though both she and Scanlon emphasise the collaborative environment at Pixar. Scanlon adds: You do feel like you're playing for the same team and there's a certain pride when one of the films that you helped on does well. Onward is in UK cinemas from 6 March. Virginia's Democrat-led state government is set to enact the toughest package of new gun laws in a generation this month. The backlash, in one of the nation's most pro-gun states, could impact the 2020 election. Thirteen years after a gunman terrorized the campus of Virginia Tech, killing 32, and just a year after a gunman in Virginia Beach stormed a municipal building taking 12 lives, gun safety advocates are celebrating the legislation as vindication of years of public outcry and Democratic leadership. MORE: Gun control bills passed Virginia despite show of force from opponents "This is the final sea change of everything we've worked for and been advocating for," said Catherine Koebel, a Blacksburg native, mother of two and volunteer activist who's spent the last decade pleading with state lawmakers to do something about gun violence. PHOTO: Catherine Koebel of Roanoke, Va., calls the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre a 'breaking point' that resulted in years of local advocacy for more stringent gun safety measures. (Matthew Seyler/ABC News) In the coming weeks, Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, is expected to sign legislation placing new limits on handgun purchases; establish a "red flag" procedure to take firearms from people deemed a threat; allow localities to restrict firearms in public spaces; and expand background checks for gun sales. "I would almost call it a 'blood price.' Like, we paid the price; we buried our dead; you owe us," Koebel said in an interview with ABC News at her Roanoke home. "You owe us these changes so that we can at least go to sleep at night knowing that it is a little less likely again." PHOTO: Law enforcement Sheriffs Hank Partin of Montgomery County, Va., and Richard Vaughan of Grayson County, Va., support 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' declarations in their communities. (Matthew Seyler/ABC News) But the dramatic policy shift is not sitting well with many Virginia gun owners from across the political spectrum. In January, more than 20,000 Virginians turned out in protest at the state capitol in Richmond. And, nearly every Virginia county has voted to declare itself a "Second Amendment sanctuary" for guns, in opposition to the new laws. "It's basically a statement from a jurisdiction that passes sanctuary status that we do not like those bills," said Sheriff Hank Partin of Montgomery County, which is home to Virginia Tech. "A lot of folks feel like their defense mechanisms are being taken away from them." Story continues Partin and neighboring Sheriff Richard Vaughan of Grayson County, both Republicans, won't say whether they'll refuse to enforce the state's new gun laws. But many gun owners are hoping they'll do just that. "There are people that will say to me, 'sanctuary -- I will be safe. If you just pass this thing, they won't be able to prosecute us,'" said Chris Tuck, a criminal defense attorney in Blacksburg and former Republican chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. "But we do not have the authority to say they wouldn't be prosecuted." PHOTO: Chris Tuck, criminal defense attorney and former Republican chairman of the Montgomery County, Va., Board of Supervisors, opposes 'gun sanctuaries' because, he says, they send the wrong message. (Matthew Seyler/ABC News) Tuck, who opposed "sanctuary status," brokered a compromise resolution in his final act as chairman late last year. "I was going to be truthful with people, and unfortunately, in this day and time, it seems like it's acceptable for politicians not to be truthful," he said. Montgomery County ultimately rejected the "sanctuary" label but declared support for the Second Amendment in a formal resolution passed by the board. MORE: Thousands of armed protesters turn out for Trump-supported gun rally "The phrase 'awoken the sleeping giant' is probably the best way to describe the Second Amendment group now," said Mitchell Tyler, co-owner of SafeSide Tactical, a family-run gun shop in Roanoke, Virginia. Tyler says sales of weapons are up "dramatically" over the last three months; the shop has signed up hundreds of concerned customers for town hall meetings on the new restrictions and sanctuary protections. PHOTO: Mitchell Tyler, co-owner of SafeSide Tactical in Roanoke, Va., says gun sales have risen dramatically since Democrats took control of Virginia state government for the first time in 25 years, vowing to implement strict new gun laws. (Matthew Seyler/ABC News) Gun rights advocates say the legislation, made possible by Democrats' takeover of the Virginia statehouse late last year for the first time in more than two decades, is certain to shakeup the 2020 campaign. "Gun owners are a threat to politicians at the ballot box. That is where we're most dangerous," Tyler said. "Because of this groundswell in sanctuary cities and counties, I think you'll see Virginia go red this year in the presidential election." Virginia has not backed a Republican for president since 2004, when President George W. Bush won a second term. Hillary Clinton won the state by 5 points over President Donald Trump in 2016. But support for guns and opposition to gun laws does not fall clearly along party lines. Guns are "a part of everyday life. People here grew up with guns," said Virginia Tech sophomore Josh Thompson, a Virginia native, who heads a student group advocating for concealed carry rights on campus. "So if you have such a big part of your life taken away, then that that's going to have some effect around the world where I'm from." PHOTO: Josh Thompson, an Army ROTC cadet at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., leads a student group advocating for concealed carry rights on campus. (Matthew Seyler/ABC News) Just last month, a Democrat-sponsored proposal to ban the sale and possession of assault-style weapons in Virginia failed to advance from committee after several Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about the potential impact on otherwise law-abiding residents. "Not every person who is trying to advocate for gun safety is saying, 'hey, we're going to take away every single gun you have,'" said Andrew Bender, a senior at Virginia Tech from Parkland, Florida. Bender, who graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School one year before a gunman killed 17 of his peers there, is urging modest restrictions that he says can make everyone safer. "You can still be a supporter of the Second Amendment, and I respect people to have those beliefs," Bender said. "But there are still measured steps that we can take, such as [closing] the gun show loophole and universal background checks that can help minimize the amount of guns that are in the hands of people who shouldn't have them." MORE: Parkland shooting 2 years later: Remembering the 17 victims of the school massacre Building consensus on guns has been painstaking, especially in states like Virginia with a stark urban-rural divide. Densely-populated suburbs around Washington, D.C., trend heavily Democratic -- and strongly support new gun laws -- while Virginia's rural areas remain loyal Republican territory, fiercely defensive of gun rights. Koebel says Democrats in Virginia are showing that swift and forceful political action on gun control can be a winning message in swing states. "Everybody's talking about, 'I want to be the next Virginia,'" she said. "You say, we're going to do gun control. Boom: we're getting gun control done. You do not back down from your promises. You make sure that you keep faith with your people." PHOTO: The April 16 Memorial on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., pays tribute to the 32 students and faculty killed in a shooting rampage in April 2007. (Matthew Seyler/ABC News) Gun rights advocates, such as Republican sheriffs Partin and Vaughan, predict intense political blow back. "Elections have consequences, and if the Democrats get control and try to do something on the federal level to increase gun legislation, it's going to affect all of us," Vaughan said. "We're going to be back at square one." Added Partin, "I do believe the giant's not sleeping any longer." Meantime, many voters say they feel caught in the middle, hoping a deeply divided country can take even a small step toward compromise. "I think either extreme position is not healthy. We have to be able to look at some reasonable compromises," said Tuck. "This is America. I'm always optimistic. I'm an American first before I'm a Republican," he said. "I'm hopeful that we can sit down, take a step back from the rhetoric, and that we expect our leaders to be honest and hold them to it. And when they're not, we won't reelect them." ABC News' Matthew Seyler and Jackie Yoo contributed to this report. In Virginia, '2nd Amendment sanctuaries' and new gun laws spur talk of GOP wave originally appeared on abcnews.go.com High-tech MRI scans are finally being made available to the majority of men with suspected prostate cancer. In a victory for the Daily Mail, nearly three quarters of NHS trusts now have access to 'multi-parametric' MRI machines to diagnose the disease, up from just 50 per cent three years ago. These tests, which combine three types of MRI scan to produce highly detailed images of the prostate, are far more effective than biopsies, with one study showing they can detect up to 93 per cent of aggressive tumours. Some 72 per cent of hospitals and health boards now offer mp-MRI scans for prostate cancer, Freedom of Information requests have found. Nearly three quarters of NHS trusts now have access to 'multi-parametric' MRI machines to diagnose the disease, up from just 50 per cent three years ago (stock image) For two years, the Mail has been campaigning for greater use of MRI scans, after we highlighted the postcode lottery of care in which half of men were denied access to the life-saving tech. The NHS watchdog NICE last year said all men should have access to the scans. Then, trusts began investing in the machines, which cost roughly 1.3million each. Despite the significant improvement, the data shows some NHS trusts that have the machines are rationing access to manage stretched resources. One in ten men in areas that have MRI scanners are not benefiting from them, with some trusts not offering scans to older patients. And 4 per cent of trusts still offer no scans, with another 24 per cent offering only the lower-quality 'bi-parametric' MRI scans. Prostate Cancer UK, which collated the figures, calculates another 37 dedicated scanners are needed over the next ten years, at a cost of 49million. Heather Blake, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'Latest figures show a sharp rise in men referred and subsequently diagnosed in England as they become more aware of their risk. 'With this trend set to continue, and with some areas still to guarantee access to mp-MRI, it's vital that radiology departments are supported to meet demand.' Studies have suggested thousands of lives could be saved from prostate cancer if all men were given MRI scans as soon as suspicions are raised. Using them has been found to increase the number of dangerous tumours identified by almost half. They also slash the number of men subjected to painful biopsies by a quarter. These tests, which combine three types of MRI scan to produce highly detailed images of the prostate, are far more effective than biopsies (stock image) These biopsies are also inaccurate, because without a scan samples are taken at random from the prostate. If doctors carry out an MRI scan first, 28 per cent of men can be sent home straight away without needing a biopsy. And for the remainder of the men, doctors are able to conduct the biopsy with far greater accuracy, using the MRI scan to sample directly from suspicious tissue. As a result, doctors can diagnose 46 per cent more 'clinically significant' cancers 38 for every 100 men scanned, compared with 26 for every 100 men who have a biopsy alone. More than 50,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year, making it now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, but the severity of the disease varies hugely. Rapid treatment for men with more aggressive forms of the disease is vital, and could be lethal if delayed, with 12,000 men dying each year from it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led on Tuesday in a cliffhanger election in Israel, but was still short of a governing majority in a third national ballot in less than a year, exit polls showed. On the basis of initial projections by Israels three main television channels, Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party, claimed victory in Mondays vote over his main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White. Updated exit polls, however, showed Netanyahu two seats short of a majority in Israels parliament, a gap signalling possible deadlock, with actual results trickling in throughout Tuesday. A win for Netanyahu, 70, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, would be testimony to the political durability of Israels longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. It would also pave the way for Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex, after the election, Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the regions Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Palestinians have rejected the proposal, saying it was killing their dream of establishing a viable state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Israels three main TV channels initially projected that Likud and like-minded parties would capture 60 of parliaments 120-seats. In their updated exit polls, Channels 11, 12 and 13 dropped the figure to 59, potentially making Netanyahus coalition-building task harder. During an acrimonious campaign which focused more on character than on policy, right-wing and religious parties had pledged to join a Likud-led government. Netanyahu campaigned vigorously on his strongman security-first platform, familiar to Israeli voters over decades, and his loyal base of blue-collar voters has stood firmly behind him throughout, seemingly unfazed by his imminent trial. What a joyous night, a beaming Netanyahu told a cheering crowd in a speech at Likuds election headquarters in Tel Aviv. This victory is especially sweet, because it is a victory against all odds ... We turned lemons into lemonade. Gantz, in an address at his partys election headquarters, stopped short of conceding defeat, saying the election could result in another deadlock. I will tell you honestly, I understand and share the feeling of disappointment and pain because it is not the result we wanted, he said. A Likud spokesman said he expected Netanyahu would manage to gain a governing majority and establish a coalition government by getting lawmakers from the opposing camp to cross sides. There will be defectors, Jonatan Urich told Channel 12 News. CRIMINAL CHARGES Netanyahus re-election bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud over allegations he granted state favours worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favourable press coverage, and that he wrongfully received gifts. The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin on March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. During the campaign, Gantz termed Netanyahu the defendant, accusing him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial. Netanyahu has portrayed Gantz, 60, as a coward, saying he would need Arab politicians support in parliament to form a government and that they would tie his hands. The exit polls showed Likud taking between 36 and 37 parliamentary seats versus 32 to 34 for Blue and White - a gap that would make it far harder for Gantz to find a path to putting together a governing coalition. In the previous election, in September, Blue and White edged past Likud, taking 33 seats to its rivals 32, but Gantz, like Netanyahu, was unable to put together a ruling coalition. While we need to wait for the final results, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people, said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive to have brought them security and prosperity, he said. In the final days of the campaign, opinion polls had forecast further deadlock, but turnout was high, at 71 percent, despite concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. Voters under home-quarantine, such as those who have recently travelled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots, voted at special polling stations wearing face masks and gloves. Iraj Harirchi, a deputy health minister, is among those diagnosed with coronavirus he was seen wiping sweat from his brow during a press conference A total of 23 Iranian MPs are believed to have been tested positive for coronavirus. The infections in Iran, one of the worst affected countries, was announced by the Iranian parliaments deputy speaker. Semi-official news agencies in Iran said the head of the states emergency medical services has caught the illness, also called Covid-19. State television there also carried quotes that 23 MPs now had the virus, reports said. Iran is one of the worst hit countries from the virus, according to official statistics. More than 2,000 cases have been recorded, as of Tuesday morning, with 77 deaths. Fears continue to grow for British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is being held in prison in Iran. Women in Iran wear face masks as a precaution against the outbreak of coronavirus. (Photo by Babak Jeddi / SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said his wife his showing symptoms of the disease but has not been tested yet. Evin jail has seen an outbreak of coronavirus and her family has tried to secure help for her. Labour MP Tulip Siddiq tweeted on Tuesday: News from Iranian Ambassador that my constituent Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be released on furlough today or tomorrow from prison in Iran. If this is true, Nazanin would welcome leaving Evin jail, but weve been here before. If this furlough happens, the British government has an obligation to make it permanent, and not let her be used as a bargaining chip in the weeks to come. I remain concerned that Nazanin has told her family that she has still not been tested for coronavirus. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Exports to China by registered enterprises in HCMC grew 22.5 percent year-on-year to $1.19 billion in the first two months of 2020. Despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, China still accounted for the largest proportion of HCMCs export turnover in January-February at 21.1 percent, the Ho Chi Minh City Statistical Offices (HSO) says in its latest report. The citys second largest export market in this period was the U.S., with a turnover of $1 billion, up 6.6 percent year-on-year and accounting for 18.5 percent of the total. Coming in third was Japan, with $508.1 million, up 1.5 percent and making up 9 percent. Overall, export turnover of the city, including crude oil, rose 8.1 percent year-on-year to just over $6 billion. Export of computers and components led this increase, surging 46.9 percent to $2.2 billion, over one-third of the citys total export turnover. However, export of goods from other sectors dropped double digits. For instance, textiles fell 22.2 percent; seafood, 27 percent; wood products, 17.9 percent; rice 17.9 percent and footwear, 14.9 percent. Allstate Corp. struck a deal with Ford Motor Co. that will allow some of the automakers customers to share data with the insurer for its program that tracks mileage. The majority of Ford and Lincoln 2020 model-year vehicles with embedded modems will be able to connect with Allstates Milewise program, which is currently in 14 states, according to the insurer. Milewise allows customers to pay for insurance based on the number of miles driven. Ford has been working with companies including Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. to connect some newer vehicles with programs that measure how a customer drives and adjust a policy accordingly. For years, insurers have used telematic devices that connect to cars or apps to gather the information. Allstate said it expects data collected directly from vehicles to eventually replace such devices. Connected vehicles have the potential to deliver new benefits to Ford customers, including the ability to help lower their insurance premiums, said Kari Novatney, chief operating officer of the automakers FordPass mobile program. Allstate has been expanding programs that track drivers to offer discounts for safe habits or let customers pay for coverage by the mile. The company is testing a program that allows clients to see how driving habits affect a personalized price. The agreement with Ford gives drivers the ability to control and customize their auto insurance policy like never before, Ginger Purgatorio, Allstates senior vice president of product management, said in a statement. Income Tax raids conducted in Chhattisgarh have revealed that "unaccounted cash" sourced from liquor and mining businesses was being paid to public servants every month, the CBDT said on Monday. Issuing a late night statement, the board claimed "unaccounted transactions" of over Rs 150 crore have also been unearthed during the searches that were conducted on February 27 against a group of individuals, hawala dealers and businessmen in state capital Raipur that covered over 25 premises. Without naming anyone, the statement said the action "was mounted on the basis of credible inputs, intelligence and evidence of generation of huge unaccounted cash from liquor and mining business and transfer of the same to public servants, huge cash deposits during demonetisation period, accommodation entries from shell companies and undisclosed investment in properties, among others". "Incriminating documents and electronic data seized during the search show that substantial amount of illegal gratification was being paid to public servants and others every month," it said. The CBDT frames policy for the I-T Department. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, saying the raids were "politically motivated" and termed the action as an affront to the idea of cooperative federalism. The board said that the searches are still on and "a number of prohibitory orders have been placed, including on several bank lockers". It added that "details of daily unaccounted sales, bank accounts opened in the names of employees having transactions worth crores and an unaccounted bank account have been found" during the raids. Details of benami vehicles, hawala transfers, transfer to Kolkata-based companies and creation of shell companies with huge land bank have also been found and seized, it claimed. The statement said some "substantial amount of cash" has also been seized by the tax sleuths. "The total unaccounted transactions unearthed till date are over Rs 150 crore and the figure is likely to substantially increase after the seized evidences and leads found during the search are further scrutinised and investigated." Based on evidences found during the searches, a few other premises were also covered in consequential actions, it added. Sources had earlier 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 Vivek Dhand and Raipur Mayor Ezaj Dhebar were covered. Dhand is also the chairman of Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Some locations linked to liquor barons Anwar Dhebar (Dhebar's brother) and Pappu Bhatia were also searched, they had said. The Congress, during a press conference held in Delhi on Sunday, had said the "cloak-and-dagger" I-T raids showed that the Centre was "scared" after the state government launched a probe into alleged corruption under the previous BJP government. The party also claimed that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), a central force, was being used for "political vendetta" like other investigative agencies during the searches. Also read: CBDT backs PM Modi's claim; says only 2,200 professionals declared income above Rs 1 crore in FY19 Also read: GST officials arrest 3 in Delhi for floating 17 fake companies, invoices Netherlands To Probe Employment Status Tax Abuse by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 03 March 2020 The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration has launched a campaign to monitor the employment status of individuals working in the care and construction sectors. The tax authority said in a statement earlier this month that these two sectors have been singled out in particular because of the high number of workers being engaged on a contractor basis, rather than as full employees. Incorrect employment status could have tax implications, in particular in relation to payroll taxes. Under the campaign, the tax authority will seek to establish whether or not there is an employment relationship in the case of contractors working in these sectors. Enforcement actions will be launched against employers found not to be complying with current labor laws if they fail to make changes within a reasonable timeframe. The tax authority said it intends to expand this supervision campaign to other sectors, including education, information technology, hospitality, and retail. By Lee Seong-hyon To help realize Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Seoul, the South Korean side has spent the last two years since President Moon's visit to China in December 2017 addressing the need for a visit to Chinese representatives at various governmental and track 1.5-level meetings. Korea has cited three reasons to expedite the Chinese President's visit to Korea: one, as a return visit for Moon's visit to China, two, because China's leader has not come to South Korea since the inauguration of the current South Korean President, and three, to indicate an official "recovery" of bilateral relations between the two nations following the height of the THAAD discord in 2017. China often describes itself as a "strategic state," which is thought to imply that the nation prioritizes strategic thinking in international relations. Even though South Korea has invited Xi to Seoul several times over the past two years, the fact that a visit is yet to take place may be a testament to the fact that a visit is low on Beijing's list of diplomatic priorities and needs. Ordinary South Koreans don't seem to be paying much attention to whether Xi's visit takes place or not. The matter, however, has been picked up on and reported by media outlets, after the South Korean government has been publicly and repeatedly expressing interest in Xi's visit. On Feb. 20, President Moon held a phone conversation with Xi to discuss the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. According to a presidential Cheong Wa Dae briefing to reporters, the Korean side again at this time openly expressed its expectation for Xi's visit to Seoul sometime during the first half of this year. However, records of the phone conversation posted on the Chinese foreign ministry's website show no mention of Xi's expected visit to South Korea. The fact that a matter of a major interest to Korea is not reflected in the Chinese record warrants attention. Regarding Xi's expected visit to South Korea, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Feb. 15, said after bilateral talks with Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi, "We will proceed with it in the first half of the year, as previously agreed by the two countries." According to the Chinese foreign ministry records, however, Wang did not use the term "first half" of the year. Rather, the word he used was "this year." Moreover, rather than using the official term of "summit" to describe a meeting between South Korea and China, Wang instead used the generic term, "high-level contact," which is ambiguous. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is also expected to visit South Korea this year, with this meeting counting as "high-level contact." The summit meeting between the leaders is also ultimately determined by the strategic judgment of each country's needs. Korean voters began to voice their curiosity over why the Moon administration is so keen perhaps even risking looking desperate to have Xi visit. Interestingly, the more Korea wants the visit, the more China seems to make the visit look hard to achieve. Late last year, when the matter was brought to the then Chinese Ambassador to Seoul, Chu Guohong, Chu said the Chinese will "kaolu" the visit, which literally means "consider." Those familiar with the Chinese language understand that "kaolu" implies uncertainty. It is a word used when avoiding full commitment. It's more like saying, "we'll see what happens." The Chinese side, instead of simply acknowledging and accepting the invitation, is engaging in diplomatic word play. Many South Korean politicians look up to China as the land of Confucius, a virtuous and sincere sage. But this behavior from the Chinese is simply not Confucian. Through various, bilateral consultation channels, Xi's visit to South Korea was initially set to materialize sometime in the second half of 2019. It was later postponed to sometime during the first half of 2020. Now, it has been yet again changed to "sometime" this year. Under these circumstances, even if Xi does visit Seoul, the Chinese side may misinterpret "Xi's visit itself" as a sufficient diplomatic gift for South Korea. This is because Seoul has not hidden their desperation to host him here. The misunderstanding will have been caused by the South Korean side. On the other hand, the summit "gift" that China will demand from South Korea could include issues regarding Seoul's siding between Washington and Beijing, amid deepening the U.S.-China rivalry. South Korea is a formal ally of the United States, and China has been working hard to weaken Seoul's alliance with Washington, calling it a "Cold War relic." Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute. Editors note: In Superintendent Michael Matsudas Anaheim Union High School District, students research, produce, present, and edit video talks in a TED Talk format. The teenagers choose the problems and the solutions to highlight. Topics have varied from sexual assault to the importance of the census to climate disruption. Anika Nguyenkhoa realized her own ability to make change on the Talk stage. Speaking to an audience beyond the classroom empowers young adults, she observed. Chelsea Nguyen, a 9th grader at Cypress High School, agreed. After her talk, she wanted to create change in the world, to speak out, to create awareness in other people, to fix something. Students add that the video platform gives them opportunities to develop as citizens and leaders. I think when students have that voice we can be better, active citizens in democracy, said Viren Mehta, a 9th grader at Oxford Academy. And we know how to talk about issues that affect all of us. Video Excerpt from Anikas Talk Being a first generation Vietnamese-American, my life exists as a tree, with Vietnamese roots grown in American soil: eating spaghetti with chopsticks, translating parent-teacher conferences from English to Vietnamese, and celebrating Thanksgiving with a big bowl of pho. My Vietnamese and American sides co-exist. Like many others, I grew up listening to the stories of my family as they came to America. In Communist Vietnam, my parents lives were invisible. They came to America where their lives mattered, where their lives had meaning, and their lives were counted. Every 10 years, our government conducts a census with the sole purpose of counting our countrys population, counting all people in all places. Many community institutions, such as hospitals, libraries, and schools, depend on the accuracy of the census as it allows us to receive enough funding to function. As the number of immigrants grow in our communities, the lack of participation has led to an undercount. The census determines how more than $800 billion in federal resources are spent and distributed every year for the next 10 years. And most importantly, our population determines how much representation our state gets in our government. Filling out the census enforces the fact that the immigrants who had suffered and struggled to establish a home in a nonnative country belong. Filling out the census provides students like me with the right materials and needed funding to ensure a proper education and promising future. Filling out the census recognizes the voices of the underrepresented communities as a whole, not only in our various school districts but throughout Orange County. As a daughter of immigrants, I encourage you to participate in the upcoming 2020 census. Not only does it give the chance for students like me to live out the American dream my parents had hoped for, but it also brings light to the fact that Vietnamese-American communities and all other immigrants deserve to be counted. Coronavirus A regional minister in Lombardy, the Italian region most affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak, has tested positive for the virus. The Lombardy region said in a statement on Monday that the contagion concerns Alessandro Mattinzoli, 60, who serves as Commissioner for Economic Development. The region said the entire 17-member Lombardy regional government would undergo testing for the novel coronavirus. Earlier, Lombardy President, Attilio Fontana, said he would self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for the virus. (dpa/NAN) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday all who came from Bangladesh and have been casting votes in elections were Indian citizens and did not require to apply for citizenship afresh. Banerjee also slammed the Modi government for its handling of the communal riots in Delhi which has claimed 42 lives so far, and asserted she will not allow West Bengal turn into another Delhi. "Those who have come from Bangladesh are citizens of India...they have got citizenship. You don't need to apply for citizenship again. You have been casting your votes in elections, electing PM and CM...now they are saying that you are not citizens...don't believe them," she told a public meeting here. She also asserted she will not let "even a single person" to be driven out of Bengal. The West Bengal chief minister said no refugee living in the state will be deprived of citizenship. Hitting out at the central government over the Delhi violence, the TMC boss said,"Don't forget this is Bengal. What happened in Delhi will never be allowed to happen here. We do not want Bengal to turn into another Delhi or another Uttar Pradesh." The BJP has often accused Banerjee of "Muslim appeasement" and pandering to the interests of the minority community for "vote bank politics". Image Credits: PTI A woman wearing a face mask on Westminster Bridge in London (PA via Getty) The UK government has released its latest plans for dealing with coronavirus. It comes as Englands chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said probably around 1% of people who get this virus might end up dying, while adding the death rate varies according to age group. The coronavirus action plan details what the government is planning to do next, with Boris Johnson having said it is highly likely the number of cases in the UK will rise. Here are five ways the governments action plan could affect you in your day-to-day life: 1. One in five Brits could be off work during peak weeks Read more here. 2. Police and fire crews may drop low-priority cases and callouts The advice reads: Emergency services, including the police and fire and rescue services, will enact business continuity plans to ensure they are able to maintain a level of service that fulfils their critical functions. For example, with a significant loss of officers and staff, the police would concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order. 3. Non-urgent healthcare appointments may be delayed The government said: As NHS/HSCNI [the Northern Irish healthcare service] staff also start to become affected, and more seriously ill patients require admission, clinicians may recommend a significantly different approach to admissions. Some non-urgent care may be delayed to prioritise and triage service delivery. 4. Schools could be closed to reduce the spread The advice reads: The UK governments education departments' planning assumptions include the possibility of having to close educational settings in order to reduce the spread of infection. 5. Most people with coronavirus will be told to look after themselves Everyone can help support the UKs response, the document reads, by accepting that the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines. Boris Johnson: UK highly likely to see growing number of coronavirus cases New York, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Commercial MRO Market in Southeast Asia, 2019" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05867520/?utm_source=GNW The study focuses on the fleet and MRO spending comparisons among these top 6 ASEAN nations.It further delves into the fleet patterns by country comprising narrow-body, wide-body, and regional jets. The MRO markets trends and opportunity areas in terms of fleet types and corresponding MRO service areas such as Line, Airframe, Engine, and Component maintenance have been outlined by country and aircraft fleet types. The countries discussed in the study are Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam. This research service discusses the changing commercial fleet dynamics in Southeast Asia including the strategic imperatives for airlines, MROs, and OEMs in the aftermarket; trends in commercial aircraft fleet in Southeast Asia; commercial aircraft fleet size in Southeast Asia by aircraft OEM; commercial aircraft fleet size in Southeast Asia by aircraft category, type, and aircraft model. The commercial airline market is experiencing excellent year-on-year growth owing to the healthy economic progress, a growing middle-class population, and increasing consumer expenditure, which translates to better passenger traffic growth. With low fuel prices, older aircraft can be kept flying longer, thereby keeping the MRO market buoyant. The Southeast Asian region is receiving more new deliveries of A320 NEOs and Boeing B737 NGs as the preferred aircraft model of low-cost carriers, hence many MRO service providers are concentrating on building their capabilities on narrow-body aircraft. Indonesia has the largest aircraft fleet size and MRO expenditure remains the highest across among the countries within the region. It also has a competitive offering in terms of lower pricing against its competitors and the capacity advantage of being able to accommodate a large fleet owing to a large number of maintenance hangars. MRO spending for Singapore-registered aircraft is higher than that of Malaysia and Thailand albeit the smaller fleet size, owing to its larger wide-body aircraft population. Advances in technology adoption have given the country a competitive edge against its rivals in providing high-quality maintenance work. The study also focuses on commercial MRO market measurements, which further includes trends in MRO business of the ASEAN region, MRO spending by aircraft manufacturer, MRO spending by MRO segments, and MRO Country Benchmarking Index. Furthermore, the study offers a detailed discussion on the Southeast Asian commercial MRO market outlook including company profiles of selected market participants in each country, growth opportunity in the commercial MRO market, key highlights of the industry, and strategic imperatives for MRO companies, airlines, and OEMs in the aftermarket. Finally, the study provides strategic growth opportunities in the aftermarket as well as 3 key predictions. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05867520/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ We need the help of community members and citizen collaborators to tell us about their behaviors and how they engage with health information so we can learn and discover better ways to promote health and well-being in their local communities, says Dr. Bernard Fuemmeler. VCU Massey Cancer Center and Fairfax, Virginia-based health technology company Vibrent Health are asking citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia to partner in cancer research to identify and address health needs in their own communities. The project, called Together for Health Virginia, is a comprehensive health assessment program designed to better understand how social and behavioral patterns as well as financial and environmental factors impact cancer rates. Information from this research will help to improve health care practices and services within communities. This is an opportunity for residents to partner with their local National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center on a research program aimed at improving health in the communities that need it most, says Bernard Fuemmeler, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate director for cancer prevention and control and Gordon D. Ginder, M.D., Chair in Cancer Research at Massey as well as a professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Policy at the VCU School of Medicine. The effort really gets to the heart of Masseys mission by conducting research that makes an impact at the local level. VCU Massey Cancer Center plans to enroll 2,000 or more Virginians ages 18 years and older in the program. Researchers will reach out to residents in Virginia at community events and by disseminating messages via social media platforms. The program can be accessed through a mobile app developed by Vibrent Health, the creators of the consumer-facing technology platform for the National Institutes of Healths All of Us Research Programa separate, nationwide research effort to accelerate medical breakthroughs across a range of health conditions. The Together for Health Virginia app is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play (by searching Together for Health Virginia) or online at Together for Health Virginia. Participation in the survey is completely voluntary. We are honored to be working with the VCU Massey Cancer Center on this important research to benefit the future of health in Virginia, said Vibrent Health CEO Praduman PJ Jain. Through our other work with the NIH we are well equipped to rapidly ramp up this program to its full scale. Our goal is to help accelerate health research by enabling a trusted partnership between participants and researchers and providing access to data they need quickly. Participants will be asked to engage with researchers over the course of a year, providing researchers with access to behavioral and social data. By downloading the mobile app, participants can answer questionnaires online and have the option of sharing data from their fitness tracker. Only VCU researchers conducting the study will have access to the data, which will be stored in a secured registry. Security and privacy are of the utmost importance to us, said Jain. We keep participant-provided information secure and confidential by using cyber-safe technologies certified to the most stringent standards defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Data collected through the Together for Health Virginia research program will be used to guide Massey in targeting community outreach and education efforts addressing health behaviors such as tobacco cessation, obesity/weight management, HPV vaccination, cancer screening and early detection. It will also serve to identify causes of cancer disparities across the state, by examining the impacts of financial barriers, health literacy, access to health care services and medical mistrust. Results will be shared with state and local agencies to guide programs aimed at improving health in the Commonwealth. We need the help of community members and citizen collaborators to tell us about their behaviors and how they engage with health information so we can learn and discover better ways to promote health and well-being in their local communities, says Fuemmeler, who is also collaborating with Massey Cancer Prevention and Control research members David Wheeler, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor in the VCU Department of Biostatistics, and Sunny Jung Kim, Ph.D., M.S., M.A., assistant professor in the VCU Department of Health Behavior and Policy. The programs that we implement will only be effective if we have a deep grasp of all the factors that impact cancer risk, so its important that participants in the program represent all of the diverse populations living in Virginia. Massey is one of the only safety-net cancer centers in Virginia, meaning that it treats all patients regardless of their health insurance coverage or ability to pay for treatment. As such, Massey plays an important role as a cancer care provider for high-risk and underserved populations, uninsured and Medicaid patients. Vibrent Health provides digital health technology tools for precision medicine for health organizations, researchers and research participants, and serves as the Participant Technology Systems Center for the NIH All of Us Research Program. Together for Health Virginia is funded by a supplement to Masseys National Cancer Institute Cancer Support Grant of more than $225,000. Researchers at Kessler Foundation will collaborate with Children's Specialized Hospital to study the outcomes of neonates treated for opioid withdrawal in the Hospital's Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Program. With a one-year pilot grant from the Reitman Foundation, John O'Neill, PhD, and Amanda Botticello, PhD, MPH, will examine the outcomes of the NAS Program, which is based on a combination of pharmacotherapy and environmental supports. Dr. O'Neill is director of the Center for Employment and Disability Research and Dr. Botticello is senior research scientist in the Center for Outcomes and Assessment Research at Kessler Foundation. The few existing studies of children with NAS suggest they are at increased risk for infections, sleep disturbances, and vision, motor, cognitive and behavioral problems. Detailing the infants' outcomes post withdrawal will enable researchers to understand the factors that influence the severity of NAS and responses to the treatment protocol. This information will enable clinicians at Children's Specialized Hospital to evaluate the effects of NAS treatment practices and tailor their interventions to achieve optimal outcomes for these vulnerable infants. "We need to look beyond the immediacy of this public health crisis," said Liz Lowenstein at the Reitman Foundation, "and find ways to minimize the impact of fetal opioid exposure. Given the productive collaboration of Kessler Foundation and Children's Specialized, we anticipate the discovery of effective interventions that help affected children achieve their full potential." Drs. O'Neill and Botticello expect their findings will be of interest to the larger community of pediatric rehabilitation researchers. Shainu Mohan By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With threats of COVID-19 looming large across the globe, the convergence of people from different parts of the world in the Attukal pongala zone is a major concern. In a similar instance, Saudi Arabia had recently suspended the entry of devotees from other countries to Mecca and Medina following the scare. Health experts recommend the state government to take such a stand to avoid a mass spread of the virus. However, authorities havent taken sufficient steps owing to the economic slowdown in the tourism sector. Also, health authorities are unable to track tourists staying at unregistered homestays in the district. An official with the Health Department said that many international tourists are coming via road after alighting in places like Bengaluru. We have stepped up surveillance at the airport and assigned nine doctors and 18 paramedics at domestic and international terminals. We will allow entry only after screening them. Our major concern is the tourists staying in unregistered homestays. We have alerted our field staff and local body authorities to track down these persons, said the official. It is learnt that there are around 6,000 unregistered homestays in the state. There are only 600 classified homestays in the state. Festival tourism is often promoted by tour operators and Attukal pongala is one such attraction which woos tourists, M P Sivadattan, Director of Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society. Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Southern Region Chairman E M Najeeb said that tourism season is at its peak but the inflow of international tourists hasdeclined drastically owing to the COVID-19 scare. Another official with the Health Department said that it would be wise if the state government regulates the arrival of foreign tourists wanting to attend the festival. Several countries are taking the stance to avoid the spread of the virus. Any type of gathering should be avoided, he said. International tourists in Thiruvananthapuram (till Feb 29 this year) Total number of foreign passengers 648 From China 276 From Singapore 213 From Japan 37 From Thailand 25 Other passengers 97 Round-up on COVID-19 surveillance in the district (till Feb 29) Patients admitted at Medical College Hospital 22 Patients admitted at General Hospital 24 Swabs collected 68 Patients currently under home quarantine 26 Patients released from home quarantine 492 Interdepartmental surveillance team 15 KINDE This spring, the North Huron agriculture program will be taking a trip to Texas, a trip promises a wealth of learning opportunities for the students. As one of the most prestigious agriculture programs in the state, North Huron teaches its students about nature both inside and outside of Huron County. That maxim is what this Lone Star State trip is all about. Travel and experiences outside of Huron County are a cornerstone of our program, North Huron Agriscience teacher and FFA advisor Joe Ankley said. Weve taken students to Indiana and Iowa for different conferences and have also travelled with students to Uganda and Costa Rica. Unlike previous agriscience endeavors, this journey will take the students to Houston, but the group plans to make several educational pitstops along the way. This is an opportunity for our students to explore beyond the county lines and have the opportunity to have some really neat experiences that will help them in the future, Ankley said. On the way down, the group will stop at John Deere in Illinois in addition to agribusinesses and farms in Mississippi and Louisiana. These locations were selected by a committee of students from a host of options that included South Carolina, Georgia, Texas and California. The diversity of the agriculture, food and natural resources industry around the country is extensive, Ankley said. We hope that the students will return to North Huron with knowledge about farming and agriculture in many different states. At the John Deere Harvester Works, students will visit a factory in Illinois that works to assemble combines and other harvesters. In Mississippi, Ankley said the group will visit catfish and rice-related agribusiness sites. While in Louisiana, crawfish farms, pecan orchards and a swamp tour are on the agenda. These stops precede the groups trip to Texas, which will include a visit to NASA, cattle ranches and an FFA chapter in the Houston area. In all, each stop is designed to increase the students understanding of the world around them. We also hope that the students are able to meet a variety of people during the trip and increase the understanding that everyone in our country is unique and talented in their own way, Ankley said. This will be the first time out of the Midwest for a lot of students. In terms of trip logistics, Ankley said that a group of parents and alumni have already volunteered to help assist during the trip. North Huron is also planning several fundraisers to help facilitate the trip. Anyone interested in helping can contact us or follow us on Facebook for updates, Ankley said. Head over to Facebook.com/NorthHuronFFA for more information. Preston Byrne, a columnist for CoinDesks new opinion section, is a partner in Anderson Kills Technology, Media and Distributed Systems Group. He advises software, internet and fintech companies. His biweekly column, Not Legal Advice, is a roundup of pertinent legal topics in the crypto space. It is most definitely not legal advice. Ill let everyone reading this column in on a little secret: The definitions of blockchain tech used by various state legislatures to look technologically astute are something of a running joke among the hardcore crypto-lawyer set. One exception to this is the definition used by Vermont and California, the least-bad definition of a chain Ive read so far. Those laws refer to a mathematically secured, chronological, and decentralized ledger or database. Related: Even With CBDCs, the State Wont Forfeit Its Power Over Money Simple, straight, to the point. I give California and Vermont a solid C-minus: the definition hits the high notes, but it also probably captures an instance of Postgres-XL that stores passwords as MD5 hashes. This is quite obviously not what the definition is supposed to do, but because its poorly drafted, thats what it does. Other states are far, far worse. Take, for example, Arizonas definition, which says blockchain technology is a distributed, decentralized, shared and replicated ledger, which may be public or private, permissioned or permissionless, or driven by tokenized crypto economics or tokenless protected with cryptography, is immutable and auditable and provides an uncensored truth. Uncensored truth. What the hell does that even mean? Anyone who has a passing familiarity with blockchains will know that blockchains cant guarantee an uncensored truth as they only show the transactions that validators committed to the chain. If censorship happened, were not going to find out about it, because it isnt going to be there. Tamper-evident would be a more accurate description. Story continues Related: How to Stop the Next Quadriga: Make Exchanges Prove Their Reserves Furthermore, not all blockchains are ledgers, just as not all databases are ledgers. D minus, Arizona. See me after class. Then theres Colorado, which doesnt define blockchains but, in a bill about state records, just refers to them in plain English. Simple, and, if put in front of a judge, it probably works. Colorado also gets points for the zany title of its blockchain-aware legislation: an Act Concerning the use of Cyber Coding Cryptology. Fabulous. A+. The fact that Connecticut legislators felt the need to copy-paste other states terrible definitions reveals only that they and legislators of other states have absolutely no clue what theyre doing. Connecticut my home state gets a solid F for its latest effort. The short story here is that someone managed to convince a member of the state house to introduce a bill that would abolish non-compete clauses in employment contracts where a blockchain company was one of the counterparties. If you wish to see my testimony on the bill you may find it in full here. Apart from being very anti-business, the bill also proposes a definition of blockchain so broad that it would capture practically any contract with any employee of any company that employs distributed software architecture of any kind. It defines Blockchain Technology as a distributed ledger technology that uses a distributed, decentralized, shared and replicated ledger that may be public or private, permissioned or permissionless and that may include the use of electronic currencies or electronic tokens as a medium of electronic exchange. If you recognize this, its because you have seen something very close to it before in Arizona (and Rhode Island, New York, Tennessee and Michigan, among others). The fact that this definition is the law in Arizona doesnt mean its correct. A blockchain, as any informed person will tell you, is a hash-linked chain of blocks. If we wanted to be a little more specific, we might say a hash linked chain of blocks that usually (a) uses digital signatures to authenticate transactions, (b) P2P networking protocols to communicate those transactions and (c) Merkle trees to render the transaction log tamper-evident. The Connecticut bill doesnt do this. It continues by defining Distributed Ledger Technology as a critter which may include supporting infrastructure, including blockchain technology, that uses a distributed, decentralized, shared and replicated ledger, whether public or private, permissioned or permissionless, and that may include the use of electronic currencies or electronic tokens as a medium of electronic storage. This definition is both duplicative and incorrect. Not all distributed databases are distributed ledgers, despite the fact that this bill treats them as one and the same on a plain English reading. Not all distributed systems are decentralized, either, despite the fact that the bill defines a blockchain system as distributed and decentralized. Similarly, not all blockchain systems are decentralized. The term decentralized itself lacks a uniform and concrete definition in both (a) industry and (b) under any law in any jurisdiction of these United States or indeed the world. Decentralized is an adjective, like fluffy or happy, and the word has no place in laws deciding what software should or should not be regulated by the government. Why should we care? I hear you ask. Well, the problem with a sloppy and overbroad definition is that sloppy definitions lead to sloppy and overbroad application on businesses that the drafters didnt intend to capture. Second, the fact that Connecticut legislators felt the need to copy-paste other states terrible definitions reveals only that they and legislators of other states have absolutely no clue what theyre doing. Its like stealing an answer key to a test, only stealing the wrong key: if everyone makes the same mistakes, everyones probably cheating. Third and finally, banning non-compete clauses in employment contracts for software firms is a great way to ensure that software firms stay out of your state, and Connecticut needs all the jobs it can get. Summing up, state legislatures have proved only one thing with bills that define blockchain incorrectly: that they dont understand the technology. Accordingly they shouldnt be writing laws that regulate it. Legislators passing blockchain laws should keep it simple in the operative text, add necessary context in the preamble, rely on the Golden Rule of statutory interpretation that is, follow the literal meaning of the words in a statute, except where the result would be absurd in case of disputes and leave it at that. If states want to promote the use of blockchain tech, they need to be advised by people who possess a solid technical understanding of what theyre trying to legislate, the commercial issues involved in deploying that technology, how to speak clearly about both of those things, and who are independent and disinterested. If the current laws on the books are any indication, the states have a lot of work to do. Related Stories You only turn 21 once, and the Beckham s are reportedly pulling out all the stops for their son Brooklyns milestone birthday. Victoria and David Beckham are believed to be spending 100k on the bash - more than triple the cost of the average UK wedding. Brooklyn will turn 21 on March 4th and is reportedly set to celebrate in style on Saturday 7th with a party at his parents' Cotswolds mansion, which they purchased for 6.15 million in 2016. Getty Images A source told the outlet, A lot of thought and effort has gone into Brooklyns big day, and he is really excited. Itll be wall to wall celebrities, and a lot more extravagant than the hiring out of the local town hall. The eldest Beckham son, who rubs shoulders with A-listers and is regularly seen at high profile events including Cannes Film Festival, is set to have an elite guest list as well. WireImage Reported guests are said to include Niall Horan, model Cara Delevingne, Gordon and Tana Ramsay, Guy and Rocco Ritchie and his mothers Spice Girls bandmate Emma Bunton. The Sun claims the family will be spending 100,000 on the party - over three times the average 2019 UK wedding cost of 31,974. His girlfriend Nicola Peltz, who he called the love of my life on Instagram, is also expected to attend. Peltz and Brooklyn have been dating since October 2019. Peltz is an actor who has starred in films including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Transformers: Age of Extinction and Bates Motel. The Beckhams Cotswolds mansion has been the site of other glamorous parties, including a star-studded 2019 New Years Eve party which included a fireworks display and guests such as Liv Tyler. Inside the world of extravagant celebrity children's birthday parties 1) Stormi Webster - an entire Stormiworld amusement park Billionaire Kylie Jenner brought to life a theme park themed after her daughter not once, but twice. Featuring a gigantic blow up model of Stormis head that guests entered through as well as amusement park rides, it was all brought together by celebrity party planner Mindy Weiss. Twitter users joked that the party was nightmare fuel, as Stormis head featured prominently on rides and someone was hired to wear a mascot head. 2) Blue Ivy Carter - booking out the entire zoo For Stormis second birthday, Beyonce and Jay-Z booked out an entire zoo in Miami called Jungle Island. Described as a contemporary theme park with orangutans, over 300 birds and lemurs, VIP tickets usually go for $240 a pop. Although its highly unlikely Beyonce and Jay-Z wouldnt be able to afford the price tag, it helps that children under 3 go free. 3) Sophia Rutland - a 70k first birthday party Tamara Ecclestones daughter Sophia celebrated her first year on the planet in style, as her mother and father Jay Rutland are believed to have splashed out 70k on a farmyard-themed birthday party. From hiring a princess entertainer to a balloon castle, live animals including Shetland ponies, puppies, sheep and even a real zebra were hired for the day. 4) Suri Cruise - $100k for Wolfgang Puck catering and flowers Back when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were together, they threw their then-two year old daughter Suri a ridiculously expensive birthday party. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Eisya A. Eloksari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 18:52 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068057cc 1 National hoax,COVID-19,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,Communications-and-Information-Ministry,ITE-Law Free Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate said that the ministry had found 148 hoaxes related to the COVID-19 spread as of Monday. The reported number of false and fake information came after Indonesia confirmed its first two confirmed cases. "Please don't produce and spread hoaxes," said the minister in Jakarta on Tuesday. "It is harmful for everyone." Read also: Activists, lawmakers criticize disclosure of personal information of COVID-19 patients He went on to say that people who produce and spread hoaxes would be punishable under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE) with six years imprisonment and a Rp. 1 billion (US$70,290) fine. "This is not the only issue within the country, but it is a global problem," he said. The pneumonia-like illness has infected some 90,000 people in more than 60 countries with at least 3,100 casualties as of Tuesday. Johnny said that with the discovery of two COVID-19 patients, all Indonesian citizens were responsible for limiting the spread of the virus and helping Indonesia remain calm and safe. Doctors are now testing the technology on a larger group in Ghana (Dr Christabel Enweronu-Laryea/University of Ghana/PA) An app developed by doctors in the UK could be a low-cost option to detect jaundice in newborn babies across the world. The condition causes skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow. Although most cases in newborns are harmless, in severe cases a neurotoxic form can enter the brain, leading to death or disabilities such as hearing loss, neurological conditions such as athetoid cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. Scientists from University College London and University College London Hospitals tested the app on the eyes of 37 newborns and processed images to remove the distorting effects of background light. Our screening method would require no special equipment apart from a smartphone and is a tenth of the cost of commercial devices used in the UKFelix Outlaw, UCL Matched against their blood test results, they say it successfully identified all cases where treatment would normally be required while identifying cases that would not require treatment 60% of the time. In many parts of the world, midwives and nurses rely on sight alone to assess jaundice, said UCLs Dr Terence Leung, senior author of the paper. However, this is unreliable, especially for newborns with darker skin. Our smartphone-based method provides a more robust assessment, ensuring serious cases do not go unnoticed. While we await the evidence of a larger trial, we believe that this method, used as an app, could help to prevent the deaths of newborn babies due to severe jaundice worldwide. The larger trial, involving 500 babies, is currently under way in Ghana. Our screening method would require no special equipment apart from a smartphone and is a tenth of the cost of commercial devices used in the UK, said Felix Outlaw, first author of the research, published in the PLOS One journal. Given that smartphones are common even in poor and remote parts of the world, being able to use them to screen for jaundice would have a significant impact. In these days of infection and fear, a recent propaganda photo sums up the image North Korea wants to show the world, as well as its people: Soldiers with black surgical masks surround leader Kim Jong Un, ensconced in a leather overcoat and sans mask as he oversees a defiant military drill. As a new and frightening virus closes in around it, North Korea presents itself as a fortress, tightening its borders as cadres of health officials stage a monumental disinfection and monitoring program. That image of world-defying impregnability, however, may belie a brewing disaster. North Korea, which has what experts call a horrendous medical infrastructure in the best of times, shares a porous, nearly 1,450-kilometer (900-mile) border with China, where the disease originated and has since rapidly spread around the world. The North's government has also long considered public reports on infectious disease or, for that matter, anything that could hurt the ruling elite matters of state secrecy. This has raised fears that North Korea, which claims zero infections, may be vastly unprepared for a virus that is testing much more developed countries across the globe and even that infections could already be exploding within its borders. Unfortunately, the international community has no idea if the coronavirus is spreading inside North Korea, said a recent report by Jessica Lee, an East Asia expert at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a think tank in Washington. The fact that we know nothing about the level of infection or deaths within North Korea is extremely problematic and, left unchanged, could have serious public health implications. North Korean media, meanwhile, are filled with self-described examples of ultra-vigilance as well as a sense of urgency. Calling its anti-virus campaign a matter of national existence, the North has banned foreign tourists, delayed the school year, quarantined hundreds of foreigners and thousands of locals who've traveled abroad, shut down nearly all cross-border traffic with China, intensified screening at entry points, and mobilized tens of thousands of health workers to monitor residents and isolate those with symptoms. A parade of media photographs show North Korean doctors, scientists and health workers in masks, paper hats and protective clothing, discussing matters of science, or disinfecting public transportation, or planning ways to further protect citizens. "No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system," Kim, emerging recently from a prolonged period out of the public spotlight to oversee a politburo meeting on the virus, said, according to state media. Officials must seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way. On Monday, Kim's military fired unidentified projectiles into the sea, weapons tests apparently aimed, in part, at showing that all's well amid outside worries about an outbreak in the North. Despite the bravado, there are rising doubts that North Korea has dodged the virus. Some North Korea monitoring groups, which claim to have a network of sources inside the nation, recently said that there are virus patients and deaths in North Korea, a claim the South Korean government couldn't confirm. I'm 100 per cent sure that North Korea already has infected patients, said Nam Sung-wook, a North Korea expert at South Korea's Korea University who served as president of the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank affiliated with South Korea's main spy agency. If North Korea had an outbreak similar to what's happening in South Korea, the world's hardest-hit country aside from China, it would cause serious turmoil because of a chronic lack of medical supplies and medicine, Nam said. North Korea would be helpless, he said. Some analysts believe that North Korea's strong moves to shut down border areas with China, its only major ally and aid benefactor, signal that the virus has already spread into the nation from China, which has had more than 80,000 cases. There is usually heavy border traffic between the two countries, and tens of thousands of North Koreans were believed to be working in China before a UN order for Beijing to send them back home expired in December. It's unknown how many of them have returned home. There have been growing outside calls for North Korea to open up about what's going on inside its borders. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, Toms Ojea Quintana, urged North Korea to allow full and unimpeded access to medical experts and humanitarian actors, and relax restrictions on access to information. Further isolation of the country is not the answer. Ojea Quintana said that many North Koreans, especially in the countryside, lack proper access to health services, water and sanitation, and that more than 43 per cent of the population is undernourished. The United States also expressed worry about North Korea's vulnerability to the viral outbreak and said it was ready to support efforts by aid organisations to contain the spread of the illness in the impoverished nation. An epidemic in North Korea, which experts say has a chronic lack of medical supplies, could further shake an economy battered by US-led sanctions over its nuclear weapons and missile program. That, in turn, could quicken the depletion of the North's foreign currency reserves by choking off income from tourism and smuggling. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gone are the days of shaking hands or hugging as a greeting. At least while coronavirus continues to rear its ugly head. The latest greeting being encouraged as a safer way to connect while avoiding exposure to germs is the elbow bump. Officials are recommending ways to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, as well as the common cold and flu. That includes avoiding hand contact with anyone who may be sick -- so handshakes are out. U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Paul Mitchell, R-Dryden, demonstrated the bump, dont shake move in a video Monday. Common sense is the best tool we have to prevent illness such as the common cold, the flu, as well as the coronavirus, the Michigan representatives said in a joint statement. Wash your hands, stay home when you are sick, cough or sneeze into your elbow, and bump dont shake. Those are the best tools we have to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as well as the common cold or the flu." No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Michigan, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. Additionally, the CDC does not recommend using a face mask for prevention. According to the health agency, face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to prevent spreading the virus. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). MORE FROM MLIVE: University of Michigan issues travel restrictions to Italy amid new coronavirus outbreak Coronavirus Q&A, 15 things to know about COVID-19s spread Elizabeth Warren sets sights on Michigan while Democratic primary field shrinks VICTORIA - Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says British Columbia is monitoring the deaths of six people from novel coronavirus in Washington state and there is no evidence of widespread transmission of the virus. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. British Columbia Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry addresses the media during a news conference at the BC Centre of Disease Control in Vancouver B.C, Tuesday, January 28, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward VICTORIA - Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says British Columbia is monitoring the deaths of six people from novel coronavirus in Washington state and there is no evidence of widespread transmission of the virus. Henry says the six deaths are connected to two counties in the Seattle area. She says that leads her to believe an uncontrolled spread is not underway. Henry says Canadians who have recently travelled across the border into Washington state do not need to contact public health officials unless they feel sick. But she advises Canadians to postpone any travel if they have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and muscle aches. She says travellers returning to B.C. from international trips can expect extra screening by Canadian Border Services officials who will be asking about their health. "There is not widespread community transmission in Washington state and certainly there is not here in B.C., and we're confident of that," Henry said Monday at a news conference. "My colleagues in Washington state are working very hard to try and track down everybody who's been in contact with people who've been affected in the United States." Henry says B.C. currently has eight confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, with four cases recovered and the others in isolation at home. She says travellers returning to B.C. from Iran will now face increased questions at customs and immigration points at airports about their health. Last month, a B.C. woman in her 30s who travelled to Iran was diagnosed with novel coronavirus shortly after her return to Canada. Health Minister Adrian Dix said Premier John Horgan and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee spoke Monday by telephone about the coronavirus, each pledging support for the neighbouring jurisdictions. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 2, 2020. " Welcome back, began my fathers WhatsApp message as I landed at Heathrow from Sydney on Sunday. Have you settled up yet? The accompanying wink emoji confirmed my suspicions this wasnt a hint at balancing my Splitwise bill with my fellow backpackers, but instead a reminder of his latest obsession: carbon offsetting. My failure to financially neutralise my flight emissions has landed me in my fathers bad books, and hes not letting go until Ive paid up all 140, if I opt for the cheapest compensatory scheme on offsetting site MyClimate (a reforestation one in Nicaragua). I tell him Ill pay it next month, after my next pay cheque forking out for skydives and koala meet-and-greets has drained my Monzo account. He tells me hell be on my case until I do. My fathers hassling might feel joyless, but beneath my teasing (Have fun in Sussex. Hope youve offset the drive) I know hes right, especially given the timely nature of my trip Down Under. In Sydney I met people whose homes had been ruined by last months flooding; in Brisbane I cuddled the koalas whose habitats had been destroyed by the recent bushfires . Female koala Shirley recovering in her pen at Adelaide Koala Rescue / Getty Images Australia is feeling the global climate crisis in the extreme, and flights like mine are a large part of the problem. According to current figures, the aviation industry accounts for two per cent of global carbon emissions, and this is expected to rise to a frightening 15 per cent by 2050. Global passenger numbers are expected to double to 8.2 billion by 2037. Airlines are beginning to take responsibility EasyJet spends 25 million a year on offsetting, and British Airways now offsets all domestic UK flights but we as individuals should pay the price, too, if we are serious about following Greta Thunbergs lead and reducing the amount we fly. I can atone for my trip via forest-planting in Uruguay for 65 or a wind power project in Turkey for 36 According to carbon calculators, my return flight to Sydney will have emitted more than six tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere more than twice that produced by a family car over the course of a year. The least I can do is cancel that out from my own pocket. Mercifully, it turns out I wont have to skip lunch to settle my carbon debts. On another site, Co2nsensus, I can offset my trip via a forest-planting scheme in Uruguay for 65, or a wind power project in Turkey for 36 a small price to pay to travel more consciously, but that shouldnt lead to complacency. A tree planted today wont remove carbon from the atmosphere for years, and critics warn that the danger of offsetting schemes getting too cheap is that travellers wont change their behaviour. Greta is still right: we need to seriously reduce the amount of flights we take if we are to truly tackle global warming. But if you must get on a plane, offsetting will at least help to reduce the impact (and make you think twice next time youre on Skyscanner). That 36 on top of the cost of your trip isnt a pass to guilt-free travel, but a crucial last resort and a small yet significant tax towards saving the planet. From now on, Im setting my phone background to a sad koala and paying up. Working from home fills me with dread It looks like well soon be urged to work from home to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and this thought has been met with inevitable glee among my WhatsApp groups with lawyer pals sharing nail designs they intend to replicate at the kitchen table, and housemates compiling Spotify playlists and sending Snow day! memes. But to tell the truth, the thought of having to spend more than one day working from my living room fills me with dread. I havent opened my laptop in six months (will it turn on? What will I do without Microsoft Word?) and my cycle to work is the one ritual sure to get my brain in gear. The few occasions Ive WFH have sent me stir crazy due to lack of human interaction. Twitter cant make up for the spontaneous exchanges at the water cooler. Theres an environmental downside, too: last month researchers found that working from home all year round would increase the average British commuters carbon footprint by 80 per cent thanks to all the extra central heating used over the winter months. Bad news for my bank account too, then, once Ive offset the carbon dont tell my dad. Gold medal for Barbie The Barbie doll created in the likeness of Britain's fastest woman, Dina Asher-Smith / PA When I was five, my mother had to clean her room after my friend and I got over-excited when applying lipstick. It went everywhere. We were trying to look more like our dolled-up Barbies in the hope wed find a boyfriend like Ken. But had we grown up now it might not have been lipstick my mother found us trying on, but trainers. A Barbie doll of Dina Asher-Smith, Britains fastest woman, was unveiled today ahead of International Womens Day. I hope girls look to her as a role model. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday sought a high-level inquiry into communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi last week. A delegation of BJP MLA led by Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri met L-G Anil Baijal and handed over a memorandum seeking order to initiate the probe to unearth the conspiracy behind the violence. They urged him to recover loss of property from the rioters and look into violence rumours spread on Sunday evening. Karawal Nagar MLA Mohan Singh Bisht, Vijender Gupta (Rohini), Om Prakash Sharma (Vishwas Nagar), Anil Bajpai, (Gandhi Nagar), Jitender Mahajan (Rohtas Nagar)and Abhay Verma (Laxmi Nagar) were part of the delegation. ALSO READ: AAP government accused of 'discrimination' in giving ex gratia to Delhi riots vicitm The emphasised that the way rumours were spread yesterday evening were in all possibility the part of the conspiracy. The design was to provoke violence leading to riots during the session of Parliament, said Bidhuri. Meanwhile, Baijal visited riot-hit neighbourhoods of northeast Delhi, where he interacted with locals in Shiv Vihar, Karawal Nagar, Brijpuri, and Chand Bagh areas-worst-affected colonies. ALSO READ | Delhi riots: 369 FIRs registered, 1,284 people arrested, detained Present during the visit were Commissioner of Police SN Shrivastava and senior officials of Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, Health Department, District Magistrates and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), who reviewed efforts being taken by various agencies to restore normalcy. To build confidence amongst people of affected areas, the L-G met asked police to actively engage with Aman Committees and directed the civic body to take up extensive cleanliness drive of the area on war footing, and also to repair damaged civic structures. AAP ministers visit While Labour Minister Gopal Rai inspected a relief camp set at Mustafabad, Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam assured victims of speedy help. The trial has opened in Tehran of two French academics, Fariba Adelkhah and Roland Marchal, jailed in Iran eight months ago. The pair were detained in June 2019 on charges of conspiring against national security. Human rights groups and fellow academics have denounced the charges as outrageous. According to the lawyer representing Iranian-born Adelkhah, who has a French passport, and Marchal, the pair were charged with propaganda against the political system of the Islamic Republic" and conspiring against national security. The support group for the two and the French foreign ministry have both sounded the alarm over their health. In December, France summoned Iran's envoy and asked him to ensure that Iran "displays transparency" in the case. Tehran rejected France's action as "meddlesome and unacceptable," stressing that Iran does not recognise Adelkhah's dual citizenship. Hunger strike Adelkhah, who is 60 years old, went on hunger strike for 49 days; 64-year-old Marchal's health is said to be deteriorating. The recent coronavirus outbreak adds to the concern. Both work for the Paris-based political university SciencesPo. Adelkhah appeared at this morning's hearing, although Marchal was not in attendance for reasons that are currently unclear. The support group added that Adelkhah did not seem to have her lawyer present at the hearing and neither were any French diplomats in attendance. The hearing was adjourned to a later date, according to the same source. Not the only ones The support group said holding them in jail was particularly dangerous given the intensity of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, which has killed 77 people nationwide according to a new toll. Adelkhah and Marchal are not the only academics being held by Tehran. There are several other foreigners in high-profile cases, including British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his father, Mohammad Bagher Namazi. And Australian Kylie Moore-Gilbert of the University of Melbourne is serving a 10-year sentence after being found guilty of espionage. Even harsher sentences are being meeted out to domestic critics. In December, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer in Iran, was sentenced to 33 years in jail and 148 lashes. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov on the Liberation Day, the Armenian PMs Office told Armenpress. I warmly congratulate you and send you my best wishes and the good people of Bulgaria on the national day the Liberation Day. I praise the fact that our centuries-old traditional and friendly relations have consistently developed and strengthened since the establishment of the diplomatic relations. I remember with warmth our recent meeting within the frames of the Munich Security Conference during which we had a productive discussion on our bilateral agenda. I am confident that we will succeed in making our cooperation more comprehensive by enriching it with new and thorough programs. I wish you productive activities, new achievements, and to the good people of Bulgaria spring blossom and lasting peace. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan The parents of an autistic eight-year-old boy from New Jersey who was allegedly denied first communion because of his disability have lashed out at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church, accusing its leaders of misrepresenting the situation in the face of a public outcry. The story was first reported last week, when Jimmy LaCugna posted a message on his Facebook page, which has since gone viral, claiming that the Rev. John Bambrick at Saint Aloysius Parish in Jackson Township has informed him and his wife that their son, Anthony, who is non-verbal, could not participate in the religious milestone because his disability leaves him 'unable to determine right from wrong.' The church responded to the LaCugna family's charge by releasing a statement on Facebook saying that 'new information' has come to light allowing the leadership of Saint Aloysius to revise it guidelines pertaining to the reception of sacraments by disabled children. 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 After the church allegedly backtracked and released a statement saying it has revised its guideline concerning sacraments for disabled children and has informed the LaCugna family, Jimmy LaCugna took to Facebook again, accusing Saint Aloysius of painting them as 'liars' The post further stated that the family of the autistic boy, who was not mentioned by name, has been informed of this change, but Anthony's parents insist that it is not so. 'Although we have yet to be reached out to by Father Bambrick we are beyond devastated to have stumbled upon the newest statement found on the FB page of the church,' Jimmy LaCugna wrote on Friday. 'To add to our devastation we are being painted not as the special needs parents advocating for our child, but instead as liars.' According to the father, he and wife Nicole were previously told in no uncertain terms that their son would not be able to make his first communion this year. But he claims since the story has become public knowledge, the church has changed the narrative. 'Thank you to the entire community for your continued outpouring support and we are horrified how this story has been twisted,' he continued, adding that the family will stay strong in their faith but will find 'another loving Catholic church who accepts all.' In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Nicole LaCugna reiterated that contrary to the church's statement on its Facebook page, which has since been deleted, neither she nor her husband has ever spoken to the Rev Bambrick. Saint Aloysius Church has since posted on its official website another statement from Father Bambrick, who blamed what he characterized as a 'misunderstanding' on 'an unfortunate breakdown in communication.' The cleric argued that there was never any talk of denying communion to the disabled boy, but rather delaying the sacrament until he is ready to receive it. Saint Aloysius Parish (pictured) and other religious institutions are not required to adhere to ADA regulations 'With the guidance and support of Bishop David OConnell, we were able to discern a way for the child to receive First Holy Communion without any delay,' Rev Bambrick stated. 'We have made the family aware of this development and hope to be able to meet with them to discuss it. 'Their child continues to be welcome in our program, and will be able to receive First Holy Communion this year.' The Rev. John Bambrick (pictured) released a statement saying there was never any talk of denying communion to Anthony, but rather delaying the sacrament until he is ready The priest expressed regret and acknowledged that the matter 'could have been handled differently.' 'It is extremely unfortunate that, as a result of this controversy, there are families with special needs children who may now doubt the Churchs commitment to welcome all children into their religious education programs. Nothing could be further from the truth; special needs children and adults are welcomed and ministered to in parishes across this Diocese, and throughout the Church, including this Parish.' Jimmy and Nicole LaCugna have pushed back against Father Bambrick's version of events, denying that their conflict with Saint Aloysius came down to a 'misunderstanding,' and accusing the church of reversing its earlier decision because of the outrage it has generated. 'Its very hard to misunderstand someone when they literally say, "Your child cannot make First Communion,"' Anthony's mother told NBC. 'Thats pretty straightforward and clear.' Jimmy LaCugna shared the first Facebook post about the incident last Tuesday and it has since gone viral 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' Nicole LaCugna said that both sides of the family have been raised Catholic and continuing the faith through Anthony is important to them. 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. '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. Anthony's father expressed his disappointment about the church's 'disgraceful and disheartening' actions in a Facebook post last Tuesday. 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.' Saint Aloysius Parish then 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. '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. On Feb. 16, the Chronicle Editorial Board recommended Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar as the best choice in a crowded Democratic presidential primary field. We noted her strong leadership, level-headed approach to problems, proven integrity and a remarkable record of bipartisan success in a Senate that operates in a constant state of undeclared war. We still believe those are commendable and vital traits for someone running for the nations highest office. But on Monday, just hours before the Super Tuesday polls opened in Texas and 14 other states, Klobuchar ended her campaign for the Democratic Party nomination. Klobuchar and former primary rival Pete Buttigieg are instead endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden in what appears to be a coordinated effort to rally moderate Democratic voters against the liberal front-runner, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. The only other viable campaigns belong to self-financing billionaire Mike Bloomberg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has been battling Sanders for the partys progressive vote. The Editorial Board has consistently questioned Sanders radical and rigid policies and criticized the combative tone of the candidate, and some of his supporters, as counter-productive to building consensus and civil discourse. Sanders enthusiastic embrace of the democratic socialist label and occasional praise for authoritarian dictators would likely turn off centrist voters, potentially hurting down-ballot Democrats in swing districts. Warren also suffers from an uncompromising, in-the-weeds approach and her failure to attract more diverse voters to her cause. Her path to victory is thin and relies on a brokered convention. Bloombergs attempts to attract centrist support have been damaged by his uninspiring debate performances, troubling history with women, and his inability to adequately explain his much-delayed regret for policies such as stop and frisk. That turns the spotlight back on Biden, an early front-runner before a series of gaffes and stumbles eroded his standing. The penchant to garble names and misremember dates and details remains troubling. But Bidens empathy, his rare gift for working across the aisle, his rapport with communities of color and his electability in November are undeniable. His demeanor and experience, including serving as Delawares U.S. senator for 36 years, would help get the world back to a sense of normalcy, including a fundamental respect for institutions and trust in government. While his style is of the past, he is not stuck in the past, evolving significantly on issues such as gay marriage and the Iraq war. Unlike some other candidates, he has a strong record of getting things done, including the Violence Against Women Act as senator and helping broker compromise on the Affordable Care Act as President Obamas No. 2. If he is not the bringer of fresh ideas, he is more than capable of filling an administration with bright and capable people to enact the change Democrats demand on issues ranging from climate change to criminal justice. The former vice president is best positioned to build a diverse coalition that can win in the fall and begin governing on Day One in the White House. Princess Diana's former private secretary has hinted it would be tricky for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to achieve what they want without the royal-style model, which his late mother discovered when she tried to break free. Prince Harry, 35, has embarked on his final week of official engagements, and is about to move into a post-royal career similar to his the late Princess Diana following her separation from Prince Charles in 1992. But former private secretary Patrick Jephson has told of the Princess of Wales' struggles to leave behind the duty of royal life. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Patrick said: 'The unwelcome reality is harsh but simple: to deliver the kind of humanitarian message associated with her brand, and to maintain the profile her philanthropic ambitions required, there was no substitute for the royal-style logistics that previously surrounded Diana.' Princess Diana's former private secretary Patrick Jephson has told how it is tricky for anyone to achieve what they want without the royal-style model, which Princess Diana discovered when she tried to break free. Pictured, Princess Diana attending the film premiere of 'Stepping Out' at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attending 'The Lion King' European Premiere at Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London The former private secretary recalled the day Princess Diana returned to Kensington Palace in a 'buoyant mood' following her emotional appeal for 'time and space.' Patrick spoke of the moment she kicked off her stilettos and tucked her legs on the sofa, before asking to see what plans were in the diary. In contrast to normal, he told how he handed her a file of blank papers which were usually filled with engagements and signs of a jam-packed royal life. However, he went on to confirm the quiet life didn't remain for long, and the late Princess Diana's diary quickly began to fill up - with the exact types of activities she had intended to leave behind. The former private secretary told how Princess Diana ended up doing the exact activities she intended to leave behind. Pictured, Prince Harry on holiday with the family in Majorca, Spain in 1988 'Deprived of full royal status, she inevitably fell back on the practical benefitsplanes, limousines, and bodyguardsthat only wealth could provide,' he explained. 'By throwing off the restrictions of royalty, she just swapped one set of shackles for another.' Patrick Jephson went on to warn that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may find themselves facing a similar dilemma. 'They need the stuff only wealth can provide, but chafe at the obligations and scrutiny of royalty,' he added. 'Yet without royal status, their long-term earning potential could be in doubtand the power of their celebrity may also diminish the longer they stay away from Buckingham Palace.' The former private secretary also cast doubt on Prince Harry's quieter life away from royal duties, suggesting the 'loss of familiarity of habit, tradition and a comforting routine' may prove a struggle for the Duke - especially because he is used to the regiment of the army. ON MARCH 4, the Philippines is celebrating its fourth National Homeschool Day. Its first celebration was on March 3, 2017. Gratitude should be for the efforts of Sen. Francis Pangilinan in filing the Senate Resolution 308 in 2017, which established the National Homeschool Day. Those educated in the last century or two may assume that institutional education is the norm. However, if we look at history, home-based education had been the norm around the world. Think of the homeschooling education of Jesus under his mother the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Josephs carpentry lessons. Even in the United States, public education did not emerge until the 19th century. In the Philippines, institutional high school education came only with the Spaniards. Even then, primary education was given at home. Pepe learned his reading and writing under the tutelage of his mother Teodora at home. The revival of home-based education, presently referred to as homeschooling, started somewhere in the late 20th century. Unfortunately, the Philippine educational system, which is caught in the norm of conventional education, came up short in preparing integrative programs for homeschoolers to obtain education at high school level. In fact, if we talk of traditional education, it does not refer really to regular education but to home-based education no matter how some academics argue. One issue that proponents of regular education raise is child socialization. It was never an issue before the 19th century. Jose Rizal himself was a product of early home-based education. Moreover, as stated above, Jesus of Nazareth was, too. Further, homeschooling ensures effective family value enculturation of children at their young age before exposing them to potentially disruptive diverse values in institutional education. They learn to determine that which is right and wrong long before such values are muddled in our educational system. Furthermore, children are also spared from the adverse outcomes of peer pressures prevalent in multicultural regular schools. That includes bullying and falling behind badly influential in-groups. Oftentimes, problems associated with peer pressures came from a childs inadequately formed sensitivity in selecting good groups to join in. Well-formed homeschooled childred have a better capacity to make such choices when they are in senior high or in college. In effect, homeschooled children are better formed spiritually, culturally and psychosocially. They also have clear understanding on the boundaries between right and wrong. Barthelme is perhaps fading as a front-of-mind figure, but there was a period from the mid-'60s to mid-'70s where his short satires were a monthly fixture in The New Yorker. His work is simultaneously silly and intellectual, funny yet also menacing. His story Game opens with the narrator being bent out of shape that his colleague Shotwell does not allow him to play with his jacks. Soon, we realize that the men feuding over the childrens novelty are manning an underground nuclear silo, their fingers near the missile triggers. At least 15 people have been killed in torrential rain that hit the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, triggering flash floods and destroying houses, authorities said on Tuesday. Violent storms in recent days have dumped a month's worth of rain on some areas in a matter of hours, devastating poor neighbourhoods on the southern coast of Sao Paulo state and on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, the country's second-biggest city. At least 10 people were killed early Tuesday and one is missing in Sao Paulo after floods and landslides hit the coastal cities of Santos, Sao Vicente and Guaruja, state authorities said. One of the dead was a firefighter who was working on a rescue operation when he was killed by a landslide. "I express my solidarity with those who are suffering from these heavy rains," Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria wrote on Twitter. Several highways were blocked by fallen trees and landslides, including some linking Santos, the largest port in South America, to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic capital. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities said the death toll had risen to at least five after three days of violent rain that swept away houses and cars and left some communities covered in water or mud. The victims were electrocuted, buried in landslides or drowned, emergency officials said. The disaster turned political in Rio when the city's Mayor Marcelo Crivella, a far-right evangelical Christian bishop, blamed residents for the flooding. During a visit to an affected community, he told journalists, "The people can't be throwing trash on hillsides, in storm drains and in the street." Mid-press conference, someone pelted him in the face with a ball of mud, captured in a video that went viral online. "The water knocked my granddaughter and me off the sofa. Dirty water came flooding into my kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, everything. I lost everything," Ivone Cardoso, 65, a resident of the Realengo neighbourhood, told AFP as she swept mud and water out of her house. Brazil is having an especially intense rainy season this summer. In January, more than 50 people were killed in Minas Gerais state, which neighbours Sao Paulo, in several days of violent rain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cape Cod has long been one of the most popular summer destinations in the Northeast, known for its quaint, aptly named, Cape Cod-style homes and world-class seafood, along with unique lodging options. Despite some short-term headwinds, the Cape Cod hotel market is poised for long-term success. Seasonality and Market Performance As with most leisure markets, particularly those driven by weather, the Cape Cod market has a high degree of seasonality. In the last three years, peak-season August occupancy levels have averaged in the mid-80s, while low-season January occupancy levels have averaged in the low 20s. Both local hoteliers and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce have been mildly successful in expanding shoulder seasons in April, May, September, and October. Occupancy at upscale, upper-upscale, and luxury hotels on the Cape increased 5% from May 2017 to May 2019, and 6% from September 2017 to September 2018. In addition to occupancy growth, ADR growth in these three chain scales has improved, as well, increasing 5% year-over-year 2018 to 2019 during the period from January through August, resulting in an overall RevPAR increase. From 2009 through 2018, RevPARs compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reached nearly 7% among upscale, upper-upscale, and luxury hotels. New Lodging Options While new hotel openings have been limited in recent years, new lodging options have infiltrated the Cape Cod market. Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms are perhaps the most significant threat to hotels on the Cape. Wendy Northcross of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce noted, Cape Cod [Chamber of Commerce] has been tracking short-term rental data from AirDNA for several years, and weve noted an over 200% increase in supply from 2016 through November 2018a significant growth factor of online listings. The data now show the Cape Cod market is the second largest short-term rental market in Massachusetts by revenue and supply. Despite this significant increase in short-term rental supply, there has been little impact on the aforementioned hotel chain scales overall performance. Also worth noting, another non-traditional lodging option coming to market is AutoCamp Cape Cod in Falmouth (under construction). AutoCamp is a glamping experience that converts Airstream trailers into luxury lodging accommodations. AutoCamp currently operates three sites in California (Russian River, Yosemite, and Santa Barbara). AutoCamp Cape Cod will be the companys first location on the east coast, continuing the trend of alternative, unique lodging options on the Cape. AutoCamp Cape Cod Club House Rendering Credit: AutoCamp Headwinds While alternative lodging options have minimally affected the Cape-wide hotel market, and even though new supply is limited, unpredictable events like weather and shark activity seem to have substantial impact on lodging performance. In September 2018, a fatal shark attack marked the first shark-related fatality in more than 80 years. While it is hard to determine if this had a direct impact on lodging performance, occupancy decreased roughly 4% from the summer of 2018 to the summer of 2019. Moreover, a series of severe storms in July 2019 caused occupancy to decrease. Although unpredictable events shall remain a threat, the lack of new supply planned and the markets proximity and accessibility to/from major metropolitan areas will continue to bolster demand. HVS continues to regularly consult in this region, with a nearby office in Boston, Massachusetts, led by Brian Bisema. Brian Bisema and Roth Johnson are ready to assist you on consulting needs. Drew Noecker with HVS Brokerage & Advisory can also discuss any Cape Cod assets you may be considering selling in 2020. About Roth Johnson As a Project Manager with HVS Boston, Roth Johnson conducts appraisals and feasibility studies for limited-service and full-service hotels throughout the Northeast. Before joining HVS Boston, Roth worked as a front desk associate for Marriott and as an asset management intern with Canon Hospitality Management, a Mid-Atlantic-based property management company. Roth graduated from the University of Delawares Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with a focus in Hospitality Industry Management and Information Systems. For more information contact Roth at +1 (302) 740-0271 or rjohnson@hvs.com. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest all industry news and trends. Subscribe 2022 Hospitality Trends At the Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School in Detroit, DaJuanna Traviers 5th graders can raise any topic on their minds during their Friday restorative discussion circles. This past week, they wanted to talk about the coronavirus. They asked Travier if the virus is man-made, or if it was purposefully created to hurt people, she said. A few said they were afraid to travel. Travier tried to tell her class the facts and stay positive, giving them space to talk about their feelings. She knows her students watch the news, and she understands why theyre curious. Its a fear, she said. As the number of novel coronavirus cases rise in the United States and more states confirm having patients with the illness, students are coming to school with questionsand teachers are trying to figure out how to answer them. See Also Responding to Coronavirus: A Downloadable Guide for Schools Students often dont know the basic facts about the virus, teachers say, like what it is or how its different from the common cold or the flu. They may be harboring misconceptions about how it spreads. And kids are worried for their safety. They want to know: What will happen if people in their community get sick? Though the overall number of COVID-19 cases in the United States remains low, the virus has already started to affect U.S. schools . When teachers are having these conversations with students, theyre managing two competing priorities, said Stephen Brock, a professor and coordinator of the school psychology program at California State University, Sacramento. Teachers need to give kids the facts about the virus, and emphasize the importance of taking precautionslike frequent handwashing, he said. At the same time, overstating the risk level can make students unnecessarily worried. This is really kind of a delicate balancing act, said Brock, a past president of the National Association of School Psychologists and an author of the organizations curriculum for school safety and crisis. Knowingand Sharingthe Facts Teachers should start with the facts, Brock said. A guide for parents , developed by NASP and National Association of School Nurses, lays out the information about symptoms and transmission that will be most useful for kids and teenagers. The guide stresses that when kids ask questions, they should get honest answers. In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality, it reads. How much detail teachers share depends on students ages, Brock said. Conversations about how vaccines are developed, for example, might lend helpful context for high schoolers, he said. But dwelling on the virus could make younger elementary students more anxious. Adults need to appreciate that for the youngest ones, their stress is going to be dictated by adult stress, Brock said. Elementary teachers should explain to their students that they need to wash their hands well to get rid of germs, which can make us sick. And kids should be reassured that adults are working hard to keep them safe. Other than that, let their questions be your guide, Brock said. If theyre not stressed or anxious about some sort of external threat, Im not going to introduce it to them, he said. A Higher Threat Gage Matthews is a teacher at the UNC Hospital School, housed in North Carolina Childrens Hospital. The school, which is part of the local Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district, serves patients from age three through the end of high school. Some of Matthews students have cancer; others are in outpatient dialysis. Many have compromised immune systems. They naturally worry about infections, he said. There is some intrinsic fear of when it comes here, what happens to the community, to the hospital, to the school? A recent study from Chinas National Health Commission found that patients with preexisting health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, had a higher risk of dying from COVID-19. North Carolina saw its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Tuesday, the governors office reported. The patient is a resident of Wake County, which is nearby to Orange County, where the hospital is located. Not knowing when or if they will be affected is difficult for students, Matthews said. The more confidence that you can have in talking about it, the better, he said, referring to teachers. Matthews, who is certified to teach science, has tried to calm students by becoming a reliable source of information. Hes explained what a virus is, and what it means that the coronavirus is a new strain. Hes also assured students that there are a lot of procedures in place at the school to protect them, and that the hospital would have an immediate action plan if they did see any cases of the virus. Teachable Moment Matthews isnt the only one whos turned the global outbreak into a teachable moment: Some teachers have created lesson plans on the coronavirus. William Reed, a high school science and math teacher at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy in Chicago, created a lesson that asks students to evaluate scientific information on the virus, and compare different sources of that information. Teachers in subjects other than science have found a way into the issue, too. Samantha Katz, a 9th grade English teacher at Howell High School in Farmingdale, N.J., discussed coronavirus as part of a cause and effect unit. Students brainstormed a list of sectors that the virus could touchlike tourism or the global economyand researched potential effects. When new illnesses start to spread, teachers are well-positioned to fight the epidemic of misinformation, according to a 2016 report on how teachers responded to the Ebola virus . The study, conducted by Horizon Research Inc., with help from the National Science Teachers Association and supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, found that 80 percent of middle school teachers and 46 percent of elementary school teachers discussed Ebola in class. Still, they may not have all been relaying accurate informationteachers in the study only got about 75 to 80 percent of questions correct on a quiz about the virus. Reed, the science teacher, acknowledges in his lesson plan that students may come into class having heard untrue rumors about coronavirus. His lesson draws on guides from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and instructs teachers to correct students misconceptions. Confronting Racism Both Reed and Katzs lessons also touch on one other issue: racism and xenophobia directed toward Asians and Asian Americans since the outbreak was first detected in China. Students and parents have posted accounts of bullying on social media, claiming that kids had taunted their Asian American classmates. Earlier this month, an Asian American student in a Los Angeles County high school was physically attacked by classmates who accused him of having the virus. Reeds lesson asks students to watch a news video about the rise in bias incidents directed toward people of Asian descent. Then students answer the prompt: Based on what you know about the novel coronavirus from this lesson, explain why prejudice against people with Chinese or Asian ancestry who live in countries outside of China has no scientific basis. The organization Teaching Tolerance has also published information for educators , on how to challenge racist comments related to the coronavirus in the classroom. Bullying is always harmful, Brock said. Not only does it hurt the bullied, but trying to find a scapegoat for a global health crisis is counterproductive, he said. Teachers should confront bullying behavior, he said, and turn the conversation back to advice that will be most helpful: Here are the things that you can do to keep ... you and others, safe and healthy. In a presidential election year, Tuesdays are very important. The biggest is the first Tuesday in November, or Election Day. On that day, as you probably know, Americans vote for a president usually from the major-party candidates. But first, through June, voters will help political parties pick their nominees. - Who can be elected president? There are a few rules mentioned in the Constitution. A person must be at least 35 years old, a U.S. resident for at least 14 years and a "natural-born" U.S. citizen. The term "natural born" is a little fuzzy, but generally it means a citizen from birth, including people born in other countries who have a U.S. citizen parent. - Whos is running in 2020? The two main political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, will nominate one person for president. In the Democratic Party, there are five candidates. The Republican Party has two. There are minor-party candidates and independents, too, but the major parties generally dominate the election process. - Who elects the president? When the Constitution was written, generally only white men who owned property could vote. Today, citizens who are age 18 and older can vote in the presidential election. Many of them don't vote, however. In 2016, only 61.6 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a lot lower than countries such as Australia, Sweden and Germany. - How do voters pick a candidate? Most voters have issues that are important to them. The issues might include health care, education, the economy, immigration, climate change or gun control. The candidates usually campaign for months, making speeches, buying ads, taking part in debates and hosting community rallies. They also post their views on these topics on campaign websites. Journalists research the candidates' proposals and examine their backgrounds to give voters additional information. - How does the voting process work? There are two methods: state primaries and caucuses. Most states have primaries. In a primary, voters select one candidate on a ballot. Each state political party makes its own rules for getting on the ballot, so voters in different states may have different choices. Candidates earn delegates to a party's national convention based on how many votes they get. In traditional caucuses, voters who are registered with a political party meet in schools or community centers to talk (and sometimes argue) about the candidates. They form groups at these meetings based on which candidate they support. Candidates with a certain percentage of supporters earn delegates. This year, the Iowa Democratic Party allowed voters to participate online, but this process had technical glitches that delayed the results by weeks. - When will the parties choose their nominees? State parties will send delegates to national conventions, where they will nominate one person for the Democratic Party and one person for the Republican Party. Democrats will meet for this purpose in mid-July; Republicans in late August. The nominees will also announce, if they haven't already, who will run with them as vice president. By late August, many voters will focus on just the two people chosen by the major parties. A choice of two may seem easy, but it's an important decision. And even though kids can't vote, it doesn't mean you can't be part of the process. Learn about the candidates. Also, talk to classmates, teachers and family members. You might get adults thinking that the next generation of voters already has voices that need to be heard. KEARNEY A University of Nebraska at Kearney student has been convicted of sexually assaulting and false imprisoning a woman at a Kearney house in February 2019. Miguel A. Guzman, 21, of Grand Island pleaded no contest Wednesday in Buffalo County Court to reduced charges of third-degree sexual assault, third-degree assault and second-degree false imprisonment, all misdemeanors. The incident happened Feb. 24, 2019, at 2018 12th Ave. Guzman originally was charged with felony first-degree sexual assault in the incident. A no contest plea is neither an admission nor denial of guilt, but the plea is treated the same as a guilty plea. Court records detailing the incident are sealed. Based on the facts as they evolved, we felt the plea was a fair resolution to guarantee a conviction and ensure justice for the victim, said Melanie Young, deputy Buffalo County Attorney. Embattled prime minister and his allies are ahead of rivals in Israels third election in less than a year. With 90 percent of votes counted, the Joint List has so far won a record 15 Knesset seats in Israels election, a historic success for the Palestinian-majority electoral alliance. But their strongest ever showing may be eclipsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appears likely to secure a record fifth term after his Likud party won at least 36 seats in Mondays vote, the third in less than a year. His right-wing bloc currently holds 59 seats, just two shy of forming a majority government. The Blue and White alliance of his main rival, former chief of the armed forces Benny Gantz, holds 32 seats and 56 in his bloc. As the tally has been delayed, the final result is expected by late Tuesday. Israeli public opinion expert and political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin told Al Jazeera that Netanyahus most likely option to break the deadlock is to try to convince Knesset members who are part of a faction within centrist parties to break away in order to secure a parliamentary majority. Netanyahu, who faces trial on corruption charges later this month, said during the election campaign that victory would allow him to start the formal annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, as well as expand other illegal Jewish settlements. Undeclared annexation While the Likud leader said he would begin by annexing the Jordan Valley, Scheindlin said Netanyahu will attempt formal annexation in phases, one settlement at a time. Up until now he hasnt formally annexed [it], rather he has preferred de facto undeclared annexation on the ground through various forms of physical expansion and legal harmonisation, said Scheindlin. It looks unlikely he will stick only to the undeclared kinds of annexation and it looks more likely he will advance some form of legal annexation, open annexation. Netanyahu was formally indicted in court on corruption charges in late January. His criminal trial starts on March 17 and could last several years. But Scheindlin said the 42-45 percent of people who support Netanyahu as prime minister has not changed despite the charges, which the prime minister denies. There are people [who view the charges] as exaggerated, as persecution of Netanyahu for the kind of thing that all politicians do, and they believe that the legal system is out to get Netanyahu because they cant accept the will of the voters. There will be legal challenges to his ability to form the next government, but I think that puts the Supreme Court in a difficult position and I dont expect them to rule against him, Scheindlin said. Success for Joint List The Joint List, meanwhile, remains the third-largest party in the Knesset. Its leader, Ayman Odeh, congratulated supporters early on Tuesday for what he called the biggest parliamentary achievement since the first Knesset in 1949, adding the List is the only opposition party to increase in numbers since the previous election in September, when it won 13 seats. Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List alliance, delivers an address in Israels northern city of Shefa-Amr [AFP] Despite talk of voter fatigue among citizens, voter turnout was 71 percent, the highest since 2015. Many Palestinian citizens of Israel told Al Jazeera they planned to vote for the Joint List in response to US President Donald Trumps announcement of his plan for the Middle East, which envisioned large chunks of the occupied West Bank annexed. It also proposed redrawing Israels borders, with 10 Palestinian towns transferred to a future Palestinian state. Israeli public opinion analysts also indicated an increased number of Jewish Israelis voting for the Joint List for the first time, after becoming disillusioned with left-wing parties. Results showed a poor showing for Labor-Gesher-Meretz, winning only seven seats, compared to 1992 when Labor and Meretz won 56 seats combined. Diana Buttu, a political analyst based in Haifa, said Meretz, a party that traditionally would absorb votes from left-wing Israelis didnt take a position when it came to the occupation, they didnt take a position against settlement construction. Buttu told Al Jazeera: They ran a whole campaign without mentioning the words occupation, settlement or annexation. If youre an Israeli who is opposed to annexation and settlements, you were no longer finding an address with the Meretz party. As in previous cases, Netanyahus anti-Palestinian message was central in his campaign. The Likud party put up billboards showing Gantz and Ahmad Tibi, a Joint List lawmaker, sitting together with the caption reading: Without Tibi, Gantz has no government, in an attempt to thwart the right-wing electorate from voting for Gantz. The central part of his campaign was, you either vote for me, or youre going to get Arabs in the government, Buttu said. She added the Joint List stands out as it has shown it is the only party opposing Zionist Israeli policies. Its not just a question of putting anybody but Netanyahu but to actually take a principled position and push for policies that are against the occupation and for equality. And thats something that we havent seen before. However, Nimer Sultany, a reader in public law at Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, said the Joint Lists achievement will not change the fact there is a Zionist consensus that would preclude Arab representatives from effective participation in decision-making. In a Jewish state, Arab participation in government and crucial votes is seen as illegitimate. The List will not be able to influence the parliamentary vote in issues that are at the heart of the Zionist consensus, such as the Jewishness of the state, Sultany told Al Jazeera. Moreover, the Joint Lists ceiling has been lowered into what is effectively a lobbying group that is focused on civic demands, and the substantive agreement amongst the different composites of the List is thin and weak. Story Highlights Iran's 11% favorable rating down five percentage points from 2019 Mexico's, Egypt's ratings each up to highest in more than a decade Most Americans (57%) have favorable view of Ukraine WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Of 20 countries rated in Gallup's 2020 World Affairs survey, 10 receive favorable ratings from a majority of Americans, while an equal number receive unfavorable ratings. Iran's 11% favorable is the lowest of all, followed closely by North Korea's 12%. Meanwhile, Canada and Great Britain, at the very top, are well-regarded by at least nine in 10 Americans. Americans' Favorable Ratings of Foreign Countries Next, I'd like your overall opinion of some foreign countries. What is your overall opinion of [RANDOM ORDER]? Is it very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable or very unfavorable? Very/Mostly favorable Very/Mostly unfavorable % % Canada 93 7 Great Britain 90 9 Germany 85 13 France 84 14 Japan 83 16 India 75 22 Israel 74 25 Mexico 67 32 Egypt 63 34 Ukraine 57 40 Cuba 47 52 Turkey 44 53 Saudi Arabia 34 65 China 33 67 Russia 28 72 The Palestinian Authority 23 73 Iraq 19 81 Afghanistan 18 81 North Korea 12 86 Iran 11 88 GALLUP, Feb. 3-16, 2020 Although North Korea's 2020 favorable rating is similar to 2019, Iran's is down five percentage points, likely reflecting reactions to the U.S.-Iran standoff that occurred at the beginning of 2020. Since Gallup first measured opinions toward Iran, ratings have been only as high as 17% (in 2004 and 2018); they have dropped as low as 5% (in two 1989 polls). Both Iran and North Korea are among the countries Americans have perceived in recent years as being among the United States' greatest enemies. This year's top five rated countries are the same as in 2019, and -- in addition to Canada and Great Britain -- include Germany, France and Japan. Smaller majorities of Americans have favorable views of India, Israel, Mexico, Egypt and Ukraine. Meanwhile, in addition to Iran and North Korea, less than half of Americans have favorable views of Cuba, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, the Palestinian Authority, Iraq and Afghanistan. These data are from Gallup's annual World Affairs poll, conducted Feb. 3-16. Mexico's Favorable Rating Improves to 15-Year High Sixty-seven percent of Americans have a favorable view of Mexico, an eight-point increase from last year and marking the country's highest rating since 2005. Improved ratings of Mexico this year may reflect the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which four in five Americans believe will be good for the U.S. Americans' views of Mexico were the most positive in the early 2000s, when President George W. Bush shared a warm relationship with then-Mexican President Vicente Fox. But Mexico's ratings deteriorated between 2005 and 2011, as illegal immigration and concerns about drugs and gang violence became more prominent issues. By 2011, more Americans viewed Mexico negatively (51%) than positively (45%). The improvement in Mexico's image is driven largely by Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, whose favorable views of the country have increased by 15 points since last year. It is the first time a majority of Republicans have had a positive view of Mexico since 2014. Meanwhile, views among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have been stable in recent years. Favorable Rating of Egypt Highest Since 2008 Egypt's image in the U.S. has recovered to levels recorded before the country's 2011 revolution that ended the three-decade presidency of Hosni Mubarak (Mubarak died shortly after Gallup's latest poll was conducted). The current 63% of Americans who have a favorable view of Egypt marks the first time the country's rating has surpassed the 60% mark since 2008. Saudi Arabia's Image Regains Some of Its 2019 Losses Americans' views of Saudi Arabia took a double-digit hit in 2019. But the country's image has rebounded somewhat, improving by five points to its current 34%, similar to its historical average of 36%. Post-Impeachment Trial, Most Americans Like Ukraine Fifty-seven percent of Americans have a positive view of Ukraine, a country that played a crucial role in the recent impeachment of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, 40% have an unfavorable rating of the country. Ukraine's latest favorable rating falls between Gallup's two previous measures: 67% in 2005, amid the country's "Orange Revolution," and 52% in 2015, during ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Bottom Line Americans can change and have changed their minds about foreign countries, and their views of certain world nations have varied quite a bit in recent decades, generally in response to international events and resulting U.S. foreign policy. While Americans have consistently viewed the United States' neighbor to the north positively, that has not been the case for the neighbor on its southern border. Mexico's image is enjoying a resurgence, even under a U.S. president who has had harsh words for the country. Egypt, too, has become more favorably viewed by Americans. Iran and North Korea may have a harder time changing their images in Americans' eyes, considering their consistently low ratings over time and the fact that both are among the countries Americans are most likely to name as the United States' greatest enemy. View complete question responses and trends. Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. Congress leader on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the detection of fresh cases in India, saying he should quit wasting India's time "playing the clown" with his accounts when India is facing an emergency. Gandhi's attack came after India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from the capital. "Dear @PMOIndia, Quit wasting India's time playing the clown with your accounts, when India is facing an emergency. Focus the attention of every Indian on taking on the Corona virus challenge," Gandhi tweeted. With the message of "Here's how it's done", Gandhi also tweeted a video of Singorean PM Lee Hsien Loong addressing Singaporeans on how to deal with Gandhi's tweet also took a dig on PM Modi's tweet that he was thinking of giving up his accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube this Sunday. On Tuesday, Modi said on Women's Day he will be handing over his social media accounts to women who inspire and urged people to share stories of such women with him. Earlier, Gandhi said a "true leader" would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the potentially deadly virus on the country and its economy. "There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy," Gandhi tweeted. He also tagged his February 12 tweet in which he said the is an extremely serious threat to "our people and our economy". "My sense is the government is not taking this threat seriously. Timely action is critical," he said. India had reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. By Express News Service BENGALURU : Bengalureans swayed to the tunes of Palhaco, Loro, Agua e Vinho and Maracatu Brazilian contemporary jazz under a star-lit evening on Sunday. The Bianca Gismonti trio saw in attendance old Bengalureans, including Hosmat Hospital director and chief of orthopaedics Dr Thomas Chandy, musician Vasundhara Das, artist Rekha Rao and Congress leader Rajeev Gowda. On her maiden visit to India, Bianca, whose group has performed in South America and Japan, said India felt like her spiritual family. Hailing from a family of musicians, Biancas father Egberto Gismonti is considered a Master of Brazilian Music. She is on her maiden visit to India and all throughout, besides her own compositions, her fathers repertoire has remained a part of her. This year, celebrating Egbertos 70th birthday, Bianca decided to put together a full set-list in his honour, with many of the compositions which became hallmarks of his career. I come from a family of musicians and some of the songs are composed by the family and for the them, said Bianca, who is also familiar with Hindustani classical music. Brought to Bengaluru by C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers in collaboration with Apparao Mallavarapu, Honorary Consul of Brazil in Bengaluru, said, We keep hearing jokes about the traffic in Bengaluru. But where do we get a city where the weather is perfect for an outdoor setting like this evening?, a statement the crowd completely agreed with. As our ambassador says, the aim is not just to showcase the culture but to establish a true cultural exchange. We are hoping to bring other artistes of high standard from Brazil here in the future, he added. Inspired by art and music, C Vinod Hayagriv, managing director of C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers, said, Given our deep interest in music, world and Indian heritage, we enjoy supporting theatre and events that reflect fine taste and class. The evening with Bianca saw the audience swaying with delight while also getting a glimpse of Brazilian music.For Shruti Mittal, chairperson, FICCI FLO, Bengaluru, it was a sublime evening of some mesmerising and spirited Brazilian music. My travels to Brazil have made me realise that India and Brazil have passion in common people of both countries are feisty about everything, she said. Pointing out the intricacies, violinist Dr Aneesh Vidyashankar found the performing musicians to have hit the right frequencies with the piano, bass and drum kit. There were no harsh frequencies and that is very important for a jazz trio. They could have easily got a small piano but they took a lot of effort to ensure there was a grand one, as a result of which the production quality was really good, he said, adding that this detailing made the one-hour concert stand out. Recurrent, unplanned readmissions to the hospital -- which happen when patients return shortly after discharge and are readmitted for the same or a related condition -- are a challenge worldwide. Many researchers have examined how to predict them and how to understand the factors that contribute to them. A new study looked at how the risk of readmission progressed over multiple visits to emergency departments (EDs) in Israel by patients with chronic diseases. The study explored a way to identify distinct groups of patients who are more likely to be readmitted so medical professionals can intervene to prevent or reduce the possibility of future readmissions. The study, by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono, appears in MIS Quarterly. "Understanding the differences in disease progression in people who have frequent hospital admissions and predicting the likelihood of their readmission as they move from ED visit to hospitalization are critical steps in developing policies and interventions to minimize adverse outcomes to patients and society," explains Rema Padman, professor of management science and healthcare informatics at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College, who coauthored the study. "Our goal was to see if we could predict each readmission to prevent future readmissions. We hope that if doctors had additional information early in the process, they could intervene earlier to avoid having patients return." Patients who have unplanned readmissions not just once or twice, but multiple times, are costly and challenging for the health care system. Many prior studies have looked at this issue by focusing on one condition, such as congestive heart failure. This study looked at the risk of readmission among patients with more than one chronic condition. Studies show that patients with multiple underlying chronic conditions are more likely to be readmitted to hospitals within 30 days of discharge than those without chronic conditions. Most prior studies have also used information based on patients' most recent visit to the hospital or first readmission to predict the likelihood of a subsequent readmission. This study followed patients over multiple visits: To predict patients' risk of future readmission, researchers applied statistical and machine learning methods to information from the electronic health records of patients with multiple chronic conditions and frequent readmissions that began with a visit to the ED and continued from 2005 to 2008. Specifically, using information from 16,117 patients enrolled in a large Israeli Health Management Organization, the study sought to understand how the risk of readmission progressed over 5 to 12 separate visits to the ED by chronic patients who were readmitted 1 to 11 times. Researchers clustered patients into high-, medium-, and low-risk groups, and then generated predictions about their likelihood of subsequent readmissions based on a range of characteristics of each patient, such as age, gender, and number of chronic conditions and prior stays in the hospitals. The researchers found that tracking multiple readmissions over time can help to identify specific groups of patients early based on their patterns of seeking emergency care and being readmitted. The data led researchers to discover three distinct trajectories related to the progression of readmissions, with a small group of patients displaying increasing likelihood of readmission over time, a large group having low likelihood of readmission, and a third group showing varying likelihoods of readmission over time, which captured the heterogeneity of the patient population. The study also found that 30-day readmission rates differed significantly by age, gender, levels of creatinine (a waste product from wear and tear of muscles), chronic conditions, and length of stay, measured at each visit to the ED. This finding may allow earlier identification of patients who are more likely to be readmitted and this, in turn, could lead to targeted interventions and individualized post-discharge plans for these patients. "Based on the results of our study, high-risk patients can be identified earlier, which will result in better care in the ED, appropriate and timely interventions for coordinated and personalized care in inpatient and ambulatory settings, and better allocation of resources," suggests Ofir Ben-Assuli, senior lecturer at Ono Academic College, who coauthored the study. The authors acknowledge that their study was limited to patients with multiple chronic conditions, so additional research is needed to investigate multiple readmissions in patients without chronic conditions. In addition, lack of availability of data on patient mortality prevented investigation of this important outcome. The research was funded in part by a grant from the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation. ### COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus, has officially come to the greater Houston area. But don't panic. So far, 10 Harris County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and county officials said many cases are travel-related. Another nine tested positive in Fort Bend County, three in Brazoria County, three in Montgomery County and one in Galveston County. A Montgomery County man became first "community spread" case of COVID-19 in the greater Houston area, and 73 people have been diagnosed in Texas as of Monday morning. There are 1,678 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide and over 164,000 worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Texas has also received 11 patients evacuated from a Diamond Princess cruise or Wuhan, China, where it initially broke out. Those patients were quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Heres what you need to know about the respiratory illness that has Houstonians buying canned food and sanitation supplies in bulk. What are the symptoms of coronavirus? What does coronavirus look like for an average person? 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 Novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a pneumonia-like respiratory illness that was first reported in Wuhan, China. Experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the illness is spread person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes within six feet of another, and in some cases, by touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure, health officials said. They include: Fever Cough Difficulty breathing Some recent cases, Baylor College of Medicine experts said, have shown gastrointestinal symptoms. Most people will have mild to severe flu-like symptoms. Elderly people and people with pre-existing medical conditions and compromised immune systems are at risk of seeing more serious symptoms, according to the World Health Organization. Other types of coronaviruses include South Asian Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). But whats the difference between coronavirus and the flu? The flu and coronavirus have similar symptoms. With the flu, you might feel lethargic, or have soreness in your muscles. But most people who contract the strain of coronavirus wont feel that level of achiness and fatigue, said Porfirio Villarreal, a Houston Health Department spokesperson. CDC guidance advises people who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms and have recently traveled to a country with an outbreak, or who have been in close contact with one of those people, to call their doctors. In the United States, the CDC is the primary agency that can test for symptoms of coronavirus. VIRUS UPDATES: Keep up with all the latest news regarding the coronavirus in Texas How do I avoid contracting the virus? Officials emphasize that people should practice good hygiene and avoid people who show symptoms of illness. They should: Avoid touching their faces Avoid close contact with people who are sick Stay home when sick Frequently wash hands Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces with household cleaning supplies Wear a face mask only if they show symptoms of coronavirus The U.S. has issued "do not travel" warnings for China and Iran due to local outbreaks. There are currently multiple travel warnings in place for Azerbajian, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, South Korea and Turkmenistan. Approximately 68 percent of cases are located in China, according to the World Health Organization. Public health officials recommend suspending large events, closing places where there could be mass gatherings and staying six feet apart from others could help slow the spread. With the possibility of spread in one of our communities, now is the time to intensify our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in all our communities, Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner, said in a press release. Public health officials are insistent on only reporting confirmed cases, especially after unfounded rumors have sent businesses spiraling in Houstons Chinatown. If its stigmatized, then people are going to be afraid to come forward, Villarreal said. We want people to tell us. Because thats the way were going to find any possible cases if one develops here. Do I need face masks? Hand sanitizer? Clorox wipes? As the Houston Chronicles Paul Takahashi has reported recently, face masks have been selling like Lizzo rodeo concert tickets (though her appearance, along with the rest of RodeoHouston, has been canceled). That is to say: pharmacies and hardware stores cant keep them in stock. But the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, recently tweeted that the general public should stop buying masks. Certain face masks dont block the tiny microbes produced when a person coughs. Other respirator masks, like N-95 masks, keep 95 percent of dust and small particles out of a persons airways if used correctly. Most people dont fit the masks properly to their faces. Plus, if the mask isnt removed properly, a person can accidentally contaminate themselves. Health care professionals taking care of sick patients are most in need of masks, said Angela Shippy, Memorial Hermanns chief medical officer. Hand sanitizer may remove certain types of germs, but the CDC reports that it wont kill every microbe on your hand. Its better to just wash your hands and regularly disinfect surfaces and commonly used objects, such as cell phones and keyboards. Clorox wipes and disinfectant sprays are fine for doing that. How did people in the greater Houston area contract the coronavirus? There are 14 people diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Houston region. Of them, 12 traveled to Egypt and boarded a Nile river cruise. Another woman recently returned to Harris County from a trip to Italy, which is experiencing a massive outbreak. A Montgomery County man may be the first case of "community spread" of the new virus, and local health officials are still tracing how he was exposed. The man recently attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's BBQ cookoff, but it is still unknown if he had symptoms at the time. What's been canceled? Rodeo is the biggest cancellation in Houston to date. Organizers announced Wednesday it would close off the fairgrounds at 4 p.m. on March 11 and refund tickets. Also on the list: South by Southwest, industry conferences and some school districts. While organizers canceled CERAWeek, one of the largest oil and gas conferences in the country, they said they did so to prioritize the health and safety of participants note that over 5,000 travelers from more than 80 nations were scheduled to come to Houston. Can I still order packages that may originate in China? The virus needs a live carrier to survive. According to the World Health Organization, previous research on coronaviruses shows that it doesnt live for very long on letters and packages. The myths swirling around coronavirus range from sensible questions ("can my pet get the coronavirus?") to the wacky ("I heard garlic wards off microbes"). The World Health Organization has a list of myths that need busting. Can my pet contract coronavirus? There is one case of human-to-animal transmission in Hong Kong, according to the local government. Hong Kongs Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the coronavirus can live on a surface like a pets mouth, nose or furry coat. The concern is still focused on human-to-human transmission, but out of an abundance of caution pet owners should take steps to protect their pets from this virus, Michael San Filippo, a American Veterinary Medical Association spokesperson, told Chronicle reporter Emma Balter. Is any one group more susceptible to the virus? Certain races or ethnicities are not more likely to be infected by the coronavirus. Diseases dont discriminate. People of all ages can contract the virus; Houston Health Department officials say that older people and people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms. If I think I actually have contracted coronavirus, where do I go? Harris County Public Health director Dr. Umair Shah said the first thing to do is to self-quarantine. Certainly the most important thing, Shah said at a February press conference addressing false rumors in Chinatown, is that we dont show up in an emergency department, a hospital or a clinic, but we contact ahead so that emergency department, hospital or clinic knows that we feel we may be sick. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus fears spark panic buying at Houston-area retailers On that call, inform them of your symptoms and any recent travel to affected countries, or exposure to people who have traveled to places on the CDCs restricted travel list. Hospitals will advise you to come in for urgent care and public health officials will be notified. Medical experts at the University of California San Francisco recommend calling your doctor only if you have traveled to an area with a coronavirus outbreak or been in contact with someone who has recently traveled there within the last two weeks. The medical provider will collect specimens, such as a nasal swab, for samples and send it off to a local health department. The Houston Health Department will do initial testing and send samples to the CDC headquarters in Atlanta for final confirmation if results come back positive. It takes a day to ship the specimens to Atlanta. Results will be available up to 48 hours after arrival, as CDC workers work through the onslaught of kits, wait for testing chemicals to react with the samples and confirm the results, Villarreal said. How are Houstons hospitals and public health departments preparing? The Houston Health Department has received testing kits from the CDC and can test up to 350 cases. Department staff are being trained on how to properly use the tests, Villarreal said. Local hospital employees have been told to wear a N-95 respirator mask, protective face shield and isolation gown if they work with a patient suspected of being exposed to coronavirus, said Memorial Hermanns Shippy. Were following all CDC and World Health Organization protocols to ensure our workforce is protected as they take care of those patients, she said. At Houston Methodist, physicians and hospital staff have been directed to ask about certain symptoms and travel plans. If a patient is suspected of contracting the virus, doctors are supposed to place them in isolation with eye protection and a surgical mask, then transferred to the nearest emergency department. The ebola scare from a few years ago ended up being great practice in getting ready for other possible health scares, said Stefanie Asin, a Houston Methodist spokesperson. Theres no doubt well be ready to go if the virus comes to Houston. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday criticised the Union government for opposing a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the deadly Delhi violence as it would disrupt the peace. Mr Owaisi said this after he attended a meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Parliament earlier in the day. The Speaker wanted to have a dialogue with representatives of all parties for the smooth functioning of the House as, on the first day of the second phase of the Budget session, Opposition members had stormed the well of the house. In a series of tweets, Mr Owaisi said that the government was arguing that a parliamentary debate on the Delhi violence, in which over 45 people have been killed, would disrupt the peace. He argued that Parliament had discussed the Gujarat 2002 riots and a parliamentary delegation was sent to the state following the riots. The government is now opposing discussion in the Lok Sabha about the Delhi carnage, he said.. He said, "Let the debate happen in compliance with the rules and procedures of the House and if someone violates them it must be expunged from the record. But parliamentarians cannot be prevented from speaking. I volunteered to be part of any delegation that meets the affected people." Mr Owaisi also said that appointing a Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha cannot be delayed any further as it burdens the office of the Speaker. The Deputy Speaker must be appointed at the earliest. Mr Owaisi said in his tweet, The electronic & social media is already reporting on whats happening. Victims voices need a forum to vent their fears & concerns. The courts have been keeping these issues pending. Parliament cannot close its doors. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's "derogatory" comments against centenarian freedom fighter H S Doreswamy disrupted Karnataka assembly proceedings for the second day on Tuesday, with Congress insisting on a discussion on the issue and the Speaker disallowing it, citing rules. The stalemate engulfed most of the proceedings as the House, scheduled to meet at 11 AM for a special discussion on the Constitution, assembled only by 1.40 PM as hectic parleys were on at Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri's chamber. Earlier, Congress members continued their protest from the well, with Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Siddarmaiah demanding they be allowed to raise the issue under a rule giving residuary powers to the Speaker and that Yatnal be expelled for violating a provision of the Constitution. However, ruling BJP members, including Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy objected and said as per rules notice should also be served to the member against whom action was sought. Madhuswamy also said the constitutional provisions cited by Siddaramaiah related to fundamental duties and does not have any link to the present case. "Ideals are different from individuals- the law is very clear. The fundamental duties have not been touched in this case and hence the notice by LoP should be rejected," he said. As arguments continued and his repeated requests to the opposition to give notice as per rules and until then continue with the special debate on the Constitution bore no fruit, the Speaker read out his ruling,rejecting the notice given by LoP. Since a charge had been levelled against a member, notice had to be given and a copy served to the member concerned and also the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, he said. As the given notice was based on media reports, it cannot be allowed as per rules, the Speaker said. "The incident had happened outside the House and it has come across that the member (Yatnal) had not violated the fundamental duties under Article 51(A) of the Constitution. In this background the notice given by the LoP cannot be considered. Hence the notice has been rejected," the Speaker ruled and adjourned the House for lunch. Terming Kageri's ruling as "partisan","undemocratic" and "dictatorial", Siddaramaiah said Congress would continue to protest in the house. Yatnal's recent comments against Doreswamy, calling him a "fake freedom fighter" and "Pakistani agent", has been in the eye of the storm with opposition parties up in arms against him in the last few days. Congress has even been demanded revocation his assembly membership. A defiant Yatnal has made it clear there was no question of withdrawing his statements against Doreswamy and had even called him a "mouthpiece" in favour of JD(S) and Congress. Several BJP legislators too have come out in defence of the Vijayapura City MLA, questioning Congress and the freedom fighter for their alleged comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and another freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. Before the Speaker's ruling,both Congress and BJP members engaged in heated arguments. As Siddarmaiah alleged that RSS was behind such comments made by Yatnal, BJP members strongly objected to it. BJP MLA Sunil Kumar said Siddarmaiah had made remarks against the Speaker and he should also be expelled. Minister K S Eshwarappa alleged that the LoP had made derogatory comments against Modi in the past and so he should also be expelled. Another BJP MLA pointed out that Doreswamy had made comments against Veer Savarkar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to remain calm following the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country. Recall that on Friday, the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed that an Italian who came to Nigeria tested positive to the virus. Also Read: Coronavirus: If It Was A Nigerian That Took The Disease To Italy, Their Government Would Have Bastardised Newspapers With His Photos- Shehu Sanni Reacting to the situation, Buhari commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of healths, Lagos State Government and Ogun State Government for being proactive in combating the spread of the virus. President Buhari urged Nigerians to remain calm as he advised them to desist from panicking. See his post below: IN ITS vision to be an indispensable partner in the lives of all Filipinos, Phoenix Petroleum kicked off 2020 by participating in three of the most renowned and sought-after festivals in the Visayas region -- the Sinulog in Cebu, Ati-Atihan in Aklan, and Dinagyang in Iloilo. In the Queen City of the South, Grab drivers under the Phoenix Tsuper Club enjoyed big discounts on lubricants and P500 worth of fuel products as a welcome gift at the Banilad and B. Rodriguez retail stations. Regular motorists also enjoyed five-peso and two-peso discount per liter of gasoline and diesel products, respectively, at six participating stations within Cebu City for four days during the Sinulog festival. Phoenix Super LPG, meanwhile, held a series of activations in various communities where homeowners were able to swap their current LPG cylinders for new, filled-up Phoenix Super LPG tanks. Cebuanos are no different from other Filipinos in their love for flashy and fast automobiles, and they had their fix with a two-day Bumper2Bumper car show sponsored by Phoenix Pulse and Phoenix Lubricant brands Accelerate, Zoelo and Cyclomax. Phoenix also supported the much-anticipated Baladhay Music Festival, where audience members were invited to the Phoenix Pulse booth to score exclusive Sinulog items as they shared their social media photos with the @phoenixfuels account and used the hashtags #ComeAliveWithPhoenixPulse and #Sinulog2020. Food kiosks at the festival utilizing Phoenix Super LPG gave revelers a taste of its safe, sigurado, simple cooking experience. To cap off its celebrations in Cebu, Phoenix participated in the Grand Sinulog Parade with special celebrity guest Joross Gamboa, giving away Phoenix Super LPG items to inspire Cebuanos to level up their cooking experience at home. In Aklan and Iloilo, Phoenix similarly made its presence felt in the annual Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang festivals, respectively, by bannering Phoenix Super LPG premium items and giving away free Phoenix Super LPG tanks. An exclusive stove set promo with Phoenix Super LPG and hose plus SRG regulator encouraged locals to try out this more economical yet value-laden alternative to their usual LPG brands. Phoenixs participation in these iconic festivals not only pays homage to the value of regional pride, having started out as a homegrown enterprise in Davao City, but also shows how the Philippines is a nation of rich diversity. Filipinos from all walks of life can definitely look forward to Phoenix being a big part of their local celebrations, wherever they may be. (PR) MBABANE Eswatini TV employee Phephisa Zwane has been arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder. Zwane (45) is alleged to have attempted to kill Sibahle Matsebula, who he was accusing of having stolen his television set and other items. He is reported to have committed the offence with Mduduzi Lukhele, Jabulani Mamba and Khulekani Mabuza. They are alleged to have tied Matsebula with a rope around the neck and further dragged him with car. In the second count, they are alleged to have attempted to kill Melusi Shongwe by also tying him with a rope around the neck and further dragging him with a car. Torture The quartet is alleged to have committed the offence at Mashobeni in the Shiselweni Region on February 21, 2020. His co-accused are facing further charges of attempted murder in that they attempted to kill Lwazi Hlophe by drowning, kicking and beating him with a sjambok all over the body. Also facing the same charge is, Satiso Mabuza of the same area who is also accused of having participated in some of the offences faced by Zwane and his co-accused. They made their first appearance at the Nhlangano Magistrates court on Saturday and they were advised to move a bail application at the High Court in the event they so desired. So severe were the injuries sustained by Matsebula during the torture that he had to be rushed to hospital to receive medical attention. As proof of the severity of the injuries, Matsebulas body is now covered in scars especially on the neck. During the assault, Matsebula was allegedly made to admit knowledge of the stolen items under coercion. Acquaintance Narrating about the torment, Matsebula alleged that Zwane first tormented his nephew, who happened to mention his name during the process as he was also trying to save his skin. Matsebula alleged that Zwane and his friends then drove off heading towards a bottle store where liquor was purchased. He said from the bottle store, Zwane and his group then checked upon their victim (nephew) inside the boot and when opening it, he was able to flee. According to Matsebula, after they were outsmarted by their victim, they changed plans and drove straight to his homestead where they used his close acquaintance to get him out of the house. Torture In a previous interview with Zwane, he acknowledged that he knew Matsebula and that he (Matsebula) and his friends had allegedly stolen items in his house which included an LED television set, home theatre system and a cellphone. He first said he was not involved in the torture and assault of Matsebula. However, he later confessed that he, together with friends, used a cable to tie their victims to force them to talk as they were allegedly reluctant to do so. All I wanted was my stolen items, he said. A couple holding hands over a table with coffee mugs and a candle It has been four years and almost two months now since I lost my brother to suicide. I have experienced the highs and lows of grief too many times to count at this point. During those four years, I found more questions than answers. My emotions have ranged from joyful to miserable, dejected to livid and yet sometimes even unsympathetic. Ive found outlets for my own grief and helped others find theirs. It has been a journey Id love to have never experienced, but it has made me stronger. Looking back is something we all need to do to assess where we have come from and who we are today. Those who experience suicide loss share one thing in common. None of us grieve the same. There are similarities, but its never an identical process. My first few months were just a fog. I went from having a little brother to the only son. I was newly married four months prior to his passing and now a father. I went from living paycheck to paycheck to being the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that paid out more than I knew what to do with. To say I had no control over my life at this point would be an understatement. Not only did I not have control, but I also had no clue what direction to go anymore. Everything I had learned up to this point seemed like complete bullshit. Related: Netflix Show 'I Am Not Okay With This' Nails Shows Real Effects of Suicide Loss I believed I was a confident, strong-willed 29-year-old male who was poised in difficult situations. The hurt and confusion associated with my brothers passing taught me I had been feeding myself a lot of lies. I fell apart the day he passed away and during the months that followed. My confidence in my ability to make the right decision and provide the correct advice to others disappeared in an instant. Daily tasks were like moving mountains. The loss of my brother was debilitating. I didnt want to function as a husband, father, brother, son or friend. I was so mad at the world; I had essentially lost the capacity to function in it. Story continues Some people may turn to their immediate family for support, but this passing was different than others. My parents had just lost their son. The excruciating distress they were experiencing is something to this day I pray I will never have to experience. My siblings and I shared a similar standpoint in my brothers life, but each of us were in drastically different positions when it came to our ability to discuss our grief. Their distress pushed me away from confiding in them. That inability to confide in them only made me feel lonelier. I dont hold any of them responsible at all. What Id like for survivors to understand is this type of loss took away my longest support structure. To this day we still have never truly sat down and discussed my brothers passing. The memories bring smiles to our face, but the tears it brings up is like losing a piece of our soul again. Related: The 3 Words My Grandmother Said That Made Me Rethink Dying by Suicide Up to this point, I hated my brother and thought he was a selfish bastard for taking his own life. I was angry at him for not saying anything beforehand. I was mad at myself for the prior conversations we had and how I handled them. The what ifs and whys pushed me to the brink. I constantly asked myself what was so bad that he had to end his own life? As a parent, I did not understand how suicide was even an option, which made me even more frustrated. Thinking of his son growing up without a father was infuriating. The fuel to my internal fire just kept growing, which was spilling over into my personal life. I was treating my wife and son differently. I could feel myself taking my rage out on them. They didnt deserve it, but they were the only ones up to this point whom I was willing to share my emotions with. Everyone else I shared them with were either too immature or lacked the understanding of suicide to even begin discussing it. Then there were those who would turn and run the minute I started talking about my brother. The ugly face of the stigma surrounding suicide had revealed itself to me, and I was stuck in an endless loop of fear, anger and loneliness. Related: I Am Not a Liability Because I'm Suicidal It wasnt until I met other survivors that I truly started to find my footing back. Ill never forget the first training I went through with the SD Helpline. We met in Brookings, South Dakota, for two days. The purpose was to teach us how to share our stories in public. For me, it had a different meaning. It was my first opportunity to meet three other survivors who recently experienced a loss. There were two mothers and a sister along with myself. We spent the next 12 hours roughly piecing together memories of our lost loved ones, sharing them out loud and supporting one another as our grief bubbled to the surface. Honestly, I cant remember what I shared, but I will never forget the stories these three women shared. It may have seemed insignificant to them, but for me, it gave me a chance to realize I wasnt alone. I learned the emotional roller coaster ride I had been on was something others experienced. There were people out there I could now talk to and share my feelings with who had a bit of perspective into what I was experiencing. It was like a huge weight had been removed from my shoulders, and I was able to begin walking upright again. After coming to grips with the reality that my brother was never coming back, I still found myself a bit lost. I had found other survivors, but something was still absent. My wife made one of the best recommendations throughout my grief process. She sat me down one day and made it clear I needed to do something for myself. A hobby or activity that allowed me to find myself again. My go-to in the past had always been hitting the gym. For some reason, the gym was now a very difficult place to go back to. The time alone with my thoughts, the weights and music were too much for me to handle. The right song would come on, and I would lose all control of my emotions. That stress release was now gone. I had gained a lot of weight, and stress and anger were building up inside me. My wife began to mention how I was deflecting that stress on her, our son, family and friends, which needed to stop. To make sure this didnt continue, I found something that allowed me to address both my stress and grief in one. Much to my wifes surprise, I started a nonprofit organization called Survivors Joining for Hope. (This isnt a plug for our organization, it truly has become a piece of my own grief process.) SJ4H allowed me to help people who experienced a loss to suicide and meet new survivors one-on-one through our outreach program. Sitting down with these individuals and families allowed me to share my story in a healthy manner, while giving me a sense of self-worth again. Soon I found myself so comfortable with the discussion of suicide that it was like any other conversation. The stigma had basically been eliminated from my own world. Since the inception of the organization, we have helped many families, whether through financial assistance, our survivor outreach program, support group, Survivor Day (partnered with AFSP) and various events throughout the community. Unfortunately, all this work and preparation didnt prepare me for the second time my life would be touched by suicide. Ill never forget the day. I was sitting in the SJ4H board room when my phone rang. It was my wife, and just by her breathing pattern, I could tell something was wrong. Her best friend and maid of honor at our wedding had just died by suicide. All the training I had gone through and the experience I had accumulated didnt prepare me for this moment. Her best friend had a one-of-a-kind personality. It lit up a room and brought a smile to everyones face. Even if you tried to resist her, eventually you would be sucked in. We shared drastically different perspectives at times, but she was one of the best people to ever come into my wifes life. She provided guidance and perception that is so rare in this world. The pain and grief I carry for her, her family and my wife match that of my own brothers passing. Having to watch my wife experience the same agony I endured not three years prior was the second most difficult moment in my life. Not only did I observe her struggle, I understood it. I knew there were no words I could say that would make it any easier. As a husband, your job is to support and care for your wife during difficult times. Despite all Ive experienced, it frustrated me to my core knowing there was so little I could do. All I could do was hold her when she was upset, listen when she was open to talking and be there for her whenever she asked for me. Another side effect was my wifes own emotions brought back memories I had suppressed. Watching her struggle with grief created a battle within myself. I caught myself randomly crying as memories came flooding back. While the struggle was not as intense as it was prior, trying to balance my own recurring grief with my wifes was a challenge that took time. To an extent, this was my wifes first time being impacted. It was a priority for me to make sure she had the proper time and environment to handle her grief. It has been four years now, and coming to terms with his passing is still a bit of a struggle. I have learned that suicide is often associated with a mental health disorder. I personally feel its not that simple. My brother struggled with depression, alcohol and had one of the most difficult childhoods Ive ever heard of. But to me, his suicide felt like a snap decision, a lapse of judgment compounded by the stress of life. Im sure you are thinking I just admitted to him essentially having two mental health issues, and you would be correct. Isnt it possible that life just becomes too difficult? Can some of these deaths be a quick decision made in the heat of the moment? I personally believe that was my brothers situation. This may be my own coping mechanism, because the thought of my brother truly having a mental health issue and not talking about it with me is hard to deal with. Our society is so focused on putting labels on everything that we forget, life is just hard. Im not sure I will ever come to terms with my brothers passing. I may never forgive myself for not being there for him when he needed me most. I will say that time has made it easier to cope. Surrounding myself with my family, friends and other survivors has put me in a position to continue down the long road of life. Im sorry I cant tell you it gets easier, because that would simply be a lie. If I could make a recommendation for new survivors reading this, it would be to be patient with yourself. Life is difficult, and suicide compounds that tenfold. Look down the road one day at a time. Allow yourself to grieve. Feel the tears stream down your cheeks, and simply sob. Scream as loud as you can to release the anger inside. Allow the ones who love you to support you when you are on your knees and unsure how to stand. Smile when it seems like the last possible thing you should be doing. Step away from the stress of life, and focus on you. Remember, grief is never easy, but if you just put one foot in front of the other youll eventually find your way. Trust me. Read more stories like this on The Mighty: What I Realized as I Was Saying Goodbye, Prepared to Die by Suicide New Research Provides Evidence Toxic Masculinity Leads to a Higher Risk of Suicide What I Need From Loved Ones When Im Suicidal Chief Minister Yediyurappa announces Nano Technology Park in Karnataka The 11th edition of Bengaluru India Nano, one of the front running events of the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka with the theme New Dimensions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for Industry 4.0 was inaugurated by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in the presence of Prof. C N R Rao, FRS, National Research Professor, Linus Pauling Research Professor, Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Chairman Vision Group on Science and Technology and Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka and Chief Mentor of Bengaluru India Nano, Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for IT, BT and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, Prof. Roger Howe, Stanford University, USA, Rizwan Arshad, MLA, Shivajinagar, Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka and Chairman Karnataka Scientific and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), Prof. Ajay Sood, FRS, Chair Professor, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Dr. H Honne Gowda, Special Secretary (Technical), Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka and Managing Director, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), on 2nd March 2020 in Bengaluru. Delivering the inaugural address, B S Yediyurappa, Hon. Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka, said, Our aim is to make Karnataka a hub for nanotechnology. The Government of Karnataka is keen to provide the necessary priority through development of strong institutional base, infrastructure support and skilled manpower to create the right ecosystem for nanotechnology growth in the State. The Government is proposing to develop a nano park in the State in collaboration with the Government of India. Establishment of common instrumentation facilities to provide greater emphasis for growth of this emerging field will also be considered. Action will be taken for up-skilling and re-skilling the manpower required for this sunrise industry. I call upon scientists and engineers to come up with innovative nano technology based solutions for food security, energy security, water purification, healthcare, waste management and to combat environmental hazards, which are expected to increase many folds in the near future due to urbanization, population growth and change in lifestyle. The Chief Minister also presented the prestigious Prof. C.N.R Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award 2020 to Prof. P.S. Anil Kumar, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru for his outstanding contribution to nanotechnology. Prof. C N R Rao, FRS, National Research Professor, Linus Pauling Research Professor, Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Chairman Vision Group on Science and Technology and Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka and Chief Mentor of Bengaluru India Nano said, Nanotechnology has been making giant strides in the field of healthcare but I feel that there is still a lot of potential that can be tapped. I urge our young scientists to conduct more research in the field of healthcare and come out with some great solutions. Bengaluru India Nano acts as a global platform for convergence of research, academia and industry to explore emerging opportunities and for deliberation. Some of the key focus areas of Bengaluru India Nano 2020 will be on Nano in Energy for E-mobility, Nano in Agriculture, Nano for Clean Water and Environment and Nano in Manufacturing. Around 30 world class speakers from leading industries and organizations, both from India and abroad will address this event. Bengaluru INDIA NANO is mentored by Indias foremost scientist Prof. C N R Rao, FRS, National Research Professor, Linus Pauling Research Professor, Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and Chairman Vision Group of Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka and structured by the Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka. Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for IT, BT and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, in his address said, The Government of Karnataka is in the process of bringing out a Science and Technology Policy, wherein we are proposing many programs to support R&D in the State. The vision group chaired by Prof. CNR Rao will help us in formulating the policy and identify priority areas to build core competencies and foster research in this advanced discipline, so as to address present and future development needs. Our focus is also to make Bengaluru and Karnataka as a leader of Nanotechnology with collaboration and co-operation of premier institutes in Bengaluru such as Indian Institute of Science, Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, NCBS and others. The Government will leave no stone unturned to provide all facilities in terms of state-of-the-art infrastructure and proactive policy to ensure the growth of nanotechnology in the State. In his speech, Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, said, The global market for Nanotechnology is projected to reach $125.70 billion by 2024 at a CAGR of around 17%, driven by growing R&D efforts directed at enabling the development of nanotech-based products and solutions in diverse industries. Bengaluru India Nano offers an unparalleled opportunity for business networking and for knowledge sharing in the exciting field of Nanotechnology and it has now evolved as the leading and most sought-after international Nanotech event in India. Among the prominent awards conferred at Bengaluru India Nano 2020 was Bengaluru India Nano Innovation Award which was presented to Dr. Sandip Patil, Founder Director, E-Spin Nanotech, Kanpur. MILAN (AP) The coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy has so overwhelmed the public health system that officials are taking extraordinary measures to care for the sick, seeking to bring doctors out of retirement and accelerate graduation dates for nursing students. The region of Lombardy is the epicenter of Italys outbreak, registering the first positive test of the northern cluster and now counting at least 1,254 of Italy's 2,036 cases. Alarmingly, 10% of Lombardys doctors and nurses cannot work because they tested positive for the virus and are in quarantine, the regions top health official, Giulio Gallera, said Monday. With officials expecting Italys numbers to continue rising for at least another week, until containment measures begin to show their effect, the health care emergency in Lombardy has reached a crisis point. Hospitals in hard-hit Lodi and Cremona were so overwhelmed at times last week, with more sick people arriving than could be accepted, that they closed their emergency rooms and new patients were taken elsewhere. Effectively some of the hospitals in Lombardy are under a stress that is much heavier than what this area can support, Dr. Massimo Galli, head of infectious disease at Milans Sacco Hospital, told Sky TG24. This epidemic is on a scale that is larger than anyone could have thought, imagined or prevented. Still, the north's intensive care sections of hospitals are still able to handle their case loads, the head of the national Civil Protection agency, Angelo Borrelli, told reporters Monday evening. Some 9% of people diagnosed with the COVID-19 need intensive care, Borrelli said. Lombardys regional government has asked the central government to reactivate retired doctors and nurses and get them back on the payroll. In addition, nursing students who were due to take their final exams next month are now expected to graduate in the coming days so they can be immediately put to work, Gallera said. Story continues We'll take anyone: old, young. We need personnel, especially qualified doctors," Gallera told reporters. Private hospitals in Lombardy have offered up beds in intensive care units and more than a dozen doctors from the private sector have agreed to work in public hospitals to ease the crisis, regional president Attilio Fontana said.Regional authorities have asked Lombardy's hospitals to reduce by 70 percent their planned or elective surgeries, to free up ICU beds for virus patients. Underscoring the emergency, Fontana himself has been in quarantine for several days after one of his top aides tested positive for the virus. A second member of the regional government tested positive Monday, forcing the entire regional government to undergo testing. Fontana has been working and sleeping in his office, appearing at each days virus briefing via video. Lombardy and Veneto, along with another northern region, Emilia-Romagna have registered a total of 52 deaths in patients with the virus, Borrelli said, with 18 of those deaths occurring on Monday. Authorities have stressed that the deaths have occurred in people who were already weakened by chronic diseases like kidney ailments, diabetes and heart problems, and many of those who died were in their 80s or 90s. In recent days, the United States issued a travel advisory warning American citizens against visiting. While schools remained closed Monday in the hardest-hit regions, the Duomo catherdral in Milan, Italy's financial hub, reopened to tourists. The Lombardy cluster was first registered in the tiny town of Codogno on Feb. 19, when the first patient tested positive. Several doctors, nurses and patients at Codogno's hospital tested positive as well, since no protective measures had been taken when the patient first came to the emergency room a day earlier complaining of flu-like symptoms. The plight of the Codogno medical staff has become emblematic of the challenges facing Lombardy's health system, which has also been hit by a chronic shortage of protective masks. A visiting World Health Organization mission made a public rebuke of the Italian government last week demanding that the front-line heroes" of Italy's virus crisis receive the protective equipment they need. Civil protection chief Angelo Borrelli has insisted Italy is doing what it can, including centralizing the acquisition and distribution of specialized masks, which Italy doesn't produce domestically. To confront the strains, the civil protection force has erected 283 triage units in tents outside hospitals and other facilities in the hard-hit regions, to provide protected environment for patients to be assessed and treated. Borrelli has to date rejected suggestions that Italy erect a Wuhan-style hospital specifically to treat virus cases, saying officials have considered such a scenario but to date believe they can handle the outbreak with existing structures and mobile hospital units. ___ Winfield reported from Rome. Frances D'Emilio contributed from Rome. ___ Follow APs coverage of the new coronavirus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak To keep our community informed of the most urgent coronavirus news, The San Francisco Chronicles critical updates are free to read. Ongoing coverage is available to subscribers. Subscribe now for full access and to support our work. Total coronavirus cases: 1,887 in California, including 798 in the Bay Area. 35,530 cases in the U.S., with 473 deaths: 35 in California, 153 in New York, 95 in Washington state, 25 in Georgia, 21 in New Jersey, 20 in Louisiana, 13 in Florida, 10 in Michigan, 9 in Illinois, 8 in Texas and Connecticut, 7 each in Colorado and Indiana, 6 in Virginia, 5 in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Oregon, 4 in Wisconsin, 3 each in Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio and South Carolina, 2 each in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont, and one each in Minnesota, Mississippi, South Dakota and Utah. More than 354,000 in the world and more than 15,400 deaths. More than 100,000 people have recovered. For a detailed map, check out The Chronicles Coronavirus Tracker. To get regular updates on our coverage, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter. For more information about the shelter-in-place orders across most of the Bay Area, read this story. Developments from March 24: 11:50 p.m. Stanford reports one on-campus case, 24 in broad community: Stanford officials are aware of one positive COVID-19 case among students currently living on campus, according to an update from Associate Vice Provost Russell Furr. Officials are aware of 24 total confirmed cases involving people connected to Stanford as faculty, staff, students or postdocs, the update states. That number includes people tested at Stanford and people who were tested elsewhere and self-reported results to the university. The student living on campus who tested positive is self-isolating on campus. The others are being advised to self-isolate and seek out medical care. Officials noted the case count may not be comprehensive as it is based partly on self-reporting. 11:25 p.m. McConnell calls stimulus bill a war-time level of investment: Speaking on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late Tuesday night of a $2 trillion stimulus package to jolt the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic: In effect, this is a war-time level of investment into our nation. The package would reportedly send money to citizens, businesses and states affected by the pandemic. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it the largest rescue package in American history. Schumer, also speaking on the Senate floor, said: This is not a moment of celebration but one of necessity. McConnell said: It will rush new resources onto the front lines of our nations health care fight. And it will inject trillions of dollars of cash into the economy as fast as possible to help American workers, families, small businesses and industries make it through this disruption and emerge on the other side ready to soar. 10:23 p.m. White House and Senate reach deal on $2 trillion emergency stimulus package: The Trump Administration and Senate reached a deal on a massive stimulus package meant to pour money into an economy battered by the coronavirus, The Washington Post reported. According to the Post, the legislation would provide $1,200 checks to many Americans, set aside $500 billion for cities, states and industries, and devote $367 billion for loans to small businesses. Congress will speed the bill through both houses without formal hearings, the report says. 10:15 p.m. Immigrants detained by ICE file lawsuit, demand release: Thirteen immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at two California facilities including Yuba County Jail in Marysville filed a lawsuit in federal district court Tuesday demanding to be released because they say their health conditions make them vulnerable to dying if they get infected with the coronavirus. 10:13 p.m. Tech conference producer shuts down business: O'Reilly Media said it would no longer produce in-person events, and would shut down that part of its business. The Sebastopol company, whose chairman, Tim O'Reilly, is a widely respected internet expert, is best known for the Web 2.0 Summit events that highlighted a second wave of online companies that came after the dot-com boom. CEO Laura Baldwin said the coronavirus had a "material impact" on its business and might permanently change demand for live events. 10:05 p.m. More than one-third of Alameda County cases in 20-44 age range: Alameda County public health officer Dr. Erica Pan said Tuesday that more than one-third of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county are aged 20-44. Speaking at a Board of Supervisors meeting, Pan said most or none of those patients were hospitalized. Alameda County reported a total of 124 positive cases on Tuesday, not including those in City of Berkeley, which reported 11 positive cases. Pan said Alameda County is currently giving about 30 tests a day at its public health lab with priority on staff and residents of long-term care facilities, health-care personnel, quarantined contacts of confirmed cases and the critically ill. 9:30 p.m. SF sheriffs deputy cadet tests positive: A deputy cadet who works security at City Hall has tested positive for coronavirus, sources say. In an email obtained by the Chronicle Tuesday night, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Angela Calvillo sought to assure City Hall staff that they are at low risk of contracting COVID-19 even if the individual who tested positive for the disease handled your bag. A spokesperson for the SF Sheriffs department did not immediately return a request for comment. 8:30 p.m. Marin County clarifies parks closure: Outdoor recreation areas including parks, open spaces and campgrounds in Marin County are closed to motorized access, but people can still access those areas by foot, bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle, county health officials clarified Tuesday. People with physical limitations or who live up steep hills can still access park facilities by motorized means to the minimum extent necessary to engage in essential activities. All visitors are told to follow social distancing requirements. 7:38 p.m. Los Angeles County amends report of youth death from COVID-19: Health officials in Los Angeles County issued a statement saying the death of a minor previously reported as being from COVID-19 will require further evaluation by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Earlier Tuesday, county health officials said a youth from Lancaster was among four new deaths in the county. Gov. Gavin Newsom cited the case in a briefing as evidence that: Young people can and will be impacted by this virus. The countys statement later Tuesday, though, indicated cause of death could have been something else: Though early tests indicated a positive result for COVID-10, the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation for this fatality. 7:30 p.m. NFL to close team facilities: The National Football League sent a memo to teams saying team facilities will be closed Wednesday for at least two weeks, with limited exceptions, according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter. The league will determine April 8 whether to reopen the facilities with advice from medical experts and public health authorities. In a statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the decision was made to ensure that all clubs operate on a level playing field, and that the NFL continues to conduct itself in a responsible way at this time Employees providing medical treatment to players or working in security or maintaining teams IT networks can continue to work at team facilities. Teams can still sign players and otherwise conduct business remotely. 7:02 p.m. CDC report says that coronavirus stayed on cruise ship surfaces for 17 days: A report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the coronavirus lingered for more than two weeks on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Health officials found traces of the virus in cabins of infected passengers up to 17 days after the passengers left, the report says. The cabins in question had not yet been disinfected. The data could not determine whether transmission of the virus occurred from these contaminated surfaces, but it suggests that further study of infection on cruise ships is warranted, the report says. The Diamond Princess carried 3,711 passengers and crew members before arriving in Yokohama, Japan in January. Of that total, 712 tested positive for COVID-19. 6:48 p.m. Bay Area ferry agency asks Newsom for $4 million: Although the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority cut service during the coronavirus pandemic, officials hope to keep enough captains, deckhands, engineers and other staff on hand to operate the fleet in an emergency. So WETA has joined the chorus of transit agencies asking Gov. Gavin Newsom for emergency stimulus funding. In a letter to the Newsom, Board of Directors Chair Jim Wunderman cited WETA's mission to provide a reliable transbay crossing if other agencies are decimated by, say, an earthquake in the midst of the pandemic. WETA has lost an estimated $8 million in fares as commuters shelter at home, but officials identified $4 million in fuel savings and surplus revenue from strong passenger counts early in the year. 6:42 p.m. Hospital ship USNS Mercy en route to Los Angeles: The hospital ship USNS Mercy is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles this weekend to aid in coronavirus response, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a Tuesday briefing. The ship is departing from Naval Station San Diego carrying more than 800 Navy medical personnel and support staff, the U.S. Navy reported. It will serve as a referral hospital to treat non-COVID-19 patients and allow local hospitals to focus on COVID-19 cases. Newsom said the ship could arrive in Los Angeles as early as Friday. 6:40 p.m. Gulfs emerge between Newsom, Trump: Newsom said he is operating not just on a different timeline from President Trump when it comes to the outbreak, but on an entirely different playing field. In contrast to the president has made it clear he doesnt see the crisis resolving anytime soon. Click here for the full story. 6:28 p.m. Newsom signs order halting intake at state prisons: Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to temporarily halt intake and transfer of inmates at the states 35 prisons and youth at the states four youth correctional facilities. Intake is halted for the next 30 days, during which inmates and youth will remain in county custody. The time frame can be extended if needed. The order also directs the Board of Parole Hearings to hold parole hearings by video conference starting no later than April 13 and for the next 60 days. As of Monday, there were five confirmed cases of COVID-19 among CDCR staff and one confirmed case of an inmate in the states prison system. 6:03 p.m. Newsom appeals to young Californians after death of minor: Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed sympathy to the family and community of a minor from Lancaster (Los Angeles County) who died after contracting COVID-19. Young people can and will be impacted by this virus, he said. In a press briefing, Newsom said nearly 50% of positive cases in California were in patients age 18-to-49, though the hospitalization rate is skewed toward older patients. I just cannot impress upon the young people out there more the seriousness of this moment and how critical they are to ultimately getting us on the other side by practicing that social distancing that we are all accustomed to hearing but not in every case advancing individually, Newsom said. 5:55 p.m. Newsom says California unlikely to reopen by early April: Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a briefing Tuesday that it would be misleading to think California can re-open businesses and resume operating normally by early April. Earlier Tuesday, President Donald Trump stated a hope for much of the country to re-open by Easter, which falls on April 12. Were trying to bend that curve, Newsom said, referencing the increase of COVID-19 cases in California, but we havent bent it. Newsom said the next 6-to-8 weeks will be pivotal and determinative in terms of being able to make adjustments and being able to sort of reset expectations. But I think April, for California, would be sooner than any of the experts that Ive talked to would believe is possible. 5:50 p.m. Bay Area transit agencies instructing passengers to board buses through the rear: AC Transit instructed passengers to start boarding buses through the rear doors this week, a move to protect bus drivers as coronavirus spreads. A bus parked at El Cerrito Plaza BART Station on Monday even had caution tape across the middle to keep passengers in the back end, though the bus was empty. SamTrans will adopt the practice Wednesday. Both agencies have stopped charging bus fare until further notice. Muni, which always allows rear-door boarding, has not changed its policy during the pandemic, though one driver on the 45-Union/Stockton asked passengers to enter through the back doors on Monday. The San Francisco agency has switched its entire bus fleet to vehicles with protective cabs for operators. 5:40 p.m. San Francisco announces first coronavirus-related death: The patient, identified only as a man in his 40s, had multiple, significant underlying health conditions, San Francisco officials announced in a Tuesday statement. My condolences go out to this San Franciscan and their loved ones. It is a sad day, and we need to pull together as a city to do everything in our power to reduce the likelihood of additional deaths in our community, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said. 5:32 p.m. Ford joins effort to make respirators, ventilators: Ford said Tuesday its working with 3M and GE Healthcare to manufacture medical and protective equipment for first responders, health care workers and patients in the COVID-19 pandemic. Ford said it is working with 3M to increase production of powered air-purifying respirators and with GE to expand production of a version of a GE ventilator for patients with respiratory problems. Ford said it also plans to assemble more than 100,000 face shields per week and produce other components for use in personal protective equipment using its 3D printing capabilities. Now Playing: Here is what you need to know about the coronavirus. Video: Manjula Varghese 5:30 p.m. California officials deliver thousands of masks in Napa County: The states Office of Emergency Services delivered 4,200 N95 masks, 1,000 face shields and 5,500 surgical masks to Queen of The Valley Hospital in Napa and the Napa County Emergency Operations Center, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom. 4:55 p.m. Why California has far fewer cases than New York: Early action to slow the coronavirus in the Bay Area and California may have helped the state avoid the dramatic impact that is now being seen in New York, experts say. But New York is also testing more people, and California may not be far behind. Read the story here. 4:40 p.m. Third staff member at Laguna Honda Hospital tests positive: Three employees at San Franciscos large public nursing home have tested positive for the new coronavirus, dramatically increasing the possibility of a wider outbreak in the 750-person facility. Two of the infected staff members are nurses, said Brent Andrew, a Department of Public Health spokesman. He said the third staff member had "no patient contact," but declined to be more specific on where they worked. An investigation is ongoing onto how many people the infected staff members have come in contact with. 4:30 p.m. Breed: Why are we still listening to the President?: San Francisco Mayor London Breed responded sharply to President Trumps goal of re-opening business in the U.S. by Easter during an appearance on ABC7 News on Tuesday. Asked about Trump pushing for operations in the U.S. to restart by April 12, Breed said: My response is, why are we still listening to the President? I mean, the fact is we here in our city, throughout states in the United States of America, we have demonstrated sadly that weve had to jump into action and make this work without federal government support. I mean, even here in San Francisco, weve had private companies go out and get masks and (personal protective equipment) in general to support our health-care workers. Weve had to basically be innovative and work with the private sector to try and get the resources we need in order to make sure public health was protected. The federal government just isnt moving fast enough. I know the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, is busting her butt in Congress to try and get us the package that we need thats going to actually help workers and not necessarily corporations. But you know what? We dont have time to waste. Lives are in jeopardy. I mean, look what happened in New York. San Francisco is at 152 cases as of today. So we dont have time to mess around. 4:05 p.m. City of Santa Clara police respond to more than two dozen calls about shelter-in-place: Over the last week, City of Santa Clara Police Department has responded to roughly 30 calls about alleged violations of the countys shelter-in-place order, such as people who are not household members playing basketball in parks, according to the City of Santa Clara Communications/Emergency Operations Center. Police have responded to the reported violations by educating the public and/or business owner about the 'Stay-at-Home' order, officials said. 3:58 p.m. Nearly half of California's COVID-19 cases in 18-49 age range: According to the states public health department, California had confirmed 2,102 cases of COVID-19 as of 2 p.m. Monday. Of those, 970 cases, or 46.1 percent, were in patients age 18-49. There were 493 cases confirmed in patients age 50-64, 449 cases in patients 65 or older, 28 cases in patients age 0-17 and 162 cases in which the patients age was unknown, according to CDPH. As of 2 p.m. Monday, 51.4% of Californias confirmed cases were male patients, 40.1% were female patients and 8.5% were cases in which the patients gender was unknown. There had been 27,650 tests conducted in California with at least 15,554 results received and 12,100 results pending. 3:53 p.m. SF lawmakers call for AB5 enforcement: California's gig-work law doesn't automatically turn Uber and Lyft drivers into employees. It must be enforced and some San Francisco supervisors are calling for the city to do that, which they say could give ride-hail and delivery drivers more protection against the coronavirus, Carolyn Said reports. 3:49 p.m. SF postpones City Hall weddings: San Francisco officials said Tuesday that all City Hall weddings would be postponed until April 30 because of the coronavirus. Anyone who already booked an appointment will get priority once appointments open up again. Were listening to couples planning their wedding ceremonies at City Hall, and we want to let them know well be open to them once its safe to do so, said Samantha Allen, Director of City Hall Events. Couples who need a license only for an urgent need should call 3-1-1. 3:48 p.m. SF supervisor wants extra protections for essential workers: What it means to work at a grocery story is very different today from what it meant two weeks ago," says San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney, who introduced a resolution Tuesday calling for more protections for workers in essential businesses. Read the story here. 3:40 p.m. Santa Clara County approves temporary moratorium on evictions: The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance to temporarily prohibit evictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance suspends evictions of residential and small-business tenants for non-payment of rent if the non-payment is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance is scheduled to expire May 31 and includes a 120-day grace period for rent payments following its conclusion. 3:39 p.m. Famed playwright Terrance McNally dies of coronavirus: Playwright, librettist and screenwriter Terrence McNally, known for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion! and Ragtime, among many other works, died Tuesday, March 24, due to coronavirus complications at age 81. He had previously survived lung cancer and had a chronic pulmonary condition. Read the story here. 3:31 p.m. Federal officials suggest parts of U.S. less impacted by virus could open "quickly": President Trump said he thinks there are sections of the country with fewer cases of COVID-19 where social distancing guidelines could be eased sooner than places like New York, which has seen a surge in patients and deaths. We can have large sections of the country open, Trump said. I think its very important that we ... start thinking about it. Our people want it to be open, theyre raring to go. I think its going to go very quickly. Dr. Anthony Fauci, U.S. infectious disease expert, said health experts continue to evaluate data, especially in places with fewer cases, to see if that would be an option. Its a flexible situation, he said. 3:29 p.m. More than 1,000 SFO, San Jose airline workers face layoffs: The plunge in air traffic, along with a potential domestic travel ban, is forcing mass layoffs of workers who could lose health insurance after exposure to higher health risks. Unions are negotiating for more compensation. 3:06 p.m. White House officials urge people fleeing New York City to self-isolate: Health officials instructed people who have fled New York City, the country's epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, in the past few days to self-isolate for 14 days after their departure in order to avoid spreading the virus to new communities. The New York City metro area accounts for 56% of the countrys cases and 60% of new cases, as well as 31% of the countrys deaths. One in 1,000 people is infected in that region. Its a very serious situation, theyve suffered terribly, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert with the National Institutes of Health. 3:05 p.m. White House coronavirus response coordinator says test numbers rising: Dr. Deborah Birx said at a White House briefing that 370,000 tests for COVID-19 have now been conducted in the U.S. That includes 220,000 tests in the last eight days. Were very proud of those numbers, but we know that we need to do more, Birx said. The total number of cases in the U.S. has surpassed 50,000, with 593 deaths reported as of Tuesday afternoon. 2:58 p.m. Postal shipments "near Christmas levels": The U.S. Postal Service said its shipment volume is booming like it usually does in the e-commerce peak before the holidays, and it's hiring 1,000 postal workers in the Bay Area to cope with demand. See who's hiring amid the pandemic. 2:55 p.m. President Trump pushes for country to re-open by Easter: At an afternoon White House briefing, President Trump again pushed for the country to re-open business and normal operations by Easter (April 12). Easter as our timeline, what a great timeline that would be, Trump said. He said he continues to consult with health officials and will make a decision on the country's re-opening based on "hard facts and data" to support the health and safety of Americans. Although health officials and experts have said social distancing could be necessary for many months, Trump said there is tremendous hope and he is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 2:49 p.m. Some Bay Area bank branches close: Banks are allowed to stay open under shelter-in-place orders, but some are closing branches anyway, and paying bonuses to workers on the viral front lines. Chronicle columnist Kathleen Pender looks at how you'll get your money. 2:47 p.m. Four Contra Costa County firefighters test positive for COVID-19: Four firefighters in the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District have tested positive for the virus, spokesman Steve Hill said. Nine fire district personnel have tested negative and three are awaiting results, Hill said. The firefighters who tested positive are quarantined at home. Personnel who have tested negative or have tests pending are self-isolating at home. Hill said the county opened a testing station for first responders and health care workers Saturday. He also noted the fire district has more than 400 employees and is confident there has not been transmission of the virus through patient encounters because of personal-protective-equipment protocols. 2:45 p.m. Two Santa Rosa police officers test positive: Two officers in the Santa Rosa Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19, and a third is waiting for test results after developing flu-like symptoms, the department said. The two positive cases have received medical attention and are in stable condition. Other department employees who feel sick or believe they were exposed to the infected officers are in self-quarantine. While the news of these cases is concerning, I want to reassure Santa Rosans that the police department will continue to answer calls for service and meet the needs of our community, said Chief Rainer Navarro. 2:41 p.m. California distilleries turn alcohol into hand sanitizer: To help meet demand for hand sanitizer, spirits producers have begun making it themselves from the ethanol they've got on hand. Previously, they would have needed special permission for this, but newly relaxed regulations make it easier. Click here to read more. 2:34 p.m. Confirmed Bay Area cases top 1,000: With seven of the nine Bay Area counties having posted new data, the total number of confirmed cases rose to 1,014 on Tuesday afternoon. There were 128 new cases reported Tuesday, which is a 14.4% increase in total confirmed cases from Monday. Solano and Marin counties have not yet reported new data. 2:31 First ICE detainee tests positive in New Jersey, report says: A person detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a New Jersey facility has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a BuzzFeed report. The case is the first known person in ICE custody to contract the new virus. An officer at the same facility tested positive last week, the report said. 2:10 p.m. BART ridership collapses: BART officials said ridership remained low Monday, which marked the first day of temporary service reductions. Transit officials recorded a 91% drop compared to an average Monday from last month. Compared to March 16 before the shelter-in-place orders were issued across the Bay Area, 83,639 fewer riders took BART on Monday. 1:42 p.m. Bay Areas low-income seniors struggle to access food during coronavirus: With the states orders that all seniors over age 65 stay at home, service providers are having to quickly figure out how to get food to the most vulnerable population as demand skyrockets. Read the full story. 1:34 p.m. SF workers express fears over handling cash: The coronavirus has workers at coffee shops and other businesses able to stay open afraid to take cash. San Francisco law doesnt allow the businesses to refuse cash and the city isnt backing down even during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story. 1:33 p.m. SF police sergeant tests positive for COVID-19: San Francisco police say a sergeant has tested positive for COVID-19. The sergeant, who was assigned to the special victims unit at the Hall of Justice, went home Friday and informed a supervisor. Upon being notified of the positive test result this morning, we immediately informed SVU staff and closed the office to organize deep cleaning services, police said. The sergeants partner reported not feeling well and has self-quarantined. Officials said the partner has not gone into the office this week. Members of the same unit were divided into teams working from home and other locations. We are saddened by the news that one of our colleagues has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said. Our work puts our sworn and non-sworn professional staff in close contact with the public every day. We remain committed to the health and well-being of both the public and our dedicated members. 1:19 p.m. Los Angeles officials announce four new deaths, including first youth: Los Angeles County health officials announced four new deaths Tuesday, including a minor, as the tally of known confirmed COVID-19 cases grew to 662 and 11 deaths total. The young person who died was a person from Lancaster, Director Barbara Ferrer said at a news conference, adding that officials are still investigating the recent deaths. 1:17 p.m. Shelter-in-place order complicates moving homes: While the shelter-in-place orders do not strictly prohibit moving, San Francisco and other Bay Area residents described the difficulties of moving during a pandemic, including furniture delivery delays, canceled moving van permits and social distancing while hauling boxes. 1:05 p.m. Dow up 11%: The stock markets rallied Tuesday, as investors turned optimistic about the prospects of Congress passing a stimulus to counter the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The Dow Jones industrial average ended the day at 20,704.91, crossing back above 20,000. The 2,113-point gain beat a record set earlier this month amid a volatile market. 1:04 p.m. Federal prisons to quarantine new inmates: The Federal Bureau of Prisons will quarantine all new inmates entering its 122 facilities in an effort to quell the spread of coronavirus. New inmates will be isolated 14 days, the agency said in a statement. As some prison officials have already warned, prisons are like petri dishes, a bipartisan coalition of senators said in a letter to federal prisons director Michael Carvajal. 1 p.m. Calls grow for state to enforce AB5 against Uber, Lyft, Instacart, others: A collection of gig workers, unions and San Francisco supervisors are calling on government officials to quickly enforce AB5, Californias new gig-work law that makes it harder for companies to claim that workers are independent contractors. People who drive or deliver for Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash and other gig companies urgently need the protections of being employees, such as paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, according to a resolution introduced Tuesday by supervisors Gordon Mar and Matt Haney. 12:45 p.m. Rep. Khanna calls for national shelter-in-place order: Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, and 19 of his colleagues in the House have sent President Trump a letter calling for a national shelter-in-place order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. In the letter sent Tuesday, Khanna wrote, If we wait to act until the number of sick and dead reaches a certain threshold, then it will be too late. A state-by-state, locality-by-locality approach is not enough. Khanna warned Trump that an influx of coronavirus patients could quickly overwhelm the healthcare system and exceed the number of hospital beds and ventilators. He added that the national order needs to last at least two weeks to slow the virus. 12:38 p.m. Second death reported in Alameda County as known cases of COVID-19 grow: Health officials in Alameda County reported the second death related to COVID-19 on Tuesday while the number of confirmed cases grew to 124. 12:30 p.m. Second Oakland police employee tests positive: A second Oakland police employee tested positive for COVID-19, a department spokeswoman said Tuesday. The employee, whose unit was not disclosed, has not worked since Wednesday and is currently recovering while in quarantine. 12:15 p.m. More national parks close: Three of Americas most well-known national parks Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the Great Smoky Mountains closed Tuesday. They join a growing list of parks closing despite an announcement last week by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt that the agency would temporarily waive entrance fees at national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges to make it easier for people to get outdoors and implement some social distancing. The latest closures follow shutdowns at Yosemite in California and Rocky Mountain in Colorado. The National Park Service also previously closed the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York Harbor and Alcatraz in San Francisco. 12:05 p.m. Fourth Santa Clara Sheriffs deputy tests positive for COVID-19: The Santa Clara Sheriffs Office said a fourth deputy has tested positive for COVID-19. The deputy, who was assigned to the offices custody bureau, has self-isolated at home. Authorities said they continue to monitor the situation and are working to mitigate any more exposure. 11:32 a.m. Trump is his own state of emergency, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf says: In an appearance on KTVU, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on Tuesday said President Trump has exhibited poor leadership throughout the coronavirus outbreak. Going from, you know, Obama blaming to denial to now downplaying the seriousness of this crisis it is so reprehensible that he is not giving American people the truth, Schaaf said. Ive been extremely disappointed. Yes, we are going to have a big economic recovery in front of us, but we have got to put peoples health before profits. That is what we are very clear about here in the Bay Area and in California. I think that Gov. Newsom has created a much better example of what leadership looks like. Before the end of the segment, Schaaf added: I have been incredibly disappointed in this president. He is a disaster. Hes his own state of emergency. 11:29 a.m. Greta Thunberg says she may have had coronavirus: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said in an Instagram post that she believes she contracted the coronavirus following a trip around central Europe. While Thunberg said she was never tested, she exhibited symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and spent two-weeks in isolation away from her family before recovering. We who dont belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, she said. Our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. 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. 11:22 a.m. Officials in Napa County confirm third COVID-19 case: Napa County on Tuesday announced the third confirmed COVID-19 case. Due to medical privacy requirements and to protect identity, further information about this case will not be released at this time, county officials said in a Facebook post. 10:54 a.m. Dr. Fauci says theres no rift with Trump: During an interview with a Washington, D.C. radio show Tuesday morning, Dr. Anthony Fauci tried to end the appearance of a spat with President Trump. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has consistently disputed Trumps comments about the coronavirus pandemic, but Fauci said: We have a much bigger problem here than trying to point out differences. The president has listened to what Ive said and what the other people on the task force have said. When Ive made recommendations, hes taken them. Hes never countered and overridden me. The idea of pitting one against the other is just not helpful, and Id wish that would stop, so we can look ahead at the challenge we have together to get over this thing. 10:50 a.m. Santa Clara officials say 3 more people have died of COVID-19: Health officials in Santa Clara County say three more people have died of COVID-19, while an additional 54 people have tested positive for the virus, increasing the total number of known infected individuals in the county to 375. Sixteen people have died in the county. 10:48 a.m. Alameda County sheriff asks residents to report shelter-in-place violations: The Alameda County Sheriffs Office announced a new email address to report violations of the shelter-in-place order: covid19compliance@acgov.org. 10:44 a.m. Twitter pledges $1 million to journalism organizations: Twitter officials said they would donate $1 million to be split evenly between two journalism organizations, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Womens Media Foundation, as the coronavirus outbreak starts to take a toll on the already struggling news industry. Officials of the tech giant said the funds will be used to ensure the two organizations can continue supporting journalists. Right now, every journalist is a COVID-19 journalist, officials said in announcing the donation. Journalism is core to our service and we have a deep and enduring responsibility to protect that work. This week were contributing to two critical organizations that are working tirelessly to uphold the fundamental values of a free press during this pandemic. 10:41 a.m. Six Bay Area counties, Berkeley order private labs to report more COVID-19 testing data: Health officials for Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, as well as the city of Berkeley, announced Tuesday an order to demand laboratories report coronavirus test results for all residents tested not just those who test positive. The new order requires laboratories to report all positive, negative and inconclusive results, and information that allows health officials to better locate the person tested, officials said. The more comprehensive information will improve health officials understanding of the rates of infection and the location of possible infection clusters. 10:40 a.m. White House Coronavirus Task Force isnt worried about COVID-19 mutations: Though the coronavirus is constantly mutating, Dr. Deborah Birx said she isnt worried about a second wave of spread. Speaking at a virtual town hall on Fox News, the response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force said studies show that coronavirus is keeping most of its structural pieces when mutating, meaning people who make effective antibodies shouldnt get re-infected. 10:39 a.m. Hawaii records first coronavirus death: A person in Oahu is the first state resident to die from COVID-19, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. The state also reported 21 more people were confirmed to have coronavirus on Monday, raising the total case count in Hawaii to 77. 10:27 a.m. Walmart, others hiring workers: Walmart and Support.com are among the companies hiring in response to the huge leaps in demand for grocery deliveries, tech support and other needs of those staying at home to comply with shelter-in-place orders. See the latest list of whos hiring in the Bay Area and nationwide. 10:26 a.m. Trump suggests country could be back to normal by Easter: President Trump said in a Fox News appearance that he would love to have the country back to normal and people working by Easter. That is April 12, so we will watch what happens, a Fox News host responded. Good, Trump said. Earlier Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said health experts had advised him that the apex of the pandemic will likely hit the state in two to three weeks. That would be somewhere between April 7-14. 10:20 a.m. Trump upset by health experts recommendations: President Trump, appearing on a town hall on Fox News, said he had never heard of such a thing when health experts told him the country should shut down borders and advise people to shelter at home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. I said, What are you talking about? Trump called the decision one of the most difficult decisions hes ever made. and he repeatedly cited statistics of flu fatalities per year and how the nation had not shut down in the past. I wasnt happy about it, Trump said, adding that he did not take the idea well. Trump said shut down has been painful for the country, but then he pivoted by saying people have to go back to work. People can go back to work and practice good judgment, he said. This is not what health experts are saying. The have advised non-essential workers to stay home. 10:15 a.m. Harvard University president, wife test positive: President Larry Bacow and his wife, Adele, have tested positive for COVID-19 and are being treated at home, according to a letter posted to the Harvard University website. This virus can lay anyone low. We all need to be vigilant and keep following guidelines to limit our contact with others, Bacow said. 9:54 a.m. Pence says White House not considering nationwide lockdown: Vice President Mike Pence said there will not be a nationwide lockdown or stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking during a virtual town hall on Fox News, Pence said: I can tell you that, at no point, has the White House Coronavirus Task Force discussed what some people call a nationwide lockdown. Pence said he supports the states that have adopted stay-at-home mandates, but he believes the Whites Houses 15-day plan will significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. 9:44 a.m. Publishers for NY Times, The Post, Wall St. Journal call on Chinese govt. to allow journalists: The publishers of the New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal wrote an open letter to the Chinese government after American reporters for the newspapers were expelled from the country. This move made in retaliation for recent expulsions by the United States government is one that we would protest under any circumstances, the publishers wrote. But it is uniquely damaging and reckless as the world continues the struggle to control this disease, a struggle that will require the free flow of reliable news and information. 9:17 a.m. WHO says U.S. has potential to become coronavirus epicenter: World Health Organization spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters Tuesday the United States, where health officials have seen an acceleration in infections, has the potential to become the new epicenter of the virus, according to a Reuters report. In the last 24 hours, 80% of new cases were from Europe and the U.S., according to the report. When Harris was asked if the U.S. could become the epicenter, she reportedly said: We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the U.S. So it does have that potential. We cannot say that is the case yet but it does have that potential. 9:05 a.m. Nineteen new cases in San Mateo County: San Mateo County health officials said there were 19 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing the county total to 161. 8:58 a.m. San Francisco announces 21 new COVID-19 cases: San Francisco announced 21 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing the total to 152 cases, according to the department of public health. 8:32 a.m. Former Stanford star Jason Collins tests positive for COVID-19: Jason Collins, who in 2014 became the first openly gay athlete to play in any of the four major North American pro sports leagues, announced on social media that he tested positive for COVID-19. Collins, whose brother Jarron is an assistant coach for the Warriors, played 13 NBA seasons after being an All-American at Stanford. Jason Collins said he had his first symptoms March 11, and headaches were followed by a fever and cough. (Correction: A previous version of this item misstated Jason Collinss work history.) 8:27 a.m. NY governor says state has nearly 5,000 new COVID-19 cases in one day: In a televised address, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday the state had 4,790 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing the total in the state to 25,665. 8:25 a.m. Indias prime minister orders 3-week lockdown: During a televised address, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a total lockdown set to be activated Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. 8:11 a.m. NY governor says state is 2 weeks from apex of pandemic: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the apex of the pandemic was higher and sooner than previously thought, estimating the state is two to three weeks away from many people falling gravely ill. We are scaling hospital capacity as fast as humanly possible, Cuomo said in a string of Tweets. In another tweet, Cuomo said officials projected a need for 110,000 hospital beds, but the rate of infection is increasing and new projections estimate the need is now about 140,000 beds. Additionally, the state needs 30,000 ventilators, he said. It will be the difference between life and death, Cuomo said. The federal government must provide these ventilators. Only the federal government has the power to deliver. 7:50 a.m. Trump suggests people should go back to work while risk remains high: President Donald Trump said Tuesday morning that people want to return to work and Congress should approve a relief bill as soon as possible, tossing away objections top health officials have raised, saying the worse of the outbreak has yet to come. Our people want to return to work. They will practice Social Distancing and all else, and Seniors will be watched over protectively & lovingly, Trump said in a tweet. We can do two things together. THE CURE CANNOT BE WORSE (by far) THAN THE PROBLEM! Congress MUST ACT NOW. We will come back strong! This is not the first time Trump has suggested the cure i.e. saving peoples lives might not be worth the negative impact on the U.S. economy. 7:32 a.m. Federal court in San Jose closed after frequent visitor tests positive: The federal courthouse in San Jose will be closed starting Tuesday until April 7 after a recent visitor to the court began treatment for COVID-19, officials said. Court officials said they were told Monday that a person who went to the building March 11, 13 and 17 has since tested positive for the virus. There are no exceptions to the closure, which may be extended beyond April 7, officials said. Other federal courthouses in Northern California remain closed to anyone except those conducting official court business. 7:17 a.m. Owners boarding up SF storefronts citys fine with that: Dozens of restaurants and retail businesses across San Francisco are boarding up their storefronts with plywood, lending the normally lively retail corridors a feeling of neighborhoods about to be slammed by a hurricane, rather than one under siege by a pandemic. While the improvised wooden barricades violate building codes, city enforcement agencies said the property owners who nail plywood over their shop windows and doors to prevent theft or vandalism during the shelter-in-place will not be cited. Read the full story. 7:08 a.m. The coronaviruss economic impact and how to get help: Chronicle reporters Kathleen Pender and Carolyn Said answer questions about seeking financial help and the coronavirus impact on the economy. 7:05 a.m. What older people and their loved ones need to know about the coronavirus: As Gov. Gavin Newsom and local Bay Area officials urge people to stay home, this is what older individuals and their loved ones need to know. 7:00 a.m. Answers to your questions about food and groceries: The Chronicle answers your questions about buying food and groceries throughout the Bay Area. 6:36 a.m. Markets rise sharply: The Dow Jones was up 6.8% and the S&P 500 was up 6.3% in early trading amid hopes that Congress will strike a deal on a massive bill to boost the economy. 6:31 a.m. Its gotten much harder to move: Countless Bay Area residents were in the process of moving to new homes when the shelter-in-place orders arrived. San Francisco officials say people can still move, but they must observe social distancing protocols. Its not easy. Click here for the story. 6:15 a.m. Caltrans stops collecting cash at Bay Area tolls: Caltrans officials said they have suspended cash toll collection at seven bridges in the Bay Area, switching over to electronic payment. The tolls include crossings on the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay and San Mateo-Hayward bridges. Drivers who usually pay in cash are advised to slowly drive through tolls, which will be unstaffed, and a camera will capture their license plate number to send an invoice. Officials warned the invoice will say Toll Violation Notice, but it is not a violation and the amount due will be the cost of the toll. 6:09 a.m. Arizona man reportedly dies after taking fish tank cleaner chloroquine phosphate: A man in Phoenix died and his wife is in critical condition after they took chloroquine phosphate, which is used as an additive to fish tank cleaner, according to several news reports. The additive is also found in an anti-malaria drug President Trump has praised as a treatment for the virus. It was unclear if the couple ingested the drug specifically because of COVID-19. 5:37 a.m. COVID-19 cases across the globe inches toward 400,000: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the world the number grew Tuesday morning to 392,331, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Approximately 17,156 people have died. 5:33 a.m. Japans Prime Minister says Olympics will be postponed: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed for about a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple news reports. Chronicle columnist Ann Killion wrote on Monday how everyone knew this was coming, except the International Olympic Committee. Last month, a Supreme Court judgment, holding that there was no fundamental right to reservation under the Indian Constitution, caused something of a furore. The judgment was criticised, and there were calls for a Bharat bandh in protest. In terms of law, however, there was nothing particularly surprising or novel about the judgment. The court only reiterated the existing position of law, according to which, reservations are provided at the discretion of the government; if it chooses not to do so, the court cannot compel it otherwise. Although this position of law is a settled one, it is nonetheless at odds with certain other principles at the heart of the constitutional vision of equality. To understand this, we need to undertake a brief historical tour. Until 1976, the Supreme Court had consistently held that the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law referred to formal equality of simply ensuring that on its face, the law did not discriminate between sections of people. Article 16(4) of the Constitution which allowed the State to make reservations in public employment was considered to be an exception to the general rule of formal equality. Thus, it was interpreted narrowly. In a 1976 judgment called NM Thomas, however, the Supreme Court transformed this understanding of equality. It held that the Constitution was committed to an idea of substantive equality, ie it had to take the actual circumstances of people into account when determining what constituted equal treatment. In this context, on the face of it, neutral policies would violate the principle of equality if they treated people, in materially different circumstances, in the same fashion. Using this principle, the Supreme Court went on to hold that Article 16(4) was no longer an exception to the general rule of equality, but a facet, or emphatic restatement of it. The principled reason for this position was that groups of people who face structural and institutional barriers towards being able to compete on equal terms with others in society for reasons that are historical, but whose effects are enduring must be treated in a way that mitigates those existing conditions of inequality. Reservations under this understanding were a means to bring about genuine and true equality, and not a set of privileges or gifts. It would, therefore, follow that substantive equality itself required a set of affirmative action measures to pull up those that society had kept suppressed for many centuries. And it would inevitably follow from that, that once target or beneficiary groups were identified, they had a right to, or a claim over, such measures. Thus, even though there might not be a stand-alone right to a quota as such, there would certainly be an obligation upon governments to collect data on the question of representation and structural inequality, and then act upon that data. Thus, as the lawyer Karan Lahiri points out, creating reservations is not only a power vested in the government, but also involves a duty a duty to ascertain which individuals or groups stand in need of affirmative action, to fulfil the promise of substantive equality. Unfortunately, however despite the judgment in NM Thomas the Supreme Courts own jurisprudence on this issue has lagged behind. Thus, the court has continued to hold that it cannot direct the government to grant reservations, or even to collect data on the question of which groups are inadequately represented in public services, and for what reason. Februarys judgment is a reiteration of that legal position. However, as we have seen, this legal position is in apparent conflict with the Constitutions commitment to genuine and true equality, which takes account of both past and continuing injustices. In 2014, in its NALSA judgment, the Supreme Court recognised that fact when it directed affirmative action measures for the transgender community (the government is yet to comply with that part of the judgment). It is now time to extend that understanding across the board. Gautam Bhatia is a Delhi-based advocate The views expressed are personal SPRINGFIELD Several statewide law enforcement organizations said Monday they will strongly oppose efforts to eliminate cash bail in Illinois, one of Gov. J.B. Pritzkers top priorities. Were here to say we cannot, and unequivocally do not, support efforts being discussed to eliminate cash bail, Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs Association. This is not the way to make the criminal justice system more equitable. It is not the way to make our communities safer. Kaitschuk and several other law enforcement leaders announced they had formed a new organization, Coalition for Public Safety. Its members include the Sheriffs Association, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, Chicago Lodge 7 Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Illinois enacted significant bail reform in 2017 under which people charged with most nonviolent crimes do not have to post a cash bond to get out of jail, but they may be subjected to other limitations such as house arrest or wearing an electronic monitoring device. Also that year, Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Thomas C. Evans issued a general order that greatly limited that courts use of cash bail. Advocates for eliminating cash bail say the system is unfair to poor people and forces many to plead guilty simply so they can get out of jail. People who can afford their bail, on the other hand, often have better outcomes in their cases because they have more time to work with their attorney. But McDonough County Sheriff Nicholas Petitgout said bail is also an effective way to ensure someone will make their court appearances. Since the 2017 reforms went into effect, he said, the number of warrants issued in his western Illinois county has more than doubled, from fewer than 1,000 per year before the change in law to more than 2,000 per year. Since the reform, if youre a criminal, you are twice as likely to have a warrant (for failure to appear) and half as likely to cooperate with the criminal justice system, he said. So far, only a handful of states have eliminated cash bail, the most recent being New York whose new law took effect Jan. 1. Since then, some law enforcement officials argue, New York City has seen a significant spike in crime including violent crimes committed by people on pre-trial release. Supporters of eliminating cash bail in Illinois have not yet introduced a bill. Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, March 3 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday he wants to use up the remaining fiscal 2019 reserve funds totaling 270 billion yen for a second batch of emergency measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. "We're hoping to use (the funds) as fully as possible," Abe told a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting on the draft budget for fiscal 2020, which starts on April 1. The government aims to draw up the second emergency package as early as March 10. At the same meeting, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi denied media reports that Washington is considering imposing an entry ban on travelers from Japan amid the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Motegi noted that a total of 18 countries and regions, including Israel and Iraq, have so far introduced entry restrictions to cover people from Japan. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Washington Teachers are sharing theirs and their students stories more than ever, and its time for policymakers to listen, say finalists for the 2020 National Teacher of the Year award. Education Week spent some time with the four of them: Chris Dier, a high school history teacher in Chalmette, La.; Leila Kubesch, a middle school Spanish and English-as-a-second-language teacher in Norwood, Ohio; Tabatha Rosproy, a preschool teacher in Winfield, Kan.; and Linda Rost, a high school science teacher in Baker, Mont. The National Teacher of the Year will be named in the spring. Typically, the winner, finalists, and other state teachers of the year are recognized in a ceremony at the White House, but a Council of Chief State School Officers spokeswoman said plans for this year have not yet been finalized. (CCSSO administers the National Teacher of the Year program.) Last year, two state teachers of the year boycotted the White House ceremony in protest of President Donald Trumps policies, but in a roundtable discussion, this years finalists told Education Week they would all attend to advocate for their students and fellow teachers. Madeline Will Are you optimistic about the direction the teaching profession is heading? Rost: I think that the state of the teaching profession is changing; its evolving in a good way. Were seeing teachers evolve in their own self-perception and evolve into leaders. Dier: I think that 10 years ago, there was a lot of pushback against teachers[that] we werent doing enough or we werent qualified. But I think that mentality is shifting and I think thats in large part due to teachers and the work that we do and us putting ourselves out there to show that we do care, and we are qualified, and we are professionals. Kubesch: I think we came a long way, but the journey is still long, and we cant continue alone. By collaborating and partnering with great minds, great organizations, and telling the story to policymakers, we can achieve even more. As National Teacher of the Year, you would have a national stage. What would be your platform? Dier: I would like to push for more intentional funding at every single level and more equitable funding for schools that are underresourced. Specifically, my platform is culturally responsive education where every student can see themselves in the curriculum and in the content and the school building. Thats proven to help students succeed by every metric. Rost: Im passionate about ... providing opportunities for teachers to step into leadership positions. I think we have a lot of teachers who have a lot of skills, but they dont have an opportunity to exercise those and showcase them. That would promote retention, also. Rosproy: I would be remiss if I didnt use this opportunity to speak about early-childhood education and its importance in our country because its been a long time since theres been this voice at this table. [Editors note: Early-childhood educators were finalists for the award in 2013, 1991, and 1988; an early-childhood educator has never been named National Teacher of the Year.] But along with that comes the piece of implementing programs in all of our schools that have to do with self-regulation and mental health, which I think is an issue thats more globally being faced at all age levels in a school. Its something that often is only taught in the early grades, but there needs to be a continuum and consistency with how were teaching kids to manage these big feelings and their emotions so they can be successful adults and be critical thinkers and work with others. Kubesch: Im passionate about self-care for educators and youth, especially in communities that are highly impacted by a lot of tragedies, like the heroin epidemic. ... Families are impacted by homelessness, and it is so much. There are so many things on the plate, and we have to address these before the children can move on. Im very concerned about the debt for [school lunches] a lot of children have in my communitythey have $1,600 unpaid, and how did that come about? Or literacyif children have experienced homelessness and they didnt return a book, they are not allowed to check out a book until that book is paid for. ... If were going to promote literacy, we have to have books in the hands of children. If you have a few minutes with Trump or Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, what would you say to them? Rosproy: I would ask them to go out to classrooms and visit and see what incredible things are happening. I think in the way that we dont know the day to day of whats going on in Capitol Hill, they probably dont realize all the amazing things that are going on in rural Montana, in Louisiana, in Ohio, in Kansas. ... And I would ask for their continued support on the programs that we have in existence and the bountiful ideas that our teachers have to make it even better. Kubesch: I would invite them to do a remote TV talk show that my students created. [My students] want to talk to them because they need to have a voice. They believe that policymakers need to hear from the children, because they feel like they have valid views as young community members, that they have opinions, that they are intelligent, that they are impacted by all the policies, and they should be a part of it. Dier: I would also bring stories to them of my students. I live in one of the fastest-growing Hispanic population [areas] in the country and I would like to talk to them about my immigrant students or my students who live along the coast who are being impacted by climate change. ... I feel like there are a lot of commonalities that we have when it comes to educationwe all want students to succeed and do well. I would try to extend my hand and reach across that aisle. How do you promote student voice in your classrooms? Dier: I teach social studies in our hyperpolarized climate. One thing that I do before I even talk about politics or anything of that nature is I ensure that I have a classroom where students feel connected and humanized to one another. That way, we can establish the relationships to have those discussions. But I think its super important to have those discussions because students are going to enter into this partisan climate, and they need to learn how to navigate it. Sometimes we say, When students get into the real world ..., but theyre already in the real world. My students already face gun violence, theyre already losing their land [because of climate change], theyre already experiencing trauma. We need to create spaces where students can learn how to deal and manage. Rosproy: In preschool, were probably not having a lot of discussions that are about politics, but we are having discussions about student voice, and how their voice in conflict matters, and how to use that voice when its appropriate, and how to listen to your peers. ... We are in a world that is full of conflict that they need to know how to navigate. We definitely want them to be empowered in that but to also know, Hey, sometimes I have to be comfortable listening, too. Rost: I also make sure to advocate for my students voice in our school and in our communities. ... Ive taken my students to the county commissioners, and they speak to them. Ive told them in front of my students, These kids are going to be in your seat someday, so you need to listen to them and what they have to say. And they do. Those are ways that we can show them that their voice is more powerful than mine, and they can actually make a difference. A political aide who confronted Boris Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings over his lack of 'kindness' has left the Government. Lynn Davidson has been removed from her post as special adviser - or 'Spad' - to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace after refusing to be shifted to another department. The departure emerged weeks after Ms Davidson clashed with Mr Cummings over his behaviour. The maverick aide had swiped at the end of a meeting of Spads on February 14 that he would 'see some of you next week' - a reference to the impending reshuffle in which many of them lost their jobs. Ms Davidson, a former reporter at The Sun and Daily Mail, later challenged Mr Cummings over the jibe, saying it had been out of order. Lynn Davidson (left) has left her post as special adviser - or 'Spad' - to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace after rebuking Dominic Cummings (right) over his behaviour last month. Tory sources insisted the departure was not linked to the clash Senior Tory sources stressed her departure - first revealed by Buzzfeed - was not in response to the spat. They insisted Mr Cummings had nothing to do with changes to media Spads, which are being overseen by No10 Director of Communications Lee Cain. Dominic Cummings: The main controversies since the maverick aide joined Number 10 Andrew Sabisky: The now ex-adviser was hired as part of Mr Cummings' drive to recruit 'misfits and weirdos'. Mr Sabisky quit the government this week amid outcry over his previous remarks about race, women and benefits. Sajid Javid: Mr Javid quit as chancellor at last week's reshuffle after he refused a demand from Mr Cummings to sack all of his staff. HS2: Mr Cummings previously called the high speed rail network a disaster zone and was against it going ahead. But he was overruled by Mr Johnson and Mr Javid. The Budget: The Vote Leave maverick was reportedly working on Budget ideas 'full time' when Mr Javid was chancellor, sparking growing tensions with the Treasury. Special Advisers: The top aide faced fierce criticism after recently telling a meeting of spads before the reshuffle that he would 'see half of you next week'. PJ Masks: Before the reshuffle, Mr Cummings suggested that the characters from the children's television show PJ Masks would do a better job than the current Cabinet. Sonia Khan: Ms Khan, a senior adviser to Mr Javid, was sacked by Mr Cummings last year and was then frogmarched out of Downing Street. She was accused of staying in touch with people close to her former boss, Philip Hammond. Advertisement She is believed to have been offered a move to the health or education departments before her clash with Mr Cummings, but refused to go. The exit is the latest chapter in a brutal cull of Spads as Mr Cummings tries to rein in their activities. Sajid Javid quit as Chancellor during the reshuffle last month when the PM told him he had to accept having his team of advisers axed and sharing a team with No10. Sources claimed at the time that Mr Cummings was behind the ultimatum. Mr Javid used a resignation statement in the Commons last week - watched by Mr Johnson - to say that agreeing would have damaged his ability to 'speak truth to power'. He declined to name Mr Cummings directly, but joked that there had been a lot of gossip already about 'comings and goings', to laughter from MPs. The Bromsgrove MP told the Commons: 'A Chancellor, like all cabinet ministers, has to be able to give candid advice so he is speaking truth to power. 'I believe that the arrangement proposed would significantly inhibit that and it would not have been in the national interest. 'So while I was grateful for the continued trust of the Prime Minister in wanting to reappoint me, I am afraid that these were conditions that I could not accept in good conscience.' Another aide to Mr Javid, Sonia Khan, was frogmarched out of Downing Street by police officers after being sacked by Mr Cummings last year. It is understood an overhaul to the arrangements for political advisers has been going on for some time. The maverick No10 strategist has tried to implement a ban on Spads accepting drinks or meals from reporters. Sajid Javid (pictured in the Commons last week) quit as Chancellor during the reshuffle last month when the PM told him he had to accept having his team of advisers axed and sharing a team with No10 Mr Cummings has launched a drive to recruit 'misfits and weirdos' to government, saying he wants people with off-the-wall talents to work alongside conventional officials. There have been signs of disquiet among senior Tories over Mr Cummings' influence over government, and his insistence on provoking conflict. One told MailOnline last week: 'There is going to come a point when the PM is going to have to say to him: ''You've gone too far''.' It emerged this week that the civil service is drawing up new HR rules for ministerial advisers. The Cabinet Office is recruiting an official to help 'establish the cross-government special adviser HR function'. The 'high-profile and stretching role' - with a salary of up to 60,635 - would see the successful candidate being asked to 'revise and embed a full suite of HR policies, processes and principles ensuring they are fit for purpose'. Super Tuesday is in full swing with voters hitting the polls to determine who will be the leading Democratic nominee to take on President Donald Trump during the November 3 Presidential elections. And several celebrities took to social media to let their followers know that they went to the polling booths to make their choices. Michelle Pfeiffer, Laura Dern and Jessica Biel were all early voters who showed their pride online. Two thumb's up: Michelle Pfeiffer revealed that she voted on Super Tuesday as she posted this image from the polling station Voting day: A person leaves a polling station as another waits to enter at the Heights school during Super Tuesday voting on March 3, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia Super Tuesday sees the greatest number of U.S. states hold primary elections and caucuses. The votes gives a strong indicator of who the Democratic nominee will be. Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren are all strong contenders. Michelle posted an image of herself with the I Voted sticker. 'PLEEEASE VOTE!!! #SuperTuesday,' the siren said in her caption. The Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil actress held two thumbs up, flashing her gold wedding band from husband David E Kelley. She did it too: Jessica Biel was makeup free as she wore a blue hoodie while holding up her I Voted sticker. 'If you dont vote, then you dont get a sticker to post on Instagram. You also dont get to have your voice heard and influence the world we all live in, but also the sticker,' she said 'Not a privilege': Sarah Michelle Gellar shared a selfie from her car after voting Done: Kerry Washington looked stylish as ever as she put in her vote in California The blonde wore her hair down and had on prescription glasses with very little makeup on and a black sweater with her sticker worn high up by her shoulder. The 61-year-old Scarface actress has been doing very well in Hollywood with movie after movie: her next is French Exit with Lucas Hedges. Jessica Biel was makeup free as she wore a blue hoodie while holding up her I Voted sticker. Read my lips: Elizabeth Banks wrote 'let your voices be heard' as she posed at a polling station Strike a pose: Tyra Banks was fierce as ever as she posed with her cap pulled down She's Dern proud of him! Laura Dern also shared an image of herself, adding in her son Ellery Harper, 18, as well 'Proof that I did more than just eat cake today,' began the 7th Heaven actress who is married to Justin Timberlake. 'If you dont vote, then you dont get a sticker to post on Instagram. You also dont get to have your voice heard and influence the world we all live in, but also the sticker.' Sarah Michelle Gellar posed for a selfie in her car as she showed off her sticker. 'In 1919 the right for women to vote was passed in Congress. This is not a privilege, I take for granted,' the Cruel Intentions star wrote. Kerry Washington shared a snap with a caption 'Voting vibes today' while Elizabeth Banks put the sticker on her mouth and wrote: 'Let your voices be heard'. Laura Dern also shared an image of herself, adding in her son Ellery Harper, 18, as well. Your right and your voice! Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner used their influential power to remind their fans to vote To the point: Lisa Rinna of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills fame showed off her I Voted sticker too. She wore a hat that said One Love California as she wore large aviator sunglasses and puckered up. 'GET OUT AND VOTE! NOW!!!!!' wrote the reality TV star who is wed to actor Harry Hamlin Her take: Taraji P Henson pushed Yes On R. 'You have a chance to make history on Election Day,' she said 'What a moment going to vote for the first time with your child! We did it! Have you? Let's vote so we can feel hopeful for our planet!' said the Big Little Lies actress. Lisa Rinna of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills fame showed off her I Voted sticker too. She wore a hat that said One Love California as she wore large aviator sunglasses and puckered up. She did it: Mandy Moore of This Is Us fame wore a T-shirt that said VOTE. 'An important message today,' said the Princess Diaries vet. 'Also 40% of the proceeds of this @madewell shirt go to the @aclu nationwide' Double take: Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives fame wore the exact same shirt as she posed on a green lawn 'GET OUT AND VOTE! NOW!!!!!' wrote the reality TV star who is wed to actor Harry Hamlin. Mandy Moore of This Is Us fame wore a T-shirt that said VOTE. 'An important message today,' said the Princess Diaries vet. 'Also 40% of the proceeds of this @madewell shirt go to the @aclu nationwide.' Beaming: Oscar winner Viola Davis smiled brightly after doing her civic duty Chip off the ole block: Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson said that people should vote and added the link 'who is mad' Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives fame wore the exact same shirt as she posed on a green lawn. Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson said that people should vote and added the link 'who is mad.' Taraji P Henson pushed Yes On R. 'You have a chance to make history on Election Day,' she said. Natalie Portman revealed who she is voting for in several posts. Emily Ratajkowski urged voters to do their thing as she held up a ballot at a voting station on Monday. Done her duty: Hudson followed up with a smiley selfie after she voted Civic duty, check: Courteney also made time to vote in the California Primary elections on Tuesday as seen on her Instagram Story 'Vote and let your voice be heard': Demi Moore posed in a similar fashion to show she took part Creative and fun: Melissa McCarthy made unique use of two 'I Voted' stickers on her sunglasses, along with some emojis Front and center: Like Courteney, an au natural Kristen Bell affixed her sticker right on her face Gorgeous as usual: Lily Collins was stunning in her casual selfie as she pointed to her sticker Make it happen: Gabrielle Union went makeup-free as she urged her followers to go and vote Cute: Singer Demi Lovato added her I Voted sticker to the back of her cell phone case Ballot time: The former Disney star also said that people should do their research and vote with 'confidence' She knows who she likes: Natalie Portman also made an endorsement for her friend She wants better help: And she also said people should vote on Yes On R 'Tomorrow is Super Tuesday which means 1357 pledged delegates (33.8% of the nationwide total) are up for grabs,' she said in her caption. 'I voted in California via absentee ballot for @berniesanders! For far too long the political establishment has sacrificed the interests of the people for those of corporations and billionaires. 'Thats why we have a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world, an environmental disaster on our hands and millions of people in insurmountable debt whove been denied fundamental human rights like health care and education. Bernie fan: Emily Ratajkowski urged voters to do their thing as she held up a ballot at a voting station on Monday. 'Tomorrow is Super Tuesday which means 1357 pledged delegates (33.8% of the nationwide total) are up for grabs,' she said in her caption At a Bernie rally: Earlier Paris Jackson shared a photo from downtown Los Angeles where she was asking for Trump and Pence to leave office She is a fan: Zoe Kravitz shared this image as she said 'vote' several times 'A Democracy means one person, one vote, not billionaires buying elections. 'Tomorrow we have the opportunity to restore our democracy and make our country prioritize the interests of its citizens. Go vote!' The first polls close in Vermont and Virginia at 7 p.m. Eastern, while the last polls close in California at 11 p.m. Just do it: Last week Brad Pitt (pictured) and Charlize Theron, among others, made a PSA asking people to vote The 14 states voting are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Vermont. There is also the territory of American Samoa and the votes of those living abroad. Earlier Paris Jackson shared a photo from downtown Los Angeles where she was asking for Trump and Pence to leave office. She was at a Bernie Sanders rally. Last week Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron, among others, made a PSA asking people to vote. Banks in China began disinfecting and isolating used banknotes last month as part of efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus. (Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised people to use contactless technology instead of cash as banknotes may be spreading coronavirus. The infectious COVID-19 virus could be carried on the surface of banknotes for several days, the WHO warned on Monday night. To stop the spread of the disease, people should use contactless payments where possible and wash their hands after handling cash, a WHO spokesman said. The Bank of England also recognised that banknotes can carry bacteria or viruses and encouraged frequent hand washing. Read more: Bank of England will take all necessary steps on coronavirus Last month banks in China and Korea began disinfecting and isolating used banknotes as part of efforts to stem the spread of the deadly virus. Ultraviolet light or high temperature is being used to disinfect and sterilise banknotes, before the cash is sealed and stored for up to 14 days before being recirculated, Chinas central bank said at a press conference. A Bank of England source said there were no plans to do the same in the UK. A Bank of England spokesman told the Telegraph: Like any other surface that large numbers of people come into contact with, notes can carry bacteria or viruses. However, the risk posed by handling a polymer note is no greater than touching any other common surface, such as handrails, doorknobs or credit cards. Read more: Fears coronavirus threatens 'Boris bounce' Coronavirus can be spread through contaminated objects as well as droplets and direct contact with infected patients, the WHO said. We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses, a spokesman told the Telegraph. We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes, and avoid touching their face. When possible it would also be advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission. It is not yet known how long the coronavirus can survive outside the human body. Story continues Read more: Stocks jump ahead of emergency G7 coronavirus call It has been suggested that human coronaviruses can remain infectious on contaminated objects for as long as nine days at room temperature in an analysis of 22 earlier studies of similar viruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) published online this month in the Journal of Hospital Infection. However, common disinfectants can swiftly remove them, and they may also be destroyed by high temperatures, the authors wrote. It is not yet clear whether the new coronavirus also behaves in this way. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Finance UK Actress Tonto Dikeh is sure on a roll. The mom of one who had many talking yesterday when she took to her IG page to claim her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill is bisexual, has issued a warning to Nigerian celebrities. Read Also: 60% Of Married Men Are Bisexuals Actress Tonto Dikeh Sharing a post by Instablog reporting her earlier story, Tonto commented saying she is ready to call out bisexual actors if they ask for her trouble. Tonto Dikeh had earlier on claimed that 60 per cent of married men are bisexuals, a post that got many tongues wagging almost immediately. Vietnam Airlines will conduct sterilization of all aircraft returning from the RoK. (Photo: Vietnam Airlines) Flights on March 3 and 4 from Seoul-based Incheon airport and Busans Gimhae airport to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will land at Van Don (Quang Ninh), Can Tho, and Phu Cat (Quy Nhon) airports at the request of Vietnamese authorities. All crew members on these flights will be equipped with medical protective gear. The airline will conduct sterilization of all aircraft returning from the RoK. Passengers will be informed about plans to resume flights on the routes between the two countries later. More information is available at the website www.vietnamairlines.com or the airlines official facebook page www.facebook.com/VietnamAirlines. Passengers could call 1900 1100 from Vietnam or 84 24 38320 320 from abroad to update the latest information. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan (TEMP) with an all-hands response from state emergency officials and activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) after a deadly storm swept through Middle Tennessee early Tuesday. TEMA officials said: A State of Emergency has been declared in Tennessee. At this level, a serious emergency or minor disaster has occurred and TEMA is coordinating with local and state partners. At this level, a serious emergency or minor disaster has occurred and TEMA is coordinating with local and state partners. At this time, the Tennessee Department of Health has 8 confirmed fatalities. 4 fatalities in Putnam County 1 fatality in Benton County 2 in Wilson County 1 in Davidson County Governor Bill Lee is providing guidance at the SEOC. Primary Day Secretary of State is in contact with local election officials and TEMA. Coordination of resources to support elections is ongoing. CURRENT SITUATION Starting on March 2, a line of severe storms passed through Tennessee and has caused major damage to buildings, roads, bridges, utilities and businesses in several counties. Tornado damage has been reported throughout West and Middle Tennessee including downtown Nashville, TN. At this time 8 fatalities have been reported and the number of injuries is unknown. The total number of business and residents without power is unknown. The exact extent of damage is also unknown. RESPONSE ACTIONS Emergency Service Coordinators and liaisons with numerous state and local partners and non-governmental organizations are reporting to the SEOC to coordinate response actions and damage assessments. The American Red Cross is determining the availability of staff and status of shelters that may be put into operation in Tennessee. Currently there are I-40 traffic currently has two diversions: I-40 Eastbound at mile marker 226 is being diverted; and I-40 Westbound at mile marker 232 is being diverted. Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is coordinating to deploy resources in Wilson County. Due to severe weather, state offices will be closed in the following counties: Davidson, Wilson, Putnam, Carroll, Benton, Fentress, Overton, and Smith. If able, employees should follow AWS procedures to assure the state continues to service its citizens. At this time, only essential personnel should report to duty. PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES Do not use your phone or call 911 unless it is a life-threatening emergency. Refrain from driving to keep available streets and roads clear for emergency personnel. Do not enter damaged buildings or hazardous locations. Continue to monitor radio and television broadcasts for further emergency information and instructions. FORECAST Memphis: Rain expected until 7:00 a.m. CST. High of 64 and a low of 51. Nashville: Scattered stormsthroughout the morning with a high of 66 and a low of 41. Rain expected until 1:00 p.m. CST. Knoxville: Scattered storms and rain expected until this evening. High of 69 and a low of 44. Using a snowblower to clear your driveway after a flurry of fresh snow is always a chilly task. However, James Campbell of Southfield, Michigan, approaches the job seemingly without a care given to temperatures or the eyes of his neighbors. In a video shared to Twitter on February 28, Campbell showed himself using a snowblower while clad only in headband, sunglasses and underwear emblazoned with the American flag. In an extended version of the video (originally posted to YouTube on January 20), Campbell calls on other man thong enthusiasts to get on my level and try using a snowblower with a similar amount of clothing. At one point, Campbell even faces the snowblower head-on, which seems only to increase his level of enjoyment in the task. Credit: James Campbell via Storyful Congress slammed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he sounded like he was there to give a clean chit to the Centre over the communal riots in the national capital New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday slammed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he sounded like he was there to give a clean chit to the Centre and the PM over the communal riots in the national capital. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said it seemed, from the way Kejriwal spoke to the media after meeting the prime minister, that "AAP was not the BJP's B-Team but it was the saffron party's team". The Delhi chief minister called on the prime minister and discussed the situation in the riot-hit northeast Delhi. Kejriwal said he had requested Modi that those responsible for the violence, irrespective of party affiliation, "should not be spared". It was Kejriwal's first meeting with Modi after the Aam Aadmi Party returned to power in the national capital for a third consecutive term. "The body language and the words of the Delhi Chief Minister sounded like he was there to give an official clean chit to the ruling party, the Centre and the Prime Minister," Singhvi said at a press conference. He slammed Kejriwal for not raising the issue of hate speeches by BJP leaders in Delhi with the prime minister. "Did the CM seek registration of FIRs forthwith, did he say the Home Minister (Amit Shah) should either resign or be reined in, did he by name demand action against Kapil Mishra. It seemed to me that a supporter of the BJP or a member of the Union council of ministers was speaking after he met the PM," Singhvi said. "What is this weakness, what is this helplessness, what is this compulsion, what is this secret, what is this mystery, what is the mystery of this new found friendship, this support and why has the CM of Delhi succumbed or surrendered in this clear, crass manner," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Describing the meeting as a courtesy call by him after being reelected as chief minister, Kejriwal said he sought the prime minister's help for the development of Delhi. On 25 February, Shah discussed the situation after the violence in Delhi with Kejriwal and leaders of various parties. The AAP formed the government in Delhi for the third time on the trot after it swept the 8 February elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats. The BJP bagged the rest of the seats. Large-scale violence in northeast Delhi has left more than 42 people dead and 200 injured. Depending on turnout, you could have to stand in line today to cast a ballot in the Super Tuesday primaries. If youre older than 70, however, theres a possibility you could skip to the front of the line. According to Alabama election laws, a polling official may allow a voter who is physically disabled or over the age of 70 to move to the front of the line at the polling place if they ask to do so. The law also requires polling places to be accessible for people with disabilities. Every polling place is required to have voting equipment to accommodate voters with disabilities so they can cast a ballot without assistance. If thats not the case, the Secretary of State recommends contacting your countys Probate Judges office. Can you ask for help in marking a ballot? Yes, according to the Alabama Secretary of State office. Youre allowed to ask almost anyone including a candidate for help in marking your ballot. The only people who cant assist with that process are the voters employer or their agent or an officer or representative of the voters union. Voters are also allowed to carry marked sample ballots into the polling place, as long as they remove them when they are finished. Realistic, pragmatic and qualified were a few of the words Elizabeth Warren supporters used to describe the Democratic presidential primary contender as the Massachusetts lawmaker cast her ballot in Cambridge on Tuesday. Hundreds of backers of the progressive lawmaker gathered around 8 a.m. near the Graham and Parks elementary school, where the U.S. senator voted and then spoke to those rallying about how she is mobilizing her campaign in every state. She also took selfies with supporters and shook many of their hands. Demonstrators held up signs with the candidates slogan, Dream Big Fight Hard," on it. Many also chanted, Welcome home," Its time for a woman in the White House and Warren will win. Some referenced the senators dog, a Golden Retriever named Bailey, and her husband, Bruce Mann, in their chants by calling them the first dog and first man, Bruceman. Elizabeth Warren and her husband, Bruce Mann, walked to supporters of the Massachusetts senator's presidential campaign after she voted on March 3. (Jackson Cote/MassLive) In times of such cynicism and such apathy, shes the only person giving me hope and a belief in a better future and a vision for a better future," Lucy Hu said of Warren. She makes me believe in a better world, and thats why Im out here. Hu attended the rally with her friend, Aditi Gupta. The two women, both in their 20s, canvassed for Warren in Massachusetts and in New Hampshire. Both supporters called Warren the most capable out of the five candidates running in her partys primary race and said she is able to inspire large numbers of people. Shes just the most qualified, the most prepared, Gupta said. She just has the ability to get people excited in a way that is realistic and pragmatic and gets stuff done. Pointing to the senators work creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Hu added that Warren is able to tinker around in the executive branch more effectively than her Democratic competitors. I think shes the most likely to actually get things done, Hu said. She frames things in a way where she understands what levers to push in the executive branch. She understands how to do coalition building, how to get legislation passed. Warren is trailing in the polls behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to a recent WBUR poll. Sanders, the leading candidate in the partys presidential primary field currently, stood eight percentage points ahead of Warren among likely Democratic voters in Massachusetts. When asked about Warrens chances of winning the commonwealth with Sanders leading, Hu said, She was losing the polls in the race against Scott Brown, and then she beat him by 17 points. Christine Chiao, a dentist, Cambridge resident and Warren backer, is confident in the senators ability to win over Massachusetts voters given the progressive lawmakers roots in the commonwealth. I see every day the ways that our health care system needs reform, and I think Elizabeth Warren has a clear vision and a plan for health care reform and social reform, she said. I just love everything about it. Chiao posed for a photograph with Warren after the senator finished speaking to the crowd. Christine Chiao, an Elizabeth Warren supporter, posed for a photograph with the Democratic presidential primary contender in Cambridge on Super Tuesday. (Jackson Cote/MassLive) Mike Jin, a Harvard University graduate student, attended the rally with Chiao. Though he is not a Massachusetts resident, Jin voted for Warren via absentee ballot in Missouri. Im here supporting her because I think that she has a lot of political experience dealing with bureaucracy and making sure that things actually go through our political system, he said. I really want to see that happen. Thats why Im voting for her. Warrens progressive politics and intelligence were other factors in supporters decisions to rally behind her. Jeff Rosenblum, a transportation engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, attended the demonstration in support of the New England senator. His children were were one of a few students at Graham and Parks elementary school to look out the windows onto the large Super Tuesday crowd. The Cambridge resident, who is in his 50s, said Warren is best positioned to have the right policy people" in the executive branch if elected president. I think Warren is the best person to put the right people in positions when she wins the White House," he said. Dogs, children, adults and elderly folk lined the streets of Cambridge in anticipation of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren before she voted in the Super Tuesday primary. (Jackson Cote/MassLive) For Harvard teacher ZZ Packer, the senators ability to thoroughly think through policies and plans is why she voted for her. She just is extremely smart, Packer said of Warren. We really need to have someone who is not just a kind of doofus in the White House anymore, she said. Any time weve had someone who is just pro-war and also dumb and evil, then we havent done so well. Packer is wary of Warrens ability to win the Massachusetts primary, though. The Harvard teacher said nearly all of her students are Sanders supporters and that the Vermont senator has been able to capture that bloc of voters. From what Ive heard, it sounds like its still going to be a tough fight for her to win Massachusetts, she said. I wouldnt have thought that at all at the beginning of the race. Polls close across the commonwealth at 8 p.m. Related Content: A Surya Prakash By The agitation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the National Population Register and related matters, triggered largely by fears that the Centre will deprive millions of Muslim citizens of their citizenship, is one of the most bogus agitations that this writer has witnessed over the last 50 years. The CAA has nothing to do with Indian citizens. It only seeks to provide citizenship to a limited number of people who have been persecuted in Indias three Islamic neighbours. The premise on which the agitation is being carried on is completely baseless and indicative of the extent of mischief a bunch of malcontents can do when the electorate rejects their agenda. More importantly, anyone who reads The Citizenship Act, 1955 (the whole Act and not just the 2019 amendment to it) will realise how water-tight the citizenship of a natural-born citizen (a citizen born on Indian soil) is under this Act and that in reality, no one has the power to take it away. Section 3 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, describes citizens of India by birth. It says: Every person born in India (a) on or after the 26th of January, 1950 but before the first day of July, 1987; (b) on or after the first day of July, 1987 but before the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 and either of whose parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth; (c) on or after the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 where (i) both his parents are citizens of India; or one of whose parents is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of his birth. As can be seen, probably 99% or more of the citizens of India fall in this category called citizens by birth and they belong to all religionsHindus, Muslims, Christians, etc. Such citizens are also known as natural-born citizens. These citizens are distinct from naturalised citizens and indeed constitute the highest class of citizens (for example in the US, only a natural-born citizen can be the President). These citizens (this writer included) do not apply for citizenship. They become citizens with the first breath of life. They do not make an oath swearing allegiance to the Constitution of India as their every breath is deemed allegiance. They can give up their Indian citizenship but no power can deprive them of their citizenship. Among such citizens, those who commit rape and murder can be hanged for the offence, if the law so provides, but their citizenship cannot be snatched away. The Act does not provide for it. They will take their citizenship to the gallows. Such is the quality of this citizenship. The Citizenship Act offers other categories of citizenship like Citizenship by Registration (Section 5) and Citizenship by Naturalisation (Section 6). These are basically for foreigners who wish to settle in India and seek Indian citizenship or persons of Indian origin living abroad who want to return to India and live as citizens in this country. There is another categoryforeigners who marry Indian citizens and settle down in India. For example, Ms Sonia Gandhi, the interim president of the Congress, is an Italian expatriate who moved to India after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi in 1968. Under Section 5, Indian citizenship can be granted to a person coming via the registration route. There is a similar provision under Section 6 for expatriates who apply for Indian citizenship through naturalisation. In both cases, citizenship is granted, subject to conditions and restrictions, and only after they make the oath of allegiance. In Ms Gandhis case, as per the law at that time, she could have applied for Indian citizenship five years after marriage, but she did so after 15 years on 7 April 1983 and was granted citizenship on 30 April 1983. Despite being an Italian citizen in 1980, she illegally entered the electoral rolls that year and following a complaint, her name was deleted from the rolls. However, that is another story for another day. But how is all this relevant, one may ask. These facts are relevant because unlike natural-born citizens, the citizenship of a naturalised citizen like her is extremely vulnerable and is subject to several conditions and restrictions. Further, if such a citizen violates any of those conditions, their citizenship can be cancelled. Section 10 of the Citizenship Act lists out the situations in which a citizen by naturalisation can be deprived of his or her citizenship. It says that if the registration or certificate of naturalisation was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of a material fact; or that citizen has shown himself by act or speech to be disloyal or disaffected towards the Constitution of India as by law established; or that citizen has, during any war in which India may be engaged, unlawfully traded or communicated with an enemy ... ; or that citizen has been ordinarily resident out of India for a continuous period of seven years, that persons citizenship can be cancelled. Further, unlike citizens by birth, a naturalised citizen has to swear allegiance to the Constitution of India. It cannot be taken for granted. Every Muslim citizen who is swayed by the anti-CAA argument must ask themselves the following questions, in order to know the quality of citizenship they enjoy: Did he/she ever apply for citizenship like Ms Gandhi? Was he/she ever asked to swear allegiance to our Constitution, like Ms Gandhi was? So this is the power and quality of the citizenship of 99% of citizens under the Citizenship Act, 1955, but the Congress, after its decimation in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, wants Muslims of India to believe that their citizenship is fragile. This is nothing but an attempt to spread falsehood and disaffection and could even be seen as an attempt to overthrow a duly elected government through guile and subterfuge. Proud natural-born citizens of IndiaHindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, Jewmust see through this game and disengage themselves from this campaign, which is dangerous for our democracy and for our constitutional well-being. A SURYA PRAKASH Email: suryamedia@gmail.com Vice-Chairman, Executive Council, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library [March 03, 2020] Cooley Strengthens IP Litigation Team With DC Duo Cooley is growing its market-leading intellectual property litigation practice group with the addition of partners Sanya Sukduang and Jonathan Davies, who will be based in Washington, DC. Arriving from Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, Sukduang's and Davies' practices focus on life sciences with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals litigation, including Hatch-Waxman Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) litigation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005657/en/ Sanya Sukduang and Jonathan Davies join Cooley as intellectual property litigation partners based in Washington, DC. Sanya and Jonathan arrive from Finnegan with extensive experience navigating complex Hatch-Waxman Abbreviated New Drug Applicaion cases. (Photo: Business Wire) "Sanya's and Jonathan's experience navigating complex ANDA cases adds significant depth to the life sciences component of our IP litigation practice and complements the work done by our patent counseling and life sciences partnering practice groups," said Stephen Smith, chair of Cooley's intellectual property litigation practice. "Together, their experience will prove an invaluable asset to our clients, particularly the increasing number of them with later-stage products ripe for ANDA litigation." Sukduang advises clients on patent litigation before federal district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as all aspects of proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His work centers on litigating matters concerning ANDA challenges for brand drug manufacturers, diagnostic methods, biological products and medical devices. Sukduang also guides clients on an array of issues concerning biologics, including due diligence investigations and strategic patent portfolio planning. He formerly chaired Finnegan's diversity and inclusion committee. Davies' practice centers around patent litigation, particularly on pharmaceutical and biotechnology cases, including Hatch-Waxman litigation related to ANDAs and biologics litigation under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. He has deep experience advising on all aspects of pre-trial and trial federal district court practice, in addition to advising clients on infringement and validity opinions. Prior to his legal career, Davies completed graduate studies in human physiology and conducted doctoral and post-doctoral research in cellular and molecular biology and genetics. "We know firsthand how high stakes ANDA litigation is for the innovative companies we advise," said Sukduang. "We are excited about the opportunities we'll be able to provide our clients with the support of Cooley's powerful IP litigation platform." "We look forward to delivering successful results for our clients as we team up with our new colleagues," said Davies. "We are also impressed by Cooley's standout, collaborative culture and are eager to help build on the firm's legacy as it continues to grow." With a team of 60+ lawyers, Cooley's IP litigation practice is renowned for its ability to win bet-the-company competitor cases in which multibillion-dollar products, technologies and brands are at stake. The practice has unprecedented experience representing clients in tech and life sciences matters. Cooley boasts one of the most active patent litigation practices in the US, having handled 525+ patent cases and 70+ Federal Circuit patent appeals, the vast majority as the appellee, in the past five years. About Cooley LLP Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law. Cooley has 1,100+ lawyers across 16 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005657/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Washington The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up a lawsuit that threatens the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive Obama-era health care law whose effects have been felt in education as well as the rest of society. When an ACA-related question was before the justices in 2015, the case drew friend-of-the-court briefs from the National Education Association in support of the law and one opposing the law from a group of Indiana school districts that had a pending challenge over the laws employer mandate, which requires employers with 50 or more workers to provide minimum essential health coverage to anyone working at least 30 hours per week. The Supreme Courts decision in the new case would likely be immensely significant. The court could either save the law for a third time from a conservative legal challenge, or allow a legal theory to go forward that threatens the entire 2010 law, a signature achievement of President Barack Obama. This is a which side are you on? moment, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. Because the White House was unsuccessful in its attempt to repeal the ACA in Congress, it will use any means to destroy our countrys prevailing healthcare law. The case involves a lawsuit brought by Texas and 17 other states that challenges the ACA after Congress in 2017 eliminated any financial penalty under the laws individual health-insurance mandate. A federal district court ruled for those states, holding that the entire law was unconstitutional because the individual mandate was no longer sustainable under the tax-power theory that the Supreme Court had relied on in its 2012 decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius. While an appeal was pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, in New Orleans, President Donald Trumps administration announced that it would no longer defend the law. California and 19 other states plus the District of Columbia stepped in to defend the laws constitutionality. The 5th Circuit court last year struck down the individual mandate but said the trial court should re-examine whether the rest of the ACA could be severed from the mandate and saved. California and the other defenders of the health law appealed that ruling to the high court, initially urging the justices to take up the case this term. When the court declined to do so, some observers thought the case would drift away as a political issue during the 2020 presidential campaign. But it appears the court merely wanted to make sure the case would be heard and decided during the next term, which begins in October. The court granted review in California v. Texas (Case No. 19-840), which asks whether Texas and its allies have legal standing to file their suit and whether the individual mandate may be severed and the rest of the ACA saved. The ACA has transformed our nations health-care system and states, health insurers, and millions of Americans rely on [its] provisions when making importantindeed, life-changingdecisions, California and the other defending states said in a brief . While Texas argued that the Supreme Court should let the case go back to a federal district court, it said in a cross-petition that if the justices took up the California appeal, they should also decide whether the ACA would be invalid and unenforceable without the individual mandate. The court also granted review in the cross-petition, Texas v. California (No. 19-1019). In the 2015 case, King v. Burwell , involving health-insurance subsidies under the ACA, the NEA filed a brief that its lower-income members, including bus drivers, janitors, and cafeteria workers, were benefiting immensely from the ACAs integrated scheme for expanding affordable coverage. Meanwhile, a group of 39 school districts in Indiana, as well as the state of Indiana, had brought a novel challenge to the ACA arguing that its employer mandate either imposed an unconstitutional tax or violated the states 10th Amendment immunity. A federal district court rejected the claims in 2018. Arguments in the new case will be scheduled sometime in the term that begins Oct. 5. While the court has room in its October argument schedule, it is not clear whether the justices would push the arguments back past Election Day on Nov. 3. In either case, a decision is not expected until sometime in 2021. Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce a further expansion of its global Investigations + White Collar Defense practice with the additions of Gareth Rees QC and Hayley Ichilcik as partners in London. Their arrival follows the addition of a powerhouse Investigations and Corporate Governance team in Berlin in 2019, led by Roland Steinmeyer and Patrick Spath, and further deepens the firms white collar and investigations offering. The addition of Mr. Rees and Ms. Ichilcik underscores the continued momentum of Morrison & Foersters global Investigations and White Collar Defense practice, which has grown significantly over the past several years, in particular through the recruitment of former senior U.S. government officials and prosecutors, and SEC enforcement attorneys. For the past year, we have been seeking a market-leading white collar team, and we are thrilled that Gareth and Hayley have decided to join us. Their experience is extremely impressive they have broad and deep white collar expertise and regularly advise on high-profile cases in the UK and EMEA, said Paul Friedman, Morrison & Foersters managing partner for Europe. Their arrival builds on the momentum the European practice has enjoyed since Roland Steinmeyer and Patrick Spath joined us in Berlin last year, he added. Im delighted that 2020 has started on a high note in London, with a total of four lateral partner additions in the space of two months, following four years of transformational growth of our London practices. Mr. Rees is a highly experienced white collar crime and regulatory barrister who was appointed Queens Counsel in 2003. His practice covers corporate fraud, bribery and corruption, insider dealing and market abuse, sanctions, and money laundering. Mr. Rees advises and represents both corporates and individuals. Between 2012 and 2017, he was the Executive Director of Enforcement and Executive Counsel at the Financial Reporting Council, the UKs statutory audit regulator and corporate governance authority, where he led high-profile investigations and prosecutions of accountants, auditors and actuaries. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Rees spent more than 30 years in private practice, acting as trial lawyer in some of the highest profile cases of the last three decades in the UK, including the earliest Serious Fraud Office (SFO) cases in 1992, and thereafter. Ms. Ichilciks practice focuses on white collar criminal litigation defense, financial crime investigations and compliance reviews. She represents both corporates and individuals in criminal litigation and regularly conducts internal investigations. Ms. Ichilcik specializes in anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, anti-tax evasion, trade and financial sanctions, as well as the UK Modern Slavery Act and whistleblowing regulations. She advises clients across a range of sectors, including technology, financial services, oil and gas, healthcare, and mining. Ms. Ichilcik was previously seconded to the SFO for 20 months, where she was part of the team that secured the SFOs first deferred prosecution agreement and was awarded Prosecution Team of the Year by the Attorney General. The stellar reputation of MoFos global Investigations + White Collar Defense practice, combined with the momentum of its London office and the firms collaborative culture, were key factors in our decision to join, said Mr. Rees and Ms. Ichilcik. We look forward to working closely with colleagues across the world to advise clients on their most complex matters. Mr. Rees is admitted as a barrister in England and Wales and is a Queens Counsel. Ms. Ichilcik is admitted as a solicitor-advocate in England and Wales. She holds a BComm. and LL.B. from the University of New South Wales. ABOUT MOFO We are Morrison & Foerster a global firm of exceptional credentials. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, investment banks, Fortune 100, and technology and life sciences companies. The Financial Times has named the firm to its list of most innovative law firms in North America every year that it has published its Innovative Lawyers Reports in the region. In the past few years, Chambers USA has honored MoFos Privacy and Data Security, Bankruptcy, and IP teams with Firm of the Year awards, the Corporate/M&A team with a client service award, and the firm as a whole as Global USA Firm of the Year. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education for poor children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, winning asylum for the persecuted, and safeguarding the environment. Joanna Lumley faced riots and robbers filming new documentary Hidden Caribbean (ITV) Joanna Lumley has revealed she was ambushed by bandits while filming her new documentary in Haiti. The 73-year-old Absolutely Fabulous star braved riots as well as armed robbers while making her latest series Hidden Caribbean. Lumley told the Radio Times: Suddenly there was a blockage across the road: theyd put branches down. Luckily, we had two big bodyguards who got out and said Come on guys, clear this away. And they went No, we want your money or your life. Sometimes they dig trenches, pour oil in and set fire to it, then they come with guns and take your wallets. Read more: Joanna Lumley: Idris Elba doesnt fit the description for James Bond Fortunately the film crew were eventually allowed to pass unhurt and the incident will not be shown in the show. Lumley described the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince is an absolute catastrophe, with riots breaking out like wildfires, requiring her to have a police escort to her hotel. She said: If youre in that place, youre stuck. All the aid workers in Port-au-Prince dont go to the parts we went to because theyre no-go areas. But the actress and TV presenter who fought for the rights of Gurkhas in the UK said she was not scared. Joanna Lumley visits the Haiti Surf School for her new series (ITV) Im not really an afraid kind of person, she said. If you look timid, people and animals pick it up very fast. In Haiti, people are so poor and living in such squalor, but if you say Bonjour and put your hand out, youve made friends immediately. Read more: Joanna Lumley: Absolutely Fabulous's Patsy Is Transgender Haiti, located south of the Bahamas, has been crippled by poverty and corruption for many years, as well as suffering devastating natural disasters, such as the deadly earthquake which made headlines in 2010. The main language spoken in the country is French. Lumley travelled from Cuba to Haiti on her 1,500-mile trip for docu-series Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti which begins on ITV on Tuesday, 10 March, at 9pm. POLICE are investigating a second shooting incident in Rotherham within a matter of hours. Officers were called to Flanderwell Lane in Sunnyside at 12.35am today (Tuesday) and found a man with a suspected gunshot injury to his leg. The 29-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment, a police spokeswoman said. Flanderwell Lane is closed while officers carry out initial enquiries to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, she added. The spokeswoman said: An investigation is in its early stages and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 23 of March 3. The shooting was reported just 12-and-a-half hours after a man was reportedly shot and stabbed in the Clough Road area of Thornhill. Two men are believed to have left the scene on foot, police said. The 22-year-old man was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to his thigh and knife wounds to his torso. A spokeswoman said he remained in hospital in a stable condition. Detectives this morning appealed for witnesses to the incident, which was reported at 2pm, and said they were looking at CCTV from the area and carrying out extra patrols. Det Insp Janine Broughton said: The investigation is in the early stages, but our priority is to speak to anyone who was on Clough Road, or in the surrounding area, between 1.50pm and 2.30pm yesterday afternoon. Did you see anything unusual or suspicious during that time period? If so, please contact us immediately as your information may help us with our investigation. We have increased police patrols in the area, and you will see extra officers as we carry out enquiries, examine the scene and gather CCTV footage. All information can be reported via 101 using incident number 454 of March 2 and dashcam footage can be emailed to enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk using the same incident number. Alternativley, contact Crimestoppers via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call their UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Debris is scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after a tornado hit Nashville in the early morning hours of March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP) Tennessee Declares State of Emergency After Tornado Hits Near Nashville The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has activated a state of emergency after a tornado slammed parts of the state, causing at least 19 deaths Gov. Bill Lee, in a Tuesday press conference, said that we will expand that response as the day unfolds, adding that a state of emergency was activated. Lee said that he will tour the damaged areas in a helicopter later in the day. The state declared a level three state of emergency, which has been defined as a serious emergency or minor disaster has occurred or a situation is deteriorating rapidly and public warnings are being issued, Fox17 Nashville noted. Dont go near where the damage is. You dont need to go there, Lee said in the news conference. A Tennessee emergency management agency spokeswoman confirmed to The Associated Press that tornado death toll is now 19. Officials told ABC News that at least nine people had died after a tornado ripped through parts of Nashville and near Nashville, the largest city in the state, early on Tuesday. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said four died in Putnam County, two died in Nashville, two died in Wilson County, and one died in Benton County. A number of businesses and homes in the area have been destroyed, officials said. The Geist restaurant brick wall collapsed in a tornado that touched down in downtown Nashville on March 3, 2020. (Alex Carlson via AP) The tornado hit the CBS Nashville affiliate station directly, according to the broadcaster. Our community has been greatly impacted by a tornado, Capt. Tyler Chandler of the Mt. Juliet Police Department told ABC on Tuesday. There are multiple homes damaged and multiple people injured. Our officers are in the early stages of this response and we continue to assess what is happening there are multiple homes damaged, multiple people injured, multiple people still trapped. We need your help. Officials also noted there are gas leaks, downed power lines, and missing people. Metro Schools will be closed on Tuesday, March 3 due to the tornado damage throughout Nashville. District offices will remain open and 12 month employees should report. More information on school closures available at https://t.co/JYTaiJb2ph Metro Schools (@MetroSchools) March 3, 2020 Multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured and trying to get them the help that they need, Chandler added. We appreciate your concern, your prayers. Continue to pray for our first responders and those that are injured and we will continue to keep you updated. National Weather Service officials said the tornado appeared to have stayed on the ground for about 10 miles and ended in Hermitage, Tennessee. Tornado-hit areas include Centennial Boulevard and Briley Parkway in West Nashville, reported WKRN, which added that part of the Five Points neighborhood in East Nashville is half-destroyed. Franklin Graham sues more venues over canceled tour stops Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Evangelist Franklin Graham has taken legal action against two more venues for canceling his U.K. tour events planned for May due to his biblical views on homosexuality, according to a spokesperson of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. After launching legal proceedings against the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, BGEA has now sued the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield and ICC Wales in the city of Newport, South Wales, Christian Today reported. The Scottish Event Campus, owners of the Glasgow Hydro, had been given time until Thursday to explain why it canceled Grahams event slated for May 30 the first night of his tour but the spokesperson said the SEC leaders intend to resist the Billy Graham Evangelistic Associations request for judicial relief, and have been advised that they will have another seven days to file a substantive answer, The Herald (of Scotland) reported. BGEA, which Graham heads, will continue trying to work toward a resolution that will allow the Graham Tour U.K. to be held at The SSE Hydro as planned, he added. All eight venues booked by the BGEA for Grahams U.K. tour pulled out, allegedly due to pressure from LGBT activist groups. Grahams spokesperson said the cancelations had alarming implications for free speech and religious freedom. BGEAs position remains that in nearly 70 years of public evangelistic outreach ministry, there is no evidence whatsoever that any BGEA event involving Franklin Graham has ever caused a danger to public safety or incited public disorder, he said. The actions taken by these venues and those responsible for them to publicly repudiate these contracts are clear efforts to distance the decision-makers from BGEA, Franklin Graham and other Christians who hold similar beliefs, he continued. There is no question that this was done under pressure from those with opposing views who have demonstrated a relatively predictable pattern of harassment and bullying of those doing business with BGEA. The spokesperson added, This disregard for principles of good faith and fair dealing, based on the mere suggestion that a person's sincerely held religious views or statements are 'hateful' or would result in public disorder, should be very alarming to anyone who is genuinely concerned about diversity, inclusion and tolerance, let alone free speech and the free exercise of religious beliefs. In a media interview earlier this month, Graham said he was surprised over the cancelations. I have been surprised I'm not coming to speak against anybody and I dont name any groups of people, Graham, the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, told Christian Today, based in the U.K. Im coming to tell people how they can have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He said hes most concerned about the stifling of free speech for churches. ... If we don't stand up for the right to free speech and freedom of religion, there are lots of churches in this country that meet in public who are at risk, he said. They could be kicked out, they could be forced to go somewhere else, just because of their faith." We haven't broken any laws and I think it's important for the church that we resolve this matter so that it protects them," he said of possibly pursuing legal action. This isnt the first time the evangelist has been met with opposition from LGBT groups. In 2018, bus ads for his evangelistic festival were pulled following an outcry from LGBT groups. Graham believes that the need for preaching the Gospel in the U.K. is greater than ever. He wants people to know that we are all sinners and our sins separate us from God. The Horn of Africa was an arena for competition between great powers for the past two centuries. The present convergence on the region, however, is unprecedented in the number of players and fields of competition. In the 19th century, rivalry between European countries over the Horn of Africa was fierce. With the turn of the 20th century, battles over the riches of the region were primarily between the US and the Soviet Union. Today, competition over the African region is taking place between Arab, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, in addition to Europe and the US. The race between countries includes the fields of the economy, natural resources, construction, military bases, arms, military training and long-term leases of sea and air ports. Regional and international competition is reflected in the alliances of Horn of Africa countries with or against foreign countries in a way many observers believe threatens the fragile stability of the region. Of the most prominent countries that entered the arena of late are the Gulf countries and their allies from Middle Eastern and Arab regimes. These countries prominence is primarily derived from their financial resources and heated regional contests within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and with their Iranian neighbour. Standing at the forefront of the Gulf countries is the United Arab Emirates, which owns the largest Arab sovereign fund. According to the book The Gulf Moment in Contemporary Arab History, authored by Abdel-Khalek Abdallah, an Emirati professor of political science, the UAEs sovereign fund crossed the $1 trillion mark. The UAEs position in the Horn of Africa is also boosted by its strong trade companies, such as DP World, in addition to a number of giant construction conglomerates. Moreover, the UAE has a well-trained and equipped army. The Arab emirate has maintained a leading position in the list of countries purchasing arms, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports in recent years. Abu Dhabi is present at a number of ports in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden, as it rented Assab Port in southern Eritrea, near the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, to utilise it in war efforts in favour of the Arab coalition against the Houthis in Yemen. It was this strong UAE presence in Eritrea, in addition to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds efforts to establish peace with his neighbour, that took Asmara out of its international isolation that last for nearly two decades. Satellite pictures showed large constructions in Assab Port, said Stratfor website. The constructions contributed to rehabilitating Assab for marine work. There is also news about a project to upgrade Asmara port. Ethiopia had used Assab as its marine outlet for decades, before Eritrea achieved independence from Ethiopia in the early 1990s. Now Addis Ababa depends on the sea port of its closest ally, Djibouti. To the south, in Somaliland, DP World leased Port of Berbera for 30 years with construction works worth $442 million, 51 per cent of which by DP World, 30 per cent by the Somaliland government and 19 per cent by a state-owned Ethiopian company. Ethiopia aims to diversify the ports it depends on since it is the largest African country without a marine outlet. The Somalian government in Mogadishu announced its objection to the contract since Somaliland is a self-proclaimed state that no world country has recognised. Another autonomous state that has not gained international recognition is Puntland. The UAE-based P&O Ferries company, owned by DP World, farmed out Puntlands Bosaso Port, a seaport Somalia built in the early 1980s to export its large production of livestock, particularly camels, to Gulf countries. The UAE has mega projects on the Yemeni coast as well, in the ports of Mukalla, Mukha, Aden and Socotra Island. Just like its two ports in Somalia, the UAEs ports in Yemen overlook the Gulf of Aden leading to Bab Al-Mandab Strait. In his book, Abdallah writes that the UAE rented these ports to convert them into hubs of logistics and services for international marine transportation, especially that more than a quarter of world trade passed through the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Long ago, Britain used the Gulf of Aden Port in its former colony of South Yemen as a port for services, supply and maintenance of imperial ships coming from India and East Asia, passing through the Suez Canal, to reach Europe. It looks like the UAE presence and activities in this region, coupled with Egyptian development of the Suez Canal to double the width of its waterway, increases the allure of this marine route in the eyes of Asia and Europe and increases the costs of any suggested alternatives, such as the railways between China and Germany, and the Russian route through the Arctic Ocean. Qatar tried to prove its presence in the region, seeking to rent the Sudanese Suakin Port. The deal was brought up before the ouster of the Omar Al-Bashir regime and the transitional government that took over the reign of Sudan hasnt decided on a course of action yet. Turkey has also set its eyes on Suakin, considering it a historic Ottoman port, and expressing its desire to revive it culturally, commercially and militarily. One of the largest ports on the Red Sea in the 19th century, Suakins golden age was when the army of Mohamed Ali Pasha, the ruler of Egypt, entered Sudan. Suakin became the countrys main seaport, the gateway to Africa south of the Sahara and to pilgrimage in Mecca. The port deteriorated drastically after Britain occupied Sudan and established the new Port Sudan. The Qatar Ports Management Company announced it is going to build the largest berth in the Red Sea in Suakin at the value of $4 billion, including a free trade zone, and to provide it with a commercial fleet connecting Suakin with the opposite Saudi Jeddah Port to serve pilgrims and trade between Africa and the Gulf. In this deal, Sudan owns 51 per cent of the project, with the Qatari company owning the rest. In Somalia, Qatar is seeking to forge a contract to operate the port in Hobyo, 300 miles north of the capital. However, further details are not available. In addition, Ankara agreed with Mogadishu to develop the Somali capitals Madina Port with initial construction costs of $40 million. The deal states that Somalia owns 55 per cent of the project, and the rest is owned by the Turkish Al-Bayrak Company. In September 2017, Turkey started building its largest military base outside its borders and outside the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is not recognised the world over, except by Turkey) in Somalia to train the Somali army. The base is four kilometres square and fits more than 1,500 training elements. Some 200 Turkish officers and soldiers are based there. Furthermore, Turkey provides Somalia with military equipment, focusing on marine armament. After the Arab Quartet, made up of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, severed ties with Qatar in June 2017, Doha agreed with Ankara to build a Turkish military base in Qatar NATOs first in the Arab world. Upon its completion, this military base is expected to host 5,000 soldiers. In March 2018, the two countries agreed to establish a marine base in northern Qatar. As for Saudi Arabia, the kingdom signed a deal with Djibouti to establish a base there but construction has not begun until now. Djibouti had cancelled a contract with DP World, which was rumoured to be at Qatars instigation. Riyadh, however, maintained close ties with Djibouti, which houses a French military base, the oldest in the country, the only US base in Africa, Japan and Chinas first foreign base, and an Italian base. Talks are ongoing about establishing a Russian military base in Djibouti. Djiboutis location is strategic, lying on the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, where Egyptian and Saudi naval forces are centred since mid-2015, when the war against the Iran-backed Houthis began in Yemen. The Horn of Africa received high-level Gulf visits and Saudi-UAE interest to settle the conflict between arch rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed a peace agreement in Riyadh under the sponsorship of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz in September 2018. The agreement was preceded by an Abu Dhabi summit between the two African leaders. Despite Qatari and Turkish presence in Somalia, Riyadh didnt break ties with its historical ally since the early presidency of Siad Barre. Meanwhile, Horn of Africa countries sought to achieve the maximum benefit of Gulf competition over their lands. A tripartite summit between the leaders of Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea took place in late 2018, while Djibouti and Eritrea began resolving their border disputes, and Addis Ababa sought to settle the conflict between Somalia and Kenya. Ibrahim Nasreddin, a professor of political science at the Institute of African Studies and the author of several publications on the Horn of Africa, believes that Gulf competition will benefit both sides. On the one hand, the conditions of maritime services in several countries will improve, which would help upgrade coastal cities in the region. On the other hand, Gulf companies will benefit from construction contracts. The Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal will benefit the UAE, Egypt and the Horn of Africa, since they will be the primary route for international trade, he added. The fragility of the political situation in the Horn of Africa, which can blow up at any given moment, can damage either one of the two parties, nonetheless, warned Nasreddin. In addition, the Gulf disputes, unwitnessed before, may lead to new political skirmishes that may negatively affect investments in the Horn of Africa, he stated. Be that as it may, the Horn of Africa needs to cool down until general elections are held in Ethiopia towards the end of the year, particularly after the displacement of more than a million Ethiopians as a result of violent battles between the ethnic components of concerned countries. Moreover, conflicts in Somalia are not over yet, and the UAE and Ethiopian investment in Somaliland are cause for more concern on the part of Mogadishu. Somalia, meanwhile, is siding with Qatar and Turkey, while Eritrea is a strong ally of the Arab Quartet. Because negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam havent reached a clear resolution, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are showing reservations on unleashing investment in Addis Ababa. As is, the current picture reveals obstacles to closer relations between Mogadishu, Addis Ababa and Asmara. Meanwhile, the trade dispute between Djibouti and the UAE is taking its toll on relations between the two regions, while the Saudi presence in Djiboutis port is calming fears on both banks of the Red Sea. Sudan, neighbouring the two regions, is seeking integration, but how and by what mechanism remains unclear. The Horn of Africa is entangled in a web larger than a mere competition between Gulf countries. This web is growing in scale and complication by the day, once the race between superpowers over the region is factored in. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: PHOENIX Arizona can now run its own tests for the new coronavirus, and the number of infections is likely to rise as more people get tested, the states top health official said Monday. Dr. Cara Christ said Arizona has no new confirmed cases of the disease besides one person who has fully recovered after being isolated for several weeks. But one test was pending, she said. Twenty-four people were tested and found not to be infected. The spread of the disease to people who havent traveled to areas where the disease is prevalent has led federal health officials to relax the criteria that calls for tests. That means more people will be tested and more cases will be discovered, Christ said. We expected to have additional cases in Arizona, Christ said. But we want to assure you this is typical in disease surveillance. The more were looking for cases, the more were going to find. An increasing number of cases does not necessarily mean the disease is more severe. Starting Monday, Arizona had been certified to run its own tests for COVID-19 and has the capacity to test up to 450 samples per day without sending specimens to federal labs run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Christ said. Test results are available the same day or the next, depending on what time they arrive at the state lab near the Capitol in Phoenix. Christ and Gov. Doug Ducey looked to reassure the public that the state is prepared to tackle the spread of the disease, which has killed six people in the United States and thousands around the world. They discouraged people from stockpiling goods. Christ said Arizona has face masks stored from prior outbreaks to protect health workers. Current health guidance does not advise healthy people to wear masks as a preventative measure, however, she said. Arizona is working on guidance to provide long-term care facilities so they can prevent the spread of the disease, Christ said. Several of the U.S. deaths were of people living in a care facility outside Seattle. Asked about President Donald Trump saying over the weekend that hes considering closing the southern border as a precaution, Ducey said he would defer to the administrations judgement. Im going to defer to the subject matter experts in a situation like this where youre talking about a potential pandemic so we can make the proper decisions to protect public health, he said. A nameplate in a house or a hoarding in a shop is generally put up as a mark of identity. But when the communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi last week, these were among the first things some of the residents removed as they moved to safer places. A number of dark, narrow lanes deep inside Shiv Vihar, among the worst-hit areas, are empty. Similarly, many Hindu families in the area that borders Mustafabad have fled after locking their homes, while some among them took down or damaged their nameplates in a bid to hide their identity. Deepak Rajora, 32, fled to his relative's home in Ghaziabad when violence started on February 24. "But before running away, I took down the nameplate bearing the name of my father," he said. "A few others in our lane did the same thing," Rajora said. "Houses in one corner of our lane have been completely gutted by the fire." In Burari, which is not far from the riot-affected northeast Delhi, Aqrab Saeed's furniture shop is hard to find without a hoarding outside it. "There was a large hoarding reading Iqbal Furniture House outside our showroom, but we cannot take any risk considering ours is the only Muslim-owned shop in the area," a salesperson, who did not wish to be identified, said. Yaqoob Malik, 55, tore off the hoarding reading 'Malik Cloth House' outside his shop in Shiv Vihar fearing that the mob would target it. "My neighbour, Shiva bhai, who runs a chemist shop, scratched the 'Om' symbol painted on the glass door. Luckily, we did not suffer any damage," he said. Malik returned to his shop on Monday as paramilitary personnel stood guard nearby. "The situation is peaceful for now. People are returning to their shops," he said. "This is how things will return to normal." Shah-e-Alam, 35, who runs a crockery shop in Bhajanpura, said he and his helper, Yunus, shut the power supply from the mains switch, took down the hoarding reading 'Irfan Crockery and Plastic House' and hid it inside the shop. Alam said the situation remained peaceful in the area in the past six days, but shopkeepers had been wrapping up early in the evening as a precautionary measure. Economic activity in the riot-hit areas has been hit hard. Though a large posse of paramilitary personnel has been guarding the volatile zones, most shops continue to remain shut. Burnt electricity wires dangled outside charred shops, with walls covered in soot and ash. "Only a few shops, generally the grocery stores, are open. The big showrooms are still shut as owners are not willing to take any risk," a shopkeeper said. Those which remain open have been wrapping up early, he said. Abdul Aziz, who runs a small printing press in Maujpur, also took down the large hoarding that hung over the shutters the day violence erupted in the area. "It was a targeted attack. Outsiders were involved in rioting and they knew if the owner of a shop was a Muslim or a Hindu," he said. "I saw them with rods and bricks, I saw their faces," he said. "'Dil me se dehshat nahi nikal rahi' (I am still terrified). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NAIROBI Twenty-one (21) university graduates in Kenya have been directed to repeat secondary school for prerequisite qualifications before joining the only bar school in Kenya according to local media. The affected were fresh graduates looking to join the Kenya School of Law (KSL) on Feb 3, 2020, after successfully completing their Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.). Daily Nation on Tuesday, March 3, reported that students had studied under the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in Kenya and Uganda after which they joined university. The point of contention raised by KSL is that the graduates did not meet the requirements of the law program before enrollment. KSL, therefore, declined to admit the graduates in the year 2019 unless they could attach their A level certificates and a secondary school qualification clearance letters from the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). Seven (7) of the students moved to court to challenge the decision but the ruling was rendered in favor of KSL and reinforced its position that the students provide the necessary documentation. KNQA Director-General Juma Mukhwana, was quoted in the media as saying that some of the students were meant to start their studies at the diploma level as they had not met the necessary requirements to join the university. One of the students affected sat for the Uganda Certificate of Education examinations then went to Kenya and joined university. Yet even as the students bear the consequences of an imperfect enrollment process that gained them admission in the first place, the spotlight is on the universities that made it possible. A report by The Standard on Jan 15, 2017, highlighted the rot that had settled in public universities. There have been ongoing concerns over universities admitting ineligible students, certifying students who had not met minimum requirements for programmes and running unaccredited programs. Former Education CS Fred Matiangi addressing the issue provided that the systematic failure of universities could be laid at the feet of the Commission for University Education (CUE) for failing to carry out its mandate. The net effect of the poor state of the university sector is a reflection of, to say the least, the ineffectiveness of your commission (CUE) to carry out its mandate, as the sole legal body charged with the responsibility of ensuring quality in university education, Matiangi was quoted in the media. Related A day after a Delhi man was found positive for the deadly coronavirus, six of his family members whom he met in Agra have been quarantined. Those infected had reportedly come in contact with the patient. These six people have also been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The Health Ministry has said these six cases with "high-viral load" were detected during sample testing in Agra. Health authorities are examining them and their samples have been sent to the the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for further examination. Also read: Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates: Covid-19 cases in India rise to 6; China death toll touches 2,981 "Six cases with high viral load have been detected during sample testing in Agra. These are the ones who have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi, reported yesterday," a government statement said. The six people had come in contact with a 45-year-old patient from Delhi, whose case came to light on Monday, as he visited Agra, a PTI report said. The government says it is tracing other people who might have come in contact with these six persons. Also read: Coronavirus update: Noida school to remain shut till March 9 as panic spreads Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network. On Monday, two cases of COVID19 were detected in Delhi and Telangana. The patients had travelled to Italy and Dubai before they were detected with the virus. The Delhi coronavirus patient, a resident of Mayur Vihar, reportedly also attended a birthday party on Friday in Noida which was attended by many of his child's friends, their parents and some teachers. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. Also read: Hyatt Regency in Delhi warns coronavirus patient dined at restaurant Also read: Delhi coronavirus patient attended birthday party; many children present With agency inputs Chinese navy soldiers. Guang Niu/Getty The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Type 052D Luyang III-class destroyer Hohhot fired a weapons-grade laser at a US P-8A reconnaissance aircraft in the Philippine Sea last month, Pacific Fleet said on Thursday. In response, the Navy issued a warning on Instagram: "You don't want to play laser tag with us." Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday told USNI News on Monday that the US government had issued a formal protest in response to the incident. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The US Navy warned China on social media after one of the Asian nation's warships fired a military-grade laser at a US aircraft, telling them: "You don't want to play laser tag with us." US Pacific Fleet said in a statement on Thursday that the Chinese Type 052D Luyang III-class destroyer Hohhot (hull number 161) fired a weapons-grade laser, apparently part of the ship's close-in weapon system, at a US Navy P-8A reconnaissance aircraft. "The laser, which was not visible to the naked eye, was captured by a sensor onboard the P-8A," Pacific Fleet said. "Weapons-grade lasers could potentially cause serious harm to aircrew and mariners, as well as ship and aircraft systems." After the statement went out, the US Navy issued a warning on its official Instagram account. The US has issued a formal protest to China in response to the incident, USNI News reported on Monday, citing Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday. "The US government demarched China," he said at an event on Monday. "It's the first time we saw it happen from that type of PLA ship," he said, adding, "We do have protective gear onboard for our pilots, and importantly they're also trained to deal with it." The US military which has also sent warships to sea to test laser weapons has had similar problems with the Chinese military in the past. Story continues For example, the Department of Defense accused the Chinese military stationed at the country's first overseas base in Djibouti of targeting US military aircraft with military-grade lasers in 2018. The Pentagon said the activity posed "a true threat to our airmen." A C-130 aircrew is said to have suffered minor eye injuries as a result. The US demarched China over this incident as well. Read the original article on Business Insider As Connecticut awaited the results of Super Tuesday, some eyes looked ahead to the Democratic primary on April 28 in this state, with eight candidates now on the list. That is certain to decline, as candidates have until March 23 to let Secretary of the State Denise Merrill know they no longer want a ballot spot. Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer all bowed out in the last couple of days and if history is a guide, they will take themselves off the Connecticut primary ballot. MOSCOW President Vladimir V. Putin has proposed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in what political analysts suggest is an effort to raise turnout for a constitutional referendum that could keep him in power but has so far stirred little enthusiasm among Russians. Polls have suggested low turnout and little enthusiasm among Russians for the referendum planned next month. Mr. Putin suggested in January a raft of changes to the countrys 1993, post-Soviet constitution that seemed to keep the door open for him to remain in power beyond 2024, when he is required to step down after his second consecutive term. But most of the proposed changes were so deep in the legal weeds that even experts were left guessing how they would work, or why they were needed. [March 02, 2020] INVESTIGATION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against PharmaCielo Ltd. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of PharmaCielo Ltd. ("PharmaCielo" or "the Company") (OTC: PCLOF) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. PharmaCielo is the subject of a report published by Hindenburg Research on March 2, 2020. According to the report, the Company is "nothing more than the latest self-enrichment scheme drummed up by its co-founder Anthony ile, who had been charged by the SEC (News - Alert) over allegations of securities fraud, stock promotion and market manipulation in the past." Hindenburg visited the Company's alleged greenhouse facilities in Colombia and claims that the site is "nothing more than an empty field covered in weeds." Based on this news, shares of PharmaCielo fell by more than 32% on the same day. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected]. The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302006080/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Nick's Picks: A Peek at the News to Come This Week Here's the outlook for this week's local news agenda. The presidential primary party bus is finally heading our way. On Sunday, all of the leading Democratic candidates are expected to be at the Kansas City Convention Center for the "Show-me Showdown." Do you want to take a selfie with Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren? Here's local "public TV" propped up by the wealthy denizens of Kansas City and doing their best to politely ignore everything that doesn't support the agenda of power brokers. Read more: Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 22:42:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) on Tuesday said that it estimates Thai exports to fall by 3.3 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2020. The council however said it is holding out hope for a second-half turnaround that would bring full-year results to 0-1 percent growth. The council forecasts shipments to contract by 3.6 percent and 2.9 percent in the first and second quarters accordingly, leading to a first-half contraction of 3.3 percent, said TNSC's chairwoman Ghanyapad Tantipipatpong. Ghanyapad has proposed that the Thai government introduce further aid measures for shippers and business operators, such as six-month low-interest loans, a packing credit repayment extension for 12 months and a suspension of debt payments and banking fees for 12 months. However despite the dip in export in the first half of the year, the TNSC is maintaining its overall export growth forecast for 2020 at 0-1 percent, reaching up to 251 billion U.S. dollars, on positive factors such as the baht's weakness and lower oil prices, said Ghanyapad. Enditem Advertisement They have been lighting up catwalks all over the world during fashion week season. And Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid ruled the runway as they made powerful appearances at the Miu Miu Fall Winter 2020 show Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday. Teen model Kaia, 18, exuded vintage glamour in a barely-there bejewelled gown paired with elegantly coiffed locks. Glamour central: Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid ruled the runway as they made powerful appearances at the Miu Miu Fall Winter 2020 show Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday The gown teased a glimpse of the Vogue coverstar's cleavage, with glittering jewels preserving her modesty set on a mesh bodice. The lower portion of the gown was a flowing black skirt and cinched in at her waist with a thick leather belt. Her brunette bob was styled in sleek curls with dramatic feline flicks of liner and nude lipstick accentuating her striking features. Work: The gown teased a glimpse of the Vogue coverstar's cleavage, with glittering jewels preserving her modesty set on a mesh bodice Strike a pose: Her brunette bob was styled in sleek curls with dramatic feline flicks of liner and nude lipstick accentuating her striking features Wow factor: Bella put on an extremely leggy display in a nautical-inspired navy blue playsuit as she displayed her toned pins on the catwalk Cheeky: Bella teased a glimpse of her pert derriere as she walked the runway at the elaborate show Bella put on an extremely leggy display in a nautical-inspired navy blue playsuit as she displayed her toned pins on the catwalk. The high-cut garment boasted white button detail and a leather belt, paired with quirky frilled scarlet heels. Bella's locks were left in a wet-look style while electric blue liner lit up her sparkling peepers. Runway royalty: Gigi, 24, opted for an elaborate sequinned oversize white gown paired with a sparkling white handbag and silver spiked shoes Sashay: Gigi looked incredible as she took to the runway at the glitzy fashion show Model moment: Gigi looked focused as she took to the runway with Bella and her fellow models Smoulder: The star looked incredible as she worked the runway with her fellow catwalk stars Wow! Rita Ora looked sensational in a navy jewel-embellished military jacket as she strutted down the catwalk with pal Pixie Geldof at the show Military inspired: Rita looked regal as she pulled off a smouldering pose on the star-studded catwalk Line-up: Bella flaunted her toned legs as she gathered with the other models for their finale walk Gigi, 24, opted for an elaborate sequinned oversize white gown paired with a sparkling white handbag and silver spiked shoes. The dress boasted sequin and crystal detail, with the star sporting an elaborate curled hairstyle paired with smoky winged liner. Rita Ora was sure to turn heads as she joined pal Pixie Geldof in strutting down the catwalk. The singer, 29, looked sensational in a longline navy military jacket, which had jewel embellishments across the pockets. Sensational: Adut Akech showed off her toned legs as she joined fellow runway stars on the catwalk Catwalk queens: The models looked incredible as they showcased the fashion brand's latest designs Famous family: Jude Law and Sadie Frost's daughter Iris showed off her modelling prowess as she walked the runway Wow: Rita looked in her element as she joined the other catwalkers at the glittering show Sartorial chic: The models showed off their best poses as they posed up on an ornate staircase Rita's hair was styled into dramatic ringlets that was gelled to frame her forehead before falling in a sleek, straight style over her shoulders. Accentuating her pretty features, Rita wore dark cat-eye eyeshadow as well as a light slick of lipstick for the event. The singer completed her look by stepping out in chic open-toe heels, and wearing a pair of black racing gloves. Celebrities including Anya Taylor, Lucy Hale and Alexa Chung displayed their stellar sense of style as they attended the glittering Miu Miu show. Lucy donned a black long-sleeved blazer dress with a dark grey detail and a large white collar. The TV star added height to her frame with a pair of white heels with a floral design while she accessorised with a mauve clutchbag. Styling her brunette locks into a bob, Lucy completed her look for the fashion show with a pair of shades. Meanwhile, Alexa, 36, looked radiant as ever as she arrived in a black, knee-length coat with a white collar. Wow: Celebrities including Anya Taylor, Lucy Hale and Alexa Chung displayed their stellar sense of style as they attended the glittering Miu Miu show The model added to her look with black boots with an ankle strap which she paired with matching socks. Letting her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders, the fashion designer also carried a black clutch bag. Anya was a sight to behold in a black long-sleeved crop top that highlighted her lithe physique, which she paired with a white skirt with a flared hemline. The Witch actress added height to her frame with black pointed heels while she styled her platinum blonde tresses into voluminous curls. Poppy Delevingne looked in good spirits as she arrived to the show where she wore a black sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline. Outfit: Lucy donned a black long-sleeved blazer dress with a dark grey detail and a large white collar Glamour: Lucy wore a light pallet of pink make-up and lipstick while she accessorised with gold earrings Looking good: The TV star added height to her frame with a pair of white heels with a floral design while she accessorised with a mauve clutchbag Classic: Alexa added to her look with black boots with an ankle strap which she paired with matching socks Stunning: Anya added height to her frame with black pointed heels while she styled her platinum blonde tresses into voluminous curls The model, 33, drew attention to her look with an eye-catching with a large white ribbon detail across the chest. She added further glamour to the outfit with silver shimmering heels as she posed up a storm outside the venue. Fellow model Caroline Daur exuded elegance with her sartorial display, donning a dark grey dress with a leg slit which she wore over a light grey cardigan. Style: Poppy Delevingne, 33, looked in good spirits as she arrived to the show where she wore a black sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline Dazzling: French model Thylane Blondeau, 18, was another famous face at the Miu Miu show Trio: The Crown star Emma Corrin joined Lucy and You actress Victoria Pedretti on the FROW Ensemble: Lachlan Watson donned a white dress with a frilled neckline and black knee-high boots Radiant: Caroline Daur, 24, exuded elegance with her sartorial display, donning a dark grey dress with a leg slit which she wore over a light grey cardigan Looking good: Elena Perminova looked nothing short of sensational in a striped blazer and black minidress Pose: Poppy drew attention to her look with an eye-catching with a large white ribbon detail across the chest The German beauty, 24, sported black knee-high boots while she also carried a matching clutch bag. Complimenting her outfit, Caroline wore gold earrings with a connecting chain along with a sleek pair of sunglasses. Meanwhile, French model Thylane Blondeau was another famous face at the Miu Miu show. The brunette, 18, who has previously been dubbed 'the most beautiful girl in the world' donned a black coat with puffed sleeves. She also wore a pair of black boots with knee-high socks while she styled her brunette locks into a ponytail. Model: Thylane, who was previously dubbed the most beautiful girl in the world, posed up a storm at the show Post-show: Bella changed into a leather suit and pastel pink tee as she exited the show with a goody bag Glamour: Bella still sported her elaborate catwalk make-up as she left the show Dynamic: Gigi and Rita looked sensational as they left the show after their glittering runway turns Business chic: Kaia donned a tailored navy blazer and black sweater as she left the show People readily help each other. We donate blood and food or help old people across the street. Among non-human animals this propensity to help is very rare . There are a few observations of helping behaviours in non-human animals. For example, vampire bats provide food to other group members and save them from starvation. In more experimental settings, in which scientists can better control the environment, chimpanzees helped each other get a tool that is out of reach, while bonobos even provided help to strangers. But some animals, like monkeys, don't. This raises the question of how helping behaviours evolved. And are they limited to great apes and humans only, or is this capacity also present in other (non-mammalian) species? Corvids birds such as ravens, crows, and magpies and parrots are considered to be special among birds, as they have unusually large and densely packed brains . They show many cognitive capacities that are linked to an advanced understanding of their surroundings. This has earned them the name feathered apes . But in recent studies, researchers found that crows and ravens did not help another. Parrots had not yet been tested, so we decided to find out about their helping behaviours. We tested two parrot species African grey parrots and blue-headed macaws and found that the African grey parrots recognised when the other was in need, and would help as a result. The experiment Both parrot species in our study are threatened by extinction in the wild . As a result, we conducted the study with captive parrots belonging to the Loro Parque Foundation, a Spanish conservation non-governmental organisation, in Tenerife. These parrots were well habituated to humans and more than willing to work for some nut rewards. We trained the birds individually to pick up and place a metal ring, or token, into the open hand of an experimenter. In return for this action, we handed them a piece of walnut as a reward. Once the birds could reliably do this, we placed a pair of parrots into a test room that was separated into two smaller compartments. We gave tokens to one bird. But its hole facing the experimenter was blocked. This meant that it could not exchange the tokens for food. Its neighbour, however, was able to perform this action. But it was missing the tokens. In the first trial, Bird A received 10 tokens and could pass them to Bird B. Only Bird B could exchange these tokens for food, while Bird A did not receive any food for performing this action. In the second trial, the roles were reversed and now Bird B could transfer tokens to Bird A, while only Bird A could exchange them for food. The parrot with the tokens did not receive any immediate rewards for helping out their partner during the trial. This made it a selfless act. But following each trial, the roles were reversed and birds could pay back the received favours. We found that the African greys reciprocated help, and gave more tokens to their partner if they also received a lot of help before. We also did two control tests. This was because we weren't able to draw any conclusions about the parrots' underlying motivation to help each other from the experiment. They could, for example, be playing or trying to bring the tokens closer to the human hand. In one control, the parrots couldn't exchange tokens for food. If the birds still transferred tokens to their partner, we could attribute this to their intrinsic motivation to play with objects. In another control, we wanted to find out if the birds were transferring tokens based on a selfish motivation. We tested the birds without a partner present, consequently, no one on the other side could exchange the token for food. Under these conditions, it wouldn't make sense for the parrot to transfer the tokens into an empty compartment unless they were trying to help themselves by bringing the tokens as close as possible to the experimenter's hand. The African greys were able to discriminate between conditions in which help was needed or useless. They transferred fewer tokens if no one was present on the other side, or if the partner could not exchange the tokens for food. However, if the partner could use the tokens and exchange those for food, they readily gave their partner tokens. This demonstrated that they understood the task and their partner's action-based goal: exchange tokens for food. The blue-headed macaws, on the contrary, generally gave very few tokens to their partners. In fact, they acted rather selfishly, trying to bring the tokens as close as possible to the experimenter's hand whether or not another bird was on the other side. Cognitive capacity This result is very interesting, as it shows that the cognitive capacity to help another individual in need is present also in a non-mammalian species. Birds and mammals shared their last common ancestor around 300 million years ago. Considering that monkeys and corvids don't help each other, our findings suggest that the cognitive capacity for helping behaviours evolved multiple times during evolution, independently from one another. Essentially, facing similar ecological and social pressures can lead to the evolution of the same cognitive capacities for coping with them. In the case of the African grey parrots, considering they live in large flocks of up to 1,200 individuals, they need to keep track of multiple social interactions at a time: who did I interact with yesterday, was it positive or negative? They would need to remember these interactions, as they might not see particular individuals every day. Blue-headed macaws, on the contrary, were observed in smaller flocks of only around 10 individual in the wild. Living in smaller flocks means there's less social information to store as the group composition potentially stays rather constant. It would therefore make sense for parrots, which live in complex societies with group compositions that change often to have enhanced cognitive abilities. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Desiree Brucks, Postdoctoral Researcher, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich And Auguste von Bayern, Researcher, Max Planck Institute Passengers arrive at LAX from Shanghai, China, after a positive case of the coronavirus was announced in the Orange County suburb of Los Angeles, California, January 26, 2020. North Carolina health officials confirmed the state's first COVID-19 case a patient from Wake County who traveled to Washington state. Local health officials are working to find out who may have been in contact with the patient, Gov. Roy Cooper said during a press briefing, adding the state expects more cases. "Our most important work is keeping people healthy and safe," he said. The Trump administration has restricted entry to the U.S. for travelers from China, the epicenter of the outbreak, hoping to slow the spread of the fast-moving virus here. But the North Carolina case appears to be the first domestic travel-related infection. Washington state health officials on Tuesday identified three new coronavirus fatalities, including two patients who passed away on Feb. 26 who weren't previously linked to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the U.S. to nine. The two patients who died that day were affiliated with skilled nursing facility Life Care Center of Kirkland, where several residents have fallen ill and at least three others have died. That brings the total number of deaths in the state and across the U.S. to nine. The total number of confirmed cases in Washington state is now 27, up . The state Department of Health said 231 people are being monitored by public health officials. "I understand people are anxious and worried, and I want to assure you that the state of North Carolina is taking this seriously. I encourage all North Carolinians to do the same," Cooper said. A two-month old baby boy who was allegedly sold by his destitute father, was rescued from Bhagaban Nagar in Tripura's Unakoti district, about 185 km from here, by a joint team of the police, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Childline and returned to his family, sources said on Tuesday. The incident led to the opposition CPI-M blaming the ruling BJP for abject poverty in rural Tripura and the saffron party claiming that there was no dearth of jobs in the state under MGNREGA. The boy's father, a 33-year-old daily wage labourer had allegedly sold him to a childless couple a month ago for Rs 5000, Unakoti district coordinator of Childline, Kuntala Sinha said on Tuesday. He was rescued on Monday after Childline, a service of ministry of women and child development, received an anonymous call on its toll free helpline about it, she said. "Our team members after preliminary investigations took up the matter with the district child welfare committee and then formed a joint team of police, Childline and members of the committee and spoke to the child's family members. On the basis of their statement the team visited the house of the couple who had bought the baby boy and rescued him, Sinha told reporters. "Since the child has parents, we handed over him to them. Childline will monitor the situation for three months so that such incidents are not repeated," Sinha said. Officer in-charge of Kailashahar police station, Partha Munda, however, said that the baby was given away and was not sold. The boy's father and the man to whom the child was allegedly sold are close friends. As the child's father was in financial crisis, he gave away the baby to the childless couple, who then gave some money and a few sarees to the child's mother as courtesy, Munda told reporters. Condemning the incident, Opposition CPI(M) state secretary Goutam Das said it proved the abject poverty prevalent in the rural areas of the state under the BJP regime. He claimed that another newborn was sold at Bishalgarh earlier this year. "Such cases were never heard of under the Left regime. Selling of babies only proof that abject poverty is prevalent in Tripuras rural areas, he told reporters. BJP spokesperson, Nabendu Bhattacharya said the party's workers are collecting details of the case from the villagers. "There is no dearth of jobs under MGNREGA in rural areas, he added. The BJP came to power in 2018 after ousting the Left Front which was in power in Tripura for long 25 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) High-profile Northern Ireland lawyer Paul Tweed will become a partner after his firm was acquired by Gateley High-profile media lawyer Paul Tweed has said he will stay on as partner after his law firm was acquired by London-listed legal services group Gateley for 2m. Mr Tweed, who specialises in defamation, media and arbitration, has in the past represented major international celebrities including Britney Spears, Liam Neeson, Nicholas Cage and Jennifer Lopez in libel cases. His firm has offices in Belfast, Dublin and London. Gateley said the purchase gives the group a platform for growth across the island of Ireland. Mr Tweed said he will remain as a partner in Gateley Tweed. "It will be very much as before but we will have the strength of Gateley behind us," he said. "They are a full-service law firm and one of the biggest in the UK, so it will give us a lot more back-up. It's a big challenge, but it's great, and we are really looking forward to it." He said Selena Kerins, also a partner in Tweed Law, will also remain. But Mr Tweed said the firm will expand. "We will be offering more legal services, and Gateley will bring in the people with the expertise for that. "They will be recruiting locally, though I will still be doing what I'm doing at the minute." A spokeswoman for Gateley said it hoped to grow in Northern Ireland and the Republic following the acquisition, but that it had no specific details on how many people the firm intended to hire. Gateley chief executive Michael Ward said: "We have considered expanding into the Irish market for some time and Tweed strengthens our presence in the Irish professional services market. "We see this as a springboard for developing a strong legal services offering in Ireland as well as supporting our growth plans for Gateley Capitus." Gateley Capitus has offices in Belfast and Dublin. It specialises in providing advice to clients on tax incentives available for investment in commercial property and research and development activities. Mr Tweed left Johnsons Solicitors in 2017 to establish his own law firm. He has had a diverse client list that in 2016 included Ismail Omar Guelleh, the president of Djibouti, in a case taken against Facebook in Dublin. Gateley said the acquisition of Paul Tweed LLP expands the group's presence in media law, reputation management privacy, commercial litigation and brand protection. It said it also presents "cross-selling opportunities in Tweed's existing and future client base". It added: "The acquisition of Tweed is consistent with Gateley's growth strategy to acquire legal and professional services businesses which offer complementary specialist services." The consideration being paid by Gateley is being settled by means of 1m in cash and 1m in Gateley shares. The firm has a 208.7m market capitalisation. Two men have been charged with beating a special-needs man outside his apartment in Hunterdon County more than two years ago, authorities said Tuesday. Stephen McDaniel, 33, was arrested at his Edison home on Jan. 7 while Jared Thaxton, 30, of Newark, surrendered at the State Polices Perryville station on Feb. 13, officials said. Both are charged with aggravated assault and terroristic threats. The 25-year-old victim was approached outside his apartment in Lebanon Borough on Nov. 1, 2017, State Police said. He was then dragged to the back of the apartment complex where he was threatened and assaulted. A motive for the attack was not disclosed. Detectives worked with the victim to create a sketch of one of the men. Authorities later learned Thaxton used to own a car seen leaving the scene. The Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office is handling the case. 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 Millions of consumers have downloaded the Walgreens mobile app and found some are victims of an online leak. The American company released a statement saying details such as names, prescriptions, store numbers and addresses were exposed for other users to see. The firm did not classify how many of the apps users were impacted by the 'error', but did note that sensitive drugs prescription details were only exposed for a small percentage of the total users who were affected. The flaw was discovered as having started on January 9, but was rectified by January 15 however, customers personals details were exposed for nearly a week. Walgreens, the second largest American pharmacy, sent a breach notification letter to customers acknowledging the leak, which the firm said it fixed on the day it learned of the error. Walgreens released a statement that details such as names, prescriptions, store numbers and addresses were exposed for other users to see. The firm did not classify how many of the apps users were impacted by the 'error', On January 15, 2020, Walgreens discovered an error within the Walgreens mobile app personal secure messaging feature, the letter states. Our investigation determined that an internal application error allowed certain personal messages from Walgreens that are stored in a database to be viewable by other customers using the Walgreens mobile app. Once we learned of the incident, Walgreens promptly took steps to temporarily disable message viewing to prevent further disclosure and then implemented a technical correction that resolved the issue. The bug was found to let app users see other peoples health-related information, which included first and last names, prescription data, store number and shipping address. However, Walgreens did say that no financial information such as social security numbers or banking information was involved in the leak. Walgreens, the second largest American pharmacy, sent a breach notification letter to customers acknowledging the leak, which the firm said it fixed on the day it learned of the error - January 15 Walgreens promptly took steps to disable the message viewing feature within the Walgreens mobile app to prevent further disclosure until a permanent correction was implemented to resolve the issue, the firm writes in the letter. Walgreens will conduct additional testing as appropriate for future changes to verify the change will not impact the privacy of customer data. For those who use the mobile app to manage their prescriptions, Walgreens suggests monitoring your records. Even though no financial information was involved, we have enclosed information on steps you can take to further protect your information, and how to obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three (3) major credit reporting agencies as a courtesy for your reference, the firm shared. The company interacts with approximately 8 million customers in its stores and online each day, and filled 1.2 billion prescriptions on a 30-day adjusted basis in fiscal 2019, according to its website. One of the issues at hand is that the leak goes against the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) - not only are the consumers at risk, but Walgreens could face consequences. Under HIPAA regulations, its a federal crime in the US for any health services provider to expose protected health information (PHI) that could be used to identify an individual. HIPAA violations can result in fines of up to $50,000 for every exposed record, or even in jail time. WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stunned a group of new Canadians on Tuesday when he showed up unannounced at a citizenship ceremony at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with new Canadians as he attends a citizenship ceremony at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stunned a group of new Canadians on Tuesday when he showed up unannounced at a citizenship ceremony at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. The 45 newly minted citizens from 13 countries had just read aloud the oath of citizenship when they were told to stand by for a video message from the prime minister, which is part of the usual ceremony. However, they were then told there was a technical problem. At that moment, Trudeau appeared from behind a doorway and the crowd, which also included about 100 friends and family, roared its approval. Neelgiri Chatterjee, who is originally from Bangladesh, was beaming after he received his certificate of citizenship from Trudeau. "That was the biggest dramatic entry I have every seen," said Chatterjee, who moved to Canada in 2011 to study commerce at Saint Mary's University in Halifax. "I will remember this day for the rest of my life." Chatterjee now works in the banking sector as a senior financial adviser at Scotiabank. "I was going to go back, but I fell in love with Canada and Nova Scotia.... I'd like to grow my career in Canada. It has one of the strongest financial industries in the world." Trudeau told the new citizens he had recently received a letter from a man in Ontario who thought the prime minister would enjoy reading an essay his 13-year-old granddaughter had written about what it means to be a Canadian. "The young woman said that, to her, being Canadian means smiling at someone who looks down. It means that we always hold the door open for the person behind us. We say 'Sorry,' even when someone else did something wrong," Trudeau said. "To her, what make us Canadian is our willingness to help our neighbours.... It's about leading with kindness and understanding. It's about being ambitious for your family and your community. Being Canadian is a concept far too rich to be confined by geography or defined by faith or ethnicity." The prime minister said the new citizens were marking a new chapter in their lives. "Celebrate the journey that led you here," he said. "From where I'm standing, the future looks very bright, and it's because people like you have chosen Canada. On behalf of all Canadians, welcome home." Earlier in the day, Trudeau was in nearby Halifax, where he announced Ottawa would invest $492 million in a youth employment strategy aimed at helping young people who face barriers to employment. The money will be spent on local and national projects that will build workforce skills for single parents, homeless youth, visible minorities and people living with disabilities. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. New Delhi, March 3 : A shocking video is doing the rounds on social media which shows worshippers in Iran licking and kissing shrines at holy sites in the Iranian cities of Qom and Mashhad amid COVID-19 outbreak in the country. An Iranian journalist, Masih Alinejed, shared the video and wrote, "While the city of Qom is the epicentre of #CoronaVirus in Iran, authorities refuse to close down religious shrines there. These pro-regime people are licking the shrines & encouraging people to visit them. Iran's authorities are endangering the lives of Iranians & the world." "World Health Organization @WHO needs to intervene urgently. Videos of pro-regime people urging even their own children to lick the #CoronaVirus infested shrines are surfacing. Not only is this child abuse, it's also helping the virus spread in Iran and to other countries," he tweeted in another post. The shared video shows people licking the doors and a burial mound at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, the epicentre of COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. Also, several videos have been released in the past week of worshippers licking and kissing shrines. As the video went viral, social media was abuzz with reactions. A user wrote, "Shocking scenes. Compare this to Saudi Authorities who are doing everything within their power to stop the spread of #coronavirus." Another wrote, "There's something fundamentally wrong with anyone who wants to lick a shrine in the first place." "Do they all lick the same places that others have licked? World's apart," said one user. "Aside from the insanity of doing this during an epidemic, what's with the licking? is this normal practice in usual times," a user asked. The Shia shrines in Iran have remained open despite coronavirus concerns and are touched and kissed by thousands of pilgrims every day. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Iran has jumped from two to more than 1,501 and at least 66 people have died till Tuesday morning. American Dirt, a novel that deals sympathetically with the plight of migrants traveling through Mexico and seeking refuge in the United States, has come under attack because its author, Jeanine Cummins, is not an actual Latino, but white, and therefore, according to this logic, has produced an inauthentic book. On February 12, for example, #DignidadLiteraria, a group of Latino writers, invited Oprah Winfrey to discuss her choice of American Dirt for her popular Oprahs Book Club. The four spokespeople of the group, Myriam Gurba, Roberto Lovato, David Bowles and Matt Nelson, called on Winfrey to discuss the continued underrepresentation of Latinx authors in publishing and in your highly influential book club. We urge you to open your mind and heart to actual Latinos. This is only the latest episode in the attempt to discredit Cumminss novel, which has been at or near the top of the New York Times Hardcover Fiction best-seller list for five weeks. Recently, Flatiron Books, owned by the publishing behemoth Macmillan, cancelled Cumminss appearance on March 21 at the Palm Beach Book Festival, citing death threats. American Dirt American Dirt treats the experiences of Lydia Quixano Perez, the middle-class owner of a bookstore in Acapulco, Mexico. Her journalist husband, Sebastian, is murderedalong with numerous other family memberswhen he exposes the crimes of a drug lord, Javier. Fearing for her life, Lydia escapes from the city with her young son, Luca, and heads for relatives living in Colorado. They must travel incognito along La Bestia (The Beast), the network of freight trains that brings refugees and asylum-seekers, almost all from Central America, to the Mexico-US border. There they meet up with a coyote, a paid guide, who leads them, with other migrants, across the deadly Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Along the way, mother and child live in fear of killers in the pay of the drug lord, the Mexican migration police, petty criminals and, eventually, US Custom and Border Patrol agents and fascistic vigilantes at the American border. The subject matter could hardly be more pertinent: the US government, headed by a fanatically anti-immigrant bigot, has taken draconian measures to intimidate, imprison and abuse tens of thousands of impoverished people detained at the US/Mexico border. Similar processes are taking place in Europe and other parts of the world. Globally, the numbers of refugees (26 million in 2018) and displaced persons (71 million) have reached record levels. Jeanine Cummins Artistic works that shed light on the lives of the people fleeing poverty, violence and dictatorship are urgently needed. From that point of view, the appearance and success ofand popular interest in American Dirt has some importance, although the question of its artistic merit and depth should not be pushed aside. On the other hand, the ethno-centric attacks on the book, which are neither balanced nor seriously analytical, have a significance of their own. While initial reviews of the novel were glowing, critical comments began appearing prior to and following its release January 21. The latter range from the merely indignant to foul-mouthed race-baiting. Several writers have defended Cumminss right to write about any topic she chooses, and others, while ostensibly supporting that right, have jumped on the hostile bandwagon. The Mexican-American writer and visual artist Myriam Gurba (Mean, 2017) set the reactionary tone of the campaign against Cummins. Gurba termed the latter a gabacha (a pejorative term for a non-Latino English speaker), who has followed in a tradition of Appropriating genius works by people of color, slapping a coat of mayonesa on them to make palatable to taste buds estados-unidenses [American], and repackaging them for mass racially colorblind consumption. (Cumminss paternal grandmother was born in Puerto Rico, and she has said that was the ethnicity and the culture of my father.) After Gurbas attack, other authors and commentators followed suit. The Mexican-American translator David Bowles wrote, Latina or no, Cummins certainly isnt Mexican or Chicana. Thats a problem. The telenovela plot is a pastiche of stereotypes and melodramatic tropes of the sort one might expect from an author who did not grow up within Mexican culture. Ferrosur train in Veracruz (PhotoAlberto BautistaOrizaba) The New York Times critic Parul Sehgal acknowledged that authors needed to write about the other, but capitulated to the vulgar condemnation of Cummins for her race and nationality, even implying there might be prejudice tainting Cumminss writing: Still, the book feels conspicuously like the work of an outsider. The writer has a strange, excited fascination in commenting on gradients of brown skin. Philadelphia Inquirer writer Helen Ubinas advanced the predictable, The privilege is real and those who have been its biggest benefactorwhite menhave a chokehold on it. Finally, 142 writers, mostly Latino, penned a letter to Oprah asking her to rescind her endorsement of the book. The book is widely and strongly believed to be exploitative, oversimplified, and ill-informed, too often erring on the side of trauma fetishization and sensationalization of migration and of Mexican life and culture. The attempts to discredit or dismiss the novel, however, should be met with a loud cry of Stop! American Dirt may flag artistically at times, but it displays a deepand raresympathy for the oppressed. It shows the desperate conditions that migrants endure in order to escape intolerable lives in their home countries. In portions of her book, Cummins effectively and movingly brings to light the bitter experiences that millions of working people south of the American frontier undergo to survive as they travel northward. If this is oversimplifiedtrauma fetishization, then we need more of it, not less. American Dirt is flawed, but the critics tend to be attacking its strong points. The initial portions of the novel, in this reviewers opinion, are its weakest. No doubt Cummins, like other novelists, playwrights and filmmakers at present, is at a disadvantage. She does not have a recent tradition of powerful social narratives to call on. She tries awkwardly to fit her drama into the page-turning thriller genre and it weakens the work. The sections of American Dirt that treat the family mass murder and then go back in time to recount how Lydia met Javier, the cartel chief, are formulaic and unconvincing. Javier, the murderous gangster who loves books and writes poetry, feels much more like a plot contrivance than a real human being, and Lydias lack of guardedness seems unlikely for a middle-class woman in a city that is controlled by the thug. The liquidation of her entire familywithout threats and warningsalso stretches belief. Lydias remarkable and clearheaded ability to flee thousands of milesor even to think coherentlyafter the brutal massacre of so many loved ones runs the danger of losing the reader altogether. Fortunately, if the reader stays with the novel and continues to follow Lydia and Lucas flight northward through Mexico, we often find a genuine and fresh approach not only to their plight, but, more enduringly, to the hardships of others, more hard-pressed economically. The migrants are forced to ride on top of the speeding freight trains. Here is what the journey on La Bestia is like, according to American Dirt: The possible manners of death available on La Bestia are all gruesome: You can be crushed between two moving cars when the train rounds a bend. You can fall asleep, roll off the edge, get sucked beneath the wheels, have your legs sliced off. (When that happens, if the migrant isnt killed instantly, he usually bleeds to death in a remote corner of some farmers field before anyone finds him.). You can die by beating or stabbing or shooting. Robbery is a foregone conclusion. Mass abductions for ransom are commonplace. Often, kidnappers torture their victims to help persuade their families to pay. On the trains, a uniform seldom represents what it purports to represent. Half the people pretending to be migrants or coyotes or train engineers or police or la migra are working for the cartel. Along these lines, the novel reproduces this television interview: Heres a Guatemalan mantwenty-two years oldwho lost both legs three days before his interview. Hes missing a front tooth as well. Somebody told me, before we got on the train, he says, if you fall, if you see your arm or your leg getting sucked under there, you have a split second to decide whether or not to put your head in there too. The young man blinks into the camera. I made the wrong choice, he says. Who are the people on the train? In plain but revealing terms, Cummins tells us. Most of the migrants have backpacks and grim faces. Theyre a thousand miles into their journeys already, weeks from Tegucigalpa or San Salvador or the mountains of Guatemala. Theyre from cities or villages or el campo. Some speak the languages of Kiche or Ixil or Mam or Nahuatl. A group of men waiting for La Bestia explain their situations to Lydia, her son and the two Honduran girls she is traveling with: We make this journey every other year. Weve done it eight times. Lydias mouth drops open. Why? Soledad asks. The men shrug in unison. We go where the work is, the first one says. Come back to visit our wives and children, the second one adds. Then we do it again. They both laugh, as if its a comedy routine theyve been performing for years. For passages like this, whatever the novels other shortcomings, the author and her work deserve respect and credit, especially at a time of open and merciless hostility to migrants by the American state. The cold terror of US government policy emerges in various scenes in American Dirt, including one in which Lydia meets a group of deportados, immigrant workers who have previously been caught by ICE and expelled from the US, as she gets closer to the American border: They live in the United States, guey. Like forever. Like, for ten years maybe. Since they were babies, maybe. And then theyre on their way to work one morning, or coming home from school one day, or playing futbol in the park, or shopping at the mall for some fresh new kicks, and then bam! They get deported with whatever they happen to be carrying when theyre picked up. So unless they happen to be carrying a backpack when la migra gets them, they usually come empty-handed. Sometimes the women have their purse with them or whatever. They dont get to go home and pack a bag. But they usually have nice clothes, at least. Clean shoes. And Lydias group crossing the border going north faces death in the desert: Their two-and-a-half-day path winds around the worst of the impassible sections, and funnels them toward cattle tanks in case they get desperate for water, all while keeping them as far away from popular hiking trails and known migra patrolling routes as possible. These passages should help to demonstrate that the criticism of the novels authenticity is largely trivial and reactionary. How many of the critics have devoted themselves to exposing the conditions of refugees from Central America? Virtually none of them actually cite passages from the book. They take for granted that their readers share the same communalist views. Critic David Bowles cites Daniel Penas characterization of the book as lab-created brown trauma built for the white gaze and white book clubs to give a textural experience to people who need to feel something to avoid doing anything and from the safety of their chair. This is the miserable left jargon of the day, which doesnt withstand the slightest scrutiny. In fact, art and literature that exposes social conditions activates and galvanizes people. Bowles and Pena are not only insulting the author and the readerswho may or may not be whitebut millions of working people from south of the border and their struggles. Which monuments of world literature were written by authors who stayed in their lane? Tolstoy writing in his War and Peace about the French peasant soldiers whom Pierre Bezukhov encounters as a prisoner, or the urbane Flaubert writing about Madame Bovary, a provincial petty bourgeois? Perhaps Upton Sinclair should never have written The Jungle because he had no experience, unlike his protagonist Jurgis Rudku, of Lithuanian immigrant life or conditions in a packing house? One could go on ad infinitum. Lets not discuss Shakespeare, and Dante, presumably, had not been to the Underworld, although there were rumors in Verona and Ravenna to that effect. Cummins, for her part, has maintained a relatively low profile since the attacks began. To Oprah Winfrey, she said that it was clear that we need to have a different kind of conversation about American Dirt . Last week, she taped a discussion on the book in Tucson, Arizona, in front of an audience of 250 to air on AppleTV this month. What is at stake here? It is worth noting that hardly an article or comment goes by without mentioning that Cummins received a large advance for the book or that her publisher will conduct a lavish marketing campaign. As Bowles noted in the New York Times: Reporters are marshaled to support it. The book is pushed hard with established chains and indie booksellers. They make it a success. Bowles remarks elsewhere, Chicana and Mexicana colleagues struggle to get their stories told, to get their manuscripts into the hands of agents and past the publishing industrys gatekeepers. In the whole controversy, one senses a good deal of envy and bitterness, and a fixation on those seven figures. Groups like #DignidadLiteraria only seek a more equitable distribution of the existing, paltry returns offered to writers, and, no doubt, of the few big payouts. Myriam Gurba complains in a Twitter posting that she only makes five figures. After a meeting last month between a delegation of Latino authors and Macmillan officials about the American Dirt controversy, the publisher acknowledged there were deep inadequacies in the rollout of the novel and that it would be substantially increasing Latinx representation across the company, including authors, titles, staff and its overall literary ecosystem. The economic pressures that make so many writers turn to academia has had the result of landing them in an intellectually retrograde milieu and estranging them from broader currents of life. The universities today, and their various humanities departments, are breeding grounds of unhealthy views about objective truth, history and the significance of social class. Trends such as postmodernism hinder the writer from engaging with reality on its own terms. Academia is a hotbed of the self-absorbed identity politics so many authors have advanced in relation to American Dirt . Recent decades have not been conducive to serious, worked-through artistic treatment of social life. Most writers are oriented in other directions. Writing about the working class has proven extraordinarily difficult for several generations. Atticus Lish tripped on this problem in his depiction of the poor in New York City (one of whose characters was an immigrant worker) in his novel Preparation for the Next Life, and even as fine a writer as Mary Gaitskill tended to treat Dominican life in Brooklyn in her The Mare in an unrelievedly one-sided and grim manner. One of the signatories to the open letter to Oprah Winfrey, Valeria Luiselli, the author of the recent, acclaimed Lost Children Archive, in which a Latino family of middle-class professionals travels south from New York City, suffers from the same tendency. While her central characters feel deeply (and convincingly) about the children deported by the Trump administration, the non-Latino Americans they encounter in their journey are almost universally silent, stupid or bigoted. The problem of artistic truth cannot be grappled with from the standpoint of the irrationalist politics of race and blood. When central or even significant consideration is given to the ethnicity or nationality of a given author, serious analysis and discussion of objective artistic and social problems are impossible. Nor can the affluent upper middle-class layer obsessed with race and gender address the general cultural needs of the population. This layer only proposes to realign things slightly, redistributing the wealth to a handful of minority authors, not to replace the existing set-up with a more democratic and truthful culture. The Taliban wants good relations with all countries, including India, and to work with them for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, a spokesman for the group has said. In an interview with Turkeys Anadolu news agency days after the group and the US signed an agreement that paves the way for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan in the next 14 months, Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said his organisation has no issue with any country. Shaheen was responding to a question regarding India, where apprehensions have been raised about the US-Taliban deal. He said, We have no issue with any country, neither want to have an issue with anyone, we want to establish good relations with all countries and work with them together in the reconstruction process of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces. Shaheen contended those who didnt welcome the agreement had only exposed themselves that they do not want peace in Afghanistan. He added, They have to reconsider their policy. Experts in India have expressed strong concerns about the US-Taliban deal, saying Washington has ceded too much ground to the terror group while committing to the withdrawal of US and foreign forces in 14 months, the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners by March 10, and the delisting of UN-sanctioned Taliban leaders by May 29. External affairs minister S Jaishankar echoed these concerns on Monday, when he said Western powers should ensure the achievements of the past 18 years in Afghanistan arent jeopardised while implementing the deal. There is a lot of interest in various countries that the neighbours of Afghanistan and those who have interests there also play some role, he said. In a related development, Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada has spoken of the groups plans to have positive bilateral relations with regional countries. The Islamic Emirate believes in maintaining positive bilateral relations with the world and especially with the regional countries and is committed to the principle of good neighbourly relations with its neighbours, he said in a message posted on the Talibans website on February 29. The reference to bilateral relations has raised eyebrows in Delhi. An official, who declined to be named, said: The intra-Afghan dialogue is yet to start and the Taliban isnt part of the government in Kabul and theyre already talking of things like ties with other countries. The Indian government is yet to frame a policy on engaging the Taliban, though the Indian envoy to Qatar was present at the ceremony in Qatar on Saturday when the Taliban and the US signed the deal. The Taliban is viewed with deep mistrust in official quarters in New Delhi because of its long-standing ties with Pakistans security establishment and its role in facilitating the escape of the Pakistani terrorists who hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 to Kandahar in Afghanistan in December 1999. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MSNBC's Chris Matthews speaks onstage during the Screenwriters Tribute during the 2017 Nantucket Film Festival - Day 3 in Nantucket, Massachusetts on June 23, 2017. (Noam Galai/Getty Images for Nantucket Film Festival) Chris Matthews Abruptly Announces Retirement From MSNBC Longtime MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews announced he is retiring at the top of his program, Hardball, on Monday night after which he abruptly disappeared off camera in a commercial break. Im retiring. This is the last Hardball on MSNBC, and obviously this isnt for lack of interest in politics, the 74-year-old told viewers during the top of the show. Ive loved every minute of my 20 years as host of Hardball. Every morning, I read the papers and Im gung-ho to get to work. Not many people have had this privilege. After MSNBC aired a commercial following the announcement, Matthews didnt come back on camera. Steve Kornacki, a political reporter for the network, took over for the remainder of the show and appeared to be shocked by the longtime hosts sudden departure. That was a lot to take in, Kornacki said, adding that it was an honor to work with Matthews. Matthews wasnt present during the networks South Carolina primaries coverage days after a GQ columnist accused him of harassment. In 2017, I wrote about a cable news host being gross and inappropriate with me. I was afraid to name him at the time. Im not anymore; it was Chris Matthews, columnist Laura Bassett wrote on Twitter over the weekend. After detailing several comments that he had allegedly made to her and that she said were inappropriate, Im pretty sure that behavior doesnt rise to the level of illegal sexual harassment, Bassett claimed in her GQ article. But it undermined my ability to do my job well. And after I published a story about it, even though I didnt name him, dozens of people reached out to say they knew exactly who it was. Matthews apparently addressed Bassetts claim and said, For making such comments in the past, Im sorry. A former speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, Matthews has been the host of Hardball on MSNBC since 1999. He also said on the show: I love working with my producers and the discussions we have over how to report the news, and I love having this connection with you, the good people who watch. Ive learned who you are, bumping into you on the sidewalk or waiting at an airport and saying hello. And he added: The younger generation is out there ready to take the reins. We see them in politics, in the media, in fighting for the causes. They have improved the workplace. Were talking about better standards than we grew up with: fair standards. A suspected coronavirus patient has been admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla, a health official said on Tuesday. The 32-year-old man from Bilaspur is currently suffering from sore throat, IGMC senior medical superintendent Janak Raj said. He arrived here from South Korea on February 29, he added. "He only has a sore throat and is stable. No symptoms suggestive of coronavirus have been found yet. We have received the patient in IGMC for diagnostic and prevention only," Raj said. However, as a precautionary measure, his samples will be sent for testing, he said further. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) France's National Assembly has begun hearing two motions of no confidence against Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who employed a rarely used decree to force a controversial pension overhaul bill through parliament. It coincides with union calls for a fresh day of protests on Tuesday against the pension reforms. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe caught the opposition off guard on Saturday, announcing he would push through the pensions bill by executive decree, known as Article 49-3. It cut short parliamentary debate on one of President Emmanuel Macron's signature reforms, only 13 days into the process of considering tens of thousands of amendments. Immediately, both right and left wing opposition leaders put forward requests for a confidence vote. Inappropriate use of the decree Philippe's decision and the handling of the reform debate also provoked two resignations in the ruling LaREM party, Hubert Julien-Laferriere, MP for the Rhone region and Delphine Bagarry (Alpes-de-Haute-provence), who denounced the "inappropriate" use of the decree. Julien-Laferriere commented that the move will "create more tension and lead to capital law without a vote and without having been correctly debated by the country's representatives". For the leader of the conservative Republicains, Christian Jacob, the government's bid to bypass parliament was proof of the government's "weakness". In a message on his blog on Monday, the far-left France Unbowed MP Francois Ruffin said opponents were calling for the National Assembly, or lower house, to be dissolved, saying the confidence votes were "symbolic" and did not reflect the gravity of the situation. Vote with no teeth The votes are all but guaranteed to fail because Macron's LaREM holds the majority in parliament with 344 representatives out of 577. In that event, the pensions bill will automatically be considered adopted by the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. From there it will move to the Senate where it could also face resistance. In a statement, the unions slammed "the failure of the government to answer the serious and legitimate questions" raised by the biggest changes to the pension system in decades, and called for demonstrations nationwide. Meanwhile, two unions involved in a summit designed to find an alternative pension fund have pulled out. The CGT and the Force Ouvriere branded the process a "masquerade" and "decided in advance". Every week for nearly a year, Lorraine Shilcock attended an hour-long counselling session paid for by the NHS. She needed the therapy, which ended in November, to cope with the terrifying nightmares that would wake her five or six times a night, and the haunting daytime flashbacks which turned her into a trembling wreck. Lorraine, 67, a retired textile worker from Desford, Leicester, has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a condition normally associated with combat veterans or victims of terror attacks. Every week for nearly a year, Lorraine Shilcock attended an hour-long counselling session paid for by the NHS But the grandmother of three instead owes her psychological scars to a routine NHS medical check, which was supposed to help her, not leave her suffering. In October 2018, Lorraine had a hysteroscopy, a common procedure to inspect the womb in women who have heavy or abnormal bleeding. Doctors use a device called a speculum also used during smear tests through which they insert a metal probe with a camera on the end, called a hysteroscope, into the cervix and womb. Gas or fluid may also be introduced to inflate the womb to give the specialist a better view. The procedure is designed to check for causes of the bleeding such as fibroids (abnormal growths, usually non-cancerous, in the lining of the womb) or smaller abnormal growths called polyps, or cancer. Its also used for women experiencing fertility issues. The 30-minute procedure, performed in an outpatient clinic, is considered so routine that many women are told it will be no worse than a smear test and that, if they are worried about the pain, they can take a couple of paracetamol or ibuprofen immediately beforehand. Yet for Lorraine, and potentially thousands more women in the UK, that could not be further from the truth. Many who have had a hysteroscopy say the pain was the worst they have ever experienced, ahead of childbirth, broken bones, or even a ruptured appendix, commonly regarded as the most agonising medical emergency. Yet most had no warning it would be so traumatic, leaving some, like Lorraine, with long-term consequences. But, crucially, it is entirely avoidable. Now Good Health, which first raised concerns about hysteroscopies in 2014, has been given exclusive access to Freedom of Information data that shows nearly half of NHS hospital trusts in England fail to warn patients they could suffer severe pain. In a hysteroscopy, doctors use a device called a speculum also used during smear tests through which they insert a metal probe with a camera on the end, called a hysteroscope, into the cervix and womb (stock image) The Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy (CAPH) which represents hundreds of affected women, including at least 100 diagnosed with PTSD following the procedure asked 131 trusts in England whether they warned patients that there was a risk some could find the procedure very painful, and what kind of pain relief they offered. Sixty-one admitted they did not warn patients about the risk of severe pain. The British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, which represents consultants performing hysteroscopies, says women should be offered the option of having the procedure under general or local anaesthetic, or sedation. But the data shows that only 25 of the trusts said they routinely offered general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation (where an anti-anxiety drug is slowly injected into a vein in the arm). And just seven trusts use the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists patient leaflet which tells patients who is most at risk of severe pain and that they can request a general anaesthetic. The vast majority of trusts said they had no plans to start providing the leaflet. The result is that some women are left so traumatised by the pain they experience that it interferes with everyday life. Lorraine, who is married to Stephen, 70, a retired factory electrician, went to see her GP after experiencing post-menopausal heavy bleeding, and was referred to her local hospital for further investigations. A few weeks later, she received a letter offering an appointment for a hysteroscopy, along with a leaflet advising her to take a couple of painkillers before turning up just in case there was any pain. There was no mention that she could request a general anaesthetic or sedation beforehand or that the check could be stopped if it was too painful. Guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists states that doctors should halt the procedure if a woman finds the pain unbearable, and continue it at a later date under a general anaesthetic or sedation. This is particularly significant for post-menopausal women such as Lorraine the Royal College advises they are much more likely to suffer pain because they tend to have tighter cervixes. This also applies to women who have not had children and women who have had traumatic smears or a previous painful hysteroscopy. Lorraine says the agony began as soon as the doctor tried to insert the probe. It was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt and I have had two children, she says. I felt sick and faint as the doctor tried to force the probe into my uterus. The pain shot all the way up through my body to my shoulders and neck. After five agonising minutes, a nurse tending to Lorraine suggested the doctor stop the procedure as she was in so much distress, which they did. Lorraine, who is married to Stephen, 70, a retired factory electrician, went to see her GP after experiencing post-menopausal heavy bleeding, and was referred to her local hospital for further investigations Afterwards, they left me on my own to get dressed, but I sat there in a state of total shock, says Lorraine. I couldnt stop crying. Stephen was just the other side of the screen, but I was so traumatised I couldnt even call out his name. When he did see me, he was horrified at the state I was in. The check lasted long enough for the doctor to identify that Lorraine had polyps in her uterus, which were causing the bleeding. She was told she would need to have them removed at a later date. But that was far from the end of her problems. In the weeks following she began to experience nightmares, waking up to six times a night in a state of utter terror. I would dream that I was back in hospital having the procedure and racked with pain. Some nights I would wake up screaming, sweating and with my heart racing. Then, during the day, I started getting flashbacks of the examination. They would come out of the blue. On one occasion I was in the queue for the tills at Ikea and had a sudden flashback. I burst into tears and ran out of the store. Lorraines GP diagnosed PTSD and referred her for cognitive behavioural therapy to teach her ways to deal with the nightmares, such as visualising a pain-free outcome to the procedure. After nearly a year of counselling, her nightmares reduced to three or four times a week. I was still getting flashbacks ten times a day, she says. Ive been told by my counsellor that they will probably never go away completely. Every year, 10,000 women have hysteroscopies on the NHS. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says only 10 per cent will experience moderate to severe pain during an outpatient hysteroscopy, but campaigners argue that the figure is closer to 25 per cent But even if it is only 10 per cent, why is the NHS denying women the right to adequate pain relief? A general anaesthetic carries a degree of risk but, as Good Health has reported in the past, there is another factor at play, with cash-strapped hospitals encouraged to do more procedures in an outpatient setting to save money. An outpatient hysteroscopy costs around 197. But a day case involving a general anaesthetic or sedation costs nearly 1,000. The Government also financially rewards hospitals that boost the proportion of outpatient hysteroscopies to at least 70 per cent. The national average is thought to be around 60 per cent. Campaigners want these cash incentives scrapped and doctors routinely to record pain scores during an examination, so it can be stopped before women needlessly experience severe pain, then rescheduled to be performed with full-scale pain relief. Katharine Tylko, of CAPH, says: Doctors are under pressure to do this procedure in an outpatient setting. It means some are inclined to continue doing it when they should really stop. Lorraine says: This barbaric process should not be happening. I have two daughters and I dread the thought of them ever having to go through what I did. THERE are no cases of the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) in Trinidad and Tobago to date. People seemed to be in panic mode yesterday as fake news and reports of suspected cases gripped social media platforms. Alliant Insurance Services Inc. has acquired Pend Oreille Insurance in Idaho. Pend Oreille is led by co-owners Stefanie Nostdahl and Jodie Corless. Nostdahl and Corless, along with the entire Pend Oreille team, will join Alliant and continue serving clients from the Ponderay, Idaho, offices. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The firm provides an array of regionally focused insurance solutions to clients in Idaho, Montana, California, Arizona, Colorado and Washington. Pend Oreilles diverse product offerings include commercial insurance, personal insurance, and health and life insurance services. Newport Beach, Calif.-based Alliant provides property/casualty, workers compensation, employee benefits, underwriting, surety, and financial products and services. Topics Mergers Alliant A fearless campaigner for democratic openness, or a criminal trying to avoid justice: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a highly polarising figure who finds himself once again at the centre of global attention. The 48-year-old Australian is the figurehead of the whistleblowing website that exposed government secrets worldwide, notably the explosive leak of US military and diplomatic files. But he has spent most of the past decade either in custody or holed up in Ecuador's London embassy as he has tried to avoid extradition -- first to Sweden and then to the United States. Now, he will finally get his day in court as a British judge will this week hear the case for sending him to the US to face charges relating to his WikiLeaks work. If found guilty of the espionage charges filed there, Assange could be jailed for 175 years. Transparency and anti-war campaigners have hailed him for revealing the deaths of civilians, torture and clandestine military operations with the release of 500,000 US documents on the Iraq and Afghan wars. But Washington and its allies have accused him of risking lives by sharing information on sources, intelligence techniques and key infrastructure sites. He has been held at the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London since he was dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy ten months ago. His team have repeatedly warned about his health and an independent UN rights expert said in November that his continued detention was putting his life at risk. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe rights group was last week the latest such organisation to warn that Assange's extradition would have a "chilling effect" on press freedoms. - Space station life - The saga began in 2010 when Assange faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he always denied, saying they were a pretext and the ultimate goal was to transfer him to the US. He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempted to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuador's embassy in London. For seven years he lived in the small apartment in the embassy, exercising on a treadmill and using a sun lamp to make up for the lack of natural light in a situation he compared to living in a space station. But after a change of government in Quito, Ecuador lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April. He was arrested for jumping bail and jailed. After his arrest it was revealed that the US were charging him with violating the US Espionage Act with the 2010 leaks, and he is now fighting extradition. However, Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a "credible" account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed. - Ties with Russia? - Assange was initially supported by human rights groups and newspapers that once worked with him to edit and publish the war logs. But many were horrified when WikiLeaks dumped unredacted documents online, including the names of informants. When a UN panel declared in 2016 that Assange had been detained arbitrarily, one of his previous media partners, the Guardian, dismissed the idea and said he should face justice. There have since been questions about his relationship with Russia. Robert Mueller's probe into interference in the 2016 US presidential election found that Russian government actors hacked candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign "and publicly disseminated those materials through various intermediaries, including WikiLeaks". In a preliminary court hearing in London last week, Assange's lawyer alleged US President Donald Trump had promised a pardon if he denied that Russia leaked the emails that damaged his rival, Clinton. The White House denied the claim. - War logs exposed - Born in Townsville, Queensland, in 1971, Assange has described a nomadic childhood and claims to have attended 37 schools before settling in Melbourne. As a teenager, he discovered a talent for computer hacking and although he has since pleaded guilty to 25 such offences he has never been jailed. He has only ever walked away with fines. He created WikiLeaks in 2006 with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts to provide a secure way for whistleblowers to leak information. A confident speaker, he became its figurehead and a lightning rod for criticism. The most damaging leaks emerged in 2010, beginning with a video showing a US military Apache helicopter firing on and killing two journalists and several Iraqi civilians on a Baghdad street in 2007. It was followed by more than 90,000 classified US military files from the Afghan war, 400,000 from Iraq, and in November that year, around 250,000 US diplomatic cables covering almost every country in the world. Google has told the majority of its 8,000 workers to stay at home for a second day. The company is still waiting on results for the worker who has reported flu-like symptoms. The move affects the web giants massive Barrow Street and Dublin 4 offices, but not its data centres, Eastpoint or Sandyford facilities. It comes after Twitter told over 200 workers in its Dublin offices to work at home if they could. Facebook, which has almost 4,000 Irish workers, has cancelled all social visits to its Dublin office, but remains open for business otherwise. Microsoft Ireland, which has over 2,000 staff, says that it is business as usual but has emphasised its flexible working conditions for workers who want to work from home. unitQ, a San Mateo, Calif.-based real-time solution for staying on top of product quality across all platforms, languages and regions, raised $11M in Series A funding. The round was led by Gradient Ventures, Googles AI-focused venture fund, with participation from Creandum, XSeed Capital, Bragiel Brothers and BootstrapLabs. In conjunction with the funding, Anna Patterson, Managing Partner at Gradient Ventures, will join the board. The company intends to use the funds to hire, invest in new and existing product development, and bring unitQ Monitor to a broader market as it launches out of beta. Founded 2018 by ex-Skout founders Christian Wiklund, David Eklov and Niklas Lindstrom, unitQ provides enterprise clients with unitQ Monitor, a platform that ingests omni-channel user feedback in any language to identify, quantify, and prioritize product bugs. The solution aims to present indisputable data on what bugs to fix next to increase user retention, decrease support ticket volumes, and align organizations on company priorities. Accoridng to a written note, during a short beta period, unitQ has identified 3,500 unique bugs in 5.6M pieces of customer feedback data. On average, customers increased the quality of their products with 20% less bugs reported within 30 days of adopting unitQ. FinSMEs 03/03/2020 [March 03, 2020] InfoTrack makes waves in California with the acquisition of One Legal PETALUMA, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- InfoTrack US today announced the acquisition of One Legal in a strategic move to expand their brand presence and become a household name in the California legal market. Stephen Wood, the Executive Chairman of the InfoTrack Group explains, "We were attracted to One Legal's excellent reputation for simplifying support for legal professionals via their SaaS application and their strong operational and client service functions. They currently have 12,000 active legal firms and we see their service creating an opportunity to further strengthen InfoTrack's end-to-end workflow integration solutions, especially across the state and local courts where eFiling is mandatory." InfoTrack US has been founded on a similar model to its global counterparts in Australia, UK and in New Zealand, where integration is saving lawyers time and creating workflow efficiencies through data pre-population, simple billing reconciliation and smart document workflows. One Legal CEO, Robert DeFilippis who has been a part of One Legal's growh story for over 20 years, says, "We've worked hard to find the right business partner who had the capability to deepen our service provision to clients and to ensure that our people and our clients remain top of mind. InfoTrack is this partner, and we are excited to be working together over the coming months to expand our service offering and to delight our clients with new ways to create workflow efficiencies in their practices." InfoTrack US is based in New York although One Legal will continue to operate out of its Petaluma California headquarters where it has links to all 58 of California's superior courts and every state court in Illinois, Indiana and Texas. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABOUT INFOTRACK InfoTrack is a global innovator in legal technology servicing the needs of the legal market in Australia, USA, UK and New Zealand. We are a leading provider of integrated SAAS platforms enabling our clients to find, analyze, organize and communicate information efficiently and effectively. InfoTrack has globally been at the forefront helping law firms through technology innovation for over 19 years and has a deep understanding of the legal industry in multiple jurisdictions with over 25,000 legal firms world-wide. ABOUT ONE LEGAL One Legal is the most desirable single platform for litigation support services with easy to use solutions, premium customer support and in-depth knowledge of the courts. With a 30-year proven track record, One Legal consistently delivers trustworthy, accurate and on-time services that save customers time, while reducing risk. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infotrack-makes-waves-in-california-with-the-acquisition-of-one-legal-301015850.html SOURCE One Legal; InfoTrack [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Now, when I was a parochial school kid, I was one of the lucky ones who actually had a feast day, which was the day that your given first name and a patron saints day in the Catholic Church coincided. Other classmates had different dates for their feast day recognition. But Id be hard pressed to come up with a patron saint that has a better day for celebration than St. Patrick on March 17. TANZANIA, Tanzania - Chinas U.N. ambassador said Monday that North Korea is suffering negatively from the coronavirus and called for greater flexibility from the United States and other countries on lifting sanctions against the country. Zhang Jun told a news conference a draft resolution proposed by Russia and China in December that would terminate sanctions on North Korean exports such as textiles, seafood and statues is still on the table and we do hope that all parties should give a second thought on this issue. He spoke following North Koreas firing of two presumed short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea earlier Monday, according to South Korean officials, resuming weapons launches after a months-long hiatus that may have been forced by the coronavirus crisis in Asia. Zhang said U.N. sanctions are having a lot of humanitarian impact on ordinary people in North Korea, so we should do whatever we can to lessen, to diminish the negative impact on that, which is why Russia and China have called for the lifting of some sanctions on the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the countrys official name. Especially nowadays, you know many countries are also being affected negatively by COVID-19 (virus) including DPRK, the Chinese ambassador said. So we do think we should take all the things into consideration in finding a comprehensive solution to the issue relating to DPRK. Asked how the DPRK was being affected by the virus, Zhang said, We know that they are also attaching great importance, and taking preventive methods, and they are also doing whatever they can in fighting this virus. But being in New York, he said, he didnt have sufficient information on the exact situation in the DPRK. The recent lull in North Koreas launches had experts wondering whether the North was holding back its weapons displays while it was fighting the coronavirus, which state media has described as a matter of national existence. Some analysts speculated that the North cut back training and other activities involving large gatherings of soldiers to reduce the possibility of the virus spreading within its military. Kim Jong Un had entered the new year vowing to bolster his nuclear deterrent in the face of gangster-like U.S. sanctions and pressure, using a key ruling party meeting in late December to warn of shocking action over stalled nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration. Kim and President Donald Trump have met three times since embarking on their high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018, but negotiations have faltered since their second summit in February last year in Vietnam, where the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capability. Following the collapse in Hanoi, the North ended a 17-month pause in ballistic activity and conducted at least 13 rounds of weapons launches last year, using the standstill in talks to expand its military capabilities. Zhang stressed the importance of the United States and the DPRK resuming dialogue and seeking a solution to the Norths nuclear program. Its our position that parties concerned really need to show more flexibilities in building up mutual trust, in seeking solutions through dialogue, and especially in realizing the final goals of denuclearization and a lasting peace in the Korean peninsula, he said. Sanctions is only a means in realizing our goals. So while we have seen some progress from one side, we also need to show flexibilities from the other side. Zhang said thats why China and Russia introduced their resolution. It has languished in the Security Council because the U.S., its Western allies and other members want to see DPRK actions toward denuclearization before lifting any sanctions. Google is canceling in-person attendance for one of its most important events, Google IO, due to the spreading of the coronavirus, a company spokesperson confirmed. The company said in an email to attendees that it will refund those who bought tickets. The company also confirmed that it has halted international employee travel and is advising currently traveling employees to return home. Google initially restricted travel in several countries including China, Italy and Iran. "Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities, we have decided to cancel the physical Google I/O event at Shoreline Amphitheatre," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Over the coming weeks, we will explore other ways to evolve Google I/O to best connect with and continue to build our developer community. We'll continue to update the Google I/O website." The Google I/O conference is the company's most immersive event with thousands of demonstrations that give global developers in its ecosystem a chance to touch, feel and interact with Google's latest technology. Google typically uses the event to show off new features of its various products such as Android, Google Photos and YouTube. Last year, Google I/O drew more than 7,000 attendees. It's also one of the only times developers get to interact with executives and Google experts. At last year's event, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai casually strolled through the conference, talking and taking pictures with developers who traveled from around the world. The COVID-19 virus has resulted in 91,300 confirmed cases and at least 3,110 deaths globally, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Google is among a growing number of tech companies to postpone, alter or cancel big events because of the coronavirus. Facebook said on Thursday that it canceled its annual F8 software developer conference. Google announced Monday that its Google Cloud Next 2020 event that was scheduled for April 6 through April 8 in San Francisco will now only be held virtually "out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our customers, partners and employees." It came after the company canceled its internal sales conference scheduled for Las Vegas in April and its Global News Initiative Summit scheduled for May in Sunnyvale, California. Additionally on Tuesday, cloud software company Okta said its annual Oktane conference for customers and developers, scheduled for March 30 to April 2, will now be held online One employee in Google's Zurich offices tested positive for the virus. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnals 'derogatory' comments against centenarian freedom fighter HS Doreswamy rocked the Karnataka Assembly as it met for the budget session on Monday with the ruling BJP and Opposition crossing swords. Bengaluru: BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnals derogatory comments against centenarian freedom fighter HS Doreswamy rocked the Karnataka Assembly as it met for the budget session on Monday with the ruling BJP and Opposition crossing swords. Opposition parties thronged the well of the House, demanding that they be allowed to raise the matter and forcing repeated adjournments. The ruling BJP opposed attempts by the Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah to raise the issue, without any prior notice. The House also witnessed Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the joint sitting of the state legislature, and also the motion getting adopted with a voice vote, amid sloganeering by opposition members from the well. Amid the din, eight bills were tabled, including The Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on setting up Raichur University, the Sarvajna Kshetra Development Authority Bill and Karnataka Regulation of Pay and Pension of Teacher in Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2020. Yatnals recent comments against Doreswamy, calling him a fake freedom fighter and Pakistani agent sparked a row, with opposition parties up in arms against him in the last few days. The Congress has even been demanding revocation of his assembly membership. According to Congress leaders, Yatnals comments are in violation of the Constitution as by disrespecting a freedom fighter like Doreswamy, he had disrespected the freedom movement, which is in violation of our fundamental duties. Yatnal has made it clear that there was no question of withdrawing his statements against Doreswamy and even called him a mouthpiece in favour of the JD(S) and Congress. Several BJP legislators have come out in defence of the Vijayapura city MLA, questioning the Congress and the freedom fighter for their alleged comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Veer Savarkar. As the House met for the day, the first day of the budget session, soon after the obituary reference to departed personalities, Siddaramaiah tried to raise the issue by terming it as a matter of urgent public importance. He said the Speaker can allow him to raise the matter under residual powers that the Chair has. However, the Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, disallowing him, said he would go by the agenda as per which the Chief Ministers reply to the Governors address has been listed and would consider the issue Siddaramaiah was trying to raise only after it was completed. All federal limits on testing will be lifted, Pence says. Vice President Mike Pence said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was lifting all restrictions on testing for coronavirus, and would be releasing new guidelines to fast-track testing for people who fear they have the virus, even if they are displaying mild symptoms. Today we will issue new guidance from the C.D.C. that will make it clear that any American can be tested, no restrictions, subject to doctors orders, Mr. Pence told reporters at the White House. The federal government has promised to significantly ramp up testing, after drawing criticism for strictly limiting testing in the first weeks of the outbreak. But health care supply companies and public health officials have cast doubt on the governments assurances, as complaints continue that the need for testing remains far greater than the capacity. The estimates were getting from industry right now by the end of this week, close to a million tests will be able to be performed, the head of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Stephen Hahn, said at a White House briefing on Monday. His Its OK to Feel the Way You Do was awarded the 2018 Australian Book Industry Award for the Small Publisher Childrens Picture Book of the Year. New South Wales-based Big Sky Publishing has published eight of his books, including three picture books for children on topics such as self-acceptance, self-esteem and learning from your mistakes. An award-winning West Australian childrens author, illustrator and speaker has been quizzed about his LGBTIQ agenda by a prospective workshop client. Mr Langley lives in the South West with his partner of 20 years, now his husband, and runs primary school and high school workshops on such topics as mindfulness, creativity, dealing with difficult emotions, how to be resilient in hard times, and how its OK to be different. He has visited more than 60 government and private religious schools over the past four years, from Port Hedland to Albany, Norseman to Geraldton, and everywhere in between. I write these books for my younger self, Mr Langley said. I want to know what I would tell my 8-year-old self what he needs to know to thrive in life ... to feel good, to feel confident and brave because I didnt have a very good upbringing. Mr Langley has never been asked about his sexuality or agenda. COVID-19: Iran-returned Army officer quarantined in Madhya Pradesh India pti-Madhuri Adnal Indore, Mar 03: An Army officer was admitted to the isolation ward of a military hospital at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday for suspected exposure to the coronavirus after returning from Iran, a health official said. The 32-year-old officer returned on February 25 from Tehran, Iran's capital, and was admitted to hospital after he complained of sore throat, said Dr Santosh Sisodia, district in-charge of Integrated Disease Surveillance Program. "His condition is fine. He has been kept under medical observation in an isolation ward. His blood and swab samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing," Sisodia added. Iran announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus on Monday, taking the death toll in that country to 77. In all, 2,336 people have been infected in Iran since the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, a 27-year-old woman, who was studying in Italy and admitted to Indore's state-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital for the past two days for suspected exposure to COVID-19 virus tested negative, an official said. "She had attended a party in Italy a few days ago and a person who was present there later tested positive for the virus. It scared her and she returned to Indore on Saturday," the official said. Italy, Europe's worst-affected country with around 1,700 coronavirus infections, said that deaths, as of Monday, stood at 52. A man with a mask walk through torii gates at the Hie Shrine In Tokyo, Sunday, March 1, 2020. The coronavirus has claimed its first victim in the United States as the number of cases shot up in Iran, Italy and South Korea and the spreading outbreak shook the global economy. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) TOKYO (AP) Electronics maker Sharp Corp. said Monday it will start making surgical masks, which are in high demand because of the virus outbreak, using a plant in central Japan that usually makes displays. Sharp, owned by Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., also known as FoxConn, of Taiwan, said mask production at its Mie Prefecture plant will start by the end of this month, at 150,000 masks a day, rising to 500,000 a day. Electronics displays are generally made in what are called germ-free plants for the sake of high quality. So small particles can't get into the manufacturing process, making it a good place for mask-making. Masks are hard to find on store shelves in many places. In Japan, long lines form outside some drug stores, even before they open. Japanese have long worn face masks to prevent spreading colds or alleviate allergies. That practice has grown more widespread since the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as COVID-19. Shoppers have been clearing store shelves of other supplies seemingly directly unrelated to viruses, such as toilet paper and rice. Sharp, based in Osaka, Japan, said in a statement it hoped to contribute to society by making the masks. Their prices, sales channels and other details are still undecided, it said. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked Advocate General Atul Nanda to examine, in detail, the High Court orders with respect to constructions in the area around Sukhna Lake. In an informal chat with media persons outside the Vidhan Sabha here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said his government had received a copy of the judgment today and the AG would examine the same and make his recommendations. The state government, said Captain Amarinder, would take whatever decisions, legislative or judicial, needed to resolve the issue. "We stand by the people and will do everything to protect their interests," he said, in response to a question. Recognising Sukhna Lake as a legal entity, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana has ordered the demolition of all the unauthorised structures in the catchment area around it within three months, while imposing a fine on both the states. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police said in a statement that officers were forensically testing the remains. Detectives found the remains on Tuesday at the Chinchilla Weir, about 160 kilometres north-west of Toowoomba, and declared the area a crime scene. On Monday, 28-year-old Sinitta Dawita and her 40-year-old fiance Tane Desatge faced Dalby Magistrates Court accused of murdering Ms Dawita's daughter Kaydence Dawita Mills. Police have found skeletal remains in their search for a Queensland toddler missing since 2016. Ms Dawita and Mr Desatge were charged with one count each of murder, interfering with a corpse and torture. Loading They did not apply for bail because in Queensland, prisoners accused of murder must apply to a higher court for bail. They were remanded in custody for a committal mention on June 30. Kaydence was born in September 2014 but was last seen in 2016. Maharashtra OBC Welfare Minister Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday said a decision on recruitment of Maratha community members in government jobs will be taken only after the Supreme Court gives its judgment on the issue. BJP MLC Bhai Girkar raised the issue of jobs to Marathas in the state Legislative Council. Replying to it, Wadettiwar said, "We are waiting for the Supreme Court's verdict on issuing joining orders to the Maratha candidates. We need to wait for the final verdict to be out. The verdict is expected to be out soon." Several Maratha youths have been staging sit-in agitation at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai for nearly 56 posts in the state government. Girkar asked the question regarding the status of their appointment. The Maharashtra Legislature on November 29, 2018 passed a bill granting 16 per cent reservation in education and government jobs to the Maratha community under the socially and educationally backward category (SEBC). The bill was approved and signed by the Maharashtra governor a day later. The Bombay High Court in June 2019 upheld the constitutional validity of reservation in government jobs and education. The court, which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging Maharashtra government's decision granting 16 per cent reservation, though said that the quota percentage be reduced from 16 per cent to 12 per cent and 13 per cent in education and jobs, respectively (as was recommended by the State Backward Classes Commission). The government's decision to give quota was later challenged before the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, March 3 : On a day when six suspected cases of coronavirus were detected in Agra, 200 km from here, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gautam Gambhir urged people to keep calm and not panic. "Be alert, follow advisories & don't panic. This will get us through!," he tweeted. Praising the government efforts, he tweeted, "Our Govt has been exceptional in handling corona outbreak in the past 2 months when several other nations were struggling. It will take the effort of 1.3 billion to counter this deadly disease." Earlier, during the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation and had an "extensive review" of the preparedness to tackle coronavirus. "Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," tweeted Modi and urged people not to panic. It also came up at his meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. On Monday, two fresh cases were reported, one from Delhi and another from Telangana. A case of coronavirus has also been reported from Rajasthan. Elon Musk believes the era of fighter jets is over and future warfare will be carried out by autonomous drones. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO made the prediction while speaking with US Air Force Lt. Gen. John Thompson at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida on Friday. 'Drone warfare is where the future will be. It's not that I want the future to be it's just, this is what the future will be,' the billionaire said. Musk also believes that Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet, is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons system, should have a competitor and specifically a 'drone fighter plane', according to CNBC. Musk's reason for suggesting new technology is he is concerned the US may fall behind other nations when it comes to battle weapons if officials do not look to new innovations. Scroll down for video Elon Musk believes the era of fighter jets is over and future warfare will be done by autonomous drones. 'Drone warfare is where the future will be. It's not that I want the future to be it's just, this is what the future will be,' the billionaire said 'This is not something that was a risk in times past but is a risk now,' Musk said. 'I have zero doubt that if the United States doesn't seek innovation in space it will be second in space.' Musk also believes the Chinese economy will eventually beat the US 'by at least two-fold.' 'A thing that will feel pretty strange is that the Chinese economy is probably going to be at least twice as big as the United States' economy, maybe three times,' Musk said. 'The foundation of war is economics,' Musk said. Musk also believes that Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet (pictured), is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons system, should have a competitor and specifically a 'drone fighter plane' 'If you have half the resources of the counterparty then you better be real innovative, if you're not innovative, you're going to lose.' Although many may disregard what the billionaire has to say, his words echo that of a report from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence released last November. The group, in the report, urges officials to developed AI-powered security and defense technologies before the US falls victim to increased cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and the erosion of individual privacy and civil liberties. The interim report was released in November, with the final report set to be out sometime this year. This document is set to be handed to the US Secretary of Defense soon and includes key steps the government can take to position the US in the top spot. Although many may disregard what the billionaire has to say, his words echo that of a report from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence released last November. The group, in the report, urges officials to developed AI-powered security and defense technologies before the US falls victim to increased cyberattacks 'We are concerned that America's role as the world's leading innovator is threatened,' wrote commission chairman (and former Google CEO) Eric Schmidt and vice chairman Robert Work in the report's introduction. 'We know strategic competitors are investing in research and applications.' 'It is only reasonable to conclude that AI-enabled capabilities could be used to threaten our critical infrastructure, amplify disinformation campaigns and wage war.' China, which the reports names as the 'most serious strategic competitor' has declared its mission to become the world leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2030 and has pledged to $150 billion from now until then in order to see that it happens. China has also been found by national security and law enforcement officials that China is extracting AI knowledge and technology from the United States to undermine our strategic advantages However, the the document also highlights areas where the country is using the technology for evil and not to protect itself from foreign invaders. China uses the technology to 'build a dystopian surveillance state, and aspires to create social credit systems that assign people to 'blacklist' based on who they communicate with, where they travel, what they buy and how they use their mobile phones'. It has also been found by national security and law enforcement officials that China is extracting AI knowledge and technology from the United States to undermine our strategic advantages. While China is using AI to infiltrate databases and people's lives, Russia is using it to develop high-tech war machines. While China is using AI to infiltrate databases and people's lives, Russia is using it to develop high-tech war machines. In March of this year, Russia unveiled an army of 'killer robots' that will assist infantry on the battlefield in propaganda footage (pictured) 'Russia has already fielded armed robotic vehicles with autonomous features on the battlefield in support of a brutal dictator without evident regard for ethical considerations,' reads the report. 'It will almost certainly use AI to accelerate its efforts to violate the sovereignty of other states using hybrid warfare'. In March of this year, Russia unveiled an army of 'killer robots' that will assist infantry on the battlefield in propaganda footage. The video, released by the Kremlin, appeared to showcase the state's latest drone technology that includes AI-controlled driverless tank, which follow the aim of a soldier's rifle to obliterate targets with its own weaponry. Russia's Advanced Research Foundation (ARF) said the ultimate goal is to have an army of robots entirely controlled by Artificial Intelligence algorithms technology far out of the US's reach. The preliminary report has laid out steps the US government can take in order to avoid falling victim to China's and Russia's AI capabilities. The first effort is to invest in AI research and development, followed by using the technology in national security mission, then train and recruit AI talent. It also suggests putting forth an effort towards building upon exiting technology and marshaling global AI corporations.in order to build AI partnerships with other like-minded nations. Its no secret that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has struggled recently to maintain its bipartisan clout in Washington. But Vice President Mike Pence and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg managed to find a strong point of bipartisan consensus at AIPACs annual policy conference today. At the heart of that consensus is the current front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary, Bernie Sanders. The independent senator from Vermont is boycotting the conference and has denounced it as a platform for bigotry. Still, he nonetheless loomed large in his absence. Pence and Bloomberg received some of their biggest applause lines when they eviscerated Sanders before AIPACs rank and file attendees, who were not shy about actively booing the Jewish candidate from Vermont. Pence condemned Sanders for criticizing President Donald Trumps strike on Iranian Maj. Qasem Soleimani as assassinating a government official. Later in the speech, Pence denounced Sanders recent attacks on AIPAC as a platform for bigotry and tried to tie Sanders' views to the rest of the Democratic presidential field. Even more troubling, when Bernie Sanders smeared Israel at last weeks debate, not a single candidate on that stage stood up to challenge him, said Pence. But Pences point was somewhat undermined by the Democrats other Jewish presidential candidate, who addressed AIPAC immediately before the vice president. Bloomberg did refrain from picking a fight with Sanders on the debate stage after Sanders called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a reactionary racist. Bloomberg instead reserved his ammunition for his AIPAC speech today where he lamented deeply troubling cracks in Washingtons bipartisan pro-Israel consensus and called Sanders dead wrong. Unfortunately, not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference, said Bloomberg. Calling it a racist platform is an attempt to discredit those voices, intimidate people form coming here and weaken the US-Israel relationship. Bloomberg also received thunderous applause when he vowed that he would never impose conditions on military aid [to Israel] no matter what government is in power. His pledge served as another rebuke of Sanders, who wants to use military aid as leverage over Israels occupation of the West Bank and its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Tellingly, AIPAC is asking its activists to push back against aid restrictions during its annual Capitol Hill lobby day on Tuesday. AIPAC will lobby lawmakers to give Israel its annual $3.8 billion in military aid without any added conditions. Conditioning aid to Israel is probably about the stupidest thing Ive heard in the 31 years Ive been in Congress, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., told AIPAC attendees today. Its absolutely outrageous, and I dont care about what party. Anybody who talks about conditioning aid to Israel doesnt get my vote. Undeterred, Sanders doubled down on his decision to boycott AIPAC during a CBS interview Sunday, noting that the lobby group has a lot of money and power. I am not anti-Israel, said Sanders. I will do everything I can to protect the independence and security and the freedom of the Israeli people. But what we need in this country is a foreign policy that not only protects Israel but deals with the suffering of the Palestinian people as well. Sanders was specifically asked to respond to comments made by Israels ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, that same day. We dont want Sanders at AIPAC, said Danon. We dont want him in Israel. Anyone who calls our prime minister a racist is either a liar, an ignorant fool, or both. Howard Kohr, AIPACs CEO, also took aim at Sanders and his supporters Sunday without mentioning the senator by name as Kohr called out political leaders who are not our friends and becoming a vocal and energizing part of the electorate. AIPAC first started running social media ads against Sanders last year, which largely slid under the radar. The lobby group faced more heat last month for ads accusing radicals in the Democratic party of pushing their anti-Semitic and anti-Israel policies down the throats of the American people. AIPAC ultimately apologized for and retracted the ads, some of which singled out two pro-Palestinian Sanders supporters: Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. However, several prominent AIPAC leaders also bankrolled the lions share of funding for a pro-Israel super political action committee that ran ads targeting Sanders ahead of the Iowa and Nevada caucuses last month. This years AIPAC conference overlapped with crucial Democratic primary contests in 14 states across the country, inhibiting attendance from Democratic presidential candidates more closely aligned with AIPAC. Former Vice President Joe Biden, Sanders main opponent, addressed the crowd via video. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., addressed the conference over a video as well, but dropped out of the race today to endorse Biden. Conversely, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was the first Democratic candidate to announce she would boycott the AIPAC conference. In his video, Biden called on Palestinians to end incitement in the West Bank and rocket attacks out of Gaza. However, he also called on Israel to stop the threats of annexation and settlement activity. Thats going to choke off any hope for peace, said Biden. And to be frank, those moves are taking Israel further from its democratic values, undermining support for Israel in the United States, especially among young people in both political parties. Despite Bidens warning, AIPAC President Betsy Berns Korn offered praise for Trumps Israeli-Palestinian peace proposal, which calls for Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley and allows Israel to keep all its West Bank settlements. While introducing Pence, Korn recited a litany of Trumps AIPAC-backed policy moves including the Soleimani strike and the peace proposal stressing that the plan was developed in consultation with the leaders of Israels two major political parties. Theres nothing new or remarkable here, said Lara Friedman, the president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace. Korns comments are entirely consistent with AIPAC policies, activism and legislative initiatives that year after year have legitimized and promoted voices aligned with the illiberal, Greater Israel worldview that is at the core of the [Trump] plan. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 3 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey and Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will expand cooperation in veterinary and phytosanitary, Trend reports referring to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The parties will mutually recognize each other's veterinary and phytosanitary certificates. According to the ministry, the parties will carry out appropriate work in the direction of mutual recognition of certificates issued for the transport of live cattle and livestock products to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as in the opposite direction. Along with all this, measures to expedite the processing and passing of agricultural products from the Azerbaijan-Turkey border crossing point in Diluju province will also be taken. Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) earlier told Trend that acceleration of customs procedures between Azerbaijan and Turkey is envisaged. To this end, both countries will cooperate in the digitalization of foreign trade operations during 2020-2021. As part of this cooperation, the documents required by both countries for conducting foreign trade operations will be placed in a digital database. This in turn will allow checking the documentation before the goods arrive at the customs point, which will significantly reduce the clearance time, the ministry said. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kornelius Purba (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 10:51 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067e740e 1 Opinion Mahathir,Mahathir-Mohamad,UMNO,#commentary Free A perfect combination of Mahathir Mohamads political ambition and the countrys Malay First policy was the main factor behind the comeback of the former Malaysian ruling party United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in the last few days. The Malay First factor is so sensitive that it could continue to be a divisive factor as long as people cannot find the common wisdom to overcome or minimize their differences regarding the policy. Mahathir clearly wanted to control Malaysia for a much longer period. Though he has outlived his peers as Southeast Asias elder statesman, he has completely lost his statesmanship. Many may regard him as an untrustworthy great-grandpa who has repeatedly betrayed his promise in the last two years to hand over his power to his archrival Anwar Ibrahim. Instead of leaving a memorable legacy for Malaysias future generations, Mahatir risks being remembered as a power-hungry, albeit very healthy looking, 94-year-old. Mahathir wrongly calculated his political strength and invited mockery when he lambasted the election of the new prime minister; he reportedly suspects the role of the king in his downfall. Just a few weeks ago, Anwar appeared confident that he would soon realize his longtime ambition to become prime minister. He would have gained a higher position than his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Mahathirs deputy for almost two years. The 72-year-old politician must now bury his dream. When Indonesia celebrated the 20th anniversary of reformasi in 2018, many Malaysians chanted the same slogan. They were determined to follow our path in ending Soehartos 32 years of corrupt dictatorship in May 1998. They even claimed which was then very true that Malaysias reform movement was much more peaceful than Indonesias. Less than two years on, however, things dont look so peaceful just yet. The alleged abuse of power and mega-corruption practices by the ruling coalition leaders so disgusted citizens that they granted a historic, shocking victory to the opposition parties. They had earlier ignored the important role of many non-Malays who were sidelined in the opposition. Malay First, which automatically also means Muslims first, has been the magical slogan of UMNO, including veteran politician Muhyiddin Yassin and has eventually led him to become the countrys eighth prime minister since independence in 1958. Malays, despite their special privileges for the past 60 years, continue to be haunted by the comparative success of the Chinese and Indians. It looks almost impossible, but Malaysians must find the courage to address the Malay First policy. Unless they are able to reach a mutual consensus it will continue to be a crucial divisive factor for the country. Ethnic Malays make up half the population while Indians and Chinese, both perceived to be relatively better off and generally more highly educated, comprise almost one third of the population. Their clout is much larger than that of the Indonesian Chinese, for instance, who are estimated to account for less than 1.5 percent of the Indonesian population. In Indonesia its a common understanding that the president should be Javanese, the dominant ethnic group, and a Muslim. But Indonesia is not an Islamic state and since the late BJ Habibie was a non-Javanese, options for presidential candidates look more open. Many Malays believe that Mahathir and his ruling coalition members were too lenient toward non-Malays since he became prime minister again in 2018. Mahathir, who had been the countrys longest-serving prime minister before his resignation in 2002, often expressed his dissatisfaction over the lack of economic progress of Malays, despite their abundant state privileges such as affirmative action in the economy and education. UMNO and its smaller coalition members ruled the country for 60 years and suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2018 election, because Malaysians were outraged by the corruption of then-prime minister Najib Razak and his cronies. Now Najib and his wife are facing trial. As alleged by the prosecutors, his way of embezzling state funds was so blatant that his denials became endless jokes (we might note that Indonesian politicians are smarter in that regard). According to Malaysias constitution, Islam is the kingdoms official religion. Malays, who must be Muslims, are first-class citizens, while other ethnic groups including Chinese and Indians, are expected to adjust themselves to race-based politics and privileges. Malaysia, which eventually followed its neighbor Indonesias path toward democracy 20 years later, was very confident that its political reform would be much smoother than Indonesias. But the fall of Mahathir shows Malaysia has to confront very tough political challenges regarding the Malay First policy. Will the Chinese and Indians continue to accept the fact that in daily life their position is not equal to that of their Malay compatriots? It is unlikely, and if so, the issue will continue to haunt their nation, regardless of who the nations prime minister is. PLACER COUNTY, Calif. - Placer County Public Health says a health care worker has been confirmed to have coronavirus. This making it the first confirmed case in the county. The department said they have "received confirmation that a Placer resident has tested presumptively positive for Coronavirus" and are waiting for confirmation from CDC testing. The health care worker had contact with the Solano County patient and is now at home in isolation with mild symptoms, according to the Placer County Public Health. Officials say the risk to the general public in Placer County is relatively low but "now is the time to prepare," for community transmission unrelated to this case. RELATED: New US coronavirus case may be 1st from unknown origin The person is a NorthBay VacaValley Hospital health care worker who had close contact with the Solano County patient before they were transferred to another hospital. We have expected to see cases of COVID-19 in Placer County and have been planning and preparing accordingly, said Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. Given recent evidence of community spread occurring elsewhere in California, we are now encouraging the public to prepare for the likelihood of local community spread here as well, unrelated to this case. RELATED: This map tracks the coronavirus in real time Those who have had close contact with this case and are at risk of infection will be quarantined and monitored by help with the CDC, the California Department of Public Health and Solano County Public Health, Placer County Public Health We are tracing all contacts this worker had in our organization and sharing that information with public health officials in both Solano and Placer counties," said Aimee Brewer, president of NorthBay HealthCare Group. As state and local public health offices scramble to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, they do so against a backdrop of years-long budget cuts, leaving them without the trained employees or updated equipment to adequately address the virus' growing threat, former public health officials say. In the last 15 years, public health, the country's frontline defense in epidemics, lost 45% of its inflation-adjusted funding for staff, training, equipment and supplies. The Public Health Emergency Fund, created for such disease or disaster relief is long depleted. And much of the money the federal government is racing to come up with now to combat the COVID-19 outbreak will be pulled from other often-dire health needs and likely will arrive too late to hire the needed personnel. Florida, with two cases so far, and Washington, where six deaths have been reported, have declared states of emergency, and state and local officials there and elsewhere assure they have staff, equipment and procedures ready. But early testing glitches in California, the failure to protect federal health officials from the virus in cruise ship patients, and a climbing number of U.S. cases raise questions about that confidence. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told a Senate panel last week there are only about 30 million of the 300 million face masks needed for health care workers. "Once again, were not that prepared," said Dr. Boris Lushniak, a former deputy and acting U.S. Surgeon General who spent 13 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is now dean of University of Maryland's School of Public Health. "When those (basic public health efforts) arent supported well, in the time of emergency you dont have the infrastructure to shift gears and go into emergency mode." The prospect of contending with an epidemic hits often-ignored public health departments already taxed by at least 70 homegrown threats, including a host of sexualy transmitted diseases and tuberculosis. Story continues It's been 16 months since President Donald Trump declared opioid abuse a "public health emergency," and less than a year since Kentucky warned it might have to close 42 of its county health departments amid the country's worst outbreak of Hepatitis A. In New York City, an explosion of measles among unvaccinated children that ended just six months ago cost the city more than $2 million to fight and involved 400 public health employees, according to the Big Cities Health Coalition. Such health crises come on the heels of massive cuts to state and local public health budgets that started during the recession, and saw funding steadily decrease. Public health funding fell from more than $900 million in fiscal year 2005 to $675 million in fiscal year 2020, a drop of 25% or 45% when adjusted for inflation. Public health represented 2.5% - or just $274 per person of all U.S. health spending in the country in 2017, according to the nonprofit Trust for America's Health. Don't worry. Be cautious about coronavirus. Think you have coronavirus? Call first! Here's what to expect at the doctor's office 'Not gone as smoothly as we would have liked': CDC fixes coronavirus testing kit glitch US learned from Ebola but is 'nowhere near as prepared' as needed if coronavirus outbreak happened here "The nation's ability to be prepared has been eroded in an enormous way," said Dr. Rahul Gupta, West Virginia's former health secretary and now chief medical officer at the March of Dimes. "It's really unbelievable that it's happening when we have a higher frequency of these risks" of global novel virus transmission. A month after reports in China first surfaced, President Trump last week asked Congress to approve $2.5 billion for coronavirus response efforts that includes $1 billion for vaccine research. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer proposed $8.5 billion, including $2 billion that would repay state and local governments. No matter what amount is ultimately approved by Congress, the money will come from other health areas and much of it likely will take months wend its way through the federal Department of Health and Human Services to states and then local health departments. In the meantime, another $136 million in funding cuts from other HHS agencies, including $37 million from heating assistance for low income families and $4.9 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, is now being transferred to states, HHS spokeswoman Caitlin Oakley said Friday. As a pandemic looms "is not the time to have the conversation" about funding health departments, said Brian Castrucci, an epidemiologist who spent a decade in the health departments for Texas, Georgia and Philadelphia. But he has little faith Congress and White House officials will learn from their funding mistakes and make changes after the coronavirus outbreak ends. "While we are waiting, people are getting sick and the response doesnt wait," said Castrucci, now CEO of the deBeaumont Foundation. "We dont have the luxury, working in public health, to wait for money to come." Is public health ready? Depends on who you ask Trust for America's Health, a illness and injury-focused nonprofit with funders including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, found it took six weeks for funding to get approved by Congress for the Ebola outbreak, seven weeks for H1N1 in 2009-2010 and seven months for Zika, which struck the U.S. in early 2016. Counties wracked by opiods in states including West Virginia, Indiana and Ohio all ranked by Trust for America's Health among the 13 least prepared states for a public health emergency now have to prepare for the possibility of airline passengers needing immediate isolation in hotels and relying on state and federal money redirected from other pressing needs. Still, in Indiana, which also ranks 49th on one list of public health funding, Health Secretary Kristina Box said the state is "very supported in this and not feeling that we are lacking any funds to address this issue." In the state's Marion County, however, health department director Dr. Virginia Caine warned "a major crisis or a major number of cases" could be a different story. "I might be concerned that we may not have enough protective equipment, surgical masks, things of that nature, where our stockpile we might want to have be a little bit larger," said Caine. Dr. Mysheika Williams Roberts at a press conference in Columbus, Ohio on August 2, 2018. In Ohio, Columbus' Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said if anyone is to blame for a lack of preparedness, it's the federal government as it determines most of the funding for local health departments. She called Washington's decisions "unfortunate" but said the state's larger cities were well positioned for a possible outbreak. A day before Washington announced its first coronavirus death Saturday, Seattle and King County health department policy director Ingrid Ulrey said the cost of responding to the outbreak already was daunting. Diverting staff to coronavirus and overtime already had cost about $200,000 more a week about 5% of the department's budget. Ulrey said the office plans to hire a temporary team of workers for about eight months at an estimated cost of least $1.25 million. The additional cost could be two or three times that if there are "many many cases." "This is not sustainable," she said. Time is also a problem, said Oscar Alleyne, program director at the National Council of County and Local Health Officials. State and local health departments have lost about 30,000 people over the last seven years, he said, and now have to find or wait for money to hire recent public health graduates and train them for these new, often short-term jobs. It takes six to nine months to find and hire the people capable of doing the testing and other surveillance work needed, said Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, a former CDC medical epidemiologist, who was Illinois' health secretary from 2012 to 2015. "The time lag is so significant, by time the people get hired, the whole thing can be over," he said. Dr. Nirav Shah, who served as New York's state health commissioner from 2011 to 2014, said in addition to supplies and other department resources funding will be needed for staff to perform tracing of the contacts of infected people. He worries most about cuts to Epidemiological Intelligence Service, which can go straight to the source of the virus. Dr. Nirav Shah, former commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, is shown here on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, in Albany, N.Y. "The issue is we are becoming more reactive and less proactive," said Shah, now a senior scholar at Stanford University's Clinical Excellence Research Center. "We are waiting for people to cross the border, rather than going to the source." Public health funding: 'Robbing Peter to pay Paul' When it comes to public health, those with intravenous drug addictions are most visibly impacted due to the need for needle exchanges or other measures to stop the spread of Hepatitis A or HIV. Gupta called it "morally unjustifiable," to move funding, as the administration is, from programs such as addiction prevention at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. "What we shouldnt do is take from one set of a vulnerable population to address another," he said. Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, former director of the Illinois Department of Public Health is shown on September 7, 2016 during a news conference on Capitol Hill about Zika. He was executive director for the National Association of County and City Health Officials at the time. Hasbrouck, who was involved in responses to H1N1, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and Ebola , also worried about patients dealing with other diseases, including those with HIV on Medicaid and other government-supported health insurance coverage. "You're robbing Peter to pay Paul and never made whole," said Hasbrouck, who now works as a public health consultant. "And you've lost time and cant get that time back." The health care system relies on public health agencies. In a full-blown outbreak, coronavirus patients will be spread across many hospitals that are normally competitors, so public health agencies have to be the connective tissue that binds and coordinates the response, said Dr. Tom Talbot, the chief hospital epidemiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. They are my heroes, said Talbott, "because they are drastically under funded and still on the front lines helping to fight this thing. Contributing: Max Filby and Jim Woods, Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch; Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star; Brett Kelman, The Tennessean; and David Robinson, New York State Team of USA TODAY Network. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Coronavirus: Depleted public health departments left to scramble SAN FRANCISCO Robinhood has become a Silicon Valley darling by presenting itself as a tech-savvy alternative to traditional stock trading platforms. But this week, with the financial markets in chaos, the start-ups technology failed at the most crucial moment. On Monday and Tuesday, as global markets rebounded after a sell-off last week and then sank again, Robinhoods trading platform went offline, leaving many customers to watch their portfolios drop in value without being able to do anything about them. Robinhood has attracted millions of millennials to trade on its platform, largely by eliminating trading fees and making stock trading as easy as ordering food online. This week, many of those same customers said they wanted to get their money out of Robinhood as quickly as possible. For me, the moment they get up I am going to try to get out and switch out to someone else, said Robert Kaufman, 30, an information technology worker in San Diego. All visas issued to travellers from Italy, Iran, S. Korea, Japan cancelled. Security personnel wear protective masks in wake of the deadly novel coronavirus at Government Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: India on Tuesday confirmed its sixth case of coronavirus when the test results of a 69-year-old Italian tourist were confirmed to be positive. Officials said the sample of the Italian in Jaipur, which was sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, was found to be positive after the first two tests gave contradictory results. Hours later, his wife was also found to have been infected with the deadly virus. However, her case is not confirmed yet with officials of the Rajastha Health Department saying the samples are being sent to Pune for another test. The couple has been kept in isolation at Jaipurs Sawai Man Singh Hospital. Twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators, who were in the same group as the couple, have been sent to an ITBP quarantine facility in Delhi on Tuesday for suspected coronavirus exposure, official sources said. With this, six cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country so far. Though three of the patients in Kerala have recovered, the virus has infected more than 89,000 people in over 60 countries, and killed more than 3,000 people in around 8 countries. Concerned over the spread of the virus, India on Tuesday suspended all regular visas/e-visas granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan that were issued on or before Tuesday (March 3) and those who have not yet entered India. The Union health ministry said nationals of these countries would have to seek fresh visas if they want to enter India in case there is a compelling need to travel here. The government also suspended the regular visas/e-visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India. The government also continued the suspension of visas granted to Chinese citizens that were issued on or before February 5 this year. However, diplomats, officials of UN and other international bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries have been exempted from such restriction on entry but their medical screening is compulsory, the health ministry said. Aviation regulator DGCA said that airports and airlines must ensure that each aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy is subjected to disinfection process before boarding begins for the next flight. National carrier Air India said one of the two passengers who tested positive for coronavirus on Monday had flown on its Vienna-Delhi flight AI 154 on February 25, asking all passengers on the flight to follow the protocol laid out by the health ministry. The government also said all passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries, it added. The DGCA on Tuesday asked airlines and airports to take specific measures such as providing protective gear like surgical masks and gloves to crew members and passengers and having multiple hand sanitising points in terminals. All ground handling staff entering inbound and outbound international flights shall be provided with personnel protective equipment (PPEs) and such PPEs shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner after each flight, the DGCA circular said. PPEs stand for protective gear like surgical masks, gloves, disposable shoe cover. The government had on Monday confirmed two fresh cases of coronavirus in the country, one in Delhi and one in Telangana, that had taken the total number of confirmed cases so far in India. One positive case of COVID-19 has been detected in New Delhi, and one has been detected in Telangana. The person from Delhi has a travel history from Italy, while the one from Telangana has a travel history from Dubai. Further details of his travels are being ascertained. Both the patients are stable and being closely monitored, the government had said. KENT, Wash., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PetroCard Inc, a commercial fuel distributor headquartered in Kent, Wash., announced today that it has acquired the assets of Masco Petroleum, a family-owned fuel and lubricant distributor serving Western Washington since 1999 from its headquarters in Aberdeen, Wash. In addition to Aberdeen, Masco operates offices and fuel storage locations in Forks, Westport, and Port Angeles and operates 25 Pacific Pride and CFN commercial cardlock fueling stations throughout the Olympic Peninsula and Western Washington. In addition to its commercial cardlock stations, Masco offers mobile fleet refueling directly to commercial and industrial locations and bulk fuel deliveries with a fleet of local delivery trucks and truck and trailer transports. Masco is a distributor of quality lubricants and operates a state-of-the-art bulk lubricant repackaging facility adjacent to its main office location. Masco also operates the Port Angeles Boat Haven and fuel docks in Port Angeles and Westport, Wash. PetroCard will continue to operate the existing Masco lines of business, fuel locations and offices under the PetroCard name. Combined, customers now have access to a network of 87 cardlock stations throughout Washington and Oregon. By adding Mascos operations, we not only offer customers greater access and convenience, but we also strengthen our position as a leading fuel provider in the region, said Laura Yellig, President and CEO of PetroCard Inc. The local knowledge and presence of Mascos dedicated employees combined with the PetroCard team will provide customers with access to quality fuel products and solutions that provide long-term value. We continually strive to meet our customers where they are today and to take them where they want to go. Jim Mason, President of Masco, said: PetroCard aligns with our values and commitment to maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction, with a view towards providing services in a safe and ethical manner. Mascos customers and employees will be in good hands with PetroCard going forward, and I have great confidence in the future of this expanded organization. The acquisition was finalized on March 1, 2020. About PetroCard Inc. PetroCard, based in Kent, Washington, is a leading fuel distributor, selling fuel to commercial fleets through a chain of unattended Pacific Pride and CFN cardlocks and retail facilities while also providing onsite mobile fueling services to fleets in Puget Sound, Spokane and Portland, Ore. In addition, PetroCard sells branded and unbranded bulk fuels to resellers, government entities and other commercial companies. The company operates 87 cardlocks making it one of the largest cardlock operators in the Pacific Northwest. PetroCard also operates over 20 Clean N Green facilities that sell compressed natural gas in locations throughout the U.S. In addition, it also is a distributor of quality lubricants and operates a state-of-the-art bulk lubricant repackaging facility adjacent to its main office location. PetroCard also operates the Port Angeles Boat Haven and fuel docks in Port Angeles and Westport, Wash. For more information on PetroCard visit www.petrocard.com. CONTACT John Williams, Scoville Public Relations for PetroCard (206) 660-5503 or jwilliams@scovillepr.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6096a413-fae1-4d6a-a376-b0de48794cee YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The visit of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan is at the development stage, Communication and Media Relations Section at the OSCE Secretariat said in response to the question about the visit dates. The program of the visits of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama to Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku is still at the development stage, the OSCE said. Earlier in January OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albanias Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Edi Rama announced, presenting Albanias 2020 priorities to the Permanent Council, stated that the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict will have an important place in the OSCE during Albanias OSCE Chairmanship in 2020. Conflict resolution efforts such as those of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Geneva International Discussions and related mechanisms, and the Transdniestrian Settlement Process will also be high on the Chairmanships agenda, Rama said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan But one cant just go mixing any and all metal hardware finishes together. Both OBrien and Feldman agree that there are some guidelines one should follow. OBrien suggests mixing brass and dark bronze, brass and chrome, or brass and nickel, but he says to never mix nickel and chrome. Also, he cautions that there is a limit to how many metal finishes you can mix together in one room. There should be a main finish choice and maybe one accent, he says. More than that, he says, can be too much. And for those who worry about how their stainless-steel appliances fit in with other metals, OBrien says: Chrome and stainless steel are really the same and can be used together. [March 03, 2020] INVESTOR ALERT: Tostrud Law Group, PC Announces Investigation of Diageo plc (DEO) on Behalf of Investors Tostrud Law Group, PC announces an investigation on behalf of Diageo plc ("Diageo" or the "Company") (NYSE: DEO) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. On July 23, 2015, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC (News - Alert)") is investigating whether Diageo has been shipping excess inventory to distributors in an effort to boost the liquor company's results. On this news, shares of Diageo fell $4.75 per share, or more than 3.90%, to close at $114.91 on July 23, 2015, thereby injuring investors. Then, on Febrary 19, 2020, the SEC announced that it had settled the claims against Diageo for $5 million. According to the announcement, "employees at Diageo North America (DNA), Diageo's largest and most profitable subsidiary, pressured distributors to buy products in excess of demand in order to meet internal sales targets in the face of declining market conditions." Moreover, this "increase in shipments enabled Diageo to meet performance targets and to report higher growth in key performance indicators." If you purchased Diageo 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 Jon A. Tostrud of Tostrud Law Group, PC by telephone at (310) 278-2600, toll-free at (855) 854-8678, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at http://tostrudlaw.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/20200303006053/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] She regularly shows off haute couture fashion when she walks the runway. Kendall Jenner stuck with a far more casual outfit on Monday as she stepped out in West Hollywood for a refreshment. The 24-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star flaunted her long, toned legs in a pair of tiny black shorts. Legs for days: Kendall Jenner, 24, put on a leggy display as she stepped out in West Hollywood on Monday for a matcha drink Kendall complemented the pants with a grey MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) sweatshirt, despite not having attended the prestigious Cambridge college. Famous alumni include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and physicist and Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman. The star completed her look with a cream and white pair of her brother-in-law Kanye West's Yeezy Boost 700 Analogs. The 5ft10in model recently highlight her raven locks, and the chestnut accents were visible as it flitted in the wind. She blocked out the sun with a large pair of black sunglasses, and she carried along a matcha drink from her stop at Cha Cha Matcha. Interesting: Kendall complemented the pants with a grey MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) sweatshirt, despite not having attended the prestigious Cambridge college Gleaming: The 5ft10in model recently highlight her raven locks, and the chestnut accents were visible as it flitted in the wind Kendall looked happy to be relaxing back in the United States after weeks of globetrotting. The model made high-profile appearances at the New York, London and Milan Fashion Weeks, though she seems to have skipped Paris Fashion Week. She also appeared in a celeb-packed campaign for fashion giant Calvin Klein. Kendall was pictured in front of striking, candy-colored backdrops along with Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, SZA, Euphoria's Hunter Schafer and others. Relaxed: Kendall looked happy to be relaxing back in the United States after weeks of globetrotting; pictured February 21 in Milan On the go: The model made appearances at the New York, London and Milan Fashion Weeks, though she seems to have skipped Paris Fashion Week; pictured February 17 in London Major campaign: She also appeared in a celeb-packed campaign for fashion giant Calvin Klein; shown February 7 in Hollywood at the Tom Ford AW20 Show In good company: Kendall was pictured in front of striking, candy-colored backdrops along with Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, SZA, Euphoria's Hunter Schafer and others Since coming back home late last month, Kendall caught up with her bff Hailey Bieber. The old friends grabbed breakfast together at the trendy Croft Alley in West Hollywood, before heading to the Goyard store to check out some leather goods. Afterward, Kendall had another rendezvous, this time with Caitlyn Jenner in Malibu. Catching up: Since coming back home late last month, Kendall caught up with her bff Hailey Bieber for lunch in West Hollywood BOSTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts announced that the United States has filed a complaint in intervention in a False Claims Act qui tam case that our client, James Landolt, filed against Mallinckrodt ARD LLC. Mr. Landolt filed his complaint on behalf of the United States as well as thirty States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It alleges that Mallinckrodt violated federal and state False Claims Acts by failing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid rebates for its high-priced drug Acthar. Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice's Civil Division said: The Department will not hesitate to hold accountable drug companies that attempt to skirt this important protection at the expense of the Medicaid program, which helps ensure that some of our most vulnerable citizens are able to receive medical care. United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Andrew Lelling explained: Mallinckrodt raised the price of its drug to an extraordinary level and then allegedly cheated the Medicaid program out of hundreds of millions of dollars. The government will always target this kind of exploitation of a program designed to provide health care to vulnerable members of our society. "Our client is very pleased that the government has taken this important step to hold Mallinckrodt accountable for its misconduct," said Linda C. Severin, who along with Suzanne E. Durrell and Robert M. Thomas, Jr., represents Mr. Landolt. "We appreciate the tremendous work that government attorneys and investigators have put into this case and look forward to assisting the government in bringing it to a successful conclusion for the benefit of the taxpayers and the Medicaid program." The Whistleblower Law Collaborative LLC, based in Boston, devotes its practice entirely to representing clients in bringing actions under the federal and state False Claims Acts and other whistleblower programs. Under the False Claims Act, a private citizen (known as a "relator") who suspects or knows of fraud against the government can act as a whistleblower and file a sealed complaint on behalf of the government. If the case is successful, the relator is entitled to a share of the government's recovery. Among the firm's many successes is the government's $465 million settlement with Mylan for failing to pay the correct Medicaid rebates on its high-priced drug EpiPen. For more information, contact the Whistleblower Law Collaborative LLC at 617.366.2800 Follow Us on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn www.WhistleblowerLLC.com SOURCE Whistleblower Law Collaborative LLC Related Links http://www.whistleblowerllc.com The frequency and severity of K-12 cyber-attacks is dramatically on the rise, according to a report released recently by the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center . During calendar year 2019, the center cataloged 348 publicly-disclosed school cyber incidents. That includes malware outbreaks, phishing attacks, denial of service attacks, and more. Thats more than three times the number of similar incidents during 2018. So why the uptick? The report suggests that its due partly to schools greater reliance on technology for everything from teaching and learning to day-to-day operations. Schools were most likely to experience data breaches and other unauthorized disclosures. In fact, these made up 60 percent of all catalogued incidents. Most of these breaches included data about school staff, which can lead to identity theft and fraud. About half of the data breaches were due to actions of school vendors, regional service agencies, non-profits, or state departments of education. Another 9 percent were thanks to school staff or students. (The report doesnt delve into how the others originated.) The second most prevalent type of attack: Malware, which accounts for 28 percent of incidents, or roughly double the number of 2018. Malware, which can cause serious outages, prompted individual schools in Alabama, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio to close, according to the report. Another 8 percent of attacks involved phishing schemes. Those can happen when a hacker sends a mass email to staff, pretending to be a district official and asking, for instance, for help in purchasing gift cards. But emailers can also go after employee payroll information, in order to steal employees identity and tax information. Schools that experienced cyber attacks in 2019 were more likely to be in densely-populated areas (like suburbs and cities) and have big student populations. Rural schools, particularly in the central U.S., were less likely to experience attacks. Bigger districts have more technology and more people using it, therefore more vulnerability. And rural districts may be less likely to report attacks. The report suggests that districts can protec themselves by investing in greater IT security capacity, particularly through training. It also recommends that federal and state governments enact regulations for basic rules to keep data safe and secure, also known as cyber hygiene, invest in cyber security tools specific to K-12, and boost cyber security information sharing and research. Images: Getty, K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday told the Legislative Council that 1,08,576 children and 6,485 mothers had died in the state between 2014 -19. NCP MLC Husnabanu Khalife had asked a question in this regard. Shiv Sena's Deepak Sawant was public health minister for most the period when these deaths occurred. "The health management information system has revealed that 1,08,576 children and 6,485 mothers died during 2014-19 period. However, Maharashtra is in third position in the country in successfully reducing infant mortality," he said. He said the Centre's annual sanctioned amount for child health is Rs 600 to Rs 650 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Solicitor Paul Tweed said he would stay on as partner after his firm was acquired by London-listed legal services group Gateley for 2m (2.3m). A high-profile lawyer who specialises in defamation, media and arbitration, Mr Tweed has defended a raft of major international celebrities. They have included the likes of Britney Spears, Liam Neeson, Nicholas Cage and Jennifer Lopez. Mr Tweed's business currently has offices in Belfast, Dublin and London. Gateley said the deal would provide it with a platform for growth across the island of Ireland. Mr Tweed has said he will remain as a partner in Gateley Tweed. "It will be very much as before but we will have the strength of Gateley behind us," he said. "They are a full-service law firm and one of the biggest in the UK, so it will give us a lot more back-up." He said that Selena Kerins, also a partner in Tweed Law, will remain as well and that the business will look to expand. "We will be offering more legal services, and Gateley will bring in the people with the expertise for that," he said . "They will be recruiting locally, though I will still be doing what I'm doing at the minute." "We have considered expanding into the Irish market for some time and Tweed strengthens our presence in the Irish professional services market," said Gateley CEO Michael Ward. "We see this as a springboard for developing a strong legal services offering in Ireland, as well as supporting our growth plans for Gateley Capitus." Gateley Capitus specialises in advice to clients on tax incentives available for investment in commercial property, and R&D activities. Mr Tweed left Johnsons Solicitors in 2017 to establish his own law firm. NEW HAVEN A planned 30-minute meeting exceeded an hour Monday as Board of Education members expressed their anxieties about sending students on field trips and potentially exposing the youths to coronavirus. If you sound an alarm where there is an alarm, youre not an alarmist, said board member Ed Joyner, who repeatedly expressed disapproval for having students leave the district for fear of illness. Interim Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey suggested the meeting Friday as the virus continued to spread throughout the world and multiple planned overnight field trips approached. To date, there are nine domestic and six international overnight field trips approved by the school board this year that have yet to depart. The next one is scheduled to leave Clinton Avenue School for Vermont Tuesday with 20 students in seventh and eighth grades on a three-day trip to a leadership program. The flu-like virus, abbreviated as COVID-19, has been identified in 59 countries and has infected almost 90,000 people, with a death rate of about 2 percent. Board member Tamiko Jackson-McArthur, a pediatrician, said information about the spread of the disease is spreading so rapidly that she feels insecure sending students on the trips. She said that, because many carriers of the virus dont display symptoms for a time, she worries that children may be at risk without knowing it. If one child succumbs, Im going to feel awful, she said. https://www.ctinsider.com/ctpost/item/Coronavirus-Updates-95020.php) Jackson-McArthur and Joyner ended up being the minority voices on the board, as the four other members present Monday said they believed it was fine to move forward with the field trips if they monitor local, state and federal health guidance. Ultimately, board members agreed unanimously on a proposal for the boards executive committee, President Yesenia Rivera, Vice President Matt Wilcox and Secretary Joyner, to have final authority to cancel field trips in consultation with Maritza Bond, the citys director of public health, throughout the remainder of the school year. I honestly would recommend we take into consideration the travel advisory, and also looking at the levels changing daily, Bond said. It might not come as a balm to some parents, who stand to lose money if they did not purchase travel insurance for field trips. District World Languages Supervisor Jessica Haxhi, who oversees overnight field trips in the district, said travel insurance is rolled into the cost of some field trips. For those where it is not, parents are given multiple warnings in writing about the potential repercussions of the decisions they are making. Wilcox came out as the clearest voice for moving forward with approved field trips, so long as the district be mindful of evolving health guidance. Theres probably more risk in traveling to the locations than in catching the virus while on the trip, he said. This is a great opportunity to explain to these students and to anyone else in the district the importance of hand washing. Goldson said he felt the debate was becoming paternalistic. Every day we walk out the door we dont know whats going to happen, Goldson said. We cant live in a plastic bubble. Although there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Connecticut, bordering state Rhode Island has had two cases so far apparently as a result of a high schools field trip to Italy, where there have been about 1,700 confirmed cases of the virus. Bordering states New York and Massachusetts each have had one confirmed case to date. Nationally, there have been over 80 confirmed cases in the United States, with two confirmed deaths in Washington state. A number of local universities including the University of New Haven, Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University ended study abroad programs in Italy prematurely after the coronavirus after a number of confirmed cases of coronavirus there. A cohort of Sound School students were scheduled to leave for Italy and Greece on April 10 for a weeklong trip. However, Haxhi reported the Italy portion of the trip had been canceled. Board members then voted on whether they would approve the next two domestic field trips on the list before their next board meeting next Monday: the Vermont trip and an in-state trip to Ivoryton. The trips passed board approval again, with only Joyner and Jackson-McArthur voting against them. Other field trips that have already been approved hang in the balance as officials promise to monitor spread of the virus. The second floor meeting room of 54 Meadow St., where the meeting was held, was unusually full with parents awaiting the decision on the field trips. Following the meeting, father Rob Vallombroso said he wasnt happy with the boards decision. Theres a lot invested in this, he said, in reference to a high school Spring Break trip to Costa Rica in April. He said the board was acting narrow-minded in its thinking. Its hard to listen to their rationale. Its thousands of dollars. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Jill Duggar is spreading the word about the importance of voting this Super Tuesday. The Counting On star took to Instagram to urge everyone to vote if theres an election happening in their state today. (Fourteen states are holding elections on March 3.) While Jill didnt reveal who she cast a ballot for in the Arkansas primary election, she did offer some hints about her political views when replying to a followers comment. Jill comes from a conservative family NEW YORK, NY OCTOBER 23: Jill Duggar Dillard (L) and husband Derick Dillard visit Extra at their New York studios at H&M in Times Square on October 23, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra) Jill grew up in a Republican family. Her dad Jim Bob Duggar was even a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and ran for U.S. Senate. This year, her younger brother Jeb Duggar is running as a Republican for Arkansas State Representative. As an adult, Jill hasnt had much to say about politics. But shes made her pro-life views clear. And her husband Derick Dillard has been outspoken about his conservative political positions. Hes caught flak for offensive comments about fellow TLC star Jazz Jennings (remarks that supposedly got him and his family booted from their show), has called Planned Parenthood a hate group, and said he planned to vote for Donald Trump in 2016. Jill says she focuses on candidates, not political party Based on what we know about her beliefs, it seems likely that Jill tends to vote Republican over Democratic. But she says that she doesnt blindly follow one party, instead choosing to focus on individual candidates, as she recently revealed. After Jill urged her fans to get out and exercise their right to vote, an Instagram follower commented that she follows Jesus example to stay neutral. He never sided with any party. But Jill pushed back on the idea that as a Christian, she shouldnt take sides when it comes to politics. Im not so sure I agree on that.but to each their own, she wrote. We dont side with partieswe just pick the candidate that we think will do the best job. Jill went on to say that no option is perfect. However, given that someone will be elected, she felt it was important to make a choice, especially when it comes to local elections. We each have the ability to choose who will be making so many decisions on behalf of all of us as well as other issues that are voted on at the local level, she wrote. I dont feel I can turn a blind eye. Jill Duggar has celebrated women getting the right to vote This isnt the first time that Jill has talked about the importance of voting. In July 2019, she attended an event at the Arkansas Governors Mansion celebrating the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote. Some people called Jill out for the post, saying that it was hypocritical since the ladies in your family have no rights. But she received praise from her husband, who wrote on Instagram that he was proud of my wife @jillmdillard celebrating womens rights. Jill is also passing down her belief in the importance of voting to her kids. When she went to vote on Tuesday, Samuel and Israel each had sample ballots that they could fill out. We had fun this year printing off sample ballots for the boys to each have their own to practice with, she wrote. They loved it! Sen. John Liu, a Democratic state senator who represents a large Asian population in Queens, helped ensure that the specialized school plan failed in Albany this past summer. Its important to be a chancellor for all school kids, Mr. Liu said. Two years in, Carranza is falling behind on the curve on that. The chancellor has also faced criticism from Representative Grace Meng, a Queens Democrat, along with other Asian-American Democrats in the New York City Council and State Legislature. And the chasm continues to deepen. Since the start of this school year, Asian-American parents have accused Mr. Carranza of prejudice over a range of issues, from his decision not to fire an elected parent leader who called Asians yellow folks to the fact that the city considered relocating one of the chancellors upcoming town hall meetings from Chinatown to Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood, before reversing course. The vitriol and racial division that defined the battle over the so-called specialized high schools have now begun to color a series of seemingly unrelated issues and stand to influence the school district for years to come. Shortly after Mr. Carranza arrived in New York in spring 2018, he and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan to get rid of the admissions exam for eight specialized schools, in an effort to boost the number of black and Hispanic students. Asian students make up a majority of the schools and would lose about half their seats under the citys proposal. Asian-American parents and politicians were not consulted about the plan before it was announced. By Anne Kauranen HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia has rehired former executive Pekka Lundmark from energy group Fortum to lead the Finnish telecoms company's efforts to revive its faltering 5G business. Lundmark, who will succeed Rajeev Suri as Nokia chief executive in September, will team up with Sari Baldauf, the incoming chairman, in a move that reunites two figures from the era when the Finnish company dominated the mobile handsets business. Baldauf and Lundmark have also worked closely in recent years, as Baldauf chaired Fortum's board between 2011 and 2018. The leadership change at Nokia comes as uncertainty mounts over the future of Europe's telecoms vendors, with speculation surfacing last week that the group could be set for a tie-up with more profitable Swedish peer Ericsson . China's Huawei Technologies dominates the European market for telecommunications gear but the United States wants a global ban on Huawei from 5G networks on fears that its equipment could be used for spying, allegations the group has strongly rejected. In a highly unusual move, the U.S. Attorney General William Barr said last month that the United States and its allies should consider taking a controlling stake in one or both of Nokia and Ericsson to counter Huawei's dominance. But Nokia's outgoing chairman Risto Siilasmaa told a news conference on Monday Nokia has no plans to assess its strategic options. "The new CEO after coming in will do his normal review on our strategy and may then propose changes to the board. But at the moment, we have no such actions underway," Siilasmaa said. Nokia's shares, which in October lost a third their value when the group admitted to some delays in its 5G development and issued a profit warning, were originally up 4% on the news, but had dropped back to nearly flat by 1140 GMT. Lundmark, CEO at Fortum since 2015, held executive positions at Nokia between 1990 and 2000, including vice president of strategy and business development at Nokia Networks. By 1998 Nokia had grown into the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, a position it maintained for more than a decade. Story continues His appointment will reunite him at the top of the company with Baldauf, another key executive from that period, who headed Nokia's networks unit - now the group's main business - between 1998 and 2005. "This is clearly a choice of Mrs Baldauf due to their common history at both Nokia and Fortum," Nordea analysts said. "A new era will start at Nokia and could include strategy and portfolio revisions announced in H2. We welcome this change and view Mr Lundmark as a good choice for the job given the situation," they said in a note to clients. "NEED FOR REDIRECTION" Lundmark led Fortum to embark on a bold attempt to gain control of its German rival Uniper , resulting in a power deadlock between the companies that has yet to be resolved. Before his time at Fortum, Lundmark led Finnish cranemaker Konecranes for 10 years until 2015. "We view the change of CEO positively due to the fact that in its current situation Nokia needs a greater redirection which embarks from changing the management," said analyst Mikael Rautanen of Inderes. "At the same time, the news strengthens our earlier assessment that the company has more than just temporary problems," he added. Nokia halted dividend payouts after the October profit warning. While Huawei has suffered from U.S. authorities' decision last May to blacklist the group, Nokia has struggled to capitalise on those restrictions. One of the firm's main headaches has had to do with delays and additional investments in its 5G system-on-chip (SoC) development, which allows a single chip to carry an entire computer system and enables Nokia to produce its network technology more cheaply. A Reuters report revealed last month that Europe's biggest telecoms operator Deutsche Telekom had dropped Nokia as a provider of radio gear from all but one of its dozen markets in the region, telling it to improve its products and service. Nokia shares rose last week after Bloomberg News reported that the Finnish telecom network equipment maker was considering asset sales and mergers. However, a source close to the company told Reuters there was no truth to the report. Nokia declined to comment at the time. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen and Terje Solsvik; Additional reporting by Anna Ringstrom and Douglas Busvine; Editing by Kim Coghill, Keith Weir and Jan Harvey) Trombone Shorty is returning to Tipitinas, along with the clubs tradition of hosting a big fundraiser the Monday between Jazz Fest weekends. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are slated to perform at Tipitinas for the first time since 2016 on April 27 at the eighth annual Shorty Fest. They'll co-headline with Galactic. For 17 years, Tipitinas hosted the Instruments A Comin benefit concert on the Monday between the weekends of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; proceeds helped buy instruments for school marching band programs. Instruments A Comin didnt happen in 2019 due to unresolved issues stemming from longtime Tipitinas owner Roland Von Kurnatowskis sale of the club to the members of Galactic the previous December. +2 Popular 'Instruments A Comin' fundraiser at Tipitina's falls victim to the club's sale Tipitinas will apparently not host the annual Instruments A Comin fundraiser on the Monday between New Orleans Jazz Fest weekends, as it has But now, Galactic and its newly created Tip-It Foundation have partnered with the Trombone Shorty Foundation to launch a new philanthropic initiative on that Monday. Shorty Fest will essentially be a mini-Jazz Fest. It kicks off with an outdoor block party at 6 p.m. featuring brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians and a "battle of high school marching bands. Doors to the club open at 8 p.m. for the evening concert. In addition to Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Galactic, the bill includes Cuban bandleader Cimafunk and local favorites the Soul Rebels, Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters with Samantha Fish, and students from the Trombone Shorty Academy. Tipitinas is always down to preserve and protect the future of New Orleans music, culture and heritage, Galactic drummer Stanton Moore said in a news release. Sharing our home with Shorty Fest is sure to add to the venues mystical history. Galactic bassist Robert Mercurio said, This is the place where we and many other bands cut our teeth, and now were coming full circle partnering with Troy on this event. We are excited and I hope that Fess and many more are smiling down on us. Also on April 27, Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews will be inducted into the Tipitinas Walk of Fame. Hell receive a commemorative plaque set into the sidewalk outside the club. The previous seven editions of Shorty Fest have been staged at various venues. Organizers hope it has now found a permanent home at Tipitina's. Tickets for Shorty Fest not to be confused with the recent Shorty Gras at Mardi Gras World or his Treme Threauxdown at the Saenger Theatre on April 28 go on sale Friday, March 6 via the Tipitinas website. Tickets start at $100. For the fifth consecutive year, Shorty Fest's presenting sponsor is Acura. On that same night, the House of Blues hosts the other big benefit on "Jazz Fest Monday": WWOZ Piano Night. A procession of a dozen keyboardists including Marcia Ball, Ellis Marsalis, Jon Cleary, Larry Sieberth, Eden Brent, CR Gruver, Joe Krown, Michael O'Hara, Kyle Roussel and Oscar Rossignoli will tickle the ivories from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on April 27. The show will also salute Dr. John and Art Neville, New Orleans piano greats who passed away in 2019. Piano Night proceeds benefit community radio station WWOZ 90.7 FM. General admission tickets start at $50. VIP options, which include a buffet meal, are also available. Go to www.wwoz.org/pianonight for more info. After 'learning curve' of buying Tipitina's last year, Galactic launches charity One year ago, the five members of Galactic took a seven-figure leap of faith by buying Tipitinas, New Orleans flagship music venue. In an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Iran has suspended religious trips to sites in Syria and Cham Wings have cancelled flights to Tehran writes Sowt al-Asima. On Sunday, the Iranian government announced the temporary suspension of tourist trips from Tehran to religious shrines in Damascus to limit the spread of coronavirus. The Iranian Fars agency said that the trips to the Sayyida Zainab shrine in Damascus were suspended until the end of the Iranian year, which ends on Mar. 20, 2020. Similar trips to shrines in Iraq were also canceled. Meanwhile, the Assad regime cabinet revealed a set of pre-emptive measures to prevent coronavirus from spreading, including temporarily suspending the entry of tourist groups from infected countries to Syria from all land, sea and air crossings. The Cham Wings airline, owned by Bashar al-Assads cousin Rami Makhlouf, on Saturday, suspended its flights to and from Iran until further notice, to avoid the transmission of any possible coronavirus infection. The company said in a statement that it had, since the beginning of the spread of the coronavirus globally and in some neighboring countries, started to implement precautionary health measures at the instructions and recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Syrian Ministry of Health. It said that it is conducting an examination of every passenger boarding its flights, as well as distributing respiratory masks and medical gloves to their hospitality agents to prevent any possible infections being transmitted. This comes days after the director general of the regime General Civil Aviation Authority stressed there was no need to suspend flights between Syria and Iran, where the coronavirus has recently spread, because the Ministry of Health centers were taking precautionary measures at airports by examining all passengers. Samer Khadr, director of the Mujtahid Hospital general authority in Damascus, said on Saturday, that there were no cases of coronavirus in the hospital. He said that in the event of any infection, it will be announced immediately, because it is in no-ones interest for anyone to hide infections resulting from the disease. This came after media circulated reports that there were two cases of the virus in the hospital. Khadr said that two Syrian men, came to the hospital two days ago complaining of high temperature and chest pain, and said that they had had a friend visit from Iran recently. Medical tests were carried out for them, including the required tests to detect coronavirus, and the result was negative and they were diagnosed with pneumonia. I provided the necessary treatments for them and one was discharged yesterday, while the other is continuing hospital treatment. On Monday, the number of deaths from the coronavirus in Iran rose to 55, while 987 others were infected, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health. Iranian media has reported many more deaths, saying that the number of casualties ranges between 200 to 300, as well as thousands of injuries. A $14,000 grant will help adults with intellectual disabilities develop new skills and participate in paid work through expansion of Camphill Communities Ontario's maple syrup social enterprise. As we celebrate the Camphill movements 80-year legacy of compassion and inclusion, our Board of Directors is pleased to award so many 2020 grants focused on extending Camphills impact far into the future, said Karen Murphy, Executive Director of Camphill Foundation. Camphill Foundation today announced that it will award $375,000 to 17 Camphill communities, affiliates, and organizations worldwide in 2020. The funds will be delivered through grants aligned with Camphill Foundations mission of supporting, strengthening, and safeguarding the Camphill movement, and are designated for initiatives that meet recipients pressing needs. Camphill Foundations 2020 grants include: Capital Needs * Camphill Village Kimberton Hills (Kimberton, PA) will receive $32,000 toward the construction of a new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) building, helping the community expand its successful Sankanac CSA enterprise while providing community members with nutritious food and meaningful work opportunities. * As part of two-year renewable grant, Camphill Ghent (Chatham, NY) will receive $30,000 to install a state-of-the-art fire safety system that provides the communitys vulnerable elder population with the highest level of fire security and protection. * As part of a three-year renewable grant, Camphill Communities California (Soquel, CA) will receive $25,000 to install solar panels on its properties, equipping the community to manage ongoing energy crises in northern California while improving future sustainability. * Plowshare Farm (Greenfield, NH) will receive $10,000 for the construction of a 480-foot accessible path connecting households, workshop areas, and community centers. * Triform Camphill Community (Hudson, NY) will receive $6,000 toward the purchase of a multi-passenger, energy-efficient vehicle to provide safe travel between Triforms main campus and its Stewardship Community. Capacity Building: * As part of a three-year renewable grant, Glenora Farm (Duncan, British Columbia) will receive $25,000 to create a new administrative assistant position, which will reduce volunteer coworkers administrative workloads and allow them to focus exclusively on program and community member support. * Raphael Village (New Orleans, LA) will receive $15,000 to build community awareness by increasing its outreach coordinators weekly hours, and to expand skills of faculty and volunteer coworkers through new training opportunities. * Camphill Communities Ontario (Angus, Canada) will receive $14,000 to expand and update its maple syrup production social enterprise, through which adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities develop new skills and participate in paid work opportunities. * Camphill Hudson (Hudson, NY) will receive $10,000 to fund a software implementation that streamlines volunteer coworker scheduling and paperwork, bolstering efficiency and compliance while enabling workers to dedicate more time to direct community support. * Camphill Foundation Canada will receive $8,000 for a 2020 planned giving campaign that will help sustain the Camphill movement in Canada by securing donors who wish to support Camphill beyond their lifetimes. * Heartbeet Lifesharing (Hardwick, VT) will receive $8,000 to launch an endowment campaign that enables the community to build a strong financial future. International * East-West Exchange Fund (Asia) will receive $48,000 for residential renovations and repairs at Camphill Sadhana in India, as well as funding for volunteer coworker training, educational tools and resources, and other vital needs at Camphill communities in Asia. * Camphill Agualinda (Colombia), an emerging Camphill community, will receive $10,000 in core programmatic support. * Respirar Comunidad (Argentina) will receive $9,000 to fund program expansion, including acquisition of music rehearsal and workshop space and staff training. * Camphill Nodibinajums Rozkalni (Latvia) will receive $5,000 for the repair and refurbishment of facilities where volunteer coworkers and villagers live and work. Regional Capacity Building * The Camphill Association of North America (Ghent, NY) will receive $75,000, the fourth installment of a five-year award, to strengthen regional operations, volunteer coworker development, research and policy initiatives, and community development. * Camphill Academy (Glenmoore, PA) will receive $45,000, the third installment of a five-year award, to support day-to-day operations, training, and ongoing curricula and leadership development. As we celebrate the Camphill movements 80-year legacy of compassion and inclusion, our Board of Directors is pleased to award so many 2020 grants focused on extending Camphills impact far into the future, said Karen Murphy, Executive Director of Camphill Foundation. We are deeply grateful to our donors and supporters, whose generosity makes this important work possible. Since 1966, Camphill Foundation has provided more than $10 million in strategic grants and low-interest loans to Camphill communities. Camphill Foundations grantmaking program is funded by donor appeals, as well as the Camphill Foundation Annual Gala. Camphill Foundation accepts grant requests from existing Camphill communities and affiliates. Priority is given to Camphill organizations in North America, though special consideration is afforded to communities in high-need areas of the world. Visit http://www.camphillfoundation.org/grantmaking/ for details about Camphill Foundations grantmaking program. About Camphill Foundation Founded in 1966 to support two fledgling Camphill communities in New York and Pennsylvania, Camphill Foundation has grown dramatically over the past six decades. Today, its mission is to grow, strengthen, and safeguard the Camphill movement at 15 Camphill communities and affiliates in the United States and Canada. Camphill Foundation accomplishes this mission through strategic grants and low-interest loans that help grow and sustain the Camphill movement. Visit http://www.camphillfoundation.org for more information. About the Camphill Movement Camphill is a worldwide movement of vibrant lifesharing communities that provide a unique model of care for persons with special needs. The Camphill movement draws inspiration from the principles of anthroposophy. In valuing the profound significance of each human being, practicing the art of daily living, and emphasizing mindfulness of mans responsibility to the earth, the Camphill movement offers a model of renewal for the wider society. Learn more about the Camphill movement and Camphill communities in North America at the Camphill Association of North Americas website at http://www.camphill.org. The Urban Green theme of the Dundalk St Patricks Day festival was evident at the launch of the event at Dundalk Gaol on Thursday evening when Trashion Fashion students attended in their creative outfits. Secondary school students involved in Trashion Fashion have been chosen to be the grand marshalls of the green-themed parade. The large number of people who attended the launch were treated to performances from the Mens Shed Choir, McGee School of Dance and Dundalk Brass Band, all of whom are involved in the St Patricks Day festival in Dundalk this year. Cllr. Maeve Yore, who is a member of the organising committee, explained that, in a break from tradition, the parade will take place on the evening of Monday, March 16, starting at 7pm and using the original route from Patrick Street, through Church Street, Clanbrassil Street, Park Street and ending at Tesco Extra. PayPal is the main sponsor of the parade and the company was represented by Margaret Ward, Senior Director and Site Lead, and a number of senior staff at the launch. Cllr. Yore said the following day, March 17, will build on the success of the 2019 family fun day with two stages at Market Square and the newly revamped St Nicholas Quarter and a family fun zone at Market Square. There will also be a St Patrick. Wristbands, for access to the family fun zone, sponsored by Pelican Promotions, are now available for sale at Stitchcraft, Earl Street. Chairperson of the organising committee, Cllr. Conor Keelan, told the audience he wanted to acknowledge the hard work and assistance of the committee members, Dundalk councillors, community representatives and business people who contributed to ensuring that we followed through on our commitment to having a festival for 2020. He said it was the aim of the organisers to try to make the St Patricks Day festival in Dundalk in 2020 the greenest ever public event in the town. Cllr. Keelan said: Last years cultural and music event in Dundalk proved to be a success and it was important to build on this theme. While retaining this music and cultural day for March 17, we took the decision to move the parade to the night of March 16. This is a new departure for Dundalk but there is nothing to fear from innovation in any field of work or enterprise as we can celebrate the theme of Urban Green over the course of two days. Cllr. Keelan also paid tribute to the assistance given to the committee by operations staff at Louth County Council represented by Director of Service Frank Pentony, the emergency services represented by Chief Fire Officer Eamon Woulfe and Dundalk Gardai - represented by Sgt. Barry Byrne. PayPals Margaret Ward said: As soon as we heard the Urban Green theme we knew straight away this was something we wanted to support. Community involvement is something that is very important to everyone in PayPal. We have an exciting few weeks ahead of us in advance of the parade. We have partnered with local schools and are sponsoring a green-themed colouring and poster competition. We are also working with the local schools to share our knowledge and experience of green Initiatives. We are hosting a kids to work green workshop where we reduce and recycle materials for children to create with. You will see the fruits of our work and creativity on March 16. Dundalk Chamber of Commerce President Pat McCormick said he was pleased the chamber was able to financially support this years events. In addition, the huge effort made by Dundalk Tidy Towns in the organising of the events was recognised by Cllr. Keelan. Chairperson of Dundalk Tidy Towns, Helen Byrne, said: Reflecting on the theme of this years festival, urban green, Dundalk Tidy Towns is aware of the importance of biodiversity in our local community. We are delighted to be able to contribute to enhancing biodiversity by donating 500 seed bombs of native Irish wildflowers, which will be handed out to the public. We are delighted to be part of this festival and hope that it is successful in promoting the positive aspects of our community and bringing people together. The organising committee is grateful for the support of sponsors Dundalk BIDS, Louth County Council, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, PayPal, the Longwalk Shopping Centre, Stage and Lighting, Louth Volunteer Centre, Pelican Promotions, Wuxi, Louth Leader Partnership, Last Lap Cafe, Cuchulainn Credit Union and AIB. For updates about the Dundalk 2020 St Patricks Day event, check out www.stpatricksdaydundalk.ie or Facebook. Panaji, March 3 : A family of four, including two minors, were found dead in their apartment near North Goa's Mapusa town on Tuesday, police said. The deceased Shahu Dhumale, 45, Kavita Dhumale, 40, and their sons -- Paras, 9, and Sairaj, 3, were reportedly found hanging from the ceiling of the apartment at God's Gift complex in the Khorlim suburb of Mapusa. The family hails from Azara town in Mahrashtra's Kolhapur district and had moved to Goa some years back after Shahu got a job in a firm near Mapusa, located around 10 km north of Panaji. While senior police officers are on the site and have refused to comment for now, some police sources said Shahu was reportedly facing financial difficulties and may have committed suicide. Police are examining the sequence of events leading to the death of the two minor boys, Kavita and Shahu himself. Police are expected to formally brief the media later on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the University of Chicago Medical Center said it was treating a patient with suspected case of the coronavirus. Four others have already tested positive for the virus in Illinois. As of Monday evening, there were 108 cases of coronavirus in the U.S., including those who tested positive by their local health departments and those whose positive results have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the two men who had been declared president of Guinea Bissau resigned on Sunday after just one full day in office. I have no security My life is in danger, the life of my family is in danger, the life of this people is in danger. I cannot accept that, that is why I took this decision, Cipriano Cassama told reporters. Despite not being in the December ballot Mr Cassama was appointed by parliament, the majority of whose deputies have refused to acknowledge the election victory of the former opposition leader, Umaro Sissoco Embalol. Mr Embalol was sworn in as head of state at a luxury hotel on Thursday after the electoral commission had again declared him the winner of Decembers presidential vote. The ruling PAIGC party is contesting that result in the Supreme Court. Despite the resignation of one president, Guinea-Bissau still has two rival prime ministers. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A court in Hyderabad on Tuesday acquitted terror suspect Syed Abdul Karim alias Tunda in connection with a case of allegedly conspiring to carry out a series of blasts in Hyderabad in 1998. The Metropolitan Sessions court Judge, which had earlier deferred the verdict in the case toTuesday, acquitted Tunda, a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) bomb expert, on the grounds that prosecution was not able to produce sufficient evidence against the accused. A case was registered against Tunda and others here in 1998 on charges of conspiring to carry out blasts during the Ganesh festival in Hyderabad. According to Hyderabad police, Tunda was co-conspirator in the case and had trained some of the other accused in preparing bombs and explosives and he was termed as a "hardcore terrorist" of the LeT module. The case was registered under various sections of the IPC including criminal conspiracy, Arms Act, Explosives Substances Act, Passport Act and Foreigners Act. Police have said of the 28 accused, some of them were arrested and convicted while the remaining were absconding. Tunda, one of India's most-wanted terrorists and mastermind of over 40 bombings in the country, was arrested by central security agencies from the Indo-Nepal border at Banbasa on August 16, 2013. He was subsequently arrested by the Hyderabad Police. He is also suspected of involvement in some other blast cases across the country, some of which are still pending. The 77-year-old Tunda, who is currently lodged in Ghaziabad jail, was one of the 20 terrorists whom India had asked the Pakistan government to hand over after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:15:10|Editor: yhy Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China issued a guideline Tuesday to build a modern environmental governance system in a bid to provide institutional support for a better ecological environment. The guideline, jointly issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, aimed to put in place by 2025 a sound environmental governance system that specifies responsibilities of governments at all levels and firms, encourages public participation and features stronger government supervision. Efforts will be made to build an open and regulated environmental treatment market. The country will offer a level playing field for all types of enterprises and guide capital to participate in the investment, construction and operation of environmental governance. Greener approach of production shall be promoted among firms, and innovative technologies strengthened to reduce pollutants, while firms will be required to disclose their pollution-related information and held responsible for its authenticity, according to the guideline. China will also boost financial support for environmental protection and establish a fund dedicated to green development, the guideline said. [March 03, 2020] Serious Sellers Podcast Wins Top Spot in First Annual Awards for Amazon and Private Label Sellers IRVINE, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon sellers voted for the Serious Sellers Podcast as the top podcast in Seller Sessions' SellerPoll Amazon Awards, the first annual awards for Amazon and private label sellers. The Serious Sellers Podcast, managed by Helium 10, an established SaaS provider and the leading all-in-one software for third-party Amazon sellers, was selected for the award among 14 other podcasts. The show is hosted by Bradley Sutton, Helium 10's Director of Training and Customer Success. "Serious Seller is part of the Helium 10 family and is the sequel to Manny Coats AMPM Podcast which started in 2015. They sweep the board with three awards in 2019," said Danny McMillan, host of the SellerPoll Amazon Awards. The company credits the win to its loyal customers and its promise to offer the most cutting-edge tools, education and community. Bradley Sutton, Helium 10's Director of Training and Customer Success, explains the win: "When we first started the Serious Sellers Podcast, we really wanted to make sure that it was a 'no BS' podcast. We have fun with the guests of course, but at the same time, we make sure that broad statements and claims get challenged so that our audience gets the truth. We also strive to have the widest variety of guests. Not just gurus, not just Amazon sellers, not just seven-, eight- and nine-figure selers, and not the same people every couple of months. Because of that, we have been able to offer what is, in my opinion, the most unparalleled variety of tips and strategies for serious sellers of any level in the e-commerce world." About Danny McMillan and Seller Sessions: Danny is a survivor of the former music industry, serial start-up entrepreneur and now an Amazon Seller. Danny has been a guest speaker at The Smart China Sourcing Summit in Hong Kong, The European Private Label Summit, The Private Label World Summit & The Great Escape (Europe's largest Music Industry convention). He regularly speaks on all subjects relating to online selling and has appeared on numerous podcasts along with contributing to industry bible Webretailer.com. Seller Sessions started as a webinar in January 2017, today offering breaking news and advanced techniques for the global Amazon FBA community. About Helium 10 Founded in 2016, Helium 10 is an all-in-one suite of software tools for Amazon sellers and major global brands. Helium 10 offers solutions for Amazon product research, keyword research, listing optimization and maintenance, account alerts and automation, inventory monitoring, email marketing, financial analytics, and reimbursement assistance. The company has helped over 250,000 sellers scale their businesses on Amazon. Helium 10 strives to deliver highly accurate, data-driven, comprehensive software to Amazon sellers everywhere. Helium 10 is headquartered in Irvine, California, with multiple satellite offices worldwide. The company is undergoing rapid growth in both domestic and international markets. For more information, visit Helium10.com. Media Contact Matt Sky [email protected] Related Links Helium 10 SellerPoll Amazon Awards View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/serious-sellers-podcast-wins-top-spot-in-first-annual-awards-for-amazon-and-private-label-sellers-301015564.html SOURCE Helium 10 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Kwara state government says it has received N263 million recovered by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from so... The Kwara state government says it has received N263 million recovered by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from some officials of the previous administration. In October, the EFCC presented about N111 million, said to to be looted fund belonging to the state, to the governor. In a statement on Tuesday, Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the governor, said Isyaku Sharu, EFCC Ilorin zonal head, handed over the cash to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of the state. According to the statement, the total amount of looted funds recovered and handed over to the state government is N374m. Ajakaye added that the total recoveries by the Kwara office of the EFCC in the past one year are in excess of N8bn worth of assets and cash. the EFCC zonal head said the latest recoveries were majorly from the money looted from the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) and local government fund by some former government officials. During the presentation,the EFCC zonal head said the latest recoveries were majorly from the money looted from the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) and local government fund by some former government officials. These alleged looters siphoned from Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) and 16 local government areas, Sharu said. About five billion naira was allegedly siphoned from KWIRS and shared in the ratio of 30/70 by some notable individuals in the state through their cronies. The mandate given to us to conduct a holistic and all-inclusive cleanup of over two decades barefaced fraud and pen robbery on the good people of the zone is achieved. This is evident from the overwhelming success achieved in terms of convictions and recovery of assets. He noted that the zonal office has secured 48 convictions and recovered at least N8.5bn worth of assets and money. Responding, AbdulRazaq commended the anti-graft body for the recovery and the handing over of the looted funds. He thanked the EFCC, saying the state had received over N300m looted fund from the agency. He promised that his administration will be judicious in utilising the fund. We are quite excited for getting this money. This is a huge amount of money to be released to us at this time. It is mind-boggling that the situation has come to this, AbdulRazaq said. Anytime arrest is made, some persons would rain abuses on the EFCC and even the state government but the money keeps coming in. Yet they claim nothing was stolen. We thank the EFCC. So far, we have got over N300m and it is a continuous exercise. On our part, we will be judicious in utilising the fund. We will always remember that one day, we will leave this position we are today and we will be made accountable too. That is why we have to be responsible in what we do now. The governor said the over N111m earlier recovered and released to the state formed the seed money for the social security programme now underway for the benefit of the poor in Kwara. The presence of the EFCC here makes everybody sit up and being responsible and brought about change in perception, dynamism and thinking of the civil service and the entire citizens. We must all come together to kill corruption, he said. AbdulRazaq also said the state is currently paying N35m monthly to the federal government because the former administration collected N2bn loan for small businesses but mismanaged the money. Carnival Corporation & plc Announces Exchange Rate for Quarterly Dividend MIAMI, March 3, 2020 -- On January 16, 2020, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 (U.S.) per share. The dividend is payable on March 13, 2020, to shareholders of record on February 21, 2020. Holders of Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ADSs will receive a dividend payable in U.S. dollars. The dividend for Carnival plc ordinary shares will be payable in sterling unless shareholders elected to receive the dividend in U.S. dollars by February 21, 2020. Dividends payable in sterling will be converted from U.S. dollars at the exchange rate quoted by Bloomberg (BFIX) at 12 noon London time on March 2, 2020 (US$1 = 78.21054 pence). Accordingly, the dividend payable in sterling on March 13, 2020, will be 39.10527 pence per share. Carnival Corporation & plc is the world's largest leisure travel company and among the most profitable and financially strong in the cruise and vacation industries, with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard. Carnival Corporation & plc is the world's largest leisure travel company and among the most profitable and financially strong in the cruise and vacation industries, with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard. Together, the corporation's cruise lines operate 105 ships with 254,000 lower berths visiting over 700 ports around the world, with 16 new ships scheduled to be delivered through 2025. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices. With a long history of innovation and providing guests with extraordinary vacation experiences, Carnival Corporation has received thousands of industry awards - including recognition by the Consumer Technology Association as a CES 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree for OceanMedallion. A revolutionary wearable device that contains a proprietary blend of communication technologies, OceanMedallion enables the world's first interactive guest experience platform transforming vacation travel on a large scale into a highly personalized level of customized service. The prestigious CES Innovation Awards honor outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com, and www.cunard.com. CONTACT: Carnival Corporation & plc, 1 305 599 2600, ext. 67862, Investor Relations Contact, Beth Roberts, 1 305 406 4832 A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Foreign Shipping Traffic 2021, November Published: 3 March 2020 Sea transport increased in January Corrected on 11 March 2020. The correction is indicated in red. The goods volume of foreign sea transport was in total 8.3 million tonnes in January 2020. Sea transport increased by 0.2 million tonnes from last year's January. Export volume fell by 0.7 per cent and amounted to 4.3 million tonnes. Imports increased by 2.3 per cent to 4.0 million tonnes. Foreign sea Transport by month in 2018 to 2020 General cargo was transported most, in total 1.3 million tonnes, which is 16 per cent of all transport. The second most transported was crude oil, 1.2 million tonnes, and oil products, 0.9 million tonnes. Container transport A total of 1.1 million tonnes of containers were transported through Finnish ports in January 2020, which is 0.1 tonnes more than in January 2019. The number of containers transported was 73,145 (128,240 TEU containers) 1) . Exports of containers went up by 20.4 per cent measured in tonnes and imports fell by 8.1 per cent measured in tonnes compared to January 2019. Vehicle transport A total of 208 478 transport equipment were transported in foreign sea traffic in January 2020. Most transports of transport equipment were passenger cars belonging to passengers. In January, 127 144 passenger cars were transported. The second most transported were trucks, 53 123 and truck trailers, 33 620. Passenger traffic A total of 1,049,144 persons were transported in passenger traffic in January 2020. In all, 557,723 persons travelled between Finland and Estonia and 483,511 persons between Finland and Sweden. Altogether, 7,910 passengers were transported between Finland and Germany. The number of passengers grew by 16 per cent from January 2019. The number of passengers between Finland and Estonia increased by 79,528 and between Finland and Sweden by 70,245 from one year ago. In January 2020, no passengers of foreign cruise ships arrived in Finland. Vessel traffic and goods volume in the Saimaa Canal The Saimaa Canal was open in January 2020. Wood pulp was transported most in vessels in foreign traffic, in total 11,063 tonnes. The second most transported was crude minerals and cement. In January 2019, the Saimaa Canal was closed starting from the evening of 1 January and no transport was registered through the canal in foreign traffic. 1) TEU, the basic measurement unit of container traffic, refers to one container that is twenty feet long, eight feet wide and 8.5 feet high. Source: Transport and tourism, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Matti Kokkonen 029 551 3770, Sami Lahtinen 029 551 3207, matti.kokkonen@tilastokeskus.fi Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko Publication in pdf-format (169.6 kB) Updated 3.3.2020 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Foreign Shipping Traffic [e-publication]. ISSN=2670-2002. January 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 10.1.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/uvliik/2020/01/uvliik_2020_01_2020-03-03_tie_001_en.html Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 06:28 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067d70bd 1 Business Singapore,Indonesia,Trade,COVID-19,travel Free Amid heightened fears about the global spread of the novel coronavirus, Singapore has said it remains open for business and that it has put effective measures in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, the disease resulting from the virus. Singapore's ambassador to Indonesia Anil Kumar Nayar said that from an economic standpoint, a complete lockdown of the country was impossible and cooperation between countries in the region was needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. "I have to emphasize that Singapore is safe as far as COVID-19 is concerned. Our Indonesian friends who have business in Singapore, who would like to visit Singapore, please continue to do so," Kumar Nayar said at a press briefing on Monday in Jakarta. Kumar Nayar said that authorities in Singapore would be strict about border control for inbound travelers and would pay closer attention to those who had travel histories to places that had seen an outbreak of the coronavirus, like China and South Korea. Authorities in Singapore have also enacted measures to quarantine those who recently traveled from areas of coronavirus outbreak like Wuhan in China and Daegu in South Korea. "We give a stay-at-home notice to people coming back to Singapore from those places. This is strictly enforced and we can deport or ban the entry of people who refuse to comply," Kumar Nayar said. As of March 1, Singapore has confirmed 106 cases of COVID-19. A total of 74 patients have been discharged from the hospital, while seven are still in critical condition and under intensive care. Singapore has raised the Disease Outbreak Response (DORSCON) level to orange, a move that has allowed authorities to contain the spread of coronavirus. The country has also stepped up its cooperation with other countries and bodies in the region to prevent the spread of the disease, including the World Health Organization and Indonesia. "We worked closely with the WHO and countries in the region. There's no point in lying because panic can be created from fake news and hoaxes," Kumar Nayar said. "I felt so strongly about this and having this moment at the end to talk about those things because I dealt with that directly. I've dealt with it my whole life, but when you're put to that magnitude, it hits you just a little bit different and it's one of those things where you just have to be strong in it, but it's not okay," Hightower told Variety at the taping. "This has to stop. Nothing that we did on the show deserves that." DOUBLE SPRINGS, Tenn. Jean Gregory had been fast asleep when her husband yanked her to the floor and flung himself on top of her for six, seven, maybe 10 minutes, as they waited for the tornado that had descended on their small community in Putnam County, Tenn., to finally pass. It just shook the house they said it moved off the foundation, said Mrs. Gregory, 73, as she surveyed the ruins of the house she had shared for decades with her husband. Around them, it was much worse. At least 19 people died on Tuesday morning in Putnam County after a series of tornadoes cut a swath across the central part of Tennessee, killing at least 25 people in all. In Mrs. Gregorys neighborhood, a mix of trailers, houses and modest apartments, the devastation was everywhere. The proportion of Americans who do not want Internet companies to share user information with political campaigns to target digital ads to certain voters, a Gallup poll discovered. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed also said that websites should show political ads as long as who paid for the ad, how much the ad cost and who the ad is targeting are disclosed. ( The Hill March 2, 2020) You are here: China Speakers: Chen Jingyuan, director general of the Medical Service Bureau of the Logistic Support Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC); Zhao Haifei, deputy director general of the General Planning Bureau of the Logistic Support Department of the CMC; Zhang Tianxiang, deputy director general of the Transportation and Mobility Bureau of the Logistic Support Department of the CMC; Wu Qian, director general and spokesperson for the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense. Chairperson: Hu Kaihong, spokesperson of the State Council Information Office Date: Mar. 2, 2020 Abortions of cleft lip babies rose 150% in England, Wales Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The number of unborn babies legally aborted in England & Wales following a diagnosis of cleft lip and cleft palate has risen by 150% since 2011, according to the U.K. Parliament. At least 223 abortions were performed on unborn babies with cleft lip over the last 10 years, and the annual number of such terminations increased from 10 in 2011 to 25 in 2018, it was revealed in response to a parliamentary question asked by pro-life MP Fiona Bruce this week. The actual number of abortions for cleft lip could be much higher, as such abortions are routinely under-reported. In 2013, a study of a European register showed that the number of abortions for cleft lip and palate was possibly at least 10 times higher than what was being reported, according to Right to Life UK. The number of babies aborted in 2010 for Downs syndrome, for example, was double that officially recorded 886 compared to 482, according to Joan Morris, national coordinator for Eurocat and professor of medical statistics at Queen Mary, University of London, The Times (of London) reported in 2013. Eurocat is a European network of registers for congenital anomalies. In 2018, Missy Robertson, Duck Dynasty star and wife of Jase Robertson, reflected on her daughter Mias journey with a cleft lip and palate and shared how her battle had strengthened the entire familys relationship with Jesus Christ. Robertson told The Christian Post at the time that since her birth in 2004, Mia had undergone numerous surgeries to correct her cleft lip and palate. While Mia, 15 at the time, was doing really, really well physically and was a varsity cheerleader in high school, Robertson admitted the journey had been long and arduous. What most people dont understand is that when a child is born with a cleft lip and palate, its not just the quick fix, she told CP. Every child is different; they dont all fit into the same box. You cant predict, when a child is born, just how many surgeries theyre going to have. So Ive quit predicting how many more surgeries shell have when people ask me. The biggest thing Ive learned is to sit back and take everything one day at a time. In 2014, the Robertsons started the Mia Moo Fund to help other families who were facing similar situations. According to the Center for Disease Control, each year in the United States, about 2,650 babies are born with a cleft palate and 4,440 babies are born with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate. In 2013, Christian doctors with Franklin Graham's Samaritans Purse traveled to South Sudan to perform over 80 cleft lip and palate surgeries on children and adults who were often ostracized by society and accused of having demonic spirits. Awareness is key to us as Christians to realize the plight of the world around us, said Dr. Tom Boeve, an otolaryngologist from Wisconsin, in a phone interview with CP at the time. Christ called us to be aware of those who are suffering and those who are dealing with these things. Supporting an organization that is willing or has the capability to make a difference in these things is as good as being there, doing it yourself. Houses along Hoover Beach is covered by ice from high winds and from the waves from Lake Erie, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Hamburg N.Y. Blowing snow has fallen around the state since Thursday, though the heaviest snowfall was concentrated in largely rural areas east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Don't call it a winter wonderland. The waterfront by Hoover Beach in Hamburg, New York, has transformed into a magical vision. Houses are sheathed in a thick layer of ice, with icicles hanging from door frames, awnings and rooftops. Hamburg, about 13 miles from Buffalo and bordering Lake Erie, has been ravaged by gale-force winds for two days. The winds, coupled with 15-foot waves from the lake, have created a 1- to 3-inch layer of ice on some homes. But the picture-perfect view comes with some caveats for local homeowners: Some residents had to break into their own homes. "I actually had to go out a secondary door and then chisel my way back into the house by breaking the ice," Ed Mis, a resident whose home was iced out, told WGRZ-TV. The homes have also become a tourist attraction but police are requesting visitors stay away for their safety. Hamburg police issued a statement Sunday requesting that sightseers could also face trespassing charges if they encroach private property. Not only is the ice extremely unsafe and unstable, the majority is in areas which are private property, they said in their notice. Houses along Hoover Beach are covered by ice from high winds and from the waves from Lake Erie on Feb. 29, in Hamburg N.Y. Blowing snow has fallen around the state since Thursday, though the heaviest snowfall was concentrated in largely rural areas east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Hoover Beach houses covered by ice look so surreal, police have had to tell tourists to stay away. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario have seen heavy snowfall since Thursday, creating the appearance of a winter wonderland in some areas. Some Hoover Beach houses will likely sustain damage, because of the sheer weight of the ice and snow covering them. The ice might also cause damage. As of Tuesday, Hamburg faced rainy conditions. When combined with the weight of the ice already on the homes, according to the "Today" show, the rain may cause ice-heavy homes to collapse. "A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds, and when you look at all the ice that's on these residences, we still have concerns for structural collapse, Sean Crotty, Hamburgs emergency manager, told "Today." It's not the first time New York lakefront homes have been cloaked in ice: In 2017, residents near Lake Ontario experienced their own ice kingdom amid blustering winds and low temperatures. Follow Joshua Bote on Twitter: @joshua_bote This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lake Erie, NY, homes by Hoover Beach turn into stunning ice palaces The government of Sudan has fired scores of diplomats for alleged links to the administration of ex-President Omar al-Bashir. The Empowerment Removal Committee was formed under a law introduced in November to dismantle the system built by Bashir. One-hundred and nine ambassadors, diplomats and administrators were fired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and those who were appointed through political and social empowerment, Mohamed al-Faki, deputy head of the Empowerment Removal Committee, told a news conference in capital, Khartoum. The Empowerment Removal Committee was formed under a law introduced in November to dismantle the system built by Bashir. Some of the diplomats were appointed by Bashir himself and others were picked through his now dissolved National Congress Party, Mohamed al-Faki said. Last month, the legal committee dissolved the boards of the countrys central bank and 11 other state-owned banks. It also seized the assets of the former ruling party. Since August, Sudan has been ruled by a government and an 11-member sovereign council, which includes pro-democracy campaigners and senior soldiers. Bashir was forced out from power in April, when security forces withdrew their support for his repressive regime after months of protests. He has since then been held in prison in Khartoum. In December, he was sentenced to two years in a reform facility for corruption, a sentence dismissed as derisory by victims of his brutal 29-year rule. With their famous reputation for "tolerance" all out there, leftists, including the presumably vote-seeking Bernie Sanders, are mocking Vice President Mike Pence for beginning his coronavirus task force, a serious group of working government leaders tasked with keeping the infectious disease from spreading through the U.S., with a prayer. Here's an excellent description of just how this picture looks: I don't know anything about Mr. Williams, but this photograph and his comment perfectly illustrate the profound division in our culture. It's "obvious" to some of us that one of the things you do in a crisis is pray. It's "obvious" to others that praying is (worse than) foolish. https://t.co/pBkAJX3Ygo Robert P. George (@McCormickProf) March 2, 2020 The Williams referred to lists himself on Twitter as a Harper's magazine columnist and New York Times magazine contributing writer. Mister Establishment. Sure enough, Bernie Sanders, an intolerant sort of socialist atheist (as Hillary Clinton's opposition research once revealed), was out there to mock Pence, too: 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 The press has been similarly contemptuous of Pence: Media Barely Hides Disdain For Prayer After Trump, Pence Photos https://t.co/c6wgEMQuDP Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 2, 2020 This one's interesting in that she views prayer as an either/or proposition if you pray, you have to have a problem with "science": Fox News pundit slams Mike Pence for pushing prayer over science: He shouldnt be anywhere near coronavirus https://t.co/emQYrKqHyv Raw Story (@RawStory) February 27, 2020 That's an amazing stretch, given that Pence's task force is part of the Trump administration's response to coronavirus, which already is getting kudos, even from far leftists such as California's Gov. Gavin Newsom, for its effectiveness. Young Jessica seems to reason that if you pray, bzzzt, God won't allow you to do anything else. Never mind the detail that Pence probably prayed for the grace of all team members to work together in the hopes of being guided to the right solution. In the cartoon world of the left, if you pray, God won't allow you to take practical measuresl in their minds, he's not only imaginary, but a meanie to boot. Saturday Night Live got in on the act. Note that opening statement from the Pence character about not believing in science. So much for "Coexist." Leftists now view the coronavirus epidemic as little more than their golden opportunity to mock and insult people of faith, despite it being no skin off their noses if such people do pray. They're not doing anything constructive to check the coronavirus, such as offering solutions, or just wishing the team well; they're focused on the outrage of an opening prayer for a solution, and to someone they don't think exists. You'd think a prayer would be an easy one to ignore, in order to complain about the response, but for them, outrage and mockery are always priority one and very likely to turn off black, Latino, and Evangelical voters. It's also one heck of an ahistorical mindset, given that prayer, as the original twitterer noted, has always been invoked in the U.S. in times of uncertainty and crisis. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, in fact, were famous for their prayers in time of crisis, as was Ronald Reagan. Until leftists stopped teaching history, every schoolkid in America knew about Washington praying at Valley Forge in the dead of winter. Here's George Washington's prayer for the nation, still recited every morning at Mount Vernon: I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen. Here's Abraham Lincoln's March 4, 1865 prayer for peace: Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Here is Ronald Reagan's insightful perspective on why we have a prayer tradition at all: Prayer has sustained our people in crisis, strengthened us in times of challenge and guided us through our daily lives since the first settlers came to this continent. Our forebears came not for gold but mainly in search of God and the freedom to worship in their own way. We've been a free people living under the law with faith in our Maker and in our future. Lincoln also signed off on a National Day of Prayer and Fasting that was passed in Congress 157 years ago today. This is his powerfully worded proclamation: Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation. And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion. All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh. Compared to that, Mike Pence's prayer was undoubtedly gentler in tone, but fully within the U.S. tradition of praying for guidance and help in time of crisis. While there is in the U.S. an East Coast waspy tradition of not wearing one's religion on one's sleeve, prayer is quite common in the rest of the country. Praying collectively is perfectly recognizable to blacks, Latinos, Evangelicals, and military families, to take but a few examples. So despite their claimed need to win an election, the left in a time of crisis chooses to mock prayer instead, insulting an amazing array of voters, and doing zero to help in the coronavirus response. These people are just plain sick. Memo to the Left: Want More Trump? This is how you get More Trump. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:59:53|Editor: zh Video Player Close WINDHOEK, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has approved the construction of four wind power plants in the Tsau Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park in the country's coastal town Luderitz, officials said Tuesday. Ministry of Environment and Tourism executive director Teofilus Nghitila said the power plants are expected to generate 100 megawatts of electricity. "It will enable Namibia to meet its goals under National Development Goals and will actually also place Namibia to have most of its energy generated from the renewables," he said. The Tsau Khaeb National Park is recently proclaimed as a protected biodiversity spot. Nghitila also stated that his ministry also put measures to ensure that biodiversity in the park remains intact. "It is our aim to reduce any negative impact on our biodiversity in the park. We know that the area is sensitive and has very unique organisms especially the succulent plants which are very important to the ecosystem there. So it is well documented," Nghitila added. Namibia has committed itself to increase the share of renewable energy to about 70 percent of electricity by 2030. Currently Namibia only has a 5 megawatt wind farm at Luderitz. The approved power plants include United Africa with 40 megawatts, two projects from NamPower which is 40 and 50 megawatts respectively, and Innosun energy with 50 megawatts. The long-awaited reconstruction of Evans Road in Selma is just months away, and commuters will need to find alternate routes while stretches of the road are closed for up to 18 months. Work on Evans from its Interstate 35 access road connector to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that run behind Retama Equestrian Center and River City Community Church should begin as early as May or June after the Selma City Council voted to approve a 60-day competitive sealed bids process for the reconstruction. During this time, Evans Road is going to be closed to thru traffic, Grayson Cox, project manager for KSA Architects, told the council during its Feb. 13 meeting. That means people will have to take I-35 to Retama Parkway if they want to go up, and have to find other routes to go south. The $3.4 million, 18-month-long project will be done in phases and will see new pavement replace the roads current cracking and pot-hole-ridden surface, with curbing along both sides. The two 11-foot-wide lanes will be rebuilt for the 1.3-mile stretch. The project includes 6-foot bike lanes on each side of Evans, a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side of the road, and a new 10-foot-wide stretch of trail along Cibolo Creek, aptly referred to as the Cibolo Creek Recreation Trail. Phase 1 construction will stretch a quarter-mile, from the I-35 access road to a point just past Meyers Road behind Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The road will be closed to all thru traffic except for the church, which will be allowed one-way access off of the I-35 access road to the church. One way (traffic during Phase 1) is the safest way. We dont have cars able to access coming out on Evans Road to I-35, thats going to be impossible, Cox said. With the barricades up on Evans Road, theres only going to be enough width for one lane of vehicles. Phase 1 is expected to last for about five months. Phase 2, a six-month project, runs a half-mile from Lookout Road south to the Phase 1 completion point and will see a total blockage of traffic. Phase 3, anticipated to be another five-month-long construct, stretches a half-mile from Lookout Road to the UP railroad tracks. It will also be closed to thru traffic, open only to businesses and residents who need access. Cox said his firm has made sure the sidewalk and hike-and-bike improvements link up with other recent and planned improvements throughout the city. We want to make sure that what we are doing connects to other improvements throughout the city of Selmas hike-and-bike and sidewalk network, he said. Im really impressed with the sidewalk and bike lanes, Mayor Pro Tem John Sharp said. Its a lot safer. Ive got a lot of years running up and down that road and its not very safe. Were going to be really happy when this is done. There will be three parking bays along Evans for people to pull off and utilize the recreation trail. We dont want the recreational trail isolated, where its difficult to get to, Cox said. As part of this project, we have designed three parallel parking bays on the Cibolo Creek side of Evans Road, little pockets of parking so that people can actually go there as a destination and use the trail. In total, well have 14 regular parking spots and three handicap parking spots, he added. The recreation trail will leave off just short of the I-35 access road. Maps shown to council showed where a future city project could link the recreation trail to the Selma Stage Stop to create a massive stretch of hike-and-bike trails for the citys residents. The church will be allowed to use Evans as a one-way conduit to reach its parking lots. City Manager Johnny Casias said the city will work with Our Lady of Perpetual Help along Evans Road, allowing a one-way conduit into its church and school parking. Part of Coxs presentation showed a map routing traffic in a square up Evans to Meyers Road, along Meyers to a service road that eventually links back up with the I-35 access road near Cafezinho. Councilman Kevin Hadas said he expects a week or two of adjustment to the traffic pattern for Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I think itll be a one or two-week learning curve, and then were done, Hadas said. With social media nowadays and the church, letting the school know, they have a good network over there. But Cox said the entire Evans road closure will play havoc for area commuters. Its not going to be fun, its going to be like Lookout Road, Cox said. But were going to have an amazing road complete with sidewalks, bike paths, parking bays and the recreational trail. jflinn@express-news.net Negative market trends caused the technology group's performance to decline in 2019. As such, net sales fell by 6.9% to CHF 632.7 million; earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) totaled CHF 18.9 million. The groups's operating margin stood at 3.0% and net income at CHF 10.7 million. With technical innovations Feintool prepares for a recovery in a global automotive market, which is expected to be attractive over the coming decade. The negative market trend in our industry that has been apparent since the beginning of the financial year had consequences for the Feintool Group. After ten years of global growth, a slowdown has now occurred that has been accompanied by additional global trends in our industry. The global economy, and with it the global automotive market - with all of Feintool's applications in the vehicle including safety, seats, and drivetrain - performed differently in the various regions, moving in different directions due to changing trade flows and regulatory environmental requirements. In a global automotive market that is weaker overall, premium vehicles, cars with automatic transmissions, vehicles with all-wheel drive, and hybrid and battery electric vehicles generally performed well, however, exhibiting significant growth in some cases. Net sales slightly lower The Feintool Group generated net sales of CHF 632.7 million in the 2019 financial year, which corresponds to a decline of 6.9% (5.8% in local currency). Adjusted for the acquisition of the lamination stamping business, Feintool recorded a sales decline of 9.2%. The System Parts segment, in which Feintool is globally active with the high-volume production of precision fineblanked, formed, and stamped components, accounted for the largest share of sales. This segment generated sales of CHF 573.9 million in the reporting year, 2.2% less than in the same period in the previous year. On the one hand, business in Europe and the United States slowed in line with the market trend. On the other hand, Feintool was able to increase its sales in Asia by 10.2% thanks to an increase in the quantity of new products sold. In the Fineblanking Technology segment, in which Feintool offers comprehensive technological solutions for fineblanking, net sales totaled CHF 74.7 million, equal to a sharp drop of 30.1%. The political and global economic uncertainties caused customers to significantly scale back their investment activities, which was reflected in Feintool's sales in the second half of the year. EBIT The Feintool Group generated operating profit (EBIT) of CHF 18.9 million, corresponding to an EBIT margin of 3.0%. The System Parts segment achieved an EBIT of CHF 23.2 million and an EBIT margin of 4.0%. The sales decline and the significantly slower introduction (i.e. ramp-up) of new products led to the underutilization of production capacity at some plants. Furthermore, other production sites are in the process of setting up for new products, resulting in preproduction and training costs. In the Fineblanking Technology segment's investment goods business, Feintool generated an EBIT of CHF 0.7 million. The segment's EBIT margin fell sharply to 0.9% compared with the previous year, primarily due to the significant drop in net sales. Research expenses were similar to the previous year, coming in at CHF 4.4 million. Feintool made a conscious decision not to scale back development activities as an investment in the future. Group result Overall, Feintool generated a consolidated group result of CHF 10.7 million, corresponding to a net profit margin of 1.7%. Orders in line with the market situation Expected releases from our customers in the high-volume parts segment amount to CHF 265.2 million over the next six months. Due to the global economic slowdown, incoming orders in the Fineblanking Technology segment fell to CHF 60.7 million, equal to a decline of 40.6% compared with the very strong previous year. Of this total, CHF 10.2 million was generated internally from the System Parts segment and CHF 50.5 million from business with external customers. The order backlog decreased by 38.4% to CHF 23.0 million. As a result of the current order backlog, Feintool introduced reduced working hours at the assembly plant. Dividend distribution planned Due to its unwavering dividend distribution policy, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend of CHF 1.00 per Feintool share at the General Meeting on April 30, 2020 (CHF 0.50 as an ordinary dividend and CHF 0.50 as a distribution from capital contributions). Change in the Board of Directors Board members Dr. Michael Soormann and Thomas Erb will not stand for reelection. Dr. Marcus Bollig and Christian Mader will be proposed for election at the General Meeting on 30 April 2020. Marcus Bollig is a long-time manager at BMW and an expert in the field of drivetrain technology. Christian Mader has been CFO and member of the board of the Artemis Group and chairman of the board of directors of Franke Holding AG since 2015. Systematically pursuing our strategy We have been systematically pursuing the strategy defined for Feintool since 2010. 2019 was a challenging year, but it has shown that we are on the right track. Knut Zimmer: "The group initiated measures adapted to the individual regions. As such, Feintool further optimized its manufacturing processes and once again improved its quality management systems. In doing so, Feintool is taking advantage of current market conditions and optimizing its plants to meet the respective challenges, while at the same time driving innovation forward. In this process, we are supporting our customers with complete solutions for different vehicle concepts." In preparation for a recovery in a global automotive market, the group is enforcing technological innovations. Feintool expects this market to be attractive over the coming decade. We will continue to consolidate our position in the European, North American, and Asian markets in the technologies of fineblanking, forming, lamination and stamping. In part due to investments and significant research efforts, we are systematically driving forward our market position and profitability of our individual plants as a highly competitive company. Guidance The economic and political uncertainties will continue during the 2020 financial year, yet will have a different impact in different regions, which is why we expect the global market situation to remain complex. We are currently unable to assess the effects of the coronavirus on China and global trade flows. We have seen an encouraging increase in the number of inquiries for future orders in the high-volume parts business in recent months, however, whereas we expect the capital goods business to remain difficult due to the existing uncertainties and the associated reluctance to invest. Feintool expects sales in 2020 to match the previous year's level, but profitability is expected to improve as a result of measures introduced during the reporting year. Feintool expects sales in 2020 to match the previous year's level, but profitability is expected to improve as a result of measures introduced during the reporting year. Reporting change The volatility of quarterly results has increased continuously in recent years, causing the figures for three-month periods to become less and less reliable. For this reason, Feintool will cease publishing quarterly volume reports in the future. Overview of key financial indicators 2019 in CHF Million 2018 in CHF Million Change in % Change in local currency in % Net revenue of the Feintool Group 632.7 679.6 -6.9 -5.8 Fineblanking Technology segment 74.7 106.9 -30.1 -30.2 System Parts segment 573.9 586.9 -2.2 -1.0 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) 67.7 89.7 -24.6 -23.7 Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 18.9 47.5 -60.3 -59.9 Fineblanking Technology segment 0.7 9.8 -93.3 -93.5 System Parts segment 23.2 43.5 -46.6 -48.8 Group results 10.7 30.5 -65.1 -55.4 Total assets 706.3 705.3 0.1 Shareholder's equity 309.9 320.8 -3.4 Net debt 140.8 147.9 -4.8 Expected releases of high-volume parts production (System Parts segment) 265.2 286.1 -7.3 -4.6 Orders received from third parties (investment goods) (Fineblanking Technology segment) 50.5 87.7 -42.4 -42.5 Order backlog for third parties (investment goods) (Fineblanking Technology segment) 18.5 31.0 -40.4 -40.6 Employees 2 641 2 697 -2.1 Trainees 91 82 11.0 All of the information related to Feintool's 2019 annual results can be found in the 2019 annual report, which is available online at: https://www.feintool.com/unternehmen/investor-relations.html Feintool at a glance Feintool is an internationally active technology and market leader in the field of fineblanking. This technology is characterized by cost-effectiveness, highest quality and productivity. As a driver of innovation, we continually expand the horizons of fineblanking and develop intelligent solutions to meet the requirements of our customers: either fineblanking systems with innovative tools or the complete production of precise fineblanked, formed and stamped electro lamination components in high outputs for demanding industrial applications. The processes used support the trends in the automotive industry. Feintool acts as a project and development partner in the areas of lightweight construction/sustainability, module variations/platforms and alternative drive concepts such as hybrid and electric drives. The company, founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland, owns its production plants and technology centers in Europe, the United States, China and Japan, always making sure to be geographically close to its customers. Around 2,600 employees and over 80 trainees work worldwide on new solutions and create key advantages for Feintool customers. Feintool International Holding AG Industriering 8 3250 Lyss Switzerland Media spokesperson Karin Labhart Phone +41-32-387-5157 Mobile +41-79-609-2202 karin.labhart@feintool.com www.feintool.com The press release can be downloaded from the following link: (Sharecast News) - London stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday following strong gains on Wall Street, where the Dow recorded its largest ever points gain amid central bank stimulus hopes and as investors pinned their hopes on a G7 conference call on coronavirus. At 0835 GMT, the FTSE 100 was up 2.1% at 6,793.51. Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell said it was a sign of just how bad the final week of February was that the Dow's 1,297 point increase still leaves it almost 3,000 points below where it was on Valentine's Day. "Nevertheless, after a weekend full of stimulus-suggesting statements, news that the central bank chiefs and finance ministers of the G7 would be having a conference call to discuss an action plan -like a fiscal version of the Avengers - designed to combat the coronavirus crisis was enough to point the markets in the right direction," he said. "It helped that the Reserve Bank of Australia has already given the G7 an example of what they can do, cutting its cash rate by 25 bps to a record low of 0.5%. "Following a thoroughly mixed Monday, the European indices shared in the Dow's optimism, without getting quite as excited - after all, any enthusiasm will have been tempered by the WHO warning the world is in 'uncharted territory'." Campbell warned that if the G7 fail to announce a coherent, co-ordinated plan of attack, gains could unravel fast. He pointed to a Reuters report suggesting that the draft statement currently being worked on doesn't call for such action. G7 finance ministers are due to take part in a conference call on the economic impact of the coronavirus at 1200 GMT. In equity markets, travel company British Airways parent IAG and travel company TUI advanced, having fallen sharply on Monday. Housebuilders were also on the rise, with Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon racking up strong gains. Aggreko powered ahead as it posted a 9% rise in full-year pre-tax profit, while 4Imprint, Direct Line and Rotork were all higher after results. On the downside, Sirius Minerals retreated ahead of a shareholder vote later in the day on its proposed takeover by Anglo American. Greggs was also weaker as it reported a rise in full-year profits but warned winter storms in the UK had caused a significant slowdown in February sales and an cited uncertain outlook due to the coronavirus. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,793.51 2.08% FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,727.98 2.21% techMARK (TASX) 3,866.28 1.90% FTSE 100 - Risers Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 210.80p 3.89% British American Tobacco (BATS) 3,113.50p 3.77% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 449.40p 3.76% Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 604.50p 3.69% Persimmon (PSN) 2,944.00p 3.63% Aveva Group (AVV) 4,550.00p 3.27% Rentokil Initial (RTO) 529.20p 3.12% Legal & General Group (LGEN) 262.40p 3.10% Centrica (CNA) 75.56p 3.08% Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,686.00p 3.07% FTSE 100 - Fallers Pearson (PSON) 549.00p -0.18% Ashtead Group (AHT) 2,403.00p -0.17% Intertek Group (ITRK) 5,346.00p 0.41% Unilever (ULVR) 4,357.00p 0.86% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 523.80p 0.89% HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 525.40p 1.02% Croda International (CRDA) 4,738.00p 1.02% BAE Systems (BA.) 617.60p 1.11% Standard Chartered (STAN) 557.00p 1.20% London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 7,994.00p 1.34% FTSE 250 - Risers Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 314.00p 7.90% Aggreko (AGK) 726.60p 7.68% 4Imprint Group (FOUR) 2,900.00p 6.62% John Laing Group (JLG) 360.80p 5.50% Tullow Oil (TLW) 34.27p 5.45% Polar Capital Technology Trust (PCT) 1,608.00p 4.69% Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) 326.50p 4.58% Premier Oil (PMO) 80.26p 4.48% Network International Holdings (NETW) 571.00p 4.39% Plus500 Ltd (DI) (PLUS) 979.60p 4.37% FTSE 250 - Fallers Sirius Minerals (SXX) 4.00p -7.83% Fresnillo (FRES) 593.60p -4.26% Bakkavor Group (BAKK) 104.00p -1.70% Contour Global (GLO) 173.00p -1.26% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,263.00p -1.02% Greggs (GRG) 2,086.00p -0.19% Ibstock (IBST) 280.20p -0.14% Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,406.00p 0.00% Pantheon International (PIN) 2,110.00p 0.00% Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited (SEQI) 112.80p 0.00% Actress Nikesha Patel, who lived in Chennai and has done several films in the south, has relocated to London! The actress, who has been cutting down her work in films in the south over the last one year, has begun pursuing a career in the British film and television industry. Believe me; it was a very tough decision to make, says the Namaste Madam star. But I felt why not? Its now or never, She adds that she was part of a few British television shows in her formative years. I bought a flat and have been staying in Central London for the last few months. I have collaborated with an international agency Gilbert and Payne. Moreover, London is my hometown, so I eventually have to shift base here, she explains, adding that she would also collaborate with an agency in LA as she feels theres a lot to explore there, work-wise. The actress regretted that she hadnt been able to establish herself in the way she would have liked to, though it has been decade since she entered showbiz. Apparently, the actress was disheartened with the kind of films she was offered in south India. I have worked in more than 25 films in the South, I got bored. Also, I work hard and then the film is criticised. So, I need a breath of fresh air, Nikesha said, adding that she had come to India from London to work in Hindi. I wanted to work with a star and a top filmmaker in Hindi, but it did not happen. Although Bollywood appreciates the work of the South, they dont value it. So you have to start from scratch, the Araku Road Lo star reveals. Nikesha feels she lost her mojo because she did not get the offers that she expected. I had to make adjustments to my choices, she says, adding, First I only wanted to work with stars. Then I started accepting budget films; and eventually I picked up random films. She added that it took her several years to come out of the shadow of being known as Pawan Kalyans heroine. As much as I was appreciated for my work in Tamil, Telugu people never stopped calling me a PK heroine. Just because I debuted in a Pawan Kalyan-starrer (Puli) I cannot be branded that way, Nikesha states. Revealing that casting directors and agencies in UK and LA rejected her because her performances in the South were over the top, the actress says They said I was very loud and I should have been more natural and expressive. I remember even Bollywood said the same. Nikesha recently enrolled in a two-month crash course in acting. This training will help me rediscover myself, and the actress I aspired to become. I am confident that filmmakers will see me as a better actor, she says, adding that she is currently giving auditions for TV and other films in the UK. "I think the feeling is, if we make a change here, we're opening ourselves up to have this brought in in other land developments, and it's not something we really want to see in the village overlay district," said board... Haiti - News : Zapping... A bailiff killed in Petion-ville Monday early in the evening, Jean Fenel Monfleury bailiff, was shot and killed by unidentified armed individuals at rue Lambert, not far from the Peace Court of Petion-ville. Witnesses reported that a woman was also injured in the leg at the time of the assassination. COVID-19 : Around 200 beds for infected people Dr. Marie Greta Roy Clement, the Minister of Public Health indicated that Haiti had about 200 beds in hospitals (public and private) throughout the territory to receive people with COVID-19 without indicated the places "for safety reasons for patients and hospitals" she specified. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30170-haiti-coronavirus-important-meeting-at-the-national-palace.html Robbery to Providence Hospital in Gonaives The judicial and police authorities of Gonaives searched this weekend a clinic and a pharmacy belonging to Dr Jude Renelique, Executive Director of the Providence Hospital of Gonaives (HPG), the main suspect in the theft of solar panels, beds and HPG medication. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30158-haiti-news-zapping.html Airport : A bodybuilding area for PNH The Chief Commissioner, Jean Maurest Etienne, head of the police station at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, on behalf of the Commander in chief ai, Rameau Normil proceeded to the inauguration of a bodybuilding area dedicated to the police and administrative staff of the Police National of Haiti (PNH) assigned to the police station of the Airport. Graduation of 315 young professionals The Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) informs that a graduation ceremony of 315 new young professionals of "Electra Sewing" will be held on Thursday March 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the Metropolitan Industrial Park (PIM), building 48. COVID-19 epidemic : Global report March 3, 2020 Tuesday March 3, 2020, the number of people infected worldwide with the Coronavirus COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed cases, official source) amounted to 91,313, an increase of 2,116 cases (-4.3%) compared to the previous day (2,211), https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30166-haiti-news-zapping.html ; 3,117 deaths (+4.5%) or 138 more than the day before (3,048). Average mortality rate 3.4%. 48,124 people healed, 2,978 more than the day before. Note that the cure rate is higher than the number of new confirmed cases. To date, there are 11,162 cases of confirmed infected people outside China (+21.7%), or 1,991 cases more than the previous day, in a total of 73 countries (+6 countries compared to the previous day). Note that South Korea and Italy alone account for 6.029 cases (64.7% of all cases outside China) and that 61.6% of countries (45) have less than 10 confirmed cases in their territory. 162 deaths outside of China have been reported to date since the start of the epidemic (December 2019), 34 more than the previous day: 66 in Iran, 28 in South Korea, 1 in Taiwan, 1 in the Philippines, 2 in Hong Kong, 6 in Japan, 3 in France and 52 in Italy. 1 Australia. 1 Thailand, 6 USA (105 confirmed cases). A first case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Dominican Republic See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30165-haiti-flash-first-case-of-covid-19-in-the-dominican-republic.html HL/ HaitiLibre By Jun Ji-hye Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae "indirectly" criticized a three-party alliance led by group heiress Cho Hyun-ah that has been fighting for control of the logistics-centered conglomerate, Monday, saying "Seeds in hastily built soil cannot bear fruit." Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae Unidentified gunmen on Monday reportedly killed two persons at Galawa community in Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State. Police spokesperson in the state, Abdullahi Kiyawa, told reporters that the attackers stormed the community at 10:30 p.m., shooting sporadically to scare away residents. Mr Kiyawa said the gunmen shot three people, who were rushed to Bichi hospital where two of them died while receiving treatment. The other injured victim is currently responding to treatment, the police said. Residents identified one of the victims as Muhammed Sani, a health worker attached to the local primary health care facility. Also killed was a daughter of a politician, Balaraba Sani, the residents said. The police said the hoodlums took to their heels following prompt response from their personnel working in the local government area. The commissioner of police in the state, Habu Sani, has deployed more personnel to go after the fleeing criminals, the police said. NCP leader Supriya Sule has said 34 people from Maharashtra's Kolhapur are stranded in Iran amid the coronavirus scare, and demanded that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ensure their safe return. She also shared names and passport details of the stranded persons on Twitter. "Amidst the Corona Virus Crisis 34 Individuals frm Kolhapur and surrounding regions are stuck in Iran Their Names and Passport details are attached," the Lok Sabha member from Baramati tweeted on Monday. "Requesting Hon. @DrSJaishankarJi to help all the Indians who are stuck abroad to return home safely @MEAIndia@meaMADAD@OfficeofUT," she said. The NCP leader on Tuesday thanked Jaishankar "for all the help and prompt replies always @MEAIndia". India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from Delhi, the Union Health Ministry said as the government stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. Earlier, India had reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month following recovery. The novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread to over 60 countries, including the US, Italy and Iran. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said India has already suspended e-visas/visas issued to Iranian and Chinese nationals over the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in these countries. He said around 1,086 people who returned from Iran in recent times have been recommended for community surveillance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TORONTO - Some Canadians planning overseas trips are being told by their employers to self-quarantine for weeks upon return in an effort to minimize the spread of a novel form of coronavirus. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Residents stand near government propaganda at a check point in Beijing on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. China's coronavirus caseload continued to wane Tuesday even as the epidemic took a firmer hold beyond Asia. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) TORONTO - Some Canadians planning overseas trips are being told by their employers to self-quarantine for weeks upon return in an effort to minimize the spread of a novel form of coronavirus. Manulife Financial Corp. told The Canadian Press on Tuesday that it is requiring employees who have visited China, South Korea, Iran and Italy to observe a 14-day self-quarantine after they or anyone in their home has travelled to any of those countries. Sean Pasternak, a spokesman for the Toronto-based insurance company, said Manulife has also suspended all but essential travel to and from mainland China. For personal travel, the company is encouraging employees to consider advice provided by health authorities. "The health and safety of our employees globally is our priority, which is why we are monitoring the situation closely and taking necessary actions," he said. "We will continue to evaluate if additional steps or revisions to our current actions are needed." Meanwhile, Home Depot of Canada Inc.'s director of corporate communications Paul Berto said in email that his company has put all employee travel to and from Asia and Italy on hold until further notice and any employees who have returned from Asia and Italy within the last two weeks are being told to stay home for 14 days before returning to work. "This is a very fluid situation and we're watching it closely," Berto said. Both companies have also said they will follow the government's guidance on how to deal with the virus known as COVID-19. Canada has at least 33 cases of the new form of coronavirus, but it has infected and killed significantly more in China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. Canada's government is currently advising people returning from abroad to monitor their health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after they make it home. Canadians who have travelled to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days are being told to limit their contact with others by self-isolating and staying home for two weeks from the date they left Hubei. Jim Tiessen, the director of Ryerson University's School of Health Services Management, said the policies Manulife and Home Depot have implemented are a good idea, but any companies that adopt coronavirus-related travel policies should be prepared to be flexible. "They have to be selective on the countries they apply the strategy to and they have to be ready to change those countries because the situation is so fluid," he 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. "Three weeks ago, it would have been okay to go to Italy and now they're saying parts of Italy are not okay to go to and that happened over a weekend." Tiessen said a big component of managing the virus is being proactive. Employees, he said, run the risk of travelling somewhere and then find themselves trapped abroad. "And that's even more of a problem because (employers) need them to be to do their work in the countries they're working in," Tiessen said. "They have to care about their workers first, which I'm sure they do, but there's also a public relations angle to this because they don't want to be known as the company whose workers came back as patients." This report by The Canadian Press was first published March. 2, 2020. Companies in this story: (TSX:MFC) The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday issued a statement on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights filing an intervention application in the Supreme Court pertaining to the petition challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act. Stressing that the CAA was an internal matter of India, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar categorically stated that no foreign party had any locus standi on issues concerning Indias sovereignty. Moreover, he emphasised that the CAA was consistent with Indias commitment to addressing human rights issues arising out of the partition. Thereafter, Kumar exuded confidence that the CAA would withstand legal scrutiny in the Supreme Court. Read: Digvijaya Singh Questions Centre On Need For CAA, Cites Citizenship Granted To Adnan Sami Read the full statement of the MEA spokesperson here: Our Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed yesterday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that her Office had filed an Intervention Application in the Supreme Court of India in respect to the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Citizenship Amendment Act is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to Indias sovereignty. We are clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of our constitutional values. It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India. India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position would be vindicated by the Honble Supreme Court. Read: BJP-ruled Municipal Council In Maharashtra Unanimously Passes Anti-CAA, NRC Resolution What is CAA? The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to the minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This will be applicable to the members of these communities having arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Moreover, they will not be considered as illegal migrants. Additionally, the mandatory residence period for naturalised citizenship for these communities has been reduced to five years. The Opposition contends that the Act discriminates on the basis of religion. Read: WATCH: Sharad Pawar Confronted On Ajit Pawar's CAA-NRC-NPR U-turn; Claims "he's Not Said" Read: Congress Contradicts Dy CM Ajit Pawar, Reiterates Opposition To CAA-NPR Implementation After alleging that "poaching" attempts were being made by the BJP on Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday claimed a senior leader of the saffron party has taken a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator to Delhi in a chartered flight. The opposition BJP dismissed Singh's claim and said his statement was aimed at ensuring his re-nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh scheduled on March 26. The BSP, which has two MLAs, is providing support to the Congress government in the state. In a tweet on Tuesday, Singh said, The BJP has started the process of bringing MLAs from Samajwadi Party and BSP to Delhi. "Whether the BSP MLA Ram Bai was not brought from Bhopal to Delhi by former minister Bhupendra Singh ji in a chartered flight yesterday? Shivraj ji (BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan) would you like to say something? In another tweet, the former chief minister said, But we have full faith in Ram Bai. She is a fan of (Chief Minister) Kamal Nath and will continue to support him. Speaking to reporters on Monday at New Delhi, Singh had alleged his party MLAs were being offered huge amount of money by BJP leaders as part of the saffron party's "poaching" attempts to destabilise the Kamal Nath government. Hitting back at Singh, Chouhan had accused the Congress veteran of making false statements and engaging in sensationalism. Reacting to Singh's latest tweet, BJP vice-president and MLA Rameshwar Sharma told PTI that people dont take the Congress veteran seriously. It is surprising that the Congress leader raised question on a woman MLA (Ram Bai) who went to Delhi for the treatment of her daughter. "Should every MLA going to Delhi should seek Digvijayas permission? Sharma asked. The BJP MLA said, In fact, Digvijaya Singh wants another term in the Rajya Sabha, which looks unlikely. He is just creating pressure on Kamal Nath so that he can blackmail him for another RS term. "It seems Singh is also creating an atmosphere of distrust for Congress MLAs. Denying poaching allegations, Ram Bais husband Govind Singh told reporters in Damoh that the BSP MLA had gone to Delhi for the treatment of their daughter. Bhupendra Singh, a former home minister and BJP MLA, could not be contacted for his comment despite repeated attempts. The 230-member Assembly has 114 Congress MLAs followed by the BJP (107). The simple majority mark is 116. Four Independent MLAs, two lawmakers of the BSP and one of the Samajwadi Party (SP) are providing crucial support to the Congress government. Elections to fill three Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant soon will be held on March 26. Digvijaya Singh is among three MPs (the other two are from BJP) whose term is coming to an end. Members of a state's Legislative Assembly vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chemical changes in the oceans more than 800 million years ago almost destroyed the oxygen-rich atmosphere that paved the way for complex life on Earth, new research suggests. Then, as now, the planet had an "oxidizing" atmosphere, driven by phytoplankton - the "plants" of the ocean - releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. However, new research from an international team including the University of Exeter and spanning Toulouse, Leeds, London and Nanjing, suggests ocean changes in the early Neoproterozoic era (from one billion to 800 million years ago) may have locked away phosphorus - a vital nutrient for life - limiting phytoplankton growth and oxygen release. The study suggests the amount of phosphorus available remained "just sufficient" to support the oxidising atmosphere - preventing a return to the "reducing" (oxygen-poor) atmosphere that existed over a billion years earlier. "Ocean chemistry in this period changed to become 'ferruginous' (rich in iron)," said Dr Romain Guilbaud, of CNRS (Toulouse). "We know ocean chemistry affects the cycle of phosphorus, but the impact on phosphorus availability at this time hadn't been investigated until now. "By analysing ocean sediments, we found that iron minerals were very effective at removing phosphorus from the water." Phytoplankton growth also boosts atmospheric oxygen because, having split carbon and oxygen and released the oxygen, plants die and their carbon is buried - so it cannot recombine with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. Despite reductions in photosynthesis and this organic burial of carbon, both due to limited phosphorus, the study suggests oxygen in the atmosphere dropped no lower than 1% of current levels - "just enough" to maintain an oxidizing atmosphere. "Our observations suggest significant potential variability in atmospheric oxygen concentrations across Earth's 'middle age'," said Professor Tim Lenton, Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. He added: "One question about the emergence of complex life is why it didn't happen sooner. "Lack of oxygen and lack of nutrients are two possible reasons, and our study suggests both of these may have been the case in the early Neoproterozoic era. "In fact, if phosphorus levels in the water had dropped any lower, it could have tipped the world back into a 'reducing' atmosphere suitable for bacteria but not for complex life." A return to a "reducing" atmosphere would have reversed the Great Oxidation Event, which occurred about 2.5 billion years ago, during which photosynthesis by cyanobacteria in the oceans introduced free oxygen to the atmosphere. The study, which used samples from the Huainan Basin in north China, was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Science Foundation of China. The paper, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, is entitled: "Phosphorus-limited conditions in the early Neoproterozoic ocean maintained low levels of atmospheric oxygen." The Global Systems Institute aims to work with others to secure a flourishing future for humanity as an integral part of a life-sustaining Earth system. Please follow Astrobiology on Twitter. The male friend accompanying the 24-year-old woman who was allegedly raped by a group of men in Rajasthan's Udaipur district was sexually assaulted as well, police said on Tuesday. No arrest has been made in the case so far. Five accused, identified as Fardeen, Chota Mewati, Moin, Shahrukh and Pradeep, have been named in the FIR, they said. A case has been registered under IPC sections 376D (gang rape) and 377 (unnatural sex), besides sections of the IT Act, the police said. "Teams have been formed to nab the accused. CCTV footage are also being inspected to trace them," Gordhan Vilas SHO Chenaram Pachar said. On Sunday night, the woman and her friend were in a car when they were stopped outside a hotel in Udaipur by a group of five-six men on the pretext of asking an address. When the victims lowered the window screen, one of the accused pointed a gun at them and forcibly entered the vehicle, the police said. The accused then drove the victims around the city outskirts the entire night. They demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh to release them and when it was not met, they allegedly gang-raped the woman. They also allegedly sodomised her friend, police officials said. On Monday morning, the accused snatched the woman's gold chain, took Rs 56,000 cash from the duo and left them at the Pratap Nagar circle, according to the FIR. An investigation in the matter is underway, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People wear face masks in New York's Times Square on March 03, 2020. Eduardo Munoz | VIEWpress | 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 Asia-Pacific team. All times below are in Eastern time. Global cases: At least 91,300, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Global deaths: At least 3,110, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. US cases: At least 108, according to the CDC. US deaths: At least 9, according to the CDC and state health officials. 6:55 pm: Berkeley, California reports first case, declares emergency A resident of Berkeley, California, tested positive for the virus the college town's first confirmed case, local health officials said. City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley proclaimed a local emergency, giving the city access to more resources to help contain any local cases. "While the risk of infection remains low, the expanded presence of the virus in our community is a reality we should all prepare for," City of Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez said in a statement. Kopecki 5:57 pm: Regeneron CEO hopes to have coronavirus vaccine ready for human testing possibly by this summer Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer told CNBC the pharmaceutical company hopes to have its coronavirus treatment produced and ready for human testing possibly by August. "How quickly that can deployed will depend on some of the early data that we have, some animal data, what we will see in patients," Schleifer said on "The Exchange." "I think that we can get a lot done very quickly." Stankiewicz 4:53 pm: World Bank approves $12 billion in emergency financing to help poor nations The World Bank approved $12 billion in emergency financing to help poor nations with the health costs and economic impact of the outbreak, the organization said. "We are working to provide a fast, flexible response based on developing country needs in dealing with the spread of COVID-19," World Bank Group President David Malpass said in a statement. The money is intended to help the poorest and most at-risk nations fight the virus, which has spread to at least 74 countries across the globe, and will be used to provide emergency financing, technical assistance and policy advice. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said on Monday they stood ready to help member countries deal with the coronavirus outbreak, including through emergency funding. Kopecki 4:40 pm: First US federal facility closed for 14 days after employee shows symptoms The Department of Homeland Security has closed its office in the Seattle area after an employee there began to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. The employee previously visited the Kirkland Life Care Facility, which has become the source of an outbreak in the state. The federal facility is the first to close in the U.S. due to the virus, Senator Patty Murray said, and it will remain closed for 14 days. All employees have been instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, DHS acting secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement. Feuer 4:35 pm: Mortality rate of COVID-19 climbs This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab. Source: NIAID-RML The mortality rate of COVID-19 is significantly higher than previous estimates, world health officials said. Globally, about 3.4% of confirmed patients have died, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization. In comparison, the seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected. The WHO officials said last week that the mortality rate of COVID-19 can differ, ranging from 0.7% to up to 4%, depending on the quality of the health-care system where it's treated. Early in the outbreak, scientists had concluded the death rate was around 2.3%. Lovelace, Higgins-Dunn 3:44 pm: Trump donates 2019 fourth-quarter salary to combat outbreak President Donald Trump has donated his fourth quarter 2019 salary to the Department of Health and Human Services, where it will be used to "support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat Coronavirus," White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said. This is not the first time Trump has donated his salary to an agency facing an urgent problem. Since taking office, Trump has directed his $400,000 annual salary to a different agency each quarter. Wilkie 3:41 pm: North Carolina confirms state's first case a resident who was visiting Washington North Carolina health officials confirmed the state's first COVID-19 case a patient from Wake County who traveled to Washington state. Local health officials are working to find out who may have been in contact with the patient, Governor Roy Cooper said during a press briefing, adding the state expects more cases. "Our most important work is keeping people healthy and safe," he said. Lovelace Healthcare workers transport a patient on a stretcher into an ambulance at Life Care Center of Kirkland on February 29, 2020 in Kirkland, Washington. David Ryder | Getty Images 3:12 pm: US coronavirus deaths climb to 9 as Washington state confirms new fatalities Washington state health officials identified three new coronavirus fatalities, including two patients who passed away on Feb. 26 that weren't previously linked to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the U.S. to nine. "This is a very fluid, fast-moving situation as we aggressively respond to this outbreak," Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Seattle & King County public health, said in a statement. "People with suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19 should reach out to their healthcare provider. As public health professionals we really appreciate clinicians on the front lines of patient care and they are critical to this response." Feuer 2:54 pm: Coronavirus cases by state 2:49 pm: Ford bans all non-essential business travel Ford Motor is banning all non-essential international and domestic business travel for employees due to the coronavirus outbreak. The automaker said Tuesday the increased travel restrictions will be in effect until March 27. Ford, according to a company spokesman, will revisit the travel bans regarding the COVID-19 epidemic on a weekly basis. Wayland 2:22 pm: Dow drops 950 points after Fed rate cut Stocks extended their losses after an emergency rate cut by the Federal Reserve failed to ease investor concerns over economic impacts from the coronavirus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded 950 points lower, or 3.6%, after rising more than 300 points earlier in the day. The 30-stock average gyrated between sharp gains and solid losses after the decision was announced. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were both down at least 3.5%. Imbert 1:50 pm: IMF and World Bank to hold 'virtual' spring meetings The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said they will use a virtual format for their Spring Meetings due to concern over the coronavirus. The major meetings were scheduled to take place in Washington D.C. from April 17-19. The meetings are typically among the most significant international monetary conferences in the world, drawing thousands of participants each year. Wilkie A man wears a mask on Wall St. near the New York Stock Exchange, March 3, 2020. Brendan McDermid | Reuters 1:28 pm: Amazon, Intel, Cisco and Salesforce back out of health-tech conference Salesforce, Intel, Cisco, Amazon and other tech companies have all pulled out of HIMSS, a giant health IT conference in Orlando that draws tens of thousands of attendees. Some of the companies have not announced their plans publicly, despite having made a decision not to attend. But HIMSS said it hasn't instructed any exhibitors to withhold information from their partners and customers. Farr 1:13 pm: Dow drops 500 points even after Fed slashes rates Stocks fell in volatile trading even after the Fed slashed interest rates by half a percentage point in an emergency effort to stem slower economic growth from the coronavirus outbreak. It's the first such emergency rate cut in between scheduled meetings since the financial crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded 500 points lower, or 1.9%, after rising more than 300 points earlier in the day. The 30-stock average gyrated between sharp gains and solid losses after the decision was announced. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were both down at least 1.5%. Imbert, Pound, Huang 1:06 pm: CDC says US cases rise to 108 The CDC said the number of cases in the U.S. rose to at least 108 as of Monday at 4 p.m. ET and that the agency has stopped reporting "persons under investigation" or PUIs, or people it's tracking for possible infection. It also said it won't provide case tallies over the weekends and warned that it won't necessarily have the most up to date data on the outbreak in the U.S. "Now that states are testing and reporting their own results, CDC's numbers are not representative all of testing being done nationwide," the CDC said. Kopecki (Correction: The CDC is updating its case count on a daily basis Monday through Friday. It won't update its case tally over the weekends.) 12:51 pm: Flight attendants seek protections against coronavirus spread The largest flight attendants union in the U.S. is seeking a series of measures to help combat the spread of the coronavirus and ensure cabin crews have pay and benefits protections if they become sick. "Airlines and the industry, not all consistently, have implemented some of these recommendations," said the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents some 50,000 flight attendants including those at United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Spirit Airlines. "In general, the industry has far exceeded government instruction, but a coordinated, thorough response from our government is what is needed." 12:44 pm: Comcast CEO Brian Roberts optimistic the Tokyo Olympics are going to happen People wearing protective face masks, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, are seen in front of the Giant Olympic rings at the waterfront area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan, February 27, 2020. Athit Perawongmetha | Reuters Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said he's optimistic that the Tokyo Olympics are going to happen and he's looking forward to being there. "The Olympics are obviously on everybody's mind," Roberts said at Morgan Stanley's 2020 Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. "What I know is that it's full steam ahead. We're getting ready. We're excited." He said the company has insurance, so there would be no losses should there not be an Olympics. Miller 12:41 pm: Senator says first federal facility in the US closed due to coronavirus The first federal facility in the U.S. was closed due to the coronavirus, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) said at a Senate hearing on the outbreak. "Since we have been in this room, in this hearing since this started, we have now learned of the first full closure of a federal facility due to this virus," she said. "It's a DHS center in Tukwila, Washington in my home state." 12:28 pm: US currently has 10% of face masks needed for a 'full-blown' coronavirus pandemic, HHS official says Health and Human Services official Dr. Robert Kadlec estimates the country would need roughly 3.5 billion of medical-grade N95 masks, which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles. "We have about 35 million," Kadlec, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Tuesday. "Ten percent, and we're actively working on that." 12:22 pm: Coronavirus poses low risk to troops and military logistics, Pentagon says The Army's top civilian leader, Secretary Ryan McCarthy, said Tuesday during a House Armed Services Committee hearing that the Pentagon is working on a vaccine in concert with NIH and CDC. It is currently being tested on animals. His remarks came a day after the nation's top military officer downplayed concerns this week that the coronavirus poses a significant risk to U.S. service members and the Pentagon's global supply chain. "Right now the overall broad impact to the uniformed U.S. military is very, very minimal. It's not to say that it's zero, but it's very minimal, very few cases diagnosed, etc.," U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday during a Pentagon news briefing. 12:17 pm: NYC high school to close Tuesday after suspected coronavirus case, reports Reuters 12:14 pm: Expo West postponed amid coronavirus fears New Hope Network announced the annual Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California will be postponed due to fears about the current coronavirus outbreak, Food Dive reported. The five-day trade show was expected to begin Tuesday. The group plans to announce a new date for the show by mid-April and has set up a rebate fund of $5 million to help the entrepreneurs and small businesses impacted by the change. 11:48 am: WHO says too early to decide whether to postpone Tokyo Olympics World Health Organization officials said it's too early to decide whether the Tokyo Olympics should be postponed, saying they've recently spoken with Thomas Back, president of the International Olympic Committee, and have agreed to monitor the rapidly developing outbreak. "If there's a need for any actions, we can discuss with the Japanese government. But I think deciding now could be too early so it would be good to monitor the situation," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at a press conference. Higgins-Dunn Shelves where disinfectant wipes are usually displayed is nearly empty at a Target store on March 02, 2020 in Novato, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images 11:44 am: WHO officials make urgent plea for medical gear: 'Supplies are rapidly depleting' World Health Organization officials called on medical supply manufacturers to "urgently increase production" to meet the global demand that is needed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak rapidly spreading across the world. WHO estimates that each month 89 million medical masks will be required for the COVID-19 response, 76 million examination gloves and 1.6 million goggles," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, said at a press conference at the organization's Geneva headquarters. 11:39 am: Powell says the Fed saw economic risk and chose to act Following an emergency interest rate cut, central bank chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve saw a "risk to the outlook for the economy and chose to act." The Fed slashed rates by 50 basis points on Tuesday. Powell said "over the course of the last couple of weeks we've seen a broader spread of the virus," which the Fed worried would have a material impact on the economy. "The magnitude and persistence of the overall effect on the U.S. economy remain highly uncertain and the situation remains a fluid one," Powell added. 11:34 am: Amazon, Walmart and others battle price gouging on coronavirus-related products Shoppers are racing to online retailers to order face masks, hand sanitizer, hazmat suits and other items to protect against the coronavirus. The surge in demand has created an opening for third-party sellers on various e-commerce sites like Amazon and eBay to offer products that are otherwise sold out at traditional retailers. But in doing so, some merchants have flooded online marketplaces with overpriced goods and items that make dubious medical marketing claims. Amazon, eBay, Walmart and Etsy have all struggled to curb price gouging and products that make unverified claims about the coronavirus. 11:27 am: NBA memo on coronavirus warns players to offer fist bumps to fans, no talk of canceling games The National Basketball Association sent a memo to teams on March 1 regarding the coronavirus outbreak, encouraging players to avoid "high-fiving and offer fist bumps" to fans when interacting. It also advised not taking items from fans such as pens, marker, and other items from fans. The memo had some other good tips that anyone would be wise to heed, including washing hands for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer as another option. Meanwhile, four league officials told CNBC the NBA has not offered any plans for league games or event cancellations as of yet. Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) fist-bumps a fan before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nhat V. Meyer | Bay Area News via Getty Images 11:10 am: Target sees 'aggressive shopping' in response to rising coronavirus cases Target has seen "aggressive shopping" as people across the U.S. respond to rising cases of the coronavirus, CEO Brian Cornell said in a Tuesday earnings call. The Minneapolis-based retailer said it's increasing inventory to keep up with heightened demand for household essentials and food and beverage. He said the "surge in store traffic" has underscored the importance of brick-and-mortar locations, even as more of its customers shop online. 11 am: Shoppers are loading up supplies online Late Monday, Instacart said its growth rate over the past 72 hours surged 10 times its normal pace. In California, Washington, Oregon and New York, the growth is even faster, 20 times the normal volume. Searches for hand sanitizer are up 23% week over week, Instacart said. Vitamins are the second most searched item and those searches have risen 12% week over week. Rounding out the top five most searched items are powdered milk, face masks and canned goods. Reagan 10:33 am: Top CDC official tells Congress coronavirus almost qualifies as a global pandemic The World Health Organization will likely deem the COVID-19 coronavirus a global pandemic once sustained person-to-person spread takes hold outside China, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said. The current outbreak already meets two of the three main criteria under the technical designation of a pandemic, Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, said in prepared remarks to be presented before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. "It is a new virus, and it is capable of person-to-person spread," she said. "If sustained person-to-person spread in the community takes hold outside China, this will increase the likelihood that the WHO will deem it a global pandemic." Lovelace South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear walk on a street in front of the city hall after the rapid rise in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease of (COVID-19) in Daegu, southeast of the capital Seoul, South Korea, March 2, 2020. Kim Kyung-Hoon | Reuters 10:10 am: Stocks surge after the Fed cuts rates by half a point The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point, immediately reversing a more than 300-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Dow swung to a 371-point gain in intraday trading. Markets had priced in a 0.5% rate cut for the central bank's meeting next month. The move comes after the G-7 said in a statement earlier on Tuesday they will use policy tools to curb an economic slowdown. However, the statement contained no specific actions. Kopecki, Imbert 10:01 am: Apple iPhone chip supplier lowers guidance Qorvo, a radio frequency chip supplier for Apple's iPhones, lowered its fourth-quarter revenue expectations to $770 million. The company predicted revenue of $800 million to $840 million on Jan. 29. "The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted the smartphone supply chain and customer demand more than anticipated," Qorvo said. "The full impact of COVID-19 remains difficult to forecast given the uncertainty of the magnitude, duration and geographic reach of the outbreak," according to a press release. Bursztynsky 9:52 am: WHO officials hold press conference World Health Organization officials are holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m. ET to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more that 91,300 people and killed at least 3,110 across the world. WHO official announced Monday that number of new coronavrius cases outside China was almost 9 times higher than that inside the country over the last 24 hours. They also increased the risk assessment of the coronavirus Friday to "very high" at the global level, its highest warning. In January, it declared the virus a global health emergency, while urging the public against over-reacting to the virus. Watch the live press conference here. Higgins-Dunn 9:24 am: New York state confirms second case A man north of New York City is hospitalized with the COVID-19 virus, the second confirmed case in the state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Cuomo told Long Island radio station 103.9 that the unidentified man from Westchester County commuted to work in Manhattan and lives in a home with school-age children. Cuomo said the man apparently had an underlying respiratory illness and no known travel history to China or other countries on the virus watch list. The governor said more cases are expected as the outbreak spreads and testing ramps up. "You cannot contain the spread. You can slow it, you can limit it, but you cannot contain the spread," Cuomo told reporters at a press conference. "It is inevitable that it will continue to spread." Associated Press 9 am: New York City -area high schools close after suspected local case At least two New York area high schools closed after a suspected case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the local community. SAR Academy and SAR High School said in a statement that it was a precautionary measure, following guidelines from the New York City Department of Health. The school is located in the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale, according to its website. It's a modern orthodox Jewish High School, according to its Facebook page. Another Jewish school outside New York City, Westchester Day School, also announced it would be closed Tuesday due to the potential case at SAR. Westchester Torah Academy was also reportedly closing. Lovelace, Higgins-Dunn 8:48 am: Vietnam hand wash dance challenge goes viral A public service announcement on proper hand hygiene in Vietnam has become an internet sensation after a video was posted on TikTok of two dancers enacting the lyrics of the song. "The song's incredible," comedian John Oliver said on Monday night's episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," adding that "Sesame Street" character Ernie's "Rubber Duckie" song on bath hygiene pales by comparison. The lyrics to the song for the Vietnam coronavirus dance challenge are: "Wash our hands, rub, rub, rub, rub evenly. Do not touch eyes, nose, mouth. And limit visits to crowded places. Push back the virus Corona, Corona," according to the show's translation of the song. Kopecki 8:05 am: Japan indicates Olympics could be delayed Japan's Olympics minister says the country's contract to hold the Tokyo Games only specifies the event has to be held during 2020. Seiko Hashimoto's response to a question in the upper house of parliament implies the Olympics could be held later in the year and would not have to start on July 24 as planned. Associated Press 7:52 am: Visa warns of revenue hit due to outbreak Visa warned that its second-quarter revenue growth would be slower than its previous forecast, becoming the latest payments services provider to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The company said it expects current-quarter revenue growth to be 2.5 to 3.5 percentage points lower than its previous forecast of low double-digit growth when compared with the first quarter. Reuters 7:37 am: G-7 countries promise to use policy tools but offer no specific actions to combat coronavirus Officials of most of the world's largest economies pledged on Tuesday a united front in the battle against the novel coronavirus scare but offered no specific actions. "Given the potential impacts of COVID-19 on global growth, we reaffirm our commitment to use all appropriate policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable growth and safeguard against downside risks," the G-7 statement said. Cox 7:23 am: Trump asks Fed for 'big cut' after Australia slashes rates on virus impact President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference on the coronavirus outbreak at the White House in Washington, February 29, 2020. Joshua Roberts | Reuters President Donald Trump once again called on the Federal Reserve to deliver some major policy easing measures, after the Australian central bank cut rates to record lows and noted the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The Reserve Bank of Australia said it was cutting its cash rate to 0.5% to mitigate the economic impact of the new coronavirus. Philip Lowe, the bank's governor, said that the epidemic was having a "significant" hit on the country's economy. Within hours the U.S. president responded on Twitter, saying in a tweet at 1:34 a.m. ET that the U.S. central bank's chairman had "called it wrong from day one." Amaro 7:17 am: Head of Iran's emergency medical services reportedly infected The head of Iran's emergency medical services, Pirhossein Kolivand, has been infected with coronavirus, the ILNA news agency reported. Kolivand's "health is good and there is no need for concern," the office said in a statement, according to ILNA. Seventy-seven people in Iran have died from coronavirus and 2,336 have been infected, Iran's Health Ministry announced Tuesday. Reuters 7:08 am: FDA and CDC boost supply of masks for health-care professionals The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention broadened the types of masks health-care workers can use to include "industrial" masks amid reports of a nationwide shortage and price gouging. The FDA granted the CDC's request for an emergency use authorization to allow health providers use masks that previously were only approved for industrial settings. The move broadens the category of masks that doctors and nurses are approved to use in a health-care setting. "The FDA and CDC's action to allow a wider range of respirators to be used in health-care settings will help those on the front lines of this outbreak and their patients, which will keep all Americans safe," HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. "We will continue pursuing every possible avenue to secure the protective gear needed for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak." Feuer 5:46 am: UK government publishes 'battle plan' to tackle spread of coronavirus Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale on March 1, 2020 in London, England. WPA Pool Britain's government unveiled its plans to tackle the spread of the virus, warning that up to a fifth of the workforce could be off sick during a peak period. "Given that the data are still emerging, we are uncertain of the impact of an outbreak on business. In a stretching scenario, it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks. This may vary for individual businesses," the government said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that in the worst possible scenario, the army is ready to step in. Johnson warned on Monday that there could be a "very significant expansion" of the outbreak among the population. Currently, there are 39 cases of the virus in the U.K. Ellyatt 4:38 am: Bank of England governor says its role is to help UK through 'an economic shock' Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said the central bank's role in the coronavirus outbreak is to help U.K. businesses and households "through an economic shock that could prove large, but will ultimately be temporary." Speaking to the U.K. government's Treasury Committee, Carney, who is leaving the role this month, said the central bank is in frequent contact with its international peers, including at the G-7, G-20 and International Monetary Fund. Carney's comments come ahead of a conference call between global financial ministers and central bankers on Tuesday to coordinate their response to the outbreak. Ellyatt 4:01 am: Germany's number of coronavirus cases rises The number of confirmed cases rose in Germany to 188, up from 157 on Monday afternoon, according to the country's RKI health institute. Germany's Health Minister Jens Spahn warned last week of a potential epidemic in the country. Ellyatt 4 am: Beijing, Shanghai step up restrictions on travelers from overseas Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is five times larger than the limit agreed under its 2015 deal with world powers, the UN's nuclear watchdog warned today. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran's stockpile had more than doubled from 821lbs (372kg) in November to 2,250lbs (1,021kg) on February 19. The faltering pact allows Iran only a much smaller stockpile of 461lbs (203kg) but Tehran has been taking a series of steps away from the deal in the last two years. Enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons, although Iran has always denied that it intends to do so. Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is five times larger than the limit agreed under its 2015 deal with world powers, the UN's nuclear watchdog warned today. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is pictured in Tehran last month The IAEA announced the latest figures in a confidential report distributed to member countries today. The report has also accused Iran of refusing access to the IAEA at two sites where inspectors had 'identified a number of questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities'. However, a diplomatic source said that the agency's queries were thought to relate to Iran's historic nuclear activities and not to its compliance to the 2015 deal. The head of the nuclear watchdog today demanded 'clarifications' over one undeclared site in Tehran where uranium particles were found late last year. Rafael Grossi, who was in Paris today meeting President Emmanuel Macron, said 'Iran must decide to cooperate in a clearer manner with the agency to give the necessary clarifications.' He added: 'The fact that we found traces [of uranium] is very important. That means there is the possibility of nuclear activities and material that are not under international supervision and about which we know not the origin or the intent. 'That worries me,' Grossi added. The IAEA has for months been pressing Tehran for information about the kind of activities being carried out at the undeclared site. While the IAEA has not identified the site in question, diplomatic sources say the agency asked Iran about a site in the Turquzabad district of Tehran. Israel has alleged secret atomic activity at the site in the past. Iran began reneging on its commitments after Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear deal in 2018 and re-imposed tough sanctions on Iran. Rouhani and other officials inspect nuclear technology last year in Tehran where the Iranian regime has been taking a series of steps away from the deal In addition to its banned stockpiles, Iran has ramped up further uranium enrichment by using more advanced centrifuges than the deal allows. The nuclear deal limited Iran to using only 5,060 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges to enrich uranium by rapidly spinning uranium hexafluoride gas. However, Iran is known to be using IR-6 centrifuges and said last year that the country is now working on an IR-9 which would be 50 times faster than the IR-1. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said dozens of centrifuges had been installed or were being installed at the secretive Natanz plant in Iran. The site's existence was revealed by Western intelligence services and an exiled Iranian opposition group in August 2002. Iran has denied ever seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its atomic programme is for entirely peaceful purposes. Tehran has also indicated it is willing to return to the deal's limits if it gets the sanctions relief it is seeking from European powers, but their efforts to help Iran avoid the U.S. measures have been largely ineffective. In addition, Iran announced last July that it had exceeded the deal's uranium enrichment level of 3.67 per cent. Weapons-grade uranium needs to be enriched to around 90 per cent, but the time to get there is halved once it reaches 20 per cent. Tornadoes Hit Tennessee, Killing at Least 25 People NASHVILLE, Tenn.Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early March 3, shredding at least 140 buildings and killing at least 25 people. One of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville, destroying the stained glass in a historic church and leaving hundreds of people homeless. Daybreak revealed a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines, and huge broken trees, leaving city streets in gridlock. Schools, courts, transit lines, an airport, and the state Capitol were closed, and some damaged polling stations had to be moved only hours before Super Tuesday voting began. Police and fire crews spent hours pulling survivors and bodies from wrecked buildings. Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said at a March 3 news conference. Debris is scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after a tornado hit Nashville in the early morning hours of March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP) Residents of the historic Germantown neighborhood walked around in dismay as emergency crews closed off roads. Roofs had been torn off apartment buildings, large trees uprooted, and debris littered many sidewalks. Walls were toppled, exposing living rooms and kitchens in damaged homes. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets, and piles of rubble. It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state, said Gov. Bill Lee. He ordered all non-essential state workers to stay home before going up in a helicopter to survey the damage. The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms with a line of storms that stretched from near Montgomery, Alabama, into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, it tore through areas transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the citys trendiest neighborhoods, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out long-time residents. The dogs started barking before the sirens went off, they knew what was coming, said Paula Wade, of East Nashville. Then we heard the roar Something made me just sit straight up in bed, and something came through the window right above my head. If I hadnt moved, I wouldve gotten a face full of glass. Then she looked across the street at the East End United Methodist Church and said the damage broke her heart. Its this beautiful Richardson Romanesque church; the bell tower is gone, the triptych widow of Jesus the Good Shepherd that they just restored and put back up a few weeks ago is gone, she said. The Geist restaurant brick wall collapsed in a tornado that touched down in downtown Nashville on March 3, 2020. (Alex Carlson via AP) Wade immediately recalled how her own church down the streetSt. Anns Episcopalwas severely damaged by a tornado in 1998. I had no idea that I still had some PTSD from that other experience so long ago, but the sound of the sirens, that low sound, theres just nothing like it. To look out and see the church, its just heartbreaking. It brings out everything that happened to St. Anns. One tornado that touched down near downtown reportedly stayed on the ground for about 10 miles, into Nashvilles eastern suburbs, following a path parallel to Interstate 40 and causing more damage in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Hermitage, and other communities. Our community has been impacted significantly, the Mt. Juliet Police Department wrote on Twitter. Homes were damaged and injuries were reported, the department said. We continue to search for injured. Stay home if you can. Videos posted online showed what appeared to be a well-defined tornado moving quickly across the Nashville area, flashing with lightning as it ripped open living rooms and exposed kitchens to the elements. Metro Nashville police said crews were responding to about 40 building collapses. Among them was a popular music venue that had just held an election rally for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. The crowd left shortly before the twister struck the Basement East Nashville, the Tennessean reported. The disaster affected voting in Tennessee, one of 14 Super Tuesday states. Some polling sites in Nashville were moved, and sites across Davidson and Wilson counties were opening an hour late but still closing at the same time, Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced. A reported gas leak forced an evacuation of the IMT building in Germantown, according to WSMV-TV. Dozens of people, suddenly homeless, were seen carrying their belongings through garbage-strewn streets after the tornado blew through. Lightning strikes in Nashville, Tennessee on March 3, 2020. in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. (Courtesy of Brian Bates via Reuters) Nashville Electric wrote in a tweet that four of its substations were damaged in the tornado. Power outages were affecting more than 44,000 customers early March 3, the utility company said. The governors spokeswoman, Gillum Ferguson, said hundreds of people went to a Red Cross shelter for displaced residents at the Nashville Farmers Market, just north of the state Capitol, but a power outage there forced people to move again to the Centennial Sportsplex. The outage also extended to the Capitol, forcing the cancellation of legislative meetings. Several airplane hangars were destroyed and power lines were downed at John C. Tune Airport, Nashville Internationals sister airport in West Nashville, where spokeswoman Kym Gerlock urged people to stay away until further notice. Metro Nashville Public Schools said its schools would be closed March 3 because of the tornado damage. Wilson County, just east of metro Nashville will close schools for the rest of the week. The storm system left just scattered rain in its wake as it moved eastward. Strong cells capable of causing damage were spotted in central Alabama, eastern Tennessee and the western Carolinas. Rescue workers free Bill and Shirley Wallace from their home that collapsed, trapping them under rubble after a tornado hit area in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., on March 3 2020. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP) Early morning storms also damaged homes and toppled trees in rural central Alabama, where the National Weather Service reported winds up to 60 mph and issued tornado warnings for at least five counties. In rural Bibb County southwest of Birmingham, seven poll workers were getting ready to open the doors to Super Tuesday voters at the Lawley Senior Activity Center when cellphone alerts began sounding a tornado warning about 6:45 a.m., said volunteer Gwen Thompson. Our children were calling too, telling us, Get in the bathroom! she said. We all got in the bathroom and were OK, but lots of trees are down. The storm knocked out electricity, Thompson said, but the precincts two electronic voting machines had battery backups, and people were casting ballots shortly thereafter. Weve been voting by flashlight, Thompson said. By Travis Loller and Kimberlee Kruesi From the perspective of climate change, Armenia is the most vulnerable country in the region. This is what Deputy Minister of Environment Irina Ghaplanyan said during a parliamentary session today. According to her, between 1960 and 2019, the annual and average air temperature has risen by 1.3 degrees, and the problem with global climate change is starting to become a major issue for Armenia. The deputy minister also informed that the Green Climate Fund has given a grant to Armenia through which an adaption project is being developed. One of the major directions will be raising citizens awareness about forest fires, most of which are due to the human factor. : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday launched a World Bank-aided Rs 2,857- crore healthcare programme giving a leg-up to early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases, including breast cancer, and a host of services in all state-run hospitals. Nationally, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases has overshot communicable ailments, Palaniswami said launching the 'Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Programme (TNHSRP)' here. Considering the aspect, the new scheme would focus on early detection, treatment and continued support for diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cervical and breast cancer, he said adding mental health and treating head injuries would also get priority. "With a vision to specifically achieve the sustainable development goals, I take pride in launching the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Programme." The five-year programme focuses on three key areas of "improved quality of care, management of non-communicable diseases and injuries and reduced equity gaps in reproductive and child health," he said. The programme, supported by the World Bank at an estimated cost of USD 410 million, roughly Rs 2,857 crore, was possible due to the "sincere efforts" taken and the results achieved while implementing the Tamil Nadu Health Care Projects Phase I and Phase II, the Chief Minister said thanking the international organisation. Under the TNHSRP, work would be taken up to get quality certification for government hospitals at all levels further improving amenities and quality of care. Amenities, including those related to maternity and childcare, would be arranged in remote villages in nine districts on a priority basis, he said. Strengthening of emergency and head injury care, 108 ambulance and 104 health helpline services are on the cards he said adding a "Suicide Prevention Hotline" would also be set up as part of the initiative. "There is no doubt that Tamil Nadu will be on a par with developed nations in providing quality healthcare services to the people by implementing TNHSRP," he said The Chief Minister also referred to existing welfare schemes in health sector and prided that in the whole of India it is only in Tamil Nadu, a financial assistance, as high as Rs 18,000 was being given to pregnant women under the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Financial Assistance Scheme. "Tamil Nadu has gradually been on the forefront in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Maternal Mortality Ratio and Infant Mortality Rate. It has also emerged as a model state to provide quality healthcare to its population, which is evident by the current MMR and IMR, which are 67 per one lakh live births and 16 per 1,000 live births respectively, which are well below the national average of 122 and 30 respectively. We are aiming to achieve the MMR of 30 before 2030." Getting permission for as many as 11 new government medical colleges in a single year is a "historic achievement," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Highlights Companys Progress Under Current Board and Management Teams Deliberate Leadership and Focus on Creating Long-Term Value for Stockholders Recommends Stockholders Vote FOR Barnwells Slate of Highly Experienced Director Nominees on the WHITE Proxy Card Today HONOLULU, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barnwell Industries, Inc. (Barnwell or the Company) (NYSE American: BRN) today announced that it has filed definitive proxy materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and has mailed these materials and a letter to its stockholders in connection with the Companys Annual Meeting to be held on April 3, 2020. Stockholders of record as of February 24, 2020 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. The Barnwell Board of Directors (the Board) recommends that stockholders support the current Barnwell team and strategy, which is already delivering positive results, by voting the WHITE proxy card FOR Barnwells seven highly qualified director nominees, six of whom are independent. In connection with the filing of the definitive proxy statement, Barnwell mailed a letter to stockholders. Highlights of the letter include: As it executes its plan to position Barnwell for success, the current Board and management team are already having a positive impact on Barnwells operating results and long-term value potential, as seen in the Companys strong first quarter fiscal 2020 results. As a result of active management of the Companys portfolio under its current leadership, the Company has generated over $30 million from sales of legacy assets, reduced its legacy oil & gas reclamation obligations, and paid off its debt since 2014. At this critical time for the Company, a group of activist stockholders, led by Ned Sherwood and Bradley Tirpak, is trying to grab control of the Company, offering no identifiable expertise in Barnwells businesses or alternative business plan, thus putting at peril the Companys forward progress. Story continues Management has nominated a strong, refreshed board, which provides substantial industry, financial and legal expertise and is committed to maintaining Barnwells progress and creating value for all stockholders. The Sherwood/Tirpak nominees lack the relevant, diverse backgrounds Barnwell requires, duplicate or provide outdated experience compared to the Barnwell nominees, and may not be independent from Sherwood and Tirpaks personal agenda. The full text of the letter to stockholders follows below: March 2, 2020 Dear Fellow Stockholder, AT THE UPCOMING ANNUAL MEETING, YOUR VOTE ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD FOR MANAGEMENTS NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAIN BARNWELLS PROGRESS. Your Board of Directors and management team are committed to enhancing the value of your investment in Barnwell Industries, Inc. As you know, Barnwell was founded in 1956 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and has been engaged in oil and natural gas exploration as well as other businesses for over 63 years. As we move through fiscal 2020, your Board and management team have been executing on their plan to position Barnwell for success in todays dynamic oil and gas environment. We have taken deliberate steps over the last several years to restructure our Canadian operations, reduce general and administrative expenses and lay the foundation for future growth. These actions are bearing fruit and we feel optimistic that they will contribute to Barnwells future success and to creating stockholder value. Barnwell has successfully navigated decades of commodity price cyclicality and expects to continue to do so for the benefit of all our stockholders. At this critical time, a group of activist stockholders, led by Ned Sherwood and Bradley Tirpak, is trying to grab control of your Company. Yet, they have no identifiable experience or expertise in our businesses and have offered up no alternative business plan. Their only interest would seem to be gaining control of Barnwell, while paying you no consideration, so that they can pursue an undisclosed agenda for which there can be no guarantee of benefit to all stockholders. To protect your investment in Barnwell, please vote the WHITE PROXY CARD provided from the Board FOR all of Barnwells highly qualified director nominees. Please disregard any blue proxy card you get from Ned Sherwood, Bradley Tirpak and their group. Your vote at the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders is extremely important. THE BOARDS PLAN IS ALREADY HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT. The results we recently released for our first quarter of fiscal 2020 showed an 87% improvement in revenues, 90% improvement to the bottom line and further 3% reduction in general and administrative expenses, now reduced by 35.4% over 5 years. Importantly, we remain committed to continued progress as we implement our plans to increase production and revenues and find further efficiencies to enhance returns. Since 2014, we have generated over $30 million from sales of legacy assets, reduced our legacy oil & gas reclamation obligations, and paid off our debt. This active management of Barnwells portfolio reflects a deliberate effort by your Board and management to apply best-in-class capital allocation practices, while also managing risk and sector volatility all with a goal of creating long-term stockholder value. Some highlights include: The acquisition of a significant asset base in the Twining field in Central Alberta in August 2018, following a years-long, disciplined search for a new investment that fit our strict criteria. We believe that there is substantial oil which can be produced at Twining through modern horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracing techniques, thereby positioning the asset as the growth engine for our exploration and production segment. Continued strong performance by Water Resources International, Inc., our water well-drilling subsidiary, which generated solid performance in fiscal 2019 and is positioned for an even stronger fiscal 2020. This improvement is primarily due to a new multi-well drilling contract that pays on a fixed rate per day or hour, depending upon the activity. Further, this contract included advance payments that were used to fund the purchase of a new drilling rig and ancillary equipment, which will be available for future jobs with other customers after this contract is completed. We expect significantly higher, year-over-year revenues under this contract during fiscal 2020, as well as from a backlog of $11 million of drilling, pump installation and repair contracts. Additionally, Barnwell has been enjoying the benefits of its 28.3% participation interest in a very productive well in the Spirit River area of Alberta. At the end of calendar year 2019, this well provided Barnwell enough oil and natural gas that, if such production profile continues, we expect to achieve payout on the capital invested therein in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. As part of Barnwells broad strategy to improve operations and allocate capital to long-term growth opportunities, management is currently marketing older, non-core legacy properties, including our interest in this well, in a brokered process. MANAGEMENT HAS NOMINATED A STRONG, REFRESHED BOARD COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING OUR CURRENT PROGRESS AND CREATING VALUE FOR ALL STOCKHOLDERS. We recently announced three new, highly qualified, independent director nominees, Ms. Erminia (Emi) Bossio, Mr. Peter J. OMalley and Mr. Kenneth S. Grossman, to be elected at the Companys upcoming annual meeting of stockholders. With the addition of the new director nominees, if elected, managements nominees on the WHITE PROXY CARD will bring considerable industry knowledge as well as financial, corporate governance and legal expertise to the Barnwell Board: Independent Board Tenure Natural Resource- Related Experience Other Key Relevant Experience James S. Barnwell III Chairman 8 years over 50 years Strategy Management Erminia R. Bossio Director New 23 years Canadian oil & gas Legal Kenneth S. Grossman Director New 35 years Legal Investing Robert J. Inglima, Jr. Director 12 years 15 years Legal Finance Alexander C. Kinzler Chief Executive Officer 20 years 38 years Strategy Operations Peter J. OMalley Director New 26 years Finance Strategy Kevin K. Takata Director 15 years 15 years Legal Hawaii operations TWO INDIVIDUAL STOCKHOLDERS ARE TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COMPANY WITHOUT DISCLOSING ANY PLAN FOR THE BUSINESS OR ANY VALUE TO YOU AS STOCKHOLDERS. Ned Sherwood and Bradley Tirpak, two dissident individual stockholders of Barnwell, and certain of their affiliated entities have nominated five dissident directors for election to your Board. However, Sherwood and Tirpaks only interest would seem to be gaining control of your Company, while paying you no consideration, so that they can drive an undisclosed agenda. There is no indication that this agenda will benefit all stockholders. Sherwood and Tirpak have not presented a plan for Barnwells long-term growth or success or even presented why they believe their nominees would help Barnwell achieve superior value creation. Rather than a plan, they have offered a list of complaints that show their lack of knowledge of the fundamentals of our business, including asset accounting in the oil and gas sector and the impact that volatile commodity prices can have on our overall valuation and stock price. The Sherwood/Tirpak nominees are not what our stockholders need at Barnwell. They have nominated individuals who bring less experience and less expertise than Barnwells director nominees. We recommend stockholders reject the Sherwood/Tirpak nominees because they potentially put at risk the Companys progress and long-term opportunity for the following reasons: The Sherwood/Tirpak nominees lack the relevant, diverse backgrounds Barnwell requires. All five dissident nominees come from finance backgrounds, with little to no operational experience. Except for one nominee, they have NO background in the oil and gas industry. The sole Sherwood/Tirpak nominee with any experience in the oil and gas industry works at a company whose stock trades over the counter for less than 6 cents per share. Recent operating experience for at least two of the Sherwood/Tirpak nominees (Phillip J. McPherson and Douglas N. Woodrum) was at companies that sought protection from creditors either in bankruptcy or receivership. Similarly, Douglas Woodrum was appointed to the board of directors of ChinaCast Education Corporation, a company in which Ned Sherwood bought shares and then agitated for change. ChinaCast ultimately sought bankruptcy protection from creditors and ceased to operate its business while Woodrum was on the board of directors. The Sherwood/Tirpak nominees are not additive. They either duplicate or provide outdated experience compared to our nominees. The current Barnwell Board has strong financial and investing expertise that has helped guide the Company through the successful sale of legacy assets and our three new nominees will bring new perspectives on our businesses as well as expertise on finance, investing and the Canadian business environment. Sherwood and Tirpak may have a personal agenda. What guarantee do Barnwell stockholders have that Ned Sherwood, Bradley Tirpak and/or their hand-chosen nominees will act in the interest of all stockholders, rather than solely to benefit Sherwood and Tirpak? WE ASK YOU TO CHOOSE DIRECTORS COMMITTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL STOCKHOLDERS. DO NOT RISK UNDOING THE COMPANYS CURRENT MOMENTUM AND THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN BARNWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. We remain firmly committed to the successful execution of Barnwells strategy. We believe the market will recognize the Companys value and all stockholders will benefit. WE URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR ALL OF YOUR COMPANYS NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY VOTING THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY. Do not vote the blue proxy sent to you by Sherwood/Tirpak. Their nominees would potentially risk the Companys current progress and put into question its current strategy, partnerships and projects. You should discard any blue proxy card that you receive. If you have questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please contact Morrow Sodali, our proxy solicitor using the information below. On behalf of your Board of Directors, James S. Barnwell III Chairman If you have any questions, or need assistance in voting your shares on the WHITE proxy card, please call Barnwells proxy solicitor: Morrow Sodali LLC (800) 662-5200 (toll-free in North America) +1 (203) 658-9400 (outside of North America) BRN@investor.morrowsodali.com About Barnwell Industries, Inc. Barnwell Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in oil and natural gas exploration, development, production and sales in Canada; investing in leasehold interests in real estate in Hawaii; and well drilling services and water pumping system installation and repairs in Hawaii. Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are predictions and generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as plan, expect, will, should, could, anticipate, intend, project, estimate, guidance, possible, continue and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions and forecasts of future results. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks include, but are not limited to, those described in Risk Factors and elsewhere in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2019 and subsequent filings with the SEC. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements except as required by law. Investor Contact Morrow Sodali LLC (800) 662-5200 (toll-free in North America) +1 (203) 658-9400 (outside of North America) BRN@investor.morrowsodali.com We are working with people across Montana to develop a uniquely Montanan solution to legalize & tax marijuana. That is why we are producing a series of videos with real Montanans expressing how legalized & taxed marijuana is good for our state. Montana Free Press MISSOULA For the past year, concertgoers headed to downtown Missoulas Wilma Theatre have passed Rocky Mountain Relief, a medical marijuana dispensary next door to the venue and across the street from a new hotel. If Montanans pass one of several ballot initiatives this November to legalize adult-use marijuana, such a location might have made the dispensary a gold mine, one of the many potential beneficiaries of legalization, from testing labs to the state budget. The only problem is that Rocky Mountain Relief recently closed, so quietly that neighboring businesses didnt even notice when. On February 20, the storefront reopened under the ownership of The Higher Standard, one of the largest providers in the state, which also has medical marijuana dispensaries in Helena, Butte, and Dillon. According to an analysis by multistate marijuana provider Verilife , Missoula has the largest number of dispensaries in the country per 50,000 residents, and Rocky Mountain Relief isnt the first of the roughly dozen dispensaries that opened in downtown Missoula in the past few years to close. One block up, Green Tree dispensary recently moved out of its storefront, though it didnt take long for a new dispensary, Double Dogs, to move in. Directly next door is Flower, the first dispensary to open in downtown Missoula. Owner Bobby Long moved into the space in 2016, not long before voters passed a ballot initiative reviving Montanas medical marijuana program after a quasi-repeal passed by the Legislature in 2011. Nez Perce matriarch Alice "Jeanie" (Johnson) Warden is featured in the premier issue of Tribal Hemp & Cannabis, a new magazine that focuses on hemp and cannabis issues in Indian Country. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) Fortuitous timing has allowed Long to survive in Montanas notoriously boom-and-bust medical marijuana market where others have not. When other providers were shutting their doors after the quasi-repeal, cutting off medical marijuana access to 93 percent of patients, Long expanded, anticipating that the 2016 initiative would soon not just revive demand, but increase it. Montanas medical marijuana market is relatively small just 36,422 patients but Long said in 2018 , as the market was growing, that he became the largest provider in Missoula county by expanding at the right time. I think these [other dispensaries] come downtown primarily for ego, Long said recently. Their heads are wired for liberal coastal rec[reational marijuana], not conservative, landlocked medical. If they are betting on rec, then they have a long way to go. Another boom could arrive in April 2021, the date Montana marijuana dispensaries would be allowed to begin selling to anyone age 21 and over under the terms of a ballot initiative proposed by the group New Approach Montana. New Approachs proposal would also require the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to draft any necessary rules and regulations to allow medical marijuana providers to sell to non-patients, including a licensing fee system. Previous attempts by the health department to establish a licensing fee system for medical marijuana providers led to smaller providers going out of business when faced with the same hefty fees as larger, deeper-pocketed dispensaries. "We should be able to grow on our own lands," Nez Perce matriarch Alice "Jeanie" Johnson says in the inaugural issue of Tribal Hemp & Cannabis, a new magazine founded by her granddaughter. #Hemp #Cannabis #Sovereignty #THC https://t.co/qgsXF6KyFt indianz.com (@indianz) February 15, 2020 Another upcoming market shake-up is the decoupling of patients from providers, a consequence of Senate Bill 265 , which will take effect no earlier than July 1, 2020. Instead of being restricted to buying medical marijuana exclusively from a single provider, patients will soon be allowed to buy from any provider. New Approachs proposed initiative would give a leg up to established dispensaries over out-of-state speculators by preventing the health department from licensing adult-use providers if they or their investors before July 1, 2021, [have] resided in Montana for fewer than three years except if the provider or marijuana-infused products provider was named by a registered cardholder by June 30, 2017. The residency requirement switches to one year after July 1, 2021. Other lucrative sectors of the marijuana business are baked into Montanas current regulatory scheme, such as private testing labs. State law mandates that providers submit their products for safety compliance, which can cost from $300 to $700 per five pounds. Confusion over rules regarding testing labs and independent THC extraction labs that are external to a providers business led to multiple lawsuits against the health department from large providers like Lionheart Caregiving over the past few years. After a flurry of debate in the 2019 Legislature, lawmakers passed SB 265 to further clarify the states medical marijuana regulations. While much of Montanas medical marijuana industry supported the bill, Lionheart opposed it, with its attorney, former Montana federal drug prosecutor Josh Van de Wetering, saying at an April legislative hearing that new restrictions limiting how many providers independent extraction labs are allowed to work with would hurt Lionhearts business. Lobbying records also show that Lionheart paid $20,000 to political consultant C.B. Pearson and his firm, M+R Strategic Services, to oppose SB 265 for the same reason. The lobbying report was certified by another Lionheart attorney, former Democratic state Rep. Ellie Hill Smith (now running to represent a Missoula district in the Montana Senate). In November 2018, investors in an independent extraction lab registered to Hill encouraged Lionheart to sue the health department after the state rejected the providers permit to work with the lab, according to an affidavit filed by Hills husband, who was an investor in both the extraction lab and a separate marijuana testing lab, the latter of which he has since divested from. Pearson said last August that his firm, which successfully organized Montanas 2016 medical marijuana initiative, is working with undisclosed clients on an additional adult-use marijuana ballot initiative. Reached Feb. 12, Pearson said M+R now hopes to work with New Approach, but that they are still in discussions. A third faction trying to legalize adult-use marijuana on the 2020 ballot is grassroots group MontanaCan, whose proposed legislation differs from New Approachs in many details. One of the major distinctions is each groups proposed sales tax, with MontanaCan proposing 5%, and New Approach 20%. MontanaCans proposal stipulates tax revenue going to various state programs and local government entities, while New Approachs specifies taxes going to conservation, substance abuse treatment, veterans services, health care, local governments, and general revenue for the state. An initial analysis by New Approach last year calculated that its tax scheme would generate $35 million in tax revenue annually by 2025, which frontman Pepper Petersen said in an email to MTFP was arrived at by comparing adult-use marijuana sales figures from other states and adjusting for population. Hunter Pauli is a Seattle-born, Missoula-based freelance investigative reporter and graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. You can follow him on Twitter @paulimeth This story originally appeared on Montana Free Press on February 26, 2020. It is published under a Creative Commons license Join the Conversation A third masked man put a gun to the other victims back and forced him to lie on the ground before taking $3,000 from him, according to the search warrant. The robbers then fled in a gray SUV similar to the one seen on the gas station surveillance video. The robbery was captured by a Ring surveillance camera, according to the search warrant. Jack Welch, who led General Electric through two decades of extraordinary corporate prosperity and became the most influential business manager of his generation, died Sunday in New York City. He was 84. The cause was renal failure, his wife, Suzy Welch, said. Combative and blunt, Welch became the chief executive of General Electric in 1981, a few months after Ronald Reagan took office as president. It was a time of outsize gains for many of Americas big, multinational corporations and their leaders, who were helped by lower taxes and pro-business policies. GE led the pack. The companys revenue jumped nearly fivefold, to $130 billion, during Welchs tenure, while the value of its shares on the stock market soared from $14 billion to more than $410 billion. The Welch years at GE combined strategic insights with managerial innovations. Welch early on recognized the rise of Asia, then led by Japan, as a manufacturing powerhouse, and he shed GE businesses that he deemed vulnerable, moving into new ones. He attacked bureaucracy and made sweeping payroll cuts, creating a more entrepreneurial, if more Darwinian, corporate culture. He led the globalization of GEs business, both expanding sales and manufacturing overseas. And he made GE far more dependent on finance, as banking and investment grew as a share of the U.S. economy. Welch was also attacked when he was leading GE, especially for slashing the GE workforce. But most of the second thoughts about him and his management legacy have arisen in recent years. The superstar chief executive, laser-focused on enriching shareholders, is often criticized today as a symbol of corporate greed and economic inequity. The widely diversified corporation that Welch built is also out of favor, an idea underlined by GEs precipitous decline in the past few years. He was considered, as the Financial Times wrote, the father of the shareholder value movement. In fact, it was a term Welch rarely used, but its origin as a guide to management practice is generally traced to a speech he gave in 1981, laying out his plans for shedding slow-growth businesses and cutting costs. Years later, in 2009, after the financial crisis hit, he repudiated the concept in an interview with the Financial Times, calling it a dumb idea and adding that shareholder value was a result of actions taken rather than a strategy in and of itself. Throughout the Welch years, GE remained the nations largest manufacturer, producing everything from jet engines to power generators to medical-imaging equipment. The biggest shift in the companys corporate profile was the expansion of the companys finance arm, GE Capital. When Welch took over, it was a small side business, mainly to help customers finance the purchase of GE heavy equipment. In 2000, his last full year as chief executive, the finance unit generated profits of $5.2 billion, more than 40% of the company total, and had $370 billion in assets, spanning insurance, private equity, home mortgages, reinsurance and credit cards in Britain and Japan. Well after Welch retired, the financial crisis would put GE, the nations largest nonbank financial institution, in peril. John Francis Welch Jr. was born Nov. 19, 1935, in Peabody, Mass. Jack, an only child, grew up in a working-class Roman Catholic family. His father, John Big Jack, in the household was a railroad conductor; his mother, Grace, was a homemaker. Neither of his parents had graduated from high school, but Jack Welch earned a bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and went on to obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He was a good student, but, he acknowledged, he did not have the temperament to be a bench scientist. Welch chose industry instead, joining GE in 1960 as an engineer in its plastics division in Pittsfield, Mass., with a starting salary of $10,500. Welchs ascent to chief executive in 1981 was hardly a sure thing. At 45, he was the youngest CEO in the companys history. Some members of the GE board opposed Welchs appointment, seeing him as something of a renegade and the choice as divisive. Welch was married three times. He met Caroline Osburn at the University of Illinois. They were married in 1959, had four children Katherine, John, Anne and Mark and were divorced in 1987. Welch met Jane Beasley, a lawyer, on a blind date. They married in 1989 and divorced in 2003, after a court case that disclosed the perks GE had agreed to provide Welch in his retirement. Welch married Suzy Wetlaufer, a former editor of the Harvard Business Review, in 2004. Steve Lohr is a New York Times writer. The high-level event, which will be held March 5-6 in Uruguay's capital, will convene economic leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay alongside corporate executives, investors and development financiers for targeted, high-level discussions on expanding partnerships across key areas to promote sustainable growth across the region. Delegates will also participate in private 1-1 business meetings held parallel to event proceedings, which will take place at the Hotel Radisson. View live: The panel discussions will be livestreamed starting at 8:30 AM EST on March 5. Please visit the LatinFinance homepage for complimentary access www.latinfinance.com Discussions will focus on: Trade, investment and the future of the region's economic integration policies The way forward for the region's economies in light of an evolving political landscape The role of development finance institutions in a complex intra-regional and global trade environment Strategies to align public and private sectors to advance the region's infrastructure agenda Initiatives to boost energy investment while addressing the climate challenge Case studies of successful financing strategies for projects across the region Prominent speakers include: Azucena Arbeleche, Minister of Economy and Finance, Uruguay Benigno Lopez, Minister of Finance, Paraguay Ernesto Talvi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Uruguay Luis Alberto Heber, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Uruguay Marcos Troyjo, Deputy Minister of the Economy, Brazil Ignacio Gomez Nunes, Deputy Minister Public Works and Communications, Paraguay Gustavo Beliz, Secretary for Strategic Affairs President Office, Argentina (Strategic Affairs, President's Office) Juan Notaro, President, FONPLATA Martin Rama, Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, World Bank Jose Luis Lupo, Manager Department of Southern Cone Countries, IDB Sergio Gusmao Suchodolski, President, BDMG, Brazil Alejandro de la Pena Navarrete, General Secretary, ALADI Edgardo Alvarez, General Secretary, ALIDE Mario Bergara, Senator and Former President Central Bank, Uruguay Jorge Arbache, Vice President Private Sector, CAF Karl-Otto Konig, Head of the European Union Delegation, Uruguay Michel Arslanian Neto, Director Mercosur and Regional Integration Department, Brazil Jorge Capitanich, Governor Chaco Province, Argentina Matias Bendersky, Representative in Uruguay, IDB Philippe Orliange, Regional Representative, AFD Veronica Amarante, Uruguay Director, CEPAL Joana Sarmento, Investment Officer for Latin America, European Investment Bank Luciana Botafogo, Operations and Countries Manager, FONPLATA Jose Carlos Diez, Economist, Spain About LatinFinance LatinFinance is the leading global source of intelligence on the financial markets and economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. Drawing on over 30 years of editorial excellence, its English-language publications deliver high-value information to an international readership of companies, governments, financiers and investors, while its events convene those communities for high-level networking forums focused on the dynamics of those markets, by geography and sector. Launched in 1988 and published from New York and Miami, with a network of correspondents across Latin America and the Caribbean, LatinFinance explores the issues impacting finance and investment across the region daily online, and quarterly through its eponymous award-winning flagship magazine. LatinFinance also serves the capital markets of the region through its daily subscriptions service, the Daily Brief, which provides proprietary news and data on deals, from rumor to close. LatinFinance also runs a high-level series of networking events designed to bring companies and governments from Latin America and the Caribbean together with international investors both at forums across the Americas and also at capital introduction events in Europe (London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Zurich), Asia (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Tokyo) and the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha). LinkedIn - @LatinFinance Twitter - @LatinFinance About Fonplata FONPLATA is a Development Bank made up of five countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its main goal is to support the integration of the member countries to achieve a harmonic and inclusive development, through credit operations and non-reimbursable government resources. FONPLATA aims at reducing socioeconomic disparities and favoring the complementarity and synergy of efforts of national development organizations and other development agencies through the implementation of small- and medium-sized projects in specific geographic areas. For additional information, please contact: James Seyfried Marketing Manager | LatinFinance Direct: +1 (305) 428-6284 | Cell: +1 (386) 569.6440 [email protected] SOURCE LatinFinance Related Links www.latinfinance.com TDT I Manama The Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) issued its foreign trade report of January 2020, encompassing data on the balance of trade, imports, exports (national origin), and re-exports. The value of imports increased by 20 per cent, reaching BD445 million during January 2020 compared to BD372m for the same month the previous year. The top 10 countries accounted for 69pc of the value of imports, with the remaining countries accounting for 31pc. According to the report, China ranked first when it came to imports to Bahrain, with a total of BD67m; the United States of America was second with BD35m; and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was third with BD32m. Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates emerged as the top product imported into Bahrain with a total value of BD24m, while aluminium oxide was second with BD23m, and four-wheel drive cars third with BD17m. The value of exports of national origin decreased by 5pc to BD160m during January 2020, compared to BD168m for the same month of the previous year. The top 10 countries in terms of the value of exports of national origin purchased from Bahrain accounted for 82pc of the total value, with the remaining countries accounting for 18pc. The Kingdom ranked first among countries receiving Bahraini exports of national origin, importing BD41m from Bahrain. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates was second with BD22m and Indian third with BD12m. Unwrought aluminium alloys emerged as the top products exported during January 2020 with BD13m; bridges and bridges-sections was second. While aluminium wire not alloyed scored third with a value of BD12m for both. The total value of re-exports increased by 28pc to reach BD74m during January 2020, compared to BD58m for the same month of the previous year. The top 10 countries accounted for 93pc of the re-exported value, while the remaining countries accounted for the 7pc. The United Arab Emirates ranked first with BD24m, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia second with BD19m, and Hong Kong third with BD6m. Gold ingots emerged as the top product re-exported from Bahrain with BD17m, four-wheel drive cars came in second place with BD8m, and parts for machines of working metal came third with BD4m. The trade balance, difference between exports and imports, the value of the deficit of the trade balance reached BD211m during January of 2020 versus BD147m for the same month of the previous year with an increase of 44pc. CNBC's Jim Cramer broke down why the stock market managed to rebound after a volatile week of trading on Wall Street. The "Mad Money" host sat down with Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown to get a read on the plant-based meat company's strategies to open its first international production facilities and penetrate the China market. Later in the show, Cramer said it's time for internet entrepreneur Jack Dorsey to relinquish his chief executive title at Twitter or Square. Following the coronavirus facts Clorox Liquid Bleach products in short supply at a Target store in Hackensack, N.J. Fahiemah Al-Ali | CNBC The stock market managed to surge in the first trading day coming off the worst week on Wall Street in over a decade because of coronavirus data that was not as bad as feared by the market, CNBC's said Monday. "I think the facts, and the concomitant reversal of [interest] rates from the ridiculous lows that they allowed, that's what allowed the market to roar today," the "Mad Money" host said, pointing to an article co-authored by Dr. Tony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in The New England Journal of Medicine on Friday. Beyond Meat keeps eyes on Asia expansion Ethan Brown, founder, president and CEO of Beyond Meat Adam Jeffery | CNBC head Ethan Brown reaffirmed the company's mission to expand its manufacturing capabilities to Asia, despite potential headwinds associated with the novel coronavirus outbreak that has disturbed global commerce. "Right now is a moment in time for us. It's an opportunity for hyper growth, so I'm looking very seriously to Asia," the chief executive and president said in a sit-down interview with Cramer. "I made a commitment that we're going to be producing in Asia by the end of this year. We'll do that regardless of, I think, of this health epidemic occurring right now." Twitter leadership CEO of Twitter, Jack Patrick Dorsey, speaks during an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times at Twitter India office, at the Crescent, on November 14, 2018 in New Delhi, India. Burhaan Kinu | Hindustan Times | Getty Images Cramer came out in favor of growing interest to replace Jack Dorsey at the helm of , the popular social media platform he helped found more than a decade ago. "I think Twitter's a buy, whether Jack Dorsey's running it or not," the host said. "But at this point, I think the best thing he could do for his shareholders is just retire as CEO of Twitter and focus on running full time or vice versa." Cramer's lightning round Vietnam has enacted its strategic orientations for energy development through to 2030 and with a vision for the next quarter of a century, encouraging more of the private sector to develop for the future, and ensuring energy security. The country is to prioritise both wind and solar energy, and encourage deep investment in the sector, among others. Under the Politburos recently-enacted Resolution No.55 NQ/TW on the countrys development strategy for energy over the next 10 years and with a vision towards 2045, targets have been set for sufficient and stable supply energy with reasonable prices, as well as accelerated development of a comprehensive, competitive, and transparent energy market, and diversified ownership and business models. Doan Van Binh, director of the Institute of Energy and Science at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, said that since implementing 2007s Resolution No.18 NQ/TW, which had a vision towards 2050, specific goals have been reached. However, the international and domestic context requires an energy strategy with breakthrough solutions that meet the countrys new development and integration requirements. The new resolution played an important role as it pointed out weakness during the past and the reason for these. But new situations force us to restructure, said Binh. Vietnams electricity sector requires new investments of about $10 billion annually frontloaded through 2030, higher than the average of $8 billion for the 20112015 period. Meanwhile, the envisaged expansion of the gas sector calls for an accumulated investment of around $20 billion between 2015 and 2035. Moving in line with governments strategy to developing energy in order to meet socio-economic growths demand is inevitable. However, energy development must be consistent with energy security and environmental protection, the resolution stressed. It encourages and creates conditions for all sectors, especially the private sector, to take part in energy development and remove monopolies and unfair competition in the energy sector. In addition, the resolution points to actions including studying and finalising financial mechanisms and raising special capital for investment in the development of the electricity industry. The document further notes accelerating the roadmap for implementation of the competitive electricity market; the mechanism of direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) and sale contracts between producers and consumers; the bidding mechanism; auction of appropriate power supply (especially in the projects of investment in renewable energy and new energies); and transparent power purchase price. There is a mechanism to encourage attraction of non-state capital in construction investment into the national electricity transmission system, the resolution read. Industry insiders said that when the new strategy is in force, Vietnam is likely to see an increased investment inflow, especially from major players including Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the European Union, and the United States. In a fresh development, more international groups are waiting for Vietnams DPP mechanism including ABB. Especially, the private sector could see more chances to invest into the national electricity transmission system. These new points came as Vietnam is faced with challenges to ensure energy while also complying with the governments objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. Elsewhere, some critical projects involving the Power Development Master Plan VII for the 2011-2020 period with a vision towards 2030 (PDP7) have been delayed and could lead to shortfall of energy. The recent hot development of renewable energy thanks to the feed-in tariff (FiT) is putting pressure on transmission lines and the grid that has been slower to develop. Regarding construction of a regulatory and permitting environment that attracts private sector investment in clean energy generation and energy efficiency, John Rockhold, head of the Vietnam Business Forums Power and Energy Working Group said, Ultimately, these efforts should lead to a decline in investor risk and the ability to decrease FiTs as renewable energy projects become simpler and more profitable. Additionally, definitive regulatory frameworks for floating solar, battery energy storage systems, offshore wind, and access to clean energy by DPPAs will unlock a much greater potential for renewable energy projects. Franz Gerner, the World Banks lead energy economist, previously said that there has been large interest from private investors to participate in the vastly-growing energy market in Vietnam, especially in renewables. They are willing to invest as long as the projects are well-structured and bankable. What investors need is a transparent and stable regulatory environment which incorporates a proper risk-sharing mechanism among all parties, Gerner said. Currently, the Global Infrastructure Facilitys Governing Council, along with the World Bank, is working with the Vietnamese government on a solar pilot auction programme that will help to address Vietnams increased demand for energy and promote inclusive growth by strengthening the enabling environment for the private sector. The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, is part of the governments broader efforts to accelerate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy to increase the countrys diversification of electricity generation and reduce CO2 emissions. Vietnam has been extremely successful in exploring its domestic gas, coal, and hydropower reserves, and currently has a high share of renewables in its overall energy mix, according to Gerner from the World Bank. However, domestic energy resources are limited, and Vietnam will increasingly rely on imported energy sources to meet its fast-growing domestic energy needs. The Politburos Resolution 55 places high priority on fast and sustainable energy development, aiming to increase share of renewable energy sources in total primary energy production to 15-20 per cent by 2030, and 25-30 per cent by 2045. More mechanisms and policies will be developed to encourage investment in renewable energy and establish a suitable fossil fuel reduction plan. Vietnam will now prioritise wind and solar power, and encourage investment in power plants using urban waste, biomass, and solid waste in parallel with environmental protection and the circular economy, while reducing the proportion of coal-fired power properly. Alongside that, the resolution also stressed on developing fast gas-fired electricity using liquefied natural gas (LNG), making electricity and gas gradually become an important power supply, supporting the regulation of the system. Furthermore, it calls for oil refineries to meet at least 70 per cent of domestic demand for refined petro products. It also touches on developing infrastructure to be able import eight billion cubic metres of LNG annually by 2030. Digital transformation will also be accelerated in the energy sector to gradually master modern technologies for production of energy equipment. VIR Nguyen Thu Renewable energy poised to attract private investors: VBF An energy strategy that focuses on renewables, natural gas, energy efficiency and battery storage will attract private sector investment, the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) said in a report. A worker shields a patient on a stretcher being taken to an ambulance at the Life Care Center of Kirkland in Washington state on Feb. 29, 2020. (David Ryder/Getty Images) More Coronavirus Deaths Reported in Washington State, 9 Total in US Officials in King County, Washington, on Tuesday confirmed two more deaths and seven more cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Todays results include 2 additional deaths, along with an individual who was previously reported as ill but who has now died. This brings the total number of deaths in King County from COVID-19 to eight, according to King County officials in a statement. A person is also confirmed to have died of COVID-19 in nearby Snohomish County on Monday, meaning that nine people have died in Washington state and the United States at large. Local health officials in Snohomish confirmed two more cases of the virus, reported KIRO7, which reported that staff at the Harborview Medical Center might have been exposed to the mysterious new illness by a man who died at the facility and later tested positive. So far, 27 total cases have been reported in Washington state. This is a very fluid, fast-moving situation as we aggressively respond to this outbreak, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health for Seattle and King County, in a statement. People with suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19 should reach out to their healthcare provider. As public health professionals we really appreciate clinicians on the front lines of patient care and they are critical to this response. A stretcher is moved from an AMR ambulance to the Life Care Center of Kirkland where one associate and one resident were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Feb. 29, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) Over the weekend and on Monday, as new deaths and cases were reported, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and King County both declared states of emergency to combat the spread of the virus. Five of the eight deaths in King County have been traced back to the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland. Now, around 50 patients and staff at the facility are being tested for COVID-19, according to King County officials. Many of the patients who died were elderly or had underlying health problems. However, officials confirmed that two male patients in their 20s are both hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah hospital, a woman in her 40s is recovering at home, and a Life Care employee in her 40s is hospitalized at the Overlake Medical Center. Despite the dire updates, health officials said that they havent observed widespread transmission locally of the virus. The coming days and weeks are likely to bring more confirmed cases of COVID-19, but if we can all follow health recommendations now, we can blunt the impact of COVID-19 in our community, the county wrote. A psychic who read fortunes and took in thousands of dollars from customers in Greenwich and New York was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge in Westchester County Court Tuesday morning. Janet Lee, who once billed herself as the Greenwich Psychic, had earlier pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Lee, 45, was arrested in Bedford, N.Y., in connection with the transfer of $11,600 from a Bedford woman to Lee for her fortune-telling services in June of 2018. She was also arrested on a criminal charge in the town of Mount Pleasant, also in Westchester County, in August 2018, according to court documents. She was sentenced on charges of criminal possession of stolen property, and fortune telling, a criminal violation in New York state, both misdemeanors. Lee was also held responsible for the loss of $32,900 from a Greenwich woman, according to a 2017 lawsuit in Superior Court in Stamford, but was not charged criminally in Connecticut. A judge ruled in the Greenwich womans favor, ordering restitution. Lee had an office on Greenwich Avenue for years before relocating to Westchester. Judge Susan Cacace also placed a protective order on Lee, a Scarsdale, N.Y., resident, prohibiting her from having any contact with the people she once advised. The sentencing will spare her jail time, while conditions were applied requiring her to make restitution. A 90-day jail sentence was the maximum penalty. Lee would tell her clients she had spiritual energy from ancient Egypt and took their money for spiritual work to remove the dark force. Lee was free on $3,000 bail. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com The true impact of the coronavirus on the U.S. is still to come, but the government response so far has shown worrying signs of impracticality, incoherence, and incompetence, as the virus migrated from China around the world. The biggest cause for concern has been the governments inability to coordinate a rigorous testing procedure to try to limit exposure as the virus approached. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in February, rolled out diagnostic kits, and shipped hundreds to state labs around the country, only to later discover the tests were flawed and ultimately futile. With efforts to deploy replacement tests expected to take weeks, testing was confined to the CDCs labs in Atlanta. Since the test process was so difficult to access, and the testing capacity only at around 400 per day, the criteria for Americans to get tested were extremely narrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These early decisions of the Trump administration are coming under increasing criticism, not because it is expected to magically solve the problem, but because it has not taken basic steps to provide the infrastructure to respond to a potential outbreak when it might have actually made a difference. How much of a difference it would have made is up for debate, but with few Americans getting tested and the process of confirming a coronavirus case a dayslong procedure, the U.S. response has been, at best, leaky so far. On Monday, the Trump administration committed to vastly expanded coronavirus testing after 103 Americans have been infected and six have died. Clearly, there have been problems with rolling out the test, Dr. Thomas Frieden, former director of the CDC, told the New York Times. There are a lot of frustrated doctors and patients and health departments. In the past few days, the CDC abruptly removed the number of coronavirus tests carried out in the U.S. from its website, prompting concern about its transparency in detailing its own decision-making, as well as the spread of the virus. The incompetence has really exceeded what anyone would expect with the CDC, Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, told the Times. This is not a difficult problem to solve in the world of viruses. By late last week, the CDC had only tested 500 specimens, while other countries were testing tens of thousands of suspected cases, and China was likely testing millions of patients. Sanjay Kumar Panda has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. Panda, a 1991 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer is expected to take up the charge soon. "Sanjay Kumar Panda (IFS:1991), presently Consul General, Consulate General of India, San Francisco, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Turkey. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," MEA said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CHICOPEE - Since he was a teenager, Jose Ocana DeJesus knew that having his own business and making a difference in the lives of people around him was what he loved most. Recently, Ocana DeJesus recognized that dream by celebrating the opening of Chic Salons new location at 1735 Westover Road in Chicopee. Ever since he was just 14, Ocana DeJesus did hair at his grandparents house in Puerto Rico, charging from $5 for a wash and dry to $10 for trimming and dyeing. Born and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Ocana DeJesus said that when he was in school, he took a barbershop course because he was embarrassed by the idea of taking cosmetology because the only ones taking that course were girls. I was 14 years old and I couldnt say that I was gay at the time, but I had this teacher Myrna Rolon who saw me doing a haircut and said to me 'You dont like this, what do you like? and I told her 'cosmetology, but there is no spaces open and they are all girls and kids will make fun of me. His teacher took him to the cosmetology group, introduced him as the new student and let them know that whoever made fun of him for being the only male student would have a problem with her and that it would not be tolerated. He was able to join the class and begin his training. Soon after that, his family moved to Florida. They moved around frequently as they would always start different businesses, which meant that Ocana DeJesus enrolled in 19 different schools before graduating. After he arrived in Florida, Ocana DeJesus had to take a 300-hour course to validate his license from Puerto Rico. While he worked in a hotel cleaning, he also worked in a beauty salon where he worked on commission. I was already 18 years old and I started working with some Dominican ladies and thats where I learned everything, how to do straightening, keratin, short hair... I was there for four years and then went to be independent until I ended up in Holyoke and I started working at Classic Magic Beauty Salon that was open for more than 20 years with Gloria Hunter, he said. After being homeless for a while, he and his partner were given housing and, with a vision and dream of being able to have their own business, he managed to buy a beat-up old car that brought him from home to work. At only 31 and with 15 years of career experience as a professional stylist, Ocana DeJesus said that his success is primarily due to God, his family and his way of thinking. He said, My role model was my grandmother. My grandmother supported me a lot and my dad (stepfather) has been the best thing that has happened to me in my life too because (my parents) struggled with their businesses and he always told me you can do what you want to do as long as you respect yourself, in fact he was the one who I told first that I was gay, and he told me he didnt care, that the important thing is that my sexuality doesnt define me as a human being, and so I did. I always respect myself and my fiends." Ocana DeJesus started his business in Chicopee in the space just next to where it is currently located, where the space was only 300 square feet. The new place, formerly a barber shop, closed recently, allowing him to rent the space. The new space is more comfortable and allows him to provide a variety of services and classes. Ocana DeJesus holds the title of Colorist Teacher, and is a certified educator. In his salon, he also offers a variety of products that he promotes and teaches. In March, I am going to do a hair show in New York. I have done the one in Honduras, Santo Domingo, Orlando, Italy, Puerto Rico, Miami, Chicago and Long Beach, California, since I am an educator for these companies, he said. He also teaches cosmetology students at Dean Technical High School in Holyoke and his next dream is to be able to open a learning academy. I have a 5-year plan and it is to expand this place to open the academy. I want to start with 20 or 30 students and teach, he said. His desire is to be able to retire to fully teach and above all to also offer courses in Spanish. His optimism, dedication and vision is due to his way of thinking. He said, The competition is great, but I don't see this as a competition, the only competition I have is with myself, every morning of being a better human being, a better stylist, a better husband, a better friend than I was yesterday. This does not feel like work. He also said his mother has always been very supportive of him. My mom never told me not to do it, she always said you can,'" he said. Ocana DeJesus always enjoys giving back to the community and after meeting with Pastor Carmen Andino last year, he decided to decorate a box to put gifts (toys) for children during the Christmas season. He said that both his team and his clients provided about 300 toys giving each child in the church three to four toys which their moms were very grateful for. This year he has the goal of also providing an event for other new entrepreneurs to bring their tables and products and expose their companies. His inspiration to open his own business was born when he saw that other Latinos were able to do it and also because he made sure he surrounded himself with the right people. He said, My mother always told me the one who runs with lazy people always end up last, and I always kept that in mind. He currently works for several prestigious companies in Italy and his vision is in addition to having the academy he also wants to produce his own beauty products. According to him, there was a young girl who after doing her internship in his salon, he was able to give her a certification so that when she graduates from high school she can be well on her way to having her own beauty salon. He said, There is enough hair for all stylists, theres really no reason to look at this as a competition. For the classes that Ocana DeJesus offers for stylists or to participate at the events he already has in mind, you can call 413-331-0428 or visit his salon at 1735 Westover Road in Chicopee. The UN's nuclear watchdog on Tuesday said it has identified three locations in Iran where the country possibly stored undeclared nuclear material or undertook nuclear-related activities without declaring it to observers. The Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a confidential report to member nations seen by The Associated Press that it has sent questions to Iran in three separate letters but has received no reply. "The agency identified a number of questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at three locations in Iran that had not been declared by Iran," the agency said in a report. The IAEA had previously said that uranium particles of man-made origin had been discovered at one location outside Tehran that had not been declared, which appeared to confirm allegations made by the US and Israel about a secret nuclear warehouse. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced last week that on June 29 the third shift at its Windsor, Ontario assembly plant will be eliminated resulting in the permanent layoff of 1,500 workers. This decision comes as the Company works to align volumes with demand while phasing out production of the Dodge Grand Caravan at the end of May, said an FCA statement. Production of the Grand Caravan will end on May 22. A transition period will then begin to consolidate a two-shift operation by the end of June. Workers leave Windsor Assembly The job cuts will have an immediate knock-on effect in the citys auto parts sector. Already, it is expected that local FCA suppliers Flex-N-Gate and Syncreon will shed at least 200 jobs due to the Chrysler retrenchment. The Windsor plant, which builds the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, Pacifica Hybrid, Grand Caravan and Chrysler Voyager, has operated on a three-shift schedule since 1993. The plant is the largest employer in Windsor, which has been devastated by a steady reduction of auto production in the city, once called the automotive capital of Canada. There are about 6,000 workers currently employed at the Windsor plant, which underwent retooling in 2015 to build the Pacifica. The plant can build up to 1,500 vehicles per day. The announcement of a final layoff date had been expected by autoworkers at the plant for some time. FCA had initially indicated its plans to end the third shift last March but had delayed issuing a conclusive end date as it calibrated production volumes with the plummeting sales figures of its Grand Caravan and Pacifica models. Sales numbers for the facilitys main product, the Chrysler Pacifica, have steadily declined in recent years. Last year purchases of the model dropped by 17 percent in the vital US market and by 38 percent in Canada. Sales of the Grand Caravan were down by 19 percent in the US and by 15 percent in Canada. Unifor president Jerry Dias once again trotted out his increasingly threadbare beggar-thy-neighbour trade war solution to the decimation of auto jobs in Canada. Every country in the world that has a major auto industry has a national strategy to preserve the jobs, said Dias. I take a look at Germany. I take a look at Japan. I take a look at Korea. I take a look at the different nations around the world. Dias, once again, is peddling nothing but nationalist snake-oil. The FCA announcement is only the latest in a string of far-reaching international assembly layoffs, which reflect a global jobs blood-bath in the auto industry as a result of deepening capitalist crisis. More than 500,000 jobs were destroyed last year in Europe, Asia and North America. Analysts expect job losses to increase over the course of 2020. More than 100,000 auto assembly layoffs were already planned by companies worldwide in year end announcements. Hundreds of thousands of related auto parts jobs will also be slashed. Aware of the growing rank-and-file opposition to Unifors prostration before the auto companies, Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy deemed it necessary to appeal to his membership to trust your union. Indeed Unifor (and its predecessor Canadian Auto Workers union) have presided over a decades-long policy of imposing brutal concessions contracts for phony job saving agreements. But the end of the third shift at Windsor FCA, 650 recent layoffs at Ford Oakville and the closure of assembly production at GM Oshawa last year are just the latest in a series of job cuts that includes the devastating 2010 mothballing of Windsors GM Transmission operation. In November the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled that Nemak could close its Windsor auto parts plant in 2020. Unifor claimed the early closure violated terms of a concessions agreement it signed in 2020. Unifor had shut down a two week strike by 180 Nemak workers last September against the closure threat and told workers to put their faith in arbitration instead with predictably disastrous results. One veteran FCA Windsor worker told the World Socialist Web Site that workers had no confidence in Dias. This was inevitable. I knew it was going to happen regardless of whatever Unifor did. We are phasing out the Grand Caravan on May 22 and are going down to two shifts by then. All the people are staying until June 29. I imagine it is to try and avoid chaos. It can hardly be a coincidence that the Windsor layoffs are timed to take effect in June, the same month that FCA (as well as GM and Ford) open up their contract negotiations with Unifor, whose contracts with the Detroit Three expire this September. It is expected that vehicle production in Canada on the part of the Detroit Three automakers will fall another 27 percent over the life of the next contract. FCA is clearly throwing down a gauntlet to insist on continued job cuts and more concessions to shore up its profitability. The future of FCAs Etobicoke casting plant is already in doubt. At the companys Brampton assembly facility, which employs 3,400 workers, production capacity is already significantly underutilized as the future of the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans remain in limbo. Autoworkers need to prepare now for the looming battles over jobs and wages, benefits and working conditions. First, workers must organize rank-and-file committees independently of the pro-corporate Unifor and fight for the broadest mobilization of not just autoworkers but all sections of the working class. This is an international fight. It is not possible to fight globally-organized corporations on a national basis. Rank-and-file committees in Canada must link up with workers in the US, Mexico, Europe and Asia to wage a common fight to defend jobs and living standards. Finally, this is a fight not just against this or that employer but against the entire capitalist system, which subordinates the needs of the working classthe vast majority of the planets populationto the relentless drive by the corporate and financial oligarchy for more private wealth. The fight to defend jobs raises the question of who should run the factories. The insistence that workers have the inalienable right to a good-paying and secure job is an implicit challenge to the right of Bay Street and wealthy stockholders to own and control giant industries and to close them and destroy entire communities whenever they choose. The broadest industrial mobilization of the working class against job cuts and concessions must go hand in hand with the organization of a political fight based on a socialist program directed toward the transformation of the auto factories into public utilities under the democratic ownership and control of the working class. Religious leaders from the South-East and South-South have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Service Chiefs. They condem... Religious leaders from the South-East and South-South have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Service Chiefs. They condemned the pampering of repentant Boko Haram terrorists, incessant killing of citizens and rape of women/girls by armed herdsmen across the country. NAN reports that these were contained in a communique issued in Umuahia, Abia State, after a colloquium on insecurity in Nigeria convened by Bishop Sunday Onuoha It was signed by representatives of the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (South-South), Archbishop Israel Eniyekemini, and his South-East counterpart, Bishop Goddy Okafor. The clerics expressed concern over insurgency, banditry, destruction of lives and property and urged the federal government to seek help of the international community in tackling terrorism. They called on the improvement on intelligence gathering and deployment of modern technology to track and monitor the operations of the insurgents. There is urgent need to sincerely rejig and decentralise Nigerian security arrangement for efficiency, the communique stated. The meeting expressed support for the recent regional security arrangement in the Southwest (Amotekun) to further secure their borders and communities. It further warned of the porosity of the nations borders and called for vigilance in view of the visa-on-arrival policy. The religious leaders declared their anger about the release of rehabilitated terrorists back to the society. We are deeply worried why government should be pampering such killer terrorists, who have not in any way justified their action against Nigerians. This development is not only worrisome but demoralises the morale of gallant soldiers, the clerics stressed. Many Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have raised alarm over the state of the nation. Houston health inspectors found weevils, a type of beetle, inside a bread crumb container at a nursing home, reports show. At another facility, inspectors found brown residue inside an ice machine. Each week, Houston health inspectors distribute violations that carry a weight between 1 and 25, increasing in severity. PREVIOUS REPORT: Cockroaches, pink residue in ice machine found inside Houston nursing homes The term "demerit" is used by city health inspectors to describe the weighted value assigned to each violation. Chron.com obtained the results of routine health inspections throughout the city and tallied each nursing home and assisted living centers demerits for a comprehensive list of violations over the last four weeks. A total of 11 centers were cited, records show. 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 A Delhi Assembly panel on Tuesday released a mobile number and an email ID to complain about hate messages being spread on social media over the recent communal violence in northeast Delhi. AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, who is also the chairman of 'Peace and Harmony committee', said if people find hate messages on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, they can send their complaints at mobile number 8950000946 and email ID dvscommittee@delhi.gov.in. If cases are registered on the complaints of hate messages, the whistleblowers will be rewarded Rs 10,000, he said. The Greater Kailash MLA said peace meetings in six assembly constituencies covering riot-hit areas of northeast Delhi would be held on Thursday. Local religious leaders and MLAs will participate in these meetings. "People can send complaints regarding hate messages and fake on social media platforms which can cause communal disharmony. The WhatsApp number and the email ID will be widely publicised through advertisement on TV, radio and newspapers," he said at a press conference here. After scrutiny of complaints, the panel will send them to the police for necessary action. The committee will also take services of legal experts and retired police officers to process complaints. It will also take help of an agency specialising in sorting real and fake news, Bharadwaj added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: A private school in Uttar Pradesh's Noida was shut down on Tuesday (March 3) after it was reported that one of the parents of the student studying in the school tested positive on Monday. The Uttar Pradesh Health Authorities conducted necessary medical checks at the school and sent the sample of the student for testing. Union Ministry of Health said on Monday that the man had a travel history of Italy. He had thrown a birthday party in Agra on Friday which was attended by several people, including two students of the school. The people who attended the party are also under scanner. The Chief Medical Officers (CMO) of Noida and Gautam Budh Nagar have also issued a notice to various companies amid coronavirus fear in Noida. The CMO has asked the people returning to India from abroad to report to the Health Ministry first. In another development, at least six cases of high viral fever were reported from the Taj city (Agra) on March 3. Reports claimed that these are the same people who were in contact with the COVID-19 patient from New Delhi. All the six people have been kept in an isolation and their samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for confirmation. A contact tracing of the persons who have come in contact with these six persons is also simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network. Globally, more than 3,100 people have died as a result of the virus, the vast majority of them in China. More than 90,000 people have been infected, with cases registered in more than 60 countries. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 03, 2020)) (the "Company" or "EXM"), a producer of cannabis extractions and refined ingredients for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, therapeutical and cosmetic industries, is pleased to give a brief update on its activities, and announces the appointment of Michael Kinley to its Board of Directors and Julie Lemieux as its Corporate Secretary. Portugal Update Infarmed, the Portuguese national government agency responsible for public health, medicines and the oversight of the medical cannabis industry, issued authorizations to EXM on January 31, 2020, which allows EXM to import a sample of dried cannabis flowers from its subsidiary farming company into Portugal for scientific purposes. The initial shipment will be transported directly to EXM's operational state of the art R&D laboratory in Lisbon. Each subsequent, and incrementally larger, shipment will also need to be approved on the basis of an additional application to Infarmed. EXM considers this step to be very important for their business development in Europe and would like to recognize the achievement and importance of working with Infarmed. EXM is in the final stages of the detailed planning for an industrial-scale facility that will include extraction, purification and refinery operations to be completed in Setubal, just south of Lisbon. This facility will be able to process cannabis biomass, extracts and distillates from Portugal as well as international sources where it meets the regulatory requirements of Infarmed. EXM is actively exploring an MOU with one of the largest North American producers of extract in order to ensure the refinery can be operated to capacity from day 1 and then scale further. This refinery, once licensed, will distribute medical cannabis ingredients on a B2B basis, with a goal to produce API's, cannabis-based compounds in a reliable, consistent and standardized process, ensuring the highest quality and meeting the needs of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic companies and manufacturers worldwide. "Even though this sample authorisation is small and will not be eligible to be commercially sold, this is a critical step in starting to establish the supply chain from farming operations outside Europe," says Jonathan Summers, Chairman and CEO of the Company, "there will naturally be a number of logistical and regulatory hurdles to overcome to turn this into a commercial activity, not least being the GMP requirements." Open Day March 12th, 2020, Lisbon Portugal EXM is preparing an open day on March 12th for investors and potential clients to learning more about the potential of the Portuguese cannabis industry and European opportunities, as well as our exciting growth plans. Interested individuals should sign up on info@exmceuticals.com New Board Member and Corporate Secretary EXM further announces the appointment of Michael Kinley as a director of the Company and the appointment of Julie Lemieux as the Company's Corporate Secretary to replace Genevieve Gagne, effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Ms. Gagne for her contributions to the Company over the past year. Mr. Kinley is EXM's current CFO. Mr. Summers would like to welcome Mr. Kinley to the Board and notes his extensive experience of over 25 years working with junior public companies. In taking up his position as a director, Mr. Kinley said: "EXM has an impressive plan and I look forward to working with my Board colleagues and management to build a world class company." ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EXMCEUTICALS INC. Jonathan Summers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information contact: Investor Relations Email: investors@exmceuticals.com Media Enquiries: Email: media@exmceuticals.com North America - Melanie Guillemette: +1 819 668 2734 FOR MORE UPDATES ON THE COMPANY Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EXMceuticals Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exmceuticalsinc/ ABOUT EXMCEUTICALS EXM is targeting the wellness and medical applications of cannabis. EXM's activities are focused on the sustainable cultivation of cannabis and hemp, and the production of high-grade cannabis and hemp ingredients for the pharmaceutical, therapeutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. The Company proposes to sell the produced ingredients to international markets. EXM is not a recreational cannabis company. EXM was recently granted the required authorizations and permits in Portugal for its existing laboratory and pilot refinery for cannabis research. EXM has previously completed research projects with its university partners, Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Universidade Lusofona as well as applying for P2020 research grants. Following receipt of these unique Portuguese cannabis authorizations and permits, EXM is proceeding with its planned R&D program, lab work and testing. In addition to this more scientific mandate, EXM is now projecting and building a significantly larger refining facility in Portugal which once complete and licensed will be used by EXM as its base for distribution of cannabis ingredients in the EU and North America. EXM has also submitted applications and undertaken negotiations with local governments and partners in Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini and Burundi, in order to obtain licences to permit the cultivation of cannabis and hemp, as well as the processing, transformation and export of psychotropic and non-psychotropic cannabinoid ingredients. In Ethiopia, EXM is in its final stage of negotiation with the government for an agro-industrial park, of 4,000 hectares (9,880 acres) encompassing a free trade zone, for which EXM has already obtained land rights over 2,000 hectares (4,940 acres) in the Amhara region. CSE: EXM | FSE : A2PAW2 Neither the CSE nor the FSE has approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor the FSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", "expected", "proposes", "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company's business operations, including the cultivation of cannabis in Ethiopia and elsewhere, the extraction of cannabis ingredients and the exportation of the extracts, the results of testing at our facilities established for the European market, future laws and regulations governing the sale of our products in Europe and elsewhere, and the potential to generate sales, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of EXM to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. EXM will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog on Tuesday sounded the alarm on Iran's nuclear programme and demanded "clarifications" over an undeclared site in Tehran where uranium particles were found late last year. Rafael Grossi, the new head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who was in Paris to meet President Emmanuel Macron, told AFP: "Iran must decide to cooperate in a clearer manner with the agency to give the necessary clarifications". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A volunteer emergency ambulance company in Burlington County plans to fight a $108,000 fine proposed by New Jersey officials after an inspector discovered the squad was using an understaffed, unlicensed ambulance. There have never been any complaints about our patient care or the quality of our services, Shamong Emergency Medical Services said in a statement to the media on Saturday. We will demand a hearing, which is within our rights at the state level, and will demonstrate that Shamong (EMS) has not violated the regulations and has, in fact, operated exactly as instructed by the state regulators." Shamong EMS, which is part of the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company, responded to 90 emergency calls between Oct. 7, 2018 and Oct. 9, 2019 using an ambulance that was not licensed through the New Jersey Department of Health, according to a Feb. 19 notice from the state to EMS Chief Dave Taylor. The squad is licensed to provide basic life support and operates two vehicles licensed with the state. A third ambulance was not licensed and was staffed with only one EMT instead of two on several occasions another state violation, according to the notice. The state's Office of Emergency Medical Services has proposed that Shamong pay a fine of $108,000 or request an administrative hearing. Taylor told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday that Shamong EMS had a verbal understanding with the state that it could operate one unlicensed ambulance with one EMT as long as it did not bill health insurance companies. Instead of insurance money, the volunteer squad paid for the ambulance with money budgeted through the township and obtained through fundraisers, Taylor said. Taylor, who has been chief since January, said the squad operated that way for more than 25 years in a practice that predates his tenure. They (the volunteers) had a very clear understanding that this is how they could operate and they did it this way, Taylor said. Unfortunately, they didnt have anything in writing. In its statement, Shamong blames a perceived internal struggle at the state and an interest in eliminating New Jerseys volunteer squads. Shamong EMS will continue to operate by legally running calls with a licensed ambulance when able to operate in compliance and, thereby, allow our taxpayers and not our volunteers to enjoy the benefit of the billing revenue, the statement said. 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. Joanna Lumley has revealed she was held at gunpoint while filming a travel series in Haiti. The 73-year-old former Absolutely Fabulous star was driving through a mountain range with her film crew when the attack occurred. After being told to hand over her money and threatened with death, Lumley was able to escape unharmed following intervention from her bodyguards. Lumley said: "Suddenly there was a blockage across the road. They'd put branches down. Luckily, we had two big bodyguards who got out and said: 'Come on guys, clear this away.' "And they went: 'No, we want your money or your life.' Sometimes they dig trenches, pour oil in and set fire to it, then come with guns and take your wallets." An ITV spokesperson said that "a full risk assessment was carried out before filming in Haiti and Joanna was accompanied by the appropriate levels of security". The programme Lumley was filming is a two-part documentary called Joanna Lumley's Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti, which airs on ITV Monday 9 March. A medic checks body temperature of passengers in Syrias Kurdish area. Photo: DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images The COVID-19 novel coronavirus appears to be spreading rapidly in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco reported on Monday that the virus had arrived in their countries, while Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Qatar confirmed additional cases. Iran, which has emerged as a focal point in the global spread of the virus, raised its number of confirmed cases to 1,501 and the (disputed) death toll to 66. The United Arab Emirates began evacuating its citizens from Iran on Monday and will quarantine all returnees. Owing to its geographical location and centrality to Eurasian trade networks, the Middle East has historically been a conduit for the spread of pandemics. While Iran has registered the greatest number of cases in the region by far, the first country in the Middle East to register cases of the coronavirus was the UAE, on January 29, in four members of a Chinese family who had arrived from Wuhan, where the epidemic originated. It comes as no surprise that a global pandemic would arrive in the UAE early, given that Dubai and Abu Dhabi are both global financial centers and major hubs for international travel. The Middle East is also uniquely at risk of a disease like COVID-19 spreading rapidly because of routine mass migrations of people from one country to another, whether for religious, economic, or safety reasons. Iraq closed its border with Iran in late February, as did Turkey, Afghanistan, Armenia, and Pakistan, while Syria closed at least one border crossing with Iraq last week. Still, the virus has already had plenty of time to spread via these routes. The aforementioned borders, traversing miles of uninhabited desert, are also difficult to seal completely. It is likely too late for border closures and evacuations to halt or even slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Middle East. Muslims travel by the millions each year to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina for the hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, while Shia Muslims in particular make pilgrimages to holy shrines in Iraq and Iran. Saudi Arabia has suspended visas for foreigners planning to visit the country to make Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage a major blow to the large number of travel agencies in Muslim countries that specialize in arranging pilgrimages. The impact on the hajj, which takes place in late July this year, is not yet certain. Qom, a major pilgrim destination, is one of the epicenters of the outbreak in Iran, so thousands of pilgrims from other countries with Shia Muslim populations may have been exposed to the virus there before the outbreak was detected and announced. The Middle East is also home to millions of expatriate workers who travel frequently between their home countries and the countries where they work. These extensive economic links create additional opportunities for a pandemic to spread, but also exacerbate the economic impact of border closures and travel restrictions. A pandemic is unwelcome news anywhere in the world, but it is particularly alarming in a region already affected by multiple civil wars and refugee crises, where many countries lack robust health-care systems, and where public health reporting is often unreliable. No cases have been confirmed thus far in Syria or Yemen, the least stable and most dangerous countries in the region. As these war-torn countries are hardly popular travel destinations, COVID-19 may be late in arriving there, but the World Health Organization is rightly concerned that when it does, the impact will be particularly severe on large, vulnerable populations of displaced people. In northwestern Syria, fighting between government and rebel forces has driven as many as 948,000 people from their homes since early December. Many of these internally displaced people are living in acutely precarious circumstances, with inadequate shelter (if any), limited supplies of food and medicine, and increasingly sparse health facilities. While the coronavirus is only severe in a relatively small percentage of cases, the already poor health of this population and their lack of access to health care puts them at greater risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from the virus. These failed states also have a high risk of massive outbreaks. Disease can spread rapidly in the confines of a displaced peoples camp, while refugees on the move are difficult to keep track of, making the spread impossible to contain or monitor. In total, there are over 6 million internally displaced people in Syria and 4 million in Yemen, plus millions more refugees from these war zones in other countries throughout the region. The governments of these countries are not well-equipped to handle a crisis like this. International health and refugee organizations are well aware of the risk and will do everything they can to prevent disaster, but it may not be enough. The public health risk of COVID-19 in the Middle East is worrying enough, but the attendant geopolitical and security risks are also cause for concern. Irans government has faced significant internal and external criticism for failing to detect or report its coronavirus outbreak in a timely manner. That the government reported deaths on the same day as its first infections suggests that they either knew about the outbreak earlier and chose to cover it up or were too busy preparing for national elections to notice the arrival of the virus. If a deadly outbreak across the Middle East is blamed on duplicity or incompetence in Tehran, Irans already shaky international reputation will suffer additional damage. Its also not unthinkable that the virus could destabilize the Iranian government entirely. One of the Iranians who died of coronavirus on Monday, Mohammad Mirmohammadi, was an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mirmohammadi is one of several Iranian officials to have contracted the virus, including Vice-President Masoumeh Ebtekar and Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, and the third to die. Its plausible Khamenei himself may have been exposed. Even those who would cheer the collapse of the Islamic Republic must acknowledge that now would be a very bad time for a crisis of that magnitude. The other potential fallout from a Middle Eastern coronavirus outbreak will land in Europe. The recent intensification of the Syrian conflict has sent more Syrian refugees pouring over the border to Turkey. The intended destination for many of these Syrians (along with economic migrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and other Muslim countries) is the European Union, which they hope to enter via Greece. On February 28, the Turkish government announced that it would stop trying to control its land and sea borders with Europe, setting these migrants loose in an attempt to pressure Europe to support Ankaras military intervention in the Syrian war. Greeces conservative government, of course, is having none of this, and has redoubled its own border patrol efforts to keep the migrants out, declaring that it will turn away anyone who attempts to enter the country illegally. The collapse of Turkeys arrangement with Europe to police its borders and keep migrants out is just one of several reasons why unorganized migration from the Middle East into Europe is on the rise again. The potential presence of the coronavirus among this migrant population will only exacerbate the political impact of this latest increase. Over the past five years, the migrant crisis has been perhaps the most significant contributing factor in the rise of the new right-wing nationalist movement throughout Europe. Depicting immigrants as disease vectors is the oldest xenophobic trope in the book, but if it turns out that migrants are in fact bringing COVID-19 with them into Europe, that will only strengthen the rights argument for tighter borders both within the E.U. and on its periphery. This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their 'Personally identifiable information' (PII) is being used online. PII, as used in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website. What personal information do we collect from the people that visit our blog, website or app? When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, mailing address, credit card information or other details to help you with your experience. When do we collect information? We collect information from you when you register on our site, place an order, subscribe to a newsletter, fill out a form or enter information on our site. How do we use your information? We may use such information in the following ways: To personalize user's experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested. To improve our website in order to better serve you. To allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests. To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site feature. To quickly process your transactions. To send periodic emails regarding your order or other products and services. How do we protect visitor information? Our website is scanned on a regular basis for security holes and known vulnerabilities in order to make your visit to our site as safe as possible. We use regular Malware Scanning. Your personal information is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential. In addition, all sensitive/credit information you supply is encrypted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. We implement a variety of security measures when a user places an order enters, submits, or accesses their information to maintain the safety of your personal information. All transactions are processed through a gateway provider and are not stored or processed on our servers. Do we use 'cookies'? Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer's hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the site's or service provider's systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. For instance, we use cookies to help us remember and process the items in your shopping cart. They are also used to help us understand your preferences based on previous or current site activity, which enables us to provide you with improved services. We also use cookies to help us compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future. We use cookies to: Understand and save user's preferences for future visits. Compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interactions in order to offer better site experiences and tools in the future. We may also use trusted third party services that track this information on our behalf. You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser (like Internet Explorer) settings. Each browser is a little different, so look at your browser's Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies. If you disable cookies off, some features will be disabled It will turn off some of the features that make your site experience more efficient and some of our services will not function properly. How can you opt out, remove or modify information you have provided to us? You can request to have your information removed by clicking on the Contact Us/Live Chat button on this or the home page. Please note that we may maintain information about an individual sales transaction in order to complete that transaction and for record keeping purposes. Third Party Disclosures We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information unless we provide you with advance notice. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses. Third party Links Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites. Transfer Of Your Personal Information Your information, including personal information, may be transferred to and maintained on computers located outside of your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from your jurisdiction. We will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of your personal information will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of your data and other personal information. Disclosure Of Your Personal Information If we are involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, your personal information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency). Retention of Your Personal Information We will retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use your information to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies. Information Regarding Your Data Protection Rights Under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) For the purpose of this Privacy Policy, we are a Data Controller of your personal information. If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA), our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information, as described in this Privacy Policy, depends on the information we collect and the specific context in which we collect it. We may process your personal information because: We need to perform a contract with you, such as when you create a Policy with us You have given us permission to do so The processing is in our legitimate interests and it's not overridden by your rights For payment processing purposes To comply with the law If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights. In certain circumstances, you have the following data protection rights: The right to access, update or to delete the personal information we have on you The right of rectification The right to object The right of restriction The right to data portability The right to withdraw consent Please note that we may ask you to verify your identity before responding to such requests. You have the right to complain to a Data Protection Authority about our collection and use of your personal information. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority in the European Economic Area (EEA). Service Providers We employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate our Website ("Service Providers"), to provide our Website on our behalf, to perform Website-related services or to assist us in analyzing how our Website is used. These third-parties have access to your personal information only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose. Analytics Statcounter is an online service which helps us to understand our visitors; for example, how visitors find our website, how long they spend on our site, which web pages they are most interested in etc. We use Statcounter because better understanding how visitors are interacting with our website helps us to improve the content, design and functionality of our site. This allows us to offer a better online experience to our visitors. Statcounter uses cookies and other technologies to collect data on visitors and visitor activity on our website. This data includes: * Time and date of visit (this can help us to identify and plan for busy periods on our website) * IP address (this is a numerical label assigned to a device by an Internet Service Provider to enable the device to access the internet) * Browser and Operating System (this can help us to make sure that our website functions correctly in the browsers/operating systems used to access our site) * Device Information e.g. device type and screen size (this can help us to make sure that our website functions correctly in the devices used to access our site) * Referring Data e.g. a search engine link (this can help us to understand which search engines are helping visitors to find our website) Furthermore, when you visit our website a Statcounter cookie (called "is_unique") may be placed in your browser. This cookie is used only to determine whether you are a first-time or returning visitor and to estimate unique visits to the site. You can learn more about cookies from Statcounter and set your browser to refuse same here: http://statcounter.com/about/set-refusal-cookie/ For further details, please see the Statcounter privacy policy the: https://statcounter.com/about/legal/#privacy Payments processors We provide paid products and/or services on our Website. In that case, we use third-party services for payment processing (e.g. payment processors). We will not store or collect your payment card details. That information is provided directly to our third-party payment processors whose use of your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy. These payment processors adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council. Contacting Us If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us at admin@blacklistednews.com. THE annual St Patrick's Day jet-setting by ministers has been massively scaled back due to the care-taker nature of the government. Just ten government figures including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will travel to the United States and other locations, down from 38 trips last year. And Education Minister Joe McHugh has cancelled a planned trip to Canada to deal with coronavirus which has seen a secondary school closed for two weeks due to a confirmed case. Health Minister Simon Harris will also stay in Ireland. The Cabinet today approved the list of "limited" St Patricks Day visits for ministers "to key European and North American cities". Coronavirus-hit countries China and Italy - both destinations last year - are not on the list. The numbers travelling are the same as in 2016 when then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny was acting in a care-taker capacity during government formation talks. A spokesperson for Tanaiste Simon Coveney said this year's reduced programme is "balancing the domestic situation with the unique opportunity of St Patrick's Day". Asked if the coronavirus issue played a role in decisions on the programme he said the "main consideration is the domestic situation as was the case in 2016." Mr Varadkar will travel to Washington TD for the annual meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House. Mr Coveney is going to New York while others heading Stateside include Business Minister Heather Humphreys (Sacramento and the West Coast); Agriculture Minister Michael Creed (Chicago and the Mid-West); Rural Development Minister Michael Ring (Boston); Junior Defence Minister Paul Kehoe (Savannah and the Southern States); and Attorney General Seamus Wolfe (New York and the Tri-State area). Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will go to Paris and Brussels, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is Berlin-bound and Culture Minister Josepha Madigan is going to London. Mr Coveney told the Cabinet that the programme is modest and balanced and should proceed given the unique opportunity to promote Ireland to political, business and cultural audiences. The destinations were chosen under two criteria - those "of indisputable and immediate value to our interests" and places with a significant diaspora community. Mr Coveney said delegations should be kept to a minimum and first-class flights should not be used. Hotel suites and hired limousines are also not to be used. The key messages to be spread by ministers are that Ireland remains a dedicated member of the EU and is working towards a close trading relationship with the UK post-Brexit. The breakthrough in Northern Ireland with the re-establishment of the power-sharing institutions is also to be highlighted. Ministers are to promote Irelands economy and global visibility. Uttarakhand: Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has announced that it will be recruiting candidates for the post of Junior Engineer (JE) Civil. The Commission has said applications for the posts will begin from today and will be open till April 2. It added that UKSSSC will be accepting fee for JE recruitment 2020 till April 4, 2020. Interested aspirants can apply for the posts by visiting the official website sssc.uk.gov.in. The Commission has notified that there will be a total of 121 junior engineer posts. The written examination for the posts will be conducted in the month of June. Candidates eyeing for the posts must have a diploma certificate in Civil Engineering. Aspirants applying for the post must be between 21 to 42 years of age. The Commission will however, provide relief to the reserved category applicants. The application fee has been fixed at Rs 300 for candidates belonging to General, EWS and OBC categories, while aspirants from the SC/ST categories will have to shell out Rs 150. The pay matrix for the position will range from Rs 44,900 to Rs 1,42,400. The Commission said it will be conducting an objective test with multiple choice questions for 100 marks. Candidates from OBC category will have to secure at least 45 per cent, while people from other reserved section must secure a minimum of 35 per cent marks. Attempting a wrong answer will accrue negative mark. Job Summary Notification Date: Feb 28, 2020 Last Date of Submission: Apr 2, 2020 Official URL: sssc.uk.gov.in City: Dehradun State: Uttarakhand Country: India Organization: Other Organizations Education Qualification: Diploma Holder, Graduate Functional: Engineering Geneva/IBNS: The European Union parliamentarians, rights activists and South Asia experts have lauded the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "bringing peace" in Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370, which used to grant special status to the region. Speaking at a press conference at the Press Club Geneva on March 2 on the sidelines of the 43rd session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to discuss and assess the condition of Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370, Gianna Gancia, Member of European Parliament, stressed on the fact that India's Islamic neighbour Pakistan has been trying evil means to portray a picture of crisis in Kashmir on international platforms, though to its dismay because of Indias reliance on humanitarian ideals the effort has failed in their evil intentions. Nathan Gill, former member of European Parliament and member of the famous Brexit party of Britain stated, "What right has Pakistan to discuss the internal affairs of India on International forums? No one makes hue and cry when France fight radical terrorism but creates so much panic and tension when India does something which is solely and wholly an Internal matter of India." Syed Tehmeena, a women rights activist representing The True Voice of Kashmir , from Kashmir came out as a true voice of the region indeed. She said, Im coming from a world which is known as paradise. She said this paradise was destroyed by the insurgencies and terrorist incidents, and the abrogation of Article 370 was undeniable need of the hour to get rid of cross border terrorism and insurgencies in Kashmir Brian Toll, Expert on South Asia from European Commission and Paulo Casaca, Executive Director, South Asia Democratic Forum, highlighted the facts that after the decades of ongoing instability and terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Government abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on 5th August 2019 to bring peace and prosperity in the region. President of Gilgit Baltistan Studies, Senge Sering, supported Indias bold decision on taking action against the factors destabilise J&K and applauded India for removing such article from the constitution which promoted Pakistan in spreading its fangs across the entire region. President of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP), UK, Mohd. Sajjad Raja, added that Pakistan invaded Kashmir on 21st October 1947 and since then it has been under its occupation and it is sheer fiction that India has exploited people of the Valley. Pakistan had and is creating disturbance and Article 370 abrogation is one of the best things that happened with Kashmir since Independence, he said. Weaponising Kashmir: The Misuse of Kashmiris by the Pakistani establishment was discussed at the UN Office, Geneva on March 2 as well. Members of European Parliament lambasted Pakistan for misusing Kashmir & Kashmiris for the past 70 Years at United Nations Geneva Gianna Gancia & Fulvio Martusciello, Members of European Parliament stated that Pakistan ever since Independence has been engaged in pulling back development for which its tool of terrorism has always aided the nation. Known across the globe to be a haven for terrorism to prosper, Pakistan has helped infiltration of several terrorists and anti-social elements inside Kashmir that has been threatening normal day to day lives of the local Kashmiris, they said. Other than members of European Parliament, the event had very rich and experienced panellists. They included Tehmeena Syed from Kashmir; Executive Director of South Asia Democratic Forum Paulo Casaca; former Member of the European Parliament Nathan Gill; Expert on South Asia from European Commission, Brian Toll; President of JKNAP Sajjad Raja, President of Gilgit Pakistan Studies, Senge Sering and Journalist Atika Farooqui. Senge Sering said a major part of Kashmir has been occupied by Pakistan for 70 years and Kashmir has time and again been the victim of Pakistans political purposes. The abrogation of Article 370 has infused new lease of life for Kashmir. However, with fake propaganda, Pakistan is trying to undermine the emancipation process of Kashmir. Paulo Casaca drew the attention to the misinformation campaign held by the Pakistan establishment. Fake propaganda was projected by Pakistan but fiction should be separated from reality. Nathan Gill focused on the people of Kashmir and said, J&K chose to become a part of India and Pakistan illegally invaded it. Based on his experience in Kashmir, he said local people of Kashmir did not want a special status given by Article 370, their only desire was to become an Indian. However, Pakistan conducted a huge propaganda on whats going in Kashmir; Pakistani lobby peddled fake news on J&K situation at the European Parliament. Syed Tehmeena expressing intense sorrow and anger said: My state, paradise on the earth, lost against a fanatical ideology. Insurgencies and terrorism fuelled by the Pakistan establishment undermined it. Kashmiri women became the victim of social practices." She stated that women were deprived of education, faced domestic violence and excluded from politics. Mohd. Sajjad Raja explained the Pakistani interference in the Kashmiri peace process. He said Pakistani militants sneaked into Kashmiris and triggered the youth's radicalisation. The only way to extricate Kashmir from Pakistans exploitation is to support development and become a partner of Indias GDP. Atika Farooqui stated that Pakistani initiated a low-cost proxy war to annex Kashmir and encouraged Jihadist movements to liberate Kashmir from India, costed lives of 1000. Pakistani army used terrorism, armed terrorist groups, misguided youth. The application to secure a 2.9m debt write-off for celebrity couple Frank McNamara and Theresa Lowe was quite a battle. The former 'Late Late Show' musical director and his barrister wife had the debt deal within their grasp last August when a High Court judge said he was "minded" to approve it, subject to some clarifications. But the couple's main creditor, vulture fund Tanager, would not let go of the matter and raised several further objections. This led to a series of courtroom skirmishes between barristers Rudi Neuman and Keith Farry, representing Tanager and personal insolvency practitioner James Green respectively. After the August ruling, concerns were raised by Mr Neuman that the proposed personal insolvency arrangement (PIA) would not return Mr McNamara to solvency. The issues raised included inconsistencies in financial statements, the initial non-disclosure of thousands of euro in rental income and an alleged tax liability. Such was the fight put up by the vulture fund, a further written judgment was required to put the matter to bed. This arrived yesterday, over half a year after the initial ruling in the case. Mr Justice Denis McDonald rejected Tanager's objections. While there were inconsistencies in financial statements, he felt these had been adequately explained. The judge also found nothing in the other issues raised which would necessitate the rejection of the PIA. The only remaining issue is for the judge to make final orders, which he will do once he receives confirmation the estate of Mr McNamara's late father, who died in 2009, will be administered and assets realised "within a relatively short period". Mr McNamara is due to inherit around 250,000 from the estate, and this money will go to his creditors under the PIA. As a result of the ruling, the couple will see a huge chunk wiped off their overall debts of 3.7m and will be able to keep their family home near Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. The write-down will see 1.7m written off the mortgage balance of 2.2m they owed to Tanager. The money still owed will have to be paid off over 19 years. Mr McNamara (59) and Ms Lowe (57) will be 78 and 76 respectively when their new mortgage term ends. The fact the couple are well-known television personalities - Ms Lowe hosted popular quiz show 'Where in the World' between 1989 and 1996 - meant their case attracted much attention. But lawyers and personal insolvency practitioners are keen to point out that their celebrity status had no bearing on how they were treated by the legal system. In fact, they say Mr McNamara and Ms Lowe are among hundreds of people who have sought to avoid bankruptcy and save their homes by utilising the provisions of the 2013 Personal Insolvency Act. This was introduced amid fears of a repossessions crisis and provides a number of mechanisms under which people can seek protection from creditors and a deal on their debts. The McNamaras availed of one such mechanism, the PIA, which was designed to return debtors to solvency while also keeping them in their home in the vast majority of cases. PIAs allow for the agreed settlement of a debt backed by an asset, up to a value of 3m, and an unsecured debt with no value limit. The number of people seeking such arrangements has risen steadily in recent years, jumping from 733 processed applications in 2017 to 959 in 2018. There were 781 in the first three-quarters of 2019. Anecdotally, many of those seeking PIAs are people who found themselves overextended after the recession hit in 2008. Mr McNamara and Ms Lowe certainly fall into that bracket. They got into financial difficulties in the early 2000s when Mr McNamara had problems collecting music royalties. They re-mortgaged and sold properties to get through what they believed would be a short-term financial problem. An unsuccessful bid to get elected to the Dail for the Progressive Democrats in 2007 also took Mr McNamara away from lucrative work as a music conductor in the US, reducing the household's income significantly. Soon afterwards, their difficulties were compounded with the onset of the recession. During their bid to secure the approval of their interlocking PIAs, the court heard about the lengths the couple had gone to in an effort to save money and boost their income. In one affidavit, Mr McNamara said they had "cut everything to the bone". This included both of them kicking cigarettes, a move which saved them 140 a week. The court heard the couple were not making contributions to pensions, while Mr McNamara had started playing piano at funerals. In an affidavit filed last December, he said: "I am playing at least one funeral per week, for which I receive an average 150-200." Until recently, he had also been receiving 800 a month in rent from a property owned by his late father. This became an issue in the case as the rental income was not initially listed in a financial statement completed at the request of Tanager in 2016. Mr Justice McDonald said it was "unsatisfactory" this income was not initially disclosed. But the judge also said he could understand why it was not included as it was envisaged at the time the PIA was put together that the property would be sold soon after. Ultimately, the judge decided the issue did not warrant the dismissal of the PIA application. Another common thread in recently approved PIAs is judges are approving them where the return to creditors is better than if the debtor goes bankrupt. This was also the case in respect of Mr McNamara and Ms Lowe, with the court rejecting Tanager's contention its interests would be unfairly prejudiced. On the contrary, the judge said the vulture fund would "fare better" under the PIA than if the couple were bankrupted. I always assumed I would work in diplomacy or as a human rights lawyer and was working towards that. Thats how I eventually ended up in Cambridge Analytica in the first place. Because I ended up doing my PhD in preventive diplomacy, looking into how people would be able to have enough real-time data to intervene in situations before they became violent. Specifically, looking into how you could prevent crimes against humanity and war crimes. [Former Cambridge Analytica CEO] Alexander Nix shared what they were doing for NATO and our allied militaries, which was to identify individuals vulnerable to be recruited into ISIS young people in the United Kingdom either being recruited or possibly being sent messaging to encourage them to sneak into Syria. And to teach the digital teams of allied militaries to convince those kids to stay at home. I thought: This is amazing. Thats what I want to learn how to do. So Ill take a consultancy and see where it goes. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 03:56:31|Editor: ZD Video Player Close File photo taken on Feb. 19, 2020 shows U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota reacting before an interview after the Democratic Party's ninth presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is ending her presidential campaign, reported U.S. media on March 2. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is ending her presidential campaign, reported U.S. media on Monday. Klobuchar will endorse former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and make the announcement at Biden's rally in Dallas, Texas Monday night, according to NBC News. A 59-year-old moderate, Klobuchar launched her White House bid in February 2019. Her exit came a day after former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic primary race and a day before primaries in 14 U.S. states. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who's currently leading in the Democratic field with the most pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention, tweeted that he congratulates Klobuchar for "running a strong, issues oriented campaign." Besides Biden and Sanders, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and U.S. Congresswoman of Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard are also in the Democratic primary race. Sitting President Donald Trump who's facing no major challengers in the Republican Party, is expected to win the GOP primaries on Tuesday. During her visit to a North Bengal district, she declared that no Bangladeshi would be thrown out. Kolkata: Calling the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) a BJP card West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday dubbed Bangladeshi refugees living in the country 'Indian citizens'. During her visit to a North Bengal district, she declared that no Bangladeshi would be thrown out. Questioning the Centres silence over the Delhi riots, the Trinamul Congress supremo vowed to not allow a repetition of the violence in the state. She complained of the excess by the Border Security Force in the districts. Ms Banerjee informed that she has complained about it to union home minister Amit Shah in Bhubaneswar last week. No one can snatch away the rights of the refugees. There is no need for them to get their citizenship afresh. All of you are citizens of this country. Do not get mislead by the BJPs campaign. All of you have voter cards and ration cards with your residential address. You cast your votes. So there is no fresh need for that BJP card, Ms Banerjee told a rally at Kaliaganj in North Dinajpur. Winners and the finalists of 10th edition of Aegis Graham Bell Awards were felicitated by Chief Guest Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways; Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India; Guest of Honor Shri. Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Honble Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and MSME and Special Guest Shri. R.P. Singh, National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 27th February 2020 at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi. Aegis Graham Bell Awards (AGBA) was initiated in 2010 by Aegis School of Data Science, Cyber Security and Telecom to recognize young top brains who has potential to grow as technology leaders; start-up founders; innovators; entrepreneurs; intra entrepreneurs who are transforming the lives of millions of Indians by their work in the fields of education, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data science, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart city, Telecom, Mobile, Health, eCommerce, Blockchain, Fintech, Cloud, social good, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Governance, MSME, , Transportation, Retail, Cyber Security, and many more. AGBA is supported by NITI Aayog, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCOE) and powered by mUni Campus. Shri Nitin Gadkari Minister for Road Transport & Highways; Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) the Chief Guest of the event commended Congratulations to the winners, finalists and also the Aegis team for encouraging the innovators and their work. I would like to reiterate the innovators to concentrate more on rural, agricultural, tribal areas and on the worlds import substitute and improve the export. There is no dearth of innovation in India, and so in the world market I want our talent to be highlighted in innovation, skill, technology and entrepreneurship. To make India super economic and to achieve the 5 trillion economy goal we need to concentrate on the research and development. At the event, Honble Minister Shri. Nitin Gadkari recognized the 20 talented students, who were provided with a 100% scholarship to study Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Data Science; PGP in Applied AI, Machine Learning & Deep Learning and PGP in Cyber Security from Aegis School of Data Science & Cyber Security in association with IBM. The winners were selected through Aegis Graham Bell Awards (AGBA) National Talent Hunt from across the country who has the potential to grow as leaders in Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Guest of Honor for the evening said, This award is named after Graham Bell and it is recognition to young talents who inspires other entrepreneurs, scientists, and technocrats to work and strive hard towards excellence You are all experts and so all your expertise should be put together to achieve the national goal and to achieve the 5 trillion common goal we should make all efforts in the same direction. The award day started with Innovators Talk and a keynote address by Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, an Indian engineer, innovator and education reformist. He is the founding-director of the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), as well as panel discussions and key talks around the theme India at the power of innovations by various innovative pioneers and learned orators. The winners and finalists for the 10th AGBA: Winners Finalists Innovation in Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Artificial Intelligence LivNSense Technologies Analyttica Datalab Playment Innovation in Data Science Intelligence Node Innovation in Data Science Course 5 Intelligence Innovation in Cyber Security Quantiphi WiJungle Innovation in Cyber Security Innovation in Internet of Things Seclore Technologies LetsTrack Volon Cyber Security Innovation in Robotics Process Automation Innovation in Internet of Things Hethi Inc Sixth Energy Tata Communications Innovation in Managed Services Wipro Innovation in Robotics Process Automation Vodafone Idea Innovation in Digital Transformation Quantiphi Porter Innovation in Managed Services Innovative Enterprise Solution Spectra Idea Bridge Innovation in Digital Transformation Innovation in Cloud IFTAS Parallel Wireless Sigmoid Analytics Innovation in Blockchain Innovative Enterprise Solution Wipro Cisco Locus Innovation in eCommerce Niki Innovation in Cloud ESDS Innovation in Health Tech Cloud4C Xcellence in Bio Innovations and Technologies Innovation in eCommerce Meesho Innovation in Clean Tech Ntex Transport (Elastic Run) Mudita & Radheshpvt.ltd. Innovation in Health Tech Innovation in EdTech HCL Odo Technologies MetFlux Research Simplilearn Innovation in EdTech Innovation in Transport Tech The Prayas India Yulu Innovation in Transport Tech Innovation in Governance Tech Lithium Urban Technologies NxtGen Datacenter & Cloud Technologies Shadowfax Innovation in FinTech Innovation in Governance Tech Finnew Solutions Param Paisa Innovation in Consumer Tech Innovation in FinTech Bobble AI Pay1 Bharati Airtel Limited Innovative Mobile App for Consumer Uber Innovation in Consumer Tech ShareChat Bharti Airtel Limited Comviva Technologies Application for Social good Reliance Foundation Innovative Mobile App for Consumer Data Xgen Technologies Innovation in Telecom Infrastructure Application for Social good Ramboll India Bliss and Style Mobility Vodafone Idea Innovative Telecom Product C-DOT Innovation in Blockchain Wipro Innovative Smart City Solution Siemens Bharti Infratel Innovation in Clean Tech Lithion Power Private Limited Innovation in Telecom Infrastructure Parallel Wireless STL Technologies Innovative Telecom Product Neron Informatics Huawei Innovative Smart City Solution Cisco Ramboll India Capstone announced that The Feldman Law Firm LLP and Foley Gardere have filed the opening brief with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of Appellant Reserve Mechanical Corp. (Case Number 18-9011). Reserve is a client of Capstone. The Appeals brief challenges the U.S. Tax Courts rulings in the well-publicized Reserve captive insurance case, identifying the specific ways in which the Tax Court erred in its adverse Opinion issued in June 2018. In its opinion, the Tax Court concluded that Reserves transactions did not constitute insurance for federal income tax purposes. The Tax Court erroneously held that Reserves insurance arrangements did not meet two of the four necessary insurance criteria, concluding that Reserve failed to satisfy adequate risk distribution and that Reserves arrangement with its affiliated company (Peak Mechanical & Components, Inc.) was not insurance in the commonly accepted sense. Reserves opening brief explains that Reserve satisfied the risk distribution test by receiving more than 30% of its gross premiums from reinsuring pooled and blended risks of more than 150 insureds under more than 500 direct-written policies, issued by PoolRe Insurance Corp. The brief states: Reserves direct-written policies provided real insurance: when Peak suffered a covered loss and made a claim, Reserve paid. Reserves risk distributing arrangements imposed real contractual rights and obligations. If Peak suffered a large covered loss, a substantial portion of the loss over a predetermined amount would be borne by the fifty-plus insurers participating in the risk pool. By the same token, if one of those insurers responded to a large loss, Reserve would also be called upon to pay its proportionate share of the loss. Additionally, the Tax Court employed legal reasoning that was contradictory to decades of existing caselaw. As well, the Tax Court went outside the record in making findings that were not supported by the evidence at trial. The Tenth Circuits decision in the Reserve appeal is expected to carry enormous implications for the captive insurance industry. Capstone has previously released a number of commentaries that further explain the Reserve case which can be found at https://www.capstoneassociated.com/press/reserve-mechanical-corp-v-commissioner-internal-revenue/ The Reserve court filings and the briefing can be found at https://www.Reserve-casualty-corp.com/. Capstone has successfully resolved with no change over 57 captive tax matters over the last two decades. Now in its 22nd year, Capstone continues to serve clients in the alternative risk planning market in a wide range of industries and throughout the United States. Please contact The Feldman Law Firm LLP s Logan Gremillion or Stewart Feldman at 1.713.850.0700 or Capstones Jeff Carlson at 1.800.500.3190 with any questions. A man who lost his house and land in devastating Kerala floods committed suicide in Wayanad on Tuesday. His relatives alleged that he was fed up with the delay in getting relief after repeatedly visiting the government offices. The body of Sanal Kumar (40), who was a native of Meppadi, was found hanging at the make-shift tent by his relatives. His home, built on a small plot of land, was partially damaged in 2018 floods and was completely destroyed during last years floods and landslips. Kumars friends said he had made so many rounds to various government offices but failed to get even the initial payment of 10,000 - which is given to flood victims - due to official apathy. Kumar is survived by his wife and two children. Later, angry local residents prevented his body to be taken out for post-mortem and insisted on the presence of revenue officials. Vythiri tehsildar Abdul Hamid rushed to his house, ordered speedy disbursal of relief to relatives and promised action against officials. A life was wasted due to official apathy. If officials had intervened earlier, a life would not have been lost, said P Reveendran, an activist from the area. Kumar relatives alleged that some revenue officials had sought bribe for setting his land records right. His death surfaced at a time when Kerala government was celebrating the handing over of 2 lakh houses to the landless. The government has sought a report from the district collector. The Congress party had boycotted the house allotment function last week saying some of the houses were built during its regime. The BJP also cried foul claiming that half of the funds came from the PMs Awas Yojana and no credit was given to the union government. Kalpetta MLA and CPI-M leader C K Saseendran said Kumar had faced some difficulties in producing the land records so he was not included in the latest housing scheme. He claimed that he was promised that his name would be included in the next list. It was an unfortunate incident. In the first instalment, houses were allotted to those who had proper land records, he said. Congress party has sought an investigation into the circumstances which led to his death. Party leader Rahul Gandhi is representing the parliament seat from north Kerala. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Manufacturers are scrambling to keep up with an increase in demand for sanitizer products, and some third-party retailers prices are charging exhorbitant prices, as fears of the novel coronavirus continue to grow. Dr. Naeem Lodhi, owner of Eco ChemLabs in Vaughan, Ont., said his company has seen an almost 30 per cent increase in hand sanitizer sales over the past month. Eco ChemLabs regularly supplies retailers, offices, hotels and restaurants with sanitizer products, according to its website. During a regular month, Lodhi says that demand for sanitizer products is roughly 400-500 boxes among distributors. He says his firm has sold between 1,500-2,000 boxes since Canada saw its first cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, at the end of January. Lodhi says the high demand has outpaced their supply recently, meaning the company has been unable to follow through on all orders. There is a shortage of ingredients and chemicals necessary to produce hand sanitizer, Lodhi told the Star on Monday. That might impede production capacity and might lead to supply shortage. On Monday, Ontario health officials announced three more cases in the province of COVID-19, bringing the total to 18 in Ontario and 27 across Canada. While officials say the risk to the public is still low, some manufacturers say customers are taking precautions and stocking up on products like hand sanitizer to reduce the possibility of contraction. Public health officials have also advised residents that handwashing is still one of the best ways to keep viruses at bay. On websites like Amazon.com, the cost of hand sanitizer products has soared while third-party retailers offer products at a jacked-up price. One Purell product, a two-pack of 1,200 mL hand sanitizer, was priced at $104.56 as of Monday evening. Another hand sanitizer product, labelled on Amazon.com as EQUATE HAND SANITIZER KILLS 99.99% OF GERMS, was listed at $74.94 by a third-party retailer called LifeBasket. The increased demand also appears to have affected international companies, like Gojo Industries, based in the United States, that supply to Canadian retailers. Samantha Williams, spokesperson for Gojo, located in Akron, Ohio, said the company has increased production significantly in light of demand for its hygiene products. We have experienced several demand surges in the past during other outbreaks and this is on the higher end of the spectrum but not unprecedented, Williams said in a statement. We have added shifts and have team members working overtime in accordance with our plans for situations like this. Karl Littler, a spokesperson for the Retail Council of Canada, a not-for-profit association representing more than 45,000 retailers across the country, said they dont have specific figures for hand sanitizer sales yet, though many of their members have increased orders for the products due to the virus outbreak. But Littler noted that COVID-19 may not be the sole contributing factor to supply numbers. Protests along rail lines that oppose the building of a pipeline through the Wetsuweten traditional territory in British Columbia, has also challenged the whole supply chain, Littler said. With files from Ilya Banares, The Canadian Press Jacob Lorinc is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @jacoblorinc RICHMOND, Va. - A proposed constitutional amendment intended to prevent partisan gerrymandering advanced out of a House committee Monday, with a handful of Democrats helping Republicans fend off efforts to kill it. The House Privileges and Elections Committee voted 13 to 8 to send the resolution to the House floor days before the General Assembly's scheduled adjournment Saturday. Four Democrats and all nine Republicans on the committee voted for the resolution. The eight votes against were all Democrats, who had one member absent. The vote came three days after Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, promised to break the legislative deadlock possibly by calling a special session if the bill stayed bottled up in the House. "The Governor has always said he expects to see reform in time for next year's redistricting, regardless of the legislative vehicle," Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said in an email. The proposed amendment won overwhelming support in the legislature last year, when control of the state House and Senate and therefore the power to redraw the state's political maps after the 2020 Census were up for grabs in November elections. But the amendment must pass the General Assembly two years in a row and then win approval from voters in a referendum before it can take effect. Democrats made redistricting legislation a rallying cry in last year's elections, claiming that Republicans had held power despite demographic changes through racially gerrymandered maps. But some Democrats had second thoughts about the legislation after the party flipped both chambers blue. Senate Democrats continued to support the proposed amendment, but some House Democrats backed away, led by the chamber's black caucus. Some members of the caucus had warned since last year that the amendment doesn't safeguard the interests of minorities. At least a few more House Democrats say they share those concerns now, though likely not enough to doom the amendment on the House floor, where it passed 85 to 13 last year. The amendment would create a bipartisan commission of legislators and citizens to draw the state's political boundaries. That process is now controlled by the General Assembly and the governor. Since the state's legislative and congressional maps were last drawn in 2011 Black Caucus by a GOP-led House and Democratically controlled Senate Black Caucus the U.S. Supreme Court has twice ordered do-overs. The map created by the proposed commission would be submitted to the General Assembly for an up-or-down vote, with no role for the governor and no amendments permitted. The commission includes spots for several lawmakers, and critics raised concerns that, under rules requiring supermajority votes to approve the maps, just two House or Senate members from the same party would have the power to thwart any redistricting plan. They were also concerned that in the event of a stalemate, mapmaking would fall to the state Supreme Court, which is dominated by conservatives. Supporters of the amendment said those flaws could be addressed through enabling legislation. Republicans accused House Democrats of hypocrisy this session as they let the House resolution die without a vote. The Senate version, sponsored by Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax, languished before the House Privileges and Elections Committee until Monday. Before voting against the amendment, Committee Chairman Joe Lindsey, D-Norfolk, called the resolution "a piss-poor piece of legislation." Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, a civics teacher who had submitted the House resolution, was among those who voted to advance the legislation. He asked whether his own notoriously misshaped suburban district would be more or less likely to be gerrymandered under the Barker's bill. "Much less likely," Barker replied. Senior diplomat Sanjay Kumar Panda has been appointed as India's Ambassador to Turkey, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. Panda, a 1991 Indian Foreign Service officer, is presently Consul General, Consulate General of India, San Francisco. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the MEA said. Panda's appointment to the post comes at a time when India-Turkey relations are under strain. Last month, India had asked 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 criticised the country after communal riots in Delhi left at least 42 people dead. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Alliance News) - Solo Oil PLC on Monday said it has been unable to agree revised terms for the purchase of assets in the North Sea. The company also said it will be beginning a formal sale process for its Tanzanian assets. Shares were down 62% at 0.92 pence each. They resumed trading on Monday, having been suspended as the acquisition was considered a reverse takeover. In October, London-based Solo announced it would be buying some natural gas fields from ONE-Dyas BV in the Dutch part of the North Sea. The average production from the fields in the first half of 2019 was 1,750 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Solo was to pay EUR30.1 million upfront plus a deferred EUR2.0 million. In December, Solo then said it would be renegotiating the terms of the deal. The company on Monday said it has been unable to agree revised commercial terms, so the deal will not be going ahead. Chief Executive Tom Reynolds said it was "disappointing" for the company, but stressed the value of the assets changed "significantly" after the acquisition was first agreed. The reason for the renegotiations was a fall in European gas prices to "unprecedented and historical lows", increases in expenditure estimates in the target assets, as was as political uncertainty in the UK which have contributed to weakening equity market sentiment. "Over the past two months, the board and management have positively engaged with ONE-Dyas around a variety of deal structures that looked to deliver value for the company's shareholders in this challenging environment," said Solo. "Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of both Solo and ONE-Dyas to find a mutually acceptable transactional construct and, noting the significant volatility in the European gas price and uncertainty in capital markets, no suitable compromise could be achieved," the company continued. However, Solo has not been put off the European gas sector and said it is in talks with several parties over possible acquisitions. "Despite the disappointment of not being able to complete the proposed transaction on mutually acceptable terms, the board remains committed to the company's broader European gas strategy as previously communicated," Solo said. "The board and management continue to work with its advisers to identify additional opportunities with producing reserves and future development characteristics that would allow the company to realise the benefit from undertaking an acquisition during a cyclical price low in the gas market." Turning to Tanzania, Solo has a 25% stake in the Ruvuma contract, which includes the Ntorya gas field operated by London-listed Aminex PLC. Aminex in July 2018 signed a farm-out with Zubari Corp LLC. Zubari assigned the farm-out stake to ARA Petroleum Ltd, which was to become the operator. However, the farm-out has yet to be approved by the Tanzanian government, though Aminex said last week it was hopeful of a resolution soon. The board has determined the most appropriate course of action is to run a formal process to explore value realisation options for the assets including, but not limited to, the sale of Solo's interests in the certain, or all, of its Tanzanian assets," said Solo. By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle 2019 The city of San Francisco has agreed to pay freelance journalist Bryan Carmody $369,000 for illegal police raids on his home and office last year after he obtained from a source a police report on the death of Jeff Adachi, the citys public defender. The settlement of the claim is expected to be approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, paying Carmody back for his losses May 10 when police sledgehammered the front gate of his home in the Outer Richmond, held him in handcuffs for six hours and seized his phones, computers and other equipment. The sight of a 50-year-old man peddling cosmetics on a livestream show might strike many as unusual, but that didnt stop 60,000 people from watching him and buying over 400,000 yuan ($57,400) of his products. (Photo/Chinanews.com) Sun Chunlai, owner of a chain of 337 beauty stores, had vowed never to livestream, but is now doing just that everyday as the novel coronavirus rages across China. Suns skincare brand used to account for 75 percent of his stores total turnover, but that plummeted to 5 percent during the Chinese New Year holiday, when COVID-19 cases started surging. In a desperate bid to save his enterprise, Sun mobilized all of his 2,000 employees to work online, and decided to shift the companys main focus to the internet. Livestream e-commerce professionals were then brought in to help with the transformation, which involved teaching Sun and his employees how to apply makeup and make sales pitches. Now, over 90 percent of his revenue comes from online platforms, and his sales volume is 145 percent higher than that from a year ago. Around 3,000 consumers are signing up on a daily basis. I thought my cashflow was going to dry up in two or three months, but now, with this performance, we are totally OK, Sun said. Cosmetics companies are not the only sector to move their business onto livestream platforms; real estate agents, auto salespeople and even chefs are also trying to cash in. With the sales offices of real estate developers in over 60 Chinese cities shut down due to the epidemic, many of them are now livestreaming tours of houses and apartments. According to Tang Lin, a real estate agent from Liuzhou, south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, his livestreaming show was watched by 60,000 people at one point, and over 20 of them contacted him through WeChat. Normally, he can only show prototype rooms to two of his customers each day, but livestreaming has greatly increased his work efficiency. Du Junhui, head of the e-commerce department of Meizhou Dongpo, a catering business headquartered in Beijing, explained that after the enterprise started livestreaming its cooking. process, its sales volumes on e-commerce platform Tmall skyrocketed 14-fold from a year ago on Feb. 17. According to incomplete statistics, 23 auto brands including BMW and Audi have all started livestreaming to sell their automobiles, putting on at least 100 auto livestreaming shows per day. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The Democratic presidential candidates are barrelling into the biggest day on the primary calendar, when 14 states vote on Super Tuesday. Its the day when the primary moves from retail to wholesale. Instead of one state voting at a time, candidates have to focus on contests in every region of the country with all types of voters. While Super Tuesday won't necessarily determine who wins the nomination, it has historically been difficult for a candidate who performs poorly on the day to recover. Here's a look at Tuesday's contests: THE STATES Fourteen states hold primaries on Super Tuesday, including California and Texas, the two biggest delegate hauls of the entire primary season. California offers 415 delegates and Texas 228. In total, more than 1,300 delegates will be up for grabs, about a third of the total available in the race to the Democratic presidential nomination. Although Super Tuesday was originally created as a regional primary featuring Southern states, it has morphed over the years. This year, it includes states from every region of the country. Democratic presidential primary candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden, center left, participates in an event in Dallas Monday, and was endorsed by primary candidate Pete Buttigieg. (Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News via AP)AP The other states are Arkansas, Alabama, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Vermont, Utah, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Most of the Southern states are Republican strongholds in the general election, while others like California are solidly Democratic. North Carolina is likely to be a battleground state in the general election. Polls close between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time, depending on the state. FILE - In this Sunday, March 1, 2020, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., waves at supporters at a campaign event at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)AP THE VOTERS The Super Tuesday states are home to diverse electorates, both when it comes to demographics and political ideology. In California and Texas, white voters make up less than half the population. Latinos count for nearly 40% of the populations in both states. California, meanwhile, has the nation's highest Asian population, at roughly 15%. North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas have large populations of black voters, one of the Democratic Party's core voting blocs. The states blend a mix of urban and rural voters, as well as Democrats from all sides of the political spectrum. As candidates focus on wooing Southern Democrats in states like Texas and Arkansas, they must also be thinking about a message that can resonate in progressive San Francisco. In this Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren reacts as she speaks during her campaign stop in Oklahoma City at Northwest Classen High School, her alma mater. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman via AP, File)AP Most of the Super Tuesday states have some form of widespread early voting. Voters in Minnesota, for example, could start casting ballots in January. Millions of mail-in ballots went out to California voters on Feb. 3, the day of the Iowa caucuses. THE CANDIDATES Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg have had the widest and most aggressive footprint across the Super Tuesday states, largely because they've got the money to spend. Bloomberg is advertising in all 14 states, while Sanders is on the airwaves in 12. It's the first time Bloomberg will be on ballots after he skipped the first four voting states, making the day a critical test of his theory that he's the best candidate to stand against Sanders and, later, Republican President Donald Trump. Sanders spent Sunday in California, holding rallies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, the states major liberal strongholds. Hes hoping his months-long focus on the state and resonance with Latino voters will help him win a large chunk of the states 415 delegates. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was in California Monday, and Joe Biden plans to return today. In this Feb. 3, 2020, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg addresses supporters during a campaign stop in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)AP Biden, for his part, hopes his strong showing in Saturdays South Carolina primary is a harbinger of coming success with black voters, who dominate the Democratic electorate in a handful of Super Tuesday states. He was in Texas Monday night, where his candidacy was bolstered when candidates Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar gave him their endorsement. Warren hopes to win her home-state primary, though Sanders is making a play for it. Bloomberg has also campaigned across the South in recent days as he tries to prove he can build a winning Democratic coalition. Democrats opposed to Sanders are hoping to see voters coalesce behind a moderate alternative. Any of the candidates could face pressure to drop out if they dont perform well on Tuesday. Mary Hudetz, The Seattle Times The four ambulances arrived in quick succession Monday morning, filing into the parking lot of the long-term care facility in Kirkland that has become a focal point in the United States response to the novel coronavirus illness. For Life Care Center, COVID-19 has brought six resident deaths out of 10 total in the state and 11 nationwide since Feb. 26, according to tallies released Wednesday. It has also brought a cluster of illnesses, a wave of questions from family members with relatives at Life Care and scrutiny over how prepared the care facility and others are for an outbreak. Health experts warn that nursing homes and other assisted living facilities are especially vulnerable, not only because they largely serve elderly residents, but also because many have been cited for health violations. Ambulances have arrived each day at Life Care, with emergency workers wheeling away the sick on a stretcher. In some instances, a white sheet is held up to shield the patient from cameras. Of the 27 total COVID-19 cases to emerge statewide, nine have been linked to Life Care, officials said. Some 50 people among the facilitys 100-plus residents and 180 staff were being monitored for signs of the illness and two of its employees, both women in their 40s, have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said. Of the six Life Care patients who died, one was in his 50s, one was in her 80s, one was in her 90s and the rest were in their 70s. The first two deaths occurred Feb. 26 and the most recent announced death was Tuesday. Another Life Care-linked coronavirus case was announced Tuesday in North Carolina. The person who tested positive for the disease had visited the LifeCare facility before traveling home to North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. We dont really know what has led to this, but we know generally speaking that its very common for nursing homes to have very lax systems for control in place, said Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for residents of nursing homes and other assisted living centers. Life Care said in a statement it was following all the proper protocols for dealing with the outbreak and stemming its spread. Visits from family members, volunteers and vendors were being halted as a precaution, Ellie Basham, the centers executive director, said in the statement. We are doing everything that the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and the State of Washington recommends and we are in regular contact with them, Basham wrote in a separate email to family members of its residents. But even as the center halted visits, one family member of a patient told The Seattle Times in an interview she was allowed to walk right in Sunday evening to see her 89-year-old mother. Kim Frey drove 230 miles from Twisp to visit her mother, who last month was hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness at nearby EvergreenHealth and nearly died. When she went to Life Care Sunday, the only thing on her mind, she said, was What if she dies and shes in there all alone? Frey said she didnt anticipate being allowed into the facility, but an employee noticed her standing outside her mothers window and let her in. Frey made a sign to hold up to her mother. It read, We cant come in, but Jesus can youre not alone! Drink a lot of water. Staff at Life Care were caring for Freys mother well, she said. They were smiling and reacting to her pleasantly, not making me feel rushed at all. I was very encouraged by what I saw. And the mood inside the facility was actually pretty peaceful, she said, no buzzing alarms or people rushing around. But now that shes out of the facility, Frey said, she questions whether visiting her mother was the right thing to do. Frey said she wore a mask when she saw her mother, and took a shower and washed her clothes. Still, she wonders whether she might be carrying the disease and whether she may inadvertently pass it to her 88-year-old father. The center declined to respond to questions about Freys account of the visit. Kirkland, where the facility is located, lies just Northeast of Seattle, about 180 miles north of Portland. Failures to follow requirements for preventing infections are the most commonly cited violations among nursing homes nationally, according to a Seattle Times analysis of inspection data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Such violations often consist of a staffers failure to wash hands or properly dispose of sanitary gloves and dont affect a large number of patients. In this regard, the Life Care Center in Kirkland was neither an exception nor an outlier. Health inspectors cited the facility last April for failures to prevent infections, the only such finding in recent years, the federal data shows. CMS rates the facility three out of five stars for health inspections, and five stars overall. Authorities have cited other nursing homes more often for infection-prevention deficiencies. At Life Care Center, though, the lapses by staff to guard against infections had the potential to affect many patients, according to state and federal records. During a series of unannounced visits last March and April, investigators documented a range of infection-related concerns, from how staff treated wounds to a broken exhaust fan in the laundry room. In one case, inspectors said they saw a nurse go into residents room without personal protective equipment, despite a sign outside warning staff and visitors to wear a mask, gown and gloves when entering. The resident had a suspected respiratory infection and was being kept in isolation. Investigators also noted that the residents oxygen device was tangled with the bed sheet and socks, instead of being bagged to prevent infection. Separately, the investigators observed a kitchen employee use the same gloves to load dirty dishes into the dishwasher and then stack clean dishes. There were two influenza outbreaks on the facilitys infection-control report that month, and at least 17 residents and seven caregivers fell ill, according to the investigators. The facility said it trained staff and corrected the mistakes. When investigators conducted a follow-up visit in June, they found the facility was in compliance. Since Saturday, Life Care Center has not responded to requests for interviews or comment. But in a statement Monday, the facility said staff members are following all proper hand-washing and other hygiene protocols, which include wearing masks, gowns and gloves, while tending to residents with symptoms of the illness. Those symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Staff is also required to be screened as they enter and leave the property, Life Care said, though the facilitys statement did not describe the extent of the screenings. Meanwhile, visits from families, volunteers and vendors have been halted, with Life Care urging relatives to call if they have specific questions about a resident. As the days pass and COVID-19 cases mount, friends and family of residents at the facility have described frustration over a lack of communication as they seek updates. Meanwhile, Gov. Jay Inslee said at a press conference on Monday that a team of about 20 people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had arrived to respond to the cases at Life Care Center. On Thursday evening, a health care worker at Life Care checked into Overlake Medical Center. A day later the Bellevue hospital notified local health officials that the woman in her 40s had tested positive for the virus the first confirmed case with ties to the long-term care facility. She was placed in isolation, her condition stable. A second employee, also a woman in her 40s, tested positive, according to results released Tuesday morning. That woman is not seriously ill and is recovering at home, public health officials said. Even after the first worker was hospitalized, inside Life Care there were only hints for residents of what was to come. A respiratory illness was spreading among the residents at the facility, where staff and aides had started wearing disposable masks early last week in an apparent attempt to contain it, according to Bonnie Holstad, the wife of a resident. But she believed at the time it was either a cold or flu-like illness when she visited the facility on Wednesday. That same day, residents and staff gathered for a belated Mardi Gras celebration, passing around plates of Cajun cuisine and cake to the tune of a live band. Staff handed out purple, green and gold hats and masks. Patricia McCauley, of Kirkland, said she and her husband, who arent residents at Life Care, had attended the party with a friend who is staying at the facility. Two days later, they returned to visit him but her husband, who was first to arrive at the door, was told by a staff member that he would have to wear a face mask to enter because an illness was spreading inside the facility. Thats when he got really upset, she said. He said they shouldnt be letting anybody in. The couple left, and has since inquired repeatedly without receiving a response about any precautions they should take in the event they had been exposed to the virus, McCauley said. She said that she and her husband were not showing any COVID-19 symptoms. By Friday, Life Care staff decided to confine residents to their rooms. Holstad grew so fed up that she stood outside the facility with a handmade sign Saturday, asking staff to take her husbands temperature. Her husband, who lives with Parkinsons disease, wasnt able to recall on the phone with her whether hed had his temperature taken. The couples conversations have growing increasingly intermittent, because he often forgets where he put his cellphone and staff are not helping him find it. Holstad said she hasnt been able to reach anyone on staff consistently. The last they spoke, her husband did not have a fever, she said, though she could hear him coughing on the phone. I truly, truly want to believe theyre doing all the medical things properly, Holstad said. The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. 2020 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Blue Ridge Parkway managers announced Monday that 14,976,085 visitors came to the Parkway in 2019. Despite extended weather-related closures in multiple sections of the Parkway in Virginia, recreation visits to the Parkway in Virginia saw a 4.4% increase over visitation to the same area in 2018. Likewise, visits to the North Carolina section of the Parkway continue to hold steady at over 10 million visitors annually. Parkway visitation is a driving factor in many local tourism economies along the route. Parkway tourism across Virginias Blue Ridge is a mainstay to our local economy, said Catherine Fox, Vice President of Public Affairs & Destination Development of Visit Virginias Blue Ridge, the Roanoke Valley regions official destination marketing organization. Tourism leaders in this region are pleased to see that Parkway tourism in Virginia continues to grow. While the Parkway remains open, weather permitting, year-round; the traditional visitor season begins in the spring and continues through fall. July and October are historically the highest visitation months on the Parkway. Johns post below about the Afghanistan problem is fitting and right, and I write to agree with him. It seemed better to do a separate post than an appended comment as is our frequent practice among us. John pays tribute to the faithfulness of our fighting forces who believe in the mission, and it is right to honor their courage and willingness to take the supreme risk. Two observations. First, both President Trump and President Obama wanted to end our involvement in Afghanistan, but Obama couldnt, and Trump has found it hard going. Why is that? There are good reasonsAfghanistan will become a terrorist haven again after we departbut also bad ones: our deep state is committed to managing problems like Afghanistan, rather than solving them. But maybe they cant be solved? This brings me to Observation 2: Maybe a modified bug out, as this deal may be, is not like the decent interval Vietnam bug out of the 1970s for one reason: Trumps targeted killing of Irans top terrorist Qassem Soleimani ought to give the Taliban pause. Trump wont hesitate to send a drone their way if they get out of hand. Not perfect, but better than Obamas deals. John mentions that he wrote back in 2011 that we should get out of Afghanistan. I wrote not long after along the same lines, pointing to the wisdom of Winston Churchill in a post that I think deserves to be reposted here in its entirety: _____________________ The awful news of a U.S. soldier perpetrating a massacre of innocent civilians in Afghanistan is likely to reignite the fury of many Afghans against the American presence, and retard whatever progress is being made to stabilize the country and draw down American troops. A situation already difficult and expensive has been rendered more so. John has already offered his opinion here that we should get out. He can find support for this view from an impressive witness: Winston Churchill. In his very first book in 1897, The Story of the Malakand Field Force: An Episode of Frontier War, Churchill reflects on the exact difficulties we are facing in exactly the same place. Despite all the advances in American firepower in the century since Churchill wrote, there is very little fundamentally different nowespecially the forbidding geography of the country and the unremitting barbarism of the tribes that inhabit the rocky valleys; people rushing headlong into the ninth century, as Bing West put it here last week. Churchill was a skeptic that it was wise to pursue a policy of attempting to subdue the region through military means. Churchills concluding chapter, The Riddle of the Frontier, ought to be assigned reading in our war colleges, not to mention the Pentagon and State Department. See whether some of these excerpts dont sound entirely fitting to our present condition: Its years ago, and this young PC tech pilot fish is hired by a school district and his co-workers warn him that the principal of one of the schools theyve given him is very difficult to get along with. On the day hes paged to go to that school and to see that principal, fish has a knot in his stomach. But upon arriving, he finds is a flustered middle-aged woman who immediately begins griping about these new computers and how she doesnt have time for these problems because shes getting married. Fish calmly comments, Getting married? That's great! Principal stops complaining for a moment and says, Yes, its exciting and then begins complaining again that she cant get the reports she needs to do her job. After she demonstrates her problems for a few minutes, fish realizes that theres nothing wrong with the computer; the principal is just navigating a new application the wrong way. So he takes her place at the keyboard, and she watches as he steps through the process. But when fish asks if she understands what hes done, she stands with a faraway look and replies solemnly, I do and then suddenly turns beet-red. Youre not even here, are you? chuckles fish. Principal turns even redder and laughs, I guess Im not! Youre not going to tell anyone, are you? Says fish, I promised I wouldnt a promise I have kept until now and gained a friend who was later instrumental in getting me a much-needed raise. From that day on, my boss sent me to all the difficult users to see if I could work my charm on them, too. Sharky wants to make this as easy as possible. Just send me your true tales of IT life. Send them to me at sharky@computerworld.com. You can also subscribe to the Daily Shark Newsletter. Hyderabad: The first coronavirus positive case in Hyderabad has scared the citys residents. Unclear of what to do, or whether this was even possible, they circulated messages and videos about the virus on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. Many were accurate, even helpful; some were wildly misleading. On Twitter, coronavirus was the top hashtag for much of the day. Facebook posts on it were popular. According to Sharechat, people from TS and AP had been active, creating over 20,000 posts in Telugu. A popular advisory on WhatsApp called for not playing Holi next week. It had a hint of xenophobia: Please note CORONA VIRUS is very harmful and generous for our life (sic) [...] HOLI festival is coming and most of colour ballons (sic) and all products are made of china products [...] One claimed coronavirus was a biological weapon created by China. Another read, We never realised even death would be made in China. There was much rumour-mongering. One message claimed the patient who tested positive at Gandhi Hospital used one of general bathrooms in that hospital. The rumour became popular enough for an online Telugu news website to run it as a story, claiming that the patient had infected someone else in the hospital. And conspiracies: a message by a Taiwan expert said people could self-diagnose by holding their breath for 10 seconds; if they were successful, they were not infected. In the same message, Japanese doctors advise people to drink water, claiming this would flush down the virus in the mouth into the stomach where the acid will kill it. None were attributed to experts. Some claimed the confirmed case in Hyderabad was a lie altogether. In a residents associations WhatsApp group, a person claimed, lab reports from Pune are yet to confirm the diagnosis. (The health minister had announced that the samples were sent to Pune, where they tested positive.) All courts are tribunals, but all tribunals are not courts, says Gauhati High Court. The Gauhati High Court has observed that strict rules of evidence are not applicable in Foreigners Tribunal (FT) for proving citizenship. Delivering the verdict on a writ petition filed by 65-year-old Idrish Ali challenging the order passed by the Foreigners Tribunal, Jorhat that declared him to be a foreigner, the court stated that nothing is required to be proved beyond all reasonable doubt. The petitioner had produced 11 documents including the voters lists of 1985 and 1989 containing his name. But all evidence was rejected by the Tribunal, observing that since the petitioner admitted he is 65-years-old, he should have been born sometime in 1953 and by the year 1974, he should have been enrolled in the voters list. The Tribunal also observed that surprisingly, he is not named even in the Voters List of 1975. Therefore, the Tribunal held that he could not establish linkage prior to 1971. Ali was taken into custody by the border police in September 2019, and since has been lodged at the Jorhat Detention Camp. In the high court, the division bench comprising Justice Manojit Bhuyan and Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia held that the observation of the Tribunal pertaining voters lists was perverse. the entire opinion of the Tribunal suffers from perversity. Such an opinion must not sustain. The high court referred to the differences between tribunals and courts explained by the Supreme Court in the decision Union of India Vs R Gandhi, on the basis of which the court observed that strict rules of evidence are not applicable to Foreigners Tribunal. Courts are established by the State and are entrusted with the State's inherent judicial power for administration of justice in general. Tribunals are established under a statute to adjudicate upon disputes arising under the said statute, or disputes of a specified nature. Therefore, all courts are Tribunals. But all Tribunals are not courts, the bench observed. While asking the Tribunal to make fresh opinion after considering the documents (Voters Lists of 1985 and 1989) on merit, the court directed the Superintendent of Police (Border), Golaghat to make necessary arrangement to produce the petitioner, Ali, before the Foreigners Tribunal, Jorhat on 17 March. The court added that Ali may apply for bail before the Tribunal with documents in his support. The proceeding before the Tribunal shall be concluded within a period of 60 days from March 17, 2020, the court held. Earlier in February, the Gauhati High Court had dismissed a writ petition by 50-year-old Jabeda Begum challenging a decision by Foreigners Tribunal, Baksa that stated her to be a foreigner. Jabeda had produced as many as 15 documents including NRC contents, land revenue paying receipt, voter list, PAN card, bank documents, ration card, Gaon Bura (village headman) certificate as evidence before the court. The same division bench observed that the petitioner could not file any documents to link herself with her projected parents or her projected brother. The high court stated that it could not find any perversity in the decision of the Tribunal. The Gauhati High Court also said that an electoral photo identity card is not conclusive proof of Indian citizenship, but has to be proved by admissible evidence, which is by the evidence of those persons who can vouchsafe for the truth of the facts in issue. The division bench gave the judgment while hearing a writ petition filed by Babul Islam from Margherita in Assam's Tinsukia district. Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) will host Translational Research Day 2020: Broadly-Engaged Team Science on Friday, March 6. The event brings together researchers, clinicians, community partners, and the public for: A keynote address by Sharon Terry, CEO of Genetic Alliance, on building research teams for impact on health Scientific talks on collaborative innovation, real-world data, stakeholder engagement, and patient advocacy from MIT, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, and Tufts University. Breakout sessions on engaging stakeholders in basic science research and innovative tools and methods for broadly-engaged team science An electronic poster session highlighting recent clinical and translational research. An announcement about upcoming funding opportunities. The agenda for the day is available at https:/ / www. tuftsctsi. org/ events/ translational-research-day-2020/ . Members of the media are encouraged to attend. This event is free and open to anyone who registers to attend. WHO: Researchers, clinicians, community partners, students, and members of the public WHAT: Translational Research Day 2020: Broadly-Engaged Team Science WHEN: Friday, March 6, 2020, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHERE: Tufts Medical Center, Wolff Auditorium, 800 Washington Street, Boston The Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar speaks up for inclusive dialogue and peace in northwestern Cameroon, amid violent clashes that have killed dozens of people. By Benedict Mayaki The Jesuit Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar have released a press statement advocating for peace and inclusive dialogue in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. The communique was issued as a result of growing concerns about the violence and loss of human life in Cameroons English-speaking region since 2016, as a result of clashes between government troops and separatists seeking to create an independent English-speaking state called Ambazonia. The statement signed by Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator SJ., the president of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), condemned the Cameroonian governments continuous use of force by militia groups, saying it has led to the loss of innocent lives. This comes in the wake of the recent February 14 attack on Ngar-buh village in the Donga Mantung Division of Northwest Cameroon, where at least thirty people, including ten children and several pregnant women were killed and several houses torched. The JCAM called on Cameroonian President Paul Biya and his government to go beyond repressive measures and take responsibility in order to find more lasting solutions to the crisis through mediated talks. Peace through dialogue Inclusive dialogue involving Anglophone separatists is the only sustainable solution to the violence read the statement. Proposing alternatives to violence, the Jesuit Conference pointed to the Swiss Initiative as an opportunity for genuine dialogue. Swiss Initiative, an NGO that initiates and supports cultural projects in conflict countries, is supported by a group of Catholic bishops from around the world and would seek to include separatist groups in dialogue for a lasting solution to the crisis. JCAM also called on the Cameroonian government to ensure the respect of human rights and freedom of expression and manifestation. Pope Francis call for Peace In his message on the 53rd World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, 2020, Pope Francis noted that our human community bears, in its memory and its flesh, the scars of ever more devastating wars and conflicts that affect especially the poor and the vulnerable while calling for peace in the world. Reiterating the Popes concern, the Jesuits in Africa noted that Peace can be achieved only on the basis of a global ethic of solidarity and cooperation in the service of a future shaped by interdependence and shared responsibility in the whole human family of today and tomorrow. Cameroons situation Since independence in 1961 and the unification of French and British Cameroon, relations between the francophone majority and the anglophone minority have been strained. In 2016, their relationship escalated into violent clashes after the presidency attempted to impose the French language in English speaking zones. Since then, intermittent violence has broken out in the country and has led to an estimated 2,000 deaths and the displacement of several hundreds of thousands to neighboring Nigeria. Rallying hundreds of supporters in Cambridge on Super Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren told voters she is bringing her presidential primary campaign to every state. Demonstrators, including their children and dogs, lined up on both sides of Linnaean Street waiting for Warren to cast her ballot at the Graham and Parks elementary school Tuesday morning. Students peered out the windows of the school to take a look at the crowd, and many held signs bearing the progressive lawmakers name. 2020 is moment weve been called to in history, and it is a moment not just to get rid of Donald Trump," the Massachusetts Democrat told supporters after she voted. It is a moment to build the America of our best values. The senator is on a final campaign stretch as voters in more than a dozen states cast their ballots in the March 3 presidential primaries. She spoke Monday night at an event in California, another major Super Tuesday state. Warrens appearance in Cambridge was her last campaign stop in the commonwealth before she heads to an event in Detroit in the afternoon, though Michigans primary is not scheduled until March 10. Were in all of the states today, and I feel like this is our chance," Warren said. The Massachusetts senator is trailing behind U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in her home state. The self-declared Democratic socialist, currently the leading candidate in his partys primary field, is ahead of Warren by as many as eight percentage points among likely Democratic primary voters in the commonwealth, according to a recent WBUR poll. Today is just part of getting out and talking to people all across this country and hearing from Democracy. Were going to have 40% of our delegates up for grabs today, and thats a big deal, Warren said when asked by a reporter whether the March 3 primaries are do or die for her. ZZ Packer, a teacher at Harvard University, attended the event and said she supports Warren because of the senators intelligence and liberal politics. I do believe shes progressive, but I also feel as though she actually thinks through her policies and plans, Packer said. Shes more likely to implement them than maybe some other candidates. Several big-name Democratic presidential contenders have dropped out of the 2020 field in the past week. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer suspended his campaign Saturday after performing well in South Carolinas primary. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and midwestern Mayor Pete Buttigieg also ended their campaigns. Both Klobuchar and Buttigieg on Monday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in his bid for the presidency. Biden, Sanders and Warren will now be competing for the large base of supporters Buttigieg left with his exit. Warren told journalists Tuesday she was not surprised about the endorsements. I think thats where their politics were all along," she said. "I dont think theres anything surprising here, but I do believe the Democratic Party is a progressive party. The Massachusetts senator added that people across the United States see big issues and do not want somebody to nibble around the edges. They want big solutions, she said. Related Content: The outbreak of direct combat between Turkey and the Syrian regime of Basher al-Assad has shown the wisdom of President Donald Trump's strategy in the area. He took considerable flak for pulling American troops out of northern Syria last October. It was argued that the withdrawal in the face of a Turkish advance would threaten the Kurds, a longtime U.S. ally, and could even revive ISIS! In response, President Trump tweeted "As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I... consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey." U.S. troops redeployed to protect oil fields in Syria to keep them out of the hands of the regime and to protect the Kurds in the area, but a military confrontation with Turkey was avoided. The White House understood the strategic benefits from stronger Turkish-Sunni forces being brought into territory liberated from Assad; a calculation made on a level beyond what critics could grasp. Ankara has taken control of the Free Syrian Army, the Sunni rebel force that the U.S. had only half-heartedly backed during the Obama administration. Turkey and Syria have long-standing disputes over territory, water rights, and other antagonisms which have only been heightened by Iran's large-scale intervention in the civil war to prop up Assad. A majority of Syrians and Turks are Sunni whereas Assad is an Alawite which is associated with Iran's Shia faith. It is this schism in Islam that is the driving force of conflict in the Middle East today. The U.S. and Israel are aligned with the Sunnis because Iran is the expansionist power. Tehran wants to wipe Israel off the map, overthrow the Jordanian government, seize control of Iraq and drive the U.S. out of the region. Russia, and to a lesser extent China, is aligned with Iran. Just days before a U.S. drone strike killed Iran's Quds force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, who was plotting with pro-Tehran militia groups in Iraq, China and Russia held joint naval exercises with Iran. Turkey needs to be supported in an alignment against Iran. Turkey has the largest army in the region, indeed the largest army in NATO, and a level of proficiency that gives it superiority over the Iran-Syria-militia forces. Damascus made a major error in bombing Turkish troops on February 27, killing 36 soldiers. Ankara's response was swift. Turkish drones struck airbases and other military targets deep in Syrian regime-held territory, reportedly killing three senior generals. Turkish troops and Sunni militia drove Assad's troops out of towns and villages they had recently captured from rebels. According to a report in the Washington Post, "Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey has killed 2,200 Syrian troops and destroyed large amounts of heavy weaponry, including 103 tanks, six air defense systems and 72 Howitzers and rocket launchers, since the fighting ticked up in recent days." The Turks also shot down two Russian-supplied Syrian Su-24 attack jets reportedly using U.S.-supplied F-16 fighters. The Syrian regime's offensive in Idlib province had created a major refugee crisis as the Sunni residents fled the brutal sectarian onslaught on their last stronghold. The UN had called this exodus the worst humanitarian crisis of the nine-year civil war, which, given the horrors committed by Assad in what often seemed a genocidal campaign against the rebels (including chemical weapons), says quite a lot. The first wave of these refugees has already reached the border of Greece which blocked their entry. The fear is that over a million people will be displaced by the regime's offensive. Two weeks ago, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Russia, whose airstrikes against civilians have raised charges of war crimes, that his army was ready to march; We wont leave Idlib to those who havent understood our resolve, to the regime and those who encourage it. Russia did not seem deterred and called any Turkish advance Ankara's "worst option." But as of this writing, it seems it is Moscow that is deterred, as it has not given Assad the military support on the ground needed to counter the Turks. Attacking lightly armed rebels and defenseless villagers is one thing, but the Russians are not eager to face a major regional power like Turkey which is still a member of NATO. It remains to be seen whether Iran will also think twice before escalating into a war with Turkey, given the threats President Trump issued after the killing of Suleimani about "disproportionate" retaliation if there are further increases in violence. President Trump had backed Erdogan's warning. After talking to the Turkish president by phone, he called him "a tough guy" and said that We are working together on seeing what can be done with regard to Idlib." Iran's response will also be tempered by the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. The virus has already claimed the life of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi, indicating that it may have done in Tehran what it has not done elsewhere, penetrated the ranks of the ruling elite. While events with substantial strategic impact are taking place in the real world of warring states, fanciful elements in Congress are giving clear proof why national security policy has naturally evolved into the hands of the Executive branch. On February 12, a coalition of Democrats and libertarian Republicans voted "to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran." Less than a week later, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) a co-sponsor of the measure, met in secret with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Munich. The impropriety of such a meeting (which involved other senators who are still hiding their participation) is off the charts. Murphy tweeted that "I cannot conduct diplomacy on behalf of the whole of the U.S. government," but he did inform Iran's top diplomat "Congress is a co-equal branch of government, responsible along with the Executive for setting foreign policy." And to the extent this holds, Zarif feels assured by Murphy that Iran has nothing to worry about. For the good of America, such attempted interference in military operations by Congress should be dismissed as incompetent and defeatist. President Trump's policy in Syria is working on a scale his critics never imagined and should be supported. William R. Hawkins is a consultant specializing in international economic and national security issues. He is a former economics professor who has served on the staff of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. Scientists seize rare chance to watch faraway star system evolve A young planet located 150 light-years away has given UNSW Sydney astrophysicists a rare chance to study a planetary system in the making. The findings, recently published in The Astronomical Journal, suggest that the planet DS Tuc Ab - which orbits a star in a binary system - formed without being heavily impacted by the gravitational pull of the second star. "We expected the pull from the second star to tilt the rotating disk of gas and dust that once surrounded the main star - a process that would skew the orbit of the planet," says Dr Benjamin Montet, Scientia Fellow at UNSW Sydney and lead author of the study. "Surprisingly, we found no evidence the planet's orbit was impacted. We also found the planet formed through relatively calm processes - which means it could be possible for Earth-like planets to survive in binary systems like this." Dr Montet worked with an international team of researchers at the Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. They used the Planet Finder Spectrograph to measure the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, which is the relative angle between the orbit of the planet and the spin of its star. They discovered the planet DS Tuc Ab orbits its star in a relatively flat plane, at approximately 12 degrees incline from the star's rotational axis. This low incline - called obliquity - suggests that the pull from the companion star did not significantly tilt the orbit of the protoplanetary disk where DS Tuc Ab formed. While planets in the solar system all have a low obliquity, it's unusual for planets like DS Tuc Ab. "Most similar planets orbit their star at random angles, sometimes reaching up to 90 degrees above the axis of their star," Dr Montet says. "The DS Tuc system is the first piece of evidence that higher orbital angles don't get defined early on in a star's life - they are an effect that happens only later on." At 40 million years old, the gas giant DS Tuc Ab is considered a 'pre-teen' in planetary years. There are fewer than ten planets we know about that are this young. Its age is a unique chance for astrophysicists to study a system in development before external influences interfere. "To find out how long planetary systems last, we need systems that are too young to go through dynamical interactions, but old enough to have formed planets. The DS Tuc system is exactly in that niche," Dr Montet says. DS Tuc Ab: a 'Hot Neptune' The planet DS Tuc Ab is a Neptune-sized gas planet that orbits its star closely and quickly - one lap around its star takes only 8.1 days. These types of planets are known as 'Hot Neptunes' for their fast speeds and proximity to their stars. Hot Neptunes are unlike anything we have in the solar system. Even the smallest and closest planet to our Sun, Mercury, takes almost 100 days to complete its orbit. Our closest gas planet, Jupiter, takes over 4300 days. Giant gas planets are unlikely to develop close to their stars. The current understanding is that they form further away and, over time, a force causes them to move closer to their stars. Scientists want to know what that force is. "There are two main theories about how Hot Neptunes came to be so close to their stars," says Dr Montet. "One theory is that an external force - potentially a multi-body nearby collision - 'kicks' them closer in, where they wobble and eventually settle on a new orbit. "Another theory is that smooth processes within the planetary disk create a force that gradually pulls the planet closer to the star." Testing the obliquity can help scientists uncover which force was at play. Planets with low obliquities are understood to be formed by smooth disk processes, while more dramatic processes will lead to random or high obliquities. However, astrophysicists have recently been intrigued by the suggestion that wide binary stars can tilt the orbit of young planets around their stars - while this process would be smooth, it would result in planets with high orbital inclinations. "If true, this would upend our theory of planet formation!" says Dr Montet. While that theory was not supported by the low obliquity of DS Tuc Ab, scientists are looking to the skies for more young binary systems to test. The next generation of planetary systems When it comes to learning from star systems, many of the systems we can observe today provide an inaccurate history of the system's past. "Present-day systems are not pure laboratories," says Dr Montet. "Over billions of years, planet-planet and planet-star interactions can scatter, torque, migrate, and disturb orbits, making what we see today very different to how they initially formed." Planets take between 10 and 100 million years to form, but most of the planets visible from Earth are much older. The DS Tuc system is 45 million years old - only 1% the age of the Sun. "DS Tuc Ab is at an interesting age," says Dr Montet. "The protoplanetary disk has dissipated, and we can see the planet, but it's still too young for the orbit of other distant stars to manipulate its path. "It gives us the chance to understand planet formation dynamics in a way that a five billion-year-old star doesn't." DS Tuc A is the youngest star for which the spin-orbit alignment has ever been measured. Searching the skies DS Tuc Ab is only visible from the Southern Hemisphere. It was discovered last year through NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission - an all-sky surveying mission that aims to discover thousands of exoplanets near bright stars. Montet worked closely with researchers at Harvard and Carnegie universities, who also measured DS Tuc Ab's obliquity but used the Doppler tomography method. "The first exoplanet searches were done in facilities in the Northern Hemisphere, and so they missed a lot of the planets far south," says Dr Montet. "NASA's TESS mission is changing that. It's finding all these planets around stars that previously hadn't been searched." Dr Montet and his team are leading an effort to find and characterise more planets around young stars. They hope to study how stellar activity, such as stellar flares and starspots, could affect planet detection and habitability. "Finding young planets is challenging. We really need to understand the behaviour of the parent star to be able to find the shallow signals of these planets which can be overwhelmed by starspots and flares," says Adina Feinstein, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Chicago and co-author of the study. "There's no reason why Earth-like planets couldn't form and survive in Hot Neptune systems like this one," Dr Montet says. "We just have to go out and find them." This story has been published on: 2020-03-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hungary rebuilding churches, Christian towns in Middle East to strengthen Christianity worldwide Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Amid the international communitys lack of response to the ongoing severe persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the small nation of Hungary is spending millions of dollars in the region to help rebuild churches and Christian communities. This central European country is home to less than 1% of the worlds population, but it has spent at least $40 million since 2017 helping persecuted Christians, according to Fox News, which spoke to Peter Szijjarto, Hungarys Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We give the money directly to the churches, to the church communities. We have rebuilt 33 torn-down Christian churches in Lebanon, for example, Szijjarto was quoted as saying. Hungary, which affirms its Christian foundations in its constitution that was ratified in 2011, has also rebuilt towns and schools for the Christian communities in the Middle East. Hungarian funds have been used to rebuild 1,000 homes on the Ninevah Plains in Iraq, according to Catholic News Service. Under current circumstances, when we are faced with tremendous historic challenges ahead of us, ahead of the European Union, someone has to speak openly, Szijjarto said. And this road is taken by us currently. Last month, Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Oban acknowledged in a speech that the Christian culture was under attack. A whole culture is under organized attack, our culture and our civilization. Not only in Africa, not only in the Middle East, but here, too, in Europe, the land of, so far, the most successful Christian culture. Orban, who is serving for a third consecutive term, has been criticized for being vocal about conservative issues. Szijjarto defended him in his interview with Fox News. If a nation is not proud of its national identity, or if it does not stick to historic cultural and religious heritage, then that country and that nation will not be strong for sure because it loses the anchor, he said. In global politics, the fact that Christians are being persecuted is being ignored, Szijjarto said last September, according to CNS. He said his government was fighting against the perception that Christianophobia would be the last acceptable form of discrimination. Szijjarto added that while Muslim leaders speak enthusiastically about the plight of their mistreated people, Christians shy away from highlighting the persecution of Christians. The international community is absolutely not sensitive to Christian persecution, and prefers to address issues of religious minorities, he said. In its 2020 World Watch List, leading Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors USA released its annual data report, saying this year highlights a drastic increase in attacks against Christian buildings and the imprisonment of Christians. At least 2,983 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons during the last reporting period (Nov. 1, 2018, to Oct. 31, 2019). That is an average of eight Christians killed per day. The data also showed that about 260 million Christians experience high levels of persecution in the top 50 countries on the list. The report stated that 9,488 churches or Christian buildings or an average of 25 per day were attacked during the 2019 reporting period. The number of Christians detained without trial, arrested and imprisoned increased from 2,625 in the 2019 report to 3,711 in the 2020 report. Last year, some media outlets, including ProPublica, criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development for giving a grant to help restore the Nineveh Plains and strengthen communities victimized by the Islamic State terrorist group, claiming that USAID could be in violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution for favoring Iraqi Christian groups for grants in a predominantly Muslim country. However, some religious freedom advocates said they felt that criticism of USAID funding going to these groups was an attempt to turn Americas bipartisan desire to aid religious minority communities decimated by IS and on the verge of extinction into a partisan issue. It is irrational, immoral and inconsistent with international human rights theory and policy to argue that the United States should not be helping Christians or a religious group targeted with religious genocide by ISIS, international human rights lawyer Nina Shea, a senior fellow with the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, told The Christian Post at the time. Their conclusion is that the U.S. should not be helping religious genocide survivors because they are a religious group even though they were targeted for religious reasons. Before the Trump administration came to power in 2017, USAID funding for Iraq was funneled through the United Nations. But many advocates spoke out about how aid funding that was sent to the U.N. was not making its way to help thousands of displaced Christians. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday with hardly any legislative business being transacted for the second day even as the government agreed to the opposition parties' demand for a discussion on violence in Delhi. As the upper house re-assembled at 3 PM after two adjournments earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said it would appear strange if the Parliament did not discuss the incidents of violence in Delhi when the whole world was talking about it. Referring to the incidents of violence which has claimed at least 44 lives so far, Azad said irrespective of religion, 90 per cent of those who lost their lives belonged to the age group of 24 to 35 years, which is a huge loss to the nation. He said the discussion should aim towards ensuring that such an incident does not recur in the country. Appealing to the government for a discussion on the issue at the earliest, he said it will appear like a "non-event" if Parliament discusses the matter after a week. Azad said members from Opposition parties would act responsibly and not fuel tensions further. Leader of the House Thawar Chand Gehlot said the government is ready for a discussion on the issue at a timing ascertained by the Chairman (M Venkaiah Naidu). "Everyone has criticised the incident that has happened. This incident is being discussed all over the world and it will look strange if we don't discuss it here when the session is on," Azad said. Congress leader Anand Sharma said as the leader of the house and the leader of opposition are of the same view, the discussion should be scheduled for 11 am on Wednesday. Bhupendra Choubey of the BJP said the Chair should not be forced to hold the discussion at a particular time and the decision of when to hold the discussion should be left to the Chair's discretion. Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the timing of the discussion could only be decided after consulting Chairman Naidu. K Keshava Rao (TRS) said the House should be adjourned for the day to send out a message that the issue in Delhi was of primary concern. The House was adjourned twice earlier in the day, first in the morning till 2pm and then again till 3 pm after opposition and treasury benches indulged in a war of words over alleged hate speech by Union Minister Anurag Thakur in the run up to Delhi Assembly polls and the violence in the national capital. As soon as the House assembled in the afternoon, Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked the member to allow laying of reports of department-related parliamentary standing committees listed in the business. Immediately after laying the reports, a Congress leader raised a point of order to raise the issue again as opposition was pressing for discussion on Delhi violence. But the Deputy Chairman said, "We are ready to discuss the issue according to decision (regarding time slot) of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha." On this leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said,"It is very serious issue. Now if the situation is normal then let us discuss the issue here or the government should tell us that the situation is not normal...." Before Azad could complete his remarks, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till 3pm. Earlier in the morning trouble broke out when Thakur, who has been under opposition attack over his alleged hate speech during the poll campaign for the Delhi assembly polls, was called to lay listed papers pertaining to his Finance Ministry on the table. As Thakur, the Minister of State for Finance, rose to read a one-line statement laying listed papers on the table, he was booed by opposition benches. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal rose to defend Thakur but this only resulted in heated arguments between the two sides. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said no comments or slogans will go on record. But the opposition and ruling members continued to clash with Congress, Left and other opposition parties raising the issue of the communal violence in the national capital that has left at least 44 dead. As heated arguments continued, Naidu said he would have no option but to adjourn proceedings if members did not want to run the business. However, heated exchanged continued forcing Naidu to adjourn proceedings till 2 pm. Before adjourning, Naidu said this was the reason why he had not immediately agreed for a discussion. Thakur was the third listed minister to lay papers and eight reports of parliamentary standing committees relating to different ministries, which were listed to be presented, could not be laid due to the uproar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TinyBuild has teamed up with HakJak to set up a new studio for the Guts & Glory developer in Boise, Idaho and is looking to staff up the new office. The studio aims to develop with a focus on emergent gameplay, and already has one yet-unannounced title based on an unnamed proven intellectual property in the works. In a press release, TinyBuild notes that the arrangement is the latest of several new studios it has quietly set up in recent memory, including a studio recently established for the Hello Neighbor dev team in the Netherlands. I'm extremely happy to have opportunities where we can build studios around talented individuals like HakJak, said TinyBuild CEO Alex Nichiporchik in a statement. He's developed Guts & Glory all by himself, and it was his first game - I can't wait to tell everyone about what he's now working on, and it will be a great case study where multiple companies came together to do something great. IRVINE, Calif., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total February sales of 28,385 vehicles, an increase of 19.0 percent compared to February 2019. Year-to-date sales totaled 52,006 vehicles, an increase of 18.5 percent. With 26 selling days in February, compared to 24 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 9.8 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Sales Highlights The CX-9 saw its best February with 2,926 vehicles sold, an increase of 20.8 percent compared to February 2019 . Year-to-date sales of the CX-9 increased 27.9 percent, with 5,478 vehicles sold. . Year-to-date sales of the CX-9 increased 27.9 percent, with 5,478 vehicles sold. The CX-5 also had its best February with sales totaling 14,462 vehicles, an increase of 8.1 percent compared to February 2019 . Year-to-date sales of the CX-5 increased 13.9 percent, with 27,370 vehicles sold. . Year-to-date sales of the CX-5 increased 13.9 percent, with 27,370 vehicles sold. Sales of the all-new CX-30, which launched in November, totaled 3,754 in February. Year-to-date sales of CX-30 totaled 6,122. Sales of the MX-5 increased 77.0 percent, with 807 vehicles sold. Year-to-date sales of the MX-5 increased 49.8 percent, with 1,203 vehicles sold. CPO sales totaled 5,453 vehicles in February, an increase of 23.6 percent compared to February 2019 . Year-to-date CPO sales increased 21.8 percent, with 10,118 vehicles sold. . Year-to-date CPO sales increased 21.8 percent, with 10,118 vehicles sold. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported February sales of 4,706 vehicles, a decrease of 6.6 percent compared to February last year. Year-to-date sales decreased 6.6 percent, with 9,490 vehicles sold. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom. Follow MNAO's social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA. Month-To-Date Year-To-Date February February YOY % % MTD February February YOY % % MTD 2020 2019 Change DSR 2020 2019 Change DSR Mazda3 3,759 4,610 (18.5)% (24.7)% 6,255 9,206 (32.1)% (34.7)% Mazda6 1,730 1,906 (9.2)% (16.2)% 3,485 3,525 (1.1)% (5.0)% MX-5 Miata 807 456 77.0% 63.4% 1,203 803 49.8% 43.9% CX-3 947 1,081 (12.4)% (19.1)% 2,093 2,052 2.0% (2.0)% CX-30 3,754 0 6,122 0 CX-5 14,462 13,379 8.1% (0.2)% 27,370 24,031 13.9% 9.4% CX-9 2,926 2,422 20.8% 11.5% 5,478 4,282 27.9% 22.9% CARS 6,296 6,972 (9.7)% (16.6)% 10,943 13,534 (19.1)% (22.3)% TRUCKS 22,089 16,882 30.8% 20.8% 41,063 30,365 35.2% 29.9% TOTAL 28,385 23,854 19.0% 9.8% 52,006 43,899 18.5% 13.8% *Selling Days 26 24 51 49 SOURCE Mazda North American Operations Related Links www.mazdausa.com TORONTO - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on industries, citizens, and Indigenous groups to help shape the future of Canada's climate policy. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's annual convention in Toronto on Monday, March 2, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on industries, citizens, and Indigenous groups to help shape the future of Canada's climate policy. Speaking at a major mining conference in Toronto, Trudeau says the government will soon launch a formal initiative to see input from a range of groups on how Canada will get to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. "In the coming year, we want to hear from you on how Canada should innovate and transform our economy to keep good jobs here and create new ones," said Trudeau. He says a clear way forward is crucial for both the planet and for business to provide certainty and adapt to the changing reality. Taking carbon pollution out of the environment, and the economy, will be crucial for Canada's prosperity, he said. "This is a big project, and not one any of us can do on our own. We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Government, businesses, civil society, Indigenous communities, and all Canadians. The only way we create a better future is if we do it together." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Trudeau said he hopes that one day soon Canada can reach the same consensus about climate change action as the country has on free trade, which was once also deeply divisive. The shift is needed as the economy and the money that backs it moves increasingly towards strong action. Trudeau pointed to a January letter by Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock Inc., which is one of the world's largest asset managers, that called climate change a structural, long-term crisis that will force a significant reallocation of capital. Trudeau's speech comes a week after Teck Resources shelved its $20-billion Frontier oilsands project, citing the need for more clarity on climate and environmental policies before the company could move forward on such a project. There also continues to be disputes on the future of a natural gas pipeline through Wet'suwet'en traditional territory in British Columbia and debates on several other resource projects. Trudeau says Canada as a whole needs to find common ground on how to move forward in the interest of both the environment and the economy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March. 2, 2020. Members of European Parliament on Monday (March 2) lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a tough stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and bringing peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Gianna Gancia, Member of European Parliament, slammed Pakistan and asserted that Islamabad has been resorting to fake propaganda to portray a picture of the crisis in Kashmir on international platforms, but it has failed in its nefarious plans due to the strong humanitarian ideals of India. Nathan Gill, former member of European Parliament and member of Brexit party of Britain said, "What right has Pakistan to discuss the internal affairs of India on International forums? No one makes hue and cry when France fight radical terrorism but creates so much panic and tension when India does something which is solely and wholly an Internal matter of India." Tehmeena Syed, a Women Rights activist from Kashmir came out as a true voice of Kashmir and said that Im coming from a world which is known as paradise. She further added that this paradise was destroyed by the insurgencies and terrorist incidents, and the abrogation of Article 370 was undeniable need of the hour to get rid of cross border terrorism and insurgencies in Kashmir Brian Toll, expert on South Asia from European Commission and Paulo Casaca, Executive Director, South Asia Democratic Forum, highlighted the facts that after decades of ongoing instability and terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5, 2019 to bring peace and prosperity in the region. President of Gilgit Baltistan Studies, Senge Sering, supported Indias bold decision on taking action against the factors that destabilised Jammu and Kashmir and applauded India for removing such article from the constitution which promoted Pakistan in spreading its fangs across the entire region. President of JKNAP, UK, Mohd. Sajjad Raja, added that Pakistan invaded Kashmir on October 21, 1947 and since then it has been under its occupation and it is a sheer fiction that India has exploitation people of the valley. Pakistan had and is creating disturbance and Article 370 abrogation is one of the best things that happened with Kashmir since Independence. 250 People Being Monitored for Coronavirus in Arizona, Officials Say The director of the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed Monday that the state is monitoring 250 people for the COVID-19 coronavirus. We know the disease is spreading and we can expect additional cases in Arizona, Dr. Cara Christ said during a news conference. Christ said that of the 26 people tested in the state, 24 have come back negative, one was positive, and one persons test is pending, reported KTAR. She said that as many as 450 samples can be tested for COVID-19 each day. Arizona confirmed one COVID-19 case several weeks ago, identifying the patient as an Arizona State University staffer or student, but theyve recovered and are no longer suffering from the disease. The person had traveled to Wuhan, China, where the virus emerged late last year and triggered harsh security measures to curb its spread in the country. Gov. Doug Ducey, meanwhile, said he was briefed by Vice President Mike Pence, who was named the chief of the federal coronavirus response team. Arizona is in good hands and Im confident in this teams ability to manage this situation, Ducey said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week confirmed that 8,400 people are currently being monitored for the virus across the state. A number of other states have confirmed officials are monitoring people for the virus. Six people have died so far in the United States, all of them in Washington state. Five people died of COVID-19 in King County while one death was reported in Snohomish County, said officials. All of the patients who died were elderly or also had underlying health problems. At least 100 U.S. cases have been confirmed so far. A number of new states including New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Florida have confirmed new cases over the weekend and on Monday. Newport Beach, Calf.-based Alliant Insurance Services Inc. has named Philippe de Dreuzy to head up its global benefits practice as senior vice president and global practice leader. Dreuzy will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has 25 years of experience in health insurance and benefits. He was most recently with AXA Partners. He was with MSH international before that. Newport Beach, Calf.-based Alliant provides property/casualty, workers compensation, employee benefits, underwriting, surety, and financial products and services. Topics California Alliant - The fire broke out at around 7am on Monday, March 2, when students were in the school assembly - The dormitory hosts 164 learners whose items were burnt down although some were salvaged - School principal William Kimei attributed the fire to an electric fault but investigations are underway Students of Lenana School which is located along Ngong Road, Nairobi, are counting losses after fire gutted down one of their dormitories on the morning of Monday, March 2. Confirming the incident, Kenya Red Cross said that currently there are firefighters at the scene battling to put it out. READ ALSO: Mutahi Ngunyi predicts William Ruto will be impeached, won't be president in 2022 Lenana School's Tom Mboya House dormitory on fire. Photo: Robin Njogu Source: UGC READ ALSO: Washukiwa 2 wa ujambazi wauawa kwa kupigwa risasi huku afisa wa DCI akijeruhiwa Nobody was hurt as the learners were in the school assembly when the fire broke out at 7am at the Tom Mboya dormitory which hosts 164 students. Although the cause of the fire is yet to be established, school principal William Kimei attributed it to an electric fault. The principal said the level of destruction was very high although some of the personal items were salvaged. READ ALSO: US comedian Steve Harvey to meet Kenyan pencil artist who drew his impressive portrait "The housekeeper had just locked the house and there were no students at that time, " he said. Nairobi county firefighter engines responded to the fire incident before causing more destruction. The incident came barely a month after another inferno broke out in Upper Hill School on the evening of Wednesday, February 5. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly Source: TUKO.co.ke By Ofeliya Afandiyeva According to the results of 2019, Azerbaijan exported agricultural products worth $943.3 million, which is 14.1 percent more than in 2018, local media reported citing Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO). Primary agricultural products accounted for $760.7 million in the structure of agricultural exports (an increase of 12.2 percent). The volume of exports of processed agro-industrial products amounted to $182.6 million (an increase of 23.3 percent) last year. As was reported earlier, the volume of agricultural production in Azerbaijan in 2019 amounted to $4,619,354,171, which is 7.2 percent higher than in 2018. At the same time, the volume of production in livestock production amounted to $2,408,203,895, crop production - $2,211,150,276. At the same time, growth in livestock production reached 3.5 percent, crop production - 11.7 percent. Presently, one of the considerably increasing fields of food export is grape. As the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture disclosed, Azerbaijan exported 4,170 tons of grapes in 2019 and earned about $3.3 million from the export of this product. The major importers of Azerbaijani grape are Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and UAE. In general, grape production in Azerbaijan amounted to 201,800 tons in 2019. This indicator increased by 20.4 percent compared to 2018. Presently, there are 16,100 hectares of vineyards in the country. In addition, significant growth was recorded in the volume of export of pomegranate and pomegranate products in Azerbaijan, as the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Association of Pomegranate Manufacturers and Exporters Farhad Garashov told. Some 9,300 tons of products worth $12.2 million were exported in 2018, versus 17,500 tons of products worth $19 million in 2019. Based on the publication by The German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan) and Germany Trade & Invest (German economic development agency) modernization and expansion of the agriculture and food industry is a leading priority in the Azerbaijani governments diversification strategy. Recent reforms, initiatives and programs for food production and processing, as well as the Roadmap for Developing Agribusiness, adopted in December 2016, are yielding early results. Reforms and initiatives started to boost agribusiness includes following steps: Establishment of agricultural parks and larger agricultural cooperatives; Programs to expand the product groupings raw cotton, cocoons, citrus fruits, pomegranates, wine, rice, hazelnuts, tea, tobacco, animal husbandry and fish farming (the latter two programmes are currently in preparation); Joint projects with the World Bank for the development of rural infrastructure and greenhouse farming; Establishment of phytosanitary and veterinary services and creation of efficient value chains (the Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project and Agricultural Competitiveness Improvement Project); Increased project funding via the Entrepreneurship Development Fund; Establishment of state agricultural development centres as one-stop-shop service providers based on former regional branches of the Ministry of Agriculture. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Unipec, the oil trading unit of Asias largest refiner China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec, has sent its London staff to work from home after an employee showed coronavirus-like symptoms, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday. Unipecs staff working in London were asked to stay home until more is known as a precaution, the source told Reuters. The London office of Unipec has around 70 employees, including 11 traders, according to Bloomberg, which quotes a Companies House filing. This is the second such work from home request from an oil firm in two weeks, after U.S. supermajor Chevron told last week its 300 employees in Londons Canary Wharf business district to work from home after an employee reported flu symptoms after returning from a trip. Chevron had sent staff to work from home as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of potential exposure to the coronavirus, the U.S. supermajor said early last week. Later in the week, Chevron said on Saturday that the employee had tested negative for coronavirus. The U.S. oil giant is working on a plan to have the staff return to work from office, it said two days ago. As of Sunday morning, a total of 11,750 people have been tested in the UK, of which 11,715 were confirmed negative and 35 positive for coronavirus, the UK government said. The authorities in the UK advise returning travelers to self-isolate and avoid contact with other people if they had recently traveled to China and other countries in Asia to northern Italy or to Iran. Scotland reported its first case of coronavirus on Monday, while Public Health England (PHE) said that widespread transmission of the infection in the UK was highly likely. As of Monday, more than 60 countries had reported coronavirus cases and the markets, including the oil market, fear a significant slowdown in economic activity and global oil demand growth. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: (Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers within the main London indices on Tuesday. FTSE 100 - WINNERS TUI, up 6.9%, International Consolidated Airlines, up 6.8%, easyJet, up 4.5%. The travel stocks clawed back some losses, as global equity markets rallied on central bank stimulus hopes. The travel sector has been one of the worst hit in the coronavirus-induced stock market sell off. FTSE 100 - LOSERS Ashtead Group, down 1.6%. Shares in the equipment rental firm were lower despite reporting positive third-quarter earnings. Ashtead said organic growth and supportive North American end markets led to a 8% growth in third-quarter rental revenue. Ashtead recorded rental revenue of GBP1.12 billion for the three months to January-end, up from GBP1.05 billion a year ago, resulting in a 11% growth in total revenue to GBP1.25 billion. Year-to-date, rental revenue grew 12% to GBP3.57 billion and total revenue was up 13% at GBP3.93 billion. The company said net debt as at January 31, stood at GBP5.44 billion, up from GBP3.73 billion the same time last year, resulting in a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.3 times on a pro forma basis. "It's prudent to keep an eye on debt levels, which have been creeping up. The indicators are far from flashing red, but it's something to be mindful of. Ashtead is approaching the top end of its net debt to cash profit target, and the group's overstretched the balance sheet before, so we'd like to see this remain under control," commented Hargreaves Lansdown. FTSE 250 - WINNERS 4imprint, up 17%. The marketing firm posted higher annual profit, with a particularly sharp revenue rise in North America, and it is on track to meet its USD1 billion revenue target ahead of schedule. The company reported a USD54.0 million pretax profit for its financial year ended December 28, up 22% from USD44.3 million the previous year. This primarily resulted from 4imprint's 17% revenue rise to USD860.8 million from USD738.4 million, with all revenue growth organic. This included 17% revenue growth in North America to USD839.3 million from USD714.6 million, but a 9.6% UK and Ireland revenue decline to USD21.6 million from USD23.9 million. The company declared a 59.00 cents per share final dividend, taking the annual payout up 20% to 84.00 cents from 70.00 cents. 4imprint said it aims to achieve USD1 billion of revenue by 2022 and said its 2019 trading momentum has put it in a "good position" to achieve this goal earlier than expected. Aggreko, up 8.2%. The temporary power supplier said it is monitoring the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak, as it reported a 9% rise in annual profit, driven by a strong performance in its Rental Solutions division. For 2019, pretax profit increased to GBP199 million from GBP182 million in the year-ago period, while operating profit jumped 10% to GBP241 million. The Rental Solutions unit recorded 22% growth in annual underlying operating profit, while Power Solutions Industrial saw a 7% dip by the same measure. Power Solutions Utility underlying operating profit was up 21%. Annual revenue fell 8% to GBP1.61 billion from GBP1.76 billion, but profit margins jumped to 14.9% from 12.5% on improved underlying margins in both Rental Solutions and Power Solutions Utility businesses. Aggreko said it currently expects to deliver results in-line with expectations for 2020. Rotork, up 6.5%. The valve actuators maker reported a higher annual profit as a result of lower costs and expenses amid a restructuring programme. While revenue fell 3.8% in 2019 to GBP669.3 million from GBP695.7 million the year before, the company posted a 2.8% higher pretax profit of GBP124.1 million versus GBP120.7 million. To begin with, cost of sales fell 6.8% to GBP357.7 million from GBP384.3 million so that gross profit was a bit higher in 2019 at GBP311.6 million compared to GBP311.5 million. On top of this, distribution costs fell 12% to GBP6.4 million from GBP7.3 million. Rotork is recommending a final 3.9p per share dividend, taking the total per share for the year up 5.1% to 6.2p from 5.9p. FTSE 250 - LOSERS Ibstock, down 4.5%. The brick maker warned of a slow start to 2020 amid political and economic uncertainty and reduced new-build housing activity in the second half of 2019. Ibstock said pretax profit decreased by 12% to GBP82 million in 2019 compared to GBP93 million a year earlier, due to the non-repeat of a GBP11.2 million gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment secured in 2018. Revenue, meanwhile, increased by 5% to GBP409 million form GBP391 million, thanks to growth across the company's both Clay and Concrete divisions. "The political uncertainty which caused more subdued market conditions in the second half of 2019 has meant a slower start to 2020. We anticipate that activity levels will improve as the year progresses, and as a result, expect to deliver a stable outcome for the year," said Chief Executive Joe Hudson. OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - WINNERS CMC Markets, up 11%. The spread betting firm raised its full-year expectations, with "recent market conditions" boosting activity on its online trading platform. CMC expects net operating income ahead of the market consensus range of GBP199.0 million and GBP202.3 million in the financial year ending March 31. This could represent a hike of as much as 55% from GBP130.8 million in the year prior, which was hampered by "regulatory change and market conditions". In January, CMC said it expected net operating income to come in at GBP187.5 million. Current market consensus for pretax profit is in the range of GBP46.9 million and GBP56.7 million. Pretax profit in the prior year came in at GBP6.3 million, so either way a big improvement is expected. CMC added that in calendar year 2020 to date, "performance across the business has continued to be strong". OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - LOSERS GoCo group, down 1.0%. The price comparison site slashed its dividend after pretax profit fell sharply in 2019. In 2019, revenue was marginally lower at GBP152.4 million from GBP152.6 million. Pretax profit was 53% lower at GBP15.8 million from GBP33.8 million in 2018. The AutoSave business automatically switches subscribed customers to the cheapest provider available to them. The company reported a 12% rise in marketing spend to GBP89.5 million, with administrative expenses were 17% higher at GBP30.7 million. The company's full-year dividend was 44% lower at 0.9p per share from 1.6p. By Arvind Bhunjun; arvindbhunjun@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The regular four-day sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off today. During todays session the lawmakers will debate a number of legislative initiatives at the first and second hearings. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Nubank, the Brazilian digital bank valued at $10 billion, is launching its Nu credit card in Mexico a country where the unbanked population counts 36 million people. The Sao Paulo-based fintech company, known for its fully-mobile digital bank and credit card, has raised $820 million across seven rounds of investment and has amassed nearly 22 million customers in Brazil alone. Now, the Nu credit card is available to all Mexicans over 18 years of age and has already grown a waiting list of 30,000 Mexican customers. Nubank's CEO is David Velez, who before founding Nubank in 2013, was a partner at Sequoia Capital in charge of the firms Latin American investments. Nubank was co-founded by Cristina Junqueria and CTO Edward Wible. In the past year, the company has hired three more C-level executives and a new CFO. The Mexico opportunity Nubank believes that Mexicans are ready to take back control of their money with financial services that are transparent, human and simple. A predominately cash-based society and lack of digital savings and lending products makes it harder for people to achieve financial freedom in Mexico. The company hopes its no-annual-fee credit card will help to free Mexicans from the complexity and bureaucracy beleaguering their banking experience. The problem is this big and bad: Personal finance tools in both Brazil and Mexico are so limited that Nubank has not had to spend a dollar on customer acquisition. Half of Mexico's population is under 24 years old and is digitally engaged, but due to legacy banking oligopolies, only 10% of Mexican adults have credit cards. With an unbanked population of 36 million, startups and investors have been grappling for a piece of the Mexico fintech opportunity for years. Velez predicts that Nubanks biggest customer acquisition channel in Mexico will be word of mouth just as it was in Brazil. 80% of Nubanks Brazilian customers were sourced from unpaid referrals, and the company has spent $0 on customer acquisition, he says. Story continues The Nu credit card is available to all Mexicans over 18. The waiting list has grown to 30,000 customers. Currently, Nubank offers a credit card with no annual fee, fully controlled by a mobile app. The company is testing personal loans with two million customers, who must pre-qualify to get the service. Recently, Nubank has started to develop services for entrepreneurs and small-business owners in Brazil and is currently testing a beta version of its digital account for this user group. As Nubank scaled in Brazil, the company realized that its biggest bottleneck was access to engineering talent. Velez says that while Brazil trains 50,000 developers per year, the demand for tech developers is double that. While Nubank hires locally and recruits engineers from domestic Brazilian universities, the company opened engineering centers in Berlin, Mexico City and Buenos Aires. This year, Nubank made its first acquihire, a software consultancy called PlataformaTec. Velez declined to disclose how much Nubank paid for the acqui hire. Velez doesnt think that Nubanks entry will eradicate existing Mexican neobanks. He stresses that banking in Mexico is so defective that numerous startups offering niche services can thrive. European digital banks N26 and Revolut have reportedly had their eye on the Mexican market. Albo, a Mexico-based challenger bank recently raised a $19 million Series A. However, Albo issues a Mastercard debit card and a personal finance app for underbanked people different from Nubanks credit card product. While competition is great for customers, an increasingly saturated market may raise customer acquisition costs, and make recruitment and growth-stage fundraising harder for players across the board. Pattern matching with China I went to China and I saw the future, Velez told me on stage at an event in Sao Paulo in 2018, when I asked what Nubank was hoping to gain from taking strategic cash from Tencent. Now, I know more. Investors say that in Latin America, Asian capital is smarter capital, and it has to do with pattern matching. Globally, Southeast Asia and Latin America count similar population sizes of around 640 million. 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 China could also function in Latin America for example, digital banking. It's been very helpful to be able to go to China and see what our market might look like five years from now, says Velez. Sharing market insights with Tencent encouraged Nubank to prioritize data science and machine learning to optimize customer service and improve its customer-satisfaction processes. Both Mexico and Brazil are on the cusp of entering the QR-code payments world, notes Velez. Governments are pushing regulation on this, and Nubank says working with Tencent has helped them understand customer satisfaction better, and how to more strategically position Nubank as the payments leader in its home market. When is Nubank going public? Nubank says that while its credit card product has been profitable since 2017, the company itself is not. Nubank is using its $820 million in venture capital to invest in scaling its operations and strengthening its technology. As for when Nubank will IPO, Velez says he wants to keep the company private for as long as possible. He says Nubank is lucky to have investors who are long-term oriented, and that going public has never once been brought up at a board meeting. He does note that a direct listing is a real option. He doesn't imagine that when the time comes, Nubank would go public on a Chinese exchange, saying instead it will likely be an American exchange, a local exchange or potentially both. Nubank has more than 2,500 employees from over 30 different nationalities. The company says it is the sixth-largest bank in Brazil and today, Nubank is the largest independent digital bank in the world. ALBANY, N.Y. The state legislature has passed an emergency $40 million appropriation bill to help stop the spread of coronavirus in New York state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill Tuesday. He says the funds will go toward the purchase of equipment and hiring additional staff at medical facilities and the Department of Health. So, those emergency measures were critical, the amount of money was critical. And if you needed any proof of how urgent that bill was, look at where we are this morning, said Cuomo. A woman in New York City tested positive for coronavirus after she returned from a trip to Iran. She is a 31-year-old health care worker with mild symptoms, according to Cuomo. A second case was confirmed Tuesday after a man in Westchester County was diagnosed. There are also two families in Buffalo who recently returned from a trip to Italy. Cuomo says those people are isolated in their homes while theyre being tested for the virus. While some people remain in quarantine, Cuomo says he wants to amend a bill that will protect their jobs. I am going to amend the paid sick leave bill that I sent to the legislature to add a specific provision that says people who because of this situation with coronavirus have to be quarantined should be protected. Their employer should pay them for the period and their job should be protected. And I am going to make that amendment to the paid sick leave bill, said Cuomo. Several colleges are also requiring students studying abroad to return to the United States, and Cuomo says SUNY may follow suit. SUNY officials will make a decision on the fate of their students by Wednesday. The Enterprise spoke with Beaumont Public Health Director Sherry Ulmer and Jefferson County Health Authority Dr. Cecil Walkes about the strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, that is causing so much concern at home and abroad. Q: What should people be doing to minimize their risk of contracting coronavirus? Ulmer: What the CDC keeps reinforcing is what people should be doing all the time to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, which is effective hand washing, which is No. 1. Were still in flu season and the citizens of Beaumont are at more risk of flu than coronavirus because weve not had a case here. We also want people to stay home if theyre sick and keep their children home if theyre sick. Going out prolongs recovery and infects other people. We should be practicing good cough or sneeze etiquette and coughing into your elbow or in a tissue and throwing it away. Try not to put your hands near your eyes or around your mouth because were touching dirty surfaces every day doorknobs, elevator buttons. Thats how we get germs in our bodies. Walkes: Cut down on hand-shaking an other contact. Avoid too many close spaces with others who may be coughing or sneezing. Clean surfaces with a mix of about 10 percent Clorox. Q: How can we stay updated on the diseases spread and precautions? Ulmer: Of course, we have information about the coronavirus listed on our web page. Were also encouraging people to go to the CDCs website because things are changing on a daily basis. Q: What is the procedure if someone locally is suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19? Ulmer: With this disease, its different than measles or TB, but we still have plans in place if anyone is experiencing symptoms and have been to the affected areas, the areas that are severely affected. If theyve traveled to one of those places and are experiencing symptoms within 14 days, the person would be isolated at home or in the hospital. Someone showed up about a month ago experiencing symptoms and this is the protocol we followed. This disease has a different name and face, but the work we do behind the scenes remains the same. Were not new to this process. Q: Some people have already gone out and bought masks. Is there a specific kind to buy? Walkes: The type of mask most people buy, the kind that youd put on for an operation in the operating room, wouldnt do anything because it doesnt prevent virus particles from being inhaled. The mask should be whats called an N-95 mask. Its found at a shop that sells medical equipment. Alerted by the coronavirus case reported in Delhi-NCR, schools in the region have sent out advisories to parents suggesting that they not send their wards to attend classes even in case of mild cough or cold and saying they may declare holidays if the need arises. Two private schools in Noida cancelled classes on Tuesday for the next few days as a precautionary measure after a student's father tested positive for coronavirus. "Please ensure you absolutely do not send your child to school even in case of a mild cough, sneezing or cold. We are ensuring that staff would make children periodically wash their hands after every half an hour. Please ensure you do the same for yourself, your domestic staff and children at home," said Monica Sagar, Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram, in a note sent to parents. "Older children could carry personal sanitisers too. We do not advocate the use of sanitisers for very young children for their strong alcoholic content in case the children keep putting their fingers in their mouths. A herbal one might be better, but less effective," she added. Another school in Dwarka sent an advisory to parents saying, "Please do not make the children wear masks if they are well as it causes more bacteria to be trapped near the mouth area and chances of infection because they tend to touch it often. If they have a cold, it is recommended they wear a mask and stay at home". Schools are also organising sensitisation sessions for children to brief them about the symptoms of COVID-19 as well as precautionary measures. "For now we are organising sensitisation sessions for children. We might declare holiday if need arises," said the principal of a school in Mayur Vihar, who did not wish to be identified. The two Noida schools also announced their closure in messages sent to the parents, a day after the Union Health Ministry reported two fresh cases of coronavirus in the country -- one of them in Delhi. One of the schools, where the infected Delhi man's son is a primary class student, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6. The parent had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fears that the students who attended it might be at risk. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called an urgent meeting with Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials on the government's preparations to deal with coronavirus. "COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic. We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals. As many as 3.5-lakh N95 masks are being arranged, we have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients," Jain said at a press conference. (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 Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3 2020 Justice must be seen: A photojournalist films a trial hearing at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday. The Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute has criticized the Supreme Courts recent ruling banning journalists from making photo, audio and video recording of court procedures, saying it contradicts the 1999 Press Law.(JP/Dhoni Setiawan) The Supreme Court has retracted its prohibition on taking photographs of or recording courtroom proceedings without a special permit after mounting protest from activists and media groups that fear such a ban would reduce transparency. The prohibition was included in a circular issued by the Supreme Court on courtroom rules of conduct and signed by Supreme Court director general of general courts Prim Haryadi on Feb. 7. The circular stipulated that taking photos and making sound or video recordings during trials required prior approved from the heads of local courts. The ban, according to the Supreme Court, was designed to differentiate journalists from public attendees in an effort to ensure court hearings proceeded smoothly and without disruption. 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 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Rosebank mans pre-Fourth of July activities last year ended with a drug bust. As a result, Nicholas Genovese will spend the upcoming Independence Day in an upstate prison. Genovese, 49, has pleaded guilty to a felony narcotics charge stemming from his July 3, 2019, arrest that will put him behind bars for up to five years. A criminal complaint said detectives with the Staten Island Overdose Task Force arrested the defendant around 11:30 a.m. outside his home on the 1100 block of Bay Street. He was holding a cardboard box containing multiple bags of methamphetamine weighing more than six kilograms (or in excess of 13 pounds), according to the complaint and police. Police also confiscated money and a cell phone in Genoveses possession and a cell phone from a car he had previously occupied, the complaint said. The 120th Precinct tweeted about the bust with a photo of 15 bags of drugs laid out on a table. A big thank you to @NYPDDetectives Staten Island Overdose Task Force for getting over 6 kilos of methamphetamine off the streets of the #NorthShore!!! read the tweet. The post concluded, keep up the great work! Genovese was indicted on felony and misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. The defendant pleaded guilty Friday in state Supreme Court, St. George, to second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. It was the top charge against him. In exchange, hell be sentenced May 1 to no less than three years in prison and no more than five years. My client has taken responsibility for his conduct, is in treatment and will move forward with his life, said defense lawyer Mark J. Fonte. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Gamberg is prosecuting the case. As two more confirmed cases of coronavirus were recorded in Delhi and Telangana in India, panic about the disease which has killed over 3,000 globally, started growing again. In the midst of this, veteran Bollywood actor, Anupam Kher took to Twitter to post his remedy for how the coronavirus spread could be reduced. In the video he can be heard saying that in the "In the atmosphere of coronavirus, the best way to greet each other is not shake hands, but to go back to the traditional Indian way, of 'Namaste.'" He then demonstrated how to join your hands together and do it, so the fear of getting infected by touch is reduced. He adds that "It is important that we are careful." he adds. "Of late I am being told by lots of people to keep washing hands to prevent any kind of infection. I do that in any case. But also want to suggest the age old Indian way of greeting people called #Namaste. It is hygienic, friendly & centres your energies. Try it." he captioned he video. Of late I am being told by lots of people to keep washing hands to prevent any kind of infection. I do that in any case. But also want to suggest the age old Indian way of greeting people called #Namaste. It is hygienic, friendly & centres your energies. Try it. #caronavirus pic.twitter.com/ix7e6S8Abp Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) March 3, 2020 As the total death toll still remains high due to COVID-19, the official name for his outbreak of Coronavirus, people all over the world have come up with new ways to counter the virus. While some in China have come up with shaking their foot, instead of hands, and people all over the world have come up with other different ways to greet each other, that don't involve direct skin-to-skin contact. The World Health Organization has also issued how to avoid risk of infection, and common mythbusters. London's Metropolitan Police on Tuesday confirmed that they were investigating a case of racial assault on a student from Singapore after he was allegedly beaten by a group. The group of young people allegedly also made derogatory remarks against him related to the coronavirus outbreak. Jonathan Mok, 23, who has been living in London for two years while studying at University College London, said he was walking along Oxford Street in London on February 24 when he heard a racist comment and the word "coronavirus" from some youths, South China Morning Post reported. Mok then turned to look at them, because he did not want them to think he was afraid and that "Asians are easily bullied." "I felt really angry," Mok said. "It is ridiculous people are being targeted for being Asian," After he looked at them, Mok said one of the youths shouted: "Don't you dare look at me." The youths - three or four men and a woman then punched on his face twice, Mok said, adding that another attacker attempted to kick him as he tried to explain what was happening to a passer-by. The man who tried to kick him then said: "I don't want your coronavirus in my country," before punching him again, Mok was quoted as saying. By then Mok's nose had started bleeding and blood was splattered all across the pavement. The group left the scene before the police arrived. Mok said he focused on stopping his nose from bleeding and returned home after the police and ambulance let him go. He also said that he has spoken to shop owners near the scene of the attack, and the police have yet to contact them regarding CCTV footage. Investigations are underway to identify the suspects, including an assessment of available CCTV, the police said. "I've had friends who were rejected by shops in another European city because they were Chinese, where the owners simply said they don't want the coronavirus," he said. The novel virus, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, has spread almost spread across all countries thought out the globe. At least 3000 people have been killed by the deadly viral infection, while more than 80,000 people have infected by it. According to British media reports, the number of confirmed cases in the UK has hit 39. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dublin, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Tobacco Industry in Mozambique 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report focuses on The Tobacco Industry in Mozambique and includes the latest available information on the state and size of the sector and factors that influence it, including economic and climate factors. There are profiles of four companies including British American Tobacco, which has one of its three southern African plants in Mozambique, and Universal's Mozambique Leaf Tobacco, which dominates the growing and processing of tobacco. Emperor Tobacco Mozambique, which was setting up a manufacturing facility in Maputo to manufacture its brand Rico, is also profiled as is major distributor JT International South Africa. The Tobacco Industry in Mozambique 2020 Mozambique's tobacco industry forms part of its agricultural sector and contributes about a third of total agricultural exports and almost 4% of the value of the country's total exports of goods and services. The majority of the agricultural sector is made up of subsistence farming, with mostly small family farms growing tobacco alongside other crops. About 130,000 to 150,000 farmers grow tobacco in Mozambique. While demand for tobacco in traditional global markets has been declining, Asian and African demand has been growing steadily and leaf sourcing is moving to low-cost producing countries, making the Mozambican tobacco sector attractive for investors. Growth Factors The government is drafting an updated Strategic Plan for Agrarian Sector Development to transform the agricultural sector from predominantly subsistence to a more competitive one. It is also looking to boost investment in the sector through six corridors, which it runs in partnership with private investors. Recent large natural gas deposits discovered in the north hold much promise for the economy, which has been improving but is characterised by a lack of diversity, with the agriculture sector accounting for about 30% of GDP and around 72% of the labour force. Story continues Key Topics Covered 1. INTRODUCTION 2. COUNTRY INFORMATION 2.1. Geographic Position 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 3.1. Industry Value Chain 4. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 5. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 5.1. Local 5.1.1. Regulations 5.1.2. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 5.2. Continental 5.3. International 6. INFLUENCING FACTORS 6.1. Government Support 6.2. Economic Environment 6.3. Technology, Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation 6.4. Labour 6.5. Marketing 6.6. Health Concerns 6.7. Environmental Concerns 6.8. Industry Social Initiatives 6.9. Illicit Cigarettes 7. COMPETITION 7.1. Barriers to Entry 8. SWOT ANALYSIS 9. OUTLOOK 10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 11. REFERENCES 11.1. Publications 11.2. Websites Companies Profiled British American Tobacco PLC Emperor Tobacco (Pty) Ltd. JT International South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Mozambique Leaf Tobacco Lda For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7sldym Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. CONTACT: 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 Health-care workers are receiving widespread praise in Iran as the outbreak of the coronavirus continues. At least one nurse has died after contracting the virus and many are reportedly working under difficult conditions. But several videos have emerged on social media of health-care workers dancing to improve morale and telling people to stay positive. The Delhi Police on Monday said they had arrested the self-styled chairman of a suspected Manipur-based banned militant outfit and his associate for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities and running an extortion network. The members of the outfit, Kangleipak Communist Party-Peoples War Group (KCP-PWG), had allegedly threatened the chief minister of Manipur after which the state police had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on the chairmans arrest. The arrested men were trying to set up their organisations base in Delhi to carry out anti-national activities, deputy commissioner of police (special cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said. DCP Yadav said Delhi Police had received a request from their counterparts in Manipur to arrest Laishram Mangoljao Singh, the self-styled chairman of KCP (PWG), and his associate, Hijbur Rahman, who were in Delhi to allegedly tie up with another terrorist organisation and raise funds. On March 1, Yadav said, the two were caught from north Delhis Burari following information about their presence in the area. Two cellphones with SIM cards of Nepal and a rail ticket were seized from them. Letterheads of the outfit and incriminating audio, video and chats were found in the cellphones, police said. Singh told the police that prior to coming to Delhi, Singh was operating from his base at Kankarbitta, near the Indo-Nepal Border. He was living clandestinely in Nepal for the past five years to avoid arrest, Yadav said. The duo admitted to their involvement in several terrorist activities in Manipur. They extorted money from government authorities, local businessmen, owner of private schools by sending them threat letters through the outfits overground workers in Manipur, added the DCP. According to Yadav, the KCP (Peoples War Group) is very old terrorist group and changed with time again and again. It was formed by a combined extremist group of KCP-Poirei faction, KCP-Tamnganba faction and KCP-Paikhomba faction under the chairman of Laishram Ranjit Meetei. The KCP- Lamyenmbathuman faction is working under the chairmanship of Mangoljao Singh. In August 2018, the police said, members of KCP (PWG) learnt about the agitation by the Manipur University students and teachers unions to remove the vice-chancellor, about the conflicting border pillar issue of Indo-Myanmar and the Naga framework agreement. The outfits top commander, Oinam Ibochouba Singh, held the Manipurs CM responsible for that and circulated an audio threat message in social media groups. Oinam was arrested by the special cell on August 28 the same year from Delhi, Yadav said. On February 12 this year, a Manipur-based businessman had received a threat message on WhatsApp along with an extortion demand of Rs 10 lakh from the outfit. Local police suspected the role of the arrested men and began looking for them, police said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Due to our busy work schedules, we cannot travel to several countries that we have on our bucket list. Indonesia is one country that is on everyone's bucket list for its rich culture and beautiful locales. However, books can also help people in exploring countries and cultures well. Therefore, here are books that can take you to Indonesia and back in a few hours. Read Also: Chinese Envoy To India 'deeply Touched' By Aamir Khan's Message On Coronavirus These 5 books will make you feel like you're right there A House in Bali This book was released way back in the year 1947 and was composed by Canadian writer Colin McPhee. The writer tells the stories from his time in the country and how he was influenced by the Indonesian cultures and traditions and also how he discovered the Balinese traditional music of gamelan. The author paints the image of the time when the country had no western influences messing with their rich indigenous way of life. The Rainbow Troops The book was written by Indonesian Author Andrea Hirata who talks about his childhood days while growing up on the island of Belitong, off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The book easily covers the day to day lives of the people living in the remote villages and the children in them who are referred to as the Rainbow troops. This book was a major bestseller and was even successful in building a new literary museum in Hiratas hometown Belitong. Read Also: BJP Chief JP Nadda's Son Girish Gets Married In Himachal Pradesh, Rangoli Chandel Attends Stranger In the Forest Eric Hansen composed this book in 1982 after spending 7 months in the rivers and jungles of Borneo. The book talks about the experiences he had faced when and how those memories reflected on him. The Indonesian cultures and traditions of the jungle and nations daily life captivate the readers minds with the raw natural description and experiences. This book will transport the people who want to travel to Indonesia but cannot with its accurate stories and pure intentions. Eat, Pray, Love This book was written by Elizabeth Gilbert and made the island of Bali, Indonesia famous in the world. She came up with the book when she made Ubud the islands art and culture capital her home and became one of the islanders. The book talks about how one should embrace the traditions and culture of a place and live like locals of the neighbourhood when travelling and settling. The movie version was also quite successful among viewers. The Land of Five Towers This book on Indonesian culture and traditions and lifestyle were written by Alif Fauda who lived in a small village in West Sumatra as a child. He described his days of playing in the rice paddies, swimming in the lake, picking fruits in the jungle, etc in the book and other insights of his life back in the days. This story is all about chasing dreams, believing in ones self and the culture of Indonesia. Read Also: Students At Prince George & Princess Charlotte's School Suspected Of Having Coronavirus PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 12:30:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 767 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQB: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America, today announced today that the Company will be presenting at the third annual LD Micro Virtual Conference on Tuesday March 3rd at 1:40pm PST/4:40pm EST.Khiron President Chris Naprawa will present and take questions from investors. The live presentation can be accessed through the following link: https://bit.ly/3ah0HgM For the presenting schedule, please visit: https://www.ldmicro.com/events The conference will be held via webcast and will feature over 40 companies in the small / micro-cap space.About LD MicroLD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event).In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe.For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com for more information.About Khiron Life Sciences Corp.Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated cannabis company in Latin America. Khiron has core operations in Latin America and is fully licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) medical cannabis. The company delivers best in class regulatory compliance, has the first approved set of CBD cosmetic products on shelf in Colombia, and is currently facilitating testing to meet and surpass all license requirements for commercial cannabis derived products.With a focused regional strategy and patient oriented approach, the Company combines global scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, branded product market entrance experience and education to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, depression and anxiety in the Latin American market of over 620 million people. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced executive team, and a knowledgeable Board of Directors that includes former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox.Visit Khiron online at www.khiron.ca and on Instagram @khironlifeCautionary NotesForward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.United States DisclaimerThis news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is availableNeither 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 press release.Investor Contacts:Chris NaprawaPresidentT: +1 (416) 705-1144E: cnaprawa@ khiron.ca Media Contact:Jon PackerVice President, CommunicationsT: +1 (416) 543-9179E: jpacker@ khiron.ca SOURCE: Khiron Life Sciences Corp. As the US braces for the novel coronavirus to widen its spread, the battle has begun to contain the disease and at the same time ease public concerns. But questions remain over how prepared the nation to ensure the safety and health of the American people. On Feb. 29, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams urged Americans to stop buying masks on Twitter. In response to a surge in mask purchases, on Feb. 29, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams posted a tweet urging Americans to stop buying masks, leaving the public confused over how they should protect themselves against the virus. They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching coronavirus, but if healthcare providers cant get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk! he said.The best protective measures, he continued, are staying home when sick, washing hands and other everyday preventive actions. Screenshot from Twitter) But his remarks immediately drew a skeptical response. Many argued that he had just contradicted himself and made the general populace seem expendable while putting peoples lives at risk. If they arent effective at preventing transmission then why do healthcare workers need them? a netizen with the screen name MongoFarm asked. The US government and CDC echoed Adams advice, recommending that people who become ill stay at home. However, staying home when sick may not be a luxury all Americans can afford. Weeks of government-mandated paid leave (Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Family Database) According to 2019 US government data, nearly one quarter of all US workers have no access to paid sick leave, and the number rises to 60 percent when it comes to part-time workers. In addition, there is no federal law requiring companies to provide it, making the US the only advanced country in the world that does not offer federally mandated paid sick leave. "Missing a day of work can be financially catastrophic for them and mean the difference between making rent or not, making a car payment or not or feeding their family or not," Donna Ballman, an attorney who heads an employee advocacy law firm in Florida, told CNN. A netizen named annpatricia23 said, Without paid sick days, people will push through initial mild symptoms, adding that the coronavirus epidemic period could be the countrys great learning moment about what is affordable, what is practicable, and the consequent outcomes in real world terms. While paid sick days sound like a luxury for many, so does Medicare, which means a coronavirus test can lead to surprise medical bills. According to the Miami Herald, a man named Osmel Martinez Azcue was slapped with medical fees of nearly $3,500 for getting coronavirus tests after developing flu-like symptoms following a work trip to China. The man works in a medical device company that does not provide a health insurance plan. 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?Azcue told the newspaper. Uninsured rates among the non-elderly in the US (Source: Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation) According to the US Census Bureau, about 27.5 million people, or 8.5 percent of the population, lack any form of health insurance in the US. In 2019, the uninsured rate went up for the first time since 2010, leaving 1.9 million without insurance - making them more reluctant to seek medical care when they are sick to stave off illness, including COVID-19. Millions of people are without health insurance, and millions of others live close to the edge They are much less likely to go to a doctor or clinic at the first sign of a fever or cough, one comment on The New York Times website read. It makes the US more likely to have a major outbreak than those countries where health care is a human right, the user added. Medicare for All is now desperately needed, one netizen exclaimed, noting that rural hospitals are often underfunded, and the middle class and the poor are neglected in many ways. According to OECD data, the US has 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. (Source: OECD) To add to these problems, the US health care system is also lacking in hospital beds. Based on OECD data, the US has 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people, compared with 4.3 in China, a country that constructed two hospitals in a matter of days with a combined capacity of about 2,300 beds and set up a number of makeshift hospitals with around 30,000 beds in Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. This country is extremely poorly prepared. We dont have protective equipment for health personnel. We dont have enough ICU beds. We dont have enough doctors or hospital beds, or ventilators, an online users comment read, adding that unlike the US, China has built pop-up hospitals, shipped military medical personnel in to help and created huge equipment supply chains. The right to life, security and health is the foremost human right. Whether the most powerful nation in the world is prepared for the test brought by this health crisis is a question that is yet to be answered. For many Americans, all they can do is pray that they do not get infected. Im worried [about the coronavirus], a New York citizen said in an interview posted on YouTube.But [I do] nothing beyond washing my hands. Im trying to stay as healthy as possible. Its times like this that we really see the need for stronger public policies, C. Nicole Mason, president and CEO of the Institute for Women's Policy Research, told CNN. Monarch Dental Team In Partnership with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation, Monarch Dental will provide free dental services at its Plano, TX office. A limited number of appointments are available. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (972)535-0330. Who: Monarch Dental Where: 3516 Preston Road Suite 600, Plano, TX 75093 When: Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 8:30am to 2:00pm Dental services provided include same-day procedures such as exams and x-rays, fillings, cleanings and extractions. To be eligible to receive care, individuals must be low income and underinsured. About Monarch Dental Monarch Dental provides general dentistry, childrens dentistry and specialty care services such as orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics at 89 locations throughout Texas, Arkansas and Utah. Monarch Dental affiliated practices make it easy and affordable for individuals and families to get the dental care they need with convenient locations, extended hours and same-day appointments. The Monarch Dental mission is to create healthier smiles by making dental visits easy and enjoyable. Learn more at http://www.monarchdental.com About the Smiles For Everyone Foundation The Smiles for Everyone Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of delivering smiles for everyone by providing free dental care for those in need, both at home in the U.S. and around the world. Since 2011, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has delivered over 26,000 smiles and over $19 million in donated dentistry. The foundation currently supports programs which provide free dental care to those in need in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Thailand, and the United States. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.smilesforeveryone.org. Contacts: Monarch Dental Jody Martin PR@smilebrands.com 714.427.1299 Smiles for Everyone Foundation Crystal Strait crystal.strait@smilesforeveryone.org 714.824.5037 The government-owned shipbuilder drafted press releases in December last year on the expectation a decision was about to be made on whether to shift lucrative submarine maintenance work from South Australia to Western Australia. The politically sensitive decision, which could have included moving up to 700 jobs to WA, was due to be made by the national security committee of cabinet at a meeting in Adelaide on December 9 last year. One of the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class submarines. Credit:Naoyam Masuda But the Morrison government delayed the decision on whether to relocate full cycle docking of the ageing Collins-class submarines, amid intense lobbying from South Australian federal Liberal MPs and the Marshall Liberal government. A decision has still not been made. Australian Submarine Corporation chief executive Stuart Whiley told Senate estimates on Tuesday his organisation had made some preparations about a "possible announcement" leading up to the security committee meeting including drafting press releases. Follow-Up On Kansas City Mayor's Phone Number Share KC mayor looking for ways to deal with gun violence Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he is looking for ways to deal with gun violence after deadly weekend violence."I've probably received hundreds of calls and texts. It has been interesting. Kansas City wants to solve this problem," Lucas said.Lucas said he is sharing his personal cellphone number with the public, inviting ideas on how to address violent crime after three homicides over the weekend. Downtown Ruckus Description Several streets near Union Station shut down due to police activity KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Several streets near Union Station and Crown Center have been shut down Monday afternoon due to police activity. Kansas City, Missouri police said they are negotiating with someone near Pershing and Main Street and several streets in the area have been shut down. Tragic Kansas City Police Chase Woman hit by suspect fleeing from Kansas City police dies KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- The 38-year-old woman whose car was hit by a suspect during a police chase last week has died, Kansas City police said on Friday. Rebecca White and her 3-year-old daughter had been stopped at a red light on the morning of Feb. Naming The Dead After KC Police Station Domestic Drama Police identify 34-year-old man shot, killed outside KCPD station with 3 kids in vehicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police identified the 34-year-old man a woman shot and killed outside one of KCPD's patrol divisions Friday. Kansas City police said officers at the Central Patrol Division, near Linwood Boulevard and Forest Avenue, heard gunshots around 4 p.m. and then found Devon Nolan suffering from critical injuries outside. Authorities ID: Homicide Suspect Killed In Police Chase Driver killed in police chase crash identified as homicide suspect Kansas City police have identified the man killed after a crash after a police chase Thursday.Police said 22-year-old Twashon Wilkins was killed when the black Chrysler Sebring he was driving struck a power pole at a high rate of speed at 4710 Cleveland before overturning and hitting an apartment building.Authorities said at the time of the crash that the driver was a "dangerous felony suspect."Police said Monday that Wilkins was suspected in the Feb. Night Drive Danger Cont'd KC man sent to hospital after Claycomo suspect slams into his SUV in 'reckless' police chase KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City man is recovering at home after his vehicle was rear-ended during a police chase, initiated by a Claycomo police officer. Late Friday evening, Steven Katkus was driving south on Interstate 35, heading toward downtown. He had just passed Parvin Road when he saw another vehicle coming up behind [...] Contractor Charged Former Building Pro owner Mike Ross faces criminal charges in Jackson County KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The former owner of Building Pro, a Lee's Summit-based remodeling and construction company, now faces criminal charges for allegedly taking money from customers then not performing any work. Nasty JoCo Charges Authorities looking for other victims after Overland Park couple charged with rape OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Residents on Melrose Street near West 97th Terrance in Overland Park say police showed up on their block last month. Those officers were there to arrest Carl Mort, 41 and Cassandra Wedeking, 39, on rape, sodomy and drug charges, which stemmed from an ongoing sexual assault investigation in the Lake of the Ozarks region. Scammers Target Mission Hills Metro woman loses hundreds to gift card scam, a common approach for scammers MISSION HILLS, Kan. - More than 3 million people complained they were scammed out of nearly $2 billion last year, according to a Federal Trade Commission spokeswoman. It's something most people think will never happen to them - until it does. "I came home, and I followed the directions," said Susi Cohen, who works as [...] Allegations After Murder 2 men charged with fatally shooting teen in Blue Springs Two men have been charged in the fatal shooting a teenager outside a Blue Springs home in December 2017.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Taron D. Search Continues... In case of Prairie Village woman missing since summer, investigators have difficult task PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. - The investigation into where a missing 51-year-old woman is has now entered its second week. The last time Angela Green was seen was in July. Someone just reported her missing last week, but no one's seen her since last summer. Kansas City Hope For The Future Following Gunfire 11-year-old girl shot in KCMO drive-by fights to make full recovery KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The family of the 11-year-old girl, Shonell "Nelly" Hamilton, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds Feb. 23 in a drive-by in south Kansas City, Missouri, is speaking out through clergy. Frank Savory, the family's pastor, and two other church leaders talked to 41 Action News on Monday on the family's behalf. With this post we play catchup with a great many local news items concerning police action, court cases andmisdeeds. As always, all suspects noted in this post areuntil proven guilty.Developing . . . Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:22:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, 33-year-old Yang Jie braces against the wind and reaches the top of a mountain. He quickly snaps a photo as a sparrowhawk flies over his head. "Sparrowhawks mainly live in forests and prey on small birds," said Yang, a judge of the People's Court of Changping District in Beijing who has been observing and protecting the city's wildlife for eight years. Born on the grasslands of neighboring Hebei Province, Yang has had a special affection for wild animals since childhood. "My dad always took home injured animals such as wild ducks. Sometimes they died despite our treatment. I cried and dug holes to bury them," Yang said ahead of the World Wildlife Day which falls on Tuesday this year. Yang mainly handles commercial court cases. In his spare time, he enjoys climbing. His birding journey started in 2012 when he met a birdwatcher from Friends of Nature, an environmental non-governmental organization, on a mountain. He decided to join them in wildlife protection. Every weekend since then, Yang treks into the mountains, recording the species and number of migratory birds. Accumulating knowledge, he has turned himself into a bird specialist. "I regard birdwatching as a wonderful hobby. It can build up my body and mind. Also, it can help protect wild animals. The only downside is that the mountaineering equipment and camera are a bit expensive," he said. With more contact with wild animals, Yang began to focus on cracking down on wildlife poaching. Out of commercial interest or curiosity, poachers strategically place snares and traps in mountains and around reservoirs. "The only thing some people know about wildlife is how to cook them," Yang said. Once he found a raccoon dog caught in a trap. The poacher who was a resident of a nearby village appeared when Yang tried to release the animal. The stalemate drew a crowd of curious onlookers from the village who did not realize hunting wildlife was illegal and pointed the finger at Yang. Luckily, the head of the villagers committee recognized Yang who had handled a case for the village, and dispersed the group. The forest police arrived at the site, taking away the poacher and discovering frozen boars and pheasants in his freezer. In another case, he found a pair of eagle owls, a species under state protection, that had failed to breed successfully every year because a villager from Yang's hometown took away their eggs and ate them all. Yang visited the villager, became his friend and explained the concept of wildlife protection to him. Finally, the man gave up eating wild animals. "He even takes photos of the eagle owls and sends them to me every week," Yang said. Under his influence, more people including his colleagues have shown interest in wildlife protection. "They encourage me to keep going. And many colleagues join me to climb up the mountain for birdwatching on weekends," he said. Last week, China's top legislature decided to thoroughly ban illegal wildlife trade and eliminate the bad habits of eating wild animals. Local governments in Fujian, Guangdong and Tianjin have also introduced regulations banning such behaviors. Shenzhen has gone even further to issue a "white list" of only a dozen edible animals, expanding the ban to other non-protected animals. "The news heartened those engaged in wildlife conservation," Yang said. "I hope more people do their best to protect wild animals and live in harmony with them." [March 03, 2020] Tyler Technologies to Provide Enterprise Resource Planning and Civic Services Solutions to Fast-Growing Missouri City Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced today that it has signed a seven-year, software-as-a-service (SaaS (News - Alert)) agreement with the city of O'Fallon, Missouri, for a suite of Tyler solutions, including Munis enterprise resource planning (ERP), ExecuTime workforce management, EnerGov civic services, Socrata Open Finance, Tyler EAM, Tyler Notify, and Tyler Meeting Manager solutions. The city of O'Fallon is one of the fastest growing cities in Missouri and was looking for a comprehensive, integrated solution that would improve the city's financial management, human capital management, utility billing, business license review, code enforcement, and other daily administrative processes. The city selected Tyler to bring crucial online services to employees, residents, and vendors whle eliminating silos of information between departments. Tyler Meeting Manager will help the city organize and conduct more efficient meetings by automating the planning and follow-up process. In addition, the inclusion of Socrata applications will allow the city to make data-driven decisions and present key information to the public. Tyler's integrated system will bring efficiency and transparency to both staff and residents and allow for better communication internally and externally. The city of O'Fallon is part of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area and has a population of roughly 88,000. Tyler also provides its Incode court solution to the city. About Tyler Technologies (News - Alert), Inc. Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) provides integrated software and technology services to the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate more efficiently and connect more transparently with their constituents and with each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions are transforming how clients gain actionable insights that solve problems in their communities. Tyler has more than 26,000 successful installations across more than 10,000 sites, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. A financially strong company, Tyler has achieved double-digit revenue growth every quarter since 2012. It was also named to Forbes' "Best Midsize Employers" list in 2019 and recognized twice on its "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005079/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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 After nearly two years of resistance from neighbors -- and even a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles -- a shelter for homeless men, women and youth opened last week on the corner of Pacific and Sunset Avenue in Venice. City officials inaugurated the "Pacific Sunset" bridge housing facility at an event on Tuesday. "If we do not want people living and dying outdoors, we need to bring them indoors," L.A. Councilman Mike Bonin told Curbed LA. The new facility occupies half of a previously unused Metro bus lot, a few blocks from the Venice boardwalk and the beach. It's part of Mayor Eric Garcetti's A Bridge Home program and will temporarily house 100 men and women in a giant white tent, and 50 transitional-age youth (18-24) in bungalows. LAist only exists with your support. No paywalls here: just free, independent journalism for you and your city. Donate now. Each bed is reserved for a specific person experiencing homelessness in Venice who has been pre-selected by local service providers and homeless outreach workers. Tracking them down has been challenging, said Steve Fiechter, LA Metro Director of People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), which provides services for adults at the shelter. "Folks don't necessarily stay standing on the street corner exactly where you found them," he said. Still, as of Monday, 102 people had moved into Pacific Sunset. Fiechter expects the facility to be full by Tuesday evening. Here's how the shelter works: Beds, showers, meals, laundry and medical services are provided. Job counseling and 12-step programs are available. The site has 24-hour security and management onsite. Drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the premises. The shelter will operate for a maximum of three years. The city will spend additional money to clear and clean up nearby homeless encampments. The public works department has scheduled weekly sidewalk and street cleaning for several blocks around the shelter, beginning March 9. Despite enthusaism from city officials and new residents of Pacific Sunset, the contentious backstory of the space is still fresh in the minds of Venice residents, some of whom aren't welcoming the new development. "It's a nightmare. If it was something that I really thought was going to help homelessness, golly I'd be all for it," said longtime Venice resident Sunny Tomblin. Here's how other Venice residents -- including homeless people, renters, and homeowners -- are feeling now that the shelter is open. Rex Archer, a new resident of the Pacific Sunset shelter in Venice, smokes a cigarette outside of the facility. (Caroline Champlin/LAist) GRATEFUL TO BE OFF THE SYNAGOGUE STEPS One new resident at Pacific Sunset is Rex Archer, who, until last week, was sleeping on the steps of the Mishkon Tephilo Synagogue. He's grateful to now be living at the shelter. "They said I can stay here for nine months. That's a good way to stack cheese, so to speak," Archer said. He's hoping to work as a forklift operator again, like he did in Arkansas 20 years ago, to save money for an apartment. Then, he said, his two grandkids can come visit from Northern California. "I can't bring two kids down here just to live on the street to see grandpa," he said. "When I do invite them down, I want to have a place where they can stay." 'I MOVE OUT NEXT MONTH' While Archer and other residents of Pacific Sunset are settling into their cubicle beds, some nearby renters are getting ready to move out. "My girlfriend just does not feel safe anymore being around here by herself," said Nick Brown, who lives on a walk street near the shelter. "And from where I live I can literally see [the shelter] through my back window," he said. In a couple weeks, he and his girlfriend plan to move into a house in Playa Del Rey. Despite this, generally speaking, Brown supports the shelter -- he thinks there needs to be a better place for homeless people to live instead of outside the nearby Google offices, for example. "It is a little disappointing to see it go up in an area with such high-value properties that is just starting to come and work its way up," Brown said. "If I was a property owner here I'd be losing my mind. But since I'm a renter I can easily move." 'I'VE WORKED A LIFETIME TO BE HERE' Some homeowners are deeply upset about the shelter. Sunny Tomblin has lived in her Venice home for more than 40 years and objects to the shelter being located so near. She said she and her neighbors invested time and money in their homes, ultimately making the area an expensive place to live. "I bought here in '76. It was a ghetto. I could never have afforded to live here so I really resent that the homeless can come here," she said. "I've worked a lifetime to be here." Tomblin said when she first moved to Venice from Beverly Hills her friends wouldn't visit her because they were concerned about drug use in the neighborhood. "We cleaned this area up," she said. Now, she's worried the shelter will drive people away again. 'I JUST DON'T WANT THAT NEGATIVITY IN MY LIFE' Not all Venice neighbors oppose the shelter. Alyssa Tucker actually lives on the same street as Tomblin, but she's glad the shelter is up and running. "I want to get people off the streets 'cause the sidewalks are constantly blocked by people setting up shop," Tucker said, adding that many homeless people are working or trying to find work. Plus, she said, housing is a better use of the land than leaving the former bus lot vacant. Tucker is aware that some of her neighbors have different opinions -- she used to read daily complaints about homelessness in a Facebook group for Venice residents. Eventually, she got fed up and left the group. "I just don't want that negativity in my life every day," she said. Frances equivalent of the Oscars the Cesars was thrown into turmoil Friday after director Roman Polanski won top awards, prompting several walkouts from actresses and protests outside the venue. The 86-year-old Franco-Polish directors film 'An Officer & A Spy' captured the awards for best director and best adapted screenplay, a deeply controversial choice for the French film industry in the #MeToo era. Polanski, who was absent from the ceremony, pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in the US in 1977 but fled before sentencing. He has been a fugitive from justice ever since. His win on Friday prompted French actress Adele Haenel, who last year said she had been sexually abused as a child by another director, to walk out, exclaiming: Shame! Host of the ceremony, Florence Foresti, later posted an Instagram story with a black screen and the word: Disgusted. The host took several jabs at the film during the ceremony, asking the audience not to applaud when she listed its nomination. The French feminist collective, Nous Toutes, also said in a statement that Polanskis win was shameful. The Academy of the Cesars had spat in the face of victims of pedophile acts, in the face of victims of sexist violence and, more broadly, in the face of millions of women in this country, the group added. As the ceremony unfolded, protesters outside clashed with police as they tried to enter the building. The demonstrators held flares and pushed metal fences towards the police, Reuters reported. It added that police used pepper spray on the protesters, who held placards reading: No Cesar for rapist. CNN Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and his wife Jane Sanders wave to the crowd at the end of a campaign rally at Vic Mathias Shores Park on February 23, 2020 in Austin, Texas. An increasingly young and diverse red state that the Democratic Party sees as a core piece of its future will get its chance Tuesday to define which white septuagenarian will represent the party against President Donald Trump. Texas will hold its presidential primary Tuesday, joining 13 other states that will dole out more than a third of all pledged delegates in the 2020 race. The Lone Star State will allocate 228 delegates, more than any state voting this week other than California. The huge and still growing Texas will test 78-year-old Sen. Bernie Sanders' efforts to boost turnout among young and Latino voters, core parts of a coalition he hopes will propel him to the Democratic nomination and the White House. Carried to his first primary win by overwhelming support from black voters in South Carolina, former Vice President Joe Biden, 77, hopes black voters in Texas and elsewhere Tuesday will help him keep pace with Sanders in the national delegate race. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's appearance on ballots for the first time complicates their efforts to rack up votes in Texas. The 78-year-old billionaire, who has spent more than $500 million on his campaign across a range of states such as Texas, has made inroads with older voters of color, who have typically leaned toward supporting Biden, according to recent Texas polls. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 70, has also drawn a major chunk of support and could win delegates in Texas. With its mammoth delegate haul, the Texas primary will play a major role in deciding who gets the nomination. It will also give a clue about whether presidential candidates can harness increased Democratic energy and a rising Latino voting bloc in a state central to the party's ambitions in the coming years. "There is incredible progressive momentum on the ground in Texas. ... Latinos' massive growth as a voting bloc is largely driven and attributed to the youth coming of age. Young Latinos in Texas are growing in power," said Antonio Arellano, interim executive director of Jolt, an organization that aims to increase engagement and voting among young Latinos in Texas. The group has endorsed Sanders for president. Texas typically votes Republican in presidential elections. Trump, 73, won the state by 9 percentage points in 2016. Yet Democrats have high hopes for Texas after flipping several congressional districts and coming just short of winning a U.S. Senate race in 2018. Democrats aim to defend or flip U.S. House seats around Austin, Houston and Dallas, cities with changing demographics that have made them skew more Democratic. The party also has designs on flipping the Texas state house this year. Along with winning over disaffected independents and Republicans, mobilizing voters of color is a part of the party's strategy. In the 2016 Texas primary, Hispanic or Latino voters made up 32% of the Democratic electorate, according to exit polls. About one-fifth, or 19%, were black. Hillary Clinton beat Sanders by at least 40 percentage points among both groups of voters, exit surveys showed. Sanders needs those trends to change this year, and polls indicate they have. An NBC News/Marist poll taken before Biden's blowout South Carolina primary win and Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg's decisions to drop out of the race and endorse the former vice president found Sanders leading among Latinos with 46% of support. Bloomberg and Biden followed at 14% and 13%, respectively. Burma Wa Army Says Its Willing to Work With Myanmar Govt to Hold Voting in Its Territory UWSA troops take part in the armed groups 30th anniversary parade in Panghsang, the capital of the Wa Self-Administered Region, in 2019. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGONThe United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmars largest ethnic armed organization, said it would collaborate with the government to organize voting in its self-administered zone later this year during the countrys general election. Most of the area was unable to take part in previous elections due to security concerns. The military-drafted 2008 Constitution grants the Wa region self-administered status. Known as Special Region 2, it comprises six townships in northern and eastern Shan state; Hopang, Mong Mau, Pang Wai, Nah Parn, Met Man and Panghsang (Pangkham). In the general elections in 2010 and 2015, voting could not be held in four townships of the Wa self-administered area: Panghsang, Mong Mau, Pang Wai and Nah Parn. At that time, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced it was not in a position to hold free and fair elections in the areas. During a meeting in late February in Panghsang, the capital of Wa region, with U Hla Thein, the chairman of the UEC, and other government representatives, Xiao Mingliang, the vice president of the UWSA and its political wing the United Wa State Party (UWSP), promised to join hands with the election commission on implementing the procedures necessary for holding the 2020 general election in the groups territory. U Hla Thein explained the electoral process in detail to the UWSA leaders. The meeting was also attended by UWSA deputy commander-in-chief Zhao Zhongdang, Vice Secretary General Bao You Yi, Vice President Zhao Guo-ann and other members of the groups Central Committee. UWSA liaison officer U Nyi Rang confirmed the discussions to The Irrawaddy, saying, We will need to wait for the details of the process for collaborating with the government to hold the election. We could not hold the elections in the past because there were no pre-negotiations and preparations [between the UWSA and the government], he said. The liaison officer added, When it comes to basic preparations, all the voters in our area would need household registration certificates and national identification cards. According to the UWSA-owned Wa State TV, UWSP Vice President Xiao discussed Wa regions future plans, comprising eight key points, with the UEC representatives. U Nyi Rang declined to reveal the details, however. During the meeting, Xiao said he expected Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Wa region during her administration. We invite her to observe and offer her guidance to us, U Nyi Rang said. The leader of Myanmar is our leader as well. The Irrawaddy has learned that the invitation was made by Wei Hsueh-kang, reportedly the UWSAs southern military commander, who is on the US State Departments narcoticswanted list. The department is offering a US$2-million (2.85-billion-kyat) reward for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. Wei met with Myanmar peace officials in December in Yunnan province. Speaking through an interpreter, Wei told Myanmar officials that he had thoroughly studied the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) process. To the surprise of the delegates, he extended an invitation to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to visit the Wa capital. Speaking in Chinese, Wei said that if she agreed to visit, he could promise that all obstacles to acheiving a peace deal would be resolved. He also said he closely followed Myanmars daily news, including political and economic developments. Wei claimed to hold the key to the peace process in Phangsang, and spoke of his willingness to use his business empire in Wa region to boost Myanmars sluggish economy. He even mentioned that when Myanmar faced a currency crisis in August 2018, he would have been prepared to offer assistance if asked. The UWSA celebrated its 30th anniversary in April last year, and invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to attend the event. The State Counselor did not attend the ceremony, but sent a message to the event. While it already operates independently with no interference from central Myanmar authorities, the UWSA has long demanded official status as an autonomous ethnic state. A political analyst familiar with ethnic affairs on the China-Burma border, U Maung Maung Soe, told The Irrawaddy, The Was policy is they want to build good relations with government, while at the same time they want to keep their autonomous status. The move [to cooperate on the election] is possibly aimed at legitimizing their demand to establish Wa as an autonomous ethnic state, U Maung Maung Soe said. Founded on April 17, 1989, the UWSA signed a ceasefire with Myanmars then military governmentthe State Law and Order Restoration Councilin the same year after splitting from the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). It also founded the UWSP and the Wa State Peoples Government. Since then the UWSA has quietly grown into the largest, best-equipped ethnic armed group in Myanmar with an estimated 30,000 troops and 10,000 auxiliary members, according to Myanmar Peace Monitor. The UWSA has five divisions deployed along the Thai-Myanmar border and three divisions on the China-Myanmar border. Since the ceasefire deal in 1989, there have been no clashes between the UWSA and the Myanmar military. The UWSA has not yet signed the governments NCA. The group serves as the chair of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) alliance, some of whose members are still fighting the Myanmar army. The government has pressured the UWSA to sign the NCA, however it and other members of the FPNCC want the government to amend some parts of the agreement first. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Military Says Soldiers Killed, Wounded in Attack by RCSS Myanmars Wa Army Confirms It Has a Helicopter By Trend If Armenia completely closes borders with its neighbors, then it will collapse, well-known Russian expert and TV presenter Yevgeny Mikhailov told Trend, commenting on the Armenian authorities' decision not to close the land borders with Iran and Georgia. In this case, it is obvious that Yerevan chooses the lesser of two evils, Mikhailov said. Armenia made such a decision because closing the border with Iran means blocking access to the economic space for its citizens, he added. Regarding the threat of coronavirus, there is no pandemic or any epidemic yet, said the expert. "Specialists are now working at checkpoints in many countries to identify signs of the disease among visitors. So, the specialists with necessary equipment also work at the Baku airport and Russian harbors. The infection cases have been revealed in many countries." Mikhailov noted that if Armenia does not control the epidemiological situation, this will pose a regional threat in terms of the coronavirus spread. "Now the question is only responsibility, in particular of Yerevan. We do not know how seriously Yerevan is ready to fight coronavirus, and this is a matter of concern. But in a situation of economic blockade, Armenia cannot afford to completely close the borders," the expert stressed As for Russia, it is unlikely at the moment to expect that the country stops communication with Yerevan, he added. "However, Moscow can take such drastic measures, if the coronavirus spreads throughout Armenia. Then Russia will be forced to stop the traffic between two countries," concluded Mikhailov. Armenia has not closed the land border with Iran. Earlier, Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said that he also did not consider it necessary to close the border with Georgia. We still feel being exposed to the material really prepares kids for college, Tukeva said. We see kids come back from college and say that its not hard, because they were exposed to it in high school. A four-year-old Arizona boy has died after police say the child's father repeatedly bludgeoned him with a guitar before police arrived and killed the attacker. According to a statement released Monday night by the Clarkdale Police Department, 33-year-old Joshua Hernandez Lord struck his son in the head with the musical instrument, inflicting multiple skull fractures, during a domestic incident that took place last Thursday. Hernandez Lord also bashed his 51-year-old mother with the guitar, leaving her with a head injury. Joshua Hernandez Lord, 33 (left and right), allegedly bludgeoned his four-year-old son to death (pictured with his dad as a newborn, right), with a guitar in Arizona Thursday Hernandez Lord also used the guitar to hit his 51-year-old mother in the head inside this home in Clarkdale, Arizona Police arrived at the family's home in the 1400 block of Second South Street in response to a vague 911 call about an injured person that did not 'convey the severity of the incident or the extent of the injuries,' according to the statement. Officer Carlos Godina repeatedly tried to 'deescalate the suspect' and use his Taser to subdue him, but it was ineffective. After a few minutes, the officer discovered Hernandez Lord's mortally injured son and took steps to protect him while keeping his father, still brandishing the guitar used in the brutal attack, inside the home. Police say Hernandez Lord then armed himself with a knife and used it to 'continually threaten' the officer. At one point during the confrontation, the suspect allegedly made an aggressive move at Godina, prompting him to shoot him. Hernandez Lord was pronounced dead at the scene. His toddler son was airlifted to a hospital in Flagstaff, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. Clarkdale police have scheduled a community meeting Thursday night to discuss the incident. A police announcement said the meeting at the Clarkdale-Jerome school will 'provide a platform for information sharing, education of trauma and resiliency, and available resources within the community.' Clarkdale police officer Carlos Godina responded to the scene and tried to deescalate the situation. He used a Taser on Hernandez Lord, but it was ineffective Clarkdale Police Chief Randy Taylor told 12News that officer Godina speculated that Hernandez Lord was having a psychotic episode. Police have not officially identified the victims, but according to the Facebook page of Hernandez Lord's mother, her son - one of four - welcomed a boy named Isidro Jerome in September 2015. Sgt. Nicole Florisi, a spokesperson for the Clarkdale Police Department, stated in an email to DailyMail.com on Tuesday that the agency 'has not had contact with the suspect since 2011 when he was a witness to an accident. We have not had any criminal contact with the suspect prior to this.' Florisi also revealed that officer Godina was wearing a body camera, the video from which is currently being reviewed by an investigative team. Online hotel booking sites do not deliver the bargain prices claimed in their glossy TV ads. Eight in ten UK rooms were cheaper or came with incentives such as a free breakfast if a booking was made directly over the phone, according to research by Which? Websites such as Booking.com and Expedia claim to search all available deals across a range of hotel options to provide the cheapest rooms. Online hotel booking sites do not deliver the bargain prices claimed in their glossy TV ads, a study by Which? has found But the consumer group said the commission taken by booking websites tends to drive up prices, rather than delivering bargains. The organisation said the way specialist online hotel and travel booking websites operate in the UK is rigged against consumers. In Britain, they impose so-called 'parity clauses', which do not allow hotels to offer cheaper prices when selling rooms to the public through their own site. However, this does not prevent the hotels offering a lower price if a customer contacts them directly by telephone or email. The biggest saving found by going direct was 12 per off the cost listed on Booking.com - a saving of 20 - as well as having a free upgrade. Many independent hoteliers resent the power of the big booking websites - and the fees they demand. However, they feel they have no choice but to use them. Which? said: 'Online travel agents (OTAs) are often thought to be the most convenient way to get the best price on a hotel room, with many comparing the cost of hotel rooms across different websites under the promise of allowing the customer to find the best deal. 'However, when we contacted 10 hotels to ask if they could offer a better deal than that offered by an OTA or on their own website, eight were able to offer a better price or other incentives such as free breakfasts or upgrades. A table showing the prices of 10 hotels across the UK on Booking.com compared to the prices Which? researchers were offered when contacting them directly A letter, seen by Which? Travel, from Booking.com to a B&B owner warned them against offering cheaper rates on their own website HOW TO GET THE BEST ROOM RATE Find a hotel on an online booking site. Google the name of the property (watch out for ads from hotel booking sites hijacking the search results scroll down to find the official site). Email or, better still, call the hotel directly. Quote the online booking site's rate and ask if they can better it. Calculate 15 per cent to 25 per cent of the rate. This is the potential saving for the hotelier and an indicator of wiggle room. Advertisement 'OTAs charge high levels of commission - typically between 15 and 25 per cent - on every booking, which hotels, especially smaller properties like family-run B&Bs, often have to pass on to customers.' Which? added that hotel price parity clauses have been banned in France, Italy and Austria for preventing competition. However, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) chose not to follow suit in a recent review of the hotel booking industry. The consumer champion said one small B&B owner told them the online travel agents are so dominant that they are 'stealing' customers that might have otherwise made a direct booking. A letter, seen by Which? Travel, from Booking.com to another B&B owner warned them against offering cheaper rates on their own website. It says: 'While checking your property website we found cheaper rates than those displayed on Booking.com. 'As we work with our Partners, in good and fair relationships, we also aim to give a great customer experience, which includes a strong inventory and fair prices. 'Having consistently lower rates on your property website may detract from this customer experience as well as impact your own performance on Booking.com. Over time this could lead to lower visibility and slower business growth. 'We would like to kindly ask that you provide Booking.com with the same rates and conditions as your own website.' The editor of Which? Travel, Rory Boland, said: 'Customers shouldn't be duped into thinking they're getting the best price from a hotel booking site when more often than not, they can get a better deal by avoiding its commission and booking directly with the hotel. 'Hotel booking sites might be a good place to start your search, but you should always call or email the hotel for the best chance of getting the cheapest deal - even in cases where they can't offer a better price, there's a good chance they'll throw in a freebie or two.' Booking.com said: 'Properties choose whatever prices they want to list on Booking.com, which they can do at will and free of charge. Then Booking works hard to advertise their property for them to customers all over the world. Which? said the commission taken by booking websites tends to drive up prices, rather than delivering bargains 'If Booking can indeed find them a customer, the property then - and only then - pays a small fee in exchange for the service.' Expedia added: 'For the past 20-plus years, Expedia Group has helped hundreds of thousands of hoteliers compete for consumers' business and provided transparency to the market, helping consumers discover these hotels quickly and efficiently. 'We provide a global marketplace for chains and independent hotels alike to compete with their peer hotels, by making them visible and bookable to consumers worldwide. 'Our focus is on ensuring that the best rates and availability are presented to consumers in order to attract travellers to our sites to book with our partners. 'The ability to book packages with Expedia is a great example of this, where many hotels and certain airlines give us special discounted pricing.' LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org (https://compare-autoinsurance.org/) is a top auto insurance brokerage website, providing car insurance quotes online from trustworthy agencies all over the United States. This website offers car insurance info about different coverage types, available discounts, and money-saving tips. No matter if shopping online or buying coverage directly from an agent, the following rules still apply. They will help drivers understand their needs and save money. When shopping online, make sure to use https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ and get free car insurance quotes! First, determine what coverage is needed . Always buy the minimum state requirements and the current lienholder's required coverage types. These are not recommendations, but policies and amounts which must be bought. Without them, drivers cannot legally drive. Anything else is extra and it is up to the driver to select. Having high liability limits is also recommended since the minimum requirements do not cover the costs of injuries or car damage caused by a serious accident. PIP, Uninsured Motorist and Collision Insurance are noteworthy policies. . Always buy the minimum state requirements and the current lienholder's required coverage types. These are not recommendations, but policies and amounts which must be bought. Without them, drivers cannot legally drive. Anything else is extra and it is up to the driver to select. Having high liability limits is also recommended since the minimum requirements do not cover the costs of injuries or car damage caused by a serious accident. PIP, Uninsured Motorist and Collision Insurance are noteworthy policies. Check for discounts . With so many car insurance discounts available, it would be a big mistake not to check them out. Before signing any contract, ask the insurance representative to provide a list with discounts offered by the company. Being eligible for a series of discounts will help drivers save a lot of money. . With so many car insurance discounts available, it would be a big mistake not to check them out. Before signing any contract, ask the insurance representative to provide a list with discounts offered by the company. Being eligible for a series of discounts will help drivers save a lot of money. Review the market periodically . The policy and company which offered the best prices six months ago may not be the best option now. It is recommended to periodically scan the market and see if the offer is still competitive. If not, consider switching carriers. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/. Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Getting the best car insurance deal involves a lot of time spent on analyzing offers. Online quotes will help you get the job done easier and faster", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing Company Person for contact Name: Gurgu C Phone Number: (818) 359-3898 Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz Website: https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578737/Car-Insurance-Tips-2020-Important-Rules-To-Follow-When-Shopping-For-Auto-Insurance SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco police announced on Monday they arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with two shootings at illegal sideshows happening in the city. According to police, the first show occurred on Dec. 8 near Barneveld and McKinnon avenues. Officers initially responded to a report of a shooting in the area. Upon arrival, they witnessed a sideshow happening, with several vehicles participating and multiple onlookers, police said. The vehicles, however, left the area just as police arrived. Officers were able to collect several shell casings in the intersection. Then on Jan. 5, an officer patrolling the same intersection, Barneveld and McKinnon avenues, noticed several vehicles involved in a sideshow, again with onlookers congregated in the area. But as the officer waited for backup, someone involved in the sideshow began firing several gunshots, causing the crowd to disperse. Officers were ultimately able to collect shell casings from the scene. Working on the theory that the two sideshows and shootings may have been related, investigators were able to identify a suspect in the case. On Jan. 30, officers were able to arrest the suspect, identified as 21-year-old San Francisco resident Victor Navarro-Flores in connection with the shootings. Officers booked him on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm and a probation violation. Officers are continuing to crackdown on the illegal sideshows by issuing citations, making arrests, towing vehicles and collecting evidence, police said. Anyone with further information about the two sideshows is being encouraged to call police's anonymous tipline 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. OKLAHOMA CITY - A college president has apologized after a recruiter told students at an Oklahoma City high school to line up by the skin colour and hair texture. At an open campus meeting Sunday, Oklahoma Christian University President John DeSteiguer called recruiter Cedric Sunrays actions at Harding Charter Preparatory High School offensive, harmful and inappropriate. Harding student Korey Todd told KFOR-TV that during the Feb. 24 assembly Sunray barely talked about the school itself. Todd says Sunray ranked students based on whose hair was the most nappy. Student Rio Brown said, He told us to line up nappiest hair in the back and straightest hair in the front. DeSteiguer says the university had parted with Sunray within an hour of the incident. Sunray, who is white, wrote in a lengthy statement published Monday in the Christian Chronicle that his motives behind the exercise were not racist. Nothing I spoke at Harding Charter Preparatory during an initial ice-breaker session had any intention of promoting a racist agenda. My presentations are the opposite. They are intended to take a hard look at issues such as this, he wrote. In an era of increased scrutiny, corporate directors are independently mining outside sources of information beyond the reports supplied from within their companies, according to a new Diligent Institute report. The Diligent Institute is the research arm of Diligent, a leader in modern governance and a trusted provider of board insights to over 17,000 organizations and 650,000 leaders worldwide. The report, titled Beyond the Board Room: How Directors Gain Insight, included insights from nearly 200 board directors around the globe. According to the poll, 65% of directors spend time gathering independent information about their companies to prepare for board meetings and 40% of their preparation is spent on activities other than reading management-prepared materials. In todays fast paced world, directors are held to higher standards and are under more pressure than ever before, and theyre developing new tactics to meet the demands of their role, said Diligent CEO Brian Stafford. Our research puts a finer point on the expanded scope of the director role, and the resources they need to help executives make informed decisions for the company to maintain its competitive advantage. Directors need information from a diversity of reliable sources, and companies should help them by establishing best practices that ensure the external sources are credible. According to the report, directors read up on industry trends, governance best practices, and speak with other corporate leaders in their efforts to gain insight. The survey revealed that 79% of directors have conversations with other board members, and 87% converse with management team members in advance of board meetings. With new global risks like the Covid-19 coronavirus and resulting stock market volatility impacting companies, the pressure on directors to consider perspectives from multiple sources both inside and outside the company has never been greater. As one survey respondent remarked, Youre being irresponsible if youre not looking more widely to understand whats happening in your sector rather than relying solely on CEO reports. Especially in todays high-risk culture, when youre assessing risk all of the time, if you just looked at one source, you wouldnt be doing your job properly. While this new form of due diligence can arm board members with better information, it can also open up potential risks, of particular concern to general counsels and other legal professionals within the company. At times, outside research can be incomplete, outdated, or just incorrect, creating confusion among board members. To combat this, it is critical to establish processes and empower board members with technology that enables them to be proactive while ensuring they are using credible, reliable sources to mitigate risk in an increasingly digital world. Keeping up with the pace of change and disruption is an incredible challenge and opportunity. For board members, it means we must stay sharp and have our pulse on the changing competitive landscape so we can help our companies see around corners and make the best decisions for shareholders and stakeholders alike, said Erin Lantz, board member with TrueCar. Having access to a breadth of information, from both management and independent sources, helps to develop a more complete picture of the company and a better ability to identify risks and opportunities. Overall, the report findings could significantly impact the way management helps prepare directors for board meetings and the tools they provide to guide them. With directors focusing on outside research, there needs to be a more careful focus on the type of information delivered to boards and improved tools and protocols to ensure theyre reviewing reliable and relevant material to make educated decisions. To view the full report findings, please visit https://www.diligentinstitute.com/how-corporate-directors-gain-insight. About Diligent Institute Diligent Institute provides publicly available, industry-leading research on global board governance. The Institute equips board directors and corporate leadership teams at organizations around the globe with the information to make forward-looking decisions that leave a meaningful mark on the world. The Institute was founded in 2018 and serves as the global governance research arm of Diligent Corporation. Please visit diligentinstitute.com to learn more and subscribe to stay updated on research. About Diligent Diligent is leading the way in modern governance. Diligent empowers leaders to turn governance into a competitive advantage through unparalleled insight and highly secure, integrated SaaS applications, helping organizations thrive and endure in todays complex, global landscape. The companys trusted, cloud-based applications streamline the day-to-day work of board management and committees, support collaboration and secure information sharing throughout the organization, manage subsidiary and entity data, and deliver the insights and information leaders need to mitigate governance deficits and seize new opportunities. The largest global network of corporate directors and executives, Diligent is relied on by more than 17,000 organizations and 650,000 leaders in over 90 countries. With award-winning customer service across the globe, Diligent serves more than 50% of the Fortune 1000, 70% of the FTSE 100, and 65% of the ASX. Visit www.diligent.com to learn how modern governance helps organizations outperform their peers and the competition. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005215/en/ Attacks on reporters during violence that has claimed 47 lives highlight growing risk to journalists in India. Journalists in India say attacks on the media during last weeks deadly anti-Muslim violence in the capital, New Delhi, show deteriorating press freedom in the South Asian nation. One reporter was shot and survived, another had his teeth knocked out, and many more said Hindus demanded proof of religion, and tried to keep them from documenting vandalism and violence that included people attacking one another with axes, swords, metal pipes and guns. Authorities have yet to provide an official account of what sparked the 72-hour clash that left 47 people dead and hundreds wounded, though tensions between Hindus and Muslims have been building for months over a new citizenship law. Nor have they addressed journalists allegations that they were singled out by groups of Hindus. The violence was triggered after a series of hate speeches by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, some of whom warned Muslims to wind down peaceful sit-ins in the capital or face their supporters ire. Censorship of critical content But experts and journalists say the attacks on reporters covering the riots and censorship of critical content in the aftermath of the violence are signs of growing intolerance for independent reporting in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist-led government. Anindya Chattopadhyay, a photographer for the Times of India newspaper, said that as he reached the scene of the riots last Tuesday, a man approached him, offering to put a tilak, a mark indicating a person is Hindu, on his forehead. Experts and journalists say there is a growing intolerance for independent reporting in India under Modi [File: Altaf QadriAP Photo] The man said it would make his work easier. Chattopadhyay refused, but later, after he rushed to take pictures of a building on fire, he was approached by a group demanding to know whether he was Hindu or Muslim, threatening to remove his pants to check whether he was circumcised per the Muslim custom. I folded my hands and pleaded with them to let me go, saying I was a lowly photographer, Chattopadhyay recalled. He noted that while journalists in India have always been targeted for their work, under Modi the attackers are much more open, furious and fearless. Similar demands for proof of religion were made during the 2002 riots in Gujarat, Modis home state and where he was the chief elected official at the time. The state erupted in violence when a train filled with Hindu pilgrims was attacked by a group of Muslims and caught fire, burning 60 Hindus to death. In retaliation, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the state. Modi was accused of tacit support for the rampage against Muslims and was even banned by the US from travelling there, though he was ultimately cleared by a court of wrongdoing and the travel ban was lifted. Journalists as part of the problem Modis supporters saw the international criticism of him and pinned the blame for it on journalists and other critics, a feeling that continues today, said Ashutosh Varshney, a professor at Brown University and an expert on Indias history of riots. Since 2002, Hindu nationalists have looked at journalists as part of the problem, Varshney said. He said Modi and his followers believe critical media is interfering with their plans to build a Hindu state. Kuldeep Dhatwalia, a government spokesman and director of the federal Press Information Bureau, said he was not aware of any complaints about press access. It is not correct to link conditions of journalists for coverage of different incidents at different places, he said. Modis supporters saw the international criticism of him and pinned the blame for it on journalists and other critics [File: Altaf Qadri/AP Photo] Modi supporters have already attacked critical commentary of last weeks violence that saw extensive damage to Muslim lives, properties and mosques. Mir Suhail, a Kashmiri cartoonist in New York, adapted a news photograph taken during the riots of a Muslim man crouched in supplication, his traditional garb splattered with blood, with a white-bearded man on his back practising yoga poses. Suhail had superimposed a stretching Modi from a video of his morning yoga exercise routine that the prime minister posted online in 2018 and was seen by millions of Indians. Suhails animation was retweeted and praised, but also condemned. By Thursday, a day after the violence came to an end, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter had removed Suhails cartoon, saying it violated community standards on hate speech. This, Suhail said, is why he had to leave his job at a news organisation in New Delhi. I cant publish this cartoon, he said. I am also afraid that if I go back to India they will throw me in jail, because this is no big deal for them. Polarised crowd Hotstar, Indias largest video streaming platform, also removed an episode of the American show Last Week Tonight With John Oliver that poked fun at Modis mega-rally with President Donald Trump, who made his first official visit to India last week. The comedian also criticised the Indian governments response to the violence in New Delhi. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting spokesman Saurabh Singh said the government had nothing to do with the censorship of the cartoon and episode. Arvind Gunasekar, a reporter for New Delhi Television News, is unable to work until after he has surgery to repair his jaw, which was shattered during the riots. He and his colleagues were standing on an overpass on February 25, using their cellphones to capture a group of Hindus tearing down the walls of a Muslim graveyard. One of the vandals spotted him and grabbed him by the collar, calling the others to join. The blows came hard and fast as the group chanted pro-Hindu slogans. Gunasekars colleague Saurabh Shukla ran his aid. Shukla showed the attackers the prayer beads hanging from his neck and shouted that he was a high-caste Hindu. I had to play that card or else they would have killed him. They were about to throw him over the (overpass), Shukla said. The group made Gunasekar unlock his phone and delete the videos he had recorded. There are no more journalists here, only nationalists and anti-nationalists, according to our government, he said. And such identities are passed all the way down and we are ending up as victims at the hands of the polarised crowd. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 11:42:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Instead of going back home to the U.S., restaurant owner David Chon chose to stay in China's Hainan during the #coronavirus outbreak to do something meaningful. Find out what is on our first episode of #ChinaVlog " " Despite its massive size, the Leonberger is a sweet and companionable family dog with a protective and loving temperament. Hans Surfer/Getty Images If you've never heard of a dog breed called the Leonberger, you're probably not alone. Exactly what is this Leonberger, you might be asking? Originally bred to resemble a lion using a mix of the Newfoundland, long-haired Saint Bernard and Great Pyrenees, this immense creature typically weighs in at between 120 and 170 pounds (54 and 77 kilograms) and stands 2 to 2.5 feet (0.6 to 0.7 meters) at the shoulder. It's known for its medium-to-long waterproof coat, lush triangular ears, bushy tail and dark-brown eyes framed by a black facemask, with the male even sporting a lion-like mane around his neck and chest. "Leonbergers are lion lookalikes, with reddish-brown bodies and black masks," says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and pet expert with Rover.com, in an email interview. "Leonbergers are so jumbo-sized and lion-esque that they sometimes look like they're straight out of Narnia. Even though they're big (and love to eat, which means they can get quite heavy), they're agile, graceful and surprisingly light on their feet. Leos were never bred as specialized dogs, so they're well-rounded in just about everything intelligent, gentle and sensitive family dogs. "They do need a good amount of space, exercise and grooming," adds Ellis. "They're giant, lovable companions who have the most fun when they're hanging with their families. As a bonus, their deep, low bark and big size make them intimidating watch dogs." Perhaps the only problem with this breed? You might have trouble finding one. "While Leonbergers are quite common in their country of origin (Germany), there are only a small number in the U.S. these days," says Steffi Trott, owner and head trainer at SpiritDog Training in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by email. No worries, though. "The Leonberger does seem to be gaining in popularity in the U.S. since being accepted into the American Kennel Club (AKC)," says Sara Ochoa, a small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas and veterinary consultant for doglab.com, by email. She currently has two Leonberger patients at her clinic. Advertisement How Was This Relatively New Breed Created? "There's no written record of the origins of the Leonberger," says Ellis, "but it's said that Leos were first bred in the German city of Leonberg, near Stuttgart, in the mid-1800s." As the story goes, noted politician and professional animal trader Heinrich Essig was hoping to create a dog that resembled the lion on the town's crest by crossing the Newfoundland with a Saint Bernard and a Great Pyrenees (although many surmise the Leonberger must have been made using a wider range of dogs to achieve its unusual looks). The result? A new large and aristocratic-looking breed named after Essig's beloved hometown and owned by royalty and celebrities such as Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Prince of Wales, King Umberto of Italy and the czar of Russia. The Leo went on to gain in popularity, with the first clubs for the breed created in 1891. When World War I rolled around, however, the dog almost went extinct. Only 25 Leonbergers remained, and only five of them were suitable for breeding. That's when a couple of devotees of the breed Karl Stadelmann and Otto Josenhans began a club committed to saving the dog. The breeding program was later taken over by the German government during the war, and then reestablished afterward by the Deutscher Club fur Leonberger Hunde (or German Club for Leonberger Dogs). Various Leonberger dogs were exported into the U.S. in the early 1970s, the Leonberger Club of America was formed in 1985 and the breed was finally recognized by the AKC in 2010. Today, most Leonberger's remain in Europe especially their country of origin but they also are popular in Canada as water search and rescue dogs. They even have webbed feet, which makes them great swimmers ideal for water missions. Advertisement Do They Really Make Good Pets? Although huge and powerful, this breed's gentle demeanor is more like that of a big ol' teddy bear rather than the lion it was bred to mimic. In fact, the Leo has one of the most loving personalities around, which makes the affable canine especially good with children. "They make great pets," says Jeff Carbridge, a trainer/expert with DogOwner.co.uk, by email. "As long as you train and socialize them well from the beginning, as well as give them a lot of mental and physical exercise, they will make a wonderful addition to any family." You might want to keep in mind, however, that Leonbergers don't automatically come this way. According to VetStreet which delivers online pet advice from veterinarians, trainers and other experts the dog goes through a long adolescent period marked by sometimes stubborn and destructive behavior before reaching maturity. Ingrained chewers, Leo puppies can potentially do more damage than other breeds because of their size. So, they shouldn't be given the run of the house until they've reached trustworthy maturity. They also should be kept busy with training, play and socialization experiences, because a bored Leonberger is a destructive Leonberger. Another caveat: because Leos are known as a sensitive breed, they tend to become visibly distressed when their family members express anger or sadness. "They are highly sensitive to the point where arguments that involve yelling and tension may cause them to intervene in a nonaggressive manner," says Carbridge. "They really stay in tune with their owner's emotions, and they detect changes in mood very quickly." When all is said and done, though, these gentle giants have an excellent bedside manner. They are wonderful with children and the elderly, showing an amazing amount of tenderness for a dog their size (although they should be watched around younger children, because they might accidently harm them while playing due to their gigantic stature). "While they look impressive, Leonbergers are extremely family-friendly and even love other dogs and pets," says Lazhar Ichir, founder of Breeding Business, a popular platform that educates dog breeders and breed fanciers worldwide, by email. "However, because they are a giant breed with a dramatic presence, owners must ensure socialization to avoid accidents. Being pushed gently by a Leonberger is very different from the same done by a Pomeranian or border collie." The Leonberger is unique among other giant breeds in that they were first and foremost developed as a companion breed, adds Trott. "This means they have a generally lower level of drive than the other dogs of the working group, as well as being very gentle and friendly with everyone they come across," she says. "The Leonberger does not have its own 'agenda' like many other breeds. Do not mess with their family though; they will fiercely protect those that they love." Advertisement Are They Easy to Train? According to VetStreet, training should begin as soon as you bring your Leo puppy home. Even at 8 weeks old, the Leo is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. If you wait until he is 6 months old to begin training, you'll have a bigger, more headstrong dog who will test you to see what he can get away with. Take him to puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, so you can start building a strong working relationship, and socialize, socialize, socialize. In lieu of formal training, you can begin socializing your puppy among family and friends, as well as training him at home using positive reinforcement, such as praise, play and food rewards, and, most of all, patience. A Leo will respond to kind, firm, consistent training, according to VetStreet, but you'll need to practice with him daily until he's at least 2 years old to make sure the lessons stick. "They love to please their owners, and are responsive to patient, consistent and positive training," says Ellis. "Being a large dog, training is so very important. While some things are manageable with a tiny dog, jumping on someone and pulling are much more serious with a dog this size." Advertisement How About their Health? The Leo breed is susceptible to numerous concerning health conditions (especially if you aren't cautious about where you buy them from). According to VetStreet, these can include allergies; orthopedic problems (such as hip and elbow dysplasia); eye diseases (like cataracts, entropion and ectropion); cancer (including osteosarcoma, or bone cancer); the neurological disease polyneuropathy; Addison's disease; hypothyroidism; and bloat/gastric torsion. Not all of these conditions are detectable in a growing puppy. Predicting whether an animal will be free of these maladies can be difficult, which is all the more reason to find a reputable breeder committed to producing the healthiest animals possible. A good breeder should be able to provide independent certification that the parents of the dog (and grandparents, etc.) have been screened for genetic defects and deemed healthy for breeding, which is where health registries become valuable. As a giant breed, Leos unfortunately don't have the longest life span among all dog breeds. "The average life span is around 7 years of age," says Ellis, "with 20 percent living past the age of 10." Advertisement How Do You Care for a Leonberger? Leos have a thick, double coat that comes in many different colors, such as yellow, sand, brown and red, usually tipped with black. Double coated dogs have a thick undercoat of short, wooly hairs under a top coat of longer hairs called guard hairs. Even the texture of the Leonberger coat can have variety. Thanks to their mane-like appearance, owners of the dog are likely to find a lot of hair around their homes, which means frequent brushing is a must unless you want your house overrun with hairballs. "The Leo's double coat requires at least a twice-a-week brushing, with daily brushing to keep shedding to a minimum," says Ellis. "Like all double-coated dogs, the Leo sheds a bit year-round and more intensely twice a year, which is called 'blowing the coat.'" "While these dogs are easygoing and low-maintenance in all other areas, their grooming requirements are not for the faint of heart," Trott explains. "You'll find hair everywhere with a Leonberger, no matter how often you brush him. If you do not keep up with his brushing routine, the fur can easily mat and will need to be shaved off something to avoid at all costs." In addition to a regular brushing routine, the Leo's nails should be trimmed weekly; the ears should be cleaned and checked for any dirt to prevent infections; and their teeth brushed with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath. Advertisement What About Exercise? The Leo is not only highly active in puppyhood, but also as an adult, according to VetStreet, which suggests at least an hour of exercise daily. In addition, this breed makes a great hiking companion for owners who love the outdoors; just make sure you walk them on a leash, so they don't go running off after a cat, dragging you behind them in the process. "They were bred for drafting (pulling carts), so yes, they need lots of exercise, but they are also content to hang around the house and cuddle after being fulfilled," says Russell Hartstein, CEO of Fun Paw Care, by email. "Adult Leonbergers seem very peaceful and calm," adds Davor Bobek, co-founder of World Dog Finder, by email. "But to prevent them from becoming destructive, they should have at least one type of physical exercise a day. They enjoy hiking, are great biking companions and love water, so swimming is also a great option." While it is important to make their lives enriching, this does not mean that you have to play fetch every day for two hours, says Trott. "As a large breed, you actually want to be quite careful and not subject them to high-impact exercise," she explains. "A Leonberger is no running companion; instead, slow walks are a much better option." Advertisement Where Can You Find a Leonberger? Our experts suggested several different avenues for finding a Leo you can call your own. Bobek suggests using the World Dog Finder website, where you can find Leonberger puppies, breeders and dogs, as well as general information about dog breeds and living with a dog, while Ellis recommends starting your search with specific rescues, as well as giant breed dog rescues. "Just because one is in a rescue that doesn't mean anything is wrong," she says. "Perhaps someone's housing or work situation changed, or they didn't have the time a dog required; you could find your best friend there." According to Ichir, the best way to find a purebred, health-checked Leo puppy is to contact your local Leonberger breed club. "They will have a list of breeders available for you, and you can get in touch with them to see which one you like the most," he says. "Another option is to head to a conformation show [a show where a judge evaluates individual dogs for how well they conform to the established breed type] and meet with breeders in person, but these show lines will cost substantially more." While Trott says you can find a Leo in the U.S. via an AKC-registered breeder, she warns against purchasing the breed (or any breed, for that matter) through ads on Craigslist or similar outlets. "While your pedigreed puppy will cost a little more (around $1,500 to $2,000 for a Leonberger)," she says, "he will come from proven and health-tested parents and have a great temperament." Finally, Carbridge touts the "Find a Puppy" function on the AKC website. "This will give you a list of approved and registered breeders," he says. "You can also find breed groups online if you want to meet and socialize with some of these massive dogs." Now That's Interesting Leonbergers used to work as both watchdogs and draft dogs, pulling carts through towns and villages in a similar manner to horses. "In both WWI and WWII, they were used to pull ammunition carts, and this is part of what nearly caused them to go extinct," says Carbridge. "Only eight survived WWII, and all Leonbergers today can be traced back to them." Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been admitted to a hospital in Kathmandu for his second kidney transplant after suffering from serious illness, hospital sources said on Tuesday. Oli, 68, had his first kidney transplant some twelve years ago. He was admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on Monday for the treatment. Oli, who suffered a renal dysfunction in September, could not immediately undergo surgery because of other health problems. He was undergoing a regular dialysis regimen. Doctors are preparing to perform a kidney transplant on Oli on Wednesday, hospital sources said. A team of doctors, led by Dr Prem Raj Gyawali, a consultant urologist and kidney transplant surgeon will perform the surgery. Prime minister Oli underwent his first renal transplantation surgery in 2007 at the Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, after both his kidneys failed. He has been on a single kidney since then. "After a few days of hospital stay, I will resume my job with additional energy and confidence," he said before going to the hospital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The new coronavirus will have a big impact on the workplace ranging from being a potential breeding ground for infection to workers having to self-isolate at home for fourteen days. Will people be paid and how will they pay their bills? Q What are the basic rules for employers to protect their staff from the virus? A There needs to be several notices around making workers aware of the virus and how it is spread. Respiratory secretions produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes containing the virus are most likely to be the main means of transmission.It is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes -such as touching door knob or shaking hands then touching own face. Q Are good hand washing facilities and hand sanitisers part of an employers obligation? A Yes, again there should be reminder notice to staff on how best to wash their hands. Hot water and soap should be always available. Sanitiser should be placed near lifts if it can be secured. Q There are inevitably a lot of communal areas in the workplace. How long does the virus survive? A It depends what surface the virus is on, whether its exposed to sunlight and differences in temperatures.Under most circumstances, the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surfaces is likely to have decreased significantly by 72 hours.We know that similar viruses are transferred to and by peoples hands. Therefore, regular hand hygiene and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces will help to reduce the risk of infection. Q What kind of office etiquette is a must? A People should shield coughs and sneezes with a tissue, elbow, or shoulder , not their bare hands. They need to wash their hands correctly for twenty seconds in warm water and soap. Q What should I do if one of the near colleagues is coughing and sneezing? A If the coronavirus becomes more widespread the employer should step in and allow the person who have the symptoms to stay at home until they are well. It has clearly not reached that point yet and thousands of employees are at work coughing and sneezing. Its imperative they practice good cold etiquette. Q How can I maximize the ability to work from home? A While many jobs -retail, manufacturing, health care- require people to be physically present, work, including meetings, that can be done remotely should be encouraged if coming to work or travelling risks exposure to the virus. Videoconferencing, for instance, is a good alternative to risky fact-to-face meetings. But it wont be possible for all jobs clearly and employers will have to put the health of their employees first. Expand Close Clean-up: Disinfecting public transport is one of the first responses throughout Europe. Photo: ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP via Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clean-up: Disinfecting public transport is one of the first responses throughout Europe. Photo: ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP via Getty Images Q If I deal a lot with the public in my job how will I cope? A The advice to people who deal with the general public as part of their work is try to maintain a distance of three feet from customers or clients. This social distance is particularly important if the customer is coughing, sneezing or has a fever. The guidance for workers dealing with the general public does not recommend the wearing of facemasks if the customer is feeling well and does not have respiratory symptoms. Q If we reach the point where an employee feels unwell and fear they have the virus at work.What should be done? AIf someone becomes unwell in the workplace they should be removed to an area which is at least two metres away from other people. If possible find a room or area where they can be isolated behind a closed door, such as a staff office. If it is possible to open a window, do so for ventilation.Ring a GP and ask for advice. Q What if we find out a person with the virus has visited our workplace? Closure of the workplace is not recommended.The management team of the office or workplace will be contacted by HSE public health staff and they will identify people who have been in contact with them and advise on any actions or precautions that should be taken. Staff who have not had close contact with the original confirmed case can continue to attend work. Expand Close Health Minister Simon Harris holds a leaflet for the public awareness campaign for Covid-19 at Dublin Airport. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Health Minister Simon Harris holds a leaflet for the public awareness campaign for Covid-19 at Dublin Airport. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Q What happens if a worker who has travelled to Ireland from an affected area - China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four areas in northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont- returns to work? AIf an employee has travelled to Ireland from an affected area they should contact the HSE at 1850 24 1850 for advice. If they remain well, no specific measures are needed in the workplace. They will be advised to watch out for any symptoms of the virus for 14 days following their return. The symptoms include cough, temperature and, sometimes breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath. For an employee with no symptoms, there is no need for them to stay off work or to isolate themselves. If they develop any symptoms within 14 days of return from an affected area, the employee should isolate themselves and phone their GP. Read More Q I dont have coronavirus but have been advised to self isolate. Do I qualify for sick pay? A There has been a lot of confusion about this. There is no legal obligation on employers to pay although many are likely to do so. However, the Department of Employments Affairs and Social Protection confirmed that workers who have been advised to stay at home because they are at risk of catching the virus can get state-funded sick pay. A department spokesperson said those advised to stay at home by their GP but not diagnosed with the coronavirus can get state support. It said this can be paid in the form of illness benefit or supplementary welfare allowance. However, illness benefit is only paid after six days out of work, while the supplementary welfare allowance is means-tested. An employee who is advised or directed by a registered medical practitioner to self-isolate on the basis that they are a probable source of the coronavirus infection can, if their employer ceases to pay their wages, apply for income support from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, it said in a statement. This income support will be paid in the form of illness benefit based on social insurance contributions or supplementary welfare allowance based on a means test. Q What if Im self-isolated at home and dont have a medical cert? A The department said a person who self-isolates in accordance with HSE guidelines but does not have a medical cert can apply for supplementary welfare allowance. Expand Close Coronavirus fears: A passenger wears a face mask in the arrivals hall of Dublin Airport. Photo: Collins Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Coronavirus fears: A passenger wears a face mask in the arrivals hall of Dublin Airport. Photo: Collins Dublin Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland Q: What are my entitlements if I need to take time off work to care for a person affected by the coronavirus? A: Employers may agree to compassionate leave, which could include working remotely from home, or changed shift patterns, or bringing forward future annual leave entitlements. Where compassionate leave is not made available, a worker can apply for force majeure leave, which is limited to three days in a 12 month period or five days in a 36 month period. Parents can also take up to 22 weeks unpaid parental leave for children up to 12 years of age, or parents leave of two weeks for children under one year of age. They must give six weeks notice to avail of these entitlements, although employers may waive this. Q: What if Im requested to stay at home by my employer as a precaution against the spread of the virus? AYou may not be paid, in which case you could apply for a jobseeker payment or supplementary welfare allowance. Ryanair is asking staff to volunteer to take unpaid leave and warned that it cannot rule out layoffs due to weaker bookings and passenger no-shows as a result of the coronavirus. Twitter and Google have asked their employees to work from home due to the virus. Q: What if Ive been diagnosed with the virus? A: Normal workplace arrangements relating to sick leave and illness benefit should apply to those diagnosed with the virus There is no statutory obligation on employers to pay sick leave although many employers have sick leave policies that entitle workers to a limited amount of uncertified and certified paid leave. Large pharmaceutical companies are more profitable than most companies in the S&P 500 according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) titled "Profitability of Large Pharmaceutical Companies Compared with Other Large Public Companies." Pharmaceutical profits were closer to those of other research-based companies within the S&P 500 and were not higher than companies in the technology sector. The study from the Center for Integration of Science and Industry at Bentley University is the first to critically examine the profitability of the companies that are responsible for the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of most medicines. The results may inform policies to ensure both the affordability and availability of essential medicines now and in the future. The study was undertaken in the context of public opinion surveys showing that 80% of respondents believe the profits made by pharmaceutical companies are a major factor contributing to the price of prescription drugs. "While there is extensive research on the health impacts of unaffordable drugs, there has been little research on the profitability of pharmaceutical companies," said Dr. Fred Ledley, director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry, and the senior author of the study. "Developing policies to assure the affordability of essential medicines will also require an understanding of how reducing drug prices may impact the industry that makes these drugs available." The Bentley University study compared the profits of 35 large pharmaceutical companies with those of 347 companies from the S&P 500 Index. During the period from 2000 through 2018, the pharmaceutical companies had a cumulative revenue of $11.5 trillion and cumulative net income of $1.9 trillion. Net income, also called "earnings," reflects the difference between all revenues and expenses and is a company's "bottom line" used in calculating earnings per share. Over this same period, the median net income margin (the percentage of revenue remaining after deducting all expenses) for pharmaceutical companies was 13.7% compared to 7.7% for S&P 500 companies, a difference of 6.1%. However, when comparing pharmaceutical companies to those S&P 500 companies reporting research and development expenses and considering the effects of company size and time trends, the difference in median profits was 3.6%, and pharmaceutical companies were not more profitable than those companies in the technology sector or healthcare companies developing non-pharmaceutical products. Over the past five years, from 2014-2018, there was no significant difference in net income margin between pharmaceutical and S&P 500 companies. These estimates of pharmaceutical profit margins were lower than those used by the National Academies of Science in their 2017 report, Making Medicines Affordable: a National Imperative. The Bentley study focused explicitly on large pharmaceutical companies, which provide the large majority of all medicines. In 2018, these companies had a combined market value of $2.4 trillion, directly employed 992 thousand people, and expensed $120 billion for research & development of new medicines. Pharmaceutical companies represent only one element of the pharmaceutical distribution system, which also includes pharmacy benefit managers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and healthcare providers as well as academic laboratories and biotechnology companies involved in basic and applied research leading to the development of new medicines. ### Dr. Fred D. Ledley, Professor of Natural & Applied Science and Management was the lead author of this work, along with Dr. Sarah Shonka McCoy, Assistant Professor of Accountancy; Dr. Gregory Vaughan, Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences; and Dr. Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, Lead Data Analyst. This work was supported by a grant from the National Biomedical Research Foundation. THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATION OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY at Bentley University focuses on understanding and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries to create public value. The Center is an environment for thought leadership and interdisciplinary scholarship spanning basic science, data analytics, business and public policy. For more information, visit http://www.bentley.edu/sciindustry and follow us on Twitter @sciindustry. BENTLEY UNIVERSITY is more than just one of the nation's top business schools. It is a transformative lifelong-learning community that inspires and prepares ethical students to use their business know-how to make a positive difference in the world. With a blend of business, technology and the arts and sciences, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills to help them collaborate effectively in different settings and prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. The university enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students. Bentley was founded in 1917 and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit http://www.bentley.edu and follow us on Twitter @BentleyU #BentleyUResearch. Q uotas are needed in the City to ensure women secure top executive roles, according to an expert panel. Leading women in business, the arts, politics and the third sector met simultaneously in cities worldwide yesterday for the second annual Global Thinkers Forum (GTF). The forum, held ahead of International Womens Day on Sunday, discussed making the case on female leadership. The London panel was hosted at the Evening Standards offices, with live feeds to panels in Johannesburg, Karachi, Istanbul, Beirut and Amman, and discussions in Irvine, California, and Athens where 68 women were speaking across the nine events. BBC World presenter Tim Willcox chaired the London event, with economist Vicky Pryce, High Commissioner of Rwanda Yamina Karitanyi, Vicky Booth, CEO of charity Inspiring Girls, author Shamim Sarif, entrepreneur Paola Diana and GTF founder Elizabeth Filippouli taking part. Speakers agreed that despite the revolution of the #MeToo movement, the battle is not won for women in terms of achieving gender parity in the workplace or general society. I think its easy for people to assume that the battle has been won, Booth said, adding that through the work she does with girls, she has seen that the battle is very clearly not won and there are still a set of challenges women face, starting at a young age. Booth continued: There is a 30 per cent drop in confidence for girls between the ages of 8 and 13. Gender stereotypes, both real and perceptions, persist. Karitanyi said since the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, there has been great moves in terms of opening access for women in Rwanda, but were still just scratching the surface. It is a long-term exercise, it is not a woman challenge, it is a human challenge. All panellists argued for quotas in boardrooms and for top executive roles in companies to ensure more female representation. The issue is an ongoing debate, where some argue quotas would lessen womens achievements. Former government economist Dr Pryce, told the panel that at UK FTSE 100 company board level there are now many female non-executive directors, but less than 10 per cent of executive directors are women. She said: You need women to be at the top, you need them to be at every level to give others a hand up. There is a lot of conscious and unconscious bias, and my view has been all along that what you need is quotas for senior positions, forcing companies to promote women. There is a perception that in order to make it, youll have to be like a man. Youll know when youve achieved gender quality when a mediocre woman runs an FTSE 100 company. Vicky Pryce (L) and Paola Diana at the Global Thinkers Forum / Athena 40/Global Thinkers Forum Karitanyi said she would advocate quotas, as her own country is proof they work. Over 60 per cent of the Rwandan parliament today is made up of women. Karitanyi added: If you look back 25, 30 even 50 years ago, were moving in the right direction, but it is a process. A stoush over a controversial 300-berth marina development in Mandurah's Estuary has intensified with research into the ownership structure behind the project's proponent revealing ties to China's government. ASX-listed property developer Tian An Australia, which was called Port Bouvard Developments before it was acquired by Hong Kong-listed company Tian An China Investments Company Limited in 2015, has faced staunch community opposition over its plans to dredge a navigation channel as part of the Point Grey development. Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is opposing the development of a 300-berth marina in Mandurah's Estuary. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen But the project was stalled when the Shire of Murray refused to issue building approvals, a decision upheld last year by the State Appeals Tribunal after the company appealed. Research by international corporate analysis firm Bureau van Dijk revealed the People's Republic of China controlled a significant stake in Tian An China through a complex network of intermediaries and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in part through the multi-billion dollar, state-owned multinational Everbright Group. TO ENSURE that the province of Cebu remains insurgency-free, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is considering the revival of the bloodless, all-out war she had previously waged against threats to security. The pronouncement came after a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a suspected member of the New Peoples Army (NPA) were killed in a gunfight in Bilar, Bohol on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. In order to discourage insurgency movement, it has to be an all-out war against the NPA, communists, insurgents and terrorists. I declared that in my previous term as governor and when I said all-out war, it meant a holistic approach towards the insurgency problem, Garcia said on Monday, March 2. The governor stressed the need to ensure that development and livelihood opportunities will reach the farthest barangays in order to improve the peoples lives. The important thing is to create an environment that does not encourage insurgency--a progressive Cebu that offers opportunities for the Cebuanos to improve their lives, she said. In March 2010, the AFP made a declaration that all 44 municipalities and eight component cities of Cebu were insurgency-free. Cebus status as an insurgency-free province came after Garcia formed the Cebu Provincial Anti-Insurgency Task Force on June 26, 2006. For those that have been deceived into joining the NPA movement and later found out that (coming) from a life of hardship, its a life of more hardships... I will resume, I will offer incentives to all insurgents that will surrender in Cebu, Garcia continued. According to the governor, for every firearm surrendered, the Provincial Government will extend P30,000 in cash incentives so that surrenderers can start anew. This will be handled by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. After all, Garcia said the rebel returnees may want to be reintegrated into the normal, legal way of life. Local chief executives for their part will also help in the surrenderers reintegration to society. Story continues Under Garcias earlier term, the Province had provided financial assistance worth P30,000 to each of the 74 NPAs who surrendered from 2005 to 2010. Of these 74 rebels, 21 NPA surrenderers had received financial assistance from the Social Integration Program. That was what I did before, and we will do it again. At the same time, I will extend the same support to our PNP (Philippine National Police) and the AFP. I would aso request that the PNP and the AFP work together here, Garcia said. The proclamation of an all-out war against insurgents in 2005 became a model for other local government units in the country. I believe that a number of people within the NPA movement, if given a chance, would wish to return to the fold of the law. Life in the hinterlands is hard. Make no mistake about it. There is only one Philippine government. It is incumbent upon us to know where our loyalties lie, Garca said. The governor is set to meet with key national agencies and stakeholders to discuss the matter, among others, during the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission meeting on Friday, March 6. Meanwhile, the NPA has reportedly been trying to reclaim their stronghold in Bohol but the province will have none of it anymore. This was what Col. Jerry Borja, commander of the Task Group Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor, told SunStar Cebu after the death of a soldier along with a suspected NPA member in Bilar, Bohol on Feb. 29. They only have temporary campouts in mountainous areas in Bohol. They dont have established armed groups in any barangay because the communities are squealing on them and are fighting back, he said. Bohols insurgency-free status since 2010 remains, according to Borja. They (NPA) are always on the run. There are no villages that protect them anymore. And the local government units are in constant coordination with us, he said. Borja said the NPA would conduct extortion activities in targeted areas. Because of their ongoing efforts to regain influence in the community, Borja said these often result in clashes with government forces. They are trying to recover what they had before in Bohol. Now the people dont want them, he said. He said the army and the police continue to be relentless in their anti-insurgency operations. But why do insurgents like Bohol? First, the people are really hospitable. Also, in our assessment, its because there are provinces nearby like Negros, and also (accessible sanctuaries) in the Eastern and Western part, Borja said. Thats wrong. They (NPAs) are not welcome in Bohol, he said. On the other hand, Department of Trade and Industry 7 Director Asteria Caberte described the incident in Bohol as an isolated case. She said the agency is focusing on grassroots programs to help micro, small and medium enterprises deal with the negative impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Caberte said the DTI has sustained programs to generate income from cities down to the barangays. (RTF / JOB) Suzanne Judd, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at UAB, explains what will lead to herd immunity and why it is important to remain vigilant in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A small molecule that inhibits energy production in immune T-cells allows some tumours to escape treatment with an immunotherapy called PD-1 blockade therapy, says a study in mice published today in eLife. Cancer therapies that help boost the immune system's defences to tumour cells are a promising new approach to treatment. One such therapy blocks PD-1, a receptor on the surface of T-cells. Cancer cells express a protein that binds to this receptor and interferes with the T-cell's ability to kill tumour cells. But while drugs that block this receptor can reactivate the T-cells, they are not always effective and the results of the new study help explain why. "Despite the great success of PD-1 blockade therapy, we need to improve its efficacy because more than half of patients' tumours don't respond to it," says lead author Alok Kumar, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine at Kyoto University, Japan. To learn why so many tumours fail to respond to PD-1 blockade therapy, Kumar and his colleagues studied mice with two types of tumour cells: some that were sensitive to PD-1 blockade therapy and others that were not. This allowed the team to identify two different types of tumours that do not respond to PD-1. One type suppressed the immune system and caused even the PD-1-sensitive tumour cells to grow, while the other had no effect on PD-1-sensitive tumour cells. "We found that some human cancer cells release immunosuppressive molecules that inhibit the activity of energy-producing mitochondria in T-cells," Kumar explains. Treating the mice with a mitochondria-boosting compound reversed this effect in the immune-suppressing tumour. However, the treatment had no effect on the other type of tumour. Instead of impairing energy production in T-cells, the other tumour made itself invisible to the immune system by failing to produce a protein that helps immune cells recognise tumour cells. The identity of the molecule that helped the first type of tumour suppress mitochondria is currently unknown. The researchers hope that if they can find it, they can create drugs that hinder its activity. "If we could identify these unknown factors and develop drugs that block them, we could save patients' lives by using the drugs alongside PD-1 blockade therapy to prevent tumours from defending themselves," says senior author Tasuku Honjo, Professor of Immunology and Genomic Medicine at Kyoto University. Explore further Immune system cells contribute to the invading capacity of brain tumours More information: Alok Kumar et al, Tumors attenuating the mitochondrial activity in T cells escape from PD-1 blockade therapy, eLife (2020). Journal information: eLife Alok Kumar et al, Tumors attenuating the mitochondrial activity in T cells escape from PD-1 blockade therapy,(2020). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.52330 When Thomas Knight of Meredith, New Hampshire went ice fishing for lake trout last Tuesday, he was fully prepared to catch a big one - with a big bait and a determined attitude. However, he wasnt expecting to hook a monster fish that exceeded the previous state record by 9 pounds, CNN reports. Big bait attracts big fish, Knight told CNN. The 11-inch sucker he used for bait, fooled a lake trout weighing 37.65 pounds, easily breaking the state record, which had stood for more than 60 years. The previous record set in 1958 was 28 pounds. CNN reports that after catching the fish and packing it with snow in an ice box, Knight called the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to certify the record. Knight and fisheries biologist Andy Schafermeyer placed the fish on a certified scale, but the fish surpassed the maximum weight of the scale at 30 pounds. A larger scale was secured and confirmed the trouts weight to be 37.65 pounds. This fish is now the largest lake trout caught in all of New England, Schafermeyer said. Im glad he got it, this couldnt have happened to a nicer guy, quotes CNN. Knight, 58, fished 25 years commercially for giant bluefin tuna. Although hes no longer involved in the tuna business due to hip surgeries, he still loves to fish. In a statement to CNN, Knight said It means the world to me. Its very rewarding because I put a lot of time in it. I design my own techniques and to have them work is very rewarding. The fish, which has been preserved by taxidermy, will be rented out for two years to Knights friend, who will hang it in his restaurant, reports CNN. Then its back to Knight. Read more: Helping Your Child Succeed Do you have children who can read, but do not enjoy reading, and almost never pick up a book or anything else to read for pleasure? Would your Read more The former Director of the Childrens Ministry of THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST, Prophet Benjamin Augustus Adobah (Rtd) has urged the youth not to avail themselves to politicians during the upcoming elections. According to him, they should work hard and use the period fruitfully to earn a decent living for themselves. Prophet Adobah was speaking at Christian Leadership Foundation Public Lecture on exemplary leadership held in Accra. The event was under the theme, Exemplary Leadership in Public Administration: Gods Way was crafted to nurture ethical and diligent leaders whose leadership is guided by Biblical principles and not by the whims and caprices of men. Apostle Adobrah also appealed to Political parties to ensure that 2020 election is free, fair, and devoid of political violence. He also appealed to party communicators to shun the politics of insult, guard against the use of defamatory words and ethnocentric statements during elections campaigns to help the country sustain the peace that we have enjoyed as a nation. Also in a speech delivered on behalf of the founder and Chairman, Apostle Francis Ofori Yeboah stated that Leadership is a calling and that Christian leadership foundation believes the places of work and change the paradigm, shakeup the status quo to bring about a new wave of leadership that presents Godly examples for others to follow adding It is possible and I firmly believe that it begins with those present in this room. To him leadership as defined by Cambridge Dictionary as being in control of a group, country or a situation is to give the ability to one to be able to control and influence the affairs of men. The critical question raised here is, in our excise of control or influence, are we setting good examples? Are we being exemplary in our actions? Being exemplary means being good examples for others to imitate and follow in our footstepsPaul in 1st Corinthians 11:1 was able to tell others to imitate him as he had imitated our perfect example, Christ Jesus. How many of us can be confident enough to ask others to imitate us as Paul did?, he quizzed. Stressing he said, Often times when we turn on our television sets, pick our mobile devices or tune in to many of our radio stations to listen to or read the happenings across the country and across the globe, we are met with the many instances of abuse of power. The news items increasingly flood our airwaves and paint a gloomy picture of the state of many of our public institutions that were birthed to serve the people. One may argue that these reports do not paint the true picture on the ground but walk into any of our public institutions and the men and women who ought to provide services to the people, require that you grease their palms or present the popular brown envelop before you can have the service provided for you. Where then lies the exemplary leadership? In a country that boasts of over 70% of its population being Christians, our very work ethics should have been representative of the life of Christ. This statement may not be new to us, as many of you may have heart it in your churches, on your airwaves or even at your workplaces. But the change we so require still eludes us," he said. Mr. Elisha Asiedu Amponsah, main speaker for the occasion also urged public Administrators to imitate Christ in other to emulate him in all their doings to help build a solid economy through their exemplary leadership skills. To him leaders has no excused because as a leader you have to ensure that the right thing is done adding if we have the mind of God and live in accordance to the word of God Ghana will move forward. In attendance were: Mr. Fred Asiedu Dartey (Chairman), Mr. Elisha Asiedu Amponsah (main speaker) Professor Amin Alhassan (Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation), and leaders of Christian Leadership Foundation among others. Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video [March 03, 2020] Ignite Your Child's Mind! Idaho Virtual Academy is Now Open for Enrollment Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA), an online public charter school accredited by Cognia, is inviting all families from Idaho to enroll for the 2020-2021 school year. IDVA is available tuition-free to all students who reside in Idaho in kindergarten through 12th grade. IDVA offers families an alternative to the traditional brick-and-mortar learning environment. Combining online instruction, rigorous, engaging curriculum and the support of Idaho-certified teachers, IDVA ignites the minds of its students by providing a rich, personalized learning experience tailored to each learner. "At IDVA, we are committed to the lifelong success of each one of our students," said Head of School Kelly Edginton. "We are on a mission to prepare our students for their future, college and career. We look forward to welcoming new and returning families in the coming school year." IDVA students across all grade levels are offered a full course load in the core subjects of English/language arts, math, science, and history with additional options for art, music, world language (grades 3 and up), physical education, as well as other electives. High school students have access to honors and Advanced Placement courses and eligible students have opportunities to earn college credit while inhigh school. IDVA's teachers facilitate live, interactive online classes, allowing students to enjoy a safe learning environment anywhere with an internet connection. Students choose to attend public school at home for a variety of reasons, including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. IDVA's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue academic goals in a supportive environment that recognizes their individual learning styles. Resources are available to help IDVA students and families navigate the online learning experience. In addition to scheduled classes, teachers regularly communicate with students and families via phone and email in order to ensure they are supported and appropriately challenged. "Classes at Idaho Virtual Academy provide an individualized approach to your child's education, and are a great preparation for life," said Kellsie Kater, high school English teacher at IDVA. "We offer Idaho students the academic challenge they need to succeed at the next level." IDVA aims to bring families together and create real connections with the community. Throughout the school year, IDVA hosts fun and educational school events and celebrates graduating seniors with in-person commencement ceremonies in three locations across the state in the spring. Idaho Families interested in enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to attend an online or in-person information session hosted by the school. To learn more about enrollment or for a schedule of upcoming information sessions, visit idva.k12.com or download the K12 mobile app for iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices. About Idaho Virtual Academy Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA) is an online public charter school serving students statewide in kindergarten through 12th grade. As part of the Idaho public school system, IDVA is tuition-free and gives parents and families the choice to access the curriculum provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of K-12 proprietary curriculum and online education programs. Learn more at idva.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005021/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Earlier Sunday, a man was struck by two vehicles about 2:40 a.m. in the Sterling area of Loudoun County as he reportedly ran across Route 7 at Dranesville Road, the county sheriffs office said. One driver fled, the sheriffs office said. The victims name was not available. No confirmed case of the deadly coronavirus has been reported in the North East region so far and measures are being taken to handle COVID-19 at all the airports here, said Sanjeev Jindal, Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, Northeastern Region. "At all airports in the North East region measures are being taken to handle coronavirus. Trained medical staff has been posted for the screening of passengers. If any passenger has a suspicion of coronavirus, sterilised ambulance can take them to sterilised wards in the district hospitals," Jindal told ANI. "Further testing is done for those patients there. Luckily no confirmed case has been reported in the North East region so far. All arrangements have been done at airports," he added. Jindal also informed that there are two international airports in North East region -Imphal and Guwahati and "no international flight is operating in Imphal, and at Guwahati, only Druk Air operates from Singapore, Thailand and Bhutan". A high-level meeting of the Ministry of Civil Aviation was held on Tuesday, chaired by Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and AAI chairman Arvind Singh. They reviewed the preparedness towards the implementation of the latest instructions issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Bureau of Immigration. The meeting was also attended by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Regional Executive Directors, Airport Directors and CEOs of Joint Venture airports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a post on June 20, Paul Waldman wrote: Who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the Trump campaign, now that he has invited them to offer their assistance? The word invited in the article was hyperlinked to a transcript of an ABC News interview with Mr. Trump, in which he said he would consider accepting information from a foreign government about a political opponent. The Trump campaign accused The Post of making false and defamatory statements. There has never been any statement by anyone associated with the campaign or the administration inviting Russia or North Korea to assist the campaign in 2019 or beyond, the court filing said. There also has never been any reporting that the campaign has ever had any contact with North Korea relating to any United States election. A spokeswoman for The Post, Kristine Coratti Kelly, said on Tuesday, Its disappointing to see the presidents campaign committee resorting to these types of tactics, and we will vigorously defend this case. Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., a lawyer at Gibson Dunn who has previously worked on high-profile media cases, said the lawsuit flies in the face of basic First Amendment doctrine. The complaint is attacking opinions where the authors are expressing their views based on widely reported facts, he said. Its all part of the overarching war on the press. A session on the role of emerging technologies in the courtroom waspart of last months New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting in New York City. Emerging Technologies in Litigation included a panel of local and federal judges as well as an e-discovery researcher and emerging technology attorney. The group discussed the use of artificial intelligence in the courtroom. The session addressed the role that AI could play in judicialdecision making, where algorithms potentially can predict behavior andoutcomes resulting from different legal strategies. The rationale is that lawis based on precedent if a case is similar to past cases, then theresults shouldnt be all too surprising. However, given the rise ofdeepfakes and the possibility that AI in effect could manufactureevidence some argued that the technology should be excluded from court proceedings. Despite such concerns, the global legaltech market for AI isexpected to grow in the coming years, driven by the trend in major law firmsto adopt various legaltech solutions that aim to reduce turnaroundtime for some legal cases. AI is used to help with document management systems, e-discovery, e-billing, contract management, and even practice and case management. AI already has been employed at a lower level in the Los AngelesSuperior Court to handle seemingly mundane traffic citations. Visitorsto the courts website can interact with Gina, an AI-powered onlineavatar, to pay a traffic ticket, register for traffic school, or schedule a court date. Since being installed in 2016, Gina which ispart of an effort by the LA Superior Court to reduce the backlog ofcases has had more than 200,000 interactions a year, and has reduced traffic court wait times dramatically. One Step Closer to PreCrime AIs predictive algorithms can be used by police departmentsto strategize about where to send patrols, and facial recognitionsystems can be used to help identify suspects. Combined, these approaches sound eerily similar to the Philip K. Dick short story, The Minority Report, which became the basis of the Steven Spielberg-directed filmMinority Report, in which the police departments PreCrime unitapprehends criminals based on foreknowledge of criminal activity. Courts currently are using AI algorithms to determine the defendantsrisk, which can range from the probability that the defendant willcommit another crime to whether or not they will appear for their nextcourt date for bail, sentencing and parole decisions, explainedtechnology inventor/consultant Lon Safko. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Often AI can be wrong not only in determining whereofficers should patrol, but also in recommending how criminals should be sentenced.Here is where the Correctional Offender Management Profiling forAlternative Sanctions comes into play. It compares defendant answersto questions as well as personal factors against a nationwide datagroup and assigns a score, which is used to determine sentencing. Recently in Wisconsin, a defendant was found guilty for hisparticipation in a drive-by shooting, Safko told TechNewsWorld. While being booked, the suspect answered several questions that wereentered into the AI system COMPAS, he continued. The judge gave thisdefendant a long sentence partially because he was labeled high riskby this assessment tool. AI in the Courts At the present time it isnt clear how widespread the use of AI in thecourts will be in part because the courts at all levels have beenquite slow to embrace any new technology. This could be changing,however, as AI can help streamline the courts in ways that couldbenefit all parties. We believe the courts are leading digital transformation in themarket, and approximately 90 percent of courts have evolved fromtraditional court reporting to professional digital court reporting,said Jacques Botbol, vice president of marketing at software firmVerbit. Certain applications of AI are often adopted faster than others particularly those surrounding the automation of routine tasks andworkflows, he told TechNewsWorld. Its interesting to note that AI is also being utilized through morecomplex applications, such as utilizing AI to make decisions regardingcases, added Botbol. These use cases will be adopted more slowly asthere are significant concerns about due process, biases, etc. AI Court Reporting Supporters of AI technology in the courts point to how it can helpcourt reporters do their job better. Today, most court reporting firms reject work since they dont havethe necessary workforce to handle it all, explained Botbol. AI is helping to fill the gaps that the retiring court reporters andthe legacy court reporter market have left, he noted. A D V E R T I S E M E N T At the same time, lawyers want to receive materials quickly, andtoday depositions are getting delayed because of the shortage in themarket with some areas reaching more than 35 percent, Botbol added. AI, along with automatic speech recognition (ASR), allows forproceedings to be recorded and processed in a timelier manner. There is a backlog of cases that need to be transcribed, yet withAI-based ASR tools these transcripts can be processed at fasterturnaround times, said Botbol. Instead of relying on courttranscriptionists, the courts have multiple court reporting agenciesthat they can assign the work out to in order to clear their backlogand work more efficiently. Judge and/or Jury No one is expecting that AI will fill the role of judge or jury at least not in the legal system of the United States. However, AIcould help ensure that the accused in criminal cases truly aregranted the right to a speedy trial, while also addressing the backlogsin the civil courts. In the future, AI will not only serve as an add-on, but will alsohelp to streamline trials by removing delays, which will lead tosmarter and faster decisions being made, said Tony Sirna, legalspecialist at Verbit. Applications of AI are being studied and piloted for a number of usecases, he told TechNewsWorld. These include not only sentencing and risk assessment such as COMPAS,but also settlement of disputes. Online Dispute Resolution is another aspect where we may seeautomated adjudication of small civil cases, noted Sirna. AI could help the parties reach an equitable settlement in civil cases. Mining extensive amounts of related court cases and decisions willcome into play, with parties submitting their cases and using AIcombined with data mining for settlement options or fairadjudication, noted Sirna. AI Rights Another consideration that likely will come up is how AI will be treated by the courts. Can AI be an expert witness, for example? If so, how will AI need to be treatedby the courts? Will AI need to be granted some form of rights? AI likely wont need rights, but it will need control, and a teamthat manages the innovation in each court, said Sirna. The aspect of rights related to AI poses interesting legalquestions: Who is responsible for the AI? Is the AI algorithm fair orbiased? At what point does the AI make its own decisions? Who isliable for results or decisions rendered by algorithms the user, thedesigner, or the court? pondered Sirna. However, many of these questions likely wont need to be addressedanytime soon nor will AI have the power to pass judgment. Our judicial system is by no means early adopters, but for goodcause, said Safko. Rendering a just verdict and sentence is paramount, and we have to besure that the defendants and plaintiffs are properly represented andthat their information is protected, he said. This is why doctorsinsist on still using fax machines over email, which can easily behacked. Automated Recommendations AI could have a place in the courtroom, but perhaps only to aid the humanlawyers, judge, court reporters and jury. AI shouldnt replace any ofthose humans, but aid them in doing their job. Once a technology has proven itself to be reliable and show a time orcost savings, it has been and will be adopted, suggested Safko. AI is not a perfect science it is still programmed by humans, andnot every set of data perfectly matches the predetermined rulesprogrammed into the application, he warned. However, with the increasing pressure on court dockets, any time or cost saving measures need to be considered. It is important too, to consider how AI then could affect peoples lives. Every automated recommendation should be reviewed by a qualifiedjudge to verify the outcome. Then their recommendation needs to be fedback into that system to allow it to become more proficient atrendering appropriate decisions, said Safko. We cant risk peoples lives on automated apps that save money, he noted. Even the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court, John Roberts, isconcerned about how AI is affecting the U.S. legal system, Safkoexplained. When asked about AI in our legal system, he said its aday thats here, and its putting a significant strain on how thejudiciary goes about doing things.' 03.03.2020 LISTEN As the date for the compilation of a new voters register draws closer, the leadership of the Inter-Party Resistance Against the New Voter Register insists that claims that the Electoral Commissions Biometric Verification Devices are obsolete are false. The group claims that their checks with the manufacturers of the machine led them to such a conclusion. Addressing the press on Tuesday, General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and leading member of the Inter-Party Resistance Against the New Voter Register, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the current machines could be upgraded to have the facial recognition component the EC wants to add to the register. On 1st January 2020, we sent an email to the manufacturers of the current BVR equipment, seeking information on whether or not the current BVR equipment can be upgraded to include facial recognition. In response to this email dated 2nd January 2020, Mr. Maxwell Bogad of HNB identification delivery indicated as follows; that the current BVRs are not obsolete. Although the computer operating systems and software of the current BVR need to be upgraded, components like the fingerprints and scanners were very robust and fit for use. The enrollment software can easily be upgraded with facial recognitionThe cost of upgrading the BVR equipment with new functionalities will be far cheaper than replacing them with new equipment, he added. Johnson Asiedu Nketia also said the April 18 date for the registration for a new voters register is not feasible. You are now in the process of procurement. You are in March and so between today and 18th April you have to bring samples or prototypes of your equipment and go and do pilot registration, train everybody before you come and start registration. Unless you want to create confusion you will not be in the position to do the registration on the 18th April, Asiedu Nketia argued. Parliamentary approval Parliament has approved about GHS390 million for the EC to procure a new biometric system which has facial recognition technology and also compile a new voters' register ahead of the 2020 general elections. Whereas some political parties backed the decision by the EC, others including the National Democratic Congress have resisted that the move claiming the decision is ill-timed and a waste of taxpayers' money. Officials of the EC had insisted that the decision to compile a new register was agreed by the various political parties as did not object to the proposal when it was tabled at Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on March 27, 2019. Ghana to save money by compiling register EC Data from the Electoral Commission (EC) shows that the country stands to save an amount o f GHS173.07 million should a new voters' register be compiled ahead of the 2020 general elections. This means that procuring a fresh Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS) is less costly than upgrading the current register as many have called for, the EC claims. IT consultant to the EC, Dr. Yaw Ofori-Adjei who made this known at a media encounter a few weeks ago said the Commission will incur a cost of approximately GHS107.25 million to furnish the existing data centre but will only need about GHS39.51 million for both the construction and maintenance of a new data centre. He added that keeping the old biometric system will cost US$74.36 million as compared to the US$56 million needed to acquire a new system which includes Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and the Biometric Verification Devices (BVD). ---citinewsroom 'He just said that those who cannot control the violence should go. He did not name the BJP.' IMAGE: Rajinikanth meets Tamil Nadu Hajj Committee President Abu Backer to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens at his residence in Chennai, February 29, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo What exactly is playing on Tamil movie superstar Rajinikanth's mind? Will he join politics by this Tamil New Year in April, as is widely believed? Will it be in the Bharatiya Janata Party camp, again as is widely believed? Or is he once again merely flattering only to deceive -- something he has done many times in the past over his intent to join politics? No one really knows, because the superstar with fading magic at the box-office is not known for opening up to the media. But his recent statements -- last week he said if the government could not control the Delhi violence it should go, following it up by saying that he was up for any role to usher in peace -- have once piqued interest in his future plans. While "he will not have any formal alliance with the BJP, maybe an informal understanding is possible," political commentator Dr Sumanth C Raman tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar. Rajinikanth has spoken out strongly against the Delhi violence, when he said the government should resign if it cannot contain the violence. That's not particularly BJP-friendly. So what do you think is his game plan? I think he is playing a balancing act. He didn't actually take names. Did he ask Home Minister Amit Shah to resign? He didn't. He just said that those who cannot control the violence should go. He did not name the BJP. He said he is ready to do anything for peace and then had a meeting with Muslim leaders. You cannot construe that it is an attack on the BJP. You believe he continues to be inclined towards the BJP? Yes! So far his statement of support to specific issues has given that impression. His earlier statement was giving support to the Citizen (Amendment) Act. He has also never spoken out against the BJP. Do you think Rajinikanth will improve the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu if he allies with the party for the 2021 assembly election? I am not sure if he will ally with them. So far the BJP has not made any inroads in Tamil Nadu. There is an antipathy towards them. He will not have any formal alliance with them. Maybe an informal understanding is possible. Is there a chance that Rajinikanth will actually face an erosion of his voter base by aligning with the BJP? There is always a possibility that the anti-BJP sentiment may be transferred to him. But the elections are still a year away and that is a long time in politics. He has still not started a political party. Starting a party six months before an election is not enough, he should start some time after April this year. Do you think he has lost some of the sheen since his political utterances? Even without political statements he will lose some of his sheen as a younger breed of stars have come into prominence. Before the release of every movie he makes political statements and after the movie he retires to the Himalayas. This has been known to happen. Will this change? He will take short breaks as it is beneficial to him. This is not an issue. Does his recent brush with the income tax department have anything to do with his political stance? It is clearly not easy to confront the government. But the income tax case was blown out of proportion by the media. It is a case pending since 2010. The rule benefited many people, it was not for Rajinikanth alone. It took actor Vijaykanth three elections to reach 29 MLAs and one election to go to zero. Given this, how do you rate Rajinikanth's chances? Vijaykanth was an emerging force. He had 10 per cent vote share, he was the third largest party in the state. He was the leader of the Opposition. But he never went to the assembly. He did not lead any protests against the government. He did not use the post of leader of the Opposition to his advantage. Rajnikanth is a much bigger star. Vijaykanth has a rural audience. Even the 29 MLAs came in alliance with the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam). We cannot compare the two of them. The AIADMK is also stronger than it was in 2017. Kamal Haasan failed to open his party's account in the Lok Sabha election despite doing well in many constituencies. Do you think it will deter Rajinikanth from taking the political plunge? Kamal Haasan cannot make an impression without an alliance with one of the major parties. Rajinikanth has a larger fan base. Kamal Haasan also has a tendency to tilt to the Left ideology. Except the two Dravidian majors, is there political space for a third party in Tamil Nadu? That depends of what you project yourself as. Vijaykanth came in as an alternate to both parties. Then he aligned with the AIADMK, thereby denting his own image. Rajinikanth has to keep two things in mind. One is that in Tamil Nadu people expect money to vote. Secondly, his fans will work with enthusiasm initially, but to sustain that work he has to spend money. And after winning you have to earn back the money you invested. That is not possible with the honest and spiritual politics he professes to practise. I wrote here about Stanley Kurtzs tireless efforts to work with state legislatures to pass laws that protect campus free speech and promote intellectual diversity. I discussed, in particular, what Stanley calls the third wave of campus reform legislation. The third wave focuses on intellectual diversity. Stanley explained: The basic idea is to have public universities create offices of Public Policy Events, which would be charged with organizing debates, panel discussions, and individual lectures designed to explore widely debated public-policy issues from divergent and competing perspectives. The debates would be open to the public, and videos of each event would be posted on the Web. The Office of Public Policy Events would publish a record of all public policy-related events on campus. This comprehensive list would give taxpayers, parents, and students a good sense of the extent of intellectual diversity available in campus public events. Universities that resisted the mandate for intellectual diversity in debates, discussions, and lectures sponsored by the Public Policy Event office would risk the ire of legislatures and the public. Im happy to report that last week, the Arizona House became the first legislative body in the nation to pass a campus intellectual diversity bill based on the model legislation Stanley drafted. Rep. Anthony Kern guided the legislation House bill 2238 through the House. Rep. Kern tweaked Stanleys model to reinforce the fact that there is no requirement in the bill to balance talks before student groups or academic departments. Student groups and academic departments can go on as before, inviting any speakers they like, with no requirement for balance. It is only the University Office of Public Policy Events that must stage balanced debates, with topics selected by the university itself. The next stop for this legislation is the Arizona Senate. Republicans make up the majority of that body, so there is a clear path to passage of the bill. (It passed the House on a straight party line vote.) Arizonas governor is also a Republican. Stanley acknowledges that intellectual diversity legislation is no panacea for the ideological monolith that is the modern university. However, it does have the potential to work a significant change. As Stanley points out: Even a single voice speaking knowledgeably and persuasively against a prevailing orthodoxy is powerful thing. That is why ideological enforcers work so hard to shout down dissenters. Thanks to the efforts of Stanley and of Rep. Kern, we may soon get a chance to see this dynamic in action. And if it works in Arizona, we might see a wave of imitators across the country. Dozens of employees at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro have been quarantined after it was determined they may have had contact with the COVID-19 virus. The first Oregonian to come down with the virus sought treatment at the facility and was eventually put into isolation. But at some point, he came into contact with unprotected employees, according to Michael Foley, a spokesman for Kaiser. Sources within local healthcare unions said as many as 70 Kaiser Westside workers were placed in quarantine. The number has been declining, Foley said, as Kaiser has determined certain employees were never exposed. Foley refused to provide additional details, including how many total employees were quarantined and exactly how many remain off duty. "Per current CDC guidelines, people who have had contact with COVID-19 patients are asked to maintain self-isolation at home for 14 days, said Dr. Mary E. Giswold, associate director of Kaisers hospital and post-acute care. Some of our staff, including nurses and physicians, met the criteria for contact and are on furlough. The number of furloughed staff changed daily, as we began with an abundance of caution and followed with a more detailed investigation into whether contact occurred. The Kaiser employees will be paid during their furlough. Subscribe to our Oregon coronavirus newsletter: Email: It is typical in a public health emergency for anyone suspected of coming into contact with the virus to place themselves in voluntary quarantine at their residence. CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE COVID-19 can be a highly-contagious virus that causes flu-like symptoms. The virus first broke out in China and managed to get to the western United States by mid-January. More than 3,000 people have died after contracting the virus. Three cases have been reported in Oregon since last Friday. The states first two are adults -- the first presumptive COVID-19 patient lives in Washington County but works at Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego in Clackamas County and the second patient is a family member. The third case, announced Monday, is a man from Umatilla County who works at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton. Union officials representing nurses and other staffers said the situation at Kaiser Westside raises concerns about the health care industrys ability to cope with a widespread contagion. Health care workers are the first line of defense in the fight to ward off infectious disease. Health care workers will inevitably contract the virus or will be sidelined because of concerns they might have been exposed. That will leave hospitals with a choice of replacing them or making do with fewer workers. Adequate staffing is our greatest concern, said Meg Niemi, president of Service Employees International Union Local 49, which represents hundreds of employees at Kaiser Westside. Inevitably, some of the replacement staff may also get sidelined for the two weeks or actually contract the virus, which can be highly contagious. How would you feel as a patient if the nurse that usually has four patients suddenly has six to eight, said Lynda Pond, president of the Oregon Nurses Association. The snowball effect on staffing has the potential for being pretty disastrous. Health care workers are concerned that vital equipment is in short supply and that theyve received minimal training. For now, Niemi said, there are sufficient supplies of standard surgical masks and the more heavy-duty N95 respirator masks, but if the infection rate continues unabated, it wont take long for shortages to occur. Its unclear whether local hospitals currently have sufficient supplies on hand for both staff and patients. Kaisers Giswold said the company has developed contingency plans and shifted work schedules. We also have the option of bringing in additional staff on contract, as we regularly conduct contingency planning for events, such as snowstorms, that could impact staff resources," she said. We are also working with OHA and others to implement procedures and protocols that will reduce staff impacts should we begin treating additional patients. In Oregon, public health officials are monitoring individuals who are suspected of having contact with the virus. Niemi confirmed on Monday that a number of employees from the Kaiser Westside center have been placed on two-week furloughs, though she didnt know the exact total. She added that none of her members have gotten ill. Were very proud of our members, she said. They go to work every day whatever the circumstances. More than 90,300 people worldwide have contracted the virus and about 3,100 people have died. In the U.S., 99 people have contracted the virus. -- Jeff Manning JManning@oregonian.com 503-221-8005| @JeffManningOre Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Washington: US President Donald Trump hs spoken by telephone with chief Taliban negotiator Mullah Baradar Akhund, the first known direct communication between a US leader and a top Taliban official, as a dispute over a prisoner release threatened a US-led effort to bring peace to Afghanistan. The telephone call, first announced on Twitter by a Taliban spokesman and then confirmed by Trump, came three days after Baradar and US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad signed an agreement for a withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump spoke to the leader of the Taliban. Credit:AP That deal, an important step toward ending America's longest war, could help boost Trumps bid for a second term in the November election. It calls for a phased withdrawal of US-led international troops and the start on March 10 of talks between the Taliban and an Afghan delegation that would include government officials. If we go through March 3 and dont show that we have a nominee who can appeal to a broad swath of our party, were going to be in serious trouble. TERRY McAULIFFE, a former Virginia governor and Democratic Party chairman, who joined other party leaders in backing Joseph R. Biden Jr. as Super Tuesday approached. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Apteryx Imaging Inc. ("Apteryx") is pleased to announce that Avi Naider has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Apteryx. Darryl Yea, the former Chairman of Apteryx, has been appointed Lead Director. In his role as Executive Chairman, Mr. Naider will work with Apteryx CEO, Dr. David Gane, and other company executives on strategic plan execution, driving operational excellence and supporting the creation of long-term value for shareholders. As Lead Director, Mr. Yea will be responsible for protecting the independence of the Board and managing the reporting and fiduciary obligations of the Board. Avi Naider is an investor and entrepreneur with twenty-five years of experience operating and advising growth companies in various sectors, including fintech, SAAS software and life sciences. A graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Naider began his career at Boston Consulting Group and most recently served as CEO of ARMCO, a leading provider of risk management software to major financial companies. Mr. Naider has served on various boards of public and private companies, including LOXO Oncology (LOXO), which was acquired by Eli Lilly in 2019. "I look forward to working with Mr. Naider in his new role as Executive Chair, leveraging his business talents, experience and relationships," commented Dr. Gane. "I am excited by the Apteryx opportunity before me. I look forward to supporting Dr. Gane and working with the Apteryx team to generate value for our shareholders," added Mr. Naider. To learn more about dental imaging technologies from Apteryx, please visit www.apteryx.com or call 877-278-3799. About Apteryx Imaging Inc. Apteryx Imaging has provided dentists and oral health specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging software and device technologies for over 20 years. Our proprietary technologies include XrayVision, XVWeb and XrayVision DCV imaging software solutions, the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment and TUXEDO Intraoral Sensors. Backed by an experienced leadership team and dedicated to a higher level of service and support, Apteryx Imaging is committed to providing dental practitioners with the best technology available by identifying and adding leading products to its growing portfolio. The Company is currently listed on the TSXV under the symbol XRAY, the OTCQB under the symbol APTEF, as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol XRAY. Media Contact: Apteryx Inc. Chris Koch Phone: 678-293-9413 Email: chris.koch@apteryx.com Corporate Contact: Apteryx Imaging Inc. David Gane, CEO Phone: 604-434-4614 ext. 227 Email: david.gane@apteryx.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. SOURCE: Apteryx Imaging Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578923/Apteryx-Imaging-Inc-Announces-Appointment-of-Executive-Chairman While online education is common around the world, it is unpopular in Vietnam. Online training is provided by some universities, but it is absent in general education. A report from Cyber Universities in 2018 showed that 80 percent of universities in the US used online training. The figure was 90 percent in Singapore. In Vietnam, online education has only been used by schools since the Covid-19 epidemic broke out and students have stayef off school. A high school teacher in Hanoi said in order to study online, students need to have computers or electronic devices with internet connection. This could be the reason for students and parents to hesitate to access online education. Traditional education with interactions between teachers and students, familiar for many years is believed to be the most effective education method. Traditional education with interactions between teachers and students, familiar for many years is believed to be the most effective education method. What if my son cannot solve a problem and he wants help," said Le Hoa, a parent in district 5, HCM City. Interaction between teachers and students plays a very important role in teaching. The role of teachers cannot be replaced by machines or software, she commented. Meanwhile, Nguyen Trung Hieu, an office worker in Hanoi, said online education is not suitable to all students. Online education is very useful for students with self-discipline. My son finds it very difficult to concentrate, he explained. The great advantages of online lessons are that students can learn at any time they want and that the same lessons can be repeated many times. Meanwhile, the advantages are insignificant to the general school students like his son. Though Hieu has a master's degree and has opportunities to access modern teaching methods, he still thinks that online lessons would be more useful for university rather than general school students. Ly Khang, an 11th grader in HCM City, said he had never learned online until the teacher told him to do. I have been instructed to study online for a few days but I have not got used to it. The lessons are messy and duplicated, and there are so many teachers that I don't know who to choose. And the forms of lessons are quite different, which confuse me, Khang said. Khang and his classmates have been provided accounts to log in to online learning software without any instructions. Some educators said Covid-19 is an opportunity for Vietnam to promote online education. However, they admitted that the teaching method was not favored by Vietnamese students who dont have the habit of self-study and research. Dr of Psychology Dang Le Hoa An commented that online education is only considered an alternative teaching method in the Covid-19 epidemic. Teachers and students are not prepared for it. Linh Ha Students satisfied about Education Ministry's high school finals rescheduling The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has adjusted the academic year schedule, delaying the high school finals to late July. Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridges children do not live average lives. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were born into the most famous royal family in the world, which means that they have opportunities to do things that many kids their age might not. For the recent half-term break, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took their children to Anmer Hall one of the couples residences. There, the family took part in a non-traditional activity. Prince William and Kate Middleton are known for being hands-on parents Prince William and Kate Middleton | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Although Prince William and Kate can afford to have a team of nannies to take care of their children, they are known for being rather hands-on parents. For example, Prince William has shared that he and his wife lose sleep just like most parents, which shows that the royal couple often gets up in the middle of the night to take care of their babies. As the kids grow older, Prince William and Kate try to spend quality time with them as well. The Duchess of Cambridge has shared that she loves to cook and do art projects with her children. Prince William and Kate also give their children plenty of hugs and physical touch. Royals in the past are known for not being emotionally connected to their kids, but its clear that Prince William and Kate have their own ideas about what parenting means. They often promote mental health and share with the world that having a good relationship with ones children will go a long way towards their development. Prince William and Kate Middleton want their children to play outside a lot In order to give their kids good childhoods, Prince William and Kate make sure that their children follow certain rules at home. For instance, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do not allow their children to attend events on school nights. They seem to believe that the kids should be well-rested for school every day. It was reported that when their three kids begged to go see a performance of Mary Poppins, Kate told them, not on a school night. Additionally, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have limited screen time. Prince William and Kate do not believe that their kids should be spending their childhoods in front of various screens, so the siblings generally play together in different ways. A source shared that Prince William and Kate often promote toys, outdoor play, and encouraging an active imagination, especially since both of them grew up without smartphones and tablets. Prince William recently shared that his family were lambing at Anmer Hall Prince William and Kates children had their half-term break for about two weeks in February. During that time, the family retreated to their country residence, Anmer Hall, for some quality time together away from the hustle and bustle of London. At an event that Prince William attended, he shared that he and his family spent a portion of their time lambing, which involves helping ewes give birth. He said: Weve been lambing with the children this week. Charlotte wasnt sure at first but George was straight in there. Louie loves the tractors. They love seeing the lambs and feeding the lambs. It has been reported that the Cambridge family raises a number of animals at Anmer Hall, though it is not clear whether the lambs in question belonged to them or not. In any case, a person who spoke to Prince William at the recent event revealed that he wants his kids to see the country way of life as well as the city way of life. A self-described white supremacist gang member was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison, four plus years on Friday for the stabbing an Iranian-American man to death in 2015. Craig Matthew Tanber was convicted of second-degree murder for stabbing Shayan Mazroei, 22, to death outside of a bar over Labor Day weekend. The Mercury News reported that Mr Tanber offered a statement prior to his sentencing. To all that have suffered due to this, I deeply apologize, he said. No parent should outlive their child. If I could do one thing today, Id bring your son back to you. I hope this closure starts the healing process to your hearts, he said. Mr Mazroeis mother said that though the trial brought her no relief, she was happy Mr Tanber was going to prison. Death row in California's San Quentin prison Show all 8 1 /8 Death row in California's San Quentin prison Death row in California's San Quentin prison A condemned inmate exercises in a cage out in the yard of San Quentin prison Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison San Quentin State Prison opened in 1852 and is California's oldest penitentiary. The facility houses the state's only death row for men that currently has 700 condemned inmates Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison The lethal injection facility at San Quentin prison AP Death row in California's San Quentin prison A condemned inmate stands in a cell out in the yard of San Quentin prison Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison An armrest in the interior of the lethal injection facility at San Quentin prison AP Death row in California's San Quentin prison A cell on death row in San Quentin Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison A cage on death row in San Quentin Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison A cell on death row in San Quentin Getty Its not a relief for me, she said. Im not going to get my son back. [But] society is safer Hes not going to hurt anymore. Though he readily admitted to killing Mr Mazroei, Mr Tanbers defence tried to argue that the murder was in self defence. According to prosecutors, the events leading to Mr Mazroeis death began when Mr Tanbers then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Thornburg, insulted Mr Mazroeis Middle Eastern heritage. Mr Tanbers defence lawyers argue that Mr Mazroei insulted Ms Thornburg when she asked him his name. As the argument escalated, Mr Mazroei and Ms Thornburg walked outside, and Ms Thornburg apparently began spitting on him. Mr Mazroei apparently spit once at Ms Thornburg in response. A bouncer kicked Mr Tanber and Ms Thornburg out of the bar, which enraged Mr Tanber, who then began ranting and shouting racial slurs and saying he wanted to stab someone. Mr Tanber apparently then burst back into the the bar, and shouted at Mr Mazroei, grabbing him and, punching him in the face and stabbing him in the heart. After the stabbing, Mr Tanber fled the scene and was found several days later hiding out in a motel. Ms Thornburg was charged as an accessory to Mr Mazroeis murder and is awaiting trial. She has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors chose not to pursue a hate crime charge as they believed there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Mr Tanber was released from prison weeks before killing Mr Mazroei. He was convicted for playing a part in the death of a man who stole money from the ex-girlfriend of another white supremacist gang member. Mr Tanber will have to serve 45 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during which they expressed hope that the upcoming Russian-Turkish high-level meeting in Moscow will be productive, the Kremlin press service said in a statement. The sides discussed in detail the issues of the Syrian settlement given the current worsening situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone. In this context, they voiced hope that the upcoming March 5 Russian-Turkish high-level meeting will bear fruit, the statement said as reported by TASS. The phone talk was held at the initiative of the German side. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Those who are covered by the new rules will be limited to three months of food stamps over a three-year period unless they can show they are working, volunteering or training for a job for a minimum of 80 hours per month. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) Washington, United States Tue, March 3, 2020 09:02 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067ddfbc 2 Business International-Monetary-Fund,IMF,World-Bank,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19 Free The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on Monday said they stood ready to help member countries address the human and economic challenges of the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, including through emergency funding. In a joint statement, the two institutions said they were focused especially on poor countries where health systems are weakest, and urged member countries to strengthen their health surveillance and response systems to contain the virus. International cooperation is essential to deal with the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus, the statement said, referring to the acronym for the virus. It said both the IMF and World Bank were fully committed to supporting these efforts. The outbreak is plunging the world economy into its worst downturn since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warned on Monday, urging governments and central banks to fight back to avoid an even steeper slump. Finance ministers from the worlds seven largest economies (G7) are expected to hold a conference call on Tuesday to discuss measures to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, four sources told Reuters. The IMF said it had an array of facilities and instruments in its tool kit to help countries respond to the economic impact of the coronavirus. The Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) and Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), which can provide emergency financial assistance to member countries that can be quickly disbursed, was used in 2016 to help Ecuador after a major earthquake. The IMF can also augment existing lending programs to accommodate urgent needs related to the outbreak. For instance, it provided extra funds to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2014 to fight the Ebola outbreak. It also has grants for debt relief that can help the poorest countries address disasters and can provide support through new stand-by financing arrangements. In addition, it can help countries expand their capacity to deal with the outbreak. On Thursday, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters that the Fund had not received any requests for assistance. Somali Finance Minister Abdirahman Duale Beileh told Reuters last week in an interview that many African countries were anxiously monitoring the spread of the flu-like virus, which has infected more than 89,000 people worldwide and killed over 3,000, mostly in China. Everybody is concerned. We are just hoping that it doesnt come to us. If that thing comes to Africa, were all dead because we dont have the facilities, Beileh said on Friday. It was noted that medical masks were needed only for medical staff and people that had already been sick The Ministry of Health appeals to Ukrainians not to buy surgical masks, because their use will not protect against coronavirus infection. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Health and Chief Sanitary Doctor Viktor Liashko during a briefing that was broadcasted by 112 Ukraine TV Channel. "Speaking on personal protective equipment (PPE 112 International.), I would like to emphasize that there was additional conversation with WHO yesterday, which, in turn, spoke with all EU ministers and involved our Ministry in this communication. We are saying that we do not need to use PPE, namely surgical masks when they are not required, as this creates a false confusion of their protection and does not allow using other effective methods of prevention of acute respiratory infections, which include coronavirus infection," Liashko said. Also, according to a representative of the Ministry of Health, first of all, Ukrainians should know that they need to wash their hands often enough or use the antiseptic. As we reported earlier, Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk stated about the readiness of over 2,000 hospitals to accept people infected with coronavirus in case, the virus enters the territory of the country, as Interfax-Ukraine informed. A plan is developed in each region, submitted to the proper hospitals; specials hospitals are defined with infection boxes over 2,000 in Ukraine. So wherever the region is in danger, there are people who will respond to it immediately, place a person to the infection box and provide a person with necessary help. The system is ready to respond to such a situation, Honcharuk assured. UPDATE, March 7: The SXSW EDU conference has been canceled amid concerns about the ongoing threat from the coronavirus, and AERA will be held virtually, the organizers of both events announced Friday. In a statement posted on SXSW EDUs conferences website, organizers indicated that the decision had been made by the host city of Austin, Texas, and that the leaders of both SXSW EDU and the broader film-media-music event affiliated with it, SXSW, will faithfully follow the citys directions. SXSW EDU, which was scheduled to run March 9-12, has emerged over the years as a bustling hub of educators, ed-tech advocates, companies touting their products, and philanthropists. The in-person version of the American Educational Research Association, or AERA, annual meeting scheduled for April 17-21 in San Francisco will be recast as a virtual meeting, according to a statement from executive director Felice J. Levine, released Friday. The conferences major lectures and select sessiions will be available streamed live in real time and we are in the process of exploring making these sessions available on-demand for virtual attendees, the statement noted. The organization will put out additional information about logistics and will also host a series of upcoming Zoom listening sessions on the changes. Across the country, some events had drawn increasing criticism in recent weeks. The larger SXSW event was targeted for its plans to go ahead with the show as the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in different parts of the country intensified. SXSW drew 200,000 people last year, and a recent petition asking organizers to cancel the event has received more than 17,000 signatures . Twitter has pulled out of the conference lineup and announced that its CEO, Jack Dorsey, would not give the keynote address. In their online statement Friday, the conference organizers noted that Austin public health authorities initially had said that there was no evidence that closing SXSW would increase the safety of the community. But the situation evolved rapidly, SXSW officials said. Conference officials said they are exploring options to reschedule the event, and to provide a virtual SXSW online experience. They said they would be in touch with registrants as soon as possible. We are devastated to share this news with you, they said of the cancellation. The show must go on is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation. Check back on the Digital Education blog for more updates on how other conferences this spring are affected by the coronavirus outbreak. ORIGINAL POST: As the coronavirus outbreak takes hold in communities worldwide, organizers of major education conferences scheduled over the coming weeks and months are taking precautions, bracing for cancelations and thinking about how to minimize possible transmissions. The COVID-19 outbreak is happening just as the conference season is gearing up and some organizations are approaching the situation more aggressively than others. The ASU GSV Summit , which blends business, education, and technology and last year drew just under 5,000 attendees, will have mandatory temperature screenings at the entrance to its venue in San Diego. Organizers of the March 30 to April 1 event have announced a no-handshake policy and plan to have noticeable signs warning attendees away from those greetings. Hand sanitizer will be plentiful and pre-packaged food will be available instead of buffets or plated meals. Other conferences are cancelling their gatherings altogether. The National Education Association has scrapped four upcoming conferences (see details below) and Texas Instruments cancelled its Teachers Teaching with Technology International Conference scheduled for March 13 to 15 in Dallas. A note on its website says Texas Instruments made the decision to forgo its conference to prioritize attendees health and safety, as well as that of our employees and the community. At ASU GSV, organizers have asked attendees from Level 3 countriesmeaning the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding nonessential travel to those nationsnot to come to the event. The conference will refund money to attendees from those conferences, including China, South Korea, Iran and Italy, said Deborah Quazzo co-founder of the summit. ASU GSV will require attendees to show a passport or drivers license to confirm they arent coming from one of those countries. In addition, when people register theyll be asked to make a statement that they have not visited one of those countries in the last 30 days, she said. We feel good about what were going to be doing, Quazzo said, adding that organizers are working closely with the venue, the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, on ways to protect attendees. Quazzo said the hotel has trained its staff to be vigilant about identifying people with symptoms and has protocols in place to prevent the spread of germs, including wiping down elevator buttons frequently. Attendance numbers have already been impacted, Quazzo said. The event typically draws between 200 and 400 attendees from China who knew they would not be able to come. Quazzo said the company ASU GSV hired to do temperature screenings will also have a doctor on site to check any symptoms and can refer people to local hospitals. However, she said ASU GSV will alert attendees that false positives also can arise through this protocol. We will do whatever it takes to make this safer, she said. Other conferences are addressing the issue as well: SXSW EDU , which is scheduled for March 9-12 in Austin, Texas, is proceeding as scheduled. Organizers urged attendees to follow Word Health Organization safety precautions about hand washing, staying home if ill and keeping hands away from eyes, nose and mouth. On its website SXSW EDU noted that, Historically, March is not a peak international travel month in Austin, but said organizers will continue to monitor the situation. However, the bigger SXSW conference and festival for the music and film industry also held in Austin and scheduled for March 13-22 has come under significant scrutiny. Last year SXSW drew 200,000 people and a recent petition asking organizers to cancel the event has garnered more than 17,000 signatures . Twitter has pulled out of the conference lineup , including yanking Twitter CEO Jack Dorseys planned keynote address. Heres a roundup of responses from organizers of some other upcoming education-related conferences about how theyre responding to the coronavirus threat: National Education Association Conferences: The NEA has canceled the National Leadership Summit scheduled for March 13-15 in Orlando, Fla., the Higher Education Conference scheduled for March 12-13 in Orlando, the NEA-Retired Confernce scheduled for March 15-16 in Orlando, and the ESP Conference scheduled for March 20-22 in New Orleans. We will continue to monitor the situation for our events beyond March, wrote NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia in a statement . . CoSN Annual Conference , scheduled for March 16-18 in Washington, DC. As of March 2, the conference will go on as planned. Organizers say they will provide hand sanitizer in public areas of the hotel, and instead of buffet lunches, individually wrapped meals will be provided. , scheduled for March 16-18 in Washington, DC. As of March 2, the conference will go on as planned. Organizers say they will provide hand sanitizer in public areas of the hotel, and instead of buffet lunches, individually wrapped meals will be provided. AERA Annual Conference , scheduled for April 17-21 in San Francisco. In a note to attendees March 2, executive director Felice J. Levine said organizers will continue to monitor hourly ongoing developments with the spread of coronavirus and that they will consult with city and venue officials about possible changes to the event. Levine said the organization is also working with the National Council on Measurement in Education to evaluate the situation, as NCME holds its annual meeting in partnership with AERAs event. , scheduled for April 17-21 in San Francisco. In a note to attendees March 2, executive director Felice J. Levine said organizers will continue to monitor hourly ongoing developments with the spread of coronavirus and that they will consult with city and venue officials about possible changes to the event. Levine said the organization is also working with the National Council on Measurement in Education to evaluate the situation, as NCME holds its annual meeting in partnership with AERAs event. SREE Conference , scheduled for March 11-14 in Crystal City, Va. Organizers have confirmed the event will take place as planned and reassured attendees that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area. In an email to attendees, SREE executive director Ellen Weiss said the conference plans to have ample soap and hand santizer on site to allow attendees to frequently wash hands. , scheduled for March 11-14 in Crystal City, Va. Organizers have confirmed the event will take place as planned and reassured attendees that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area. In an email to attendees, SREE executive director Ellen Weiss said the conference plans to have ample soap and hand santizer on site to allow attendees to frequently wash hands. US-Italia Ed Innovation Festival , scheduled for April 27-29 in Naples, Italy is currently going on as planned, according to an email Feb. 27 from festival organizer Jeanne Allen, the founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform. So far there is no cause for alarm anywhere in the south of Italy, Allen wrote, though we understand that for many travel could become an issue regardless. Allen said organizers will reassess in a month whether to proceed with the event or make any changes and pledged to refund the cost of registration in case of a cancellation. Check back on Digital Education for more updates to the plans for these conferences, as we learn of them. See also: Bernie Sanders joins list of Democratic candidates with local offices KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' campaign is the latest to open an office in Kansas City, Missouri. The location at 3660 Main St. is one of four in the state for Bernie 2020. Missouri State Director Tony Anthony said in a news release that the people "have always been the heart of this campaign." Credit to this streetwise campaign for setting up shop in this embattled Kansas City corridor that confronts all kinds of sketchy offerings form the toy train extension to the small time hustlers and about half a dozen tattoo shops . . . Read more: During the Democratic Weekly Address, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) stated that the Senate Republican majority cares more about their NRA rating than the lives of their constituents. Blumenthal was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Hello. Im Richard Blumenthal. I am proud to represent Connecticut in the United States Senate. One year ago, the House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill that boasts a ninety percent approval rate from the American people. The goal of H.R. 8 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 is simple: to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. The bill doesnt impose any additional restrictions on gun ownership, it just ensures that if you shouldnt have access to a firearm if youve committed a felony, for example you cant skirt the law by buying a gun online or at a gun show. Thats it. An enforcement mechanism to prevent dangerous people from accessing weapons. If that doesnt sound controversial, thats because it isnt its supported by nearly all Americans, including the vast majority of gun owners. But this basic, commonsense bill has been stonewalled in the Senate by Leader Mitch McConnell and a Republican majority that cares more about their NRA rating than the lives of their constituents. When I think about this issue, what I recall is what I heard from the Senate galleries after we failed to reach the required sixty-vote threshold to approve expanded background checks after the Sandy Hook shooting, when one of the Newtown parents shouted Shame! Shame is exactly what the Republican majority in the Senate should feel for its failure to act on background checks and other commonsense gun violence prevention measures. Shame is exactly what my Republican colleagues should feel every single day as one hundred additional American lives are lost to gun violence, including at least five workers shot and killed at Molson Coors brewery in Milwaukee earlier this week. Ill be very blunt: my Republican colleagues can either stand with the American people on this issue or stand with the NRA. The American people are watching. Ive been advocating for stronger gun violence prevention measures for most of my public life, and Im often asked why this moment is different. Heres the answer: We have built a grassroots movement that is effecting seismic change. Led by gun violence survivors, students and young people, family members, emergency room doctors, and others, the American public is standing up and saying, enough. This incredible activism is why states are taking action where Congress has failed. A Republican legislature in Florida approved a number of gun violence prevention measures after Parkland and they were signed into law by a Republican governor. Eighteen states have emergency risk protection order statutes on the books. Twelve states require universal background checks. The ground is shifting seismically. But state action doesnt absolve Senator McConnell and Republicans in Congress from doing their job. Guns dont observe state boundaries. States with the strongest, most effective gun violence prevention laws are at the mercy of those with the weakest. And thats why we need to pass H.R. 8. And thats why we should close the Charleston loophole, pass a federal red flag statute, ensure that domestic abusers are no longer allowed to possess a firearm, and eliminate the sweetheart deal that protects gun manufacturers from legal liability. Opponents of gun violence prevention are on the wrong side of this issue, theyre on the wrong side of public opinion, and theyre on the wrong side of history. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Its official Clare Crawley will lead The Bachelorette Season 16, and the fandom is buzzing with excitement. The 38-year-old breaks tradition, as she doesnt come from Peter Webers current season of The Bachelor. But she has been a member of the franchise for some time. And as some longtime viewers have noticed, the last time we saw Crawley, she got engaged to Benoit Beausejour-Savard during The Bachelor Winter Games reunion. So why did Crawley and Beausejour-Savard break up? A lot has happened since the couple got together, but Beausejour-Savard still seems as supportive of his ex-fiance as ever. Clare Crawley and Benoit Beausejour-Savard got engaged after meeting on The Bachelor Winter Games Benoit Beausejour-Savard and Clare Crawley on The Bachelor Winter Games | Paul Hebert/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Following her appearances on Juan Pablo Galavis season of The Bachelor and the first two seasons of Bachelor in Paradise, Crawley found her way to The Bachelor Winter Games in 2018. Once settled, the hairstylist from Sacramento, California met Beausejour-Savard from The Bachelorette Canada and Bachelor in Paradise Season 5. Of course, Crawley and Beausejour-Savard hit it off. Nevertheless, there was a bit of trouble in paradise. Crawley also saw something in Christian Rauch, the contestant from Germany. So when Beausejour-Savard confessed his feelings, she admitted she still wanted to explore her options. Then Beausejour-Savard left the show. But even so, the couple still got together after filming the reality series. During The Bachelor Winter Games: World Tells All, Crawley revealed she reconnected with Beausejour-Savard when she returned home to Sacramento. Then when speaking with host Chris Harrison, the Canadian native said he couldnt stop thinking about Crawley, noting how much he cared for her. So he couldnt help but reach out when she left the show. Meanwhile, Crawley reciprocated Beausejour-Savards feelings and expressed how much she loved him in a tearful speech. And in the end, Beausejour-Savard got down on one knee and proposed to Crawley. Its overwhelming, its crazy, Crawley told People about her engagement in February 2018. Going on these Bachelor shows is a huge risk and you dont know the outcome. Its scary, but its a risk that you have to take to get the good in the end. Why Clare Crawley and Benoit Beausejour-Savard broke up and ended their engagement Despite the heartwarming proposal during the Winter Games reunion, Crawley and Beausejour-Savard broke up and ended their engagement in April 2018. On their respective Instagram accounts, the Bachelor Nation couple wrote a joint statement addressing their split, hinting it was amicable. Crawley and Beausejour-Savard wrote: We understand a lot of you have been asking about [our] relationship since the show, and we wanted to thank you all for the love and respect as we navigated it in real life off camera. We do understand however, having a public engagement on TV kind of changes that. Its with a heavy heart that we have mutually decided to end our relationship. We think the world of eachother, and we were both hoping we could make this work. Im sorry that this may not be what you want to hear, but its our truth. Just know there are no negative feelings here, we are simply two people who believed in love, and were open enough to give it a chance. We still care for each other very deeply (That is why no hate or disrespectful comments will be tolerated about the other.) Please respect our privacy as well, as with the end of any relationship, it is never easy. Thank you for your understanding and love while we have shared our vulnerability with the world. Benoit Beausejour-Savard shows support for Clare Crawley as The Bachelorette Now, a few years after ending their engagement, it appears Crawley and Beausejour-Savard are still on good terms. In an interview with Life & Style Magazine following Crawleys Bachelorette announcement on March 2, Beausejour-Savard confirmed theyve maintained a friendship long past the breakup. She has always been so nice to me, even after the breakup, he said. We talked on a regular basis and still care a lot about each other. Meanwhile, Beausejour-Savard declared his support for Crawley as the next bachelorette. Im glad she got that chance at finding love because we both trust that process. All I want for her is to be happy because she deserves the best, he said. She will be the best person to call out her men if they arent there for her. Im sure she will find her soulmate. She will be the best bachelorette, I can tell you this. Crawleys engagement to Beausejour-Savard may have been short-lived after The Bachelor Winter Games, but it seems theres no bad blood as the new bachelorette moves forward to find her forever. Now Bachelor Nation fans must wait to see how Crawleys journey unfolds when The Bachelorette Season 16 premiers on Monday, May 18. Stay tuned. Read more: The Bachelor Producers Finally Realized Who the Most Sought After Demographic Is And Chose The Bachelorette Clare Crawley Accordingly US couple go out for a drive, find USD 1 million lying on the road Maharashtra: Couple stripped, beaten to get them to withdraw rape complaint India pti-PTI Mumbai, Mar 03: A 29-year-old woman and her husband were allegedly abducted, stripped and thrashed by eight people to force them to withdraw an old rape complaint in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, police said on Tuesday. Later, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh told the Assembly that a probe under Nashik Rural SP Aarti Singh and Ahmednagar Additional SP Deepali Kale, both women IPS officers, will be carried out and completed within one month. The incident took place on February 24 near the civil hospital in Aurangabad, some 370 kilometres from here, but came to light after a video of the torment went viral on social media on Monday, said an official. "When the couple was going home in an autorickshaw at around 8:20 pm on that day, a person seated next to them subjected the couple to inhalation sedation. They were then taken to a room, confined, and asked to withdraw a rape complaint lodged by the woman in 2016 against some of them," he said. The couple was stripped and thrashed and beaten with belts after petrol was poured on them, he said. "After a video of the incident went viral on Monday, we approached the couple and registered a case of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and other offences under IPC and Information Technology Act in Tophkhana police station against eight persons," the official informed. Among those who assaulted the couple are the woman's brother, her two brothers-in-law, as well as two people who posed as policemen, he said. Ahmednagar in charge Superintendent of Police Sagar Patil said no arrests have been made in the case as yet. The matter was raised in the Assembly by Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The families of seniors locked down at a Washington state nursing long-term care facility are worried that time is running out before their relatives fall ill. Visitors were barred from Life Care Center in Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle, after a series of 14 coronavirus infections sprang up at the home. Children and spouses of the nursing home's residents say that staff are keeping the elderly isolated in their rooms and checking their temperatures daily. However, they are scared that their loved ones who show symptoms will not be tested or hospitalized until they are in serious condition. One woman said her mother and the other residents are being 'held hostage in a petri dish.' As of Tuesday, there are 111 confirmed coronavirus cases in the US and six deaths. All of the deaths occurred in Washington, and four are linked to Life Care Center. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS One woman says she asked for her mother, Susan Haley (left and right), who lives at Life Care Center in Kirkland, to be tested but she was denied. Haley's daughter has described the residents as being 'held hostage in a petri dish' Another woman, Bonnie Halstad (pictured) said her calls went unanswered for days as she asked for news about her husband, Ken, who lives at the home Patients infected by coronavirus wait to be transferred from Wuhan No.5 Hospital to Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built hospital for the patients on March 3 Medical staff in Wuhan, China prepare to transfer patients infected by coronavirus to Leishenshan Hospital on March 5 As of Tuesday, health officials say 111 people across the US have been infected with coronavirus and that six people, all in Washington state, have died Carmen Gray, of Bothell, told CBS News that her mother, Susan Haley, is one of the patients under quarantine at LifeCare Center. She says she asked for her mother to be tested for the virus, but was refused. '[They said she] did not meet the criteria at this time,' Gray said. 'They're being held hostage in a petri dish.' And Bonnie Holstad said staff is refusing to speak to her about the condition of her her husband, Ken, who is at the facility recovering from broken hip. She says her calls to the center have gone repeatedly unanswered and she is desperate for news that he is okay after he had a cough. He also suffers from Parkinson's disease and dementia. Holstad stood outside the facility on Sunday with a sign saying: 'No one at Life Care is answering the phones. He needs to be attended to...what is his temperature?' She told CNN that, after she protested, a nurse did then check on him and told her he doesn't have a fever. 'I was so angry. How can this be that I have to do this, make a sign and go down there?' Holstad said. 'I have real problems with how they're handling the interface with family,' and added that it was 'sort of like a movie about an epidemic in a little town, and they don't know how to handle the situation.' Holstad told how she only found out about the potential outbreak in the home when she arrived for a visit on Saturday and was turned away by a sign on the door saying no visitors allowed. Medical personnel attend to a patient in critical condition at a hospital designated for coronavirus patients in Wuhan, March 1 South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear, spray antiseptic solution against the coronavirus in Guryong slum on March 3 Families are worried about their loved ones at Life Care Center of Kirkland, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Washington. Pictured: Healthcare workers transfer a patient on a stretcher to an ambulance at the Life Care Center, March 1 Children and spouses of the nursing home's residents say that staff are keeping the elderly isolated in their rooms and checking their temperatures daily but not testing them for the virus. Pictured: Healthcare workers transfer a patient on a stretcher to an ambulance at the Lifeare Center, March 1 She then got a message from the center telling her about the confirmed cases. Before then she had been told staff were wearing masks because some residents had colds. Holstad also said her husband had not been tested for coronavirus because he doesn't have all of the symptoms required for testing. In Facebook post, Life Care said staff members are constantly monitoring patients for any signs of the virus. 'Current residents and associates continue to be monitored closely, specifically for an elevated temperature, cough and/or shortness of breath,' the post read. 'Any resident displaying these symptoms is placed in isolation. Associates are screened prior to beginning work and upon leaving. We are also following infection control recommendations, including proper hand-washing techniques and wearing masks, gowns and gloves when caring for any symptomatic patients.' Life Care Center of Kirkland did not immediately reply to DailyMail.com's request for comment. At a press conference yesterday, King County Public Health Officer Jeffrey Duchin said they 'expect the number of cases will continue to increase in the coming days and weeks.' In fact, officials say they expect to see more cases than the flu. 'This disease will pose a significant challenge to the healthcare delivery system across the country and across the world,' Duchin said. Panic has descended upon the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the US as first responders go under quarantine, schools close and a church even refuses to give out Holy Communion. To control the spread of the virus, King County is currently moving to buy a hotel to house isolated patients. Additionally, 25 Kirkland firefighters - one-quarter of the city's force - and two police officers who were exposed to the virus at the facility are under quarantine. Workers unload personal protective equipment, including goggles and gloves, at the Life Care Center of Kirkland on March 1 Northshore Community Church (pictured) refused to give out Holy Communion on Sunday and discouraged parishioners from hugging or shaking hands Several schools have closed, including Lake Washington Institute of Technology, which had nursing students visit the facility last week (above) They've not shown any symptoms but will need to be kept under close watch for the next 14 days. According to Kellie Stickney, a city of Kirkland spokesperson, the quarantine is 'out of an abundance of caution.' Several elementary, middle and high schools in the Seattle area voluntarily closed on Monday and/or Tuesday. Also shut down was Lake Washington Institute of Technology, which is closed for two days as campus is disinfected. It's not clear if the 16 nursing students and four faculty/staff members that visited the nursing home last week will need to go under quarantine. 'The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff are top of mind as we work our way through this emergency,' said Lake Washington president Amy Morrison said in a statement. 'Our faculty have been in contact with those students, as well as college administration. Currently, the college is awaiting guidance from King County Public Health in order to provide information and guidance to our faculty and students.' Panic even reached a church that canceled Holy Communion on Sunday and banned handshakes and hugs among its congregation. Staffers at Northshore Community Church wiped down door handles and urged anyone who didn't feel well to stay home. 'We are gathered together today amidst news that can make us anxious or fearful. I'm sure all of our hearts are thinking about that word 'coronavirus,'' senior pastor Scott Scruggs said as he addressed the crowd, reported The Washington Post. 'We're doing what we can and we want to invite you to do the same.' The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group have said that international cooperation is essential to deal with the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus, while offering help to affected countries. The IMF and the World Bank Group stand ready to help our member countries address the human tragedy and economic challenge posed by the COVID-19 virus. We are engaged actively with international institutions and country authorities, with special attention to poor countries where health systems are the weakest and people are most vulnerable," said a joint statement from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and President of world Bank Group David Malpass. "We will use our available instruments to the fullest extent possible, including emergency financing, policy advice, and technical assistance. In particular, we have rapid financing facilities that, collectively, can help countries respond to a wide range of needs," they said. The strengthening of country health surveillance and response systems is crucial to contain the spread of this and any future outbreaks, the statement said. "International cooperation is essential to deal with the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus. The IMF and the World Bank Group are fully committed to provide the support that people in our member countries expect from us, they added. - TradeArabia News Service Surrounded by smoldering houses and the blackened skeletons of burned-out cars, Mohammed Efaz picked his way through the streets of Khajuri Khas, a neighborhood in north-east Delhi. The 32 year-old Muslim said he would never return to Indias capital after what he saw happen here last week. We will never come back here to live among Hindus, Efaz told TIME on Saturday as he loaded a burlap sack into his small truck, preparing to travel back to his home village. The divide between Hindus and Muslims is unbridgeable now. The violence began on Feb. 23 and lasted for several days, leaving at least 46 people dead in Delhi, the majority of them Muslims. It was the worst religious violence in India in years. Though some Hindus too were killed in the riots, it quickly emerged that Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Delhi police force his government oversees, had tacitly supported the mobs, who chanted Hindu nationalist slogans as they burned buildings and beat Muslims while police reportedly looked on. Since the riots, hundreds of Muslims have fled the city, unsure if they will ever feel safe enough to return. Although both Hindu and Muslim houses were burned down in this corner of Delhi, on Saturday it was only Muslim families loading up their possessions to flee. The ruling party has built an atmosphere against Muslims, Efaz said. Now, hate is being preached openly against us. For India, the violence has marked a bloody milestone after six years of governance by Hindu nationalists, who are now more politically dominant than ever before. Since winning reelection in a landslide last May, Modi has stoked his far-right Hindu nationalist base, many of whom see Muslims as invaders of a rightfully Hindu India. In August, Modi put Jammu and Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority state, on lockdown and stripped it of its semi-autonomous status. His government is planning to construct a Hindu temple on the site of a mosque demolished by Hindu nationalists in 1992. And his Home Minister, Amit Shah, is pushing forward plans to deport infiltrators from India with the help of a mass population registration program. Story continues After days of silence, Modi condemned the violence in Delhi on Feb. 26. Peace and harmony are central to our ethos, he wrote on Twitter. It is important that calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest. But Muslims and academics alike say it was his own rhetoric that led to the riots. The trend we see across India is that a lot of the violence perpetrated against Muslims these days is actually perpetrated by subsidiaries of the Hindu nationalist movement, says Thomas Blom Hansen, a Stanford professor of anthropology who has studied religious identities and violence in India for three decades. The government and the BJP can wash their hands and say, we have nothing to do with it, these are just patriots acting on their own. Security personnel patrol near burnt-out and damaged residential premises and shops in New Delhi on February 26, 2020. | Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images The policies and rhetoric of the ruling party are felt directly, too. The BJP has tried to cast Indias Muslims as terrorists, says Mohammed Numan, a Muslim resident of the Khajuri Khas neighborhood whose house was burned down on Feb. 25. Numan told TIME he had long expected the BJPs rhetoric would cause riots targeting Muslims. A vast majority of Indians have come to believe that Muslims are a threat to India which we are not, he said. We are as Indian as they are. Refusing to turn his face toward the smoldering ruin of his home, Numan recalled how his Hindu neighbor used to taunt him, saying that soon Muslims would be stripped of their voting rights and thrown in detention camps. Ive never seen Muslims more nervous than they are at the moment, says Blom Hansen. They live under this feeling that something bad is going to happen soon. As mobs rampaged through the streets, chanting Hindu nationalist slogans and targeting Muslim homes and businesses, Delhis police did almost nothing to stop them. In one video posted online, police are seen beating a group of Muslim men one of whom has since died. As of Monday, police said they had arrested 903 people in connection with the violence though activists say police investigations have disproportionately targeted Muslims. Ive seen, with my own eyes, police harassing Muslims in Muslim neighborhoods in the run-up to riots, Blom Hansen tells TIME. This is very well-documented. In India, Muslim neighborhoods are wildly over-policed in a way thats akin to the way African-American neighborhoods are policed in the U.S. Mohammad Sahil Pervaiz said police were escorting rioters along when his father, watching nervously from a rooftop, was shot from close range by the mob. Pervaiz delayed taking his father for medical treatment in order to put a vermilion strip on his forehead to disguise himself as a Hindu because rioters hunting for Muslims had blocked all the roads leading to the hospital. It didnt work. I could not save my father, Pervaiz, 26, said outside the morgue of a Delhi hospital, where over a dozen corpses were being kept. [Hindu nationalists] think everything in this country belongs to them: the police, the administration and now even the roads, he said. It is as if we Muslims have no rights in this country. Violence in India between Hindus, who make up some 80% of the population, and Muslims, the countrys largest minority, punctuate the history of the worlds largest democracy. Even under Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who envisioned a secular nation where all Indias religions could live in harmony, sporadic religious violence broke out. (During the partition of British India into Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India in 1947, as many as two million people died.) But under Modi, the most powerful Hindu nationalist Prime Minister in Indian history, the violence has taken on a new, imbalanced, dimension. The Hindu nationalist alliance that Modi represents avowedly sees India as a Hindu nation, and as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2002, Modi was accused of instructing police not to prevent a pogrom in which thousands of Muslims were killed. When he was elected in 2014, there was a sharp uptick in lynchings of Muslims. Since being reelected with an even bigger majority in May 2019, his government has moved on to larger-scale, if still localized, state-sanctioned mob violence, says Sumantra Bose, professor of international and comparative politics at the London School of Economics. This is a natural progression, given the nature, logic and purpose of the Modi-Shah government. A general view of the riot-hit in New Delhi on February 27, 2020. | Money Sharma/AFP via Getty Images As a result, many of Indias 200 million Muslims are reckoning with a future as second-class citizens. In December, the BJP pushed through a new citizenship law that makes it easier for all of South Asias major religions, except Islam, to gain asylum in India. Shah, Modis Home Minster and de-facto deputy, hailed the law as proof of the BJPs commitment to helping refugees, and said Muslims had nothing to fear. But taken together with a separate BJP project to combat illegal immigration, which would require all Indian citizens to prove their residency with papers many do not have, critics see ominous signs. In Assam, a northeastern state that has served as a testing ground for the population register, the Indian government is already constructing detention camps to house those who cant prove they belong many of them Muslims. India is now face to face with the darkest period in its history as an independent country, Bose tells TIME. Against this backdrop, a widespread protest movement began in December. At universities and public spaces across the country, people still sympathetic to Nehrus vision of a secular India gathered under tricolor flags and portraits of Mahatma Gandhi. Shaheen Bagh, a crossroads in a Muslim-majority southern Delhi neighborhood, quickly became the movements symbolic center. But staffed 24 hours a day by volunteers, many of them Muslim women, it just as rapidly became a potent political target for the BJP, which has sought to paint opposition to the citizenship law as an anti-national project facilitated by Indias arch-rival Pakistan. If the rioting in Delhi was inevitable in the current climate, its immediate spark came on Feb. 23 when Kapil Mishra, a local politician for Modis BJP, made a speech. Addressing a crowd, and flanked by an Indian Police Service official, he called for police to clear protesters in Jafrabad in northeast Delhi, who had been inspired by those at Shaheen Bagh. Mishra, who as an unelected local politician has no official sway over law enforcement, later wrote on Twitter: Giving a three-day ultimatum to Delhi Police to clear the roads. Dont try to reason with us after this, because we wont pay heed. (When a judge in Delhi reprimanded the police for failing to arrest Mishra for hate speech, the judge was quickly transferred to another state by Modis government.) Directly afterward, people inspired by Mishras speech clashed with anti-government protesters. On Feb. 24 and 25, the clashes became more violent, with Hindu mobs seeking out Muslim homes and businesses, too. Whenever a building went up in flames, mobs responded with loud chants of Jai Shri Ram (Victory to Lord Ram a deity who has become an icon to Hindu nationalists). In one video posted online on Feb. 25, a man climbed a mosque carrying a saffron flag, a symbol of Hindu nationalism, as black smoke billowed in the background. As the dust settled, stories and photographs emerged of Muslims being beaten to death on the streets or burned alive inside their homes. One week on, the city is still counting its dead. The riot-struck neighborhoods of Northeastern Delhi now look like a war zone, complete with refugees. As Efaz prepared to leave Indias capital forever to return to his home village in Bihar, Indias poorest state, he was in no doubt about who to blame. The BJP has won in its battle to paint all Muslims as traitors, he said, before driving off with his wife and four year-old son. The hatred is so deep. This is what the Hindu nationalists wanted. They wanted to polarize society, to the point where it would be very difficult for us to return. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:11:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army said that it started on Tuesday a large-scale military drill with the United States, simulating a missile attack on Israel. The training, called Juniper Cobra and held every two years since 2001, will be conducted until March 13. A spokesperson with the Israeli military said in a statement that the exercise simulates a scenario in which U.S. forces would arrive and deploy in Israel alongside Israel's Aerial Defense Array to protect the country from rocket and missile attacks. The exercise will take place in several locations in Israel, Europe, and the United States. More than 2,500 troops with the U.S. European Command will participate in it. About 600 of them have arrived in Israel and will exercise alongside about 1,000 Israeli troops, including Israeli Aerial Defense troops, logistic units, medical forces, and additional military units, the army said. The main purpose of the drill is "strengthening the cooperation and coordination between the two militaries, promoting bilateral learning and enhancing aerial defense capabilities," it added. While male eagles typically share egg-warming duties, jumping in when the females need to hunt and eat, Hopes mate, Valor I, couldnt bring himself to incubate the eggs for more than a few minutes. While other males work hard to feed their ravenous offspring, Valor I provided only for himself. Neither of the pairs eaglets would survive in 2012, and the next year, Hope showed up with a new mate, the steady and hard-working Valor II. PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-03 13:35:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 526 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Pioneer in omnichannel technology to outline how contact centres can increase productivity and efficiency of collectors by leveraging gamificationMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA/ ACCESSWIRE / March 2, 2020 / Noble Systems today announced they will host an educational webinar this Tuesday, 3rd March titled, "Collect More & Retain Your Best Collectors with Gamification" that will discuss how gaming technology can improve the overall experience of contact centre agents working in the collections industry (Register here).A staggering 71% of all employees report disengagement at work, yielding a costly 26% attrition rate in the call centre industry. Modern organisations are turning that around by leveraging unified Gamification platforms that harness the motivational power of rewards, recognition, peer collaboration, mastery and autonomy. This is resulting in a dramatic lift in discretionary effort employees are putting forth at work.During this 60-minute session, Vice President of Noble Gaming Solutions, Brett Brosseau, and Enterprise Gamification Specialist, Ineke Carey, will explain how organisations within the credit and collections industry can leverage gamification to increase productivity and efficiency of collectors, dramatically improve employee retention and accelerate desired learning outcomes - all culminating in a dramatic impact on the bottom line.WHAT: Collect More & Retain Your Best Collectors with GamificationWHO: Brett Brosseau, Vice President of Noble Gaming Solutions, Noble Systems Ineke Carey, Enterprise Gamification Specialist, Noble SystemsWHEN: Wednesday, 4 March 2020, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM AESTRegister here.Consumers often find collections calls to be intrusive, frustrating and embarrassing. Debt collection contact centre agents face stress, angry customers and other emotionally taxing challenges every single day. In addition, they do their jobs knowing that their employer can lose customers forever if they mismanage these delicate engagements.Agent attrition is an epidemic in contact centres as agent tenure decreases each year. Noble WEM and Gamification solutions help keep agents motivated and focused. Using game mechanics, Noble Gamification drives desired behaviours, leverages science-based motivational techniques to train, provides ongoing feedback to collectors and rewards them for improved business outcomes.In addition to workforce engagement solutions, Noble Systems offers a comprehensive suite of technologies that increase right-party contact rates, streamline the communications process and promote advanced list management and dialling strategies that help maintain compliance. Real-time and post-call speech analytics, integrated agent monitoring and interaction recording provide valuable insight for quality assurance, and single/dual recording and wireless number dialling solutions are available in a PCI-Ready environment.About Noble SystemsNoble Systems Corporation is a global leader in the customer communications industry, providing innovative solutions for Contact Centre, Workforce Engagement and Analytics technologies. Tens of thousands of agents at client installations worldwide use Noble platforms to manage millions of customer contacts each day. Noble offers a unified suite of inbound, outbound and blended omnichannel communications, strategy planning, resource management and compliance tools for companies of all sizes. Our premise, cloud and innovative premise/cloud hybrid platforms include ACD, predictive dialling, blended processing, recording and monitoring, IVR, messaging, interaction analytics, robotic process automation and decision, workforce management and gamification. With a portfolio of more than 210 patents and growing, Noble leads the way in pioneering solutions for the contact centre market. For more information, contact Ashley Clayton at +61 (0) 3 9008 1700 or visit www.noblesystems.com SOURCE: Noble Systems Coronavirus has a lot of people re-thinking things. That apparently includes Republicans and government-funded health care. With the possibility of an outbreak of the respiratory virus in the United States looming, the government is still trying to piece together its response. And it sounds like free testing could be on the table. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), at least, thinks it's really the only option. Yoho is normally known for opposing the Affordable Care Act, and certainly doesn't seem likely to advocate for Medicare-for-All anytime soon. But he's willing to blur the lines when an unforeseen circumstance like coronavirus comes to town and is even ok if you want call it "socialized medicine." Truly stunning to hear some Republicans advocate for free Coronavirus testing and treatment for the uninsured. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), one of the most anti-ACA members: You can look at it as socialized medicine, but in the face of an outbreak, a pandemic, whats your options? Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) March 3, 2020 The Trump administration, meanwhile, is contemplating funding doctors and hospitals so they can care for people who don't have insurance should they become infected with the virus, a person familiar with the conversation told The Wall Street Journal. Read more at The Wall Street Journal. More stories from theweek.com The anybody-but-Bernie comeback It's 2020 and women are exhausted How Bernie blew it Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 07:53:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday urged the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to put development issues on top of its agenda, while noting that the inter-governmental nature of the UNGA should not be weakened. "The global implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has entered a critical decade of action. But the progress of implementation is not satisfactory. Therefore, the UNGA should place development issues on top of its agenda, and urge the international community, especially developed countries, to assist developing countries in implementing Agenda 2030," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the general debate of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. "We should never cut back on our attention or investment devoted to developing issues on the pretext of optimizing the agenda of the General Assembly," said the envoy. Noting that the international community faces many severe challenges more than ever, Wu said that "revitalizing the General Assembly concerns the common interest of all member states, the status and role of the United Nations and the authority and credibility of multilateralism." "China believes that in the process of revitalizing the General Assembly, we need to make full use of the opportunity presented by the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and push the UNGA to further improve its work, boost efficiency, and thus fully fulfill its responsibilities under the (UN) Charter," said the envoy. "Multilateralism is the shared aspiration of the international community and is supported by the overwhelming majority of member states," he added. "It is important that all parties summon stronger political commitment and support the UNGA with real actions, including timely, full and unconditional payment of assessed contributions," said the envoy. Sahar police arrested a 32-year-old Pune resident on Saturday for allegedly making around 4,500 lewd phone calls to an Andheri-based five-star hotel since December last year. According to the police, the accused, identified as Prasad Mane, works as an office boy at a college in Pune. He would first make calls and ask the receptionist about details of the hotel and the facilities it provided. However, later he began making the calls to harass her, the police said. Later, after she left the job, he continued to make the calls to the hotel and ask for the woman. We discovered that the accused had made around 4,500 calls to the Andheri hotel and indulged in perverse talks with the staffers there. He would ask for a particular receptionist who worked with the hotel earlier, Shashikant Mane, senior inspector of Sahar police station, said. When the hotel staff informed the accused that the woman had quit the job, Mane began passing obscene comments at the other staff members of the hotel. The executives of the hotel then informed her about the incident, following which she approached the police to file a complaint against Mane. Based on her complaint, the police filed a first information report (FIR) under sections 354(a) (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. They traced Mane to Pune based on his phone call records. We suspect that the accused may have harassed other women in a similar manner and are questioning him further. We are also analysing his call data records, said the officer. Mane however, told the police that he had given the complainant some money, which she was not repaying and therefore, used to call her to get his money back. The complainant has denied Manes claim, the police said. We have seized the accuseds phone and two SIM cards and are awaiting his call details, said Abhijeet Jadhav, who is investigating the case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON She has an extensive wardrobe bursting with designer goods. Yet Kim Kardashian proved she doesn't forget about her items once they've been worn once as she recycled her custom Hermes Birkin tote, which she was gifted back in 2013. The reality star, 39, made a bold style statement as she enjoyed a catch up with designer Michele Lamy, 75, before jetting out of Paris. Two's company: Kim Kardashian, 39, made a bold style statement as she headed out in Paris on Tuesday, whilst spending the day with designer Michele Lamy, 75 Kim opted for an all-leather look as she headed out in an oversized tie front crop top and matching trousers. Injecting a splash of colour and boosting her petite frame, the mother-of-four teetered along in a pair of snakeskin heels. Despite being accused by fans of cultural appropriation for wearing her hair in braids, Kim continued to sport the hairdo. Au revoir! Later in the day, Kim was seen heading back to Los Angeles after spending time in the French capital for Fashion Week Looks familiar: Kim Kardashian proved she cares about sustainability in fashion as she recycled her custom Hermes Birkin tote, that she was gifted back in 2013 Throwback: Kim was sure to turn heads, however, with her oversized Birkin tote that her husband Kanye West gave to her as a Christmas gift seven years ago (pictured in 2013) Going hell for leather! Kim opted for an all-leather look as she headed out in an oversized tie front crop top and matching trousers Making moves: Injecting a splash of colour and boosting her petite frame, the mother-of-four teetered along in a pair of snakeskin heels Hair she is: Despite being accused by fans of cultural appropriation for wearing her hair in braids, Kim continued to sport the hairdo Kim was sure to turn heads, however, with her oversized Birkin tote that her husband Kanye West gave to her as a Christmas gift seven years ago. The tan Hermes leather handbag was customised with a nude painting by famous contemporary artist, George Condo. While the cost of the finished product is not known, it can be estimated by the fact that a Hermes Birkin the size of Kim's retails for around $16,000 (10,000), while one of Condo's paintings, The Manhattan Strip Club, sold at auction last year for a staggering $1.3million. Catching up: Kim looked delighted as she bumped into longtime friend and French culture and fashion figure, Michele Bold choice: Kim's look was somewhat overshadowed, however, by Michele, who opted for a padded bodysuit beneath a fishnet dress Teetering along: The garment was slashed on the seams to expose a pair of chunky platform boots, whilst a black bandanna completed the look The design features several eerie nude female figures and a bare-chested monster, and has been directly hand painted on the front of the very expensive leather good. Kanye and Condo have known each other for several years after the rapper contacted the New York-based painter in 2010, asking him to create a series of paintings for his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Condo has been acclaimed in the art world for nearly 30 years, and is heralded as being a key figure in the 'international revival of painting from the 1980's onward'. Gothic glam: Michele - who is the wife of renowned designer Rick Owens - completed the look with gothic make-up and a stack of chunky, silver bangles Stepping out in style: The fashion icons, who are both of Armenian heritage, looked in good spirits as they stepped out in the French capital amid Paris Fashion Week Taking it easy: Across town, Kim's husband Kanye West was also seen strolling around, casually dressed in a khaki jacket and jeans Designer: The day before, Kanye had hosted his Yeezy runway show as part of Paris Fashion Week Kim's look was somewhat overshadowed, however, by Michele, who opted for a padded bodysuit beneath a fishnet dress. The garment was slashed on the seams to expose a pair of chunky platform boots, whilst a black bandanna completed the look. Michele - who is the wife of renowned designer Rick Owens - completed the look with gothic make-up and a stack of chunky, silver bangles. Heading home: Later in the day, Kim made her way to the airport with her family to leave the city after another successful fashion week Flanked: Security guards surrounded the star as she headed home to Los Angeles See ya! Kim seemed to be in good spirits as she waved goodbye to photographers Too heavy to handle? Kim appeared to have stuffed her custom tote with goods as she seemed to be struggling carrying it up the ramp Just like mum! Kim's daughter North, six, seemed to be taking style inspiration from her as she also sported long braided locks on the outing Family affair: Kim was seen heading to her private jet alongside sister Kourtney, her daughter North and niece Penelope The World Health Organization on Tuesday announced that 3.4 percent of COVID-19 patients worldwide have died from the illness. The mortality rate of the coronavirus was previously thought to be around two percent. The illness has a much stronger chance of causing death in sick and elderly patients (around 14 percent), while among children and healthy adults the mortality rate is close to zero. The WHOs announcement came as Washington State officials confirmed a total of nine deaths in the state caused by coronavirus. That outbreak is centered in Seattle suburb of Kirkland in King County, where authorities were investigating the possibility of an outbreak at a local nursing home. Meanwhile, Harborview Medical Center in Seattle released a statement on Tuesday confirming that a patient transferred to the center from the nursing home, and who died last week, had suffered from the coronavirus. Harborview said that some medical workers may have been exposed to coronavirus because the patient was not previously confirmed to have the illness. President Trump on Tuesday said that while the U.S. was mulling further restrictions on foreign travel, no restrictions on domestic travel were being weighed. Were not looking at that at all. Theres only one hotspot [in King County], Trump told reporters. But were looking at other countries and were being very stringent. Coronavirus cases have cropped up in several other states including California, New York, Georgia and Florida. Outside of China, the countries most affected by the illness are South Korea, Iran and Italy. While South Korea and Italy have moved to enact quarantine measures, Iranian parliament members have accused the government of concealing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country. Iran announced on Tuesday that almost 10 percent of the countrys lawmakers have been infected. More from National Review The Reserve Bank of Australia has done what it can to cushion the economy from the outbreak of coronavirus. Now it is time for the federal government to step up. The RBA's decision on Tuesday to cut official rates to 0.5 per cent was necessary and some would argue the RBA should have acted sooner. It has certainly been slow to accept that its earlier forecasts of economic recovery have been thrown out by the epidemic and the bushfires. It is hard to be precise but the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development said on Tuesday that Australias economic growth will be 0.5 per cent points lower than expected this year. Growth will be only 1.8 per cent. That criticism aside, full credit to the RBA for changing its mind and admitting it has to do something to counter the significant impact of coronavirus on the economy, particularly the travel and education sectors. Without Chinese students and visitors, universities and the hospitality sector are already laying off staff and cutting hours. The impact will spread from there through the rest of the economy. Unless something is done, the unemployment rate will rise from its already uncomfortable level of 5.3 per cent and businesses will collapse. Turkey has accused the European Union of "betrayal, hypocrisy and selfishness" for failing to uphold an agreement to stem the flow of Syrian refugees and migrants into Europe. The Turkish ambassador to the UK also said Ankara has requested military support from Britain and its other NATO allies to bolster a Turkish operation against the Russia-backed Syrian regime of President Bashar al Assad in neighbouring Syria. The comments came as Dominic Raab, Britain's foreign secretary, adjusted an overseas tour to fit in a visit to the Turkish capital for talks on the Syria crisis with his Turkish counterpart. Umit Yalcin, the ambassador in London, welcomed the show of support, which came after more than 30 Turkish soldiers in Syria were killed in an attack by regime forces last Thursday . "This is very meaningful and a very important approach, a show of solidarity and friendship," he told Sky News in an interview at the Turkish embassy. The senior diplomat had much cooler language for the EU over the bloc's handling of millions of men, women and children displaced by the Syrian conflict. Ankara has accused Brussels of failing to meet the terms of a migration deal struck in March 2016 that saw Turkey agree to stop migrants and refugees crossing into Europe in return for 6bn (4.7bn) and enhanced EU-Turkey ties, including visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and an upgraded customs union. Mr Yalcin said: "We did our fulfilment of our commitment and they did not do anything. "And because of that - enough is enough. We are overloaded. We cannot control millions and millions of people. "We only ask for fair and equal responsibility sharing and burden sharing. "We only want to see the fulfilment of that deal, not more." Asked whether he thought Turkey had been betrayed by the EU, the ambassador said: "It is a betrayal, hypocrisy, selfishness and it is not sincere, it is not fair If they can only fulfil their commitments in that agreement I think that would be wonderful." Story continues Mr Yalcin said Turkey was calling on its NATO allies - the majority of them also members of the EU - to provide diplomatic, political, military and humanitarian support to Turkey in its fight to push back a regime advance from capturing Idlib province on its border. The alliance's 29 ambassadors held a North Atlantic Council session on Friday, called by Turkey under Article 4 of NATO's founding principles - this refers to when an ally has concerns about its security. This was a day after it lost 36 soldiers in Syria. The ambassador said the meeting was useful, but he signalled that Turkey is looking for action not just words. "The NATO support is important to strengthen our border and our air defences," he said. "We also need deterrence against Syrian regime atrocities. And we should again keep engagement with Russia intact to keep that area calm and peaceful." He indicated that Turkey was looking more for support provided by military aircraft and ground air defence systems than actual troops on the ground. The Turkish military is already deployed in force in Idlib, trying to reinstate an agreed zone of "de-escalation" that had previously been supported by Moscow. "NATO support should be visible and concrete," the ambassador said. "We already started our own operation and we need that support behind us." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. Mr Yalcin said the bilateral meeting was "very critical". "We need to preserve the de-escalation area status of Idlib," he said. "We need to see a real ceasefire. We need to protect civilians in Idlib and we need to remind them (Russia) of their responsibility to respect those de-escalation memorandums." The ambassador rejected allegations from the EU that Ankara was resorting to "blackmail" in allowing migrants in Turkey to move to its border with Greece - a step that has seen clashes at the border crossing. He said the migrant crisis in the EU and Turkey was explicitly linked to the desperate situation in Idlib, which had to be resolved. He said: "To prevent additional humanitarian crisis on anywhere in Europa or on any border with Europe we should first prevent a humanitarian crisis in Idlib." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) - The government task force in infectious diseases has agreed to withhold new travel bans on other countries despite the rapid worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Tuesday said the decision by the inter-agency task force (IATF) was guided by the health security risk assessment matrix, which evaluates risks with the outbreak. The IATF has also agreed that there are to be no new imposition of travel restrictions or lifting of the same as regards other countries or jurisdictions. The IATF assures that the review concerning travel restrictions and protocols to and from the Philippines shall be regularly conducted by it, said Panelo in a statement. The country has so far imposed restrictions on mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and in North Gyeongsang province, South Korea, with the exemption of overseas Filipino Workers, permanent residents, and students. The government has also raised the possibility of imposing travel bans in Japan, Iran, and Italy. There is no local transmission as yet, but there are confirmed infection of Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. After more than a year of anguish, electability navel-gazing, and 10 contentious debates, the most important day on the Democrats' nominating calendar has finally arrived. Fully one-third of all pledged delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention will be chosen Tuesday. Until this year, there was a heavy Southern bias to Super Tuesday, which can be traced back to the Democratic Party's desire to produce moderate nominees in the late '80s when that region of the country was slipping away from them. But with California moving its primary way up and Super Tuesday staples like Georgia bumped back in the schedule, this year's edition is likely to look very different than it did in the past. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders remains the favorite to win the nomination, but more than perhaps any candidate in the modern nominating system, he needs to secure a pledged delegate majority to ensure his victory. Party elites remain deeply hostile to him, and older Democrats are terrified that he will lead the whole party to the wrong side of the Alamo shootout in November. If he doesn't get a majority, look for months of intrigue as candidates vie for support on a second ballot at the convention, and as the hundreds of so-called superdelegates, barred from voting on the initial tally, are suddenly the kingmakers. While it would probably be suicidal for the party to deny Sanders the nomination if he has a plurality rather than a majority of pledged delegates, the smaller that lead is, in both raw and percentage terms, the more likely it is that the effort to make someone else the nominee will be serious. And by the end of this evening, we will have a much better idea of how likely such a nightmare scenario is. To further complicate matters, two significant candidates bailed on the race at the last possible minute before Super Tuesday, meaning that we should expect much more significant variation from existing polling than usual. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the race unexpectedly on Sunday, followed by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar Monday. If polls are to be believed, Buttigieg's support will be spread fairly evenly among the remaining candidates, but of course, millions of people, particularly in California, voted early and can't change their minds now. That means that Buttigieg's political corpse will still rack up some votes, although probably not any further delegates. Klobuchar's voters, on the one hand, are likely to disproportionately go to Biden, especially since she endorsed him, perhaps giving him an extra 2 or 3 percent in many states where she was actively campaigning. On the other hand, her decision almost certainly means that Sanders will carry barely-polled Minnesota, where Biden was mired in the single digits, unless she has so much pull that she can throw nearly all over her voters to the former vice president. Story continues No one knows exactly what is going to happen tonight. There are states with precisely zero polls, including Tennessee and Alabama. And many others, including Maine, haven't been surveyed in weeks, or have only a single data point to extrapolate from. But there are probably only three plausible outcomes given what we do know. 1. Sanders wins convincingly enough that no one else has a plausible path to the nomination The best case for Sanders tonight involves a blowout victory in California, with Biden failing to meet the viability threshold statewide and in enough congressional districts to leave him with just a handful of delegates. The ideal Sanders scenario here is that several candidates Biden, Warren, and Bloomberg reach the high single or low double digits but get effectively shut out of delegates. Sanders also needs to beat Biden in Texas, and if he does so by double digits he could really open up an enormous lead. But margins in some states that have hardly been talked about or polled are also important. Biden is likely to carry Alabama and Tennessee, where black voters make up a large percentage of the electorate. But if Sanders can pull out surprise wins in states like Arkansas and Oklahoma, which have large pools of the kind of non-college educated white Democrats that Sanders does so well with, he can really pad his margins. Sanders won Oklahoma in 2016, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he did so again this year. It would also help if he beat expectations in the Deep South, even if he doesn't notch any wins. Let's say that Sanders also comes out on top in Maine and Massachusetts. The latter would loom particularly large as it would cut the heart out of Warren's campaign. And while her camp has signaled that they are in it for the long haul, this is precisely the kind of happy talk that becomes irrelevant once the votes are counted. Losing her home state would leave Warren with zero wins. And a victory of this magnitude for Sanders would leave Biden hundreds of delegates behind and would effectively end the race for the Democratic nomination. Remember, the Democrats' proportional delegate allocation rules mean that Biden would need not just to win more states than Sanders moving forward, but to win them so decisively that he can actually catch up. And it's hard to see where that's going to happen. After Super Tuesday, there are a limited number of states, among them Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana, where Biden looks to have an edge. Even in the Acela Corridor states of Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, Sanders is likely to run strong enough to keep the delegate totals close, even if he doesn't win. Even if Sanders exceeds all expectations, Biden is likely to nab a few wins and stick around. But results like these would probably drive Warren and Bloomberg out and leave us with a Sanders-Biden race that would be all but unwinnable for the moderate. Sanders wins: Okla., Ark., Colo., Calif., Texas, N.C., Mass., Vt., Maine, Minn., Utah Biden wins: Ala., Tenn. Bloomberg wins: Va. Other candidates: none Sanders delegate lead: 200-300 2. Late movement in the polls after South Carolina allows Biden to fight Sanders to a Super Tuesday draw What if Biden capitalizes on his huge Saturday win in South Carolina and fights Sanders to a draw. The person most in the way of this Biden renaissance is Bloomberg, who is drawing double-digit support in important states like Virginia and North Carolina. But the former New York City mayor's disastrous debate performances have taken the new car sheen off of his candidacy and exposed him as being well outside the mainstream of the Democratic Party. His meteoric rise in the polls he doubled his average in national polls during the month of February has stalled. And because there have been so few polls of Super Tuesday states, we simply don't know whether the bottom has dropped out of his operation or whether he stands to rack up 100+ delegates. For Biden to really come close to Sanders though, Bloomberg's numbers need to be much more mirage than reality. One key to the this scenario is for Biden to run a strong second in California. There's really no doubt about what will happen in the most heavily polled Super Tuesday state: Sanders will win. But if Biden can run about 20-25 percent statewide, he'll be viable in most districts and Sanders might walk away with a more narrow plurality of delegates. The polls in Texas are also close. If Biden can ride his Palmetto State momentum to a victory there, no matter how narrow, it will help offset the numbers in California and give him an even stronger argument as the most electable candidate. And if he can also sweep the South Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia he could be within 100 or so delegates of Sanders. Biden can also benefit from Elizabeth Warren winning her home state of Massachusetts, which would eat into Sanders' aggregate delegate tally. If you squint, you can see a best-case scenario for Biden in which he basically pulls even with Sanders in delegates. Sanders wins: Calif., Texas, Colo., Vt., Minn., Utah Biden wins: Ala., Ark., Okla., Tenn., Va., N.C. Warren wins: Mass. Bloomberg wins: none Sanders delegate lead: 0-150 3. Sanders hits his ceiling, five different candidates win at least one state, and the delegate totals are so fractured that a contested convention looks likely Unless the polling is truly, dramatically, and epically wrong, Sanders has California in the bag. But the margins are critical. California is Bernie's best bet for putting this whole thing to bed, and if he only wins there narrowly, he could be in for a long, indecisive slog. There are also plenty of states that have been pretty lightly polled that could prove decisive in splitting delegates so many ways that even Sanders will struggle to put together a majority by June. The critical player here is Bloomberg, who polls best in states like Virginia and North Carolina. If late-deciding voters gravitate towards him rather than Biden, he could win two or more states outright and drag Biden's numbers down even in states that the former vice president wins, such as Alabama. Bloomberg has poured money into states like Tennessee and Arkansas, which have received almost no attention based on the assumption that Biden will win them going away. But what if they're wrong, and Bloomberg's billions have the desired effect? What if Klobuchar wins her home state even after dropping out? Don't laugh Howard Dean did it in 2004. What if Sanders runs so low in some of the underpolled states that he misses out on large numbers of delegates? A five-way split would still almost certainly leave Sanders in the lead unless someone else wins California. But a 50 delegate advantage with 40 percent of the overall delegates looks much different than a 50 delegate lead with 35 percent of the overall delegates. Sanders could need to win an unrealistic percentage of the remaining delegates to get to a majority. And with a brokered convention now a real possibility, Bloomberg, Biden, and Warren all might hang around so they can make the argument to delegates that they stayed and fought and deserve the nomination even if they don't have the lead. Sanders wins: Calif., Texas, Colo., Vt., Maine, Utah Biden wins: Ala., Ark., Okla. Bloomberg wins: Va., N.C., Tenn. Warren wins: Mass. Klobuchar wins: Minn. Sanders delegate lead: 50-150 The guess here is that scenario #2 is the most likely outcome on Tuesday. Biden is on the rise, and Sanders seemingly has been unable to capitalize on his early victories and consolidate the support of factions initially inclined to support someone else. That could, ironically, put Sanders in roughly the position Hillary Clinton was in after Super Tuesday 2016, when she led him by about 200 pledged delegates. Just as Sanders was unable to overcome that disadvantage despite a long rally in March and April, Biden may find that even a 100-delegate lead for Sanders will be difficult to overcome. And with the field effectively winnowed down to two candidates, it becomes far likelier that Sanders will eventually reach a pledged delegate majority or get so close that it becomes a moot point. The progressive winning a narrow and hotly contested race over the moderate would be like a mirror image of 2016, and would indicate that indeed, the party has shifted just enough to the left to make Sanders its standard bearer. 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 It's 2020 and women are exhausted Democratic turnout nearly doubled in Virginia, and Virginia Democrats are gloating a bit The end of Chris Matthews Noise and air pollution are part and parcel of city life but a new website will let Dubliners measure just how big a part. The site - www.dublincity airandnoise.ie - has been set up by Dublin City Council to provide real-time information on air quality and noise levels at key locations around the city. In relation to air pollution, it concentrates on showing measurements for particulate matter (PM), which is the microscopic bits of dirt, dust, soot, smoke, pollen and droplets of liquid that can hang in the air. Martin Fitzpatrick, of the Air Quality Monitoring and Noise Control Unit, said: "We look at two different measurements, PM10 and PM2.5. "They're all tiny particles but PM2.5 are the smallest and we're particularly interested in those because the smaller they are, the deeper they can be drawn into your lungs." Track The good news yesterday was that as the website was launched, all the monitoring stations were showing a low or very low reading. That won't always be the case, however, and Mr Fitzpatrick said the site would allow Dubliners to track what was going on in their neighbourhood or other places they regularly visit so they could make decisions to protect their health and that of loved ones. "You can look back over time to see the trends," he said. "We will have 8,760 hourly readings from each monitor each year, so it's easy to pinpoint a time." In relation to noise, two of the 13 sites monitored had a high reading, 10 had a moderate reading and just one was low. One of the high-noise areas was Chancery Park beside the Four Courts but that did not surprise Mr Fitzpatrick. "You've got a lot of traffic on the quays, the Luas going by and construction work going on. It will get quieter later in the evening," he said. "You have to take into account the context. People may be surprised to see the monitor on Bull Island reading moderate - but it's picking up the sound of the wind and surf. "Most people wouldn't really classify that as noise so when you look at the readings it's not always about the level of noise but the kind of noise." The website is colour-coded for at-a-glance information but detailed data is also recorded. Dublin City Council is inviting feedback from the public on the site, which will be tweaked and added to over time. Comments can be sent to airquality@dublincity.ie Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been living outside the United Kingdom for more than a month, but the two are back home and about to wrap up their final chapter of royal duties. The couple officially announced their departure from the royal family in January, and since then, the rumors have been swirling. But one royal expert claims that Harry and Meghan might be taking things out on two unsuspecting family members: Harrys cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face away from Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in 2018 | Samir Hussein/WireImage Drama has plagued Harry and Meghan since they wed When Harry and Meghan first started dating back in 2016, anyone could have guessed that their relationship would spend a lot of time in the press. But what the two likely didnt realize is how differently they would be treated compared to Prince William and Kate Middleton. The press instantly starting digging into Meghans family history, and it took almost no time for her difficult past with her father and half siblings to be uncovered. Since then, Meghan has been at the center of a media storm. She is constantly the focus of negative press, and its made it difficult for Harry and Meghan to live a fulfilling life. There is confusion about their current relationship with the royal family Its hard for anyone to know what its really like between the Sussexes and the rest of the family. The queen released a statement in January about the couples departure and essentially gave her blessing. But since then, those close to the royals have said they dont see Harry and Meghan being on very good terms with the family. There have been reports that the royals are at odds, especially over the queen striking down the couples ability to trademark Sussex Royal. However, its hard to know exactly where the relationships stand. One royal expert claims the two are throwing shade at Beatrice and Eugenie Royal expert Omid Scobie seems to think that Harry and Meghan now have a problem with two unrelated royals: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The two princesses are sisters and first cousins of Harry, and their royal lives are quite different than Harry and Williams lives. Beatrice and Eugenie have royal titles, but theyre not official working royals. Though they do appear at royal engagements (such as Trooping the Colour), they are not responsible for attending nearly as many events as Prince Charles kids are. Scobie said that some think Harry and Meghan are displeased with the fact that Beatrice and Eugenie can take on private engagements without becoming working royals. Some people have accused them of perhaps throwing shade at Princess Beatrice and Eugenie because they work and take on engagements privately, Scobie told Express. Harry and Meghan were senior royals though, which means their duties were far different from their cousins. Harry and Meghan had originally planned to still work for the queen If Harry and Meghan are throwing shade, it could be because Beatrice and Eugenie can still hold jobs. They can wear what they want and are even allowed to have social media, all while still making the occasional royal appearances. This is essentially what Harry and Meghan wanted, but they are not allowed to do so. It makes sense that they might be frustrated with the double standard, though there has been no confirmation that there is actually a feud between the Sussexes and Harrys cousins. Shillong, March 3 : With an improvement in the situation, authorities in Meghalaya relaxed the curfew here for three hours on Tuesday noon even as the security forces maintained a strict vigil. East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri said that the curfew was been relaxed for three hours from 12 p.m. on Tuesday. However, after the relaxation, the curfew was back and would continue till Wednesday. "Though there are no fresh incidents of violence, the curfew would continue as precautionary measures," he said. Police officials in Shillong said that central para-military and state security forces continued to be deployed in the sensitive and mixed population areas of the state capital and its outskirts, including market places and business locations. However, the exams being conducted by the Meghalaya Board of Secondary Education (MBSE) - which began on Monday - have been exempted from the purview of the curfew. Since Friday, three people - two non-tribals and a tribal - have been killed and many injured in ethnic clashes and attacks by rival groups in East Khasi Hills district and adjoining areas. The violence was triggered by the issue of Citizenship Amendment Act and the Inner Line Permit demand. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma ordered an inquiry into these incidents. "A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. The district and police administrations have ensured that enough security personnel were put in place in the affected areas," he told the media after a review meeting with senior police and civil administration officials. The Meghalaya Assembly on December 19 last year had unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the Centre to promulgate the ILP in the remaining areas of mountainous state to keep the entire state out of the purview of the CAA, but the Union Home Ministry is yet to issue the statutory notification in this regard. The northeastern state had witnessed violent agitations in December last year over the issue of CAA and ILP. The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO), a conglomerate of agitating bodies, said the agitation for the ILP would continue until the Home Ministry gives its approval. In the second week of December, Sangma had led a delegation of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) and met Home Minister Amit Shah to demand introduction of the ILP in the remaining part of the state. Intel has a wide range of products at 14nm, and that will stat that way for a while as they cannot produce enough on that node as the capacity of its existing factories exceeds demand. The company will to reopen its factory in Costa Rica in search of expanding production capacity by up to 25%. Once opened, Intel will have four factories running (China, Malaysia and Vietnam) so it can manufacture more processors, chipsets, and other products manufactured at 14nm. Costa Rica is located in North America. In order to increase the 14nm capacity, Intel has announced the reactivation of Costa Rica's packaging plant. Officials have stated that this plan is being implemented in phases, starting as soon as April and reaching the second milestone in August. After that, the Costa Rica factory will be the fourth factory to package and test 14nm processors. The first may be the Xeon processor, and the Core processor will be packaged here. Figure Members of the Capital Defense Command spray disinfectant in Guryong Village, an urban slum in Seoul, Tuesday. Socially disadvantaged groups are more vulnerable to the new coronavirus because their access to masks and clean water is limited. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk President Moon declares 'belated' war on COVID-19 By Kim Se-jeong The government reported 851 additional cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, pushing the total number of patients here over 5,000, among which there have been 31 fatalities, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). A total of 5,186 cases were confirmed as of 4 p.m., of which 4,285 were from Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. The KCDC said 23 patients were in critical condition, indicating there could be more fatalities soon. President Moon Jae-in has "declared a war" on the coronavirus and placed all government agencies on 24-hour alert. "We're in a critical phase. The crisis in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province is at its peak," Moon said during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. Regarding the provision of masks, Moon apologized for the government's failure to ensure that enough were being provided. India suspends visas issued on or before March 3 for four countries With two new cases of COVID-19 being detected in India on Monday, the government has issued a travel advisory suspending all regular visas and e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan who have not yet entered India. Screening taking place at Kolkata airport. Photo courtesy: Twitter/aaikolairport The advisory also suspends visas on arrival (VoA) issued by March 3 to Japan and South Korea nationals who have not yet entered India. The advisory says that anyone who needs to travel to India for compelling reasons will need to seek fresh visas from the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate. Secy,@MoCA_GoI, Chairman,#AAI reviewed the preparedness towards implementation of latest instructions issued by @MoHFW_INDIA & Bureau of Immigration wrt strict compliance regarding universal screening for COVID-19. The meeting was attended by #AAI REDs, APDs & CEOs of JV airports pic.twitter.com/hhUKIxvaiq Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) March 3, 2020 "Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to health officials and immigration officials at all ports, said the advisory. "Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry." Based on the current updates on COVID-19 and in order to restrain the virus to spread further, @MoHFW_INDIA & BoI have issued these detailed Travel & Visa restrictions. pic.twitter.com/sfOJeoXSoO Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) March 3, 2020 Visas and e-visas granted to Chinese nationals on or before February 5 had already been suspended earlier. The advisory also added that diplomats, officials of the UN and other International bodies, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders and aircrew from the four countries are exempted from restriction on entry. However, medical screening for such individuals will be compulsory. Also read: India enhances travel restrictions for countries, including Singapore, following new COVID-19 cases Indian citizens have also been advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy as well to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. PM Modi says no need to panic about coronavirus Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Tuesday to help reassure citizens of the country about the spread of the novel coronavirus. "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," Modi tweeted as India confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020 The Prime Minister also said that he has reviewed the preparedness for the coronavirus in the country and that different ministries and states are working together to provide prompt medical attention. CLEVELAND, Ohio A judge in Cuyahoga County sentenced the former vice president of an Independence insurance company to probation for bilking former his company out of thousands of dollars during a five-year span. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Deborah Turner sentenced Evon Friend, 55, of Silver Lake, to one year on probation and ordered him to pay $150,000 in restitution to The Fedeli Group. Friend declined to speak during the hearing at the advice of his attorneys. A civil lawsuit by the company and a counter-suit by Friend are pending. A jury found him guilty Jan. 30 of third-degree felony telecommunications fraud and two misdemeanor theft counts and not guilty of a dozen counts of money laundering. Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor James Gutierrez asked Turner to sentence Friend to jail on weekends for six months. Friend stole $360,000 from the company, according to prosecutors, but the jurys decision means they believed Friend only stole between $7,500 and $150,000. He was accused of selling insurance on the side to another business, which prevented Fedeli Group from collecting money from the sales. Fedeli said in its lawsuit that an internal investigation found that Friend stole nearly $500,000 from the company during his 13 years with the company. Friend has denied the accusations. Prosecutors said that Friend between May 2012 and September 2017 deposited a commission check from the side company and transferred money to other accounts, including his own bank accounts. The real reason were here is because of a total betrayal of trust, Fideli Group President and CEO Umberto Fedeli said at the hearing. Read more from cleveland.com: Ohio man sentenced on weapons charge after authorities said he threatened AOC on Facebook 92-year-old man attacked, carjacked outside Cleveland church, police say Man arrested in deadly drunken-driving crash in Cleveland, police say HANOI -- Vietnam Airlines said on Monday it will suspend its flights to destinations in South Korea from March 5 over coronavirus concerns. In the largest outbreak outside China, South Korea has had 26 deaths and reported another 599 infections on Monday, taking its tally to 4,335. We will resume flights to South Korean destinations when the epidemic is better controlled, Vietnam Airlines said in a statement. Vietnams Bamboo Airways said last Monday it will suspend all flights to and from South Korea. The Southeast Asian nation has also suspended visa-free travel for South Koreans. Vietnam last week said all 16 people in the country infected with the coronavirus had been cured and released from hospitals, and there had been no new cases in the country since Feb. 13. When Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced their plans to step back as senior members of the royal family and work to become financially independent there were plenty of questions that had to be answered. One of those was about the couples security going forward. After the pair retreated to Vancouver Island, they still had an armed security team with them. But the Canadians have made it clear that they will not be footing the bill for that much longer. Now, its believed that Harrys father, Prince Charles, will have to pay for the Sussexes security protection because of his nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of York. (L-R) Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Charles | RICHARD POHLE/AFP via Getty Images What Canada said about no longer paying for the Sussexes security On Feb. 27, Canadas Public Safety Minister, Bill Blair, revealed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had been providing protection for Harry and Meghan for the past few months but would stop picking up the tab in the coming weeks. The prince and retired actress will officially step down from royal duties on March 31 and it is believed that will also be the date the RCMP services will cease. 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, Blair said in a statement to CBC News. 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. He added, 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. Will Prince Charles pay now and what does that have to do with Beatrice and Eugenie? Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Prince Charles | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage The hefty cost of protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is estimated to be between $10 million to $30 million a year. Now, there are reports the pair will look to the future king to pay that bill. Royal expert Marlene Koenig spoke to The Express and said that Prince Charles may take care of the security detail for his son and daughter-in-law due to a precedent set by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. A position in the line of succession does not mean you are entitled to protection. But if you are not a working royal you are not entitled to taxpayer-funded protection, Koenig said. Precedent York girls do not have taxpayer-funded. She added, I want the Sussex[es] is to be successful on their own merits but they want the protection it should be on their dime. Most likely the bank of dad will be funding the security in the short term which is not financial independence. I am fond of H&M but in order to be on their own they cant take money from dad. Read more: Queen Elizabeth II Gave Meghan Markle This Honor But Snubbed Her Granddaughter Princess Eugenie Visit the CARIS booth and try out the revolutionary CARIS Mira AI platform for sonar noise cleaning FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teledyne CARIS (https://www.teledynecaris.com/en/home/), a Teledyne Technologies [NYSE:TDY] company, will demonstrate their newly released AI tool at Oceanology International 2020 in London, UK, March 17-19. Meet with our experts at booth H500 to learn about the industry's first COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) AI solution for cleaning sonar noise. Leveraging deep learning techniques, the new solution will bring fundamental change to how sonar data is processed. Powered by the CARIS Mira AI platform, the tool is available with CARIS' HIPS & SIPS TM (https://www.teledynecaris.com/en/products/hips-and-sips/) 11.3 software. Visitors to the CARIS booth are invited to "bring the noise" and have their data cleaned on the spot. Do not miss live demonstrations of noise cleaning using the CARIS Mira AI platform. Teledyne Optech will also be on hand to discuss their marine lidar surveying solutions. Learn about the advantages of the Optech Polaris (https://www.teledyneoptech.com/en/products/static-3d-survey/polaris/) terrestrial laser scanner that can operate from small watercraft, making it an excellent low-cost tool for mapping shorelines, checking oil rig stability, and surveying the underside of bridges. Live on-boat demos (http://www.teledynemarine.com/events/oceanology-international-2020) will showcase Teledyne's one-source marine survey capability using Teledyne Optech lidar, Teledyne Marine sonar and Teledyne CARIS Onboard software. Catch Onboard demo streaming live from the Teledyne Marine boat at the CARIS booth. Teledyne CARIS is part of the Teledyne Imaging group. For 40 years, Teledyne CARIS (https://www.teledynecaris.com/en/home/) has been the leading developer of marine mapping software. We offer a highly effective solution for near real-time processing, robust quality control of sonar data, and the creation and distribution of maps, charts, and digital datasets. Teledyne Imaging is a group of leading-edge companies aligned under the Teledyne umbrella. Teledyne Imaging (http://teledyneimaging.com/home) forms an unrivalled collective of expertise across the spectrum with decades of experience. Individually, each company offers best-in-class solutions. Together, they combine and leverage each other's strengths to provide the deepest, widest imaging and related technology portfolio in the world. From aerospace through industrial inspection, radiography and radiotherapy, geospatial surveying, and advanced MEMS and semiconductor solutions, Teledyne Imaging offers world-wide customer support and the technical expertise to handle the toughest tasks. Their tools, technologies, and vision solutions are built to deliver to their customers a unique and competitive advantage. All trademarks are registered by their respective companies. Teledyne CARIS reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. For more information, contact: Jennifer Parham, Marketing Manager, Geospatial Teledyne Optech 1 (905) 660 0808 ext. 3517 jennifer.parham@teledyne.com (mailto:jennifer.parham@teledyne.com) A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa73fc3f-f0d2-41a7-9052-cd39674f2ae3 (https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa73fc3f-f0d2-41a7-9052-cd39674f2ae3) Allies of Priti Patel have blamed her former top civil servant for dragging her into a row about an aide who took an overdose amid claims of bullying. Sources close to the Home Secretary said it was 'ludicrous' to accuse her of being responsible for the woman's legal case against the Government, arguing that it had started long before Miss Patel took office. The MP has been under fire for weeks after being accused of bullying staff during her time as a minister and the Cabinet Office is leading an inquiry to 'establish the facts' over whether she breached the ministerial code in her dealings with aides. Miss Patel came under renewed pressure on Monday when it emerged that one of her former aides when she was employment minister took an overdose and received a 25,000 payout from the Government. Home Secretary Priti Patel arrives at The Home Office on Tuesday after attending a Cabinet Meeting Miss Patel had shouted at the woman in her private office and told her to 'get lost' and 'get out of her face', legal correspondence alleges. The minister is described in the woman's formal grievance complaint as having acted 'without warning' and with an 'unprovoked level of aggression'. The Department for Work and Pensions did not admit liability and the case did not come before a tribunal, the BBC reported. But yesterday Miss Patel's allies hit back. One said: 'It's ludicrous to drag Priti into this. 'This person only worked for Priti for two weeks and was already in the process of quitting when Priti took over as employment minister. 'The accusations of bullying were made against the department, not Priti, and the payout was made by the Civil Service which, by the way, mishandled her case entirely. It was nothing to do with Priti at all.' The allies blamed friends of Sir Philip Rutnam, the former top official at the Home Office, for spreading the 'false' allegations. Priti Patel arrives at Downing Street in London, Britain on February 13, 2020. Sources close to the Home Secretary said it was 'ludicrous' to accuse her of being responsible for the woman's legal case against the Government, arguing that it had started long before Miss Patel took office A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament's Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain's former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, Sir Philip Rutman speaking before the Home Affairs Committee in Parliament, central London on February 27, 2019 Sir Philip resigned on Saturday following an extraordinary briefing row with Miss Patel after he accused her of belittling staff in the department. He said he had become the 'target of a vicious and orchestrated campaign against him', which he alleged she was involved in. But Miss Patel's friend said: 'It's actually very serious that a civil servant had mental health issues and attempted to take her own life because of the way she was treated by her civil service colleagues. 'And it's childish and stupid for anonymous friends of Philip Rutnam to push around false stories about civil service mistakes which she [Miss Patel] had nothing to do with.' The row came after Boris Johnson asked the Cabinet Office to 'establish the facts' around bullying claims. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the inquiry will examine all the complaints, although it is unclear if the Department for Work and Pensions claim is included. The PM has already offered Miss Patel his support, calling her a 'fantastic Home Secretary'. Yesterday, it emerged she has sent an internal email to staff saying she regretted Sir Philip's resignation and calling on her department to pull together. Asked yesterday if Mr Johnson knew about the DWP allegation, his official spokesman said: 'The Home Secretary denies any allegations of bullying and the PM has expressed full confidence in her. An inquiry is under way.' Sir Philip could not be reached for comment. By PTI NEW DELHI: In a setback to former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Supreme Court dismissed his plea seeking review of its 2019 verdict asking him to face trial for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases against him in his 2014 poll affidavit. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that there was no ground to review the verdict pronounced last year. "We find no ground to interfere in the review petitions. The same are dismissed," said the bench also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose. The order was passed on February 18 but it was uploaded on the apex court website on Tuesday. While seeking review of the 2019 verdict, Fadnavis had told the court that there was a "clear error" in the apex court's judgement as the law stipulates for disclosure of details about criminal cases only if charges are framed and on conviction. In its October 1, 2019 judgment, the apex court had set aside a Bombay High Court order which gave a clean chit to Fadnavis and held that he did not deserve to be tried for the alleged offence under the Representation of Peoples Act (RPA). The verdict had come on an appeal by one Satish Ukey, who had challenged the high court's order. The apex court had last year revived a criminal complaint filed against Fadnavis for allegedly failing to furnish details of two pending criminal cases in his 2014 election affidavit and had asked the trial court to consider it afresh. The top court had allowed the appeal by Ukey, who had filed a criminal complaint against Fadnavis before a magisterial court in Nagpur, seeking registration of a case against him under section 125-A of the RP Act. Section 125-A of the RP Act deals with the penalty for "filing false affidavit" and says that if a candidate or his proposer fails to furnish or gives false or conceals any information in his nomination paper on issues like pending criminal cases then the person may be awarded six months' jail term or fine or both. Ukey had initially moved a magisterial court, which had dismissed his complaint against Fadnavis on September 7, 2015. Later, he moved the sessions court, which remanded the matter to the magisterial court for a "de novo" (afresh) consideration. Aggrieved by the sessions court order, Fadnavis had moved the high court which, on May 3, 2018, set it aside. Ukey alleged that Fadnavis had failed to disclose the pendency of two criminal cases against him in his election affidavit filed in 2014. The two complaints of alleged cheating and forgery were filed against Fadnavis in 1996 and 1998 but charges were not framed. Photo: mpi04/MediaPunch/IPx On the Monday airing of Hardball With Chris Matthews, the longtime MSNBC journalist announced he was leaving his role hosting the show following recent criticism over his coverage of the 2020 election. This isnt for lack of interest in politics, Matthews said. He then said that the parting of ways was mutual, announced plans to write a book, and described the reason for his resignation: After a conversation with MSNBC, I decided tonight would be my last Hardball, so let me tell you why: The younger generations out there are ready to take the reins. We see them in politics, the media, and fighting for their causes. They are improving the workplace, were talking here about better standards than we grew up with, fair standards. A lot of it has to do with how we talk to each other, compliments on a womans appearance that some men, including me, might have incorrectly thought were OK were never OK. Not then and certainly not today. And for making such comments in the past Im sorry. Chris Matthews announces he's retiring and tonight will be his last show pic.twitter.com/ddYUMmdpzU Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) March 3, 2020 In recent weeks, Matthews, 74, has faced staunch criticism for comments made about Bernie Sanderss win in Nevada and for challenging Elizabeth Warren in an interview following the debate in South Carolina. Matthews apologized for comparing, on-air, Sanderss win to the fall of France to Nazi forces in 1940. (Sanders, who is Jewish, had family members who were killed in the Holocaust.) Earlier in the race, Matthews claimed that Sanders supporters would have him gunned down in Central Park. In an on-air interview, the way Matthews pressed Warren over an allegation levied at Michael Bloomberg suggested strong bias in favor of the former mayor: Matthews: You believe hes lying? Warren: I believe the woman Matthews: You believe hes lying. Warren: Which means hes not telling the truth. Matthews: Why would he lie? Just to protect himself? Warren: Yeah. Why would she lie? Last week, GQ political columnist Laura Bassett detailed an alleged encounter with Matthews in which he commented repeatedly on her appearance before appearing on air: Make sure you wipe this [makeup] off her face after the show. We dont make her up so some guy at a bar can look at her like this. The allegation brought attention back to Matthewss history of alleged sexual harassment. James Nielsen, Freelance / Special to the Chronicle Houston-based Hines, a global real estate firm with offices in 205 cities in 24 countries, is restricting travel to and from all areas with sustained transmission of the coronavirus, the company said. Spokesman Mark Clegg said the company is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other global health organizations. On Monday, Irans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, on Twitter, condemned what he called the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. Irans statement comes soon after the Indonesian minister of religious affairs said that riots in India were inhuman. Turkey and Malaysia have been critical of Indias moves on Kashmir and the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or the CAA; Bangladesh has also expressed its unease with the CAA. When Narendra Modi took over as prime minister in 2014, one of his key achievements was building ties with the Islamic world. Recognising Indias national interests and strategic imperatives, Mr Modi travelled extensively to Muslim-dominated countries, particularly in West Asia. New Delhi was also careful to keep up its ties with Iran, despite pressure from the United States. It saw Indonesia as an important middle power in Asia-Pacific. Bangladesh was perceived as Indias closest friend in South Asia. Some of the criticisms are extreme. Some States making these criticisms have an abysmal record of human rights themselves, and lack the moral authority to point fingers. But in diplomacy, perceptions matter. And the fact is that key diplomatic gains are in danger of being frittered away because of contentious domestic developments. It is not enough to think that the world is prejudiced against New Delhi. In fact, enhancing Indias stature has been a key element of Mr Modis agenda. But the sense that his government has been insensitive to minority concerns has gained ground in the West, but also in the Islamic world. This will have geopolitical costs. It will also make India vulnerable to transnational extremism, at a time when the neighbourhood is fragile, with a possible Taliban return in Afghanistan. India needs to mend its image. Returning to its secular roots and reaching out to Muslims at home is the first step. Zenith CEO Julien Tornare and Habanos VP of Development Jose Maria Lopez welcomed guests to discover the latest collaboration between the watch Manufacture and the Habanos Company. After the Cohiba and Trinidad cigar brands, Zenith and Habanos break new ground in their partnership with two firsts: a Romeo y Julieta watch collaboration, and the first special edition of the redesigned Elite collection introduced this year at the inaugural edition of the LVMH Watch Week. Zenith has the immense pleasure of returning to Havana with our dear friends at Habanos for a new chapter in our partnership, which is all about celebrating the finer pleasures in life, said Julien Tornare, Zenith CEO. With Romeo y Julieta, we have conceived a special his and hers set of watches that highlight the timeless beauty of our Elite collection and the enduring appeal of Romeo y Julietas exquisite cigars, as well as Zeniths commitment to creating inimitable ladies watches unique in their kind. Elite Moonphase 40.5mm - Romeo Zenith As the tale goes, Romeo and Juliet lived out their romance under the veil of night, with the moon and stars as their only witnesses. This is portrayed in the Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition, where the double hemispherical moonphase complication is set against a deep yet radiant blue sunray- patterned dial with a gradient effect on the mens Romeo version and a gradient red dial on the womens Julieta version, embellished with the Romeo y Julieta logo. The uniquely executed moonphase display depicts the two lovers in an eternal chase across the night sky, with their faces as drawn in Romeo y Julieta cigar boxes meticulously laser-engraved onto each of the two silvery moons. Instead of a traditional arch-shaped opening on the dial to display the moonphase, Zenith opted for two round apertures to keep the sunray-pattern of the dial intact. Crafted in a 40.5mm Romeo stainless steel case and a 36mm Julieta stainless steel case with 75 diamonds set into the bezel, these special Elite models are paired with alligator leather straps in colors matching the dial, while the colours of the lining are inversed. The Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta will be made in a special box-set containing both models and limited to 145 pairs in commemoration of Romeo y Julieta s cigar brand 145th anniversary. Elite Moonphase 36 mm Julieta Zenith We have always said that our relationship with Zenith is marked by the emotion that unites our brands, and we are proud to witness the series of unique watches that are the result of the alliance of these two icons of luxury, said Jose Maria Lopez, Habanos Vice- president of development. In 2016, it was the time of Cohiba, the most prestigious Premium tobacco brand in the world, with which we started this partnership, reaffirmed with new special editions of Zenith watches for Cohiba in 2017 and 2018. Then it was the time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Trinidad brand in 2019, and Zenith surprised Habano collectors and lovers with 3 unique watches. Today, at the dawn of the new decade, it is the time of passion, of living every second with intensity. That's why Romeo y Julieta and Zenith have come together, so that we appreciate every moment that we carry this exclusive watch in our hands while enjoying this magnificent Habano. CHARLOTTE, N.C. While touting efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, President Donald Trump engaged in more campaign politics Monday by attacking establishment Democrats for rallying around Joe Biden in opposition to Bernie Sanders. "Its being rigged against Crazy Bernie," Trump told supporters at a rally in Charlotte on the eve of the "Super Tuesday" primaries in 14 states, including North Carolina, and America Samoa. Trump and aides have made clear they would prefer to run against Sanders, saying voters will oppose his brand of "socialism." Trump is also seeking to divide Democrats, as he did in 2016 when he argued that Hillary Clinton supporters stole the nomination from Sanders. President Donald Trump at his rally Monday in Charlotte. While Biden is considered a tougher opponent, Trump mocked the vice president for his verbal slips and said he might have to be committed to elderly care. "Joes going to be in a home," Trump said. "Hell be watching television. Sanders does have some enthusiasm, but much less than we have," Trump said, but he added that theres not a lot of enthusiasm for Biden. Super Tuesday: A state-by-state breakdown of what to watch for on Super Tuesday, where 15 contests are up for grabs After Trump spoke in Charlotte, Biden hosted a rally in Dallas to celebrate the endorsements of former opponents Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke. "Our number one priority is to beat Donald Trump and bring unity back to our party," Biden tweeted before his event. "Together we're gonna make it happen." For his part, Sanders said he and his movement will be better able to defeat Trump. During a CNN town hall, Sanders also advised Trump to "stay out of the Democratic primary and asked: Why don't you do your job for a change as president? At his rally, Trump interspersed attacks on the Democrats with praise of his own economic and foreign policy record, including a new effort to fight the spread of the deadly virus. Story continues Think you have coronavirus? Call first! Here's what to expect at the doctor's office Trump pointed to a meeting he held earlier in the day with a group of pharmaceutical executives who pledged to work together to develop a vaccine "relatively soon." Were working hard on it and were going to come up with some really great solutions," Trump said. "We're going to safeguard our people." At the same time, Trump accused his Democratic opponents of trying to "politicize" the outbreak, thereby denigrating "the noble work of our public health professionals." While attacking Democrats like Buttigieg and Klobuchar for seeking jobs in exchange for their Biden endorsements, Trump also mocked the recent impeachment drive against him. They made a deal," Trump said. "You know what? Quid pro quo, thats what! Impeach them!. They should be impeached!" Congressional Democrats accused Trump of seeking an improper quid pro quo in asking the president of Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who had business interests in that country. The Republican-run Senate acquitted Trump on articles of impeachment accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of the congressional impeachment investigation. Trump also revived another issue: The stock market. Having ignored the markets last week as they fell precipitously because of coronavirus fears, Trump brought up Monday's record rise within minutes of taking the stage. Today we just had the largest one day increase in the stock market in history" Trump said. "That was great. North Carolina was only the latest stop of Trump's anti-Democratic tour. He hosted similar rallies on the eve of Democratic nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. "We like to troll," Trump said. "We do a little trolling." Charlotte is also the site of the Republican convention in August, and North Carolina is expected to be a highly competitive state in the fall. Before leaving the White House, a reporter asked if it was safe to have a political rally in the midst of concern about the spread of coronavirus. "Well, these were set up a long time ago," Trump said. "And others are I mean, you could ask that to the Democrats because they're having a lot of rallies. They're all having rallies ... I think it's very safe." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump defends coronavirus plan, denigrates Democrats As per Vietnams current regulations, everyone entering Vietnam from mainland China, Italy, Iran and South Korea have to be quarantined for at least 14 days. Vietnam started to take particularly strong measures on managing arrivals on February 3 when Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered that all Vietnamese and foreigners entering the country from China must be quarantined for 14 days. The order applied to everyone who had passed by any of the 31 provinces in mainland China that had reported the novel coronavirus infection. On February 25, when the virus began spreading far outside China, the PM barred entry for people arriving from all areas that had been hit by the new coronavirus, including those in South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran. In exclusive cases, people who had to enter Vietnam for state affairs or other special reasons have to complete health declaration procedures and then stay in quarantine for 14 days, he ordered. This meant that people from countries stricken by Covid-19 but from cities and provinces free of the novel coronavirus did not have to be quarantined for 14 days. They only had to submit a health declaration and follow procedures deemed necessary on entering Vietnam. Then on Monday, Vietnam decided to classify three more nations, South Korea, Iran and Italy, as epidemic-hit nations, apart from China. This means that all people entering Vietnam from any area of these three nations have to be quarantined for 14 days, and any Vietnamese citizen traveling to any of the four nations will be quarantined and monitored on their return. Quarantine procedures Local authorities at the port of entry will decide where a person will be quarantined and kept under medical observation. If a person develops any of the symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus infection, her/his body fluids will be tested and she/he will be moved to a hospital for further isolation and treatment in case test results are positive for the virus. During their quarantine period, the person will be fed three meals a day and provided with other essential items needed for their daily life and routines. Once doctors certify that the quarantined persons are free of the virus, they will be placed under additional monitoring at home or medical camps until doctors decide they can be discharged. On Tuesday, the number of people suspected of the coronavirus infection in Vietnam dropped by 50 against Monday to 75. None of the suspects were reported in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, the three largest cities in the country. The Health Ministry deems those returning from stricken areas or those whove had direct contact with returnees from stricken areas and/or those who show Covid-19 symptoms as novel coronavirus suspects. As of Monday, Vietnam had either quarantined in field hospitals or placed under medical monitoring over 10,000 people. While the nation has not detected any new infections since February 13, and has discharged all 16 whod tested positive for the novel coronavirus earlier, the global death toll continues to climb as the epidemic crosses national barriers to hit 76 countries and territories so far. 3,130 have died of the Covid-19 infection so far. Mainland China has suffered the most deaths at 2,945, followed by Iran with 77, Italy with 52 and South Korea with 28. The U.S. has reported six deaths and Japan 12, including six on a cruise ship. Today newsreader Tracy Vo broke down in tears during a segment about autism charity Ocean Heroes on Tuesday. The 36-year-old journalist became emotional as she described how a group of surfers were helping autistic children learn to surf. 'The effects they have on the kids and the families as they don't have these activities they can go to...' Tracy said, wiping away tears. Touching moment: Today newsreader Tracy Vo broke down in tears during a segment about autism charity Ocean Heroes on Tuesday. Pictured (from left): Tracy, Karl Stefanovic, Allison Langdon, Alex Cullen and Brooke Boney Tracy explained that the men who run Ocean Heroes are her friends, and that she has a long association with the charity. 'I get very emotional because they are good mates of mine,' she said. Tracy struggled to maintain her composure as she was comforted by Today host Karl Stefanovic. 'They are good mates of mine': The 36-year-old journalist became emotional as she described how a group of surfers were helping autistic children learn to surf 'I am just so proud to be part of the Ocean Heroes. But the whole goal is for them to do it nationally,' she added. Channel Nine has donated two surfboards to the group, while Tracy herself has also personally donated one. Tracy has become a popular member of the Today show team since replacing Tom Steinfort as newsreader in January. Passion project: Tracy explained that the men who run Ocean Heroes are her friends, and that she has a long association with the charity Before joining Today, Tracy had been a familiar face at Nine for more than a decade. She landed her first job at the network in 2007, and used to work in the Perth newsroom before relocating to Sydney. The Today show airs weekdays from 5:30am on Channel Nine Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) Filipino workers in Hong Kong who lose their jobs in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak will be brought home by the government, a Cabinet official said Tuesday. We'll prepare for their repatriation pronto, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin tweeted. Locsin reacted to a report that a Filipina is among dozens of foreign domestic workers in the Chinese region sacked in the past weeks. Among the reasons cited were disagreements over their days off. The report came after the country partially lifted the travel ban on Chinas special administrative territories, allowing Filipinos employed in Hong Kong and Macau to go back to their jobs. The restrictions were to prevent the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19 infection. Locsin denounced Hong Kong for supposedly not keeping its promise of giving overseas Filipino workers the same protection from COVID-19 as Hong Kong residents. Deeply disgusted with Hong Kong which begged us to let domestic workers return to work, Locsin said. There are over 210,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong and another 32,000 in Macau, majority of them household helpers, according to government data. As of Tuesday, Hong Kong reported 100 COVID-19 cases, including two Filipinos. CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - FEBRUARY 28: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Demo-1 mission, February 28 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-1 mission will be the first launch of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft and space system designed for humans as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 2:49am launch on March 2, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system's capabilities. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) A precision parts maker for space and defense contractors has confirmed a "cybersecurity incident," which TechCrunch has learned was likely caused by ransomware. Visser Precision, a Denver, Colorado-based manufacturer, makes custom parts for a number of industries, including automotive and aeronautics. In a brief statement, the company confirmed it was "the recent target of a criminal cybersecurity incident, including access to or theft of data." The company said it "continues its comprehensive investigation of the attack, and business is operating normally," a spokesperson told TechCrunch. Security researchers say the attack was caused by the DoppelPaymer ransomware, a new kind of file-encrypting malware which first exfiltrates the company's data. The ransomware threatens to publish the stolen files if the ransom is not paid. DoppelPaymer is the latest in an emerging list of data-stealing ransomware. In December, security staffing firm Allied Universal was one of the first companies that had sensitive employee and business data published after the company declined to pay a $2.3 million ransom for the data. Brett Callow, a threat analyst at security firm Emsisoft, first alerted TechCrunch to the website that was publishing files stolen by the DoppelPaymer ransomware. The website contains a list of files stolen from Visser, including folders with customer names including Tesla, SpaceX, and aircraft maker Boeing, and defense contractor Lockheed Martin. A portion of the files were made available for download. (We are not linking to the ransomware's website.) The documents included non-disclosure agreements between Visser and both Tesla and SpaceX. Another file appeared to be a partial schematic for a missile antenna was marked as containing "Lockheed Martin proprietary information." Spokespeople for Tesla, SpaceX, and Boeing and did not immediately comment outside business hours. Story continues A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the company is "aware of the situation with Visser Precision and are following our standard response process for potential cyber incidents related to our supply chain." The DoppelPaymer ransomware has been active since mid-last year, and its victims have included the Chilean government and Pemex, Mexico's state-owned petroleum company. But unlike the Maze ransomware, from which DoppelPaymer derives much of its data-stealing inspiration, the ransom note does not say that data has been stolen. Instead, it's only disclosed if the company goes to the ransomware's website to pay. "Some companies may not even realize that their data has been exfiltrated prior to it being published," said Callow. The website hosting the stolen files said there was a "lot" more files to be published. "Data theft is a strategy that multiple groups have now adopted and, consequently, ransomware incidents should be treated as data breaches until it can be established they are not," said Callow. Updated with Lockheed comment. Seattle: With five years of operations under its belt, Tata Group-Singapore Airlines backed passenger carrier Vistara is now looking to double its international ports of call in 2020. In an interaction post taking delivery of first wide-body Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft at the Boeing facility in Everett, Vistara CEO Leslie Thng said the airline is looking at several international ports to start its long haul operations and the new aircraft may run its first commercial international flight either to Europe or to the far eastern region. At present, the airline operates to Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok and Colombo and will commence services to Kathmandu. But these routes are serviced by its narrow bodied aircraft. The Dreamliner 787-9 is the first aircraft to be operated by a domestic airline and is the first wide-body plane in Vistara's fleet. All other 39 planes in its fleet are narrow-body planes such as A320s and B737s. Standing inside the 787-9 plane at the Boeing's facility, Thng said the Dreamliner would be initially deployed within India on domestic routes for one to two months for the crew to get familiar with the aircraft. It is also required as per the regulations in the country. "We are looking at a few destinations for our long haul flights. Which destination would become the first depends on the approvals. Work is on to finalise the new destinations," he said. The delivery of the Dreamliner is the first among the six that Vistara has ordered for delivery between 2020 and 2021. "The second would come to us by the end of next month. This would give us a lot of possibility in trying to fly to at least two destinations," Thng said. "Europe is one of the places we are looking at in terms of destination. Far East is also an area we are looking at," Thng added. Vistara on Thursday also announced expansion of its two-way codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines, which allows an airline to sell seats of other airline on its system. Vistara stated that Japan Airlines will be able to sell tickets on its flights connecting Delhi to 19 Indian cities. On the other hand, the Indian carrier would be able to seek seats on five Japan Airlines flights going out of Tokyo. This could mean that Dreamliner may first run on Delhi-Tokyo route. Later the airline may also aim to start a Delhi-London flight. Vistara currently has a one-way codeshare partnership with British Airways. Thng said that this will soon be a two-way codeshare partnership. A wide-body aircraft helps the airline to go long distances that could cover the European, American as well as Far East markets. Talking about the features of the Dreamliner aircraft, Thng said that seats in the new aircraft will have a TV screen. In business, premium economy and economy classes, the screen is 18 inches, 13 inches and 12 inches, respectively. Thng also said that the first Dreamliner plane, which has the registration number VT-TSD, would be the first aircraft in India to provide WiFi service. The Dreamliner has three class configuration with business class, premium economy class and economy class, each having 30 seats, 21 seats and 248 seats, respectively. In total, the aircraft has 299 seats. Vistara had inaugurated international operations in August 2019 with Singapore as its first destination, followed by Dubai and Bangkok. Besides destinations, the airline will expand its fleet size to 42 aircraft by March-end, including 787 and 321. Last year, it placed an order for 50 aircraft from the Airbus A320neo family for the domestic market as well as short and medium-haul international operations, with deliveries scheduled between 2019 and 2023. NEW YORK (Reuters) - A big victory by Bernie Sanders in Tuesdays contests for the Democratic presidential nomination could add volatility to a market already consumed by the spread of the coronavirus and its economic fallout, analysts and investors said. Some investors say the resurgence of former vice president Joe Biden in the race has been a positive factor for stocks, setting the stage for pressure should Sanders do better than expected on Super Tuesday, in which voters in 14 states are heading to the polls with delegate-rich California and Texas among those up for grabs. To be sure, investor attention is more focused on the spread of the coronavirus, with stocks fluctuating wildly on Tuesday as Wall Street tried to digest the implications of the Federal Reserves emergency rate cut. But the election remained at least a background risk, as investors put it, with a strong showing by Sanders, a democratic socialist, seen as possibly wounding stocks. If Sanders is a big winner...I think the market will take it negatively come tomorrow, said Rick Meckler, partner at Cherry Lane Investments in New Vernon, New Jersey. (Get all the Super Tuesday action: here) Sanders favored policies, including Medicare for All legislation that would essentially abolish private insurance as well as regulation in areas such as the environment and banking, appear particularly negative for sectors such as healthcare, energy and financials, according to a note on Tuesday from Lori Calvasina, head of U.S. equity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. A presidential victory in the Nov. 3 election by Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, is seen by analysts at RBC Capital Markets as a bearish or very bearish outcome for 79% of the industries they cover, Calvasina said. By contrast, the election of Biden is seen as a neutral outcome by most investors surveyed by RBC, though the percent that have seen him as a bullish outcome was actually on the rise in our December survey, Calvasina said. Betting odds have strengthened for Biden, according to online betting site PredictIt, after the former vice presidents commanding win in the South Carolina primary over the weekend and endorsements from fellow moderates Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar after they dropped out of the race. As of midday Tuesday, Yes bets for Biden on the question of Who will win the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination? were trading at 51 cents on PredictIt, compared to 40 cents for Sanders. Sanders still leads Biden in polls for the nomination, 27% to 21.3%, according to an average of polls compiled by RealClearPolitics. If Bidens current momentum...carries him through Super Tuesday, political risk premium in the markets should fall, strategists at Natwest Markets said in a note. Investors will be watching not only whether Sanders wins but how much support he gathers, given that some on Wall Street are skeptical he can gain enough backing to beat President Donald Trump in November, even if Sanders wins the nomination. Strong wins with expanding polling levels to 35+% would be indicative of being a stronger general election candidate, Lance Wilkes, a healthcare analyst at Bernstein, said in a note. A major hike in stamp duty on the gift to, or purchase of agricultural land by, young trained farmers could be on the cards following confirmation that a review of existing reliefs is being ordered. Department of Finance officials stated in a recent letter to the farm organisations that a review of both consolidation relief and consanguinity relief was being undertaken ahead of this years Budget. Over 22 million in stamp duty relief was claimed by farmers in 2018 under the consanguinity relief mechanism, which is aimed at encouraging inter-family and inter-generational transfers of agricultural land. Consanguinity relief reduces the rate of stamp duty payable on land transfers to children where the transferee cannot otherwise benefit from the young trained farmer relief. In relation to the second stamp duty relief which is up for review, it is estimated that the savings on consolidation relief could be worth up to 1 million to the farm sector annually. This measure aims to promote the consolidation of holdings by reducing farm fragmentation and thereby improving the viability of farm businesses. It allows, where conditions are satisfied, a person selling an outside block of land to pay 1pc stamp duty on the purchase of land nearer their main farm holding. Both measures provide a saving of 6.5pc in stamp duty payments for qualifying farmers, by reducing the rate at which stamp duty is charged from 7.5pc to 1pc. Consanguinity relief applies on the transfer of land between blood relatives, civil partners or adopted children. In 2017 the conditions around consanguinity relief were changed for four years when the rate of stamp duty was increased to 6pc. It is now 7.5pc. This move resulted in the waiving of the requirement that consanguinity relief only applied where the land owner was aged 67 or younger. Relaxing the age restriction was viewed as providing a four-year window for the transfer of land to young trained farmers. However, with the Department of Finance now assessing the possibility of removing the age concession from this year, young trained farmers could be faced with paying 7.5pc stamp duty in 2021 on the value of land transfers above a 950,000 threshold. Cork-based accountant and farm taxation consultant, Kieran Coughlan, estimated that up to half of the lifetime farm transfers in 2021 could be affected by potential changes to the stamp duty reliefs. Mr Coughlan said farmers considering transferring their farms to the next generation should seek advice without delay in order to assess what the changes could mean for them. In some cases land owners might want to fast forward plans to transfer the family farm before the relief expires or changes, he said. In its letter to the farm organisations, the Department of Finance states that ex-post evaluations of the consanguinity relief and consolidation relief will examine whether their extension should be proposed to the Minister for Finance for inclusion in the 2020 Finance Bill. Views from the various industry stakeholders are to be supplied to the Department of Finance by Monday, March 16 at the latest. Dear Reader, Thank you for staying tuned to our coronavirus coverage since February. It's time to clear the clutter and, perhaps, saturation of coronavirus content in this live blog. Check out the post below to reach our highly-curated live blog on coronavirus news in India and abroad. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Manila, Philippines Tue, March 3, 2020 13:49 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067f1273 2 SE Asia Philippines,police,crime,shopping-mall Free A sacked security guard gave himself up and set free dozens of hostages he seized at gunpoint Monday in a Manila mall, ending a day-long standoff that terrified shoppers and left one man wounded. The gunman, who launched the attack over his dismissal, walked out of the V-Mall and was able to complain to reporters about his former employers before police tackled him. Authorities initially said about 30 people were held in an office inside the mall, but once the standoff ended they said the number was up to 70. "The crisis is over," said Francis Zamora, mayor of San Juan City, which includes the mall. "They're all safe now." The drama kicked off Monday morning when the suspect shot and wounded another security guard, who was rushed to hospital in stable condition, and barricaded the hostages in an office. The gunman was armed with a pistol and what he claimed was a hand grenade when he burst into the mall, sending terrified shoppers and workers fleeing. Heavily armed police in battle gear and carrying assault rifles massed at the shopping center while scores of onlookers snapped pictures with their mobile phones. Zamora told reporters the hostage-taker was upset after losing his job, and had turned to violence to air his grievances. Authorities worked for hours to convince him to surrender, and later in the day held a press conference where company officers apologized for upsetting him. "I deeply regret my shortcomings," one of his former supervisors said. "Because of this, I will resign from my post... to give way to a solution to our current problem." Police were in contact with the suspect for hours via a walkie-talkie. Philippine malls are centers of life that include everything from restaurants and shops to churches and medical facilities. The building was full when the violence began. Witness John Paul Buenavista told AFP he saw a wounded person believed to be a guard at the mall being put into a wheelchair and whisked away. "We heard three gunshots. Then we saw people running, saying they saw someone getting shot," he said. Manila was the site of a high-profile 2010 hostage-taking that ended with the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists. That day-long ordeal started when an ex-police officer, armed with an M-16 assault rifle, hijacked a bus near a popular tourist destination just a few blocks from police headquarters in a desperate bid to get his job back. Negotiations broke down after nightfall and the ex-officer began shooting passengers, prompting commandos to storm the bus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to supporters following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 3, 2020. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) Netanyahu Claims Israel Election Victory: Its Time to Heal Rifts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed early victory in Israels general electionthe countrys third in under a yearafter exit polls and partial results placed him ahead of his chief rival, Benny Gantz. With some 90 percent of ballots tallied, Netanyahus Likud party held roughly 29.4 percent of the vote, equal to around 36 Knesset seats, and a total of 59 seats for his right-wing alliance. However, Likud and its smaller ultra-religious and nationalist allies were two seats short of the 61-seat parliamentary majority required to form a government, the incomplete results on Israeli TV stations appeared to show. Gantzs centrist Blue and White Party followed with 26.3 percent, or some 32 seats, the partial results showed, pointing to a continued paralysis of Israels political system. Netanyahu, 70, claimed a giant victory as he addressed a raucous crowd of thousands of ecstatic supporters at 2:30 a.m. However, if Netanyahu falls short of a majority in the 120-seat parliament, another round of complicated political negotiations with potential allies awaits. Confetti falls as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands next to his wife Sara after speaking to supporters following the announcement of exit polls in Israels election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 3, 2020. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) This is a victory against all the odds, because we stood against powerful forces, Netanyahu said. They already eulogized us. Our opponents said the Netanyahu era is over. The longest-serving leader in Israeli history vowed to heal rifts and said he had spoken with all of the leaders of Likuds natural coalition allies: Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Yamina, The Times of Israel reported. Tomorrow, after weve got some sleep, we will meet [with right-wing leaders] to form a strong, stable government, a good national government for Israel, he said. I intend to be the prime minister of every citizen of Israel, every right-wing voter, left-wing voter, Jews and non-Jews, every sector and every gender. In this campaign, we saw the challenge of coronathere wasnt a day in which I didnt make time for constant meetings on protecting all Israels citizens. Thats my mission as prime minister. We must avoid any more elections. Its time to heal the rifts. Its time for reconciliation. A Likud spokesman said he expected Netanyahu would manage to gain a governing majority and establish a coalition government by getting lawmakers from the opposing camp to cross sides. There will be defectors, Jonatan Urich told Channel 12 News. It is not yet clear where Netanyahu will secure the extra seats required for a parliamentary majority. In the previous election last September, Blue and White edged Likud, taking 33 seats to its rivals 32, but Gantz, like Netanyahu, was unable to put together a ruling coalition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands next to his wife Sara as he waves to supporters following the announcement of exit polls in Israels election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 3, 2020. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) Netanyahus reelection bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust, and fraud over allegations he granted state favors worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favorable press coverage and that he wrongfully received gifts. The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. According to The Times of Israel, election officials reportedly said they wouldnt count the 4,076 ballots cast by Israelis under home quarantine due to coronavirus fears. The voters who self-quarantined recently traveled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots. As of the morning of March 3, the ballots remained untouched at special polling stations, and they may be counted by medics, according to reports. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. She is one of Australia's most in-demand models. And despite the winter chill in Paris during fashion week, Victoria Lee boldly put on a leggy display. On Sunday, the 29-year-old attended the Valentino Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 show in an eye-catching orange mini jumpsuit. Legs eleven... out of ten! Model Victoria Lee wore a tiny orange playsuit as she attended the Valentino show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday The off-the-shoulder outfit featured pleated detailing across the shoulders. Hidden under the ruffle were the baggy sleeves that created a voluminous effect. She teamed the ensemble with a mauve Valentino cross body bag and a pair of strappy red heels. Chic: The off-the-shoulder outfit featured pleated detailing across the shoulders. Hidden under the ruffle were the baggy sleeves that created a voluminous effect to her look Clashing colours: She teamed the ensemble with a mauve Valentino cross body bag and a pair of strappy red heels Victoria's luscious blonde tresses were styled in a sleek and neat low bun to frame her visage. Her makeup look was kept minimal to highlight her flawless complexion with champagne eye shadow, mascara, feathered brows and glossy pink lips. Victoria's stunning look for the runway show comes after she revealed her $696 skincare regimen when flying to PopSugar Australia back in August. Stunning: Her makeup look was kept minimal to highlight her flawless complexion, with champagne eye shadow, mascara, feathered brows and glossy pink lips She begins her in-flight beauty regimen with Equal Beauty Cleansing Cloths, retailing for $50, followed by a gentle toner. The blonde beauty then applies the Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum ($135) and alternates between the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($79) and Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Cream ($110). Particularly for long-haul flights, Victoria will follow with Equal Beauty Moisture Veil Masks ($119) and a Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask ($190). Victoria complements her skincare regimen with plenty of water and The Beauty Chef Glow Travel Sachets ($18). Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a statement called on President Ashraf Ghani to abide by a prisoner swap clause in the US-Taliban peace deal. Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday called on the Afghan government to create a "favourable environment" for intra-Afghan dialogue, warning that the peace and reconciliation process with Taliban would not move forward if any side showed "stubbornness". Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a statement called on President Ashraf Ghani to abide by a prisoner swap clause in the US-Taliban peace deal, the rejection of which saw the Taliban resume attacks on Afghan forces in the northeast of the country. It is the responsibility of the Afghan leadership to create a favourable environment to take the talks forward," Qureshi said. The intra-Afghan negotiations are due to begin 10 March according to a US-Taliban deal signed in Doha on Saturday, but a dispute over a prisoner swap has raised questions about whether they will go ahead. The agreement includes a commitment for the Taliban to release up to 1,000 prisoners and for the Afghan government to free around 5,000 insurgent captives -- something the militants have cited as a prerequisite for talks but which President Ghani has refused to do before negotiations start. The foreign minister said that Pakistan cannot take decision on the part of Afghans. Pakistan can create a favourable environment, it cannot take (Afghanistan's) decisions, he said. Qureshi reminded the parties to Afghan conflict that the agreement signed by the US and Taliban representative on Saturday in Doha contained provisions for exchange of prisoners. Exchange of prisoners has happened in the past. When we move from war towards peace, it needs to be done to show a positive intention," the foreign minister said. He warned that the process of peace and reconciliation would not move forward if any side showed "stubbornness". He urged the parties to take confidence-building steps in order to move forward. Qureshi said that intra-Afghan process was a test of Afghan leadership and it would show if the Afghans were ready to leave the past behind and work for peace. He said that Doha agreement was just the first step, though an important on, for a lasting peace in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan would continue to provide support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. Qureshi said that the Taliban pledged that would not allow al Qaeda or any terrorist organization to operate in Afghanistan. The foreign minister warned that the spoilers were not would be uncomfortable with the deal but there were many people who are comfortable with it. There are many who feel that it is in Afghanistan's long-term interest. It is in region's long term interest and it is essential for global peace and stability, he said. Earlier, the peace process got was shock when Ghani said that prisoners would be released. Coloradans who want to change their vote after casting a ballot in Tuesday's presidential primary are out of luck, election officials say, though a state lawmaker wants to look at changing that for future elections. Following the withdrawals Sunday and Monday of leading Democratic presidential candidates Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, Colorado voters have been taking to social media to ask whether they can change their vote, but Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Monday that they can't. Once a ballot has been mailed, delivered to a ballot drop box or cast in person, state law doesn't allow for a replacement, officials said. A state lawmaker said Monday he's considering proposing a change to the law to let voters change their minds after their ballots have been submitted. House Majority Leader Alex Garnett, D-Denver, told reporters that a statutory change might be in order to allow voters to cast provisional ballots up until Election Day when candidates withdraw at the last minute. He hasn't drafted a bill but called his proposal "a conversation starter." As it stands, only voters who have filled out their ballots but haven't yet returned them can change their vote or request a new ballot, Griswold said. In order to change a selection, Griswold tweeted, draw a line through your first pick and then mark the oval next to your preferred candidate. Voters can also visit a voter service center to vote in person. Find those locations at GoVoteColorado.gov. Through late Friday, county clerks reported receiving more than 1 million ballots cast by Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters, who can vote in either major party's presidential primary for the first time this year. Democratic ballots have been arriving at a slower pace than usual, election watchers say, possibly indicating that voters were hanging on to their ballots because the party's crowded field of White House hopefuls has been in flux. Less than an hour before she was scheduled to appear at a rally in Denver, Klobuchar, Minnesota's senior U.S. senator, said she was suspending her campaign and endorsing Joe Biden, who posted a resounding win Saturday in the South Carolina primary. Her move follows the announcement late Sunday that Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was ending his campaign, saying he didn't see a path to the nomination. They're among nine Democrats who have withdrawn from the primary since Colorado's ballots were certified. Others who appear on the ballot but are no longer in the race include billionaire investor Tom Steyer, who quit the race on Saturday, and Colorado's senior senator, Michael Bennet, who dropped out after the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary. Colorado's primary ballot also includes U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, author and spiritual guide Marianne Williamson, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. A spokesman said that votes will be tabulated and reported for candidates who haven't filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office making their withdrawal official. Vote totals for candidates who have notified Griswold by Monday, that was only Bennet and former Maryland U.S. Rep. John Delaney won't be reported. Just one of the five Republicans challenging President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the GOP primary since Colorado's ballots were printed. Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois quit the race on Feb. 7, days before Colorado's ballots went in the mail to voters. Colorado Politics chief legislative correspondent Marianne Goodland contributed to this report. Voting Basics Voters have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to get their ballots to the clerk in their home county. Visit The Gazette's voters guide for El Paso County residents for more information on how to return ballots for the 2020 presidential primary election. Voters can still register and vote in person at a voter service/polling center until Tuesday's deadline. There are 11 sites for polling centers. You can view those locations here. Registered voters who still need ballots can get them at voter service/polling centers by requesting a replacement or updating their registration information. Colorado Republicans and Democrats will still hold precinct caucuses. This year, theyre on the Saturday after the presidential primary, March 7 and a June 30 primary for state-level and congressional offices. The first round of unofficial results is expected to be released about 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday and posted on the secretary of states website, sos.state.co.us. The Gazette will have live coverage at gazette.com Tuesday night and full coverage will be included in Wednesdays print edition of The Gazette. Election results are deemed official when the bipartisan canvass board validates the results. The last day for the canvass to be completed is March 24. More information is available on Colorado Secretary of States Office website, govotecolorado.com, or El Paso County's elections page, clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/elections. To contact El Paso Countys Elections Department, call 575-8683 or email elections@elpasoco.com. Former USAA CEO Stuart Parker received a nearly 17 percent increase in compensation in his last full year in the post. Parker pulled in just under $5 million in total compensation from five USAA insurance companies last year. That represented a nearly $708,000 increase over his 2018 compensation. Parker retired at the end of January after leading the San Antonio insurance, financial services and banking company for almost five years. Wayne Peacock, Parkers successor and former president of USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group, realized an even bigger raise last year. Peacock collected almost $4.9 million in total compensation up about $839,000, or 20.5 percent, from about $4.1 million in 2018 from four USAA insurance companies. As stewards of a member-focused organization, USAA maintains strong governance and controls over compensation packages, spokesman Matt Hartwig said in an email Tuesday. We believe it is in our memberships best interests to provide competitive compensation packages so we can recruit and retain the best talent within the market and industry. Parkers and Peacocks compensation slid in 2018 from 2017, which USAA attributed to the smaller bonuses they received. USAA paid more than $2 billion in claims for hurricanes, wildfires and other catastrophes in 2018, the third straight year it topped that amount. On ExpressNews.com: USAA names Wayne Peacock to replace Stuart Parker as CEO USAA has yet to report its financial performance for 2019, so its not known whats behind the increases in compensation. Parker pocketed nearly $4 million bonuses last year, compared with $3.4 million in 2018. Peacock drew almost $3.2 million in bonuses versus more than $2.9 million in bonuses in 2018. USAA doesnt disclose total compensation for its executive team because its a private company. It considers compensation information competitive, confidential and proprietary, Hartwig said. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Nebraska, however, requires insurers that do business in the state to report executive compensation, providing a partial look at USAAs leadership pay. While USAA views individual compensation as a private matter, our compensation programs are assessed against similarly sized companies information to be competitive, Hartwig said. USAAs board retains an independent compensation adviser to ensure the companys programs align with competitive market levels and best practices found in publicly traded companies, he added. Parker and some other executives named in the reports to Nebraska also may have received pay from the companys financial services and banking operations that isnt publicly reported. The five USAA companies that reported figures to Nebraska were United Services Automobile Association, USAA Casualty Insurance Co., USAA General Indemnity Co., Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Co. and USAA Life Insurance Co. USAA recently awarded rank-and-file workers a 14.5 percent bonus for 2019, the fifth straight year the percentage has declined. It was 14.8 percent in 2018. The latest bonus also was the smallest since 2008, when employees received a 13.5 percent bonus. Eligible employees received the bonus as a percentage of their base compensation. On ExpressNews.com: USAAs annual employee bonus dips to 14.5% in 2019 In the past, USAA has said that while the employee bonus is part of its pay structure, its not guaranteed. The bonus serves as a tool in recruiting strong job applicants and retaining employees. Meanwhile, other USAA executives saw their total compensation rise last year, though not as much as Parker and Peacocks. Chief Financial Officer Laura Bishop received just under $1.5 million from four USAA insurance companies, up about $138,100, or about 10 percent, from more than $1.3 million in 2018. More than $1 million of the compensation was in bonuses. Torben Ostergaard, USAAs chief risk officer, and Dana Simmons, the CEOs chief of staff, each earned almost $1.2 million last year slight increases from 2018. Peacock, Bishop, Ostergaard and Simmons serve on USAAs executive council. Deneen Donnley, USAAs general counsel before departing in October for a similar role at Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, was paid just under $1.2 million in total compensation at USAA last year. Sean Burgess, USAAs chief claims officer, received more than $1.3 million last year, a nearly 7 percent increase from 2018. Randy Termeer, auto general manager in property and casualty, collected more than $1.2 million, an almost 6 percent increase. About 19,000 of USAAs 35,000-person workforce are based in San Antonio, serving about 13 million members, comprising current and former members of the military and family members. Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD Something that occurred within Queen Elizabeth IIs family many years ago still fascinates royal fans today. If youve ever heard the story of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson then you might think its a great love story. But one of the most famous royal writers is revealing a story more tragic than anyone knew. Read on to find out what Princess Dianas biographer, Andrew Morton, has said about the pairs romance and why Simpson and Edward VIII did not live happily ever after. Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson | Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images King Edward VIII chose love over the crown When Queen Elizabeth IIs grandfather, King George V, died in 1936 his oldest son, Edward, became King Edward VIII. However, he fell in love with an American divorcee named Wallis Simpson, who he intended to marry. The problem was that as the head of the Church of England, the king couldnt wed someone who had been married twice and divorced. Edward VIII ended up choosing love over the crown and announced his decision to abdicate the throne, making Elizabeths father the king. You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love, Edward VIII stated. He was later given the title Duke of Windsor and exiled to France with his bride. Simpson left the Duke of Windsor alone at his deathbed In the early 1970s, the dukes health deteriorated and Simpson left her husbands side as her heart was reportedly with another man. Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor | Juan Gyenes/Keystone Features/Getty Images In any great love story, couples stick together through good times and bad as well in sickness and in health, but in the book Wallis in Love, Morton detailed how Simpson was not around when Edward VIII was dying. She left him in the care of a nurse, Julie Chatard Alexander, while he battled throat cancer. [Simpson] hardly ever came in to see him, Alexander said. I saw her in his room on the first night, and then again the night he died. I was there from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for about three weeks, and during that time, she didnt come in and eat with her husband. Alexander added that she remembered how upsetting it was hearing the duke call out for his wife, who never answered his cries. Poor fellow. He would call her name over and over: Wallis, Wallis, Wallis. Or, Darling, Darling,' Alexander recalled hearing him say. It was pathetic and so sad, like a lamb calling for its mother. Morton wrote that Simpsons longtime friend, Herman Rogers, was the most significant man in her life and she made it clear to him and others that he was the only man she ever loved. On May 28, 1972, Edward VIII succumbed to cancer. Simpson was not with him when he died. She passed away in 1986 and was buried alongside her husband in Windsor. Read more: Why Queen Elizabeth IIs Parents Did Not Approve of Her Relationship With Prince Philip The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has started to gain momentum over the past week, spreading to 77 countries, including Australia. The number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 39, with ten new cases reported in Queensland. "MERS Coronavirus Particles" by National Institutes of Health (NIH) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 Tasmania has also reported its first coronavirus case, a man arriving in Tasmania on Saturday from Iran. He was experiencing symptoms and contacted the Public Health Hotline, where testing was arranged. The man had been in self-quarantine but was transferred to the Launceston General Hospital, where he is now being clinically managed. The man arrived in Launceston on Virgin flight VA-1368, which left Melbourne at 1:10 pm and landed in Launceston at 2:15 pm. Importantly, anyone who was on that flight and is feeling unwell should contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. In Queensland, health officials have reported the 10th case, a 20-year-old male student from China, who arrived in Brisbane via Dubai. Dr. Jeannette Young, Queensland Chief Health Officer, said authorities are looking into where the man may have contracted the disease. "The male has recently returned to Brisbane, and we are working closely with relevant authorities to undertake contact tracing." Dr. Young said. "The male lived with one other housemate in Toowong. We are in contact with the male's housemate, who is undergoing assessment." With the patient's diagnosis, the 11th case is not very far away. Though the patient is in a stable condition in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, doctors are closely monitoring him. All the cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Queensland, except the 63-year-old woman who came from Iran, have recovered and been discharged from the hospital. The health experts warned that the new cases in the country are inevitable, and it is vital for the government to take precautionary measures to ensure the virus does not spread. As of 3 March 2020 in Western Australia, there are two confirmed cases associated with the Diamond Princess cruise ship. On 1 March the first coronavirus related death in Australia was reported, in a 78-year man from WA, who was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. An additional 713 Western Australians have been tested for COVID-19 in WA have returned a negative result. Human-to-human transmission Australia has reported cases of human-to-human transmission of the deadly coronavirus. Health officials in New South Wales are now tracing all contacts of a health worker who has recently tested positive for coronavirus. The healthcare worker is 53 years old, and one of the two cases of human-to-human transmission. In NSW, there are three confirmed cases, two of which are human-to-human transmission. The first patient is a health worker in Sydney, and the other patient is a 41-year-old woman who has contracted the virus from her brother, who came from Iran. What the government is doing Aside from laying down a plan in case the outbreak reaches Australia, the government can hold Australians once they manifest the symptoms of the coronavirus. Attorney-General Christian Porter has reiterated that the powers used to detain people at airports can be used elsewhere in the country. The Biosecurity control orders give government officials who were designated by the chief medical officer to make a human biosecurity control order. For instance, all persons under investigation or those showing symptoms may need to provide contact details, update officers about their health status, undergo decontamination, limit movement by staying in the house for a specific time, provide samples for testing, undergo treatment or receive a vaccine, be isolated in a medical facility and remain in the country for up to 28 days. If a person refuses, there is a power granted to the director of the program to compel the individual to comply. Current global situation The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has spread to more than 76 countries. The epicenter of the outbreak, Hubei province, has the highest number of infections and deaths. The total number of confirmed cases worldwide has reached over 92,000, and the death toll has reached 3,000 people. Currently, three hotspots are being closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) South Korea, Iran, and Italy. The WHO reports six new countries with coronavirus cases Dominican Republic, Iceland, Czechia, Armenia, Luxembourg, and Indonesia. The health agency has also sent health experts to Iran to support the COVID-19 response. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee headed by Senator Richard Gordon will lead an investigation on Thursday into billions of pesos-worth of cash brought mostly by Chinese nationals to the country. Gordon said from September last year to February, 47 individuals arrived in the Philippines carrying $447 million or 22.7 billion, according to information he got from the Bureau of Customs. At the Senate, Gordon presented a list of of those individuals who were mostly Chinese but also included some Filipinos. He said Chinese nationals brought in $210 million or 10.6 billion, equivalent to 46.98% of the total amount during this period. The senator said the large sums of cash, which were declared as gambling and investment funds, was a red flag for possible money laundering. "I am not being xenophobic I am just trying to express some concern on why there is no seeming regulation, no seeming effort to try and locate these people," he said. "If they are bringing in money, hinanap ba natin 'yung pera kung saan dinala? [did we check where they brought the money to?]" Gordon said the money is big enough to fund classrooms or to purchase military equipment. "I used to say that we must be a viable country but today we are becoming a buyable country," said Gordon. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President ordered an investigation into the influx of dirty money entering the country. "I heard him say that. Iimbestigahin talaga 'yun," said Panelo in a media briefing. He added that the Finance Department usually heads the probe into these issues unless Secretary Carlos Dominguez asks other agencies to help. Dominguez had already ordered the Bureau of Customs to work with the Anti-Money Laundering Council to investigate the matter. Gordon questioned the AMLC's "deafening" silence on the issue. He invited AMLC Executive Director Mel Racela along with officials from the Finance, Justice, Labor, Customs and Immigration agencies, among others to join Thursday's hearing. POGO real estate Gordon said the huge amount of cash could be linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in the country who employ mostly Chinese nationals. During his privilege speech at the Senate, Gordon presented a video showing vans dropping off alleged POGO workers to different houses in a Paranaque City village. "This is a very organized operation, hiring buses, hiring cars, hiring vans, getting homes, kumpleto talaga [it's really complete]," he said. This convinced the senator that the billions of cash may be poured into real estate to house these illegal workers. He cited a spike in condominium prices by 34% according to international debt watcher Fitch Ratings. In a 2019 report by Leechiu Property Consultants, POGOs were seen to overtake business process outsourcing firms in occupying office spaces in the country. Gordon cited another report by the consulting firm that said there are 470,000 POGO workers in the country, higher than the government's estimate of 150,000. Gordon added that the money could also be used for crime, citing prostitution dens with foreign women caught in several police raids. He said it was even more alarming considering these sums entered the country legally. Eliminate POGOs? Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon suggested stopping POGO operations in the country, in light of Gordon's report. "Obviously this is happening because we have POGOs in our country today. If we don't allow POGOs, these incidents would not have happened," said Drilon. Drilon mentioned the crackdown of gaming operators in Cambodia. He alleged that those companies may have moved their operations to the Philippines. "Shoud we continue with this policy of allowing overseas gaming operations in the country with all the illicit activities that come with it?" raised Drilon. Gordon answered saying he is open to the idea but he wants to investigate the people behind the operations first. "I'd like to see what are the syndicates behind this, how much taxes we're collecting. I want to know who is not paying their taxes and who is not enforcing the law," said Gordon. Last month, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the Chinese government has obtained a list of its nationals suspected of committing cybercrimes outside China, including the Philippines. Senator Risa Hontiveros also revealed that some Chinese POGO workers conspired with immigration personnel to dodge background checks upon entering the country, paying bribes under what is billed as "pastillas" scheme. The Bureau of Internal Revenue earlier revealed that over 27 billion worth of tax liabilities remain uncollected from the POGO sector. The famous actress of Yeh Hai Mohabbatein went to Los Angeles and met famous personalities. Read the full article to know more. Aditi Bhatia who got famous from the show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein wherein she played the role of Ruhi Bhalla. Aditi Bhatia is a vlogger an is in, Los Angeles California presently. There she met a famous vlogger Andrew Bachelor known as King Bach, he is known for his comic vines and is extremely famous. King Bach has a huge fan following and people love him for humor and comic videos. As a vlogger, Aditi also shares her traveling videos on her social media handles. She loves visiting different places likes exploring places. She has been to many cities in various countries. Aditis social media handles definitely sets travel goals for us. Bhatia loves to travel solo and this is why she mostly goes on solo trips. Her recent solo trips were to Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, and Prague. The diva had also met Nick known as BeYouNick and Montana Tucker who are very famous internet personalities. Bhatia attended an acting workshop and shared on his social media that how happy she is about following her passion for acting. She said that she wants to blend her passion an profession together. Also Read:Khatron Ke Khiladi 10: Karan Patel hopes his daughter Mehr feels proud watching him do stunts Also Read:Yeh Hai Chahatein 3 March 2020 Preview: Ahana takes Saraansh to the child care lady,Rudraksh is worried about him Aditi also met Holywood actress Amanda Cerny at Los Angeles. The star has also appeared in other shows like Comedy Circus, Khatra Khatra Khatra, Home Sweet Home, Tash-E-Ishq, Comedy Nights Bachao TaazaThe actress is really famous and popular and has garnered a lot of fans following. She is 20 years old, born and brought up in Mumbai. For more updates stay tuned to NEWS X. Also Read: Mujhse Shaadi Karoge promo: Mahhi Vij, Jay Bhanushaali help Paras Chhabra and Shehnaaz Gill in finding the right candidate, watch For all the latest Entertainment News, download NewsX App Indian diaspora in Europe protests against Delhi riots, calls for Amit Shah to resign Indians across Europe turned out for protests against the recent riots in New Delhi with several diaspora groups in London calling for the "United Kingdom government to immediately issue a strong condemnation of the Narendra Modi government for sponsoring the anti-Muslim riots in Delhi". Protests were held in London and across 17 other cities across Europe. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@SAsiaSolidarity The protest was held by different groups outside the Indian High Commission in London who made the following demands: Resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for his gross failure to maintain peace. Immediate arrest of BJP leaders who instigated the riots - Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Singh Varma and others and that all the perpetrators be brought to justice. That the injured be given appropriate medical care and the victim families be rehabilitated and compensated for the loss of lives and livelihood. That Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP government play their constitutional role by taking effective measures to ensure peace and justice for the victims and survivors. "As members of the Indian and South Asian diaspora in the UK, we stand with the survivors of the Delhi riots and the courageous anti-CAA movement. We condemn the close relationship between the Boris Johnson government and Narendra Modi's genocidal BJP government. This alliance of far-right regimes has been deepened by the appointment of British-Indian Modi supporters including Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak to key cabinet positions," Nirmala Rajasingam, South Asia Solidarity Group, said in a statement. Similar protests were held across 17 other cities across Europe such as Paris, Berlin, Geneva, Glasgow, Krakow, Helsinki, Stockholm, Dublin, Berlin and Brussels. The West Bengal Assembly election is over a year away, but it promises to be a keenly-fought battle between the TMC and BJP. The West Bengal Assembly election is over a year away, but it promises to be a keenly-fought battle between a doughty Trinamool Congress seeking to defend its fortress and a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party, which has tasted some success in the state during the Lok Sabha election. Home Minister Amit Shah set the ball rolling for his party with a rally in Kolkata on Sunday, where he launched the campaign of Aar Noi Annay (no more injustice). During the rally, Shah made repeated references to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), accusing TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of hurting the interests of refugees, and of caring only for "infiltrators." However, on Sunday, it was not just Shah's rally that made the news, but also what happened in the lead-up to it a group of BJP supporters raised chants of "Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro saalon ko." This call for shooting "traitors" had been made only recently ahead of the Delhi election, and had led to Union minister Anurag Thakur being banned from the campaign for three days. The reappearance of the slogan is a sign of things to come it indicates that the West Bengal election campaign is likely to be a highly vitriolic and divisive one. The state's sordid history of election-related violence only adds to the apprehensions in this regard. High stakes in Bengal Although the BJP scored a thumping win in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, its record in Assembly poll battles has been underwhelming, to say the least. Before the parliamentary polls, it lost the three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the Congress. It failed to form a government in Maharashtra, and barely managed to scrape through in Haryana. More recently, it was decisively defeated in Jharkhand and Delhi. However, the saffron party's performance in West Bengal in the 2019 Lok Sabha election will give it some hope. The party bagged as many as 18 out of 42 seats in the state, increasing its tally by 16 seats since the 2014 election. On the other hand, the TMC would be enthused by the recent trend of voters snubbing the BJP in state-level contests despite reposing faith in it for the Lok Sabha election. Crucially, the lack of a credible face haunts the saffron party in Bengal, much like in Delhi. Banerjee on Monday launched ''Banglar Gorbo Mamata'' (Bengal's pride Mamata), a public outreach campaign to connect with more than 2.5 crore people and get the party battle-ready. Like the "Didi Ke Bolo" (tell Didi) campaign, the new programme is also a brainchild of poll strategist Prashant Kishor and his team- I-PAC. History of political violence Violence has been endemic to West Bengal's political landscape for a long time. As this article by Ajaz Ashraf in Firstpost notes, the advent of the Left in the late 1970s led to large-scale land redistribution. However, by the 1990s, rural life came under strain due to fragmented land holdings and rising input costs for agriculture. "Violence and vengeance became favoured methods of village-level leaders to retain or seek control over funds and acquire or maintain social status," the article recalls. More recently, the panchayat polls in the state in May 2018 had also seen much bloodshed. At least six people were killed and 43 injured in widespread violence, leading the Union home ministry to seek a report from the state government. At the time, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh had said that the TMC had turned the polls into a farce. In response, the TMC's Derek O'Brien pointed to the state's history of violence and said: To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal #PanchayatElections in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ? Citizen Derek | (@derekobrienmp) May 14, 2018 Given this background, the possibility of the Assembly polls being marred by violence is not a far-fetched one. With inputs from PTI The Jharkhand government on Tuesday proposed to set up a state farmers relief fund this kharif season, state finance minister Rameshwar Oraon said while presenting budget for 2020-21 in the assembly. He said a sum of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the proposed relief fund. Oraon presented an estimated Rs 86,370 crore budget for the financial year 2020-21 in the house, the first one of the new JMM-Congress-RJD ministry headed by Hemant Soren. "There is a proposal to set up Jharkhand Rajya Kisan Rahat Kosh (farmers relief fund) from this Kharif season, changing the form of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)," Oraon said. The minister, however, did not elaborate about the proposal. The Soren-led government came to power in Jharkhand after elections in November-December last year. PMFBY was introduced on January 14, 2016 with an aim to reduce agricultural distress and farmers welfare without having to affect hefty hikes in the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural products due to monsoon fluctuation induced risks. Oraon said in his budget speech that out of the total budget, Rs 73,315.94 crore is under the head of revenue expenditure, while Rs 13,054.06 crore on the capital expenditure. He also said that the state government has decided to introduce "Short Term Agriculture Loan Relief Yojana", underlining Rs 2,000 crore for 2020-21 fiscal for the scheme. Another Rs 200 crore has been allocated under the "Paddy Production & Market Accessibility," the finance minister said. Announcing a new scheme Modern Diagnostic & Other Testing Lab along with ambulance facilities for animals, Oraon said women from the above poverty line would be connected with the ongoing scheme of distribution of cows along with the BPL families. There is also a proposal to give an additional Rs 50,000 to the beneficiaries under "Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana" and allowing them to construct houses as per their choice. The minister also said that Rs 4,199 crore has been earmarked for constructing five thousand housing units under "Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yojana" in the new financial year. The government has set a target to connect one lakh families under "Livelihood Promotion" scheme in paddy cultivation, poultry, vegetables and medicinal herbs, he said. Under the "Mukhya Mantri Visesh Chhatra Vriti Yojana" (Chief Ministers Special Students Scholarship), he said that the government has earmarked Rs 30 crore with a proposal to give scholarship to all the students, from Class I to Class XII of the government schools. The minister said that there is also a proposal of Rs 1,660.77 crore to ensure regular honorarium to para teachers. The honorarium of Cook-cum-Sahaika engaged in preparations of midday meals will be increased by Rs 500, taking their monthly payment to Rs 2,000. The government has also taken several measures in the sectors of health, industry, tourism, skill development and among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Auto Buyers Respond To Exciting Mazda Lineup - February 2020 North American Sales Up 19% SEE ALSO: Mazda Product and Company News Archive SEE ALSO: A Mazda CX-5 Buyer Explains IRVINE, Calif. (March 3, 2020) Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total February sales of 28,385 vehicles, an increase of 19.0 percent compared to February 2019. Year-to-date sales totaled 52,006 vehicles, an increase of 18.5 percent. With 26 selling days in February, compared to 24 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 9.8 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Sales Highlights CX-9 saw its best February with 2,926 vehicles sold, an increase of 20.8 percent compared to February 2019. Year-to-date sales of the CX-9 increased 27.9 percent, with 5,478 vehicles sold. CX-5 also had its best February with sales totaling 14,462 vehicles, an increase of 8.1 percent compared to February 2019. Year-to-date sales of the CX-5 increased 13.9 percent, with 27,370 vehicles sold. Sales of the all-new CX-30, which launched in November, totaled 3,754 in February. Year-to-date sales of CX-30 totaled 6,122. Sales of the MX-5 increased 77.0 percent, with 807 vehicles sold. Year-to-date sales of the MX-5 increased 49.8 percent, with 1,203 vehicles sold. CPO sales totaled 5,453 vehicles in February, an increase of 23.6 percent compared to February 2019. Year-to-date CPO sales increased 21.8 percent, with 10,118 vehicles sold. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported February sales of 4,706 vehicles, a decrease of 6.6 percent compared to February last year. Year-to-date sales decreased 6.6 percent, with 9,490 vehicles sold. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) The San Francisco medical examiner's office has identified a 67-year-old woman who died after being struck by a public works truck Sunday morning as Rui Xai Zhen. The collision happened around 7:25 a.m. in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood near the corner of Taylor and Geary streets, police said. A street cleaning worker driving a pickup truck struck Zhen, a San Francisco resident. Zhen was taken to a hospital, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Acting Public Works Director Alaric Degrafinried issued a statement Monday morning in response to the collision. "On behalf of San Francisco Public Works, I want to extend our profound condolences to the family and friends of the person who was fatally struck by one of our vehicles in the Tenderloin. Her death is tragic. "We will continue to work with police investigators on this case, as we also review our internal safe-driving procedures and training. The safety of members of the public and our employees is our No. 1 priority at Public Works," he said. Zhen's death comes just less than two weeks after an 80-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle on Feb. 21, just six blocks away near O'Farrell and Polk streets. "This is the second person to be hit and killed walking in just two weeks. It's a devastating reminder that we have a crisis on our streets with traffic safety," said Jodie Medeiros, executive director for pedestrian advocacy organization, Walk San Francisco. "It is unacceptable how dangerous it is for pedestrians in the Tenderloin. Everyone deserves to be able to cross the street safely. It's as simple as that," she said. Medeiros called for police to step up traffic enforcement in the neighborhood. "We need to know where SFPD is actually doing traffic safety enforcement," she said. "This is essential for San Francisco to be able to focus limited resources in a data-driven way to get to Vision Zero." Vision Zero is the city's goal of eliminating traffic-related fatalities by the 2024. Walk SF is continuing to advocate for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to expand its left turn lane traffic calming pilot program and to move forward with a no-turn-on-red citywide policy. The left turn calming program involves rubber stampers being strategically placed in an intersection to slow drivers and give them better visibility of the crosswalk, by forcing them to make wider turns. The SFMTA has committed to launching a pilot program at eight city intersections this year. According to Walk SF, prohibiting vehicles from turning on red lights gives people and cars more time to go separately, reducing chances of a collision. 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. (Newser) A former model and child actor has accused Timothy Hutton of raping her when she was just 14 in the 1980sthough he says he never met the woman. Canadian Sera Johnston told BuzzFeed on Monday that she was raped by her idol, and then by his friend, after meeting the Oscar-winning actor in Vancouver, Canada, where he was filming Iceman in 1983. Johnston said Hutton and two friends invited her and two friends back to Hutton's hotel, where they were served drinks. Johnston said Hutton then took her into his bedroom and raped her while one of his friends watched. Johnston, who went to the police in late 2019, said that friend raped her as well, and that she tearfully begged the men to stop. "It hurt like hell," she told BuzzFeed, which notes one of her friends recalled hearing muffled cries from inside the bedroom. story continues below Five others said Johnston told them of the alleged encounter, including Johnston's mom, who worked as a set decorator on Iceman. But Hutton's lawyers say the actor "completely and unequivocally denies" the account following two years of failed extortion attempts, per People. They claim Hutton filed a complaint with the FBI months before Johnston went to the police, though BuzzFeed reports this was after Hutton was informed of its reporting. It adds Johnston wanted $1.5 million but they agreed only to a $135,000 "nuisance settlement." Johnstonwho claims Hutton was "delighted" to learn that she was 14, the age of consent in Canada at the timesays she felt pressure to sign the deal and walked away after learning Hutton could still deny the rape. "That tells me that you don't even realize what you've done. You dont care," she says. (Read more Timothy Hutton stories.) The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging the Allahabad High Court order granting bail to former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand in a sexual exploitation case lodged by a law student. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and Navin Sinha said the reason given by the high court in its February 3 order granting bail to Chinmayanand "does not warrant any interference". The apex court agreed however to hear a separate plea filed by the woman and her father seeking transfer of trial in the case from Uttar Pradesh to a court in Delhi. The bench, which refused to stay the proceedings before a trial court in Uttar Pradesh, issued notices to the state, Chinmayanand and others on the transfer petition and directed them to file their responses within four weeks. The high court had granted bail to Chinmayanand who was arrested in a case of sexual exploitation of the woman studying law at a college run by his trust at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. He has denied the allegations. While rejecting the appeal challenging the bail granted to Chinmayanand, the top court observed that high court had imposed several conditions on the accused while granting him the relief. "We understand and appreciate your anxiety but pursuant to the order of this court, the high court is monitoring the investigation. Security has been provided to the woman and her family members in a substantial manner," the bench told senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who was representing the petitioners. "When charge sheet has already been filed, the law will take its course," the bench told Gonsalves, who argued that life of the woman and her family members is "in danger". "Our life is in danger due to this person (Chinmayanand)," Gonsalves said and referred to the Unnao rape case involving former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in which the victim and her relatives had sustained grievous injuries in a road accident. "See what kind of protection has been provided to the woman and her family. It is not ordinary," the bench said, adding, "This security is something which a high court judge gets". Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Chinmayanand, opposed the plea and said that petitioners have "suppressed material facts" from the court. While narrating the sequence of events, Gonsalves said that charge sheet has been filed for offence under section 376-C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which says that the offence is not amounting to rape. "How can it be not amounting to rape," the bench asked. To this, Gonsalves read out the provision and said it specifically says "not amounting to the offence of rape". "It (charge) may be altered at the time of framing of charges," the bench observed and added that conclusion in the charge sheet deals with "whole things including the allegations" levelled by the woman. Gonsalves argued that there were two objectionable videos which were basis of "blackmailing" the woman but the same were not mentioned in the charge sheet. Luthra countered this submission and said videos have been annexed with the charge sheet. "It is unfortunate that they (petitioners) are not making the entire statement," he said, adding, "They must come to the court with clean hands". Luthra said the woman had got admission in the college in July 2018 and she got employment there in November 2018. He said that the woman's mother also got job there in May last year. Gonsalves alleged that the woman was assaulted by special investigation team (SIT) of Uttar Pradesh Police, which was formed on the directions of the apex court. "That has nothing to do with bail. It is one thing to say that police assaulted me but it is another thing to bring it to the notice of the concerned magistrate," the bench said. The bench told Gonsalves about some video allegedly recorded by the woman and asked, "is this a normal conduct?". To this, Gonsalves said it was "normal" as she took "counter video" since she was being blackmailed on the basis of two objectionable videos. In its February 3 order granting bail to Chinmayanand, the high court had noted, "Both parties crossed their limits and at this stage, it is very difficult to adjudicate as to who exploited whom. In fact, both of them used each other." Chinmayanand, whose trust runs the Shahjahanpur law college where the woman studied, was arrested on September 20 last year under section 376-C of the IPC. The section is applied when someone in authority takes advantage of his official position to "induce or seduce" a woman to have sex with him. In a parallel case, the woman was charged with allegedly trying to extort money from Chinmayanand. The high court had granted her bail on December 4 last year. The Supreme Court had stepped in after the 23-year-old law student went missing for a few days in August last year after posting a video clip on social media, alleging sexual abuse. The SIT had arrested the woman after a complaint that she and her friends had allegedly tried to extort Rs 5 crore from Chinmayanand, threatening to make public videos showing her giving massages to him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vatican City: Pope Francis, who cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy, is suffering only from a cold that is "without symptoms related to other pathologies," the Vatican said on Tuesday. A statement followed a report in an Italian newspaper that said the pope had tested negative for coronavirus. It did not say whether the pope had been given a test for the virus. "The cold the Holy Father was diagnosed as having is taking its course without symptoms related to other pathologies," spokesman Matteo Bruni said. Francis was to have taken part in a week-long retreat with senior Vatican officials that began on Sunday night at a Church residence south of Rome, but did not go at the last minute. German car giant BMW has launched a new electric executive car that features a soundtrack by Academy Award winning movie composer Hans Zimmer. The aim is to make the new battery-powered BMW i4 electric prototype - designed to take on Elon Musk's Tesla Model 3 and the German manufacturer's future cars sound cool. That's because while the prototype i4 has dramatic performance, the near silence of the electric drive can risk making the experience feel soulless. Soundtrack over silence: This is the Concept i4 from BMW - an electric car that makes a sound when it moves that's been scored by an Academy Award winning film composer To counter this BMW has sought put some aural heart and emotion into battery-powered motoring to help overcome the lack of sound drivers have grown used to from conventional petrol and diesel engines. Rather than leave things to chance, BMW has hired the services of the top blockbuster film composer who penned the music to movies including Gladiator, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Samurai, The Da Vinci Code, 12 Years a Slave, and Dunkirk. He also won an Academy Award for his original score for The Lion King, and has worked on the forthcoming 007 movie No Time to Die and the new Tom Cruise film, Top Gun: Maverick. Mr Zimmer worked with BMW sound engineer Renzo Vitale to create sounds that resonate with drivers. He launched the new electric-drive soundtrack for the i4 at its world premiere today. The 'ready-to-drive' and 'start-stop' sound for all-electric BMW models and BMW plug-in hybrids will be introduced as a standard feature worldwide from July 2020. With its large exaggerated and almost cartoonish grille, the new i4 is set to go into production early next year as BMW's first all-electric model in the premium mid-size class, where it will go head to head with the Tesla Model 3. With its large exaggerated and almost cartoonish grille, the new i4 is set to go into production early in 2021 The electric motor drivetrain developing 530 horse-power promises acceleration from rest to 62mph in just 4 seconds up to a top speed of 124mph The soundtrack made by the i4 Concept will be used across the entire electric and hybrid range of BMWs from July The electric motor drivetrain developing 530 horsepower promises acceleration from rest to 62mph in just 4 seconds up to a top speed of 124mph with a range of 373 miles. BMW said: 'The virtually silent delivery of power creates an entirely new sensation of dynamism. 'The silence of electric drive systems is often cited as a major benefit of electric mobility. As the choice of electrified models increases, however, it also means some drivers are missing out on the emotional appeal of sound.' Mr Zimmer, who has a sound studio in Santa Monica, California, said: 'We have an extraordinary opportunity to turn electric driving in a BMW into a very special experience with the help of great sounds. BMW claims the Concept i4 has a range of 373 miles. It will need it to rival the 348 miles of the rangiest Model 3 on sale today Tesla's design has moved to a blanked front end where a car's grille would traditionally be, as there is no need for an air intake on an electric car - the opposite to BMW's exaggerated styling BMW has hired the services of Hans Zimmer who penned the music to movies including Gladiator, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Samurai, The Da Vinci Code, 12 Years a Slave, and Dunkirk. 'I am relishing the challenge of co-designing the composition for future electric BMWs.' He said: 'We hope the sound we created is classic yet surprising and has a feeling of lightness that is fitting for a BMW.' The sound 'repertoire' of the BMW i4 covers the variety of driving 'modes' available to motorists , from the standard sound in cruising mode to 'the more intense tones of 'Sport', he said. New legislation at requires electric cars to have an artificial sound to warn pedestrians of their impending approach The styling is very much in-keeping with the wider BMW range, somewhat replicating the shape of its popular saloon models like the 3 Series The cabin is, as you'd expect from a concept, extremely futuristic. How much of this is kept for next year's production model is unknown The 'sport' sound is a soft but rising crescendo that feels like (to my ears at least) the opening bars of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon.' The cruising mode is similar, but softer and more ethereal. Acoustic accompaniments to a door opening - like an electronic 'plink' - and when starting the car are also part of the car's 'soundscape', New legislation at requires electric cars to have an artificial sound to warn pedestrians of their impending approach. And that will provide another opportunity for composing a sound-scape. Mr Zimmer has said in the past: 'Electric cars don't need to sound like a space-ship or a lawn-mower. 'And silence is not the best way. On the outside you will kill people walking in the way. We have to help that a little bit.' He explained: 'In film music I see sound as a way of opening emotional doors to have an experience. I don't want cars to feel more alive. I want humans to feel more alive.' Slide me In different driving modes, the interior accents change. Cruising mode has the cabin shining blue but if you select sport it all turn red BMW said: 'The character of the i4 is not only a product of its design, but also of its visionary sound profile. 'Hans Zimmer composed the sound of the i4 together with BMW sound designer Renzo Vitale. 'It will imbue BMW's electric models with extra emotional depth by connecting the driver with the vehicle's character on another level through individual tones and sounds.' Jens Thiemer, BMW's senior vice president for customers and brand: 'Sound has always played an important role in the emotionalisation of our vehicles. 'Now we are taking the joy of sheer driving pleasure to a new level and are particularly pleased to be working with Hans Zimmer to create the new sound world of electric mobility at BMW.' The Tesla Model 3 is the going to be the biggest rival for the i4. The American family car has proved hugely popular in the US and across Europe DECATUR French Academy families were in for several surprises on Monday when they attended the school's family reading night. One was a taste of Seussical the Musical." Cast members from Millikin University performed two numbers from their upcoming show at French Academy to celebrate Dr. Seusss birthday. Another was that Lillian Hester, a junior at Millikin University and member of Pi Beta Phi, wrote a grant for $750 worth of books, which were handed out to students to keep. The organization provided books to Enterprise School last year and Garfield Montessori the year before, she said, and this year chose French, which was extra-special to a couple of members who went to school there as children, Bailey Frees and Mikayla Krieger. We're going to put (the books) in the hands of our children to help them increase their libraries in their homes, said Principal Julie Fane. We're going to hand out those books to families and if there are any left over, we're going to put them in our classrooms. Another surprise, which Fane and her staff kept a deep, dark secret until Monday's event, was that a donor in Chicago sent a 24-foot truck packed full of new clothes in sizes from infants through adults for French families. He connected with my mother (who lives in Chicago)," said Fane, and my mom was telling him about our school. The man, who prefers to be known only as Z, donates to schools and communities in need and sent the clothes to French this year. He promised another donation at Christmas time. I was put in a position where I'm able to help out different communities with clothing, he said. It's very simple. His company, Del Real Associates, financed the clothing, All in All Accessories and Creations loaded the truck, and Ninja Logistics provided the truck and the gas for the six-hour round trip. It's phenomenal, Fane said. It's such a blessing. Kindergartner Audrey Moma was so excited about all the things to do at the event that she all but dragged her mother, Hannah Goodrich, down the hallway at French to see and do everything. She really liked Seussical, Goodrich said. She just really likes all the activities and we always come. Gina Partee brought her grandchildren, Kyii Davis, a first-grader, and Quaimir Davis, a third-grader. They took advantage of the clothing giveaway and picked up books, too. I'm always supportive of the kids and any time they have something, I bring them, Partee said. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Modi had highlighted the fact that social media can be used for propagating the good work of the government. New Delhi: In a sudden move on Monday evening, at 8.56 pm to be precise, the Prime Minister announced on his personal Twitter handle that he is planning to give up all his social media accounts on March 8, 2020, i.e. next Sunday. This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Will keep you posted, is what Mr Modi tweeted, taking all his admirers by surprise. He used his personal Twitter handle @narendramodi to make the announcement. Top sources said that the decision is understood to have been prompted by the volume of hate messages which his social media accounts have been receiving since the past several days, especially in the aftermath of the riots and killing which the north-eastern part of the national capital witnessed, coinciding with the much hyped visit of the US President Donald Trump last week to India. While the announcement was ironically made using a social media platform, Twitter, which is closest to Mr Modis heart, it is the timing of the tweet which seemed interesting, as it has come just days after the riots in north-eastern Delhi, which according to official data, have left 47 dead and several hundreds severely wounded. While scores of netizens urged Mr Modi not to quit the various social media platforms and No Sir trended on Twitter within minutes of his tweet, many found the idea of Mr Modi quitting social media unimaginable, and the reasoning being offered by sources incredulous. Some journalists, quoting sources, tweeted that the Prime Ministers tweet could be a teaser for Womens Day, which falls on Sunday, March 8, when, for a day, Mr Modis accounts will be handed over to some women. In his tweet, Mr Modi said, this Sunday, and not, this Sunday onwards. Mr Modi, soon after assuming office of the Prime Minister during his first tenure in May 2014, had started his official Twitter handle, along with a Facebook account, which were later followed by YouTube and Instagram accounts, thus becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. Hes also the first Indian Prime Minister, who shortly after opening his official Twitter handle (@PMOIndia), had encouraged his Ccabinet colleagues to follow suit. Mr Modi had highlighted the fact that social media can be used for propagating the good work of the government. In our age of extreme polarization, a widespread school of thought holds that swing voters are nearly extinct, and that turnout is everything. But thats an exaggeration. While there seem to be fewer swing voters than in the past, they can still be decisive. As Ruy Teixeira, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, pointed out in The Washington Post, the 2018 elections saw the highest midterm turnout in over a century, yet most of Democrats improved performance came not from fresh turnout of left-of-center voters, who typically skip midterms, but rather from people who cast votes in the last two national elections and switched from Republican in 2016 to Democratic in 2018. The primaries have yet to demonstrate that Sanders can generate the hugely expanded turnout his campaign is promising, though that could change when the Super Tuesday results come in. In New Hampshire, turnout increased most in the places that voted for Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. Dave Wasserman, an editor at The Cook Political Report, tweeted that most of the Democrats turnout bump was attributable to moderate Republicans crossing over from 16 G.O.P. primary not heightened progressive/Sanders base enthusiasm. South Carolina saw record turnout, but it benefited Biden, not Sanders. None of this means that Democrats would be justified in denying Sanders the nomination if he arrives at the convention with a strong plurality of delegates. Doing so would tear the party apart, probably leaving the eventual nominee even less electable than Sanders is. But it does mean that if Sanders wins the primary, his campaign has to learn to persuade people, not just mobilize them. College-educated white women, for example, helped flip the House in 2018. They favor Biden over Trump by double digits, but Sanders by only two points. Sanders, however, seems to see little need to reach out to them. Speaking to The Los Angeles Times editorial board in December, Sanders said he didnt believe the way to win against Trump is to just speak to Republican women in the suburbs. Instead, he said, The key to this election is, can we get millions of young people who have never voted before into the political process, many working people who understand that Trump is a fraud, can we get them voting? Even if the answer is yes, it probably wont be enough. If hes going to be the nominee, the rest of us can only hope his campaign has a Plan B. British MPs are three times more likely to 'drink riskily' and down an entire bottle of wine on a standard day than members of the public, a study suggests. Those parliamentarians who carry out extra work outside the Commons are more likely to be the worst culprits and end up among the country's heaviest boozers. Members of Parliament are also more likely to indulge in alcohol at least four times a week, drink a minimum of ten units a day equivalent to five pints, ten shots or a bottle of wine and binge drink six or more units in one session. Experts also found that MPs are more liable to feel guilty about their alcohol intake. Since the study was undertaken in 2016, there has been a crackdown on the 'culture of excess' in Parliament, which was linked to bullying and harassment. Scroll down for video British MPs are three times more likely to 'drink riskily' and down an entire bottle of wine on a standard day than members of the public, a study suggests Psychiatrist and paper author Tony Rao of King's College London said the objective of the study was to explore 'risky hazardous, harmful and dependent drinking among MPs.' 'The overall rate of risky drinking was higher than in the English population but did not differ significantly from groups comparable in both socio-economic and occupational status.' MPs were more likely, however, to partake in 'drinking at least four times per week, drinking at least 10 units on a typical drinking day, drinking six units or more in a single drinking episode and feeling guilty about their drinking.' Risky drinking behaviours have the potential to escalate into more serious alcohol-related harm, Dr Rao explained. All 650 MPs in December 2016 were invited to take part in an anonymous online survey with 146 responding, of whom more than a third (37%) were women and around half were over the age of 50. The low levels of participation may have been prompted by stigma or fear of being identified, the researchers said. This alongside the fact that the sample of responding MPs featured a higher proportion of women than is actually found in parliament may have led to an underestimation of both the quantity and frequency of risky drinking. 'It may have also underestimated the likelihood of even greater differences in risky drinking for MPs with additional employment outside parliament and those with probable mental ill health.' Those parliamentarians who carry out extra work outside the Commons are more likely to be the worst culprits and end up among the country's heaviest boozers 'Further examination of alcohol availability is warranted, as we understand there are 30 bars, restaurants and hospitality suites at which alcohol is available or sold in the Palace of Westminster,' said Dr Rao. Alongside this, he added, there are 'six bars open most evenings when MPs are voting or waiting to vote.' He said it would be reasonable to assume most alcohol is consumed on the parliamentary estate, given MPs late working hours. 'Although beer and wine are provided free to members of the Belgian parliament, we are not aware of the availability of alcohol within other parliaments - but this is not generally a feature of the modern workplace,' Dr Rao added. Members of Parliament are also more likely to indulge in alcohol at least four times a week, drink a minimum of ten units a day equivalent to five pints, ten shots or a bottle of wine and binge drink six or more units in one session The researchers pointed out that politicians are subject to increased scrutiny that may involve intrusive and aggressive behaviours from the public. These may include attacks or attempted attacks, threats and property damage. It is known that over half of MPs may experience stalking or harassment. 'This has implications for both mental ill health and the potential risky use of alcohol,' said Dr Rao. 'Stalking is known to be associated with a higher likelihood of mental disorders such as depression, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.' 'Work-related stress is known to be associated with long working hours and time pressures, lack of emotional support, family and constituency problems and job insecurity.' 'It is also associated with risky drinking, especially in work environments where alcohol is readily accessible.' The participants were asked to fill in the so-called Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, which assesses how much and how often a person drinks. It also identifies what happens afterwards such as may include feelings of guilt or remorse, injury or blackouts. Answers were each scored from zero to four and added to give a maximum score of 40. A score above eight indicates risky drinking. Responses were compared with those of the nationally representative 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, which provides data on the prevalence of treated and untreated mental health issues among English adults. The GHQ-12, a validated health questionnaire, was used to assess the mental health of the responding MPs. They were categorised as having no evidence of probable mental ill health, less than optimal mental health or probable psychological disturbance or mental ill health. Those with 'probable' mental illness were nearly 2.5 times as likely to be risky drinkers. Around a fifth of the respondents also worked outside of Parliament. Almost a quarter were unaware of the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service. Experts also found that MPs are more liable to feel guilty about their alcohol intake. Since the study was undertaken in 2016, there has been a crackdown on the 'culture of excess' in Parliament, which was linked to bullying and harassment 'Given the considerable stigma associated with mental health problems, there is a need for MPs to be better informed about their own well-being service, to reduce stigma and improve help seeking within Parliament,' Dr Rao added. The health and social costs of alcohol in the UK add up to around 21 billion ($26.9 billion) a year. A fifth of all those admitted to hospital in the UK drink at harmful levels, while one in ten members of the population are alcohol dependent. Almost three in ten men and one in seven women drink at potentially harmful levels, said the researchers. The researchers noted that, since the survey was carried out, two general elections have been held, changing the individuals in the House of Commons. A Commons spokesman said: 'The House of Commons Commission has agreed a number of actions to promote responsible alcohol consumption, including increasing the range of non-alcoholic drinks and lower strength beers available, expanding and encouraging alcohol-free areas, discouraging Members and staff from drinking in offices after bars are shut, and not running promotional advertisements for alcohol. The Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service is on hand to offer support to anyone working on the Estate with physical, mental health or wellbeing issues.' Last year, MPs were warned not to hold boozy 'lock-ins' at their offices after bars shut, alcohol adverts were banned in the Westminster village and canteens were ordered not to serve wine. These initiatives, which also included the introduction of 'alcohol free zones', were introduced to encourage 'responsible consumption'. Drinks on the parliamentary estate are significantly cheaper than those charged in pubs and bars in the rest of Westminster, partly because they are benchmarked against hostelries in less expensive parts of the country. A pint of Carlsberg at Strangers' Bar is 3.35, a glass of Merlot is 2.75 and a bottle of Champagne is 35, for example whereas a glass of red wine at the nearby Red Lion pub costs at least 5. Former MP Eric Joyce was convicted of assaulting a fellow politician during a brawl in Strangers' Bar in 2012, and another ex-member, Mark Reckless, confessed to missing a late-night parliamentary vote in 2010 because he was too drunk. In October, before becoming Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said there was a drink problem that 'needs to be addressed.' The full findings of the study were published in the journal BMJ Open. The Congress on Tuesday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he sounded like he was there to give a clean chit to the Centre and the PM over the communal riots in the national capital. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said it seemed, from the way Kejriwal spoke to the media after meeting the prime minister, that "AAP was not the BJP's B-Team but it was the saffron party's team". The Delhi chief minister called on the prime minister and discussed the situation in the riot-hit northeast Delhi. Kejriwal said he had requested Modi that those responsible for the violence, irrespective of party affiliation, "should not be spared". It was Kejriwal's first meeting with Modi after the Aam Aadmi Party returned to power in the national capital for a third consecutive term. "The body language and the words of the Delhi Chief Minister sounded like he was there to give an official clean chit to the ruling party, the Centre and the Prime Minister," Singhvi said at a press conference. He slammed Kejriwal for not raising the issue of hate speeches by BJP leaders in Delhi with the prime minister. "Did the CM seek registration of FIRs forthwith, did he say the Home Minister (Amit Shah) should either resign or be reined in, did he by name demand action against Kapil Mishra. It seemed to me that a supporter of the BJP or a member of the Union council of ministers was speaking after he met the PM," Singhvi said. "What is this weakness, what is this helplessness, what is this compulsion, what is this secret, what is this mystery, what is the mystery of this new found friendship, this support and why has the CM of Delhi succumbed or surrendered in this clear, crass manner," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Describing the meeting as a courtesy call by him after being reelected as chief minister, Kejriwal said he sought the prime minister's help for the development of Delhi. On February 25, Home Minister Shah discussed the situation after the violence in Delhi with Kejriwal and leaders of various parties. The AAP formed the government in Delhi for the third time on the trot after it swept the February 8 elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats. The BJP bagged the rest of the seats. Large-scale violence in northeast Delhi has left more than 42 people dead and 200 injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Motorola will finally launch the Razr on March 16. The March 16 event will reveal the price and offers, if any, around the smartphone. The Razr 2019 will compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Motorola is finally ready to launch the all-new Razr in India. After teasing the foldable smartphone for months and even inviting journalists to experience it, the phone will launch in India on March 16. Most of the features about the Moto Razr are officially out since the smartphone was announced back in 2019. Over time, we even got a second such flip phone in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. The March 16 event will reveal the price and offers, if any, around the smartphone. The Motorola Razr 2019 rocks a foldable screen and resembles the popular Moto Razr from yore. Its also the first foldable smartphone from Motorola. When unfolded, the Razrs screens measure 6.2-inches diagonally with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Theres also another 2.7-inch touchscreen panel on top that can be used for responding to messages, notifications and selfies. Theres a 16MP camera on the outer body that can be used for both selfies and rearfies, while another 5MP camera on the display can be used for selfies with the screen flipped open. While the design of the Moto Razr is definitely cutting edge, the hardware under the hood does not leave a strong impression. It runs on the Snapdragon 710, offers up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage and comes with 2,510mAh battery and a 15W fast charger. Instead of a winter wonderland, residents living along the shore of Lake Erie in New York woke up this weekend to a winter nightmare when they found their homes completely encased in thick ice. Ed Mis has lived in his home in Hamburg, New York, for the past eight years, and while the neighborhood has seen ice coatings before, he said this is the first time it's been this bad. "It looks fake, it looks unreal," Mis told CNN. "It's dark on the inside of my house. It can be a little eerie, a little frightening." His home on South Shore Drive in the Hoover Beach neighborhood of Hamburg, about 9 miles south of Buffalo, is covered in several feet of ice and his backyard has about 12 feet of ice, Mis told CNN by phone. Mis said that there was no ice in his yard or home on Thursday but by Friday morning his home and others were completely covered. The ice makes the houses appear as if they're ice sculptures or something out of the movie "Frozen." And while the sight is definitely surreal and remarkable, residents are worried it could cause structural damage to their homes. "We're worried about the integrity, of structure failure when it starts to melt, because of the weight on the roof," Mis said. To blame? No, not Elsa, but 48 straight hours of gale force winds. The winds created huge waves, driving lake water up on the shore, according to the Weather Channel. "When you are down in the low to mid-20s, all of that spray that comes up and hits the buildings is going to freeze and make it a giant icicle," winter weather expert Tom Niziol told the Weather Channel. The ice has started to melt a bit since Friday, Mis said, but he hopes the governor will approve an emergency declaration to help the neighborhood recover. "It's a beautiful sight, but I don't want to live through it again," Mis said. At least 21 people have been killed in torrential rain that hit the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, triggering flash floods and destroying homes, authorities said Tuesday. Another 32 people are missing in Sao Paulo, raising fears the toll could rise further. Violent storms in recent days have dumped a month's worth of rain on some areas in a matter of hours, devastating the southern coast of Sao Paulo state and poor neighborhoods on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, the country's second most populous city. At least 16 people were killed early Tuesday in Sao Paulo state after floods and landslides hit the coastal cities of Santos, Sao Vicente and Guaruja, authorities said. One of the victims was a rescue worker who was killed by a landslide. "I express my solidarity with those who are suffering from these heavy rains," Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria wrote on Twitter. Several highways were blocked by fallen trees and landslides, including some linking Santos, the biggest port in South America, to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic capital. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities said the death toll had risen to at least five after three days of violent rain that destroyed houses, swept away cars, and left some communities covered in water or mud. The victims were electrocuted, buried in landslides or drowned, emergency officials said. The disaster turned political in Rio when the city's Mayor Marcelo Crivella, a far-right evangelical Christian bishop, blamed residents for the flooding. During a visit to an affected community, he complained to journalists that "people can't be throwing trash on hillsides, in storm drains and in the street." In the middle of the press conference someone pelted Crivella in the face with a mud ball -- which was captured in a video that went viral online. "The water knocked my granddaughter and I and off the sofa. Dirty water came flooding into my kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, everything. I lost everything," Ivone Cardoso, 65, a resident of Rio's Realengo neighborhood, told AFP as she swept mud and water out of her house. Brazil is having an especially intense rainy season this summer. In January, more than 50 people were killed in Minas Gerais state, which neighbors Sao Paulo, in several days of violent rain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Forty trucks and tractors have blocked a central street in Werribee as hundreds of residents gathered to oppose a controversial plan to use a Wyndham Vale rail yard as a dumping ground for the West Gate Tunnels contaminated soil. Residents, farmers and trades workers gathered at Station Place on Tuesday night, holding signs with images of their local MP and Treasurer Tim Pallas and the phrase toxic Tim Pallas, while chanting: "Pallas soils Wyndham" and "dump Pallas, not soil". Trucks block central Werribee in demonstration against a plan to dump contaminated soil near homes. Credit:Joe Armao The protest comes weeks after The Age revealed an Andrews government proposal to use a Wyndham Vale rail yard as a temporary back-up site for some of the projects soil, which is laced with asbestos and potential carcinogens, PFAS. The rail yard is just 70 metres away from housing, and abuts four planned schools. Labor MP Joanne Ryan, whose Lalor electorate takes in Wyndham Vale told the swelling crowd that Transurban was the decision maker in the proposed soil dump and the plan should not go ahead. With flood season almost here, LeClaire plans to do mostly the same thing as last year. At a committee of the whole meeting of the City Council Monday, Council discussed what would be done in the event of flooding. City Administrator Edwin Choate said he anticipates flooding, but his feeling is that it wont be as bad or as long as it was last year. Thats just my gut feeling based on what were seeing up north compared to last year, years past, that kind of thing, he said. Quite frankly, our methods of handling it are going to be the same unless the council wants to see something different. Choate said public works supervisor Mark Dale is in early talks with Scott County to do a joint purchase of sandbags to take advantage of economies of scale with other communities. Well be replenishing some of our sandbag stock but really other than that, were looking at pretty much the same process of handling it. Hyderabad: With the reorganisation of erstwhile 10 districts into 33 new districts, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti has to contend with turf wars among its own ministers and party leaders. TRS working president K.T. Rama Rao is said to have intervened to pacify the various factions and calm the situation before it blew up within the party. Sources in the party disclosed that in Warangal, minister Satyavathi Rathod is annoyed with the alleged interference of her colleague Errabelli Dayakar Rao in Mulug and Mahbubabad districts. Sources revealed that when this issue came to the notice of Mr Rama Rao, he told Mr Dayakar Rao to concentrate on the other new districts in the erstwhile Warangal district as Ms Satyavathi will take care of Mulug and Mahbubabad. When a similar issue arose between ministers Etala Rajendar and Gangula Kamlakar, Mr Rama Rao told them to work together, sources added. As far as Adilabad district is concerned, all the MLAs of the ruling party are said to be keeping their distance from forest minister A. Indrakaran Reddy. In Khammam district party workers are divided into three groups, those loyal to minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, those supporting former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and those in favour of former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao. It has also came to the notice of Mr Rama Rao that ministers, MLAs and MLCs are not working in co-ordination in Nizamabad, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts, sources disclosed. North Korean state media published pictures Tuesday of leader Kim Jong Un supervising what it called a "long-range artillery" drill, after Seoul said Pyongyang had launched two short-range ballistic missiles in its first weapons test for months. The images in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper included pictures of multiple launch rocket systems, and several of a larger calibre rocket being fired from a launcher in a forest. The exercise came as the North battles to prevent a coronavirus outbreak but Kim -- wearing a black leather greatcoat and gloves, and a bushy Russian-style hat -- did not don a facemask to supervise the firing, although an officer accompanying him had a black covering over his mouth. Kim expressed "great satisfaction" with the results, telling the troops to keep in mind "the iron will and ardent patriotism to defend as strong as an iron wall the socialist homeland dearer than their own lives" the official KCNA news agency reported. South Korea said that Monday's launch appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles -- which the nuclear-armed North is banned from testing under UN Security Council resolutions. The South Korean military said two devices were fired eastwards over the sea from the Wonsan area on the North's east coast and flew 240 kilometres (150 miles) at a maximum altitude of 35 kilometres. The North also appeared to be carrying on a firing drill that began Friday, it added. Pyongyang was seeking to "normalise" tests of new weapons by firing them alongside existing systems and "framing it simply as extension of rocket artillery drills", said Joseph Dempsey of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The nuclear-armed North carried out a series of tests last year it often described as multiple rocket launch systems, and which were repeatedly played down by US President Donald Trump. - Coronavirus proposal - Monday's drills came days after the one-year anniversary of the collapse of the Hanoi summit, after which nuclear negotiations have been at a standstill over sanctions relief and what the North would be willing to give up in return. Pyongyang set Washington an end-of-year deadline to offer it fresh concessions, and as it expired Kim declared the North no longer considered itself bound by its moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, threatening to demonstrate a "new strategic weapon" soon. Seoul and Washington last week postponed forthcoming joint military exercises over the coronavirus outbreak -- the South has nearly 5,000 infections -- and President Moon Jae-in offered to co-operate over the disease with the North, which has closed its borders to try to prevent a potentially devastating outbreak. The moves had generated "no goodwill" from the North, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, which was making clear "it will continue to improve military capabilities and make outsized demands, despite the political and public health preoccupations of Beijing, Seoul and Washington". Nonetheless Tuesday's KCNA report made no mention of the US nor South Korea, and Ahn Chan-il, a defector and researcher in Seoul, said the drill may have been aimed at a domestic audience after the dismissal of two top Workers' Party officials last week. "Aside from putting pressure on the US, the launch is to deliberately stoke sentiment within its domestic sphere for political purposes," Ahn told AFP. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Black History month has just wrapped up, and Womens History Month (aka March) is upon us. Cue the well-intentioned marketing campaigns that align brands with social causes. Brands do have the ability to influence cultural change. But cause-based marketing is challenging to do well. In a recent example from the world of publishing, Barnes and Noble thought it would be a good idea to reissue classics like Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein, and Moby Dick with new cover art representing people of cover. They quickly pulled the Diverse Editions campaign after the universe pointed out the obvious: Changing the cover doesnt change the canon. (Hear from author L.L. McKinney on NPRs website.) I can hardly wait to see whats coming up for Womens History Month. Thats why its a perfect time to check in with Katie Martell, an unapologetic truth-teller about the marketing industry in which she works as a freelance consultant and speaker. Katie helped me immeasurably with the chapter on values-based marketing in the third edition of Subscription Marketing. She is working on a book and documentary about the intersection of marketing and social movements. Our conversation covered much more than can fit in that much-expanded chapter. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom from her interview for Subscription Marketing. The explosion in social cause or values-based marketing Anne: Several years ago, brands social or cause-based marketing campaigns were pretty safe. Businesses donated goods or money to unobjectionable causes like disaster relief and saving wildlife. Now were seeing many marketing campaigns lining up with larger social values. Why is that? Katie: Brands adopt values-based marketing for many reasons. Competitive differentiation is one of the largest drivers today. When everything around you is a commodity, you could try to differentiate on values. From a tactical perspective, taking a stand generates earned media, or press that you dont have to buy. Over the years, Doves Real Women, Real Beauty campaign has generated way more media exposure than any paid advertising placement. One of the important reasons is trust. Human beings make decisions emotionally, then justify them logically. Appealing to someones values accelerates that emotional connection. The brand becomes part of your personal set of values and identity in a meaningful way. The Edelman Trust Barometer research suggests that few people know which companies to trust, and many distrust the marketing industry as a whole. In my opinion this is partly due to the lip-service that many companies are giving to social causes and broader purpose. Lip service, pandering, or true alignment Anne: Lets talk about that lip-service, because one of the things you do is call brands out when their marketing values dont match their actions. What kinds of values should brands align themselves with? Katie: Global Strategy Group conducts an annual survey on business and politics, including questions in which people ranked their opinion of which issues businesses should get involved in. At the top of the list are those issues that affect the core business, which may include fair labor standards, environmental issues, and industry-specific policies. For buyers, anything aligned with your core business is fair game. At the bottom of the list, the ones that people are less tolerant of brands voicing an opinion on, youll find societal issues like the legalization of marijuana, transgender issues, and more. I believe that brands cannot afford to be passive about the issues that they themselves can own and that their buyers care passionately about. Im not suggesting that every brand take a political stance. Values dont have to be inherently controversial. Your values might be embedded in how you do business. For Salesforce, proclaiming No software was a stance. For Buffer, complete transparency is part of the brand value that they express in nearly every communication with customers. Understanding the risks Anne: What are the risks of aligning marketing with social movements? Katie: The risks fall into two categories: risks to your brand, and risks to the movement youre trying to support. You could get called out for pandering by consumers, employees who are uneasy with the disconnect, or someone like me and journalists with broad reach. Even well-intentioned companies like Dove sometimes make moves that dont align with the standards they set. Thats fine. But if you are hypocritical, profiting off the values, you will get called out. You also risk alienating customers or prospects who dont agree with you. That might be a risk worth taking. As Bill Bernbach once said, If you stand for something, you will always find some people for you and some against you. If you stand for nothing, you will find nobody against you, and nobody for you. Anne: What do you mean by risks to the movement? Surely, its a good thing when brands weigh in on important topics like #MeToo? Katie: I see brands trying to align with three movements that are part of the zeitgeist: womens rights, LGBTQ rights, and racial injustice. When brands jump on the bandwagon, they can do as much harm as good. Each of those movements has been built on the backs of real people who have dedicated their time, resources, and sometimes their lives, to progress. When brands jump in without having participated in those campaigns, its not only inconsiderate, it shows a brazen disregard for the history of these movements. Any consumer who aligns with these social initiatives is right to be skeptical. On the surface, it could seem like a good thing if brands elevate the discussion to a national level. Marketing is pervasive and carries enormous power to affect perception, start conversation, and change attitudes. The flip side is that these brand campaigns may create an illusion of progress or a sense of false normalcy. I could be watching a world on television that doesnt reflect the reality I know to be true. The disconnect gets larger as more brands jump on the bandwagon, but the issues themselves arent addressed. I believe profiting from these movements without also doing something tangible is not clever, its exploitation. If youre going to run a feminist campaign on International Womens Day on March 8th, first take a look at pay inequality in your own organization (for example.) In fact, I created a litmus test for brands considering a campaign like this. If the answers are mostly no youre exposing yourself to the risk of hypocrisy: Marketing is a tremendously powerful force. It can lift brands from unknown startups to industry leaders, but it also has power to influence change in the world. If this is the new normal of marketing, we need new rules of engagement. Check out Katies Pandermonium roadshow coming up in Boston, Austin, and Chicago. Queen Elizabeth II wore gloves for the investiture ceremony. (Press Association) The Queen has worn long white gloves as she presented awards at an investiture ceremony. She wore the white gloves as she handed out OBEs, MBEs and knighthoods at Buckingham Palace. The gloves, which stretched past her wrists, are longer than the gloves she would usually wear when out and about visiting members of the public. Although the palace would not comment on whether the monarch wore them as a precaution during the coronavirus outbreak, sources said she would be following all government advice. At previous investiture ceremonies, she is pictured without any gloves. The number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 has risen to 51 in the UK. The head of the World Health Organisation has advised people over the age of 60 to avoid crowded areas. Read more: Five ways the government's coronavirus action plan could affect you The Queen's gloves seemed longer than the ones she wears for day to day walkabouts. (Press Association) It is thought to be the first time in decades she has worn gloves as, normally, the task of fastening the awards to a recipient can be fiddly. The end of her gloves, usually black or white, are often tucked into her coat or jacket. She wore gloves for the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969, but that was a high-profile, televised, open-air ceremony for her eldest son at Caernarfon Castle. Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said: The Queen doesnt wear gloves at investitures, but its a sensible precaution. Shes six or so weeks away from her 94th birthday and shes at an age when shes susceptible to such a virus. The other alternative would have been to have cancelled the investiture but the Queen is a business-as-usual-monarch. Investitures are held in the palace ballroom and attended by more than 60 people, who receive a range of honours, from MBEs to knighthoods and damehoods. They are allowed to bring guests. Read more: Could the coronavirus spread on public transport? She shook hands with honours recipients with the gloves on. (Press Association) The Queen greets each recipient in turn and shakes their hand. The Queens granddaughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike confirmed they would not be self-isolating after returning from a holiday in Northern Italy. Story continues Pupils at Prince George and Princess Charlottes school in Battersea have been in self-isolation after a trip to the same area, as a precautionary measure. Yahoo News UK has contacted the royal palaces about their plans for dealing with coronavirus. Boris Johnson outlined the Governments action plan for dealing with the outbreak, including asking more people to work from home. Read more: How could anti-bacterial hand sanitisers protect against the coronavirus? The Queen was gloveless during the November ceremony. (Press Association) Johnson said the outbreak could lead to a fifth of workers being absent, cause the police to drop low-priority cases and force the NHS to delay non-urgent care. Police may only deal with serious crime if there is mass COVID-19 outbreak. The 27-page document sets out the UK-wide response to Covid-19 amid widespread concerns about the impact the virus will have on peoples wellbeing, the economy and public services. Measures aimed at delaying the spread of the virus could include school closures, reducing the number of large-scale gatherings and encouraging greater home working. The global death toll exceeded 3,000, with the virus spreading to more than 60 countries. The virus broke out in Wuhan late last year and has since infected more than 89,000 people, mostly in China. Outside of China, there are now more than 8,700 infected and over 125 deaths. If they have just a few billion dong, anyone can build houses, hotels and restaurants on mountains and in forests, places we're supposed to preserve. Ngo Viet Nam Son On a flight from San Francisco to Vietnam, I sat with an elderly couple from America. They enthusiastically told me about how it was their first trip to Vietnam and they would be visiting some of its most famous sites like Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao. They told me they hoped to experience nature in its truest state before it is ruined by human activity. It was a bit exaggerated, I thought at the time. But today their words never sound truer. I've been to many places: Sa Pa, Lao Cai, Da Lat... Ive seen them all, multiple times even. I remember a work trip to Sa Pa once, where I learned to appreciate its misty, dreamy beauty, and told myself that one day I would visit it again. Its a shame because the Sa Pa I saw back then no longer exists. Its been replaced by a jumbled, incoherent mess thats always too crowded, too chaotic. All in a span of less than 10 years. The cultural and natural attractions that once attracted millions of visitors every year are now being chipped away by a profit-driven mindset and weak management. No longer are traditional local values preserved, causing visitors to turn away unhappily. Anyone with a little money can build hotels and restaurants atop mountains and in forests, the very places were supposed to preserve. It is happening everywhere now, on lands where native and indigenous people have lived and died for generations, where they built their own culture, society and way of life. Day by day, those values are being lost as we treat such places as mere tourist destinations to earn cash, not as the cultural and natural heritage they are. A hotel built in the Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, October 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy. It is not difficult for an average Hanoian to buy thousands of square meters of land in some idyllic, dreamy mountain province. Just look at Sa Pa! The sight of fancy restaurants, hostels and other manmade structures marring its natural landscapes is everywhere. The same goes for so many other destinations in Vietnam, where local communities cultivated such rich and wonderful cultures and traditions and where mountains and valleys and rivers are supposed to remain undisturbed. Look at Tam Dao, Moc Chau, Da Lat, Lung Cu, Phu Yen, or Mu Cang Chai. What made them beautiful, original and exotic in the first place is now slowly fading away. And the rot goes deeper. Communities are trying to "keep up" with the "changing" times. Tourists these days are no longer surprised to see ethnic people speak English like natives and use smartphones like millennials. Some officials call this the "result of investments" and of "economic growth." I see it as a perversion of the natural order. To help preserve local values, we need to look at a few things. First is construction licensing. Situations where buildings are erected without permission are no longer unique to cities and the urban environment; they are also seen in the most remote villages and communes. If so many unlicensed structures are still allowed right here in the capital, what is the guarantee that construction on mountains and other less accessible areas are being monitored properly? Second, we need to change our administrative mindset. It would be great if investors and project managers were willing to sacrifice personal interests to preserve the culture and nature of whatever place they want to change. It is a shame to see cultural and natural heritage not being appreciated by authorities, even by their own local governments. How many old buildings have been demolished, how many trees have been cut down in the name of infrastructure upgrade? How is that logical when our cities barely have trees in the first place? Authorities therefore need to do a better job at managing and preserving architectural and natural heritages before approving urban development projects. Third, legal loopholes need to be plugged if the previous two goals are to be achieved. Our Law on Cultural Heritage only focuses on protecting heritages though they only constitute a small part of what needs to be protected. We also lack the legal foundation to preserve other architectural works that do not qualify as heritage structures. That is why tens of thousands of heritage sites in Vietnam, while recognized by the people, are not protected under the Law on Cultural Heritage. Finally, preserving the heritage must go hand in hand with sustainable development. The fact that authorities are not prioritizing this issue should be considered a national problem. Ministries and departments need to work together to devise policies and action plans to address this. Or else, as we barrel ahead toward the future, what more from our past will we have to lose? *Ngo Viet Nam Son is an architect. The opinions expressed are his own. The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill for a law to establish the State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Bill. The Assembly on February 18 deliberated on the bill and committed it to the House Committee on Security Matters after scaling through first and second reading and had its public hearing on February 24. The Majority Leader, Jamiu Maito, had moved a motion for the bill to be submitted by the Chairman of the House Committee on Security Matters, Ololade Begudu, and it was seconded by Favour Tomowemo representing Ilaje 2. Bode Adeyelu read the bill for third reading, with Mr Maito moving the motion for its passage while it was seconded by Leonard Akinribido, the Deputy Minority Leader. Speaking on the recommendations of the bill, Mr Begudu said the security agency would have a board to be administered by a chairman to be appointed by the governor. He added that the chairman must be a person of proven integrity while there would a commander to lead the personnel of the corps on the field. The committee chairman noted that the commander must be a retired security personnel, not below the rank of a major or its equivalent, with his confirmation at the behest of the assembly. He said the template of the state was being used by others to harmonise the bill. The Speaker of the house, Bamidele Oleyelogun, on his part, described the passage of the bill as remarkable. Mr Oleyelogun, who wore Amotekun traditional attire, said the bill if assented to by the governor would reduce crime in the state. He explained that the corps would be a community policing body that would complement the work of other security agencies in the state. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kola Olawoye, said that history had been made in the state. Mr Olawoye noted that it was the first time that the Yoruba race would speak with one voice without opposition. (NAN) YEREVAN. A group of car importers of Armenia are protesting outside the Georgian embassy. They complain that since August 2019, the Caucasus Auto Import company of Georgia refuses to compensate for the damage caused to more than 1,000 cars of these importers. According to them, they are summoned from this company to Georgia to its office to reimburse the money, but they lie every time. The protesters wrote a respective letter to submit to the Georgian embassy. IRONSCALES embodies three major features the judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrows threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help stop the next breach. IRONSCALES, the pioneer of self-learning email security, today announced that is has won Cyber Defense Magazines Infosec Award in the category of Most Innovative Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning application. In addition, IRONSCALES also revealed today that it has won two Gold awards from the Info Security Products Guide Global Excellence Awards in the categories of Artificial Intelligence in Security and Incident Analysis & Response. These awards continue momentum form 2019 in which IRONSCALES won a total of six awards, including the distinction as the Best Anti-Phishing Security Solution and Innovation in Email Security. IRONSCALES philosophy has always been that in order to make a dent in what has become the global phishing epidemic, real-time human intelligence combined with technology that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning is required to protect against the rapid scale of new phishing attacks, said Eyal Benishti, IRONSCALES founder and CEO. Our team has worked tirelessly to build an email security platform that is both seamless to use yet incredibly powerful and effective. I thank the judges for recognizing our intuition and technological achievements, our thousands of customers for believing in our product and of course our dedicated team for pushing the limits to build the anti-phishing solution of tomorrow, today. The Cyber Defense Magazine Infosec Awards are judged by CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who vote based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. The publication prides itself on having a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. Additionally, the Info Security Products Guide Global Excellence Awards recognize cybersecurity and information technology vendors with advanced, ground-breaking products, solutions, and services that are helping set the bar higher for others in all areas of security and technologies. More than 35 judges from around the world representing a wide spectrum of industry experts participated in the judging process. IRONSCALES embodies three major features the judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrows threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help stop the next breach, said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. To help solve the phishing epidemic, IRONSCALES helps where e-mail security hurts the most, in the inbox with post-message delivery, detection and remediation. Through a self-learning platform that provides for fast, easy and seamless collaboration, IRONSCALES puts its customers on offense, empowering them to defend against sophisticated email attack techniques automatically in a proactive and predictive manner. Using a democratized approach to threat intelligence sharing, IRONSCALES makes anti-phishing effortless and seamless for both security professionals and end users. Additionally, IRONSCALES is the only email security provider to offer mobile applications for iOS and Android, enabling security analysts to access the platforms incident response center while on the go, providing unprecedented access to make time-sensitive decisions on phishing mitigation and resolve incidents immediately with one click. For more information on IRONSCALES, visit http://www.ironscales.com and follow @ironscales on Twitter and LinkedIn. About IRONSCALES IRONSCALES is the future of phishing protection, incubated inside the worlds top venture program for cybersecurity and founded by alumni of the Israeli Defense Forces elite Intelligence Technology unit. We offer security professionals and end users an AI-driven, self-learning email security platform that provides a comprehensive solution to stop tomorrows phishing attacks today. Using the worlds most decentralized threat protection network, our platform accelerates the prevention, detection and remediation of phishing attacks already inside your email with threat removal times in seconds, not minutes or hours. We give organizations of all sizes complete anti-phishing protection against any type of phishing attack, right now. Visit http://www.ironscales.com to learn more about The Power of Now. About CDM InfoSec Awards This is Cyber Defense Magazines eighth year of honoring InfoSec innovators. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at http://www.cyberdefenseawards.com. About Info Security PGs Global Excellence Awards Info Security Products Guide sponsors the Global Excellence Awards and plays a vital role in keeping end-users informed of the choices they can make when it comes to protecting their digital resources and assets. It is written expressly for those who are adamant on staying informed of security threats and the preventive measure they can take. You will discover a wealth of information in this guide including tomorrows technology today, best deployment scenarios, people and technologies shaping cyber security and industry predictions & directions that facilitate in making the most pertinent security decisions. Visit http://www.infosecurityproductsguide.com for the complete list of winners. Fancy getting in touch with your wild side this year? Consider one of the following adventures, whether its the chance to spot the seriously scary shoebill bird or the opportunity to spend the night in South Americas most remote eco-lodge. Go on a (spirit) bear hunt in Canada Contrary to popular belief, a spirit bear isnt an albino version of a black or brown bear, but a black bear with a rare mutant gene a side effect of which is white fur. One of the best places to spot them is British Columbias Great Bear Rainforest and Princess Royal Island. Windows on the Wild is one of several operators offering tours of this area set sail with them and your mode of transport will be a 92-foot Edwardian schooner. Youll be one of just eight guests, minimising the risk of a selfie stick blocking your view when the bears come out to play. From 4,665 per person windowsonthewild.com Explore wild Alaska The Alaska cruise sector is expected to grow by over six per cent in 2020, with 10 new ships and 29 new ports of call. Our advice? Consider a sailing with Holland America in May 2020, its beautiful MS Koningsdam ship will undertake her first ever Alaska sailing. Busting the myths that signing up for an Alaska cruise requires you to flog your worldly goods, a seven-day cruise starts at just 809 per person. Holland Americas cruises are famous for their culinary offerings, and this particular ships fantastic range of restaurants include Tamarind for Asian specialities, Canaletto for Italian classics, and Nami Sushi, which comes with a side order of guilt when a salmon bounces past as youre chowing down on your nigiri. From 809 per person for a seven-day cruise hollandamerica.com Cuddle a koala in New South Wales (Daphot75) (daphot75 - stock.adobe.com) Lets face it koalas could certainly do with a cuddle right now, given the fires that have devastated large parts of Australia. Luckily, spring 2020 (the exact dates are yet to be confirmed) sees the opening of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, an innovative centre set up to care for sick and injured koalas. Stop by to visit the hi-tech koala clinic and explore the sprawling grounds (complete with a boardwalk and viewing platform), designed to allow visitors to admire the creatures in their natural setting. Therell also be an on-site glampsite for visitors who simply cant bear to leave. portstephenskoalas.com.au Spot a shoebill on safari Thought birdwatching sounds boring? Then you havent had the pleasure of meeting the shoebill, a fearsomely ugly swamp-dwelling bird with a machine gun-like mating call and the ability to swallow a crocodile whole (having impaled and decapitated it first). Twitchers flock to Zambia during the summer months in the hope of glimpsing this prehistoric-looking predator, and this June, you can maximise your chances of spotting one by signing up for Robin Pope Safaris new shoebill safari. Youll visit two of Zambias finest national parks along with Bangweulu Swamps, where youll stay at the appropriately named Shoebill Island Camp. From 4,834pp for seven nights robinpopesafaris.net Monkey around in Singapore (National Parks Board (National Parks Board) All too often people make the mistake of thinking Singapore is a concrete jungle, despite the fact that this leafy city state is bursting with parks and nature reserves. Its newest green space is the Thomson Nature Park, home to a colony of Raffles' langur monkeys impossibly cute primates which are found only in Singapore and whose numbers are dwindling as a result of habitat destruction. The 50-hectare parks other residents include porcupines, pangolins and mouse deers, and a network of five trails has been designed to showcase the areas most spectacular flora and fauna. nparks.gov.sg Track pandas in India (Gane and Marshall (Gane and Marshall) Bog-standard black-and-white pandas are few and far between (the majority are either in zoos or in China) not to mention somewhat passe a downside to doubling as the logo for the worlds largest wildlife organisation. Not so the ridiculously cute red panda, which lives in India, China, Nepal, and Bhutan. One of the most stunning places to spot them is Indias Singalila National Park, nestled among towering Himalayan peaks. Gane and Marshall is one of a handful of operators to offer dedicated red panda safaris, in this case an eight-day, expert-led adventure through Singalila. The highlight is a stay at Habres Nest, perched on a ridge near the India-Nepal border. From 2,590pp for eight days ganeandmarshall.com Sign up for a sustainable safari An African safari might not sound like the greenest of holidays, although a number of lodges are helping wildlife fans minimise their impact. Leading the pack (at least in Zambia), is Green Safaris Ila Camp, known for its pioneering approach to sustainability, whether its with electric vehicles (including an electric boat), their solar farm (which powers the entire lodge) or their anti-poaching efforts projects supported by Green Safaris include a digital radio network designed to support poaching patrols. June will see the opening of an equally sustainable new camp, Chisa Busanga, in the northern section of Zambias Kafue National Park. greensafaris.com Stay in South Americas most remote wildlife lodge First things first if youre the kind of person who prefers to keep your wildlife at arms length, this next spot probably isnt for you. Perus Tambopata Research Centre was founded as a research base for wildlife researchers, and its remote location (its South Americas most remote eco-lodge and the only one inside the enormous Tambopata National Reserve) was chosen specifically for the mind-blowing diversity of wildlife. Book a night in one of the open-sided rooms and complimentary extras include howler monkey wake up calls and sightings of creatures you probably never knew existed, whether its bright yellow porcupines or agoutis, which resemble supersized squirrels. From 500pp per night (including all activities, food and transfers to and from the lodge) perunature.com Stalk lions in Rwanda This next activity seems somewhat ironic, given that lions are creatures most people will go out of their way to avoid. On this occasion, however, youll be the one doing the stalking, using telemetry (picture a handheld aerial) to find the most fearsome member of the big five club, and helping conservationists keep track of their numbers. Its an activity available to all guests staying at Wilderness Safaris Magashi Camp in Rwandas Akagera National Park. During the 1994 genocide, thousands fled to the park a mass displacement that wiped out the lion population. The big cats were finally reintroduced in 2015 and their numbers have now tripled. Which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your outlook. wilderness-safaris.com Swim with giant cuttlefish in South Australia (South Australian Tourism Commission) (Carl Charter and South Australian Tourism Commission) So youve paddled with pigs in the Bahamas and dived with great whites in South Africa. How about swimming with giant cuttlefish? There are various advantages, including the lack of teeth (theyve only got nine) and their soft, floppy bodies instead of a skeleton theyve got a single buoyancy organ known as a cuttlebone. The best place to spot them is in the waters off South Australia (more specifically the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park in Whyalla) where they congregate once a year, in June and July. Did we mention they can switch between 13 colours? Suddenly sharks look rather boring. From 236pp puresa.com.au Sleep with the fishes at Australias first underwater hotel Yes, you can sleep in an underwater room facing a Dubai aquarium, but do you really want to wake up to the sight of a scuba diver cleaning out the tanks water filters? For something infinitely more authentic, book a night at the Whitsundays ReefSuites a floating platform with two submerged hotel rooms right next to the breathtaking Hardy Reef, one of the most beautiful sections of the Great Barrier Reef. The ReefSuites location means its easy to combine a stay with visits to nearby islands, including the gorgeous InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, which reopened in 2019 after a 70m refurbishment. From 420 per night cruisewhitsundays.com/experiences/reefsuites Nike has temporarily closed its European headquarters in the Netherlands due to an employee contracting coronavirus. Approximately 2,000 employees from 80 different countries work at the massive facility in Hilversum, North Holland. "We are aware of an employee coronavirus case," Nike told Reuters in a statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a deep cleaning of the campus." Nike also closed its worldwide headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, after the state's first presumed coronavirus case was discovered in nearby Lake Oswego. "While we have no information indicating any exposure to Nike employees, out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a deep cleaning of campus," a company spokesperson told local media. "All WHQ buildings and facilities, including fitness centers, will be closed over the weekend." There are 18 confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands, at the time of this writing. "Up to Monday, 2nd of March, 8 new patients were reported to the RIVM [National Institue for Health and Environment]," the RIVM reports. "Almost all new persons diagnosed with the new coronavirus are people who have been to northern Italy or are family contacts of a previous patient." O nline travel agent Travel Republic has closed its London office after one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus. The company said its premises on London Road in Norbiton, south London, would be shut to staff while they undergo a deep clean. A spokesman for the Department of Health refused to confirm whether the patient was among the new cases announced in the Commons by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who said the number of people diagnosed in the UK had risen to 51. A spokeswoman for the company said: We can confirm that a member of staff based at our London Road offices in Norbiton received a positive test for the Covid-19 virus yesterday. They are now receiving medical attention. 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 a precaution, we have closed our offices today while a deep clean is undertaken and we receive further advice from the relevant authorities. All staff have been notified and encouraged to contact the NHS 111 if they are concerned or feel unwell. Our primary concern at this time is the health of our staff, and were working with the authorities to ensure best practice guidelines are being followed. Planned concerts at the Milton Court music hall and the Silk Street music hall close to the Barbican in London and an event at the New Malden Methodist Church in south London. Kingston Arts, an organisation promoting arts in the Royal Borough of Kingston, tweeted: We regret that the concert of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama scheduled for this coming weekend in New Malden, is cancelled due to a teacher having the (coronavirus). : GoAir on Tuesday announced its new direct flights from Bengaluru to Colombo. The airline's maiden flights to the capital city of Sri Lanka would commence from March 20. Colombo is GoAirs first international destination launch in 2020, the airline said in a statement. Introductory return fares for Bengaluru - Colombo - Bengaluru flight start from Rs 9,934. The flight would depart from Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport at 8:05 pm (local time) on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and at 8:20 pm (local time) on Saturday and would reach Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, at 9:55 pm (local time). The return flight would depart from Colombo at 11:00 pm (local time) on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and arrive in Bengaluru at 12:30 am (local time), the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google misdirected a number of private videos that users of its Google Photos app intended to back up to Google Takeout, sending them instead to strangers archives, 9to5 Google reported Monday. The company emailed affected users to inform them that a technical issue caused the error, which incorrectly transferred videos for several days before it was fixed. Whoa, what? @googlephotos? pic.twitter.com/2cZsABz1xb Jon Oberheide (@jonoberheide) February 4, 2020 Google recommended that affected users back up their content again and delete their previous backup. They were advised to contact Google Support for further assistance. Google Photos passed the 1 billion user mark last summer. Although it said just 0.01 percent of users were affected, Google did not indicate whether that percentage applied to Google Photos or Google Takeout users. Google did fix the issue quickly, acknowledged Erich Kron, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4. However, the notification process to those impacted was less than satisfactory and left out a lot of details, leaving those possibly impacted unsure of what the exposure risks were for them, he told TechNewsWorld. When dealing with an issue that impacts privacy in the way that improperly sending files as sensitive as photos and videos is, the communication needs to be very clear and informative. Googles notification reads like they really dont care about what happened to the users, and that could backfire badly with organizations like the European Commission, noted Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. The issue highlights the challenge with protecting and managing personal photos and videos, said Josh Bohls, founder of Inkscreen. People use their mobile devices to scan business documents, and they use a broad range of photos, video and audio for everyday tasks that drive business processes, he told TechNewsWorld. If you work for a law firm, healthcare provider, insurance company, or in another regulated industry and take photos or record videos as part of your job, your company should strongly consider a solution to protect and manage this content especially if you use Google Photos, Bohls said. Fear and Anger The problem shouldnt happen at all, and it once again points to Google as a firm that cant be trusted with your data, Enderle told TechNewsWorld. If the video content was sensitive and private, then you could have a violation of the GDPR or Californias CCPA, remarked Mike Jude, research director at IDC. That sort of thing could trigger fines and remedial action. Googles failure to disclose who wrongly received videos could lead to more trouble for the company, Enderle pointed out. Users should have a right to that information, and they likely could sue Google to get it. Then, depending on whats in the video, sue them for damages. Any indemnification clause in the user agreement might not protect Google because the issue was due to negligence, he said. I wouldnt be surprised if we saw a class action suit come out of this. While the victims can file suit, or file a complaint under applicable privacy laws, it could backfire on them, IDCs Jude told TechNewsWorld. In the case of provocative material, the temptation would be to pay the ransom rather than face public disclosure, he said. By the Numbers It is possible that thousands were impacted, Jude remarked. It wouldnt pay for Google to announce something like this unless it had a pretty wide reach. The issue could be quite serious for those affected, said Paul Bischoff, privacy advocate at Comparitech. However, the scale of the problem depends on who really was affected, he told TechNewsWorld. Google pinned that number at 0.01 percent, but do they mean 0.01 percent of Takeout users or of Photo users? Bischoff asked. The former would be a much smaller number. Further, the leaked videos went to other users, not malicious actors, he noted, and it was not intentional on Googles part. For me, those two facts make this less of a big deal. If Google had let an attacker hack its systems or had been hiding a nefarious practice, its privacy or security standards would be called into question, Bischoff said, but bugs happen, and I think people are more forgiving for that sort of thing. What Google Can or Should Do Google should do whatever it takes to secure the mis-sent videos, Enderle recommended. It probably wont be enough, but if they wait for regulatory action, the result could be very expensive, he warned. Ethically, Google should help them, said IDCs Jude. Would they? Probably not, unless theres some explicit guarantee that the data stored with Google is secure. Google could offer identity theft protection for the victims, but theres not much it can do until the damage is done, Comparitechs Bischoff noted. If it can find out exactly which videos and photos were sent incorrectly, Google should absolutely inform the owners of what was compromised, Bischoff recommended. It might step in as a mediator to protect both parties privacy in case any victims wanted to communicate with those who received their videos by mistake. Google is a free service, more or less, that provides access in exchange for looking over your shoulder as you use the service, Jude remarked. It is not a public commons, and there really should be no expectation of privacy. Users should opt for a paid storage service, suggested Enderle, while Jude said storing videos and photos locally might be a better option. I saw a 2-TB SSD the other day for (US)$69, he said. Back when I was in college, I saw an article in the magazine Datamation that said the total computer storage of the planet was about 1 TB. The ruling Congress and the opposition BJP are chalking out strategy to keep their flock of MLAs in Madhya Pradesh together and prevent any cross- voting in the March 26 biennial polls for three Rajya Sabha seats in the state. Madhya Pradesh BJP president V D Sharma, Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava, party's chief whip in the assembly Narottam Mishra, BJP vice-president Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MP BJP organisation general secretary Suhas Bhagatare holding meetings with MLAs in batches since Monday. Likewise, Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Deepak Babaria arrived here on Tuesday for meetings with state leaders and MLAs ahead of the RS polls. He is going to stay put in Madhya Pradesh till Wednesday and will revisit the state shortly, a Congress leader said. According to sources in the BJP, in meetings, the state leadership is telling party legislators to stay alert and promptly inform them in case they are approached by the rival camp in connection with the RS polls. BJP fear of cross-voting stems from the fact that two of its MLAs, Narayan Tripathi and Sharad Kol, had voted for a Congress-sponsored bill in the Assembly in July last year. The Congress, whose government in the state is precariously placed, too, looks a worried lot. According to talks in state Congress circles, around nine party MLAs are unhappy with the leadership and some of them are vying for Cabinet berths. Amid preparations for the RS polls, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Monday made a sensational claim that his party MLAs were being offered "huge money by BJP leaders" as part of the saffron party's "poaching" attempt to destabilise the Kamal Nath government. The BJP, however, has rejected the Congress allegations. Talking to reporters on Monday in New Delhi, Singh accused BJP leaders Chouhan and Mishra of offering Rs 25 crore to Rs 35 crore to lure Congress MLAs. The saffron party was giving Rs 5 crore in advance and the remaining amounts in installments to lure them to destabilise the Nath government, Singh, a RS member from Madhya Pradesh whose term is coming to an end, had alleged. Hitting back, former chief minister Chouhan accused the Congress veteran of making false statements to create sensation ahead of the polls. After losing the Lok Sabha polls to BJP MP Pragya Thakur from Bhopal last year, Singh might seek re-election to the Upper House of Parliament, Congress sources said. The ruling party may field former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the RS elections, they said. Scindia, like Singh, had lost general elections from Guna. The BJP may renominate former Union minister and Dalit leader Satyanarayan Jatiya in the RS polls, party sources said. The three RS seats, which are falling vacant, are currently held by Singh (Congress), Jatiya and Prabhat Jha (both from BJP). The BJP will make all out effort to retain the two seats, where the Congress wants to take it tally to two from one as it has more legislators this time around. The 230-member Assembly has 114 Congress MLAs followed by the BJP (107). The simple majority mark is 116. Four Independent MLAs, two lawmakers of the BSP and one of the Samajwadi Party (SP) are providing crucial support to the Congress government. Members of a state's Legislative Assembly vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Music icon, Dolly Parton, led celebrity tributes to the residents of Tennessee as Carrie Underwood revealed that her husband had to get their sons to safety when two tornadoes ripped through the state, killing 22 and hospitalizing more than 150 others. The Tennessee native voiced her support for her home state in a video shared on her Twitter page. 'We had a lot of damage out in our area. I know a lot of Nashville was just devastated with the storms,' she began. 'I just wanted all of you to know that we are all with you and hope that your families are okay and your properties are going to be able to get mended pretty soon. Music icon, Dolly Parton, led celebrity tributes to the residents of Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday afternoon just hours after deadly tornadoes ripped through the city, killing 22 and hospitalizing more than 150 others Damage is seen in an aerial picture after a tornado touched down in eastern Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday 'But just wanted you to know you're being thought of and we love you... To those that really lost family members, sorry about that and our prayers are with you,' Parton said in the video 'But just wanted you to know you're being thought of and we love you... To those that really lost family members, sorry about that and our prayers are with you.' Other celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood also took to Twitter to share their thoughts over the devastation left behind by the storms. 'My heart is with everyone in Tennessee who has been affected by the tornadoes. Sending you my love and prayers,' Swift said. Miley Cyrus also tweeted about the devastation: 'Thinking about my home and family in Nashville and how fortunate I am that my place and loved ones have remained safe in these deadly tornadoes. 'My heart is broken for my home state. So much loss and damage. We are #NashvilleStrong and will rebuild together!' Tim McGraw tweeted about some of the murals that were destroyed in the tornadoes. 'The iconic "I Believe In Nashville" murals started popping up after the big flood ten years ago. Its stood as a symbol of resilience and togetherness. We are heartbroken for our community after last nights tragic tornado, but know that together we will rise up and rebuild again!' he wrote. Carrie Underwood, who is in New York City to promote her new book, also tweeted: 'Sending my love to Nashville! I am praying for all of those affected by the terrible storm.' She shared that her husband, Mike Fisher, had to get their sons five-year-old Isaiah and one-year-old Jacob to safety. 'I'm like texting people I know, and I'm like asking my husband if everybody's good,' Underwood told TODAY. 'He said he had to go upstairs at like 2am and grab the boys and take them down to a little safe room in our house. 'I was like, "I bet everybody is crying." It's 2am, freaking out, so it was scary.' Other celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood also took to Twitter to share their thoughts over the devastation left behind by the storms. Underwood (pictured) also shared that her husband had to get their children to safety during the tornadoes Miley Cyrus and Don McLean also voiced their concern for residents with McClean getting his band together to purchase water for victims and Cyrus encouraging victims to keep a look out for shelter information Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as families slept early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. At least 22 people were killed, some before they could even get out of bed, authorities said. Sirens and cellphone alerts sounded, but the twisters that struck in the hours after midnight moved so quickly that many people in their path could not flee to safer areas. 'It hit so fast, a lot of folks didn't have time to take shelter,' Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said. 'Many of these folks were sleeping.' Early findings by National Weather Service (NWS) survey teams indicated that the damage just east of Nashville was inflicted by a tornado of at least EF-3 intensity, the agency said. One twister wrecked homes and businesses across a 10-mile stretch of Nashville that included parts of downtown. Hillary Clinton and other politicians took to Twitter to send their prayers to Nashville It smashed more than three dozen buildings, including destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church. Another tornado damaged more than 100 structures along a two-mile path of destruction in Putnam County, wiping some homes from their foundations and depositing the wreckage far away. Daybreak revealed landscapes littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, making many city streets and rural roads impassable. Schools, courts, transit lines and an airport were closed. More than a dozen polling stations were also damaged, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at alternative sites. The death toll climbed steadily as first responders gingerly pulled apart wreckage. Sheriff Eddie Farris said only 30 per cent of the Putnam County disaster area had received a 'hard check' by midday. 'A lot of these homes had basements, and we're hopeful there are still people down in there,' he said. In Putnam County, 80 miles east of Nashville, trees, vehicles and other loose, heavy items had completely flattened houses and businesses. A van of longtime customers at a local eatery - who proudly stated they ate there every morning - arrived to help clear debris just as Gov Bill Lee stopped by to tour the devastation. In one neighborhood, volunteers had found five bodies by Tuesday afternoon. Neighbors and sheriff's officers were still looking for two more. Nashville residents walked around in dismay on streets and sidewalks littered with debris, in neighborhoods where missing walls and roofs left living rooms and kitchens exposed. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. 'It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state,' said Lee, who ordered nonessential state workers to stay home and then boarded a helicopter to survey the damage. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as families slept early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements At least 22 people were killed, some before they could even get out of bed, authorities said A hangar was ripped apart at the John Tune Airport (left) while the roofs of buildings and other structures were torn off (right) President Donald Trump spoke with the governor by phone and pledged federal assistance, the White House said. Trump also announced plans to visit the disaster area on Friday. 'We send our love and our prayers of the nation to every family that was affected,' Trump said. 'We will get there, and we will recover, and we will rebuild, and we will help them.' The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms that stretched from Alabama into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, the twister's path was mostly north and east of the heart of downtown, sparing many of the city's biggest tourism draws - the honky tonks of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry House, the storied Ryman Auditorium and the convention center. Instead the storm tore through the largely African American areas of Bordeaux and North Nashville as well as neighborhoods transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the city's trendiest hotspots, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out longtime residents. The "Variations to Marketing Authorisations" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. It is a key post-marketing responsibility of the marketing authorisation holder (MAH) to keep dossiers up to date, and changes must be submitted as variations to the appropriate regulatory authority. This interactive event will provide an invaluable overview of the EU system for variations, with practical advice on the preparation and submission of various applications using the various European procedures. The course will cover the latest variation regulations and offer guidance from an industry expert on how to optimise your regulatory procedures to help achieve faster approval. The programme will include filing tips and strategies with information and advice on creating a global dossier and implementation periods. Practical sessions throughout the two days will provide an opportunity to discuss different scenarios and strategies with other participants. Benefits of attending: Gain an overview of the EU system for variations an overview of the EU system for variations Assess how pharma companies are working in this evolving regulatory environment how pharma companies are working in this evolving regulatory environment Profit from practical advice on the preparation and submission of variation applications from practical advice on the preparation and submission of variation applications Understand the impact of Module 3 on your variations dossier the impact of Module 3 on your variations dossier Discuss filing tips and strategies to help achieve faster approval Agenda: Day one Basis of EU Regulations 1234/2008 and 712/2012 Classification in accordance with the legislation Understand the differences between type lA, type IB and type ll variations Clarify foreseen and unforeseen variations Special topics in variations Handling active ingredient master files as variations Submission of new clinical data Practical session: Analysing and classifying the different changes Grouping and work-sharing Understanding when grouping is appropriate Clarifying what types of variations may be grouped Guidance on assembling a grouped submission Understanding when work-sharing is appropriate Understanding Module 3 The dossier impact on variations QbD CQA pyramids Practical session: Understanding reviewers Filing strategy Creating a global dossier (gold/silver/ bronze versions) Understanding implementation and grace periods Fixed and rolling implementation strategy Practical session: Plan the timelines/project management of a variation submission Day two Other procedures Article 5 Urgent safety restrictions Understanding when to use extension applications Filing tips Submitting type IA, IB and type II applications Understand how to ensure that your dossier is complete Find out what to do when your application is rejected Submission planning Identify and understand strategic considerations Data requirements for type II variations Learn how to identify and support a type II change Practical session: Data requirements for more complex changes Variations through national procedures and differences from centralised procedure Understand the procedures Languages and translations Explore the linguistic review process Mutual recognition and decentralised procedures for variations Understand the procedures and responsibilities of the MAH, RMS and CMS Learn how to efficiently plan for and run an MR variation procedure Practical session: A variation to an example MRP authorised product including planning timelines and impact of referrals Advanced compliance Creating your own compliance requirements SUPAC guidance Speakers: Andrew Willis Consultant Independent Andrew Willis is an independent consultant providing expert advice and training on global regulatory solutions and pharmaceutical development. Previously, he worked for Catalent Pharma Solutions as VP Regulatory Affairs Consulting Services. Catalent is the world's leading contract manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceuticals, and he was head of a team of internal and external regulatory affairs consultants. He qualified as a Chemist from the University of Glamorgan, after which he furthered his understanding of pharmaceutical development, working as a research chemist with Parke Davis. He has 10 years manufacturing and analytical experience prior to entering regulatory affairs as a Senior Executive Officer with responsibility for submission of European MAAs and project management of development programs. He currently has a total of 28 years pharmaceutical experience with extensive knowledge in the development and manufacture of sterile, solid oral, inhalation, topical and biotech pharmaceutical products. These experiences have allowed knowledge of many Biotech products requirements with experiences of growth hormones and multiple cancer treatments, including development and clinical registration of the first genetically modified live bacterium for such treatment. He has extensive experience of major European and US regulatory projects, in the clinical and marketing authorisation stages, and has significant experience in coordinating and managing meetings with European and US Health Authorities. Specific experience includes the project management of a large MAA requiring full clinical data, followed by Mutual Recognition of the application in all of the European Concerned Member States. The project recorded successful outcomes in all major markets (26 countries) and was viewed as highly successful by the client, meeting very stringent project timings. For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hm4rjn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005914/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 Nubia Red Magic 5G will sport a 6.65-inch display and a 4400mAh battery. Nubia has already confirmed that the Red Magic 5G will come equipped with a 144Hz refresh rate OLED screen. It will be launched on March 12. Nubia will be launching the Nubia Red Magic 5G on March 12. The company has confirmed the launch date of its next gaming phone. Previously, the phone has appeared online. The images and specifications have also surfaced in the past. Moreover, a live shot also appeared online recently. Nubia has already confirmed that the Red Magic 5G will come equipped with a 144Hz refresh rate OLED screen. Moreover, the companys president Ni Fei already confirmed up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB storage for the phone. The leaked live image revealed a vertical camera strip that houses three cameras followed by the REDMAGIC logo that appears to light up in different colours. he top and bottom edges are not clearly visible. However, the edge consists of a shoulder button, an air vent, and a pogo connector. Moreover, the previous image has revealed that it will sport an air vent, a volume rocker and a power key on its red-coloured spine. 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. It is like to come 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 Nubia Red Magic 5G is expected to come equipped with the 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor. It is tipped to support 55W fast charging technology as well. The mass shooting at a brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the 13th in the U.S. since 2006. Workplace mass shootings remain a rare event but there are some trends among who carries them out and why. The Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killings database tracks all U.S. homicides since 2006 involving four or more people killed, not including the offender, over 24 hours regardless of weapon, location, victim-offender relationship or motive. Before Wednesdays shooting at the sprawling Molson Coors plant in Milwaukee, there had been three mass shootings in the United States in 2020 and none of those had taken place at the workplace. In 2019, there were two workplace mass shootings. Here are some of the key findings from the AP/USA Today/Northeastern database on workplace shootings: The Perpetrators: All but one of the shooters was a man. The lone exception was in 2006 when 44-year-old Jennifer San Marco, a former postal worker with a history of mental illness, shot and killed a neighbor before traveling to the postal facility and killing six employees. She then killed herself. The youngest was 25 while the oldest 60. Most were in their 30s or 40s. About a third were black while the rest were white. About half of them died by suicide. The Weapons All of the workplace shootings were carried out using handguns. In one case, 34-year-old Aaron Alexis used both a handgun and a shotgun to kill 12 and injure eight in an office building at the Washington Navy Yard in 2013. The former Navy reservist was killed by police. Alexis worked for a base subcontractor. The Reasons In about half of the cases, the perpetrator had either been fired or reprimanded. In the other cases, the apparent reasons varied, with a history of mental illness being present about a quarter of the time. In at least one case the mass shooting at a government building in Virginia Beach, Virginia, last year authorities remain uncertain what set off the gunman. Workplace shootings of course predate the database. In one of the most memorable earliest workplace shootings, a 47-year-old pressman on medical leave due to psychological issues killed eight people and injured 12 before killing himself at Standard Gravure, a printing plant in Kentucky, in 1989. The 1990s were marked by mass shootings at Chuck E. Cheese in Aurora, Colorado, where a fired employee shot and killed four workers in 1993. Later that decade, in 1999, a fired day trader killed 12 people and injured more than 13 at his home and then at two day trading offices in Atlanta. He then killed himself. Workplace Location In about a quarter of the shootings, the workplace was a government building, while the rest were carried out at commercial businesses. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Steven Spielberg arrives at the 90th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 5, 2018. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Steven Spielbergs Daughter Arrested and Charged With Domestic Assault Mikaela Spielberg, the adopted daughter of film director and Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg was arrested in Tennessee on assault charges, police said. Actress Kate Capshaw (C), and daughters Mikaela George Spielberg (L) and Destry Allyn Spielberg (R) attend EIF Womens Cancer Research Funds 16th Annual An Unforgettable Evening presented by Saks Fifth Avenue at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on May 2, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for EIF) The 23-year-old was arrested and charged with domestic assault causing bodily injury and taken to a jail in Nashville after reportedly throwing objects that caused an observable injury, reported WZTV-TV. Officers said Spielberg and her fiance, 47-year-old Chuck Pankow, got into an argument after returning home from a bar just before 4:00 a.m. on Feb. 29. The incident escalated after the victim, who was not identified, made a rude comment toward Spielberg and she then began throwing objects at him, injuring his wrist and hand. Spielberg was released later that Saturday from the Nashville jail on a $1,000 bail, jail records showed. Jail records didnt indicate whether she has an attorney who could comment on the charge. A March 9 court hearing on the charge was scheduled. Spielberg was born on Feb. 28, 1996, and currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She is adopted as a child by Steven Spielberg and his wife of 29 years, Kate Capshaw. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Newser) The publisher of John Boltons highly anticipated memoir has pushed back the release date from March 17 to mid-May, the AP reports. Simon & Schuster cited the ongoing White House security review of the former national security advisers The Room Where It Happened. The new date is May 12, the publisher said in a news release. The new date reflects the fact that the government review of the work is ongoing, Simon & Schuster said. story continues below The Associated Press reported last November that Bolton had reached a $2 million deal with Simon & Schuster. The book focuses on Boltons contentious time in the Trump administration. It is expected to contain allegations that President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden. The issue was at the center of the impeachment process. In February, the Senate acquitted Trump. Trump has denied the allegations. Bolton was widely criticized for not sharing details from his book during the hearings. He had stated his willingness to testify, but Senate Republicans rejected calls to hear from any additional witnesses. (Read more John Bolton stories.) Businessman Deripaska accuses blogger Navalny of defamation RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 15:36 03/03/2020 MOSCOW, March 3 (RAPSI) Businessman Oleg Deripaska has lodged a defamation claim against blogger Alexey Navalny with the Moscow Commercial Court, according to court records. The applicant seeks to oblige the defendant to refute information distributed in several videos on the Youtube-channel of Navalny. Moreover, the tycoon demands a 1-ruble moral compensation from the blogger. The hearing date has not been set yet. Earlier, Navalny filed a petition with Russias Supreme Court challenging an order to remove and refute information on the Crimean meat processing plant Druzhba Narodov he had distributed. Earlier, the Moscow District Commercial Court dismissed Navalnys cassation appeal in this defamation dispute. Navalny challenged the Moscow Commercial Courts ruling of February 2019, and the July 2019, ruling of the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals. The Moscow Commercial Court ruled in favor of Druzhba Narodov on February 12, 2019. The court declared information distributed by Navalny in one of his videos untrue and discrediting the plants business standing. The statements read that the meat processing plant inflated prices for food products purveyed for the National Guard, delivered bad quality goods and accused the plant employees of embezzlement during supplies. According to the court ruling, the defendant did not furnish evidence of credibility of the disseminated information. On July 26, 2019, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld the ruling. The incredible shrinking scramble to pick a Democratic presidential candidate tops the ballot in California on Tuesday, but voters in the Bay Area and across the state who havent voted by mail will find plenty of other contests when they enter their polling place. In the primary, Californians will be voting for members of Congress and the Legislature, along with casting ballots on a wide range of local issues. And Democrats and no-party-preference voters who request a Democratic ballot will vote on the partys nominee to take on President Trump in November. The list of candidates has been cut by three since Saturday billionaire activist Tom Steyer and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out over the weekend, and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar suspended her campaign Monday. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. People looking for a quick read on Tuesdays winners and losers are going to be disappointed. Californias final results are achingly slow to arrive in regular elections, and the special rules for awarding delegates in the Democratic presidential primary are likely to stretch the count out even further. In a telephone conference call last week, Secretary of State Alex Padilla went out of his way to warn those eager to know the results in Super Tuesdays biggest prize that nothing happens in a hurry in California elections. Our election process does not end on election night, Padilla said. Due to state law and frankly the sheer size of California, the vote count will continue well beyond election night. The slow return of the record number of mail ballots means its likely that millions of them will be turned in at the polls Tuesday or arrive in the mail after election day. They wont be counted until later in the week at the earliest. As far as the numbers go, only 144 of the states pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention are awarded in the statewide election. The other 271 are distributed according to the results in each of Californias 53 congressional districts. Only candidates who receive at least 15% of the vote, either statewide or in a district, receive any delegates. It could take days or weeks to determine who met that threshold and how many delegates they each receive. Although there will be some results on election night, in California we prioritize the right to vote and election security over rushing the vote count, Padilla said in a statement. Wed rather get it right than get it fast. The only initiative on the statewide ballot is Proposition 13, which asks voters to pass Californias largest-ever bond measure. It would provide $15 billion to build, repair and modernize buildings at public schools from pre-K through the states universities. It requires a simple majority to pass. A pair of high-profile measures lead the ballot in San Francisco. Proposition D would tax building owners for storefronts that remain vacant for more than six months. The measure is designed to cut the growing number of vacant stores in the citys commercial areas by persuading property owners to cut rents rather than pay a tax on the vacant retail space. The tax, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2021, would start at $250 for every foot of frontage on a public street. It could increase to as much as $1,000 if the property remains vacant for years. The new tax, which would apply only to neighborhood commercial districts, could raise as much as $5 million a year. The money would be used to assist small businesses. Because the measure is a tax, it requires a two-thirds vote to pass. Proposition E is a citizens initiative that would limit office development in the city by tying the total of large office projects that can be built to the citys annual affordable housing goal of 2,042 units. If the city doesnt meet that housing goal, the square footage of new office space allowed would be cut by the same percentage as the housing shortfall. Supporters, including tenants groups, argue that the initiative is needed to slow office development and make way for affordable housing. The measure also requires that 15,000 affordable units be built South of Market before more office space can be developed in the area. Opponents, including the Chamber of Commerce and building trades unions, say the city could lose as much as $1 billion in property taxes and $600 million to $900 million in affordable housing fees paid by office space developers. The measure requires a simple majority to pass. Also on the San Francisco ballot are two bond measures. Proposition A would allow City College to sell $845 million in bonds for the repair, construction and acquisition of buildings and to make earthquake improvements on the colleges campuses. Proposition B would allow the city to issue $628.5 million in bonds to improve and make seismic upgrades to emergency facilities, including the emergency firefighting water system, fire and police stations, the 911 call center, and other disaster response facilities. Elsewhere in the Bay Area, residents of Marin and Sonoma counties will vote on Measure I, which would continue the existing quarter-cent sales tax supporting the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit system, the SMART train, for another 30 years. The current tax is set to expire in 2029. Measure I needs a two-thirds vote to pass. In the deep-blue Bay Area, the toughest primary battles often are among Democrats, and Tuesday will be no exception. In Santa Clara Countys 15th state Senate District, three Democrats and an independent are looking to replace termed-out Democratic Sen. Jim Beall of San Jose. Former Assemblywoman Nora Campos; Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese; and Ann Ravel, former Federal Election Commission member, are the Democrats, with San Jose Councilman Johnny Khamis the independent in the race. The top two finishers meet in November. The Peninsulas 13th state Senate District also has been a magnet for Democrats, with five seeking the seat held by termed-out Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill of San Mateo. Nonprofit director Josh Becker, Burlingame City Councilman Mike Brownrigg, former Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, Redwood City Councilwoman Shelly Masur and Millbrae City Councilwoman Annie Oliva are all in the race. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 23:20:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has written back to a group of students from a girls school in Sri Lanka, expressing her appreciation for their support for China's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and encouraging them to make contributions to carrying forward China-Sri Lanka friendship. In her reply letter on Monday, Peng told the students from Devi Balika Vidyalaya that their letter and paintings had been received at the special moment when China is fighting the novel coronavirus disease. The paintings are very good and full of love, which demonstrate the sincere friendship of the Sri Lankan people to the Chinese people, Peng said, adding that President Xi and she like them very much. Noting that love is the strongest strength against diseases, she said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, Sri Lankan people from all walks of life have spontaneously held activities to send blessings and best wishes to China, expressing their care and support. At present, China, with its people united as one, is making all-out efforts to combat the epidemic, Peng said, adding that their prevention and control efforts are yielding positive results. China has confidence, capacity and certainty to prevail over the epidemic, she said. China-Sri Lanka friendship has a long history, she said, adding that from the students, she foresees the future of friendship between the two peoples. Peng also said she hopes the Sri Lankan students will seize the day, study hard and become young envoys for promoting the bilateral friendship. Recently, 43 student representatives from about 2,000 students in the Sri Lankan public school jointly wrote to Peng and attached their paintings to show support for China's battle against the epidemic. Reflections on the current insecurity and threatening state failure in Nigeria and what the Nigerian Left can do recently led me, in a tortuous manner, back to a formulation on revolutionary intervention which I thought I had transcended long ago. We shall first discuss the formulation and then come to insecurity and threatening state failure. The formulation was provided by a Leftist revolutionary about 115 years ago. The revolutionary was young (about 27), idealistic and romantic. But he was idealistic and romantic not simply because he was young, but essentially because he was brilliant and came to revolutionary consciousness, and then to Marxism, through a unique set of routes and experiences that together resembled a series of leaps through early life. His name was Leon Trotsky, a name he stole on his escape from a prison warder who was assigned to secure him in detention. This incident alone escaping from a guard and stealing the guards name and retaining it was sufficient for both the revolutionary movement that received him and the Russian state that was looking for him to view the small boy as an evil genius. Leon Trotsky published his romantic formulation in 1906, after the failed 1905 Russian Revolution in which he played a significant role. Here it goes: Revolution can be achieved either by a nation gathering itself together like a lion preparing to spring, or by a nation in the process of struggle becoming conclusively divided in order to free the best part of itself for the execution of those tasks which the nation as a whole is unable to carry out. A middle course in this, as in so many cases, is the worst of all. But it was this middle course that developed in 1848. This formulation can be found in Leon Trotskys 1906 book, Results and Prospects. In it he analysed the 1905 Russian Revolution by comparing it with both the 1797 French Revolution and the European Revolutions of 1848. It was from this exercise that the young revolutionary saw three possible revolutionary paths to the future: the nation gathering itself together like a lion preparing to spring or the nation in the process of struggle being conclusively divided ..., or, the nation being trapped in a middle course, that is, being neither able to spring as a united entity nor able to free its virile segments to do the springing. He saw the 1797 French Revolution as an example of the first, the Russian Revolution of 1905 as an example of the second and the 1848 Revolutions that swept Western Europe as an example of the third. The middle course was the most difficult revolutionary path, said Trotsky. Of course, it was, and it remains so, especially in the way he painted the picture. But if Trotsky had been able to bring in the role of the vanguard or vanguards in each of his three possibilities, and speak of strategic revolutionary intervention, rather than ambitiously speaking of revolution, his formulation would have been significantly revised and made more practically usable by young revolutionaries beyond simply firing them. Though the Russian event took place a long time ago and in a distant land, I was emotionally involved in it. However, in early 1982, I was more than emotionally involved in a similar discussion. But this time around the event took place near home, in Ghana. It was the popular uprising led by Flt-Lt Jerry Rawlings, an event that spontaneously attracted several revolutionary Marxists, radical Leftists and progressive writers from Africa and beyond to Ghana. In one particular meeting a young member of the revolutionary council, an army sergeant, argued strongly that the unfolding event in Ghana should be compared to the French Revolution of 1797 and not to the Russian Revolution of 1917 in terms of the range of classes and strata and political forces that each put on the stage of history. He was still arguing when the meeting adjourned. As far as I can remember, his analysis and opinion did not carry much ideological or practical weight. The question that arises today is this: What difference would it have made in those days if the young radical army sergeant had won the debate and his opinion had defined the course of actions that followed the uprising? My answer is that probably there would not have been much difference if there was no clarity about the character of the vanguard and if there was an attempt to reduce the character of the vanguard to the character of the uprising or subjectively upgrade the uprising to the level of the vanguard. With the available lessons of history, a revolutionary Left (even Marxist) regime should be able to manage, and then advance, a purely popular-democratic or national-democratic uprising. When the masses themselves have stepped out, everything critically depends in a brief but decisive period of history on the character and clear-headedness of the vanguard. Now, what is the connection between this fragmentary theory of revolution and the current state of insecurity and threatening state failure in Nigeria? The connection is the Nigerian Left, or rather, how the Nigerian Left, as a revolutionary opposition movement, can intervene in the current national crisis: insecurity. The immediate regret is, of course, that the Nigerian left is not armed with a Peoples Manifesto of struggle which can serve as a guide to ideological and political intervention. You may retort that the non-existence of a Peoples Manifesto does not prevent a Leftist or a Leftist formation from acting, or that there are in existence several Leftist platforms from which a serious Leftist may choose. My answer to the second objection is that there were many platforms before and after the appearance of the Marx-Engels Manifesto of 1848 and many platforms in Russia before and after Lenins April 1917 Theses. One response to the first objection is that if the Nigerian Left aspires to go beyond periodically rattling and entertaining the ruling class and its state, and regularly supplying them with assistants, advisers and sundry operators of their state machines, it must aim at producing a Peoples Manifesto which, capable of being periodically revised and updated, will be a consistent guide not a magic formula in matters like the current insecurity and its politics. Having said all this, what can the Nigerian Left do on the current state of insecurity and threatening state of failure: generalized violent attacks on the masses by Boko Haram, Islamic State, armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, cattle herders, political thugs, armed agents of the state, etc? The fundamental demand that should be made on the Nigerian state is that everything should be done within the Constitution to protect the masses at no extra cost to them, but rather, with a substantial reduction of their current existential burden. No entity (state or non-state) should circumvent or abridge the known basic laws which the Nigerian state and the ruling class claim they are currently using to rule the nation. We must, with clear heads, insist on this because modern history has taught us that one clear sign of rising fascism under capitalism is the increasing inability of the state to govern by its own laws or by its own laws alone. Beyond this central composite demand on the Nigerian state there are complementary practical demands that can be made on the authorities at different levels. We should note that the country is in a situation in which the Left, in groups and as individuals, may ally with or support clear pro-people and progressive initiatives from outside the movement the dangers of not having a guide or compass notwithstanding. Beyond these steps is the advice to be given directly and continuously to the masses. This popular campaign should always include the insistence that at the root of this insecurity and this threatening state failure is capitalism, capitalist rule and this particular generation of Nigerias capitalist ruling class. Madunagu, mathematician and journalist, writes from Calabar, Cross River State. Representative Kay Granger, the Republican conferences most senior woman, is facing a challenge from Chris Putnam, a former technology executive. Mr. Putnam has targeted Ms. Granger for critical comments she made against Donald J. Trump during the 2016 election and for her role negotiating billions of dollars in government spending as the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. President Trump has endorsed her, but Ms. Granger is in the fight of her political life. Representative Henry Cuellar, Democrat of Texas and also a member of the Appropriations Committee, is trying to fend off a challenge from Jessica Cisneros, an immigration lawyer. Ms. Cisneros was handpicked and championed by Justice Democrats, the insurgent progressive group that recruited and backed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, now a New York representative, who has also endorsed her. The race, which has been flooded with outside money, will serve as an early test of the nascent left flanks power as it tries to oust Mr. Cuellar, one of only three House Democrats with an A rating from the National Rifle Association. Leading Democrats have scrambled in recent days to shore up support for Mr. Cuellar, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi making a visit to his district. My role is to win the House for the Democrats and to do so by winning for our incumbents, Ms. Pelosi said on Friday. I would like them to get a nice win so that theres a message for the future, for the next election and the rest. Election Day is here in Texas and 13 other states, which collectively will award one-third of the pledged delegates in the Democratic presidential nomination. The stakes are particularly high in Texas, where candidates are battling for 228 delegates, more than all but Californias 415-delegate allotment. Beyond the top of the ticket, voters will decide critical primary elections around Harris County at the congressional, state and county levels. The closely watched Republican primaries include Texas 7th and 22nd Congressional Districts, state House Districts 132 and 138, and the race for chair of the Harris County Republican Party. Democrats have competitive primaries in Texas 2nd and 22nd Congressional Districts, state House Districts 134 and 138, district attorney and county attorney. Both parties have crowded races for the Precinct 3 seat on Harris County Commissioners Court, an open seat for the first time since 1988 with the retirement of incumbent Republican Steve Radack. And a runoff is all but certain in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary to pick the nominee who will face U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who is heavily favored in his lightly contested Republican primary. On Tuesday, the Harris County Clerks Office is operating 401 voting centers from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters may cast ballots in either primary but not both, and they may vote at any location including those outside their home precinct under the countywide voting system. Here are five things to watch on Election Day in the Houston area. Do voters have an appetite for progressive challengers and democratic socialists? More Information Election Day in Harris County What: Republican and Democratic primaries. Local voters will choose nominees for president, U.S. Senate and a slew of state and local offices. In Harris County, sample ballots for the Democratic and Republican primaries can be found at harrisvotes.com. Where: 401 voting centers around Harris County. For a list of polling places, visit harrisvotes.com When: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line at 7 p.m. still will be able to vote. How: Registered voters will need to present photo identification. Acceptable forms of ID include a Texas driver license, a personal ID card issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a Texas Election Identification Certificate, a Texas handgun license, a U.S. military ID card containing a photo, a U.S. passport or U.S. citizenship certificate with a photo. For more information about individual races, check out the Houston Chronicle's voter guide. Finally, keep an umbrella handy. There is a 30 to 40 percent chance of rain and scattered storms Tuesday. See More Collapse U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has captured the popular vote in three of the first four Democratic presidential primaries, worrying party moderates who fear he would devastate down-ballot Democrats, especially in suburban areas. Those who support Sanders, a democratic socialist from Vermont, say he would expand the Democratic base by turning out new working-class and young voters though initial primary results show little evidence this is happening. A number of contests in Harris County pit incumbents against challenges from the left, and the results could signal the level of energy among progressive voters in Houston, political observers said. The most high-profile example is the Harris County district attorney race, where Sanders-endorsed democratic socialist Audia Jones has mounted a lively challenge to incumbent Kim Ogg. Though few of the challengers are expected to finish ahead of incumbents Tuesday, some could force runoffs, especially if Sanders performs well in the Houston area, said Renee Cross, senior director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. Can favored primary candidates avoid runoffs and shift their focus to incumbents? Several incumbent elected officials are unopposed Tuesday and will be watching the results of the opposite partys primary contest. Many such races feature a candidate who has emerged as the clear favorite through advantages in fundraising, endorsements and the size of their campaign operation. For candidates seeking to flip districts that favor the incumbent, winning without a runoff is especially critical because runoffs force candidates to direct energy, attention and spending toward intra-party foes as the incumbent stockpiles campaign cash. In Texas 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Sima Ladjevardian is aiming to win the nomination outright despite getting into the race on the Dec. 9 filing deadline, while Republican Wesley Hunt is trying to ride the momentum of President Donald Trumps endorsement to a victory Tuesday in the 7th Congressional District. And Democrat Ann Johnson spent eight times more than she raised from late January to late February in a bid to win the House District 134 nomination outright. Will Sanders Latino support or Bidens edge among African-Americans prove more potent? The support of Latino and African-American voters has proven powerful in early nominating contests, with the former propelling Sanders to his most convincing win yet in Nevada, while African Americans boosted former vice president Joe Biden to his first victory in South Carolina. Polls show the two candidates jockeying for the lead in Texas, with Sanders beating Biden in recent polls but the former vice president gaining momentum after his decisive win Saturday. Voter registration has increased dramatically among young Latino voters since the 2016 election, and Sanders performs especially well among that group. Bidens overall share of Texas African-American vote about 46 percent in a recent University of Houston poll is far greater than Sanders 30 percent share of the Latino vote, however. Can Houston propel Amanda Edwards or Chris Bell into the Senate primary runoff? In sharp contrast to the 2018 Senate primary, when Beto ORourke had a virtual lock on the nomination, this years contest appears wide open. Recent polls reveal a clear advantage for former Air Force helicopter pilot MJ Hegar, but it is less certain who will join her in an expected runoff. Most poll results show the other candidates grouped in the single digits, with state Sen. Royce West and activist Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez staking out narrow advantages but failing to gain separation. Near the middle of the pack are Houston candidates Chris Bell and Amanda Edwards, both of whom will need strong performances in their hometown to make up for lackluster support elsewhere, political observers said. Bell and Edwards are likely splitting the Houston vote, Cross said, which is problematic because they are generally polling poorly elsewhere. Amanda Edwards just isnt known outside of Houston, Cross said. And even though Chris Bell has run statewide before, people have short memories. He just doesnt have the name recognition. Will Democrats surge to the polls on Election Day? Facing unfavorable polls and a cash shortfall, Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the race Sunday. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar followed suit Monday afternoon two days after thousands of Texans checked their names on the ballot during the 11-day early voting period that ended Friday. Political observers have speculated that Democratic turnout which has been higher statewide and locally than in 2016 but lower than in 2008 could spike on Election Day, as some voters likely held out to avoid effectively wasting their vote on a candidate who dropped out before Super Tuesday. I dont recall an election where theres been so much talk about waiting until Election Day for this very reason, Cross said. And thats been among young voters as well as very experienced voters. jasper.scherer@chron.com PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-04 00:25:03 Roger Allen AM joins as Executive Director of HACH Private Capital Sean Cortis retires from Chapman Eastway to lead new international Family Office division HACH Private Group Launched to Include Its Rebranded Corporate Advisory Business and a New Family Office Division Eric Kamal, +61 0406 958 959 eric@hachprivate.com HACH Private Capital, a leading provider of corporate advisory and M&A services, today announced a business restructure and rebranding, separating the executive team from Chapman Eastway in order to facilitate its independence, whilst at the same time enhancing its board and advisory capabilities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303006 HACH Private Group Senior Team (L-R): Eric Kamal, Sean Cortis, Darren Heathcote, Fergus Herbert, Roger Allen AM. (Photo: Business Wire) Under the restructure, Fergus Herbert and Darren Heathcote were named joint CEOs, with Roger Allen AM and Sean Cortis being appointed Executive Directors. The business has also been rebranded to form the HACH Private Group encompassing the both the entities of HACH Private Capital and HACH Private Family Office. The name HACH (pronounced hatch) recognizes the new founders, being an acronym based on the surnames of Heathcote, Allen, Cortis and Herbert. On explaining the decision to become independent from its previous accounting firm partner, Chapman Eastway, Heathcote said, the restructure gives us greater independence and flexibility to seek out best of breed service providers. Working internationally, we need an independent and trusted network of service providers, not only covering accounting and tax, but also legal, intellectual property and technical experts. The move expands our reach and further aligns us with the interests of our clients. HACH Private Capital provides M&A, corporate advisory, strategic consulting and capital raising services to privately held businesses pursuing global growth opportunities, capitalizing on its extensive networks throughout the Asia-Pacific region. HACH works with a global network of legal, tax and advisory specialists to provide comprehensive solutions to clients. HACH has substantial industry experience in technology, agriculture, media, consumer goods and healthcare, but has the capabilities to serve business in any market sector. Herbert said, HACH is an agile, innovative corporate advisory firm that knows how to build businesses through acquisition, organic growth or both. HACH works with management teams to create a strategic roadmap for success and offers bold ideas to help businesses no matter what stage of their lifecycle. We look forward to working with dynamic businesses interested in whats possible when great ideas and growth capital come together. World-Class Team HACHs management team has a long track record of delivering exceptional results. Roger Allen AM has had three careers: as an IT entrepreneur, Venture capitalist and Philanthropist. His career began from a small Melbourne suburb where he built the Computer Power Group into a substantial global IT business employing over 3,000 people with revenues in todays dollars of over $1 billion. Subsequently he co-founded Allen and Buckeridge, a venture capital company with offices in Silicon Valley and Australia, providing over $300m of much needed capital to over 50 early stage companies. He served on two Prime Ministers Science and Technology Councils and has chaired both Victorian and NSW Government ICT Advisory Boards. He was deputy Chairman of Austrade for 7 years. In 2011 Allen received an Order of Australia Honour (AM) for his services to the information technology sector through leadership roles, venture capital investment and professional development and in recognition of his support of the Indigenous community and philanthropic interests. Roger Allen is widely credited for founding the venture capital industry in Australia and his experience and insights bring an incredible value add when it come to our modus operandi and the selection of which businesses and investments we choose to align with. Ultimately our desire for strategic long-term alignment benefits our clients, Heathcote said. Herbert has served as a founder and either CEO or Chairman of numerous growth businesses and has more than 25 years of experience. He has deep expertise in private equity, corporate advisory, investments, property, publishing and marketing. Heathcote also has served as a CEO and founder and has more than 30 years of experience in banking, private equity and capital raising. He has provided strategic advice to firms seeking to grow or restructure their operations in multiple industry sectors. Heathcote has also been a founder himself of several companies and has been a corporate advisor for many firms seeking to raise debt, equity or execute M&A. Heathcote currently serves, or has served, as Chairman or as a director for a number of companies across various sectors including Energy, Agriculture, Technology and Investment. Earlier in his career, Heathcote worked for Investec Bank (Australia) Ltd, NM Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Ltd, Hambros Bank & Trust Company and Barfield Bank & Trust Company. Cortis was a senior partner for 20 years at Chapman Eastway, serving his last 8 years as CEO. He has over 30 years of practice experience, with specialised skills in taxation, estate and succession planning, business advisory and family office services. His expertise includes strategic consulting and corporate advisory assignments, such as public listings, business sales, debt and equity raisings, valuations, and M&A. Cortis is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, a Chartered Tax Advisor and has received TEP designation from the Society of Tax and Estate Practitioners for his experience as a tax and estates practitioner. Family Office Division Cortis, a recognized thought leader on Family Offices, retired from Chapman Eastway to join HACH Private Group and oversee the development of a trusted and independent multi-family office. His role of advising business families on matters of governance, structures and wealth preservation also aligns with the ability of HACH to aid those families on both complex due diligence and strategy for their private market investments. Having Sean Cortis retire his CEO role to join HACH Private Group full time is a testament to our vision and business model, Herbert said. We now have a world-class team which collectively has over a hundred years of experience, with a multi-disciplinary capability, both in the corporate context as well as in the family business/family office context. Our collective experience and expertise, allows HACH to deliver a full portfolio of services to power the growth of dynamic businesses and help families preserve wealth. For more information about HACH Private Group, contact Eric Kamal on +61 0406 958 959 or eric@hachprivate.com About HACH Private Group HACH Private Group provides M&A, corporate advisory, strategic consulting, capital raising services and Family Office services to dynamic businesses and families globally. The business remains dedicated to its founding principles: To align itself with opportunities that create and preserve wealth whilst consistently providing independent and aligned advisory services with the highest standards of professionalism. For more information, visit www.hachprivate.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303006 Two floors in the new super-speciality block of Safdarjung Hospital have been set aside for isolating persons suspected to have been infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Delhi patient, who tested positive for the viral infection on Monday, has been kept in a separate cubicle within this isolation ward. Another floor of the same building has been kept on stand-by. These are not like general wards, these are all cubicles that can accommodate one or two patients. Two floors in the new building have been reserved for isolation of patients, either (those who have tested) positive or suspected to have the viral infection. We do not know what the situation will be like and we need to be prepared. One floor has been opened, the other will be opened if necessary, a doctor at the hospital said on condition of anonymity. The wards can accommodate over 100 people, if need be. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the other nodal centre for COVID-19, also has a 32-bed isolation facility. Besides the two nodal centres, the Delhi government has asked 25 other hospitals 19 government-run and six private that usually treat H1N1 (swine flu) patients to set up isolation wards, adding 230 beds. Currently, 30 people are in hospital in isolation in Delhi 26 in Safdarjung Hospital and four at RML Hospital. Apart from the hospitals, two isolation facilities created by the army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Manesar and Chhawla can accommodate around 800 persons. Even as Delhi gears up to handle coronavirus cases by activating its H1N1 network, other states have been asked to identify possible isolation facilities. The armed forces, paramilitary forces, medical colleges and even public sector undertakings (PSUs) have been asked to help in scaling up the isolation facilities across the country. The health ministry has also asked state governments to hold meetings with hospital associations to identify such isolation facilities in the private sector as well. The health ministry is also coordinating with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) to develop standard operating procedures for private facilities. India has actually handled the situation very well. Our surveillance has been very strong since the cases started being reported in China. Yes, Kerala and even Delhi has better healthcare facilities than many other states but our disaster preparedness is very strong even at the district level. Isolation facilities can be created easily at a short notice, said Dr Jugal Kishore, head of the department of community medicine at Safdarjung Hospital. Plus, there would be support from private facilities as well, like when there was a swine flu outbreak in India. Healthcare systems have learnt a lot from swine flu outbreak and Nipah. I think we are prepared. After a meeting of all senior officials of the health department on Tuesday, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain also said there was sufficient stock of masks and personal protection equipment, or PPE, in the city-state. A total of 230 beds are being arranged in the 25 hospitals to treat people in case of an outbreak. We have around 3.5-lakh N95 masks and over 8,000 PPE kits for the hospital staff treating coronavirus patients, he said. Six family members of the Delhi patient, two of whom travelled with him to Italy and have shown symptoms, are also being brought to the hospital. An initial test of these six people (who are in Agra) returned positive. To confirm that they have been infected by COVID-19 ,their samples will be sent from Safdarjung Hospital to National Institute of Virology, Pune. All the six persons are from the same family and had travelled together. They will reach Safdarjung on Tuesday night. A sample to confirm the infection will be sent to NIV, Pune, said a senior official at the hospital on condition of anonymity. The 45-year-old man from Mayur Vihar Phase II was initially kept under isolation at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital and was transferred to Safdarjung on Sunday night. The staff members at RML hospital who came in contact with the Delhi patient have been asked to remain under home quarantine for 14 days. At Safdarjung Hospital, no one except a doctor and a few nurses are allowed to enter the isolation ward, that too only after putting on personal protection equipment such as a full-body suit, masks, gloves, and eyewear. Only a senior doctor from the pulmonology department is taking care of the COVID-19 positive patient. The nurses who usually handle the isolation ward for H1N1 infections have been posted to the ward. They are experts in handling patients with respiratory infections in isolation, they do not need any special training for this infection, said a staff member at the hospital. Hospital staff are continually trained in infection control, said another staff member. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 25-year-old man with fever symptoms, quarantined in Kochi hospital briefly goes missing India pti-PTI Kochi, Mar 03: A 25-year-old man running a fever created a flutter as he went missing briefly from a hospital here where he was sent on arrival from Malaysia after screening for coronavirus but returned on his own and has been admitted to the isolation ward, officials said on Tuesday. His samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology lab in Alappuzha for tests, doctors said. The man had returned from Malaysia on Monday with fever and was referred to the Kalamassery Government Medical College in the wee hours after thermal screening at the international airport. He was noticed missing from the Out Patient wing of the hospital on Monday night, following which authorities informed the Ernakulam District Collector and the police. The man later returned to hospital and is currently under observation in the isolation ward for Covid 19 patients, district health authorities said. Youth Congress workers staged a protest alleging negligence on the part of the health authorities in handling the case. Last Saturday, a 36-year-old man admitted to the medical collegehospital here and tested negative for coronavirus had died due to pneumonia. Kerala had reported the country's first three Coronavirus cases but all the patients had been discharged from hospitals after they recovered and tested negative for the infection, which has claimed over 3,100 lives and affected 90,000 people in more than 60 countries. There may be fewer tourists in Rome right now but otherwise life continues as normal in the Eternal City. Roma non si ferma. Rome doesn't stop. There are several ways to translate or interpret this slogan - the title of a new promotional video - whose no-nonsense message conveys a mixture of resistance and hope; a full-steam-ahead, business-as-usual approach. In short, life goes on in Rome. Over the millenia, Rome - Caput Mundi - has been the stage of unrivalled glory and greatness. It has also weathered a myriad of storms down through the centuries but has always bounced back smiling. As Rome prepares to celebrate its 2,773rd birthday next month, a grey cloud looms over the horizon, the same grey cloud that casts a shadow over more than 60 other countries around the world. Yesterday afternoon some news sources in Rome posted videos and images, presented in such an alarmist way that it seemed that many people in the city centre are wearing masks. This is not true (yes there is a small handful wearing masks but they represent a minuscule number). The feedback on social media from indignant Romans was, quite rightly, ferocious. Earlier the same day Wanted in Rome published three videos showing the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon, highlighting the fact that the incredible beauty of these monuments can currently be enjoyed to the full thanks to reduced crowds. (The same way as we - all too recently - highlighted the negative impact of mass tourism.) The footage attracted a mixed reaction, to say the least. This new promotional video - #RomaNonSiFerma - a stunning visual production by Invidio, features some of Romes most majestic and best-loved sites. This is, after all, "The Great Beauty" we are talking about here. The video is built along powerful key words including history, culture, sport, taste and tradition, reminding us that the city is both "sacred and profane." Rome is Life. Rome is Love. Rome is hospitality. The video ends with the declaration: "The story goes on, Italy doesn't stop, Rome doesn't stop." This short clip is powerful, proud and defiant. It is also a timely reminder to the world that, with the exception of those working in the troubled tourism industry, daily life in Rome continues as normal. 2020 is a big year for Rome. The city is preparing to open two of the most anticipated exhibitions in the world: an "unprecedented" . The city is preparing to open two of the most anticipated exhibitions in the world: an "unprecedented" Raphael blockbuster , and the unveiling of the long-hidden Torlonia Marbles , one of the world's greatest private collections of classical sculpture. From a sporting point of view, the calendar includes the opening matches of UEFA 2020 in June. In terms of "history", "taste" and "hospitality", highlighted by the video clip, Rome serves it up with style on every street, every day, all year long. It's what the city does best. Life goes on Apart from the reduced crowds (which is not altogether a bad thing) it is business as usual in Rome. The city awaits you enthusiastically. Roma non si ferma. Rome doesn't stop. The Harriman Award is the highest recognition for American Red Cross volunteer service and recognizes extraordinary contributions beyond local communities and length of service. It is named for the late E. Roland and Gladys Harriman, two lifelong volunteers who served as Chairman of the Red Cross and Chairman of Volunteers of the Red Cross in Greater New York, respectively. Ms. Sabelhaus' involvement with the Red Cross spans 15 years and includes volunteer service at the local, national and international levels. Notably, Ms. Sabelhaus was a member of the Board of Governors from 2005 to 2016, including Vice Chairman for Philanthropy from 2011 to 2016, a role in which she provided leadership to help transform fundraising across the organization. In addition, Ms. Sabelhaus co-founded the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders to encourage and celebrate women in support of the Red Cross mission. Since its founding in 2007, the Tiffany Circle has grown to nearly 1,000 members who have invested more than $122 million in the American Red Cross mission. Thanks in large part to Ms. Sabelhaus' leadership the Tiffany Circle has now expanded internationally to Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Ms. Sabelhaus also serves as the Honorary Chair of the National Philanthropic Board, a role in which she works alongside local Red Cross executives and board chairs to develop, share and implement fundraising best practices. In addition to her work at the international and national levels, Ms. Sabelhaus is also a local disaster volunteer including in 2017, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma on South Florida when Melanie deployed as a shelter volunteer serving meals, handing out supplies, and providing comfort and compassion to those affected by the storm. "I'm honored to present Melanie with the Harriman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service," said Red Cross Board Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter. "She is a woman of extraordinary gifts and talents, who truly embodies the meaning of philanthropy and service to others. We are thankful for her dedication to our mission and look forward to her continued service." The Harriman Award will be presented at the Red Cross Leadership Awards Dinner in Washington, DC on March 4, 2020. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links https://www.redcross.org Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sausan Atika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 12:33 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067ec2f3 1 City coronavirus,novel-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak,Jakarta-administration,anies-baswedan,Head-In-The-Clouds-Festival Free The Jakarta administration will reduce the number of mass gatherings as a precaution after two residents of Depok, West Java located on the outskirts of the capital city tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), marking the countrys first confirmed cases. Governor Anies Baswedan said on Monday his administration would suspend the issuance of new permits for mass gatherings. "The provincial administration won't issue any new permits for events that will gather people in large numbers. The permits that have already been issued will be reviewed," he told reporters at City Hall on Monday. Read also: Jakarta steps up efforts to tackle COVID-19 following two confirmed cases Jakarta is scheduled to hold several large events this month. Pop culture festival Head in the Clouds Jakarta, initiated by Asian-American label 88rising and scheduled for Saturday, announced its postponement following the news. Anies also called on the public to avoid visiting places where cases of infection cases were reported. Officials announced Monday that a 64-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter tested positive for COVID-19 after the daughter was in contact with a Japanese citizen at a club in Jakarta on Feb. 14. The Japanese citizen tested positive for COVID-19 in Malaysia on Feb. 27. The two patients are currently being treated in isolation at the city's referral hospital for the virus, the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Suroso). Read also: Anies issues decree on increasing Jakarta's COVID-19 alertness level They were previously admitted to Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Depok on Feb. 27. The Depok administration sent a circular to about 70 medical workers of the private hospital who may have come into contact with one of the patients, ordering them to limit their movements and avoid crowded areas. The Health Ministry said it tracked the movements of the two patients and found at least 48 people had come into contact with them. The Jakarta Archdiocese issued a statement on Monday suggesting churchgoers suffering from respiratory illnesses, such as cough and breathing difficulties, to stay at home and consult with their doctors. It also suggested that churchgoers bring their own hand sanitizers and allowed them not to hold hands for the sign of peace ritual. They were also given permission to bring their own crosses for the Good Friday service ahead of Easter. (ars) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing their best to move forward in the wake of Megxit. The couple is scheduled to make a round of final appearances in the UK before their exit from the monarchy becomes official at the end of March. Although they have received plenty of negative press over their decision, the Sussexes want their loyal fans to know that they are staying positive in the weeks and months to come. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Chris Jackson WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face intense backlash Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have faced plenty of criticism over their departure from the royal family. Both sides went back in forth negotiating the exit, and the couples recent statement confirmed that their departure did not go as planned. In particular, the two will no longer be allowed to use their royal titles once their exit becomes official. This includes moving forward with their charitable organization, Sussex Royal, a brand they launched last year and have spent months promoting on social media. In light of the changes, an inside source claims that Meghan is insulted by how the royals have treated her and Prince Harry. The former Suits star has allegedly been telling her friends that they have not been treated fairly and that a lot of the backlash stems from Harry being Queen Elizabeths favorite grandson. Meghan said that [she and Harry] were left with no choice but to make a public statement, a source close to Meghan revealed. 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 insider noted that Meghan and Prince Harry are not letting the pettiness get them down and are determined to make life better for their son, Archie Harrison. Whats next for the Sussexes? We are only a few weeks away before Meghan and Prince Harrys exit becomes official. After that, their status in the royal family will be re-examined in a year. But before Megxit is in the books, Harry and Meghan are expected to return to the UK for a final round of royal outings. According to Hello Magazine, Harry flew home at the end of February and has been doing some work for the monarchy. This includes hosting a summit for his initiative, Travalyst, in Edinburgh, where the speaker simply introduced him by his first name. Prince Harry also worked with Jon Bon Jovi in London to record a track for his Invictus Games Foundation. 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, host Ayesha Hazarika said at the event. Meghan Markle, meanwhile, is still in Canada. The former actress is staying in a lavish rental on Vancouver Island with the couples baby boy. She is expected to return to the UK in the coming days, though her full itinerary remains unclear. How are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle staying positive? While royal watchers wait to see Harry and Meghan appear as part of the royal family one last time, the pair recently opened up about how they are handling all the drama. Taking to social media, Prince Harry and Meghan told their faithful followers that they are only paying attention to positive stories moving forward. To that end, the only news they are watching is Tank Good News, which reports uplifting stories from around the world. Happy 1st of March everyone! This month, we continue on the good news path and are pleased to be following @TankGoodNews, as a reminder of all the good that is happening in the world. We hope it uplifts and inspires you! Harry and Meghan shared. The couples fans on Instagram reacted positively to the news, with many people wishing them good luck as they get closer to starting the next chapter. They also shared a few pics from one of their visits to Wales, wishing everyone a Happy St. Davids Day. What about Archie Harrison? With Harry and Meghan set to return to the UK, fans have been wondering if Archie Harrison will be tagging along. Unfortunately, an inside source says that Meghan and Harry will be leaving Archie behind for their final trip to the UK. Meghan Markle gave birth to Archie nine months ago. She has not confirmed the reports, but fans will be very disappointed by the news. In the weeks following their announcement, Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they value Archies safety above everything else. There is no telling how much we will see of Archie in public, but we should catch glimpses of him throughout the year. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not discussed the reports surrounding their exit. As part of their decision to leave the monarchy, the two will be spending the majority of their time in North America, though an exact destination has not been confirmed. The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, has been quarantined despite testing negative for coronavirus. Mr Ihekweazu was quarantined shortly after his return from China to Nigeria. The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this on Tuesday when he briefed the Senate leadership on the level of preparedness of his ministry. He said the NCDC boss will remain in quarantine in one of the rooms in his house for 14 days. The WHO sent a special delegation to go into China and speak to scientists, look at the cases, try and understand these disease more, the behavior of the virus. It has been found that majority of the people killed are people who have other sicknesses before: tuberculosis, cancer, HIV. Relatively young people are involved and all elderly people. Among those scientists chosen is the Director-General of the NCDC. We are very proud and honoured that he was the only African who was among the experts. They went there for about nine days. We have already established rules here that anybody who has been to China will go into self-quarantine. Chikwe has gone and come back. He has done the test, he is negative but we have insisted he must undergo the 14 days quarantine which is why he is not here. He is not allowed to come out until after 14 days. Because if you make the rule, you must obey it which is to set the example in Nigeria, the minister explained Mr Ehanire said the action was in line with the safety procedures by the health ministry. Speaking on Nigerias level of preparedness, he said the ministry has established isolation centres in four cities where Nigeria has international airports Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. These, he said, were in addition to scanners discretely mounted at the four airports which automatically check a persons body temperature without the passengers being aware. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, expressed concern about establishing only four isolation centres. He urged the health ministry to immediately step up the plan to create more isolation centres in all the states of the federation or at least have one in each of the six geopolitical zones. We need to do something dramatic, he said. Mr Lawan also queried the arrangement by the Ministry of Health to set up additional isolation centres in four teaching hospitals. We want to be part of the response. We want to ensure that our quarantine centres are properly equipped, he said. He also said he will visit one of the isolation centres in Gwagwalada on Wednesday. I want to lead a team to visit the centre in Gwagwalada tomorrow afternoon. We want to come and see how well that place has been put. We are not praying for anyone to contact the disease but while praying for the best, we should prepare for the worst, he said. He also admoished Nigerians not panic, saying everything is under control. The Chairman Senate Committee on Public Health, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, called for the establishment of permanent standard isolation centres in the country to respond to emergency. On his part, Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North) said N600 million released by the federal government to tackle the disease is not enough. He therefore called on government to immediately release N1 billion to the Ministry of Health The news of the first recorded case of the virus was made known early on Friday, following confirmation from the Lagos State Government. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that an Italian national, who arrived the country last week, tested positive and was taken to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Yaba. This discovery came barely 48 hours after Algeria confirmed a case of Covid-19. A case has been confirmed in Egypt in February. Advertisements Prior to the discovery, the health minister asked Nigerians to remain calm as the NCDC is coordinating surveillance activities in the country. He advised all airlines to report any case of a passenger falling sick on-board before the plane lands. Meanwhile, the permanent secretary, ministry of health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi, said the government has released N386 million to two health agencies to contain the disease. The fund, released to the NCDC and Port Health Services, is to strengthen Nigerias preparedness to combat Covid-19. He said the fund was part of the N620 million budgeted by the government to curtail Covid-19 from entering into the country. The virus, which originated from China in December, has spread to about 60 countries across the world. The respiratory disease, which has killed over 3000 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. Regulatory News: Korian (Paris:KORI): NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS, OR SALES OF THE SECURITIES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THE BONDS WILL BE OFFERED ONLY BY WAY OF A PLACEMENT TO QUALIFIED INVESTORS ONLY WHICH INCLUDE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PRESS RELEASE, PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS AND ELIGIBLE COUNTERPARTIES (AS DEFINED HEREAFTER). THE BONDS MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD TO RETAIL INVESTORS (AS DEFINED HEREAFTER). NO KEY INFORMATION DOCUMENT UNDER PRIIPS REGULATION HAS BEEN NOR WILL BE PREPARED. Korian (the "Company"), the leading European Care and Support Services Group for the elderly and fragile announces today the launch of an offering of bonds convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for or existing shares (OCEANES) due 2027 (the "Bonds"), by way of a placement to qualified investors only, as defined under article 2 point (e) of the regulation (UE) n2017/1129, in accordance with Article L.411-2 of the French monetary and financial Code (Code monetaire et financier), for a nominal amount of approximately 400 million euros (the "Offering The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to finance its general corporate needs and its growth, including real estate investments and acquisitions, along with the refinancing of the acquisitions carried out during the first quarter. Key Terms of the Bonds The Bonds will be issued at par and their nominal unit value will be set at a premium of 55% above the Company's share reference price1 From the issue date until the redemption date, the Bonds will bear interest at a nominal annual rate of 0.125% to 0.875% payable annually in arrears on 6 march of each year. Unless previously converted, exchanged, redeemed or purchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed at par on 2027 (the "Maturity Date") (or on the following business day if this date is not a business day). The Bonds may be redeemed prior to maturity at the option of the Company, under certain conditions. In particular, the Bonds may be fully redeemed earlier at par plus accrued interest, at the Company's option at any time from 28 March 2024 until the Maturity Date of the Bonds, subject to a prior notice of at least 30 calendar days (and no longer than 60 calendar days), if the arithmetic average, calculated over a period of 20 consecutive trading days chosen by the Company from amongst the 40 consecutive trading days preceding the publication of the early redemption notice, of the products of Korian's volume weighted average price on Euronext Paris on each trading day of the considered period and the applicable conversion/exchange ratio on each such trading day exceeds 130% of the nominal value of the Bonds. Placing and Listing The final terms of the Bonds are expected to be determined today being 3 March 2020 and the settlement date of the Bonds is expected to take place on 6 March 2020 (the "Issue Date The Bonds will be issued by way of a placement to qualified investors only, in accordance with Article L. 411-2 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier), as per the authorization granted by the Company's extraordinary general meeting held on 14 June 2018 (17th resolution), in France and/or outside of France (excluding in particular the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan). An application will be made for admission of the Bonds to trading on the Euronext AccessTM of EuronextParis within 30 days from the Issue Date. BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley are acting as Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners (the "Global Coordinators") (the "Managers Intentions of existing shareholders The Company is not aware of any intention from its main shareholders to participate in the Offering. Conversion/Exchange Right Bondholders will be granted the right to convert or exchange the Bonds into new and/or existing shares of the Company (the "Conversion/Exchange Right") that they may exercise at any time from the Issue Date until the 7th business day (inclusive) preceding the Maturity Date or the relevant early redemption date. The initial conversion/exchange ratio is set at one share per Bond, subject to potential future adjustments. Upon exercise of their conversion/exchange right, bondholders will receive at the option of the Company new and/or existing shares of the Company. The new and/or existing shares potentially received will carry in all cases all rights attached to existing shares as from the date of delivery. Company lock-up In the context of the Offering, the Company will agree to a lock-up for a period starting from the announcement of the final terms of the Bonds and ending 90 calendar days after the issue date of the Bonds, subject to certain customary exceptions or waiver from the Global Coordinators. Dilution For illustrative purposes, based on a 400m nominal amount and a par value of 63.552 per Bond, the dilution would represent approximately 7.6% of the outstanding share capital, should the Company decide to deliver only new shares upon exercise of the Conversion/Exchange Right. Available Information The offering of the Bonds is not subject to a prospectus approved by the French Financial Market Authority (Autorite des marches financiers) (the "AMF"). Detailed information about Korian, including its business, results, perspectives and related risk factors are described in the Company's registration document filed with the AMF on April 26th, 2019 under number D. 19-0400, which is available together with the 2019 Half-Year Report as at June 30th, 2019 and all the press releases and other regulated information about the Company, on the Company's website (www.korian.com This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell securities and the offering of the Bonds is not a public offering in any jurisdiction including France, other than to qualified investors. About Korian Korian, the leading European Care Services Group for the elderly and fragile www.korian.com Korian has been listed on Euronext Paris Compartment A since November 2006 and is a component of 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 DISCLAIMER This press release may not be released, published or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan. The distribution of this press release may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes, should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No communication or information relating to the offering of the Bonds may be transmitted to the public in a country where there is a registration obligation or where an approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country in which such registration or approval would be required. The issuance or the subscription of the Bonds may be subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; none of Korian and the financial intermediaries assumes any liability in connection with the breach by any person of such restrictions. This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"). This press release is not an offer to the public other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including France. The Bonds will be offered only by way of a placement in France and/or outside France (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Canada and Japan), solely to qualified investors as defined in article 2 point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation and pursuant to articles L. 411-1 and L. 411-2 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier). There will be no public offering in any country (including France) in connection with the Bonds, other than to qualified investors. This press release does not constitute a recommendation concerning the issue of the Bonds. The value of the Bonds and the shares of Korian can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional adviser as to the suitability of the Bonds for the person concerned. Prohibition of sales to European Economic Area and United Kingdom retail investors No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make available any Bonds to any retail investor in the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this provision: (a) the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a "qualified investor" as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Bonds. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPS Regulation. MIFID II product governance Retail investors, professional investors and ECPs target market - Solely for the purposes of each manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Bonds has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Bonds is retail investors, eligible counterparties and professional clients, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Bonds to retail investors, eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Bonds (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturers' target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Bonds (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers' target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. For the avoidance of doubt, even if the target market includes retail investors, the manufacturers have decided that the Bonds will be offered, as part of the initial offering, only to eligible counterparties and professional clients. France The Bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold or cause to be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France other than to qualified investors. Any offer or sale of the Bonds and distribution of any offering material relating to the Bonds have been and will be made in France only to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), as defined in article 2 point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1 and L.411-2 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier United Kingdom This press release is addressed and directed only (i) to persons located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) to investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (iii) to high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within by Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order (the persons mentioned in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) all deemed relevant persons (the "Relevant Persons")). The Bonds and, as the case may be, the shares to be delivered upon exercise of the conversion rights (the "Financial Instruments"), are intended only for Relevant Persons and any invitation, offer or agreement related to the subscription, tender, or acquisition of the Financial Instruments may be addressed and/or concluded only with Relevant Persons. All persons other than Relevant Persons must abstain from using or relying on this document and all information contained therein. This press release is not a prospectus which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other United Kingdom regulatory authority for the purposes of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. United States of America This press release may not be released, published or distributed in or into the United States (as defined by Regulation S under the Securities Act). The Bonds and the shares deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Bonds described in this press release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any State of the United States, and such securities may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof and applicable state or local securities laws. The securities of Korian have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and Korian does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act. Australia, Canada and Japan The Bonds may not and will not be offered, sold or purchased in Australia, Canada or Japan. The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Australia, Canada or Japan. The distribution of this press release in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law. 1 The share reference price will be equal to the volume-weighted average trading price (VWAP) of Korian's shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris ("Euronext Paris") from the time of launch of the transaction until the pricing of the Bonds is determined on the same day. 2 Calculated on the basis of a reference share price equal to 41 euros at 10am on 3 March 2020, and a 55% conversion premium View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005449/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Sarah Mingham VP Investor Relations 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 Healthcare analytics firm Tricog announced on Tuesday it has raised USD 10.5 million in Series B funding round from UTEC(the University of Tokyo Edge Capital, Japan); Aflac Ventures, LLC, Japan; TeamFund, USA and Dream Incubator, Japan. Existing investors Inventus Capital and Blume Ventures also participated in this round, it said in a statement. The funding would be used to expand the product line for remote patient monitoring and to establish a strong presence in Asia and Africa, including India, Japan & China. The investment comes two years after Tricogs Series A funding round, bringing the company's total funding to USD 17.5 million. Since the previous round, Tricog said it has grown its presence in over 12 countries in South-East Asia and Africa. Tricog's AI-powered platform has been used by over three million patients globally for wellness, screening and diagnosis of acute as well as chronic heart diseases, the statement said. Founded in 2015 by Dr Charit Bhograj, Dr Zainul Charbiwala, Dr Udayan Dasgupta and Abhinav Gujjar, Tricog said it leverages its deep medical and technology expertise, to provide Virtual Cardiology Services to remote clinics, powered by AI and medical experts. Tricog's Insta ECG platform has been deployed in over 2,500 cathlabs, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres to help diagnose and manage patients with critical cardiac diseases including heart attacks, it was stated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) strongly condemns threats against an investigative journalist, Edward Adeti and his family and urges the police to investigate the matter and offer the journalist the needed protection. Adeti, who has recently produced a series of investigative stories that have affected some powerful people in Ghana, told the MFWA that, in recent days, he has detected some suspicious movements around his home and office at odd hours since February 27, 2020. He said the movements confirm intelligence relayed to him by his friends within the security agencies that some criminals are planning to attack him or his family. The journalist, who also reports having received threatening messages, said he has reported the threats to the Upper East Regional Police Command. I reported the matter to the Regional Police Command which has arranged some security measures for me. Some police officers have been assigned to patrol the area around my residence, Edward told the MFWA in a telephone conversation. The Deputy Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Alex Amenyo, confirmed to the MFWA that the journalist has reported the threats to the police, adding that his outfit has taken the report seriously. I referred him to the Action Unit and the CID, and they are working to protect him and investigate the reported threats. He has also been given a hotline to call and report any relevant incident, ACP Amenyo said. The journalist said based on expert advice, he has taken some personal precautions to protect his family. Adeti said he believed the threats are linked to his recent investigative video titled Cash for Justice which implicated a Principal State Attorney in a bribery scandal. The video, which has been extensively shared on YouTube, showed the State lawyer, Emmanuel Otu-Boison appearing to take money from the relatives of a crime suspect and advising that the suspect should flee the jurisdiction. The journalist is currently giving evidence against the judge at a disciplinary hearing set up by the Legal Service Board. Adeti was a finalist in the Anti-Corruption category of the 2019 edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA), the sub-regions most prestigious annual journalists awards organised by the MFWA. Adeti has received similar threats in the past. In May 2019, the journalist reported a series of death threats to the Bureau of National Investigations after his investigative work forced Rockson Bukari, a Minister of State, to resign on April 29, 2019. Adeti had recorded the Minister trying to bribe him to drop an investigative story, which, incidentally, was also about judicial corruption. The investigative story produced in 2018 exposed a compromising relationship between a Chinese mining firm and a judge handling a case involving that firm. The judge at the centre of the scandal, Justice Jacob Boon, eventually recused himself when the case was brought before him at the Bolgatanga High Court Room One on December 17, 2018. The MFWA condemns the threats being issued against Adeti who, as a journalist, is fulfilling his constitutional duty of reporting on corruption and demanding the highest level of integrity from public officeholders. We commend Adetis courage in reporting the truth in the face of such threats and urge the police to do everything possible to track down and prosecute the people behind the threats. We also urge the police to continue to take measures to protect Adeti and his family. Heading Into Super Tuesday, Polls Try to Predict the Democrat Presidential Nominee Democrats in 14 states, American Samoa, and abroad will cast their ballots on March 3, Super Tuesday, for who they want to represent their party against President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Thirty-four percent, or 1,357, of the pledged delegates for the Democratic National Convention will be assigned in what could be the deciding factor for presidential hopefuls. Each of the Super Tuesday states pledged delegates will help to decide which candidate they think can take on Trump in Novembers general election. California has 415 pledged delegates, Texas has 228, North Carolina has 110, Virginia has 99, Massachusetts has 91, Minnesota has 75, Colorado has 67, Tennessee has 64, Alabama has 52, Oklahoma has 37, Arkansas has 31, Maine has 24, Utah has 29, Vermont has 16, and American Samoa has 6. So far, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has been leading the pack for Democratic nominee, with victories in the first 4 primaries but lost some of his momentum in the most recent South Carolina primary to former Vice President Joe Biden, who received 39 delegates versus Sanderss 15. Meanwhile, billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent millions on ads heading into each primary. Super Tuesday will be when Americans see if his ads translated into enough delegates to beat Sanders or Biden. California, with by far the largest portion of delegates, is a focus for the candidates. According to some recent polls done there, Sanders is leading in the state and has also drawn large crowds at his rally. A USA Today/Suffolk Poll released Monday had Sanders with 35 percent, Bloomberg with 16 percent, Biden with 14 percent, and Warren 12 percent. A CBS News Battleground Tracker/YouGov poll that came out Sunday morning shows Sanders with a noteworthy lead in the state with largest delegate prize. The Vermont senator is at 31 percent in the polling, well ahead of Biden and Warren, at 19 and 18 percent respectively, while Bloomberg trails at 12 percent. Mondays Emerson Poll shows Sanders with 38 percent, Biden with 21 percent, Warren with 16 percent, and Bloomberg with 11 percent. Although the former vice president is trailing, he has been endorsed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has yet to make her choice public. Texas is the state with the next largest delegate count. According to polling released over the past two days, Sanders is looking like the favorite in the Lone-Star state. The self-described Democratic socialist has a wide lead in an NBC News/Marist poll: 15 points over Biden34 percent to 19 percentBloomberg is third at 15 percent. Mondays Emerson Poll also shows Sanders leading in Texas with 31 points, and Biden in his shadow at 26 points, with Bloomberg trailing with 16 points. But a CBS News Battleground Tracker/YouGov poll shows a much closer contest: Sanders leads Biden by just 4 points, 30 percent to 26 percent. Warren comes in third at 17 percent, while Bloomberg is trailing at 13 percent. In other Southern states, the race looks less definitive. An NBC News/Marist poll in North Carolina shows Sanders at 26 percent, and Biden at 24 percent. Bloomberg is in third at 15 percent. Then theres Virginia, where a Christopher Newport University poll released on Friday shows Biden with 22 percent, ahead of Sanderss 17 percent and Bloombergs 13 percent. The candidate that wins the most votes on Super Tuesday will likely be the Democratic nominee, or, at the very least, be hard to catch up to. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called an urgent meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other top officials at 3 pm on the government's preparations to deal with coronavirus, an official said. The move comes a day after a case of the novel coronavirus was reported in the national capital. Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev and top officials of the Health Department will be present at the meeting and will brief the chief minister about the Delhi government's preparations, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The infected citizen will stay in isolation before undergoing another medical exam on 16 March Egypt's manpower and emigration ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it has contacted the country's consulate in Milan to follow up on the latest updates regarding an Egyptian expat who tested positive for the coronavirus in Italy on Saturday. The infected citizen has been separated from his family members and will be kept in isolation before undergoing another medical exam on 16 March, according to a report sent to the ministry by the labour office attache at Egypt's consulate in Milan. Manpower and Emigration Minister Mohamed Safan has asked the country's labour attache to reached out to the company where the expat works to ensure he is receiving his dues during the treatment period and to keep in touch with him to assist him with any requests. The coronavirus has infected about 2,036 people and killed 52 others in Italy. Globally, the virus has killed over 3,000 people, mostly in China, and infected more than 90,000 others according to the latest update from the World Health Organization. Search Keywords: Short link: Truck owners, who regularly carry goods to Bangladesh through West Bengals Malda district, on Tuesday accused local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders of extorting crores of rupees from them at the Mahadipur international land port. The allegations came as chief minister Mamata Banerjee started her north Bengal tour on Tuesday. Truck owners said they will bring the matter to Banerjees notice on Wednesday, when the chief minister is scheduled to address a party workshop in Malda. Significantly, Banerjee singled out Malda district while addressing a crucial TMC meeting in Kolkata on Monday and said she was extremely unhappy with leaders in the district. I am aware that in Malda district they are running the party their way. They will either follow discipline or leave and join some other outfit. I am not going to tolerate this, Banerjee said at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Monday. The truck owners alleged that the extortion takes place when drivers park their vehicles and wait for their turn for customs inspection. They said more than 300 vehicles cross the land port every day. They alleged that two local TMC leaders and some armed men collect 2500 from every driver. In addition, the truck owners have to pay 140 as parking fee to them. Local TMC leaders Prasenjit and Chandan Ghosh and their associates collect the money. Whenever a driver refuses to pay he is beaten up or the battery is taken out of the vehicle, Abdul Malek, president of Gour Truck Owners Association, said. Truck drivers or owners are not forced to pay parking fee to political parties anywhere in India. But at Mohdipur land port we have to pay 140 and 2500 as Gunda tax (protection money), he said. We complained to the district magistrate and superintendent of police but nothing happened. Now we have planned to bring the matter to the notice of the chief minister during her Malda visit, he added. Ajijul Islam, another truck owner, said: TMC-backed goons collect more than 2-3 lakh every day only as parking fee. The protection money runs into crores. If this is not stopped many truck operators will stop visiting Mahadipur land port, Islam said. Incidentally, Prasenjit Ghoshs wife Lipika Ghosh Barman is the head of the TMC-run English Bazar panchayat samiti and Chandan Ghoshs wife, Krishna Sutradhar Ghosh, is the pradhan of the TMC-run Mahadipur gram panchayat. Prasenjit Ghosh denied the accusations. The allegation is baseless. It is being raised to malign the party on the eve of the chief ministers visit, Prasenjit Ghosh said. Chandan Ghosh could not be contacted. Opposition parties condemned the ruling partys leaders as the extortion allegation cropped up. I dont know how anyone can collect parking fee within 500 metres from the international border. I am going to raise this in Parliament, Khagen Murmu, the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Lok Sabha member from Malda (North) seat, said. Congress legislator from Manikchak, Mottakin Alam, said the TMC district leadership is indulging in extortion. I have information that more than 2-3 crore is collected from this land port every month. The chief minister should know what is going on in Malda, Alam said. Malda district magistrate Rajarshi Mitra and superintendent of police Alok Rajoria refused to comment on the issue. Mausam Benazir Noor, TMC district president, said if the allegations are correct then the party will take action against its leaders. The administration will take its own steps, Noor said. A bartender at a Cypress area craft beer bar is facing criminal charges that accuse him of overserving a coworker, who then drove drunk and crashed into a group of good Samaritans trying to help a stranded motorist, killing a woman, authorities said. Miguel Rizo, 25, was charged on Monday with two misdemeanor liquor violations following the crash on Jan. 27 that led to the death of Mayra Ospina. Ospina, 23, and two others tried to help someone when they were struck in the 5100 block of Barker Cypress, south of Kieth Harrow Boulevard. English French OTTAWA, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Export Development Canada (EDC) is introducing changes to its Transparency and Disclosure Policy to make the organization more open, clear and responsive to the needs of Canadians and its stakeholders. The updated policy comes into effect on April 6, 2020. Our goal is to align with the times and with Canadian values, helping us evolve into a more open organization. We recognize that transparency is integral to our business, to facilitating accountability and oversight, and to building trust with Canadians and our stakeholders. The fact that transparency is now included in the policys title is deliberate. It symbolizes our commitment to make transparency central to EDCs culture, said Todd Winterhalt, Senior Vice President, Communications and Corporate Strategy. The renamed Transparency and Disclosure Policy, initially introduced in 2001, sets out EDCs framework for the disclosure of information pertaining to our business in a manner that balances the confidentiality required by our customers with the information sought by the public. It is intended to provide clarity for all audiences about the work we do, whether they are our employees, customers, members of civil society, or the general public. The updated policy, which was informed by feedback received during a public consultation, will result in improved reporting practices, including tightened dollar ranges and more relevant descriptions for the transactions we support and disclose. For Category A project financing transactionsdefined as projects with potential significant adverse environmental or social effectsEDC will publicly disclose that it is considering financing at least 60 days in advance of providing support, up from 30 days. The policy also recognizes that EDC can help Canadians better understand our business, particularly how we live up to our commitments for sustainable and responsible business. As such, we will expand the information we make public on how we manage risks and adhere to our policies, a commitment also embedded in other EDC environmental and social policies. To this end, EDC has recently published due diligence frameworks for climate change and human rights, which detail how EDC identifies and assesses risks in these critical areas for transactions we consider supporting. EDC will continue to make more information publicly available about how we identify, assess, and manage risks as well as what types of business we will support. Additionally, EDC will begin annually reporting on the aggregate number of transactions that did not proceed and the number of customer relationships that were not onboarded due in whole or in part to concerns related to corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR). EDC plans to be more transparent and open in our responses to queries from stakeholders. While we must always respect our obligations as a financial institution to protect the commercially sensitive information of our customers, we understand the publics interest in what we do. As such, we will provide more detail when explaining our processes and the decisions we have made. Finally, we will post on our website formal inquiries we have received regarding our business and our support for specific transactions along with our responses. This will help bring visibility into how EDC engages with our stakeholders and our customers. We take pride in our work and in our mandate to support Canadian exporters in their international growth. We welcome the opportunity to speak openly about our business and our commitments in the areas that Canadians care deeply about. While there will always be limits as to what we can disclose, the updated policy makes important strides towards greater transparency, moving us into a leadership role in our industry, said Winterhalt. Beginning in 2017, EDC undertook a formal review and public consultation of five policies as part of a broader policy review. These included the Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy, the Environmental and Social Review Directive, the Climate Change Policy, the Human Rights Policy, and the Disclosure Policy. The renamed Transparency and Disclosure Policy was the last of these policies to be updated. Related Materials: EDC Transparency and Disclosure Policy Public Response Paper About EDC Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip Canadian companies with the tools they need the trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections to grow their business with confidence. Underlying all our support is a commitment to sustainable and responsible business. For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca. Media Contact Jessica Draker Export Development Canada (613) 598-2937 jdraker@edc.ca Ukraine is interested in the experience of Finland as a NATO enhanced opportunity partner. Alina Frolova, the Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, and Kai Sauer, the Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Security Policy, at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, discussed the security situation in Europe, military and non-military security threats, including hybrid ones, and experience in counteracting national security threats, in particular in the area of combating misinformation at the meeting in Helsinki on March 3, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports. Alina Frolova highlighted the interest in further closer examination of Finlands experience as a NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partner. Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine informed the Finnish side about the situation in Donbas and in the Black Sea-Azov region. The deputy defense minister also thanked the Finnish colleagues for their support and stressed the importance of developing dialogue and cooperation. The Ukrainian side is interested in sharing experience in the field of counteracting hybrid threats and establishing cooperation between the government agencies, Frolova said. ol Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 08:05:56|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Pedestrians wearing face masks are seen on the street in Milan, Italy, March 2, 2020. A total of 1,835 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far in Italy, up by 258 cases compared to an official tally released on Sunday evening, the Civil Protection Department said Monday. (Photo by Daniele Mascolo/Xinhua) ROME, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,835 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far in Italy, up by 258 cases compared to an official tally released on Sunday evening, the Civil Protection Department said Monday. In addition, there have been 52 deaths, up from 34 fatalities till Sunday, while another 149 patients have recovered, said Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli, who also serves as Extraordinary Commissioner for the Coronavirus Emergency. "We have an increase in people who are deceased, with 18 deaths, of whom 15 in Lombardy and three in Emilia-Romagna, so the total of those deceased has reached 52," Borrelli told a televised press conference, referring to the two northern regions with the most cases at the moment. "What is comforting about the 258 new cases is that 50 percent are asymptomatic and are under house quarantine, 40 percent are hospitalized with symptoms, and 10 percent are hospitalized in intensive care," Borrelli continued. Also on Monday, the Ministry of Health published a breakdown of cases by region, showing that the highest number occurred in Lombardy (1,254), where the first Italian cases emerged on Feb. 21 and where 10 towns have been placed under lockdown in a so-called "red zone" in an effort to stop the virus from spreading. Next was Emilia-Romagna with 335 cases, followed by Veneto -- where another town is under lockdown -- at 273 cases. There are 742 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 166 are in intensive care, while another 927 under house quarantine,the Ministry of Health said in a statement. The seven cases in Lazio include five new cases that emerged in and around the capital overnight, Lazio public health authorities and the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute of Infectious Disease (INMI) announced Monday. The INMI also said that a firefighter cadet at a firefighting academy in Rome has tested positive for the coronavirus and is under medical surveillance in his barracks. It is not clear whether the firefighter is also included in the national tally. Dr. Giovanni Rezza, who directs the infectious diseases department at the Superior Institute of Health (ISS), said in response to a question from reporters at Monday's press conference that the Rome cases "appear to be linked to the epicenter of the epidemic" in northern Italy and that for now the situation in the nation's capital "appears to be under control". Also on Monday, Health Minister Roberto Speranza spoke on the phone with World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge, who declared "full support for the measures adopted by Italy to tackle the new coronavirus emergency". "This is a global challenge which countries must face together," Speranza said in a statement. Before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube made their entry in the media market, the PatnaDaily had already registered its presence in... It is the world's first confirmed case of a pet dog diagnosed with the infection. Ukraine has temporarily banned imports of pets and wild carnivores from China after a dog in Hong Kong tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This was announced by Ukraine's State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Read alsoCNBC: WHO chief on coronavirus: Global markets 'should calm down and try to see the reality' The world's first confirmed case of a pet dog diagnosed with the coronavirus was reported in Hong Kong. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the dog was kept in the house whose owner tested positive for the coronavirus. "To minimize the risks of spreading the COVID-19 pathogen to Ukraine, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has temporarily banned imports of pets (dogs, cats and the like) and wild carnivores from the People's Republic of China under Article 33 and Article 96 of the Law of Ukraine on Veterinary Medicine and based on recommendations of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code," it said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Hong Kong was the first country where a pet was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. According to CNN, the dog which had no symptoms was put into quarantine and will be repeatedly tested until the result comes back negative, according to an official statement. The Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department "strongly advises" that pets of people infected with coronavirus are quarantined for 14 days. She is currently traveling the globe on her Courage World Tour. Celine Dion stepped out in one of her typical headline-making looks in New York City on Tuesday. The 51-year-old megastar channeled the 1960s with a mod floral number and some vintage inspired accessories for her outing. Fashion icon: Celine Dion stepped out in one of her typical headline-making looks in New York City on Tuesday, opting for a sixties inspired mod ensemble Dion was snapped by photographers as she departed her hotel to head to Long Island where she will perform later tonight. A lover of fashion, Celine went all out for this matching retro look which featured a mod jacket with a blue and white floral print and matching printed tights. On the coat, the center of the flowers were adorned with three dimensional embellishments. Celine held a classic white handbag that matched her white leather pumps and sported a white turtleneck underneath that peaked out from the collar. Fan favorite: She is currently traveling the globe on the North American leg of her Courage World Tour which began in September of 2019 Mod squad! A lover of fashion, Celine went all out for this matching retro look which featured a mod jacket with a blue and white floral print and matching printed tights The songbird swept her hair back into a low ponytail which, from the front, gave the appearance of a faux bob and she rocked black cat-eye sunglasses. The Canadian national treasure is currently in the middle of the North American leg of her Courage World Tour. Courage kicked off in Quebec City in September 2019 and will head to Europe in May, stop in the Middle East briefly, and then wrap up with a final show in London a year to the day after it began. She performed twice in Brooklyn just a few days ago and thanked the borough on social media for being such a great crowd. Details: Celine held a classic white handbag that matched her white leather pumps and sported a white turtleneck underneath that peaked out from the collar and swept her hair back into a low ponytail which, from the front, gave the appearance of a faux bob Mover and shaker: The Courage World Tour kicked off n Quebec City in September 2019 and will head to Europe in May, stop in the Middle East briefly, and then wrap up with a final show in London a year to the day after it began The star isn't wasting any time in the Big Apple and between performances, she a stepped out several times, showcasing her wide raging style. From vintage inspired mod to Balenciaga tracksuits to menswear, the hitmaker's street style on her tour has been second to none. Celine recently released an Apple Music short Behind Celine Dions Courage, a documentary about her latest album. In the film, she discusses moving on from husband Rene Angelil, who died in 2016 of throat cancer at age 73. Off the stage: The star isn't wasting any time in the Big Apple and between performances, she a stepped out several times, showcasing her wide raging style (Pictured February 29) Fashionista: From vintage inspired mod to Balenciaga tracksuits to menswear, the hitmaker's street style on her tour has been second to none (Pictured last week) Dion told People: 'I feel good these days. Its no secret that Ive gone through some tough times, obviously losing my husband and my brother a few years ago, and my mother very recently. 'Life presents challenges to us and we try to find ways to move on. Music can be a healing force, and the songs on my new album have helped me find new strength in my life.' She announced the death of her mother Therese last month, paying tribute at her Miami show the next night with a performance of Over the Rainbow. The Power of Love artist recently took to Instagram to thank her fans for their support after her loss. She wrote: 'On behalf of my entire family, I would like to thank all of you for your expressions of sympathy, which have touched us very deeply.' Qatar has imposed a temporarily entrance ban to Egyptians over fear for Coronavirus outbreak. As a public health measure, the State of Qatar has imposed a temporary entrance restriction to its territories on all those who are coming from Egypt through intermediate points, the Government Communications Office of Qatar said in a statement. The measure is temporary due to the spread of COVID-19. It is forbidden to carry passengers holding the Egyptian nationality arriving to Doha through intermediate points, until further notice, the Civil Aviation Authority also said in a statement. The measure according to the authority is adopted to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus. Egypt has so far only confirmed one case. Egyptian health authorities said on February 14 a foreigner tested positive. The patient, put in quarantine, had recovered according to the World Health Organization (WHO). On Sunday, Egypts Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed brushed aside rumors of two new cases of the disease admitted to a hospital in northern Egypt. Qatar has confirmed two new cases of the virus. Two Qatari citizens evacuated from Iran on Feb. 27 have been under full quarantine. The Gulf country on Saturday said a 36-year-old Qatari man who returned recently from Iran was its first confirmed case. He was in a stable condition. Qatar has become one of several countries in the region to be hit by the outbreak. The COVID-19 has killed 54 people in neighboring Iran which also turned out to be the country worst affected after China, the epicenter of the fast-spreading virus. Close to 3,000 people have died globally, mostly in China. Casino advocates, who tout the tax riches that will flow from gaming, should want bids so they can squeeze even more money out of casinos. Instead, Virginia is prepared to leave money on the table, so to speak. Voters from across the ideological spectrum might want to ask why. There might be 1.7 million answers to that question thats how many dollars the casino interests have spread around in campaign contributions. One developer left on the outside by the casino bill has complained that Virginia has a coin-operated government, and its hard to say hes wrong. Once the casino bill finally gets to his desk, Gov. Ralph Northam will have an opportunity to send down an amendment to correct this loophole. If he doesnt, we can guarantee this: Years from now, when something goes wrong with one of these operators, the stories about the resultant scandals will likely mention his name for ultimately signing off on a no-bid process. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has announced that he will appoint an ambassador to Israel, marking a warming of relations between the two countries after two decades of no official representation by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Jewish state. Tshisekedi addressed the influential pro-Israel US lobby AIPAC on Sunday, telling delegates in Washington that he would name an ambassador in the coming days. I invite Israel to increase its diplomatic and economic presence in my country to maximise the potential offered by the relationship between our two states and our two peoples, said the DR Congo president. Tshisekedi said the Congolese diplomat would be posted in Tel Aviv, but a commercial section would be set up in Jerusalem. Israel's experience and know-how in agriculture, science and technology all have their place in my country, said Tshisekedi, describing the opportunities available in the DRC. The DR Congo stretches across more than 2.3 million square kilometres and has a population of more than 85 million people, according to Tshisekedi. But it only uses 10 percent of its 80 million square kilometres of arable land, and an infinitesimal part of its water and mineral resources, estimated at more than 24 trillion dollars, the Congolese president added. The Israeli government had a strong relationship with Mobutu Sese Seko, the ex-ruler of the country previously known as Zaire. Israeli authorities in 1985 gave Mobutu easy credit for arms purchases and guaranteed Israeli and Jewish investments in Zaire. Mobutu's Zaire was described as a toehold for Israel in Africa, according to reports in the 1980s. Relations soured, however, as DR Congo descended into war and the last resident ambassador left Kinshasa in 2003, according to the Israeli foreign ministry. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing to normalise ties with countries around the world notably in Africa. The majority of African countries had solidarity with Arab rivals and distrusted Israel over its alliance with apartheid South Africa. Groundbreaking multidisciplinary work with proteins and modeling highlights challenges as the field looks to develop high-resolution, high-throughput organs on a chip WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 -- Recent advances in bioengineering and computational modeling have given researchers the ability to examine complex biological processes with molecular-level detail. A review of recent work in biophysics highlights efforts in cellular engineering, ranging from proteins to cellular components to tissues grown on next-generation chips. Author Ngan Huang said the fast pace of development prompted her and her colleagues to take stock of promising areas in the field as well as hurdles researchers can expect in coming years. They discuss their work in this week's APL Bioengineering, from AIP Publishing. "What excites me most is the multidisciplinary nature of the field. It brings together researchers of diverse expertise, including biophysics, biomaterials, molecular biology, chemical and systems biology, computational biology and developmental biology," she said. "As more diverse expertise is applied to this field in the future, we anticipate even more advancements will be made." Advances in understanding the cellular microenvironment led to new mechanical properties for researchers to explore. Viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity describe how materials deform when a stress is applied to them and how well they keep their shape, an understanding that has shown how cells respond when they encounter one another and how they move through tight spaces. At the molecular level, new techniques, such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer, make it possible for researchers to see and better study the effects intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have on physical properties of cells. IDPs lack a rigid shape and have been recently found to control cellular function by altering phase transitions within cells. Engineered synthetic proteins also emerged as a hotbed of bioengineering research in recent years, finding use in tracking enzymes bound to cell membranes and making up a key component of many emerging cancer immunotherapies. Development of increasingly powerful computational tools to better model molecular behaviors has allowed researchers to better predict how IDPs change shape and how synthetic proteins are likely to fold. These tools have already helped researchers create easy-to-use chips that replicate how specific biological tissues behave. Organ-on-a-chip technology looks to provide a high-resolution, high-throughput method for researchers to investigate how tissues respond to conditions like exposure to experimental drugs. Such approaches might offer faster findings without the use of animal testing. "In the area of multi-cellular systems, one challenge is the development of organs on a chip that incorporate complex spatial geometries and cell types to allow us to study how different cells interact with one another, while providing high-resolution imaging and high-throughput analysis," Huang said. She said she hopes the paper inspires students from more disciplines to participate in the field. ### The article, "Multi-scale cellular engineering: From molecules to organ-on-a-chip," is authored by Ngan F. Huang, Ovijit Chaudhuri, Patrick Cahan, Aijun Wang, Adam Engler, Yingxiao Wang, Sanjay Kumar, Ali Khademhosseini and Song Li. The article will appear in APL Bioengineering on March 3, 2020 (DOI: 10.1063/1.5129788). After that date, it can be accessed at https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5129788. ABOUT THE JOURNAL APL Bioengineering is an open access journal publishing significant discoveries specific to the understanding and advancement of physics and engineering of biological systems. See http://aip.scitation.org/journal/apb. The Pakistan Army opened fire and shelled areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district in the early hours of Tuesday, drawing retaliation from the Indian Army, an official said. "At about 0330 hours today, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankot and Mendhar sectors", a defence spokesperson said. The Army retaliated befittingly, and the firing and shelling have stopped around 5 am, the spokesperson added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Car crash victims who used no-win, no-fee lawyers to fight personal injury claims may have been ripped off to the tune of hundreds of pounds. One claims firm estimates that more than two million may have been overcharged by solicitors who asked clients to pay top rates for the most straightforward cases. No-win, no-fee claims have boomed ever since the Government began to restrict and later abolish legal aid for personal injury cases in the 1990s. No-win, no-fee sharks: One claims firm estimates that more than two million may have been overcharged by solicitors who asked clients to pay top rates for straightforward cases Under current laws, solicitors make their money on cases they win with a 'basic charge' usually 600 paid by the other driver's insurance company for claims worth less than 10,000 and a 'success fee' that comes out of their client's damages. This success fee is calculated as a percentage of the basic charge, so should not exceed 600 in most cases. And a Ministry of Justice cap also means that success fees should not be higher than 25 per cent of the damages the claimant has won. The fee must also reflect the risk taken in fighting the case. So an open-and-shut case should not require a huge success fee. But costs recovery firm Checkmylegalfees.com says many personal injury lawyers have been ignoring how the success fee should be charged and taking a 'blanket rate' of 25 per cent against the compensation, rather than properly calculating the success fee. It means that claimants with low-risk cases have been made to pay the same rates as those with claims less likely to succeed. And some solicitors are charging 25 per cent of the damages automatically. A landmark Court of Appeal ruling last year found that one no-win, no-fee firm was not entitled to charge the maximum fee. A judge also found no clear evidence that the claimant had approved the costs incurred. The former director of the Liverpool firm involved in the case, Hampson Hughes, confirmed that the company imposed a blanket rate of success fees across all similar claims. I won 3,000 for whiplash but had to pay law firm 673 Natayla Cowell: 'It was intimidating' Natayla Cowell recovered 613.75 from a personal injury firm which cold-called her ten months after she was involved in a crash. The carer had been driving into work in 2016, when another car hit her Ford Focus. Natayla, then 25, began to feel whiplash pains across her shoulders a few days later but it wasn't until Cheshire-based Thorneycroft Solicitors called her that she thought she would be entitled to compensation. The mother-of-two says: 'I asked them how they got my number and they said it was from a database. They kept saying I deserved the money.' Natayla felt hurried into making a decision and decided to sign a conditional fee agreement with the firm. She had no idea that personal injury claimants have three years to make a claim. Thorneycroft proceeded with the case by submitting a claim form through the online road traffic accident portal. The other driver's insurer went on to admit liability just under two weeks later. Natayla, 29, who lives in Telford, Shropshire, ended up winning back 2,995 in damages. But the firm took 673.75 in fees from her compensation. She went on to instruct Check mylegalfees.com in December 2017. But when the firm requested papers from Natayla's case, Thorneycroft wrote directly to her and said that it would be seeking 'unrecovered' costs of 731 because she had made a claim against it. Natayla says: 'It was intimidating.' She continued pursuing her claim. But it was not until July last year that a judge ruled that she had been overcharged and Thorneycroft was ordered to pay her 613.75 plus 88.65 interest. She says: 'I feel they took advantage of my ignorance.' Thorneycroft did not respond to requests for comment. In his witness statement he said: 'I also know that many of our competitors charge success fees in the same way that we do.' Checkmylegalfees.com represents people who believe they have been overcharged by solicitors. The firm is understood to have won more than 100 cases in the past two-and-a-half years and has used the Court of Appeal judgment to win back fees for many of its clients. It has recovered 750 on average for each claimant. However, it can also charge success fees which are capped in the same way as personal injury claims. This means claimants will be charged up to 25 per cent of their damages through claiming their money back. Mark Carlisle, founder of Checkmylegalfees.com, says that more than two million people may have been overcharged by a personal injury company. He says: 'We conservatively estimate that the no-win, no-fee law firms have overcharged road traffic accident injury victims 2 billion.' The overcharging may go back as far as 2013 when the 25 per cent cap was introduced. It's understood that many firms have changed their charging practices since the Court of Appeal case, in a bid to avoid further claims. Guide: How to claim If you think you have been overcharged by a law firm, your first port of call should be the firm you used to pursue your claim. Ask for a full breakdown of costs and make sure you understand what each charge relates to. If you don't feel you are getting anywhere, take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman for free. You usually have six years to lodge a case. Write to: Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ or call 0300 555 0333. You could also take your case to a cost recovery firm such as CheckMyLegalFees.com Peter Corbett, 46, was approached by a secretary working for Raims Law within minutes of his accident in Manchester in February 2017. He says a young employee of the firm ran over to the self-employed joiner after she saw another car go into the back of his Vauxhall Vivaro in stationary traffic. Peter adds: 'I felt harangued. I didn't think she would go away unless I went with her back to the office.' The Stockport resident ended up signing a conditional fee agreement in which he was told he would pay the firm 25 per cent of his compensation if he won but nothing more in legal costs. However, he was not told that the costs Raims Law could recover from the other motorist's insurer were likely to be fixed at 600 and that he could end up paying a shortfall for the firm's hourly rate charges. Peter ended up receiving 3,700 in damages in June 2017, but he instructed Checkmy legalfees.com when he realised Raims Law had taken a success fee of 925. The High Court in Sheffield eventually ordered an 835 refund along with 60.53 in interest. A Raims Law spokesman says that while it does not comment on individual cases, the practice of charging success fees was 'not particularly clear' before the April 2019 Court of Appeal case. How to save on insurance bills now Millions of people are needlessly overpaying when their insurance automatically renews. But you don't have to and it's easier than you might think to fight back to beat the loyalty penalty. With our new partner, Compare the Market, you can compare insurance and exclusive deals and get rewarded with Meerkat Meals and Meerkat Movies* when you buy a qualifying product through them. You could save hundreds of pounds a year on your home insurance, car insurance, travel insurance as well as pet, motorbike and van insurance. >> Check to see if you can start saving money now *Meerkat Meals and Meerkat Movies are available with qualifying purchases. Ts and Cs apply He adds: 'That decision has assisted solicitors with the way in which certain features of charging success fees is explained to their clients, and most solicitors have made the appropriate changes to their practices to avoid the types of problems that arose in [the case].' A Law Society spokesman says: 'Every case is unique and personal injury solicitors entering into a conditional fee agreement should never assume a success fee of 25 per cent applies to all cases.' An Association of Personal Injury Lawyers spokesman says: 'Solicitors must act in the best interest of their clients and this includes providing a clear explanation of their fees.' Rise of 'free' firms used by millions No-win, no-fee claims firms emerged in the Nineties, when the government restricted and later abolished Legal Aid for personal injury cases. It meant those who signed the new Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) could make a personal injury claim without having to worry about paying legal costs if they lost. The no-win, no-fee deals were first allowed for a range of court cases in England and Wales in 1995. No-win, no-fee claims firms emerged in the Nineties, when the government restricted and later abolished Legal Aid for personal injury cases Three years later, a move was made to extend them to all civil cases, with the exception of family courts. It wasn't long before TV adverts showing people falling from ladders or being involved in car accidents became commonplace. The personal injury market is now valued at nearly 4 billion a year. But the practice has come under considerable criticism from those who believe they make money out of a 'compensation culture'. And the firms which use the agreements have been accused of making money from those who make claims against publicly funded bodies, such as the NHS. Lawyers who use CFAs will say there is no gravy train, because firms lose money from unsuccessful cases. In the past, these firms have also been accused of using unscrupulous means to get leads for new claimants. Cold calls from staff asking whether you've been involved in an accident are still common. However, in 2012 a law was introduced to forbid companies who deal with drivers after a car crash, including mechanics and car-hire firms, from selling on clients' details to personal injury lawyers. Insurers have also become unlikely victims of the industry. Trade body the Association of British Insurers has blamed personal injury lawyers for soaring car premiums. It says many insurers have had no choice but to increase the cost of cover, to meet the demand of payouts to claimants for injuries such as whiplash. In a bid to tackle the high number and cost of whiplash claims and tackle fraud, the Government is planning to implement a Whiplash Reform Programme. f.parker@dailymail.co.uk Even Amid Virus Scare, North Korea Continues Weapons Tests By William Gallo March 02, 2020 North Korea launched two short-range projectiles Monday, South Korea's military said -- a move that comes as the North scrambles to prevent a potentially disastrous coronavirus outbreak within its borders. The two weapons were fired from the Wonsan area toward the sea off North Korea's east coast, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The projectiles traveled approximately 240 kilometers at a maximum height of 35 kilometers, it added. North Korea has not commented on the launch. But officials in Seoul say the test was likely part of North Korean military drills that started last week. South Korea's National Security Council expressed "strong concern" about the moves, which it said do not help military tensions. A U.S. State Department spokesman said "We are aware of reports of projectiles launched from North Korea, and continue to monitor the situation." North Korea last year launched 13 rounds of short- or medium-range missiles or rockets, amid stalled nuclear talks with the United States. But this is North Korea's first detected launch since the beginning of the year. In recent weeks, North Korea has focused on emergency coronavirus prevention efforts, which authorities have called a matter of "national survival." Though North Korea continues to insist it has found no coronavirus cases, authorities have shut down foreign tourism, quarantined all arriving foreigners, and even prevented foreign diplomats from leaving their compounds. State media say nearly 7,000 people are being medically monitored. Some experts said the coronavirus concerns could help reduce military tensions, especially after the United States and South Korea last week indefinitely postponed joint military drills that North Korea sees as a provocation. But the latest launch suggests North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sees little benefit in restarting diplomacy and instead intends to raise the stakes ahead of important elections in both the United States and South Korea, says Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul." North Korea is making clear with these missile tests it will continue to improve military capabilities and make outsized demands, despite the political and public health preoccupations of Beijing, Seoul and Washington," Easley said. Kim has kept a low-profile during the coronavirus scare. But on Friday he led a military exercise alongside other top military officials -- all of whom, unlike Kim, wore face masks. It is not clear what weapons North Korea used in the drill, but state media said a "target islet" was reduced to "a sea of flames." Bigger tests could be coming. In a New Year's speech, Kim said he no longer felt bound by his self-imposed suspension on long-range missile and nuclear tests. He also warned the world would soon witness a "new strategic weapon." The weapons tests appear designed in part to increase North Korean leverage in nuclear talks and to help build deterrence against U.S. military power. But the launches also could serve as an attempt to shore up domestic political strength, stressed Park Won-gon, professor of international politics at Handong Global University. " The purpose of the test has more to do with the outbreak of the coronavirus in North Korea and less to do with it being a provocation," Park said. He says North Korea may be "showing off deterrence to its people" as a precursor to accepting international emergency aid. " With the spread of the virus, North Korea has to strengthen its solidarity and convince its people," he said. "It is very typical North Korean behavior -- to provoke and raise tensions just before accepting external aid." There have been recent signs of domestic political friction in North Korea. On Saturday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim dismissed a pair of senior political leaders following what officials characterized as a corruption scandal. KCNA did not describe the scandal in detail, but spoke of "unpopular and anti-socialist acts." The article seemed to link the alleged corruption to coronavirus prevention efforts, saying "no special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system." Experts have warned that North Korea, parts of which are impoverished, does not have adequate medical supplies to deal with a serious disease outbreak. Several international aid groups are preparing to deliver emergency medical supplies to North Korea. Some have had to apply for special exemptions, since interaction with North Korea is tightly restricted due to international sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WICHITA, Kan., March 2, 2020 The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour will land in Long Island, New York and the New York City metro area for ground tours and B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides May 29-31, 2020. Doc will arrive at Republic Airport and the American Airpower Museum Thursday, May 28, and will be available for warbird rides and ground and flight deck tours during the three-day event, Friday through Sunday. The tour stop in Farmingdale, NY will be hosted by the American Airpower Museum, which will also have vintage warbird aircraft including its P-40 Warhawk, P-51 Mustang, C-47 and B-25. The American Airpower Museum is honored to welcome Doc on its very first visit to the New York area during this 75th anniversary year of the end of World War II, said Scott Clyman, American Airpower Museum director of events. The B-29 was a marvel of technology in its day and played a major role in the Pacific theater, helping bring an end to World War II. Our mission is to honor veterans who flew and maintained these warbirds to preserve freedom around the world 75 years ago. The tour stop for B-29 Doc at the American Airpower Museum will be Docs first visit to the Empire State, and the furthest point east for the 2020 Doc tour schedule. Preserving the legacy of our nations heroes and educating future generations about the Greatest Generation is at the core of our mission with B-29 Doc, said Josh Wells, Docs Friends executive director and general manager. Partnering with the American Airpower Museum to bring the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour to New York will allow aviation and warbird enthusiasts in the New York City area a chance for an up-close and personal experience to see the unique aircraft that helped protect our freedom during World War II. Event Details for B-29 Doc at American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport Gates will open Friday, May 29 for museum access, including static ground and flight deck tours of B-29 Doc, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ground and flight deck tours on Doc will also be available Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., following morning ride flights. Museum admission will include access to the static display event and flight deck tours. The flight schedule for the B-29 Doc Flight Experience is 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31. For details about the B-29 Doc Flight Experience and to purchase ride tickets, visit www.b29doc.com/rides. The public can enter the event at the American Airpower Museum main entrance (1230 New Hwy, Farmingdale, NY 11735). Theres no better way to honor those who have served, and who continue to serve our nation, than to share these national aviation treasures across the country, Clyman said. By honoring the Greatest Generation, educating future generations and connecting people to our nations rich aviation heritage, we ensure the legacies of those who designed, built, flew and maintained these great warbirds live on forever. BOCA RATON, Fla., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AE Industrial Partners, LP ("AEI"), a private equity firm specializing in Aerospace, Defense & Government Services, Power Generation, and Specialty Industrial markets, announced today that it has acquired G.S. Precision, Inc. (the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of complex, high precision components and specialty hardware used primarily in aerospace engines and defense systems. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. G.S. Precision, based in Brattleboro, VT, is a leading manufacturer of complex, high precision components and specialty hardware used in a variety of mission critical aerospace and defense applications. The Company utilizes state of the art, proprietary manufacturing processes and technologies to deliver components with the high degree of complexity and the extremely tight tolerances required for aerospace engines and defense systems. The Company manufactures a diverse set of components, used in both new production and the aftermarket, in materials ranging from high temperature nickel alloys and titanium to stainless steel and aluminum. G.S. Precision's five strategic locations across the United States and Mexico combined with its unmatched machining capabilities and special processes allow the Company to deliver industry leading quality and performance for its customers. G.S. Precision was founded in 1958 by George Schneeberger, a machine tool sales engineer from Switzerland who identified an opportunity in the market to create a reliable manufacturer of high precision, complex components and specialty hardware used in aerospace applications. Over 60 years later, G.S. Precision is recognized as a leader in its market by a diverse group of leading aerospace and defense OEMs. Norm Schneeberger, CEO of the Company and son of George, will remain in his current role and continue to be a significant shareholder of the Company. "Since my father founded G.S. Precision over 60 years ago, the Company has built a reputation as a best-in-class operation with five facilities and more than 700 employees globally," said Norm Schneeberger. "We found a partner in AEI that clearly understands our business and shares our vision for growing G.S. Precision to the next level and continuing the great legacy created by our family." "We are very excited to partner with Norm and the talented G.S. Precision team," said Charlie Compton, Partner at AEI. "G.S. Precision has developed a leadership position in small diameter aerospace engine components and defense systems hardware with an unmatched reputation for quality and customer service. We look forward to leveraging our industry experience and financial resources to build upon this successful foundation and continue to make G.S. Precision increasingly more important to the customers it serves." Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as financial advisor to AEI. Down Rachlin Martin PLLC served as legal advisor and Gallagher, Flynn & Company served as financial advisor to G.S. Precision. About G.S. Precision G.S. Precision, founded in 1958 and based in Brattleboro, VT, is a leading manufacturer of complex, high precision components and specialty hardware used in a variety of mission critical aerospace and defense applications. The Company utilizes state of the art, proprietary manufacturing processes and technologies to deliver components with high degrees of complexity and the extremely tight tolerances required for aerospace engines and defense systems. The Company manufactures a diverse set of components, used in both new production and the aftermarket, in materials ranging from high temperature nickel alloys and titanium to stainless steel and aluminum. G.S. Precision's five strategic locations across the United States and Mexico combined with its unmatched machining capabilities and special processes allow the Company to deliver industry leading quality and performance for its demanding customers and applications. For more information, please visit https://www.gsprecision.com/ About AE Industrial Partners AE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm specializing in Aerospace, Defense & Government Services, Power Generation, and Specialty Industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from our deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout our target markets. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com. CONTACT: Lambert & Co. Jennifer Hurson (845) 507-0571 [email protected] or Kristin Celauro (732) 433-5200 [email protected] SOURCE AE Industrial Partners Appointment 3 March 2020 IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces that it has named a versatile IHG leader into a new senior leadership position - Brian Hicks, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Revenue Management, Americas. Hicks has more than 30 years of international hospitality experience - the majority of which has been with IHG, including more than ten years working in the Americas region. He was promoted from his previous role as VP, Global Revenue Management Strategy. In his new role, Hicks will lead the Revenue Management function and the Commercial team in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, and will be responsible for overseeing and integrating all revenue-generating strategies, initiatives, programs and plans to drive competitive commercial performance across the region. In addition, he will lead the Americas Revenue Strategy Committee, working with Global and Regional Revenue leaders. Hicks' broader leadership experience includes time as the Chief Operating Officer of TMI Hospitality, a developer and management company of select service and extended stay hotels, where he managed nearly 200 hotels across 26 states in the U.S. Earlier in his career, he also gained hotel operations experience in multiple on-property roles at Ritz-Carlton. Hicks holds a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin and Studies in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Hicks reports directly to Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive Officer, Americas. A stretcher is moved from an AMR ambulance to the Life Care Center of Kirkland where one associate and one resident were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on Feb. 29, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) 27 Washington State Firefighters Quarantined for Potential Coronavirus Exposure More than two dozen firefighters in Washington state were quarantined after they were potentially exposed to the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which has already killed six people in the state. The city of Kirkland, located in King County, said that 27 firefighters and two police officers have been isolated after possible exposure to the mysterious new illness that is believed to have emerged in mainland China late last year. Some of the firefighters, according to the city, are showing flu-like symptoms. As additional cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, we have completed our due diligence and identified additional firefighters to place in quarantine. We anticipate that this could continue to happen as the situation evolves, city officials said a statement. The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments are fully staffed and are responding to calls as normal, officials said. They also have Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protective equipment and are following federal guidelines. We advise community members to stay informed on the most recent updates from our public health agencies and the CDC, Fire Chief Joseph Sanford said in a statement provided by the city. Please note that we are not accepting donations from the public of any kind at this time. The best way for the community to help is to implement advice from public health and get yourself and your family prepared. A man blocks the view as a person is taken by a stretcher to a waiting ambulance from a nursing facility where more than 50 people are sick and being tested for COVID-19 in Kirkland, Washington, on Feb. 29, 2020. (Elaine Thompson/AP Photo) The first responders may have been exposed to the virus after being dispatched to what appears to be an outbreak at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, which has been linked to several COVID-19 cases and deaths in King County. Officials have said that roughly 50 patients and staff are showing symptoms of the virus, which are said to include a cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory problems. Officials told The Wall Street Journal that 27 residents and 25 staffers have shown coronavirus symptoms. Ive stopped kissing my family, said firefighter Dustin Hill, who responded to a call at Life Care on Feb. 8. Hill, who was placed under quarantine, added, If Ive exposed them, its done. Kirkland firefighter Darren DeBore told the paper that he wasnt told to wear a respiratory mask when he went to Life Care on Feb. 27, but when he saw patients and medics wearing them, he went back to get one. It started to raise a flag, he said of the incident, adding that he told a battalion chief, Theres something going on. Separately, on March 2, the Dallas Police Department confirmed that five officers who may have been exposed to the virus during an arrest were sent home for quarantine. Something Old, Something New: NISO Plus Conference Blends Tradition and Innovation Juxtaposed elements of tradition and innovation characterized the first annual NISO Plus Conference , which attracted a sellout crowd of some 200 librarians, scholarly publishers, and other information industry professionals to Baltimore, from Feb. 23 to 25, 2020. At last years 61st and final National Federation of Advanced Information Services (NFAIS) annual conference, organization president Deanna Marcum announced a planned merger with NISO (National Information Standards Organization). In making the announcement, Marcum promised that NISO would continue NFAIS traditions such as the annual conference and its centerpiece, the Miles Conrad Memorial Lecture. At the same time, she sketched out a vision that the new organization would blend NFAIS strength in discussion and ideas with NISOs action orientation, especially in the development of industry standards. The NISO Plus Conference delivered on those promises. The event itself was every bit as stimulating as past NFAIS conferences, and the tradition of the Conrad lecture was upheld in exemplary fashion by speaker James G. Neal (university librarian emeritus at Columbia University). At the same time, innovation permeated the program, which included a mix of sessions devoted to broad concepts and principles with others focused on practical implementation. Another innovation, a standard session format emphasizing audience participation plus the clever use of technology to capture and augment the conversations, was well-received. Bohyun Kim (CTO at the University of Rhode Island Libraries) set the pattern with her pre-conference program, a nontechnical overview of the history, potential, and challenges of AI. At several points, she paused to ask questions of the audience, including When AI is adopted everywhere, what will the world look like? and How will AI and machine learning affect peoples information-seeking activities? Note-takers summarized both Kims key points and audience comments in a Google document, which any attendee could edit, while others tweeted (#NISOPlus). SESSIONS Subsequent sessions followed the pattern of heavy audience engagement. Typically, each session had two components: a 45-minute presentation by invited speakers, followed by a short break and then a separate half-hour audience discussion. In practice, several sessions proceeded to the audience participation phase well before the end of the first 45-minute segment, blew right through the scheduled break, and were still going strong as time ran out on the discussion period. In some sessions, members of the audience contributed information and insights that built on what the presenters covered. In a session on search, retrieval, and discovery of information, audience members offered perspectives on the history of citation search and graphical presentation of search results that went beyond the speakers presentations. In a session on privacy, audience members pointed out that libraries safeguarding privacy must encompass not only what they collect, but how they use, share, and store what they collect. In the same session, another member mentioned a new effort, begun at the recent ALA Midwinter Meeting, to review library practices for handling patrons personally identifiable information. While some sessions were oriented toward broad concepts, others focused on specific challenges and solutions. For example, Tim Lloyd (CEO of LibLynx) gave a lucid and entertaining presentation on the work of the Coalition for Seamless Access, which is in charge of SeamlessAccess, a service that leverages the RA21 guideline to offer a means of giving end users distributed, privacy-preserving access to digital library resources. Lola Estelle (digital library specialist at SPIE) and Peter McCracken (electronic resources librarian at Cornell University) managed to combine general observations with specific applications in their presentation on electronic resource management. Estelle noted that in an informal audit of university library discovery implementations, she learned that most libraries dont actually implement access to all of the digital content they have acquired licenses to, because they dont correctly manage their electronic resource knowledgebases. She proceeded to discuss NISOs Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART) Recommended Practice. McCracken complemented her presentation with his discussion of the FOLIO open source library platform. KEYNOTES AND THE LECTURE Keynotes and the Conrad lecture also reflected the mix of broad concepts and focused applications. Opening keynoter Amy Brand (director of MIT Press) used the information infrastructure as her topic, surveying current challenges and a variety of initiatives aimed at solving, or at least mitigating, them. The closing keynote was delivered by the well-known activist and scholar danah boyd (a partner researcher at Microsoft), who brought her unique insights to the problems of data misuse and disinformation in contemporary society. In the process, she introduced what seemed to be a new word to most of us: agnotology, defined as the study of the production of ignorance. In between, Conrad lecturer Neal gave a tour de force survey of the strategic challenges facing todays information professions. Its been said that the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson are so packed with insight that each sentence could be a paragraph. Neals lecture was like that. When the recording becomes publicly available, it will be well worth viewing. Another laudable initiative of the NISO Plus Conference was the awarding of 12 conference scholarships to early-career and diverse information professionals. The contributions of scholarship recipients and other diverse professionals notably enriched the discussion, and NISO leaders vowed to continue the scholarship program. CHANGES If any elements were in short supply compared to past NFAIS conferences, they were the voices of end users and entrepreneurs. Gone was the NFAIS Startup Challenge, in which entrepreneurs pitched their fledgling companies, often envisioning solutions to real challenges not addressed by traditional information services. One is also reminded of last years keynote by Samuel Zidovetzki, an emergency medicine specialist who described his use of Wikipedia and other public sources to supply medical knowledge to rural healthcare workers in developing countriesbypassing established library collections and services. Voices like these provide an outside-the-box perspective and a useful counterpoint to the tendency to think of libraries and library collections in traditional ways. Still, the first annual NISO Plus Conference was a promising new beginning. If NISO can retain all of its positive attributes and address a few gaps, next years second annual, planned for Feb. 2123, 2021, in Baltimore, could well be even better. Chief Judge William Hanrahan said Monday that Dane County had declined to take part in the pilot program because it isnt needed here. Each of the six judges assigned to the general civil rotation has the expertise to handle business litigation, he said, and there have been no complaints to the contrary. Hanrahan, who is leaving the bench on March 13 to take a job in San Francisco, said that last fall, he wrote to state court leadership and explained there was little interest among Dane Countys judges in taking part in the program, in part because there was concern that if three judges assigned to the commercial court program got all the meaty business cases, other judges assigned to Dane Countys civil rotation would be left only with more mundane cases. Judges, he said, are elected to handle all kinds of matters, both big and small. And, he said, its small business that needs a hand-up when it comes to dealing with the legal system, not the larger businesses that the program is geared toward. He offered a compromise randomly assign cases designated for the commercial court to each of the six judges in the civil rotation. By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 02, 2020 | 05:50 PM | METROPOLIS On Saturday, the Massac County Sheriff's Office performed a traffic stop on a bicyclist near 9th and Ferry Street in Metropolis. The bicyclist was identified as 34-year-old Mark Edwards. Deputies say Edwards had a warrant out of Massac County for failure to appear. During the arrest, deputies say they located a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Edwards was lodged in the Massac County Jail. He is being charged with the warrant for failure to appear, and possession of methamphetamine. A Metropolis man is facing numerous charges after a traffic stop. JACKSONVILLE, FL, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- mCig, Inc. (MCIG), an innovative biotech company focused on development and commercialization of over the counter, science-driven, botanical nutrigenetics targeting the endocannabinoid system, medical devices, and research & development, today announced a study by the American Society for Microbiology (publication dated June 23, 2019) that it found CBD is an active ingredient against Gram-positive Bacteria. Dale Hipes, CEO of BareRoots Inc., the subsidiary of MCIG Inc., stated: We are very interested in the studies published demonstrating our efforts towards offering a botanical solution in a pharmaceutical world. We learned recently, the American Society for Microbiology found CBD is an active ingredient against Gram-positive Bacteria. The article goes on to say it is active against those including serious infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia. It is research that drives us in our efforts to continue our desire to educate our public that our tinctures (https://www.bareroots-rx.com/product-category/ingestibles/?filters=strength[clinical-strength-1000-mg]) offer properties that are valuable and may work in the effort to boost the immune system against such bacteria and viruses. Mr. Paul Rosenberg, CEO of MCIG, goes on to state, It is the reason we chose BareRoots Rx as our joint venture partner to form BRRX Clinical Inc. Together, we are moving forward to offer our products in the best form to our customers as we live in a world enduring multiple challenges. The recent threats of the Coronavirus is of great concern for us all. We here at BRRX Clinical Inc. are offering special pricing to serve our public during these challenging times. We are sure the products we sell are available as a potential part of our solution in an emerging marketplace of CBD offering antiviral and anti gram bacterial solutions. Please feel free to visit our site (www.bareroots-rx.com) and use a coupon (BRRX30) for purchasing our products Additionally we offer our new product BRRX.io which is a membership offering including labs and medical support through Telehealth and testing services. We have developed our products and our new app in love for our fellow mankind. All of our products are the highest grade organic, THC free, non GMO and glyphosate free. We are looking forward to serving you all. About MCIG Group Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, mCig, Inc. (MCIG) is a diversified company servicing the legal cannabis, hemp and CBD markets via its lifestyle brands. The Company has been featured in media nationwide, including CNBC, Bloomberg, TheStreet.com. For more information, visit www.mciggroup.com. Visit us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/mCigInc/ Follow us on Twitter @mcigInc About BareRoots Rx Inc. The company focused on the development and commercialization of OTC, science-driven, botanical nutrigenetics that target the endocannabinoid system. BareRoots Rx Inc. also delivers high-quality consumer and OTC THC-free CBD products that promote overall health and well being as well as state-of-the-art testing and analytics capabilities to our customers. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. While these forward-looking statements represent the Companys current judgments, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the Companys management only as of the date of this release. Please keep in mind that the Company is not obligating itself to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events. When used herein, words such as: potential, expect, look forward, believe, dedicated, building, or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements made by the Company herein are often discussed in filings the Company makes with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at www.sec.gov and on the Companys website at www.mciggroup.com. Contact: mCig, Inc. Paul Rosenberg paul@mciggroup.org The Irish Government is not currently advising the cancellation of St Patricks Day celebrations due to coronavirus, the Taoiseach has said. Leo Varadkar acknowledged that the situation could change in the two weeks leading up to the traditional March 17 festivities across the country. The Irish Republic has one confirmed case of Covid-19 a student from a school in the eastern part of the country who contracted the virus in northern Italy. The school he attends has already closed for two weeks as a precautionary measure and, on Tuesday, it emerged that members of a musical band who had contact with the student have also been asked to self-isolate, until March 15. Irelands Six Nations rugby match against Italy scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed due to the outbreak. Coronavirus awareness leaflets being handed out at Dublin Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Varadkar said it was due to specific circumstances around that game namely that it would have seen thousands of people from affected areas of Italy congregating in a stadium in Dublin. He did not issue the same cancellation advice to the organisers of the St Patricks events. Health officials in Ireland are currently finalising guidelines that will provide organisers of all mass events with advice and a set of criteria in relation to the appropriateness of cancelling major gatherings. As of now, as of today, we only have one case of Covid-19 in the state, it was imported and it has been contained, so we are not advising anyone to cancel any gatherings at this stage, Mr Varadkar told a post-cabinet news conference in Dublin. But bear in mind the St Patricks Day festival and events are two weeks away and a lot can happen between now and then but, as of now, were not advising to cancel major events or major gatherings such as that. An Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar, Minister for @roinnslainte and Minister for @Education_Ire gave a post cabinet briefing at Government Buildings this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/DBoBYhu7Wm MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) March 3, 2020 Earlier, an international virology expert from the UK urged the Irish government to axe the St Patricks Day events amid fears of spreading the virus. Professor John Oxford told RTE that the state should take the issue a bit more seriously and recommend cancellation. On Tuesday, Mr Varadkar announced he is to lead a special cabinet sub-committee to co-ordinate the states response to the Covid-19 situation. He said Ireland remained in the containment phase and that was why actions being taken in other countries harder hit by the virus were not being introduced. There will be no panic but there will also be no complacency, he said. What we are pursuing in Ireland at the moment is a policy of containment and making sure that any cases that are identified are contact traced and we contain any potential outbreak. We may come to the point in a few weeks time, if thats not successful, where we move to the mitigation phase and that will be treating the ill rather than trying to contain the virus but we are not at that point yet. He said the Governments response would be proportionate and based on scientific and medical evidence. Did you know? Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent picking up infections #Resistinfection #coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/8Z0xBDvKeC HSE Ireland (@HSELive) March 3, 2020 Mr Varadkar said there were no plans for new public health legislation to deal with the virus, explaining that the existing legal framework was very strong. At the post-cabinet briefing, Health Minister Simon Harris addressed confusion about the band that has been asked to self-isolate after it was established they had contact with the student being treated for coronavirus. Earlier on Tuesday, health officials wrongly claimed a letter that emerged detailing the advice to the band members to self-isolate was a fake. It was later clarified that the letter was in fact genuine. Mr Harris confirmed the band had been asked to self-isolate. He insisted officials who got their facts wrong were working under pressure and were acting in good faith when they made the mistake. The letter in relation to a band practice and members of a band being asked to self-isolate was not a hoax, it is true, he said. And it arises from the contact tracing exercise that was undertaken in relation to the one person that we have in our country that has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Leo Varadkar is to lead a cabinet sub-committee on the Governments response to coronavirus (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Varadkar said Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe had advised Cabinet that the virus could result in a slowdown in economic growth in the country. The Minister for Finance presented us with a memo today at Cabinet suggesting the economic impact, again thats difficult to predict at this stage, but it suggested that it could result in a slowdown in growth in Ireland, and a slowdown in global growth, he said. But that would most likely be a blip, if you like, a slowdown in growth that would then rebound or bounce back. But it is all speculative at this stage. The major impact on Irelands economy will probably depend as much on what happens in China as what happens here. He added: And the indications are that the Chinese economy is slowing down, maybe even going into recession, and that would inevitably have an impact on us. On the positive side our economy is in very good health, as you know, and Exchequer returns that you will see published tomorrow indicate that we have had a very strong and very good start to 2020 economically. So we do have headroom and headspace to deal with any economic slowdown. China reported an increase Tuesday in cases of the new coronavirus coming from abroad, as the country where the disease first emerged now worries about importing infections. In total there have been 13 confirmed cases of the virus being imported to the mainland -- all in Chinese nationals returning from overseas. More than 3,100 people have died and over 90,000 have been infected worldwide. The vast majority of cases are in China, but South Korea, Italy and Iran have emerged as the countries with the most cases outside the epicentre. Eight Chinese nationals who worked in the same restaurant in Italy's northern Lombardy region have tested positive for the virus in eastern Zhejiang province, according to the local government. They flew home to China from Italy last week. There have also been four confirmed cases of infections originating in Iran -- two in Beijing and two in the northern Ningxia region -- and one case in the southern city of Shenzhen in a person who had travelled from Britain via Hong Kong. China has been implementing a series of measures to try and prevent its containment efforts being undone by cases brought into the country. Those arriving in the capital from virus-hit countries -- including South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan -- must self-quarantine for 14 days, the deputy secretary of Beijing's government said at a press briefing Tuesday. "If their destination is Beijing, everyone should be quarantined no matter whether they are Chinese or foreigners," said the official, Chen Bei. Those with a fixed residence should stay home, he said, while those without anywhere to stay would do "concentrated medical observation at a designated hotel". Officials in southern Guangdong province announced Tuesday they would implement similar measures, without confirming specific countries, while state media reported that Shanghai was also introducing the same rule for nations with high numbers of virus cases. Also on Tuesday, officials in Dandong -- which borders North Korea -- announced everyone entering the city from abroad needed to be tested. China is chartering a flight on Tuesday to bring home Chinese citizens stranded Iran, especially those in the hard-hit city of Qom, the state-owned Global Times reported. Passengers will have to register and pay for the flight, which is not considered an evacuation, the Global Times said. Hundreds of passengers from South Korea arriving in eastern China last week were placed in isolation after people on two flights were discovered to have fevers. No infections have been confirmed so far. Dr. Erick Witherspoon, National Director of Equity for Generation Ready, facilitated two full days of training for TVUSD teams. We are proud of the work our Cultural Proficiency Leadership Team has done to raise awareness and create a plan that involves all stakeholders, shared TVUSD Deputy Superintendent Jodi McClay. The Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) has been working to ensure that teachers, administrators, support staff, and students develop cultural proficiency for the past three years. We are proud of the work our Cultural Proficiency Leadership Team has done to raise awareness and create a plan that involves all stakeholders, shared TVUSD Deputy Superintendent Jodi McClay. In an effort to plan the 2019-2020 school year, the TVUSD Educational Support Services and Human Resources and Development divisions, under the leadership of McClay and Assistant Superintendent Ray Johnson, respectively, facilitated a two-year study with the districts Cultural Proficiency Leadership Team that resulted in the decision to bring in Generation Ready, a national group focused on cultural proficiency and awareness. We have found that by building the capacity of a small group of dedicated individuals and then utilizing the team to grow the work to others within the organization, is a model that provides more sustainability on any topic, added Deputy Superintendent McClay. So TVUSD created three cohorts comprised of teams from each of their 27 school sites to spend six days together expanding the work. This month, the district had the pleasure of welcoming the National Director of Equity, Dr. Erick Witherspoon, as the facilitator for the training. We are thrilled to be working with such an esteemed educator, shared McClay. The teams have benefitted immensely from his guidance as they have addressed achievement gap issues and the Framework for Cultural Proficiency, which includes guiding principles, a continuum, essential elements, and common barriers, added McClay. In addition to the cohort training, the districts comprehensive high schools are each hosting forums sponsored by their Black Student Unions and African American Parent Advisory Councils. This week, Great Oak High School hosted over 250 students from all three high schools. Deputy Superintendent McClay, who joined the session for the kick-off, shared It was an amazing event addressing the power of language and labels with a focus on empowering students. Seeing students unite and work collaboratively from all sites to bring attention and awareness to this topic was validating that we are doing the right work. The event included student performances, guest speakers, and many collaborative activities. McClay went on to thank the staff from all three sites, Black Student Union members, and African American Parent Advisory Councils for their hard work and support of the events. The Gujarat police have been told to look into the possibility of financial recovery, on the lines of a move by the Uttar Pradesh government, from those involved in recent anti-CAA violence as well as communal riots in Khambhat town Gandhinagar: The Gujarat police have been told to look into the possibility of financial recovery, on the lines of a move by the Uttar Pradesh government, from those involved in recent anti-CAA violence as well as communal riots in Khambhat town, the Assembly was informed on Tuesday. Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said instructions on possible recovery of damages from rioters have been given to the police by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The Opposition Congress and the ruling BJP engaged in a heated debate in the Assembly on Tuesday on the riots that rocked Khambhat in Anand district a week ago, with Delhi's Shaheen Bagh and anti-CAA protests also finding mention. While Congress MLAs claimed they had alerted the local police and even Rupani on the possibility of a riot, the ruling party hit back and accused the opposition party of not remaining neutral when such flare-ups take place. The issue of Khambat riot was raised by Ahmedabad Congress MLA Imran Khedawala as a 'matter of urgent public importance', who claimed 60 houses, a mosque and six shops were set on fire in the town on 23 February. Khedawala was, however, subjected to satirical remarks by some BJP MLAs as he spoke in Hindi and not Gujarati. Khedawala claimed Khambhat witnessed three communal riots in a span of 11 months. "Just like Delhi, a survey of riot affected areas should be carried out and compensation should be paid. On the lines of UP government, I want Gujarat government to recover money from the riot accused," said Khedawala. Another Congress MLA from Ahmedabad, Gyasuddin Shaikh, asked the government to pay compensation to riot-affected people. "Imran and I had alerted local police as well as the Gujarat CM about this in January. It is happening because of lack of communication between police and public. There must be a law to curb the menace of hate speeches," Dariyapur MLA Shaikh said. In his reply, minister Jadeja said 115 people had been arrested for the flare-up. "We do not see them as Hindus or Muslims. For us, all of them are anti-social elements. Like you, we do not discriminate between people," Jadeja said. Referring to anti-CAA protests, Jadeja said 'azadi' slogans were raised in Ahmedabad. "Some people (Shaikh and Khedawala) even visited Shaheen Bagh. In Ahmedabad, particularly in Dariyapur, people raise slogans like 'humey chahiye azadi' (we want freedom). It is happening in Shaikh's area. He should stop such activities," said Jadeja. "This is (Prime Minister) Modi's Gujarat. Tell your supreme leaders that the police will take strict action against those who try to incite people in Khambhat, Shahpur or Kalupur (in Ahmedabad)" the minister added. Hitting back, Shaikh said Dariyapur's anti-CAA protest was going on peacefully. "If the protests are disturbing peace, then why have you not filed a single FIR till now? No one can stop us from protesting against CAA and NRC in a peaceful manner," Shaikh asserted. Jadeja told Shaikh it was Congress corporator Shehzad Khan Pathan who was involved in a violent anti-CAA protest in Shah-e-Alam area in December. Referring to stone pelting on a city bus during a protest in Dariyapur, Jadeja said Rupani had asked the police to see if cost of damage can be recovered from the rioters. The Uttar Pradesh government had, earlier, issued notices to "rioters" asking them to pay for damage caused to public and private properties during violent anti-CAA protests in the northern state. Congratulations, oforireo.com got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Oforireo.com scored 65 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 3/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 17 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. oforireo.com is very popular in Facebook. It is liked by 80 people on Facebook, it has 38 twitter shares and it has 1 google+ shares. Add a widget like this on your site: click here The total number of people who shared the oforireo homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the oforireo homepage on Twitter + the total number of oforireo followers (if oforireo has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the oforireo homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if oforireo has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the oforireo homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the oforireo homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Welcome to OforiREO.com DESCRIPTION Ofori REO - Management and Marketing of real estate portfolios owned by HUD. KEYWORDS index, cofori, oforireo, REO, asset management, hud, government contracting, Real estate, Realestate, Real-estate, Real estate owned, Real-estate-owned, REO, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Property, Properties, Listing, Community, Outreach, OTHER KEYWORDS closing, brokers, ofori, industry, office, broker, hartford The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. 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. Domain and Server DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache/2.2.22 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.22 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 (PHP/5.2.17) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Type of server and offered services. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of oforireo.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for oforireo.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The URL of the found Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The type of Facebook page. 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. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The debate over proposed legislation to change the relationship between the tribes in Maine and the state so that they operate like over 560 tribes in the country under federal Indian law instead of state law has continued during hearings held by the legislature's Judiciary Committee. The committee held two days of hearings on a bill to revise the state implementing act that corresponds to the 1980 federal Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. The legislation is based on 22 recommendations made by a task force and would affect the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseets. The bill does not address the state's relationship with the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. Concerns raised by governor Part of the debate during the hearings centered on loss of state jurisdiction over some tribal lands, with Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey raising concerns about the legislation. Mills wrote that she is "deeply concerned that if enacted in its current form, this bill would actually have the opposite of its intended effect and would lead to the degradation of the tribal-state relationship by giving rise to disputes and disagreements over the meaning and effect of its provisions." Mills stated that the bill would allow the tribes "to acquire land anywhere in the state, which land could then be designated as tribal trust land and removed from the state's jurisdiction." The bill would end the state's authority over current and any later-acquired tribal trust lands and would exempt them from state and local taxation. John Paterson, an attorney who worked for the state in negotiating the settlement act, stated that the legislation would take about 300,000 acres in the state that had been in private ownership but was acquired by the tribes, using settlement funds, "and convert it into essentially a reservation." Any additional lands acquired by the tribes as trust lands also will be under tribal, not state, jurisdiction. Trust lands are those held in trust by the U.S. Department of Interior for use by the tribes. The attorney general provided a 22-page letter with advice on the bill's proposed changes but noted that the changes are a matter of policy for the legislature to decide. He said some changes might need congressional approval, including the application of federal gaming regulations in the state, since a court had determined that those regulations do not apply in Maine. "I am not here to tell the legislature what to do," he added. Tribal members and advocates countered the state's concerns by stating that the tribes would be governed by tribal and federal Indian law and want to work with their neighbors. Noting that there is a belief among some that the tribes would be able to do "whatever they want," Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis pointed out that there would be "tons of federal oversight." Concerning the federal laws that the tribes would operate under, Rep. Benjamin Collings of Portland said, "If it's worked so well in so many states, why can't we make it work here in the State of Maine? What compelling argument does the state have not to allow the tribes to exercise their sovereignty fully?" Corey Hinton, a Passamaquoddy tribal member who works as an attorney for the tribe, said the tribes would propose agreements to work with counties, municipalities and the state. "It's in our nature to be good neighbors," he said. "We're asking for respect for our sovereignty, for our ability to survive and to be your neighbors." Hinton noted that many issues will need to be worked out on a local level, and the bill would allow the tribes to enter into intergovernmental agreements concerning economic development, taxation, natural resource regulation and criminal and civil jurisdictions. Sherri Mitchell, a Penobscot, said that calling into question the capacity of tribal governments to govern themselves is a form of racism. "Distrust of Indian sovereignty is rooted in a racially motivated paternalism." Passamaquoddy tribal member Edward Bassett, who works in the tribe's environmental department at Sipayik, stated that the Passamaquoddys' "traditional nature-based economy crashed" following the destruction of the tribe's homeland following colonization. He said the tribes "are the original stewards who will lead the fight to restore the ecosystem." He added, "There is nothing to fear from this legislation. It will help level the playing field so that the tribes can once again flourish alongside our neighbors." Sonja Dana, a tribal councillor at Indian Township, noted that domestic violence "is so rampant," with Native women suffering often from non-tribal men they have married. "The severe mental and physical abuse at times is unbelievable." However, the tribes in Maine have been excluded from the provisions of the federal Violence Against Women Act and few cases of domestic violence against Native women are prosecuted by federal or state agencies. She also said that while the tribes and the state should work together on child welfare cases, the state instead "comes in and takes our children" and does not work with the tribes. "Why do we have to be second-rate citizens here?" she asked. "Why are you afraid of us? What have we done to you?" Differing views on settlement act Another point of contention was whether the tribes were fully aware of parts of the settlement act when it was agreed to in 1980. Chief Francis stated that the Penobscots did not understand that under the settlement act the state "would presume to treat us as wards," as provisions of the act "exclude us from federal laws that would help us and nearby communities." He said, "The restrictions in the settlement act that tried to make us wards of the state have been an utter failure," adding that if the bill with changes to the implementing act is enacted that "any success we are able to achieve will be reinvested back into this state." While Francis and others stated that a provision of the settlement act that states that federal laws applying to the tribes in the country that were enacted after the settlement act and would affect Maine laws do not apply in Maine, unless the federal law is specifically made applicable within Maine, was added without the knowledge of the tribes at the time, others disagreed, including attorney Tim Woodcock, who had served as counsel for a U.S. Senate committee involved with the settlement act hearings. "Nobody was putting anything over on anyone," he stated. "Any statement that it was done in the dark of night is not true. Tribal members knew those provisions were in the bill." Woodcock stated that the attorney for the tribes who helped negotiate the settlement act, Tom Tureen, said the tribes did not want to become subject to federal Indian law and were not concerned about the use of the Maine municipal model as a reference for their governmental powers. Attorney Paterson also defended the negotiations on the settlement act and noted the $81.5 million was the second largest settlement with a tribe in the history of the United States. However, tribal members said that tribal leaders at the time were negotiating under duress and political pressure, since it was understood that the incoming Reagan administration would not approve the settlement. Mark Chavaree, lead counsel for the Penobscot Nation, noted that language in the settlement act that refers to tribes as being like municipalities "does not recognize our primary status as tribal nations with inherent sovereign rights." Like numerous others, he said the tribes in Maine "have been denied our rights of self-governance, unlike all the other federally recognized tribes." Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos of Friendship, a member of the Judiciary Committee, noted the state's "shameful legacy" regarding the tribes, with Maine being the last state in the country to allow Natives to vote in state elections, back in 1967. He read from an internal memo by Richard Cohen, who was the Maine attorney general when the settlement act was negotiated, that stated, "The framework in this settlement act is by far the most favorable state-Indian jurisdictional relationship that exists anywhere in the United States. As a general rule, states have little authority to enforce state laws in Indian lands -- tax laws, water and air pollution laws, zoning laws, health laws, contract and business law, criminal laws -- all those state laws are usually unenforceable on state Indian lands." Another committee member, Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland, stated that the settlement act was not a granting of new authority to the tribes but instead was "a restriction of the jurisdiction they already possessed. It was a different direction than federal policy, which encouraged tribal self-determination." With the settlement act, "formal state control over Indians was largely reinstated," she said. "Maine has not developed an Indian policy based on government-to-government relations." She added, "The tribes in Maine are hindered like no other tribe across the country. We are suffocating the tribes' ability for self-determination." Passamaquoddy Vice Chief Maggie Dana of Sipayik stated, "This land deal had a clear intent to limit our sovereignty, and it was an attempt to control us and keep us dependent on the State of Maine." While stating that "Maine is far from the cutting edge of tribal-state relations," she added, "We want to work with our neighbors." Tribal concerns Some tribal members, though, raised concerns about the bill. Madonna Soctomah, a former tribal representative, noted that the Passamaquoddys do not yet have a joint constitution and alleged that tribal resources "are preferentially used" by tribal leaders. She said that there has been a lack of consultation with tribal members about the proposed changes in the law. She and others noted that the quality of life on the reservations is not good, with rampant poverty and an unemployment rate around 50%, according to tribal leaders. Others were concerned that tribal members who live outside a reservation's service area are not able to vote in tribal elections and thus don't have representation for stewardship of the natural resources. In written testimony, William "Eric" Altvater, a Passamaquoddy tribal member and former lieutenant governor, stated, "Tribal government has little to zero transparency, no accountability and abuses tribal member-owned resources to control and oppress those who speak out. Important decisions such as the carbon credit project and the Tomah Water deal are undertaken without consultation from tribal members." He added, "The end result is that tribal government operates as an oligarchy rather than to care for the weak, the ill, the cold and the hungry, as is our tradition." He urged the adoption of a tribal constitution that would have protections from abuse of power by elected officials. Specific issues examined The legislation's 22 recommended changes to state law concern criminal jurisdiction, fish and game, land use and natural resources, taxing authority, gaming, civil jurisdiction, federal law provisions and trust land acquisition. Specific areas were considered during parts of the committee's hearings. Concerning what would happen with gaming, Chief Kirk Francis said the Penobscots had to shut down their high-stakes bingo games because they couldn't compete with the Bangor casino. While the state has allowed out-of-state companies to open Hollywood Casino and Oxford casino, the tribes have been shut out of any casino gaming, because of the provisions of the settlement act. While two casinos have been approved in the state, numerous tribal proposals have been turned down either by the legislature or in statewide referendums. Francis said those two casinos took in $144 million last year, with the bulk of the money leaving the state. Hinton noted that under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which the tribes would operate under if the legislation is approved, tribes are required to invest their gaming proceeds into government services and economic development that would benefit Natives and non-Natives. The Bangor and Oxford casinos "do not invest their profits locally," he said. However, a lobbyist for Hollywood Casino, Chris Jackson, said they would prefer not to see any more casinos in the state, since competition would affect the millions of dollars in revenues the casinos provide to a number of causes in the state. Matthew Manahan, a Portland attorney representing a coalition of municipalities and companies, expressed concerns about the displacing of the state's jurisdiction to regulate land and natural resources, stating it would create confusion and litigation. He said the proposed bill would be "an end-run around court cases over the last 40 years." He stated, "We don't know if the tribes would be regulating non-tribal members. They don't have to listen to any non-tribal member in adopting their regulations." Committee members, though, pushed back, with Senator Brownie Carson of Harpswell stating, "Your position is that they would adopt water quality standards that would cost millions of dollars," but the evidence is that the tribes have worked with municipalities and the state "to not cripple industry or municipalities." David Trahan, executive director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, spoke in opposition to portions of the bill, stating that there would be "a hodgepodge" of laws for hunting and fishing in different areas of state, depending if they are under state regulation or tribal regulation. Rep. Evangelos stated that Maine and tribal game wardens would be collaborating on laws and enforcement. John Banks, the natural resources director for the Penobscot Nation, noted that the tribe's lands are posted, so hunters will know what jurisdiction they are in. "We have our own tribal laws -- environmental, natural resources, fish and game, zoning, land use plans. We operate like any other responsible governments. We have a deep-seated stewardship responsibility with the natural world." Passamaquoddy Chief William Nicholas of Indian Township noted that the tribe works collaboratively with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife concerning fish and game laws on tribal lands across the state and there have not been any jurisdictional issues that he is aware of. The Judiciary Committee will continue to review the bill in work sessions, including one on March 4. New Covid curbs in UP: Government and private employees to work at 50 per cent capacity Night curfew in Andhra Pradesh: Know timings, guidelines, rules; What is allowed, what is not allowed Italian tourist's wife tested positive for coronavirus at Jaipur hospital India pti-Madhuri Adnal Jaipur, Mar 03: The wife of the Italian tourist found to have been infected with coronavirus also tested positive for the virus here on Tuesday and his samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for another test, an official said. "The wife of the Italian tourist also developed symptoms and samples were collected. The report indicates positive signs of the virus in her. For further confirmation, we are sending her sample to the NIV, Pune," the official of the Rajasthan Health Department said. The Italian couple has been kept in isolation at the Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital here. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma instructed health officials to screen all those people who had come in contact with the Italian tourist tested positive for coronavirus. Asking to step up vigil, the minister also asked officials to send a rapid response team of the Medical Education and Health Department to the places visited by the patient, along with 19 others from Italy. The team, including senior professors and epidemiologists, will inspect hotels and excursions in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mandawa (Jhunjhunu) and Jaisalmer. Jaipur Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Narottam Sharma said the room where the 69-year-old tourist stayed has been locked. "The room will be disinfected as per the procedure. The hotel authorities will be able to use it only after it is properly disinfected," Sharma said, adding that samples of the four staffers who were in touch with the tourist have also been collected for testing. The Italian tourist was tested positive for coronavirus following a test conducted at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital. An earlier test conducted at the same government hospital had, however, cleared the man of the virus. Since the two reports were contradictory, the SMS Hospital sent his swab sample to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, which on Tuesday confirmed that he was infected with the virus. Princess Diana was distracted by Camilla Parker-Bowles after catching sight of her on her wedding day, a royal biographer claimed. Speaking on this week's episode of CNN documentary series The Windsors, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells how Diana spotted Charles's ex-girlfriend as she walked down the aisle at London's St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July 1981. The American author and historian, who has penned biographies on Diana, Charles and the Queen, explains that Diana found herself competing with Camilla, even on that most 'magical' of days. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells how Diana spotted Charles's ex-girlfriend Camilla (circled) as she walked down the aisle at London's St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July 1981 'As Diana walks down the aisle with her father, she sees Camilla,' Bedell Smith says in a clip shared exclusively with FEMAIL. 'There she is, on this magical day, and the one thing she is focusing on is the image of Camilla.' The six-part CNN Original Series, which is airing in the US, tells the story of the Windsor dynasty, starting with King Edward's ascension to the throne and working towards the future of the monarchy. This week's episode, which airs on Sunday night, is titled Love or Duty, and focuses on Prince Charles's romance with the then Camilla Shand, the loss of his beloved great uncle Lord Mountbatten, and his eventual decision to marry Diana. The documentary notes how the British public was swept up in the grandeur and the romance of the match between the future king and the beautiful young society beauty, unaware that there was more going on behind the scenes. Pictured, the couple on their wedding day American author and historian Sally Bedell Smith, pictured in the documentary, explains that Diana found herself competing with Camilla, even on that most 'magical' of days The documentary paints a picture of a prince who chooses his bride out of a sense of duty, despite his lingering feelings for Camilla. 'Charles persuaded himself that he could be in love with Diana,' royal biographer Tina Brown explains in the episode. 'At least enough in love to get married.' The expert commentary is accompanied by stunning footage of the wedding, as well as shots of the crowds who lined the streets of London in celebration. The documentary notes how the British public was swept up in the grandeur and the romance of the match between the future king and the beautiful young society beauty, unaware that there was more going on behind the scenes. The documentary paints a picture of a prince who chooses his bride out of a sense of duty, despite lingering feelings for Camilla. Pictured, Charles and Camilla on their wedding day '[They were] totally in love with this ideal couple,' Dr Edward Owens, author of The Family Firm, says. 'And yet, the public can't see everything.' Sir William Heseltine, former private secretary to the Queen, was among those who believed Charles had made an excellent choice in his future wife. He says: 'I thought, like so many other people, that it was an ideal match. I don't think anybody would have disagreed with that at the time.' But it is alleged that even on her wedding day, Diana found herself competing with Camilla Parker-Bowles. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencers Wedding Day: Everything you need to know Princess Dianas Wedding Gown: Details on the Dress of the Century Charles and Dianas Wedding: Minute-by-minute Timeline of the Big Day He has blanketed the airwaves with half a billion dollars in ads and paid social media influencers to spread his message to their millions of followers. He has hired more than 2,400 people to fuel his campaign, paying them premiums and outfitting them in sweatshirts and fanny packs bearing his name. He has opened more than 200 offices from Maine to California, with more than 100 in states that will participate in Tuesdays coast-to-coast Democratic primaries. Michael R. Bloombergs bid for the White House is most often understood through the zeros and superlatives needed to describe the scope and scale of his operation and for good reason. Never before has a presidential campaign had the virtually limitless resources of a multibillionaire candidate who has said he will spend whatever it takes to defeat the incumbent president. But behind the numbers is a robust organization that looks like nothing else in politics today, having grown so large so fast, with the goal of shattering fundamental assumptions about how a presidential candidate can win the nomination. What other campaigns took more than a year to build, with visits to fish frys in Iowa and cable news studios, the Bloomberg campaign did over the three months from Thanksgiving to Presidents Day. Workers and their representatives in parliament have taken a united stand against government-drafted amendments to the public enterprise law, reports Gamal Essam El-Din The General Egyptian Federation of Trade Unions (GEFTU) and parliaments Labour Committee announced this week that they were rejecting the government-drafted amendments to the Public Enterprise Law 203/1991. The law regulates eight government-owned holding companies with 121 affiliated subsidiaries operating in all kinds of businesses and employing close to 250,000 workers. Gibali Al-Maraghi, chairperson of parliaments Labour Committee, said following a meeting on 24 February that the amendments introduced by Public Enterprise Minister Hisham Tawfik would negatively affect the interests of workers and trade unions and pave the way for privatisation. After much discussion of the amendments by the committee, all members agreed that they were not in the interest of workers and companies in all industrial sectors in Egypt, Al-Maraghi said. Committee member and GEFTU Secretary-General Mohamed Wahba said the amendments opened the way for privatising most public sector companies in a way that was detrimental to the interests of thousands of workers. Article 38 of the newly amended law states that a company incurring losses that exceed half of its capital shall be liquidated, said Wahba, adding that this would push 40 per cent of companies into liquidation and would do a lot of harm to workers. Wahba said workers and trade union activists had expected that the amendments would reflect a new government policy aimed at upgrading industrial companies. But we were surprised that the amendments opted for the easy way out which is liquidating and selling companies rather than streamlining their performance, Wahba said. Leftist MP Abdel-Hamid Kamal said the new amendments stripped workers in loss-making companies of receiving profits, not to mention that they made it possible for the boards of these companies to be dismissed. The boards of all industrial companies include elected members representing workers in line with the labour law. The membership of these cannot be abolished or suspended, Kamal said, adding that for these reasons he had called upon all Egyptian workers to unite against this law. MP Maysa Atwa said the amendments stripped workers of having a seat on the boards and public assemblies of companies. The fact that the boards and public assemblies would no longer have representatives of the workers under the amendments would enable the liquidation of companies without protests, she said. The amendments clearly aimed to marginalise trade unions in order that they would not be able to play any role in defending the interests of workers in industrial public sector companies, added MP Sulaf Darwish. Darwish proposed that ahead of being discussed by parliament, the amendments to the public enterprise law should become the subject of national dialogue. The government should first listen to the viewpoints of workers and trade unions and then submit the law to parliament, she said. Al-Maraghi said the objective of any new amendments to the public enterprise law should be to safeguard national industry against unfair competition, preserve the constitutional rights of workers and public ownership in these companies, and attract investments to upgrade their performance. He pointed out that when the public enterprise law was passed in 1991, it aimed to modernise the public sector in terms of either opening the door to the private sector to have shares in companies affiliated with it or selling companies to strategic investors, in either case developing the companies financially and industrially. However, what had happened was that over time the government used this law to kick off a massive privatisation programme that led to selling two-thirds of the companies affiliated with the public sector, he said. MP Mohamed Wahba said the 1991 privatisation programme had drastically damaged the industrial sector. In its drive to implement the International Monetary Funds [IMF] recommendations [back then] in this respect, the government rushed to sell most of the companies, even if these were sold at less than their real value and workers were forced into early retirement, Wahba said, arguing that the new amendments aim to maintain the same policy, which will do a lot of harm to workers and trade unions. Following a cabinet meeting on 26 February, the government of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli approved amendments to the public enterprise law. A statement said the amendments were in line with the economic developments Egypt has seen since 1991 and over the past 29 years. The amendments aim to update the legal rules regulating the performance of public sector companies and restructure their financial and administrative systems, the statement said. Minister Tawfik said the amendments simply sought to increase the contribution of the public sector companies to the national economy and raise their competitive edge in a way that would help the state to reap more profits from them. The cabinet statement said the amendments also obliged holding companies and their affiliated subsidiaries to abide by transparency and governance rules. The public assemblies of companies will be required to boost governance, oversee company boards, and remove them if they deliver poor results or fail to secure profits, the statement said. Tarek Metwalli, deputy chairman of parliaments Industrial Committee, told Al-Ahram Weekly that MPs were divided over the law. Most members of the labour force committee saw the amendments as mainly aiming to launch a new wave of privatisations rather than improve the industrial sector, while other MPs affiliated with the Industrial Committee saw the amendments as necessary to stem the tide of losses in public sector companies, he said. He said discussion of the law was not over and there would be comprehensive deliberation of the 26-article law with Tawfik and Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan and with the GEFTUs leading officials. The law will be discussed in a series of meetings because of its important role in saving the public sector companies from collapse, he said. According to Metwalli, Egypts public sector companies suffer from two major problems: redundant employees and outdated administrative systems and production lines. The law addresses these two problems, particularly in the sector of spinning and weaving by modernising production lines and providing training for workers, as well as upgrading administrative systems, he said. He added that the new amendments to the public enterprise law would also include a chapter on governance and transparency. The law will oblige all companies regulated by the public enterprise law to publish their financial statements, Metwalli said, and it will also provide incentives to encourage companies to list their shares on the stock market. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 March, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the title: Workers unite against new law Search Keywords: Short link: They were taken to Gandhi Hospital for testing and were asked to stay home. The families of the three doctors are worried and called government officials on whether they too should practice self-isolation. Hyderabad: Twenty medical personnel of Apollo Hospitals in Secunderabad were asked to self-isolate for 14 days as they came in contact with the patient who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid 19). The staff includes three senior doctors, a para-medical staff of nurses, ward boys, administration personnel and also employees who cleaned the hospital floor when the patient was in the hospital. They were taken to Gandhi Hospital for testing and were asked to stay home. The families of the three doctors are worried and called government officials on whether they too should practice self-isolation. We have explained that it is important for the family to stay home, said a senior government official. Some are calling to check on the rate of positivity of the infection transmitting. For that, we have advised them to wait for the results. We do not want panic. It is only a precaution and it is in everyones interest to curb the spread of the disease. The cover of "Offerings," the debut novel by MBK Partners Chairman Kim Byung-ju. / Captured from Amazon.com By Park Jae-hyuk MBK Partners Chairman Kim Byung-ju will publish an autobiographical novel in English, March 24. According to industry officials, Tuesday, the head of the largest Northeast Asian independent private equity fund is set to unveil his first novel titled "Offerings" in hardcover and Kindle eBook formats. Readers can pre-order the 288-page book on Amazon.com and several other e-commerce platforms. The protagonist of the book is Dae-joon, a Korea-born Wall Street investment banker who was raised in the United States and educated at Harvard Business School (HBS). With the rapidly cascading Asian Financial Crisis threatening to go global and Korea in imminent meltdown, Dae-joon finds himself back in his native Seoul as part of an international team brought in to rescue the country from sovereign default. Following this, he finds himself in a personal crisis, when his closest friend from HBS, a scion of one of Korea's biggest chaebol, asks for his help in a sale that may save the conglomerate but also salvage a legacy of corruption. Just as Dae-joon did, Kim moved to the U.S. at the age of 10 and earned an MBA from HBS. The chairman also worked on Wall Street as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and the chief operating officer of Asia-Pacific investment banking for Salomon Smith Barney. He was in charge of issuing foreign exchange equalization bonds, during the Asian Financial Crisis. In the novel, Kim indirectly expresses his love toward his wife, a daughter of POSCO founder and former Prime Minister Park Tae-joon. "A young woman he has met is quietly showing the way to a different future," Kim wrote. The novel has received favorable reviews from bestselling authors worldwide. "A potent combination of a financial thriller and a coming-of-age immigrant tale, Offerings is a great book. A thoughtful and engrossing read," said Gary Shteyngart, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of "Lake Success." "Michael Kim writes with the authority of an insider on the intricate workings of Wall Street and the high stakes for Korea during the Asia Financial Crisis, but at its core Offerings is a moving love story about a young man's love for his home country, his father and his newfound soul mate. Offerings is an elegant poem on the redemptive power of love," said Sandy Weill, chairman emeritus of Citigroup and bestselling author of "The Real Deal: My Life in Business and Philanthropy." Although Kim is better known as a cool-headed investor, he once reportedly dreamed of being a playwright, when he was studying English literature at Haverford College. According to industry insiders, he also chooses artwork for his office himself, based on his deep knowledge of art. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought re-election yesterday under the weight of an imminent corruption trial, with the country's third ballot in less than a year predicted to end in another deadlock. The election follows inconclusive votes last April and September which dimmed the aura of political invincibility once enjoyed by Israel's long- est-serving prime minister, who has denied wrongdoing in the three cases against him. "Today I have no sense of celebration," President Reuven Rivlin said after voting, voicing the country's frustration after a seemingly never-ending election season. "The feeling I have is not simple, it's even one of shame, when I face you, the citizens of Israel." Opinion polls forecast that neither Mr Netanyahu's right-wing Likud nor the centrist Blue and White party of his main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz, will win enough votes on their own, or with coalition allies, for a governing majority. More stalemate could push Israel - where a 2020 budget is still pending - further into economic limbo. Candidates were more upbeat than Mr Rivlin who, as president, will guide any coalition talks in the weeks ahead. Voting in his home town outside Tel Aviv, Mr Gantz said: "I really hope that in the coming weeks, following the results, we can put Israel on a new path." Mr Netanyahu, who voted in Jerusalem, said: "Go vote. It's a proud day." He said Israel had taken all precautions against the spread of the coronavirus and added: "People can go and vote with complete confidence." Turnout figures will be watched closely, particularly given concern over the global outbreak and accusations of malicious rumours about contamination in areas seen as strongholds for particular parties. Voters under home quarantine could attend special polling stations if they wore a surgical mask and showed no sign of the disease. Israel's economy has weathered the turmoil, with growth strong and the labour market tight. But the longer the stalemate continues, the heavier the toll, including the lack of new money for health, education, welfare or infrastructure projects until an annual budget is approved. Mr Netanyahu's battle for an unprecedented fifth term has become more complicated since the last election as he has been indicted on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud over allegations he granted state favours worth hundreds of millions of dollars to media barons in return for gifts and favourable coverage. Mr Netanyahu, who denies the accusations, is due to go on trial on March 17, when post-election coalition wheeling and dealing is likely to be in full swing. Playing the character card against Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gantz has dubbed him "the defendant" and alleged he sought to retain power to promote legislation barring authorities from putting a sitting prime minister on trial. Mr Netanyahu has portrayed Mr Gantz (60) as a "coward" incapable of confronting the many dangers Israel faces in a tense region, and has suggested he is hiding secrets which would open him to blackmail by its foe Iran. Drawing accusations of racism, Mr Netanyahu has played on many Israelis' suspicions about the loyalty of the country's Arab minority, which makes up 21pc of the population. OTTAWA - Jean Chretien scoffs at the notion that Indigenous protests and western alienation are a threat to Canada's national unity. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Former prime minister Jean Chretien speaks at an event held by the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute and the Canada School of the Public Service, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - Jean Chretien scoffs at the notion that Indigenous protests and western alienation are a threat to Canada's national unity. The former Liberal prime minister said Tuesday that Canada has suffered worse threats in the past and has always managed to survive. He recalled the 1960s and 70s, when radical separatists with the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ) were setting off bombs, kidnapped the British trade commissioner and killed a Quebec cabinet minister. "That is a few years ago and we're still together, more united than ever," Chretien told reporters after reminiscing about his 40-year career in federal politics at an Ottawa conference focused on his decade as prime minister. Some politicians and pundits have lately been arguing that Canada is broken, unable to reconcile the land rights of Indigenous Peoples and the need to fight climate change with the economic benefits of developing natural resources. Those competing demands have collided over the past few weeks as blockades popped up across the country in support of the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs fighting a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. The barricades, one of which remains south of Montreal, paralyzed train traffic and damaged the economy. But Chretien, who served as Indian Affairs minister for more than six years under Pierre Elliott Trudeau, said there have been periodic protests by Indigenous Peoples for decades and they've all been resolved one way or another. "Do you think that this problem will break the nation?" Chretien asked and then answered. "No. Because Canada is stronger than that. We always face a problem and resolve them ... Don't have an inferiority complex." He urged a questioner to "relax" and put the recent protests in perspective. "You're young, you will see a lot of problems until you get my age," the 86-year-old said. During his time as Indian Affairs minister, Chretien and the elder Trudeau faced major backlash for a 1969 policy proposal, known as the White Paper, that called for abolishing the Indian Act and eliminating Indian status, among other measures. The Liberal government of the day withdrew the proposal the following year. The anti-pipeline blockades have added to frustration in Alberta, where many blame the Trudeau government's environmental policies for the province's inability to get its crude oil to coastal waters for export overseas. That was compounded by Teck Resources' recent decision to scrap plans for a new oilsands mine in Alberta, citing the unresolved conflict between climate change policy and resource development. Talk of Alberta separating from Canada has escalated since Justin Trudeau's Liberals were re-elected last fall but Chretien said such talk makes no sense. "The separation of Alberta will not take them closer to the Pacific. They will still be having (to build) the pipeline to go through B.C. or United States or the North and so on." While Chretien exuded confidence in Canada's ability to weather storms, he wasn't quite so optimistic about the rest of the world. During the conference, he bemoaned the fact that democracy is "receding" in countries around the globe, including Hungary, Poland, Turkey and the United States. And he deplored the growth of "false news" and the impression that "the truth doesn't matter anymore." Chretien said it's "troubling" that media in the U.S. have documented many instances in which President Donald Trump has lied and yet "there is not a ripple in the river." This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version referred to the person kidnapped by the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ) in 1970 as the British high commissioner. James Cross was the British trade commissioner. A Colorado councilwoman faces calls to resign after she retweeted a post threatening to deliberately infect Donald Trump supporters with coronavirus. Denver Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca promoted the controversial tweet made by California woman Susan Daniel on Friday which said: 'For the record, if I do get the coronavirus I'm attending every MAGA rally I can,' referring to Trump's 'Make America Great Again' rallies. CdeBaca retweeted the post and replied '#solidarity Yaaaas!!' Denver Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca (above) faces calls to resign after she retweeted a post that appeared to wish coronavirus would strike down Donald Trump's Republican party and supporters CdeBaca retweeted the controversial tweet made by a California woman on Friday which said if she got coronavirus she would attend every 'MAGA rally' to spread it. CdeBaca retweeted the post and replied '#solidarity Yaaaas!!' Her response triggered uproar from conservative supporters on social media, with many calling for her to be fired from her post and for the authorities to step in. The tweet gained more than 367 shares and 216 likes as of Tuesday morning, many of which slammed the councilwoman. The Colorado Republican Party branded the tweet 'disgusting' for 'wishing harm on Americans who have different political beliefs'. 'Councilwoman CdeBaca praising a social media post calling for Trump supporters to be infected with the coronavirus is simply disgusting. There can be no room in our politics for wishing harm on Americans who have different political beliefs,' the party said in a statement. 'Democrats in Colorado and across the country need to condemn this evil statement. In light of these comments, the Colorado Republican Party is calling on Councilwoman CdeBaca to resign immediately.' CdeBaca responded to one tweet saying, '1. Are you listening to ANYTHING Trump has said about the virus? 2. Do you realize Trump reduced the virus to a common flu? 3. I know sarcasm is hard to read in a tweet, but you are usually a bit quicker than this. Next time I will use more emoji's just 4 you.' Her office has also come out in her defense. They claimed her retweet was not wishing the deadly disease on Republicans but mocking Trump's response to the spread of the disease and calling for the president to take further action. 'Councilwoman CdeBaca made a sarcastic tweet on Twitter to call attention to the Trump administration's downplaying of the Coronavirus outbreak as a 'hoax' no more dangerous than the common flu,' the statement from CdeBaca's office said. 'Rather than conservative outlets making a four-day-old Tweet their focus on Super Tuesday, they should focus their energy on demanding a competent Federal response to this public health crisis instead. Trump has come under fire for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak. He has repeatedly downplayed the danger of the deadly disease. Her response triggered uproar from conservative supporters on social media, with many calling for her to be fired from her post and for the authorities to step in. The Colorado Republican Party branded the tweet 'disgusting' for 'wishing harm on Americans who have different political beliefs' At a press conference on Saturday he sought to quell widespread panic and encouraged the media not to 'sensationalize' the outbreak. However he then made a gaffe by wrongly saying the second person to die from the disease in the US was a 'wonderful woman' who later turned out to be a man. He also branded criticism of his response to the threat as a 'hoax' cooked up by his political enemies. On Monday at a White House meeting with executives of 10 pharmaceutical companies, Trump went on to claim scientists were well on their way to creating a vaccine. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally on March 2 in Charlotte, North Carolina During the meeting, officials noted the vaccine could be ready for human testing within months but stressed it would not be available widely for at least a year. 'We're working very hard to expedite the longer process of developing a vaccine. We're also moving with maximum speed to develop a therapy so that we can help people recover as quickly as possible and a lot of recovery going on,' Trump said. He added that a vaccine would be available within 'a couple of months'. Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and top coronavirus expert in the country, interjected to dismiss the president's claims saying: 'Like I've been telling you, a year to a year and a half.' This comes as the coronavirus death toll in the US rose to nine on Tuesday, with more than 100 confirmed cases across 15 states. All nine deaths have occurred in Washington state with at least six of them linked to the nursing facility, LifeCare Center, in Kirkland, near Seattle. A subtle shift in head position can dramatically alter how trustworthy someone appears, according to a new study. A slight shift in chin position downwards can give mixed messages but conveys an image of being domineering. Shifting the head the other way and sticking the chin up and out slightly gives an appearance of being aloof. The ideal head position to appear honest is to look at someone straight-on with a level head, not tilted up or down. Scroll down for video A slight shift in chin position down can give mixed messages but conveys an image of being domineering. Shifting the head the other way and sticking the chin up and out slightly gives an appearance of being aloof The ideal head position to appear honest is to look at someone straight-on with a level head, not tilted up or down Researchers at the University of St Andrews asked 67 people to assess photographs of 24 faces. Each of the 24 people who were being scrutinised had three photos each, one for each head position. Professor David Perrett, from the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews, said: 'It is interesting just how profoundly posture affects our appearance and others perception of us. 'If we want to look honest and not too domineering, then we should avoid both looking down and looking up to others.' Head rotation down makes the mouth curve upwards, looking more like a smile, but also lowers the apparent height of the eyebrows making the expression look hostile. Rotating the head up has the opposite effect, making the mouth curve down and appear stern but the eyebrows look more positive. Previous research carried out in this field focused on why different people look approachable or competent as opposed to the importance of head posture. Associate Professor Dongyu Zhang from Dalian University reveals how the researchers assessed the impact of head tilt on perception. Pictured left, head down position, centre flat orientation of the head and right, chin up position. The slight tilt of the head can dramatically impact how someone is perceived Dr Zhang said: 'We took photographs of 24 faces posing with different head tilts, 20 degrees up, down or level, while maintaining eye gaze at the camera. 'Sixty-seven observers rated the character of the person depicted in each photo. 'Judgements were then related to the apparent emotion and to the shape of facial features.' The researchers found human vision is poor at realising the true 3D shape of the head. When the head is rotated the face appears wider and the emotion looks sterner to others, despite the features remaining the same shape. Face cues to negative emotion take priority over cues to positive emotion if both change, so rotating the head up or down makes the face look more hostile. The research was published in the journal Perception. 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: 2 March 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 24,512 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,400 pence 17.88 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,360 pence 17.37 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,381 pence 17.64 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 2 March 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 10,424 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 17.54 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 17.38 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 17.46 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 2 March 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 23,066 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 17.98 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 17.38 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 17.70 USD PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 25.04 USD 19.53 GBP which was calculated as of 29 February 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 203,027,359 Public Shares outstanding, or 208,695,379 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 7,929,391 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies. The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302006104/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk Police discovered suspected heroin, suspected crack cocaine and marijuana at the site, as well as paraphernalia such as scales and syringes, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez. "This apartment building was used as a one-stop shop for drug sales and use," Martinez said. "Officers collected syringes and evidence leading them to believe people injected drugs at the location." Martinez said the type of activity occurring at the apartment building is contributing to the state and Region's opioid epidemic. "These types of drugs are killing our loved ones in Lake County," Martinez said in a release. "When our department receives tips from the public or citizen complaints, we take them seriously." Martinez said he hopes the people arrested Tuesday will take advantage of services in the Lake County Jail to break the cycle of drug use, including a jail initiative involving the drug, Vivitrol. The drug is given in a monthly shot and can only be taken once a person is completely withdrawn from opioids. The drug is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. An assistant poses with the James Bond 007 Special Issue 2020 UK Seven-Kilo Gold Proof Coin, the largest coin ever made by The Royal Mint, in London BRITAIN'S Royal Mint is on the Moneypenny with the launch of its James Bond commemorative coin and gold bar collection ahead of the release of the 25th Bond film. The collection includes a number of Royal Mint firsts including a 7kg gold coin designed by Royal Mint designer Laura Clancy. It is the largest coin with the highest face value to be produced in the Mint's 1,100-year history. The collection also includes 2kg gold, 1kg gold and 5oz gold and silver coins along with the world's first James Bond bar in gold and silver, featuring all the Bond film titles. The precious metal bar will be available for purchase from mid-March. Ms Clancy has placed the DB5 centre stage on the 7kg coin, with its famous BMT 216A number plate and gun barrel surround. "James Bond is a global icon that has captured the public's imagination for generations, said Clare Maclennan, divisional director at The Royal Mint. "The collection celebrates everything that is synonymous with the quintessentially British spy." PA City New Delhi, March 3 : The SBI Cards IPO has been subscribed 58.46 per cent till post-lunch session on Day 2 of the bidding process on Tuesday amidst a panic of the coronavirus scare weighing on the market but retail investors, bank shareholders and employees rescued the bidding. The first IPO of 2020 and from the second largest credit card company in India as per data by stock exchanges has received bids for over 5.9 crore equity shares against issue size of more than 10 crore shares (excluding anchor book's portion). The portion for retail investors is subscribed handsomely 93.19 per cent, while that of employees saw 82.25 per cent subscription, and SBI shareholders portion is fully subscribed. The reserved portion of qualified institutional investors has subscribed to 0.1 per cent, while that of non-institutional investors category saw subscription of 21.15 per cent. Employees of SBI Card, the subsidiary of State Bank of India, will receive shares at a discount of Rs 75 per share on final offer price. Many analysts are seeing the timing for the IPO inadvertently wrong as SBI Cards began IPO journey on Friday, the day the market fell for the seventh day amid the virus scare. At the upper end of the price band of Rs 755 a share the offering will fetch Rs 10,300 crore ($1.4 billion). Seen as expensive valuation by some analysts, still it isn't deterring investors who are seeing growth potential in the industry. The company has a 18 per cent share of the market where the number of cards outstanding per 100 people is less than 3. This figure is 320 in the US, 73 in Brazil and 42 in China, according to Axis Securities. It is this potential for growth that has most analysts recommending the IPO. The largest IPO since October 2017 consists of a fresh issue of Rs 500 crore and offer for sale of more than 13.05 crore shares by parent State Bank of India and investors CA Rover Holdings, an affiliate of private equity Carlyle Group. One wonders why UN Human Rights Council is not critical in commenting about some recent violent developments involving the so called developed countries like USA, China, Russia, where UN Human Rights Council appears to be conspicuous by silence. by N.S.Venkataraman It is shocking that UN Human Rights Council wants to intervene in the Indian Supreme Court hearing with regard to the Citizens Amendment Act recently passed in Indian Parliament with overwhelming majority. This is one hundred percent internal matter of India and a very small fraction of people belonging to Islamic community and some sworn opponent of Modi government are protesting. Indian government has clearly explained the logic and the need for Citizens Amendment Act and most people in India are convinced. What is the legitimacy for U N Human Rights Council to intervene in a matter which is being heard and would be decided by the Supreme Court. It is now well known that U N Human Rights Council is very selective and prejudiced in its judgements and most people suspect the credibility of this organization. Several examples can be readily pointed out for the partisan role of U N Human Rights Council in the past. One wonders why UN Human Rights Council is not critical in commenting about some recent violent developments involving the so called developed countries like USA, China, Russia, where UN Human Rights Council appears to be conspicuous by silence. Bombing by armed forces of strong advanced countries in some regions in the name of fighting militancy, has resulted in killing of several innocent people. In all such cases, UN Human rights Council has not made impactful, critical comments. Human rights violation in Tibet by China There has not been greater violation of human rights in the past than the act of China, by forcibly occupying the territory of helpless Tibet, massacring the protesters in Tibet and driving out thousands of Tibetans, including the venerable the Dalai Lama out of Tibet. While Tibetans now living as refugees in many parts of the world are protesting against the act of China, the UN Human Rights Council is conspicuous by its silence on the matter. It is ironical that China itself is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Human rights violation by so called advanced countries Perhaps, no other country in the world violated human rights and indulged in aggressive warfare in other countries and killed thousands of innocent people in the last few decades, more than the USA, China and Russia. Several developed countries in Western Europe like UK, France and others have joined US in several attacks. USA has sent troops to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and several other countries, to safeguard its assumed role as the global policeman. Even in the present Syria conflict, it is widely suspected that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US government is providing training to the rebels in Syria to create unrest and indulge in violence. While it is a fact that US itself has lost many of its men in such warfare in other countries, the number of people who died in other countries where US sent its troops is several times more. In any case, no country has the business to interfere in the affairs of another country in the name of restoring human rights or protecting civil liberties. It is the job of the United Nations to do and not that of US or any other country. Now, the US sponsoring a resolution asking for a probe in Sri Lanka for the war crimes is similar to a pot calling the kettle black. Same in the case of China accusing India for human rights violation in Kashmir. Palestine issue What about the Palestine issue and bombing by Israel frequently in Gaza Strip and other places, claiming that it is a defensive action? The UN Human Rights Council appears to be remaining as a helpless spectator, though it has been passing some cosmetic resolutions from time to time. Rohingya Issue : When thousands of Rohingyas left Myanmar and reached Bangladesh, UN Human Rights Council strongly condemned the Myanmar government and its military for the situation. Earlier, the Rohingya militants were causing huge violence in Myanmar and attacked several police stations and government establishments, which inevitably forced the Myanmar government to act to put down the rebels. UN Human Rights Council did nothing and said nothing when the Rohingya militants created unrest in Myanmar and it simply watched the situation from the gallery, as if it is only an observer. Sri Lankan Issue : The classic recent example is Sri Lanka, where the UN Human Rights Council has been unduly critical against the Sri Lankan government for its acts, when it had to necessarily take steps to put down the rebels who wanted to split Sri Lanka and form a separate country. It was a case of civil war in Sri Lanka between the separatists / militants and the government and both the parties used strong arm methods UN Human Rights Council is selectively critical of Sri Lankan government which had to fight to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country and it has nothing critical to say, for all purposes about the violent acts of the LTTE militants in Sri Lanka. No reputation to lose : So many other instances can be pointed out, where the role of UN Human Rights Council in protecting human rights has been minimal or nil. Ironically, it appears that the UN Human Rights Council can act only if there are issues relating to small and weak countries, that are not backed by powerful countries !. Obviously, UN Human Rights Council has lost its moral authority , which is necessary for a world organization to function in effective manner. It is high time that U N Secretary General orders a probe into the functioning style and priorities of UN Human Rights Council. Broadcast journalist and head of TV3s political desk, Edward Kwabi Jnr, has died. He is reported to have died on Monday, March 2, 2020. Family sources say the journalist has been sick since September 2019. The late journalist was a presidential reporter during the former President John Mahamas administration and Secretary of the Presidential Press Corps. He was among the team of journalists who got involved in an accident at Afienya near Tema while covering President Mahama in August 2015. It is unclear what ailment he was suffering from but sources said he had been complaining about his fractured leg occasioned by the accident. Reports say he had been unwell since that accident shuttling between hospitals. The ghastly accident took away the life of Samuel Nuamah, Ghanaian Times presidential correspondent at the then Flagstaff House. Edward Kwabi's leg got broken and was fixed with metal. DGN learnt that just last week he shared on a platform with his former colleagues about the pain he was going through with other victims of the accident also narrating similar ordeal. He was said to have complained about neglect by John Mahama who never met the press corps even after the accident leaving them to their fates. Nobody minded him and was always complaining of the pains, a member of the then press corps told DGN when reached on phone yesterday. Other victims of the accident are said to be also suffering with no support from John Mahama. Ato Kitoe is now walking with only one eye functioning. I wont be surprised that the guy dies out of the accident, the Mahama press corps member said. ---Daily Guide A Kremlin critic has accused Russian authorities of emptying and blocking his bank accounts and those of his close family. Alexei Navalny, 43, who tries to garner popular support by exposing what he says is appalling official corruption, said his own bank accounts had been frozen as had the bank cards of his wife, son, daughter and elderly parents. He said it happened on Monday and that accounts belonging to him and his wife had not only been blocked, but were now overdrawn by 75 million roubles ($1.13 million). He has branded the move unfair and said it was aimed at strangling him and his supporters financially. Alexei Navalny, 43, (pictured) said his own bank accounts had been frozen as had the bank cards of his wife, son, daughter and elderly parents His son's savings, the result of weekly pocket money handouts, had also disappeared. It was not immediately clear why the accounts had been blocked, and the Kremlin declined to discuss the matter, saying that bank account freezes were not a matter for it to comment on. Separately, the TASS news agency reported on Tuesday that Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska, whom Navalny has targeted in his investigations, was suing Navalny for smearing his reputation, though only for a symbolic sum of one rouble. Alexei Navalny, with his wife Yulia, right, daughter Daria, and son Zakhar. He claims his son's pocket money also disappeared Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which specializes in publishing exposes on the alleged corruption of state officials, is the subject of a separate criminal investigation into alleged money laundering. Investigators opened the money laundering case in August last year after Navalny called for people to demonstrate in central Moscow over the exclusion of opposition candidates from a local election. Those protests grew into Moscow's biggest sustained protest movement in years before fizzling out. The Justice Ministry in October formally labeled Navalny's anti-corruption group a 'foreign agent,' meaning it can be subjected to spot checks and face bureaucratic scrutiny. JERUSALEM Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus political future remained up in the air Tuesday as preliminary results and exit polls from Israels third election in under a year indicated the embattled leader would fall short of securing the parliamentary majority needed to form a new government. Netanyahu, set to go on trial on corruption charges in two weeks, claimed victory after exit polls projected his Likud party as the largest faction in parliament in Mondays election. But while exit polls and preliminary results appeared to give him a boost, they also signaled that a year-long political deadlock is far from over. With 93% of the votes counted, preliminary official results showed that the Likud and its religious and nationalist allies had 59 of 120 seats in parliament, two seats short of the hoped-for majority. Exit polls on Israeli TV stations also indicated the Likud-led bloc would capture 59 seats. Final results were expected Wednesday after officials counted several hundred thousand votes cast by Israeli soldiers and some 4,000 ballots cast by Israelis confined to home quarantine after possible exposure to the coronavirus. Orly Ades, head of the Central Election Committee, said it was unable to find volunteers willing to count the coronavirus ballots. She told Channel 13 TV that she and other members have taken it upon themselves to count the ballots Wednesday in a special tent erected outside the Knesset. Committee members will wear protective gear. Even if Netanyahu falls short of a majority, he appears to hold the upper hand as rival political camps try to end the deadlock that has paralyzed the political system for over a year. According to the preliminary results and exit polls, Likud was singlehandedly projected to win 35 to 36 seats, placing it well ahead of the 32 seats projected to go to the rival Blue and White party, led by his main challenger, former military chief Benny Gantz. Although Netanyahus opponents together were projected to hold a 61-seat majority, they are deeply divided. They include a predominantly Arab party and a secular ultranationalist faction that has ruled out any alliance with Arab politicians, making it unlikely they will unite. Whether Netanyahu could use this advantage to form a new government remains to be seen. Moving quickly, Netanyahu met Tuesday with his smaller allies to try to project business as usual. Likud said the various parties agreed to remain together as an alliance, but also left the door open to other partners. If the final results match the exit polls, Netanyahu would have several options. Jonathan Urich, a Netanyahu aide, said Likud was already working to poach defecting lawmakers from the opposition. I expect that fairly shortly well have the missing votes, he told Israels Army Radio. Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute think tank, and himself a former lawmaker, said persuading opponents to defect would not be easy. Lawmakers who switch sides can face sanctions, and the resulting coalition would likely be narrow and unstable. Mr. Netanyahus path to introducing a new government is not that clear and is not secure, Plesner said. Another path would be for Likud and Blue and White to put aside their differences and form a broad unity government. Together, they are projected to control a solid majority. On the campaign trail, Gantz repeatedly ruled out a unity government led by Netanyahu, saying the prime minister is unfit to rule at a time when he is going on trial. Netanyahu insists he head any unity pact. Gantz and other anti-Netanyahu forces could still eke out a narrow blocking majority and force yet another election. But a weary public is largely against that option. Blue and White officials met late Tuesday to discuss their options. Afterward, Gantz said they are still waiting for final results and they will do everything that the results and the law allow to change the government. Netanyahu is eager to form a government before his trial begins March 17. He has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes for his actions in a series of scandals that included accepting lavish gifts from wealthy friends, and allegedly offering favors to media moguls in exchange for positive press coverage. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing. Netanyahu is expected to use his position to lash out at his prosecutors and rally public support. If he forms a new government, he might also seek ways to delay or derail the proceedings. In the meantime, the timing of the trial could complicate the formation of the next government. Under Israeli law, the president is responsible for designating a prime minister, choosing the candidate deemed to have the best chance of forming a coalition after several days of consultations with the various political parties. His choice is usually, but not always, the leader of the largest party. President Reuven Rivlins office said he would begin the consultation process on March 10, meaning his decision on a prime minister-designate could come just as Netanyahus trial is beginning. While there is nothing legally to prevent him from tapping Netanyahu, the optics of choosing a politician on trial for alleged corruption could create some discomfort. The Supreme Court also is expected to be asked to look at the question of whether an indicted politician is even allowed to form a coalition government, adding another potential obstacle to the process. Addressing his supporters early Tuesday, Netanyahu made no mention of his legal woes. Instead, he declared a huge victory and vowed to press ahead with his hard-line agenda. That includes annexing large parts of the occupied West Bank a step that would antagonize much of the international community and undermine any remaining hopes of establishing a Palestinian state. Regardless of the final outcome, the election seemed to mark a devastating setback for Gantzs Blue and White party and its allies on the center-left, who had grand ambitions to topple Netanyahu after more than a decade in power. Maverick politician Avigdor Lieberman, whose party is projected to win seven seats, once again looms as a key player. Speaking Tuesday, he repeated his campaign pledge that there wont be a fourth election but gave no indication which side he would support. The Joint List, an alliance of Arab-led parties, also emerged as a major player. The party is projected to control 15 seats, which would make it the third-largest faction in parliament and position its head, Ayman Odeh, to be opposition leader if Gantz and Netanyahu form a unity government. It would be the first time an Arab politician has held the position. We must be the moral alternative for the entire Israeli political map, Odeh said Tuesday. Scott Marion|The Intelligencer CARBONDALE The new Southern Illinois University System president began his leadership on Monday by signing the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge. Its not just enough to talk about promoting diversity and inclusion. You have to put words into action. As I begin my tenure at the SIU System, I want our campus communities to know this is a long-held commitment that I will continue as system president, Dan Mahony said. One of the things that drew me here was not just the priority each campus places on diversity, but the acceptance that these are not static issues and we need to continue working every day to advance understanding and inclusivity. Im excited to become a part of that effort. On the island of Oahu in Hawaii, 2nd graders weave mats, baskets, or other objects from the local hala plant. In northeastern Oklahoma, middle schoolers investigate why light makes some surfaces work like windows and others like mirrors. Thousands of miles apart, those projects have something powerful in common: They were designed with equity in mind. The lesson writers deliberately chose, as anchors for the lessons, natural phenomena that all students know equally and can see in their own lives. Centering science lessons on phenomena that are universallike lightor deeply rooted in a regions culture or locationlike the hala plantcan make science more relevant and interesting for students. But they can also have a powerful role in building equity, since all students begin with something they know. Im not going to have students investigate the chemical reaction of the family silver tarnishing, because not all kiddos are going to have that experience in their lives, said Rebecca Morales, the science-curriculum coordinator in the Broken Arrow, Okla., school district. I try to get my teachers thinking about choosing phenomena that all students as humans can consider. Conversations like these are unfolding across the country, as more than 40 states implement the Next Generation Science Standards, or standards based on their underlying Framework for K-12 Science Education. Equity is woven through the NGSS and their framework; the documents frame expectations for all students, not just those aiming for science careers. Phenomena-based instruction is central to the standards, which envision moving away from rote facts to questions that spark students natural curiosity. As a science teacher, I was trained to look at topics and facts, said Peter McLaren, who co-authored the NGSS and now trains teachers on using them. Starting with questions about natural phenomena is a big change, and a lot of teachers are having a hard time with it. Drawing on Culture, Place Collaborative projects have been springing up around the country to help teachers create equitable lessons anchored in natural phenomena. The hala lesson, for instance, took shape when several teachers in Hawaii, linked online through state-sponsored professional development, worked with Brett Moulding, another NGSS author, to craft science lessons that drew on local culture and traditions. Mikioi Wichman, the K-5 science, technology, engineering and math teacher at Manoa Elementary School in Honolulu, was in that group. The teachers wanted to build a lesson for a 2nd grade standard that explores how elements in nature can come apart and reassemble into something with a different function. Their first thought was to use Legos, Wichman said. But Moulding pressed them to choose something that would add cultural richness and a sense of place to the lesson. They hit on the hala plant, which is common around Hawaii. Native Hawaiian and Polynesian voyagers wove it into sleeping mats, baskets, and canoe sails. Even now, students can see hala hats and baskets in local stores, Wichman said. Over several class meetings, Wichman introduces her students to hala leaves gathered from the local neighborhood. They study the plants features, such as its long, slender leaves, and learn about its history. They weave mats, take them apart, and brainstorm about other ways to weave them. The children have produced many creative solutions, from baskets and bookmarks to bracelets and tiny fish, Wichman said. Then they write in their journals about the principles they learned. Wichman said the lesson has given all her students, regardless of their race, class, or cultural backgrounds, a way to enter science on equal footing, through something they all share. No matter where they come from, theyre all here in the Manoa Valley, she said. Starting with something children already know isnt just smart from an equity perspective, Moulding said. It also helps students learn by giving them a base to which they can attach new knowledge, a constructivist idea that runs through the NGSS and their framework, he said. He encourages teachers to take a scientific phenomenon and adapt it to reflect their students local surroundings. To study the ways organisms adapt to where they live, for instance, Hawaiian students could study the feral chickens that are common on the islands and how theyve changed their color and egg-laying patterns over time in response to local conditions. In northwestern Nebraska, children could study the Sand Hill deer mouse, whose fur has lightened over time to blend in with the color of the sandy soil, Moulding said. Phenomena that are relevant to students, whether its because of their culture or their place, are more accessible for all students, he said. Moulding and other science educators have assembled more than 300 free equity-focused science lessons for the NGSS on a website called #Going 3D with GRC. Access to well-designed lessons, even paired with good professional development, isnt enough to build equitable science instruction at scale, some experts say. A research project called ACESSE, funded by the National Science Foundation, has been exploring systems and practices that bring all aspects of the education systemfrom the classroom teacher to district and state curriculum leaders, and even an interstate brain trustinto play to produce equitable science instruction. At the classroom level, that work can look like Stacy Beausoleils lessons at Sequoyah Middle School in Broken Arrow. Working closely with Morales, her science coordinator, Beausoleil has been thinking about how to make her science instruction more equitable. That thinking plays out in her lessons, with the natural phenomena she chooses as anchors. Using free resources from OpenSciEd, Beausoleil recently taught a unit on light, an NGSS standard for 7th grade. Starting with a video clip of the TV character Mr. Bean goofing around in a two-way mirror, students theorized about the behavior of light on various surfaces. They created a scale model and re-enacted the scenario. She assigned students to find examples in their own lives of how different surfaces affect light. They came back full of stories, Beausoleil said. One girl reported that when she passed a restaurant at night, the window was so reflective that she used it to fix her hair, forgetting that customers inside could see her. Another noticed how she could see her reflection in a pond, but she could also see the sand at the bottom. That assignment shows how equity has affected not just the natural processes Beausoleil chooses, but the way she assigns out-of-school work. She tries to create assignments that put no child at a disadvantage. Using light as an instructional anchor, and sending students home to investigate it works because it deals with an everyday thing that all kids have the privilege of accessing, in their houses, their mobile homes, or even in the cars theyre living in temporarily. Beausoleil has changed the way she carries out formative assessment. Instead of using multiple-choice quizzes, she asks students to model their thinking in illustrations and then discusses them. At first, theyre one-on-one conversations. That lets students use their own words, without worrying about correct vocabulary. It offers Beausoleil a valuable window into their understanding of the concepts. Then she organizes the class into small groups to discuss their models and their thinking, while she walks around and listens to their conversations. They do the same thing as a whole class, trying to reach a consensus in understanding the concept. Beausoleil said you have no idea how much this has changed what she can learn about her students learning. A Role for States As the Broken Arrow district works with teachers on strategies like those, Oklahoma leaders are playing a powerful role to shape science instruction statewide. That kind of big-system change is a key concept in the four-year-old ACESSE project. Oklahoma and 12 other states are participating, and theyre sharing ideas with all the other states. Tiffany Neill, Oklahomas executive director of curriculum and instruction, is overseeing several lines of work on equitable science instruction as part of the ACESSE project. She and her team conducted surveys and focus groups to see where Oklahoma teachers most needed support in implementing the states science standards. She coordinates district and regional trainings to help teachers shift to new ways of thinking about instructional and classroom assessment practices. And she has convened key players in the state to identify programs or policies that arent well aligned to its science standards. The state replaced its science test to better reflect the phenomenon-centered aims of the standards. Instead of questions that ask students to just explain condensation, we now have things like, Theres liquid on the outside of a glass. What causes that to happen? Neill said. The project has enabled science leaders to brainstorm across state and district lines. And its built dozens of new, free science education resources designed to help teachers with equitable science practices. One of the leaders of the ACESSE Project, William Penuel of the University of Colorado-Boulder, said that all parts of the K-12 system, from the classroom to state offices, must be involved in building equity into science instruction. Just getting new materials isnt enough, he said. Michael Petrilli, the president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education research group, applauded the effort to make science relevant for students. But he cautioned that tying lessons exclusively to what children already know can be limiting. In moderation, some of this makes sense, he said. But the worst thing to do when someone comes from a limited life experience is to just stay inside that box. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attacked the opposition stating that "even today some parties are putting their interest above the interest". "The Prime Minister said that the interest and party interest also came in the freedom struggle. Even today some parties are putting their party interest above the interest," Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi told reporters quoting Modi who had spoken at the BJP's Parliamentary party meet on Tuesday. The Minister quoted the Prime Minister as saying that "while during the independence struggle an issue was created over Vande Mataram, similar attempts are being made against Bharat Mata ki jai". Days after Delhi violence, the Prime Minister also called for peace, unity and harmony. "Prime Minister Modi said that for development, there must be peace, unity and harmony," Joshi added. "He said that we are here for the national interest. He said that the nation and national interest is supreme and development is our mantra," the Minister added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh and Union Minister Smriti Irani also present at the meeting that took place at Parliament Library Building. The second half of Parliament's Budget Session that resumed on Monday witnessed adjournments in both houses of Parliament over the violence in North-East Delhi in which at least 47 people have died and around 200 sustained injuries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Mohammad Zubair sits nursing his head injuries and swelling on his hands and feet caused during the recent Delhi riots, his face breaks into a smile on seeing guests pouring in to enquire about his health. The only time he frowns is when he is informed about how his viral image is being used by the Islamic State to establish itself in India. He has no idea how to deal with it. Zulm hai yeh hum par (this is cruelty on me)," says Zubair, who is recovering at his relatives place in Delhis Inderlok. Hitting out at the terror group for sharing his image and calling for retaliatory action in Wilayat Al Hind (province in India), Zubair sought to be left alone at this hour of crisis. The viral image. (Reuters) An image of Zubair has been widely circulated in which he is seen bowing down helplessly as a mob using stumps, swords and rods rages at him at the Bhajanpura market in northeast Delhi that witnessed one of the worst communal riots in decades. He says the photo has become synonymous with Delhi riots, but he feels as much helpless with what the IS is trying to do with the same. I dont know what to do about it. The photo captured a moment of violence and all that transpired that day, but appropriating it for someones self interests is cruelty. Its reckless. Its similar to what politicians do make a career out of others losses. This outfit is trying to that with our fate. It cant get worse than this for us," he says. (The image being used by the IS on social media.) Zubair has sent his wife and three children to their native place in western Uttar Pradesh. He now wants to focus on starting life afresh. I have a simple life and I have to focus on rebuilding it. I am trying to open a new shop and need support for that. I have so much to worry about at the moment," he says, adding he believes in forgiveness and moving on". Relatives and friends are coming to meet him. If they break down crying in front of him, Zubair tells them to have faith in God and be patient. Zubair will have to visit the doctor again in 10 days to get the stitches removed. You can see the fracture caused due to the attack by the sharp objects. The mob used the stumps so hard that it broke," he says. On that fateful Monday, Zubair had gone for his usual prayer at the local mosque and was supposed to return home with halwa parantha" and naan khatai" for the children. Around 4pm, on his way back, he was misled by someone to take a more tense route and suddenly found himself in the middle of a mob who seemed to be baying for his blood. I believed the person who told me to take the route to the Bhajanpura market. I had thought of taking the subway. At that point, I couldnt do anything. After the attack, I fell unconscious and was taken to the hospital," he says. An eternal optimist, Zubair believes time will heal everything. I still have my limbs working and my focus is to provide a better life for my children," he says. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here. Fairfax, Va., March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DiverseJobs.net, which focuses on recruiting and job placement in higher education, is announcing it has rebranded and enhanced its website to add more job search functionality and improved user experience. The job site is associated with Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, an online and print news publication covering the full range of issues concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion in American higher education for over 36 years. Diverse Jobs helps employers and job seekers with recruiting and job placement and has thousands of job listings for careers in higher education. Diverse Jobs works with higher education employers such as San Diego Community College District, Pepperdine University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Boston University, DePauw University, and many others, and has helped with the successful recruitment of diverse candidates and job placement. Feedback from our applicants states that many first became aware of the job by visiting Diverse Jobs website. We appreciate Diverse Jobs partnership as we seek motivated and qualified applicants for our many job opportunities, said Erin Milligan-Hill, Director, Employment & Professional Development with San Diego Community College District. Diverse Jobs new logo and positioning statement, Where Everyone Gets to Work, was developed in concert with Tampa-based marketing consulting company, HCP Associates. The new website offers an improved job-seeker experience, enhanced look and feel, and an updated employer interface. Our new branding and enhanced website functionality allow us to provide employers, search firms, and job seekers with a new and improved user experience. Its faster, more intuitive and will also offer employers more opportunities to promote and boost their searches, said William Cox Jr., Vice President, Operations & Advertising. Since my first introduction to Diverse Magazine in 2004, it has continued to provide excellent service to the higher education community and beyond. Diverses stellar work has helped to increase our brand recognition and highlight our exceptional faculty, staff and programs, said Helen Easterling Williams, Ed, Dean and Professor of Education of Pepperdine Universitys Graduate School of Education and Psychology. The return on investment makes this partnership more than worthwhile. About DiverseJobs.net DiverseJobs.net is the job site of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, the premier news source reporting on diversity, equity, and inclusion for over 36 years. The website is the trusted source for all job seekers seeking career advancement in education and healthcare. Colleges, universities, and higher education recruitment agencies, and search firms in the U.S., Canada, and across the globe turn to DiverseJobs.net to reach a larger, concentrated pool of qualified diverse candidates. For more information visit DiverseJobs.net, call 703-385-2402 or email DiverseJobs@DiverseEducation.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 15:30:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled a slew of fiscal and monetary incentives to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The following are the latest measures as part of the country's targeted toolkit to tide over the difficulties. LIQUIDITY BOOST -- The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on Sunday urged financial institutions to defer loan principal repayments that have matured since Jan. 25 for virus-stricken smaller businesses. Their interest payments between Jan. 25 and June 30 can also be deferred to June 30, with penalty payments exempted. -- Apart from enjoying the deferment policy, enterprises in the hardest-hit province of Hubei shall be given a special credit quota, so as to lower the comprehensive financing cost in 2020 by over one percentage point from last year for small and micro-enterprises. -- On Feb. 28, the country vowed to guide financial institutions to issue extra low-interest loans totaling 300 billion yuan (around 43 billion U.S. dollars) to self-employed businesses. -- The country's central bank increased the re-lending and re-discount quota by 500 billion yuan last week, with the bulk channeled to small and medium-sized banks to increase their credit support to smaller businesses. -- National commercial banks will be encouraged to offer more loans to micro and small firms, and work toward lowering the lending rates for such firms from last year's level. -- Policy banks will add a 350-billion-yuan special credit quota to be issued to micro, small and medium-sized firms at preferential rates. TAX AND FEE INCENTIVES -- Self-employed businesses will see a cut in their social insurance contributions, rent and value-added tax burdens, according to the Ministry of Finance. -- China has issued policies such as lower financing guarantee fees to alleviate the high financing costs of small and micro-enterprises. -- Small and medium-sized enterprises outside Hubei will be exempted from pension, unemployment and work-related injury insurance premiums from February to April, according to the Ministry of Commerce. -- The country's top economic planner said last week it will release more targeted tax and fee cuts to aid smaller businesses as they were among the hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak. EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT -- The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has encouraged online hiring and provided financial support for small firms to ensure stable job creation. -- Measures such as arranging online job fairs and providing employment training services have been unveiled to aid key groups of job-seekers including college graduates and rural migrant workers. -- Unemployment insurance and vocational training subsidies were allocated to help enterprises protect existing jobs. 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. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a courtesy call after his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won Assembly elections in the national capital. This was the first meeting between the leaders after AAP trounced BJP in the elections. I had sought time from PM. We discussed what has happened in the last few days in Delhi. A lot of rumours were spread and Delhi Police personnel played a good role to stem these rumours, Kejriwal said after meeting the Prime Minister. But he also said that if the police were more efficient like they were while stoping the rumours, many lives could have been saved. I appealed to the PM and he also agreed that no such things should recur in future. I said action should be taken against whoever is responsible for the riots, however powerful or from whichever party, said Kejriwal. Last week, Delhi saw its worst riots in over three decades in which 46 people have been killed and more than 200 injured. Protesters for and against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA clashed on the streets and torched vehicles and houses in some localities like Jafrabad, Maujpur and Yamuna Vihar. After days of mayhem and rioting, an AAP councillor was blamed by the local of inciting the mob and leading them during violence. He was also accused by the family of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) official of murder. Twenty-six-year-old Ankit Sharma was killed during the arson and body dumped in a drain. The AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, however, denied all the allegations against him and said in a video that he had to leave the Chand Bagh area due to violence. But the party suspended him after the FIR was registered and the police have declared him absconding. The two leaders also discussed the citys preparedness for coronavirus, which has spread to nearly 60 countries and killed more than 85,000 people. The city reported its first case of coronavirus on Monday after a person who had visited Italy tested positive for Covid-19. leaders in Madhya Pradesh have allegedly taken eight MLAs to a hotel in Haryana as part of a conspiracy to topple the state government, a leader has alleged. The statement of Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Jitu Patwari came hours after veteran claimed that a senior leader of the saffron party has taken a (BSP) legislator to Delhi in a chartered flight, alleging that "poaching" attempts were being made by the on MLAs in Madhya Pradesh. The opposition dismissed the claim of Madhya Pradesh's former chief minister and said his statement was aimed at ensuring his re-nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh scheduled on March 26. "Senior BJP leaders including former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former ministers Narottam Mishra, Bhupendra Singh and Rampal Singh among others have forcibly taken eight MLAs to a hotel in Haryana as part of a conspiracy," Patwari told PTI over phone. "The MLAs told us that they were forcibly confined by the BJP leaders," he alleged. "We are trying to bring them back. Four of them have come back also but they have forcibly taken away tribal MLA Bisahulal Singh," he alleged. According to media reports, Digvijay and his minister son Jaivardhan Singh also reached the Haryana hotel to meet the MLAs. Speaking to reporters on Monday at New Delhi, Digvijay alleged his party MLAs were being offered huge amount of money by BJP leaders as part of the saffron party's "poaching" attempts to destabilise the government. Hitting back, Chouhan accused the Congress veteran of making false statements and engaging in sensationalism. BJP vice-president and MLA Rameshwar Sharma told PTI that people dont take the Congress veteran seriously. President Trump said the government would move to ban bump stocks following a 2017 shooting in Las Vegas in which a gunman attached bump stocks to assault-style rifles he used to shoot concertgoers from his hotel room. By using the devices, which allow shots to be fired more rapidly, the gunman was able to fire more than 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes. Fifty-eight people were killed and hundreds were injured. Officials said the company conspired between 2013 and 2015 with other drug manufacturers and their executives to raise prices for critical medications, hurting vulnerable consumers such as the elderly. The price-fixing affected more than $500 million in Sandoz's generic drug sales, the Justice Department said. It involved drugs used to treat a range of chronic problems and pain conditions including arthritis, hypertension, seizures, various skin conditions and blood clots, according to officials. As part of the agreement, the generic pharmaceutical company headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey will admit guilt and pay the penalty, which the Justice Department says is the largest fine the department had levied in a domestic antitrust case. The Justice Department said Monday that pharmaceutical company Sandoz will pay a $195 million penalty to resolve criminal charges of conspiring to fix prices and rig bids to stifle competition for generic drugs. Under the agreement, criminal prosecution will be deferred for three years. Sandoz, part of the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG and one of the largest generic drug makers in the U.S., also agreed to cooperate with an ongoing Justice Department criminal investigation of the generic pharmaceutical industry. Earlier charges against Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Rising Pharmaceuticals also were resolved with criminal penalties and deferred prosecution agreements. The move came after a former senior executive of Sandoz, Hector Armando Kellum, pleaded guilty last month to conspiring with other drug company executives to fix prices and rig bids for generic drugs. Two other industry executives have pleaded guilty, and another was indicted last month and is awaiting trial. "Today's resolution, with one of the largest manufacturers of generic drugs, is a significant step toward ensuring that prices for generic drugs are set by competition, not collusion, and rooting out antitrust crimes that cheated American purchasers of vital medicines," said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim. Officials said the decision to defer prosecution of Sandoz took into account the "significant" impact on the public that likely would result from a criminal conviction, because the government bans health care suppliers that have been convicted of certain crimes from participating in all federal health care programs, such as Medicare. In addition, Sandoz quickly accepted responsibility for its wrongdoing in the case and cooperated with the investigation, the Justice Department said. We, like many communities across the nation, are facing housing issues, Councilman Bennie Shobe said to developers. It would nice if you would build just regular, residential housing. Grubb said Campion had tried to develop affordable housing and had plans for a site near the Campion project, but the project wasnt feasible. This is what we can proceed with at this time, Grubb said. The project would receive $5.5 million in tax-increment financing if approved, and some of the TIF generated by the project would pay for streetscape improvements, greenery, and sidewalk improvements along 10th Street, said Dan Marvin, Lincoln Urban Development Department director. The first two floors would have 24 rowhouse-style units with street access, and apartments on the upper five floors, according to project plans. Council Chair Jane Raybould asked the project team what gives it an advantage to students looking for downtown housing. Developers believe their plans for a dog park, a pool and outdoor space, along with the smart and electronic amenities inside, would set Campion apart from other downtown student housing options, Grubb said. Brexit negotiators from the United Kingdom and the European Union decided not to shake hands because of the ongoing rise in the coronavirus cases in the continent. According to reports, officials from both sides met at Brussels to discuss the terms and conditions for the Brexit deal where they agreed not to shake hands amid the global spread of the deadly COVID-19. As per reports, Italy has been the most affected country in Europe where at least 52 people have lost their lives. Read: Charmme Kaur Gets Flak For 'coronavirus Has Arrived' Act, Calls It 'immaturity' In Apology Media reports suggest that hand sanitizers and NHS advice has been issued throughout the United Kingdom. The number of coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom has risen to 39, while the European Union has raised the risk level from moderate to high in the continent. According to reports, the first set of negotiations took place at the European Commission's headquarter in Brussels, a month after the United Kingdom left the EU officially. While David Frost has been appointed by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to negotiate on behalf of Britain, the European Union has fielded Michel Barnier as their chief negotiator for an exit deal. Read: AI Crew Who Flew With Coronavirus-struck Indian Asked To Remain In Isolation For 14 Days Coronavirus outbreak The new coronavirus also known as COVID-19 has claimed more than 3,000 lives across the globe and has infected over 90,000 people since December 2019. According to reports, at least 106 people have died outside mainland China, which makes it the worst disease outbreak in the 21st century. Iran and Italy have reported the most number of deaths outside China due to COVID-19. 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: Portugal Announces First Case Of Coronavirus, Another Presumptive Case Being Monitored Read: Health Min Harsh Vardhan Confirms 2 More Coronavirus Cases, Issues Fresh Travel Advisory Lead Image Credit: AP The Rabat-based Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has partnered with Rabita Mohammadia of Ulemas (Moroccos religious scholars Association) to combat radical ideologies and inoculate young people against the narrative of extremist groups. The two sides signed on Monday in Rabat a two-year cooperation program (2020-2022) including training sessions & courses, lectures, publication of booklets on moderate Islam for the youth This pilot program was inked by ISESCO Director General Salem Bin Mohammed Al Malik and Chief of Rabita Mohammadia of Ulemas Ahmed Abbadi. The Rabita is tasked with debunking extremist interpretations of the Quran, by overseeing the training of religious scholars (including female clerics, known as morchidates) and by promoting tolerant Islamic values that are based on the Malikite rite against the threat of extremism. Morocco has a comprehensive strategy to countering violent extremism (CVE) focusing on economic and human development in addition to countering radicalization and oversight of the religious sphere. To counter religious extremism at home and abroad, Morocco has extended the Mohammed VI Institute, created in 2015, for the training of Imams to respond to the growing demand from a number of countries from Africa and Europe. The center serves as a bulwark against religious extremism and jihadist ideology. The extension project of the Rabat based institution enables it to fully fulfill its role as a vector of religious diplomacy aiming to counter the terrorist threat. The Imam training center aims to play a leading role in fighting religious radicalism via instilling the values of moderate form of Islam in the next generation of Muslim religious leaders from across the region and the world. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Looks like the Pride Center of Staten Island will be marching in a St. Patricks Parade after all: In Orangetown, N.Y. Coordinators of the parade, which is set for March 22, read about the borough parade committees decision to again prevent the Pride Center and LGBTQ groups from officially marching, and extended open arms to Carol Bullock and the Staten Island organization. Officials in the town located north of Yonkers also invited Miss Staten Island 2020, Madison LInsalata, who also was prohibited from marching down Forest Avenue. According to The Journal News (lohud.com), Bullock told organizers, Ill be there. As of this writing, LInsalata had yet to respond to the invitation. Both the Pride Center and LInsalata were among multiple groups to get the boot from the Richmond County Saint Patricks Day Parade Committee. South Shore Councilman Joseph Borelli was prohibited from marching, as were two high school bands, due to displaying rainbow memorabilia. In mid-February, parade committee member Larry Cummings told the Advance, Heres the deal, its a non-sexual identification parade and thats that," and no, the Pride Center wont march. Dont try to keep asking a million friggin questions, OK? Thousands of people have since supported an online petition calling for the removal of Cummings and a shakeup of committee leadership. Up north in Orangetown, located about an hour drive from Staten Island, folks can expect an open parade, said John McGowan, a Rockland County official, according to the report. Its a really happy, celebratory day," he added. The United States reported four more deaths from the novel coronavirus in Washington state on Monday, bringing the total death toll in the US to six and making the west coast state the epicentre of the country's outbreak concerns. Health officials of Washington state's King county, which reported three more deaths, and Snohomish county, with one fatality, said in a briefing on Monday the elderly and patients with underlying conditions were more likely to develop into serious conditions, while stating most of the cases had mild symptoms. Several of the cases in the state can be traced back to a Washington state nursing care facility in Kirkland, a city in King county where the first two deaths were reported. In total, US has confirmed close to 100 cases of the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China in December. The new deaths announced by the King county and Snohomish county health officials followed the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled press briefing at noon by the top federal health official Nancy Messonnier. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also removed information on its website that showed the cumulative number of people who have been tested for the virus. The figure was displayed on Sunday. Vice-President Mike Pence and Ambassador Deborah Birx, a top official coordinating the government's coronavirus response, are expected to brief reporters at 5pm local time on coronavirus updates. Pence was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the administration's coronavirus efforts. On Sunday, in a rare acknowledgement during his interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on the show State of the Union, Pence said the US has lagged behind other countries in the manufacturing and distribution of coronavirus testing kits. Pence initially claimed there were 15,000 testing kits released over the weekend with plans to send out an additional 50,000 during the week. He said the mass release of testing kits for the novel coronavirus over the weekend would be enough to test thousands of patients. Story continues The CDC previously said each diagnostic kit can test 700 to 800 patient samples. But Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Sunday that the administration will have the ability to test about 75,000 people. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Photo: Getty Images North America via AFP alt=Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Photo: Getty Images North America via AFP President Trump has tried to play down the risk of the spread of the virus, which has claimed more than 3,000 deaths and infected more than 90,000 people worldwide, mostly in China's Wuhan of Hubei province, where the virus was believed to be originated from the city's seafood and meat market. The president is expected to meet with pharmaceutical executives Monday afternoon and will visit the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday. On Friday, Trump will visit the CDC headquarters in Atlanta. Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Monday morning, said he will discuss efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine at his meeting with pharmaceutical executives. "We're talking about a vaccine, maybe even a cure," he said. Health experts said any vaccine would not be widely available for at least 18 months. Additional reporting by Bhavan Jaipragas. Purchase the China AI Report 2020 brought to you by SCMP Research and enjoy a 20% discount (original price US$400). This 60-page all new intelligence report gives you first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments and intelligence about China AI. Get exclusive access to our webinars for continuous learning, and interact with China AI executives in live Q&A. Offer valid until 31 March 2020. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. ALBANY, New York, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The wire and cable plastics market is expected to witness robust growth during 2019-2029 period. The growth will largely come from key sectors of telecommunications, and IT. The telecommunication segment expected to reach a value of US$1.7 bn in the wire and cable plastics market by 2027. The growth in the market is likely remain dominant in Europe region, which accounts for second-largest revenues globally. Growing demand from Eastern Europe, mainly Russia is also a major positive for growth in the upcoming future. The Asia Pacific region, notable for its IT sector has witnessed some downfall in recent times, with a slowdown in growth of India, and China. According to TMR analysts, "China is witnessing a slowing demand for fiber optic cables which is expected to drive stiff competition in a fragmented market landscape globally during the forecast period." Download PDF Brochure - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=65801 Key Findings in the Wire & Cable Plastics Market Study High voltage cables, and wires remains the most lucrative segment in the wire & cables plastics market. Their application in power transmission, and growing demand for thermosetting plastics, which can prevent leakage, will drive tremendous growth in the market. The growing fragmentation in the market has made it essential to address the problems with plastic disposal. Currently, regional players account for 60% market share in the wire & cable plastics market. Players in the wire & cable plastics market are adopting cost-effective disposable plastic solutions with the help of carbon nanotube electric cables. 5G will likely be a game-changer for players in the wire & cable plastics market. The growing demand for flexible fabrics, and rising complexity of electrical conductivity are key challenges for players in the wire & cable plastics market. Building and construction will emerge as a key arena for growth driving new regions like Asia Pacific . Indian finance minister recently announced a package $1.4 trillion for infrastructure development in the country. The growing cost-effectiveness of wire and cable plastics, and their rising importance in construction sector will create more opportunities for growth. View Detailed Table of Contents at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/65801 Key Impediments for Wire & Cable Plastics Market Players Busbar trunking systems are increasingly deployed to prevent potential damage from cables to foreign bodies. Their added costs, and harmful incidents over the years is a key factor restraining growth in the wire & cable plastics market. Rising awareness about benefits of busbar trunking systems, and their specialised application for residential and commercial establishment will remain a major challenge for growth in the wire & cable plastics market. Wire & Cable Plastics Market: Region-wise Analysis Despite looming slowdowns in key economies of Asia Pacific region, the region will remain a highlight for growth during the forecast period. The growing urbanization, rising construction activity, and rising disposable income will ensure growth of the wire & cable plastics market during 2019-2029 period. Additionally, the wire & cable plastics market will also witness significant growth in Middle East & Africa. Rising initiatives to upgrade existing infrastructure, and growing economic activity in the region will drive major opportunities for growth for players in the wire & cable plastics market. The demand will rise mainly from communications sector, light, and power sectors in the emerging regions. Wire & cable plastics 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. Wire & Cable Plastics Market: Competition landscape Solvay Group, Formosa Plastics, SABIC, BASF SE, and Arkema Group are some key companies operating in the wire & cable plastics market. The growing emphasis on technical innovations is a key strategy deployed by some key players like Formosa Plastics to drive growth. The emphasis on manufacturing PVC is also a major factor fuelling growth for large players in the wire & cable plastics market. New product launches, mergers, and acquisitions are also key strategies undertaken by major players to increase their market share. Global Wire & Cable Plastics Market: Segmentation Wire & Cable Plastics Market, by Material Polyethylene (PE) Linear Low-density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) Silane Peroxide Irradiation Others (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene [UHMWPE] and Medium-density polyethylene [MDPE]) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Polypropylene (PP) Others (including Polyolefin, Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), Nylon, Chlorinated Polyethylene [CPE]) Wire & Cable Plastics Market, by Voltage Low Voltage Medium Voltage High Voltage Extra-high Voltage Wire & Cable Plastics Market, by Type Flame Retardant Standard Wire & Cable Plastics Market, by End-use Industry IT & Telecommunication Building & Construction Aerospace & Defense Automotive Oil & Gas Power & Energy Wire & Cable Plastics Market, by Region North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Russia & CIS & CIS Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals and Materials Industry, Commercial Perlite Market - The global commercial perlite market was valued at US$ 1.1 Bn in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of ~5% from 2019 to 2027. Rise in the demand for commercial perlite in the building & construction sector is driving the global commercial perlite market. Automotive Lightweight Materials Market - Global automotive lightweight materials market to reach valuation of us$ 270 bn by 2027; rise in demand for printed and flexible electronics to drive market Plastics Market for Electrical Appliances - Global production of plastic stood at 322 million tons in 2015 and is estimated to increase at a CAGR of 6% to 7% by 2020. On the basis of region, Asia Pacific was the fastest growing regional and was 2/3rd of the total revenue in 2017. The revenue share of the region was more than 50%. Metalworking Fluids Market - In terms of value, the global Metalworking Fluids market was stood around US$ 11.0 Bn in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of more than 4% from 2019 to 2027 Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Market - Global autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) market estimated to reach more than US$ 20 Bn by 2026: AAC as an energy- and cost-efficient building material is boosting the demand for AAC. Gain access to Market Ngage, an AI-powered, real-time business intelligence that goes beyond the archaic research solutions to solve the complex strategy challenges that organizations face today. With over 15,000+ global and country-wise reports across 50,000+ application areas, Market Ngage is your tool for research on-the-go. From tracking new investment avenues to keeping a track of your competitor's moves, Market Ngage provides you with all the essential information to up your strategic game. Power your business with Market Ngage's actionable insights and remove the guesswork in making colossal decisions. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com SOURCE Transparency Market Research Attacks by gunmen on security forces near the world's largest gold mine in Indonesia's restive Papua province have killed one police officer and wounded three others, police said Tuesday. Attackers believed to be members of the West Papua Liberation Army, the military wing of the Free Papua Organisation, ambushed a police patrol from a hill on Saturday, killing one officer and injuring two others, Papua police chief Paulus Waterpau said. In a second attack, gunmen shot at a police car on Tuesday, injuring another officer, he said. The attacks occurred in the mining town of Tembagapura in Papua, where rebels have been fighting a low-level insurgency for independence. Riza Pratama, a spokesman for PT Freeport Indonesia, the company that runs the Grasberg copper and gold mine, said gunshots were heard near its work area, prompting the company to turn on sirens to warn employees and their families who live on the site. He said the company has urged workers to be vigilant, but the attacks would not affect its operations. The US company Freeport-McMoRan owned 90 per cent of the Grasberg mine when it started operating in Indonesia's easternmost Papua region in 1973. PT Inalum, an Indonesian state-owned mining company, took over a 51.2 per cent stake of the mine from the US company in 2018. The mine has been hit by arson, roadside attacks and blockades. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On Tuesday morning, it was reported that a school in Noida has been shut for the next few days as the children of the Delhi man, who recently tested positive for coronavirus, study there and skipped school on Monday. Another premier school in Noida issued a statement saying it will remain shut until March 9 as a precautionary measure. We are sanitising the Shriram Millennium School as a precautionary measure. A few students from the school attended a birthday party hosted by the Coronavirus patient from Delhi on February 28. We have called for a parents meeting to spread awareness on the issue so that there is no panic. We are in touch with the school authorities and parents to ensure that all the required precautions are taken by the affected persons, said Dr Anurag Bhargava, Chief Medical Officer, Gautam Budh Nagar. A spokesperson for Shriram Millennium School said that a formal statement will be issued later today. Noidas Shiv Nadar School was the second one to take the precautionary measure and remain shut until March 9 . It has been decided to close Shiv Nadar School until the 9th of March in order to sanitize our spaces and completely remove all scope for the further spread of this virus, read the official statement from the school. According to reports, the man from Delhi recently travelled to Italy and was diagnosed for the virus at Delhis RML (Dr Ram Manohar Lohia) Hospital. India on Monday confirmed two positive cases of coronavirus infection - one in the national capital and another in Hyderabad. Both the patients had self-reported after they developed symptoms. They tested positive. They are stable and being closely monitored, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said. Hyderabad techie tests positive The coronavirus patient in Hyderabad, Telangana had a travel history to Dubai, the government said on Monday, adding that both the cases are currently stable. The 24-year-old man, a software engineer who works in Bengaluru, had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus. The man reached Bengaluru on around February 20 and later came to Hyderabad in a bus. Fear grips Rajasthan There was another report of an Italian man testing positive for the virus, the central government has not confirmed the case yet. Karnataka admin on alert Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu has said that a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had stayed with the coronavirus-hit techie who has tested positive. Sriramulu also called a meeting of top officials of his department today. With the latest developments, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country mount to five. India, earlier, had reported three positive cases of coronavirus - all in Kerala. All three patients recovered from the infection. Dozen countries under scanner India is now suspecting emergence of cluster cases of the virus and has stepped up the level of preparedness. As many as 12 countries are under the scanner for possible spread of the infection. The nations include China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Nepal and Iran. Massive screenings While over 10 major and more than 50 minor seaports across the country are being screened, as many as 21 major airports are also conducting screenings. More than 5 lakh people have been screened at the airports while around 10 lakh have been screened at the international borders. The diagnosis Samples of suspected infection are tested for Reverse Transcription Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) which works by amplifying the DNA of the virus to check against the coronavirus sequencing. Whole-genome sequencing is also done along with the testing of blood samples for the presence of antibodies against coronavirus. The symptoms The most common initial symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath - essentially flu-like symptoms. Coronavirus across the globe Around 3,000 people have lost their lives in the wake of the virus outbreak in China. Outside China, there have been more than 8,800 cases and 130 deaths, with secondary outbreaks in Iran and northern Italy. Over 60 countries have confirmed positive cases with Saudi Arabia confirming its first positive case on Tuesday. Elsewhere, virus cases were reported for the first time in Tunisia and Jordan, and there were 10 new cases in Kuwait, six each in Iraq and Bahrain, four more in Qatar, three in Lebanon, two in Iraq and a second case in Egypt. Almost all those infected in the Middle East have recently travelled to Iran, or have been in contact with someone who has been there. In Iran, the number of those infected rose by 523 to 1,501, and the death toll from the virus rose from 54 to 66, according to Arab News. A team from the World Health Organisation arrived in Tehran on Monday with medical supplies, protective equipment for health care workers and laboratory kits to test nearly 100,000 people. The Cross River state house of assembly has rejected the appointment of Akon Ikpeme as substantive chief judge of the state. In a ... The Cross River state house of assembly has rejected the appointment of Akon Ikpeme as substantive chief judge of the state. In a voice vote at a plenary session on Monday, the assembly rejected Ikpemes appointment after receiving two reports by a divided committee on judiciary that screened her. In the first report, Efah Esua, chairman of the committee, recommended the appointment of the candidate, but in the second report, Godwin Akwaji, representing Obudu state constituency, alongside five others, recommended her rejection on the grounds that she is not a native of the state. Ikpeme hails from Akwa Ibom state, but she is married to an indigene of Cross River. After the contradictory reports from the judiciary committee, the assembly made its decision via a voice vote, where the nominee was then rejected. Speaking on the reports, Ekpo Bassey, who represents Bakassi constituency, warned the assembly against sentiments that would set bad precedents in the state. This is my fifth year in the House and I have never seen two reports by a committee being presented to the House. The House has to be on the side of justice at all times and avoid setting a bad precedence, he said. We need to strengthen institutions and avoid sowing seeds of ethnicity and disunity in the House. Itam Abang, representing Boki constituency, also said it is sad that the assembly has been prejudiced by ethnic sentiments. Never in the history of the House have we had two reports. Its very sad that in the 21st century we are whipping up ethnic sentiments, she said. Its wrong to whip up ethnic sentiments because we have children and dont know where they will be married to. She gave the state her productive years and rejecting her on account of her origin is injustice of the highest order. ATLANTA - The Georgia attorney generals office has concluded that there is no foundation to Republican Gov. Brian Kemps allegations that Democrats sought to hack the states voter registration system before his 2018 election. The divisive race that November pitted Kemp against Democrat Stacey Abrams, who called the accusations baseless at the time. Kemp beat Abrams by about 55,000 votes out of nearly 4 million cast. A private citizen had identified critical vulnerabilities in the voter registration system just days before the election and alerted a volunteer with the state Democratic Party and an attorney for election security advocates who sued Kemp in mid-2017. That attorney also alerted Kemps office. Kemp was the states chief election officer as secretary of state at the time. Kemp responded by accusing the state Democratic Party of trying to hack into the system. He offered no evidence but he asked the FBI to investigate his political opposition. In a report Monday, Senior Assistant Attorney General Laura Pfister said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence of a crime. She recommended the case be closed. Cybercrime specialists at the GBI, Georgias leading law enforcement agency, found no evidence of damage to the (Secretary of States) SOS network or computers, and no evidence of theft, damage, or loss of data, the report said. The vulnerabilities discovered in the public-facing voter registration database used to check in voters at the polls would have enabled anyone with access to an individual voters personal information to log on to Georgias MyVoter registration portal and alter or delete any voters record, potentially causing havoc, independent computer scientists told The Associated Press at the time. The investigation sought to determine if the individual who discovered the vulnerabilities and shared them had broken any state laws. It determined that he had not. Kemps spokeswoman Candice Broce said in a text message Tuesday that the person who discovered the vulnerabilities demanded immunity, lawyered up, and refused to fully co-operate with law enforcement. She thanked the GBI and attorney generals office for investigating a failed cyber intrusion before the November 2018 election and said we are grateful that the systems put in place by Brian Kemp as Georgias Secretary of State kept voter data safe and secure. More than a year after the sitting Secretary of State leveraged baseless accusations against his political opponents, were finally receiving closure on an investigation that has been a sham from the start, Democratic Party of Georgia chairwoman and state Sen. Nikema Williams said in a statement. Williams said Democrats would continue to fight against voter suppression and to protect and expand voter rolls. ___ Associated Press writer Frank Bajak in Lima, Peru contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 18:23:16|Editor: zh Video Player Close JAKARTA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it would support Indonesia because the country is a shareholder with large contribution to ADB, an Indonesian senior minister said. ADB is committed to continuing to help Indonesia in the fields of investment acceleration, education, and development sustainability, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto told reporters at the Presidential Palace here Tuesday. According to the minister, ADB has provided a lot of supports for several public policies and will also encourage activities related to the sectors of education and infrastructure. He pointed out that ADB also encouraged Indonesia to be able to play a further role especially in the South-South cooperation including the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) and IMT-GT (Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle). Likewise, the bank would give support to the implementation of the economic transformation carried out by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, both through the Draft Employment Bill and the Omnibus Law on Taxation, he said, adding that ADB is expected to provide training, funding support and others. "Regarding the new capital city, ADB has several experts who can also be used by the Indonesian government. And so far ADB has always contributed to development in Indonesia," Hartarto said. Recently, Minister of National Development Planning, Head of the National Development Planning Agency Suharso Monoarfa said the establishment of Indonesia's new capital city in East Kalimantan province would cost 466 trillion rupiahs (about 33.6 billion U.S. dollars). Of the amount, 90 trillion rupiahs (some 6.4 billion dollars) would be taken from the state budget, 120 trillion rupiahs (some 8.6 billion dollars) would be from the private sector and the rest would be obtained from the cooperation between the government and business entities, Monoarfa noted. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Two bike-borne men allegedly hurled a country-made bomb at a car that was passing near the Teynampet police station on Anna Salai on Tuesday. CCTV footage recorded two men riding towards Teynampet and the pillion rider standing up and hurling the bomb on the other side of the road over the central median. A few minutes later, smoke can be seen right in front of a private car showroom where a mild explosion took place. The car that was targeted escaped narrowly. CCTV footage of the incident. The two men (around 14 secs) hurling the bomb and the smoke is seen on the other side of the road.https://t.co/J9m4n2D76H TNIE Tamil Nadu (@xpresstn) March 3, 2020 The incident happened at around 4 pm on the busy stretch of Anna Salai. A senior police officer confirmed that no one was injured. The police have formed a special team headed by an assistant commissioner to probe the case. The reason for the incident is not yet clear. ALSO WATCH: Suraj, an eyewitness, said, "I was riding on Mayor Sundar Rao Road heading towards Anna Salai when I spotted a car coming from the wrong side of the road speeding and honking. It was only when I reached Anna Salai that I saw people gathered on the road and learnt about the incident." Singapore City, Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/02/2020 -- Parc Central Residences, which promises to take luxury living experience to the next level in Singapore, is now taking registrations for interests in its showflat, while offering exciting perks to people as well. The project has been developed by Hoi Hup Realty, and Sunway Group, who have made a name for themselves in the Real Estate business in the city. It was their vision that helped secure the Executive Condominium site along Tampines Ave 10. The massive plot can yield up to 695 units, according to the Housing And Development Board. And now it is time for interested buyers to secure these units for themselves and loved ones. It's interesting to note that Parc Central Residences is the last piece of land in the Tampines condo belt, which has already seen projects that have made their mark with buyers. It's a prime location with a vast array of amenities available to the residents of the area. And since the Downtown line has been completed, and a future Cross Island Line Station plus bus interchange at Tampines North, it will lead to shorter commuting times for residents. When a project is developed by top names like Hoi Hup Realty and Sunway Group, one can expect premium quality experience. That's something Parc Central Residences can certainly boast of with its luxury condos set to hit the ball out of park. For starters, the EC will have two, three, four, and five bedroom units. It makes them ideal for young families as well as for multigenerational households. Importantly, they can be rest assured that they experience complete luxury in their new homes. It's only natural that there is huge amount of interest about the project all around. The showflat for Parc Central Residences is set to be ready by H2 2020. But interested buyers can already register their interest for viewing the showflat. Besides getting the opportunity to secure a luxury home for them, they can also benefit from Direct Developer Price and VVIP discounts. Clearly it's an opportunity that cannot be missed. About Parc Central Residences It is a premium project by renowned developers Hoi Hup Realty and Sunway Group that promises to bring an exciting, luxury residential experience to Tampines Ave 10. Media Contacts: Parc Central Residences Sales Team Website: https://www.parc-central-residences.com Email: sales@parc-central-residences.com Phone: +6565289588 Address: Tampines Ave 10 Singapore She recently announced she'll be taking a step back from acting to spend more time with her family. And Michelle Williams was enjoying her downtime on Monday as she headed to the hairdressers in New York City on Monday. The Oscar winning actress, 39, looked in good spirits as she had a set of extensions fitted in her platinum blonde mane. Pampering: Michelle Williams was enjoying her downtime on Monday as she headed to the hairdressers in New York City on Monday Looking effortlessly chic for the pampering day, Michelle wrapped up in a beige teddy bear coat that kept her blossoming bump under wraps. The actress is currently expecting a child with fiance and Hamilton director Thomas Kail, but the couple have kept any further details about the pregnancy under wraps. The loving couple were first reported to be expecting a child at the same time as her engagement to Fosse/Verdon director Thomas in December. Cosy: Looking effortlessly chic for the pampering day, Michelle wrapped up in a beige teddy bear coat that kept her blossoming bump under wraps Time out: Michelle recently announced she'll be taking a step back from acting to spend more time with her family They were photographed together in London, where she is filming Venom 2. Her new romance comes a little more than a year after she married indie musician Phil Elverum during the summer of 2018. They parted ways in early 2019. This is Michelle and Thomas first child together. Michelle has a 14-year-old daughter Matilda, from her relationship with the late Heath Ledger. Low-key: The actress is currently expecting a child with fiance and Hamilton director Thomas Kail, but the couple have kept any further details about the pregnancy under wraps As she prepares to welcome her second child into the world, Michelle revealed she is taking a backseat from acting. Last month, before taking home the SAG Award for Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her role as Gwen Verdon, she opened about her plans to stay at home in preparation of her familys new addition. 'I haven't taken a job since [Fosse/Verdon]. I have something else I have to go do. I'll be home, but it's a hard act to follow,' she told Us Weekly while touching her baby bump. Blonde bombshell: The Oscar winning actress, 39, looked in good spirits as she had a set of extensions fitted in her platinum blonde mane Her demanding role as a mother isnt her only hesitation in jumping back in front of the cameras, as she feels itll be hard to find a character as complex and fulfilling as her last. Michelle confessed: There was singing, dancing. It was such a feast and knowing where to go from here, I feel a little bit stuck. 'Like, I want that job again. Like, Gwen in her 60s or something. I miss it.' Wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia, chairperson of the boards of trustees of the My Step and City of Smile charitable foundations Anna Hakobyan today will leave for the US, and on March 4, at the invitation of the US Department of State, she will attend the annual International Women of Courage Awards where US First Lady Melania Trump is scheduled to give a speech. Hakobyan will also meet with Assistant Administrator for USAIDs Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Brock Bierman. On the same day, at Washington National Cathedral, Hakobyan will attend the grand concert dedicated to the centennial of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and Armenia. On March 6, during a visit to Brazil, Hakobyan will meet with First Lady of Brazil Michelle Bolsonaro in the countrys capital, and on the same day, she will meet with Honorary Consul of Armenia in Brazil Hilda Burmaian in Sao Paulo. On March 7, in Buenos Aires, Hakobyan will have a meeting with First Lady of Argentina Fabiola Yanez, and in the evening, she will return to Yerevan. March 02, 2020 Transcript Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Esper and General Milley in the Pentagon Briefing Room Secretary Of Defense Mark T. Esper; Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Okay, well, good morning, everyone. As you know, we have a busy week here at the Pentagon. DOD leadership will be testifying in 20 hearings before Congress in the coming days as we continue to brief the Hill on the department's F.Y. '21 budget request. As you know, I was in Afghanistan on Saturday with President Ghani and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, where we announced a joint declaration on bringing peace to Afghanistan, which reaffirms the United States' partnership with the government of Afghanistan. This was an important first step toward a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan. As I reiterated to our Afghan partners, this is a conditions-based agreement, a conditions-based agreement. We're watching the Taliban's actions closely to assess whether they are upholding their commitments. I also had the opportunity to address our troops and coalition forces while I was in Kabul, and speak with MSO-VSO groups while en route back to the United States. We must not forget that this agreement was enabled by the tremendous sacrifices our service men and women have made over the past 18-plus years. They continue to do great work, supporting the Afghan Security Forces and taking terrorists off the battlefield whenever they emerge. My message to the coalition was to stay vigilant because we still have a long and difficult mission ahead of us. Before I close, I'd also like to provide a brief update on what DOD is doing to address the coronavirus. For the past six weeks, we've had a daily working group meeting at the general officer level, including the Joint Staff, the services, the combatant commands and OSD. As a result, we've issued a variety of memorandums and directives, advising the force on how to deal with coronavirus. At the end of last week, I did a deep dive with DOD civilian and military leadership, including all the service secretaries, the COCOM commanders, to ensure the entire department is equipped for all scenarios: short and long-term, domestic and international. Commanders of individually affected geographic commands have all the authority they need and we'll provide specific guidance to their troops as the situation continues to evolve. Meanwhile, NORTHCOM remains the global integrator for all of DOD efforts and entities. My number one priority remains to protect our forces and their families; second, to safeguard our mission capabilities; and, third, to support the interagency whole-of-government approach. We will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure that our people are safe and able to continue their very important mission. With that, I'll turn it over to Chairman Milley. GENERAL MARK MILLEY: Thanks, Secretary. And good morning to everyone. First, I want to say that as a veteran of multiple tours in Afghanistan, a former commander of IJC, I fully support the agreement that we signed over the weekend. And I know I speak for those of us in uniform. A negotiated political settlement is the only responsible way to end the war in Afghanistan, and this was an important step. This agreement would not have been possible without the thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines that have served and sacrificed over the last 18 years. We owe an extraordinary debt of gratitude to America's sons and daughters, who made the ultimate sacrifice; and their families, who have given their all to this nation. And this not only includes the military, but also the dedicated men and women of the State Department and the intelligence community, as well as our allies and partners from over 40 nations. This agreement, as the secretary said, is conditions-based and the best opportunity to end the war is now. Protect U.S. national security interests is foremost in this agreement, and it provides the best hope for a peaceful future for the people of Afghanistan. I would also like to highlight the potential impact of coronavirus and echo what the secretary just said on our military force and on our operations and preparations. The Department of Defense, under the secretary's direction, has standing plans to respond to the infectious disease outbreaks and we're executing those plans at our bases and operating locations around the world in order to, one, protect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and their families, to sustain our ability to continue to defend the United States and execute successfully the National Defense Strategy, and to support the whole-of-government response to the outbreak. We're communicating regularly with our operational commanders to assess how the virus might impact our exercises and ongoing operations around the world to include our readiness, including those of our allies and partners as well. The U.S. armed forces remains ready to defend the homeland and provide support to the interagency partners that are currently leading this effort. And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions. STAFF: Lita, Associated Press. Q: Hi. Mr. Secretary, there's already been some violence -- violent attacks on -- particularly up around Khost today. Is there now an opening for the Taliban to conduct any violence for the next, you know, several days, until whenever an agreement is reached? Are -- is the group able to conduct attacks now against either Afghan or to the U.S.? And, General, can you just address the U.S. CT efforts from now on? Will the U.S. continue to conduct CT, particularly against other groups? And does this idea of, now, new attacks against potentially Afghan forces restrict the U.S. ability to train with the Afghans? SEC. ESPER: So I'll take the first question. Our expectation is that a reduced level of violence would occur, and it would decrease over time, as we move forward. As we see these things happen, first of all, we have to -- we have to verify that an action, an attack, happened. And then we have to figure out attribution. And we work our way through this, you know, day after day. So this is going to be a step-by-step process. And we'll evaluate each day. And I'm confident in General Miller's capabilities on the ground to do that and to give us good feedback as with regard to the implementation of the base agreement. GEN. MILLEY: So, two things, Lita. One is the Taliban's not a monolithic group. There's multiple terrorist organizations operating over there. So we don't know -- I know the attack you're talking about, got some initial reports on it. We don't know exactly who did that yet. That's the first point. Secondly, I would caution everybody to -- to think that there's going to be an absolute cessation of violence in Afghanistan; that is probably not going to happen. It's probably not going to go to zero. So this -- this is a significant step forward, this agreement, and it's going to lead to inter-Afghan dialogue and it ultimately leads to a peace agreement. But to think that it's going to go to zero immediately, that probably is not going to be the case. So on the CT piece, the United States will stay committed to secure our national security interests. And that has been the commitment of this administration and previous administrations. So we'll maintain whatever capability is necessary to defend the United States against terrorists. SEC. ESPER: And I'll -- just a quick follow-up, Lita, I spoke to this in Kabul on -- on Saturday. We still are going to conduct counter-terrorism operations against ISIS-K and other groups that are out there. Q: Can you update us, either of you, on the draw-down of U.S. troops in Afghanistan? When will it begin? And can you give us a timeline? There's been some reports of three-five months. Is that correct? And then, the president also said, over the weekend, that he'll be meeting with the Taliban soon. Do you have any details of that, how that's going to happen? Can you share -- will you be present? SEC. ESPER: Yeah, I have no details on it at this point. The State Department will be working that, with regard to your second question, Courtney. On the first question, the agreement says that we would reduce down to 8,600 within 135 days, if I recall correctly. And that drawdown would begin in the first 10 days. But I -- you know, my instruction to the commander was let's get moving; let's show our full faith and effort to do that. As you know, I've said on many occasions that I'm comfortable we can still conduct all the missions we need to conduct at 8,600, so -- Q: So it has begun, then, the drawdown? SEC. ESPER: I don't know if it actually has physically begun, but General Miller had my okay, my approval, to begin at his pace, certainly within 10 days, because the requirement said -- the agreement says that, within 10 days, it should begin. Q: Could you be specific about the impact of coronavirus on ongoing military operations, and also what you're doing here in the United States to prevent the spread of the virus among the troops? SEC. ESPER: Do you want to take that? GEN. MILLEY: Yeah, David, thanks. Overseas, we have a variety of exercise operations ongoing. Right now, the overall broad impact to the uniformed U.S. military is very, very minimal. It's not to say it's zero, but it's very, very minimal. Very few cases have been diagnosed, et cetera. That's not surprising, because we have a very young demographic in the U.S. military, healthy demographic. Lots of immunizations and so on and so forth. And we hope to keep it that way. We have, however, modified some of the exercises on the Korean Peninsula. There was a CPX that was scheduled, and I think the Korea -- my counterpart in Korea, the Korean chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he requested that that be postponed. We're going to go ahead and do that. We're taking a look at some other exercises to see if they need to be modified or changed. Right now, Cobra Gold in Thailand is on track, and that's ongoing. We have Defender in Europe, but that's kicked in. So we're looking at the exercises, but right now we don't see any significant negative impact on that. Here in the United States, we are making all due preparations to protect our bases, camps, and stations, and also to act in support of Health and Human Services. So we've got lots of capabilities, medical capabilities, housing, and so on and so forth that if required and directed by the secretary of defense we'll do our part. Q: And so, let me -- let me just follow up for a second. Some counties -- a lot of countries - are closing their borders. Is that having an impact on supply lines any place? GEN. MILLEY: For us, no. Not in any significant way yet. We're still able -- for example in Korea, the secretary directed some additional medical personnel sent over there, additional medical equipment and personal protective equipment, masks, gloves, gowns, those sorts of things. So we're doing all that. In addition, our research labs -- our military research labs are working feverously around the -- around the horn here to try to come up with a vaccine, so we'll see how that develops over -- over the next couple months. There's a whole wide variety of things that we're doing, and we'll make available whatever assets and resources that we have that's necessary and direct it to do so. Q: Two questions. Could you shed any further light on what the conditions will be for the 14-month withdrawal period -- proceeding with that? And what happens if there's a delay to the start of the initial Afghan-to-Afghan talk? Because they're supposed to begin on March 10th, but now it appears that there's already a disconnect over the prisoner withdrawal and what has been agreed to vis-a-vis that. Would the initial drawdown to 8,600 be paused if the talks don't begin on or about March 10th? Thanks. SEC. ESPER: Again, we'll take this one day at a time and sort through it. We're in, what, day two right now? Day two, hour 39. And we got to work our way through that. Our commitment under the agreement was to enable to facilitate that exchange of persons between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan. And as I've said over and over, it's all conditions-based. But we are going to show good faith and begin withdrawing our troops, and we can stop that at any moment. We can pause it based on, again, changing circumstances. Q: Okay, and what is -- what are the conditions for the 14-month withdrawal period? SEC. ESPER: Well, there's -- you'd have to go back to the base agreement if you -- I think you have access to that at this point. And you could read what we committed to do, but then there's what the Taliban committed to do, and then there's some other things in there. So what we'd want to do is make sure that we're -- that those are completely followed. But what we'll do is we'll go to 8,600 and we're going to stop, and we'll assess the situation, not just tactically on the ground but also are all the parties living up to their obligations, their commitments? Are they acting in good faith and showing good effort? And I don't want to get too far ahead of us at this point, but we're just going -- we'll go to that point and we'll assess the situation with all the particular players. Q: General Milley, I wanted to come back to coronavirus. A couple of things you both mentioned. I think you guys started up by saying that you were doing planning for all scenarios. So is it correct then you're aligned with civilian federal health authorities that include a planning scenario for the military facing a pandemic? Is that part of your planning scenario? Did I understand you that military labs are also working on vaccine research? And a lot of enlisted families, of course, don't have a lot of spare cash to stockpile supplies and all of that. And I'm just wondering if there's any thinking going on as this potentially goes on, whether there's some assistance being thought about. Spouses may not be able to take leave if they're sick, their children still may have to go to childcare. Is there any thinking about what might need to be ready to go to help enlisted families if they, who don't earn as much as others, may have issues with this? But could you start by telling us if pandemic is in fact one of your planning scenarios, since you gentlemen said you were looking at everything? GEN. MILLEY: Well, no surprise, the United States military looks at wide varieties of scenarios. We look at best-case, worse-case, and the middle-case, sort of thing. Pandemic is the worst case. And that has not been yet declared by -- to my knowledge, anyway -- by the World Health Organization. So just in terms of executing, no. But yes, of course, we do -- we do all kinds of planning in the Department of Defense. And we -- we take inventory of all our resources, our stocks, and what tasks would have to be done. So the short answer is yes, of course we do that. And with respect to the vaccine, yes, the military labs are in fact working, you know, very consistently. Not only on that vaccine, but all kinds of things. So the military labs have all kinds of capability to do that and working in direct support of the Health and Human Services to do that. On your last point, Barbara, about the -- taking care of soldiers and families, it's the -- it's one of the top priorities of the secretary of defense, it's one of the top priorities of all of us in uniform, it's one of our solemn responsibilities to take care of our soldiers and families and we intend to do that. And we'll provide whatever assistance is needed to them, to include time off and working with their employers, et cetera, if they're working with civilian employers; to include supplemental help if they're -- if they lack supplies, et cetera, in the home, if they have -- if they get infected, they have to be at home for, say, two or three weeks, something like that. So yes, we'll work with our families and troops. STAFF: Phil Stewart. Q: How many U.S. personnel, forces have been tested for -- for COVID-19? And could you give us a sense, when you said that laboratories are working on a vaccine, which laboratories? And are they working in conjunction with private industry as well, are they just working on their own and hoping for the best? SEC. ESPER: On the testing, we'd have to get you -- go offline and get you separate numbers. You know, obviously, we're doing testing in Korea, for an example, given that -- given the numbers there. And with regard to labs, Fort Detrick, for example, was involved in -- in terms of working with the interagency to help provide -- given their expertise and their capabilities. Q: And then just a quick follow-on, you said that there have been no impact on exercises, Cobra Gold is going on. Is there any special screening for folks from other member nations in Cobra Gold? And you know, what about folks at Aviano, is there any kind of special precautions being taken to isolate them from the outbreak in northern Italy? SEC. ESPER: Commanders are taking all necessary precautions because this is unique to every situation and every location. So we've sent out, as I said, memorandums and directives. The commanders have the information they need, and we're relying on them to make good judgments. And as we tease out other issues such as was raised, that come up through the services, we -- we will continue to deal with those. I have a -- we have another meeting at the end of this week with all the service secretaries and combatant commanders on that. Chairman -- (CROSSTALK) GEN. MILLEY: And there's -- there's three specific things. Access to bases being restricted in certain locations, such as Northern Italy and in South Korea as an example; secondly is travel restrictions. So the soldiers that are on these bases or airmen that are on these bases are being restricted in terms of their travel inside the AOR, inside the community. In Central Command, EUCOM and in INDOPACOM. So, the travel restriction piece. And then a last -- last piece is with -- with respect to the protective gear that's -- and test kits that are being distributed, we are pushing some of that forward with the priority of distribution going to the peninsula in Korea. STAFF: Jennifer. Q: Secretary Esper, what will the U.S. do if Turkey invokes Article 5 in Syria? And, General Milley, were Russian pilots or warplanes involved in killing those Turkish troops on the ground in Syria? SEC. ESPER: I'm not going to speculate on Article 5 at this point in time. Turkey's -- Turkey obviously is engaged in -- in combat operations over there, and we'll take it one step at a time. I had a brief conversation with Secretary General Stoltenberg with regard to this matter. And like I said, as an alliance, we take this one step at a time so that we are -- we're prepared for what may happen. GEN. MILLEY: We don't have clear unambiguous intelligence on exactly who was flying what planes, point one. Point two is I personally called my counterparts in Turkey and in Russia and urged de-escalation as rapidly as possible. Q: Should they open the border between Turkey and close it to Greece? SEC. ESPER: That's a -- that's a political question, if you will. It's -- Q: What are you calling on Turkey to do? GEN. MILLEY: With respect to whom? Q: With regards -- with regards to the border with Syria and the displaced people, nearly 900,000, who want to cross into safety. Do you think that they should open their border to that and do you think they should close their border and stop pushing immigrants -- SEC. ESPER: Turkey's going to make that decision. My conversation with the defense minister last week was to -- was to share with him our support for Turkey as a -- as a NATO ally and member. And -- and to point out the simple fact that Russians aren't always good partners. And so -- and so that was the extent of my conversation with him. Obviously, at the political level, they need to decide what they're going to do with regard to their borders. That involves the E.U. and their neighbor countries, and they've got to work their way through that with them. STAFF: One more question. Tara. Q: Thank you. SEC. ESPER: I should -- I should add that the United States is looking at providing increased humanitarian aid for the -- for the persons in Syria, that's one thing I had a conversation with secretary of state about that. Q: And air support? SEC. ESPER: No. Q: Thank you. Also on coronavirus, there may be a cluster, it seems, in the Pacific Northwest. Are soldiers at, say, Joint Base Lewis-McChord or Kitsap, are you doing any additional precautions there to test and maybe test to see if there's any exposure there? And then secondly for base supplies like the commissaries, what sort of preparations are being made to make sure that those remain stocked? SEC. ESPER: Well, I'll take the first stab at it and just say, look, we're relying again on local commanders to make decisions that are unique to their situation because it's -- each one is different. With regard to the impact on the community, their resources, their stocks and all that. And what I'm prepared to do is resource them as need be, so we've put out the call. You know, do you -- what authorities do you need, what resources. How can I surge the -- you know, whether it's DLA or other parts of the -- the medical community within OSD, is to provide the commanders the support they need in order to do those -- those three things: number one, protect our service members and their families; number two, ensure that we're -- our mission is safeguarded, that we can conduct our missions; and number three, support the interagency for the whole-of-government approach. GEN. MILLEY: Yeah, and the commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, they have shut down some large widely attended gatherings, for example, places where you get large numbers of people all co-located. But other than that, they -- they haven't had any outbreaks so far. And he's taking appropriate mitigation measures. But I think we're in reasonably decent shape, even though there's a concentration of it up there at JBLM. STAFF: Thanks, guys, we have to -- Q: Can I get -- when you said -- just real quickly, a clarification -- when you said that there were changes with coronavirus, is that why they're -- there was a port stop missed and skipped by the USS Eisenhower in Italy? And then if I can get a clarification from you on -- on Lita's question, if I may. You had said that there were going to be reductions in violence that would continue to reduce. But a Taliban spokesman today just said the reduction in violence has ended now, our operations will continue as normal and the mujahedeen will not attack foreign forces but will continue attacks on Kabul administration forces. Is this at all what you, the U.S., agreed to militarily, if you could just expand upon -- (CROSSTALK) SEC. ESPER: Again, our expectation is that the reduction in violence will continue, it would taper off until we got intra-Afghan negotiations, where it would ultimately consummate in a cease-fire, if you will. So, again, day two, we've got to -- we'll deal with the issue; we'll make sure we understand attribution, the extent of the attack. And it's going to be a constant engagement. This is going to be a long, windy, bumpy road. There will be ups and downs and we'll stop and start. That's going to be the nature of this over the next days, weeks and months. And so I'm not going to get too excited about what happens at the moment. We're just going to deal with each situation as it arises and make sure we stay focused on the mission. The mission here, again, number one, is to make sure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists to attack this country, and we've been very successful for the past 18 years for doing that; and then, number two, support our Afghan partners in the process; and then, number three, again, as we can, bring our troops home, withdraw our presence in that country. But that's -- that's our commitment. That's what we intend to do. And we're going to stay focused on that. Because, at the end of the day, the best path, if not the only path, forward, is through a political agreement between the warring parties. Q: So what the spokesman said is not what we -- is not what the U.S. -- SEC. ESPER: I don't know. You're quoting me something I haven't seen or heard or read. I don't know who the person is. I don't know exactly what they're saying. So -- Q: Mujahid, the main Taliban spokesman. GEN. MILLEY: That's one of the examples, yeah. (CROSSTALK) https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/2099710/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A man charged with the first so-called "one-punch" assault since the relaxation of Sydney's controversial lockout laws allegedly punched a stranger after the alleged victim and a friend came across he and his girlfriend "being intimate" in a public passageway. Northern beaches fitness instructor Harrison Hronopoulos, 20, was with his girlfriend Jade Conaty in the CBD on January 25 when the couple were refused entry to the Scary Canary nightclub because she was intoxicated. Northern beaches fitness instructor Harrison Hronopoulos. Credit:Instagram CCTV then shows the duo lying on the ground and kissing in the pedestrian walkway between Town Hall Square and a nearby street. As they were laying in the alley, police say alleged victim Jeyegganesh Eswaran, 22, and a friend approached the couple. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday those who have come to the state from Bangladesh and have been casting votes in elections are Indian citizens and need not apply for citizenship afresh. Banerjee also slammed the Modi government for its handling of the communal riots in Delhi which have claimed over 40 lives so far, and asserted she will not allow West Bengal to turn into another Delhi. "Those who have come from Bangladesh are citizens of India... They have got citizenship. You don't need to apply for citizenship again. You have been casting your votes in elections, electing prime minister and chief minister, assembly, zilla parishad... Now they are saying that you are not citizens. You all are bonafide citizens of this country," she told a public meeting. Banerjee also asserted she will not let "even a single person" to be driven out of Bengal. The West Bengal chief minister said no refugee living in the state will be deprived of citizenship. "You have an address, ration card, voter card, driving licence. There is no need to get this new card of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Don't worry, you will always find this didi beside you. Your family is my family. I will not let anybody take away the rights of our people," she asserted. The Trinamool Congress supremo said her government was doing everything for the development of backward sections like Rajbongshi, Kurmi, Kujur and Urdu Alichiki. She also accused the BJP government of Assam of excluding a large number of genuine Bengali, Rajbongshi, and Muslim citizens from the National Register of Citizens that seeks to weed out infiltrators, particularly from Bangladesh. Hitting out at the central government over the Delhi violence, the TMC boss said,"Don't forget this is Bengal. What happened in Delhi will never be allowed to happen here. We do not want Bengal to turn into another Delhi or another Uttar Pradesh." The BJP has often accused Banerjee of "Muslim appeasement" and pandering to the interests of the minority community for "vote bank politics". Later, chairing an administrative meeting Banerjee told officers that her government has decided not to implement the CAA and NRC or update the National Population Register. Top state officials like the chief secretary, home secretary and those of North Dinajpur district attended the meeting. Gomoa Central District Assembly in collaboration with Gomoa Afransi District branch of the Church of Pentecost has undertaken massive clean up exercise ahead of the 63rd Independence Day celebrations. The over 5-hour exercise saw over 300 members of the Church undertaking the exercise alongside the staff of the Assembly, Zoomlion Company Limited and the Environmental Health Department According to Rev. Paul Obuobi, Gomoa Afransi District Pastor of the Church of Pentecost, the Church took part in the exercise in line with the programmes and activities of the Church to get rid of the filth and to ensure a healthy environment wherever it operates. "This clean-up exercise forms part of Environmental Care Programme that has been launched Nationwide by the Church of Pentecost to keep our environment clean and healthy. The programme also aimed at Planting more trees in the wake of Climate Change which is gradually affecting the livelihood Members of the Church have been encouraged to take Keen interest in the programmes and activities that is why over 300 Members from Gomoa Afransi Church of Pentecost took part in the exercise. We will continue this exercise on a regular basis" The Gomoa Central District Director of Community Development, Mr. Bashiruddin Wahab Aidoo called on Nananom, Opinion Leaders and others in various leadership positions to involve clean up exercise in their programmes and activities to ensure disease free environment Gomoa District Chief Executive, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo in an interview with newsmen disclosed that the Assembly has been undertaking periodic clean up exercise in the district. According to the DCE, even though the Assembly do not have any problem when it comes to Sanitation, nevertheless it won't rest on its agenda of ensuring Open Defecation Free (ODF) in the District. "Our checks from all the Health Facilities in Gomoa Central shows that Environmental related diseases have reduced drastically. This is good news for those of us in Gomoa Central District I must commend the staff of the Environmental Health Department of the Assembly as well as Zoomlion Company Limited for their collaborative effort in the fight against Filth" Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo noted In a similar event, the Agona West Municipal Assembly also organized similar clean up exercise to usher in the 63rd Independence Day Celebration last Saturday. Hundreds of people including the Agona West Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Ishmael Ogyefo, a staff of Environmental Health Department, Personnel from National Service Secretariat, Ghana Police Service, NADMO and other government department and agencies also took part in the over 5-hour exercise. The Agona West Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Mr. George Freeman while commending the participants for a good job done reminded them of the upcoming raining season adding they should adhere to numerous public education being carried out by the Department and to abide by it accordingly Mr. Freeman also encouraged them to see sanitation issues as everybody's business. "The Environmental Health Department of the Assembly will continue to support communities, civil society groups, individuals and institutions with whatever we have to keep our environment clean and Healthy" Press Release March 2, 2020 Sponsorship Speech COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 33 Senate Resolutions 65 & 47 Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat: As Chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, it is my honor to report back to this august chamber the Committee Report on Senate Resolution No. 65 filed by Sen. De Lima and Senate Resolution No. 47" filed by Sen. Hontiveros, both directing the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to conduct an inquiry on the spate of killings in Negros Island. When we were but children, Mr. President, we were probably taught this simple rhyme: 'roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.' Years after, we now find ourselves in this chamber as adults, Mr. President, and we have long learned the lesson taught by life; the sweetness of sugar is, more often than not, bought with the salty sweat of hard labor, of landless farmers, and the bitterness of the heartless elite, of the landed few. Here in the Philippines, in the Negros Islands in particular, Mr. President, the situation is even worse. Sugar, in its sweetness, seems to have been paid for by the blood of those who are powerless to fight back. But perhaps, we are getting ahead of our story. Ginoong Pangulo, nabalot ng takot ang isla ng Negros dahil sa sunod-sunod na patayan sa probinsya. Magsasaka, pulis, opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan, abogado, at masunuring mga mamamayan ang naging biktima ng madugong krimen sa probinsya ng Negros Occidental at Negros Oriental. Mr. President, I can still remember when I was still the Chief Philippine National Police (PNP), I, together with President Duterte, visited the wake of six police officers and a civilian in Guihulngan City who were killed in an ambush staged by lawless groups. Several police officers were also injured on the same incident - tila wala talagang pinipiling biktima at hindi kumikilala sa batas ang mga nagpapalaganap ng karahasan sa islang ito. This string of killings struck fear and horror among our kababayans in Negros Island, two provinces known for its vast sugar plantations, unspoiled pristine beaches and historical tourist destinations. To suppress the lawless violence and acts of terror that taints the precious island, the President, through Memorandum No. 32 issued on November 22, 2018, ordered the deployment of additional forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. In implementing the directives of the President, the Police Regional Office 7 launched the Simultaneous Enhanced Managing of Police's Operations (SEMPO). This was done in collaboration with 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army; Philippine Coast Guard - District Central Visayas (PCG-DCV), NAVFORCEN, PN; U3 CENTCOM and MIG43, ISAFP. OPLAN SAURON is a special part of the 13th PRO7 SEMPO and 2nd PRO-wide level dubbed as "Post-Christmas SEMPO." The operations were intended in select areas of Negros Oriental focused in the simultaneous implementation of search warrants against AFP-identified Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) personalities and bearer of loose firearms. OPLAN Sauron resulted to 27 arrested individuals, 32 targets were neutralized while 6 died in police operation. Also, there were 514 ammunitions, 99 firearms and 12 explosives seized. The OPLAN had a massive effect on the residents of Negros Oriental who were possessing loose firearms. A total of 31 firearms were voluntarily surrendered. With the continued episodes of killings, OPLAN Sauron 2.0 was implemented. It ran against personalities linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines, New Peoples' Army, and the National Democratic Front, particularly in the towns of Ayungon, Canlaon City, Guihulngan City, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Siaton, Santa Catalina, Tanjay City, and Vallehermoso in the first congressional district of Negros Oriental. There were 16 individuals arrested while 14 died in the police operation during OPLAN Sauron 2.0. Several firearms, explosives and ammunitions were also seized. Mr. President, despite these government interventions, violence continued in the island. In the month of July 2019 alone, sixteen were murdered including four (4) policemen, a lawyer, a school principal, a barangay captain, a former mayor and a 1year old baby. Ginoong Pangulo, lumabas sa naging pagdinig ng komite ang isang vigilanteng grupong tinawag na KAGUBAK o Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Komunista (in tagalog Kilusan ng TagaGuihulngan Laban sa Komunista). This alleged anti-communist group has a "hit list" that targets "suspected NPA sympathizers". The hit list contains 15 names. Unfortunately, 5 of those names have been victims of the recent lawless killing - sunud-sunod na pagkapatay ng mga taong kasama ang pangalan sa naturang listahan. During the Committee hearing, the Commission on Human Rights in Region 7 also submitted a second 'hit list' containing a different set of names. On the list were eleven (11) barangays in Guihulngan, and thirty-seven (37) names of persons, identified by the list as alleged supporters and symphatizers of the CPP/NPA/NDF. Although most of the names of the list are hardly readable, Mr. President, the Committee was able to identify Romeo Alipan, Barangay Captain of Buenavista, Guihulngan City, as among those named in the list, and is already dead. Mr. President, we have the responsibility to probe these series of killings and spread of violence for us to craft a policy to ensure peace and order in Negros and to prevent this from happening to other parts of the country. We cannot let this continue, Mr. President. We owe it to the Negrenses to restore the law and order situation in their provinces. Your Committee has directed its attention to the factors that led to the increase of insurgency related killings, the effectiveness of the counter-insurgency measures of the national and local governments, as well as the possible administrative and legislative measures in order to stop the string of violence and hostilities in the area. This prolonged unrest could be drawn from the appalling poverty situation and the escalating insurgency problem in the provinces. However, this is old news, Mr. President. Official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show taht will show that in 2018, national poverty incidence was at 16.6%, while it was 26.1% in Negros Oriental. Over the past years, Negros Oriental has been consistently one of the top 10 poorest provinces in the country. Adding to this, Negros Oriental has the second highest hunger incidence of 19.5% of families, next to Northern Samar. Negros Occidental and Oriental also registered to have the highest magnitude of poor population or a high number of families whose annual per capita income falls below the poverty threshold. Sa madaling salita, Mr. President, karamihan sa nakatira sa isla ng Negros ang salat sa buhay. It is alarming, Mr. President, that the areas affected by the mass killings on March 30, 2019 namely, Manjuyod, Santa Catalina and Canlaon City, registered high poverty incidence rates of 33.6%, 43.1% and 42.3% respectively. But, Mr. President, let me state for the record that Negros Island is not poor in natural resources. It's still renowned as the "sugarbowl" of the Philippines - producing majority of the total raw sugar in the country. Despite this, ownership of land is concentrated to a few elites in the island. The landless sugar plantation workers continued to till the soil with their sweat and blood, while the sugar plantation owners continued to reap boundless economic gains, at the expense of the rights and interests of their workers. And in the face of this widening social gap, Mr. President, do we still have the gall to wonder why it is that there are those who have resorted to violence? Must we still look for the cause of the unrest? Is it not true that the root cause is staring at us right in the face, no matter how hard we try to sugar-coat it? Mr. President, evident social inequality in Negros Island between the hacienderos and the sugar farmers raises aggression and resistance among the working class, thereby igniting their rebellious mindset and principles, and cultivating a fertile breeding ground for insurrection. Luckily, Mr. President, the Duterte Administration wants to cut the roots of insurrection to prevent it from growing. Executive Order No. 70 creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, was issued to formulate the National Peace Framework and to address the "root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions" for Filipinos to enjoy a safer and secure communities. Social welfare and development programs have been, and are being implemented to alleviate the lives of the Negrenses, thereby, removing poverty as the key element to which the instigator of armed conflict clings. Notwithstanding these efforts, Mr. President, we still need to ensure that our current laws and regulations are enough to deliver and serve justice to all the victims of this series of killings. We want to guarantee that justice will be served, and that the perpetrators of the barbaric murders will be punished. But we only seem to be running in circles, Mr. President, because ensuring that the perpetrators will be punished presupposes that we have a definitive idea of who these perpetrators are. However, this is precisely what remains lost to us. Among the findings of the Committee, Mr. President, is the seeming endless blame game between the military and the police on one end, and the Communist groups on the other. A Human Rights Watch dispatch in Negros has noted that both sides have been implicated in human rights abuses. What is sad, Mr. President, is that in the process, real farmers, with real families, are made to suffer. With this Mr. President, as part of the Report, some of the recommendations of the Committee are as follows: Give administrative and budgetary support to the full implementation of Executive Order 70 providing for a wholeof-Nation approach in defeating the Local Communist Terrorist Groups. Towards this end, support must likewise be extended to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC); Provide adequate socio-economic and psycho-social assistance to the families of individuals who were killed; Intensify anti-insurgency operations in identified rebel infested areas in Negros Islands, but with due regard to the protection of human rights, and observance of the established principles of due process of law; Identify the perpetrators of the killings of individuals named in the alleged KAGUBAK List and the alleged list of names in Vigilante Negros / Anti-Com, and file appropriate criminal charges against them; Sustain and bolster on-going investigations in order to identify the people behind KAGUBAK, and Vigilante Negros/AntiCom, and file the appropriate criminal charges against them; Deployment of additional forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police in order to secure the Provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, and if possible, the neighboring provinces; and to augment local police in the said provinces, to better address the security needs of the people; Deploy more Commission on Human Rights Investigating Officers in Negros Islands for the continuing investigation of complaints or allegations of violations of human rights and abuses committed against the local residents, the police or military; and if the facts and evidence warrant, file the appropriate cases against those liable, and be held accountable for human rights abuses; For the PNP and AFP to review, evaluate and report to the President the effectiveness of Oplan Sauron in the objective to suppress and end lawless violence in the Negros Island; Pursue amendments to Republic Act 9372, otherwise known as The Human Security Act, by considering the series of killings or violence as acts of terrorism, with the end goal of creating public emergency, and/or that which undermines public safety. Mr. President, I submit this Committee report for the consideration of this august chamber. Maraming salamat po. The Delhi Police has arrested 436 FIRs and arrested or detained 1,427 people in connection with the communal violence in northeast Delhi, an officer said on Tuesday. Forty-five of the cases were registered under the Arms Act, the officer said. According to police, the police control room (PCR) did not receive calls of rioting in the past six days. The situation in the riot-affected areas is under control, the police said. On Tuesday, Mohammed Shahrukh, who was seen confronting an unarmed police personnel during violence at Maujpur last week, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) California voters who hadnt mailed in their ballots swung by polling places around the Bay Area on Tuesday, most of them focused on picking a Democratic candidate to challenge President Trump. They lined up to vote in places ranging from basements to municipal buildings to schools, and even a columbarium. Election officials reported steady turnout and no significant problems, but they cautioned that in some cases, complete results would be days in coming. About two-thirds of Californias electorate votes by mail, and early indications were that many people were waiting to file their ballots as the competitive Democratic presidential primary unfolded. Mail ballots are counted as long as they arrive in elections offices by Friday. In close races, that means results may have to wait until next week. Although there were fears that new state voting rules could result in long lines at polling places Tuesday, there were few major problems reported in the Bay Area. There were some glitches, however: The secretary of states office said connectivity issues with a voter registration database slowed voting in 15 counties in the morning, including Contra Costa and San Mateo. The problems were fixed after about 90 minutes. There were bigger problems in Los Angeles County. Long lines were reported at some polling stations, and Sen. Bernie Sanders campaign asked a judge to order that polling locations remain open beyond the 8 p.m. closing time. By state law, anyone in line to vote at 8 p.m. is allowed to cast a ballot. In the Bay Area, the biggest difficulty was with people who registered as no-party-preference voters. To vote for the Democratic presidential nominee, they had to request a Democratic ballot at their polling place. Nearly 80% of such voters at Daly City City Hall wanted to cast Democratic ballots, said Christina Jacob, who was supervising the voting there. Theres been quite a few, she said. At the San Francisco Columbarium, where voters cast ballots surrounded by entombed ashes, poll inspector Robert Rope, 66, said the requirement to ask for a Democratic ballot confused some voters but was usually quickly resolved. Theres great confusion, he said, but we explain it quickly and the confusion is over. Even with a wide range of local issues on the ballot, the Democratic presidential primary was the big draw. Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden emerged as the front-runners after the field was reduced by three in recent days when billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar dropped out. Its been busy, super busy, Jacob said at the Daly City polling place. We had a line of people waiting even before 7 (a.m.) already here to vote. But they had to wait. Some voters went to the polls planning to vote for one candidate, had an epiphany in the booth and voted for someone else. I went in thinking Biden and ended up voting for (Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth) Warren, said Vivienne Dipeolu, 51, after she moved past metal detectors and voted in the basement of San Francisco City Hall. It was the first time Ive ever changed a candidate at the booth. City Hall was abuzz all day, but the lines were relatively short and the voting went quickly. Some voters even drove up and dropped off ballots to waiting election workers outside on the sidewalk. Other voters were popping in just to drop off their mail-in ballots they had filled out at home. I found my ballot last night and had to weed through all the people who dropped out, said Ron Appel, 73, a retired San Francisco city worker who noted that with several candidates quitting, he was able to make a more informed choice. Maybe its a good thing I waited. Ellen Anunciacion, 67, showed up at the Daly City polling place and found out she was registered as having no party preference. She promptly requested a Democratic ballot, changed her party registration to Democrat and voted for Sanders, she said. I consider myself a Democrat, she said. A long time ago I used to be a Republican because I thought the Democrats spent too much money. Then I realized they spend that money on good things. Chris Reetz, 27, didnt register to vote until he pulled out his phone aboard a BART train en route to the polls. He said he usually doesnt vote and dislikes politicians. Im pretty much disillusioned with politics in the U.S., he said. No politician has really represented me. But the chance to vote for Sanders compelled him to show up Tuesday, he said. I want to see what he can do, Reetz said. I have a lot of friends who are anarchists who dont vote. But I feel that not to vote is to ignore the needs of marginalized communities. As Sanders voters spoke in Daly City, Biden drew a crowd of enthusiastic supporters to a campaign stop at the Buttercup Diner in Oakland. It was his first Northern California public appearance of the 2020 campaign, and it came less than nine hours before the polls closed. Francisco Nieto was one of the diners with whom Biden briefly chatted during the 45 minutes he spent at the Buttercup. Nieto, a retired business manager for an East Bay carpenters union, said he had already voted for Biden. Bernie is a nice guy, but hes too far left, Nieto said. While the Oakland diner was packed, turnout at the polls was mixed around the Bay Area, with some locations seeing trifling numbers of people showing up. It was more of a trickle than a flood of voters, said Scott Konopasek, assistant registrar of voters in Contra Costa County. He speculated that fear of the coronavirus could be keeping people away from public spaces, including the polls, but he also considered political factors. People may have been holding out to see results from Saturdays primary in South Carolina, and Californians are also accustomed to voting later than March. Its just a steady light turnout, Konopasek said. San Francisco Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli contributed to this report. Michael Cabanatuan, Alejandro Serrano and Peter Fimrite are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, alejandro.serrano@sfchronicle.com, pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan, @serrano_alej @pfimrite I wasnt for Pete Buttigieg right off, though I found him intriguing. Living in California, Id followed Kamala Harriss rise for years, and been impressed with her mix of toughness and idealism, happy, particularly, with how she handled her cross-examination of Brett Kavanaugh in his Supreme Court hearings. But, even before she exited, the space Buttigieg took up in my head and heart kept growing. As a gay guy a decade and some older than he, I liked how he handled himself on this front, speaking clearly, after his victory in the Iowa caucuses, about his struggles as an Indiana teenager, wondering if he could ever belong in this world. I knew this feeling most of my peers do, too. But there was plenty more to like. I admired the agility with which he and his campaign pivoted from polls showing low support in the black community toward his Douglass Plan to provide reparations for slavery and some savvy ways of encouraging future growth in the struggling parts of that community. No less a figure than Stacey Abrams has said she hopes it doesnt get lost in the upcoming shuffle. Ive liked how he tried to represent another way of being faithful in this country, speaking to that strand in the Christian tradition that is about service to others and the Golden Rule. (When asked for a motto in a recent debate, this is where he went.) And that he brought his military service into the conversation without a lot of braggadocio, with much policy and little chest-thumping it provided, of course, a great contrast with our swaggering, Vietnam-avoiding commander in chief. In this insane time, where each day provides a new insult to anyone outside the Trumpist circle and often to reason, it was such a pleasure to have someone making such conspicuously good sense. But today, as I write on Monday, in California, I have to shift from praising him to burying him and figure out how to cast my vote in this primary. Sunday nights online reactions after his speedy but eloquent speech have helped clarify some. Californias Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was one of the few top politicians in the state to back a candidate, bringing Buttigieg to her native Sacramento for a rally. She spoke on Facebook, Sunday night, of her pride in his campaign, and emailed me to say how sad she was, but also how certain she remained that his time would come. Her post was swamped with Bernie Sanders supporters, encouraging a switch of allegiances to him and that felt too soon. There were reports of Sanders fulminating about centrists and those also werent what I wanted to hear, calling to mind Buttigiegs rhetoric around inclusion rather than exclusion. Meanwhile, teacher Jill Biden sent a classy note, via Twitter, to Chasten Buttigieg, one educator to another, congratulating him on the campaign. Battle win to Team Biden, but the war is to come. But before moving ahead, I give myself a few more hours of looking back, mainly in anger, at the often savage treatment that Buttigieg faced from fellow members of the LGBT community. The attacks often felt personal given that I, like Buttigieg, grew up this clever, parent-impressing little boy. If he was Mayo Pete, Mary Pete, a gay Uncle Tom among the epithets flung his way well, so was I, another moderate progressive, another polite gay white male. When a Twitter user sneered, Who really likes Pete Buttigieg? I thought, well I do, for one. After his well-timed exit, the accolades from far and wide have flooded our equivalent of the airwaves what a model for young LGBTers! What a good and patriotic time to exit! but much of this is Johnny-come-lately stuff. In the months prior, my feed was full of takedowns written by lesbian and gay writers in influential publications, Vladimir Putin biographer Masha Gessen employing her bully pulpit in The New Yorker to go at him, and gay novelist Dale Peck ranting against him, in a much-circulated but quickly taken-down screed in the New Republic. The latter piece, with its offensive ideas of what Buttigieg might like in bed, doesnt merit contemplation. But it happened. More dangerous was Gessens verbal assault a writer Ive interviewed about her native Russias legal crackdown on communications about homosexuality and whose writing about fascism I admire. But this piece, no. She went after his decision to come out late, at 33, arguing that it spoke to a careerism in him, that it happened after hed become mayor, after the heavy lifting had been done on gay rights. Somehow, the picture of him and his husband on the cover of Time was, in the words of an essay she quotes, about a lot of things. But one of its defining features is its heterosexuality. Its offering us the promise that our first gay first family might actually be a straight one. Come again? Her final swipe is this: He is an old politician in a young mans body, a straight politician in a gay mans body. To purge a second reading of this troubling piece, I watch the video of Buttigieg on stage with bespectacled 9-year-old Zachary, whos coming out and seeking advice. It wont always be easy, Buttigieg says, But thats OK because you know who you are. When you know who you are, you have a center of gravity that can hold you together when all kinds of chaos is happening around you. Oh, to have had someone tell me this, at that age. Gessens critique emphasizes the visible differences between her and him, saying his ability to pass sometimes puts him and always-out her on different pages. But she could have focused on an inward commonality in her piece: Presumably, they both hit a time when they realized they didnt really fit easily into the bifurcated world of boys or girls. Longtime aide to Harvey Milk and creator of the AIDS quilt Cleve Jones has also often taken hits from more radical LGBT activists. In an interview done a couple of years ago at his beloved, now closed Cafe Flore, timed to the release of his memoir of his life in the movement, When We Rise, he spoke of how bothered many activists were in the Crisis years, by the quilts symbolism, its appeal to an old American tradition. Why would you hold a sewing bee when were dying? But the quilt probably changed as many peoples minds as the Manhattan-founded ACT-UPs activists shouting shame at various politicians. More recently, he faced similar criticism when he backed the marriage fight. As an activist you do what you do, and often the harshest criticism comes from those sitting on the sidelines. Buttigiegs way of going at this race follows where Jones led and is in the San Francisco tradition, not the more confrontational New York one. At the end of the interview, I asked Jones what it was like to find Milks corpse, surrounded by blood, in his City Hall office. I thought it was over, that gay lib, everything wed worked for was done. But then the candlelight vigil happened, and the whole of Market Street was lit up. The whole street. There was anger and warmth and solemnity. San Francisco turned out. And I thought this is just the beginning. And so it proved to be. Maybe, already, the example of Buttigiegs careful, classy campaign will speak louder than the voices of his LGBT critics, and maybe, once again, the different factions will patch things up. The only way to do this, to my mind, is to follow Buttigiegs example of speaking more of shared values the slightly cheesy Rules of the Road he employed in his campaign not just about the obvious differences that separate us. Alec Scott is a Bay Area writer. Crime branch sleuths busted the racket by raiding a private clinic on the outskirt of Bhopal city. The raids led to arrest of ten people including four women and the TMC leader, the investigating officer said. (Photo: Representational) Bhopal: President of Madhya Pradesh unit of Trinamul Congress (TMC), the ruling party of West Bengal, Sachin Chouhan was among ten people who were arrested on charges of running sex racket here on Tuesday. The crime branch sleuths busted the racket by raiding a private clinic on the outskirt of Bhopal city. The raids led to arrest of ten people including four women and the TMC leader, the investigating officer said. The clinic was not registered. Promoters of the clinic claimed that patients with venereal diseases were being treated there. Acting on a tip off that a sex racket was running in the clinic, police raided it and arrested ten people, the investigating officer said. Mayor John Tory says the way to address dangerous homeless encampments is not with more law enforcement, but by building more affordable housing to reduce the need for the makeshift camp in the first place. Its a very complexing, complicated and in some respects sometimes discouraging problem because the more you do, sometimes it seems the less progress you make, Tory told reporters Monday, a day after a fire broke out in an encampment under the Gardiner Expressway, near Yonge Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West. But Im very determined to make a difference on this over the next period of time and that includes addressing issues of safety as they relate to some of these encampments. Nobody was injured in Sundays fire. City officials visited the site of the fire 13 times in February alone, Tory said. Const. Alex Li earlier said people were likely trying to find heat sources because of the cold weather. Whether it be utilizing a propane tank to conduct these heat sources or starting a fire . . . Obviously these tents are flammable, whatever theyre using is flammable and you know they are in small spaces, Li said. The incident also marked the third homeless camp in downtown Toronto to catch fire in the past week. A fire near Bayview Avenue and Corktown Common Trail broke out on Feb. 23, and firefighters were called the next day to a camp near the Gardiner Expressway and Jameson Avenue. Tory, who was meeting with the Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, said he learned that the U.S. city doesnt allow propane cylinders at homeless encampments. But Toronto isnt considering a similar ban yet, with Tory saying he wants to be briefed by all relevant personnel on the issue. Despite the mayors wishes for sufficient affordable housing, the city is well behind on its promises to build new supportive housing units housing that helps transition chronically homeless Torontonians into livable conditions and needs significant investment from other levels of government to meet its targets. More than 5,000 people in Toronto or about 23 per cent of those using the shelter system meet the federal definition of being chronically homeless for six months or more. With files from Jennifer Pagliaro, Margaryta Ignatenko Jacob Lorinc is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @jacoblorinc Read more about: Groundless conspiracy theories on the origin of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were cooked up by certain Westerners and Western media, as the international community are making concerted efforts to defeat the virus. Such sensational claims are neither science-based nor evidence-supported, and only reveal the dark side of its creators, which further indicates that the battle against the COVID-19 is not only a trial of strength between human beings and the virus, but also one between justice and evil. In response to these conspiracy theories, the Lancet published a joint statement signed by 27 top public health scientists on Feb. 18, saying Scientists from multiple countries have published and analyzed genomes of the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and they overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife, as have so many other emerging pathogens. We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin, said the statement, which showed strong support for the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals fighting the epidemic across China, and expressed intense denunciation of the conspiracy theories circulating on the internet. Such rational judgment based on scientific research agrees with the mainstream international public opinion resisting conspiracy theories. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated that there is no evidence that the virus was produced in a lab or as a biological weapon. Russian officials also clarified recently that they never admitted the new coronavirus is man-made after the cropping up of a rumor saying that Russian scientists found the new coronavirus was produced by humans. Speaking of rationality and justice, these scaremongers seem even more ridiculous. Previous experiences tell that the origin of a virus is often hard to trace. Although the first COVID-19 infection took place in China, it doesnt suggest that the virus originated there. As scientists rigorously try to find out the truth and save lives, these Western politicians and media are making arbitrary assertions and even conjectured a biological warfare to smear China. The despicable political motives hidden under the hype are clear, for which the international community shall stay vigilant. While the virus spreads, misinformation makes the job of our heroic health workers even harder, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye, adding that false information was spreading faster than the virus. Obviously, conspiracy theories not only are a departure from science and rationality, but also churn out rumors, prejudices and panic, impeding the joint efforts from the international community in fighting against the epidemic. At this critical moment when the whole world is racing against the clock to fight the disease, the world must be on high alert for and resist conspiracy theories, so as to curb the spread of negative sentiment, such as skepticism, anxieties and panic. Dr. Ali Mohamed Zaki, an Egyptian virologist who firstly reported the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus maintains that human beings knowledge of virus is far from enough, and scientific thinking and verification are the best weapons to crush rumors. Science is the sharpest weapon to terminate epidemics. While breaking down conspiracy theories depends on the scientific research on the COVID-19 and the way it spreads, it also calls for rationality and conscience. To our relief, the mainstream of the international society holds the bottom line a fair and unbiased position, and has fended off the attack of political virus at the front line of the battle against the infodemic, which once again proves the simple truth that rumors find no market among the fair-minded. Virus respects no borders. In the face of the epidemic, all countries are a community with a shared future, as well as shared responsibilities. Therefore, it requires all of us to conquer ignorance with science, smash rumors with truth, resist prejudices through cooperation and allow no political virus to stir up troubles. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy.) In such a situation, Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organisation in a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on 27 February said Iran had very high clinic capacity. Really, it is worth to see, whom and where these treatment facilities are serving, which in the mind of WHO officials are enough. A medical team and a full hospital are at the Iranian regimes supreme leader Ali Khameneis palace and serve him and his family around the clock. Khamenei while only pressing a button, will find the best medical facilities in the world with qualified medical staff. The question is: Is it only Khamenei who has such facilities? The regimes Khabar Fori website, on 27 February, wrote: Reporters who had come to the home of Masoumeh Ebtekar, Irans Vice President, to find out about her health, found out that medical staff was testing her family members and colleagues at her home with medical equipment. Two amateurish journalists, of course, were arrested. But is it only Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani and the members of the government who have devoted sufficient facilities of the countrys clinic to themselves? The state-run newspaper Jahan-e Sanat wrote while quoting one of the Oil Hospital nurses on 27 February: The corona test kits are very limited, and the few are only at the Pasteur Institute and Milad Hospital. Although the number of Coronavirus test kits are limited, all MPs were tested and, according to eyewitnesses at the Pasteur Institute, which is the main site of the Coronavirus test, officials and their children were initially tested, while due to the lack of test kits, those who are most at risk, like doctors and nurses should be tested first. This newspaper continued: The Institute was not responding to repeated calls by the Jahan Sanat. It is worth noting that the Pasteur Institute is now almost the neighbor of the base known as Khameneis Beit (House), and now all its facilities are at the service of Khamenei and his bodyguards and other IRGC members. Thus, it is clear that the adequate medical facilities that the office of the World Health Organization (WHO) had said that in Iran are available are now at the disposal of Khamenei and his guards and other government officials, from ministers to lawyers, general managers, governors, and so on. And if anyone reveals anything in such cases, according to Hassan Norouzi, spokesman for the Judiciary and Legal Committee of the Majlis (Irans Parliament), People who publish false news about the Coronavirus in Iran will be sentenced to one to three years in prison and condemned to flogging! The mullahs and the IRGCs members have all the medical treatment they need, and in turn, arrest anyone who protests the situation on security charges. This will undoubtedly lead to another uprising by the people, the youth and the resistance units. Read More: Terrorism and Suppression, the Core of Irans IRGC A gun-wielding man who was seen confronting an unarmed policeman during violence at Maujpur in northeast Delhi has been arrested from Uttar Pradesh and is being brought to Delhi, officials said on Tuesday. In a video that went viral last week, the man, identified as 33-year-old Shahrukh, could be seen pointing his country-made pistol at the policeman on the Jaffrabad-Maujpur road on February 24. The man fired eight rounds in the presence of police personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Self-driving vehicles firm Waymo said it has raised US$2.25 billion from a who's who list of investors in its first external funding round to power its global expansion in self-driving vehicles amid competition from Chinese-backed ventures. The capital came from investors including Silver Lake, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Mubadala Investment, it said in a statement. Other backers are auto parts maker Magna, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and car dealership AutoNation, and its parent company Alphabet Inc. "With this injection of capital and business acumen, alongside Alphabet, we'll deepen our investment in our people, our technology, and our operations, all in support of the deployment of the Waymo Driver around the world," said John Krafcik, chief executive of Waymo in a statement datelined March 2 in San Francisco. Waymo competes with Baidu and Pony.ai in the race to make self-driving vehicles a widespread reality. While China has strong hopes to dominate the autonomous driving market, its leading companies still lag Waymo in US engagement tests, according to data disclosed in an annual report by the California Department of Motor Vehicles last year. A Waymo logo is displayed on the door of a car at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California. Photo: AP alt=A Waymo logo is displayed on the door of a car at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California. Photo: AP The Waymo Driver has clocked more than 20 million miles on public roads across over 25 cities, and over 10 billion miles in simulation. On the other hand, Waymo One, a public self-driving ride-hailing service, serves thousands of customers in Arizona. "Waymo is the proven leader in self-driving technology, is the only autonomous vehicle company with a public ride-hailing service, and is successfully scaling its fully driverless experience," said Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake. Purchase the China AI Report 2020 brought to you by SCMP Research and enjoy a 20% discount (original price US$400). This 60-page all new intelligence report gives you first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments and intelligence about China AI. Get exclusive access to our webinars for continuous learning, and interact with China AI executives in live Q&A. Offer valid until 31 March 2020. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks that his predecessor Manmohan Singh looks at 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' with suspicion, the Congress on Tuesday said an "auspicious slogan" like that should not be drawn into "crass" and "cheap" political debate. Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi took a dig at Singh, saying the former prime minister finds a "bad smell" even in a slogan like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and looks at it with suspicion. At a recent event, Singh had said the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' was being misused to construct a "militant and purely emotional" idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens. Slamming Modi over his dig at Singh, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the prime minister in his usual coded language appears to be trying to "pour more trouble, more oil on troubled waters". "An auspicious slogan like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' should not be drawn into crass, cheap political debate by addressing internal party meeting," Singhvi said. "On the one hand, you are talking of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan and distorting it in a coded language in your party meeting. On the other hand, those who are victims of riots, under your nose, they are being chained and those who are perpetrators are getting security," he said. Earlier, Congress' senior spokesperson Anand Sharma also hit out at Prime Minister Modi over his dig at Singh. Sharma said it was "unfortunate" that Modi did not take Singh's remarks in the right spirit. "Instead of being sarcastic, he should understand that Manmohan Singh is known for his humility and wisdom. Bharat Mata belongs to all those who live in this country. The slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' or the tricolour have to be held in high respect and not to be used for polarisation, division and violence," he told reporters outside Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Outcome of Israels third election in less than a year does not make a difference, Palestinians say. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israels election over his main challenger, former military chief of staff Benny Gantz, although it appears he may just be short of securing a parliamentary majority to form the next government. Exit polls after Mondays vote, the third in less than a year, suggested Netanyahus Likud party and its ultra-religious and nationalist allies had captured 59 of the 120 seats in the Knesset pointing to yet another deadlock. For Palestinians, however, the outcome of the election would make little difference. Israeli leaders are two sides of the same coin when it comes to dealing with the Palestinians, Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organizations (PLO) executive committee, told Al Jazeera. He said that, despite their differences, Israels political heavyweights all agree to keep denying the Palestinians right to self-determination [and] right of return, keeping the illegal settlements and to never ending the occupation of Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and leader of Blue and White party Benny Gantz (R) [Nir Elias, Amir Cohen/Reuters] Seeking an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, Palestinian leaders have engaged in peace talks with Israel since the 1991 Madrid conference, which ushered in a peace process that eventually led to the 1993 signing of the first of the Oslo accords. When the detailed accords, which saw Israel and the formally recognise one another, went into effect the next year, the goal was to install interim governance arrangements and a framework of negotiations for a final agreement within five years that would establish two states, side-by-side. Some 30 years since the Madrid conference, and after the mandates of seven Israeli prime ministers from different parties, Palestinians have seen their long-sought state shrink year after year. According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, more than 700,000 Jewish settlers now live in some 200 settlements, considered illegal under international law. While leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was established after the Oslo process, still say publicly that they favour a two-state solution with Israel, the reality on the ground and a series of Israeli and US policies have effectively killed such a prospect, analysts say. In late January, US President Donald Trumps administration unveiled its proposed Middle East plan that supported the legalisation of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and the annexation of large swaths of the West Bank. Losing no time, Netanyahu, who was standing alongside Trump at the White House when the long-awaited proposal was presented, promised that victory in the March 2 election would allow him to start the annexation set out under the terms of the US plan. Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White party, also pledged to annex the Jordan Valley in coordination with the international community. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a Security Council meeting at the United Nations [Shannon Stapleton/Reuters] Palestinian lack of strategy Following the release of exit polls, Saeb Erekat, the PLOs chief negotiator and top aide of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said in a statement that settlement, annexation, and apartheid have won. Netanyahu decided that the continuation of the occupation and the conflict is what brings Israel progress and prosperity, so he chose to consolidate the foundations and pillars of the conflict and the cycle of violence, extremism, chaos and bloodshed, he added. The next step is annexation. The wrong side of history. But Palestinian political analyst Hani al-Masri charged that the Palestinian leadership seems oblivious to Israels strategic moves and has no real plan in place to respond to them. Abbas has unwittingly turned his PA into a vassal entity beholden to Israel and has no long-term strategy to extricate the Palestinians out of this situation, said al-Masri, director general of Masarat the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies. Abbas has repeatedly said the only path to statehood is through negotiations with Israel, but al-Masri said Palestinians should engage in civil resistance against Israel, including an economic boycott of Israeli products. Al-Masri told Al Jazeera that Palestinians must take steps such as reactivating the PLO, which has been marginalised for decades since Oslo, to represent all of Palestinians factions including Hamas which runs the besieged Gaza Strip as a way for Palestinians to close their ranks. Nasser al-Qidwa, a member of the Central Committee of Fatah, the main ruling Palestinian party, and nephew of the late Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat, agreed that the PLO must be restored as a unified representation of the Palestinian people, especially in the aftermath of Israels elections. Al-Qidwa argued that if Netanyahu is able to form a government and move forward with his annexation plans, the Palestinian leadership should consider the move a declaration by Israel to end all negotiations with the Palestinians. As a result, the Palestinians should end their recognition of Israel as a response to possible Israeli annexation of more Palestinian territories, al-Qidwa added. Commenting on what he described as a decades-long futile peace process, Abu Yousef, the PLO leader, said Palestinians were misled to believe that a peace process with Israel would deliver them an independent state. We have been deceived with devastating consequences on our national existence, he added. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vodafone Idea has introduced a new double data offer on some of its prepaid plans. The three prepaid plans offer additional 1.5GB data on a recharge of Rs 249, Rs 399 and Rs 599. The prepaid plans mentioned above already offer 1.5GB under the new double data offer, Vodafone and Idea subscribers can avail the additional data, which means they will receive 3GB of high-speed 4G data per day. The new plan has gone live across all its 23 telecom circles. The Rs 249 plan will be valid for 28 days, whereas the Rs 399 and Rs 599 plan will be valid for 56 and 84 days, respectively. The three plans offer unlimited local and national voice calls with 100 SMS. Vodafone customers will also receive a complimentary subscription to Vodafone Play and ZEE 5. Idea subscribers, on the other hand, will get access to the companys Idea Movies and TV. To activate any of the three plans, users can recharge on the My Vodafone/ My Idea app or via third-party platforms and recharge vendors. Between 1996 and 2016, substantial mangrove forests have been converted to agricultural use; Pressing need to protect the critical coastal ecosystem Mangroves account for only 0.7 per cent of the Earth's tropical forest area, but they are among the world's most productive and important ecosystems. They provide a wealth of ecological and socio-economic benefits, such as serving as nursery habitat for fish species, offering protection against coastal surges associated with storms and tsunamis, and storing carbon. While many countries have established legal protection for mangroves, their value for sustainable ecosystem services face strong competition from converting the land to other more lucrative uses, particularly for agriculture. In the past decade, studies have shown that mangrove deforestation rates are higher than the deforestation of inland terrestrial forests. New research from the National University of Singapore (NUS) provided additional support for this, with results showing that mangroves deforestation rates in Myanmar, an important country for mangrove extent and biodiversity, greatly exceed previous estimates. The research, led by Associate Professor Edward Webb and Mr Jose Don De Alban from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science, was published online in the journal Environmental Research Letters on 3 March 2020. Drastic mangrove deforestation Using satellite images and multiple analytical tools, the NUS team was able to assess the extent of mangrove in 1996. The researchers then followed the fate of every 30-metre x 30-metre mangrove image pixel for 2007 and 2016. The team's estimates revealed that in 1996, Myanmar had substantially more mangroves than previously estimated. However, over the 20-year period, more than 60 per cent of all mangroves in Myanmar had been permanently or temporarily converted to other uses. These include the growing of rice, oil palm, and rubber, as well as for urbanisation. "Although fish and prawn farms accounted for only a minor amount of mangrove conversion, this may change in the near future. These competing land cover types are commercially important, but incompatible with mangrove persistence," said Mr De Alban. Urgent need for mangrove protection in Myanmar With the loss of nearly two-thirds of its mangroves, there is a need for the Myanmar government to develop holistic strategies to conserve this important habitat. This is particularly important as Myanmar strives to become more integrated into the regional and global markets for agriculture and aquaculture products. "The fate of mangroves in the country will be tied to the strength of policies and implementation of conservation measures. Through proper long-term planning, management and conservation, this resilient ecosystem can recover and be maintained for the future," shared Assoc Prof Webb. ### WUHAN, China The 3-year-old boy was anxiously waiting for yet another round of chemotherapy. Then the new coronavirus outbreak hit, and doctors suddenly turned him away. The boy, Fu Haoran, who has leukemia, is one of many seriously ill people struggling to get urgent, lifesaving treatment as China pours nearly all its resources into the coronavirus epidemic. Some have not survived. Others like Haoran are in limbo, and their families fear for their future. In Wuhan, many hospitals have been converted into facilities for treating only patients with the coronavirus. Elsewhere, other facilities have closed amid shortages of medical workers or rejected patients because of fears of cross-infection in the wards. Elective surgeries have been postponed indefinitely. Many cities have imposed travel restrictions and quarantine requirements that, for many critically ill patients, mean delays they cannot afford. [Read: China pushes back as the coronavirus crisis damages its image.] The country is in a state of crisis this we understand, said the boys father, Fu Hetian, in Wuhan, the city at the center of the outbreak. But when will it end? NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Domio is offering free temporary housing to residents impacted by the tornadoes that destroyed the Nashville, Tennessee area early Tuesday morning. The apartment-hotel hospitality company is aware many residents are without power and lives were lost in the wake of the devastating tornadoes. As such, Domio is committing to help the Nashville community by offering them temporary housing while they assess the damages and recover belongings. "We are aware that several tornadoes touched down in the Nashville area last night," said Nicole Mozeliak, COO of Domio. "At this time, Domio guests and staff are safe and business remains operational. Domio is keeping the Nashville community in its thoughts and we want to do everything in our power to help those who have become displaced." Domio in the Nashville area has opened its doors to those who were affected by the natural disaster. Locals who have been displaced and need free temporary housing can contact Domio at 1-833-693-6646 to arrange accommodations. Domio, the New York-based, boutique and apartment-hotel hospitality brand startup was founded three years ago in August 2016 and Domio operates in 10 U.S. markets, most recently expanding its footprint in key flagship cities, including: Miami, Chicago, and New Orleans. Domio's apartment-hotel rooms are five times larger than the average size of U.S. hotel rooms, making them perfect for groups, families and business travelers, and cost about 25 percent less than traditional hotels. For more information on Domio, please visit staydomio.com. About Domio Domio is a modern hospitality brand, elevating the way people travel through a curated end-to-end experience. Our upscale apartment style and boutique hotels provide livable spaces created for connecting with friends and family. From our locally-inspired designs, and neighborhood partnerships, to our tech-powered in-room experiences and 24/7 customer support, guests feel like homeanywhere in the world. To book, or for more information on Domio, visit staydomio.com, or follow the brand on Instagram (@Domio). SOURCE Domio Related Links http://staydomio.com Chinese smartphone companies Xiaomi and realme have cancelled their launch events scheduled for the next two weeks in the wake of coronavirus fears in the country. With an Italian tourist in Jaipur testing positive for novel coranavirus, the total number of confirmed cases in India is now six. While realme was scheduled to unveil its realme 6 series on March 5, Xiaomi was slated to launch Redmi Note series on March 12. However, it is not clear whether Motorola - which is to launch its new flagship 'Motorola Razr' in India on March 16 - will go ahead with its launch event. "We won't be holding any launch events on-ground through March. While we have been planning for this launch for months, we believe this is an unprecedented yet extremely important step," Xiaomi Vice President and India Managing Director Manu Jain said in a statement. The company has taken this decision with "the objective of reducing exposure risk to coronavirus COVID-19 for our Mi fans, media friends, partners and Xiaomi employees". Jain further said the company will not hold any launch events on ground in March and will provide update regarding future launches by the end of the month. The launch event of the mid-premium Note series will now be only streamed online. realme India CEO Madhav Sheth tweeted that the company is calling off its March 5 event. "In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online," he said. Two private schools at Noida have cancelled classes for the next few days as a precautionary measure as the father of a student tested positive for coronavirus. The government has stepped up its efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed over 3,100 people worldwide. Last month, Mobile World Congress (MWC) - the biggest annual showcase for the telecom and technology industry held in Barcelona - was cancelled in view of the coronavirus outbreak whose epicentre was in China. The virus outbreak - which has seen cases being registered across the world including South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan - has had a significant impact on supply chains and manufacturing, given China is one of the biggest sources of components for products like electronics. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid heavy police presence and anxious parents queued up at school gates, class 12 students on Tuesday appeared for their history exam in the riot-hit areas of northeast Delhi hoping for better things to be written in the national capitals history than communal violence. According to the CBSE, over 98 per cent attendance was recorded in the exam with absentees including mostly private candidates. I will always remember that the year I wrote my class 12 exams, such was the situation in Delhi, said a 16-year-old student of Zakir Hussain Memorial School in Jaffrabad. The history we learn for exams seems to be irrelevant to me, when the history that is being created now is terrible. I hope for a better history to be written in Delhi and the country, not the one that talks of violence and riots, said the student, who did not wish to be identified. Rupa Devi, who was waiting for her son outside the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Mustafabad, said, There is police around but there is such a tensed atmosphere. When I am feeling so scared, I wonder what is the mental state of the students writing the exam. Seema Yadav, a student of the Government Co-Ed Senior Secondary School, New Jaffrabad, said, It indeed is disturbing that me as well as my friends are not able to concentrate well on studies. But exams are very important for future. We hope when we grow up we are able to contribute to a better, a safer Delhi. Outside the examination centres, police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to ensure security. Anxious parents waited at school gates for their wards to return after writing the exam and take them home safely. CBSE officials said the exam went off peacefully. The class 12 history exam scheduled for today went off peacefully across India, foreign centres and Delhi including northeast Delhi. The centres in northeast Delhi recorded 98.33 per cent attendance today. The absentees included mostly private candidates, a senior CBSE official said. The board is making efforts to contact schools to extend help, if any is required, so that they can resume their exam schedule at the earliest, the official added. The CBSE had said on Sunday that any further delay in conducting board exams in violence-affected parts of northeast Delhi may hamper students chances of securing admission to professional courses like medicine and engineering. However, the CBSE said it is ready to conduct fresh exams for students who are not able to appear for board exams as per schedule in view of the violence. Schools in northeast Delhi are closed till March 7. The CBSE had postponed board exams till February 29 but resumed the original schedule from March 2. Authorities maintained the death toll remained at 42 in the communal clashes over the amended citizenship law that erupted last week even as five bodies were fished out of drains in northeast Delhi on Sunday. VICTORIAProvincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says British Columbia is monitoring the deaths of six people from novel coronavirus in Washington state and there is no evidence of widespread transmission of the virus. Henry says the six deaths are connected to two counties in the Seattle area. She says that leads her to believe an uncontrolled spread is not underway. Henry says Canadians who have recently travelled across the border into Washington state do not need to contact public health officials unless they feel sick. But she advises Canadians to postpone any travel if they have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and muscle aches. She says travellers returning to B.C. from international trips can expect extra screening by Canadian Border Services officials who will be asking about their health. There is not widespread community transmission in Washington state and certainly there is not here in B.C., and were confident of that, Henry said Monday at a news conference. My colleagues in Washington state are working very hard to try and track down everybody whos been in contact with people whove been affected in the United States. Henry says B.C. currently has eight confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, with four cases recovered and the others in isolation at home. She says travellers returning to B.C. from Iran will now face increased questions at customs and immigration points at airports about their health. Last month, a B.C. woman in her 30s who travelled to Iran was diagnosed with novel coronavirus shortly after her return to Canada. Health Minister Adrian Dix said Premier John Horgan and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee spoke Monday by telephone about the coronavirus, each pledging support for the neighbouring jurisdictions. Read more about: An icy morning and an early summons to Downing Street. The Prime Minister wished to lay out his plans to take on the coronavirus outbreak. There had been suggestions lately that Boris Johnson was not giving the escalating crisis due attention. Worse, that he was lying doggo, hoping it would all blow over. Time, then, for Bozza to show the country that he was taking charge. The PMs speech was impressively headmasterly. Calm and authoritative. Pro bono publico, no bloody panico was the general message of the day, writes HENRY DEEDES When he arrived at the Number 10 briefing room, his entrance appeared to show us he meant business. His march was brisk and purposeful, his grip around the lectern firm and manly. Gripping his papers, there was a welcoming nod which said: Lets get to it, amigos. Heck, hed even donned his stern-looking face for the occasion or at least moulded it that way as much as he could. The prime ministerial features, like the late oyster-eyed comedian Marty Feldman, say, or Ken Dodd, does not easily do serious. Flanked either side of Boris were two humourless suits, whom I first took to be his coppers. Turned out they were the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. Or was it the other way round? Boris, too, was initially confused as to which one was which. No matter. Like Ant and Dec, they were more or less one and the same. The PMs speech was impressively headmasterly. Calm and authoritative. Pro bono publico, no bloody panico was the general message of the day. He admitted it was highly likely the UK would see more cases of the virus in coming weeks, but was certain we had the resources and health service in place to deal with it. Daftness, naturally, was absent, though necessary wallop was given to remarks such as going about our business as usual. The PM even donned his stern-looking face for the occasion or at least moulded it that way as much as he could, writes HENRY DEEDES The Governments plan to combat coronavirus would come in four strands: Contain, Delay, Research, Mitigate. As Boris said this, the two suits, standing motionless at neighbouring lecterns, nodded along in agreement. Down in front, the snappers clambered around on the floor for their shot. One jerky sideways swoop of the Prime Ministers excitable arm and his words were suddenly drowned out by the camera shutters. And what was the PMs main advice? Wash your hands. Sir Patrick (right), a tall, lawyerly-looking figure, urged caution about bringing in emergency measures too early, reasoning that there was no point bringing undue chaos to peoples lives, writes HENRY DEEDES Eugh, you knew I was going to say this, he muttered. Hot water, soap, sing Happy Birthday The PM grimaced before trailing off awkwardly, aware he must have sounded like a nursery teacher. I hadnt seen him look so embarrassed since the election trail, when his advisers kept making him repeat his pledge to cut VAT on womens sanitary products. After that, he left much of the talking to the eggheads. Sir Patrick, a tall, lawyerly-looking figure, urged caution about bringing in emergency measures too early, reasoning that there was no point bringing undue chaos to peoples lives. Whitty was similarly reassuring. No, said the Prof, there was no need to cancel your holidays abroad. No, dont go stockpiling food either. An extraordinary-looking creature, is Professor Whitty (left). Spindly and bug-eyed, he reminded me of the doomed pathologist in sci-fi films who you just know will end up entwined in an aliens tentacles, writes HENRY DEEDES Nor did he see any point in shutting down schools. An extraordinary-looking creature, is Professor Whitty. Spindly and bug-eyed, he reminded me of the doomed pathologist in sci-fi films who you just know will end up entwined in an aliens tentacles. Someone asked if it was still all right to shake hands. Ill be shaking hands with everyone, youll be pleased to know, said Boris. A relief to many, Im sure. Perched on the front row throughout the press conference was the feline silhouette of Health Secretary Matt Hancock, grinning and nodding in all the correct places. Having a good war, Hancock, dont you think? Busy fellow. He spent most of yesterday morning competently touring the broadcast studios, never once, to my mind, trying to score cheap political points. Later, Hancock was also required to make a statement to the House. Labours health spokesman, Jon Ashworth, managed to miss the start of it, after arriving in the chamber late. I was having problems with me printer, Ashworth sobbed to an unimpressed-looking Speaker. Oh dear. Well, thank goodness that Mr Hancock and his department are in charge and not the Labour Party. Hundreds of bright red electric bikes will appear on the streets of Melbourne on Wednesday morning as part of the city's first dockless e-bike scheme. About 400 Jump bikes will be positioned around CBD streets from 6am with more to be rolled out across the City of Melbourne, Yarra and Port Phillip council areas as part of a one-year trial. From left: Port Phillip councillor Dick Gross, Yarra mayor Jackie Fristacky JUMP by Uber general manager Henry Greenacre and Melbourne councillor Nicholas Frances Gilley test out the new bikes on Tuesday. Credit:Simon Schluter The bikes are bookable through the Uber app and will cost $1 to unlock and an additional 30 for every minute of riding. A 10-minute ride will cost $4, while an hour-long ride will cost almost $20. In comparison, electric share bikes in New York City cost US$1.50 ($2.30) for a 10-minute trip and US$9 ($13.80) for an hour-long trip. Sixteen Italians in India have tested positive for coronavirus, India's health minister said on Wednesday, as the total number of cases in the country rose sharply to 28. On Monday, the world's second-most populous country had only six reported cases of coronavirus, but it is one of places U.S. intelligence agencies are most closely monitoring due to concerns over how it would cope with a widespread outbreak. An Italian visiting the western desert state of Rajasthan was among those who had tested positive earlier. And on Wednesday, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said 15 of 21 tourists from Italy - Europe's worst-affected country - who had been taken to a quarantine facility on the outskirts of New Delhi had tested positive for the virus. Reuters Senator Rex Patrick's controversial tactic of attacking individual directors over the amount of tax companies are paying will bring EnergyAustralia boss Catherine Tanna to Canberra after he called her a "swindler". Senator Patrick used parliamentary privilege last week to directly criticise Ms Tanna, saying there was a "shameful side" to the prominent businesswoman's career and calling for her resignation from the Reserve Bank of Australia board due to the lack of tax paid by her company. Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick has a list of directors he intends to call out personally for their companies' tax minimisation tactics. Credit:AAP/Lukas Coch Senator Patrick used the same controversial tactic in early-February to criticise ExxonMobil chairman Richard Owens. There is no suggestion any of these companies or their directors have broken the law. Ms Tanna wrote to Senator Patrick the day after the speech pointing out that Commissioner of Taxation Chris Jordan had commended the tax team at EnergyAustralia for its work. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) The term-sharing agreement for the speakership will still continue, with about 80 percent of the members of the House of Representatives still vouching for Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, said Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund "LRay" Villafuerte. "I think, overall, 80 percent of the House members support the leadership of Speaker Alan," said Villafuerte, a vocal Cayetano ally. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday, Villafuerte cited Cayetano's high approval and trust ratings based on pollster results, claiming that his performance as their leader speaks for itself. "At first they were doubting his capability, but kita mo naman, highest trust approval rating ng tao, over 80 percent yung House. Daming bills na napasa, budget was passed on time, we're reforming the House now, nag-hearing sa Taal, these are reforms being instituted," Villafuerte added. [Translation: At first, they were doubting his capability, but you can see that he garnered the highest trust approval rating, over 80 percent for the House. He even passed significant bills, the budget was passed on time, we had a hearing on Taal, these are reforms being instituted.] Villafuerte was responding to rumors that Cayetano's opponent, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, has been supposedly stirring up an ouster in the lower chamber. No less than Cayetano bared last week that Velasco, whom he shares a "15-21" term-sharing deal, has been promising committee chairmanships and unsolicited budget allocations to some House allies once he secures his term. Term-sharing deal stays Villafuerte also noted that during last night's "loyalty check" with some lawmakers, Cayetano was merely asking for his colleagues' support in keeping with the term-sharing deal. "Very clear ang sinabi ni Speaker Alan (What Speaker Alan said was very clear). Sabi niya, 'I'm only asking for your support for 15 months. Help me reform this House for 15 months,'" he said. "Iyon ang agreement. Iyon ang gusto ng Presidente, susundin namin iyon (That's the agreement. That's what the President wants, we will follow that)," Villafuerte added. Meanwhile, Cayetano maintained that Velasco need not fear as he will get his turn when President Rodrigo Duterte says so. "Huwag kang matatakot na hindi ka magiging speaker kasi kung yan talaga ang gusto ng Presidente, he is the head of our coalition, mangyayari yan, yun lang yun," he said. [Translation: Do not be afraid that you will not be speaker because if that's what the President wants, since he is the head of our coalition, when he says it will happen, it will happen.] National Unity Party (NUP) president Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite said their group, as well as the Nacionalista Party, have reiterated their support for the Speaker. "Tinanong kami ni Speaker what is our position and of course we answered, politely and truthfully that the NUP is behind him. Sinusuportahan siya. Yung Nacionalista Party naman, speaking through Deputy Speaker (Raneo) Abu, suportado rin si Speaker, (We support him.The Nacionalista Party, speaking through Deputy Speaker Abu, also supports the Speaker" he said. Supposed coup plot used as 'smokescreen' to favor congressmen Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador "Doy" Leachon, an ally of Velasco, defended the latter's side anew about such ouster claims, noting that those who are siding with Cayetano are only using the issue as a "smokescreen" to favor their individual interests. "Ako yung laging kasama ni Congressman Velasco and God knows I am telling the truth! Filipino people would be the witness, walang ganun. Smokescreen lang itong ginagawa nilang kunyari alleged coup (there's no such thing, they are only using this issue as a smokescreen to make it look like there is an alleged coup)," Leachon also told The Source. Leachon, a stalwart of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, was removed Monday from his post as the head of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. He was replaced by Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo. Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab was also booted out as chairman of the powerful appropriations committee and was replaced by ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, a neophyte lawmaker. When asked why Ungab and Leachon had to be removed, Cayetano said he did not have a good working relationship with the two who are allegedly more interested in "funds and intrigues." While Pakistan government urged its citizens to stay calm, panic surged among locals as the fifth case of coronavirus infection in the country was confirmed on Tuesday. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza confirmed the latest case of COVID-19 infection in Pakistan. "We have now fifth confirmed case of COVID-19 in federal areas. Patient is stable and is being managed well," Mirza said. Mirza asked media to not spread details of identity and whereabouts of the coronavirus patient. He also urged the people to not panic. National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed that the patient is a 45-year-old woman from Gilgit Baltistan area of the Northern region of the country. She had recently arrived from Iran. After being tested positive for coronavirus, she was moved to a hospital for treatment. Officials added that family members of the woman are also being tested for the deadly virus. Apart from the latest case from Gilgit Baltistan, at least two cases have been reported from Karachi, while one has been reported from the federal areas and Islamabad. This has raised alarm among locals, who are now rushing to buy masks to protect themselves from contracting the virus. Authorities say that all coronavirus patients had traveled to Iran in the near past, where over 66 people have already died, including senior government officials. Over 1,500 confirmed cases have also been reported in the country. As coronavirus continues to spread across the globe with casualties being reported from different countries, Pakistan has decided to close the Chaman border with Afghanistan for at least one week to check the spread of virus from the neighbouring country. As per the Federal Ministry of Interior, Pakistan will keep its border closed for at aleast seven days from March 2. This is the second border that Pakistan has closed amid the coronavirus outbreak. Border with Iran was closed one week ago, after cases of COVID-19 emerged at the Iranian side. Afghan border has been closed after three confirmed cases were reported from western province of Herat. Strict precautionary measures have also been put in place around borders areas to stop the spread of the virus. Isolation wards have also been made in hospitals. On the Taftan-Iran border, Pakistan has already setup a 100-bed hospital, where people coming from Iran are being screened and quarantined, if needed. As per officials, at least 10,000 people have undergone screening in the last five days at the Chaman border alone. Similar numbers have been reported from the Torkham border with Afghanistan too. On the Iranian border, at least 510 pilgrims from Iran were under quarantine at the Pakistan House. Moreover, Balochistan province's health official said that at least 252 other pilgrims, traveling from Iran to Pakistan were kept under quarantine for 15 days and have now been declared free from the coronavirus. Pakistan has also set up special screening units at airports. All flight operations with Iran stand suspended. ALSO READ:Travelling to India from a coronavirus-hit country; here's what you need to do ALSO READ:Indian Navy cancels multilateral naval exercise amid coronavirus fears ALSO READ:How govt tracks coronavirus infected individuals ALSO READ:Coronavirus in Delhi: Isolation wards to come up in 25 hospitals for COVID-19 cases Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 13:19:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MONTEVIDEO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay's newly-installed government plans to continue to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties with China, said Ernesto Talvi, the country's new foreign minister, on Monday. The new administration will strive to actively deepen ties between Mercosur (the Southern Common Market) and China, Talvi told reporters, but "that is not going to diminish the efforts we are going to continue to make to deepen bilateral relations." Mercosur gathers Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Talvi made the remarks after he and Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, who was sworn in on Sunday, met with China's Minister of Ecology and Environment Li Ganjie earlier in the day. Li was in Uruguay to attend Lacalle Pou's inauguration ceremony as the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "We expect to continue this relationship, which has been very intense and very productive, and will certainly continue to deepen over the coming months and years within the context of Mercosur and bilaterally," Talvi said. China is Uruguay's leading trade partner and top export market. The Prince of Wales has visited 'the jewel in the crown of cultural excellence in the UK' to honour some of the top talents in the world of music. Charles, 71, in his role as president of the Royal College of Music (RCM), handed out awards to artists including conductor and Royal Opera House music director Sir Antonio Pappano. Also amongst the recipients included tenor Jonas Kaufmann, composer Debbie Wiseman and Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman. RCM director Professor Colin Lawson described the organisation as a 'jewel in the crown of cultural excellence in the UK' and said it is proud to have the royal's support. Prince Charles, 71, shakes hands as he presents British composer for film and television Debbie Wiseman with an honorary Fellowship award at the Royal College of Music's annual awards in London The royal listens to music being performed as he sits flanked by Director Professor Colin Lawson (C-L) and Chairman Lord Black of Brentwood (C-R) during the Royal College of Music's Annual Awards Ceremony at Royal College Of Music Sir Antonio and Kaufmann were both made honorary Doctors of Music, while Wiseman and Portman were became fellows of the RCM at the annual ceremony in central London. Sir Antonio has guided many students to the professional stage. He commented: 'I never would have thought from taking my grade 1 music exam as a youngster that I'd one day be receiving a doctorate from a world-renowned institution such as the Royal College of Music. Having this honour bestowed on me is humbling, yet brings such joy.' Kaufmann, who was described by the New York Times as 'the most important, versatile tenor of his generation,' has won four Gramophone Awards for his operatic albums. The Prince of Wales presents German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann with an honorary Doctor of Music award at the Royal College of Music's annual awards in London The royal and Jonas Kaufmann share a joke before shaking hands during the musical ceremony The Prince of Wale handed out the awards in his role as president of the Royal College of Music (RCM). Pictured, presenting English-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano with an honorary Doctor of Music award The 71-year-old looks animated as he speaks with award winners during a reception in the new Performance Hall, after presenting them with awards The Prince of Wales presents German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann with an honorary Doctor of Music award The royal presents the President's Award to American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, from Chicago, during the awards ceremony Prince Charles posing for a group photograph with award winners at the Royal College of Music's annual awards in London Portman was the first female composer to win an Oscar in the best musical or comedy score for the film Emma in 1996. Meanwhile, American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, from Chicago, performed on stage after being presented with the President's Award by Prince Charles. After the ceremony, Charles was given a tour of the redevelopment project at the college site which is creating new performance spaces, more practice rooms and social spaces, as well as a new home for the RCM Museum. The 71-year-old was also pictured speaking with award-winners during a reception in the new Performance Hall after presenting the recipients with their awards. The 71-year-old speaks with Oscar winning British composer Rachel Portman during a reception in the new Performance Hall The Prince of Wales smiles alongside German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann (L) and English-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano (R) after presenting them with honorary Doctor of Music awards The royal looks in high spirits as he congratulates Oscar-winning British composer Rachel Portman Prince Charles speaks with American student and mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra, centre, from Chicago, and British composer for film and television Debbie Wiseman, right, during a reception in the new Performance Hall P eople take health scares at their own pace. Mine was laggardly, finally dawning during an appointment at Paris Fashion Week, when I let out an unguarded allergy sneeze, and the room promptly scattered as if I had just announced I had leprosy. I texted home about a fashion-world overreaction. Yet just a week later the sight of travellers diligently donning masks no longer looks so bizarre and I have an acquaintance in quarantine in Scotland, who skied in an affected part of the Italian Alps. We have all become dedicated handwashers and tissue-banners now. Even the most avid subscribers to the Keep Calm and Carry On tendency among us can see that the rapid spread of the virus across northern Europe heralds consequences for our economies and healthcare systems assuming we dodge the full onslaught of a coronavirus pandemic . For the West, mercifully spared the experience of Ebola and the Sars epidemic, a fast-moving illness feels like a return to another era. When the German writer Thomas Mann wrote Death In Venice, his haunting novel about a writer trapped in the Italian city in a cholera epidemic, it was the result of Manns own contact with Asiatic cholera originating from India in 1912. Anne McElvoy Grim necessity is now jolting the complacencies of politics. As Downing Street has just discovered, a fat majority can enable you to slam the table in trade talks, deal abruptly with troublesome civil servants and allow a new PM some time out of sight. But voters will hang around after elections and the very British mood of asking what the fuss is about is replaced in double-quick time with anxious calls to radio phone-ins asking if the NHS is as prepared as it might be and how can they get tested when a cold might be something worse. As a result, the mood feels more febrile and uncertain than it did a week ago, exposing the Prime Minister on a flank which has always been a weak spot in his personal armoury the ability to show seriousness and empathy. This is not quite the same charge as the more routine and partisan one that Johnson is a buffoon. He is an adept tactician who wins the big races he goes in for, from City Hall to the EU referendum and a gamble on a Christmas election. Even Trumps thick hide cant mask a nervousness at the White House at the virus upsetting the election Whether liberal elites like what he says or not, he connects to many people in a way they could not and they need to learn from that, rather than obsessing about his weaknesses. However, I always find myself holding my breath in Boris Anxiety Syndrome when he takes on a more dolorous topic. Not least because I recall that his worst parliamentary appearance as a new MP was in a welfare debate not because he cannot grasp the detail, but because the rumbustious tone fell flat on a subject which, whatever ones views on policy choices, has real hardship at the end of it Watching the PMs outing in a giant yellow protective tent of protective gear reminded us that, now as the nations political figurehead, he also needs to do the sombre stuff, along with the bulldozer moments which bring out his flair and ability. Well beat it, well get through it, was a characteristically Churchillian first stab at coping, but voters also need clarity and reassurance. And in the end, that comes from reliance on the civil service, via the Department of Health and the Treasury, with which No 10 has recently had its little local difficulties. For all their shortcomings, a robust system of response in steps to ameliorate the crisis are worth half a dozen future-gazing weirdos and superforecasters. Being a pragmatic survivor underneath the punk exterior, I am also pretty sure the PM will grasp this too. However, in the jaded spin-doctors phase, a crisis is also a good time to bury bad news and a get-out of jail free card from earlier pledges and a plausible excuse for economic shocks or underperformance. European governments are already returning to type Italy seeking stimulus funds to address the economic damage of the virus and asking the eurozone (with Germany as paymaster) to bend fiscal rules to that end, while in France, Emmanuel Macron has overseen the decision to close the Louvre as staff at the most visited museum in world voted almost unanimously not to open. Macron has withdrawn himself from public events to personally manage the crisis at a safe distance from the crowds. I arrived in the US to find Donald Trump publically trouncing his one of Americas leading experts on infectious diseases, when they ventured that a vaccine for mass use could take a year to be proven. A couple of months sounds better to me, the president shot back, haggling over epidemiology with his own invited experts. But even Trumps thick hide and a desire to showboat in front of clinicians and pharma bosses cant mask a nervousness in the White House at the potential of this black swan event upsetting a run into the November presidential election one which has been looking promising from Trumps point of view as Democrats divide and the stock market has shown itself (so far) resilient. Beneath the antics, his prospectus is built on the economy sustaining the momentum of a Trump bump. But the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is predicting a slowdown in the global economy very soon as a result of the viruss spread. Curbs on tourism and business travel slow down deals and hit the retail sector. It is true that monetary policy and interest-rate fixes can alleviate some aspects of a short-term crisis. But as soon as people stay home from work in large numbers because schools close or transport freezes up, output inevitably drops. From a China-US trade war, to Johnsons quest for a magic medicine, enabling him to avoid shadowing EU regulation while gaining a trade deal, the agenda has been thrown into the air by the risk of a pandemic. Its sobering that the links of an interconnected world are not easily decoupled. A sneeze from China echoes mightily around the globe. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The worst is still to come for the airline industry in terms of economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak, European carrier bosses warned on Tuesday, but they predicted that travel demand could stabilise in the coming weeks. Coronavirus dominated the conversation as the heads of Europes biggest carriers including Ryanairs (RYA.I) Michael OLeary and Willie Walsh, boss of British Airways-owner IAG, gathered at an annual industry conference, to lobby against new air taxes and call for improvements to air traffic control. Airlines worldwide have been suspending flights or modifying services in response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has now claimed more than 3,000 lives and infected more than 90,000 people globally, after spreading from China to 77 other countries and territories. Walsh noted a very significant fall-off in demand in Italian markets in the past week, as Italy has seen the biggest outbreak in Europe. But he predicted demand would stabilise in coming weeks if bookings followed the pattern seen in Asia. I think we will see air traffic recover in due course, he said. Ryanairs OLeary agreed that the next few weeks would be tough. He said he expected a very deflated booking environment for the next two to three weeks, but should the crisis stabilise, bookings would recover. I think you will see a pretty rapid return to normal, he said. HELP REQUIRED As part of the European airline lobby group A4E, the airlines - which also include Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) easyJet (EZJ.L) - called for a relaxation of airport regulations to help them cope with the impact of coronavirus. That followed a call from global industry body IATA on Monday for a suspension of rules under which airlines can lose lucrative landing and take-off slots if they cancel flights for a prolonged period. We request that a temporary waiver be granted by all (EU) member states, Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) CEO Ben Smith said ahead of the annual conference of the Brussels-based lobbying group. Airlines also want a common set of health requirements for travel to and from the affected regions, he said. But IAGs Walsh said that struggling airlines should not be given state aid to enable them to survive the drop-off in demand. I dont believe its appropriate for governments to provide state aid to airlines that were not sustainable before the coronavirus, he said. The crisis, which has led to a quarter of the short-haul fleet of airlines like Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) being grounded, comes on top of a list of pressures on the European airline industry. Executives at the Brussels gathering listed other grievances including the failure to reform air traffic control networks under the delayed EU Single European Sky initiative. It is a scandal that we are still flying the skies today in the same way we were 40 years ago, Walsh said. Taxes on flying were also opposed, with OLeary attacking plans by Austrias new coalition government of conservatives and Greens to increase a tax on flights next year. The Ryanair boss called the new taxes the equivalent of latter-day highwaymen. Update: 03-03-2020 | 14:57:33 That is the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on the disease prevention and combat in the coming time at the national online conference to announce health work in 2020 and the prevention and combat of Covid- 19 held by Ministry of Health on February 25. The conference had the participation of leaders of ministries, central agencies, press agencies, 63 provinces and cities directly under the Central Government, and districts. On behalf of Binh Duong province, Dang Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee, and representatives of departments, agencies and localities attended the meeting. The online conference in Binh Duong province. To proactive prevent and combat Covid-19 One of the key tasks and solutions in 2020 set out by Ministry of Health is to actively prevent and combat infectious and non-communicable diseases. To carry out this task, according to Ministry of Health, proactive disease prevention and control must be implemented; forecasting, early detecting and promptly controlling epidemics, preventing the happening of major epidemics, reducing the rate of infection and mortality of contagious diseases; closely monitoring and promptly preventing infectious diseases at international border gates. Reporting on the prevention and combat of Covid-19, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said that the disease prevention and combat activities were directed by the Secretariat, the Prime Minister, all levels and branches with very drastic solutions. As a result, we actively detected, quarantined, zoned, treated, and was appreciated by the international community and trusted by the people. At present, Vietnam has 16 cases that were cured. However, the situation of Covid-19 is still complicated and unpredictable in the world. Therefore, we must not be subjective, must consider this as a key task, control the epidemic, know all infected cases. These cases must be quickly treated, including Vietnamese and foreigners. Mr. Tuyen urged all levels, sectors, provinces and cities directly under the Central Government continue to implement Directive No. 05 and Directive No. 06 of the Government, telegrams and guiding documents of the Prime Minister, National Steering Committee on prevention and combat of Covid-19; well perform the supervision right at border gates, enhance domestic medical supervision; investigate and verify suspected cases and contact persons; well organize quarantine, treatment of patients, prevention of infection, prevent the transmission from patient to patient, from patient to physician. Laboratories must ensure the criteria for testing, especially biosecurity, and test results must be safe and accurate. According to Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen, our country's result of disease prevention and combat has been good up to now. However, facing the current complex epidemic situation, Mr. Tuyen suggested that all levels, sectors, especially localities are not subjective and synchronously implement measures, that is to detect early, proactively prevent, timely quarantine, zone epidemic areas, prevent cross infection in medical facilities, and focus on treatment for patients, minimize death. Do not neglect the prevention and fighting Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that Vietnam was a country with a long border with China, the trade demand between the two countries was large, therefore was assessed as a high-risk country of Covid-19. However, it is affirmed that Vietnam well controlled the epidemic situation, 16 cases of Covid-19 positive in Vietnam were cured. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, there are many reasons, but first of all it is because Vietnam has been very proactive, carried out the necessary works very early. Vietnam started implementing the epidemic prevention and combat from mid-December 2019. Deputy Prime Minister said that the solutions to prevent and fight against epidemics proposed by Vietnam were higher than the recommendations of the World Health Organization. During the implementation process, Vietnam identified 5 principles, namely: Thorough prevention; earliest detection; immediate quarantine; neat zoning; thorough extinguish. The 5 above things are unchanged. Anti-epidemic in the information age should use information technology to provide timely and transparent information not only on the media, but also on social networks. Information must be transparent in order to alert people about the risks, danger levels of epidemic, disease prevention measures... in order to encourage them to join in the fight against epidemics. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, at present, some places have shown neglect in the prevention and combat of epidemic and warned the authorities at all levels to not loosen this work. For people, it is necessary to have solutions to prevent disease for themselves and the community, to wear face masks when going to crowded public places. To well carry out the prevention and combat of Covid-19 in the coming time, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, it is necessary to continue strictly controlling people from epidemic areas. In addition to Chinese provinces, there are now two more localities of South Korea. People coming from these areas must be quarantined according to regulations. The quarantine process must be performed flexibly but resolutely. Must ensure the good, safety quarantine, prevent spreading in quarantine areas. For the sake of people's health, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that all levels and branches should always be proactive, ready, must not be neglect at all times. Reported by Hong Thuan - Translated by Ngoc Huynh Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 16:33:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. social networking giant Twitter on Monday recommended that nearly 5,000 of its employees work from home amid growing concern about a global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Twitter said it has made "a big change" to its policy to ensure safety of its workforce both in the United States and around the world after it had previously suspended all non-critical business travel and events. "Beginning today, we are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they're able," said the San Francisco-based leading social media network in the world. The new policy, which was made "out of an abundance of caution," is aimed at lowering the probability of the spread of the coronavirus disease, Twitter said. Twitter said its headquarters in San Francisco will remain for employees who wish to go in. Twitter employees based in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, and South Korea have been required to work from home according to local government requirements. Twitter has canceled its CEO Jack Dorsey's appearance at the South by Southwest conference, one of the world's largest annual tech gatherings, in Austin, Texas later this month. There are about 89,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world as of March 2, showed a report of the World Health Organization, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has climbed to at least 91, including six deaths. Several aid groups on Greece's Lesbos said they were suspending work with refugees and evacuating staff on Tuesday in the wake of violence and threats, as tensions soar on an island in the crosshairs of the migrant crisis. Greece has suspended asylum procedures and its troops have fired tear gas at migrants gathered at its land border with Turkey, after Ankara warned it would allow millions of refugees to enter Europe. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on EU leaders for their "strong support" ahead of crisis talks on Tuesday, as rights groups accused Turkey of using migrants and refugees as bargaining chips to bolster its Syria offensive. While Greece's land border has had the largest swell of migrants heading for the EU, the country has also seen a surge in the number of people attempting to make the short journey from Turkey's coast by boat to its northern Aegean islands. That has exacerbated an already combustible environment on Lesbos, where years of arrivals have seen more than 19,000 people crammed into squalid conditions in a camp built to house less than 3,000. Fed up with shouldering the burden of Europe's bloated asylum system, locals have protested against the presence of the migrants exiled on their shores, saying they threaten the island's safety, public health and tourism-dependent economy. That anger has spilled into violence in recent days, with attacks blamed on an extremist minority that have targeted aid workers and disrupted their ability to help refugees, according to several groups based on the island. "Once night falls, there are nonstop attacks on NGOs, on workers, on people who are here as volunteers," said Douglas Herman, co-founder of the organisation Refocus, which teaches media skills to refugees. "Most of those organisations right now have started to suspend their operations, some indefinitely. Many have advised their staff to leave the island, and many have heeded that call and have left or are leaving," he told AFP, adding that all six of his group's current volunteers are departing. The violence has been waged by "fascist" mobs, he said, describing roadblocks around the island and thugs attacking or threatening people inside their cars. "People with chains are reaching into the vehicles, they are trying to reach people with broken shards of glass," he said. On Monday night, the crew of the human rights observation ship Mare Liberum, which patrols the Aegean, said it was "attacked by a mob of fascists" while docked on the island. "They shouted, threatened us (and) poured gasoline on our deck!" the organisation wrote on Twitter. Some aid workers have been instructed to keep a low profile. Adriaan Kok, chairman of Connect by Music which teaches music classes to refugees, told AFP all international volunteers are being sent to Athens while local staff have been asked to cease their work. Dutch group Boat Refugee Foundation, which provides medical care in the overcrowded Moria camp, also wrote on Facebook that they decided to evacuate their clinic on Sunday because it was no longer safe for aid workers. Police, who have been accused of a sluggish response to the incidents, have opened an investigation after "several denunciations of attacks on people and cars" on the island, a police source told AFP. Not all aid groups are leaving, however. "We don't plan to move," said the medical coordinator of Medecins du Monde, Dimitris Patestos. There is "fear and insecurity" among some staff but so far the group had not encountered issues with the local community, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Realme Philippines will unveil on March 5 the latest addition to its true value C-series, the Realme C3. Tagged as the triple-camera gaming monster, the Realme C3 brings midrange camera and processor performance to the entry-level segment. Staying true to the real smartphone value promise of higher-tier features at lower price, the Realme C3 is the first smartphone powered by the latest chipset from MediaTek, the Helio G70 processor, making it one of the fastest-performing smartphones in the market today and likely to be the most powerful entry-level smartphone. Its processor allows the phone to mitigate network latency, optimizing connection for streamers, gamers and regular online surfers. The Realme C3 features an AI triple-camera setup with a 12MP main camera. The setup supports professional-level bokeh, portrait mode and panoselfie. The newest entry-level Realme smartphone also boasts a 6.5-inch mini-drop full screen, which allows for a high screen-to-body ratio of 89.8 percent for an even more immersive experience be it when reading, watching movies or playing video games. The Realme C3s camera, display and overall performance are complemented by a large-capacity 5,000mAh battery and reverse charging feature. After being hailed as the top 4 smartphone brand in the Philippines and earning the title fastest growing smartphone brand of 2019, we at Realme Philippines are even more committed to bring only the best to our consumers. We are excited to bring to the Filipinos the most powerful smartphone in the entry-level. We are confident that the Realme C3 will be a perfect fit for every young Filipino eager to start working on their passion, be it photography, content creation or gaming, shares Realme Philippines Vice President for Marketing Austine Huang. Realme C3 Specs Realme UI (ColorOS 7 based on Android 10) 6.5-inch HD+ 720 x 1600 pixel resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio MediaTek Helio G70 2GHz octa-core CPU Mali G52 GPU 3GB RAM 32GB of internal storage Expandable up to 256GB via microSD (dedicated slot) 12MP f/1.8 main + 2MP portrait + 2MP macro triple-rear cameras 5MP f/2.4 AI Beauty Selfie front camera Dual nano-SIM/ 4G VoLTE Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ Bluetooth 5.0 GPS/Beidou/Glonass/A-GPS micro USB/ 3.5mm headphone jack/ Reverse charging Face unlock/ Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner Realme UI 1.0 (Based on Android 10) 5,000mAh battery w/ 10W charging support 164,4 x 8.95 x 75mm (dimension) 195g (weight) Colors: Blazing Red and Frozen Blue Realme fans in the Philippines are invited to join the Realme C3 launch through Facebook and YouTube livestreams. Realme Philippines will also be giving a sneak peek of its brand-new headquarters in the country. This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus is beginning to affect major upcoming space and science gatherings. The first big meeting to be canceled was an annual meeting of the American Physical Society (APS), which was scheduled to take place in Denver this week (March 2-6). "Due to rapidly escalating health concerns relating to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the 2020 APS March Meeting in Denver, CO, has been canceled," the organizers wrote on Twitter late Saturday night (Feb. 29), less than 36 hours before the conference was scheduled to begin. "Please do not travel to Denver to attend the March meeting," the tweet added. Related: Huge physics conference canceled at the last minute due to coronavirus fears Meanwhile, a big space-industry meeting scheduled to take place later this month just 70 miles (110 kilometers) down the road from the APS meeting is still moving forward. According to a statement from the Space Foundation the organization behind the 36th Space Symposium, to be held March 30 through April 2 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado plans for the event "are continuing to move forward." However, the organization "is continually monitoring all of the reporting from the recognized and authoritative sources" concerning the spread of the virus. "With thousands gathering from the civil, military, commercial and international space communities, the safety, security and success of each and every symposium attendee, exhibitor, presenter and guest is always priority one," the Space Foundation statement noted. Related: Coronavirus resources: US state and local health departments "We also know that federal, state and local leaders and public health providers are working together and sharing guidance to safeguard everyone from exposure to the virus. The Space Foundation encourages all of its attendees, exhibitors, presenters and guests to continue to follow the prescribed guidance of these authorities as well as the CDC's healthy habits to prevent cold/flu," the Space Foundation said in the statement, referring to advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "As the 36th Space Symposium approaches, the Space Foundation will be continually working with The Broadmoor, as well as all of our vendors, staff and volunteers, to take appropriate measures to make sure your time with us is safe and successful. When and if additional guidance is provided, we will share further updates as warranted," the statement added. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Similarly, the 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) that's being held in The Woodlands, Texas, March 1620 has underscored the virus issue. "As we prepare for the conference, we are confident that this year's LPSC will be a complete success. However, we want to address how the coronavirus (COVID-19) may impact the conference," event organizers said in a statement. "The health and safety of all attendees and exhibitors are paramount. The LPSC management team is working closely with The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center to take all feasible precautionary measures that might reduce potential health risks at the conference." According to the LPSC statement, the organization continues to follow the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC, which provide constant updates on the virus as well as useful information about protective measures, like proper hand-washing procedures. "Both organizations advise that washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub can eliminate the virus if it is on your hands," LPSC officials said in the statement. While the LPSC management team noted they always provide hand sanitizer for the event's attendees, "we will increase its availability throughout the meeting areas," the statement added. "Both the WHO and CDC also offer information about other healthy and protective practices. We encourage all attendees to visit these websites and remain informed on protective measures." Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 21:22:01|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close An international symposium on counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and promotion and protection of human rights, is held during the ongoing 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, March 2, 2020. (Photo by Li Ye/Xinhua) BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooklyn Roasting Company announced today an initiative that aims to cut the number of paper cups it uses in cafes by half in 2020. Beginning March 15, the company will levy a 10-cent charge for all paper cups while rewarding customers who bring reusable containers to refill with a 25-cent discount. Brooklyn Roasting Company's new program goes into effect just as New York City is banning the use of plastic bags in an effort to reduce waste. The National Coffee Association estimates that Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee daily, much of it in paper cups. Brooklyn Roasting Company prides itself in taking a leadership position among New York City cafes in its advocacy for a progressive environmental agenda. "For the past decade, Brooklyn Roasting Company has been focused on sustainability and fair trade. We actively supported the Greta Thunberg-led climate strike in New York City. Beyond our backyard, it's important to come together to respond to our shared ecological crisis. Let's not forget the toll being taken on global coffee farming communities. With the help of our customers, we know we can do what's right for the planet and people." This is not the first time Brooklyn Roasting Company has set its sights on addressing environmental concerns. Indeed, the coffee company has been devoted to being globally conscious from the start, including by: Using reusable totes rather than cardboard boxes to deliver to wholesale customers Offering reusable drinking vessels Using tin-steel cans that can be separated in landfills by magnets Roasting beans in the most fuel-efficient coffee roaster in the industry Being headquartered in the first LEED-certified building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard About Brooklyn Roasting Company: The Brooklyn Roasting Company buys, roasts and sells superb and sustainable coffees from the world's most renowned growing regions. Brooklyn Roasting Company favors certified coffees (Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, organic) and unique auction-lot coffees. All of our beans are locally roasted every day and expertly packaged in our state-of-the-art production facilities to maximize flavor and freshness. Brooklyn Roasting Company roasts coffees to satisfy the most discerning coffee drinkers and creative coffee thinkers anywhere on the planet. Visit our cafes in New York and in Japan. More about Brooklyn Roasting Company: www.brooklynroasting.com Interviews available: Jim Munson , CEO of Brooklyn Roasting For media interviews, contact Rachel Kessler Kessler Communications, LLC cell: 917.660.0608 [email protected] SOURCE Brooklyn Roasting Company Related Links http://www.brooklynroasting.com Union Health Ministry held a meeting with the Rajasthan Health Department officials on Tuesday over the coronavirus outbreak. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan reviewed the situation and ordered the hotels where the Italian tourists resided, to be sanitized. RK Singh, ACS Health speaking to ANI said, "All the hotels where the Italian tourist stayed are being sanitized. People who came in contact with the infected person, their samples have been collected and have been sent for further testing." In total, 52 samples have been collected and have been sent for testing. An announcement of a setting up of Rapid Response team is scheduled to be announced shortly. Further updates are awaited. (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 Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Kediri Tue, March 3, 2020 18:15 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206801c50 1 National Kediri,Gudang-Garam,Airport,East-Java,archeology,ancient,ancient-sites,brick Free Archeologists have called for the preservation of an ancient brick structure recently found in Kediri, East Java, in an area set to be developed into a new airport funded by major cigarette producer Gudang Garam. "We have to protect the site where some parts of an ancient structure or building have been discovered," archeologist Nugroho Harjo Lukito from the East Java Cultural Heritage Preservation Center told The Jakarta Post recently. We will talk to Gudang Garam because we are going to carry out an initial excavation to determine the size of the ancient structure. He said Gudang Garam would have to adjust its airport site plan because the cultural heritage site was located within the airport area. The structure was first reported by Jasmin, 55, a resident of Grogol village, Grogol district, who accidentally discovered the structure a few months ago as he was walking along a riverbank near rice fields that had been acquired by Gudang Garam. He slipped and fell into the river and saw a structure made of bricks measuring around 2 meters high with a small opening at the bottom. "The structure was covered by thick bushes. I forgot the pain in my legs and tried to take a closer look, Jasmin told the Post, adding that he immediately went to see the village head to tell him about what he had just seen. Nugroho said the structure might be part of a hot spring bath built during the time of the Hindu kingdom of Kediri between 11th and 13th centuries. He said the opening at the bottom was probably a water outlet of an underground water system that supported the hot spring. The kingdom of Kediri had a number of underground water systems, he said. The structures proximity to other heritage sites on the slopes of Mount Klotok also indicated it was of the same origin, he said. There are four hermitage caves and a temple on Mount Klotok, which are all from the time of the Kediri kingdom, he said. Nugroho added that construction workers had also recently found ancient clay housewares around a kilometer from the structure Archeologist Dwi Cahyono from state-run Malang University agreed with Nugroho, saying that the structure could be an important Javanese heritage site that needed to be preserved. "The ancient structure could be a special site within the airport that passengers could look at it," he told the Post. Gudang Garam, through its subsidiary Surya Dhoho Investama, is set to spend around Rp 10 trillion (US$732.4 million) to build the airport, including the acquisition of around 400 hectares of land. The airport, the construction of which is being fully funded by the company, is expected to be bigger than the Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport in Malang and accommodate around 5 million passengers per year. Once completed, it will have a 3,000 meter by 45 m runway that will be able to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, from Boeing B777s to Airbus A350s, as well as a passenger terminal, cargo terminal and parking area. The ancient structure is located just 700 meters from Bedrek hamlet, where some 20 households have yet to agree to the compensation offered by Gudang Garam. "We just want a fair compensation so that we can buy land and build houses with similar proximity and access to public facilities," said Anis, one of the Bedrek villagers. The airports official groundbreaking is scheduled for mid-April. The Emory University Board of Trustees has elected three new members: Andrew W. (Drew) Evans of Atlanta, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Southern Company; Bishop David W. Graves of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Evans has served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Southern Company since 2018, and is responsible for the companys accounting, finance, business development, investor relations, treasury, and information technology functions. He also serves as Southern Companys chief risk officer, and he is a member of the companys management council. Evans was previously president and chief executive officer of Southern Company Gas, as well as chairman of that companys board of directors. Evans joined Southern Company Gas, formerly AGL Resources, in May 2002. In addition to serving as president and CEO, he held several other leadership positions, including chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and treasurer. A graduate of Emory University with a bachelors degree in economics, Evans is also a graduate of the Booth/Kellogg program and CEO Perspectives. He serves as chairman of the Grady Health Foundation, and on the boards of Zoo Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta HomeFirst Atlanta Community Oversight Board. Evans also serves on the energy advisory council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Graves, an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church for more than 28 years, was appointed resident bishop of the churchs Alabama-West Florida Conference in 2016. Along with his cabinet and the Board of Ordained Ministry, Bishop Graves formed a 19-member Bishops Response Team, which stands ready to support congregations across the Alabama-West Florida Conference in times of crisis. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, he began his ministry at the Fountain City United Methodist Church in Knoxville, and served churches in the Chattanooga and Kingsport areas, including as senior pastor for the Ooltewah United Methodist Church, a large membership church. He was appointed superintendent for the Kingsport District of the churchs Holston Conference, where he served for six years and was dean of the cabinet. Graves holds a bachelors of business administration degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a master of divinity degree from Emorys Candler School of Theology. Holston was elected to the episcopacy and assigned as resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2012. Prior to that, he served for seven years as senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta, and before that as superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District of the churchs North Georgia Conference. A native of Griffin, Georgia, he has traveled extensively as a specialist in missions to Ecuador, Uganda, Costa Rica, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, Kenya, India, China, and Hong Kong. He has served the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the Catastrophic Disaster Response Team, and as the Church World Service Disaster Consultant in Georgia. Holston holds a bachelors degree in religion from the University of Georgia, a master of divinity degree from The Interdenominational Theological Center, Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, and several honorary degrees. REVIVE-HF seeks to demonstrate superiority of the Revivent TC System to current guideline treatment for heart failure BioVentrix, Inc., developer of the first transcatheter device for left ventricular remodeling after a heart attack, today announced that Ralph Stephan von Bardeleben, MD, of the University Medical Center of Mainz (Germany) has joined the European REVIVE-HF clinical trial of the Revivent TC Transcatheter Ventricular Enhancement System as co-principal investigator. Dr. von Bardeleben heads the Heart Valve Center and Center of Cardiology at the University of Mainz. He is an internationally recognized authority in interventional cardiology leading a specialized center for advanced transcatheter treatment concepts. He joins co-principal investigators Stefan Anker, MD, of the Berlin-Brandenburger Center for Regenerative Therapy (BCRT) and Volkmar Falk, MD, Medical Director and Director of the Department of Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery at the German Heart Center, Berlin. "I am enthusiastic about joining the investigation of this new approach providing a much-needed alternative to current guideline-directed medical therapy for ischemic heart failure," Dr. von Bardeleben said. "As with catheter-based mitral valve interventions, which created an effective option for thousands of patients who could not undergo surgery, the Revivent TC System offers the hope of effective restoration of left ventricular function to many more patients without open surgery." REVIVE-HF is a prospective, multi-center, dual arm randomized controlled study being conducted in Europe comparing the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy-induced heart failure with the Revivent TC System to Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT). The study encompasses 180 patients in a 2:1 study, comparing 120 patients treated with the investigational therapy with 60 patients in a control group treated with standard medical treatment alone. Endpoints include improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life as clinical functional parameters. "Dr. von Bardeleben is a leader in less invasive catheter-based heart valve therapy," Dr. Anker said. "We are pleased to add Dr. von Bardeleben as co-principal investigator of the REVIVE-HF clinical trial and feel his expertise in less invasive cardiac interventions will provide great value to the study." The first patient was enrolled and treated in the REVIVE-HF study in September 2019. The company also recently announced that Gregg Stone, MD, director of academic affairs for the Mount Sinai Heart Health System and co-director at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York City, NY, joined the U.S. pivotal trial of the Revivent TC system the ALIVE Trial as a co-principal investigator. Dr. Stone is considered a global expert on transcatheter cardiovascular devices and has served as a principal investigator for more than 100 randomized trials. Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement, or the LIVE Therapy, uses the Revivent TC System to exclude scar tissue on the left ventricle that has occurred from a heart attack so the healthy portion of the heart can operate more efficiently. Micro-anchors are implanted and designed to remodel the heart to a more normal shape and size and reduce wall stress, which has been shown to improve blood flow throughout the body. About BioVentrix BioVentrix is a privately held medical device company headquartered in San Ramon, CA, USA. Its mission is to improve and expand the treatments available for congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy through the development of less invasive, catheter-based approaches. Note: The Revivent TC System has received the CE Mark and is approved for sale in Europe. It is considered investigational and is not approved for sale in the United States. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005074/en/ Contacts: U.S. Media Contact Michelle McAdam Chronic Communications Inc. E: michelle@chronic-comm.com T:: (310) 902-1274 EU Media Contact Benedikta Springer Ammersee Communication GmbH E: benedikta.springer@ammersee-communication.de T: +49 89 71 67 231 10 Study showing that setanaxib breaks treatment resistance to checkpoint inhibitors was published in Cancer Research, the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research Data suggest the possibility of using setanaxib in combination with multiple types of immunotherapies to enhance treatment responses Multiple publications with setanaxib and other Genkyotex molecules highlight the strong interest for NOX therapies and Genkyotex compounds Regulatory News: Genkyotex (Paris:GKTX) (Brussels:GKTX) (Euronext Paris Brussels: FR0013399474 GKTX), a biopharmaceutical company and the leader in NOX therapies, announced today that setanaxib, the Company's NOX1 and NOX4 inhibitor, was shown to significantly improve immunotherapy in multiple preclinical cancer models. Results from this preclinical study were published in Cancer Research, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. In this study, conducted by Professor Gareth Thomas and his colleagues at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, setanaxib was able to overcome immune cell exclusion and enhance response to multiple immunotherapies. Immune exclusion, the inability of effector T-cells to penetrate the tumor and kill cancer cells, is emerging as one of the key causes of resistance to immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell therapy, and therapeutic vaccines. This study showed that the exclusion effect is caused by activated cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), making CAFs a promising therapeutic target, but as yet, there are no clinically available CAF-specific inhibitors. The Southampton team had previously identified the enzyme NOX4 as a key regulator of CAF activation in multiple solid cancers. In the present study, they tested the effect of setanaxib, Genkyotex's NOX1 and NOX4 inhibitor, and found that it reverses CAF activation, overcomes immune exclusion and promotes infiltration of CD8T-cells into tumors. Importantly, setanaxib abolished treatment resistance and enhanced immunotherapeutic responses to anti-PD1 antibodies and therapeutic vaccination. This work is supported by a Small Molecule Drug Discovery grant from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) to evaluate the optimal clinical development strategy for setanaxib in oncology. Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. The objective of the funded program is to inform the design of a potential clinical trial of setanaxib in combination with an available immunotherapy. "Immunotherapy has been the most important advance in cancer treatment for several decades, and overcoming the tumor immune exclusion effect is now a major goal, since it significantly limits its effectiveness. These new results provide evidence that setanaxib improves immunotherapy response in CAF-rich tumors, and this could help a significant proportion of patients who are currently resistant to this type of treatment" said Professor Gareth Thomas. "These results are consistent with setanaxib's anti-fibrotic mechanism and suggest that setanaxib could become an important adjunctive therapy used in combination with several types of immunotherapies. Clinical proof of concept for its anti-fibrotic effect and favorable safety profile has been demonstrated in our recent trial in liver fibrosis. These results pave the way for the clinical evaluation of setanaxib in oncology" said Philippe Wiesel, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Genkyotex. The original research article, entitled "NOX4 inhibition potentiates immunotherapy by overcoming cancer-associated fibroblast-mediated CD8 T-cell exclusion from tumors" is currently available on the website of Cancer Research. Other publications Multiple publications over the last year highlight the strong interest for NOX therapies. A selection of manuscripts published in the second half of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020 is listed below: Nox (NADPH Oxidase) 1, Nox4, and Nox5 Promote Vascular Permeability and Neovascularization in Retinopathy. Deliyanti D, Alrashdi SF, Touyz RM, Kennedy CR, Jha JC, Cooper ME, Jandeleit-Dahm KA, Wilkinson-Berka JL. Hypertension. 2020 Mar 2: Hypertension. AHA11914100. doi: 10.1161 A closer look into NADPH oxidase inhibitors: Validation and insight into their mechanism of action. Reis J, Massari M, Marchese S, Ceccon M, Aalbers FS, Corana F, Valente S, Mai A, Magnani F, Mattevi A. Redox Biol. 2020 Feb 15;32:101466. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101466. [Epub ahead of print] Targeting the NADPH Oxidase-4 and Liver X Receptor Signaling Axis Preserve Schwann Cell Integrity in Diabetic Mice. Eid SA, El Massry M, Hichor M, Haddad M, Grenier J, Dia B, Barakat R, Boutary S, Chanal J, Aractingi S, Wiesel P, Szyndralewiez C, Azar ST, Boitard C, Zaatari G, Eid AA, Massaad C. Diabetes. 2019 Dec 27 Isoform-selective NADPH oxidase inhibitor panel for pharmacological target validation. Dao VT, Elbatreek MH, Altenhofer S, Casas AI, Pachado MP, Neullens CT, Knaus UG, Schmidt HHHW. Free Radic Biol Med. 2020 Feb 20;148:60-69. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.12.038. Epub 2019 Dec 25. A physician-initiated double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of inhibition of NADPH oxidase with the first-in-class Nox-1/4 inhibitor, GKT137831, in adults with type 1 diabetes and persistently elevated urinary albumin excretion: protocol and statistical considerations. Reutens AT, Jandeleit-Dahm K, Thomas M, Bach LA, Colman PG, Davis TME, D'Emden M, Ekinci EI, Fulcher G, Hamblin PS, Kotowicz MA, MacIsaac RJ, Morbey C, Simmons D, Soldatos G, Wittert G, Wu T, Cooper ME, Shaw JE. Contemp Clin Trials. 2019 Nov 15:105892 Spironolactone suppresses aldosterone-induced Kv1.5 expression by attenuating mineralocorticoid receptor-Nox1/2/4-mediated ROS generation in neonatal rat atrial myocytes. Lu G, Li J, Zhai Y, Li Q, Xie D, Zhang J, Xiao Y, Gao X. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2019 Dec 3;520(2):379-384. Nox2 and Nox4 Participate in ROS-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis and Brain Injury During Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats. Wang J, Liu Y, Shen H, Li H, Wang Z, Chen G. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2020;127:47-54 Activated hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts contribute to cholestatic liver fibrosis in MDR2 knockout mice. Nishio T, Hu R, Koyama Y, Liang S, Rosenthal SB, Yamamoto G, Karin D, Baglieri J, Ma HY, Xu J, Liu X, Dhar D, Iwaisako K, Taura K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. J Hepatol. 2019 Sep;71(3):573-585 NADPH oxidase 4 mediates TGF-1/Smad signaling pathway induced acute kidney injury in hypoxia. Cho S, Yu SL, Kang J, Jeong BY, Lee HY, Park CG, Yu YB, Jin DC, Hwang WM, Yun SR, Song HS, Park MH, Yoon SH. PLoS One. 2019 Jul 18;14(7) Acute Changes in NADPH Oxidase 4 in Early Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis. Wegner AM, Campos NR, Robbins MA, Haddad AF, Cunningham HC, Yik JHN, Christiansen BA, Haudenschild DR. J Orthop Res. 2019 Jul 15 Pharmacological characterization of the seven human NOX isoforms and their inhibitors. Augsburger F, Filippova A, Rasti D, Seredenina T, Lam M, Maghzal G, Mahiout Z, Jansen-Durr P, Knaus UG, Doroshow J, Stocker R, Krause KH, Jaquet V. Redox Biol. 2019 Sep;26:101272. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101272. About Cancer Research Cancer Research is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Association for Cancer Research. It covers research on all aspects of cancer and cancer-related biomedical sciences and was established in 1941. Its impact factor is 8.4. 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 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005843/en/ Contacts: GENKYOTEX Alexandre Grassin CFO Tel.: +33 (0)5 61 28 70 60 investors@genkyotex.com NewCap Dusan Oresansky Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 genkyotex@newcap.eu Sydney and Melbourne airports and the federal government will consider letting airlines suspend flights while the coronavirus crisis guts travel demand, without the risk they will lose their scarce international traffic slots. The International Air Transport Association on Tuesday called for the immediate suspension of airport slot rules to allow carriers more flexibility as the health crisis spreads beyond Asia and into Europe. Passengers leaving the Sydney International Airport on Saturday. The coronavirus outbreak has gutted international travel demand. Credit:Getty Images Carriers must operate at least 80 per cent of their allocated international airport slots, or face losing rights to the landing time and capacity in the next corresponding season. But regulators can relax that rule in exceptional circumstances. IATA said the COVID-19 was having such a significant impact on its members that the use-it-or-lose-it rule should not apply for the next "slot season", through to October. "Traffic has collapsed on key Asian routes and this is rippling throughout the air transport network globally, even between countries without major outbreaks of COVID-19," said IATA chief executive Alexandre de Juniac. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tigerair have all been hit by the coronavirus and cut capacity into Asia, on the Trans-Tasman routes and across their domestic networks. IATA expected global air traffic to fall this year - the first decline in more than a decade. A spokeswoman for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications said the government was considering IATA's request, which had also been made by Sydney Airport's slot manager and supported by a number of Australian and international airlines. A Melbourne Airport spokesman said it was working with airlines to "support their businesses during this challenging time". The airport had flexibility in its system that allowed it to preserve existing agreements with incumbent airlines "that we can revert to when its appropriate to do so", he said. Sydney Airport meanwhile was "supportive of any practical measures that can assist the industry through this period and that assists with the return to normal operations as quickly as is reasonably possible", a spokeswoman said. Bodycam footage reveals the moment a mom is confronted by a law enforcement officer at a Florida Walmart after allegedly trying to light a bomb she was observed making out of materials she had pulled off the store's shelves. Emily Rae Stallard, 37, is seen in the footage taken in January at a Tampa Walmart store holding a lighter and later denies the materials in her cart were hers. The cart contained a candle wick, mason jars, nails and denatured alcohol, said authorities. Scroll down for video Stallard was charged with with attempted arson, fire bombing, child abuse, battery on a law enforcement officer and contributing to the delinquency of a minor Bodycam footage shows the moment Emily Rae Stallard (white shirt, right), 37, was arrested at a Tampa Walmart in January after she was accused of trying to light a bomb she was observed making out of materials she had pulled off the store's shelves The footage shows Stallard moving nervously as she's approached by an off-duty Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Stallard, who was with her son at the time of the incident on January 11, was charged with attempted arson, fire bombing, child abuse, battery on a law enforcement officer and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A security guard first called deputies with the Hillsborough Sheriff's Department to the scene, where they learned that the woman had been roaming the store for approximately an hour with her son. With assistance from an off-duty Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer, Stallard was detained 'without incident.' After the officer identifies himself, Stallard is seen in the footage holding a lighter in her right hand Additional footage later reveals Stallard with her son (obscured) being escorted into the parking lot outside the Walmart Additional footage shows Stallard, along with her son, being escorted out of the store. Once outside, the footage shows her handcuffed while being questioned standing against a sheriff's office vehicle. A deputy's voice can be heard telling her, 'The reason that you're in handcuffs now is for the mason jar filled with nails and kerosene.' 'That wasn't mine,' she answers back. 'If there was something like that, it was n't mine.' The officer responds by telling her, 'Yeah well, they have video of you putting that together.' 'Ha!,' she laughs, before again stating her denial. 'It wasn't me.' Once outside, the footage shows her handcuffed while being questioned standing against a Hillsborough Sheriff's office vehicle An unknown person in the video footage goes through a cart that was alleged to have been Stallard's. Mason jars and alcohol can be seen among other store items The footage appears to show Stallard kicking at the door of a sheriff's vehicle after she is arrested An officer then warns her about acting out physically, which he said could result in additional charges against her. 'I swear, if you break my window or dent my truck, you're going to have additional charges,' the officers warns her. He then warns her a second time when she kicks at the door. 'You realize you just kicked the door into my wrist?' the officer asks. Florida Police Scanner reported at the time that the woman had tried to spit on officers as they apprehended her and placed her in a patrol car. Can social media be saved? Can democracy be saved? The first question may seem less compelling than the second, but to some very worried observers, they are intimately entwined. Social networking on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and a host of other online networks is the root of all current cultural evils, in the eyes of some critics. However, campaigns to persuade users to withdraw from it have gained little traction. Undeniably, social networks offer positive experiences that are hard to give up. They connect people instantly. They disseminate photos of newborn babies, delicious recipes and miraculously standing brooms. They let us know when celebrities or old acquaintances have passed on. They help raise money for good causes. They educate. They provide a forum for discussions that are penetrating and sincere. For some, they are an antidote for loneliness. They also vacuum up users personal data and share it with marketers to support alarmingly targeted advertising campaigns. They provide convenient tools for bullies to harass their victims. They offer a platform for hate speech and terrorist recruitment. They distort the truth. They spread and amplify fake news and other lies. They sow distrust and enmity among family members and friends. They chip at the very foundation of long-treasured institutions. Some see them as an existential threat. As part of a comprehensive virtual discussion on the state of technology in 2020, we put two central questions to ECTs panel of industry insiders in an effort to tease apart some of these tangled issues. We asked them to identify the biggest problems with social media and to propose some potential solutions. We also asked how concerned they were about the spread of disinformation online, particularly with respect to elections, and for their insights on how that issue should be addressed. Our roundtable participants were Laura DiDio, principal at ITIC; Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group; Ed Moyle, partner at SecurityCurve; Denis Pombriant, managing principal at the Beagle Research Group; and Jonathan Terrasi, a tech journalist who focuses on computer security, encryption, open source, politics and current affairs. Social Media Ills in a Nutshell The trouble with social media platforms, according to our panelists, is that they make it so easy for people to behave badly. Also, people are too careless with their information. Its too easy for an impulsive moment to go viral. Theres a lack of foresight when it comes to managing these vast personal data respositories. Social networks have all but destroyed privacy. Social networking is addictive. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Platforms are biased. Standards are not applied fairly. Theyre businesses that want to profit, above all else. Some solutions? Break them up. Require licensing. Deploy artificial intelligence monitors. Regulate. The Social Blob Users are both the victims and the villains on social media, suggested Rob Enderle, who noted the tendency for people to post without thinking. In general, many people think they can hide behind the anonymity of their keyboards and use social media as a weapon to bully other people, with little thought for the consequences of what they type, said Laura DiDio. Many people also overshare and provide too much information about themselves and their personal life. This too, can have unintended and often tragic consequences, she added. The social media business model is exploitative, remarked Jonathan Terrasi, in the sense that consumers only nominally consent to it, very seldom providing truly informed consent. Privacy is the biggest issue, said Ed Moyle. One macabre factor is that users social media accounts often outlive them, noted DiDio. I still get notifications for birthdays, anniversaries, etc., for deceased friends and coworkers, she remarked. A D V E R T I S E M E N T The challenge of fixing social media may seem insurmountable, but there is no shortage of potential solutions on offer, ranging from creative ways to modify personal behavior to business self-regulation to accepting the need for governmental intervention. The most obvious solution is to practice discretion, but Im not sure how realistic that is for many people, said DiDio. Ive seen some people say theyre taking a break from Facebook or Twitter or Instagram in the morning only to be back posting a few hours later! To paraphrase Karl Marx: Social media is the opiate of the people. AI to the Rescue? Instead of persuading people to stop using social media platforms, why not provide tools that can help them engage more wisely? Perhaps artificial intelligence systems could be of use in this regard, Enderle suggested. Imagine that youre firing off an angry reply to your brother-in-laws snarky political jibe and, as you type, a little thought balloon pops up and asks you if you really want to post that comment. Perhaps the AI even suggests language that makes your point in a less confrontational way. Speaking Freely To me, the most significant issue with social media is uniform and transparent applications of a platforms community standards,' said Terrasi. At this point, people seem to have not just conceded that social media puts limits on online speech, but have actually welcomed certain forms of what is, at the end of the day, censorship, he pointed out. Whether its removing Islamic State (ISIS) content at the behest of the Obama administration, or social media cracking down on disinformation in the face of vociferous pressure from their users, policing certain kinds of speech on social media is a practice that users truly want, Terrasi maintained. However, what were finding, both historically and presently, is that social media companies do not enforce their standards uniformly, and a lot of users activists especially feel that they are being dealt with more harshly than other users who have committed more grave infractions, he said. Its gotten to the point where different political factions believe that a given social media platform is secretly carrying water for their opponents, which at the very least creates a toxic atmosphere for discourse, Terrasi observed. About 100 years ago, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote the defining standard for free speech, said Denis Pombriant. It had something to do with issuing propaganda during wartime. Holmes said that the speech much present a clear and present danger to society for society to take action against it. Thats where we get the idea that free speech or not, you cant yell fire in a crowded theater. It makes sense, he continued. Using that standard, there are many things happening on social media today that violate the standard set by Holmes. Rather than regulating speech per se, which is a never-ending pit to fall into, if we applied simple structures that have worked well for centuries already, we could reduce the problem to a minimum without trampling anyones rights, Pombriant suggested. The Self-Policing Approach One of the underlying problems with social media is the internal corruption of the platforms that is attributable to runaway greed, suggested Pombriant. The CEOs represent a new gilded age, he remarked. Social media has a business model problem that will be solved when they are broken up into platforms and apps, Pombriant suggested. Further, like other professional organizations that police themselves, social media platforms should be subjected to certification and licensing for professional participation, he argued. This works well for all kinds of occupations, from doctors and lawyers to electricians and barbers. You can cut your own hair, you can wire a socket in your own home, you can treat your own cold without professional intervention but if you want to do any of those things for others you need a license, Pombriant noted. Social media for personal use should not require any form of licensing, but when organizations use it to influence the public it is reasonable to require them to have demonstrated competency up to and including identifying who they are unambiguously, he said. How many social media ills could be solved right now with just minimal transparency? Not having that transparency is the core of a clear and present danger, maintained Pombriant. I see what youre saying, Denis, and it seems very elegant on paper, but I dont see that working in practice at least in the realm of political speech, which produced the consternation that precipitated the present vigorous public discourse on online speech, Terrasi responded. If corporate or governmental political actors identified themselves as such, then we could by all means require licensing on their part, he agreed. The reality, though, is that nothing will compel these actors to do any such thing. If, for instance, a private sector entity with fringe political agendas wants to incept its narrative, they will just get people to create accounts and generate content under the pretense that they are individuals sharing their sincerely held personal beliefs, Terrasi said. There is literally no way to police this practice, short of shaking down every user of every account and investigating the possibility that they represent some entity other than themselves, he pointed out. Not only would these rogue political actors do this, but they have in fact done this: Russia sowed discord in the American public discourse in 2016 by fabricating fake personas of individuals with supposedly personally held beliefs, and these messages resonated with American voters enough that they were amplified, Terrasi added. I dont see a realistic way to out every account that serves the interests of a larger entity, with or without licensing requirements. The Big Guns Manipulation at a national scale requires intelligent regulation, according to Enderle. That said, I fear intelligent regulation is an oxymoron, he added. It seems to me that the only long-term viable solution is regulation, Moyle agreed. Social media needs to make money to operate, and companies will derive revenue in whatever way theyre allowed, so the business model wont change until substantive government regulation gives them an ultimatum, Terrasi chimed in. I believe that eventually the liabilities surrounding social media will eliminate or nationalize most of it, Enderle predicted. It is becoming one of the most useful tools to coordinate a variety of attacks and, traditionally, governments will prioritize eliminating risks like that. Doomed by Disinformation? In this weeks informal ECT News poll, we asked readers how concerned they were about online disinformation during the U.S. presidential election cycle. Although were still polling and the final results arent yet in, a whopping 58 percent of respondents so far said they were very concerned, and 15 percent were somewhat concerned. In contrast, 27 percent of those polled were not at all concerned. There was no waffling among our roundtable panelists. Theyre very worried. Disinformation is everywhere. It is a potent weapon and made all the more so because many people simply do not recognize it as such, said DiDio. Too often the news media is guilty of promoting opinion instead of fact and in trying to be first instead of right, she pointed out. Early on in my career as a reporter, Ted Kavanau who was the news director at WNEW-TV in New York, had a sign posted as you entered the newsroom: There are two sides to every story. How many sides did you get?' There are many forces seeding the mushrooming disinformation cloud, Enderle suggested. The proliferation of disinformation increasingly tied to foreign governments and fringe groups is greatly concerning as is the increased use of false statements of fact from political figures and national news organizations, he said. This appears to be tearing much of the West apart. Yet fixes could destroy free speech. These unfortunate trends could eventually destroy much of the democratic governments that exist and at the heart of the efforts are our own social networks. I fear the repercussions will be far more dire than we currently realize, Enderle added. The problem is larger than elections IMHO, agreed Moyle. The election problem is especially vexing because it involves foreign nations and such interference can be construed as an act of war, noted Pombriant. We need to come together globally to agree on standards for what is OK and what is out of bounds. It probably involves a cyberwar treaty or addendum to the Geneva Conventions, he suggested. So Andrey Krutskikh, a senior Kremlin advisor, bragged about the Russian disinformation capability in 2016, Moyle pointed out. They will absolutely do this again. They have to in order to achieve the objective they wanted, as a negotiation instrument with the U.S., he continued. So get ready for that. More disinformation incoming for sure, Moyle said. While there is probably no way to know definitively one way or the other, elections prior to the 2016 U.S. federal election were not perceived, or forensically proven, to have been compromised by disinformation on social media disinformation being intentional inaccuracy while misinformation is unintentional despite the fact that social media has been a factor in campaigning for at least the previous two federal elections, Terrasi pointed out. So the question we have to pose to ourselves is, did social media platforms actually become a more fertile ground for disinformation since 2012, or did the agent provocateurs and partisan political operatives simply get more adept in abusing social media to proliferate disinformation? he wondered. It takes time for any actor to become versed in a new medium, and it could be that political actors are just acclimating to social media just as it took a while for them to fully leverage television, Terrasi suggested. Political speech is one of the rare forms of First Amendment speech that is truly unlimited, so the government cant really regulate what is said. Concurrently, social media has no incentive to ban all political speech from their platforms even if they ban paid political ads, as some platforms have to date, he added. Bearing all of that in mind, the only viable remedy for the manipulation of information intended for the political forum is tighter regulation on political spending, which is not something the federal government has pursued very far lately. Any change on this front will have to come from a bipartisan groundswell of popular support, Terrasi maintained. What to Do? As grave as the problem may be, there are ways to combat the tsunami of disinformation, our panelists maintained. The problem, and it is serious, can be solved through certification of users, breaking up the vendors, and demanding transparency, insisted Pombriant. This is an ideal use of a behavioral AI looking for data trends and red flagging them for mitigation, or automatically mitigating with a defined escalation path to remediate any mistakes, suggested Enderle. The best solution could be a more basic one, however. To reduce the effectiveness of disinformation campaigns, we need an increase in critical thinking skills across the board, said Moyle. Many people arent trained well in critical thinking skills. They literally are unable to tell a biased or untrustworthy source from a reliable one, he pointed out. Fixing this requires building up those skills which is challenging to do. Long term, this issue will resolve itself. Young people now learn to tell the difference between news and spurious crap early as a survival skill, Moyle noted. We likely should aggressively teach both confirmation bias and argumentative theory at a young age so our race learns to self-mitigate. We have found the problem and it truly is us, Enderle added. The only sure defense is equipping everyone to serve as their own best advocate and critically evaluate all the information presented to them and the motives behind its presentation. It is an arduous, unglamorous task, but it is the only one that promises a durable solution, said Terrasi. Everyone needs to check and vet their sources of information and not simply jump to conclusions and retweet or share so-called facts before they are certain that it is factual and correct information, urged DiDio. Think for yourself and question everything! Thats a good start, she said. In the digital age, information and disinformation is literally no further than our fingertips. Unfortunately, many people tend to consume information with less thought then they would give to what flavor they want in their morning beverage, DiDio remarked. We as individuals and collectively as organizations news, vendors etc. have to demand critical thinking and apply standards and regulations for noncompliance, she maintained. Once disinformation hits the Internet, its very difficult to take down, DiDio observed. So there must be consequences. Current laws have many loopholes, and we as a society must work to close those loopholes and we must also enact new legislation that keeps pace with and adequately delivers punishment that fits the crime, she argued. The Institutions That Sustain Us One possible approach to stopping the madness could be to shore up the institutions that have served our society well when other crises have threatened the social fabric. The threat posed by disinformation is certainly dire, but I think it is early to sound the death knell for liberal democracies, Terrasi said. I think some of this pessimism owes to the admittedly difficult nature of education-based campaigns, because all it takes is a large enough segment of uneducated or easily misled voters to swing an election another case of the chain being only as strong as the weakest link, he pointed out. I think that this effort can be bolstered by restoring integrity and vigor in our civil institutions, Terrasi suggested. I know that that is a somewhat unpopular opinion at the moment, but institutions have historically been arbiters of contentious but complex subjects that make their outcomes felt on society at large, he continued. I dont think having expert bodies weighing in on complicated issues is a bad thing, Terrasi added. What I will grant is that many institutions have been co-opted by narrow powerful interests, and that has to be addressed. I can accept if we need to clean house in some institutions, but I still think we need functioning ones to anchor public discourse in facts, he emphasized. It requires a compromise in which institutions admit their failings, and the public admits that ordinary people usually dont have better answers to the intricacies of policy making than experts do. Six Agra residents, all from the same family and related to the Delhi man who tested positive for SARS-Cov-2, which causes the novel Coronavirus disease, were referred to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday morning after developing symptoms of COVID-19. Of the six persons, two are brothers, both footwear traders who visited Italy on a business trip recently. They were accompanied by the Delhi man. Doctors said samples of all 13 members of the families of both the brothers were taken but symptoms were found in only six people.Samples were taken of all 13 family members, including those who came in contact with the brothers, said the chief medical officer, Dr Mukesh Vats, on Tuesday. Six out of these 13 had symptoms of Coronavirus and all were referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The remaining seven have been quarantined at their residence. The report for all 13 is awaited, the CMO added. There is no need for panic as we are fully prepared. We have enough three-layered N 95 masks and isolation wards have been created at SN Medical College and the District Hospital, he added. The superintendent in charge of District Hospital, Agra, Dr Satish Verma, too cautioned against panic. He added that 19 tourists from Italy were also tested, but they exhibited no symptoms. A 20th member of the group, who is in Jaipurs Sawai Man Singh Hospital , has tested positive for the virus. And a 21st, the mans wife is also suspected to be infected. The 19 tourists have since been moved to the ITBPs Chawala Camp in Delhi for quarantine and undergone a second round of testing. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hemendra Chaturvedi Hemendra Chaturvedi is based in Agra serving as a Principal Correspondent, covering districts of Agra and Aligarh division of western Uttar Pradesh. He has been with HT since 1992 and has completed 25 year of association with HT. ...view detail Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA Esmeralda Martinez got the news via a WhatsApp message: a court had invalidated the US remain in Mexico program, which had obliged her to stay put south of the border while her asylum claim was heard. Related: Trump's 'shameful' migrant stance condemns thousands to violent limbo in Mexico It had been six months since she fled Guatemala after the murder of her husband. For a brief moment, it seemed she and her 13-year-old daughter Jazmin might be able to move on from the dismal frontier encampment where they have been stranded. She packed her court papers in a black and yellow backpack, stuffed her clothes into a suitcase and prepared to move on. But just hours after Fridays ruling, the same three-judge panel suspended its own order pending fresh arguments, leaving the policy formally known as migrant protection protocols (MPP) in full effect. Despite the confusion, the temporary invalidation of MPP offered rare hope for about 2,500 migrants living in the insecure and insalubrious tent city along the Rio Grande in the city of Matamoros, a stronghold of the notorious Gulf cartel. Dozens of asylum seekers, some clutching printed copies of the 57-page court decision, headed straight to the bridge separating Matamoros and Brownsville, Texas. They were turned back by US border guards. We were all hoping for this inhumane and macabre program to be invalidated, said Joel Fernandez, 51, a Cuban asylum seeker who also had his bags packed. MPP has forced more than 60,000 migrants to wait in some of Mexicos most dangerous cities. The Mexican government pledged to provide work permits and access to healthcare, housing and educational opportunities, but those promises have largely gone unfulfilled. And as they wait, the migrants are easy targets for criminal gangs. In one month last year, three-quarters of asylum seekers seen by physicians working for Doctors Without Borders in the city of Nuevo Laredo reported having been kidnapped for ransom. Story continues Related: Kidnappers prey with total impunity on migrants waiting for hearings in Mexico Its tough living here, said Martinez, 30, as a pot of beans boiled over an open fire outside her tent. Its cold. Its unsafe. Weve been followed three times [by the gangs]. Over the weekend, immigration lawyers attempted to clear the confusion, convening scrums of migrants and trying to answer their questions. Theres good news and bad news, said Jodi Goodwin, a Brownsville immigration attorney. Everyone must continue preparing their cases; you need to continue going to court. She also cautioned against illegal entry to the US. The risks if you jump the river are one these consequences: you go to prison or you go to Guatemala [where the US is now sending asylum seekers] or youll face expedited expulsion, she said. The number of asylum claims in cities like Brownsville has been declining. A crackdown by Mexican authorities has choked the migrant flow, while expedited expulsion and the new policy of sending migrants to Guatemala has reduced the numbers of people waiting for an asylum decision. Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol in a refugee camp in Matamoros. Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA Were seeing dramatically lower numbers in Brownsville, said Charlene DCruz, a border fellow for Lawyers for Good Governments Project Corazon. MPP worked as proponents hoped, DCruz said, because it took 60,000 people out of the traditional asylum process. But what do we mean by success? Humanity-wise, we have completely failed as a people. Related: Scared for my life: why more Indians are joining migrants on risky journey to reach the US As the number of asylum seekers from Central America and further afield slowly dwindles in Matamoros, a new group has replaced them: Mexicans fleeing rampant violence in central and southern states. Mariana came to the camp with her family six weeks ago from Veracruz state, where she says a drug cartel tried to forcibly recruit her teenage son. Her turn to apply for asylum was fast approaching and couldnt come fast enough. Weve gone hungry. Weve been cold. Weve had to bathe in the river, she said as she cooked eggs and chilies for her children. This is a desperate place. Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/03/2020 -- The report "Molluscicides Market by Type (Chemical (Metaldehyde, Methiocarb, Ferric Phosphate) and Biological Molluscicides), Application (Agricultural and Non-Agricultural), Form (Pellets, and Liquid & Gel), and Region - Global Trends & Forecast to 2023", The molluscicides market is estimated to be USD 587.8 million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 727.8 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. The high commercial losses incurred due to snail attacks on horticulture crops have increased the usage of molluscicides for these crops. Further, the golden apple snail (GAS) is among the growing species of snails that attack rice crops in Asian countries such as China and Japan. For this reason, the demand for biological molluscicides is increasing significantly across all regions. Market Dynamics Rain-fast characteristican important attribute for the increasing demand for molluscicides and increasing adoption of agrochemicals in developing countries Rain-fastness can be defined as a characteristic that enables a molluscicide product to withstand high levels of rain and still work effectively against snails and slugs. This is a highly desired characteristic in molluscicides as most crops that use molluscicides require standing water or are close to the groundwater level. Wet conditions are suitable for the growth of mollusks and can also dilute or wash away the active ingredient. Rain-fastness enables the ingredient to remain stable and intact on the plant surface. Surfactants and wetting agents are used as additives to improve this attribute. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=177621172 Continuous advancements in the technology used in agriculture have led to a shift in farming practices. With the increased export and import of agricultural commodities across different geographies, especially in developing regions, new types of harmful organisms have emerged, leading to an increase in the demand for novel active ingredient products to safeguard crops. The progress of agricultural chemistry has enabled farmers to engage in intensive crop management in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea. Geographical limitation on molluscicide usage Mollusks adapt to all habitats on land, with thousands of species living a fully terrestrial existence. Found on rocky, sandy, and muddy substrata, mollusks burrow, crawl, and become cemented to the surface, or are free-swimming. Snails and slugs are mostly found in tropical and temperate regions which receive heavy annual rainfall. They require moist or wet environments. Consequently, they are active at night or during periods of high humidity or rainfall. Snails are intolerant to dry conditions, which limits their presence in hot & arid regions. Hence, the high demand for molluscicide products is witnessed from farmers and customers in these habitats. Introducing "green eco-friendly" molluscicide products and the growing awareness for mollusk control Major manufacturing players have begun producing environment-friendly molluscicide products by utilizing natural and non-harmful by-products. There are no efficient biological controls to combat invasive mollusks. The application of synthetic molluscicides has a toxic effect on non-target organisms; it affects crop establishment and causes problems of algal blooms and pesticide residue. This gives rise to the need for botanical molluscicides as an alternative. However, there is currently no effective, safe, and economically viable molluscicide formulation. Platcom Ventures Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) developed a polyherbal molluscicide, which is an effective formulation to combat invasive mollusks, especially golden apple snails. In contrast to synthetic molluscicides that have a toxic effect on non-target organisms, this polyherbal formulation is a biological control method, with low toxicity against non-target organisms and is also biodegradable. Bioaccumulation Bioaccumulation is the accumulation of contaminants by aquatic organisms from sources such as water, food, and suspended sediment particles. Mollusks, especially mussels, effectively filter water and trap contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, metals, and hydrocarbons associated with oil pollutionpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Mussels generally remain at the same location for months to years and accumulate concentrations of many contaminants. They have been proposed as freshwater environmental biomonitors, especially for large rivers or for analyses over time at single locations near contaminant sources. Mussels accumulate many pollutants, including the metals cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). The bioaccumulation process also affects other aquatic animals, microflora, and fauna plant vegetation, triggering genetic modifications and giving rise to new pesticide-resistant species. Emerging markets for molluscicides in Asia Pacific Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing market between 2018 and 2023. Emerging economies such as China and India play an important role in supplying active ingredients (chemicals such as metaldehyde) as raw materials to the North American and European markets. Molluscicides is still a niche segment of the global pesticides market. Some species of mollusks, particularly certain snails and slugs can be severe pests, and when introduced into new environments, can cause imbalances in local ecosystems. Key global molluscicides manufacturers are implementing geographic expansion strategies to open new business centers with new active substances and the formulated products into wet tropical regions of Asia, South America, as well as in South Africa. Molluscicides containing active ingredients such as niclosamide, endosulfan, camellia seed cake (residue), and copper sulfate are often used to control golden snails in Asian countries such as India and Malaysia. In the Philippines, farmers stopped using molluscicides because of their high costs and adverse effects on humans and animals, while in Australia and New Zealand, slugs cause severe crop damage. In Japan, these chemicals are not registered due to their negative effects on the environment. Hence, global molluscicide manufacturers have been developing innovative and customized products based on the regional requirements, especially in the Asia Pacific and South American regions. Make an Inquiry: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=177621172 Key Market Players The key product providers in this market include Lonza Group (Switzerland), Bayer Cropscience (Germany), American Vanguard Corporation (US), BASF (Germany), Adama Agricultural Solutions (Israel), Marrone Bio Innovations (US), De Sangosse (UK), Doff Portland (UK), Certis Europe (Netherlands), PI Industries (India), Syngenta (Switzerland), and Neudorff GmbH (Germany). Lonza Group (Lonza) is primarily engaged in developing, manufacturing, and distributing chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and biotherapeutics, globally. The company operates through two business segmentsspecialty ingredients and pharma & biotech. The company offers molluscicides through its specialty ingredient division that is further subdivided into agro ingredient division. Natalie Jantjies has worked in various IT roles at a range of big brands, from South African Breweries and Coca-Cola to British American Tobacco and now, Heineken. When she started out as head of IT at the South African office for the Dutch brewing company in 2017, she was pretty much setting up the function from scratch, working only with SAPs ERP Central Component (ECC), which had been implemented by the global parent company. The ECC essentially integrates data from various components of a business enterprise resourse planning suite of applications; for example, it updates the various related components that need refreshing when information in one module changes. On top of the base ECC, Jatjies has had to build capabilities including sales execution, IT service and ticket management, and B2B capabilities, as well as the processes and structures needed to ensure that IT delivers real value. We chatted to Jantjies about IT projects, business operations and her golden triangle for success. Tell us about your current role. In December of 2018, I was offered the opportunity to lead digital transformation at Heineken. I was given a big blank canvas; nothing was in place. Some people find this exciting but its also quite daunting. So I had to set up a digital strategy that matched and mirrored our business strategy and I am still in the process of putting all of this in place. With no processes in place, where do you begin when youre looking to support the business with IT? Heineken SA Natalie Jantjies is digital transformation director at Heineken SA. Despite being a global organization, we really didnt have a global strategy or any direction around how to go about handling this new digital age. For me, the choice of where to start was actually easy. I started out my career in finance and business so I tried to look at everything through this lens. I focused on trying to keep stakeholders and shareholders happy by focusing on the business broader strategic objectives. To find this out, I met with each of the functional directors to find out how the technologies I bring to the table can help them to achieve the objectives they are after. In our case, one of our business main focuses is around building market share and developing relationships with our customers. What business or technology initiatives are driving IT investments in your organization? The ultimate ambition of this function is to assist and enable the business to really exploit true, monetized value out of the use of technology. My ambition is not to have as many pieces of tech as possible. Rather, I want the use cases for each of the solutions we implement to be clear and for there to be a strong business case before we make any investments. What Ive discovered over the past year is that 80 percent of my job is about people, change and culture management. And only 20 percent is actually about technology. How do you balance customer experience, revenue growth and operational efficiency? We actually went through a digital transformation prioritization process last year. We have four pillars that we focus on as part of our digital transformation agenda. First is putting our employee at the center digitizing their employee experience and building capabilities so that our teams are future fit and digitally ready. Second, we focus on the customer and consumer experience and enabling our sales people to sell in a more informed, targeted way. The third pillar is around data and becoming an insights led business. Finally, we focus on operational efficiency and identifying where we can exploit technology to be as productive as possible. Its all about priorities. Can you unpack the maturity of your digital business? We are definitely not your industry innovators. Were not on the frontline like Google or Facebook. That being said, in terms of technology adoption, Id call us fast followers. I also think that we have pockets of excellence in terms of adopting design thinking, agile ways of working and working in cross-functional teams. We are constantly making strides. Your role entails managing teams around the delivery of IS projects. Tell us about these projects and the problems you were trying to solve? Im going to stick to our customer and consumer focused efforts. I say customer and consumer because, by law, we cant just sell to anyone. We interact with the people who buy our products (customers) who then sell them on to regular consumers. In the last two years, weve been testing multiple e-commerce solutions in the market. One of my first projects was to create an online portal that minimizes calls into our call centre. Customers can place orders through this platform and the ultimate idea is to enable no-touch orders. Weve also partnered with a local organization that provides tavern owners with point of sale solutions and business building training. In addition to this, theyve also provided them with a consumer loyalty card. This is big for us because it unlocks data about a segment of our market that weve never had access to before. This enables us to be more strategic about how we sell our products. What are your top priorities for 2020? In 2020, my ambition is to make sure that every person in this organization can articulate what our shared digital ambition is. And I want them to feel comfortable talking about what it means to be a digitally enabled organization. In pursuit of this, we are doing very deliberate interventions with certain pockets of the organization. The aim is for these people to be our change agents and become internal ambassadors. Its about showcasing the value of machine learning, IoT and AI to different business stakeholders. In showing them the possibilities of these technologies, the hope is that they might be able to suggest where we can apply emerging tech to benefit different business areas. What lessons did you learn from this project that might be beneficial/interesting for our readers? For me, the golden triangle is always people, processes and technology. Ive come to the realization that were now in an era where there are more technological advancements than any business could ever consume. My learning has been around the process maturity problems that come along with this. Its not just about having the right procedures in place, its about having the right people and culture in place to execute these processes. If you dont have solid processes and people in place, you can have the best technology but it wont deliver results. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: There has to be diplomatic solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US Ambassador to OSCE James Gilmore said during a special briefing, Trend reports citing the US State Department. Well, as you know, there is a process in place, a group that a Minsk Group that is trying to find some answers and solutions into this. I have met with both the ambassadors from Azerbaijan and the ambassadors from Armenia, each of whom have talked to me about separately about this conflict and how they see it in the big picture of both of their respective countries, he said. Gilmore noted that the United States has taken the position that there just simply is not going to be a military solution to this. So there has to be a diplomatic solution. The Minsk Group is represented by Russia, the United States, and France. I have met with them previously. I think well meet with them again. But as long as they continue to be engaged in a diplomatic conversation, at least were not seeing a further shooting conflict there. And so our position is to keep it steady, to keep the sides talking, and to see if we cant find a diplomatic solution, not a military one, he added. 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. -- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Burma Myanmar Military Postpones Armed Forces Day Parade Over Coronavirus The 74th Anniversary of Myanmar Armed Forces Day Parade in March 2019. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWThe Myanmar military has announced that it will postpone Armed Forces Day celebrations until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak, which the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a global health emergency. Armed Forces Day, which falls annually on March 27, commemorates Myanmars armed struggle against the Japanese fascists in 1945. This years celebration is slated to be larger than normal in honor of the holidays 75th anniversary. The Myanmar military said it would plan the 75th anniversary diamond jubilee celebrations only after the WHO and international community declare that the disease is under control. There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Myanmar. Large numbers of cases were reported at the same time in South Korea, Iran and Italy. Myanmar faces the same risks, regardless of time and place, said a statement from the Myanmar military. On Friday, the Ministry of Health declared the coronavirus an epidemic or notifiable disease under the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases Law. The law requires anyone who falls sick with the virus to report to the authorities. Failure to do so carries a punishment of up to a month in prison or a fine of 30,000 kyats (US$21). The relatives and employer of someone with symptoms are also required to report immediately to their nearest clinic or hospital. The ministry also advised people to avoid mass gatherings. Every year, the military marks Armed Forces Day with a parade in Naypyitaw. The military chief, senior military officers, foreign military attaches and their families all attend the event and hundreds of military personnel take part in the parade. The Myanmar military previously said that it would invite former military chiefs to the diamond jubilee event, including Senior General Than Shwe, who has not appeared in public for years. Former Commander-in-Chief and National League for Democracy Patron U Tin Oo was also invited to attend the event. Meanwhile, the Public Health Department has denied the cruise ship MV Silver Spirit entry into Myanmar as part of coronavirus prevention measures. The department said that it made the decision due to concerns that the ship, which departed from Singapore, might have entered countries where the virus is present. Worldwide, the death toll from COVID-19 has reached over 3,000, most of them in China, and the number of cases has passed 90,000, spread across about 70 countries. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Military Chief Visits Thai Militarys Major Shipbuilding Supplier Myanmar Military Chief Defends Political Power Supplier News 3 March 2020 With just one day to go Guestline are delighted to reveal a sneak preview of their virtual stand - an alternative solution for hoteliers that were going to visit ITB and who want to know more about innovative hospitality technology. Visitors can visit the virtual stand, powered by UgoVirtual, between Wednesday 4th March - Friday 6th March to do everything they would normally do face-to-face - download a brochure, ask any questions, meet the team and join one of the many webinars. Plus, Guestline will be joined by their partners RoomPriceGenie and For-Sight. Click here between 10am CET on Wednesday 4th March and 3pm CET on Friday 6th March 2020. There will be someone available at all times just as if you were at ITB itself. James Cannon, Global Sales & Marketing Director for Guestline added, 'Whilst we're all about personalised solutions and meeting hoteliers and partners face to face, in light of ITB being cancelled, we believe this is the next best thing! Guests to our virtual stand will still be able to chat to a member of our team and get all the information they need. And as we are all about saving hotelier's time, they won't even need to leave their hotel now! They can take time out from their busy schedules and click in from the comfort of their hotel... No achy feet, hand sanitiser or awkward non hands shakes here, just log in at your own leisure and talk to one of the team, totally risk free!! Plus the Wi-Fi will probably be faster and you won't have to pay the earth for a coffee! Along with our partners, we look forward to greeting our guests across the three days.' The innovative virtual stand is being powered by UgoVirtual, a comprehensive digital platform created for the global hospitality sector that virtualizes industry tradeshows. "With the unfortunate cancellation of key hospitality industry events, including ITB, the need for virtual meeting solutions has been greatly accelerated, and UgoVirtual is proud to partner with Guestline to power their first European virtual ITB event," said Diane Estner, Board member and strategic advisor for UgoVirtual. Hoteliers will be able to join one of the many webinars that have been scheduled to run - Guestline will be showcasing how hoteliers can save time, RoomPriceGenie will be talking about relaxed revenue management, For-Sight will be discussing hotel focussed CRM systems and IDeaS will be talking about total profit optimisation. Plus Guestline will have their Wheel of Time up and running, where guests can win an Apple iWatch, or one of the many spot prizes. Guestline look forward to welcoming you onto their virtual stand here! With Dhaka cancelling yet another high-profile visit to New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Monday sought to allay the concerns of Bangladesh the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, stating that it was entirely internal to India. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) of Bangladesh, was scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Monday, leading an 18-member-delegation on a visit to India. The visit was called off just as other high-profile official visits from Dhaka to New Delhi had been cancelled, after Modi Government enacted the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in December 2019. Bangladesh had earlier cancelled the visits of its Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to India soon after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill had been passed by both Houses of Indian Parliament in December 2019 and had eventually turned into a law, triggering widespread protests across the country. The new ensures citizenship to people of six non-Muslim communities Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian if they had to migrate to India from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh on or before December 31, 2014, in order to escape persecution on the ground of religion. Dhaka is understood to have been irked by the remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah about religious persecution of minority Hindus in Bangladesh while piloting the proposed legislation through Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Momen, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, had not only dismissed the allegation of persecution of minority Hindus in Bangladesh but had also gone on to say that the new law would weaken India's historic position as a tolerant and secular nation. Dhaka, however, never officially linked cancellation of visits by ministers and officials from Bangladesh to India in the past few weeks with its disappointment over the CAA or its concerns over implications of the process of updating the NRC in Assam. Momen had cited preoccupation in Dhaka for postponing the visit to New Delhi. Similarly, the cancellation of the proposed visit by Bangladesh parliamentary delegation to India was also attributed to the preoccupation of the Speaker and others ahead of a special session of the Jatiya Sangsad on the occasion of the birth centenary of the neighbouring country's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sources, however, told the DH that Dhaka had conveyed to New Delhi its concerns over the implications of the NRC in Assam as well as its disappointment over the CAA. With Modi likely to visit Dhaka from March 16 to 18, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla flew to the capital of Bangladesh on Monday to help iron out the wrinkles in India's relations with its eastern neighbour. Modi will hold talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, apart from attending an event being held by her government to mark the beginning of celebration of birth centenary of the Bangabandhu. As the closest of neighbours, with so many shared cultural traits, it is also inevitable that events in each others countries create ripples across the border irrespective of whether there is real justification for this, Shringla said at a seminar organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in Dhaka on Monday. One recent example is the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, which has taken place entirely at the direction and under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India. Let me clearly state here what our leadership has repeatedly confirmed at the highest level to the Government of Bangladesh: this is a process that is entirely internal to India, he said. Therefore, added the Foreign Secretary, there will be no implications for the Government and people of Bangladesh. You have our assurance on that count. Hasina had visited New Delhi on October 5. She had conveyed to Modi Bangladesh Government's concerns over 1.9 million people being left out of the updated NRC in Assam. She had also expressed concern over growing clamour by the leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for preparing similar registers of citizens across India. Bangladesh has particularly been keen to know if India has any plan to send the people, who were left out of the NRC, to Bangladesh. The exercise to draft the NRC was started with the objective to identify the illegal immigrants, who had allegedly sneaked into India from Bangladesh and settled in Assam. Hasina's government in Dhaka already ruled out the possibility of Bangladesh taking back from India the people, who could not make it to the NRC. Dhaka in fact has never accepted that a large number of people from Bangladesh illegally migrated to India. The Bdnews24.com, an online news-portal of Bangladesh, also quoted Shringla stating that the people left out of the NRC in Assam could move to Foreigners' Tribunal challenging exclusion and even go to the High Courts and the Supreme Court. As you can imagine this is a long and lengthy judicial process and therefore there is no reason at this point of time for any concern that there will be any impact on Bangladesh. As far as we are concerned, this is an internal issue and there should absolutely be no impact particularly when it comes to a country that is a close friend of ours, a country that is an important partner of ours, Shringla was quoted by Bdnews24.com. During a Question and Answer session after his speech, the Foreign Secretary said that the CAA was actually a proactive legislation, which had been brought into force by Modi Government in New Delhi on humanitarian grounds. In other words, we have hundreds of thousands of people who are currently in India, who are basically homeless and stateless. They will be allowed to seek citizenship on a faster track. That means instead of 10 years, they will get it in five years, the news portal quoted him saying. Firstly, the citizenship bill is not against any religion. Secondly, it will provide express citizenship to those who have fled persecution in neighbouring countries and have taken refuge in India. And thirdly, this does not apply to the current government in Bangladesh. This applies to the post 1975 period when military governments and other governments did not observe the spirit and letter of the constitution of Bangladesh which is secular and as a result of which a number of people had to flee persecution and come to India, Shringla said, obviously making an attempt to iron out the wrinkles in New Delhi's ties with Hasina's government in Dhaka. A man convicted of killing his girlfriend in South Dakota and dumping her dismembered body in an Upper Peninsula river will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Stephen Robert Falkenberg was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in a Yankton, South Dakota courtroom on Monday, according to the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan. In January, jurors found the 45-year-old guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the March 1, 2019 death of 46-year old Tamara LaFramboise. Falkenberg killed LaFramboise in South Dakota before he dismembered her body, transported it nearly 650 miles away to Michigans Menominee County and dumped it in Little River. Two boys walking a dog spotted the womans torso on March 16, 2019. Her head and hands had been removed and are still missing, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors said in court documents that Falkenberg told his sister he argued with LaFramboise, pushed her and she hit her head and died. The victim's mother, who reported LaFramboise missing March 5, told investigators her daughter had a turbulent, "on-again, off-again" relationship with Falkenberg. Falkenberg is expected to pay restitution for costs associated with LaFramboises burial and any counseling needed to help her mother and children deal with her death, the newspaper reported. His lawyer also plans to appeal the judges decision, according to the Daily Press and Dakotan. Irvine, Calif., March 3, 2020 -- With drug resistance a major challenge in the fight against cancer, a discovery by University of California, Irvine biologists could offer new approaches to overcoming the obstacle. Their research reveals that a mechanism enabling the diseased cells to scavenge dead cell debris for nourishment holds a pivotal role. The study by Aimee Edinger, professor of developmental & cell biology, and researcher Vaishali Jayashankar appears in Nature Communications. (Link to open access study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-14928-3) "Cancer cells require a tremendous amount of nutrients," Edinger said. "Chemotherapy and other treatments that damage DNA force tumor cells to rev up their metabolism to make the repairs necessary to survive and grow. Targeting DNA metabolism in this way often works for a while, but in virtually all patients, tumor cells become resistant and the treatment becomes ineffective." In probing the problem, the two scientists examined a process called macropinocytosis. It enables a cancer cell desperate for nourishment to scoop up dead cell material within a tumor and feed on it. "Tumors contain a lot of dead cells because the blood supply is abnormal, causing many cancer cells to starve to death," Edinger said. "Using this method of scavenging, cancer cells can obtain the amino acids, sugars, fatty acids and nucleotides they require to keep growing." This new research revealed that macropinocytosis makes a previously unappreciated contribution to breast cancer drug-resistance. Edinger and Jayashankar also demonstrated that the same process could thwart treatments for pancreas and prostate cancer. "What we see is that blocking macropinocytosis can help us to treat many different cancers more effectively," Edinger said. "This knowledge could enable better biomarker selection in clinical drug trials currently underway, leading to improved response to pharmaceutical combinations. It also provides a strong rationale for developing drugs that target and block macropinocytosis." ### Support for the research was provided by Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), the University of California Cancer Research Coordinating Committee, the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Anti-Cancer Challenge, and UCI Applied Innovation. About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit http://www.uci.edu. BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party on Tuesday asked political parties to release their manifestos for the Bihar assembly polls, which are slated for later this year, much in advance so that the elections are fought on development agenda and not issues of "Hindu-Musalman" or castes. LJP president Chirag Paswan told a press conference that "we all saw what happened in the Delhi polls", a reference to polarising issues that dominated the assembly election in the national capital, as he called for fighting the polls in Bihar on the eastern state's development. Asked if his remarks were aimed at the BJP, which was accused by rival parties of pushing "communal" issues into the Delhi campaign, Paswan answered in negative and asserted that the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is development. He also appealed to the Election Commission that it should ask political parties to release their manifestoes in advance and not very close to elections. The LJP will release its manifesto almost six months before the polls, he added. "Debates should be about manifestoes, not issues of Hindu, Musalman or castes," he said. He spoke to media after a meeting of LJP leaders about the party's preparations for its "Bihar first Bihari first" rally on April 14 in Patna. The party will then also release its vision document aimed at making Bihar, which remains one of the most backward Indian states, one of the developed places in the country, he added. Migration and unemployment are serious issues in the state which also suffers from crime, said Paswan, who is undertaking a tour across the state to receive people's feedback for his party's manifesto. The LJP leader, however, rejected suggestions that his comments sounded critical of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's rule, saying as an ally he believed it was his duty to highlight issues facing the state. The state witnessed development under Kumar and is now ready for a leap forward, he said, crediting the Janata Dal (United) president for laying the foundation for Bihar's progress into the league of most developed places. The NDA, which included BJP, JD(U) and the LJP in Bihar, will retain power, and Kumar will assume the top post again, he asserted. Asked about Prashant Kishor's attack on Kumar over development issues, Paswan said he may have his differences with him but welcomes anybody talking about the state's progress. Kishor, who heads the political advocacy group I-PAC, was recently expelled from the JD(U) over his increasing criticism of the party over a host of issues. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabias newly established Ministry of Investment (formerly Sagia) has awarded a trade licence to Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO), thus marking a significant milestone for the California-based developer in its pursuit to commercialise the technology. The category leader in hyperloop development, VHO received the licence at the US-Saudi Arabia Business Forum held in Washington DC. This comes following a recent announcement by the Ministry of Transport and the Public Transport Authority in Saudi Arabia to conduct the worlds first hyperloop study on a national level. Under the agreement, VHO will examine viable routes, expected demand, anticipated costs and explore socio-economic impacts. In addition, hyperloop is expected to create jobs and add to the local GDP and furthers the exchange of specialized knowledge, while creating the infrastructure for a connected Saudi Arabia. The licence was presented by Dr Majed Al Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Media, to Tim Wilkinson, executive director, Strategy and Growth at VHO in the presence of Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the US, John Abizaid, US ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce. Commenting on the achievement, Wilkinson, said: "Receiving the trade licence from the Ministry of Investment, which has been a very smooth and swift process, marks a significant steppingstone in our commitment to Saudi Arabia." "From here we intend to establish a permanent presence that would better enable us to invest in resources in the region and run our local operations. The move marks important progress towards the commercialization of hyperloop technology and could propel the country to the forefront of hyperloop development worldwide," he stated. A year prior, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and VHO unveiled results of a study to create a Virgin Hyperloop One Center of Excellence, which would include an integrated test track, and explored the feasibility of creating a manufacturing center and operating facility. The findings highlighted VHOs potential to drive domestic value by adding to the creation of more than 124,000 high-tech local jobs, further supporting the technology sector by incorporating advances in robotics and AI while driving an estimated $4 billion increase in Saudi Arabias GDP by 2030. In the same year, Saudi Arabias King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and VHO have partnered to spur the countrys technology and transport development. Signed at the 2019 Future Investment Initiative, the US hyperloop company and the kingdoms leading private research institution have committed to working together to further support the development of the countrys technology and transportation sector. VHO had in 2018 entered into a technology partnership with the MiSK Foundation, through which the company welcomed 20 Saudi students to its Los Angeles Innovation Campus,, said the statement from US group. The purpose of the partnership was to create a connection between VHO and young, aspiring Saudi students that will spur innovation, it added.-TradeArabia News Service WASHINGTON One by one, the voices of six female employees of former PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley sounded in a District of Columbia courtroom, each woman describing incidents in which they claim Smiley requested sex or told a lewd joke while at work. Some of the women said that they felt pressured to comply with those requests and that they faced retaliation even losing their jobs if they didn't. Others described comments or jokes by Smiley that they said made them uncomfortable in the workplace. During three weeks of trial, Smiley listened to the women's accounts, played in court by video deposition. When he took the witness stand he admitted that he'd had intimate relationships with two of the women. But he said several of the accounts were false and insisted he never acted with retribution and never intended to offend. "I'm a black man struggling to make it in America. I have laughed at all of this so-called power. I struggled to raise money to keep my show on the air. I never had such power," Smiley, 55, testified. "I have influence, but I don't have power." The accusations and Smiley's responses were detailed as Smiley and PBS squared off in court, with each side arguing that the other was in breach of contract when the network stopped airing his show in 2017 amid the sexual harassment allegations. On Monday, attorneys for PBS and Smiley gave their closing arguments before the jury began deliberations. For 14 years, PBS distributed Smiley's late-night talk show to 238 stations nationwide, about 72% of its network. PBS is suing Smiley for about $1.7 million the network says Smiley owes in money it had provided for a season that never aired. Smiley, who says the network terminated his contract without proof of the allegations, is countersuing for $1 million. The case is being heard in D.C. Superior Court because Smiley's company, TS Media, while based in Los Angeles, is incorporated in D.C. During the trial, Smiley said that he did date some co-workers and that his company did not have a policy forbidding them. He said his long workdays made him unable to meet women outside of work. But Smiley bristled at many of the allegations and repeatedly denied that he used his role as founder and CEO of his media company to pressure the women into sex. He said he never threatened the jobs of women who rebuked him. And he said the women who complained saw the case as "an opportunity for revenge" after a failed relationship or losing their jobs for a legitimate reason. Most of the women were identified in court only by their first names. One, named Tracy, said she worked as a producer and, at one point, dated Smiley. She testified that Smiley bragged about how one of the women performed oral sex on him at work. "That's a lie from hell," Smiley testified. "That's a baseless attack." Tracy testified that while the two were at Smiley's Los Angeles-area home, Smiley asked her for oral sex. She declined and left. She said that as she was driving home, Smiley telephoned her and told her to call him when she arrived at her home. She refused. Smiley, she said, then reminded her that he was her boss and that she had refused a request from her supervisor. A day or so later, Tracy said, she was fired. But on the witness stand, one of Smiley's managers said that the woman was terminated for excessive lateness and that she had been given numerous warnings. Paula Kerger, the PBS president and chief executive who attended every day of the trial, testified that she was "proud" to have Smiley's show on her network. "He's a very talented man who brought a lot of interesting conversation to the show," she said. Kerger testified that the allegations against Smiley initially came in an anonymous phone call placed just after PBS had canceled the show of Charlie Rose, another PBS talk-show host who was accused of sexual harassment. It was the height of the #MeToo movement, when women across the nation were using social media to voice their stories and outrage regarding sexual harassment and sexual assault. Smiley's attorneys argued that although PBS conducted an internal investigation, the network terminated Smiley's show without substantiating the allegations. At the center of the case is the morals clause that PBS has with on-air talent. It forbids employees from doing anything publicly that would negatively affect the employee or the network. It also bars office romances. At one point, PBS attorney Grace Speights displayed a photo of Smiley and photos of seven women. Six accused him of harassment. One did not but said she and Smiley dated while working together. "Mr. Smiley engaged in a pattern of conduct of having sex with subordinates, referencing oral sex, propositioning employees for sex while on trips and making harassing phone calls," she told the jury. "He believed that because he was paying them, paying their benefits, that it somehow justified this conduct. And that is unacceptable." In one of the videos played earlier in the trial, a producer named Stephanie, who is white, said Smiley asked her in the presence of another employee whether she had ever had sex with a black man. Another woman, Erica, testified that while on a business trip in Atlanta, she was in a restaurant with co-workers when Smiley asked her, "Why are you playing so hard to get?" and asked her to meet him in his hotel room later. "I was taken aback. I had given him no indication that was ever a desire of mine," the woman said, at times her voice cracking with emotion. Smiley said Erica was fired because she was bad at her job, and he denied propositioning her. As the videos were played, Smiley's mother, Joyce, with her Bible in hand, walked out of the courtroom and sat in the hallway. Another woman said she had been paid $175 to do five-minute spots about health issues on Smiley's radio show between 2008 and 2009. Once, when Smiley was visiting Chicago, where she lived, she met him at his hotel room. The woman said Smiley insisted they have sex and she refused. "I felt I was damned if I did and damned if I didn't," she said. She never heard from Smiley again, and her radio segment was later canceled. Smiley testified that to save money, his show canceled about a half-dozen or so radio segments and the health spot was among them. In her deposition, a producer named Holly described the day when she booked then-Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., for Smiley's show. She testified she got "dressed up" because Kerry was a major guest. Holly testified that Smiley commented on her legs in front of other co-workers and read a joke off his phone about oral sex. Smiley said he did not "recall" telling her a joke about oral sex. He admitted to "teasing" Holly about her skirt but said several co-workers had commented on her appearance. Another woman also named Tracy, who was employed as a producer in 2013, testified that Smiley repeatedly "pressured her" into having a relationship. She said Smiley threatened to "destroy" her career if she rebuffed him. Smiley insisted that he and the woman had been in a relationship and that he was "hurt" and "angry" by her allegations. "I never threatened to destroy anyone. That's not my purview," he said. Smiley said the woman was angry because she wanted an equity share in his company and he refused. Smiley's attorney, Ronald Sullivan, argued none of the women presented any witnesses, emails or text messages to support their allegations. "Do not let them use the tired, old racist stereotype of the angry black man. We're better than that." Four of the women testified about Smiley's temper, saying he would yell, curse and berate employees. But one of the few men who testified on behalf of Smiley said Smiley also yelled at him because "I had messed up and I deserved it. He was the boss." WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Energy infrastructure company Sempra Energy (SE) and Bechtel said Tuesday that their respective subsidiaries, Port Arthur LNG, LLC as well as Bechtel Oil, Gas, and Chemicals, Inc., have signed a fixed-price engineering, procurement and construction or EPC contract for the Port Arthur LNG liquefaction project under development in Port Arthur, Texas. As part of the EPC contract, Bechtel Oil, Gas, and Chemicals will perform the detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, performance testing and operator training activities for the project, the companies said. In addition, the scope of the agreement includes continuing pre-final investment decision engineering to better assure project cost and schedule certainty. Sempra Energy said that a final investment decision is expected in the third quarter of 2020. The Port Arthur LNG development project is expected to initially include two liquefaction trains, two liquefied natural gas or LNG storage tanks, a marine berth and associated loading facilities as well as related infrastructure necessary to provide liquefaction services, with a nameplate capacity of about 13.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG. Sempra Energy noted that the project site sits on nearly 3,000 acres of land along three miles of the Sabine-Neches waterway and has the potential to become one of the largest LNG export projects in North America, with expansion capabilities of up to eight liquefaction trains and approximately 45 Mtpa of capacity. The U.S. Department of Energy has authorized the Port Arthur LNG development project to export domestically produced LNG to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the U.S. in May 2019. Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the approval to site, construct and operate the liquefaction-export facility in April 2019. Sempra Energy said that the proposed project is expected to create a craft workforce on site that peaks at about 5,000 construction jobs, in addition to several hundred additional Texas jobs in support of the project, including material fabrication. Nearly 200 long-term jobs will be created to operate and maintain the Port Arthur LNG facility, the company added. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Now its up to a jury to decide the fate of Durham billionaire Greg Lindberg and two of his associates. During closing arguments in Lindbergs federal bribery trial, jurors on Tuesday heard a prosecutor argue that hours of secretly recorded conversations show the enthusiasm by these men to buy an insurance commissioner. And they heard from defense lawyers who contended that Lindberg and his co-defendants were innocent victims of a politician who used his power to try to entrap and ensnare them. The jurors began their deliberations Tuesday afternoon. Lindberg and associates John Gray and John Palermo, along with then-GOP Chairman Robin Hayes, were indicted last spring on charges that they attempted to funnel $2 million in bribe money to the reelection campaign of state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. Hayes, a former congressman, pleaded guilty in October to lying to federal investigators and faces up to six months in prison. His sentencing is expected after the trial. If Lindberg and his associates are convicted, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for one charge, and up to 10 additional years on another. Causey previously told the jury that he brought concerns about the three men to federal authorities and, in early 2018, began cooperating with their investigation. The commissioner wore a recording device that captured hours of phone calls and conversations between him, Lindberg, Gray and Palermo. In many of the conversations played for the jury, Lindberg and Gray urged Causey to reassign Jackie Obusek, the deputy insurance commissioner responsible for overseeing one of Lindbergs companies. The two co-defendants contended Obusek was unfairly tarnishing Lindbergs reputation. N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey For a while, Lindberg and Gray encouraged Causey to replace Obusek with a new regulator Palermo, who at the time was working for Lindberg. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Stetzer told the jury on Tuesday that what Lindberg wanted was clear: his own personal regulator. Story continues Lindberg in recent years became one of North Carolinas largest political donors. He owns Global Bankers Insurance Group, a managing company for several insurance and reinsurance companies. Lindberg bought life insurers in the U.S. and abroad and loaned at least $2 billion of their assets to entities he controlled, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Stetzer argued that the defendants used campaign contributions as opposed to a more blatant form of bribe because they were trying to make the payouts look legitimate. This is a plain bribe dressed up as a donation, he told the jury. Defense lawyers contended that Causey entrapped the defendants by pushing for private meetings and inviting a bribe. They argued that Causey encouraged the FBI to investigate Lindberg and then cooperated in that investigation because he was troubled by the financial support that Lindberg had provided to his chief political opponent, former insurance commissioner Wayne Goodwin. Lindberg donated at least $9,500 to Goodwin during the 2016 race, according to state records. On Tuesday, the defense team again focused on a comment that Causey made to Lindberg during a March 2018 meeting at the Statesville airport. During that meeting, the two discussed how the insurance department could hire Palermo to take over the job of overseeing Lindbergs company. I guess what Im trying to say is whats in it for me? Causey asked Lindberg during that meeting. Asked to explain why he made that comment, Causey testified early in the trial that he did it at the direction of the FBI agents. Brandon McCarthy, one of Lindbergs attorneys, told the jury that none of the three defendants has a criminal background and that none had criminal intent when they offered campaign contributions. In all of the initial conversations that Causey recorded with the defendants, there was no mention of money going to his campaign, McCarthy said. These guys are frustrated so they interject, Whats in it for me? McCarthy told the jury Tuesday. ...The government is trying to get Greg to do something illegal. Said Jack Knight, an attorney representing Gray: Mike Causey, at the direction of the FBI, drove the defendants into a corner. But Stetzer contended the recordings showed something entirely different: What you see in every tape is enthusiasm, enthusiasm by these men to buy an insurance commissioner. Greg Lindberg enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte. Secret recordings Causey, a Republican who was elected in 2016, said his concerns about Lindberg and his associates began in 2017, when the insurance department was conducting a financial examination of one of Lindbergs companies. Ensuring financial solvency of insurance companies is one of the departments chief responsibilities. Lindberg donated $10,000 to Causeys reelection campaign in early 2017 during the same week insurance department officials were scheduled to meet with leaders of one of Lindbergs companies. Causey said he directed his campaign finance director to return the money. Causey told the jury that he grew concerned about the companys intentions and later began wearing a clandestine recording device to help the FBI investigate possible bribery attempts. Ultimately, the investigators collected more than 50 hours of recorded conversations. Palermos attorney, Brian Cromwell, noted that his client wasnt present for many of the key meetings and conversations. How can you find someone guilty if he doesnt know whats going on? Cromwell asked the jury Tuesday. Tehran: Iran's supreme leader put the Islamic Republic on war footing Tuesday against the new coronavirus by ordering its armed forces to assist health officials in combating the outbreak the deadliest outside of China that authorities say has killed 77 people. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's decision was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Iran's upcoming arbor day, showing how concern about the virus now reaches up to the top of the country's Shiite theocracy. Iranian media reported that 23 members of Parliament now had the virus, as did the head of the country's emergency services. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wearing gloves, participates in a tree planting ceremony in Tehran, Iran. Credit:AAP "Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin," Khamenei said, who has not worn gloves at past arbor day plantings. After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities said on Tuesday they had plans to potentially mobilise 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. It wasn't clear if Khamenei's order would set them in motion helping sanitise streets, direct traffic and track possible contacts those ill with the virus had with others, as initially suggested. San Antonians are sounding off after city officials confirmed a coronavirus evacuee was released from quarantine into the city Saturday before results from a third test, which was positive for infection, were returned. Mayor Ron Nirenberg called the situation a "screw up" on account of the city's federal partners on Monday during a news conference. He said the woman, who is "weakly positive" for coronavirus, visited North Star Mall Saturday evening. The unidentified patient, who was part of the original 91 evacuees from Wuhan, was staying at a Holiday Inn near the San Antonio International Airport, used the hotel-provided shuttle and browsed for two hours, from about 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the popular mall and ate a Chinese dinner inside the food court, according to Anita Kurian, assistant director of Metropolitan Health District. Officials said the evacuee was exposed to the public for just over 12 hours. She was browsing and spent very little time in stores or talking to anyone at North Star Mall. She spent much of her time at the mall eating alone at the food court. "We are making every effort to identify any exposures at the mall and based on what we have at this time, those exposures are pretty low risk," Kurian added. RELATED: Coronavirus patient released in San Antonio went to North Star Mall before returning to quarantine Metro Health recommends mall officials conduct a deep cleaning of the property and wipe surfaces with disinfectants. The novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,000, mostly in mainland China. Two deaths have been reported in Washington state. Fears of a positive patient being exposed to the mall were evident on Twitter Monday, just after the information became public. Shoppers tweeted about canceling errands at the mall or vented their grievances on the "negligence" and "recklessness." Thus far, Metro Health has identified 18 people at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease and three people at the hotel as potential exposures. They are all considered low risk except for two health workers at TCID who were in contact with the evacuee and are considered "medium risk." The CDC recommends common preventive measures to avoid the spread of coronavirus and other respiratory diseases. They include: Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Not touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Staying home when you are sick. Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throwing it in the trash. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. You should not wear a face mask to protect yourself from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Masks should be used only by those who show symptoms of coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Read more of the reactions in the gallery above. Staff writer Mark Dunphy contributed to this report. Madalyn Mendoza 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 | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye Advertisement A New York City student whose father tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the state's second confirmed case, is showing symptoms of the disease as the whole family is placed into quarantine. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed a 50-year-old lawyer who works in Manhattan and lives upstate had tested positive Tuesday, a day after a 39-year-old woman who had traveled to Iran was confirmed to be the first case. The man is said to have an underlying respiratory condition, and is in a serious condition. When he was first diagnosed, he was was initially taken to New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville before being transferred to a hospital in Manhattan. Authorities began an intense search on Tuesday to find anybody who the man and his family may have been in contact with as concerns grow for the doctors and nurses who treated him before he was identified with the illness. His son, a student at Yeshiva University on 185th St, is also displaying symptoms of the virus and has been placed into isolation in the family's Westchester home alongside the man's wife and their other son. They are all being tested. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Additional officers were called to One Grand Central around 1.30 pm on Tuesday amid claims a virus victim worked there An unconfirmed report claims that a coronavirus victim works in One Grand Central where cops gathered on Tuesday Yeshiva University where the man's son, who is also showing symptoms of the virus, is an undergraduate student There are now 120 cases confirmed in the United States and nine deaths, authorities confirmed on Tuesday WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE 11 US PATIENTS WHO DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS So far, 11 people have died of coronavirus in the US, federal and local health officials say. Ten of the deaths have occurred in Washington state - nine in King County and one of Snohomish County. Most came from Life Care Center, a long-term care facility in Kirkland. One deaths has occurred in Placer County, California. Here's what we currently know: 1. A man in his 50s was brought from Life Care Center to Harborview Medical Center on February 24. He died two days later and is the first death in the US from coronavirus 2. A man in his 50s from King County who had underlying health conditions. He was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth on February 29 3. A man in his 40s from Snohomish County who died after being hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland on March 1 4. A woman in her 70s, who lived at Life Care and was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She had pre-existing conditions, and died on March 1 5. A man in his 70s, linked to Life Care, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He died on February 29 and pre-existing conditions 6. A man in his 70s, who was also a resident of Life Care, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He died on March 1 and also had underlying health conditions 7. A woman in her 70s, who was a Life Care resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and died on March 2 8. A woman in her 80s, who was linked to Life Care and was previously reported to be in critical condition at EvergreenHealth, died on March 1 9. A woman in her 80s, who was a resident of Life Care and was never hospitalized, died at her family home on February 26 10. A tenth death was confirmed on March 4, but Public Health - Seattle & King County has not yet released information about the latest death 11. An 69-year-old man died on March 4 in Placer County, California after likely becoming infected on a Princess cruise ship that traveled from San Francisco to Mexico between February 11 and 21 Advertisement A second student at the university has placed themselves into self-isolation as a precaution because of their contact with the patient's law firm, which is believed to be located near Grand Central. The man is reportedly a regular worshiper at Young Israel synagogue in New Rochelle which has since been ordered to halt all services immediately by Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. It is thought he attended services there on February 22 and a funeral and bat mitzvah the the temple on February 23. The man's travel does not include trips to China, and he has not visited any other areas with links to the outbreak, however he has recently traveled to Miami. There are two confirmed cases in the state of Florida, but none in Miami. He is believed to work in Midtown Manhattan near Grand Central where a heavy police presence gathered on Tuesday afternoon. A crowd gathered outside One Grand Central Terminal at around 1.30pm with additional officers requested soon after for an unexplained reason. SAR Academy and SAR High School, an orthodox Jewish High School in the Bronx area of Riverdale was closed as a precaution on Tuesday. One of the man's sons attends the school but is no showing symptoms. A second high school Westchester Day School in Westchester County is also closed. Cuomo said this second confirmed case was no cause for alarm and that community spreading in New York City is inevitable. 'The real issue is how many people will get seriously ill,' Cuomo said. 'How many people, God forbid, could lose their lives.' The man was first admitted to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville on Friday after falling ill. The doctors and nurses who may have treated him are being tracked down and placed into quarantine. Speaking to the press on Tuesday afternoon, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed that health officials are mapping out the close contact the patient and his two sons may have had with other people. The information is expected to be compiled by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning and all those thought to be at risk will be informed. 'City and State disease detectives are working closely to identify close contacts and the appropriate next steps,' he said. In a statement, Yeshiva University revealed that the man's son was a student at the school. The university is not canceling any classes or events but is disinfecting all relevent common areas. On Tuesday, Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy on 254th Street in the Bronx closed as the man's son is a student. SAR High School a few blocks north closed as students may have been in contact with the son. Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck and the Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains also closed Tuesday as a precautionary measure. The couple have two other children who live in Israel. Seven employees at the Midtown Manhattan law firm the man works at have been identified as being at risk having spent close, prolonged contact with the patient. Members of Young Israel of New Rochelle were also ordered to self-isolate until March 8 at the earliest if they attended services on February 22, and a funeral and a bat mitzvah at the temple on February 23. They were mandated by the county to do so. Subway cars, stations and trains within the New York City transit system will now be cleaned at least every 72 hours as a second case is confirmed in a man who works in Manhattan Areas such as turnstiles which are touched more often will be cleaned daily The MTA has stockpiled cleaning products as it increases thee frequency of cleaning Ticket machines will now be disinfected every day to avoid to spread of the coronavirus. There are 120 cases in the U.S. The Florida Department of Heath were angered after learning that the man had visited the state via media reports. They are now looking into his travel history. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' spokeswoman Helen Ferre said New York officials were immediately contacted once the news of the man's travel reached them. 'New York state officials did not alert Florida officials,' Ferre said. 'DOH learned of this case when it was reported by the media.' It is not known if the man had displayed any symptoms when in Florida. In an unrelated case, Cuomo said that two families in Buffalo who recently traveled to Italy are being monitored for symptoms of coronavirus. De Blasio confirmed that ten people are been tested so far in New York, eight of whom tested negative. One tested positive, the first case identified Monday, while her husband is now being retested and the result is expected by Tuesday evening. 'This is why we needed local testing all along,' he said. 'It's going to make a world of difference and just in the nick of time with what we are now seeing.' Passengers swiping their card will be further protected as the MTA boosted its cleaning of turnstiles to daily Several passengers wear surgical mask as they sit inside an MTA bus driving along Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, Queens, as the MTA heightens it cleaning procedure on Monday How often was the New York subway cleaned before the coronavirus? The bulk of subway cars and buses were cleaned daily They are rarely fully disinfected Station cleaning was more rare and sporadic Bleach was used in station cleaning The MTA relied on outside contractors to perform a 'deep clean' of stations from 2019 They scrapped dozens of cleaning workers in 2019 as reports of 'soiled' subway cars continued to rise The move sparked a picket from the Transport Workers Union Local 100 The MTA is now working to redeploy cleaning crew and contractors Advertisement On Monday, the New York state legislature approved a $40 million emergency aid package to help track and fight the disease. Subway cars, stations and trains within the New York City transit system will now be cleaned at least every 72 hours as part of a new policy established by the Metropolitan Transit Authority to combat the spread of the coronavirus. On Monday night, crews began disinfected the New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North as part of an 'enhanced daily cleaning procedure'. The clean will focus on areas that are touched by commuters the most often, including subway turnstiles and handrails. The woman who tested positive for the virus on Sunday had not taken public transportation since her return to New York. There is no information about the second case. Beginning Monday, the MTA announced that it would significantly increasing the frequency and intensity of its cleaning protocol ensuring that each of its stations and the full fleet is fully disinfected at least once ever 72 hours. More frequently used surfaces such as turnstiles, MetroCard and ticket vending machines, and handrails will also be disinfected daily. Before this MTA cleaning crews would clean tarin cars and buses every day but are rarely disinfected, according to NY Daily News. Subway stations were cleaned less often and cutbacks in the MTA's own cleaning staff meant that outside contractors were hired to perform a 'deep clean' of more than 100 stations and 3,000 subway cars in 2019, a move that sparked a union picket. A pedestrian wears a surgical mask as he walks along Main Street in Flushing, Queens on Monday, March 2, 2020. The second confirmed coronavirus case in the state is confirmed People wear protective masks, while street vendors pedal hand sanitizer and other disinfecting products in Queens, New York, as the city's second case in confirmed Travelers are advised not to use their hand as they walk through the turnstile but to use their hip or bag The MTA announced that it's stockpiling cleaning supplies as they disinfect with the hope of stopping the coronavirus spread The new procedure will take effect on the whole system including the 472 stations throughout the subway system, 21 stations along Staten Island Railway, the 124 stations and terminals along Long Island Rail Road and 101 stations throughout Metro-North's New York territory. The daily clean will also include 6,714 subway cars, Staten Island Railway's 64 cars, and Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North's over 1,100 cars as well as MTA's 5,700 buses and fleet of 1,341 dedicated Access-A-Ride vans Eight million people use the subway and New York buses daily. Speaking at a press conference about the confirmed case on Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stated that bleach would also be used over disinfectant. 'They will use a disinfectant, many will use bleach, which is a good protocol in the flu season anyway,' he said. 'So if people smell, it smells like bleach when you get on a bus or a child goes to school, it's not bad cologne or perfume, it is bleach.' Previously the MTA's sporadic scrub of stations did use bleach. Subway riders have been told they do not need to wear masks unless they already have the coronavirus but many continue to take the precaution as the second New York state case in confirmed on Tuesday in Westchester County just outside the city City officals confirmed the second case of the coronavirus in New York in a man in his 50s who worked in Manhattan as the MTA bumps up the frequency of its cleaning of subway car, trains, stations and buses to try to prevent the spread A person wearing a face mask rides a subway train in New York as the MTA heightens its cleaning procedure Monda How to avoid germs on the subway Immediately use alcohol-based hand sanitizer once getting off the subway or bus Wash your hands as soon as you can for at least 20 seconds using soap Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth before you've washed your hands Avoid using your phone Move away from other passengers who are coughing when possible Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue and through it in the trash when possible Cough into your arm, not your hand, if you don't have a tissue Stay at home when you are sick If you are experiencing symptoms, call your healthcare provider before presenting yourself for treatment Avoid crowds and travel off-peak when possible Don't use your hand to push throug the turnstile Watch your bags and clean if they come into contact with the floor Don't eat or drink on the subway Advertisement The MTA is said to be working with the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it stockpiles its hygienic and cleaning supplies. 'While there has been only one confirmed case of coronavirus in New York and it did not involve the mass transit system, we are committed to doing everything we can to keep in front of the situation and protect our customers and employees,' said MTA Chairman and CEO Pat Foye. 'Starting tonight we have enacted additional cleaning protocols designed to disinfect our stations, trains, buses, and Access-A-Ride vehicles. Working in coordination with the governor and state and federal health authorities, we continue to aggressively monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to ensure our system remains safe.' As of Monday, bus and subway screens will also deploy a safety messages warning passengers of the potential spread of the coronavirus and advising the best ways to avoid germs. This guidance is offered in English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and Korean. 'The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority as we continue to monitor the coronavirus,' added Patrick Warren, MTA Chief Safety Officer. 'The MTA is enhancing its cleaning regimen across all our operating agencies to ensure the system is safe for everyone. The best defense against COVID-19, according to the National Centers for Disease Control, continues to be good hygiene frequent hand washing and self-care.' The MTA has urged passengers to follow the recommendations from the CDC to prevent the spread of the virus and to avoid germs on the subway. New York City can now complete its own testing for the virus after being forced to complete the first tests in a lab in Albany. The testing requires an oral and nasal swab and can now be analyzed at the Health Department's Public Health Lab on First Avenue in Manhattan. Gov. Cuomo on Monday said that the aim it to test 1,000 people a day by next week in an attempt to identify any outbreaks and place them into isolation to combat the spread but admitted that other confirmed cases in New York are likely. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio added that the ability to test in the city means that cases can now be identified in a few hours. 'Same day service. That is going to allow us to very quickly figure out who has this disease and need particular care and support and who doesn't. A lot of people who think they may have it turn out not to have it. So this is really important,' De Blasio said. Cuomo has since called on New York health insurers to waive the costs associated with the testing after patients and cleared cases were hit with large medical bills in other states. He confirmed that those on Medicaid would not have a copay. The MTA will use display bus and subway screens to post a safety messages warning passengers of the potential spread This guidance is offered in English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and Korean and offers advice on the best ways to avoid germs Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio held a press conference on Monday about New York City's response to it's first coronavirus case, confirmed in a female healthcare worker on Sunday New York's first case of the virus was a 39-year-old woman returning from Iran who identified herself to Mount Sinai with her husband when they returned to the city from Iran. Both healthcare workers, the couple self-isolated knowing the risk that they had contracted COVID-19 while traveling and the woman later tested positive. She remains quarantined in her Manhattan home and has not been hospitalized. Her symptoms are said to be 'mild'. Her husband's test is still pending but he is thought to be positive. The woman is not thought to have been contagious when in contact with the public but the car driver from their private car from the airport and the other passengers on their flight have been informed. The announcement of NYC's first case came as death in the U.S. jumped to six on Monday, all in Washington state. A seventh death was confirmed on Tuesday dating back to February 26. The case had not originally been linked to the coronavirus. The total reached nine deaths by Tuesday afternoon, all in Washington. The number of cases nationwide has now jumped to 120. On Monday President Trump announced that he has asked developers of a possible vaccine to speed up their process. Vice President Mike Pence, who Trump appointed to lead the response task force last week, said it was an 'all hands on deck effort'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vacation fears for millions of Americans as TSA warns of coronavirus travel restrictions to MORE countries in addition to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea The Trump administration plans to implement further travel restrictions to 'additional countries' amid the quickly escalating number of coronavirus cases in the United States, according to a top transportation official. Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske said Tuesday that further restrictions will soon be announced. The countries to be targeted were not identified, with restrictions already in place and airlines suspending services to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. Vice President Mike Pence is set to meet with airline executives Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus spread as major airlines such as Delta, United and American Airlines begin to waive change fees to virus hotspots because of traveler concerns. Airlines and the Trump administration are currently in a dispute over sharing information on international travelers. The CDC issued a rule a few weeks ago as the coronavirus outbreak began to escalate globally, requiring airlines to provide certain information about international traveler. They are still putting pressure for more informative passenger lists to be shared as the deaths in the United States reached nine people on Tuesday. Airlines continue to fight the release of information claiming that a government-run project would provide better results. Two private schools in Noida were shut on Tuesday for next few days after father of one of their students tested positive for Coronavirus, while several people, including his family members, were quarantined or kept in isolation as authorities stepped up prevention efforts including extending suspension of existing regular and e visas to nationals of four other affected countries. Officials said the sample of an Italian tourist in Jaipur which was sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune was found to be positive after the first two tests gave contradictory results. With this, six cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country so far. Three of the patients have recovered. The 69-year-old Italian's wife also tested positive for the virus on Tuesday but her samples are being sent to Pune for another test. The couple has been kept in isolation at the Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital. Twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators, who were in the same group as the couple, have been sent to an ITBP quarantine facility in Delhi on Tuesday for suspected coronavirus exposure, official sources said. As concerns over the spread of the virus mounted after two more persons tested positive on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an extensive review on the preparedness. He urged the people not to panic and instead take basic protective measures. Sources said the patient from Mayur Vihar in Delhi, who had travelled to Italy recently and tested positive on Monday, was shifted to a quarantine ward at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday night. One of the schools in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi, where the Delhi man's son is a primary class student, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6, while the other said it will be closed till Saturday. The board exams are not affected, the messages sent by the schools to the parents made clear. It came to light that the man had thrown a birthday party last week for the child, triggering fears that those who attended it including some students and his relatives might be at risk. Samples from six people from Noida, including three children, have been taken to check if anyone has been infected, Noida's Chief Medical Officer Anurag Bhargava said. Fumigation was underway in both the schools and a Health Department team led by Noida's chief medical officer visited the site, an official said. While some family members of the man, an accountant and others who came in contact with him were asked to remain quarantined at their homes in Delhi and Agra, six others from Agra with "high-viral load" have been kept in isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and their samples sent to NIV, Pune, officials said. Contact tracing of the people who came in contact with the six is simultaneously being done through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, the Health Ministry said in a statement. In a statement, the Uttar Pradesh government said that two Agra residents, who had come in contact with the Delhi man, were found to be having symptoms of Coronavirus. "As many as 23 contacts were identified, and report of 13 persons were obtained. Of these 6 persons are suspected to be infected by Corona, and the samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune. All the six suspected patients have been admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. The result of 10 samples sent to NCDC, Delhi is awaited," it said. Hotels and the authorities at tourist sites in Agra have been told to inform the office of the chief medical officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Vats told PTI. The other patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 infection on Monday, a 24-year-old techie, is admitted in Hyderabad and had recently travelled to Dubai and Bengaluru. Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said that a medical team is monitoring the health condition of all those people who had come in contact with the software engineer. The software engineer had worked with people from Hong Kong in Dubai last month where he is suspected to have contracted the virus, Telangana health minister E Rajender told reporters in Hyderabad. The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, who have not yet entered India, stand suspended in view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease. On February 4, India had cancelled the existing visas for Chinese nationals and foreigners who had visited the neighbouring country in the preceding two-week period, following the outbreak of Coronavirus which has now spread to over 60 countries and claimed over 3,100 lives. Over 90,000 have been infected. Visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals, who have not yet entered India, have also been suspended. The Ministry also said diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory. "Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to health officials and immigration officials at all ports. "Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry," it said. The ministry said that all previous advisories stand superseded in view of the fresh instructions. It asked all Indian citizens to refrain from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and asked them to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries. The Civil Aviation Ministry too conducted a meeting with all airports to review and update guidelines. The DGCA asked airlines and airports to take specific measures such as providing protective gears like surgical masks and gloves to crew members and passengers and having multiple hand sanitising points in terminals. It also stated that airports and airlines must ensure that each aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy is subjected to disinfection process before the boarding begins for the next flight on the plane. The government has asked people to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore and said India was in discussions with authorities in Iran and Italy, two countries badly affected by the infection, to evacuate Indians there. India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," the prime minister said in a tweet. "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," he said while sharing a health ministry post. Meanwhile in Lucknow, samples of an Uttar Pradesh resident who had returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning have been sent for testing. He will be quarantined for 14 days in the hospital, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Agarwal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 03.03.2020 LISTEN A delegation from the National Office in charge of regulating petroleum products in Mali is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) on Wednesday March 4. The visit would enable the two discuss matters relating to the supply and re-export of petroleum products from Ghana to Mali and related matters. A press release issued ahead of the visit noted Ghana in 2006, began supplying gasoline and gas oil to landlocked countries such as Mali from the Petroleum Depot in Bolgatanga. The visit by the Malian delegation deepens Ghana's quest to become the hub for the distribution of refined petroleum products in the West African sub-region in the near future, the statement noted. Chief Executive Officer of CBOD, Senyo Hosi said, this is a very important visit for us. The Mali industry is an important market for our members. And as we look at improving the utilization of our infrastructure, something that was significantly covered in our 2018 Industry Report, there is the need for us to increase Ghanas share of the supply root to the landlocked markets of which Mali is one. Our share is currently very low so we need to explore ways of improving the nature of the service and also managing the risks associated with the nature of the services. Mr. Hosi noted that the Chamber and its members look forward to a very fruitful engagement with our Malian regulators and counterparts alike. Were hoping to see the beginning of a stronger and more constructive relationship going into the future. Other stakeholders the delegation is expected to hold deliberations with include the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Bulk Oil Storage & Transportation Company (BOST) and others. OTTAWADr. Ellen Wiebe has helped 260 intolerably suffering Canadians end their lives over the past four years, including a few who likely would have lived up to another decade on their own. The current federal law, passed in 2016, allows medical assistance in dying only for individuals whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable an ambiguous term that some doctors initially interpreted to mean a person must have only six months left to live. Then came the pivotal 2017 ruling in the case of a 77-year-old Ontario woman, known only as A.B., who suffered from severe osteoarthritis but had been denied medical assistance in dying because natural death was not imminent. Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell said natural death does not have to be imminent, within a specific timeframe or the result of a terminal disease giving reassurance to doctors who feared criminal charges if they interpreted the term too loosely. Using actuarial tables, Wiebe calculated that A.B. could have survived another 10 years, which became the timeframe the Vancouver physician has used ever since when she assesses a persons eligibility for an assisted death. But now, some experts are worried the Trudeau government has revived uncertainty over reasonable foreseeability with proposed amendments to the law introduced last week. Under Bill C-7, people whose natural death is not deemed reasonably foreseeable would no longer be prohibited from receiving medical help to end their suffering a restriction that was struck down as unconstitutional by a Quebec court last fall. The revised law would still use the notion of reasonable foreseeability to impose a number of eligibility requirements on those who are not near death that wouldnt apply to those who are. Some experts say they became alarmed when Justice Minister David Lametti, during opening debate on the bill last Wednesday, offered his view that reasonable foreseeability means a death that is expected in the relatively near-term or over a relatively short period of time. A persons natural death is not reasonably foreseeable just because they are diagnosed with a condition that will eventually cause their death many years or decades into the future, he told the House of Commons. In practice, we know that practitioners are more comfortable prognosticating when death is expected on shorter timeframes. Jocelyn Downie, a professor of law and medicine at Dalhousie University, said Lametti was advocating for an interpretation narrower than what is used by physicians across the country. Im frankly shocked, he said. Dr. Stefanie Green, president of the Canadian Association of MAiD (medical assistance in dying) Assessors and Providers, said Lamettis definition would roll back access. Lametti was not available for an interview but in an email statement his office said the definition has not changed in the proposed update to the law. By retaining the same language in Bill C-7 practitioners will be using a standard that is already familiar to them as a means to determine which safeguards to apply. While not crystal clear, Green found the clarification reassuring. But Grace Pastine, a lawyer with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, said her group is very concerned about Lamettis messaging and what it could mean for Julia Lamb. Lamb suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative disease that has confined her to a wheelchair and left her needing almost round-the-clock care. Not yet 30 years old, Lamb could live for decades as her condition deteriorates. On her behalf, the BCCLA launched a court challenge to the reasonably foreseeable death requirement. However, it adjourned the case last fall after the federal government submitted a written expert medical opinion that concluded Lamb does qualify for an assisted death. Madeline Li, head of the assisted dying program at Torontos University Health Network, wrote that if Lamb indicated her intention to refuse treatment for recurrent pneumonia, that would make her death reasonably foreseeable. Li also noted that interpretation of reasonable foreseeability has evolved to the point that some clinicians are comfortable extending prognostic timeframes out to many years. Pastine said if Lamettis definition were to become the norm, Lambs natural death might no longer be considered reasonably foreseeable. She said that could mean a significant restriction of Lambs rights, as well as those of other Canadians suffering unbearably with no end in sight from degenerative diseases. Under C-7, those not deemed to be reasonably close to death would face a minimum 90-day assessment period, among other conditions not required for those who are near death. Forcing Lamb to endure 90 days of intolerable suffering before getting an assisted death is cruel and it raises serious constitutional concerns, Pastine said. Julia deserves to have the option of a painless and compassionate dying process if her suffering becomes intolerable. Unfortunately, she now finds herself in the position of not knowing whether she has more or fewer rights under Bill C-7 and contemplating whether she must continue with her lawsuit in order to vindicate her rights. For her part, Wiebe said she is thrilled with the bill, which she believes will make access to assisted dying easier for most people. She also said she considers Lamettis views irrelevant and that they wont change her calculation that natural death up to 10 years down the road counts as reasonably foreseeable. Still, Wiebe acknowledged not all medical practitioners may be quite so comfortable ignoring the justice ministers view. I realize it may cause problems for some people who will feel very nervous about it and it may interfere with access because of that, and that would be sad. Read more about: Nexhmije Hoxha, who remained a staunch and unrepentant defender of her husband, Enver Hoxha, whose four-decade control of Albania made it one of the most repressive and isolated countries in the world, died Feb. 26 at her home near the country's capital of Tirana. She was 99. Her son Ilir Hoxha issued a statement announcing her death, which was confirmed by Agence France-Presse and other news organizations. The cause was not disclosed. Hoxha - her name was pronounced nedge-ME-yuh HOH-jah - was at her husband's side as he built Albania into a communist state under his sole dominion, beginning in 1944. By many accounts, she was virtually an equal partner to her husband as they consolidated power, closed off the country to outside influence and exacted harsh retribution on dissidents who questioned their dictatorial authority. She did not hold official public office, but she was a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee and, for many years, director of the country's Institute for Marxist-Leninist Studies, a kind of think tank of communist orthodoxy. Hoxha's manipulative, coldblooded manner led some to call her the Lady Macbeth of Albania. "She could be very ruthless, even with people she knew very closely," Elidor Mehilli, an Albanian-born historian at the City University of New York's Hunter College, said in an interview. "In public, she seemed so reserved. But behind the scenes, she was very much a power to be reckoned with." During her husband's regime, Hoxha often pointed out, Albania's educational standards and industrial output rose. But he also imposed his tyrannical will on a small country of about 3 million people. He formed successive alliances with Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union (under Joseph Stalin) and China (under Mao Zedong) before breaking with all of them. With other communist societies becoming too accepting of Western values, in Hoxha's view, Albania would go its own way. The government became a cult of personality, with grandiose statues of Enver Hoxha dotting the landscape. Hoxha helped edit more than 70 volumes of her husband's speeches and autobiographical musings. Travel to and from Albania was sharply restricted, and the country's telephone system was accessible only from nearby Greece and Italy. Religion was banned in 1967, leading to the demolition of hundreds of churches and mosques. Fearing invasion, Enver Hoxha had more than 150,000 concrete bunkers built throughout the country. Albania's secret police rounded up anyone suspected of not giving proper obeisance to the government and its leaders. In one of the more notorious examples, four petroleum engineers refused to drill for oil in a location where there were no oil deposits. They were tortured and sentenced to 25 years in prison for defying government orders. Citing a study from a Tirana-based institute examining communist-era repression, Mehilli noted that more than 90,000 Albanian citizens were sent to labor camps or imprisoned for political reasons. At least 6,000 were put to death. "Within this communist world," Mehilli said, "this was a particularly harsh Stalinist regime that did not soften." With most Albanians living in dreary poverty, the Hoxha family and other members of the party elite occupied an exclusive compound in Tirana. After the collapse of communism in the early 1990s, Albanians learned that the family villa was equipped with an indoor swimming pool, soundproof bedrooms and tunnels leading to underground bunkers. Hoxha and her husband had a substantial French-language library and multiple televisions on which they reportedly watched video feeds of the interrogation and torture of political prisoners. Beginning in the 1970s, the chain-smoking Enver Hoxha was in failing health, and his wife assumed a larger, if unacknowledged, role in running the government, including the surveillance of political opponents. When a onetime friend was jailed, Hoxha reportedly replied, "Shut your mouth and eat the piece of bread we are giving you." After Enver Hoxha's death in 1985, a handpicked successor took over as president, with Hoxha still exerting a powerful influence over the country's ideological direction. In 1991, as communism was collapsing across Eastern Europe, the regime finally came to an end. Emboldened citizens held public rallies, pulled statues of Enver Hoxha off their pedestals and dragged them through the streets. "I have no protection from the mob," Hoxha lamented after she was arrested in 1991. "Sometimes they shout abuse." She was convicted of misusing government funds and sentenced to nine years in prison. When Hoxha was released in 1997, after five years, she continued to call her husband "an ideal leader." "Until the very last day," Mehilli said, "she defended her husband and his legacy. She didn't have any kind of regret at all." Nexhmije Xhuglini was born Feb. 8, 1921, to an Albanian family in Bitola in what is now North Macedonia, a country that was once part of Yugoslavia. She and Enver Hoxha, who was almost 13 years her senior, met at a Communist Party meeting in 1941. They were married in 1945. Survivors include three children and several grandchildren. In recent years, Albania has adopted capitalism and a multiparty democratic system of government. But, according to Mehilli, the country is beset by corruption, the departure of hundreds of thousands of citizens and the lingering effects of a brutal regime. In her final years, Hoxha wrote her memoirs and tried to burnish her husband's image. "Enver Hoxha was not a dictator," she told Agence France-Presse in 2008. "What should I be ashamed of? Why ask for a pardon? I do not regret anything and there is nothing I should feel guilty for." The Lokayukta police on Tuesday caught a Madhya Pradesh government official while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from an employee of a private hospital here for settling a complaint regarding a pre-natal gender screening case, an official said. The accused was identified as Satish Joshi, a nodal officer appointed under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, he said. Lokayuktas Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Pravin Singh Baghel said on a complaint of private hospitals employee Sunil Shukla, Joshi was caught while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the former in the premises of the district collectors office here. The office of the accused is located in the same premises. Baghel said Joshi had demanded the bribe after telling Shukla that a complaint had been received against his hospital that a pre-natal sex determination examination was conducted there with the help of a female doctor. The nodal officer sought the bribe in exchange for settling the complaint, he said. Shukla approached the Lokayukta police, which laid a trap and caught Joshi, Baghel said. The DySP said in a separate case, a court munshi (clerk), Jai Singh Damor, posted in Sardarpur town of Dhar district, was caught while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a murder accused, Lalu Dabar, on Tuesday. Baghel said the murder accused was out on bail since the past one year. Damor had accepted the bribe on behalf of a government lawyer posted in the Sardarpur court, Digvijay Singh Rathore, the Lokayukta DySP said. According to Dabar, Rathore had sought the bribe for helping in the trial pending against him, he said. Dabar lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police which laid a trap and caught Damor taking the bribe amount near the Sardarpur court building, Baghel said. He said detailed investigations are underway in both the cases of bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act. No arrest has been made till now, Baghel added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The spread of rumours through Facebook and WhatsApp was not limited to residential areas or markets, but also hit inter-state highways on Sunday, which was quite unusual. Post-Delhi riots, a new evil rumour-mongering gripped several parts of the National Capital on Sunday. The spillover of the panic could be visible even on Monday on the streets and in the markets. Minati Saha, a 45-year old resident of Tughlakabad in South Delhi was returning with her husband from Noida after meeting her relatives on Sunday evening. As she got down at Nehru Enclave Metro station, she received a call from her neighbour that a riot-like situation had taken place in her area. We were told that due to some firing incident, a riot had taken place and we should stay away from coming home. No autorickshaw or e-rickshaw was ready to take us. We walked and after reaching CR Park we found the market closed at 9 pm, which was surprising. There was panic on the street and passersby told us that something wrong had happened, but no one was clear about the incident. So, we decided to spend the night at our relatives place next to CR Park, she told Firstpost. Saha was not alone. There were a large number of citizens who faced a similar experience in several parts of the city, which arose due to the spreading of rumours leading to panic. The three-day rioting in North East Delhi that witnessed a gruesome killing of 48 people, rampage and burning of properties on a mass-scale, and violence on streets of the National Capital was enough to create a fear psychosis for any common man on the street. The weekend evenings, especially Sundays at Chittaranjan Park (CR Park) Market and at adjoining Kalkaji, are vibrant and abuzz with socialising and business transactions and the eateries for which people from across Delhi, Noida and Gurugram visit these places, keep serving customers till 11.30 pm. But this Sunday, it was different and very unusual, as shutters were down by 9.30 pm and roads wore a deserted look. Only people in groups could be seen standing by roadside and market premises pondering on the gravity of the situation. It all started at CR Park a hub of the Bengali community in Delhi after rumours started emanating from nearby Govindpuri about some firing incident. Its the same location where during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and Delhi Assembly Election in February, top leaders from BJP, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress held rallies as part of campaigning in South Delhi. The panic situation quelled only after armed Delhi Police personnel in large numbers visited CR Park and Kalkaji and assured the residents that unsubstantiated reports of communal violence were being circulated leadings to rumours. On Sunday evening, rumours started spreading like wildfire and caused panic in the area. In fear of rampage, shopkeepers shut their shops. Were constantly appealing traders and residents not to fall in the trap of rumour-mongering. Personally, I have spoken with our MLA of Greater Kailash constituency to take necessary action, Anup Tagore, former secretary, CR Park Market Association told Firstpost. Both Hindus and Muslims have shops in CR Park markets and we have been peacefully doing business here for years with harmony. Besides Bengalis, Punjabis, Banias and Muslims, therere shopkeepers from North East India as well. The communal divide has never been an issue here. Its the criminal elements who are spreading rumours and law should strictly deal with this. Weve appealed to Delhi Police as well, said Salim, who owns two shops in CR Park. After the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC at Shaheen Bagh area on Sunday, the situation became tense in the neighbourhood localities like CR Park, Kalkaji, Govindpuri, Tughlaqabad and Madanpur Khadar, including Shaheen Bagh. Similar to South Delhi, the residents of Khyala in West Delhi on Sunday too came under fear after a police team raided a local betting racket. The residents mistook the suspects, who were fleeing the spot due to police action, as rioters. The police raid fuelled panic among the residents and shopkeepers, especially when the suspects involved in betting started running. We had to close down our shops to face any possible rampage, but later we came to know that it was just another rumour. After this riot, the situation has worsened in every part of Delhi. While politicians are trying to communalise the situation, its the common man bearing the brunt, a shopkeeper said on condition of anonymity. The situation got worse and panic escalated among commuters after Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) suddenly shut seven Metro stations Tilak Nagar, Nangloi, Surajmal Stadium, Badarpur, Tughlakabad, Uttam Nagar West and Nawada due to rumours on Sunday evening at 7.45 pm. The spread of rumours through Facebook and WhatsApp wasnt limited to residential areas or markets, but also hit inter-state highways on Sunday, which was quite unusual. Ajeet Singh, who was going from Ghaziabad to Surajkund in Faridabad by car with his family to attend a wedding reception on Sunday, faced a similar incident. When I was on the elevated road that leads to Faridabad, I found a huge traffic jam. As I wanted to enquire, I found a couple of persons rushing towards us asking us to go back as riot had broken up ahead, Singh told Firstpost. I was stuck in between and it wasnt possible to turn back. I wondered, unlike colonies, how could riot take place on a highway? Later, it turned out to be a rumour and jam got cleared. I reached my destination and came back home without any untoward incident, he said. Rumours rekindle 1984 memories For many in Delhi, who had witnessed the anti-Sikh riots in 1984 and thereafter, rumour-mongering reminded them of those gory incidents that had created havoc in the city. Trilokpuri in East Delhi was one such area that had witnessed large-scale violence in 1984 after the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. Old-timers recall that besides the direct attack on the Sikhs, the rumours had exacerbated the violence to an unfathomable level. In those riot-hit days of 1984, each day and night used to be that of horror. We didnt know whether we would live to see the next morning! Now when I hear about any rumour of riot or any untoward incident of violence as it happened in NE Delhi, it brings back my memories of horrific incidents of rampage, merciless killings and burning of houses by mobs all these happened in front of me. A rumour causes more damage, as it leads to actual rioting without any logical reason or provocation. It fuels anger and hatred among people as it happened in 1984, recalled 68-year old Joginder Singh of Trilokpuri. As Delhi is on the edge, many poor residents living in resettlement colonies want to leave the city due to the fear of a riot. Rumours have escalated the fear. I dont know how far these rumours are true, but undoubtedly theres tremendous fear among the residents of this area. It created so much panic on Sunday that we rushed home after shutting down our shops. Here Hindus and Muslims have been living together for years, but now many among us from both communities want to leave this place and go back to their native places, whether in West Bengal or Bihar, due to fear of a riot. No one wants to witness another Jaffrabad here, said Swapan Das, a smalltime vendor and resident of one of the resettlement colonies at Tughlakabad Extension, which is just 2-kilometre from upscale Greater Kailash in posh south Delhi. The extent of the rumours can be gauged from the sheer number of calls Delhi Police received on Sunday. It got 1,880 SOS calls with 481 calls in West Delhi, 413 calls in South East Delhi, 310 calls in Dwarka, 222 calls in Outer Delhi, 168 calls in Rohini and 127 calls in South Delhi Delhi governments committee to prevent rumours Delhi government on Monday formed a nine-member committee Committee on Peace and Harmony chaired by Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj to put an end to spreading of rumours and unsubstantiated reports both verbally and through social media platforms. , 3 pic.twitter.com/F75H7Lqmda AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020 Following are the key decisions taken by the committee to quell any rumour and preserve peace and tranquillity in the National Capital: As per the committees decision, any person found guilty of exchanging, forwarding or re-tweeting messages that can cause enmity between two communities would be jailed for three years. Committee has urged citizens to send screenshots of such messages to them, which would be investigated and if it falls under criminal offence, it will be sent to law enforcement agencies. A team of legal experts has been formed for consultation. One independent agency involved in the fact-checking exercise will be hired by the committee to find the source of such incendiary messages. Services of retired police officials will be taken to assist the committee. Ive visited several localities in Delhi, including my own constituency and found these rumours baseless and false. These were spread on Sunday by mischievous elements. Were working towards preventing such rumourmongering and appeal citizens to cross-check every message before reacting on it, Bharadwaj told Firstpost. The AAP MLA also shared a mobile phone number with the residents to alert him, if one comes to know about any rumour. 1982 Missing: Kathleen McCormack Durst VANISHES! Search for beautiful wife of developer screamed the headline in The New York Post. That developer was Robert A. Durst, heir to a real estate empire whose towers helped shape the Manhattan skyline. His wife, a 29-year-old medical student, had disappeared the night of Jan. 31, Mr. Durst told the paper (in an interview arranged by his friend and publicist, Susan Berman), and he desperately wanted to find her. Married in 1973, the couple partied at Studio 54, sailed the Mediterranean and traveled to Thailand. They split time between a lakeside cottage 50 miles north of Manhattan and a penthouse apartment on Riverside Drive. But their relationship grew fraught, friends would later say, after Mr. Durst pressed his wife to have an abortion. Five days after her disappearance, Mr. Durst walked into a police precinct station house to report her missing. Family and friends immediately suspected him. I think he killed her, Ms. Dursts sister, Mary McCormack Hughes, recalled telling her husband after Mr. Durst called to say that she was missing. Her body has never been found, and Mr. Durst insists that he doesnt know what happened to her. Hyderabad, March 3 : A day after Telangana reported first positive case of COVID-19, a ministerial panel on Tuesday held a meeting with top officials to discuss the preparedness to contain the possible spread of the deadly virus. The panel comprising three ministers said the government was ready to deal with the situation and assured people that there is no need for panic. Industry and Municipal Administration Minister K.T. Rama Rao, Health Minister Etela Rajender and Panchayat Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao chaired a high-level coordination meeting to review the various measures being taken to contain the spread of coronavirus. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Special Chief Secretary, Health, Shanti Kumari, Principal Secretary Municipal Administration, Arvind Kumar, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Commissioner Lokesh Kumar, heads of departments from health, ministry of urban development, information and public relations, rural development, representatives from Arogyasree, private hospitals and Military Hospital attended the meeting. The ministers directed the officials to ensure widespread publicity of preventive measures and to clear the myths among people. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has opened a helpline for those who returned from China or any other affected countries and are suffering from any of the symptoms. Such people can call 040-24651119 to get themselves tested for confirmation. The ministers also underlined the need to clear the misconception among people that infection with coronavirus will lead to death. They asked the officials to deal firmly with those spreading false information about the virus. It was also decided in the meeting that strong action will be taken against quacks found to be taking advantage of the situation for commercial gains. A 24-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad was Monday found positive for COVID-19. The techie had recently returned from Dubai, where he was suspected to have contacted the virus. He is currently undergoing treatment in the isolation ward of government-run Gandhi Hospital. His condition is stated to be critical. Doctors were also keeping a close watch on his family members and the staff at a private hospital which earlier attended on him. The officials said they were also trying to track the people with whom the techie travelled from Bengaluru to Hyderabad on February 22. YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan received Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, the ministry told Armenpress. The officials discussed the situation caused by the novel coronavirus, as well as the ongoing actions to prevent the spread of the virus in both countries. The Armenian minister congratulated Iranian Ambassador on assuming office and then introduced the actions being taken in Armenia. The Ambassador thanked for the meeting and introduced Irans experience in the past two weeks for fighting against the novel coronavirus. The Ambassador said a great medical team has been formed in Iran aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, as well as there is a 24-hour hotline. The Ambassador presented recent data according to which 7280 Iranian citizens applied to hospitals after the entry of Covid-19 into the country, of which 4312 were tested. As of the daytime of March 2, 1501 cases of coronavius were confirmed in Iran, 291 people recovered. 66 death cases were reported. Our countrys experience shows that we need to further enhance the preventive actions, rather than the treatment, and this is also important for Armenia until the problem hasnt gone further, the Ambassador of Iran said. The sides also discussed the spread of fake news on coronavirus and highlighted the importance of providing accurate information. The Armenian minister and the Iranian Ambassador agreed to keep direct contact with Irans health minister. I hope everything will be solved soon and the life will continue in its normal course, the minister said. He expressed readiness to help Iran from professional perspective, and the Iranian Ambassador in turn expressed good health to the patient infected with Covid-19 in Armenia. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Hady Kahy, a professor at Temple University's Japan campus, teaches Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis in an empty classroom, while his students watch online via a classroom camera. Read more Temple Universitys Japan campus got word last week: Its more than 350 classes had to move online by Monday, a precautionary step taken to reduce the spread of coronavirus in that country. There were some technological hiccups, but the campus of more than 1,300 undergraduates and about 250 graduate students in central Tokyo is making the transition. The only real problem was getting our faculty and students adjusted to Zoom, a Web-based video conferencing tool, said Bruce Stronach, campus dean. Thats how we are teaching the courses. Their experience could be a harbinger for campuses nationally if the virus, COVID-19, spreads. Drexel University president John A. Fry said in an announcement to the campus Monday that the school was working to assess the feasibility of moving undergraduate and graduate courses online if necessary. Other local colleges, including St. Josephs University, the University of the Sciences, Temple, and Chestnut Hill College, said similar discussions were underway. We are conducting some advanced training in online learning applications for faculty over spring break, said St. Josephs spokesperson Gail Benner. At USciences, a determination will be made on each course, said spokesperson Jenna Pizzi, noting that classes that involve clinical experiences or laboratory time would be difficult to conduct virtually. And executing such a move on Temples main campus serving tens of thousands of students would be a huge undertaking, pedagogically, technologically and administratively. Its never been done before, said spokesperson Ray Betzner. But we would do everything we possibly could to make sure students didnt miss any of their education." Such discussions are part of larger efforts on campuses to update or create pandemic plans. Fry said Drexel is prepared to quarantine students who may be exposed or infected, though he said there are no cases at Drexel. (There are no cases in Pennsylvania.) Empty rooms and suites in our campus residences have been set aside as student quarantine locations, and we have the infrastructure in place to fully care for these students, Fry wrote in his campus message. We can scale-up these programs if needed. Chestnut Hill College also is readying a quarantine area, and the school has delivered containers of disinfectant wipes to every classroom, said spokesperson James Barry. Its counseling center is looking at how best to help students manage anxiety that could be caused by a pandemic. The University of Pennsylvania has established a task force to review and update pandemic planning procedures, provost Wendell E. Pritchett said in an email to campus. READ MORE: Two college students one stuck in Wuhan, one who made it back on how coronavirus is affecting their lives How to deliver instruction on shuttered campuses is part of the discussion in the region. While most campuses have some online courses, scaling up dramatically would take work. Drexel University English professor Scott Warnock last month advised NYU Shanghai how to move courses online. You can have a really engaging class experience in many ways, said Warnock, who has taught online writing classes and leads the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators. The use of message boards, like Slack, can allow for robust discussions, he said. Hell often post provocative prompts to get students started, he said. Professors also can provide voice feedback or audio visual feedback on student papers. He understands not every instructor wants to teach online and some will struggle with how to duplicate the interactive seminar experience. READ MORE: As the coronavirus spreads to Europe, so does concern on local college campuses But if your campus is shut down, at least you can still provide students with an educational experience, said Warnock, also director of Drexels writing program. Drexel, he said, is probably in a better position than some others because of its emphasis on instructional technology. Temples Japan campus plans to teach courses online at least through March 16, Stronach said, and that could be extended. Japan has more than 250 cases of the virus and remains at a level-two alert, meaning older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should postpone nonessential travel there. Its not the first time the Tokyo campus has shifted online. It made a similar move in 2011 following an earthquake and tsunami. The campus remains open, and many professors are teaching from their empty classrooms. Some students also are working in the library or lounge, where they can access WiFi but keep their distance from others, he said. The whole point of canceling in-class class is social distancing, Stronach said. Some courses, such as sculpture and theater, have proved more challenging than others. The university is still trying to figure out how to give students time in the art studio, he said. At some point, the theater class has to practice their art, he said. Those are things we are still talking with faculty and students about. George W. Miller III, the campus associate dean for academic affairs, said it was challenging to train all professors to teach online so quickly. But they ironed out most problems last weekend and remaining difficulties, he said, probably will be overcome with the help of students as they become more accustomed to using Zoom and the learning platform Canvas. This week, he sent tips to Temples Rome campus, which shut for the rest of the semester last week and will go online with classes Monday. Moving online will allow students to complete their education on time, he said. Campuses are learning, too. We are developing a whole new tool kit our faculty can employ, he said. Iran Judiciary Says All Political Prisoners Free Of Coronavirus 03/03/20 Source: Radio Farda Iran's Judiciary Spokesman on Tuesday denied reports that some political prisoners including British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe have contracted coronavirus (COVID-19) in prison and said all of them are in "perfect health". In a live interview on the state-run television on Tuesday Gholam-Hossein Esmaili said Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliff and other political prisoners including Neda Naji, Hengameh Shahidi and Zia Nabavi are in perfect health despite some reports. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, British citizen detained in Iran, Aug 2016. (file photo) On February 29 the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian who has been in prison in Iran since April 2016, said she was badly ill and suspected that she may have been infected with coronavirus in prison. "I can say that the conditions that security prisoners are held in are much better than for other prisoners," Esmaili claimed and without offering names suggested that some political prisoners may be going on furlough soon. Esmaili said Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been in touch with her family and informed them that she was fine. Tulip Siddiq, the British MP, on Tuesday in a tweet said she has news from the Iranian ambassador to London that her constituent, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, may be released on furlough on Tuesday or Wednesday. According to Siddiq Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe has told her family that she has still not been tested for coronavirus. (1/2) News from Iranian Ambassador that my constituent Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be released on furlough today or tomorrow from prison in Iran. If this is true, Nazanin would welcome leaving Evin jail, but we've been here before. Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) March 3, 2020 In the interview broadcast by the state TV the Judiciary Spokesman also said more than 54,000 prisoners have been allowed to go on furlough since last Wednesday when the Chief Justice Ebrahim Raeesi (Raisi) issued an order to allow some prisoners to go on furlough after "posting suitable bail". The furlough permission, however, does not apply to "security prisoners" sentenced to more than five years for "acting against national security". Iran does not officially acknowledge the term "political prisoner" and instead uses "security prisoner". Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran human rights activists have repeatedly expressed concern about an epidemic in Iranian prisons due to lack of medical resources and have called on the authorities to allow prisoners, including political prisoners, to go on furlough to keep them safe. On February 23 the families of 14 political figures who have been imprisoned for demanding Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's resignation, in a letter to Iran's Chief Justice Ebrahim Raeesi said the Judiciary will be responsible if coronavirus infection spreads among inmates and a "massive human tragedy" occurs in prisons. Since Thursday Iranian news agencies have reported the temporary release of a number of prisoners including Neda Naji and Zia Nabavi. : #_ pic.twitter.com/lmKMKS7D9X (@jamal_ameli) February 27, 2020 #_ # pic.twitter.com/hhoccCmFXl Alieh Motalebzadeh (@a_motalebzadeh) March 2, 2020 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Two years ago, authorities smoked out two Staten Island men who were key players in ring that trafficked millions of illegal cigarettes from Virginia to the borough. Ihab Jaber, Iyas Leqyanya and others deprived the state and city of more than $1.3 million in tax revenue by selling untaxed cigarettes, said officials. Now, Jaber and Leqyanya will pay the price with some time behind bars after pleading guilty to felony charges for possessing the illegal smokes. Leqyanya, 45, of Willowbrook, is also on the hook for more than $200,000 in restitution, which will force him to sell his home to get the money, said his lawyer. Leqyanya and Jaber, 50, of Meiers Corners, were initially charged in August 2018. At their arraignment then in state Supreme Court, St. George, Assistant Attorney General Brandi Kligman said the busts resulted from a long-term wiretap probe lasting more than one year. She said the investigation revealed the defendants, acting in concert with other unidentified individuals, transported hundreds of thousands of cigarettes here between August 2017 and March 2018 and sold them illegally without paying the appropriate New York state tax. The defendants purchased most, if not all, of the smokes in Virginia, according to statements made in court. Kligman said the cigarettes were peddled out of a convenience store/bodega where the defendants work, which she did not identify in court. They were also sold in Queens, said officials. Kligman said additional, and more serious, charges were possible pending a special grand-jury presentation. In October 2018, authorities wound up charging a dozen people in the scheme, including Jaber and Leqyanya, as well as borough residents Rana Abdelqader, then 43; Hasan Leqyanya, then 26; Mohamed Alzowkari, aka RUSHDY, then 31, and Ali Ismail, then 36. Authorities alleged the ring trafficked about 740 cartons of untaxed cigarettes per week and evaded more than $1.3 million in city and state taxes. In all, the defendants brought nearly 4 million untaxed cigarettes into Staten Island for resale and distribution, according to the state attorney generals office. Hasan Leqyanya, Ismail and Alzowkari have all previously pleaded guilty in the case and await sentencing. Abdelqaders case is pending. On Monday, Jaber pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to two counts of evading the taxes on 10,000 or more cigarettes. In exchange, hell be sentenced May 11 to consecutive one-year jail terms for a total of two years behind bars. Iyas Leqyanya pleaded guilty to possessing or transporting 30,000 or more untaxed cigarettes. He will be also be sentenced May 11. Leqyanya will receive a year in jail. In addition, he has six months to sell his home to pay restitution in excess of $200,000, said his lawyer, Mario F. Gallucci. Gallucci and Mark J. Fonte, Jabers attorney, said the new bail reform and discovery laws, which became effective Jan. 1, were instrumental in resolving the case. The laws require prosecutors to provide the defense with information and evidence more quickly. My client was able to see the evidence against him due to the new discovery rules, said Fonte. Upon seeing the mountain of evidence against him, he wisely decided that entering a plea was in his best interest -- a perfect example of how the new discovery laws are working. Gallucci said the case became easily resolved, thanks to the new discovery laws. Once the attorney general turned over all the discovery, including the conversations intercepted on the eaves-dropping warrant, it became easier to have a discussion with my client about taking a plea, said Gallucci. The World Wildlife Fund released a statement on Tuesday asking countries in East and Southeast Asia to enforce existing bans on wildlife trade, in light of the viral COVID-19 outbreak which has now reached around 60 countries. The statement, from the WWF Asia Pacific office, welcomed Chinas decision to ban the consumption of wildlife and to end the unregulated sale of this meat. China had initially instituted a partial ban in January, which was extended to a complete ban in consumption and trade of all wildlife. We call on the relevant Ministries responsible for wildlife protection and public health to combine their capacity and resources to increase market inspections, reach out to the public, and stop the sale and consumption of wild meat and other wildlife products, the statement reads. Researchers have suspected that the coronavirus originated in bats and transmitted to humans at a wildlife market in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The statement pointed to the potential transfer of dangerous pathogens to humans through wildlife meat consumption. Previous viral outbreaks, such as SARS, MERS, were also linked to wildlife origins. Cambodian Environment Minister Say Samal said the government was already enforcing its ban on wildlife trade and that consumption had dropped on account of better living standards and peoples understanding of the downsides of indulging in wildlife meat. We also fully enforce our laws regarding all wildlife trafficking, he said. For the NGOs, I think they are involved with the global movement around the world to reduce reliance on wildlife and to rely on domesticated animals for nutrition. A 69-year-old Italian tourist has tested positive for novel coronavirus in Rajasthans Jaipur for the second time, taking the number of infected people in India to six so far, the Union health ministry confirmed on Tuesday. The Italian tourist had come to Jaipur from Udaipur on February 28 along with a group of 20 people and checked into a hotel where he complained of breathlessness and cough. The first sample collected from the tourist on Saturday had tested negative, but his condition deteriorated and a second sample was taken, which tested positive on Monday. ALSO WATCH | There is no need to panic: PM Modis message on Coronavirus scare His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for further testing and the laboratory on Tuesday confirmed he was infected with coronavirus. Also read: 2 Noida schools shut after parent of a child tests positive for coronavirus The patient is in isolation and is stable, the ministry said. After the Italian tourist tested positive for novel coronavirus at a government hospital in Jaipur on Monday, the state health department on Tuesday sent the samples of 52 people, who came in contact with the tourist, to NIV Pune. The 52 include 37 people from SMS Hospital, 11 from Fortis Hospital and four from the hotel where the tourist stayed, the official said. All of them have been kept in quarantine, the official added. The Italian tourist was first taken to Fortis Hospital and kept there overnight on February 28. He was shifted to the isolation ward of Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) of SMS Medical College on February 29, where he was screened for novel coronavirus and H1N1, a note signed by SMS Medical College principal Dr Sudhir Bhandari said. While in the isolation ward, the screening test result of COVID-19 was received at 11pm which was negative. The patient was shifted to H1N1 ICU for observation, the note said. On Monday, the result of the second screening test came to be positive after which the Italian was shifted back to the isolation wards ICU. Also read: PM Modi tweets on coronavirus, says no need to panic In IDH, the patient came in contact with 37 people and all of them are being tested for COVID-19 and have been sent home for quarantine, said additional chief secretary of the health department, Rohit Kumar Singh. We are also sending the samples of 11 people from Fortis Hospital and four from the Jaipur hotel where he stayed, to Pune for testing. All these people have been told be in-home isolation, he added. Earlier on Tuesday, the Union health secretary Preeti Sudan held a video conference with state officials to review the situation. We have been told to set up rapid response teams in all districts, Singh said. He said standard protocols and documents were shared with the state during the video conference with the Union health secretary. Singh said the health department is sending teams to sanitise all places where the Italian visited. The hotel in Udaipur where he stayed has been sanitised, he said. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot held a review meeting late on Monday night officials of the health department and doctors of SMS Medical College. India reported two new cases of the deadly coronavirus on Mondayone from Delhi and another one from Hyderabad. The government has stepped up efforts to detect and check the infection which has killed more than 3000 people across the world. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Image credit : Unsplash Kuala Lumpur/Xinhua/UNI: Malaysia on Tuesday recorded seven new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 36, said the Health Ministry. All seven cases are Malaysian nationals, aged between 40 and 58 and were close contact of the 26th case, the ministry said in a statement. "These cases are close contacts with patient 26. Close contact tracking activities for the 26th case and the new cases are still being carried out and people will be notified of the latest developments on it," it said. The 26th patient is a Malaysian man aged 52 who had a history of travel to Shanghai, China in mid-January. He started having fever and sore throat on Feb. 27 and sought outpatient treatment in a private hospital on the same day. He was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 on Feb. 29. Among the seven new cases, two had recent travel history to Australia, one had returned from Egypt, one had travelled to the northern Borneo state of Sarawak while the remaining cases had no recent travel history, the ministry said, adding all of them are receiving treatment and are in stable condition. The new cases brought the total number of cases in the country to 36, of whom 22 had been cured and discharged from hospital. I(mage credit : Unsplash) By Trend The Government Reserve Fund of Georgia has allocated 1 million lari ($358,358) to the Ministry of Health to respond to the challenge of the coronavirus in Georgia, Trend reports via Georgian media. The Ministry of Finance has also been instructed to allocate additional financial resources to the Ministry of Health if necessary. The Georgian government issued a decree to prevent the spread of coronavirus on January 28, according to which the state agencies are obliged to finance anti-virus measures from their own budget. The Georgian government decided to suspend direct flights to Iran a week ago amid the new coronavirus outbreak. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has released an official statement, which reads that special tents have been installed in accordance with modern standards at the checkpoints of the land borders and in all airports of Georgia, where passengers from high-risk countries will be accommodated before being transferred to special facilities. "Passengers coming back from high-risk zone countries will be accommodated in semi-thermal tents instead of waiting rooms. Medical staff will be constantly on duty in order to avoid the risk of spreading the coronavirus," said the ministry. To date, three cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Georgia. All infected are Georgian citizens who have recently arrived from abroad. In addition, 170 people are quarantined with suspected coronavirus. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz [March 02, 2020] Global Semiconductor Sales Down Slightly Year-to-Year in January WASHINGTON, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors were $35.4 billion for the month of January 2020, a decrease of 0.3 percent from the January 2019 total of $35.5 billion and 2.2 percent less than the December 2019 total of $36.2 billion. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, with members accounting for approximately 95 percent of U.S. semiconductor company sales. "The global semiconductor market got off to a solid start in 2020, with the industry nearly posting positive year-to-year sales growth for the first time in more than a year," said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. "Still, the global market faces significant macroeconomic headwinds, including global trade unrest and ongoing concerns about worldwide spread of the coronavirus, which could limit continued market recovery." Regionally, year-to-year sales increased slightly in China (5.2 percent) and the Americas (0.8 percent), but fell in Asia Pacific/All Other (-4.1 percent), Japan (-5.0 percent), and Europe (-5.6 percent). Compared to last month, sales increased in Europe (1.2 percent), but were down across all other regional markets: Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.7 percent), Japan (-1.9 percent), the Americas (-2.1 percent), and China (-4.3 percent). For comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, consider purchasing the WSTS Subscription Package. For detailed historical information about the global semiconductor industry and market, consider ordering the SIA Databook. January 2020 Billions Month-to-Month Sales Market Last Month Current Month % Change Americas 7.53 7.37 -2.1% Europe 3.21 3.25 1.2% Japan 3.05 3.00 -1.9% China 12.77 12.23 -4.3% Asia Pacific/All Other 9.60 9.54 -0.7% Total 36.17 35.39 -2.2% Year-to-Year Sales Market Last Year Current Month % Change Americas 7.31 7.37 0.8% Europe 3.44 3.25 -5.6% Japan 3.16 3.00 -5.0% China 11.62 12.23 5.2% Asia Pacific/All Other 9.95 9.54 -4.1% Total 35.48 35.39 -0.3% Three-Month-Moving Average Sales Market Aug/Sept/Oct Nov/Dec/Jan % Change Americas 7.31 7.37 0.9% Europe 3.38 3.25 -3.8% Japan 3.15 3.00 -4.8% China 13.02 12.23 -6.1% Asia Pacific/All Other 9.99 9.54 -4.5% Total 36.84 35.39 -3.9% Media Contact Dan Rosso Semiconductor Industry Association 202-446-1719 [email protected]conductors.org About SIA The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America's economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors the tiny chips that enable modern technologies power incredible products and services that have transformed our lives and our economy. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million workers in the United States, and U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $193 billion in 2019. SIA members account for nearly 95 percent of all U.S. semiconductor industry sales. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders around the world to encourage policies that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org. About WSTS World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. The mission of WSTS is to be the respected source of semiconductor market data and forecasts. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-semiconductor-sales-down-slightly-year-to-year-in-january-301014829.html SOURCE Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Tel Aviv: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory on Tuesday in Israel's general election, with exit polls putting the indicted premier in a strong position to form the next government. Monday's election, Israel's third in less than a year, was called after inconclusive votes in April and September left the Jewish state in a political deadlock. Ballots were still being counted with official tallies expected later Tuesday. But exit polls by three networks gave Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party between 36 and 37 seats in Israel's 120-member parliament. That would mark the party's best-ever result under Netanyahu, who first served as premier from 1996-1999 and whose current tenure began in 2009. The estimates gave Likud and its right-wing allies, including ultra-Orthodox parties, 59 seats two short of a majority. Likud's main challenger, the centrist Blue and White party, was projected to win between 32 and 34 seats. Counting its centre-left allies as well as the mainly Arab Joint List alliance, the anti-Netanyahu camp was expected to control 54 to 55 seats. While there remains no guarantee that Netanyahu can form a coalition, he hailed Monday's election as a "giant" success. "This is the most important victory of my life," he told a boisterous crowd of supporters in Tel Aviv. In a statement, Likud said Netanyahu had spoken to all the heads of right-wing parties and "agreed to form a strong national government for Israel as soon as possible". Blue and White's leader, ex-military chief Benny Gantz, admitted "disappointment" with the result. But he stressed that regardless of the final tally Netanyahu is still due to go on trial on March 17 after being charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. "In two weeks, he will be in court," Gantz said. The president of the Israel Democracy Institute think-tank, Yohanan Plesner, said the projections showed that Netanyahu had "won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people". But, he added, the country was heading towards "unprecedented" legal uncertainty as the probable head of government will be forced to "fight to clear his name in court". - Coalition talks - While Netanyahu will likely be tapped by President Reuven Rivlin to form a government, his path to a 61-seat majority remains unclear. The projections indicate that the secular, nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party won six or seven seats and may again be able to play kingmaker, the same position it was in following the April and September votes. Party leader Avigdor Lieberman served as defence minister in a previous Netanyahu government and his support would easily put Likud over the crucial 61-seat line. But after the September vote Lieberman said he would only join a government of national unity -- ruling out cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties allied to Netanyahu and the Arab camp that backed Gantz. "There is no choice but to wait for the final results and only then conduct a situation assessment," Lieberman said after the exit polls were released. Despite again falling short of a majority, the mood in the Likud camp was celebratory. "Finally, we won," party member Ran Carmi Buzaglo told AFP at the Tel Aviv rally, where people danced, sang and waves flags while shouting "Bibi, king of Israel," using the prime minister's nickname. - Coronavirus - The premier campaigned on his tough position towards the Palestinians and on Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. In January, US President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan approving Israel's annexation of settlements and swathes of land in the West Bank, sparking Palestinian outrage. Bolstered by US support, Netanyahu has campaigned on building thousands more homes in Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory, even though they are considered illegal by the international community. Reacting to the result, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the exit polls showed that "settlement, annexation and apartheid had won". Gantz, a security hawk, was also supportive of the Trump plan, sparking criticism from the left that he did not offer a real alternative to Netanyahu. The election was being held amid the coronavirus epidemic, with two new cases confirmed Monday -- raising the tally in Israel to 12. Another 5,600 Israelis are under self-quarantine, many of whom visited countries where the virus is prevalent. At 18 special polling stations, those under quarantine met election staff in full protective suits and masks. Voters had to wash their hands and wear gloves before casting their ballots, presenting their ID cards to election officials separated by plastic sheets. KABUL U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with a Taliban leader after the two sides signed an agreement aimed at ending the nearly 19-year war in Afghanistan. "I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today. We had a good conversation. We've agreed there is no violence, Trump told reporters at the White House on March 3. We had, actually, a very good talk with the leader of the Taliban," he added. Earlier, the Taliban issued a statement saying that the head of the Talibans office in Qatar, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, had held a 35-minute phone call with Trump. Other members of the Taliban negotiating team, as well as Washington's chief negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, were present during the call, the statement said. Under the terms of the agreement signed on February 29 in the Qatari capital, Doha, U.S. and allied forces will leave Afghanistan within 14 months, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Afghan government -- which the extremist militant group so far has refused to do. However, the agreement is threatening to unravel over disputes about key issues. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned he was not committed to a key clause in the deal involving the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners. The Taliban said it would not take part in intra-Afghan talks until that provision was met. And on March 2, the militant group ordered its fighters to resume operations against Afghan forces, saying that the weeklong partial truce between the Taliban, U.S., and Afghan forces that preceded the Doha agreement was "over." The Taliban has since carried out attacks, including an assault on an Afghan military base in the eastern province of Logar on March 3 that killed at least five soldiers. With reporting by AP Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij informed the state assembly on Tuesday that authorities have made adequate arrangements to deal with any emergent situation in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. The issue cropped up during Zero Hour in the assembly when Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal sought to know if it was safe to use the tablets given to all legislators by the government last week. The tablets had been imported from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the outbreak. Notably, the Haryana Budget presented on Friday had a bonanza for every MLA this time -- a computer tablet that held the entire document for them to read. Congress MLA Varun Chaudhary had, however, expressed concern that the tablets could "spread" coronavirus. In addition to the tablets, the legislators were on Tuesday given laptops, as the treasury benches told the opposition legislators in a lighter vein that these were "made in India". Meanwhile, Congress members joined party MLA Geeta Bhukkal when she sought an assurance from the government that the tablets given to the legislators were safe to use. Vij replied that since various agencies of the central government were monitoring all aspects of the virus and there was no evidence yet that non-living objects too act as "carriers", hence, there was no need to panic while using these tablets. The minister also informed the House that there were 943 persons with China travel history in the state who had been examined and were found to be uninfected and healthy. "Of them, 15 had been kept in isolation wards in hospitals and their samples sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The reports of all the 15 have been found negative," he said. In a lighter vein, Vij went on to remind the assembly that he was convinced that the ancient Indian way of "Namaste" to greet each other with folded hands was the safest way to avoid infections and break the chain of such viruses. Indian National Lok Dal MLA Abhay Singh Chautala raised concern on prices and availability of drugs in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's chief executive, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed sympathy with Turkey over the conflict in Syria on Monday but said it was impermissible for Ankara to let refugees and migrants on its territory cross into Europe. Greek police clashed over the weekend with thousands of migrants seeking to enter the EU from Turkey, which has kept a lid on migration from the Middle East into Europe since 2016 in exchange for funds to help refugees. "I acknowledge that Turkey is in a difficult situation with regards to the refugees and the migrants. But what we see now cannot be an answer or solution," she told a news conference. Von der Leyen will visit the Greek-Turkish border on Tuesday and Boyko Borissov, the prime minister of Bulgaria - which also shares a border with Turkey - is due to meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara later on Monday. The 27 EU states are struggling to agree a joint position vis-a-vis Turkey, which says it will no longer honour its 2016 deal with the EU as another escalation of the war in Syria sends a new wave of refugees to its own soil. EU interior ministers will hold an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation at the bloc's border with Turkey, and specifically how they can support Greece and Bulgaria patrol their frontiers. The EU's ties with Ankara have long been strained over human rights concerns, Erdogan's sweeping crackdown on critics following a botched 2016 coup against him and, more recently, hydrocarbon drilling off Cyprus. The EU has also been divided on how to share out the burden of caring for refugees and migrants reaching its territory since a 2015-26 spike in arrivals all but overwhelmed Europe. The chaotic arrival of more than a million people back then strained the EU's security and welfare services, and also fuelled support for right-wing, eurosceptic and anti-immigration parties in many member states. Story continues "BLACKMAIL" "We have to stand by Greece and fight together Erdogan's blackmail. Europe needs to do this by finally setting up the comprehensive European migration policy we already called for since spring 2015," liberal EU lawmaker Guy Verhofstadt said. "Today Greece suffers the consequences; tomorrow the rest of the Union." The EU's options include offering more funds for more than 3 million refugees Turkey hosts, stepping up humanitarian aid inside Syria and supporting the frontline members Greece and Bulgaria in policing the bloc's external border. The EU is seeking to engage with Erdogan to see what it can do to revive their migration pact. "We are in a very difficult situation," an EU diplomat said ahead of an emergency meeting of the 27 national envoys to the EU in Brussels due later in the day. "We have to express some sort of solidarity with Turkey in order to be able to put pressure on them on migration. But the former is extremely sensitive for member states like Greece and Cyprus. It is not clear what we can do." (Additional reporting by Robin Emmott, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by John Chalmers and Gareth Jones) London: Italy has recorded its largest one-day spike in coronavirus cases since an outbreak began one week ago as the worsening situation in Europe forces the closure of the world's most-visited museum. Authorities announced the total number of cases in Italy had jumped from 1128 to 1694 - an increase of 50 per cent in just 24 hours. The total includes the 1577 people who are sick with the virus, as well as the 34 who have died and 83 listed as recovered. The outbreak is also gathering steam in France, where workers at the Louvre in Paris refused to open the iconic museum on Sunday over fears visitors could infect staff with COVID-19. There are now more than 100 cases in France. Union leader Christian Galani told the AFP news agency staff had met before the doors opened on Sunday and decided the risk was too severe given the French government had the day before announced a ban on indoor gatherings of 5000 or more people. BETHESDA, Md., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Health Centers are the most immediate connection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal entities and Main Street. Health centers are part of the nationwide response strategy to the novel coronavirus, also known at COVID-19. Serving 29 million Americans across the country, Community Health Centers are preparing for the worst. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is in regular communications with the (CDC) Coronavirus Response Task Force. NACHC is also providing communication to health centers, keeping them up to date on CDC recommendations, seeking to educate providers and the broader community. Health centers are uniquely positioned to respond to public health challenges such as COVID-19. They have existing relationships on the ground needed for communicating important health information to the community at large and regularly collaborate with local public health authorities, hospitals, and relief organizations. They continue to be among America's first responders in communities throughout the country on other major public health threats H1N1, SARS, Ebola, and natural disasters. With hospital closures happening in greater numbers, they are essential to the nation's response strategy. "Our focus is to regularly communicate with the health center field and keep them up to date on CDC recommendations," said Ronald Yee, MD, Chief Medical Officer of NACHC. "It is important that we educate and not alarm and above all else ensure that health centers have the tools they need to implement clinical protocols in response to COVID-19 if necessary, working in partnership with local public health departments, organizations, and community stakeholders." NACHC is hosting a webinar, "Prepare Not Panic: COVID-19 CDC Update and the Health Center Response," in collaboration with the CDC Coronavirus Response Task Force. The webinar, scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2020 1:00 pm EST, will provide information on how health centers can continue to prepare an organized response, including: sharing clinical protocols nationwide building systems in partnership with federal, state authorities, local public health departments, and community stakeholders to boost the health center response strategy. Health centers also face the additional challenge of operating under a temporary funding measure. The lack of stable funding makes it challenging to recruit/hire providers, plan services, or expand capacity at a time when a sustained and robust public health response demands stable and long-term funding. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recently called on Congressional leaders to make long-term funding for health centers a top priority. Established in 1971, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) serves as the national voice for America's Health Centers and as an advocate for health care access for the medically underserved and uninsured. SOURCE National Association of Community Health Centers Related Links www.nachc.org Nearly 85 per cent of MBBS graduates in Gujarat opted out of serving in rural area after passing out from government-aided medical colleges in the last two years, the Assembly was told on Tuesday. Service in rural area is mandatory for MBBS graduates, and those who opt out are liable to pay a hefty fine of Rs 20 lakh. Responding to questions by Congress MLAs during Question Hour, Health Minister Nitin Patel said 2,228 MBBS graduates were posted in different parts of the state during 2018 and 2019. But only 321 joined the service, he informed. The government recovered Rs 7.21 crore as fine from some of these doctors for breaching the bond signed at the time of admission. However, Rs 62.07 crore were yet to be recovered from others who opted out, Patel said. The mandatory government service rule is not applicable to students of colleges which do not receive government aid or those who get admission through the all India quota. Patel told the Assembly that the government has started attaching and selling off the properties of doctors who do not pay the fine. "This is a long-standing issue. In 1972, the penalty was Rs 5,000 if a doctor refused to serve in rural area for two years. Now the penalty is Rs 20 lakh and doctors are required to serve for one year in rural area. Despite this, we are still unable to get doctors for rural areas," said Patel. MBBS students in government colleges pay only Rs 6,000 towards fees for a course which costs the government Rs 25 lakh, the health minister said. On the suggestion by Congress MLAs that degrees be withheld until students complete the mandatory service, Patel said the government does not have such powers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The murder of Melbourne comedian Eurydice Dixon was a dreadful crime that required stern punishment, says a judge considering her killer's appeal against his life sentence. Jaymes Todd was ordered to serve at least 35 years behind bars for the murder of the 22-year-old in a Melbourne park in 2018, but faces the prospect of never getting out of jail. He's challenging the life sentence in Victoria's Court of Appeal, arguing it is excessive. Justice Stephen Kaye sentenced him last year, describing his attack on Ms Dixon as 'pure and unmitigated evil'. Jaymes Todd (pictured in June 2018) is fighting to appeal his life sentence for raping and murdering 22-year-old comedian Eurydice Dixon in a Melbourne Park Ms Dixon had spent the night at a comedy club in the city and was close to home when she was raped and murdered by Todd in Carlton North's Princes Park. LAWYER'S 8 REASONS KILLER'S SENTENCE SHOULD BE CUT 1. He was 19 at time of killing 2. He pleaded guilty to raping and murdering the comedian at the 'earliest opportunity' 3. He made full admissions to his crimes during a police interview 4. He showed remorse (One of the judges disagreed, saying Todd was not 'overwhelmed by remorse') 5. His good character, having no prior criminal history 6. His disadvantaged childhood, being raised in a 'squalid' and 'dysfunctional' home 7. His mild form of autism 8. The prospect of spending his jail sentence in protective custody Advertisement He had stalked her for more than an hour before attacking her close to her home. 'This was a serious crime, a dreadful crime. It required very stern punishment,' Justice Phillip Priest said on Tuesday. Todd is appearing by videolink from prison, where he is being held in protective custody. His lawyer Daniel Gurvich QC said he accepted the enormity of Todd's crimes warranted long sentences, but not as long as what he received. 'The crimes committed were heinous and horrific, and there'll be no attempts to minimise the seriousness,' he said. He's argued there are eight mitigating factors that should have resulted in a shorter sentence, including the fact Todd was only 19 at the time of the killing. He had also pleaded guilty, made admissions to police, had an otherwise good character and experienced disadvantage during his upbringing. Todd has been diagnosed with a mild form of autism and has been in protective custody since his arrest, Mr Gurvich added. Todd has also been diagnosed with a sexual sadism disorder, which Justice David Beach said was a 'potent' indicator of a person's likelihood of reoffending. There is no known effective treatment for the disorder. Todd stalked 22-year-old Ms Dixon (pictured) for more than an hour as she walked through Princes Park after a comedy gig on June 12 last year Mr Gurvich challenged Justice Beach's claim it would be speculation to say there might be some treatment developed in the future. 'It would be sheer speculation to say that there would not, sheer speculation to say he would reoffend in the same or similar way in 35, 40 or 50 years,' he said. 'Nobody should be punished for offences they might commit in the future.' Brendan Kissane QC said prosecutors had argued at sentencing that a shorter sentence could be imposed and that remained true. 'It's not the prosecutor's task to impose sentences, it's the judge's task. He rejected that submission, he rejected it in no uncertain terms,' he said. The appeal judges will hand down their decision on March 12. Super Tuesday is drawing to a close and what a day (night) it has been. Thanks for following the blog and be sure to keep checking in on theage.com.au and smh.com.au for news and analysis. So, what happened? In short, the Democratic presidential nomination is now a two-man race between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Biden has enjoyed a stunning comeback after looking finished only a matter of days ago, while the high-profile campaigns of Elizabeth Warren and Mike Bloomberg appear all but over. Biden looks to have picked up the most delegates in at least nine of the 15 states or territories that went to the polls on Super Tuesday - including in the electorally-powerful state of Texas. But Sanders was on track to pick up a big win in California, the state with the largest number of delegates. Sanders told supporters in his home state of Vermont he had "absolutely confidence" he would win the party's nomination. Warren, who early polling showed was one of the leading Democratic contenders, has failed to inspire her party's voters and even finished a dismal third in her home state of Massachusetts. That's not a good sign. Meanwhile, Bloomberg has only one victory American Samoa for the incredible US$600 million ($750 million) he has spent on political advertising. With votes still being counted across the country, The Associated Press has allocated 401 delegates to Biden, 323 to Sanders, 33 to Bloomberg, 28 to Warren and one for Tulsi Gabbard. The numbers are expected to shift throughout the night. The nominee must ultimately claim 1,991 delegates. Biden is winning in Texas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Maine and Oklahoma. Sanders is winning in California, Colorado, Utah and Vermont. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:31:42|Editor: zh Video Player Close HANOI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The international arrivals to Vietnam in the first two months of this year increased 4.8 percent on-year to over 3.2 million, witnessing the lowest two-month growth since 2016, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism on Tuesday. The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam, especially those from South Korea and Singapore, in February fell against February 2019 as well as against January 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the administration noted. From January to February, over 2.4 million international arrivals to Vietnam are from Asia, up 4.7 percent against the same period last year; 502,100 from Europe, up 8.8 percent; 206,800 from the Americas, mainly from the United States, down 0.9 percent; 86,700 from Oceania, mostly from Australia, down 2 percent; and 9,900 from Africa, up 17.7 percent. Vietnam hosted a record number of international arrivals in 2019, surpassing 18 million, up 16.2 percent against 2018, said the administration. Late last year, the country set a target of serving 20.5 million foreign visitors and 90 million domestic ones, and making total tourism revenues of more than 830 trillion Vietnamese dong (nearly 36 billion U.S. dollars) this year. However, if the global outbreak of COVID-19 lasts till the end of the first quarter of this year, Vietnam will lose some 2.3 billion U.S. dollars in tourism revenues from foreign visitors, local experts predicted, noting that if it lasts till the end of the second quarter, the loss will be around 5 billion U.S. dollars. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Oil marketing companies on Monday slashed aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices by more than 10 per cent for the month of March as global crude oil prices is at multi-year low in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has cut jet fuel prices in New Delhi by 11.6 per cent to Rs 56,859.01 per kilo litre from Rs 63,449.63 last month. This is the second straight cut in ATF price rates. The downward revision comes at a time when the domestic travel industry is facing tepid quarter as multiple factors, including the pandemic. Domestic airlines have already suspended their China operations and cut down operations on popular routes such as Bangkok and Singapore. The reduction may come as a relief for carriers as fuel accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the expenses of domestic airlines. The outbreak has affected operations of major airlines across the world. German airline group Lufthansa on Monday announced extending flight cancellations on Iran and China routes until late April; while USAs Airline is likely need to cut additional flights in the wake of sagging demand. Cathay Pacific reportedly has parked over half its fleet and that figure is forecast to rise. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Monday said it is contacting aviation regulators worldwide to request that the rules governing use of airport slots be suspended immediately and for the 2020 season, due to the impact of COVID-19. The cost of the Indian basket of crude, which averaged USD 56.43 and USD 69.88 per barrel in FY18 and FY19 respectively, averaged USD 65.52 in December 2019, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell. Simultaneously, the rates of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) were cut by Rs 53, wiping away a third of the record Rs 144.50 per cylinder price hike effected last month, according to a price notification issued by state-owned oil firms. The rate of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) was also reduced to Rs 805.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder from Rs 858.50 previously. Accelerated roll-out of direct sales model in this key European market estimated at over USD 300 million Stephan Collardey appointed Country Manager Germany Regulatory News: IMPLANET (Paris:ALIMP) (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans), a medical technology company specializing in vertebral and knee-surgery implants, is reinforcing its business operations in Germany, a strategic market for the company. Implanet, which operates in Germany via its subsidiary based in Frankfurt (Implanet GmbH), has appointed Stephan Collardey as Country Manager in order to step up its commercial and business roll-out. This spine disorder market is the largest in Europe and is estimated at USD 300 million with around 1,000 active surgeons. Stephan Collardey has over 16 years' experience in spine surgery and an in-depth knowledge of the German market. Before joining Implanet, he held successive sales management positions in Germany at RTI Surgical, Zimmer Biomet and Depuy Synthes. Implanet's expansion in Germany is part of a drive to reorganize its sales operations around the direct sales model of the JAZZ range. The new team attended the German Society for Spine Surgery (DGW) congress held in December 2019 in Munich. Their presentation of Implanet's innovations was greeted with great enthusiasm. Implanet CEO Ludovic Lastennet said: "We are delighted that Stephan Collardey agreed to join our team as Country Manager Germany. This area is one of Implanet's key strategic regions and we are convinced that the direct sales model is the right choice for this market. Stephan's experience in spine surgery and knowledge of the German market will expand the current team's expertise and make a real difference from this year onwards. We've already seen a noticeable difference in Q4 2019 as the forecast level of sales growth has been reached in only a few months. We hope to ramp up operations quickly on this market in 2020 and over the coming years, driven by our proprietary JAZZ range designed to provide solutions to all vertebral fusion pathologies." Stephan Collardey, new appointed Country Manager of Implanet GmbH, added: "I am delighted to be joining Implanet, especially because of its plan to develop JAZZ technologies, which have great potential in Germany. In only a few months we have rolled out a program of meetings, presentations and registrations targeting all market operators. Since January 2020 and the presentation of our new products, JAZZ Evo and JAZZ Cap, we have won over surgery teams in Heidelberg, Berlin and Munich. The first JAZZ Cap operations are scheduled for March and I am very excited about the idea of continuing to seize these opportunities to really ramp up Implanet's business." Upcoming conferences in which Implanet will take part: March 13-14: Meet the Experts, Madrid, Spain March 25-27: SOFOP (French association for pediatric orthopedics), Aix-en-Provence, France March 24-27: AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), Orlando FL Upcoming financial events: Annual general meeting, April 7 th , 2020 , 2020 Q1 2020 revenue, April 21st, 2020 after market close About Implanet Founded in 2007, Implanet is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery. Its activity revolves around two product ranges, the latest generation JAZZ implant, designed to improve the treatment of spinal pathologies requiring vertebral fusion surgery, and the MADISON implant designed for first-line prosthetic knee surgery. Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on product traceability. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ and MADISON have obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark as well as the ANVISA authorization in Brazil. Implanet employs 36 staff and recorded 2019 sales of 7.4 million. For further information, please visit www.implanet.com. Based near Bordeaux in France, Implanet established a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. Implanet is listed on Euronext Growth market in Paris. The Company would like to remind that the table for monitoring the equity line (OCA, OCAPI, BSA) and the number of shares outstanding, is available on its website: http://www.implanet-invest.com/suivi-des-actions-80 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005871/en/ Contacts: Implanet Ludovic Lastennet, CEO David Dieumegard, CFO Tel.: +33(0)5 57 99 55 55 investors@Implanet.com NewCap Investor Relations Sandrine Boussard-Gallien Claire Riffaud Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 implanet@newcap.eu NewCap Media Relations Nicolas Merigeau Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 implanet@newcap.eu Tamim Iqbal's ton powered Bangladesh to a four-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI here on Tuesday. Iqbal played a knock of 158 runs which is the highest ODI score by a Bangladesh player. With this victory, Bangladesh have sealed the three-match ODI series by 2-0. Chasing a target of 323 runs, Zimbabwe did not witness a good start to their innings as Shafiul Islam dismissed Regis Chakabva (2) in the fourth over. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was then joined by Brendan Taylor but the latter was run out after scoring 11 runs. Kamunhukamwe went on to score his half-century but failed to convert it into a big innings as he gave away his wicket after scoring 51 runs. Sikandar Raza and Wesley Madhevere then took the charge of the chase and provided their side with some momentum. The duo formed an 81-run partnership before Madhevere (52) was given LBW off Taijul Islam's delivery in the 37th over. Zimbabwe kept losing their wicket and Bangladesh bowlers put their opponents under immense pressure. However, Donald Tiripano and Tinotenda Mutombodzi provided their side some hope as both the players played furiously and struck regular boundaries. They brought the match to a point where they needed 20 runs off the final over. Al-Amin Hossain dismissed Mutombodzi, who scored 34 runs from 21 balls, on the third delivery of the over. Tiripano then smashed two consecutive sixes to kept Zimbabwe alive in the match. However, Hossain made a brilliant comeback and restricted Zimbabwe from chasing the target. Tiripano remained unbeaten at 55 runs from 28 balls. Earlier, after opting to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a decent start as both openers, Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal, struck regular boundaries. However, in the seventh over, due to miscommunication, Das was run out after scoring nine runs. Najmul Hossain Shanto then took the field but failed to leave a mark on the field as he only managed to score six runs before he too was run out, in the 11th over. Mushfiqur Rahim was the next batsman. Both the batsmen played brilliantly, completing their half-century and took their side over the 150-run mark. But soon after that, Wesley Madhevere dismissed Rahim (55). Mahmudullah then joined Iqbal, who went on to amass 7000 runs in ODI. Mahmudullah and Iqbal formed a 106-run partnership before the former was sent back to the pavilion by Charlton Tshuma. Carl Mumba then handed Zimbabwe their most anticipated wicket as he got hold of Iqbal. Bangladesh then failed to form a good partnership afterward and set a 323-run target for Zimbabwe. The third ODI will be played on March 6. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding at least 40 buildings and killing at least 19 people. One of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville, destroying the stained glass in a historic church and leaving hundreds of people homeless. Daybreak revealed a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees, leaving city streets in gridlock. Schools, courts, transit lines, an airport and the state Capitol were closed, and some damaged polling stations had to be moved only hours before Super Tuesday voting began. The death toll jumped to 19 on Tuesday, Tennessee Emergency Management Spokeswoman Maggie Hannan said, after police and fire crews spent hours pulling survivors and bodies from wrecked buildings. Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said at a Tuesday morning news conference. Nashville residents walked around in dismay as emergency crews closed off roads. Roofs had been torn off apartment buildings, large trees uprooted and debris littered many sidewalks. Walls were peeled away, exposing living rooms and kitchens in damaged homes. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble. It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state, said Gov. Bill Lee. He ordered all non-essential state workers to stay home before going up in a helicopter to survey the damage. The tornadoes were spawned by a line of severe storms with a line of storms that stretched from near Montgomery, Alabama, into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, it tore through areas transformed by a recent building boom. Germantown and East Nashville are two of the citys trendiest neighborhoods, with restaurants, music venues, high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive out long-time residents. The dogs started barking before the sirens went off, they knew what was coming, said Paula Wade, of East Nashville. Then we heard the roar ... Something made me just sit straight up in bed, and something came through the window right above my head. If I hadnt moved, I wouldve gotten a face full of glass. Then she looked across the street and saw the damage at the East End United Methodist Church. Its this beautiful Richardson Romanesque church; the bell tower is gone, the triptych widow of Jesus the Good Shepherd that they just restored and put back up a few weeks ago is gone, she said. Wade immediately recalled how a tornado damaged her own St. Anns Episcopal church down the street in 1998. I had no idea that I still had some PTSD from that other experience so long ago, but the sound of the sirens, that low sound, theres just nothing like it. To look out and see the church, its just heartbreaking. It brings out everything that happened to St. Anns. The roof came crashing down on Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay in bedroom of the one-story brick home they share in East Nashville. We couldnt get out. We couldnt get out, said Baldwin. And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole. Also in East Nashville, the roaring wind woke Evan and Carlie Peters, but they had no time to reach the relative safety of an interior bathroom. Within about 10 seconds, the house started shaking, Carlie Peters said. The ceiling started coming down on us, so I jumped on top of the ground; he jumped on top of me. The ceiling landed on top of him. ... were grateful to be alive, honestly, she said. One tornado carved a path about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long, reportedly staying on the ground from near downtown Nashville along Interstate 40 to the citys eastern suburbs of Mt. Juliet, Lebanon and Hermitage. Our community has been impacted significantly, the Mt. Juliet Police Department tweeted. Homes were damaged and injuries were reported, the department said. We continue to search for injured. Stay home if you can. The conservation debate has been broadly divided into two approaches on the role of human beings in conservation. The fortress or exclusionary approach is based on the separation of human beings from nature. The participatory or inclusive approach is based on the view that conservation intricately depends on the relationship of human beings with their environment. The exclusionary model of conservation has been found to be a failure in developing and non-Western countries. Therefore there is a stress on participatory models of conservation at present (Vaccaro et al 2013). In India areas rich in biodiversity are declared protected areasnational parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, reserved forests and protected forests, etc. Protected areas, particularly national parks in India, are governed largely by the exclusionary approach and are sites of conflict among the resident populations over the restrictions affecting their everyday activities (Mukherjee 2009). Thus setting up protected areas brings about socio-ecological changes in the region (Guha 1991). It was during my fieldwork[i] in the villages (Sawalde, Ringora, Dhikala and Dhela) around the Corbett National Park (CNP), Uttarakhand that I began to understand how Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around protected areas were a contentious issue in conservation. The ESZ dispute in this region brings to light some critical issues of environmental regulation in the region as well as in the whole of India. Eco-Sensitive Zone Guidelines The National Wildlife Action Plan (20022016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco fragile zones or ESZs under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. The purpose of the ESZ was to provide more protection to the parks by acting as a shock absorber or transition zone. Many state governments have pointed out that the 10 km boundary would encompass many habitations and important cities; and would adversely affect the developmental works. The guidelines for the ESZ were issued in a notification letter dated l9 February, 2011[ii] for a speedy resolution of this issue. The guidelines proposed that the boundary had to be site specific, decided in consultation with a field based team comprising representatives from the forest department, revenue department and Panchayati Raj institution [iii]. Importantly it mentioned that the ESZs are not anti-people and do not intend to hamper their everyday activities. Why ESZ? The protected areas are based on the core and buffer model of management. The core area has the legal status of being a national park. The buffer area, however, does not have legal status of being a national park and could be a reserved forest, wildlife sanctuary or tiger reserve. Two questions arise hereif the parks already have buffer zones then why do we need ESZs? If the buffer area does act as an area of coexistence and multiple use for local populations then why are locals so apprehensive of the ESZ? Why Local Apprehensions Now the forest department wants us to be nature friendly and do organic farming. However if wild animals destroy our crops or kill our cattle we will not be compensated, said Trilok Singh, a local villager residing near CNP. Isnt ESZ further buffering the buffer zone? Buffer zone already restricts so many activities, added Virendra Singh, another villager from the same area. The already existing park regulations have adversely affected the traditional practices of the locals. The new declaration has, therefore, caused apprehension in the locals who believe that it would worsen their sustenance. The local communities have organised themselves under the ESZ Sangarsh Samiti (Resistance Group) (ESZSS) to scrap the implementation of the guidelines and raise some other demands. The ESZSS is a platform for the villages in the periphery of CNP. They have come together not only with the demand to scrap the ESZ but also to raise other livelihood issues. Different villages have different motivations to join the group based on issues impinging their survival and everyday needs[iv]. A brief reflection on them highlights the different social realities that environmental regulations have created in this landscape. The villages in this area are of two typestraditional ones and others resettled from the core zone of CNP. The traditional villages do not have any dispute over their status, and are revenue villages, but face similar environmental regulations. Some of the resettled villages have got the status of revenue villages, but others have the status of forest village[v] and have been fighting the battle for revenue status. The Forest Department shifted our village here from the core area, gave us the patta (documents) of the land, but we are still treated like encroachers, said Kamala Devi, resident of a forest village in the area. The status of forest villages deprives them of any developmental activities. There are no schools, healthcare facilities, electricity and water connection. Also these villagers are denied permission to make pucca houses (permanent concrete structures), claim old dried or felled trees in their courtyard, make fencing around their houses or claim compensation for crop loss as these areas are considered to be forest lands owned by Forest Department. Due to the opposition of locals and protest by ESZSS in October 2013, the Corbett Mahotsav (festival) to celebrate the 75 years of CNP and promote tourism by the government of Uttarakhand had to be cancelled amid all preparations. Locals have always been in a tussle with the FD in these areas. An interesting case which increased the discontent for the ESZ happened on 10 February 2014. There is a temple devoted to the local deity of harvest in the periphery of the CNP. Once every year in February locals from all the villages in the area visit this temple and pray for a good harvest. But in 2014 seven villagers were arrested on serious charges under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for forest and wildlife offences and kept in custody for nine days, right in the middle of the festivities. These seven villagers had been (and still were) quite vocal on the issues of local rights and problems. The charges imposed on them were repairing the temple using cement and tiles, harming tress and entering the park area without permission. Local versus Outside Interests Before going to the forests our mothers and sisters pray that they do not encounter the tiger, and tourists come here spending thousands in the hope to see the same tiger. ---- Prabhat Dhayan, ESZSS activist, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand What will you do in Dhikuli? The complete village has been sold and converted to resorts. You will not find anyone. Not more than three or four families own land. They would sell it soon, said the locals when I wanted to meet the people of Dhikuli village. Dhikuli is just outside /adjoining the Dhangari, main gate of the CNP. The dominance of mass tourism[vi] in the area has rapidly increased land prices. According to local sources land prices in the area prior to ESZ issue was Rs 5060 lakh per bigha. Now they are reported to have increased manifold. Many villagers (in revenue villages) have profited from this, by taking advantage of the fact that their village was situated in the periphery of the park or the buffer zone. They are also unknowingly or indirectly promoting unsustainable practices in the area. Other villagers regard their lands as assets that would fetch them money in an emergency. The ESZ did not permit change of land use from agriculture to commercial under section 143 of the Zamindari Abolition Act. This was implemented from November 2012. As the villagers came to know about this rule from the tehsildar, they were more furious on the ESZ issue. Mass tourism has been dominating the tourism industry in the area. As the pressure of tourism is rising, the government is developing new sites and gateways to the CNP. Initially Dhikala was the only entry gate for the park. However as tourism grew Bijrani zone, Dhela zone, Jhira zone, and Dhangari zone were subsequently opened for tourism. Recently Powalgarh Conservation Reserve has been created in the areas adjoining the village Powalgarh, and is being promoted as a tourist destination. Though Uttarakhand government promotes ecotourism[vii], it is hard to find evidence of it on the ground. Also, there are no policies to regulate tourism in the region (Equations 2009). Hotels and mega resorts, based on metropolitan interests (Fennel 1999:8) dominate the area and locals are restricted to low paying jobs. The locals are not enthusiastic in the ecotourism business as mass tourism gives them tough competition. Also the ESZ guidelines do not restrict the current tourism practices or put any restriction on the vehicular pollution in the area. Time and again, it is only the locals who have been made to sacrifice their rights and privileges, by privileging outside interests. Conclusions Through the study I neither want to portray the locals as benign nor as environmentally destructive (DuPuis and Vandergeest 1996). A simple view following the Malthusian logic puts local populations harmful to the environment and will necessitate and justify environmental regulations like the ESZ. However a deeper understanding will show how social changes due to modern environmental discourse (Bosak 2009), insensitive state and the dominance of market in the form of tourism (Equations 2009) are disturbing the local ecological and social realities, in which the locals play an active role. Simply scrapping the ESZ, however, would not resolve the local socio-ecological issues. There is a need for rethinking on the impacts of the environmental policies at the local level, the type and prospects of local participation and most importantly the prospects of alternate income generating opportunities for successful conservation initiatives. Notes [i] The fieldwork was conducted in the months of May and October, 2015 [ii] ESZ guidelines:http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Guidelines%20for%20E... [iii] Refer to ESZ guidelines [iv] This is not to be confused with village forests. Village forests are communal forest lands and forest village are villages in forest areas not having a legal status of revenue village often considered as encroached. [v] The demands of the ESZSS are 1) Scrapping of ESZ guidelines in the region, 2) Effective safeguards for protection of villagers, their crops and livestock from wild animals, 3) Ramnagar to Kotdwar via Kalagarh motorable road to be opened for public, 4) Forest villages to be declared as revenue villages, 5) Land use transfer ban to be removed, 6) SDO Karki to be arrested and false case against villagers on temple worship to be withdrawn. [vi] The government in its plans and policies encourage alternate tourism practices in the region. However the dominance of market led by resorts leave little scope and a tough competition for locals in ecotourism. Hence mass or conventional tourism industry aptly describes the tourism in the region. [vii] Ecotourism is often misunderstood hence it is interpreted to be synonymous to nature based tourism. Vikas Bhawan in Lucknow has received ISO certificate for monitoring and implementation of development schemes and policies of central and state government. The Chief Development Officer Manish Bansal handed over the ISO certificate to District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash on January 29, 2020. Speaking to ANI Abhishek Prakash said, "Three tehsils are already ISO certified in Lucknow." "There are 20 departments in the Vikas Bhawan. We will provide benefits of government schemes to the people in a transparent manner in the time-bound period. We will address public grievances in a proper way," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amaravati, March 3 : Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress Party government on Tuesday decided to request the Centre to undertake National Population Register (NPR) exercise as per the 2010 format as some of the questions in the new format were causing insecurity among minorities. Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said a resolution in this regard would be introduced in the upcoming Assembly session. "Some of the questions proposed in the NPR are causing insecurities in the minds of minorities of my state. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central Government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010," tweeted Jagan Mohan Reddy after a meeting with some Muslim leaders here. Jagan Reddy's tweet came amid growing demands from various sections including his own party leaders not to carry out NPR along with the Census from April 1. His deputy Amjad Basha and other Muslim leaders of the YSRCP had appealed to him to pass a resolution opposing NPR, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Jagan had already assured people that NRC will not be implemented in the state. He, however, was mum on NPR and CAA. The YSRCP had voted for Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Parliament. Deputy Chief Minister Basha recently admitted that supporting the Bill was a mistake by the YSRCP. Addressing a series of public meetings in the state, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi and other Muslim leaders had urged Jagan to stay the NPR, as done by Kerala. ANKARA, Turkey - Facing a wave of nearly a million people fleeing fighting in northern Syria, Turkey has thrown open its borders with Greece to thousands of refugees and other migrants trying to enter Europe, and has threatened to send millions more. Greece responded by closing the land border, rushing in military and police reinforcements, and tried to stop migrant boats attempting the short but perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to its eastern islands. Human rights organizations have called for urgent action to stop the situation from deteriorating further, warning of an unfolding humanitarian crisis. Here is a look at the situation at the border, and at whether this the beginning of another migration crisis for Europe. WHO ARE THE MIGRANTS GATHERED AT THE GREEK BORDER? Turkey hosts 4 million refugees, some 3.6 million of them from Syria. Previously, their movement inside Turkey was strictly regulated and under a 2016 deal with the European Union, Turkey tightened border controls. Since Ankara announced last week that it would not impede those seeking to enter Europe, thousands of Afghans, Iranians, Syrians, Pakistanis and others from Africa and Asia have rushed to try their luck. Although the push ostensibly stems from the conflict to Turkeys south, Greek officials say very few of the recent arrivals are Syrians. Most of those arrested Monday were Afghans, Pakistanis and Moroccans. Figures from January, before the intensified fighting in Syria, show 35 per cent of those who entered Greece from Turkey were Afghans. Syrians accounted for 14 per cent. HOW MANY HAVE CROSSED INTO GREECE? By late Monday, Greek authorities had arrested and charged 183 people with illegal entry after crossing the land border with Turkey. Some 24,000 attempts to pass have been thwarted since Saturday. Nearly 1,000 arrived on the Greek islands in the 24 hours up to Monday morning. According to the U.N.s International Organization of Migration, 13,000 had gathered at the 212-kilometre (132-mile) border by Saturday evening. Turkey, meanwhile, says that more than 100,000 refugees have left its territory but there is no evidence to support this claim. Uneasy NATO allies Greece and Turkey are historic regional rivals who came close to war three times in the past half-century, and even before this crisis relations were tense over undersea exploration rights. WHY HAS ERDOGAN OPENED THE GATES? Turkey has long complained about the lack of support it receives for shouldering the burden of caring for the worlds largest refugee population. Despite the promise of 6 billion euros to pay for services for Syrians, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to renegotiate the deal with the EU. He says Turkey has spent $40 billion to date on hosting refugees. Ankara also seeks support for its policy in Syria, where it opposes Syrian President Bashar Assad and Kurdish fighters linked to the PKK, which has fought a 35-year insurgency inside Turkey. Erdogan wants to use some territory seized from the Kurds in October to resettle refugees from Turkey but the plan has met with little international support. COULD THIS BE 2015 ALL OVER AGAIN? In 2015 a million refugees reached Europe, crossing mainly from Turkey to Greece, and to a lesser degree from countries such as Libya to Italy. Although Erdogan said Monday that millions would soon be waiting to cross the Greek border, EU border states such as Greece and Bulgaria have quickly mobilized police, border guards and the military to deal with the scenario and seem better prepared to halt large-scale land crossings than in 2015. Sea crossings, however, are much harder to stop. With the Turkish coast guard doing nothing to halt migrant boats heading for the Greek islands, once the flimsy, overcrowded vessels are inside Greek waters they cant be turned back. Very often, their occupants need to be rescued from sinking or crippled boats. Late last year arrivals in Greece were at their highest level since 2016, even before Turkey removed its border controls, and the EU fears a repeat of the crisis that triggered divisions among member states. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GREECE? Even before the current crisis, Greece was struggling to cope with tens of thousands of migrants who had entered from Turkey. Most want to continue to more prosperous EU countries such as Germany, but are stuck in Greece following border shutdowns in countries further along their route. Island migrant camps are many times above capacity more than 20,000 people are on Lesbos alone and living conditions there are dire. Under the EU-Turkey deal, new arrivals must stay on the islands until their asylum bids are processed, but the lengthy asylum process has led to a big backlog. Island residents are running out of patience after five years of bearing the brunt of Europes migrant influx, and Greek government efforts last week to build new detention camps on Lesbos and Chios provoked riots on the islands. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] Today: A case now before the Supreme Court is the first major test of abortion rights since President Trump created a conservative majority on the court. Adam Liptak on whats at stake. Its Monday, March 9. adam liptak Its a rainy Tuesday morning in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Im outside the Hope Medical Clinic, one of the three remaining clinics in Louisiana that perform abortions. And Im about to head inside and see whats going on. [vehicle door opens] michael barbaro Adam Liptak, tell us about Hope Medical Clinic. adam liptak Its a nondescript building. It doesnt have any windows. Its got a sort of double-door vestibule. Its been the subject of a variety of attacks a guy with a sledgehammer, Molotov cocktails. And this clinic is at the center of a major Supreme Court case. And it involves a significant question that could put the clinics future at risk. speaker Yes, sir. adam liptak Hi, Im Adam Liptak. Im here to see Kathaleen. Im from The New York Times. speaker Yes, sir. adam liptak So I go in. I ask to see the director of the clinic, Kathaleen Pittman kathaleen pittman Hi. adam liptak Hello. kathaleen pittman Come on in. Im Kathaleen. adam liptak Pleasure to meet you. kathaleen pittman You, too. adam liptak Thanks for seeing me. kathaleen pittman Certainly. I feel so badly for you and Kelly. Weve had some beautiful weather, and now we dont. adam liptak who turns out to be a folksy, tough, charming, 62-year-old woman. adam liptak Tell me about you. How did you find yourself here? Whats your background? kathaleen pittman That is a really long story. [LAUGHS] adam liptak Thats all right. adam liptak Shes been the director for a decade, but shes worked there much longer. adam liptak How long ago was that? kathaleen pittman 92. adam liptak So thats 20 kathaleen pittman Ive been here for 27 years. adam liptak 27 years. kathaleen pittman Yeah. Personally, I worked here for two months before I told my mom. And I was a divorced mom living at home with her. adam liptak And she told me that, at first, it made her nervous to tell her mom she comes from a big Catholic family what it was she was going to do for a living. kathaleen pittman And I worked here for two months before I finally told her. But when I told her, I said, you know, Im counseling women, but I didnt tell you the whole story. And her response was, women have always had abortions, darling. They always will. They need a safe place. And this is someone who adam liptak Did that surprise you that you got that response? kathaleen pittman Yes. I had 15 siblings. To find my mom, after all this, was pro-choice, the phone lines burned up calling all my sisters. Do you know mothers pro-choice? This is what she said. My mother was so funny. She said, darling, I would have still been having babies had your sisters not stepped in. The oldest sisters told the doctor, do something. And she was fine with it. She just couldnt be the one to tell him to do it. adam liptak Wow. michael barbaro And why are you visiting this abortion clinic in this state and speaking to this director? adam liptak Well, Louisiana really is ground zero for state efforts to regulate, if not eliminate, abortion. Louisiana has enacted 89 different abortion restrictions. kathaleen pittman But what I find really interesting [thud] adam liptak Whoa. kathaleen pittman This just one, just one. But this is the form the physician and stenographer must review with the patient. Im going to give you this as well. adam liptak So to be an abortion clinic in Louisiana means you have to literally, as Kathaleen showed me, leaf through a sheaf of regulations just to make sure you can stay open. And they cover things like 24-hour waiting periods, requirements that abortion providers read their patients descriptions of the fetus, the complications that might happen, show them sonograms they can look away, if they wish allow them to hear fetal heartbeats they can cover their ears, if they wish. But most importantly, for my purposes, I was there to assess the impact of a law that requires abortion providers doctors who provide abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. michael barbaro And tell me a little bit more about that law. adam liptak So this law, when you first hear about it, sounds perfectly sensible. [music] archived recording Louisiana is the fifth state to adopt a law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. adam liptak It was enacted in 2014. archived recording Supporters say they make health care safer. adam liptak Lawmakers say that it was an effort to protect womens health, that its a kind of credentialing function. Opponents say the whole thing is a ruse that abortion is a very safe procedure, that youll be admitted to the hospital under very rare occasions, that there are complications whether your doctor has admitting privileges or not, and that its hard to get admitting privileges. Many hospitals dont want to give abortion providers admitting privileges for political reasons. And those conflicting views are at the center of a case that has reached the Supreme Court, which will decide whether this Louisiana abortion regulation is constitutional. adam liptak If the Supreme Court rules against you, this clinic closes, you think? kathaleen pittman Very possibly. adam liptak And what does that mean for the women in this part of the state? How far away are we from whatever clinics might remain? kathaleen pittman Minimum four hours. And for some women, that puts it out of reach. But you have to understand, most of the women we work with here live at or below the federal poverty level. The whole reason theyre looking seeking to terminate a pregnancy is theyre already trying to take care of the families they have. They cant add to that anymore. adam liptak The clinic has said that although they have one doctor with admitting privileges, that doctor cannot carry the whole load of the clinic, and the clinic would very likely have to close. michael barbaro Adam, this question of admitting privileges and abortion and the Supreme Court, it has a very familiar ring to it. adam liptak And it should. archived recording 1 We begin tonight with the most sweeping decision on abortion in a generation. Today, the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that imposed strict requirements on clinics and doctors. archived recording 2 The Texas abortion law requiring doctors at abortion clinics to get admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. adam liptak The Supreme Court has already decided this question in the context of an identical Texas law in 2016. The court struck down the Texas law. archived recording Jubilation from the pro-choice side, but despair from anti-abortion forces. adam liptak So it might be surprising to some that just a few years later, its taking a look at an identical law from a different state, from Louisiana. michael barbaro Yeah, why would the court be looking at the exact same question if there is a precedent, and the precedent is that that Texas law is unconstitutional? adam liptak Well, to the surprise of many archived recording A federal appeals court had upheld the law, even though a nearly identical statute from Texas was declared unconstitutional. adam liptak A federal appeals court sustained the Louisiana law, meaning the Supreme Court almost had no choice but to take this case. Because whatever the court might want to do itself about admitting privileges laws, it seems a little odd for a federal circuit court to be breaking new ground and, in the eyes of some, to disregard what looks like binding Supreme Court precedent in this area. michael barbaro And why would a lower court openly defy a four-year-old Supreme Court precedent on an identical law? That doesnt make a whole lot of sense. adam liptak They said that they were able to discern differences between Louisiana and Texas. They say that the abortion providers didnt try hard enough in Louisiana to get admitting privileges. And, more importantly, a lot has changed since 2016. archived recording After the final day of the term, we have just learned that Justice Anthony Kennedy will be retiring. archived recording (donald trump) The Supreme Court its what its all about. The justices that Im going to appoint will be pro-life. They will have a conservative bent. adam liptak A lot has changed since President Trump put a lot of new judges on the courts, the lower courts and the Supreme Court. archived recording (donald trump) We are here to celebrate history. The taking of the judicial oath by the newest member of the United States Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch. The newest member of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh. [CHEERING] adam liptak A lot has changed in state legislatures, which are enacting abortion restriction after abortion restriction. Folks opposed to abortion are very hopeful that we live in a different judicial climate and that this new Supreme Court might take a very different view of abortion rights than earlier ones had. michael barbaro Well be right back. archived recording (john roberts) Well hear argument this morning, Case 18-1323, June Medical Services v. Russo, and the cross petition, 18-1460, Russo v. June Medical Services. Ms. Rikelman michael barbaro OK. So Adam, tell us what happened inside the Supreme Court last week as this case opens up. adam liptak It was a little hard to make sense of what was going on at the court. You know for sure that the courts four more liberal members are completely on board with striking down this law. They think the 2016 Texas case takes care of it. But they also think if they were looking at this fresh, this is a regulation that they say confers no medical benefits, but imposes enormous costs on womens ability to obtain abortions. So you could hear this intense skepticism as the more liberal justices ask questions. Justice Elena Kagan, for instance archived recording (elena kagan) Is it right that there is evidence in the record that Hope Clinic has served over 3,000 women annually for 23 years so thats around 70,000 women and has transferred only four patients ever to a hospital? adam liptak She did the math. She said it amounted to some 70,000 abortions. And they had complications necessitating trips to the hospital four times. archived recording (elizabeth murrill) So they testified archived recording (elena kagan) Well, they know whether theyve transferred women to a hospital. And its four. I mean, I dont know of a medical procedure where its lower than that of any kind. michael barbaro And so Kagans point is, women so rarely need to be admitted to hospitals that theres no rationale for requiring admitting privileges for abortion practitioners in these clinics. adam liptak That was her point, if, indeed, having admitting privileges makes it more likely that youll be able to go to the hospital. But that itself is a contested proposition. Theres no real link between your doctor having admitting privileges and you getting the medical care you need at a hospital. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. What about the other liberal justices? adam liptak Justice Sotomayor raised a different question whether some doctors, because of the nature of their practices, could ever get hospital admitting privileges. She talked about a doctor who doesnt perform surgical abortions, but only so-called medication abortions, where patients are given pills. And that kind of doctor, she said, could never get admitting privileges in Louisiana, and so would be prohibited from performing abortions entirely. michael barbaro Adam, I have to imagine that some of these liberal justices also raised the simple question of precedent from that Texas case in 2016. adam liptak Yeah, Justice Breyer archived recording (stephen breyer) I have read the briefs. I understand there are good arguments on both sides. Indeed, in the country, people have very strong feelings. And a lot of people morally think its wrong. And a lot of people morally think the opposite is wrong. The court is struggling with the problem of, what kind of rule of law do you have in a country that contains both sorts of people? adam liptak He paused and said, listen, people have very strong feelings about the issue of abortion. People have moral objections to it. People believe that women have a right to it. archived recording (stephen breyer) But why depart from what was pretty clear precedent? adam liptak And the job for the court is to hold the nation together under the rule of law. And the way to do that, he said, was to respect precedent. michael barbaro And what is the response from the lawyers defending the law to that question of precedent? adam liptak They say Louisiana is different. They basically say, our admitting privileges law we have a different justification for it than the one put forward by Texas this credentialing justification. And we also think the impact in Louisiana is going to be different. In Texas, the fear was that the state would go from 40 abortion clinics to 10 in an enormous, geographically-vast state. Here, they say, theres no especial reason to think it should go from 3 to 1, because, they say, if only doctors tried harder to get admitting privileges, they probably could. So their point is, maybe the words of the law are the same, but the facts on the ground are different. archived recording Thank you, counsel. [CLEARS THROAT] michael barbaro OK, that was the liberal side of the court. What did you see, Adam, from the conservative justices here, who, it seems, will ultimately decide this case? adam liptak The right side of the court was unusually hard to read. archived recording (julie rikelman) standard here. archived recording (samuel a. alito jr.) Well, lets take one example. Lets take Doe number 2. Doe number 2 is plaintiff in this case, right? archived recording (julie rikelman) Yes, your honor. adam liptak The only justice who asked consistently hostile questions of the lawyer representing the abortion providers was Samuel Alito. archived recording (samuel alito) He testified that he didnt apply for admitting privileges there, because its a Catholic hospital. Isnt that right? archived recording (julie rikelman) That was part of the testimony, but in a adam liptak And he came on strong. archived recording satisfy, including residency archived recording (samuel alito) When Doe number 2 explained why he didnt apply to this hospital, he said, in part, because its not a place where I would feel comfortable. Didnt he say that? archived recording (julie rikelman) He did, your Honor. Doe 2 adam liptak But he was the only one who came on strong. Clarence Thomas, as is his custom, asked no questions. Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Trumps first appointee, is usually active at oral argument. And to my surprise, and the surprise of many, he said nothing at all during this argument. michael barbaro Hm, making it very difficult to know where he may be leaning. adam liptak Thats right. Hes quite conservative. I have to think he doesnt think theres a constitutional right to abortion. But theres not a lot of judicial track record to pin that intuition on. michael barbaro Hm. What about President Trumps second appointee on the court, Justice Kavanaugh? adam liptak Justice Kavanaugh asked questions that seemed to show an open-minded attempt to sort through the various issues in the case. He wanted to know, for instance, whether a regulation that maybe didnt do anything to further womens health, but also didnt make it harder for them to have abortions, whether such a regulation would be possible. archived recording (brett kavanaugh) If a state passed an admitting privileges law, therefore, and suppose a state had 10 clinics and two doctors for each clinic, but all 20 doctors could easily get the admitting privileges so that thered be no effect on the clinics, no effect on the doctors who perform abortions, and therefore no effect on the women who obtain abortions, would a law be constitutional in that state? adam liptak So he asked, hypothetically, what if every doctor and every clinic was able to get admitting privileges? Would we still have to strike down that law? And that was a way of asking the question of, are we bound by that Texas decision, or can we find that the same law with the same words has a different impact in a different place? But as open-minded as Justice Kavanaugh sounded, there is some evidence in his judicial rulings, when he was a federal appeals court judge, that he is not comfortable with abortion rights voting, for instance, to block a pregnant, undocumented teen from being able to get an abortion. michael barbaro So it sounds like there is reason to believe that these four justices you have mentioned Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh they may all support this Louisiana law. They might vote to uphold it. adam liptak Yeah, I think thats the best information we have. That the four liberals are solid, that the four conservatives you mentioned are pretty solid. And that leaves one justice. michael barbaro Chief Justice John Roberts. adam liptak Yes, who, more and more, finds himself at the ideological center of the court in all kinds of cases. michael barbaro And what is John Robertss conduct during these oral arguments? archived recording (john roberts) Do you agree that the benefits inquiry under the law is going to be the same in every case, regardless of which state were talking about? adam liptak So hes very hard to read in this case. But heres what you need to know. In the 2016 case, in the case involving Texas, he said the Texas law was fine. He voted to uphold the Texas law. michael barbaro Oh, interesting. adam liptak And now hes looking at the identical Louisiana law. And for him, even to be open-minded about it might be a big surprise. archived recording (john roberts) I understand the point that the impact of the laws varies from state to state. But why do you look at each state differently if the benefits of the law theyre not going to change from state to state. archived recording So adam liptak He asks a series of questions that seem a little skeptical about the Louisiana law. He seems to be buying the idea that it may not confer any medical benefits to women, it may not protect their health. And that casts the chief justice in a very interesting light. michael barbaro Hm. So Chief Justice Roberts was a vote in favor of this identical Texas law four years ago. And now, in his questions to the lawyers, he seems skeptical of the identical law in Louisiana, perhaps somewhat open to striking it down. adam liptak So Chief Justice Roberts often has conflicting impulses. Hes basically conservative. Hes a product of the conservative legal movement. But hes also the steward of the courts integrity and authority. And he may think that, listen, weve decided this question once. A federal appeals court seems to have ignored us. Thats not acceptable. And even though I might have voted differently the first time, there are other interests at play here. archived recording (julie rikelman) There are no further questions. archived recording (john roberts) Thank you, counsel. The case is submitted. michael barbaro So how do you think this all will shake out? You have an almost startlingly good track record of predicting outcomes in Supreme Court cases. adam liptak Im confused, Michael. I really dont think that John Roberts wants to make it a habit of having 5-4 decisions in which he joins the courts liberals. But I guess I do think that theres a class of cases, and this may be one of them, where a conception of respect for the rule of law and for precedent and for judicial integrity might push him in that uncomfortable direction. michael barbaro Towards the liberals and striking down this law. adam liptak Thats right. michael barbaro Adam, Im curious. What does Kathaleen say about what she thinks will happen here? adam liptak She is very, very nervous. She thinks that in the past couple years, the landscape the legal, social, political landscape has shifted against abortion rights. Shes nervous about the future of her clinic. kathaleen pittman My one big hope is that the integrity of the Supreme Court means something or that it still exists. Let me put it that way. I think look, you know, anybody looking at the bigger picture would know that if we dont win, and if the court reverses itself, or even qualifies its prior ruling, then its going to open up a Pandoras box. michael barbaro Adam, thank you very much. adam liptak Thank you, Michael. michael barbaro A Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of Louisianas abortion law is expected by June. Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. On Sunday, in an attempt to contain the coronavirus, Italy locked down much of the countrys north, restricting movement for about a quarter of the Italian population. It was the most sweeping effort outside of China to stop the spread of the disease, which has already infected more than 7,300 Italians and killed more than 365. But it was unclear how effective the lockdown would be. Hours before and after it began, people streamed out of the region on trains and planes. In the U.S., 21 passengers on a cruise ship off the coast of California have tested positive for the virus. New York has declared a state of emergency over its outbreak, and a top health official told Fox News that regional travel restrictions could become necessary. archived recording 1 Italy just announced that it is going to lock down an entire region of northern Italy that includes Milan and Venice, with a quarter of the population. Could that happen here? archived recording 2 We have to be realistic. I dont think it would be as draconian as nobody in and nobody out. But if we continue to get cases like this, particularly at the community level, there will be what we call mitigation, where youll have to do, essentially, social distancing keep people out of crowded places, those kinds of things. michael barbaro YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. According to Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, the relations between Armenia and Georgia have never been better than now, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said in Tbilisi during a meeting with the Armenian community. Even considering the fact that the relations between our countries have always been good, now we have exclusively good atmosphere and I think our relations have never been so good in the past, Pashinyan said. My proposal is that we should view our relations 100 years ahead and should have common visions about that future from now, because we have lived next to each other in this region for millennia, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan is in Georgia on an official visit. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Description GIS - 03 March, 2020: The promotion of Mauritius as an important financial centre in the African continent was at the fore of discussions today during a courtesy call by the Group Chairman of the Standard Chartered Bank PLC , Mr. Jose Vinals , 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. In a statement, Mr. Jose Vinals underlined that he had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister while adding that discussions pertained to developing Mauritius as a leading sustainable financial centre. Mauritius, he said, plays an important role as a financial hub for Asia, the Middle East and Africa. To this end, he expressed his commitment to strengthen the collaboration with the Government of Mauritius as well as to create a synergy between the public and private sectors with a view of contributing further to the economic development of the country. Huda Kattan has quickly become one of the most recognized women in the beauty industry. Since she started her journey a decade ago, she has accumulated a massive following on Instagram and has created a multi-million dollar cosmetic line. While the beauty mogul does like to share her life with her fans on Instagram, there are a few things about her that are still a mystery to many people. Here is a look at Huda Kattans family life and how many siblings she has. Who is Huda Kattan? Huda Kattan | Mary Clavering/Young Hollywood/Getty Images Kattan was born on October 2, 1983, in Oklahoma. Her parents are both Iraqi immigrants who came to America before she was born so that her mother could teach biology and her father could pursue a career in mechanical engineering. When Kattan was young, her parents moved to Tennessee. While she lived in Tennessee, she went by the name Heidi because all of the kids that she went to school with thought Huda was a very odd name. The family had later moved to Massachusetts where Huda said she finally felt like she could be herself. In an interview with Vogue, Huda said: I wanted to go by Huda but people thought it was so weird. But when we moved to Massachusetts, people were like, Thats such a cool name! They would even tell me, Youre from Iraq; wow, thats so cool. After graduating high school, she went on to attend the University of Michigan to study finance. She landed a well-paying finance job shortly after graduating. However, the recession in 2008 left her jobless and looking for other options. Instead of trying to find another job in finance, Kattan decided to attend the famous Joe Blasco makeup school and then started her own beauty blog in 2010 called Huda Beauty. Does Huda Kattan have any siblings? Kattan is the third child of four siblings. She has an older brother named Khalid, an older sister named Alya, and a younger sister named Mona. When Kattan first decided to pursue a career in the beauty industry, it was her older sister, Alya, who helped her get her foot in the door. She said that her older sister was actually the first person who got her interested in makeup when she was just a teenager. And when she decided to start a career in the beauty industry, the two sisters would share countless beauty tips and tricks on their Facebook and other social media pages. Soon, their posts started to go viral, and before they knew it, Huda Beauty became a household name. Huda Beauty is a family business In 2013, Huda Beauty launched its own cosmetics line. The first item to hit shelves from the new cosmetics line was false eyelashes. Kattan said she got the idea to create her own brand of eyelashes when she was unable to find a pair that she liked in stores. Apparently, other people had the same problem, and shortly after the eyelashes hit the market, they were sold out. Today, the cosmetics line sells over 100 different beauty items, including lipstick, highlighters, matte foundation, and even foundation. The business quickly went from being a modest blog to becoming a global icon in just a few years. The company is now based out of Dubai and Kattan and her two sisters have an active role in running the business. Her older sister, Alya, is the Chief Instagram Officer for the company. And her younger sister, Mona, is the companys global president. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of all three sisters, today, the company is known as one of the fastest-growing cosmetic companies in the world. And Kattan has also become one of the most recognized Instagram influencers in the beauty industry. An Armenian Odyssey: The Color of Pomegranates Festival was launched in Freer Gallery, Washington, DC on February 29 with A Tribute to Sergei Parajanov event. Advocating for dissemination of Armenian culture abroad, Ameriabank acts as the Main Corporate Sponsor of the festival. The Armenian Festival is produced by PostClassical Ensemble and the Embassy of Armenia to the USA. The program includes Armenian movie screenings and concert programs. The central event of the Festival is scheduled on March 4, at 7.30pm at Washington National Cathedral. Jivan Gasparyan, the legendary duduk virtuoso, along with Jivan Gasparyan Jr, and, world-renowned cellist, Narek Hakhnazarian will perform. PostClassical Ensemble, conducted by Angel Gil-Ordonez, will also perform a world premiere piece composed specially for this event by the eminent composer Vache Sharafyan. Kevork Mourad, a Syrian-Armenian artist, will illustrate in real-time to the music. The events in Washington will be attended by cultural, public and political figures from Armenia. The festival will be closed on March 14 at the National Gallery of Art with screening as a tribute to Rouben Mamoulian, famous Armenian-American film and theater director. For more details about the Festival events, as well as to purchase the tickets, please, follow the link here. Chinese office workers wear protective masks as they line up for the bus after work in Beijing on March 2, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Chinese Authorities Require Government Offices to Destroy Data Related to Coronavirus Outbreak In recent weeks, the Chinese regime has reported fewer novel coronavirus diagnoses across the country, making it appear as if the outbreak was leveling off. The Epoch Times previously obtained confidential internal documents showing that in the coastal province of Shandong, authorities were purposefully under-reporting the number of diagnostic kit test results that turned up positive. Eyewitnesses in Hubei province, where the outbreak is most severe, also told the publication that many people were unable to be diagnosed and treated at hospitals due to over-capacity, but were exhibiting symptoms and self-quarantining at home. Now it appears some local authorities have been required to destroy data they compiled relating to the virus outbreak. Chaoyang City The Epoch Times obtained a copy of a Feb. 23 document sent from the Chaoyang city health commission to its provincial counterpart, the Liaoning health commission. The city is located in the countrys northeastern region, thousands of miles away from the virus epicenter in Hubei. In compliance with the provincial health commissions instructions, the city has inquired and checked within its government departments and agencies that previously received documents and data related to the outbreak, and have duly destroyed them, the document stated. A confidential government document from the Chaoyang city health commission, dated on Feb. 23, 2020. (Provided to The Epoch Times) Staff who had access to the data were also required to sign a letter of commitment, which stipulated that officials promise to delete relevant documents from their laptops, computers, smartphones, external drive, and so on. Furthermore, the signee will delete any screenshots and photos he or she made of the documents, and will promise not to share the contents of said documents with any party. A letter of commitment, in which officials promise not to disclose information related to destroyed documents and data related to the outbreak. (Provided to The Epoch Times) This publication also received screenshots of the Chaoyang city health commissions internal database. A document with the following title is listed as deleted: information about the close contacts of people with novel coronavirus, supplied by Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Information Center. In parentheses, the document title explains that the provincial governments newly set-up command center for combating the virus had required that such information be distributed to individual cities and the provincial police bureau. A screenshot of the government database, where several offices and departments within Chaoyang city government are shown to have deleted a document related to the coronavirus outbreak. (Provided to The Epoch Times) The CDC Information Center is an internal database that is used to distribute information to provincial CDCs, hospitals, and other related users. According to the screenshots, 13 different departments within Chaoyang government also submitted and signed the letter of non-disclosure, including the civil affairs bureau and county government offices. Hiding the Truth The Epoch Times has previously reported that the Shandong province CDC compiled internal data sets, including the daily number of new positive diagnostic results. In the month of February, those numbers ranged from 1.36 times to 52 times greater than the officially published data by the Shandong health commission. Meanwhile, Chinese media Caixin reported on Feb. 26 that authorities in the city of Wuhan (located in Hubei), where the virus first emerged, knew of the outbreak before they reported it to the public. Caixin interviewed medical staff at the Wuhan Xinhua Hospital, who said that the facility had received seven novel coronavirus patients by Dec. 29, 2019, and kept reporting them to Jianghan district CDC officials since Dec. 27. The media outlet also spoke with Zhao Su, a doctor from Wuhan Central Hospital, who said the first coronavirus patient he received began exhibiting symptoms on Dec. 20. The Wuhan health commission announced that 27 people contracted an unknown viral pneumonia on Dec. 31. Central government authorities only began describing the severity of the outbreak on Jan. 20, when they admitted that the virus was contagious. The Caixin report was removed from its website soon after publication, but netizens copied the article onto a mirror site. Russian military police units were reportedly deployed to the town of Saraqeb in northwestern Syria on March 2. The Syrian army first captured the town Feb. 5, but was forced to retreat from it Feb. 28 after days of continuous attacks by Turkish-backed armed groups. Syria said March 2 that it had recaptured the town. "Taking into account the importance of safe and unimpeded movement of motor transport and civilian population along the M4-M5 highways, units of the Russian military police were deployed to the city of Saraqeb at 17:00 on March 2, 2020," the Russian Centre for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said March 2. M4 and M5 are two main highways that traverse the country from east to west and north to south respectively. Why it matters: In the Feb. 28 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the latter said he asked the Russian leader to step aside and let Turkey do what is necessary with the Syrian government. Over the following two days Syrian army positions in the northwestern region came under heavy fire from the Turkish army and allied opposition groups. Turkey killed dozens Ankara claims over 1,000 of Syrian troops and damaged a number of facilities. It also attacked a number of positions belonging to Hezbollah and other Shiite militias operating in coordination with Syrian government forces. During this period, Russia opted for a virtual unilateral cease-fire, acting only to repel drone attacks on its Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province. On March 1, the head of the Russian Reconciliation Center, Rear Adm. Oleg Zhuravlev, said Russian troops cannot guarantee the safety of flights for Turkish aircraft over Syria. He said Syria had to seal off the skies over its territory after Turkey downed two Syrian Su-24 attack aircraft. Now Moscow seems to have pushed forward with some new deterrence tactics. The deployment of military police in Saraqeb after its recapture by the Syrian army has the strategic town under President Bashar al-Assads control and is meant to deter further possible attempts to win it over by the Turkey-backed opposition forces. Tactical loss, strategic gain? Russias virtual inaction in the face of Turkish attacks on Syria drew an array of reactions from speculation of Moscows fears of Ankara in Turkey to indignation over betrayal in Syria to some bewilderment in Russia. Following the killing of more than 30 Turkish troops in an airstrike, Al-Monitor described how Russian decision-makers might react if the situation with Turkey were to escalate further. One thing it didnt mention was the well-known difficulties of getting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to accept the terms of Russian-Turkish agreements. Against this background, Russias posture on the battlefield after the Putin-Erdogan phone talks may be explained by that Putin opted for a limited non-interference to allow Erdogan to save face at home, to have Assad rethink his cocky behavior and realize the limits of his own powers and for Russia to reassert its position as a mediator in a Turkey-Syria conflict rather than as an ally of one party. In other words, Moscow suffered some short-term reputational loses with an eye on a bigger prize of maintaining the status of a kingmaker in Syria. A source in the Russian Foreign Ministry who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity denied this theory. This is a conspiracy [theory], he said. Turkey wasnt supposed to use drones against the Syrian army, drones were allowed for reconnaissance purposes. Hence, the Syrian army had to close the skies to defend itself, he added, referring to a gentlemans agreement between Moscow and Ankara on the use of drones over Idlib. Whats ahead: Erdogan will visit Moscow on March 5 for talks with Putin over Idlib. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said March 2 that Russias position will be absolutely consistent and will remain unchanged, referring to Russian commitments to the Sochi agreement of 2018 that guarantee Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity. Know more: See whats at stake for Russia in the spat with Turkey in Maxim Suchkovs story and follow Turkey Pulse for in-depth coverage of the situation from the Turkish angle. London, March 3 : A former aide to British Home Secretary Priti Patel received a 25,000-pound ($31,927) payout from the UK government after claiming she was bullied by the then Employment Minister, a media report revealed on Tuesday. The BBC report quotes legal correspondence as saying that the woman, a junior employee at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), took an overdose of prescription medicine following the alleged incident in 2015. The employee brought a formal complaint of bullying and harassment against the Department, including Patel, after being dismissed from her role in October 2015. The staff member's grievance letter alleged that she had previously attempted to kill herself after reporting similar allegations of workplace bullying concerning another individual in 2014, before Patel was a Minister. The staff member has also alleged that she was told the decision to dismiss her a year later was not made on performance grounds but because Patel did not "like (her) face". Shortly after, the staff member allegedly took an overdose of the prescription medication in the office and lay with her head on the desk for some time. She was then said to have become unresponsive and her partner was called by a colleague to collect her as she was unable to walk unaided. The woman then took a further overdose at home in what is described as an attempt to kill herself and was rushed to hospital where she spent the night in resuscitation, the BBC reported citing the legal documents as saying. A settlement was reached in 2017 for 25,000 pounds after she threatened to bring a legal claim of bullying, harassment and discrimination on the grounds of race and disability against the Department, including Patel who is directly named. This revelation comes as Patel is facing allegations - which she denies - that she mistreated staff in her current role as Home Secretary. Philip Rutnam, the Home Office's most senior official, resigned on February 29 alleging Patel's conduct towards staff included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands". He said he now intended to take legal action against the Home Office on the basis of constructive dismissal, alleging that he had been forced out of his job, the BBC reported. The government said on Monday that the Cabinet Office would investigate whether Patel has breached the ministerial code and to "establish the facts". Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed Patel following Rutnam's allegations, saying she was "a fantastic Home Secretary". Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: The war of words between JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and election strategist and former party national vice-president Prashant Kishor is far from over. In the latest instance, Kishor slammed Kumar, saying it was bad on the Bihar chief ministers part to not mention the Delhi violence in his over an hour address to party workers. Kishor, who was expelled from the Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) in January, was referring to the chief ministers speech on Sunday at a party karyakarta sammelan. It was bad on his (Nitish Kumar) part not to say a word on the Delhi violence, Kishor tweeted. The last week communal riots in northeast Delhi left at least 42 people dead and over 200 injured. Latching on to claims by opposition parties in Bihar that the sammelan saw a less than impressive turnout, Kishor also took a swipe at Kumar, saying the event saw bhaari bheed (huge crowd). While addressing a bhaari bheed of JD(U) workers Nitish Kumar claimed that the NDA will win more than 200 seats (in the assembly polls) but did not explain why despite 15 years of his sushasan (good governance) Bihar continues to be the most poor and backward state in the country, Kishor said in a tweet in Hindi. ALSO READ | On Nitish's tall claims of winning 200 seats, Prashant Kishor has difficult questions for him However, JD(U) seems to care less about the Oppositions criticism of a much less than expected turnout at the workers' rally. It was basically a workers meeting. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about the density of crowd at the rally. The JD(U) can still pull more impressive and convincing crowd than the RJD, opined a senior JD(U) leader. Senior JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar said, The euphoria and enthusiasm of the workers at the conference is more important, encouraging and indicative of future Bihar. The JD(U) has a sea of disciplined workers contrary to the RJD. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav shared numerous pictures on his Twitter handle calling the rally, a maha nukkad sabha (a huge street gathering) and taunted JD(U) with offer of maha badhai (heartiest congratulations) upon the maha saphalta (grand success). New Delhi: The public were seen on the normal roads after the riots in North East Delhi's Khajuri Khas on Feb 27, 2020. (Photo: IANS) The Prime Minister's Office has called a meeting with the state insurers on quick and hassle-free settlement of the claims coming from the riot-hit areas in northeast Delhi as the situation in the area limps back towards normalcy. Though these are initial days, preliminary estimates show that there could be insurance claims to the tune of Rs 10-15 crore which could go up as surveyors start assessing the situation once full normalcy returns. The PMO has already taken stock of the situation on anticipated claims and the likely situation, sources said adding state life insurer LIC has settled the killed Delhi Police head constable's claims in a record time. A majority of the claims filed so far pertain to motor vehicle damage and business losses. In India, property, business, shops, and houses are not usually insured. With motor insurance being mandatory in India, only vehicle damages has formed the major claims so far, but still the situation is evolving, said an executive from a private insurance firm. A senior executive of a state insurance PSU said the government has called a meeting on the claims but as of now, they have not received any from the area. "These are early times, normalcy is just creeping now. They already had one meeting and one more will be taking taking place. The Principal Secretary is looking into it. "We are finding out how to go about it, they (PMO) will give guidance on how to reach out to the riot victims on their losses. Insurance companies have their rules... if there is a claim, people have to come. That guidance has to come from the Finance Ministry, especially for public sector insurance companies," the executive said. Sanjay Datt, chief underwriting and claims at ICICI Lombard, told IANS that they would know how many people are affected once formal claims start coming to them. "As of now, claims have not come ... we just waiting for people to come back home to pick up life and then this process will start as we have seen in other such situations. Now it is very early. Claims over Rs 50,000 for motor insurance and Rs 1 lakh in case of other cases will need surveyors' estimate of the loss," he said. Another official said once the situation stabilises, insurance companies will send surveyors to assess the losses and all genuine cases will be fast-tracked. Un-precedented plea in SC by UN cites fundamental principle of non-refoulement India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 03: The United Nations in an unprecedented move, approached the Supreme Court against India's decisions to implement the citizenship law that aims at giving a home to the persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The United Nations said that while it is a worthy and commendable objective, it raises a number of issues related to India's wider human rights obligations in the context of fundamental principle of non-refoulement. Refoulement is the forcible return of refugees or asylum seekers to a country where they are liable to be subjected to persecution. Citizenship Act 'internal matter', says India as UN body files intervention application in SC The principle of non-refoulement is enshrined in international human rights laws. Non-refoulement under the refugee law prohibits return in any manner whatsoever to threats to life or freedom on five grounds, but is not restricted to religion, the UN said in an intervening application.Under international human rights law return is prohibited where there is a real risk of the individual suffering irreparable harm, which is a concept broader than persecution and does not require the risk of harm to be linked to a specific ground. Under the international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement prohibits the expulsion, return or extradition of a person in the territory of a state or under its jurisdiction or effective control to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing that the person would be in danger of being subjected to irreparable harm such as violation of right to life, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance, among others, the application further states. The principle applies to all forms of exclusion or return of persons regardless of their nationality, legal status, immigration status, statelessness or citizenship. The question arises as to whether the differentiation made with regard to the persecution on religious grounds as opposed to other grounds is sufficiently objective and reasonable, in particular taking into account the prohibition of refoulement and India's obligations under the international human rights law. The application broadly states that the new law puts Muslim migrants at risk and that the law has issues of reasonableness and objectivity. It further states that the new law may not in sync with India's commitment to international covenants. Explainer: Why state government resolution against citizenship law has no legal sanctity India meanwhile said that its permanent mission in Geneva was informed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet about the intervening application. This is India's internal matter and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus stand on the issues pertaining to India's sovereignty, the MEA said. India maintained that the new law is constitutionally valid and complies with the requirements of our constitutional values. It is reflective of our long standing commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the partition of India. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 15:27 [IST] Whats at stake? Alabama voters on Tuesday will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment to fire the elected state school board and replace them with a set of commissioners appointed by the governor. Why do supporters want to do that? Proponents, including Gov. Kay Ivey, argue that whos at the top matters, and say the current elected state school board is broken, pointing to Alabamas dead last ranking in math on the recent national report card and the five superintendentsthree permanent and two interimthe board has appointed since 2016. What do opponents say? Opponents say people shouldnt give up their right to vote. Jefferson County Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin told AL.com he doesnt trust politicians (who would do the appointing and the confirming) in the current political climate to do whats right for schools. Who supports it? Gov. Kay Ivey, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, the Alabama Policy Institute, and a number of big players in Alabama politics, including the Alabama Farmers Federation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Great Southern Wood Preserving, and the Alabama Association of Realtors. Heres Iveys Take the Lead Alabamas website. Who opposes it? The Alabama Republican Party, the Alabama Eagle Forum, the conservative Common Sense campaign, some local school district superintendents, and a number of state school board members, including Wayne Reynolds, Jackie Zeigler, Jeff Newman, and Stephanie Bell. Reynolds threatened to sue if the Amendment passes and he is not appointed to the new state board. Related: Some big Alabama businesses back appointed state school board Related: Alabama school board member threatens lawsuit if Amendment One passes What does Amendment One do? It converts the eight-member elected state school board to a nine-member Commission (seven by Congressional district, two at-large) that would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Commissioners could be appointed for no more than two 6-year terms. It also requires the nine-member appointed Commission to reflect the gender, racial and geographic diversity of Alabamas students. It calls for a new set of learning standardsminus the controversial Common Core standardsto be developed. (The current state school board approved new math standards in December.) It converts the State Superintendent to the state Secretary of Education, who will be appointed by the Commission and confirmed by the Senate. What do the education groups say? The Alabama Association of School Boards supports the change to an appointed board. The Alabama Education Association, School Superintendents of Alabama, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, and the A+ Education Partnership have all taken neutral positions. What happens if it passes? The elected state school board members will vacate their seats as soon as the nine new commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The state superintendent of education, Dr. Eric Mackey, appears to be able to keep his office, at least through his contract, which runs until May 2022. Are any state school board members on the ballot to get re-elected this year? Yes. Four districts (1,3,5 and 7) will consider candidates for election and re-election. The only district with candidates on Tuesdays primary ballot is District 5, where eight Democrats are vying for the seat left open when longtime board member Ella Bell died in November. Will this affect test scores? Its hard to make a clean connection between how state education governance boards are selected and high test scores. An AL.com analysis showed that states with appointed state school boards are over-represented in the top 10 states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and states with elected state school boards are over-represented in the bottom 10, but NAEP experts caution that test scores are impacted by many different areas, including resources, spending, and poverty level of students among others. Related: Can appointed state school board raise Alabamas national standing in education? What do other states do? In 32 states, governors appoint the state school board and in another four states, governors share those appointments with other legislative officers. In three states, some state school board members are elected while others are appointed. In six states, including Alabama, state school board members are elected in partisan elections, while one state elects state school board members in a nonpartisan election. In four states, there is no governing state school board. When did we get an elected board? Alabama had an appointed school board from 1919 until 1969, when Gov. Albert Brewer asked voters to approve a constitutional amendment to elect the school board. Less than 10% of voters turned out for the December 1969 election, and the amendment passed with 54% of the vote. Related: How Alabama got an elected school board What has the state school board done that matters in my childs school? Most of the business the state school board does is done at meetings by voting on resolutions. Those resolutions cover a lot of areas that directly impact local schools. In addition to approving the budget request each year, heres a quick list of some of the decisions theyve made in recent years that impact all students: The state school board also adopts changes to the Alabama Administrative Code, which is the set of rules under which schools and the Department of Education operate. Who is your state school board member? Heres a link to the list of state school board members, pictured below. And the district map is linked here. Gov. Ivey serves as president of the state school board but would lose her vote if Amendment One passes. Here's a look at Alabama's current elected state Board of Education. Alabama Amendment One coverage All non-consensual sex will be treated as rape under new 'Only yes means yes' laws approved by the Spanish government following an outcry over the Wolf Pack case. Spain's left-wing government approved the bill today, acting on a pre-election promise to strengthen laws in defence of women's rights. The draft law, which faces months of debate in parliament, seeks to establish specialized courts for dealing with sexual offences and round-the-clock recovery centres for victims. It would increase jail penalties for work-related sexual harassment to up to two years and make catcalling a criminal offence. All non-consensual sex will be treated as rape under new laws approved by the Spanish government following an outcry over the Wolf Pack case. Pictured: Protesters embrace during a demonstration against the release on bail of five men known as the 'Wolf Pack' in 2018 Combating gender violence has been high on Spain's political agenda since its women's rights movement was galvanised by the 2016 'Wolf Pack' trial, in which five men referring to themselves by that name were jailed for sexual abuse after gang-raping a young woman at the Pamplona bull-running festival. They were cleared of more serious charges because there was no evidence violence was used. Because of the way the law currently works, if women are too scared to fight back (or are physically incapable of it) sex attacks will not be considered rape. The new law will abolish that distinction so that rape will instead be decided by the question of consent. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Spain in 2018 after five men dubbed 'the Wolf Pack' were cleared of raping a teenager at the Pamplona bull run Mass protests against that conviction, which attracted international attention in the wake of the global #MeToo movement, led to an appeal in 2019 in which the Supreme Court ruled the men had committed rape. 'Spain will be a safer country for women with the approval of this law,' Equality Minister Irene Montero told a news briefing. 'Women's rights and sexual freedoms will never again be stranded down a blind alley.' The Socialist-led coalition government announced the bill's approval in the run-up to Sunday's International Women's Day, and rallies in Spain this weekend to mark it. A woman is seen with a sign saying 'we want to be free' during protests in 2018 following the Wolf Pack case in Spain Maria Solanas, director at the Elcano Royal Institute think-tank, said the proposed legislation would make Spain the first country to implement in a single bill all the recommendations of the 2014 Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. According to Amnesty International, only nine of 31 European countries have laws that define rape based on the absence of consent, instead defining it by other measures such as whether violence or the threat of violence was used - as is still the case in Spain. The bill proposes to merge the crimes of sexual abuse and sexual assault into the same type of crime qualified as rape. Aggravating factors such as physical violence or the use of drugs or alcohol to incapacitate the victim would carry heavier sentences. Such cases would be heard by special judges in courts dedicated to sexual crimes, as is already done with crimes relating to gender violence. The gender violence law was approved in 2004 by Spain's previous Socialist government, and the World Economic Forum ranks the country eighth globally in terms of gender parity. US President Donald Trump made the surprise announcement Tuesday that he'd had a "very good" talk with the Taliban political chief on the Afghan peace process, despite an eruption of violence marring a brief calm in the country. The insurgents were the first to give news of the highly unusual phone call between Trump and former Taliban fighter Mullah Baradar, which the insurgents said lasted 35 minutes. Trump confirmed the call later to reporters in Washington. But asked if he had held previous, undisclosed talks with Baradar, Trump replied: "I don't want to say." "We had a very good conversation with the leader of the Taliban today," Trump said in Washington. "The relationship is very good that I have with the mullah. We had a good long conversation today and you know, they want to cease the violence, they'd like to cease violence also." However, the call held at around 1440 GMT Tuesday came just a day after the militants ended a partial truce meant to be the first step in a wider peace deal under a US-Taliban agreement signed Saturday. The unrest raised questions over the future of talks between the insurgents and the US-backed Afghan government in Kabul that are set to begin March 10. Trump has touted the peace agreement as a way to end the bloody, nearly two decades US military presence in Afghanistan -- right in time for his November reelection bid. Under the terms of the deal, US and other foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees and a pledge by the insurgents to hold talks with the national government in Kabul. The agreement also includes a commitment to exchange 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government in return for 1,000 captives -- something the militants have cited as a prerequisite for talks but which President Ashraf Ghani has refused to do before negotiations start. Baradar called on Trump to "not allow anyone to take actions that violate the terms of the agreement thus embroiling you even further in this prolonged war", according to the Taliban transcript. Trump sounded sympathetic to the Taliban message, saying "they are looking to get this ended, and we're looking to get it ended, I think we all have a very common interest." He said the Kabul government may be "reluctant" to pursue the peace deal, saying "they've done very well with the United States for many years -- far beyond military if you look at all the money that we spent in Afghanistan." - Dozens of attacks - Following Saturday's deal signing, the Taliban have been publicly claiming "victory" over the US and on Monday they announced an end to the partial truce, resuming their attacks on Afghan national forces. Since Monday, the Taliban conducted 33 attacks in 16 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. "As a result, six civilians were killed and 14 wounded. Eight enemy were also killed, 15 wounded," he said on Twitter. Two soldiers were killed in one of the attacks in southern Kandahar province, a government statement said. An attack in Logar province near Kabul killed five security forces, the provincial governor's spokesman Didar Lawang told AFP. The halt to the limited truce, which began on February 22, ended what was a welcome reprieve for ordinary Afghans who have born the brunt of the deadly violence. Kabul-based analyst Ahmad Saeedi told AFP the uptick in attacks reflected the insurgents' belief that "they have to keep the battlefield hot to be able to win on the negotiating table, as they did with the Americans." - Holding nation 'hostage?' - Ghani's government last week sent a delegation to Qatar to open "initial contacts" with the insurgents, but Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen on Tuesday said the militants would not meet Kabul's representatives except to discuss the release of their captives. Apparent differences between the Doha agreement and a separate joint US-Afghan declaration made in Afghanistan underline the obstacles facing negotiators. The US-Taliban deal committed to the release of prisoners while the Kabul document only required both sides to determine "the feasibility of releasing" captives. In a statement, the UN's Afghanistan mission called for "continued reduced violence to maintain & enhance an environment conducive to the start of intra-Afghan negotiations". "After the US-Taliban deal, it is illogical to fight. It is time for peace," said Naqibullah, a 40-year-old government employee in Kabul, who uses only one name. "The Taliban can't take the whole nation hostage." burs-sms/ft US President Donald Trump has touted the peace agreement as a way to end the bloody, nearly two decades US military presence in Afghanistan Taliban quoted fighter-turned-negotiator Mullah Baradar urging Trump to "take determined actions in regards to the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan" Intra-Afghan negotiations are due to begin March 10 according to a US-Taliban deal signed in Doha on Saturday Abortion returns to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday as the justices entertain oral arguments in a case thats being closely watched by advocates on both sides of the politically explosive subject. While the precise issues before the court in June Medical Services v. Russo are narrow, the case has major implications for efforts in several states to place restrictions on the availability of abortion. At issue is a constitutional challenge to the Louisiana Unsafe Abortion Protection Act, a 2014 statute that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion site. Four years ago, the Supreme Court invalidated a somewhat similar Texas law in Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt. Splitting 5-3 Justice Antonin Scalia had died the court held that the law placed an undue burden on a womans right to have an abortion. Justice Anthony Kennedy joined the courts four liberal members in the majority, while Chief Justice John G. Roberts was among the dissenters. Kennedy, of course, has since retired and Roberts, drifting leftward, has replaced him as the courts swing justice. But what might have otherwise seemed like good news for supporters of the Louisiana statute, may actually be good news for its opponents. For it was Roberts who, in February 2019, cast the deciding vote in granting a stay of the statutes enforcement pending the resolution of the appeal. Lower court ruling In September 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld the Louisiana statute, concluding that doctors in that state would not have the same difficulties gaining hospital admitting privileges as their counterparts in Texas had encountered. The New Orleans-based appellate court also noted that the admitting requirement was consistent with the states legitimate interest in protecting the health of pregnant women. Hence, the court found, the law does not impose a substantial burden on a large fraction of women. The importance of this case to the evolving body of abortion law is evident from the numerous amicus briefs it has drawn. For instance, a brief filed on behalf of 197 members of Congress argues that the Louisiana statute is pretextual, being yet another state initiative designed to whittle away abortion rights. Conversely, 207 other members of Congress filed an amicus brief not only supporting the statute, but asserting that Roe v. Wade should be overruled. From a constitutional perspective, Roe v. Wade is indefensible, a point conceded by numerous legal scholars who themselves are strongly pro-choice. They include Edward Lazarus, a former law clerk to Justice Harry Blackmun, the author of the opinion; Lawrence Tribe, a Professor of Law at Harvard, who represented Al Gore in 2000; and Kermit Roosevelt, a Professor of Law at Pennsylvania Law School. Nonetheless, the continuing viability of Roe v. Wade is not before the court in this case and theres no chance whatsoever that the court will address it. Standing to sue There is a possibility, however, that the court wont even decide the constitutionality of the Louisiana statue. Thats because a preliminary issue in the case involves the right of the challengers to bring their suit in the first place. That issue standing arises because the suitors are the abortion providers themselves and not the women they service. Louisiana argues that since the constitutional right to abortion belongs to pregnant women alone, the abortion providers lack standing to assert it. Resolving the appeal on the issue of standing could prove to be an attractive option for Roberts if, as is reasonably surmised, hed prefer to avoid a controversial ruling on the merits in the middle of whats shaping up to be an especially contentious election year. Since the four liberal justices of the court are intransigent abortion supporters, the success or failure of ongoing efforts to restrict Roe v. Wade without directly overruling it depends squarely on Roberts. Right now, for instance, federal or state legislation is either pending or has been proposed to ban abortion in a variety of circumstances, including after a heartbeat is detected, after the first trimester, or after the child in utero is capable of feeling pain. Lawsuits are also likely as states seek to expand existing restrictions such as parental notification requirements, sonogram laws, or mandatory waiting periods. These and other issues are likely headed to the Supreme Court at some point. How Roberts votes in June Medical Services v. Russo will be good indicator of what will happen when they get there. Daniel Leddys column On the Law appears weekly. Follow him on Twitter. His email address is column@danielleddylaw.com. WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has signed Space Act Agreements with 17 companies in the aviation industry to advance plans for the first in a series of technology demonstrations known as the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Grand Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to test the capabilities and readiness of vehicles and systems that could revolutionize mobility in and around densely populated metropolitan areas. When fully implemented, UAM will provide a safe and efficient system for passenger and cargo air transportation and could include such innovations as small package delivery within dense urban areas; personal taxi service by air; air medical services, such as patient ambulance transportation; and cargo delivery to underserviced communities. The NASA-led Grand Challenge series, which these new agreements support, will bring together companies intending to develop and/or operate air vehicles or airspace management services within the larger UAM ecosystem. "With this step, we're continuing to put the pieces together that we hope will soon make real the long-anticipated vision of smaller piloted and unpiloted vehicles providing a variety of services around cities and in rural areas," said Robert Pearce, NASA's associate administrator for aeronautics. In addition to bringing together companies involved in emerging air transportation systems, the challenge will help ensure public safety by informing requirements for UAM operations and formalizing best practices to enable the development of regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration. "Our partnership with the FAA will be a key factor in the successful and safe outcomes for industry that we can expect from conducting these series of Grand Challenges during the coming years," Pearce said. While the first Grand Challenge is targeted for 2022, several developmental testing activities are planned for this year. The first step involves activities known as the Grand Challenge Developmental Testing (GC-DT) that will lay the groundwork for the first challenge. "We consider this work as a risk reduction step toward Grand Challenge 1," said Starr Ginn, NASA's Grand Challenge lead. "It is designed to allow U.S. developed aircraft and airspace management service providers to essentially try out their systems with real-world operations in simulated environments that we also will be flight testing to gain experience." The goal of the developmental test is to assess the readiness of NASA's test infrastructure while integrating a mobile operating facility and NASA airspace services. The test will verify relevant flight test scenarios, assist in data collection and assess readiness. So far,17 companies have signed Space Act Agreements with NASA to participate in GC-DT and activities leading up to the first Grand Challenge. With the agreements, which do not involve the exchange of funds, both NASA and the signing parties agree to provide resources to accomplish the goals of the testing. Selected industry partners provided accepted proposals in one of three categories: Developmental Flight Testing: Industry partners will provide a vehicle to fly in the GC-DT and demonstrate key integrated operational UAM scenarios as designed by NASA's UAM Grand Challenge team. Industry partners will provide a vehicle to fly in the GC-DT and demonstrate key integrated operational UAM scenarios as designed by NASA's UAM Grand Challenge team. Developmental Airspace Simulation: Industry partners will test its UAM traffic management services in robust NASA-designed airspace simulations in the GC-DT and demonstrate key integrated operational UAM scenarios. Industry partners will test its UAM traffic management services in robust NASA-designed airspace simulations in the GC-DT and demonstrate key integrated operational UAM scenarios. Vehicle Provider Information Exchange: Industry partners and NASA will exchange information with the intent to prepare that partner for possible flight activities during the first Grand Challenge at a NASA-provided or other approved test range in 2022. The UAM Grand Challenge is managed by the NASA's Advanced Air Mobility project, a new project office established in the agency's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate to coordinate all of NASA's UAM-related activity as part of its focus to enable emerging aviation markets. Although the deadline to participate in GC-DT has passed, additional industry partners for the Vehicle Provider Information Exchange activity are welcome and encouraged to submit proposals. For a full list of current participants, which will be updated as needed, please visit: https://go.nasa.gov/2VlWHaT For more information about NASA's aeronautics research, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics SOURCE NASA Home insurance premiums have climbed over the past year and could rise significantly more following months of storms. Analysis from research firm Consumer Intelligence found an average 2.9 per cent hike in home insurance premiums, but some areas of the UK saw price rises of nearly 5 per cent over the course of the last year. And experts warn this figure is only set to rise as insurers begin to factor in the costs of paying out for damages caused by this year's particularly active storm season. The UK has experienced weeks of downpours and flooding thanks to storms Ciara, Dennis, Jorge and other bad weather. On average premiums have gone up by 2.9 per cent according to Consumer Intelligence Between them, these storms could have caused damage which would result in up to 425million in insurance claims, according to experts at PwC. At the time of writing there were still currently 94 flood warnings in force in England, including one severe warning, and 196 flood alerts. Wales has 14 flood warnings and 39 alerts, while Scotland has just one warning in place. Areas in the North and Midlands have been particularly badly hit, with Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire and Shropshire experiencing some of the worst flooding. But over the past year it's the South East that has seen the biggest rise in home insurance premiums. Premiums in the region have risen faster than any other part of the UK, now standing at 4.7 per cent more expensive than one year ago. By contrast some of the areas worst-hit in recent weeks such as Wales and Yorkshire have seen premiums rise by just 0.6 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively over the course of the year. Will the price of insurance rise in affected areas? Unsurprisingly, the type of cover that protects you in flooding events is called flood insurance, and it's normally included as part of your buildings insurance. Average premiums and price rises around Great Britain Region Change in year to January Average premium (five cheapest) South East 4.70% 153 Eastern 4.50% 151 Scotland 4.00% 142 London 3.90% 195 North West 3.10% 145 South West 3.00% 138 West Midlands 3.00% 136 East Midlands 2.60% 141 North East 1.90% 129 Yorkshire and The Humber 1.50% 144 Wales 0.60% 146 National average 2.90% 149 The cheapest premiums were calculated by comparing the prices offered for 2,100 people by all the major Price Comparison Sites and key direct insurers. It covers things like removing debris, drying out your home, and restoring fittings and fixtures essentially any damage to the home itself. After years in which homeowners who had been flooded became increasingly unable to secure cover, official steps were taken to improve flood insurance. The government backed 'Flood Re' scheme allows insurers to offer this element of home insurance at a fixed premium. Flood Re is a reinsurance company a sort of insurer for insurers. It was set up to encourage insurance companies to cover homes in flood-prone areas at a reasonable price by providing them with a pot of money to draw from when things go wrong. This means that it's unlikely flood insurance will get more expensive even in areas that have been hit by flooding. Mohammad Khan, general insurance lead and partner at PwC said: 'Due to the existence of Flood Re, homeowners who have seen their properties flooded will not necessarily see an increase in the flood element of their premiums on renewal, following the recent storms and current weather. 'Flood Re charges a fixed premium for the flood element of home insurance for properties built in 2009 and prior. 'These homes will not necessarily see an increase in premiums on renewal due to the storms and floods if the insurers used Flood Re for those properties.' However, damage from the storms that wasn't caused by floods will now be costing insurers money, meaning it will likely have an affect on future premiums. The above map shows the worst-affected areas hit by storms Dennis and Ciara A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said: 'It is too early to speculate on any impact on premiums from the recent bad weather weather that insurers expect to have to deal with during the year. 'The industry funded Flood Re scheme is ensuring that homeowners at high flood risk can continue to get affordable flood insurance. So far 250,000 households in flood risk areas have benefitted from the Scheme. 'The cost of home insurance remains very competitive. Our Premium Tracker, which shows what people are actually paying for their insurance, highlights that the cost of buildings cover fell last year, with the price of the average home contents policy at its lowest since we started collecting this data back in 2012.' A United Wa State Army soldier looks back as she waits to participate in a military parade to commemorate 30 years of a bilateral cease-fire signed with the Myanmar military in the town of Pangsang in Myanmar's Wa self-administered region, April 17, 2019. Myanmars largest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army, will hold voting in four townships of its self-administered region for the first time when general elections are held later this year, a spokesman for the UWSA said Tuesday. The roughly 30,000-strong UWSA, led by ethnic Chinese commanders, will cooperate with the central government to hold voting in four townships in areas under its control along Myanmars border with China, said USWA spokesman Nyi Rang from the groups liaison office in Lashio, eastern Shan state. Of the six townships [in the region], two are under the control of the central government, [and] the remaining four are under the UWSAs control, he said. Ive received information that our head office will work with the government in holding general elections in these townships. Residents of the townships could not participate in previous national elections because of security concerns, he said. Myanmars 2008 constitution granted the roughly 500,000 Wa the right to administer what is known as Special Region 2, comprising the six townships of Hopang, Mongmao, Pangwaun, Matman, Namphan, and Pangsang (Pangkham) in northern and eastern Shan state. Voting was not held in Pangsang, Mongmao, Pangwaun, and Namphan townships during general elections in 2010 and 2015, because the country's Union Election Commission (UEC) said it could not conduct free and fair elections in the areas, according to a report in the online journal The Irrawaddy. UEC chairman Hla Thein went to Pangsang, a border town in Myanmars eastern Shan state that serves as UWSA headquarters in the Wa self-administered region, on Feb. 27 to engage in negotiations with top ethnic army leaders for general elections to be held in Mongmao, Pangwaun, Panghsang, and Namphan townships. The UEC, which organizes and oversees Myanmars elections and vets parliamentary candidates and political parties, has not yet made an announcement about the decision. Hla Thein told RFA Tuesday that he had no comment. The commission plans to hold national elections in the countrys 330 townships in November. It is unclear, however, whether the head office of the UWSAs political wing, the United Wa State Party (UWSP) will allow political parties other than the Wa ethnic party to contest in the elections in the townships. At a meeting in late February in Pangsang, Hla Thein, other government representatives, and UWSA/UWSP vice president Xiao Mingliang pledged to work together to implement procedures needed to hold the 2020 general elections in the groups territory, The Irrawaddy said. Participation is weak Nyi Nat, a lawmaker from Matman township in the Wa self-administered region, said he welcomed the UWSPs decision to hold elections in areas under the group's control. We gladly welcome the elections in four townships under the UWSP because political participation is weak there, he said. Because there have been no elections held there, we have not heard the voices of the people. Nyi Nat ran as a Wa National Unity Party candidate in the countrys 2015 general elections and won a parliamentary seat, but he later left the party and became an independent lawmaker. Townships with lawmakers can present their issues to the central government through the parliament and secure their rights, while townships where voters cannot elect representatives have no way of being heard, he said. The Wa National Unity Party, Wa Democratic Party, and Wa Liberal Democratic Development Party are active in the self-administrative area and are reportedly joining forces to form a single Wa National Party ahead of the 2020 elections. Aye Kyaw of Open Myanmar Initiative, a watchdog group for parliamentary procedure, said Wa officials must ensure that it will be safe for voters to cast ballots. If they are holding elections in their territory, the governing body of the region should be responsible for security, he said. It depends on the will of the Wa people, he said. If they can ensure security and hold elections in the region, it could happen. But if they cant guarantee security, elections will never be held there and not just in 2020. The UWSA was one of the armed ethnic groups that refused to sign a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) brokered by the former military-backed government in October 2015. The ethnic faction has not been involved in any clashes with government troops in recent years. It has, however, been accused of producing and selling illegal narcotics in the region it controls along Myanmars border with China and Thailand. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Austria Launches Task Force On Environmental Tax Reform by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 03 March 2020 Austrian Finance Minister Gernot Blumel has announced the launch of a task force to carry forward the Government's proposed environmental tax reforms. The task force will consist of six members and will be charged with studying options to better apply an effective price to carbon emitting activities. The panel will also discuss possible measures to encourage greener forms of road transport, particularly with respect to commuting, company cars, and road haulage. Additionally, proposed changes to the flight ticket tax will be on the panel's agenda. Included in the coalition's program for government, agreed last month, this proposal would see the existing destination-based flight tax replaced with a flat charge of EUR12 (USD13) per flight. Currently, flights are taxed at EUR3.50 to EUR17.50, depending on destination. The task force is due to hold its first meeting in the week commencing February 24, 2020. It is intended that the Government will begin implementing its recommendations by 2022. A top aide to new Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal said he was fired and escorted out of the office by armed deputies after raising concerns about controversial spending practices that have dogged the agency for years. Brett Mandel, who lasted just five weeks as Bilals chief financial officer, said her first order of business was to continue spending with little budgetary planning or oversight. She spent out of a multimillion-dollar fund of money from fees collected by the office for sheriffs sales, serving writs, and other duties, Mandel said, describing it as a slush fund. Mandel said that he was fired and ushered out on Feb. 10 after raising concerns about that and a practice of handing out expensive contracts for advertising sheriffs sales. Bilal, who ran for Philadelphia sheriff last year vowing to end two decades of scandal after scandal after scandal" in the office, declined to be interviewed for this story. Her office did not deny any of Mandels allegations. As a new administration in office, we are carefully reviewing all past practices for efficiency as well as propriety so we can operate the office with transparency and integrity on behalf of all of the citizens of our city, Bilal said in a statement. Shes not alone in reviewing the books. City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart on Tuesday announced that her office began in January an audit of the Sheriffs Office bank accounts from 2015 to 2019. Many questions have been raised about the finances at the Sheriffs Office and financial management over the years at the Sheriffs Office, Rhynhart said. When we are done that audit a few months from now well have findings and recommendations for the sheriff and the public. The Sheriffs Office, with a budget of $27 million in the 2020 fiscal year and 428 employees, is responsible for the court-ordered sale of foreclosed and tax-delinquent properties, along with courtroom security and transporting prisoners to court. Bilals annual salary is $130,668. After winning, she declared that she would eliminate the dark cloud of scandal by reforming the offices practices. Mandel, a former deputy city controller who advised Bilals transition team on financial matters before she was sworn into office Jan. 6, said his first experience with what he called off budget spending out of the offices fees fund came the day she was inaugurated. A $300 parking ticket was dropped on his desk, issued to a Sheriffs Office captain for illegally parking in a handicapped spot. Mandel said he refused to pay it with off-budget funds. Next came six-figure contracts, to be paid out of the same fund, he said, for a quartet of consultants: Micah C.T. Sims, Teresa Lundy, Rodney Little, and Correy Thomas. Mandel, a longtime good-government advocate who ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for city controller in 2013, said he did not know if those contracts were ever signed by the Sheriffs Office. Barbara Grant, a spokesperson for Bilal, repeatedly refused to say if the contracts were signed. She said the new sheriff, who has held office for two months, deserves a reasonable amount of time to sort things out when it comes to contracting practices. Mandel said he told Bilal and Undersheriff Sommer Miller that he would refuse to sign checks as CFO unless the city Solicitors Office issued an opinion declaring the off-budget spending legal. He was fired before the opinion was issued, but Mandel said he was told by a top city legal authority that the opinion supported his position that the spending was not legal. "The more I dug into the legal underpinnings of the question of the spending of this quote 'off-budget money, it became clear to me that it was legally problematic, Mandel said. A spokesperson for the citys Law Department said in a statement that, As a general matter, the Law Department cannot confirm or deny whether City officials request legal opinions, which are privileged and confidential. Lundy and Little worked for Bilals campaign, helping her defeat then-Sheriff Jewell Williams bid for a third term in last years Democratic primary. Sims, a campaign adviser, is executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a good-government group in Harrisburg. The website Billy Penn reported last month that Common Causes board of directors didnt know he was consulting for the new sheriff. Lundy refused to say if she had a contract with the Sheriffs Office and suggested it was improper to examine Bilals performance before she had spent 100 days on the job. Sims and Little did not respond to requests for comment. Another contract, for less than six figures, was drawn up for communications consultant Dave Scholnick, who confirmed Mandels departure from the office but declined to explain it. Scholnick stopped working for the office not long after that, but declined to say why. Mandel retained text messages and emails in which he expressed concerns about off-budget spending to Bilal, who spent 27 years as a Philadelphia police officer, and Miller, an attorney new to the office. In some, he notes that his onetime boss, former City Controller Jonathan Saidel, shared his concerns about off-budget spending, especially after they consulted with sheriffs offices in Montgomery and Bucks Counties and found the practice was not used there. Saidel, who served on Bilals transition team, said he has concern about any practice that happened in the Sheriffs Office in previous years. But he also said its too soon to say if Bilal will continue with the problematic spending. I would wait and see how things turn out and how things move before making decisions on how the office is representing the city, he said. I do think the sheriff is making a concerted effort to not add on to the problems of the past. Mandel also provided a memo he wrote to Miller, Sims, and Scholnick on Feb. 5 five days before he was fired about the Sheriffs Office spending $6.3 million in fiscal year 2019, before Bilal took office, to advertise mortgage and tax-lien sales. Mandel called that spending beyond the legal requirement to alert the public to those sales. He noted the firm placing those sales notices collected $719,320 in commissions that fiscal year for work that could be done by Sheriffs Office employees. Bilals statement to The Inquirer was provided by Grant, one of the partners in Cardenas Grant, the firm paid to place the advertisements. That firms contract ends on March 31. Its unclear whether Bilal will continue that practice and, if so, who will get the contract. Grant also refused to say if Bilal will use competitive bidding for future contracts with her office. Mandel said his refusal to sign off on the spending created tension in the office. His title was changed 17 days into his tenure to lead budget and integrity officer." He said the title change was explained this way: It was the sheriffs preference to have a CFO who had a formal accounting background. Mandels primary objection to the spending practices is that every dollar the Sheriffs Office spends from fees or on advertising is money that could be returned to homeowners who have their properties taken in legal actions. Those homeowners receive money left over after the city sells the properties. So if theres too much money being spent on advertising, thats picking the pocket of the former homeowner, Mandel said. Bilal promised to reform an office long beset by corruption and scandal. Williams was accused of sexual harassment in three lawsuits two from the Sheriffs Office and one from his time as a state representative. Williams has denied wrongdoing. Former Sheriff John Green is serving a five-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to bribery charges. The Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday granted bail to businessman Vikas Sachdev, who was convicted by a special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) court in January for molesting a Bollywood actor on board a flight. The actor was a minor at the time of the incident, which occurred on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai in December 2017. A bench of justice Prithviraj Chavan, while hearing 41-year-old Sachdevs appeal against the conviction, was informed by advocate Aniket Nikam that the court had erred in concluding that his client intentionally molested the actor. Nikam said that on the day of the incident, the actor did not lodge any complaint with the crew and was smiling at the time of disembarking the aircraft. He also informed the court that during the trial, the court did not get the accused identified by the actor. The Pocso court, while convicting Sachdev and sentencing him to three years of imprisonment, had suspended the sentence for three months to allow Sachdev to appeal against the conviction in the HC. The appeal was filed in February. While allowing the appeal, Chavan held that as it would be some time before the appeal was heard by HC, Sachdevs sentence was being suspended and he was being granted bail on a personal bond of 25,000 with two sureties. The court also put a condition that Sachdev would not travel out of the city without informing the Dindoshi sessions court. In response to Nikams submission that the actor was smiling at the time of disembarking, the court observed, There is no straitjacket formula on how [someone] would behave or react in such a situation. There is no mathematics. Im a marmalade lover, and this one from Brins, a small Brooklyn company that makes unusual flavors, including banana has intriguing allure. A dulcet riff on preserved lemons, with a musky hint of saffron, its fine as is, but the website suggests using it in marinades for Easter lamb and Moroccan lemon chicken, and pairing it with Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve, one of my favorite cheeses. Or swirl it into rice pudding. Candice Ross, an architect and the companys owner, is originally from Lake Charles, La. Brin means a little bit in Cajun French. Lemon Saffron Marmalade, $8.99 for 7.5 ounces, $9.99 in a decorative jar, brinsjam.com. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. A man was arrested by the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police here on Tuesday night for duping people on the pretext of providing them jobs in Military Engineering Service (MES), Srinagar, officials said. Sarup Lal had been evading arrest by frequently changing his locations but was finally arrested from Pathankot in Punjab, a police officer said. After a complaint was lodged by the victims, a preliminary verification was initiated by the crime branch, Jammu and the allegations were prima facie substantiated, leading to registration of a criminal case. During investigation, authentication of appointment and joining letters from the concerned MES department was sought and they were found to be fabricated, they added. Co-accused Pawan Kumar was arrested on February 6 and is presently in judicial custody. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An immigration judge in Philadelphia has stepped down from the bench early citing pressure from the Trump administration, which he says is turning the Immigration Court into a politburo rubber stamp. Speaking to the Philadephia Inquirer, Judge Charles Honeyman described how he left the bench earlier than he had planned after the government began taking a harder line on immigration and deportation cases. At some point I was just not comfortable, he told the paper. Judge Honeyman is now joining the immigration law firm of Solow, Isbell, & Palladino, which specialises in immigration cases. There, he will provide litigation advice to clients facing deportation. Immigrants subject to removal cases often struggle to gain legal representation in the court system, with up to two thirds going into their cases without counsel radically reducing their chances of remaining in the US. Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Show all 8 1 /8 Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Mishawaka, Indiana AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Washington DC AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy New York Mayor Bill De Blasio speaks in Tornillo, Texas alongside the many other US mayors who have called for detained immigrant children to be reunited with their families AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kelle leaves a teddy bear as a gift for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti leave sandals as gifts for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy US embassy, Mexico City AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA The Immigration Court system sits outside the judiciary and is governed instead by the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review. That means it is subject to direct political pressure from the administration, including instructions from the attorney general, whose interpretation of the law immigration judges are meant to follow. At the moment, there is a backlog of one million cases awaiting processing. The Trump administration has put immigration judges under a 700 cases-per-year quota, but immigration rights groups have said the backlog is caused not by the workings of the courts but by the governments increasingly harsh policies. The Trump administration has lately announced even tougher measures to crack down on undocumented immigrants already living in the US, including deploying tactical ICE teams to so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to assist the authorities in immigration enforcement. Philadelphia is one such city, and recently won a case against the Department of Justice after it threatened to withhold millions of dollars in federal funds for law enforcement unless the city complied with new enforcement requirements. Seila, a California law firm under investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau an independent agency with the job of protecting consumers from harmful financial products argues that these limits on the presidents ability to fire the head of the bureau unconstitutionally restrict his authority. The bureau, now led by a Trump appointee and represented by the Justice Department, agrees. Seila is asking the court to either hold that Seila does not have to comply with the bureaus investigation into the firms marketing of debt-relief services, or abolish the bureau. The Justice Department proposes a more surgical remedy: striking the part of the law that limits the president to removing the bureaus director only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. While the Justice Department argues that the court could leave other independent agencies intact (by resting its decision on unique aspects of the bureaus design), both the department and Seila invite the court to conclude that similar restrictions on the presidents power to remove officials at other agencies are unconstitutional as well. Such a general ruling, which would overturn 85 years of settled law, seems unlikely to garner five votes. But another position the court may consider is nearly as dangerous: that those eight magic words, inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, dont actually make independent agencies all that independent after all. In this view, the president can fire officials for inefficiency or neglect of duty when they fail to accomplish the agencys particular ends as understood or dictated by the president or when they transgress or appear to transgress the presidents will. If the court accepts such an argument, versions of which have been made by Judge Thomas Griffith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and by Paul Clement, who filed one of the briefs in the Seila case, it will preserve independence for agencies in name only, while leaving them open to unending interference by Mr. Trump and his successors. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Schools across New York State will soon receive new special cleaning protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. During a press conference Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state will be instituting new cleaning protocols in schools and public transportation, using a disinfectant. Many will use bleach, which is a good protocol in the flu season anyway, said Cuomo. So, if people smell it smells like bleach when you get on a bus or when a child goes to school, its not bad cologne or perfume. It is bleach. The MTA has announced its updated cleaning protocols in the wake of the coronavirus. The agencys mass transit divisions -- New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North -- have significantly ramped up the frequency and intensity of their sanitizing efforts. While New York City schools are taking precautions when it comes to the novel coronavirus, there are no plans to close schools, according to a coronavirus update sent to families and published on the New York City Department of Education (DOE) website on Monday. Closing schools is an extreme measure that can be disruptive to day-to-day life, and the decision to implement will be at the direction of public health experts, according to the update. The DOE didnt respond to a request Tuesday to confirm that are still no plans to close schools. When asked by a reporter during a press conference on Tuesday regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggestion that school districts plan for remote learning and schools closures, Mayor Bill de Blasio responded that the city isnt there yet. I think were not there yet either. The model we are working on right now does not involve school closures, but well look at everything if we end up in that situation, de Blasio said during the press conference. Were doing this in stages. Right now, were dealing with what we have, but were doing as you saw yesterday, more and more scenarios getting us out over the horizon but I do not want people assuming outcomes right now. Right now, we have a situation where we are continuing with the work of the city, continuing with the work of our schools. Were not doing alternatives until we have to. Cuomo said the states second confirmed coronavirus case is an attorney who works in Manhattan and lives in New Rochelle, N.Y. The SAR school in Riverdale, N.Y., where the mans children attend, is closed Tuesday, he said. In addition, two families in Buffalo are being tested for the virus after traveling to Italy, according to the governor. The first confirmed case in the state was announced Sunday. A 39-year-old health care worker living in Manhattan who traveled to Iran was diagnosed with coronavirus, and officials said the woman has respiratory symptoms that are mild. The DOEs website stated that the agency will continue to clearly communicate with school communities about its ongoing efforts regarding the novel coronavirus. Coronavirus: Full coverage on SILive.com The DOE follows guidance from the CDC, and recommended all New Yorkers continue to practice general flu prevention measures, including: Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve. Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching your face. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Get your flu shot. Stay home if youre feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history. The CDC issued guidance for affected and unaffected school communities. For institutions in areas with confirmed coronavirus cases, the CDC recommends schools work closely with local health officials to determine if, when, and for how long childcare programs or schools may need to be closed. The agency said its important for school communities currently unaffected to plan and prepare for possible community transmission of coronavirus. Childcare and kindergarten-through-12th-grade school administrators nationwide can take steps to help stop or slow the spread of coronavirus, including: Review, update, and implement emergency action plans, which should be done in collaboration with local health department and other relevant partners. Develop information-sharing systems with partners that can be used for day-to-day reporting and disease surveillance efforts to detect and respond to an outbreak. Monitor and plan for absenteeism, such as reviewing the usual absenteeism patterns at your school among both students and staff. Establish procedures for students and staff who are sick at school. Perform routine environmental cleaning. Create communication plans for use with the school community. COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES ON STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS Cuomo said SUNY (State University of New York) schools are considering asking students studying abroad to come home, and they should render a decision by the end of the day. The City University of New York (CUNY), which oversees the College of Staten Island (CSI) in Willowbrook, and St. Johns University, which has a campus on Grymes Hill, have already canceled some study abroad programs located in areas with CDC level 3 travel health notices. OTHER CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: 2nd confirmed N.Y. coronavirus case; Cuomo to amend sick paid leave bill Coronavirus outbreak: CSI, St. Johns cancel some study abroad programs Cuomo orders insurance companies to waive cost sharing for coronavirus testing Mayor: NYC will test for coronavirus sooner than expected Cuomo, de Blasio urge calm following citys first confirmed coronavirus case FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. In the wake of Coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi Government is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the preparedness of the city to deal with the fatal disease. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, state Health Minister Satyendra Jain, Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev, and Delhi Health Secretary were present in the meeting. The meet comes after two new cases of COVID-19 were reported from India on Monday, one each from Delhi and Telangana. Both patients are being monitored and are considered to be in a stable condition, the ministry of health and family welfare said. Earlier today, Kejriwal had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the capital's preparedness to deal with the deadly COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Earlier, taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister wrote, "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection." "Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention," he said in another tweet. Global deaths due to Coronavirus outbreak on Monday crossed 3,000. The deadly virus that originated in China late last year continues to spread around the world and has infected more than 80,000 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 185 students were detained by police on Tuesday while they were going to the Ramlila Maidan here to protest against the new citizenship law and the recent communal riots in northeast Delhi. According to police, the protesters were detained from different locations in the national capital and taken to several police stations. All detained students were later released, police said. "In total, 185 protesters were detained and taken to nearby police stations of Kamla Market, Hari Nagar and Bawana," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sanjay Bhatia said, adding that all the protesters have been released. Many students, however, claimed that several hundred of them were detained from different locations in the city. Around 200 students gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday morning in response to a protest call given by the Young India Coordination Committee, which comprises members from various student bodies. Former IAS officer and activist Kannan Gopinathan was also present. However, the police restrained the students from proceeding towards the Ramlila Maidan to participate in the protest march against the Citizenship (Amendment) Law and over the communal violence in the national capital. Police said the students did not have permission for the march to Parliament. Former JNU Students' Union president N Sai Balaji, who was leading the march, said, "We had submitted the application for permission on February 27. We were informed on Monday about the permission being rejected. It is last-minute intimation". Later, student groups who arrived at Jantar Mantar raised anti-government slogans and demanded resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah over the recent communal riots in northeast Delhi. Many students carried posters and banners that read: "Peace, Not Riot", "Scrap Sedition Law", "Reject anti-poor, Reject anti-Muslim," "DU for communal harmony", and "Stop police brutality on anti-CAA protestors". The former IAS officer, Gopinathan, said he was happy that there are still people who are not afraid to question the Centre. Anyone who raises questions against the Centre is termed 'anti-national', he said while addressing the gathering. "When students question the government, they are termed as 'tukde-tukde' gang. If activists raise questions, they are termed 'urban naxals'," he said. Balaji criticised the Delhi Police for not arresting BJP leaders for their allegedly provocative slogans. "We are not Hindu or Muslim. We are youngsters of this country who are here to safeguard the constitution of this country," he said "They (Centre) are scared of the youngsters of the country, so they frame us on false charges and the leaders of BJP who raise provocative slogans get a free run," he added. A student claimed the police were detaining the protesters even if they were assembling in small groups. "We don't fear anyone. We need to stand united at this hour and spread the message of peace," said one of the protestors. Another protestor, a student of Lady Sri Ram College, said, "The rules and regulations are made for us. Our only way of expressing our dissent is through protests. What has happened in northeast Delhi is disheartening". (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 Julia Benarrous and Michael Mathes (Agence France-Presse) Houston/Washington Tue, March 3, 2020 13:09 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067ee4d5 2 World US,politics,vote,Democratic-party Free Joe Biden's presidential hopes received a huge shot in the arm Monday after former rivals Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the United States Democratic race and endorsed the former vice president ahead of the crucial Super Tuesday primaries. The dramatic turn comes at one of the pivotal points in a fractured, often bitter campaign, with the Democratic establishment desperate to coalesce around a moderate candidate who can fight off the surging leftist frontrunner Bernie Sanders. As the five remaining candidates in the race made their final pitch to voters in 14 states, Biden has capitalized on the momentum he seized at the weekend with a blowout victory over Sanders in South Carolina. The 77-year-old Biden is consolidating support among moderates eager to blunt the advance of Sanders, who could take a potentially insurmountable lead in the all-important delegate count after Super Tuesday. Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana ran a historic campaign as the first openly gay major presidential candidate. Speaking in Dallas one day before residents of delegate-rich Texas and 13 other states cast their ballots, Buttigieg said he was "delighted" to endorse Biden in part because he embraces the politics of "decency." "I'm looking for a president who will draw out what is best in each of us, and I'm encouraging everybody who was part of my campaign to join me because we have found that leader in vice president, soon-to-be-president, Joe Biden," Buttigieg said in Dallas, with Biden standing nearby. It was just one of several endorsements Biden earned on a busy day. Klobuchar dropped out Monday and her team said she will endorse the 77-year-old and join him onstage in Dallas. Democrat Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader said his onetime Senate colleague Biden represents "the starkest contrast to Trump's amorality, corruption and utter incompetence." Another former presidential candidate, Beto O'Rourke, reportedly will also be on stage with Biden in Dallas. "Most Americans don't want a promise of a revolution, they want a guarantee of results on the things that affect them," Biden told a rally in Houston in a swipe at Sanders, who advocates a "political revolution" against the status quo. "We need real results and we need them now. I've done that my whole career, and I'll do it as president." The departures and endorsements of Klobuchar and Buttigieg are gold for a resurgent Biden. His campaign was on life support after disappointing showings in the first three state contests, but he is suddenly the main challenger to Sanders on the biggest day of the primary campaign. New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who on Tuesday competes in his first primaries, has also been spreading his message to voters in a lavish multi-state ad blitz, but Super Tuesday will be his first official day on the ballot. Sanders flush with money for ads, an extensive organization, and momentum in the polls has focused on multiple states including delegate-rich California, Tuesday's biggest prize. "It is no secret... that there is a massive effort trying to stop Bernie Sanders," the frontrunner said about himself during a press conference in Utah. "The corporate establishment is coming together, the political establishment is coming together," Sanders added. "They are really getting nervous that working people are standing up." Sanders, whose ascent as a self-described democratic socialist has disconcerted Democratic grandees, is leading Biden nationally in polling, with Bloomberg in third place. Buttigieg had strong showings in predominantly white early voting states but was unable to draw black and Hispanic support after that. The campaign of pragmatist Klobuchar never gained traction. By endorsing Biden, she could deprive Sanders of a large delegate claim in her state of Minnesota, which votes Tuesday. Klobuchar's endorsement "will bring more votes to Joe Biden," Myliesha Smiley, a 23-year-old student at Biden's Houston event, told AFP. Biden's fortunes were resurrected in South Carolina, where African-Americans turned out in force to give him a crushing 48 percent to 20 percent victory over Sanders. "Super Tuesday is about momentum, and we've got it," Kate Bedingfield, Biden's deputy campaign manager, told CNN. The win has earned Biden badly needed campaign funding $10 million raised on Saturday and Sunday alone. The former number two to Barack Obama says his strength with blacks, Hispanics, women and suburbanites will show in the coming contests. Though Klobuchar was joining Biden's camp, Sanders weighed in to appeal to her voters. "I hope her supporters will join us in our fight to defeat Donald Trump in November and win real change," Sanders tweeted. Also courting moderate and independent voters is Bloomberg, who campaigned in Virginia on Super Tuesday eve. "I've won three elections so far, I don't plan to start losing now," Bloomberg said. Bloomberg has spent an unprecedented $500 million of his own fortune saturating the airwaves with TV spots. The 2020 Democratic primary election, which will decide who faces off against Trump for the presidency in November, is heating up. With Bernie Sanders sweeping the popular vote in the first three states; Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Steyer off the ballot; Bloomberg targeting the south in ads; Warren making her last stand; and Biden riding high from South Carolina, Super Tuesday is gearing up to be an armageddon. So far 155 pledged delegates have been doled out. Fourteen states plus Democrats abroad and American Samoa will hold primaries today, putting 1,357 delegates up for grabs. The results are likely to either lock down the nomination for Sanders or narrow the race to a face-off between the Vermont senator and the former Vice President. A few key things to remember: there are 3,979 total pledged delegates, which are awarded to a candidate based on their performance in a state primary or caucus, and 771 unpledged or "superdelegates." Superdelegates aren't tied to what happens in the primaries: they're determined by party bigwigs in each state (governors, senators, congresspeople etc.) and only come into play if a candidate fails to capture a majority: 1,991 of the unpledged delegates. Related | How To Register to Vote in Your State In the wake of Steyer, Buttiegieg and Klobuchar's exits, some unrelatably organized voters those living in states like California or Colorado where mail-in early voting is common have already cast votes for candidates who dropped out. Unfortunately, very few states have a remedy for this. Pennsylvania and Michigan (not Super Tuesday states) bless their souls, allow voters to come "spoil" their vote till the polls close. However, in most states and all those voting today votes for candidates no longer running simply won't count. Especially in light of the dropouts, many of the races today are going to be close. So it's really fucking important to vote! This process can be complicated: states have varied policies on same-day registration, voter ID, absentee voting, and primary voting for people who'll turn 18 by the general election. To clear things up, we put together a state-by-state-guide of everything you need to know: find it below. A couple important things to remember: all 14 Super Tuesday states require polling places to allow anyone who is in line when polls close to vote. If you witness polls turning voters in line away or encounter any other kind of voter suppression at the polls today, the Election Protection hotline can help out. English: 866-OUR-VOTE Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE Results will come in tonight between 6PM and 11PM ET, as polls close, but don't expect to know who "won" Super Tuesday when you go to bed tonight. Less contested states will have final results when polls close, but tighter races and states with lots of mail-in voting could take days, or longer to call. For those just spectating today, don't worry you'll get your turn: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington are coming up on March 10. Tri-staters: New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania are April 28 more time to register to vote. See the full primary calendar here. Alabama When? Polls open at 7AM and close at 7PM. You can vote if you're in line when the polls close. Where? Find out your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 52 Who's favored? There's a dearth of polling data, but Biden is thought to be favored based on the results in South Carolina. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see valid forms here. Voters without ID can submit a provisional ballot, which will be verified later. Same day voter registration? Nope. In Alabama, voter registration closes fourteen days before an election. Check if you're registered to vote here. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope. Alabama is an open primary state, meaning anyone can vote in the primary of their choice, regardless of affiliation. What if I won't be in-state on Tuesday? Unfortunately, the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is five days before an election. Voted absentee ballots must be received by noon on election day. I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election. Can I vote in the primary? Nope. Arkansas When? Polls open at 7:30AM and close at 7:30 PM (you can vote if you're line when the polls close). Where? Find out your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 31 Who's favored? Not much data. Bloomberg has poured ad money into Arkansas, but local coverage says the state is very split. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see valid forms here. Voters without ID can submit a provisional ballot, which'll be approved later once the registration is verified. Same day voter registration? Nope. The deadline to register to vote was February 17. Check if you're registered to vote here. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope! Arkansas has an open primary. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? Unfortunately, the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot has passed. Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30PM on election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. California When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 8:00PM. Where? Find out your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 415 Who's favored? Bernie Sanders has a sizable, 18-point lead in an average of the polls. Need ID at the polls? Not unless you're voting for the first time and didn't provide ID when you registered. In this case, see valid forms of ID here. Same day voter registration? Yes! You can simply go to your polling place, fill out a registration form and receive a ballot, which will be counted once election officials verify your registration. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, California is not exactly an open primary, but it allows parties to decide if their primaries will be open to unaffiliated voters. This year, the Democratic Party, the American Independent Party and the Libertarian Party are holding open primaries. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? Unfortunately the deadline to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot passed on February 25. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before election day, and received no later than three days after election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Colorado When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 7:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs? 67 Who's favored? Sanders leads the pack by 15 points. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see acceptable forms of ID here. Same day voter registration? Yes! You can register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? No! Those registered as unaffiliated can vote in the Democratic primary. They'll receive ballots in the mail for both the Democratic and Republican primaries, but can only submit one. If you did not receive a ballot in the mail, no problem! You can request a new one in person at your polling place. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? Colorado uses a vote-by-mail system exclusively, so there is no need for either explicit absentee procedures, unless you needed to mail it to a different address. All ballots must be received by 7PM on election da (you can drop off your ballot in person). If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Yes! Massachusetts When? 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Some polling places may open as early as 5:45AM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 91 Who's favored? Sanders has a slight lead on Warren, although it's the latter's home state. Need ID at the polls? Most likely yes: if you're a first-time voter, inactive voter or casting a provisional ballot, you may be asked. See valid forms here. Same day registration? Nope, in Masachusetts you have to register 20 days before the election; that deadline was February 12. Check if you're already registered to vote here. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope! Massachusetts is an open primary. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? Unfortunately, absentee ballot applications must be received by noon the day before an election, and submitted by the time the polls close on Election Day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Minnesota When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 8:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 75 Who's favored? Before Klobuchar dropped out, she had a small lead over Sanders. But Bernie's now leading the state by ten points. Need ID at the polls? Not if your registration is current and active. If it's not, or you need to register on election day, you'll need ID. See valid forms here. Same day voter registration? Yes! You can register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, Minnesota is an open primary. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? Unfortunately, mail-in ballots must be requested seven days before the election. If you already have a mail-in ballot, it must be received by 8PM on election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. North Carolina When? Polls open at 6:30AM and close at 7:30Pm Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 110 Who's favored? Different polls each show Biden and Sanders in the lead. Need ID at the polls? Nope. Same day voter registration? Nope. Registration closed 25 days before the election. Check if you're already registered to vote here. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, North Carolina is an open primary for unaffiliated voters. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The deadline to request an absentee ballot passed February 25. Absentee ballots must be received by 5PM on election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Yes! Oklahoma When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 7:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 37 Who's favored? Sanders recently pulled 13 points ahead of Biden. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see valid forms here. Same day voter registration? Nope. Registration closed on February 7. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Yes, Oklahoma is a closed primary state. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The deadline to request an absentee ballot passed February 5. Absentee ballots must be received by 7PM on election day to be counted. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Tennessee When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 8:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 64 Who's favored? Not much polling data, but demographics are promising for Biden, and Bloomberg has been spending massive amounts in the state. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see valid forms here. Same day voter registration? Nope, registration closed February 3. Check if you're already registered to vote here. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, Tennessee is an open primary state. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The deadline to request an absentee ballot is seven days before the election. Absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Texas When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 7:00PM, except for El Paso and Hudspeth, where polls close at 8:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 228 Who's favored? Sanders has a small lead on Biden. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see a list of valid forms of ID here. Same day voter registration? Nope, registration closed February 3. Check if you're already registered here. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, Texas has open primaries. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The application to apply for an absentee ballot in Texas is 11 days before election day. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by election day, and received the day after. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Utah When? Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 8:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 29 Who's favored? Sanders is a solid 10 points ahead of Bloomberg and won the state from Hillary Clinton in 2016. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see valid forms here. Same day voter registration? Yes, you can register at the polls. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, Utah is an open primary. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The last day to request an absentee ballot is seven days before an election, and they must be postmarked no later than the day before the election. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Utah When? 7:00AM to 7:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 16 Who's favored? Polls show Sanders has upwards of 50% support in his homestate. Need ID at the polls? Only first-time voters need to present ID. See valid forms here. Same day voter registration? Yes, you can register and cast a ballot on the day of the election. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, Vermont is an open primary. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? Absentee ballots can be requested up to one day before the election, and are due on Election Day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Yes! Maine When? Polls open at 8:00AM and close at 8:00PM, though some will open by 6:00AM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 24 Who's favored? Sanders has a solid lead. Need ID at the polls? Not unless you're a first time voter, or registering to vote. Same day voter registration? Yes! Just bring a piece of mail or bill that proves your residence in the city. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? No, if you're unaffiliated you can register with the party day-of. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The deadline to request an absentee ballot was Thursday. All ballots must be received by 8:00AM on election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Yes! Virginia When? Polls open at 6:00AM and close at 7:00PM. Where? Find your polling place here. Delegates up for grabs: 99 Who's favored? Biden has a strong lead. Need ID at the polls? Yes, see valid forms here. Same day voter registration? Nope, registration closes 22 day before Election Day. Do I have to be registered as a Democrat to participate? Nope, Virginia is an open primary. What if I won't be in the state on Tuesday? The deadline to request an absentee ballot was February 25. Voted ballots must be received by 7:00PM on Election day. If I'm 17, but will be 18 by the general election, can I vote in the primary? Nope. Decided seven years ago by the United Nations at its 68th session, March 3 marks the World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of nature's wild fauna and flora. UN has stated that people around the globe require Mother Earth in order to survive and UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres advocated for a more caring, thoughtful and sustainable relationship with nature. The celebration of the day was declared on December 20, 2013, in Thailand, and during his address on March 3, Guterres talked about the rich tapestry which connects humanity to the biological diversity. Happy #WorldWildlifeDay! Let us all celebrate our world's beautiful #wildlife and #biodiversity! Throughout your events, make your voices heard, and together let's work towards a world that can Sustain all life on Earth! Find out more: https://t.co/2HEsOkIYGG #WWD2020 pic.twitter.com/j0GA3Z6tEa World Wildlife Day (@WildlifeDay) March 3, 2020 According to the official website of UN, Guterres said, All human civilizations have been, and continue to be, built on the use of wild and cultivated species of flora and fauna, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. Read - World Wildlife Day 2020: History, Theme And Significance Read - 'India's Wildlife Wealth Is A Testimony To Its Robust Ecology': Prakash Javadekar 'Humanity has forgotten' On his address for the World Wildlife Day, the UN chief claimed that humanity has forgotten the need of nature for its survival and well-being. Furthermore, the needs along with size of the world population continue to grow, people insist on the exploitation of natural resources including wild animals, plants and their habitats in an unsustainable manner. Guterres further pointed out that in its Global Assessment of 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) underlined how the current rate of species extinction worldwide is not only rampant, but its is accelerating at a rate that is tens to hundreds of times higher than the time humans were not present on the Earth. By overexploiting wildlife, the UN chief said, habitats and ecosystems, humanity is endangering both itself and the survival of countless species of wild plants and animals. For this day, Guterres urged everyone to remind themselves of their duty to preserve and sustainably use the vast variety of life on the planet. While citing the UN's sustainable development goals, he said that a world of thriving biodiversity is the foundation people need to achieve them. The theme of this year's World Wildlife Day is Sustaining all life on Earth to encompass all wild animals and plant species as the component of biodiversity. Read - Srinagar: Wildlife Department Launches First Anti-Poaching Boat In Dal Lake Read - China 'comprehensively Bans' Illegal Wildlife Trade Over Coronavirus Outbreak Afghanistan on Tuesday lodged a formal protest with Pakistan over Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's recent remarks with regards to the release of Taliban prisoners following the signing of US Taliban deal. In a statement, the Afghan Foreign Ministry asked Islamabad to refrain from making "irresponsible statements" regarding the "internal affairs of Afghanistan", saying they can lead to creating an environment of distrust and cannot be effective in enhancing the relationship between the two countries. Qureshi had asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to refer to the United States for an "explanation" on the prisoner swap clause in the peace deal and urged all stakeholders to show "flexibility" to move forward to intra-Afghan talks in the deal's aftermath. "Exchange of prisoners is a two-way process and has happened in the past. When we move from war towards peace, it needs to be done to show a positive intent," Qureshi said, as cited in a report by Dawn. Qureshi was referring to Ghani's statement that the Afghan government has no commitment to releasing 5000 Taliban prisoners. The Afghan Foreign Ministry said in its statement, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly condemned the recent remarks made by Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on the domestic affairs of Afghanistan." "The Government of Afghanistan believes that relying on policies of good-neighbourliness, Pakistan needs to take practical steps towards enhancing bilateral ties in various areas and refrain from making such irresponsible statements regarding the internal affairs of Afghanistan," the statement added. The US and the Taliban had signed a historic peace deal on Saturday aimed at ending the nearly 19-year-long war in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sunday will see women across the globe unite in honor of International Women's Day. And Cindy Crawford made an early start on the celebrations, joining in the ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building in New York to mark the day. The 54-year-old looked her model best for the event, in blue jeans and a crisp white button up shirt, worn under an army green blazer. Cindy Crawford looks her model best in jeans and a blazer as she lights The Empire State Building blue The 54-year-old looked her model best for the event, in blue jeans and a crisp white button up shirt, worn under an army green blazer. She added Oliver Peoples sunglasses She then added a pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses to the look. Usually lit with white lights, on Tuesday the building was blue to honor both IWD and the nonprofit Delivering Good. Busy Cindy has been throwing herself into her charity projects in recent weeks, promoting her partnerships with both American Cancer and The Red Cross to encourage people to donate blood. When she was nine, the future supermodel lost her brother Jeff, three, to leukemia, and since finding fame has been a vocal supporter of pediatric cancer research. Turning the skyline blue: Usually lit with white lights, on Tuesday the building was blue to honor both IWD and the nonprofit Delivering Good Making a difference: Busy Cindy has been throwing herself into charity work in recent weeks Cindy is fronting a joint campaign for the nonprofits, Give Blood to Give Time, to raise awareness about the importance of blood donrs to cancer patients. She explained to InStyle: 'I think often we feel powerless, and this is something simple that pretty much anyone can do.' And she added that she hoped her charity work would inspire her children, , Kaia, 18, and Presley Gerber, 20, to give back. 'I believe that kids, a lot of times if they see their parents doing something, they either get inspired or they go, "Oh, that's cool." And they find their own way.' Strike a pose: Cindy does her thing atop the Empire State Building And she added: 'I've taken my children with me since they were little. What they decide to do with that now that they're young adults, that will be up to them. Like Kaia, for instance, just did a collaboration with Jimmy Choo and got to pick a charity component and she picked St. Jude.' Cindy is also lending her support to Charity: Water, a nonprofit which helps supply clean drinking water to those in need. She tweeted this week: 'Clean water can and should be more accessible to those who need it... and a small donation can make a big difference. Thank you for the birthday love and for helping me pay it forward'. President Donald Trump's campaign sued The Washington Post for defamation on Tuesday over two opinion columns published last year that alleged a connection between the campaign and Russian election interference. The campaign sued the New York Times last week for another opinion column that had asserted such ties. Legal experts say Trump stands little chance of prevailing in court in either case because libel laws extend a high degree of protection to published material about public figures and to opinion articles. Nevertheless, the campaign may be aiming to highlight its criticism of the mainstream media and to blunt suggestions that it colluded with Russian operatives. The new lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, alleges that op-eds by Greg Sargent and Paul Waldman were false and defamatory. Sargent's June 13 column was entitled, "Trump just invited another Russian attack. Mitch McConnell is making one more likely." The lawsuit contends it was defamatory because it contained a claim that special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that the campaign "tried to conspire with" with Russia in a "sweeping and systematic" attack during the 2016 election. Waldman raised a similar issue in his column published June 20, writing "who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the Trump campaign, now that he has invited them to offer their assistance?" The campaign said that statement was false and defamatory because it is "not seeking Russia's or North Korea's help in the 2020 election." Mueller's report chronicled dozens of contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian nationals, and 10 instances of potential obstruction by Trump. Mueller testified last year that his investigation focused on whether campaign officials took part in a criminal conspiracy. He concluded the evidence was insufficient to bring criminal charges. Trump has repeatedly criticized The Post and its owner, Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos. At one point in the 2016 campaign, Trump barred The Post's reporters from covering his events. A division of Amazon, Amazon Web Service, is locked in a legal dispute with the Defense Department over the awarding of a $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract to Microsoft Corp. The company asserts that Trump interfered in the contracting process to exclude AWS, a claim backed up by former defense secretary Jim Mattis in a recent memoir. The Trump campaign's lawsuit says the articles in question are "part of the The Post's systematic pattern of bias against the campaign, designed to maliciously interfere with and damage its reputation and ultimately cause the organization to fail." "It's disappointing to see the president's campaign committee resorting to these types of tactics and we will vigorously defend this case" said Post spokeswoman Kris Coratti. The campaign is represented by attorney Charles Harder, who sued the website Gawker on behalf of pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, winning a $140 million judgment in 2016 that bankrupted the site and led to its sale. Harder also represented Melania Trump in lawsuits against the Daily Mail and a Maryland blogger who had asserted that her former modeling agency had acted as an escort service. Melania Trump settled those suits after the plaintiffs agreed to compensate her. Libel standards in the U.S. make it "virutally impossible" for Trump to win his cases against The Post and Times, said RonNell Andersen Jones, a law professor at the University of Utah who specializes in media law. Public figures such as the president must prove that a publication knew a statement was false before it published it, a difficult standard to prove. What's more, opinions about the conduct of public officials are given wide protection, in order to encourage robust discussion. "The suit is less a legitimate effort to seek legal redress and more a publicity measure designed to generate disdain for the media amongst a base that is already quite inclined to vilify the press," Jones said Tuesday. She added, "Trump and his lawyers of course do not believe they can win a libel suit over an opinion column discussing one of the major domestic and foreign relations issues of our day. What they believe is that they can use the suit to continue their own narrative about Russian interference and to compound the attacks on the press that they have made so central to their administration." A jail official was trashed as he tried to stop violent clashes between two groups of inmates of the Baruipur correctional home in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, officials said on Tuesday. Sub Jailer Shyamal Bhattacharya was beaten up when he intervened as clashes broke out between the two groups on Monday evening, they said. The prisoners then started hurling stones and vandalised parts of the correctional home, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in November 2018, the officials said. Bhattacharya has been admitted to the Baruipur sub- divisional hospital. A large contingent of police force was rushed to the spot but the situation came under control in the early hours of Tuesday after senior officers spoke to the inmates, they said. Though officials were tight-lipped about what sparked the violence, a senior police officer said that the prisoners levelled several allegations against the jail authorities. The officer said that the inmates have been promised that no action will be taken for the vandalism in a bid to pacify them. It was decided that superintendent of the correctional home and the additional jailer will be transferred in a few days, he said, adding that the allegations of the prisoners will also be probed. Superintendent of Police Rashid Munir Khan has also given his phone number to the inmates and told them that they can call him in case of any problem, officials said. Correctional administration minister Ujjwal Biswas visited the jail late in the night and took stock of the situation. On Saturday, a life convict went atop a building of the Howrah district jail and threatened to commit suicide, alleging irregularities at the correctional home. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arix Bioscience plc Update on Imara proposed initial public offering in the United States LONDON, 3 March 2020: Arix Bioscience plc (LSE:ARIX) ("Arix"), a global venture capital company focused on investing in and building breakthrough biotech companies, today notes that Imara Inc., ("Imara") has filed an amended registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to a proposed initial public offering in the United States of shares of its common stock. The registration statement discloses an indicative pricing range for the proposed offering of $16.00 - $18.00 per common share. This would represent an increase in the value of Arix's current shareholding in Imara to $21.9 - $24.6 million (17.1 - 19.2 million)1, compared to a cost of $15.0 million (11.7 million)1. The proposed offering amount specified in the filing is 4,450,000 shares, which at the midpoint of the indicative pricing range would result in gross proceeds of $75.7 million, not including the underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares. The offering is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the final size, price or other terms of the offering. Arix has indicated an interest in purchasing common shares in the offering, subject to agreement with the underwriters. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The securities referred to in this release are to be offered only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus can be obtained from Morgan Stanley, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attention: Prospectus Dept.; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York, 11717 or by telephone at (800) 831-9146; or SVB Leerink, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, Attention: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6132, or by email at syndicate@leerink.com. ENDS Enquiries For more information on Arix, please contact: Arix Bioscience plc Charlotte Parry, Head of Investor Relations +44 (0)20 7290 1072 charlotte@arixbioscience.com Optimum Strategic Communications Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur +44 (0)203 714 1787 optimum.arix@optimumcomms.com This announcement includes information that is inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No.596/2014.The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of Arix Bioscience plc is Robert Lyne, General Counsel. About Arix Bioscience plc Arix Bioscience plc is a global venture capital company focused on investing in and building breakthrough biotech companies around cutting edge advances in life sciences. We collaborate with exceptional entrepreneurs and provide the capital, expertise and global networks to help accelerate their ideas into important new treatments for patients. As a listed company, we are able to bring this exciting growth phase of our industry to a broader range of investors. www.arixbioscience.com About Imara Imara Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat patients suffering from rare inherited genetic disorders of hemoglobin, known as hemoglobinopathies. Imara is currently advancing IMR-687, a highly selective, potent small molecule inhibitor of PDE9 that is an oral, once-a-day, potentially disease-modifying treatment for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. IMR-687 is being designed to have a multimodal mechanism of action that acts on red blood cells, white blood cells, adhesion mediators and other cell types. [1] At exchange rate on 3 March 2020 The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two persons by suspected gunmen in Bagwai town of the state on Monday night. The commands spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna, a deputy superintendent of police, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday. Mr Haruna said the gunmen attacked some shops and shot three people, two of whom died after they were rushed to Bichi General Hospital. The gunmen shot sporadically with bullets hitting three persons. Two of them later died at Bichi General Hospital. The remaining one is still receiving medical attention at the hospital, the commands spokesman said. He said the state Commissioner of Police, Habu Ahmad-Sani, had ordered deployment of personnel from the Operation Puff-adder team, to investigate and arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act. The spokesman said security had been beefed up in the area to prevent future recurrence. (NAN) Two baby girls, one of them just four-month-old, have lost their fathers in the violence between tribal and non-tribal groups over implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya. The four-month-old's father, Uphas Uddin, was killed in the early hours of Sunday by three unidentified assailants who broke into his home at Pyrkan village in Meghalayas East Khasi Hills district and stabbed him. Another baby girl, who was adopted just a fortnight ago in Assams Barpeta district, met the same fate when her adoptive father Rupchan Dewan was stabbed by two unidentified assailants at Iewduh market, in the heart of Shillong on Saturday. Police are yet to make any arrest in both the cases. The two deaths followed the killing of a pro-ILP activist, 35 year-old Lurshai Hynniewta, who was attacked by a mob at Ichamati on Friday evening. Hynniewta, a father of four children, was a member of the influential Khasi Students Union and was cremated on Monday at his hometown in Sohra. The clashes had broken out between Khasi Students' Union members and non-tribals during a rally organised against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act and to demand implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) at Ichamati on Friday. Inner Line Permit is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state. Eyewitnesses told PTI that two masked men had come running to the small shop where Dewan was selling tomatoes at Iewduh market and attacked him with a sharp machete. He was taken to Shillong Civil Hospital where he was declared brought dead. Jodu Choudhary, a vegetable vendor who hails from Silchar in Assam and is under treatment at the hospital for stab injuries suffered during the clash, said the two masked assailants had first attacked him but their machete missed his chest and hit him on the shoulder. The two attackers then targeted Dewan, who was his neighbour at the busy traditional market, before they disappeared among the crowd. Dewan lived in a one-room rented accommodation at Laban area in Shillong which is inhabited by all communities. His landlady, Parveen Nongrum broke down while narrating the incident. She said that Dewan did not have any children of his own and had recently returned from his home in Barpeta after adopting a baby girl with his wife. Dewan's wife, she said, has barely spoken since his cremation on Sunday. A police officer said that Uphas Uddin was known to have facilitated the safe passage of illegal cattle to Bangladesh and investigations are on to ascertain if the killing had taken place due to personal enmity as he had married a Khasi woman. Uphas Uddin's wife B Lyndai is now only one to fend for the four-month-old baby girl. KSU president L Marngar denied that the student union's activists were behind the attacks on the two men or the sporadic attacks on life and property since Friday. Claiming that the pro-ILP worker who was killed at Ichamati was a KSU member, he expressed sorrow that it took place during the "peaceful rally" (against CAA and to demand implementation of the Inner Line Permit). He claimed it had turned ugly as hundreds of migrants armed with machetes and sticks attacked the convoy of KSU members. Marngar said the attack on the KSU members were premeditated as the attackers were armed with traditional weapons and had ill intention. Police have so far arrested eight people from Ichamati area for their alleged involvement in the attacks on the KSU members. "We demand justice. We demand that the police arrest all those who were armed on Friday. From the video clips, we find there were more people involved," Marngar said. "An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. Your sacrifice for the Khasi jaitbynriew (community) wont go in vain," KSU general secretary Do Thabah posted as a tribute to Lurshai on his social media handle. The KSU has been against the Citizenship Amendment Act and is demanding that the hill people of the state be protected by implementing the Inner Line Permit, like in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram. East Khasi Hills district magistrate M W Nongbri has clamped 12 hours curfew in the Shillong city and its outskirts apprehending a serious deterioration in law and order. "There is likelihood of serious breach of peace and tranquility and may lead to loss of life and property," he said, adding the curfew has been clamped in Shillong agglomeration and adjoining areas from 6 pm on March 2 till 6 am on March 3, he said. This picture taken on on March 2, 2020 shows an aerial view of the village of Balyun in the southern part of Syria's northwestern province of Idlib. A United Nations (U.N.) panel investigating the conflict in Syria has, for the first time, accused Russia of direct involvement in war crimes for the "indiscriminate" bombing of civilian areas. The U.N. report from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, published Monday, covered the period between July 11, 2019 and January 10, 2020, with a focus on attacks by "pro-government forces" on civilian targets. It warned that people in the country continue to face "unprecedented levels of suffering and pain" after nearly nine years of conflict. The report cited two specific incidents in which it found evidence of the Russian military bombing civilian areas. The U.N. has previously indicated that Russian forces were responsible for war crimes in Syria, but this report was the first time it had accused Moscow explicitly. The first attack consisted of a series of airstrikes between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. local time in the densely populated city of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man on July 22, 2019. The strikes killed 43 people, including three girls and one boy. At least 109 people were injured, including 18 children. The report describes the incident as a "double tap" attack, with a second bombing wave hitting the same area within minutes of the first. The airstrikes killed scores of civilians as rescuers rushed to help. The second attack cited in the report took place between 7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. local time just outside Hass, a town approximately 45 kilometers from Syria, on August 16, 2019. The airstrikes killed 20 people, including 8 women one of whom was pregnant and six children. At least 40 others were injured. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Following the runaway success of the Rs 5 Annapurna meal scheme in the twin cities, the GHMC has launched a mobile version to benefit the disabled and senior citizens. Annapurna mobile canteens will now offer hot meals to the elderly and physically challenged at different parts of the city. For this purpose, GHMC has tied up with the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation and five vehicles were flagged off today. Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav, Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, MAUD Principal Secretary Arvind Kumar, GHMC Commissioner D S Lokesh Kumar and Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation president, Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa took part in the programme. SG Chandra Dasa said that under the Annapurna mobile canteen programme, food will be carried in hot cases through specially designed vehicles. There are several underprivileged people who are almost bedridden and cant come to the Annapurna centres. A tiffin carrier will be door-delivered to these categories of beneficiaries. Initially, it will be feeding 50 beneficiaries and in due course it will be expanded to 1,200 beneficiaries every day, said a GHMC official. There are 150 Annapurna centres in the twin cities which feeds about 35,000 on a daily basis. It was launched six years ago. Mayor Bonthu Rammohan and Minister Srinivas Yadav said the Annapurna scheme had become a role model across the country. Till date, no complaints have been received about the canteens. It shows how they are providing nutritious food, the Mayor said. Annapurna mobile canteens n Mobile scheme to be expanded to 1,200 beneficiaries every day n Food will be delivered in hot carriers through specially-designed vehicles n GHMC ties up with Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation for the venture The United States is willing to provide Turkey with equipment so that Ankara can conduct military operations in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey said during a briefing on Tuesday. "Turkey is a NATO ally. Much of the military use American equipment. We will make sure that equipment is ready and usable," Jeffrey said as quoted by the Daily Sabah. In addition, US Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield told reporters during the briefing that the United States is assessing Turkey's request to obtain Patriot surface-to-air missiles amid increased fighting in Idlib, the report said. The Syrian government of President Bashar Assad has begun operations against Islamic militants in Idlib, which remains their last stronghold in the country. More than 50 Turkish soldiers have been killed in recent Syrian army airstrikes and other operations. Turkey has shot down several Syrian airplanes and helicopters. The fighting has heightened tensions between Turkey, the Syrian government and its ally Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to push back the Syrian army if they fail to pull back to predetermined lines in Idlib. The Syrian government has blamed Turkey - and the United States - for shielding Islamic terrorists in Syria while being present illegally in the country and stealing its resources. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open to the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urging him to use his leadership position to instruct the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi to immediately, fully and effectively enforcethe judgment stopping all Lagos hospitals and health facilities from demandingcompulsory blood donations from any patients or their relatives as preconditionfor medical attention either in antenatal and maternal or any other healthservices. Following a suit brought by SERAP, JusticeRaliat Adebiyi of the Lagos High Court yesterday held that demanding compulsory blood donation from those seeking medical attention including maternity services, is arbitrary, unfair and a violation of their human rights including the rights to life and to equal opportunity for everyone within the health system. In the letter dated 3 March, 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: The enforcement of the judgment will be a special moment for the implementation of the governments strategies towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it will improve the chances of everyone including women during and after childbirth, and ensure quality health services, which will contribute to the promotion of these goals. SERAP said: As Justice Adebiyi stated in her judgment, your enforcement of the judgment will be consistent with Section 33 of Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to life; and articles 2(a),3 and 12(1) of the International Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, which requires the health system including in Lagos State to provide equal opportunity for everyone. Nigeria has ratified the covenant. The letter read, in part: The enforcement of the judgment will also show Lagos State as a champion of the SDGs and be entirely consistent with international standards and best practices, including those developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recognize that the safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. The WHO has in fact recommended that no coercion should be brought to bear upon the donor to donate. The effective enforcement of the judgment will also improve maternal health, comply with WHOs policy to improve the availability and use of safe blood to save the lives of women during and after childbirth, as well as ensure universal access to safe blood transfusion particularly for patients that are vulnerable to blood shortages and to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, in support of the SDGs. The judgment in suit number ID/2759GCM/2018 also ordered the Lagos State Government to immediately stop and discontinue the policy of insisting on compulsory blood donations from patients or relatives of those seeking medical care and attention before accessing ante-natal, maternal or any health services in all public hospitals and health facilities in Lagos State. We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your actions in instructing Professor Abayomi to enforce and implement the judgment by Justice Adebiyis judgment. We look forward to working with you, Professor Abayomi and theLagos State Ministry of Health in the efforts to enforce and implement the judgment. We would be happy to provide further information or to discuss any of these issues in more detail with you. Kolawole Oluwadare SERAP Deputy Director 3/03/2020 Lagos, Nigeria Emails: [email protected]; [email protected] Twitter: @SERAPNigeria Website: www.serap-nigeria.org For more information or to request an interview, please contact Kolawole Oluwadare on: +2348160537202 The Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev was wearing so much blush during her appearance on the Monday's episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah that her cheeks looked bruised. Make-up artist Daniel Martin had a bit of a heavy-handed approach bringing out the Bulgarian-born, Toronto-raised 31-year-old's cheekbones and he put an excess of matching gloss on her eyelids. Nina was on the Comedy Central talk show to promote her role as political aide Ashley Pollock in Ricky Tollman's drama Run This Town, which details the turbulent final year of Rob Ford's tenure as the mayor of Toronto. Oh girl: The Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev was wearing so much blush during her appearance on the Monday's episode of The Daily Show that her cheeks looked bruised Glossy eyelids: Make-up artist Daniel Martin had a bit of a heavy-handed approach bringing out the Bulgarian-born, Toronto-raised 31-year-old's cheekbones 'I'm Canadian and I thought it was an important story to tell mainly because in a way he was like a precursor [to President Donald Trump],' Dobrev (born Nikolina Dobreva) explained. '[Mayor Rob Ford] was like foreshadowing what was about to happen [here]...Everyone thought he was entertaining and hilarious and weird, and they didn't take him seriously and yet he did all those things. 'I feel like it was a warning that no one really listened to. It's a cautionary tale that we need to be more aware of especially going into the next election.' The 60% Rotten Tomatoes-rated flick - hitting US/Canada theaters and VOD this Friday - also features Ben Platt, Damian Lewis, Jennifer Ehle, and Scott Speedman. Hitting US/Canada theaters and VOD this Friday! Nina was on Comedy Central to promote her role as political aide Ashley Pollock in Ricky Tollman's drama Run This Town, which details the turbulent final year of Rob Ford's tenure as the mayor of Toronto Dobrev told host Trevor Noah: '[Mayor Rob Ford] was like foreshadowing what was about to happen [here with Trump]...Everyone thought he was entertaining and hilarious and weird, and they didn't take him seriously and yet he did all those things' 'We just need to get to the polls': The Lucky Day star urged her fans to vote on Super Tuesday 'whatever your [political] opinion is, whatever you believe in' 'Whatever your [political] opinion is, whatever you believe in, just get out there and actually vote,' the Lucky Day star urged her fans. 'Every election is just as important as the next. We all have voices and we all have opinions and we're entitled to them. And as long as people go out and believe in what they believe in and fight for it...we just need to get to the polls.' Stylist Kate Young dressed Nina in all-white for her promotional duties, but she arrived to the studio wearing a brown tweed blazer, faded black jeans, and black pumps. Outfit #2: Stylist Kate Young dressed Nina in all-white for her promotional duties, but she arrived to the studio wearing a brown tweed blazer, faded black jeans, and black pumps Tote: Dobrev - who's romanced Derek Hough and Ian Somerhalder - added a pop of color with her green shopping bag-style purse Brunette beauty: Hairstylist Ryan Trygstad coiffed the Fam actress' raven shoulder-length waves Dobrev - who's romanced Derek Hough and Ian Somerhalder - added a pop of color with her green shopping bag-style purse. Hairstylist Ryan Trygstad coiffed the Fam actress' raven shoulder-length waves. During her glam session with her squad earlier, Nina let off some steam by lip-synching to Toto's 1981 hit Africa while clad in her terry cloth hotel robe. Aussies continue to score roles in the USA. Ashley Zukerman (The Code, Rush, Succession, Designated Survivor) has a lead role in NBC drama pilot Langdon. He will take on the role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon -played by Tom Hanks in film adaptations The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons and Inferno. The pilot, from CBS Television Studios, Universal TV and Imagine TV, follows the early adventures of Robert Langdon, who must solve a series of deadly puzzles to save his kidnapped mentor and thwart a chilling global conspiracy. Meanwhile Anthony LaPaglia has joined Aussie Jim Jefferies in his upcoming NBC multi-camera comedy pilot Jefferies. Jefferies as a fictionalised version of himself a comedian with a unique and often controversial take on modern life, relationships and co-parenting with his best friend (Betsy Brandt). LaPaglia will play Trevor, Jims dad who is a recent widower and has moved into Jims guest house. Elsewhere Luke Mitchell (Home and Away, The Tomorrow People, Agents of SHIELD) is set as the male lead opposite Stella Baker in the CW drama pilot The Republic of Sarah. Faced with the destruction of her town at the hands of a greedy mining company, rebellious high school history teacher Sarah Cooper (Baker) utilises an obscure cartographical loophole to declare independence. Now Sarah must lead a young group of misfits as they attempt to start their own country from scratch. Mitchell will play Sarahs brother Danny. Source: Hollywood Reporter In any US presidential primary, huge fanfare is given to the contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. But very few presidential nominations are won and lost in those four states. Its when the other states get in on the action that the candidates start to break ahead from the pack - or drop out. As the primary calendar is set for each cycle, several states usually move their primaries forward in the schedule to try and boost their importance, resulting in pile-ups where multiple states end up voting on the same day. And since most states vote on Tuesdays, the day with the largest number of simultaneous contests is dubbed Super Tuesday. This cycles Super Tuesday falls on 3 March, when voting will take place in 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia along with Democrats Abroad (whose voting runs for a week) and American Samoa. In total, 1,357 of the 1,991 pledged delegates a candidate needs to win the nomination outright are up for grabs on Super Tuesday. (Up till then, only 155 delegates will have been allocated.) So depending how many candidates are still in the race and how much they split the vote on the day, this could completely shake up a race thats so far looking very muddled or it could set up a long multi-candidate battle that plunges the Democratic party into chaos. 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 Why it matters Super Tuesday is hugely important for the current frontrunners, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, and could be crucial in deciding the future of Elizabeth Warren. With so many states up for grabs, they each have a chance not just to capture delegates, but also to win in large swing states like Minnesota, Colorado and Virginia and thereby signal that they could be strong national candidates. But the day is perhaps most critical for Michael Bloomberg. Mr Bloomberg hasnt competed at all in the first four contests and has instead ploughed vast sums into the Super Tuesday states, hoping to crash into the top tier by winning millions of votes and hundreds of delegates across the country in one fell swoop. If he fails, itll be a mortifyingly low return on investment. (Reuters) Meanwhile, for those now falling behind, 3 March may be the last gasp. Elizabeth Warren desperately needs a chance to prove she still has a hope. Ms Warrens home state of Massachusetts is voting on the day, giving her a decent chance of netting at least one victory, but shell need to win more widely than that. And if Ms Warren and Mr Biden cant win the popular vote in at least a few states (or at least come close), they will find it hard to keep selling themselves to voters and the media and, crucially, to donors, whose enthusiasm can decide whether a campaign lives or dies. The same principle doesnt apply to Mr Bloomberg, who is bankrolling his hugely expensive primary campaigns with his own funds. It also doesnt apply to Mr Sanders, currently polling ahead nationally, whose campaign is overwhelmingly funded by small donations from his supporters (averaging under $20). How do candidates win delegates? The first crucial thing any candidate must do to start winning delegates is to make sure they reach 15 per cent of the popular vote wherever theyre competing. Any less than that and they wont be allocated any delegates at all. This applies not just at the statewide level, but also across the different districts within states that award delegates congressional districts in some states, state senate districts in others. The system effectively means candidates can only run up a competitive delegate lead if they win in lots of different places. The problem Super Tuesday poses is that with so many places going to the polls at once, the campaigns will have to really stretch their resources to eke out an edge in enough places to make a difference. The nightmare scenario In a nutshell: if too many candidates do roughly as well as each other in too many places, the whole night might do nothing to thin out the field at all. California, for example, awards 495 pledged delegates in total, but distributes them in a complex way that makes it hard for one candidate to gain a real edge there even if they win the statewide vote. Most of the states delegates 271 of them are awarded at the congressional district level, with each district awarding a small number proportionately depending on the result there. (AFP via Getty Images (AFP via Getty Images) Take the states 33rd district, which includes Beverly Hills and Malibu. It awards six delegates, meaning that if three candidates each won 30 per cent of the vote (or close to it), theyd each get two. Assuming they were the last three standing in the primary as a whole, that would make the districts vote essentially meaningless. If this pattern is repeated across the states voting on Super Tuesday, or even in just a few, it could mean that with more than a third of all pledged delegates allocated, nobody would begin to pull ahead. What comes next? Just in case the big night doesnt sort things out, there are two more nearly-super Tuesdays shortly afterwards. On 10 March come six contests at once: the Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri and Washington state primaries, as well as the North Dakota caucuses. Michigan has taken on an outsized symbolic importance thanks to Hillary Clintons painfully narrow loss there in 2016, so whoever wins it will benefit from a major boost to their credibility. Then on 17 March, four big states get their turn: Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. Together they boast 577 pledged delegates, making this the biggest one-day bonanza until the so-called Acela primary on the east coast on 28 April. What if they just keep going? If these primaries dont knock out most of the candidates, the Democrats could be in trouble. Should too many of the candidates stay in the race for the long haul, they could all keep winning enough delegates to prevent anyone from reaching an overall majority. That could leave the party heading into its convention this summer without a guaranteed nominee, forcing the candidates to duke it out for support among the party elite a scenario the Democrats will be desperate to avoid. The last time the primary really went down to the wire was in 2008, when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ran hard against each other right until the final contests. And it was on Super Tuesday, when Clinton and Obama split the available delegates almost evenly, that the closeness of the race became clear. What followed was four gruelling months of campaigning that some feared would leave the party badly bruised. But in the end, Clinton quickly endorsed Obama, campaigned for him, and ended up joining his cabinet as secretary of state. However, 2016 was different. While Hillary Clinton won the nomination decisively, Bernie Sanders and his supporters never fully embraced her candidacy, deeply dividing the partys base and further tarnishing Clintons reputation. Whether this years candidates will share enough goodwill by the primarys end to heal those wounds remains to be seen. The Instagram Princess is back at it again, setting the social media platform ablaze with her back-to-back uploads of steamy photos that left her followers saying, "whoa!" Kylie Jenner is on a roll, giving her 164 million Instagram followers not just one but a dozen Instagram updates over the weekend. She has been out and about hitting the beaches in the Bahamas with her daughter Stormi and gal pal Stassie Karanikolaou. Kylie getting millions of likes for a single photo is no longer new to her avid followers. On Sunday, the 22-year-old self-made billionaire has left her followers dumbfounded with an extra hot pool photo that is somehow confusing. In the photo, Kylie casually posed on a diving board wearing a one-piece taupe swimsuit and looking fierce as usual. While the followers are all-eyes on the unreleased Nike x Travis Scott Cactus Jack SB Dunk Lows that she is wearing, some fans are questioning her extra-long braids in the photo. The Rapunzel-like twist is so long that it cascades her back down to the floor. In a separate Instagram post, Kylie posed with a white sand beach on the background while sporting the long braids as it touches the floor. Even Kylie's big sister could not help but point out how extra she could get just for the 'Gram. "Don't ever call me extra again," Khloe Kardashian wrote. Although the show-stopping braids did not prevent Kylie from getting more than 4 million likes in each photo, Instagram users went straight to the comments section trolling her unusual hairstyle. Some fans had to rub their eyes and look closer as they though the extra-long braids is a snake, a water hose, or Kylie's tail. "Thought this was a snake at first glance... still gorg tho," said "Zoey 101" star Jamie Lynn Spears. One Instagram user also commented: "Trend alert. tampon string braid." "Is no one going to talk about dat rat tail? No, ok," another one added. "Your hair is disgustingly way too long," a hair-police wrote. If you think Kylie's Instagram followers are way too savage for such troll comments, man, Twitter got no chill slamming her braids. See some of the hilarious reactions below: Kylie and Her Toned Post-Stormi Tummy Meanwhile, after getting straight trolled out for her ridiculous braids, the makeup mogul sets pulses pounding with a follow-up upload of series of sultry snaps. In the photo, Kylie ditched the 50 years braid and flaunted her stunning figure. The "Keeping Up With The Kardashian" star looks glowing in her printed bra and skirt. In the first picture, Kylie looked seductive while touching her bandeau and all eyes closed, feeling herself. Her eye-catching flat stomach looked sexier with the belly-dancing ready accessory of gold beaded strands. In the second photo, Kylie unleashed her inner goddess by posing from behind, showing off her iconic curvy hips and golden blonde hair. Putting Off a Show? All these back-to-back sultry photos of Kylie came after she low-key confirmed rekindling romance with Stormi's dad, Travis Scott. Which left people wondering, is she actually putting off a show to catch her baby daddy's attention and never let her out of her claws once again? Stockpile nearly triples as Tehran refuses to answer questions about possible undeclared sites, UN watchdog says. Irans stockpile of enriched uranium is more than five times the limit fixed under a landmark 2015 deal with world powers, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday. An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report said as of February 19, 2020, the Iranian stockpile stood at 1,510 kilogrammes, as opposed to the 300kg limit set under the agreement. Some analysts consider this level could provide sufficient material to produce a nuclear weapon. However, it would still need several more steps, including further enrichment, to make it suitable for use in an atomic bomb. The report said Iran has not been enriching uranium above 4.5 percent. An enrichment level of about 90 percent would be needed for weapons use. The UN watchdog also admonished Tehran on Tuesday for failing to provide access to two undeclared locations or fully answer its questions about past activities there. 200131080855122 Iran has not provided access to the agency to two locations and not engaged in substantive discussions to clarify agency questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities, a second IAEA report said. The director general calls on Iran to immediately cooperate fully with the agency, including by providing prompt access to the locations specified, said the confidential report seen by news agencies. It added Iran informed the IAEA it will not recognise any allegation on past activities and does not consider itself obliged to respond to such allegations. Hanging by a thread The nuclear deal with Iran was signed in 2015 by the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, China and Russia. The historic accord has been hanging by a thread since the US withdrew from it in May 2018 and imposed stinging sanctions on Iran, in particular targeting its vital oil sector. The latest IAEA reports come just days after a meeting in Vienna of the remaining parties to the deal, which ended without a clear plan to keep the accord alive. The agreement promised Iran an easing of punishing economic sanctions in return for its scaling back its nuclear programme. Tehran has been progressively reducing its commitment to the accord in retaliation for the US move. The leader of a secretive sect that has become a hotbed of coronavirus infections in southeastern Korea has emerged from hiding to apologize to the public. "I am truly sorry. I don't have the words to express how sorry I am," said Lee Man-hee (89), who is worshipped by followers of the Shincheonji sect as the Second Coming and claims to get messages directly from God. Shincheonji sect leader Lee Man-hee bows during a press conference in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. /Yonhap Lee was speaking to reporters at a retreat owned by the sect in Gapyeong east of Seoul. "Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected," he added. "We made the utmost efforts but were unable to prevent it all. I seek the forgiveness of the people." He bowed twice in front of cameras as he said, "I am very grateful to the government for its efforts... We will do our best and not spare human and material support." An assistant whispers to Shincheonji sect leader Lee Man-hee (left) at a press conference in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. /Yonhap Lee, who is hard of hearing, took questions from reporters as a female assistant stood next to him and repeated them with occasional whispered prompts. When one reporter asked Lee when he arrived at the retreat, the assistant was heard telling him, "You can tell them you arrived here on the 17th last month." Lee absentmindedly said. "My job doesn't allow me to stay put, so I just moved around." But the assistant whispered, "Just tell them you stayed here." Shincheonji sect leader Lee Man-hee's vehicle arrives for drive-through testing for coronavirus at a facility in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. /Newsis There was more evidence that the divine messages have dried up lately. Asked whether he had really been tested for COVID-19, as the sect had claimed, Lee said, "I received a call to be tested and took the test, but I still don't know what happened. They said it was negative, but I don't know what that really means." Shincheonji explained later that Lee was tested at a nearby hospital run by the rival Moonies' Unification Church and the results were negative. Amid growing suspicion over the result, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung raided Lee's retreat with police officers on Monday night to force him to be tested. But the sect leader already left and got tested at a drive-through facility in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Privince. The results came back negative on Tuesday morning. The Shincheonji sect claimed that it cooperated fully with health authorities and did not alter the list it submitted or hide any followers. Meanwhile, the total confirmed case of coronavirus in Korea rose to 4,812, nearly 90 percent or 4,285 cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province as of Tuesday morning. A Co Cork man who killed his friend by repeatedly punching him in the head during a pub row after drinking 20 pints has been jailed for eight years for manslaughter. Sentencing Michael Dineen at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the attack was a "one-sided and unequal affair", where the deceased had taken "a battering" from "prolonged punching". Dineen (28), who has a history of violent offending, was on bail awaiting sentence for breaking another man's jaw when he killed Patrick 'Ginty' O'Donnell. Earlier, the court heard that Dineen had failed to listen to his wife when she came into the pub that day and tried to persuade him to leave. The court heard Dineen, who shouted that he was "the king of Mitchelstown" after the attack, now prays "on a daily basis" for the victim. Dineen was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Mr O'Donnell (36) by unanimous verdict on December 6. Former State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy gave evidence during the trial that Mr O'Donnell died from inhaling his own blood and teeth after he suffered serious injuries to his face and head. She said Mr O'Donnell lost seven teeth in the assault and she found one of these lodged in his trachea and another lodged in the bronchi leading to his left lung. Dineen, of Ard Mhuileann, Ballinwillin, Mitchelstown, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr O'Donnell at Willie Andies bar on New Square, Mitchelstown, on June 1, 2018. An early plea of manslaughter had been offered by Dineen in advance of his trial but this was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Passing sentence, Mr Justice Owens noted that the reality of the jury's verdict last December was that Dineen did not intend to cause serious harm to Mr O'Donnell because he was too drunk. He said both men were settled members of the Traveller community and Dineen had been drinking most of the day prior to the killing. Dineen knocked Mr O'Donnell to the ground by delivering a blow to his head, said the judge, and then proceeded to hit him to the face with both fists for a minute. "He could not be persuaded to stop and also delivered a number of kicks to his body," he added. The judge said Dineen's lack of self-control had fuelled his aggression on the night and he should be aware that he has the capacity to become very aggressive when he is drunk. In her victim impact statement, the deceased's partner of 17 years, mother-of-four Leanne Whitehead, said the night of his death "has changed my children's lives". She told how she has had to console their children at night when they wake up with nightmares or crying because they want "their daddy back". "Our children will not visit the cemetery, it's too upsetting for them. Our children are lost without their dad's presence, the feel of his hugs and the sound of his voice," she said. Ms Whitehead said she wakes up every day in an empty bed and goes to bed at night in an empty bed. "The hugs, the kisses, the chats we use to have, the feel of his skin, the warmth of his presence and the feeling of his safeness, it's all gone," she said. A Pilgrimage Fueled by Hope: Jehoshaphats Story By Sharon W. Betters TODAYS TREASURE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. -2 Chronicles 17:3-5 ESV At thirty-five years of age, Jehoshaphat follows in his fathers footsteps and becomes King of Judah after his fathers death. He also follows his father in the way he immediately takes steps to fortify the country and continues to build a strong spiritual foundation. Jehoshaphat takes stock of the weak spots along Judahs border and loses no time in sending troops to all the cities of Judah, placing garrisons in Judah and in the towns his father, Asa, had captured. Jehoshaphat: Walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel In response to the commitment of Jehoshaphat to walk in obedience to the Lord God: Established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. Like so many, Jehoshaphat started a new chapter in his life with a heart devoted to the ways of the Lord. He didnt just put on godly behavior, he put off the symbols of rebellion against God when he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. In so doing, Jehoshaphat sent a loud message the people of Judah were to worship only the one true God. Repentance means putting off sin and putting on holiness. For example, a thief is still a thief until he gives back what he has stolen. A liar is still a liar until she starts telling the truth. By removing the idols, the king calls for repentance from the people who worshipped at these places. Yet the king knows it is not good enough to remove the idols, that is only half of repentance. Transformed hearts lead to obedience so the king charges his officials and priests with the task of teaching Gods Word (the Book of the Law) to everyone, in every town. This is a man on a mission. His heart belongs to God. He loves Gods Word and wants the people to love it as well. He fully embraces his role as king and his job to protect Gods people. God blessed Jehoshaphats obedience and leadership by instilling the fear of the Lord in all the surrounding lands. Their enemies brought them priceless gifts and Jehoshaphat became more powerful, building forts and store cities in Judah. He prepared for the future with storehouses full of grain and supplies. He kept a strong military force in Judah and his fighting men grew to over 1,000,000 strong. Imagine the size of this army just as large if not larger than the military of modern-day China. But was it enough? He served God; he did everything he knew to protect the people of God. God showed His pleasure over the king by making him prosperous, powerful and the cities well-fortified. But was it enough? Do you resonate with the behavior of Jehoshaphat as he takes on this new responsibility? Remember when you started a new job, a new year, or a new relationship and you were determined to do it right this time. Do you see yourself in his commitment to leading Gods people to turn over a new leaf or start over in their pilgrimage of knowing and trusting God? Such a commitment requires a dying to self and humbly relying on the love and grace of God to flow out of your life, from a heart committed to a life of obedient worship. Like Jehoshaphat our intentions are good, but the pressures of life sometimes take us to that place of inadequacy and the questions, Am I enough for this task, this role, this job, or this relationship? What else can I do? Is there anything wrong with wanting to be strong, to fulfill our responsibilities with courage and strength? Of course not, but there is something wrong with believing if we only dig down into our souls deep enough, well find the strength and wisdom we need. As we often do, Jehoshaphat seems to ask himself these questions and answers them with choices outside of Gods plans. Each misstep becomes a teaching moment that helps prepare him for that crushing day when he cries out, Lord, we do not know what to do, so our eyes are fixed on You! Jehoshaphats story reminds us that our weakness draws God to us, that it is in our weakness that we experience His strength. PRAYER Oh Lord, someone reading this may be struggling with their own ability to not just muddle through life, but to walk by faith in the pathway You have marked out for them. I pray Your Holy Spirit will transform the words of Scripture into a better understanding of Your grace and power. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a nonprofit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, and fourteen grandchildren. For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG. Parts of northern Italy are on lockdown following an outbreak of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, with at least seven deaths in the region. The sudden outbreaks in recent days, from South Korea to Iran to Italy, have raised fears that the virus which originated in China will turn into a global pandemic. Meanwhile, a new report warns that southeast Asian and sub-Saharan African economies could be badly hit, even if there are no outbreaks of the disease there. Henry Ridgwell reports from London. VOA Khmer's Sophat Soeung narrates. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced its latest opening of applications for astronauts, who will be earmarked for missions under its upcoming Artemis programmes. This marks the first time that NASA has opened applications for new astronauts since 2015, when it selected 11 new astronauts from a pool of 18,300 applicants. Now, with manned missions to the moon and Mars coming up within the next decade, NASA is looking for new, qualified individuals from varied walks of life to travel to space, in what will herald a new series of manned missions to space since the iconic Apollo missions. "We will send the first woman and next man to the lunar South Pole by 2024, and we need more astronauts to follow suit on the Moon, and then Mars," said Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator in a public statement. Applicants interested in going beyond the trappings of Earth will need to apply via NASA's official application link (click here), within 11:59PM local time on March 31. The new astronauts will join the present league of 48 NASA astronauts, and 350 astronauts in NASA's history, in contributing to space research. The selected individuals will be part of space crews who will travel to multiple destinations, which include the International Space Station (ISS), the moon and Mars. The final selection of qualified candidates will be expectedly made by mid-2021, following which the crew will begin their training. If this sounds of interest to you, here are the key criteria that have been laid down by NASA for its Artemis generation astronauts. You will have to be: 1. A citizen of the United States of America, 2. Hold a master's degree in any discipline in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (including biological science, physical science or computer science, from an accredited institution), Alternate to the master's degree, individuals who may qualify to apply can hold: 1. Two years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of work toward a Ph.D. programme in a related science, technology, engineering or math field, 2. A completed doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, 3. Completion (or current enrollment that will result in completion by June 2021) of a nationally or internationally recognized test pilot school programme. NASA's official website on the matter also states, "Candidates also must have at least two years of related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Astronaut candidates must pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical. As part of the application process, applicants will, for the first time, be required to take an online assessment that will require up to two hours to complete." The new astronauts will be expected to contribute to missions aboard the ISS, and travel to the moon in a new lunar landing project commencing 2024. They will also be a part of the sustained annual lunar landing missions that NASA has in charts, from 2028. 'Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham' film poster (Image: Twitter/@Mohanlal) Akshay Kumar is considered to be the busiest superstar in Bollywood with three to four films releasing every year. But there are some select stars down South who have multiple films in different stages of production. Of course, some top stars still choose to work in only one film at a time and even those turn out to be big successes. Let's list them all. Vijay: Master He has already delivered a flurry of successes with Bigil, Sarkar, Mersal and Theri. Now, he is busy shooting for Master. A thriller, which is being directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Master features Vijay in a never-seen-before role and is set to release on April 9. The film also features another Vijay Vijay Sethupathi. Vijay Deverakonda: Hero, Fighter He became a star after Arjun Reddy. But the super success of Kabir Singh further made Vijay Deverakonda a known face across the country. His next film Hero is already being pitched as a biggie. After playing a romantic part in Dear Comrade, Vijay would now be seen as a biker in Hero. He is also shooting for Karan Johar's Fighter, which will be his Bollywood debut. Prabhas 20th and 21st films The long wait after the Baahubali series star was finally over in 2019 when Prabhas was seen in Saaho. The film ironically did better in Hindi than in the southern versions. He is currently shooting for his twentieth film, which is still untitled, with director KK Radhakrishna Kumar and co-star Pooja Hegde. He has also announced another (also untitled) film with filmmaker Nag Aswin. Suriya: Soorarai Pottru Recently seen in Kaappaan, Suriya would next feature in Soorarai Pottru. Kaappaan was a multi-starrer action affair where Suriya was seen with Mohanlal and Arya. As for Soorarai Pottru, it is said to be based on the life and times of Air Deccan founder Captain GR Gopinath. This film should be interesting. Rajinikanth: Annaatthe It had been ages since Rajinikanth played a cop and this is what made Darbar interesting. However, the film did not meet expectations. The superstar would be next seen in Annaatthe which is being directed by Siva. Not much has been revealed about the film which also features Keerthy Suresh, Prakarsh Raj and Khushbu Sundar in key roles. Mohanlal Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, Ram The man refuses to rest and while he set quite a few records with his recent hit Lucifer, Mohanlal already has close to half a dozen films in different stages of production. Those lined up for release in months to come are Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham and Ram. Billion Dollar Raja was also announced recently. Dhanush: Jagame Thandhiram, Atrangi Re After being seen in Maari 2, Dhanush was seen in Enai Noki Paayum Thota and Pattas. This is while he is also filming Jagame Thandhiram. Though Dhanush had done a couple of Hindi films (Raanjhanaa and Shamitabh), he surprisingly stayed away from Bollywood for long time. The drought would be over soon as he is reuniting with director Aanand L. Rai for Atrangi Re. Vijay Sethupathi: Master, Laal Singh Chaddha, Thuglak, Kadaisi Vivasayi, Edaku 2018 The man has come on his own ever since the release of Vikram Vedha, which is already a hot property in Bollywood. He also saw good critical acclaim with last year's release Super Deluxe. Now he has a flurry of releases ahead with half a dozen movies lined up next. Among the big releases are Master with Vijay and his Bollywood debut Laal Singh Chaddha with Aamir Khan. Yash: KGF 2 Yash surprised one and all when his Kannada release KGF turned out to be a pan-India success. While it stays on to be the biggest blockbuster coming from Kannada cinema, its sequel is being much awaited as well. Moreover, Sanjay Dutt has a major part to play as well in KGF 2, hence making the film all the more special. Mahesh Babu: Announcement awaited Every Mahesh Babu film is special, as seen from the kind of response they have generated of late (Maharshi and Bharat Ane Nenu). A few weeks ago, he was seen in Sarileru Neekevvaru, which was an action affair. A major schedule for the film was shot in Kashmir. Mahesh Babus fans are eagerly awaiting an announcement of his next film. (Joginder Tuteja is a trade expert and film critic. Views are personal) Amazon is experimenting with a way to allow shoppers to use a palm-print biometric to authenticate payments and to do so in physical stores far beyond Amazon-owned brick-and-mortars, (Whole Foods, AmazonGo, AmazonBooks, Amazon 4-Star and Amazon Pop-Up). Amazon is reportedly looking at QSRs (quick-service restaurants), especially coffee shops. Palm prints have several advantages over more popular mobile biometric methods, such as fingerprint (prescription drugs, cleaning chemicals, burns and various other things can interfere with fingerprint readings) and facial recognition (finicky method that requires the face to be a precise distance from the scanner not an inch too close or too far and can suffer from hair growth, lighting, cosmetic changes, some sunglasses, as well as giving false positives to close relatives). And unlike my favorite biometric for security (retina scan), it's far less invasive. It's fairly accurate, convenient and (other than forcing customers to remove gloves, which could be a problem with outdoor shops in the winter) should be well-received. Opting for independent palm prints would run contrary to the industry trend to simply piggyback on whatever authentication a shopper's mobile device uses, but it's not that much of a stretch for Amazon and it has the potential to significantly expand the brand's presence outside of the relatively few stores it owns. More practically, it could sharply increase the data it holds on shoppers and could specifically look for single-view-of-the-customer information, where it could spy on (I'm sorry. I meant observe) Amazon customers and how they like their coffee, burgers, pizzas or scarves. If there's the possibility of an upsell somewhere on the planet, Amazon's on it. "Amazon recently began working with Visa to test transactions on the terminals and is in discussions with Mastercard," The Wall Street Journal noted. "JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co. and Synchrony Financial have expressed interest in enabling consumers card accounts to work with these terminals." Amazon has had its own credit card for years along with the rarely used, in-store AmazonPay but a palm approach would potentially expand its visibility (both for non-Amazon shoppers to see and reinforce the Amazon brand as well as for Amazon to see purchases made by folk outside Amazon's current universe) while also getting it a likely cut of those sales. Let's address the central brand issue. When the merchant is small and relatively unknown (Phil's House of Bait or Molly's House of Coffee that Isn't as Awful as Everyone Says), will customers be more comfortable seeing the Amazon brand that they know? Sanjay Sakhrani, an analyst and managing director covering the payments space for investment banking firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, sent out a client advisory that the biggest obstacles in front of Amazon's palm effort are financial and pragmatic. "For example, it is unclear if merchant acquirers will play a role or be bypassed in the process. How [will] the system detect and allay fraudulent transactions? Bottom Line: Although this seems to be an interesting innovation in the payments industry, it is still early in the process and the value proposition to consumers and merchants remains unclear. We believe adoption will ultimately depend on 1) the cost to merchants and whether there is an incentive for them to add this method of payment at the pointof-sale, 2) whether customers will find it useful, particularly with contactless payments becoming more widespread both in the U.S. and internationally, and 3) if merchants would want to promote Amazon at the point-of-sale and collect data on their behalf given competitive concerns," Sakhrani's advisory said. "Note that Amazons prior initiatives in payments, such as its digital wallet Amazon Pay, have thus far failed to gain traction given the perception of merchant conflicts, among other items. Although its too early to determine the impacts, at this point it appears potentially most disruptive to payment terminal manufacturers like Square. We will monitor developments to ascertain implications, if any, for the merchant acquirers and potentially V/MC and the card issuers to the extent the product becomes widely adopted." In an interview with Computerworld, Sakhrani elaborated on some of his financial concerns. Will Amazon want to add its own fee on top of an existing interchange fee? Most merchants are already pushing back on what they see as a overly high fees already. "Where is the tradeoff?" Sakhrani asked. In other words, many merchants already see Amazon as a rival (because it is) so the argument is whether Amazon would help send customers to that local merchant. If Amazon's cut makes it worthwhile for Amazon to use its massive site to send, let's say, Cincinnati Amazon users to a Cincinnati coffee shop that uses Amazon's palm checkout system, this might have potential. Note that this would be a radical change for Amazon. Sending customers away to anything it doesn't own sends chills up the Amazon marketing department's collective spines. Another question that Sakhrani had: "Whether this terminal will accept everything or just Amazon?" In other words, if a shopper wants to pay with a debit card that has nothing to do with Amazon and avoids the palmswipe, will the terminal permit it? If not, does Amazon have in mind that these would supplemental terminals, sitting next to a POS that would accept everything else? If so, these machines had better be free or it's wacky to assume that any merchant would pay for the privilege. Certainly the merchant would pay an additional small processing fee for shoppers that Amazon sends to the store, but don't even think about a monthly fee for free advertising. The most comforting detail here is that Visa and Mastercard are involved in discussions. Of course, those brands are involved in discussions about thousands of possibilities every day. How serious are the discussions? How senior are the people involved? If both are those brands get behind a palm-authentication approach whether or not it's from Amazon things could get very interesting very quickly. By Akbar Mammadov There has to be a diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US Ambassador to OSCE James Gilmore said during the special briefing of the US State Department on March 2, while commenting on OSCEs responsibilities on Nagorno-Karabakh. There is a process in place, a group that a Minsk Group that is trying to find some answers and solutions into this. I have met with both the ambassadors from Azerbaijan and the ambassadors from Armenia, each of whom have talked to me about separately about this conflict and how they see it in the big picture of both of their respective countries, said James Gilmore. He also added that The United States has taken the position that "there just simply is not going to be a military solution" to the conlfict. The Minsk Group is represented by Russia, the United States, and France. I met with them previously. I think well meet with them again. But as long as they continue to be engaged in a diplomatic conversation, at least were not seeing a further shooting conflict there, Gilmore said. Ambassador Gilmore concluded that the US position is to find a diplomatic, not a military solution to the conflict. Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans breakaway region which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France has been mediating the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict since the signing of the volatile cease-fire agreement in 1994. The Minsk Groups efforts have resulted in no progress and to this date Armenia has failed to abide by the UN Security Council resolutions (822, 853, 874 and 884) that demand the withdrawal of Armenian military forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz As a result of the spread of the new coronavirus, the Salon du Livre in Paris has been cancelled. The French government announced over the weekend they were banning gatherings of more than 5,000 people in any enclosed space for the foreseeable future. The event was to be held March 20-23, with India as the guest of honor. Germany's primary consumer facing book fair, the Leipzig Book Fair, has also been cancelled. The event, scheduled for March 12-15 expected to attract some 300,000 people and host 2,500 exhibitors from 51 countries, including 10 authors from Canada as a preview of Canada's turn as Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair this October. In Belgium, the Foire du Livre de Bruxelles begins this Thursday and runs through Sunday. The event, which focuses on French-language publishing in the country, is expected to host several large pavilions of Paris-based publishers in addition to local vendors. The event is also holding its first agents' center, with a focus on European publishers and agents. The impact of the coronavirus on the Foire du Livre, as well as the upcoming London Book Fair, remains to be seen. At present, organizers of both events have announced no change of plans, despite the number of American publishers and book-related businesses pulling out of London. Both fairs have suggested that attendees follow the health precautions issued by the WHO, such as not shaking hands upon meeting and washing and sanitizing one's hands frequently. Environmental activist Jadav Payeng, popularly called the 'Forest Man', was named as the 128th Commonwealth Points of Light Award winner. Queen Elizabeth II has honoured Payeng for his exceptional voluntary service to environmental conservation, a spokesperson of the British Deputy High Commission said. Based in Assam's Jorhat district, 57-year-old Payeng has transformed a treeless sandbar along the Brahmaputra river into a 1,360-acre vibrant wildlife haven. Payeng has worked for years to transform the sandbar into a home to animals and birds of varied species, named 'Molai forest' after him. The British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Nick Low would felicitate Payeng, also a Padma Shri awardee, here on March 11. The Points of Light Award recognises people across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [March 03, 2020] Generational Equity Advises Direct Millwork in Sale to Builders General Supply Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Direct Millwork, LLC to Builders General Supply. The acquisition closed February 19, 2020 and details were not disclosed. Located in Washington, New Jersey, Direct Millwork, LLC (DM) is a building material supplier specializing in interior and exterior millwork products. The Company supports its product offering with in-house assembly and light manufacturing capabilities, as well as on site take-off and project management experience. Builders General Supply (BGS), located in Little Silver, New Jersey is a building material supply company. Builders General was incorporated in 1931 with its first location in Cranford, New Jersey. The Company now has seven locations throughout the state of New Jersey and employs over 140 people. BGS' President, Philip Shaheen, commented, "This opportunity is a definite 'win-win' for both DM and BGS and offers significant growth opportunities. DM's millwork and door shop operations will compliment BGS' millwork and door shop operations in its Freehold branch location, and also expand DM and BGS' customer base and market while also providing a broader offering of products to DM's existing customers." DM's products and services include interior doors, moulding, windows, exterior doors, hardware, and specialty products. DMs primary delivery area is Central and Northern New Jersey along with the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania and the entire northeast. BGS' primary delivery area is Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties in New Jersey along with some northern New Jersey locations and Staten Island in New York. "DM brings excellent processes and an established, customer base. This acquisition gives us a unique opportunity to provide increased synergies within our company culture while at the same time allows us both to continue to maintain strong relationships with our loyal customer base throughout New Jersey and surrounding areas," added Shaheen. "BGS is a highly regarded company in this region of the country. United by a common business culture, joining BGS makes perfect sense and will improve DM's business growth opportunities and expand the products offered to our existing customers," said Kevin Kuchova and Tom Snyder, Partners at DM. Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A - Eastern Region, David Fergusson's team, led by Senior M&A Advisor, Gene Gall and supported by Vice President, Cory Painter successfully closed the deal. Senior Managing Director Thomas Hamm established the initial relationship with DM. About Generational Equity Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America. With over 250 professionals located throughout North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their five-step approach features exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management. The M&A Advisor named the company the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Investment Banking Firm of the Year. For more information, visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005048/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] GRAND RAPIDS, MI In 2016, Rosalynn Bliss charted a bold list of goals for her first four-year term as Grand Rapids mayor. Those priorities were wide in scope, including to improve racial equity and community-police relations, increase affordable housing, reduce homelessness, strengthen local schools and grow the local economy, among others. Four years later, the mayor sees Grand Rapids moving in an incredibly positive direction." Our local economy is strong, she said. Youve seen a lot of development and energy downtown, and you see a lot of energy and vibrancy and growth in our neighborhoods. A lot of people want to move to our city and I think thats a positive thing. While theres been progress on many of the challenges she inherited as mayor of Michigans second-largest city, she knows theres more work to be done in her second term. With all of that comes challenges," she said. "With success and a strong economy, we know it results in issues around affordability, around homelessness, and a concern of mine is really making sure as our economy grows, theres opportunity available to everyone regardless of their gender or race. Bliss doesnt see challenges facing the city as separate issues. Theyre intertwined and require multi-pronged approaches in finding solutions. That view, she said, comes from her background in social work. She previously served as director of residential services at DA Blodgett-St Johns, which provides emergency shelter and residential services for abused and neglected children. So, when city officials look at goals related to strengthening neighborhoods, fostering racial equity and increasing affordable housing, Bliss said she sees issues that are interconnected. With my background, its hard to see an issue in isolation, she said. When you connect all the dots, you recognize all the different issues youre trying to work on, that if you can make positive movement in all of them itll have a greater impact. As Bliss gets set to give her fifth State of the City address Tuesday, March 3, heres a look at some of the work she highlights from her first four years in office. Affordable housing and homelessness As Grand Rapids population grows, its need for affordable housing becomes more and more apparent. And at city commission meetings, affordable housing is as popular a topic of public concern as it gets. In 2016, Bliss established the Housing Advisory Committee and tasked it with coming up with recommendations to improve zoning ordinances and increase the citys affordable housing supply. Most of the committees 11 recommendations were approved throughout 2018 and 2019. Changes of note that came out of the process were meant to allow for accessory dwelling units, reduce requirements for duplexes, create an affordable housing density bonus and protect applicants against predatory application fees. Reducing homelessness itself has also been a top priority for Bliss in recent years and will be again in 2020. In 2017, Kent County reached functional zero status for veteran homelessness. The status means the community assures all of its homeless veterans have been and will be connected to resources to secure housing. More recently, Bliss has taken a larger role with the Coalition to End Homelessness and its efforts to reduce homelessness locally by considering the need to make systemic changes. A number of families and children are struggling with housing stability, Bliss said. So now theres an effort to really take a close look at making sure were providing adequate services for families and children who maybe arent homeless yet but theyre struggling and theyre at risk of maybe becoming homeless. Bliss said the efforts ask what is and isnt working, and seeks to create a more effective system to ensure residents have secure and stable housing. That process is expected to carry through early 2020, in partnership with county and private partners. Theres not one solution because its such an individualized issue, she said. You need to have a really thoughtful comprehensive approach. Our hope is to look at the system, elevate the issue beyond just programming and services, and really look at how the system is working as a whole and are people falling through the cracks. Fostering racial equity In 2018, the city had an economic opportunity dashboard created, which highlighted several inequities facing the community related to income, poverty and unemployment. Since her first State of the City address in 2016, Bliss has said she wanted to see the city prioritize racial equity. She called for private-public partnerships to financially support minority-owned businesses and for the creation of a strategic plan that aimed to eliminate racial disparities. In the more than four years shes been in office, the city has more than doubled the number of minority- and women-owned businesses that have received certification through the local programs. Those businesses get an advantage when it comes to bidding on work contracted out by the city. As we look to the work that will be coming up with the river restoration project, were working to identify what work will be done and how do we tee-up locally owned, minority-owned, women-owned business to bid on those projects, Bliss said. The city continues to work with groups like the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses, and Local First West Michigan to increase the number of businesses with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Micro-Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) certification. Grand Rapids also established a strategic plan in 2019 that prioritizes equity, and an economic development-focused strategic plan earlier this year. Bliss noted that the city supports local minority-owned businesses, through the Downtown Development Authority, in an effort to diversify business ownership downtown. Youre starting to see some of that work result in concrete examples of diversification downtown and thats ongoing work, she said. There isnt and end in mind; we need to continue to be intentional. The city also increased the number of employees going through implicit bias training, including throughout the police department, and updated the language in its human rights ordinance. Growing the economy Its no secret that Grand Rapids economy continues to grow. One significant ordinance Bliss is particularly proud of in her first term was the food truck ordinance, which began as a two-year pilot in August 2016 and expanded in permanence in January 2019. That was an economic development issue because its an entry point for entrepreneurs who dont have a significant amount of access to capital to open a brick and mortar, Bliss said. "Knowing that many entrepreneurs get their food in the door through a food truck, I wanted to create that opportunity for folks in our community. I also believe food trucks add to the vibrancy of a community. There was initial push-back to the ordinance, Bliss recalled. But during the two-year trial run, both food trucks and brick-and-mortar food businesses increased in the downtown area and perceptions shifted. Bliss also said the expansion of the Medical Mile and the moving of businesses downtown have been significant to the local economy. That includes the plan to move the headquarters of the Caledonia-based insurance company, Acrisure, to Grand Rapids in 2021. The move, which Bliss called a huge feather in our cap is expected to create 400 jobs over five years. Safe community Bliss prioritized community-police relations, crime prevention and the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians throughout her first term as mayor. As it relates to the police department, the mayor said a lot of the positive work has been handled internally. She commended the department specifically for the establishment of its youth-interaction policy in 2018 and foreign nationals policy in 2019, both following controversial incidents. Additionally, Bliss highlighted the citys amended firearms ordinance, which set policies related to toy and replica guns. The city commission has discussed a desire to adopt an evidence-based crime prevention program but had yet to move forward with one as of early 2020. Bliss said the city was seeking grant funding before moving forward. There has also been considerable progress on bicycle safety through the development of a bicycle action plan in 2019. The document is a master plan that proposed new and upgraded bicycle lanes and trails. I also feel good about us updating our bicycle ordinance and having the five-foot rule for cyclist protection, Bliss said. When I was first elected we had a really high crash rate. We did an education campaign and took a look at ordinances and our bike lanes and I feel good about that work and the time that went into that work. Another aspect of a safe community is reducing the threat of lead poisoning in and around Grand Rapids homes. Bliss pledged a more aggressive response to the issue during her 2018 State of the City address. The city has received grant money to help with lead testing, abatement and education, but Bliss said she wants the city to do more with reducing the threat in 2020. As Bliss looks ahead to her second term as mayor, shes got another lengthy to-do list. Some of her top priorities include: A complete count for the 2020 census. Establishment of a promise zone. Reducing homelessness by making systemic changes. Diverting individuals experiencing mental illness and substance abuse away from jails and emergency rooms. Adopt an evidence-based violence prevention program. Continue to improve community-police relations. Elevate the citys involvement in reducing lead poisoning in the communitys youth. Read more: How to watch Grand Rapids mayors 2020 State of the City speech How residents evaluated police, education, life in Grand Rapids Timeline for recreational marijuana sales in Grand Rapids in limbo CHICAGO, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- About 300,000 property owners must pay the First Installment of their Cook County property taxes today, March 3, 2020, to avoid hefty late charges imposed by state law, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. "Procrastinators love my website because they can pay their taxes online after the office is closed," Pappas said. Payments made at cookcountytreasurer.com before 11:59 p.m. on March 3 will be recorded as on time. "You may also use the website to search $79 million in available refunds going back 20 years," she said. "You may also verify your property tax exemptions, which lower the tax bill. Homeowners may be missing out on $40 million in exemptions." To search for refunds or missing exemptions, visit cookcountytreasurer.com: Select the purple box labeled "Your Property Tax Overview" Search by address or enter your Property Index Number (PIN) Look for the results under "Are There Any Overpayments on Your PIN?" Or the results under "Have You Received Your Exemptions in These Tax Years?" To make a payment, go to the website: Select the blue box labeled "Pay Online for Free" Search by property address or enter your Property Index Number (PIN) There is no fee if you pay from your bank account Late payments are charged 1.5 percent per month, as required by Illinois law. SOURCE Cook County Treasurer's Office Related Links http://www.cookcountytreasurer.com As Tennessee reels from deadly overnight tornadoes, Alabama is also reliving its own tornado tragedy exactly one year ago today. In 2019 March 3 fell on a Sunday, a Sunday with spring-like weather much like today. A total of 6 tornadoes struck Alabama on that day last year, but one of them proved especially rare and deadly. It was an EF4 with top winds estimated at 170 mph, and it killed 23 people in south-central Alabama. It was the deadliest tornado to hit the U.S. since 2013, according to the Storm Prediction Center, and the strongest tornado to strike the U.S. since 2017. The storm also is blamed for 90 injuries and indescribable damage in Lee and Macon counties. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones summed it up this way, telling USA Today: It looks almost as if someone took a giant knife and just scraped the ground. There are slabs where homes normally stood. The tornado touched down at 2 p.m. on that Sunday afternoon and stayed on the ground for 26.73 miles, according to the National Weather Service. At its biggest the tornado was 1,600 yards wide. It touched down in eastern Macon County and intensified as it headed eastward, according to the weather service. It reached its peak intensity in southwestern Lee County. There it began to chew up mobile homes and site-built houses alike. It bent a car around a tree. It swept home foundations clean and reduced mobile homes to just their twisted metal frames. The tornado weakened some as it headed eastward in Lee County but it still reduced numerous mobile homes to rubble and mowed down thousands of trees. It continued eastward and went on to produce extensive damage in Georgia, according to the weather service. That tornado was the 36th EF4 twister on record to hit Alabama, according to the weather service. Before 2019 you have to go only to 2011 to find more. On April 27, 2011, there were a total of eight EF4s that struck the state. The 2019 EF4 tornado was one of two deadly storms in 2019. A tornado struck Lawrence County in north Alabama and killed two people on Dec. 16. The March 3 EF4 tornado was also one of 82 tornadoes that hit Alabama in 2019. Thirty-nine of those were EF0s. There were 34 EF1s and eight EF2s as well. A hackathon prediction model has shown that Nigeria has at least 70 possible tuberculosis hotspots which are yet to detected. This was made known in Abuja as one of Nigerias major partners working on Tuberculosis eradication, KNCV Challenge TB project, rounded up a five-year TB case finding and treatment programme in the country last week. The foundation, supported by the United States government through the USAID programme, has been working actively in 14 states in TB case finding, treatment and capacity building for TB. Though, a lot of progress was recorded in the past five years in case finding and treatment, Nigeria still has a long way to go in eradicating the disease from the country. High burden Nigeria remains one of the 30 countries globally with the highest burden of the disease. Nigeria ranks first in Africa with the highest number of undetected cases. TB is one of the vaccine-preventable killer diseases which is also curable. Nigeria ranks high among countries with a high burden of TB, TB/HIV and Multidrug-resistant TB. In 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that eight countries India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa accounted for two-thirds of the new TB cases globally. Nigeria comes third behind only India and China in terms of tuberculosis cases. Statistics from the UN health agency shows that every year, around 245,000 Nigerians die from tuberculosis (TB) and about 590,000 new cases occur (of these, around 140,000 are also HIV-positive). Mr Odume said every case undetected, is a risk factor to the community because such a person has the tendency of infecting 15 people. Mr Odume said every case undetected, is a risk factor to the community because such a person has the tendency of infecting 15 people. Undetected Many TB cases are still in the community yet to be detected and this contributes to the high burden risk of the country, the Country Representative, KNCV tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria, Bethrand Odume, has said. Mr Odume said every case undetected, is a risk factor to the community because such a person has the tendency of infecting 15 people. He said many of the TB cases in Nigeria are still undetected as only one in four cases are being reported or treated at health facilities. Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. Meanwhile, Mr Odume said the key problem for the TB control programme is finding the missing TB cases because if you look at the statistics we have today, of every four TB cases the national programme was able to find only one. That is about 25 per cent case detection, meaning about 75 per cent are still missing. Before the coming of TB challenge network in 2015, case detection was about 80,000 but over time in the life of the project case finding has improved. He said for Nigeria to succeed, it needs to embark on active community engagement in the findings of TB cases and not wait for patients to walk into the health centre before they are diagnosed. You need to move out because one TB case found at the facility level was gotten from someone within the community and most have transmitted it to somebody. OnebTB case not treated can infect 15 people in the year, he said. He also said with the pace at which the government is going, Nigeria might not be able to meet up with the pledge made by the president to place 1.2 million people on treatment by 2020. Mr Odume said the UN high-level meeting set a very ambitious target for not just Nigeria but for the global communities. Looking at where we are, it may seem that those targets may be insurmountable, but from what we have learnt, with increasing commitment from the national programme, we may be able to achieve something. Advertisements We have been able to showcase these results because of resources from the American people, but achieving more will be dependent on commitment from the government, he said. Possible hotspots Giving the progress report on the five years programme, the senior Technical Advisor, USAID/Nigeria, Temitayo Odusote, said though the foundation is closing out on its programme, it will not be leaving finally as it will still be supporting the nation technically. Ms Odusote said there are lots of possible hotspots in the country which are yet to be identified. She said these are often found in clusters and mostly in remote areas. Ms Odusote said research shows that Lagos and Kano top the chart of TB prevalence states in the country. There are lots of cases in these states and other parts of the country which are yet to be detected, she said. She also said between 2014 to 2018, (the last year with complete data) more than 581,000 Nigerians were treated for TB. Though everyone has been commending the efforts made so far, there is yet no cause for jubilation. TB is not just a national problem but also a local problem because most of the TB cases are detected in remote areas. Ms Odusote said the new target is the UN high-level trajectory for Nigeria and how to support the country to achieve this aim. In the next five years we want to contribute 650,000 TB cases to the UN high-level target but there are gaps which need to be taken care of to achieve the goals. This includes improving access to modern means of diagnosis, and finding the hard to find cases using a sub-national prevalent model to know where the patients are and this will include hot-spot marking as there is no point throwing money everywhere. A hackathon postulation model about to be employed to find missing cases in the country predicted 70 possible TB hotspots in Nigeria. The hotspots are predicted to be in the South-west, South-east and North-east. The model used the winning methodology based on 2012 Nigeria TB prevalence survey. It also predicted that certain clusters had TB prevalence of 1, 700 per 100,000 population. The country needs to start raising local funding for TB programme and treatment should be included in both the state and national National Health Insurance Scheme, the official added. "Our American R&D team thoughtfully crafted a device that takes safety, efficacy and performance to a whole new level," stated Tom O'Brien, CEO and Founder of Eclipse. "I am confident that the medical community will select MicroPen EVO as their micro-needling pen of choice!" Eclipse is also honored to announce Dr. Jean Carruthers and Dr. Shannon Humphrey of Vancouver, British Columbia, as the first practice in North America to upgrade to the new MicroPen EVO. Both physicians are respected worldwide as pioneers, innovators and leaders in cosmetic dermatology. "MicroPen has been a wonderful addition to our armamentarium of skin rejuvenation tools," Dr. Carruthers said. "We are excited to be the first clinic to upgrade to the new MicroPen EVO!" Dr. Humphrey added, "Our patients are always looking for natural ways to maintain their youthful appearance. They love that MicroPen harnesses the skin's natural ability to repair itself." Now that MicroPen EVO has arrived in Canada, Salient Medical will be offering a special upgrade program exclusively for their MicroPen Elite customers. "The anticipation amongst our loyal customer base for the launch of Micropen EVO has been unprecedented," says Michael Pizzorno, CEO of Salient. "We are grateful to count such incredible physicians as Drs. Carruthers and Humphrey as our partners and look forward to bringing EVO to the rest the medical aesthetic community across Canada." For information about other Eclipse products, including Eclipse PRP and Votesse hair health nutraceutical, visit eclipsemed.com. To be contacted by your Eclipse representative call us at (800) 759-6876 or email [email protected]. Eclipse MicroPen EVO is Health Canada approved. For more information visit salientmed.com or call Salient Medical at (855) 736-3003. Eclipse MicroPen EVO is pending FDA 510(k) clearance and is not currently available for sale in the USA. Contact: Julie Summerville [email protected] SOURCE Eclipse The US has reported a sixth death from the coronavirus strain known as Covid-19 as new cases in China dropped to their lowest level in more than a month. Health officials in Washington state said four more people had died from the coronavirus on Monday, bringing the number of deaths in the US to six, all in Washington. New cases were also reported in New Hampshire and New York. In Seattle, King County Executive Dow Constantine declared an emergency and said the county is buying a hotel to be used as a hospital for patients who need to be isolated. We have moved to a new stage in the fight, he said. More than 100 cases have been confirmed in the US, with more almost certain in the coming weeks. New cases of coronavirus per day. Infographic by PA Graphics Thousands of test kits were on their way to state and local labs and new guidelines intended to expand screening were put in place. In this situation, the facts defeat fear, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said. Meanwhile in China, hundreds of patients were released from hospitals at the epicenter of the outbreak. The country reported just 202 new cases on Monday, its lowest daily count since January 21, and the city at the heart of the crisis, Wuhan, said 2,570 patients had been released. At the largest of 16 temporary hospitals that were rapidly built in Wuhan in response to the outbreak, worries over the availability of supplies and protective gear eased, along with the pressure on the medical staff. Dr. Zhang Junjian, who leads a temporary hospital in Wuhan with a staff of 1,260, said optimism is high that the facility will no longer be needed in the coming weeks. Containment is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries.WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus However alarming clusters of the disease continued to swell in South Korea, Italy and Iran, and the virus turned up for the first time in New York, Moscow and Berlin, as well as Latvia, Indonesia, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Jordan and Portugal. The worldwide death toll topped 3,000, and the number of those infected rose to about 89,000 in 70 countries on every continent except Antarctica. But global health officials sought to reassure the public that the virus remains a manageable threat. Containment is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Another domino has fallen: Medical marijuana sales in Utah started on Monday, with the opening of the state's first dispensary. Dragonfly Wellness, located in the state's capital and largest municipality, Salt Lake City, opened its doors and sold product to become Utah's first legal marijuana retailer. The Dragonfly Wellness outlet is the first of 14 dispensaries approved by the state in the opening stage of legalization. These were dispersed among four geographic regions. Nearly all are operated by small, privately held businesses; two exceptions are Curaleaf (OTC:CURLF) and Columbia Care (OTC:CCHWF). The companies will operate one dispensary apiece in Region 3, which roughly covers the southeastern part of the state. Curaleaf's will be located in the city of Linden, while Columbia Care's is to care for its patients in Springville. Both municipalities are on Utah Lake, just south of Salt Lake City. The Utah Medical Cannabis Act passed into law in late 2018 through a ballot initiative that the state legislature later modified. Following that, it took some time for the state to award licenses to dispensary operators. Recreational marijuana sale and use in Utah remains illegal, unlike in neighboring Nevada and Colorado. At the moment, the customer base for Dragonfly Wellness and peer marijuana companies is extremely limited, as the state has only recently started granting medical marijuana cards to qualifying patients. According to a report from Salt Lake City-based Fox 13, only 14 people had been approved for such permits as of Monday. Neither Curaleaf nor Columbia Care made any official comment on the launch of Utah's marijuana market. Both stocks fell slightly in price on Monday. The House Privileges and Elections Committee voted 13 to 8 to send the resolution to the House floor days before the General Assemblys scheduled adjournment Saturday. Four Democrats and all nine Republicans on the committee voted for the resolution. The eight votes against were all Democrats, who had one member absent. A horrified husband called 999 after his wife reportedly stabbed her three-year-old toddler to death and seriously injured their baby at a farmhouse in Northern Ireland. The mother, identified as a nurse in her thirties, is being treated at a hospital in Belfast for 'self-inflicted injuries' after she reportedly 'stabbed her toddler to death and left her baby fighting for its life'. The woman has been named locally as Fiona McGowan and it is understood that she is the mother of the two children who were injured during an incident at a farmhouse on Monday. Police in Larne have said they are not looking for anyone else but have launched an investigation following the incident. Ms McGowan is believed to work in the area as a nurse and locals said that she lived at the farmhouse with two children, one aged one-and-a-half and another 'not much older'. Officers were called to the farmhouse (picture above) on Monday morning. A woman and a baby are currently receiving treatment in hospital Forensic officers at the scene of a major incident at a farmhouse in Bankhall Road, Larne on Monday A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Police can confirm that an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the death of a young child in the Larne area [on Monday]. 'A woman in her 30s and a baby are currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries. 'The investigation is at an early stage and police are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.' Ms McGowan's husband is thought to have called 999 after the incident, Belfast Live reported. It has now been reported locally that Ms McGowan and a one-year-old baby are at Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast. Police are believed to have discovered a three-year-old who had been stabbed to death. Resident in the area said that Ms McGowan lived at the property as part of the 'family of four'. Emergency services arrived in the rural area at around 10am yesterday. Locals said a family have been renting the farmhouse for a year or so. A neighbour said the children are 'beautiful and very young'. 'I've spoken to the man once, but they generally keep themselves to themselves,' she added. Another woman who said she knows the family who live at the property at the end of a country lane overlooking Larne Lough, said the mother of the family is a nurse. Police in Larne have said they are not looking for anyone else but have launched an investigation following the incident in the hamlet of Magheramorne Police in Bankhall Road, Larne at the scene of a major incident at a farmhouse in County Antrim on Monday The scene, in the hamlet of Magheramorne, five miles from Larne, remained cordoned off on Monday afternoon and officers in forensics suits were spotted She described the news as 'shocking'. 'You just wouldn't believe it,' she told the Belfast Telegraph. Police and forensics officers were at the scene yesterday. Neighbour Rhonda Kernohan said: 'I heard the sirens and the helicopter, the air ambulance, came and it landed up at the back of the farm. 'We thought it was a farm accident but when we looked out there was a lot of shouting and a lot of police, a lot of ambulances about.' She added: 'This is a quiet, rural, peaceful area.' Another neighbour said the woman who lived at the house was a 'youngish girl'. Police have released few details, but today confirmed that a woman in her 30s and a baby were receiving treatment Police set up a checkpoint to the entrance to a property in Bankhall Road, Larne on Monday They added: 'It was very sad. We are feeling absolutely awful, so sad it is terrible. The shock of it, when it happens nearly on your doorstep.' Another resident told the Belfast Telegraph that emergency services arrived in the rural area at around 10am on Monday and that those from the area are 'taken aback' by the size of the emergency services operation. Neighbours were alerted to the scene upon hearing an Air Ambulance and PSNI helicopter. Reacting to the news, Alliance Party MLA for East Antrim Stewart Dickson called the situation 'profoundly sad' and added that his 'thoughts are with all concerned and the close knit community as they come to terms with the trauma.' One neighbour said they hadn't been aware there were children in the property. DUP assembly member Gordon Lyons added that the incident had 'clearly been something horrific' and added: 'It is absolutely awful when you hear of anybody suffering in this kind of way but when young children are involved it is particularly horrific.' Sources have said a young child has died and another child and a woman have sustained serious injuries PHOENIX A federal judge ruled Monday that an Arizona man will remain jailed on a charge that he and other neo-Nazis mounted a harassment campaign, mailing and posting threatening messages, at the homes of journalists and anti-hate advocates in three states. Johnny Roman Garza, 20, of Queen Creek poses a danger to the community, Magistrate Judge John Boyle said. The judge expressed skepticism about Garzas claim to have severed his ties with the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division and noted that officers found a bulletproof vest during a search of Garzas home. Thats not something a 20-year-old would normally have, Boyle said. Garza and three other Atomwaffen Division members are expected to be sent to Washington state to face a charge of conspiring to send threatening mail and commit cyberstalking. None of the four men has yet entered a plea. Authorities said the goal of the campaign was to intimidate and retaliate against journalists for unfavorable reporting. One of the alleged leaders of the conspiracy is accused of calling for a campaign of threats against journalists after he was identified in a 2018 Seattle Times story as being an Atomwaffen Division member. Garza and an unidentified person are accused of gluing a poster about a month ago to a bedroom window at the home of Mala Blomquist, an editor for Arizona Jewish Life magazine. The poster listed her name and said, Your Actions Have Consequences. Blomquist said she doesnt know why she would land on the groups radar. She is not Jewish, doesnt live in a Jewish neighborhood and the magazine has never written about neo-Nazism. For about a week, Blomquist switched up her daily routine. She wouldnt leave the house without her husband. She also looked over her shoulder a lot more. My home is my sanctuary. To have somebody impede upon you like that, its never OK, Blomquist said. The fact somebody came on my property and put something that disgusting on my window, that bothered me. I dont want to say PTSD for people who really have it, but it was a traumatic experience. Before going to Blomquists home, the FBI said Garza and the unidentified person went to a Phoenix apartment complex where a member of the Arizona Association of Black Journalists lives, though no threatening message was posted there. Prosecutor Lisa Jennis, who noted a Nazi uniform was found at Garzas home, described Garzas role in the conspiracy as a coordinator, not a mere follower. He wanted to linger in the amusement of someone not liking him, Jennis said. Garzas attorney, Richard Suzuki, said his client has sworn off the Atomwaffen Division after he posted the threatening poster at Blomquists home and planned to attend college next fall. He said Garza was remorseful. Suzuki noted Garza is a U.S. citizen of Mexican heritage. Its really puzzling how he got trapped in this type of environment, Suzuki said. Authorities say other threats were made in Washington state and Florida, though Garza isnt accused of mailing or posting threats outside Arizona. Threatening posters were mailed to a Seattle journalist who reported on the neo-Nazi group and to one current and one former employee of the Anti-Defamation Leagues office in Washington. A poster left at a home in Tampa contained the name and address of a Florida reporter who was born and raised in Puerto Rico. As it turns out, the reporter didnt live at the home. One poster portrayed a masked figure holding a Molotov cocktail in front of a house. Another showed masked people with guns and a caption saying, These People Have Names and Address. The posters contained a spot for the recipients home address. Authorities say members of the conspiracy did online research to compile the names and addresses of journalists and activists. In an encrypted chat with other alleged conspirators, Garza suggested wearing disguises when they go to neighborhoods to post threats and recommended that they look out for security cameras in gated communities, the FBI said in court documents. In an earlier encrypted conversation, Garza said the goal of the campaign was to have them all wake up one morning and find themselves terrorized by targeted propaganda. ___ Associated Press writer Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed to this report. Thank you all for standing by. Please continue take stand by. The conference will begin momentarily. Please continue to stand by. The conference will begin momentarily. Thank you. Good afternoon and thank you all for standing by. At this time, I would like to inform all participants that your lines will be on a listen-only mode until the question and answer session of todays call. Todays call is being recorded. If there are any objections, you may disconnect at this time. I will now turn the call over to Benjamin Haynes. Sir, you may begin. Thank you, Christie. Thank you all for joining us today for this briefing to update you on CDCs COVID-19 response. We are joined today by Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of CDCs national immunization and respiratory diseases center. I will turn the call over to the Dr. Messonnier. Good afternoon and thank you all for joining us. While it has only been 24 hours since we spoke last, we wanted to share the latest information we have. I am joined by representatives from the state of Washington today to announce an additional three new cases in people who tested presumptive positive in the state. Sadly, this includes the first reported death in the United States from COVID-19 as well as the first reported case in a health care worker and the first possible outbreak in a skilled nursing facility. These reports from the state of Washington follow others of community-spread in Oregon and two places in California earlier this week. This brings to 22 the number of cases in the U.S. that have been detected by our public health system. We are still early in the investigations in California, Oregon and Washington. However, this preliminary information raises our level of concern about the immediate threat for COVID-19 for certain communities in the United States. One thing that has not changed is that most people in the U.S. will have little immediate risk of exposure to the virus. However, some people will be at increased risk depending on their exposure. The greatest risk is to those who are close contacts with people with COVID-19. People with suspected or confirmed exposure should reach out to their health care provider. CDC is deploying a team to support the ongoing investigation in the state of Washington as well as another team to California to support their response. We are working hard to find and identify how the patients were exposed as well as doing extensive contact tracing of people who were exposed or who might have been exposed. I would like to turn the call over now to Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state of Washington Im sorry, the state of Washington state health officer to tell you more about the cases and the investigation being done. Nancy, this is Jeff Duchin, the health officer for public health, Seattle in King County. If it is okay with you, I will speak before Nancy. Before Kathy? Of course. Is that okay? Of course. Thank you. So public health Seattle and King County has three new presumptive cases of COVID-19 including one person who died, and we all here are working on the public health response, we want to send our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the person who died. None of us want to see this although we understand it can be a severe disease. Two of the confirmed cases are associated with a long-term care facility called Life Care Kirkland in our County. One is a health care worker, a woman in her 40s, who is satisfactory condition at Overlake Hospital. She has no known travel outside the United States. The second case is a woman in her 70s, a resident of the long-term care facility and she is in serious condition at another one of our local hospitals, Evergreen Hospital. We are aware of a number of other individuals associated with the long-term care facility who are also reportedly ill with respiratory symptoms, and we are in the middle of an investigation to understand more about the situation, and we will continue to update our partners and the public as new information emerges over the coming days. We would not be surprised to find additional cases. The death occurred in a patient at Evergreen Health Hospital. This patient had underlying health conditions but was not associated with the long-term care facility. Were currently working with the long-term care facility to provide care for the ill patients and try and prevent the spread to other patients in the facility. Were very grateful for the support were receiving from our colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control who are sending a team to us tonight to help support our efforts to identify, isolate and test all of those who may be at risk because of these new cases. At this point Im going to stop and turn the call over to my colleague, Kathy Lofy, the state health officer for Washington state. Thank you, Dr. Duchin. Any name is Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state health officer at the Washington state department of health. I want to begin by echoing the sentiments of those who spoke before me. We all send ore deepest condolences to the family of the person who died. We want to extend our support to health care workers caring for impacted people at the facility where COVID-19 has been confirmed. The COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly on a global scale, and in Washington we are starting to see some spread in the community. Therefore, we feel the risk to the public is increasing. That means it is more important than ever to practice good health habits like washing your hands and staying home from school or work when you are sick. Should we start to see more spread in Washington, we might consider recommending measures like cancelling large public events. Now that we can test for COVID-19 at our state public health laboratory in Shoreland, we are able to get the test results much faster. This will allow us to identify cases and offer key guidance to communities in a more timely fashion. In closing it is important for people to remember most people with COVID-19 have mild illness. A smaller proportion of people will have severe illness, and thats why we are working extremely hard in Washington to decrease the spread as much as we can. With that I will turn it back over to you, Dr. Messonnier. Thank you both. I want to take a moment to thank our colleagues in the state of Washington at the state and local level. Also, I would like to thank all of the states and clinicians who reached out to us to discuss potential cases. Since the beginning CDCs testing criteria allowed for clinical discretion. As public health professionals we know there is no substitute for the astute clinician on the front line of patient care. I have said that with our enhanced surveillance and detection capacity, especially as more state and local public health labs come on line, we expect to find more cases of envelope coronavirus in the U.S. Further, newly manufactured kits have been provided for distribution, combined with other reagents that CDC has procured it is enough to test 75,000 people. Earlier this week we discussed if the virus gains a foothold in the U.S. communities may need to take local action to plan and respond. What these actions look like at the community level will vary depending on local conditions. What is appropriate for one community seeing local transmission wont necessarily be appropriate for a community where no local transmission has occurred. We would like to empower local communities in coordination with their public health professionals to make the decisions that work for them. The practical measures they may enact are to help limit exposure by reducing face-to-face contact and preventing spread among people in community settings. This is called social distancing. I want to recognize that people are concerned about the situation. We appreciate that Americans are taking this threat seriously and continuing to seek information about how to be prepared. As always, our number one priority is the health and safety of the American public. Our mission includes providing you with clear information that allows you to make decisions about how best to protect yourself and your family. We recognize that this is a difficult time. We are facing an historic public health challenge. We will continue to respond to COVID-19 in an aggressive way to contain and block the threat this virus poses. While we still hope for the best, we continue to prepare for this virus to become more widespread in the United States. Before I close I want to say that while there is some spread in some communities, there is not national spread of COVID-19. CDC and the federal government are working to keep it that way. However, you can also do your part. Remember to take everyday preventive actions like washing your hands. And if you are sick, covering your cough and staying home to the greatest extent possible. We would be happy to take some questions now. Christie, we are ready to open up for questions. Thank you. At this time I would like to ask all parties that if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your touch tone phone. Please ensure that your phone is unmuted and state your name clearly when prompted. Again, please press star one to ask your question. If you would like to withdraw your question, please press star two. One moment. Our first question comes from Lisa Krieger of San Jose Mercury News. Your line is open. Yes, thank you. I wondered if you would describe why some patients are more severely affected than others? What are the risk factors and do we understand the underlying biology there? This is CDC. I will start. The data is pretty consistent, both from China and from other countries, that people who are having the most severe impact of this disease are those who are older, those who are medically fragile, for example with underlying medical conditions. That is generally sort of consistent with what we generally see with other viral respiratory infections. In the United States right now, as we have talked about, many of the cases are either recovered or recovering, and, Dr. Duchin and Dr. Lofy, do you want to talk more specifically about your patients in Washington state? Thank you, Dr. Messonnier. This is Dr. Jeff Duchin from public health in King County. The cases that we just discussed with both in high-risk groups for serious complications from COVID-19, which are very similar to the risk groups that are at serious complications for seasonal influenza. One of our patients was in her 70s, the other one had significant chronic underlying health conditions. So we do recognize that the vast majority of people who become infected with this virus will do well and have a mild infection and do not need to seek health care. It can be very serious in people who are vulnerable, the older adults and those who have underlying health conditions. Next question, please. Thank you. The next question comes from novel chic (?) of the New York Times. Your line is open. Im wondering how concerned we should be about the case has were detected in the nursing facility, especially since we know that more severe cases of COVID-19 occur in people who are older and have other health conditions, which presumably other people at this facility would be more vulnerable because of that? Dr. Duchin, I think it goes to you. We are very concerned about an outbreak in a setting where there are many older people, as we would be wherever people who are susceptible might be gathering. For that reason, you know, we really want to emphasize that older adults, adults with chronic underlying health conditions and Im talking about the same conditions that were used to hearing about with seasonal influenza, chronic cardiac disease, lung disease, diabetes and other conditions that might weaken the immune system, should be really clear and understand the importance of taking the steps that were recommending to protect themselves, both with the hand washing, more hand washing, less face touching, and avoiding contact with others, particular others who might be ill, and trying to practice good social distancing as much as possible at this time to decrease their risk as much as possible. Thank you, Dr. Duchin. CDCs perspective, I would again reiterate that while the overall risks to Americans are low, we recognize that these populations of people who are medically fragile would be at higher risk if there is transmission in their communities. If you fall into one of those groups of folks who are medically fragile and you are having respiratory symptoms, please reach out to your health care provider to get advice that is specific for you. Next question, please. Thank you. Our next question comes from Helen Branswell of STAT. Thank you. Your line is open. Hi. Thanks very much for taking my question. Dr. Duchin, if I could ask you a question, please. I think you said that the death was not the person in the long-term care facility. Is there any link to that long-term care facility in that patient? How do you have a sense how or where the patient was infected? Thanks, Helen, for that question. Thats the kind of thing that were trying to answer right now. We just became aware of this situation recently, and were doing an investigation as we speak to try to understand all of the potential exposures that that patient may have had and if there is any potential commonalities with anyone else that might have been at the long-term care facility. But at this point we dont have links. Thank you. Next question, please. Thank you. Our next question comes from Azine Garoshi of Buzzfeed News. Your line is open. Hi. I just wanted to get a little bit more information about the others who are ill at the long-term care facility. How many of them are there that are currently being monitored and are they going to be tested as well? Thank you for that question. This is Jeff Duchin from public health, Seattle, King County. So I just want you to understand the situation is evolving. We are continuing to gather information, and I will tell you what we know at this time. Approximately well, there are about 100 a little over 100, approximately 108 residents at the facility and about 180 staff. Among the residents we have had reports that approximately 27 have some sort of symptoms, and among the staff approximately 25. Were going to be working in collaboration with our CDC team, which will be arriving tonight, to assess each and every one of these people and provide the appropriate guidance around isolating and all of these people will be tested and at a minimum we will take every step to minimize exposure of others. At this point the investigation is just getting started so I dont have more details for you. Next question, please. Thank you. The next question is from Sarah Overmore. Your line is open. Yes, thank you. I wanted to ask, theres been conflicting reports about who died, whether theyre a man or a woman, what their age was. I was wondering if you could give us information on that, at least on their age. Also, are you working to isolate people that have had contact with people who are sick or the one that has died and also did the lack of testing capabilities delay finding out who these cases were, particularly the person who died? Okay. Thank you for those questions. Again, Jeff Duchin, public health, Seattle and King County. Im sorry again to confirm that we had a death in a man in his 50s who had underlying health conditions. You know, this patient was tested because we recently acquired the well, I should say the patient was tested locally at our Washington state public health lab that recently acquired the test kits, and this patient was eligible for testing because of very recent criteria that were put out by the Centers for Disease Control that our health care providers became aware of. So, you know, if we had the ability to test earlier, Im sure we would have identified patients earlier in the community, possibly at hospitals, but we were also looking at not only availability of testing but whether patients met criteria for testing. So given the fact that we just recently acquired our availability of testing and new criteria were published, this person was brought to our attention. Thank you. Next question, please. Thank you. The next question comes from Josh Bevis of CNN. Your line is open. Thank you. This question is for Dr. Duchin. 14% of recovered coronavirus patients in China s Guangdong tested positive again. CDC has been denying this fact. Are you still denying it or are you recognizing the possibility of the disease coming back in cured patients and how are you planning for that? Im sorry. Will you repeat that? Sorry, go ahead. I will briefly answer and ask Dr. Messonnier to comment. I do not have firsthand knowledge of the literature from China. I am familiar with social media reports that describe what you mentioned about reinfection, however, it is not clear to me thats actually the case. It is not clear to me that those persons ever cleared the infection or have residual shedding of virus, and it is not clear that that residual shedding even represents transmission potential. So Im going to limit my comments to that because it is not something germane to my work here locally and ask Dr. Messonnier if she has something to add. You know, thank you, Dr. Duchin. You know, I would say it is really important for the global community to get access to scientific information as quickly as possible and in real-time because the information from one country can definitely help others who are making decisions about their patients. But in the rush to push out information quickly, there have been some instances already where there hasnt been appropriate scientific review of some of the data thats coming out, and that is an essential part of any investigation to have appropriate review. We are really focused on the U.S. cases, and we follow those cases closely to look at their clinical status but also to look at whether or not they continued to harbor the virus in their nose and throat. With such a limited number of cases in the U.S., we have been able to be very aggressive about that, and we have not seen any sign yet of the phenomenon that you are mentioning about reinfection. When we gather additional data or find that it is going to impact care in the U.S., we will certainly make that clear, but it is not something that were seeing here and it has not changed our clinical practice. Next question, please. Thank you. The next question comes from Janell Alacka of Kaiser Health News. Your line is open. Hi. Thank you for taking the question. Hey, Dr. Duchin, nice to talk to you. I wonder when you say you are working with the long-term care facility to try to prevent the spread, what exactly can be done in kind of a contained facility like that where the people live to prevent the spread of such a transmissible illness? Then I have one other question about the patient who died. Okay. Hi, Janell. Thanks for your question. So what were doing, of course, initially consultation with our colleagues, infection control experts at the CDC to provide guidance to the facility about infection control measures in the facility such as cohorting ill patients from well patients, the use of personal appropriate use of personal protective equipment and including eye protection, which isnt something thats commonly used in these types of settings, and the need to test and identify patients who are positive so that they can be cohorted away from patients who might be negative. But it is a very challenging environment, particularly with so many vulnerable patients, to manage an outbreak. So were going to send a team into the facility tomorrow to do an assessment, to work with health care providers there to try to understand what the actual situation is to the greatest degree possible and provide additional guidance based on what we see, but we havent been on site yet. I see. And then just to clarify, you know, President Trump said that the person who died in Washington state was a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions, and I think I heard you say that it was a man. So can we just clarify who the person who unfortunately died actually was? It was a male, not a woman, in his 50s. In his 50s. And not a patient who had been previously been identified as a case? This case was reported to us yesterday from the Washington state public health laboratory as a presumptive positive and confirmation pending. First we heard about it, the positive, was yesterday. Next question, please. Thank you. Our next question comes from Molly McCria of CPIX news of San Francisco. Your line is open. Yes, hi. Thank you for taking the calls and the questions. Any updates on the patients that we have and the patient in Solana County or the patient announced yesterday in Santa Clara County, in progress in terms of doing the tracing, the contact tracing? This is CDC. My request would be that you direct those questions to the California state health department. Theyre better equipped to answer questions about their investigations and their patients. Christie, we have time for one more question. Thank you. Our next question comes from Karen Weintraub of Scientific American. Thank you, your line is open. Thanks for taking my question. I was wondering what you think other long-term health care facilities should be doing now? Should they prevent visitors from coming in? Is there anything that should be done or considered? I know youre not trying to tell everybody what to do, but other facilities around the country? This is CDC and I will answer for around the country and see if Dr. Lofy or Dr. Duchin want to talk specifically about Washington state. As I said, right now we still judge the general risk to the American public to be low, and that includes residents of long-term care facilities. However, as you have heard, in general those that are older and that are medically fragile would be at higher risk if there was a spread in a community. There are general common sense measures that we ask long-term care facilities to do to make sure to protect their residents, and they are the same things that weve been talking about, washing hands, identifying people who are sick early to make sure that they get appropriate medical care. And when somebody is sick, trying to keep them from infecting others. Those are common sense approaches that we would recommend in any time when there is transmission of an infectious disease. Like everywhere in the country, we are recommending that people think through what they might do if there is a risk in their community, not that those should be that they should be taking those measures, but that it is part of general preparedness. It is good to have those conversations in advance so that if you do need to act you are ready to do it. Dr. Lofy and Dr. Duchin, I dont know if you want to talk specifically about what you are telling folks in long-term care facilities in Washington. Thank you. This is Jeff Duchin, public health, Seattle, King County. I think everything Dr. Messonnier mentioned that were reminding the importance of making sure health care workers that are ill dont come to work and try to screen visitors who are ill. We dont want patients who are in these facilities exposed to coughing and sneezing. Visitors during flu season or when theres a potential for COVID-19 to be in the community. So really sort of souping up our influenza prevention guidance to be relevant to this situation. Thats the foundation at this point. Thank you, Dr. Duchin. This is Dr. Messonnier. Thank you for reminding me to say again that our public health professionals also always want to make the importance of health care providers who are on the front lines of care of patients in any such outbreak, and we continue to reiterate the importance of making sure we keep them safe so they continue to do their jobs. Thank you, Dr. Messonnier, Dr. Duchin and Dr. Lofy. Please check the COVID-19 website for the latest updates. I would like to mention that the state of Washington will be hosting a press briefing at 4:00 p.m. Eastern to provide more information on their local response. If you have further questions, please call the main media line at 404-639-3286 or e-mail media@CDC.gov. Thank you. Thank you. This does conclude this days conference. You may disconnect at this time. Thank you and have a good weekend. EDWARDSVILLE Motherhood may not look the same for everyone, but one local author aims to share what she has learned along the way in her latest novel. Motherhood is not something you can hold or touch and while it can be different for everyone, our paths stay similar, said Kristen Schindler, a Glen Carbon resident and author of her new book, All the Things. In the book, Schindler describes experiences she has learned while mothering three children, including times of struggle and triumph. The handbook Its is a way to share a personal connection, a way to show how faith connects to motherhood and to remind moms to take their time, she said. A previous language arts teacher in Edwardsville School District 7, Schindler started a blog where she would try to connect to other women by sharing personal anecdotes. After a while, Schindlers time got away from her and the blog posts ceased, as did her commentary, until a friend reinspired her. She [her friend] was talking about this author and she said she was like my writing doppelganger, Schindler said. She planted that thought and it wasnt until I went back out East for an event in New York City I thought about writing again. The event was about motherhood and how to prepare for life without your children around. After close to a year, All the Things was finished. The book uses part of her blog posts as a template to weave stories, lessons and her opinion into a book she thinks is useful for those who are expecting or considering becoming pregnant and having children. To celebrate finished work, Schindler is having a book signing on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at Seams For The Soul Boutique, 216 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. It used to be a florist shop, the same that my husband and I used for our wedding flowers, she said. It will be our 20th anniversary this year. Her book can be purchased on Amazon both as an e-book for Kindle and paperback at amazon.com/All-Things-Kristen-Lee-Schindler-ebook. The weeklong break is the perfect opportunity for students to relax and put their academic stress on hold even if they're staying in Athens. Incoming Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. (Kirsty O'Connor/AP) Incoming Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey is being urged to make climate change a top priority at the central bank. Campaigners on Tuesday published a letter calling for Bailey to lead the way on climate change, going beyond what even predecessor Mark Carney has done on the issue. Positive Money, a not-for-profit campaign group set up in the wake of the financial crisis, coordinated the letter, which has been signed by over 100 academics, scientists, and public figures. Read more: Andrew Bailey named new Bank of England governor Signatories include Greeces former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, former UK government science adviser Sir David King, primatologist Jane Goodall, and Citigroups former chief economist. The investments made by our financial system today determine whether we will be able to keep global temperature rises below the 1.5C upper safe limit, said Fran Boait, executive director of Positive Money. Finance is currently funding warming of more than 4C, which represents an existential threat not only to finance and the economy, but to life on earth. As the institution overseeing and underpinning our financial system, the Bank of England must lead the way and do everything it can to stop environmental breakdown being funded on its watch. Mark Carney, outgoing governor of the Bank of England. (Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP) The letter calls for Bailey to: make it mandatory for firms under the Bank of Englands supervision to disclose climate risk; exclude fossil fuels assets from quantitative easing and ban it as pledged collateral at the central bank; and penalise high-carbon emissions through the central banks macro-prudential framework. The letter was published ahead of Baileys confirmation hearing in parliament on Wednesday. Bailey, who is due to take the top job at Threadneedle Street on 16 March, will appear before the Treasury Select Committee to answer MPs questions. Read more: Mark Carney to advise Boris Johnson on climate change Baileys predecessor Mark Carney has taken a leading role in promoting climate change as an issue for central banks around the world. As chair of the Financial Stability Board Carney helped to set up the Taskforce for Climate Related Disclosures, which aims to make climate-risk reporting standard in business. He has also pledged to introduce climate stress testing for financial institutions under the Bank of Englands supervision. Story continues His advocacy led to his appointment as a climate adviser to both Boris Johnson and the UN. However, Frank van Lerven, senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, said: Despite many positive steps in the right direction, policy action at the Bank is lagging behind the rhetoric. At present monetary and prudential operations are laced with a carbon bias reinforcing climate-related financial risks and contravening the spirit of the Paris Climate Agreement. Leading by example and integrating climate risks into the Banks own monetary and prudential operation would sensibly be the first place to start. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 11:37 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067e88e7 1 National Jember,building-collapse,East-Java,river,flood,heavy-rains,extreme-weather Free Nine shophouses at the Jompo shopping complex in Kaliwates district, Jember regency, East Java, collapsed on Monday morning after a nearby river overflowed due to heavy rainfall. National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Agus Wibowo said the overflowed Kalijompo River had eroded the buildings foundation, causing them to collapse at around 4 a.m. after heavy rains poured down on most parts of Jember for days. Authorities found cracks on the ground below the structures in February 2019, Agus said in a statement on Monday. The incident inflicted no casualties, as the shophouses had been left vacant for months. Curah hujan yg tinggi menyebabkan terjadinya retakan dan penurunan tanah di bantaran aliran sungai kali jompo tepatnya di JL.Sultan agung, Jember, Jatim, dikarenakan curah hujan yang tinggi dan membuat bantaran aliran sungai kalijompo tergerus 02/03/2020 Pkl 03.45 WIB. #Longsor pic.twitter.com/oiK48q414j BNPB Indonesia (@BNPB_Indonesia) March 2, 2020 The incident, however, caused cracks [on the ground] and land subsidence around 94 meters long and 10 meters wide at the site. The road in front of the shops also subsided around 43 meters long and 10 meters wide, Agus said, adding debris from the shop had blocked the river. Agus said the collapse also damaged water pipes and electricity power transmission and communication cable systems in the area. Damage to the road also caused severe traffic congestion on Monday. Read also: Hundreds affected by floods within location of Indonesias future capital A joint team comprising personnel of the Jember administration, local disaster mitigation agency, the Indonesian Military and search and rescue agency has been working to clear the debris from the river and repair the retaining wall of the Kalijompo River, which was damaged when the river overflowed. We suggest residents living along the river banks to stay alert as water levels could rise again due to bad weather conditions in Jember and its surrounding area, Agus said. #Banjir di Kab. Jember, Prov. Jawa Timur Korban Jiwa : 752 KK / 2.555 Jiwa terdampak #PusdalopsBNPB pic.twitter.com/DPRoOBrlDY BNPB Indonesia (@BNPB_Indonesia) March 3, 2020 Heavy downpour since Sunday evening caused flooding in several regions across Jember. According to the BNPB, floodwaters deluged 752 houses in Jember, displacing at least 2,555 residents. Authorities began distributing supplies to the affected residents on Tuesday morning. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) previously predicted that several regions across the archipelago would experience extreme weather conditions. The agency said East Java would be given the waspada (caution) status alongside Aceh, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, Central Kalimantan and East Kalimantan. The BMKG predicted extreme weather conditions of heavy rainfall and strong winds to continue throughout March. Tonnes of medical equipment and coronavirus testing kits provided by the World Health Organisation are pictured passing by an Emirates airlines Airbus A380-861, at the al-Maktum International airport in Dubai on March 2, 2020. (Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images) QLD Virus Student Delayed Seeking Help A Chinese student who is the tenth Queensland coronavirus case was ill for almost a week before he presented to a hospital. Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles says the University of Queensland student arrived in Australia on February 23. The 20-year-old fell ill about two days later but only went to the hospital on Sunday. He had spent 14 days in Dubai to bypass Australias China travel ban. The test returned positive last night, Miles said on Tuesday. Our understanding is he has not attended campus at all. He does, however, have a housemate who is currently being tested, and we expect those results tonight. The housemate is in a stable condition in isolation at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeannette Young said in a statement the pair were living in the Brisbane suburb of Toowong. Dr. Young said authorities were also undertaking contact tracing and were working closely with UQ. UQ is providing support to the student, and we extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery, the university said in a statement to AAP. Chinese students are bypassing the China travel ban by self-quarantining and spending two weeks in other countries before entering Australia. Student One CEO Tim Weston said it was working with more than 150 students who were still in China and had deferred bookings. We have not had any students arriving directly from China. However, a couple of Chinese students have arrived, having spent at least 14 days in other countries, Weston told AAP. We anticipate a very small number may arrive, having spent 14 or more days outside of China in another country. However, we anticipate that the vast majority will arrive once the ban is lifted. There are now 10 people in Queensland with the virus, including three people transferred last month from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was docked in Japan. A 63-year-old woman is in isolation in a stable condition at Gold Coast University Hospital. The remaining eight patients have been cleared and discharged from the hospital. By Nicholas McElroy and Darren Cartwright A block-long Amnesty International Argentina ad in Buenos Aires part of their recently launched say goodbye to clandestine abortions campaign in the country was painted over by unknown persons overnight on March 2, the group said. The mural advertisement was put up by Amnesty International on the Edificio del Plata near the intersection of Carlos Pellegrini and Peron on February 29 and read, All of them said goodbye to clandestine abortions. Now its our turn. The top part of the mural, showing a timeline of abortion legalization in countries around the world, was left untouched. In a press release, Amnesty International Argentina (AIA) said the defacing of the ad reflected absolute intolerance and was an attack on freedom of expression. Amnesty International reinforces its commitment in the fight for legal abortion in Argentina and will monitor the debate process in Congress, the organization said, following President Alberto Fernandezs announcement that he will send an abortion legalization bill to the legislators within the next ten days. In April 2018, after mass pro-legalization rallies in Buenos Aires and across the country, Argentinas Lower House pushed a much-debated bill to legalize abortion through to the Senate, where it was rejected. Senators voted 38 against and 31 in favor of the bill that proposed to legalize abortion up to 14 weeks into pregnancy, media reported. On February 19, thousands of pro-legalization and abortion-rights activists rallied to urge the countrys government to legalize abortion. Credit: Amnistia Internacional Argentina/Tomas Ramirez Labrousse via Storyful CEO Addresses Concerns over COVID-19 SANTA ANA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / County Line Energy Corp. ("County Line" or the "Company") (OTC PINK:CYLC), released the following today: "In response to stakeholder concerns, we would like to reassure all stakeholders that our Growbox 5000 is designed, built, and assembled in the United States of America. There is no concern about supply chain interruption due to the unfortunate events surrounding shutdowns in other countries due to the novel Corona Virus now named COVID-19," stated Emanuel Maragretis, CEO of County Line. Over 89,000 people have contracted COVID-19, with upwards of 3,000 fatalities to date. While there is speculation on how it started, most researchers agree it spread from animals to humans. "This virus has several implications on peoples' health and so indirectly on our business. While we recognize that the current version of the Growbox 5000 is ideally suited to cannabis production and can be modified to grow vegetables, we would like to announce that we are working on the prototype model of a counter-top unit that features a small footprint and yet will be able to grow enough leafy greens and super greens to feed a small family with fresh organic produce on a more or less continuous basis. We intend to make more information available on this new appliance in the upcoming weeks." About County Line Energy Corp. County Line Energy Corp. (OTC: CYLC) is engaged in the business of managing ecosystems to ensure optimal growth of "greens." Indoor, outdoor, controlled, non-controlled ecosystems are our specialty. Our proprietary algorithms and software ensure optimal growth conditions. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release by County Line Energy Corp. ("County Line") may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by 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. Although County Line 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 several 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. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by County Line with OTC Markets. County Line assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. County Line Energy Corp. - www.growboxecosystem.com Investor Contact: Emanuel ("Manny") Margaretis Toll-Free: 1.877.714.8782 SOURCE: County Line Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578787/County-Line-Energy-Corp-OTC-CYLC-Announces-New-Initiative-to-Affordably-Grow-Fresh-Organic-Vegetables-in-the-Safety-of-Own-Home ST. PAUL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Monday, March 2, is set to announce the suspension of her campaign for president, a campaign spokesperson said. The news comes on the eve of Minnesota's presidential primary contest and as polling showed Minnesota's senior senator and Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, in a toss-up contest in the state. Klobuchar was set to fly to Dallas on Monday to appear with former Vice President Joe Biden at a rally and endorse him for the Democratic nomination. Despite dropping out, Klobuchar, along with a handful of Democratic candidates who've ended their campaigns, are still set to appear on Minnesota's primary ballot on Tuesday. And voters who've already cast their ballots won't have a chance to claw them back. Klobuchar's decision to suspend her campaign comes less than 24 hours after demonstrators at a rally in St. Louis Park, Minn., stormed the stage demanding justice for 33-year-old Myon Burrell. Burrell was convicted of first-degree murder in 2002 when Klobuchar was Hennepin County attorney. A recent review of the evidence used to convict Burrell has fueled calls to again review the case and to free Burrell from his life sentence in prison. Klobuchar was set to meet with Burrell's family ahead of the rally on Sunday evening, as protesters chanted, "Black lives matter," and "free Myon" in the gymnasium nearby. But the demonstrators and Klobuchar couldn't agree to meet and Klobuchar's campaign abruptly canceled the event. ADVERTISEMENT Earlier in the day Sunday, Klobuchar told Minnesota television reporters that she was prepared to keep up her campaign through Super Tuesday. And she rallied in Utah early in the day Monday. Fellow moderate Democrats Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Ind., and billionaire Tom Steyer, announced that they would drop out over the weekend. Fellow candidates thanked Klobuchar for her candidacy following on social media following the announcement and said they'd keep working with her. "You've been a champion for working families and women in politics, and I look forward to keeping up that fight by your side," U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said on Twitter. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., had endorsed Klobuchar and in a tweet said Klobuchar "campaigned with joy and lifted up the voices and concerns of working Americans." Leaders of the Minnesota Republican Party, meanwhile, said it was long past time for Klobuchar to end her bid for the White House and get back to work in the Senate. "After 13 months of ignoring the people of Minnesota whom she was hired to represent, Senator Amy Klobuchar has finally admitted there was no pathway to victory and dropped out of the presidential race," GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement. "Following last night's disastrous rally, Klobuchar chose to drop out rather than face the embarrassment of losing in her home state." While Klobuchar will rally for Biden in Dallas, Sanders is set to hold a rally tonight in St. Paul. Do Monks Hold the Keys to Understanding Death? NEWS PROVIDED BYMarch 3, 2020SAN FRANCISCO, March 3, 2020 / Standard Newswire / -- One thing is certain for all humans: death will come one way or another. Life will end. Even though it's the common denominator among everyone, death still is a taboo topic. One new book is trying to change that. A TIME TO DIE: MONKS ON THE THRESHOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE goes behind monastery walls, revealing how monks look death in the eye and welcome the final journey to their Lord.Cardinal Robert Sarah writes in the foreword that A TIME TO DIE helps the reader to better understand that "death is the most important act of earthly existence." Through deeply personal interviews with monks at eight monasteries, French author and journalist Nicholas Diat, who collaborated with Cardinal Sarah on his books God or Nothing and The Day is Now Far Spent, brings readers right up to the threshold of the end of life for many holy brothers.While monks live their lives in a unique way that lends itself to pursuing holiness without distraction, A TIME TO DIE reveals they suffer many of the same fears and sorrow that lay persons have but approach them in a much different way. What is exemplary about the monks is their humility and simplicity. When death approaches, and its hand reveals its strength, the monks are like happy and naive children who wait with impatience to open a gift. They have complete confidence in the mercy of God."This book moved me very deeply," Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., author of The Ear of the Heart, says of A TIME TO DIE. "I felt I was sitting in on some very intimate moments in the lives of monks on the brink of death, meeting the terrifying mystery of death through the holiness of men whose lives are totally focused on the reality of a love that is stronger than death."For more information, to request a review copy or to schedule an interview with Ignatius Press founder and editor Fr. Joseph Fessio, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com ) of Carmel Communications.SOURCE Carmel CommunicationsCONTACT: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing speaking at the Multi-Ministry press conference on Monday (27 January). (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE The authorities are aware of a dispute between certain landlords and retailers over passing on the benefits of a property tax rebate and are working hard to arbitrate on the matter, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Tuesday (3 March). It will be very short-sighted for landlords to try to stinge and save a bit here and there, instead of passing on some of the benefits to the tenants, said Chan during his ministrys Committee of Supply (COS) debate. I think every one of us will have long memories of who are those who have come forward to do their part for their business partner in this difficult moment, and who are those that have taken a very short-term perspective to this. Chan was responding to a supplementary question by Holland-Bukit Timah Member of Parliament Liang Eng Hwa, who alluded to reports that some landlords were failing to pass on the benefits of a 15 per cent property tax rebate announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget speech. Liang asked if the government would be taking any measures on the matter. Deeply disappointed in the landlords The rebate is part of a $4 billion package to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Heng had urged landlords to pass on the savings to tenants by reducing rentals. However, Today reported on Monday that the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) said several big landlords have failed to follow through on their public promises to offer rental rebates and financial relief to their tenants. Following Hengs speech, mall developers such as CapitaLand, Frasers Property and UOL had publicly said that they would pass on the savings of the rebate to their tenants. But RAS noted that only Jewel Changi, Changi Airport Group, and government agencies JTC and NParks, have written notices on rental rebates to their tenants. RAS added that CapitaLand had promised to offer a 50 per cent rental rebate to RAS. However, its checks showed that F&B tenants operating in CapitaLands urban malls received only a 10 per cent rebate, while those at Clarke Quay got 15 per cent. Story continues For CapitaLands suburban malls, which form the bulk of its portfolio of shopping malls, no rental rebates have been granted, said RAS executive director Edwin Fong, who added that RAS is deeply disappointed in the landlords. Enterprise Singapore in close consultation Chan told the House that Enterprise Singapore (ESG) is in close consultation with both RAS and Singapore Retailer Association to help them work with the major landlords. Noting that there has been an entire spectrum of responses to the governments aid package, Chan said, I would like to urge all the major landlords to do our part together, to help each other to get through this difficult moment. He added, At the same time, I must say that for the tenants who are affected, they are not all affected equally. And we should try to give a bit more help to those that are more affected by the downturn caused by the COVID-19. And if we can do this all together, we will go past this stronger together. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Parliament stories: Important to have 'boring and consistent' approach to foreign policy: Vivian Balakrishnan 'Grave consequences' if Johor can't fulfil water supply agreement: Vivian Balakrishnan COVID-19: China understood why Singapore had to impose travel curbs - Vivian Balakrishnan SAN MATEO, Calif. Even before opening my restaurant, Wursthall, here a couple years ago, I knew that taking vegan and vegetarian options seriously with both traditionally vegan foods and modern meat alternatives would be a central element of its success. Though sausages form the backbone of the menu, my team and I believed that people who dont eat meat should be able to dine in mixed company without feeling that they were second-class citizens, or that their meal consisted of a series of side dishes, as they so often do at restaurants. For me, a food-science writer who is a chef on the side, this meant testing, and lots of it. Until recently, the faux-meat options plant-based alternatives designed to replicate the flavor, texture and appearance of meat have been abysmal. All that changed when two companies, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, introduced a new generation of vegan meat substitutes developed with tens of millions of dollars of funding and years of scientific research. [Read the results of our taste test of plant-based meats.] Both companies claim that their products behave just like beef with meaty flavor, juiciness and bloody red color and unlike other products, which come preformed as patties or meatballs, can be deployed in all kinds of recipes that call for ground beef. Some supermarkets even stock them in the meat department. A health ministry release stated that both patients are stable and being monitored closely. This brings the total count of cases in India to 5. Earlier today the Union health ministry confirmed two new cases of infection by Novel Coronavirus, officially called COVID-19, in India. The first patient is in New Delhi and recently travelled back from Italy - the worst affected European nation where nearly 1,700 people have contracted the infection and 34 have died. The second infection is in Telangana, and the patient has a history of travel to Dubai. A health ministry release also mentioned that both patients are stable and being monitored closely. This brings the total count of cases in India to 5. The first three cases of the virus were confirmed in Kerela at the beginning of February 2020. All three had recently returned from Wuhan, China, and have successfully recovered and been discharged from the hospital since. Kerela had briefly declared state emergency after confirming the three cases but later withdrew the statement. COVID-19 originated from Wuhan, China, and has spread to over 60 countries all over the world with nearly 90,000 cases. The death count has crossed 3,000 and about 45,000 have successfully recovered from the virus. On 28 February, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the risk assessment for this virus to "very high" globally. The reasons for this change include: Increased number of cases internationally Cases found in clusters outside China Potential shortage of medical supplies Limitations in the testing capacity of some countries Difficulty in identifying cases because of the non-specific symptoms and undetected transmission Potentially large impact on the healthcare systems of affected countries. Highlights from a press conference by Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on the afternoon of 2 March: No. of samples under testing for the virus - 23 No. of people screened at major and minor seaports - 12,431 No. of passengers screened across airports so far - Over 5 lakh No. of countries on the screen-at-arrival list - 12 No. of countries where the infection has spread - 66 Detection of COVID-19 Early detection of Novel Coronavirus infection can help you avoid spreading the disease to loved ones and seek proper treatment. If you notice symptoms such as cold, cough, shortness of breath, do not panic. Talk to your doctor or call the National Helpline number (011-23978046) to seek medical attention. You should also put on a face mask if you feel you have been infected. The more severe symptoms of COVID-19 infection include pneumonia and kidney failure. So far, the virus has infected over 80,000 people and claimed more than 3,000 lives. Doctors are currently using established diagnostic methods such as polymerase chain reaction: a test that looks for the genetic fingerprint of the virus, according to the WHO. Doctors in China, where the infection began late last year, are also using CT scans of lungs to diagnose the disease - this is because the chances of infection are higher there, and it is important to quarantine suspected patients and treat them at the earliest. That said, China's state-owned China Central Television network recently reported that the rate of infection in the country is slowing. The Chinese authorities recently closed the first temporary facility built specifically to tackle the challenge posed by COVID-19. Prevention of COVID-19 The health ministry as well as organisations such as the WHO have recommended the following precautions: The virus travels when an infected person sneezes or coughs. However, according to the WHO, it cannot travel more than 1 metre through sneeze and cough droplets. So, try to avoid contact with people who may be infected. Clean surfaces regularly. According to the WHO, the virus may survive on an external surface for an unknown period of time. Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least one minute - be sure to clean in-between the fingers. Avoid touching your face - especially the eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid unnecessary contact with animals. If you are cooking meat, cook it thoroughly. India's health ministry has also advised against non-essential travel to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore. For more information, read our article on Coronavirus. Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, Indias first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health. Andhra Pradesh Minister Botsa Satyanarayana expressed disappointment with the High Court's verdict limiting reservation in local bodies in the state to 50 per cent. Satyanarayana said that backward classes are not being given adequate reservation in proportion to their population. "Our government had decided to give 59 per cent reservation for SC, ST, OBC in the earlier cabinet meeting. However, a petition was filed against that in High Court. Today HC gave a verdict that the reservation should be confined to 50 per cent only. We obey and respect the HC verdict. But we are feeling bad that backward classes are not being given adequate reservation in proportion to their population," Satyanarayana said on Monday. "The court asked us to conduct local body elections before the end of this month. We have budget sessions, exams for 10th and Intermediate. Accordingly, the state election commission will plan local body elections," he added. The minister further accused former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu of not having "good opinion" about the backward classes. Satyanarayana also alleged that the person who had filed the petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court against the 59 per cent reservation decision of the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government was close to Naidu. "The TDP had obstructed our bill for separate SC, ST corporations. The TDP supported the English Medium bill in assembly and obstructed in council. Now TDP fought in court against 59 per cent reservation in local body elections," he added. Botsa asserted that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy wanted to give 59 per cent reservation, as there is 59 per cent population of SC, STs and OBCs. "TDP opposed that decision. That's why Naidu is a traitor of the backward classes. TDP is like a 'Shani' for them. He (Naidu) cannot tolerate their presence," he added. Satyanarayana added that TDP does not want the local body elections to be held before March, because if they are held on time the finance commission funds for village panchayats will be disbursed. TDP does not want that the state should get those funds in time, he added. "TDP has been opposing all major programs by YSRCP. However, the government will not stop its welfare schemes," said the minister. On being asked about TDP's demand for not including the decentralisation bill and the CRDA repeal bill in the Governor's speech in the forthcoming budget session, Botsa sarcastically asked the TDP to write the speech themselves. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lawyer-turned-politician Bhupendra Yadav is a Rajya Sabha MP and among the most influential national general secretaries of the BJP Lawyer-turned-politician Bhupendra Yadav is a Rajya Sabha MP and among the most influential national general secretaries of the BJP. He is perceived to be a close confidante of Home Minister Amit Shah. During Shah's tenure as BJP president, Yadav emerged as a key strategist and the man working behind the scenes in all critical elections and on organisational matters. In a conversation with Firstpost, he points to conspiracy in the Delhi riots, a motivated misinformation campaign by so-called liberals on the Citizenship Amendment Act and other aspects related to the riots. He believes that irrespective of the Bihar government resolution on the National Population Register, all states will be obliged to implement it in the format as prescribed and there could be a single NPR format for the entire nation. He, however, does not take exception to the Bihar Assembly passing resolution for a caste-based Census in 2021, saying the BJP has never been opposed to it. Edited excerpts from the interview follow: How did the riots in northeast Delhi that took 47 lives and counting take place when we have a strong government at the Centre? The Delhi Police and law and order, as everyone knows, falls under the under Centre's purview. Is that not very worrying, not just for present but also for the future? The incidents to which you are referring are very unfortunate. But it can't be denied that there some preparation in place for them. How was it that stones were collected in advance at various places, diesel bombs in large quantities were suddenly made? This, by itself, is a big issue. Also, the way the Opposition particularly the Congress is doing politics needs to be examined. The Opposition is continuously trying to create an atmosphere of fear on CAA when nobody's citizenship is being taken away by this Act, nor is any injustice being done to anyone. Even then, a fear psychosis is being created. Did you not anticipate any emerging situation, particularly during a high-profile visit of US president Donald Trump? The question of timing is very relevant. It [the violence] began on the eve of Trump's visit. The timing puts an emphatic question mark on the situation. The government has repeatedly made it clear that CAA is not against any Indian citizen. It is only for persecuted minorities in our neighbouring countries. This is to provide them security. Importantly, organising protests by putting women and children on the frontline, indulging in continuous misinformation and instigating violence can't, in any way, be justified. I feel that the Opposition should move away from this kind of politics and do its bit in taking the nation on a developmental path. The conspiracy that you talking about. Who are you hinting at? Who are the conspirators? Can you name them the groups or persons? The Oppositions politics is that of misguiding people. With regard to groups behind this conspiracy, an SIT has been constituted. Let the report come and things will come out clearly before the people. But, how were parts of Delhi allowed to burn for three days? Considering the timing aimed at domestic and international publicity, which would be negative for India why did the government machinery not contain and curb it? The government reacted promptly. It did not want to do anything that could have sharpened the conflict, and so it intervened at the right time. I think normalcy has returned. The situation is peaceful. Investigations will reveal all the facts related to the riots. As for the perceptions, the Trump visit was very successful. Lakhs of people participated in the events organised. Bilateral talks were very productive. People from different walks of life appreciated it. Even in Delhi, except for one area, the city was normal and peaceful. The situation was never out of control in those areas. Was the government waiting for Trump to leave before taking tough action? At the government-level, prompt action was taken. I think action was taken at the right time. Would you say the handling of Shaheen Bagh was soft, allowing protesters to squat and block an arterial road for over two-and-a-half months? In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. With regard to the issue that the dharna has been blocking the road for a long time and blocking right of passage to a large number of people, the issue is pending before the judiciary. The government will abide by the verdict of the court. The Supreme Court sent three interlocutors to Shaheen Bagh, but no conclusion was reached. The matter is before the court. We hope it is concluded early; everyone wants cases to be disposed of early. My party believes in the judiciary and hopes that the matter is cleared soon. The court has given dates for the hearing. Right from the beginning, the BJP is of the view that this dharna is based on wrongful premises. The issue that they are raising is not an issue. I have said this before that the confusion they are trying to create on the CAA never had a basis. Since they could not confront us with popular votes and policies, they are thus conspiring to create confusion. Why are you not able to counter Opposition strategy or so-called conspiracy? That has been fully countered. There is no adverse reaction in districts where the minorities are in dominant position. See for instance, Nuh in Haryana which is neighbouring Delhi, or in western Uttar Pradesh. There is no anti-CAA movement there. This is all a construction by so-called liberals who, since 2014, have been indulging in one thing or another to protest against the Narendra Modi government, all on the basis of lies and fiction. Even your allies like the Akali Dal are not convinced. The party has some reservations on the provisions of the Act. Its MP Naresh Gujral compared the Delhi riots with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Akali Dal supported the bill in both Houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Also, they supported the BJP in the Delhi election. I am not concerned about what an individual says. In no way can this be compared with 1984. After the Delhi election, Amit Shah did admit that some outlandish uncalled-for statements like those made by Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Manoj Tiwari (although he didnt name them) impacted the final outcome of the polls. Even then, we see the likes of Kapil Mishra making provocative statements. Any statement provoking or justifying violence or designed to hurt the sentiments of any community should never be made. The party does not endorse any such statement. All leaders should refrain from making such statements. Politics is not about inciting violence, it is about strengthening democracy. Why can't you contain these people? Recently, there was a report that BJP president JP Nadda cautioned Union minister Giriraj Singh. Also, when Modi, before assuming office of prime minister for the second time, had in all seriousness gone to great lengths at the NDA parliamentary party meeting on the issue. His message to ruling coalition leaders was clear: One loose statement nullifies all good work done by the government. The party takes the right decision at the right time. There is an inbuilt mechanism for such statements, whereby the party will review them and take appropriate action. There is a system of discipline in the party, which takes up such issues and takes appropriate action. I reiterate that party has a mechanism to deal with such things. The top party leadership has made it clear. You are in-charge of Bihar. Is Nitish Kumar going to be NDA's face for the Bihar election? Yes. Two things have happened recently: First, the Bihar Assembly last week passed two resolutions. One saying no to NRC and NPR only in the 2010 format and not in the revised current format. Second, it has demanded a caste-based Census in 2021, obviously with angled political purposes. It's not like that. The prime minister has clarified on NRC. So far as NPR is concerned, all states are bound to implement it. A state can express its opinion, but it has to be implemented. A state can pass a resolution in the Assembly, but so far as lawmaking is concerned, there is a clear-cut constitutional provision on issues in the Central, state and concurrent lists. Parliament and Assembly have their own spheres. Bringing a resolution may be a political matter. Bihar has given its approval to implement NPR, but what you are saying about the resolution and 2010 NPR is their comment. Further, a caste-based Census is not something the BJP ever opposed. The Census provides various columns, it is well-prescribed. The BJP has always supported reservation for weaker sections of society and it is the party that made constitutional provisions for the OBC commission. I don't think a caste-based Census is a bad thing. What is your take on the NPR being the same for the entire country and that it can't be customised as per individual states' discretion, like Bihar is suggesting? The constitutional process will be followed. This is an issue that rests with the (Central) government. This process is as per the mandate given by the Constitution of India. This is a long-established process. Do you think the Modi government of 2019 is in a great hurry to push ideological issues? The first Modi government (of 2014) was more focussed on developmental issues, big innovative ideas to leave a lasting impact on society. Shouldn't CAA and some other issues have been spaced out instead of being introduced all at once? It's not like that. The government has revised the Companies Act, government has brought Indian Penal Code amendments, an amendment in the mining law and so on. Along with that, it's a big achievement that Article 370 has been abolished, the Citizenship Act has been amended, laws has been brought to make a Rs five trillion economy a reality. Issues that we had mentioned in our manifesto have been fulfilled. Whatever we said in our manifesto for farmers, for health centres in rural areas, for abolition of Article 370 and for CAA have all been fulfilled. And biggest of all, the centuries-old Ayodhya issue has been amicably settled under the current Modi government. Crossing Indochina Road Trip If you are already fed up with waiting hours at airports or sick to the back teeth of overcrowded night buses, then maybe you next choice of travel transport should be a good, old fashioned, road-trip. Pack up the car, get a great playlist ready for the stereo, and take a trip crossing the borders of Indochina, seeing the amazing sights of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. One of the advantages is you are in charge. You stop when you want to stop, drive at whatever pace suits your needs, and whenever you round a corner and see yet another breath-taking photo opportunity, there is no one there to stop you pulling over and snapping away. Preparations needed include a passport for your car to cross the border gates. This Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Cross-border Transport Permit can be applied for at your local Department of Transport about three working days before you hit the road. It is free. There are different border gates between Vietnam and Laos that you can pick depending on your first destination, Vientiane or Luang Prabang. After working out times, road situation and safety, we opted for the Ho Chi Minh Road to the central province of Ha Tinhs Huong Son to cross Cau Treo-Nam Phao Border Gate for the capital Vientiane first. There is another option of taking National Highway 1 instead, which is more convenient and shorter than Ho Chi Minh Road but will cost you a few hundreds of thousands dong for toll. Vietnamese and Lao flags at the middle point between the border gate of Cau Treo-Nam Pao between Vietnam and Laos. We were in no hurry, so we took the more economical route. It took about an hour to fulfil all customs procedures at the border gates then it was time to hit the Laos open road. Driving here is made easy thanks to Google Maps, or other offline apps. On the 334-km road from Laksao to Vientiane, we went through 120km of Highway 8 and 214km of Highway 13. The road in Laos near the border gate. Roads in Laos are normally small and not crowded. We had heard about the silence of the traffic in Vientiane, but it was not until we saw it with our own eyes and of course heard very little with our own ears, that we realised it was true. No more constant tooting of horns and no longer are we blinded by the bright headlights in front of us. It was clear we were in Vietnam no more. Granted in the capital city, the traffic became a little bit busier with bulky pick-ups filling the roads although it is difficult to complain too much as these clearly served a purpose. The streets in Vientiane may be narrow, but the traffic flow is very orderly as cars rarely encroach in the path of motorbikes. Patuxay or the Arc de Triomphe gate is a must see destination in Vientiane. The point of travelling by personal car, besides being cost effective, is also convenience, especially in Vientiane. A friend of mine who works for the Mekong River Commission Office there said it is difficult to call taxi as they do not have a modern communications system. Also addresses are not clear, but thankfully our destinations were easy to locate using map apps. Tap in the address and bingo, a route is quickly planned out. And once there, get ready to be amazed because there is so much to see. Relics are normally temples and pagodas, one of the most famous being Wat Si Muang with a statue of King Sisavang Vong in front of, Wat Si Saket with thousands of Buddhist statues. In Haw Phra Kaew you will find old copper statues, and of course Laos' symbol Pha That Luang with a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa. Pha That Luang is regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol. When the sun sets theres no better place to be than strolling along the Mekong where we enjoyed the riverside night market and the Arc de Triomphe gate in Vientiane's central square. A Buddhist statue in Vientiane. If you visit, these places are an absolute must. But lets face facts here, when visiting places you have never been aside from the sights and sounds, it really is the people that make the difference. And in Vientiane, Lao people were friendly to the max and all ready to greet us with a Nop with their hands together in a praying gesture and a smile of Sabaidee (Hello). Sunset at Mekong River in Vientiane. VNS Photos Hong Minh We were glad we arrived, and glad we were welcomed so warmly. Our first impressions of Laos after experiencing Vientaine? Lovely, and we cant wait to get back on the open road and experience everything else on offer. VNS Hong Minh Vietnam, Cambodia seek to reduce congestion at border gate Vietnamese Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and Cambodian Minister for Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol made a fact-finding trip to Moc Bai Bavet border gate to seek ways to reduce congestion in customs clearance. CLINTON, N.Y. Hamilton College has 200 students studying abroad, and 19 have already had to return home early due to coronavirus fears. The college held a meeting Monday morning to discuss precautions for when the students return to campus. Six students in China were required to come home, while 13 students studying in Italy were notified over the weekend that they must head back to the United States. "They're disappointed, but I think that they recognize that we're making the right decision based on their health and safety," said Mike Debraggio, Associate Vice President of Communications at the college. While requiring the students to come home is for their safety, it may disrupt the rest of the semester when they return. "Students returning from Italy have been told at this point, that we dont know if they're going to be able to come back to campus -- and part of the reason is, the semester is approaching the half way point and so for those students, we dont necessarily have the housing for them and in terms of coursework, how do we fit them in when the course is already half way over?" said Debraggio. With international travel bans and limitations, it is not yet clear when the students studying in Italy will be able to come home. Utica College also has two students studying abroad in Florence, who will be coming home, according to a school official. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Sydney, Australia Tue, March 3, 2020 11:55 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067e964c 2 World Australia,news,journalism Free Australia's only national newswire will close after 85 years in operation, with staff told Tuesday their jobs will come to an end in June. Australian Associated Press' closure was announced at a staff meeting in the company's headquarters in Sydney, with chief executive Bruce Davidson describing it as a sad day. "AAP has been a critical part of journalism in Australia since 1935, and it is tragic that it will come to an end," Davidson said. The newswire will close at the end of June while its subediting business Pagemasters is set to close at the end of August. In a statement, the company's closure was attributed to the "unprecedented impact" of digital platforms taking content and distributing it for free. "We have reached the point where it is no longer viable to continue," the statement said. Staff were told between 30 and 50 jobs would be made available at the company's two major shareholders Nine and News Corp Australia. Up to 180 people currently work in editorial at AAP. Topics : Australia news journalism [March 03, 2020] Canada Invests in Clean Energy Solutions in Nova Scotia DARTMOUTH, NS, March 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Canada is helping to build the low-carbon economy. That is why we are investing in the development of new and innovative technologies that will help us fight climate change, boost the economy and create good jobs for Canadians. Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today highlighted the government's commitment to help the concrete industry improve its competitiveness while reducing pollution. CarbonCure Technologies Inc., of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has been selected to receive over $2 million in investment for its patented technology that enables concrete producers to use unwanted carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions taken out of the atmosphere to produce low-carbon concrete. With global emissions from the construction and concrete industries estimated to rise, CarbonCure's technologies have the potential to reduce global CO 2 emissions by 500 megatonnes annually. That would be equivalent to taking 150 million cars off the road. Recently announced at GLOBE 2020, CarbonCure was one of the winners of the Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada (BESC) initiative. Launched under a new stream of NRCan's Energy Innovation Program in partnership with Breakthrough Energy and the Business Development Bank of Canada, BESC is a first-of-its-kind publicprivate initiative in Canada aimed at accelerating the development of clean energy technologies with the potential to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. By demonstrating Canada's commitment to accelerating clean energy innovation through model partnerships and investments, the Breakthrough initiative is poised to position Canada as a leader by enhancing the pace and scale of clean technology that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2007, CarbonCure is a world leader in CO 2 utilization technologies for the cement and concrete sector. Its technologies are being used by producers in hundreds of concrete plants across North America and Southeast Asia. Its innovation and strong, expanding suite of commercialized technologies have also earned it the Cleantech Group's "North American company of the year" award in 2020. Quotes "The Government of Canada understands the importance of innovation as we move toward a low-carbon future. By investing in companies like Dartmouth's CarbonCure, we are working to achieve our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 while keeping our economy competitive." Darren Fisher Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, and Member of Parliament for DartmouthCole Harbour "We are very pleased to receive this investment to expand our suite of carbon utilization solutions for the concrete industry, which have saved more than 58,000 tonnes of carbon emissions to date. CarbonCure will continue to develop its suite of cleantech solutions that permanently remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere and reduce the embodied carbon footprint of the built environment. By investing in scalable, cost-effective, carbon-reducing innovations like CarbonCure, Canada will be well positioned in the new low-carbon economy, where there doesn't have to be a trade off between the environment and economy." Jennifer Wagner President, CarbonCure Technologies Related Information Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada CO2 Utilization in Concrete: a new circular economy model CarbonCure Technologies Inc. Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Massachusetts residents on Tuesday will join voters in 13 other Super Tuesday states heading to the polls to cast a ballot for their favorite presidential contender, with a handful of remaining Democrats, and one Republican, fighting for the chance to oust President Donald Trump. Here, an interactive map shows county-by-county results across the commonwealth for several candidates seeking the White House. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Massachusetts voters on Tuesday picked former Vice President Joe Biden as their top choice among a narrowing field of Democrats chasing the chance to face President Donald Trump in November. Trump, whos easily won every Republican contest in 2020 as some states have simply canceled their primaries to clear his path to a nomination, still faces a challenge from former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld. Weld picked up 9.1% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary. Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, who recently ended his campaign, and perennial candidate Roque Rocky De La Fuente, remain on the ballot. Forty-two delegates are up for grabs in the state. For the Democrats, 15 candidates will appear on the ballot but only Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard remain in the race. Warren is in danger of losing her home state, with Sanders leading in delegates and picking up momentum after strong finishes in the first few voting contests. Hes also applied pressure by hosting large events in Springfield, Boston and Worcester. But Warrens campaign believes she has a path to the Democratic nomination by picking up several delegates in a host of Super Tuesday states, even if she does not come out on top in Massachusetts or other primaries. Also on the Bay State ballot are former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and activist and businessman Tom Steyer, who each dropped out after Bidens decisive victory in the South Carolina primary. Other candidates on the ballot who have exited the race are Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, former Rep. John Delaney, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, author and businesswoman Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Dario Hunter, Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry, Kent Mesplay and Howard Hawkins are on the ballot for the Green Rainbow party. Arvin Vohra, Vermin Love Supreme, Jacob George Hornberger, Samuel Joseph Robb, Dan Taxation Is Theft Behrman, Kimberly Margaret Ruff, Kenneth Reed Armstrong, Adam Kokesh, Jo Jorgensen and Max Abramson are on libertarians on the ballot. Ninety-one pledged delegates are up for grabs in the Democratic primary, just a fraction of the 1,300-plus delegates candidates are competing for across the Super Tuesday states. Voters in six states, including the battleground state of Michigan, head to polls for primaries on Tuesday, March 10. One-thousand, nine-hundred and ninety-one are needed to secure the nomination on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention in July. Comment on this story on MassLives Facebook page See how voters across Massachusetts cast their ballots after the polls close on Tuesday below. For the latest results, refresh the page or click here. Addis Ababa (AFP) - Ethiopia on Tuesday accused the United States of being "undiplomatic" in trying to resolve a row over a giant dam on the Nile River but vowed to continue with ongoing talks. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, set to become the largest hydropower plant in Africa, has been a source of tension between Addis Ababa and Cairo since Ethiopia launched work in 2011. The US Treasury Department stepped in last year to facilitate talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan -- another downstream country -- after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reached out to US President Donald Trump, a close ally. Last week the Treasury Department issued a statement claiming an agreement had been reached and urged Ethiopia to sign "at the earliest possible time". Ethiopia, which skipped the most recent round of talks, denied there was a deal and expressed "disappointment" with the US statement, but did not spell out its position on future negotiations. At a press conference Tuesday, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew said Ethiopia would stick with the US-facilitated talks but warned Washington not to rush the process or try to influence the outcome. "The recent statement by the US we believe is undiplomatic and does not reflect a great nation like this," Gedu said. "We want Americans to play a constructive role. Any other role is unacceptable." Ethiopia sees the dam as essential for its electrification and development, while Egypt -- which depends on the Nile for 90 percent of its irrigation and drinking water -- sees it as an existential threat. The biggest initial hurdle is the filling of the dam's enormous reservoir, which can hold 74 billion cubic metres of water. Egypt is worried Ethiopia will fill the reservoir too quickly, reducing water flow downstream. In its statement Friday, the Treasury Department said "final testing and filling should not take place without an agreement" -- a position endorsed by Sudan. But it is unclear when future talks might be held, and Ethiopia has said it will begin filling the reservoir "in parallel with" the dam's construction. France, Germany and Britain are to give Iran five million euros in aid to help fight the coronavirus outbreak as well as sending emergency equipment to the country with the highest number of deaths outside China. The World Health Organization on Monday sent its first planeload of assistance to help fight coronavirus in Iran as the death toll rose by 12 to 66. Iran's confirmed cases leapt by 523 from the previous day to 1,501, said Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom express their full solidarity with all impacted by Covid-19 in Iran," the three countries said in a joint statement, adding that material including laboratory test equipment and protective body suits and gloves would be sent by plane later Monday. China has sent personnel to help stem the spread of the virus. The Foreign Ministry said an expert team from the Chinese Red Cross arrived Saturday in Tehran "to provide what assistance it can in terms of epidemic prevention and control and medical relief". The WHO's first aid package includes six medics with tonnes of medical equipment and test kits aboard a UAE military aircraft. US President Donald Trump has also offered Washington's help: "If we can help the Iranians with this problem, we are certainly willing to do so... All they have to do is ask." However, Tehran rejected the offer from Trump -- who has heaped sanctions and a campaign of "maximum pressure" on Iran -- charging he had made it "for propaganda purposes". Regional countries are especially worried about Iran's coronavirus outbreak. In the Gulf region, some 129 cases have been confirmed across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar -- many of them pilgrims returning from Iran, especially the Shiite holy city of Qom. Saudi Arabia also announced on Monday evening its first confirmed cases of coronavirus. (with AFP) In the wake of an unsolicited bid, Cincinnati Bell Inc. CBB has inked an amended merger agreement with its original suitor. The revised deal with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. BIP now stands at a valuation of $2.75 billion, which was previously settled at $2.6 billion. Post the announcement of the agreement, shares of this local technology provider jumped 5.9% to close at $13.05 on Feb 28. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a publicly-traded limited partnership involved in the acquisition and management of infrastructure assets globally. Backed by healthy business dynamics, the Toronto-based conglomerate has a diversified portfolio of assets in the transport, utilities and data infrastructure sectors across North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Per the revised terms, Cincinnati Bells shareholders will be entitled to receive $12.50 in cash for each outstanding share compared with previous cash consideration of $10.50 per share. This amended transaction price is a whopping 62% above the initial closing price of $7.72 on Dec 20. Markedly, the revised agreement was followed by Cincinnati Bells non-binding proposal to get acquired by an anonymous infrastructure fund for a cash consideration of $12 per outstanding share. Considering the increased purchase price, the regional provider of data and voice communications services will pay breakup fee of $21.39 million, which depicts a rise of 19% from the previously announced $17.97 million. The deal, which is aimed at fortifying Cincinnati Bells augmented fiber network, is considered as the outcome of an efficient sales process to maximize the value of its stakeholders in the long run. Expected to close by the end of 2020, the transaction, which has been approved by the board of directors, is subject to certain regulatory and shareholder approvals. Post closure, the transaction is anticipated to enhance the overall financial health of this data and voice communications services provider. This will only be possible with the delivery of advanced integrated communications infrastructure to nearly 1.3 million customers across Cincinnati and Hawaii through its upgraded fiber network. Moreover, the deal will help the company deliver flexible data, video, voice and IP solutions with enhanced network coverage and broadband speed to customers, primarily based in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. The transaction is likely to fuel Cincinnati Bells growth with a positive cash flow. Cincinnati Bells efforts to evolve from a legacy copper-based telecommunications company to an IT company with contemporary fiber assets, offering seamless network solutions to both consumer and business customers, are remarkable. Its move to prioritize customer satisfaction, followed by the creation of job opportunities, augurs well for the regions economic development. Notably, the companys investment in fiber supports the growing IoT trend, which entails higher usage of broadband connections and smart-home devices. Reinforced with the claim of future-proofing 50% of its network services, Cincinnati Bell is undergoing a drastic transformation to upgrade its network infrastructure to next-gen fiber. This will support the burgeoning demand for data and accelerate 5G mobile technology growth. Driven by diligent execution of its operations, the stock has rallied 39.3% against the industrys decline of 35.4% in the past year. Story continues Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Cincinnati Bell currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader industry are Just Energy Group Inc. JE and AquaVenture Holdings Limited WAAS, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Just Energy exceeded estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, the positive earnings surprise being 62.6%, on average. AquaVenture Holdings exceeded estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters, the positive earnings surprise being 15.6%, on average. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Cincinnati Bell Inc (CBB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (BIP) : Free Stock Analysis Report AquaVenture Holdings Ltd. (WAAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Just Energy Group, Inc. (JE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. India may not have assembled the biggest crowd in world history for last weeks visit by Donald Trump; it was several noughts short of the 10 million he anticipated. But there arent many democratic countries where he faces virtually no hostility and much goodwill. With the Democrats bracing themselves for Super Tuesday, and struggling to offer coherent, plausible alternative for the November elections, the Indian trip could be Trumps audition to be a respected international statesman: a new role for his second term. He sailed through his itinerary Namaste (welcome) Trump Rally, with over 100,000 cheering attendees; the romantic setting with Melania at the Taj Mahal; operating Mahatma Gandhis spinning wheel; starring at a banquet for politicos and plutocrats with all the aplomb of a master diplomat. I happen to be on a family visit to India. I was in the south and couldnt claim to have got within 1000 miles of Potus, Flotus, or the rest of the American royals, among which Ivanka and Jared were especially prominent. But I caught enough of the visuals to see that the visit achieved what he and his Indian host, Narendra Modi, wanted: lavish compliments all round; the promise of eternal love between the United States and India; reaffirmation of an important political alliance whose importance is insufficiently appreciated in the West. Crucially, there was no mention of the concurrent riot leaving dozens dead over a new citizenship law, which disadvantages Muslims. It is intriguing that Trump who is despised by swathes of Europe, by intellectuals across the globe and by approaching half of the American public, as a crass, pompous, bullying, bigoted narcissist is liked and respected in the worlds largest democracy. A Pew survey a respected measure of opinion in different countries shows a steadily rising proportion of Indians, now 56 per cent, see Trump as a force for good. Indias equally controversial prime minister, Modi, has enthusiastically embraced Trump, and taken a (reasonable) gamble that Potus will be re-elected. As an emerging superpower, India, like the United States, sees China as a competitor and a threat. Indias hostility is accentuated by Chinas close links to Pakistan. And Trumps diatribes against Muslims have played well with the base of Modis Hindu nationalist BJP. As it happens, Trumps rally speech was a model of tact and he urged religious tolerance. But his prejudices are sufficiently well known that Indians can feel hes thinking what were thinking. The connection to Trump is based on more than shared prejudices and strategic interests. India has a young, digitally literate population who can relate to his mastery of social media. Many Indians among 72 million Twitter followers will appreciate the direct hard hitting punchlines. The idea of English as a universal language is now given expression in Trumps tweets rather than in Shakespeare. A smart member of the Trump entourage also hit on the idea of Hindi tweets, which were followed up by a video portraying Trump as a mythical Hindu warrior. The clip has gone viral. The visit also saw plenty of transactional Trump. He arrived already having slapped tariffs on Indian products, and demanded liberalisation of Indias protectionist trade regime. One of the many irritants was an Indian ban on US dairy products, on account of the animal-derived blood meal fed to Indian cows: the Indian equivalent of European antipathy to beef hormones and chlorinated chicken. The stick was followed by the carrot, of a promised very, very major trade deal, which is one more very than Boris Johnson has been promised. India wants more high skilled visas in the US. The US has a potential pipeline of 10bn worth of contracts to sell arms to India, for drones, missiles, helicopters and much else. "America First" and "India First" have a lot to trade. Trump is also looking for a political dividend. In the world of US identity politics, he needs supporters beyond the white working class, Christian fundamentalists, and the Republican country clubs. Americas rapidly growing proportion of Indian-Americans currently 2.65m Indians sent 84 per cent of their vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016. That is being squeezed hard with Modis help. Boris Johnson has spotted the same opening in the political market here. Meanwhile, the jamboree in Ahmedabad has provided a helpful distraction from Trumps other south Asian business, namely his abject surrender to the Taliban. The latter have kindly promised not to escalate violence, so that Trump can pull out US troops from Afghanistan, hopefully before the November election. America thus follows Britain and Russia, on to the list of great powers, defeated by Afghan tribesman. But being Trump this retreat is being spun as a stunning political and military triumph: peace in our time. The India visit also tells us quite a lot about modern India, and why it dovetails so comfortably with Trumps America. Long gone are the days of secular values, socialist planning and non-alignment. The villages I first visited half a century ago are now small towns, throbbing with energy; congested with motorcycles, mopeds and cars; with businesses sprouting everywhere; and houses renovated on the back of wages from the new factories, or from remittances overseas. For the rapidly expanding middle class, there is the prospect of Western lifestyles: the American dream spliced with Indian culture and religion. What we call progressive politics has almost disappeared from India. The once dominant Congress Party is a pale shadow of its former self. Its leaders boycotted a Trump dinner, not because they disapprove of the president, but as a petty retort to the absence of an invitation for party chief and matriarch of the Gandhi family, Sonia Gandhi. There are flickers of life from a #MeToo movement fighting the abuse of women; some environmentalists alarmed at the pace of environmental degradation; a few civil libertarians fighting for minority rights; and an anti-corruption party was recently re-elected in Delhi. But there is as yet no coherent answer to populist, sectarian politics, and the cult of the strong man. For Trump, India is quite a home from home. (Natural News) Food waste is a problem that affects not just your grocery budget but also the environment. But if youre worried about food safety while also trying to prevent food from spoiling in your fridge, researchers from the U.K. might have the answer. According to the research team, a paper-based sensor they developed can tell you when food has gone bad. The sensor is cost-effective, and you can easily access it using a smartphone app. Affordable and eco-friendly freshness sensors The food sensor only costs a few cents to produce and it can be linked to devices also developed by the researchers that can detect gasses from spoiled meat and fish. The green gadgets will help minimize food waste and plastic pollution. The researchers also believe that their invention can help shoppers save a bit of money. The freshness sensors are embedded in packaging and within three years they could replace best before dates in meat and fish products. The sensors can also be used on dairy goods and some produce. Dr. Firat Guder, the lead author of the study from the department of bioengineering at Imperial College London, explained that while use-by dates promote food safety, they also sometimes result in food waste. Guder added that use-by dates arent always reliable when ensuring food safety. For example, you can get sick from food-borne diseases due to poor storage, even if the product was within its use-by date. In the U.K., one in three consumers throws away food after it reaches the use-by date. However, 60 percent (a whopping 4.63 million tons) of the $15.9 billion of produce thrown away yearly is still safe for consumption. The prototype food sensors cost less than two cents each to make. Also called paper-based electrical gas sensors (PEGS), the sensors detect certain gases such as ammonia and trimethylamine, a colorless gas with a fishy odor at low concentrations. These gases indicate when meat and fish are no longer safe for human consumption. Users can then read the data by holding their smartphone up to the packaging. The sensors are made by printing carbon electrodes onto cellulose paper, a readily available material. The biodegradable materials used for the freshness sensors are non-toxic so theyre safe for the environment and for food packaging. The freshness sensors can be fitted with near field communication (NFC) tags, which are a series of microchips that can be picked up by nearby smartphones. During laboratory testing on packaged fish and chicken, PEGS picked up trace amounts of spoilage gases quickly and more accurately than existing alternatives. All for only two cents per sensor. (Related: Food waste is costing us all: The environmental and financial cost of spoiled food.) Guder commented that the PEGS are the first commercially-viable food freshness sensors. The researchers hope that freshness sensors can be used to reduce both food waste and plastic pollution. The PEGS can minimize waste and allow shops to use targeted price reductions for certain items based on PEGS instead of their use-by dates. The problem with existing food spoilage sensors Current food spoilage sensors arent used often because of three reasons: Theyre too expensive. They comprise a quarter of overall packaging costs. Consumers find them too difficult to understand. Meanwhile, color-changing sensors could also increase food waste because consumers might think the slightest color change indicates bad food that should be thrown away. The PEGS can address both issues since theyre cost-effective and user-friendly. The freshness sensors can also resolve the disadvantages of current gas sensors since theyre just as effective at almost 100 percent humidity. Gas sensors arent as effective when humidity is above 90 percent. The PEGS also offer these advantages: They work at room temperature. They dont need to be heated, meaning they consume very low amounts of energy. Theyre only sensitive to the gases involved in food spoilage, unlike other sensors that can be triggered by harmless chemicals. Finally, the scientists only required ballpoint pens and robotic cutters to create the PEGS. The research team is hopeful that the PEGS may have applications beyond food processing, such as sensing chemicals in agriculture and air quality. Further study will hopefully produce PEGS that detect disease markers in the breath, such as those involved in kidney disease. The scientists are currently working to address how sensitive PEGS are to lower humidity. Testing is ongoing in other industries that are developing different PEGS to detect different chemicals to ensure that the technology can be applied to a wider variety of food types and applications. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk PubChem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov On March 2, he paid a courtesy visit to General Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam. General Lich expressed his belief that the visit will contribute to deepening the bilateral strategic partnership and create a new momentum for the cooperation between the Vietnam Peoples Army and the SDF of Japan. General Yamazaki Koji affirmed that the defence partnership is one of the important activities that contribute to the bilateral friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan as well as to peace, collaboration, and development in the region and beyond. Earlier the same day, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of Defence, held talks with the top Japanese SDF officer. During the talks, the host and guest agreed that the cooperation between the VPA and SDF has been carried out effectively based on the joint vision statement signed in April 2018 between the two defence ministries on bilateral defence relations towards the upcoming decade. The two sides have actively held exchanges and consultations, as well as coordinated to open training courses and professional exchanges in flight safety, aviation medicine, underwater medicine, aviation rescue, information technology, cyber security, and sappers participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations. A general view of the talks. (Photo: qdnd.vn) The bilateral coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) have been further strengthened. Vietnam supports Japans initiatives on activities within the framework of the Vientiane Vision to promote Japan-ASEAN defence cooperation. The country also backs Japans active engagement in cooperation mechanisms that help maintain peace, stability and development in the region and the world. The Vietnamese side suggested Japan expand the forms of training and increase the number of scholarships to Vietnamese students, especially in training in high technology and Japanese language. Vietnam invites Japanese senior officers to attend international courses at the Vietnam National Defence Academy and Japanese military students to learn Vietnamese. The two sides agreed to step up cooperation in scientific and military medicine research, sharing of experience in natural disaster relief, humanitarian aid, management of hospitals, and transfer of new technologies. They will also implement collaboration in military shipbuilding and goods production. Vietnam asked for Japans help in training technical experts in defence industry and receiving high-skilled Vietnamese workers to work in Japan. Vietnam also hopes to learn from Japans experience in state management of defence industry in the market economy and receive assistance in building strategies to develop its peacekeeping force. The revolution will not be proceeding as planned. Thank goodness. South Carolina Democrats threw former Vice President Joe Biden a much-needed lifeline in Saturdays primary, giving him a blowout win over socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, who has been yelling endlessly about the need for revolution. Not so fast, said South Carolinians. Not so fast at all. It would be wise to buckle up, as the Democratic Party's nominating contest will likely continue for quite a while, and, going forward, will probably be making not a few unexpected twists and turns on the way to a finish that no one can now see. Biden crushed it in the Palmetto State, winning nearly 50% of the vote and besting Sanders by almost 30 points. And he gave a victory speech that was, by any standards, well, downright presidential. There was none of the hesitancy that so often mars his talk. Instead, he powered forward, like a candidate in command, looking to the future. "If the Democrats want a nominee who's a Democrat -- A lifelong Democrat! A proud Democrat! An Obama-Biden Democrat! -- then join us," Biden told supporters in Columbia, South Carolina. "We have the option of winning big or losing big. That's the choice." With 14 states staging primaries on Tuesday, it will soon enough be apparent if Biden's unexpectedly large victory in South Carolina was only a blip, or if it marked an inflection point in the race. Since former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg wasn't on the ballot in any of the first four nominating contests, but has been spending lavishly in the Super Tuesday states, his strength, or relative weaknesses, will become clear quickly enough. For activist Tom Steyer, the other billionaire whod been seeking the Democratic Partys presidential nomination, the message from South Carolina was sufficient. Steyer bailed on Saturday night. A day later, Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, did the same. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, followed suit on Monday. These moves only made sense, as center-left candidates who stick around will only split the anti-Sanders vote, damaging the party up and down the ballot. Democrats have a job to do: Find a nominee who can beat Trump in swing states and help candidates in House and Senate races across the land in November. They began on Saturday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his administration's drive to turn the economy around will be protracted and is being frustrated by the rapid spread of the coronavirus around the globe and other factors beyond its control. "These are trying and testing times," Ramaphosa said at a two-hour briefing to journalists in Cape Town on Tuesday. "I like to believe that we have entered an era where there is no longer any objection to reforms and transformation. We are going to reform. As this moves, we will be repositioning our economy for further investments." Africa's most-industrialized economy has twice slipped into recession since Ramaphosa took office in February 2018, highlighting the challenges he faces in trying to undo the misrule and graft that characterized his predecessor Jacob Zuma's nine-year tenure. Gross domestic product shrank an annualized 1.4% in the last quarter of 2019, and expanded just 0.2% for the full year, the slowest pace since the global financial crisis, the national statistics agency said on Tuesday. While the data is "not pleasing," it's not surprising given the country's contending with power shortages, drought and low levels of consumer and business confidence, Ramaphosa said. South Africa has yet to have a confirmed case of the coronavirus, but the president expects it to have a "huge, huge impact" on the global economy, with a negative knock-on effect domestically. Ramaphosa repeated reassurances that the government will fix debt-stricken state power utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., which supplies about 95% of the nation's power, and restructure the energy industry to ensure private producers played a bigger role. Consideration should be given to selling some of Eskom's older power plants to private investors who could operate them more effectively, he said. "Our power generation has now entered a new era, a new era that should not be driven by ideology, but by pragmatism," he said. Ramaphosa described a plan proposed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the country's biggest labor group, for pension funds to either assume part of Eskom's 456 billion rand ($29 billion) in debt or take a stake in the company, as "quite compelling," but said final details still needed to be worked out. Cosatu wants the government to underwrite any losses incurred by pensioners and the implications that would have for the nation's finances would have to be worked out, he said. Other highlights: --While the government would have liked to have introduced a fiscal stimulus package to spur growth, it doesn't have the requisite funds. --The government is in ongoing talks with unions about its plans to trim the state wage bill, its biggest expense. While union concerns about the cuts are understandable, an agreement with them is within reach. --South Africa has made progress in rebuilding its public institutions, but the process will take some time. --The president wants the civil services to be depoliticized and senior officials to be given long-term contracts. --- With assistance from Rene Vollgraaff. The coordination of McCreadie's spare-no-expense birthday bash with its crazy planning glitches is lampoon-worthy stuff, though not so out of whack compared to the wildly over-the-top lifestyles of the rich and famous we've become near-inured to by the heavily documented exploits of the Kardashians and others. Still, McCreadie's celebrity-centric, "Gladiator"-themed party, with its faux amphitheater (the building of which is its own loopy story thread), toga costumes and actual lion, gives Winterbottom plenty of droll visual gags to work with. 03 Mar 2020, 12:03 PM Vistara planning to enter bidding race for Air India, says Chairman Bhaskar Bhat Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, is planning to bid for Air India, but a final decision on the matter has not been taken yet, said company's chairman Bhaskar Bhat. Responding to a question whether Vistara was interested in Air India, Bhat told PTI: "Which company would not be interested in evaluating a sovereign airline of the country?" There is buzz in the market that the Tata Group, which founded Air India 87 years ago, may bid for the airline put up for sale by the government. Gautam Adani-led Adani Group may join the race to buy state-owned Air India. Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Delhi, Telangana India got worried yesterday as two cases of COVID-19 or novel coronavirus were detected in New Delhi and Telangana, the government confirmed on Monday. The patients had travelled to Italy and Dubai before they were tested positive. So far, no official vaccination has been developed for the deadly coronavirus. These are the first confirmed positive coronavirus cases in both Delhi and Telangana. World economy may shrink because of coronavirus, says OECD A global agency says the spreading new virus could make the world economy shrink this quarter, for the first time since the international financial crisis more than a decade ago. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says Monday in a special report on the impact of the virus that the world economy is still expected to grow overall this year and rebound next year. But it lowered its forecasts for global growth in 2020 by half a percentage point, to 2.4 per cent. WHO debuts on TikTok to quell fake information on coronavirus The World Health Organisation (WHO) has joined TikTok, in an effort to spread accurate information about coronavirus (COVID-19) . The mobile-video app is flooded with memes and false information about coronavirus. Some TikTok users have reportedly pretended to be infected with the deadly disease. WHO, a specialised public health agency of the United Nations, has posted two TikTok videos about "How to protect yourself from the coronavirus" on Monday. Travel companies stop hiring, defer increments over coronavirus Coronavirus: The travel industry globally has been hit hard due to the coronavirus spread as countries have restricted movement to areas that have been severely affected. The impact of coronavirus on the travel sector has led to firms halting recruitments and deferring increments of its employees. Bookings for South-East Asia have taken a hit. Travel firms believe that there would be further cancellations as the virus has spread even to Europe. Narendra Modi says thinking of giving up Facebook, Twitter; also, YouTube, Instagram Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that he will give up his social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. One of the most followed global leaders on social media, Modi is fairly active on social media and posts frequently on his Instagram and Twitter handles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for reaching out to masses through social media, is the first Indian to have over 50 million followers on Twitter. Taking a jibe at PM Modi's plan, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi suggested him to give up hatred, rather than social media accounts. 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. NEW YORK, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Intraocular Lenses market worldwide is projected to grow by US$1.8 Billion, driven by a compounded growth of 5.5%. Standard, one of the segments analyzed and sized in this study, displays the potential to grow at over 1.5%. 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 US$2.6 Billion by the year 2025, Standard will bring in healthy gains adding significant momentum to global growth. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05205331/?utm_source=PRN - Representing the developed world, the United States will maintain a 4.3% growth momentum. Within Europe, which continues to remain an important element in the world economy, Germany will add over US$59.3 Million to the region's size and clout in the next 5 to 6 years. Over US$55.3 Million worth of projected demand in the region will come from Rest of Europe markets. In Japan, Standard will reach a market size of US$155.7 Million 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 8.4% over the next couple of years and add approximately US$515 Million 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, Latin America and the Middle East. 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, Alcon Inc. Bausch + Lomb Inc. Carl Zeiss Meditec AG Aaren Scientific Inc. EyeKon Medical Inc. Hoya Corporation Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. Lenstec Inc. OcuLentis OPHTEC BV PhysIOL s.a. Rayner Intraocular Lenses Limited STAAR Surgical Company The HumanOptics AG Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05205331/?utm_source=PRN I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & REPORT SCOPE II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. MARKET OVERVIEW Rising Incidence of Vision Disorders and the Subsequent Need for Vision Correction Procedures: A Business Case for Ocular Products Recent Market Activity Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) - Promise of Improved Vision Aids Market Growth Growth Drivers and Restraints - In a Nutshell Increasing Volume of Cataract Surgeries - Growth Opportunity for IOL Market Developed Countries Dominate with US Leading the Way in the IOLs Market Premium Products Drive Revenue Growth Increase in IOL Implantations at Hospitals & Ambulatory Surgery Centers Foldable IOLs Find Favor Global Competitor Market Shares Intraocular Lenses Competitor Market Share Scenario Worldwide (in %): 2020 & 2029 Challenges Confronting IOL Market 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS Alcon, Inc. (USA) Bausch + Lomb, Inc. (USA) Carl-Zeiss Meditec AG (Germany) Aaren-Scientific, Inc. (USA) EyeKon Medical, Inc. (USA) Hoya Corporation (Japan) Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (USA) Lenstec, Inc. (USA) OcuLentis (Germany) OPHTEC BV (Netherlands) PhysIOL s.a. (Belgium) Rayner Intraocular Lenses Limited (UK) STAAR Surgical Company (USA) The HumanOptics AG (Germany) 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS The Transition from Non-foldable to Foldable Continues Growing Demand for Phacoemulsification Drives Adoption of Foldable Lenses Healthcare Spending & General Economy:Key Determinations of Growth in IOL Market Demographic Factors Influencing Growth in the IOL Market Dramatic Growth in Geriatric Population Burgeoning Global Population & Urbanization Rising Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy Fuels Growth in IOLs Market Target Customer Groups & their Requirement Patterns Technological Innovations: A Boon to the IOL Industry Lasers: The High-Tech Solution Viscosurgery: A Safer Alternative Low Energy Methods for Cataract Removal Trifocal and Multifocal IOLs for Extended Depth of Focus Latest Developments in IOLs and Associated Technologies Perfect Lens IC-8 IOL Omega Gemini Capsule Femtosecond Laser Heralds Next Generation of Refractive Surgery Product Innovations in Accommodative IOLs Pep-Up the Market PC-IOLs: Raising the Standard Accommodative IOLs or Multifocal IOLs - The Tussle Carries On Post-Operative Refractive Errors: A Concern for Premium IOLs Adjustable IOLs - Addressing Refractive Concerns of IOLs Debate Continues on Whether UV Protection is Essential in IOLs The Blue Light Saga Reimbursement Programs: The Key Determinant for Advanced IOLs IOL Reimbursement - A Comparison between the US and European Systems 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE Table 1: Intraocular Lenses Global Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Region/Country: 2018-2025 Table 2: Intraocular Lenses Global Retrospective Market Scenario in US$ Thousand by Region/Country: 2009-2017 Table 3: Intraocular Lenses Market Share Shift across Key Geographies Worldwide: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 Table 4: Standard (Segment) World Market by Region/Country in US$ Thousand: 2018 to 2025 Table 5: Standard (Segment) Historic Market Analysis by Region/Country in US$ Thousand: 2009 to 2017 Table 6: Standard (Segment) Market Share Breakdown of Worldwide Sales by Region/Country: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 Table 7: Premium (Segment) Potential Growth Markets Worldwide in US$ Thousand: 2018 to 2025 Table 8: Premium (Segment) Historic Market Perspective by Region/Country in US$ Thousand: 2009 to 2017 Table 9: Premium (Segment) Market Sales Breakdown by Region/Country in Percentage: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 III. MARKET ANALYSIS GEOGRAPHIC MARKET ANALYSIS UNITED STATES Market Facts & Figures US Intraocular Lenses Market Share (in %) by Company: 2020 & 2025 Market Analytics Table 10: United States Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 11: Intraocular Lenses Market in the United States by Segment: A Historic Review in US$ Thousand for 2009-2017 Table 12: United States Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 CANADA Table 13: Canadian Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 14: Canadian Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Review by Segment in US$ Thousand: 2009-2017 Table 15: Intraocular Lenses Market in Canada: Percentage Share Breakdown of Sales by Segment for 2009, 2019, and 2025 JAPAN Table 16: Japanese Market for Intraocular Lenses: Annual Sales Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 17: Intraocular Lenses Market in Japan: Historic Sales Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2009-2017 Table 18: Japanese Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 CHINA Table 19: Chinese Intraocular Lenses Market Growth Prospects in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 20: Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in China in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 21: Chinese Intraocular Lenses Market by Segment: Percentage Breakdown of Sales for 2009, 2019, and 2025 EUROPE Market Facts & Figures European Intraocular Lenses Market: Competitor Market Share Scenario (in %) for 2020 & 2025 Market Analytics Table 22: European Intraocular Lenses Market Demand Scenario in US$ Thousand by Region/Country: 2018-2025 Table 23: Intraocular Lenses Market in Europe: A Historic Market Perspective in US$ Thousand by Region/Country for the Period 2009-2017 Table 24: European Intraocular Lenses Market Share Shift by Region/Country: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 Table 25: European Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018-2025 Table 26: Intraocular Lenses Market in Europe in US$ Thousand by Segment: A Historic Review for the Period 2009-2017 Table 27: European Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 FRANCE Table 28: Intraocular Lenses Market in France by Segment: Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand for the Period 2018-2025 Table 29: French Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Scenario in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 30: French Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 GERMANY Table 31: Intraocular Lenses Market in Germany: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 32: German Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 33: German Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 ITALY Table 34: Italian Intraocular Lenses Market Growth Prospects in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 35: Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in Italy in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 36: Italian Intraocular Lenses Market by Segment: Percentage Breakdown of Sales for 2009, 2019, and 2025 UNITED KINGDOM Table 37: United Kingdom Market for Intraocular Lenses: Annual Sales Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 38: Intraocular Lenses Market in the United Kingdom: Historic Sales Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2009-2017 Table 39: United Kingdom Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 SPAIN Table 40: Spanish Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 41: Spanish Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Review by Segment in US$ Thousand: 2009-2017 Table 42: Intraocular Lenses Market in Spain: Percentage Share Breakdown of Sales by Segment for 2009, 2019, and 2025 RUSSIA Table 43: Russian Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 44: Intraocular Lenses Market in Russia by Segment: A Historic Review in US$ Thousand for 2009-2017 Table 45: Russian Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 REST OF EUROPE Table 46: Rest of Europe Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018-2025 Table 47: Intraocular Lenses Market in Rest of Europe in US$ Thousand by Segment: A Historic Review for the Period 2009-2017 Table 48: Rest of Europe Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 ASIA-PACIFIC Table 49: Asia-Pacific Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Region/Country: 2018-2025 Table 50: Intraocular Lenses Market in Asia-Pacific: Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Region/Country for the Period 2009-2017 Table 51: Asia-Pacific Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Region/Country: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 Table 52: Intraocular Lenses Market in Asia-Pacific by Segment: Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand for the Period 2018-2025 Table 53: Asia-Pacific Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Scenario in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 54: Asia-Pacific Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 AUSTRALIA Table 55: Intraocular Lenses Market in Australia: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 56: Australian Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 57: Australian Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 INDIA Table 58: Indian Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 59: Indian Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Review by Segment in US$ Thousand: 2009-2017 Table 60: Intraocular Lenses Market in India: Percentage Share Breakdown of Sales by Segment for 2009, 2019, and 2025 SOUTH KOREA Table 61: Intraocular Lenses Market in South Korea: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 62: South Korean Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 63: Intraocular Lenses Market Share Distribution in South Korea by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC Table 64: Rest of Asia-Pacific Market for Intraocular Lenses: Annual Sales Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 65: Intraocular Lenses Market in Rest of Asia-Pacific: Historic Sales Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2009-2017 Table 66: Rest of Asia-Pacific Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 LATIN AMERICA Table 67: Latin American Intraocular Lenses Market Trends by Region/Country in US$ Thousand: 2018-2025 Table 68: Intraocular Lenses Market in Latin America in US$ Thousand by Region/Country: A Historic Perspective for the Period 2009-2017 Table 69: Latin American Intraocular Lenses Market Percentage Breakdown of Sales by Region/Country: 2009, 2019, and 2025 Table 70: Latin American Intraocular Lenses Market Growth Prospects in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 71: Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in Latin America in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 72: Latin American Intraocular Lenses Market by Segment: Percentage Breakdown of Sales for 2009, 2019, and 2025 ARGENTINA Table 73: Argentinean Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018-2025 Table 74: Intraocular Lenses Market in Argentina in US$ Thousand by Segment: A Historic Review for the Period 2009-2017 Table 75: Argentinean Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 BRAZIL Table 76: Intraocular Lenses Market in Brazil by Segment: Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand for the Period 2018-2025 Table 77: Brazilian Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Scenario in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 78: Brazilian Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 MEXICO Table 79: Intraocular Lenses Market in Mexico: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 80: Mexican Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 81: Mexican Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 REST OF LATIN AMERICA Table 82: Rest of Latin America Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 83: Intraocular Lenses Market in Rest of Latin America by Segment: A Historic Review in US$ Thousand for 2009-2017 Table 84: Rest of Latin America Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 MIDDLE EAST Table 85: The Middle East Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Region/Country: 2018-2025 Table 86: Intraocular Lenses Market in the Middle East by Region/Country in US$ Thousand: 2009-2017 Table 87: The Middle East Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Region/Country: 2009, 2019, and 2025 Table 88: The Middle East Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 89: The Middle East Intraocular Lenses Historic Market by Segment in US$ Thousand: 2009-2017 Table 90: Intraocular Lenses Market in the Middle East: Percentage Share Breakdown of Sales by Segment for 2009, 2019, and 2025 IRAN Table 91: Iranian Market for Intraocular Lenses: Annual Sales Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 92: Intraocular Lenses Market in Iran: Historic Sales Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2009-2017 Table 93: Iranian Intraocular Lenses Market Share Analysis by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 ISRAEL Table 94: Israeli Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018-2025 Table 95: Intraocular Lenses Market in Israel in US$ Thousand by Segment: A Historic Review for the Period 2009-2017 Table 96: Israeli Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 SAUDI ARABIA Table 97: Saudi Arabian Intraocular Lenses Market Growth Prospects in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 98: Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in Saudi Arabia in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 99: Saudi Arabian Intraocular Lenses Market by Segment: Percentage Breakdown of Sales for 2009, 2019, and 2025 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Table 100: Intraocular Lenses Market in the United Arab Emirates: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 101: United Arab Emirates Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 102: Intraocular Lenses Market Share Distribution in United Arab Emirates by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 REST OF MIDDLE EAST Table 103: Intraocular Lenses Market in Rest of Middle East: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment for the Period 2018-2025 Table 104: Rest of Middle East Intraocular Lenses Historic Market Analysis in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2009-2017 Table 105: Rest of Middle East Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 AFRICA Table 106: African Intraocular Lenses Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Thousand by Segment: 2018 to 2025 Table 107: Intraocular Lenses Market in Africa by Segment: A Historic Review in US$ Thousand for 2009-2017 Table 108: African Intraocular Lenses Market Share Breakdown by Segment: 2009 VS 2019 VS 2025 IV. COMPETITION Total Companies Profiled: 28 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05205331/?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 For the good of the country, Congress and the White House need to rise above their usual partisan sniping and name-calling and show a little unified leadership as the United States readies itself for the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. We know it will be hard, given the level of bitter polarization in Washington, but Democrats and Republicans owe it to the American people to swallow their differences. Thats what rational, responsible governments do in cases of war, natural disaster and, yes, a mass outbreak of infectious disease. A lot is riding on the ability of the federal government to get things done fast to support states such as California that are on the front lines fighting this new and frightening infection, which has killed more than 2,800 people, most of them in China, and has spread to 47 countries. An outbreak in the United States seems all but inevitable now that the first case of community transmission was discovered in northern California on Wednesday. Transmission without a known connection to someone who is sick or traveled to a place where people are sick marks a concerning turning point in any disease outbreak. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said he will travel to Tennessee on Friday to review recovery efforts from the "horrible" and "very vicious" tornadoes that killed at least 19 people. "We're working with the leaders in Tennessee," Trump told the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in a speech Tuesday that included discussion of his efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Proclaiming that the federal government will help Tennessee recover, Trump described tornadoes as "vicious," and said: "If you're in their path, bad things happen. Really bad things happen." The tornadoes were part of a powerful storm system stretching from Texas to North Carolina. One tornado slashed through Nashville for miles, leaving destroyed homes and downed powerlines in its wake. At least 48 structures collapsed around Nashville, according to the Nashville Fire Department. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency. "It is heartbreaking," Lee said. We have had loss of life all across the state. Four different counties, as of this morning, had confirmed fatalities. Tennessee tornadoes: At least 19 killed as tornadoes rip through Nashville, Middle Tennessee, collapsing buildings Trump also spoke by phone Tuesday with Lee, offering the governor "condolences for the lives lost and the families and communities impacted," the White House said in a statement. "The President underscored that the Federal Government will help the people of Tennessee respond to and recover from this tragic incident." During Friday's visit, Trump will "tour some of the damage and offer support to Tennesseans," the statement said. Like presidents before him, Trump has often traveled to sites of tragedy in the role of "comforter-in-chief." Trump has visited cities that have suffered mass shootings, including Pittsburgh, El Paso and Las Vegas. He also reviewed hurricane damage in Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and the Carolinas. Story continues He has been criticized on some of these trips, particularly Puerto Rico, for a lack of empathy and a slow federal response to the emergency. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after addressing the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Tuesday. The White House has added Tennessee to a Friday scheduled that already includes a Trump visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta as it battles the spread of the coronavirus. Later on Tuesday, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will travel to the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, where they will talk with officials at the Vaccine Research Center. Super Tuesday: Coronavirus fears caused staffing issues at Super Tuesday polling sites in Texas In his speech to the national organization of county government executives, Trump said his team is "moving aggressively" to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. While Trump has said he hopes there can be a vaccine in a matter months, other officials in his administration say it is likely to take more than a year. Trump also said the emergence of coronavirus shows how quickly things can change. "Six weeks ago, eight weeks ago, you never heard of this," Trump said. "All of a sudden, it's got the world aflutter." The speech to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference was billed as a policy event, but some delegates at one point began chanting "four more years" at Trump. "No, no, no," Trump joked. "This is not supposed to be a political rally." Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee surveys damage to buildings in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump to tour tornado damage in Tennessee on Friday Fifth annual event in Columbus, Ohio will focus on new advances, new challenges, and new directions in Agile Software Development PORTLAND, Ore., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Agile Alliance is pleased to announce the program for its annual technical conference, deliver:Agile 2020 . The event is tailored to software developers who want to learn more about emerging Agile technical practices. It will be held April 29 - May 1 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio. In its fifth year, deliver:Agile 2020 creates an environment that enables attendees to immerse themselves in a deeply engaging experience which unites software engineering and architectural ideas under the umbrella of Agile thinking. With keynotes by Liz Fong-Jones (Principal Developer Advocate for SRE & Observability, Honeycomb.io, "Cultivating Production Excellence") and GeePaw Hill (Owner, GeePawHill.org, "Changing Changing Software: The Why, the How, and the What"), this highly-anticipated three-day conference will explore topics such as test and design practices and techniques; DevOps approaches and technologies; User Experience (UX) design and implementation; and cloud computing technologies and patterns. Other speakers include Chelsea Troy, James Shore, Matthew Kleiman, David Bernstein, Rebecca Wirfs-Brock, Ruth Malan, Steve Kuo, Mihai Popescu, Chris Edwards, Mohab El Hakim, Gwen Smuda, Sasha Rosenbaum, Ken Mugrage, Claire Moss, Margaret McKever, Hillel Wayne, Debbie Levitt, Sarah Aslanifar, Sarah Withee, Rob Myers, Todd Sedano, Ted Young, Markus Silpala, Yolanda Hughes, Austin Chadwick, Llewellyn Falco, Richard Seroter, Amr Elssamadisy, Jason Kerney, Jeff Langr, Ron Jeffries, Chet Hendrickson, Alexandre Freire Kawakami, and Cecilia Fernandes. " The deliver:Agile 2020 program brings together the pioneers of Agile technical practices with some of the industry's rising stars and most exciting new voices from a variety of technical disciplines (software development, testing, operations, architecture, design, and more)," said Conference Chair Cat Swetel. "Together these generations of Agilists will explore the history and the future of Agile and XP in light of the evolving technology landscape and emerging trends. We are excited to have such a diverse set of topics and viewpoints to spark discussion and engage technologists in the Agile community!." Agile is now a multidisciplinary ecosystem that includes Developers, QA, UX Designers, Infrastructure Engineers, Data Scientists, Cloud Specialists, and more. Attendees will learn about the wealth of new Agile tools and techniques as well as fresh patterns and practices. The knowledge they gain will enable them to better support and evolve their engineering practices in light of these new capabilities and emerging technologies. Conference attendees are encouraged to register and book hotel reservations early. Group registrations are available. About Agile Alliance Agile Alliance is a nonprofit global member organization dedicated to promoting the concepts of Agile software development as outlined in the Agile Manifesto. With nearly 70,000 members and subscribers around the globe, Agile Alliance is driven by the principles of Agile methodologies and the value delivered to developers, business, and end users. Agile Alliance organizes and supports events to bring the Agile community together on an international scale. The deliver:Agile 2020 Conference will take place April 29 - May 1, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. Media Contact Pam Hughes Marketing Chief, Agile Alliance SOURCE Agile Alliance Related Links http://www.agilealliance.org Amid coronavirus outbreak, the supermarket shelves across Australia are being left empty as people are worried that they may contract the deadly disease. Several Australians are stocking up on the essentials like toilet paper, hand sanitiser, bottled water, pasta and rice in case they become infected. A netizen even took to Twitter to share images of the entire aisles being swiped. Today I went into my local Coles, I couldnt believe the stockpiling happening. No long-life milk, toilet paper, rice, pasta & hardly any medicines, minimal lentils & canned tomatoes. You get the feeling people felt quite anxious after seeing these empty shelves. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/LhHzT6NbWt chris ledlin (@chrisledlin) March 2, 2020 READ: Coronavirus: Global Economy To Witness Worst Downturn In Decade, Warns OECD Coles, the Australian supermarket store, also released a statement that promised that the emptied aisles would be restocked as quickly as possible. The supermarket store has reportedly even increased the number of deliveries to store this week the improve the availability of popular products, including long-life pantry staples and health care items. According to international media reports, the statement further read that the store is also continuing to work with its suppliers to maintain availability for customers. As per reports, Australia has reported nearly 34 confirmed coronavirus cases. The first Australian has also been confirmed dead from the virus after they were on board the Diamond Princess. The Australian health officials have reportedly warned against buying in bulk at supermarkets. READ: Anupam Kher Suggests People Use 'Namaste' Instead Of 'Handshake' Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Australian Medical Association president Dr Tony Bartone, while speaking to an international media outlet said that there is no reason to go out and panic buy. 15 of the 34 detected cases in Australia have reportedly also since recovered and the remaining are listed as in stable condition. High level of concern Australia has reportedly warned its citizens not to travel to Iran amid surging cases of the coronavirus in its territory, most cases linked to Iran. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced on February 29, that foreign nationals travelling from Iran need to quarantine in another country before entering Australia, as per reports. Effective Sunday, March 1, the measure requires the Australian citizens, permanent residents, and immediate families to isolate themselves for at least 14 days in case of flu-like or chronic illness symptoms upon entering Australia from abroad. According to the reports, DFAT also extended travel restrictions against the Chinese nationals with the exception of returning Australians citizens. It, however, said that the policy will be revised basis the situation analysis before Friday, March 6. Australia's Chief Medical Officer issued an advisory stating that there was a high level of concern about the spread COVID-19 due to transmission from returning citizens from Iran. READ: Coronavirus: Washington State Confirms 4 New Deaths, Total Rises To 6 READ: Coronavirus Outbreak: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Advisor Dies Flavor Flav is speaking out in the wake of his firing from Public Enemy after a fight with bandmate Chuck D over an endorsement of Bernie Sanders. 'He [Chuck D] can't fire me, I'm not his employee, I'm his equal!' the ousted rapper, 60, told Carlin Haynes Media on Tuesday. 'People ain't wanna go to a show that has no Flavor - it'll be a flavorless show. People want Flavor, baby!' he added. Long-running tensions between the Public Enemy icons exploded last week after Chuck D (real name Carlton Ridenhour) announced he would be performing at a Sanders rally under the moniker Public Enemy Radio. Flavor (real name William Drayton Jr.) is not a part of that group, and he issued a cease and desist letter to the Sanders campaign ahead of the gig. Flavor Flav and Chuck D are pictured together in 2007. The pair formed iconic hip hop group Public Enemy, but their relationship is now in tatters The order alleged 'the unauthorized use of Flavor Flav's likeness, image and trademarked clock in promotional materials circulated by the Sanders campaign.' Flavor was subsequently fired from Public Enemy - the band he helped create back in the mid 1980s. 'I wouldn't want to see Chuck break that up,' Flavor stated in Tuesday's interview. 'Chuck is breaking up years and years and years of legacy and history. I'm trying to save it. I'm going to try and keep talking to him!' Meanwhile, Flavor dismissed rumors that he sent the cease and desist letter to the Sanders campaign because he supports President Trump. 'Chuck is breaking up years and years and years of legacy and history. I'm trying to save it. I'm going to try and keep talking to him!' Flavor said he will continue reaching out to his former band mate Rather, he insists he is apolitical, and stated: 'I don't do politics. I'm not into politics I'm the comical gesture, the fun gesture'. Chuck D has not responded to the interview. Public Enemy Radio, which is comprised of Chuck D, DJ Lord, Jahi and the S1Ws, went ahead and performed for Sanders at the rally in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Chuck D and Public Enemy Radio have thrown their support behind Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders Chuck D from Public Enemy Radio performed during a campaign rally in Los Angeles Public Enemy Radio performs on stage during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders at the Los Angeles Convention Center An excerpt of Flavor's cease and desist letter read: 'While Chuck is certainly free to express his political view as he sees fit his voice alone does not speak for Public Enemy. 'The planned performance will only be Chuck D of Public Enemy, it will not be a performance by Public Enemy. Those who truly know what Public Enemy stands for know what time it is, there is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav,' the excerpt continues. Chuck D fired shots at Flavor Flav on Twitter stating, 'My last straw was long ago.' 'It's not about BERNIE with Flav... he don't know the difference between BarrySanders or BernieSanders he don't know either,' he wrote. 'FLAV refused to support @Sankofa (a social justice organization founded by Harry Belafonte) after @HarryBellafonte inducted us. He don't do that,' Chuck added. 'So I don't attack FLAV on what he don't know. I gotta leave him at the crib so y'all trying to fill his persona with some political aplomb is absolutely 'stupid'. Flavor Flav has been in conflict with the group since 2017, when he sued Chuck D and the band's management firm over unpaid royalties and merchandise profits. 'Flavor chooses to dance for his money and not do benevolent work like this. He has a year to get his act together and get himself straight or he's out,' Chuck D said. Chuck D's lawyer added, 'From a legal standpoint, Chuck could perform as Public Enemy if he ever wanted to; he is the sole owner of the Public Enemy trademark.' 'He originally drew the logo himself in the mid-80's, is also the creative visionary and the group's primary songwriter, having written Flavor's most memorable lines,' he added. Religious leaders in the United States said they were struggling to keep their members as safe from contagion as possible while still offering the usual comfort of gathering together to pray as a group. Last week, the Rev. Roman Stikel, the pastor at St. Mary in Kenosha, Wis., decided to quickly make some temporary changes at his church. He sent robocalls to his parishioners warning them not to shake hands, and he is already mulling the idea of canceling Mass if the outbreak becomes a widespread emergency. For people who are very committed to coming to Mass and praying together as a community, this is going to be difficult for them, he said. What well hope and pray for is that this is something that will pass. By Tuesday evening, there were 118 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, with the death toll rising to nine. Most of the cases were in Washington State, California and Texas, including Americans who are under quarantine after being repatriated from China. As concerns about coronavirus spread, Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, the Episcopal bishop of Indianapolis, sent her members a note on Friday announcing changes to worship, including the switch from ceramic chalices to metal in an effort to limit the spread of germs. Its all about education and trying to help, both putting people at ease and giving them what they need to make good decisions about their well-being, Bishop Baskerville-Burrows said in an interview. Lev Gerstle, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, noticed that the Shabbat shalom greetings after the opening prayers at Temple Emanuel-El were a bit more subdued than usual. LAGOS, Nigeria - Bandits have killed dozens of people in attacks on five villages in northern Nigeria, officials and witnesses said. The Kaduna state commissioner for security, Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement that bandits attacked the Igabi and Giwa areas on Sunday. In the village of Kerawa, where the highest death toll was recorded, 41 corpses were buried, said Aruwan. Although he did not give the total death toll, residents said more than 50 people were killed. The bandits also burned several houses and looted properties, Aruba Garba from Zariyawa village told The Associated Press. Thousands of people have fled, he said late Monday. The incident comes about two weeks after bandits killed 31 people in neighbouring Katsina state. Scores of people have been killed in recent years by the well-armed bandits who kidnap people for ransom and also raid villages to steal cows in Nigerias northern states. This banditry should be declared an insurgency and they should be fought in the same way as the Boko Haram, said Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state said after he visited the scene of the latest incident. (Newser) It's the first statement she has ever issued, and it's harsh. Kim Yo Jong is both Kim Jong Un's sister and a close aide, and she didn't hold back in her Tuesday statement directed at South Korea, which had the day prior chided the North for testing weapons. "As far as I know, the South side is also fond of joint military exercises and it is preoccupied with all the disgusting acts like purchasing ultra-modern military hardware," she said, referencing the presidential Blue House as a "frightened barking dog" and "a burnt child dreading fire." The New York Times quotes her as writing, "Such incoherent assertion and actions made by [the Blue House] only magnify our distrust, hatred, and scorn for the South side as a whole." South Korean President Moon Jae-in wasn't mentioned by name. story continues below The AFP reports South Korea said the North appeared to have on Monday fired two short-range ballistic missiles, which UN Security Council resolutions prohibit it from testing, in a test preceded by a three-month lull. An analyst with South Korea's Sejong Institute tells the AP Kim Yo Jong's statement on the matter signifies a move forward for her, as it "suggests that her status and influence have been expanded to such an extent as to express her opinions externally and beyond playing a role of assisting Chairman Kim Jong Un on his public activities." (Here's some of what we know about Kim's sister.) JACKSON, MI A scheduled Tuesday study session of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners didnt make it past roll call. The 8 a.m. meeting March 3 was canceled due to a majority of board members being absent. Commissioners Tony Bair, Corey Kennedy and James Steve Shotwell Jr. were the only three members in attendance, of nine. Study sessions are typically used as informational sessions in Jackson County, but voting can take place during the meetings if necessary. The only two items on Tuesdays agenda were presentations about animal control ordinance tweaks and a proposed millage to raise money for senior services. Neither were action items, Jackson County Administrator/Controller Mike Overton said. Overton recommended not going forward with the presentations, with so many board members absent. Both the animal control ordinance slideshow and senior millage slideshow can be viewed online. Its better if everybody hears it at the same time, Overton said. Board members were absent for a variety of reasons from attending a national conference on behalf of the county to health issues and a family emergency, Overton said. The presentations scheduled for Tuesdays meeting will instead be held during county committee meetings Monday, March 9 and during a full board meeting March 17. Overton expects the board to vote on the senior millage proposal March 17. If passed, the board must decide if the proposal should go on the August or November ballot. The deadline to submit a proposal for the August ballot is April 28. The countys current senior services millage is 0.25 mills and expires after 2020. The current proposal is to increase the rate to 0.6 mills allowing the county to eliminate its general fund contribution and save $750,000 per year. A homeowner with a property worth $100,000 currently pays $12.50 per year toward the millage. If it increases to 0.6 mills, that homeowner would pay $30 per year. The average senior services millage in Michigan is 0.59 mills, per county documents. More Jackson news: Couple found fatally shot in their Blackman Township home, police say Jackson artist transforms blank Henry Ford Allegiance Health tunnel with abstract mural Jackson becomes 2nd Amendment sanctuary county after tense 6-2 vote Warning: This story contains graphic content and might be upsetting to some readers. Kalen Schlatter said he lost control and fatally choked Tess Richey with a scarf after she refused to have sex with him, a man who shared a jail cell with the accused Toronto killer testified Tuesday. The identity of the 48-year-old witness who began his testimony by telling the jury Im a criminal, I steal s---, admitted to routinely lying to police and breaching court orders, and openly acknowledged his huge criminal record of commercial robberies, dangerous driving and bail violations dating back to 1992 is under a publication ban. He can only be identified as E.S. I dont need you to discredit me, he told defence lawyer Lydia Riva as he became increasingly annoyed during a cross-examination in which she sought to highlight his history of dishonesty and drug use. I can discredit myself. Testifying at Schlatters ongoing first-degree murder trial in downtown Toronto, the man said that while sharing a cell in protective custody at the Toronto South Detention Centre, Schlatter told him he went into an alley with Richey to have sex with her. But while they were making out in a stairwell, she said she told him to stop, stop, stop, stop, because she was on her period. Schlatter wanted to keep going because he was too worked up, E.S. testified. He just lost control and he was choking her and he tied a scarf around her neck, she was on the ground. It excited him. He was past the point of no control. He ejaculated on her. Afterwards, when he pulled the scarf off, she was dead. E.S. said Schlatter told him he took money from her purse and a chain, then took an Uber part of the way home to avoid being linked from the scene to his home. E.S. also said Schlatter told him he was high on MDMA and edibles at the time he killed Richey, and had been drinking. Schlatter, now 23, has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of the 22-year-old aspiring flight attendant. The Crown has shown video of Schlatter and Richey walking into an alley between two houses on Church Street, north of Dundonald Street, at 4:14 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2017. Video shows Schlatter leaving the alley alone at 5 a.m. Schlatters semen was found on Richeys pants and his saliva on her bra, the jury has heard, and a pathologist determined she had been strangled, possibly with a scarf or soft piece of clothing. Schlatters defence lawyers have suggested that another person could have killed Richey after Schlatter left. This not the first time E.S. has given evidence about a confession to murder by a fellow inmate. The jury heard that he previously testified once before in a preliminary hearing, after he went to the police with information from someone he was in custody with. After he testified in that case, he pleaded guilty to outstanding charges and received a more lenient sentence. However, E.S. said he had received no consideration or deal for his testimony against Schlatter despite asking once for help with some charges and understands that the Crown has said he will not receive any consideration for it in the future. The defence has suggested he could still benefit if his lawyer were to mention it to a judge, who could then consider it regardless of the Crowns position. Nobody has given me nothing. I am here to help this family and the dead girl, thats it, he said. He said it is both difficult and dangerous for him to be testifying in this trial and people can believe what they want, I dont give a s---. He said that after Schlatter told him what hed done, he let it stew in his mind before first reaching out to police in April 2018. It was 11 months before the lead detective contacted him and he gave a full statement. Im a criminal. I dont like being a rat, he said. What changed for me I understand, certain people, sometimes people need to kill but you dont kill women and you dont kill children for no reason at all, especially. And someone who cried himself to sleep every night because they are going to do time and miss their family and mommy but not one time, that whole time we were together, have they any concern or remorse for a dead girl you just met. E.S. testified that after a conversation with his lawyer, Schlatter became concerned he was a cop a suggestion that no offence, he said, offended him. He said Schlatter had learned hed shared cells previously with two undercover officers. I hope to God you are not a cop. If you are, Im f---ed, he said Schlatter told him. He also said Schlatter was frustrated because police had told him there was security video of him walking into the alley with Richey and leaving alone. Schlatter said he didnt need to see the video and had admitted it was him, but his lawyer later showed him some still images from the video and he realized it just showed two blurry people, E.S. testified. He also testified that he and Schlatter brainstormed alibi ideas for him. One was that he could say Richey died by suicide. Another was that someone else came by, robbed her and killed her. Under cross-examination, Riva, Schlatters defence lawyer, suggested E.S. gave similar testimony in the previous case he was involved with in both instances he described the accused as not bright and said they discussed alibis. He denied making up his testimony and denied that the details could have come from the information Schlatter was already aware of through his interview with homicide detectives and disclosure of evidence. Riva also challenged his concern for women, noting that he had a previous conviction for a domestic assault where the facts included him choking and slapping his domestic partner. The difference between me and your client is that shell be here tomorrow and you can ask her yourself, he shot back. E.S. said he denied that the assault occurred that way and said he pleaded guilty in order to get out jail in 10 days rather than a few months. Riva suggested he would say anything to get out of jail sooner. When it comes to pleading guilty absolutely, E.S. said. But he maintained he was telling the truth about what Schlatter told him. Cross-examination is expected to continue Wednesday. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 2, 2020) - Debut Diamonds Inc. (CSE: DDI) ("Debut Diamonds" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a binding memorandum of agreement (the "MOU") dated March 2, 2020 with Inolife R&D Inc. ("Inolife") to complete a business combination by way of a transaction that will constitute a reverse takeover of the Company by Inolife (the "Transaction"). If completed, the Transaction will constitute a "fundamental change" of Debut Diamonds pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). It is currently anticipated that the Transaction will be effected by way of a three-cornered amalgamation involving Inolife and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Debut Diamonds. The resulting issuer that will exist upon completion of the Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer") will change its business from mining to the medical technology industry. The final structure of the Transaction will be determined by the parties following receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice. The Transaction is an arm's length transaction. Upon the closing of the Transaction (the "Closing") and after giving effect to the Private Placement (defined below) and the European Pharma Acquisition (defined below), it is expected that current shareholders of Debut Diamonds will hold 5.45% of the common shares of the Resulting Issuer (the "Resulting Issuer Shares") and that existing shareholders of Inolife will hold 76.84% of the Resulting Issuer Shares on a non-diluted basis. Description of Inolife and its Business Inolife is a life science company and an innovation leader in needle-free injection technologies. Inolife develops, advances and commercializes needle-free injection technologies. The company takes advantage of novel liquid jet and ballistics-based epidermal drug injection techniques that improve patients' quality of life by making medicines easier and safer to administer as well as remove the anxiety and inconvenience associated with hypodermic needle injections. For more information about Inolife and its products, visit inolifesciences.com. Story continues Share Consolidation and Exchange of Securities Pursuant to the terms of the MOU, the Company will effect a consolidation (the "Share Consolidation") of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Debut Diamonds Shares") prior to Closing on a basis that results in the shareholders of the Company receiving shares that have a value of $2 million. Based on the proposed price of the Private Placement, this would result in the common shares of the Company being consolidated on a 1:2.605 basis resulting in approximately 10,000,000 Debut Diamonds Shares outstanding on a post-Share Consolidation basis (each, a "Consolidated Debut Diamonds Share"). The 6,000,000 issued and outstanding warrants of Debut Diamonds ("Debut Diamonds Warrants") will be consolidated into 2,302,822 Debut Diamonds Warrants. Each Debut Diamonds Warrant will be exercisable for one Consolidated Debut Diamonds Share at an exercise price of CAD$0.1303 per share. In accordance with the terms of the Transaction, the holders of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Inolife (the "Inolife Shares") will be issued one (1) Consolidated Debut Diamonds Share in exchange for every one (1) Inolife Share held immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction (the "Exchange Ratio"). Outstanding convertible securities of Inolife (the "Inolife Convertible Securities") will either automatically adjust in accordance with their terms such that, following the completion of the Transaction, the holders of Inolife Convertible Securities will acquire Resulting Issuer Shares, or will be replaced with equivalent convertible securities of the Resulting Issuer entitling such holders to acquire Resulting Issuer Shares on the same terms as the Inolife Convertible Securities that they will replace. Debut Diamonds Shareholder Meeting Prior to the completion of the Transaction, Debut Diamonds will call a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of approving, among other matters (the "Debut Meeting Matters"): a change of name of the Company as directed by Inolife and acceptable to the applicable regulatory authorities effective upon Closing; the Share Consolidation; the reconstitution of the Company's board of directors; if required by the CSE, the approval of the Transaction; and such other matters as Inolife may reasonably request. Inolife Private Placement Inolife will complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of units ("Inolife Units") at a price of CAD$0.20 per Inolife Unit for targeted gross proceeds of CAD$2,500,000 or such amount as is necessary to cause the Resulting Issuer to meet the original listing requirements of the CSE following the Transaction. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) Inolife Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant an "Inolife Warrant"), with each Inolife Warrant being exercisable for one Inolife Share at an exercise price of CAD$0.30 per Inolife Share for a period of 24 months following the Closing. Inolife may pay eligible finders a cash commission equal to 8% of the gross proceeds, and issue broker warrants, expiring two years following the closing date of the Private Placement, and entitling the holder thereof to purchase that number of Inolife Units equal to 8% of the Inolife Units sold at a price of $0.20 per unit. The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for the execution of Inolife's strategic plan and to meet regulatory requirements. European Pharma Acquisition Inolife has entered onto an agreement to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of European Pharma Group B.V. ("European Pharma") prior to closing the Transaction (the "European Pharma Acquisition"). European Pharma and its subsidiaries are in the business of needle-free injection devices, namely the development of needle-free injection products and technologies. Upon closing of the European Pharma Acquisition, Inolife will issue the vendors an aggregate of 20,000,000 Inolife Shares and a debenture in the principal amount of 6,000,000, bearing no interest and being convertible at the option of the holder into Inolife Shares at a conversion price of CAD$0.95 per, and may, pursuant to a purchase price adjustment provision, be additionally be required to issue the vendors up to 5,000,000 Inolife Shares and to make a cash payment of up to 1,000,000. Management of the Resulting Issuer Upon closing of the Transaction, all of Debut Diamonds' current directors and executive officers will resign and the board of directors and executive officers of the Resulting Issuer will, subject to the approval of governing regulatory bodies and applicable securities and corporate laws, be comprised of the nominees of Inolife. Details of the proposed directors and executive officers of the Resulting Issuer will be disclosed in a further news release. Closing Conditions The completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to the following: the execution of a definitive agreement; the approval by the shareholders of Debut Diamonds of the Debut Meeting Matters; completion of the Share Consolidation; completion of the European Pharma Acquisition; and receipt of all required regulatory, corporate and third-party approvals, including approvals by governing regulatory bodies, the CSE, and the fulfilment of all applicable regulatory requirements and conditions necessary to complete the Transaction Further information Further details about the Transaction and the Resulting Issuer will be provided in a comprehensive news release when the parties enter into the definitive agreement. Investors are cautioned that any information released or received with respect to the Transaction in this press release may not be complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the Debut Diamonds Shares should be considered highly speculative. The securities to be issued in connection with the Transaction have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, CSE acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or listing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Debut Diamonds should be considered highly speculative. The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release About Debut Diamonds Inc. Debut Diamonds Inc. is a mineral exploration company with no current activities or operations. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the proposal to complete the Transaction and associated transactions. Any such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements about, among other things, the expected terms of the Transaction, the number of securities of Debut Diamonds that may be issued in connection with the Transaction, the ownership ratio of the Resulting Issuer post-closing, the Private Placement, the European Pharma Acquisition, shareholder approval, Inolife's strategic plans and the parties' ability to satisfy closing conditions and receive necessary approvals are all forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the Transaction will occur or that, if the Transaction does occur, it will be completed on the terms described above. Debut Diamonds and Inolife assume no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by applicable law. For more information, please contact: Debut Diamonds Inc. Michael Lerner, CEO & Director Telephone: 416-710-4906 Email: Mlerner10@gmail.com Inolife R&D Inc. Michael G. Wright, President and CEO Telephone: 514-992-9484 Email: mwright@inolifesciences.com THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53044 Marks & Spencer has unveiled its mouth-watering Easter food range, with everything from a Percy Pig egg to showstopping desserts set to hit supermarket shelves in time for the holiday next month. The British high street retailer will introduce a range of delicious sweet treats, alongside some succulent main courses that'll keep the whole family happy come Easter lunch. Favourite M&S character Colin the Caterpillar has been given two different Easter makeovers, with a classic hollow egg (5) and an Easter Bunny Colin the Caterpillar (10) both included in the range. Left: The Caramel and Fudge Easter Sundae, 10, consisting of a hollow milk chocolate egg overflowing with milk chocolate coated pretzels, fudge and caramel pieces. Pictured right: Seth The Sloth, 5, a cute hand-decorated hollow milk chocolate sloth character named Seth Easter Bunny Colin the Caterpillar 10. Iconic Colin has dressed up as the Easter Bunny in his latest makeover. This cute Easter Bunny cake has been smothered in milk chocolate and topped with mini carrot decorations and egg-shaped sprinkles. Available from 31st March Pictured left: Collection Extra Thick White and Blonde Chocolate Egg, 12. With a creamy white chocolate outer shell and caramel-ly blonde inside, this luxury egg has just been named the best white chocolate Easter egg 2020 by Good Housekeeping. Right: Fruity Easter Sundae, 10, Hollow milk chocolate egg overflowing with freeze-dried raspberries and jelly beans M&S' mouth-watering Easter range THE EASTER EGGS Percy Pig Milk Chocolate Egg and Sweets, 4, 200g Colin the Caterpillar Milk Chocolate Hollow Egg, 5, 270g Caramel and Fudge Easter Sundae, 10, Fruity Easter Sundae, 10 Extremely Chocolatey Biscuit Egg, 8 Extremely Chocolatey Speckled Egg Crunch, 8, 345g Collection Extra Thick White and Blonde Chocolate Egg, 12, 500g Collection Fruit & Nut Milk Chocolate Lattice Egg, 15, 406g THE NOVELTY CHOCOLATE Seth The Sloth, 5, 135g Flameggo, 5 Jumbo Easter Button, 5, 180g THE EASTER LUNCH Spring Herb Chicken, 7.50, 1.8kg Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, 20, 1.95-2.45 kg, THE DESSERTS Chocolate Cracked Egg Trifle, 10, 840g, 6 Belgian Chocolate Eggs, 12, 540g Burrowing Bunny Cheesecake, 10, 1kg, serves 10 Easter Bunny Colin the Caterpillar, 10, 625g THE HOT CROSS BUNS 4 Chilli & Cheese Hot Cross Buns, 1.50 or 2 for 2.50 4 Luxury Hot Cross Buns, 310g, 1.50 or 2 for 2.50 4 Salted Caramel Hot Cross Buns, 260g, 1.50 or 2 for 2.50 4 Kentish Bramley Apple Hot Cross Buns, 260g, 1.50 or 2 for 2.50 Made Without Wheat 4 Hot Cross Buns, 280g, 2 or 2 for 2.50 Advertisement They appear alongside adorable new creations like Seth The Sloth (5), a cute hand-decorated hollow milk chocolate sloth character, and a 5 'Flameggo', a hollow pink flamingo 'egg' with hand-decorated features. M&S has also given the Jumbo Chocolate Button from their Christmas collection an Easter makeover, topping the glorious treat with mini speckled eggs. Meanwhile Easter lunch won't be complete without a Spring Herb Chicken, 7.50 for 1.8kg, or a Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, 20, 1.95-2.45 kg. For the end of the meal, there is a range of showstopping desserts to enjoy, including the sweet Burrowing Bunny Cheesecake, 10, 1kg, serves 10, that looks too good to eat. Dinner party dessert: Belgian Chocolate Eggs, 12 for six. A showstopping Belgian chocolate mousse dessert, hand dipped in dark chocolate, filled with a hidden chocolate centre and dusted with gold shimmer. Available from 7th April M&S' most famous characters. Left: Colin the Caterpillar Milk Chocolate Hollow Egg 5, includes a whole bag of Colin the Caterpillar fruit gums. Right: Percy Pig Milk Chocolate Egg and Sweets, 4, a yummy milk chocolate egg with a 100g mini bag of Percy Pig sweets A tropical 'Flameggo', 5. A hollow pink flamingo egg with hand-decorated features Social media users took to Twitter and Instagram, responding to photo M&S posted of their Easter range. 'M&S have a chocolate Easter sloth this year and if I was in the UK, I totally would be having it,' tweeted one. Another wrote: 'Ohhhhh my gad. May have to stray from the classic Cadbury milk this Easter' A third added: 'Ooh soooo yummy. We can't wait for Easter. We have given up chocolate for lent which makes seeing this delicious egg all the more tempting' The unfolding investigation at St. Raphael Academy, a Catholic preparatory school near Providence, shows how difficult it is for school officials to provide accurate warnings and timely responses to a fast-spreading virus that, in this case, began reaching multiple possible points of contact long before public health officials and school administrators were able to act. This week, public health officials were scrambling to follow the trail of potential exposure that followed the school groups return to the United States. But every day that has elapsed since the end of the trip nine days ago has made that more difficult. The school administrator called in sick right away, but state officials were not informed of the specifics of the case a patient with respiratory symptoms and recent travel history to Italy until Feb. 26, four days after the groups return, according to Joseph Wendelken, a spokesman for Rhode Islands Department of Health. The man spent those first days at home, with what seemed like the flu, but had contact with his wife and children, who in turn had contact with others until Feb. 27, when they were given orders to isolate themselves. None of his family members have developed symptoms, Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of Rhode Islands Department of Health, said on Sunday. The administrators specimens had been collected earlier, but could not be tested until Feb. 29, a week after the group returned, Mr. Wendelken said. This is a brand-new test, he said. Once they were able, officials hurried to run the test extremely quickly in response to this urgent situation, he said, and the positive results were available the same day. AER Lingus Regional operator Stobart Air is insulated from any fall-out from a potential collapse of its UK-based sister airline Flybe, IAG chief Willie Walsh has insisted. Flybe and Dublin-based Stobart Air are part of Connect Airways, while IAG owns airlines including Aer Lingus and British Airways. Connect Airways paid just 2.2m (2.5m) for Flybe last year but pledged to pump 100m (116m) of loans into the airline to keep it flying. Mr Walsh said last week that the Flybe owners "bought a dog" in acquiring the struggling budget airline. The Stobart group owns 30pc of Connect, as does Virgin Travel Group, a subsidiary of Virgin Atlantic. The US-based hedge fund Cyrus Equity Partners owns 40pc. After Flybe was acquired, Stobart Air became part of Connect. Stobart Air operates the Aer Lingus Regional service on a contract basis. Flybe needs cash to survive and its owners have sought help from the UK government. A provisional plan was thrashed out that would see the payment of about 100m (115m) of air passenger tax due from Flybe deferred. But there's been intense opposition from other airlines including Ryanair to what they see as an unfair aid being potentially given to Flybe. "I'm not concerned," Mr Walsh told the Irish Independent about whether there could be any cross-contamination on Stobart Air if Flybe fails. "There is a ring-fencing within the business," he said. "We insisted on that because we didn't want any competition issues." Aer Lingus chief executive Sean Doyle also said that the Stobart model for Aer Lingus "works well for both of us". "It gives Aer Lingus a very good connection feed into markets in the UK regions," he said. "It also gives Stobart a very viable business. We have got reassurances and we have got structures in the contract which keep a high degree of autonomy in Stobart and I would see that continuing regardless of what happens with the Connect situation." "I can have no sympathy for the likes of Flybe in an environment like this," Mr Walsh told analysts last week in relation to the impact the coronavirus will have on weak airlines. "It's a business model that doesn't work, with shareholders that have suddenly copped on that they've bought a dog, and the idea that the British government is going to bail them out in this environment I think is madness," said the airline boss. Mr Walsh last week predicted that the current coronavirus scare would push some airlines in Europe and elsewhere towards collapse. [March 03, 2020] Thermo Fisher Scientific to Acquire QIAGEN N.V. WALTHAM, Mass. and VENLO, Netherlands, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, and QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA), a leading global provider of molecular diagnostics and sample preparation technologies, today announced that their boards of directors, as well as the managing board of QIAGEN N.V., have unanimously approved Thermo Fisher's proposal to acquire QIAGEN for 39 per share in cash. The offer price represents a premium of approximately 23% to the closing price of QIAGEN's common stock on the Frankfurt Prime Standard on March 2, 2020, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the transaction. Thermo Fisher will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the ordinary shares of QIAGEN. The transaction values QIAGEN at approximately $11.5 billion at current exchange rates, which includes the assumption of approximately $1.4 billion of net debt. "We are excited to bring together our complementary offerings to advance our customers' important work, from discovery to diagnostics," said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "This acquisition provides us with the opportunity to leverage our industry-leading capabilities and R&D expertise to accelerate innovation and address emerging healthcare needs. For shareholders, we expect the transaction to be immediately accretive and to generate significant cost and revenue synergies." QIAGEN is a leading provider of life science and molecular diagnostic solutions and employs approximately 5,100 people at 35 locations in more than 25 countries. The company generated 2019 revenue of $1.53 billion. Its sample preparation technologies are used to extract, isolate and purify DNA, RNA and proteins from a wide range of biological samples. The company's assay technologies are then used to amplify and enrich these biomolecules to make them readily accessible for analysis. In addition, QIAGEN's instruments can be used to automate these workflows, while its bioinformatics systems provide customers with relevant, actionable insights. "Our vision at QIAGEN has always been to make improvements in life possible with our differentiated Sample to Insight molecular testing solutions," said Thierry Bernard, interim chief executive officer of QIAGEN N.V. and senior vice president, head of the molecular diagnostics business area. "This strategic step with Thermo Fisher will enable us to enter a promising new era and will give our employees the opportunity to have an even greater impact. The combination is designed to deliver significant cash value to our shareholders, while enabling us to accelerate the expansion of our solutions to provide customers worldwide with breakthroughs that advance our knowledge about the science of life and improve health outcomes." Casper concluded, "We look forward to welcoming QIAGEN's employees to Thermo Fisher and are excited about the new opportunities we'll have to advance precision medicine through new molecular diagnostics and improved life sciences workflows." Benefits of the Transaction Expands Specialty Diagnostics Portfolio with Attractive Molecular Diagnostics Capabilities, Including Infectious Disease Testing. Thermo Fisher has built leading specialty diagnostics capabilities, including allergy and autoimmunity, transplant diagnostics and clinical oncology testing. QIAGEN has a strong presence in molecular diagnostics with a product portfolio focused on infectious disease and other growth opportunities. The combined company will accelerate the development of higher-specificity, faster and more comprehensive tests that may improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care. Complementary Offering Enhances Unique Value Proposition for Life Sciences Customers. For life sciences researchers, QIAGEN's innovative sample preparation, assay and bioinformatics technologies are complementary to Thermo Fisher's genetic analysis and biosciences capabilities. As an example, with an expanded portfolio, Thermo Fisher will be able to provide research customers with broader capabilities to accelerate discovery and enable scientific breakthroughs. Commercial and Geographic Reach Expand Customer Access. Thermo Fisher will be able to leverage its extensive commercial reach, including its Fisher Scientific customer channels and comprehensive e-commerce platforms, to expand customer access to QIAGEN's product portfolio. Furthermore, given Thermo Fisher's leading presence in high-growth and emerging markets, QIAGEN will be able to further penetrate these regions. Delivers Attractive Financial Benefits through the PPI Business System, Including Proven Integration Approach. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Thermo Fisher's adjusted EPS after close. Thermo Fisher expects to realize total synergies of $200 million by year three following the close, consisting of $150 million of cost synergies and $50 million of adjusted operating income1 benefit from revenue synergies. Financing and Approvals The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, the adoption of certain resolutions relating to the transaction at an Extraordinary General Meeting of QIAGEN's shareholders, and completion of the tender offer. Thermo Fisher has obtained committed bridge financing. Permanent funding is expected to come from cash on hand and the issuance of new debt. The transaction is not subject to any financing condition. Advisors J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Thermo Fisher, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel. For QIAGEN, Goldman Sachs International is serving as lead financial advisor and Barclays Bank PLC is serving as financial advisor, while De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek NV, Linklaters LLP and Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. are serving as legal counsel. Conference Call and Webcast Thermo Fisher will host a conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today to provide more information on this announcement. The webcast and accompanying slides can be accessed in the Investors section of www.thermofisher.com. An audio archive of the call will be available in that section of the website until March 17, 2020. Conference Call Dial-In: Domestic: (877) 680-7924 International: (647) 689-5468 Conference ID: 5953988 Replay Dial-In: Dial-In: (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 Conference ID: 953988 Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Thermo Fisher uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS and adjusted operating income, which exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs; restructuring and other costs/income; and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted EPS also excludes certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any regularity or predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, benefits from tax credit carryforwards, the impact of significant tax audits or events and the results of discontinued operations. Thermo Fisher excludes the above items because they are outside of the company's normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. Thermo Fisher believes that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of the company's core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the company's performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts. About Thermo Fisher Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $25 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 75,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. About QIAGEN QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare) and Life Sciences (academia, pharma R&D and industrial applications, primarily forensics). As of December 31, 2019, QIAGEN employed approximately 5,100 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com. Forward-looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "seeks," "estimates," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but other statements that are not historical facts may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: the need to develop new products and adapt to significant technological change; implementation of strategies for improving growth; general economic conditions and related uncertainties, including the impact of public health epidemics; dependence on customers' capital spending policies and government funding policies; the effect of economic and political conditions and exchange rate fluctuations; use and protection of intellectual property; the effect of changes in governmental regulations; and the effect of laws and regulations governing government contracts, as well as the possibility that expected benefits related to recent or pending acquisitions, including the proposed transaction, may not materialize as expected; the proposed transaction not being timely completed, if completed at all; regulatory approvals required for the transaction not being timely obtained, if obtained at all, or being obtained subject to conditions; prior to the completion of the transaction, QIAGEN's business experiencing disruptions due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, licensees, other business partners or governmental entities; difficulty retaining key employees; the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the proposed transaction; and the parties being unable to successfully implement integration strategies or to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected time-frames or at all. Additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in Thermo Fisher's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available in the "Investors" section of Thermo Fisher's website, ir.thermofisher.com, under the heading "SEC Filings," and in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents Thermo Fisher files with the SEC, and in QIAGEN's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is on file with the SEC and available in the "Investor Relations" section of QIAGEN's website, corporate.qiagen.com/investor-relations, under the heading "Financial Reports," and in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 6-K and other documents QIAGEN files or furnishes with the SEC. While Thermo Fisher or QIAGEN may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Thermo Fisher and QIAGEN specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if estimates change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing either Thermo Fisher's or QIAGEN's views as of any date subsequent to today. Additional Information and Where to Find it The tender offer referenced herein has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any ordinary shares of QIAGEN or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Thermo Fisher or its acquisition subsidiary will file with the SEC and publish in Germany. The terms and conditions of the tender offer will be published in, and the offer to purchase ordinary shares of QIAGEN will be made only pursuant to, the offer document and related offer materials prepared by Thermo Fisher and its acquisition subsidiary and as approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, "BaFin"). Once the necessary permission from BaFin has been obtained, the offer document and related offer materials will be published in Germany and also filed with the SEC in a tender offer statement on Schedule TO at the time the tender offer is commenced. QIAGEN intends to file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer; in addition, QIAGEN will publish a document combining the recommendation statement pursuant to Sec. 27 of the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz, WpUG) and the position statement (gemotiveerde standpuntbepaling) pursuant to Section 18 and appendix G of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeovers (Besluit Openbare Biedingen). The offer document for the tender offer (in German and in English) containing the detailed terms and conditions of, and other information relating to, the tender offer will, among other things, be published on the internet at https://corporate.thermofisher.com/en/offer.html. Acceptance of the tender offer by shareholders that are resident outside Germany and the United States may be subject to further legal requirements. With respect to the acceptance of the tender offer outside Germany and the United States, no responsibility is assumed for the compliance with such legal requirements applicable in the respective jurisdiction. THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AS WELL AS QIAGEN'S RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SEC. 27 WPUG AND position statement (gemotiveerde standpuntbepaling) pursuant to Section 18 and appendix G of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeovers (Besluit Openbare Biedingen) WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF QIAGEN ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY, AND NOT THIS DOCUMENT, WILL GOVERN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER OFFER, AND BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SUCH PERSONS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR ORDINARY SHARES. The tender offer materials, including the offer to purchase and the related letter of transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, and the solicitation/recommendation statement (when they become available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Thermo Fisher or QIAGEN, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or at QIAGEN's website at www.qiagen.com or by contacting QIAGEN's investor relations department at 240-686-2222 or at Thermo Fisher's website at www.thermofisher.com or by contacting Thermo Fisher's investor relations department at 781-622-1111. In addition, Thermo Fisher's tender offer statement and other documents it will file with the SEC will be available at https://ir.thermofisher.com/investors. Furthermore, copies of the offer document will also be available free of charge at the information agent to be identified in the offer document. 1 Adjusted earnings per share and adjusted operating income are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Thermo Fisher Media Contact Information: Karen Kirkwood Phone: 781-622-1306 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.thermofisher.com QIAGEN Media Contact Information: Dr. Thomas Theuringer Phone: +49 2103 29 11826 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.QIAGEN.com Thermo Fisher Investor Contact Information: Ken Apicerno Phone: 781-622-1294 E-mail: [email protected] QIAGEN Investor Contact Information: John Gilardi Phone: +49 2103 29 11711 E-mail: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thermo-fisher-scientific-to-acquire-qiagen-nv-301015072.html SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gesture to give away his social media accounts to women was lauded by some women activists while others termed it a "gimmick" and said he should instead concentrate on their real empowerment. Modi on Tuesday said he will be handing over his social media accounts to women who inspire. Activist Monica Arora, who is the national convenor of Group of Intellectuals & Academicians, called it one of the greatest gestures any one can do apart from doing ground work for them. "He has made women their spokesperson and it is a creative way to inspire them," she said. However, All India Progressive Women's Association secretary Kavita Krishnan called it a "gimmick" and an "attempt by Modi to make himself the story again" at a time when his government is being criticised for the Delhi riots and the citizenship law. "It's the women of Shaheen Bagh, activists like Sudha Bharadwaj, Gauri Lankesh who need to be the story - not Modi's grandiose gestures. Will the woman who takes over his account finally unfollow the accounts that regularly make rape and death threats, and vile communal hashtags," she asked. Academician and rights activist Madhu Kishwar said Modi has made an interesting gesture and people must be very excited about it. "It is charming and cute gesture," she said. Shilpa Puranik, member of NGO Bhartiya Srishakti, called it a step towards women empowerment. "I appreciate his decision because it is important to create awareness on social media about women empowerment," she said. Ranjana Kumari, director of Centre for Social Research, also said this is a "gimmick when the country is going through a turmoil". "Real empowerment will be by giving reservation to women in Parliament and that is what he should do if he wants women to be truly empowered," she said. Vani Subramanian, a member of the women's group Saheli Trust, said Modi is "playing games" at a time when people are dying they are without shelter. "This is not a time for drama. in his digital India, women have their own social media accounts, they do not need his social media accounts," she said. Rights activist and CPI leader Annie Raja said if the prime minister is truly concerned about women empowerment he should take steps against the rising cases of sexual harassment and abuse they face. "He should announce on March 8 (Women's Day) that women reservation bill has been passed. It is a distraction from talking about real issues. He should realise women would not be used," she said. A day after sending the social media buzzing with his tweet that he is giving up his social media accounts, Modi on Tuesday posted: "This Women's Day (March 8), I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions". "Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs," he said. The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media with 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram. The Twitter handle of Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For the past decade, Los Angeles County has been promising to develop a new voting system that was to be a model for the nation, accessible to voters with disabilities and to a population that speaks more than a dozen languages. As the first publicly owned voting system in the United States, it would also ease the grip that a handful of private companies have long held on how Americans vote, supporters of the effort said. TARRANT COUNTY, Texas The middle-class suburbs of Fort Worth have been a stronghold for statehouse Republicans for decades. But candidate Joe Drago believes he and the other Democratic challengers in this rapidly growing county will break that streak this year. "We are seeing working class people moving out of urban areas and into the suburbs, and that has changed the demographics profoundly," he said. "We believe a lot of these people are Democrats." Sprawling housing developments filled with young, diverse families have crowded out the cattle farms and open fields in Drago's district, convincing Democratic leaders that they have a chance to flip his and 21 similar state legislative districts this November. Democrats need nine to take control of the Texas House for the first time since 2003. The party plans to funnel tens of millions of dollars into the effort, an unprecedented push that could become one of the most consequential political battles of the year. If Democrats are successful, it would raise questions about Texas' future as a Republican bulwark in national politics. "Republicans really haven't come to grips with an understanding of what is happening in Texas," said Manny Garcia, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. "You have a rising, new Texas electorate." Minorities now make up more than half of the population in once solidly Republican Tarrant County, where Drago's district is located. Wavering support for President Donald Trump in the suburbs has further boosted Texas Democrats' confidence, as well as blowback to conservative GOP policies on health care and education in the state. Backed by an infusion of cash from donors nationwide, the state party plans to capitalize on the moment using tactics and organizing efforts rarely deployed in local races, including opposition research. But many political analysts remain skeptical of Democrats' chances, and Texas Republicans say they are prepared to slow, if not stall, Democrats' suburban gains, which included picking up 14 state legislative seats in 2018. GOP strategists' confidence was boosted in January when the party won a special election for a Texas House seat in suburban Houston. Former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and a host of other prominent Democrats campaigned heavily to flip the seat in Fort Bend County, but the GOP candidate won by 16 percentage points. Republicans are hoping to mount a successful defense statewide and have reenlisted the help of political strategist Karl Rove, who helped shape the GOP's rise to dominance in Texas decades ago. Rove is working with consumer data to identify and register new GOP voters in Texas suburbs. "One lesson from the 2018 election is some of our candidates had gotten a little overconfident," said James Dickey, chairman of the Texas Republican Party. "But nobody is doing that in 2020." Republicans are fighting against a tide of demographic change. Since 2016, Texas has added 2 million registered voters, about half of them under age 25, and 36% of them Hispanic, according to Tom Bonier, executive director of TargetSmart, a Democratic data firm. Texas Democrats believe there are another 2.3 million unregistered eligible voters, most of whom are people of color or under age 35. In parts of Tarrant, which includes Fort Worth and its suburbs, the population changes have turned the area into a political battleground. Tarrant County was an epicenter for tea party opposition to then-President Barack Obama's policies. But Trump carried the county with 52% of the vote in 2016, and O'Rourke narrowly won it in his 2018 contest against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican. Now Democrats are targeting five statehouse seats there, and Republicans consider the challenge to be a defining threat to their party's effort to cling to power statewide. "We are the last urban county in Texas that is red, as all the other large urban counties in Texas have already turned blue," said Jeremy Bradford, executive director of the Tarrant County GOP. "We know we are now ground zero for these races . . . because we are kind of the last defense in keeping Texas red, and that is not something we take lightly." Minority voters are registering at higher rates in Tarrant County than they are in Texas and nationally. The number of Hispanic registrants there grew by 6.4% since November 2018, higher than the state average of 5%, according to a Washington Post analysis of data from L2, a nonpartisan voter data firm. Drago's district is centered in Mansfield, a suburb where the population has grown nearly tenfold over four decades. In the 1960s, Mansfield was nationally known as one of the last Texas school systems to integrate as local officials defied federal court orders for years. Today, white, black and Latino children account for about 30% of the student body each. Drago said the region's increasing diversity will power his campaign as he works to drive up Democratic turnout in a district that Cruz carried by less than 100 votes in 2018. Drago will be counting on voters such as Bernadette Amao, who in December bought a 4,000-square-foot house in one of Mansfield's newly built subdivisions. She checks the mail regularly to see whether her and her husband's voter registration cards have arrived. "I always vote, and that will be especially true this year," said Amao, who emigrated to Texas from Nigeria in 1997 and believes Trump is too divisive. "If local Republicans continue to support President Trump blindly, I will not be voting for any of them." Polls show that Trump's popularity has been declining across suburban Texas, which Democrats say helped them pick up two congressional seats in 2018. "From mid-2016 to now, I just keeping having more and more people come up to me and say, 'I have been voting for Republicans for years and I just can't do it anymore,' " said Matt Angle, founder of the Lone Star Project, a Democratic-aligned political action committee. Angle is referring to voters such as Kathy Griffin, a 68-year-old Mansfield resident who has voted for Republicans in the past including for Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, during his 2012 presidential campaign. By 2018 she was so disgusted with Trump that she planted a sign for O'Rourke, who was the Democratic nominee challenging Cruz at the time, in her yard. "I hope we run [Trump] out of town on rail, tarred and feathered," said Griffin, a retired schoolteacher. "He's a liar . . . so for me it will be Democratic up and down the ballot." Republican leaders say they are confident that Trump won't be as toxic for the party in the suburbs as he was two years ago, particularly with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who identifies as a democratic socialist, as the Democrats' presidential front-runner. "Now, there is a choice on the ballot and it's not just Trump versus nobody or just a question about whether, 'Do you like Trump?' " said Chris Murphy, an Austin-based GOP strategist. The healthy economic climate achieved under GOP leaders will boost their chances of maintaining control, Republicans say. Drago's Republican opponent, Mansfield Mayor David Cook, predicts that voters even the diverse newcomers to his district will reward Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans for the state's 3.5% unemployment rate, which is near a record low. "Texas is still a Republican-leaning state," Cook said. "And the people who are moving to Texas do so for a reason the economy is great in the U.S., and it's even better in Texas." But when it comes to other local issues, Drago and other Democratic candidates believe the political dynamics are on their side, including Republicans' refusal to expand Medicaid and increase funding for public schools. In Mansfield, for example, parents have been complaining that school overcrowding has forced some students to be bused to other locations. "Our state constitution charges us with providing a good, strong public education, and there is a tendency on the Republican side to not put an emphasis on public education," Drago said. In response to the GOP losses in 2018, Abbott and Republican lawmakers pushed through an $11.6 billion plan to boost funding for public schools. "On public education, the state is moving in the right direction," Cook said. One issue in Tarrant County expected to remain especially divisive is gun control. Last year, after a shooting at an El Paso Walmart killed 22 people, some Republicans worried their policies were at odds with suburban residents who were clamoring for more restrictions on firearms. But GOP leaders say the political consequences of the gun debate shifted in December when armed security guards at a Fort Worth church shot and killed a gunman who opened fire during Sunday services. "You have had absolutely tragic events that have happened with guns, but there have also been equally tragic events that have been prevented by guns too," said Bradford of the Tarrant County GOP. For national Democrats, the party's success last year in flipping both houses of Virginia's legislature serves as a model for what they think is possible in Texas. Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), noted that Texas and Virginia both allow unlimited campaign contributions to legislative campaigns. Those laws will enable the DLCC to partner with labor unions and other left-wing groups to spend heavily on Texas races. "I think we will see even larger levels of spending in Texas than we saw in Virginia," Post said. Still, Cal Jillson, a professor of political scientist at Southern Methodist University, remains skeptical that Democrats will have the resources to turn out a lot of nontraditional voters. "The Democratic institution in Texas has been so weak for so long that even if they knew where every one of those people were, they would not be able to create the volunteer force needed to get there on the doorstep to register and turn them out," Jillson said. But here in Tarrant County, Democratic House candidate Lydia Bean remains convinced she can pare big money with grass-roots campaigning to help flip Tarrant County. Bean's mother ran for the state House seat two years ago, and received 46% of the vote after spending just $30,000. Bean, who runs a local nonprofit organization, plans to raise nearly 20 times that amount this year. As she canvassed for votes near Six Flags Amusement Park, Bean walked with a digital device identifying names and addresses of potential voters. At the home of one Latino couple, Bean discovered that the wife was not registered to vote. "What do you think about Trump?" Bean asked the couple. "I think he is doing a good job, and the economy is good," said Medina, surprising Bean. Despite that letdown, Bean still considered her visit to be a success. "I think he's persuadable, and now we know his wife is not even registered," said Bean, who will be back at Medina's door before November. - - - The Washington Post's Lenny Bronner contributed to this report. (Natural News) The chief of medicine in Australia has come forward to admit that keeping the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) out of his country is no longer a possibility, and that it will just have to be dealt with when that time comes. In a recent press conference, Professor Brendan Murphy explained to reporters that while Australia banned all air travel from virus-struck Iran, it did not ban travel from South Korea, Italy, or other travel hotspots where the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) is spreading, which is why Australia is now facing the strong possibility of a major outbreak. It is no longer possible to absolutely prevent new cases coming in, given the increasing changes in epidemiology around the country, Murphy is quoted as saying. Because Iran is considered a high-risk area for the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) with cases spreading all across the regime, the Australian government deemed a full-scale travel ban to be an effective deterrent strategy. Italy and South Korea, on the other hand, have only localized cases that, according to their respective governments, are localized and confined. In the case of Iran, its such a high risk that a travel ban is worth doing because it will slow down the number of cases, Murphy added. In Italy and South Korea, where they have large outbreaks but they are confined and (have) been localized, the risk, the proportionality of putting in a travel ban was not justified in terms of its benefits to the health protection of the Australian community. Listen below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, gives a Health Ranger Store emergency pandemic update: Australia warns citizens not to travel to Italy, South Korea if at all possible While Australia hasnt implemented a full-scale ban on all travel in and out of Italy and South Korea, it is advising its own citizens to avoid travel to both of these countries if they can, or at least to exercise a high degree of caution while moving about in these places. Australians should especially avoid the 10 affected towns in the north of Italy, and anyone returning to Australia from either Italy or South Korea must not go back to work for at least two weeks to avoid potentially infecting their coworkers. As a healthcare worker, or as a residential aged care worker, you should not attend your regular work for 14 days, stated Australian Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. That is an additional level of protection which has been advised by the chief health and medical officers and accepted by the Australian government. Meanwhile, Australia is reporting its first community transmission case of the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) in a New South Wales (NSW) health worker who did not travel anywhere overseas within the past three months. This individual, along with another 41-year-old woman, have both tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19), bringing the total number of disease cases in Australia to at least 30. The 41-year-old woman who contracted the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) is said to have caught it from her 43-year-old brother who recently returned from a trip to Iran. The 53-year-old health worker, on the other hand, caught it from an unknown source. NSW health has begun work to determine what contact there may have been to have given him transmission of the virus, stated NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Were taking all the necessary steps to find out how the individual managed to acquire the virus. Australia currently has measures in place calling on anyone who may have come in contact with this man to self-quarantine at home for at least two weeks. For more related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19), be sure to check out Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com TheGuardian.com NaturalNews.com Novak Djokovic has been pictured on a tennis court in Melbourne today as he began training for the Australian Open at midnight - hours after a judge slapped down the government's attempt to rip up his visa, though with the threat of deportation still hanging over his head. 'I'm pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete,' Djokovic said in a tweet alongside an image of himself on court with his team. I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. For now I cannot say more but thank you all for standing with me and encouraging me to stay strong.' The judge's ruling freed Djokovic from migrant detention where he has been languishing for the last six days in a 'torture chamber' hotel alongside refugees, but does not spell an end to the drama as he still faces being kicked out of the country by immigration minister Alex Hawke who has the power to rip up individual visas. Mr Hawke declined to use those powers on Monday night but insisted he is still actively considering the move, leaving a Sword of Damocles hanging over Djokovic's head even as he prepares to compete at the Open in a bid to become the most-decorated men's singles player of all time. Speaking at a press conference in his native Serbia after the verdict, Djokovic's family (bottom right) blasted his treatment by Australian authorities which mother Dijana said amounted to 'torture'. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 20:37:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Two Russian passenger planes had to make emergency landings on Tuesday due to anonymous bomb threats, local media reported. One plane, en route from Vladivostok in Russia's Far East to Moscow with 167 passengers and 14 crew members on board, had to land in Khabarovsk after receiving an anonymous message that there was a bomb on board. No dangerous items were found in a check of the baggage and passengers, and the plane took off again for its destination, the reports said without specifying the name of the carrier or the type of the aircraft. The other plane, an Airbus A320 of S7 airline, with 113 passengers and six crew members on board en route from Novosibirsk to Moscow, had to land in the city of Perm, after the company received an anonymous bomb threat. The plane landed safely and taxied to a separate parking lot, where it was met by security officers and emergency services of the airport, the reports said. The S7 website showed that the plane was expected to land in Moscow with a delay of 1.5 hours. Dame Kristin Scott Thomas has refused to say thank you when someone compliments her on looking good for her age. The 59-year-old actress, has told how she is tired of the assumption that women fade away after they reach 50. Im fed up of having to say thank you when someone says Ive still got it, she told Radio Times. Defiant: Dame Kristin Scott Thomas has refused to say thank you when someone compliments her on looking good for her age The Darkest Hour went on to state that just because a woman gets older, she doesn't just disappear and fade into the background. Ageing is a quality for women, she continued. 'We dont just fade away. I dont put up with any bull**** any more. Ive never been happier. The celebrated star of The English Patient and Four Weddings And A Funeral was last year praised for her description of what it means to be a woman during her cameo in Phoebe Waller-Bridges Fleabag. Her character Belinda was a businesswoman who said that women are born with pain built in and that their physical destiny is period pains, sore boobs, childbirth. The way she was: The 59-year-old actress, has told how she is tired of the assumption that women fade away after they reach 50 (pictured in 1991) Im super grateful to Phoebe for articulating my own personal frustration with the way women are treated as they age, she said. The actress, who was appointed the honorary president of the Womens Economic Forum last October, will star in Phedre at the National Theatre this year as well as taking on the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers in an upcoming Netflix adaptation of Rebecca. Dame Kristin said she started to turn down roles after decades of being expected to play hard but fragile on screen. Rant: Im fed up of having to say thank you when someone says Ive still got it, she told Radio Times (pictured in 2018) Fellow thespian Maxine Peake has also lamented the limited roles available to women, and criticised the assumption that women act personally, men act politically. Maxine, 45, has taken matters into her own hands to write a play for BBC Radio 3, Only Mountains, in which actress Lyndsey Marshal plays Pearl, a woman who joins an all-female militia fighting in Syria. Men who go to fight for a cause are seen as heroes, while women are seen as naive and idealistic, she told Radio Times. Making a stand: Ageing is a quality for women, she continued. 'We dont just fade away. I dont put up with any bull**** any more. Ive never been happier' Read the full interview in this week's Radio Times And be it telly or film or theatre or whatever, a woman only does something because shes driven by some event in her life because shes lost a child, or she was raped, or her mother died but a man acts because hes a man... and that drives me mad. It comes after Kristen recently detailed her fury at a director who told her to try and be more 'appealing' as she admitted it made her feel 'so cross'. The actress detailed the 'situation, without naming the filmmaker in question, to Town & Country, and admitted: 'I was so cross! 'That really rubbed me up the wrong way. It kicked something off in me. Why the hell should I be appealing? 'Why should I be pretty, and sweet, and kind, and nice, and have everybody love me? Why? I'm incredibly grumpy about lots and lots of things.' SAN FRANCISCO Mike Bloomberg is making an aggressive push to gin up support for his presidential campaign within Silicon Valley, directly courting the executive class that some of his more progressive rivals have rebuked. The effort has encountered an 11th-hour challenge as fellow moderates drop out of the race and publicly back former Vice President Joe Biden, just before voters in 14 states head to the polls Tuesday to allocate roughly a third of the nation's electoral delegates with California being the day's biggest prize. That could narrow or altogether close the window for Bloomberg in the state, said Silicon Valley insider and Biden supporter Wade Randlett. Recent polls also paint a bleak picture for Bloomberg. A CBS news poll and a Hoover Institution poll Monday showed Bloomberg tracking at 12 percent in California shy of the threshold needed to score delegates behind Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). This is a no-brainer," said Randlett, who founded the grassroots Bay Area Dems. "It's good for Joe, and it will make it tough for Bloomberg to stay in, especially if he has a poor showing on Tuesday. Bloomberg's campaign has organized a dozen events and briefings with tech leaders here in recent months, including a clean tech breakfast last week headlined by former Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope. The gathering drew at least 25 tech executives and venture capitalists, including Bessemer Venture Partners partner Byron Deeter and Lyft Chief Strategy Officer Raj Kapoor. Mike is about empowering the industry, said Michael Rolnick, a venture capital adviser and Silicon Valley tech insider who serves as a senior adviser to Bloombergs campaign. He believes we shouldnt fight the experts, but find out what are the right solutions. And he also articulates a sort of a framework for how we would engage these communities. Bloombergs longtime partner Diana Taylor, a banking executive, also addressed a crowd of women entrepreneurs here last week, telling them Bloomberg has supported women in business and would do so as president. That message sought to allay concerns, stoked by Warren and others, about women at his company being asked to sign non-disclosure agreements after complaining about discrimination. Story continues Bloombergs campaign is following a path paved by other moderate Democrats, particularly Biden and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, both of whom have trekked through Silicon Valley seeking the financial backing of well-heeled tech executives and investors. Buttigieg, who dropped out of the race Sunday, was expected to endorse Biden. But Bloombergs self-funded campaign is not looking for a check. The outreach is aimed instead at positioning him as the Democrat most attuned to the needs of Silicon Valley leaders and their companies and most worthy of their vote. The effort is showing some results: A group of tech leaders signed an open letter, written by Pope, calling Bloomberg the most qualified candidate to "return America to its place as the global leader of tomorrows economy." Touting his experiences building up New York's tech economy, the petition has garnered signatures from angel investor Ron Conway and Glassdoor co-founder Robert Hohman, among others. Super Tuesday will be Bloombergs first test with primary voters, including those living in delegate-rich California. He has emerged as a top moderate contender in recent national polls, though shaky debate performances appear to have stunted his rise. Thats kept him competitive with Biden, who clinched a much-needed win in South Carolinas primary on Saturday. Bloombergs pedigree appeals to the tech industry elite, observers say. In addition to being a self-made billionaire through his eponymous business, his three-term tenure as mayor of the nations largest city resonates with executives, said Carl Guardino, the outgoing president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group trade association. The closest public sector role that many CEOs see as similar to theirs is a big city mayor, because you can't just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk, Guardino said. You're close to your constituents. You are accountable to your constituents. And you can't afford to be too ideological because you have to make the math work to run your city. Steve Spinner, a veteran Silicon Valley angel investor and a major Democratic bundler who founded Entrepreneurs for Obama in 2007 and Tech for Obama in 2011, has been supporting Bloomberg since early January. Bloomberg is very, very respected in Silicon Valley, Spinner said in an interview. People just want someone who can take it to Trump, who understands business and tech and has the proven experience of governing a big city or state. Thats Bloomberg. Their support for the billionaire businessman comes as self-described Democratic socialist Sanders has shaken the Democratic party establishment by emerging from the nations first three primary contests as a definitive frontrunner. Concern over Sanders rhetoric has been especially troubling to the tech industrys biggest companies. Hes railed against large corporations for their influence on Washington policymaking and role in exacerbating income inequality criticisms for which the tech industry has become a poster child. Sanders has specifically targeted the tech industry players over taxes, labor practices, market influence and more. In July, Sanders said he would absolutely attempt to break up Google, Facebook and Amazon if elected president echoing a pledge first made by Warren. When you have folks, whether they're self described as a socialist or progressive or liberal, talking about penalizing companies for having the audacity of being successful, that doesn't resonate here, Guardino said. It may be good press, but it's not leading to progress for American workers or American innovation. But not all in the Valley agree. California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, whose South Bay House district contains the headquarters for major industry players like Google, Apple, Facebook and Tesla, serves as Sanders presidential campaign co-chair. The two-term congressman has stumped for Sanders in California and around the country, and says that while C-suite executives may favor Bloomberg, many employees on the front lines at Google, Apple and Facebook support the progressive agenda that Sanders and Warren have laid out during the campaign. Center for Responsive Politics data show that of all the presidential hopefuls, Sanders and Warren have been the leaders by far in raising money from employees in the internet industry through January. And its not just the bus drivers or the food service workers or the security guards, but the mid-level and entry level programmers and engineers who see Sanders agenda as one that can provide access to their future opportunities, Khanna argues. His core message resonates in the Valley that the investments in human capital, extending health care to all and education to all, are actually pro-competitive, Khanna said. When we provide people with health care and good wages, we make it more possible for them to be entrepreneurial, productive workers and we make economic growth more possible. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, on a reintroduction of a resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) But San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, who backed Bloomberg after Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) ended her presidential bid, said voters in his city are pragmatic and see tech as part of the answer to complicated public policy issues like climate change and homelessness. That makes Bloombergs candidacy appealing. I certainly think its appealing to a community that relies on tech for its livelihood that we would finally have a president that really has led a major tech-based organization, Liccardo said. Not unlike Obama, but probably in more overt ways, Mike has invested deeply in encouraging the use of data and tech in governance. I dont see the value of making tech the enemy, when we critically need tech to help us tactically address these great challenges, he added. A woman was shot Saturday, but police believe the public is not in danger. Rio Rancho Police Capt. Andrew Rodriguez said officers found a woman with a gunshot wound in the 1500 block of Saratoga Drive about 1 p.m. Saturday. The woman was taken to a hospital and remained in the intensive care unit Monday morning, he said. Detectives hadnt been able to interview her, so the investigation into whether the shooting was intentional or accidental was ongoing. Rodriguez said police had enough information to believe there was no threat to the public. On Feb. 26, police found a man with a gunshot wound in Enchanted Hills. Monday, Rodriguez said the investigation was ongoing, since detectives hadnt been able to interview man, who was still in the hospital. Police believe the public is in no danger in connection with that incident. I recently travelled to Saudi Arabia for work and while there used my phone, which is with O2. However, after leaving, I checked my bill from the phone company and found a charge for 1,710.66 which was taken for 285.09MB worth of data usage. It was taken on Thursday 13 February 2020 at 4:56am. But at this time, I was asleep and my phone was turned on to low data mode, meaning it wouldn't have automatically updated. I was also connected to the hotel's wi-fi so cannot see how using this much data was possible. An O2 customer has been charged over 1.7k for data usage when he was away in Saudi Arabia O2 also charged me a roaming fee when I had left Saudi Arabia and my phone was on flight mode, however I did manage to get this waived. When I spoke to O2, it said the charge was valid and it couldn't tell me what the data was used on due to GDPR. I have cancelled my direct debit as my colleague travelling with me at the time, who is also with O2, only incurred costs of 300, which suggests mine are wrong. What can I do? Miss I, via email Grace Gausden, This is Money, replies: This is a huge unexpected charge for data. Altogether, you were billed 2,103.11, excluding VAT, with one data charge coming in at 1,710.66 for usage of 285MB. This is a massive chunk of usage equivalent to spending around eight hours on a Skype voice call with someone or the same as downloading 50 songs. Your usual monthly bill is just 20.50 and you were alerted right away that you were about to charged more than 100 times your usual cost. After challenging O2, you claim the phone giant was not able to explain what you are meant to have used this data on, citing GDPR protocols. These are rules surrounding data protection and privacy that came into force nearly two years ago. As well as the 1,710 spent on data overnight, the phone company also charged you for data when your phone was on flight mode, although you had your money refunded in this scenario, suggesting it shouldn't have billed you for that. O2 has not been able to explain what the data was supposedly used on, quoting GDPR protocol When comparing the charges with your colleague, who was only charged 300 for roughly the same usage, this reiterated your belief that O2 had clearly made a mistake. According to O2's website, customer's data usage will be capped to 50MB priced at 51.50 per month for those who are travelling with their phone outside Europe. Those who need more data are also given the option of paying an additional 120 a month which gives customers up to 200MB. Outside of this, those travelling to Saudi Arabia and looking to use data will be charged 7.20 per MB of data. You say you did have your data capped at this 50, but had to remove this as you needed to use your phone for work. You add you have cancelled your direct debit to O2 in response to the firm not refunding you for the high amount but in most cases, this is unadvisable as you are likely to be in breach of your contract which means you are potentially subject to added charges for missed payments. What was the data charge for? After speaking to O2 at length, it revealed the data charge was delayed and in actual fact, you had used 285MB while abroad. It said foreign networks collect a customer's data use in sessions, which are downloaded to it in packets, and then charged to the customer hence why there may be a delay in billing. O2 confirmed you had advised you just wanted access for one day only and unfortunately, it seems you were unaware how much this could add up. It advised that when calling their customer services team you told them youd used Google Maps, WhatsApp and other messaging services in Saudi Arabia. Such services would be the reasons for the high charge. You had been using messaging apps abroad which, in turn, added up to 1.7k worth of charges A spokesperson for O2 replies: We have spoken to Miss I regarding the data charges incurred during travel to an area not included with O2 Travel Rest Of World. The customer increased her data cap on two occasions before calling us to request we remove the data cap fully. Foreign networks collect a customer's data usage in sessions which means some charges may appear delayed in the customer's bill. We've spoken to Miss I and she's confirmed use of apps, messenger apps and maps while in Saudi Arabia whilst her data cap was removed, resulting in these charges. As a gesture of good will we have waived the charges incurred after the data cap was removed on this occasion. Miss I will pay for the standard limit charges she removed herself via SMS she has confirmed she is happy with this resolution. How to avoid a bill shock Fortunately, we were able to secure you a refund on this occasion but your case highlights how important it is for any mobile phone user heading abroad to check the charges they may have to pay when on their travels. Holidaymakers are advised to check their phone networks pricing plan before travelling and make sure they aren't racking up thousands of pounds worth of charges. Whilst mobile phone holders will be able to use their contract plan as normal when in other EU countries, prices differ dramatically when outside of this zone. To ensure that you will not be charged over the odds, turn data roaming off on your phone or keep your phone on flight mode. Making sure you only use your phone when it is connected to wi-fi is also strongly advised. For any other customers that have received a bill they think is incorrect, the first thing to do is to make a formal complaint to the provider, either over the phone or preferably, by letter. Ask the Post Office for proof of postage so that you have evidence of when you sent the letter. If your complaint isn't sorted out in eight weeks, or if you receive what's known as a 'deadlock' letter from your provider, you can bring your complaint to the Ombudsman Services, completely free of charge. It will then try and resolve the issue between you and the company you have raised the complaint against. The 45th Space Wing successfully launches a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for the U.S. Navy lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 July 9, 2013, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. ORLANDO, Fla. Air Force leadership stressed that the global race to develop 5G networks will be a crucial part of developing the military's newest sister service branch dedicated to space. "We need to up our game in 5G," Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition head, explained Friday at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida. "As more autonomy moves to the edge of the internet of things, it's going to have to be supported by more bandwidth," he said, adding that space-based communications will play a key role in connecting 5G devices. "It would be a shame that if something that is going to control most of the data moving from machine to machine commercializes first overseas," Roper added. The Trump administration is working to isolate China's Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, from developing a larger foothold in U.S. partner countries. The administration has specifically worked to keep members of the "five eyes" intelligence-sharing group the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand from working with Huawei. In January, the Trump administration expressed disappointment after the U.K. announced it would allow Huawei to have limited access to some British 5G mobile networks. The move has since sparked an aggressive U.S. campaign to deter allies from working with Huawei. "Our partnerships and our alliances and our friendships, we are about collaboration and cooperation, our adversaries are about coercion," Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the Pentagon's newly minted U.S. Space Force, told CNBC on Friday when asked how the Department of Defense would compete against China. "5G is as important to the future of the Space Force as it is to the Air Force," he added. The commander of American air forces in Europe added emphasis to the military's warnings about China and next-generation technology. "At the end of the day, I think we need to be clear-eyed that what the Chinese are trying to do with 5G. It's something that globally we need to pay attention to because that's a threat that frankly if you don't pay attention to it you're going to get yourself in a square corner," U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian told CNBC on Friday when asked about the budding tech race between the United States and China. "It's a complex situation, and frankly I think it's one that as we, the collective we, move forward on this is going to require some education on 5G because there are nuances," he added, on the sidelines of the Air Warfare Symposium. Last month at the Munich Security Conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned nations against doing business with Huawei. "If you want to build a collective conscience of values and respect for human rights and the rest, don't go near Huawei and instead, let's internationalize and build something together that will be about freedom of information," Pelosi, D-Calif., told an audience at the conference. Read more: Pelosi warns US allies: 'Don't go near Huawei' Similarly, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the conference described Huawei and other Chinese state-backed tech companies as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence." Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also said in a speech at the conference that Beijing was carrying out a "nefarious strategy" through Huawei. Curt Chinnici (left) and Troy Bianchi-Chinnici have renovated and redecorated a Victorian rowhouse in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia. Read more His new neighbors thought Curt Chinnici had taken leave of his senses when he paid $64,000 for the rowhouse in Fishtown. I was the first person to buy a house on that block in 19 years, Chinnici recalled. They told me, We cant believe you paid that. The place was cheap by 1995 Philadelphia standards, and its proximity to I-95 made it easy for him to get to his job as a middle school art teacher in Delaware County and to two of his favorite places, New Hope and the Jersey Shore. Now, as he relaxes on a plush 1820s living room sofa with built-in bolsters, its easy to see how there was more method than madness to his purchase. The madness came first. The house, built about 1860, looked like a trailer, Chinnici says. There was paneling all over, dropped ceilings. People had lived here forever. It had been in the same family since 1895. Nobody had done anything in 100 years. There was one bathroom for 13 people and no electricity on the third floor. Marble fireplaces were painted white. Every week, Id haul stuff out. The trash men would complain. Now, thanks to Chinnicis skills, help from a Lithuanian refugee plasterer, and the arrival nine years ago of his partner and now spouse, Troy Bianchi, the house is an eclectic museum, a blend of 19th-century Philadelphia interiors and the couples unique touches. The plasterer had quite a backstory: He was a political prisoner of the Russians and had been ordered to leave the country. But Chinnici was more impressed by the work he had done on the Southern Mansion, an iconic bed and breakfast in Cape May. Chinnici did a lot of work himself: electrical, paint and removal of the dropped ceilings, which had actually served to protect the molding. With a side business conducting art and antique appraisals, he was well-equipped to perform his own research and hunt bargains in secondhand shops, auctions, and on the internet. When he spotted a cover on Main Line Today magazine showing legendary socialite Robert Montgomery Scott sitting on a living room sofa identical to his, he called up Scott to ask about it. Renovations really went into high gear when Bianchi moved in. A massage therapist by trade, he painted, tiled, and made draperies by hand. He did the window treatments on the front of the house, importing the replacement windows from Costa Rica and Canada. The couple strongly favor pieces from the styles of 1820s, 1830s and 1840s. In addition to the 1820s sofa, the living room has a Crawford Riddell antique chair from the 1840s. The mirror over the mantel is a design by Samuel Sloan, a Philadelphia-based architect active in the mid-19th century. There is a sideboard in the dining room by Michel Bouvier, a French-born cabinetmaker and great-great-grandfather of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who came to Philadelphia in 1815. The bedroom suite was by the Herter Brothers, a 19th-century New York firm that specialized in high-end custom-designed suites. There are an 1860s chandelier in the dressing room, an 1840s liquor stand, an 1828 butlers" desk, and a 1790s marble sink rescued from a trash heap in Northern Liberties. Outside, the neighborhood has vastly changed since he moved in, Chinnici says. You never used to see people walking around. You didnt see people coming off the El. The house is no longer an anomaly in the neighborhood, but it definitely still stands out. Chinnici laughed as he recalled a couple standing outside his front window, trying to wave him aside so they could take a photo without him in it. He doesnt recall whether he did move, only what he was thinking: Wait a minute. I live here. Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com The government on Tuesday designated revenue secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey, a 1984-batch Maharashtra cadre IAS, as the finance secretary, the senior most bureaucrat in the finance ministry. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved designating Dr. A.B.P. Pandey, lAS (MH:1984), Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance as Finance Secretary, a notification issued by the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions said. ACC is chaired by the Prime Minister. As finance secretary, he will continue to head the revenue department. Pandey is one of the few bureaucrats who simultaneously steered three crucial institutions successfully -- the Department of Revenue, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). An electrical engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur, Pandey is a post graduate and obtained a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota. Under his leadership as the CEO of UIDAI (until October 22, 2019), Pandey helped the government in providing digital identity Aadhaar to more than 124 crore Indian residents. He successfully explained Aadhaar, its benefits and the underlying technology to the five-judge Constitution bench in the Supreme Court through his two-day long power point presentation that helped the government in successfully defending 37 anti-Aadhaar petitions, one finance ministry official said requesting anonymity. He is the only non-lawyer person and bureaucrat to have been ever allowed to address the Supreme Court Constitution Bench for six hours spread over two days, the official said. Since taking over as the revenue secretary, Pandey has been at the helm of significant taxation reforms, bringing in the simplification of taxation processes, transparency through use of technology and revenue growth with data triangulation and analytics without any overreach. He has been instrumental in introducing faceless e-assessment, faceless e-appeal, Document Identification Number (DIN) system, pre-filled income tax returns, quick income-tax refunds, and the sharp reduction in corporate tax rate. On September 20, 2019, the government announced slashing of corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers from 30% to 22%, while for new manufacturing companies the rate was reduced from 25% to 15%, provided they do not claim any exemptions. It was under his watch that the government sought to put higher income-tax burden on top earners while providing relief to taxpayers at the bottom of the pyramid. As revenue secretary, Pandey focused on compliance without overreach to reverse a declining trend in GST revenue, which led to rise in the indirect tax mop up that has been more than 1 lakh crore for last four consecutive months despite economic slowdown. The Indian economy grew at 4.7% in the quarter ending December 2019. GDP growth had been falling continuously for six quarters since June 2018. At the helm of UIDAI for more than nine years, Pandey was also instrumental in scaling up Aadhaar in delivery of government subsidies and benefits which has led to savings of more than 1,40,000 crore so far by eliminating ghosts and duplicates and ensuring that the benefits reach the real and deserving beneficiaries, the official quoted above said. Pandey is responsible for the revenue department since December 1, 2018. He also holds the position of the chairman, GSTN [since September 2017] and chairs the Inter-Ministerial Co-ordination Committee (IMCC) to prevent money-laundering activities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Licensing Agreement to Bring Global Cannabis Brand and Award-Winning Genetics to Pennsylvania LOS ANGELES, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OG DNA Genetics (DNA or the Company), a globally recognized leading cannabis brand, today announced a licensing agreement (the Agreement) with PurePenn LLC (PurePenn), a leading cultivator and producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis capsules, concentrates, tinctures, flower and oils for the Pennsylvania market. The Agreement will grant PurePenn license to the DNA brand, access to its proprietary award-winning genetics, and standardized operating procedures for their cultivation at the PurePenn cultivation facility in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. PurePenns high-tech facility will be comprised of approximately 125,000 square feet of indoor cultivation and production upon completion of its ongoing expansion efforts. By partnering with PurePenn, we ensure a mutually beneficial relationship built on the foundation of commitment to quality and best practices, said Don Morris, Co-Founder of DNA. Each time we explore a potential licensing agreement, we look for the best possible partner in each market PurePenn is that partner for Pennsylvania. Dedicated to cutting-edge innovation using the latest technology, highly trained and experienced scientists and operators, and the strictest safety standards, PurePenn's mission is to create the best marijuana-based medicine in Pennsylvania for patients in need. For more than 15 years, genetics developed by DNA have won more than 200 awards in all categories at the most prestigious cannabis events around the world, making DNA the global standard in breeding and growing truly best-in-class strains. These awards include the High Times Top 10 Strain of the Year, which was inducted into The High Times seedbank hall of fame in 2009, the High Times 100 list of the most influential people in the industry and the High Times Trailer Blazers Award, for contributions made towards uniting the fields of entrepreneurship, politics and medicine. Story continues We are very excited by the opportunity to partner with DNA Genetics, commented Gabe Perlow, CEO of PurePenn. With our rapidly expanding cultivation facility, combined with their award-winning genetics and procedures, we will continue to provide patients in Pennsylvania with the highest-quality and most sought-after medicine possible. About OG DNA Genetics Inc. DNA was rooted in Los Angeles and founded in Amsterdam in 2004 by Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni. Over the last decade, the Company has built and curated a seasoned genetic library and developed proven standard operating procedures for genetic selection, breeding, and cultivation. In a world that is increasingly opening up to commercial cannabis activity, DNA is positioned to become the first, truly geographically-diversified company with multiple partnerships with top-licensed producers and brands that have built their companies and global presence utilizing the Powered by DNA model. For more information, please visit www.dnagenetics.com About PurePenn LLC PurePenn is a premier grower and processor of medical marijuana licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health composed of Pennsylvania business leaders and healthcare experts deeply committed to patient quality of life, job creation, and social impact on the communities it serves. PurePenn also produces products in Pennsylvania under the internationally renowned medical marijuana brand, Moxie, whose products have received repeated acclaim for consistently providing safe and effective treatments for patients. Rooted in community and social good, our goal is to consistently produce medical marijuana products at its facility in McKeesport that exceeds the states, communitys, employees and patients' expectations. Please visit our website at www.purepenn.com For further information please contact: Rezwan Khan, Vice President, Global Corporate Development Rezwan@dnagenetics.com Mr. Toole was working the crowd in Charlotte at a state Democratic Party dinner where the keynote speaker was Mr. Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City. The presence of Mr. Bloomberg, who said he had 124 paid staff members and 10 offices in North Carolina, is ubiquitous in TV ads, pitches to voters in the mail and online, and yard signs at seemingly every intersection. He has spent nearly $15 million in ads here, nine times as much as Mr. Sanders and 60 times as much as Mr. Biden, according to The Charlotte Observer. When Mr. Bloomberg was asked after the dinner, once Mr. Bidens commanding win in South Carolina was clear, whether he was a spoiler who could end up benefiting Mr. Sanders, he declined to answer. A polling average of North Carolina, which does not include surveys taken after South Carolinas results, shows Mr. Biden at 24.6 percent, just ahead of Mr. Sanders at 23.2 percent. Mr. Bloomberg was at 16.4 percent and Mr. Buttigieg, who withdrew from the race on Sunday, was in single digits. Though Mr. Buttigieg said he was dropping out in part so he would not split the anti-Sanders vote, and on Monday planned to throw his weight behind Mr. Biden, it is unclear where most of his backers will go. In polls they have named various second choices, including Ms. Warren. Mr. Sanders has been courting black voters in North Carolina. He attended an Ash Wednesday service in Goldsboro at the church of the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, a former state N.A.A.C.P. president, and led a march to an early voting site from Winston-Salem State University, a historically black college. Jillian Johnson, a co-chair of the Sanders campaign in the state, pointed to a 50 percent increase in early voting this year by millennials in Durham County, a stronghold of progressive politics. If that trend holds, we will see Sanders getting an edge, said Ms. Johnson, who is mayor pro tempore of the city of Durham. Our turnout in Durham can flip an entire state election. She said she expected Mr. Sanders to do well, but its not going to be Nevada, where he beat Mr. Biden by more than 25 percentage points. Health authorities started working with the persons the patient contacted with. The first case of Covid-19 coronavirus has been confirmed in Ukraine, that's according to Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko. "Yesterday I told you that we have four cases with suspicion, and today this suspicion is confirmed for one person," the official told a Kyiv briefing on the situation with countering the spread of coronavirus infection, an UNIAN correspondent reports. "All materials and samples were transferred to the WHO laboratory, but the case was registered in Ukraine, and we started working with the persons the patient contacted with," Liashko added. The official said the man recently returned from abroad. "A temperature screening was performed [at the border], the mans temperature was normal, after which he returned to the Chernivtsi region through the state border crossing point. In Chernivtsi region, he underwent another temperature screening. The man traveled to countries where coronavirus had been recorded. A family that traveled, the spouses, they isolated themselves, and literally two days into self-isolation, the man had symptoms that suggested coronavirus infection, "he said. According to Rada healthcare committee chief Mykhailo Radutsky, the man traveled to Italy, from where he flew to Romania and then crossed into Ukraine driving his car. As reported earlier, as of March 3, a total of 90,937 laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 was registered worldwide, of which 3,117were fatal cases and 48,017 recoveries. (The story has been updated with the paragraphs about temperature screening and trip details). Lawyers for Jaymes Todd, who raped and savagely murdered aspiring comedian Eurydice Dixon, argue the killer's young age, "good character" and autism spectrum disorder are among a range of reasons his jail sentence should be reduced. Todd's high-stakes bid to reduce his life sentence began on Tuesday morning in the Court of Appeal, where his lawyer argued there are various mitigating factors that should have been taken into account when he was was sentenced last year, including the fact he was only 19 at the time of the killing. The killer, who faced court via video link on Tuesday, was sentenced in September to life in prison with a 35-year non-parole period. Jaymes Todd. Credit:Jason South Todd, who was diagnosed with sexual sadism disorder while in custody, wore a plain white T-shirt and sat quietly, listening intently, during the morning's legal argument before Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and Justices Phillip Priest and David Beach. By Francis Wilkinson At a rally in New Mexico last September, President Donald Trump pointed to Steve Cortes, one of his most prominent Hispanic supporters, and asked him: "Who do you like more, the country or the Hispanics?" The binary choice is telling. Trump was positing that "the country" is distinct from "the Hispanics," some 59 million of whom happen to live in the country. That Trump made this statement in New Mexico, where Hispanics have been residing since before the U.S. existed, and while Trump was ostensibly appealing for Hispanic votes, only underscores how committed he is to keeping these two concepts in opposition. Trump's public animus toward Hispanics has been a defining feature of his presidency and, before that, his campaign. Yet Hispanic turnout, never high, declined in 2016. "While many expected a strong Hispanic turnout surge in a Trump-Clinton match-up,' wrote Brookings Institution demographer William Frey, "Hispanics registered a modest 0.4 percent decline." Moreover, Trump received 28 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2016 _ one percentage point higher than Mitt Romney's share in 2012. Hispanic women and men voted for Trump in equal measure, with only a slightly greater percentage of Hispanic women (67 percent) than men (65 percent) casting votes for Hillary Clinton. In politics and policy, Trump repeatedly directs his racial aggression at Mexicans, Central American families and the largely Hispanic Dreamers living in the U.S. So his approval rating among Hispanics _ 31 percent according to a poll last fall, not high but not calamitously low _ is perplexing. It's even more confounding in light of a new research paper by political scientists Alexander Agadjanian and Dean Lacy. They raise the possibility that some Americans with more fluid racial identities _ including many Hispanics and people of mixed race _ may be aligning their racial identities with their partisan identities: Group pressures related to race and identity led Americans to alter their racial identity to match their changing vote allegiances. Specifically, people who switched their votes from non-Republican in 2012 to Republican in 2016 (into a Trump vote) were more likely to change their racial identification from nonwhite to white. Similarly, those who switched their votes from non-Democratic in 2012 to Democratic in 2016 (into a Clinton vote) were more likely to change their racial identification from white to nonwhite. If this kind of self-sorting is at work even at the margins of the electorate, self-identified Hispanics should be even more hostile to Trump, since, at least among some, their identity is in part a function of their opposition to his presidency. It's far from clear that Trump will fare worse among Hispanics in 2020 than he did in 2016. Democratic activists are hoping, not for the first time, that they can overwhelm the Republican ticket with turnout even if they don't increase their vote share. Should Trump maintain his Hispanic vote share from 2016, an activated Hispanic base could still jettison him from office. In 2016, Trump defeated Clinton in Texas by 807,000 votes, winning the state's 38 electoral votes, equal to those of Pennsylvania and Ohio combined. Republican Ted Cruz defeated Democrat Beto O'Rourke in the 2018 Senate race in Texas by 215,000 votes. "Any political observer who follows electoral trends will look at Texas and wonder why there are roughly 4 million Latinos standing on the sidelines during each election" writes Albert Morales, senior political director of Latino Decisions and a longtime Democratic political operative. "If not obvious already, my point is that in a Texas where even half of the 4 million under-mobilized Latinos turn out for state and national races, the composition of the legislature and statehouse would be very, very different." Democrats have been waiting years for this Hispanic wave to hit shore. They are struggling to regain their hold on the upper Midwest, where the median voter is whiter and older. Meanwhile, the heavily Hispanic states of Arizona, Florida and Texas beckon. Hispanic turnout surged nationally in 2018, compared with the low baseline of the 2014 midterm election. And Hispanic voters were heavily Democratic. Still, it may be difficult for any Democratic candidate to straddle the white states of the old "blue wall" and the more Hispanic states of the "emerging Democratic majority." (Judging by the stern reaction of South Florida Democrats to mildly approving comments Senator Bernie Sanders made about Cuba, Sanders may already be in trouble with some Cuban and Venezuelan voters.) A Mason-Dixon poll last fall of 1,000 registered Hispanic voters suggested trouble ahead for Trump, with only 25 percent saying they would vote to re-elect the president. But the poll also included this warning to Sanders, who won strong Hispanic support in Nevada caucuses: 62 percent of Hispanic voters said they would not vote for a candidate who described himself as "socialist." Francis Wilkinson writes editorials on politics and U.S. domestic policy for Bloomberg Opinion. He was executive editor of the Week. He was previously a writer for Rolling Stone, a communications consultant and a political media strategist. His commentary was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. : WABCO, a supplier of brake control systems and advanced technologies to improve safety and efficiency of commercial vehicles, on Tuesday said it planned to adjust production at its facilities due to poor demand. The company said the factories located across the counry would work for four days a week this month. "In view of the weak demand and based on customer schedules, the company makes the changes in its production schedule", WBACO India Ltd said in a BSE filing. Accordingly, the plants at Ambattur (Chennai), Pantnagar (Uttarakhand), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) would work for four days a week in March 2020 with Fridays being considered as leave, it said. Shares of the company ended at Rs 68.50 apiece up by 1.02 per cent over previous close in BSE. According to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the automobile industry recorded its worst-ever sales decline in two decades in 2019, with an unprecedented slowdown hampering vehicle off-take across segments. As per SIAM, all vehicle segments reported degrowth in 2019 as low consumer sentiments, weak rural demand and economic slowdown took a toll on demand. Overall wholesale of vehicles in 2019, including passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, saw a decline of 13.77 per cent in 2019 at 2.30 lakh units as against 2,67 lakh units in 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran MSNBC host Chris Matthews said he's retiring from his show Hardball, citing his inappropriate comments about women. Matthews, a Philadelphia native, opened his program Monday with the announcement he was ending his run on the political hour that he started in 1997. He decided to retire after conversations with MSNBC, he said, his explanation coming in his familiar, staccato style. This is the last Hardball on MSNBC, and obviously this isnt for lack of interest in politics, he said, referring to a need for a generational change. Compliments on a womans appearance that some men, including me, might have incorrectly thought were OK were never OK, he said. Not then, and certainly not today, and for making such comments in the past, Im sorry. He remained proud of the work he 's done on the show, he said. Hardball began on CNBC and moved two years later to MSNBC. Matthews' announcement came on the heels of a a first-person story for GQ published Feb. 28, in which freelance journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews behaved inappropriately toward her when she was guest on his show. In 2016, right before I had to go on his show and talk about sexual-assault allegations against Donald Trump, Matthews looked over at me in the makeup chair next to him and said, Why havent I fallen in love with you yet? When I laughed nervously and said nothing, he followed up to the makeup artist. Keep putting makeup on her, Ill fall in love with her, Bassett wrote. Another time, he stood between me and the mirror and complimented the red dress I was wearing for the segment. You going out tonight? he asked. Bassett said she written about the encounter in a 2017 essay but didn't name Matthews because she was afraid of network retaliation, adding, I'm not anymore. Last month, Matthews had a politically prompted clash with with Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders. The host apologized to the Vermont senator for comparing his win in the Nevada caucus to the Nazi takeover of France. Matthews self-described bad analogy deepened the discontent that the presidential candidate and his supporters have been feeling lately toward the cable network, one that is usually friendly territory for liberals. He said hed try to do a better job elevating the debate this campaign season. Matthews unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. In 2008 and 2009, Matthews weighed running for the U.S. Senate and challenging U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. He ultimately decided against a run. His brother, Jim Matthews, is a former Montgomery County Commissioner. Jim Matthews also ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in 2006. He ran as Lynn Swanns running mate. Swann, the Pittsburgh Steelers legend, failed in his bid to unseat then-Gov. Ed Rendell. Police in Ohio are investigating a third anonymous letter received regarding the disappearance of New Jersey 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez, who has been missing more than five months. Austintown, Ohio, authorities are already investigating a letter mailed to a local library and an index card mailed to a casino regarding Dulce. A search conducted over the weekend near the casino based on information provided in the card turned up nothing, Austintown Detective Lt. Jordan Yacovone told NJ Advance Media. Dulce was reported missing from a Bridgeton park during a family outing on Sept. 16. The case has made national headlines and a reward stands at $75,000. Police in Weathersfield Township, Ohio, about six miles from Austintown, have now received a similar index card regarding Dulce, but Yacovone referred questions about that case to Weathersfield police. The card contained different information, he said. Weathersfield police did not respond to questions on Tuesday. Based on the handwriting, the two items received by Austintown police appear to have been written by the same person. While the handwriting on the third item hasnt been forensically analyzed yet, it appears to match the first two, Ohio authorities said. The two-page letter sent to the library referenced Dulce, the investigation in New Jersey and an episode of the Dr. Phil TV program that focused on the case. Dulces mother was interviewed for that show last year. The information in the letter was the sort anyone could find from a quick internet search, Yacovone said, and didnt reference locations in Ohio. The index card, however, offered details that were specific to the Austintown area, which is located in eastern Ohio, close to the Pennsylvania border. Police scoured a 30-to 40-acre wooded area near Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on Saturday night and Sunday using drones equipped with infrared technology, along with cadaver dogs. Since the ground there is currently frozen and snow-covered, which can hamper K-9 detection efforts, investigators expect to do another K-9 search of the area when the weather gets warmer. As for the source of the anonymous tips, that remains under investigation. The letter sent to the library had a Cleveland postmark, Yacovone said, but he cautioned that it likely could have been mailed from the Austintown area, depending on the time of day it was dropped in a mailbox. The index card didnt have a postmark, but the detective confirmed with the letter carrier who delivered it that it was sent via the U.S. Postal Service. The letters will be sent to New Jersey, where Bridgeton police, the county prosecutors office, New Jersey State Police and the FBI are collaborating in their investigation of the case. Without going into details, Bridgeton Police Chief Michael Gaimari said the letters will be investigated further to determine who wrote them. Phony tips in the past have pulled investigators away from their work in finding Dulce, he said. We are investigating to see if we can determine what the source is, because if it does come back as related, we want to know that, he said. If its pure fiction, however, he would like to see someone prosecuted for distributing false information. Gaimari took to Facebook over the weekend to debunk a social media rumor suggesting Dulce was found in Ohio. Nothing in the investigation so far leads police to believe there is any Ohio connection to Dulces disappearance, he said. The chief stressed that police are still looking for legitimate tips that could aid in the search. Authorities have asked anyone with information about Dulce to call the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000, ext. 2554, or the Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033. Tips may also be phoned in to 1-800-CALL-FBI and select option 4, then select option 8. Anonymous tips may be sent by text to TIP411 with Bridgeton in the message line. This billboard on Route 1 in North Brunswick displays information about 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez, who was reported missing on Sept. 16.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media 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. My preference to lead this unity coalition would be Mike Bloomberg, because I think he has a campaign machine that is built to last and stand up to the pummeling from Trump, but he may not have enough grass-roots support in the party. If its not him, then the obvious choice would be Biden, whose campaign really has been re-energized. So far, Warren has not shown enough breadth of support. (Disclosure: Bloomberg Philanthropies has donated to Planet Word, the museum my wife is building in Washington, to promote reading and literacy.) If the Democrats can rally behind a consensus center-left candidate, he or she will be in a strong position to beat Trump for two reasons one new and obvious, one deep, less obvious, but very powerful. The first has to do with the coronavirus, which is reminding people why good government matters. So many people voted for Trump the last time because they wanted a disrupter who would shake things up. Well, hes sure done that, running through multiple chiefs of staff and secretaries of defense and directors of national intelligence, not to mention four secretaries of homeland security and five national security advisers, not to mention reckless attempts to slash the budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not to mention constantly denouncing the professional deep state civil servants whom we need now more than ever to protect our laws. This epidemic is going to remind people how dangerous it is to have a disrupter with no ethics and no discipline. It is going to remind people that the G.O.P. laugh line Im from the government and Im here to help and other efforts to trash and weaken the federal state are not at all funny. It is going to remind people how important it is to have a president who appoints and values qualified people, not just loyalist hacks. But the coronavirus and its aftermath also remind us how important it is to have not only a proven leader in the White House, but also one capable of pulling together a broad coalition of support. We will not defeat this virus as a house divided; we will not do anything important as a house divided. Which is why I believe the hunger for a leader who can reunite the country is a stronger issue than experts realize. A Democratic candidate who can speak to that, inspire it and model it with his or her cabinet plans by bringing together a broad range of moderate and progressive Democrats and moderate Republicans will win. Cha Ji-yeon, center, performs during a concert version of the rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of Blue Stage By Kwon Mee-yoo "Jesus Christ Superstar" (JCS) is one of the few musicals that has maintained a cult following for over 50 years. A concert version of "JCS" revived the pulsing rock-music-fuelled story of Jesus to entertain Seoul last weekend amid the COVID-19 outbreak. For the first time in Korea, a female Judas belted out explosive rock songs, betrayed Jesus and suffered from the decision. The 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber has been staged around the world for decades, sometimes with unconventional approaches. Lloyd Webber arguably the world's most famous theater composer and lyricist Tim Rice were young and nameless when they created "JCS". They not only brought rock 'n' roll music to musical theater, but also introduced a new take on the biblical tale by telling the story from Judas Iscariot's point of view. "JCS" is set in the last week of Jesus' life, leading up to his crucifixion. In this musical adaptation, Jesus is interpreted as a radical revolutionary and popular star of the times. In the tale, Jesus is not just a saint figure, but also has a human side, which shows fear and anger as he struggles to accept his destiny of becoming a martyr. He shouts out his agony and raises his fist to God, asking why he has to die in "Gethsemane," with its famous high-G note. Instead of playing to Judas' traditional character as history's most famous traitor, Lloyd Webber and Rice focused on describing his (now her) conflict with Jesus, and his inner turmoil as he chooses to betray Jesus' plan. In "JCS," Judas is not someone who is blinded by fortune and 'sells' Jesus, but rather a complex revolutionary who goes his own way. The original production was originally banned by the BBC for being 'sacrilegious', but has now been successfully staged for five decades and subject to various interpretations played out in traditional, contemporary or fictional settings. Michael K. Lee performs during a concert version of the rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of Blue Stage At least 46 people in the Delhi-NCR region and about 100 others across the country have been quarantined, isolated or put under watch for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), officials said on Tuesday as they launched a massive contact-tracing operation for new infections and ordered reinforcing of health care facilities to stave off a full-blown epidemic. Experts said that there was no need for panic, but urged people to follow hygiene and reporting protocols. The identified people are believed to have been in close contact with three confirmed patients a tourist from Italy, a Delhi resident who flew back from Italy via Vienna last month, and a Bengaluru-based engineer who returned from Dubai and went on to travel to Hyderabad even as he had symptoms of the infection. At least seven of those under watch six from Agra who are the Delhi mans relatives, and the Italian tourists wife are believed to have been infected, local-level tests showed, but their status will only be confirmed by Punes National Institute of Virology (NIV). Results are expected by Wednesday midday. The people who have been quarantined include family members of the patients, people they met at social gatherings, fellow passengers, and crews of airlines and hotels they had been in while they were infected and, thus, potentially infectious. As a precaution, two schools in Noida including one where the Delhi patients children are students have been closed for the week. India is at a cusp where infection control can go either way. Self-reporting and high-quality contact-tracing, home quarantining and isolation are crucial to stop its spread because if we have a large cluster in smaller towns and rural areas, we will have a huge problem, said Dr Randeep Guleria, director and professor of pulmonary medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The new coronavirus, a pathogen not seen anywhere in the world till it began spreading in central Chinas Wuhan in late December, has become an epidemiological nightmare as it sickened close to 92,000 people and killed 3,100 in approximately three months. It has now spread to nearly 75 countries. Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet, adding: There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak puts the world in uncharted territory. We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday, news agency AFP reported. Community transmission means infections within a population are not imported from another virus-hit area. In Delhi, approximately 15 people who were in close contact with the infected person who returned from Vienna have been taken to the Safdarjung Hospital. Six more relatives of the man, who were in Agra and are also showing signs of the disease, were scheduled to reach the hospital by Tuesday evening. Officials continued to seek more information about others who may have come in contact with the patient. Air India issued an appeal via Twitter on Tuesday for people who were on the same flight as the man (Feb 20 Vienna-Delhi flight AI-154) to follow health ministry protocols. The protocols suggest people self-isolate and watch for symptoms if they have been exposed to a patient, or seek medical help if they show symptoms. Shortly after the Delhi residents infection was confirmed, officials reached out to several more families that attended a dinner hosted by him , as well as the management of the hotel. The children of two of these families are students at the two schools that were shut as a precaution. A group of Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators have separately been isolated at the ITBPs Chhawla Camp in the Capitals south-east. According to a health ministry official asking not to be named, these people were in the same group from which an Italian national has tested positive in Rajasthans capital Jaipur. His (Italian in Jaipur) condition is stable, the official added. The third confirmed case was that of a Bengaluru-based techie who returned from Dubai, where he had been unwell for days. The software engineer landed in the Karnataka capital on February 20, and took a bus two days later to his hometown Hyderabad where he was hospitalised with symptoms of a flu shortly after. On Monday, a test confirmed he was suffering from the Covid-19, prompting authorities to trace his co-passengers, flatmates and colleagues. The roommate of the techie as well as 25 colleagues who interacted with him have been screened. All the people in the 92 flats in the apartment building where he was staying have also been screened and are negative, said Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu. Fears persist that he may have infected more people since he had been showing symptoms of the disease and was being treated at Secunderabads Apollo Hospitals clinic for five days before being admitted. IndiGo airline, which flew the software engineer, on the Feb 20 Dubai-Bengaluru flight has put four crew members under home observation since March 2, it said in a statement. The Union health ministry on Tuesday issued a travel advisory suspending all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan who have not yet entered India. The advisory also suspends visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals who have not yet entered India. Samsung Might Launch Galaxy A21 With Quad Rear Cameras News oi-Priyanka Dua After launching M31 in India, Samsung is reportedly working on a new smartphone. The Galaxy A21 is expected to be launch in the affordable segment. The upcoming smartphone is likely to have an HD+ Infinity-O Super AMOLED display. The Samsung Galaxy A21 will have a punch-hole camera at the front, and quad-rear set up at the back. There are also chances that the smartphone will be a successor of the Galaxy A20s, reports Android Headlines. Samsung Galaxy A21: Expected Specifications The Samsung Galaxy A21 will come with a Mali-G71 GPU. Besides, the smartphone will have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The Samsung Galaxy A21 will have a punch-hole selfie camera. In addition, the smartphone is likely to have a plastic body. Furthermore, the smartphone will have a 4,000 mAh battery and a micro USB port. Apart from that, the smartphone is likely to be black in color. The report reveals that the smartphone will be first launched in the US market. Notably, the smartphone is likely to be launch in the Indian market in the coming days. Samsung To Launch A41 With 48MP Triple Camera Setup Apart from that, Samsung is reportedly working on another smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy A41 will be a successor of Galaxy A40, reports PriceBaba. The report reveals that the Galaxy A41 will flaunt the Infinity-U display and thin bezels. Notably, it will have a rectangular camera. Why Samsung Is Launching Smartphones In The Budget Segment? It is worth mentioning that Samsung has gradually shifted its focus on the affordable segment to give a tough fight to Chinese smartphone brands such as Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo, and Vivo. For the unware, the smartphone is losing its market share in India. For the unaware, all Chinese smartphone players offer good features and specifications in the affordable segment. But, it seems that Samsung is all set to bounce back. In fact, the company has started offering smartphones under the same segment on both online and offline platforms. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Intensifying its focus on technology-driven creativity, innovation and growth, WPP has inaugurated its BAY99 Campus in Mumbai this week. WPP Campuses are spaces that bring together different WPP operating company brands under one roof. By 2023, 85,000 people are estimated to be present across 40 WPP Campus locations worldwide. WPP CEO Mark Read and WPPs global executive committee were present at the inauguration. The WPP global leaders are in Mumbai for a week-long visit to engage with key clients, partners and local WPP teams and to experience Indias vibrant technology and commerce landscape. The Campus will provide a platform for change, supporting the companys more agile offer to clients through integrated teams and expertise within a world-class space. Speaking on the occasion, Mark Read said, Creativity powered by technology is critical to meeting client needs and the demands of a dynamic marketplace. Our investment in our campuses supports WPPs new sense of purpose and enables us to instil a culture of creativity, collaboration and openness, while attracting and retaining the best people. India is very important for WPP, as one of our fastest-growing countries and a top-tier global market. CVL Srinivas, WPPs Country Manager for India, remarked, There is a real internal evolution thats ongoing at WPP in India in the way that our teams work. Our teams are now better integrated and working in close alignment with our clients. We are reinventing ourselves to respond to structural changes in our market and to capture the new opportunities for growth. Beyond that, we are also excited about the work that we are doing in sustainability and social purpose. With the second Campus in Gurugram due to launch at year-end, both Campuses will house innovation hubs, partnering with established technology enterprises and start-ups. These hubs will drive the adoption of new and emerging technologies and co-create innovative solutions for brands. This will be coupled with capability centres with specialised offerings in martech, content, production, commerce, data and analytics. To build a culture of innovation, the hubs will also host learning and development workshops, hackathons and demo days. On the agenda for WPP leaders is also the opportunity to see first-hand the education initiatives led by WPP Foundation and ISDI WPP School of Communication. Playing an active part in WPPs purpose story to drive change, the Foundation works with children from lesser served communities in India. Through livelihood interventions, the Foundation aims to provide opportunities for them to become equal contributors to Indias growth story. WPPs campus strategy is to create state-of-the-art, dynamic workspaces, world-class working environments and social areas for its people. WPP launched the WPP India CSR Foundation in 2015. The vision is to help 20,000+ underserved children and youth in achieving their true potential. Together, the Foundation works in unison with partners towards bringing social change. The Foundation is committed to a common CSR vision of opening doors for every child and youth from underserved communities through holistic child development programmes that focus on education and life skills. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (the "Company" or "Benz"), is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of 26,315,790 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.076 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Share") and one whole common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.12 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months following closing. The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for continued exploration and development of Benz's flagship Eastmain Gold project located in James Bay District, Quebec (the "Project") and working capital. A Finders' Fee will be payable on the gross proceeds of the Private Placement of 8.0% in the form of cash and broker warrants to purchase such number of common shares as is equal to 8.0% of the number of Shares issued under the Private Placement, at an exercise price equal to C$0.12 per common share, for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering. All of the Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issue. The Private Placement is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). After giving effect to the Private Placement, the Company will have an aggregate of 55,632,884 common shares issued and outstanding. The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 570,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants of Benz at an exercise price of $0.076 per share for a period of five years. Such options have been granted pursuant to the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan and are in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Completion of the private placement and any finder's fees payable are subject to regulatory approval. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benz Mining Corp. Miloje Vicentijevic, President and Chief Executive Officer For more information please contact: Benz Mining Corp. Telephone: 604.617.1239 Email: info@benzmining.com Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains regulatory approval. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, that occurrences such as those referred to above are realized and result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, and delays in regulatory approval, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53073 The son of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. has joined a chorus of calls to halt the execution of a man convicted of capital murder in the 2004 killings of three Alabama police officers, echoing his father in a letter to the state's governor that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Death row inmate Nathaniel Woods, 44, is scheduled to die on Thursday by lethal injection at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., despite the contention that he was not the one who shot the officers and that he received inadequate representation during his 2005 trial. "I stand with hundreds of thousands of Americans across Alabama and the nation, pleading with you not to execute Nathaniel Woods," Martin Luther King III wrote in a letter sent on Tuesday to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican. PHOTO: Martin Luther King III speaks onstage during an event at the Town Hall, Feb. 28, 2020 in New York City. (Jason Mendez/Getty Images, FILE) Ivey, who has been Alabama's governor since 2017, has yet to release a statement on Woods' case, the governor's press secretary Gina Maiola told ABC News on Tuesday. In his letter, King noted that Ivey has refused to meet with him or even speak to him on the phone about the case. "In just 2 days, your state, and the state I was born in, is set to kill a man who is very likely innocent," King wrote. MORE: Federal government resuming executions after 2 decades, names first 5 people to be killed King's letter to Ivey comes after nearly 70,000 people signed a petition on the website Change.org to stop the execution of Woods, who would become the first person executed in Alabama this year and the 67th since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1976. "Killing this African American man, whose case appears to have been strongly mishandled by the courts, could produce an irreversible injustice," King wrote in his letter to Ivey. "Are you willing to allow a potentially innocent man to be executed?" PHOTO: Nathaniel Woods sits in a courtroom during a preliminary hearing in Birmingham, Ala., July 30, 2004. (Steve Barnette/Birmingham News via AP) On June 17, 2004, Birmingham police officers Carlos Owen, Harley Chisholm III and Charles Bennett were shot to death while executing a misdemeanor assault warrant for Woods at a suspected crack house in Birmingham. Story continues Woods' alleged accomplice in the killings, Kerry Spencer, confessed to being the sole gunman who killed the officers with a high-powered weapon, but separate juries convicted both men of four capital murder charges, including killing the officers in the course of committing another crime. During both trials, prosecutors presented the jury the theory that Woods and Spencer acted in tandem to lure the officers into theapartment to kill them. MORE: Death row inmates fight for his life shines light on use of jailhouse informants A jury convicted Woods in December 2005, and in a nonunanimous verdict of 10-2 recommended a sentence of death. Spencer was also sentenced to death and is awaiting execution. PHOTO: Gov. Kay Ivey gives the State of the State Address to a joint session of the Alabama Legislature, Feb. 4, 2020, in the old house chamber of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/AP) Woods appealed his conviction, arguing his lawyer gave him inadequate representation by misinforming him that he could not be convicted of capital murder as an accomplice and convincing him to reject a plea deal prosecutors offered him of 20 to 25 years in prison, according to court records. Woods' appeal was denied by the Alabama Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. MORE: 4 of the 5 counties with the most death penalty executions are in Texas: Data In his letter to Ivey, King stated that Woods "has never had a fair trial" and has not gotten the opportunity to present new evidence since his conviction bolstering his claim that Spencer acted alone and that there was never a plan to lure the officers into an ambush. "So before you allow the execution of Nathaniel Woods, I urge you to grant him a reprieve. We must have time to accurately review the new evidence. With all the concerns expressed by the public, this case requires the highest level of scrutiny possible," King wrote. "In closing, my father said, 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,' and so I pray that God grants you the courage to do the right thing: to delay his execution." MLK III pleads with Alabama governor to stop execution of Nathanial Woods, convicted in slayings of 3 cops originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Queen has been pictured wearing large white gloves during an investiture at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Usually, the 93-year-old monarch does not wear gloves at the ceremony at which she is required to hand out honours and fasten the awards on to the recipients clothing. However, on this occasion, the Queen was photographed wearing long white gloves over her outfit. The Queen pictured making Dame Rose Tremain from Norwich a Dame Commander of the British Empire during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 3 March (PA) Buckingham Palace declined to confirm to The Independent whether or not the Queen wore the gloves as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Palace would also not confirm whether it was the first time the monarch has ever worn gloves at a ceremony of this kind and would not comment on her outfit. Marnie Gaffney from Kingston-Upon-Thames is made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in November 2019. (PA) Many Twitter users have commented on the Queens choice to wear gloves during Tuesdays ceremony, with some arguing that the monarch often wears gloves during public events. However, a recent photograph from an investiture in November 2019 shows that the Queen was not in fact wearing gloves at the time. The number of cases of coronavirus in the UK is currently 51, with more than 92,100 people having contracted the illness globally in at least 71 countries. The World Health Organisation has issued standard recommendations to prevent infection spread such as regular hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. A church yard has fallen silent for the first time in 1,000 years after the bell of England's smallest church was stolen. Bremilham Church at Cowage Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire was robbed of its 300-year-old brass bell on the night of February 26 and 27. The church, which measures just 10ft by 11ft, only has room for ten worshippers and holds a Guinness World Record for being the smallest in England. Locals have been left devastated by the theft of a 300 year-old bell from their local church There has been a chapel on the site since 1179 but the current building dates from the 15th Century and is Grade II listed. Wiltshire Police said the bell was around 3ft high, weighed 100kg and was mounted on an oak beam. The farm's Thomas Collins found the church door swinging open in the wind. He said on Facebook: 'We've had our Church Bell Stolen!!! ** It's only 291 years old... (Made in 1729) 'The smallest Church in England current has no bell!!' Speaking later, he said: 'There's only one bell like it. We are all a little bit poorer for losing it. 'It's not a chance thing, you have to know it's there. 'It's nearly 300 years old and it's gone and we're never going to get that bell back. It's that sad, really. We've lost a little bit of heritage.' The building holds the Guinness World Record for being the smallest church in England The church only holds one service a year on Rogationtide, the sixth Sunday of Easter. Thomas said he wished the thieves had gone for tiles or lead as those can at least be replaced - unlike the bell. When Mr Collins posted the story about the loss of the bell on his Facebook page friends rushed to condemn the thieves. Mary Calderbank described the thieves as 'the scum of the earth'. The church only holds one service a year on Rogationtide, the sixth Sunday of Easter Rose Clark agreed, and said: 'They couldn't get any lower, our gran would say bring back the birch.' Vicki Fell posed: 'Such awful people about. Why can't they let things be? It's such a lovely little church, big part of my childhood growing up.' Craig Payne, meanwhile, offered to create new wrought iron brackets for the bell if it was found without them. However, Mr Collins was not optimistic about the bell being returned. 'I'm going to buy a lottery ticket instead,' he joked. The Grade II listed building fits a congregation of ten and for years was onced used as accommodation for farm turkeys. The farm yard chapel is the smallest church still in use in the country. Police enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage. PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai Corporation, manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, announced Perry McGuire has joined the organization as its Vice President and General Counsel. McGuire comes to Rinnai from Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP where he was a partner in corporate group and practiced general corporate law with an emphasis on franchise, M&A and governmental affairs. McGuire had been an external legal partner with Rinnai for over five years. He has successfully counseled businesses at every level of the business cycle, including merger/divestiture, and he helped businesses navigate the governmental landscape as a registered lobbyist. McGuire previously worked for Chick-fil-A Inc. as a corporate attorney and is a former state Senator who was a 2006 candidate for Attorney General of Georgia. "Perry McGuire is an excellent addition to the Rinnai Executive Leadership Team," said Frank Windsor, President of Rinnai America Corporation. "His extensive business and legal experience will help to facilitate the aggressive growth plans we have for Rinnai America Corporation." In his new role, McGuire will leverage his experience to guide the organization through its growth strategy which includes expansion of its domestic manufacturing facility and expanding the product portfolio in new and existing categories. "I am pleased to be joining Rinnai America Corporation during this exciting time of growth for the organization," said McGuire. "I look forward to working with the team to expand our footprint and product offering." Over the past several years Rinnai has made significant investments in the North American market with initiatives including opening its first North American manufacturing facility in Griffin and expanding its corporate headquarters to include a state of the art innovation center of excellence where it will leverage new technologies to introduce innovative products into the market. To learn more about Rinnai visit www.rinnai.us. About Rinnai Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.2 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and the pursuit of comfortable lifestyles. For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us. SOURCE Rinnai America Corporation Related Links rinnai.us US Starts Afghan Withdraw Amid Mixed Messages By Carla Babb March 02, 2020 Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the United States will begin a partial withdrawal down to 8,600 U.S. troops in Afghanistan in the coming days, as the Taliban and the U.S. issued conflicting messages about future violence in the war-torn nation. Speaking at a Pentagon news conference Monday, Esper said that the newly-inked U.S.-Taliban agreement requires the U.S. military to start withdrawing forces within 10 days of its signing on Feb. 29. US Starts Afghan Withdraw Amid Mixed Messages "This is a conditions-based agreement," Esper told reporters. "We're watching the Taliban's actions closely to assess whether they are upholding their commitments." But it appears U.S. officials and the Taliban have a conflicting understanding about the commitments made within the peace plan. Esper said the U.S. expects violence in Afghanistan would diminish to ultimately reach a "cease-fire." "Our expectation is that the reduction in violence would continue. It would taper off 'til we get inter-Afghan negotiations and would ultimately consummate in a cease-fire," Esper said in response to a question from VOA. However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Monday the reduction in violence agreement had now "ended" and Taliban operations would "continue as normal." "As per the U.S.-Taliban agreement, our mujahedeen will not attack foreign forces, but our operations will continue against the Kabul administration forces," Mujahid said. The commander on the ground, U.S. Gen. Austin "Scott" Miller, has the authority to reduce U.S. force numbers to about 8,600 from the current total of nearly 13,000. About 20-30% of non-U.S. international coalition forces will also withdraw at this time, according to a senior defense official. U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S. was "going to be leaving," and "bringing our soldiers back home." "We've been there for almost 20 years. It's a long time, we've done a great job in terms of getting rid of terrorists. Now it's up to other countries to get rid of those terrorists," Trump said. Esper stressed Monday that the U.S. would still be conducting counterterrorism operations against ISIS-K and other terror groups in Afghanistan. The imminent U.S. withdrawal comes amid reports of violence in several areas of the country. U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cautioned reporters at the briefing that an "absolute cessation of violence in Afghanistan" is unlikely. "This is going to be a long, windy, bumpy road. There will be ups and downs, and we'll stop and start; that's going to be the nature of this over the next days, weeks and months," Esper added. Inter-Afghan peace negotiations are expected to start on March 10. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spains rape laws could change to put more emphasis on consent after a high-profile case caused outrage over current legislation. The government has approved the only yes is yes bill, under which victims of sexual assault would no longer have to prove that they were subject to violence or intimidation. Instead, rape would be defined by an absence of consent. The move follows public anger and protests over a gang-rape case during the San Fermin bull-running festival in Pamplona in 2016. Five people were initially found guilty of sexual abuse but not rape, as the victim was not deemed to have objected. Women's March 2020: in photos Show all 19 1 /19 Women's March 2020: in photos Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos REUTERS Women's March 2020: in photos REUTERS Women's March 2020: in photos Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos AP Women's March 2020: in photos Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos REUTERS Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos REUTERS Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos AFP via Getty Images Women's March 2020: in photos REUTERS Women's March 2020: in photos AP The Sexual Liberties Law will drive home that an explicit expression of consent is needed for sexual acts to be considered legal, according to Irene Montero, the equality minister. According to Amnesty International, only nine of 31 European countries have laws that define rape based on the absence of consent, instead defining it by other measures such as whether violence or the threat of violence was used as is still the case in Spain. Recommended Victim blaming keeps women like Duffy from speaking out If passed, the bill will also provide 24-hour centres for victims staffed by specially trained personnel. Aggravating factors such as physical violence or the use of drugs or alcohol to incapacitate the victim would carry heavier sentences for perpetrators. Such cases would be heard by special judges in courts dedicated to sexual crimes, as is already done with crimes relating to gender violence. The bill has been approved by the Spanish government, but still needs to be debated and approved by parliament. It would take several months for it to become a law. Additional reporting by agencies [March 02, 2020] Global Blockchain Technology in Healthcare Market was Estimated to be US$ 633.99 Mn in 2018 and is Expected to Reach US$ 2,464.50 Mn by 2027 Growing at a CAGR of 16.34% Over the Forecast Period: Absolute Markets Insights In terms of revenue, global blockchain technology in healthcare market was evaluated at US$ 633.99 Mn in 2018 and is expected to reach US$ 2,464.50 Mn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 16.34% PUNE, India, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global blockchain technology in healthcare market is expected to gain significant traction owing to the ability of blockchain technology to eradicate the incidences of healthcare data breaches. The healthcare industry is prone to numerous causes of data breaches including, unauthorized access/disclosure, hacking/IT incident, and improper disposal amongst others. According to a report published by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on healthcare data breach, there was a 44.44% (month-over-month) increase in the healthcare data breaches in October 2019. Nearly 661,830 healthcare records were reported as impermissibly disclosed, exposed, or stolen in those breaches. For instance, in May 2019, the American Medical Collection Agency was hacked for nearly eight months, which resulted in compromised patient data. Similarly, an American clinical laboratory, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated reported the breach of personal and financial data, impacting up to 12 million patients so far. Furthermore, the healthcare sector has witnessed nearly 15 million patient records that have been compromised in 503 breaches in 2018, which is expected to push pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and payers to leverage blockchain technology for a secured flow of information. Request a [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/request_sample.php?id=459 Emerging blockchain technology offers a solution to data security in healthcare industry. The blockchain technology features decentralized storage, smart contracts, and cryptography that provides a secured framework for healthcare organizations, improving data protection while maintaining preventing unauthorized access along with data accuracy. In addition, blockchain technology allows patients to review their information before officially recording it into the database, which has generated opportunities for healthcare providers and patients to evaluate information and preserve the accuracy of data. Market participants in the blockchain technology in healthcare market are enabling end-users to move patient health information to a decentralized storage solution by breaking the records into fragments, which has enabled healthcare organizations to protect patient information. Furthermore, the ability of blockchain technology to improve the interoperability of data between different providers along with improving the overall security of data is among the key factors anticipating in the increased adoption of blockchain technology. Thus, such factors are projected to propel the blockchain technology in healthcare market during the forecast period. Enquiry Before [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=459 The detailed research study provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of global blockchain technology in healthcare 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 the major market players and their regional and global presence and strategies. The geographical analysis done emphasizes on each of the major countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Key Findings of the Report: In terms of revenue, global blockchain technology in healthcare market was evaluated at US$ 633.99 Mn in 2018 and is expected to reach US$ 2,464.50 Mn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 16.34%. in 2018 and is expected to reach by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 16.34%. On the basis of application, supply chain management segment accounted for the largest market share in 2018. This can be attributed to rising incidences of supply chain data breaches along with the regulations mandated by government agencies for a secured and seamless flow of drug & medical device transportation and verifying the authenticity of the returned drugs. However, the clinical data exchange and interoperability segment by application is expected to account for highest CAGR during the forecast period. On the basis of end user, the pharmaceutical company segment accounted for the largest market share in 2018. However, the healthcare providers segment is expected to grow with highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on region, North America accounted for the largest market share in 2018. However, Europe is projected to be the fastest growing region by 2027, owing to the early adoption of centralized approach that allows drug manufacturers to upload serial numbers of the drugs that can be uploaded to a centralized EU regulator's database to verify drug authenticity. accounted for the largest market share in 2018. However, is projected to be the fastest growing region by 2027, owing to the early adoption of centralized approach that allows drug manufacturers to upload serial numbers of the drugs that can be uploaded to a centralized EU regulator's database to verify drug authenticity. Some of the players operating in the global blockchain technology in healthcare market are Hashed Health, IBM Corp., Microsoft, NTT DATA, Inc., Tata Consultancy Services Limited, The Linux Foundation (Hyperledger), and Nebula Genomics amongst others. Request for [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/request_for_customization.php?id=459 Global Blockchain Technology in Healthcare Market: By Application Supply Chain Management Clinical Data Exchange and Interoperability Claims Adjudication and Billing Management Others (Research & Development, Healthcare Regime Obedience Tracking, etc.) By End User Pharmaceutical Company Healthcare Providers Healthcare Payers Others (Medical Technology Companies, Service Providers, etc.) By Geography North America United States Canada Mexico 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 Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa and Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt Kuwait South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa Get Full Information of this premium [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/reports/Blockchain-Technology-in-Healthcare-Market-2019-2027-459 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 ] OPEC on Tuesday said media seeking to cover this week's two-day meeting of oil-producing countries would not be allowed to enter the secretariat where the gathering will take place over coronavirus fears. "This precautionary measure has become necessary due to the public health risk that would come from convening such a vast number of people in one place," the Vienna-based organisation said in a statement. The OPEC club of oil-producing countries meets on Thursday and Friday in Vienna as they weigh how to react to a sharp drop in global oil demand due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No new cases of coronavirus have been documented in Russia in the past 24 hours, according to the press service of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare. A Russian citizen returning from Italy was diagnosed with coronavirus yesterday. Another three Russian nationals are receiving treatment in Russia after they contracted the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Two Chinese nationals were earlier taken to hospital in Russia with the virus, but have since recovered, Reuters reported. According to South China Morning Post, over 90,000 people have been infected with the virus in the world as of March 2. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 09:20 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067df685 1 City panic-buying,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,supermarket,outbreak,outbreak-in-Indonesia Free Panic buying hit supermarkets and drugstores across Jakarta on March 2 following President Joko Jokowi Widodo's announcement on the country's first two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Many Jakartans shared their experience at crowded supermarkets where customers were buying goods and supplies in bulk for stockpiling, amid concerns over the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in the capital city. Sandra, a 60-year-old woman from West Jakarta, said she was surprised to find long lines at the local supermarket where she shopped regularly. "I went there to buy my usual monthly groceries, like rice and other foods. But I was very surprised to find ten counters at the supermarket with unusually long queues," she told The Jakarta Post on Monday. Sandra said she saw people emptying the shelves as they bought cartons of instant noodles and bags of frozen foods. The store's stock of items like sugar, hand sanitizers and antiseptic cleaners were depleted immediately, she noted. "My in-laws also saw a similar scene at a supermarket near their house. Seeing a sight like that made me panicky, too. I ended up buying more than usual," she said. Sandra added that the customers in the store looked anxious and many in the queues were wearing face masks. Read also: House calls for stronger measures following confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia Etty, a 58-year-old woman from South Jakarta, had a similar experience when she visited a nearby supermarket in Radio Dalam on Monday afternoon. She was there to buy disposable diapers for a grandchild, but was unable to find a parking spot. "The car behind me was not allowed to enter the parking lot because it was full. I saw people coming out of the supermarket pushing three trolleys [each] and long queues at the cash registers. So I just decided to go home," Etty told the Post. Aside from supermarkets, Jakartans also descended on drugstores to buy hand sanitizers, multivitamins and face masks. Dea, a 25-year-old office worker, said she discovered that many items had already sold out at a drugstore in a Central Jakarta mall. "After hearing the President's announcement [on the COVID-19 cases], five of my coworkers and I went to a drugstore near our office after work. However, we could only buy multivitamins and wet wipes. The other items like rubbing alcohol and face masks were sold out," she said on Monday. Afterwards, Dea went to a mall supermarket to buy groceries, but it was extremely crowded. "I literally took the last trolley at the supermarket. I could see people buying things in large quantities, like several sacks of rice, several boxes of instant noodles. It surprised me, because the supermarket I went to is a high-end supermarket. Such scenes are uncommon [there]," she said. Videos and pictures of shoppers emptying supermarket shelves have been making the rounds on social media. Indonesians flocked to supermarkets to hoard food after first coronavirus cases were announced today. pic.twitter.com/uPt1lkMtt0 Ahmad Pathoni (@apathoni) March 2, 2020 A picture of a middle-aged man standing next to a trolley full of dozens of boxes of instant noodles at a supermarket in South Tangerang, Banten, went viral on Twitter on Monday. However, a member of the man's family clarified later that the man was buying stock for his shop and was not panic buying. Officials pledge financial help and issue warning to Turkey, as Ankara says bloc ignored calls to share refugee burden. EU officials have pledged millions of euros of financial assistance to Greece to help tackle a migration surge from neighbouring Turkey, warning against those wishing to test Europes unity. Flying by helicopter over the Greece-Turkey border, where thousands of desperate asylum seekers have tried to break through for days, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday the bloc would provide Greece all the support needed. Those who seek to test Europes unity will be disappointed. We will hold the line and our unity will prevail, von der Leyen said, standing alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the chiefs of the European Council and European Parliament. Von der Leyen said the bloc would provide 700 million euros ($777m), half of it immediately, to help manage the refugee situation. In addition, the EU border agency Frontex will deploy a rapid intervention team including an additional 100 guards backed by coastal patrol vessels, helicopters and vehicles, she said. Our first priority is making sure that order is maintained at the Greek external border, which is also the European border, von der Leyen told journalists. Wake-up call for Europe Earlier, Mitsotakis announced that Greek border forces had averted over 24,000 attempts at illegal entry by land and sea, making dozens of arrests. Europe has not been up to the task of dealing with the migration crisis, he said. I hope this crisis will serve as a wake-up call for everyone to assume their responsibilities. Amid claims on the Turkish side that Greek security forces are shooting near refugees and migrants, European Council President Charles Michel said it was crucial to act in a proportionate manner and to show respect for human dignity and international law. At the Greek border crossing of Kastanies, reporters with the AFP news agency saw soldiers boarding refugees and migrants onto military vehicles. Other unmarked vans were also picking up people wandering on the streets. Thousands have arrived at the frontier since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last week that Turkey would no longer stop them trying to enter Europe. European leaders have insisted Ankara abide by a 2016 deal to stop departures in exchange for six billion euros in assistance. "Our first priority is making sure that order is maintained at Greeces external border, which is also Europes border." President @vonderleyen pic.twitter.com/qU8tcZ9v0h European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 3, 2020 Von der Leyen said she had compassion for the migrants that have been lured through false promises into this desperate situation. Turkey is the worlds largest host of refugees about four million, and faces another influx from Syria where the government, backed by Russian air power, is pressing a violent offensive to retake the last rebel-held province of Idlib. Erdogan had previously warned that he would open the gates, accusing the EU of not fulfilling its promises. We have been calling for a more equitable burden and responsibility-sharing for a long time, Hami Aksoy, the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman, told Al Jazeera. All our efforts contributed significantly to the security of Europe. However, our calls were ignored by the EU and member states. Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka assembly Siddaramaiah on Tuesday sought Governor Vajubhai Vala's intervention to allow them to discuss in the House BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's alleged derogatory comments against centenarian freedom fighter H S Doreswamy. The former Chief Minister also said he will be meeting the Governor along with party leaders on Wednesday morning on the matter. The governor should intervene immediately and provide an opportunity to the opposition to discuss in the House Yatnal's "derogatory" statement against Doreswamy, Siddaramaiah tweeted. He said the governor has powers under article 175 of the constitution to direct the assembly to discuss on important issues, and that he along with party colleagues will meet Vala tomorrow morning, requesting him to invoke it. Siddaramaiah's move to meet the governor comes in the wake of Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri on Tuesday rejecting his notice seeking discussion on the issue and Yatnal's expulsion for allegedly violating a provision of the Constitution through his remarks. Terming Speaker Kageri's ruling as "partisan", "undemocratic" and "dictatorial", Siddaramaiah said the Congress would continue to protest in the house. The Congress leader said Yatnal's comments violated Article 51A of the Constitution, related to fundamental duties, and more specifically duty-(b)- "to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom." Yatnal's recent comments against Doreswamy, calling him a "fake freedom fighter" and "Pakistani agent", disrupted Karnataka assembly proceedings for the second day on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a veiled attack on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his comments that 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and nationalism are being misused to construct a militant and emotional idea of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that few political parties are putting their interest above the country. Prime Minister made this remark during the Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, which was attended by all the ministers and parliamentarians of the BJP. The meeting lasted for about 45 minutes and the Prime Minister spoke for 15 minutes. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "A meeting was held under the leadership of Modiji. The Prime Minister said that we are here for the benefit of the country. Modiji said that country's interest is supreme and development is our mantra," adding that for development there should be "peace, unity and goodwill". "The Prime Minister also said that the matter of country's interest and party's interest also came in during freedom struggle but country's interest was on priority at that time. But some parties are now putting party's interest above country's interest," Joshi said. According to Joshi, Modi said in the meeting that even during the freedom struggle some people desisted from raising slogans like 'Vande Mataram'. Joshi also said that some elements which are opposed to the growing stature of India have become stronger recently. The remarks of the Prime Minister came almost 10 days after Manmohan Singh during a book release function in the national capital hailed the role of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in shaping India as a modern nation state and said that "nationalism" and the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' are being misused to construct a militant and purely emotional idea of India. UNs Syria commission, set up in 2011 after the civil war began, has repeatedly accused various sides of war crimes. The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected a claim by UN investigators that Russian air attacks in Syria amounted to a war crime by indiscriminately targeting civilian areas. The UN Commission of Inquiry on the rights situation in Syria said in its latest report on Monday it had evidence that Russian planes participated in two air attacks in Idlib and in rural Damascus last July and August that killed more than 60 people. The UN report, which covers the period from July 2019 to January 10 this year, said there was evidence to prove Russian planes took part in both attacks, and that since they were not directed at military objectives, they amounted to a war crime. We do not agree with such accusations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, raising questions about the objectivity of the report. 200203083400861 It is obvious that no commission could have received reliable information on what is happening on the ground, Peskov said. He added, Nothing is said about the attacks by terrorist groups, which makes any judgement issued by this commission one-sided. The UNs Syria commission, set up in 2011 shortly after the civil war began, has repeatedly accused various sides of war crimes and in some cases, crimes against humanity. The escalation has sparked a humanitarian crisis and a political standoff between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan [AFP] The allegations against Moscow came against the backdrop of a sharp rise in tensions between Turkey and the Russian-backed Syrian military, which is fighting to recapture the last bastion of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad in northern Syria. The escalation has sparked a humanitarian crisis and a political standoff between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is travelling to Russia on Thursday to discuss the conflict. More than 380,000 people have been killed in the fighting in Syria since a series of street protests against al-Assads rule in 2011 disintegrated into a proxy conflict drawing in countries throughout the Middle East. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 24 times, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on March 3. 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 regions. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday told the Legislative Council "Nigerian nationals" and courier services were responsible for the rise in drug use in the state. He was replying to a calling attention raised by Congress MLC Anant Gadgil. "Nigerian nationals are largely involved in the drug trade and sale. Courier services are also used for supply and transport of drugs from one city to another," he said, adding "we have our informants and intelligence network which is keeping an eye on such movement and sale of drugs." "There is a Nigerian vasti (settlement) in Thane and other parts of the Mumbai metropolitan region where they reside and operate. We have found that many of them are staying here without valid documents like passports etc," he added. Responding to a query by Shiv Sena MLC Ambadas Danve, Deshmukh said the state had reports that the use of synthetic drugs was on the rise and raids have unearthed thousands of kilograms of these contraband. He said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would also be roped in for such raids. "In 2019, 14,029 cases were registered in Maharashtra for possession, sale and consumption of drugs. The police arrested 14,805 people and seized 16,522 kgs of drugs. The market price of the seized material is Rs 281.96 crore," the minister told the House. He said Mumbai alone accounted for 436 cases in the calendar year 2019, leading to seizure of 610 kgs of drugs worth Rs 62.83 crore, and arrest of several people including eight foreign nationals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The third and fourth cases of coronavirus in Illinois were reported Monday a husband and wife in their 70s both tested positive for coronavirus, but the results still needed to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another suspected case was reported Tuesday. That patient was being treated at the University of Chicago Medical Center. The hospital said late Tuesday that the patient had tested negative for coronavirus. The market oversell is already well past the point of rationality, and thats when the vultures start swarming, feeding the panic and making the selloff even worse while they rake in millions on shorts. Enter Dr. Doom, who is calling another market crash. But this time, its not just coronavirus panic calling the shots, he says, its politics--because Trump is dead and the Democrats are lame. Also known as economist Nouriel Roubini, Dr. Doom told Germanys Der Spiegel that he expects global equities to tank by 30% to 40% this year, and he advises all to put their money into cash and safe government bonds. And while Dr. Doom is telling everyone to hedge against a crash, if everyone decides theyre better safe than sorry, in an interminable cliche, the market will certainly come crashing down around us. The flurry of panic even succeeded in temporarily shutting down Robinhood, the no-fee trading app adored by younger generations who appreciate the leveling of this playing field. Thats some heavy trading volume, indeed. So please keep feeding the panic. The problem with panic is that its much more dangerous than the coronavirus itself. Those who wouldnt panic get caught up in the wave, worried that the fear-sellers will force the entire market down and take everyone with them. The panic certainly wont help Trump. His re-election sort of depends on not having a market crash, which Trump is blaming on the coronavirus and the Democrats, whom he accuses of hyping this up in the media. Whats burdening him is probably the story told in a collection of charts published by Forbes comparing the markets under Obama and Trump. The first one shows the Dow up 28% under Trump, while over the same timeframe it was up 62% under Obama. Heres the thing about the market, and panic. There are usually enough level heads around to see the opportunity and buy on the dip. Related: Wall Street Unfazed By Recession Fears Thats what happened this morning, pushing the Dow to jump as much as 1200 points. It still has a ways to go because last week was the worst week the market has seen since 2008. The market has been conditioned to buy on any weakness, Keith Buchanan, portfolio manager at GLOBALT, told CNBC. I think well look back at these past few years at some point as some level of complacency. Aside from the level heads that manage to stay above water and view the opportunity to buy on the cheap, the market will also start responding to hints of central bank stimulus. What the markets want to hear is that someone is going to step in with some creative fiscal policies to prop things up before it hits a point of no return. Already, stocks in London are on the rebound because investors are hedging their bets that there will be some stimulus. Markets are also being buoyed to some extent by Credit Suisses statement that the economic response to the coronavirus crisis must be government-led. So, panic if you want to, but its not helping anyone. The oversell is oversold, and this is clearly a buy-the-dip opportunity. By Josh Owens for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Vice President Mike Pence will be on the campaign trail Thursday, making a Midwest swing through Minnesota and Wisconsin to boost President Trump's 2020 re-election bid. The trips comes as fears of a coronavirus continue to grow with panic buying taking place across the United States and the death toll rising to six. And newly confirmed cases in New York, Georgia and New Hampshire pushed the tally to more than 100 cases across 15 states. President Trump appointed Pence as the administration's point man on the response to the virus. The vice president's Midwest swing will include a stop the 3M Company in Minnesota, which manufactures health care products, among other items. He Twill meet with company CEO and Chairman Mike Roman to discuss supply chain issues surrounding the coronavirus, according to Pence's office. Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence will be on the campaign trail Thursday with stops in Minnesota and Wisconsin The trip comes amid growing fears about the coronavirus, Pence is in charge of the nation's response to the disease Pence on Monday promised daily briefings to keep the public informed about the pandemic. 'Get used to seeing us,' he told reporters in the White House briefing room. He was joined by several members of the Coronavirus task force at that briefing and those officials may conduct updates without the vice president. Karen Pence will accompany her husband for Thursday's trip, which will include a Women for Trump event at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Onalaska, Wis., and then a campaign event in St. Paul at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront. Their visit comes two days after Minnesota holds its presidential primary and ahead of Wisconsin's April 7 primary. Trump won Wisconsin and narrowly lost Minnesota in 2016 but is looking to carry both in November. The president on Monday - who has held two campaign rallies in the past week - defended holding a gathering of thousands amid concerns about the spreading of the disease, saying it was 'safe.' Coronavirus is spread via people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Trump pointed out the Democratic presidential candidates are also campaigning. 'They're all having rallies. That's what they're doing. They're campaigning,' he said. 'I think it's very safe,' he said. Pence confirmed to reporters Monday there will be additional travel restrictions on foreign travel but noted there were no restrictions on domestic travel in the United States. He then declined to answer a question on whether he'd take his family to Disney World for spring break. 'Lets be clear: The risk to the American people from the coronavirus remains low,' he said. Americans have been pictured lining up with shopping carts overflowing with bundles of toilet paper, crates of bottled water and dozens of cans of tinned food. In some scenes, dozens of shoppers have been spotted queuing outside supermarkets long before they open so they can be first through the doors. Inside, photos have emerged showing supermarket shelves emptied of cleaning products and hand sanitizing gel. In New York - where there have been two confirmed cases - people flocked to buying hand sanitizer and masks from street sellers on the busy streets of Manhattan. Videos have emerged on social media over the past few days of shoppers rushing to stock up on toilet paper, bottled water, disinfectant wipes and sanitizer from California to New York. Scroll down for video. A shopper in Commack, New York, overstocking on extra food, supplies and water, for coronavirus threat on Monday. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday warned it could begin testing up to a million people by the end of the week. Patrons with shopping carts loaded with tissue and water wait in checkout queues at a very busy Costco in Miami, Florida A customer leaves a BJs store in New Jersey after stocking up on cleaning products and toilet paper A woman stocks up on toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning products at a BJs in New Jersey on Monday It come as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned it could begin testing up to a million people by the end of the week as the global total of confirmed cases soared to more than 90,000, including 3,117 deaths. As shoppers backed up supermarkets across the nation, the Surgeon General Jerome Adams urged the public not to go overboard in its reaction to the contagion. 'Caution, preparedness, but not panic,' Adams said during a visit to Connecticut on Monday. 'That's how we're going to successfully navigate this coronavirus situation.' Adams and state Public Health Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell urged the public to take precautions such as washing hands, elbow 'bumping' instead of hand shaking and getting flu shots. They said flu shots would decrease the number of people hospitalized because of flu and free up space, if needed, to treat patients sickened by the coronavirus. Health officials had previously warned that cases were bound to increase across the US as more tests were run, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was widely panned for lagging in distributing the tests, many of which turned out to be faulty. In an effort to expand testing, a number of private companies, states and research institutions have been given authorization to make their own tests. FDA Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn said that by the end of this week, he expected that enough tests will be distributed to screen one million people in the US. COLLINSVILLE The most spectacular sunrise occurs at the equinoxes when the sun rises due east, and the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site offers a perfect opportunity to commune during this months equinox. A Spring Equinox Sunrise Observance will be held at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Woodhenge Reconstruction at Cahokia Mounds. Only six people are quarantined in Mumbai and Pune for possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection at present, the health department of the Maharashtra government said on Tuesday. While no case of coronavirus infection has come to light in Maharashtra, NCP MP Supriya Sule has said 34 people from the state are stranded in Iran amid the virus scare there. In a release, the state health department said 65,621 passengers have been screened for possible COVID-19 exposure upon arrival at the Mumbai international airport since January 18. It kept track of 401 travelers who arrived from COVID-19 hit countries but did not have symptoms of the virus infection, and to date 318 of them have completed their 14 days follow-up period, it said. Further, 152 people were admitted to isolation wards of hospitals for symptoms such as fever, cold and cough. "Swab samples of 149 of these passengers tested negative to COVID-19 infection," it said, adding that the the reports of three people were awaited. Presently only six people are quarantined, four in Mumbai and two in Pune, the statement said. Passengers arriving from 12 countries/regions -- China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Italy, Iran and Malaysia -- are being screened at the Mumbai airport. All travelers from the Wuhan city of China -- where the coronavirus outbreak started -- are being isolated and tested whether they show any symptoms or not. Travellers from other affected regions are being asked to observe home isolation for two weeks from date of departure from the affected country even though they do not have any symptoms of the infection. Apart from Mumbai, Pune and Thane, such travelers are being monitored in Gadchiroli, Nanded, Buldhana, Nagpur, Wardha, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Amaravati, Palghar, Jalgaon, Chandrapur, Nashik, Solapur and Satara districts. NCP MP Supriya Sule said on Monday that 34 people from Kolhapur district were stranded in Iran, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar should ensure their safe return. She also shared their names and passport details on Twitter. On Tuesday the NCP leader thanked Jaishankar "for all the help and prompt replies always @MEAIndia". India on Monday reported two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one from Delhi, the Union Health Ministry said as the government stepped up efforts to detect and prevent the spread of the infection which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court of the United States in Washington on Dec. 4, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Failed Asylum Claimant With Serious Rap Sheet Should Be Deported, Supreme Court Hears WASHINGTONA Lebanese immigrant who committed felonies after receiving his green card shouldnt be deported because he will face religious persecution and torture if removed to his native land, the mans lawyer told the Supreme Court. The Trump administration opposes the mans bid to stay in the United States. On the 2016 campaign trail, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed to get tough on those who violate U.S. immigration laws and on noncitizens who commit serious crimes in the United States. Our enforcement priorities will include removing criminals, gang members, security threats, visa overstays, public charges, Trump said at the time. Oral arguments in the case, known as Nasrallah v. Barr, were heard March 2 by the nations highest court. A ruling against the government could make it more difficult to deport criminal aliens in the future. The justices may have to weigh potentially conflicting legal provisions as they decide whether administrative determinations about claims made under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) count as final deportation orders. Federal legislation implementing the convention prevents criminal aliens from being sent to countries where they are likely to be tortured. Petitioner Nidal Khalid Nasrallahs American story begins in 2007 when he became a lawful U.S. permanent resident. He purchased cigarettes he believed were stolen that had a total wholesale value of $587,096, in eight transactions from undercover federal agents. Facing eight felony counts of receiving stolen property, he pleaded guilty to two of them in 2013 and was sentenced to one year of prison time. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that an alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years of the aliens admission, for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed, is removable from the United States. The INA also strips courts of jurisdiction to review final deportation orders for criminal aliens found guilty of crimes deemed aggravated felonies under the law. The government determined Nasrallahs convictions qualified as aggravated felonies under the INA and an immigration judge found he was subject to deportation because he had committed crimes involving moral turpitude. The judge said cigarette trafficking was a heinous crime that posed a danger to society. The judge added that this kind of crime was also connected to terrorist activity and organized crime, even though there is no evidence linking this individual to such activities. Nasrallah argues that the likelihood of his facing religious persecution outweighs his criminal history. Because he is a member of the Druze religious minority, he claims he may be persecuted in Lebanon by Muslim terrorist groups such as Hezbollah if returned there. The United States has made a firm commitment that our deportation system is not going to be used to send an individual to a place where they are more likely than not to be subject to torture or death, Nasrallahs attorney, Paul Hughes, told the Supreme Court. On the way to the high court, an immigration judge ruled Nasrallahs felony convictions made him ineligible for asylum and withholding of removal but granted him a reprieve from removal only with respect to Lebanon, stating he could still be removed at any time to another country where he is not likely to be tortured. The Board of Immigration Appeals reversed the reprieve, finding his single encounter with Hezbollah did not constitute past torture and that generalized civil strife in Lebanon did not show he would be personally targeted for harm. Then, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the INA deprived it of jurisdiction to review any final order of removal against an alien who is removable by reason of having committed certain crimes. During oral arguments, Justice Neil Gorsuch characterized Trump administration lawyer Matthew Guarnieris argument that a claim under the torture convention could be distinguished from a final deportation order as pretty metaphysical. Its like the Holy Trinity, the justice quipped to laughter from the courtroom audience. Guarnieri said, The order of removal remains valid even if the alien is granted CAT protection. We think it is part of the final order of removal. It is an integral and constituent part of the final order of removal. Guarnieri argued the law was clear. He told Justice Stephen Breyer that the government does not think the statutory text is ambiguous. We think Congress unambiguously foreclosed judicial review of final orders of removal with respect to criminal aliens. SPRINGFILED, Ore. -- As coronavirus has entered our state, local health officials are revamping their approach to the virus, preparing for it just like they would for a natural disaster. Infectious disease specialist Harry Scholtz at McKenzie Willamette Medical Center said that while they're cautious, there is no reason to panic yet. FACT OR FICTION: CORONAVIRUS RUMORS SWIRL ONLINE We have been trying to maintain a really high level of suspicion," said Scholtz. "So we want people to tell us immediately if theyre having symptoms like fever which is usually a temperature higher than 101 degrees, cough, or shortness of breath since these are the most common symptoms." Health officials also said we're fortunate to have testing available in our state to confirm coronavirus. But even so, all the cases Oregon has confirmed will be labeled presumed positive until they can be tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. MAP: TRACK THE CORONAVIRUS IN REAL TIME There are three classifications of novel coronavirus: confirmed, presumptive, and suspected, but they also said its a virus like thousands of others and can be mild or even asymptomatic to the point that you don't even know you have it and it just goes away on its own. We may have had a mild or asymptomatic case pass through Lane County or come back from somewhere and is now here and theyre cured of their condition but they had it for a time, said senior public health officer Dr. Patrick Luedtke. He said this is a virus like thousands of others and while as many as 70 percent of people could be at risk of contracting the virus, he expects at most that a few hundred people would need to be hospitalized for COVID-19 in Lane County. So far no one in Lane County has been tested for coronavirus and both McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and PeaceHealth have said they don't believe they have any suspicious cases at their hospitals. By Kim Yoo-chul LS Cable & Systems, a leading South Korean cable manufacturer, has signed a contract with a Saudi Arabian company to produce submarine cable connecting a 25 kilometer stretch of Bahrain's tourist islands. In a statement, LS C&S said the monetary value of the deal is $85 million. As it is a "turnkey" deal, LS C&S will handle all necessary procedures from manufacturing through to maintenance of the cabling. The submarine cables will connect the main Bahrain Island and the Hawar Islands to the Southeast of the main island. Al Gihaz, a Saudi Arabian EPC company, has chosen the South Korean company as the project manager. "LS C&S will take charge of the submarine portion of the connection on a turn-key basis from product supply to electric works and installation works, and the project is scheduled to be completed in September 2021," the statement said. This project is part of an environment-friendly project pushed forward by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). LS C&S has beaten major European and Japanese companies during the bidding process. "The company's experience of long-distance projects, such as Jeju-Jindo Island power grid 105 kilometers; Qatar 100 kilometers; and the United States with 35 kilometers; greatly helped the company win the contract. As the power grid is also closely related to national security and social unrest can easily arise in the event of blackouts, economic thinking alone will not determine suppliers," LS C&S CEO Myung Roe-hyun said. In line with the governments' shift toward energy-efficient cable-oriented business projects, LS C&S plans to complete its second cable manufacturing plant by the end of this month in Donghae, Gangwon Province, in accordance with the company's $42 million investment plan in the eastern regional city. New Delhi, March 3 : Automotive components and technology company WABCO India on Tuesday said that four of its plants will be operational for four days a week in March owing to weak demand for the products. The revised schedule will be applicable at its plants in Ambattur (Tamil Nadu), Panthnagar (Uttarakhand), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), the company said in a regulatory filing. Fridays would be considered as leave for the employees, it said. "In view of the weak demand and based on customer schedules," the company said that the four plants "will work for four days a week during March 2020 with Fridays being considered as leave". Headquarted in Chennai, WABCO India is a supplier of technologies and services that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles in India. The company is a manufacturer and local market leader in advanced braking systems, conventional braking products and related air assisted technologies and systems. As of financial year 2018-19, WABCO India Ltd had over 4,400 employees and had reported Rs 2,854 crores in sales. The slowdown in the automotive sector due to several factors ranging from liquidity crisis to the transmission from BS-IV to BS-VI norms have impacted both vehicle and component manufacturers in a major way in the past one year. In February, all the major automobile companies in India reported a decline. Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 42 per cent fall in its total vehicle sales in February at 32,476 units, while Tata Motors reported a 34 per cent year-on-year fall. Maruti Suzuki India reported a 1.1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) fall in its total sales last month at 1,47,110 units Vietnamese airlines are having a hard time mitigating the impact of the coronavirus outbreak which is threatening to erase the nascent air-travel boom in the country. Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways planes are parked at a local airport Upon his return to Sydney, the nephew of the writer of this article sent a message saying Everything as usual on the crowded Jetstar flight from HCMC to Sydney. The direct flight was on time, and few passengers but no flight attendants donned face masks. This Australian low-cost carrier, which operates flights between Australian and Vietnamese cities, is operational as scheduled. But for Vietnamese carriers, it is a different story. Local airlines are expected to sustain VND25 trillion in lost revenue this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, instead of the VND10 trillion announced half a month ago, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV). Air carriers are scrambling to minimize the damage caused by the virus, which is linked to a disease called Covid-19, but things have turned out to be tough as the coronavirus is spreading beyond China, where the virus was first detected. Vietnam Airlines said that it was planning to lease out a number of grounded aircraft but the plan has ground to a halt since the virus has hit multiple European countries, sending the aviation industry there into a tailspin. The national flag carrier has lowered ticket prices in the hope of taking back customers, of whom many are afraid of traveling by air due to fears of being infected with the coronavirus at airports or on aircraft. The carriers promotion for services between Hanoi and HCM City lasts until the end of March. If you fly before 6 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m., a one-way ticket may cost you a mere VND589,000, including taxes and fees. For other departure times, the price is VND615,000 or above. To stimulate travel demand, Bamboo Airlines, a unit of FLC Group, offers package deals for couples and families that want to fly from Hanoi or HCMC to other cities such as Quy Nhon. The price starts from VND5.9 million for the return ticket plus two nights at a FLC hotel or resort. Vietjet has launched a promotional program for its new direct services to New Delhi and Mumbai and its existing direct flights to India with a one-way ticket starting from US$30. Flying with Jetstar Pacific, another low-cost carrier, others fees for services like baggage check or seat selection should be added to airfares. SGT Vietnams aviation sector loses $435 million amid Covid-19 epidemic The initial loss caused by the suspension of flights to and from China for Vietnams airlines could be up to VND10 trillion. Twitter challenges $60,000 fine for refusal to transfer servers to Russia pixabay.com 16:21 03/03/2020 MOSCOW, March 3 (RAPSI) Moscows Tagansky District Court will consider an appeal filed by Twitter Inc. against a fine imposed on the company for refusal to place its servers in Russia on March 16, RAPSI has learnt from the courts press service. In mid-February, a magistrate court fined Twitter and Facebook 4 million rubles ($60,000) each for breaching of user data storage requirements. In late January, Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor instituted administrative proceedings against Facebook and Twitter. The proceedings were commenced as the companies failed to provide in time information on fulfilment of requirements on the localization of databases of Russian social media users on servers located in Russia, as stipulated by the Law On Personal Data. Unilever, the company behind brands such as Dove, Fair and Lovely, Lifebouy, Knorr, Lux, Lipton and Cornetto, has achieved a significant milestone. The UK-based company now boasts gender balance across its global management ranks a year before its target. Half of the global management roles are now occupied by women. The company said in a statement on Tuesday that women account for half of the company's 14,000 managers, which is up from the 38 per cent in 2010. In the finance department too where women have been historically underrepresented, the company has employed 50 per cent women managers. Fifty per cent of Unilver's board is constituted of women. "Women constitute the majority of our consumers and we owe a lot of our success to them," said Leena Nair, Unilever's head of human resources, as mentioned in a report in Bloomberg. Chief Executive Officer Alan Jope is also aiming to continue the causes initiated by his predecessor Paul Polman. The company aims to include a social purpose behind more of the firm's brands. The Anglo-Dutch FMCG company also pledged to reduce plastic waste by 2025 and said that it will eliminate more than 1,00,000 tonnes of plastic packaging. We can only eliminate plastic waste by acting fast and taking radical action at all points in the plastic cycle. Our starting point has to be design, reducing the amount of plastic we use, and then making sure that what we do use increasingly comes from recycled sources. We are also committed to ensuring all our plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable," Unilever CEO Alan Jope had said. Also read: Unilever pledges to halve use of 'virgin' plastic by 2025 Also read: HUL shares hit 52-week high on robust Q3 earnings Vernon Kay has attacked Jack Black for being arrogant when he interviewed him (AP/PA) Vernon Kay has branded Jack Black a rude, arrogant, pig-faced c**k as he recalled interviewing him at the start of his career. The British TV presenter was in his mid-twenties when he got his big break on Channel 4 childrens magazine show T4, for which he interviewed the 50-year-old musican and actor to promote his films including Shallow Hal and School Of Rock. Kay, 45, told The Sun: I dont know whether hed had a hangover or whether it was because I was either the first or last interview of the day but he was horrible. He was an absolute d**k, an a******e. Read more: Gwyneth Paltrow brands 'Shallow Hal' a 'disaster' When youre so rude, arrogant, and pig-faced to a young TV presenter, whos so nervous and trying to hone his skills, and youre so arrogant to dismiss that, its just not on. "He was just a c**k. I interviewed him three or four times for various films... he was just the same every time." 'T4' presenters Vernon Kay and June Sarpong in 2004 (Getty Images) Kay - who is married to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly - is currently hosting the BBCs coverage of Formula E Prix in Rome in April. Read more: Vernon Kay dismisses Tess Daly split rumours He added: I hope he reads it, and let this be a lesson to Jack Black. Bolton-born Kay first entered the spotlight when he was spotted by a model scout at the BBCs Clothes Show Live and went on to win Model of the Week on Channel 4 show The Big Breakfast. He began his presenting career at the age of 26 on weekend and school holiday morning show T4 in 2000, co-presenting with June Sarpong. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday asked officials to prepare a road plan for quick evacuation in case of an emergency at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharashtra's Palghar district. TAPS, built with help from USA's General Electric, was commissioned in October, 1969 and was the first instance of electricity production using nuclear energy in India. Thackeray asked authorities to prepare the road plan while chairing a meeting in Mumbai on issues facing the district. Speaking on other issues, Thackeray asked authorities to take effective steps to curb malnutrition in children here and directed them to increase the number of beds in primary health centres and rural hospitals. There was also a discussion on frequent low-intensity tremors in the region, an official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Photo: RCMP Vernon RCMP have made an arrest in a counterfeit currency investigation. Police received a break, Tuesday, in the case of several incidents of fake bills being passed in the area. A clerk reported a counterfeit bill was passed by a man at a business on the 4500 block of 27th Street about 6:30 a.m. Police seized the bill and obtained a description of the suspect and his vehicle, says Cpl. Tania Finn. Then, at 10:30 a.m., a citizen reported a possible impaired driver whose vehicle matched the description. By the time officers arrived, the vehicle had left the downtown area and could not be located. But, by 4 p.m., the vehicle had returned to the area of 30th Avenue and 31st Street, where police found it unoccupied. Setting up surveillance, an officer did not have to wait too long. As the man left a business on 30th Avenue and police approached, he went back in the store and tried to leave by a different exit. He was arrested without incident. A search located instruments and tools used to create counterfeit currency as well as several hundred dollars of counterfeit Canadian currency in a variety of denominations. Police learned the suspect had again used fake bills to purchase merchandise downtown. A 35-year-old Kelowna man is in police custody, facing numerous charges. Police believe there may be other businesses that have received the counterfeit currency. To determine if the bill is real or fake, look closely at the hologram to ensure the denomination matches the denomination on the bill, examine the edges of the bill to determine if it is poorly cut and not uniform, and feel the bill to check its smoothness and that it is not waxy or rough. Any suspect bills can be verified by a bank. If your business has fallen victim to this fraud, contact the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171. The oil industry and its Capitol Hill allies are pressing the Trump administration to defend its decision to exempt oil refineries from requirements they blend biofuels into gasoline and diesel. The administration has until the end of next Monday to request the full 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rehear a decision that threatens to curtail the use of waivers. Republican senators from states with large oil-refining interests, including Ted Cruz of Texas, John Barrasso of Wyoming and James Inhofe of Oklahoma have made entreaties to the White House or the Environmental Protection Agency in recent days, warning that if the decision is applied nationwide, it could strain refineries, hike gasoline prices and jeopardize jobs. The senators efforts were described by three people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named detailing private conversations. At issue are requirements to use renewable fuels, such as corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel. Although federal law authorizes the EPA to exempt small refineries facing an economic hardship, a January ruling by a three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals throws into doubt the agencys ability to broadly issue those waivers. If the decision stands, it is believed only two small refineries would still be eligible for hardship relief, according to a letter 13 Republican senators, led by Barrasso, sent to President Donald Trump on Feb. 27. Since the Jan. 24 ruling, expectations the EPA will dramatically restrict waivers have driven a 152% surge in the cost of renewable identification numbers, the credits refiners use to prove they have complied with biofuel quotas. The EPA has the legal option to apply the court decision to refineries only in the six states covered by the 10th Circuit, but top agency officials view that as unworkable, according to two people familiar with the matter. Administration officials including White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow had tentatively decided to apply the ruling nationwide. Oil industry allies are hoping Trump will personally intervene and order a shift in course. Barrasso has spoken with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Kudlow, urging them to appeal the 10th Circuit decision, Sarah Durdaller, a spokeswoman for the senator, said by email. Representatives for Inhofe did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cruz spokesperson Lauren Blair Aronson said the senator has been reaching out to all stakeholders, including the administration. Failure to appeal the courts decision to invalidate hardship exemptions from refineries under RFS and apply that decision nationwide could put tens of thousands of blue-collar refinery jobs in jeopardy, Aronson said. Senator Cruz believes the administration has a critical role to play in ensuring this decision is reheard. Biofuel advocates also are pressing the administration on the issue. Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, said he had urged administration officials to follow the law and wants the ruling applied nationwide. Wheeler said Friday the agency is planning to make an announcement on its plans before the March 9 court deadline. Refiners are looking to see whether the Trump administration will stand up to protect small refineries and the jobs they support, said Chet Thompson, president of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers association. If the administration hangs us out to dry on this and takes no other action to contain compliance costs, it will be a huge signal to our workforce. --With assistance from Mario Parker. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. On Super Tuesday, 14 states, one U.S. territory and Democrats living abroad will vote in contests to pick the party's challenger to President Donald Trump in November. Here is a quick look at what is happening on the ground. CALIFORNIA Delegate count: 415 The polls close at 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT Wednesday). California will be one of the most closely watched states on Tuesday. Senator Bernie Sanders will look to drive up big margins and amass an unsurmountable lead in delegates. Vice President Joe Biden will try to remain close enough to prevent a blowout. TEXAS Delegate count: 228 The polls close at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Wednesday). Biden is banking on a late surge in Texas, where his campaign has invested most heavily for Super Tuesday. The state's more moderate electorate could boost Biden, although fellow moderate Mike Bloomberg has tried to cut into his advantage there. NORTH CAROLINA Delegate count: 110 The polls close at 7:30 p.m. EST (0030 GMT Wednesday). Biden's big win in South Carolina was fueled by his overwhelming advantage among black voters. He is hoping to continue to ride support from minority voters to a victory in this delegate-rich neighboring state. VIRGINIA Delegate count: 99 The polls close at 7 p.m. EST (0000 GMT). Virginia has been trending more liberal in recent elections. Bloomberg has invested heavily there, flooding television with advertisements. Biden will look to win the state's still-sizable moderate bloc, while Sanders will hope to perform well in the more liberal northern part of the state. MASSACHUSETTS Delegate count: 91 The polls close at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Wednesday). Elizabeth Warren was once thought to be the favorite in the state she represents in the U.S. Senate. But recent polling shows Sanders statistically tied with her. If Warren cannot win her own state, it could prove to be a death blow to her struggling campaign. MINNESOTA Delegate count: 75 The polls close at 9 p.m. EST (0200 GMT Wednesday). Senator Amy Klobuchar had been favored to win her home state of Minnesota. But on Monday, she ended her campaign and threw her support behind Biden, who will now hope to turn the moderate Midwestern state into his win column. COLORADO Delegate count: 67 The polls close at 9 p.m. EST (0200 GMT). The only two opinion polls conducted in the western state have shown Sanders in the lead. Securing the largest chunk of Colorado's delegates could fuel Sanders' Super Tuesday advantage. TENNESSEE Delegate count: 64 The polls close at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Wednesday). With no opinion polls assessing the Democratic primary in Tennessee, campaigns are banking on trying to capture a surprise win there. Bloomberg has invested heavily in time and resources, while Biden again will hope his black support carries him. ALABAMA Delegate count: 52 The polls close at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Wednesday). Biden is the favorite in Alabama, even with no recent opinion polls measuring the deep South state's contest. His advantage among black voters, who make up much of the state's Democratic electorate, could propel him to a win there. OKLAHOMA Delegate count: 37 The polls close at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Wednesday). Oklahoma is the birthplace of one candidate, Warren, but the traditionally conservative state is seen as more likely to favor a moderate, like Biden or Bloomberg. ARKANSAS Delegate count: 31 The polls close at 8:30 p.m. EST (0130 GMT Wednesday). Bloomberg made one of his first campaign appearances in Arkansas and has picked up endorsements from elected officials there. But with no opinion polling, the state remains a Super Tuesday mystery and a place Biden will be hoping to pick up delegates. UTAH Delegate count: 29 The polls close at 10 p.m. EST (0300 GMT Wednesday). The western state has traditionally been conservative, but liberal pockets in places like Salt Lake City and Park City could prove beneficial to Sanders. Two opinion polls conducted earlier this year found him with a lead. MAINE Delegate count: 24 The polls close at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Wednesday). Sanders, who is well known to Maine voters as a senator for nearby Vermont, is the favorite on Tuesday. VERMONT Delegate count: 16 The polls close at 7 p.m. EST (0000 GMT). Sanders has been elected by the voters of Vermont to represent them in Congress for decades, and he is expected to win the state overwhelmingly on Super Tuesday. DEMOCRATS ABROAD Delegate count: 13 This new contest allows Democrats living abroad, many of them who relocated permanently or work for the State Department, to have a voice in the nominating contest. AMERICAN SAMOA Delegate count: 6 The U.S. Pacific Ocean territory holds a single caucus to allocate its six delegates. PrivatBank at the end of February paid UAH 3 billion of its debt on the refinancing loans issued by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), the bank told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. "Thanks to the trust of customers and effective liquidity management, PrivatBank has accumulated a sufficient amount of hryvnia over the past few months. As a result, the NBU refinancing loan was repaid in the amount of UAH 3 billion," the press service said. The bank added that the financial institution manages liquidity, evaluating the current situation on the market and reacting to it. The National Bank's open markets department also confirmed that on February 27, banks paid off stabilization loans worth UAH 3 billion. According to the NBU, the debt on refinancing loans on February 28 decreased to UAH 4.562 billion. THE LOST FAMILY How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are By Libby Copeland DNA is not love, notes a woman in The Lost Family, a new book about consumer genetic testing. Disappointed to learn that a man she thought was her half brother wasnt after all, she was underscoring that reality as revealed by DNA may not match reality as actually experienced in families. This idea surfaces repeatedly in Libby Copelands well-researched exploration of the consequences intended and otherwise of Americans increasingly common practice of sending saliva samples to companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA. The growing and assertively marketed industry then gives customers information about their background and allows them to find relatives by comparing their DNA with that of others in the companies databases. For many, the results help flesh out family trees they already recognize. Others, including people adopted as children or conceived with donor sperm, can resolve longstanding questions about their birth parents. But some receive shocking surprises, like an NPE, shorthand for non-paternity event or not the parent expected revelations that ones mother or father is not who the person thought they were. The Lost Family explains the rise of the consumer genetics industry and how search angels citizen-scientist genetic genealogy experts devote hours to helping seekers solve DNA mysteries. Copeland reiterates a few central questions throughout the book: How much of your sense of yourself should scientists and algorithms be allowed to dictate?; What makes us who we are?; and Is it always better to know the truth? Of course, the answers are up to the individual reader and will vary based on things like family dynamics and how earthshaking the consequences of knowing might be. Copelands balanced treatment of the subject allows readers to reach their own conclusions and shows them many of the factors they might consider as they do. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Authorities allege that a 36-year-old man pointed a gun at two deli employees and demanded money during a daylight robbery in Mariners Harbor. Give me the money, Joshua Madden said to each worker during the incident, which occurred at 2:46 p.m. Feb. 5 in Your Taste Deli at 2524 Forest Ave., according to the criminal complaint and police. Madden, who is homeless, allegedly approached an 85-year-old female worker from behind, grabbed her left shoulder and placed what appeared to be a black firearm against her neck, according to the criminal complaint. She handed him cash and four New York State Lottery scratch-off tickets, according to the complaint and police. The suspect also allegedly pointed the gun at a 45-year-old male employee, who gave him cash from a register, according to the criminal complaint. Neither employee was injured in the incident, according to police. The suspect fled with about $50 in cash and about $40 in lottery tickets, police said. Madden has been charged with robbery, petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, menacing and a firearm violation, according to the criminal complaint. Bond has been set at $25,000/$10,000 cash for Madden, who is due in Criminal Court on Wednesday, according to public records. An attorney for the suspect declined to comment. "I don't think anybody knows how long it will be," Powell said, referring to the potential economic damage coronavirus could cause. "I know the US economy is strong and we'll get to the other side of this and return to solid growth and a solid labor market as well." Although a rate cut won't cure infections or fix broken supply chains, "it will help boost household and business confidence," Powell noted. The potential damage to the US economy is still an unknown: Powell said any coronavirus-related slowdown would be in a very early stage, although many industries, such as travel and leisure are already reporting losses to their businesses. The central bank did not discuss any other forms of stimulus, he said. But the market expects the Fed to continue to slash rates to respond to coronavirus: The stock market has priced in a 60% chance of a quarter-point rate cut at the Fed's meeting in April, according the CME FedWatch Tool. Egypt: 'prisons are open, visit them', ministry says Media and NGOs in women's jail (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, MARCH 3 - Egypt has opened the doors of a prison to foreign media and Egyptian NGO, claiming it respects human rights and has ''nothing to hide''. ''Prisons are open: ask for permission and visit them'', said General Hisham El Baradei, an assistant to the Egyptian interior ministry for the penitentiary sector, meeting representatives of the media including ANSA. Reporters were invited to inspect the women's jail of Al Qanater, some 30 km north-west of downtown Cairo. The high official responded to a request to comment allegations of abuse against detainees in Egyptian prisons made by international and local NGOs, saying: ''What would we earn by hitting them?''. ''We have nothing to hide'', prisons are ''open to anyone who wants to visit them'' said Maya Morsi, the president of the Egyptian national council for women, who was also visiting the center, which can host about 1,000 detainees and which was described as ''the largest'' prison for women in the country. The visit was not inspired by the case of Patrick George Zaky, the University of Bologna student who was arrested in Egypt on charges of subversive propaganda, Morsi said. In November, guided tours were also organized in two prisons, one in Cairo (Tora) and another in Borg El Arab (near Alexandria), Morsi noted, adding that such tours are frequent.(ANSAmed). BarcelonaAs it did with the other political prisoners, the Public Prosecutors Office is querying the prison leave which Dolors Bassa has been granted so that she may look after her 89-year-old mother. The Prosecutor argues that the measure is akin to being classed as a category 3 inmate, albeit on the sly and that it has been engineered so that Bassas case doesnt get past Gironas provincial court and never makes it to Madrids Supreme Court. Until then, a supervising court will rule on whether Bassa may benefit from Article 100.2 of the prison service rules and regulations, as the Puig de les Basses prison board has recently decided. In the appeal filed on Monday, the Public Prosecutor states that the leave means granting a de-facto third grade [to the former Catalan minister]. It points out that Article 100.2 is supposed to be invoked in exceptional cases and that it was never meant to establish some sort of new category that lies between grades 2 and 3, let alone to provide a means to cover for effectively classing a convict as a category 3 inmate when they do not meet the necessary requirements. If the prison board and the Catalan authorities had decided to classify Bassa as a grade 3 convict instead of applying Article 100.2, an appeal by the Prosecutors Office would have prevented her immediate release from jail. However, now the former Employment minister will be allowed to leave prison on three weekdays for eight hours at a time until the supervising court issues its judgement on the matter. The Prosecutor remarks that in order for the care of her mother to be considered to be part of Bassas penitentiary treatment, the Prison Board that has advised applying Article 100.2 should indicate what social and family shortcomings the inmate presents and why this leave would have a positive effect on them. Bassa will not be granted regular leave until February 202, once she has served a quarter of her 12-year prison sentence Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has condemned the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims and urged authorities to not let senseless thuggery prevail. He was reacting to the riots in Northeast Delhi which have so far claimed 46 lives and left more than 200 injured. Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law, Zarif said on Twitter on Monday night. Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 2, 2020 Also Watch | Factually inaccurate, misleading: India on OICs comments over Delhi violence Zarifs statement comes days after Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia spoke out against the violence in pockets of Delhi. Foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said last week that law enforcement agencies were working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. He had also urged international bodies not to make irresponsible statements at this sensitive time. The riots broke out in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh and other pockets of Northeast Delhi after protesters for and against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA clashed on the road. The protesters roamed around with swords and pistols in hand. Vehicles and houses were torched and many people were forced to leave these pockets. Among those killed was Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal and Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma. The IB officials family blamed an Aam Aami Party (AAP) councillor for his death; they claimed the AAP leader Tahir Hussain incited the mob which killed the 26-year-old. The CAA, which fast-tracks citizenship to persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries, has led to widespread protests across the country. Its critics say the law divides the country on religious lines, but the government hit back saying it is Indias duty to take care of the minorities. The Department of Justice has charged the two Chinese nationals for laundering cryptocurrency for North Korea-linked APT groups. The US Treasury Department and the Department of Justice have imposed sanctions and charged two Chinese nationals, Tian Yinyin ( ) and Li Jiadong (), for helping North Korea-linked hackers in laundering cryptocurrency . The cryptocurrency have been stolen by the APT groups from two cryptocurrency exchanges. Yinyin and Li Jiadong helped the popular North Korea-linked Lazarus APT group in launder the stolen funds. Two Chinese nationals were charged with laundering over $100 million worth of cryptocurrency from a hack of a cryptocurrency exchange. The funds were stolen by North Korean actors in 2018, as detailed in the civil forfeiture complaint also unsealed today. reads the press release published by the DoJ. In the two-count indictment unsealed today in the District of Columbia, aka Tian Yinyin, and aka Li Jiadong, were charged with money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The activity of the Lazarus APT group (aka HIDDEN COBRA) surged in 2014 and 2015, its members used mostly custom-tailored malware in their attacks. This threat actor has been active since at least 2009, possibly as early as 2007, and it was involved in both cyber espionage campaigns and sabotage activities aimed to destroy data and disrupt systems. The group is considered responsible for the massive WannaCry ransomware attack, a string of SWIFTattacks in 2016, and the Sony Pictures hack. Kaspersky researchers have analyzed the attacks carried out by North Korea-linked Lazarus APT group in the past 18 months and confirmed their interest in banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. In the mid-2018, the APT targeted cryptocurrency exchanges and cryptocurrency companies, experts from Kaspersky Lab tracked a campaign dubbed Operation AppleJeus aimed at spreading a tainted cryptocurrency trading application. After releasing Operation AppleJeus, the Lazarus group carried out other attacks against cryptocurrency businesses using similar tactics. The researchers spotted more macOS malware similar to the one that was involved in Operation AppleJeus. In the mid-2018, the APT targeted cryptocurrency exchanges and cryptocurrency companies, experts from Kaspersky Lab tracked a campaign dubbed Operation AppleJeus aimed at spreading a tainted cryptocurrency trading application. According to US Treasury and DoJ, North Korea-linked hackers focus on cryptocurrency exchange to raise funds and bypass international sanctions. US officials pointed out that the operations carried out by the state-sponsored hackers pose a grave threat to the security and integrity of the global financial system Money stolen in cyber heists was obtained from North Korea with the help of cryptocurrency scheme and the involvement of Chinese banks and a network of money mules. Tian and Li had a crucial role in this scheme, they are accused of laundering cryptocurrency received by North-Korea and of converting it into Chinese fiat currency (yuan) or into Apple gift cards that could be used to cash out the money. According to the Treasury and DOJ, Tian and Li received funds from North Korea-controlled accounts in at least two cases. The defendants received $91 million from North Korea-controlled accounts that can be traced back to the 2018 cryptocurrency exchange hack and additional $9.5 million from another exchange. The pleadings further allege that between December 2017 and April 2019, Yinyin and Jiadong laundered over $100 million worth of virtual currency, which primarily came from virtual currency exchange hacks. continues the press release. The defendants operated through independent as well as linked accounts and provided virtual currency transmission services for a fee for customers. The defendants conducted business in the United States but at no time registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). According to prosecutors, the Chinese duo helped convert more than $34 million of the $91 million they received back into Chinese yuan, then they deposited the money into a Chinese bank account. US officials said that the two men also converted $1.4 million worth of Bitcoin into Apple gift cards, they did not disclose the names of the hacked exchange. As a result of todays action, all property and interests in property of these individuals that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFACs 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. reads the press release published by the US Treasury. No restriction has been applied to the Chinese banks Pierluigi Paganini Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora wants the management of Greenhills mall to overhaul its security force following an hours-long hostage-taking on Monday by a security guard disgruntled over allegedly unfair labor practices claims which the Labor Department will investigate. Zamora explained to reporters Tuesday that he aims to prevent another hostage-taking from happening by demanding that Greenhills completely change its security force. "'Yong hinaing ni Alchie Paray, posibleng hinaing 'yan nung ibang mga gwardiya na naka-formation kahapon," he said in a press briefing. [Translation: Alchie Paray's grievances may also be the other guards' grievances who were in formation yesterday.] Paray, a former guard employed by Safeguard Armor Security Corporation assigned to Greenhills, said he was fired after going on absence without leave for weeks. Oscar Hernandez, the general manager of the security company, claimed the hostage-taker was not fired but was only supposed to be transferred to a different assignment as part of their company's policy of rotating security guards. The hostage-taker explained that his firing and his exasperation at how the security firm supposedly ignored his grievances prompted him to take 55 people hostage inside the administration office of V-Mall in Greenhills. Police said Paray initially tried to convince fellow security guards at the mall to join his cause and rise up against the management, but his colleagues refused. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Tuesday he understands the actions of Paray and has ordered an investigation into the alleged unjust work systems practiced by the employers of Greenhills mall and its chosen security agency. "Hindi dapat nangyayari sa ating bansa ang ganyang hostage-taking incident. That really shows he was pushed to the wall. Hindi gagawa ang tao na normal ng ganiyan kapag walang dahilan," Bello told CNN Philippines. [Translation: Someone has to pay for it. Hostage-taking incidents shouldn't be happening here, it only shows how desperate he was.] He said he has previously received numerous reports of employment issues against the mall management. The Labor Secretary added that President Rodrigo Duterte himself instructed him to look into retired generals owning security agencies. He said this creates fear in the employed security guards to speak up due to possible retribution. Bello tasked his regional directors to investigate the alleged unfair labor practices, occupational and health standards noncompliance widely carried out by security agencies. "Maraming hindi sumusunod. Hindi nagbabayad ng tamang sahod. Hindi nagbabayad ng overtime, night differential. Hindi nagre-report sa SSS, PAGIBIG, sa PhilHealth," he said. [Translation: Many security agencies are violating the law. They aren't paying proper wages, overtime pay, and night differential pay. They also don't report to SSS, PAGIBIG Fund, and PhilHealth.] A labor advocacy group, Defend Jobs Philippines, said the hostage-taking incident exposed unfair labor practices that have been hounding manpower agencies. Defend Jobs spokesperson Thadeus Ifurung said this led to Paray's desparate actions. "Kaya humahantong sa mga ganitong insidente, nagii-snap sila, naiisip kasi nila ang kanilang mga pamilya, 'yong kasiguraduhan ng kanilang trabaho kapag nawalan sila ng trabaho, ano ang maipapakain nila sa kanilang mga pamilya? 'Yong ganitong pangyayari, nagpapakita, nagsasalamin ng kadusta-dustang kondisyon ng mga manggagawang Pilipino," he told CNN Philippines. [Translation: It led to this because they snap. They start worrying about their family, what they can feed the, their job security. This shows the dire condition faced by Filipino workers.] He urged the Duterte administration and the Labor Department to act for the welfare of workers. Samsung Vietnam has announced the commencement of construction on a new 220 million USD research and development (R&D) centre in Vietnam, with completion scheduled for late 2022. An artist's impression of Samsung Vietnam's new research and development centre in the country (Photo courtesy of Samsung) Samsung Vietnam has announced the commencement ofconstruction on a new 220 million USD research and development (R&D) centrein Vietnam, with completion scheduled for late 2022. This is the first R&D centre built by Samsung Electronics outside theRepublic of Korea and is the largest among R&D centres by foreign-investedfirms in Vietnam. Once completed, its research workforce in Vietnam will increase from 2,200 to3,000, with research capacity to be enhanced not only in product developmentbut also in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet ofthings and big data. The R&D centre is a strategic milestone in the firms 12-year investmenthistory in Vietnam. With this project, Vietnam will not only become Samsungslargest manufacturing hub but also its strategic R&D centre, the company saidon its website. Located to the west of West Lake in Hanoi, the new R&D building will have16 storeys above ground and three underground floors, with a total floor areaof nearly 80,000 square metres. To date, Samsung has invested more than 17 billion USD in Vietnam, of whichSamsung Electronics accounts for 9.5 billion USD, with the first smartphonefactory in northern Bac Ninh province in 2008, followed by a second plant in northernThai Nguyen province. The company also has a consumer appliance and TV manufacturing complex in HoChi Minh City and an R&D centre in inner Hanoi./. Samsung seeks preferential treatments for US$220-million R&D center in Hanoi Samsung wants to change the purpose of the R&D Center or transfer the building and its related land-use rights to another party, in case of necessity. Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 (10:37 am) - Score 9,130 Cable ISP Virgin Media UK has today announced that theyve awarded a series of new regional build contracts for their gigabit-capable broadband and TV network to 6 national partners (worth 500m per year). On top of that theyve also brought more than 700 customer-facing engineers back in-house to improve customer service. At present Virgin Medias mix of Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) and Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based infrastructure covers around 15 million premises, although theyre continuing to expand this under their 3bn Project Lightning build (currently 2.1 million premises completed). On top of that theyre also upgrading to the latest DOCSIS 3.1 standard, which will make 1Gbps+ speeds available across their network by the end of 2021 (here). As part of the above VMs new 5-year contracts worth 500m annually are said to manage both the delivery and maintenance of their gigabit capable broadband network (this covers numerous business areas like Project Lightning and Consumer). All of this forms part of an effort to reform their partnership model in order to provide a one-stop-shop for the planning, expansion and maintenance. The new structure mentioned above will thus be implemented from April 2020 with 6 national partners delivering a variety of civil engineering tasks across nine key regions in the United Kingdom, which weve summarised below. Contracted partners and regions: Kier: Scotland + South London, South Coast & South East Actavo: Northern Ireland Avonline: North East + South West & South Wales NMCN: North West & North Wales + Yorkshire & East Midlands Comex: West Midlands Kelly: North London, Homes Counties & East Anglia On top of that all visits to homes and businesses will now be carried out by a Virgin Media employed engineer (previously some in-home visits were carried out by contracted partners). In practice what this means is that the operator will increase its directly employed engineer workforce by more than 700, taking its total number to 1,800. Apparently this will provide new and existing customers with a much improved experience when they have their services installed or issues fixed that require an engineer visit, which could also be read as suggesting that the previously outsourced team of domestic focused engineers werent as good at their job as VM would have liked. Rob Evans, VM MD of Network Expansion, said: These changes are great news for our customers, great news for partners and ultimately fantastic news for the UK as we really focus on building out our gigabit network to more locations. This new regional model gives our partners the certainty, scale and transparency they need and provides Virgin Media with the teams equipped to deliver high-quality build efficiently and effectively with the support of local authorities and communities. Severina Pascu, Deputy CEO and CFO of VM, added: Bringing our customer-facing installation teams and engineers into Virgin Media will improve the service and experience our customers get from Virgin Media. Understandably, with our brand and superior network, our customers expect the best from us and were continuing to invest to deliver on those expectations and become the most recommended brand in the sector. At this point it may be worth remembering that Virgin Media originally pledged that their Project Lightning network expansion would reach an extra 4 million premises by the end of 2019 (inc. 2 million via FTTP), which could have taken their total coverage to 17 million premises (c.60% of the UK). However at the end of last year they had only completed roughly half of their original build target and the problems here began in 2017, after the operator realised that they had been erroneously overstating their build progress. But we can take some comfort from todays announcement that theyre continuing to build for the next 5 years, even if we cant say quite how far theyll actually get. The big unknown in all of this is how it will impact Liberty Globals (Virgin Medias parent) ambition to establish a new alternative network Liberty Networks, which could potentially serve the UKs other 10 million premises outside of VMs existing network area (here) with FTTP. In keeping with that were also waiting to see if VM opens their existing network up to wholesale access (here), either directly or by splitting it off under Liberty Networks. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 35F. NNE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 35F. NNE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Highlighting the atrocities meted out by the Pakistani military establishment on the Pashtun community, a pavilion was put up at Broken Chair here on Tuesday with messages that read 'Stop Pashtun Genocide', 'Pashtun Against Torture', etc. The pavilion, set up in front of the UN office during the 43rd Human Rights Council session, calls for urgent attention to the Pashtun persecution in Pakistan and it urges the international community to help them and make Pakistan stop this genocide. The Pashtuns, an ethnic group of Pakistan living in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), have been exposed to brutal practices of the Pakistan Army, as many civilians have been killed, tortured and arbitrarily detained by labelling them as terrorists. Imran Khan-led Pakistan government has also arrested journalists and human rights activists. The leading figure of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), freedom fighter Manzoor Pashteen, is one of the victims who was arrested by the Pakistan police on January 27 this year for speaking against the Pakistan Army. However, the government justified his arrest by stating that he was 'disturbing political order in the country'. The extermination efforts of Pakistan against the Pashtuns are still going on. The number of deaths and missing persons is rising every day. If the UN does not take immediate action to stop this genocide, the Pashtuns will be annihilated by Islamabad's harsh policies towards them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump, in signature fashion, tried to accuse his Democratic rivals of a "quid pro quo," just the allegation House Democrats used to impeach him. The president, however, was not talking about US military aid in return for Ukraine investigating Americans. Rather, he was accusing moderate former Democratic presidential candidates of dropping out of the 2020 race while also endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden and promising him their delegates in return for promises he would give them Cabinet posts, if the former VP secures the nomination then wins in November. "They made a deal. ... Quid pro quo," Mr Trump said to loud cheers in Charlotte. "They made a deal. Impeach them." He was referring to Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Both dropped out of the race following losses in South Carolina's Democratic primary on Saturday, which Mr Biden won by a wide margin. "The Democrat Party has gone crazy," Mr Trump told his supporters in North Carolina, accusing the opposition party of adapting an "extreme left-wing agenda." Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump styles his 'You're fired!' pose in his Trump Tower office in June 2012. At the time he was known as a reality TV star on The Apprentice Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He was also well known as the patron of the Miss Universe competition Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Early signs of Trump's ambition for the presidency can be found everywhere. Not least in his 2011 book 'Time to get tough: Making America #1 again' Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump with Piers Morgan in November 2010. Piers Morgan has long held that he and Trump are good friends Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump appeared on Fox & Friends, his favourite show, in August 2011 Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump considered running in the 2012 election, where he would have faced Barack Obama. He is speaking here at an event for a Republican women's group Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump was subject to a Comedy Central roast in 2011. He is pictured here being roasted by rapper Snoop Dogg Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Given that this Trump store is in the lobby of Trump Tower, it can be said that Trump sells merchandise of himself out of his own home Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump held meetings with prominent Republicans when considering his 2012 bid. He is pictured here with Alaska governor Sarah Palin Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He didn't end up running in 2012 afterall, instead endorsing Republican candidate Mitt Romney AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump's golf course in Aberdeen proved controversial in 2012 when he began lobbying the Scottish government against wind power in order that they wouldn't install turbines off the shore by his new course Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He even gave evidence to a Scottish parliamentary committee discouraging wind energy AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He still found time for a round of course AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves On 16 June 2015, Trump announced that he would run for the presidency of the United States in the 2016 election as a Republican Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves His campaign was divisive, courting controversy wherever he went. Ultimately he was declared the Republican candidate in June 2016 Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump took part in the TV debate against opponent Hillary Clinton on 9 October Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump and wife Melania vote in the presidential election on 8 November 2016 AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Hillary Clinton conceded defeat at 2:50am on 9 November and president-elect Trump swiftly delivered his victory speech to a crowd of supporters Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves News coverage around the world focused on the huge political upset that Trump's victory spelled AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump met with president Obama to discusss transition planning on 10 November. AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pose in the golden elevator at Trump Tower on 12 November 2016. Farage was the first British politician to meet with Trump after the election LeaveEUOffical/Twitter Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves The inauguration of Donald Trump took place on 20 January 2017. Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer boasted that the crowd was the 'largest ever' to witness an inauguration, a claim that was proved not to be true Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves In his first 100 days as leader, Trump signed 24 executve orders, the most of any president AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves One of Trump's most memorable election pledges was to build a wall between the US and Mexico. He is standing here in front of a prototype for a section of the wall Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump's meetings with other world leaders have provided no short supply of photo opportunities Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump was welcomed to the UK by the Queen and a state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in his honour Reuters Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Not everyone welcomed the president. Mass protests were held in London throughout his visits in both 2018 and 2019 EPA Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves One of the most significant meetings Trump has held with another leader was with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. In June 2019, Trump became the first sitting president to set foot in North Korea Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves 2020 will see president Trump fight for a second term in office, who knows what the next decade will bring? Getty He also admitted to "trolling" Democrats by holding campaign rallies in states the day before that party holds nominating primaries, revealing a key part of his re-election strategy. And the rally brought another false statement: "Mexico's paying for the wall, by the way. They are," he said. They're not. US taxpayers are and he again plans to take funds from the Pentagon to build more barrier along the US-Mexico border; Mr Trump contends changes to trade policy in a new pact with that country and Canada will bring funds into the US Treasury Department that essentially means America's southern neighbor is indeed financing the wall project. In a bizarre scene about 40 minutes into the rally, African-American conservative personalities "Diamond" and "Silk" joined Trump on stage and did a bit of a duet that ended with them saying "you've got to be this high to ride this ride." They were referring to New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, whom the president has mocked over his height. The president appeared to sense one of the Democratic presidential field's top delegate-holders, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden, likely will be his general election foe. "It's true, he does have some enthusiasm. But much less than we have. And a much smaller group of people, too," Mr Trump said of Mr Sanders. "And there's not a lot of enthusiasm for Biden." He mocked the former vice president for last week misspeaking at a campaign event by telling attendees he was a "candidate for the United States Senate" and on Monday referring to the Super Tuesday primaries as "Super Thursday." After last week's stock market slide due to coronavirus fears, Mr Trump touted what he called the largest one-day US market recovery in history. Mr Trump was back in the Carolinas for the second time in four days; he held a rally in North Charleston, South Carolina on Friday evening. He's also there the night before Super Tuesday primaries in over two dozen states. The president acknowledged last month he is going to primary states the night before Democratic primaries to try disrupting those nominating races. "We do a little trolling," he said in Charlotte. Mr Trump also is trying to get a head start on securing North Carolina's 15 Electoral College votes for what appears likely to be a close general election. He was greeted at the Bojangles' Coliseum with a thunderous chant of "U-S-A!" BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS POTENTIAL FOR PARSORTIX TO ASSESS RISK OF BRAIN METASTASIS IN LUNG CANCER Potential for early detection of patients at risk of brain metastasis in multiple cancers Ground-breaking research by Hamburg-Eppendorf demonstrates role of ALCAM expression in lung cancer brain metastasis and shows that this can be measured on CTCs harvested by Parsortix GUILDFORD, SURREY / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / ANGLE plc (AIM:AGL OTCQX:ANPCY), a world-leading liquid biopsy company, is delighted to announce that University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf has published results of new work undertaken in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to investigate the causes of brain metastasis utilising ANGLE's Parsortix system. This ground-breaking research has demonstrated that ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule) has a key role in causing brain metastasis. The study has shown that the ALCAM protein expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), harvested by Parsortix, matches the protein expression in brain metastatic tissue biopsies. This suggests that a Parsortix liquid biopsy blood test may aid in the assessment of the likelihood of a patient suffering a brain metastasis in the future and that the Parsortix blood test may provide additional medical information that could otherwise only be obtained by a highly invasive tissue biopsy of the patient's brain. ALCAM protein expression is understood to play a role in brain metastasis not only for NSCLC but also for breast and prostate cancers. Brain tissue biopsy procedures are rarely undertaken other than where surgical reduction of the tumor is required treatment, given the associated risks. The ability to investigate aspects of the brain metastasis on a repeat basis during treatment via a simple and cost-effective blood test could fundamentally change the standard of care enabling much more focused therapy decisions in the future. The new findings are particularly notable for ANGLE because CTCs from brain metastatic patients are generally EpCAM negative, displaying mesenchymal and stem cell traits. These cells cannot be effectively captured by competing CTC systems that are based on antibody-based capture principles, which require EpCAM positive cells. In the research, which involved 143 NSCLC primary tumors and brain metastases, Hamburg-Eppendorf demonstrated that ALCAM protein expression on the cancer cells assisted progression of the cells through the blood-brain barrier, increased cell adhesion in the brain and helped the cells remain attached under shear stress from blood flow. In a subset of analysed matched pairs of primary tumours and brain metastases, ALCAM protein expression was shown to be induced in brain metastatic tissue compared to primary tumor tissue, indicating a de novo expression of ALCAM in c. 30% of brain metastases. As protein expression of ALCAM on the Parsortix-harvested CTCs correlated with the ALCAM protein expression on the metastatic brain tissue biopsy, a Parsortix liquid biopsy could be used to assess ALCAM protein expression while the primary tissue biopsy cannot. Lung cancer is the most common cause of new cancer (2.1 million - 11.6%) and cancer-related death (1.8 million - 18.4%) each year (Source: Globocan 2018). Lung cancer is known to spread to the brain in some 40% to 50% of patients in which metastasis has occurred. Up to a third of people with secondary brain cancer will have no symptoms initially and other symptoms can be non-specific and the spread is only found late with imaging systems. The five year survival of NSCLC is only around 15% in developed countries. Patients with brain metastasis have a very poor prognosis with life expectancy usually being under a year and a five year survival rate of only 2.9%. Traditional treatments for brain metastases, such as chemotherapy, are mostly ineffective since they do not cross the blood-brain barrier. Some of the newer targeted therapies or immunotherapies are able to cross the blood-brain barrier but only work in a minority of patients. The researchers believe that ALCAM may be a target for new therapies to reduce brain metastasis and analysis of CTCs may identify potential patient responders. ANGLE will seek to develop a Parsortix test for ALCAM protein expression on CTCs, which may assist with early identification of risk of brain metastasis. This would facilitate timely treatment and assist pharma companies that may wish to investigate new therapies targeting ALCAM. The research has been published as a peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology and may be accessed via https://angleplc.com/library/publications/. Prof. Harriet Wikman, Group Leader, Department of Tumour Biology at UKE's Centre of Experimental Medicine, commented: "This new breakthrough research has for the first time demonstrated how ALCAM plays a key role in brain metastasis from lung cancer. The complete correlation between ALCAM protein expression in brain metastasis and circulating tumor cells from a blood test opens the potential for a CTC-based test in the future to assess risk of brain metastasis." ANGLE Founder and Chief Executive, Andrew Newland, commented: "This is tremendous work by the world-class Hamburg-Eppendorf cancer centre. The potential of staining CTCs harvested by Parsortix for ALCAM protein expression provides an excellent opportunity for ANGLE where Parsortix has unique competitive advantages. Brain metastases cannot be accessed for biopsy without highly invasive procedures and a liquid biopsy alternative would be of great benefit to patients to inform treatment." For further information ANGLE: ANGLE plc Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director +44 (0) 1483 343434 finnCap Ltd (NOMAD and Joint Broker) Corporate Finance - Carl Holmes, Simon Hicks, Max Bullen-Smith ECM - Alice Lane, Sunila de Silva +44 (0)20 7220 0500 WG Partners (Joint Broker) Nigel Barnes, Nigel Birks, Andrew Craig, Chris Lee +44 (0) 203 705 9330 FTI Consulting Simon Conway, Ciara Martin Matthew Ventimiglia (US) +44 (0) 203 727 1000 +1 (212) 850 5624 The information communicated in this announcement is inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2015. For Frequently Used Terms, please see the Company's website on http://www.angleplc.com/the-parsortix-system/glossary/ Notes for editors About ANGLE plc www.angleplc.com ANGLE is a world leading liquid biopsy company with sample-to-answer solutions. ANGLE's proven patent protected platforms include a circulating tumor cell (CTC) harvesting technology and a downstream analysis system for cost effective, highly multiplexed analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. ANGLE's cell separation technology is called the Parsortix system, and it enables a liquid biopsy (a simple blood test) to be used to provide the cells of interest to the user in a format suitable for multiple types of downstream analyses. The system is based on a microfluidic device that captures cells based on a combination of their size and compressibility. The system is epitope independent and can capture all types of CTCs as well as CTC clusters in a viable form (alive). CTCs enable the complete picture of a cancer to be seen as being a complete cell they allow DNA, RNA and protein analysis and the live cells harvested can be cultured. The Parsortix technology is the subject of 24 granted patents in Europe, the United States, China, Australia, Canada, India, Japan and Mexico with three extensive families of patents are being progressed worldwide. The Parsortix system has a CE Mark in Europe for the indicated use and FDA clearance is in process for the United States with a 400 subject clinical study and associated analytical studies in metastatic breast cancer. ANGLE is seeking to be the first ever FDA cleared CTC harvesting system and only the third ever FDA cleared liquid biopsy test. ANGLE has already undertaken two separate 200 subject clinical studies under a program designed to develop an ovarian cancer pelvic mass triage test, with the results showing best in class accuracy (ROC-AUC) of 95.1%. The pelvic mass triage assay has undergone further refinement and optimisation, and is currently in the process of a 200 patient clinical verification study. ANGLE's technology for the multiplex evaluation of proteins and nucleic acids of all types is called the HyCEADTM Ziplex platform and is based on a patented flow through array technology. It provides for low cost, highly multiplexed, rapid and sensitive capture of targets from a wide variety of sample types. A proprietary chemistry approach (the HyCEAD method) allows for the capture and amplification of over 100 biomarkers simultaneously in a single reaction. The HyCEAD Ziplex system is extremely sensitive and is ideal for measuring gene expression and other markers directly from Parsortix harvests and was used in the ovarian cancer pelvic mass triage test to achieve best in class accuracy (ROC-AUC) of 95.1%. ANGLE's proprietary technologies can be combined to provide automated, sample-to-answer results in both centralised laboratory and point-of-use cartridge formats. ANGLE has established formal collaborations with world-class cancer centres and major corporates such as Abbott, Philips and QIAGEN, and works closely with leading CTC translational research customers. These Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) are working to identify applications with medical utility (clear benefit to patients), and to secure clinical data that demonstrates that utility in patient studies. The body of evidence as to the benefits of the Parsortix system is growing rapidly from our own clinical studies in metastatic breast cancer and ovarian cancer and also from KOLs with 30 peer-reviewed publications and numerous publicly available posters, available on our website. 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. SOURCE: ANGLE plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578774/Angle-PLC-Announces-Assessing-risk-of-brain-metastasis-in-lung-cancer New Delhi took objection to Iran foreign minister Mohammad Zarif condemning violence against Indian Muslims New Delhi: India on Tuesday summoned Iranian ambassador Ali Chegeni and lodged a strong protest with him over the comments made by Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif over the current bout of violence in Delhi. Official sources said the Iranian envoy was told that Zarif commented on a matter that is purely internal to India. In a tweet on Monday, Zarif said, "Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims." Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 2, 2020 "The Iranian Ambassador in Delhi was summoned on Tuesday and a strong protest was lodged over the comments made by Zarif on the matter internal to India," a source said. Daniel arap Moi, the former president of Kenya who has died aged 95, never commanded the respect and popularity of his predecessor Jomo Kenyatta, the nations first president and leader of the independence movement. But he was a master of political manipulation, a born survivor who stopped at little in order to maintain power for 24 years, from 1978 to 2002. Nor was he averse to using his power to amass a large personal fortune. Moi never had a grand political vision for Kenya, but rather advocated laissez-faire social and economic policies, bore a large measure of responsibility for the nations gradual decline during his years in office. He inherited one of Africas more successful and stable post-independence nations, but bequeathed one saddled with a degraded political culture and rent by tribal divisions, a nation in which an impoverished majority suffered one of the highest crime rates in the world while a small and corrupt elite pursued the perpetuation of their predominance by any means. He was born in 1924 in the Baringo district of the Rift Valley Province in western Kenya. Educated in mission schools, Moi first embarked on a career as a teacher and headmaster. The first steps in his political career were along the path approved for Africans by the British colonial authorities. In 1955 he was selected as the Rift Valleys African representative to the Kenya Legislative Council. In this role Moi rose to prominence in the negotiations that led to independence, making himself useful both to the nationalist movement and to the British. As a member of the small and loosely knit Kalenjin tribal group, he was able to present himself to the British as a counterweight to the powerful Kikuyu tribe, which dominated the nationalist movement. To the nationalist leadership he appeared neutral in the factional and clan infighting to which the Kikuyu were prone. Moi served in various ministerial roles in the pre-independence coalition governments and took part in the British-sponsored conferences which hammered out the details of the transition to independence. When independence came in 1964, he was given the home affairs brief, which gave him control of the police and responsibility for national security. Here he made himself indispensable, taking the brunt of any criticism levelled at his boss Kenyatta, who was was still in prison, having been tried on charges of directing the Mau Mau rebellion. He was appointed vice president in 1967 and, upon Kenyattas death, in 1978, assumed the presidency with little overt opposition, a fact he owed to a number of factors. To the 80 per cent of Kenyans who were not Kikuyu, Moi represented a chance to curtail Kikuyu power and reinforce national unity through building a coalition of smaller tribal groups. This later proved to be a tragically illusory promise. On coming to power Moi promised continuity, intending to be seen as following in the footsteps of Kenyatta both as a nation-builder and ally of west. He also launched a much-publicised campaign to stamp out corruption, but this soon proved to be merely cosmetic. In 1982 Moi banned political parties except for the ruling Kenya African National Union (Kanu) party. Parliamentary debate was stifled, the press was muzzled and critics of the governments policies found themselves the object of police harassment, in prison or under house arrest. After a coup attempt by officers in the air force in 1982, Moi purged the officer corps of the armed forces. The west regarded Moi as a bastion of stability and a Cold War ally, and despite a less-than-satisfactory human rights record, he won plaudits from admirers like Margaret Thatcher and from successive US administrations, which enjoyed the use of military bases in Kenya. The end of the Cold War, however, coincided with serious economic decline in Kenya as the country began to reap the bitter harvest of Mois economic and social policies, and of massive corruption. Western support from became conditional on political and economic reform and an improvement in the governments human rights record. Initially Moi resisted such pressure, but matters were brought to a head following the murder in 1990 of Robert Ouko, longstanding foreign minister. Nicholas Biwott, industry minister and Moi crony, was implicated: Biwott was dismissed but the crime was never solved, leading to suspicion that Moi ordered the assassination. In 1991 aid donors announced a suspension of aid and Moi reluctantly agreed to allow the registration of political parties. But the 1992 elections were marked by efforts to discredit and divide the opposition. Serious tribal clashes which broke out in the west of the country were allegedly incited by Mois agents in an effort to vindicate his claim that multi-partyism would breed tribal conflict. In 1993 and 1994 more ethnic clashes broke out in the Rift Valley leading to hundreds of deaths and the eviction of thousands of Kikuyu from their villages by people of Mois own Kalenjin tribe. Moi used the violence as an excuse to extend police powers and to arrest opposition leaders. By the mid 1990s it was clear that Mois style of government was leading Kenya down a slippery path to disaster. There were even predictions that Kenya could go the way of its eastern neighbour Somalia, where Moi had deliberately fomented the civil war by providing military support to the faction of the ousted president, Siad Barre. He won elections in 1992 and 1997. In the run-up to the latter, Moi recalled Biwott to his cabinet, opposition demonstrations were violently broken up, tribal conflict was fomented in the coastal regions where tens of thousands were forced to flee their homes. Only when donors again threatened to suspend aid did Moi agree to some cosmetic amendments to electoral rules, which stacked the odds heavily in his favour. He did not stand in the 2002 election, as per the requirement of the Kenyan constitution. Mois lack of charisma and vision was compensated for by an aloof, almost regal style, his skill laying in knowing just how far he had to go towards political reform to satisfy his western allies and aid donors. In a country dominated by tribal politics, he was acutely aware of the vulnerability of his position as a member of a small and insignificant tribe. He made up for this vulnerability by cynically manipulating tribal politics in his own favour, whatever the cost to Kenya as a nation. He is survived by eight children. Daniel arap Moi, former president of Kenya, born 2 September 1924, died 4 February 2020 A Ryanair aircraft landing at Eindhoven airport in Netherlands. (Nik Oiko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Ryanair (RYA.L) and British Airways on Monday announced the cancellation of hundreds more flights in response to the continued spread of coronavirus. In a statement, Ryanair said that it would reduce the number of short-haul flights by up to 25% between 17 March and 8 April, which it said would mainly affect flights to and from Italy. The low-cost carrier said that it has seen a significant drop in bookings as a result of the virus. There has also been a significant step up in passenger no-shows on flights, particularly from and within Italy, the airline said. British Airways, which is owned by IAG (IAG.L), said it had merged a number of flights between 16 March and 28 March to match reduced demand due to the continuing coronavirus issue. It said it had cancelled some flights between Londons Heathrow Airport and New Yorks JFK airport, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. It has also cancelled flights between Gatwick and Italy, France and Albania, as well as flights from London City Airport to and from Germany and Italy. Read more: Coronavirus 'biggest threat to global economy We will be contacting customers on cancelled flights so we can discuss their travel options, including re-booking onto other carriers where possible, full refunds or booking with BA for a later date of travel, the airline said. The cancellations come after EasyJet (EZJ.L) last week announced that it was also cancelling some flights as a result of the outbreak, including those to and from Italy. Some staff have been offered unpaid leave, according to the Mirror. The cancellations came as the director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that the window of opportunity to contain the coronavirus outbreak was narrowing. Speaking on Monday afternoon, he noted that the WHOs message has been to calm down and do the right thing in order to tackle the spread of the virus. So it is still the same message but in some places we are not seeing the level of response that we expected and thats why we have been again saying to the world, reminding the world, that the window of opportunity is narrowing and that we have to still do our best to catch up. As we await the results of Super Tuesday, we know children are left out of voting, but their voices should still be heard. When I was invited to attend this years fifth Democratic presidential debate, I was ecstatic. Its not often that a senior in college is given the opportunity to watch the democratic process unfold live. As a political science major and a young voter, I was eager to hear what some of the candidates had to say about the issues I care about. However, once the excitement and the camera flashes faded away, I began to wonder the extent to which those running for president actually cared about my opinion as a young person. Sure, candidates regularly bring up talking points aimed at college-aged voters, but do their national platforms reflect all (or even most) of the issues that matter to us? And what about the topics most important to those not yet old enough to vote? Young people, aged 18 and under, comprise approximately a quarter of the United States population today, but we also represent 100 percent of its future. In Texas, children under 18 represent more than a quarter of the population. If elected officials know the worth of young people already, and investment in our youth has proven time and again to be one of the most effective paths to building a strong economy and a strong society, then why are issues affecting children often overlooked? Children and young people are often far from the focus of the conversation. Education has been under-discussed this debate cycle, and, while we did see the first question about child poverty in 20 years, the subject was only addressed in one debate. One in five children in Texas lives in poverty, yet presidential candidates have barely started talking about how theyll address this nationwide. Concerns about education, health care and the environment are plaguing children in Texas and across the country. The symbolic leaders of the climate change movement are young students, but when candidates take on that same issue, they seldom frame their answers with regards to the demands and needs of youth. The crises discussed at presidential debates impact younger citizens first and worst; attending to their needs is urgent, critical and essential for positive change in this country. And recent polling from UNICEF USA shows that young people are taking note of this. The polling found that two-thirds (67 percent) of American youth (aged eight to 17) do not feel included in the U.S. political process or are unsure, and only about two in five (43 percent) believe that the presidential candidates listen to what people their age have to say about issues of importance to them. An astonishing 83 percent of American youth think the candidates running for president should invite young people to ask questions at the debates. In other words, they seem to be looking to this countrys next leader to put young peoples concerns front and center. The policies that our generation is calling for are far from unreasonable. In fact, our demands generally focus on subjects affecting people of all ages. Sixty percent of American youth feel that the priorities for the next president should be protecting them from gun and other forms of violence, and 56 percent believe the next president should ensure that all kids can get care when theyre sick. Fifty-three percent want the next president to ensure that children dont live in poverty. In Texas, we have felt the impact of many of these issues. Tropical storm Imelda brought the impact of climate change to the forefront, leaving people stuck in their homes for days. We face one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. And the state has been home to senseless violence affecting families and children, such as the El Paso Walmart shooting, over the past year. There is a lot that children can tell us about what should be, and is, important during this election. Youth in Texas and beyond need additional ways to reach our leaders and make our voices and concerns heard. Politicians must listen to young people not as the voters they will eventually be, but rather as the constituents they are today. Once our elected officials begin to work alongside Americas youth, we will all be taking an important step toward a more equitable and fair society. I urge all young people, whether you will be eligible to vote this year or not: tell the presidential candidates what you need from them. Ask them to share their vision for youth. Our ideas will shape this country for the better. As countless movements, from the March for Our Lives to the climate change protests, have shown time and again, plenty of youth are more than capable of coming up with solutions that would improve the country and they deeply want to take part in the national discussion. We deserve to be heard, and were ready to make a change. The question is, are Americas decision makers ready to follow our lead? Goldberg is from Dallas, Texas. He is currently a UNICEF National Council Member and a senior at Vanderbilt University. Irish celebration band Rend Collective has announced that their upcoming new album, CHOOSE TO WORSHIP will release both digitally and physically on March 27, 2020. The pre-order for the project launched Friday and includes the single "DAY OF VICTORY" as well as a performance video for the track. "Life is hard and worship will not always or even usually be our default setting." remarked Chris Llewellyn about CHOOSE TO WORSHIP. "It's not initially natural to respond to a cancer diagnosis, or the death of a loved one or a major career setback with a song of praise and trust. This album is an invitation into the spiritual discipline that we have been living as a community of building altars of praise in the darkness, trusting that whether or not the dawn comes, worship is still our sacred duty - and privilege. We hope this album gives you a vocabulary so that you can sing from the shackles, lift an anthem of defiance against your circumstances and raise a shout of joy that demoralises the enemy in his attempts to silence you. We hope that that nothing will ever steal your song. We hope that you will join us in choosing worship." With over 900k global album equivalents and more than 342M global career streams, Rend Collective's latest hit, "YOUR NAME IS POWER," is the first single from CHOOSE TO WORSHIP. An anthem of declaration and praise, the rising track is currently top ten at Christian Airplay reaching nearly 14 million global streams, with 81 adds including priority networks KLOVE, WayFM, KSBJ and KLTY. The music video for the song has already hit over one million views. "Your Name is Power" follows the band's biggest song of their career, "Counting Every Blessing," which reached Top 5 at Christian Airplay. Rend Collective has just wrapped a string of sold-out dates in New Zealand and Australia and will be headlining the "Revival Anthem World Tour" with more than 64 dates in 13 different countries throughout 2020. For all tour dates, please see below and click here for all tour details. Track List for I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP:I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP REVIVAL ANTHEM DAY OF VICTORY SING IT FROM THE SHACKLES MY ADVOCATE STILL UNCONDITIONAL BEHOLD HE COMES DEFIANT YOUR NAME IS POWER REND THE HEAVENS WHOLEHEARTED YOUR NAME IS POWER (ACOUSTIC) Revival Anthem World Tour (all dates subject to change): 3/5 Ballwin, MO 3/6 Holland, MI 3/7 Fort Wayne, IN 3/8 Akron, OH 3/12 Eden Prairie, MN 3/13 Green Bay, WI 3/14 Sioux Center, IA 3/19 Raleigh, NC 3/20 Troy, OH 3/21 Royal Oak, MI 3/22 Murfreesboro, TN 3/26 Pensacola, FL 3/27 Atlanta, GA 3/28 Orlando, FL 3/29 Clearwater, FL 4/2 Harford County, MD 4/3 York, PA 4/4 Vienna, VA 4/5 Richmond, VA 4/16 Pasadena, TX 4/17 Beaumont, TX 4/18 Austin, TX 4/19 Arlington, TX 4/26 Westminster, CO 4/29 Seattle, WA 4/30 Richland, WA 5/1 Portland, OR 5/2 El Dorado Hills, CA 5/3 Pasadena, CA 5/7 Phoenix, AZ 5/8 Redlands, CA 5/9 Santa Ana, CA 6/24 Manteo, NC 9/17 Birmingham, UK 9/18 Bristol, UK 9/19 Bournemouth, UK 9/20 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK 9/24 Dusseldorf, GER 9/25 Leipzig, GER 9/26 Ludwigsburg, GER 9/27 Amsterdam, Netherlands 10/1 Nuremberg, GER 10/2 Winterthur, Switzerland 10/3 Prague, Czech Republic 10/9 Oslo, Norway 10/10 Arhus, Denmark 10/11 Bremen, GER 10/15 Brussels, Belgium 10/16 Zwolle, Netherlands 10/18 London, UK 10/22 Manchester, UK 10/23 Glasgow, UK 10/24 Belfast, UK 10/25 Dublin, Ireland About Rend Collective: Hailing from a small town off the coast of Northern Ireland, Rend Collective (Gareth Gilkeson, Chris Llewellyn, Ali Gilkeson, Patrick Thompson and Stephen Mitchell) wants to be known as a celebration band, worshiping for God's Glory and fame. Since the release of their first album, Organic Family Hymnal, the group's authentic and energetic style of worship has attracted an international audience, with career sales of more than 900,000 albums and over 341M career streams. The group saw early success as their first ever single "Build Your Kingdom Here," peaked at No. 12 on the National Christian Audience Chart. Their 2014 release, The Art of Celebration, charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart within the first week of its release. Known for their electric lively worship, the band has been a part of several major tours with top artists such as Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Kari Jobe, Lecrae and more. The group released critically acclaimed As Family We Go in 2015, followed by, Campfire Christmas Volume 1, their first Christmas record, and Campfire II, both in 2016. The critically acclaimed Good News released in 2017, followed by Good News: Deluxe Edition in 2018. Get Connected with Rend Collective: Website: http://rendcollective.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rendcollective/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/rendcollective Instagram: @rendcollective Tags : rend collective rend collective new album rend collective tour rend collective i choose worship President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky intends to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. First Deputy Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk stated this during the Svoboda Slova talk show on ICTV channel on Monday evening, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. Will there be the president? Ive just spoken to him, he said: Yes, I will [attend the meeting]. And this is absolutely normal, because the president also wants to see in which way the things, which he had the right to initiate, are being implemented now, said Stefanchuk. As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28 sent a letter to Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov calling on him to convene an extraordinary meeting of the parliament. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on March 4. During the VR extraordinary meeting, MPs plan to consider bill No.3003P "On the approval of the Ukrainian presidents decision on the admission of units of the armed forces of other states to the territory of Ukraine in 2020 to participate in multinational exercises, bill No.3015P On amendments to section VI Final and transitional provisions of the law On the National Security of Ukraine regarding the entry into force of the provisions on the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, types and separate genders to troops, etc. Also, MPs are expected to consider the issues on the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and on the activities of the Interior Ministry, the Security Service, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Office of the Prosecutor General in the field of combating corruption in Ukraine and strengthening the rule of law. iy Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a bill requiring cities to get legislative approval for new occupational taxes, blocking a 1% tax passed by the Montgomery City Council in February. The Republican majority in the Legislature passed the bill last week over opposition from Democrats, who said it undermined the authority of local officials to provide services for the constituents who elected them. Supporters of the legislation said it was unfair to add a new tax on employees who live outside Montgomery and commute to the city to work because they have no say in city elections. The occupational tax was an initiative of new Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, who said the additional revenue was needed for public safety, including to hire more police and firefighters. Reed spoke at a public hearing on the bill and urged lawmakers to reject it. The Governors signature on House Bill 147 will not stop our opposition to this overreaching legislation and its assault on local governance and home rule, Reed said in a statement today," Reed said in a statement today. This bill undermines the ability of our city to fund police, fire and other public safety duties at a level needed to provide our citizens, as well as those who commute here for work, with the safest community possible. We will explore all legal options necessary to protect the rights of citizens of Montgomery and the abilities of their local elected officials to best serve them. Ivey press secretary Gina Maiola issued a statement today about the governors decision to sign the bill: Governor Ivey had a great conversation with Mayor Reed. She truly appreciates the challenges facing municipal leaders throughout the state. There is a strong case that occupational taxes provide various services to those who work in the city of Montgomery but live elsewhere. However, the governor has also heard from many of the thousands of state employees who live in neighboring communities but work in Montgomery. They are equally passionate about the feeling that they are being punished with a higher tax, yet dont have either a voice or a vote on this matter. Moreover, these state employees contend they shop, dine, visit doctors and spend a lot of their discretionary income in Montgomery. The governor encourages city leaders to work closely with members of their Legislative Delegation to try to address some of these concerns. As such, the Governor has signed HB 147 in order to look after those who had no vote or voice in this matter." The Alabama League of Municipalities said it believes 26 cities in Alabama have occupational taxes. The law does not affect any taxes that were in place before Feb. 1. The League opposed the bill. As the voice of Alabamas municipalities we believe that our cities and towns are in the best position to determine the essential needs of its citizens and the resources needed to provide those services," Executive Director Greg Cochran said in a statement. "While we are disappointed in the enactment of HB147 our organization looks forward to continuing conversations with Governor Ivey and the legislature on the importance of local authority. Mayors of the states 10 largest cities signed a letter opposing the new law. Updated at 6:17 p.m. with statement from Mayor Steven Reed. By PTI NOIDA: Amid a coronavirus scare in Delhi-NCR, the demand for surgical and N95 masks increased manifold in Noida on Tuesday with some people claiming they were being sold at rates much higher than the actual cost. People claimed surgical masks which usually sell for Rs 10 were being sold for Rs 40 or higher, and N95 masks which sell for around Rs 150 were being sold for up to Rs 500. "They had run out of the recommended N95 masks so I had to buy the surgical mask," Prince Tyagi, a senior manager at a private firm in Sector 62, said. ALSO READ: 87 Iran returnees kept under observation in Gujarat People also complained about shortage of hand sanitising gel in the market. Gautam Buddh Nagar Chemists Association President Anoop Khanna said the demand shot up around 10 am after news of suspected coronavirus cases in Noida started doing rounds on news and social media. "If a pharmacy sold 10-15 masks daily on an average, today the demand went up to 100. Several retailers went out of stock in Noida and Greater Noida, while wholesalers too had a tough time meeting the demand," Khanna told PTI. He said there was a huge demand, especially for N95 masks, recommended by healthcare experts for prevention against viruses. ALSO READ: 21 Italian tourists, three Indians sent to ITBP quarantine centre in Delhi He added the demand for masks and panic among people due to the novel coronavirus is more than what was witnessed during peak air pollution around Diwali. "I haven't seen such panic and demand for masks in my 40 years in this industry," Khanna added. Sushil Jain, president of Noida's Sector 18 market, said he got to know of several pharmacies selling masks at rates higher than the MRP, and suggested government's interference to regulate the prices in a situation like this. "The is the simple principle of demand and supply. And in situations like these when panic binds people the tendency of hoarding also goes up. Thus happens at every level, customers, retailers, wholesalers," Jain said. ALSO READ: Italian tourist in Jaipur tests positive for coronavirus, sixth such case in India "The government should have a system wherein the prices and supply of essential products in a situation like this could be controlled," he added. Sanjay Gupta, who has two pharmacies in Sector 27 and Sector 37, said people kept visiting his shops all throughout the day leading to shortage of both masks as well as hand sanitizers. "Till yesterday I was selling an average 12-13 masks, but today I have sold around 200. All stocks cleared and there is a shortage now. Same is with hand sanitizers, we have run out of supply and so have several other pharmacies," Gupta said. Two private schools in Noida were shut on Tuesday after the father of one of their students tested positive for the new coronavirus, while several people, including his family members, were quarantined. The district health department sent samples of six people including three children and three adults for coronavirus test. Reports were awaited. Hyderabad: Twenty medical personnel of Apollo Hospitals in Secunderabad were asked to self-isolate for 14 days as they came in contact with the patient who tested positive for Covid-19. They include three senior doctors, para-medical staff like nurses, ward boys, administration personnel and also employees who cleaned the hospital floor when the patient was in hospital. They were taken to Gan-dhi Hospital for testing and asked to stay home. The families of the three doctors are worried and called government officials on whether they should practice self-isolation. They are upset with the disruption to their schedule. The term quarantine has a negative connotation, hence the term self-isolation. We have explained that it is important for family to stay home, said a senior government official. Some are calling to check on the rate of positivity of the infection transmitting. For that we have advised them to wait for the results. We do not want panic. It is only a precaution and it is in everyones interest to curb the spread of the disease. Spouses have to take leave, children are not to go to school, and families have been told to shun relatives and neighbours. Pr-acticing isolation is important because no one knows to whom the virus has been passed, said a doctor. It is for the safety of all. It took us time to make them understand they were in contact with the person who was in contact with the positive case. The cooperation of people will help contain the spread. District medical and health officials have been tasked with checking on them morning and evening via phone, and also pay surprise visits to ensure compliance. It is the medical version of Section 144, quipped a senior doctor from Apollo Hospitals. Medical manual of corona virus for quarantine: 1. Stay in small groups at home. 2. In a large family, the person who came in contact must self-isolate from the rest of the family. 3. Do not get stressed or anxious as that weakens the immune system and helps the virus attack the body. 4. Keep yourself calm by listening to music, read books, relax and sleep. 5. Eat balanced home-cooked food. 6. Use disinfectants for the surfaces at home. 7. In case of symptoms of cough, cold, fever or breathing problems, immediately rush to the notified government hospital. John Salazar takes over today as the secretary of the New Mexico Department of Information and Technology (DoIT).The announcement from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham came late last week. Salazar replaces Vince Martinez, who was appointed to the role by the governor when she first took office in January 2019.In addition to the IT project management that he did in New Mexico as part of the firm CSW Enterprises, Salazar is the former CIO of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and Department of Workforce Solutions.Ive got a lot of experience with the agencies, what they do, how they do it, and the tools that they use, Salazar toldSalazars knowledge should help him with one of the main challenges for the New Mexico DoIT secretary position: navigating the states IT structure, where agencies run their own infrastructure. In this respect, Salazar said the hope is to establish more advisory committees so that the state can develop a roadmap for the future in coordination with its various departments.Modernization will be another challenge for Salazar. Darryl Ackley, who served as New Mexicos IT secretary before Martinez, spoke toin 2018 about the states need to modernize its IT infrastructure a need that still exists in 2020.Were not at a point where we can take a lot of credit for the systems that we have; a lot of systems have to be modernized, Salazar said. Thats an ongoing process, and I hope to work closely with the governors office in moving agencies forward with new technology and embracing new processes going forward.Infrastructure is related to another significant need in New Mexico: broadband connectivity for its citizens. Salazar said Lujan Grisham is concerned about the lack of high-speed Internet in certain areas of the state. Getting a plan together with Internet service providers will be key.The infrastructure has to be there [for broadband], Salazar said. We hope to build on some of the successes from other states. Ryanair has taken the decision to cancel up to 25pc of its Italian short-haul flights for a three-week period from March 17 and April 8. The announcement comes as a Covid-19 outbreak in Northern Italy, and rising cases throughout Europe, have heightened unease around travel. "While we are heavily booked over the next two weeks, there has been a notable drop in forward bookings towards the end of March into early April," Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's CEO, said in a statement. "It makes sense to selectively prune our schedule to and from those airports where travel has been most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak." The airline has already notified passengers, it says, and will advise customers of any schedule changes at least 14 days in advance. If an airline cancels a flight for any reason, it must offer passengers a re-routing or refund (see here for a full list of passenger rights). As well as a drop in bookings, Ryanair has seen "a significant step up in passenger no-shows on flights, particularly from and within Italy," it says. "This is a time for calm," O'Leary added. "We will make sensible cuts to our schedules over the comings weeks to reflect weaker bookings, and changing travel patterns." Airlines around the world have been reviewing operations as the coronavirus impacts on business, with Aer Lingus cutting ten flights to Northern Italy in March and April, and EasyJet warning of bookings hits. Aer Lingus has waived its change fees for travel within the next week to Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Venice and Verona, provided travel occurs within 30 days of the original date and is to/from its airports in Italy, Switzerland or Nice, France. "We continue to keep what is a dynamic situation under constant review," it said. On Monday, BA also waived its flight change fee, allowing customers to delay travel booked during the next two weeks without paying a penalty - a move intended to give its passengers more confidence. Ryanair has been holding daily "Covid-19 action meetings" since Monday, February 24, it revealed, and has been considering possible rolling schedule cuts as well as allocating annual and/or unpaid leave to pilots and cabin crew, recruitment, promotion and pay freezes across the network, and working with third party suppliers to cut costs. The airline remains in a fundamentally healthy position, it says, but it expects that a fall in demand due to the coronavirus "will result in further EU airline failures over the coming weeks". Our focus at this time is on minimising any risk to our people and our passengers," O'Leary said, adding that Ryanair will "continue to comply fully with guidelines from national governments, the WHO and EASA." ALBANY The citys Irish American Heritage Museum has moved up the road to Quackenbush Square. Just in time for the lead up to St. Patricks Day, the museum will open in the space previously filled by Discover Albany on Wednesday. During a short news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Kathy Sheehan said the move had been talked about for years and allows the city to maximize a space in a revitalized neighborhood while meeting the needs of an expanding museum. We were thinking about how we continue to attract and bring in those culture heritage tourists in to the city of Albany and this is an incredible district, this is a historic building, she said. I think its also telling about the climate here in the city that the Irish heritage museum can co-exist across the courtyard from the Olde English Pub. I say that somewhat jokingly but it does speak to our history as a city of immigrants. Discover Albanys visitor center will remain in the space. Some of the exhibits form the Albany heritage displays will be incorporated in Irish American Heritage Museum. The entire exhibit is still available through an online 3D-tour at www.albanyny.gov/government/cityhistory. That site will eventually include a voice-guided tour as well, Sheehan said. Sheehan credited Discover Albany for working to coordinate the various historical and heritage tourist sites throughout the city. Elizabeth Stack, the museums executive director said the museum started the move on Feb. 15 and has a bit more to go before theyre fully re-opened. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. It gives us the opportunity to grow and to have specific areas. We dont have to move things in and out or change the exhibits, she said. The museum has a temporary gallery open while it continues to renovate and change the space. The plan is to show exhibits like the Irish contributions to American military history, politics, labor and popular culture. The museum is not just a local exhibit, she said, noting that it has loaned its own exhibits to 16 states across the country and is the first museum in the country to have an exhibit in Dublins National Library, Stack said. This is very much a vibrant, living, cultural institution, not just a museum, she said. LogMeOnce Password Manager Version 7.0 Getting hacked or compromised by a scam is a horrible experience, whether you lose a ton of money or your credibility takes a hit. The LogMeOnce Password Manager and Identity Theft Protection tools would have easily prevented such vulnerabilities and such extensive and expensive damage, says Kevin In light of the well-publicized phishing scam that recently ensnared popular Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran, LogMeOnce, the distinctive market leader in password-less authentication, is offering timely advice and critical remedies on how to avoid falling victim to hackers. Problem: A hacker or group of hackers have already tried to vanish with Corcorans $400,000. This phishing scam attack did not happen overnight. The hacker imitated an assistants email address and simply changed one letter to make it look real. Apparently, the hacker knew the assistants and an accountants email addresses, so chances are those addresses and possibly even their passwords were already exposed through a previous data breach and exposed in dark web databases. Its a scary scenario to think that the hacker might have been already inside these individuals network or account, roaming around, and became familiar with internal office procedures and accounting processes, including how invoices are approved for payment. Solution: To avoid similar scams, LogMeOnce advises against using public email accounts to conduct any kind of financial activity, whether personal or for business. By using your own business domain, you will eliminate a hackers ability to create/imitate email addresses without your approval. To seal off your accounts from such hacking attempts, you can throw a security blanket over them and establish simple but comprehensive security defensive layers. Seriously increase password strength for all team members, use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), monitor dark web for data breaches, and start using Password-Less Login. Product: Switch to a private email system and start using your own business domain (example: Barbara@Corcoran.com) rather than using a free/public email service. Add proven security from reputable vendors to protect your accounts and credentials. The LogMeOnce management team has invented numerous award-winning security products since 1995. LogMeOnce provides a broad portfolio of security products including its popular password manager, Identity Theft Protection, Dark Web Monitoring, and Cloud Encrypter. LogMeOnces claim to fame is Password-Less Login and provides an array of rich features and functionalities including the patented LogMeOnce Mugshot, Password SHOCK, and Account Freeze, a unique, patent-pending security application designed to help individual users and businesses protect their passwords and security credentials, and manage against cyberattacks. Unfortunately, Corcoran fell victim to a phishing scam that could have been prevented with better protection and defensiveness around her accounts and those of her business. Her bookkeeper erroneously sent nearly $400,000 to someone who had sent emails that seemed to come from one of Corcorans assistantsbut in fact was a hacker. Getting hacked or compromised by a scam is a horrible experience, whether you lose a ton of money or your credibility takes a hit. The LogMeOnce Password Manager and Identity Theft Protection tools would have easily prevented such vulnerabilities and such extensive and expensive damage, says Kevin Shahbazi, CEO of LogMeOnce. Additionally, our patented LogMeOnce Mugshot would have helped to collect the hackers metadata, exposing unauthorized access attempts before the hack occurred. Prevention involves connecting the dots and exposing the source of the scam. Only LogMeOnce offers a comprehensive number of login options with automatic 2FA. You always get the extra security layer of 2FA without the hassle of typing yet another password or SMS code, or using a hardware 2FA token. And you get instant protection and instant access to your computer via your mobile device (LogMeOnce protects identities on Apple iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Linux). As a zero-knowledge technology company, LogMeOnce does not know a users encryption key or actual passwords. With LogMeOnce, you are the only one who has absolute knowledge of your actual password and encryption keyonly you can decrypt your account. About LogMeOnce: Founded in 2010, the award-winning LogMeOnce confidently helps consumers and businesses protect their passwords, identity, and data. LogMeOnce rose to popularity with its feature-rich password management platform, and then with its patented PhotoLogin technology that gave users the choice of logging in with a password-less selfie. As serial entrepreneurs, the LogMeOnce management team has founded and scaled up to global brand status multiple startups, with successful exits and acquisitions, such as the acquisition by security industry leaders McAfee and Intel Corp. in 2010. LogMeOnce is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and serves the global market with an additional location in Barcelona, Spain. LogMeOnce markets and sells its solutions worldwide directly and through a variety of partners. For information about LogMeOnce, SDK, OEM licensing, and reseller partnership opportunities, please visit http://www.LogMeOnce.com, call (800) 935-4619, fax (866) 732-0324, email sales@LogMeOnce or Media@LogMeOnce.com. All trademarks belong to their respective organizations. ### Media Contact: Kevin Shahbazi LogMeOnce (800) 935-4619 Media@LogMeOnce.com https://twitter.com/logmeonce The Spanish government approved a new draft law that promises tougher sentences for sex crimes. Under the new proposals, all non-consensual sex will be classed as rape, anyone found guilty of sexual harassment could be jailed for up to 2 years and shouting obscenities or making crude or degrading comments will be illegal. The Central Government also wants to set up special courts to deal with sex offences 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and create recovery centres for victims. The issue of gender violence has been front and centre in Spain since the so-called Wolf Pack trial. 5 men who raped a teenager during the running of the bulls festival in Pamplona in 2016 were acquitted of rape and found guilty of the lesser crime of sexual assault, because they had not used violence during the attack. The sentence provoked anger around the world and sparked mass protests against the conviction. An appeal was launched in 2019 and the Supreme Court ruled that the men had raped the victim. The Spanish Equality Minister, Irene Montero has welcomed the new draft law. Spain will be a safer country for women with the approval of this law and women's rights and sexual freedoms will never again be stranded down a blind alley, she said. The announcement of the approval of the new bill comes just days before International Women's Day on Sunday which will be marked with rallies throughout Spain and the rest of the world. Maria Solanas, Director of the Elcano Royal Institute think-tank, said the proposed legislation would make Spain the first country in the world, to implement all the recommendations of the 2014 Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, in one bill. According to Amnesty International, only 9 of 31 European countries have laws that define rape based on the absence of consent, instead of whether violence or the threat of violence was used. Under the new regulations, sexual abuse and sexual assault both be qualified as rape and the use of physical violence, drugs or alcohol will result in harsher sentences. A customer who spilled Class C tablets in a Coleraine chip shop "fell asleep" on the floor as he tried to pick them up, the town's magistrates court has heard A customer who spilled Class C tablets in a Coleraine chip shop "fell asleep" on the floor as he tried to pick them up, the town's magistrates court has heard. Steven McCloskey (29), of Rosemary Place in Coleraine, admitted unlawful possession of Diazepam on February 5 this year. Police arrived and found the defendant heavily under the influence, the court heard. There were 22 tablets and some fragments of Diazepam at the scene. The defendant told police he bought them from "someone down the street". Defence solicitor Garrett Greene said McCloskey had "long-standing difficulties with drugs". District Judge Peter King said the defendant had matters at other courts and said "it is quite clear you are labouring under a number of other difficulties". McCloskey was given a one month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, for possessing Class C drugs. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 09:03:56|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Photo taken on March 1, 2020, shows desert locusts in Khushab, central Punjab province in Pakitsan. Pakistan is suffering severe desert locust attack recently. (Xinhua/Liu Tian) ClearBlade and ARMS Partner To Deliver Advanced Connected Rail Solutions through Ario-GX With the Ario-GX powered by ClearBlade, rail companies can connect anything, via any path, to the back office located on premise or ClearBlades Cloud. ClearBlade, the industry-leading Edge Computing software company that enables enterprises to rapidly engineer and run secure, real-time, scalable IoT applications, today announced the introduction of the ARMS Ario-GX, an Industrial IIoT Gateway with smart I/O to measure, monitor, and report status of remote assets to the Back Office, in partnership with Automated Railroad Maintenance Systems (ARMS). Transportation Products Sales Company, (TPSC) is a professional sales organization representing ClearBlade and ARMS to the North American rail market. Operating since 1990, ARMS is recognized as an industry expert in railroad communications systems; robust power solutions; electronics used in communications, signal and locomotive applications; system integration; and tactical kitting. With the Ario-GX powered by ClearBlade, rail companies can connect anything, via any path, to the back office located on premise or ClearBlades Cloud. The Ario-GX features modular scalability, robust security, and extensive flexibility. Protocols include ITCM, TCP/IP, MQTT, Modbus/TCP, SNMP, CANBUS, Echelon, and others. This powerful gateway features 8 isolated Digital Inputs, 4 isolated Analog Inputs, 2 Relays, with ability to increase I/O via expansion modules. Connectivity features 3 Ethernet ports, 1 USB-B port, and adaptors to work with RS-232/422/485, cellular, LoRa and GPS communication devices. This novel solution features todays IIoT technology to connect to all common legacy equipment, todays equipment, and will be compatible with tomorrows equipment. ClearBlade and ARMS promote secure open standards which is demanded by todays end user. The Ario-GX Gateway: Connects legacy grade crossing controllers and equipment to the back office in a common format. Performs routine tests of crossing equipment every time a train passes utilizing ArioSense equipment. Monitors switch machine current draw and reports abnormal conditions prior to switch failure utilizing ArioSense equipment. Monitors and reports tank levels and health for snow melters, rail lubricators, and fuel cells. Reports status of all common hazard detectors, including slide fence, high water, high wind, and bridge fires. With this pre-integrated, tested and scalable gateway, together our companies are able to deliver an easily implemented and managed end-to-end solution, said Eric Simone, CEO, ClearBlade. Working with ARMS, weve been able to develop a solid solution specifically designed to serve the industry as part of the digital transformation of rail transportation, given the expertise and experience the ARMS team brings to the table. Working with the professional sales team of TPSC and their vast knowledge and relationships in the rail industry, we demonstrated our joint capabilities to develop and roll out an advanced gateway designed for the harshest conditions and adaptable to all types of software and network communications protocols. Were extremely proud of this partnership, product and ongoing collaboration. Sid Bakker, President of ARMS and TPSC said, We are excited to combine ClearBlades IIoT software with ARMS rugged hardware to launch the Ario-GX Gateway to connect remote assets of the rail industry. The quest for a highly connected railroad is technically possible and affordable today. We are not stopping there. ClearBlades advanced software analytics combined with ARMS ArioSense family of wireless sensors enable powerful edge compute capabilities for preventive maintenance initiatives, including automated testing. TPSC is proud to represent ClearBlades software platform to the rail industry. To learn more about the Ario-GX gateway and related solutions, visit https://www.armspower.com/ario/. Note to Editors According to the World Bank, digital technology is disrupting nearly every component of railway operations including: Rolling stock. Advances in automation, self-diagnosing, or real-time geolocation tracking mean that trains are becoming considerably smarter and safer. Control and signaling systems: digital systems can radically enhance the reliability and performance of operations. From an infrastructure/asset management standpoint, they also eliminate the need for outdated railway signal boxes and heavy copper wires. Railway infrastructure. Internet of things sensors and devices are opening new possibilities for obstacle and damage detection, preventive maintenance, linkages with other systems, Government agencies, logistics providers, and transport modes. Revolutionary communications (5G, LTE), and cloud infrastructure (backend) will offer attractive solutions for handling large volumes of data and avoiding bulky rail-side infrastructure Faster self-learning algorithms in Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems make for more efficient dispatching, routing, and maintenance scheduling. Smart monitoring and surveillance systems are changing the way operators manage hazards, intrusions, railway crossings, and driver behavior. About ClearBlade ClearBlade is the industry-leading Edge Computing software company that enables enterprises to rapidly engineer and run secure, real-time, scalable IoT applications. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, ClearBlade is an award-winning, fully scalable, secure, flexible and autonomous IoT edge platform that enables companies to ingest, analyze, adapt and act on any data in real-time and at extreme scale. ClearBlade provides a consistent platform across edge, cloud and on-premise environments. For more information, please visit https://www.clearblade.com. About TPSC Transportation Products Sales Company (TPSC) is a professional sales management organization that represents select products and specialized services utilized by railroads and rail-industry contractors across North America. Founded in 1986, the privately-held company today has offices in 11 locations, including their headquarters near St. Louis, Missouri. Over the years, rail customers have been responsive to TPSCs ability to connect them with solid solutions for locomotives, signaling, and telecommunications operations. For more information, visit https://www.tpscrail.com. About ARMS Operating since 1990, ARMS Automated Railroad Maintenance Systems is recognized as an industry expert in railroad communications systems; robust power solutions; electronics used in communications, signal and locomotive applications; system integration; and tactical kitting. ARMS provides customized solutions, premium products and specialized services for freight, transit and commuter railroads across North America. ARMS works directly with railroads and with their designated OEMs, contractors, consultants and material integrators. For more information, visit https://www.armspower.com. Police said that the pistol, with which Shahrukh fired three rounds, is yet to be recovered. NEW DELHI: Shahrukh Pathan, the 23-year-old gun-wielding man whose videos and images of pointing a gun at a Delhi Police official in the Jaffrabad-Maujpur area last Monday during Delhi riots, went viral, was arrested from Uttar Pradeshs Shamli district on Tuesday. Police said that the pistol, with which Shahrukh fired three rounds, is yet to be recovered. During interrogation, Shahrukh said that he had opened-fire in a fit of rage, at the spur of the moment. In the video that went viral last week, Shahrukh Pathan could be seen pointing his a pistol at a policeman on the Jaffrabad-Maujpur road on February 24. He had threatened the Delhi Polices head constable Deepak Dahiya with his gun, before running away from the spot. He had five bullets, out of which two fell. Additional commissioner of police (crime) A.K. Singhla said, Shahrukh was planning to flee from Shamli but was nabbed and later brought to Delhi. We are trying to recover the semi-automatic pistol used by him during the violence. He was fond of pistols. He had procured a 7.65 mm pistol and ammunition about two years ago from one of his labourers. The good quality semi-automatic pistol was bought from Munger in Bihar. He fired three rounds at the protest where he had gone alone. A college dropout, Shahrukh was interested in body building and modelling. He was also fond of making Tik Tok videos. He runs a shop that sells socks in northeast Delhis Ghonda area. He does not have any criminal background, though his father, Sabir Ali, was allegedly involved in a narcotic case. Police are investigating if he was associated with any gang or was part of any conspiracy. Based on information and after conducting extensive discreet inquiries in different areas in Delhi and UP, police zeroed in on the area around Shamli and Kairana. On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, police received information that Shahrukh would be coming to Shamli bus stand between 10 am and 12 noon to meet someone. A trap was laid and Shahrukh was apprehended. Police are also trying to trace his family members, who are absconding. After the firing incident, Shahrukh initially roamed around Delhi in his Maruti Esteem, but after his video and photo went viral, he went to Punjab and was then hiding in Bareilli and Shamali at a friends place. Delhi police has been granted four-day custody. The vehicle in which he fled from Delhi and the pistol he used are yet to recovered. At Monday nights hearing, interest groups speaking in favor of the bill included associations representing manufacturers, data centers and real estate interests, as well as environmentalists, consumer advocates and faith-based organizations. Dominion countered that the proposed bill was actually a patchwork of regulatory models from across the years and that it would harm the utilitys prospects to get financing. BEIJING Chinas coronavirus caseload continued to wane Tuesday even as the epidemic took a firmer hold beyond Asia, with three countries now exceeding 1,000 cases and the U.S. reporting its sixth death. The health ministry announced just 125 new cases detected over the past 24 hours, Chinas lowest number since Jan. 20. Another 31 deaths were reported, all of them in the hardest-hit province of Hubei. The figures bring Chinas total number of cases to 80,151 with 2,943 deaths. The global shift in the COVID-19 epidemic was apparent with 2,410 recovered patients being released from Hubeis hospitals and treatment centers, many of them hastily built over recent weeks to cope with the thousands of people sickened by the virus. But new infections outside China were far surpassing its totals. Clusters of disease grew in South Korea, Italy and Iran, and the virus has turned up for the first time in New York, Moscow and Berlin, as well as Latvia, Indonesia, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Jordan and Portugal. The worldwide death toll topped 3,000, and the number of cases tops 89,000 in about 70 countries. Global health officials sought to reassure the public that the virus remains a manageable threat. Containment is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Around the world, the crisis reshaped the daily routines of millions of people. Children in Japan stayed home with schools closed until April. Israelis in quarantine used special booths to vote in national elections. And the United Nations postponed a major conference on women that had been expected to bring up to 12,000 people from its 193 member countries to New York next week. China in January imposed a virtual lockdown around Hubeis capital, Wuhan, where the illness was first detected in December and which has been the epicenter of the outbreak. The worst-hit places outside China were South Korea, Iran and Italy. South Korea on Tuesday reported 477 new cases, bringing its totals to 4,812 with 28 deaths. Most are in the southeastern city of Daegu and neighboring towns. In Iran, a confidant of Irans supreme leader died from the virus. The Islamic Republic confirmed 1,501 cases and 66 deaths, but many believe the true number is larger. Its reported caseload surged more than 250% in just 24 hours. Ken Moritsugu is an Associated Press writer. In a setback to former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Supreme Court has rejected his review petition seeking cancellation of criminal proceedings against him for his failure to disclose two pending criminal cases in the election affidavit he filed in the 2014 state Assembly elections. The Apex Court upheld its October 2019 judgment in which it held that a case had been made out for prosecution of Fadnavis under Section 125A of the Representation of the People Act. We find no ground to interfere in the review petitions. The same are dismissed, a three-judge bench of the top court comprising justices Arun Mishra, Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose ruled. Fadnavis said, The petition was dismissed on February 18, following which I appeared in the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on February 20. The SC order passed on February 18 was uploaded yesterday. The effect of this order is that the case, which was decided by the honourable high court in my favour, is again remanded back to the lower court . The former CM is pursuing this case legally, said Madhav Bhandari, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson. Bombay high court lawyer Satish Ukey set the case in motion in 2014 when he filed a complaint alleging that Fadnavis failed to disclose details of two criminal cases pending against him in his election affidavit and demanded that he be prosecuted under section 125A of the Act. Section 125A provides for imprisonment of up to six months or fine for concealing information which a candidate is required to furnish under Section 33A of the Act. The two cases against Fadnavis pertained to alleged cheating and forgery that were filed in 1996 and 1998 respectively. Section 33A mandates disclosure of information relating to any pending criminal case for which punishment prescribed is imprisonment for two years or more, and in which a charge has been framed. Fadnavis argued was that no charge had been framed by the trial court in the two cases against him and only cognizance was taken. The judicial magistrate first class, Nagpur dismissed the complaint by Ukey in September 2015. In a revision petition, the sessions judge, Nagpur remanded the matter to the trial court for fresh consideration. Aggrieved by the same, Fadnavis moved the Bombay high court which allowed his plea and set aside the order of the sessions judge in May 2018. But Ukey did not give up and approached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in its October 2019 judgment, held that the information required to be furnished under Section 33A includes information relating to criminal cases of which cognizance has been taken and not just cases in which charges have been framed. The conclusion was arrived at by the apex court based on amendments to Form 26 in 2012 as per which a contesting candidate has to disclose information relating to cases in which cognizance has been taken. Kathmandu: People suffering from Coronavirus when started getting hospitalized continuously. Nepal has described Nepal as a high-risk country. Meanwhile, the Government of Nepal woke up. The Government of Nepal has now taken the step which all the countries of the world have already taken. Now Nepal has stopped Visa on Arrival service for passengers coming from other countries including China and Japan affected by Coronavirus. The coronavirus epidemic that started in China has spread to many countries of the world. After the World Health Organization declared a health emergency, many countries had banned movement from China, but Nepal continued to play friendship. People from China and Japan were moving indiscriminately. Nepal has stopped Visa on Arrival service for travellers coming from other countries including China and Japan affected by the coronavirus. The government has also ordered compulsory checking of passengers at all the airports in the country, including the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. China, Japan, Korea and other Corona affected countries have also issued instructions to keep the citizens under compulsory surveillance for 14 days. The Government of Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli took this step after the WHO's appeal. This decision was announced after the Oli cabinet meeting. Along with this, the government also stopped the movement of planes from China and Japan. For this, however, the airlines have been given time till March 7. After the cabinet meeting, the government has appealed to its citizens not to organize any gathering, seminar, banquet or crowded programs. Let us tell you that after the arrival of the Oli government, the friendship of Nepal and China has become very close. After the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic in China, when all the countries of the world were stopping the movement, the Nepal government felt that doing so would not negatively affect relations with the neighbouring country. Nepal put the lives of its citizens at stake in order to befriend China. Now, when suspicious cases of Corona came up and WHO has issued a warning, the Government of Nepal woke up. In fact, more than two thousand civilians have died in China due to Coronavirus. This number seems likely to increase continuously. Also Read: Hindu society got angry over Australian treasurer made vulgar comments on Hindutva Manila: Guard attack on people, 30 died Corona wreaks havoc in 70 countries, death toll reaches to 3000 World Wildlife Day: Significance, theme and all you need to know SoftBank Group Corp Chief Executive Masayoshi Son, under pressure from hedge fund Elliott Management to rein in his mercurial investment style, turned on the charm in a meeting with US investors on Monday, but offered few concrete concessions. "I promise you I'll start to be more careful and listen. My view doesn't change, but my behavior becomes a little more careful," sources quoted Son as telling investors who attended his presentation at the Lotte New York Palace hotel in Manhattan. Son, who built SoftBank into a technology investment powerhouse, is now having ... Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 10:34:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Benny Gantz speaks during a rally at the Blue and White party election campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 3, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival, centrist Benny Gantz, vowed on Tuesday morning to "continue struggling," after TV exit polls predicted Netanyahu's narrow victory in the country's general election. (JINI via Xinhua) JERUSALEM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival, centrist Benny Gantz, vowed on Tuesday morning to "continue struggling," after TV exit polls predicted Netanyahu's narrow victory in the country's general election. Gantz, a former military chief, said that the results of the exit polls were inconclusive, as the surveys indicated Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party gained about 37 seats while Gantz's centrist Blue and White party got 32-34 seats. Meanwhile, the exit polls also showed that Netanyahu's party and allies gained 59 or 60 seats, meaning the bloc fell short of two or one seat(s) needed for a majority coalition in Israel's 120-seat parliament. Gantz told his supporters in Tel Aviv that even if the official results accord with the exit poll data, "Netanyahu couldn't form a government." He said that his party will "remain unified, strong and loyal to our path," and that the Blue and White "may still force a unity government," which will include both the Likud party and the Blue and White party. "We're still in this fight," he added. The election on Monday is Israel's unprecedented third parliamentary elections in less than a year, after the two pervious rounds yielded inconclusive results, causing a year-long political stalemate. It could be considered one of the biggest career gambles in show business history. It cost John Tesh more than a million dollars of his own money but in the end, it was well worth it. Reflecting on his Live at Red Rocks PBS concert 25 years later, Tesh still gets emotional. I could manifest the tears now, he tells Yahoo Entertainment. In the mid-90s, Tesh had a cushy gig as the co-anchor of Entertainment Tonight, but his true love was music. A keyboardist with a lifelong love of prog-rock whod spent his teens in garage bands (and knew his stuff one of the first stories he ever covered as a New York news reporter was a Cramps show at CBGB!), Tesh had recently returned to the garage, so to speak. He was releasing the Tour de France music hed composed during his tenure at CBS Sports, selling those tapes via mail-order bicycle magazine ads on his own record label. When you say I had my own label, I really had a label-maker, he chuckles. Though hed tried his luck at couple major record companies, no one was really taking him seriously as a musician. I thought, Well, wait a second now, I'm on Entertainment Tonight I've got all these tapes of Tour de France music and everything. It's just should be a layup, because 20 million people a night are watching me do this show! So Arista Records must love that! No. I have all of the turndown slips on my wall still, Tesh says wryly. I don't think they wanted the guy who was reading the celebrity birthdays [on television] to be on their label with Billy Joel. While his independent releases were selling respectably to bike aficionados, Tesh who recently released his aptly titled memoir, Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith knew if he wanted to take his music career to the next level, he had to make a big, bold statement. And thats when he took a fateful trip to Colorado. So I'm watching PBS, and I see the Moody Blues at Red Rocks, Tesh recalls. And then I see U2s Under a Blood Red Sky at Red Rocks. I'm like, What is this place? And so I actually got on a plane with a friend of mine, and we flew there. We stood in the Red Rocks Amphitheater, this ancient amphitheater, and I said, This is what I have to do. I have to raise my hand and say I'm a serious musician. I have to make one of these specials. Story continues John Tesh in his 'Live at Red Rocks' special, recorded in 1994 and broadcast in 1995. (Photo: PBS) Tesh took his pitch to PBS, hoping executives there would agree to fund the project like they had with 1994s successful Three Tenors special. But they were unimpressed. They were like, Well, how many records are you selling right now? And I said five a week, something like that. And they said, Well, how many concerts are you doing a year? And I said one. And they said, Well, you don't really have a following musically... PBS agreed to take a look at the special if Tesh created it on his own. And that is when Tesh made the pitch to his wife, actress Connie Sellecca, who happened to be pregnant with their daughter Prima at the time. She said, What's it going to take? And I told her, basically, we'd have to take out a second mortgage on our house, Tesh admits. Still, somehow, he convinced her. Even she says, I can't believe I said yes! It must've been a pretty good pitch; maybe I used a lower number. I love her for it, but I don't remember why she would've said yes. Initially Tesh thought his Live at Red Rocks specials total budget would be $800,000, but it ended up being a whopping $1.2 million. Considering that hed suffered from a good bit of stage fright all his life and didnt even have much experience playing live, the odds were not in his favor. And then it rained on the day of the (uninsured!) Red Rocks shoot after he had played only four songs almost shutting down production entirely. As the 70-piece Colorado Symphony Orchestra fled for cover, taking their fragile and hardly rain-proof instruments with them, in that moment, Tesh understandably assumed that his very expensive dream had been dashed. You can see it in my face, on the special, he says. I looked out into the audience expecting just to wave bye to everybody, because it was really pouring hard. However, the 7,000 people in attendance (we gave away tickets; I'm surprised anybody came, Tesh quips) refused to leave putting on these see-through parkas and umbrellas and stomping on the ground, demanding that the show go on. And so, Tesh (in what he jokingly calls his Barney suit) and his core four-piece band continued playing. What happened was, at the end of every song, there was no sound. The audience couldn't applaud, because they only had one hand because of the umbrellas, he recalls. Instead, the concertgoers bobbed their umbrellas up and down to express their approval. It looked like a bizarre Mary Poppins concert. It was really weird. So we just kept playing. ...It was nuts. Water was pouring out of the piano, and it was just everywhere and wind we were slipping all over the stage at Red Rocks. But it was good TV. Ironically, Tesh didn't think the crew was still filming at this point; he figured all the camera people had jumped ship. Any sane person wouldve jumped ship. But they stayed there, he says. And then what happened was, like supernaturally after the third or fourth song, the rain just stopped. And I looked up, and you could see it [on the special]: I'm like, just thanking God for stopping the rain. And then the moon came out, and then this mist because the temperature changed so drastically came upon the stage. You'd pay like 10 grand to get a mist like that from a machine! It's like, Oh my gosh. Then the orchestra comes back, and we keep playing. It wasnt until Sellecca visited him backstage afterwards, with their eight-weeks-old daughter in her arms, that Tesh found out that the full concert had actually been captured on camera. Shes holding Prima, nursing, and she's going, We got it! We got we got the whole thing!" Tesh laughs. And the baby's nursing, and Connie's so excited, and the baby pops off Connie's breast. Prima, she looks at me, like, What's going on? and then back on the breast. It was like a Fellini movie or something. Tesh eventually sent a rough cut of his ambitious Live at Red Rocks special to Maryland Public Television, where he had a contact, a really sweet Southern woman named Linda Taggart, whod seemed especially keen during their initial conversations. And it was the first week of March 1995, exactly 25 years ago, when Taggart took a chance on Tesh, and Live at Red Rocks aired for the first time on a PBS affiliate with many other stations to soon follow. She tested it at midnight on a Sunday night, which is a terrible time period for anything, really, says Tesh. And she calls me up the next morning and she says, Hey, you've got something here. We raised as much money with your special as we did with The Three Tenors. I was in tears, and I just said, This is incredible! And she said, I'm going to call everybody [at PBS] and tell them. A year later, thanks to the nationally syndicated success of Live at Red Rocks, Tesh was able to quit Entertainment Tonight to focus on music full-time. Over the course of his career, he has amassed four gold albums (and has sold more than 8 million albums overall), raised more than $7 million for PBS with his live concerts, and released three additional concert LPs. And it all started with his crazy Red Rocks gamble. Says Tesh, It ended up being the special that changed my life. Watch John Teshs full Yahoo Entertainment interview below, in which he discusses his musical beginnings, his new memoir Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith, and his battle with cancer. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Follow Lyndsey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Tumblr, Spotify. The former mayor saw his biggest, most enthusiastic crowds in Bentonville, the headquarters of Walmart, where a mostly white crowd of over 1,000 people came out to see him on a chilly night. Mr. Bloomberg was introduced by John Burkhalter, a well-known entrepreneur and the states former highway commissioner. In a rousing speech, Mr. Burkhalter, clearly more charismatic than the headliner, noted that Mr. Bloomberg was self-made. Michael Bloomberg has lived the American dream, and he wants you to live the American dream! he shouted, eliciting raucous applause and shouts of Thats right! In recent days, though, the mood of the Bloomberg campaign, once jubilant, has dimmed after a one-two punch. First, the former mayors disastrous performance in the Feb. 19 debate. Second, and far more important, was Joe Bidens decisive victory in South Carolina on Saturday, giving Mr. Biden momentum that could close off Mr. Bloombergs pathway to the nomination. Yet interest in Mr. Bloomberg across the Super Tuesday states, where he will appear on primary ballots for the first time, is strong. At Bloomberg campaign events across the South, many described themselves as former Biden supporters nervous that Mr. Biden isnt up to the job. In Memphis, my Uber driver, a black woman, said she liked Mr. Biden. But really thats only because of Obama, you know, she said with a smile. She voted early for Mr. Bloomberg. As Mr. Bloomberg campaigned in Selma and across the South, the crowds were largely friendly and upbeat. But at several events, black voters quietly approached me with questions about the frisk, as many here call it. So when he says it brought crime down, is that right? Valerie Fitzgerald, 64, asked me at a Bloomberg event in Memphis. To stop the brain drain and ease competition for senior hires, weve created a platform for an incredible executive workforce currently sidelined by parenting or other life commitments that require something different than a traditional 9 to 5. Inkwell, a leading voice in the flexible work conversation, announced today the official launch of its employee referral program, in which referrers can earn as much as $10,000 for fulfilling either side of a flexible executive position. After a brief beta, Inkwell recently paid out its first referral bonus of $5,000 to a referrer who connected a research analyst to a position at a well-known investment firm. I had kids young, and through a series of flexible jobs as a lawyer, was able to manage a full-time law career and actively parent. But as my friends had kids, many were forced to choose between their senior careers and their families because of a lack of flexibility in the workplace, said Manon DeFelice, CEO and founder of Inkwell. To stop the brain drain and ease competition for senior hires, weve created a platform for an incredible executive workforce currently sidelined by parenting or other life commitments that require something different than a traditional 9 to 5. Women vacate jobs at over three times the rate of their male colleagues, and companies need to broaden their search and retention efforts to attract and keep this invaluable workforce. Californias recent legislation and an investment banks call for more women board members show the importance of their role in leadership. Inkwell helps pair executive candidates through an exclusive referral network that features companies willing to offer flexibility to attract the best talent. The new Inkwell Referral Program puts some of that value back in the pockets of the networks who facilitate these connections. Research shows that 88 percent of employers identify referrals as the best source for high-quality applicants, but a redundant group of execs has an overlapping network and too many of us are left out, continued DeFelice. We need to accelerate change to the status quo and know a generous reward will help. Our commitment to pairing top talent with companies that value a flexible and diverse workplace is the inspiration for our referral program -- and as more and more research shows that diversity in leadership leads to better business outcomes, we know the demand is there. With referral payments ranging from $1,000-$10,000, the Inkwell Referral Program demonstrates the value of compensating professionals for network referrals while also providing businesses access to diverse top talent. ### About Inkwell Inkwell is a company that places accomplished professionals in flexible high-level positions as a means to establish a new model for the 21st-century workplace. We focus on filling business-critical roles with top-notch talent, as well as providing strategic advice on integrating flexibility into the workplace. Inkwell is also the creator of The Well, a gathering of leaders of diverse backgrounds who all want to shape and improve the way we work, the workplace and the faces of leadership. The Well 2020 will be hosted by the Summit Institute and will take place October 2-4 at Powder Mountain in Eden, Utah. Advertisement Panic buying has spread across the US from New Jersey to San Francisco with worried shoppers emptying shelves to stock up on supplies amid a surge in deadly coronavirus cases. An increase in testing for the coronavirus began shedding light on Monday on how the illness has spread across the United States with the death toll rising to nine and newly confirmed cases in New York, Georgia and New Hampshire pushing the tally to more than 100 across 15 states. The recent boom in numbers has brought chaotic scenes to supermarkets across the country with anxious shoppers stockpiling food and medical and cleaning supplies. Shoppers have been pictured lining up with shopping carts overflowing with bundles of toilet paper, crates of bottled water and dozens of cans of tinned food. In some scenes, dozens of shoppers have been spotted queuing outside supermarkets long before they open so they can be first through the doors. Inside, photos have emerged showing supermarket shelves emptied of cleaning products and hand sanitizing gel. In New York - where there have been two confirmed cases - people flocked to buying hand sanitizer and masks from street sellers on the busy streets of Manhattan. Videos have emerged on social media over the past few days of shoppers rushing to stock up on toilet paper, bottled water, disinfectant wipes and sanitizer from California to New York. Scroll down for video. A shopper in Commack, New York, overstocking on extra food, supplies and water, for coronavirus threat on Monday. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday warned it could begin testing up to a million people by the end of the week. Patrons with shopping carts loaded with tissue and water wait in checkout queues at a very busy Costco in Miami, Florida A customer leaves a BJs store in New Jersey after stocking up on cleaning products and toilet paper A woman stocks up on toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning products at a BJs in New Jersey on Monday It come as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned it could begin testing up to a million people by the end of the week as the global total of confirmed cases soared to more than 90,000, including 3,117 deaths. As shoppers backed up supermarkets across the nation, the Surgeon General Jerome Adams urged the public not to go overboard in its reaction to the contagion. 'Caution, preparedness, but not panic,' Adams said during a visit to Connecticut on Monday. 'That's how we're going to successfully navigate this coronavirus situation.' Adams and state Public Health Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell urged the public to take precautions such as washing hands, elbow 'bumping' instead of hand shaking and getting flu shots. They said flu shots would decrease the number of people hospitalized because of flu and free up space, if needed, to treat patients sickened by the coronavirus. Health officials had previously warned that cases were bound to increase across the US as more tests were run, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was widely panned for lagging in distributing the tests, many of which turned out to be faulty. In an effort to expand testing, a number of private companies, states and research institutions have been given authorization to make their own tests. FDA Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn said that by the end of this week, he expected that enough tests will be distributed to screen one million people in the US. But it comes after the sudden uptick in deadly cases in Washington - which had not reported a second case until this weekend - suggested that the virus may have been spreading in communities there for weeks. Up until now, the US testing capacity was only between 75,000 and 100,00 kits, Dr Hahn said during a Monday press briefing. Customers take some of the last paper towels off a palette in a Costco store in Teterboro, New Jersey Shopper at Costco in Commack, New York, waits on line with a flatbed cart filled with extra food and drink for coronavirus threat (left), and shoppers at a wholesale store in Mountain View, California (right) A shopper leaving a supermarket in Sanford, Florida, on Monday with his trolley overflowing with crates of water, toilet roll and cleaning supplies A sign outside an Ace Hardware pictured in Portland, Oregon, warning shoppers that they are sold out of all masks as Americans looked to stock up against the virus All safety masks at an Ace Hardware store in Oregon had been cleared out on Monday as people took to panic buying amid growing fears over the coronavirus Shoppers with the trunk of their family car stocked up with crates of water bottles as panic buying gripped the nation amid the deadly global contagion But on Saturday, officials enacted a new policy clearing the way for non-CDC tests to be made and sent to labs across the country. Validation processes could still take 15 days, however. US health officials have also begun using the flu surveillance system to track coronavirus. Vice President Mike Pence met with the nation's governors on Monday and pledged to continue updating them weekly by teleconference. President Donald Trump met with pharmaceutical companies to talk about progress toward a vaccine. Four of the dead were residents of a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, according to King County health authorities. The nursing home cases especially troubled health care experts because of the vulnerability of sick and elderly people to the illness and existing problems in nursing facilities. 'It's going to be a disaster,' said Charlene Harrington, who studies nursing homes at the University of California, San Francisco. Infection is already a huge problem in U.S. nursing homes because of a lack of nurses and training. In Texas, tension between U.S. and local officials brewed over the planned release Monday of more than 120 ex-passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship in quarantine in San Antonio. Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a public safety emergency in an attempt to continue the quarantine. He and other officials in San Antonio called for more lab testing of the passengers after one woman tested positive after release. Shelves stand emptied of disinfectant and first aid supplies at a Target in Everett, Massachusetts on Tuesday Travel-sized hand sanitizers and soaps had sold old out in this Target in Everett, Massachusetts on Tuesday Shoppers at Costco in Brooklyn panic buy water, tissues and cleaning products after New York confirmed its first case of coronavirus A sign at Fred Meyer states that they are sold out of hand sanitizer and face masks in Portland, Oregon on Monday A single can of Lysol disinfectant spray remains on the shelf of a Walgreens in Portland, Oregon, as cleaning products and disinfectant soared into high demand A man walks in front of empty shelves in Home Depot that usually are full of respirators in Portland, Oregon on Monday Panic buying in central Florida amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, with a woman stocking up on water, canned and frozen foods on Monday The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said its case count includes 45 infections among people who were on the cruise ship, one more than previously reported. The count includes people who tested positive after returning from travel to outbreak areas in other parts of the world, their close contacts and infections that appear to be from community spread - people who did not travel or have known contact with other infected people. The CDC recently broadened its guidelines for who should be tested for the new virus to include people with symptoms but without a travel history to virus hot zones. More testing will bring more confirmed cases, experts said, but they cautioned that does not mean the virus is gaining speed. Instead, the testing is likely to reveal a picture of the virus' spread that was previously invisible. In Seattle, schools and one skyscraper closed, but health experts cautioned that closures can have downsides. On Monday, the F5 technology company said it was closing its 44-story tower in downtown Seattle after learning an employee had been in contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus. The employee tested negative, but company spokesman Rob Gruening said the tower was closed as a precaution. More than 10 schools in the Seattle area were closed for deep cleaning over virus concerns, although the city-county public health department said it was not yet recommending school closures or cancellation of activities. Closing schools and canceling large gatherings are what's called social distancing, the idea that distancing people will reduce spread. The evidence for those steps is 'not as strong as we would like it to be,' Jennifer Nuzzo of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security cautioned Monday during a webinar. Measures such as school closures have been used during flu outbreaks, and the new coronavirus isn't acting exactly like flu. Moreover, they have downsides. Empty shelves were seen at some supermarkets in New York as fear of the spread of coronavirus gripped the city Shoppers rushed to stock-up on essential items at supermarkets across the US. Pictured are customers in New York on Sunday Thermometers are nearly sold out at a Walgreens in Portland, Oregon, on Monday, as people prepare to self test for the deadly virus which causes fever A woman prepares to load supplies in a BJs club store parking lot in Oregon on Monday A couple loads supplies into the back of their sedan at a wholesale store in Florida, including bottles of Clorex bleach 'Maybe it makes people more likely to stay at home. Maybe it doesn't if people re-congregate elsewhere,' Nuzzo said. Closing schools also leaves health care workers, first responders and others without child care, making it difficult for them to come to work. Trump and members of his Cabinet met at the White House with executives of 10 pharmaceutical companies to discuss ways to speed the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. There are no proven treatments for COVID-19. In China, scientists have been testing a combination of HIV drugs against the new virus, as well as an experimental drug named remdesivir that was in development to fight Ebola. In the U.S., the University of Nebraska Medical Center also began testing remdesivir in some Americans who were found to have COVID-19 after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan. It's not clear how quickly such studies will answer whether any of the drugs help. Many patients recover without needing any treatment. The biggest concern is how to help the fraction who become severely ill. Pence, who also attended the Monday meeting, said other meetings are being arranged with leaders of airlines and cruise ship operations. On Capitol Hill, negotiations on a bipartisan, emergency $7 billion to $8 billion measure to battle the virus are almost complete, according to both Democratic and GOP aides. The measure appears on track to be unveiled as early as Tuesday, and the hope is to speed it quickly through both House and Senate by the end of the week. The measure would finance both federal and state response efforts, fund the federal government's drive to develop and produce a vaccine, and offer Small Business Administration disaster loans to help businesses directly affected by the virus crisis. At the Pentagon, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, told reporters that the COVID-19 outbreak has had little impact on the U.S. military. 'Right now the overall broad impact to the U.S. uniformed military is very, very minimal. That's not to say it's zero,' he said. Over the weekend pictures of empty shelves at grocery stores in New York emerged. Panic purchasing has been seen of masks and other personal protective gear as well as food items Empty shelves at a grocery store in New York. Shoppers have been stock-piling essential items over the weekend amid fears of the spreading virus The number of Americans diagnosed with the virus has hit 77 over the weekend, but has now climbed to 86 The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has proposed the Government allow Bamboo Airways to increase its fleet instead of restricting the firms aircraft number to 30 like at present. An aircraft of Bamboo Airways In its recent document to the Prime Minister, the MoT cited the Law on Civil Aviation and some related decrees of the Government as regulating that the fleet of a Vietnamese carrier is considered on the basis of market demand, the aviation sectors development directions, and its minimum capital. In particular, an airline with 11 30 aircraft must have a minimum capital of 600 billion VND (25.9 million USD), which must be 700 billion VND if it wishes to operate more than 30 planes. The MoT said these regulations do not limit the number of aircraft of carriers, and they can develop their fleets in accordance with their business purposes and market demand, conditioned that they meet relevant requirements. Under legal regulations, Bamboo Airways can increase its fleet to more than 30. The specific number will be considered on the basis of aviation safety, security and infrastructure, according to this ministry. It proposed the PM order the Ministry of Planning and Investment, which had suggested the approval of adjustments to the Bamboo Airways air transport project in the past, to consider revision to the fleet size of this carrier. Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) had asked the MoT for removing the cap on Bamboo Airways fleet, adding that other carriers like Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific are all allowed to operate with an unrestricted number of aircraft. Bamboo Airways, which launched the first commercial flight in January 2019, is operating 41 domestic and international routes. The company aims to gain a 30-percent share in Vietnams aviation market and expand its flight network to 85 routes this year, including 60 domestic and 25 international ones. As of late January 2020, it had operated more than 20,000 flights with nearly 3 million passengers and the on-time performance of 94.1 percent highest among Vietnamese carriers in 2019. The firm is planning to expand its fleet to 50 by the end of 2020. Bamboo Airways poised to launch direct air service to Germany from July Vietnamese airline Bamboo Airways have initiated plans to open a direct air route between the nation and Germany, with flights set to get underway in July. The airline plans to put flights into operation in July, with the Hanoi-Munich route set to fly one return flight per week whilst the Ho Chi Minh City-Munich route will see two return flights operating each week. Information regarding the latest air route was unveiled in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between Bamboo Airways and Munich Airport on March 2, which aims to promote direct flights to and from Germany. The MoU states that Munich Airport is fully committed to providing the highest standard in aviation safety and security conditions for the latest direct flights, while information detailing air transport and tourism projects between the two countries will also be regularly provided as a means of supporting the development of direct flights. The newest direct routes will be operational using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft - the worlds most modern and fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft that boasts a range of outstanding utilities and services. The MoU signing ceremony allows the strong flight network and five-star quality service provided by Bamboo Airways to make use of Munich Airports strong facilities and long-term operational experience, thereby meeting the people's demand in both nations, stated Bui Quang Dung, Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways. Aside from increasing the flow of German visitors and promoting mutual co-operation, these direct air routes will serve as the airlines new products which will facilitate a greater connection between Europe and countries throughout both Asia and Southeast Asia, with Vietnam being the transit point, Dung noted. Dung added that these routes will lay a foundation for the launch of the airlines future air services to Germany and other countries throughout Europe later in the year./. VOV/VNA Bamboo Airways, Vinpearl cooperate to provide air-tourism products Bamboo Airways and resort operator Vinpearl on February 27 signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the field of air-tourism service. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Not quite two months in, 2020 is already proving to be Ali Khameneis annus horribilis. In word, deed and vote, Iranians are demonstrating a profound loss of faith in the Islamic Republic, and a deep contempt for its Supreme Leader. Trust in Iran is also dwindling in its neighborhood, and in the international community. If he were capable of self-reflection, Khamenei would recognize that he bears most of the blame. Instead, the ageing theocrat continues to rail against the U.S., and more generally the West, for all that ails Iran. This bodes ill for Iranians: A regime in denial is unlikely to respond constructively to the overlapping crises that have so far characterized the year. And since denial is usually accompanied by deflection and disruption, it could also be bad news for the wider Middle East, long the stage for Iranian mischief. But, as Khamenei learned this past weekend, distracting his people is becoming harder. The parliamentary election he fixed for his favored hard-liners turned into a vote of no-confidence in him: The hard-liners won, but it was the smallest turnout in the countrys modern history, despite calls from Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for a massive mandate. Per usual, the Supreme Leader tried to pass this off as the result of negative propaganda about the spread of the coronavirus. In turn, leaders in the holy city of Qom, where the virus has hit hardest, conjured up an American plot to undermine the religious institutions. Ironically, an honest appraisal of the threat might have worked to Khameneis advantage. He could have used it to postpone the elections and avoided, at least for a while, the loss of face and of legitimacy that the low turnout represents. The crisis brought on by the virus Iran already accounts for the most fatalities outside China is a microcosm of the regime failures that have left Iranians with little faith in their leaders. The authorities have gone from underplaying the threat to grudging acknowledgment and blame-shifting. (In Qom, the director of the medical university who had said there was nothing to worry about was found to have tested positive for the virus.) By then, the death toll was swiftly climbing toward the three-figure mark. Story continues Iranians could hardly have missed the parallels with the response to the downing of a Ukrainian airliner shortly after takeoff from Tehran in January: After denying responsibility, the government belatedly admitted that the plane was struck by Iranian missiles and then blamed the U.S. for creating the atmosphere of heightened tension that led to the error. If Iranians are outraged by the regimes handling of the virus crisis, the countrys neighbors are taking no chances. Most Middle Eastern states have closed their borders with Iran and halted flights. Almost lost in the panic was Fridays news of a different kind of isolation: the decision by the Financial Action Taskforce to keep Iran on its blacklist for the regimes failure to comply with rules preventing the financing of terrorism. The FATF also called on member states to impose fresh sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The FATF designation is a blow to Irans hopes, already reduced by American sanctions, for a resumption of trade with Europe. Tehran responded in the only way it knows how, by fingering the U.S. and a Western conspiracy. But ordinary Iranians know who to blame: Although parliament passed legislation to bring the country into compliance, it was overruled by a clerical body led by Khamenei. The regime is already shrugging off the FATF designation as inconsequential. It can count on ordinary Iranians not paying much attention, but only because the virus scare has given them more immediate anxieties. Social media platforms buzz with rumors of a run on face masks and hand-sanitizer. To contain contagion, doctors and health officials are calling for a weeks-long holiday for schools and universities, and restrictions on public assemblies, including all religious gatherings. But the virus crisis, by shutting businesses and keeping shoppers at home, will have a much more immediate impact than the FATF designation on an economy already hobbled by sanctions, feeding the widespread anger at the regime that has sporadically bubbled over into the streets. For Khamenei, the only silver lining here is that Iranians too frightened to leave home for fear of the virus are unlikely, at least for now, to resume the anti-regime street protests. But pretty soon, he will need to find a new way to distract his subjects. He cant rely on the Trump administration to provide one, as it did with the killing of Qassem Soleimani at the start of the year. The regime had counted on the death of its most famous military commander to rally Iranians behind the flag and leadership but the outpouring of grief at his funeral was swiftly replaced by rage after the downing of the Ukrainian Airlines flight. Soleimani ran Irans complex network of proxy militias across the Arab world, and his death has limited Khameneis ability to stage distractions far from home. This was demonstrated over the weekend, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, as finance ministers and central bankers of the G-20 nations gathered in Riyadh. Missiles fired from Houthi-held territory were intercepted, and an explosives-laden boat heading for the shipping channel of the Red Sea was destroyed. Other Iranian proxies, like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shiite militias in Iraq, are preoccupied with local political struggles and popular movements against Tehrans influence. And the Supreme Leaders terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year has only just begun. To contact the author of this story: Bobby Ghosh at aghosh73@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Gibney at jgibney5@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Bobby Ghosh is a columnist and member of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. He writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. 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. Breaking Bad did a remarkable job of highlighting Hanks savvy as a D.E.A. agent, while keeping the main suspect, Walter White, right under his nose. And as he negotiates with Saul and Domingo, we see his formidable side, even as he gets snowed. He pegs Sauls act for as a farce (I feel like my chain is being pulled, and not in a good way, he says), but for perfectly understandable reasons, he has no idea that hes about to do the bidding of a drug kingpin. That kingpin is Lalo, who is getting played, too. By Nacho, who reports to Gus that his dead drops are now under federal surveillance. This makes Gus very unhappy. Can we pause for a moment to consider Nachos plight? First, he appears to be living with a nutter. Specifically, a woman who is, for mysterious reasons, compelled to solve puzzles the real kind, like a jigsaw, and the self-created kind, like how to clean a remote control. But an unhinged roommate is the least of Nachos worries. He wants nothing more than to run for his life, the end of which he can clearly foresee, and to encourage his father, who is the quintessence of integrity, to run as well. In a poignant scene, Nacho the Elder (Juan Carlos Cantu) says he wont retire or flee, even if his son secretly tries to buy him out of his upholstery store for an extravagant sum. Poor Nacho. Who on this show is more miserable? Maybe Mike, who is underemployed and idling alone in a bar, trying to drink away his anguish. These feelings must now include remorse for the trauma he inflicted on his granddaughter when he yelled at her in the previous episode. Hes in a flinty mood, and for reasons as yet unknown, hes triggered by a photograph of the Sydney Opera House. What did Australia do to you, Mike? Were here to help. The episode ends with Kim and Jimmy, tossing beer bottles off their balcony, which explode in the parking lot below. I took this as a howl at the sense of in that they would dearly like to escape. And yet this is probably as out as theyll be. Certainly, Jimmy is about to get in way over his head. Odds and Ends: Ukraine has a mid-term plan for restoration and enhancement of coastal defense in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which is being accurately implemented together with partners from the United States, the United Kingdom and NATO. "We make efforts to rebuild and strengthen our Navy. One of the elements of this work is restoration and enhancement of our coastal defense. We cooperate here with the U.S., British and international NATO partners. We have a vision and a mid-term plan, and we accurately implement it," Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Yehor Bozhok said in an interview with Ukrinform. The diplomat noted that the forces were not equal, considering the forces and equipment that the Russian side had deployed to the territory of the occupied Crimea and concentrated around the Kerch Strait, in the Sea of Azov. "But we have changed significantly since 2014. I also want to remind you that, despite all the efforts, Russia failed to break us in 2014. And I assure you that in 2020 it would be far more difficult," the Deputy Minister said. Bozhok also denied that Russia had actually "appropriated" the Sea of Azov through the control over the Kerch Strait. "This is an element of Russia's narrative and Russia's attempts to create a parallel world, in which it has been living for many years. We assume that the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea are open seas and the Kerch Strait has a connecting function. And we have always proceeded from this fact. Meanwhile, the Russian side is trying to convince everyone by its policies and actions that the Sea of Azov is an inland sea. Ukraine and the whole civilized world strongly disagree with this," the diplomat emphasized. ol It would now be virtually impossible for a district to unwittingly hire someone in a situation like Rodriguez, whose license was suspended in October, but the same cannot be said for Simonson or another teacher whose past conduct may be concerning or even criminal, but does not rise to the level of automatic license suspension. At least three people died in a wreck involving 80-100 vehicles Sunday on Interstate 80, while a second crash on I-80 involving at least 30-40 vehicles occurred around the same time, just miles away. The larger crash came amid winter conditions on westbound I-80 at milepost 184 near Creston Junction. Videos posted to social media depict a chain-reaction wreck involving cars, trucks and tractor-trailers on icy roads with poor visibility. Three people are known to have died from that crash, Sgt. Jeremy Beck of Wyoming Highway Patrol said Monday. Officials had previously said four people died, but the highway patrol, the primary agency dealing with the crashes, said the number was three as of Monday morning. Beck said there was some miscommunication regarding the number, which led to a delay in the patrol putting out its first official statement on the wrecks at 11:19 a.m. Monday. Of course that number could increase, Beck said of the fatalities, but thats the number (three) were being told. Any further details are pending next-of-kin notifications, Deputy Jason Mower, public relations officer at the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office, said in a statement to the Star-Tribune in which he corrected the number. Beck also clarified that the number of vehicles involved in the bigger crash was currently estimated at 80-100. However, the patrol did not yet have an exact count, and that number was likely to increase. The sergeant said he did not know whether a pileup of over 100 vehicles had ever happened on a Wyoming highway before. The second crash on eastbound I-80 happened around milepost 181 and involved 30-40 vehicles, Beck said. There were no known fatalities in the crash, but one person was left in critical condition, and at least seven were taken to the hospital. Most vehicles from that crash have been cleared to the side of the road. Officials were still working to clear the scene of the bigger pileup as of 10 a.m. Monday. Wyoming Highway Patrol said that roads were expected to reopen between noon and 4 p.m. Tuesday. The interstate remained closed eastbound from Evanston to Laramie and westbound from Cheyenne to Rawlins on Monday afternoon. Beck said around 4:30 p.m. Monday that the highway patrol didnt have any updated information on the wrecks. Troopers first were notified of the crashes around 3:39 p.m. Sunday, according to the highway patrol announcement. Other than the influence of weather, Beck was not able to provide specifics about what initially caused the crashes, as the agency continues to investigate them. The fact that two crashes of such significance happened at the same time is just a disaster, said Mower of the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office. It required a huge response, he said. The wrecks prompted assistance from agencies throughout the region. Wyoming Highway Patrol called in help from around the I-80 corridor, Mower said. More than a dozen agencies responded to the scene: Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office; Sweetwater Medics; Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1; Castle Rock Ambulance; Carbon County Memorial Hospital; Wamsutter Fire Department; Carbon County Fire Department; and ambulances from Baggs, Green River, Wamsutter, Saratoga and Hanna. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., patients from the crash began arriving at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins, according to Stephanie Hinkle, the hospitals marketing and communications director. There were 30 people taken to the emergency room, Hinkle said Monday morning. Two patients were admitted to the hospital. The 25-bed hospital set up a temporary holding area in the cafeteria to deal with all of the patients. Three additional doctors came in to assist the two emergency room physicians who were on duty at the time. We were completely full, Hinkle said. After patients were discharged, EMTs from the hospital drove them to area hotels. Our staff really went above and beyond to help those individuals, she said. A Department of Corrections spokesman said Monday morning that about a dozen people involved in the wreck were sheltering in the agencys Rawlins training center. A video posted to Facebook by David Cuarezma, a trucker out of Miami, shows wreckage from the crash, including footage of people trying to cut open mangled vehicles in an attempt to rescue others. Jordan Achs, public relations specialist at the Wyoming Department of Transportation, confirmed that the video was from Sundays crash. Cuarezma later shared a longer video on YouTube, during which his truck gets hit and the sound of other crashes can be heard in the distance. (Warning: This video contains explicit language.) Achs said around 9:30 a.m. Monday it would still be several more hours before the wreckage would all be cleared. She said the Department of Transportation was primarily focused on clearing the roads so that wreckers could get through to clean up. Visibility was a significant concern Sunday, Achs said, and that remained the case Monday morning as snow continued to blow. WYDOT confirmed in a social media post that a multi-vehicle wreck had occurred on Interstate 80 amid winter conditions on Sunday but did not describe the circumstances of the wreck. The department shared a media outlets story that included a photo of the wreck from afar, which was posted to Facebook. Additionally, a WYDOT plow was rear-ended Sunday by a semitruck driving eastbound on I-80 near Elk Mountain. There were no injuries, according to a social media post from the department. It was the 10th plow hit in District 1 this winter. I-80 closed Sunday night around 7 p.m. between Rock Springs and Wamsutter. At the time, it was expected to remain closed for 14 to 16 hours, WYDOT said. Star-Tribune staff writer Shane Sanderson contributed to this report. Love 1 Funny 4 Wow 6 Sad 47 Angry 26 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Brandon Foster Managing editor Brandon Foster is the Star-Tribune's managing editor. He joined the Star-Tribune in 2016 as the University of Wyoming sports reporter after graduating from the University of Missouri and covering Mizzou athletics for two years. Follow Brandon Foster Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Princess Diana 's close friend Julia Samuel has revealed that both Prince William and Harry are 'very authentic' and believes Megxit simply shows the 'complexity' of any normal family. The psychotherapist, 60, London, became close to Lady Diana after meeting her at a dinner party in 1987, and is godmother to Prince George. She was even mentioned by Meghan Markle, 38, in her engagement interview as helping her understand Harry's late mother. She told on Lorraine today that what the brothers 'show in public' is what they're 'actually like', and explained that the recent rows surrounding Harry, 35, and Meghan's royal status simply represents the normal 'complexity' of a family. This follows the Sussexes' first face-to-face talk with the Queen at Windsor Castle since they announced their decision to step back as senior royals, during which she reportedly told the couple they're 'always welcome back'. Julia (pictured) told on Lorraine today she felt recent rows surrounding Harry and Meghan's royal status simply represents the normal 'complexity' of a family Princess Diana 's close friend Julia Samuel has revealed that both Prince William (right) and Harry (left) are 'very authentic' and the same in their public and private life The psychotherapist, 60, London, became close to Diana after meeting at a dinner party in 1987, is godmother to Prince George. They are pictured in 1994 She said: 'I think we all do know them in a way, from those young boys. I think what they show in public is what the're like. So they're very authentic.' 'I think they represent the complexity of families', added Julia. 'Nobody has the perfect family and its not about not having disagreements, but talking about it and communicating about it, open families are the best.' Harry and Meghan's final official engagement as royals was confirmed on Sunday and the pair are set to join the Queen, Prince William and Kate Middleton for a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey next week. This news comes after reports that Her Majesty, 93, invited the Duke of Sussex to lunch on Sunday for a heart-to-heart chat ahead of his and Meghan Markle's final duties in Britain this month Julia was mentioned by Meghan in her engagement interview as helping her to understand the Princess of Wales. Princess Diana is pictured with her sons in 1993 It will be the first time the Duke and Duchess have appeared with the royal family since their bombshell 'Megxit' announcement in January, and their last as senior royals. Julia is Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK, and became so close to the Princess of Wales that Diana would collect Julias children from school. Speaking of the late royal, Julia said: 'She was amazing. She broke a lot of the stigma and taboo around mental health. 'I think what they and she have been very good at raising awareness that mental illness is invisible. Julia is Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK, and became so close to the Princess of Wales that Diana would collect Julias children from school Julia told on today's show that what the brothers 'show in public' is what they're 'actually like' 'I think that's one of the things, everyone who reads the book has their own difficulties but because we're not honest about them and we're not transparent, you think everyone else is coping.' This news comes after reports that Her Majesty, 93, invited the Duke of Sussex to lunch on Sunday for a heart-to-heart chat ahead of his and Meghan Markle's final duties in Britain this month. It is believed Harry walked almost two miles from Frogmore Cottage in Home Park, Windsor, to the castle on Sunday after requesting a meeting with his grandmother. An insider said the Queen ended the chat by telling Harry he is 'much loved and will always be welcomed back', the Sun reported. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Tuesday, announced that the State government has requested the Union Government to reverse the proposed National Population Register (NPR) to the 2010 version. READ: UN Approaches SC On CAA, Accuses Indian Government Of 'preferential Treatment' AP asks for older version of NPR Some of the questions proposed in the NPR are causing insecurities in the minds of minorities of my state. After elaborate consultations within our party, we have decided to request the Central Government to revert the conditions to those prevailing in 2010. (1/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 3, 2020 In a tweet on Tuesday afternoon, CM Reddy stated that the minorities in his state were feeling insecure because of the new version of the Bill and that his party had decided to send the request to the Central government after elaborate discussions. He went on to add that the resolution in this regard will be passed soon in the State Assembly. To this effect, we will also introduce a resolution in the upcoming assembly session. (2/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 3, 2020 Andhra Pradesh is not the only state to want the 2010 version of the NPR implemented. Last week, the Bihar State government (an ally of the BJP in the Centre) also passed a resolution preventing the implementation of NPR in the state. READ: Citizenship Amendment Bill DECODED: Before Monday Tabling, Here Are The Listed Exemptions Until now, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Puducherry have passed resolutions to prevent implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Budget session of Telangana Assembly will begin on March 6 and the Assembly is expected to pass a resolution blocking the CAA. READ: After 12-hr Debate, Lok Sabha Passes Citizenship Amendment Bill With 311 'Ayes', 80 'Noes' On Sunday, March 1, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that the state assembly need not pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizen (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) as there is nothing to fear about it. READ: UNHRC Intervention On CAA: MEA Asserts Sovereign Right, Makes Locus Standi Argument What is CAA? The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to the minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This will be applicable to the members of these communities having arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Moreover, they will not be considered as illegal migrants. Additionally, the mandatory residence period for naturalised citizenship for these communities has been reduced to five years. The Opposition contends that the Act discriminates on the basis of religion. At his first Northern California public appearance of the 2020 campaign less than nine hours before the polls closed in the state former Vice President Joe Biden said he believes he will do better than expected on Super Tuesday. I know a lot of folks have already voted, but I feel good, Biden told supporters and reporters who filled the Buttercup Diner in Oakland. I think were going to do fine. My hopes are high, Biden said. I think were going to do well on Super Tuesday. After the brief stopover, Biden headed to Los Angeles for an event with his wife, Jill, in the evening to close out Super Tuesday when 14 states, including California, are casting ballots. He wasnt the only member of his family traveling through California. Bidens sister and longtime adviser, Valerie Biden Owens, was scheduled to attend a canvass launch Tuesday afternoon in San Fernando (Los Angeles County). Biden needs the help. He trailed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in California with only 8% of the support among likely Democratic voters in a Berkeley IGS Poll released last week, although other polls put him somewhat higher. Candidates need to reach 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for the 144 delegates awarded on a statewide basis. Another 271 are awarded by congressional districts to candidates who have won at least 15% of the vote in a district. At his Oakland appearance, Biden said, I think well qualify (for delegates) here, beat the threshold, and I think were doing to win a number of states as well. The Berkeley IGS Poll was taken before former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden on Monday. Former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke, another ex-candidate, also endorsed Biden. Bidens late California blitz is odd considering that he spent little time campaigning here and held only one large public rally in the state in November in Los Angeles. Most of his other visits were for high-dollar fundraisers, including at Sen. Dianne Feinsteins Pacific Heights home in October. Biden avoided other opportunities to appear in more public settings in California over the past year, even in front of fellow Democrats. He skipped the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco last spring that attracted 14 candidates. He also didnt attend a party gathering in the city in August that all the other top candidates attended. Francisco Nieto was one of the diners with whom Biden briefly chatted during the 45 minutes he spent at the Buttercup on Broadway. Nieto, a retired business manager for an East Bay carpenters union, said he had already voted for Biden. Bernie is a nice guy, but hes too far left, Nieto said. State Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, a Biden endorser who was at the restaurant, said, This type of retail politics is Joe Biden at his best because he connects with people. Hes a regular guy. I think hes going to do extraordinarily well, given the lack of resources he was able to put in the state, Glazer said. You know how it expensive it is here. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli Nigerians have taken to social media to react to a trending video showing a student of the Federal Girls College Akure destroying her phone and those of her schoolmates under the supervision of her teacher. It was gathered that the students had violated the rules of the institution by bringing phones to the school. Disciplining the students, the teacher asked one of the students to destroy all the phones during the schools morning assembly. READ ALSO Daddy Freeze Reacts To Video Of Wife Confronting Husbands Alleged Side Chic Some Nigerians on social media have stated that the students deserved the punishment since they flouted the rule of the school, while others believe the punishment is extreme. Watch The Video Here: Here Are Some Reactions Below: [March 03, 2020] Mobivity's Recurrency Integrates with Oracle MICROS Simphony POS To Boost Restaurant Profitability with Data-driven Intelligence and Promotions Oracle Food & Beverage Connect Booth #208 PHOENIX, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobivity Holdings Corp. (OTCQB: MFON) a global provider of personalized customer engagement solutions that drive customer frequency and spend and an Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) member, announced its Recurrency platform integration with Oracle MICROS Simphony POS today at Oracle Food and Beverage Connect event. With this integration, IT executives, tech leaders and multi-location restaurant operators can significantly increase their Return on Marketing Spend (ROMS). The collaboration with Mobivity delivers Oracle MICROS Simphony POS users data-driven intelligence to: Create personalized, multichannel, single- and multiple-use offers and promotions (e.g., mobile, print); Seamlessly and securely manage scannable offer codes across all media and channels for 100 percent accurate attribution; Employ AI to normalize the inconsistent, unstructured terabytes of in-store and online transaction data for rapid analytics and insights to fuel intelligent personalization and promotions; Effectively create 1:1 guest engagement; and Maximize guest frequency and spend. Consumers simply expect a more personalized experience with brands, especially those with loyalty programs and relevant data-driven offers and promotions, said Chris Adams, VP Food & Beverage Strategy for Oracle. With Mobivity as a member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork, restaurants can now quickly understand and adapt to guest behavior with an intelligent data approach. Customers and resellers of the Oracle Food & Beverage Simphony platform can now utilize Mobivitys Recurrency AI/machine learning to analyze the various data from their POS. By accurately attributing promotions to transactions and being able to identify pre- and post-redemption purchase activity, Mobivity helps restauranteurs and franchisees determine the most effective marketing approach based on guest frequency and spend. Recurrency uses these insights to provide restaurantspersonalized and intelligent offers, audience segmentation, offer and promotion management and codes. These codes can be delivered to consumers via Mobivitys Mobile Messaging and Personalized Receipt Promotions or through other owned or paid media channel brands in which they engage. Together with Oracle, were making sense of transaction data effectively enabling restaurants to leverage the insights gained to further drive guest frequency and increase spending, said Dennis Becker, Mobivity Chairman and CEO. Were proud to be a part of Oracle MICROS POS as a best-of-breed platform providing restaurants a true understanding of their ROMS, which had not been possible in the past. To learn more about how Mobivitys integration works with Oracle MICROS POS systems, schedule a demo with the Mobivity team. We can also discuss other ways in which Mobivitys Recurrency can help your multi-unit franchise brand. About Oracle Food and Beverage Oracle Food and Beverage, formerly MICROS , brings 40 years of experience in providing software and hardware solutions to restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, coffee shops, cafes, stadiums, and theme parks. Thousands of operators, both large and small, around the world are using Oracle technology to deliver exceptional guest experiences, maximize sales, and reduce running costs. About Oracle The Oracle Cloud offers a complete suite of integrated applications for Sales, Service, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Supply Chain and Manufacturing, plus Highly Automated and Secure Generation 2 Infrastructure featuring the Oracle Autonomous Database. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com . About Oracle PartnerNetwork Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) is Oracles partner program designed to enable partners to accelerate the transition to cloud and drive superior customer business outcomes. The OPN program allows partners to engage with Oracle through track(s) aligned to how they go to market: Cloud Build for partners that provide products or services built on or integrated with Oracle Cloud; Cloud Sell for partners that resell Oracle Cloud technology; Cloud Service for partners that implement, deploy and manage Oracle Cloud Services; and License & Hardware for partners that do business with Oracle software licenses or hardware products. Customers can expedite their business objectives with OPN partners who have achieved Expertise in a product family or cloud service. To learn more visit: http://www.oracle.com/partnernetwork . Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. About Mobivity Brick and mortar stores struggle to manage customer connections in a digital world. Mobivity provides a platform to connect national restaurants, retailers, personal care brands, and their partners with customers to increase retention, visits, and spend. Mobivitys Recurrency platform increases customer engagement and frequency by capturing detailed POS transaction data, analyzing customer habits, and motivating customers and employees through data-driven messaging applications and rewards. For more information about Mobivity, visit mobivity.com or call (877) 282-7660. Media Contacts Jennifer Handshew Marketing Communications, Mobivity [email protected] (917) 359-8838 Scott Porter Oracle Corporate Communications [email protected] (650) 274-9519 Katie Barron Oracle Corporate Communications [email protected] (202) 904-1138 Investor Relations Contacts Lynn Tiscareno Chief Financial Officer, Mobivity (877) 282-7660 Brett Maas Managing Partner, Hayden IR [email protected] (646) 536-7331 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear on March 6 a plea against the Delhi High Court order which said DDA was not required to apprise it before notifying changes in the Master Plan to allow the Centre's the Central Vista project, covering 3-km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in Lutyens' Delhi. Several new government buildings and a new Parliament House are among the project. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde took note of the plea seeking urgent hearing of the appeal filed against an order of the division bench of the Delhi High Court. "List on March 6, 2020 before an appropriate bench," said the bench, which also comprised Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant. A division bench of the High Court on February 28 had stayed an order of its single judge bench which had asked the Delhi Development Authority to approach the court before notifying any change in the Master Plan for going forth with the Centre's ambitious project to redevelop the Central Vista. The HC's stay order on the single judge bench's February 11 direction had come on the intra-court appeal of the DDA and the Centre. The division bench of the High Court had also issued notice to the two individuals -- Rajeev Suri and Lt Col (retd) Anuj Srivastava -- on whose pleas the February 11 order was passed, and had listed the Centre and DDA's appeals for further hearing on May 6. Suri and Srivastava, in their pleas before the single judge, have opposed the Central Vista project on the ground that it involves a change in land use of the green area adjoining Rajpath and Vijay Chowk for building a new Parliament and government offices. They have contended that DDA does not have the power to bring about the proposed change in land use and master plan and only the central government can do so. The single judge in his February 11 order had said, "In case, a decision is taken to notify the proposed changes in Master Plan of Delhi 2020-21, the DDA will approach the court before notifying such decision." Gujarat-based architecture firm HCP Designs has won the consultancy bid for the Centre's ambitious project to redevelop the Central Vista. The revamp, which was announced in September last year, envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, that is targeted to be constructed by August, 2022 when the country will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day. The common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by 2024. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In 2016, passenger traffic at Winnipegs airport was ahead of forecasts by three years. Last year, the traffic hit a level that wasnt expected to happen for another four years. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In 2016, passenger traffic at Winnipegs airport was ahead of forecasts by three years. Last year, the traffic hit a level that wasnt expected to happen for another four years. The overall economic impact of Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) continues to grow adding an additional 1,100 direct and trickle-down jobs since 2016. On Monday, the 2020 Economic Impact Study on the airport was released by Vancouver-based InterVISTAS Consulting Inc., which estimates the annual economic impact of the airport was $4.32 billion. "Its a significant improvement to the entire economy," said Barry Rempel, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Airports Authority. The study shows about 4.5 million passengers flew in and out of Winnipeg in 2019 a 500,000 passenger increase from 2016. Rempel said when the airport opened they estimated it would have about 4.5 million passengers coming through Winnipeg in 2023. Its just 2020 and that goal is surpassed. "We have grown considerably and more quickly than the forecast," he said. Winnipeg kept its title as the busiest airport for freighter flights in the country 300 cargo landings each month. "We are the third largest airport in Canada when it comes to freight and largest when it comes to freighters," said Rempel. The direct impact of ongoing operations has grown since 2016. The study shows, direct full-time equivalent (FTEs) jobs increased by five per cent, which is now up to 10,020. This growth from the airport was driven primarily by the airlines and aviation support services. Adding together the direct, indirect and other impacts, the economic impact of the airport includes a total of 18,500 jobs, which is up from 2016s 17,310. The total wages of all employees was $990 million, and an estimated $2.06 billion in total GDP to the economy. In comparison, Ottawas Macdonald-Cartier International Airport only had a $1 billion impact to its GDP in their 2017 study. Rempel said many jobs in different areas were added since the last report. He said they include crew, cargo and ramp agents, customer services agents, and aircraft and vehicle mechanics. As much as the InterVISTAS report shows the economic impact of the airport, it did not include 17 Wing, which has an additional 3,500 jobs in the area. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The Winnipeg airport also had a huge impact on tax revenues for all levels of government. Total taxes paid are estimated at $288 million per year, up $43 million from 2016. About six per cent of taxes were paid by passengers, 90 per cent by airport employers and four per cent by the WAA. Since the airport opened in the fall of 2011, there have been a few developments added over the years, including a couple of hotels. Now, Rempel said there is a study being done to expand the terminal. Going forward, he said hes convinced the numbers are going to rise in the next few years because of a new development on the east side of cargo area. "It will include a certified cold-chain facility," he said. The building would be about 140,000 square feet and would include the necessary equipment and climate controls to handle products such as meat and pharmaceuticals. Further details on this are imminent as the annual meeting is happening at the end of next month. business@freepress.mb.ca Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani has taken to his Twitter handle to speak on how to curb bandit attacks in the country. According to the former lawmaker from Kaduna State, if the government negotiates with bandits carrying out nefarious activities in the country, the government should be ready to please them every day onwards. Also Read: Disbandment Of SARS: Shehu Sani Commends IGP Adamu He went further to state that if the government doesnt want to negotiate with the bandits to have peace in the country, it should be equipped to fight them. The former lawmaker made this statement in what seems to be a reaction to Governor Nasir El-rufais statement that government wont negotiate with bandits. See his post below: Recently Maryellen Stewart, a freelance copywriter for luxury brands, was window-shopping in SoHo when she noticed a large sign in a restaurant window advertising a curated menu. I hate the word, she said. Its everywhere. In Midtown, the designer Christian Siriano has opened the Curated NYC, a boutique selling womens wear and decorative objects. Michigan residents can buy their wedding dresses at the Curated Bride. Fashion fans keen to slim-line their wardrobe can consult The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe by Anuschka Rees. Those looking to move can find an apartment through Elika, a real estate company offering curated New York properties. Fly to London, and at Heathrow Airport youll be met with the Curator, a new bar and restaurant. The Evening Standard Magazine recently referred to your page curators when explaining the masterminds behind a list of in-car travel companions, including a Diptyque diffuser that costs 75 pounds (about $95). Its mainstream jargon now, Ms. Stewart said. Its used because it sounds fashionable. It sounds like its for the aesthetically conscious. As zeitgeisty as other oddly specific and much hashtagged words like wanderlust or journey or empower, curate is spreading. The words overuse has left it almost devoid of meaning, and curators themselves the traditional, museum-dwelling kind are up in arms. SPRINGFIELD The fundraising is over, the construction completed and the dedication is done. Now, fulfilling its promise, Spirit of Springfield has gifted the September 11th Monument at Riverfront Park to the city of Springfield. During a ceremony Tuesday at City Hall, Spirit of Springfield officials thanked the many people behind the fundraising efforts and those who had roles in the concept, design and construction of the monument, which was dedicated last summer. I want to thank the Spirit of Springfield, especially Judy Matt and the Board of Directors, for all that they do for our Springfield," said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. "Its an honor for the City of Springfield to host this steel beam from the World Trade Center and to honor all the first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty on 9/11. This memorial will serve as a reminder to all who visit the dedication and the sacrifice our first responders make every day for our communities. Sarno was joined by Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Patrick Sullivan, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi, Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, Spirit Springfield Board Chairwoman Melinda Phelps and others. More than $300,000 was raised in corporate, individual and in-kind donations for the monument, which recognizes first responders who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. It features a steel beam from the World Trade Center and a bronze wall listing 498 names of law enforcement officers, firefighters and military personnel from New York City, The Pentagon and Pennsylvania. Tuesdays ceremony opened with Vanessa Ford singing The Star Spangled Banner in honor of National Anthem Day. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 17:51:14|Editor: zh Video Player Close YAOUNDE, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon's Minister of Communication and government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi said Monday evening 10 separatists, one soldier and a civilian have been killed in clashes between the Cameroonian army and armed separatists in the country's troubled English-speaking region of Northwest. According to Sadi, separatists attacked an army construction site in the region on Friday, killing one soldier and a civilian and abducting five civilians who were working on the site. In retaliation, on Saturday, the army attacked a "fortified" base of the separatists in Small Babanki-Kedjom Ketinguh, a remote locality of the region, Sadi said. "At the end of this crossfire, 10 secessionist terrorists including three women were neutralized," he said in a statement, adding that the leader of the separatists popularly called "general fireman" was among those killed. Government forces and armed separatists have been clashing since 2017. TANZANIA, Tanzania - The U.N. envoy for Iraq warned Tuesday that the country and its people are being pushed into the unknown by political indecisiveness and dissent that is continuing to paralyze government decision-making. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert told the Security Council she wanted to be hopeful, but unfortunately sees no cause for immediate optimism. She spoke two days after Iraqs prime minister-designate announced his withdrawal from the post after failing to get parliamentary support for his Cabinet selection, prolonging the political deadlock in the country. On Sunday, Iraq also marked five months since a popular uprising against the countrys political class erupted in Baghdad and southern provinces to decry rampant government corruption, unemployment and poor services. Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi blamed political parties he did not name for his departure, saying they were not serious about implementing reforms that they promised to the people and accusing them of placing obstacles in the way of a new and independent government. He also accused some parties of negotiating purely for narrow interests. Allawis withdrawal plunged the country into greater uncertainty as it faces ongoing anti-government protests and the constant threat of being ensnared by festering U.S.-Iran tensions, which soared after a U.S. drone strike killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani outside Baghdad airport in January. Hennis-Plasschaert said repeated parliamentary sessions that dont reach a quorum so they cant take any action is exactly the opposite of what the country needs, especially during a period of acute crisis. The road ahead remains fraught with difficulties, she said, citing the pressing need for accountability and justice and for tackling corruption which is perhaps the greatest source of dysfunction in Iraq. Corruption is also a core feature of Iraqs current political economy, which among other things has resulted in a ballooning and inefficient public service that functions more as an instrument of political favour than as a servant of the people, she said. Hennis-Plasschaert said political leaders will have to act fast and put the countrys interests above all else in order for the country to emerge from the crisis. Iraq must move from constant crisis management to sustainable and stable politics, building resilience through deep and broad systemic reform, she said. Hennis-Plasschaert said reducing bureaucracy, making it easier to do business, strengthening the rule of law and adopting anti-corruption measures can all incentivize the domestic private sector while attracting foreign investment. The U.N. envoy also stressed the need for free and fair elections with an independent electoral commission. Acting U.S. deputy ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet called on Iraqs next leaders to urgently deliver reforms that will combat corruption and promote free elections. We also call on them to protect demonstrators and hold their killers to account, she said. Iraqi-US relations have become more tense since the killing of Irans top general. Tehran retaliated with a missile barrage on two Iraqi bases hosting American troops, and there have been subsequent attacks targeting the U.S. Embassy and military facilities. Chalet urged the Iraqi government to protect U.S. diplomatic premises as required under the Vienna Convention. Iraqs U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Bahr AlUloom said the voices of Iraqi protesters are being heard, and without naming the United States said the breach of our sovereignty in January had its toll on the stability in the country. But he predicted that, despite the critical situation, Iraq is on the cusp of a new era of stability. The Portland Water Bureau violated state law and city code by buying nearly $200,000 of water meter equipment from one business over 17 months while apparently avoiding a competitive selection process, the City Auditors Office says. No one at the bureau disclosed at the time that the manager who signed off on the purchases is married to a company salesperson, which also were violations, according to the auditor. The supervisor who made the purchases consistently bought equipment in batches costing in the $8,800 to $9,600 range, just short of the $10,000 line that would trigger additional competition and scrutiny. Water Bureau officials and the Office of Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees the department, deny any ethical or procurement violations occurred, citing an internal investigation that the bureau and the citys Human Resources Department conducted last fall after the auditors office first raised concerns. Fritz said the investigation found shortcomings in procurement training and standard operating procedures, but she said it was likely a sign that city policies need to be improved. Gabe Solmer, the water bureaus deputy director, said in a January email to the auditors office that the manager not disclosing her connection to the company employee when the purchases were made was an administrative rule violation. But the couples relationship was well-known across the bureau, she wrote. Water bureau officials said theyve retrained staff on procurement procedures, formally disclosed the prior conflict of interest, changed how purchase orders are approved and secured a new contract for meter equipment under city rules. No water bureau employees involved were disciplined. The auditors office review stemmed from a March 2019 call to the offices fraud hotline that alleged Water Bureau employees were making equipment purchases in which they had personal financial stakes and that the items were unnecessary and were causing production issues with another bureau. The purchases were made without a competitive contract. The Auditors Office announced in a report released last week that evidence shows the Water Bureau purchases violated city and state procurement rules, but it found no evidence that the equipment was unnecessary or caused any production issues. [Read the report] The review found supervisor Ron Drath made 26 water meter equipment purchase orders from Consolidated Supply Co. between January 2018 and June 2019 totaling more than $182,000. There were 18 of them just under $10,000. City code calls for any purchase of goods and services more than $10,000 to require quotes from at least three vendors. City and state laws ban public officials from intentionally dividing purchases into smaller amounts to avoid competitive procedures. The process is called fragmenting. In addition to violating city code and state law, fragmenting is problematic because the city goes without the savings, values and open process embedded in a competitive procurement, the auditors office memo said. The Water Bureaus purchasing decisions affect water bill rates and maintenance workers routines and tasks and have other bureau-wide ramifications. The review found the bureau made purchases of $9,610 and $8,814 in May 2018 as well as four more purchases of $9,212 in June and July of that year, according to an October auditors office memo. They made nine more purchases of $9,212 between September 2018 and March 2019 and one more that month of $9,610. Drath was supervised by Customer Services Group Director Kathy Koch. Koch was married to Jon Koch, a Consolidated Supply Co. water meter salesperson who previously worked for the water bureau for 12 years, according to the memo. Drath disclosed to the auditors office that hes known the husband for 30 years, and emails showed that at least twice they spoke about Water Bureau procurement decisions, which may have given [Jon Koch] unfair access to city purchasing power. The husband was the salesperson directly interacting with the Water Bureau for some purchases and receives commissions based on sales volume, according to the Auditors Office. Since leaving the water bureau, he also worked as a salesperson for at least two other companies used as city vendors, the memo said. City code prohibits employees from using their status to obtain financial gain for themselves, their relatives or businesses theyre associated with, or awarding business to a relative regardless of the mechanism used to provide that business. City code also calls for an employee to not be involved in any decision where their financial or personal interests will be specifically affected, the memo said. Kathy Koch signed off on all the purchases Drath made from her husbands workplace, the auditors office said. The agency said procurement issues in the water bureau may have been exacerbated by a lack of a formal or consistent equipment approval and testing process. The auditors office said it wasnt clear from its investigation if Jon Koch used any past knowledge as a city employee to further anyones financial gain, if Drath had any financial and personal interest in the purchase decisions as well as other questions related to the scope of possible ethics and procurement violations. Audit officials said they forwarded their review to the Water Bureau for further investigation. The office recommended implementing changes to address procurement procedures, conflict of interest oversight and controls and to provide regular and refresher training in procurement policies. Solmer in the January email said the Water Bureau and Human Resources Bureau reviewed the auditors office October report, emails and other materials referenced and interviewed five witnesses as part of their investigation. She said they found no ethical or procurement rules violations due to family relationships and that the water bureau didnt intentionally fragment purchases. While $10,000 purchase orders were used for meter boxes, there was no intent to avoid a contact, she said. Rather, a contract was being sought at the conclusion of the meter box testing process. Solmer said the city investigation also found significant gaps and absences of procurement information, procedures and trainings at the Water Bureau and perhaps throughout the city. Staff didnt understand their roles and responsibilities for testing, ordering and approving items and there wasnt a standard communications process in place or any way to catch procurement problems if they occurred. Solmer said the bureau has improved internal communication so equipment needs are more clear and it is considering quarterly reviews of all purchase orders. The auditors office said the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney have declined to investigate potential fraud in the case. Ron Bersin, executive director of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, said his agency is not investigating the incident. -- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. In this file photo, utility contract worker Henry Garcia, 75, fills his truck just north of Bakersfield. Im a Texas native, born and raised in Dallas. However, my parents are Nigerian immigrants, so I didnt have the stereotypical Texan upbringing youre probably imagining. When I was five years old, my dad went to prison for a drug trafficking crime. In an era where mandatory minimums were king, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He would eventually get out in 18 for good behavior. Most of my early life was spent with three younger siblings, a single immigrant mother, grandparents that lived with us, and a deep, dark secret. It was shameful to talk about my dad with Americans, much less the Nigerian community. Because of that, my mother grew more and more isolated from the Iarge Igbo community in Dallas we had once been close to. For me, friends became much more vital, much more accepting and much more familiar than family. I developed a strong sense of community. And that community didnt have to look, act or talk like me to help me feel like I belonged. In high school, my close circle of friends spread the gamut of Asian countries: Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani. Because my mother is a registered nurse, she was able to command an income that enabled us to stay in the middle-class area that my dad moved us into prior to imprisonment. Because of her stable position, we didnt have to suffer the instability of moving from place to place a fate that many families in a similar situation to us were often subjected to. My parents were Roman Catholic Democrats and I, for the most part, accepted that political ideology. Ironically enough, that was right up until I went to college. After a series of events, one being my conversion into the Protestant faith, I slowly realized that my conservative beliefs did not match the party I was in at the time. And just as ironically, another big factor in my political conversion was my feminist beliefs. When I was a child, aged five, I was raped by a family member while we visited them in Nigeria. From that time onward, I was on a quest to gain my power and dignity back. I achieved that by empowering myself and other women to be independent, free and capable. That line of thinking inevitably led me to the Second Amendment. The movement to protect our Second Amendment rights was smack-dab in the middle of college campus conversation back in 2012, because of the concealed carry on campus legislation that was being hotly debated on the Texas capitol floor. It made sense to me to advocate for a law that allowed law-abiding, capable, independent women like myself and my fellow peers to take safety into their own hands. Speaking up to about the rights of people to defend themselves is not only a calling but an outright ministry for me. The concealed carry on campus bill passed in 2015 and was implemented in 2016 and 2017. Shortly after, I started an organization that seeks to empower women through the Second Amendment. All of this led me here to Colorado in 2020. I met the love of my life in 2018, moved to Colorado and married him in 2019. Despite the obvious weather and terrain differences, moving from Texas to Colorado was a pretty seamless one. I recognized right away the same freedom-loving, independent spirit in politics that I found in Texas. And a state that still respected a personal right to defend oneself was a state that I believed could actually empower women. What I find the most beneficial in Colorado law is that it is not incredibly cost-prohibitive to become a certified firearms instructor. This has allowed me to teach all classes completely free for women in the community looking to get a concealed carry permit or just to get more self-defense training and knowledge in general. The very first thing I do in each class is to ask every woman to stand up, introduce themselves and say why they are here, what brought them to my class. The introductions alone always take about half an hour. Women stand up and talk about their stories of surviving domestic violence, abuse, or sexual assault. Single mothers stand up and share their stories of realizing that they were the only person between a man or woman intent on doing harm to them and their children. The stories are both inspiring and heartbreaking. And it gives me much joy to sign their certificates and thank them for coming at the end of each class. 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 Today is Super Tuesday, and both Texas and Colorado are casting their ballots for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees. This year is a big change for Texas as its the first year where voters no longer have the option to participate in straight-ticket voting. And in Colorado, this is the first time in over two decades that voters get to participate in one of the most influential days of an election year. Unaffiliated voters have a choice in Colorado to change the dynamic of the Democratic Party today. With Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigiegs decision to step down from the campaign, the two viable candidates have narrowed down to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. The fact of the matter is that I saw this split coming years ago. I realized that the party was inevitably turning into a place more for Bernie and less for Biden, and I knew my pro-life, pro-gun beliefs would soon be seen as hostile in a less inclusive Democratic Party. The women I work within the community have extremely diverse political and ideological beliefs. But one thing I see is very clear. To those women, their right to own and carry a firearm of their choice has nothing to do with Democrats, Republicans, Bernie vs. Biden, or Donald Trump. It has to do with their individual liberty to decide to never to be a victim again. Just like my own political journey that has spanned from Democrat to Republican to whatever I choose to be in the future, I can, as a fellow survivor and an overcomer, fully support that. Antonia Okafor is a Fellow for the Falkirk Center at Liberty University It is no secret that Apple is heavily dependent on China when it comes to the supply chain. The company talked about relocating its supply chain during U.S. China trade wars and the same is being said now. This time around, coronavirus has dampened Apples production plan as the epidemic claimed thousands of lives in China. A new report by the Wall Street Journal claims that Apples operation executives suggested in 2015 that the company should shift assembly one of its products to Vietnam. The plan was to train the workers across multiple years and ready component providers outside China. Some operations executives suggested as early as 2015 that the company relocate assembly of at least one product to Vietnam. That would allow Apple to begin the multiyear process of training workers and creating a new cluster of component providers outside the worlds most populous nation, people familiar with the discussions said. However, upper management dismissed the idea and felt that the shift would end up being too challenging. At the same time, Apple was looking to ramp up its production in India. This would allow them to completely make an iPhone in India and reduce reliance on China. Apple is said to have halted the process as India was not ready to supply skilled labor. Furthermore, the report also claims that Indias infrastructure was lacking. Our Take Does this mean Apple will shift flagship iPhone production outside China? Apparently not. Despite the coronavirus and other challenges, the company is likely to continue the production of the iPhone in China. India seems to be a close second, however, due to the reasons above, Apple is delaying its plans to shift to India. Meanwhile, Apples supply chain in China is seemingly hit. The company has downplayed the impact and maintained that the iPhone is built across the world and not only in China. [via WSJ A US envoy on Monday hailed the thousands of Russians who took to the streets to criticize President Vladimir Putin, saying they showed bravery. Russia's opposition called the rally in central Moscow on Saturday, the fifth anniversary of the assassination of leading liberal Boris Nemtsov, to warn Putin not to try to stay in power indefinitely. Jim Gilmore, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe, the East-West body set up during the Cold War to resolve crises and promote democratic standards, said he wanted to "congratulate the thousands of brave Russians who marched on Saturday." The protesters sought "to make a point about their quest not only for justice but also for a government that's more accountable to the people," he told reporters in Washington. Unlike demonstrations last summer urging fair elections that were roughly dispersed, Moscow authorities gave permission to the rally. "Vladimir Putin appears to still have to be responsive somewhat to the Russian people," Gilmore said. Speaking of the protesters, he said: "They do represent a certain strata of Russian society that we think is deserving of encouragement." Putin, who has dominated Russia for two decades, has proposed an overhaul of the constitution. Amendments include a mention of God and a stipulation that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Analysts see the plan as beginning preparations for succession when Putin's fourth presidential term ends in 2024, while the opposition says the Kremlin strongman wants to remain leader for life. Putin in the past has accused the United States of whipping up protests, claims dismissed by the opposition and the State Department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The McNugget sauce was original made back in 1998 for a short time to promote Disney's Mulan but now, 22 years later, it will be available in McDonald's around New Zealand. "We wanted to give Kiwis the chance to try one of the rarest sauces in the world," McDonald's New Zealand Managing Director David Howse said. The sauce will only be available in NZ but you'll have to be in quick, there's just 200,000 pottles that will be released for a 'limited time'. Did we mention that not only are McDonald's bringing back the sauce, in true combo spirit they've also launched a 50 piece Chicken McNuggets sharebox! The sauce and sharebox are hitting stores around the country Wednesday, March 4th. Sesa Sen By Express News Service Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) is pulling out all the stops to win back the strong lead once held by the Creta in the mid-size SUV segment from its younger sibling Kia. Scheduled for launch on March 17, the all-new Creta can now be booked at select dealerships. The booking price for the car, which will be priced between Rs 10 and Rs 17 lakh, has been set at Rs 25,000. Bold design, extra features and a stronger dealer network are what Hyundai feels will give the all-new Creta an advantage over the Kia Seltos. The second-gen Creta, which was unveiled at the Auto Expo in February, will come with three BS VI-compliant engine choices and a completely refurbished exterior with features like the 3D cascading grille, trio beam LED headlamps, electronic parking brake, panoramic sunroof, auto air purifier and connected tech. It also does not miss out on the option of a head-up display (HUD), which is available on the higher-spec Seltos GTX and GTX+ variants. Hyundais decision to revamp the Creta in India comes not only amid stiff competition from Seltos and MG Hector but also because the same segment is currently the most sought-after segment, that has encouraged several carmakers to dip their toes into it. "With the Creta, we created a segment and now that segment has many other players and might be the fastest growing in terms of demand. With the new Creta, we believe we can do even better than we had done in the past,' said SS Kim, managing director and CEO, HMIL. Interestingly, Cretas tagline The Perfect SUV, which was for used its older edition, has also been replaced with The Ultimate SUV for the newer edition. According to Tarun Garg, director sales, marketing & service, HMIL, the company has sold over 4.6 lakh units of Creta in India. "It is time for the CRETA to set new standards once again." The competition in the SUV segment is about to further heat up with Volkswagen, Skoda and Tata Motors also expected to launch vehicles in this range. Suave new tech The Creta now comes with 3D cascading grille, trio beam LED headlamps, electronic parking brake, panoramic sunroof, auto air purifier, connected tech and head-up display (HUD) [March 03, 2020] INVESTIGATION REMINDER: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against VMware, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of VMware, Inc. ("VMware" or "the Company") (NYSE: VMW) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. VMware announced on February 27, 2020, that the SEC (News - Alert) had opened an investigation of its backlog of orders. According to the Company, the SEC requested documnts and information related to its backlog and accounting in December 2019. The backlog is vital for investors to predict future revenues. Based on this news, shares of VMware fell by about 16% in heavy trading. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected]. The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303005735/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] San Francisco Mayor London Breed slammed the White House response to the growing coronavirus outbreak while requesting more federal aid Tuesday in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence. Breed said coordination between the White House, Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was inadequate, calling the administrations response to the viral outbreak anemic and deficient. Leadership at the federal level is imperative -- we cannot wait as the window to take action to reduce community infections is closing, Breed wrote. On Tuesday, there were 105 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the country, including 43 in California and 26 in the Bay Area. There were no confirmed cases in San Francisco. Six people in the country, all in Washington state, have died. San Francisco declared a State of Emergency on Feb. 25 and officials said Monday that the city is ramping up preparations as health experts expect local cases to be confirmed imminently as local testing begins. However, the White Houses anemic response and lack of transparency prevents us from optimizing this preparation, Breed wrote. President Trump appointed Pence to lead the administrations Coronavirus Task Force. The administration has requested $2.6 billion to address the disease, but Breed said in the letter that this amount was not commensurate with the risk to our communities. The mayor requested that the administration secure personal protective equipment for medical personnel and immediately expand testing capacity. San Francisco is scheduled to start testing locally this week, but has only been provided 250 kits, Breed said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The lack of test kits is a national disgrace, Breed wrote. We will not be able to contain, treat, or mitigate the effects of the virus if we cannot diagnose infection. Chinese American communities have faced discrimination since the coronavirus first broke out in Wuhan, China. In her letter, Breed called out the federal government for not communicating support to the communities. She also criticized the administration for not adequately responding to conspiracy theories circulating about the epidemic. Breed suggested that the administration implement a Presidential Disaster Declaration and U.S. Small Business Administration declaration to help state and local governments assist struggling businesses. We request support for an approach to the emerging pandemic that is based on science, transparency, and resource allocations to protect the American public, Breed wrote. Anna Bauman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2 TUCSON, Ariz. A U.S. Forest Service employee has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of smuggling immigrants who were in the country illegally. The Arizona Daily Star reported that conspiracy and smuggling charges against 35-year-old Juan Antonio Corella accuse him of using a Forest Service truck on Jan. 8 to pick up three migrants on a road about 11 miles (18 kilometers) north of Douglas, a community on the U.S.-Mexico border. A Feb. 4 affidavit by a Homeland Security Investigations agent said that the truck with Forest Service markings and emergency lights stopped after making several u-turns and that the immigrants emerged by the brush and got in the truck after a rear door was opened. Corella was initially released pending trial but that status was revoked after he was arrested in a Jan. 30 incident in which he was accused of picking up five migrants on a personal vehicle from a stash house. Jessica Turk, an attorney representing Corella, did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment on the allegations. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 3, 2020 14:52 678 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2067f7f6b 1 Business Aprindo,Hippindo,COVID-19,panic-buying Free Indonesias retail and shopping center associations were urging consumer restraint after news about the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia triggered panic buying sprees. The Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) and Indonesian Shopping Centers Tenants Association (Hippindo) issued statements on Monday which assured their members that food and non-food supplies were going to be more than enough to fulfill regular demand and that they had also taken certain measures to ensure a constant supply in the case of prolonged panic. This overbuying sets a precedent for panic at a time when people need to remain calm as members of the public and extra consumer demands goes up, said APRINDO chairman Roy N. Mandey. Read also: Jakarta steps up efforts to tackle COVID-19 following two confirmed cases We have coordinated with producers, suppliers and distributor associations to ensure that supplies in anticipation of the peoples needs will be met, said Hippindo chairman Budihardjo Iduansjah in a separate statement. The associations were responding to a buying spree that notably included instant noodles and frozen food, triggered by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's announcement on Monday that two Indonesian women have contracted COVID-19 the first confirmed cases in the country. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto told reporters that the women were being treated at Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Saroso) in Jakarta. The world is on high alert over the novel coronavirus epidemic. Citizens have been advised to regularly wash their hands with soap and take care of their health as the best means of protecting themselves against the virus. FLUSHING TWP, MI -- Students caught vaping nicotine or possessing any tobacco product on school grounds could get fines and community service under an ordinance proposed in Flushing Township. Underage nicotine use is already illegal under state law, but the Flushing Township Police Department sought the local ordinance so that local authorities work more closely with students to deter vaping or tobacco use. The biggest factor of using a local ordinance is it enables the local court to work more closely with us, and school officials and parents to offer better deterrent, said Officer Jim Hough, the liaison officer Flushing Community Schools. Flushing Township is looking to establishes local guidelines to enforce against youth nicotine use in school. The Flushing Township Board of Trustees last month passed the first reading of the Youth Tobacco Act and plans a second reading at its March 10 meeting. Just in the last two years in our area -- it just exploded, Hough said of underage vaping and nicotine use. It just became a fad and very popular. I know its highly addictive. We have 13-, 14-year-olds telling us and parents that they are addicted and are unable to quit on their own. They need help. Its just very sad. For violations of the proposed local ordinance, students would be subject to a civil infraction with a fine of no more than $50 for a first offense and no more than $100 for a second offence. The court may also order the student to participate in a health promotion and risk-reduction program. The individual could also be given up to 16 hours of community service for a first offense and up to 32 hours for a second offense. Students would be subject to a misdemeanor for a third offence and could be fined up to $200. Public Act 18 of 2019, which established state guideline to enforce against student nicotine and vapor product use, helped the school fight against youth tobacco use, Hough said. The local ordinance mimics that with a few changes. Expanding local authoritys ability to enforce against nicotine use in schools sends a stronger message, Hough said. Sometimes, when a student just walks in and pays a $100 fine, its not always the best deterrent, he said. Community service or talking to a local magistrate might carry more weight. Hough started working with Flushing schools in 2005 and has been in the high school for the past seven years. As vapor products have become more popular and easier to conceal, Hough said, There doesnt appear to be an end in sight when it comes to teen nicotine use. We just try to get out ahead of the problem as best we can and try to deter it as much as possible -- any kind of vapor product, doesnt matter whats in it," he said. "In my opinion theyre all dangerous and were going to do everything we can to discourage kids from using them. Last academic year, the district had around 40 cases of students caught using nicotine products in school, Flushing Public Schools Superintendent Timothy Stein said. Fourth vaping-related death reported in Michigan National attention to health affects associated with vaping products have discouraged students, he said, but more needs to be done. There have been four vaping-related deaths so far in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Were very appreciative of Flushing township and city, Stein said. Both have been tremendous partners with the schools to help be there to help guide, mentor and support our kids but also hold them accountable of their actions. This is just another way that we hope to deter kids from making those negative decisions that could affect their health in the future. The district provides classed to help support families facing youth nicotine use, there is also a text or call health line, Stein said. It also points parents toward vapeeducate.com and myifemyquit.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 13:31:22|Editor: zyl Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has disclosed the formation of a national ministerial committee that envisaged closely monitoring ongoing efforts to contain a potential COVID-19 outbreak in Ethiopia. According to a statement issued by the Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the decision to assemble the high-level ministerial committee was made by the Ethiopian Council of Ministers in its latest meeting held over the weekend. It is composed of six Ethiopian ministers to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 prevention efforts in the East African country. The move also came as Ethiopia, Africa's second populous nation with an estimated population of over 107 million, intensified its efforts to contain possible COVID-19 outbreak in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), with particular emphasis on the country's four international airports and 21 land border crossing points. Noting that Ethiopian health authorities are tightening up surveillance, diagnosis, epidemic response coordination and public health education to swiftly detect cases and limit widespread infections, the WHO on Tuesday stressed that Ethiopia is among 13 African countries that it considers as top priority for COVID-19 preparedness. "We are working hard day and night with the government to improve the critical measures needed to ensure that the country is ready to effectively respond to an outbreak of COVID-19. We have shipped in equipment for infection prevention and control and are supporting the training of health officials," Boureima Sambo Hama, WHO representative to Ethiopia, has said. According to the WHO, Ethiopia, home to one of Africa's busiest international airline hubs, is bolstering preparedness to contain a potential outbreak of COVID-19. Zewdu Assefa, head od Emergency Response Center at the Addis Ababa-based Ethiopian Public Health Institute, has said that strengthening epidemic response coordination, enhancing surveillance through screenings at the country's international airports and land borders are some major measures of the country's preparedness efforts. In addition, an isolation center is being set up and more equipment and supplies needed to prevent and control a potential outbreak have been procured with the help of the WHO, according to Zewdu. "We have also designated different treatment centers and mapped hospitals in preparation," Zewdu said. "With the nature of this virus you need additional capacity in terms of supplies for infection prevention and control materials." The Ethiopian government has trained some 60 rapid response team members on coronavirus surveillance, medical care for patients, public health communication and countering misinformation and rumors. "We are working with our partners to achieve the (required) standard level of preparedness," said Zewdu, emphasizing that Ethiopia's previous preparedness efforts in combating influenza and Ebola outbreaks were paying off for containing coronavirus. Recent figures from the WHO and the Ethiopian government show that since January this year, no case of the novel coronavirus disease has been confirmed in the country. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia said on Friday that it has been "very closely" following the epidemic situation since the COVID-19 outbreak, and has been taking a series of swift actions in a bid to prevent the virus from spreading into Ethiopia. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian thanked the Ethiopian government and people for their sympathies and support for China in the COVID-19 fight. Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have expressed sincere sympathies to the Chinese people over the COVID-19 epidemic, and high appreciation of China's effective response measures. "The Chinese government and people highly appreciate it and will never forget," the ambassador said. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) A man in New York City's suburbs was hospitalized in serious condition with the COVID-19 virus Tuesday after becoming the second person to test positive in the state, prompting schools to close and raising the possibility that the virus is spreading locally. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the 50-year-old lawyer from New Rochelle had no known travel history to countries where the outbreak of the new coronavirus has been sustained, though he had been recently to Miami. The man, who commuted to work in Manhattan and lives in a home with school-age children, had an underlying respiratory illness that potentially put him in more danger from the disease, Cuomo said. Officials said the man was diagnosed Monday at a city hospital after initially seeking treatment at a hospital in suburban Bronxville. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city's health lab performed the positive test on its first day of testing for the virus. City and state disease detectives are working closely to identify close contacts and the appropriate next steps, de Blasio said. The positive test prompted the closure of at least two schools, including a private school in the Bronx attended by one of the man's children. A 39-year-old health care worker who traveled to Iran became the first confirmed case of the virus in New York on Sunday. Officials said the woman has respiratory symptoms, but they are mild. Her husband, who is also a health care professional, is also being tested for the illness, which is characterized by fever and coughing and, in serious cases, shortness of breath or pneumonia. Cuomo also said two families in Buffalo that traveled to Italy are under quarantine and being tested for the virus. The governor said more cases are expected as the outbreak spreads and testing ramps up. You're going to see an increasing spread, Cuomo said. More than 90,000 people have been sickened worldwide and more than 3,000 have died from the virus, which first showed up in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. The number of countries hit by the virus has reached at least 70. The illness is characterized by fever and coughing and, in serious cases, shortness of breath or pneumonia. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed he asked the White House to invite Hillsong founder and his spiritual mentor Brian Houston to a state dinner in Washington last year. Mr Morrison and his department have repeatedly refused to answer questions about the invitation, claiming it was "gossip", since the Wall Street Journal reported in September the Trump administration had "vetoed" the invite. Hillsong pastor Brian Houston's name was put forward to be invited to a state dinner in Washington last year. Credit:Trevor Collens But he told Sydney radio 2GB on Tuesday afternoon his office had put "forward a number of names" and "that included Brian". "Not everybody whose name was put forward was invited," Mr Morrison said. The first case of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 has been confirmed in Ukraine, Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko has said. He said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday that the case had been registered in Chernivtsi. "Yesterday I told you that there were four suspected cases. Today this suspicion was confirmed in one person. All materials and samples were additionally submitted to the virology laboratory of the World Health Organization. But the case was registered in Ukraine, and we started working with people this person has been in contact with," Liashko said. Earlier reports said that on February 29, a man who had recently returned from Italy had been hospitalized in the infectious ward of a regional hospital in Chernivtsi. He had clinical signs of flu, and doctors tested him for viruses. According to Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, the man has traveled throughout Italy since February 21. He felt well on his journey and on his return home on February 26. On February 28, the man started complaining about fever and a sore throat. The number of people infected with the coronavirus worldwide has currently risen to 90,936. The virus has already killed 3,117 people. The greatest number of cases was recorded in China - 80,151. Some 4,812 cases were reported in South Korea, 2,036 in Italy, and 1,501 in Iran. op With the COVID-19 outbreak disrupting supply chains and vexing producers to no end, a mounting number of businesses are looking to shift operations away from China, with giants Google and Microsoft both opting to bring production to Vietnam. COVID-19 has made Google and Microsoft wishing to launch their made-in-Vietnam products this year Two global leading technology firms, Google and Microsoft, most recently expressed hopes of launching devices Made-in-Vietnam within this year. Google is planning to manufacture its low-cost smartphone Pixel 4A after April 2020 in the northern part of Vietnam. Moreover, its next generation of flagship named Pixel 5 will be produced in Southeast Asia in the second half of this year. Meanwhile, Microsoft forecast that its latest models of Surface laptops and desktop computers will be manufactured in the same area from the second quarter of this year. Nikkei quoted a Microsoft supply chain executive as saying, The volume in Vietnam would be small at the beginning, but the output will pick up and this is the direction that Microsoft wants. According to Nikkei Asian Review, most of their products are based in China. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the inherent vulnerability of concentrating production too heavily in a single place. Concerns are even more serious than during the US-China trade war. The unexpected blow from the coronavirus will push electronic builders to further seek production capacity outside their most cost-effective production base of China, said the executive from Microsoft. No one could ignore risks after this. Its more than just cost, its about the continuity of supply chain management. The companies have kept the plan of moving out of China even after Washington and Beijing inked the first phase trade deal in January. The coronavirus outbreak just reinforced their determination, Nikkei quoted its own source. In a comparison with other well-known brands like Apple, HP, and Dell, technology firms focused on the internet such as Google and Microsoft could be more flexible in leaving China the largest global electronics manufacturing centre. Accordingly, Apple, HP, and Dell's business depends too much on extremely labour-intensive hardware production. That is also the reason why they find it harder to diversify manufacturing locations. Nevertheless, electronics suppliers have been struggling to keep manufacturing in China with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. That means Google and Microsofts diversification efforts still face challenges because a great load of their components is produced in the nation. VIR Coronavirus: Microsoft warns of hit to computer sales Microsoft is the latest tech firm to warn of disruption as suppliers are hit by coronavirus shutdown. Representatives of Libya's strongman Khalifa Haftar on Tuesday opened a diplomatic mission in the Syrian capital Damascus -- strengthening ties between two bitter foes of Turkey. The Libyan flag was raised above the North African country's embassy in the Syrian capital for the first time since 2012, AFP reporters said. The Russia-backed regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is battling forces sent into its strife-torn northwest by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And in Libya, Erdogan is backing Libya's UN-recognised government in Tripoli, which is fighting against troops loyal to Haftar who launched an offensive on the capital last April. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad attended the flag hoisting, which he said came as both sides faced a common enemy. "When Syria decides to renew ties with... Libya, it is recognition that we are waging a single battle in Syria and Libya against terrorism and those supporting it," he said, using a term to signify rebels and jihadists. "The Turkish regime and its leader -- who has lost touch with reality -- are escalating their attack," he said. Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with the two rival authorities now vying for power. Turkey backs Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord in the capital Tripoli, and has dispatched troops and pro-Turkish Syrian fighters there. Haftar's move in Syria came as tensions have spiralled between the Assad regime and Turkish forces in the northwest, where Turkey has downed several regime jets and bombs have killed dozens of troops on each side. Haftar's parallel administration sent its foreign minister Abdulhadi Lahweej and deputy prime minister Abdul Rahman Al-Ahiresh. "This is not the embassy of the east or of the west" of Libya, Syria's Meqdad claimed. "We believe in a single Libya ... Our enemy is he who sells the country to the coloniser, especially the Turkish coloniser," he added. Syria's conflict, sparked by the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011, has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions. The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in November 2011 as the death toll mounted. Several regional powers, betting on the demise of Assad's regime, suspended diplomatic ties with Damascus. "We hope that those who froze Syria's membership will recall their Arabism," Meqdad said. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain re-opened their diplomatic missions in the Syrian capital in December 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases admitted the tricky balance between undermining Donald Trump and telling the American people the truth about coronavirus. Anthony Fauci, who has served for 35 years at the National Institute of Health as an infectious disease expert expressed he doesn't want any disinformation to leak out as his agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention race to contain the outbreak. 'You should never destroy your own credibility,' the immunologist told Politico in an interview Friday, which was published Tuesday. 'And you don't want to go to war with a president.' 'But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure you continue to tell the truth,' Fauci, who served in his role under six presidents, continued, adding he will remain frank 'even if it's uncomfortable.' Top expert on infectious diseases at the National Institute of Health Anthony Fauci, 79, admitted it's a hard balancing act to tell the truth and please Donald Trump 'You should never destroy your own credibility,' the immunologist said in an interview Friday, which was published Tuesday. 'And you don't want to go to war with a president. But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure you continue to tell the truth' During a press conference on coronavirus Saturday, Fauci expressed a more worried outlook on coronavirus as Trump and his administration attempted to downplay the outbreak When asked what the truth is about coronavirus that needs to be shared, Fauci, 79, said, despite the president's attempt to downplay the outbreak, that it is going to be 'bad.' 'I don't think that we are going to get out of this completely unscathed,' he responded. 'I think that this is going to be one of those things we look back on and say boy, that was bad.' The CDC warned last week that an outbreak in the U.S. was essentially inevitable, and this week six deaths have been reported after individuals in Washington state contracted the virus. Trump has made several strides to try and ease any potential panic related to the outbreak, including creating a Coronavirus Task Force, which he appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead, and holding several open-press briefings and meetings on the matter. The president will visit the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland Tuesday afternoon as the death toll in the U.S. continues to rise and Fauci warns that the spread has reached 'pandemic proportions.' Trump will also make a trip to the CDC this week. Trump will visit the National Institute of Health Tuesday afternoon and later in the week is reported to be making a trip to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia Trump put Mike Pence in charge of the Coronavirus Task Force, and Fauci says he has to run any interview opportunities by his office for re-clearance to speak publicly on the matter but denies being muzzled by the White House The president is attempting to control the rhetoric about the fast-spreading respiratory infection, including controlling which officials speak on the matter. Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar made the rounds on Sunday morning talk shows, but noticeably absent were interviews or appearances from government doctors and scientists. Reports emerged at the end of last week that Fauci was being ordered by the White House to stay off the airwaves. Fauci denied these reports, but conceded that Pence, the new point-person on the virus, wants him to run any interview invitations by his office for re-clearance. He also claimed it was difficult to balance telling the truth and balancing telling Trump what he wants to hear in the age of Twitter which Fauci has not had to deal with in past administrations. Trump referred to coronavirus during a campaign rally last week in South Carolina as a Democratic hoax to hurt his presidency after the 'Russia hoax' and 'impeachment hoax' didn't take him down. The president also promised during an open-press meeting Monday that they would be coming out with a vaccine 'soon,' while Fauci says the best-case scenario for a vaccine for coronavirus would be a year and he emphasized even that was an optimistic projection. Fauci's interview was conducted Friday, and in the days following, six deaths as a result of coronavirus were reported in Washington state the first U.S deaths related to the virus There are now more than 100 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S., and Fauci said Monday night that it has reached 'pandemic proportions' 'There's a temptation that you have to fight to tell the president what you think he wants to hear. I've seen really good people do that,' Fauci admitted. The nation's top infectious disease expert took over the agency in 1984, which was just a few years after switching his professional focus to the then-fast-emerging new illness HIV/AIDS. Fauci says that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle may not appreciate the range of what could happen now with coronavirus. 'It could be really, really bad. I don't think it's gonna be, because I think we'd be able to do the kind of mitigation. It could be mild. I don't think it's going to be that mild either. It's really going to depend on how we mobilize,' he said. Coronavirus has spread across all continents, excluding Antarctica, creating economic disruption and taking more than 3,000 lives. 'It's really, really tough because you have to be honest with the American public and you don't want to scare the hell out of them,' Fauci continued. 'And then other times, in attempts to calm people down, [leaders] have had people be complacent about it. This is particularly problematic in a 'gotcha' town like Washington.' Although approaching 80-years-old, Fauci said he has no plans to retire any time soon. 'I feel like I'm 45. And I act like I'm 35,' Fauci said. 'When I start to feel like I don't have the energy to do the job, whatever my age, I'll walk away and write my book.' The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has been quarantined for 14 days after arriving from China. Nigerias Health Minister, Prof. Osagie Ehanire disclosed this on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate to give update on Coronavirus. According to him, the NCDCboss was taken into isolation because he just came back from China. Ehinire stated that the standard practice was to quarantined anybody coming into the country for 14 days from the high-risk nations. He said this was done to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. MyBroadband recently received a complaint from a reader who had been signed up to WASPs without their approval and had hundreds of rand in airtime taken. Upon communication with WASPA (Wireless Application Service Providers Association) regarding the issue, the reader was told it fell outside of their jurisdiction. The services in question were part of Vodacoms CTB (Charge To Bill) platform, and were excluded from WASPAs Code of Conduct. There are three scenarios that are specifically excluded from the scope of WASPAs Code of Conduct: Vodacom VLive Vodacom CTB MTN Play To find out why these services are excluded from the code of conduct, MyBroadband spoke to WASPA, Vodacom, and MTN. WASPA According to WASPA general manager Ilonka Badenhorst, there are two types of services that do not fall within its jurisdiction the first of which are Charge to Bill services. In this case, the mobile network operator (MNO) enters directly into an agreement with a company to provide content services to end-users of that network, said Badenhorst. According to Badenhorst, there is no requirement from an MNO that such a company must become a WASPA member, or comply with the code of conduct. Network platforms are also exempt from the WASPA Code of Conduct. In this case the MNO procures content directly from a supplier and offers such content on the network-branded platform, said Badenhorst. There is no requirement from the MNO that such a supplier must fall within WASPAs jurisdiction or comply with the WASPA code. In contrast, a traditional WASP agreement requires that a company providing such a service is a WASPA member and must adhere to the provisions of WASPAs Code of Conduct. What the Code of Conduct says Badenhorst said that this is articulated in WASPAs Code of Conduct as follows: 1.5 The WASPA Code of Conduct is binding on all WASPA members. 1.6 Unless otherwise specified, this Code of Conduct applies to all mobile application services offered by WASPA members to customers in South Africa. 1.6A. The following platforms are specifically excluded from the scope of the Code of Conduct: a) Vodacom VLive, Vodacom Charge to Bill (CTB) b) MTN Play WASPA may refer any compliance concerns involving these excluded platforms to the relevant network operator. The WASPs in questions Badenhorst also clarified the nature of the specific services which the MyBroadband reader complained about. According to Badenhorst, neither of these services are offered over a WASP agreement on Vodacom. Our contacts at Vodacom have confirmed that these services are Vodacom Charge to Bill services, said Badenhorst. Therefore, these services do not fall within WASPAs jurisdiction. Vodacom Vodacom told MyBroadband it manages its own digital content platforms, such as Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) and VLive, which are wholly controlled by Vodacom through user-consented sign-up using an open API. All services delivered on these platforms are selected, approved, and tested by Vodacom, prior to launch, and all billing is controlled by Vodacom. Vodacom said it has a dedicated team which monitors these services to ensure they are compliant with Vodacoms expectations at all times. Vodacom also works closely with WASPA, who monitors all DCB services on behalf of Vodacom, to ensure that over and above all of Vodacoms internal controls that are already in place to protect Vodacom customers, all governance set out in the WASPA Code of Conduct is applied to all Vodacom DCB and VLive services. MTN MTN executive for corporate affairs Jacqui OSullivan told MyBroadband that with regards to MTN Play, the service is not a WASP. This is why it is not bound by WASPA regulations. Nonetheless, MTN SA works closely with WASPA and therefore MTN Play partners are contractually obliged to follow the WASPA Code of Conduct, said OSullivan. MTN has introduced customer-centric policies aimed at obliging content partners to use a double opt-in for subscriptions and including a layer of fraud detection in the subscription process to block bots and other malware, added OSullivan. MTNs website states that MTN Play provides lifestyle-based content, including music, sports, news, and apps. Broadcaster Neil Prendeville sued his former accountants after he had to settle a 541,000 tax bill. Mr Prendeville told the listeners to his talk show on Corks RedFM yesterday that his former accountants had failed to make the correct tax returns on his behalf. He described the amount involved as life-changing and said resolving it Read More: I want to explain to listeners that I had not deliberately or consciously failed to pay my correct taxes, but I had relied upon and trusted my accountants, he said. The issue has now been fully resolved with the Revenue and all of my taxes have been paid to Revenue. It could have cost me everything. It has been my first thought every morning and my last thought every night, for the last two and a half years. He made his comments just hours before his name was published in Revenues latest tax defaulters list. He was among 45 settlement cases who paid some 19.7m the last quarter of 2019 in total settlement of their tax liability. He was one of just five cases which exceeded 500,000. Restaurateur and publican, Sherwood Investments Ltd in Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth, owed 10.9m for under-declaration of PAYE, PRSI, USC, and Vat. As of December 31 last, 10.4m was unpaid. Following an audit, Mr Prendeville was deemed to have a tax liability of 327,663 in relation to the under-declaration of income tax. Interest of 115,674 and penalties of 98,299 brought the total tax bill to 541,636. Mr Prendeville, with an address in Douglas, Cork, spoke of his sense of shock when he learned of the tax issue. Court records show that he lodged legal proceedings in the High Court in January 2019 against Cuddy, OLeary and Foley, for damages for alleged breach of contract and for negligence. The company did not respond to repeated requests for comment yesterday. Mr Prendeville said the legal case has been settled with the accountancy firms insurance company paying the tax liability, his legal costs and the accountancy fees for Mr Prendevilles new accountants, Quintas Partners. He was also awarded "substantial compensation" for the publication of his name on the tax defaulters list, according to a statement issued by his solicitors. I was looking down the barrel of a High Court case in Dublin that could have gone on for weeks and could have cost me everything, which was terrifying, Mr Prendeville said. The longer this case went on the bigger the worry grew both professionally and personally. I am grateful that this enormous worry and distraction that has been hanging over me personally and professionally for some time is now over. He thanked his very supportive wife and family, RedFM management, Quintas Partners, and his legal team, BDM Boylan Solicitors and Eoin Clifford SC for their support. This story was updated at 7.40pm. A society of responsible human beings, whereby no one can use their political position or privileges in deny, hurt, undermie, or manipulate against any Ghanaian based on his or her political affiliation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, or physically challenges, there is an urgent need for the Ghana Parliament to enact a new, strong law to this effect. This was the submission of HRH, Oscar Yao Doe, the reputable Chairman of Doscar Group Holdings. He frowned at how politicians and political appointees now use state institutions and power to destroy, undermine, sabotage, blackmail, drag down people they perceive as enemies, for reasons that are not just. In a public post today, he cited the instance of how few years ago, President Akufo Addo and Vice President Bawumia were going round, begging business owners for money and how after assuming office, they went on a rampage to damage, destroy those businesses they, their party, and their families have been collecting money from, including himself. Read the full post below... "A country where beggars can become illusionary powerful in fiction: We need as a MATTER of URGENCY, to enact a law in Ghana Parliament which shall prohibit any, or every government institution, government qppointee, and elected officials from using state institutions and power to destroy, or undermine, sabotage, blackmail, drag down anyone; or to exclude, disadvantage (any citizen) in competitive bidding for government contracts, employments, and benefits to the poor, the needy, or disabled. The law Should be "EXPLICITLY" NON-NEGOTIABLE, so that whoever is found culpable OF (running against) that law shall face minimum of 5 years in jail for low level appointees, and up to 10 years in jail for high profile appointees. These (kind of) laws could help us act as responsible human beings, whereby no one can use their political position or privileges in denying, or to hurt, or to withhold, or to undermine, or manipulate against any Ghanaian in the future based on their political affiliation, or religious beliefs, ethnic background, or physical challenges. Few years ago, President Akufo Addo and Vice President Bawumia were going round begging business owners for money and after assuming office they went on a rampage to damage, destroy those businesses they, their party, and their families have been collecting money from, including myself, His Royal Highness Oscar Yao Doe. This NONSENSE must stop immediately, to pave way for a prosperous society for our youth and upcoming generations. It's a MUST, (and an) urgently needed law to prevent certain individuals from hiding under state powers to hurt well-accomplished people in our society. It will help us to become a society where people can speak out what is in their minds without fear or favour." 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 By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/02/2020 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Mindy Shiben isn't shy when it comes to revealing physical intimacy with Zach Justice felt "forced" on their honeymoon and her husband didn't make her feel very wanted.Mindy and Zach's honeymoon in Panama was awkward and tense because Zach allegedly told his new wife multiple times after their wedding he wasn't attracted to her.Mindy complained at the time Zach wouldn't show her any affection and it seemed like he didn't even care. She accused Zach of not carrying her bags, holding her hand, or doing any thoughtful gestures."Have you and Zach had any sort of intimacy?" : Unfiltered host Jamie Otis asked Mindy during Wednesday night's episode."That's a hard, 'No,'" Mindy quickly interjected."Have you consummated your marriage at all?" Jamie finished saying."No," Mindy confirmed.When asked if she or Zach had tried to initiate any intimacy in their relationship, Mindy shared, "We made out.""Second base!" Mindy jokingly cheered, as her other Unfiltered guests, MAFS expert Dr. Viviana Coles and Season 10 groom Derek Sherman , laughed."No, not really," Mindy said on a serious note."During the honeymoon, we kind of started kissing and stuff a couple of times, and I hate to say it, but it was kind of forced and just, like, no, he doesn't make me feel very wanted with any kind of physical affection or anything."Since Mindy essentially felt rejected by her husband, she apparently put walls up and shut down."So for me, it's really hard to be open and affectionate with him if he's not showing me any affection either -- so no, [intimacy] is missing," Mindy explained on Unfiltered.Jamie then asked Dr. Viviana if she had any advice for the couples when it comes to initiating intimacy."Well, it's very unique in this situation because you can't assume that they're into each other right off the bat," Dr. Viviana said."That has to be something that you prove to each other. Now some couples will never have sex during this experience, but they still show each other that they're into each other in other ways."Dr. Viviana suggested Zach could have shown Mindy affection in ways other than through physical touch or sexual acts."So I would say sex is just one way to show that they are into each other. Just because I don't have my penis inside you doesn't mean I don't want you! You need to look at other things!" Dr. Viviana explained.After Jamie laughed, she noted, "I hear ya!"Although Mindy and Zach started to at least form a friendship in Panama, their relationship took a turn for the worse when Zach decided not to move in with Mindy in Washington, D.C.Zach insisted he didn't want to force chemistry and simply wasn't comfortable enough to live with Mindy yet in a new apartment.Zach told the cameras on 's tenth season he didn't want to move in with Mindy just to "put on a show," but Mindy had said on the February 12 episode of Unfiltered there was "no indication" Zach was taking their marriage seriously Despite the couple's obvious issues, Zach was shown making more of an effort in his relationship with Mindy over the course of 's last couple of episodes.Not only did Zach spend time with Mindy and her friends on two separate occasions, but he also invited himself over Mindy's place to play some card games with her. The pair shared a couple of laughs doing face masks together as well.Zach was apparently following his sister's guidance to make the most of the full MAFS experience and give Mindy a fair chance.'s tenth season, which currently airs on Wednesday nights at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime, also stars Derek, Katie Conrad Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Advantagewon Oil Corp., (CSE: AOC), (OTC Pink: ANTGF), (the "Corporation", "Advantagewon", "AOC") announced today that further to its press release previously issued on February 3, 2020 that the Corporation has completed all of the work on its second Canadian well. The Corporation is pleased to announce that the work was successful, and oil has been discovered. The Corporation is in the process of tying in the well and expects to be able to report flow rates in the next 7 to 10 business days. The Corporation will receive 100% of the net revenue until it has recovered the cost of well estimated at $80,000 CDN after which time it will become a 75% working interest owner. The Corporation also announced that it has received notice of dispute with respect to its first well. The Corporation has engaged legal counsel and is reviewing various options, but the Corporation believes that the dispute is without merit. The Corporation is looking at several additional opportunities and will announce the additional acquisitions once completed. The Corporation also announced today that it has entered into a debt for shares settlement with a Director of the Corporation. The Corporation issued 2,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.01 CDN per Common Share to settle debts totaling $20,000.00 CDN owed and due to the Director. About Advantagewon Oil Corp. Advantagewon is focused on building consistent cash flow from low cost, low risk oil wells. Advantagewon's common shares are listed on the OTC Markets in the United States and on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") in Canada. Advantagewon is a member of the CSE Composite Index (CSE: AOC). For more information please visit www.aoc-oil.com For further information please contact: Mr. Stephen Hughes CEO & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp. T: (587) 580-9344 Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp T: (647) 466-4037 Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although Management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor. - 30 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53082 Impelled by the need to aid the countrys attainment of its sustainable development commitments, Nigerias leading beverage company, Coca Cola Nigeria Limited, took its Safe Birth Initiative (SBI), aimed at improving maternal outcomes and reducing child mortality incidents to Federal Medical Center, Owerri. The equipment and supplies worth a total conservative value of about $800,000, ie over N290 Million, were formally unveiled and handed over at a special event held at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri on February 21, 2020. Every year, thousands of women and newborns die from preventable causes as a result of a lack of access to or poor healthcare services. It is estimated that no fewer than seven million babies are born in Nigeria annually. According to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), one in 34 Nigerian babies die before their first birthday. It is against this background that the Safe Birth Initiative was created by Coca Cola Nigeria in collaboration with Medshare International and the Federal Government through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and the Federal Ministry of Health in 2018. The initiative was created to strengthen the capacity of selected tertiary reference institutions across the country through the procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment/supplies, training biomedical engineering/technicians to improve equipment maintenance and repairs of abandoned medical equipment. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe restated Coca Colas commitment to upholding the health and well-being of women as cornerstone pillars of the society. The issue of maternal mortality is very important to us because it affects the wellbeing of women. Globally, Coca-Cola has a commitment to women whom we consider pillars of the society and also pillars of our business in Africa, where they have always played a dominant role in our vast distribution and retail network. Through the SBI, we want to support the untiring efforts of our hard-working doctors, midwives and nurses who battle against great odds in our public hospitals to manage life-threatening complications affecting mothers and the newborn. she said. The Minister for Health, represented by the Head, Clinical Services, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Dr. Ugochukwu Onyeonoro expressed his gratitude to Coca-Cola Nigeria and Medshare International for the equipment donated to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri. He said, I am happy about this initiative championed by Coca-Cola and Medshare. These contributions will certainly contribute to the reduction in mother and child mortality rate in Nigeria as a whole. Speaking on the partnership with Coca-Cola, Director of Biomedical Training and Technical Services, Medshare International, Dr. Eben Amstrong said, There is no way these equipment and consumables would have gotten to Federal Medical Center, Owerri without Coca-Cola. They have been a very efficient and able partner and Medshare International is grateful for that. The Chairman of the Board, Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Senator Ishaq Adebayo Salman also expressed his gratitude to Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Medshare International. He said, I would like to thank Coca-Cola and Medshare for their contributions to Federal Medical Center, Owerri. They did not stop at donating the necessary equipment needed in the hospital, they went further to train the biomedical staff both on technical skills and on character to ensure more lives are saved. The installation and unveiling at FMC Owerri makes it the fourth beneficiary hospital to receive medical equipment under this Initiative. A total of 15 major public hospitals recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health, will receive hospital equipment, kits, and supplies worth a total conservative value of about $10.8 million, i.e. over N3.8 billion as Coca Cola and its partners Medshare International hope to promote improved maternal care experience at these public health institutions. Coca Cola Nigeria has imprinted strong local footprints in more than 200 countries across the globe through strategic projects that tackle some of the challenges that impede the sustainable development of communities. Since Inception, the SBI has delivered ten units of forty-foot containers of medical equipment, kit, and supplies to four target public health Institutions; National Hospital, Abuja, Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Lagos, Alimosho General Hospital, Igando and now Federal Medical Center, Owerri. A total of over 120 Biomedical Engineers/technicians drawn across various beneficiary institutions have also been trained under the initiative. LOS ANGELES (AP) - California Democrats looking for a candidate to defeat President Donald Trump will pick from a suddenly reshaped presidential field. California is one of 14 states that will vote on Super Tuesday. Its the biggest prize by far, with more than 400 delegates at stake. The vote comes a day after Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg united behind Biden as party moderates look to halt the ascent of democratic socialist Sanders, the leading candidate after contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. At a Sacramento polling station Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declined to say who he voted for but said recent endorsements for Biden are a huge boost to the former vice president. That was about as significant a night that you could have in politics before a major primary, he said about Klobuchar and Buttigieg quitting the race and joining Biden on Monday in Dallas. Newsom predicted Bidens momentum may drive more voters to the polls and that results will be very clarifying for the state of the race. President Donald Trump, who lost California by over 4 million votes in 2016, faces only token opposition. Meanwhile, a series of contested U.S. House districts are on the ballot that could play into control of Congress in November. Its possible the primary could attract about half of the states nearly 21 million registered voters. Early voting began in February, and about 22% of 16 million mail-in ballots had been returned as of Monday, according to nonpartisan Political Data Inc. Arguably, no candidate has more at stake in California than Sanders, the Vermont senator whose campaign has long seen the nations most populous state as a critical early contest and has had droves of volunteers organizing events across the state. Sanders was on the California presidential ballot four years ago, when he picked up 46% of the vote in a losing effort against Hillary Clinton. Hes hoping for a comeback that would be a capstone moment for the states progressive wing, and a string of recent polls have shown him with an advantage over his remaining rivals. But Sanders is also facing unpredictable factors, not the least of which is who actually votes. Some of Sanders strongest supporters, including young people and Hispanics, tend to be among the least reliable voters. They were trailing other groups in mail-in ballots returned through Monday. At the same time, moderate Democrats are clearing the field for South Carolina primary winner Biden, fearing that a Sanders ticket could doom the partys chances in November. Another recent exit from the race was California billionaire Tom Steyer, who stepped out Saturday. Anyone who already voted for Klobuchar, Buttigieg or Steyer cant change their vote. State election rules intended to increase participation make it likely that ballot-counting could continue for weeks in close contests. Another unknown was Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who has spent tens of millions of dollars in advertising, is on the ballot for the first time on Super Tuesday. Four years ago, many Sanders supporters were dejected after his defeat and suspicious of an election process they believe tilted unfairly to Clinton. But his volunteer corps regrouped, and a candidate once considered on the political fringe has this year accumulated more delegates than any other Democrat so far. On supporters of Sanders seeing the Democratic establishment trying to thwart the progressive candidate, Newsom said its the nature of the process. But he said the party will unify as before November. The swift reordering of the Democratic contest could provide an opening for Biden, who has been slipping in state polls. He might have another hidden advantage: California prides itself on being the birthplace of the next great thing, but in politics its voters sometimes look backward and favor the familiar. For example, in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, when much of the nation was lining up with eventual nominee Barack Obama, California delivered a comfortable victory for Clinton, whose husband, Bill Clinton, carried the state in 1992 and 1996. Biden was back in California Tuesday. Warren, meanwhile, dug in and made her closing California pitch in a heavily Hispanic neighborhood near Los Angeles, where she told the story of Latina janitors who organized and fought for better working conditions three decades ago. She drew an immediate contrast with Biden, saying nominating a Washington insider will not meet this moment. While she didnt mention Sanders by name, she offered herself as the progressive who can get things done. Tulsi Gabbard, who has lagged badly in early contests, also remains in the race. The long-running tension between the partys progressive wing and its center-left establishment has defined the presidential contest again, as it has for years in many races in California. A Sanders victory would signal a continuing shift to the political left in which voters embrace his revolution that includes tuition-free college, breaking up big banks and revamping an economy that has produced a yawning divide between the very wealthy and workaday Americans. The big change from 2016? Sanders has made inroads with people of color, especially Hispanics, Sanders pollster Ben Tulchin said. In Nevada, support from Latinos, black people and union members, among others, helped him handily win the caucuses. Weve put together a multiracial, diverse coalition that is putting Bernie in a strong position to win California and a trove of delegates, Tulchin said. California delegates are partly divvied up in what amounts to 53 separate elections in congressional districts. A candidate must win 15% of the vote in a district to qualify for at least one delegate. Sanders has pushed back against suggestions that his agenda is pulling the party too far from the center. I dont think so, I honestly dont, the Vermont senator told California Democrats at a convention last year. TEHRAN, Iran, March.3 Trend: Iran and China relations will enter to a new stage after confrontation with the coronavirus, said the Chinese Ambassador in Tehran. "We are with Iran as coronavirus intensifies, and we believe the humanitarian aid from friends of Iran would help the country overcome the crisis," said Chang Hua during a meeting with Iranian Red Crescent Society Secretary General Mahmoudreza Peyravi, Trend reports citing IRNA. China achieved good results in combating coronavirus, and currently the situation is under control, so China can share its experience in the fight against virus to Iranians, the ambassador added. "Recently, high-ranking Chinese experts arrived in Iran to provide help in testing virus and offer their experience to the Health Ministry and the national Red Crescent," he noted. "So far, Chinese companies operating in Iran and China's Red Cross provided humanitarian help to Iran in fight with COVID-19." Total value of aids provided by China's Red Cross reached 8.9 million yuan ($1.2 million). More than 86,000 people have been infected as outbreak spreads around the world with hot spots in Europe and the Middle East including Iran. Mainland China reported 573 new confirmed coronavirus cases on February 29, up from 427 on the previous day, the total death toll in mainland China is 2,870. A private archaeology firm believes it has discovered 44 African American graves which were left behind when a Florida cemetery was moved more than 60 years ago. Ground-penetrating radar was used to detect the 'grave-like anomalies' under the disused asphalt area owned by the Clearwater and Pinellas County School District. Officials said the original cemetery was moved in 1954 but that some graves were left behind. It is being referred to as the 'North Greenwood Cemetery,' because its historic name remains unknown, as does the age of its graves. In Friday's report by Cardno, the firm hired by the school district, the graves were said to be between two and six feet below the surface. It is the third time since August that a forgotten African American cemetery has been discovered in the Tampa Bay area. President of the local NAACP branch Zebbie Atkinson told The Tampa Bay Times: 'It's an unfortunate situation that America has the history it has and has done very little if anything to make amends for the atrocities of the past. 'We need to work together to find the answer so all hearts are satisfied in the end.' Ground penetrating radar was used to detect the 'grave-like anomalies' under the disused asphalt area (marked) owned by the Clearwater and Pinellas County School District Newspapers from 1954 reported that the remains of 350 were to be moved from the cemetery to Parklawn Memorial Cemetery in Dunedin to make way for a swimming pool and Pinellas High School. The swimming pool was demolished a long time ago and the school buildings are no longer used. The archaeology firm said there were 'numerous disturbances that may indicate areas where burials have been removed.' Cardno also reported additional graves may exist under a nearby school district building. Officials say Cardno will get permission to validate the radar's findings by digging just close enough to the graves to confirm their existence without touching them. Additional findings are expected by the end of March. After that, community meetings will be held to discuss what to do. There had been plans to lease the land to the non-profit Homeless Empowerment Program to build affordable housing. Associate superintendent for Pinellas schools Clint Herbic said he still hoped the project could go ahead with some 'tweaking.' The parking lot is located in a corner of the school land next to disused buildings and had been earmarked for a homeless housing project In August last year, the Tampa Housing Authority reported 300 caskets from a segregation-era all-black cemetery were under some of its apartment buildings. And in November, Hillsborough County School District uncovered some 250 caskets from a mid-20th century African American cemetery under King High School campus. In December, 40 slave graves were discovered at a high-end country club in Tallahassee which sparked a debate about how to memorialize the dead. Rumors had swirled for decades about a dark history which had long lain buried under the club's grassy knolls and manicured lawns until archaeologist combed the area with penetrating radars and sniffer dogs. Over the years, neat rows of rectangular depressions along the 7th fairway deepened in the grass, outlining what would be confirmed this month as sunken graves of the slaves who lived and died on a plantation that once sprawled with cotton near the Florida Capitol. The green ovals in in the grid of this radar image of the 7th hole of the Capital City Country Club are likely graves, said Jeffrey Shanks, an archaeologist with the National Park Service. The blue ovals are possible graves Archaeologists combed the area with penetrating radars and sniffer dogs to discover a slave grave near Florida's capital city Delaitre Hollinger, the immediate past president of the Tallahassee branch of the NAACP, visits the Capital City Country Club 'When I stand here on a cemetery for slaves, it makes me thoughtful and pensive,' Delaitre Hollinger, president of the NAACP branch for Tallahassee said at the time. His ancestors worked the fields of Leon County as slaves. 'They deserve much better than this,' said Hollinger. 'And they deserved much better than what occurred in that era.' Meanwhile searches are ongoing for further African American graves in the state including from the St. Matthews Baptist Church Cemetery in Clearwater, the Port Tampa Cemetery on MacDill Air Force Base and the Keystone Park Memorial Cemetery in Odessa. Coronavirus outbreak has spread to over 60 countries and over 90,000 people have been infected. This has made travel restriction more stricter given the growing number of cases. The travel ban is in place in order to prevent the virus from spreading more. There are a number of countries which are now denying entry to passengers who have been to China, Italy and other related regions. The screening at the travel platforms such as airports, railways stations have increased. In particular, India has suspended e-visa facilities for the Chinese travellers and foreigners who are visiting China in recent times. India has also cancelled existing visas for the travellers across the globe. Here you can find the brief list of country-wise restrictions that has been imposed due to coronavirus outbreak: India Travel Ban/Restriction/Advisory Feb 2: Suspension of e-visas facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners living in the mainland of china. Feb 4: Cancelled existing visas for Chinese and foreigner who have visited the country in the past 14 days. Feb 5: Suspension of all visas issued to the Chinese passport before February 5. The restriction was applicable on the Chinese passport holder Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. Foreigners who have been to China on or after Jan 15 are not permitted to enter in the country (India) from any means such as Air, land or seaport. Feb 14: Chennai port temporarily banned entry of crew onboard ships from China, this includes Macao and Hong Kong, irrespective of their health conditions. Flight Suspension Jan 30: Air India suspended its Mumbai-Delhi Shanghai flight and reduced Delhi-Hong Kong flights. Feb 1: Indigo Airlines suspends its Delhi, Chegdu, Bengaluru-Hong Kong and Kolkata Guangzhou flights. Feb 4: Indian airlines cancelled all flights to China. Feb 8: Air India suspends all its Delhi- hong Kong flights. Feb 16: SpiceJet suspended its daily Delhi-HongKong flights. AFP Australia Travel Ban/Restriction/Advisory Feb 1: Raised Travel Advisory for China to Level 4: Do not travel. Denied entry to foreign travellers who have left or passed through china in the past 14 days. Flight Suspension Jan 30: Jetstar suspends flights to Hafei, Guiyang, and Xuzhoe. Feb 9: Qantas suspends the only flight to Mainland China. Feb 20: Qantas reduced flights to HongKong, flights to Shanghai remain suspended. Mar 2: Virgin Australia cancels all flights to Hong Kong. Austria Travel Ban/Restriction/Advisory Feb 5: Advises against travel to Mainland China and the travel province of Hubei. Bahrain Travel Ban/Restriction/Advisory Jan 31: Advises against non-essential travel to China. Feb 13: Denies entry to foreign travellers who have been in China for the past 14 days. Belgium Travel Ban/Restriction/Advisory Feb 4: The advises against non-essential travel to China and all the travel province of Hubei. Canada Travel Ban/Restriction/Advisory Feb 5: Advises against non-essential travel to China and all the travel province of Hubei, this includes cities like Wuhan, Huanggang and Ezhou. Flight Suspension: Jan 30: Air Canada suspends all flights to Mainland China. Mar 1: Air Canada suspends daily non-stop flights to Toronto - Hong Kong flights. The proverbial 40 days of a thief came to a painful end for a sex-pest who has been terrorizing students of Senior Chief Mwangeka Girls Secondary School in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County. Francis Maganga, 27, is said to have been sneaking into the girls dormitories and sexually harassing the learners since June last year. Students finally cornered the suspect on Saturday night and beat him up, leaving him for dead, Standard reports. We have been keeping vigil on several occasions. We were courageous enough to corner him after he entered into the dormitory, said one of the students. Police suspect the man could have been colluding with some students and security guards to gain entry into the dormitories. This is not the first time the suspect is raiding the institution to harass the girls, said a police officer. During the latest incident, the suspect reportedly sneaked into the school and went straight to the bed of one of the girls and started to touch her indecently. The girl raised alarm attracting other students who rained blows on the suspect. School authorities later handed him over to police at Wundanyi Police Station. The suspect was beaten by the students. He has facial injuries, said Taita Sub-county Deputy Police Commander Daniel Mukumbu. We have launched investigations into the issue. We will take the suspect to court this week, he added. The following telegram has been received by the Under Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs from the officer in charge at Cooktown : " The Warrego returned from the scene of the wrecks this morning. Authentic reports state that 14 white men and about 400 coloured men were drowned. Eighty luggers and six schooners were wrecked. The damage is estimated at 50,000. Channel Island lightship and four men were lost at Douglas Spit. A coloured man reached shore with two women after swimming four days. The beach is strewn with dead fish, snakes, and birds." The following telegram from the Harbour Master at Cooktown was received about 5 o'clock this afternoon by the Postmaster, Captain Almond. The message appears to have been de- layed in transmission, as it was despatched at 10 o'clock in the morning. It runs as follows : " I considered, after conferring with Bennett, officer on board the White Star, that the Warrego could accomplish no good going further north than Flinders Island, and instructed the captain of the Warrego to return to Cooktown, where he arrived at midnight. The White Star left Flinders Island for Cape Melville at 7 a.m. on Sunday. It was arranged to go from there to- wards the reef north-east from Piper Island and search north. This was not done, because we passed her at 6.30 on Sunday evening between Murdock and Lookout Point steaming south. It was useless searching south of Barrow Point. At 12.40 on Saturday sighted the steamer Victory.Bade her stay, and signalled 'Come along- side.' On receiving the report of Pilot Coles, I instructed the captain to proceed south along the coast as far as Barrow Point, searching the beach. If any bodies were found the instructions were to bury them. If white bodies, to obtain full par-ticulars for indentification ; also instructions were given to give flour to the blacks for burying the dead, and then return if time permitted to Channel Rock and anchor for the night. Next morning to proceed to C Reef, off Flinder's Point, examine the lugger ashore on the reef, and also proceed to King Island, looking for wreckage, afterwards to proceed to Cooktown. Captain Porter (Crest of the Wave) reports he saw the lightship at 11 p.m. on Saturday at anchorage. The barometer was then 27in. The consensus of opinion is that the lightship foundered at her moorings. The water was too dirty to send a diver down. If not at her moorings, then she foundered at Bathurst Bay, but the opinion is she sank at her moorings. All hands were drowned. The captains of the pearling fleets say they never experienced such weather. An Assistant Engineer with TNEB died of head injury after he was allegedly attacked by a wireman following a quarrel in their office in neighbouring Tirupur district on Tuesday, police said. The wireman and the engineer were locked in a quarrel reportedly over allocation of work when the former suddenly attacked him with a wooden long, causing bleeding injuries in the head at the TNEB office in Mettukadu and fled the scene, they said. Some other employees present there rushed the engineer to the government hospital in nearby Udumalpet, but doctors declared him brought dead. A search was on for the assailant and further investigation was on, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Posting this message is heartbreakingly difficult, Renee Gutshall wrote on Facebook. Erik, my sweet and wonderful husband, is hospitalized and being treated for a brain tumor. We hope that you will keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he goes through treatment over the coming weeks. Words cannot express how much your friendship, support and love mean to me, our children and Erik right now. Six people have now died from coronavirus in Washington state, health officials said Monday. Officials said they would purchase a hotel to use as a hospital and provide housing for vulnerable homeless people amid outbreak fears. Dr. Jeff Duchin from Public Health Seattle & King County announced the new deaths. Five people were from King County and one from Snohomish County. All died at a hospital in Kirkland, Washington. Researchers said earlier the COVID-19 virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in the state, and experts said more cases would likely be reported in Washington, Oregon and California as testing ramps up. King County Executive Dow Constantine declared an emergency and said the county was buying a hotel to be used as a hospital where patients who need to be isolated can be placed to recover. Constantine said that should be available by the end of the week. The first US case was a Washington state man who had visited China, where the virus first emerged, but several recent cases in the US have had no known connection to travelers. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington on Sunday said they had evidence the virus may have been circulating in the state for up to six weeks undetected, - a finding that, if true, could mean hundreds of undiagnosed cases in the area. They posted their research online, but it was not published in a scientific journal or reviewed by other scientists. My mother always told me that bragging about something is just asking for trouble, so Im almost afraid to tell you about the improvements New Jersey has made in preparing to respond to any public health emergency. We sure dont want one, but I feel obliged to tell you where things stand. After 9/11 most states realized they were not prepared to deal adequately with major disasters of any sort, but few were hit as hard with that knowledge as New Jersey and New York. We learned our lesson the hard way. Now the Trust for Americas Health ranks our state in the top tier for preparedness while neighboring New York still sits in the bottom tier. The Trust, a national research and advocacy group funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released a report in February showing New Jersey as one of 17 states ready to handle almost anything. They based their conclusions on 10 preparedness indicators, including the quality of hospitals, use of seasonal flu vaccines, and public access to clean drinking water. They also considered national accreditation of state systems, public health surveillance systems, and collaborative agreements designed to boost the capacity of the healthcare workforce. They say as a nation we still need to do more. After our collective 9/11 experience, then-Speaker Albio Sires established a Homeland Security Committee in the General Assembly, the first Legislature in the nation to do so, even before the federal government, and I was honored to be its first chair. We learned there were great problems in communications because different municipalities, counties, fire, police and ambulance services all operated their own radio systems and could barely communicate with one another. Over time, they developed interoperability systems to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. Likely terrorist targets were hardened, and health care providers stockpiled emergency supplies and practiced real-life and tabletop drills to develop better techniques. Most important, we remained vigilant, unlike some states where preparedness seemed to take a backseat to more immediate economic needs. Now with the threat of coronavirus hanging over us, we can be more confident than they that we are taking steps to prevent its spread here but in the worst case, we are also ready to deal with it. Recently I attended a meeting of the Northeast Regional Healthcare Coalition at the Hudson County Emergency Operations Center in Kearny, along with scores of health and safety representatives from hospitals, health centers, ambulance services and other first responders who work in the geographical top quarter of the state. The presenters showed a list of possible disasters and asked attendees to rank them according to risk in their areas. After some discussion, they agreed on a revised list to be updated periodically and also agreed all would prepare for all disasters. Extreme weather topped the list, followed in order by a pandemic, power outages, cyber terrorism, active assailant, flooding, terrorism, accidental release of hazardous materials, foodborne outbreaks, and accidental release from a nuclear facility. Weathers been good this winter, but now the coronavirus has almost everyone scared about the very real possibility of a pandemic, and with New Jersey being one of the countrys major entry points, we must be sure we are ready. President Trump thinks we are and our governor seems to think we can handle whatever comes. I hope they are both right. The country and the state may be poised to cope with whatever nature throws at us, so now its up to us make sure we do our part. Another bit of good advice my mother gave wash your hands. A former assemblywoman from Jersey City, Joan Quigley is the president and CEO of North Hudson Community Action Corp. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com. Kumail Nanjiani started his career off in stand-up comedy before taking on bit comedic roles and then eventually landing his leading role in HBOs hit show Silicon Valley. It wasnt until his film The Big Sick, however, that he became more widely recognizable. The film depicts the start of his relationship with his now-wife, and his parents initial disapproval of his choice to date a woman outside of his culture. Though some of the scenes were ramped up for dramatic effect, it wasnt too far from the truth. Kumail Nanjiani kept his relationship a secret at first Kumail Nanjiani | Charley Gallay/Getty Images Nanjiani moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 from his native country of Pakistan. His parents, Shiite Muslims, were proponents of arranged marriage. They had an arranged marriage, as did the majority of their family, and Nanjiani says they genuinely love each other. He explained to Larry Wilmore on his podcast: A love marriage is sort of a Western marriage. And in Pakistan, theres a line in the movie, but love marriages are a derogatory term, its a bad thing. You dont want a love marriage. Theyll be like, Oh, he had a love marriage.' He was 28 and still unmarried when in 2006 he was heckled during a comedy show by Emily V. Gordon. The two began dating, a fact which he kept a secret from his parents as they continued to hunt for a match for him to marry. Nanjiani admitted in an interview with NPR that he did lead them on: Sort of how in the movie Im just sort of avoiding making these decisions I just was saying no, not this one, not this one, not this girl, not her, not her. He continued to do this even while dating Gordon. Emily Gordons medically induced coma changed everything After several months of dating, Gordon got very ill. She was put into a medically induced coma while doctors assessed what was going wrong with her health. This put Nanjiani into a position of having to assess what really matters, and confront not only his own parents but hers as well. The coma made him realize he wanted to marry her. During the stress of all the back and forth with doctors, he felt he needed his mother and finally broke down and told her about dating Gordon, a divorced white woman from North Carolina. In the moment, her reaction was is she whats wrong with her? Is she going to be OK? Are you OK? And then she sort of checked up on Emily every day, called me every day. And then as soon as Emily was out of the coma, thats when she got really angry, Nanjiani said. Kumail Nanjiani teams up to write with his wife Kumail and Gordon wrote The Big Sick together. Writing the film, Kumail was careful not to pit anyone was the bad guy, and it helped him gain a new perspective on his parents point of view. Now that the initial uproar is all said and done, things are going well between him and his family, and he wasnt disowned as he had initially feared. He admits he probably didnt give his parents enough credit, and that he had not thought that they would have the capacity to evolve and change in the way that they really have. For Gordons part, the writing process gave her the opportunity to learn more about what went on while she was under. She too has a positive perspective on the whole situation saying: I would say, as the white person in that, listen more than you speak. And understand that its not about you, and just have it be a negotiation, kind of, as things go on. Keep those lines of communication open. The two are now working on a second film writing project together and have produced the anthology series Little America together as well. Kumail is also slated to star in Marvels upcoming film, Eternals. Open source for better freedom and flexibility Studies have shown that companies are turning to open source software more and more. By embracing an open source code, companies can be more agile and implement improved services and tools in response to the individual needs of their customers. See how open source code is changing retail and adapting in the fast-changing world of e-commerce. Innovate or diethis has become the mantra for successful global businesses in every sector. Retail is no exception, with e-commerce growth continuing at a rapid pace and forecast to post annual revenues of $6.54 trillion US dollars in 2022 brands are aware of the need to invest in digital transformation initiatives. Retailers face fierce competition and a daunting challenge to keep up with ravenous customer demand. Open-source technology is one particular innovation that can provide a compelling advantage to retail businesses, with an increasing number of brands waking up to its potential. Over half of websites globally run on open source software and the same can be said of more than 80% of smartphones, which rely upon the Android operating system. But what exactly are the main benefits of open-source solutions for e-commerce businesses? SEE ALSO: How will AI impact the e-commerce industry? Customer success By embracing an open source code, companies can be more agile and implement improved services and tools in response to the individual needs of their customers. Cosmetics brand Lush, for example, has pioneered open source in its sector by adopting the open-sourced platform Drupal in 2016. Using thecontent management software for building digital experiences, the company has built the largest e-commerce site since its inception. The cosmetics retailer also migrated to cloud platform Acquia as part of its wider strategy adopting open source software across the organisation as a whole. Myer, Australias oldest and largest department store, was faced with the challenge of managing product information from suppliers that were often incorrect or inconsistent. It was an issue that was detrimental to the shopping experience for customers. The company needed to find a solution that offered customisation, but didnt force them to start from scratch. As a result, Myer selected a Product Information Management (PIM) solution, which is run on an open-source platform model with API offerings. Myer is now helping suppliers upload data directly to the PIM, which has ensured more compelling, consistent and accurate product information. The retailers suppliers can easily see what information needs to be added or improved before a product can go live on its website. Consumers todayparticularly those on platforms like Instagramwont spend time searching for information or data about a product. If they cant find the details they want quickly, or if the information is incorrect, its a failure for all involved. Thats why product information today must be accurate, consistent, and easy to find. An open-source solution can deliver this perfectly and attract customers that keep coming back. Global talent The global digital skills gap has been widely reported in recent years and thats why the scale of the open source community is so attractive to companies today. The foundation of open source is its collective community, boasting ambitious individuals and innovative companies striving towards the same goal: making technologies more efficient and secure. This community can not only deliver more ideas, but is quicker to react when issues arise due to the sheer number of developers at work. It also benefits from companies sharing their solutions to a common problem faced, accelerating innovation for all players in the industry. In fact, the biggest open source communities are often comprised of companies competing against each other in the same industry. For instance, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation serves as a vendor-neutral platform for key players such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google to exchange ideas, and work on shared projects including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. With open source, its also often a much more cost-efficient way to explore different options and get new solutions off the ground, with tools specially designed with the end-user in mind. SEE ALSO: Enterprise open source software is growing within innovative companies Freedom & flexibility Companies today need to know that they are entitled to transparency and collaboration from their software solutions. Vendor lock-in models, with expensive exit fees, are of another time and likely to hamper a forward-looking business aiming to future-proof its services. In contrast, best-of-breed enterprise solutions produced by the vibrant open source community ensure that companies can take control of the code they run their business on, to maintain freedom and flexibility as they innovate and grow. Its for this very reasonalong with cost savingsthat Amazon backed the DENT open-source project. In the fast-changing world of e-commerce, companies taking advantage of open-source software can future-proof their sales channels, by securing lower costs and being in a position to get products to market more quickly. It can also help retailers differentiate their product offerings. There is immense value to be found in open source technology for retailers. By utilising public source code, brands can ensure their services are more powerful and more flexible than ever before. By Nupur Anand MUMBAI (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella touted the new India cloud partnership with Reliance Industries as he shared center-stage with its chairman Mukesh Ambani at an event in India's financial capital on Monday. Microsoft struck a 10-year deal with Reliance in 2019, committing to power the oil-to-telecoms conglomerate's data centers with its Azure cloud. "We've been working with Reliance across the entire stack - everything from what they are going to be doing with Azure in their own data centers and how they will extend it," said India-born Nadella at the event in Mumbai, where he began the first leg of his India tour. "It's sort of a great example of a business leader and a company which is in very diverse sectors to take a platform approach, to use technology to create more technology." The executives did not provide specific details about their growth plans. "We're very excited about the partnership that Jio (Reliance's telecoms unit) and Microsoft will have and I think that will be, as we look at this decade, a defining partnership," Ambani said. During a keynote speech earlier, Nadella emphasized the need for businesses to build their own technology at a time digital services are transforming all industries, and even homes. Nadella visits his home country just weeks after telling Buzzfeed News that India's new citizenship law saddened him and was "just bad". India's Citizenship Amendment Act, which paves a way for minorities from neighboring Muslim-majority nations of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to gain citizenship, has sparked weeks of protests. Critics say that the law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, will discriminate against India's Muslims minority. Nadella, who did not broach political issues at Monday's event, will also travel to the southern tech hub of Bengaluru and the Indian capital New Delhi. (Reporting by Nupur Anand; Writing by Sankalp Phartiyal; Editing by Alexandra Ulmer and Raju Gopalakrishnan) J5 Reviews Work To Tackle Cross-Border Tax Crimes by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com Washington 03 March 2020 The Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5) recently gathered in Sydney, Australia, to review their work and to set priorities for the years ahead. The J5 group includes the tax enforcement authorities of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, and was formed in mid-2018 in response to the OECD's call to action for countries to do more to tackle the enablers of tax crime. Last month, the J5 revealed that a multi-jurisdictional enforcement action had thwarted a major international tax evasion and money laundering operation. This involved a series of investigations in multiple countries into an international financial institution located in Central America, whose products and services are believed to be facilitating money laundering and tax evasion for customers across the globe. According to a February 19 announcement from the Internal Revenue Service, as part of that case, evidence, intelligence, and information collection activities such as search warrants, interviews, and subpoenas were undertaken in each country and significant information was obtained and shared as a result. The IRS said that the group has shared expertise to identify the most common and impactful mechanisms, enablers, and structures that are being exploited to commit cross-border tax fraud. The introduction of automatic exchange of financial information between countries, registers of beneficial ownership, information from worldwide data leaks, and improved tax enforcement have also helped the group uncover undeclared offshore income, said Simon York, Chief and Director of the UK HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service. Hans van der Vlist, Chief and General Director of the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service in the Netherlands, reported that collaboration between the J5 group has been particularly useful in uncovering tax fraud linked to cryptocurrencies. "For instance, last Monday the FIOD had action days in the Netherlands in two crypto investigations," he said. The group will be focusing on those criminals who "present the greatest threat to the J5 countries in 2020," the IRS said. Coronavirus continues to spread across the world with over 90,000 confirmed cases and the death toll crossing 3000, globally. This has not only affected the regular lives of people but also businesses, with stock prices, especially of tech companies hitting all-time lows. And now, with the disease rapidly growing in the US, it is only going to get worse. And companies are already making an adjustment in their daily operating procedure. Reuters Today, Twitter has asked its workforce across the world to opt to work from home instead of coming to work to prevent spreading of the novel coronavirus. The social media platform has already put a pause on non-essential travel (this included Twitter CEO not attending SXSW event). However, the offices in the US are still open for employees. The official statement said, We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they''re able. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us - and the world around us. We are working to make sure internal meetings, all hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation. The microblogging site has also issued a notice making it mandatory for employees working in Twitters offices in Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, adhering to government restrictions. Twitter: Jack Dorsey The statement further added, While this is a big change for us, we have already been moving towards a more distributed workforce that''s increasingly remote. We have continued to monitor the situation closely and are adjusting our internal policies to respond to this rapidly-evolving situation. On February 29, we informed our people and started notifying partners that we are suspending all non-critical business travel and events. Cases of Coronavirus in the US have been spiking rapidly with 15 confirmed cases and two deaths in the past few weeks, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Team asteroid was narrowly defeated by the Terrans earlier this month when a skyscraper-sized rock named 163373 (2002 PZ39) failed to slam into Earth. The asteroids have a second chance of hitting Earth on March 3 with a scrappier contender named 2020 DA4. From IB Times: Based on the asteroid's size and current speed, the blast from its airburst could be equivalent to multiple atomic bombs. Although much of the explosion will be directed towards the atmosphere, the remaining energy could still be powerful enough to damage buildings, shatter windows and injure people on the ground. According to CNEOS, 2020 DA4 will intersect Earth's orbit on March 3 at 9:06 a.m. EST. As it crosses Earth's path, the asteroid is expected to be about 0.00629 astronomical units or roughly 585,000 miles from the planet's center. This means that the asteroid will only be about twice the distance between the Earth and the Moon during its approach. FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten million unpaid caregivers in the United States are between the ages of 18 and 39, according to the AARP. That's a quarter of all people who care for an older relative or friend. Often these millennial caregivers take on the task alone without support from caregiving organizations, while going to school or holding down a full- or part-time job. Capital Caring Health, the Washington, D.C.-area's leading non-profit provider of advanced illness, hospice, and at-home care services , wants millennials to know they are not alone. The organization offers a variety of professional health and social services that support family caregivers, as well as emotional support and grief counseling for those who just need to talk to someone. The following are tips to support millennial caregivers and help them navigate their role: Create an advance care plan and share it with the rest of the family and the medical care team to make sure the wishes and values of the person living with the serious illness are honored. This should be done in advance of any emergency. and share it with the rest of the family and the medical care team to make sure the wishes and values of the person living with the serious illness are honored. This should be done in advance of any emergency. Learn what services are covered by insurance . Capital Caring Health has staff and volunteers that can walk you through your relative's or friend's insurance plan free of charge to let you know what services they can offer. . Capital Caring Health has staff and volunteers that can walk you through your relative's or friend's insurance plan free of charge to let you know what services they can offer. Look after yourself . Your physical and mental strength is necessary to provide the care your relative or friend needs. Eat well, exercise and take time out of your day to do something that you enjoy. It could be as simple as Netflixing, reading a book or going to a trivia night. . Your physical and mental strength is necessary to provide the care your relative or friend needs. Eat well, exercise and take time out of your day to do something that you enjoy. It could be as simple as Netflixing, reading a book or going to a trivia night. Ask for help. According to a recent poll , 80 percent of younger people are stressed about caregiving. Capital Caring Health offers services and resources to help you handle life's tasks that come with being a caregiver. To learn more about Capital Caring Health's services, enroll a relative or friend in one of their programs or to talk to someone for emotional support call our 24-Hour Care Line at 1-800-869-2136 or visit www.CapitalCaring.org . CONTACT: To arrange an interview with a millennial caregiver, contact Andrew Silva at 202-868-4803 or [email protected] . About Capital Caring Health Capital Caring Health is the largest non-profit provider of elder health, advanced illness, hospice and at-home care services for the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. area. We provide quality care where people live, supporting dignified, independent aging. For more information, visit CapitalCaring.org or call our 24-Hour Care Line at 1-800-869-2136 to learn more. SOURCE Capital Caring Health Related Links https://www.capitalcaring.org The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Aboagye says governments decision not to evacuate Ghanaians in China over the outbreak of coronavirus in that city was partly due to the disinterest of majority of the students to return home. According to him, the government through intelligence and surveys gathered that most of the students in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak started did not want to be evacuated. A significant number didnt want to come home. We did a survey, those who wanted to come home were few, he told Bernard Avle on the Point of View on Monday. We are talking about 162 students in Wuhan and the Ambassador [to China] was in touch with them every other day. We had information about the situation they were in and the number of those who really wanted to come back home. We also assessed whether the systems and protection that they were getting there [in China] was adequate, if it was inadequate we would have brought them, Dr. Aboagye noted. There have been divergent views on the evacuation of Ghanaian students living in Wuhan. The government announced in February that it was not ready to evacuate the students despite calls by some of the students and their parents that they needed to return to Ghana due to the risk they faced and challenges in accessing basic medical and food supplies. But the government shot down the idea. Dr. Aboagye said it was not best practice to heed the calls by the students especially because they were getting better care in China than they would if they were evacuated to Ghana. It is not the best practice as far as public health is concerned and WHO has even advised against such evacuationsOur position was that, because they were getting good care and support, we felt that there was no point in bringing them but we continue to watch the situation and as you can see the numbers are coming down in China, he said. He added that, even if you get the disease, you are probably better off in China because they have experience managing that kind of condition. Ghanaian authorities not aware of Wuhan students' plights A former National Organizer of Ghanaian students in China, Daniel Nii Lartey, in an interview on Eyewitness News earlier in February said the Ministry of Health's decision not to evacuate students in Wuhan may be from a position of ignorance of their true state of desperation and challenges there. According to him, the donation of money to the students there does not mean much to the students as most grocery stores are locked up and the students are unable to access various other services. He insisted that evacuating the students will be the best thing to do to safeguard their health and ensure that they are psychologically sound to pursue their studies. Evacuations from Wuhan More than 14 countries have evacuated their citizens from Wuhan over the outbreak, adhering to strict World Health Organization protocols for evacuation including holding the evacuees in quarantine for two weeks before reintegrating them into society. Iran, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, South Korea, India, Brazil among others have evacuated their citizens. South Africa recent agreed to evacuate its students although many argue it is too late to do so now. ---citinewsroom Senegal has confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus. A French citizen who visited France last month before returning to the West African country is being quarantined in the capital Dakar. The results of the tests carried out by the Pasteur Institute in Dakar came back positive, Senegals Health Minister Diouf Sarr told journalists. So far the patients condition has not raised any major concerns, he added. It is the second confirmed case in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria, where an Italian national returned with the virus. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Navacord Corp., one of the largest commercial insurance brokerages in Canada, is back in growth mode. The Toronto-headquartered firm has today announced the addition of Brookstone Insurance Group Inc. to its ever-growing family of brokerages. Oakville, ON-based Brookstone is a boutique insurance brokerage, which has provided a full suite of insurance products and risk management services to clients across Ontario since its founding in 2015. Its roots lie in the service of substantial commercial clients and high-net worth individuals. The government does not have data regarding financial condition of farmers in the country, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said, "The last survey was conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2013 and, therefore, no data is available with the ministry indicating the financial condition of the farmers." However, as per the last survey conducted by NSSO in India in 2013, rural India had about 90.2 million agricultural households, which constituted about 57.8 per cent of the total estimated rural households of the country during the same period, he said. Majority of the agricultural households that possessed more than 0.40 hectare land reported cultivation as their principal source of income, he added. According to the 2013 NSSO survey, among the agricultural households having less than 0.01 hectare land, about 56 per cent reported wage/salary employment as their principal source of income and another 23 per cent reported livestock as their principal source of income. About 44 per cent of the estimated agricultural households in the country had MGNREGA job card during the survey period. About 52 per cent of the agricultural households in the country were estimated to be indebted. Agriculture, including agricultural indebtedness, being a state subject, the state governments take appropriate measures for development of agriculture in the state, he added. However, the central government supplements the efforts of states through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support. Further, Tomar said the central government had constituted an inter-ministerial committee in 2016 to recommend a strategy for doubling of farmers' income (DFI) by the year 2022. The DFI committee submitted its report and, thereafter, the government constituted an empowered body on January 23, 2019, to monitor and review the progress as per these recommendations. To achieve this, the committee has identified seven sources of income for growth -- improvement in crop productivity; improvement in livestock productivity; resource use efficiency or savings in the cost of production; increase in the cropping intensity; diversification towards high-value crops; improvement in real prices received by farmers; and shift from farm to non-farm occupations, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Study reveals Missoula Floods impact on past abrupt climate changes A new study by scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and colleagues shows for the first time how massive flood events in the eastern North Pacific Ocean--known as the Missoula Floods--may have in part triggered abrupt climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere during the last deglaciation (approximately 19,000-11,700 years ago). The findings, published Feb. 26, 2020, in the journal Science Advances, are contrary to the long held notion that cooling was primarily driven by changes in North Atlantic circulation. "Everyone's been searching for evidence of floods into the North Atlantic that might have caused various cooling events, but very little has been done to investigate whether the Missoula Floods had any impact beyond the Pacific Northwest," says lead author Summer Praetorius, a Research Geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and former WHOI research assistant. Sedimentary deposits on land indicate that the Missoula Floods occurred nearly 100 times during the first part of deglaciation as former Glacial Lake Missoula in Montana repeatedly filled and drained enormous volumes of fresh water down the modern-day Columbia River, into the northeastern Pacific Ocean. "The peak discharge of water during these flood events would have been equivalent to the flow of 85 Amazon Rivers," says Alan Condron, a climate scientist at WHOI and coauthor of the paper. "In fact, these floods were the largest on Earth, dwarfing outburst floods from the Laurentide ice sheet that have frequently been proposed as major triggers of abrupt deglacial climate change, but little is known about what happened once the waters entered the Pacific Ocean." In this study, Praetorius and Condron, along with collaborators Alan Mix, Maureen Walczak, Jennifer McKay and Jianghui Du from Oregon State University, show for the first time the trajectory of Missoula Flood waters exiting the Columbia River. Using Condron's high-resolution climate model, they found that meltwater flowed across the North Pacific following coastal boundary currents and ultimately made it as far east as Japan, where it was incorporated into the Kuroshio Current--the Pacific equivalent of the Gulf Stream current. While the largest of the Missoula Floods occurred when sea levels were much lower than today due to water being locked up in large ice sheets, the final Missoula floods occur close to the time when the Bering Strait land bridge between Russia and Alaska was finally submerged by rising sea level and Pacific waters entered the Arctic. To account for this, Condron also ran his climate model with the Bering Strait open, much like modern day to trace the water's route in both scenarios. "We were excited and surprised to find that when the Bering strait land bridge was submerged, floodwaters from Glacial lake Missoula flowed through the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic where processes controlling the strength of the Gulf Stream and transport of heat to Europe and North America take place," says Condron. "Basically this is the region of the ocean that seems capable of triggering large-scale climate change." The precise timing of when the Bering Strait opened is still a matter of some debate and on-going research, Condron notes, but is does demonstrate a possible connection between Pacific meltwater and the North Atlantic that was not known before. In order to assess the evidence for how Missoula flood events may have impacted ocean circulation and climate, the researchers compiled an extensive collection of data from fossil plankton in marine sediment cores throughout the Northeast Pacific to reconstruct changes in sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and deep-water circulation. The compilation shows that there were two major periods of ocean freshening (a decrease in salinity) and cooling during the last deglaciation. The first was early in the deglaciation, at about the same time the largest of the Missoula floods occurred. Curiously, this was a time of cooling in the Northern Hemisphere that has previously been attributed to a massive release of icebergs to the North Atlantic. Recent evidence suggesting that the icebergs drifted into the North Atlantic after the cooling had already started though has meant the cause of the cooling is still a mystery. Praetorius, Condron and colleagues now point to the Missoula Floods as a possible cause of this early cooling event. Similarly, the team found a second interval of ocean cooling and freshening during the Younger Dryas period--an abrupt cooling period in the Northern Hemisphere that has a long history of contentious debate on its causes. Some scientists say it was floods into the Atlantic that caused the cooling, some say it was a comet impact, and now Praetorius and collaborators are adding a new twist. Condron notes that the results are quite humbling as the geologist, J Harlen Bretz, who first recognized in the 1920's that these floods shaped the landscape of the Pacific northwest, was initially derided by the geological community as his findings were considered 'preposterous' and 'incompetent.' "Yet, close to 100 years on, our results suggest that meltwater into the Pacific may have also played a role in the climate shift," he adds. These findings highlight the importance of changes in North Pacific circulation as an integral player in deglacial climate events. ### Funding for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation. Numerical model simulations were run in-house at WHOI on the new HPC resource, Poseidon. Collaborators on this study are from U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Oregon State University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Mass., dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930 on a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate a basic understanding of the ocean's role in the changing global environment. For more information, please visit http://www. whoi. edu . This story has been published on: 2020-03-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chris Matthews, the long-running host of "Hardball" on MSNBC, announced Monday that he is resigning from the program, an abrupt exit prompted by a series of recent gaffes and controversies. Matthews, 74, made the announcement at the start of his weeknight program. His resignation is effective immediately, MSNBC said. Matthews has been a familiar commentator on cable news for a quarter-century, and his departure which Matthews called a retirement was a surprise. He appeared for about two minutes at the start of his 7 p.m. program and effectively signed off on his television career. "Let me start with my headline tonight: I'm retiring," he said. "This the last 'Hardball' on MSNBC, and obviously this isn't for lack of interest in politics, as you can tell I've loved every minute of my 20 years as host of 'Hardball.' " He thanked viewers and added, "The younger generations . . . are improving the workplace, we're talking here about better standards than we grew up with, fair standards. A lot of it has to do with how we talk to each other, compliments on a woman's appearance that some men including me might have once incorrectly thought were OK were never OK. Not then and certainly not today, and for making such comments in the past, I'm sorry." He paraphrased Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca": "We'll always have 'Hardball.' So let's not say goodbye but till we meet again." The network immediately went to a commercial break. When the show resumed, political correspondent Steve Kornacki had taken Matthews' seat. "That was a lot to take in," he said. Kornacki called Matthews "a legend," adding "I think you're going to miss him, and I will, too" and then went to another commercial break. He returned to present an otherwise normal episode of "Hardball," discussing the presidential election. MSNBC has not announced Matthews' replacement, which suggests his resignation was as sudden and unexpected as it appeared to viewers. A series of interim hosts will fill in for him, a spokesman said. His departure capped a week of embarrassments. Matthews apologized last week for comparing the victory of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the Nevada Democratic caucuses to the Nazi invasion of France. He also was criticized for a skeptical interview with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., last week. Matthews asked Warren why she believes a female employee who sued former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg accusing him of telling her to "kill" her unborn child. Bloomberg denied making the statement, and Matthews asked Warren, "You believe he's lying? Why would he lie? . . . You're confident of your accusation?" (Warren replied: "Why shouldn't I believe her?") During President Trump's rally in South Carolina on Friday, Matthews mistook South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison for Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. Both are African American. And on Saturday, journalist Laura Bassett wrote on GQ.com that Matthews made inappropriate comments to her and other women when they were guests on his show. The timing of his announcement, just hours before the 14 state primaries on Super Tuesday, raised eyebrows because he was a key figure in MSNBC's coverage of the presidential race. Several employees said they learned about Matthews' resignation when it was announced on the air. An MSNBC spokesman said the network and the host "mutually agreed" to the decision. Others at the network, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about personnel issues, said Matthews' departure was tied to the negative attention he's received in the past 10 days. Voluble, combative and often loud, Matthews carved out a distinctive persona during his many years on the air. His knowledge and love of politics came from direct experience. In the 1970s, he served on the staffs of four Democratic members of Congress, including Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine, a one-time presidential candidate. He was also a White House speechwriter for Jimmy Carter and chief of staff to House Speaker Tip O'Neill, D-Mass. He subsequently became a journalist, covering Washington for the San Francisco Examiner and later the San Francisco Chronicle. But it was on TV that Matthews' bombastic style stood out. A frequent guest on political chat shows, he began his own talk show, "Politics with Chris Matthews," on the America's Talking network, founded by Roger Ailes, who later co-founded Fox News Channel. In 1996, NBC converted America's Talking into MSNBC in partnership with Microsoft and moved Matthews' program to its sister network, CNBC. His show was renamed "Hardball with Chris Matthews." It moved to MSNBC in 2000. MSNBC made no official statements about Matthews but released transcripts of his final program Monday night. Kornacki paid tribute to him at the end of the program. "What I loved about Chris Matthews is how much he loved politics," he said. "He knew about the ugly and unflattering aspects of humanity that politics can bring out and even reward. The things that rightly turn off so many Americans to all of it, but Chris could see something beyond that. He could see the possibility that politics could also be used for something noble even amidst all that human frailty." Matthews, Kornacki added, "has plenty of intellect, but he also wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. It is what made him so compelling." NBC News has been rocked by several scandals in the past few years, most notably sexual assault allegations against Matt Lauer, the former host of the "Today" show who was one of its biggest stars. Lauer, who was fired amid the allegations, has denied wrongdoing. In a best-selling book last year, "Catch and Kill," former NBC correspondent Ronan Farrow accused top executives of declining to air his revelations about Harvey Weinstein because the film producer had threatened to expose the Lauer scandal. The network denounced Farrow's allegations as "a smear" and said his reporting wasn't ready to be broadcast when he decided to leave NBC and take the Weinstein story to the New Yorker magazine. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 10:39:26|Editor: Liu Video Player Close TRIPOLI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has donated a mobile clinic to Janzour, a municipality near capital Tripoli and home of thousands of internally displaced people, according to a statement published on Monday. The IOM said in the statement that it will continue to collaborate with local medical teams in that municipality. "This much needed contribution will support the delivery of health services in a municipality hosting at least 8,000 internally displaced Libyan families and thousands of migrants," said Yacoub El Hillo, United Nations (UN) resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Libya. The east-based army has been leading a military campaign since April 2019 in and around Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government. The fighting has killed and injured thousands of people and displaced more than 150,000. The rivals have agreed to cease fire on Jan. 12, but both parties exchanged accusations of breaching the truce. New Delhi: While the coronavirus has created a worldwide furor, a mysterious disease has wreaked havoc in the African country of Ethiopia. After getting hit by this disease, blood comes out from the nose and mouth of the people and their eyes turn yellow and after this dies. According to local media, so far 15 people are said to have died due to mysterious illness in Somali, Ethiopia. However, so far this figure has not been confirmed. General election in Israel, will Benjamin Netanyahu become PM again? According to the Guardian report, the locals are giving the reason behind this mysterious disease due to the toxic waste being released from Chinese oil drilling. The effect of this disease is also most in the villages near a gas project in Somali. People also say that first, the eyes of the patients are turning yellow and before the fever comes the whole body swells. After this, blood starts coming out of the eyes and mouth suddenly and then they die. Nepal was engaged in friendship with China, WHO warned Along with this, other symptoms of this unknown disease include pale palms, loss of appetite and inability to sleep. Authorities have categorically denied allegations of health and environmental crisis in the Ethiopia region. However, nothing has been cleared yet regarding what kind of disease it is and what is the reason behind it. Hindu society got angry over Australian treasurer made vulgar comments on Hindutva A federal judge ordered Hillary Clinton to testify at a deposition for a lawsuit related to her use of a private email server for involving official business while working as secretary of State under President Barack Obama. Clinton was also ordered to give a deposition under oath over a years-old lawsuit filed by the conservative group Judicial Watch regarding her role in the response to the 2012 attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya. U.S. District Court said in court filings that written answers provided by Clinton to questions from Judicial Watch were "incomplete, unhelpful, or cursory, at best," the Hill reported. No date has yet been scheduled for Clintons deposition. We've reached the phase of the Democratic primary where the early states have had their say. (The last one, South Carolina, was on Saturday.) Now comes Super Tuesday, when large numbers of people all around the US will start casting their votes in the Democratic primary. Millions of them have already started voting. Find out when your state votes. The burning question. The question I get most often from friends and family during this period every four years is this: 'Who should I vote for?' So sorry! I'll write here what I tell them: I can't tell you that. CNN does not endorse candidates. We strive for impartiality. It's not my role to tell you what to believe, or what to do with your ballot. Here's what I can do. I can lay out for you what we know about the level of support for each campaign, and the conventional wisdom (or unconventional wisdom) for why they're still in the race. This year, of course, the action is all on the Democratic side. President Donald Trump has the Republican nomination locked up. Extremely important note before we get started. While CNN and other media outlets may project a popular vote 'winner' for South Carolina and each of the other 13 states voting this Tuesday, the delegates are allotted proportionally to any candidate who gets more than 15% of the vote. That's the case for every Democratic primary and caucus. What that means: Unlike the general election, nothing in the primary is winner-take-all. So the primaries might not produce a clear nominee. Since candidates can amass delegates even if they don't win any states outright, the fractured Democratic field might stay that way all the way until the convention in July, when it's possible that no one candidate will have a majority of the delegates. Read about a brokered convention. Now, time for some questions. Can you vote in the Democratic primary? Primaries for both parties have gotten more and more open in recent years, but every state has different rules. Here's a state-by-state guide from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Closed primaries -- In some states, voters must already be registered in order to take part in a primary. States with closed primaries include Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Kentucky and New York. In 2016, Trump's children couldn't vote for him in the New York primary because they weren't, at that time, Republicans. So check your voter registration. Partially closed primaries -- As one example, let's look at California, where things get really confusing. For most offices, California has a nonpartisan top-two primary system (also known as a jungle primary). That's how you end up with so many Democrat vs. Democrat races in California on Election Day. But for the presidential election, the primary is partially closed. That means that independents -- voters who are called 'no party preference' in California -- can vote in the Democratic primary, but they must specifically request a ballot with presidential candidates listed. If you're a Republican or involved with some other political party, you must change your registration as you vote, and your vote will be counted provisionally (or after your new registration is confirmed). This means we may not know the final results from California until a while after Election Day. But again, every state is different. Open primaries -- In other states -- Virginia and Texas, for instance -- voters can change their party alignments on Election Day and cast ballots in whatever primary they want. Super Tuesday has been happening for days, because of voting by mail -- CNN's Kelly Mena reports that millions of voters cast their ballots before Tuesday in states like California, Texas, North Carolina and Colorado. What are you looking for in a president? An idealist -- Bernie Sanders is running on a clear platform and he has made it plain that he is not interested in compromise. Some people love that about him. But it's also the thing that maddens so many establishment Democrats about him, because he's running on a platform that seems impossible to enact. Take health care. His plan is to nationalize the health insurance industry. There's not even a majority of Democrats in the Senate who support his 'Medicare for All' proposal, much less a majority of all senators. Sanders envisions a different America -- Medicare for All is just a start. He backs a $16 trillion-plus Green New Deal to fight climate change and completely transform the US economy away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. Elizabeth Warren also supports this, along with free child care and free college tuition at public schools. A realist -- Democrats might actually be able to get a public health insurance option to compete in the current private insurance system. That's a half measure that wouldn't guarantee everyone has health insurance. It's more than Obamacare accomplished. It's less than Medicare for All. It's what Joe Biden and Mike Bloomberg, with important variations, support. (So did Amy Klobuchar, who left the race and threw her support behind Biden on Monday.) Baby steps -- Sanders and Warren's goals are lofty. They're not universally held. Do Sanders supporters really think he can get any of this done or is their support just to change the conversation? If you like what Sanders says, you should consider voting for him. But don't expect all or any of his promises to come true. A woman -- What's clear is that four years after coming so close to electing a woman president, barring a Warren turnaround it's not happening this year. Who knows why Sanders has taken off as the progressive in the race and not Elizabeth Warren. But it's worth noting that she started to flag in polls when she was attacked for supporting his Medicare for All plan. Sanders took from Warren -- He hasn't suffered at all for taking a few of her ideas -- a wealth tax and free child care -- and adopting them into his platform. Why has Biden turned out to be more viable than Klobuchar? If you're ultimately going to vote for the Democrat, why not look at a woman in the primary? Both Warren and Klobuchar have highlighted their gender on the campaign trail. What's your top issue? Health care -- There's a lot of variation among the Democrats on this issue, but all agree the government needs to do more to help Americans pay for health care and prescription drugs. But for some, that looks like nationalizing the health care industry (Sanders and Warren), while others want to provide a public option in the insurance system (Biden and Bloomberg). What's achievable is up for debate. Warren, for instance, has said there may need to be steps toward a single-payer system. Sanders says his Medicare for All program is a compromise. Climate change -- Every Democrat recognizes climate change is happening and that humans contribute. They've got different ways to deal with it -- from a Green New Deal to radically change the US economy to more modest steps. Mike Bloomberg, the most conservative Democrat running, is already spending millions of dollars of his own money on climate change. So is Tom Steyer. Inequality -- Here again, Sanders and Warren fall to the left of the field. They want to address inequality by providing free tuition at public colleges and universities and free child care and by taxing the wealthiest Americans. There are a variety of plans from the others, but almost everyone agrees some of the Trump tax cuts should be rescinded. Guns -- All of the Democrats agree there should be more restrictive gun control laws. Get more information on each candidate and their specific vision at CNN's Election Center. Are you not a Democrat? Not a problem Neither are all of the Democratic candidates! On the left. Sanders, the front-runner, is still not technically a Democrat, although he's on his second run for the Democratic nomination. He is an independent in Vermont. Part of the reason he's not a Democrat is that there is no party registration in Vermont. But that hasn't stopped people like Sen. Patrick Leahy from proudly proclaiming themselves Democrats. Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist. He has recently promised to do war with the Democratic establishment. If that's your thing, Sanders is an option. On the right. Sanders isn't the only non-lifelong Democrat running in the race. While Sanders has insistently joined no party, former Mayor Bloomberg has joined all of them. He was elected mayor in New York City as both a Republican and an independent. Now he's registered as a Democrat and is using his billions not only to run for President, but also to push for gun control legislation and climate change action. Are you a Republican? Do you support Trump? -- You can and probably should still take part in the primary process, where you can. In some states, including South Carolina, Republicans have canceled their primaries this year. Do you oppose Trump? -- He does face competition in former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, although Weld has not gained much support. Do you want to mess with Democrats? -- In South Carolina, some Republicans have said they'll try to mess with Democrats by voting for the candidate they think Trump will beat most handily. Trump has encouraged this type of behavior, in South Carolina and New Hampshire. Beware -- This is a dangerous exercise since who really knows what'll happen in November (remember 2016!?). But it is, technically, within the rules. Do you want to mess with Trump? There's also a school of thought that disaffected Republicans could leave the GOP and become Democrats for this primary. The conservative former Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois, who is the national poster-person for never-Trump Republicans, has said that he would even support Sanders if Sanders wins the nomination. But you could consider Bloomberg or one of the other moderate Democrats running, if your state allows it. What if you just want to beat Trump? Which candidate is the most electable? Who knows! Let's consider Sanders. The concern about Sanders is he has an uncompromising commitment to radically change the country. Also, he's a democratic socialist. It's true that socialism is unpopular with a large majority of Americans. And yes, Sanders is a proud democratic socialist (which is not a socialist!!! his supporters will tell you). But a person can be elected president who doesn't share the views of most Americans. Trump did that. Each candidate has an electability argument. Mike Bloomberg is a moderate spending his own billions on expensive ads. He effectively led a major US city and built a massive company. But he's part of the inequality problem. Joe Biden can bring his Obama White House experience to his own administration. He's the person if you pine for the Obama era. Amy Klobuchar tried to appeal to moderates in the middle of the country. Pete Buttigieg, who represented generational change, dropped out just before Super Tuesday. Elizabeth Warren put up the most thoughtful and detailed plans and before she was a senator she was a consumer advocate. Bernie Sanders is authentic. He's been saying the same things about health care for decades. The party has moved toward him, not the other way around. But there's certainly data behind the notion that the moderate middle of the country decides most elections. Read this piece by CNN's Ronald Brownstein. Sanders is the most vulnerable from that perspective. And that's why so many Democrats are nervous about him. That said, they haven't coalesced around any more moderate Sanders alternative. I can't tell you who, if anyone, voters will pick as that Sanders alternative. There may not be one. Is Trump beatable? No one knows Trump's approval is, according to almost every poll, below 50%. It hovers in the low to mid-40s. That means there's a majority of people out there who are unhappy with him. That makes him seem beatable. But just like it's delegates (not voters) who select the Democratic nominee, it's the Electoral College (not voters) that picks the president. So an unpopular president with outsize support in certain areas and a fighting chance in Florida and the Rust Belt can win again. But nobody will know if Trump is beatable until after the polls close in November. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference to discuss the first positive case of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 in New York State on March 2, 2020 in New York City. New York officials have identified a 50-year old man who worked in New York City as the second confirmed case in the state, adding that it "appears to be an example of community spread." New York City Health Department officials later confirmed that the case is, in fact, the first community transmission of COVID-19 in the city. The man lived in Westchester County with two children and works at the Manhattan law firm Lewis and Garbuz, P.C., the health department said in a press release. The patient has two children who attend school in the city a girl who goes to SAR Academy and High School in the Bronx and a boy who attends Yeshiva University in Manhattan. SAR Academy voluntarily closed Tuesday as a precautionary measure. City health officials are "providing anyone who may have had incidental contact with precautionary measures and information," the agency said. "City agencies have personnel on the ground and are working closely with the law firm, building operators and academic institutions to ensure employees are being given appropriate guidance." Cuomo said the man was hospitalized because he has an underlying respiratory illness and no known travel history to China or other countries on the virus watch list. He had also traveled to Miami, but the visit was not recent enough to pose a threat, he said. Cuomo said the legislature passed "critical" emergency funding $40 million to help combat the fast-spreading virus. The governor said more cases are expected as the outbreak spreads and testing ramps up. Cuomo added that more schools may voluntarily close until they can determine if the children of the infected man may have exposed other children to the virus. "You cannot contain the spread. You can slow it, you can limit it, but you cannot contain the spread," Cuomo told reporters at a press conference. "It is inevitable that it will continue to spread." This is the second confirmed case of coronavirus in the New York City area after the first case, a 39-year-old health care worker who lives in Manhattan, was announced on Sunday. There are two other families in Buffalo, New York, that had traveled to Italy and are currently quarantined and awaiting their test results, Cuomo said. Correction: This article was updated to reflect that the patient has two children. Only one of them attends SAR Academy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 12:54:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COPENHAGEN, March 2 (Xinhua) -- More than 500,000 Danes could be infected with the novel coronavirus in months in the worst-case scenario, Danish health authorities warned Monday when the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to four. The National Board of Health and the Danish Patient Safety Authority made the remarks at a joint press conference on Monday after two more cases were confirmed over the weekend, bringing the total in Denmark to four. Soren Brostrom, director of the National Board of Health, said Denmark should be prepared for a potential steep increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. "We can easily see that 10-15 percent (or 580,000-870,000) of the Danish population could be infected with coronavirus," said the director. Anette Lykke Petri, a unit manager from the Danish Patient Safety Authority, said that the agency is making every effort to avoid such an eventuality and contain the epidemic. "Up to 122 healthy Danes are currently in home quarantine. 108 of those in quarantine are related to the four Danes infected with the coronavirus. And the other 14 are in quarantine after being in contact with infected persons abroad," Petri said. Meanwhile, Bolette Soborg, consultant to the National Board of Health, dismissed the notion that the novel coronavirus is spreading within communities in the country, saying "there is nothing to indicate that there are infected people in Denmark who do not have a connection to the risk areas outside of Denmark." During the press conference, the National Board of Health representatives also revealed that they were considering further strategies to contain the virus such as discouraging large assemblies, encouraging people to work form home, closing workplaces and extending public holidays, just like what China has done. "However, the measures I have mentioned are not something we (can) decide with the health authorities. It requires political decisions," Brostrom said. Police have arrested four members of a gang involved in cheating people on the pretext of selling "rice puller" metal device, an official said on Tuesday. They sold the metal, made of copper iridium, to gullible people, claiming it was highly valuable, and made lakhs of rupees in the process, he said. The accused, arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch, were identified as Baswaraj Nillappa Talwar, Mohan Jaychandrappa, Santosh Surya Kumar and Guruvharan Singh alias Raja Chouhan, the official said. He said except Chouhan, all others are residents of neighbouring Karnataka. The Unit 10 of the Crime Branch had received information about the gang cheating people on the pretext of selling the metal to foreigners, the official said. The gang members had told investors around Rs 39,000 crore has been collected in the Reserve Bank of India from the sale of the metal and they required to pay at least Rs 20 crore as tax to get the amount, he said. Crime Branch officials got information that the gang members were searching for more victims, he said. Accordingly, they laid a trap near a hotel in suburban Andheri by promising the gang members to pay Rs 10 lakh for the metal on February 25 and arrested two of the accused, he said. After their interrogation, the officials arrested the remaining two gang members on Monday, he said. Similar scams have come to light in various parts of the country. In such cases, scamsters usually lure victims into investing in the metal device that tested the quality of copper iridium which supposedly attracts rice grains and has some extraordinary properties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The number of US deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to six on Monday, all in the state of Washington, officials said, signalling the contagion has taken root in the Pacific Northwest. Vice President Mike Pence announced a treatment for the disease could be available by summer or early fall, but that a vaccine was farther off. Pence, the administrations pointman for the crisis, also said the government was moving to screen 100 percent of passengers flying in from Italy and South Korea, two serious virus hot zones. Five of the six American fatalities have been from King county, the most populous in Washington state and home to Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people. The sixth victim was from neighboring Snohomish county, officials said. The risk for all of us of becoming infected will be increasing, said Jeff Duchin, a health officer in King County. Although most of the cases will be mild or moderate, the infection can cause serious illness and theres a potential for many people to become ill at the same time. The state reported four new cases, three from the same nursing home, taking the total number of US cases to more than 90 -- about half of which were people repatriated from either China or a virus-stricken cruise ship off Japan. Dow Constantine, the top official in King County, said his office was in talks to purchase a motel in which to place people who required isolation, adding: We have to move to a new stage in the fight to contain, mitigate and manage this outbreak. Pence told reporters at the White House that treatments could literally be available by this summer, or early fall. He was likely referring to the drug remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by the pharmaceutical firm Gilead that has already been used to treat one US patient and was moving toward two final stage expansive clinical trials in Asia. There are numerous vaccines and treatments under development, but remdesivir is the closest to market availability. Pence added that US pharmaceutical companies had formed a consortium to work together and share information to develop these drugs. New travel protocols will ensure that anyone traveling on a direct flight to the United States of America receives multiple screenings at all airports in Italy and South Korea, he said. Italy has had 1,700 cases and South Korea has had 4,000. The United States is also drastically expanding its diagnostic efforts after coming under fire for not testing enough. The estimates that were getting from industry right now, by the end of this week close to a million tests will be able to be performed, said Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo warned it was inevitable that the virus would spread in the global financial hub after its first confirmed case was detected in a health care worker who had visited Iran. There is no doubt that there will be more cases. This is New York -- were a gateway to the world, Cuomo told reporters. People are going to test positive, not just one or two or three or five, there will be many who test positive, he added. Cuomo said the 39-year-old woman who tested positive at the weekend had mild symptoms and was recovering in isolation at home. Her husband is however expected to test positive as well. Globally, more than 3,100 people have died as a result of the virus, the vast majority of them in China. More than 90,000 people have been infected, with cases registered in more than 60 countries. BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Nivea maker Beiersdorf AG (BDRFY.PK, BDRFF.PK) reported that its underlying profit after tax for fiscal year 2019 increased 5.1% to 795 million euros from 756 million euros last year. Underlying earnings per share grew to 3.42 euros from 3.26 euros in the previous year. 'While the situation of the coronavirus remains dynamic, its impact on our business is not quantifiable yet. We therefore expect stronger headwinds in 2020. But we are optimistic that, with C.A.R.E.+, we have set the right path to follow through on our development potential in the future with targeted measures and a greater willingness to invest,' said Stefan De Loecker, CEO of Beiersdorf. Underlying earnings before interest and taxes or EBIT for fiscal year 2019 declined to 1.108 billion euros from 1.113 billion euros in the previous year. This was due to additional strategic investments that were announced as part of the C.A.R.E.+ strategy. In nominal terms, annual sales rose 5.8% to 7.65 billion euros from 7.23 billion euros in the prior year. Organic sales growth was 4.1%. Looking ahead for fiscal year 2020, the company expects group organic sales growth to be around 3% - 5%. It projects the consolidated underlying EBIT and underlying profit after tax margins to remain on last year's level. In the Consumer Business Segment, the company expects organic sales growth of 3% -5% in fiscal year 2020. The underlying EBIT margin is expected to be in the range of 14.0%-14.5%. In the tesa Business Segment, the company anticipates slightly positive organic sales growth in 2020. The underlying EBIT margin is expected to remain on last year's level. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is resisting calls to give up his presidential campaign bid and fall in line behind former Vice President Joe Biden, telling reporters on Super Tuesday he is 'in it to win it.' Bloomberg faced questions about his own role in the race after a trio of former presidential contenders threw their support behind Biden after his overwhelming South Carolina win. 'Joe's taking votes away from me! And I think that is true,' Bloomberg said, when asked at an event in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood about the prospect of getting out. Democratic Presidential hopeful former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg attends a campaign event at Little Havana Field Office on March 3, 2020 in Miami, Florida 'It goes in both directions. Have you asked Joe whether he's going to drop out? he said when pressed. 'When you ask him that, then you can call me,' he said. 'Joe's taking votes away from me,' Bloomberg said flipping the question on its head. Democratic party leaders are concerned that if Bloomberg and Biden split votes, democratic socialist Bernie Sanders will end up with a plurality of delegates and have a path to the nomination. Later, Bloomberg to asked to assess how he would do, joking that there's only three candidates so 'you can't do much worse than that.' A reporter noted Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is still in the race. 'I didn't realize she's still in, is she?' Bloomberg said, the Hill reported. Warren skewered Bloomberg in the Las Vegas debate for holding women to non-disclosure agreements they signed with his company and claims he oversaw a hostile work environment for women. Bloomberg spoke in a state that doesn't vote until March 17 underlining his commitment to continue his campaign, which has relied on an ad spending blitz, a huge staff, and visits Bloomberg says he has made to 27 states and counting. IT'S IN THE BAG!: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden points to his doggie bag as he leaves the Buttercup Diner during a campaign stop in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, March 3, 2020 'I'm in it to win it,' Bloomberg told reporters when pressed about getting out of the race 'I didn't realize she's still in, is she?' Bloomberg said, when asked about Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Based on polling, she could be viable to affect the delegate haul in Massachusetts, California, Texas and other states 'I have no intention of dropping out,' Bloomberg told reporters 'I have no intention of dropping out. We're in it to win it. And I do not understand why you would not ask every other candidate to drop out,' said Bloomberg, a billionaire who has plowed hundreds of millions of dollars into his effort, having skipped the first four primaries. Speaking about what happens after Super Tuesday, when a slew of states hold primaries, Bloomberg said: 'I think what happens here is nobody gets a majority. Best somebody will have a plurality ... And then you go to a convention and we'll see what happens in the convention.' Asked if he wants a contested convention, Bloomberg said: 'I don't think that I can win any other ways. Contested convention is a democratic process.' He didn't hit Biden directly, though, though he did slap Sanders for his comments about the Castro regime. 'The senator's comments will be toxic for Democrats up and down the ballot in November,' he cautioned in a key state that Donald Trump carried. 'We will not win Florida with a candidate who sings the praises of Fidel Castro and downplays the atrocities committed in Cuba,' he said, referencing Sanders' comments where he talked up Cuba's 'massive' literacy program, even as he noted it was autocratic. Bloomberg joined the race in November at a time when Biden's campaign was struggling, having stayed on the sidelines. He urged Democrats to back a unifying figure, in another dig at Sanders. ' 'You can only do it with a broad group. Anybody who appeals to just one is going to leave us with president Trump in the White House,' he said. Panic has gripped parents of a private school in Noida, which has now declared a three-day closure, after it emerged that the children of the Delhi man diagnosed infected by the novel Coronavirus study in the school. Shortly after, another school in the area announced that it will remain shut till March 9. The two children of the patient did not attend school on Monday. On Sunday evening, WhatsApp groups of parents of the Shriram Millenium School students began buzzing with messages about the possible case, said a parent who did not want to be named. This led to them taking precautionary measures and a majority of the students did not attend school on Monday. About 100 students went to school though, added the same parent. The school has declared a holiday from today and a decision has been taken to give three days off to everyone at school, said a person in the school management familiar with the matter. ALSO WATCH | There is no need to panic: PM Modis message on Coronavirus scare Also read: PM Modi tweets on coronavirus, says no need to panic We are sanitising the Shriram Millennium School as a precautionary measure. A few students from the school attended a birthday party hosted by the Coronavirus patient from Delhi on February 28. We have called for a parents meeting to spread awareness on the issue so that there is no panic. We are in touch with the school authorities and parents to ensure that all the required precautions are taken by the affected persons, said Dr Anurag Bhargava, chief medical officer, Gautam Budh Nagar. Shortly after, another school in the area announced that it will remain shut till March 9. In the wake of the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, and detection of 2 cases in India (1 in Delhi), it has been decided to close Shiv Nadar School until the 9th of March in order to sanitize our spaces and completely remove all scope for the further spread of this virus, read a statement from the Shiv Nadar School in Noida. A spokesperson for Shriram Millennium School said that a formal statement will be issued later today. The school sent a message to the parents on Tuesday morning. Also read: Coronavirus scare in Noida, two schools shut: What we know so far Due to certain unavoidable circumstances we will be postponing the exams scheduled for today. The new dates will be communicated shortly. The Board exams will continue as normal. The children of classes 7-11 may come for extra classes if they wish. Class 6 and IGCSE classes continue with the study leave. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Oyo Hotels & Homes, the worlds leading tech-driven hospitality chain, has formalised four marketing and operational consulting agreements with Al-Hokair Group in Saudi Arabia to manage Mena Andalusia Olaya District, Riyadh, Mena Hotel Riyadh, Olaya District, Riyadh, Mena Taif, Abu Baker Street, Taif and Mena Tabuk, Abu Jafar Al Mansur Street, Tabuk. The multi-hotel partnership, which was signed and announced at Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Head Office in Riyadh, will see Oyo add over 500 rooms to its current inventory and extend its portfolio across the three- and four-star hotel category. The agreement with Al-Hokair Group, a leading name in the tourism and hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia, further consolidates and expands Oyos footprint within the hospitality industry in the kingdom. Representing Oyo at the event was Manu Midha, head of Middle East & Africa, Oyo, while Mishal Al-Hokair, executive vice president, Business Development and Marketing, Al-Hokair Group represented the company. The formalisation of the agreement was witnessed by Clive Smith, director of operations at Al-Hokair Group and Bader bin Saidan, director, Business Development, Oyo, in Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the partnership, Midha said: Saudi Arabia remains a key strategic market for Oyo in the GCC. The mid-range segment in the kingdom holds a lot of promise for us given the rapid growth of the hospitality industry over the last few years." The agreement with Al-Hokair is testimony to our success here in the kingdom and demonstrates our commitment to the development of the rapidly evolving hospitality sector in the Kingdom. We are proud to collaborate once again with our esteemed long-term partner, Al Hokair Group, to bring Oyos brand hospitality options to a broad range of travellers," concluded Manu. At present, Oyo Hotels & Homes accounts for over 18,000 rooms in more than 200 hotels across 22 cities and provinces in Saudi Arabia. The hospitality chain has also hosted over 50 nationalities across its properties in the country since its launch in January 2019. OYO also operates more than 400 properties in over 40 cities in UAE and Oman. Mishal Al Hokair, executive vice president, Business Development and Marketing, Al Hokair Group, added: Oyo understands the market and has demonstrated its credentials to us as a strong partner with key technology for the online travel business. The tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia is changing, in line with Vision 2030, and offers unprecedented opportunities for the hospitality sector. This agreement will further diversify the type of hospitality offerings in both cities for international and domestic travellers alike. Smith added: We are pleased to be working with a young global hospitality company such as Oyo to consolidate our footprint in Saudi Arabia. In line with the changing landscape of the online travel systems, there continues to be an increase in the number of guests booking online and through applications and this agreement will give us an opportunity to offer quality online presence to our international and domestic guests. Oyo is a brand known and preferred by travellers across the globe and we are confident the hotels will continue to be a huge success in 2020. - TradeArabia News Service Speculations are rife that Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are all set to tie the knot after the latter finally popped the question when they were vacationing in the Maldives. While there is no confirmation, a source informed a leading media publication that as of now, Mumbai and Delhi have been finalised as venues for the functions but the destination will only be decided after the date is set. READ: Richa Chadha Pens Heartfelt Post For New Mother Kalki Koechlin, Says 'I'm Happy For You' Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal met on the sets of Fukrey and within two years of the film, they had started seeing each other. And, although they remained tight-lipped about their romance, tongues went wagging when Richa accompanied Ali to the premiere of his Hollywood film Victoria and Abdul. In a previous interview, when Richa was asked about marrying Ali, she stated that they do not have time to get married right now and that even if they were really talking about it then she would not have dates. Richa also revealed that she will be shooting a film in June. Further explaining that she and Ali are 'waiting and chilling at the moment, and are in a happy space', Richa emphasised that their relationship is a great creative partnership and no one who sees them together feels like its a mismatch. READ: Richa Chadha Chides CM Arvind Kejriwal's Rajghat 'photo-op' Amid Delhi Violence In the interview, the Panga actress stated that 'its a miracle' as it is rare to find like-minded people who share certain core values and have similar interests like poetry, music, films, and literature. As per reports, Richa also said that Ali is very progressive and liberal which she believes is very rare to find in the film industry. READ: Richa Chadha Pens Down An Emotional Love Letter For Ali Fazal On Valentine's Day READ: Richa Chadha And Ali Fazal To Get Married Sometime In April? 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. Oxford University Press will host the first edition of The Open Quote, a conference aimed at stimulating informed dialogue on relevant socio-cultural matters in South-Asia. The day-long conference on Wednesday will see academicians discuss various forms and levels of engagement between religion and society that has developed in South Asia. Titled 'Religion and Society in Contemporary South Asia', the conference will reflect upon key issues including cultural nuances and changing definition of religion in the modern day context; economical dimensions of religion; issues of religion, law and legality; and representation of religion in popular culture among others. The interaction aims at discussing why religion and society are important in contemporary South Asia; how concepts like religion and faith have evolved over a period of time; and how open dialogues like these will benefit students and faculties at large. Naveen Choudhary, associate director (marketing) at Oxford University Press (India) says the topic of religion and society was chosen as it is empirical to revisit the basics and address, introspect and redefine phrases like religion, secularism, and modernity. "Religion has acted as a major binding force in society by imbibing certain moral values, especially in South Asia where it is a predominant force in all the non-secular as well as secular nations. With time, religion has blended with politics in society and religious influence that stands interwoven with the social and political order has been difficult to unwind and remove despite best of efforts done in the past," he says. The idea of Oxford Open Quote, according to him, is to "unbox and uncover one subject area at a time". In the coming conferences, we will discuss other socio-culture matters that are important to the South-Asia market, he adds. The conference aims to reach out to students, faculties, academicians and scholars and stimulate informed dialogue between the participants, thereby making fresh ideas available to the larger public, especially the young generation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lucknow, March 3 : Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh, on Tuesday confirmed six positive cases of coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh and said all of them have been shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. "A family went on a trip to Europe and after returning to India, they showed symptoms of deadly COVID-19. Soon after, the samples of 13 members of the family were taken. Out of them, six have been found positive," the minister said. All six, including two shoe exporters, belonging to Agra, have been shifted to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, he added. The decision was taken after a close relative of the exporters, who too had visited Italy with them, tested positive for COVID-19 in Delhi. They had visited Italy last month. According to health officials, the two exporters, who were brothers, had been kept in the isolation ward in district hospital since Monday after they had developed symptoms of the disease, including high fever and respiratory problems. Their other family members had been advised to "quarantine" themselves at their home and their throat swabs were taken for testing. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai Police is well-known for its alertness on Twitter and now the Mumbai Police has arrested a man after receiving a "Please reach out to this girl" tweet from a user. Mumbai Police arrested an auto rickshaw driver on Monday (March 2) after they came to know about a molestation incident that happened with a girl who was traveling in that auto on her way to college. A Twitter user on February 29 had mentioned the Twitter handle of Mumbai Police and asked them to help a girl who had shared her story on Instagram. Mumbai Police Twitter replied with, "Please share your contact details on DM." and acted swiftly. The auto-driver was arrested after further investigation. Mumbai Police then tweeted, "A tweet is all it took for Goregaon police to swing into action. An auto-rickshaw driver seen sexually harassing a college student in a video she shot, is now under arrest & awaits a much-deserved ride on the course of law." A tweet is all it took for Goregaon police to swing into action. An auto rickshaw driver seen sexually harassing a college student in a video she shot, is now under arrest & awaits a much deserved ride on the course of law #WomenSecurity pic.twitter.com/Lf1eTrCgoG Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 2, 2020 The newly-appointed Police Commissioner of Mumbai, Parambir Singh, who on the joining day had said to ensure women's safety in the city also tweeted about the incident and said, "Incidents like these need to be dealt with strictly & swiftly and thats how we will act. I assure you that women's safety & security is one of Mumbai Police's topmost priorities. I appeal all Mumbaikars to speak up & report to us, for ensuring the city is safe for all its citizens." Sydney commuters have experienced major delays on Tuesday morning after a maintenance vehicle derailed between Circular Quay and Wynyard stations, but have been promised a smooth-running service by the afternoon. A maintenance vehicle became jammed on the city loop after 4am on Tuesday morning, with the crew unable to pull it free, Transport for NSW chief operating officer Howard Collins said. Normally you can get out of anything, its a bit like that ute you see on TV, but sometimes you get beached and this thing had wedged itself into the rails," Mr Collins said. Their pride has probably been pretty hurt. The (OIC) was concerned over the situation in Kashmir and the resolution of the issue stands at the top of its agenda, a top official said on Tuesday. OIC Secretary General's Special Envoy for Yousef M Al Dobeay made the remarks at a press conference alongside Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here. Dobeay said the OIC was concerned regarding the situation in Kashmir. "The issue of Kashmir is very close to our heart and all members are on same page regarding its resolution... The resolution of both Kashmir and Palestine issues stand at the top of the agenda of OIC," Dobeay was quoted as saying by the state-run Radio Pakistan. Dobeay said a formal session of OIC was convened on Pakistan's request after removal of special status of by India on August 5 last year. He said a detailed report on situation in Kashmir will be presented to the office of secretary general upon his return. Earlier, Qureshi said the special envoy was briefed in detail on the "human rights situation in Kashmir". The OIC is a 57-member grouping of Muslim majority nations, including Pakistan. The OIC has usually been supportive of Pakistan and often sided with Islamabad on the Kashmir issue. Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and bifurcating it into two Union territories. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. Good morning, Bay Area. Its Tuesday, March 3, and health care workers are worried about what coronavirus means for their hospitals. Heres what you need to know to start your day. The scramble to pick a Democratic presidential candidate tops the ballot in California on Tuesday, but voters in the Bay Area and across the state who havent voted by mail will find plenty of other contests when they enter their polling place. In the primary, Californians will be voting for members of Congress and the Legislature, along with casting ballots on a wide range of local issues. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Need help deciding on your votes? Take a look at The Chronicles Voter guide. Five things to look for in the early results and how Californias outcome will shape the rest of the presidential race. Marked your ballot for candidates that recently dropped out? You can fix that if you havent mailed it. A union that represents BART employees is waging an unlikely campaign to defeat a Contra Costa County ballot measure that would fund BART and other transportation projects. Taking care of those who take care Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Theres been a rise in new coronavirus cases in the Bay Area as local laboratories ramped up testing more people for illness. Public health officials expect the numbers to keep climbing dramatically over the coming days and weeks. Among the new cases: a third Northern California health care worker tested positive, exacerbating concerns among already-worried nurses and staffers that hospitals need to to better protect workers on the front lines of the growing public health crisis. Reporter Catherine Ho reports on the frustrations of health care workers and how hospitals are responding. More from our ongoing coverage of the new coronavirus in the Bay Area: Salesforce, Twitter bar workers from U.S. flights. In the wake of a deadly coronavirus outbreak at a Washington nursing home, Bay Area nursing homes are taking precautions to protect their vulnerable population. Due to the Corona Virus (sic), No Handshakes Please. Thank You. If schools close to limit the spread of the virus, what would that look like? How to prepare for potential outbreaks near you. Latest updates. This restaurant has everything. No really. Merchant Roots It was hard to succinctly describe San Franciscos Merchant Roots when it first opened in 2018. It was a Fillmore district cafe with scones and cappuccinos in the morning, and a lunch spot with kale salads and handmade pasta but also a market with boutique soaps and jams. About a year ago, it added a pop-up fine dining restaurant known as the Table three nights a week. Now its chucking all of that to become a full-time restaurant. Reporter Janelle Bitker explains why. What the Vatican knew As a future Pope and Oakland diocese officials weighed the future of a convicted child molester priest more than three decades ago, Father Stephen Kiesle was allowed to continue as a youth minister at a Pinole church where he took a 5-year-old boy into a closet and sexually assaulted him, according to a claim filed Monday in Alameda County Superior Court. Read more about the case from reporter Matthias Gafni. Around the Bay The Scanner: Vallejo womans cold case solved 47 years later with DNA. Five on five: Warriors Steph Curry could return Thursday after a scrimmage in Santa Cruz. City Insider: Got questions for BART board president? Weve got answers. Listen to Heather Knights interview with Lateefah Simon. 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. Restorative justice model: S.F. district attorney withdraws charges against defendant who allegedly filmed attack on Asian man, as second man arrested. What is California cuisine? For me, it was barbecue chicken pizza, writes restaurant critic Soleil Ho. Subscribe to Soleils weekly newsletter, Bite Curious, here. Tom Stienstras Outdoors: After a dry month, recreation outlooks range from good to bad to ugly. Bigger data: Cal receives largest donation ever $252 million for data center. Identity felony: California Supreme Court defines difference between identify theft and theft. Exact figures: PG&E wont commit to hiring a set amount of tree trimmers. States third-oldest college: Students, professors at Notre Dame de Namur protest to save storied Belmont university. Datebook AP When Benh Zeitlin began working on Wendy, his Peter Pan-inspired film to follow the excitement created by Beasts of the Southern Wild, he couldnt be rushed to completion. Its one of the challenges of working with child actors, he tells writer Pam Grady. But the biggest challenge of remaking Peter Pan? Finding kids who want to play outside. Stanford Theatre closes movie house amid coronavirus concerns. Raphael Saadiq plays personal, triumphant hometown show. New chamber works by yMusic catch classical music critic Joshua Kosmans attention. Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com. Its not just a superior survey platform. SoGoSurvey is one of the best pieces of software Ive ever used. Enterprise feedback management company SoGoSurvey recently launched a new release designed to streamline data collection by unifying multiple tools in the same workflow. Themed Better Together, the 19.0 release promotes the companys 2020 vision of making data collection more accessible for everyone. Data isnt a nice-to-have at this point, said CEO Hamid Farooqui. Organizations around the world are quickly realizing that having easy access to their own data means they can make smarter decisions without wasting resources on trial-and-error efforts. The 19.0 release showcases the SaaS platforms multifaceted capabilities, allowing users to transition easily between projects. Rather than silos of data, information from surveys, assessments, polls, and CX (Customer Experience) and EX (Employee Experience) projects can be accessed quickly for improved analysis and trend identification. Additionally, upgrades in sub-user management make it easier to bring an entire team into the same system while protecting data security and privacy. Reflecting the platforms strengths, one SoGoSurvey enterprise customer shared, Its not just a superior survey platform. SoGoSurvey is one of the best pieces of software Ive ever used." As one of the companys key values, security is a priority in every release, and 19.0 sets a new GDPR standard: Users can include their own data policy on every page to ensure participants know exactly how their data will be used, improving compliance and transparency. Improved security may not be a visible element of the upgraded participation interface, but speed certainly is. Additionally, a semi-anonymous feature boosts confidentiality protection, while stringent compliance standards support expanded accessibility. For users, the release delivers multiple time-saving elements to speed up project design and administration. Upgrades to reports like Omni and Text Analysis and to CX and EX dashboards deliver insights designed to power decisions that improve experience. Its all about experience, said CEO Farooqui. If organizations dont have the right data at every touchpoint, how can they improve the experience of their customers or employees? SoGoSurvey invites business leaders to explore the new release through a customized tour at sogosurvey.com. About SoGoSurvey Founded in 2013 and headquartered in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, SoGoSurvey provides award-winning enterprise feedback management software. Organizations like Uber, Walmart, UNICEF, and Citibank as well as hospital systems, financial services companies, governments, and educational institutions use SoGoSurvey to gather business intelligence and improve customer and employee experience. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 14:44:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Xinjiang has been a focus of Western media in recent years, but some of their irresponsible coverage is pampering terrorists and thus detrimental to the stability and development there, a scholar told a symposium held here on Monday. Zheng Liang, professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, China's Jinan University, said that after studying 676 articles published on major Western media in 16 years from 2000 to 2015, he found that those reports often construct Xinjiang as a "Uyghur region" and portray violent terrorists' behaviors in Xinjiang as "ethnic conflict." China accuses terrorists of orchestrating those attacks, but some Western media tend to downplay the radical fundamentalist ideology, Zheng said. Speaking at the symposium on counter-terrorism, de-radicalization, and promotion and protection of human rights, Zheng said that Western media tend to portray violent incidents in Xinjiang as "ethic conflict," but they are actually of the same nature as terrorism. Monday's international symposium was jointly sponsored by the Mission of China to UN at Geneva, the Mission of Cameron to UN at Geneva, and the China Society of Human Rights Studies. On February 10, matriarchs for the Unist'ot'en, part of the Wet'suwet'en Nation in western Canada, were holding a ceremony for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. The Wet'suwet'en are one of the First Nations, the term for indigenous Canadians, and the high-profile leaders Freda Huson, Brenda Michell, and Karla Tait had hung red dresses around their camp in honor of the thousands of women and girls lost in just the past few decades. Suddenly, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) descended, in military gear and with helicopter support, and arrested the matriarchs so that employees for Coastal GasLink could clear out the campand pull down the red dresses. This was the fifth day of raids by the RCMP, clearing out encampments and arresting more than 80 people along the proposed route of a 420-mile-long natural-gas pipeline. Coastal GasLink and TransCanada Energy are building the $6.6 billion pipeline to carry fracked gas through British Columbia to the coastal town of Kitimat, the site of a $40 billion liquefied-natural-gas plant. The Wet'suwet'en arrests came four years after the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in South Dakota. A company named Energy Transfer wanted to build a pipeline through the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, against the wishes of the Native Americans who worried that it would contaminate water supplies. Protesters set up camp at the Standing Rock reservation for a year to prevent construction, and they faced militarized police working with mercenaries from TigerSwan, a private security firm hired by Energy Transfer, the company behind the pipeline. Standing Rock became a rallying cry internationally for indigenous rights and climate-change activism. President Barack Obama eventually caved to public opinion and agreed to have the Army Corps of Engineers divert the pipeline, but ultimately, Donald Trump overrode that decision. Since its construction, the Keystone Pipeline has already spilled repeatedly, leaking more than 600,000 gallons of crude oil into 4.8 acres of wetlands. Story continues Like the Standing Rock protesters who faced grenades, fire hoses, rubber bullets, and attack dogs from both police and private security forces, activists all over the world are dealing with brutal violence as they try to fight climate change and defend indigenous rights. Nahuatl farmer and environmental activist Samir Flores was gunned down outside his central Mexico home in early 2019. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has proclaimed staunch opposition to indigenous rights, and logging and cattle companies have aggressively invaded protected lands in the Amazon. More than 1,500 environmental activists have been murdered in Brazil in the past 15 years, a disproportionate number of them indigenous. They include Emyra Waiapi, a leader in the Waiapi reserve, who was gunned down last July. Gold miners flooded into the area soon after his death. The Wet'suwet'en are among many indigenous groups worldwide fighting for sovereign rights. According to the Canadian census, nearly 980,000 people in Canada identify as one of the 634 First Nations. More than a quarter of the pipeline crosses through Wet'suwet'en territory. A statement from the Wet'suwet'en reads, "Under Anuc niwhiten (Wetsuweten law) all five clans of the Wetsuweten have unanimously opposed all pipeline proposals and have not provided free, prior, and informed consent to Coastal Gaslink/TransCanada to do work on Wetsuweten lands." In December, a court ordered an injunction for the RCMP to clear the way for construction, but the arrest of the Unist'ot'en matriarchs set off fierce backlash. Across Canada, indigenous people and supporters strategically targeted railroads and highways, disrupting the country's economy by paralyzing shipping lines. Just to name a few: On Monday, police finally broke up a blockade that shut down a railroad in Ontario for two weeksas the first train tried to move out, protesters threw a tire on the tracks and set it ablaze. In the port city of Hamilton, protesters shut down a commuter rail line. Another blockade in the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake, south of Montreal, has paralyzed freight and commuter trains for more than two weeks now. But environmentalism isn't the whole picture. The crux of the issue is who, exactly, has authority to work with the Canadian government. The Unist'ot'en land is unceded territory, meaning that it's sovereign land and the Wet'suwet'en have ultimate control over it. Speaking to Democracy Now, lawyer Pamela Palmater, a member of the Mi'kmaq tribe on the East Coast of Canada and the U.S., said, "Its often categorized as an anti-pipeline protest, but I dont think thats accurate. It is for some, but for most of us its about protecting our indigenous sovereignty and our land rights, which are the two issues that have never been resolved, and theyre always trumped, theyre always breached, despite how many court cases or how many international protections we have." Like the U.S., Canada has a deeply fraught history of mistreatment of indigenous people. One of the most egregious abuses was the institution of "Indian residential schools," compulsory boarding schools where 150,000 First Nations children were eventually housed to forcibly "modernize" them. And in the early 1920s, when Cayuga Chief Deskaheh was in Europe to win international support for the Six Nations people in Canada, the Canadian government staged a coup, using the RCMP to force chiefs out by gunpoint and install a more sympathetic band council. Despite the opposition from the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, there are some First Nations people in Canada who support the Coastal GasLink pipeline project. About 20 band councils elected by First Nations along the route have endorsed it. Speaking at the British Columbia Natural Resources Forum, Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Crystal Smith defended the construction, saying, "Our nation's goal is to be an independent, powerful and prosperous nation. We can't get there without powerful, prosperous, independent people." She added, "The focus for us is the long-term careers." And at an event hosted last week by pro-LNG group The North Matters in northern British Columbia, around 200 Wet'suwet'en members gathered to voice support for the pipeline. An 80-year-old Wet'suwet'en member named Russell Tiljoe said he backed the construction because it brought job opportunities, saying that historically, "First Nations people didnt have much of a chance of getting a good job. We had to take the jobs that nobody else wanted." The Wet'suwet'en protests are also coming at a terribly inconvenient time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. For the past month, Trudeau has been campaigning for Canada to win a seat on the U.N. Security Council, and he was meeting with dignitaries in Africa and the Caribbean to drum up votes as the protests were paralyzing transit across Canada. He was forced to cancel the rest of his trip to return home, declaring that the protesters were unwilling to negotiate in good faith and that "the barricades need to come down now." But unlike Standing Rock, the Wet'suwet'en protests have inspired action throughout the country, and police crackdowns may not be the quick solution the prime minister is hoping for. NoDAPL Thanksgiving at Standing Rock Photos from the front lines of protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Originally Appeared on GQ The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday (March 3, 2020) informed that it has arrested six accused in connection with Yogesh Gowda muder case on Sunday (Februray 29, 2020). The names of the six accused include - Dinesh, Sunil, Nutan, Ashwath, Shahnawaz and Nazeer Ahmed. CBI official further also informed that on the request of CBI, the Designated Court remanded the six accused to five days police custody. On the request of the Karnataka government CBI has taken over the investgation of the case after registereing case on September 24, 2019 . The CBI statement read, ''CBI had registered a case on September 24, 2019 on the request of the Karnataka Government and further Notification from Government of India and taken over the investigation of the case, earlier registered at Suburban Police Station, Dharwad in connection with the alleged murder of Yogesh Gowda, resident of Dharwad (Karnataka). In this case, the local police had filed charge sheet on September 9, 2016.'' The probe agency further said that the investgation is going on and more suspects may be held based on the information received by the arrested accused. Yogesh Gowda was a BJP taluka panchayat member and a resident of Dharwad in Karnataka who was mudered on September 6, 2016. He was killed in his gym by the accomplices of Muttagi, who first sprinkled chilli powder before stabbing him to death. (With IANS input) The Delhi riots forced many to take refuge at East Delhi Municipal Corporation's community centre relief camp in Shri Ram Colony. These are their painful stories. IMAGE: Displaced riot victim takes shelter at eidgah relief camp in Mustafabad area of northeast Delhi. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo Mohammad Izrael, a 55-year-old e-rickshaw driver, took refuge on Delhi's iconic Signature Bridge as he witnessed smoke billowing from a locality which had been run over by rioters. Up in flames was his own house in the Garhi Mendu village, where rioters looted jewellery and other valuables before setting the houses on fire. "When the situation grew tense, I sent my children, including my daughter, who will get married next year, to my brother-in-law's house in Khajuri area. I had asked them to lock me from outside," he said. The rioters broke open the door and started loading the household items -- even things such as TV and fridge -- in a vehicle they had brought, he said. All this while, he was standing on the terrace watching all his savings being stolen, including jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh. "My daughter's jewellery was kept and even my daughters-in-law had kept their jewellery with me for safekeep. All of that was taken away. After the rioters left, I managed to run away and later saw smoke billowing from my house while I stood at the Signature Bridge," he said. Izrael's story finds echo in the tales of despair of several people who have been reduced to the status of being inmates of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation community centre relief camp in Shri Ram Colony from being the residents of the Garhi Mendu village. With their houses looted and burnt during the communal violence in northeast Delhi, three families, who were looking forward to the weddings of their daughters, have been left in deep sorrow as all the jewellery bought over years were stolen in a matter of few seconds. The inmates at the relief camp also said the rioters were all locals and not outsiders. They also said they will only return when authorities assure them of safety. IMAGE: Displaced riot victims take shelter at the camp in Mustafabad. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo Noor Bano is worried as jewellery worth over Rs 2 lakh was stolen and a bed she had bought for her daughter's wedding had been burnt by rioters at the Garhi Mendu village when the violence erupted in the area. "The violence started on Monday last week but reached our area the next day. The rioters, who were locals, first torched a mosque and then houses next to it. We had kept the jewellery, which was worth lakhs of rupees, in the bed box. We had bought the bed for her marriage. "The items had been kept at a neighbour's house. They broke open the lock, looted the valuables and then torched that room where the valuables were kept," Bano said, as she broke down. Her daughter's wedding was scheduled two years later, but she said that they had been saving for the wedding every year. "Even my married daughter, whose husband is abroad, was staying with us. She has two children. All her things were also stolen. We had gone to check and found that even tawa has been stolen," she said. Bano was also hurt in stone-pelting on February 23 when she stepped out to see the situation. However, unlike others, her documents were saved. "After the new citizenship law was enacted, I had started keeping my documents with me all the time. My documents were saved," she said. IMAGE: Over 160 homeless residents of the Garhi Mendu village are staying in the relief camp. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo Another woman's daughter wedding was fixed for May, but now it will have to be postponed as the rioters stole all the jewellery the family had saved for their daughter's wedding and even the documents. "Everything is gone. Our house has been burnt down and all the valuables taken away. Where will we go now?" she asked. Over 160 homeless residents of the Garhi Mendu village are staying in the relief camp set up by the Delhi government. Mohammad Shafi, from the same village, said he had shifted to a new house a few days before the violence, and everything is burnt now. Shakeel Ahmed and his wife were at home when rioters kicked their door open and dragged him out of home and hit him with lathis. "They told me, 'Yahan se chale jao. Tumhara ghar kabza kar lenge' (leave this place, we will capture your house). They hit me on my head. They poured a chemical on my home and set it afire. My wife, somehow, managed to save the house from being totally gutted by pouring water. We will only return when the officials will guarantee our safety," he said. His wife, Chand Bibi, said, "The attackers were locals from the area. Many of the Hindu families stood as mute spectators when the rioters were going on a rampage. After they left, we spent the night in the house. We were getting phone calls from our relatives but did not take them for the fear of alerting rioters and even turned off the lights." Womens Center Celebrates 40 Years at WSU March 2, 2020 OGDEN, Utah The Weber State University Womens Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, honoring a legacy of education, empowerment and advocacy for women and students. According to Paige Davies, Womens Center director, the center strives to create a safe and inclusive campus environment by addressing systemic oppression and working toward a vision of gender equity. Since the Women's Center's founding in 1980, we have focused on empowering women and their families through numerous services and resources, Davies said. The early Women's Center focused on women returning to college after divorce, marriage, motherhood, etc. Today, the center still provides support to women and mothers, as well as all other students at Weber State, through scholarships, events and resources. Through the dedication and leadership of previous staff and students, the center has expanded its scope of services over the years and taken on major initiatives. The center now offers a variety of services that focus on social justice education, empowerment, leadership and engagement. It also provides a variety of scholarships to help students in need complete their degrees. Since 2015, the center has also coordinated Safe@Weber, an initiative promoting the safety and well-being of all individuals. The program provides violence prevention education for the campus community on topics of consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention. Additionally, the center offers confidential advocacy services to survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence. The Womens Center hosts events and programs to help students examine real-world issues and their own identity, as well as teaching them how to make positive changes in their community. In addition, the center helps students participate in activism, advocacy and civic engagement. The Womens Center will hold a celebration March 10 at 5 p.m. in the Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall. Guests will enjoy dinner and hear from past students, staff and faculty, including keynote speaker Adrienne Andrews, WSU Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Diversity. Celebrating this strong history of supporting women's empowerment, education and leadership is important to us because we are proud of our roots, Davies said. We want to celebrate not only what we have achieved and what our current projects are, but also look forward to an even more equitable, inclusive and safe community at Weber State. For more information about the Womens Center, visit weber.edu/womenscenter Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. Jumping into international trade can be an intimidating prospect for a small business owner. But it doesnt have to be that way, said David Glaccum, associate administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administrations Office of International Trade. Its a sale like any other sale, and there are resources to help you get there, Glaccum said while addressing New Mexico business owners and others Friday at the 2020 International Business Summit. The event, held on Central New Mexico Community Colleges Montoya campus and co-hosted by the New Mexico Trade Alliance, was designed to answer questions about exports, highlight grants and other resources and encourage more New Mexico small businesses to participate in the global economy. While international trade has more than doubled as a portion of the United States gross domestic product over the past six decades, Glaccum said many small businesses opt not to export goods and services due to a lack of expertise, as well as a level of comfort in domestic markets. Glaccum told attendees that as few as 1% of American small businesses export goods or services to other countries, even though 95% of consumers live outside the United States. The opportunity for new and expanded trade relationships, and the accompanying sales growth, is there for the taking, Glaccum said. The event convened panels of trade experts and New Mexico small business owners who have had success with international trade. Panelists discussed financing and identifying markets while answering questions from other New Mexico business owners interested in expanding their own international footprint. New Mexico has seen steady growth in foreign trade in recent years, according to New Mexico Trade Alliance president Randy Trask. In 2019, the states exports to Mexico grew by 68% and its total global exports grew by 31%, according to the Journals archives. Still, Trask noted that many of those export totals dont always reflect goods produced in New Mexico, and the state remains well behind neighbors like Colorado and Arizona in total exports. Trask pointed to New Mexicos smaller population and relatively small manufacturing sector as factors. As a result, Trask and Glaccum agreed theres room for improvement within the states small business export realm. Trask highlighted New Mexicos food industry as a particular area of focus, noting the states relatively abundant food-product manufacturers could find homes in markets as far away as Europe and Asia. During the trade summit, Glaccum highlighted some of the tools the Office of International Trade uses to work with small business, including grants through the offices State Trade Expansion Program. He said the program, a partnership between federal and state government, supported nearly $5 million in small business export sales in New Mexico in 2019. I think the future is bright for trade, Glaccum said. Oppn MPs demand discussion on riots, resignation of home minister Amit Shah. Trinamul Congress leaders protest over Delhi violence at Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: There was uproar in both Houses of Parliament on Monday over Delhi riots, with the Lok Sabha witnessing unprecedented scenes when members of the treasury and Opposition benches almost came to blows when the latter were protesting in the Well of the House. The go-ahead for the protests by Congress was given by party chief Sonia Gandhi at a meeting on Monday morning where she said that MPs should demand for nothing less than the resignation of Home minister Amit Shah. When the House assembled in the morning, it was adjourned till 2 PM over the death of sitting JD(U) member Baidyanath Prasad Mahto, who was an MP from Valmiki Nagar in Bihar. When the House reassembled at 2 PM, the entire Opposition, led by the Congress, began protesting while shouting slogans seeking the resignation of home minister Amit Shah. MPs belonging to Congress, DMK, Trinamul Congress were carrying placards of Save the Democracy, Home Minister resign and No more Hate. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former president and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi were both present in the House as were other senior leaders like Samajwadi Partys Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the Speaker, after dismissing all the adjournment motions of the Opposition leaders, tried running the House normally with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman introducing the Direct Tax Vivaad Se Vishwas Bill and health minister Harshv-ardhan introducing the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill and Mineral Laws Amendment Bill. When West Champaran BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal was speaking on the Finance Bill when Congress MPs Hibi Eden and Gaurav Gogoi went towards him and tried to block him with a banner demanding resignation of the home minister facing the camera. Mr Jaiswal then made a comment on Congress president Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and soon all hell broke lose as the two MPs moved menacingly towards him and ruling party MPs rushed to stop them. Both sides almost came to blows. For a while there seemed to be a free for all as MPs from both Opposition and ruling sides pushed and shoved in the Well. The Speaker adjourned the House till 3 PM. The drama, however, continued even after the House was adjourned as MPs traded barbs and many, like BJP MPs Ramesh Bidhuri and Ashwini Chaubey and Congress Mr Eden among others, continued to argue. Even as this was going on, another battlefront opened with Congress Kerala MP Ramya Haridas claiming that BJP MP Jaskaur Meena had physically assaulted her during that time. Ms Haridas later wrote a complaint to the Lok Sabha Speaker to this effect. However, the BJP MP denied and has since filed a counter complaint. As chaos prevailed, Lok Sabha Speaker took the chair and said that he was pained to see the situation in the House. This is the temple of democracy. There are certain rules and tradition. You should not come to the Well. As you are responsible representatives of people here, it is your collective responsibility to maintain peace and tranquility. After this, he adjourned the House till Tuesday. Speaking with reporters after Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day, Congress leader in the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the party demanded that the violence in Delhi should be discussed in the Lok Sabha as it was a very important issue and the world was talking about it. The government should put forward its views on it. We were trying to make this request, but the government did not allow us to do so and kept making one excuse after another, he said. The Rajya Sabha too had to be adjourned for the day after Opposition MPs remained adamant on their demand for Union home minister Amit Shahs resignation and kept shouting slogans against the Modi government. As the Upper House assembled in the morning, chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu disallowed the discussion on Delhi riots as demanded by the Opposition, saying the issue was definitely important but the priority should be to restore normalcy and then discuss ways and means of preventing it. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad charged that the Central government slept when violence rocked Delhi for three days. Today, discussion is not allowed... I have to give permission. I have to decide the time and I have to take the minister into confidence for having the discussion... Please, let us help to restore normalcy..., said the Chairman whose appeals to members to resume their places went unheeded after which he adjourned proceedings till 2 PM. As the House re-assembled at 2 PM, Opposition MPs, including those belonging to the Congress, AAP, Left, TMC, SP, BSP and DMK, were up on their feet shouting slogans and accusing the government of failing in its duty. Deputy chairman Harivansh, who was conducting proceedings, made repeated appeals to protesting members standing in the Well to return to their seats so that the House could function normally. He also urged three members sporting black blindfolds to remove them, saying these were against the decorum of the House. However, the members were unrelenting and protests continued. Amid the sloganeering and protests, human resource development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank introduced a bill which seeks to convert three deemed-to-be Sanskrit universities into Central Sanskrit Universities. The Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019, was passed by Lok Sabha in December last year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 13:54:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People visit the Pepperdine Wave of Flags display at Pepperdine University in Malibu, the United States, on Sept. 11, 2019. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/Xinhua) "Under the guise of 'upholding human rights' and 'religious freedom,' they (the United States) have attacked other countries' counter-terrorism operations, while ... they have ignited war in Afghanistan and Iraq under the banner of human rights and counter-terrorism," said the scholar from Xinjiang University of China. GENEVA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has adopted a double standard policy of counter-terrorism, which is based entirely on its own national interests, disregarding the appeal of other countries and regions, a scholar said here Monday. "On the one hand, under the guise of 'upholding human rights' and 'religious freedom,' they (the United States) have attacked other countries' counter-terrorism operations, while on the other hand, they have ignited war in Afghanistan and Iraq under the banner of human rights and counter-terrorism," said Aierken Shamushake, deputy director of School of Law at Xinjiang University of China. The scholar made the remarks at an international symposium on counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and promotion and protection of human rights, which was held during the ongoing 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council. "At present, the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism are still serious, and the fight against terrorism and extremism has a long way to go," he stressed. The symposium is sponsored by the Chinese Mission to the UN in Geneva, the Mission of Cameroon to the UN in Geneva and the China Society of Human Rights Studies. Sailors man the rails aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze as they sail into port in Duqm, November 26, 2016. US Navy/MCS 3rd Class Casey J. Hopkins US Central Command is asking Congress for $21 million to expand its logistics footprint at the port of Duqm in Oman. Located outside the Persian Gulf, Duqm gives the US more capabilities in the region, including another port that aircraft carriers can use. Duqm could also give the US an advantage in a burgeoning competition with China, which is expanding its influence around the world. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A year after the US clinched a deal with Oman to access facilities and ports in Duqm, US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, is asking for money to expand its operations there. When the deal was stuck, US officials said it provided better access the Persian Gulf and reduced the need to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime choke point that Iran has threatened to block. US 5th Fleet, which is responsible for the region, is based in the Gulf on the island of Bahrain. "The port itself is very attractive, and the geostrategic location is very attractive, again being outside the Strait of Hormuz," a US official told Reuters at the time, adding that negotiations began under Obama. In an unfunded priorities list submitted to lawmakers last month and obtained by Insider, Central Command chief Gen. Kenneth McKenzie requested a total of $371.8 million to "increase our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capacity, support countering unmanned aerial systems threats, provide for base defense and resiliency, and conduct inform and influence activities against malign state actors and their proxies." Of that money, which is not included in the proposed budget, $21 million would go "to continue developing Duqm, Oman as the only fully capable and scalable logistics hub" outside the Gulf that can support the US military with "distribution for all classes of supply," McKenzie wrote. Story continues Below, you can see what goes on at Duqm and why the US is so keen to be there. The US and Oman signed a "Strategic Framework Agreement" on March 24, 2019, allowing US forces to use the ports of Al Duqm and Salalah. Iran Persian Gulf Oman ports Duqm Salalah Google Maps The deal allowed Oman to advance its efforts to transform Duqm into an industrial hub and port center and offered the US better positioning in the region amid a growing competition with China for influence all over the world. General view of Duqm Port in Oman, August 22, 2017. REUTERS/ Nawied Jabarkhyl Reuters China has already set up its first overseas military base, billed as a logistics hub, in the East African country of Djibouti, not far from the US's biggest base in Africa. Chinese firms at one point also planned to invest up to $10.7 billion in Duqm for commercial development. But at the time the US and Oman signed their deal, US officials told Reuters the Chinese didn't appear to have done any work in the part of Duqm set aside for them. Concerns about China notwithstanding, US officials framed the deal with Oman over Duqm as a success in its efforts with partners in the region against Iran. Navy destroyer Nitze Duqm Oman US Navy/MCS 3rd Class Casey J. Hopkins The US Embassy in Oman said at the time that the deal "reaffirms the commitment of both countries to promoting mutual security goals." "We used to operate on the assumption that we could just steam into the Gulf," but "the quality and quantity of Iranian weapons raises concerns," one US official told Reuters. The port at Duqm is also large enough to host aircraft carriers. Navy amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima Duqm Oman US Navy/Seaman Magen F. Weatherwax In January, aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy made their first port visit at Duqm while transiting through the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Navy destroyer Normandy carrier Truman US Navy/MCS 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman Personnel from Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain traveled to Duqm to help offload cargo, including 6,000 pounds of mail and flu vaccines for the Normandy. They also found lost baggage for a service member who traveled commercially to meet the Truman. Navy Marine Corps Army Duqm Oman US Army/Staff Sgt. Andrew S. Carroll "Supporting a ship with 5,000-plus sailors can be a complex and challenging logistical evolution. It helps us at NAVSUP FLC Bahrain, as well as the ship's company, to have personnel on site," said Joshua Wells, a contracting officer with NAVSUP FLC Bahrain. Navy Marine Corps Marines Duqm Oman US Navy/MCS Jelani J. McRaeQuiles Source: US Navy The $21 million requested by Central Command would "go to support waterfront operations, warehouse, boat maintenance, and ordnance facilities and activities for all three Service Components," the unfunded priorities letter says. Navy amphibious dock Oak Hill Duqm Oman US Navy/MCS 3rd Class Griffin Kersting "Further development ensures Duqm supports a more efficient, flexible, and resilient [Central Command] posture with dispersed aerial- and sea-port of debarkation capabilities that mitigate movement constraints through strategic maritime chokepoints," it adds. Navy amphibious dock landing Oak Hill Duqm Oman US Navy/MCS 3rd Class Griffin Kersting In addition to $21 million for logistics upgrades, Central Command requested $24.1 million for commercial equipment to secure Duqm and other facilities in the region. Navy amphibious dock landing Harpers Ferry Duqm Oman US Navy/MCS 3rd Class Keypher Strombeck "Many existing operating locations require additional equipment to accommodate theater force re-posturing in response to Iranian aggression and counter-ISIS campaigns," the letter says. Navy submarine Boise Duqm Oman US Navy/MCS 2nd Class Daniel M. Young In response to that demand, Central Command requested commercially available equipment to "protect against ground attacks, small-unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and terrorist networks in high-threat environments." "This equipment provides Security Forces with critical explosive detection capabilities, ballistic gatehouses and towers, anti-vehicle barriers, portable small arms armories, and intrusion detection capabilities," the letter says, adding that it takes about nine months from purchase to delivery of commercial-off-the-shelf equipment due to long lead times for some items. "Emerging demand signals have depleted [force protection] equipment stockpiles and surpassed incremental funding capability," the letter says. An infusion of funding for fiscal year 2021, it adds, "will help alleviate equipment shortfalls that support future contingency operations." Read the original article on Business Insider Sharon Kleyne, Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research Air Date: 17 February 2020 Guest: Dr. Ming Yang, Internationally recognized expert in environmental protection. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/121743/american-enviromental-technology-and-its-impact-on-china Energy and environmental protection hinges more than ever on better education according to Sharon Kleyne, founder and research director of Bio Logic Aqua Research Water Life Science and energy and environment economist Dr. Ming Yang of China and the U.S. What I found out many years ago is a lack of education about water and life, says Kleyne, host of the internationally syndicated The Power of Water & Your Health sponsored by Nature's Tears EyeMist on VoiceAmerica and produced by Rose Hong, founder and director of Global Dragon TV in Washington, D.C. Without the water, Kleyne continues, we would lose eternity. The planet needs to live with the universe. Human life on the planet began with what is seen and unseen. Human life is made up of water. If the planet, the seen and the unseen are to survive, it will take urgent action by humanity because time is running out according to Dr. Ming Yang, Energy Technology Economist at the International Energy Agency (IEA) of the OECD in Paris. Yang, who holds a Ph.D. in energy engineering and economics, is also the author of six books and more than 60 journal articles about the global environment. Over the last 28 years, Yang has lived and worked in more than 60 countries in the world. Since 2008, Yang has lived in the U.S. and China. In China, he is working to move rural China to a zero-carbon economy by 2050. Yang agrees with Kleyne that misinformation, lack of education and investments are obstacles to a healthier environment. Pollution and proliferation of plastics in the ocean contribute to the oceans warming up. The biggest enemy, though, says Yang, is oceans warming up due to carbon emissions and climate change. Even rain is negatively affected by high carbon emissions. Yang warns against dangerous nuclear power plants that can devastate environments for centuries, citing recent examples of major accidents in Russia and Japan. In China, Yang is focused on programs for cleaner, safer water and wind and solar power. Yang argues that transitioning to a zero-carbon economy will not negatively impact income. Its a win/win transition to clean energy-efficient systems. When Kleyne asks what individuals can do to create a better environment, Yang suggests starting locally and small. Avoid using packing materials, paper and excess water, Yang responds. This will go a long way towards saving local environments worldwide. If you would like to listen to the talk radio program organized by program director Rose Hong of Global Dragon TV featuring Dr. Ming Yang, Ph.D., internationally recognized expert in environment protection and Energy Technology Economist at the International Energy Agency and Health Olympics new water technology educator and evaporative dry eye researcher Sharon Kleyne as they discuss environmental protection, climate change, education, water, China, the U.S., Africa, pollution and evaporation, follow this link: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/121743/american-enviromental-technology-and-its-impact-on-china If you would like to watch a brief, entertaining educational film that demonstrates the application of the new Dry Eye Solution technology Natures Tears EyeMist, sponsor of Sharon Kleynes talk radio program, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0gOr8TB45U HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil says his government is considering legislation that would establish so-called "bubble zones" to prohibit protests against abortion services at health-care facilities. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 3/3/2020 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Nova Scotia NDP leader Gary Burrill, waves to supporters after winning his seat following the Nova Scotia provincial election in Halifax, N.S. on May 30, 2017. Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil says his government is considering legislation proposed by the NDP that would establish so-called bubble zones to prohibit protests against abortion services at hospitals. NDP Leader Gary Burrill says while his party's bill is "super focused" on a specific need, it is open to negotiating with the government to accomplish the overall goal. THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil says his government is considering legislation that would establish so-called "bubble zones" to prohibit protests against abortion services at health-care facilities. The legislation would ban protests or other forms of interference to reproductive health services at a pharmacy, clinic, doctor's office, hospital or physician's home. McNeil says while he supports the NDP-proposed bill in principle, he'd like to see it extended to include all people who access various forms of care at health facilities. He says patients shouldn't have to go through a protest line regardless of why they are accessing health services. NDP Leader Gary Burrill says while the bill is "super focused" on a specific need, his party is open to negotiating with the government to accomplish the overall goal. Bubble zones exist in other jurisdiction including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020. An 84-year-old woman living in a nursing home earmarked for closure has said she moved there three months ago after she was told its future was safe. The woman, who did not want to be identified, said she is furious that she was given reassurances in October that Ravenhill Private Nursing Home would remain open. She is currently in the process of completing the sale of her family home, where she lived for 65 years, after making the decision to move to Ravenhill. It comes after the owner of the home, Paul McGranaghan, told residents in a meeting last Thursday evening that he has been trying to sell the home for two years. Staff working at the home, which overlooks Belfast Lough in Greenisland where properties can fetch in excess of 500,000, have also said Mr McGranaghan told them it has been struggling financially for four years. A spokesman for Ravenhill has said the decision to close the home has been made "with great sadness and regret". However, the 84-year-old lady who now faces the difficult process of finding alternative accommodation, said: "My situation is pretty awful. "I have already made arrangements to stay here long term, so I am furious that this has happened. "This is an exceptional nursing home but when I was considering coming here, I asked about the rumours that the home was closing and I was told by management they would look into them. "They came back to me and said they knew nothing about them and I would be all right. "It really is a disgraceful situation that we have all found ourselves in, the staff and residents, I feel very let down by the system. "I am more or less homeless and I am very, very angry." Meanwhile, the wife of another resident sobbed as she spoke of her terror that her husband will not survive the trauma of moving. Ann Kelly was distraught as she described her devastation at the prospect of finding a new home for her 81-year-old husband, Jim, who has dementia. "He has been here for nearly three years and I thought this was going to be his home for the rest of his life," she said. "It is a heart-breaking decision to have to put your husband in a nursing home, but I was glad that he settled in Ravenhill and the staff and care have been wonderful. "Now we have to start all over again and I'm not even sure we will get him a place because we have been told there aren't enough available places for the number of residents at the home. "The letter we got calling us to a meeting was so impersonal, it was addressed to resident/relative. "It's been horrific, it's devastating, the way we've been treated is shameless and I just hope that the move doesn't kill him." Meanwhile, a care assistant has said she left a full-time job after responding to an advert to work at the home several weeks ago. "I only started working here on Monday and then we were told on Thursday that the home was closing," she said. "Paul said he has known for two weeks that the home was going to have to close, so why let me leave a job to come and work here and tell me on my second shift that I'm losing my job?" A spokesperson for Ravenhill Private Nursing Home said: "It is with great sadness and regret that we have taken the decision to announce the closure of Ravenhill Private Nursing Home in Greenisland. "We have strived to provide the highest level of care over the years and are working closely with the Northern Trust to support patients and their families during the transition period which is our priority. "We would like to thank all our staff who have worked tirelessly and diligently in providing care to our patients and we are supporting them during this time. "The fundamental reasons that have resulted in the closure of the home have been the well documented lack of funding in the healthcare sector, coupled with a critical shortage of nursing staff in Northern Ireland. "This has led to an over reliance on inflated agency staff costs that are unsustainable." Announcing the closure of the home on Thursday, Mr McGranaghan reportedly gave an assurance that it will remain open until all residents are rehomed. However, it is understood that the Northern Trust intends to move all residents within a month. Staff have claimed there may be as few as 21 available places in the trust for the 36 people currently living at the home. The Northern Trust has not commented on the claims, but has said it is working hard with residents, families and home staff to facilitate the transfer of residents to appropriate alternative accommodation. A petition calling for the Health Minister to halt the closure of the home has attracted more than 1,750 signatures in a matter of days. It is available by logging on to www.change.org and searching for Robin Swann Save Ravenhill Nursing Home. A family who were forced into quarantine in their Wirral home over Coronavirus fears have said they feel like 'caged animals' in bizarre interview outside their window on This Morning. Despite all being tested for the virus, Lorraine and Carlos Oliveira and their children Jonathan, 16, and Aoife, nine, from Merseyside, have been made to stay in their home after a holiday on the MS Westerdam cruise ship. The vessel had been on a two week odyssey through southeast Asia after Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had barred its entry over fears of the virus. The ship was stranded at sea due to fears over the virus, and the family have been in quarantine for 12-days, with their eldest daughter Niamh, who had to move out of their home, bringing them essentials to get by. Today, the family chatted to Alice Beer on the show, who communicated with them over video chat as she stood outside their window, but viewers were baffled by the segment, and teased that it looked like Alice was 'in a zoo'. Alison Beer (pictured right) chatted to a family forced into quarantine in their Wirral home over Coronavirus fears, who said they feel like 'caged animals' in bizarre interview outside their window Lorraine Oliveira communicated with Alice over video chat as she stood outside their window, and told that the family were becoming 'tetchy' After confirming each of them had tested negative for the disease, Lorraine said over video chat: 'Initially it was quite nice, but the novelty has definitely worn off. 'We've been getting very tetchy with each other, a bit argumentative. We really just want to get out. We feel like caged animals, it's shocking.' Viewers were confused by the segment, with one insisting: 'Shes talking about them like theyre in the f****g zoo.' 'It's like going to the zoo', agreed another. Viewers were baffled by the segment, and teased that it looked like Alice was 'in a zoo' while interviewing the family A third said: 'Alice talking to these people like theyre animals locked in the zoo.' Speaking to their daughter Niamh outside the house, who had not attended the holiday and had been bringing them food, Alice asked: 'Who is feeding them?'. 'Me', said Niamh, 'I didn't actually go on the holiday with them, so when they came back I had to move out.' Lorraine explained the family receive a phone call from Public Health daily confirming they don't have symptoms. The family told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield how ship was stranded at sea as ports due to fears over the virus and the family have been in quarantine for 12-days Alice spoke to their daughter Niamh outside the house, who had not attended the holiday and had been bringing them food after moving out of the home Lorraine explained the family receive a phone call from Public Health daily confirming they don't have symptoms The mother-of-three went on to explain that her son, who is studying for his A-levels, is 'desperate to go back to school'. 'They're a little bit argumentative with us', said Lorraine, 'Johnny is desperate to get back to school. 'He is extremely worried about his school work. He's been emailed his work but he still needs to be attending classes to understand curriculum correctly. 'He had his 17th birthday this weekend and obviously couldn't celebrate with his friends because we were locked up.' Last month cruise operator Holland America announced that Cambodia had granted approval for the ship to dock, after five countries turned it away. The 1,455 passengers and 802 crew returned to dry land in Sihanoukville, before flying home via Phnom Penh and being told to stay in quarantine. - As the world battles COVID-19 globally, four countries have recorded their first cases on Monday, March 2 - Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia and Jordan have announced the first new cases in their respective countries - Experts say coronavirus presents the world economy with its greatest danger since the global financial crisis in 2008 COVID-19 also known as coronavirus seems to be spreading like wildfire in various parts of the world. On Monday, March 2, four countries recorded their first cases in what is now seen as a global epidemic. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Tunisia recorded their first cases as experts warned that the viral disease presents the world economy with its greatest danger since the global financial crisis in 2008. The Saudi health ministry announced that the infected case is a citizen who came from Iran via Bahrain. Nigeria recorded its first case recently and government officials have been on top of the situation. Photo: FGN Source: Twitter PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update The ministry said once he tested positive for the virus, he was placed under quarantine in a hospital and is being provided with the necessary medical care. Tunisia's health minister, Abdelatif el-Maki, confirmed the country's first case of the new coronavirus, adding that the patient is a Tunisian man. Senegals health minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarron also announced the first case of coronavirus in the country. He said the patient is a French man who lives in Senegal and flew back from France on Wednesday, February 26 into the West African country. The patient had since been in contact with his wife and two children and is now under quarantine in a hospital in the capital Dakar. On the same day, Jordan's health minister, Saad Jaber announced the kingdom's first case of coronavirus. The minister said the infected person arrived back in Jordan from Italy two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Vietnam has announced that all 16 infected patients infected with coronavirus in the country have been discharged from hospital and cured. The country's ministry of health, however, said one patient is still being monitored in hospital, while others have been discharged, including a three-month-old infant. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Street Gist: Do you think Nigeria can quickly overcome Coronavirus like Ebola | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng People wear surgical masks as they walk along Chinatown's Grant Avenue in San Francisco on Feb. 26, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) House Bill Aims to Strengthen Medical Supply Chain as Coronavirus Crisis Exposes Weak Links Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are seeking to strengthen the U.S. medical supply chain as shortage concerns mount in the midst of the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The number of people with COVID-19 in the United States climbed March 3, with Washington state reporting three more deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) figures as of March 4, 80 people have been infected in 13 U.S. states, including presumed cases reported by public health laboratories. In a bipartisan House initiative, Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) introduced on March 2 the Medical Supply Chain Security Act. Our overreliance on products made in China doesnt just threaten our medical supply chains. It threatens public health, Gallagher said in a statement. Pocan said, With the continued spread of the coronavirus resulting in numerous deaths in the United States, it is imperative that we provide the FDA with tools they need to better prepare for responses and shortages in medical supplies. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate last week. The coronavirus outbreak in China has shed light on what Hawleys office called severe, longstanding, and unresolved vulnerabilities in the U.S. medical product supply chain, which threaten shortages of essential medical goods as many Chinese factories remain closed in an attempt by the Chinese regime to prevent further spread of the virus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently identified about 20 drugs that solely source their active pharmaceutical ingredients or finished drug products from China, the agency said, while Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar told Congress on Feb. 25 that the United States has a stockpile of about 30 million respiratory masks, but might need as many as 300 million during the outbreak. This is more than unfortunate, Hawley said in a statement. Its a danger to public health. Last week, the FDA said its aware of 63 manufacturers, representing 72 facilities in China, that manufacture essential medical devices that may be more prone to shortages due to a supply chain disruption. The Medical Supply Chain Security Act (pdf) would give the FDA the authority to analyze sourcing locations of medical products and, in case of shortages, help bring products to market faster. Our health officials need to know the extent of our reliance on Chinese production so they can take all necessary action to protect Americans, Hawley said. This legislation will give us the information we need to better secure our supply chain and ensure that Americans have uninterrupted access to life-saving drugs and medical devices. The new bill will require that manufacturers report to the FDA imminent or forecasted shortages of life-saving or life-sustaining medical devices. That would let the FDA expedite the review of essential medical devices that require pre-market approval in the event of an expected shortage reported by a manufacturer. By allowing the FDA to identify our overreliance and swiftly take the necessary corrective actions, this bill would allow us to get upstream of potential shortages and better protect Americans access to critical medicines and lifesaving supplies, Gallagher said. The measure also will give new authority to the FDA to request information on essential drugs or devices from manufacturers. The new notification requirements would cover all aspects of manufacturing capacity, including sourcing of component parts and active pharmaceutical ingredients, along with any other information that federal authorities need to assess the security of the U.S. medical product supply chain. We need this legislation because currently no law exists requiring medical device manufacturers to notify the FDA when they become aware of a potential shortage or even requiring them to respond to the FDAs requests for information about the medical device supply chain, said Pocan. Public health officials have urged common-sense steps to prevent contracting and spreading the novel coronavirus, such as frequent hand-washing and staying home when sick. A retired Nigerian judge is canvassing for the creation of a union that can protect the interests of judges in the country. Ifiok Ukana, who retired a few days ago from the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, said, There are cases you handle (as a judge) and you step on toes and life becomes difficult for you. The Nigerian judiciary is perpetually under assault, Mr Ukana said on February 25 at a valedictory service in Uyo, held in his honour by the Akwa Ibom state judiciary. For me, that is not strange because power has always been a contest between the executive and the judiciary, he added. The emerging trend shows that the judiciary will not be left alone (to perform its functions). Individual responses will always be inadequate, the NJC is inadequate as a protective device, prayer points by individual judges may be efficacious but when one is attacked all must see themselves as having been attacked. READ ALSO: Presently, there is no association that cares for judges. Anyone in trouble stands alone in that trouble, others sympathise from a distance without any effective arrangement. The retired judge, in his speech, said he has been trailed by Nigerias secret police, the State Security Service (SSS) for two years because of a politically sensitive case that was before his court. He said he could not get any help from the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom state, Justice Godwin Abraham, when he reported to him how he was being trailed. Mr Ukana said Mr Abraham had, at some point when he was seeking for his intervention, retorted, Who will believe you that these men are after you? The last two and a half years for me has been one of great pain and regret, the retired judge said to a large audience which comprised judges, lawyers, politicians and ordinary Nigerians who came out to honour him. I have shared with many of my learned brothers and they know my travails on the bench. The SSS was released against me from July 2017 up till this morning. If you come to my neighbourhood youll see them there. What are they looking for? What is their mission? I sit next to the chief judge, a believer, and a friend. But I regret to say in this moment of trial, he did not come to my aid. Mr Ukana said, I look forward to a time, and I know that time will come when judges will come (together) under an umbrella, in the manner of a union, whether this country likes it or not. Because the present arrangement is not in their interest, they may not know but they would come to know. I am saying this out of experience. This policy paper covers the role of the UN Security Council in mandating and overseeing UN transitions, typically as peace operations are drawn down or significantly reconfigured. Based on an extensive literature review and interviews with UN experts and Council members, the paper explores the evolution of Council practice over the past thirty years. Drawing from this practice, it offers concrete recommendations how Council-led transitions processes can be planned and managed in a proactive, integrated and forward-looking manner, better positioning the UN to provide support to host countries in often fragile moments. This paper was developed in partnership between the UN University (UNU) Center for Policy Research and the UN Transitions Project with the generous support of the Government of the United Kingdom. Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-03 01:38:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Emad Drimly, Saud Abu Ramadan GAZA/RAMALLAH, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinians closely watched the new Israeli elections on Monday, but they didn't expect a major change in the tense Palestinian-Israeli ties and their living condition following the elections. In the Israeli elections, held for the third time within a year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing Likud party, and Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White Party, once again competed with each other in a tight race. They both failed to form a new coalition government after the two previous elections held in April and September last year. In the eyes of Palestinians, the two Israeli politicians are not much different as their policies toward the Palestinian-Israeli ties are almost the same. "I don't think that there is any difference between Netanyahu and Gantz. Both policies and strategies will never lead to an agreement that ends the conflict between Israel and Palestine," said Hamam Munir, a Gaza resident in his mid-30s. "Both Netanyahu and Gantz are the faces of the same coin," he said, noting that they both were campaigning on the annexation of Palestinian lands and expanding Jewish settlements. Ahmad Zwayed, a 38-year-old employee of the Palestinian Authority, expressed deep pessimism for the near future, citing that the Israeli policy toward the Palestinians is to "keep the conflict eternal to end the Palestinian presence and terminate the establishment of the Palestinian state." "I don't care who will be the prime minister of the coming government in Israel," he said. Raed Debei, a youth activist from the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said the Israeli elections "wouldn't bring any benefits to the Palestinians, as they will only produce leaders who are more extreme." Lama Mansour, a Palestinian student from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, said that the Palestinian people "are the only losers, either Netanyahu or Gantz wins the elections." He was more worried about a win by Netanyahu, which would lead to the worsening of the situation in Palestine as the hardline Israeli leader vowed to annex Palestinian territories in the West Bank. The Israeli elections are held after U.S. President Donald Trump declared his plan for peace in the Middle East, better known as the Deal of the Century. The Palestinians have largely rejected the plan, dismissing it as being completely biased in favor of Israel. The U.S. plan, declared on Jan. 28, calls for creating two states, while recognizing the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as the "undivided capital of Israel." When asked to choose between Netanyahu and Gantz, many Palestinians said Gantz could be a better choice. Tamara Tamimi, a Palestinian activist who lives in the West Bank city of Ramallah, followed the Israeli elections via satellite TV channels and the social media. Tamimi, who is originally from Jerusalem, said that if Gantz wins and forms a new government, he may postpone the implementation of the Deal of the Century until he settles some specific issues with the Palestinians. The difference between the two Israeli politicians "is that Netanyahu wants to implement the American deal without the Palestinians and Gantz may postpone it," she said. For Ismail Hmeid, a 25-year-old garments vendor in Gaza, there still a slim hope that the elections in Israel "may generate a partner that believes in peace talks and stops all the violent actions carried out by Israel in the Palestinian territories." "The Palestinians' life is getting worse, and there must be a way to improve it one day," Hmeid said. Advertisement The final surveys taken before voters headed to the polls in 14 states and American Samoa on 'Super Tuesday' showed a big bounce for Joe Biden. Biden, according to FiveThirtyEight.com, now has a better chance than Bernie Sanders of winning seven states, including Texas, where Biden campaigned Monday night and received a trio of endorsements from former rivals. The final Data for Progress poll from California also showed Biden cutting into Sanders' commanding lead. In the new survey, Sanders leads the ex-veep by 7 points. In previous California polls he was besting Biden by as many as 21 points. 'Super Tuesday' matters because about a third of the delegates available to win the Democratic nomination - 1,357 in total - are up for grabs. And since the last time voters went to the polls, the Democratic race has drastically changed. Michael Bloomberg will be on the ballot for the first time. Joe Biden has coalesced the support of several former rivals as he moves to overtake front runner Bernie Sanders. And Elizabeth Warren is trying to keep her campaign alive. Nervous party officials will be watching to see which candidate finishes the day with the most wins and momentum: will Biden have a good enough night to catch up with Sanders in the delegate count; will Sanders crush the competition and seal his frontrunner status with a strong win; and what exactly will Bloomberg net from the over $400 million dollars he's spent on the contest? Sanders will spend the primary night in his home state of Vermont with a rally there; Biden will be in Los Angeles, Bloomberg in Florida and Warren will be in Detroit. Elizabeth Warren (center) walks with her husband Bruce Mann (left) and dog Bailey Warren (right) to her local polling place in Cambridge, Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren emerges from the voting booth on the morning of Super Tuesday after casting a ballot for herself for president of the United States Elizabeth Warren greets supporters as she walks home from casting a vote for herself for president of the United States on 'Super Tuesday' in Cambridge, Massachusetts Elixabeth Warren stands on the back of a pickup truck and addresses supporters Tuesday morning after casting her vote in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the presidential race Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane Sanders greet other voters at their Burlinton, Vermont polling place Tuesday morning, as they vote as part of 'Super Tuesday' Bernie Sanders (right) chats with his wife Jane Sanders (left) as the two Burlington, Vermont residents head to the polls and cast a vote as part of Super Tuesday Bernie Sanders waves to reporters as he leaves his polling location Tuesday morning with Jane Sanders behind the wheel of his Subaru Voters cast their ballots at a polling location inside an elementary school in Minneapolis, Minnesota Democrat Jamie Wilson gets a sticker after voting in the Super Tuesday primary at John H. Reagan Elementary School in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, Texas Eddie Craig Monarch reviews his ballot while his dog Sherlock waits at a polling place on Super Tuesday in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Voters arrive to cast their ballots at a polling location inside Hunter House at Nottoway Park on Super Tuesday in Vienna, Virginia An election official hands a voter back their ID at the Madison Community Center polling place before he can cast his ballot in the Democratic presidential primary in Arlington, Va. Voters from 14 states head to the polls on 'Super Tuesday,' with about a third of Democratic delegates at stake in a single day Super Tuesday marks a new phase of the Democratic primary race and things have changed drastically since Joe Biden won Saturday night in South Carolina On Sunday Pete Buttigieg (right) dropped out and on Monday he joined Joe Biden (left) in Dallas to endorse the former vice president Amy Klobuchar (right), a moderate senator from Minnesota, dropped out Monday and hours later also joined Joe Biden (left) in Texas to endorse the ex-veep in an important Super Tuesday state. Klobuchar's Minnesota will also vote As a bonus, Joe Biden (left) also picked up a nod from Beto O'Rourke (right), a former congressman from Texas who ran for Senate in 2018, losing to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, and also briefly ran for president Meanwhile Bernie Sanders, who was earning frontrunner status, spoke to thousands at his rallies in Super Tuesday states including one Monday night in Minneapolis. With Amy Klobuchar out, her state is up for grabs Bernie Sanders (left) was accompanied by Rep. Ilhan Omar (right) at his campaign rally in Minneapolis on the eve of Super Tuesday WHEN DO THE SUPER TUESDAY POLLS CLOSE? 7 p.m. EST - Vermont and Virginia 7:30 p.m. EST - North Carolina 8 p.m. EST - Tennessee, Maine, Texas, Alabama, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma 8:30 p.m. EST - Arkansas 9 p.m. EST - Colorado and Minnesota 10 p.m. EST - Utah 11 p.m. EST - California Advertisement Amy Klobuchar, who ended her presidential bid Monday and endorsed Biden, down played the pressure on the former vice president. 'Not exactly,' she told NBC's 'Today Show' Tuesday morning when asked if it would be a make-or-break night for Biden. 'Theres going to be many more states but its a big deal,' she conceded. She argued Sanders currently leads in the delegate count because other contenders in the race diluted Biden's performance power. 'You have Senator Sanders ahead in a number of the states. Part of that is because there were so many other people running. This will be a good night. I think you will see victories for Joe Biden in a number of states,' she said. Biden's win in South Carolina on Saturday changed the trajectory of his campaign and gave hope to concerned party officials that he could unit the party as its best hope to defeat President Donald Trump in November. With the help of the House of Representatives' third most powerful Democrat - and most powerful black politician in Congress - Rep. James Clyburn, Biden clobbered Sanders in the Palmetto State, breathing fresh air into his campaign and giving him the aura of a winner. From there, things escalated quickly. Billionaire Tom Steyer dropped out Saturday night. On Sunday, Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old openly gay former mayor of South Bend, Indiana also exited the race. And Klobuchar exited Monday. She and Buttigieg were in Dallas, Texas, on Monday night endorsing Biden - who also got a bonus nod from Beto O'Rouke, who ended his own presidential run on November 1. Mike Bloomberg hasn't competed in any primary races thus far and so Super Tuesday will show whether his hundreds of millions put toward his campaign have been well spent Tulsi Gabbard, a congresswoman from Hawaii, remains in the race though has only campaigned sporadically. She did make a pitch to voters in American Samoa, where she was born, to vote for her Tuesday A flurry of other mainstream Democrats announced their support for Biden too - including former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, former Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia, among others. Meanwhile, Sanders continued to draw droves of supporters, including more than 24,700 to his two rallies Sunday in San Jose and then Los Angeles, California. President Trump - hoping to heighten intraparty tensions - also chimed in, tweeting that the Democrats were organizing a coup against Sanders and accusing Biden of dangling administration jobs in front of Klobuchar and Buttigieg to earn their support. 'Probably they'll say, "Hey, look if I win, I'll put you in the administration,"' Trump said. 'That's called a quid pro quo, right? Quid. Pro. Quo,' the president said as he left the White House for his own campaign rally Monday. Sanders was having none of it, saying in an interview Monday with CNN, 'President Trump, stay out of the Democratic primary. Why don't you do your job for a change as president.' Warren - a fellow progressive - has also continued to campaign. She was coming off of two noteworthy debate performances in Nevada and South Carolina, that didn't lead to big gains at the ballot box yet. It did give her an infusion of cash - $28 million in February - allowing her to finance a campaign through Super Tuesday and beyond. On Monday night at a really in Los Angeles Warren pitched herself as the candidate who could split the difference between Biden and Sanders. 'Voters deserve a choice of someone with unshakeable values who can also get things done and bring all kinds of Democrats along with her,' she argued. And while commending Buttigieg and Klobuchar for running 'spirited' campaigns, and congratulating Biden for his South Carolina win, she warned against the moderates move to embrace the ex-vice president. 'No matter how many Washington insiders tell you to support him, nominating a fellow Washington insider will not meet this moment,' Warren said. 'Nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country will not meet this moment.' Warren made her mark at the Las Vegas debate by going after billionaire Bloomberg, whose impact on the race hasn't been measured yet. 'I'd like to talk about who we're running against: a billionaire who calls women "fat broads" and "horse-faced lesbians." And no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump, I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg,' Warren said just minutes into the Nevada debate. Despite being on that debate stage twice, Bloomberg - who entered the race around Thanksgiving - decided against participating in the first four states that hold contests: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. He's poured hundreds of millions into the 14 Super Tuesday states. And because of the strong focus on the first four by the traditional Democratic candidates, he was often campaigning in them alone. Bloomberg's campaign staff said they are expecting the former mayor to perform well on Super Tuesday, and suggested he would stay in the campaign. 'We're expecting to have a really good Super Tuesday night,' a staffer told DailyMail.com after Bloomberg addressed the AIPAC conference Monday morning in Washington, D.C. His campaign did not define what 'good' looked like, as candidates need to crack a 15 per cent threshold to win delegates from state contests. Tulsi Gabbard, the congresswoman from Hawaii, also remains in the race, though hasn't participated in a Democratic debate since November. She's also only sporadically appeared on the campaign trail. She did, however, film a video encouraging voters in American Samoa, where she was born, to choose her as their candidate. A 22-year-old California man was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison on Monday after cyberstalking and threatening to kidnap relatives of those killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., federal prosecutors said. The man, Brandon Michael Fleury, impersonated the confessed gunman on social media for three weeks to threaten and taunt survivors of the shooting and victims loved ones. He was found guilty in October of three counts of cyberstalking and one count of transmitting a kidnapping threat. Sabrina Puglisi, Mr. Fleurys lawyer, said she was disappointed that the judge did not place Mr. Fleury in a residential treatment program, given that he has autism spectrum disorder. However, she said, she was pleased the judges sentence was much lower than the maximum 20 years that Mr. Fleury had faced. The judge made a strong argument that this type of trolling behavior on the internet is not OK, not acceptable and it wont stand, Ms. Puglisi said in an interview on Monday. He wanted to send a message to deter people from doing the same. Ending the speculation over him giving up his social media accounts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that he will be handing over the accounts to women whose life and work are inspiring examples. This Womens Day [March 8] I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions. Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs, he tweeted. Social media had been abuzz on Monday after Modi announced that he was thinking of giving my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, adding that he would keep his followers posted. The Prime Minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media with 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram. The Twitter handle of the Prime Ministers Office has 32 million followers. Prime Minister Narendra Modis intention of giving away his social media accounts to women was praised by some women activists. Others termed it a gimmick and said he should instead concentrate on the real empowerment of women. Activist Monica Arora, who is the national convener of the Group of Intellectuals & Academicians, called it one of the greatest gestures any one can make. He has made women their spokesperson and it is a creative way to inspire them, she said. All India Progressive Womens Association secretary Kavita Krishnan called it a gimmick. Its the women of Shaheen Bagh, activists like Sudha Bharadwaj, Gauri Lankesh, who need to be the story not Modis grandiose gestures. Will the woman who takes over his account finally unfollow the accounts that regularly make rape and death threats, and vile communal hashtags? she asked. ( With PTI inputs) Gold Sets Up For Another Massive Move Higher Our research team believes the recent downward price activity in Gold and Silver are indicative of past price patterns we saw in Gold over the 2007 to 2012 rally. Throughout almost every rally in precious metals (Gold), there have been a number of moderate to serious price corrections taking place within that extended rally. The current downside move is moderately small compared to historical price rotation in Gold and potentially sets up a massive upside potential rally to levels above $2100 per ounce. Weekly Gold Price Pattern from 2007 2017 This chart, below, highlights the downside price rotation that took place just before and as the US stock markets collapsed in late 2008 and 2009. Notice how Gold collapsed nearly 28% right as extreme market weakness began to become present in the US stock market. Then, pay attention to how Gold rallied from $730 in multiple upside price legs to a peak just below $1900 well above 110%. Could the same pattern already be setting up in 2020? Weekly Gold Chart Trend is Clearly Up This current Gold chart highlights what we believe is a similar price pattern where Gold collapsed as the downturn in the US stock market took place between October 2018 and December 2018. Subsequently, Gold then rallied to levels nearing the previous peak levels (near $1380), then rallied even further to $1540. We believe the current downside price rotation is similar to the downside price rotation that took place in August/Sept 2010 just before Gold rallied from $1050 to $1890 (+85%). If a similar type of rally were to take place from the current $1587 lows, the peak price of Gold may be near $2935. Gold/Silver Ratio Weekly Chart Scream Bargin This last chart highlights the true potential for a Silver rally based on historical levels of the Gold to Silver Ratio. There has never been a time in history since 1990) that the Gold to Silver ratio has been this high (93.9). Historically, traditional levels are closer to 74~76. If gold rallies above $2100 and the Gold to Silver ratio contracts to the historical 74 to 76 level, Silver will likely rally to levels above $40 to $50 per ounce. If gold rallies to our projected peak level of $2935 and the ratio reverts, Silver could rally to levels well above $65 per ounce. This downside move in both Gold and Silver are an incredible opportunity for skilled traders. Dont miss the opportunity to get into a precious metals position near these levels before the real rally begins. As a technical analysis and trader since 1997, I have been through a few bull/bear market cycles. I believe I have a good pulse on the market and timing key turning points for both short-term swing trading and long-term investment capital. The opportunities are massive/life-changing if handled properly. I urge you visit my ETF Wealth Building Newsletter and if you like what I offer, join me with the 1-year subscription to lock in the lowest rate possible and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial market and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own during the next financial crisis. Join Now and Get a Free 1oz Silver Bar! Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2020) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) ("Forum") is pleased to announce that it has commenced a diamond drill program on its Fir Island uranium project located on the north rim of the Athabasca Basin (Figure 1). Forum is operator of the project and all exploration is funded by Orano Canada Inc. (formerly AREVA Resources Canada Inc.) as part of an option agreement to earn up to a 70% interest by spending up to $6,000,000 by December, 2023. The 2020 program is budgeted at $1 million with 8 to 10 drill holes planned. Drilling by Forum in 2015 intersected a 50m vertical structural offset in the unconformity with associated alteration and anomalous geochemistry at a depth of 150 to 200m below surface. This prioritized drill target has been further developed by follow-up ground gravity and soil sampling surveys, and a more recent resistivity survey completed in late 2019. The 2019 resistivity survey outlined an area of low resistivity potentially linked with alteration or structural disruption at the north end of Fir Island (Figure 2). Previous exploration by Forum identified a series of gravity lows (interpreted as alteration) with associated boron soil anomalies of up to 3,350 ppm in the same area. Five drill holes completed in 2015 (DDH FI-06 to FI-10) demonstrated strong quartz dissolution and remobilization, tectonization in the sandstone, dravite, and sudoite clays locally in both sandstone and basement rocks. All of these attributes are excellent indicators for discovering potential nearby uranium mineralization. Figure 1: Location Map of Forum's Exploration Projects in northern Saskatchewan. The Snowbird Tectonic Zone (dashed line) transects the Basin, and is associated with the Nisto U mine in the north, and Cameco's Centennial U deposit on the south side of the Basin. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/53072_20594cf884954bfd_003full.jpg Figure 2: Proposed Drill Fences on Fir Island, 2020.The grey shaded area is a resistivity low, the green areas are gravity lows and the dashed blue lines are EM conductors. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/53072_20594cf884954bfd_004full.jpg Ken Wheatley, P.Geo., Forum's VP, Exploration and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. About Forum Energy Metals Forum Energy Metals Corp (TSXV: FMC) explores for energy metals, including copper, nickel, platinum, palladium and uranium in Saskatchewan, Canada's Number One mining province. In addition, Forum has also established a strategic land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. For further information: www.forumenergymetals.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo. President & CEO 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. For further information contact: NORTH AMERICA Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO mazur@forumenergymetals.com Tel: 778-772-3100 UNITED KINGDOM Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi, Director burnsstb@forumenergymetals.com Tel: 074-0316-3185 Craig Christy, VP Corporate Development cchristy@forumenergymetals.com Tel: 250-863-0561 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53072 Whatever your feelings about Hardball anchor Chris Matthews, no one will deny Matthews has been a cable news institution for more than two decades. It began when he brought Hardball to Americas Talking (a network under the NBC umbrella) in 1994. After a stop at CNBC (1997-99), Matthews and Hardball settled in for a run that lasted 21 years on MSNBC. But that run came to a close on March 2, when Matthews stunned observers (including many at the network) by announcing he was retiring at the start of his 7 p.m. show. Following some brief parting words, Matthews left nearly the entire show for the network to manage. (A surprised Steve Kornacki took the reins.) Though many wondered about Matthews long-term viability at MSNBC, his abrupt departure reflected pressure hed gotten from behind the scenes. Chris Matthews on- and off-air behavior reportedly forced his early retirement Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks to Chris Matthews of MSNBC after the Democratic debate on February 19, 2020. | Ethan Miller/Getty Images Anyone whos seen Hardball knows Matthews had, to put it mildly, an old-fashioned style of working. If you check on YouTube, its easy to find clips of him objectifying women (Youre a knockout, he once told Erin Burnett on the air after asking her to come closer to the camera.) In his March 2 goodbye on Hardball, Matthews acknowledged how dated his workplace habits had become. Compliments on a womens appearance that some men, including me, might have once incorrectly thought were OK were never OK, he said. Not then and certainly not today. But Matthews didnt leave his post at Hardball over some compliments from another decade. MSNBC viewers probably suspected something was afoot when Matthews did not contribute to the networks South Carolina primary coverage February 29. Indeed, by then hed been benched, a source told The New York Times. That followed a stretch in which he enraged people for his handling of a post-debate interview with Elizabeth Warren on February 19, then put his foot in his mouth on several other occasions. However, Matthews moment with Warren set other wheels in motion. Following that incident, an article published in GQ brought other allegations of inappropriate behavior by Matthews to light. Matthews terrible 2020 sealed his fate Chris Matthews, host of Hardball, prepares for interviews after the Democratic Presidential Debate on July 31, 2019.| JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images After the Nevada caucuses, Matthews long run began to look doomed. That night, while discussing the victory of Bernie Sanders, he compared the win to the 1940 Nazi invasion of France. The following day, he had his moment with Warren. Later in the week, Matthews confused Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina with Jaime R. Harrison, another African-American politician running for senate as a Democrat. By the weekend, MSNBC president Phil Griffin went to meet with Matthews, the Times reported. But by Saturday, Matthews faced even more heat when MSNBC contributor Laura Bassett published an article in GQ describing Matthews unwelcome flirtations with her in the studio in 2016. At that point, network executives could not justify keeping him at Hardball (institution or not). Matthews certainly didnt seem ready to go on March 2. Obviously this isnt for lack of interest in politics, he said. As you can tell, Ive loved every minute of my 20 years as host of Hardball. Also see: How Old Is the Average Fox News Viewer in America? The Assam government on Monday informed the state Assembly that three anti-CAA agitators died in December last year after policemen fired in the air to control the situation but missed the aim. Two others were killed in attacks by miscreants during the agitation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said. A total of 573 people have been arrested across Assam for their involvement in the anti-CAA movement, he said. When warning, lathicharge and tear gas shells could not pacify the agitated anti-CAA people, the police fired in the air with much restraint to control the situation, maintain law and order and for self defence, Patowary said in a written reply to a query by AGP MLA Pabindra Deka. In such conditions, these protesters died after receiving injuries when the police missed the aim, he said. The three persons who were killed in police firing were identified as Sam Stafford, Abdul Alim and Ishwar Nayak, while Dipanjal Das and Ajijur Rahman were victims of attacks by miscreants during the protest, he said. An inquiry into the deaths is being conducted by the Kamrup Metropolitan Magistrate, he added. To a query by Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed, Patowary said 573 people were arrested so far in 430 cases relating to protests against the amended citizenship law. Out of them, 384 have got bail and 189 are in jail, Patowary, who was speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who also holds the home portfolio, said in a written reply. In violence during the protests, 48 civilians and 55 security personnel were injured in December and one of them is still in hospital, the minister said. Patowary said the deceased have not been declared martyrs nor any financial support has been given to the dead of the injured. PARMA, MI John Schumacher lines up two bottles of Gatorade next to three water bottles to prepare for his workout. He dabs a towel onto his neck as he energetically makes is way around the room. His workout, though, isnt what you might expect. Schumacher is encouraging an audience of elementary school students to exercise their imagination through reading. Mr. Schu, as Schumacher is called travels 250 days each year from his home in Naperville, Illinois, to schools across the country talking about the importance of stories as Scholastics Ambassador of School Libraries. His travels took him to Parma Elementary School Tuesday, March 3 to help kick off March is Reading Month. I want my kids to see someone who is as passionate as he is about reading and books because I feel like if our kids can experience that passion about reading and become passionate readers, then they can go far, Principal Sue Haney said. Haney first saw Schumacher speak at the Scholastic summits she attends each summer. After following his career for years, she invited him to speak at her school. I get to stand before people and take all of the light bottled up inside of me about how I love story and I can give it away, Schumacher said. The best thing that happens is it starts coming back at me and I can start seeing kids opening up their hearts to someone they just met. Schumachers presentations include telling the story of Dave Pilkey, author of the Captain Underpants series. Pilkey has dyslexia and had trouble learning to read at a young age When he was 7, he created his now-famous characters and his teacher ripped up his drawings. She often told him he should be reading at a higher level and that he re-read the same books because he wasted time on his drawings. Now, the Captain Underpants books include some of these interactions in the plot. Schumacher had a chorus of second and third graders read some of the teachers words as portrayed in Pilkeys books as a reminder of the important role educators play in a students reading journey. Whatever gets a child to read is good reading is reading, he said. A teacher can help a child discover that they are a reader, but a teacher can also turn a child away from reading. Throughout his presentation, he handed out approximately 30 books of varying genres to students who eagerly raised their hands hoping to be picked. Another 30 were given in his second presentation to fourth and fifth graders. I work really hard at trying to pick kids who I think would benefit most from that story, Schumacher said. Books were also given to teachers for their classrooms so that each student would get a new book even if they werent chosen individually. What keeps me motivated is connecting with people through story because when you share stories with people and share your heart through story, people then share stories with you, Schumacher said. Students and teachers also sang the narwhal song from one of the books discussed, Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton. Schumacher then shared stories of some of the books he enjoyed as he worked his way through elementary school. Im telling him about my reading life and me as a reader, but Im really interested in them as readers, too, because I grow and learn from that, he said. After the presentation, Schmumacher packed up the three suitcases he travels with: One for the sound system he uses, one for clothes and one dedicated entirely to books. After 12 days of travel, hell finally spend a night at home. Parma Elementary is celebrating reading month with a Wild About Reading theme, Haney said. Hallways and doors are decorated with a jungle and animal theme. They will have an author visit during March and a family reading night with reading-related activities, free Fazolis dinner and a visit from a wild animal expert. Spain has confirmed its first death from coronavirus. Health officials in Valencia said the virus was to blame for the death of a man on February 13 in a city hospital. Confirmation came after what was described as a 'retrospective investigation' following the death of the man - who had travelled to Nepal. At the time it was put down to a type of pneumonia of unknown origin. Confirming the death as it went public with another case of the virus, the regional health authority said: 'We can confirm two new cases of coronavirus in the Valencian Community, which takes the number of cases to 19 positives. Health officials in Valencia said the virus was to blame for the death of a man on February 13 in a city hospital (pictured: An Italian tourist at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel) 'They are a woman who is at Manises Hospital in Valencia and the case of a man in Arnau de Vilanova Hospital, detected following a retrospective investigation. He passed away on February 13.' Spain now has 165 cases of coronavirus, with 46 of them in Madrid. Seven of the patients are in intensive care. It comes following revelations that a British woman who tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel where hundreds of tourists were placed in quarantine last week had been mixing with other guests for more than a week. Canary Islands authorities say the British holidaymaker was confirmed as a virus patient yesterday and is now in hospital. Travelers coming from Italy arrive at Valencia's Manises Airport while wearing facial masks, in Valencia, eastern Spain, 25 February 2020 It comes following news that a British woman tested positive for coronavirus at the Tenerife hotel (pictured) where hundreds of tourists were placed in quarantine last week She becomes the sixth person to be infected at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace, following five Italians including the doctor and his wife who first sparked the scare. Authorities are now trying to work out how the infection could have occurred. Dozens of Britons have already returned to the UK after testing negative. Health chiefs in the Canary Islands confirmed the sixth person to test positive at the Tenerife hotel is a British woman who was mixing with other guests for more than a week. A spokeswoman for the regional health authority admitted the unnamed Brit had not been confined to her room for most of her week-long stay at the hotel, like other guests who were showing no symptoms of the virus and were only ordered to remain in their rooms on the day after the first tourist tested positive. The revelation will be a cause of concern to British tourists who were trapped in the hotel for several days before being allowed to fly home. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fishermen stranded in Iran in the wake of the COVID-19 virus scare are facing threat of eviction from their accommodation from their employer. Among those facing eviction are fishermen from Pozhiyoor, a coastal village in Thiruvananthapuram. Their families back home were informed that water connection to their buildings have been discontinued. The sponsor is demanding back the money spent on their visas to return the passports. They have food for just two more days, said James Netto, father of Jagajeevan, one of the fishermen stranded in Iran. Arul Das, another fisherman in the group, sent a video message complaining that the sponsor threatened to confiscate their mobile phones provided to them by the employer. He said the embassy officers contacted them, however they made no promises from their part. The fishermen community in Pozhiyoor approached Shashi Tharoor, MP, to demand his intervention. The MPs office said a clear picture regarding evacuation can only be ascertained by Wednesday, said James. The group comprised 23 fishermen, of which 17 belong to the fishing villages of Thiruvananthapuram. They are lodged in a coastal area of Asaluyeh at Bushehr province in Iran. According to official estimates, there are many such groups, including over 60 fishermen from the state, hundreds from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, who have been affected. They had gone to Iran on fishermen visa four months ago. The fishermen were asked to remain indoor as part of Irans effort to curb the spread of the virus, which claimed over 200 lives. Iran is the worst-affected by the global pandemic after China. The chief ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu had written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar demanding his intervention. The minister had tweeted that the External Affairs Ministry was collaborating with Iran to set up a screening process for the safe return of Indians. Dhamu Gaddam, Indian Ambassador to Iran, tweeted that the officials of the Indian consulate in Bandar Abbas were meeting the stranded fishermen on Tuesday. More groups affected According to official estimates, there are many such groups, including over 60 fishermen from the state, hundreds from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, who have been affected. They had gone to Iran on fishermen visa four months ago.